Wrong?

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy X or any of its characters and I make no money from writing this story. If I did own FFX, Tidus would just admit he's gay and get on with it already

Ah, finally finished with this. God, this chapter is a monster compared to the others. Oh well, that's just more for you guys to read I guess. Warnings: this chapter contains language, attempted non-con (nothing happens but it's still attempted so I feel I should warn you), and hardcore yaoi which includes a moresome. Have fun!

***

Rikku, Tidus decided, was his long lost sister. Along with some similarities in appearance, their personalities were nearly identical. Both were child-like in how the viewed the world, doing their best to look on the bright side no matter what the situation. They both did everything in their power to keep the others, especially Yuna, happy with their cheerful demeanors and silly antics. Truth be told, they worked well together, quite often making the entire party laugh after one of their better schemes. Tidus couldn't have been happier that she'd decided to join them on the pilgrimage.

Now, as the group neared Guadosalam, he and Rikku hung back slightly, talking in hushed excitement, plotting their next ingenious endeavor. It was a dangerous undertaking, something Tidus had only managed once in his youth. Something that risked their lives, nay their very souls. Take Auron's sunglasses.

"You know if we pull this off he'll kill us, right?"

Rikku giggled uncontrollably, covering her mouth quickly to avoid suspicion. "Yeah, but that's half the fun."

Well, Tidus couldn't argue with that. Besides, how great would it be to see the look on Auron's face if they succeeded. "All right, how should we do this?"

Rikku giggled again, leaning in closer and explaining her brilliant plan while Tidus listened closely so as not to miss anything. Really, it was beyond simple, consisting of catching Auron off guard and using teamwork and numbers to their advantage. Tidus looked ahead of them where Auron was at the front of the group, oblivious to what was being plotted behind him. Oh yes, this would be worth whatever punishment would come later.

The smallest of sounds suddenly caught his attention and he stopped walking, cocking his head and straining his ears. What had he just heard?

"Tidus?"

"Shh!" He listened desperately, but there was nothing, only the normal sounds of the woods around them.

"Tidus what's wrong?" Rikku looked both curious and somewhat concerned, so Tidus gave her a reassuring smile. "It's nothing, sorry." He took a few more steps, glad the others hadn't noticed them and his foolishness. What had he thought--

And then he heard it again, and he knew what it was. A scream. A muffled scream, fairly far off and quiet enough so it barely reached him, but he still heard the note of panic. Was someone in trouble?

"Did you hear that?" he demanded of Rikku, but the girl looked at him like he was crazy. "Hear what?"

And then another sound assaulted his ears, just as distant as the scream, but just as clear. A laugh. A quiet, small, sadistic laugh, and his mind was filled with the image of cold, dark eyes and a sneering smile. Without thinking, he grabbed his sword tightly and took off into the woods, away from the path.

"Tidus?!"

He ignored Rikku's call as he was swallowed by the thick foliage, running as fast as he could in the direction of the sounds, trying to make himself breathe. That laugh... he'd heard that laugh before. Not that exact one, of course, but the *kind* of laugh. He knew what was going on, he knew what he would find. He had to get there fast, before it was too late.

The muffled screams continued to get steadily louder and he could hear a male voice, the owner of that laugh. It was telling the screamer to shut up, be good and they wouldn't get hurt. Tidus' legs pumped furiously and he finally burst into a small clearing, not in the least surprised by what he saw. A little girl, around thirteen or so, pinned to the ground by a man in his thirties. He sat over top of her, one hand clamped over her mouth while the other held a knife threateningly. She looked at Tidus as he rushed over, eyes scared and pleading, tears streaming silently down her cheeks. And then everything else was a blur.

He remembered dropping his sword, not even thinking about using it. His foot came up to kick the pervert in the side of the head, knocking him off the girl. He pinned the bastard down and started pounding his fists into him, his pure fury making up for the difference in size. The man below him struggled, but he just kept pounding. Just kept pounding...

"Tidus!" Big arms, much stronger than his wrapped around him, trying to pull him off the pervert. He strained against them, kept hitting the man beneath him, kept swearing at the disgusting prick. The arms wrapped tighter, yanking him away. "Tidus, stop! You'll kill him!"

He didn't stop, not willingly at least, but the arms were too strong, and they won. He fell backwards, winding up in the lap of the arms' owner, panting for breath and desperately trying to continue his attack. "Stop, Tidus, it's over," a voice said in his ear, and he felt himself calm down slightly. That voice. "Auron?"

