Fast Food Madness: The Epic Return

Even though Roxas had started to gently pull away, Namine stayed where she was a moment longer. After a second of hesitation, she too loosened her embrace. The fist she had enclosing the fabric of Roxas' jacket slowly came undone as well.

 

Roxas already knew that Namine's grip was tight, because his had been too, in a way. And as he slowly pulled back, he could feel the grip on his jacket slowly come undone, and he sighed softly in sadness. His eyes opened and he looked up to meet Namine's, wanting to look at them for as long as he could.

 

After Namine released her grip on Roxas' jacket, that hand returned to her side. Her other hand came away from Roxas' back as well, going to her side as she completely freed Roxas of her embrace. After a moment, she opened her eyes, first looking at the ground and then letting them wander upward to meet Roxas'.

 

Roxas's hands rested on Namine's upper arms, the boy meeting her eyes finally. At the contact he blinked, his expression changing into one of sadness at the look on her face. "Nam..." he said softly, his right hand lifting to her cheek naturally, resting there and rubbing at the small trail of wetness.

 

Namine lowered her gaze to Roxas' hand for a moment, feeling him wipe at the wetness of the tear that had slid down that cheek. Her eyes were still a bit moist, but she was glad no more tears had fallen. For both of their sakes, she had to stay as strong as possible. She lifted her eyes back up to Roxas', seeing sadness like her own in his eyes.

 

Roxas let his thumb run over Namine's cheek once more before he stopped, his eyes just lingering on her. He was going to miss this face, this girl. The person who proved to him that Nobodies could love, even when he thought it wasn't possible. Roxas loved her too much to leave her by herself, but in this situation, he had no choice. He wasn't going to protect her, be her guardian angel anymore...

 

Namine lightly leaned her head against Roxas' hand, her eyes staying on his. The brightness of his eyes had always left her in awe, and today was no different in that way. One thing that did strike her, though, was that she wouldn't be able to see those eyes for a long, long time. Sure, she had pictures, but it wasn't the same as being with Roxas himself.

 

Roxas exhaled softly through his nose, his eyes simply staring into the ones across from him. How was he going to do this? How was he going to just leave her? It seemed like an impossible task, and to Roxas it was, but he knew he had to make it possible. He had to follow orders, even though he believed his number one duty was to protect Namine.

 

Namine had no clue how life would be from now until when Roxas came back. Empty, yes, but what else? Sad? Most definitely. Lonely? Absolutely. Dangerous? ....She couldn't answer that one. Nor did she really want to, if the answer was bad.

 

But, maybe he already was protecting her. Roxas had trained her during the spring, teaching her the defensive moves she would need to fend off any attackers. But would that be enough? The blond boy moved his hand from Namine's cheek to her shoulder again as he used his other hand to begin digging into his pocket.

 

Namine felt confused when she noticed Roxas reaching into his pocket. Of course, though, now wasn't the time for questions. She was sure she would have her answer soon enough, so until then, she would stay silent and be patient with the person she loved.

 

Roxas found the object in his back pocket, and he remembered the reason why he brought it with him in the first place. He had kept it on him when he didn't think he would be able to use his Keyblades, but now he had no use for it. Roxas pulled the item out of his pocket and held it between him and Namine. He stared at the pocket knife before looking up at her, swallowing in nervousness.

 

Namine looked down at the item in Roxas' hand, her eyes a bit wider with surprise. She didn't know what she had been expecting, but she hadn't been expecting this. "....What's this for?" she whispered softly, finally speaking. She was afraid of the answer that would come, but it was a question she had to ask.

 

Roxas held it up a little more, offering it to her in the little space between them. "Be strong," he told her, his voice a little stronger than before. "Use this when you need it. It'll protect you when I can't." Roxas felt upset that he had to say that and give the knife to her, but he wanted her to be protected, even if it was in a small way.

 

Namine kept her gaze on the item, her eyes returning to their normal size when Roxas' words entered her ears. She didn't think she had the strength to use a knife...those could cause serious damage. She may have learned a few moves in self defense, but this felt completely different. "...I'll keep it on me," she assured him softly, meaning the words. But she didn't know if she would be able to use it. She reached out a hand and touched it, hesitation coming through her actions.

 

Roxas was able to notice that Namine's fingers were lingering on the object, and he knew she wasn't sure about it by that alone. He used his other hand to help curl her hand around it completely. However, he kept his hands in that position, holding hers. "Please don't hesitate to use it if you have to," Roxas said, looking down at where the knife was and then up at her. "It's the only form of protection I can give you now..."

 

Namine looked up at Roxas briefly and then back to her hand in Roxas', the knife hidden at the moment. "...Alright," she said softly. She couldn't promise him she would use it if she needed, but she would always have it on her. Hopefully that would help calm Roxas' nerves.

 

Roxas blinked once, his eyes darting down to their hands. He took his away slowly, letting them fall to his sides. His sight fell to the concrete beneath his feet, the boy obviously not looking forward to what had to happen soon enough.

Kairi turned her head in Sora's chest, still keeping the same position. She was facing the opposite direction as Roxas and Namine, the girl knowing if she saw their interaction it would only make her think of how she and Sora had to say goodbye as well. She gripped Sora's jacket a little tighter with her fists, hating the thought of letting him leave. But it was inevitable, she had to let him go.

 

When Roxas moved his hands, Namine withdrew hers as well. She slid the pocketknife into her jean pocket, liking that it was out of her sight. After a moment, she looked back up at Roxas. Surprisingly, he appeared a bit fuzzy, but it didn't take long for Namine to realize it was because tears had reappeared in her eyes.

Sora released a breath, bringing his hand off the back of Kairi's head. He was saddened as he slowly started to release her, his ocean blue orbs staying on her as he performed the movement. It was time.

 

Roxas looked back up at Namine, his eyes shutting for a brief moment when he saw the look of hers. He didn't want to leave her, but he knew he had to.

Kairi hesitated letting go of Sora, because she knew that when she let go, she wouldn't be able to hold him again. As he released her, she pulled back slightly as well, but her hands remained in fists against his short-jacket, her eyes stuck there.