Three Little Words

Three Little Words

by Seven (plausibledeniability@hotmail.com)

Category: One-shot, PWP (Plot? What Plot?), Fluff, whatever. No plot here, just fun. Yuna POV.

Pairing: Tidus/Yuna married.

Rating: Sofft R. It has its moments. You know me.

Timeline: Errr, maybe post X-2. But the Macalania Woods are intact in this story.

Summary: Tidus tries to con Yuna into a little skinny dipping. Will it work?

Disclaimer: Not mine. SquareEnix owns ‘em. I just borrow them and let them get it on sometimes. Where’s the harm in that?

Spoilers: No biggies. Just two names of characters from X-2.

WARNING: If you arfanffanfic diabetic, beware. There are sweet moments in here.

Author’s Notes: I don’t know how this happened. But the idea for this story would not get out of my mind, until I wrote it down. And a HUGE Texas shotglass of Southern Comfort goes to my fabulous and ever stylish Beta-Butler, Chris. Without him, this story would be unreadable. You rock, baby!

^^^^^^^^^^^

It all started with three words.

Strangely enough, Tidus invited himself along for the day. I had been in the bedroom, packing my knapsack with some items for the trip when he strolled in happily, stopping just before the bed. “Soooo, uh when do we leave?” he grinned, clapping his hands together, finishing the flourish by sliding his palms across each other gleefully.

I laughed, pulling the strap of my bag over my shoulder and straightening to my full height. I was excited to spend the day with him, show him how to sphere hunt, and even take on the occasional fiends beside him. Normally, he was so busy with blitzing and coaching that he didn’t have much time to leave the island, except to go to Luca. He had yet to see the Gullwings in action, nor had he seen us use the dresspheres before. All these exciting thoughts raced into my head, and manifested themselves into excited butterflies in my stomach. Maniacal giggles began to escape me, and I skipped around the bed to where he was standing, grasping his hands in mine to spin him in a circle.

My husband was being especially cute later that night, offering to take me on a little stroll through the forest for some alone time. After a full day of following sphere leads and helping some locals with their problems, I was pretty bushed. We all were, actually. But somehow, with those miraculous persuasive powers of his, he got me to leave the warmth of the ship’s cabin and forsake some much-needed rest for a moonlit walk. At first, I grumbled and complained, but once we stepped down the side plank of the ship and my boots hit the ground, a sense of peace enveloped me.

“Come with me.” There they were. The three words that would begin a night I will always remember.

His hands were extended out to me, and his bright smile was absolutely infectious in the moonlight. You know, in retrospect, I know I should’ve seen that dangerous twinkle in his eye. Maybe I should have detected that mischievous note in his voice, but I didn’t. Why, you ask? Because Tidus has a smile that could melt the hardest of hearts, and when he graces me with one, I can deny him nothing. Seriously. Even Paine isn’t immune to his charm. Paine! So, things being as they are, with that one smile, those three words, and me being the lovesick wife that I am, I took his hands and let Tidus lead me through the forest and to the edge of the crystal lake.

The Macalania Woods are very beautiful. In an area so thick with trees, you would think it should be dark as night. But because of its spiritual origin, there is no night or day there. The bright blue light emanating from the trees and crystals cast an eerily beautiful glow onto every inch of the forest. The ground is perpetually warm, and firm, and sometimes I imagine that I can feel the soul of that forest humming beneath my feet. The atmosphere is quiet, almost mystical. It commands a certain modicum of respect and reverence from all of its visitors.

However, I would soon learn that Tidus has more um, frivolous ideas of reverence.

So I stood there, looking up at him. Actually, it was more like gazing up at him with unabashed adoration. I can do that now, you know. He is mine after all. But soon, my eyes fell shut at the sensation of his warm fingers sliding up my arms to cup my elbows in his insistent palms. He stepped closer to me, not touching, but so close I could feel his body heat against my legs and midriff. The air ted ted between us, and I tipped my head back in anticipation of his kiss. I could swear I felt his breath on my lips, only to suddenly feel his lips against my hair on the side of my head. I knew he was about to say something, and I love it when he verbally seduces me, so I relaxed further into his loose embrace, eagerly anticipating his words. I didn’t have to wait long; in the next instant, in his ‘I wanna go upstairs’ voice, he whispered four more words to me.

“Let’s go skinnppinpping.”


