Adult-FanFiction.org : Final Fantasy

Visions	By : anyasy Category: Final Fantasy Games > Final Fantasy XII Views: 967 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy XII, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 3
- 4
- 5
November 7. さしむかふ心
/ sashimukau kokoro / the heart facing mine

[A/N: finally out of the AU thing. T__T; Thought of this
after deciding to do mini quests (at a level where the rewards are no longer
really useful, oh well).� Spoilers for
Rabanastre �Soul Mate� mini quest and Raithwall.� Yes, I had already before it spent an hour walking around
Raithwall trying to spawn the Cultsworn Lich to get the Locksley bow� -.- and
then the quest gives it to you�]

A Question of Soul-Mates

�� Where�s
Ashe?� Vaan asked, around a mouthful of fragrant danvanir stew.�

�� Don�t talk
while you�re eating,� Penelo chided, with a faint grin � Vaan ignored her,
continuing to shovel stew into his mouth and talk at the same time.

�� It feels
like we�ve been away from Rabanastre forever,� he complained.� �I missed the food here in the Sandsea.�

�� There�s no
need to choke on it,� Balthier commented mildly.� The party � minus Ashe � sat at the quieter, higher tier of the
Sandsea tavern.� It was late in the day
for lunch, and the place was mostly deserted, save for the occasional Hunter
hanging about the board and a few regulars, early for the evening.� On their return to Rabanastre after
Raithwall, Ashe had instantly disappeared, claiming urgent business, and
commanding Basch to stay behind.� The
ex-General had been quiet ever since, though his eyes drifted constantly.� Whatever it was, Balthier told himself he
wasn�t particularly curious � his pride still smarting somewhat over the
deception Ashe had played on him.� The
Dynast-King�s bloody treasure, indeed.

�� Anyway.� We have to leave soon, don�t we? Off to the
Garif, whoever they are,� Vaan said, trying to keep blas� in the face of his
obvious, boyish excitement at yet another adventure.� Frankly, Balthier had no idea why Ashe
allowed the two children to tag along � though he supposed it could just purely
be symbolic.� A physical reminder of
what she should be thinking of � the people of Dalmasca � rather than her
personal power, perhaps? Or the fact that Vaan could see whatever the Mist
conjured up for her, while the rest of them could not?

�� We go when
Lady Ashe rejoins us,� Basch murmured, his eyes darting to the door again.� Balthier found himself growing slightly
irritated at the other man�s preoccupation with his duty, and drowned it in a
gulp of bitter augyin tea.� His personal
unspoken arrangement with Basch skirted around the other man�s self-appointed
role as Ashe�s protector � a private/business dichotomy that so far sat easily
enough for the both of them, especially with the rest of the party � save Fran
� apparently oblivious.� It suited him
that even the private arrangement was just so � an understanding,
almost-business, convenience, mutual lust, and no unnecessary emotions.� So there was no call to be feeling irritated
about an outside-private distraction, logically.

�� Hah.� I think I know where she might have gone,�
Vaan said, indistinctly, around a too-large spoonful of thick fish stew.� He didn�t notice Basch look sharply at him �
instead addressing Balthier with a little wave of his free hand.� �There�s a man looking for you, fountain at
the central square over here in Rabanastre, Balthier.�

�� Hn? Any
reason?�

�� Oh, that,�
Penelo giggled.� �You know, I felt
rather bad, accepting all those gifts from that Viera lady, when the only use
we had for the bow was to sell it� since Fran already had the same bow��

�� Well, there
was this guy at the fountain, and he was going on and on about his um�
obsession with some Viera lady, so since we were walking around anyway
we decided to take a look around.�
Information being power, of course,� Vaan grinned.� Streetchildren, of course.� �And then we ran into the Viera lady in
question around the south gate, and it just so happened she was here in
Rabanastre looking for a soul-mate.� So
we set them both up, and in reward she gave us lots of stuff.�

�� And then the
man tells us he�d never have thought of being able to be with a Viera in the
first place, if he hadn�t seen �that sky pirate and his Viera partner� around,
so he wants to thank you,� Penelo chipped in, with a bright smile.� �And so.�

�� Balthier was
aware simultaneously of Fran�s faint amusement, to his left, and Basch�s sudden
tension, to his right.� �Ah.�

�� How did you
meet Fran, anyway?� Vaan asked, with his oblivious lack of tact, �Are you both
soul-mates? I�ve never seen any male Viera around, and��

�� Vaan,�
Penelo warned, jabbing Vaan in the ribs.�
�Sorry, Balthier.�

�� There are no
male Viera,� Fran said, still eating delicately.� �And yes, we are a Jyirn-pair.�
The closest translation to your tongue would be soul-mate.�

