((All things Final Fantasy X are (c) SquareSoft))
A Father Like You
It had been one year since Jecht's disapearance from Zanarkand. All of the city was in mourning, fearing the worst. Jecht's wife was taking the blow the hardest, almost never leaving the house. Jecht's son, Tidus, didn't care that his father was probably dead and never coming home.
In fact, the boy couldn't be happier.
Supporters of Jecht would help out his wife however they could. They brought the groceries to her house, helped take Tidus to school, brought her the newspapers....whatever they could do to help out.
In fact, everyone was so busy worrying about Jecht's disapearance..........
.........hardly anyone noticed the arrival of a stranger in a red coat.
*******************
It was easy for Auron to find Jecht's house. Mourning supporters had put flowers, dolls, and blitzballs by the front gates. The house was more of a houseboat, with a boarding plank and a living space just over the water. Auron took a look around at the legendary sights of Zanarkand before crossing over the plank and to the front deck of the house.
He immediately saw the boy sitting by the front door. The little boy with blond hair and cold blue eyes glared up at the man.
"What do you want?!" the boy snapped.
Auron paid it no mind.
"Are you Tidus?" he asked softly.
"Yeah, so what is it to ya?"
"Is your mother home?"
"That's a dumb question, of course she's home. She hasn't come out of the house since the old man died."
Auron adjusted his sunglasses to look at the boy with his one good eye.
"You shouldn't speak so negitively about your father."
"Who are you, anyway?!" Tidus demanded, getting up.
"My name is Auron. I'm.......an old friend."
Tidus curled his lip up.
"I can tell you're not from around here. Besides, I've never seen you before in my life How could you be an old friend?!"
"Can I talk to your mother?"
Tidus sat cross-legged in front of the door, and crossed his arms defiantly.
"If it's about the old man, she doesn't want to hear it! Go away!"
Auron pushed his sunglasses back up.
"Can I talk to your mother PLEASE?"
"I said no! Go away!"
Slowly, the door behind Tidus opened. Auron could see a young woman peeking from behind it. Auron stepped around Tidus to the door.
"Are you Jecht's wife? I must speak to you." He said quietly. "May I come in?"
The woman hesitated, then nodded.
"Yes, of course, sir." she pushed the door open wider, slightly shoving Tidus aside. "Tidus, honey, could you please move aside?"
"Alright." Tidus groaned, getting up. His mother opened the door and let Auron in. She closed the door behind them. Tidus growled at the door, picking up his blitzball.
"Who does he think he is, anyway?! Grrrrr...."
***************
Tidus patiently waited until the door opened again, and Auron walked out. Auron was heading off, and walking across the plank to leave. Tidus threw the blitzball, hitting Auron in the head.
THUNK!
Auron stopped walking instantly, but made no sign or signal that he was in any pain.
"You made her cry, didn't you?!" Tidus shouted at him. "She hates it when people talk about the old man in front of her! It always makes her cry! I know you made her cry, didn't you, you big jerk?!"
Auron couldn't remember smiling so big in his life.
"You......feel you must protect your mother, don't you, Tidus?"
Tidus frowned at the man.
"I have to. Who else will?! And what's it to ya?!"
Auron turned to look at Tidus.
"Well, that's good. She does need someone to protect her. But tell me, Tidus, who will protect you?"
Tidus stamped his foot in frustration.
"I don't need to be protected by anyone! I can protect myself!"
"Is that so?" Auron chuckled.
"Yeah! So what, you think you're going to protect me? Be my guardian or something?"
Auron stopped smiling.
"It was a promise I made......to an old friend. You probably don't care, do you?"
Tidus shook his head.
Auron just nodded.
"I see. Well, I will be seeing you again, Tidus."
Auron started to walk off. Tidus ran to the plank and yelled at him.
"Not unless you want another thump upside the head, you crazy old cook! You stay away from my mom, you got that?!"
Auron didn't answer as he walked off into the crowd. Tidus frowned after him, and walked back inside the house.
His mother was sitting on the couch, looking at her hands, and smiling slightly.
"Did he do anything to you, mom?" Tidus asked. His mother looked over at him.
"He took a lot of weight off my shoulders." she answered. "I've never felt so relieved. He took a lot of stress away." She sat up. "But, he didn't give me his name."
Tidus crossed his arms behind his head.
"I think he said it was Auron....."