Of course his request didn’t impact me immediately, as I was still lost in the erotic haze he had so effortlessly led me into. I felt him shift slightly, only to slowly slide his hands back down my arms and this time, they made a detour around to rest on my hips, and finally the kiss came. It was nice and sweet, and I smiled in appreciation against his lips. But as I felt his fingers slip up to lightly grasp the hem of my ruffled undershirt, I vaguely began talizalize what he was asking of me. Skinny dipping? As in, swimming naked? As I was slowly emerging from Cloud Lust, my top was slowly lifted almost an inch before I suddenly balked, opening my eyes and almost stumbling backwards in my haste to get away from him. My violator only erupted in laughter.

Was he nuts?? My face was absolutely on fire at the thought of being naked in public. Albeit it wasn’t in really in public, and no one else was at the lake at this late hour, and Wakka, the other Aurochs and the Gullwing crew were all still on the banked airship, brainstorming with Tobli, our hired PR agent, over what Aurochs and Gullwings merchandise to sell in Luca the next day. No one was around, but I was still scared that someone might see. Unconsciously, I stepped another foot away from him.

Tidus obviously had no qualms about it. His mirthful laughter seemed boisterously loud in the nearly silent forest. In fact, he was laughing so hard that he was showing two rows of his perfect teeth, and his eyes were squeezed shut. I didn’t see what was so funny about this situation. “Hey, what’s so funny?” I queried, resting my fists on my hips and trying to glare at him.

He choked out: “Heh heh…Yuna..you..heh-heh heh…you looked like…heh..like..heheh…you looked like a cornered fiend!”

I scowled. Bwah har har. So funny. I was red-faced and embarrassed, and he was rolling with laughter. Figures.

“I am not swimming nude in public,” I huffed, folding my arms and cocking my head to one side.

He calmed down a bit, his laugh smoothing out to giggles, and then his mouth morphed into that irritating grin he wears just after he’s made fun of me. “You’re not?” he chuckled.

“Nope.” I was serious. So naturally, I looked anywhere but into his eyes because like I said, he has this uncanny knack for bending me to his will.

you you would in private then?”

This time, I fixed a glare on him that would probably have killed someone else. (Paine taught me how to do it). However, he seemed to find my discomfort and irritation hilarious that night, and he began laughing again. At me, which actually started to make me a little angry.

I love my husband. I honestly do. I love him so much and so completely that sometimes the force of that love brings tears to my eyes. There are days when he seems to encompass my every thought, influence my every action. We can lock eyes across a crowded room, and he will take my breath away. But I also must admit to moments of unhealthy murderous urges. This was one of those times. Especially since my moon time was dangerously right around the corner.

“I’m going to bed,” I muttered, and turned to stomp down the wooded path back to the ship like a petulant child. I knew he was playing with me, and that I was just tired and cranky, but I couldn’t help myself. A good rest was going to work wonders my smy suddenly sour mood.

His footsteps caught up with me easily, and I felt his hand on my bicep. “Hey heyyy, I was just playing around with ya,” he smiled apologetically, pulling my rigid form into his warm embrace.

My body, the betrayer that it was, relaxed immediately. He has that effect on me regardless, even if he is at his most irritating and I am at my most irritated. “Seriously, I just wanted to be alone with you tonight for a little while.”

I said nothing, instealeasleasing a slow breath. I watched as my arms rose to slide around his shoulders on their own accord. Traitors.

“Are you mad at me?” His voice filtered from above my shoulder.

I shook my head, rubbing my face against his collarbone. “No,” I exhaled. “I’m just sleepy and I’m being cranky. I’m sorry.”

“Well, it’s a good thing I can take it. Now, I’m about to show ya how good of a pillow I can be.” He is so good to me.

With that, he pulled away, leading me back to the lake’s edge. I was then lowered down with him, to rest between his legs, leaning back against his firm chest. It was odd, I loved spending cuddle time with him, and I was about ready to fall asleep in his arms. So, I don’t know why I said what I said next. “Do you really want to go skinny dipping?” He bristled a bit against my back. Guess he wasn’t expecting that one. To be honest, neither was I.

My mouth kept moving, and I raised my arms to rest them on the twin steeples of his knees. “I mean, is there a certain reason? Do you think it’s….sexy?” What was wrong with me?

My adorable husband cleared his throat. “Uhm, well yeah. But you’re always sexy to me. I just thought it would be fun. I guess. I think. I dunno.”

