This is my first hand at writing and I decided to use it to take a stab at my favorite two characters of the Final Fantasy XII series, Balthier and Fran. I tried to stay in character, and truly I hope I was capable of such, but I wanted to take a different path from the normal stories that featured them and tried to outline the interaction because it always seemed so eloquent to me when playing the game. Regardless, I hope the audience enjoys the writing, and while the first three chapters will be sort of short snippets, the story itself will begin soon!

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy XII or any of the characters or places that belong to the game itself. I do, however, own any original characters used, imaginary places, the story itself, and the plot.

"At times, things are more complimenting in the dark than in the light."

Chapter One: The Smile

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"It would seem that our time together has lengthened more than originally thought, if I may say."

He nodded lightly at her, allowing a small connection of their eyes before following up with a response, "Agreed. Perhaps it is we whom should disappear and take to the skies, for those whom we partner seem more transfixed with the land than we."

There was a hearty chuckle that rang from the man's throat, though he found no problems with laughing alone. He was quite comfortable in her companionship alone and use to her extroverted behaviors, but more importantly he had developed such a synch with her that he could understand a portion of her inner sanctum and simply found relief from that alone. Although she expressed no such facial features, she too seemed content, and that within itself was fine enough for him.

And so, the two continued on with their conversations, neither ever paying mind to the fine details of their surroundings, but merely intoning every miniscule detail of one another.

He hadn't missed the ghost of a smile curling at the ends of her lips, nor the fact that she was nothing at all aware of his presence.

Both were foreign oddities to him, for Viera were never without keen senses and extreme acuteness even when nearing death, and a smile from this particular one seemed as unheard of as a Hume courting a Bangaa. The latter comparison made his face contort into a frightened horridness, for he bid pity on any whom was forced into such a relationship certainly, but the idea did not entirely ruin his frustrations. Truly it was the fact of why -or rather who- was keeping her attentions so unyieldingly and making her step from the boundaries of indifference even for a split, unnoticeable millisecond.

"Basch."

The Viera and the Judge both hesitated in their conversing as a voice interrupted, peering to the side to notice the handsomeness of the Sky Pirate, finding his expression to be a bit puzzling in the least. "Ashe requests your presence, and we shall be taking our leave I'm afraid." His voice started out a bit off kilter, but smoothed out to regain it's composure as his adrenaline died down, "Why such faces, did I interrupt?" His sarcasm was missed, or else neither found it offensive enough to pay it mind, but still Fran lifted her thin brow at him.

"Is something amiss? Your heart is ablaze."

"Is it? There is nothing that crossed my mind."

"You'd do well to loosen the fists then," Basch lightly lowered his brows in contrast to Fran, continuing, "for otherwise they'll be too ashen to be of use, Balthier."

It was then that he had noticed that truly his heart, though calming, had been swiftly trying to bore through his chest, and his fists had been held so tightly that they had paled sickeningly and nearly lost all feeling from their nerves. He breathe deeply, regaining his complete composure and returning to his usual quirk, crossing his arms as he let his weight shift toward the cream of the door space. "Well then, as I stated, we shall be taking our leave now. A pleasure Basch. Fran," He slightly turned his gaze to the Viera, trying not to pay mind to the light suspicion written upon her features, "let us take to the skies once more, shall we?" With a small nod from the Judge and the signal that Fran herself was moving to get to his side, Balthier simply turned upon his heel and made way for the door, quietly trying to figure out the cause of his little mishap and shaming himself for allowing such an ugly one at that take place.

"You have your suspicions also I assume?"

"Perhaps, but it apparently is not the place for outsiders to inquire the going-ons of the inside." Fran responded flatly, finding that she couldn't quite place any blame on anything more than his meeting with Ashe, for up to the point he had been as merry and coy as ever. Basch raised his brow at her, crossing his arms over his massive chest in question.

"Going-ons?"

"Am I not allowed to be impressionable?"

"No, it is simply fascinating that I happened to leave such an impression on you is all."

A slight mirth slanted between the two as Fran stood where Balthier had been only moments before, peering back at the ruggedness of Basch's face. Gone was the friendliness of comrades in arms, and now before them was a bond that seemed more kinetic than those formed otherwise with the exceptions. There was something stirring between the two, perhaps some quiet before some uncharted storm, or perhaps something blooming like the silky petals of a lily. Had it not have been for the rituals of Princess and Sky Pirate, then the two certainly would have always only been absurdly parallel but never quite meeting and conjoining to mold into something more intriguing.

"Fran." The impatience of Balthier's voice tampered with the moment, making both shake their heads as if in agreement of the man's need for manners.

"Be safe on your journey."

"And you on yours."

She turned to leave, but the sudden start of Bash halted her. "Expect a letter in two weeks, I apologize in advanced for my sluggishness in the regard, but certainly it shall be waiting for you then." His voice was strong, though hushed as if he were uncertain of the response he'd be given, or if he'd be afforded one at all. There was a pause between the two, one that made him feel just a tad self-conscious, for although they had passed the gray areas of their friendship some time ago, he was still fresh in her versed territory.

"Humes and their excessive quarrels with time," She shook her head lightly, breaking the silence and allowing him peace, but he knew that secretly it held a laugh that was as divine as chime bells during a dewy morning, "shan't it be there then, it will be there soon."

"Fran."

"Basch."

And then, with snow strum tendrils dancing behind her and stilettos gracefully tapping upon the marble of the floor, she was out of his sight and back where she belonged.

I hope you enjoyed it, and if you didn't, I apologize. Please feel free to leave reviews of critiquing or just to express how you feel about the story in general. As I said, I'm quite the beginner at this, so anything said would truly help mold me to fix my craft!