AN: This is the new story I started writing that will actually be a whole story arc under the main title Summoner and Guardian. The first part will be recounting the events happening in the three months between FFX-2 end and last mission. I will keep as accurately as possible to the plotline and only changing it minimally if I see a benefit for my story. This will have major spoiler. So beware! I will place it under the t-rating because I don't plan to work in lemons or too much violence in this first story of the arc. But if you want lemons tell me, I will put them in as soon as it fits into my story, that is.
I promise that this time I will answer every review personally per pm.
So, please review. It gives me a boost to write more chapters. I hope I have improved my writing in this story.
Enjoy! :)
Disclaimer: I don't own FFX or FFX-2
Summoner and Guardian
Pilgrimage
The children giggled running on another of their adventures through the jungles of Besaid. They were playing Summoner and Guardian who fought against Sin. The girls wanted to be the Yuna who brought the Eternal Calm and the boys her Guardians. Children who had bad luck were playing Sin and fiends. They were not allowed to run this deep into the jungle around Besaid. But after their parents were occupied with the preparations for the High Summoner's return, they used the opportunity.
Like every children they hated rules and overstepped them whenever they could. Suddenly one stumbled over something that groaned. The children quickly gathered around the something when they heard the scream of one of them.
"It's a man!" "Why is he lying here?" "Does anyone know him?" "I think I saw him before somewhere…" The children chatted on without noticing the danger that was lurking in the shadows of the jungle waiting for the right moment to pounce upon its prey…
His body felt heavy. It never had felt so heavy. He could hear his heartbeat and feel his lungs pump air. There was never a moment in his existence where his body actually needed that but now it seemed to need it. He felt cold and shivered. When something suddenly hit his side he groaned in pain. He heard the soft murmuring of the voices of children. Where was he?
Slowly he remembered his last chat with Bahamut, his dreamer. A smile began to steal itself on his lips. He was back, really back. Now he should be close to Besaid. His hands twitched and he slowly opened his eyes, blinking against the light shining down on him.
"He is waking up!"
He heard the voice of a child and others gasped in astonishment. Small faces began to lean over him, blocking the light.
"Why are you laying here, Mister?" The bravest of the children asked curiously.
Tidus chuckled and winked. "Let's just say, I was on a looong vacation."
The boys looked confused at him and the girls blushed at the handsome young man. He sat up and smiled his famous grin. The girls began to giggle and the boys looked even more confused at them.
"Aren't you cute little…" Tidus began to say to the girls when he felt danger and heard it.
The children screeched in fear and hid behind his back at the sight of the fiend before them. Tidus had never seen one like that. It was awhile since he was in Spira but still… It looked like a wolf fiend, partly organic, partly Machina. Tidus frowned. It looked like a failed experiment from human hands but he had no time thinking about it.
More of these fiends appeared between the trees and growled dangerously at them. Their hungry eyes roamed over the humans in front of them. Tidus bit his lip. There were at least five or six of them. He reached for the place where his sword was strapped on his back but there was nothing. Of course not, his blades were left in Spira and where they were now he didn't know. Important was in the moment that he saved the children.
"Run!" Tidus shouted loudly and got into fighting stance.
The children squeaked in fright. Most of them ran in the same direction but one of them, a small boy, ran in another. Tidus cursed under his breath and distracted the fiends, directing their attention to him. He should have told them to run to Besaid. One of the fiends ran past him. Tidus tried to catch its tail but missed. It was running after the one lonely boy. Tidus cursed again and avoided the attack of one of the fiends.
He needed to save the boy. That would get ugly. He turned around and ignored the fiends growling at him for the moment. Tidus heard them run after him and felt sweat roll down his temple. In the distance he could make out the fiend that ran after the boy.
Gritting his teeth he sped up and mumbled. "Haste."
Behind him the fiends growled in anger but they were getting quieter. He was now faster than them. Tidus could see the end of the jungle and huts of the village. He banned any thoughts from his mind that could distract him and concentrated on the fiend ahead. The boy stumbled and screamed, looking fearful at the drooling fiend standing over him.
Tidus used the chance and jumped forward landing on his hands, pushing off the ground with the swing and making a spiral in the air to land kneeling in front of the fiend. He grasped the upper and under jaw of the fiend and felt its metal teeth dig into his skin. Tidus' muscles tensed and he opened the muzzle of the fiend even farther. It began to growl in pain and struggled against his grip. The blond Blitzer didn't let go and ripped its muzzle open. Blood splattered on the ground and on him. The fiend disappeared in a shower of Pyreflies. Tidus' breath was heavy and he turned around to the boy.
"Are you alright?" Tidus asked gently.
The boy nodded. Why did he always get attacked when he came to Spira? Tidus looked at his shaking bloody hands. The cuts of the teeth burned terribly. He needed to hunt these fiends down. They were too dangerous and too close to the village to be left alive.
"Do you know where I could get a sword, little one?" He asked the child.
The small boy was still shaking at his whole body. He nodded his brown haired head and his brown eyes looked at Tidus filled with shock from his encounter with the fiend. Tidus smiled reassuringly. The boy reminded him of himself in this age.
"Could you get it for me? I'll wait here." Tidus said and cocked his head to the side in question.
The boy looked reluctant for a second but nodded a few seconds later. He scurried off and Tidus nervously glanced over his shoulder every few seconds. The shuffling of feet soon drew the blond Blitzer's attention to the arrival of the small boy. He stumbled a bit under the weight of the sword he carried. Tidus smiled at him when he took it from his hands.
"Thank you. We can play a bit Blitzball when I come back." He winked and ruffled his hair.
The boy blushed and nodded in excitement.
"Nah, I'm Tidus by the way." Tidus said with a last grin and hurried off into the jungle.
Sweat rolled down his forehead when the last Pyreflies of the fiends rose into the air and vanished in the distance. Sighing in relief he strapped the sword to his back and craned his head back, closing his eyes. Wind played around him and blew his sweat-drenched bangs back. He brushed the liquid from his forehead and turned around.
