Author's Notes: Hey! Last chapter got you worried? Who knows what might happen... But don't worry, I won't do anything bad to Gippal and Rikku THIS soon into the story. Muhaha. Just Kidding ^_^. Wait... what?
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The warmth of the sun engulfed Rikku's body inch by inch as she sun-bathed herself on the beach, jamming with the music that burst through her earphones. It was the next morning since she had dropped by Besaid, and she wanted to spend the rest of her day on the beach. Gippal had went back to the Celsius to sleep the previous night, and he hadn't come out all day. Because of that, Rikku didn't have any company with her. Yesterday while she was kissing Gippal, she tested him for the feeling that Yuna always experienced, but it was no where around that deep and seemingly perfect. Rikku knew she loved the way Gippal held her and made her feel... but it was no where near the way Yuna must've felt. Was there something wrong in their relationship? The thought only confused Rikku and made her wonder.
There was a gentle breeze and the echo of seagulls floated with the wind that late afternoon Rikku was laying on the beach. As much as Rikku loved Home and it's Machina-ness, she'd also love the sun and fresh air just as well. Rikku peaked open a single eye to spot a crab crawling across the sand. The crab had interested Rikku and caused her to sit up from her towel to get a better glance. She then tiptoed across the sand to stand behind the brightly red crab. While kneeling down, she grabbed a handful of warm sand and slowly poured it in front of the crab, causing the crab snip at the air. Rikku giggled as she watched it continue to try and grab the bits of falling sand.
"Do you like teasing crabs, Rikku?" Rikku heard a voice ask her from behind. The voice she had recognized was Tidus's, who probably was out to play some blitzball. Rikku switched her attention from the crab to Tidus and smiled at him.
"It's so cute. Wanna see, Tidus?" Rikku said with glee. She turned her head back towards the crab and found it missing. Rikku spotted the crab crawling away towards the sea. Getting up from her kneeling position, Rikku started to follow after the crab. "Hey! Come back here! Where are you going?"
Rikku heard Tidus lightly laugh as she went chasing after the crab. The crab was pretty quick, and it was only shortly after until it had crawled under a large rock, disappearing from view. Rikku sighed in disappointment to Tidus, who now was standing next to her sitting body. He looked under the rock and smiled at Rikku.
"Looks like it got away." Tidus told her as he scratched his head. He then started to bounce a blitzball in his open hand. Tidus asked Rikku to join him in practice. Rikku smiled wide and completely forgot about the crab as she grabbed Tidus's helping hand that reached for her. They ran to a wide opening and started to pass the ball back and forth vigorously, laughing every now and then from the fun they both were having. After they started to settle down with the tosses, Rikku thought it was the perfect time to talk to Tidus about Gippal. She gathered a lot of her courage and opened her mouth to express her uncertainties about him.
"Hey...uhm, Tidus?" She said innocently, a little nervous. She grabbed the blue and white ball that was hurled at her and tossed it back towards Tidus, waiting for a response.
"Yah Rikku? What's up?" Tidus replied to her while focusing on the ball at the same time.
"Can I tell you something? It's important." Rikku said, hoping he'd understand. "And will you promise not to tell anybody, especially Yunie? Please, please?"
"I promise." Tidus said stopping the ball in mid-air and putting it next to his side. He gave Rikku a worried smile, who obliviously seemed to be very nervous. Rikku stepped up to Tidus and then guided him down towards the pier. She had to make sure no one was able to hear what she was going to say. When they both got to the pier, Rikku sat on the edge and splashed her toes through the clear chilling water as Tidus found a spot next to her. Rikku then stopped and turned to look Tidus straight in the eyes.
"Tidus..." Rikku started, "You know how much I think you and Yunie are so perfect together but..." Rikku noticed that Tidus was giving her a sympathetic look. What was he expecting her to say? That she wanted him? No, she didn't want him to think that. Rikku saw his expression and turned her gaze away back to the water.
"It's about Gippal mostly. Don't worry, it's not about you and Yuna." Rikku said, her voice drowning slowly like a ripple in the water. She then turned her head back up to glance at Tidus's expression, which was blank. "Yunie told me about the way she felt when she was with you, and it sounded so good. And it hurt me to know that I didn't get to feel that way..."
"Rikku -- " Tidus started to say before Rikku interrupted him in mid-sentence.
"Well, not too long ago I started going out with Gippal. But sssh! It's a secret." Rikku whispered, squinting her eyes. A small smile formed at the corner of her lips. "Ooo.. and it has been so much fun. Until... that is, until Yunie told me about her feelings, and I got jealous. Gippal doesn't make me feel the way you make Yunie feel! And it confuses me." Rikku scratched her head and then stared out into the sky. This had been the first relationship Rikku had really cared for, and it scared her thinking there was something wrong with it. Moments after, Tidus had finally peeped a sound.
