Title: Heaven on Fire

Author: icedragongurl

Pairing: Gippal/Rikku

Rating: T

Summary: Ten year old Gippal and Nine year old Rikku make a promise to one another but ten years later will they remember to keep it?

Disclaimer: I don’t own ANYTHING belonging to Final Fantasy the wonderful gods that created it own it and may they continue to be worshiped

“AGH!” yelled a startled Rikku as her bed suddenly bounced her up from her comfy position, the Al Bhed glared death at the person at the end of the feather down, comfy, cozy, rather warm, very soft, and very safe bed. She began to doze back off but when she was attacked with tickling she smacked the person hard on the head. “OWWWWW! Rikku what was that for you pedlr!” rubbing her eyes from its sleepy crust, she kicked off her covers and rolled over in annoyance “Crid ib...Oui’na yhhuoehk” Ten year old Gippal stuck his tongue out at the girl, “Get up! Get up already!” Rikku sighed and leapt out of bed with as much energy as she could muster. The boy blushed at the sight of her. Wearing a light white tank top and a pair of pink briefs with yellow stars on them, stretching a bit she walked over to her old dresser, it was covered in stickers and carvings that the two of them did whenever they were bored.

Yanking out a shirt and shorts she went to change in her bathroom, “What do you even want Gippal? It’s seven at night, you know that I take my nap until eight and then help my Tytto work on some machina” she pulled on her yellow tank top with a golden Chocobo on it, and her black short shorts that were well worn. From the other side of the door she heard him say “You’ll see, just trust me!” he sounded very happy. Well, it couldn’t hurt could it? She smiled at herself; she looked pretty, like her mother. Throwing open her door she ran out and grabbed her friends’ hand “Let’s go!”

Gippal grinned as he pulled his friend along with him, “You’re gonna love this, I got Brother to distract your dad, so you can see this.” Rikku saw intrigued, her older brother HATED Gippal, just because he accidentally set off a machina in his face and it covered it with soot and burnt off one of his eyebrows. “What are you showing me?” his face was glowing with pride “You’ll see! It’s awesome! I saw them setting up earlier and when I asked them they told me what it was for. That’s all I’m telling you.” Rikku cursed in Al Bhed as she almost tripped over her own feet. He was pulling her along so quickly she was constantly having near-falls.

“Slow down Gippal!” he turned to look at her over his shoulder “We can’t! Or else we’ll miss it!” She glanced at her watch “It’s fifteen minutes to eight, what are we going to miss?” his eyes went wide and he swore. Getting down onto his knees he gestured for her to climb on “I’ll give you a piggyback ride it’ll be faster. Hurry up!” Rikku rather reluctant climbed on. Hoisting her up, he ran as fast as he ten year old legs could carry him. They rushed past people that they knew and people that were just blurs, a smile on their faces one of excitement and the other of confusion and glee. “Where are we going?” Finally he turned a corner and they were at a hill facing the lake out back.

The sky was pitch black and the stars were visible in the sky, it was silent and there was nothing happening just as Rikku turned to swear at Gippal and as she did the sky lit up with color and noise. She spun on her heels and saw bursts of sparkles in the sky as if someone threw dazzler grenades into the sky. It was so pretty, she stared in wonder and a huge smile crossed her face, it was beautiful. Gippal watched her with a soft grin on his young features. He was happy that she was so happy; it was an amazing sight to see. The fireworks went on for another forty-five minutes until the last one faded away and the night took hold again. Gippal’s small hand took a hold of hers and with an immense smile.

“In ten years I’m gonna ask you to marry me here!” Rikku gave him a look of humor; he was so weird “If you remember to ask me, then I promise to say yes.” He laughed at her, “I’ll hold you to that.” Rikku giggled, “It’s a deal” …together they left back to Home, unfortunately running into a rather aggravated Cid and whimpering Brother. The two troublemakers were then grounded for three months and Rikku wasn’t allowed to spend time with Gippal for three weeks. Those were the longest weeks for the two best friends.

Ten years later…

It was dark out and day had long since faded into night, Rikku sat on the Balcony facing the large lake, they had rebuilt Home, it took them three long years but they managed to get there, it wasn’t large, nor perfect, it was still under construction, but they were getting there. Little by little the Al Bhed home was becoming what it had once been. The only thing was that Cid wasn’t that well, his health was going downhill the doctors said he had two more years left to live, and for those two years he wanted his little girl in his sight. She was stuck at the newly growing Home. Yuna came by now and then with Tidus, Lulu and Wakka brought their little boy and new little girl with them. Paine came by with Baralai. The more she saw them the more she realized that out of all of them… she was still single. It was depressing.