Tidus grinned satisfied when he walked back to the village his hands behind his head. His fighting skills hadn't suffered from his absence from Spira. When he stepped out of the jungle back into the village the children he had met earlier were already waiting for him.
"What do we have here?" Tidus asked chuckling and knelt down. "A welcoming party?"
"You're our hero, Mister!" One of the girls said in excitement.
Tidus snickered. They were just too adorable.
"Naah…, where are your parents?"
"They are welcoming back Lady Yuna. Will you play with us until then? It's boring here. You promised, remember?" The boy who had brought him the sword said hopefully.
Tidus felt his heart skip a beat when he heard Yuna's name. She was here! He couldn't wait to see her again. A growling sound behind him interrupted his thoughts and he quickly spun around. The children cried in fear behind him.
"Hide, quick!" Tidus shouted and drew his sword.
He didn't need to tell them that twice. They hastily dispersed in all directions hiding inside the huts of the village. Tidus gritted his teeth when he fazed another pack of half organic, half Machina wolves. Where did they come from? He pushed the thoughts aside. Tidus needed to get them away from the village.
"Want to get a fresh, tasty piece of meat? Come and get it!" He shouted and flashed a cheeky grin.
The wolves growled at him and drooled when they chased after him through the jungle. He would lure them to the cliffs. If everything worked according to plan, the wolves would soon be a splash of blood on the sand of the beach. Tidus smirked when he saw the light of sunshine in the nearing distance. He came to a scattering halt close to the cliff.
Below, in some distance, he could make out a large group of people and a red airship but he ignored his curiosity over it in the moment. Tidus turned and waited for the right moment to jump out of the way of the approaching fiends. Grinning he listened to their frightened howling and the cracking sound of their landing. He leaned over the ledge and examined satisfied the fruit of his trap.
Maybe Yuna was down there.
He began to smirk. There was an easy way to test that. He placed two fingers in his mouth and blew as hard as he could. A sharp, loud whistle rang through the air and traveled down the cliff to the people below. Tidus pricked up his ears. An almost inaudible answering whistle floated up to him. His grin widened. Tidus whistled again as a confirmation. He chuckled when he could make out one female human below pushing through the crowd. Tidus turned around with a huge smile on his face and ran through the jungle, looking for the shortest way to the path to the beach.
He skittered around a curve, throwing up small stones and dust. Tidus jogged down the path to the beach and ran over the bridges that led through under the waterfalls. He was about to take the last curve when he saw a certain auburn haired, bi-colored eyed, brilliantly smiling and beautiful young woman. Tidus beamed so hard that his cheeks hurt. He opened his arms for her and she ran right into his embrace. Lifting her up, he twirled her once around making her laugh lightly before placing her on her feet again.
"Are you real?" She asked uncertainly and her brilliant smile fell slightly.
Her fingers gently ran over his cheeks and came to rest on his bare chest, barely touching as if she was afraid she would pass through any moment. Sorrow and guilt squeezed his heart. He caused her pain and he could never forgive himself for that.
"I think so." He said carefully, fearing that he would cause her more pain and vanish from Spira's surface again.
What would happen to him then he didn't care about. Only her well-being was on his mind. Her eyes in which he could lose himself forever slowly wandered over his form.
"Do I pass?" He asked with a small uncertain grin.
A smile slowly began to creep upon her soft lips and she tilted her head in a nod. Tidus felt his emotions slowly overtake him and he desperately suppressed tears. He wouldn't cry!
"I'm back." He said his eyes burning and his throat constricting painfully.
Her arms sank to her sides and she looked uncertainly at him. She doubted him still and she would for awhile. He understood and he didn't blame her. She had every right to. Tidus wrapped his arms around her shoulders and buried his face in her shoulder.
"I'm home." He added heartfelt, not trusting his voice to say more.
"Home." She replied slowly.
He feared for a second that she would push him away but then she wrapped her arms gently around his waist and pressed her face to his shoulder.
"Yes, home." She said delighted.
His heart soared in happiness and his shoulders shook slightly in his effort to suppress sobs. Silent tears ran down his face.
"You are crying, aren't you?" She said, not even trying to hide her amusement.
"Am not!" Tidus protested and quickly brushed the tears away.
She giggled. "Suuuure."
Tidus leaned slightly back and looked stubbornly into her lovely eyes.
"See!" He said, trying to keep a straight face.
She giggled harder and their noses brushed. His body tingled all over from the contact.
"Tidus." She whispered lightly and he felt her warm breath on his lips.
He shivered in response and tightened his hold around her.
"Yuna." He breathed back and shifted his head, lightly brushing his lips over hers.
She sighed, her grip tightening on him and her eyes closed half.
"I wonder if your lips are as soft as the last time I tasted them." Tidus murmured and kissed the corner of her mouth lightly.
She blushed at his words but he could see a smirk forming.
"Mmh, who knows? But I warn you, I bite." Tidus chuckled.
She had gotten feisty, his Yuna. He didn't mind. On her pilgrimage he had seen sometimes a very tiny part of this playful characteristic of her. He was proud that she was now more open with it.
"I think I take the risk." He mumbled, brushing his lips over hers before gently pressing his lips on hers.
Definitely as soft as on her pilgrimage. She eagerly followed his lead and pressed closer to his body. Their lips moved slowly against each other and seemed to fit perfectly. Every small brush sent a tingle down his spine and he leaned closer into her. He opened his mouth a small gap and lightly licked with his tongue over her bottom lip. She sighed in reaction. Her lips parted and he was about to taste her honey-filled cavern when a loud voice startled them apart but he firmly kept his hold on her.
"Get a room you two!"
Tidus turned to look at their intruder. An orange haired man waved them with a large grin.
"Who asked you to watch, Wakka!" He shouted back and shook his fist.
