I don't own these characters, only the story.

Love Is In The Air

Tidus and Rikku were walking hand in hand on the beach, smiling and enjoying each other's company. Yuna would be back the next day, and they wanted to take advantage of freely displaying their love for one another.

"How long were you visiting for?" Tidus asked.

"I usually stay for about a month when I visit. Before you came back, I had already been here a month but decided to stay a couple weeks extra sense it was the anniversary of when you left." Rikku answered.

"What about now? How long do you plan to stay?" He asked, concern in his voice.

Rikku could hear the concern in his voice and gently squeezed his hand. She looked at him, smile on her face, and gave him a tender kiss.

"For as long as I need to. Home has taken a long time to rebuild and recover the machina we've lost, but we've made great progress. I've spent the last two years of my life helping to rebuild it, and now I want to spend my time with you. Everyone practically knows we're in love. So, don't worry about me leaving you behind. I'm not going anywhere without you." She replied.

"Just double checking." Tidus said, with a lopsided grin.

/

Yuna couldn't stop laughing. As Darius acted out a funny story of when he was younger, she held her sides and tried to take deep breaths. Finishing his story, he smiled as he watched her and she wiped the tears that were streaming down her face from laughter.

"I don't think I've ever laughed that hard before." Yuna said, beginning to compose herself.

They had spent the last week getting to know each other and had quickly developed a friendship. They sat in Darius's suite as they enjoyed the hotel's delicious room service for lunch.

"I was an interesting kid, what can I tell you." Darius replied.

"I've really enjoyed myself on this trip. To be honest, I'm a little sad that I have to leave tomorrow. It was so nice getting to know you." She admitted.

"Look me up sometime if you're ever in Luca again." He said, with a smile.

The room fell silent as they continued to eat their food. Yuna's eyes trailed from her plate, to Darius, and back again. She and him had a lot in common and she felt happier than she ever had around him. He was a breath of fresh air and it was nice meeting someone new. She knew she had to go back tomorrow, but she didn't want their friendship to end here.

"Well, actually… Couldn't I just call you?" She asked, timidly.

"You could, if you'd like. I won't hold it as obligation." He replied.

"What do you mean by that?" She asked, slightly frowning.

"Only that I won't be mad if you don't. You live far away, and I'm sure you'll get busy once you get back. I'm not going to expect anything, that's all." He explained.

"I wouldn't be that busy." She responded.

"Oh, really?" He said, grinning as he raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, really. And you can call me too. In fact, you can visit me sometime if you ever feel like seeing Besaid." She offered.

"I'd like that, actually. I've been many places, but I've never been to Besaid Island."

Yuna's face lit up and she happily took a bite of her food. Darius noticed her reaction and smiled. He found her very endearing.

"Do you have a meeting later?" Yuna asked.

Darius shook his head.

"No, today I get a break sense I'll be here a week more." He answered.

"I do have my last proposal for rebuilding Spira later in the early evening. Would you like to meet after that?" She asked.

"Yes, that would be nice. Call me when you finish" He replied.

Yuna nodded happily.

"I will."

/

After Yuna had finished up with the Spira restoration meeting, she joined Darius that evening for dinner, a play that was a reenactment of the defeat of Sin, and a walk around the city. The city lights lit up the night in an enchanting glow and a cool breeze blew softly. The two had been walking and talking for hours, sharing stories and laughs and enjoying each other's company. Everything that had been previously troubling Yuna seemed to melt away in the presence of Darius. There was something about him that helped her to live in the moment and enjoy the now to the fullest.

"I'm going to miss our nightly walks. It's nice to be able to talk to someone so freely." Yuna said, a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Don't you have friends back in Besaid?" Darius asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I do, but… it's not exactly the same. I feel as if they're all moving forward and creating new lives, while I still seem to be catching up." She replied.

"What do you mean?" He asked

"Two of my previous guardians, Lulu and Wakka, the one's I told you about, are married and expecting their first child. During my time on the pilgrimage I had met someone… someone very special to me. He helped me find the courage to find a way to defeat Sin once and for all. I thought that we might… well, anyways we didn't… He loves someone else and I can see where him and her are headed. I'm happy for them, I wish they would just be open about it. I feel as if they're afraid of hurting me when really it's dishonesty that hurts. Him and I are not as similar and it was obvious how different we were on the pilgrimage. I think during that time I just needed someone to hold on to, someone to depend on. Now I'm past that and it would be nice to not feel like a third wheel or like I'm intruding in someone else's moment." She explained.

"I understand what you're saying. I feel for your situation… It might take time, but everything levels out when it comes to love. Perhaps you should see it as a blessing that you have friends who don't want to hurt your feelings. Sometimes feelings can't be spared, but perhaps if you talked to them it would make the transition easier." He replied.

