Chapter 12

Dinner time came and went without the girls even noticing. None had any kind of appetite after the revelations Sarion had given them earlier that day. The sun was cresting the horizon and the darkness was flowing over the sky as if pulling the curtain over the land to end the eventful day. None of the girls had even spoken to each other in the hours that had passed; each grieving for their own losses in their own ways.

Rikku was lying in bed snuffling into her pillow as she clutched her blanket tightly. She had never considered what had happened to the rest of the Celsius after she and the other girls had wound up in that strange cavern. She had been so absorbed in being glad she was with her cousin and Paine, the travelling and their new companion that she had just not had time to think. Now she scolded herself over and over as she recalled her last conversation with Brother had been less than pleasant. She had caught him trying to peak on Yuna in the shower and had said many things she could never take back now. Rolling over, her emerald eyes settled on her cousin who was sitting on the edge of her own bed staring into the hearth; no longer lit, it had only the red and white coals glowing in the bottom.

With a heavy sigh, Yuna closed her eyes and thought over the events since defeating Sin. Traveling all of Spira with her cousin Rikku and their cold, silent friend Paine had been an adventure she would never forget. It had all started in attempt of finding him but in the end she had realized her place was by their sides, not his. Rubbing her forehead she tried to determine what the main reasoning behind staying was but her thoughts went to her teammates. Was it that simple? Had their friendship been the deciding factor?

She thought of Rikku, her Al Bhed cousin that was always so cheerful and full of crazy adventures to get in trouble on. Seeing her run into the room bawling earlier had been difficult but when she had come in the room after her, the younger girl was curled up on her bed and obviously wanted to be left alone. Yuna had let her be and sat where she was still sitting now, tears falling but the pain had subsided. She had grown attached to everyone on the Celsius, even Brother and his constant antics to try and sneak a peek at her.

With the time that had passed since the crash, Lulu and Wakka had surely died and even their children would be gone. It was a hard truth to accept but Yuna found herself accepting it all almost in stride. Her mind wandered to the always calm silver-haired warrior. 'How is she handling this? Nooj, Baralai, Gippal… they're all dead. They were the closest thing she had to friends apart from Rikku and me.' She shook her head in wonder. Paine had not reacted in any way other than surprised to hear the news; no tears filled her deep ruby eyes nor did sobs escape her soft pink lips. Yuna blinked and bit her bottom lip. Why had she thought of Paine in such a way?

Paine stared at the counter in front of her and glared at the empty glass resting on it as if willing it to refill on its own. The bartender was hesitant but decided to refill the tall shot glass with another round; it wasn't as if the girl wasn't paying. In fact, since she had sat down Paine had single-handedly out paid the rest of the customers for the day combined. The bartender had lost count at fifteen drinks.

Slamming the shot of hard liquor down and grimacing as her eyes watered from the burn, Paine turned and took a shaky step down from the stool. Closing her eyes at the vertigo she stood there a moment before slowly making her way towards the bedroom. She didn't feel nauseous yet but she wanted to get into bed and close her eyes, ending this miserable day.

As she reached for the doorknob it suddenly swung open. The unanticipated act caused Paine to stumble forward into an unfamiliar softness before falling atop it onto the floor. In a daze, Paine lifted her head and looked down to see Yuna's two-toned eyes squinting at her as she rubbed the back of her head.

"Are you okay Paine? I didn't know you were outside the door or I'd have-"

"You have sush pretty eyes Yuna…" Paine slurred out, interrupting her.

Wrinkling her nose at the smell that could only be described as a brewery erupting, her eyes focused on the ruby ones above her. "Paine, you've been drinking." She said it patiently but in her mind worry was building. Why was Paine so heavily inebriated? She had seemed fine earlier.

Smiling a small smile at Yuna, Paine leaned forward, her lips brushing the younger girl's ear. "It doesn't make what I said less true Yunie."

Yuna shivered at the way Paine purred out the nickname that Rikku had adopted for her. Her face was flushed and her heart was racing. Why was she feeling like this? Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath she pushed Paine away and sat up. "You should get to bed Paine; you need a good night's rest."

Waving her off with a mumbled "You're no fun.", Paine made her way to the bed nearest her and stripped down before sliding under the covers as Yuna stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind her. Letting out a long breath she leaned against the door. Her heart was still pounding and her skin flushed. 'What is wrong with me? I've never felt like that before. It was almost as if I was drowning and… and… and liked it!'

Stepping outside to get some cool air, Yuna leaned on the wooden railing with a heavy sigh.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Yuna jumped and turned around to see Sarion leaning against the building with his arms crossed over his chest. "Hey Sarion." She looked back out, studying the sky as if looking for answers herself. "I'm really not sure what to think. You didn't exactly give us the easiest to accept information earlier."

She heard him press off the wall and come to stand beside her. "I apologize for dropping it all on you so quickly but I knew you were strong enough to handle it. It's not an easy subject to lead into anyhow and I figured it was best to get it over with quickly."

Smiling up at him she nodded in understanding. "I appreciate telling us. And what you did for us was beyond what any of us could ever repay. You're an amazing man Sarion."

He scoffed and looked away, down the road. "I just did what anyone who was able would have done."

A hand on his arm caused him to look down and meet the two-toned gaze of the young girl standing beside him. "No Sarion, you gave a part of yourself to save the lives of people you didn't even know. You saved us, you treated us, you looked after us and never have you asked for anything in return." She turned to face him fully, a tremble running through her body. "I just wish I knew how to thank you in a way that would adequately show my appreciation." Her voice was breathy and her gaze was locked onto his slightly faded emerald eyes.

