Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Dreams Come True ❯ Reunion ( Chapter 3 )

Ranna gently peeled Rikku away from her, smiling at all the guardians in turn.

"Dutyo ec y tyo vun cinbnecac."

Today is a day for surprises, she'd said. And with that, Tidus stepped into view behind her, a faint smile on his face.

"It's...good to see you all again," he said quietly.

Lulu dropped her Moomba doll, staring at Tidus with an expression mirroring Rikku's - wide-eyed, frozen.

"Drec ouihk syh," Ranna grinned. "E vuiht kaddehk paydah ib eh Luca."

'This young man,' she'd remarked, 'I found getting beaten up in Luca.'

"Luca!" Lulu had evidently snapped out of her trance. "Then..."

"What?" Everyone seemed to turn to her simultaneously, even silent Kimahri.

"Then you fulfilled a promise, Tidus; a very important one."

*If ever we get separated, just whistle. I'll come running...*

"I know." he stated simply, hiding a grin.

"Then what are you still doing here? You've got to go see Yuna! She's outside; lost in thought, poor thing. Here, take her a blanket, she's been out there a long time." Lulu was suddenly full of energy, grabbing the nearest thick quilt and shoving it into Tidus' arms. Being so close to him, she inched still closer and glared at him deliberately.

"Go see her," Lu instructed under her breath, her voice firm and clearly not allowing comment. "If you mean to stay. We're all glad to see you back, Tidus, but if you only came to stop by, you can leave now. I will *not* let Yuna be hurt that way again."

"Lulu...don't worry, okay?" Tidus nodded, then stepped past her. "I'll not leave her again. I couldn't."

It was a promise - a vow, one that was spoken with such certainty that it almost surprised the dark-haired woman. But then...this was the one thing that would make Yuna as happy as she should be. The tone of Lulu's voice was thick with happiness as she answered, "Good, then. Go to her, Tidus; she needs you."

The sun's rose-pink fingers were just beginning to creep up over the eastern edge of the world. Everything seemed still - the sea did not move, nor did birds fly over the comfortably shallow waters surrounding this grand palace. Tidus dared not make a sound. His steps were slow; deliberate, and almost silent. The dock was short; meant for fishing boats or the like, though none were present.

And Yuna was all too visible, sitting perfectly motionless on the edge of the last plank.

He could never deny how beautiful she was, especially with the first hazes of the sunrise cast over her skin, her hair.

The air was still very cold; so much so that Tidus didn't know how Yuna had managed to voluntarily stay outside for more than a few minutes. His breath escaped in wisps and puffs of transparent white when he exhaled, fading into nothingness as abruptly as they appeared. Even Zanarkand winters had not been so cold.

His fingers tightened around the quilt, his breath catching as he came to a stop right behind Yuna. She looked as if asleep - but her hands gripping the edge of the dock, and the slight way she shifted her position just so, told otherwise. Her skin was several shades paler than it had seemed - she was seemingly white, now that he glimpsed her up close.

Tidus swallowed nervously, almost shaking.

What would she do...?

Cling to him, sob? Look shocked, stand there like a stunned deer?

Push him away?

He opened up the blanket and placed it slowly, numbly around her shoulders. She finally moved as he did; Yuna's head turned weakly, her eyes still closed.

The sight of her nearly broke him. The fading rivulets of tears still stood clear on her cheeks, and the corners of her eyes glittered with fresh ones, ready to leave their mark as well. She still didn't open her eyes, only turned her head numbly back towards the ocean.

Her hands slowly pulled the blanket closer around her.

"...Thanks..." Her voice was very quiet - hardly a whisper, her voice hoarse from crying. In response, he did the only thing he could manage - stroked her hair, at a loss for words.

"T-..." She started, then choked; a shudder passed over her shoulders. Still crying. "He..."

His heart sank with the realization that it was completely for him that she was in such a state - it was the first intonations of his name that she spoke, before stopping herself.

Tidus sat down close behind her, speechless.

Slowly - cautiously, as if she might break if his touch was any rougher than a butterfly's - he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, holding her back to his chest and pressing his forehead into her silken hair. Yuna made another choked, pained sound; another shudder, then brought her hands up to wrap around his wrists.

"Another dream...s-so many dreams," she whispered, grasping Tidus' wrists more tightly. He at first thought she was referring to him; then realized that all this must have haunted her dreams incessantly since her pilgrimage ended.

*Since you left,* his mind chided him.

*So, she still thinks I'll fade away. Again.* The thought was depressing; with a nervous twinge, he admitted to himself that even *he* didn't know for sure that he would stay.

Only one thing to do.

Take what time you have and make the best of it - to hell with everything else.

His arms held her tighter as he kissed her temple, featherlight. Tidus hid a half-smile, remembering what she'd last said to him.

"I love you too, Yuna. I'm...I'm sorry that I didn't say so before."

His voice seemed to snap her out of her trance - she looked down at his hands, the trademark black gloves and tanned skin. "T-....Tid-"

"Yeah. I'm back...I'm home, Yuna."

She whirled around, surprising him with her sudden burst of speed; all too suddenly her calm eyes were wide, fixed intensely on his. Yuna opened her mouth to say something, then closed it again as his hands closed firmly over her own.

"...How...?" She asked finally, her voice tiny.

Tidus shrugged. "I don't know...does it matter?"

