Rude Awakening (1x1 with Peanut)

[Peanut 26]

Lightning wasn't sure why Riku held her hand so tightly at first, but when he opened the door, she realized why. The press was here to harass them, as if they didn't receive enough foul treatment the past few days. She automatically tightened her hold on Riku's hand as they stepped out, sudden memories of the past coming before her mind. Last time she and Riku held hands in front of the press, they were a fake couple. 

[Forever Love 82]

"Keep your head down," Riku ordered over his shoulder to Lightning, leading her through the crowd. They couldn't acknowledge the press at all. It would only lead them into more trouble. The questions came as soon as the words left his mouth, but Riku simply focused on getting out of there.

[Peanut 26]

It took an hour to get to Riku's parent's house when it should have taken twenty minutes. The paparazzi were definitely obnoxious; she forgot how bad they were. She coped with them alone while Riku was away, but she wasn't going to let those negative thoughts get to her on the day she was released from jail with him. They arrived at his old home, got cleaned up and fed (and tackled by Serah). A few quick phone calls later, Riku and Lightning were at the special Island with their other friends who were relieved to see them out of jail. 

[Forever Love 82]

Riku squeezed Kairi gently as she stated how good it was to see him, and he only smiled weakly. It was good to be free from isolation and confinement, but it was even better to be here with his friends. What had they been doing the past few days? Was everything back to normal, aside from the obvious? Everyone's return triggered the paparazzi. They wouldn't escape them for a while.

[Peanut 26]

Roxas stood off to the side, watching Sora hug Lightning. The latter didn't really know how to react, and he didn't blame her; Sora initiated the hug really suddenly, and Lightning didn't seem like the type for hugs. That was why when he saw her, he just gave her a smile and a nod. She seemed to appreciate that more than the hug.

[Forever Love 82]

"So..." Riku began once he was free from Kairi's grasp. "What'd we miss?" What was everyone up to? At the question, he caught Namine visibly sadden. He assumed something bad happened with her. What didn't help the case was that Kairi didn't look so thrilled either. 

[Peanut 26]

Sora let go of  Lightning, who took a small step away and looked to him for an answer. "...Well," he started. "Kairi and I have been telling the press about Xehanort's return. Now that everyone knows what happened and that they're safe, they're treating us better. But..." He glanced at Namine, figuring she probably didn't have the heart to say the truth. "...Namine was evicted from her apartment for having a pet. She's moved in to Roxas's dorm now."

[Forever Love 82]

Riku blinked. "What?" he asked. Namine was evicted? And living in Roxas's dorm.... That was an interesting setup. He wasn't sure if that would work out well, considering how small dorms were, but if the two could handle it, he couldn't exactly talk them out of it.

 

Namine shrugged faintly. She wished it was a joke, but it wasn't. The last few days she had Roxas's help in moving her things, but...she missed her apartment. It was home for years. She couldn't believe it was gone.

[Peanut 26]

Serah frowned, though she already knew that news. She was free to see everyone's actions the past few days without being directly involved. Sora and Kairi soothed the media, Roxas took care of Namine, and Riku and Lightning were in jail. As for Serah, she talked to Riku's parents about cyber school. Lightning wasn't going to be happy about that when they had a chance to sit down and talk.

[Forever Love 82]

Kairi stepped over and put an arm around Namine's shoulders, squeezing her gently. "What matters," she began softly, "is that we're all here together. Our lives are far from perfect these days, but at least we have each other, right?" She glanced at Namine, who smiled weakly, and then Riku, who nodded in agreement.

[Peanut 26]

Roxas smiled as well, nodding from his spot. "Well put," he said to Kairi. Yeah, things weren't really good for any of them right now, but it seemed like the worst was behind them. He hoped to help ensure that was true with all of his friends, but especially Namine.

[Forever Love 82]

Riku smiled as Kairi thanked Roxas for his agreement, but then his eyes went to the water. "I don't know about you," he said, elbowing Sora lightly. "But I could go for a swim right about now." When was the last time he was in the ocean? It had been...months. Before Xehanort and the Mark of Mastery test.

[Peanut 26]

"Just the two of us?" Sora asked, smirking. "I dunno...I think Kairi wants to go for a swim too." He looked to his wife, winking at her. If he was going swimming, he was definitely going to bring her with him.

[Forever Love 82]

Kairi released Namine, moving over and jumping on her husband's back. "You're lucky I'm wearing my suit underneath these clothes, mister," she said in his ear, then giggling. He could lead her to the water. She wanted to swim too, for old time's sake.

[Peanut 26]

"You were going in either way," Sora smirked. He grasped her legs tightly and then ran for the water, taking her with him. She may have still had her clothes on, and in fact he still had his shirt on, but he didn't care. 

[Forever Love 82]

Noel stripped off his shirt with a fluid motion of his arms, then reaching over and grabbing Serah's hand. "C'mon, let's go!" he encouraged with a grin. He hadn't swam with any of his friends for a long time. Ever since Sora disappeared to fight the Darkness, things had been pretty gloomy. But now everyone was back and safe. It was time to celebrate.

[Peanut 26]

Roxas watched as Serah giggled at Noel's enthusiasm and ran into the water with him. However, his focus quickly turned to the blonde that was standing near him. "Going in?" he checked with her. She did have her suit on; they all did since hangouts often involved swimming.

[Forever Love 82]

Namine smiled faintly, her eyes resting on Roxas's before she saw her friends in the water. "Maybe..." she said softly. She bit her lip, linking her hands behind her back as she turned to Roxas.  "Are you?" She wasn't going to leave Roxas here with Riku and Lightning, who were sure to be all couple-y eventually.

[Peanut 26]

"Not alone, I'm not," Roxas said, a smile appearing on his lips. He reached over and grabbed both of Namine's hands so that he could lead her in. A part of him wanted to pick her up and toss her in, but this was good enough for now.

[Forever Love 82]

Namine's eyes widened, and she laughed softly as Roxas stood in front of her. "Roxas," she giggled. She wasn't going to lie: she loved feeling his hands against hers. Did he know what he did to her sometimes? Ever since her talk with Kairi, Namine recognized her feelings almost all the time.

[Peanut 26]

Roxas dragged her in, chuckling as a wave hit his back. He braced for it but also pulled Namine closer, setting his hands on her waist to lift her up so that the wave wouldn't hit her in the face. The cool water felt good in his hair, but he doubted it would taste as good for Namine.

[Forever Love 82]

Namine cried out faintly when the wave came, squeezing her eyes shut as it washed over her and Roxas. But what really caught her attention was Roxas's grip on her waist. She still had her shirt and shorts on, but the contact was still there...and it felt wonderful. Once she was settled on the ocean floor again, she put her hands against Roxas's chest to gather her footing, feeling water trickle over her form. It was refreshing, but the taste of salt wasn't too pleasant.

[Peanut 26]

Roxas chuckled, smiling sheepishly as he kept a hold on Namine's waist. "Sorry," he said. "I should have lifted you higher." He could have too; it was easy to lift her up considering she was so lightweight. He wished he had more chances to hold onto her like this...

[Forever Love 82]

Namine shook her head, lifting a hand to brush her now wet hair away from her face. "It's alright. I was going to get wet anyway," she said, not moving out of Roxas's grasp. It was...comfortable, surprisingly. A few weeks ago, she would have shied away from the close proximity. Now she enjoyed it.

[Peanut 26]

Roxas turned around, seeing an ever bigger wave coming. "Oh, then I guess I'll let you face this one on your own," he smirked as he began to withdraw his hands. He doubted he could completely protect her from this one; it was pretty big.