Another update! Yippee. Thank you so much to all reviewers! (Yeah, I know, omg this is three times bigger than the last chapter! SHOCK XD)
The Way They'd Planned
Record Cover
Chapter 2
"Aw man, I can't concentrate,"
Gippal slumps back into his chair and rubs his face with his hands.
The last few days had passed, and ever since that little conversation at the Moonflow with Rikku, he hadn't been able to concentrate on any one thing for more than five minutes straight, which, after a while, had proved to be more than just a little problem. He was now in trouble, because, his best friend had finally found someone to give her heart to. And it wasn't him.
Furthermore, you weren't meant to suddenly start liking your best friend, were you.
Gippal looks at the clock set on his wall. It's eleven-thirty in the morning, and he's already ready to excuse himself from work.
He stands up and leaves his office, making his way out of the temple to take a break.
Gippal hadn't talked to Rikku properly since the day at the Moonflow, either. He had been too wrapped up in his own thoughts to talk to her, and it seemed Rikku felt the same way as well.
To make things simple, Gippal was in dilemma.
He didn't know with whom Rikku's heart lay with, and finally, after so much realization, he had come to the conclusion that he was envious, and felt disappointed. Disappointed in which, he had wanted Rikku to fall in love with him, not anyone else. It was too late now.
As Gippal walks down the corridor, he feels guilt and regret fill him. Had he really been that selfish? Had he really expected Rikku to sit there waiting for him, chasing after him, forever? No, a small voice in his head says. He wonders wether he can really believe that small voice. Because if he really hadn't expected her to fall for him, he wouldn't have been surprised.
He feels even worse as he continues walking down the stone path, because in the end, it hadn't been anything but Rikku's confession that had woken him to his senses, that had been the event to trigger his realization. Had he really been that conceited to become jealous as soon as he had received the indication that she had found someone that wasn't him?
He sighs. His normally set mind was now a hazy jumble of this and that, and for once, he didn't know what to do or think next.
Arriving at the workroom, Gippal looks around. He sees Shinra, deep in conversation with Buddy and Brother, all looking down at a piece of machinery. He sees Blappa and Nhadala, who for some reason, aren't at the hover service or in the middle of the desert. He looks around the room. But he still hasn't seen the one person he'd wanted to find- until his sight falls upon one of the hovers.
Two worn out boots stick out from under the hover, and Gippal instantly knows that the boots are Rikku's. He grins to himself, struts over, and squats down next to her feet.
Gippal tugs on Rikku's ankle, hard, smirking. Gasping in surprise, Rikku drops her spanner before promptly hitting her head on the machinery as Gippal pulls her out from under the hover.
She squeaks, rubbing her head.
"Owwie…"
Pouting, she rubs furiously in pain.
Gippal's eye widens.
"Oops.. Oh crap, Riks, sorry," He pushes her hand away to inspect her forehead. A little red mark there, but otherwise, no lasting damage.
"That hurt, meanie! You could've given me some notice!" Rikku punches him on the shoulder and winces as she hurts her knuckles on his shoulder pads. Gippal smirks.
"Yeah, and be like, 'Oh hi, Riks, I'm going to pull you out of the hover so mind your head lest you bump it'?! I'm not retarded. But sorry…" Gippal adds.
"It's okay,"
Rikku sits in silence, playing with a stray bolt.
Gippal can't help but think how cute she looks today, dressed in one of Brother's old overalls, a t-shirt lying under the denim. A smudge of dirt takes residence upon her right cheek and a stain of grease is smeared on the legs of her overalls. Sweat glistens on her body, shining upon her forehead, nose, biceps and forearms. Rikku lets out a sigh of exhaustion and he grins.
"Tough day?"
"Yeah, this hover's refusing to work!" She flails her leg out in an attempt to kick the stubborn hover.
Gippal grins.
"Hey, let's go out,"
"What? Where?"
"To the bridge, I need some fresh air, and I think you do too,"
"O-okay,"
For a moment, Gippal thinks he can sense reluctance coming from Rikku, but he doesn't understand why. Why she was distancing herself from him these days was a complete mystery to him. He pushes the thought away, because he knows that if she ever really didn't want to go with him, she'd kick him away in an instant. And she hadn't so far, not today. So he decides it's safe.
Standing up, Gippal offers his hand. Rikku shakes her head and makes to get up for herself.
Rikku stands and takes a step before she trips over something on the floor and loses her balance, falling over. She lets out a small yelp and her fingers scrabble against a pile of scrap metal, searching for support. Her hand grasps the sharp edge of a chunk of metal before she loses her hold and falls over completely, her hand sliding down the edge.
