Hey, Wait a Sec...[Closed]

[tiny_tinker_toy]

Characters: Rikku and Gippal
Content: Rikku's wandering the fairgrounds, and a certain one-eyed someone decides to tackle her.
Setting: The Badlands, race course
Time: Before the races.
Warnings: Cute, fail flirting, and general Rikku--Gippal-y goodness?

Comments

[shiptoride]

This was a refreshing change from being huddled in a workshop, away from big crowds where he might be recognized. Good to be close to home again, if Gippal was perfectly honest with himself. The minute he realized he was free to move on with his life, he'd taken no time at all to secure himself a position on an airship. He'd always wanted to fly in one, after all. It sure beat hoofin' it everywhere.

And he knew the one. He had a childhood friend to check on. And naturally, it made sense to catch up with the crew at the races. It was close enough for him to slip in, and enjoy himself at the same time. He'd been walking the grounds, counting on Rikku's natural inability to sit still to make her easy to find.

And there she was. He tiptoed up behind her and gave the back of her head a light shove. "Hey, if it isn't Cid's girl!"

[tiny_tinker_toy]

Instinct overtook the 'wait, do I know that voice', and Rikku elbowed the creep in the gut before turning around...

...And promptly hugging the guy.

"Gippal? Oh my god, Gippal, I'm sorry, I didn't know it was you!" She smacked his head lightly. "And I have a name!"

[shiptoride]

He oofed at the elbow. For such a small thing, she sure was tough. "Is that any way to show your undying love for me?" Yeah, he was teasing her, but she really had it coming. Even if it was good to see she could hold her own. "Wait, what was your name again?"

[tiny_tinker_toy]

"Rikku Karana Dalabane, you big jerk, and you know it! I've told you a thousand times!" Rikku giggled, still hugging Gippal. "What are you doing here? No one back home's heard from you in forever!"

[shiptoride]

Three years. Hard to believe it'd been that long. At the same time, it felt like decades had past. And she sure wasn't the gangly, big-eyed kid he remembered. She'd filled out and gotten... nice on the eyes. And apparently grown up too. Not that he was going to sink to telling Rikku any of that. "'Bout time you grew up and filled-out. You were such a scrawny little thing I was worried you were gonna snap. Looks like the ship's life is doin' you good." And that, was as close to a compliment as he was going to dish out. "Too bad I missed it. I bet it was quite the show."

[tiny_tinker_toy]

"And how long did it take that tummy of yours to flatten out into muscle, huh?" Rikku retorted. "And yeah, it has. I'm not afraid of mice any more, in fact, a few of 'em clean my room for me."

She paused. That sounded funny.

"Um, blame Giselle, one of the cooks for that. Still scared of thunder, though, and I can actually sing now!"

[shiptoride]

There was great retort right on the tip of his tongue--until she got to the part about the mice cleaning her room. And the ability to sing. Gippal just stared at her, mouth dropping open, as if she'd grown a spare pair of heads.

"Who are you and what'd you do with Rikku?"

[tiny_tinker_toy]

Rikku glared at him. "Okay, the mice are a little weird. But why can't I learn how to sing, huh? Mama had a great singing voice!" What meanie. What was wrong with her learning how to sing? It was crucial sometimes as an actress!

[shiptoride]

"Afraid? Nah, that's not it." He stood up and stretched slowly. "If you're gonna do something, do it right. And I need to be checking in at the ship."

He smirked and leaned in again for a minute. "Guess you'll just have to wait, sweetheart."

[tiny_tinker_toy]

When Gippal leaned in, Rikku took her chance.

She pecked him quickly right on the lips. "Don't call me sweetheart, Gippal, or people will get ideas~" she sang.

[shiptoride]

That was unexpected. Then again, not really. Rikku was a flirt, and Gippal was darned good looking. Couldn't blame a girl for sneaking a little taste. He grinned at her and rubbed the top of her head. "Maybe that's what I was aimin' for."

[tiny_tinker_toy]

"You're horrible, y'know that?" Rikku teased, eating more of her ice cream. "Seriously, it's a miracle I survived growing up with you."

Inwardly, she was flailing at his nonchalant comments about people getting ideas. But, really, her ice cream was melting and the flailing would only give him more ammo.