Thirteen:

"Mileena... told you everything?"

Auron's head spun. It ached painfully in between his eyes. There was a nauseating pain deep in his lower belly. He shook his head as he attempted to shake away the alcohol; Because of it, each rain drop that hit the glass of his drivers side window sounded heavy and loud in his ears. It made him sick. Why was it storming so bad?

He looked over at his long time friend, Jecht, who refused to look at him. They had sat in silence inside of Auron's car for minutes now, but the time felt like hours. Auron checked his rear view mirror to look at the sleeping Tidus, his 'nephew.' His guilt cut into his insides. He could have never thought a mistake he had made so many years before would come back and haunt them in such a way. He never meant to hurt anyone. Neither did Mileena. It was a mistake, that's all. So why say it? Why? Did it eat her up so much after all this time?

"Jecht?" Auron started to drive when his friend gave no response. He had recieved the call from Jecht just a few hours after talking to Mileena; She had called him in tears. 'Auron, I told him everything.' She said, 'And now he wants a divorce.' Auron only knew it was a matter of time before Jecht would call him, and he waited patiently. At a pub. Drinking. Drinking away his guilt. He couldn't say no to Jecht who told him to pick him up; he had taken Tidus to an ice cream shop to calm him down. But there they were, in silence, and Auron driving with no destination. "...Jecht?"

"Were you ever going to tell me?" The silence was broken. Jecht spoke in a pained voice, but still kept his eyes on the storm outside.

Auron stopped at a stop light. Outside the storm intensified. Perhaps it was because they were right near the docks, and the waves were carried into the wind. "I... I..." He stuttered.

His voice was met by the angry gaze of his friend. Jecht finally found the patience to look at Auron. His eyebrows were knitted together with betrayal. "You... you..." He taunted, "You never planned on it, did you? It was going to be the biggest secret between you two."

"Jecht it was so long ago. Tidus wasn't eve-"

"Even born. Oh, I know." Jecht slammed his hands down, in fists, against the dashboard in front of him. Auron quickly looked back to see if Tidus had woke up because of it, but no. He didn't wake. The boy didn't need to see them this way. He was so young...

"Jecht, I was drunk. She was... drunk-"

"She wasn't drunk. She was desperate..." Jecht grumbled, and looked at Auron, "And those were her words..."

Auron sighed, "Look, there's no excuse, dammit. I know that. But know she loves you. She loves you so much."

"Fuck you, Auron." Jecht snarled as Auron stopped the car just near the end of the docks, "Fuck both of you."

"Jecht... wait... you need to calm down."

Jecht couldn't help but laugh, "Is this way you were always around? Huh? With Tidus?"

The lightning that flashed across the sky made Auron's yes burn. "W-what?"

Jecht laughed again, "You think he's yours, don't you? Your way of playing Dad..."

Auron took his turn to slam his hands on his steering wheel, only to regret it just after. His head swirled uncomfortably. "Dammit, Jecht. I am not Tidus' father. You are! That's your son!"

"Ha," Jecht scoffed, "You don't sound so sure of yourself..."

Auron covered his face with his hands. He pressed the tips of his fingers gently into his eyes to relieve the pressure in his head. He needed to keep himself composed. He needed to diffuse the situation. From Tidus' sake. For Mileena. If he hadn't slept with her all those years ago, this wouldn't be happening. "Jecht... he looks like you.."

"No, he looks like his mother." Jecht said as he glared at Auron.

Auron pulled his hands down to his lap and took in a deep breath. "Jecht... Im sorry."

"I don't want to hear you're sorry..."

"Jecht..." Auron closed his eyes. His friend had every right to be upset, angry, furious. He had done everything wrong to betray their friendship, regardless if it was years before. He took another breath before turning to face his friend, only to be met by Jecht's fist to his face. He reached to stop the second fist from coming, but it was hard while he was intoxicated. He took the second blow. And a third. Auron felt blood trickle down from his mouth from a wound in his cheek.

