Summer's End and New Beginings

"Hah hua osu!" Hitomi said on the Tv screen. The score was 50 to 50.

"Heh. You are better then you let on," Zidane said getting up to get some drinks.

"I tried to warn you." Tidus said with a grin. A can of rootbeer went flying towards his head, but he managed to catch it before it connected.

"I can still beat you." Zidane said sitting back down on the couch.

Tidus took a swig of his drink. "Really? Care to make it interesting?"

"What do you have in mind?"

Tidus thought for a moment before a big grin came over his face. "If I win you have to wear your monkey speedo to the volleyball tournament."

"Ok, but if I win you have to wear a thong!" Zidane coutered. "Deal?" He said holding out his hand.

Tidus shook his hand. "Deal." And the match continued.

"Hua!"
"Shaa!"

"Game ova!" Kasumi said standing over a defeated Ayane. Tidus jumped into the air. "Haha! Beat'cha!"

Zidane looked at him and smiled. "Yeah. But it was close."

"Yeah. 99 to 99 at the end." Tidus said looking through the the movies, while Zidane had walked to the hall closet. He came back with an arm load of bed clothes. "Here." He said setting them down on the couch.

Tidus handed him a movie. "Can we watch this?" He said as he made up the couch.

"The Fifth Element." Zidane said as he put it in the dvd player.

"It's one of my favorites." Tidus said as he finished and sat down.

As the ending credits played, Tidus looked over at Zidane. He had fallen asleep. He reached over for the remote and turned off the tv. Tidus slowly layed down, trying not to distrub the sleeping boy.

Zidane moved slightly. He was still mostly asleep when he asked, "Tidus?"

"Shh. Lay down and go back to sleep."

"M'kay." he said grabbing the blanket and snuggling close to Tidus.

Without much thought to it, he wrapped his arms around Zidane. "Night Zidane," he whispered softley as he fell asleep.

*****************************

Zidane wiggled and opened on eye. "Mmm. Cold." He mumbled and tried to snuggle closer to Tidus.

He was surprised when all he snuggled into was couch. He sat up quickly. "Huh? I smell bacon."

"You awake?" If so, come and get some breakfast." Tidus's voice called from the kitchen.

Zidane stretched and slowly rose from the couch. His back popped as he walked to the kitchen. His jaw nearly hit the floor when he saw Tidus.

"Mornin," Tidus said standing in nothing but his black boxer briefs. He flipped the pancakes he was cooking. "I hope you don't mind, but I borrowed your shower. And then your washing machine." The machine buzzed loudly as if to confirm this. "Ah. Clothes are done. Can you get them? I don't want to burn the eggs."

"S-sure!" Zidane said blushing deeply. He could not help thinking how trim Tidus's body was as he folded his clothes. He put them on the couch then went and sat at the kitchen table. "I put your clothes on the couch."

"Thanks." Tidus said placing a plate in front of Zidane. "Eat up!"

Zidane picked up his fork and tasted the eggs. "Wow! This is great!" he said as he started to gobble down the rest.

"Glad you like it." Tidus said eating his own meal in a more civilized manner.

"Choo arth sma greash shook."(you are a great cook) Zidane said barely taking time to breathe.

Tidus just laughed as the two ate their meals. Zidane finished first and soon found himself lost in thought about a certain blonde haired boy.

"Zidane! Hello! Earth to Zidane!" Tidus said waving a hand in front of of Zidane's glazed over eyes.

Zidane snapped out of his trance and blushed. "Huh?"

"Jeeze. I have been calling your name for five minutes."

"Really?" Zidane said looking at the older teen. "Sorry. Guess. I was just lost in thought."

Tidus slipped his shirt over his head. "What were you thinking about?"

Zidane blushed deeper. "Uh...the volleyball game."

"Yeah. It is goin to be fun." Tidus said as he pulled on his pants. "Don't forget about our bet either!"

Zidane groaned and Tidus laughed. There was a knock on the door, followed by "I'm coming in."

"Hey Blank." Tidus said as he put on his shoes.

"Mornin." Zidane added as he put the breakfast dishes into the sink.

"Yo." Blank said as he plopped down in a chair. "Zidane, get changed and run a comb through your hair."

"Why?"

"Because we are going to Yuna's."

"So?"

"Her mom invited us." Blank said stressing the word mom. Zidane ran to get changed.

Tidus went wide eyed. "Wait. Lulu invited you?."

"Not just us, everyone."

Tidus looked a little pale. "What is she planing?"

Blank shrugged. "I am not sure, but I bet it has something to do with you."

Zidane came back into the room, freshly changed and combing his hair. "Does Yuna's mom have a problem with Tidus?"

Tidus looked over at him. "She never really liked me that much. She only let me stay there temporarly becuase Yuna begged her to."

Blank nodded, "Maybe she thinks you have worn out your welcome."

Tidus went pale again. "I have only been staying there a week. Where does she expect me to go?"

Zidane thought for a moment, before he spoke softely. "Here."

Blank and Tidus stared at the boy. Zidane had never seen Blank so surprised. "What?"

"There is an extra room, and you might be in a pinch. So you can stay here." Zidane looked at his feet as he spoke.

Blank knelt in front of Zidane and looked up at him. "Zidane, that was Baku's...."

"I know," he said with a sniffle. He never wanted to admit that Baku was not comming back.

Tidus moved closer to the two and stood on Zidanes right. Blank stood up, "What if..."

"He....he's not comming back." Zidane said as a tear fell from his cheek.

Blank's expression softened. "Zidane. Are you sure?"

The boy nodded as another tear fell from his cheek. "If its for Tidus." he added with a whisper.

Tidus placed his hand on Zidane's cheek and tilted his head to look up at him. He smiled softley as he brushed a tear away with his thumb. "Thank you."

Zidane burst into tears and clunge to Tidus. Tidus held him close as the younger boy sobbed quietly into his chest. Zidane was a little embrassed, but he could not hold back the tears. He felt safe in Tidus's arms, and he decided then that he did not ever want to leave those arms.