In my mind, Zanarkand is just like...Los Angeles, or New York. Just a big city with modern day technology...with slightly questionable fashion statements?
And OMG I'm so happy to get reviews! I knew writing for FFX was like shouting into a void, but I got responses! And they were good! So I guess I'll keep going?
In the morning, the team braved the Djose Highroad to the temple. Along the way they came across a smattering of survivors. They had endeavored to reach the temple but had succumbed to exhaustion from fiends.
Thankfully, they had yet to find any casualties.
Djose Temple was a magical marvel. Theme parks in the ancient Zanarkand had similar awe inspiring attractions, but nothing as amazing as the suspended rocks with lighting bolts.
"That happens when a summoner reaches and convenes with the fayth," Lulu explained.
"So there's a summoner here already?" Tidus asked aloud. He wondered if it was Dona, or heaven forbid Seymour.
Dona hadn't seen the devastation of the failed operation. Her callous, holier-than-thou attitude would be anything but a balm to the wounded and dying.
And Seymour? Well, he was just creepy enough that Tidus just didn't like him.
"Let's see if we can help while we wait for them to finish," Yuna suggested.
The others agreed, and they volunteered to help where they could.
Tidus watched Yuna rush into a room where there was much groaning. Her hand rested on the doorframe, and the ring he had given her glinted on her finger.
No one seemed to notice.
Even when they returned to camp last night, no one noticed. Lulu and Wakka were already asleep, while Kamahri and Auron took their first watch. Pleasant greetings were exchanged before Kamahri offered some of the cooked fish they had left over from dinner. Then they fell asleep shortly after.
Now it was the next day, and their engagement was official. Who did he talk to about that? They did say he had until Djose Temple to figure it out. And he did.
But it didn't seem like a good time to bring it up. Would Yuna do so? It was her idea after all.
Tidus was directed to a cot with a wounded crusader on it. The man had a piece of shrapnel in his stomach, and Auron, one of the only others in the room with a strong stomach, was tasked to pull it out.
Tidus was to hold the poor bastard down by the shoulders, while Wakka had his legs.
And it continued like that for a few hours. The patients were different, but the job was the same. Some were being amputated, while others were just getting stitches.
But no matter what, it seemed like Operation Mi'ihen's casualties were far from over.
By mid-afternoon, the summoner in the cloisters finally emerged. A man named Isaaru, and his brother-guardians.
Finally, a polite summoner. He did rib Yuna a little, but it felt like friendly rivalry compared to Dona's outright harassment.
"The cloisters are empty, you two should go." Auron urged Tidus and Yuna.
"But there's more people to heal..."
"We can spare some potions. Now, go."
Hard pressed to argue, Yuna simply turned to Tidus. "Will you come to the trials with me?"
"I did the first two on my own. I think I can handle another."
"Oh, I'll help too." She smiled.
"Oh then, I have nothing to worry about. After you?"
They still didn't speak of the impending wedding, but Tidus still tried to be the best fiancé/guardian he could be. He didn't allow her to lift a finger, though she figured most of the puzzles out on her own. He moved the pedestals, he inserted the spheres, and when it came to leaping across a live electric pit, he gladly made the jump for her. They then reset the puzzle and activated the floor panel, which allowed them to go up to the next level. This time, Yuna helped him push all the pedestals into place and revealed the stairs to the Fayth.
He followed behind her as she ascended the stairs.
The door to the chamber opened for her, and she turned to look at him in question.
"I'll wait right here for you," he promised, sitting on the floor.
She offered a smile, and went inside.
And so he waited. Patiently, ankles crossed.
This would be the first time he waited the entirety of her prayer. The last two times, he came in at the end.
This time, he was alone in his waiting. The other guardians were busy helping downstairs.
Besaid had taken her two days, but Kilika was only about an hour. Was she getting better at whatever happened in there? Or was it based on the Fayth itself?
His ignorance to this whole situation was like a punch to the gut.
Wakka was right. Yuna needed someone that was more educated on Yevon, who could help her.
And yet, he could only believe she needed someone to remind her to be human more. Sure, if he knew more, it might help. Maybe he'd try a little harder to learn the religion. If only to stop embarrassing her with his ignorance.
