A/N: Thank you for the reviews you guys, for your comments and helpful criticism. I especially like it when you specify certain parts of the story you didn't or did like – it makes it easier for me to know what is good with my readers and what isn't. I was so happy when I saw the sudden jump of new readers that I decided to create another extra long chapter for you guys! Enjoy!
O-Rikku-O: I'm so sorry! LOL it's just because school and all; no time to write!
PSPhreak: Don't worry, I didn't forget it :D
Perfect Stranger: LOL, if only I could afford a PS2. ahah, and thanks for that nice comment; I'm glad you're enjoying this!
Taryn: Wow, really? Aww gee, that's a boost of confidence ahha. I'm still debating about the ending. It looks good at this moment; but I can tell you right now that I'm not really into those really fluffy-marshmellowy-sweetness type of endings – yet I still hope you'll stick around to see how it turns out!
XoxCabrera27xoX/ chibs3000/ mentalsunflower/ lucasANDpeyton4e: Oh my, lol. You guys make this story sound too good ahhah. S'all good, though ahha, thanks!
Riu: I know, Rikku's been going back and forth and all over with all these men. This chapter, she chooses :D
Chili-Girl: Lol, I think your luck disappeared on me ahha. But yeah, next chapter, Gippal will get his turn – don't you worry!
The sun was finishing the final leg of its journey, having burned the long forgotten blue sky into ashes of warm reds and oranges as it leisurely made its descent towards the horizon. A gentle breeze accompanied the serene evening and whirled around me like the arms of Mother Nature.
It truly was a magnificent sight, calm and quiet. The sign that a day's work has ended and that rest would finally follow.
Maybe I could like sunsets too…
"Rikku?" came a curious voice.
I turned behind me and smiled as I saw Chuo advance. "Hey there," I responded cheerfully.
Wait, whoops. Wrong person to be cheerful at, especially now.
"Hey there," I said again, a bitheavier this time so I'd set the mood.
He came and sat down beside me. "You sound depressed. What's wrong?"
I folded my hands carefully. "Chuo, I-" Breathe, breathe, breath. "I – I …" Breath out, breath out, breath out.
He laughed at my nervousness. "You, you, you?"
"I-I think you're a really great guy."
He frowned.
NOOOOOooo! I didn't even start it yet! Rikku, you bad bad meanie! Oh, and this day had begun so well too.
I turned away from him and buried my head in the pillow of my arms.
"Rikku?"
Oh, I'm horrible. Kill me, shoot me, stick a fork in my eye – no wait, I don't want to look like Gippal. But I'm a terrible person, I know, I really am. I don't deserve to find love, ever, ever! I don't deserve happiness, take it away and feed it to the Chocobos!
He caressed my arm gently. "Rikku…"
(Sigh) Why don't we rewind to this morning, hmm? Let me dwell in my deserving sorrow and guilt while you watch the events that led up to this climatic moment.
(Rewinds film in photographic memory) You, my friend, should at least have something better to see than my pathetic self right now. (Presses Play)
-
The sunlight glimmered through the window and danced on his golden hairs like pyreflies. And every once in a while they would sway back and forth, in the air that rose from the breath of his constant snore.
I couldn't help but sit and stare underneath the warm bed sheets, watching his every movement, listening to his every sound. How innocent he looked. How angelic he looked. If only for every waking hour of his life he would act as such, maybe it wouldn't be so hard for me to admit to him.
I mean, he was everything a girl would never want in a husband. He was – oh must I repeat this list that you've come to know so well?
And yet last night, in the midst of one of my dreams, he secretly took me into his arms to place me in sanctuary before confining himself to the dreadful flat ground below. It was so thoughtful, so considerate, and so romantic; it was all the words that would never fit in G.I.P.P.A.L.
And as I sat upon his bed, staring down at his asymmetrical position, a flow of guilt passed through my body for calling him all those cursed names before the night had gotten to me.
His actions were so unlike him – or were they?
If I recall the memories of the past in which I awoke to the morning after one of our nightly occurrences, I can remember the things he would leave behind to show me he cared. A warm blanket, a comforting scarf… and now this?
Was he planning it all along? I'd like to think he did. That he's cared for me, and always has. That like I, the more he insults me, the more he longs for us to be together. The thought itself is idealistic and seemingly like a fantasy – a destiny meant for people apart from him and I.