******************
A month went by, Tidus and Auron never spoke directly to each other. However, the boy couldn't help but notice that the man popped up wherever he went. The red coat turned up at Tidus's school, the blitzball stadium, the city square, the docks, outside the occasional night club.......almost wherever Tidus went. But the two never said anything to each other.
Tidus tried to ignore him.......
......but one day, he had enough.
******************
Tidus was at the stadium toll both, standing in line for tickets. The Duggies and the Eves were playing a game the next day, and Tidus wanted to be there. Besides, it was a bargain buy: buy two tickets, get a trading card of your favorite player FREE! He had to get a card of the Eves star player: Esla. Plus, he and his mom could finally do something together they both enjoyed.
He was standing in line, just five people away from the booth. Waiting in a line that went all the way to the city square for three hours was making him impatient. He was anxious to get his hands on those tickets, and that card. The tension was thick enough to cut through with a knife. Soon, he would get his tickets and his card, and be sure to get mom an hour before the game started.
Tidus looked around the random crowds for something to amuse himself while he stood in line........
........then, a familiar red coat caught his eye.
Auron was lounging by the stadium entrance, looking at Tidus. When he saw the boy was glaring at him, Auron looked away.
Tidus suddenly lost his temper. This was going on for too long.......
"AURON! GET OVER HERE!"
The old man rested his gloved hand on the jug at his side, and walked over to the boy.
"Yes?"
"Why do you keep following me?! Are you stalking me or something?!"
"Hmph." Auron grunted. "How am I supposed to guard you if I'm not there to protect you?! You tell me that."
"I told you, I don't need protection, old man!" Tidus snapped. "I don't need someone following me around either! And you better not be thinking of doing anything fishy to my mom, or else!"
Tidus always let that threat sit, and no one ever challenged it.
Until......
"Or else what?"
"Or else........or else......." Tidus did try to think, but he finally found something fitting. "Or else I'll call the cops! Stalking people is a crime, you know!"
"I'm not stalking anyone." Auron answered. "I had your mother's permission to watch you. She was very happy to give me that permission, said she could worry less about you getting in trouble."
"I don't get in trouble." Tidus growled.
Auron just chuckled.
"My mistake, then."
"Look, what do you want with us?! Just say what you have to and go! I'll miss my place in line!"
Auron looked past the rim of his sunglasses at Tidus.
"I just want to keep a promise to a dear friend. That's all you need to know."
"And then you'll leave?!"
Auron chuckled again.
"Well, you could say that I will be here a while."
Tidus groaned.
"Not too long, I hope. 'Cause the last thing I want to see is you making mom cry!"
"That won't happen. I promise."
"Hmph." Tidus snorted, getting back in line. Suddenly, he was pushed out of the line.
"Hey!" a girl in line barked. "No cuts!"
"I'm not cutting!" Tidus insisted. "This is my spot!"
"You got out of line." the girl argued. "You don't have a spot anymore. Get in the back of the line."
Tidus's eyes almost popped out of his head. Three whole hours in a line stretching for miles for nothing! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!
"My tickets!" Tidus cried. "My trading card! It's gone!" He turned to Auron angrily. "You'll pay for that, old man!"
"Don't call me 'old man.' " Auron warned softly.
"I stood in line all day for those tickets!" Tidus whined, tears streaming out of his eyes. "I've been waiting forever for a card! And now it's all gone because of you! Now I'll never get those tickets! They'll sell out by the time I get back here again!"
Auron shook his head, reaching into his coat.
"I was going to give you these later today," he sighed, pulling out two blitzball tickets and a trading card for Tidus to see. "I went though the trouble of getting them this morning. You seem ungreatful, so I guess I'll throw them away."
"NO!" Tidus yelled, going right up to Auron. "I....uh.....well.....um......"
"Hm?"
"I'm........sorry for yelling at you." Tidus mumbled. "But.....don't go following me around everywhere, or I'll yell at you again."
Auron smirked.
"I'll respect your privacy." he agreed, handing the tickets to Tidus. He looked at the card before giving it to the boy. "I didn't know what players you liked, but I heard this Esla person is good."
Tidus smiled as he took the card from Auron.
"Were you living under a rock for the last thousand years?! Esla is one of the greatest!"
He and Auron walked home, with Tidus babbling and chatting about all the great players and teams in Zanarkand. Auron listened on as he walked, not saying a word or commenting.
This was going to be an interesting few years..........
