I didn't believe in destiny
I look up you're standing next to me
What a feeling
She was silent most of the ride to Djose Temple, her brain working in overdrive while her mouth seemed glued shut. Rikku didn't need this right now, or did she? The scenery before her eyes flashed briefly and drew her out of the little world she had been in previously.
"Spira to Rikku, HELLO?" She jumped and grinned, her eyes lighting up instantly. Shinra was standing in front of her, waving his hands around and trying eagerly to get her attention.
"Sorry, I guess I kind of..." She stopped and started bouncing on the tip of her feet and swinging her arms slightly. The younger boy rolled his eyes, at least, he would of if she could actually see the face beneath the mask. "What is it? Brother lose his way?"
"Actually, no. We're here." Turning away from her he went back to examine the many things that kept him busy while the Gullwings were without missions. She waved at the other Al Bhed's and grinned before she turned and walked out of the door, jumping casually onto the dusty road.
Now that she was there the old Rikku slowly came back and she nearly skipped up towards the entrance, eager to get it over with as soon as possible. She didn't see Gippal outside anywhere and breathed a little more freely, smiling at one of the guards and doing a sort of bow.
"Rikku of the Gullwings reporting for duty!" Ahh, it felt better to be carefree. They both nodded and pointed toward the huge doors, not really paying her much attention. Everything that bothered her before was slowly melting in the hot sunlight that was beating down on her. Gippal was the past, he would always be the past, no matter how bad she wanted it differently.
"Cid's girl, didn't interrupt you did I?" The voice. It was his voice. The same voice that asked her to dance three years ago at one of those horrible parties her dad used to have. He was standing there, one hand on his hip and a trademark grin on his face.
"Not that you'd care." She stuck out her tongue. Just play along, that was the key. "Anyway, what's up? Is the great Machina Master having, dare I say, some troubles?"
"You kidding? I just need some extra hands, we found something." She was curious.
"Found something? Oh, what is it? Tell me, tell me!" This seemed to please him and he started up towards the door. She followed, arms shaking back and forth and a hungry expression on her face. The old habits never died and the familiar urge to mess with a machine crept up on her.
It was darker in here and a distinct feeling of electricity was in the air. Gippal was now standing in front of a large and undefinable machine, the only thing that made it stand out was a bright blue line going straight down the center. Her eyes were glancing up and down, measuring and tearing apart the metal, something only an Al Bhed could do.
"Wow...this is ancient! Where'd you find it?" He didn't say anything for a moment and looked away, a suspicious feeling crept up on her. "Zanarkand? Please tell me everything still looks the same? Gippal that's like grave robbing!"
"Trust me, no one will miss anything." She was still a bit suspicious, but didn't press the matter. "You can go over there." Now he was talking. She didn't need anymore prompting.
Rikku was home.
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He watched her with his one good eye, a familiar feeling creeping up on him that he was always eager to keep hidden. Gippal had to admit he didn't expect her to want to come, not after what happened between them three years ago. Sure, she pretended to get along fine with him when her friends were around, but when they were alone he knew she was still hurt.
He didn't blame her, three years ago he had been so absorbed with machina he barely had time for a girl, let alone someone who seemed to drink twenty cups of coffee a day. He had realized, to late of course, that was one of the reasons he liked her.
"Gippal are you going to come help, or stand there and watch me do all the work?" She teased, a wrench in one hand and a screwdriver in the other. He nodded in response and hurried over, wanting to do anything that would keep his mind off of one of his greatest mistakes.
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"That was odd."
"What?"
"Rikku." It was dark outside, and Yuna and Tidus and found their way back inside, Pain had followed. The question had been nagging at the two girls, each thinking the same thing.
"It's none of our business." A typical response from the dark haired warrior.
"But aren't you just a little curious?"
"No."
"Really?" The conversation could go on for hours and Tidus was already bored with it. Sitting back with his hands placed firmly behind his head he decided he'd end it before it got into dangerous territory.
"We'll know when she comes back, won't we?" Yuna sighed, defeat taking hold of her features. The only person she could blame for her curiosity was Rikku. She really hoped her cousin would find love, she had noticed how sad the younger girl had gotten and she knew it had something to do with Tidus's return.
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It was past two in the morning when Rikku fell to the ground, rubbing her eyes and trying to get rid of any traces of sleep. Gippal was still unscrewing what appeared to be an arm when he glanced at her, trying hard to suppress a grin.
"What are you smiling at?" She said, stopping a yawn with one of her greasy hands. He shrugged and continued working, still watching her out of the corner of his eye.
"You can go to bed if you want." She nodded and looked around, an unreadable expression on her face.
"Where exactly am I supposed to sleep?" He set the wrench down and gave her a confused look.
"I guess you'll have to sleep in my-" Her eyes widened and she jumped up, her hands placed firmly on her hips.
"Gippal I can't...There's no way..." He shook his head and wiped his smeared hands on his purple pants, trying hard not to laugh at her shocked expression.
"I won't be sleeping in there." Rikku stopped and raised an eyebrow, her face growing slack and undecided.
"Where will you be sleeping?" He shrugged and nodded towards the huge machine that had taken up a good five hours of their life.
"I probably won't be sleeping tonight." She bit her lip and nodded, deciding he wouldn't try anything funny. "It's okay? Well I'll set it up for you." He made his way towards the room on the left, trying to ignore the look that Rikku was most likely giving him behind his back. When they walked in he made for a cupboard in the back and pulled out a new sheet and blanket, wanting to get her settled in as soon as possible.
It took him a few minutes to set it up the best way he knew how, and while he was backing up to admire his work he bumped into her. She looked up startled, a dazed look in her green eyes. He stared back, wanting to say sorry but feeling completely tongue tied. He realized their hands were touching, and a guilty feeling flashed inside of him as she backed away as if she had been burned.
"Uh...goodnight." He said quickly, ignoring the deep blush that had grown on Rikku's face.
"Yeah..." She replied walking over to the bed and sitting down, her hand rubbing the place where he had touched moments ago.
Later, he never admitted he had heard her crying.
