A couple of days later, I am giddy with anticipation. Soon, I can finally wrap my arms around Nes again! Upon reaching the farmland on the Zanarkand side of the Gagazet mountains, they managed to find someone who would let them use their com sphere and called ahead, letting us know when they would arrive home, asking us to meet them at a specific place and time.

So Cid, Auron and I, together with Kimahri's parents, are waiting at the plaza in front of the Old Temple, of all places. The significance of the location escapes neither Auron nor me, but I am not sure about the other parents. The temple is the northernmost one to hold a Fayth, and it's that Fayth who bestows the most powerful aeon there is. The right to access this temple and its Fayth was one of the reasons Spira and Zanarkand waged war on each other for almost one millennium. And to all appearances, Yuna is in there, praying to the Fayth in order to receive its aeon.

Finally, the temple doors open, and for one short moment, Yuna stands in the opening alone. Then Rikku comes tumbling out and jumps right into the arms of her father. I have no idea what happens after that, as Nes is suddenly before me and I envelop him in a bone crushing hug. He bears it with great dignity at first, but soon starts squirming.

"Mum," he says, half laughing, half reprimanding, when I don't let go.

With great effort, I peel myself away from his person and take a good look at him. I swear he's grown another few inches while he was away, and his skin has darkened a bit from being exposed to the sun while travelling.

He carries himself with a self-assurance which is completely new, and though I can feel some newly acquired muscles he is still lean. He smiles down at me, and his soft smile makes my tears spill over. I draw my son close again, and he complies for a few moments so that I can get a grip on myself. When I let go of him again, he turns around to see how his friends are faring.

Kimahri stands rather close to us, so I engulf him, too in a bone crushing hug. His mass of curls have grown even longer, and he has amassed even more muscles during their travels. There's a very fine scar cutting through his left eyebrow now, which makes him look quite the rouge. His air is very different somehow, as though he's had a very important revelation. He looks as though he feels very much at peace with himself, a peace even his parents cannot upset as they hardly spare him a glance while welcoming Yuna.

Tidus and Wakka haven't changed a bit, at least not a first glance, the are both busy describing something very exciting to a very unimpressed Auron. If I didn't know better, I wouldn't think the old warrior to be particularly pleased about his charge's return. But I do know better, and I manage to catch the pride which shines in Auron's eye when he looks over to me. We share a knowing smile.

Rikku is somehow still attached to her father, and Lulu is next to Yuna, talking to the latter's adoptive parents. Lulu has grown up while they were away, she has obviously gained some serious wisdom.

The greatest change of all is discernible in Yuna. She practically radiates a quiet, yet unyielding power, although she has not changed visibly. Kimahri's parents seem oblivious to it, but Auron's caught up on it, too. Apparently, so has Cid. He looks at his niece with a mixture of absolute rage, pity and love. I'm certain there's a story there, but this is neither the time nor the place to enquire.

"So Yuna's a summoner now," I later state to Nes after we have dropped off Lulu and Wakka at the temple, where they will live until the semester starts. He turns to me, surprised, and I smile.

"It's hard to miss the presence surrounding her, or rather presences. She radiates power, you must have noticed, too."

Nes nods. "I felt the change in her, but then I know what it means. I've seen other people react to her. She's now a presence others will make room for and defer to, even if they don't know about her being a summoner. It's quite disconcerting, especially for her."

Now it's my turn to nod. "I can imagine. Yuna's not the type to strive for power. Why did she become a summoner? Did she tell you?"

"She felt it to be the right thing to do. As a healer and white mage, she said it was a logical step for her to take."

"So your journey was essentially a pilgrimage," I muse. "Did you know this when you set out?"

"I suspected Yuna was up to something, but had no idea what it could be. She told us of her plans once we had sailed past the Omega Island chain. Rikku was livid, and Wakka and Tidus didn't react so well to the news, either. Kimahri took one good look at her as he sometimes does and then asked her to accept him as her guardian. That swayed Lulu, and later Wakka. Tidus took a little longer to come around to the idea, but ultimately, he understood that Yuna needed to do this. Rikku wasn't convinced, apparently the Al Bhed take exception to the 'summoner cult' as they call it. But she went along with it when it became clear that Yuna would not budge."