"Yes, it matters! What if you just...go...again?" Her eyes echoed her hurt voice.

Tidus thought for a moment, then grinned. "The only place *I'll* be going is the Farplane, in about eighty years, I think."

"What?"

"What would there be to take me back? The fayth are gone - so are the aeons, and so is Yevon."

"But, if you were just a dream of the fayth -"

"I was real once, wasn't I?"

"I..." She looked hurt. "Just...don't go anywhere...don't leave me again...ever...okay?" Yuna looked down at her skirt, pushing the memory of his absence away roughly.

Tidus couldn't help grinning to himself as he stood up, pulling her with him.

He mocked a bow. "As you wish, Your Ladyship."

She let out a short laugh in spite of herself

"If this is another dream...I'm throwing myself into The Scar when I wake up." She remarked suddenly, sober. He stood up straight, drawing her into his arms and keeping her close.

"You're not throwing yourself off anything, Yuna. Not if I can help it." He paused, placing a finger under her chin and studying her face fondly. "I'm no dream. Not anymore. I'm real this time."

He bent his head and pressed his lips to hers, fitting her gently against his body as his arms wound around her. She returned the kiss; it was not romantic, but consoling and promising, as if saying *I told you 'always,' and here I am. Trust me,*

After a long moment, Tidus pulled his head away with a grin, seeing her lips curved upward in a smile and her eyes still half-closed. "I'm as real as that, Yuna."

"...I love you, Tidus." She looked up and met his eyes, forcing herself to ignore her urge to be shy and modest.

Tidus pressed his forehead to hers, smiling. "I know. I'm glad for it."

"Have the others seen you yet?"

He nodded. "Ranna took me here, and so Rikku's probably busy inside bouncing in circles around her."

"Who's Ranna?"

"Rikku's big sister. Who knew?"

She laughed lightly. "I'll have to ask Cid exactly how many cousins I have. I'm beginning to wonder if there are more than Brother and Rikku - and Ranna now, too."

"Two more!" A different, but familiar voice, this time - full of energy and happiness. Tidus turned his head, instantly embarrassed - the entire population of the household stood watching them eagerly.

"Rikku..." He groaned, rubbing the back of his neck bashfully. Yuna was laughing, though.

"Even *you,* Kimahri. Is that very guardian-like?"

Then, a phenomenon - Kimahri broke out into a grin. "Guardians always watch over Yuna! Always!" And then he laughed, a deep and happy sound.

"That doesn't mean you have to *spy* on me!" Yuna giggled. "And you too, Lulu! And Wakka! What're *you* doing peeking at me? Rikku - I'm ashamed of you!"

"No you're not!" Rikku beamed, causing Yuna more laughter.

"Okay, so I'm not. But still...!"

"What she's saying, I think," Tidus remarked thoughtfully as he slid an arm around Yuna's waist, "is that she and I would like to be alone, so if you'll excuse us -"

"Tidus!" Yuna looked playfully scandalized. "You're in on this with them too, then?"
"Of course." With that, he siezed her and kissed her enthusiastically for a short moment. After he'd set her down, he gave a self-satisfied grin to the cluster of guardians standing at the door. "That's about the most you're going to see, so stop staring."

Lulu stepped forward, smiling warmly at Yuna. "I don't know about everyone else...but I couldn't help wanting to see lovers reunite. You know? Yuna...just between you and me, don't let this one go. Alright?"

Yuna covered her mouth with her hand, giggling. "Don't worry, I won't."

"What's going on?" Tidus asked, somewhat lost.

"Just girl talk." Lulu waved her hand in a mockingly foo-foo manner, then gave Yuna a hug. While doing so, she muttered something into Yuna's ear - Yuna looked perplexed, then nodded to her guardian and smiled broadly. Tidus couldn't decipher what Lulu had said - but it hardly mattered. Lulu returned to the other guardians, then ushered them away despite many complaints.

"Well..." Tidus looked down at his love. "It's good to be home."

"Home?" Yuna tilted her head upwards toward him with a questioning smile.

"Well, that is, if you'll let me stay here. I'll pay rent, I promise. Or should I move into the Besaid temple and become a monk?"

"No!"

He laughed, then walked past her and picked up the forgotten quilt. "Yuna, you're still cold; here."

As he placed it around her shoulders, Yuna asked, "Where did you...come back?"

"Luca."

"Luca! Then --"

"Mmhm." Tidus planted a kiss on her cheek. "Then I kept my promise,"

"Always?" Yuna questioned suddenly, grasping his hand and meeting his eyes uncertainly. Tidus remembered when he'd first promised that - seemingly so long ago, when he knew his promises could not be completely fulfilled. But he had tried his best to stay by her side, and had done so as long as he could. He nodded, realizing that she was asking this question in full sincerity. If he was to affirm it, he would mean it forever.

He smiled at her, mentally saying his last goodbyes to Zanarkand as he brought her into his arms.

"Always."

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^_^; Okay, sorry this update took so long. I tried to make this chapter as beautified as possible, seeing the poignancy of it and all.

Did I do okay...? ;.; *hopeful*

Kudos to:

One of my new favorite songs. o_o; Xenogears - Mebius, off the album Creid. Gotta love the lyrics! Or, at least the English translation. :D I have verra little idea what the Japanese lyrics mean. Kudos to the people who translate stuff as well! ^_^ Never forget *them~!*

More to come soon.