Against the Odds.
Chapter 9.
The dark room was illuminated by a single candle in the kitchenette. Tidus was awake and stood, drinking a cool glass of water. Though it had been just a couple of hours, he hadn't slept much, and his tossing and turning had aggravated him enough to get out of bed and distract himself. The island heat wasn't as bad at night, but the humidity was still high, and the sweat on the back of Tidus' neck caused his hair to stick to him. The cool liquid was refreshing, and Tidus took in his surroundings; the windows were open, and the nets were gently moving in the breeze. The island was quiet; all Tidus could hear was the water splashing against the wooden walkway below and the nocturnal insects singing in the moonlight.
There were still some hours before daybreak, and Tidus wanted to get some sleep before he had to really get up, but his mind was running through what had happened, and, more importantly, what may happen soon. His thoughts had been of Yuna, of course, wondering what she was doing. Was she thinking of him? Was she even awake? Why did she ask him to breakfast? Was she as anxious as he was about meeting again? He couldn't shake her from his head.
He placed his glass next to the small sink, a light "clunk" sounded as the glass hit the wooden sideboard. He decided to keep the candle lit, as it seemed to ward off small midges and mosquitoes from entering the hut. It brought an aura of calmness around him, the perfect orange colour not too bright to disturb his sleep. He walked slowly toward the bed, eyeing the sphere on the wall that separated the rooms. He'd watched it so many times that he was able to recite it word for word. But now, instead of imagining Yuna by his side, she would be there in the morning, sharing food and stories about each other.
Tidus had noticed how closed she was towards him. He understood, knowing Seymour personally made him uncomfortable, so it was only natural for anyone who knew him to be the same. She was on edge, glancing over her shoulder every now and again. Not very often, but often enough for someone to notice. He sympathised, wishing he could've just held her. Seymour was no good, he wasn't looking for her, he was paying people to retrieve her like a lost package. That showed Tidus how much Seymour really cared for her.
He turned and flopped back down onto the bed, arms spread out to his sides, feet hanging off the end of the mattress. The arrangement of sheets and pillows was comfortable where Tidus landed, and he could feel the cool breeze from the window. He wanted more than anything for it to be morning. Patience was not his friend, time seemed to move more slowly than normal, but he knew that the wait would be worth it in the end. He still had a lot of time to sleep. He wanted to be awake and alert for Yuna, not drowsy and sleepy.
Taking a deep breath, Tidus slowly blinked, his eyes staying closed more than open. He'd learnt the trick back in his training days. He'd have to get to sleep quickly on airships when travelling to places like Luca, which is almost a day's trip to get to from Zanarkand. When he wasn't tired, Tidus would lie on a flat surface, focus on one spot either on the wall or ceiling, slowly blink repeatedly and he would be asleep in minutes. His team mates used to tease him about it, claiming he had some form of narcolepsy, and he should be careful not to let it kick in while in the middle of a game. Though Tidus would play along with their teasing, he knew his sleeping trick worked, and would counter back that he was fully rested while the others complained about their lack of sleep. The thought left Tidus with a small smile on his lips, and he finally fell asleep.
The skies were a dark blue, with a smattering of clouds across the horizon. The dawn chorus was loud, indicating the day was beginning. Tidus, freshly showered and wearing his Besaid cotton shorts and a loose fitted vest, enough to keep the Kilikan heat at bay, was ready and eager to start the day. He wore brown sandals, the type that you had to tie around the ankle to keep secure. They were comfortable to walk in, and Tidus figured these were best for his morning. He was hoping that Yuna would want to spend the day with him, exploring the island, maybe visit the temple. The island of Kilika wasn't very big, and there wasn't a great deal to do apart from adventures in the jungle or tours of the temple, but that didn't bother Tidus.
Down on the wooden pathway, he could see small businesses opening; the hut Yuna had asked him to meet her at were pulling their thick shutters back, the fishermen walking with nets and fishing lines to the harbour toward their boats, the odd person here and there walking their pet dog. Tidus smiled, noticing the designated person to extinguish the lights on the boardwalk, the pathway losing its orange and golden glow. He liked the small hustle and bustle of places like Kilika and Besaid. It was nothing like his home in Zanarkand, the city that never sleeps, or like Luca, where people were selling things in market stalls day and night. This was quiet, undisturbed noise, and it calmed Tidus.
