Once again, I do not own these characters. Except Johnny.
Chapter 7: Finally, male again.
-One week later, main hall-
The Warrior of Light looked around at the assembled warriors. He had a frown on his face, which made the others nervous. He leveled each one with a look before speaking.
"It's been a month," he said. "Shouldn't we have found them all by now? It can't possibly take you this long to find a crystal."
"Well, some people haven't exactly been looking," Firion said. A glance at Tidus told everyone who he was talking about.
"Hey, I looked." Tidus averted her gaze from Firion. "I just haven't in a while. What's the hurry, anyway?"
"We don't belong here, Tidus. This world isn't-"
"We could make it work!" Tidus smiled optimistically.
"Tidus..." Worry was written all over Firion's face.
"There's no reason for us to stay. The war was the only reason we were here in the first place," Tifa said.
"Well, yeah. But, uh..." Tidus let her voice trail off. Firion looked as though he wanted to go over and hold her in his arms.
"What would be the point?" The Warrior of Light asked. "Everyone has unfinished business where they are from. This world isn't supposed to..."
He trailed off as Tidus looked down at the floor. She was biting her lower lip, and refused to meet anyone's eyes. Firion swore she looked like she was going to cry. He moved a bit closer to her.
"Why are you so determined, Tidus?" he asked.
"I'm just trying to spend more time with you guys!" Tidus smiled, trying to sell her story. She knew Vaan wouldn't fall for it, maybe not Firion. Everyone else on the other hand...
"You've got to be kidding me," Lightning said. She had a hand on her forehead, as though Tidus was already giving her a headache.
"I think it's a good idea," Zidane said. "At least for a while. We should as much together as possible."
"You're just saying that," Cecil said. "Words aren't going to get you in that whore and you know it. You need action, Zidane!"
Zidane looked determined. Firion stared, gaping, from Cecil to Zidane.
"Don't encourage him, Cecil."
"I'm not saying he should force her or anything. I'm just saying that he needs to take some actions to- What?"
Both Cecil and Firion turned to look at Bartz. At the mention of Tidus's gender, Bartz had begun laughing.
"Sorry... Sorry."
"Tidus has the right idea, I think," Cloud said.
"This world does seem to be coming more alive," Kain said. He was looking at the Warrior of Light. "It might be around longer than you think."
"Our friends must miss us, though..." Terra said. "Is this why our memories had to be erased? So we wouldn't want to leave before the war was over?"
"Probably best," Laguna said. "But now they're back. Maybe to spur us on our search?"
"In any case, we need to hurry. I can only be friendly with Garland for so long." The Warrior of Light looked around the room. "There aren't many crystals left to find. It can't be that hard."
"You know how to get yours," Vaan complained. "We haven't the slightest idea. You could, you know, help out..."
"What makes you think that I would know how everyone is supposed to find their crystals?" the Warrior of Light asked. "Go look. Help each other."
The Warrior of Light turned on his heel and walked out of the room. The others soon followed suit. Tidus hurried to the basement. She had been thinking too hard about finding her crystal, and needed someone to talk to. Once she got down there, she ran over to the door and knocked.
"You in there? I want to talk to you!" she yelled through the door.
The door opened, and ZombieBartz stood on the other side. Tidus could tell he was happy to see her, even though ZombieBartz's eyes had a blank look to them. ZombieBartz moved to the side so she could enter the room. Tidus walked over to the bed and sat down. ZombieBartz pushed the door closed and joined her. Tidus crossed her legs and stared at him.
"I hope I'm not bothering you. I just really don't want to talk to anyone else about this." Tidus fell silent. ZombieBartz looked at her as though asking what she wanted. Tidus nodded before speaking again. "Back in Spira, I... wasn't real. These things called the Fayth dreamt me up. In order to truly kill Sin, we had to kill them. They had been dreaming a thousand years, keeping the Zanarkand I knew alive. Obviously, they wouldn't be able to dream anymore. And if they couldn't dream anymore..." Tidus's eyes filled with tears. "I did it for Yuna. Yuna, and all the friends I had made. It was the only way. I didn't belong there, anyway. That's what I kept telling myself. I put on a smile, and... accepted..." The tears tumble from her eyes, curving down her cheeks. "Now that I have a choice, I don't... I can't... If I get my crystal, I'll have to... go back..." Tidus put her face in her hands, trying to hold herself together. ZombieBartz moved closer and put his arms around her. "I-I'm sorry I'm such a... cry-baby... It's just... Everyone... I can't let them d-down... They're my friends..." She was obviously trying to hold in her sobs. She started trembling in his arms. "I want to be normal again... But... Shantotto... I need that damn..."
Tidus gave in and clung to ZombieBartz's shirt. She could no longer hold back her sobs. ZombieBartz was unsure of what she had been talking about and what to do, so he mimicked what people on T.V. had done. He held her, running a hand through her hair and rubbing her back with the other. Tidus took gasping breaths between sobs, and kept hiccupping. ZombieBartz closed his eyes, leaning back on the bed. Tidus was half-laying on him, still crying into his shirt. ZombieBartz continued rubbing her back. They lay like that for a while, neither finding a reason to change the position.