Yuna emerged two hours later, sweaty and panting. He caught her before she could faint, and brought her back down into the temple.
He sat her on the stairs to the cloisters and retrieved a flask of water for her. "Better?"
"Yes, thank you for taking care of me."
"As a fiancé should," he smirked.
There was a loud gasp at that, and they both turned to see—Shindig? Shanda? The pious lady they had met on the Mi'ihen Highroad, standing not too far away. "Truly?! Is what I hear correct? You are to be married to Lady Yuna?"
The other guardians, who had not been informed that he had made his decision, all came closer to listen.
"That's right." Yuna smiled softly. "I asked, and he accepted."
Auron gave a thumbs up, while Wakka shook his head. Kimahri and Lulu were unreadable, but didn't look angry at least.
"This is wonderful news! The wedding of a summoner is always a blessed occasion! Will you be waiting until you reach the temple in Bevelle?"
"Well," said Tidus, "we were going to do it here, but..."
"An even better idea! The survivors could really do with the hope!"
Yuna sputtered. "I don't know if it's an appropriate time—"
"Nonsense! I'll take care of everything! Leave it to me!" And she hurried off to find the head priest, leaving Tidus and Yuna to face the other guardians alone.
"So, were you going to tell us you said yes?" Wakka asked, arms crossed.
Tidus sighed. "We made it official last night, after all the sendings. I wanted to give Yuna something to be happy about, but we weren't going to push it. Especially with everything that happened."
"We did give him until Djose to reach a decision," Lulu reminded patiently. "There's no reason for you to be angry."
"I just wish he had the common sense to say no."
Tidus frowned at Wakka, crossing his arms.
"So what made you change your mind, ah? Wanna get in on that post-sin glory?"
Tidus's heart raced a little faster as he confessed. "I just wanted to say yes. I don't want her to be lonely."
Lulu smirked. "Sounds as altruistic as can be. If Yuna wants a companion that doesn't interfere with her quest, I'm for it."
Yuna blushed. "Well you didn't have to say it like that."
Before more teasing could ensue, the head priest arrived. "I hear there is a couple wishing to be wed?"
Yuna bowed to him. "Yes sir, my guardian and I. But if you're busy with the operation, we don't want to intrude."
"Nonsense. Everyone is stable, and you have done so much to help us. It's the least we can do for repayment."
So it was happening. It was really happening. Marriage. At seventeen. And he hadn't even gotten her pregnant first.
Were they going to have sex tonight? Yuna didn't seem the type. Would she try for the sake of legitimacy? He certainly wasn't going to force her into anything. He'd let her take the lead. This was her idea anyway.
A stone pillar, much like the ones in the cloister, raised out of the ground. It had a little dome with two holes on either side.
"Now reach inside and clasp hands, so the soul scryer may tell if your souls are compatible for the soul bonding ceremony."
Tidus blinked several times, hearing things he was not prepared for. "The what what?"
"Isn't a soul binding ceremony...a little antiquated?" Asked Auron.
Shalinda, who had returned with the priest gasped. "Oh no! It's a beautiful and sacred ceremony!"
"Huh...just for some of us who are a little...out of practice..." Tidus mentioned sheepishly.
Lulu explained. "The soul binding ceremony is an ancient wedding practice, in which the souls are joined in life, so the beloved can find each other in death."
"It's not to be taken lightly." Wakka urged.
"It's just for show," Yuna whispered. "They can't actually bind our souls. But if the idea bothers you—"
"No no, it's okay. It's not going to, like, hurt or anything, right? Or change me as a person?"
"The more compatible you are, the less of an effect you should feel on yourself." The priest explained. "Come, present yourselves to the soul scryer."
No point in putting it off any longer. He put his hand in on one side, and Yuna put hers in the other. They met in the middle and entwined fingers.
Immediately, the scryer turned blue, then a blinding white.
Tidus spoke while covering his eyes, "is that a good thing?"
"Blessed be this day! A summoner is a perfect match for her beloved! This union will be wonderful and prosperous in love!"
Okay. So a good thing it was. He and Yuna a perfect match? What were the odds?
It seemed pretty low, considering the bright blush on Yuna's face.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
"Yes—just—" she rested her free hand on her face. "Perfect matches are really rare. I didn't know..."
