Disclaimer: I don't want to own FFX. I'm content with my Tidus action figure.
Warning: Shonen ai, possible yaoi later on.
Pairing(s): AuronxTidus, others.
AN: I'd like to apologize for the random switch from first person to third last chapter. However, it's staying. I'm not the biggest fan of first, but maybe it'll come back. Who knows, but for now third person is staying.
Tidal Wave
And So I Pray
Wakka was fighting Sin alone.
Tidus was half holding onto the ship and half holding onto Auron's robes, trying to balance enough to understand what was going on around him. Sin had attacked the ship and nearly caused him to fall overboard had Auron not stepped in.
"Wakka will take care of this," Auron murmured against his side, shielding his body from the giant waves Sin was creating. They splashed up on deck, washing people away with their ferocity
That was nice, but Tidus could take care of himself, thanks. He huffed indignantly, clutching Auron a little harder. "Listen, I'm a Blitzer, I can handle the water! Let me fight!"
"With what weapon? No. Valefor cannot go underwater."
Tidus growled defiantly, ripping away from the older man. "I'm going!" He edged closer to the railing before calling out the Yuna quickly. "Give me your sword!"
The girl looked puzzled for a moment, before shakily running over and handing over her sword. She glanced at Auron cautiously, recognizing the glare on his face. "Sir Tidus, this is not wise. You should –"
Before she could finish, Tidus had grabbed the weapon and launched himself in the clear blue of the water, lost in the tremendous waves. The two left behind could only watch with impatience and fear. Auron sighed, clenching the railing. Yuna joined him. "He's so rash."
"Stupid is a better term."
Tidus grinned to himself as he practically flew to where Wakka was currently engaged in battle, gripping to Yuna's sword for dear life. This was familiar, this was home. The water washing through his hair, the weightlessness of his body.
He could see Wakka through his Blitzball, watch as it bounced off the sinspawn with little damage created. Wakka looked exhausted too, hunching over to protect his midsection. Tidus came at the right time.
While not being trained, he still had the gist of what to do. He swung the sword in a wide arc, cutting through sinspawn easily with the fierce blade while Wakka had the creature distracted. Wakka gave him a thumbs up before promptly being hit in the torso with a stray tentacle from the dying sinspawn. Wakka choked, air escaping his lungs in a mad dash to get out. Tidus grabbed his arm, hauling them both from the murky depths to the ship. They broke the surface, inhaling deeply and savoring the air rushing into their lungs.
"Woah, I uh, I didn't know you could use that, y'know?" Wakka grinned sheepishly at him when they had calmed, swimming back to the ship.
Tidus snorted. "I'm not some pushover Wakka. It's not even that hard, I kinda like using it better than some dinky staff."
"Yeah? Well, maybe we can get you one. Just in case."
Grinning, Tidus hoisted himself up and over the ship's rail, landing gracefully on his feet. Wakka was beside him when he looked around.
"Sir Tidus!"
Yuna was beside him like a bolt of lightning, fretting over him and generally treating him like an invalid. Auron and Lulu were next, though less concerned than Yuna. There was only one person missing, and Tidus had a feeling he knew where he was.
"Hey, there you guys are! I doze off for a second and all Sin breaks lose. What's the deal?" Jecht laughed, taking two steps at a time to the deck, hands curving on his hips as he stood before the small group gathered around Tidus. His face was red, and Tidus instantly knew what he had been up to.
Tidus simply scowled at his father, pulling away from Yuna's pestering hands and stalking off to the cabins.
Everyone stared, but Tidus just couldn't bring himself to give a shit.
Arriving in Kilika proved to Tidus that Sin really was a cause worth fighting. A cause that initially he wasn't too sure about. Children were crying, orphaned by the massive damage created by the sea monster. People shouting at the skies on the street, homeless, or the parents that couldn't find their children was an awful sight to behold.
It was a terrible tragedy, and Tidus couldn't help but offer himself for the rest of the day in sending the dead, rebuilding or running errands for the local shops sending supplies to the needy. He looked over from holding planks to see his father crawling across debris to rescue two children stuck on a rickety shack about to fall apart. He couldn't quite muster the hate that should be the dominant feeling.
