Guilty of Nora Jonesing

by: Okapiangel

A/N: I don't own FFX or FFX2 or any of the characters mentioned.

Summary: We're all guilting of Nora Jonesing once in awhile. What if a certain Machine Faction leader is too? Rikku X Gippal. Please note, ((text)) is translation from Al Bhed.

Sunsets are the things of magic, especially when they're painting rainbows across the heavens. And, of course, sunsets at the shore are twice as magical since the water reflects the sunset back towards the sky. Such sunsets are usually accompanied by garnishes of couples romancing for the first time, children laughing amongst themselves as they happily call to their parents to: "Watch me!" And no perfect sunset is complete without the final touch. A couple, usually far too old to even be considered able to still think romantically, and usually who have been together for such a long time – long enough to have forgotten what single feels like. They usually are caught hidden quietly on a bench somewhere holding hands in perfect silence. They don't speak, because words are unnecessary. And there they are beginning, middle and end – three parts to a perfect whole. The one equation that ensures that no matter what problems the world may have today, there is always hope for tomorrow.

Yes, for all its faults, the world is still a beautiful place. And the Moonflow is one of its most beautiful locations. But just there to the left, nearly hidden from sight is a lone figure. Almost at once it becomes apparent who is alone on this perfect night. Of course, it could be obvious because he has been haunting this spot every night for the past fortnight. But tonight it's different. Tonight he is here waiting for someone to arrive. Before had merely been practice runs to calm his nerves. Yes, nerves. This man, viewed by many as overly cool and collected struggles with the jitters every once in awhile. Contrary to popular belief, he is a man and not a god.

As he stands he runs one sun browned hand thorough his blonde hair. The hand is worn, calluses show that he is no stranger to hard work. Traces of grease can be seen in the cuticles, though it is obvious that he has scrubbed his hands nearly raw. There is also a slim white scar running along one finger from a rebellious machina. But still the hand manages to retain its youth and vitality.

The rest of the body mimics the hand. It is sun tanned and worn, making it apparent that this man has seen his share of troubles. But yet, despite the hints of wrinkles caused by a childhood under blazing desert suns, he remains youthful. He radiates youth, and it is this youth that adds to his attractiveness. Yes, he knows he is attractive, albeit a bit cocky – after all, he knows the ladies adore him. He long ago figured out how to maximize his sex appeal. Its all about being mysterious – 'never get too close,' is his number one rule. A patch covers an eye lost many years ago. How he came to lose it is a story he will take to the grave with him. Only one other knows it, and she has sworn to never tell. It is a bond that connects them, and always will. In fact, she's the one he's waiting for – and has been waiting for. He has been here for the better part of an hour, hardly calling attention to himself. But still attention is called. He can't help it, its something about the way he sits. Something in the air around him won't let him sink into obscurity – it was never in his destiny. Most nights he loves that fact, but tonight he's trying to avoid observation. Mentally he replays the message he left for her on the Celsius.

It was risky to call her ship, he admits to himself, especially because her brother hates him. Admittedly, it's not a hate he doesn't deserve. After all, he did steal his girlfriend away from him, and win his favorite machina away in a game of poker. And then there was the fact that he'd nearly convinced his sister to run away with him. But they had been kids then. He hadn't even been fifteen. It was ridiculous to hold grudges as long as Brother held them. If her brother had caught her while she was leaving to meet him, then he would have another hour to an hour and a half wait while she either yelled at her obnoxious sibling or managed to sneak out. Knowing her, she was probably turning crimson as she bellowed at her older brother. So, he settles down to meet his long wait with patience that many do not know he possesses. As he awaits her arrival, he cannot stop his mind from wandering and play events that have yet to happen…

"Ahem…" the voice lifts him from his reverie and he finds himself looking up into the face of the young woman he has been waiting for. She's smiling down upon him, an amused look plays in her eyes. And what eyes she has! He absolutely adores them, especially the way they parallel her mood. Though all Al Bheds have the same unusual eyes that are definitive of their race, hers are much more animated. When she is happy they dance for joy. Sure, he's heard of other people's eyes appearing to dance, but her actually do. The swirls of her irises have long since learned to express their joy in dance. And when she's sad they cloud over like the skies over the Thunder Planes. And when she's angry, or caught in battle, then her eyes flash much like the sky that surrounds his temple. He briefly wonders if that's why he was drawn to Djose in the first place. But then he dismisses it, nearly laughing at the absurdity – of course Djose was the most practical site for his Machine Faction's headquarters – nothing more. Tonight however, her eyes are neither sad, nor joyous, nor even angry. Instead they reflected emotions that he vaguely remembers seeing hints of once… but that was long ago in what seems like another life.

His voice betrays him before his brain can react, "Rikku…" But he quickly recovers, knowing he can never let her know that she holds his heart in her tiny, albeit capable hands. So to cover his error he wolfishly rakes his eyes up and down her body.

"Does your father know you're dressed like that Cid's Girl?" She prickles at his remark – of course he knows he deserves it. He already knows she wore the outfit for him. He told her once that he liked seeing her in that black tank top and that when she paired it with her miniskirt she made it hard to keep the bad thoughts from entering his mind. It was the truth, and he quickly pushed the said thoughts to the back of his mind. She's wearing his favorite outfit tonight – and he does not miss the necklace that hangs delicately around her slender neck. It is the necklace that he gave her long ago when they were children playing at games of adulthood back in the sands of Bikanel Island.

