Drabbles, Final Fantasy XII-Flavored

[Notes and Disclaimers]

1

The spark of magic at Basch's fingertips was unfamiliar enough to freeze Balthier at the sight, enraptured. It was only when the zu whose wings were beating overhead screeched at the lightning suddenly crackling about it that Balthier recalled his purpose and again raised his gun.

"You're a mage now?" Balthier asked later, after they had set camp in the lee of a ridge, as Basch fastidiously cleaned his blade beside him.

"Of a necessity," Basch said, though his gaze did not move from the oiled rag rubbing over the metal. "A sword avails us naught against such beasts." Settling the blade across his knees, Basch slanted his gaze to Balthier. "Is it so difficult to see me a mage?"

"Yes," Balthier answered without hesitation, then laughed at Basch's expression. "There is such beauty in your bladework that it is difficult to think of you without it."

Basch sheathed his sword and carefully stowed its accoutrement. "I believe there was a compliment in there. I had not realized you were such an admirer. Have you not also studied the melee weapons?"

"Many years ago, and even then I did not have your skill." Balthier scooped a pebble from beneath his thigh, tossing it into the darkness beyond their campfire. "I've always preferred guns."

"They do keep your cuffs cleaner," Basch agreed blandly, then laughed as Balthier's next pebble found his shoulder.

2

They made a surprisingly good team: the sky pirate, the princess and her knight. Together little could resist their onslaught, as Basch waded in sword-first, Ashe struck behind him with her longer-reaching spear and magic, and Balthier supported both with his guns. Neither did it end on the battlefield; their ease in each other's company oft drew them together in their camps or across the table of a tavern. Fran frequently joined them, Vaan and Penelo less so, but their unit remained cohesive within their motley crew.

As such, Basch was rather more surprised than he should have been when Ashe's conversation about hiring chocobos was interrupted by a question he'd never expected: "Is it supposed to be a secret, you and Balthier?"

"A secret?" Basch asked, turning his attention fully from the foul-smelling birds. "What secret might that be?"

"That you are intimate." Ashe's gaze avoided his, flickering between the chocobos' handler and a particularly-interesting cloud formation. "I ask only to ensure that I do not divulge something I should not." Her eyes finally flicked to meet his as a vaguely-embarrassed smile curved her lips. "It was not so many years ago that you were scolding me for my curiosity."

Basch chuckled, lightly touching her arm to draw her with him from the main path. "That was rather different; battle-trained chocobos are not a healthy interest for young princesses. It is no secret, though I must confess that I expected Penelo to come questioning afore you."

"You think me unobservant?" Ashe arched an eyebrow imperiously, though another smile hovered at her mouth. "I was married, Basch."

The amusement fled suddenly, chased away by the ghost of the fallen Nebradian prince. "Ashe," Basch said, fingers again finding her arm, uncertain. "I have never questioned your observancy; it is a part of why I am proud to serve you." He paused, studyig her drawn face for a momet, then shifted his fingers to rest instead at her shoulder. "I will arrange the chocobos."

3

Within the span of a fortnight, once became twice. Ten days later, it became thrice in its turn. Three days from there found four and five, until what had begun with lonely comfort became a covert affair, carried on in taverns and inns, or barely hidden by the thin canvas of a tent. They never discussed it - indeed, there was nothing to be discussed; neither expected declarations of love and fidelity, only the companionship of another.

The night it began to change was overcast; rain threatened but did not present itself. Camp was made around a crystal at the mouth of the caverns leading into the Golmore jungle, painted in shades of blue by the crystal's glow. The children had long-since been sent to find their innocent slumber while Basch, Balthier and fran lingered, passing time with companionable silences and easy conversation. Fran excused herself shortly to seek solitude for her thoughts, leaving the pirate and the knight to their words.

"You are an only child," Basch said at length. The glow of the crystal painted the lines of his smile with shadows.

"Is it so obvious?" Balthier rocked his knee against Basch's. "I already know that you are not, but are there more of you?"

Basch chuckled. "No, only Noah and myself. My parents would have told you that we were enough; we added more than our share of grey to their hair."

Balthier pressed his knee to Basch's again, shifting nearer to his side. "They are dead?"

"When Landis fell; my father was no soldier, but he resisted in his own way." Basch moved to meet Balthier until their thighs touched in a solid line of warmth. "Mama chose to die with him."

"Love moves men to many things." Balthier turned from Basch's gaze until the blue effulgence limned his profile. "It makes fools of us all."

Basch considered Balthier's bland expression. "You do not speak of romance." His arm seemed to wind around Balthier's waist of its own volition. "Who has broken your heart?"

"No one of any consequence," Balthier snapped, though he settled into Basch's embrace. "We should seek our own slumber."

"Balthier," Basch said gently. His fingers found Balthier's chin, turning his face to him again. "I am at your disposal."

The kiss wasn't a surprise to either of them; their lips met familiarly, seeking naught more than comfort. Balthier's fingers found Basch's inner arm and stroked there, their rhythm soothing and stimulating at once.

Basch sighed softly as they broke apart, his fingers lingering at Balthier's jaw. "May your dreams be sweet."

- tsuzuku -

Notes and Disclaimers

Final Fantasy XII is © Square Enix Co., Ltd..

These drabbles are based on prompts filched from all over the web, as well as words of the day and random inspiration. They're more or less related... usually.