Eternal Love (Final Fantasy X/X-2)

Chapter 16: Twisted Fates

Dinner at the Sunset Grill had been a refreshing change from the perilous events that'd happened earlier in the day. Yuna had almost lost her fiancé twice in the span of twelve hours. Once from that blasted bracelet and the other from him venturing inside the temple alone. Needless to say, she was both mentally and emotionally exhausted. Not to mention, physically drained from the whole harrowing experience with the invisible sorcerer, especially in her delicate condition.

Yuna's friends had managed to lift her spirits though by making merry at dinner with cheerful talk of the wedding and several jokes aimed at someone else's expense—mostly Tidus', but he'd taken them all rather well, and for the first time ever, refrained from roasting anyone in retaliation. Which the ex-summoner had found rather odd, but considering his latest stunt, she'd figured her fiancé's restraint had been deliberate to avoid rocking an already turbulent boat.

After stuffing their faces with drake steaks and fries, they'd all indulged in having ice cream sundaes for dessert while Rikku arranged for the Celsius to pick them up in the morning. The group of friends then agreed on a time to meet for breakfast before their scheduled departure and finally headed back to the inn to retire for evening.

Yuna used the key-card and opened the door to her and Tidus' room. Once inside, she flipped the switch on the wall, lighting up several light fixtures around the room, including the main one on the wall behind the rich, wooden headboard. The cozy atmosphere had now adopted a more majestic feel, further easing her frazzled nerves from a few hours ago.

With a body full of achy muscles, Yuna made a beeline over to the queen-sized bed and flopped back onto the mattress, the springs slightly bouncing her up and making her giggle like a little girl at playtime.

Tidus chuckled in mild amusement, tossing the satchel onto the honey-colored armchair beside the wooden dresser. "Having fun?"

"Mmm..." The autumn-colored décor appeared to almost glow against the soft lighting, having a calming effect on the ex-summoner to the point where she was now fighting to stay awake. "I'm so...tired," she murmured, eyelids heavy and beginning to droop, until a twinge of pain reverberated down her back, causing her to wince. "And sore."

Tidus stretched then removed his glove and armguard before making his way over to the bed. "Sore...? Where?"

"Everywhere." Okay that was a bit of an exaggeration. But having Tidus pamper her after what he'd put her through was too good of an opportunity to pass up. "Mainly my neck and back."

A ghost of a smile touched his lips. "Alright, turn over," he instructed, settling beside her on the edge of the mattress. "I'll give you a massage."

Music to Yuna's ears. Once she rolled onto her tummy and cuddled the side of her face into the pillow, Tidus began to work his magic, starting with the muscles at the back of her neck and between her shoulder blades. His strong hands kneaded out the knots, relieving the painful tension that'd been plaguing her for the past couple hours.

"Mmm..." she hummed with an indulgent smile.

"Feel good?"

"Mhm."

Continuing his efforts, Tidus slid his hands underneath the pink hood of her gunner-top, attempting to loosen the tight muscles located there, but he seemed to be having some trouble near the back of her neck with the cotton garment getting in the way. "Y'know...this would be a whole lot easier if you'd take this off."

There was a hint of playfulness in his tone, bringing an irrepressible smile to her lips. If something more came out of this massage, Yuna wouldn't protest. But the ex-summoner planned to make her fiancé work for it if that was his intent. "Maybe you can help me. I'm sore, remember?"