"It's all right, Tidus, it's done. She's safe, it's all right."

She? The girl, of course. He looked quickly over to where the little girl was quietly sobbing in Rikku's arms, scared, but unharmed except for some bruises and scratches. He'd gotten there in time. The pervert hadn't been able to...

He suddenly felt bile rise in the back of his throat and fought hard to keep it down as he slowly became aware of his surroundings. The girl and Rikku were a few feet away from where he sat in Auron's lap. Next to him and Auron was the pervert, unconscious and very badly beaten. Beaten... had he done that?

He looked down at himself, eyes wide. The front of his clothes were splattered with the pervert's blood, his hands were red with it. And he was shaking violently. Why? Why couldn't he stop shaking? Why was his face wet? Was he crying? Why?!

A gloved hand not his own suddenly appeared on his face, wiping the moisture away. Shit, he had to get himself together. "I'm sorry, Auron."

"It's all right, Tidus, you did a good job. Just relax for a minute. Calm down."

Tidus shut his eyes and leaned back into Auron's comforting warmth, soaking it up like a sponge. He was right, everything was fine now, the girl was safe. He had to just breathe and calm himself so they could get the girl back to her family. That was what mattered at the moment. He had to take care of the girl.

When Auron felt Tidus' fierce tremors reduce to soft trembles, he reluctantly let him go, helping the boy stand and brushing off his red coat. They had to move, the others were waiting, and darkness was coming faster than expected. So much for making it to Guadosalam that night. It would have to wait until tomorrow. Besides, Tidus was badly shaken, he needed rest. He had earned it.

Approaching Rikku and the girl whose sobs had dwindled to occasional sniffles, he reached out a comforting hand. "Are you all right?"

He wasn't particularly surprised or offended when the girl pulled away from him, burrowing herself into Rikku as far as she could go. He knew how intimidating he was, and the girl had just been attacked by a man, she probably didn't want any male near her. So when Tidus pushed past him then, holding out his arms to the girl, he moved to pull him back. "Tidus, I don't think--" He stopped talking and just stared stunned when the child literally leapt at Tidus, wrapping her arms around his neck tight enough to strangle the boy. She didn't seem to mind the fact that he had blood on him or that he was still trembling himself. He picked her up easily, wrapping his arms around her protectively, and then took a few steps before turning to Auron with a sheepish look on his face. "I don't really know the way back."

Auron offered him the smallest of smiles before grunting and leading the way, leaving the pervert where he was. Honestly, Auron wasn't sure he would survive with the way Tidus had managed to beat his head in, but he didn't care one way or another. The would-be rapist deserved whatever happened to him.

The red-clad man went at a fairly slow pace, trying to be considerate of Tidus who was carrying the girl when he looked about to pass out. After a minute or so he said, "See if she'll tell you where she's from." Tidus repeated the question to the girl who mumbled into his neck that she had stopped at the inn with her parents. Auron grunted acknowledgement, knowing there was only one inn nearby, luckily not far from them. It wouldn't be difficult to get her back.

They reached the edge of the woods and immediately Yuna swept upon them, face lit up in worry. Questions spilled from her, asking what had happened, until Rikku cleared her throat harshly and nodded her head towards the cowering girl in Tidus' arms. Instantly, the summoner went quiet, understanding slowly dawning on her. She flitted over to Tidus, fawning over the small girl, stroking back strands of bright red hair. The girl allowed Yuna to pet her, the same way she'd allowed Rikku to hold her earlier, but she still clung to Tidus like a limpet.

The group continued on without incident for a while; that is until Wakka got too close to the girl, causing her to shriek and panic. The Besaid Aurouch quickly corrected his mistake, apologizing profusely over and over, but the girl's hysteria continued. Auron watched in awe as Tidus calmed the girl, murmuring soft words he couldn't hear and stroking her hair and back. She responded to his ministrations, quieting and holding onto him in a grip that would leave bruises, as if he were her lifeline. And she stayed that way, refusing to let go for anything, pale arms tight around his brown neck until nearly an hour later the group reached the inn.

"This is the inn you were at, correct?" Auron asked the girl, doing his best to keep his voice soft.

