Fast Food Madness: The Epic Return

Namine folded her hands in her lap and looked over slightly at Roxas' hands on the keys, seeing that he was about to play a song. She wasn't sure what he was thinking of; she had heard a few of his piano songs in the past, but he probably played some that she didn't know about.

 

Roxas pressed down on the keys, beginning to play a few soft notes before he paused. Even though the short silence was part of the song, it was also his reaction. He hadn't played the song or the piano in so long that just the sound coming from his fingers made his heart skip a beat. Regardless, Roxas recovered and played the next few notes, the soft music filling the room.

 

Namine felt her heart leap at the soft music, her eyes following the movement of Roxas' fingers on the keys. She knew right away that she had never heard him play this song before, and she felt privileged to be able to hear him perform it for her now.

 

After another short pause, Roxas's fingers acted like they had a life of their own. They moved gracefully and swiftly over the keys, the notes flowing out of the piano as the rhythm picked up a bit. Roxas felt himself smile faintly as he played the first verse, leading up to the chorus.

 

Namine shut her eyes at the music, hearing the notes enter her ears. Already, she was struck by the beauty of the peace, and Roxas had just begun. She felt herself paying close attention to everything, as if the song could carry all her troubles away. It couldn't happen, and she knew that, but it was a desirable thought.

 

Roxas jumped into the first, soft chorus, watching his fingers glide across the piano. The music that rang out reached his heart, and he felt all his problems melt away from the surface and go to the depths of his mind. At least for now. It was true: music really was Roxas's therapy.

 

Namine exhaled a soft breath, amazed at the simple beauty of the song. Roxas really did have a gift with music, and this song only reminded her of that. Of course, it wasn't really something she could ever forget; he was very passionate about his music. All of his close friends knew that.

 

Roxas continued to watch his fingers in his own wonderment. All thoughts were leaving him for the moment--thoughts of Sora and Riku, his memories, the unanswered questions, doubts about his and Namine's relationship... They were all disappearing because of the music that was literally at his fingertips. Now he realized why he liked music so much. It wasn't just because of the simplicity and beauty of it, but it reached within his soul and let him escape reality. That was one of the best things he could ask for.

 

Namine kept her eyes shut, listening to the music as it carried her thoughts. Roxas had his music, and she had her art. It was true that music was a big part of her life too, and it was very powerful, but drawing and painting were great ways to bring about peace, too. Then she realized that music is a form of art, and she accepted the revelation with a faint smile.

 

Roxas closed his eyes as he moved on to the next part of the song. He pressed the notes to the chorus, the music growing louder and more powerful this time. He let it ring out proudly, getting into his performance like he did every other one.

 

Namine opened her eyes for a brief moment to see Roxas' fingers running over the keys, but then she allowed her eyes to flicker shut again. Art, no matter what form it took, was a language. Pictures showed the things you loved, or the things you feared, or the things you missed. And music...well, music said the things that words couldn't.

 

Roxas's eyebrows furrowed as he concentrated, his eyes opening after a short moment. The song was almost over, but it seemed like the peace would linger. That's what music did for him, and he greatly appreciated the art.

 

Namine kept her eyes shut, hearing the song coming to a close as her thoughts ended as well. She wanted the music to keep going, but she knew that it couldn't last forever. Hopefully the peace would stay, though. If the music had to end, she at least wished the peace would stay surrounding her and Roxas.

 

The notes Roxas played began to slow, and he played them skillfully. His eyes glanced from one hand to the other, watching his own movements to make sure they were correct. But he already knew that he didn't need to, and so his eyes began to close as he played deeper notes. After a short pause, he wrapped it up, his hands freezing as the last note rang throughout the living room and into silence.

 

Namine kept her eyes shut, her cheeks slightly flushed due to the fever that had begun to return since she woke up. She had tuned it out with the music, and she was still trying to keep the feeling at bay as the last faded out into the silence.

 

Roxas sighed, shoulders relaxing as he slid his fingers off the keys and into his lap. He needed that, even though it hadn't been that long since he played the guitar in Namine's room. Now that he was back, he had a feeling that this pattern would continue, and that he would be playing music a lot.

 

Namine heard Roxas' sigh and she released a soft breath on her own, able to tell that he was feeling more at peace. Without thought, she moved a little closer to him and leaned her head on his shoulder, her eyes staying shut the whole time.

 

Roxas's eyes opened at the presence beside him, his head turning toward it. He saw and felt Namine leaning against him, which made him smile. He wasn't sure if it was one of peace, relief, or sadness. Maybe it was a mixture of all of them.

 

Namine stayed still, comfortable in the silence. She and Roxas seemed to have an understanding; there were things that had changed while they were apart. They were things that couldn't be said in words, but they could be transferred through music. That knowledge was good enough for Namine to feel at peace. As long as they had a way to communicate with each other, then things would be fine.

 

Roxas could see a bit of Namine's face from this angle, aware of her flushed cheeks. He was about to ask how she was feeling, but something stopped him. He knew it was the feeling in the air around them; it was too calm to be interrupted, and that information didn't bother him in the least.