*****************
Just as Tidus brought the tickets home to his mother, she told him she didn't want to go.
"WHAT?!" Tidus exploded. "But mom........you have to go! This other ticket is just for you!"
His mother smiled at him sadly.
"I'm sorry, sweety. I just.......don't feel I can go tonight."
"But you have to!" Tidus argued. "Mom, you can't just stay in the house for the rest of your life! You'll turn into dust without sunlight and fresh air!"
She smiled slightly.
"Thanks, honey."
"Mom! Please, come, please! It's the Duggies and the Eves!"
"Tidus......"
There was a knock at their door. Tidus's mom groaned.
"Who could it be?" she wondered softly.
"Who is it?!" Tidus shouted at the door.
"Tidus?" Auron's voice called from the other side. "Are you going to invite me in, or be rude and keep me out here?"
Tidus scowled at the door before opening it.
"Now what?!" he demaned at the man.
"Just wondering if I could come in." Auron said, stepping past the boy. "I haven't sat down all day." He looked around, then took a seat on a couch opposite of Tidus's mom. She just looked up at him and looked away. Auron turned back to Tidus.
"So, when is the game?"
"Later tonight. Why?"
"I thought I should ask."
Tidus walked back into the room, and sat by his mother.
"Well, mom and I are going to the game, so it's none of your business."
Auron lounged in his seat, sighing.
"I don't even get a thank you for those tickets. Are the people in Zanarkand always this rude?"
Tidus's mom looked up at the man.
"Did you......buy Tidus's tickets, sir?"
"Yes." Auron nodded. "I bought them this morning."
"Tidus, you should thank him." she prodded her son. Tidus huffed.
"Thanks, I guess."
Auron shook his head, but let it slide.
"Perhaps I can house-sit for you both while you are out." he offered. "It's the least I can do."
"You do too much for us." Tidus's mom smiled. "Please, you don't have to go out of your way......."
"I feel I have to." Auron interrupted. "I understand that you're going through hard times, and I want to help as much as everyone else is doing." He then noticed that Tidus was glaring daggers at him. Auron just looked at him simply. "Is something wrong, Tidus?"
"No." the boy insisted, behind clenched teeth.
"You don't have to house-sit for us, sir." Tidus's mother insisted with a smile. "I'm not going. I'm staying home tonight."
"Oh?"
"No, you're not, mom!" Tidus insisted, shaking her arm with one hand. "You're coming tonight! You have to!"
She shook her head, and turned to Auron again.
"Can you go with him instead, sir?"
"WHAT?!" Tidus shouted, jumping up to a sit. "No way! You can't be serious!"
"I'll go." Auron accepted.
"NO, YOU'RE NOT!" Tidus barked loudly. "YOU GO HOME!"
Auron shook his head in annoyance while Tidus's mother grabbed her son's arm.
"Tidus!" she scolded. "Don't raise your voice to him."
"I don't like him!" Tidus argued. "There's something fishy about him!"
"Tidus......please....."
"You shouldn't argue with your mother, Tidus." Auron told the boy.
"Hey, butt out, old man!"
"Don't call me 'old man.' "
"Tidus....." his mother tried to reason. "Auron isn't a bad man just because he's not from around here. He's a good, kind man who just wants to help us out."
"How would you know?" Tidus tried to argue. "We haven't known him for that long."
"Tidus......"
"There's no reason to hate, or be afraid of, me, Tidus." Auron reasoned. "I intend to keep my promise, and that promise was to protect and watch over you."
Tidus turned to Auron.
"For how long?!"
"Until you can protect yourself."
Tidus stared at his shoes.
"I can protect myself......."
Auron stood up and headed for the door.
"The blitzball game starts later tonight, doesn't it? We should get our seats early."
Tidus continued to stare at his shoes, refusing to budge. His mother put a hand on his shoulder.
"Tidus.......he's just trying to help....."
Tidus sighed, then turned to his mom.
"Will you be okay by yourself?"
She smiled and gave him a hug.
"Yes. I'll be fine. Now, go with Mr. Auron and be good."
Tidus groaned and followed Auron out the door to the stadium.
**********************
Of course, it was a good game. The trick was ignoring Auron, and Tidus found that the game was much more enjoyable to watch. He cheered on the Eves while Auron just sat quietly in his seat, watching the game, and smiling to himself.
'........the Zanarkand stadium.......just like how you said it would be, old friend........
'.......all lit up at night, the seats are always full........
