I don't own these characters

I thought, It wasn't, You knew

Rikku stood holding her breath waiting for Tidus's reply. She knew in many situations Tidus had a problem standing his ground to Yuna. His guilt over not wanting to hurt her feelings, made him more comprisable than he should be. Tidus got a look on his face, like he knew he was about to disappoint someone. Rikku's hand began to slightly tremble.

Tidus shook his end.

"I'm sorry, but no."

Yuna had a look of pure shock on her face. Rikku froze. Did he really say that? A small grin spread across Rikku's lips.

"W-What? Why?" Yuna asked.

"I don't think it would be a sensible thing for us to do." Tidus answered.

"And why not? Rikku doesn't live here, it's just me. We would have complete privacy to be ourselves."

"It's not about that. I don't feel comfortable moving in with you at this stage. Trust me. It won't be good."

"Is it something about me that you don't want to live with?"

"No! It's not like that, it's just… moving in is a big step. When we were on the pilgrimage, we didn't get to know each other like we should. I think two people should know each other much better than we do before they decided to share a home." Tidus replied.

"I understand what you're saying, but… don't you think expectations can be made for the right person?" Yuna asked, her eyes revealing her disappointment.

"Yuna, I'm not trying to upset you, but I think rushing wouldn't be wise." Tidus replied.

"Alright. I just was really hoping you would… But it doesn't matter. Maybe someday." Yuna said, giving Tidus a hug before walking out of the room.

Rikku pressed her body against the wall as Yuna walked by, so she wouldn't see her. Once the coast was clear, she went into the livingroo. and stood in front of Tidus, proceeding to put her hand on her hips.

"Wow, I'm really proud. You actually managed to have a spine." Rikku said, grinning.

"H-Hey!"

"I'm just teasing! But you know that you always give into her. It's nice to see a change."

"It's been two years. Of course there's change."

Rikku smiled. Tidus stood up and wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug.

"I don't want anyone else, but you." Tidus said.

Rikku stood taken off guard for a moment, but soon returned the hug. They stood there for a moment's lost time. Tidus knew they were taking a risk hugging that way in the middle of the living room, but he didn't mind and neither did Rikku. They soon parted.

"Goof." Rikku said, nudging him.

Tidus got a warm smile on his face.

"Hey, sit down and talk to me." He said, sitting down on the couch. Rikki smiled and sat down next to him.

"I still can't believe you're back. Sometimes I pinch myself just to make sure I'm not dreaming." Rikku said, her voice softening.

"As soon as I came-to after passing out on the beach, my first thought was of you. Then I saw you and it was as if someone breathed new life into me." Tidus said, smiling softly at her.

"If you never had to leave after defeating sin, what do you think our life would be like?" Rikku asked.

"I would have helped you to rebuild Home if that's what you wanted to do. I think we probably would have traveled around a Spira and made memories in each city we saw. I'm not sure where you would want to live. We could live here of we wanted to." Tidus answered.

"That's what I thought too. It sounds even better coming from you." Rikku said, a dreamy look in her eyes.

"Do you want to have kids?" Tidus asked.

Rikku nodded her head.

"I'd want to enjoy having you with me alone for a few years before we had children. I'd want to travel and keep busy before settling down here in Besaid." She answered.

"That sounds perfect to me." Tidus said, with a smile.

Rikku scooted closer to Tidus and rested her head on his shoulder.

"You've changed yet somehow have stayed the same." She commented.

"You have too." He said.

"Hopefully, that's a good thing." Rikku said, chuckling.

Tidus looked at her lovingly.

"Of course." He said.

/

Yuna was coming down the steps, when she heard a Tidus and Rikku talking. She slowed down as she descended the steps, before coming to a halt as she listened in. The two were talking about their childhood memories, laughing, and recalling their experiences when they first met. She continued down the steps and stopped in the living room door way. Rikku and Tidus were facing each other on the couch, and were so engrossed in their conversation, they didn't even notice her. She watched how enthusiastic they were and saw the pure happiness in their faces. As she watched them, she began to think about her and Tidus. His demeanor with her was always different than his demeanor with Rikki, and even on the pilgrimage he and Rikku shared a special bond. Rikku and Tidus both had a lighthearted and cheery disposition, and both had similar personalities that made it so easy for them to get along. Yuna had always been more serious due to upbringing, and it was Tidus or Rikku who usually brought out her more playful side. Tidus had been her first love, but she began to wonder if her feelings went deeper for him than his did for her.

On the pilgrimage, their interactions were never the way his and Rikku's were. Yuna recognized her and Tidus's complementary personalities to one another, but she began to wonder if it was enough for a romantic relationship. The natural spark between Tidus and Rikku was obvious, and the time they spent together made her wonder if just perhaps there was more to their relationship than meets the eye.

