Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy, Squeenix, or any of the affiliates.

Rikku, Friday April 12, 1912

Rikku looked at herself in her pale blue dinner gown, her hair loose around her face and sucked in a deep breath. She'd never quite dared to wear her hair down to dinner before. She was a bit scared of facing the wrath of her mother. She reached around and tugged one of the curls resting against her lower back, wondering if she should really tempt fate in such a way. Well, she was losing all her free will as it was, so she might as well go down with the ship. Figuratively, of course.

She took another deep, calming breath, and made her way into her parents' room.

"Ah, Rikku, excellent. Pull up your hair and we'll be off," her mother said briskly.

"No, mother," Rikku answered, fighting the urge to cower as her mother turned to stare at her, eyes flashing dangerously.

"What do you mean, 'no'?" she asked, teeth slightly clenched.

"I mean what I say, mother. No, I will not pull my hair up and no, I am not going to dinner with you."

Complete and total silence. Yuna's eyes widened and she stared at Rikku as if she'd never seen her before.

"Then who, pray tell, are you planning on dining with tonight?"

"I have a prior engagement," Rikku informed her mother. "I will be dining with Major Masamune tonight."

"Will you, now?" her mother growled.

"Yes, I will," Rikku answered, proud that her voice didn't shake and betray her true feelings.

"I hardly think that is appropriate. You are an engaged woman, Rikku, you simply cannot fraternize with other men," she sighed in exasperation.

"I've decided mother, that you are correct. I am a grown woman. I can make my own decisions. I will wear my hair down, I will not marry Gippal Thorne, and I will dine with the major this night. Now if you'll excuse me, I must be getting to dinner."

Rikku swept out of the room, her head held high, shutting the door firmly behind her. She walked around the first corner before she allowed herself to sink against the wall and let out the frantic breaths she'd been hiding the entire time. That had been exhilarating. Not to mention completely and totally terrifying.

"Rikku!" She heard Yuna's voice call out. Rikku glanced around the corner and saw that she was alone. She waved the brunette over. Yuna's eyes were glowing in admiration.

"Rikku, that was amazing! I can't believe you just stood up to your mother like that!" she exclaimed, aghast.

"I feel so powerful," Rikku admitted. "She hasn't decided to lock me out tonight, has she?"

Yuna smiled softly. "She didn't say, but I'll let you in as soon as she's asleep if she does."

"You're the best, Yunie!" Rikku exclaimed as they started off down the hall.

"So explain to me how you came across a dinner date with the major. Yesterday evening you didn't even appear to like him."

"I saw him at the party, and he said he wanted to apologize by having dinner with me. My impeccable manners wouldn't let me refuse."

"You fancy him," Yuna accused, a glint in her bi-colored eyes.

They entered the crowd of people heading into toward the stairs into the dining room, clutching at each other's hands to keep from getting separated.

"I don't know, Yuna. I've hardly exchanged ten words with the man. I can't deny that I find him devastatingly attractive, but I don't know if I've quite reached the point of fancying him."

Yuna grinned, as if she knew better. As they made their way down the stairs, Rikku tried to glance around subtly for the major.

"Do you see him?" she asked. Yuna scanned the crowd before nodding.

"Yes, he's by the pillar on the right side," she murmured. Rikku's eyes instantly swept over to him. He looked much more approachable in a simple black suit then he had the night before in his military attire. As Rikku reached the bottom of the stairs, he made his way over, taking her hand and giving it a small kiss.

"Good evening, Miss Rikku. You look lovely," he greeted. She smiled. "Thank you."

"Miss Yuna, will you be joining us tonight?" he asked politely. Yuna smiled and shook her head. "No, thank you. I merely accompanied Rikku here."

"Ah, I see. Someone of more merit has caught your attention," he said knowingly. Rikku looked at Yuna's who was trying very hard not to look to the left. Rikku glanced in that direction to see what Tidus leaning against the railing upstairs, watching them intently. Again, he was out of uniform, so Rikku assumed he had come here hoping to see Yuna. The two of them were so adorable she just wanted to squeal. She didn't, but she seriously thought about it for a moment.

"I understand completely," he said with a smile. "Shall we go in, Miss Rikku?" He offered Rikku his arm. She slid her arm through his, turning to wink at Yuna before turning her full attention to the man on her arm.

