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THREE : Secret wishes

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Tidus re-entered the living room and leant against the doorframe to look at the couple sitting on the couch, cosily lying in each others embrace. Deep inside himself, he believed that she still hadn't forgotten about the time that they had spent together. Although he had found a new love and a chance to start over, it was obvious that he definitely couldn't forget her. He tried to be happy for her, to think that it was better this way, but... why... why of all people did she choose for him?

Little hands embraced him and he felt a soft kiss in his neck.

"Could you go and ask them what they wish to drink?" Rikku sweetly whispered against his shoulder. "I'm setting the table." She patted him on his bump and went to the dinner room.

"Sure." He simply answered and pushed himself from the doorframe. He slowly walked towards the couch and saw Seymour turning his head towards him. The two men just looked at each other for a split second and then Seymour shifted his gaze on Yuna, who was lying relaxingly against him.

"Is dinner ready?" Yuna sat up and stroked a strand of hair out of her face. She was still in Seymour's arms.

"No, not yet, but Rikku is setting the table. She wanted me to ask you what you'd like to drink in the meantime until dinner is ready." Tidus said, well aware that Seymour was looking intensely at him, patiently waiting for him to even dare make any moves on Yuna again.

"Alright," cold grey eyes looked at sapphire blue ones, "I'll take a glass of white wine, if you have it." They then looked away and settled themselves on Yuna. "What do you take?" He whispered.

"Just a diet coke, please." She uneasily said, letting go of Seymour and sitting up fully. She wanted to go help Rikku, but she feared to leave these two men alone. The last time that had happened, the whole city had known of it. So she just shook the idea out of her head.

"Ok, I'll be right back." Tidus went back into the kitchen and took the glasses, silently cursing Seymour for making him feel so uneasy and unwanted...once again. The blitz player sighed and shook his head. What was he doing? Why was he so shaken up by this? He had a cute girlfriend who cared for him and who was ready to do anything for him just so that he was happy. What else did he need?

"Yuna..." he whispered and almost dropped the glasses in the sink under the cupboard.

His hands were shaking as he put the glasses next to the sink. He leant with his head against the cupboard and took a deep breath.

"Are you alright? Do you need some help?"

Tidus jumped and turned to look at the proprietor of that voice. It was Yuna, standing in the opening.

"Yeah, I...eh... I almost dropped the glasses, but I'm fine now..." Tidus hastily said, taking the glasses and opening the fridge to take the coke and the wine. "I'll be right out with the drinks." He quickly opened the bottle of wine and smiled at her as she turned around to leave.

He sighed and closed his eyes. Why is this happening now?

Yuna sat back down beside Seymour and took his arm and put it around her shoulders. She felt like crying because she had thought that it would be easy for her to talk to Tidus now without having that aching longing for him all the time but... she had just found out that... that it still wasn't possible. She sighed and snuggled closer into the embrace. Why is this happening now?

Seymour frowned, but didn't ask. He would have to deal with that later.

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Yuna was running. Running fast. Her heart was pounding in her chest, not only from the fast running, but also because she was terrified that he might find her. She couldn't take it anymore. She had to get away.

But where to go?

Her feet had instinctively taken her to Bevelle University. Surprised by this, she decided to go to the library. Bevelle University was known for its grant library and the huge amount of information that was stocked there. Opening the doors as quietly as she could, trying to slow her heartbeat down, she stepped into the huge study room. She felt save here. She knew that he didn't bother to even read books, so it wouldn't come up in his mind to come and search for her here. On top of that it was Saturday and for him a reason more to not set a foot inside the University.

She dried her cheeks with the sleeves of her jacket and sniffled. Taking a deep breath, she continued to walk towards the row of books. It was awfully quiet and the place was almost abandoned. She saw three students whispering to each other at one table and a couple of tables further one student who was studying with a book.

Walking down the first row of books, she did as if she looked interested in a book for a few times but quickly got bored. She just picked one and started to leaf through it. Putting it back she saw a familiar face through the spaces between the books in the other row. As a pair of stone- grey eyes looked at her, she recognised him.

He smiled at her and waved. She waved back and smiled demurely. As he made movement to approach her, she stiffened.

"Hi, Yuna." He softly said. "My name is Seymour. We have most classes together...?"

"I know..." Yuna whispered in awe. He was so tall and looked so strong, how come she hadn't noticed this before? "You're P-president Jyscal's son, aren't you?" She knew that she sounded like an idiot, asking that stupid question, but he just laughed.

"Yes, I am, unfortunately." He gave her a broad smile that lit up her darkened heart.

Yuna sniffled again and stroked a few strands of hair out of her face. She suddenly realised how unpresentable she looked. Her grey jogging pants, a worn out yellow top, her filthy running shoes and a black jacket that was to big for her because, and she just realised this, was 'his'. And... Worst of all, her hair was a complete mess and surely she had sacks under her eyes.

