Apologies for the wait, but it's not been easy to write. Thanks to everyone that reviewed, and this is dedicated to Jordan, for pushing me to get my ass in gear! It worked.
This chapter sees the rating going up a little, though I've tried - and succeeded, I hope - in not making it too graphic. I'm spoiling so I'll shut up and let you read. Oh, I don't own FF or any of its characters.
The Days Without You
Chapter Four
"Will you be okay Lady Yuna?"
A little reluctant, I step up to the door of the shuttle, having finally reached my destination; Besaid. Rikku had boosted my fading heart and managed to put to bed a few of my niggling fears. Though I hadn't gone into detail about our marital problems, she had managed to persuade me that every relationship has its ups and downs, and that Tidus and I had been extremely lucky to not come up against any so far. To which I had frowned and she had hurried on to insist she had of course been talking about after we had become engaged, none of that nasty business beforehand.
"Lady Yuna?" I turned to the assistant who operated the shuttle door, his eyes questioning my faraway state.
"I'm sorry." I smiled sheepishly, a slight blush, I was sure rising to my cheeks. Being caught daydreaming was not something that 'Lady Yuna' should make a habit of doing.
The assistant seemed satisfied with my apology, his eyes tracing back up to the sky, his original reason for asking whether I would be all right. I followed his gaze with my own, my face turning grim as I eyed the heavy rain that awaited me on my walk home. It appeared as if the very heavens themselves had opened the sky rumbled and cracked, threatening and bleak.
"I'll be fine thank you."
He nods curtly, the door sliding shut and leaving me on my own, the quiet allowing my fears to resurface and play constantly in my mind over and over.
After my conversation with Rikku, I had decided to forgo the rest of my work for the afternoon, make my way home early and sit down and talk to my husband. The plan was to spend some quality time as Rikku had said a suggestive twinkle in her eye as she had elbowed me slyly. Sometimes that girl really had no limits.
I throw my hand up over my head in a pathetic attempt to protect myself from the biting cold mixture of wind and rain. Picking my steps up a pace, being careful not to slip and running the rest of the way home. Warmth and dry towels awaited me, as did my husband.
With fingers stiff from cold, I grasp the keys to our home in my hand and untangle the mass of metal to locate the correct one, eagerly sliding it into the lock and scrambling into our house. With the door safely shut and rain forgotten, I wander through the various rooms looking for my absent husband.
There's no sign of anyone downstairs, a thick oppressive feel to the silence that surrounds me. I'm sure that by now he would have finished his blitz ball practice, and it was ridiculous to think that he would be sat outside in the rain.
"Tidus?" I call quietly, my brow furrowing as nobody answers my call.
I drop my belongings on our sofa, grimacing as my wet clothes strain against my skin uncomfortably. It's ten steps until I reach our bedroom, my head poking around the door, heart thumping that little bit extra, only to find an empty room and undisturbed bed.
"Not here." I mumble. Biting my lip with worry. Was he outside, in this? I shake my head, water sliding down my neck and uneven strands of hair plastering themselves to my face. With a rough hand, I shove my wet mop of hair out of my way and retrace my steps. I was overreacting I was sure, he had probably been at Wakka's and decided to stay until the storm passed.
My gaze slid to the window, leaves and rain twirling in the wind, dancing with abandon, only to be spat roughly against the window and falling down its edge. I wrap my arms around my torso, straining as the wind picks up throwing more rain and causing my view of Besaid to become a blurry mesh of colours.
"Where are you?" I whisper, settling my stance into as comfortable a position as possible.
It seems like forever as I stand and watch the window, with no sign of my husband and no sign of the relentless rain stopping. Eventually, with a heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach I stumble back to the sofa, unceremoniously shoving my belongings onto the floor and lifting my tired legs up to rest. My eyes blink tiredly, closing of their own accord, and allowing my head to give way to a jumble of images and dreams.