"What about you?"

"I took my lead from Kimahri." Nes shrugs. "He's her brother, he knows her best."

We have reached our flat by now, and Nes stands awkwardly in the middle of our living room, his gear at his feet. He is lost in thoughts, while I make some coffee.

"Hey," I say softly, and lightly touch his arm to make him turn around. I hold out a cup of coffee to him, and he accepts with a smile.

"Sometimes, coming home is the hardest part," I tell him, searching his face. "I know you are not the same person who departed this flat half a year ago, and yet you are. You need to find your place here anew, continue your old life and still build a new one. If there's anything I can do to help you with that, please tell me."

Nes smiles down at me. "Thank you. I'm glad you understand."

I turn away from him, and take my cup over to the french doors. "I've been in your shoes," I tell him, looking out into the distance.

"When I was a young and idealistic black mage, I left my home and my family to fight in the War. It was the first time I had ever been separated from your mother, Ianna."

"Your twin sister."

"Yes, my identical twin sister." I sigh and drink some coffee. "I was gone for almost twenty years, and when I came back everybody somehow expected a second issue of her to return. But I was very much not a copy of my sister. How could I be? Our lives had been very different during those years."

Taking a conscious effort, I shake the memories. "Be that as it may, please know that we can talk about anything. You are an adult now, not only by age but also by experience, so there should be nothing we cannot discuss."

Nes's eyes narrow. "What do you mean?"

"For example, I'd be more than happy to have you live with me while you decide on what to do next, or while you go to university, or whatever. If you should, however, feel that you can't do that, or don't want to do that, we'll figure it out. And if you decide to stay, I guess we'll need to adapt some ground rules. We'll find a solution for that, too."

I bury my nose in my cup. "Let's not go there right now, though," I decide when I emerge. "You have just returned and are probably exhausted. Let's bake some pizza on the grill and have some good wine, and let's just enjoy that you're back. If you want, you can tell me about your journey."

Nes agrees, and so we spend a quiet evening, re-knitting our bond over pizza and wine.

Over breakfast the next day, Nes tells me that he has decided to stay at our flat, and that he wants to become an architect. If he can get into the university last minute, he will start this semester, if he's too late he'll look for a job to pass the time, and start uni next semester.

I shake my head, this is just too close to what I wondered about when at the sphere dome with Auron.

Which reminds me that I still have to share that particular piece of news with Nes.

"So you and Sir Auron," Nes smiles as we linger at the table after breakfast.

"Yes."

"Are you two serious?" He asks, and I am again reminded of another conversation, one which we had at this very table, the morning after we celebrated Tidus's acceptance by the Zanarkand Abes.

"Yes," I tell him, and smile into me coffee cup.

"Took you long enough," Nes laughs.

"By the way," I carefully place my cup on the table, "what happened to Lulu? You didn't speak of her last night as I would expect you to speak of your girlfriend."

"She's with Wakka now," Nes states calmly, looking at his own cup.

"Wakka? Huh? Wha..?!" I struggle to form a coherent sentence.

Nes openly laughs at my confusion. "It's okay, mum, really. You were right, after all. She's not for me." He accentuates his statement by a shrug and another sip of coffee.

"But..." Words still fail me. "Wakka?"

"It doesn't seem so far-fetched when you see them together. Apparently, Wakka has been in love with Lu for ages, but kept quiet out of respect for the relationship she had with his brother. On the pilgrimage, though, I realised that the two of them seemed somehow always to be drawn together." He shrugs and finishes his cup.

"I also realised that the thought didn't hurt me as I expected it would, so I had a long heart-to-heart discussion with Lu."

"Oh, wow." I'm completely floored. "Any other romantic developments I should know about?" I ask, only half in jest.

