Fast Food Madness: The Epic Return V2

Roxas backed up a little bit from the fireplace, already feeling the heat from it. He stuffed the lighter in his pocket for the time being, then leaning back and bringing his hands back to cradle his head. His eyes went from his propped up knees to the ceiling, the boy sighing softly, beginning to relax.

 

Namine finished up the drinks a few minutes later, two very warm mugs of hot chocolate in her grasp. She held one in each hand as she headed out the kitchen, through the entrance hall and into the living room, where she immediately noticed Roxas relaxing.

 

Roxas had figured out Ty was still in the room over the past few minutes, the dog having come up and sniffed Roxas's hair as he lay on the floor. The boy only lightly brushed him away before the pup left him alone. Now Roxas was doing the same thing, staring up at the ceiling in silence, listening to the crackle of the fire.

 

Namine smiled softly, silently taking a few steps into the room. It was a peaceful atmosphere in there, so she didn't feel the need to speak and break through that silence. She set Roxas' mug on the end-table but kept hers in her hand as she sat herself down on the couch, hands wrapped around the warm beverage.

 

Roxas's knee moved side to side casually, the boy unaware of the movement as he thought about today. He had been so goofy, an emotion he thought he couldn't have again after the last two months. Things were different with Namine, he supposed, but he wasn't sure it would have a long-term effect.

 

Namine took a sip of the drink before she turned her attention back to the boy on the ground, aware he hadn't noticed that his hot chocolate was ready yet. She hated to break the silence, but if she didn't tell him and his drink got too cool, then his drink wouldn't be as good. "Hey," she called softly, gentle eyes on Roxas.

 

Roxas's head instantly turned in the direction of the call, his eyes falling on Namine. "Yeah?" he asked, surprised that he hadn't heard her come in. He must have been really into his thoughts.

 

Namine smiled softly, motioning towards the cup of hot chocolate with a slight nod of her head. "Your drink's ready," she told him quietly, the flickering firelight showing in her blue eyes a little bit as she gazed at him.

 

Roxas's gaze lingered on Namine's sky-blue orbs for a minute, the boy captivated by the light shining in them. But then he sat up, turning a little to see that she was right; there was his hot chocolate, still steaming and ready for him. Roxas smiled softly, pushing himself up from the floor as he glanced at Namine. "Thanks."

 

Namine nodded faintly, a soft smile gracing her lips. "Sure." She looked at him as he moved, not even thinking that watching him could be considered rude. She and Roxas often allowed their gazes to linger on each other, and it felt natural to have it happen now.

 

Roxas grabbed his mug and moved around the coffee table to sit beside Namine. Once he sat down, he broke eye-contact with her and took a sip of his drink. The warm liquid slid down his throat smoothly, making him smile faintly.

 

Namine broke eye contact when Roxas did, the girl lifting the mug to her lips. She took a few sips, feeling the warmth flood her body immediately. A soft breath left her as she gazed forward at the fire, feeling warmer just by looking at the contained flames in front of her.

 

Roxas set the cup down gingerly on his lap, his fingers wrapped around the handle. He stared forward at the shadows that the firelight created in silence, unsure if any words needed to be said in the moment.

 

Namine held the mug a few inches in front of her, lifting it up a little bit as she pressed it to her lips and took two more sips. It was refreshing, and she felt as if she had never been cold in the first place. She blinked and set the mug on the table beside her, deciding she didn't need any more for the time being.

 

"You know something..." Roxas started softly, still staring ahead of him. His thoughts had been jumbled lately, but having Namine around always seemed to clear them out for a little while. He wanted to show his appreciation, and admit it to her.

 

Namine glanced over at Roxas out of the corner of her eye, but mainly she kept her eyes on the fire. "Hmm?" she hummed, not saying any words because she didn't want to interrupt. She would listen to whatever it was Roxas had to say, though she had no clue what was on his mind now.

 

Roxas glanced down at the mug in his lap. "A lot of...things have changed since Sora and I left," he started slowly, trying to find the right words to describe what he was feeling. "I'm sure you can see it in me sometimes, and I'm sorry for that. But..." Roxas turned his head, his blue eyes finding Namine. "Sometimes, when I'm with you, none of that really matters anymore. I feel like my old self again."

 

When Namine felt Roxas' gaze on her, she turned her head and looked at him, her blue eyes immediately finding his. She wasn't sure what to say, but she had a feeling that he wasn't done speaking, so she silently waited for him to continue.

 

"It was scary at first," Roxas admitted hesitantly, eyes glancing away. "How I could be so different in a split second, when everything else changed within the last two months. I guess, what I'm trying to say is...thank you, Namine." He smiled warmly at her. "After all I've learned...you're the one thing that's really stayed the same." As Roxas looked at her, he felt something dark nagging in the back of his mind at his words, but he pushed it away. Now was definitely not the time for that.

 

Namine smiled softly, feeling a bit shy but not daring to look away. "You're welcome," she said quietly, holding Roxas' gaze with a shy smile on her lips. She didn't quite agree that she had stayed the same; obviously she had changed over the two months. But then she realized that at her core, she was the same, and she still held the same love for him even with his changes.