Thunder Plains of Love
Final Fantasy X-2
Gippal X OC
Genre: Romance, Friendship
Rating: T for later chapters
Type: Multichapter
A/N: A NEW FIC! Damn… Yeah, well, this is a FFX-2 one, and, because I love Gippal, I've paired him up with another one of my OCs. Yes, there are still some canon couples I support, like Cloud/Tifa, Rinoa/Squall, Irvine/Selphie etc. There are just some characters you want for yourself. Sorry for those who think Gippal should have flirted with Rikku, but I just don't see it. I see him as belonging to ME!
**I own nothing except for Layla.**
Gippal grinned as he stepped out of the Djose temple, taking in the scent of the rain. Looking ahead, he saw the Gullwings walking over. Yuna, Rikku, Paine and… Who was that girl with them? He leaned against the wall, waiting for them to come to him. Yuna was first to say hello, followed by Rikku then Paine. The girl remained silent. "Hey." He smiled and his eyes fell on the new girl. She had brown hair that fell in waves down her back. Her eyes were a bright brown, quite different to the brown of Yuna's other eye. The girl's eyes were deeper, darker and much more mysterious. He raised an eyebrow as she kept her eyes down. "Who's your friend?" He asks, smirking as her cheeks turned bright red.
"The newest addition to the Gullwings!" Rikku announced cheerfully. "This is Layla; she's from Besaid, but she's been on Mount Gagazet for a while. Apparently, she was acting as the Ronso's healer until we found her. Our friend Kimahri insisted that she come with us."
"Against her will?" Gippal asked, truly curious.
"Of course not." Paine snapped, cold as ever.
"Layla, why don't you introduce yourself to Gippal?" Yuna suggested kindly.
"Why? Rikku already did…" She didn't say it as if she was blaming Rikku. Actually, she seemed relieved that Rikku had done the honours. Her voice was soft, delicate and quiet. It was sweet, though. He wondered what it would sound like, whispering sweet words in his ear. He shook his head inwardly. Why would he think about that?
"I'd like to have you do it." He told Layla, as if trying to embarrass her. Her cheeks turned brighter red as she looked up at him, tucking her fringe behind her ear.
"U-um… My name's Layla… I-I've been with the R-Ronso for my whole life…" She looked back down, and Gippal almost laughed at her shyness.
"Why'd you leave them?" He waved off the Al Bhed man standing behind him. "I don't wanna work." He muttered.
"Elder Kimahri told me that they'd be fine… and I guess he just wanted me to h-have fun…" She smiled a little, and Gippal noticed her lips were full and pink. A part of him wanted to know how it would feel to kiss her, but he just shook the thought off.
"Well, come on in. You must be drenched from the plains." He turned to lead them inside.
"We came through the Mushroom Rock Road…" Layla murmured. Gippal nodded and led them inside before sighing.
"You guys staying over?"
"The inn's open, right?" Yuna asked.
"Not exactly. The inn's being fixed up from a stray lightning bolt. You guys are welcome to stay in the temple, though." He smiled.
"Thank you." Yuna stood in the middle of the temple. Gippal looked at Layla to find that her outfit was much less revealing than the others'. Maybe it was because of the cold of Gagazet? He noticed the slim white leggings she wore under her light blue skirt. Her blouse was a mix between white and light blue lines, and her back was decorated with a white cape that came around her sleeves down to a pair of gloves. How comfortable was she, really? He wondered to himself.
"Right, so we've kicked out the digging coordinator, and the room fits two people. There's another room, but smaller. It'll only fit one."
"I don't mind sharing." Yuna and Rikku said at the same time, confidently. Paine raised an eyebrow at them and it was settled that she would get the sole room.
"Um…" Layla shuffled in her position, nervous. Gippal sighed.
"Layla, you wouldn't mind sharing with a guy, would you?"
"What?" She squeaked, looking up at him.
"Yeah. Don't worry; no one here's really like that." He grins as she blushes.
"O-okay…"
"Good. You're sharing with me." What the hell was he doing? He asked himself and he found no answer.
"B-but… It's too much trouble!" She pouted.
"Of course not." Gippal smiled and took her gloved hand. "Come on. I'm sure you ladies can find your rooms." He grinned as Yuna, Rikku and Paine made their way to their rooms.
He led Layla to his room and closed the door after them. "You okay?" He asked her.
"Hm?" She looked at him.
"You look really nervous. Are you really happy with the Gullwings?" He leaned against his wall, looking at her.
"I am… I'm just new at this… Everyone knows everyone, but I don't know anybody." She sat down on the bed daintily. He walked over to her and sat down next to her, smiling at her.
"Layla, if you want me to sleep on the floor, I don't-"
"No way!" She pouted and grabbed his arm. "You're sleeping on your bed. If anyone should sleep on the floor, it's me. I'm used to an uncomfortable life." She blushed and removed her hand from his arm, as if remembering that she wasn't allowed or something.
"Whatever you say, but we're sharing the bed." He smirked, as she blushed harder. "Unless you're uncomfortable." He looked at her, serious this time.
"No, it's okay." She smiled at him.
"You can let go, by the way. I won't tell anyone if you start dancing around like a crazy idiot." He winked at her, and smiled as she giggled.
"I don't 'dance around like a crazy idiot'." She looked at him. "Oh, I never got your name." She stated it as if she'd just remembered.
"Gippal. Don't forget it." He smiled and stood up, stretching before falling back down on the bed, grinning widely. She looked back at him and crawled so that she was sitting by his head. He moved and rested his head on her lap. "You don't mind, right?"
"I don't mind." She confirmed, smiling at him. So she was nice, too? Perfect. Gippal would hate to share a room and bed with a girl who was annoying. After a while, she began stroking his hear, resting her head on the wall as she stared into space.
