Disclaimer: I don't own FFX and I am not affiliated with Squaresoft in any way.
Every day is so wonderful, but suddenly it's hard to breathe
Now and then I get insecure from all the pain, I'm so ashamed…
Christina Aguilera - Beautiful
Sunlight streamed through the slatted blinds, waking him gently from his slumber. The crisp, cotton sheets were cool against his naked body, soothing the aching muscles. He cracked open one sleep encrusted russet eye to investigate the crushing weight atop his chest. Two wide eyes, one of baby blue and another of that striking verdant green were full of innocence and mischief at the same time as they stared back at him. He recognised the toothy grin as it slowly came into focus, a groan escaping him as the weight shifted about his chest. The child jumped and then collapsed in fits of giggles as she knocked the wind from his lungs.
"You are Yuna, are you not?" He wheezed.
Yuna nodded, locks of light brown hair falling into her eyes as she tried to suppress her laughter.
"Mmm hmm, Lesca was wonderin' if you were up so I came to see. I'll go tell her you're awake!"
The girl scurried out, bare feet slapping against the tiled floor. Auron raised himself onto his elbows, wincing at the stabbing pain in his ribs. He looked down and inhaled sharply at the collage of pea greens and sickly yellows that coloured his torso. Raising a hand to his face, he gingerly ran his fingers over the surface, the calloused digits rough against his tender skin. His eyebrows knitted together as he realised the extent of his injuries, I must look hideous.
A soft voice halted the exploration of his visage, "Hey you. How're you feeling?"
He looked up to see Lesca walking toward him from the doorway she had been watching him from. She reached him, touching his face tenderly before sitting next to him with a smile.
"Better, thank you." He looked around, suddenly very conscious of his nakedness. "Lesca, where are my robes?"
She smiled apologetically and he felt his heart try to escape from the confines of his chest.
"They were in such a state Auron…I tried to clean them but it was no use. Sorry! Besides, I don't think the temples would take too kindly to your wearing their garb any longer."
He hung his head, remembering the events that had transpired yesterday evening.
"I suppose. That was all I had though." He mumbled, embarrassed at the situation.
Lesca brightened, running from the room only to return a few moments later with simple grey linen trousers and a plain black shirt. She tossed the clothes to him with a grin.
"Here, you can use these just now. We'll head to market after you've eaten and get you some clothes of your own."
He blushed, knowing he could not refuse the kindness, "Thank you."
She smiled and turned to leave. Pausing at the doorway she called back,
"The bathrooms down the hall. Once you're cleaned up, come through to the kitchen and I'll make you some food."
He nodded in agreement though she had left before waiting for his response. Sighing, he hauled himself to his feet, covering his modesty with an awaiting towel. Moving stiffly down the hall, leaning on the walls for support, he felt distinctly uneasy with his position.
Damn near naked with Lesca here. Great.
He saw her come out of one of the other rooms, smiling warmly at him before raising an eyebrow at him mischievously, looking pointedly at his towel. He smiled weakly and felt something stir, his heart pounding within his chest.
Not now! Traitorous body…
He found the bathroom and locked the door quickly, heaving a sigh of relief as the blood rushing through his veins quietened. He stepped in the shower and switched it on full, savouring the intense heat on his aching muscles. Steam soon clouded the mirror as he let the knots under his skin unravel, thanking Yevon for the use of this machina. The powerful jet slowed to a dribble and he looked at his reflection in the misted mirror, beads of water clinging to his ebony tresses. The scratches on his face were little more than surface wounds, mere scratches that did nothing to mar his handsome face. The pain from his ribs had ebbed to a dull throb and he towelled his body vigorously. He dressed quickly in the clothes Lesca had handed to him, feeling strange to be in something other than his voluminous robes.
~~~
"Lesca?"
The older girl smiled and placed her hands on her hips, "Yes, Yuna?"
"Do you like Auron?" The little girl giggled and covered her mouth.
"Of course I do. If I didn't, he wouldn't be here." She explained with the patience of one used to dealing with a child's incessant questioning.
"But do you like him like him?"
Lesca tickled her little sister, watching as the child dissolved into helpless giggles.
"I don't think that's any of your business little Lady Yuna!"
She whirled around at the sound of a throat being cleared. Auron stood in the doorway, a faint blush colouring his cheeks as he rubbed absently at his hair with the towel.
"Auron! I, I didn't hear you come in. Is cereal ok for you?"
He nodded and sat at the table, thanking her profusely for the meagre meal. Yuna clambered into his lap and started braiding his hair. He looked at the child in confusion and Lesca could not contain the laughter bubbling up inside her. Auron's embarrassment turned to amusement and he chuckled, picking the squealing Yuna from his lap and placing her firmly in her chair. A figure appeared in the doorway and laughed heartily at the scene before him.
