Unbreak My Heart
By Tari
Hiya! Whilst I'm waiting for my dad to stop being a bugger and treat me like the adult like I am, I've decided to just go ahead and write Chapter Three. When my dad eventually gives me the internet modem back, you can look forward to a nice update of "Unbreak My Heart" I'm plodding slowly along with Chapter 6 of "Please Remember" and "More Than Words". Hopefully I should get them posted shortly.
My mum is singing again. Will someone end my misery and just shoot her?
Looks like I shall be updating my summary yet again! It wasn't intended, but when I had originally written the ending of this chapter, it was intended to be placed in the middle of the story. Then I realised that it would probably flow better if I placed it at the end. So, when I completed this and read it through twice, I came to the conclusion that I was very happy with the ending of this chapter – and that it draws all of the events of the story to a nice end. So, I am afraid to say that I decided to officially make this the final chapter of this story.
I realise that some of the awesome people who have been following this intently may be a bit annoyed – but personally, I believe that this is a great accomplishment for me. This is the first multi-chaptered fiction that I have EVER completed – without a word of a lie. With this done, I may yet develop the concentration and determination to see stories through to the end now. So, a big thank you to everyone who has been following "Unbreak My Heart" and have found the time to review. Huggles to all!
I hope now that I can perhaps complete some existing stories that I have been working on – and perhaps even be motivated to finish "Please Remember".
Dedication: This goes out to all of you Aurikku fans out there – who cannot get enough of our favourite non-canon couple and make dreams reality.
Disclaimer: Tari does not own Final Fantasy X. -Shifty eyes-
Chapter Three: Cloud Number Nine
Auron sighed as he ran a distracted hand through his greying hair, his calloused hands finishing tightening the buckle of his belt as he cast a surreptitiousglance in Rikku's direction in the process. Carefully avoiding the warrior's eyes, the Al Bhed continued manoeuvring the orange shirt over her head, removing the ties briefly from her hair to fix her messy ponytail.
No sooner had Auron reattached his coat, his arm sliding into the rest provided, when the owner of the voice appeared in their line of vision: an unbelievably large forelock - bright orange in colour; followed by a set of lurid, well-worn blitzball overalls. Grinning like a cat who caught the canary, Wakka appeared on the landing.
"There you are! We've been looking all over for you, ya?"
When neither guardian replied, the smile slipped from Wakka's face faster than you could say "Blitzball". Crestfallen, he scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment, his eyes falling to Rikku who had turned her back on him, her emerald eyes absently staring out of the window, her gaze focused unseeingly upon the frozen lake of Macalania.
"Hey, you're not still sulking after losing that bet with Tidus, ya?"
Rikku turned to face the captain, her tear-filled eyes seething with anger. There was such an infinite sadness in her sparkling depths, a quiet wisdom residing there that Auron had never noticed before. He was unnerved by this new discovery.
Wakka recoiled in horror as he realised that this anger was directed at himself and he scratched the back of his neck in confusion. "Hey," he said softly, taking a step toward the silently weeping girl. "I didn't mean it like that, ya?"
In three easy strides, Auron had crossed the small landing and now stood between Wakka and Rikku, glaring sternly down at the Blitzballer. The captain swallowed nervously as he wondered idly what he had done to invoke Auron's wrath.
"I think you should leave now," spoke the warrior quietly, his eyes burning daggers into Wakka's oblivious face. "Please tell Lady Yuna that we will join her shortly."
Eagerly complying before he was on the receiving end of the legendary guardian's sword, Wakka gulped, offering Auron a quick salute before continuing down the rest of the staircase, almost tripping over his sandals in his haste.
Satisfied that Wakka was gone, Auron turned his back on the balustrade, his eyebrows creasing in concern as his brown eye settled worriedly upon Rikku's trembling form. His long defunct heart weighing heavily in his chest, the warrior held out his powerful arms, inviting Rikku into their stiff, but nevertheless, loving embrace.
He cradled her lithe body in his arms, pulling her closer to his chest. Her tears continued to fall steadily, glistening like diamonds upon her cheeks as they became exposed in the onslaught of sunlight that continued to pour steadily through the window. Auron continued to rub Rikku's back in soothing circles, murmuring soft words of comfort as she buried her head in the crook of his neck.
Gradually, the malevolent sobs that wracked her small frame began to subside, leaving her weakened body limp in his embrace. Auron placed a soft, lingering kiss against her forehead and tipping her chin up, encouraged Rikku to meet his gaze. He brushed the pad of his thumb over the soft contours of her lips, ridding her delicate features of the few defiant teardrops that still remained present there.
"You are better?"
Rikku nodded in affirmation, her small hands tightening momentarily about the warrior's waist before trailing delicately over the valley of his broad chest and moved to the back of his neck, pulling his face closer to hers until their mouths met. Auron allowed his lips to brush over Rikku's, teasing lightly, before his kiss became steadily dominant, pouring all of his yearning into the intimate touch as his tongue continued to caress hers. Auron grasped the soft cloth of her shirt in his hands as the younger guardian began to nibble softly at his bottom lip and as he groaned under her assault, Auron could feel his body begin to respond. He knew that if he did not restrain his wandering hands now, there was no telling what would happen later.
