DISCLAIMER:  I do not own any locations, characters, or names associated with Final Fantasy X or Final Fantasy X-2.  I do, however, own this story J

Author's Notes:  Okay folks.  This is the first official Shuyin/Lenne date.  That grilled cheese sandwich meal from the previous chapters didn't count.  Enjoy!

Below is chapter 6.  Leave a review and let me know what you think J

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SILVER WINGS

by akksgurl

Chapter Six:  Inspiration

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Lenne was terribly nervous.  She'd been pacing around trying on different outfits since she'd gotten back to her house that afternoon.  She and Shuyin had made plans to have him pick her up at 7 and that was in less than a half hour.  Now dressed, Lenne was trying to find something to do that would keep her calm.  Writing music usually helped and she was going to need a song for her first performance as an opener for the Zanarkand Abes on Saturday night, but she was suffering from major writer's block and only had a few lines. 

I remember hazy borders of my heart
I can see a place, it's something like this
Every now and then I don't know what to do
Still I know that I can never go back

It was enough for an opening stanza or maybe the chorus, but it certainly wasn't enough to call a song.  She didn't know what the song was going to be about and she didn't even have a title for the stupid thing yet.  Of course, names came after she figured out what kind of song it would be. 

Did she want to write another love song?  Love songs were her specialty and with Shuyin in the picture all of the sudden she felt like she might find the inspiration. 

She sighed.

She was doing it again.

Lenne always let her imagination run away with her when it came to affairs of the heart.  That was why Yunalesca was so worried about her.  It wasn't just that her friend thought Shuyin was a bad person, it was also because Lenne tended to run into relationships with blinders on and didn't see things until they were right in front of her, smacking her in the face – sometimes literally smacking her in the face like Broden did.

Lenne made a face and shoved the image of her abusive ex from her mind.  He was the last person she wanted to think about. 

She put the pen she held down and played with the ends of her brown hair.  Whatever she was feeling for Shuyin was amazing and she was loving every minute of it, but she decided that she wouldn't give into those feelings.  If he was as bad as Yunalesca was saying, then the last thing she needed was to fall in love with him.  She smiled to herself, "I won't give into it." She said with more passion, "These feelings are surrounding me but I won't give into it."

Suddenly, she felt inspiration strike her and, just as the doorbell rang, she quickly scribbled three more lines down on the paper.

And though I know
The world with real emotion has surrounded me
I won't give into it

Rushing to the door and stopping only to straighten her hair and her light blue dress, Lenne opened the door and had to keep herself from gasping at the handsome figure standing there.  Somehow Shuyin managed to look more attractive every time she saw him.  Tonight he was wearing black dress slacks and a white dress shirt.  His lopsided grin made her blush a little because she knew he must have noticed her gaping.  Silently she motioned for him to come in and he did so.  The young couple stood staring at each other in uncomfortable silence for a few minutes until Shuyin said, "Have you decided where you want to go?"  Lenne nodded and Shuyin mock bowed, "What can I do for you, m'lady?"

Lenne smiled, "Let's go to that new place on the corner of 4th and 7th.  I can't remember the name.  Do you know the one I'm talking about?"

"Toscano's?" Shuyin questioned and at Lenne's nod he offered her his arm, "Toscano's it is, m'lady summoner."  With a laugh, Lenne accepted his arm and the two started out.  Lenne had a feeling this was going to be a very special night.

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"Will you get away from the window, Yunalesca!" Zaon hissed from across the room.  The young man was sitting at his desk going over their bills and looked at his wife from over the glasses he needed to read close up, "It's a date Yuna!  Let Lenne enjoy herself."

Yunalesca continued to stare out the window as the couple climbed into Shuyin's red convertible and she motioned to her husband to be quiet, "I am letting her enjoy it.  I'm not trying to stop her, am I?"

Once the couple was safetly up the street, Yunalesca left the window and sat on the sofa near her husband's desk.  Zaon placed a loving hand on her knee and laughed, "You're worse than a mother sometimes."

"Well, I think that's a compliment!" Yunalesca replied, "I worry about Lenne.  The last thing she needs is someone like Shuyin breaking her heart."

"How do you know he will?" questioned her husband.  He knew that his friend had a bad reputation with women and with Allyn back in town nobody could tell how things were going to work out between the blitzer and the summoner but Zaon knew one thing.  Shuyin really liked Lenne.  He liked her more than he's liked a girl in a long time.  With that being the case, a simple date between the two couldn't possibly be a bad thing. 

