Wrong?

This day couldn't possibly get any worse. That's what Auron decided as he sat dejectedly outside the farplane with an unusually quiet Al Bhed. The day really couldn't get any worse.

First, just when he'd been contemplating on how to best express his feelings to a certain blond male, he was rejected. He really didn't even want to think about that right now.

Then they get to Guadosalam and that damn creepy Seymour asks Yuna to marry him. Fucking bastard, sprouting off nonsense about how it would make the people of Spira happy. Yuna had a job to do, she didn't need these kind of distractions. The girl may have been stronger than she appeared, but she was still rather sensitive about certain things; and she was overly eager to take care of everyone. Seymour was practically guilting her into accepting his proposal, and quite frankly, that was not okay. Even if he hadn't been her guardian right now, Auron still would have been pissed simply because she was Braska's daughter. How dare anyone do anything to harm his deceased best friend's daughter.

Of course, when he attempts to tell said maester off, Seymour makes it known that he's well aware Auron's unsent. Oh and what a cute little remark that had been about the scent of the farplane. Tidus, in one of his less intelligent moments, had actually sniffed him, one of the few times he found annoyance with the boy. Well, he had been annoyed with the boy since that morning, if he wanted to be honest with himself. And he was right back to what he didn't want to think about.

Rejection. He didn't know what he'd been expecting to happen after the previous night, but when Tidus had awkwardly spouted out his apology that morning, it felt like someone was twisting a knife in his heart. He'd actually been surprised by how upset he'd gotten, not that he'd shown it of course. After all, it wasn't Tidus' fault he felt nothing for Auron. And really, there was a nice long list of why Auron shouldn't feel anything for Tidus. He had been his sole caretaker for nearly ten years, he was eighteen years older than the boy, he was an emotionally closed-off, cold bastard, and he was unsent. That only topped the list. Not to mention the fact that the boy was just that, a boy. He was growing fast, but in the end he was still technically a child, still not fully grown. What kind of creepy old man took advantage of a child? Well, him apparently, after he'd let a drunk seventeen year old suck him off.

He picked apart the boy's apology for at least the tenth time that day. From what Tidus had said, he could only imagine the boy thought he had been drunk as well. That was laughable, Auron hadn't been drunk in years, not since he'd died in fact. Maybe unsent couldn't get drunk? He didn't really know, but he'd been completely sober the whole time. If Tidus thought he'd been drunk though, perhaps it was best to leave it that way. He didn't want to scare the boy or make their relationship any more awkward than it currently was. Tidus might not have minded the sexual act when he thought Auron had been intoxicated, but he might change his tune if he realized he was the only one not thinking clearly.

With a sigh, he grabbed a tight handful of hair and shut his eyes. He didn't want to act like nothing happened, dammit! He had thought he was finally getting somewhere!

Doing his best to push thoughts of Tidus from his mind and focus on other concerning issues at hand, he glared over at the silent blond girl next to him. "You're not talking."

Rikku jumped at being suddenly addressed by the quiet older man and forced a small smile at the bland, obvious statement. "Heh, guess not."

"Why?"

The girl chewed her lip thoughtfully, not sure how exactly to answer without sounding whiny or childish. "Just tired, I guess." Why did Auron suddenly care anything about her, let alone the fact that she wasn't talking? He normally told her to shut up.

The man gave her a piercing stare over the top of his glasses, taking in her appearance carefully. "You're worried about Yuna. Don't be. Nothing will happen to her."

"Yeah, but--"

"You're a guardian. Just do your best to protect her."

The blond narrowed her spiral eyes slightly and ground out somewhat angrily, "And what if I can't?" She was expecting him to maybe laugh at her fears, maybe scold her for being unable to her job properly. She was not expecting the hand on her shoulder, no matter how brief the contact was.

"You're not alone. If you fail, the rest of us will be there to back you up. Nothing will happen to Yuna."

The girl's mouth was wide open as she stared down the man in front of her. Had he just attempted to comfort her? Him? Stick in the mud, meanie Sir Auron? And furthermore, had it actually worked? Apparently, because along with shock she found herself feeling quite a bit lighter after hearing his words. Of course she wasn't alone. As long as she did her best, the others would be there to help where she failed. A huge weight lifted off her chest, and she flashed her usual smile at the red-clad guardian. "Thanks, Auron."

