I sat down at my computer intending to work on other things, but in the process I opened this file, and realized that I'd forgotten that I already had this mostly written. So I finished and polished it up, and here it is.
Title: Braska at 23
Fandom: FFX
Rating: G
Characters: Braska, Braska's wife
Notes: Requested by
not_cynical.
He stands at the entrance to the temple complex, looking up at the spire, the words of the temple summoner still ringing in his ears. "Traitor!" "Heretic!" "Outcast!" Staring into the late morning sun, he can see the faces of the other summoners-in-training closing to him before turning their backs, leaving him nothing but to walk out of the hall, head held high, keeping his steps smooth and even, though his knees wanted to shake.
He clenches his fists at the memory, then lets them fall open; fingers gently tickle his left palm, then slide into his, and he squeezes again, gently this time. One breath, then another -- he pulls the fresh air deep into his lungs, replacing the scents of fear and stale incense with cleaner smells, better memories: salt spray, meat grilling somewhere in the city market, her delicate perfume.
"I'm sorry," she says into his ear, the softness of her breath tickling his neck, and he knows that she must have stood on tiptoe to reach so high. He turns, and she is flat on her feet again, looking up at him, sorrow glinting in her green eyes.
He smiles at her, the rush of tenderness even stronger than it had been that first day, the day they met on the doorstep of Home. "It's worth it." He had embarked on that trip certain it would change his life; never would he have guessed just how much. Hand still twined with hers, he turns his back on St. Bevelle and takes her to town, to the home they are building together and will share for the rest of their lives.
Title: Braska at 23
Fandom: FFX
Rating: G
Characters: Braska, Braska's wife
Notes: Requested by
not_cynical.He stands at the entrance to the temple complex, looking up at the spire, the words of the temple summoner still ringing in his ears. "Traitor!" "Heretic!" "Outcast!" Staring into the late morning sun, he can see the faces of the other summoners-in-training closing to him before turning their backs, leaving him nothing but to walk out of the hall, head held high, keeping his steps smooth and even, though his knees wanted to shake.
He clenches his fists at the memory, then lets them fall open; fingers gently tickle his left palm, then slide into his, and he squeezes again, gently this time. One breath, then another -- he pulls the fresh air deep into his lungs, replacing the scents of fear and stale incense with cleaner smells, better memories: salt spray, meat grilling somewhere in the city market, her delicate perfume.
"I'm sorry," she says into his ear, the softness of her breath tickling his neck, and he knows that she must have stood on tiptoe to reach so high. He turns, and she is flat on her feet again, looking up at him, sorrow glinting in her green eyes.
He smiles at her, the rush of tenderness even stronger than it had been that first day, the day they met on the doorstep of Home. "It's worth it." He had embarked on that trip certain it would change his life; never would he have guessed just how much. Hand still twined with hers, he turns his back on St. Bevelle and takes her to town, to the home they are building together and will share for the rest of their lives.
- Current Mood:
content - Current Music:"Speedway at Nazareth" - Mark Knopfler
Comments
Anyway, I really, really like this. I'm having a hard time putting it into words, but it's sweet and sad, and yet... hopeful. I always did wonder about Braska's wife, and thought it somewhat unfair she was never given a name.
Anyway, thank you. :) I'm also really fascinated by Braska's wife and wish that we had a name, and more details beyond just having seen her on the Farplane. Tidus's mom, too, although I've never been quite as drawn to her.
It's interesting, I think, because Braska is a summoner, all that Yevon holds highly and represents, yet he marries a "traitorous" Al Bhed, and his guardians are, ...well. Interesting is putting it lightly for those two. It makes for a lot of contradictions in his character--very nuanced.
The wives appear to have gotten the slight in FFX, but well, when there are neat little snippets from fandom... the creativity of some of fandom delights me. (It still doesn't keep me from wondering, but it does fascinate.)
I've always thought that Braska must have been an amazing and complex man, for all the reasons you give. And I see his wife similiarly -- it's not just anyone who's willing to uproot herself from home and family to marry a man from a society that considers her to be, as you say, a traitor.
This is one of the things I love about the FFX universe: so much thought went into creating well-rounded and interesting secondary characters. Even if they didn't always get names. ;) I think that's how the fandom has stayed active for all these years, even with no new content. There's so much depth in the characters and in the history and culture of Spira that there are still plenty of rocks for us to keep turning over!
I'm grateful for such a complex and interesting fandom. I'm still making baby steps into FFX, but there's just so much depth to what's out there. The fandom is so detailed, especially considering so many sections of the universe are still so very vague, even after two games.
I always saw Yuna's mother as a very strong--perhaps headstrong-- person because of what she went through to be with Braska. There's a lot of uncharted territory there.
I thought I commented already. I read it already.
Well, that meant rereading it again, and smiling again, because it's a lovely bit of scenefic.
You know what, I actually had not thought of it that way before. But you are absolutely right.
Thanks!! :) Glad you liked it enough to read twice. ;)
But yes, I love the courage Braska shows here, I love that he's doing his best even though he's shaking, I love the sensory details (and they are lovely, they do help make this), and augh, seriously, this fic makes me want keep them safe and away from the future and their deaths. :( It's sweet and melancholy and perfect for them both.