Yunalesca sighed and stretched her long body on the sofa before responding, "I don't know that he will.  I mean, maybe he won't.  Maybe he'll fall madly in love with her and they'll get married and have a ton of babies."

"Maybe they will."

Yunalesca shook her head, "But maybe they won't." she put her head on a balled fist as she sat back up, "It's that maybe that worries me.  I know Lenne.  If she's not thinking about babies with him yet then she will be by the time this date is over."  The blond laughed to herself a little and said, "She tends to rush things in her head."

"You don't seem," responded Zaon, "to have much faith in her common sense."

"It's not that!" Yunalesca said, "it's just that everything that led up to this date worries me.  I mean, it was weird how they seemed to connect so quickly.  Shuyin couldn't even speak at first!  He never gets that way around girls."  Her blond hair swept the floor as she leaned over further to say to her husband, "Who is that Allyn person?  Tell me."

Zaon had been dreading that question but he knew it would come eventually and that he'd have to answer it.  He knew that Shuyin would rather never talk about Allyn again, but with his wife asking him so pleadingly Zaon knew he had to tell her.  Putting his glasses on the table, he climbed onto the sofa next to his wife and pulled her feet into his lap to rub them while he spoke, "Remember when we first started dating we rarely hung out with Shuyin."

Yunalesca nodded, "You said it was because you wanted to spend some time alone with me."

"That's true," Zaon said, "but that's not the entire story."

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Lenne ate some of the potatoes on her plate while Shuyin was just watching openly, and wantonly. He watched as she brought each bite up to her mouth.  With each move her mouth made, he wanted to lean over the table and kiss her more and more.  He forced himself to shake it off, knowing that it would just push her away.  He needed to maintain control over his hormones.  He didn't want to screw this up. 

"So tell me more about yourself, Shuyin." The songstress said after her potatoes were completely devoured. 

Taking a sip from his water glass, Shuyin said, "Well, I've lived in A-East my whole life and have played on the Abes since I was about 13." He smiled at Lenne, "What you see is what you get with me.  I don't bother hiding stuff and will answer questions openly because people usually find out about the lies eventually so you're really just postponing the inevitable."

Lenne grinned at that, "Well that is a refreshing way of looking at things.  From the way Yunalesca spoke of you one might think you were some sort of rare form of fiend."

"Well," Shuyin replied, "Yunalesca has never particularly liked me.  You can't take what she says too seriously."

"Why doesn't she like you?"

It was a point blank question and Shuyin wasn't going to lie to Lenne or try to cover the truth with lies.  He cleared his throat and said, "Well, she had been dating Zaon for about three months before I ever even met her.  I'd seen her a few times from the stands at the games, but never had been formally introduced to her."  He took a bite of his chicken and chewed on it as he contemplated how to tell her the rest.  Once he swallowed he said, "The day I first met Yunalesca was in the hospital.  Zaon and I had gotten into a fight and I slammed the door in his face.  It broke his nose."  He laughed, "Suffice it to say, Zaon and I were always breaking each others bones over stupid stuff but Yunalesca didn't understand that and thought I had broken his nose for no reason.  To top it off, it was around then that I started with my…um….well, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about."

"Your sexual exploits?" Lenne asked.  Shuyin blushed a little and nodded to which Lenne continued, "Why do you sleep around?  Is it just because you can?"

"Direct…" said Shuyin and he smiled, "I like that."  He sighed and tried to think of the best way to explain why he did what he did.  The only way to explain it properly was to explain Allyn and he didn't particularly want to do that and spoil the evening, so he simply said, "Sex is fun and I like having it."

Lenne laughed and Shuyin joined her.  Laughter between them seemed easy and never forced and Shuyin loved that.  He also loved the way Lenne's eyes danced with her mirth and when a song started playing in the background, another sort of dancing occurred to him.  He stood up and extended his hand, "Do you want to dance?" he asked her.

Lenne accepted his hand and as he led her to the floor she whispered jokingly, "You do know how, right?"

Shuyin let out a quiet laugh and the two turned toward each other on the dance floor.  Lenne placed her hands around his neck and he put his hands on her hips in the same position as they had been at her house that day when Yunalesca had interrupted them. 

Shuyin couldn't help but wonder what would have happened had that not happened.

Shutting his eyes, Shuyin let his body move with hers around the room.  The silence between them was poignant.  It was as if they didn't want to ruin the moment that was developing between them.  Lenne moved closer to remove the gap between their bodies until both were conscious of the thin layer of clothes that were their only barrier.  Shuyin felt her lay her head on his shoulder and he instinctively removed his hands from her hips and wrapped both arms around her waist.  Anyone watching would have been able to see that this was more than just a friendly dance.