A grunt. After several minutes she tentatively said, "Hey... Auron? Wanna tell me what's wrong with you now?"

Auron blinked before very slowly looking over at her, good eye carefully concealed behind dark glass. "Excuse me?"

"Well, you seem upset. And you helped me when I was upset, so it's only right I return the favor, y'know?"

He stared at her, not sure whether to be amused or annoyed. He looked upset? He thought he looked fairly detached, how did the brat figure out he was upset? Oh well, no use denying it, she'd pester him about it all the way to Zanarkand. Besides, what harm could it do? Certainly no more than he'd already done. "Ever been attracted to someone, Rikku?"

The girl's eyes widened and she did a double-take at the question. This was not where she'd been expecting this conversation to go. "Yeah, of course."

"Ever think you were in love with someone?"

Love? Auron was talking about love? To her? Was he sick? No, better not to think like that, she should just answer his questions while she had him talking. It's not like he did this often, she'd probably never get another chance. "I... I've had, like, a crush on people, y'know? But I don't think I've ever actually loved someone. Not yet, at least."

A grunt and a slight nod of the head. "You're young. It will happen."

He didn't say anything more, and Rikku worried she'd lost him. Clearing her throat harshly, she hesitantly asked, "Are you in love with someone?"

She watched his brow furrow and his hands clench tightly into fists as he pondered her question very seriously. For a long time he was still, thinking, before barely whispering in the most dejected voice Rikku had ever heard, "Unfortunately."

Rikku didn't know what shocked her more, the fact that Auron was in love or the fact that he'd just shown actual human emotion so openly. Either way, though, she found his answer puzzling, to say the least. "I don't understand. Love's a happy thing, right? Why is it unfortunate?"

Auron looked away and debated not answering her, but for Yevon only knows what reason, he felt compelled to explain himself. "It's unfortunate when you love someone you shouldn't." He was taken aback when his statement was met by a scoff, and when he looked over at her was surprised to see how annoyed she looked. What had he done now for her to make that face?

Frowning, Rikku stared intently at her shoes while she practically spat, "I've heard that before. Adults always say stupid lnyb like that. I still don't understand." (crap)

Auron frowned right back, not liking her reaction. "Sometimes the circumstances just aren't right. The wrong time or place..." He looked away almost bitterly, going over all the reasons loving Tidus was wrong again in his mind. "The wrong everything."

Rikku's nose twitched, and the irritation refused to leave her features. "That sounds like a nice excuse, I guess."

A lesser person would have backed down in face of the glare Auron sent her way. Rikku stood firm and matched it with one of her own. She may be small, but she could be intimidating too. "What, tall, dark, and scary, got something to say to that? It is an excuse, even your old, meanie self should realize that."

He growled. "Rikku, I--"

"Xiead! I'm not finished yelling at you yet." (Quiet!)

Auron found himself actually closing his mouth and staring at her, more surprised by her forceful tone than anything. Very few had the guts to take that tone with him. He watched her reposition herself and take a deep breath before continuing.

"I might be a stupid kid to you, and I know I've never been in love that way. But my mom always used to tell me that love was the greatest emotion of all. That it defeated anger and sadness and went beyond normal happiness. If it's so powerful, what does it matter the 'circumstances'? They might get in the way, but love's supposed to be strong enough to push it all aside. So it shouldn't matter who it is, as long as you really love them. And if all that bad stuff matters so much to you, then maybe you don't really love them after all."

Once she was done, Auron tried, quite desperately, to come up with some kind of smart answer and save face. He was unsuccessful, and it pissed him off. He had just been put in his place by a fifteen year old girl. Great. Even better was that said girl was pouting badly now, arms crossed over her chest defiantly, cheerful eyes uncharacteristically hard. Apparently she was mad at him. Add that to the list of why this day couldn't get any worse. He'd managed to make one of the most lovable people he'd ever met, truly mad at him. He was on a roll.

As he contemplated how to get the the little blond back on his good side, wondering if it was truly worth the effort, the others emerged from the farplane, Yuna with a rather determined air about her. Apparently she'd come to a decision about Seymour, one he hoped was negative for the half-guado if for no other reason than he just didn't like the bastard. And then another wonderful thing decided to happen on this greatest of days. Lord Jyscal came staggering out of the farplane in all his dead glory, groaning with the pain of the action. Auron was just as shocked as everyone else, but at least he had the sense to tell Yuna to send the man. Boy was that a mistake.