The child lifted her head from Tidus' shoulder, looked around her briefly, then nodded, hiding her face again. Relieved, Auron led the way inside, going to the front desk and asking where he could find the girl's parents. The young woman behind the desk gasped, crying out, "Thank goodness you found her! We've been looking all over!" and rushed down a hall. Almost immediately she was followed back by a middle-aged couple who ran to the girl, ripping her from Tidus' grasp. They fussed over her and her mother took her by the hand, leading her down the hall and presumably back to their room. Auron then briefly informed the girl's father of what had happened, and he practically fell at Tidus' feet, thanking him over and over again while the boy shifted nervously, looking more uncomfortable by the second.

After the man had finally been chased away by one of Auron's infamous glares, Wakka scratched the back of his head and said as normally as possible, "So we stayin' here tonight, ya?"

Murmurs of agreement rose from the others and they found that there were four empty rooms available. Yuna briefly handed out room assignments, herself and Kimahri, Lulu and Rikku, Tidus and Wakka, and of course Sir Auron by himself; until Auron politely declined, saying he didn't mind sharing with Tidus. Yuna nodded her understanding, shooting a troubled glance at her friend who was still trembling slightly and seemed to have drawn completely into his own mind. She handed Auron the room key with a soft, "Take care of him," and Auron grunted, gathering Tidus to him and heading off down the hall.

Tidus had kind of zoned out after Auron had gotten rid of the man groveling in front of him and was surprised to find himself in a room of the inn with Auron checking his temperature. He blinked stupidly, before pushing the warrior's hand away with a mumbled, "What're you doing, old man?"

"Just checking."

Tidus frowned and turned away, doing everything to avoid eye contact with his former caretaker. *Great, now he thinks I'm sick or somethin'.* Out loud he said, "I'm takin' a shower," and retreated to the bathroom as quickly as he could. The hot water soothed him decently and his trembling finally stopped. Of course, with that came a greater awareness of what all had happened and he cursed himself for losing control like he had. Not only Auron but Rikku had also seen. She saw him mutilate another human being, saw him crying... Shit, how was he supposed to fix this?

Exiting from the shower he found Auron sitting on the bed, watching him intently, and he wished he could shrink into himself and disappear. Anything to avoid this intense scutiny. He had to get out of there, he couldn't be in a room alone with Auron right now. "Hey, I'm gonna go to the lounge area, it looked pretty nice. Had a bar..."

Auron grunted and stood, adjusting his collar. "Wouldn't mind stopping by the bar myself."

Tidus forced a grin and tried to take on his usual cheery, nonchalant attitude. "You're going to the bar? There might actually be people there, you know, you might have to actually, like, talk or something. You sure you can handle it?"

Auron scowled. Just because he'd avoided the loud, exuberant bars in Zanarkand didn't mean he minded the quiet, more reserved ones in Spira. He didn't mind being around people as long as they weren't being ridiculous. And most of the people in Zanarkand he had found to be ridiculous.

Tidus laughed at the look on the warrior's face and led the way out of the room. "Come on then, old man." And that was how Auron found himself seated at a table in the lounge area, sipping sake and keeping a close eye on the boy downing shots at the bar. Despite his facade of normalcy, Auron could tell Tidus was still upset over what had happened. He just wasn't sure which part exactly was bothering him. It could have been that the girl had nearly been assaulted in such a despicable way. Tidus had always been so caring of other people and hated seeing them hurt. Then it could have been the way he'd attacked the girl's assailant. The boy had never hurt anybody like that, whether they deserved it or not, and nearly killing someone for the first time is always disturbing. Then it could have been a combination of those and more. Maybe he should try talking to the boy about it?

That idea was immediately dismissed when Rikku came in, dragging Yuna and Lulu behind her, consequently followed by Kimahri and Wakka. Auron watched Tidus tense up at the sight of the blond Al Bhed and it didn't take a genius to figure out why. Rikku, however, acted like her normal chipper self, obviously not faking it either. Anything Tidus had done or any way he had acted earlier was all right with her. Tidus relaxed visibly after that and he stopped doing shots while Rikku started them, urging the other two females to drink as well and ordering a round of beers for everyone. Auron sighed. This would be a long night.

It was only about a half an hour later when an already toasted Rikku did everything in her attractive teenage power to hit on an older raven-haired boy sitting at the bar with them. Auron chuckled at her fervor, knowing her efforts when in vain. The boy was definitely interested in a blond all right, but not her. His eyes were set firmly on Tidus, and once he finally got it across to Rikku that he wasn't interested, he made his move. As he bent down so he could whisper in the boy's ear, Auron felt his fist clench unconsciously. What was this feeling? Was he... jealous?