But what if such feelings were true? That somewhere inside he holds a passion as do I and that once we've gathered the courage to past all possibilities of humiliation and rejection, that we would finally be able to confess to what we've known since that pleasant day watching the sunrise. That we're, that we may –
"HHUUgguFFffggaa…"
…And I so had a mood thingy going on there!
I sighed deeply and watched him recover from his snore-attack.
You know what I've realized this morning? You were right all along.
I like him. I really really like him.
"GUUhhhrffaghhh…"
I like the way he looks at me. How he makes my insides melt. How he'll send shivers down my spine and tingles through my skin, the command and control of a masculine man indeed.
How he can erase the surroundings of the world, and make it so it's only me and him. And how he'll tell me with the glance of his eye or the turn of his head that he's always there for me, like a guardian angel for say, though at times it seems he is not.
"OOaahhggffhhhkaa…"
I like the way he talks to me. How he's words would remain in my ears long after they've been spoken. How his wit and sharp thinking curves around my defences and finds a home in the depths of my heart.
How he's able to sway my thoughts, and render me speechless. How he'll make me laugh, make me upset, or make me happy with every line. How everything he says seems directed only to me; only for me to hear; whispers forbidden to any wandering female ears.
"KAwwFFGGhhhuga…"
I like the way he treats me. How he gives me space. How he refuses to wait on me hand and foot like other men I know. How he lets me be independent and do things on my own. How he'll never cling on to me like some helpless being.
How he acts like he doesn't care about my physical condition, but then afterwards, in the secret of the night or underneath a tangled conversation, his concern would sneak out and watch over me in protection.
"HuuAHUuhhRikkuahgffg…"
… Wait, what?
"EEuuhhGhhaaRikkuIlovaghha…"
… Am I hearing things? Did he just say my name?
"GhharrgRikkurawwrrhh…"
I was curious, okay? So I crawled out of bed and crept up beside him.
Was he dreaming about me?
"Ghuh..Raek…cuu…"
I leaned closer.
"UGkkarruRik…k…"
I had to get even closer. The mumbling was getting strangely quiet. And when I finally felt his warm breath on my cheek, he uttered ever so silently,
"RRrikkuu…"
Before I could blink in awe, he swiftly seized my arms and pinned me to the ground, a sly smile plastered on his lips as he stared down at me. "Now, Cid's Girl… I know I'm irresistible, but you really shouldn't be taking advantage of men in their sleep."
Oh, he was so awake the whole time…
I sneaked from under him and stuck out my tongue. "Don't flatter yourself."
He reached out and patted my cheek softly. "Right, you can do it for me."
"But then I wouldn't have anything to say."
Eurikku! I think I've found my light bulb!
He smirked. "Maybe you just got too much you want to say."
I placed a finger to my chin and pretended to ponder. "No, I'm pretty sure there's nothing."
Wow! Two in a row! (Dances) Lalalala!
"Well then I guess I got to give you something to flatter me on."
"Hah, I don-"
Then he suddenly tackled me to the ground once again and pressed a kiss upon my lips. He held me still, his mouth pushed against mine, viciously fighting for control of the fever that surged between us. His hands, his fingers, fiercely roamed all over as we rolled fervently on the floor.
I think I'll name that kiss. Let's call it the The RG.
See, before, I probably would've knocked out his other eye by now for doing that. But considering that I just had somewhat of an epiphany this morning regarding my feelings for him, I think I'll just go with the flow…
BOOM!
…Don't worry, oOoDancingQueenoOo! It wasn't a bomb; it was just Rleyd.
ACK! WHAT?
Gippal instantly flipped off of me and stared at the wide-eyed Rleyd standing by the door. He reached for the back of his neck and asked in the most innocent voice, "Yes?"
"Uhh… Just wanted to tell you we've arrived. We-We're ahead of schedule."
Gippal relaxed and leaned back against the frame of the bed. "OOOkay. Good."
Pause.
Rleyd cleared his throat. "Um, yeah, I think I'll… I should be going now." And he quickly stepped out and shut the door behind him.
Second pause. Oh crap, here comes the awkward moment. Alright, what are you gonna say Rikku? Will you tell him what your heart has told you? Will you finally admit to him your true, pure, totally oh so real feelings for him so you can both live happily even after the 'ever after'? Oh, such a mind-boggling decision!
