A/N: Kay, so I needed to get this up in order to make sure this story doesn't die out. I hate when I do that. This story will be my solution. I hope. Sorry about the chapters being so short...

I slowly let my eyes flutter open, as if waking.

The past few minutes sure felt like a dream.

Yet upon opening my eyes my vision focused on nothing other than Rikku's face, still dangerously close.

Her lips were slightly parted and I could almost feel her breathing, each passing lungful somehow pulling me closer.

It was so hard to resist the urge in my inebriated state.

One more stolen kiss will not be the end.

If I go in for another, it'll be a naked morning full of regrets.

I licked my lips trying to remove the sting stuck on them; a impression I had associated with alcohol, and now Rikku's lips.

Suddenly realizing my hands were still craddling her face I withdrew them and fitted my discarded cigarette back in its rightful place, resting between the index and middle finger on my left hand.

In abandonment it had burned halfway down and that sent a small pang of sadness to my heart.

I made sure the next hit filled all my lungs in cancerous glory.

Rikku seemed to still be dazed by her own actions, slightly swaying on the stool, eyes still shut.

I released my spectacular lungful of smoke right into the little theif's face, hoping to elict some kind of reaction.

Her eyes pulled shut harder than they already were, lips curled down in a slight frown, as her nose crinkled in displeasure.

Finally Rikku was back to this world.

And then all of a sudden those Al Bhed swirls were focused intently on me.

"I'm sorry," she murmured as she scuffled away from the bar, away from me.

I listened to her boots stamp up the stairs, absentmindedly watching the smoke from my cigarette drift upwards as well.

Well, there's no way I can let her just run off like that.

Time to go do some friendly emotion control.

I slammed the last of my drink down my throat and crushed what was left of my smoke, making my way slowly and uncertainly to the Al Bhed girl.

The buzz from the alcohol had each step feeling heavier, the stairs looming before me in a mocking manner.

FUCK.

Rikku owes me for this drunken climb alone.

Finally at the last step I let my fingers fall from grazing the handrail once the theif entered my sights.

She was curled upon herself on the closest bed.

Thank Yevon.

I don't know if I could've make it all the way across to hers without some massive problems.

Too many piles of clothes near her bed.

It's really ridiculous considering how little she actually wears.

Her being in my bed will make sleeping in a bit a little more intresting.

I don't think she's going anywhere anytime soon.

Posed almost in fetal position, Rikku looked like all emotional hell had just broken loose in her poor mind.

Her breathing was irate, but when I moved to her side I noticed there were no tears.

Not sure if that's a good sign or not.

I kneeled, as if praying for the words to say, the actions to take, the swift return of Rikku's joy.

A hand outstretched to tilt her chin upwards.

You should always look up.

The Al Bhed kept her eyes shut, doing nothing but pressing my hand closer to her skin with one of her own.

"Rikku..."

"Hold me."

Her beautiful green eyes thrust open and gazed so frighteningly at the warrior.

"Please just hold me tight. Like you'll never let go. Like you'll never leave..."