So this will, most likely, be the last chapter before the conclusion unless you guys get really creative and spur me on for another or two, but I doubt that. Personally I think some of the content in this chapter is somewhat confusing, but I just really wanted to get this up since it's a 3 day weekend and I'm exciting to actually finish a story that I'm proud of *cough cough* I hope I got the party scene realistic enough for you all, since I was picturing the social network through and through :D
Have fun and I can't wait to hear from you in your reviews!
"They're all really good, Nam." said Roxas, as he flipped through the pages of Naminé's sketchbook.
Naminé peered at him through her curtain of hair. "You don't think it was a bit creepy that I kept drawing you?"
Roxas's chuckle vibrated from under Naminé as she leaned on his healed chest. "If it reassures you, I kept thinking about you too," he said, making Naminé blush. Roxas grabbed onto Naminé's shoulders as he propped himself up to keep her from falling. When he got into a sitting position, he pulled her against him. "Axel's throwing a party tonight in celebration of his release. Do you want to go?" he asked her.
Naminé looked up at him. "What if I say no?" she asked curiously.
A small smile formed on his lips, but it was not warming. "I supposed we could do something quietly together. That is, if you don't want to go to a loud party."
Naminé took some time to consider her answer. "I haven't been to a party since I met you."
Roxas's smile grew, this time more genuine. "Then we should go. That way I can spend the whole party with you, just the two of us," Roxas bent his head down, covering his eyes with his bangs. "We can just blend in and no one will mind us."
Naminé thought of something as she considered his words. "Do you drink?" She couldn't help the slight shakiness in her voice.
Roxas flushed before he shook his head. "No. I made a mistake a long while ago, but I don't drink. And I won't until I'm of age, at least."
Naminé shifted uncomfortably. "OK. I'll go."
Roxas took her hand in his and squeezed it. "Hey, I know I'm not perfect, but trust me. First of all I'm your friend. Then I'm your boyfriend. I don't want anything to come between our friendship. Nothing will ever come between us. After all the unreliable things I've done, I just want to be a person you can trust."
Naminé smiled weakly. "All right, Roxas." She leaned into him and kissed him softly on the cheek. Roxas's hand was beginning to sneak up to her face when a voice called out to them.
"Naminé! Ven!" Roxas's hand quickly retreated when he looked over and saw Kairi and Sora walking towards them, hand in hand.
"Kairi!" Naminé backed away from Roxas and looked up at the approaching couple.
"Are you going to Lea's party tonight?" Sora asked her, his eyes briefly flickering over to Roxas.
Naminé nodded. "Yes, I think so."
Kairi's eyes brightened. "That's great! Then we can all hang out as a group. Oh, tonight will be wonderf-"
"Actually, I was hoping to spend the night alone with Naminé." said Roxas coldly, stressing his words dangerously.
Sora looked at him distrustfully, but not as hard as in the past. "Oh, all right then. We may see you there then I guess."
Roxas looked at him hard, nearly a glare. "Yeah, we might."
Naminé and Kairi watched as the two boys had a sharp staring match. The tension was so thick that neither of them wanted to intervene.
"Come on, Kairi," Sora said finally, grabbing her hand. Roxas kept his eyes trained on Sora as they began to leave. "We'll see you at the party, Naminé." Naminé nodded and gave Kairi a fleeting smile before Sora turned her away.
"Why do you hate him?" Roxas turned to look at Naminé at her sudden question. "Why do you hate Sora?"
Roxas crossed his arms. "What makes you think I hate him?"
He was answered by a knowing look from Naminé, making him sight. "You know he doesn't hate you, Roxas." She said gently.
Roxas ran a hand through his hair. "Look, we're complete opposites. He drives me nuts. He's naïve and foolish and…too nice for his own god. And he has the same despicable first name as me. I just don't like him, all right?" Venom laced his words, but Naminé listened to him intently. It wasn't often that he told her the full truth.
Naminé's expression softened. "Thanks for telling me, Roxas." She closed her sketchpad and looked down at her lap before she looked back at him. Slowly. Slowly she was erasing the numerous layers of Roxas's painted face until she revealed his true self. Then maybe, one day she would find the little blonde boy she had known.
"Naminé, Roxas is here." Her father called. Naminé quickly grabbed her jacket and pulled it over her shoulders and rushed out of her room. She stopped on the landing when she caught sight of Roxas in front of the dor.
While Naminé was gazing down at Roxas, he was looking up at her, their azure eyes matching nearly identically. Naminé had somewhat struggled with choosing an outfit since Kairi had assisted her for the last party she had gone to. But then she thought, Roxas had approached her no matter that night. Eventually she settled upon a denim skirt that came just above her knees, a pale blue shirt, and a white jacket. It was plain, but Roxas thought she was stunning. He casually stuck his hands into his pockets as he watched her descend the stars. Roxas wore black skinny jeans and a black button-up shirt with a thin red tie. Naminé thought he looked quite dashing.
