Disclaimer: Don't own them, wish I did! All characters belong to Square Enix.
Introduction: A mostly sweet (hopefully!) story about Penelo and Basch. Might be some M rated content in later chapters, but for now, its T! Set during the game; loosely follows events after Raithwell's tomb, but doesn't stick directly to the plot of the game!
Author's Note: I'd love it if you'd leave a review after you've read; its been forever since I've written any fan fiction and this is my first time writing an FF12 fan fic. 3
A Beginning
Penelo drummed her heels against the wooden crate on which she sat. She felt as if she had been waiting for hours. She glanced to her right at Basch who stood with his back against the wall, arms folded across his chest.
"Think they'll be much longer?" She asked, nodding towards the closed door ahead of them, "I'm getting bored!"
"I'm sure lady Ashe has her reasons for keeping us waiting" Basch replied, a small frown crossing his face briefly.
"It bothers you, doesn't it?" Penelo asked, watching Basch intently, "that she took Vaan with her to see Old Dalan and not you".
"Vossler's betrayal is still fresh in her mind". Basch replied. He shifted slightly, staring past Penelo down the dark and dingy hallway that comprised one of Lowtown's side streets, "as it is mine."
"I wonder how they stand it" he murmured, watching a group of young children run past the end of the alleyway. "Down here in the dark all the time."
"They're not trapped or anything you know." Penelo snapped. "I grew up down here and I turned out just fine!"
"I did not mean to cause offence Penelo. I simply feel for Rabanastre's people, kept down here like...like...I just don't feel it fair." Basch finished lamely, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
Penelo glared at Basch for a minute before looking away, the familiar sounds and smells of Lowtown washing over her; it felt like an age since they had been in Rabanastre and Penelo found it comforting to be back home. She'd been waiting outside Old Dalan's house with Basch for several hours now. Ashe had refused to accept Basch's offer to accompany her, insisting instead that Vaan join her. As had become routine when they stopped for more than a few hours at a time, Balthier and Fran had slipped away on some private mission, the details of which they did not deign to share with the group. Penelo was bored. It wasn't that she disliked Basch or his company, but it was, as company went, lacking. He took his role as Ashe's protector so seriously, always watching and guarding, there was never any chance to have a proper conversation or a joke like there was with Balthier or Vaan. She tried to think of something to say, something that Basch would be interested in.
"She's not in any danger, you know". Penelo announced suddenly, pulling her knee up to her chest and hugging it tightly. Basch merely looked at her, a sceptical frown on his face.
"No one in Lowtown would harm Ashe, 'specially not while she's with Vaan and Old Dalan" Penelo continued, resting her head on her knee and watching Basch intently.
"Never the less, my duty is to act as her guardian." Basch relaxed slightly, turning to face Penelo. "It's the least I can do". A hunted look crossed Basch's rugged face. Penelo thought it looked rather like a cloud blotting out the sun on a summer's day.
"She has forgiven you" Penelo stated simply, smiling confidently at Basch.
"I fear that her words she utters do not reflect those in her heart." Basch answered, failing to return Penelo's smile.
"She'll get there, I'm sure of it. I mean, you've more than proved yourself to her and guarded her so well and everything." Penelo's smile lost some of its confidence and she looked away from Basch.
Basch took a step towards, letting his arms drop towards his sides as he did so.
"Your faith in others is admirable Penelo", he smiled shyly. As he spoke, he reached out and rested his hand on Penelo's bare arm, gently cupping her elbow. Penelo felt a curious feeling spread down her arm as his hand made contact with her skin.
"Never lose that faith in people, promise me." He stated his blue eyes intense as they sought her gaze. It seemed almost as if in his gentle touch and intense stare, Basch hoped to reinforce his words and make his point understood.
"I...I won't" Penelo stammered, feeling a blush rise in her cheeks as he continued to look into her eyes. She tried to look away but felt herself unable to. She could not recall ever looking at Basch so intently before, looking beyond the beard and old scar above his eye. She noticed for the first time the faint freckles on his cheeks; they looked out of place and childish on his serious face. His eyelashes were long, far longer than Penelo would have expected and cast smudgy dark shadows on his face in the low light.
"It is a very admirable quality, faith in others" Basch continued, his hand still resting on her elbow. "I only wish that I possessed such optimism and hope."
Penelo opened her mouth to respond, but before she could speak, the door to Old Dalan's house was thrown open to reveal Vaan, stretching and yawning as he exited the gloomy building.
"Well that was a whole waste of time" He stated loudly, looking back towards Ashe and grinning as he spoke. Ashe did not return his grin, simply pressing her lips together and frowning. At the sight of Vaan and the princess, Basch's hand dropped quickly from Penelo's arm, leaving her with a lingering feeling of disappointment that she couldn't quite place.
"Your orders, Majesty?" Basch asked, looking at Ashe.
"We leave for the Giza Plains tonight." Ashe replied, turning away slightly as if to avoid Basch's gaze. "Now where are Balthier and Fran? We must make ready to leave." With that, Ashe turned on her heels and walked quickly towards the nearest flight of stairs, Vaan trotting after her, chattering away as they walked.
"Shall we?" Basch asked, holding out his hand to help Penelo down from the crate on which she sat. Hesitating for just the briefest of moments, Penelo accepted his hand and pushed herself off the crate, landing lightly on the floor.
"Th...thanks" she mumbled, moving to pull her hand from Basch's grip. He maintained his hold on her for a little longer than was strictly necessary and Penelo felt the gentle pressure as his rough, calloused hand squeezed her own slightly before he released his grasp on her.
"After you then" he gestured for Penelo to follow Vaan and Ashe, stepping to one side to allow her to pass. Penelo felt herself beginning to blush again and kept her head lowered as she moved past Basch, pressing her back against the dark stone wall as if to put as much distance between the two of them as possible. She felt as if some new feeling had awoken inside her, leaving her with a vague sense of longing and more than a hint of discomfort as she shot Basch a sidelong glance.
