A/N: So I decided I wanted to continue this. Not really sure of the reasons. Anyways, here's the second part. Short as usual. Blame it on motivational issues.
I let my half-slitted eyes glaze over her figure, settling on her lips.
Her usual smirk was slightly pursed, as if it was strained.
Despite how uncaring the populas considered me to be, I did have a heart and knew how and when to use it.
What the hell did they know anyway?
Absolutely nothing as far as I was concerned.
"Rikku...Hey..."
My drunken mind faltered when her eyes pierced mine.
She just kind of stared at me quizically, expectantly.
And I had no words to say.
Cocking her head to the side, a few strands of hair fell in her face, far from marring the sight.
I don't think I'd ever really just looked at the little thief.
She was stunning.
Everything portioned out just right, those lithe legs, and golden locks.
The epitome of beach girl.
Usually that look would just send me walking the other way, but there was something intriguing about this Al Bhed.
I could tell that behind her hyperactive, optimistic persona there was a deeper core to her.
The kind of thinking mode that few people can ever hope to even get a glimpse of in their own life.
I wonder if she's only like that since the pilgrimage with her cousin.
Perhaps she's always had those deep secrets though...
I could see her mind constantly stiring thoughts through her eyes.
And her eyes...classic Al Bhed green swirls.
Mesmirizing.
"Paine...?"
She waved her hands in front of me, completly pulling me out of my head.
But she didn't stop once she had my attention, so I grabbed a hand.
I had the sudden urge to link my fingers with hers.
Before I could even supress the inclination she had already done it for me.
Her thumb was steadly rolling over my skin.
"You alright?"
I had to take a deep breath before answering.
My head was really starting to spin, and I don't think the alcohol was to blame any longer.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just need another drink."
She took it upon herself to order one up for me, and another for herself.
I lit a cigarette up as our drinks were delivered.
Drinking and smoking go hand-in-hand with me, and I don't like to break habits.
Rikku just kind of tranced out watching the smoke spiral above our heads.
"So what has you drinking anyways?"
Her hand tightened around mine for a second before she lifted it away, seperating our fingers only to trail them down my open palm.
"Just one of those day I guess."
She tried to giggle it off, but I wasn't about to fall for that.
"Look, I know something's on your mind. I'm not about to push you into bringing it up if you don't want to, but I will listen if you need to talk."
I took another drag off my cigarette as she ran her fingers back and lined our fingers up.
She'd been looking down as I spoke to her and her head still rested in that position.
"Thank you."
I could barely hear her words.
"Really, thank you."
She lifted her chin and I finally realized why she had been looking away this whole time.
I relinked our hands and let my cigarette fall to the bar, using that hand to hold her chin instead.
A single tear was flowing down her frame and I wiped it away as abruptly as I could, as if it was the cause of all her problems.
"Rikku..."
When her eyes opened our faces were almost touching, and her gaze definetly was.
"I'm just so tired..."
She nuzzled into my hand for a brief second before leaning in towards me.
Our breaths mingled, our eyelashes danced with each other before fluttering to a halt.
If contact could be described as sound is, our lips met in a whisper.
A whisper that faded back into silence fast enough to make you wonder if it really existed at all.