"Yuna, you must leave our guest be. Auron, you seem better. I will cast a cure spell on you today, it should heal those wounds completely."
Auron bowed his head, "Thank you, my lord."
"Please Auron, call me Braska. Lesca, what are you wearing?"
She sighed in frustration and turned to face him, "The same as I wore yesterday."
"Go change, you look like a common whore."
"Funny. You didn't used to think mom looked like a common whore when she wore this." She spat the words with venom at her father and he shook his head.
"Your mother would never have worn something so…short."
"You bought her them! The only reason you're complaining is because I remind you too much of her."
"You're right. I'm sorry Lesca. Excuse me, I need to visit the temple. Must show my devotion to Yevon!" He laughed weakly before leaving.
Having sworn fealty, you must spend your life in servitude. Yevon shall be your master and you must do all in your power to honour him, for Yevon will set us free. Serve him well and remember; it is better to be lying dead amongst the soldiers than never to be free.
Auron shook his head to clear the painful memory, that first day within the ranks of the warrior monks had been a shock. His removal from the order had multiplied that shock tenfold, he hadn't though it possible. He jumped at Lesca's gentle touch on his arm.
"Auron?" Her tone was light, but he could see the concern in her eyes.
"Shall we go to the market now?" He brushed her concern aside and she looked relieved at the lifting of his spirits.
"Yeah, sure. Yuna, hurry on to school or you'll be late."
The girl pouted and crossed her arms, "How come you don't have to go now?"
Lesca bent until she was level with the crumpled face of her sister and gave her a hug.
"You know why. I'm too old now. Run along, you have school and I've got to take Auron shopping before my training."
The child kissed her sister and hugged Auron's leg before running off to school. Lesca straightened up, grinning at him.
"Well, lets go!"
They began the short walk to the local market and he clenched his fist to stop himself from grabbing Lesca's hand greedily.
"What does your training involve?" He glanced at her sideways and she rewarded him with the smile he loved.
"This and that. I train in hand to hand combat, brush up on my black magic…"
"You're a black mage?" He hadn't taken her for a trained combatant.
"Yes. You sound surprised!"
"Well, that may be because I am. You seem too fragile for that type of life."
"When your mother is Al Bhed you have to learn to defend yourself at an early age. Just in case, y'know?" She shook her head, laughing bitterly at the absurdity of her situation, revealing her lineage to a former monk of Yevon was never a wise move.
That explains those eyes of jade.
"Al Bhed, really? It must be interesting to have both Yevonite and Al Bhed lineage."
She looked up suspiciously into his bronzed gaze, expecting to see revulsion. Instead, she found genuine interest and warmth.
"You don't mind?"
"Why should I? You are still the same person as you were before you revealed your heritage to me. Creed does not make a person, actions do."
She smiled, "I wish more people were as enlightened as you and my father. Come on, I think you'll find something you like in here."
They stepped across the threshold of the store, Auron staring in awe at the many colours and fabrics on display. Lesca snickered and walked over to a gawping store clerk.
"Hey. Do you think you can help my friend here? We need something practical. Light layers that are easy to move in, y'know? But something that can be removed or added to depending on the seasons."
The clerk nodded dumbly, tearing his eyes from Lesca reluctantly to fuss around Auron, taking measurements as he wandered around the store feeling fabrics and examining colours.
"Ok, I think I got something in your size. From what your friend was telling me, I think trousers, sturdy boots, gloves, a breastplate and a heavy trenchcoat. What do you think?"
Feeling out of his depth, Auron merely grunted his approval at the suggestions being pitched to him. Hiding her smiled, Lesca turned to the clerk.
"What colours you got?"
"What do you want?"
"Uh…red for the coat I think, brighten him up a little! Black for the rest though. Is that ok with you Auron?"
He nodded absently, distracted by the sheer volume of clothes surrounding him. He had never seen such a deluge of colour, used to instead the drab grey-white of his regiment. The clerk roused him from his daydreaming by shoving a pile of clothes in his arms.
"Through there, try them on."
"…" He left wordlessly to the dressing room. The clerk sauntered over to Lesca with a smile.
"So, what's your name gorgeous?"
"Lesca. And you are…?" She blushed slightly and moved away subconsciously, wondering why she felt almost scared by this man.
"Rethar. So how about you and me get better acquainted?" The man leered at her, and she turned her head away from his hot, sickly breath.
"You don't waste any time do you? Maybe some other time Rethar." She smiled, hoping to diffuse the situation, which was becoming increasingly uncomfortable.
"Y'know what? I think I'd rather get to know you better now."
