… I always laugh at the most basic elements of life that video games leave out. Apparently, washing up and using the toilet aren't exactly romantic things to be playing or watching. Rated M just to be safe, for tolerable and implied Basch x Balthier.

FFXII's not mine: neither are the characters. (Else, I wouldn't have butchered them as much in the story.)

--

Upon a.) the discovery of the Larsa Solidor boy's kidnapping, (and it was indeed a kidnapping, however formal the nobles might have been about it,) and b.) paying hasty respects to the head, the merry party had proposed immediate action, and a swift journey to Archades.

However, as is customary, there were complications. After inventory check, the party realized that they possessed no Teleport stones. All right then. It was then decided that the journey would be made on foot, all the way back to Rabanastre (and beyond.)

We find the ragtag team in the Estersands: where Balthier, aggravated, blasted the skull of a wolf open and stepped back to avoid the imminent spurts of blood (for fear of staining his leather). It was hot, and nearly everybody felt slightly feverish from the drastic temperature changes. There was also sand: miles of it, getting in everyone's mouths and clothing and weapons. They had taken no rest since the beginning of their new mission, with Larsa on the mind.

So naturally, the six had every right to be exhausted.

A pause ensued.

The temperature rose.

And it was Baltheir who broke the silence, with a tch of irritation.

"You know what would be heavenly?"

Vaan and Penelo exchanged (tired) concerned glances. Had the pirate snapped? They doubted it: of their party, Balthier seemed to possess the most self-control and self-preservation. But in these conditions, it was a possibility.

It was Basch who spoke next, bluntly, cutting through the new subdued quiet. "What?"

"A bath."

Another pause. One could almost hear the minds working around the concept: alien, after so many days of running and fighting, sleeping in shifts and cleaning wounds and Gods know what else.

Ashe, weaned on comfort, empathized first. "With as much hot water as you wanted."

"Lots of soap," Penelo sighed.

Vaan groaned (the very thought apparently painfully out of his grasp).

Basch, dreaming blissfully, was unaware when his traitor lips decided to mumble out a quiet "Lavender bubbles."

…

Seeing as how long he had been caged, it was perfectly reasonable for the man to indulge all the more in basic things, like washing and sleeping vertically. But the tips of his ears turned pink when Fran twitched her nose, and Balthier tried (in vain) to hide a growing and altogether too satisfied smirk.

Penelo giggled, and Basch spun around, face even hotter than it had been before. "Ontothecoast,then,"

Ashe followed, manners learned in the cradle kicking in (though it was not entirely enough to keep the laughter out of her eyes). "Let's go, sir knight."

--

Later, when the skies above were washed with indigo, Balthier couldn't help but remark offhandedly on how delicious he found lavender to be. The other man's reaction was worth it: wide eyes first, narrowing in embarrassment as he buried his head in the other man's shoulder while a wicked-silver tongue lapped at his ear.

Hopefully there would be enough water for the six of them in Archades.