The pain was incredible the second Yuna started the sending. At least it was if you were unsent and trying desperately to cling to a world you didn't belong in. He was beyond thankful he wasn't closer to the summoner as he doubled over, clutching his middle where it hurt the most. He tried to stay standing and failed, his legs giving out beneath him. On his knees he groaned softly, his forehead coming rest against the cool stone stairs beneath him. Just a little longer. He just had to hold on a little longer...

Sure enough the pain subsided slowly and he was able to lift his head again, breathing harshly, sweat pouring down his face. He felt small hands grab at his shoulders and tug insistently on his coat. He couldn't figure out what was going on until a small voice hissed in his ear, "Come on! Get up before they see you! Quick!"

Instantly, he forced himself to his feet, leaning on the small girl for support. "We leave. Now!" he called up to the others in his authoritative voice, wrapping his arm around Rikku and making it look like he was dragging her off rather than using her as a crutch. "Thank you," he said softly to her, and she just patted his arm in a comforting manner. "Don't worry, Mr. meanie, I'm still mad at you."

While Yuna went off to find Seymour, Auron took the time to sit and regain his lost energy. Rikku stayed by him, clearly wanting to talk about what had happened but prevented from doing so by Wakka and Kimahri's nearby presence. So instead she chatted on and on about the most mundane things possible, watching Auron carefully the whole time as if afraid he'd collapse again. Auron actually found himself soothed slightly by the normalcy of her constant ramblings and had a feeling she wasn't really still mad at him. Of course, he wasn't particularly fond of her both worried and increasingly curious gaze, so he let his own wander, finally landing on Tidus having a conversation with Lulu aways off. Before he knew it, he was staring at the blond, a rather serene look taking over his features. Rikku's voice never faltered, but her sharp eyes didn't miss a thing, her mind already working overtime and putting the pieces together.

***

Auron felt he'd finally redeemed himself in Rikku's eyes, if she had even still been mad at him (which he didn't really believe.) Since she'd been so terrified of the Thunder Plains, he'd allowed them to stop and rest for a while, saying her whining was worse than the storm and he couldn't take it. In reality, it was his small way of showing he was grateful for her help at the farplane, and he hoped she realized this. He suddenly wished she was still angry with him, though, when she sidled up to him in the lobby, green eyes sparkling mischievously. "Auron?"

A grunt.

"Why didn't you tell us you were unsent?"

So much for any hopes of subtlety or prayers that the girl was too stupid to figure out what had happened back there. Rikku was neither subtle nor stupid. Nor quiet, as she'd asked the question a bit too loudly for his comfort. With a frown, he quickly glanced around, making sure no one was in earshot of them before relaxing. He'd just said himself the girl wasn't stupid, and she'd refrained before from asking him when others were around. She wouldn't go blurting it out now.

"Auron?"

A sigh. "For a large number of reasons, many of which I'm sure you can figure out yourself."

She blinked at him, pondering, before nodding slowly. "Okay."

Auron stared at her, shocked. That was it? Okay? She was going to let it drop at that? Why would she suddenly--

"Is that why you think it's not okay for you to love Tidus?"

"Hm? Well, that's one reason, but--" He froze, and if he'd still had a normal working heart, it would have stopped beating right about then. Had she just successfully tricked him? "Rikku--"

"Oh, don't worry, I don't care. About either thing. I'm Al Bhed, remember? But I am kinda surprised you love... well, y'know... a guy. Doesn't that go against Yevon? Or is that a reason too?"

Auron shook his head slowly. "I've learned there are many things about Yevon I no longer agree with."

Rikku blinked before giggling hysterically. "A gay monk of Yevon. That's great."

Gay monk? That wasn't true. He hadn't been a monk in a long time, and he wasn't really gay, not like Tidus; in fact, he generally preferred women. He clenched his teeth slightly and fingered the hilt of Marasame lovingly, contemplating how guilty he'd feel and how upset the others would be if he killed the girl now. He didn't think he'd get away with it. "Rikku, I do not wish to discuss this."

"How come?"

"Because it is a personal matter, and I see no reason to share it with the likes of an annoying child!"

She huffed, pointedly looking away. "Geez, you don't have to be so mean about it. I was just tryin' to help, y'know?" She exhaled sharply, crossing her arms over her chest. "Not that you deserve it. You don't even love him enough to tell him."