"Rikku, just because Gippal doesn't make you feel that way I make Yunie feel doesn't mean anything bad. But anyways... what did Yuna say about me?" Tidus winked at her as he joked about Yuna. Rikku pouted and gave out a little 'hmph!' Tidus laughed and patted her on back. "I'm only kidding."
Rikku eyed Tidus for a second before continuing onto her problem. "I just don't know what to do. Yunie kept on telling me that there was someone out there who would make me feel the way she felt. And when I mentioned Gippal, she disapproved. Am I suppose to leave Gippal to find someone better?"
Tidus thought about the situation for a while before he turned to tell Rikku what he had to say. The dropping sun left a golden hue to Tidus's eyes as he spoke. "Everyone has different emotions. You don't need to have the same as Yuna's just to know that you're in love. I don't know Gippal too well since I met him only twice... but he seems to be the guy that can make you happy, even if Yuna likes him or not."
"Hmmm..." Rikku hummed while she was absorbing the advice Tidus gave her. She brushed the hair blowing on her face to the side. Gippal did make her feel happier than she had ever felt before. So maybe her heart didn't ache from all the happiness like Yunie's heart did, but Rikku knew she was happy... a good happy. Maybe there wasn't just one certain way to feel to know it's love. Love isn't perfect. Tidus's words were true.
"Not only is it that... but these are Gippal's first days with you. You can't expect him to be so perfect so soon. Haha, I know for a fact I wasn't!" Tidus smiled warmly at Rikku. Rikku's face started to light up as Tidus's words started to touch her. Tidus then took his fist and nudged Rikku's arm. "Give him a little time, alright? You'll be satisfied in the end, trust me."
After Tidus said that, he got up and asked Rikku if she wanted to head back to Besaid because it was getting late. Rikku nodded her head no and told him she wanted to think a little bit more about her situation. Tidus placed his hand on her shoulder then told Rikku that things would be alright. Rikku smiled and thanked Tidus before he turned around and headed back towards the village. As Rikku watched Tidus walk away, she heard his moderate footsteps disappear into the night air as she lost view of his blonde, masculine body.
Rikku gave out a heavy sigh before she got up off the pier and headed towards the shoreline. Traces of her footprints carved themselves into the wet sand as she walked slowly around the beach, thinking about Gippal.
"Tidus is right..." Rikku whispered, talking to herself. "Just because I don't feel the same way as Yunie, that shouldn't change the way I feel about Gippal. And what's my big rush for love anyways? Maybe it's... maybe it's just because Yunie and Paine found it so soon. And I thought Gippal wasn't my love? Hmmm... how silly of me! Love does come in many forms... I guess." Rikku got off the shore line and sat on the cool sand to stare up at the stars. Gippal always excited Rikku, made her heart beat at a rate untamable, and he always kept her guessing. No one could ever make Rikku feel the way Gippal did. Also, those kisses she shared with him... there was nothing else in Spira Rikku would rather do than kiss Gippal. Why had thoughts of a false love clog her mind from feeling that way? She felt her heart drop with shame. Rikku gripped her legs to her chest and rested her cheek on her knees. She twirled a single finger in the sand, trying to figure out a way to make it up to Gippal.
"Well, if it isn't Cid's girl... all alone." Rikku heard Gippal's voice pop out from behind her. He had surprised her, but she was still happy knowing that he was there. Before she had the time to turn around, Rikku was being swallowed alive by his arms wrapping around her from behind, he rubbed his face against Rikku's cheek and cuddled his legs around her. Rikku naturally tangled her legs with his. The tingle of his warmth made Rikku realize really how cold she was. "Aren't you a little chilly out here? It's Cold!"
"Not really... " Rikku lied as Gippal rub his hand up and down her arm, warming her up the slightest bit. He then reached for a throw he had brought and tossed it around his shoulders. The blanket didn't touch Rikku at all and it confused her. She honestly was cold and that blanket looked so comfortable.
"Oh... I'm sorry did you want some?" Gippal said, smiling at Rikku. Rikku gave him a 'duh!' look as she reached out for some warmth. Gippal backed off and pulled away. Gippal was smiling a sinister grin and was obviously not giving any up. He gripped onto the blanket tighter as Rikku tried to pull some off. "Rao rao rao! [Hey hey hey!] I thought you said you weren't that cold. Hmmm.. this is so warm."
"Aww..Gippal! That's not fair!" Rikku pouted and turned her back to him, crossing her arms. She elbowed him slightly as he tried to touch her, obviously wanting him to back off. Not sharing the throw had frustrated Rikku, seconds later she grew silent.
"Well, do you want some or not?" Gippal asked her as Rikku sat in her rejecting form.
"Yes..." Rikku said through pouted lips. Her voice was barely audible.
"I thought you said you weren't cold, you little liar!" Gippal teased Rikku as he poked her gently in the side. The poke tickled Rikku and made her giggle.
