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!

Riku explained the situation regarding his parents and their mistakes, and how they realized them. He could tell that Lightning wasn't pleased that he revealed so much of the problem with Zane to his parents, but it had to be done in order to keep her safe. And it worked. He could be in trouble for it later, but right now, it wasn't important. They were on the flight home now, with Serah on one side of Lightning and Riku on the other. His father took a seat a few rows up so the three of them could sit together, since they were friends. But sometimes Riku questioned it, simply because he felt...strange when Lightning was around, especially now.

The silence lingered between the three of them now that their flight was in the air and they were on their way home. Home. Where was Lightning's home now? The judge wouldn't let her pick up with her life as it was before... Worry about it another day. Today, you're free. Safe. She was too tired to dwell on it anyway. She had hardly slept the past ten days because of fearing the night. She was nodding off now, and blankly realizing that she was sitting closer to Riku than Serah. When did that happen?

Riku turned his head, looking away from the aisle and to the person next to him. He saw that she was dozing off, and quite close. He figured he might as well help her out. He lifted his arm closest to Lightning and wrapped it around her shoulders, bringing her close. He would hold her like this in front of Serah now; after all, they did just hold hands not too long ago. This wasn't a big deal.

Lightning blinked tiredly at the warmth that surrounded her in the arm that went around her and the body she was brought closer to. She lifted her head lightly and looked up at Riku's face with tired and weary blue eyes. Really? she thought silently. Was he really holding her now, or was she dreaming? Even if it was a dream, it was a good one. She could live with this, reality or not.

Riku looked down at Lightning in silence, the exhaustion on her face actually making her look...cute. He smiled warmly at her, not afraid to gaze into her eyes at that moment. He would hold her like this, and he wasn't afraid to admit it. He wanted to, so he was going to take his chance. If she would rather him not, all she had to do was say so.

Lightning caught the warmth of Riku's smile, and his eyes. His eyes couldn't lie, not to her. They told her that her next actions were appropriate. She scooted a little closer to Riku and leaned her head against his shoulder while her arm lightly went over his stomach. She had never been intimate with somebody before, yet the actions came so naturally when she was with Riku. She really fell hard for him; she couldn't deny that. He earned a place in her life.

Riku's warm smile remained as he looked down at the person who was closer, much closer than before. She had never shown this type of...intimacy before, and neither had Riku. The realization actually caught him off guard. Sure, he'd gone on dates, but none of the girls really made him feel like Lightning did. What made her so special to him, out of everyone else?

Light smiled weakly, seeing that the warmth in Riku's eyes was the same as it had been before. This position wasn't pushing his limits. After a few seconds, she lowered her head on his shoulder and shut her eyes. She had always thought that Riku's arms were a safe place to be, and now she realized that this was the safest place that she could ever be. That was why...she wanted to stay. With him.

Riku looked away a second after Lightning did, his eyes going forward again. They had another hour or so on the flight, so if Lightning wanted to say this close the entire way, he would be okay with it. He imagined she would fall asleep anyway, since she seemed so tired. It made him worry for her well-being over the course of the last two weeks. But she was safe now, thank goodness.

Lightning opened her eyes briefly and turned her head towards the window seat where Serah was, just to make sure that her sister was okay. Even if Lightning had been the one in peril, she would always look out for Serah. Upon seeing that she had already fallen asleep, she relaxed. She returned to the position that she was in before and shut her eyes, allowing herself to relax in Riku's safe arms. She was asleep within minutes.

Riku had leaned his head back against the seat after a little while, but it was the pilot speaking over the intercom that got him out of his daze. He couldn't help but think of Lightning as she slept against him, but that didn't stop when the pilot told them to fasten their seatbelts for landing. He lowered his gaze to the girl against him, lifting his free hand to rest on the arm over his stomach. "Hey...Light," he called quietly, gently shaking her arm. She needed to wake up, and so did Serah.

Lightning felt the hand on her arm, which was as light as she remembered Riku's hand being before. Hard to believe that he was a warrior at times like these, when he invited her to fall asleep on him. She realized that was what she did, since she was feeling groggy now. She hummed softly in question, though she didn't move. She hadn't heard the pilot's request.

