Unveil

-or-

Oh Captain, My Captain*

Basch has never had a relationship…or anything for that matter. So when the flirtatious pirate looks his way he doesn't know what to do. Balthier on the other hand, just doesn't quit. So what happens when a headstrong lonely soldier and a carefree debonair pirate tango together, and what could it unveil? MxM

AN: I had such a writer's block that it was more a cube than a block. Perhaps worse than that. But I've found when stuck, that writing fanfiction can help. Especially on a subject that I'm no good at. I write fantasy for the most part, and when it comes to writing romance I have to seek help or hope for the best. So sappy (a little smutty) fanfiction was the answer, because what was the other thing I avoid like the plague? Why smut of course! I've read enough smut rather it's published in book or online to understand the basics, so hopefully it's not terrible. (apologies if it is, but it's written now) Lately my new obsession has been playing FFXII – The Zodiac Age, and I just love Balthier. I mean damn…right? But I wanted him with someone, and Fran didn't seem right to me, and thinking over the rest of the cast, it didn't work. So I picked my second favorite character Basch and my brain said one thing, 'yes, please'. But there's like only a dozen online, and not all good (as any reader knows) so I wanted something that I could read and enjoy, and the words just DID NOT stop. Not complaining but damn, in Word this is 23 pages, that's right, 23! The only thing I must note is because I haven't played much there is no story besides some beginning cut scenes , so this is technically spoiler-free! Yay! So no, I don't care if this isn't canon or other stuff happens to them, haven't played it, so it hasn't happened. *sticks out tongue* In other sad news, I don't own FFXII or the characters, but I will shove them together and shout 'just kiss!' when I damn well please, so, please, enjoy!

-Uncanny-

Darkness had been so persistent that it was hard to believe there had been much else. What was the sky like? The man in the cage couldn't have said. He could scarcely remember the smell of fresh air, the sight of the sun, or the feeling of anything but pain and despair.

He'd never known love, not even the embrace of another. He didn't dwell on emotions other than pride, duty or honor, at least back in the war. He'd focused on the task at hand, and naught else. Now all he could think of was regret at having never really lived. He'd never indulged, not in the slightest pleasures, not food, not drink, and definitely not companionship.

Basch had really truly believed this would be the end. Scars and chains his only friends to accompany him to death. So when he heard voices not belonging to guards he could only ask for assistance.

"You, you're no Imperials; please you must get me out." He pleaded.

"It's against my policy to speak with the dead." A haughty voice retorted, "Especially when they happen to be King Slayers."

"I did not kill him." Basch protested. It was not much of a defense, but it was the truth.

"Is that so? Huh… glad to hear it."

Basch knew it was no use talking to this man, so he turned to the boy, "Please, get me out, for the sake of Dalmasca." But the boy sneered and launched at the cage, shaking it, making the chains chafe all the more.

"For the sake of Dalmasca? What do you care about Dalmasca? Everything that's happened is because of you! Everyone that's died, every single one…" The boy shouted, choked with sobs, "…even my brother. You killed my brother!"

"Quiet, the guards will hear." The other man warned, but it was too late. The clink of armor was coming down the passage when the viera said, "I'm dropping it." The cage shook and began to fall as she pulled the lever to release the cage.

"Pirates without a sky." The other man almost grumbled and jumped on, riding the cage down with the viera and the boy.

It was not a slow fall, and worse in the chains. The whole cage shook and the fall was making his stomach feel like it was in his throat. He would have braced himself when he heard the viera shout, "Now!" and they all jumped off, but he was prevented the luxury. The impact clacked his jaw together even with his teeth clenched, and the cage rolled down onto its side. Chains snapped and he rolled forward into the door, which buckled easily under his weight. He tumbled down the rocks, but managed to right himself with his hands now free, and landed on the floor with only a tad bit of difficulty.

He was just catching his breath when the boy charged screaming at him, knocking him back and raising a fist, before the other man grabbed the boy's arm and threw him back.

"Spare us your quiddities." The man scolded.