The children hugged Jecht's legs, tears creeping down their faces as they ran off to their mother. The man smiled to himself before spotting Tidus. "Hey kid!" before Jecht could come over and annoy Tidus, three men pushed a giant machine-like thing to separate them, flipping various switches and levers as it came to a hault. It was strange and awe inspiring, and much like Zanarkand that Tidus found himself grinning a little.
Tidus watched as the men loaded the machina with wood and bolts, stepping back as it accurately finished building a broken down house. The men cheered, erupting in happiness.
"Wow," Tidus whistled, slowly approaching the machina. He grinned slightly, running his hands along the sleek metal. "How do you have machina here when there is the threat of Sin?" there was already arguing among the people, happiness melting away into confliction so Tidus supposed he got his answer. Tidus shook his head, deciding to stay out of the conflict for the time being.
"Yevon forbids it!"
"Do you want the war to star here, too?"
He almost choked on his tongue when Jecht swung around the machina to land in front of him, effectively trapping him so he had to communicate with this monster. Great.
Jecht held up two dirty fingers, waggling them at Tidus. "Two things, kid. One, we're leaving for the temple in an hour so get ready. Second, what the hell is your problem lately? I've tried to bite my tongue and all, since I know this is hard. Shit, I know you've gotta lot on your plate, but this whole treating me like some kind of monster is starting to piss me off."
Before Tidus snapped back a response, he could hear Auron's voice like a caress in his ear.
"Tidus, he isn't the same man you knew as a child."
And for Auron's sake, and only Auron, Tidus sucked up all the hate and pain and anger and squared it away into his heart. He put on a small smile, cringing on the inside. "N-nothing, I've just had a lot on my mind lately… Sin's toxin and everything."
Jecht eyed him carefully, reaching out to put a reassuring hand on the blonds' shoulder. He took a deep breath before speaking. "Do you… you blame me for all of this? For putting you through this journey?"
"Cry baby."
Tidus clenched his fist, pushing past Jecht on his way to the half demolished Inn area. "No," he called back, "I don't blame you."
Auron was watching him, Tidus could feel it.
It was unnerving, but Tidus refused to turn around. He knew the man was irritated at him; it was pretty obvious. Tidus simply held his staff higher, setting a brisker pace for the group. They were working through the dense foliage of the forest behind Kilika village, but with all the chaos it was just too hard to tell where exactly the path was.
"This is just ridiculous," Tidus groaned, knocking a few rocks with the end of his staff. Yuna frowned at him disapprovingly.
"I'm sure we're close, Sir Tidus."
"You must have patience," Lulu chimed in.
Tidus glared halfheartedly at them both. No one asked you.
He was being childish, but it was hot, he had to attain another aeon from the Fayth, and his patience had never been his strong suit.
"Look ya, it's the stairs to the temple entrance." Wakka pointed up ahead, and Tidus could have kissed him, except not because that would be disgusting. He could see the stone steps peaking through vines and bushes.
He took off in a lazy jog, grinning from ear to ear and not hearing the vehement protests from behind him. He easily flew up the steps, until something giant and greenish yellow landed in front of him and threw him on his ass. "Shit!" he spit out dirt from the fall, not surprised to see red clouding his vision when he finally opened his eyes, blinking away grit.
"Are you hurt?" Auron whispered gruffly, taking his elbow and placing him on two feet again much like he was some toddler. People tended to treat him as such in Spira.
Tidus wiped his face, righting his staff. "No, I'm okay. Just embarrassed," he laughed, closing his eyes. "I'm going to summon Valefor. Watch my back?"
Auron had the audacity to smirk. "When do I not?" but nonetheless he stood in front of the young summoner, guarding the boy from the spindly tentacles the stray sinspawn was spewing around its body. Yuna and Wakka had the creature occupied while Lulu constantly had fire balls ripping into its side. Jecht was trying to jump onto a tentacle to get to its head, but failing miserably, as the sinspawn would layer the limbs, making it practically impossible to grab onto. He settled for swiping his sword, taking good sized chunks instead.
Tidus concentrated, his staff held securely between his hands. He prayed, quietly and solemnly and then he waited, smiling when there was a shrill call in the air. At an astounding speed, Valefor sped from the skies, stopping finally before the large sinspawn with wings sprawled out menacingly, crying out.
Auron looked back at Tidus. He didn't say anything, he never did when he was proud of Tidus, but the blond knew. That look was only reserved for Tidus.
