AN: Let's get on with it.
Disclaimer: Nope, not yet.
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It was their special place, their secret place. Wakka had found it years ago by accident. He had been playing with a blitzball when it got away from him and rolled through a bush. He pushed through to find himself at the opening of a cave. Always more curious then reasonable, he entered into its darkness. He followed its gently sloping path towards the tantalizing glow at the end of the tunnel. And, when he reached it, he entered into paradise.
Around him were high walls worn sheer by time and water. The water which was now the clear lake spread before him. Rocks jutted out over it from the small shore; useful for diving or for just laying and looking up at the sky that the opening in the cliffs allowed. And, at the entrance to this dream, was a touch of Besaid. For some of the most beautiful flowers, bushes and trees spread around the edges of the lake.
The first time, he sat there for hours, just taking in the calm beauty of it all. For here, in his secret place, there was no fear, no death, no Sin, only peace. The only person he ever showed was Lulu. And, together, they swore an oath that this would be their place and theirs alone. No one else, not even Chappu or Yuna, would be told about their oasis.
And, to this day, it was still their secret.
O.o.o.o.o.O
Lulu moved past the trees that were screening the lake as the sun began to set. She took a deep breath and felt all her worries and doubts fall away. "What is it about this place that makes everything so clear?"
She sat comfortably against a rock and watched the water ripple. A wicked smile crossed her face as she stood and began to undo her laces. "I haven't done this in ages." She laid her clothes aside carefully and walked into the cool water.
She swam slowly, the water moving over her body like a lover's caress. She dove under the surface, her braids streaming out behind her. She reached the bottom and shoved off, shooting back to the surface.
With her complete emersion she was washed clean, her mind clean and open. She floated on her back, watching as the sky darkened towards night. "I'm not happy, not really. I can't let fear hold me back. I've faced countless fiends, helped destroy Sin itself. So why can't I tell him those three simple words?"
She flopped over and began to swim laps in the water. She always thought better when she was moving. I've risked my life, can't I risk my heart? If I don't, I'll never know how good we can be together. I'll never wake up in his arms or hear him return my love. But, what if he doesn't return my feelings? That will change everything we have together, I'll lose his friendship. And that's the most precious thing in my life. But, if he does feel the same, I'll gain so much more them I already have.
As she swam towards the shore, she heard a rustle in the bushes. Though it was rare for a fiend to find its way down here, it wasn't unheard of. For a brief moment, she looked longingly at her clothes then readied a spell. She stood waist deep in the water, she would have preferred more coverage but she needed the space to move her arms, and called the water to her. Before it came any further, she sent the spell hurtling forward.
There was a crash and a yelp them Wakka came tumbling out of the brush. "Wakka!" He shook his head to clear it and pushed himself to his feet as she sank low in the water, trying to cover everything possible. He turned towards the sound of her voice and froze at what he saw. "Don't stare, you idiot! Turn around!"
He spun around, embarrassed at catching her in such an unguarded moment. He scratched the back of his head, a nervous habit of his when he was in a situation over his head. "S…sorry. I didn't think you'd be here. Weren't you with Yuna and Rikku?"
Lulu was grateful for his back being turned as a blush came across her pale features. "I was but Rikku…" The blush deepened and she had to swallow before continuing. "Rikku was being Rikku. I got aggravated by some of the things she said and left to clear my head. This is my favorite spot for doing so."
"Oh." Curiosity got the better of him. "What was she saying?"
Her reply was sharp and final. "Nothing." An awkward silence filled the night, neither comfortable with the situation but neither wanting to be the first one to leave. Lulu cleared her throat. "I thought you were going to take a nap while we girls talked. I'm surprised to find you here."
He heard the soft splashes of the water as she moved onto the rocks to dress and he fought back the picture forming in his mind. He tried to concentrate on answering her. "I was, I mean I did, but I had a dream…"
"A nightmare?"
He heard the concern in her voice and his heart jumped. "No, not a nightmare. Not a dream either, really. More of a memory, I guess. A conversation I had with Tidus not too long after he first got here."
"What was it about?"
Now it was he who was glad that his back was turned. Otherwise she would've questioned his pink cheeks. "Nothing important. But it set me thinking and I just couldn't sit still. I didn't know I was coming here until I was already here."
"Okay, you can look now."
He turned and his mouth went dry with longing. She sat on the edge of the rock, calmly unbinding her hair. Her shoes and stockings lay to the side and she dangled her feet in the water. He toed off his sandals and joined her.