She continued into the room, drawing the attention of Rikku and Tidus.

"Well, I need to go and pick up some groceries! I'll see you two soon." Yuna said, smiling before she left.

When she was sure Yuna was gone, she led Tidus by the hand up to her bedroom. Tidus obediently followed with a lopsided grin on his face. When they reached Rikku's room, Tidus placed both his hands on the sides of her face, and kissed her passionately. They both stumbled onto her bed with Tidus on top of her. Rikku returned met Tidus's passion with her own, before breaking off the kiss.

"Let me up for one moment." Rikku said.

"Is something wrong?" Tidus asked, rolling off of her.

Rikku got up and locked the door.

"Oh, Sorry!" Tidus said, giving a nervous chuckle.

Rikku smiled mischievously and began to slowly undress. Tidus's mouth dropped as he watched her take off everything but her panties. She walked seductively over and crawled on top of him. Tidus couldn't help himself from immediately capturing her lips with his, as his hands began to wander all over her body. Rikku pressed herself to him, grabbing his hands and slowly leading them to the band of her panties. Tidus broke the kissed and looked at her adoringly.

"What's the occasion?" Tidus asked, grinning.

Rikku put a finger on her chin and pretended to contemplate.

"How about… for coming back to me after all of this time." Rikku answered, leaning her head to kiss him again.

\\\\\\\\\\

Yuna walked along the market stalls, picking out the groceries she wanted. As she walked along, she a gave a little sigh.

((Why did he say "no"? I understand his worries, but if he is confident in his relationship then he should be willing to take the risk. Besides, he could always move out if things aren't working… but that wouldn't happen! Maybe I'm missing something…)) Yuna thought.

She stopped for moment, and examining some fruit before she continued on.

((He seems uncomfortable when I'm around. It's like there's something on his mind that he's not telling me... He doesn't seem uncomfortable with Rikku.))

Yuna bought her things and decided to go visit Lulu and Wakka. She knocked on the door and was let in by Wakka.

"Hey Yuna, what's up?" Wakka asked.

"I was just doing some shopping. How have you two been?" Yuna asked, sitting down on the couch.

"We've been good. Wakka still spoils me, but I think I'm starting to like it." Lulu said, smiling at Wakka.

"What brings you here?" Wakka asked, sitting down next to Lulu.

"Well, I've just been thinking about something I asked Tidus." Yuna answered.

'What was it?" Lulu asked, interested.

"Well, I asked him to move in with me." Yuna answered.

Lulu paused for a moment.

"And… what did he say?" Lulu asked.

"He turned me down. I was quite surprised that he did, but then I got to thinking that maybe it would be for the best. It's been two years sense we last saw each other and sometimes I get the feeling I barely know him." Yuna replied.

Lulu looked off to the side for a moment, seeming to contemplate something, and then looked back at Yuna.

"You two haven't… done anything else have you?" Lulu asked.

Yuna looked at her confused, until it suddenly dawned on her what she was asking.

"Oh! No! That hasn't even come up. He doesn't even seem interested in doing THAT yet." Yuna said, blushing.

Lulu suddenly felt the need to cough and she cleared her throat. Wakka got up and brought her some water.

"Well, that's good that you two haven't." Lulu said, smiling.

"That's really good." Lulu mumbled under her breath. Lulu cleared her throat once more.

"So, what do you have planned for today, Yuna?" Lulu asked.

"Well, we're having that big dinner here." Yuna responded.

"Ah, I almost forgot. Wakka and I will start cooking and you can round everybody up." Lulu said, carefully standing up. Yuna stood up as well.

"I'll head over right now. Sometime soon, we will have to go visit Kimari or at least convince him to come here." Yuna said.

Lulu nodded and the two went their separate ways. Yuna walked back to her house and placed the groceries on the kitchen table and began putting them away. After she was done she walked up the stairs and knocked on Rikku's bedroom door.

\\\\\\\\\\

Rikku sat up sharply in her bed and her long flowing hair went into her face. She turned to Tidus and put a finger to her lips, signaling him to stay quiet.

"Yes?" Rikku said.

"Rikku, its Yuna. Lulu is starting the dinner for Tidus, you should head over. Do you know where he is, though?" Yuna asked, through the door.

"Um-" Rikku looked at Tidus and shrugged her shoulders.

"The Beach." Tidus whispered.

"He went to the beach!" Rikku said.

Tidus slowly crept out of bed and got his clothed on.

"Alright, I'll go down to get him." Yuna said. Rikku listened to Yuna's footsteps go back down the stairs.

Rikku sighed in relief.

"You better hurry!" Rikku said, in a hushed tone.

Tidus bent down and wrapped his arms around her, bringing her to her feet. Rikku was in her bra and underwear, which she had luckily put on about half an hour before Yuna got home.

"I'll have to go through your window." Tidus said, giving her a soft kiss on her lips.