"You okay?" He asked, sitting up and looking back at her.
"Yeah… Just thinking about the Ronso. I hope no one gets injured again…" She looks to the side.
"Tell you what? Tonight, I'll take you by hover. Fastest vehicle around here. We should be able to make it there and back by sunrise." He grinned as he saw her face light up.
"Really?" She looked at him happily.
"Yeah, I've always wanted to see Gagazet for myself." He took her hand and leaned forward towards her. "It'll be our little secret, okay?"
"O-okay…" She smiled, blushing and looking down.
"You get some sleep. You'll need your energy for sneaking around tonight." He winked as she nodded.
"What about you?" She asked, taking his arm as he made to stand.
"I just need to tell those idiots outside not to come barging in." He walked out.
Quite soon after, Layla could hear Gippal yelling something about them being idiots who don't do their job right. Climbing out of bed, she walked out and over to him by the staircase. "Gippal?" She squeaked, walking over to him. "Is something wrong?" She looked up at him and saw him panting from all the yelling. He rubbed his temples and sighed.
"Nothing, Layla." He wrapped an arm around her. "I swear, if any one of you looks at her funny, I'll slit your throats." He hissed. Layla blushed, her eyes going wide. "If I find one of you doing anything to her, I swear-"
"Gippal." Layla whispered, holding onto his arm. He sighed and nodded, walking her to their room.
"Don't need me." He yelled at the men before closing the door behind himself and Layla.
"Don't be upset." She held onto him, pouting. "I feel like this is all my fault."
"Don't say that, Layla. Let's get some sleep." He pulled her close before climbing into bed. She followed him and curled up against him, closing her eyes. She felt comfortable against his warm body, and he felt like he wanted to give her all his warmth. She was freezing cold, and he held her as tightly as he could. He pulled the covers over her and kissed her head, despite what his mind was yelling; she's a complete stranger. She doesn't even know you. He just couldn't not kiss her. It felt right.
Gippal woke up before Layla and found her curled up against him, holding onto him tightly. At some point while they were asleep, she had wrapped her arms around him and placed her head between his neck and shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her once more and kissed her cheek before deciding to wake her up. "Layla…" He whispered into her ear. "Layla, wake up."
"Mm, just five more minutes…" She rolled over and pulled him with her, sleeping with her back to him. He chuckled and kissed her shoulder before nuzzling her neck.
"Wake up, Layla." He whispered, holding onto her.
"Gippal?" He rolled over once more, her eyes opening a little as she looked up at him.
"That's my name." He smiled and stroked her hair as she stretched like a kitten.
"Morning…" She smiled up at him.
"More like evening. Come on, we need to get outta here if we wanna get back on time." He climbed out of bed, pulling her into his arms as he carried her to his bathroom, washing her face for her. She finally began waking up and looked up at him.
"Gippal?" She squeaked.
"Yes?" He smiled and held her closer.
"Did I… Say anything in my sleep?"
"Not as far as I heard, why?" He grinned. "Are you crazy or something?"
"No. I just talk when I dream." She huffed and walked out of the bathroom. Gippal laughed, washing up himself before running to her side and picking her up.
"Ready to go?" She nodded, blushing. He opened the door quietly and ran out into the stormy night. No one could really point out night and day aside from the amount of people and the actual time on the clock. He climbed into a hover, pulling Layla on and sitting her in his lap as he started the machina and flew out with it.
As they arrived at the gorge at the bottom of Mount Gagazet, he pulled her down and smiled as she ran up the gorge and bumped into Kimahri Ronso. "Elder Kimahri!" She squeaked.
"What Layla doing here?" Kimahri asked with his limited English.
"I'm just visiting. How is everyone?" She smiled as Gippal followed her at his own pace.
"Good. Kimahri troubled. Ronso hate Guado. Ronso want war."
"Elder Kimahri, why don't you just flat out tell them they can't have a war?"
"Uprising may happen." Kimahri muttered, growling as he spoke. Gippal stood by Layla, smiling at her.
"Elder Kimahri…"
"Layla go back. Not safe for Layla at night." Kimahri ordered.
"But…"
"Layla, do as he says." Gippal whispered. She looked up at him and he nodded, taking her in his arms. "Thanks for being here, sir. We'll be going now."
"Layla have lover?" Kimahri asked, causing both the teenagers' faces to go red.
"No, no, he just brought me here!" She held onto Gippal nervously.
"Very well. Good-bye, Layla." Kimahri nodded to her.
"Elder Kimahri, I have one favour to ask of you." She smiled.
"What favour?" He asked.
"Could you smile for me? Please?" Kimahri opened his mouth, revealing his teeth. It wasn't a smile as much as it was a scowl, but it was an attempt. She giggled and waved as she walked off with Gippal.
Despite having slept during the day, Layla was exhausted by the time they'd returned to Djose. It was about two hours before sunrise. It was the only time they saw the sun, but Layla was too tired to wait. She fell onto the bed and smiled up at Gippal. "Thank you." She murmured. He climbed in with her and held her close.
"Anytime, Layla." He sighed and pulled her still cold figure closer to him. "Anytime…" He slowly drifted off to sleep, expecting her to do the same. Layla smiled up at him and moved up, holding his sleeping form tightly.
"Gippal…" She whispered to herself, kissing his face as he slept. She held onto him tightly, falling asleep with her head beside his.
A/N: Yes, their relationship is progressing quickly, but there are still more chapters to come! :D I had to think of an origin for her, and just thought of Gagazet, since Kilika and Luca seemed too boring, and Besaid too uncreative. That, and when you think about it, the Thunder Plain's not too far from Mt. Gagazet if you take a tiny shortcut or whatever. Hope you liked. Please review!