'.......I forget the name of your team. Zanarkand Aides? Zanarkand Maids?.........
'.......No, wait......the Zanarkand Abes...........that was it.........
'.........I wish you could be here.......and show me more of Zanarkand.......
'........Jecht......'
**********************
After the game, Tidus and Auron walked home. Tidus was in a better mood, and rather hyperactive over the game.
"When I grow up," Tidus said among his ramblings to Auron, "I'm going to be a blitzball player too! I'll be famous in all of Zanarkand!"
"Like your father?" Auron asked.
Tidus frowned.
"No way........ I'll be better than him! A lot better!"
"What team would you play for?"
Tidus thought about that one.
"I think it's a tie between the Zoros and the Seraphs. They're the best in the city."
"What about the Abes?" Auron asked. "Is that team good?"
Tidus scowled.
"Why are you bringing up my old man?! He's dead, you got that?!"
"Yes."
Tidus put his hands behind his head, and looked at an empty soda can sitting as litter on the road. He also spied a trash bin nearby.
"Jecht is a big 'has-been.' " Tidus said. "There's nothing outstanding about him at all. He's just a load of hooey!" He kicked at the can, and it flung in the air and landed right in the bin perfectly. As Auron raised an eyebrow at the feat, someone overhearing the conversation walked up to the boy.
"Hey, you don't badmouth Jecht like that!" the man said. "He was the greatest blitzball player that ever lived!"
"He was not!" Tidus insisted. "Kiokt of the Duggies is, and everyone knows it!"
"That's a bloody insult!" the man growled. "You should respect your elders, kiddo!"
Tidus balled his fists, ready for a fight. Auron grabbed one of his fists and pulled him along the street.
"Tidus, aren't we going home?" he said quietly.
Tidus sighed and nodded, letting Auron pull him away.
"Hey, man!" the passerby called to Auron. "You need to teach your son some respect!"
Auron turned to the man, looking at him through one good eye.
"He's not my son." he answered. "Yet, I'm doing the best I can."
He kept walking on, pulling Tidus to the side of him.
"What did you mean by that?!" Tidus demanded.
Auron didn't answer, and just kept walking.
'........I wish you were here to help me.........
'........Jecht.......'
TO BE CONTINUED
A Father Like You
It had been one year since Jecht's disapearance from Zanarkand. All of the city was in mourning, fearing the worst. Jecht's wife was taking the blow the hardest, almost never leaving the house. Jecht's son, Tidus, didn't care that his father was probably dead and never coming home.
In fact, the boy couldn't be happier.
Supporters of Jecht would help out his wife however they could. They brought the groceries to her house, helped take Tidus to school, brought her the newspapers....whatever they could do to help out.
In fact, everyone was so busy worrying about Jecht's disapearance..........
.........hardly anyone noticed the arrival of a stranger in a red coat.
*******************
It was easy for Auron to find Jecht's house. Mourning supporters had put flowers, dolls, and blitzballs by the front gates. The house was more of a houseboat, with a boarding plank and a living space just over the water. Auron took a look around at the legendary sights of Zanarkand before crossing over the plank and to the front deck of the house.
He immediately saw the boy sitting by the front door. The little boy with blond hair and cold blue eyes glared up at the man.
"What do you want?!" the boy snapped.
Auron paid it no mind.
"Are you Tidus?" he asked softly.
"Yeah, so what is it to ya?"
"Is your mother home?"
"That's a dumb question, of course she's home. She hasn't come out of the house since the old man died."
Auron adjusted his sunglasses to look at the boy with his one good eye.
"You shouldn't speak so negitively about your father."
"Who are you, anyway?!" Tidus demanded, getting up.
"My name is Auron. I'm.......an old friend."
Tidus curled his lip up.
"I can tell you're not from around here. Besides, I've never seen you before in my life How could you be an old friend?!"
"Can I talk to your mother?"
Tidus sat cross-legged in front of the door, and crossed his arms defiantly.
"If it's about the old man, she doesn't want to hear it! Go away!"
Auron pushed his sunglasses back up.
"Can I talk to your mother PLEASE?"
"I said no! Go away!"
Slowly, the door behind Tidus opened. Auron could see a young woman peeking from behind it. Auron stepped around Tidus to the door.
"Are you Jecht's wife? I must speak to you." He said quietly. "May I come in?"
The woman hesitated, then nodded.
