Paine's POV

I wandered around the city of Luca, paying no attention to the people around me. The shouts and laughter of the crowd seemed to be nothing more than a dull buzz. I even ignored the constant nudges I received as people bumped into me. Normally such a thing would have made me quite angry.

All I could think about was Rikku. I couldn't stop picturing her looking at me with such an anger in her eyes. I was used to Rikku being happy and smiling, not glaring at me and shouting at me. What hurt worse was the fact that I knew I deserved it. In fact, she was probably being too nice.

Ever since I accepted, or didn't accept, the fact that I had fallen in love with Rikku, I had been walking around like a time bomb just waiting to go off at anyone who was near. Sadly, Rikku seemed to be the one who always was in the explosion.

As I walked, I closed my eyes and pictured Rikku laying next to me. She had looked like such an angel, so perfect and so comfortable. My heart fluttered as I thought for a moment that maybe Rikku had feelings for me too. She sure didn't mind laying next to me.

Suddenly I impacted something, or someone, and found myself on the ground. My eyes snapped open and I muttered a quick, "I'm sorry!"

Whoever I had run into giggled at me.

I looked up and found myself staring right at Yuna. I blushed and stood up, brushing myself off. "Yuna, what are you doing here?"

Yuna smiled at me and said, "I'm here watching Tidus play blitzball. He's captain of the Besaid Aurochs now. They're having a match against the Luca Goers today, just for fun."

I nodded in response, unsure of what to say. Now that the shock of running into Yuna had warn off, Rikku was back on my mind.

"Is something wrong Paine?" Questioned Yuna, her voice seeming distant.

"Hm, no, nothing. Well.." I had trusted Yuna before, so perhaps I could do so again. "Rikku is angry with me."

Yuna gave a knowing smile that sent a shiver down my spine.

"What..?" I asked, nervously.

"Why is she mad at you?"

"I'm not sure." I said, knowing I was lieing. It seemed Yuna knew I was lieing too.

"Right. Paine, do you remember my concert in the Thunder Plains?" Asked Yuna.

I wondered where this was going, and nodded my head slowly.

"Do you understand what my song was about?"

"It was about.. saying what's in your heart before it's too late, before you say goodbye?"

"Yes, that's about right," said Yuna.

I stared at her. What was she getting at? She couldn't possibly know.. could she?

"Yuna..."

"She likes you, Paine, you know? She told me, but she's afraid to tell you." Yuna said, staring intently at me. I understood who she was talking about without asking.

"I have to go now, Tidus' match will start soon. Bye!" And with that Yuna ran off, leaving me standing there with my head spinning.

Rikku liked me? And Yuna was giving me hints to tell Rikku how I felt? How in Spira did that women know so much!

Pushing my amazement for Yuna to the side, I found the I felt braver and.. more complete. Suddenly I could think of nothing else but finding Rikku and telling her how I felt.

I took off running for the cafe where I had left Rikku, it was getting dark, and my legs were tired from walking around pointlessly all afternoon. My stomach gave an uncontrollable gurgle of hunger that I ignored. I had more important things to think about.

I entered the area of Luca where the cafe was located. There were a bunch of people standing in front the shop. I stopped dead, wondering why all the people were standing there, blocking the entrance to the cafe. Then I spotted the cause. I saw Oaka and Wantz standing at the head of the horde of people, selling items. They had become quite popular since Vegnagun had been destroyed.

I growled at this annoyance and began pushing my way through the crowd, earning a few hard glares. I didn't care. I finally found myself at the door to the cafe. I opened it and walked inside.

It was completely empty, except for the bartender. I walked up to him and asked, "Have you seen the blonde girl with braids?"

He nodded. "Yeah, she just left."

I turned around and was just about to leave when I heard Brother's voice.

"Should we come pick you up now? Is Rikku with you?"