Eventually, Tidus moved so she was straddling ZombieBartz. He sighed softly. He had been with Tidus enough times to know what she wanted. Tidus half-sat, holding herself up on her elbows. She looked down at ZombieBartz. Tears dripped onto his face and he opened his eyes.
"I know I'm not that attractive when I'm crying, but... Please," Tidus said.
ZombieBartz lifted a hand, laying it on the side of Tidus's face. A thumb brushed her tears away. Moving up toward her, he locked his gaze to her's. A blink sent more tears tumbling down her cheeks. His mouth met hers in answer to her pleading eyes. Tidus's reaction was immediate. Soon enough, the both of them had lost their clothes. She was straddling his hips, her hands covering his. Every movement sent her thoughts farther back in her mind. Each thrust forced her worries to be forgotten. Tidus intentionally drew it out as long as possible, driving her thoughts farther and farther back. By the time she hit orgasm, she had forgotten why exactly there were tear streaks down her face. It didn't take long for ZombieBartz to follow her lead. She collapsed on top of him, closing her eyes. ZombieBartz lay there holding her. Too soon, the two fell into sleep's gentle embrace.
-Next Day-
"Today's the day, Zidane," he told himself in the mirror. "Don't take no for an answer."
Zidane left the room, making sure to lock the door behind him. He hurried to the kitchen, where he knew he'd be able to find Firion. When he got there, he found Firion sitting at the table.
"You know where Tidus is?" he asked.
Firion looked up from the book he was reading. He stared at Zidane. The look in Firion's eyes gave Zidane the impression that Firion was uncertain about giving him such important information. Firion sighed. There would be no way of getting rid of Zidane if he didn't tell him.
"Out in the garden. Why?"
"I wanted to talk to her," Zidane said. He went to leave, and found himself pulled back. Firion had his tail in a death-grip. Zidane turned toward the other, more than a little nervous. Tears blurred his vision as Firion didn't let go.
"What do you really want to do, Zidane?" Firion smiled at Zidane. Judging from the grip Firion had on his tail, Zidane decided that Firion was once again hiding murderous intentions behind it.
"You won't kill me, right?"
"Of course not." Firion still had that smile on his face. Zidane took a breath to both calm himself and give him courage.
"I was planning on laying siege to the castle until the princess surrendered," he admitted.
"All by yourself?" Firion's voice was taunting.
"Hey, if some dog can do it, I can. In fact, I bet I could do it faster than the dog," Zidane said. Firion let go of his tail.
"If Tidus complains to me at all about your treatment, you're dead. Remember that." Firion had a completely serious expression on his face.
Zidane hurried from the room, holding his hurting tail. He practically ran to the garden, skidding to a stop on the dirt. Cecil was there with Tidus. He was gesturing to the four gnomes standing on the bench nobody ever used.
"There's three more of them!" Cecil was yelling. Tidus went to say something, only to be cut off by Cecil. "You don't understand. If their numbers get too large..."
Tidus grabbed Cecil by the shoulders and shook him.
"The Warrior of Light out them there. They aren't going to do anything on their own. They can't," she said.
"But, Tidus-"
"The gnomes can't move on their own, Cecil. Calm down." Tidus looked Cecil right in the eyes as she said this. "Okay?" Cecil nodded. Tidus let go of his shoulders.
"Tidus!" Zidane ran over. "I need to talk to you."
"What's up?" Tidus turned to Zidane.
"You know what," Zidane said. "I've only asked you a million times."
"The answer's the same as it's always been."
Cecil looked over at the two. Noticing the tension between them, he wandered off.
"Why?" Zidane's voice was raised a bit. "Why can't I even get a date from you?"
"We both know what a date with you would turn into," Tidus said. "I'm not-"
"Bullshit!" Zidane yelled. "Am I not animal enough, Tidus? I could be in Trance mode for you." Zidane's voice held a hint of desperation.
"That's not the-"
"What do I have to do? Beg?" Zidane had finally reached the end of his patience.
"Why would I want you to do something like that?" Tidus was genuinely confused. Zidane stared at him, open-mouthed.
"Because nothing else is working! I've tried almost everything." Zidane could feel his anger rising. "You wouldn't accept gifts, you wouldn't drink with me, and talking simply wouldn't work. I'm not a monster, and I can't just die before hand." Zidane moved so he was right against Tidus. "I've played with you long enough. I'm a thief. If you won't willingly give me what I want, I'll have to take it."
"I can't, Zidane!"
Zidane pushed Tidus and she landed on her butt. Tidus looked up at him. She was really, truly worried. Zidane leaned over her and roughly pressed his mouth against hers. Tidus tried to protest, but found it difficult. Her hands came up to shove at Zidane's chest. Zidane grabbed her hands and pinned them at her sides. Tears were welling up in Tidus's eyes. She couldn't believe this was happening. Tidus started trembling. Zidane trailed kisses down Tidus's throat, to her collarbone. Tidus took shaking, gasping breaths.
