AN: I am exhausted with a capitol X. I spent all of last night at my sister's house playing Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess on the Wii. I'm almost to the end (Just the sky temple to go!) but now I feel like I'm dead on my feet. So this chapter is slightly sub-par, even though I tried my best. Seems like they're turning out like that a lot, doesn't it?
I have nothing else to say, really, except Happy Easter tomorrow for those of you who celebrate it.
Disclaimer: I don't own it
School was less awkward than I thought it would be. I saw Sora like normal, but we didn't say anything to each other. I don't think we would have known what to say. I thought I would feel a horrible pain when we were so close like that, but all I felt was a dull, buzzing numbness. I didn't want to test my luck at lunch, where Kairi and Sora would most definitely be eating together, so I took my business outside in the school gardens.
To my surprise, though I suppose it shouldn't have been, Tidus was out there waiting for me. He was sitting on one of the benches, staring at the flowers, but I saw him sneak small glances my way. I smirked. For being a ghost, the boy wasn't as subtle as he thought.
"How long have you been here?" I asked amusedly, sitting down next to him. He grinned at me.
"Not long. I sensed you were coming here, so I fazed a few minutes ago. I figured you might like some company for lunch."
"Thanks," I said, offering my apple to him. He declined.
"I'm dead, remember? I don't need it. But thanks." We sat in silence for some time, watching to clear blue sky. Amazing, really, how quickly the weather, and my mood, had picked up so quickly.
It had only been a few days since Tidus asked me to be his lover. I felt like I shouldn't accept, but there was a part of me that desperately needed someone, anyone, to be with right now. It's not that I didn't like Tidus; he was a very attractive person and had become a wonderful friend when I needed it most. He was everything a lover should be, really, and I was lucky to have him.
But…
There was a part of me that protested against the whole thing. It was small, but there nonetheless. It felt like I shouldn't pretend to love someone else when I so obviously was still broken up over Sora. And maybe that was true. There was no denying that even though I was essentially okay for the moment I was still technically using Tidus as a way to forget about him. Hell, that was his point anyway. And I was helping him. So shut up, voice, and let me enjoy my small happiness.
As if to battle against my thoughts, I cupped Tidus' cheek and pulled him towards me for a kiss. He accepted readily, wrapping his arms loosely around my waist. It was a good kiss, definitely one of the best I'd ever had. It left me feeling warm, my lips tingling in a pleasant way. That was proof enough, right? I did have feelings for Tidus. And even if they weren't as strong as with Sora, they would be someday; maybe even surpass it. This could become something big, even bigger than what I thought I would have with Sora. I could do this. I could be happy without him.
I caught movement out of the movement of my eye. I looked and noticed we had drawn a small crowd. Mostly girls, staring at us doe-eyed. I think one of them had a camera. There were a few boys, though, their noses scrunched up in disgust. I rewarded that faction with my middle finger.
Tidus laughed and pulled me back down for another kiss. The girls 'aww'-ed in unison. I had to admit, it was kind of fun to not have to keep things a secret. To be able to kiss in public like this was refreshing, if a little awkward.
The bell rang, much to my dismay; and the girls' too, as they all groaned and reluctantly headed for the building. Sighing, I released Tidus from my grip.
"I have to go back in," I said, standing up. He grinned up at me.
"Meet me here after school again, okay? Right here one this bench." I looked at him strangely, but agreed. As I made my way into school, I felt a bit lighthearted. Nothing could ruin my mood.
Sora sat down next to me in Global Science. I kept my gaze fixed firmly on the book I was currently pretending to read out of. I would do anything to avoid any sort of confrontation, especially since I couldn't guarantee I could keep my cool. I heard Sora clear his throat, as if he was going to say something, and braced myself.
"Riku…"
And, here we go.
I closed the book with a loud thump and fixed him with a blank stare.
"What?" He looked around nervously, as if he was suddenly afraid to say what he wanted to next. He swallowed a few times. I almost got bored and went back to fake-reading when he stammered:
"Olette said she saw you and…and some guy in the gardens…k-kissing…" He looked up at me with pained eyes. "Is that true?" It took a lot of willpower to say the words I said next.
"Yes. It is." I had to remind myself sometimes that I wanted him to be jealous, and I wanted him to hurt like I had. But every time I saw him look at me like that, I wanted to gather him in my arms and tell him I loved him and that I would never love anyone else, pain be damned.
But right now, I had to do what was best for me. And if that included hurting him, by telling the truth, especially, then so be it.
Sora bit his lip in a way that was cute and turned to look at the teacher. I had to fight hard to look away from him. I had gotten what I wanted. He was jealous, and he was hurt. And now he knew what he'd done to me.
So why did it feel like a hollow victory?
I spent the rest of the day in a bad mood over the whole thing. When the end of the day came around, I was so distracted I almost forgot to go to the gardens. When I stepped in among the plants and flowers, I expected to see Tidus waiting for me. But the garden was empty.
That was weird. He said to meet him here, didn't he? I sat down on the bench and pulled out the book I had been pretending to read while ignoring Sora. I figured I might as well read it…at least a little.
As I opened the title page, a shadow fell over the words. I looked up and was surprised to find Sora standing in front of me, looking awkward.
I closed the book and slowly set it aside, staring up at him. When he didn't say anything for a long time, I frowned.
"Did you come here to say something or just to hover over me all day?" He flinched slightly, as if surprised by the venom in my voice. He cleared his throat.
"Look," he started, in a voice that promised a long speech. But he never got past that.
"Riku!!" I felt a warm weight on my back and arms snake around my waist. A very small smile appeared on my face as Tidus' sandy hair tickled my chin.
"Who's the brunette?" He asked. As if he didn't know.
"I'm Sora," he answered, his eyes brimming with wariness. "And who, pray tell, are you?"
"Tidus," he answered easily, uncaring. "I'm Riku's lover." He put an emphasis on the last word. Sora's eyes flickered to me for confirmation of this. I didn't give him any, and I think that's all he really needed.
Sora's eyes slowly migrated back to Tidus, a challenge surfacing in them.
"Lover, huh? You're much girlier than the people Riku usually goes for."
"Says the hermaph ex." Even I was taken aback by that comment. That might have been going a little far.
"Listen, sweetheart," Tidus said acidly. "I don't want to hear about you even looking at Riku anymore, got that? He's mine now. Sorry to disappoint, but you had your chance."
Sora looked shocked. He looked at me pleadingly.
"Riku, you can't possibly…"
"Yeah…I do." I didn't really approve of Tidus' methods, but the fact was that he got the job that needed to be done finished.
I glanced up at Sora's face. He was glaring down at me with a look of intense hatred. It made my heart ache to see him looking at me like that, but I held firm. The face crumbled and turned into one of hurt.
"Fine," he said in a low voice. "If that's how you want it…I'm sure Kairi should make better company anyway." With that he turned on his heel and walked off. A bitter feeling was in the pit of my stomach. With that last comment, we both knew he had won.
Tidus nuzzled my cheek. "That was certainly dramatic. You okay?"
I pushed him off me angrily. "You had no right to start that, Tidus," I growled, burying my head in my hands. Hands were at my back again, rubbing gently.
"I'm sorry," he said softly. "But you'll never heal if you're around him all the time. I was just trying to help."
"It's not your battle to fight," I sighed, my anger ebbing. Suddenly I felt exhausted.
"Let's get you home, okay?" Tidus said, helping me stand up. "We can sit on the couch and watch bad movies until we pass out. What do you say?"
I smiled. That sounded like a great idea.
