Our First
Just a heads up, I haven't played through all of Final Fantasy IX yet, so sorry if some things are off. On Disc 2 right now. Once I play more, I'll update chapters if i need to. Another thing: I'm gonna make Vivi a bit older than he really is. Cause in MY defense, I can see this pairing. I try to make ANYTHING work...enough out of me, usual guy/guy pairing. ENJOY!
Chapter 1: First Kiss
Zidane had been announced the winner of the hunt. Not that Vivi cared about winning, really. No he still had a lot on his mind, mostly the events from Dali. Though being kidnapped in general was scary, finding himself in a factory of other...beings like him was scarier. They looked so alike, and the fact that he couldn't recall the first part of his life didn't make it easier.
As the thief went to recieve his prize, the black mage found himself walking away from the crowd, still deep in thought. Luckily, Zidane would probably boast to Dagger about winning, and almost everyone feared or hated the sight of the mage, which made privacy a bit easier.
...and yet the lonliness still hit home hard. 'Who do I really have?' he thought to himself as he reched a pond. 'Am I even capable of feelings?'
That became apparent seconds later as the fist of may tears fell...
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Being in crowds such as this reminded Steiner what he heated most about boisterous people. Of course that amateur actor/thief being the noisiest, since he won this little "hunt" wasn't helping. If he was to be honest, the knight hated the very sight, smell...well ANYTHING and EVERYTHING about the monkey-teen known as Zidane.
At least his companion, Master Vivi was more than bearable. Steiner truly respected everything about the younger shy black mage. For someone as innocent as Vivi, he packed a lot of power. And though he wasn't truly into sports as this, he was secretly rooting for Vivi to win. Speaking of...
The knight began to look for him, hoping to at least congradulate him for his feat, including taking down two Muus at once with a powerful Thunder spell.
Yet he was nowhere to be seen.
Though he hated Zidane's guts, he respected him to at least keep an eye on Princess Garnet...though he wouldn't be longer than ten to fifteen minutes, because dear Gaia, if he ever so layed his tail on the princess...well, Queen Brahne would be pleased with a beheaded kidnapper, per say. And with that he began his trek for the mage.
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It was another five minutes before Steiner finally found Vivi near one of the many local Lindblum ponds. He assumed the mage would be congradulating the thief as well, but perhaps he took loss harder than he expected.
He was about to consider the thought of leaving him to his thoughts, but that idea left his thoughts as soon as Vivi's sobs became more noticable...to him at least. The knight hated the fact how people judged Vivi too early without even getting to know him.
At the sound of clinking metal, Vivi quickly attempted to wipe his eyes of any tears, trying to clear his throat as well. "M-m-Mr. Steiner," he quickly stuttered. "I-i-I'm sorry I wandered off. Were we about to leave?" the mage pulled his hat down a bit to cover his dark face.
"Unfortunately, not for some time, I believe," Steiner stated. "That ...'Zidane' idiot will bound to show off his winning to the townspeople as well." Even figuring he wasn't the "shrink" kind of person, he layed a metal-covered hand onto the younger member in a comfort attempt. "...if it helps, loss isn't so terrible. You gain knowledge and experience from every battle."
Unknown even to himself, Vivi burst, sobbing as he began to collapse to his knees. Fortunately, the knight was in arms-reach, catching him. And though he wasn't an embracing person either, he was surprised to find the mage seemed a little more comforted.
He slowly rubbed his hand on the other's back. "Perhaps worse? ...I'm sorry, i should-"
"I-i-i'ts...n-n-not you..." Vivi croaked in between tears. "or the contest. It's just...why does everyone hate me? What have i done? Why can't I be hum-"
"ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!" the knight pushed him back a bit to look at his tear-stricken face, yellow eyes wide from fear. "They only fear those horrid black mages. But YOU-" he pulled his pointed hat up to see his innocent face, "-well until they spend the time that we have with you, no one will EVER understand. You understand feelings, power, and everything in between. So whether you're human or not does not decipher who you are..."
Yellow eyes gazed at brown as Vivi sniffed the last of the tears. Not even Zidane made him feel happy let alone better abut himself. Perhaps people like Steiner made him feel (yeah, feel) just a bit more human, even if he wasn't. And maybe, just maybe, he could be a friend, if not, more...
