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[ He could ask for anything. Raise the stakes, make Inigo sell some promise to him for Tidus to make him recall the next morning. And he thinks, wonders, squeezes for an idea. But what is there to ask for? To have Inigo let him borrow his ticket? To spend his points on him? Like Inigo wouldn't anyway.

But Tidus doesn't care for any material gain. Anything - and everything - else, Tidus remembers as the thought emerges, Inigo's promised already.

--Remember me.

--Of course I'm going to remember you. I'm never, never going to forget you. You're.. You're so important to me.

And any jokes, any playful emotion is smothered under the comfort of that promise. That truth, this friendship. Their hands wrapped together, everything shared on this night; everything between them this day and all the rest before it. Tidus thinks he can hear Inigo breathing under the music of the rain, and he likes it enough to pretend he can, no matter the truth. ]

Nah, [ he decides on a breath. A sincere finality, but ending on a light note: ] I'll let you know if I change my mind.

[ But, he's sure he's happy with what he has. Here, now.

He isn't alone. ]

[ There's a moment of quiet after that answer. Almost enough to wonder if Inigo somehow did fall asleep, despite sounding pretty awake a moment ago, despite his closed eyes.

But he isn't sleeping just yet. After that moment, he speaks up again. ]

Then..

[ His voice trails off, and his thumb moves just a little against the hand in his own, gently stroking the skin underneath. ]

Does that mean I make a request instead?

[ Mmm? ]

You can- [ spoken quietly, teasing; then, a hushed whisper: ] If you dare.

[ Tidus isn't looking anywhere now, himself. Eyes closed, though his mind's eye can see the stroke of that thumb as it moves, a calming presence. ]

Let's do this again.

[ The words are still a little quiet, but audible over the rain, considering how light it is at this point, almost little more than a muted background noise.

Compared to Tidus's teasing tone, this sounds very much serious, no matter how quietly it's said. ]

No matter what happens.. Let's not let this be the last time.

[ Even Inigo isn't too sure why he's saying it. Maybe it's the nature of some of the topics they discussed tonight. Maybe it's the whole thing with Roland earlier, where for a moment it felt like they had lost him altogether - and even once they found him alive, it still felt like they temporarily lost part of him. Maybe it's since it feels omnious, like the prelude to something worse.

He squeezes Tidus's hand, but doesn't move, nor opens his eyes. ]

That's all I want.

... Sure.

[ He could joke, he could tease. Question Inigo about what he means, and maybe Tidus should. Just to be sure, than to let in the little doubt that has room to exist in what Inigo's asking.

But it's late, and Tidus doesn't want to sweat the details. If it's this, the two of them sharing the night, or if it's this, the words and connection that's passed between them -- Tidus is fine with either. Though, less of the pain and heartbreak and frustration would be nice.

No. No sweating the details. ]

Good night, Inigo.

[ He'd take more of this, as long as it's about them. ]

[ It's easier, anyway. Not asking about the details. Because while Inigo may have mostly been intending them lying here together like this, with physical contact and sharing what lives in their hearts, it may have been something bigger than that at the same time. Just a desire for them to not part, even though it feels like it'll inevitably have to happen at some point.

But he tries to not think about it. Instead just allows himself to drift further into sleep, trying to shut down his brain the best he can. ]

.. good night, Tidus..

[ His voice already sounds more sleepy.

But he doesn't let go of the hand. He's still holding it, even by the time Inigo's breath slows down and evens out, obviously having fallen asleep. It's always been easier for him to do that with someone else by his side, compared to how often anxious thoughts keep him up when he's alone. ]

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