Author's Note: Okay, I know this is a pretty crappy fic, but I wrote it just to offload and relax a bit. I've had a stressful week and I wanted to do something to cheer up my best friend today because she seemed to be in a bad mood. Also, whilst writing this, I found out that one of my uncles had died, so that really dampened my mood. And yeah. Don't give me stick about it being crappy, because I already know it is and I couldn't really care less right now.
Diclaimer: Don't own
Dedicated to: ElegantCandyCat
Looking out at the sunset from atop the Strahl was a favourite pastime for the thief-turned-sky-pirate-apprentice. All the colours of the rainbow melded into one and the blonde teen loved watching every second of it. In Rabanastre, it was impossible to get a clear view of any sort of nature apart from the desert surrounding the royal city.
On this particular day, however, Vaan was unable to enjoy the sunset as much as usual. He barely noticed as the light faded. His thoughts were a whirlwind and he just couldn't believe how much his feelings had changed for a certain sky pirate over such a short time.
When he had first met Balthier, he had hated the man with a passion. Vaan just couldn't cope with seeing everything he wanted to be standing right in front of him and acting so nonchalant about it. It made Vaan angry just thinking about how Balthier had dared to push him off that ledge, only to catch him by the wrist and threaten to drop him again.
But then, Vaan had started to see past his anger and to the man he strived to be. As soon as the sky pirate had first revealed the Strahl, Vaan's feelings changed from hate to absolute admiration. He did everything that he could to prove himself worthy of becoming the elder blonde's apprentice. Eventually, Balthier had relented and promised to teach Vaan.
The thought elated the thief more than he could find the words to say. So, instead, he attended every flying lesson early and participated in each one eagerly. He never wanted them to end, because, although he wouldn't admit it, he enjoyed his time with the elder sky pirate greatly.
Slowly, Vaan found himself opening up to the older sky pirate. Instead of being at each other's throats all the time, Vaan found himself laughing and joking with Balthier more often than not. The blonde teen surprised himself at how much he enjoyed the sky pirate's sarcastic humour and British wit.
Over the months that the thief spent in the British man's company, he felt his feelings changing from admiration to adoration. There were the inevitable fights against beasts and Vaan realised he was putting himself in much more danger than necessary, leaping in to protect Balthier at all costs.
Once, Vaan got an almost fatal injury from protecting Balthier and forgetting to protect himself. If it hadn't been for said sky pirate's quick casting of curaga and regen, the blonde thief certainly wouldn't have survived.
As said thief sat atop the Strahl and mulled over all of what had happened, he didn't hear someone come over and sit beside him.
"And what has you so deep in thought, Vaan?" The silky-smooth British voice cut through the thief's thoughts and made him jump.
"Nothing, Balthier" He sighed upon realising who it was. The sky pirate chuckled, sending shivers up Vaan's spine. Balthier wrapped an arm around the thief and pulled him close. Vaan was happy for the warmth the sky pirate provided and snuggled up to him.
They stayed together like that until the stars shone brightly overhead.
"Vaan?"
"Hmm?"
"You're all I ever wanted" Balthier confessed quietly. Vaan looked up in surprise
"Really?"
"Really"
"Good, because you are all I ever wanted" Vaan smiled and Balthier smiled back.