Crashing down onto the floor, she lands backside first.
Gippal lets out a shout and collapses next to her.
Rikku's head is in a daze.
She sits up again.
"Oww…" Tears of pain sting her eyes as she fights back the urge to laugh at her clumsiness.
"You okay?" Buddy's voice fills her ears; he'd walked over the minute he'd heard the crash. She looks up and nods, letting out a giggle.
Buddy shakes his head, smiling, and walks away.
For a wild moment, Gippal wonders wether it was Buddy that Rikku was in love with.
Gippal looks down at the girl. Her giggles surprise him; he had expected her to cry out in pain.
Rikku's giggles fade and she sighs.
"I'm so clumsy," She mumbles, tears of pain prickling at her eyes again. "Owww…" She lets out a moan as she feels a throbbing pain somewhere on her backside, and strangely, on her hand somewhere.
Gippal sighs, ruffles her hair and stares over at the heap of metal on the floor that had caused her fall. Rikku scowls and brushes hair out of her face with her hand when she feels something drop onto the pants of her overalls.
She looks at her left hand. The deep cut she sees open across her palm explains the stabbing pain she feels in her hand. Rikku's eyes widen in surprise.
Gippal looks at her.
"Why is there blood on that--"
He spots her hand and stops in shock. Getting up, he pulls Rikku up with him.
Rikku whimpers in pain as Gippal strides across the room to the exit. She struggles with his grip and attempts to pull away. Gippal stops dead in his tracks and looks down at her.
"We have to get that cleaned up,"
"It's okay! I'm fine, it's just a little cut, it isn't that bad, I--"
"Isn't that bad?" Gippal's eyebrows rise as he glances down at her bleeding hand. Yep, the cut was there, a deep slash that cut open the length of her palm painfully.
"Okay, it's a little painful but I--"
"Rikku!"
Rikku's eyes widen again as he hears the tone of his voice- assertive, but forceful, harsh, but gentle, all at the same time.
"Just let me get it cleaned up, okay?"
Gippal hates things being this way. He hates how Rikku is always too stubborn to listen, always to hot headed to want to admit that she needed help. Moreover, he hates how it's always seems to be just lucky he's there to patch her up or to soothe her pain, what if there was a time in which she got hurt and he wasn't there?
What if one day, she seriously got into trouble, and he wasn't able to help her? He knew… she didn't have anyone but him. He couldn't understand why she had never asked him to be by her side. Maybe it was because he was always there anyway, even if she couldn't see it. Still, he didn't want to complain. That'd be going too far.
Rikku nods, and holding her hand, he leads her out to the shop just outside the Faction headquarters.
"Wait here," He lets go of her and walks in.
"I need the first-aid kit," He says.
The shopkeeper nods and hands him a bag. Gippal mutters a brief thanks before hurrying back out to Rikku, who sits atop an empty shipment box.
Opening the bag, Gippal takes out a few wipes. He takes Rikku's hand and wipes her arm clean of the blood that had trickled down. He moans.
"You've got to be more careful,"
Rikku bites her lip.
"I'm sorry! I just-- I tripped! It was an accident," Rikku flushes.
"I know," Gippal's voice is soft and gentle as he continues to clean the cut.
He reaches for the antiseptic and Rikku squeaks, attempting to yank her hand away from his grip.
Gippal looks up at her and catches a look of fright in her eyes.
He can't believe it, Rikku- Cid's girl, was afraid of antiseptic? Gippal struggles not to laugh.
"We need to clean that up, kid, it'll get infected,"
"No we don't! It's okay! It's clean now! You can just put the band-aid on and we'll be done!"
"Girl, the metal had rust on it. You need to get that cleaned up."
"It'll hurt!" Rikku lets out another squeak of fright.
He rolls his eye.
"It won't hurt. Much. I promise,"
Taking her hand, Gippal wipes across the cut with the antiseptic-soaked gauze. Rikku gasps as the pain shoots through her palm. Giving it a few last wipes, Gippal throws the gauze into a rubbish bag.
"See, wasn't that bad,"
Rikku frowns.
"We'll bandage it up now," Gippal reaches for a dressing and puts it carefully on her palm before taking out a bandage. He wraps it around her hand securely before clipping it in place at her wrist.
"I want you to take this," He holds up a tiny flask filled with bright green potion.
"What? I don't need antibiotics, it's just a cut,"
"I don't care, you never know, just take it,"
Rikku knows that whatever she says won't persuade him otherwise, and gulps down the potion. It has a funny aftertaste, she thinks. She wonders why Gippal was so uptight about first-aid, and then she realises… his eye…
"You know," She says quietly, "You don't need to make a fuss over me, Gippal,"
Gippal ignores the small queasy feeling that starts to build up at the back of his throat in response to her comment.
