Further, Chapter 3
Sequel to Break. Seymour comes across Tidus traveling through Mt. Gagazet and decides to take what he sees as rightfully his. Seymour/Tidus, Auron/Tidus, spoilers.
[Final Fantasy X] M+, angst/romance/hurt/comfort, 4065 (7635) words, published 03-04-05, rape
previous chapter Further
butterflie
[chapter three ~ sacrifice]
"Why would Seymour want to take Tidus?" Rikku asked the others.
"I think... something happened to him. Something Seymour did," Yuna said. She looked over at Auron. "You know what it is, don't you? What happened?"
"Can't say," Auron replied, not willing to tell them. Even if Tidus wouldn't kill him, he still didn't want to tell the others.
"Can't or won't?" Wakka demanded. "There's a difference, ya?" But Auron didn't answer him.
"It's not my place to say it."
"Well then, where should we look for them?" Yuna asked after a moment's silence. She continued to look at Auron, knowing he'd be the leader. He knew the most about Tidus, having known him longer than the others did, though no one was quite sure just how Auron knew Tidus, since Tidus supposedly was not of Spira.
Auron thought a moment, trying to decide where it would be best to head. "You three, head to Macalania Temple," he said at last, sweeping his hand in the general direction of Wakka, Lulu, and Rikku. "We'll go to Guadosalam." He didn't except to find Seymour and Tidus in either of these places, but it never hurt to be safe.
"And if he's not there?" Lulu asked. There was no need to ask what to do if he was there, they all knew the answer to that.
"Let's just see what happens. Meet at Macalania campsite in a week. Understood?"
They all nodded; they understood perfectly.
* * *
Tidus woke slowly, eyes fluttering open reluctantly. Gradually he became aware of his surroundings, and that those said surroundings included Seymour. Seymour was not so gently undoing the bonds on his wrists while attempting to dress him. He felt something wet and sticky down there between his legs and tears pricked at his eyes as he realized Seymour had been using him in his sleep. Somehow that was more humiliating than anything else he'd endured from the maester so far.
He wanted Auron. He hoped the man was on his way after him, because he did not know how much longer he'd manage to hold out in Seymour's clutches. But he couldn't rely entirely on Auron, he also knew. He had to stand up for himself, let Seymour see he wasn't afraid. It was just that it was hard, because he was afraid, so afraid, and he hated himself for it.
Seymour finished dressing him just then, and let him fall back on the bed. Tidus stared up at him, uncertain. The maester did not look happy at the moment, and Tidus debated the wisdom of demanding his release, deciding it'd be wiser to hold off for now. However, he decided it wouldn't hurt to find out what happened next.
"Are we going somewhere?" he asked, hating the fact that he sounded so timid and uncertain. He hoped Seymour didn't catch it, but he saw the maester's eyes narrow and knew he'd picked up on it.
"Stop being so damn afraid of me," Seymour growled, not sounding like himself at all. Whatever had put him in a bad mood must have been serious.
"I... I'm sorry," he said, wanting it to be good enough.
It must have been, at least for the moment, because Seymour relented slightly, answering the blond's question. "We're not going anywhere."
Tidus nodded, accepting this. He didn't dare ask anything else, though he desperately wanted to. He wanted to understand what was going on, what Seymour meant to do with him. But he didn't want to upset the man, because he was afraid of getting hurt again.
* * *
"Will Tidus be okay?"
"Don't know," Auron said shortly, hoping to discourage Yuna from further talking. She seemed to get the point, she said nothing else as they retraced their steps back across the Calm Lands.
"Well, I think he'll be okay!" Rikku exclaimed confidently. "He has to be..." she added, a bit more quietly.
The six of them had been traveling back through Mt. Gagazet and the Calm Lands for the past two days, sticking together for the time being since they didn't need to split until they reached Macalania. So far they hadn't stopped, which was more at Auron's insistence than anyone's urgency to reach Tidus. Auron knew they'd have to stop tonight though, no way Rikku and Yuna would be able to go on any more without rest.
Auron had considered just going on ahead and leaving them all behind, letting them catch up in their own time. He was anxious to get to Tidus. He wouldn't admit it to himself, but he was terrified for the teen. Terrified of how Tidus was holding out for whatever Seymour might be doing to him. Not that he didn't have a good idea of what Seymour was doing, but how Tidus might react-he hadn't a clue. He could only hope Tidus could last and not let Seymour break him anymore until Auron got there. Which was why he itched to keep moving forward, as fast as he could to get to Tidus. But he knew it'd be foolish to go in alone. He may be unsent, and probably incapable of dying the way others would, but so was Seymour. That made them evenly matched. And if it had been left at that, then Auron would have went ahead. But he couldn't be sure Tidus was in Guadosalam, and no matter where he was Seymour was sure to have his Guado guards. He'd be terribly outnumbered.
He was just glad they were making good time. They didn't have to worry about fiends in the Calm Lands; the chocobo trainer had been nearby and they'd managed to get some tamed chocobos to ride across the plains. They'd reach the travel agency in the central area by nightfall, which really wasn't that far away. Lake Macalania then wouldn't even be a half day away by chocobo.