Eyeing the small hut, Tidus took a slow stroll toward it. They had said daybreak, right? Or was it sunrise? No, daybreak. The closer he got, the stronger the smell of food filled his senses. He could smell the fruit cooking for the pastries, could envision someone putting them in the open flamed oven, ready to cook and sell in a few moments. Tidus didn't want to annoy them by arriving before they were open, so he decided to walk towards the bay. The sky was changing colour, the dark blue was now lighter, with more scattered clouds creating a shadowed blue and green aura. The sun was slowly on its way up, but it would still be a few moments before the sky showed any yellow or orange rays.
He turned and leaned on the railing, crossing his arms in front of his chest. The sound of creatures waking in the nearby forest was slowing getting louder. Sighing, Tidus felt completely relaxed. He wasn't as nervous as he thought he would be this morning; his eagerness and excitement were too overpowering to let nerves kick in. If anything, he felt the same as what he did before a Blitz match, eager and pumped to get started. But, unlike Blitzball, Tidus didn't know what to expect. Was it just breakfast, or could he convince Yuna to spend more time with him?
Deep and lost in his thoughts, he hadn't noticed Yuna across the way. She'd stopped at the base of the ramp leading to the upper levels, and smiled, waving to the locals, making her way to the blue hut. Her voice carried over the breeze, and Tidus' ears perked up. He saw Yuna then, talking to the owner of the hut, noticing her glance over the freshly placed foods on the window counter.
She was wearing a light spring dress that hugged her around the waist with the skirt flaring out slightly around her knees. Her shoes were a pair of small, white sneakers, something easy to walk around in. It looked like she was ready for a picnic, as in her arms she was carrying a small cooling cabinet. For the food, Tidus mused. He was frozen in place, just watching her. She wore a small smile as she greeted the locals, some bringing her into conversation. She looked relaxed, nothing like how she seemed in the sphere. Tidus couldn't help but smile.
He uncrossed his arms then and placed his hands in the pockets of his shorts, chuckling to himself as he watched Yuna interacting with people. He saw one older lady, a worker at the hut they'd agreed to meet at, who was showing Yuna the different fruits for the pastries. Yuna stooped slightly, breathed the scent in and smiled, running her hands through the hair that had fallen forward to tuck it back in place. He could've watched her for hours. Heck, he had watched her, on the sphere, and the night before, he found himself just looking at her face when she was talking. She was calm and relaxed. He got jolted out of his daze when he saw she had noticed him and was waving. The old lady said something to her then, and she placed her hands on her cheeks. Trying not to seem too eager, Tidus waved and started a light jog toward her, his smile refusing to hide.
"Good morning." Yuna said, her voice gentle on the breeze.
"Hi," Tidus replied, his smile still on his face, "how are you?"
"I'm all right." The corners of Yuna's mouth curled slightly into a smile that reflected Tidus'. "How are you?"
"I'm great." Tidus simply said. He was, despite the early morning, he was feeling energised and ready to take on the day. "Did you wake up ok?"
"Surprisingly yes." A subtle pink crept it's way to Yuna's cheeks then, her face showing every emotion. "I forgot this time existed."
"Yeah, me too." Tidus ran a hand through his hair then. Of course, that was a lie. The last few weeks had Tidus tossing and turning throughout the night, and many mornings he'd spent watching the sun come up. There were a few days he'd slept well, all through the night and passed sunrise, but they were very few and far between. "So why—"
"Foods ready m'dear!" The shop owner chimed. She was a stout lady with her hair in a bun on the top of her head, her hands carrying a rather large tray of baked goods, fresh island fruit and pots of rice to heat. There was enough to feed a small army, which Tidus wasn't too displeased by. He could easily eat the lot. He could just go for a run around the island later and burn it off.
