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!

After Lightning caught Riku rubbing his face, she connected her current thoughts to her previous ones. "Did you want to be alone?" she asked, staring at the television as she waited for an answer. If that was the case, then she would go back to bed. This was his house, so he had a right to be alone any time that he wanted to.

"No...no," Riku said, leaning forward a bit to rest his elbows on his knees. He stared down at the floor, eyebrows furrowing. He sighed, trying to sort this all out. Why did Ansem suddenly haunt his dreams? He hadn't had a nightmare about the man in months.

Lightning was about to ask Riku if he was sure about that, since he seemed upset. But maybe that was why he didn't want to be alone. Was he letting her in, like she let him in? No matter the case...She picked herself up off the couch and headed off, not to bed, but to the kitchen. She figured a glass of water couldn't do him any harm.

Riku lifted his head, looking over at Lightning as she left the room. He opened his mouth to protest and insist she didn't have to go, but that was when he saw her go to the kitchen. Surely she would be back. Until then, he had to try and sort his thoughts out...and quickly.

Lightning filled up a glass with water--only one, since she wasn't too thirsty. Riku didn't strike her as being hungry, so she didn't bother grabbing him a snack. She returned with the glass of water and set it on the coffee table in front of the couch right in front of Riku so that he knew that it was his. She didn't sit down right away, though, just in case she decided that she did need to leave him alone.

Riku looked at the glass of water, though he was confused. His eyes lifted to Lightning then. "...You didn't have to do that," he told her softly. She didn't have to get him anything, but she did. Did his worries really come off that strongly?

Lightning shrugged casually, looking at the television again. "You looked like you felt sick," she said honestly. She wasn't exactly sure what was going on, or why he was so panicked, but she wasn't about to pry into his dreams. He had his demons and she had hers. He knew how to handle them, and she could handle her own. She wondered if the darkness was bottled so deep within her that others couldn't see it anymore. What about Riku? Could he?

Riku didn't like hearing that, and he was sure it showed as he followed Lightning's gaze to the television. He looked sick, because of Ansem? Scared was one thing, but ill was different. He ran a hand through his hair, messing it up again as he carelessly combed his fingers through it. He's making me look weak, he thought, referring to Ansem.

"...Maybe I should go," Lightning said, looking back over at Riku again. She kept on getting this vibe that she wasn't meant to be here. He kept on looking at her strangely and she couldn't even describe what was behind that gaze. He was just acting peculiar. What, did his nightmare...have to do with her? No, that was a crazy idea.

"No." Riku's hand shot up to grip Lightning's wrist before he even thought about it. The last thing he wanted, at least for the next few minutes, was to have her out of his sight. That nightmare had been...awful.

Lightning blinked in surprise when Riku grasped her wrist, not casually like he did other times. This time, he was desperate. Desperate to not be alone. She took a small step back and sat down on the couch wordlessly, staring at Riku for a second before looking at the water she placed before him. This was so weird, but she wasn't about to dig if she wasn't welcome to.

"Sorry," Riku muttered, loosening his hold on Lightning's wrist. "Just...just give me a minute." He looked away and took his hand back completely, sitting back in the couch and pinching the bridge of his nose. Why, of all things, did Lightning have to be the victim in his dream, other than himself? It didn't make sense. He knew she was on his mind before he fell asleep. Did that have something to do with it?

Lightning found herself watching Riku again and hoped that she wasn't invading his privacy. She wasn't used to this type of situation, with him or with anyone else. What would she do if this was Serah beside her? She'd wrap an arm around her shoulders and bring her close. She'd let her know that she wasn't alone. But Riku already knew that, didn't he? Or...did he need closer proximity? To feel the warmth of another person by his side? She decided yes, and she prayed that she wasn't wrong. She scooted over closer to him and lightly leaned her head against his shoulder, this being a position she knew wouldn't patronize him. She hoped it would comfort him, somehow.