He pulls his face into the best grin he can manage.
"But I want to, Cid's girl,"
Gippal stands up, offering his hand again.
"Now… about that walk,"
Rikku smiles and follows him out onto the bridge.
At the bridge, Gippal leans on the railing. Rikku stands in front of him, looking down at her bandaged left hand. She wonders why Gippal had insisted on taking care of her like that, why he had held her hand so gently… she feels confused. As if she needed another reason to like him…
Gippal stares over the top of Rikku's head to the water below, glistening in the weak rays of D'jose sunlight. Well, she didn't pull away, he thinks, so maybe she isn't so reluctant… Gippal shakes his head and looks up at Rikku.
"Hi, Cid's girl," He greets her properly, for the first time.
Rikku flushes.
"Hi, Gippal,"
"How've you been this past week? Apart from.. Well, y'know, stacking it on your bum," He grins.
She squawks.
"Oh.. Alright, I guess,"
"That's good…"
Gippal suddenly feels very hot. Wether because of his high neckline, he doesn't know. But he feels the tension awkwardly building up in the air… and looks for a way to break it.
There's silence for a while as each thinks of what to say to break the awkwardness next, until both open their mouths at the same time.
"Gippal-"
"Rikku, I-"
Rikku laughs.
"You go first," She says, relieved at the broken tension.
"Well… Riks,"
"Yeah?"
"You know there's Yuna's wedding on soon?"
"Mm?"
She teeters back and forth on the spot expectantly. Gippal scowls, he knows she's expecting something from him. Rikku smiles brightly.
"Well.. Uhh.. I was thinking…"
"Thinking?"
"Cut it out, will ya!"
"Cut what out?"
"Repeating the end of my sentences, replying, whatever, just-"
Rikku giggles and sits down on the railing next to him.
She knows, on the inside, both are feeling nervous and awkward. She knows that she isn't the only one treading the water. For now, she'll ignore it and act perfectly fine. Ignore the feeling of uncertainty inside of her.
"Anyway, about this wedding, uhh…"
Gippal looks for the words. How was he to say it?
Rikku will you come to the wedding with me?
Will you be my date, Rikku?
Wanna come with me to the party?
No matter how he looked at it, he was bound to sound like a complete idiot.
Deciding to take a wild shot at goal, he turns to face Rikku.
"Be my date," He says firmly. He knows it had sounded more like an order than anything, but he can't help it; a guy has to look after his pride.
Rikku raises an eyebrow.
"Haven't you got Annek to take to the wedding?"
"Psh, no,"
"But she was invited. I think," Rikku adds hastily.
"If I wanted to go with her, do you think I would've asked you?" Gippal feels annoyed, but he knows she's just playing.
Suddenly, Rikku feels as if there's a balloon of happiness blowing up inside of her. She feels as if she could glow to light up the whole of Spira's vast night sky.
She gives a light smile.
"Alright… if you're that desperate,"
Gippal smirks.
"Yeah, I am,"
For a moment, they look into each other's eyes, before Gippal looks away back out to the sea feeling afraid. Maybe… maybe Rikku's seen the look on his face- the one that really, genuinely, wanted to hold her close and never let go. Ever. He doesn't want to be the thing that gets in the way between her, and her life. He doesn't want her to know, but at the same time, he wants her to know so badly. Gippal can't help but think… well, she had just accepted his invitation, hadn't she? So maybe she wasn't as deep in love as she thought she were, maybe---
Gippal shuns his thoughts. Bad, bad thoughts. He blames his jealous streak.
Rikku doesn't know what to think now.
She had been going on with her life thinking that never, ever, in his right mind would Gippal ever make a move on her, and that their teenage romance had plainly just been fuelled by hormonal fluctuations. But surprisingly, amazingly, he had just done it, and she had accepted it…
Does that mean he doesn't think of me as just a friend? She wonders wether Gippal had ever looked at her as a woman.
Rikku wonders wether Gippal could actually ever have feelings towards her, more than just a best friend, more than just Cid's girl.
Rikku stands up in front of him again, looking into his face. She can't tell what he's feeling; his face looks emotionless.
Hopping off the railing, she stands in front of him, waiting for something, anything, to happen next.
She didn't know, that Gippal wasn't able to understand his own feelings either.
The tall, blond Al Bhed looks at the girl in front of him, watching her scuff the ground with the toe of her boot. She looks bored. Extending his arms, Gippal reaches out and takes her wounded left hand in his, still leaning against the railing.
Smiling, Gippal flicks her forehead.
"Klutz," He says.