"I did talk to him before I came here. I told him he should be with who he loves."

"Then that's all you can do. Give it some time, it'll work out. In the meantime, you need to start focusing on yourself and figuring out what you want out of life and go get it. You can't spend your time worrying about something that's out of your control. If you need someone to listen you can always give me a ring."

"Thank you, Darius, for your advice as well as your offer. I appreciate it."

"No problem."

The two continued to walk and eventually came to a fountain. They sat on the edge and watched as people passed by on the streets.

"What time are you leaving tomorrow?" Darius asked.

"Tomorrow morning. I should make it back to Besaid by noon sometime." Yuna replied.

"I'll come by and see you off." He said

"I'd like that." She said, smiling.

Darius smiled back and Yuna felt a jolt of joy. Darius had been sweet and kind to her this past week, as well as good company to be around. She really was going to miss him. The entire week sense meeting him, she found herself thinking about him during meetings and counting down until the next time she saw him. As they sat there silently watching the city at night, it suddenly struck her just how handsome he really was. It was obvious he was a handsome man from the moment she met him, but suddenly she noticed every detail about his appearance. From the smooth deepness of his voice, to the boyish smirk he gave and the masculine energy he gave off, everything stood out to her. She caught herself eyeing him and quickly shook herself out of it, bringing her attention back to the city.

/

Rikku and Tidus were snuggled up lying down on the couch together, enjoying their final night without Yuna. The week had been a magical one for the two, being able to openly display their love for one another without worry or hesitation. Tidus held Rikku's hand, silently memorizing the way it felt and looked. Rikku looked up at him and smiled.

"This is heaven." Rikku said, happily.

"Agreed. When Yuna comes back I want us to begin being more open around her. It's torture having to sensor myself around you when she's near." Tidus responded.

"I agree. There's really no sense in hiding it like we've had." She agreed.

Tidus maneuvered himself so that he was now on top of Rikku. He leaned forward and began to kiss her gently. Rikku wrapped her arms and legs around him and gently kissed him back. Tidus broke the kiss and looked lovingly into the eyes of the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He wanted, now more than ever, to ask her to marry him. His body became wrecked with nerves as he thought it over. Rikku looked at him curiously as she saw the contemplative look in his eyes.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked

Tidus kissed her again in an attempt to steady his heart beat.

"Thinking of you." He answered.

Deciding that while now would be a good time, waiting until they were public about their relationship would be the best time. He decided to wait a bit before he officially asked her. He stood up, grabbed Rikku's hand and brought her to her feet. Rikku wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a big kiss on his lips.

"Can we move to your bedroom?" Rikku asked, breaking the kiss.

Tidus's face broke into a grin.

"You read my mind." He answered.

/

The next morning, Yuna was packing her bags preparing to go back to Besaid. She let out a yawn and smiled to herself as she thought of the previous night. Her and Darius had stayed up late into the night talking until he noticed the time and apologized for keeping her awake. She hadn't minded, in fact, she enjoyed it. Now it was time to go back home and she was hoping he would visit her sooner rather than later. In the mean time, she planned to call him not long after getting back. She hadn't left yet, but she was already beginning to miss him. She looked at the time and saw that it was time for her to head to the airship. She hoped he didn't end up sleeping in due to their late night and that he would indeed see her off. She grabbed her bags and headed out. When she got to the aircraft dock, she watched as people got on and looked around for Darius. She didn't see him and decided to wait a few minutes more before getting on. The ship was about to take off in 10 minutes, disappointed, she decided to get on.

As she turned around she bumped into someone, feeling their hands grabbing her shoulders to steady her. She looked up and her heart immediately brightened. It was Darius.

"Easy there. You alright?" Darius asked.

Yuna nodded with a smile.

"For a moment I thought you weren't coming." She said.

"I went to your hotel room first to see if you were still there." He explained.

"Thank you for seeing me off." She said.

"No problem. I hope to hear from you soon." He said, smiling.

"I'll be sure to call you soon." She replied.

Darius leaned down and gave her a kiss on the corner of her mouth. Yuna froze in surprise and immediately felt her face flush. She looked up at him, feeling a sudden bundle of nerves. He held his cool demeanor, put his hands in his pockets, and grinned.

"Have a safe trip." He said.

She stared up at him contemplating what to do. Hearing the warning honk of the ship's plan to depart, she quickly wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a tight hug. He slowly wrapped his arms around her and she stayed there for a few moments, before breaking the hug and quickly boarding. Before the doors closed, she stopped to look at him once more and he waved. She smiled and waved back before turning as the doors closed.