Riku lowered his hand at the warmth, feeling it against his skin. He opened his eyes and looked to the side slightly, witnessing what he felt--Lightning against his shoulder. Her hair tickled his skin a little, but he ignored it as he gazed at her. He admitted earlier to his feelings having developed, and by the way she was leaning against him, he believed this to be her confession as well.

Edited September 14, 201213 yr by Forever Love

Light felt Riku's gaze on her, but she didn't believe that it was a harsh stare. Surprised, maybe, but not harsh. It wasn't a glare telling her to back off and give him some room. In fact, it seemed like he didn't want her to move at all. She met his stare after a few seconds, keeping her head against his shoulder as she looked up. I'm sorry I don't know what else to do.

Riku smiled a little at the person against him, not really sure what to say. His thoughts, however, were rolling. I never thought I'd see your soft side. Not like this. It was odd, but kind of expected. Lightning was a lot like him in many ways: tough exterior, softer heart. It was a way to fool people, but Lightning couldn't fool him. Not a chance.

A weak smile tugged at Lightning's lips, but after a few seconds, she looked away and gave Riku his privacy again. She did, however, lift a hand and set it on the same arm that she was leaning against. Okay, now she was out of ideas. Except to just sit here. That was what she would do until it was obvious she had to do something else.

Riku lowered his chin towards his chest in silence, closing his eyes. Relax, he told himself, realizing that he was still tense. She's fine, Ansem's gone... It was nothing. He had to keep telling himself that, and eventually, his body went slack, relaxing considerably. He exhaled a breath through his nose slowly, taking in Lightning's touch as he did. Everything was okay, but only until morning. The paparazzi would be hot on their tail when they stepped out for the first time as a "couple."

Edited August 25, 201213 yr by Forever Love

Lightning eventually turned off the television, though she didn't have to move much to reach the remote. That was good, because she believed that Riku was asleep or very close to it. And now that she thought about it, she was ready to drift off again as well. She carefully pulled at the blanket hanging over the back of the couch and covered her legs without worrying about her torso; that was still leaning up against Riku and plenty warm. Her eyes fell shut once she was settled. It was time to sleep.

The next day

 

Riku stood in the lobby, already aware that the paparazzi were outside. His jacket was on, and he was prepared to do a little walking today instead of riding. The person to his side agreed to do the same. He exhaled a soft breath, mentally preparing himself for this; it was going to be crazy. "Ready for this?" he asked, looking over at the shorter girl beside him. Lightning seemed prepared, but he had to make sure.

Yes. No. Maybe. Sure. "Yeah," Lightning responded with a nod despite the thoughts that she was sure were hidden beneath her eyes. She couldn't show fear around the press; they'd latch onto that and see through the act. Was it even an act though? She woke up this morning and she was leaning against the side of Riku's bare chest. How much of this would they actually be faking?

Riku held his hand out to Lightning, though his eyes stayed on the doors ahead of them. As part of this small decision, they had to act the part, and that required them holding hands...even walking arm in arm. He wasn't sure how this was going to go, but he was determined to make it work.

As soon as Riku took her hand, Lightning had her answer. This didn't feel right. It wasn't natural like the other things had been. If the smallest thing like this was going to feel off, how were they going to pull this off? She hid her fears and followed Riku's gaze to the door, starting forward. It was time to face them...as a "couple".

Riku walked with Lightning, but he had some words of advice before they reached the outside. "Whatever you do," he told her gently, "don't let go. And keep your head down." He didn't want the paparazzi separating them, and he didn't want her to go blind. He was used to it, but he knew Lightning wasn't.

Edited July 30, 201213 yr by Forever Love

Lightning nodded faintly, gripping Riku's hand more tightly as the doors opened automatically in front of them. She knew why Riku told her to look down immediately--the cameras were flashing as if those reporters believed they'd never be able to get another picture of the "couple."

"Mr. Cole!" said a reporter, notepad in hand while his photographer got a picture of the two hands holding each other. "Are you holding Miss Farron's hand out of compassion, or have you chosen her as your girlfriend?"