As some of you may know, Peanut and I are crazy about Roleplaying, and it's clear, since this is the second one on this site that belongs to us. And we aren't even done with the first one! Regardless, that won't stop us from starting this new roleplay, Rude Awakening!

 

Kinda dark and mysterious title, eh?

 

As stated in the title, this RP is one on one, no exceptions. Please refrain from posting in the RP. Instead, follow us on this new journey!

 

Peanut, my amazing friend, let's begin!

Lightning let Riku  stroke her hair for a minute, the young man before her having a privilege that no other did. This was her Riku, her best friend and boyfriend. He made two great promises to her earlier and kept them both. For the first time in forever, he was back. And now, she was coming back too. "I feel like I've been away for a while," she said softly as she gazed at Riku. It felt like who she really was disappeared in the midst of all the fear and the pain.

"Me too," Riku said just as gently. His hand moved back up to cup the side of Lightning's head, his thumb stroking her hair. His eyes found hers. "We lost our way for a little while." But Riku liked to believe that they were getting back on track. It had been a long time since they had a moment like this, even if Serah did try forcing it on them back in Neverland.

"But what's lost can be found, right?" Lightning asked quietly as she gazed deeply into Riku's eyes. She lifted a hand, lightly placing it on his shoulder without looking away from his eyes. Both of them lost their way in the chaos, but now they were returning to the people they used to be. Their feelings were always there and they did shine in the darkness. She realized now that if Riku hadn't cared the way that he had through all this, she never would have found her way back to him. Back to Serah too.

Riku halted any of his movements at the look in Lightning's eyes, and the hand on his shoulder. "...Right," he said with a faint nod. He suddenly felt...nervous. Lightning believed Riku ended their relationship when he was in a dark place, but he hadn't. Did she still believe that? Did she think that he didn't want her? That was the opposite of the truth. Riku not only wanted Lightning, but he needed her. He always had.

Lightning looked into Riku's eyes, seeing past the nervousness. Ever since the confrontation with his family and friends, Riku was better off. He was getting more sleep, eating more and talking more. He didn't avoid his problems: he started facing them head-on. No matter how bad the pain, Riku stepped forward. That was the Riku that she came to care for, and now he was back. "...I found you, Riku," she whispered. 

Riku smiled faintly at the words. He liked to think that he never went anywhere, but he did for a while. He wasn't himself after Cedric intervened. He never really had been, but now that the guy was gone, it was time to get better. Riku already was, and so was Lightning. "I'm glad you did," he replied softly. Lightning reached him when he was in a terrible place; she was his Light, just like he always thought.

Lightning smiled softly as she lifted both of her hands. She set them on either side of Riku's face as she brought it closer to her own. "I found you," she whispered again, shutting her eyes as she lifted her chin and gave him a kiss on his forehead. He was back with her, and she wouldn't let him go away again.

Riku felt his heart jump at the touch and the kiss, and he let his hand rest on Lightning's side. If she didn't believe that she found him before, she definitely should have believed it now. Riku recalled feeling this way before, feeling like he couldn't breathe because of her close proximity and his spine tingling at her touch. He would never tell his friends he experienced those things, but Lightning had to have known. She was the reason.

Lightning didn't pull away--she just changed her position. She leaned the side of her face against Riku's and spoke softly in his ear. "My Riku," she said quietly. That was who he was. He was her Riku: the one who broke down all of her walls and earned his way into her heart. Her Riku, who kept his word and devoted himself in both word and deed to those he cared about. Her Riku, who she deeply cared for. 

Riku took in a breath at the words. Lightning was right, wasn't she? He was her Riku. Ever since the beginning, he devoted himself to her, not even thinking of a romantic relationship. He cared about her the moment he met her. He was hers. Riku turned his head slightly and placed a light kiss to Lightning's cheek. I'm your Riku, he confirmed in silence.

Light smiled softly at the small kiss, her eyes remaining shut as she placed her chin on Riku's shoulder. She was glad to be here with him, even if she couldn't walk yet. Just knowing that someday she could walk by his side again was enough for now.

