Love Yaoi-style

[Introduction]
Ah, the section where I deal with the ideas of non-cannon pairings, yaoi and sub-text! First of all, if you don't know what I mean by yaoi, it's a term used to describe a romantic male/male relationship, usually a very physical one. In fact, it's just one of many words which is used to describe a romantic relationship between two males. Others include, shonen-ai and slash. If that isn't what you want to read about, hit that back button now because that's what I'm talking about here: the scenes/lines/whatever from FFX which give fodder to the imagination of fangirls everywhere. Please, no hate mail -- it's not going to change my mind.

[Sub-text]
That stuff which can be inferred from the actual, factual happenings of the game is what I call sub-text; the nuances hidden in actions, thoughts, words which hint at something not explicitly stated. And yeah, there is some in support of a Jecht/Auron romantic relationship. I mean, it smacks you in the face lots of the time, especially if you're looking for it. So, watch as I analyze my take on the JechtxAuron relationship.

[Romantic History]
Of course, everyone knows that Jecht was married before he came to Spira; it's also well-known that Auron was told to marry a Yevon priest's daughter and refused. With Jecht's nameless wife stuck in dream-Zanarkand, neither of them are exactly attached when they come together as Braska's guards. When they first meet, it's obvious that Auron does not approve of Jecht at all but by the time the trio reaches the Zanarkand ruins, there's a bond there, a real bond.

[Specific Evidence]
On that first sphere when Jecht teased Auron with the devilish "What's the matter? Afraid I might bite?" and Auron responded with nothing but a look and Jecht's name, it was clinched. If nothing else would have happened between them, I would have been convinced that there was something there. Luckily, there was more to come.

Other great scenes include Auron's flashbacks while in the Yevon=Dome, not only his impassioned plea for Jecht not to become the fayth, but also the last flashback to only which Tidus was privy, where he watches their goodbye. The last thing Tidus sees is his father step forward and embrace the younger Auron while laughingly admitting to liking him, even if he was a stiff -- my fangirl heart leaped at that.

Oh, and Auron does get hop his undead arse up and head over to Zanarkand to watch over Tidus as he promised. And he can speak to Sin, at least, limitedly, as we know from that early scene. Then, of course, there is Auron's quiet comment about wanting to see Jecht again before he fades away. And...the ending itself.

The last meeting, Auron's last wish fulfilled before death: a chance to Jecht one more time. It's so bittersweet a meeting; while the end is near, Jecht cracks a joke about Auron being late and the warrior monks admits it. It's subtle and too-everyday but so heavy with real emotion. And then Jecht must be fought and defeated, which he is. On the verge of death, Jecht begins to fall to the ground --

And it's Auron who turns sharply toward him, as if to rush forward and hold him. But he stops when he realizes that Tidus has already volunteered.

That last scene so glued the idea of JechtxAuron into my mind that I can't really describe its importance. It's subtle, but FFX was supposed to be subtle in many ways, especially in terms of romance. Yuna's original parting "Thank You" in Japanese instead of the English "I love you" is the epitome of understatement and subtlety.

And so is Auron and Jecht's final parting: a quick turn and a step forward, a motion aborted almost before it was began.


[Appeal]
Could all these scenes merely be looked at as sign of great friendship? Of course, but there's something very touching and visceral in the idea of JechtxAuron. It is, of course, tragic on an epic scale. Knowing that neither Jecht nor Auron lives to see a happy ending already guarantees the exquisite sadness that I love about the pairing. But then there's the beginning and what it must have been like with Jecht, so brash and loud and secretly heartbroken and lonely while Auron was quiet and respectful and as heartbroken knowing that his Braska was to die. Through this pain and tension and contrary natures, they would have had to grope -- uncertainly, I'd imagine -- until they reached one another, thinking that they'd found a refuge from Spira's fate, someone to hold onto even as the world spiraled into chaos around them -- Only to have it tore away by Yunalesca and her vile, vile words...

Choose.


[Conclusion]
No, not everyone agrees with me about JechtxAuron, but those of you who do can see how beautiful, tragic and saddening it could be if it were. As touching and timeless as the main pairing, in my own opinion. Personally, what I really like about JechtxAuron as far as yaoi couples go is that it's such an equal partnership instead of the sometimes-badly polarized seme/uke one tends to see. Neither Auron or Jecht are usually feminized because it's unrealistic and impossible, although young Auron leans on the bishonen side of things. They're both strong, capable men who happen to share an incredible bond with each other.

At least, if you agree with me.

But truthfully, people -- c'mon. It's there. It might as well be canon. Really!



This essay is dedicated to my sister Ash for her great line said while
I watched her play FFX:

Auron, onscreen: I'd like to see Jecht just one more time before he fades away...

Ash, sitting on the bedroom floor: That's because he's your boyfriend!


And that's where it started, folks.


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