"It would have been awful if she came while we were… I'm just glad she came after the fact." Rikku said, shaking her head with her hand in her face.

"Won't this be a story to tell our kids." Tidus said, placing a hand on Rikku's stomach. Rikku smiled lovingly at Tidus and give him a kiss.

"Hopefully one day. Now go! Before she beats you there!" Rikku said, hurriedly.

Tidus let her go and walked over to the window. He opened it and skillfully jumped down. He heard the tapping of feet and slowly looked up. Paine was standing there with her arms crossed but then put her hands on her hips.

"And what are you doing?" Paine asked.

Tidus slowly stood up speechless.

Paine looked up and saw Rikku looking out the window to make sure Tidus was ok. Rikku's eyes widened in horror and she drew in a large gasp as she saw Paine standing there. Paine looked back own at Tidus.

"I see… Well, you better get to where you're going." Paine said, stepping out of the way.

"Paine… I don't want you to think that I'm some-" Tidus began.

"Oh, save it. We can talk later." Paine said, interrupting him.

Tidus nodded and sprinted towards the beach. Paine looked back up at Rikku.

"You, miss, stay right there." Paine said.

Rikku sunk back into her room as Paine made her way inside the house. She closed the window and quickly put on a robe. There was a light tapping at her door and she opened it. Paine then made her way in.

"So, just what were you two doing?" Paine asked, raising an eyebrow.

Rikku opened her mouth, but no words came out.

"That's what I thought. And Yuna obviously doesn't know?"

Rikku shook her head.

"Lovely, so how long has this little arrangement been going on? I presume sense the pilgrimage?"

Rikku nodded.

"And you're going to be telling Yuna…"

Paine and Rikku both lowered there heads and met at eye level through their brow.

"Tomorrow, right?" Paine continued.

Rikku hesitated.

"Tomorrow?" Rikku repeated.

Paine gave her a look and Rikku nodded in defeat.

"Good girl. Now, I'm done here." Paine said, making her way to the door.

"Paine wait!" Rikku called out. Pain stopped and turned around.

"What is it?" Paine asked.

"I'm so sorry, you saw that. Tidus and I were going to mention it at the end of the week. We just thought that perhaps it might be too soon tell Yuna after he just came back." Rikku replied.

"How did this start?"

"It was in the calm lands. I had confessed to Tidus that I was in love with him and he felt the same. We didn't want to say anything then because of Sin, and Yuna seemed already so sad as it was. Then we found out Tidus was a dream of the Fayth and he went away. We never intended on hurting Yuna. The Fayth brought him to life again and all of those same feelings were there." Rikku explained, tearing up.

"It's ok, Rikku. If I know anything about you, its that you never want to disappoint or hurt anyone. As long as you and Tidus tell her tomorrow, I won't say anything. Although, if you didn't I probably wouldn't either way. But you need to tell her before her feelings get far too deep."

Rikku nodded.

"You better hurry and get over to Lulu's." Paine said before leaving.

\\\\\\\\\

Tidus managed to get down to the beach, just moments before Yuna had arrived. He calmed his breathing and stood by the shore.

"Tidus, Lulu is starting your dinner. We better get going." Yuna said, walking up behind him. Tidus turned around to look at her.

"Ok, Yuna." Tidus said.

The two made their way back to Lulu's house. Paine was already there and she was sitting and talking with Lulu. Wakka was in the kitchen taking over cooking while Lulu rested.

"Oh, Paine, is Rikku here too?" Yuna asked.

Paine nodded.

"She's setting the table." Paine answered.

"I'll go help her." Yuna said, walking into the dinning room.

"Excuse me, Lulu." Paine said, walking over to Tidus.

"Rikku informed me of the situation; though I advise you to end this quickly. Yuna is bound to find out sooner or later, if you two don't." Paine said, in a hush voice.

"I know. After you saw us, I decided that I'm going to tell her tonight." Tidus said.

"Good… And don't worry about it too much. She'll be fine." Paine said, giving Tidus a pat on his arm.

\\\\\\\\\\

After dinner everyone was sitting around and sharing stories, as they caught up on the last 2 years. The evening had been filled with laughter and joy as the old friends became reacquainted.

"So Yuna, what are you going to do now that Tidus is back?" Wakka asked, with a grin.

Yuna smiled slightly embarrassed.

"Well, I was hoping he would come with me to Luca on a trip that I have to do for some meetings." Yuna said.

Wakka nodded with a smile.

"Let me get everyone some dessert! You guys want something sweet, ya?" Wakka said, getting up quickly and hurrying into the kitchen.

"I'd like to stay here, actually. The trip to Luca is a week long stay and after just getting back, I'd like to catch up with everyone. It won't be too long before I have to start on my promise to the Fayth." Tidus commented.

