2. Mine to Cherish

"Whatcha doin', Yunie?" I turned around to see my cousin, and former guardian, Rikku standing behind me. I smiled and just looked away. "You're missing a major party right now."

"Hmm, yeah I know. I just needed to come here and sit for a minute." Rikku sat down next to me and dangled her legs off the dock. "What are you doing here?"

"Maybe it's just the fact that everyone was looking for you and we all split up to find you." I gave her a surprised look.

"Wait, everyone is looking for me?" Rikku giggled and I gave her a little push to the side. Her green eyes sparkled with delight as she giggled. She was 17 and Al Bhed. My mother was Rikku's father's sister, making Rikku my first cousin. Rikku's brother, appropriately named Brother, is also my first cousin. Rikku speaks better English than Brother does, but Brother is getting much better. He once told me that he started to learn just so he could talk to me more. Yeah, that was a weird situation, but it's all right because I have my head set on straight. However, if you ever get Rikku really excited or really pissed off, she'll start speaking in Al Bhed. Maybe it's because I've spent so much time with her and Brother while I was in the Gullwings, but I'm starting to understand it more. I can't exactly speak it that well...except for a few short words every now and then, but I can understand most of it.

"Tidus was actually." Rikku gave me a slight nudge and winked at me. "You shouldn't leave your man while getting him back a little more than five hours ago."

"I didn't leave him, Rikku," I said as I shook my head. "It's just that, I can't believe this is all happening. I can't believe he's back...with me. I can finally tell him everything that I couldn't before due to the lack of time."

"Okay, so that still doesn't really explain why you're sitting on this dock all by yourself. If you wanted to tell him things, you should be there with him, spilling your heart out." Rikku stood up and put her hand out to help me stand up. "Okay, come on. Back to the village fire ya go."

"Well, see, here's the thing. I would be telling him everything that's on my mind, but I don't want other people to hear me, if you catch my drift." I flashed her a mischievous smile and Rikku understood. It's not just because we've spent so much time with each other that she's like my other half, but because anyone would know that since I haven't seen the love of my life in two years there were some things I was yearning for. I took Rikku's hand and she helped me stand.

"Just be careful, Yunie." She took the wine glass out of my hand and held it between her thumb and forefinger. "Just don't be having too many of these before you talk to him. You might not remember the night then."

"Hey, this is only like my fifth glass," I took the glass back from her and stared at the pale pink liquid inside. "I think." Rikku took the glass away from me again and held it out of my reach.

"Yep...that's like five too many for you. Yunie, you never drink." I gave her a friendly glare and we started to walk toward Besaid Village. "And don't think you're going to get this glass back either." Just to prove her point, she poured out the liquid that was inside the glass.

"Rikku, I was only kidding. That was seriously my first glass. Not to mention that it was still over half full." I don't think she believed me, but what she said was true. I never drink. I never found the amusement in it I guess. "What time is it anyway?"

"It's about 9:30, it's still early." I looked at the fading sunset over my shoulder; it sure was staying light until late. "So yeah, you have quite a while until people start leaving the fire. I still don't understand how you got away without a fuss."

"Well, Tidus was talking to Wakka and Lulu and I put Vidina to sleep, then decided that I needed to think. I've only been away for like a half hour anyway."

"Try like an hour and a half. Think about it, it's 9:30, and what time does Lulu put Vidina down to sleep?" I nodded because I realized that she was right. "Oh well, it's okay. I'm sure Wakka is still talking Tidus' ear off. Maybe about how the Aurochs actually had an amazing season last year."

"Oh yeah, sure, cuz that team is amazing." I couldn't help the sarcasm that came into my voice. As much as I love all the Aurochs, they did suck. The team was best when Tidus was in it, even if he said that he didn't have it in him to play blitzball anymore. He was still the heart of the team, he got them going. However, now that Wakka is a daddy, he stopped playing blitzball temporarily. He says that eventually he wants to play again, but we'll see what happens there. Maybe he'll teach little Vidina how to play blitzball, but I don't think Wakka will ever be on a team again. It's sad to think of that though, because of how much Wakka was into it.