"Are you sure you can't tell us anything about what happened, Auron?" Rikku asked him, bringing him out of his worried thoughts. He scowled at her, not liking the interruption. Besides which, it was at least the tenth time in the past three hours that she'd asked him that. He understood her concern, but her constantly asking wasn't going to make him change his mind about telling.
She sighed, making a face at him when he didn't answer her. "Keeping secrets isn't nice," she muttered loudly, and he resisted the urge to glare. Or smack her.
"Kihmari think secrets bad." Auron just groaned. He really should have gone off on his own. At least Wakka and Lulu hadn't been pestering him. He knew they didn't know what had happened, but they apparently had no problems accepting that Auron wouldn't tell. He was glad. If the others started to bother him too much, they'd be on his side. At least until they separated at Lake Macalania.
The rest of the half-hour ride was spent in tense silence, but Auron hardly noticed it, his thoughts focused entirely on Tidus instead. In fact, he got so lost in his worries that Yuna had to reach out and grab his arm when they reached the travel agency, otherwise he just would have kept riding along in the fast fading sunset.
"We're stopping here, right?" she asked. "We've been traveling for two days now..."
He nodded at her, knowing the stop had been inevitable. They tethered the chocobos to the posts, then went in to get their rooms. Just inside, they bumped into a man leaving.
"Rin!" Rikku exclaimed, and went on to exchange a few words with the merchant in Al Bhed. Hearing the strange language was another painful reminder of Tidus' absence. He'd been determined to learn some Al Bhed as they traveled throughout Spira, he'd actually gotten quite good at it in the past few days before his disappearance.
"Thanks Rin!" Rikku called, turning back to the others as the other Al Bhed left. "Rin knows where the airship is, he's going to tell Cid to come back for us at Macalania."
Auron nodded, thankful. The airship could at least ensure a quick getaway if they needed it.
* * *
"Do you really think Tidus will be at Guadosalam?"
"No. I expect Seymour would have only stopped there briefly before taking him somewhere else."
"Then why are we going to Guadosalam?"
It was a good question, Auron thought. One that didn't have any real answer. Why, indeed, were they going to Guadosalam? Just on the offchance that Tidus might be there after all? Because he expected to at least find a clue that could tell him where Seymour went?
Madness. They were branded as traitors. They'd killed Seymour. Showing up in Guadosalam would be suicide.
But what other choice was there?
He had to find Tidus, and Guadosalam and Macalania were the first obvious places to look. It was just afterwards that he was worried about. If there was nothing in Guadosalam to hint at where Seymour had gone, and if he wasn't at Macalania Temple, then Auron would be lost on where to head next.
Dammit. How could he have let this happen? He knew what Seymour had done to Tidus in Bevelle, knew that Tidus was far from okay about it still. And yet, he let Tidus fall behind. And because of it, Tidus had been taken. It was just a simple mistake, and yet it was unforgivable. He'd never forgive himself. If Jecht had been around to see how Auron was taking care of his son, he'd never forgive him either.
"We're near Guadosalam," Yuna whispered to him, breaking him out of his thoughts. He halted, and nodded at her. Then he looked around, assessing the situation. There were no sign of guards. He wasn't quite sure what that meant. It could mean that Seymour and Tidus weren't there, thus no need for guards. Or it could mean Seymour felt confident enough that extra protection wasn't necessary.
"How are we going in?" Yuna asked. "We're traitors here."
The same thing he'd been worrying about himself. Anyone who spotted him would know immediately who they were. And it wasn't as if they could go in and not get noticed. A summoner, an unsent guardian, and a small Ronso with a broken horn were kind of hard to miss.
Stealth be damned. "We fight our way in."
Yuna just looked at him and blinked. "We'd be outnumbered. Even with my aeons, there's still too many of them."
Aeons... funny that'd he forgotten about them. "Your Aeons... are any in their overdrive modes?"
"Bahamut is."
"I've got an idea, then."
* * *
Tidus heard a sound. It was very loud, and very close. And it sounded an awful lot like an enraged aeon.
Auron! he thought. Have the others come after me?
He wanted to jump up and down with joy, except that he was too tired and sore. So he just lay there, hoping it was Yuna with that Aeon and that she and whoever else with her was okay.
The door flew open. Startled, he jumped a bit. Seymour rushed in, looking harried and upset. He went over to the blond and grabbed his wrists, yanking him out of the bed. "We're leaving."
"What's going on?" he asked, confused. He'd assumed Seymour had meant to stay and fight, but apparently that wasn't the case. Seymour didn't answer his question, which Tidus hadn't really expected him to. But still, it would have been nice. He really would like to know what was happening out there.
He winced as Seymour pulled him along anxiously, and jerked his wrist back. "I know how to walk," he said, glaring. He hoped that in his agitated state Seymour wouldn't bother with hitting him.
