A/N - Warning: contains fluff. I make no apology for this fact. Enjoy.

Reconciliation

Dusk settled on the south bank of the Moonflow and the pyreflies came with it. We were on our way back, heading for Zanarkand, and had arrived too late to cross the river before nightfall. I suspected Lord Braska of timing our journey today such that we could camp here, that he wanted to view the magnificence of the river at sunset one last time.

I watched him staring at the beautiful lights as they swirled over the water and the lilies, Jecht standing a little way up the bank and taking in the scene. Then Braska turned to me. "Auron, would you like the night off?"

"Pardon, my lord?"

"This is a safe area; I'm sure Jecht and I can handle anything that might come up," he said, "Tzeki Village is only a few minutes walk from here. You could drop by if you like."

"Hm." The business with Jecht and the shoopuf had distracted me as we approached the Moonflow on our way out from Bevelle, so the thought of visiting hadn't really occurred to me then. On this return trip, I had been trying very hard not to consider the possibility.

Relle... I found myself torn. I wanted to see her, very much -- my entire body ached at the mere thought of holding her again, and now that I was thinking about her, letting myself know that she was so close by... But would she want to see me? There'd been no word from her at all since the day she threw me out, so I had no idea what she would do if I showed up on her doorstep. Would she even let me in the house?

The honest truth? I wasn't sure I was ready to face her.

I shook myself from my thoughts and looked at Braska. "I don't know. It's complicated," I said.

"Complicated?" Jecht called out, his tone incredulous. "C'mon, Auron! What is there to think about? You're talkin' about going to see your woman, right? Well, I'll tell ya. If my wife was in that village, nothin' could stop me from seeing her, no matter what happened before. You'll regret it forever if you don't at least try." He crossed his arms and stared into the distance.

I looked back to Braska. "Yes," he said softly, his blue eyes sad. "If it were Tess..."

I took a deep breath, feeling suddenly guilty that the woman I loved was both alive and within reach. "All right. Thank you, my lord. I'll be back at dawn. Unless she slams the door in my face."

He clasped my shoulder and smiled. "Good luck."

Ten minutes later, I approached the outskirts of Tzeki Village. I had walked briskly to get here, but now I was reluctant to go further. Could I take it if Relle refused to see me? And I was very nervous about running into anyone else. The village was a tight community; I was sure everyone knew the story by now, and I only had the strength for one confrontation. I slipped stealthily through the houses on the way to Relle's cottage.

When I arrived, I knocked on her door. She cracked it open, then threw it wide when she saw me standing there. She looked tired, her hands dirty from cooking and her coppery hair half-falling from its twist, but she was still a beautiful sight.

She stepped back and gestured me in without a sound. I entered the cottage and shut the door behind me.

"Hello," I said, cautiously, removing my sword and cask and resting them by the door.

She looked me up and down, crossing her arms across her chest. "You've gone back to red and black," she said, her tone neutral. "It still suits you."

I nodded. "I have left the ranks of the warrior monks. I couldn't stay, not after... everything. I'm a guardian now, protecting Lord Braska on his pilgrimage. He's earned all the aeons, and we're going to Zanarkand."

"I see."

I gathered my courage to speak, heartbeat accelerating. "Relle, I know you were angry with me the last time I saw you, and I don't blame you for that. So if you ask me to leave again, I'll understand. But we were camped near here, and I would never have forgiven myself if I hadn't come by. I have the night free. Do you want me to stay?"

She stood silently for a long moment. Then she stepped close to me and took my left hand, the bare one, weaving her fingers through mine. Her touch, familiar yet unexpected, sent a shock through my entire being, as if I'd been hit by a lightning spell. She met my eyes, and I saw hers fill with tears. "I should never have sent you away," she whispered. Her other hand reached around my neck, and she kissed me.

I returned the kiss hungrily, gripping her hand, caressing her fingers with my own, my other arm pulling her to me. She moaned softly and pushed herself closer, overwhelming me with the physical contact. I had visions of falling to the floor with her again, and with all the control I could muster, I dragged my mouth away from hers. I raised my hands to her face and cupped her cheeks, wiping at her trickling tears with my thumbs, our foreheads and noses touching. "No," I said, almost to myself. "No, I'm going to do this right. No desperation, no despair. Not like it was last time."

She moved her hands to my waist, a shaky laugh slipping out. "I don't think either of us were quite in our right minds last time."

I chuckled. "You assume I'm thinking clearly now." I breathed deep, her sweet and spicy scent filling my senses. "Yevon knows I want you, Relle. And if you'll only have me for this one night, I will be content with that. But--"

"I wouldn't be." Her voice was firm now. "No. You made mistakes, but past is past. I love you, and I want you back, for always. "

I lifted my head with surprise and saw the truth of it in her face. But I still hardly dared to believe it. "You do?"

She nodded. "If you forgive me for making you leave before."