For some reason, Rikku and I walked the rest of the way in silence. Maybe she was just thinking, but I have no clue. Besaid Village was an adorable town, and I love with all my heart. It's so cozy and heartwarming just to see it. Yes, it is very small, but I don't think that I would want it any other way. Everyone in the town was gathered around the fire that was set in the middle of the village, and I could see Tidus sitting down still talking to Wakka. Yep, as much as I love Wakka, he can sure shoot his mouth off about nothing. I could see Tidus' eyes light up the second that he saw me, and he stood up. As I got closer to the two of them, Rikku walked in the other direction toward the area where Paine and Lulu were talking, and I heard Wakka say to Tidus as he noticed the look on his face, "Ah, I understand. See you later, ya?" and Tidus walked over to me.

"Hello, beautiful," he said as he put his arms around me and kissed my forehead. "Where have you been? I've been worried about you. You went to put Vidina down and that was it."

"Yeah, I, um, went to the dock to sit down and think for a little bit." Tidus looked at me in a curious manner. "Just trying to absorb everything. Besides, I knew that Wakka would want to talk your ear off for a long time."

"It's amazing to be back." He said as I put my head against his chest and he put his chin on top of my head. "However, it's almost as if I never left in the first place."

"Oh you have no idea what it was like without you here. A day didn't go by where I didn't think of you." I looked up at him and his blue eyes looked into mine. He had the most amazing blue eyes, and I've missed looking into them more than anything in the world. Being in his arms again, looking into his eyes, I never wanted to be anywhere else.

"Okay, now it's not nice to lie about things like that. Get a boys' hope up and all that." He smiled at me, and I knew that he truly believed that I did think about him every day. He was all I dreamed about, all I wished for...and he was mine again. Mine to hold...mine to cherish.

"I seriously did though, and you know it. Don't deny it, because I will win this argument." He kissed me on the forehead again and looked at the crowd of people around the fire. I knew exactly what he was thinking. "Yeah, they'll probably be out here for a while."

"Where are we staying, anyway?" Tidus had a good question. I haven't actually stayed a night here in so long, I honestly didn't know where we would stay. I lived on the Celsius, the Gullwings airship, for so long...I really didn't have a place in Besaid anymore. My hesitation made Tidus smile at me. "Didn't think about that one, huh?"

"Well, I honestly didn't know that you were going to come back to me, so I figured that I would just stay on the Celsius for a while with Rikku and Paine. But I think that Paine is going to go to Bevelle to stay with Baralai for a while, Rikku mentioned something about traveling around with Buddy and Brother to rebuild Home...and I thought that I would help them out. However, now I know that us on the airship with people around...really isn't a good idea, ya know?" Tidus nodded and I continued to think. "Well, I guess we could go to an inn somewhere. Rin still has his travel agencies around...I personally liked the one in the Thunder Plains. We could go there."

"Yeah, we could do that for tonight if you would like to. It's not really the most romantic place in all of Spira, but we could do that so we can catch up and stuff. Or rather, you could tell me what you've been up to and I'll listen."

"Okay, that works. We just need to wait until everyone leaves." I looked around at the crowd of people again, and I realized that they weren't going to go anywhere any time soon.

It was about 11:30 before everyone started to slowly disperse to their homes, and let me tell you, it was about damn time. I could only tell the same stories so many times before I wanted to explode. Yes, I loved to talk, that's one of my favorite things to do, but how many times can I explain myself singing in Luca Stadium? Not to mention the fact that I had to lie; I couldn't tell them that it was an imposter in my dressphere who was singing and dancing. Wakka, Lulu, Paine, Rikku, Tidus and I stood around the dying embers of the fire discussing our next moves.

"So, where are you all off to now?" Wakka asked us all as we all shrugged our shoulders. "Well, let's not all answer at once, ya?"

