Kweh! I finally have the time to write again! I got this chapter done for you! I'll be updating the other stories soon too, so be on the look out!

I don't own FF X-2 or any of her characters. My plot-bunnies just gnaw on it a whole lot.

It was the distinct lack of daylight, coupled with the sound of a chair being moved, that woke Auron. He was blinking at the window, trying to figure out why there was no light streaming through the curtains. The next question was who had moved a chair in the room. Rikku was still sound asleep next to him, one of his arms draped over her body, so she had not done it. He finally talked himself into lifting his head from the pillow and investigate the matter. It took several moments for him to figure out that the person sitting in a chair reading a book was his summoner. He spent a futile minute trying to find a clock before breaking the silence.

“What time is it?”

“Oh, did I wake you? I tried not to.” Braska said, looking up from his book. “It's nearly eight.”

“That late already...?”

“Yes. You know, I remember a time when you were awake by six in the morning everyday no matter how little sleep you had the night before.” Braska was smiling at him. That smile made Auron wary of what was to come next. “Does she really wear you out that much, Auron?”

“Sometimes.”

“Only sometimes? Relax, I'll stop teasing you for now. Care for some breakfast?”

“Yes.”

“Well, Rikku isn't awake to brave the masses outside, so we'll have to venture outside the safety of our room for food. Are you up for the task?”

“I have to be, don't I?” Auron sighed heavily, sitting up in the bed. He looked over at Rikku, who had yet to move, and sighed again. There was a serious moment of contemplation on staying in bed with her. He already missed the warmth of her body.

“Getting out of bed is always the hardest part, isn't it? But duty calls, and sleeping won't fill and empty stomach.”

“Hmm. Rikku, wake up.” He shook her shoulder gently. “Rikku.”

“Hn.” She opened her eyes and sat up, blinking at him with a frown on her face. “Whaddyawant?”

“We're getting breakfast. Wake up.” She blinked at him again, then laid back down, pulling the blankets up around her as she did so. “Rikku...please wake up.” Auron slid out of the bed and started getting dressed. He sighed at finding her still in bed when he was done. Grabbing the blankets and sheets at the end of the bed, he said, “You brought this on yourself...”

“Are you sure that's a wise course of action, Auron?” Braska seemed dubious about it.

“No, but it will wake her up.” One strong jerk, and the bedding came off, leaving Rikku undefended against the morning chill. She yelped and leaped to her feet on the bed. “Wake up, time for breakfast.”

“You JERK! I don't want any breakfast! Give me those right now or I'll send you to the Farplane as an eunic!” She gave him such a glare that he took a step back.

“You're always hungry in the morning.”

“Well, I'm not today!”

“What's wrong?”

“I'll tell you what's wrong. It's the fact that you're about to get castrated because those blankets are still in your hand!” Auron took a step forward and handed the blankets over to her. Rikku pulled them messily onto the bed and to all appearances went back to sleep.

“I don't think she wants breakfast right now, do you?” Braska was still seated, but his book was sitting on a small table.

“No.”

“Well, then, let's go. I'm starving.” They quietly left the room, Auron making sure the door was locked before going down the hall. “She looked a little pale. She isn't pregnant, is she?”

“No.” Braska arched an eyebrow at him.

“Are you sure?”

“I think she would say something if that were the case, my Lord.” He heard the summoner sigh.

“You didn't even flinch at that idea.”

“Because there is no need to consider it.”

“You're not even the slightest bit worried about it?”

“No.”

“Don't you want children, Auron?”

“I haven't ever thought about it, Lord Braska.”

“Why ever not?”

“There has never been a reason to.”

“Auron, how in the world am I supposed to write up the romantic love story of yours and Rikku's love affair if you don't play the part of the sensitive-yet-still-masculine hero?”

“Hero? What are you talking about?” Braska sighed in exasperation.

“The hero in a romance novel! Haven't you ever read them?”

“No. Are you saying that you've read one, my Lord?”

“Several, actually.” He chuckled at the look Auron was giving him. “Mari is always reading them, so I decided to try reading one. And then I tried more, to see if there was any difference.”

“Is there?”

“Not really. The hero is always an incredibly handsome, and rich, man with well built muscles and extensive fighting skills that cause men to run in fear and women to get weak in the knees. You fit the bill perfectly, so its only natural that I'd write you as the hero.”

“I do not make women weak in the knees, Lord Braska.”

“You do, you just don't pay any attention to it. And, you have the perfect leading lady in your life, so it will be a wonderful tale. Maybe they'll even name a constellation after the two of you.”

“They certainly will not, my Lord.”

“I think you have a fair chance, Auron.” The summoner looked thoughtful, one hand on his chin. “I've a fair hand at writing, so I think I might have a best seller on my hands.”

“I have no doubt as to your writing abilities, but I doubt a story about me would be terribly interesting.”