He squeezed her hand. "Hey, it's alright. I'm not upset. Actually, quite the opposite! No need to be embarrassed!"
She gave him a weak smile, obviously still embarrassed despite his reassurance.
"Let us begin the ceremony. Did you bring a change of vestments?" Asked the high priest.
"Ah, no. Please, we'd like to be as streamlined as possible. We don't want to take up any more resources than necessary." Yuna bowed again.
"Very well."
Both of them removed their hands from the scryer, as it lowered back down into the floor. Then the head priest urged Yuna and Tidus to follow him to the door to the cloisters. They stood at the top of the stairs, while the other guardians and other witnesses gathered around to watch.
Yuna raised her hands for him to hold. And he did so daintily.
"O Fayth, O song of the Farplane. Hear as we call out to you in prayer. This couple has sought to be joined in the holiest of traditions. In soul, love, and flesh and bone. Knit them together in a tapestry of absolution. Bind their souls so that they may find each other in the end. May their love be pure and strong, and may they find peace and strength within each other."
He looked at both. "Do you have the rings?"
Tidus took out his, and Yuna awkwardly took off the one she was wearing, then they traded.
"Tidus, please repeat after me: 'I, Tidus,"
"I, Tidus,"
"Do take Lady Yuna, to have and hold, in sickness and in health, to the Farplane do we part."
"Do take Lady Yuna, to have and hold, in sickness and health, to...not even the Farplane do we part."
The wording change was not lost on those assembled. Especially Yuna, who smiled bashfully.
"You may place the ring on her finger."
Tidus took off his gloves, and then very delicately slid the ring onto her finger.
"Lady Yuna, if you will repeat after me: I, Lady Yuna,"
"I, Lady Yuna,"
"Do take Tidus, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, to the Farplane do we part."
She smiled. "Do take Tidus, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, to not even the Farplane do we part."
"Non Traditional vows, but lovely nonetheless." The priest praised. "You may place the ring on his finger."
Just as he had done, Yuna slid the ring onto his finger. Then she squeezed his hands affectionately.
"I pronounce you, in the name of Yevon, husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Yuna blushed again, then whispered, "I've never kissed before."
"Well, do you want a normal first kiss? Or a traditional Zanarkand wedding kiss?"
"Hmm, I'll try the Zanarkand wedding kiss."
He winked at her, before holding her close. "Hang on to me."
Yuna only had a minute to hold around his neck, before he lowered her into a dip, and pressed a deep and meaningful kiss to her lips.
Those gathered either gasped in shock or wolf-whistled. Either way, Tidus realized maybe these people weren't used to such public displays of affection.
But still, her kiss felt incredible. She was warm and soft, she smelled of flowers and this unnamed spice that tingled his nose.
The kiss only lasted a few seconds, but when he righted her, she had a contented and gleeful smile on her face.
Then applause broke out, and they returned to reality.
Married. They were married. Officially. There was no going back now.
Not that he wanted to. Yuna was wonderful. She deserved as much support as she could get, and he was honored that she picked him.
"Presenting Lady Yuna, and her husband, Sir Tidus!"
The 'Sir' was a nice touch. Did he get to keep that name?
They descended down into the crowd, receiving heartfelt handshakes and pats on the back of congratulations. People were genuinely happy, and it was a relief to see people smiling. Maybe getting married now really wasn't a bad idea.
"Many congratulations on your marriage, Lady Yuna." Isaaru bowed. "I hope your husband aids you on your pilgrimage."
"Of course I will!" Tidus exclaimed, like suggesting otherwise was ludicrous. "I'll do anything to help Yuna."
"Glad to hear it. Well, may the first to Zanarkand be the winner. We'll be moving on to Macalania."
"Oh, and a word of warning for you and your guardians," his guardian added. "Rumor is that summoners have gone missing on the road to Zanarkand. Best keep sharp."
"Well, thank you for the warning! We'll be extra diligent!" Tidus saluted.
"Glad to hear it. Now, we'll let you go. Heard you did a lot of sendings for these poor folks. You must be exhausted."
"It's always an honor to perform such a ceremony. Thank you for thinking of my well-being though."
After marinating in the glad tidings of the crowd, the head priest approached the couple. "The ceremonial cleansing is ready for you both, if you desire it. I assume you'd like to get cleaned up after the ordeal you've been through."