"Well, I guess I'm going to stay on the airship for a while. You know that Pop wants to start rebuilding Home again and stuff...so I guess that means that I have to help." Rikku said as she shifted her weight. She was standing for a while and she can't tolerate standing still for that long period of a time. Then a goofy grin washed over Rikku's face. "Not to mention that I wouldn't mind seeing Gippal again."

"I think I'm going to go with Rikku until I get to Bevelle. I was born and raised there, so I guess I should go back. Plus, I think that's where Nooj and Baralai will be, and I want to be with them." Paine said as she crossed her arms.

"What about you two lovebirds, then?" Wakka looked over and Tidus and I. "Where are you two going to stay?"

"I...um, we don't know yet." I said as Tidus put his arm around me. "We were thinking maybe going to the Thunder Plains Travel Agency for a while. It's quiet there and we could talk for a while."

"Talk?" Rikku piped up. "So, that's what you young kids call it nowadays..."

"Yeah, pretty much." Tidus said with a smile. "But seriously, it could work."

"Well, you do know that they build a new inn over there right?" Lulu said as she pointed. Tidus, Rikku, Paine and I all had to look over to where Lulu pointed. We obviously didn't even notice it. "It's right next to the temple. How you missed it I have no idea."

"It's more like a townhouse really," Wakka said. "Maybe you two could rent a room until you get a place of your own, ya? I could say that you could live with Lu and I, but—"

"It's okay, Wakka," I interrupted. I didn't know where he was going to go with that sentence...so it was better if I just interrupted him before he said something awkward. I've known Wakka and Lulu since I was seven, and the thought of them doing anything kinda grossed me out. They were like family to me, basically the only family I have, so yeah. I think you catch my drift. "We'll go check it out though."

"Hey, how many rooms are in the townhouses?" Rikku asked as I kind of threw her a look. "What? Paine and I could stay there for a night that way we don't have to bother Buddy and Brother."

"It's a good idea actually, Rikku." Paine said as she gave a surprised look to Rikku. "For once, you actually came up with a creative idea. Very surprising from a blonde like yourself."

"Hey!" Rikku said trying to sound hurt, although she smiled. I shook my head and smiled, because I think she's proud to be cute and blonde. "Okay, let's go you guys."

"Okay," I said to her. We all said good night to Wakka and Lulu and headed over to the new townhouses.

The townhouse rooms were very nice actually. They had one bedroom, (at least ours did. Paine and Rikku got the two bedroom one) a kitchen, a laundry room, a bathroom, and a nice living room. It was going to be a nice place to start off for a little while. It was decently priced too, although I wasn't worried about spending some quality gil for a place. I was off fighting fiends for a long time, I think I worked up a little gil, even though I split it with Rikku and Paine. I also knew that Tidus and I would never run low on gil because we're both excellent fighters and we could destroy fiends without thinking twice.

"Ah!" Tidus said as he threw himself down onto the bed in the bedroom. "Alone at last!"

"I know," I said as I lied down next to him. I rested my head against his chest and tried not to fall asleep right then and there. I was exhausted. I worked my way through the Farplane, destroyed a machina that was capable of destroying the world, beat up a guy that looked like the love of my life, helped two dead people find eternal bliss, and I got the love of my life back. "I am so tired, you have no idea."

"You had a rough day, I'm not surprised." There was silence for a moment, and as I was lying on his chest, I could hear his pulse becoming faster. I knew exactly what his intentions were. "Do you...actually want to go to sleep though?"

"Tidus, I don't think I have the energy to actually do anything right now." I couldn't believe I said that out loud. I could sense the disappointment in Tidus by the way his pulse slowed down. "I just want to lie in your arms and do nothing."

"Okay, that's fine." He actually didn't sound too hurt. "Whatever you want to do is good for me."

"Yay," I said quietly as I snuggled up to him. "However, I do want to get under the covers."

"Agreed." Tidus and I both got up, stripped down to our underwear, and got underneath the covers. He moved his body close to mine and held me tightly. I never wanted him to let go.