"Jecht!" He yelled as he pushed his friend away, but it didn't stop him; Jecht came right back at him. It was then he heard a small cry. Auron looked at the back seat to see Tidus had woken up. The boy was pressed against his seat, holding onto himself as he cried. The fear on his face made Auron angry. "Stop it! Tidus is-"

"Is my son!" Jecht yelled and reached for Auron's neck.

Everything that happened next was too fast for Auron. He felt his foot slip onto the gas, and his car plowed forward through the wooden fence of the dock. He felt his ribs crack as he was lunged forward by the impact. He caught a glimpse of Jecht, who had slammed his head against the window and was unconscious. As the water filled the car, he leaned back as far as he could from his seat to try and free the boy from his seat belt. "Come on..." He growled as the water levels grew.

He managed to pull Tidus out. They were both out, fully submerged underwater and being pulled by the force of his sinking car. He was dizzy. Sick. His body screamed in pain. He needed to reach the surface. He needed to swim.

As Auron's head popped up from the roaring waves, he caught his breath. He knew he would call for help the second he got Tidus to safety. He thought all of this, he did... only when he looked at his arms and down at his hands, he no longer carried the boy. "TIDUS!" He yelled into the sea.

Auron leaned against his kitchen counter. There sweat on his forehead. The beeping of the coffee machine broke his thoughts. He hadn't poured his cup, nor Rikku's. He lost track of time, remembering that night. He wondered if Braska was wrong. Maybe it was another boy named Tidus. It wasn't a common name, but he couldn't have been the only one with it. Yet... if the boy was a freshman, he would have been the right age.

"Auron?"

He felt the touch of gentle hands on his back. Rikku. He hadn't turned around to face her, but closed his eyes; Her touch alone could calm him. Slowly, she wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her face into his back. She took in his scent, the smell of his warm skin. "Auron..." she said again.

"Yes, Rikku?" He asked. His mind still faced with thoughts. He could still see the trembling face of the boy he lost so long ago.

"You didn't come back to bed." Rikku said, "You ok?"

Auron laughed nervously, "I'm. .. I'm fine, Rikku."

"You wouldn't lie to me, would you?" Rikku giggled a bit against his back.

Auron opened his eyes. He wouldn't. Ever. But this, this was something he couldn't say just easily. Not until he was sure that Braska was right."No. Never." He said.

Rikku moved around to scoot in front of him, so she was in between Auron and the counter space. She gave him a warm smile. She looked into his eyes and reached her hands up to touch the slight stubble on his face. He looked down at her, and couldn't help but smile. She gave him strength to know he would be alright. He could figure out his situation and sort through any problems, if any, because of her. He'd tell Rikku about it if needed. It was the darkest part of his secret, and no one else needed to know. "You're sweaty." Rikku smiled.

Auron took in a breath. Nothing was to ruin their night. Having calmed down a bit, he grinned devilishly. In one quick swoop, he grabbed her by her waist, and sat her on the counter in front of him so her legs were parted and around him. Immediately, Rikku was red in the face. "Oooph!"

Auron couldn't help but laugh. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her tenderly. She responded just the same. He was selfish. He knew it, but Auron needed her. Her taste. Her touch. Ever since she had walked into his classroom she had been a light in his life. Now, with her love, he could finally escape his demons, even if it took him some time. He couldn't lose her, so he wouldn't tell her. "Rikku..." He spoke against her lips.

Rikku, breathy and starry-eyed, looked up at Auron in a daze. Her legs tightened around him as he excited her. The heat of him against her thighs made her dizzy. "Yes, Auron?"

He took in a deep breath. "I cannot see my life without you..." his voice was low, almost pleading.

Rikku kissed his lips softly and giggled. "You won't be without me, silly."

Auron took the moment to press his forehead to hers and gaze into her eyes. He wanted to absorb her, everything about her, in case it all came crashing down. "I love you." He said.

"And I love you..."

Just promise to always forgive me. No matter what happens. - He thought the words but couldn't say them. Instead, he pulled her against him and kissed her firm on the lips. He groaned as he felt her hands explore his back, his chest. Together, they lost themselves. The sound of his groans and her whimpers carried throughout the kitchen.

Somewhere in the back of Auron's thoughts, he lied to himself that everything was ok. He would fix it tomorrow.