"Oh!" Yuna blushed. "Ah, yes, well, that would be nice..."
"What's wrong?" Tidus asked softly.
"The ceremonial cleansing is basically a bath that the wedded couple share. The temples are almost all built on hot springs for this reason, and for summoners to take baths on their journeys. We really don't have to..."
"I mean, I would like to get cleaned up. I wouldn't want to offend my ladyship's nostrils."
Yuna giggled and then glanced at the priest, who was looking at them curiously, either concerned that Tidus didn't know about the hot springs that everyone else knew about, or that this newly wedded couple wasn't absolutely ecstatic to be bathing together.
"Alright. Let's try it." Said Yuna, with a little forced optimism. "I'm sure we'll be seeing...a lot of each other, from now on. Might as well get used to it."
Tidus held out his hand to her, and followed the priest outside the temple. He had remembered seeing a river when they had arrived here, and they weren't too far from the ocean. The hot springs, however, were inside the rock on the back side of the temple. The priest led them into a little alcove in the mountains. There was a single, wide tub, where milky water was already steaming. There was a collection of soaps and perfumes near the edge, and a pair of towels and robes hanging nearby.
"If you leave your clothes in this basket, we will make sure they are cleaned and returned to you in the morning."
Yuna bowed in gratitude. "Thank you for all of this. It is much appreciated."
"You are most welcome, Lady Yuna, and Sir Tidus. If there's anything else we can do, do not hesitate to ask." He bowed at the waist, and exited the room.
"I could get used to being called 'Sir', that's very fun." Tidus said with a laugh.
"I'm glad you enjoy it. I worried that the attention would make you uncomfortable."
"There's still time," He chuckled. Then he glanced at the water. "How about I turn around so you can get undressed, and then once you're in the water, I'll join you?"
"Alright." She agreed with a relaxed sigh.
Tidus turned around, and waited patiently for her to give the okay. Instead, she gave a series of frustrated grunts. "You good?"
"Lulu tied my Obi too tight, and I'm having a little trouble getting the knot out…"
"Can I help?"
She chuckled, "you can try."
He turned around, seeing the problem immediately. She had pulled on the bow, but the knot remained.
"You'd think I'd know how to undo this stupid thing, but in my haste, and I pulled the wrong side."
"No judgement from me." He dug his fingers into the knot and slowly got it untangled, and then completely undone. With the obi gone, a lot more skin was visible, and he awkwardly tried to avert his gaze. "Is that good? Need help with anything else?" He cringed. "Not that I want to undress you, just if you were having any other wardrobe malfunctions…"
She giggled. "I understood. No, I got the rest of it."
Glad that he hadn't offended her, he turned back around and began to unbuckle his bracer.
Once he was down to his shorts, he heard Yuna get into the water.
"Okay, I'm decent." She claimed.
She was just a head above the water. She was so cute that he let a giggle out.
"Why are you laughing?" She pouted.
"Nothing. I'm just surprised you're letting me see your neck!"
"I'm modest!"
"And it's very becoming." He kicked off his boots and socks and went to remove his pants. But he glanced at her beforehand, and noticed she was completely turned away.
"Oh come on now, you don't have to look away. We're married after all."
"I need to work my way up to that point." She urged. "You may be my husband...but you're still sort of a stranger."
Now fully naked, Tidus splashed into the water, and scooted closer to her. "I think you're the strange one. You proposed to me after all."
"And you accepted."
"Touché."
"And maybe I did rush things. Maybe proposing was impulsive."
"You're not having cold feet now, are you?"
"What? No, my feet are very warm!"
"Is that not a phrase these days? Where I come from, 'getting cold feet' means that you're regretting a wedding. Usually before the ceremony."
"It's a common thing?"
"Unfortunately, yes. Lots of people get married for all different reasons. And not all of them are good."
"Do you think we got married for the right reasons?" She looked at him with big, sad eyes.
"Well, I hope so. You wanted a companion for your journey, right? A taste of romance?"
"If I hadn't been a summoner, I would have just asked you to dinner, and see where things went. But...I'm on a bit of a tight schedule, you see. I don't get to watch things unfold. If I want something, I have to take it."
"So you wanted me?" He moved his leg, and his knee brushed against her bare thigh.
