Summary: She was worried. Scared that her fears might come true so she asked him, "You'll always stay with me right?" She should've known that there was no next time.

Disclaimer for the rest of the story: I don't own FFX, FFX-2, or the songs that I based the story into.

Set days or a day before the final battle.

dreams that faded

Even now, she can still remember the moments they had before he left. She regretted how she didn't do the things she wanted to do; like saying how she cared for him, how she treasured the time when they were together, how it hurt to voice out her feelings for him. She whispered the words in the air but his ears probably wouldn't catch it. It was all too late, he was far now.

She wanted to tell it to him but she believed it would only become a burden to him. It would hurt him more. Those words would make it even more painful for him to leave. Her suffering alone should be enough.

She liked to think that that was the reason she said,

"Thank you."

=•=•=•=•=•=

Yuna jolted awake, panting heavily as she sat on her bed. Her eyes scanned the room when she recovered just to make sure if she was still in her quarters.

It felt so real!

She couldn't exactly remember what had happened in her dream. It was scary how fast she can forget what happened in her mind just a few minutes ago. She brought a hand to her head, she was sweating. Even her hands were trembling... for what?

Fear that was given to her by what she had seen in the image that was weaved in her head.

It was a nightmare, that she was sure of. It was nothing out of ordinary really. In the world that she lived in, you wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully at night because there would always be a fear in your heart that it might be the last day you'll ever sleep.

But she didn't get those kinds of dreams nowadays so it was truly a wonder why it would come back now.

No, it was actually not a wonder. Yuna feared that this wouldn't be the last time she'll have that dream now that they were close... Close to defeating the plague that made them start this journey.

She gulped the glass of water placed at her bedside as the loud thumping of her heart slowly calmed down. Yuna sat in the silence of the room, trying to remember what exactly happened but eventually decided against it. For some reason, if she wanted to be truly honest with herself, she doesn't want to know.

It was just a dream, only a dream.

To her disappointment, the weird feeling in her chest didn't disappear. And she decided that before anxiety eats her very being, she would go out of this isolated room to take some fresh air.

The young summoner walked on the hall as silent as possible, using the skills she learned from Rikku. It would be bad if she accidentally woke anyone up when they were resting. It was kind of lonely to be alone in one room, that much she can admit. It should have been known that one can feel more at ease and relaxed with the company of others.

When alone, there are many things that will enter your mind. The positive, the negative and of course the worst possible things that might happen.

What if we won't be able to beat Sin? What will happen if we can't think of an alternative solution?

The soft sound of her footsteps echoed across the silent night as she climbed to the deck of the airship. The stars littered across the sky was truly beautiful to gaze at, even more so if one had company.

The noise of the machina working to bring another passenger to the top must've alerted the one who went earlier than her, a fellow comrade, her guardian's face shadowed by the night was looking on her direction.

"Hey, can't sleep too?" Tidus asked with a smile on his face. Yuna only hummed in agreement as she sat beside him. And a comforting silence took place. Both were relaxing in the company of the other.

The air harshly blew at the next moment, cold wind seeping through their bodies, and anyone would easily shiver, like Yuna. Tidus shifted closer to her when he noticed her shivering. Unlike her, he was used to the cold. After all those dips in the water.

"What do you mean you can't sleep too?" Yuna finally asked. The question was bothering her. Perhaps he was experiencing the same kind of dream?

"Well, I was just thinking about something," he answered, raising his head to look at the sky.

"Care to tell it to me?"

"Nah, it's not that important." He shook his head and closed his eyes, smiling at her. "I'm just excited that we're gonna beat Sin tomorrow."

He's lying. Yuna knew that even if Tidus had a grudge against his father, he still cared for him. A tiny bit was enough for him not to be able to bear seeing his own father die. Who would want to witness that? Yuna would definitely be hurt if she learned that her father was the one behind all the chaos, she would do her best to finish the suffering but she would still be devastated if the only way to end it would be fighting him using her own hands.

"What about you?" he suddenly asked. He didn't told the truth but Yuna figured that she'll be able to ask him next time. She should give him time just like the he gave it to her when she didn't want to share what was bothering her. It would be cruel to force him to answer when she herself didn't do the same in the past.

"Yuna?" He turned to her, worrying what was wrong when she didn't answer immediately only to find her already staring at him.

"You'll always stay with me right?" She asked. Her question seemingly out of the blue as Tidus widened his eyes. Shock clearly painted on his face, she expected him to be confused but instead, understanding followed. He closed his eyes and the corner of his lips climbed to form a smile, a warm, heart-wrenching smile. When he opened his orbs again Yuna noticed that there was a certain touch of sadness in it, she would've asked him about it if she didn't get distracted by the arms he wrapped around her.

"Always," he whispered.

She was still worried. What if something happens to him? He is hiding something. Yes, all things are not better to be said, she knew it herself but... she pursued her lips, maybe it will be better to accept that answer for now. Just for now.

The warmth of his arms was comforting, and she let herself relax in them. For a short time, she was able to forget all the hardships they had, simply by being with him. There was still that unknown feeling bothering her, she couldn't explain it clearly.

I just wish that my nightmare wouldn't happen, whatever it was. Please don't let it happen.

=•=•=•=•=•=

She was sitting at the seaside, watching the sun go down as its wonderful color in the mixture of orange, blue and red filled the sky. The man she loved dearly was beside her, but he was crying. Tears were overflowing on his cheeks. And for some inexplicable reason, she felt guilty.

It's my fault.

The knowledge alone brought an even more pain in her heart. His originally bright blue eyes were lifeless as he locked her gaze in his. Yuna reached her hand up, wanting to wipe his tears and end his pain. But before she could touch his cheeks, he vanished into the air, the surroundings and all other things swallowed into the darkness soon after. Leaving her alone, he disappeared.

Suddenly she was awakened, slapped by the painful reality. She was torn in deciding on how to call it.

Was it a nice or a bad dream?

It was great to see him again even just in the dream world, it was a solid proof that she still hasn't forgotten about him. But... She couldn't ignore the pain of being reminded that he was not here anymore.

She fully admits that she didn't think about him sometimes, he was always on her mind, on the back of her mind, still her mind nonetheless. Maybe she can say now that she finally understood the meaning of the promise they exchanged that day.

I know that you'll always be in my heart.

I have one request.

For the people who are now gone,

Sometimes is okay,

Please, remember them...

notes: Based on the song Morning Glow, sung by Yuna's japanese voice actress.

03/26/17