Wakka held up his hands defensively and looked over to a black haired mage who held a small bundle of life in her arms with orange hair. Tidus blinked before he grinned widely. He told Lulu that this would happen! With delight he would rub it into her face. Tidus turned to Yuna and grinned at her, taking her hand.
"Soft." He whispered softly into her ear.
She got his meaning and blushed. Tidus gently tugged at her hand and dragged her behind him to the crowd of village people. To his surprise she sped ahead of him and he stumbled a few steps.
"You know, you've changed!" He couldn't help but state.
Her lips tugged upward in a grin.
"You've missed a few things!" She shouted back.
"I wanna hear everything!" He said in excitement.
She probably had saved Spira again. That was just like her. Still couldn't go around people in need. It was one of the many traits he loved about her. He loved everything about her.
"Well, it all began when I saw this sphere of you…at least it looked like you." She said and he heard an edge of sadness out of her voice.
He frowned a bit. Someone that looked like him? He had a good guess who she meant and he didn't like it one bit. He was about to say something more when they stopped in front of Wakka and Lulu.
"Finally decided to come back, eh, brudda? Where were you these two years, ya?" The orange haired Blitzer asked and gave him a clap on the back with a loud laugh.
Where he was? Darkness. The emptiness of a long lost city. There was nothing. Only him and loneliness and from time to time a short visit to the Farplane. The light and calm. Tidus tensed and frowned at Wakka before his concern immediately shifted to Yuna. She had frozen up and looked to the ground biting her lip. He squeezed her fingers, reassuring her that he was there and wouldn't go away again. Lulu glared icily at Wakka and would have hit him on the back of his head if she had a hand free. The orange haired Blitzer shrunk visibly.
"Don't be so tactless, Wakka!" She scorned him.
Wakka nodded silently and didn't say anything anymore. Satisfied that she had brought her point across the black mage turned to Tidus with a warm smile.
"It's good to have you back, clueless." She said and gave him a one arm hug, careful of the baby in her arms.
Tidus chuckled at the old nickname. Even that he had missed in a way.
"Tidus!" A high pitched scream reached his ears and he winced.
He quickly let go of Yuna's hand when he saw a blonde bundle of energy jump his way. The air was pushed out of his lungs when the female tackled him and hugged him tight. He stumbled backwards and tripped over a stone with a surprised yelp. The blonde bundle of energy tightly attached to him didn't seem to bother or notice or both. He couldn't be certain.
"You big meanie! You left for so long! You are like my big brother, you know? Big meanie!"
Tidus chuckled when she pounded once on his chest. He wanted to hug her back but hesitated. Where should he put his hands? Her new clothing or lack thereof was bothering him. He raised one of his eyebrows and urged her off of him. Both of them stood and Tidus brushed the dirt from his clothes. Yuna had watched the whole exchange, a small amused smile on her face. Tidus carefully placed his hands on Rikku's shoulders and looked seriously at her, like a big brother would look at his little sister.
"Are you allowed to wear that?" He asked drop-dead serious.
Rikku looked puzzled at him and Yuna giggled. Confused Tidus shortly looked at her and took in the amused faces around. Shaking his head he turned his attention back to the blonde Al Bhed in front of him.
"Did someone steal your clothes?" He asked further.
Rikku's facial expression shifted drastically and she shoved him away, turning up her nose.
"Meanie!" She said pouting and walked past him in the direction of the village.
Laughter sounded behind him, he turned around and scratched the back of his head in puzzlement.
"Have I missed something?" He asked frowning.
Yuna, still giggling, patted his sculpted chest and said. "Don't try to think about it or you may fry your brain."
Tidus huffed and looked mock hurt at her.
"And here I thought you were on my side." He said over-dramatically.
Yuna giggled girlishly.
"Only if it benefits me." She replied smugly, wrapping her arm around his and leaning against him.
Tidus grinned down at her and shook his head in amusement. Definitely feisty.
"For making Rikku pout you gain 5 respect points." An unfamiliar, cool, female voice said.
Tidus reluctantly lifted his gaze from Yuna and examined the black-clad young warrior woman. Her crimson eyes stared at him intently and her short gray hair swayed in the soft breath of the wind. She seemed to consider what to make of him. He tilted his head to the side.
"Like what you see?" He asked simply, suppressing a smirk.
A small grin played around her lips.
"Maybe. We'll see. My name is Paine by the way." The black-clad young warrior woman replied and walked past him and Yuna after Rikku in the direction of the village.
Tidus glanced down at his girl that sounded good in his mind. She had tensed a bit when he spoke to Paine but had relaxed after she left.
"Should we follow?" Tidus asked and glanced over at Wakka and Lulu.
"We've prepared a party for Yuna's return, ya. But I guess it's for yours now as well, brudda." The orange haired Blitzer said and laid an arm around Lulu.
Tidus smiled at his two friends and their familiarity with each other. From the first time he saw them he had a feeling they would come together someday. Now they had a kid and were probably married. He doubted they weren't. Yuna tugged gently at his arm and drew his attention back to her.
"Let's go." She said and the brilliant smile that he loved so much had returned to her face. Tidus nodded and followed her lead.
Yuna watched him interact with the other villagers. An adoring smile was written over her face. She didn't dare to leave his side for only a second. Never would she let him leave her sight again. It was so long since she had felt his reassuring touch and his warm spirit. Only now she realized how lonely she really had been and how much her heart had ached without him.
On the outside she may have appeared happy but on the inside she had been weeping. Everything she had to do alone she wished she could have done with him. Of course she had her friends and they were nice but only with him she was whole. A bunch of children ran up to Tidus and he knelt down with a grin.
"Mister! We knew you would beat these things!" A brown haired boy exclaimed excited and the others nodded.
Tidus chuckled and ruffled his hair. Yuna smiled fondly at him. He would be a good father someday even if he didn't believe in his own ability. Tidus stood and shooed the children away before turning to her. His blue eyes sparkled like the ocean when the light of the sun broke on its surface. She felt herself drown in them and her knees began to feel like jelly. His grin gentled and became this unique smile that was between a smile and a smirk.