"Fine," Seymour said shortly, walking fast out of the room and down the hall. Tidus hurried to keep up, idly wondering at how well his chances of escape were. Probably not good; this hallway seemed to go in one direction only. Nor did he really want to risk it until he was sure that was Yuna out there with an aeon.
They passed through the hallway quickly, eventually reaching the door that let them into the banquet room. Tidus was a bit surprised that Seymour was leaving so directly instead of trying to slip out through all the chaos. Then he saw Auron, Yuna, and Kimahri across the room, and knew Seymour wasn't running away. Not yet.
He was damned glad to see Auron, too. He hadn't doubted the man would come after him, but he'd worried Auron would get himself killed in the process. Or sent. Whatever it was.
"Sir Auron, Lady Yuna. What a pleasant surprise," Seymour said, not sounding surprised in the least. "Have-" A loud roar that Tidus recognized as Bahamut sounded outside, echoing around the large room, but Seymour spoke right over it. It was almost as if he hadn't heard it. "Have you come after this?" he asked the three, grasping Tidus' wrist and pulling him in front. Tidus didn't dare jerk away this time.
Auron glanced at him briefly, relief evident in his eye even from all the way across the room. Tidus gazed steadily back, trying to summon up a smile to let Auron know he was okay. "Let him go, Seymour," Auron growled.
"Why, whatever for? I have only taken back what is rightfully mine."
"He's not your goddamned piece of property," Auron retorted, sounding dangerously pissed off.
Seymour's grip on Tidus' wrist tightened, and he winced. His wrists were still sore and chafed from where they'd been tied up, and Seymour's fingers wrapped around one hurt. "Of course he's not," Seymour said agreeably. "But that doesn't stop him from belonging to me."
"He never belonged to you."
"Oh, but didn't he? After all-"
"No," Tidus whispered, horrified to know what Seymour intended to say next.
"-we shared such a lovely time in Bevelle. And he's just been so enjoyable these past few days." Seymour sounded amused.
Tidus closed his eyes, wanting to die. To go far far away from here and not ever have to face anyone again. Yuna knew now. And Kimahri. He had never wanted them to know. He hadn't wanted anyone to know, though it had been impossible to keep it from Auron. Auron only had to look at him to see the truth in his eyes. But he'd been comforted by the knowledge that the others would never find out.
Except now Yuna knew.
"You bastard," Auron grit out through clenched teeth. He unsheathed his sword and started towards Seymour in a rage, intending to run him through until there was nothing left. He heard Kimahri and Yuna shift positions behind him, and knew they were ready to back him up at a moment's notice.
Midway though, he stopped, jerking back as he felt a funny feeling start in the center of his chest and quickly spread throughout his body. "What-?" he cried out, looking down at himself. He recognized the greenish tint on himself immediately. Seymour had cast Zombie on him.
He looked back and forth between Seymour and Yuna, no longer sure what to do. It was not a feeling he dealt with often, and he didn't like it now. He saw Yuna preparing an Esuna spell, and shook his head at her, knowing it would do no good. Knowing they were screwed because they hadn't brought restock supplies with them. They'd figured the magic would be enough.
No one had counted on Seymour knowing Zombie.
Seymour smirked, and spread out his arms, having released his hold on Tidus a bit earlier. "Well now Sir Auron, Lady Yuna. What will you do?"
"You bastard," Auron repeatedly helplessly. The insult was pointless, but he had to say something.
Seymour only laughed. He quickly prepared a Cure spell in his head and said the word out loud, releasing the spell on Auron. The warrior monk winced in pain as the healing magic hit him, searing at his body, feeling as if it was melting away through layers of skin.
"Maester Seymour, please, stop this," Yuna said then, speaking up for the first time. She was rather pale, but there was a calmness about her that said she was still very much in control of her emotions. "Please, let Tidus go."
"Give up what is mine?" He shook his head. "I don't think so."
"He's not yours!" Auron snarled at him, then groaned as Seymour cast Cure again.
"Change him back, Seymour," Tidus spoke up then, startling everyone. He'd been silent the whole time, though it tore him up to watch Seymour slowly kill Auron.
Seymour glanced down at the blond in mild surprise, raising an enquiring eyebrow.
"Change him back, and let them go unharmed."
"For what reason?" Seymour asked, his hand absently reaching up to caress Tidus' cheek.
Tidus tried not to shudder under Seymour's touch, though he felt sick inside knowing the other three were seeing this. "Do what I ask, and..." he paused, took a deep breath. He didn't dare look over at Auron. He didn't want to lose his nerve. "I'll be yours."
"What?" Yuna stammered, as Auron growled, "Tidus!"
Tidus ignored them, continuing to speak over them. "If you let them go unharmed, I'll stay with you and do whatever you want. I won't fight it anymore." He kept his gaze steady on Seymour's face, pretending not to hear the anger of Auron and Yuna behind him.
Seymour studied Tidus, hand still carelessly stroking his cheek. After a long look, he apparently was satisfied that Tidus was serious. He nodded, smiling faintly. He looked to one of the guards who'd been standing unobtrusively near the entrance. "You, get this man some holy water," he ordered. "Then see to it they are escorted safely out of here."
