Auron sighed, turning his face away from the crowds and towards the companion at his side.

Braska smiled.

"They're beginning to accept you, I think," Auron said, trying to cover up.

"Nonsense," Braska laughed. He lowered his voice to just above a whisper. "You know who they're looking at."

Auron blushed, but only just. He looked out of the corners of his eyes at the gazing women, but continued to mutter to Braska conspiratorially.

"No, see, they have mixed reactions. They are not sure whether to fear you or love you."

"Exactly, those women are looking at you!"

Auron threw him a puzzled glance.

"You are to be feared, Auron, not only as my best friend – and therefore a heretical Al-Bhed conspirator – but also because of that massive sword you insist upon carrying around."

"That doesn't explain why they would… be… enamored with me, though." He nearly spat the word, gently stroking his sword as if defending it.

"Do not sit there and pretend you haven't looked in a mirror lately. Tall, muscular, proud, righteous, rebellious... Women do love it."

"I told you they were looking at you."

Braska shook his head jovially.

"How's Kahdma?" Auron asked, trying to change the subject. "And Yuna?"

"They're both fine. You know what Yuna did the other day?"

"What?"

"She tied her own ribbons. I wasn't expecting that for another two years."

Auron's stern face split into a large grin. "She's growing quickly."

Braska nodded with a helpless grin, his head held high. "It's about time you think of starting a family, isn't it?"

Auron scoffed so angrily it wiped Braska's smile off of his face in an instant.

"Something wrong?" he asked cautiously.

"Not with me."

They both stopped in the middle of the street.

"What?" Auron snapped.

"You make it seem undesirable," he said slowly.

"It is," he snorted, but caught the expression on Braska's face and faltered for a moment. "For me, that is," he explained feebly, then hung his head. "Forgive me."

Braska nodded and they continued down the street, guilt and shame hovering over Auron like a dark cloud.

"Why haven't you given it some thought, though?"

"You act as if I haven't."

"Oh-ho!" Braska's face lit up again. "Your tough exterior, just a farce? Who is the lady that holds your heart, then? Is it Yrnelda? I heard she's turned down 5 suitors just for you."

Auron raised his eyebrows, but by some strangeness still appeared to be frowning.

"Or is it Uoluna? Her father's a smith, as you know, and he promised to give his daughter's hand to any man who can best him at swordplay. Your name came up twice."

Auron shook his head, his eyebrows furrowing back down to make the familiar crease between them.

"I know!" Braska exclaimed. "You gave your lunch to Kana Mioji the other day, and even talked with her for a few moments. She's been unusually quiet on the topic of your discussion, everyone figures it's because it was something - private."

"I talked with her about her ill father. He was kind to me when I first came to Bevelle. His sickness is to be kept secret to as many as possible - he is the top merchant of the fruit import, and if news of his illness got out it would mean his ruin - nobody wants fruits from a sick old man. As for the food I gave her? As I said, her father was kind to me when I was young. He would give me Manju as often as he could spare some - he knew it's my favorite."

Braska merely stared in what was something very closely resembling pity, but Auron tried to deny it to spare himself the shame. "The truth is," he sighed, "Is that I am in love with none of them."

"No one at all?"

Auron shook his head.

"I have never even been in love. I have yet to know what it feels like."

He blushed angrily, looking away. Braska, surprisingly, gave a small smile.

"I apologize, Auron."

He whipped around to face him, startled.

"Why are you sorry?" he asked.

"I have been pushing you about starting a family; I keep forgetting that I am used to having one, but you…" He stopped, not wanting to seem insensitive. Auron's face softened, but just barely.

"Braska, there's no need to apologize. I just – It's just not something that I tend to give any thought to."

"Is it because of the Temple? Is it because of… me?" Braska whispered the last word like a sigh, hanging his head in shame. Auron suddenly understood.

"Braska," he said, placing his hand on his friend's shoulder, "I would rather have your friendship than anything else in the world." He paused. "Including a wife."

Braska nodded, but looked him in the eyes.

"You are younger than me, too, which sometimes I forget. You are always getting me out of some kind of trouble that you seem more like a…"

"Father?" Auron guessed. Braska looked at him with a grim smile.

"Well, I was going to say 'older brother,' but if you insist…"

They chuckled half-heartedly for a few moments, continuing their walk down the familiar streets to Braska's home. They were comfortably silent for a long time before Braska nearly muttered, "But I have seen Amira lately, you know."

Auron's heart sank. As the daughter of one of the most accomplished (or at least richest) Priests in Spira, Amira was one of the most sought-after women in Bevelle. Suitors were at her door every day, and most nights. She had shunned them all so far, however, though some of the men were repeating guests. He sighed.

"I do not even wish for her company anymore… She has become quite a nuisance."

"She's always been a nuisance," Braska blurted, but quickly corrected himself. "Well, at least to you."

"But I gave her company on occasion because of her father. He did give me my father's sword back, after all, and at least tried to help me."

"But you don't like him, either."

"Because he is corrupt."

"And Amira isn't?"

"I'm not defending her!" Auron snapped. Braska raised a gentle, though stern eyebrow.

"You mean to tell me that you have no interest whatsoever in her? You two were raised in very close quarters… she has been your shadow since you arrived here… and, though I hate to bring this up, marrying her would mean a comfortable position for the rest of your days. She is well off and well connected; to refuse her would be a folly."

"To marry her would be an even greater one."

Braska gazed at him for a moment in something like admiration. Auron sighed.

"I feel nothing for her but revulsion and pity. Being brought up in her father's shadow has warped her mind… I feel bad for anyone in that situation."

Braska cleared his throat deliberately. Auron gave him a questioning glance.

"You know, Auron, it's not like Yuna won't have to cope with that very same issue."

"You're just infamous… there's a slight difference," Auron said, amusement in his voice, much to Braska's relief. "She's strong already… She will know what to do. She…" He hesitated, trying to choose his words carefully. "She'll be alright."

He smiled to show his confidence. Braska returned in kind.

"While I somehow doubt that the difference between fame and infamy is that subtle, I do think that you're right about one thing."

"Just one?" Auron muttered, but Braska continued with a wider smile.

"Yuna will be alright. I know she will. Even now - right now - I feel like everything's going to be alright."

Auron nodded his assent, his dark eyes narrowing as they stepped into the warm Bevelle sunshine. Braska put an arm around his friend's broad, muscular shoulder as they walked slowly down the street towards home, still smiling and laughing.

Dedicated to Bonnie, aka Bonzai 1990... For riding my *tuchus* from halfway across the globe. Thanks. :)

And to the rest of you who read and review this, of course.

You rock!

You can look forward to another update before Christmas!