Rikku blinks before smiling back.
"You love this klutz,"
"Oh, I do… I do," He smirks.
A second passes and Gippal gazes at the white bandages for a moment before he spins her around in a circle and pulls her in close. Gippal feels no sign of resistance coming from her body. As much as Gippal doesn't want to touch her for fear of upsetting her, he doesn't want to resist.Rikku leans against Gippal's front and feels his chin rest against her shoulder. She feels his arms encircle her, holding her tight. Feels the rhythm of his breath as his chest rises up and down slowly, calmly.
Surprisingly, his embrace is warm, loving. His behaviour is mature, in sharp contrast to his usual playful, joking, flirty manner. No bantering, no teasing, no name calling. Just… holding her.
Rikku closes her eyes and relaxes, taking in the heat. She feels safe, and wonders when it was the last time someone had just held her like that. She can't remember, and feels disheartened.
Gippal's heart skips a beat as he feels her relax in his arms. He inhales the scent of her hair, and tightens his arms around her waist. He wonders wether he should say something.
Maybe.. Just maybe, he had a chance with her. Even if right now, she wasn't interested. There was always time for her to change her mind, right?
They stay like that for a while, Rikku rests in Gippal's arms while he leans back against the railing, sitting on top of it slightly. Neither talk until Gippal breaks the silence.
"I missed this…" Gippal's voice is quiet.
Rikku opens her eyes and stares out at the water.
"Missed what?"
Her voice is only a little above a whisper.
"Missed us," He says.
Rikku's lip trembles and she closes her eyes.
"Us?"
"Yeah, us, Rikku. I really did… I still do."
Rikku gulps.
"What were we? Us?"
"A… a couple,"
Gippal suddenly grins as a fond memory flashes in his mind's eye- D'jose. That day he had accidentally-on-purpose let slip that he, indeed, had been Rikku's first boyfriend, and she had turned bright red before pushing him away, denying it all…
Gippal feels Rikku stiffen under his hold.
He leans against the bridge perfectly still. His arms feel frozen as he waits for another response, his heart hammering rapidly in his chest. Something he'd done- something he'd said, had offended or hurt her. What it was though, he didn't know.
Rikku pulls herself out of Gippal's grasp and almost trips in her hurry. He holds her steady.
"I- Gippa- I've- I'vegottago," She gasps and turns.
Gippal watches her silently as she runs back towards the Faction headquarters. Groaning in frustration, he turns and kicks the bridge. He feels angered at himself, for having said the wrong thing, for having just ruined everything he had going between himself and her. A feeling of dread creeps through his body and he rubs his face again.
Gippal stays there for a moment, wishing the ground would open and suck him up forever.
After a while, he calms himself down and steadily makes his way back to the office. There's still that pile of paperwork on his table, waiting for him to complete. Rikku is nowhere in sight.
And, as he trudges up the stairs, he finds himself in exactly the same position as he had been in when he had left his office; confused, disgruntled, upset, and absolutely nowhere.
A/N:
Soo.. the next chapter is here. This chapter has lots of explaining, lots of feelings, and I know it's much, much more different than the first chapter, but I feel it's necessary for the story as it progresses- it's only a developing filler, and all the proper action will come in next chapter. I think it's a little too angsty... but it explains alot about their friendship, such as how Gippal dreads this new guy, because if he takes Gippal's place then he wouldn't be able to look after Rikku anymore and then...
So please excuse the contrast between the two chapters and.. uhm... be patient. I know, demanding, aren't I. xD More will be added to the first chapter, but I'll have to see as the story continues. There will be more characters in the up coming chapters, so come back :D
What's happening so far:
-From Chapter 1 we know that the two like each other, but miss each other completely and shoot off in the wrong directions.
-This chapter we know that their little talk has troubled them deeply. Rikku now thinks Gippal isn't interested, and he thinks Rikku doesn't see him because she's got someone else. -Then, Gippal cleans her up after her little accident. Rikku wonders why he wastes his time making a fuss over her.
-Everything's starting to lighten up again and they're back to being normal.
-He asks her to be his date for the wedding (Alas, Yuna sent out double invites. xP)
-Rikku accepts, although she doesn't see why he would be asking her. Gippal feels happy that she's accepted.
-Then he goes on to say.. I missed us, etc. Suddenly, Rikku goes all edgy and runs off, he doesn't know where to and...
Next ch:
Where does Rikku run off to? Why did she run away? And Gippal decides to confide to his friends his little 'dilemma' .. and earns a little bashing from Paine.
I'll stop my senseless ramblings now
Please review! What you liked, what you think could be fixed, where you want the story to go... ILU for it :D
RC