"Yes, of course, sir." she pushed the door open wider, slightly shoving Tidus aside. "Tidus, honey, could you please move aside?"
"Alright." Tidus groaned, getting up. His mother opened the door and let Auron in. She closed the door behind them. Tidus growled at the door, picking up his blitzball.
"Who does he think he is, anyway?! Grrrrr...."
***************
Tidus patiently waited until the door opened again, and Auron walked out. Auron was heading off, and walking across the plank to leave. Tidus threw the blitzball, hitting Auron in the head.
THUNK!
Auron stopped walking instantly, but made no sign or signal that he was in any pain.
"You made her cry, didn't you?!" Tidus shouted at him. "She hates it when people talk about the old man in front of her! It always makes her cry! I know you made her cry, didn't you, you big jerk?!"
Auron couldn't remember smiling so big in his life.
"You......feel you must protect your mother, don't you, Tidus?"
Tidus frowned at the man.
"I have to. Who else will?! And what's it to ya?!"
Auron turned to look at Tidus.
"Well, that's good. She does need someone to protect her. But tell me, Tidus, who will protect you?"
Tidus stamped his foot in frustration.
"I don't need to be protected by anyone! I can protect myself!"
"Is that so?" Auron chuckled.
"Yeah! So what, you think you're going to protect me? Be my guardian or something?"
Auron stopped smiling.
"It was a promise I made......to an old friend. You probably don't care, do you?"
Tidus shook his head.
Auron just nodded.
"I see. Well, I will be seeing you again, Tidus."
Auron started to walk off. Tidus ran to the plank and yelled at him.
"Not unless you want another thump upside the head, you crazy old cook! You stay away from my mom, you got that?!"
Auron didn't answer as he walked off into the crowd. Tidus frowned after him, and walked back inside the house.
His mother was sitting on the couch, looking at her hands, and smiling slightly.
"Did he do anything to you, mom?" Tidus asked. His mother looked over at him.
"He took a lot of weight off my shoulders." she answered. "I've never felt so relieved. He took a lot of stress away." She sat up. "But, he didn't give me his name."
Tidus crossed his arms behind his head.
"I think he said it was Auron....."
******************
A month went by, Tidus and Auron never spoke directly to each other. However, the boy couldn't help but notice that the man popped up wherever he went. The red coat turned up at Tidus's school, the blitzball stadium, the city square, the docks, outside the occasional night club.......almost wherever Tidus went. But the two never said anything to each other.
Tidus tried to ignore him.......
......but one day, he had enough.
******************
Tidus was at the stadium toll both, standing in line for tickets. The Duggies and the Eves were playing a game the next day, and Tidus wanted to be there. Besides, it was a bargain buy: buy two tickets, get a trading card of your favorite player FREE! He had to get a card of the Eves star player: Esla. Plus, he and his mom could finally do something together they both enjoyed.
He was standing in line, just five people away from the booth. Waiting in a line that went all the way to the city square for three hours was making him impatient. He was anxious to get his hands on those tickets, and that card. The tension was thick enough to cut through with a knife. Soon, he would get his tickets and his card, and be sure to get mom an hour before the game started.
Tidus looked around the random crowds for something to amuse himself while he stood in line........
........then, a familiar red coat caught his eye.
Auron was lounging by the stadium entrance, looking at Tidus. When he saw the boy was glaring at him, Auron looked away.
Tidus suddenly lost his temper. This was going on for too long.......
"AURON! GET OVER HERE!"
The old man rested his gloved hand on the jug at his side, and walked over to the boy.
"Yes?"
"Why do you keep following me?! Are you stalking me or something?!"
"Hmph." Auron grunted. "How am I supposed to guard you if I'm not there to protect you?! You tell me that."
"I told you, I don't need protection, old man!" Tidus snapped. "I don't need someone following me around either! And you better not be thinking of doing anything fishy to my mom, or else!"
Tidus always let that threat sit, and no one ever challenged it.
Until......
"Or else what?"
"Or else........or else......." Tidus did try to think, but he finally found something fitting. "Or else I'll call the cops! Stalking people is a crime, you know!"
"I'm not stalking anyone." Auron answered. "I had your mother's permission to watch you. She was very happy to give me that permission, said she could worry less about you getting in trouble."
"I don't get in trouble." Tidus growled.
Auron just chuckled.
"My mistake, then."
"Look, what do you want with us?! Just say what you have to and go! I'll miss my place in line!"
