Just have to catch my breath;

[notyourmommy.livejournal.com]

[For those of you who might recognize this woman, you will probably realize rather quickly that she isn't anything like the others. And if the casual outfit and lack of powers don't give the hint, maybe the little blond boy tugging excitedly at her wrist will. While he's blabbering on incoherently, she is just getting dragged along, looking confused, but overall amused.]

Whoa, whoa, Roxas. You're going to have to slow it down for me.

Comments

[notyourmommy.livejournal.com]

[Indeed. There you are! She'll be walking over now.]

Riku?

[sunsettingly.livejournal.com]

[O-Oh, it's you. Puts on a polite smile.]

Hey.

[notyourmommy.livejournal.com]

What's wrong?

[sits on the edge of the couch beside him.]

[sunsettingly.livejournal.com]

Nothing. Just spending some time with Prue.

[Just because Roxas can tell when he lies, doesn't mean Terra can, right?]

[notyourmommy.livejournal.com]

[Wrong. She raised that mother hen, where do you think he learned it from? But she'll play along for now, just looking down at Prue.]

Oh, is Prue feeling a little left out?

[sunsettingly.livejournal.com]

[Prue seems to be content as a cucumber, all sprawled out on his lap and purring.]

Guess so.

[notyourmommy.livejournal.com]

[Leans over to pet her a little as well. She stays silent for a moment before glancing up at Riku.]

You know, for as closed off as teenagers try to be, you can all be pretty obvious.

[sunsettingly.livejournal.com]

[His face falls after a moment.]

I'm barely a teenager anymore.

[notyourmommy.livejournal.com]

That doesn't make you any less obvious.

[Just gives him a small smile.]

If you have something to get off your chest, I'm all ears.

[sunsettingly.livejournal.com]

[Hesitates, considering what he could even tell her.]

...It's just some bad memories.

[notyourmommy.livejournal.com]

[Nods a bit.]

If you're uncomfortable with talking, that's fine, I don't have to know anything. Just please don't bottle it up. That's the worst thing for you to do and it only make everyone around you worry more.

[sunsettingly.livejournal.com]

[Looks away, forcing a slight smile.]

Guess you really are his mom. That's just the kind of thing he'd say.

[notyourmommy.livejournal.com]

He had to learn it somewhere, right?

[Breathes a quiet laugh.]

[sunsettingly.livejournal.com]

Guess so. He's lucky to have you.

[notyourmommy.livejournal.com]

[Oh. Okay, she gets it now.]

Thank-you, I suppose... Though it came at a price. I'm sure you know about his biological parents.

[sunsettingly.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I know.

[And he feels like shit for being jealous when Roxas lost so much more in the first place.]

[notyourmommy.livejournal.com]

But everyone has their problems in life... I just hope that I can be there for anyone who needs it. If someone is missing something in their life... a friend, a mother, or just someone to talk to... I want to be able to be that for them.

[Rests a hand on his shoulder.]

You're included in that.

[sunsettingly.livejournal.com]

[He'd love to just turn and hug her, but she's just trying to be helpful and he knows he's reading into thing too much again.]

...I wouldn't ask that of you.

[notyourmommy.livejournal.com]

Good, because that proves that you deserve it.

[Well she's pulling you into a hug now, being careful of Prue.]

It's clear that Roxas considers you family, so now I do too.

[sunsettingly.livejournal.com]

[Once he's pulled into that hug he can't keep from clinging just a little bit. It's been a long time since he's had any kind of mom hug.]

[notyourmommy.livejournal.com]

[Oh god, she was afraid that might have been too forward. She'll just pet his hair gently.]

[sunsettingly.livejournal.com]

[It was anything but too forward- exactly what he needed to hear, actually. He manages to recompose himself a bit after a moment, pulling away.]

...Thank you.

[notyourmommy.livejournal.com]

[Waves away the thank-you.]

You don't have to thank me. Just don't be afraid to come and talk if you need to, alright?

[sunsettingly.livejournal.com]

[Nods, giving a slight smile, but a genuine one. Prue takes this opportunity to switch laps and moves over to Terra's lap instead.]

[notyourmommy.livejournal.com]

[What's up pussy cat? Just pets her a little.]