Roxas took her hand before he moved it so it curled around her small waist. Ansem stood to the side and gave them a small smile.
"Make sure she's home by eleven, Roxas." He said sternly.
Roxas nodded seriously. "Yes, I understand, sir." He caught Ansem's eyes and nodded again. Somehow it convinced Naminé's father and he waved them off.
After her father closed the door, Roxas sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I have no idea how your father still trusts me after…"
Naminé put a hand on his shoulder. "My father forgives you. He knows that you were telling the truth, that you didn't mean to hurt me. He also knows that you're not at all different from who you were when we were younger." She said reassuringly.
Roxas looked at her doubtfully. "You really think that?"
Naminé tilted her head. "Of course I do."
Roxas looked at her for a long moment before he was forced to accept her words.
The whole walk to the party Roxas kept his arm around Naminé while she leaned her head onto his shoulder. It was such a peaceful night so they could hear the other's breaths aside from their soft footsteps and the occasionally warm breezy gust. They could hear the music blaring from Axel's place a block away. Hearing the whoops and crashing sounds from the house, Roxas tightened his grip on Naminé. When they entered the house, Roxas reluctantly had to settle with gripping Naminé's hand due to the crowd.
Naminé looked around, taking in the hyperactive energy of the partygoers. She beagn to get nervous when she saw the cups filled with amber liquid, the smoke circles, the tight knit groups of kids around tables covered with white powder, and the sounds of screaming teenagers behind the closed doors, but Roxas took no notice, making her even more uneasy. Naminé subconsciously pressed herself into his side as they weaved through the crowd of swaying people. She uttered a quiet squeak when a boy nearly fell right on her, passing out on the floor face down. The two of them finally stopped when they reached the porch where only a few other kids were who had the nerve to smoke outside or were puking their guts out. When Naminé turned to look at them, Roxas turned her face away from such vile behavior.
"Don't pay attention to them." Roxas whispered into her ear.
Roxas placed his hands on her waist. Naminé put her arms around his neck. Together they danced under the soft moonlight and the stars in the quietness of the night.
Naminé leaned her head on Roxas's shoulder. "It's so beautiful out here tonight." she said. She heard Roxas's grunt in response.
After a while, Roxas pulled her head. "Do you trust me now? I told you that I'd spend the night just with you alone."
Naminé gazed at him seriously. "You kept your word, but trust is something that has to be built up over time, Roxas."
Roxas's eyes narrowed slightly. "I know." He said in a low voice, ducking his head down.
Naminé sighed. "You're trying so hard, Roxas. But you don't have to be so impatient. Things like trust take time."
Roxas let out somewhat of a groan and a growl. "I just…want to prove to you that I can be with you."
Roxas's words sobered Naminé and she didn't respond.
After a while, Naminé pulled her coat more snugly around her thin frame. "It's a bit chilly out here. Can we go back inside?" Roxas solemnly nodded before he pulled her back into the house, not saying a word.
While he went to get drinks, Naminé stood awkwardly, watching the crazy partygoers. She wanted to cover her ears from the loud music that threatened to make the sky fall down. She shuddered at the girls who were drunkenly stripping on the tables while the boys cheered them on and the boys who were grinding explicitly with their partners. She wanted to cover her eyes, ashamed at the sight.
"Y're a little hot thing t'night, aren't cha?" said a lilting voice. Naminé's mouth dropped open as she felt someone's hand on her upper thigh, threatening to reach beneath the hem of her skirt. She turned around to see a red-faced, hammered dirty-blonde boy gazing at her lustfully. His hands were now on her shoulders, holding her steady. "You look so innocent. I like girls like that. I betcha haven't even been touched b'fore," The boy shoved her into his body and began making obscene movements.
"Please-stop, I-" Naminé tried to struggle against the boy, but he pressed her even more into him. He was smothering her. She wanted to turn her head and search for Roxas, but she couldn't move. Then the boy started dragging her towards one of the bedrooms. Tears sprang to Naminé's eyes. Where was Roxas?
Suddenly the sound of flesh against flesh cut through the air. There was a loud crash and the boy fell to the floor from Roxas's punch. He shoved Naminé behind him before he approached the fallen boy, towering over him with a raging fire that rivaled those of hell blazing in his eyes.
"Don't you even think of touching her." He growled. People began to gather around them, the majority of the guys starting to chant, fight fight fight.
The drunken blonde glared at Roxas crossly. "Look man, girls at parties are totally up for grabs. I was just gonna-"
"Don't say it," Roxas's voice was thunderous. Naminé shrank back as she saw his face turn into the monster she had once glimpsed. Sora and Kairi grabbed her, separating her from the conflict.
