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Aaron slung an arm over his eyes, trying to evade the exhaustion that came with one being in their early eighties. The longer the Thief lay there, the more aware he was of the differences in both himself and his surroundings. For a second, his expression was marred by a frown. Surely he was dreaming? His body felt young and refreshed, unburdened by the weight of time. The air was crisp and warm, reminding him of summer time in Besaid or Luca. Which was impossible.

He hadn't felt this way in well over fifty years, and both the aforementioned settlements were destroyed well before his twenty-fifth birthday. Memories of his conversation with Bahamut trickled in to the forefront of his mind. His eyebrows twitched as he remembered his final moments, spent in the presence of the Aeon King and the mission he was trusted with. But that was hard to believe! Bahamut shouldn't have the power to manipulate the very fabric of time.

It was unheard of and foolish to attempt. The past was the past for good reason, nobody should have the chance to manipulate it. And here the young ( old ) man was, laying in the past that he fought so valiantly to erase from his mind. To forget the sin that he committed when push came to shove. Idly, the wizened Thief pondered the consequences of Bahamut's actions.

Maybe the world he knew was different. Momentary aspects that were changed because of the Aeon's desperation. No, the blond told himself. The timeline was set in stone and throwing him back in time, replacing his younger self, wouldn't change the general flow. As far as the river of life was concerned, De Maria had received memories of a future that no longer existed. Unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

Aaron forced himself upright, finding the action much easier now than when he was old and frail. This version of himself was young and taut with muscle. Which meant that, combined with his knowledge, he was at the peak of his abilities. Not even Eric had the potential to match him at his best right now. Now, being the key word in that sentence.

Le Rou's potential eclipsed him in every which way to Sunday, of that the Thief had little to no doubt. He was the leader of the Revolutionaries for that reason, combined with his unique outlook and mentality. Sighing, the blond filed away that thought for another day and looked outside the window. The clouds rushed by outside the Triple Point. Plain, uncaring of the world below.

“I really am in the past,” the old man whispered.

“... really am where now?” a voice interrupted, snapping Aaron out of his thoughts.

His eyes swiveled toward his unexpected guest, bellying a certain surprise as they took in the now unfamiliar sight of Caryn. Fayth, she was as beautiful as ever. It was unintentional but tears, ones that so often spilled at her memory, welled up in his eyes. At her worried look, the Thief forcefully reigned in his emotions. He rubbed his eyes to get rid of the tears and yawned, pushing the action off as something done in the morning.

No reason to alert the rest of the group to what lay in store for them in the future, one that no longer existed.

“Nothin', Caryn. I was just dreaming?” neither of them were sure on who he was trying to convince more, her or himself.

But the raven nodded in reluctant silence. It wasn't often that her childhood crush acted this way, and usually it was for good reason. So, as expected of her character, she trusted him completely. Aaron had never led her astray before, after all. “O- Okay. Eric wanted everyone to gather in the usual area of the ship for debriefing. We're heading for Remiem Temple. Apparently Taika and Angie received their dreams last night.”

Aaron stared in question, fighting back the cobwebs as he tried to remember where he was in the timeline. They were heading to Remiem Temple, meaning this was the day after the Gold Sphere. Their first trip, at any rate. But that was strange, as he vaguely recalled falling asleep in the hotel that night. Not in the Triple Point. Had Bahamut placed him here for a reason?

“Good. I had my dream, too.” the blond mentioned, a smile blossoming on his face.

In response, Caryn looked rather shocked.

“Anyway, come 'ere.”

Caryn approached him almost timidly, unsure of this new change in personality and still caught off guard by his own admission. Then he kissed her! It was short and sweet but it was more than enough. Her cheeks lit up red at the contact, eyes pointed off toward the side. “... what was that for, A- Aaron?”

“I realized how much I cared about you, that's all.” the wizened Thief answered, eyes twinkling with mischief.

Bahamut had placed him here to save the future, and he took this as his chance to atone for his sins. But, surely that didn't mean he couldn't enjoy himself? He owed the Journalist more than just his love. He owed her a life, one filled with happiness and joy and everything else. And he more than planned on keeping his word on that silent promise.

Bypassing his once normal routine, Aaron jumped out of bed. He was clad in just his underwear ( boxers, he noted with amusement ). Aaron grabbed Caryn's hand and led them out of his room on board the Triple Point, heading toward the meeting room.

It was time to start his mission...