Yes, killing her was looking more and more appealing. "Rikku--"

"And I thought the great legendary guardian Sir Auron was some big, tough man. Here he's acting like a scared little girl."

Auron stiffened, his glare deadly. Had the child really just called him a little girl? She was a little girl!

"After all, a real man would go after what he wanted."

The glare somehow managed to sharpen. "You're not going to go away, are you?"

"No, I'm fine right where I am."

A grunt. Such a wonderful day.

***

Tidus sat in the lobby of the small inn, chewing his lip mercilessly. He was worried. Something was wrong with Yuna, his precious, delicate flower, and he wasn't allowed to help her. He'd tried to follow her when she retreated to a room, but Wakka had stopped him. Said she needed some time alone. Bull shit, what she needed was someone there, someone who cared about and supported her. Someone who would let her know she wasn't alone no matter what. Someone who didn't think it was all right for her to marry some creep she didn't love just to make others happy.

Okay, so maybe he was still mad at the other guardians for that too. With the exception of Rikku, the others hadn't even appeared to care whether or not she married Seymour. And it wasn't just the love thing that bothered him. Maybe if she had really seemed okay with the idea of getting hitched, he could have condoned it, but she wasn't okay. The whole thing made her uncomfortable. Why didn't anyone else see she was fucking uncomfortable?!

He breathed deeply, forcing himself to calm down. There was no reason to be so upset, she was going to decline Seymour's offer after all. Of course he was pissed the guado were already telling people the wedding was on. Was that what was upsetting Yuna? Or maybe it was that weird thing with that Jyscal guy coming out of the farplane as a zombie. She had seemed to get more upset after that happened. Maybe it had really bothered her. Naturally, he would love to ask her and then attempt to make her feel better, except for one little thing. Wakka wouldn't fucking let him go back to her room!

At least one good thing came from all this. Between getting to Guadosalam, wanting to kill that Seymour bastard, seeing the farplane and his mother, having a revelation about his father, and then finally worrying his ass off over Yuna, Tidus had been able to forget about Auron and the pain he caused in his chest for the time being. Though at the moment, he felt he'd rather fret over Auron than fret over Yuna. He didn't like it when he was worried about his angel.

"Hey there."

A deep, sultry voice with a rather distinct accent caught his attention. He looked up at the Al Bhed man standing over him and forced a smile. "Hullo."

"Sorry to just come over like this, but I saw you sitting here and you seemed upset. I was thinking that a frown did not belong on such a gorgeous face."

What was that? Oh, he was being hit on, okay. Cool. The pickup line was cheesy, but whatever, that wasn't important. What was important was that standing in front of him was the perfect way to forget all of his worries. Thank you, Yevon.

He took a moment to examine the man. Al Bhed obviously, which explained the accent, older than most of the people Tidus slept with, around thirty or so, decent shape, dark tanned skin... yeah, what the hell, he was pretty good looking. A round or two would be fun. "You got a room here?"

The man chuckled, delighted at his bluntness, and beckoned for Tidus to follow him.

***

Auron had retreated to the peaceful lull he tended to go into when Rikku insisted on talking to him and he had no desire to participate. He wasn't annoyed with her anymore, seeing as how she'd gotten off the topic of his unrequited love with a teenage boy and was now chattering about her hair or something of the like. As far as he was concerned she could yap all day if it made her happy. That was until she broke his tranquil state with the question, "So you're really not gonna make a move, huh?"

Okay, enough was enough. He had to nip this in the bud now before things got out of hand. "Rikku, I swear on all that is holy, if you do not let this subject drop--"

"Okay, okay, calm down! I just wanted to be sure you didn't mind when he slept with other people, that's all."

Auron snorted derisively at that. "Why, you planning on trying something?"

She laughed, genuinely amused at the fact that Auron could make a joke occasionally. Maybe that stick wasn't quite as far up his ass as she thought. "Only if I wanted to scare him... I just wanted to make sure of where you stood with him. Otherwise it would really suck how he just went back to a room with some guy, y'know?"

"What are you..." Auron quickly looked across the lobby to where Tidus was sitting, only to find him gone. With a growl of annoyance, he strode down the hall to the inn's rooms, the intent to kill rolling off him in waves.

Rikku just smirked. "Duu ayco." (Too easy.)