Peanut

Lightning did something she absolutely knew she shouldn't do; she cast magic. She summoned flames around her hands enough for her to soften the metal bars and bend them to her will. She grunted as she pulled them apart just enough for her to slip through. "Riku, stop it!" Lightning scolded after slipping through and hurrying to him, the rose-haired girl wrapping her arms around him from behind to tear him away from Zane.

"Riku!" Lightning scolded, lifting both hands to the bars as she gripped them tightly. He had to cool it! She didn't even have a chance to be offended by Zane's comments because of Riku's sudden and harsh reaction. "Get over here."

Lightning reached through the bars and grasped Riku's arm, though perhaps "grasp" wasn't the proper term. She set her hand on his forearm softly, in a way to gently remind him that Zane was only capable of causing hurt through lies. Riku was a hero: hers.

Lightning was glad to see Riku let go of Zane, but that alone wasn't good enough for her. "Come here," she said strictly. If he came over to her, she could reach through the bars and grasp his arm to hold him back. Riku was in jail because of her, but she wasn't going to let him earn himself a longer sentence just because Zane was a punk.

"Riku," Lightning scolded, tightening her grasp on the bar. "He's not worth it. Just ignore him." Zane was naturally antagonistic; he'd find something to tear Riku up about and keep attacking him, but only if Riku gave him the satisfaction. If he didn't humor him, Zane would leave him alone.

"Riku!" Lightning called in warning. Yeah, she was disgusted by Zane's words and the wink too, but she wasn't going to let Riku strangle him. It definitely wouldn't help them get out of these jail cells any sooner. She walked forward to the bars that separated their cells, wrapping her hand around it. Get away from Zane, Riku. Don't do this.

Lightning furrowed her eyebrows and faced the cell beside hers, seeing the figure of the young man who sat in the corner. He looked...awful. He had scratches on his face and bags under his eyes. "Zane," she said automatically, surprised enough to disregard his comments. What was he in for, and why did he look so terrible?

After a few more tense seconds, the other woman scoffed and backed away, returning to her seat. Apparently Lightning wasn't worth her trouble. When that woman walked away, the rest of Lightning's cellmates stopped staring as well. The leader thought she wasn't worth a hassle, so nobody else would pick a fight with her. Thank goodness.

Lightning stared back up at the woman, glaring with the intensity she used when facing down bullies in school. What are you going to do? she silently challenged. If she wanted a fight, Lightning would humor her. This alcoholic woman was intimidating with all her piercings and the muscles that showed with her tank-top, but Lightning faced worse.

Lightning felt relieved when Riku's cellmates stopped staring at him, though she didn't have the same luck. One of her cellmates rose up from her seat on the bench and approached her, stopping and staring at her from an elevated height with less than a foot between them. She reeked of alcohol, but that didn't make her less intimidating. If anything, it made her more intimidating.

Lightning stood up, briefly glancing in Riku's direction. I'm alright, she nearly told him. But feeling the glares of others in the cell made her feel less certain of that declaration. She didn't know what they were in for, but if looks could kill, she'd be dead five times over.

Lightning and Riku's treatment wasn't gentle, despite the presence of photographers at the scene of the arrest. They were shoved into the back of the same police car and whisked away to jail. Even when they got there, the officers didn't wait for Lightning to climb out on her own; they grabbed her by the arm and practically dragged her in, even if she came willingly. There were several cells once they were indoors, and each of them had at least five people in them. As Lightning's officer opened one for her, he pulled her back before he threw her in harshly enough for her to land hard on the cold, hard floor. At least he had been kind enough to remove her cuffs right before throwing her in the cell.

While Lightning moved away, the officer in charge spoke. "The two of you are under arrest," he said critically. "Lightning Farron for the crimes of third degree murder and resisting arrest. Riku Cole, aiding in the escape of a wanted criminal." He motioned his men forward, several of them going for Lightning and several for Riku. They were going to be locked away now, though Riku's wouldn't last long.

"Out where I can see you!" another officer ordered Lightning. She was the one that they primarily wanted; she murdered her father. Riku was only guilty in helping her avoid arrest. The crimes were on very different levels. When she stepped forward, the officer's eyebrows furrowed. "Away from him." They didn't want any funny business.

Lightning fought the urge to set a hand on Riku's back, knowing it was inappropriate for a few reasons. One was that she wanted to hide behind him, but she knew she couldn't do that. Another reason was that she saw paparazzi down there; this whole thing with the police was going to be enough of a story without Lightning showing affection towards Riku. She remained one step behind him, glancing at him and then the line of officers that had their guns locked on both of them.

Lightning looked at Serah, who was obviously scared. She silently set a hand on her shoulder and directed her to Sora and Kairi. She was to stay with them while she and Riku sorted this out. Sora was Noel's brother, so Serah could trust him to take care of her. After that message was conveyed, Lightning turned to look at Riku. They had to leave the ship now.

The next morning, everyone was solemn. Even Sora and Kairi who desperately wanted to return home were sober. They all took a gummi ship together: Sora and Kairi, Riku, Lightning, Serah, Riku's parents, and Roxas and Namine. As soon as Sora landed the ship on the beach of the main island, he saw trouble. Officers had seen the ship approaching and appeared, surely to arrest Riku and Lightning. As Sora shut the ship down, he turned to look at his best friend. Now what?

"Fine," Lightning sighed, easily giving in to Riku. This wouldn't be the first time they slept in the same bed. The first time, it was because Lightning refused to let him sleep on the floor, and he was the same with her, so they wound up sharing the bed. And then there was a period where they both had extreme nightmares and needed one another when they woke up. This time was similar: Riku had a need that needed to be met.

Lightning briefly returned Riku's kiss, though she knew she shouldn't have in her head. This wasn't encouraging him to get any rest. When he pulled back, she protested his actions. "I'm serious," she said. "You should get some sleep." Tomorrow was going to be a crazy day.

Light's eyes widened when Riku pulled her down to the bed with him, the teen landing on her side and facing Riku as his hands rested on her hips. He had a mischievous look on his face too. "You don't look like you're ready for sleep," she commented with a slight smirk. What was he doing?

Lightning smirked slightly, reaching out and grasping Riku's wrist. "I'll tuck you back in," she said as she led him towards his bedroom. He had the possibility of getting some sleep tonight, so he should have been trying harder to rest.

"Are you planning on getting any sleep tonight?" Lightning asked then, crossing her arms over her chest lightly. It was late--Probably midnight. She didn't know when everyone planned on leaving, but getting some sleep between now and then was probably a good idea.

"Oh nothing," Light said casually, though a small smile stayed on her face. She was thanking him for a lot of things, really. She was thanking him for what he did in the past, the present, and what he was going to do in the future. He'd stay with her. She knew his devotion now.

Light smiled softly at Riku's expression and mannerisms, temporarily forgetting what the next day would hold. She leaned forward and stood on her toes as she gave Riku a kiss on the cheek. When she pulled back, she looked him in the eye and spoke. "Thanks."

Lightning sighed, though a slight smile tugged at her lips. "You're hopeless," she insulted jokingly. He had his own room now, but he seemed to have more trouble sleeping now that she was in a separate room with Serah. Do you really miss me that much?