Tidus sighed and literally sagged with relief at Seymour's words. However, Seymour's next sentence made him stiffen all over again. "Let's see just how serious you were," he murmured gently before bringing his lips down against Tidus'.
Tidus closed his eyes again in humiliation, knowing that Auron and Yuna were still there, and watching this. Seymour had wanted them to see. And Tidus had to respond, otherwise he'd get Auron killed.
So he kissed Seymour back, barely noticing the tears that started rolling down his cheeks, hating himself for being so weak, hating Seymour for putting him in this position. But he didn't have a choice; what else could he do?
* * *
They were silent most of the way out of Guadosalam and through the Thunder Plains into Macalania, neither quite fully able to cope with what they'd just witnessed, what had just happened. A little ways before they reached the campsite though, Yuna stopped, and carefully sat down in the dirt path, arranging her skirt around her.
"Auron?" she said thoughtfully. He stopped, and looked at her. Waiting for her to go on. "Will you please explain just what is going on?"
He remained silent at first, debating on just what to tell her. He knew she had an idea, given what Seymour had said and done back there, but it probably didn't make complete sense to her yet. Still, he was reluctant to tell her, feeling that it was Tidus' place to tell what he chose. He continued to look back at her, trying to decide how much she'd figured out on her own and how much she might need to know. She only gazed at him expectantly, knowing he would tell her what he felt was necessary.
Finally he spoke, choosing his words with caution. "When we were all arrested and thrown in the Bevelle prison, Tidus and I were put in a cage together. After we'd been there a few hours, the maester Kinoc came by with the news that Seymour wanted to see Tidus. Alone." He hesitated then, knowing he would never admit to anyone else that he hadn't protested it, hadn't insisted on going along. "So Tidus went." He stopped again, not sure how to put this next part, and hoping Tidus would forgive him for speaking the secret he'd so desperately wanted kept quiet. "He was only gone maybe ten, twenty minutes, but when he got back I could see he was changed. When he looked up at me, I could see it... what Seymour had done to him. Seymour had... raped him." The word stuck in his throat, that foul hateful word, and he found he couldn't go on anymore. There wasn't really any need to, anyway.
Yuna was quiet as she digested this, putting it together with what she'd seen and what Seymour had said. "So that's why Tidus was so distant," she said at last. "And it explains why you two didn't want to talk about Seymour."
He nodded, wondering if she was going to say he and Tidus should have told everyone. But she didn't, and he was glad.
"So what are we going to tell the others when we meet up?" She sounded a bit lost on this point, and Auron didn't exactly blame her. He felt a bit lost himself.
"Well, we're not telling them about what Seymour did to Tidus, in Bevelle or Guadosalam." He looked at her, and at Kimahri as well, making sure they understood that clearly. They both nodded. "As for why Seymour has Tidus still... perhaps it would be easiest to say we arrived just as Seymour was leaving with Tidus."
"To say we were too late?" Yuna looked a bit surprised, absently tucking a strand of brown hair behind her ear as she thought about it. "I suppose it could work.. I don't like lying to them, though."
"We don't have much choice," Auron pointed out grimly.
There was nothing she could say to that, so she didn't. Instead she silently stood up, and the three of them continued down the path toward the campsite.
Auron spent most of the rest of that walk thinking back on what had happened in those last few moments in the banquet room, before the three of them had been escorted out..
He knew Seymour had deliberately kissed Tidus in front of him, trying to goad him into doing something stupid, something that would give Seymour an excuse to kill him. But he'd restrained himself for Tidus' sake, though it about killed him to do so.
What hurt him most were the tears. Seeing Tidus cry as he'd been forced to kiss Seymour back had hurt more than he ever thought possible. That Seymour could do something so cruel hurt even more, because he was powerless to stop it.
He wanted there to be another way. He wanted an easy way out of this mess, but everything he did only dug them into it further. He was afraid to take another step for fear of making it worse, but at the same time, he was afraid of standing by helplessly and not doing anything-for sure it would make things worse. He was afraid because he knew Tidus was relying on him to get him out of this, and he didn't know how. He was afraid because he knew Yuna was relying on him to tell her what to do next.
He was just plain afraid.
He was afraid, and he hated it. There were few things in life he'd found to be afraid of, but what he did find to be afraid of always seemed to overwhelm him. He hated that too. Most of all, he hated Seymour. And he was worried for Tidus. Afraid for Tidus. He could only hope that the blond would be okay until he found some way to come back for him.
He knew one thing though. The next time they went after Seymour, he wouldn't make the mistake of being unprepared again.
Auron was still struggling with these thoughts and trying to overcome them when they reached the campsite some hour and a half later, the appearance of several tough fiends slowing their progress considerably.
Rikku, Wakka, and Lulu were already there and had set up camp. Lulu and Wakka had been talking in low voices to each other while Rikku stared dejectedly into the fire. All three looked up hopefully when the other three came near.
