Disclaimer: I do not own ff10.

Don't you know it's all right to be alone?

You can make it on your own.

Ash – Candy

Aleron snuffled slightly in his sleep, his tiny eyes cracking open slightly before he settled back to his peaceful slumber. Lesca let the breath she had unconsciously been holding out, her face relaxing slightly. She had been recovering in the medical ward for little over a week; her wounds healing nicely while her love for her infant son grew at what she deemed must be an unnatural rate. She felt consumed, suffocated by the unconditional adoration she held for the boy, the affection that though he could not yet tell her of, she knew he returned. She was still pale and drawn to the casual observer, yet the peace which exuded from her made her radiant even now. Her uncle entered the room with yet more presents for the mother and her child.

"Lesca, how are you feelin' today sweetheart?" He peeked in at the cot, blushing when she gestured for him to lower his voice.

"I'm good. I can't wait to get out of here though." She wrinkled her nose in distaste while Cid chuckled quietly. She had never been one to lie around.

"Well, the doctor says you can get back to your place when you're ready. We got it all set up for ya."

She looked around the room before turning her gaze back to Cid. "Where's Rikku? I thought you said you'd bring her some time this week?"

Cid scratched the back of his head, looking slightly sheepish. "Yeah, well…she wanted to go to the mainland for some more schooling. I decided with circumstances being what they are it was a good idea. She doesn't know about the little fella yet, she's too young to know what to make of it with all that's led to this. She'll be back in a few years, but you can send her and Yuna spheres until you sort everything, you know?"

Lesca looked aghast, "A few years? Cid, what were you thinking? She's only a child!"

"I know, but it'll do her good. She's away with her brother and some others; they'll take care of her, teach her how to fend for herself outside of Home. It's for the best."

Lesca crossed her arms, looking over at her son. "I can't imagine letting him leave my side. It feels like he's filled a bit of the hole that Auron left, you know? That, and his own special nook he's created in my heart."

She sighed, shaking her head slightly. "He's all I have left now, he's the only link I have to the one time I was truly happy. Sad, isn't it?"

Cid tried to grin in attempt to lighten the mood and failed miserably. "It's sad, but not because it's wrong to feel this way. It's sad that you have to experience it at all."

She cocked an eyebrow. "I just noticed, why are you speaking Yevonite? I thought you hated "them and their damn language"!" She finished the sentence with an impression and giggled.

Cid blushed, "Well, the boys gotta have a proper education, know about both lines of his heritage, just like you. Besides, Rikku needs some practice too and I can't let her see me struggling on the sphere's I send her because I let myself get rusty."

"I suppose."

Aleron stirred, mewling for attention. His mother responded instantly, leaping from the bed to her son's side. Lesca picked the dark haired infant up, cradling him gently while crooning a soft lullaby. Cid watched her, a smile playing on his lips. The young woman was a natural mother, the child's wailing calming as she rocked him in her arms. She coloured slightly as she turned to her uncle.

"Cid, will you help me with my things? I want to get settled before I feed Aleron."

He heaved the bag that had been sitting ready for days and led the way. "No need to ask, Lesca. No need to ask."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lesca sat on the rocking chair donated to her by Cid, her aunts from when Rikku and Brother had been but babes in arms. Aleron looked up her with the gaze he shared with his father, his wide eyes seeming to search Lesca's face. She stroked his hair, lightly kissing him atop his head.

"What is it you think you'll find in my eyes, darling? All that lives there now is my love for you and sorrow. I could not stop them, they all went to their deaths."

She smiled sadly, running a finger over his downy cheeks. "You want to hear about your family?"

Aleron's finely etched eyebrows seemed to lift a little and she shook her head, grinning. "Well, haven't I got a smart son? Where to begin…"

She fished in the drawer beside her and pulled out the sphere Auron had sent. She set it down on the table and switched it on, letting the image repeat itself. As her husband professed his love, promised he would return to her, she held back the tears. She pointed to the image, not caring that the child wouldn't understand.

"That's your daddy. His name was Auron. He could be a bit grouchy sometimes, but never with me. I know he'd have adored you like I do. You have his eyes…"

The sphere shifted to show Braska a little and she touched the image lightly. "That man there, that's my daddy. He was High Summoner Braska; he defeated Sin for the whole of Spira! He did it for all of us.