"Tidus proposed to Yuna."

I keep looking at Nes, waiting for him to tell me that he's joking. But he's not. I mean, yes, sure, everybody with half a brain to call their own could see that Tidus and Yuna would end up together eventually, but marriage? So soon? When the kids left Zanarkand a few months ago they were not even dating!

"They want to keep it quiet, though, at least for a while. They don't want to raise expectations with family, not until they have built more towards their respective careers."

I nod, seeing the wisdom in that decision. Auron will most likely be cynical about it, and I can't see Yuna's adoptive parents being thrilled, either.

"Oh, and Kimahri's gay."

"Really?" I hadn't seen that one coming. I briefly consider asking Nes how the big guy came out to his friends, and if he's known for a while or if this was a recent realisation, but I decide against it. As much as I'd love to know, it's really none of my business.

"Yep," Nes nods and raises his cup, only to realise that it's empty. "That's all from the love department, though."

That statement makes me laugh. "It's quite enough, don't you think?"

Autumn passes rather quietly, not that we get much of a seasonal change in Zanarkand. Nes has managed to enrol for architecture last minute, so he, Lulu, Kimahri and Yuna start university together. Wakka still dreams of becoming a professional Blitzball player, and wants to try for the Zanarkand Abes again as soon as they next accept applications. In the meantime, he asked me for a job to earn some money. He and Lulu share a tiny flat, as they had to leave the temple upon their majority. Rikku decided to go to tech school, much to the consternation of her father, who wanted her in the family business right away.

Auron is over at my place a lot more often now, as Yuna spends most of her time at the houseboat with Tidus. The warrior claims he cannot abide being under one roof with the love birds as they are constantly making cow eyes at each other. I really understand where he's coming from, those two are hard to endure when the mood strikes them.

So, slowly but noticeably, the flat changes. There's a one-armed Auron to accommodate for, as well as the new relationship between Nes and me. He's really not a child any more, and he should not have to live like one.

As I predicted, there was some awkwardness between Nes and Auron at first, but the two of them worked it out rather quickly.

Auron smirks when I ask him about it, when we are getting ready for bed one night.

"Nes threatened to do some very bad things to me, should I ever hurt you," he lets me know.

"Seriously?" I am caught between surprise, affection, and indignation. I don't need that kind of protection!

"Seriously. He knows that he is no match for me, but he quite earnestly ensured me that he would find a way, should it be necessary." Auron shakes his head, while he loosens the bindings around his bad arm. "I actually believe him."

"You do?" I ask, while looking for my nightshirt.

"Yes," Auron confirms, and rolls his eye at my disorganisation. "He loves you very much. However I assured him that I have no intention of hurting you, and if I ever did, I would certainly deserve whatever punishment he came up with."

"Did you now," I say, give up on my hunt and slide under the blanket in only my panties.

Auron smirks and slowly lowers himself on the bed, fixating me with his stare. All thoughts of overly protective step sons are forgotten once his lips cover mine.

Our routine is upset one dark, cold and rainy evening in early winter. Auron is working late, and I'm in the kitchen preparing dinner when Nes enters the flat together with Kimahri, each of the young men carrying a rather large bag, Nes some books and Kimahri his lance.

My confusion must be clearly visible on my face when I walk over to greet them.

"Kimahri needs a place to stay," Nes informs me as he sets down his burden and divests his raincoat. Kimahri hesitantly follows his example.

Apparently, the day has come for Nes to take me up on my promise.

"Okay," I say, withholding my curiosity for the moment, and turn so that Kimahri can read my lips. "Choose one of the guest rooms, take up your things and then come back down. Dinner is almost ready."

Rather uncertain about this all, Kimahri turns a questioning glance at Nes, who smiles.

It's okay, Nes signs, picks up half of Kimahri's stuff again and carries it up the stairs. With a lingering glance at me, Kimahri takes up the rest and follows Nes.