Yuna shook her head. "We were too late," she told them. "They got away."
Auron wanted to scream.
next chapter
[Final Fantasy X] M+, angst/romance/hurt/comfort, 4065 (7635) words, published 03-04-05, rape
previous chapter Further
butterflie
[chapter three ~ sacrifice]
"Why would Seymour want to take Tidus?" Rikku asked the others.
"I think... something happened to him. Something Seymour did," Yuna said. She looked over at Auron. "You know what it is, don't you? What happened?"
"Can't say," Auron replied, not willing to tell them. Even if Tidus wouldn't kill him, he still didn't want to tell the others.
"Can't or won't?" Wakka demanded. "There's a difference, ya?" But Auron didn't answer him.
"It's not my place to say it."
"Well then, where should we look for them?" Yuna asked after a moment's silence. She continued to look at Auron, knowing he'd be the leader. He knew the most about Tidus, having known him longer than the others did, though no one was quite sure just how Auron knew Tidus, since Tidus supposedly was not of Spira.
Auron thought a moment, trying to decide where it would be best to head. "You three, head to Macalania Temple," he said at last, sweeping his hand in the general direction of Wakka, Lulu, and Rikku. "We'll go to Guadosalam." He didn't except to find Seymour and Tidus in either of these places, but it never hurt to be safe.
"And if he's not there?" Lulu asked. There was no need to ask what to do if he was there, they all knew the answer to that.
"Let's just see what happens. Meet at Macalania campsite in a week. Understood?"
They all nodded; they understood perfectly.
* * *
Tidus woke slowly, eyes fluttering open reluctantly. Gradually he became aware of his surroundings, and that those said surroundings included Seymour. Seymour was not so gently undoing the bonds on his wrists while attempting to dress him. He felt something wet and sticky down there between his legs and tears pricked at his eyes as he realized Seymour had been using him in his sleep. Somehow that was more humiliating than anything else he'd endured from the maester so far.
He wanted Auron. He hoped the man was on his way after him, because he did not know how much longer he'd manage to hold out in Seymour's clutches. But he couldn't rely entirely on Auron, he also knew. He had to stand up for himself, let Seymour see he wasn't afraid. It was just that it was hard, because he was afraid, so afraid, and he hated himself for it.
Seymour finished dressing him just then, and let him fall back on the bed. Tidus stared up at him, uncertain. The maester did not look happy at the moment, and Tidus debated the wisdom of demanding his release, deciding it'd be wiser to hold off for now. However, he decided it wouldn't hurt to find out what happened next.
"Are we going somewhere?" he asked, hating the fact that he sounded so timid and uncertain. He hoped Seymour didn't catch it, but he saw the maester's eyes narrow and knew he'd picked up on it.
"Stop being so damn afraid of me," Seymour growled, not sounding like himself at all. Whatever had put him in a bad mood must have been serious.
"I... I'm sorry," he said, wanting it to be good enough.
It must have been, at least for the moment, because Seymour relented slightly, answering the blond's question. "We're not going anywhere."
Tidus nodded, accepting this. He didn't dare ask anything else, though he desperately wanted to. He wanted to understand what was going on, what Seymour meant to do with him. But he didn't want to upset the man, because he was afraid of getting hurt again.
* * *
"Will Tidus be okay?"
"Don't know," Auron said shortly, hoping to discourage Yuna from further talking. She seemed to get the point, she said nothing else as they retraced their steps back across the Calm Lands.
"Well, I think he'll be okay!" Rikku exclaimed confidently. "He has to be..." she added, a bit more quietly.
The six of them had been traveling back through Mt. Gagazet and the Calm Lands for the past two days, sticking together for the time being since they didn't need to split until they reached Macalania. So far they hadn't stopped, which was more at Auron's insistence than anyone's urgency to reach Tidus. Auron knew they'd have to stop tonight though, no way Rikku and Yuna would be able to go on any more without rest.
Auron had considered just going on ahead and leaving them all behind, letting them catch up in their own time. He was anxious to get to Tidus. He wouldn't admit it to himself, but he was terrified for the teen. Terrified of how Tidus was holding out for whatever Seymour might be doing to him. Not that he didn't have a good idea of what Seymour was doing, but how Tidus might react-he hadn't a clue. He could only hope Tidus could last and not let Seymour break him anymore until Auron got there. Which was why he itched to keep moving forward, as fast as he could to get to Tidus. But he knew it'd be foolish to go in alone. He may be unsent, and probably incapable of dying the way others would, but so was Seymour. That made them evenly matched. And if it had been left at that, then Auron would have went ahead. But he couldn't be sure Tidus was in Guadosalam, and no matter where he was Seymour was sure to have his Guado guards. He'd be terribly outnumbered.
He was just glad they were making good time. They didn't have to worry about fiends in the Calm Lands; the chocobo trainer had been nearby and they'd managed to get some tamed chocobos to ride across the plains. They'd reach the travel agency in the central area by nightfall, which really wasn't that far away. Lake Macalania then wouldn't even be a half day away by chocobo.