"Is a week that long?" Yuna asked, a sadness behind her eyes.

Tidus didn't know what else to say, but Yuna dropped it as Wakka came back and served everyone dessert. After dinner, everyone sat in the living room. They continued to talk. Lulu and Wakka sat on one couch, Paine and Yuna sat on the other and Tidus and Rikku sat on the floor in-between the two. Lulu noticed Yuna's change in demeanor as the night progressed. While everyone was talking enthusiastically, Yuna became mostly quiet, her mind seeming to be elsewhere. It was still midnight as they all still chatted away.

"I have to say, this is the latest I've stayed up in awhile." Lulu said, smiling.

"Ya, me too." Wakka said, yawning.

Tidus felt a head on his shoulder and looked to see Rikku had fallen asleep. He smiled at her, and Yuna caught the way he looked at her.

"I guess this is a queue to start heading in for the night." Tidus said, moving his arm so Rikku's head laid on his chest.

Tidus shook Rikku awake, and she after a while she sleepily sat up.

"Huh?" Rikku said sleepily, clearly disoriented as she looked her with half closed eyes.

"Come on, let's stand up." Tidus suggested.

Tidus stood up and helped Rikku stand as well. She drowsily leaned into him, placing her head on his chest.

"I don't want to get up." Rikku protested.

"Maybe she should just stay here?" Paine suggested.

"It's ok, I'll carry her on my back. Come on, Rikku." Tidus said, turning his back to Rikku and bending down for her to jump on.

Rikku wrapped her arms around Tidus neck and sleepily got on. Tidus stood up and adjusted so he could comfortably carry her.

"Lulu, do you mind if I start stay here tonight? I'm very tired." Paine asked.

Lulu nodded.

"You know Paine, I would prefer it if you stay here for the remainder of your trip." Lulu said.

"Thank you, but-"Paine said, as she was interrupted by lulu.

"And that is not an offer." Lulu said, firmly.

Tidus and the others chuckled as Paine looked almost dumb founded, but just nodded her head compliantly.

/

When Tidus and Yuna got to the house, Tidus brought Rikku to her room and tucked her in. Yuna stood by the door, watching as he lovingly laid her down in her bed, took her shoes off, put the sheets over her, and secured her in. There was a faint smile on his lips as he did it, and the look in his eyes as did it made Yuna's heart sink. She quietly went into the hallway and waited for him to come out.

"Tidus, can we talk?" Yuna asked, as he exited Rikku's room and closed the door.

"Sure, Yuna." Tidus replied.

"Let's go down into the living room." Yuna suggested.

The two went down the steps and sat the couch. Tidus eyed her curiously, wondering what she wanted to talk about. Yuna hesitated for a moment, unsure where to begin, but took a deep breath and spoke.

"It's obvious things between us have changed… The one thing that hasn't changed, is you and Rikku. I always knew you two had a special bond; she saved you and was your first friend here. Don't misunderstand me, I'm happy that you and Rikku are close. I know sometimes she can feel left behind when it comes to certain things, so I'm glad she has someone that makes her feel more included. Her and I stay in touch, but we don't see each other unless she comes here for a visit. I prefer to be more settled and she likes traveling. That being said… you and I… we're not going anywhere… are we?"

"Going anywhere? What do you mean?" Tidus asked.

Yuna gave a sad smile.

"Perhaps the pilgrimage was as far as our relationship was meant to go… Before I met you, I used to think about all that I would miss out on being a summoner. Sacrificing myself to for the people of Spira would mean i's never get to travel for leisure or fall in love and have a family of my own. My friends and you gave me hope to life beyond the pilgrimage and I will always be grateful for that. But… we both deserve our own happiness. We should force ourselves together due to expectations. I sense that's what you're trying to do… Your hearts not in it, but your trying not to hurt me." Yuna explained, hiding her emotion.

Tidus looked at her in surprise then slowly hung his head.

"I'm sorry Yuna… you're right… I… don't feel the same way that I did. You're wonderful person, but I… It just doesn't seem to fit. I wanted to talk to you about by tomorrow at the latest. It didn't feel right stringing you along." Tidus said, looking at her with apologetic eyes.

Yuna nodded her head in understanding.

"And… Rikku... Do you think you feel something for her?" Yuna asked.

Tidus didn't answer. He wasn't sure this was the time to bring that up yet.

"I ask because you look at her in a way that you've never looked at me." Yuna said.

Tidus still remained silent.

"You don't have to answer, but I want you to know that I want you to find your happiness… no matter who you find your happiness with." Yuna reassured.

"Thanks, Yuna. Are we… still friends?" Tidus asked.

Yuna smiled and nodded her head.

"We are. And if you still want me to help you complete your favor to the Fayth, then I will." Yuna answered.

Tidus smiled and gave her a hug. The two parted and went up to bed.