"We're gonna land," Riku whispered, aware of how quiet the rest of the plane was. Lightning needed to wake up, and she needed to get Serah too. Riku couldn't exactly reach her. As soon as she woke up, she could help her sister out of her slumber as well.

Light nodded faintly, opening her tired eyes and seeing the aisle across from them. She didn't stare for too long, though. She withdrew from Riku a little bit, her hand lingering on his stomach as she turned her head to check on Serah. She was already coming to on her own, and she was buckled in. Apparently she had never taken it off. Lightning looked down at her own waist and realized that she had taken hers off, not that she remembered doing it. She pulled back from Riku completely and clicked it in.

Riku followed Lightning's lead, buckling his seatbelt again. He had taken it off immediately after take-off, but it seemed their flight was coming to an end, his arms now by his sides as he glanced out the window. He was curious as to how things would work out for Lightning, but if worse came to worse, he had an idea.

Lightning glanced out the window and then to Serah, who didn't seem aware of the position Riku and Lightning had been in. Her sister must have experienced an exhausting week and a half as well. She offered her sister the faintest of smiles, which she returned. No words needed to be spoken right now. Obviously they were okay with each other, despite how Serah wanted to be in foster care. Some things weren't worth fighting about anymore.

Once the plane landed, Riku stood from his seat so he could grab Lightning's carry-on. All of her other things would be available at baggage claim, but that would obviously have to wait a little while. He motioned for Lightning and Serah to go ahead and head out with his arm. He would be close behind.

Walking away from the baggage claim a little while later, Lightning had one suitcase and Riku had another. Serah had the carry-on bag. And Riku's father was on the phone, arranging something. It wasn't until they got closer to the exit that Lightning understood what he was arranging. There was somebody waiting for them: Riku's mom.

Riku pulled Lightning's case behind him in silence, walking with the girls as his father led the way. By the way his father was talking on the phone, he knew his mother was on the other end of the line. Surely she was waiting for them; she dropped them off at the airport, after all. It was only fitting that she drove them back home.

Celes saw the four approaching, and she was relieved to see that Lightning was physically fine from what she could see. Locke had assured her of that on the phone, but she had still been worried. She hurried up to the four, not bothering to ask her husband any more questions right now. She knew enough of what had happened. "Lightning," she said to the eldest sister, holding out a hand for her to hold. "It's good to see that you're all right."

 

Lightning glanced down at the hand, grasping it with her own that wasn't holding the suitcase. "I understand you had a part in helping me," she said. "Thank you." She looked up into Celes's eyes and saw her tear-filled eyes, which surprised Lightning. Riku really hadn't been kidding when he said that his parents had a change of heart.

Locke looked from his wife to Lightning, and then finally to his son. Riku seemed pleased with the exchange, and Locke could say that he was as well. They made the wrong choice the first time, but now they were righting their wrongs. Hopefully Lightning and Serah could come to forgive them in the future. They had made a big mistake.

Celes released Lightning's hand, nodding faintly in response to her thanks. "Let's head out to the car," she said. "I have something that I'd like to discuss with you three kids." Locke already knew about what was going on, obviously. He was her husband, so it was impossible to leave him in the dark on something so important. While he had been working on bringing charges against Zane's parents, she had been working on this project. It wasn't quite done yet, but enough of it was set up to help Lightning and Serah.

Riku rolled his eyes at the name. "Mom," he said, nearly whining as he started toward the car on his own. He was not a kid. She really needed to get rid of that habit. He didn't want his friends hearing that, even if Celes still called Sora and Kairi kids from time to time, even though they were married.

Edited July 16, 201213 yr by Forever Love

Celes smiled at her son, apologetic in a way but not really. He was always going to be a kid to her; he had to know that. "You'll always be my little Riku," she cooed, noticing that Lightning and Serah appeared amused by this. "With or without the lisp."

 

Lightning arched a brow in amusement, looking over at Riku as she walked beside him. He had a lisp when he was younger? She couldn't imagine that. Maybe she'd ask to see some home-videos; that would certainly be an experience.

Riku stopped where he was, eyes wide as he turned to look at Celes. "Mom!" he exclaimed. Was that really necessary?! He heard his father laugh and it made Riku sigh. His mother was probably doing this on purpose. She knew he had an image to keep up, and it did not involve a kid with a lisp by any means.