Tidus was surprised to be hit on by a guy for the first time since he'd come to Spira. Surprised and delighted. He exchanged names with him, Hiroki apparently, let the older boy buy him a shot and graciously accepted the compliments about his looks with a coy smile. Then Hiroki asked if he wanted to have some fun with him and his two friends. Tidus' smile grew. After all, what better way to forget your troubles than a good old-fashioned gangbang? He was led to a room where, sure enough, two more older boys were waiting, one brunette and one blond. They both brightened as soon as they saw Tidus, immediately pouncing on their prey.

Tidus wasn't wasted, but he was decently drunk as the boys started to strip both him and themselves. His shirt went first and he felt the Hiroki's hands snake around him from behind, thumbs rubbing circles over his now erect nipples as he leaned back into a warm, muscled chest. The blond divested him of his shorts from the front and knelt down next to his slowly growing member, stroking it lightly. Behind him, Hiroki kissed and sucked at the junction between his neck and shoulder, pinching his nipples lightly between thumb and forefinger. When Tidus made a small noise, he pinched much harder, causing a louder noise to escape the boy. Hiroki chuckled, delighted with this new development. "Are you a masochist, Tidus?"

What? No one had ever asked him that before. Tidus paused, not sure how to answer. He didn't like being coddled and actually enjoyed a certain degree of roughness, but he was a far cry from an actual masochist. Of course, in this situation he wanted his partners to be violent within reason, so he settled for a mumbled, "Sorta."

Hiroki chuckled again and shot a grin at the brunette still standing apart from them. This would be a fun night.

As Hiroki continued to abuse his nipples from behind, the blond in front of him licked the tip of his member playfully, looking up with an incredibly sexy expression gracing his pretty face. "Hiroki, should I suck him?"

Hiroki grunted his approval, nipping Tidus' neck. "Go ahead, make him feel good. He'll service us in time, right, Tidus?"

Tidus nodded, breath catching in his throat as the blond engulfed him into a very skilled mouth. He shut his eyes and let sensation take over as the blond sucked him off in front and behind him Hiroki continued his assault, now alternating between butterfly kisses and hard bites along his neck and shoulders. It didn't take long before he started to feel a familiar heat coiling in the pit of his stomach. His muscles tensed and Hiroki gave his nipples a particularly painful twist. "Would you like to come, Tidus?"

Tidus bit his bottom lip, the heat growing. "Yes, if that's okay."

Hiroki nibbled his pulse, smirking. "Such a good boy, asking for permission." His hands dropped to either side the blond's head and pulled it the rest of the way down over Tidus' length. Tidus felt himself hit the back of the blond's throat, and the heat surged as Hiroki moved the blond's head back and forth rapidly, taking him deep each time. Tidus could only give a small cry of warning before erupting into the blond's mouth, sagging against Hiroki for support afterwards.

Hiroki's deep chuckle sounded in his ear and he felt himself being lifted bodily over to the bed where he was laid on his back. The older boy pet his hair like you would do with a cat, smiling all the while. "Tidus, my friend here has a favor to ask you. See he's never gotten to top before and he wants to try it. You'll let him top you, won't you?"

Tidus looked lazily at the blond who had just given him head and noticed him bobbing back and forth on the balls of his feet in apprehension. "Sure." Why the hell not, he'd let people take him for their first time on several occasions. They were normally sloppy and sometimes even hurt him, but he didn't mind. He'd already come once, and this wasn't really for enjoyment anyway. "How's he wanna do it?"

"Mmm..." Hiroki looked the blond over, a mischievous smirk on his face. "Since it's his first time, will you ride him, Tidus?"

Ride him? Well, it certainly wouldn't hurt that way, Tidus knew what he was doing. "Okay." Tidus sat up, making room for the blushing blond to lay down and watch him straddle his length, eyes wide and excited. "Do you have lube? I don't really like doing it dry if--"

The brunette, who had yet to participate or say a word shoved a bottle of lotion at him which he took gratefully. He didn't mind pain, but fucking dry was just... He coated the length beneath him with the lotion and positioned himself neatly before lowering, pushing it inside. If he had been worried about pain, he would have prepared himself first, but the burning that he met with on the sudden intrusion didn't phase him. He heard the blond groan loudly and mutter something about heat, but he paid it no mind, already moving expertly.