"Yah but…but he's a…"

"A traitor, I know. Stay here and fight if you want." The man turned back towards Basch. "If you can walk, let's go.

"You're taking him with us?" The boy asked, incredulous.

"We could use another sword arm." The man replied.

"And you have it." Basch swore, standing. He didn't have much of a chance on his own, and if someone could trust him enough to let him fight beside them, he couldn't complain. He mostly stumbled and had no weapon to fight with, and Basch wondered if they would regret their decision, but they did not voice it if they did.

They made their way though many twists and turns, until Basch finally located a body and looted some clothes and a sword. He gave it a few swings. "Nice moves there Captain." A pang went through him as the other man spoke. It was meant as a jest, he was sure, but it had been so long since he'd been called it.

"You mean traitor." The boy corrected.

"So they say. But I didn't see him kill anyone." The man argued. Did this man really believe him? It was hard to say.

"My brother did." The boy sneered.

"Reks." Basch saw the resemblance now that he couldn't have seen in the dark and chained. "He said he had a brother two years younger. I see. He meant you. Your brother, what became…"

"He's dead." The boy cut in.

"I'm sorry." Basch apologized.

"It was you who killed him!" The boy accused.

"I give you my word: that was not the way of it." Basch swore and told them what he knew, what had really happened.

"A twin brother? Fancy that. Hmmm… but still the pieces fit. I'll give you that much. And he did look like you. "

Basch doubted the man really believed him, but even some doubt felt better than nothing.

"I don't believe you." The boy scoffed.

"Of course not, it was my fault Reks was there. I am sorry." Basch hung his head, unbelieving of the pain he had unwittingly caused.

"My brother, he trusted you. He trusted you, and he lost everything. How can I believe you?"

"Not me then." Basch stood, "Believe in your brother. He was a fine soldier. He fought to the last to protect his homeland. No… surely he fought to protect his brother."

"You don't know anything!"

The other man stepped between them, "Believe what you want to. Whatever it takes to make you happy." He walked off, turning towards Basch to say, "What's done is done."

Basch helped as much as he could in the fights to come, even with the Mimic Queen. He slashed with all he had, watching the others work together, almost perfectly. There were times when the boy became reckless in battle and the viera had to cast a cure in his direction, but mostly it worked. Basch felt like an unwanted fourth wheel, but besides the boy, the others helped. Both the viera and the man helped him fight, or threw a healing spell or potion when he needed it, though he never asked.

Soon enough they were running from the collapsing area and stepping out into the blinding sun. Basch blinked and looked around; gazing at lands he had not seen in what felt like centuries. "To think Dalmascan air could taste so sweet." He mused, drinking in the fresh, hot air of the desert.

"Where are we?" Asked the boy.

"The Estersand by the look of it. Let's get back to Rabanastre before we shrivel up. By your leave Captain." The man said, turning to Basch, causing him to jump just a bit. It didn't feel like a teasing name that time, but he was unsure. He was even more unsure about them following him about rather than him trailing behind. But he did not dwell on it.

"Yes, the hour of my return is already over late. The people may hate me, but that does not free me of my charge." Basch set off and soon enough they arrived at Rabanastre.

"I thank you."

"I'd avoid crowds if I were you. In this town you're still a traitor, you know." The man warned.

"The Resistance will surely find me soon. Fates will we meet again. I would pay my respects to your brother." Basch made his way off, leaving his saviors to their own devices. He made his way to a shop, selling what things he had picked up while fighting. He had expected an argument about taking them, but it never came. It may have been pity for all he cared; it was money to buy simple clothes and a plain sword. He made his way to a tavern and rented a room, taking the time to bathe off the caked dirt and blood. It felt almost foreign to be clean again, the air brisk upon his skin. He stepped in front of the mirror and quickly looked away. It took all he had to look back. He must have been a sight, it was no wonder he'd barely caught eye contact at first with the others.