I return to the kitchen, add a place setting for Kimahri and open a bottle of wine. I have a feeling we'll all need something to fortify our nerves before dinner is over.

When the boys come back down, I have just finished cooking.

"Talk, or eat first?" I ask them. I told Nes that Kimahri would always have a place in our home if he needs it, and I intend to stand by my word. Nevertheless, there are a few things I need to know.

"Eat," Nes answers at the same time Kimahri signs talk.

Nes laughs, and concedes. Talk, he signs, and I nod.

"Please sit down, I'll get us something to drink," I tell them and go grab the wine bottle from the kitchen counter. As an afterthought, I fetch some water, too.

Glasses are already at the table, and I offer the wine first to Nes, who declines, and then to Kimahri, who accepts. I raise an eyebrow, as that's a first. I've never before seen Kimahri drink.

The big guy's mouth briefly curls into half a smile. Nes introduce alcohol to Kimahri on pilgrimage.

I cannot but laugh at that, and even Nes grins. But we sober again pretty quickly.

"Okay, then, what's going on?" I want to know.

Kimahri looks at Nes, who simply tells me, "Kimahri's parents kicked him out."

"Just like that?" I had feared it might come to that, sooner or later, because of their differing opinions on what Kimahri should do with his life, but now that it has happened it's still shocking to hear. "Why?"

Kimahri gay.

I look over to Nes for confirmation, as I'm not sure I understand correctly. Kimahri's parents threw him out because he is gay?!

"What?" I cry out when Nes simply nods. Of all the possible reasons, those… those… PEOPLE choose this? In my anger I forget that Kimahri probably doesn't know that already knew about his not being straight, and so he gets my outburst totally wrong.

He stands in one fluid, measured movement.

Kimahri better leave.

"NO!" Nes and I exclaim at the same time while jumping to our feet.

"Please, Kimahri, don't..." I continue, then huff impatiently. I pinch the bridge of my nose to help me concentrate, a habit I have picked up from a certain legendary guardian. Thinking of him helps somehow, and I manage to calm down enough to dig up some sign language skills deeply buried in my memories.

Nes holds Kimahri back with on hand on his forearm, but I can tell the big guy is still in flight mode.

Please, Kimahri sit, I sign, but he hesitates. He looks at me closely.

Lady Eanna angry.

I nod in conformation. Yes, Eanna angry. Angry...

An impatient huff escapes me, as I can't remember the proper gesture. "Nes, how do you sign 'parents'?"

Nes obediently signs parents, and Kimahri's head swivels from me to Nes back to me.

Yes, Eanna angry at Kimahri parents. Sorry, Eanna sings not… good, I continue when he doesn't react. I take another deep breath.

Kimahri no fear. Kimahri stay. Kimahri wants home, Kimahri home here.

Nes lightly squeezes Kimahri's arm to get his attention, and begins to sign intently. He's too fast for me to keep up, but I do hope he delivers a more eloquent version of the point I just tried to make. When Kimahri answers in the same manner, I pick up my glass from the table and take a sip. I really should have laid out something stronger.

"Mum?" I look up at Nes. "Kimahri wants you to confirm that he can really stay. Apparently, his parents went berserk when they found out about him, he really has no place to go. But he means to leave if you are uncomfortable with him in the house."

I raise an eyebrow at Kimahri. Kimahri stay, I sign simply. Not that I am capable of much more.

Kimahri gay.

Eanna understand.

Kimahri favours me with one of his long, scrutinising looks. I stare back at him.

At long last, he sits, and so do Nes and I.

Thank you.

"You're welcome," I tell him, because for the life of me I cannot remember the proper sign. He reads my lips, though, and understands.

Nes finally helps himself to some wine, and all three of us get lost in our glasses for a while.

Auron chooses this very moment to give me a call over the com sphere, to tell me he won't be making it to my place tonight. I take his call to the kitchen, and when I come back out it's obvious that the boys need some space.

I tell them to take dinner upstairs if they like, they don't have to linger here for my sake. Relieved, they fix themselves plates, top off their glasses and are gone.

