Rated M for a reason. Oh, and, yeah, I don't own FFX-2 and profit not from this. There. Be happy.
Title: Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs (it's a Frasier allusion, don't think too hard on it)
Summary: Paine's recurring dream of Rikku, erotic in nature, has her questioning not only her sexuality, but her true feelings for the little thief.
Author: My Eyes Are Black
Rating: M
Pairing: RiPa
Chapter One: Nothing Happens Unless First A Dream
The scent of summer, full with flowers, fresh grass and warmth. It was faint, now, but still so strong. I shivered, my skin crawling as a pleasurable tingle ran down my spine. Memories that I knew were not there teased and enticed me like gremlins, giggling devilishly as they haunted the very back of conscious thought. They still radiated joy. Pleasure. Comfort. They drew further away, and with it went the heavy weight of sleep. My eyes slowly cracked open, met by dim light. It was all a blur. I groaned and turned over, throwing my arms out in front of me. My eyes snapped open, senses going into overdrive. This wasn't my bed! I knew my own bed – how it felt; the length, the width, everything about it! Now that I was sitting up and looking around, I found I wasn't even on the Celsius anymore.
I started to assess the situation to keep from panicking. I had to keep control. I was good at that. I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to remember how I'd gotten here. Had I gotten drunk and gone home with some stranger? I didn't remember being at a pub, or even leaving the airship, so how did I get here? My head swam, and a dull ache throbbed at the back of my skull as confusion built up into a withering pressure.
I started looking around. The room was small and dimly lit. Two doors, a small table and some chairs, an old dresser and the bed I was in. That was it. It all rippled with a strange, prickling feeling of familiarity, like I had been here before. I wrote it off as my imagination. None of this looked familiar. I leaned back on my elbows, and my eyes wandered down. I realized, suddenly, that I wasn't wearing a shirt, or anything, for that matter. I was completely naked. A deep fire burned to life in my belly, outdoing the warmth in my cheeks. Now I wasn't so much confused as I was just flat out pissed.
I was all for one-night stands and all – hell, I preferred them, actually – but only when I made a conscious decision to go through with it, and whom with. And even then I always went back to the Celsius. No way in hell I'd go to some random inn or hotel in Luca with a relative stranger! I wasn't stupid, nor that trusting. I looked around the bed for discarded clothes, not bothering to cover my chest, and found none. No signs of a sphere grid, either. So . . either I had used a grid, and it had gotten kicked under the bed, or something, or my clothes – or grid – had been stolen by whomever I'd come here with. I wasn't pissed anymore.
I was furious.
I tried to think of some way to get back to the Celsius. The only ways I could think of were infinitely embarrassing, and only as a last resort would I go through with any of them. I covered my face with my hands, aggravated with the whole fucking mess I was in. I was pissed with myself for letting this happen, and I was now intent on hunting down and murdering whomever the hell had stolen my stuff and left me here. Had I been drugged or something? If that was the case, then they'd die a particularly slow death.
A sound at one of the doors made me start. I looked over to my right, where it sounded like a key turning in a lock. A quick wave of anxiety overtook me, followed by the pounding heat of a slow-burning fire. My eyes narrowed on the door, words readying on my tongue like swords thirsty to draw warm blood. The knob turned, and the door cracked open. For a second it stayed like that, just barely ajar. There was a sound from outside, and then someone came in, using their body to open the door. My mouth opened, ready to lash out verbally at this intruder.
I choked on what I was about to say.
Anything I had been about to say, any anger I had felt, it was all forgotten in an instant, replaced by a churning, deafening confusion. My mouth hung open, my eyes stared, big and wide and empty at the person who stepped into the room. It was Rikku! She was wearing some kind of silky robe thing, her hair all loose and hanging around her face, some spilling down over her shoulder, the rest down her back. She was carrying a plate of cookies and a glass of milk (okay, that didn't surprise me, honestly), which explained why she just didn't open the door normally. She kicked the door shut and gave me a big, happy, trademark-Rikku smile.
"Hey, there!" She chirped. "I was wonderin when you'd wake up." She slid onto the bed, setting the plate in between the two of us, and the glass on a bedside stand. If I was confused before, what she did next only made things worse. She leaned in close, her hand going to the nape of my neck as she kissed me. As stunned as I was, I melted into it as her tongue slipped into my mouth. She kept it slow and gentle, her tongue moving in deliberate circles. A part of me wondered why this wasn't disgusting me, and why it felt so good. She broke away with a little moan, green eyes twinkling as her fingers played with my hair, twisting and curling absentmindedly. She smelled like summer, and I realized it was the same as the scent from when I was waking up. It was intoxicating, and I shivered again at the playful gleam in her eyes. I licked my lips nervously, trying to come up with something, anything, to say.