Grandpa Braska was a good man. He was kind and gentle, and though we didn't always see eye to eye we still loved each other with all our hearts. Your daddy went with him to defeat Sin; they both died in the name of peace. I hope Sin is an evil you never have to experience, Aleron. Never forget these men, they were brave, strong and loyal. One day, you'll be just like them, I know."

Cid listened outside as she regaled her son with stories of their family, his lineage and smiled. He leaned against the doorframe, sighing.

She shouldn't have to do this, not by herself. She has to though, she can do it.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"C'mon, Auron! Wake up!" The pleading was accompanied by a tugging on his coat.

"No."

Auron could hear the mischief in the youngster's voice as he attempted to rouse the sleeping Guardian once again. "Please?"

He cracked open his good eye to glare at the child. "No."

He settled back into the warmth of his cocoon, feeling slumber begin to claim him once more. Tidus stood, eyeing the mound that was Auron thoughtfully. A wide grin spread across his face, replacing the pout as he ran out of the room. Auron smiled slightly, shifting his weight to get more comfortable as he heard the patter of the boy's feet exit the room. He drifted off lightly, the rare peace in the household a melody soothing to his soul.

Tidus returned and poked his head around the door, smirking when he saw the man was sound asleep. He tiptoed into the room, his tongue sticking of out the side of his mouth as he concentrated on relaying his precious cargo to its destination. The bucket shook in his small hands, water sloshing over the sides and onto the wooden floor. He slipped a little, grinning when he managed to maintain his balance. He placed the bucket next to the bed carefully before sliding a chair soundlessly across the floor so it rested next to the head of the prone Guardian. Tidus clambered atop the furniture, perching precariously as he brought the bucket up beside him. With a snigger, the bucket was held high above the young boy's head before being dumped unceremoniously over the slumbering Auron.

Auron sat up immediately, unable to understand what was happening in his state of semi consciousness. He blinked as the water soaked through the layers of cloth, turning slowly to meet the sight of Tidus desperately trying to contain his laughter. He glowered at the boy, moving slowly and deliberately as he swung his legs over the side of the bed.

"Tidus?"

The boy nodded; fits of giggles rendering him near helpless.

"I'm going to give you to the count of ten…if you're not out of here before I reach ten, I swear I'll wring your scrawny little neck." Auron growled, trying his best to look menacing. The effect was somewhat diluted by the wet hair obscuring his face.

The boy grinned at him, laughing off the threat. "Ah, come on Aurie! You know and I know that you couldn't hurt a fly!"

Auron looked at Tidus, slack jawed. He, the great warrior monk who had helped to vanquish Sin. He who had fought side by side with great warriors to send fiends to the Farplane. He, the fool who had dared to face Yunalesca alone and had earned a death for his troubles, unable to hurt a fly? Auron shook his head and sighed heavily.

"Don't call me Aurie. My name is Auron, as well you know. I'm too easy on you, boy. I'm going to have to toughen you up. If you think I can't fight, you are very much mistaken."

The statement piqued the boy's interest and he watched as Auron took off his coat, wringing the water from it with distaste. It was perhaps the first time Tidus had seen the man without the garment and he studied the bulging muscles of Auron with interest. His glasses lay discarded on a side table along with his glove and for once he looked something other than impenetrable.

"You know, you have bigger muscles that my dad did."

Auron chuckled, studying his reflection in the mirror. A few strands of grey stood proudly against the ebony and he groaned. He's making me grey. The boy is actually making me grey with stress. How the hell did you cope with this, Jecht?

"I wield a heavier sword than Jecht did. He attacked with speed and cunning. I use strength. I think you would fight in much the same way as he did."

Tidus jumped on the bed excitedly; stopping only when shot a warning glare. "Where's your sword? Will you teach me?"

"I'll teach you when the time is right. And my sword is away from the prying eyes of nosy children."

Tidus pouted momentarily before the grin worked its way back onto his face. "Where'd ya get all your stuff? It's pretty cool, for you anyway."

He tried the glasses on and struck a pose. The scene reminded Auron of the day he'd received them and he retrieved the spectacles gently.

Just so I always know these eyes are alright…

He touched his scar unconsciously before putting the glasses back on. "My wife gave me my glasses and my gloves. She helped pick out everything else." He spoke softly and Tidus cocked an eyebrow.

"Your wife? You have a wife? Why are you here instead of with her?"

"She…it is none of your concern. You ask too many questions, Tidus." He turned from the boy abruptly.