"Are you sure you can't tell us anything about what happened, Auron?" Rikku asked him, bringing him out of his worried thoughts. He scowled at her, not liking the interruption. Besides which, it was at least the tenth time in the past three hours that she'd asked him that. He understood her concern, but her constantly asking wasn't going to make him change his mind about telling.
She sighed, making a face at him when he didn't answer her. "Keeping secrets isn't nice," she muttered loudly, and he resisted the urge to glare. Or smack her.
"Kihmari think secrets bad." Auron just groaned. He really should have gone off on his own. At least Wakka and Lulu hadn't been pestering him. He knew they didn't know what had happened, but they apparently had no problems accepting that Auron wouldn't tell. He was glad. If the others started to bother him too much, they'd be on his side. At least until they separated at Lake Macalania.
The rest of the half-hour ride was spent in tense silence, but Auron hardly noticed it, his thoughts focused entirely on Tidus instead. In fact, he got so lost in his worries that Yuna had to reach out and grab his arm when they reached the travel agency, otherwise he just would have kept riding along in the fast fading sunset.
"We're stopping here, right?" she asked. "We've been traveling for two days now..."
He nodded at her, knowing the stop had been inevitable. They tethered the chocobos to the posts, then went in to get their rooms. Just inside, they bumped into a man leaving.
"Rin!" Rikku exclaimed, and went on to exchange a few words with the merchant in Al Bhed. Hearing the strange language was another painful reminder of Tidus' absence. He'd been determined to learn some Al Bhed as they traveled throughout Spira, he'd actually gotten quite good at it in the past few days before his disappearance.
"Thanks Rin!" Rikku called, turning back to the others as the other Al Bhed left. "Rin knows where the airship is, he's going to tell Cid to come back for us at Macalania."
Auron nodded, thankful. The airship could at least ensure a quick getaway if they needed it.
* * *
"Do you really think Tidus will be at Guadosalam?"
"No. I expect Seymour would have only stopped there briefly before taking him somewhere else."
"Then why are we going to Guadosalam?"
It was a good question, Auron thought. One that didn't have any real answer. Why, indeed, were they going to Guadosalam? Just on the offchance that Tidus might be there after all? Because he expected to at least find a clue that could tell him where Seymour went?
Madness. They were branded as traitors. They'd killed Seymour. Showing up in Guadosalam would be suicide.
But what other choice was there?
He had to find Tidus, and Guadosalam and Macalania were the first obvious places to look. It was just afterwards that he was worried about. If there was nothing in Guadosalam to hint at where Seymour had gone, and if he wasn't at Macalania Temple, then Auron would be lost on where to head next.
Dammit. How could he have let this happen? He knew what Seymour had done to Tidus in Bevelle, knew that Tidus was far from okay about it still. And yet, he let Tidus fall behind. And because of it, Tidus had been taken. It was just a simple mistake, and yet it was unforgivable. He'd never forgive himself. If Jecht had been around to see how Auron was taking care of his son, he'd never forgive him either.
"We're near Guadosalam," Yuna whispered to him, breaking him out of his thoughts. He halted, and nodded at her. Then he looked around, assessing the situation. There were no sign of guards. He wasn't quite sure what that meant. It could mean that Seymour and Tidus weren't there, thus no need for guards. Or it could mean Seymour felt confident enough that extra protection wasn't necessary.
"How are we going in?" Yuna asked. "We're traitors here."
The same thing he'd been worrying about himself. Anyone who spotted him would know immediately who they were. And it wasn't as if they could go in and not get noticed. A summoner, an unsent guardian, and a small Ronso with a broken horn were kind of hard to miss.
Stealth be damned. "We fight our way in."
Yuna just looked at him and blinked. "We'd be outnumbered. Even with my aeons, there's still too many of them."
Aeons... funny that'd he forgotten about them. "Your Aeons... are any in their overdrive modes?"
"Bahamut is."
"I've got an idea, then."
* * *
Tidus heard a sound. It was very loud, and very close. And it sounded an awful lot like an enraged aeon.
Auron! he thought. Have the others come after me?
He wanted to jump up and down with joy, except that he was too tired and sore. So he just lay there, hoping it was Yuna with that Aeon and that she and whoever else with her was okay.
The door flew open. Startled, he jumped a bit. Seymour rushed in, looking harried and upset. He went over to the blond and grabbed his wrists, yanking him out of the bed. "We're leaving."
"What's going on?" he asked, confused. He'd assumed Seymour had meant to stay and fight, but apparently that wasn't the case. Seymour didn't answer his question, which Tidus hadn't really expected him to. But still, it would have been nice. He really would like to know what was happening out there.
He winced as Seymour pulled him along anxiously, and jerked his wrist back. "I know how to walk," he said, glaring. He hoped that in his agitated state Seymour wouldn't bother with hitting him.
"Fine," Seymour said shortly, walking fast out of the room and down the hall. Tidus hurried to keep up, idly wondering at how well his chances of escape were. Probably not good; this hallway seemed to go in one direction only. Nor did he really want to risk it until he was sure that was Yuna out there with an aeon.