She couldn't describe it. The knowledge that it was only meant for her was enough.
His gloved fingers brushed over the back of her hand. She looked up at him curiously in question. He smiled shyly and carefully intertwined their fingers.
"How about we get something to eat? I'm hungry." He said and cocked his head to the side.
She tilted her head in a nod, wishing she could feel the full extent of the warmth of his hand instead of it dulled through his glove. Tidus grinned goofily and tugged her eagerly to the buffet that the villagers had made. It consisted of various plates with fresh fruits of the isle, grilled fish and some game, there was not much on Besaid that could be hunted and eaten at the same time. Trays of different drinks stood next to the food but Tidus had only eyes for the eatable things.
Yuna looked at him and giggled lightly when she saw the drool form at the corner of his mouth. She reached up and brushed it away, cleaning her fingers at his yellow jacket. He grinned down at her and sheepishly scratched the back of his head. Yuna shook her head in amusement at his childish antics. Tidus turned back to the buffet with a last grin in her direction. He took one of the clean plates and placed everything he could get his hands on onto it. Their fingers remained tightly intertwined the whole time.
"You want something, too?" He asked after he had over-packed his plate.
She shook her head in negative.
"No, I'm not hungry." She replied.
Tidus raised his eyebrow and frowned slightly.
"Well, okay but at least drink something." He said and she could swear she heard mild concern out of his voice.
His free hand waved in the direction of the many different drinks. She nodded in agreement and tugged him over to them. Tidus quickly picked up his plate before it got out of reach. When she had chosen they walked over to an empty log and sat down against it. Yuna leaned her head against his shoulder while she sipped at her drink. Tidus happily stuffed his food into his mouth and swallowed as fast as he could. She turned her head slightly and breathed in his masculine scent. He smelled like an ocean breeze mixed with the scent of leather. Her lips twitched into a small smile.
Tidus heartedly bit into a fruit and Yuna rolled her eyes when the juice of it dripped down his chin. He muffled through his full mouth of food in surprise and looked down with a comical look. Yuna giggled and Tidus glanced at her mock hurt.
"You have to learn to eat, Tidus." She said and brushed the sweet juice away, only to rub it onto his yellow jacket.
He quickly gulped down the last bites in his mouth and spoke up in a whining tone. "Not fair, Yuna! This stuff is sticky! It will ruin my jacket!"
Her blond Blitzer pouted and she giggled. She saw a grin shortly pass over his lips in amusement, clearly pleased with the reaction he received. He straightened up and sat his almost empty plate down beside him. Tidus' arm wrapped around her shoulder and he nuzzled her cheek with his nose. She sighed in contentment and relaxed completely. He was so very warm, it made her dizzy. Suddenly she felt her drink leave her hand and blinked in surprise. A grinning Tidus held the glass in his hand and emptied it in one large gulp.
"Needed that." He said satisfied.
Her blond Blitzer stole her drink! Tidus chuckled and kissed her nose, placing her glass down next to his plate.
"You should see your face. Priceless!" He laughed.
Her brows furrowed in mild anger and she shoved him lightly away.
"That was my drink, Tidus!"
He just grinned at her reply and ran his gloved fingers lightly over her cheek. A warm tingle went down her spine from the simple caress and her angered demeanor softened slowly.
"I've heard" He whispered lowly, his eyes a loving touch. "that lovers share everything."
Her cheeks flushed at his words and she felt a distinct warmth flood her body. Lovers. She liked the sound of that. He lifted his arm and she snuggled under it into his side. Tidus gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze and leaned them back against the log behind them. His fingers slowly began to run through her hair, his warm breath stirring a few strands. The rhythmic pattern of his breathing and the gentle caresses he was bestowing upon her made her drowsy.
She could hear someone talking to Tidus but couldn't determine who. Yuna was in the moment too comfortable to move from her position against her blond Blitzer. His warm lips gently pressed a kiss to her forehead before he continued his conversation with the mysterious person in hushed voices. Tidus' fingers were now running up and down her upper arm, lulling her finally into a peaceful sleep that she had missed for a long time.
Yuna's breath evened out and he felt her muscles relax. A soft kitten snore escaped her lips, a clear sign that she was asleep.
"It's a long time since I saw her sleep so peacefully." Lulu said and she bended down to place a sisterly kiss on top of Yuna's head.
Tidus' love shifted lightly against him and he saw a smile twitch over her peaceful face.
"You really love her, don't you?"
The blond looked up at her, reluctantly taking his eyes from the beautiful young woman so close to him. Lulu's eyes had softened at the sight of them together, seeing how much he cared for her adoptive, little sister. Tidus straightened a bit and looked her directly in the crimson eyes. An expression of sincerity on his features. He knew how much Yuna respected Lulu's opinion on every matter. She would be deeply hurt if the black mage rejected their relationship.
"I love Yuna more than anything."
Lulu carefully scanned his face to determine the truth of his statement. It was rummaging in his stomach and he nervously shifted when she said nothing for a few seconds. Then a reassuring smile broke her lips and she patted his shoulder.
"I can see how much you care for her Tidus but if you ever make her sad I will make your death as painful and as long as possible."
Tidus chuckled in amusement.
"I will hold you to that."
Lulu smirked at him and lit for a second a small flame on her palm.
"You will regret that, clueless." She replied in a playful threat and walked away to the hut she called home.
Tidus grinned and shook his head, turning back to the peacefully sleeping beauty. He gently ran his fingers through her soft auburn hair and tugged her closer to him. She sighed adorably in her sleep and her small fingers grasped his jacket. Warmth flooded his being at the sight of this perfection. He didn't know how he was able to live without her in his life.
Tidus' brows furrowed in thought.
