Quality Time: Interlude 19
by PrettyGothGirl
Summary: Cid contrives to have Rikku and Gippal spend some quality time together. Interlude 19: The two take a baby step forward, but even that baby step raises suspicions.
A/N: Happy Birthday fae_of_the_rose! And also for calixa, as I promised, more. *waves* Okay, I've considered, reorganized my "outline" and managed to get something I hope is relatively 'set' up to chapter 32 (yes, 32). However, I still need ideas. If you have ideas that you want to see or recommendations of sci fi/fantasy/action movies/books/comics/whathaveyou with cheesy romance/action scenes (action scenes with sexual tension are good), please share. In other words, I'm taking requests.

Tidus scuffed his shoes along the mosaic. "I can't believe we lost." He murmured. The entire group of Gullwings and Gippal were at the dock the Celsius usually parked. Hair plastered to her head from the blitzdome, Yuna leaned her head against Tidus' shoulder to try and comfort him.

Rikku slouched her shoulders. "We were so close, too."

"If that Blappa hadn't grabbed me-" Anikki shook his fists.

"We know. We know." Dachi rolled his eyes. "You would have made a come back and saved the day."

Paine rolled her eyes along with Dachi.

"Yes!"

"Big words." Paine looked at Anikki levelly. His arms gradually came down and he lowered his head.

Rikku sighed again. "But you didn't." She shook her head.

Gippal reached over and rubbed the back of her hand with his. "Don't worry, you'll get 'em next time."

Rikku turned her head and smiled. It lit up her whole face and made her eyes glow. "You're right."

Dachi looked down at their hands, then up at their faces and then down at their hands again. His brow furrowed a little and he frowned considering what the action could mean.

"Besides, it's the Psyches. They're tough. They're Al Bhed." Gippal smirked. "You don't have any advantages against them." He wiggled his eyebrows.

Rikku's lips twitched. "Oh, I'm sure I could come up with something if I needed to."

Gippal narrowed his eyes. "No."

She giggled. "Why not?"

"Because I said so. Get whatever you have going on in your head out right now. Absolutely not." Gippal crossed his arms.

Rikku's bottom lip jutted out. "You aren't the boss of me."

"Rikku." Gippal growled. Rikku's grin broadened, if that were possible.

"Stop teasing the boy." Dachi cut in.

Rikku batted her eyelashes. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Boy?" Gippal turned his glare to Dachi.

Yuna lifted her head off Tidus' shoulder. "I want ice cream."

Tidus brightened. "That sounds good."

Yuna let Tidus go and hooked her arm through Rikku's. "Ice cream makes everything better." Yuna said and started to drag Rikku away.

Rikku looked at Gippal over her shoulder and under her eyelashes, walking away with her cousin. Her hips were swaying more than was necessary. "You're right Yunie. It does."

Gippal stared after them. He abruptly shook his head and took off after them. "Almost everything." He muttered under his breath.

Dachi shook his head. What was going on between Rikku and Gippal that a simple touch would make her so happy? Whatever it was, they had the hots for each other bad, though they'd always had the hots for each other. Dachi decided more observation was required.

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