I pulled her tightly to me again, my heart pounding. "There is nothing to forgive," I said into her hair. "You did what you had to do. I deserved to be sent away; I see that now. I even knew it then."

"But we lost so much time," she murmured, her face against my shoulder. "And now you're making a pilgrimage? You're a guardian, that means you protect the summoner with your life. What if--"

"It's no different than before. As a warrior monk, my life was pledged to the temples. Now I am pledged to Lord Braska. But I will do everything in my power to stay alive, to return to you." I kissed the top of her head. "I would die for you, too, you know."

"I would rather you lived for me."

"I know. But that won't defeat Sin. Maybe this will."

"I hope so." She reached up and pulled off the thongs that held back my hair, then buried her hands in it as it fell across my back.

Stroking her from shoulders to thighs, I sighed with deep contentment. "I could just hold you like this all night."

Relle looked up at me. "No, you couldn't," she said, "and you'd better not." An invitation beckoned in her eyes.

I dropped my mouth down to hers and accepted it, sweeping her up in my arms and carrying her to the bed.

I had wanted our reunion to be tender, gentle, loving. But in the end, my need was too great and her response too powerful, and we were swept away together. Afterwards, we collapsed and, completely spent, I fell asleep, the cares and fears and losses of seven long years momentarily erased by the feel of her in my arms.

When I woke, the moon had risen and Relle was gone. I worried for a moment, but she soon appeared in the doorway, wearing only a robe, carrying a jug and a tray of food. I sat up on the bed with my back against the headboard, my stomach beginning to rumble, and she settled down next to me.

"Bread, meat, cheese, and some ale," she said. "We sort of skipped dinner."

"Other hungers came first," I replied, then kissed her. "But yes, I do need some food. Thank you." I tore off a hunk of bread and bit into it. It was perfectly made and lightly flavored with some herb and the best thing I had tasted in years.

She took a nibble of cheese, then made two sandwiches with the fixings before her. I took a sandwich in one hand and the ale in the other and made short work of them both. Then I put an arm around Relle's shoulders and drew her against me. She curled up there, head leaning into me, her hand lightly stroking my bare chest, and we stayed there for a long time, just talking and feeling one another's presence. I told her about training for the journey, and Kinoc's betrayal, and the amusements and irritations of Jecht; she shared the story of her falling out with Kera.

"She thought I was a fool for wanting you back." Relle sighed. "I can't really blame her; I put her through a lot, especially the last couple of years. I wanted to think I was waiting patiently, but really I wasn't, and I took my frustrations with you out on her. But it made me very angry at the time, the idea that she thought she knew what was best for me. We said some really harsh things to one another. In the end I stormed off, and neither of us wanted to be the first to apologize. Now she's gone, and I miss her desperately."

I pulled my love even closer. "She will forgive us," I said. "Kera's temper is fierce, but it always burns out eventually. Once my journey is over, we will make amends together."

Eventually we fell into a comfortable silence. I thought she had fallen asleep when she twisted her head up to mine. "Is this a dream?" she asked softly.

I ran a hand over her soft, smooth hair. "Yes. But it's also real."

She smiled, a pure clear smile of happiness, and kissed me. Then we kissed again, and again, and again until all the kisses blurred together. I rolled her over and pressed her into the pillow, and we made love with all the tenderness and care we hadn't had time for earlier. This time, we both drifted off into sleep, bodies still intertwined, whispering words of love to one another in the moonlight.

Too soon, dawn was breaking. I watched the growing light play over Relle's sleeping face, absorbing every detail -- golden lashes lying on slightly tanned cheeks, pink mouth relaxed into a content smile. She shifted slightly and snuggled even more closely against me, my dark hair mixing with her bright strands, glowing in the orange and pink rays of the early morning sun.

Disturbing her was the last thing I wanted to do, but I knew that leaving without a goodbye would be far worse. I kissed her forehead and then said her name.

She opened her eyes. "Hi." Rolling over, she looked out the window. "Morning already?"

"Yes." She turned back to me, and I touched my lips to the tip of her nose. "Sleep well?"

"Better than I have in seven years," she said. She swept our hair aside and planted a kiss on my collarbone. "Happy birthday, by the way."

I was astonished. "Is it really? I must have lost track of the days."

She nodded. "I wish I had known you would be here. I would have found a gift for you."

"Well, there is something you could give me." I leaned over and spoke softly in her ear.

She sat up abruptly, startled into an open-mouthed gape by my suggestion. "Are you sure?"

I took her hands firmly. "Absolutely certain."

"Then yes. Yes, of course, a thousand times yes!" She flung herself down on me, and I hugged her. The hug became more involved, and we sunk back into each other one more time.

