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!

At the dinner table, Lightning found herself sitting next to Riku and across from his Mom. Serah sat at the end of the table, seeming content to be between Lightning and her new foster mom. In a way, Lightning wished that Serah had sat across from her so that it wouldn't be odd if she looked up every once in a while. But as the meal progressed, Light witnessed Riku's parents making a sincere effort to get to know her. They were different than they were before...

Riku ate his meal in silence, though a small smile rested on his face as his parents made an effort to get to know the girl he was "dating." He knew they heard about everything that went on in the tabloids and on the internet, and they probably saw a few things too. But they weren't judging either of them for it, and that was great. It was definitely a good start to the day.

After a little while, Serah took over telling Riku's parents about Lightning in order to allow her sister some time to eat her food. She told them all about Lightning's good grades, her sharp wit, and determination. All while Serah was going on, Lightning kept her gaze down on her plate and nibbled at her food. Despite all that Serah was going on about, Lightning didn't have very good self-esteem. She believed that she was so emotionless a lot of the time that the factor didn't allow her to have any good at all. But Serah and Riku...both of them were determined to make her see that she was a good person.

Riku had glanced over at one point and noticed how Lightning was being shy, and he lifted a hand to set on her upper back in silence. He lightly rubbed over the fabric of her shirt in comfort. What Serah was saying was true... Everything. Lightning was great, and sometimes, he wished she recognized it a little more.

Lightning glanced over at Riku in silence, feeling his hand gently running over her back. Serah kept talking, but eventually the topic transitioned into her own academics and not just Lightning's intelligence. However, she only half listened to that conversation, her eyes stuck on Riku because of his expression.

Riku kept his hand running over Lightning's back, his eyes now on hers. His small smile remained, and while his parents were distracted, he sent a wink her way. You're doing great, he told her silently. He knew she was nervous. The second they got here Lightning was more uptight than she was on the way over. Riku wasn't an idiot; he could see it clearly.

Lightning felt a small smile tug at her lips because of Riku's wink and smile. She liked that he wasn't different when he was in front of his parents. He was the same guy, even if he was more subtle by winking at her when his parents were distracted. It didn't matter, because he wasn't trying to hide it from them; he was just giving the wink to her alone. She knew that and appreciated it.

Locke glanced over during Serah's story and saw the interaction going on between his son and Lightning. The looks on their faces were enough to see that they enjoyed each other's company. Probably even more than they let on. The press went on about Riku dating Lightning, but Locke knew the two wanted it for themselves. A fake relationship wasn't doing much for them, or so Locke believed.

Light looked away from Riku after a few moments, though she allowed her hand to sit on his leg underneath the table. She was going to be more subtle with her affection for multiple reasons, one of them being Serah. She didn't want to teach Serah to jump into a relationship with anybody and be all over them, not that that was what she and Riku were doing.

Riku was surprised at the touch on his leg, and at the way he reacted: his heart skipped a beat. Riku was never taken by surprise, nor did his heart ever skip--not unless it was in fear. He took his hand away from Lightning's back and focused on eating, though most of his food was gone. He was close to stuffed, since his mother made so much to eat. His thoughts were interrupted, however, when the doorbell rang. All conversation halted, and he looked to his father. "Sora," he said with a small nod. Sora, Kairi, and Noel were here.

 

Locke pushed himself away from the table. "I'll get it," he said softly. He rose to his feet and left the kitchen, entering the the foyer and approaching the door. When he opened it, he instantly saw smiling faces. Riku was correct; Sora, Kairi, and Noel were all here.

Edited September 23, 201213 yr by Forever Love

"Hey, Mr. Cole," Sora greeted with a warm smile despite the cold air outside. Even if Sora called Riku's mother by her first name, with his dad, it was "Mr. Cole." Apparently his dad appreciated it as a sign of respect, so Sora kept calling him that. Besides, Mr. Cole was more intimidating than his wife much of the time.

Kairi had a pie in her hands, and as Locke greeted them and invited them inside, she stepped in. She and Locke shared a brief kiss on the cheek. "Merry Christmas," she said with a soft smile, seeing Noel start to take off his coat. She heard a little chatter from further inside, near the kitchen. "Would you like me to go put this on the table?"

 

"No, no. I'll take it," Locke offered. He took the pie carefully from Kairi's hands, and as everyone started to take off their coats and shoes, he motioned to the kitchen. "We were just eating. You three are welcome to join us." He offered a small smile before making his way toward the kitchen. A few more guests never hurt, especially these three.