She ran a hand over her forehead and pulled her hair back again. "I... eh..." she sniffled and desperately looked for a tissue in the jacket, but didn't find any. Looking up she saw him holding out a linen handkerchief with his initials embroidered into it in a dark blue colour. She just looked at it and then stared at him.

"Take it, please." He gently whispered. "It's ok."

She slowly took it and felt her face go red. She relieved her nose. "I'm sorry for that... I'll, I'll wash it for you..." she hesitantly whispered, feeling the urge to brake down in tears again.

"No, please." He stepped up to her, "Don't bother. It is alright." He looked at her and smiled, but soon stopped as he saw her eyes fill with tears. Yuna looked away and tried to hold back with all of her willpower.

"Do you want... to talk about it?" he hesitantly asked, slowly putting a hand on her shoulder.

Why was he so nice to her? She didn't even know him. Why...why was he doing this? She suddenly felt it all come up again and she slowly began to sob. As the tears rolled on her cheeks and her shoulders began to shake, she just wished that she would die right here, right now. It couldn't get worse than this.

"Yuna..." Seymour's hand on her shoulder pulled her to him and he slowly embraced her stroking her hair as he tried to calm her shaking. "Sometimes it helps to let it all out." He tenderly whispered, "Shhh... It'll be alright."

Her sobbing slowly faded and she felt relieved. "I'm just such an idiot... I..." She whimpered, surprisingly feeling that she could trust him and feeling secure in his powerful arms.

"It's alright." He whispered again, looking at her. "Do you want to get a cup coffee?" he asked, tenderly wiping the tears from her cheeks with the back of his hand.

She gave him a broad smile and nodded slowly. "Thank you... Seymour..." she whispered.

Seymour felt his heart ache. She was even beautiful from nearby, but he couldn't stand seeing her sad like this. What was the cause of her sadness? He wanted to know, he wanted to eliminate that source of sorrow that made her cry. He would track it down and finish it. He silently made himself the promise that he would take of Yuna, not only because he loved her, but because she couldn't have got deserved this much pain.

"Anytime." He whispered back and smiled.

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"Here you go." Tidus placed the glasses of wine and coke in front of Seymour and Yuna on the low table.

Yuna pushed herself from the couch and took both glasses, offering Seymour his. "Thank you, Tidus." She smiled. Seymour said nothing but just looked at him with a wry smile and put his arm around Yuna again; making sure that the blonde was getting the idea.

Tidus put his jaws together and looked at Yuna, who closed her eyes while Seymour pulled her to him. The blitz player was doing his best to control himself, to show her that he had some dignity left. But he decided that he wasn't going to let Seymour make a fool of him again. He had taken it once, but that wouldn't happen again. He wouldn't let him humiliate him once more. Tidus went to the other seat and plopped himself down on it, while taking the remote of the TV.

"Oh, right!" Yuna sat up and let go of her date, putting her drink on the table. "Wakka is playing tonight!"

Tidus nodded and looked at her, feeling his heart jump. "I know, the game is about to begin. Want to watch with me?"

Yuna nodded and felt her heart smile. This was so like back then... when things were good between them. Every time there was a game on, he would call for her and ask if she wanted to look with him. He would make popcorn and they would watch together and cheer for the winning team and then end up... She smiled at those happy memories. When she turned her face towards Seymour, her sudden joy abruptly disappeared. He had a reprimanding, yet sad expression on his face. She turned to look at Tidus again and she saw him scratch the back of his head and searching for the game on the TV.

Seymour knew now for sure. She loved Tidus. She had never stopped loving him. He didn't understand. Why did this have to happen now?

Yuna looked back at Seymour and knew that she had made a mistake. She knew that he loved her deeply, and she loved him too... but not in the way he wished she would.

No, they weren't an item. She appreciated all the things he did for her, and she just wished that she could return his love but...

She stood up. "Could you excuse us for a moment?" she asked towards Tidus and took Seymour's hand. He stood up next to her and tried to keep his face as blank as possible. Tidus nodded and turned to look back at the game. "Come with me, please." She whispered and led him to the hall, closing the living room door. As soon as she turned around she stepped up to him and threw her arms around his neck hugging him tightly.

"I'm so sorry, Seymour. Please forgive me, I..." she whispered against his ear. He didn't return the hug.

"No." He softly pushed her from him and shook his head sadly.

Yuna felt her heart ache. "I..."

"Stop." He shook his head again. "Just stop alright?" He whispered; voice filled with pain. He turned around and took his coat that was hanging on the wall. He put it on and turned to look at her again. "Just tell me one thing."