In a way he hadn't lived at all before he met her. A dream wasn't alive. The more important question was now if he was alive now. He chewed on his lower lip and nervously shifted. What if he fell asleep and wouldn't wake the next day? Did the Fayth just bring him back to take him away? Maybe it was only a temporary thing. A chill ran down his spine at the thought. They wouldn't do this to Yuna, right? The Fayth loved her too much for that, right?
Tidus buried his face in Yuna's soft hair in desperation. He would never allow that. Never. Still, fear prevented him from trying to sleep. He forced his eyes to stay open and gently stroked her upper arm. Yuna kept on sleeping peacefully while he watched her. An adoring smile stretched over his lips. He ignored the buzzing party and kept on watching over his beloved Summoner. Even after all villagers and the Gullwings had gone to sleep he was still awake. His eyes dropped from time to time in exhaustion but he forcefully stayed awake.
His warmth still hadn't left her when she began to get aware of her surroundings again. Yuna shifted and stretched her limps, yawning heartedly. She sleepily opened her eyes and glanced up at the handsome face of her Tidus. He smiled down at her. She frowned lightly when she noticed that it was strained. Yuna reached up and stroked with her fingertips the dark bags under his eyes.
"Were you awake all night?" She asked confused.
He smiled reassuringly and she leaned back a bit to examine him more thoroughly. There were dark rings under his eyes and he looked a bit tensed up. He probably sat the whole night against this log with her leaning on him and had stayed awake to watch over her. Part of her found that absolutely adoring but another part of her wanted to lecture him for his stupidity. He needed rest, too!
"Tidus, you need rest. Come on." She said and stood up.
Reluctantly he let her tug him up and grunted in mild pain at the sudden movement. She frowned and led him to the lodge that was now for guests and visitors. Formerly it belonged to Luzzu, Gatta and the warriors who protected the village from Sin, the Crusaders. She guided her Blitzer to one of the beds and urged him to lie down. Wincing he did it and frowned up at her.
"I don't want to sleep." He said stubbornly and crossed his arms.
"Why not?" She asked feeling irritated at his strange behavior.
Something was bothering him, she could tell. The furrowed brows and the darker blue of his eyes gave him away. She was pleased with herself that she could still read him so well. For long silent seconds they engaged into a staring contest. The sounds of children already awake from their sleep could be heard and the occasional hushing of parents who were still tired from the celebration the last night. Birds sang from the palms around and warm rays of the sun fell through the entrance of the lodge. Finally Tidus relented under her stern gaze and looked away shifting nervously.
"Nah, it's stupid, really. Nothing important. You don't have to…"
"Tidus!" She interrupted him and now it was her turn to cross her arms.
The blond anxiously fiddled with his fingers and looked directly at her. Her eyes widened slightly at the raw emotion of fear and impossibly deep love he was displaying.
"What if I go to sleep and never wake up again? I couldn't bear to leave you alone again!" He said fiercely and balled his hands to fists.
At first the same ridiculous fear he had gripped her heart and she froze. She even forgot to breathe for a few seconds. Tidus gone from her life again after she had the bliss of having her true love for only one night? As drastically as it sounded, she couldn't live with that. She didn't know how she had survived those last two years but now she couldn't do it anymore. Yuna didn't want to. If he left, she would go with him. There was no doubt about that in her mind.
She shook her head determinedly. No, the Fayth wouldn't send him back only to take him away again. She was sure of that. They were in Yuna's dept and as their reward she had been given her true love back. Determinedly she pushed him back into the soft mattress and climbed next to him into the bed. Confusion crossed his handsome features but without protest he snaked his arm around her shoulder. For awhile she forgot what she wanted to say and snuggled blissfully into his warmth. She nuzzled his chest with her nose and smiled happily.
Tidus in return ran his fingers over her upper arm and pressed his lips into her hair. He gently coaxed her head upwards. She felt his warm lips brush over her temple, her cheek and over lips. Yuna shivered and tilted her head sideways. Tidus slid his mouth over hers and she sank boneless against him. Who would have thought that he had such soft lips? His strong hands gently gripped her to him and caressed her back while hers danced feather-lightly over his chest and over his cheeks. He shivered under her fingertips and she smiled mid-kiss. The tip of his tongue lightly ran over her bottom lip and she parted her mouth for him.
She didn't know what compelled her to do it exactly. Her Summoner training hadn't consisted of any sexual education. She blushed at the thought in her mind. Normally she would have died at the end of her pilgrimage after all and afterward she had only thought about how she could get him back, nothing else. His tongue pushed past her lips and she blushed, tensing up in his warm embrace. So much for her new won confidence.
He seemed to feel her discomfort and withdrew his tongue, contenting himself with licking her lips and teasing the tip of her tongue through her slightly parted mouth. It was enough to make her shudder delightfully and nip at his bottom lip. He enjoyed her caress clearly and groaned deep in his throat. She felt his chest rumble from the noise and parted from his mouth when she needed to breath, biting playfully on his bottom lip. He chuckled and nuzzled her cheek affectionately, not even a bit out of breath. She admired his ability to remain without air for so long before she remembered why she actually coaxed him on the bed.
"You will not go away because I won't let you. Now sleep." She said and buried her head into his steel chest.
Yuna felt him relax under her and his fingers began to comb through her hair.
"Definitely feisty." He said cockily.
Yuna huffed and poked his rock-hard stomach. He chuckled at her reaction and held her even closer to him. It only took for him a few seconds to drift into sleep. Her head on his chest slowly rose and fell with the even intake of breaths he took. Curled up against his warmth and securely in his arms, she found herself following his example and falling into a light sleep.
Tidus awoke to the chirping of birds and the laughter of children. People ran up and down in front of the lodge, no doubt cleaning the mess from the celebration last night. It was a long time since he heard anything similar. A smile began to play around his lips. How he had missed these sounds and the life he associated with them.