Hiroki and the brunette watched him ride their friend both stroking their own lengths leisurely, expressions clearly saying they were enjoying the show. After a minute or so, Hiroki made a sudden movement behind him, grabbing the discarded bottle of lotion. Tidus paused, curious, and Hiroki took ahold of his hips encouragingly. "Don't stop." Tidus obeyed and continued grinding down on the cock inside of him, watching Hiroki coat his length out of the corner of his eye. The raven-haired boy moved closer, positioning himself between the blond's legs, chest flush with Tidus' back. "I'm gonna fuck him while you ride him."

The blond below Tidus made a small noise of surprise then cried out ecstatically when Hiroki pushed inside of him. Tidus didn't pause in his movements, though his brain registered that this was something he'd never done before in all of his sexual explorations. He felt Hiroki thrust hard into the blond, causing the blond to buck into him, causing him to slam down hard on the blond which then exploded into a flurry of movement Tidus could no longer control. He shut his eyes and let himself be swept along, allowing Hiroki the control now.

He felt the bed dip slightly from weight and felt a thumb trace over his lips before pushing inside. When he cracked his eyes open, he saw the brunette standing on the bed, a leg on either side of the blond, his erection right in front of Tidus' face. Tidus raised his eyebrows ever so slightly, rolling his tongue over the thumb in his mouth. The brunette quickly removed the digit, pressing the head of his cock against Tidus' lips, a wordless command that Tidus followed immediately. He felt a hand grab a fistful of his hair and the cock was shoved deeper. He let the brunette have the control he clearly wanted, knowing now why the blond had never topped. Neither Hiroki or the brunette were the type to let someone have that much power over them. He allowed the brunette to command his head's movements, skillfully using his tongue, submitting easily.

The brunette let out a long sigh. "Fuck, you're good."

This continued for several minutes until Tidus felt the blond beneath him spasm and cry out loudly, spilling his seed into Tidus' hole. Hiroki pulled out from the blond then as the brunette did the same from Tidus' mouth. Hiroki lifted him off the blond's softening member, pulling him back into his own lap. "Did you enjoy that, Tidus?"

Tidus hummed his approval of the experience, languidly reaching a hand between them and stroking Hiroki's still erect cock. Hiroki smiled at this, leaning his head closer to Tidus'. "I see you've noted my little problem. Will you help me take care of it?"

Tidus nodded and took note of the look Hiroki exchanged with the brunette. "We've both got the same problem, Tidus. Can you help both of us?"

Tidus nodded again, wondering what exactly he had in mind. He was game for anything, of course, so it really didn't matter. Whatever they wanted.

Hastily, Hiroki grabbed the lotion, tossing it to the brunette. "Make sure you use a lot." Then he spun Tidus around , leading him to wrap his legs around his waist. He caught him in a deep kiss, sliding in with ease. Tidus nipped at the older boy's collarbone, feeling very full. He waited for Hiroki to move, but he was still, holding Tidus in his lap and looking over his shoulder at the brunette. When Tidus felt the brunette's chest against his back and felt his erection rub the cleft of his ass he suddenly knew what they wanted to do, and his eyes widened ever so slightly.

Hiroki took note of the blitzer's expression and he kissed Tidus' temple softly. "We've really wanted to try this for a long time, but we've never had the chance. Will you let us do this, Tidus?"

Tidus smirked, knowing the outcome already. What they wanted was entirely possible, but he wasn't stretched enough for it at the moment. He hadn't been prepared at all before and the blond's cock had been decently average, stretching him somewhat, but somewhat only. Hiroki and the brunette were both most definitely above average. Just Hiroki by himself stretched Tidus quite a bit, and if they did what they wanted... Tidus knew the result would be painful on his end if he didn't stretch himself better first. He just didn't really care.

As soon as he nodded, the brunette pushed himself in next to Hiroki with a grunt. He paused a moment to let Tidus adjust and then thrust once, both he and Hiroki groaning. "It's so tight... Shit! Hiroki, there's blood."

Hiroki's eyes snapped open and he looked down to see a trickle of blood hit the white sheets of the bed. "Fuck, he tore. Quick, pull out."

The brunette started to comply when Tidus said indifferently, "It's all right. Go ahead."