"Zidane... No... Please don't..."
Zidane glanced up at her. Tidus was gasping, tears streaming down her face. Zidane leaned down again. Tidus whimpered the moment his lips touched her. He took her by surprise when, with a sigh, he fell forward.
"Why can't I do it?" Zidane whined. "It's not like you've been looking for anything other than sex." Zidane gave an appreciative groan as her breasts pressed against his face. He nuzzled her, starting to cover her in kisses.
"That's why. I don't..." Tidus paused to moan a bit, "want to get too attached."
"What the hell?" Zidane sat up between her legs, staring at her. "You don't want too attached?"
"If we go home, we'll never see each other again. I don't want to get close to someone, only to have them taken away," Tidus explained.
"If you love someone, who cares?" Zidane asked. "Just enjoy the time you have together." Zidane smiled at Tidus.
"I don't want to." Tidus shook her head. "Not knowing I'll never see you again. I'd rather just-"
"-have meaningless sex with things that wouldn't care if you never returned?" Zidane finished the sentence for her. He shook his head at Tidus's logic. "Why even do it in the first place?"
Tidus looked at everything but Zidane before responding.
"Distraction. It gets my mind off things I don't want to think about."
"A lover could easily-"
"I know! I know that!" Tears came to Tidus's eyes again, and she angrily wiped them away. "Can't believe I'm crying again. Knowing that I'm going to vanish and leave them behind...I just couldn't do that." Tidus shook her head. "I'd feel like I was just using them."
"But if you were happy together, what does it matter?" Zidane lay a hand on Tidus's cheek. "Stuff happens, Tidus. You can't control it, and you can't stop it. You might as well just enjoy the time you have to the best of your abilities." He wiped Tidus's tears away. "Come on, stop crying." He grinned at her, trying to get a smile. "You can use me as much as you want. I won't mind." He winked. Tidus blushed, smiling a bit. "I've wanted you for a while. You know that. Even if you happen to be a female at the moment... Well, I guess I'll just have to give myself to you again later, won't I?"
"Fine. You win," Tidus said.
She moved up to connect her mouth to hers, but stopped short. Her entire body was tense a mere five seconds before pain tore through her. Tidus closed her eyes against the pain and tried not to scream. The last thing they needed was for Firion to come running out to check on them. Zidane stared, in complete shock. He had no idea what was going on. Tidus gripped his shoulders and fell back onto the ground. Zidane flinched when Tidus began screaming beneath him. Tears were streaming down her face. Zidane realized what was happening when he could feel, and hear, her body reverting to normal. There was a horrible cracking noise, increasing the sound of Tidus's wailing. Her whole body spasmed against his. Zidane thought about yelling for Tidus, but knew it wouldn't do any good. She- he probably wouldn't be able to hear him. Tidus arched upward before falling back onto the ground. Just as suddenly as it had started, it was over. Tidus lay, eyes closed, panting. Sweat covered his body and his hair clung to his face. His eyes fluttered a bit as he awoke.
"What happened? I was going to kiss you, and-"
"You're back to normal!" Zidane happily shouted. "I'm a little surprised Firion's not here. You were screaming awfully loudly."
Tidus smiled.
"It's a good thing Rosebud's not here," he said. Tidus pulled himself up, wrapping an arm around Zidane. He lightly kissed Zidane. "He'd ruin all our fun."
A glow came from above them. Tidus's crystal floated to the ground beside them, unnoticed by both. Tidus wrapped a leg around Zidane, pulling the smaller man close to him. Zidane gladly attacked Tidus's lips with his own. Zidane's tail slowly wound it's way up Tidus's leg and under his pants. A soft groan escaped, swallowed up by Zidane's mouth. Mere minutes later, their clothes lay in a discarded heap next to them. Tidus panted slightly as Zidane's fingers moved in and out, stretching him. Discomfort crossed his face, for the simple fact that he was unused to the sensation.
"Zidane. I'm fine," he said.
"I know your other lovers don't usually take the time," Zidane said. His tail resumed its incessant stroking of Tidus's thigh. "But I'm not interested in being like the others."
The fingers left Tidus, and he whimpered slightly. He had just begun to enjoy it. Zidane grinned at him. The genome moved up Tidus, planting kisses along the other's body. His tail remained in place, as though it had been glued there. Tidus seemed to have run out of patience. He moved, situating himself and pulling Zidane into him.
"H-Hey!" Zidane said.
The expression on Tidus's face shut him up. It was one of pure ecstasy. Tidus's head was back, exposing his entire throat to Zidane. His eyes were closed and his lips were parted slightly. A blink brought Zidane out of his trance-like state and he started thrusting. Tidus arched against him. He had obviously done this numerous times before- the only fact about this that bothered Zidane. He leaned down so his mouth was level with Tidus's ear.
"When I'm done with you, I promise you won't have a reason to want another," he whispered.
Tidus's only response was a low moan.