The night had come and covered the lake fully, a familiar voice behind her spoke up “Hey Cid’s Girl” Rikku blanched, great, the last person she wanted to see “What do you want Gippal. If it’s nothing important then go away” she saw his eyes flicker briefly with an emotion she didn’t even want to bother understanding. For the first time in her life she wanted to feel unimportant, small, and childlike. To be left alone and feel to sorrow for the fact that her only parent left was sick, and she wanted to crawl into a corner and cry. Except she couldn’t she wouldn’t Rikku’s fists clenched as she gazed out at the night sky. Gippal hadn’t moved but he kept his hands tucked into his pants pockets. Fidgeting a bit he glanced at her and then he glanced at his watch.

Rikku looked up at him “Why are you still here.” He smiled a small smile “It is important but I can’t tell you what it is right now, you have to wait a bit.” She glared at him but then returned to ignoring him. Gippal wasn’t one to be ignored so easily, he filled the silence “We’ve known each other for quite a while.” Rikku didn’t reward that comment with so much as even a bat of an eyelash. “Our parents were close friends, so of course we would’ve been as well.” He moved to stand beside her chair “Would’ve been? Meaning we’re not still? Could’ah fooled me Cid’s Girl.” She gave an angry smirk “If we were still friends, then you’d call me by my rightful name, rather then referring me as my fathers’ property.”

Gippal sighed and began fidgeting with what was in his pocket. “How long has it been since we were going out?” she glanced at him before returning her gaze to the scenery “About five years ago. Remember, you broke up with me.” Gippal frowned at her “Not really, We never said to each other ‘let’s break up’ or ‘let’s start seeing other people’ it was more of a ‘I’m going to train to join the Crimson Squad’ and ‘well I’m joining my Brother in research in lost Machina’ and then it was ‘see ya around’ and that was it.” Rikku didn’t respond she sat in silence. “So we never really broke up.” She glared death upon the poor lake “You slept with other girls and went out with other women. Don’t pull that on me. You weren’t even remotely considering us still a couple back then not even now.”

He gave her a surprised look “What are you talking about?” I never slept with any women. Neither did I go out with anyone else. Flirted yes, but that’s just my nature.” Rikku looked at him this time, fully and he saw the terror in her eyes, the fear, pain, weakness, the sheer sadness, and it broke his heart to see the usually bright sunshiny woman all wounded. Gippal sat beside her wrapped his arms around her to hold her tight as she clung to him. After a few strong moments of silence she spoke “Do you mean that?” he nodded “Every single word.” She smiled a small smile against his shoulder. He glanced at his watch and smiled. “Look…” she blinked in confusion and did. She gazed up at the sky.

Suddenly yet again like those long ten years earlier the sky lit up as if it was morning, bright colors danced like sprites and fairies. Shapes of stars, waterfalls, clouds, moons, hearts, smiley faces, and many other interesting shapes and designs, Rikku smiled and laughed she had done many years earlier if only for that one moment. Gippal didn’t bother to watch the show, he watched the face of the girl in his arms. The smiles and light that suddenly danced in her eyes, her fascination with the night sky, and once it was over the smile lingered on. Gippal finally took his chance, leaning in and whispering in her ear he said “I have something for you.” She looked at him with wonder and confusion. “What?” realization dawned on her as he moved to one knee upon the floor.

Rikku lifted her hands to her mouth, Gippal reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box that he had been playing with. Opening the small velvet box he took out a very familiar emerald and diamond ring, she couldn’t believe it…her mother’s wedding ring. “I keep my promises Rikku…it’s been ten years. Will you marry me?” The Al Bhed princess didn’t know what to say. It was definitely sudden and had taken her by surprise but she had nodded fervently a yes. He smiled and slipped the ring on her finger it fit perfectly and shone like a small star. He then swept her into her arms and gave her a soul shattering kiss that made her cry.

“E muja oui Gippal…” he held her as she cried “I know…I know…” and in that one happy moment she cried, for everything. Her father, her mother, Gippal, her people, her friends, her family, and most of all…her future happiness, and in the arms of her fiancée she knew she was safer then anywhere else she could have been. “I’m glad my dad will be there.” Gippal nodded “As will I. Don’t know about Brother though.” Rikku laughed and her former self before finding out about her father’s illness shone through “Well he can go screw a Shopuff.” Gippal laughed and Rikku smiled for what felt like the first time in years. While behind them someone set off some extra fireworks, Rikku and Gippal set off some fireworks of their own in that private bedroom balcony overlooking a lake, a lake that started their journey and led them to where they were now…in the arms of one another.

OWARI!

A little late but in dedication of Fourth of July! Let there be FIREWORKS! …or was it freedom? Ah what the heck!

Pedlr

Bitch

Crid ib...oui'na yhhuoehk

Shut up… you’re annoying

E muja oui

I love you