Both older boys froze and gave him identical looks of incredulity. Hiroki said very slowly, "Tidus... you *tore.* You know what that means, don't you?"

Tidus scoffed in response. "Of course I know. Don't you think I can feel it?" And he could most definitely feel it. Searing pain shot up his spine, doubling if he moved even the slightest, his muscles burning. But that didn't matter, he'd felt worse before anyway. "It's fine."

The boys still didn't move, unsure of whether it was really all right or not. Finally the brunette blurted, "I'm gettin' blueballs here. If he says it's all right, I'm going," and thrust up hard. Hiroki then lost all of his reservations as well and the boys pounded into the blitzball player between them. Tidus leaned his head back towards the ceiling, making sure he was at an angle where they couldn't see the expression of pain or the silent tears on his face as he waited for them to finish.

***

Most of the group had retired to bed, but Auron was still sitting at a table in the lobby, doing his best to block out Rikku's incessant chatter, when Tidus came back, limping noticeably. Instantly he was on alert, eyes narrowing dangerously behind dark glasses. Why was the boy limping? Had that bastard hurt him? He'd chop the dark-haired boy up into a million pieces if he found out-- "You really care about him, don't you?"

The suddenly serious question from the very drunk blond girl pulled his attention away from Tidus. "Excuse me?"

"You can deny it if you want, but I know you do. I could tell earlier, the way you were after he saved that girl." She looked at him, green swirly eyes happy and calm, a small smile gracing her features. "I actually wondered at first if you were really the heartless meanie you pretended to be. But now I know that even though you act scary, you're really just like a big teddy bear."

Auron gaped. A teddy bear? "I *am not*--"

"He's still really sad, I think, about what happened earlier. You should talk to him maybe. I think it would make him feel better, y'know."

Auron rolled the idea around his head a few times before realizing the girl was gone, having slipped back to her room. His attention was drawn back to the boy at the bar, downing shots like the world would end tomorrow. He sighed heavily. Damn blond brats.

Tidus gulped another shot of... what? Whiskey? It might be whiskey, kind of tasted like it, not that he was a connoisseur of hard alcohol. He had just asked the bartender for their strongest liquor and started inhaling it, trying to get wasted enough that he couldn't think.

/"Sex isn't supposed to be a punishment, cutie."/

/"Dammit, Dennick, I don't use it as a punishment! Stop saying that!"/

/"Then stop doing it."/

/"I'm not doing anything!"/

Stupid Dennick. How dare he be right. Tidus knew he used sex for a multitude of things, pleasure, a distraction, an outlet. He had always argued with Dennick he didn't use it as a punishment, that wasn't why he let his partners hurt him so often. But tonight... tonight he'd been upset with himself, angry that he'd lost his control earlier, angry that there were bastards like that pervert in the world, and when he had the chance to be hurt in bed, he'd jumped at it. Now that he finally thought about it, he'd been doing it for quite some time. When he messed up during a blitzball match, when he lost his temper and yelled at Dennick, when he found himself thinking about Auron too much. He really was using it as a punishment. Shit, what was wrong with him? If he really wanted to hurt himself why didn't he just do something normal? He could cut himself like that guy from his old blitz team, or starve himself like that chick that always hung all over Dennick, or just hit his stupid fucking head off a wall! Why the hell was he using sex?

Tidus downed two more shots in rapid succession, gripping the glass hard under white knuckles. He just didn't want to think anymore. Sudden movement on his right made him jump, and Auron took the seat next to him, asking the bartender for a cup of sake. "What's wrong, old man, run out?"

Auron grunted. "Yes, actually." He set his now empty sake jug on the bar and, when his cup was brought to him, asked the man to fill that as well. He watched out of the corner of his eye as Tidus did another shot, face scrunching up predictably as he did so. How many had the boy had? "Something wrong?"

Tidus frowned, staring straight ahead, not really wanting to look at Auron. "Why would you say that?"

"You don't normally drink like this."

The boy shrugged as he did yet another shot. His mind was already blissfully hazy, the onslaught of hard alcohol doing its job. Just a little more and he'd be set.

"Are you still upset about earlier?"

Tidus paused, glass halfway to his lips. *Was* he still upset about earlier? "Not as much." At least his punishment sex worked for getting rid of his guilt. Of course, since he was now upset about the sex itself, it was really just trading one problem for another.

