-Complete confusion. He doesn't understand those feelings, has never experienced them.

Has only ever known hurt and fear and ownership, and pain.

No, not ownership. Yuna doesn’t own her aeons, and wouldn’t own-

Aten? Is that your name? 

The flames flicker, as though-

-A long forgotten memory, a sense of familiarity-

"I- yes? Yes."

(And there's that resignation again, because now she knows, and he can't-)

“Aten, I want you to join us. As an equal. You would be our friend, who would fight beside us against Sin and sorrow.”

Yuna leans a little closer, watching Aten through the glass. She presses her other hand to her heart. “We will not be like those others, we will take care of you. I swear it.”

-He doesn't know how to trust that. (There's a flicker, there's something here, a memory he can't quite reach for any more-)

He's tired. And so tired of being alone.

"Don't make me-" (It's unclear, what the end of that sentence is, there's too many jumbled emotions.)

“I would never,” Yuna promises. 

She opens her heart, ready for a part of him to slip inside.

He's scared, so scared. And that panic is still there, he doesn't trust her - doesn't know how to-

The fire on the stream flickers. It doesn't die, doesn't exactly calm, but there's less heat, it's less frantic, less defensive.

“It’s okay. We’ll help you,” Yuna coaxes softly. 

A feeling like an outstretched hand flows from her heart. 

-And it's like he's taking it, still hesitant, still slow, a raging inferno, and yet a hearthfire on a cold night-

(The fayth's eyes close.)

Yuna gasps at the warmth. It’s like wildfire in her heart. 

“Thank you, Aten.”

“Are you all right, Yuna?”

“I-” The fire is so strong, the power so intense that Yuna can’t- she can’t...

She faints. 

Auron catches her, and gently lays her to the ground. He takes his coat off, and bundles it below her head. 

He sees the fayth’s closed eyes. “She will keep you safe,” he tells it. 

Lulu sits next to Yuna, and gently strokes her hair. Her face is pinched with anger and worry. 

-Over the stream, the fire is shifting and morphing and-

And there's an almost-human figure made out of the flames, it (he?) takes a hesitant step towards the group (towards Yuna, and her warmth.)

“An elemental!” Lulu cries and stands, water spells bubbling over her hands.

“Wait.” Auron grabs Lulu’s arm, holding her back. “That’s not an elemental.”

“Different. Not a fiend,” Kimhari rumbles. 

“What...are you?” Lulu asks. 

He flinches away immediately at Lulu's cry, and doesn't try to move any closer.

There's silence in response to her question, as he-

Remembers how to talk in this form. (It's been so long.)

"I- I'm-" Winces, draws in on himself. "I- Aten? I- Yes."

“You’re the aeon? But Yuna didn’t summon you!”

“How are you doing this? Are you drawing power from Yuna?”

He flinches again, shakes his head rapidly. "I- No, no! I wouldn't- Please- I just- I am? I can- this?"