"Ah, thank you." Yuna turned, cooling container opened and ready. Between the two ladies, they'd placed the items in the container neatly, so as not to squash anything. The rice was placed in first, followed by the fruits, and then the pastries. Tidus just stood to the side, hands in his pockets. He wasn't sure what to do with himself while they sorted out the food, but he knew that when it was sorted, he would carry it. He was trying to impress, after all. He stooped and grabbed the handles, using his good arm to bear the weight. It wasn't heavy, but he didn't want to chance it and cause himself any pain. "Here, allow me."
"What a pleasant young man." The lady quipped, wiping her hands on her apron. The sun was just below the horizon, yellow and gold rays starting to shine up into the sky. The shop owner had to shield her eyes from the brightness, while Tidus squinted his eyes to help him adjust. Yuna placed a small straw hat on the back on her head. Tidus noticed her dress was a soft pale blue colour, adorned with a white pattern of flowers on the side of the skirt.
"Thank you very much for your help this morning." Yuna turned and bowed to the shop owner, smiling as she straightened back up. "It all smells wonderful."
"It really does!" Tidus agreed, the scent filling his senses, his mouth watering slightly at the thought of food. "And you made it so early in the day too!"
"Oh, it was nothing." The lady waved her hand in front of herself then, dismissing the compliments. "It's the least I could do after you helped me in the forest the other day." Nudging Yuna with her elbow, she gave a small wink. "Enjoy kiddos!"
Glancing up at Tidus, Yuna tilted her head to the side then, her eyes almost closed with a small smile on her face. "Shall we?"
"Lead the way." Tidus replied, glancing over her head in the direction of the woods.
As they started walking, there was a silence that filled the gap between them. It wasn't awkward, but it wasn't a comfortable feeling either. Yuna led the way to the forest, clearly retracing previous steps to somewhere as she pointed in certain directions.
"So," Tidus started, watching her intently as they made their way through the forest, "Why daybreak?"
"Well," Yuna replied, crossing her arms behind her back, "There's a spot that I'd heard was amazing at sunrise, just at the top of the stairs." A small smile played on her lips, "I've not seen it at sunrise yet."
"Ooh," Tidus breathed, "I get it. If we met at sunrise, we would miss it?"
"That's exactly right." Yuna's smile beamed, and Tidus noticed how relaxed she was. She hadn't looked nervous or made a check around the area… yet. Tidus was determined to make her feel safe and secure whenever he was around.
"Well, let's get going, it looks like the sun is almost up!" Tidus excitedly said, quickening his pace to make it to this 'Special Spot'.
Weaving through the forest was easy once Yuna remembered the route. She kept looking up to the sky, probably wondering if the sun was up yet. The skies were brighter now, the orange light now yellow and golden. Finally, they'd reached the stairs. Tidus, paused and looking up, had forgotten how many stairs were here. He'd visited the temple once when he was younger, but he remembers being carried up the long pathway. Taking a glance at Yuna who had already started, he suddenly came up with a great idea.
"Hey Yuna!" He called, grabbing her attention. At the mention of her name, she turned mid-stride.
"Yes?" Yuna answered, curiosity etched on her face.
"Race ya!" Tidus called. Adjusting the coolant box, he sprinted ahead, his competitive side coming out strong.
"Hey, no fair!" Yuna laughed as Tidus zoomed passed her, the smile wide on his face. There was no way she could catch up to him, but she ran anyway, her laugh caught in the small morning breeze. The stairs seemed ongoing forever, but when Yuna finally made her way to the top, Tidus was already there, giving himself praise as if a crowd were there congratulating him. Yuna couldn't help but smile and laugh with him as she struggled to catch her breath.
"You know," Tidus said, "You were so close to winning there."
"What, before the race?" Yuna replied, causing laughter to explode from them both. She bent to catch her breath, her hands on her knees for support. Tidus laughed, glancing around himself. There was a small opening to the side, which he assumed led to the spot they were going to. Yuna, following the direction of his gaze, gasped slightly, and rushed to the opening. "Come on, this way slowpoke!"
Laughing, Tidus picked up the coolant box and followed her. He had to move a couple of loose branches away from his face, but once he turned around, his mouth hung open in awe.