Sora nodded to Mr. Cole before he started towards the four that were lingering at the table. He noticed Serah smile at Noel from her seat and wish him a Merry Christmas, but his focus was on his best friend. "Hope you saved some for us, Riku," he teased. Of course, Celes always made plenty of food. She knew she often had people like Sora drop in for any leftovers she could offer.

Riku rolled his eyes, lifting his hand and whacking his friend in the stomach when he walked by. "Some isn't enough for you, Sora," he countered. His friend was likely to eat it all. Of course, he knew his limits...sometimes. Riku just hoped he left some for Kairi and Noel.

"And it is for you?" Sora scoffed jokingly, whacking Riku's shoulder since Sora couldn't reach his stomach. Riku had just as big an appetite as Sora, if not larger. With his mother's cooking, it was hard not to want to take advantage of the food. Why were all the women on the Island so good at cooking? Well, never mind that question. He didn't care about the answer, just the food.

Riku shook his head, quiet after that. Kairi took a seat next to him, and Noel took the spot next to his father. That meant Sora was stuck at the other end of the table, opposite Serah. Riku was just glad Sora didn't notice Lightning's hand on his leg; Riku would have gotten grief for it later.

Lightning thought she sensed something off with Riku when Sora was close, so she removed her hand off his leg. She hoped that she was sensing the wrong thing, but...it seemed like Riku didn't want people to see that Lightning showed him affection in the placement of her hand. He wasn't...embarrassed of her, was he? She kept these thoughts to herself, taking a sip of water in silence while Serah spoke to Noel.

Riku glanced at Lightning when she removed her hand, and since she wasn't using that one to hold her glass, he reached for it. He took her hand in his and held it, giving it a reassuring squeeze. He...liked her hand being there. He liked the affection. It was nice...

Light felt a smile tug at her lips as she drank her water when Riku grasped her hand. Well, that chased away the thoughts she had been having a minute ago. She should have known better that he wouldn't be ashamed of her; he proved countless times that he wasn't afraid of showing intimacy out of the public eye as well. Even in front of Sora and Kairi, he acted affectionate, even if it was toned down a little bit.

Riku heard Kairi start a conversation across the table to his mother, and with the distraction, he looked over at Lightning. He leaned forward slightly so he could see her face a little better. It was then that he noticed her smile, which made a smirk appear on his own lips. The move made her happy.... He ran his thumb over the skin of her hand wordlessly, taking his eyes off her so he didn't attract attention to her. Lightning seemed okay with the way things were right now...with him, and his family.

Light lowered her glass after a few moments, listening to the conversations going on at the table while Riku stroked her hand. It was a small gesture, but she liked it all the same. And she liked how he looked over at her just now to see her expression better. She was new to this relationship stuff, but she wasn't stupid. Riku really cared about her and she really cared about him, fake relationship or not.

Kairi giggled in her conversation with Celes, putting a hand over her mouth since she was chewing on food. She glanced around the table absently, though her eyes lingered on her best friend next to her. Riku...was smiling. It was that crooked smile he was so famous for, but it was a small smile all the same. He was happy...and it was because of the girl next to him. Not Kairi...but Lightning.

A few days later

 

Sora sat in the living room of his house, absolutely silent for once. It was hard to find any words at all, considering the circumstances. Everything was perfect a few days ago on Christmas, but with the arrival of this letter from King Mickey, that changed. He and Riku were...being called away. And there was no telling when they were going to be back. The worst part was...Kairi had to stay here.

Riku stood in the living room of Sora and Kairi's apartment, the latter absent from the situation at the moment. But she would be the entire time. He and Sora were being sent away, and Kairi couldn't come with. It was just after noon, so he assumed Kairi was at work or grocery shopping. Either way, she wouldn't come home to something pleasant. Riku just hoped Kairi was close. There was a portal that would be opening soon, and closing only a few minutes after it appeared. It was his and Sora's way to Yen Sid's tower, where they were being called. Riku stared at the ground, arms folded over his chest. He didn't even have time to say goodbye to Lightning....

"...Why now?" Sora asked Riku quietly, finally speaking. It wasn't even New Years yet. Why couldn't this Mark of Mastery exam wait just a little while longer? Better yet, why did they even need it? Sora and Riku proved their worth in the past; there was no need for them to do it again now. This was a dumb reason to be pulling them away from their family and friends...