Yuna, Thursday April 11, 1912

"Excuse me, fine madam, might I help you find what you are looking for?"

Yuna smiled at the accented voice that was quickly becoming familiar and turned to look at Tidus.

"I believe you just have, good sir," she answered, almost surprised at the audacity she'd managed to muster up to actually speak to him, joke with him, even. The most beautiful smile lit up his face and he offered his arm to her.

"If you would like to accompany me, Miss Yuna, I have something I would like to show you," he said quietly. She was almost melting at every tone of his voice. She had the crazy thought that she might be content if she could just hear his voice every day.

"I'd like that," she answered, smiling as he slipped his hand into hers and led her away from the crowd of people.

The A deck was nearly empty now, most of the people having gone to dinner. Tidus led her across the deck at a quick pace and she had to admit, she was completely bewildered. Where was he taking her? She shivered slightly against the cold night air, wishing she'd have thought to grab a shawl or a fur to keep warm in. She discovered a reason for their quick silence when they reached a door with a small gold plaque that read 'Crew Only'. Tidus glanced around, unlocking the door when he was sure they were alone. He ushered her through quickly, closing the door softly behind him.

She felt a thrill of excitement as he took her hand again and led her up a small set of stairs. She had never really been one for breaking the rules, but now, with Tidus' large warm hand enveloping hers, it felt so right. At the top of the large staircase, he opened another door and put a hand over her eyes with a small grin. The cool night air hit her again and she squirmed, wondering what it might be that he wanted to show her.

"Thanks for this, Frank," Tidus said.

"Don't get caught. It'll be my head on the platter if ya do," the man named Frank said.

Tidus merely laughed and Yuna heard the door shut.

"Are you ready?" His voice whispered right in her ear, causing her to shiver involuntarily. She nodded, voice frozen in her throat. He lifted his hand away from her eyes and she gasped. He'd taken her up to the crow's nest. She could see the entire A deck from above and for miles all around the ocean. The most stunning factor, however, was the stars. They looked close enough to reach out and touch.

"It's beautiful," she murmured, turning to look at him with a smile. Another delighted gasp escaped her lips when she saw the meal he'd set out for them on a blanket. She was almost ready to cry. No one had ever done something so sweet for her before. She came and sat next to him, unable to stop smiling.

"You like it?" he asked, though he didn't really need to. Her emotions were obvious on her face.

"I love it! Oh Tidus, this is wonderful," she murmured. "How did you do all this?"

Tidus laughed, the most beautiful sound she'd ever heard in all her years. "Let us just say that I owe several people hefty favors."

"Thank you so much. You didn't have to do this."

Tidus looked her straight in the eyes. "Yes, I did. You deserve the world, Miss Yuna. I can't give you that, but I can give you this." She was melting into a small puddle; she could feel it.

"I don't need the world," she answered. "My parents only had each other, and they were the happiest people I've ever met. That is all I want." She blushed, realizing she might have been too forward. He didn't seem taken aback, though, so she just smiled.

"Yuna," he said. She loved the way her name sounded when he said it. It sent shivers down her spine and made her want to squeal with happiness. "Would you mind terribly if I were to kiss you?" he asked.

Her throat tightened with nerves and excitement. She'd never kissed a man before. She feared she wouldn't be any good at it. Nonetheless, she titled her face toward his. She caught a glimpse of his smile as he leaned forward and captured her lips in a soft kiss. She returned the soft pressure, realizing that she really shouldn't have been worried about knowing how to kiss someone. It was almost second nature. He pulled away and smiled at her again.

"You might think me crazy, but I do believe I love you," he said quietly. "From the moment I first saw you, I knew you were the perfect girl for me."

It didn't matter that they had hardly known each other for twenty-four hours. It didn't matter that he was a steward and she was a first class lady. Their fates had been sealed the moment they first set eyes on each other.

"I do believe I feel the same way," Yuna breathed as he leaned in once more to claim her lips.

------------

A/N: *squeals* God, I love it. I really see Yuna and Tidus as the type who just, rush right in and go for it, ya know? Auron and Rikku are going to be a little more difficult and I can't hold out on two relationships at once. My brain will explode. Besides, things are going to be rushed. The ship hits an iceberg in roughly three days…so…yeah. Relationships will be rushed, but hey, it's 1912. Love was petty.