�� Balthier
didn�t need to look at Basch to know that the other man�s face was
darkening.� That, at least, bolstered
his (already considerable) ego, despite previous contemplations about their almost-business
arrangements.� Flattering.�

�� Ah? But� eh,
when I was um, kidnapped,� Penelo blinked, �The bangaa who did it referred to
you as a philanderer, Balthier.�

�� And that
would likely do wonders, for Basch�s mood.�
Still, the man did deserve some retribution, for letting his
attention wander (and of course, this reasoning was absolutely logical and had
nothing to do with jealousy.� He
certainly was not jealous, that Basch could be more preoccupied with his duties
as a Knight over the intricacies of an unspoken almost-business
arrangement.� At all.)� Balthier studied the (rather) frighteningly
brightly colored stew he had been eating, with pointed disinterest.� �Your point being?�

�� Penelo and
Vaan looked quickly to Fran, who in turn arched an eyebrow.� �Yes?�

�� Um� but
philanderer means�� Vaan began, then yelped, when Penelo (likely) stepped on
his foot, under the table.� �Penelo!�

�� Eat your
lunch, Vaan,� Penelo said, quickly, looking apologetically at Balthier and
Fran.� �Um��

�� You want to
know what being part of a Jyirn-pair means,� Fran deduced, sipping at her
tea.� �Is that so?�

�� Vaan nodded,
his mouth too full to speak.� Penelo
hesitated, blushed, and nodded as well.�

�� The best
translation would be� �the one whose heart faces mine�,� Fran said, tilting her
head slightly in concentration as she attempted to find the correct words.� �It is hard to say.� Two halves of one, a mirror.� It is hard to say, in the Hume-tongue.�

�� I would
think the man you spoke of at the fountain may be in for a surprise,� Balthier
chuckled, still carefully ignoring Basch, deciding that the man had probably
suffered enough for the day.� �The Viera
see �soul-mate� as something more along the lines of a sibling, or a very close
friend, rather than a bed-mate.�

�� The moogle
MontBlanc, he and his Jyirn-pair � and one other friend � they run Clan
Centrio,� Fran added, thoughtfully.� �It
is strange how in this age, most Viera can only find their Jyirn within other
races.� Some see it as punishment from
the Wood, for those who have left.�

�� Punishment?
But� isn�t finding um, your er� Jyirn� a good thing? The Viera at the fountain
was so happy,� Penelo blinked.

�� We count our
days longer than most,� Fran smiled, a little sadly.� �And many of the other races, your lives are like mayflies to
us.� For Viera, finding a Jyirn who is
not of the Viera � is both joy and sorrow.�
So it is that some see it as punishment from the Green Law.�

�� Oh�� Penelo
bowed her head.� �I see.� That�s terrible.�

�� Well, I�m
sure Balthier has at least fifty years on him, if he holds back on trouble,�
Vaan said, in a tone that suggested that he was trying to be comforting, and in
a typical Vaan fashion had yet again put his foot into his mouth.� There was a startled snort of laughter, from
Basch, just as Penelo prodded the boy again.

�� Vaan!�
Penelo looked quickly at Balthier and Fran.�
�Um��

�� I intend to
live forever, boy,� Balthier drawled, and he drained his tea.� � �Tis what leading-men do.�

�� Vaan was
contritely silent, for all of five minutes, and then he said, �So, if there are
only female Viera, how do� oww� Penelo, that hurt!�

--

�� Balthier had
been expecting it, when Basch rolled on top of him afterwards, in the bed of
the rented room they shared in the Sandsea, but the brutal kisses were still
gratifying � he purred in response, nipping at a lower lip with just enough
force to hurt, listened to the deep, warning growl, then bucked upwards.� A gasp, then there were teeth at the
juncture of his neck and shoulder � stinging pain, and answering pleasure � he
curled fingers into claws, over muscular shoulders, dragged nails down to
shoulder blades.� Basch was hardly ever
rough, despite the precedent set by their first time or any encouragement Balthier
could care to come up with � it was not really in the ex-General�s nature � so
when he was, it was something to be savored.�

�� Bites on
Basch�s neck (hah, and the man had no cravat, unlike him) as lips and teeth
moved leisurely down his collar bone � then the ex-General stilled, as Balthier
worked fingers down to the hem of his shorts.�
A deep sigh, then another growl � a bite that hurt more than stung, over
the curve of his shoulders.� Balthier
flicked his tongue against an ear lobe, then nipped and tugged, gently.� Another gasp.� Lips against his, again, fiercely possessive, then abruptly,
Basch pulled back, supporting his weight on elbows, head bowed, breath hissing
out in uneven pants.� �Balthier.�

�� Mm?�
Balthier was glad for prescience, which had encouraged him to go to bed clad
only in boxers � legs wrapped around Basch�s waist, he could feel a lovely,
hard ridge, pressed between his thighs � he rubbed against it,
suggestively.� The ex-General shivered,
with a hungry moan, shaking his head in an attempt, no doubt, to clear it of
lust.� Something to say, poor man � a
pity he didn�t much feel like conversation � he bucked again, and this time,
lips and teeth descended on willing flesh � Balthier arched, with an
appreciative mewl, at stinging bites that crept down from shoulder to nipples.� A bite which hurt had him claw again,
down the muscular back (velvet skin) and hiss � there was a murmur, then an
apologetic lick.�

�� Teeth at his
ear, as they began to grind against each other (delicious friction), and a
harsh whisper, �You�re mine.� �Balthier
laughed, breathlessly, deciding not to argue (not now, when Balthier was
stroking the tip of his tongue right there just behind the shell of his
ear, oh-Gods) and kept a tight hold on his sharp tongue.� �I mean it.�

�� Bites over
reddening marks, and a palm, dragged roughly over the bulge in his boxers just so,
and Balthier could feel himself getting impatient � he tugged insistently at
the hem of Basch�s shorts, then whimpered, when all that achieved was a choked
laugh and a teasing squeeze.� �Basch.�

�� It hurts,�
Basch said, conversationally, as he ran his tongue over the stinging marks from
bites � the sky pirate mewled, frowning, sensing that what the other man was
saying was important, at the moment, and good Gods, he wished he would
get on with the next stage of play � rolling hips between his thighs was
not good for concentration, �Sometimes.�
When I see you with Fran.� A harsh laugh, then a rough buck, when
Balthier opened his mouth � words slipped into a groan.� �If you have this� damned Jyirn
relationship, with her.� Then what we
have is just� is only lust, is it not.�
A bedroom arrangement only.�

�� Balthier
tried to speak, again, then found his throat was refusing to obey him, under a
careful onslaught of wet tongues and a warm hand, stroking him roughly over
thin fabric, but not enough to satisfy.�
And Basch was still whispering, though strained, �I think you would say
anything, to get what you want, pirate, and I will rather not listen to any
constructive lies at this point.� A growl, and a nip, at the hollow of his
neck, that made him moan, �I do not enjoy being mere convenience.�

�� Convenience?�
Balthier frowned, kicking his mind briefly out of the heady want-need loop it
seemed to have gotten mired in, what with oh-God-that-was-unfair�
pinching fingers, over� ��Tis not��

�� The rest of
Ashe�s entourage consists of two children, a princess, and a Viera,� Basch
pointed out, and what he was saying finally filtered into the rational section
of Balthier�s mind.� The sky pirate
welcomed the sudden fury � it gave him control, at least � and there was savage
gratification at seeing Basch�s blink of surprise as he jerked out from under
warm arms to the other corner of the bed, his eyes flashing fire.�

�� And people
say I have an ego problem,� Balthier growled, getting a little painfully to his
feet and grabbing his breeches off the chair.

�� Basch was off
the bed and up against him with surprising speed � Balthier felt his clothes
being pulled out of his hands and dumped back on the chair, and there was rough
stone, against his back.� �You�re not��
A frown.� �Are you angry?�

�� Use the
damned eyes that the Gods gave you,� Balthier snarled, pushing somewhat
uselessly at Basch�s shoulders, �Do I look angry to you?�

�� But��

�� Maybe if you
look back over what you just more or less implied I was, you would understand,�
an outraged hiss, �Now, kindly move, before I have to resort to violence.�

�� Basch
blinked, but did not actually do so, trapping Balthier against the wall within
the circle of his arms, his frown deepening.�
�Where are you going?�

�� Down to the
tavern keeper to request another room,� Balthier narrowed his eyes.� �Move.�

�� No, I�� A
breath, then closed eyes.� Another
breath, then a blink, and a slight flush.�
Oh.� �It was not my intention
to imply that you were a� uh��

�� A whore?�
Balthier supplied, when Basch stammered.�
The lewd term made the flush deepen, and there was a tight nod.� �How would I not have taken it that
way, looking at what you just had the bloody nerve to say to my face,
you bastard?�

�� Deep breaths,
then a wry, �Can we start over?�

�� No!�

�� Balthier�
Gods, look, I was upset over� it did not particularly come out very well� what
I wanted to say was� would you stop that.� A snarl now, and Balthier
found himself dragged to the bed, pushed down onto his chest, and pinned down
efficiently.� Violence had indeed not
worked very well � a logical flaw there, perhaps, against someone physically
stronger.� �Listen to me.�

�� Balthier
wasn�t sure when he had last been this angry � he hissed, writhing, even though
it was futile � his arms were locked against his back, and his knees pushed
down.� �Let.� Go.�

�� Only if you
sit down and talk,� Basch growled into his ear, �Instead of running.� Agreed?�

�� An apology
might actually be appropriate, at this point.�

�� I� look.�
Another shuddering breath, then a sigh.�
�I humbly beg your pardon, Balthier, for the insult.� Will you forgive me?�

�� I will
consider it,� Balthier muttered, sitting up when Basch backed away.� �You can be surprisingly rude.�

�� I said I
was��

�� Upset, over
the afternoon?� Balthier arched an eyebrow.�
�What for?� A drawl, �Jealous of Fran?� A flush, a tight nod, eyes fixed
on the bed.� �So when you are
irrationally upset over issues that are none of your concern and of little
relation to you, your reaction is to suggest that I am some sort of
sex-crazed�� slut �who would go after the nearest��

�� I did not��

�� Do you even
listen to the words that come out of your mouth?� Balthier retorted, folding
his arms.

�� A heavy
breath.� �Forgive me, I��

�� I will think
about it, starting from when you stop making superficial excuses for your
behavior.�

�� Lips thinned,
then Basch moved with that disturbing speed that never failed to surprise
Balthier (the other man was so bloody big, how could he move like a snake?) and
he was being kissed, this time apologetically, gently.� Balthier growled, still annoyed, and more so
now, at the liberty � he bit down, hard, making Basch pull away with a
yelp.� Balthier was darkly pleased to
see that he had broken skin � Basch�s lip bled � the other man looked
surprised, as he touched fingers to the wound and saw them come away splotched
crimson.� Then he smiled wryly �
startling Balthier � and kissed him again � the sky pirate tasted copper,
growled, and clamped his teeth shut.� He
could feel his ire melting just a little, however, with his tension, under an
insistent onslaught of lips and tongue, and when he sucked carefully on the
mauled lip, he felt Basch relax in turn.

�� Better?� Basch
asked, softly.� Balthier refused to
answer, though a significant glance at the broken lip suggested that there was
at least another bite in it, were Basch to stir his ire again.� �What I wanted to say � but came out badly�
was that I want this�� fingers trailed down his ribs, �To mean something
more than� more than lust, between us.� Eyes held his own in a steady
gaze.� �Can it?�

�� And you
decided that based on this afternoon?� Balthier arched an eyebrow.

�� It was
educational,� Basch admitted, �Realizing I could feel that jealous, over
something that I knew logically should not even make me think so.� Heavily,
�And if you say �tis impossible, I would rather we no longer do this.� Because for me, �tis no longer only lust.�

�� Ah.�
Balthier sighed.� Complications.� Perhaps inevitable, especially with a man
like Basch � he had never thought their comfortable arrangement could last
long, in any case, and had rather been hoping that his wanderlust would pull
him apart from the Dalmascan princess and her difficult little problems long
before it became an issue.� At least,
what with his anger, his need had subsided for the moment, freeing his mind to
think.� �With a sky pirate, Basch?�

�� With a
traitor, Balthier?� Basch�s lip quirked, then he lowered his head, nuzzling his
chin.�

�� I�m� not in
love with you.� Just so you��

�� I am not
asking for that.�

�� Hah.� Truly?�

�� Dryly, �At
least not now.� Another quirk, playful.�
�Well?�

�� He supposed
there really was no harm, at least within reason � it was entirely possible
that he would be inclined to see this whole business through.� �But at any point when I feel I wish to walk
away��

�� Then of
course it would be your right,� Basch grimaced.� �I did not want this to sound like a contract, but��

�� My fault,� Balthier
agreed, leaning up on shoulders to flick his tongue against the abused lower
lip.� �I will think about it.�

�� Basch look
startled, then flushed slightly.� �Of�
of course.� I suppose you should.�

�� I am,
however, willing to be persuaded,� Balthier amended, wondering how many hints
he would have to drop before Basch finally understood.�

�� Thankfully
nothing more � Basch smirked, lazily, and purred, �And the method of persuasion
is entirely at my discretion?�

�� Entirely,�
Balthier grinned, and laughed, when lips tickled a slow path down to his belly.

-fin-
��
- 3
- 4
- 5
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Visions

A Question of Soul-Mates