Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy X, or any of the characters used in this fic. They all belong to Square-Enix, and their respective designers. I only own any of my original characters that I choose to include, as well as any of my own original plot ideas.
Forever Mine
A/N: Pre-FFX.
The door opens just a crack at first, the warm light of the hallway spilling across the red carpet. He sends it all away with a flick of his wrist, a bit of ice to douse the gently burning candles before he creeps inside. As he walks, Braska realizes that this may very well be the last time he enters her room like this, smells her scent in the air, feels his heart pounding in his chest as he hopes that she won't yet wake.
He kneels by her bed, hair falling down his back as he takes a hand to smooth her own. She breathes softly, the blanket covering her little body just the way it should. How innocent she looks, how perfect, sleeping soundly in the shadow of the far-off lights of their beloved city.
More than anything, he wants to take her in his arms, the way he would when she was just an infant, hold her close to his heavily beating heart, and feel her love for him as she holds onto his sleeve.
Yet he leaves her as she is, small, perfect, and all his own. This beautiful little girl of his, soon to be the only lasting memory upon the earth of the love he and his wife had shared.
Braska leans over to kiss her soft white cheek, bowing his head as he sits back. His mind is set, though he knows it will break her heart. But she's a strong girl, understands that, if her father does not die for Spira, another innocent must. She knows that he will march to the edge of the continent, to the dead Zanarkand, to take on mankind's greatest Sin, and die.
He's had this talk with her many times before, almost each night since he relayed his convictions to her.
"My Yuna," he says in a whisper. "My brave little Yuna..."
She stirs, breathing deeply before falling still once more. Braska sits beside her, watching as her little hand closes around the hem of his robe. Even in sweet slumber, she must know that he is there.
"We will be apart for a time, but I will see you again," he chokes out, speaking in a quiet, shuddering breath. "Always know that your father loves you. Always remember that you are forever mine."
Taking her hand, Braska pulls away, placing it beneath the blanket once more. He kisses her once more, and stands with tears in his eyes, knowing that, when the early dawn reaches the sky, this will be the memory that he clings to.