Paine's POV

Sitting there in that chair was not very comfortable, but I fell asleep just the same. Mental exhaustion had finally set in. My thoughts were all swimming in one giant pool of chaos that made me feel dizzy and tired.

Sleep took me into a much more peaceful world where I was allowed time and space to think freely. I needed to figure out what it was Rikku really wanted, what I wanted from her, and what it is I was going to do about the way I felt.

Rikku had said she loved me. She was drunk, true, but mainly people said how they really feel when drunk. I wondered if she really did love me. I hoped she did. I couldn't stand this game any longer, trying to pretend I didn't care about her the way I do.

I knew I loved her. I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. It was all painfully clear now. I didn't care what anybody would say about it. They could feel pain if they messed with me. It would be hurt time. All I cared about was being with Rikku.

I decided that I would tell her how I felt in the morning. I felt brave, almost as if I knew she had to feel the same way. She just had to, it seemed so right.

After I sorted that out, Rikku's tantalizing voice came to shift my dream and thoughts into something entirely different and a lot less appropriate.

Morning soon crept up on me as I slept peacefully yet uncomfortably in the chair. I was awoken by the same voice I was dreaming about yelling "vilg."

My eyes snapped open and I stared silently at Rikku, who was still quite naked. She was sitting there, tears spilling down her cheeks as she sobbed quietly.

"Rikku?" I questioned, wondering what was wrong. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

She began to cry harder, burying her face out of sight.

I moved from my spot on the chair and sat near Rikku on the bed, asking her again if she was okay.

This time she looked up at me with her tear drenched face and heartbreaking sad eyes. She apologized.

I was quite dumb-struck, not knowing why she was saying sorry. So I asked what for.

She then proceeded to tell me she didn't mean the things she had said the night before. I could have sworn I felt my heart shatter and then burn. My courage to tell her how I felt went out the door.

"Okay," I said, not having the courage to say anything else, for I feared my voice would crack. After a few minutes I could speak.

"So you didn't mean it?" I asked, hoping she would say she did, and that she was just afraid or something.

She said no, stuttering as she did so.

I couldn't take it any longer. I knew I was going to cry, and nobody sees me cry. I had to leave. I stood up, grabbed my sword, and walked right out the door. I thought I heard her call my name, but I wasn't sure.

I walked through the lobby and straight outside. The sun was shining brightly, but all it did was make me even more angry, more upset. Tears began to stream down my cheeks in heavy flows and my vision was blurred.

I tried to wipe the tears with my gloved hands, but it didn't work very well. I ignored the looks I was receiving by the people I passed, and walked towards the Blitzball stadium. No games were taking place. I found an empty seat in the bleachers and sat there with no company except for a few gulls that were flying around. I was briefly reminded of the day Rikku had bothered my on the Airship, but thinking about that became too painful.

I didn't know what to do. I felt miserable, lost, and helpless. The only things I could think about were Rikku, hatred, despair, and even death. My world seemed so hopeless and pointless at that moment. It had for so long. Only Rikku, Yuna, and the Gullwings had made it worth anything. Now each of those was gone. The Crimson Squad was gone. Vegnagun was gone. My life had no purpose, and I was beginning to think I should have just died.

After an hour or so had passed my tears finally ceased. My brain was numb from all the pain, and I was staring blankly ahead.

Suddenly I could hear echoing footsteps coming up the stairs to my left. I looked, and there rounding the corner was Rikku.

Third Person POV

Rikku slowly walked over to Paine and stood in front of her. She shifted uneasily, wondering what to say. Finally she just whispered, "sorry.."

Paine jumped to her feet, a new anger burning brightly in her eyes. "Sorry?" She bellowed. "SORRY! What are you sorry for? HM?"

Rikku took a few steps back in fear. She diverted her eyes from Paine. "I'm sorry for making you mad," she whispered.

"Mad, Rikku? You think I'm mad?" Asked Paine, quieting down a bit.

Rikku glanced at Paine and nodded slowly.

Paine growled. "I'm not mad, damnit." She glared at Rikku. "Why are you even here, shouldn't you be off with Gippal or something?"

Now Rikku got mad. "You know Paine, you are so mean to me. I always try to be so nice to you, and no matter what, you're just mean to me. Always taking away respect points and making fun of me. Well I'm sick of it, Paine! I'm sick of it!"

Paine's expression froze and she stared, shocked, at Rikku. "I.. I uh.."

Rikku cut in. "Why are you always so mean to me anyways? Why do you hate me so much?"

Paine clenched her fists and snarled. "Hate you? I have to hate you Rikku! Don't you understand? I have no choice. I have to hate you. It's the only thing I'm allowed to feel. I can't love you, so I have to hate you. I can't love you..." Paine trailed off, blushing. She hadn't meant to say it. It just slipped out.

Rikku stood motionless for a moment, taking in what she just heard. "You love me? Or.. you can't love me? Why can't you love me?"

Paine stared at Rikku with a blank look. She figured she might as well say everything now. "I can't love you , because you don't love me. I can't stand that any longer.."

To Paine's surprise, Rikku giggled. She giggled and tears began to drip down her cheeks. It seemed very odd.

"Rikku..?"

"Paine.. Oh Paine," said Rikku in an odd voice.

"Wha-" Paine was caught short. She was confused for a moment, but then she realized Rikku had wrapped her arms around Paine's neck and was kissing her.

Both girls stood there together for quite some time. Holding on to each other tightly, as if afraid to let go. Finally they had to pull back for breath.

"Rikku," said Paine after a moment. "I don't understand..."

"I love you too, Paine. I have for so long."

Paine just smiled and kissed Rikku lightly. "Thank you, Rikku, thank you for everything."

"What'd I do?"

"You've showed me that it doesn't matter what people think about you. And you've showed me love, Rikku, you've showed me love."

Rikku grinned and took Paine's hand. "Come on, Paine. Brother will be worried."

And so they left together, starting a wonderful life together with pride.

Fin.

Yes, that was the end. Sorry if you don't like it. My muse has officially died for this story, but I did need to end it.