They sat in the comfortable silence as the darkness fell around them. When it became too dark, she summoned a ball of light that hung over them, a variation of the spell she used at the tournament. In the quiet, a question formed in her mind. "Wakka?" He made a slight noise in response. "Have you ever thought of starting a family?"
He looked at her in surprise but her face was shielded behind a curtain of hair. One side of his mouth lifted slightly. "Yeah. I've thought about it. A lot actually. But I need to find the right girl."
"Oh. Do you…" She hesitated briefly, afraid of his answer. "Do you have someone in mind?"
He scratched the back of his head, blushing furiously, flustered by her question. "Well, I… uh… not… I… maybe…" He cleared his throat, uncomfortable under her gaze. "Yeah, I guess you could say that."
She took the pins out of her hair and undid her tight bun. She worked her fingers through the tight coils, separating the raven strands. He already loves someone. She swallowed the lump in her throat and blinked back tears. "Have you told her?"
He leaned back on his hands and felt the silkiness of her hair. He tugged at it gently. "No, not yet. I'm not sure how she feels. She's been in love before and I don't know it she's over him yet. And, as much as I want to be with her, I won't dishonor his memory or rush her. They both deserve better then that." His face was serious in the darkness.
She blinked sharply. Oh god! He's talking about Yuna. She pulled her hair out of his hand. "She's too young for you." He pulled back at her angry tone and opened his mouth to speak but she cut him off. "You should be ashamed of yourself. You're like a brother to her, almost a father." She scrambled to her feet feeling angry, betrayed and, unexpectedly, jealous. The thought of him with someone else, even someone she loves as much as Yuna, made her feel hollow, like someone had ripped out her heart. I've lost him, all because I was too frightened.
She leaned down to grab her shoes when he grabbed her arm. "Lu, what are you…" He lost his grip as she jerked away.
"Don't touch me pervert."
Wakka lost his temper. He took hold of her upper arms and spun her to face him, shaking her slightly when she refused to meet his gaze. "What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you acting like this?" She remained silent, a mulish expression on her face. He let out an exasperated sound. "At least tell me who you're thinking of."
Lulu's eyed flashed. "You know very well who I'm thinking of. And you're disgusting." She tried to pull away but his grip was like iron. She narrowed her eyes. "Let me go."
"No. Not till this is straightened out. I don't want you mad at me, Lu. It's bad for my health."
She was silent for a moment more them she blurted out, "Yuna."
For a full thirty seconds he stared at her, openmouthed, then he collapsed laughing. By the time he got himself under control, Lulu was fuming. He wiped his eyes. "No wonder you were so angry. Hell, I'd be angry at me too, ya?"
She sat down next to him. "So, you weren't thinking of Yuna?"
He made a face. "No way. She's too much like a sister. Besides, she's still in love with Tidus and I think she will be for a long time."
Lulu fought down a blush. How could I have been so stupid? She felt relieved, giddy and anxious at the same time. "Who were you talking about then?" The more she thought about it, the more confident she became. It has to be. It all fits. That means…
Wakka blushed. "Boy, is it getting late. We should get to bed." His blush deepened. "I mean, we should get back to the village. Yuna and Rikku will be wondering where we got to."
She grabbed his hand and tugged him back down next to her. She knew what she wanted now, there were no more doubts. He was everything to her and she couldn't risk losing him like she thought she had tonight. "Wakka, stay with me?"
He gulped as she moved closer and rested her head against his shoulder. Cautiously, he wrapped his arm around her, bringing her tighter against him when she made no move to resist. He relaxed as the peace settled over them again.
They laid down together on the rock, staring at the star filled sky. Her long hair flowed around them like a blanket as they lay together, wrapped in each other's arms. No words were spoken, but each felt the power of the moment keenly.
"Look, a shooting star." Lulu followed his finger. He nuzzled her and whispered, "Make a wish."
She propped herself up on her elbow and looked down at him. His eyes held the love she hoped for and the promise of a bright future. "I already have all that I could wish." She lay back down and cuddled into him. "I love you, Wakka. I always have."
He placed his fingers under her chin and angled her face up to meet his in a tender kiss. "I love you too, Lulu. Temper and all."
She gave a contented sigh and cuddled back down into him. After a while, the quiet was broken by her laugh. Wakka looked at her strangely. "There'll be no living with Rikku after this." Seeing his total confusion made her laugh even harder.
Wakka just shook his head. "You're insane, love. Completely insane."
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AN: There you have it. The end. If anyone would like to see what happens on their wedding day, just say so, if not, stick a fork in it 'cause it's done. Thank you all for reading and don't forget to hit that little button and review.