She turned and leaned back against the wall, sitting the plate of cookies on her lap. She scrutinized me as she picked one up, cocking an eyebrow curiously. "Something the matter?" She asked, taking a big bite from the cookie. "You got a funny look on your face," she said.
I shook myself and narrowed my eyes at her, "What do you mean?" Of course, what I really wanted to ask was: "Why are we here, and why am I naked?"
She giggled, wiping her mouth with her arm after swallowing, "You look kinda lost, Painey. Maybe you had a little too much to drink last night."
I groaned and covered my eyes with a hand. Did I really sleep with Rikku? How could I have let myself do that, even drunk? How was I ever going to live this down? What if she read too much into it? I wasn't really interested in Rikku, hell, I wasn't even attracted to women! Of course, if that was the case then why was I so enticed by her? I heard the sound of the plate being set on the wooden nightstand, and felt Rikku slide close to me, her hand slipping under the covers and resting on my bare thigh. I tensed, but didn't resist when she pulled my hand away. Her fingers traced down to cup my chin, and she turned my head to face her. My eyes darted off to the left, I didn't want her getting any ideas.
"Paine," she half whined, "Please, look at me?" I shut my eyes, breathing out frustratedly through my nose. When they opened, they were facing her, looking straight into emerald whirlpools that dragged you in; tiny maelstroms, hundredfold more powerful than the real thing. Her hand, the one on my leg, slid up slowly, slipping gently down to my inner thigh. I sucked in a breath, heart beating vigorously. I could feel her breath fanning out over my lips, and I felt my heart start to ache. I felt like I had been slapped in the face. I wanted her. I really wanted her. Her lithe, tan athletic body, her pink lips, her golden hair, her grass-green eyes, and her fiery smiles. My heart drumming out a war beat, I dove in, capturing her lips. She smiled as she kissed me back, her hand moving from my chin to my chest, toying with my breasts as her other hand ventured deeper, her fingers brushing my vagina. I moaned, ready to push her down and tear off her robe.
XXX
I woke with a start, chest heaving, body sticky with sweat. For a little bit I just laid there, eyes staring numbly into the darkness, breathing heavily and trying to make sense of everything. My head felt hazy, like everything was in a fog. Realty seemed blurry and uncertain, even as my mind started to make sense of what has transpired. The clouding of unreality lifted, and as I started looking around I felt like kicking myself. It was a dream. A very, very vivid dream. It was still fresh on my mind, and it replayed in that jerky, distorted way that dreams do when recalled. I could never get over how real dreams could feel at times. It was eerie. My heart was still pounding, but slowly the pace was calming, the adrenaline having run its course.
I kicked the covers off, desperate to cool down, and even tugged on my shirt, fanning away at the layer of perspiration covering my stomach and chest. It was all just a dream. Just a stupid, stupid wet dream. Literally. It took me a little bit, but I finally noticed that my pants felt a little moist just over my groin. I looked to my left, where Yuna slept, and Rikku beyond her. I found it funny how my subconscious had picked her for an intimate dream. Yuna, maybe, but Rikku? I shook my head, chuckling to myself over the absurdity of the idea.
I wasn't about to say "it was just a dream," because I knew how dreams sometimes worked. But, I also knew that they could be complex riddles, and not wholly about what you see. Sometimes you needed to piece together little details from all around the dreamscape. But, I was tired, and not really in the mood to solve the puzzle of my subconscious. That could wait until I'd gotten some rest, I asserted, and pulled the covers back up, twisting and turning until I was comfortable again. I was already feeling lightheaded. All senses faded as if a thick, fuzzy black blanket was being pulled over me; obscuring me from the world. I sank deep into the warmth of sleep, and the last thought that I remembered was the lust and want that had swept through me in the dream as I kissed her.
XXX
A sharp and piercing feeling of intrusion unsettled me. I was tugged violently from sleep, yet it felt a little like I was being dredged slowly out of a deep abyss as my senses all came to life. I was suddenly aware of the feeling of sheets, blankets, and the pillow my face was pressed into in a manner which I was sure was most undignified – not like I cared, or anything, but people can look stupid when sleeping. The hum of the airship came next, followed by the wafting scent of something cooking. However, none of this had done anything to awaken me. No, no, that was something else. I had the distinct and aggravating impression that I was being watched.
My eyes cracked open, and were met with bright light. I rolled over, groaning and stretching while life flooded my body. I settled, sinking back into the mattress. The urge to just keep my eyes shut, lie still, and go back to sleep was surprisingly powerful. I felt drained, which was very unlike myself. An indecisive sigh escaped my lips, my brain feuding viciously over what do to and why I should do it.
