Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy X

Woo so Christmas! That's literally all I have to say at this point in my life. Apologies.

Enjoy!

023. Lonesome

The Al Bhed didn't have a Christmas. So when it turned cold and snowy on their journey to Zanarkand and everywhere they passed had trees in the windows and candy canes strung up like strings of flower, Rikku was more confused than anything.

"What is all this stuff, anyway?"

"Christmas decorations, for the upcoming festival."

"Oh, right! I've heard of that Christmas... thingy."

Everyone rounded on Rikku squarely and she felt herself tense. "What!? You don't have Christmas!"

"Uh... no. We don't believe in Yevon, so why would we celebrate his sacrifices?"

Tidus sniggered some way behind Rikku.

"What about you? You've never celebrated it before, right?"

"Sure I have. It just happens every year. No one really knows why, though."

Auron shifted next to Rikku.

"Anyway. You guys had better introduce me to the best Christmas ever, otherwise, I'm gonna tell all the Al Bhed it's terrible!"

As Rikku said that, Wakka looked personally offended and his eyes grew to twice their usual size.

When the day itself actually came in the middle of a flurry of snow that had kept them in Rin's Inn for a while, Rikku was not disappointed.

Al Bhed though he may be, Rin had decked out his agency in a dizzying array of colours. A bright green tree that smelt like the forests dressed in pinks and purples and reds and yellows; candy canes strung around the ceiling and twinkling little lights everywhere.

"Do you like it?"

Rikku nodded at Rin enthusiastically. "It's pretty."

"We may never be able to understand their religion, but we can try to make them feel welcomed wherever they go."

"But they never do the same for us,"

"No, they don't. But perhaps they will after we take the first step to reach out to them. It may not be fair, but neither is this world."

Rin left Rikku alone in a chair near the fireplace. Tidus, Yuna, Kimahri and Wakka were all in one room planning strategy. Rikku has been ex-communicated from that meeting pretty swiftly. Lulu was helping the chef out the back with cooking. And Auron was...

"Found you."

Rikku almost entirely jumped out of her chair.

"Auron! Auron..." Rikku held a hand over her hammering heart. "You scared me!"

"Really? I didn't notice."

"Was that... a joke?"

"Christmas miracles can come true."

Rikku sniggered. But Auron did not sit down next to her; he continued to hover at the back of her chair, just out of eyesight. She could feel the heat radiating from his body.

"Come. Outside."

She watched him leave through the doors without a look back to her. Checking around her to see if there was anyone else he could've meant, Rikku saw that she was alone. And deciding he /must've/ meant her, Rikku grabbed the large jumper Wakka had leant her and thrust it on as she went to join him outside.

The beauty of the snow hit her before the cold air settled into her bones.

"Wow..."

"Quite beautiful, isn't it?"

Rikku nodded, silently. As if her words might disturb the beauty of the untouched snow.

She went to stand next to him, basking in the warmth that radiated from him. He smelt like cinnamon and spices and wine.

"Have you ever seen this plant before?"

Rikku looked up to where he was pointing. "No. What is it, some kind of herb?"

"Almost. It's mistletoe. The Yevonites say that it has healing qualities that Lord Zaeon gave to Lady Yunalesca and saved her when she was injured."

"Huh. For such a tiny plant, it doesn't look like it should heal much."

"It's just a story. And, an excuse."

"And excuse? For what?"

Auron flashed a quick, thin smile that Rikku only caught the edges of.

"They say that if two people kiss under the mistletoe, they will belong together forever like Lord Zaeon and Lady Yunalesca."

Rikku looked up and felt her face flare from a quickly passing blush.

"Huh. Go figure."

Auron shifted, A little awkwardly, perhaps for the first time in his life.

Rikku could feel his eyes on her.

"Y-Yes?"

"Would you like to see if it's true?"

Rikku's eyes bulged and her face burned properly this time.

"I— Uh... Yes."

Auron turned to face her and put a hand on her lower back. He leaned down to her and she leaned up. Their lips touched amidst the swirling, falling snow and for a moment, Rikku's worries all flew away. It didn't matter how close Zanarkand was, or if Yunie lived. It didn't matter that she was cold and missed Home and Pops and Brother.

For the first time in a long time, Rikku felt happy.

And then they parted. The cold air whipped her face like a frozen slap.

"Merry Christmas, Rikku," Auron whispered quietly in her ear.

"Yeah..." Rikku said as she felt the whole weight of the world suddenly crashing back onto her shoulders. "Yeah. Merry Christmas, Auron."

Her first Christmas was a strange one. And it would prove to be the best she had for several years.

Yaaaaaay I'm so excited for Christmas!

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