Long, long, long, long time no see. As before, I don't own any character or number of Final Fantasy. Since as this fic has taken so long to update you may find it helpful to re-read the first and second chapter.

The Days Without You

Chapter Three

Vidina giggled as he sloshed water up at his Father's face, his hands using the curl of the wave to emphasise the rise of the water, his fingers impeccably timed to catch the lilt and slosh the salty liquid, thoroughly drenching his Dad. I smiled at the sight, watching as Wakka's face took on a surprised grin, though the boy was only two years old and loved to run and play on land, in the water he was like a fish and Wakka was obviously harbouring the wish that he would grow up to be a skilled blitzer.

Which was the main reason that the three of us were currently drifting lazily in the sea just off Besaid Island. In preparation to become a skilled blitzer one had to be a pro with the ball, only Vidina seemed to be more interested in watching the many faces of Wakka with each chilling splash. I had to admit that it was a funny sight and if I was feeling in higher spirits I'd have joined in myself.

Seeing his son's disinterest in training, Wakka's attention turned to the ball, plucking it out of the lapping waves and throwing it squarely towards my head. "So?" He questioned, one eyebrow perked quizzically.

I twisted in the water, my arm stretching out and grasping the ball out of its directed path towards my forehead. "So?" I countered.

"So you have a face like a shoopuff just stood on you, ya." I winced, alarmed that my emotions were displaying themselves clearly on my face. I throw the ball back at him, Wakka deftly jumping out of the ocean and catching it in one hand. Unfortunately, my attempt at sidetracking him failed and Wakka continued, "What's up?"

I shook my head, a small, if false smile creeping its way onto my face. "Just… thinking." Thinking of Yuna and thinking of our problems, which despite all of my best efforts, I still wasn't able to figure out. Not that I could tell Wakka any of this. He was a good friend sure, almost an older brother figure that I could look up to, anything other than this and Wakka would have been on the top of my confide in list. Nevertheless, this, this was Yuna, his little sister. How could I explain my troubles and not expect him to talk to her.

The ball comes flying back at my face. "You're doing it again." It was a teasing voice, but I couldn't help but detect the slight hint of genuine worry.

To reassure Wakka and stop the worrying questions that would follow I shook myself, the scene probably looking like a wet dog trying to shake its self dry. Droplets of sea spray fly out in all directions, hitting Vidina like sparkling rain and eliciting a bubble of giggles from the toddler. Wakka grins at the outcome, in turn splashing water at his son and sequentially forgetting his worry.

It's late at night and the best that I can do is sit drinking a glass of water on our old, comfortable, battered sofa. It's one hour past the time when Yuna normally returns home, not that it's anything to worry about, she warned me she would be late, she even suggested I go to bed. Yet I can't just lie in bed and wait, my mind is too restless for a start and sleep isn't even in the distance, my mind too alert with worry and thoughts.

I clamber up and out of the sunken chair, watching distractedly as the worn fabric stays in place, my left hand stretching out and rectifying the problem with one quick sweep. If it was up to me the sofa would have been out on its ears months ago, yet Yuna seems to like the piece of furniture, declaring it hers whilst wearing that delightful, soft smile. It was often when I'd sneak downstairs late at night to discover one sleeping wife slumped decoratively over both the chair and a pile of paperwork.

I always laughed at the scene, placing my arms under her body and scooping her up, her tired frame shifting to curl into mine as I carried her upstairs to bed. It had been a while since I'd discovered her that way. Not that she'd stopped falling asleep down here, but because I had stopped waking up, so used to my wife not sleeping in our bed. So maybe the problem lay with me. Maybe at some point I had let Yuna slip away from me and in turn, she had taken it as me losing our unique spark.

I walk away from the sofa and barrage of images of happier times. I love Yuna, I know that. Was it that I didn't show her that love? Maybe the problem is that she doesn't love me. The thought creeps unbidden into my mind, burrowing its way deep and settling inside of me. A painful throb that reminds me of its presence every time I breathe. The sound of laughter and girlish screams of joy fly through the room, breaking my track of depressing thoughts and peaking my curiosity. I walk to the door and peer outside, leaning against the doorframe as my eyes catch sight of a young, most likely teenage couple swinging in and out of each other's embrace.

The girl slaps the boy playfully as he swings her around, her feet landing delicately on the floor, giving her enough time to stretch and plant a kiss on his lips. I long to be that way with Yuna, wrap my arms around her and pull her close, planting soft butterfly kisses all over her skin until our lips meet.

Another girlish scream pulls me away from my wandering thoughts, reminding me of what I don't have and what I have at some point, unknown to me, lost. I turn away from the depressing sight, my eyes falling once again on the sofa. A disgruntled frown pops itself onto my face, everything in here is Yuna, no matter which way I turn there's some connection, some memory and right now, at this very moment I have to get out, away from the pain.

Leaving the house, I ignore the couple, my gaze steadfast on the gritty floor beneath my feet, the crunch as each step falls; resounding and echoing in my head, trying my damned hardest to ignore the laughter that rings out from behind, weaving its way through the air and causing that odd jolt of pain.

I wrap my arms around my torso, having realised far too late that the wind has picked up and a chilly breeze is now digging its cruel way inside of me. A great time to have forgotten to pick up a jacket.

My feet walk by themselves, shoes scuffing against the pebble like path that leads its way to the beach, winding its way in and out of the thick greenery of Besaid. Before I know it, the pebbles give way to sand, grainy particles finding their way into my shoes and settling themselves in for at least a week.

The beach when I finally arrive is deserted, perhaps because of the cold and dropping temperature, or maybe it's because the night is settling in, bringing with it a gloom and downpour of icy rain. I grit my teeth, steeling myself against each piercing drop that at any other time I would have run for cover from. The freezing droplets hit me, numbing my skin wherever they land and spreading a tingling cold all over my body.

I reach the shoreline, the waves lapping at my feet and soaking my shoes with the salty liquid. Not that I care as the tide comes ever closer, the sea now licking at my ankles and shoes sinking into the thick sand. The wind moans and whips my hair, sea salt stinging my face and as tears fall down my cheeks I try to enchant myself into believing that the weather is the reason that I'm crying.

To be continued…

First off I want to say I am hoping to update this frequently, yet don't expect it every few days as my muse just will not work that way. Yet, I am determined to finish this. On another note the rating of this fic may creep up in later chapters. I'm saying may as though I have the ideas; the chapters aren't yet written and could still change. I hope everyone is okay with that. As always your thoughts on the fic are welcome… and wanted.