Auron looked past the rim of his sunglasses at Tidus.
"I just want to keep a promise to a dear friend. That's all you need to know."
"And then you'll leave?!"
Auron chuckled again.
"Well, you could say that I will be here a while."
Tidus groaned.
"Not too long, I hope. 'Cause the last thing I want to see is you making mom cry!"
"That won't happen. I promise."
"Hmph." Tidus snorted, getting back in line. Suddenly, he was pushed out of the line.
"Hey!" a girl in line barked. "No cuts!"
"I'm not cutting!" Tidus insisted. "This is my spot!"
"You got out of line." the girl argued. "You don't have a spot anymore. Get in the back of the line."
Tidus's eyes almost popped out of his head. Three whole hours in a line stretching for miles for nothing! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!
"My tickets!" Tidus cried. "My trading card! It's gone!" He turned to Auron angrily. "You'll pay for that, old man!"
"Don't call me 'old man.' " Auron warned softly.
"I stood in line all day for those tickets!" Tidus whined, tears streaming out of his eyes. "I've been waiting forever for a card! And now it's all gone because of you! Now I'll never get those tickets! They'll sell out by the time I get back here again!"
Auron shook his head, reaching into his coat.
"I was going to give you these later today," he sighed, pulling out two blitzball tickets and a trading card for Tidus to see. "I went though the trouble of getting them this morning. You seem ungreatful, so I guess I'll throw them away."
"NO!" Tidus yelled, going right up to Auron. "I....uh.....well.....um......"
"Hm?"
"I'm........sorry for yelling at you." Tidus mumbled. "But.....don't go following me around everywhere, or I'll yell at you again."
Auron smirked.
"I'll respect your privacy." he agreed, handing the tickets to Tidus. He looked at the card before giving it to the boy. "I didn't know what players you liked, but I heard this Esla person is good."
Tidus smiled as he took the card from Auron.
"Were you living under a rock for the last thousand years?! Esla is one of the greatest!"
He and Auron walked home, with Tidus babbling and chatting about all the great players and teams in Zanarkand. Auron listened on as he walked, not saying a word or commenting.
This was going to be an interesting few years..........
*****************
Just as Tidus brought the tickets home to his mother, she told him she didn't want to go.
"WHAT?!" Tidus exploded. "But mom........you have to go! This other ticket is just for you!"
His mother smiled at him sadly.
"I'm sorry, sweety. I just.......don't feel I can go tonight."
"But you have to!" Tidus argued. "Mom, you can't just stay in the house for the rest of your life! You'll turn into dust without sunlight and fresh air!"
She smiled slightly.
"Thanks, honey."
"Mom! Please, come, please! It's the Duggies and the Eves!"
"Tidus......"
There was a knock at their door. Tidus's mom groaned.
"Who could it be?" she wondered softly.
"Who is it?!" Tidus shouted at the door.
"Tidus?" Auron's voice called from the other side. "Are you going to invite me in, or be rude and keep me out here?"
Tidus scowled at the door before opening it.
"Now what?!" he demaned at the man.
"Just wondering if I could come in." Auron said, stepping past the boy. "I haven't sat down all day." He looked around, then took a seat on a couch opposite of Tidus's mom. She just looked up at him and looked away. Auron turned back to Tidus.
"So, when is the game?"
"Later tonight. Why?"
"I thought I should ask."
Tidus walked back into the room, and sat by his mother.
"Well, mom and I are going to the game, so it's none of your business."
Auron lounged in his seat, sighing.
"I don't even get a thank you for those tickets. Are the people in Zanarkand always this rude?"
Tidus's mom looked up at the man.
"Did you......buy Tidus's tickets, sir?"
"Yes." Auron nodded. "I bought them this morning."
"Tidus, you should thank him." she prodded her son. Tidus huffed.
"Thanks, I guess."
Auron shook his head, but let it slide.
"Perhaps I can house-sit for you both while you are out." he offered. "It's the least I can do."
"You do too much for us." Tidus's mom smiled. "Please, you don't have to go out of your way......."
"I feel I have to." Auron interrupted. "I understand that you're going through hard times, and I want to help as much as everyone else is doing." He then noticed that Tidus was glaring daggers at him. Auron just looked at him simply. "Is something wrong, Tidus?"
"No." the boy insisted, behind clenched teeth.
"You don't have to house-sit for us, sir." Tidus's mother insisted with a smile. "I'm not going. I'm staying home tonight."