"You fucking piece of shit. If you even come near Naminé I'll blast your brains right out of your fucking head."
Naminé began to shake. This was the monster that she was afraid of. How could she possibly be in love with someone so dangerous yet so gentle?
"Roxas, no. Don't do it. He's not even worth it." said Naminé. She watched as his shoulders slumped slightly but still retained their usual tenseness.
"Roxas," rang a stern voice. Everything but Roxas turned to see Axel making his way through the crowd. His bright red hair seemed even more flaming than usual. Axel grabbed Roxas by the shoulders, shaking him roughly. "Stop this. Listen to Naminé. Go home, Roxas. Just go home," he hissed. Axel grabbed Naminé by the wrist and shoved her and Roxas out the door. "Clean him up, Naminé. Cool him down or whatever you have to do. And be careful." Then he shut the door on them, leaving them out in the darkness of the night.
Naminé cautiously looked at Roxas who was slightly hunched over.
"I promise to protect you at all costs," He turned to look at her straight in the eye. "I promise you that. I love you, Naminé, but I don't deserve you. I'm too messed up to be with you, so I promise you this because that's all that I can offer you," He then gazed at her intensely. "And I take promises to the grave."
Naminé shook her head, confused. "Roxas, what are you saying?"
Roxas grabbed her shoulders. "You saw me in there, Naminé. It's not safe for you to be around me. Don't you get that? I thought I could handle being with you, but I can't."
"Roxas-" protested Naminé.
Roxas shook her, his hands strongly grasping her. "I will always love you, but I can't change who I am. Not after all these years. You're wrong, Naminé, I'm a different person than I once was," Roxas released her and dragged his fingers through his hair. "What can I offer you, Naminé? There is no future between us," Roxas growled, making Naminé flinch. "I was such a damn fool for thinking that I could be normal. It was childish for me to love you all these years."
"But I do love you, Roxas. You can't just think that doesn't mean anything." Said Naminé quietly, almost pleading.
Roxas's eyes narrowed. "Naminé, you can't possibly think we could be together." He said bitterly.
Naminé grabbed his forearm. "You make to many assumptions, Roxas. As long as you're there for me, Roxas, I'm fine. I've never met a boy who cares for me as deeply and gently as you," Roxas gave a sarcastic laugh. "You should stop comparing yourself to Sora with such hatred, Roxas. I love you, just as you are."
Roxas's overhanging spikes hid his eyes. "You don't mean that. No one could ever love a monster like me."
Naminé was beginning to get irritated at his negative attitude. "Well I do. I want to be with you, Roxas. You may not be perfect, but neither am I."
Roxas looked up. "Because of me," he muttered.
Naminé bit her lip. Then she did something completely unexpected; she slapped him.
"What the hell was that for?" growled Roxas loudly. His eyes flashed dangerously, but Naminé didn't back down. When he met Naminé's fierce eyes his expression softened.
"Roxas Strife, you are weak," Naminé said sternly to his face. Roxas held his hand to his burning cheek while his eyes widened. "You are completely pessimistic. Can't you tell that I love you here and now? You aren't going to die, or your father, and I am not going to love another as much as I love you."
Neither one spoke for what seemed like several minutes. Then Naminé put her hands on both sides of Roxas's face so that her one hand overlapped his.
"Roxas, you said that you take promises to the grave. Well then I promise you this; I promise to never leave you, no matter what you or anyone else says."
Roxas threw back his head, letting out a strangled sound. "Naminé," He glared at her, but not venomously. "You kill me, but in a good way."
Naminé tilted her head at him to see a smile cracking upon his face. Roxas pulled her to him, holding her in his arms. She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him. Just then a raindrop fell upon them…then a few more.
The two of them looked up just as more raindrops cascaded down upon them. As the rain intensified, they turned their gazes back to each other. They smiled before Roxas kissed her. Naminé reached up to caress his face as Roxas ran his fingers through her soaked hair. Naminé giggled as Roxas's hair began to flatten, falling into his eyes, which she pushed out of the way. Roxas kept kissing her, pulling Naminé closer, more into him. He could feel the shape of her body under her wet clothes. He smiled in their kiss deviously.
"I want to touch you," he hissed into her ear.
Suddenly Naminé backed away, leaving Roxas with a puzzled look. Naminé shook her head at him. "Just because you took that from me doesn't you get those liberties," Naminé then grinned at him. "Yet."
Laughing, Roxas swept Naminé up into his arms before he ran off carrying her bridal style.
"Where are we going?" yelled Naminé over the pounding rain as laughter escaped from her lips, pressing herself closer into his chest.
Roxas chuckled. "Somewhere." He shrugged and kissed her on the forehead before continuing their nighttime escapade.
Review! They make me happy and if you have any ideas you would find would tie up the story better or that you would like to see, tell me! :)