The skies were a beautiful orange and golden mixture, with light grey shadowed clouds formed throughout. The sun was on the horizon, almost completely risen in the sky. The forest below seemed smaller somehow, the light reflecting off the morning dampness on some leaves, creating a warm glowing aura of peace and tranquillity. The seas were calm, small waves drifting towards the harbour, causing the boats that were moored to sway gently. There was a small bustle of people moving around, store owners now fully open and the public of the island awake and ready for the day.
Tidus couldn't look away. He'd seen one sunrise like this before, in Zanarkand, after a game when his team was out all night. But this was something else. This felt magical, as if it was just an illusion, and a sphere would suddenly stop and bring reality back. Suddenly remembering his company, he turned and looked at Yuna, who was, like himself, caught in a world of awe.
Her hands were placed together, cupped gently under her chin. Her breath was slow, as if she were asleep. The glow of the skies made her look as if she were an angel, glowing with radiance and warmth. Tidus couldn't look away, the image of her completely lost in the view was something he didn't want to forget. There would be more sunsets like this, there might not be moments of Yuna like this for him ever again.
"Isn't it beautiful?" She whispered then, a small smile on her lips as she turned her head to face him.
"The most beautiful thing I've ever seen…" Tidus replied, not necessarily talking about the sunset. He couldn't help but smile.
They held their gaze on each other for a long time, neither one breaking eye contact. Shaking his head out of his daze, he gently lifted the box, forgetting for an instant as to why they were there. "Hungry?"
"Mhm," Yuna replied, taking one look at the rising sun. The orange glow had faded, the skies turning a light mixture of yellow, pink and blue, highlighting the trees and island village below. "let's eat."
They sat for a few hours, talking, snoozing, and just generally enjoying each other's company. There wasn't a constant flow of conversation, and there didn't need to be. Tidus felt content and pleased that Yuna had chosen to stay for as long as it had been. The combination of the warm sun, a cool breeze and the smell of the fresh fruits nearby were their little safe haven. He had noticed, however, that every now and again, Yuna would look at the opening that they came through. They heard small voices from the temple nearby, but nothing too loud to disturb them. They had managed to eat most of the food, the star fruit pastries being Tidus favourite, and the island fruit juice packs that had stayed cold at the bottom of the box were refreshing in the islands increasing heat. Tidus was glad he wore his light shorts and vest, as he could feel the sweat on the back of his head, making his hair sticky.
Yuna sat back, her legs crossed in front of her, her arms behind her, taking in the sun's rays. Her moment of relaxation was interrupted when she heard the bushes nearby rustling, and she stiffened, jerking her head to see what was there. Tidus noticed her eyes went wide in fear, and a chill went up his spine. Was this a fear of Seymour appearing out of nowhere when her guard is down?
"You ok?" Tidus asked, his voice showing his concern and confusion. Yuan didn't answer, her eyes fixed on the green bushes. Her breathing had changed, and she was on her knees facing the opening to the pathway.
"Yuna?" Tidus asked. He sat upright; his eyes fixed on her face. A moment passed, and she finally looked at him. She shook her head then, and turned back around, tucking her legs underneath her, her head bent in mild embarrassment.
"Sorry." She simply replied. "Thought someone was there." Her answer was blunt, and Tidus noticed the pitch was different from when they were talking before. He gave her a small smile, head stooping to try and make eye contact with her, to show her everything was ok.
"Nothing's gonna harm you." Tidus said, "Not while I'm here." He flexed his arms then, half joking, half serious, to prove that he was strong enough to fight anyone off. Yuna, who's head was still slightly stooped, turned, and looked at him then, unable to hold back a laugh at how funny he looked. The redness of her cheeks had faded, and she cleared her throat, tucking her hair behind her ears.
Now that she was smiling, he reached for a slice of palm fruit and offered it to her first. She gladly accepted; happy he wasn't judging her for her weird moment. Before she could take the juicy fruit, he slightly pulled it away, making eye contact.
"I meant it Yuna." He simply said, "Nothing will harm you."
"Thank you." She replied, unable to break the eye contact. Again, he offered her the fruit slice, and she accepted it. A small smile crept onto both their faces, Tidus noticing the feeling of butterflies in his stomach as she placed the fruit in her mouth.
"Can I ask you something?"