The breaths of a warm being curled against him stirred the small brown hairs on his chest. Soft fingers grasped his yellow jacket and she snored cutely. Tidus' smile widened. She would never admit that she was snoring. He remembered how flustered she had been when she was teased about it. Tidus doubted this had changed. A small smile on his lips he watched her sleep peacefully, shifting from time to time. He didn't know how many minutes ticked by while he watched his love and imagined what their future together would be like. Bouncy steps and an overly joyful voice broke his concentration and he looked to the entrance of the lodge.
"Yunie! Tidus! Where are youuuuu?" Rikku called out loudly.
Tidus looked down at his love. Her brows furrowed slightly and she buried her face deeper into his chest to escape the noise.
"There you are!" Rikku shouted happily when she bounced inside.
Tidus turned to her.
"Shhhh! Be quite! Yuna's still sleeping!" He hissed as sternly as he managed.
Rikku sheepishly grinned and whispered. "Sooorrryyy!"
Tidus rolled his eyes and gently ran his fingers through Yuna's hair. Without making any noise Rikku sneaked up close to the bed and knelt down next to it to be on eye-level with Tidus.
"Haven't seen her sleeping this peacefully in a long time." Rikku said a soft expression on her face while she watched her cousin.
Tidus felt his heart squeeze in guilt. If he had been there like he promised she wouldn't have suffered. He would have made sure of that. Rikku snapped out of her trance and looked back at Tidus.
"Lulu and Wakka want to speak with you. Alone."
He raised an eyebrow and glanced at her quizzically.
"Alone? I wonder what that's about…" He mumbled under his breath, feeling unsure about himself.
What if Lulu had changed her mind? And why did they send Rikku to call him? His nervousness grew from second to second.
To Rikku he whispered. "And they send you to keep her company for the time being?"
Grinning Rikku nodded her blonde hair flying around her face.
"Well, either they want to kill me or have a serious talk. I don't know what's better."
Rikku snickered lowly and punched his arm playfully. Tidus threw a short grin in her direction before he slowly detached his body from Yuna's. Her brows furrowed and she grasped onto his yellow jacket. Tidus frowned and gently tried to pry her fingers off of him without waking her. Rikku bounced impatiently next to the bed and watched the fiddling curiously. With a small sigh Tidus finally managed to lay Yuna alone on the bed. She frowned deeply in her sleep and hugged the pillow to her chest. He stroked back a strand of her hair and kissed her forehead.
"Back in a few. Don't worry." He whispered to her and she relaxed visibly.
Rikku watched the exchange between them in awe. Tidus didn't notice and smiled at his sleeping love.
Turning around he said to Rikku. "I'll be back. Don't do something stupid."
Rikku crossed her arms and pouted in reaction to his words. Tidus chuckled and walked out of the lodge. Warm sun rays tickled his skin and he smiled leaning his head back a second, enjoying the cool ocean breath blowing around him. It was so long and it would take some getting used to until he was sure he would stay but for Yuna's sake he would try.
Placing his hands behind his head in a usual pose of his he walked through the village and past the busy villagers who greeted him all happily. He was surprised how many remembered him (besides the children, they had no clue) and showed joy at his return. Maybe they did that only because Yuna was happy seeing him? Tidus shook his head to get rid of these bad thoughts. No, they simply were nice and warm people. He couldn't have wished for a better place for Yuna to grow up.
In front of Lulu's and Wakka's hut he felt his nervousness return that he had distracted himself from. He took a deep breath. There was no way back now. Straightening up he pushed the fabric of the entrance flap aside and he went inside. The smells of food rose into his nostrils and his mouth watered. Licking his dry lips he found Wakka sitting with Vidina on the couch and rocking the small boy back and forth. The baby giggled and reached with his small fingers for his father's face. The content, happy smile on Wakka's face Tidus had never seen before. Being a father suited him just fine.
"Hey…You asked for me?" Tidus said rather nervously and looked sideways at Lulu who was cooking on the fireplace of the hut.
Her crimson eyes flitted over to him for a second and settled on Wakka. Both nodded at each other and Tidus felt his heart pound at the action. What did they want to do with him? Lulu changed her mind about his relationship with Yuna. He just knew it! The hairs at the back of his neck stood at attention at the thought. How would he tell Yuna? She respected the black mage so much! She would be so…
"Sit down, Tidus. We have to talk about something." Lulu said calmly and gestured to the couch where Wakka was sitting with Vidina already.
Tidus nervously followed her demand and sat down, his fingers fiddling with the chains at his shorts. Wakka didn't say anything and raised an eyebrow when he saw the blond Blitzer's anxious behavior. Lulu stopped her cooking and placed the utensils for it on a small table next to the fireplace. Without any indication as to what she wanted to talk about with him she sat down next to her husband and gave her son a kiss on the forehead. Tidus had paled immensely in the meantime, thinking about all the terrible things they would do to him.
"Well, Tidus, now that you are back we have to talk about some important things about your relationship with Yuna." Lulu said and seriously looked at Tidus.
The blond Blitzer held his breath. There it comes.
"Yuna is a symbol for the people in Spira. A beacon of hope and reassurance in dark times. Their savior from Sin. Do you understand this?" The black mage asked him and the serious expression hadn't left her face.
Tidus gulped and nodded slowly. Now would come the part where she would tell him that he wasn't good enough for her. The lowly Blitzball player from dream Zanarkand and the humble Guardian of the High Summoner. It would never be allowed but since when did he care about any rules? Nothing would keep him from his love!
"Good." Lulu said contently and stared intently at him. "In the public's eye she is virtues."
Tidus' eyes widened slightly at that one and his mouth formed an O. Maybe they didn't want to break his relationship with Yuna after all.
"It is important that you understand that, Tidus. As much as I wish it was otherwise, the people of Spira look up to her. Idolize her. She can't live like any youth and ignore these people looking up at her. Until marriage she has to stay virtues. I'm afraid I have to ask you to keep your hands to yourself as hard as this will be for a clueless moron like you."
"Hey!" He said at the insult but she waved him off, clearly not finished yet.