When I hear the door to Nes's room close, I take my wine glass over to the living room area and sink down on the couch. By the Fayth, I really have a wish to go over to Kimahri's family and deal some very heavy damage. Kimahri is such a wonderful person, smart and kind, honest and hard working, I simply cannot understand how his parents can resent him so much. On the other hand, I muse, it's probably best that I don't understand.

I hear nothing from the boys until I determine it's time to go to bed, and I leave it to Nes to make sure that Kimahri is comfortable, and has everything he needs for the night.

The next morning I just come down the stairs when Nes shows Kimahri where to find what in our kitchen, and explains that on weekdays, we each fix our own breakfast. Coffee is already brewing, Nes just knows me too well.

"Sleep okay?" I ask them while I wait for the coffee maker, and they both nod.

By the time I have poured some cereal and milk into a bowl the coffee is ready, and I join the boys at the dining table.

"What are your plans for today?" I ask them, after I have enjoyed half a cup of coffee in silence. I already know that Nes has a paper to write, but I want to know if there's anything either he or Kimahri needs me for.

"Can we move the desk from the left guest room to the other one? Kimahri chose the one with the bigger bed yesterday, but he needs a desk to study."

"Sure," I start but Kimahri interrupts me.

Not necessary. Moving desk too much work, Kimahri leave soon.

"Really, it's no problem," I tell him. "Why do you want to leave? You do not need to. Nes," I add, "would you please translate that?"

Nes translates what I have just said, but Kimahri shakes his head.

Kimahri look for job. When he has found, he look for place to live. Then leave.

I want to protest, but Nes beats me to it. "I told you, this is a stupid plan!" He signs, but also uses his voice for my benefit. "If you work a job that pays enough for rent and living expenses, you can't go to university."

Kimahri quit university. He shrugs.

"That's stupid!" Nes exclaims. "You just found a sponsor, you won't be that lucky a second time!"

As I am the sponsor in question, Kimahri will of course be lucky enough to have a sponsor again, should he decide to drop out of university and later to start anew. But neither of the boys knows that. And frankly, it's not necessary.

I lightly touch Kimahri's arm to gather his attention.

Kimahri home here. Kimahri university, home here. No problem.

Seriously, I have to brush up on my sign language if the big guy decides to stay. I need to be able to talk to him without all this awkwardness.

Kimahri stay. Eanna learn better signs, Eanna promise.

This at least makes him smile briefly, but he shakes his head.

Kimahri does not want to be a burden to Lady Eanna. Kimahri leave as soon as Kimahri has found job and flat.

I struggle with burden, and Nes is kind enough to translate. Luckily, I understand far more signs than I can use myself, but not nearly enough to carry a decent conversation. I take another sip of coffee in order to force me to return to the problem at hand.

"I understand you already told him that he's not a burden, and that he can stay as long as he wants to," I address Nes, who nods in response. "Please ask him what needs to happen so that he can stay."

A short discussion in sign language ensues, which I can't quite follow. In the end, Nes turns to me with a huff.

"He just doesn't get it into his thick skull that he's really welcome here!" He signs while he talks, to make sure Kimahri doesn't miss the insult. "Even though those Funguars who claim to be his parents think him a burden, not everybody does!"

Apparently, this is a well-rehearsed argument.

I drink some more coffee. This is taking us nowhere, and fast. The thought crosses my mind that Kimahri simply does not want to stay. I need to find out what he really thinks. "Could you please translate?" I ask Nes, again. He nods, and I turn to Kimahri.

"Do you really want to leave?" Kimahri's gaze slips away or a moment, and he shakes his head, a barely perceptible movement.

I wait until he looks up again and continue, "I understand that you would like to stay, but you can't because you think that would be asking too much. Am I correct?"

Yes.

"Nes is right, you know. You are welcome here, the guest room is yours indefinitely if you want it. You are not a burden, and you are not asking for anything. We are offering. Stay with us, go to university. If it makes you feel better, you can look for a part time job or something, we'll figure it out. We'd be happy to have you live with us."