"S'not like you to just lay around like this." Said a voice that was both sarcastic and concerned all at the same time. I found it funny how she sounded almost like me, for a moment there. Maybe I was kind of rubbing off on her. But, she had a point. I also knew what she was going to say next, before she said it. I was too tired to cut her off though, so I left her the pleasure of doing it herself. "Whenever I try to sleep in you always make me get up, so I don't really see how it's fair that you can just laze in bed." I propped myself up, eyes open, and looked at her. She was already dressed and everything, leaning nonchalantly on the railing at the edge of the balcony. I was suddenly reminded of my dream from the night before. I was groggy, and it took me a moment to realize me eyes had widened. "What is it?" She asked, suddenly nervous. She looked back over her shoulder, "Paine, what's the matter? You look like you've just seen a Revenant!"
"Oh, please!" I sighed, rubbing my eyes with a hand. "Revenants don't frighten me."
"All that bravado's just gonna fall off someday like a prostitute's clothes, Painey," Rikku admonished, wagging a finger at me.
Yuna had chosen this moment to walk out of the shower.
The ex-summoner scowled at her cousin's choice of simile, "Rikku! Watch your language!"
"Oh, come on!" The thief whined. "Paine's said 'ass' before!" She ran off after Yuna, defending her honor and her tongue. I caught my mind wandering back to the feeling of Rikku's kiss. It was so vivid, not like the smokey feel of dreams I usually have; that feeling of unrealism. It had felt all too solid, and I shivered; goosebumps rippling down my arms. My eyes lingered briefly on her as she hopped down the stairs, two at a time, until she vanished from sight. I took that as my cue to get up and shower.
The hot water helped to clear my head a little. It definitely woke me up, and the dream faded away into the steam, becoming all but mist itself. I had more important things to concern myself with, like what I was going to do that day. So far it didn't seem like anything special would be going on, unless some random sphere waves came in. That would be a good chance for some exercise. The Celsius was starting to feel cramped again- like a flying cage. I liked Yuna and Rikku, and all, but being cooped up in the sky in Brother's fiery-red "babe-repellent" (the only girls he could "pick up" were his cousin, his sister, and me; and none of us really wanted anything to do with him!) could create tension if we didn't get a chance to stretch our legs here and there.
I believe Rikku would call it "getting addlepated."
Anyway, it felt like the kind of day that would just slowly drag on. Or, maybe that was just the lingering sleep. I wasn't too sure, they felt so similar. Maybe it was an omen. In any case, I headed downstairs, warrior dressphere on, and sat down at the bar between my two teammates; Yuna to my left, Rikku to my right. I didn't really look at either of them, or at Barkeep as he prepared our respective meals. I just focused on the sounds around me. The sizzling food, clatter of plates, pans, and cutlery, and the incessant drumming and tapping of Rikku's fingers and feet. I was still a little ornery, and part of me wanted to break her hand. I looked down, and the feeling of her hand on my thigh, and my vagina, flared up in my mind. I felt suddenly uncomfortable – uncomfortable because it turned me on. Of course that made me even more irritated. I didn't show it, and I certainly didn't act on it. Self-control was something I prided myself on. I figured if I was allowed to have one sin, and if that sin should be pride, then this was what I would choose.
She finally stopped, much to my relief. With a restless groan she hung her head, "We gotta get off this ship."
"Amen," I mumbled, rolling my eyes.
Yuna rushed in, trying to sound hopeful, "Maybe there'll be a festival in Luca today?"
A little bit of irritation aimed at Rikku surfaced, now unprovoked, and I carelessly said, "Happy festival fireworks?"
Yuna slapped my arm.
I glanced to my right to see Rikku's annoyed pout directed my way, "You were talking to Wakka the last time we went to Besaid, weren't you?" She asked.
"It's not something I'd particularly like to discuss, at the moment," I said, averting my gaze. I felt bad for saying it, really bad, but she wouldn't take it to heart or anything. Surely she knew we were all to be a little snippy today. Right? I certainly hoped so. She was a tough girl, a little sarcastic jab here and there never hurt her, as far as I could tell. Of course this was concerning the obliteration of her Home, but she didn't burst into tears or anything, so I opted to let it go.
It didn't want to let go, damn it all!
Barkeep set our food down in front of us. For Rikku, a plate of hotcakes drenched in thick, brown, sugary syrup. I could taste the sugar overload from where I was sitting. I had a hash. A mix of eggs, corned beef, diced potato, and spice. Yuna had porridge, drenched in milk, dusted with brown sugar, and topped with blueberries. If given the option between her breakfast and Rikku's, I'd have chosen hers, hands down!
Out of the corner of my eye I watched as Rikku angrily cut into her hotcakes. She'd stuff them into her mouth and stab and prod at the next place she was going to cut into as she chewed. She hadn't been angry before, just bored. I pretended to be interested in my food, but a deep, cold pit began to form in my chest. I didn't enjoy insulting Rikku. Poking fun at her, maybe, but that was different. I'd said something hurtful, and not even in an acceptable sense. I was cold, but not that cold. I didn't really want to apologize, at least not right here. I figured I'd let her cool off a bit, first. It could wait, I supposed.