The two of them sat in silence for a few minutes. Tidus thought the conversation, at least about that issue, was done and was surprised when Auron said rather softly, "You did a good job. Really."

Tidus knew he was already wasted, but was he really so far gone he was hearing things? "'Scuse me?"

"I said--"

"I heard what you said," the boy slurred, his mouth not wanting to move the way he told it to. "I jus' wanna know why you said it. I completely lost it."

Auron nodded, shifting in his seat slightly. "Be that as it may, you saved a child from a horrible predicament. You were the only one who realized something was amiss. Besides, given the situation, a lot of people would have lost their self-restraint. It didn't hurt anyone. No one who mattered, at least." He took a large sip of sake, images of Tidus cradling the crying child coming to mind, and added almost thoughtfully, "And you more than made up for it with the way you took care of the girl. I was impressed."

Tidus stared blearily at the countertop of the bar, his drunken mind trying to process Auron's words. Maybe he was right. Maybe he really had done okay. After all, Auron had praised him for what he'd done, and praise from the stoic, red-clad man was rare. If Auron was actually going out of his way to tell him he'd done well, that he'd *impressed* him, then he must have.

The smallest of smiles parted his lips and he flushed slightly. Auron had praised him.

The bartender returned with Auron's now full jug and said it was time for him to turn in. Tidus, spirits now lifted considerably, needlessly ordered one more shot, then enthusiastically waved goodnight to the man who chuckled almost fondly as he left. Auron watched the shot disappear, followed by the boy practically sprawling himself across the top of the bar. He raised one eyebrow ever so slightly, dreading the hangover that would come tomorrow for the boy. No doubt it would be a killer.

With a sigh, he pulled on his collar, practically sweating. After a quick look around to make sure he and Tidus were both most definitely alone in the lounge, he did something he rarely did in public and shucked off his heavy red coat, tossing it on the seat next to him before sitting again. "Why are all these inns so damn hot?"

"Yeah, it is hot in here," Tidus responded animatedly, sitting up quickly, arm flinging out in the process. In his bustle of movement, the back of his hand smacked against the cup of sake Auron had been drinking, flinging it off the bar... and right onto Auron's lap.

Tidus froze as a wave of terror rolled over him. "Shit! Auron, I'm sorry!"

Auron blinked, looking down at his wet pants in a very bored way. "It's--" Before he could even get the word "fine" out, Tidus had leapt over the bar, found a towel, and leapt back, his face inches from the man's lap. "I'm really sorry! I'll clean it up!" and he proceeded to do just that. By wiping the towel all over Auron's crotch with drunken abandon.

Auron thought his good eye was going to pop out of his head. Even though the boy didn't mean anything by it, it didn't change the fact that his hands were all over him, rubbing, creating a delicious friction. Blood rushed downward as he did all he could to quell it, grabbing one of Tidus' wrists. "Stop."

"No really, I'll clean it." The hand that wasn't in Auron's insisting grip continued on its mission. It was aided when the surface he was cleaning got slowly firmer... Firmer? Even as drunk as he was, Tidus knew an erection when he felt it. His face turned deep crimson when he realized why Auron had tried to stop him. He'd been rubbing him straight through his pants. And naturally, that would cause any guy to get excited, whether he wanted to or not.

"Tidus--"

"I'm so sorry! I didn't realize what I was doing!"

"It's-- it's all right, Tidus. Just let-- go."

The blond somehow managed to blush more when he realized his fingers had partially wrapped around the clothed erection, and he let go quickly, a guilty look on his face. "I really am sorry, Auron."

"I already said it's all right." The warrior stood stiffly, adjusting his pants slightly to accomodate the sudden extra bulk in them, a look of discomfort on his face. He mentally cursed himself for putting himself and the brat in this situation. Damn his lack of control. Why hadn't he made more of an effort to stop the boy? He didn't want to admit to himself it was because he liked it when Tidus touched him.

Tidus groaned inwardly, feeling like a complete idiot. He wanted to make up for his stupid mistake, for making Auron uncomfortable. A sudden idea flashed through his alcohol-flooded mind. "Ah, I know! I'll take care of it for you!" And he lunged at Auron's pants, unbuttoning them with practiced ease, wetting his lips to prepare them.

***

Heh, sorry to end it right there, but the chapter has gone on long enough. Don't worry, the next chapter will pick up right where this one left off, so if you wanna find out what happens, you'll have to come back then.

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