I still own absolutely nadda! =(

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2. No can do.

"I can't pass that message on to Yuna, sorry."

"And just why not?" asked Paine, in no mood to mess around with his stupid games.

"Well, we're not exactly an item anymore and I don't want it to be awkward." Explained the young man.

"Since when?" Her crimson eyes stung into his soul, curious to find out what was going on.

"Since she told me she didn't feel it was working. I agree with her though, we fell out of love."

"Well that sure was quick." Quipped Paine.

"It lasted almost two years I'll have you know! I mean have you ever had a boyfriend for that long?" Tidus defended himself quickly, he wouldn't let this obnoxious woman get the better of him.

"I've never wanted a pointless relationship that makes your life more complex than it already is." She replied sharply.

"So you've never experienced the joys of being with someone."

"Not in the way you're talking – which is all long term waffle. I prefer short term snippets at this present stage in my life."

"You mean one night stands?" he quizzed sceptically.

"No, sometimes they can be a couple of day sittings or week long lay downs." Her tone implied this was the most normal thing in the world to do. And it took him by surprise. Never before had he met a woman who was so open about sleeping with random people because 'that's the way she liked it' – and he was beginning to find it attractive.

"Do you really just go around finding guys who you don't want as long term partners?"

"Well I don't purposely pick out ones I'm not compatible with; I pick out the ones that are good looking and preferably rich with an added bonus of being well endowed." It took him a minute to process what she'd just admitted. This was enough time for a wide smile to spread across her face indicating she was joking. "I just go with who I feel most attracted to."

"Oh. Fair enough."

"What? You got a problem with that? Don't tell me you've never slept with someone you've only just met?"

"Well of course, I just didn't realise you were that type." He admitted. He wasn't sure why he felt so nervous speaking to her about his past, it wasn't as if they were close and he needed to worry what she'd think.

"What type am I then?"

"You're er… well, y'know…" he scratched the back of his head, "One of those quiet, er… celibate types?"

"Thanks" she glared at him as her sarcastic tone implied she wasn't amused.

"I'm sorry. You've just never been very approachable. I guessed you'd carry that trait on into bed."

"You guessed? Like you had to think about it?" she asked, picking up on what seemed as though he'd thought about her… in bed… a lot. Well she was an attractive woman underneath all that leather (he was never into any of that stuff) and he was a guy - he figured it was natural to imagine how other people might be.

"No." he defended himself but he was probably fighting a losing battle. "Why would I?"

"You tell me."

Her red eyes looked straight at him, as if wondering what was going on in his head. Oh if only she knew. Now she'd brought it up, he couldn't stop picturing her. He hadn't broken up from Yuna more than a week ago and already he was fantasising about her friends between the sheets. What was wrong with him? "I'm gonna head out." He signalled to the door.

"Hold up Romeo." She commanded, "How long you been thinking about other women? When you were with Yuna?"

"Maybe"

"No wonder it didn't last."

"Excuse me."

"Hardly good boyfriend material if you were imagining other women when you have a girlfriend. Maybe it'll do you good being single for a while." She actually smiled at him, he was amazed. She was so volatile he didn't' understand her at all.

"It probably will. But it's not like I can go round finding many people to hook up with so soon?"

"What do you mean? Of course you can."

"Won't it seem odd if no less than a week later I'm already jumping into bed with others?"

"She dumped you; it will seem like recovery period." The crimson eyed girl explained.

"Maybe" he smiled at the ground before looking up at her, she was watching him almost expectantly. He just grinned, "I'm still not passing the message on though!"

____*____

The sun bounced off her eyelids and it stung like crazy! She hid underneath the blankets to protect her vision from blurring more than normal. The warm that was pressed up against her back sent a sharp pain throughout her whole body and guilt overcame her. What had she done?! WHO had she done? This was awful, completely, absolutely 100% BAD! She knew her morals need a good dusting through and re-organising but this? This was shameful beyond anything else. Even more so than the time she'd woken up next to a hypello with the worst hangover of her life! How would she ever face the world again, how would she face her friends, how would she even turn over! She wanted to be sick!

Taking a few deep breaths she began to roll onto her back – but she couldn't do it. She was scared. If she didn't see him, then it wouldn't confirm it, maybe it was a dream, an awful, horrible, but-oh-so-fun-at-the-time dream? No it was a CRAPPY dream! If she wasn't careful, she may start to hyperventilate, then he'd have to call an ambulance when she'd run out of air and then there was no alternative to letting everyone know. Then it would be front page news! Better calm down then. There was that sick feeling again, like all the bad things she'd done were creeping up her throat – determined to get out and tell the world. Gulping madly she sighed as she realised she was being stupid - he was a grown man, she was a grown woman, they were capable of making their own decisions. What was there to worry about?

"Paine?" his muffled voice came from behind her. She shuddered at the thought of him being so close. What was there to worry about? Er the fact he was her friends ex? Her friends' very new, if-he-was-a-cake-then-fresh-out-the-oven-ex! Squeezing her eyes shut she just wanted to forget it! As he called her name again she continued to think other things, 'shut up, shut up, shut up!' How she wished this would just go away. When he nudged her there was nothing else she could do really, turning and this time succeeding she stared up at his big, ocean blue eyes. "You ok?" he asked. Nodding was all she could muster. "I didn't mean to make this awkward... I don't know what came over me… I wasn't thinking, and I feel so shit right now because of it. But I would never…y'know…never sleep with a girlfriends mate normally – ex-girlfriend - whatever… I never thought I would anyway… and I promise I won't ever again! Not that you weren't good… you were! Just it's complicated… and I don't want to make this complicated…" As he stuttered meekly, Paine felt a sense of relief come over her. She wouldn't have to explain to him how she was feeling because he felt the same. Smiling as he continued, she let him go for just a bit longer, talking about how 'he'd never been a cheater and how he wasn't cheating but it felt like he was and now he wasn't sure and how he now realised he hadn't taken a breath in what felt like forever' and so on.

"You quite done?" she asked politely. Now he nodded. "Good." There was a silence filling the room as they stared at one another again. She'd never have thought Tidus would be one of those guys she'd get to know. She was willing to accept she'd never be close to him, but now she found it amusing how she'd gotten a little too close for comfort without even realising. "Shall we just say it was one of those mistakes, one that should never be repeated or brought up at friendly reunions for "fun". No one has to know and we can put it behind us – we don't need to be awkward. And if we want to avoid eye contact then it doesn't matter because we weren't that close anyway?"

Laughing at her suggestion, he agreed. How could she be so forward and calm? He'd been a stuttering idiot and she was just so cool!? Life wasn't fair. "Alright. I think that's for the best."

"Good." She sighed. "Just one more embarrassing thing before I go though -I need to find my clothes. Close you eyes?"

"Why bother? I've seen it all already." He chuckled.

"And was it how you "guessed"?" she quoted him.

He reached over behind him, and as he picked up what had been on the floor, placing it on the covers over her, he smiled. "Better. But you're not going to be hearing that again at any "friendly reunion for fun"!"

Looking down at what he'd placed on her, she saw a number of her garments. Smiling at his comment and his gesture she replied, "Thanks."

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