They passed through the hallway quickly, eventually reaching the door that let them into the banquet room. Tidus was a bit surprised that Seymour was leaving so directly instead of trying to slip out through all the chaos. Then he saw Auron, Yuna, and Kimahri across the room, and knew Seymour wasn't running away. Not yet.
He was damned glad to see Auron, too. He hadn't doubted the man would come after him, but he'd worried Auron would get himself killed in the process. Or sent. Whatever it was.
"Sir Auron, Lady Yuna. What a pleasant surprise," Seymour said, not sounding surprised in the least. "Have-" A loud roar that Tidus recognized as Bahamut sounded outside, echoing around the large room, but Seymour spoke right over it. It was almost as if he hadn't heard it. "Have you come after this?" he asked the three, grasping Tidus' wrist and pulling him in front. Tidus didn't dare jerk away this time.
Auron glanced at him briefly, relief evident in his eye even from all the way across the room. Tidus gazed steadily back, trying to summon up a smile to let Auron know he was okay. "Let him go, Seymour," Auron growled.
"Why, whatever for? I have only taken back what is rightfully mine."
"He's not your goddamned piece of property," Auron retorted, sounding dangerously pissed off.
Seymour's grip on Tidus' wrist tightened, and he winced. His wrists were still sore and chafed from where they'd been tied up, and Seymour's fingers wrapped around one hurt. "Of course he's not," Seymour said agreeably. "But that doesn't stop him from belonging to me."
"He never belonged to you."
"Oh, but didn't he? After all-"
"No," Tidus whispered, horrified to know what Seymour intended to say next.
"-we shared such a lovely time in Bevelle. And he's just been so enjoyable these past few days." Seymour sounded amused.
Tidus closed his eyes, wanting to die. To go far far away from here and not ever have to face anyone again. Yuna knew now. And Kimahri. He had never wanted them to know. He hadn't wanted anyone to know, though it had been impossible to keep it from Auron. Auron only had to look at him to see the truth in his eyes. But he'd been comforted by the knowledge that the others would never find out.
Except now Yuna knew.
"You bastard," Auron grit out through clenched teeth. He unsheathed his sword and started towards Seymour in a rage, intending to run him through until there was nothing left. He heard Kimahri and Yuna shift positions behind him, and knew they were ready to back him up at a moment's notice.
Midway though, he stopped, jerking back as he felt a funny feeling start in the center of his chest and quickly spread throughout his body. "What-?" he cried out, looking down at himself. He recognized the greenish tint on himself immediately. Seymour had cast Zombie on him.
He looked back and forth between Seymour and Yuna, no longer sure what to do. It was not a feeling he dealt with often, and he didn't like it now. He saw Yuna preparing an Esuna spell, and shook his head at her, knowing it would do no good. Knowing they were screwed because they hadn't brought restock supplies with them. They'd figured the magic would be enough.
No one had counted on Seymour knowing Zombie.
Seymour smirked, and spread out his arms, having released his hold on Tidus a bit earlier. "Well now Sir Auron, Lady Yuna. What will you do?"
"You bastard," Auron repeatedly helplessly. The insult was pointless, but he had to say something.
Seymour only laughed. He quickly prepared a Cure spell in his head and said the word out loud, releasing the spell on Auron. The warrior monk winced in pain as the healing magic hit him, searing at his body, feeling as if it was melting away through layers of skin.
"Maester Seymour, please, stop this," Yuna said then, speaking up for the first time. She was rather pale, but there was a calmness about her that said she was still very much in control of her emotions. "Please, let Tidus go."
"Give up what is mine?" He shook his head. "I don't think so."
"He's not yours!" Auron snarled at him, then groaned as Seymour cast Cure again.
"Change him back, Seymour," Tidus spoke up then, startling everyone. He'd been silent the whole time, though it tore him up to watch Seymour slowly kill Auron.
Seymour glanced down at the blond in mild surprise, raising an enquiring eyebrow.
"Change him back, and let them go unharmed."
"For what reason?" Seymour asked, his hand absently reaching up to caress Tidus' cheek.
Tidus tried not to shudder under Seymour's touch, though he felt sick inside knowing the other three were seeing this. "Do what I ask, and..." he paused, took a deep breath. He didn't dare look over at Auron. He didn't want to lose his nerve. "I'll be yours."
"What?" Yuna stammered, as Auron growled, "Tidus!"
Tidus ignored them, continuing to speak over them. "If you let them go unharmed, I'll stay with you and do whatever you want. I won't fight it anymore." He kept his gaze steady on Seymour's face, pretending not to hear the anger of Auron and Yuna behind him.
Seymour studied Tidus, hand still carelessly stroking his cheek. After a long look, he apparently was satisfied that Tidus was serious. He nodded, smiling faintly. He looked to one of the guards who'd been standing unobtrusively near the entrance. "You, get this man some holy water," he ordered. "Then see to it they are escorted safely out of here."