She blushed. "When you put it like that, it makes it sound like...like I was lusting after you."
"I wouldn't blame you if you were. I know I'm irresistible."
She smiled at him. "You are pretty cute."
"Hey! I'll take it!" He glanced over the shelf of soaps, and popped the caps to sample them. There was a really nice fruity one. "Would you mind if I washed your hair?"
At this point, Tidus was worried she was going to pass out from how red her face was. "I—if you want to? You don't have to!"
"Think of it as a bonding activity."
"...okay..."
She settled in front of him, arms wrapped around her chest (though he had no way of seeing). He took a pitcher and wetted her hair, then very carefully started to massage the shampoo in.
The sensation sent chills up her spine. "It's...weird. But nice."
"Just like me."
She let out a very unladylike snort.
"Cute."
"No it's not! I used to get picked on for that all the time when I was younger. So embarrassing!"
"Well, I think it's cute. And my opinion is the only one that matters."
She just snorted again. "Quit making me laugh!"
"I can't help it! It's my natural charm!"
He scrubbed at her scalp, doing his best to get the sand out from the beach. Then he used the pitcher to rinse, before applying conditioner and rinsing again.
"There we go. Squeaky clean."
"Then it's only fair that I return the favor," she announced.
Now it was his turn to blush. "Well...I guess that's fair."
"Are you afraid I'm going to find out you aren't actually this tan? Just dirty?"
"I am tan! It's from training in the sun. Even then, I have naturally darker skin."
"Did I hit a sensitive topic?" She couldn't help but laugh.
"No, I'm just usually very hygienic, so your world with no showers or deodorant is making me uncomfortable."
"I truly am learning so much about you in just a little time."
"I have nothing to hide from you," except one major thing, "so feel free to ask whatever you want."
It continued like that. Yuna washed his hair, and then he washed her back and shoulders while she returned the favor. They talked, they laughed, they teased and flirted, all until they turned pruney and Yuna yawned.
"I'm sorry, you're probably exhausted, and I'm keeping you up. Let's get ready for bed." Again, he stayed turned away so that she could get out and get dressed in the silk robe provided by the temple. He followed along soon after, and they returned to the temple. They were then escorted to a private room reserved for summoners. It had one big bed, and a stone floor.
Tidus frowned, but got to work searching through the cabinets. They were mostly empty, as the supplies had gone to all the survivors in the other parts of the temple.
"What are you looking for?" Yuna asked.
"I was looking for another blanket and pillow. I'll sleep on the floor."
"Oh!" She sounded horrified at the idea. "You don't need to do that! There's plenty of room on this bed for both of us! We might not even touch!"
"Are you sure?"
"Of course! You were working just as hard as me today. You don't need to sleep on the cold ground!" It was rather endearing how indignant she was. She crossed her arms over her chest and frowned. "I can't have my guardian having a poor night's sleep."
"Alright, alright." He chuckled. "You get in first, and I'll take the outside."
She crawled in the bed, and tucked herself close to the wall to make sure he had plenty of space. Then he scooted under the blankets and turned his back to her, and then turned out the bedside lamp.
"Goodnight, Yuna."
"Goodnight."
After a moment, she spoke up. "Tidus?"
He decided to mess with her a little and didn't answer.
"I know you can't already be asleep."
"Ahem," he cleared his throat.
"What?"
"My full title, please."
She snorted. "Sir Tidus?"
He rolled over. "Yes, My dear Lady Yuna? What can I do for you?"
"You're ridiculous."
"I'm only kidding. You can call me whatever you like. I'll make everyone else call me 'Sir'."
"What if I want to call you something cutesy? Like Snookie Wookums?"
"I love it, because everyone else will hate it."
She giggled.
"What were you going to say earlier? When we said goodnight?"
"Oh…um. I was just wondering…if you would give me a goodnight kiss?"
He sat up a little on his arms. "Yuna, I would love to give you a goodnight kiss." Since it was dark, he reached out for her, and cupped her cheek with his hand. Then he slowly leaned in and kissed her lips, oh so gently, oh so sweetly. "How was that?"
She hummed, and then answered. "Perfect. I'll be able to sleep now. Thank you."
"Anytime…Snookie Wookums."
She snorted.
