Time was flying faster than Auron had ever seen it… It seemed like only a week prior that Braska and Kahdma were married; here it was, almost a year later, and Braska was pacing outside the house nervously, fiddling with his right earlobe as he often did when he was nervous.

"Calm down, Braska, she'll be fine," Auron comforted. Braska gave him an appreciative smile.

"You can't possibly know that, my friend, but thank you for trying."

Auron exhaled irritably and looked away towards the end of the deserted alleyway. Braska followed his gaze and frowned.

"She deserves better than this," he said.

"You knew what you were getting into when you married her."

Braska sighed.

"You're right, Auron. You usually are."

"Usually?" he snorted.

Braska looked over with a brief, grateful smile at his joke, but quickly regained his concerned frown.

"I just figured that the Temple really might want to help us. I am a Priest, after all."

"You're lucky they let you keep your title. Even my position was in jeopardy because of our friendship."

"For that I am sorry," he said sincerely. Auron shook his head.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," he said.

Braska flashed him another appreciative smile before sighing and looking towards the end of the alley once more with a scowl. The small, darkened lane which they had run down barely an hour before was strewn with trash and discarded goods, the decaying filth rotting in stinking puddles of brown and gray liquids that they had splashed through haphazardly in their mad dash. The dilapidated houses were completely dark and abandoned, save for the one in front of which they now stood, nervous and concerned. This part of Bevelle was normally avoided at all costs, formerly having been a ghetto of sorts with rampant crime and disease, but had long since been vacated, making it nothing but an empty, rotten shell of a street. Braska's face suddenly scrunched up, as though he was going to cry. Auron leapt to his side immediately in comfort, but he merely shook his head.

"What have I done, Auron? This is all my fault. Neither of them deserves this." He gestured to the hollow area around them. "I should be ashamed." He began crying.

Auron stood awkwardly before trying to give his friend words of solace. He was still not a veteran at this kind of thing, but he knew when someone needed his comfort.

"Kahdma knew, too, what was going to happen. You both did. But that doesn't make what you did wrong. You couldn't really expect the church to abandon you at a time like this – I don't think anyone did. But, here we are, and there's no point in crying about it. That won't help either of them out."

"This was the only place, Auron, did you know that? A reeking pit of decay and filth. This – this is where my child will be born."

"I'm sure that they will understand."

"But what if they don't? What if – Auron – Oh – What if my child hates me because of this? How can I possibly deal with that? I don't think I could bear it… I can't bear this… I… I…"

Braska slid down the wall and onto the ground, placing his head in his hands and sobbing in earnest. Auron bent down, placing his hand carefully on his friend's shoulder, and whispered to him.

"Your child – if they are anything like you or your wife – will know why this happened. I have a feeling that they will do everything in their power to right these wrongs, Braska. The Temple turned you away at your most desperate hour simply because you married a woman they deemed unworthy… would you want your child to be born in a building full of prejudice, and bigotry, or would you rather they be born in a house that stands despite miserable surroundings? One that has not given in to the rotting of the world around it – one that, although not perfect, stands proud and tall above the rest because it is too stubborn and righteous to be brought down?"

Braska leaned over and suddenly embraced his friend.

"Auron," he muttered appreciatively, his voice muffled by his thick coat. Auron patted his back in comfort and after a minute Braska pulled away, wiping his eyes with his large sleeve. They sat on the ground, gazing at the beautiful night sky above them for several long, thoughtful minutes before the door to the humble shack opened and a kind-faced woman stepped out. They leapt up in worried anticipation, but she merely gestured for them to step inside. Auron looked on doubtfully before Braska practically dragged him inside. He looked around him for a moment before his eyes settled on Kahdma, sweaty and tired, but smiling through the pile of sheets she was almost buried under. Her husband walked over tenderly to the small pink bundle she was holding, and Auron peered over as well, though keeping his distance from their intimate moment. Braska merely gazed down for a few moments before a huge grin lit up his face and his mouth formed the words, "Yuna."

Kahdma nodded, smiling herself. "It is a beautiful name," she said.

Braska gestured for Auron to walk over, and he did so slowly and unsurely, awkward and a little afraid. He had never held a baby before, and as his friend held his newborn daughter out to him, he felt twice as odd reaching his hands out to take her. Once she was in his arms, however, a strange, clear warmth settled over him and he cradled her gently, smiling down, but still wearing his usual scowl. The baby looked up at him sleepily; her eyes were different colors – one blue, like her father's, and the other green, like her mother's (though without the swirling iris). He looked up to his friend.

"She's beautiful. I envy you."

Auron's admission was startling, even to himself, and Braska and Kahdma gave him kind, sympathetic looks.

"One day, my friend, you too will take joy in this."

Auron snorted, but graced him with a small smile. Braska looked to his wife, and something unspoken passed between them, but he approached his friend slowly and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"We – that is, Kahdma and I – we were hoping that you would be her Godfather."

Auron nearly dropped his friend's child, and the shock of that made him cling to her even tighter.

"Really? Why? Would no one else in the Temple stand for her?"

Braska shook his head with his calm, comforting chuckle that Auron had always enjoyed hearing.

"No, you are my best friend. My only friend, really… and the best man for the job. We know you would be a good father for her in case… in case the… the unforeseen happens."

Auron scowled even more deeply, but as he looked down at his Goddaughter, he felt immense joy and happiness, punctuated by the saying of her beautiful name.

"Yuna."