The man pounced, grabbing her wrist while she was off her guard. Rethar pulled the struggling girl though to the back of the store, her slight weight giving her no grounding against his strength. Grabbing a loose length of cloth, he tied the arm he held to a pipe. She flailed wildly with the limbs still free of restraint and tried desperately to call upon a spell for aid. With only one hand free, the spell refused to focus and she almost cried with frustration. Rethar approached her, his sinister intentions written plainly on his face as he drank in the sight of her. Calming her breathing, she focused her energies into her limbs, a well-timed kick catching her assailant squarely in the jaw. Howling in pain, he drew back his hand to slap her, stopping only at the sound of a mans voice as it carried through from the front of the shop.
"Lesca?"
She wilted with relief, yelling at the top of her voice, "Auron! I'm here! Please, help me!"
Auron followed the voice, slipping slightly on the wooden floor as he came to a halt. He watched in horror as the scene unfolded in front of him in what seemed like slow motion. The clerk punched Lesca in the face, droplets of blood spraying from her mouth as his heavy signet ring cut through her tender flesh. She kicked at him to keep him at bay, buffeting his blows with the arm that was free to no avail, his own reach was longer than that of the smaller girl.
A red mist descended on Auron and he approached the man, not feeling the blows raining down on his body as the clerk shifted his attention from Lesca onto the purposeful youth. He caught the mans fist as it came toward his face, pushing it back easily and crushing it within his own. Rethar's face contorted in rage and agony, the bones in his hand popping as they broke, one by one. Auron drew back his free arm and released his anger onto the mans face, again and again and again. As the haze lifted, he dropped the man, stupefied by his actions. He was unrecognisable as the man who had served him just quarter of an hour ago, his face a mere bloody pulp. He shook his head as he remembered the reason he had came through and he rushed over to the shaking Lesca.
"Lesca! Are you ok? What happened, why didn't you call for me? Yevon, Lesca…what were you thinking?"
She smiled weakly, "I, I didn't want to worry you. I thought I could handle it, he was too big. Some great mage I am, can't even cast with one hand. Can't even fight off a stupid, weak man."
He listened to her mumbling as she berated herself and took a deep breath, "He caught you off guard?"
"Well, yeah! I shouldn't even have to be on guard in town." Her voice had quietened to a fierce whisper.
"Then why do you chide yourself so? It happens to us all, Lesca. You defended yourself well."
She smirked wryly as she wiped the blood from her mouth, "Well. Ha! My mentor will have a field day, "I was off guard, but I defended well!". Fantastic."
"Stop it."
"Okay." She realised he was wearing the new clothes, "Hey, you look good! Needs a thick belt though."
She left the mash of the man behind on the floor, stepping neatly over him into the front of the store. Picking up a circlet of night embellished with silver and two sturdy leather belts of brown, she put her arms around Auron's waist, fastening it securely before standing back to admire her handiwork. Black trousers, interrupted by pinstripes of grey were baggy on his solid frame. The breastplate of charcoal gleamed in the light cascading through the windows, exposed by the open ankle length trenchcoat of the deepest vermilion, trimmed with piping of the whitest snow.
"Perfect! Let's go, I'm late already!"
He tossed the money for the garments on the counter and barred her path as she made to leave.
"How do you do that?" He raised an eyebrow and she looked sheepish, apologetic almost.
"What?"
"Bounce back from these events that fate throws at you?"
She laughed sadly, pushing past him as she lead him towards their destination.
"When you've been through as much as my family have, you learn that the best way to deal with the shit that life slings at you is to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get on with what's left. If you're lucky, you can laugh about it at some point. If you're not, you might cry. Either way, life doesn't stop and neither should we."
"So you go forward?" He looked at her, feeling the deep pain which she usually hid so well.
"I have to. If I don't, who will?"
I'll go forward with you. I promise.
A/N: Thanks to The Angel of the Lion, Pierson and NanakiThirteen. I'm glad you all like it, cause I can see this being very long! I hinted at the ages in the 1st chapter, but for future reference this is set 10yrs before Yuna's pilgrimage. Lesca is 16, Auron is 17 and Yuna is 7. Just so you don't think Auron is molesting small kids! : ) Ok, so I forgot Auron is meant to be 35 in the game,I throw my hands up to that and bow humbly, but he's too sexy to be that old! For the purposes of this fic I feel there would be too much of an age gap between Lesca and Auron if he were 25. Also, if I made both Auron and Lesca older, Braska would be mega old in order to be Lesca's dad and the age gap between Yuna and Lesca would be too much. Please forgive me for the slight liberties I'm taking! Also thanks to Angel and GroundZero for reminding me of Auron's age. Its not fair that he's that old! : (