"Alright! Alright... I'm cold. So can I please have some now!? You big ol' meanie." She said as she gripped the blanket one last time and pulled hard to cover herself. Gippal let loose and let her take control of the blanket. Rikku wrapped the warmness over her shoulders so it covered most of her; the only thing vulnerable to the cool night air were her and Gippal's bottom legs. Rikku felt much better as she laid her back on Gippal's hard chest, feeling his breathing rub against her back. Gippal sent a tingling surge to Rikku's arms as he cuddled her close to him, as gently as he could, protecting her from an invisible force. They both sat in silence, absorbing the moment. Rikku then thought of how foolish she was to even think twice about the way Gippal made her feel, or the way she thought she didn't feel when it came to him. Rikku felt his chin lay on top of her head, and a smile spread across her face. Just being here with him was fun and made Rikku feel like she was queen, the feeling wasn't quite love, but it was unmistakably pure pleasure. Or was it love? Just so different from Yuna's...
Gippal suddenly switched the mood in the air as he stood up, gripped Rikku in the sides, and lifted her in his arms. The surprised Rikku held onto Gippal's neck for extra support as Gippal suddenly started to run towards the shoreline. Rikku spotted the water and watched its darkness illuminate in the moonlight; it was so pretty. Suddenly, the thought came to her -- why was Gippal running towards the shore? Oh no way! Rikku screamed in her mind. Gippal was aiming to dunk her in the cold, breathtaking water.
"Ahhh! Gippal! Fryd yna oui kuhhy --" [What are you gonna --]Splash! The rush of cold spikes surrounded Rikku's body from head to toe as she struggled within its ice-cold depths. The sudden change in temperature woke her up senses, and caused goose bumps to crawl up her arms. As soon as she got out of the water, she spotted Gippal grinning and splashing pieces of water at her. Rikku blocked the splashes and started retaliating. "Oooo... You're gonna get it, Gippal!!!" Said the shivering Rikku as she started to run towards him in the water. Gippal, who was humorously running away in a game of chase, paddled as quickly as he could've through the water, laughing out loud as he heard the cussing Rikku inch nearer and nearer.
This is it...! Rikku thought as she got herself in the perfect position to stop Gippal in his tracks. With her leg strength, she pushed herself out of the water and hurled herself onto Gippal's back, causing him to trip over in the water and flop into the ocean. Rikku also went down with him. They both went underwater for a moment before they both reappeared on the surface, cold and wet. Rikku walked up to Gippal's chest and poked it with her finger.
"Ha! Take that Mr. Meanie... Whatcha gonna do now, huh?!" Rikku licked her salt-watered lips and waited for a response, giving him a little fake attitude. Gippal's smirk returned to his face as he stood there, watching Rikku blow off steam.
"I'm not going to do anything." Gippal said to Rikku. Rikku stopped bobbing around in the water and let her shoulders drop.
"Wh..what?" Rikku said a little surprised at the no reaction. What was going on here? She looked up at Gippal, who still seemed to keep the smirk deep in his eyes instead of his usual roguish grin. Wait a second...
"Just kidding! ...I lied!" Rikku heard him say right before the smile returned to his face. He pounced on Rikku with his muscular arms and pulled her close to him. Water splashed around the two bodies as Rikku struggled in his arms. She pushed at the leather straps that clung to his wet chest and felt her body give in to his tickling fingers.
"Aaah! Gippal! Hehe --" Rikku went on a giggling spree. "Alright! I give up!" Gippal finally stopped and let loose his fingers.
"Haha, not tough enough to handle a tickle attack, eh? And you go around fighting fiends..."
"Ooo... what do you know!?!" Rikku said, defending herself with a smile. She took a step closer to Gippal's broad body that tempted her so much, she had trouble holding herself back from jumping onto him.
"Oh, I know." Gippal said, adding a hint of confidence to his voice. Rikku had inch so close to him now, that Gippal could've swore that he had felt Rikku's body heat.
"Yeah?" Rikku said slyly, bringing her face up to his. Her eyes locked onto his and the feeling she had tangled with her senses so much, her body was shaking with temptation.
"Yeah." Gippal said with a monotone. Having Rikku be so near him and nothing happening cut his breath short. Something had to be done, or else he was going to die of the temptation in the air. He looked at Rikku, and saw her eyes sparkle in the moonlight along with the water surrounding them. She looked so sexy in her bikini, especially wet. Her long blonde hair, tangled but extremely spiceful, made Gippal want to rustle her up even more. He bit his bottom lip to hold back just a little longer... he loved the silent eye-candying they both were doing.