At that moment, Steiner had come to a realization, that for once in his strict life, he hadn't been close to anyone. Not the Queen, not Garnet, not Beatrix (because lord forbid, that woman was just...unbearable to be around). And for once, he enjoyed the feeling. If he didn't know any better it was almost like...
As worn-leathered gloves were suddenly grasped by metal gloves gently, Vivi was so lost in the feeling. Mr. Steiner was everything that made his world, as of recently at least. And as another metal glove gently cupped his black cheek, he just...he just...
When lips met, both parties felt warmth. Joy...EVERYTHING!
As they broke apart, a noticable red hue appeared on both faces. The black mage made an attempt to hide his face with his hat once more, but the knight stopped him, tilting his chin up to gaze into the yellow orbs once more.
"I...I um," Vivi couldn't help but still stutter, blush still as red as a rose. "I'm sorry if I-"
He was interrupted by anther peck on the lips. When Steiner resurfaced from the second kiss, he rubbed the other's cheek with his gloved thumb. "No apologies," he whispered. "For any consulation, Master Vivi, we can talk later. But promise me you'll heed my words." Vivi could only nod. With that, Steiner let go gently. "Until then, its safe to say we should join the others." Vivi nodded again, but as they began to walk back to the town, Vivi found the courage to hug Steiner again.
The knight could only smile, as he held him once more.
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"Sorry Zidane," Dagger whisperedplacing a daisy into his hand. "I won't be long. I just have some unfinished business with my mother." She knew he couldn't hear, but it was the only way she could get away with going back to Alexandria.
Steiner was very hesitant about Garnet's idea of tampering the festival feast with sleeping weed. Of course, he had no clue until it was done, though she was kind to warn him of the food (technically, he just didn't trust the food, for good reason, too). But now he was hurt because at the unavoidable choice of assisting the princess back home, he couldn't talk, let alone explain, to Vivi, of anything that happened earlier. The only thing that could suffice for now was that he could at least sort his feelings for the fragile, yet perfect...person. Someone that no one else could see. Because this was the first time in his life he ever felt like this.
During the small moment that Dagger's back was turned, the knight used this oppurtunity to cradle the sleeping mage's face. "...This is NOT goodbye." he whispered in a determined voice, which began to croak. "I hope you'll understand. Until again..." with that, he slipped a note of his own writing into Vivi's hat, knowing that was his potion storage.
"Are you ready?" Garnet called to him. With that, he straightened his armor. At an attempt to mask his sorrow, he walked over. "Of course. Shall we embark, Princess?" at her nod, they headed for the entrance.
"Until again..." he thought, recalling his words.
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Vivi looked around as Zidane paced as well, trying to figure what their next motive would be. With Zidane's friend Freya readying to accompany them, she would be as good any to make their party better.
Not seeing Steiner there made the mage nearly hyperventilate. As he grabbed the edges of his hat to hide the oncoming tears, a piece of paper fell int his palm. Grasping it, he gasped, as the note came from none other:
Master Vivi,
Please pardon my leave, and forgive me for this action, but the Princess has some business to attend to with Queen Brahne. The other black mage activity brings question to her, and for fear that something is to happen, I must accompany her for her safety. Please do not be angry with me, or the princess for that matter. Keep my words with you, if you can.
As i said before, this is NOT goodbye. Stay alive for me.
STEINER
Vivi sniffed as he finished the letter. the knight really cared for him. Maybe he would have something...someone to fight for.
"Hey Vivi, ya ready?" Zidane called out. "That blubbering knight can't slow us down now."
The mage winced at the insult, but thought about what the brave knight would think. It'd only matter what HE thought. Besides, he didn't hate Zidane, just hated the actor's hate for the knight. Swallowing his words. he nodded. "Yeah, Zidane, I'm ready." As he waddled over, he felt for the pocket holding the note.
Stay alive for me, Mr. Steiner...PLEASE.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Yeah, some of yu might not see this pairing as good, but I just might make it work. Hopefully, I'm staying in character. Stay tuned, and review