"Do you love her still?" Tidus pressed on, oblivious to the hurt he was causing.

Auron choked a little as he remembered her face. "Yes."

The boy put an arm around the warrior's shoulders, uncharacteristically serious. "You'll see her again I bet. It'll be ok, Auron."

Auron turned his head and looked into the boys wide blue eyes that shone with the hope and innocence of youth. He patted the small hand.

"I hope you're right."

There was a rare moment of silence before the questioning started again.

"Auron?"

"What?"

"You got any kids?"

Auron grinned, shaking his head. "No. Though if I did, I'd hope they were nothing like you."

Tidus crossed his arms, sulking. "I'm insulted."

"Well, be insulted somewhere else. I need to go and get a haircut. If you plan on drowning me every morning I won't get up when it suits you, I'd like to be able to see so I can hunt you down."

The boy giggled nervously, "Ah, come on! You don't mean that…"

Auron raised an eyebrow. "Don't I?"

Tidus rolled his eyes, as if exasperated by the man. "No, you don't!"

He reached out to touch Auron's scar, surprised when his wrist was caught roughly and thrust away.

"What happened to your eye?"

"What happened to your manners?" Auron responded tartly.

The boy shrugged and smiled at him. "I'm just curious."

"Impetuous more like. I fought a great adversary, that is what happened and that is all you need to know. Subject closed."

"Did ya win?"

Auron shot him a glare that clearly told him to shut up. He shrugged into the damp coat, sliding his hand into the cool leather of his glove. Tidus watched as the swordsman buckled a belt around his middle swiftly, picking up an earthenware jug as an afterthought. Auron took a deep swig from the jug, shaking his head as the bite of the alcohol burned its way down his gullet, before attaching it firmly to his hip.

"What's in the jug?"

Auron gritted his teeth. "Sake. You make me grey and you drive me to drink. You should be very proud of yourself Tidus, not even your father managed that feat."

He strode out the door, the boy at his heels. There was silence for a moment as they walked down the promenade and Auron began his familiar routine.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven…now.

Right on cue, the child high voice piped up. "So, Auron, do you blitz?"

Tidus stopped in his tracks as he watched the man walk away from him, laughing huskily at apparently nothing. The boy shook his head, muttering.

"He's crazy. My old man sent a loon to watch out for me."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"I wish you could see your son, Auron."

Lesca sighed. She knew that addressing the morning sky would ultimately prove fruitless, but it comforted her to believe that he was watching over her. A soft cry from Aleron disturbed her musings and she picked up the infant, whispering words of comfort to him as she rocked the child gently. Her son's whimpering quietened as she cradled him to her bosom, her heartbeat soothing to him. She shifted his weight onto one arm, the other limb manoeuvring her chair quietly to the window. The mother sat down carefully so as not to disturb her son, freeing her breast from its confines and offering it to the boy. Aleron latched on greedily, his eyes closing as he began to feed.

Lesca let herself become lost in thought once again, staring out of the window toward the horizon. The sand glittered as the early morning sunlight arose to dust the world with its mellifluous fingertips, the sky already a collage of bright and brilliant blues. The sunlight streaming through the window warmed her cool skin, bathing her in honeyed hues. She turned her attention back to her son; his eyes closed in contentment as he suckled happily. The dawn light cast shadows on his face from his long, fine eyelashes, his eyebrows knitted together in concentration. His ebony tresses shone brightly and she felt overwhelming peace as she looked down at her infant son, inhaling the intoxicating scent of him; milk and powder mixed with the aroma she couldn't put her finger on, a fragrance that only babies possess.

His eyes opened lazily and she felt herself melt as he looked into her own verdant gaze. He yawned, the sound little more than a squeak, and covered the russet oculars with his eyelids once more. His tiny hand grasped her finger as he fastened himself to her breast again and she watched in wonder. This perfect, tiny person is my son. My son.

A ghost of a smile played on her lips and she turned to the window once more, watching as the heat rose from the floor of the desert as a haze. She felt some of her old spirit return to her, her strength bolstered by her son's love.

"I can do this. I can make it by myself." She murmured, rocking slightly on the chair as she observed the clouds racing sluggishly across the sky.

I just wish I didn't have to.

A/N: Thanks to The Angel of the Lion, Pierson and Refugee. Shameless plug for a friend: check out the link on my profile to Pierson's forum!