Valefor made short work of the creature, sonic winging it to oblivion. It was a mess of limbs and tentacles by the time the aeon finished, slowly flying back to the skies. Tidus sighed in relief.
"Yo kid, you did it!" Wakka ran over with a dopey grin, crushing Tidus in a tight hug, Tidus returned it, though much less enthusiastically.
Lulu smiled behind Wakka, nodding her head. "You did exceptional. However, running ahead of us was not a good idea, and almost got yourself killed."
Tidus frowned, caught between being flattered or offended. He decided to simply ignore Lulu altogether. Tch. He always hated the compliment before insult way of doing things. Thank gods Auron never tried that crap. Auron just laid it out, and either Tidus understood and fixed his behavior or Tidus would be grounded. For life.
"Wakka, get off!" The redheaded man backed off sheepishly, hands up in the air.
"Sorry, ya!"
Tidus sighed, feeling subconscious as everyone settled and stared at him. He felt like he was on display. He coughed, red rushing to his cheeks. He was used to being in the spotlight back home, but for some reason, he had always hated being stared at. "I'm going to the Chamber of the Fayth."
Jecht stepped up, clamping a large hand around his wrist. "I'm going with you, at least inside the temple. You're so clumsy I don't trust you on your own." His tone was light, but firm and held no room for discussion. Tidus was about to thrust his fist into Jecht's face, but he caught the look Auron was shooting him, and shut his mouth.
He nodded. "Whatever. Let's just get on with it."
Tidus took a deep breath and steeled himself as they entered the temple. It was taxing, to say the least, and he wasn't exactly looking forward to acquiring another aeon, but it was something he had to do. There was no turning back now, not with Sin plaguing this world. Tidus would destroy Sin. He would do what he had to, to bring the calm.
He felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned around, half expecting Jecht. Instead it was Auron, stone-faced and frowning. "We will be here when you return."
Tidus already knew this, but he felt that much more resolved with Auron's careful words. He didn't catch Jecht watching them curiously as he left for the Chamber.
It was dark and quiet, solemn but not tense. Tidus knelt down in prayer, holding his staff out. He closed his eyes, and immediately there were whispers going through his conscious, soothing voices that were indistinguishable. It was a soft sort of melody that was not present at the last Chamber. He let his body do the work, disconnecting his mind has he prayed. And then he heard it, faint beneath the layers of voices. A deep rumble amidst the sea of voices. Unusual, but it called to Tidus.
Ifrit.
Wake up.
It is done.
Wake up!
Blue eyes snapped open, sweat rolling down the boy's tanned skin. He had the new aeon. A beast of fire, strong and worthy. Tidus smiled, letting out a small sigh. It was already getting easier.
He stood up, using his staff to steady himself. The doors creaked open expectantly, and he stepped out, careful to watch his step. He saw the worried faces of his guardians, and nodded simply. Instantly, the worry faded to joy and relief.
He smiled. "It's done. Let's go," and then the smile turned more like a grin as he grabbed his robes, "I'm beat."
Wakka chuckled as they walked out, clapping him on the back. "Eh, I'm proud of you, ya."
At his other side, Auron nodded in approval. Tidus beamed, not without some arrogance, as in his nature. "Well, you know, it was no big deal." He waved his hand around absently. Yuna let out a smile giggle behind them.
"You're really doing well Sir Tidus. We're all so proud of you!"
Tidus chuckled, turning around so he could walk and face her. "Yuna, you don't have to keep calling me sir. We're friends. You're my guardian."
A nice red hue curled around Yuna's cheeks, her blush highlighting her face. Her smile faltered in embarrassment, but only slightly. "Th-thank you, I'll trying to remember that from now on."
"Ah c'mon Tidus, you're making her blush!" Jecht laughed heartily, grinning at the boy with a knowing look. Yuna only blushed harder.
Tidus was not sure how Jecht took their relationship, but he could safely say Yuna was not what he wanted. With a long, suffering groan, Tidus snuck a glance at the red clad warrior walking beside him longingly. If only. Tch, Tidus thought, as if.
They reached the small inn in a short time, splitting up into separate rooms. It was surprising there was enough room, considering all the damage done. But the villagers were more than happy to give up shelter for the summoner that would save them all.