…Before he'd left to pursue greatness…

To be fair, he'd left for her. He knew that her father didn't think that anyone was good enough for his little girl, least of all the son of a shiftless, good for nothing Al Bhed who couldn't even fix a decent piece of machina. Gippal had worked tirelessly throughout his childhood, vowing to become everything that his father wasn't. And his drive had only increased when he met Rikku one day. He chuckles; actually, she had run into him and nearly knocked him into the ground while she tried to outrun her brother. She had 'borrowed' one of his machina toys and was trying in vain to reach a safe haven to improve upon its childish technology. He'd demanded she take him along if he helped her – at the time he wasn't sure why. Later he decided it was because she was cute, even if she was only ten.

Unfortunately, she interprets his chuckle as making fun of her outfit. "Meany! I wear something nice, and come out to meet you and this is the thanks I get? I'm going back to the Celsius!" As she turns to leave he reaches out and grabs her hand, pulling her against his chest as he stands. Their faces are so close, and he beds slightly, narrowing the gap between them.

"Are you sure you really want to Cid's Girl?"

She nods, her eyes betraying her even as she shakily feigns indignance: "I have a name you know!" He smiles and lets her go, laughing as she nearly drops to the ground without him there to hold her up. But he's walking away, mentally counting to ten. He reaches five when he is rewarded with her voice calling after him. He slows his gait and allows her to catch up to him.

"Where are we going anyhow? You told me it was a secret." She narrows her eyes at him, "If this is what I think it is, forget it! I told you no a long time ago, and I'm telling you no now. You can just take that dream and shove –"

He cuts her off with his hand, "As if that's something I'd ever dream about Kid. You gotta have your dreams confused with mine." Its only slightly true, so he elaborates because he can't have her guessing the truth, "In reality you're not my type at all, especially because I prefer girls."

By now she is sputtering in anger and she rushes up behind him and shoves him into the ground. He catches her and together they fall into the soft earth of the Moonflow's shore. "That eager Cid's Girl?" She's about to scratch out his remaining eye when she notices that he's grinning up at her.

"Zang!" ((Jerk)) He laughs at her outright now. "Oui cruimth'd syga vih uv sa druikr! Edc hud kahdmasyhmo." ((You shouldn't make fun of me though! Its not gentlemanly.))

He laughs as he flips her onto her back. He's got her pinned against the soft earth and he brings his lips next to her ears. He can feel her breathing grow shallow and her heartbeat quickens. He whispers, "Fruajan cyet E fyc y kahdmasyh? Oui tuh'd mega kahdmasah." ((Whoever said I was a gentleman? You don't like gentlemen.))

Her voice is shallow as she answers, "…yes I do…" Now he's growing uncomfortable. If he remains in this position with her he may do something he'll regret. And with Rikku, he wants no regrets. So he stands and helps her up.

"Poor Cid's Girl. Almost all grown up and no one to share adulthood with." He's baiting her, and he knows it. This is her chance to tell him that there's someone else and that she doesn't care about him. They can both keep their dignity if she talks now. But she doesn't and he wants to crow with delight, he doesn't though; he has his reputation to keep. Besides by now they've reached where he's been trying to take her.

"Close your eyes."

"Why?"

"Dnicd sa." ((Trust me))

As she closes her eyes he takes her hands and pulls her into the clearing he found the other day. Its hidden beneath the branches of a weeping willow. The marshy Moonflow forms a pool that the pyreflies are attracted to. The effect is altogether enchanting. He wanted to bring her here because he knew this was where he was meant to share everything with her. He's taking a huge risk, sharing his dreams with her sets him up for a fall he's not sure he wants to take.

She grins in delight and looks up at him and her expression is all the encouragement he needs. "Why'd you bring me here?"

Gone is the cocky Machine Faction leader -- Gippal left him outside this haven. Instead, here is the man that she's only seen hints of once or twice. A stolen kiss on a moonlit night, or a grin, or even just a tender word of concern all held echos of this man that is standing before her now. He stares at her, and she is nearly taken aback at the intensity of his gaze.

"Because," His eyes never waver from her own, "The water is the same color as your eyes." Immediately he wants to plunge headfirst into the water and never come up. His compliments that he usually pays women seem so useless to even attempt on her. This was his attempt at something more – something romantic. Romance is so foreign to him. He would much rather be the man everyone thinks he is.

He was not expecting her to take his hand in her own and smile at him. "You really think so?" Her words are quiet and she blushes as she looks away. He catches her chin in his own rough hand and turns her head towards him.

"Of course I do Rikku." And then he kisses her.

…Just then there is the far off chime of a clock that jerks him back to reality. Dusk has long since passed and has taken twilight with her. Instead the moon is shining in the heavens in full glory. Tonight is a perfect night for lovers.

But she hasn't shown.

He stands up and sighs as he fingers the little box that holds the one gift he hopes to one day be able to give her. But, unfortunately, that day seems a long way off. Looking around he stretches and catches the eye of a woman around his own age. He winks at her and she colors furiously. But still, she comes closer to him and strikes up a conversation. Before long they are leaving the Moonflow's romantic atmosphere and heading back towards a travel agency where life is much easier and hiding within stereotypes is the norm.