Kimahri's only response is to plant his elbows on his knees and drop his head into his hands. I quickly move to sit in the chair next to his, and when I pat his back his head snaps up. His eyes are full with unshed tears, ready to spill.

"Oh baby, come here," I tell him and pull him into my arms. "It's all right baby, let it go." I know he can't hear me, and with his head buried at my shoulder there's no way Kimahri can lip read, but he somehow gets the message. Kimahri cries for a long time, letting go of all the pent up frustration and anxiety of the last 24 hours. It will be a while until he can work through the trauma his parents caused, but the immediate crisis is over, and he can relax for now.

Nes gets up to fetch a box of tissues, then sits with us, his hand on Kimahri's back while I embrace the big guy's shoulders and pat his head. Together, we wait until Kimahri's tears run dry. Then we wait some more.

When he's at length ready to look up at me, I smile tentatively at him. Nes offers him a tissue, which is immediately put to good use.

Kimahri sorry. Kimahri ashamed, and sorry.

"Don't be. None of this is your fault."

Uncertain, Kimahri looks over at Nes, who favours him with a wide grin. "I told you, she's amazing!"

I blush furiously at my son's praise, and hurry to hide my face in my cup.

With time, we fall into a new rhythm at the flat. Kimahri is eager to integrate himself into our little household and, after finding a part time job, tries to pay me rent. When I don't accept his offer, he enlists a very bemused Nes as an interpreter. I still refuse to take his money, of course, and quip that his enduring my silly attempts at sign language is payment enough. Kimahri, though, stands firm.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Nes announces to an imaginary audience, "tonight we will finally find out what happens when an unstoppable force hits an immovable object!" He bows with a flourish, and leaves to fetch himself a glass of wine. Then he takes a seat at the dining table and makes ready to enjoy the show.

Neither Kimahri nor I can hold back our laughter, and I finally cave. With Nes's help we negotiate a compromise: Kimahri will not pay rent, but will contribute something towards utilities, groceries and such. And he agrees to be my sign language teacher, which I think is more like a punishment for him than anything else.

Kimahri grins and shakes his head. Kimahri sure Lady Eanna is not a difficult pupil.

Nes snorts into his wine, and I throw him a glare. Kimahri looks from Nes to me, and back to Nes.

Better get used to this, big guy! Nes signs with an impish grin and gets up to fetch us wine glasses. He adds a fourth one as Auron just walks through the door.

"Are we celebrating something?" he asks, and draws out a chair next to mine. Sometimes I wish Auron were not so very proper when around others. I would like to be greeted with a kiss in the evening, thank you very much!

"Oh, mum and Kimahri finally compromised on Kimahri's contribution to this household," Nes explains and fills all our glasses.

Auron smirks and shoots me a look. Although he likes Kimahri, and although he would not have turned the big guy away had Tidus brought him to the house boat, he can't understand how I could so easily 'adopt' him. I don't really know, either, but to me the how or why is not really important. Nes felt comfortable enough to bring home a friend in need, and that's all that counts.

A couple of days later I arrive at the house boat after work, but instead of Auron, it's Tidus who greets me.

"Lady Eanna! I just got the news!" The blitzer is ecstatic, obviously.

"Good news, I gather," I say as I take off my coat and step out of my boots.

"Oh, yes! I'll finally see some action! I have been nominated for the Abes' next game on Friday evening!"

"Tidus, that's huge! Congratulations!"

"Yep!" The young blonde pumps his fist into the air. "Will you be there? Everybody will be there, even Auron!"

"I'm sorry, I'll be on a business trip through to Sunday morning."

Tidus looks crestfallen, but not for long. "You know," he tells me, "this will be the first time Auron will watch me play. He isn't interested, but a couple of years back I wiggled a promise out of him, that he would come and see my first game for the Zanarkand Abes. I know he only promised to get me out of his hair, but here we are!"

