Auron excused himself from Wakka and Lulu's hut after a dinner that he thought would never end. Villagers kept bringing over food to show their appreciation for Yuna and, though his hunger was ravenous, he was ever a gentleman in the company of his close companions. The warm night of Besaid was inviting. There was a large fire in the middle of the town, where dancing and celebrating was still going on in Yuna's honor. Auron looked across the center of the village to see Yuna standing in the company of the villagers. She looked happy as she conversed and entertained their requests for autographs, handshakes, and questions.
Ever does she give of herself completely to others, Auron thought. He studied her features, for she was not so far away that his sharpened gaze could not take in keen details about her. She looked radiant in the blazing light, her hair glowed like a luminous halo in the reflection of the fire. Her eyes danced as she socialized, eventually making their way over to meet Auron's gaze. She smiled at him in a reserved manner and waved, then went back to talking with the children gathered around her.
Something is wrong with her, she doesn't lose herself in a crowd like this unless she's bothered by something, Auron observed. Never being one for crowds, Auron made off in the direction opposite of the party. His objective was to be alone, to collect his thoughts. He wandered the island, passing the bridges over the waterfall, past the Al-Bhed ruins, along the rocky paths to the beach which he had strode that evening with Yuna. The waters were still, and he looked at his reflection in a pool. He could scarcely believe what he saw. His hair was devoid of gray, dark as blackest night. His eyes were both present and accounted for, the scar that had marked the loss of his right eye gone forever. He tugged at his oversized collar, practically ripping it from his armor. For once he saw his whole face again as it looked twelve years prior. Auron smirked down at his reflection.
You young, stupid, idealistic fool, he reproached, maybe Yuna was not wrong to bring me back. So many people wish they had the wisdom of their later years in their youth.
Auron paused a moment, Then again I was never really that old!
Making his way back to the shoreline, Auron cast off his large red overcoat and oversized collar, leaving him in his armor, pants, and boots. There in the night, he breathed in the salt of the air, stared at the moon and the stars, and realized that these were things he had not done in far too long. Reveling in the moment, he ran out into the ocean and swam. He could not remember the last time he went swimming for the fun of swimming. The water felt warm and inviting as it washed over his muscled frame. He floated on his back in the ocean, thinking about everything he had never done but would get to do now. For once, Auron felt happy about what lay before him. His youthful energy and excitement for the future was rekindled in him now, and his whole life was his for the taking.
This is my story, he mused to himself, it will be a good one.
Yuna watched Auron from the edge of the beach, having successfully broken away from the party after she spotted Auron leaving the village. She heard him laughing as he swam out in the water, saw him staring at the sky, and saw him look at his reflection in the pool.
Lulu was wrong, she thought, someone who is enjoying himself the way Auron is must be happy to be alive.
Yuna spied his form in the water as he swam back into the shore. She found herself staring at his physique, for without his overcoat on his build was much more visible to her than had ever been before. Realizing she was checking out her guardian, she shook her head and chastised herself. Yuna straightened up from her crouching position and approached Auron.
"Out for a swim, Sir Auron?" she asked.
Auron looked over at her, startled, and hastily he straightened up before her into a formal stance.
"Just enjoying some quiet time. I must ensure to make more moments like this, I never appreciated their value before," He replied
"You never had the chance," Yuna stated.
Auron looked down at the ground and Yuna wrung her hands behind her back, fearing she had said something wrong.
"That was then. This is now, and now I have a whole life ahead of me. A different one and a better one. Slowly it's coming to me what I want to do with it," Auron said quietly.
Yuna nodded only and Auron could see that she was troubled by what she had said.
"You did not offend me, Lady Yuna," Auron said.
Yuna looked up at him shyly and smiled and Auron could not help but smile, too. Her smiles were infectious. She looked like a goddess in the moonlight and Auron found himself studying the ways in which she had grown and matured. She was always an amazing girl from the time she was small to the day she defeated Sin and later Vegnagun, one Auron had been proud to be a guardian of. Yet now he found himself appreciating her eyes in the dim moonlight, the way they sparkled, the radiant glow of her skin, the incredibly soft-looking hair that crowned her. There was a long pause in their conversation, a pause in which both parties began to view the other in a different way. Auron shook his head, this was not becoming behavior for him.
"I fear I must apologize, Yuna," Auron started.
"You needn't do so," Yuna replied, "I know I've changed a lot, the world has changed a lot. It must be a lot for you to adjust to."
"It is and it isn't," He lied, I only find the daughter of my former summoner and friend attractive, that's not much to adjust to, he thought sarcastically to himself.
"I must retire for the eve, I'm going to be staying in an extra room in the Temple I think," Auron said.
"No! Why not stay with Wakka and Lulu!" Yuna blurted.
"Because I do not wish to impose upon them and besides, you will be more comfortable residing there without me intruding," Auron said in a reassuring tone.
Yuna looked down at her boots, feeling very exposed, her overwhelming interest in his plans and her more than overwhelming approval of his toned body making her feel shameful.
Auron hesitated, then reached out a hand to touch Yuna's chin. He lifted her gaze back to his and smiled at her, "I'm not going anywhere. I'll see you in the morning, Yuna. I promise." He said to her in a gentle tone.
Yuna's gaze locked on his and she smiled at him, her legs went numb and her throat dry. She clasped her hands behind her for fear Auron may see her shaking.
"Will you need escort back to the village?" Auron offered.
"No…no I think I wish to be alone for awhile myself. I think they still may be celebrating…and I am tired of celebrating." Yuna admitted.
Auron nodded, "Very well. Good night, my lady" he said and bowed slightly. He then turned to walk off.
Yuna sat on the beach for a long time until sunrise, noting to herself that Auron never left the area beyond the trees. Safely out of sight so as to not intrude on her privacy, close enough to guard her should anything happen.
Ever my loyal Guardian, she thought to herself contently, Auron when did you become so fascinating? Ohhhh this is making my head hurt…
It has been too long since I was young, since I could feel to the fullest. I have to re-learn how to keep these…hormones…of mine in check, Auron thought harshly to himself. Oh the joys of youth.