Gippal stood up. "Hungry?"
(Blinks)
I just had the kiss of my life and he's thinking about food.
"We can take a quick break for breakfast or lunch… or both." He casually walked into the bathroom. "I need something to eat before we start loading the equipment." He stepped out, toothbrush in his mouth, foam on his face, and a comb stuck in his hair. "Hey, how's your foot by the way?"
(Blinks)
"Better, yeah? Alright." He stepped back in. "Well if it starts hurting again, you don't really need to help out. The guys can handle it. Actually, maybe it's best if you don't put any pressure on that foot until it's completely healed. We're ahead of schedule so I think we'll try and hurry with the rest of the places your dad said so we'll only have to go to Luca for tomorrow. " He spit the toothpaste out and rinsed his mouth. "We'll be heading towards Djose by tonight. We'll probably stay at the temple for the night too." He stepped out, all cleaned up and looking refreshed. "You can definitely look forward to some good food by then," he laughed. "Hey, you wanna wash up now?"
(Blinks)
I am speechless. Nothing happened. To him, it was as if nothing had happened.
He then walked over to me and leaned down. He smiled roguishly. "Am I that good of a kisser that you can no longer talk?"
OH, so now suddenly something did happen.
I shoved him and stood up.
He chuckled and trailed after me. "Is that a yes?"
I headed towards the bathroom. "I didn't say anything."
"So it's a no?"
"Yes, wait – I mean no. No, uh, yes. Yes no…" I turned away. "You're ugly."
He shook his head amusingly. "When you're ready to flatter me, I'll be outside." And then he left me to my thoughts.
The rest of the day was spent in ponderization - Yes, that's a word in the Rikku-Dictionary Revised Edition. I kept thinking about what I was going to say to him. I knew that this wasn't something I could ignore. I mean, despite all his faults – and there are many – I just can't ever really hate the guy, you know? I like him. I like him for his faults, because he always finds a way to repair them after.
I know I like him. I just don't know if he likes me.
He doesn't talk about his feelings and he's so sarcastic and conceited sometimes it's hard to understand him. His comments are flirtatious, his actions are flirtatious, but is he really flirting, or is that just him? It's confusing.
Take his last statement for example: "When you're ready to flatter me, I'll be outside." Let's approach this carefully and with close inspection: Now that seems very much like an arrogant comment – and it most likely is – but could it be his way of asking me if I wanted to flirt back with him? And if it is, does that mean he's interested in me? And if it is, does that mean that he likes me? Because if he likes me and I like him, then I like where this is headed.
But then again, he probably acts that way with all the girls.
But does he spontaneously kiss them with a poor excuse such as flattery to support his actions?
…I don't think so either.
But you see, if it turns out he does like me, and I like him, that means, hello! I must first…
(Dramatic music)
And looky here, we've ran out of film. It's evening. I'm on the deck of the ship. I've just broken Chuo's heart by complimenting him.
Ahhh! I'm so horrible! So mean, so selfish, so unbelievably cruel! I put the 'B' in 'Witch', I know!
I flung myself on him and gripped him tightly, groaning in misery at the pain I've already caused him.
He patted my back gently, forcing out a grin. "It's okay," he said, trying to calm down my muffled apologies. "You're not the first."
OH NOOOO! That's even worse!
I wailed in agony.
"Shhh," he hushed me. "Don't worry, Rikku."
Don't worry? Don't worry! I just rejected him after leading him on all this time! This will so NOT be good for my karma!
"Chuo, Chuo, I'm so sorry," I sobbed out hysterically. I hope he didn't think I was faking it. Ouu… that wouldn't be good…
He leaned his chin against my forehead and let out a sigh of amusement. "It's okay, Rikku. I'm used to this happening to me."
I howled out again.
"Rikku, please stop crying."
No, I couldn't! I'm mean, horrible! I deserve to cry and be in melancholy for the rest of my meaningless life.
I think my inner Drama Queen is coming back.
"You're kinda giving me a headache."
Kick her out please, and thank you.
I sniffed and tried to hold back another flood of tears.