Lenne lifted her head a little to look at Shuyin, who opened his eyes and smiled at her.  Lenne smiled back and the two continued to stare into each others eyes.  The seconds ticked by and it was only when they noticed the couples around them moving faster that they realized the song had changed. 

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"What do you mean, 'that's not the whole story'?" Yunalesca asked her husband.  She was intrigued by the beginning of the story and wanted to know more about Allyn.  She was hoping that she would be wrong about Shuyin this time and that he and Lenne would be happy together, but with the sudden arrival of Allyn on the scene, something told Yunalesca that if Shuyin and Lenne could have worked out then, it was threatened now.

Zaon grimaced a little, "Shuyin used to date Allyn."

"What?" Yunalesca cocked an eyebrow in confusion, "Shuyin's never had a girlfriend.  He doesn't stay with anyone longer than 24 hours."

"He doesn't now.  He did then."

"He did?"

Zaon nodded, "Shuyin started dating Allyn about a month before I met you.  Both of us decided to separate our love lives from each other until the relationships were solid.  He and I knew that together the two of us acted like Neanderthals so we figured we'd put on a good front so that both of you girls would know the real us before we got together."  He sighed, "I had met Allyn a few times at Shuyin's blitzball games so I knew her relatively well and I never really liked her.  There was something about her that rubbed me the wrong way." He laughed, "Maybe it was the way she always was rubbing my thigh when I sat next to her that did it.  I don't know.  Whatever it was, I never told Shuyin and just let him go about his business with her.  He was happy and so was I."

"What happened?" his wife asked.

"I just want you to know," Zaon said, "that Shuyin is very capable of loving someone.  He fell hard and fast for Allyn and everything seemed to be going fine.  She was his first girlfriend," clearing his throat, Zaon whispered, "Well, she was a lot of firsts for, Shuyin…"

Yunalesca's mouth gaped and she said in half jest, "I didn't realize Shuyin was ever a virgin.  I just figured he was born having sex."

"Very funny!" her husband said as he tickled her hips gently until she begged him to stop.  He released her and continued, "The day you met Shuyin was the day that he had broken my nose.  I never told you what really happened to cause that, did I?"

Yunalesca shook her head and said, "I just figured Shuyin was being an ass and punched you."

"He didn't punch me." Her husband replied, "He slammed a door in my face.  That morning Allyn had left a note on his pillow saying she was leaving him for some guy named Georg that played for the Zanarkand Urks in D-West.  Shuyin was really upset and when he told me about it, I told him about her rubbing my thigh all the time and I told him that I thought she was a slut.  He didn't take it too well and when I followed him to his room to try and discuss the situation rationally, he slammed the door and it broke my nose."

Yunalesca shook her head, "So that's why he was so cold to her.  I thought it was odd.  He's distant to his one night stands but he's never ice cold."  She looked at her husband, "Why do you think she's back?"

"Well, judging from the way she was acting, I'd say that she's back to get Shuyin." Zaon sighed, "I just hope he's not stupid enough to fall for her tricks again.  She has a hold over him and I know he still harbors some feelings for her.  The other day I found a framed picture of her in his dresser when I was helping him look for something.  When I asked him about it, he said that he had forgotten about it and that it wasn't a big deal, but I just don't know."

Yunalesca's gaze soured and she said, "I feel sorry for him.  Nobody deserves to get hurt like that, not even Shuyin, but if he breaks Lenne's heart then I will break his face.  You have my promise on that one, Zaon."

Zaon laughed, "Go ahead honey, but you'd have to beat me too him."

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Pulling up in front of Lenne's house, Shuyin parked and exited the car quickly to open the door for her.  His father had taught him to be a gentlemen on dates and it was a lesson that Shuyin hadn't followed in his 19 years but with Lenne he suddenly wanted to be as gentlemanly as possible.  Once she was on her feet he offered his arm again and he walked with her in silence to her porch.  She unlocked the door and walked inside with Shuyin at her heels.  The small table lamp was the only light that was in the room until Lenne found the switch that turned on the ceiling fan. 

They stood facing each other like they had during the dance.  The hum of the ceiling fan droned above and the seconds ticked by.  Shuyin's eyes shifted between her eyes and her mouth and back again. Her eyes did the same, but quickly came to focus on his mouth. 