Tidus sighed and literally sagged with relief at Seymour's words. However, Seymour's next sentence made him stiffen all over again. "Let's see just how serious you were," he murmured gently before bringing his lips down against Tidus'.
Tidus closed his eyes again in humiliation, knowing that Auron and Yuna were still there, and watching this. Seymour had wanted them to see. And Tidus had to respond, otherwise he'd get Auron killed.
So he kissed Seymour back, barely noticing the tears that started rolling down his cheeks, hating himself for being so weak, hating Seymour for putting him in this position. But he didn't have a choice; what else could he do?
* * *
They were silent most of the way out of Guadosalam and through the Thunder Plains into Macalania, neither quite fully able to cope with what they'd just witnessed, what had just happened. A little ways before they reached the campsite though, Yuna stopped, and carefully sat down in the dirt path, arranging her skirt around her.
"Auron?" she said thoughtfully. He stopped, and looked at her. Waiting for her to go on. "Will you please explain just what is going on?"
He remained silent at first, debating on just what to tell her. He knew she had an idea, given what Seymour had said and done back there, but it probably didn't make complete sense to her yet. Still, he was reluctant to tell her, feeling that it was Tidus' place to tell what he chose. He continued to look back at her, trying to decide how much she'd figured out on her own and how much she might need to know. She only gazed at him expectantly, knowing he would tell her what he felt was necessary.
Finally he spoke, choosing his words with caution. "When we were all arrested and thrown in the Bevelle prison, Tidus and I were put in a cage together. After we'd been there a few hours, the maester Kinoc came by with the news that Seymour wanted to see Tidus. Alone." He hesitated then, knowing he would never admit to anyone else that he hadn't protested it, hadn't insisted on going along. "So Tidus went." He stopped again, not sure how to put this next part, and hoping Tidus would forgive him for speaking the secret he'd so desperately wanted kept quiet. "He was only gone maybe ten, twenty minutes, but when he got back I could see he was changed. When he looked up at me, I could see it... what Seymour had done to him. Seymour had... raped him." The word stuck in his throat, that foul hateful word, and he found he couldn't go on anymore. There wasn't really any need to, anyway.
Yuna was quiet as she digested this, putting it together with what she'd seen and what Seymour had said. "So that's why Tidus was so distant," she said at last. "And it explains why you two didn't want to talk about Seymour."
He nodded, wondering if she was going to say he and Tidus should have told everyone. But she didn't, and he was glad.
"So what are we going to tell the others when we meet up?" She sounded a bit lost on this point, and Auron didn't exactly blame her. He felt a bit lost himself.
"Well, we're not telling them about what Seymour did to Tidus, in Bevelle or Guadosalam." He looked at her, and at Kimahri as well, making sure they understood that clearly. They both nodded. "As for why Seymour has Tidus still... perhaps it would be easiest to say we arrived just as Seymour was leaving with Tidus."
"To say we were too late?" Yuna looked a bit surprised, absently tucking a strand of brown hair behind her ear as she thought about it. "I suppose it could work.. I don't like lying to them, though."
"We don't have much choice," Auron pointed out grimly.
There was nothing she could say to that, so she didn't. Instead she silently stood up, and the three of them continued down the path toward the campsite.
Auron spent most of the rest of that walk thinking back on what had happened in those last few moments in the banquet room, before the three of them had been escorted out..
He knew Seymour had deliberately kissed Tidus in front of him, trying to goad him into doing something stupid, something that would give Seymour an excuse to kill him. But he'd restrained himself for Tidus' sake, though it about killed him to do so.
What hurt him most were the tears. Seeing Tidus cry as he'd been forced to kiss Seymour back had hurt more than he ever thought possible. That Seymour could do something so cruel hurt even more, because he was powerless to stop it.
He wanted there to be another way. He wanted an easy way out of this mess, but everything he did only dug them into it further. He was afraid to take another step for fear of making it worse, but at the same time, he was afraid of standing by helplessly and not doing anything-for sure it would make things worse. He was afraid because he knew Tidus was relying on him to get him out of this, and he didn't know how. He was afraid because he knew Yuna was relying on him to tell her what to do next.
He was just plain afraid.
He was afraid, and he hated it. There were few things in life he'd found to be afraid of, but what he did find to be afraid of always seemed to overwhelm him. He hated that too. Most of all, he hated Seymour. And he was worried for Tidus. Afraid for Tidus. He could only hope that the blond would be okay until he found some way to come back for him.
He knew one thing though. The next time they went after Seymour, he wouldn't make the mistake of being unprepared again.
Auron was still struggling with these thoughts and trying to overcome them when they reached the campsite some hour and a half later, the appearance of several tough fiends slowing their progress considerably.
Rikku, Wakka, and Lulu were already there and had set up camp. Lulu and Wakka had been talking in low voices to each other while Rikku stared dejectedly into the fire. All three looked up hopefully when the other three came near.
Yuna shook her head. "We were too late," she told them. "They got away."
Auron wanted to scream.
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