Some time later, we left the village hand in hand, walking back to the campsite where I had left my companions. We had both taken great care getting ready -- she had brushed my hair until it gleamed, then braided it, dressed herself in some of her finest clothes, and somehow still had time to make a lunch basket for me and my companions. Jecht sat back by the fire, Lord Braska stood on the river bank, and they both turned as they heard our approach. It was rather later than dawn, but by the smiles on their faces, they understood my tardiness and forgave it.

I introduced Relle to Jecht and reacquainted her with Braska, then drew the latter man off for a brief private talk.

"You look happier than I have seen you in a long time, my friend," he said, his face radiating pleasure.

I glanced back at Relle, still chatting with Jecht. Our eyes met, and we exchanged tender smiles. "I am." Looking to Braska, I dropped my gaze just a little. "She loves me more than I could possibly deserve."

"I don't know about that," Braska replied with a gentle chuckle. "You're a good man, Auron, and you deserve happiness."

"Thank you, my lord." I took a deep breath. "Lord Braska, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Anything I can grant you, I will. You know that."

"I want you to marry us. Here, today, before we continue on to Zanarkand."

He looked stunned. "Me? Now?" On this last syllable, he raised his voice enough that it caught Jecht's attention; he came over to us to see what was wrong, Relle on his heels.

Not noticing that we had acquired an audience, Braska continued. "I am honored that you ask this of me, but would it not be better to wait until it can be done according to tradition, under the seal of the temple? I'm technically not a priest anymore; my ties to Djose were severed when I became a summoner. I don't even know whether Yevon would recognize a marriage I performed."

I laid a hand on his arm. "I recognize it, as does Relle. That's all that matters for now. We can always do it again properly in a temple later." The obvious next thought, that there might not be a later, I left unspoken. Instead, I took a step closer to him. "Whenever I have thought about marrying Relle, you have been the one to bless our union. And for that, there will not be another chance. Please, my lord. This means a great deal to me."

Braska looked at me, and our eyes locked. Jecht was talking in the background, but I could spare no attention for him -- in that moment, I only saw my lord and dear friend. I had thought many times about what Braska's death would mean for him, and for Yuna. Never before had I seriously considered what it might mean for me. Soon, he would be gone, and I would have to live in a world without him. For the first time, I wondered if I could bear it.

Relle came up behind me, twining our fingers together, resting her other hand on my back, and I took comfort from her touch. "Please, Lord Braska?"

He turned to her, and it was to her he made his reply. "All right." He laughed then, and the somber mood was broken. "Assuming I can remember the words to the ceremony."

And so it was that I finally made Arelle my wife and became her husband, there on the banks of the Moonflow, Jecht and Yevon and the rushing waters our only witnesses. Lord Braska blessed us, his face happy and sad all at once, and I knew he was remembering his own wedding, which had been a similarly informal affair. Relle and I faced each other and held hands as we said the words that would bind us together for the rest of our lives. Her only ornament was a flower that I had picked for her and tucked behind her ear. She was as lovely as she'd ever been. Her hands trembled in mine, but her voice was steady and clear. I spoke my own vows in a hushed, reverent tone, awestruck at the promise I was making. When Braska proclaimed us married and we kissed, it was a moment of pure joy, and I thought my heart might break with it.

Jecht slapped my back; Braska hugged us both. Then the two of them moved off, ostensibly to break camp but really to give us one last moment alone. We stood there, hands locked together, and basked in the glow of our love for each other. Then I bent down and kissed her again, long and hard, and she embraced me so tightly that it became difficult to breathe.

"I'm sorry it wasn't a grander occasion," I said when I finally came up for air.

"It was perfect," she assured me softly.

I laid a hand on her cheek, and she leaned into it, her eyes closing.

We stayed that way for some time, drawing strength from each other for the separation we both knew was coming. Finally, the time came for me to give her one last kiss and then let go.

"Farewell," she said, tears close to the edge of her voice. "Yevon keep you safe. Yevon bring you home to me!"

"Yevon be with you, my love," I replied.

Jecht came up beside me, holding my bag and my sword. "You ready?"

Reluctantly, I turned away from Relle and took the offered items. "Yeah. Thanks."

"Sure. Braska's over at the shoopuf."

I looked back at her and found that I had no words. All I could do was smile slightly and nod. She nodded in return. And then I left her, following Jecht to the station.

Braska was waiting as promised, and we took our places on the lift. "Are you sure you don't want to spend tonight here?" he asked. "We could spare another day."

"Yeah, really," Jecht chimed in. "Hell of a way to spend your wedding night, on the road with us!"

I shook my head as the machina began to move. "If I returned to her now, I doubt I could find the strength to leave her again. We had last night; it will be enough."

We stepped off the contraption and onto the beast's back. I was about to take a seat when I glanced back at the land and saw Relle standing there. She waved, and I waved back. Then we stared at each other, unable to look away, even after the creature started to move. She became smaller and smaller as the shoopuf carried me away, and I watched her disappear, not moving until long after the shore was out of sight.