He disengaged himself from her embrace and twining his fingers with hers, Auron proceeded to lead Rikku over to the window seat. A momentary frown crossed Rikku's face as Auron settled himself comfortably on the cushioned seat and using the belt loops of her lime green shorts as leverage, lifted Rikku onto his lap to straddle his waist.
"Shouldn't we be heading downstairs?"
"This won't take long," Auron assured her. "Now, about what happened earlier..."
Rikku fidgeted under his scrutiny and sighed, leaning forward to tuck her head securely under the warrior's scratchy chin. She was silent for a moment before answering. "I just wanted this to be perfect," she whispered, feeling her cheeks stain darker with a crimson hue. "I wanted to do something that would please you - but then stupid Wakka had to ruin it all."
Auron heaved a great sigh at her words, his large, calloused hand automatically rising to stroke Rikku's golden hair. Her emerald eyes drifted closed at the comforting gesture and the younger guardian smiled genuinely, nuzzling her face closer to the warmth provided.
The man waited until she was still again before continuing. "You are not required to impress me, Rikku; all I ask is that you are comfortable with your actions." He paused, willing her to understand the implication of his words. Auron's calloused fingers began to lazily stroke the orange feathers braided into her hair, the soft material pleasant against his skin. Rikku sighed, snuggling further into the warrior's arms, the smile still present upon her face as Auron pressed a tender kiss against the flawless skin of her forehead.
"You are perfect the way you are. Stay the same always."
"Come," said Auron at length, standing to his feet and setting Rikku firmly back on solid ground. "Lady Yuna awaits."
Simultaneously releasing a relieved sigh as the last step came into their view, Auron and Rikku came to a halt as the soft murmur of feminine and masculine voices drifted to them from the direction of the hallway. A look of understanding was silently traded between their sorrow-filled eyes as the warrior pulled his lover to him, their mouths meeting in a sweet, lingering kiss.
He held Rikku to him for a moment before releasing her wistfully, his eyes momentarily shining with forgiveness before straightening to his full height and resurrecting the stoic barriers, his expression passive once more. The transformation that took place before Rikku's eyes was astounding and she bit her lip as Auron's guise was revealed to her once more. His countenance stern, he shoved roughly through the door, his intimidating presence having an immediate effect on everyone as imminent silence ensued.
Rikku sighed as she prepared to follow, picturing in her mind's eye the true warrior that had captured her heart: not silent, unresponsive and uncaring like so many people believed him to be, but courageous, gentle and yet vulnerable… All of the qualities that made him human – yet set him apart from other men.
The youngest guardian stepped through the door, her thoughtful expression replaced with a cheerful grin as expectant faces loomed before her, as if from some long-forgotten dream. Immediately, all conversation resumed and placing a reassuring hand upon her cousin, Yuna's shoulder, Rikku's soft gaze fell upon Wakka who was chatting animatedly to Tidus, apparently still uncomfortable given their earlier confrontation. Coughing to announce her presence, their conversation stopped immediately.
"I wanted to apologise for my reaction today," said Rikku quietly, relief flooding Wakka's face at the certainty that he would not be on the receiving end of Auron's katana. "I guess I just got so frustrated by those stupid stairs. Why'd they have to give us a room on the top floor anyway? I can't believe…"
Their playful banter continued eagerly for several minutes, ending only with a gruff clearing of Auron's throat, reminding the group of the main reason of their summons – the arrival of an envoy from Maester Seymour's party.
The silence was almost deafening as all eyes fell upon Yuna who blushed and cast her eyes downwards, her footsteps echoing in the solace as she proceeded to lead her guardians into the foyer.
Rikku made to follow her cousin, but was refrained from doing so by the presence of a heavy hand upon her shoulder. Confused, she raised her eyes upwards to see Auron gazing down at her, the approval of her actions present in his soft, chocolate-brown orb. Seeing that their fellow guardians were distracted by the Guado representative, Auron's hand travelled down Rikku's arm, catching hold of her delicate hand and squeezing softly. A warm smile traced her lips as she allowed her lover to escort her to the foyer, the inner turmoil that had risen upon the arrival of the envoy quelled by his mere presence.
His warm, copper eyes focused solely open hers; Auron raised Rikku's hand to his waiting mouth, brushing his lips tenderly across her knuckles.
The couple stood there for a while longer, proving a strange combination to behold: the Al Bhed bnehlacc and ex-warrior monk. Their countenances were peaceful as they shared a rare moment of privacy; the difficulties of the journey ahead erased from their minds as they held one another, their lips joining eagerly together: their hearts beating as one.
Even when the world could no longer be called her own – and all aspects of Spira changed duly beyond recognition, Rikku would always remember this day; content in her beloved warrior's arms as the sun set beyond the horizon, the surreal crimson glow of the enchanting, oncoming twilight reflecting the unbound love that passed between the eternally kindred spirits.