"On top of that Yuna has no experience with any…sexual things. We never taught her because well…" Lulu didn't finish the sentence but Tidus understood.
They never believed she would survive her pilgrimage.
"Don't dirty her mind, Tidus. Can you do that?" She finished, looking sternly at him.
Tidus nodded sincerely.
"I would never do anything to hurt her." He said calmly.
Lulu smiled and stood up.
"Good. Now how about something to eat?"
Rikku impatiently jumped up and down next to her cousin's resting place. Shortly after Tidus had left, her brows had furrowed again and she had started to shift restlessly in her sleep. The blonde Al Bhed was amazed at the strong connection those two seemed to share. If one left the room or was a few feet away, the other was aware of it. She would be lying if she said she didn't want something similar they had.
Rikku admitted, too, that she had had a crush on Yunie's Tidus. He was handsome and a really great guy. Just her type, too. A goofy, easy-to-go guy and a sensible boyfriend, attending to every need his love had. He reminded her a bit of Gippal. Rikku smiled at the thought and sat down on one of the beds in the lodge. She swung her legs back and forth impatiently.
But Rikku knew he had never been hers and would never be. The first time he laid eyes on Yuna she was sure he was fully hers. She envied her cousin for her luck, like many other women as soon as they laid eyes on him. Rikku cocked her head to the side and a mischievous smile crossed her features.
How long would it take for Tidus to ask Yuna to marry him? A week? A month? She could bet on it with Paine, Buddy, Shinra and maybe even Gippal, Baralai and Nooj. That would be fun. As soon as she was released from her watching duty that is. How long did it take to speak to Tidus? Maybe he was right and Lulu had killed him already. Yunie's eyes fluttered open and disturbed her thoughts.
A grin spread over her lips and she jumped on her feet again, impatiently hopping from one foot to the other. Yunie blinked a few times and stretched widely, touching the mattress beside her to look for her Tidus. When she noticed that he was gone she shot up in her bed and looked wide-eyed around, breathing heavily in her panic.
"Yuniiie!" Rikku said ignoring her cousin's fearful gaze and jumped on her bed.
The mattress creaked under the added weight. She grinned widely at Yunie and jumped up and down.
"I…"
"Where is Tidus?" Yunie interrupted her anxiously and looked around in search of her love.
Rikku pouted and crossed her arms at her cousin's rudeness. She decided to answer anyway. Yunie would only get a heart attack if she didn't answer or break down like after her pilgrimage. Rikku's demeanor softened at the memory. She never wanted to see this kind of pain on her face again.
"Lulu and Wakka wanted to talk with him. He'll be back in a minute. Don't worry."
Yunie relaxed slightly but not completely and often her gaze shifted to the entrance of the lodge.
"Maybe we should check on him." Her cousin said and stood up.
Rikku followed her and jumped in front of her.
"Wakka and Lulu wanted to speak alone with him, Yunie!" She said and waved with her finger in front of the High Summoner's face.
Yunie frowned.
"Why would they want to speak with him alone?" She mumbled more to herself than to anyone else.
Rikku shrugged with her shoulders and answered Yunie anyways. "Dunno. But now that we are alone, we can do some giiirrl talk!"
Her cousin looked confused at her.
"I want details! Is he a good kisser…or did you even more?" Rikku asked cheekily and received a deep blush from her cousin as answer.
The blonde Al Bhed giggled evilly and eagerly clasped her hands.
"Speak! I am listening!"
Tidus carefully balanced an over packed tray on his arms and danced around the playing kids of the village.
"Come play with us, Sir Tidus!" Some of them shouted and tugged at his shorts.
Tidus laughed and shook his head.
"Maybe later."
Still smiling about the children's enthusiasm he pushed the flap to the lodge aside where Yuna was resting. He could hear Rikku's squeaky voice and his love's softer answers. Girl talk he suspected. Better he interrupted before Yuna died from embarrassment. He had a good guess what Rikku was asking her about.
"I am baack! And I brought you something!" Tidus said loudly in a sing-song voice while he entered the lodge.
The two girls inside turned to him. Yuna looked relieved while Rikku was quiet disappointed at his sudden reappearance. But her features quickly brightened again and she jumped up past Tidus.
"We finish this talk later, Yunie!" Rikku promised with a devilish grin.
Yuna blushed and groaned lightly. Tidus chuckled about the exchange and carefully placed the tray he was carrying on a bed.
"I need to speak with Paine… and some other people." Rikku mumbled to herself and disappeared through the entrance.
"Do I want to know what you two talked about?"
Yuna groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"No." She answered him simply.
Tidus chuckled and took one of the plates with food from the tray and presented it to her.
"Here, I've brought you something to eat. Breakfast at bed." He said with a small grin.
She beamed at him, making his heart flutter and took the offered plate.
"That looks like Lulu's cooking." Yuna said and carefully ate the breakfast bite for bite, eyeing him.
Tidus cocked his head to the side and raised an eyebrow.
"Do you have a question?" He asked with a small smile.
"What did Lulu and Wakka want from you?"
Tidus chuckled.
"Ah, well…the usual sibling-boyfriend talk."
Yuna winced and looked at him sympathetically.
"Sometimes they forget that I am not a child anymore."
"Yes, you are right. It's pretty hard not to notice." Tidus answered slyly and his gaze approvingly slid over her very feminine body.
What he could do with it… Yuna blushed at his clear intentions and shifted uncomfortably. Tidus quickly lifted his gaze and changed his expression. He didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable. Turning he took the second plate from the table and dropped on another bed than Yuna's.
"Eatsh ash longmpf ash it'sh warmfff." He munched through a mouth of Lulu's cooking.
Yuna giggled at his antics as he had hoped she would. Tidus grinned at her over his plate and kept on shoving food into his mouth. Yuna shook her head at him and demonstratively ate her breakfast bite for bite. Finishing his meal he contently patted his stomach. Lulu definitely cooked like only a mother could. Tidus' smile fell slightly when his mind wandered on this path.