“It will if I put a picture of you in all your manly glory on the cover holding Rikku.” Auron shook his head and sighed.

“What are they serving for breakfast?”

“Pancakes, I think. Are you changing the subject, Auron?”

“Yes, my Lord.”

“Very subtle.”

“Thank you.”

After breakfast, the two men stood in front of the door of their room, each somewhat reluctant to enter and find the woman inside still angry. Gathering his courage with a deep breath, Auron unlocked the door and crept silently inside. Rikku was still in bed. He looked around, wary for any trap she had set up in their absence. Finding not immediate threat, he opened the door for Braska to enter. The summoner sat back down in the chair he had been occupying earlier, and resumed his book. There were covert glances sent over to the side of the room where Auron was approaching the bed Rikku was on. Auron ignored the glances and knelt beside the bed near her head.

“Rikku?” Two eyes opened, looking pathetically at him. “Is there something I can get you?” She shook her head. “Will you tell me what's wrong.”

“Don't feel good.”

“Is there a reason?” A nod was her answer. “What is it?”

“Too much ice cream.”

“Too much ice cream...you only had two scoops.”

“I get sick when I drink milk or eat ice cream.”

“Then why did you eat it, Rikku?”

“Cause it tastes good.”

“I will never understand that sort of reasoning. Are you sure there is nothing I can get for you?”

“Water?”

“Very well.”

A few hours later, the glass of water was empty, even though neither Auron nor Braska had seen or heard Rikku move. Every time Auron had looked over at her, there was more water missing. He was considering refilling the glass when she moved. Rikku got out of bed, keeping one of the blankets wrapped around her body and dragging her pillow, and settled herself on the other half of the over-sized chair Auron was sitting in. The pillow was set on his lap, Rikku's head following suit.

“Sorry.”

“For what?” Auron put his book down and toyed with a strand of her hair.

“For yelling and stuff.”

“Well, I did remove your blankets, so it wasn't completely uncalled for.” He tucked the strand of hair behind her ear, only to have another one take it's place on her cheek.

“Still sorry.”

“Thank you, then.” Rikku closed her eyes, making him chuckle slightly. He picked his book up again, reading one handed. His other hand was once again toying with her hair. Auron was fairly sure that Braska was trying very hard not to watch them. He's probably taking notes for that book he's threatening to write. Not that I would mind being thrust into various romantic situations with Rikku... A knock at the door interrupted his train of thought. Now how am I to open the door when Rikku is using me as a pillow?

“I'll answer it, Auron. I'd hate for her to have to move.” Braska greeted the person at the door, welcoming them inside with a rattle of armor and boots. The Crusader Captain from the other day was standing inside the room, blinking in surprise at Auron.

“Forgive me for intruding, but I wanted to check in on you before finishing my report.”

“Understandable, Captain. Would you like to sit down?” Braska said, motioning to the unoccupied chair.

“No, no, I won't disturb you for long. Pardon me for asking, Sir Auron, but is your lady injured?”

“No, just tired.”

“Ah, good. I trust the two of you are well, then?”

“Yes, we're in excellent health.”

“Good, good. I'm amazed that you made it out of that battle in one piece. Not to dismiss your skills, or those of your guardians, but that isn't a fiend I'd like to send any squad against without some heavy artillery.”

“We managed quite well, Captain. Though it was Rikku's Flare spell that finished the fiend off.”

“A Flare? No wonder she's exhausted!” He gave a small awed glance at the seemingly sleeping Rikku before speaking to Auron. “Your wife is not only beautiful, Sir Auron, but talented as well.” Auron nodded his agreement. “Unless there was anything more out of the ordinary about the incident, I'll leave you to your rest.”

“Nothing of interest, Captain.”

“Very well. Please take care on your pilgrimage, my Lord Summoner, Sir Auron.” He left after a bow.

“Such a pleasant fellow, don't you think, Auron?”

“Yes, he is.”

“Hmm, I think I want a snack. I'll bring back a little something for Rikku, in case she wants it later. Would you like anything?”

“No, thank you my Lord.” Braska nodded and left, quietly closing the door behind him.

“You don't like him.” Auron nearly jumped when he heard Rikku's voice. She was looking up at him, wide awake. “That captain with the chocobo. You don't like him.”

“I like him.” Rikku sat up and rearranged herself so that she was sitting in his lap. Her head was settled just under his chin. “I don't like him, or any man, admiring you.”

“Jealous, Auron?”

“Yes. Can you blame me?”

“Nope. But it's really sweet that you get jealous over me.”

“Hmm. I don't see you getting jealous over me.”

“Oh please! I have to give the evil-eye to all the women that drool buckets over you. I'd like to just poke them in the eye when they're eyeing you up and down while you practice with your sword. I'm the only one allowed to ogle you like that.”

“Hahaha!”

“I love it when you laugh, Auron. Especially if it's cause I tickled you!”

“Don't you dare!”

“BWAHAHAHAHA!”