"Oh?"
"No, you're not, mom!" Tidus insisted, shaking her arm with one hand. "You're coming tonight! You have to!"
She shook her head, and turned to Auron again.
"Can you go with him instead, sir?"
"WHAT?!" Tidus shouted, jumping up to a sit. "No way! You can't be serious!"
"I'll go." Auron accepted.
"NO, YOU'RE NOT!" Tidus barked loudly. "YOU GO HOME!"
Auron shook his head in annoyance while Tidus's mother grabbed her son's arm.
"Tidus!" she scolded. "Don't raise your voice to him."
"I don't like him!" Tidus argued. "There's something fishy about him!"
"Tidus......please....."
"You shouldn't argue with your mother, Tidus." Auron told the boy.
"Hey, butt out, old man!"
"Don't call me 'old man.' "
"Tidus....." his mother tried to reason. "Auron isn't a bad man just because he's not from around here. He's a good, kind man who just wants to help us out."
"How would you know?" Tidus tried to argue. "We haven't known him for that long."
"Tidus......"
"There's no reason to hate, or be afraid of, me, Tidus." Auron reasoned. "I intend to keep my promise, and that promise was to protect and watch over you."
Tidus turned to Auron.
"For how long?!"
"Until you can protect yourself."
Tidus stared at his shoes.
"I can protect myself......."
Auron stood up and headed for the door.
"The blitzball game starts later tonight, doesn't it? We should get our seats early."
Tidus continued to stare at his shoes, refusing to budge. His mother put a hand on his shoulder.
"Tidus.......he's just trying to help....."
Tidus sighed, then turned to his mom.
"Will you be okay by yourself?"
She smiled and gave him a hug.
"Yes. I'll be fine. Now, go with Mr. Auron and be good."
Tidus groaned and followed Auron out the door to the stadium.
**********************
Of course, it was a good game. The trick was ignoring Auron, and Tidus found that the game was much more enjoyable to watch. He cheered on the Eves while Auron just sat quietly in his seat, watching the game, and smiling to himself.
'........the Zanarkand stadium.......just like how you said it would be, old friend........
'.......all lit up at night, the seats are always full........
'.......I forget the name of your team. Zanarkand Aides? Zanarkand Maids?.........
'.......No, wait......the Zanarkand Abes...........that was it.........
'.........I wish you could be here.......and show me more of Zanarkand.......
'........Jecht......'
**********************
After the game, Tidus and Auron walked home. Tidus was in a better mood, and rather hyperactive over the game.
"When I grow up," Tidus said among his ramblings to Auron, "I'm going to be a blitzball player too! I'll be famous in all of Zanarkand!"
"Like your father?" Auron asked.
Tidus frowned.
"No way........ I'll be better than him! A lot better!"
"What team would you play for?"
Tidus thought about that one.
"I think it's a tie between the Zoros and the Seraphs. They're the best in the city."
"What about the Abes?" Auron asked. "Is that team good?"
Tidus scowled.
"Why are you bringing up my old man?! He's dead, you got that?!"
"Yes."
Tidus put his hands behind his head, and looked at an empty soda can sitting as litter on the road. He also spied a trash bin nearby.
"Jecht is a big 'has-been.' " Tidus said. "There's nothing outstanding about him at all. He's just a load of hooey!" He kicked at the can, and it flung in the air and landed right in the bin perfectly. As Auron raised an eyebrow at the feat, someone overhearing the conversation walked up to the boy.
"Hey, you don't badmouth Jecht like that!" the man said. "He was the greatest blitzball player that ever lived!"
"He was not!" Tidus insisted. "Kiokt of the Duggies is, and everyone knows it!"
"That's a bloody insult!" the man growled. "You should respect your elders, kiddo!"
Tidus balled his fists, ready for a fight. Auron grabbed one of his fists and pulled him along the street.
"Tidus, aren't we going home?" he said quietly.
Tidus sighed and nodded, letting Auron pull him away.
"Hey, man!" the passerby called to Auron. "You need to teach your son some respect!"
Auron turned to the man, looking at him through one good eye.
"He's not my son." he answered. "Yet, I'm doing the best I can."
He kept walking on, pulling Tidus to the side of him.
"What did you mean by that?!" Tidus demanded.
Auron didn't answer, and just kept walking.
'........I wish you were here to help me.........
'........Jecht.......'
TO BE CONTINUED