"No, Brother. I have to find her, pick us up tomorrow, we'll stay in a motel tonight." The intercom clicked off and I exited the shop, pushed my way through the flock of people again, and looked around.

I took off at a run again, not sure where I was going. I decided to go towards the Sphere Theatre. As I neared, I heard movement and slowed down.

Keeping in the shadows, I inched forward, not wanting to interrupt upon anything. What I saw nearly killed me. I don't really know what it feels like to have your chest torn open and your heart ripped out, but I'm sure this felt damn close.

There in the moonlight in front of me, I saw Rikku. But she wasn't alone. She was standing in the arms of a man and she was kissing him. The couple moved a bit, and I saw that it was Gippal. My blood was racing and I felt angry enough to kill, but at the same time, my eyes had begun to water, and I felt defeated.

I was about to turn around and walk away when I heard Rikku.

"Gip.. Gippal. Get- get off." She sounded a little slurry. I narrowed my eyes and watched intently. Rikku pushed Gippal away from her, but then she seemed to lose her balance and fell against him once more. Instead of this worrying Gippal, he smirked maliciously. He was going to use Rikku.

Without thinking, I found myself running towards them. In the next second Gippal was laying on the ground clutching a bleeding nose and I was glaring at him, Rikku leaning against my side for support.

"You dirty pig," I spat, "how dare you try to use Rikku like that!" I kicked him for good measure and turned around to walk away, my arm around Rikku to help her walk.

Behind my I could hear Gippal muttering words that were not all that nice.

I made my way towards the nearest inn, supporting Rikku the whole time. She seemed wide awake and alert, yet she still couldn't walk very well.

As we walked I kept envisioning Rikku kissing Gippal. I felt incredibly jealous, but it helped to know that Rikku hadn't wanted to do it. Still, it hurt and I wondered what it must be like to kiss those lips.

"Paine... Paine I'm sorry," Rikku started to say, jolting me out of my thoughts.

"Shh, Rikku, don't talk." Together we entered the inn. I paid for a room and took Rikku into it.

"Paine," she began to speak again as I set her on the bed, "listen, I'm sorry I got mad at you."

"Rikku, stop. You have no reason to be sorry." I was sitting on my knees in front of her, undoing her boots. "You have no pajamas, so what do you want to do?"

She looked around a noticed there was only one bed. "Well, would it bother you if I slept nude?" She asked.

I hid my face as I blushed. "No." I said.

I watched as she slowly pulled off her clothing, piece by piece, struggling a bit. I was entranced as more and more of her silky skin was exposed, and I found it hard not to stare. Finally I managed to tear my eyes away to stare at a painting on the wall.

"Now it's your turn Paine." I heard Rikku say in a voice that sent shivers down my spine, good shivers, and I know she saw me blush this time.

"Wh-what?" I turned to see Rikku walking towards where I stood, a smirk on her face. She reached out and begun unbuckling my outfit. My knees were beginning to shake and I stared into her eyes, amazed at the emotion I saw there- a fiery lust, a vicious hunger, and perhaps even.. love.

"I said, it's your turn." She slurred a bit, reminding me that she was drunk and shaking me out of my entrancement.

"Rikku, s-stop," I said shakily, not really wanting her to stop. "Stop, you are intoxicated, and I can't let you do this." I looked away from her passionate eyes.

"But Paine, I love you." Rikku said softly.

My heart stopped and for a moment, I thought I had died. I looked back into her eyes and instead of lust, I saw love clear as crystal. Then her eyes slid out of focus and Rikku stumbled and fell against me, nearly knocking me over. I gave a heavy sigh and picked her up, placing her back on the bed.

After covering her up and stepping back, I took a moment to watch her sleep. She had fallen asleep almost immediately, either that, or she had passed out.

She looked like an angel, a goddess.

I sat in a chair against the wall and thought to myself. 'Does she really love me?' And that is the thought that lulled me into a semi-peaceful sleep there in the uncomfortable chair, with a sleeping Rikku nearby.