Pleased that I had managed to reduce Mr. Sexuality to shyness, I smiled. Score one for Yuna. “So what if I just took off my clothes and walked out there? Would you follow me?” Oh, I could hear him swallowing.

“Shit,” was his gravelly reply.

Emboldened, and feeling much like a minx, I stood and slowly disrobed in front of him. Although he’d seen me in the nude many times, I still had this innate shyness about the idea. Tidus is a boy; he isn’t supposed to see me without my clothes on! I giggled at the absurdity of my old notions. Although, there was still a part of me was screaming that this was insane, and that someone could walk by any minute! But the hungry look on Tidus’ face spoke much louder. The Yuna of old would have never done this. But the new Yuna was busy pushing her shorts down her legs and kicking them to the side.

The saucy side of me that he alone owned was definitely straining to come out and play. And who am I to fight it? That was my last thought, before jogging to the edge of the bank and diving into the warm water. When I came up, I slicked my wet hair back and focused on the bank. Tidus was still there, hopping around in his boxers on one foot, trying to dislodge an unrelenting pant leg from his other booted foot. I chuckled. “Sweet-ie,” I sang, swimming into deeper water, “slow down... shoes before pants…”

He paused; long enough to stick his tongue out at me and then take my advice. I chose to grin smugly and not return his gesture, but instead to float up onto my back, and take in the twinkling night sky peeking through the trees. The warm water supported me, offering my prone form up to surrender to nature. I sighed. I love this lake. Then a laugh bubbled out of me. I couldn’t believe I was doing this.

Just then, Tidus loudly splashed into the water and in moments, his head was beside mine. “Yuna, give me one reason why I shouldn’t catapult you across this lake.”

I suspected he was bluffing, but then I felt his warm palm cup the side of my ribcage and his other hand was planted at the small of my back. I thought quickly. “Because if you do, I will put my clothes on and yousleesleep in the engine room tonight.”

Silence. He was pretending to weigh the options. “Hmmm. Well, I guess I’ll just have to settle for holding your kickin’ body. My loss.”

I giggled. His compliments do that to me. “I guess so.”

He waded closer to me, dipping a little to allow my head to rest on his shoulder. I was still floating on my back, and the tops of my shoulders rested against the fronts of his. My arms were splayed out to my sides, and he lifted his hands to alternately stoke the undersides of my arms and provide additional support to my floating body. He was leaninto mto me a little, while I was resting most of my weight against his frame.

I smiled.

This is how we balance each other. The give and take, push and pull. Not just in this particular situation, but in our lives every single day. When he is frustrated, I am calm. When I am upset, he is my comfort. When I am floating on my back, naked, he supports me then, too I s I smiled wider.

“You know, I want you so bad right now.” His smooth alto vibrated against my neck, instantly arousing me as much as his words. “This view is so nice.”

The old Yuna perked up again. ‘Don’t do it,’ she said. ‘Someone will see.’ But I decided not to listen. That’s something I learned from Rikku. Besides, I wanted him terribly too. And, I have his ring on my finger. So why not?

“Then take me,” I sighed, tilting my head back further over his shoulder until myr far fanned across the water.

My ever-observant lover took what I offered to him, leaning down to sensuously kiss and suckle the side of my neck. I sighed my acquiescence, but when I tried to lift my arm to cup his head, he stopped me. “Nope,” he breathed.

What? I was confused. I thought he wanted to. I knew I did. Before I could ask, he planted a sweet kiss to the side of my parted mouth. “I want you, Yuna, but that can wait.” His voice has this husky aroused note to it that I have come to love. “Like I said, I just wanna hang out with you tonight. Is that cool?”

He never ceases to surprise me, and I hope I will never become predictable to him. “That’s cool,” I relented, adopting his term.

I sluiced my arms gently through the water, bringing them to fold my hands behind his head. His breath caught, at the ‘view’ I presume, and his hands began to casually stroke the columns of muscle on either side of my back. I noticed that he hadn’t touched me anywhere dangerous. ‘Good boy’, I thought. Maybe he really was serious about just spending time together. The realization brought a smile to my face, and I told him that I loved him. He responded with a kiss to my arm. He is my destiny.

Tidus has never believed in anything preordained. He’s always been a believer in the notion that we can shape our own destinies; that no one should have to walk a path set for them by another. I was quite the opposite. I believed I was born to fight and die for my people, just as my father did and generations before me. But he saved me. I saved Spira. But he saved me. But if everyone only knew the truth... If they only knew that Tidus was my strength when I wanted to buckle under my weakness. He is Spira’s true savior.