It's late as a scratching sound brings me around, I freeze, the room is dark and the rain is still pattering lightly against the window. I'm not sure how long I've been asleep, but it must have been for a few hours at least. My clothes are still damp, crinkled and as uncomfortable as they were earlier. The scratching sound announces itself again, making me flinch, now fully awake I look around warily. The dark and my sleep addled brain make everything ten times worse, my ears picking up the sound and enhancing it to echo around the room.
I clamber off of the sofa, realising that I'm being irrational and at the same time pinpointing the sound to the door. I scramble my way to it in the gloom, trying to avoid stubbing a toe or falling on my face. Cautiously I trace the door with my hand, the sound continuing and with my heart in my throat; I grip the handle, pulling it open.
My eyes widen as Tidus stumbles through, caught off guard by the door suddenly disappearing on him. Keys in his hand - so that was the scratching.
"What are you doing?" I pull him the rest of the way inside, he's trembling and his hands are cold. "Have you been out all this time?" I take the keys out of his grip, dropping them on a side table and closing the door with my foot.
"Hmn." He's shivering and his clothes are drenched. I take a hold of his hand; it's icy cold and makes even me shake.
"What were you thinking?" Anger bursts out of me at the state that he's in.
His hand pulls out of my own. "Sorry." He mutters. A pang of guilt throbs through me at his reaction. He turns away and begins to walk off.
"No, I am."
He pauses, a tremor running through him as he turns around to look at me, eyes wary and unsure.
I smile sadly, my hand searching out his and gripping it tightly. "You've really been out in this?" He nods, grinning. The smile looking ridiculous in his current sopping state. "You look awful; we need to get you warm."
"You're not so hot looking yourself." He smirks playfully, his mouth twisting as another shiver creeps up his skin. I glance down at my clothes, realising that I'm just a slightly dryer looking version of him, my hair sticking out at all angles from my brief nap. "But… you still look beautiful to me." His voice is timid and deep. My mouth drops a little of its own accord, my eyes glancing up shyly. His fingers tighten impulsively around my own, his free hand coming to rest against my cheek. "Yuna?" I nod the answer to his question and so he closes the distance between us, pushing his lips to mine.
My eyes close instinctively, his lips cold and yearning for warmth against my own. My hand trails up his chest, the kiss deepening as he slips his tongue into my mouth, his chest vibrating as he moans. I find the catches on his shirt, tugging with abandon, unclasping each one and pulling the wet material off him. The soaked mess drops with a squelch to the floor, making me aware of our situation, hesitantly I pull back.
"Tidus?" He sighs, no doubt expecting me to pull away. "No, I…" I don't know what to say, his eyes are dark with desire, his hand still resting lightly on my shoulder, my skin burning with his touch. I should say I'm sorry, that we need to talk, but instead my hand traces his lips, wanting to turn back time to before I had spoken, breaking the moment between us. He takes the caress as a sign to continue, his movements more gentle as his hands search out the clasps for my own attire.
I lean my head forward into his chest, my breath quickening as his hands trail their way around my skin, my head lifting as he places kisses up and down my neck, working with precision as he covers every inch of my skin. My hand glides up his body, tangling in his hair and pulling his face to mine. Desperation makes my actions faster, my usual delicacy replaced with lust and any restraint made powerless in his hold.
We fumble our way upstairs, hands grasping and clothes dropping in our wake. Wanting, I pull him to our bed, his hands teasing my skin and leaving a feverish mark wherever he touches. Our lips meet again, this time myself taking the lead as I slide my tongue into his mouth, nimble fingers working their magic on the reminder of our binding clothes.
He pushes me back against the bed, his hand sliding up and down my body, caressing,and my head leaning back as I allow him to take me completely.
To be continued…
06/07/06 or 07/06/06 - Just a quick note to say your reviews are wonderful! Unfortunately the inspiration for this fic has dwindled, which is why it's not been updated in so long. I can't apologise enough.I'm not taking it down, as has happened to my uncomplete fics before, as this had happened once before with this fic and lo and behold it was eventually updated. I just don't have the story in my head right now, so sorry.
Information about my stories and their progress is always available and up to date on my lj - link is on my profile under homepage - or if you want to say hello, nag me or whatever.
As always reviews are appreciated, as well as any criticism. Let me know what you think.