"Yes, here we are, in the hall," Auron's dry voice chimes in. His mouth is set in a grim line, and he avoids my gaze. "Will you let Lady Eanna in properly, or is she to spend the evening out here?"

And just like that, Tidus's good mood evaporates. His head hanging dejectedly, he lets me pass.

"Well hello to you, too," I tell Auron, plant a kiss firmly on his mouth and move on into the kitchen, where Yuna is setting the table for dinner.

We spend the meal in awkward silence. Tidus looks like a puppy kicked in the ribs, Yuna ducks her head to avoid confrontation, Auron practically radiates bitterness and I am really, really angry. Yes, sure, I know that for whatever reasons Auron hides his real feelings for Tidus behind a wall of cynicism, but that's no excuse to be downright mean to the boy.

When we have eaten, I decline dessert when Yuna offers, pick up mine and Auron's wine glasses and leave the kitchen without a backward glance.

It's rather windy out on the deck, but fortunately it's a dry, mild winter evening. The city lights glisten and glitter on the troubled waters of the bay, and the house boat dances on the waves, straining against its mooring.

Apparently, my warrior gets the hint, as I hear his heavy footfalls on the stairs. I whirl around to face him, ready to chew him out for his behaviour, but close my mouth without uttering a word.

There he is, in all his black and red glory, a spare red cloak in his hand, which he expertly drapes around my shoulders.

"Thanks," I mutter, and bury my nose in the collar. Leather and sandalwood. Auron.

"It is cold out here." Auron shrugs.

I hand him his glass and we drink in silence for a while.

"What's wrong with you?" I finally ask him. The anger is gone from my voice, but not the reproach, and Auron heaves a heavy sigh.

"I am in quite the predicament," he tells me, but I only stare at him, one eyebrow raised.

"Tidus is generally right about me and Blitzball, I am really not interested, but he is wrong about one thing," he elaborates, and leans against the railing with his back to the bay. "I do care about his games. I have seen every single one of them, just not live in the stadium as he would have liked me to."

He looks at me, and I join him at the railing. I choose to look over the bay, though.

"I watched all his games on the sphere screen, together with Jecht at the care home."

"Oh," I say, and turn to look at Auron, "oh."

"Yes, quite," he answers, intently studying the contents of his glass.

"I gather you haven't told Tidus?"

"No," Auron confirms, and sips his wine.

"Why ever not?" I wonder aloud. Really, what the…?

"I cannot. I told you, Tidus and Jecht do not get along. The boy resents his father, for being incapacitated, for not dying, for driving his mother mad with worry, and for a great many other things which I cannot fathom. Jecht, on the other hand, chose to express the love for his son in a very peculiar way when he still could, so I cannot blame the boy for not having the best of feelings towards his father. If I tell him that I have been missing his games in order to watch them with his father..."

Auron shrugs again, and lets the rest of the sentence hang in the air.

"What about Jecht?"

Auron snorts a laugh and takes a sip of his wine. "Jecht is as stubborn as ever. He doesn't want to be a burden to his son, thinks Tidus will live easier with him tucked away and forgotten in a nursing home. He does not invite Tidus, and Tidus has yet to express a wish to visit."

I shake my head in silence, and swirl the wine in my glass. Yuna has chosen a simple dry white to go with the rice she served at dinner. A good choice, as far as I am concerned.

"Tidus has hit the nail on the head, though, when he said I only promised to come to his first game for the Abes because I thought he would never make it."

I snort into my glass. Really, they deserve to be whacked over the head with something hard and heavy, all three of them.

"So you don't know what to do next Friday. Keep your promise to Tidus, or go see the game with Jecht, as you always do."

"That about sums it up." With one last draught, Auron empties his glass.

"I think you should honour your promise to Tidus," I tell him, my voice level. "He has suffered enough from your dismissive behaviour towards him. And I think you should tell Tidus why you never before came to any of his games. He deserves to know."

Auron harrumphs, and the matter is closed.