So it's 3 A.M. and I've had too much Diet Coke and can't sleep. Since I just finished the last chapter of "To See You Again" earlier today I thought, well hell, I might as well start a new fic. This fic is rated T, mostly for cursing, and may turn to an M in later chapters. Since my last fic was Balthier/Vaan based I'm going to make this one a Balthier/Basch pairing, although I'm more giving this one to Basch because let's face it…every fic I write is pretty much about Balthier, so I think Basch needs some love. I do not own FFXII or its characters and I am not going for "perfectly in character" cuz let's face it, this would probably never happen. Please Enjoy and PLEASE review. Reviewing earns updates!
Every Time I Search
Chapter 1: Dark Eyes in the Distance
Basch never slept for longer than two or three hours at a time. It annoyed him, waking up just when he'd gotten settled in, especially after he'd endured a day like today. As if hiking through the desert all day long hadn't been bad enough, he'd nearly gotten his arm chewed off by a wolf, and even after several healing spells it was still tender and a bit stiff. He left the tent he shared with the others and walked out a bit from the camp, letting the cool night air calm him a bit.
"Trouble sleeping Captain?"
Basch turned at the sound of the pirate's voice and nodded, "I don't sleep much these days."
Balthier came to a halt beside him and folded his arms across his chest, "Prison will do that to one."
"Did I wake you?"
Balthier shrugged, "Doesn't matter. Besides, Vaan snores so bad I doubt I'd have gotten much sleep anyway."
Basch chuckled, "He does at that. I must say I don't much approve of her highness bringing children along on such a dangerous mission. He and the girl should be sent back to Rabanastre before they get hurt."
"She didn't bring them anywhere. Somehow we ran into her along the way. To be honest if I could have gotten rid of the boy back in the treasury I would have. I doubt he'd stay in Rabanastre if you took him back there and chained him to a post."
"What are you doing here anyway?" asked Basch, "I mean I know how you got mixed up in all of this, but why do you stay and fight with Ashe?"
Balthier shrugged and cast the older man a sideways glance, "Nothing better to do I suppose."
"I have a hard time believing that," said Basch, "I don't think you'd stick around and risk your life out of boredom. Besides, aren't sky pirates supposed to fill their time with booze and women?"
Balthier chuckled, "A common misconception. Though most pirates spend their nights in such a fashion, we are not all like that."
"I did not mean to imply such," apologized Basch, "I am sorry."
"No need for that. You should know by now that I am not easily offended, you've known me for some time now."
"I'm afraid I don't know you all that well."
Balthier turned toward him and let a mischievous smirk cross his lips, "A little sad about that are you Captain?"
Basch glanced around nervously, "I'm not sure what you mean."
The pirate chuckled, "You are naïve aren't you?" he said as he moved in closer to the older man.
Basch couldn't think of anything to say as he stood there across from Balthier, the brunette's face so close to his own that he would have only had to move forward a half an inch to capture the pirate's lips with his own. He wasn't sure why having Balthier so close was making him feel so…well, feel this.
"Everything alright Captain?"
Gods, thought Basch, I can feel his breath on my lips…
His heart skipped a beat as the pirate closed the distance and….
Basch woke up with a start. He closed his eyes and sat up, slowly collecting his wits. Damn these fucking dreams, he thought as he tried in earnest not to glance at Balthier's slumbering form next to him. He lay back down, this time forcing himself to put his back to the pirate. He laid there for a long time, time after time resisting the urge to turn around. Finally he allowed himself to flip over onto his back and stare at the ceiling. He made a point not to look over at Balthier, but if he had he would have seen a pair of dark eyes peering at him in the darkness.
To Be Continued…
I know…nothing happened, but it will! All you have to do is review and then I'll update it with lots of exciting and romantic shit! Hope you enjoyed it!
