Friday Evening, From the Dorms to the Beach, Before the Bonfire

[angelo_wings]

There was a bonfire, and a concert. So Rinoa was excited, while still worrying about everything that had been turning over in her mind of late. Possession, the control of her powers, cheerful subjects like that.

So she welcomed the nice long walk down to the beach as a chance to sort out her thoughts. Until she heard footsteps falling behind her.

She didn't bother to turn around. She simply stopped with an indulgent sigh.

"You can just walk with me, Squall. No use lurking that far behind."

(the knight modded with permission. open to him but also to anybody else who wants to drop in and chat on the way to the bonfire. yes, there's going to be singing. try to act surprised!)

Comments

[whateverknight.livejournal.com]

"There's nothing to apologize for," Squall told her. "You weren't yourself, and I wasn't myself. Anything we might have done wasn't really us."

He completely ignored the question of whether he was taking her to the show. Obviously, he was. He just didn't want to have to admit it.

[angelo_wings]

"That doesn't mean it didn't happen," she said, shaking her head. "I wasn't in control of myself. I was used by something dangerous, to hurt people. I don't ... know that I'm all right with that."

It was such a violation. Maybe she was just sensitive to the subject, considering her experiences with Ultimecia.

[whateverknight.livejournal.com]

Squall considered that.

"You weren't possessed," he decided. "Just... not yourself." He shrugged. "I don't think the island wants to hurt people, but I haven't ruled it out yet."

[angelo_wings]

"I don't think it's the island's fault, that I hurt people," she said. There must be something in the air, this evening. She wasn't usually so maudlin. Or at least, she wouldn't admit it out loud.

The music was reassuring, at least.

This girl I know needs some shelter
She don't believe anyone can help her
She's doing so much harm, doing so much damage
But you don't want to get involved, you tell her she can manage
You can't change the way she feels
But you could put your arms around her

She hated how pleading that sounded. She shook her head, hoping to stop it, but words kept coming.

I know you wanna live yourself
But could you forgive yourself
If you left her just the way you found her?

[whateverknight.livejournal.com]

Great. More music. Because that was exactly what he needed.

It seemed like the music was waiting for him to answer her. More than that, it seemed like Rinoa was waiting for him to answer her. So, he did.

I stand in front of you
I'll take the force of the blow
Protection

I stand in front of you
I'll take the force of the blow
Protection

He would, too. He was her protection.

[angelo_wings]

She knew that. He was. So why was she feeling like he wasn't? Maybe because he was still trying to be so closed off to her.

This was a two-way street. It had to be. It wouldn't work, otherwise.

You're a boy and I'm a girl
But you know you can lean on me
And I don't have no fear
I'll take on any man here
Who says that's not the way it should be

I stand in front of you
I'll take the force of the blow
Protection

[whateverknight.livejournal.com]

Wait, what? No, it didn't work like that. Squall didn't need help from anyone. He didn't need to lean on anyone, he didn't need anyone's help, and he certainly didn't need anyone's protection.

... Although supposed it might -- MIGHT -- be nice to have, once in a while. Still, HE was the protector, here.


I stand in front of you
I'll take the force of the blow
Protection

[angelo_wings]

Rinoa sighed, shaking her head as she kept walking. He could keep up.

Sometimes you look so small, need some shelter
Been running round and round, helter skelter
And I've leaned on you for months
Now you can lean on me
That's more than love
That's the way it should be
I can't change the way you feel
But I can put my arms around you

No, that was a better idea. She stopped short, letting him catch up so she could slip her arms around his waist.

That's just part of the deal
That's the way I feel
I'll put my arms around you

[whateverknight.livejournal.com]

He felt... safer, with her arms around him. He tried to tell himself that it was silly, and stupid, and that he didn't need protection from anyone or anything... but he didn't quite believe it.

He wrapped his arms around her, then, so they could hold each other, and protect each other.

I stand in front of you
I'll take the force of the blow
Protection


Maybe he COULD use some help, every now and then, especially from her.

[angelo_wings]

I stand in front of you
I'll take the force of the blow
Protection

It wasn't just holding each other that she had in mind. He knew that, right?

You're a boy and I'm a girl
You're a boy and I'm a girl ...

[whateverknight.livejournal.com]

He... was getting that idea.

And part of him really, really wanted to do more than just hold each other.

But, protection or not, he just wasn't ready for that, yet. It would leave him too vulnerable. He stood there with his arms wrapped around her, not wanting to leave but terrified she might try to do more.

[angelo_wings]

Okay. No scaring Squall, tonight. She was trying to make a point.

The point that he was in love with her was actually not the point she was trying to make, right now. She was trying to get him to open up. The two were interconnected, but pushing the matter was ... off-topic. And possibly counterproductive.

So she was going to stand here as long as he was willing to stay.

[whateverknight.livejournal.com]

And tonight -- just for tonight, just for right now -- he was willing to stay as long as she was. They might be here a while.