Sarion leaned down slowly, causing Yuna's breath to hitch. As she leaned up he placed a hand on her cheek and at the last moment turned her head and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. Turning her head to look at him with confusion in her eyes, Yuna was met by a genuine smile and a small sparkle in his eyes that nearly brought them back to their rich emerald color. "You can Yuna, by not fearing love no matter the source. Do not allow your mind to get in the way of your heart and whatever you do, never lose hold on what gives you the strength to carry on."

Yuna frowned slightly, completely lost by what had just transpired. 'Did I want him to kiss me? Why didn't he? What on Spira does he mean by all that?!' Her mind was whirring but her mouth only managed a few words that were related to the other concern she had. "When you left, was Paine okay?"

He smiled at the change of topics. 'Well, a change for her but definitely on the same topic.' Leaning back against the rail he nodded. "She was sitting at the table still. We spoke for a short while after you and Rikku had gone to the room. Seems she is more concerned for you two than anyone she may have lost."

Nodding and smiling as she looked off at nothing Yuna thought of the always stoic warrior and how she had been so concerned over finding Yuna back in the cavern. "She was never the most social person and the only people we knew that she cared for weren't really all that close to her anymore." She noticed Sarion was staring at her with a slightly amused expression. "What?"

"You had a very distant look a moment ago. And from what I've noticed, she sure seems to care for you and Rikku." He thought a moment with a finger on his chin. "Well, not so much for Rikku as for you but even for her there is something there." Looking back at Yuna his tone became inquisitive. "Why do you ask if she was alright? Is something wrong?"

Yuna shook her head. "I'm not sure. She was terribly drunk when she came to the room. I know she drank on the Celsius but I've never seen her like tonight. She could barely stand."

Sarion sighed and shook his head; he had not expected her to take the initial news too hard, but he had certainly not expected her to react to the later information. "You should get some sleep Yuna, it's late and there are some things Rikku was wanting to show you tomorrow." He chuckled.

"Sarion?" Looking over, he raised an eyebrow for his only response. "Why don't you sleep? I've noticed that since we've met you, you have not slept a single time. Normally I don't pry too much but it's been a number of days now."

He looked away, not wanting to lie to her but not willing to tell her what he had told Paine earlier. The truth was that since he had given up his life force to them, he no longer required sleep since there was nothing to regenerate. Once the tank was empty, that was it. "Living in an area that had time stand still I've learned to manage lengthy periods without rest is all." Well, it was a partial truth.

Yuna could tell he was not being completely honest with her but chose not to push the issue. "Alright then Sarion." She smiled at him as she went inside. "'I'm going to get some sleep, see you in the morning."

"Good night Yuna." He looked off into the distance with mild curiosity. Would he see them in the morning?

Yuna quietly opened the door and slipped inside before closing it behind her with care not to wake the two sleeping girls inside. It was pitch black in the room, meaning they had let the fire go out. She knew the way to her bed well enough and made it over to the side before disrobing and climbing under the sheets. Immediately she knew something was wrong about the situation.

Cinnamon; the scent was permeating the sheets and pillow but there was only one person who wore that perfume which could only mean… Reaching out, Yuna gasped at the feel of soft flesh beside her. Paine was in her bed. Not only was Paine in her bed but she was completely unclothed. Looking in the direction of the other girl Yuna found her mind wandering as she waited for her eyes to adjust.

'In all the years we've been together, I've never seen Paine naked before. Rikku and I have showered at the same time but Paine has always been one to finish up long before we even got up. I wonder what she has hiding under that leather.' She blinked and bit her bottom lip. Why was she thinking like this? Was it mere curiosity? Shaking her head she moved a little closer to the silver-haired warrior. Her eyes had adjusted now and she could see that Paine was sleeping on her back, her silver hair resting across her face.

Blushing, Yuna reached out and touched the older girl's shoulder before gently brushing the covers down beyond her breasts. As the cotton sheets reached Paine's naval Yuna could not hold back a gasp. 'How does she fit those into such a small top?!' She hurriedly pulled the covers back up but as she was about to move back a voice froze her hand, still gripping the sheet by Paine's shoulder.

"Yuna?"

Yuna felt her face heat up as her eyes met the ruby ones staring at her intently. "Um, you looked cold so I was just covering you up." She managed out in a rush.

Rather than frown, which Yuna expected, Paine actually smiled a small smile and closed her eyes. "I am a bit cold actually. Move closer."

As she moved closer, Paine's arm snaked around her waist and pulled her close eliciting a small squeak from Yuna in the process. In the moment it took for Yuna to look down, Paine was already asleep with her head resting on the younger girl's chest. 'Well,' she thought with a smile as she closed her eyes, draping her other arm over Paine. 'I suppose after that night in the woods, I can't complain. I just hope she doesn't throw me from the bed tomorrow when she sobers up.' A giggle escaped her lips and she drifted off to sleep with a smile on her face for the first time in as long as she could remember.

Author's Note

Not bad, 2400 even! I wanted to make it longer but I didn't want to add nothing but filler. I doubt I answered even a single question in this chapter but that was not the goal. It was all about some character development! Could Yuna be crushing on Paine or is she just being carefree? Good question. I have plans I promise.

I apologize for the monstrous delay but I was sent out on a mission to the Pakistan border last week and my laptop was NOT getting risked in that mess so I had no writing. I did read a bunch of fics though to get some ideas. One BLEW MY MIND but is not completed so I will not refer to it, yet.

Hope everyone liked some of the tension in this one, I'm sure I'll get a "KEEP SARION AWAY FROM YUNA" message at some point. Don't worry, nothing doing there. Just adding to the confusion for our poor brunette.

As a warning, (I don't like foreshadowing but, I gotta say it now) the next few chapters will likely uh, heat up. Might be a slow build-up but I promise for some fireworks soon. The question is, between who?! *gasp*

But really, read and review please. Keep me in check.