The tension between them was growing and Lenne made a move to turn away but Shuyin stopped her, "I need to tell you something." He said, his voice in earnest.  Lenne nodded and looked into his blue eyes as he said, "I think you're feeling the same things that I am and I think you're trying to fight them as hard as I am.  I don't want to get hurt as much as I don't want to hurt you, but I know one thing.  The heart can only move forward.  It can't go backward and I want you to know that if I have anything to say about it, you won't be alone.  You'll never be alone as long as I'm alive."  He stopped and smiled a little, "What I'm saying is that I really like you and I hope you feel the same way."

Lenne didn't respond with words.  Instead she tilted her head to the right a little and moved closer to Shuyin.  She heard his heart beat start to race.

His eyes stared into hers and  tilted his head to meet hers.  The first brush of their lips was gently and brief.  It reminded Lenne of the tiny kiss he'd given her just that morning.  For a brief moment his lips had been against hers and she longed for that moment to stretch into many more moments.   Letting go of the hand she had clasped just before the kiss, she brought it up to the back of his neck and pulled him down until they kissed again.

 

Shuyin ran his hands over her back, loving the small sighs of pleasure she would emit between feverish kisses.  She relished the feeling of his strong body against hers.  His hands were actively caressing her back but he didn't venture anywhere else.  She was happy that he respected her enough not to rush and was also slightly disappointed at the same time. 

Lenne wanted more and opened her lips slightly on their next kiss.  Shuyin knew what she wanted and he gently slid his tongue into her mouth, caressing the inside of it much in the way his hands were caressing her back.

Suddenly possessing a desire she didn't completely understand, Lenne shoved Shuyin over the arm of the sofa and climbed on top of him.  The blitzer seemed more than willing to comply with her change of pace.  The gentle kisses that had started between them were soon replaced with deep and passionate kisses that left the duo breathless with desire for each other.  Lenne's small hands unbuttoned his shirt slowly and trailed hot kisses down his chest but when her hands went to do the same with his pants, Shuyin tensed up and pushed her to a sitting position. 

"As much as I love this, I think we should stop," Shuyin managed as he tried to steady his racing heart and his over active hormones.

Lenne's face was a mask of disappointment.  Her brown eyes locked with his, "We don't have to," she said.

"Yes, we do." Shuyin said with more force this time, "I know where that entire thing was headed and I don't want to have things between us move too fast."

"I thought you wanted to go fast," she said pressing her body to his again, running her tongue over his bottom lip.

"Lenne," he started, trying to control his urge to flip her over and give her exactly what she wanted so badly, "I don't want you to hate me in the morning." He paused and stroked her cheek with one hand, "I meant what I said when I said that I like you.  I want to do things right."

"Yuna is going to flip when she finds out that you are just a softie in disguise!" Lenne teased. 

 

"Maybe I just want to make you fall in love with me first." he said with a smirk.

"I can live with that," Lenne replied as she climbed to her feet.  Seeing an opportunity he had to take, he rose quietly and attacked her from behind, tickling her hips and sending her into a laughing fit that ended with Shuyin having Lenne pinned to the sofa.  His body lay over her entirely and the intimate kissing began anew.  Lenne shifted a little and Shuyin moaned deeply into her mouth.  She squirmed again and got the same reaction which only made her desire for him grow as she gently moved his hand from her shoulder down toward her breast, but Shuyin grunted what Lenne believed to be a no and sat up suddenly. 

Taking a deep breath, he smiled at her and said, "You're irresistible, you know that?"

She laughed, "Then why do you keep resisting me?"

"It's difficult, m'lady.  Trust me." Shuyin kissed her cheek gently, "I think I should go before I can't resist you anymore."

"Okay," Lenne whined as she followed Shuyin to her front door.  He opened it and stepped onto the porch before turning back to her.  She smiled, "Goodnight…" Lenne whispered as they kissed lightly.  Kissing at all at this point was a mistake.  The kiss quickly to become more passionate and Lenne struggled to pull Shuyin back into her home by the front of his shirt which neither had bothered to button back up.  Shuyin grunted another no and both pulled away from each other, out of breathe.

"Goodnight," he said as he gently pulled the door shut behind him.  Lenne watched him from the window until his car was out of sight before she ran into the kitchen and grabbed her sheet of paper.  She suddenly felt inspired to write a song for the game on Saturday. 

It was thanks to Shuyin. 

Resisting love and desire was going to be the key for this song.  Resisting the emotion she was feeling.  She smiled to herself as she sat down with her pen.  Lenne touched her lips as she recalled the kisses he'd placed there only moments before.  Her heart skipped a beat and she giggled slightly. 

She knew she wouldn't be able to resist those feelings for long and she was happy.