In his time apart from Spira he had much time to think about his mother and other things related to the dream he originated from. The woman that had born him was never real. Pyreflies had formed her in the Farplane, someone would argue. But this woman was not Tidus' mother she was Shuyin's. The terrible knowledge that everything he knew as familiar wasn't real, weighted heavily on him. Tidus tried very hard to hide those feelings. He wanted to make Yuna happy and not make her worry about him. The harder he tried to force a smile on his face the more she frowned at him, still chewing her meal carefully.
Damn it, it couldn't be that hard to fake a grin, just a small upward curl of his lips but why didn't he manage then? Yuna did it on her pilgrimage all the time! It didn't fool him but everyone else around. His brows furrowed and his lips curved downward in resignation. Even if he managed to fool everyone else he could never fool her. Never in a million years. Yuna placed her almost gone meal back on the tray and reached for his hand. Her fingers gently ran over his skin and intertwined gently with his.
"What's wrong?" She asked in her caring way and moved next to him on the bed, absentmindedly ruffling with her unoccupied hand his hair.
Tidus leaned into her touch and briefly enjoyed the soft caressing of her fingers in his strands. They were so warm and inviting, drawing a sigh from his lips. He missed the small smile flitting over her lips. Tidus shifted his gaze to the ground for a few seconds, considering what he should tell her. Of course did she deserve the truth but somehow he couldn't give it to her. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. Sighing in frustration he lightly kicked his feet against the wooden bed frame.
"Just thinking." He said calmly, contradicting to his cursing thoughts.
Tidus was such a coward. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Yuna cock her head to the side, her features shifting in worry.
"What about?" She probed gently and ran her thumb over the back of his hand in reassuring circles.
Tidus felt his skin tingle at her warm touch, flooding his whole body with a kind of relaxation only she could provoke. The wave of this wonderful calming feeling was soon replaced by all consuming guilt. As much as he wanted to he couldn't tell her what was on his mind. Not yet anyway.
"Nothing important." He said evasively.
Yuna frowned at his answer, clearly not happy with it. He squeezed her hand gently before she could say anything more.
"I can't tell you now. I'm sorry." He mumbled, unable to lift his gaze up to her.
Instead he watched his feet thud softly against the frame of the bed. Tidus felt her relax next to him and lean her head on his shoulder. Her auburn hair tickled his neck and the flowery scent of it pleasantly wafted up into his nostrils.
"That's alright." She said in her sweet voice, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "Later is alright, too."
Tidus smiled and turned his head to kiss her hair.
"You are much too patient." He mumbled lovingly.
Yuna didn't say anything and shifted uncomfortably at the praise. She looked at up at him, searching his eyes intently to see if he meant what he said. Tidus smiled and simply looked back, pouring every ounce of his love and adoration for her into his gaze. Her cheeks began to blush deeply and she looked down in embarrassment. Tidus placed two fingers gently under her chin and moved her head up to make her look at him again. He could see the absolute devotion that she had for him reflected in her eyes. It made him shiver at its intensity. He couldn't resist the urge to lean closer. Her warm breath mingled with his and a shudder ran up his spine. A jolt went through him when their lips brushed.
He threaded his fingers through her hair and cupped the back of her head, moving closer. Yuna sighed in pleasure when their lips touched again. Tidus just couldn't resist her. She was so soft and warm, inviting. Any man would succumb to her wishes if asked. Without them noticing they had laid back on the bed and Tidus had shifted on top of her. His hands were placed on either side of her head on the bed. Yuna's fingers were buried in his yellow jacket and held him close to her. For a few minutes they remained in that position, kissing only with their lips.
Tidus gently ran his tongue over her bottom lip, seeking entrance into the sweetness of her mouth. Yuna tensed slightly under him and twisted her hands in his yellow jacket in her uneasiness. Tidus tried to erode her worries with his fingers gently brushing down her sides, balancing his weight on his knees to keep his weight from crushing her. She arched up against him and bit in surprise on his lip. Tidus chuckled in amusement. She kept her word. In spite of it he got the reaction he had wanted from her.
She relaxed against him, the uneasiness leaving her bones. Tidus gently eased her lips apart with his tongue and explored with it the sweet cavern of her mouth. He never tasted something more delicious. Yuna clearly started to enjoy the new stage of intimacy and brushed her tongue against his, fighting for dominance. It tore a small moan from his throat, muffled from their lips. He couldn't resist the urge to grind his hips against hers. The move elicited a deep moan from both of them.
Yuna's hands wandered up, one digging into his shoulder blade and the other burrowing in his hair. She tugged almost painfully at his blond strands. Tidus shifted his head for a better angle to deepen the kiss and ran his hands back up her sides. She moaned in response and pressed up against him in undeniable need. The tender kiss they shared quickly turned passionate. Alarm bells began to ring in his head when his dexterous fingers sneaked under her top and slowly pushed it upward. The feel of her hot skin was almost his undoing. His self-control dangerously thinned he was tempted to take it all the way.
To lay his claim on the beautiful woman under him and make her his.
Reluctantly he parted from her, looking longingly at her red, swollen lips. He had made a promise and he would keep it. A disappointed whimper came over Yuna's lips and she tried to tug him down again. Tidus was tempted to follow her lead but resisted. He sat up and smiled down at her.
"Not yet." Tidus said with a small shake of his head.
She blushed when she realized what they were about to do. Yuna let go of him and embarrassed looked away. Tidus chuckled in amusement and got up from the bed. He offered her his hand with a mischievous smile. Yuna relaxed slowly when she saw his calm posture. She extended her hand and let him help her up. Tidus brought her to his chest and laid his chin on her head. She snuggled into him, trusting him completely. Her lithe body radiated soothing warmth he wanted to wake up to every morning. A blissful smile stretched over his face at the thought.
He would make sure that happened.