Yuna had tears in her eyes when she looked up. "W-what?" she whispered.

"Do you enjoy suffering, or what? Have you forgotten about all the things he did to you?"

Yuna just blinked and wanted to open her mouth to answer but couldn't find anything to say.

"Cause if you do enjoy it, then you can go back to him." He said walking towards the exit door. Putting one hand on the doorknob, he turned around. "But don't count on me to be there for you when he hurts you again." He opened the door and walked into the rainy night.

Yuna let herself fall on her knees and took her face in her hands to sob. What had she done?

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"Please come in, Yuna."

Yuna stepped into Seymour's apartment and could only gasp in awe. It had been nearly two months since she had left Tidus and she stayed now with her step-sister Lulu, who lived not so far from the university.

"Do you live here all by yourself?" She asked him, looking around. Seymour chuckled and spread his arms to indicate that he indeed lived in this spacey, luxurious place.

The apartment was situated in the trendiest neighbourhood of Bevelle City and had a view upon the sea through the large windows. The place was filled with all sorts of artistic sculptures and had a few paintings on the walls. At the other side of the room was a fireplace where a fire was burning. Above it hung a grand plasma television and on each side of it stood a showcase with countless prices and rewards he had won and received. She walked over one of them while he closed the door and read one certificate from behind the glass.

'Certification of extraordinary intelligence and achievements at Bevelle high: Guado, Seymour. Signed, Bevelle high principal: Gwin Meachen.'

"Wow..." Yuna gasped.

"I'm not even sure if I really deserved that one." He said, standing next to her.

She raised an eyebrow and turned to look at him, "You mean...?"

Seymour nodded, "It was probably my father who made sure I received that reward. He has a way to... convince people at times." He said looking tenderly at her. "But I kept it anyway, don't know why though."

Yuna looked back at the showcase so that he wouldn't see her blush. She had gotten attached to Seymour in the passed two weeks. He had helped her through so much. Thanks to him she had been able to let go of Tidus and look at the future. She still thought of him now and then, but when she really got depressed, she just had to think of Seymour and everything got much brighter. He was a true friend.

She turned around to continue her tour of his apartment. The three couches standing around the fireplace were of a pastel white and the carpet had de similar colour. On the white walls hung a few works of art.

"You like art?" she asked him, looking at one in particular.

"Yes I do. Do you?" Seymour asked, walking towards the kitchen, which was build into the living room in one corner.

She smiled at him.

"A little."

"Do you know who painted that one?" He asked again, rumbling in the fridge and taking out two sodas.

Yuna nodded again. "Yes, I do. It's an Al Bhed."

"Oh, impressive." He walked towards her and held out a glass of soda. She accepted it and took a sip.

"Don't praise me too much. That's like the only thing I know about art." She giggled. "You see, I happen to know this because my uncle is the artist who painted that."

"Truly? You're Cid's niece?" he asked, slowly raising an eyebrow. "That makes you..."

Yuna nodded, "Yes, half Al Bhed."

"Half Al Bhed..." Seymour repeated softly, while looking at her and smiling. Yuna felt herself become uneasy again. It was as if those piercing grey eyes could look into her soul.

"I can see that I'm making you feel uncomfortable." He whispered, not shifting his gaze from her.

"Oh n-no... i-it's just that..." she stuttered.

"It's what?" he whispered in a low voice, stepping closer to her. Yuna gulped. He was inches away from her and took her glass out of her hands and put it with his on a low table standing next to the painting. He took her by her shoulders and looked down at her with a tender expression on his face. She just looked up at him, she couldn't move a muscle. Slowly, he lowered his lips on hers.

Yuna tensed up for a moment and wanted to wrench herself away, but as he started to caress one of her temples with one hand, she melted in his embrace and felt her knees go weak.

He withdrew himself and opened his eyes to look at her. He softly smiled as he saw that her eyes were still closed and her swollen lips slightly parted. Taking that as an invitation he lowered himself on her lips again and kissed her deeply this time, sliding his tongue hesitantly inside of her mouth. He was surprised to immediately feel her return the kiss and slide her tongue over his. The hand that was resting on her shoulder slowly slid to her waist and he tenderly pulled her to him to increase the contact between them.

"Seymour..." Yuna whispered; breaking the kiss to look at him, "Please..." she caressed his cheek with one trembling hand. She wanted him... right here... right now... she couldn't deny it any longer. But there was one thing...

"P-please go... gentle on me...?" she hesitantly asked.

He chuckled and slowly lifted her off her feet, carrying her to the bedroom.

"Let's continue the tour, shall we?" he throatily whispered while nuzzling her throat. Yuna sighed and smiled.

She knew she could count on him. He would always be there.

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To be continued…

-BDP-