When You Were Young

They walked the rest of the way in silence, both wrapped in their own thoughts. When they finally reached her door, they both stared at it blankly.

"Hey…" Gippal started. Rikku didn't turn her head. She was too tired to do much. Does he have to keep talking? "… have you ever thought about…?" He trailed off.

"About?" Rikku said, reminding him of what he was saying. She was interested now, since his voice was wavering. He waved his hand in dismissal.

"Never mind. See you later." He said, turning away.

"Have you ever thought about us?" Rikku asked him on impulse. It's now or never. She waited for an answer as he stopped and turned halfway.

"As in?" he asked. She knew he was trying to get her to make all the moves. Nuh uh. It's your turn mister.

"You know what I mean." Gippal turned around all the way and walked a few steps forward until he was right in front of her.

"I honestly have no idea." Rikku made a face at him, giving him as much an answer as he needed. He knew she wasn't going to move this along. He turned away form her.

"Well… can't say I haven't."

"Really?" Rikku asked, letting too much excitement into her voice. Gippal turned to her.

"Well I'm guessing you have then!"

"Well… you might've popped up every once in… awhile."

"So do you love me or not?"

"Whoa let's not be too… whoa!" Rikku said, holding her hands up. Liking him was well enough. Being his girlfriend or something would be nice. But she didn't even know what the hell love was. And from what she had seen with most relationships from Gippal, things usually ended badly. Even if he hadn't loved a single one of them.

" Hasty? Then you do!" Gippal pressed on. She took a step back. In reaction, he took two steps forward, until there was about an inch of space between them. Rikku took another step back, and bumped into the wall. Gippal took one more step forward. Great. I'm cornered, in the middle of the night, by Gippal. This can only end terribly.

"Gippal, have I ever mentioned I'm claustrophobic? Heheh." Gippal bent his head down until his lips brushed against her ear. Oh, right, screw being mad at me when there's a chance to seduce me, of course.

"Yes. Many times when we were in one of our crazy escapes from grounding. And I still don't believe you. C'mon. Admit it. Make me happy?"

"Oh, so you would be happy if I did love you? But do you love me?" Gippal straightened, an odd expression on his face. Almost like he had thought she already knew the answer to the question.

"Of course I love you!"

"I mean actually love me." Rikku said, at the moment oblivious to the fact that they were having the sort of conversation they did when they were eight. If they like liked each other or not. Even then he said he didn't like like me.

"Well… yes. I do actually love you. Is that hard to believe?" Gippal said, a smirk on his face. Rikku felt stunned for a moment. Wow… he actually sounds serious. She decided that she wasn't going to fall for one of his Gippal-ish mind games again.

"Yes. You don't love anybody."

"Well that's very cruel. I happen to love my mother. It's your turn now!" Rikku couldn't help but giggle.

"For what?" She said, still laughing.

"To admit that you love me!" She immediately stopped laughing and gave Gippal a stern look.

"What if I don't?"

"Then I'd be really saaaaad. And you'd be a li-ar." Gippal said in a childish voice. He leaned in closer to her. Rikku knew that she was not getting anywhere near her bed if she didn't admit it- whether she wanted to or not. Fine... maybe I'll give in once.

"Grr! Fine! I love you! Now can I please go to bed?" Rikku yelled. She said a silent prayer that she hadn't woken anybody up, even though she knew the prayer wasn't going to Yevons secretary or anything. With that, Gippals arms snaked around Rikku's waist and he picked her up, holding her like she was a princess. He twirled her around once, a genuine smile on his face.

"See was that so hard? I love you too." Gippal whispered. He lightly pressed his lips to hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck impulsively. In her mind, this is how it was supposed to be. He took his lips away reluctantly, only to bring them back a second later. Ahhh… Maybe giving up has it's advantages sometimes.

"Rikku!!!" Someone yelled through the haze. Gippal's lips sprang from hers and she nearly crashed to the floor. Gippal held on to her hand until she had her balance. Another prayer failed. Can't expect much from Yevon though. Brother stood in the doorway, watching Gippal with disdain. Rikku just grinned crookedly at Brother. I knew this would end badly. She resolved to stare at the floor.

"Ha… hello?" Gippal said weakly. All Rikku could manage was to clench and unclench her fists and rock back a forth from her toes to her heels.

"Good morning to you too, Gippal!" Brother roared back. "Get inside Rikku!" Rikku obediently sulked inside. Normally, she would yell back at Brother. But tonight, she was too tired. Brother just gave Rikku a look. Rikku looked glumly at the floor. Then, he waddled off to bed without a word. Rikku grinned and rushed to the door, opening it a bit.Gippal was still standing at the door expectantly. He grinned when he saw her. She ran over to him and hugged him tightly. She got goose bumps when she felt his arms immediately wrap around her. He hadn't even hesitated, like he had before when she had hugged him.

"Goodnight." She whispered, and rushed to her room, jumping onto the bed. She thought about how happy he had looked when he had picked her up. Maybe he does really care. She shook her head and leaned over to turn her lamp off, laying down. A minute later, her eyes snapped open and she whipped up.

"Wait! Does this mean that I'm going out with him or have we just--confessed?" Rikku yelled. Brother walked in.

"Hm...?" He asked lazily. Rikku just groaned and waved her hand dismissively, falling back into her pillows. Brother just shrugged and walked away aimlessly.

Like you imagined him when you were young.

Sorry I haven't updated. I've been on vacation. :D Gettin a sweet tan. Ahem, so I have another chapter and now I'm reading through it. It'll be up soon! Sayonara