I'm so sorry the whole piece is so short. I hope to go multi-chapter when I finish the game, but the drabble was succient for what I was going for. Set midgame in her village after Vaan asks her how old she is.
Standard Disclaimer applies.
Nymph
Balthier knows that Fran is very upset. He has had to switch from a trot to a job to keep up with her strides. He grabs her arm (not without a quick glance behind her, he knows when people stare) and pulls her to him.
"A leading lady who never shows her emotions is failing terribly at this moment." He whispers to her, he knows that she can hear him clearly.
"A leading man will also lose an arm if he keeps holding on to her." She replies in an uncharacteristic hostile way. She never denies that she is his leading lady though, for that he is glad.
"Then what ails her?" He asks as he hears Penelo and Ashe reprehending Vaan one more time for asking Fran's age. "Is it because he asked you how young you were?"
She turns around (though he did not mind the view), her eyes that usual glass look as she eerily peers into his soul. "Your word plays don't work on me Balthier." She comments, spying on Larsa, Penelo and Ashe. Balthier wants to kiss her and let her know that she is his biggest fetish. He wants to throw her on the ground and ravish her to let her know that she isn't old.
Deep down inside Fran knows what wheels are turning in Balthier's mind. The next time they are alone, she'll thank him in her own way. Until then she's stoic, but allows him to touch her hair.
"Tonight then?" He asks in a serious way, their own code of emotions. Tonight, I will awaken the nymph within you.
"If the Wood permits, yes." She replies as she moves into the jungle, waiting for Vaan and the others to catch up to her. Balthier lets go of her snow white hair and pulls out his gun, ready to fire it against a random enemy. As the others catch up with them, Fran turns her back and starts their trot. Balthier calls, "I'm the leading man in this production, Fran."
She looks over her shoulder, giving him a heated glare, "If you really wish to lead Balthier,"
Vaan thinks he missed something, but as he glances to Ashe and Penelo they are giving each other a wise and knowing look and Basch is shaking his head. Balthier takes the cue and allows Fran to lead them out of the forest and back into the plains.
"Then lead the way, woodland nymph." He comments, his fingers itching to touch her hair again and maybe the nape of her neck.
Vaan doesn't understand why Penelo and Ashe are giggling and why Basch has an amused look on his face. He doesn't understand why Balthier's hand twitches as Fran walks in front of him.
"The ship needs maintenance," Fran says casually as they open a treasure chest, "We may need to get everyone at a port so that we can do it."
For some odd reason, he understood the smile that Balthier gave her- and he was totally grossed out.