Nocturnal Obsessions

Happy Ending

A small sigh escaped the warrior, and Rikku froze again as crimson eyes opened sleepily, slightly glazed with not-yet-forgotten dreams.

Paine blinked slowly, feeling something warm pressed against her lips. It wasn't an entirely unpleasant feeling. Then the warmth was gone, and she fought the grogginess that beckoned her to come back to the bliss of unconsciousness. A hazy shape hovered above her; Paine blinked again to bring it into focus, and was met with wide green eyes and black swirls. As the person sat up and began to move away, she shot out an arm, still fighting off sleep, and gave a tug.

"Rikku?" The girl fairly winced as she heard her name whispered, silently cursing herself for her foolishness. Her arm was held captive in a surprisingly strong grip. Her breath caught in her throat in a silent sob as she felt a tug, and Rikku forced her face up, still unwilling to see condemnation.

Emotionless red eyes met childish green ones full of guilt, and the Al Bhed girl shivered. "I-I'll go to bed," she found herself whispering hurriedly. "I'm sorry, I'll…" She pulled at her arm, trying desperately to relinquish it from the firm grasp and dash away. The grip tightened as she pulled, and something wet ran down the girl's cheek.

She stopped struggling as a hand reached up. For a warrior, Paine had surprisingly delicate-looking fingers. Gently Paine brushed away the tear, sitting up quietly, the cot creaking underneath them as she pulled the other girl down to sit beside her.

Rikku didn't dare breathe - for fear that this was a dream, born of an unhealthy obsession that had finally driven her too far - as she was pulled into a warm embrace. She didn't quite believe that this was happening…

But nothing happened. Not quite. The air was very still, the embrace gentle, both drawing in and holding at bay. Green and red met, and both held a measure of confusion. Did she understand? Rikku begged her to know, to discern what she couldn't possibly say.

After a moment, the older woman squeezed Rikku gently, just a little amount of pressure that was released after a moment that stretched forever. Paine was expressionless, those features that the blonde loved so much completely devoid of anything. But she knew.

"Go back to bed," her voice was almost mocking, but Paine's eyes betrayed her nervousness. "We can… talk, tomorrow." She pushed away; went to lie down.

Hope blossomed in her heart. Rikku stood still. Paine turned away, as if to ignore her, but her breathing was ever so uneven.

Hope became boldness, and, risking life and limb no doubt, the girl leaned down and ghosted her lips over the smooth white forehead, hand hovering over the trim waist under the covers. As the embrace had, the moment stretched out. Then she felt a hand brush over hers, and she stood up, quietly moving to her cot across the room. Her mouth and hand tingled.

Snatching her blanket from the floor, Rikku curled under the covers, burying her face in the flat pillow to disguise a giggle of delight.

Paine moved her hand very slowly to her forehead, and smiled.