Even without the dirt and blood it was a sight that would surely sicken most. Scars crisscrossed his back, several quite deep, while more littered what other skin there was, even if they were smaller. His ribs were prominent enough to count each one, and his hip bones poked out as well. His hair was scraggly and his beard was overgrown. He cut both until he looked presentable, and headed downstairs to eat.

The tavern was decently busy, so he took a shadowed table in the corner and ordered stew and ale. He hadn't realized he was lost in thought until he was joined. He blinked and started a bit at the company.

"Didn't mean to startle you there Captain." It was the man from before.

"You're fine. Was just…" He trailed off, ashamed at his previous train of thought.

"Lost in thought?" The man supplied and Basch nodded. He'd been thinking of what he wanted to do next, what to do to feel…normal again. He'd cleaned, shaved, dressed and was eating standard food again, even drinking ale. The only thing to come to mind was what he had been thinking of in the dark and lonely cage: Companionship. But after seeing his own scars he doubted anyone would want to look at him, especially if he could barely stomach it himself. And he really didn't want to hire a courtesan for a fling. In truth he wanted more than that, he wanted someone to spend time with, to talk with, and to hold. He'd never had those things. But it was still shameful to think anyone would want him, scars or no, with being a traitor.

He shook his head and changed the subject before the color could rise in his cheeks. "I never did get your name. Anyone's really." The man raised an eyebrow at Basch's actions, but answered all the same.

"Balthier." He supplied with a flourish of a ringed hand. "The boy with the intense dislike of you is Vaan and my companion, the viera, is Fran."

"Good to meet you Balthier. I must thank you all for freeing me."

"No reason to thank me. It was a way out, and besides, you're still a wanted man in a city that knows you." Balthier reasoned, shrugging it all off. The food came and Balthier only waved his hand at Basch, dismissing talk to allow him to eat. Basch nodded and dug in. Simple stew and ale had never tasted so fine.

After he had finished, Basch made to speak again when Balthier held up a finger. "I do not mind conversing with you Captain, but we are in an open tavern with many people who know your face. Let us perhaps retire to a room to continue?" Basch glanced around and nodded, noticing the crowd was getting larger with the later hour. He led the way up and into the room, taking a seat on the bed, leaving the chair open for Balthier, who took it.

"You were saying, Captain?"

Basch almost wanted to ask about the 'Captain' bit, but in truth he was a bit attached to it. He doubted anyone else would call him it anytime soon, if ever. "So what do you do?"

Balthier grinned proudly, "Sky pirating, naturally."

Basch blinked and realized the man wasn't joking. He waited on an elaboration, but received none. It seemed almost unfair. This man, Balthier, knew so much about him, simply from stories, but Basch knew naught about him. He had a feeling he wasn't going to learn it easily either.

"I see. What are you doing in this area?"

"Errands." Came the short reply. Definitely not a man of answers it seemed. Basch didn't know what to ask, he didn't really 'chit-chat' that much and this pirate didn't seem to want to disclose much anyway.

"You don't say much do you?" Basch sighed.

"Only what's important." Balthier replied coolly. "Though I do have to say Captain, you clean up well."

Basch blinked a bit. He looked terrible, and he knew it, but the man did not laugh or make it into a jest. "T-thank you." He managed, still a bit taken aback.

"I shall leave you to your errands. Perhaps I shall see you again." Balthier stood, and made for the door.

"Perhaps." Basch agreed.

"And perhaps we'll both be on the bed, and there will be quite a bit less talking." Balthier seemed to wink; Basch was still too stunned to be sure. Balthier was out the door before he could even come to terms with what had been said. Was the pirate…flirting with him?

AN: I know, mostly typed cut scene, but it gets the juices flowing and sets up the story, but at least we got a start, right? Promises, no more of that, all the rest is hand spun by yours truly. In other news, will Balthier keep to his ways? Will Basch ignore it, or perhaps take it seriously? Read on to find out!

AN*: In case you don't know, it's a reference to Dead Poets Society, but since Balthier always calls Basch Captain, it was the first thing to come to mind, but it just didn't fit. I've left it for the chuckle, but as of right now all titles begin with Un- something or other, to run a theme.