Riku let his face rest in Lightning's soft hair, his arm winding around her back. He made sure his hold was gentle in fear of hurting her, but he wouldn't. He was keeping his promises, and if he could help it, he wouldn't hurt her again. Some circumstances would keep him from keeping that promise, but all that mattered was that he would try his best. "...My Light," he whispered in response to her previous statement. He was her Riku, but she was his Light. His Lightning, but also his Light in the Darkness.

Lightning smiled softly at the nickname--one that she often protested before. But today, she didn't fight it. "You found me," she said quietly. He was key in bringing her out of the darkness the plagued her the past week. As much as he claimed that she was a light to him, he was also a light to her. 

Riku turned his head and placed another kiss to Lightning's cheek at the words. Yes, he did. He found her, just as she found him. He wasn't sure before, but he knew now that if either of them got lost, they would find each other again. It was destiny.

Light hummed quietly, setting one of her hands on the back of Riku's head to keep him close. They found one another in the darkness. She wouldn't have thought it was possible but that was how it worked out. And now she knew that if she ever fell into Darkness again, he'd be there pulling her out of it.

Riku held the position for a moment, but then he buried his face in Lightning's hair again. He had strong feelings for this girl. That was no secret to anyone, and if he knew what his mother would have told Lightning, he probably would have blushed. Celes thought that Riku was falling in love with Lightning, and even though Riku couldn't acknowledge it now, deep in his heart he knew he was.

Lightning slowly lowered her arm after a moment, simply holding Riku in a light embrace. She was comfortable in his arms--a safe haven for a person like her who almost always felt like she was in a battle. She rested her cheek on his shoulder and breathed evenly, soaking in the comfort without even realizing that she was falling asleep on him.

Four days later, Olympus Coliseum

 

Riku sat beside Lightning at one of the tables set up just outside the coliseum, he and his friends having all fought this morning in the tournament. They did a good job, for the most part, but the only person who still remained was Aqua. Sora joined the tournament because he still held the title of champion, while Riku did it for more selfish purposes; he wanted to show off for Lightning. Ventus did it for fun, especially after Hercules recognized and encouraged him to do it. Kairi didn't participate, and neither did Namine, who watched Roxas compete as well. Lightning had sat with them, Serah at her side. They were finally able to leave Disney Castle after the last few days; Lightning could walk again, one of the reasons Riku was in such a good mood. His cure worked.

"But seriously," Sora was groaning. "A previous champion knocked out that early in the tournament? This one's tough." He was disappointed with himself, but at the same time, he was amazed at the strength of all the warriors. This was the coliseum's most intense competition in  years, so it made sense that everyone was strong. He wished he could have competed longer, but he lost to an honorable fighter in a helmet. 

"Don't feel too bad," Riku said, swallowing a bite of his food. "I lost to the same guy." Whoever that soldier was in the helmet was tough. Riku didn't even recognize his fighting style. It was somebody he hadn't met before, nor Sora for that matter. He must have been a new competitor.

"You were too busy showing off to stand a chance against him," Serah laughed, elbowing Riku as she sat on his one side. She looked across him and saw Lightning smirk in agreement, but other than that, she kept her mouth shut. There was no need for her to say it, since Serah just vocalized her thoughts. 

Namine chuckled at the words while Riku rolled his eyes. He wouldn't admit to showing off, but everyone could tell from the sidelines. He was putting on an act for Lightning, to impress her, but Namine could already tell by the way the two interacted that there was no need for that. Riku and Lightning adored each other. It was easy to see.

While Sora spoke of Ven and his match against Hercules, Lightning leaned closer to Riku and spoke only to him. "You really should have been more focused on your matches, you know," she stated softly. "You could have gotten hurt." He told her to always stay focused during a fight, but Riku was so busy trying to show off fancy footwork or flashy moves that he was left open to the opponent's sword a lot of times. 

Riku looked over at Lightning and smirked slightly. "I'm guessing I didn't impress you," he said lowly. He made it through a lot of the matches, but once he fought that guy in the helmet, he wasn't focused enough, like Lightning just said. He had other things--or people--on his mind.

"You impressed me in the sense that you made an impression," Lightning smirked. She reached an arm across her stomach, lightly poking Riku in the stomach. He impressed upon her that he was the same Riku from back on the Islands: he sought to impress a lot of girls back then and could get cocky with it. He hadn't completely outgrown that part of him--that was what he showed her today. But at least the cockiness and pride was harmless today.