I remember walking with him, and just chatting about nothing and sometimes indulging in deeper conversations, while purposely skirting around the issues of my possible upcoming death. He was so upset over that. I think that’s part of the reason I fell for him so quickly. While I had trained myself to hide my feelings and put on a brave facade, he never did for an instant. His heart was always honest and open and true, and I could just look at him, listen to his jokes, bask in the warmth of that disarming smile, and find the person I wanted to be the most like. His bravery, determination, and fiery heart were all things I wished I could possess. I still do. He saved me. In so many ways.

“Gil for your thoughts?” His warm breath tingled against my cheek.

“A kiss, and I’ll consider it.” I am so free with him.

His low chuckle vibrated the water surrounding us as his lips pressed against my cheek, and lingered for a moment. “Okay, I paid,” he prompted.

“I was just thinking about how you saved the world,” I say next, knowing that statement is vague and he will not understand it.

“Huh?” As I expected. “Yuna, did you fall and hit your head? You saved Spira, not me. You did,” he finished softly.

“dieddied for Spira.”

“I like to think of it like a vacation, you know. ‘Cause it didn’t last very long.”

“Being away from me is a vacation for you?” I ask, feigning hurt.

He laughs. “No, but not having to watch Elma hit on you all the time is.”

“What!?” I am shocked. Thoroughly. I swiveled my body so that we were chest to chest, tummy to tummy, hips to hips. The water went wild around us. “No she doesn’t.” Though Paine, Rikku and I always speculated about her and Captain Lucil.

“Ah, maybe not.” His face took on a somber expression. “But if you want to leave me for Brother, I understand…”

The laugh burst free before I could even think of containing it, and I scooped a handful of water from behind his shoulder and splashed it into his face. “Hey!” he sputtered, and my waist feels bereft when he removes his hand to wipe the water away.

We floated in comfortable silence for a while, and I found myself seriously dozing off. His grip around my waist had loosened a little, and his breathing was becoming a little too even for my peace of mind. Either he was thinking deeply, or falling asleep like I was.

I just knew I was going to drown. So was he, if we were to stay out in the water.

My hand reached up to stroke the side of his face, and just as I opened my mouth to warn him about our coming demise, he closed the distance between us and his warm mouth covered mine, effectively staunching anything I would’ve said. “I have had the best time today,” he mumbles quietly against my mouth.

‘Drowning it is’, I thought dreamily, as I wrapped my legs around his slim hips and reclaimed his mouth with my own.

In that moment, I realized that all the apprehension I felt before had dissolved. There was no fear, no embarrassment. I felt as natural with him there that night, as I would in our bed at home. Goodness, he is steadily making me reinvent myself. Could I ask for a better life mate?

This is bliss. Every day with him is. But I am not naïve. Oh, I am well aware that more heartache lies ahead for us. I am sure of it. I know this and accept it willfully; the price one pays to love another forever. Spira has never been known for staying normal, and should something else arise in yet another two years, I know what I will have to do. And I know that he will be there fighting right along beside me. But for that night and forever still, I will lie back and enjoy the sounds of his voice, filled with wonder. I will enjoy the sight of his eyes, dancing with mirth and happiness. I will enjoy the peace in my heart, and hold onto it as long as life will let me. No, Tidus doesn’t believe in predestination. But he believes in us, and that makes us stronger than anything life can throw at us.

This is our story. And what a lovely story it is.

“Hey Yuna,” hemuremured against my cheek, interrupting my reverie.

“Yes?” I let my head fall forward to rest my lips against his collarbone.

“I love you.”

Three little words. A simple phrase that, coming from him, keeps my life in motion. “I love you too,” I replied, without hesitation.

“Ya know, this turned out exactly as I planned.”

I grinned. The nerve of my cocky man. “And how is that?”

“I could tell you, but then you would figure out my plans and I could never get you to dothinthing crazy like this again.”

Oh, Tidus. But don’t you know? You could ask me to walk into a raging flood and I would. But I would never tell him that, of course. I suspect he knows anyway. “True.”

“But I do have one more question.”

“Shoot.”

“What if I got out and walked back to the Celsius buck-naked, and I wanted to make love to you. Would you follow me?”

I laughed, and it echoed across the lake.

We laughed together then, and it echoed across the rest of our lives.

The End. Now be nice and review me. :)