Despite Jecht trying to reconnect with Tidus, he liked to room alone or with Kimahri, so that left Tidus with Auron and Wakka. It felt like they were back on the boat house, Auron a silent shadow and Tidus with too much silence. Wakka generally liked to be outside playing blitzball with the Auroch's until late, so that left them alone for most of their stay.
"We leave for Luca in the morning. You should try and get some sleep."
Tidus laughed quietly, bringing his knees up to rest his chin. He watched as Auron methodically cleaned his sword, his red coat discarded. It was a comforting sight to behold, bringing up scattered, happy memories of Zanarkand. But then, in the back of his mind, Tidus could feel the crisp edge of the memory that began this journey. Auron letting him go into the giant void of Sin, cold lips brushing against his own before the warmth of nothingness took him over.
There were no kind words spoken then, no reassurances that everything was going to be okay. Just Tidus clutching at the last person he would ever see in his home of Zanarkand, praying that Auron would not let him go, would keep him safe just like always.
He didn't want to bring up the past, but his tongue was burning for answers. "Auron. Why… why did you…" he couldn't continue with the weight of Auron's gaze, piercing through his resolve. Though he didn't finish his sentence, Auron knew exactly what Tidus was trying to say.
"I'm sorry."
Tidus frowned. "That's not an answer."
Auron gave him a half smile, standing up to prop his sword against the wall. "I know. You must find out things for yourself, Tidus."
The boy growled, throwing out his arms in anger. "And how am I supposed to do that? Everything is already laid out for me! I have no choice in anything, except to defeat Sin." Tidus knew he was acting childish, but he felt like he had the right. "I never asked for this –any of this. I would still be home, still have blitzball and the houseboat. We'd still be –"
"Those are a lot of 'still's', Tidus. You must live in the present. Forget the past for now."
This was getting Tidus nowhere, and really, all he wanted to do was blurt out, 'why'd you kiss me!' but he just couldn't. He clenched his fist in the sheets, turning away from the other man to hide his expression.
"Why do I have to be a summoner? Why couldn't I just fight as a guardian like Wakka and Lulu?" Tidus hesitated slightly, sighing. "Yuna's father, Braska. She told me when I arrived he was a summoner, that he defeated Sin. Shouldn't she have followed his footsteps or something dramatic like that? Why am I trying to be someone I'm not?"
Auron took a step closer, and Tidus could feel the looming shadow of his guardian. Fingers, calloused and rough, carded through his hair with a gentleness Tidus knew others would never see of this man. It felt good and reminded him of when he was little. Auron wasn't a mother; he did not hug him as he cried from an injury or sickness. Instead he would simply do this simple gesture, and Tidus would almost immediately calm down.
"Tidus, every question has an answer; this I promise. I will guide you."
Tidus jumped up suddenly, pushing the older man back against the wall. He snarled, hands curled into angry fists on Auron's armor. "I'm sick of being in the dark! I want to trust you, just like I always have, but it's getting hard when you seem to know all the answers and won't tell me anything to go on. I get it –I understand this is what happened, it's real, and I just need to deal." The anger faded, and the blonds' shoulder's slumped in misery. "Fine, if you won't tell me what I want to know, at least explain how you got here in Spira."
Auron chuckled quietly before speaking. "Sin, just as you."
Tidus stared at Auron. Auron kept his gaze, but their bodies seemed to be moving closer until Tidus was practically pinned against the wall. He wasn't quite sure how their positions had been so easily switched, but at this point, he supposed it didn't matter. "Auron… I –"
"Don't."
Auron's eyes were unreadable behind his glasses, and Tidus hated it. Living with this man had taught him the many ways to read someone, and Auron's eyes, though the man was loath to admit it, had always held the key to understanding him. But right now, Tidus was drawing a blank and all he could think about was the few seconds before Sin had taken him to Spira, when he was gripping Auron's hand for dear life and the only thoughts running through his frantic mind was how Auron would never let him fall, would never let him die and please don't let go I will never do anything wrong again oh god. Auron was leaning down, and Tidus closed his eyes.
Just before Auron's lips could touch his own, the door slammed open and Jecht walked in.
Tbc…
I tried to accomplish a lot with this chapter, and I think it turned out pretty good. I'm slowly trying to develop Auron and Tidus' relationship while keeping them true to character, and believe me, it's not easy. Blame Auron. Anyway, I've resolved to complete this fic before Christmas, but we'll see how that goes.