He gently wiped them away with a stroke of his thumb, all the while smiling at my pathetic self. "It's alright Rikku. It's not your fault." He leaned back. "It's fine with me, really. Don't feel pressured to like me back. Follow your heart, Rikku. Be happy, and even though it's not with me, I want you to be happy." He traced my cheekbone softly. "But no doubt I'll miss you."
Hmm. He's saying all the right things. This is too good to be true.
I bawled out in another cry of guilt.
Chuo laughed uneasily. "Rikku, really." He tried to secretly inch away from me. "Please stop."
I wiped away my own tears and looked down in embarrassment. "Sorry."
He smiled. "Don't cry, Rikku. You -" He hesitated. "You can't catch Gippal's eyes – eye with a face full of tears and your hair in tangles."
I glanced up at him. How did he know?
(Gasps) You didn't tell him did you! Nooo! You so broke our Friendship Rule Number 164!
…What? (Smiles) Oh, thank you for being so loyal!
…We don't have a friendship rule book? Hmm, we really should.
He smirked and got up. "I need to be going. I'll… catch up with you later, alright?"
I nodded apprehensively. "You sure, you're okay?"
"Yeah, as long as you don't burst into another cry, I think I'll be fine," he laughed gently. He then waved slightly and disappeared below the deck.
… Wow, what a guy.
If Gippal were like him, I think I'd have a heart-attack. Yep, no sirrie bobby, I like my Gippal the way he is. That's right, Lady Luna, you can buy the whole stock of Gippuos off of Ebay! I don't want one anymore.
Chuos are too sweet. Too nice. Too perfect. It creeps me out, you know? Guys like that aren't supposed to exist.
I like my jackass. I like the way he looks at me, talks to me, and treats me. No Gippuo can ever do that.
HMM. Speaking of Gippal, have any plans on how I will admit my feelings to him?
Wait. Should I at all?
I always kinda believed that that's the guy's job to do, don't cha think so? It would seem so desperate and childish if I was the first to say it – and that's something I can't let him think I am.
Wait. Does he even like me?
Oh, here we go again. You know what? Forget it. I don't care. I'm going to let him know. I'll throw away what's left of my Rikku dignity and let him know my true emotions.
HMM. But how should I do it?
… How would Gippal do it?
(Mischievous smile) … Not a bad idea Rikku.
I got up and went back into the airship.
Wow, never done anything like this before though. Eek, what if I screw it up?
I passed by the guys at the controls and headed down the empty hall.
Oh damn, it would look really bad if I screw it up. But it would be so hot if I don't.
…What? I know! This is so unlike me. (Sighs) But when your heart holds the joy – the ardour that mine holds, you don't care about anything anymore.
I stopped and placed my hand on the door handle. Taking a deep calming breath, I opened it with ease and stepped inside Gippal's cabin room.
The room was dark. The lights were off, with only the dim, sunlight rays from the window scarcely outlining the furniture in the room. But the only thing my eyes were concentrated on was the lone figure standing by the bed.
With a burning sensation engulfing my body, I leapt into the air and jumped on him, pushing us both onto the bed. And then, I finally revealed to him the truth of my emotions with a tender RG.
How did it feel? Remarkable. To finally have my feelings out there in the open and for him to return the kiss too! You can't understand the relief, the joy that overflowed throughout my body. I was immune to all but me and him, wrapped up in the middle of the passion of the night.
It was the perfect Drama Queen Ending.
BOOM.Ugh, not again. (Frowns) ArikkugippalFan I thought you were going to keep Rleyd busy.
The lights flicked on.
"What the hell…?"
That's not Rleyd.
Hey wait just two and a half seconds; that sounded an awful lot like… I whirled around to face the door in horror. "GIPPAL!"
He stared back at me, his expression unreadable.
If that's Gippal, then who's… (Gulp) I glanced down at the man underneath me.
Chuo.
… You know, you might not want to see what happens next; I know I don't…
A/N: I don't know how the Djose Temple looks like! So far from what I've gathered it floats on cliffs and there's lots of lightning? The interior, the exterior, where a ship (like this one for say ahha) would land?
The next chapter might be a while before it comes out. Expect it during the 10th or 14 of February because I'm trying to make it quite lengthy as well. I'm trying my best to get it out sooner, but the new semester starts so fricken soon bahh!
Thanks for reading. Please Review.