He is soooo fine. Rikku thought as she stripped Gippal with her eyes. He was always so covered though, she never had the chance to see or feel what was under that dirty well-covered outfit of his. It had to be good though, because already his perfect sculpture was bursting through his shirt... Before the two of them were about to burst from temptation, Gippal finally decided to make a move. He pushed his face into Rikku's and rubbed her lips dry with his. His movements were rough and wild, but it fit the moment just right. Rikku suddenly felt Gippal's hand pull her head closer by the back of her neck, and his other arm had found its way around her lower back. Slowing shoving her lower body closer against his, Gippal made Rikku's sensual senses tingle with want.
At the same time, they both broke their grips and backed off another, catching their breaths. Gippal grinned at Rikku, who smiled and crinkled her nose at him. Happiness filled Rikku's heart as she laughed with Gippal in the moonlit evening. Rikku bounced over to Gippal and flopped herself in his arms. He then lifted her up and carried her back to shore. When they both reached the sandy shore, they stumbled to the floor and found themselves staring up at the starry sky once again.
"Jerk." Rikku said as she hit her palm against his shoulder, then laid herself in his welcoming arms. She shivered slightly from the wind. "Now I'm all super cold!"
"Hmmm..." Gippal replied as he held her closer. "I got something that might warm you up."
"Uh huh. What's that?" Rikku asked out of curiosity. She lifted her upper body, moved her eyes to his level, and squinted at him. A smirk grew at the corner of Rikku's lips. Rikku watched Gippal smile at her then sit up. He then slowly inched his face closer and closer to hers, until he was to the point where he was breathing on her neck. Rikku thought he was going to engulf her with kisses, and readied herself, but she was waiting too long for him to make his move. What is going on here? Rikku peeked one eye open, and saw Gippal still there, just grinning at her.
"That's right. I made you all hot, didn't I? I'm that good. And I didn't even touch you yet." Gippal bragged. The embarrassed Rikku looked away to her left and denied it. How much more conceited can Gippal get?
"Whatever." Rikku pouted then crossed her arms. She really wasn't happy over this. He purposely embarrassed her. "Whatever you wanna think, Gippal!"
"Uh huh! I saw it... I sensed it." Gippal touched Rikku's arm and once again caused her to ease up and let loose. She couldn't deny it now. She looked back at Gippal and drowned. She couldn't stay upset at him, he'd instantly washed the feeling away. Gippal innocently pecked Rikku on the cheek, making her smile just the slightest bit.
"Ugh! Now don't think you can just do that." Rikku whispered to Gippal and nudged him away.
"Ah yeah?" Gippal pushed back at Rikku. "Well you better believe it girl, cause I'm coming right at yah!" Gippal then lifted up his fingers and started to jab at Rikku's sides, causing her to break out in laughter. Gippal continued to tickle Rikku until tears where forming in her eyes from laughter.
"Haha! Gippal... STop! Hahaha." Then he stopped. Rikku got up and covered her stomach.
"Mmm!" Rikku whined as she pounded Gippal's arm. "That was not fair at all!"
"That's too bad. Yep, I got you there." Gippal stretch out his arms and placed them behind his head, grinning to himself. "So are you cold now?"
"Huh?" Rikku had forgotten about the weather conditions. She paused for a second and examined the night air. "Uhmm... No, I'm okay."
"Haha!" Gippal looked at Rikku, laughing at her cuteness. He brushed off the dry sand on her legs and then looked at her, smiling.
"Uh... thank you, Gippal." Rikku grinned back. Rikku wanted to slap Gippal in the face to wake him up, and then they'd get to kiss until the sun dawns. Sometimes Rikku wanted Gippal too much. Then, there were times where she just wasn't sure. But she knew here and now at that moment, while she was just inches away from him, that she wanted what was there. So Rikku bounced onto Gippal and kissed him. They kissed until their breaths ran out and only the tension of silence and hard breathing surrounded the beach and that drowned into the waves of the water once they stopped. Rikku then laid her head on Gippal's chest and they were together in silence. Gippal's body warmed Rikku's as he held onto her tight. He felt her heart beat against his body, which made him hold her even more and didn't want to let go. It was just moments later when Gippal had looked down and saw Rikku's closed eyes. She was tired, and already close to dreaming. Gippal smiled within before he nudged her slightly to wake her up.
"Rikku..." Gippal whispered. "Rikku."
"Hmmm." Rikku said to him, still not opening her eyes.
"..." Gippal then lifted her up in his arms as she swung her arms around his neck for support, still with eyes closed. Her head drooped onto his strong shoulder. "Let's head back, Rikku."
Gippal then carried her back to the Celsius and laid her on a bed. He tucked the blankets over her and found a spot next to her side. Rikku rolled over, still half asleep and wrapped herself in Gippal's arms. Both wearied out, they dreamed with each other just minutes later. They were together now; nothing could've pull them apart.
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Author's Notes: Ta-DA! My apologies about the long wait. Hope you enjoy ^^. Don't forget to review your opinions :P.