The cerulean ocean washed in and out over the sand, endlessly singing its soothing song to those within earshot. Pristine sunshine shone through patches of clouds, keeping the temperature balmy yet pleasant. All in all, it was a great afternoon in Besaid. A perfect day; if it weren't for the lone figure tarnishing the view. She stood, fingers locked into an "c" shape inside her mouth, staring out at the sparkling waters. She inhaled, and then let out two sharp bursts of air.
"FEE~EEW!"
"FEE~EEW!"
It had only been two months since Tidus had disappeared off into the Farplane; two months of agonizing whistling at every shoreline, every inn, every path, every mountain. Rikku sat on the sand, her ever-joyous mood dampened by her cousin Yuna standing and whistling in bursts every couple minutes. She watched, her mind in the same state as it had been two months ago. Rikku hadn't smiled the same since. Her cousin was devastated; her newfound friends were almost equally so. But when Tidus had faded into nothing, she had to look hard into a mirror.
She filled the sink with warm water to douse her face as she thought. Her feelings were distorted. He was gone. Tidus, the plucky guy who didn't treat her differently for being an Al Bhed, who's initial reaction to her eyes was amazement and interest, rather than anger and disgust. The one who was convinced that not all Al Bhed were evil. The one who kept giving her hope that there was another way to defeat Sin. The one who DID defeat Sin. Tidus: Great guy, star blitzball player...and...something else. Her heart kept pounding as she looked into the basin of water in the bathroom. She could barely make out her reflection but there was a red tinge to the water. Looking closer, Rikku noticed her cheeks were more crimson than when Seymour asked Yuna for her hand in marriage.
Wha...why am I blushing so much? Its not that big a deal...is it? It can't be. Sure I was the first person to find him in Spira, and the first one to help him out, and the first one to defend him....and likewise, nobody Al Bhed has ever stood up for me like him...but...is it?
The realizations had hit her back to back.
She loved him. But...did he love her?
"No" came to mind quickly. She remembered back in the Macalania Woods; with timing only someone as unlucky as her could have. She saw the kiss they shared, she saw the swimming, she saw the moment in its entirety. At the time, she didn't think much into it, as her reaction was rather indifferent. But it gnawed at her chest now, full force, threatening to create a hole straight through her that would keep consuming till nothing was left. She accepted the loss as best as she could. But it only slowed the gnawing.
Rikku stared at the ocean with a determination that not even her cousin could muster. She sat, writhing in anticipation and anger. She felt bad; the moment Tidus came back, he and Yuna would have their perfect romance. And then poor little Rikku gets to smile and nod and encourage...and feel lonely again. Man did I ever miss the perfect guy...but...i'd just be happyt to see his face again. Is that so much to ask?
Not to mention, he's late.