Dear Faithful Readers,

This was an old, discarded oneshot that never got finished but I've been thinking abut reviving it for a while and a request for a Lulu/Wakka story set me off again. Thus, this story is dedicated to LukkaLover.

Buh-bye for now!

Xx-Bex-xX

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Gambling is Wrong but Effective

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Chapter 1

Lulu and Wakka were sitting on the beach, talking softly, I took out a sphere to show Auron later and suddenly there he was, standing behind me.

"Are they still talking?" he asked, a hand on my shoulder.

"Yup."

"Still ignorant?"

I deemed a long, suffering sigh significant response.

"You owe me ten gil."

"Not just yet, Aurrie."

It was a game we played- we made bets on how long it would take them to get together. My bet, a year and three weeks after the pilgrimage, ended next week.

"I'm sorry," said Auron, "you'll owe me ten gil this time next week."

"I have faith in them," I said, grinning.

"What have you got planned, Rikku?"

"Nothing yet," I admitted, "but I'll think of something! And soon enough they'll realise how badly they're meant for each other!"

"I agree," said Auron.

"Really?" I asked, beaming up at him.

"Sure," he said, "but not before seven days are up."

I huffed indignantly, "you'll see!" and then for effect, I added, "you'll all see!"

"What, really?" asked Auron, amused, "all three of me?"

-

"Are they gone?" asked Wakka in a low voice, a few minutes later.

"Nope," said Lulu softly, peering over his shoulder, "they're still watching."

"Why do they keep spying on us anyhow?"

"I can honestly say I have no idea."

"Sweet how they're always together though…"

"You're not suggesting that there might be something between Rikku and Auron, are you?" asked Lulu, raising her visible eyebrow amusement.

"Well they're suggesting it about us," said Wakka, "so why not?"

Lulu blushed lightly but, thankfully, Wakka didn't seem to notice, "I suppose…"

"D'you reckon we should try to get them together too?"

Lulu shook her head, "what point is there in that?" she asked, "Auron's dead- he would be no good for Rikku."

"But he came back, Lu! Just a'cause Tidus…"

"I just don't think so, Wakka- dealing with the dead never ends well."

"That's all those encounters with Seymour talking," said Wakka persistently, "come on, what harm can it do?"

"She's only sixteen- far too young for Sir Auron!"

"She'll grow," said Wakka determinedly.

"Then she'll be older," said Lulu, shaking her head, "she'll be an old lady and he'll be the same as ever- how could a relationship like that survive?"

"Love en't about all dat, Lu- it's about what's in the heart."

"Still, it just can't exist in these circumstances- just like it can't between you and I."

Wakka's eyes lost a little of their spark for half-a-second but he nodded, "I know… but they seem to like each other a lot."

"Wakka," said Lulu, her tone final, "if anyone knows how hopeless it is to cling to a lost love, it's me, isn't it?"

Wakka had the good grace to look ashamed, "ya…"

Lulu nodded and stood up, "good bye," she said and she turned to walk away.

"Wait," said Wakka, staring down at his hands.

Against her will, Lulu stopped, "yes, Wakka?"

"I'm sorry for what Chappu did to you."

"Wakka…"

"You shouldn't have had to suffer for his mistake all these years."

Lulu turned around slowly and their eyes locked for a moment, "thank you, Wakka," she said softly, before walking away.

-

"Can you believe it?" I giggled, "they think we'd make a good couple! That's so funny! Isn't that funny, Aurrie?!"

"Hilarious," said Auron dryly.

"Huh?" I quit laughing, "what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong."

"Something looks wrong," I said.

"Nothing looks wrong."

"Yeah, yeah, it does, Aurrie."

"No, no, it doesn't, Ree."

I blinked, distracted, "'Ree'," I repeated, "that's cute."

Auron gave me an amused look and walked off.

"Bye, Ree."

Ree

I giggled quietly at his retreating back, "bye, Aurrie."

-

"Where have you been, Rikku?" asked Yunie, looking up as I entered our share hut, "I've been looking for you."

"I've been hanging with Aurrie," I said.

"Making bets again?"

"Just a little," I admitted.

"You'll fetter away all the gil we have left, Ree."

I cocked my head to one side, "did you get that name off Aurrie?"

"'Ree'?" said Yunie, surprised, "I've been calling you that for the past year or so..."

"Hmm…"

"Why?"

"I dunno," I said, "I just never noticed a'fore."

It feels special when Aurrie says it…

Yunie shrugged, "Right, well, can you help with dinner? We're having Lulu, Wakka and 'Aurrie' over."

"'Course!" I said brightly because Yunie-Rikku Cooking Time is the most important time of my day. "What're we making?"

"Whatever that strange green vegetable in the cupboard is," said Yunie, "and lots of it."

"You mean the tomato sauce?" I asked, reading the label on the green substance in some confusion.

Yunie made a face, "I sure hope not!"

-

It was fun cooking with Yunie tonight but in the end, it was decided unanimously that we would all go eat at the Crusaders' Lodge instead… not that me and Yunie's food was bad exactly… it just wasn't edible.

"I'm sure it would have been interesting," said Aurrie, as he helped Yunie and me tidy up our mess after dinner.

"Very interesting," I said brightly, "I mean, come on- it was green! Who doesn't like the colour green?"

Aurrie shook his head and said he didn't know but I think he was just being nice. Go figure. Auron being nice- that's new.

"So what have we got planned for tomorrow, Ree? More spying?"

"I thought me and the girls could go for a day out, shopping in Luca, and I could tweak Lulu about Wakka," I said thoughtfully.

"I'll stay here and convince Wakka that Lulu hates his guts."

"No fair!" I squealed, "you just don' wanna lose, ya big meanie!"

"When does the bet end?" asked Yuna, smiling.

"I have to get Lulu and Wakka together by this time next week," I said, a little nervous for the first time.

"It's never going to happen," said Auron.

"Yes it will!" I insisted, "you don't know anything!"

"They need time, Rikku, try not to rush them," was Yuna's advice.

"But-!"

"They don't need to be pushed, Rikku," she went on, "one day they'll figure it out… they love each other very much… it's so romantic."

I giggled wistfully, "yeaaaaaah…"

Aurrie gave me an odd look and chuckled but refused to elaborate when I pestered him, saying he was gonna go ta bed.

"Meanie," I said, "just leave us to tidy up!"

"It's your mess," he said, shrugging, and I was forced to agree.

"Hmph! Fine!" I said haughtily, then, hesitantly added a soft goodnight.

Auron nodded, "good night, Yuna. Night, Ree."

I watched him leave and then turned to Yuna, who was looking at me funny.

"I think you like him," she said, her tight face breaking into a large grin.

"D-don't be ridiculous!!!"

"Hehe! Just watch your back, eh, Ree? Or Lulu and Wakka will be out for revenge!"

"Goodnight, Yuna!" I huffed and staked off.

"HEY! You can't seriously be thinking of leaving me with the washing up can you??? CAN YOU???"

Yes, Yuna. Yes, I can! And that's not all I can do either! Lulu, Wakka- this is war.