-1Title: No Tell Lover

Rating: PG (OMG. No sex. Yet.)

Pairings: Ashe/Balthier, Ashe/Al-Cid, Ashe/Larsa, Ashe/Basch, Larsa/Penelo, Balthier/Fran

Summary: Basch has been away from Dalmasca for five years. He doesn't go back, but the Emperor's birthday brings old friends back in town. With Penelo clamoring for Larsa's attention, Balthiers insatiable lust and the Queen's terrible choice between what is right for her kingdom, or her heart, someone will not be happy in the end. Basch does not intend to let it be him.

Disclaimer: Obviously, I own nothing. I only borrow the characters. :P

Then I will defend queen and kingdom both.

Those words haunted him.

It was almost as dreadful as his promise to his brother. Though, in a way, he had neither betrayed his brother or his oath to her majesty. He wasn't sure if it was bad, but he was sure it would never be the same. Larsa was easier to guard that Ashe, but it would never be the same. The time he had now- all this time to think and wonder; that's what killed him.

Every night he wished for Ashe.

He never was ungrateful or angry for his task, but he knew in his heart what he ached for. Something he aught not even brood so deeply over, worse yet it was so often. It had been nearly five years since he last kept watch for his lady. Five years he had served Lord Larsa but the ever repeating dreams of her never faded. He had seen her from afar. They had not spoken. He had not be able to reach her.

What Basch missed the most about Ashe was his hair.He knew if he tried to explain it to another, they wouldn't understand. It was very simple, actually. He was given the freedom to do what he saw fit with his appearance; free reign. Now as Gabranth, it was no more. The day they left the palace he had already hidden himself beneath the mask. His hair had been cut before boarding the airship. It all seemed like such a faded dream now. However,t he technicalities did not matter as none saw his face but it seemed to soothe Larsa's soul. Basch was not the only who was hurt by losing Noah. Basch was bound by his brothers word to stay by Larsa's side.

Hidden beneath Gabranth's mask, he took on a new life. One where he could never be himself. Lord Larsa never broke the farce. Basch was always Gabranth. The only place he felt like himself once more was at night. His brushed his fingers back and forth through his uncustomary short hair. Oh, how he wished to see Ashe. He had only seen the one letter from Penelo.

Penelo, along with the company of Vaan, had come to visit after the coronation. They had complained that Basch was not himself at the coronation. During the week they visited, Basch made his company scarce and took care to many of the Emperor's duties. It was better that they did not see him this way. All in all, he could never be himself again. The Basch they had traveled with was gone. If they proceeded to pester or bother him, he could never be sure of what he would say. It was better like this. Let the true memory of Basch die with Dalmasca. Gabranth was the only living part of that story.

"Gabranth?"

He was not startled. It was of usual Larsa style that he would try and come to scare him. To date, it had not worked yet. "Yes, my liege?" He turned from the balcony.

"Gabranth, you do realize that your assistance is required?"

"Of what I am needed?"

Larsa bubbled over with jubilant laughter. "Gabranth, have you really forgotten that tonight is my birthday? No wishing on the stars this night."

In truth, Basch had forgotten. He had been gripping the little piece of cloth in his hand so hard to think about anything but Lady Ashelia. He looked down at the frayed and dirtied white strip of linen. He had taken it so many years it ago, it began to bother him when he couldn't remember which dress of Ashe's it had come from. Before it could strain his mind any longer, he quickly tucked it into the front of his chest plate, hiding next to his heart.

"Come, Gabranth, there are many guests waiting to meet the Judge Magister Gabranth."

"That does not seem right, Emperor. T'is your birth, not mine."

Larsa only shot Basch one of his infinite child-like smiles. Basch knew something more devious was brewing behind it.

Basch had realized in the past five years that he did not lead Larsa to his destination, he simply followed. Once again, he kept his distance, almost three paces behind. Not once in the five years of his serving the Emperor had he had to defend him from anything. The worst it had ever become was ripping away drunken young maidens. Basch liked them they least; they were so defiant and loud. Not becoming of what a true lady should be like. They were never like Ashe.

It was a quiet walk to the throne room. Basch often thought of how many times his brother had walked this hallway, cursing his name. Planning his death, only Basch was the only to truly kill his brother. He had so much blood on his, whether or not he was the murderer. But the guilt never left his soul; it weighed him down. It simply made him feel so old.

How old was he now? Forty-something? He tried to forget again, but Larsa awoke him from his own despair. "Gabranth."

Larsa needed only say his name. Gabranth took his place in front of the Emperor as they entered the room. Two guards pulled the doors open quickly and someone from the side began to yell. "Please welcome Judge Magister Gabranth and Emperor Larsa Ferrinas Solidor!"

The room collectively bowed, minus the one standing by the throne. Basch had to reassure himself that he could walk in her presence once more. It didn't feel as if he had the strength. His only savior was the mask he cursed the most; today it hid him from his greatest fear: Ashelia. Why her? Why now?

Larsa was grinning ear to ear. "Welcome, one and all. I am grateful you all have all decided to join me in celebration of my birth. Please, without any further ado, let us celebrate!"

Basch felt sick. He hadn't felt like that since the day Ashe had slapped in the face. He had taken it in stride, knowing that he hatred was not justified. But five years had passed, nearly four since he had seen her face. But it was not only her at the palace, they all had come. It seemed like it was well time for a reunion.

Basch took his customary stance next to the throne where Larsa seemed content to sit. It was a funny thing; royalty need not leave their seats, guests would line up one by one to speak with the Emperor. However, this time it was not only the Emperor of Archadia on the left, but the Queen of Dalmasca on the right.

"Larsa, it has been so long since we have seen each other face to face."

"I know, my Queen."

"Please," Basch noticed the pause and her face turn red. It never faded; the lovely, girlish blush. "Ashe is fine among friends." He felt his heart stop, shudder painfully straining to work, then finally a kick start as the smile passed over her face and she nodded.

"Ashe, then," Larsa takes her hand. "Tell me of how Dalmasca has been?"

"Things have finally calmed down to a manageable pace." She paused for a moment, then turned to Larsa. "I daresay I do miss the fun."

Larsa took another sip of his wine. "It was, wasn't it, Gabranth?"

Basch nodded. He couldn't find the words to speak in front of her. When had that ever happened? Hadn't he always been the one to talk her down from anything? Keep the Princess safe; that had been his charge. Now his sentence had changed to watch the child-Emperor.

"Gabranth, you need not stand so far from us. Please."

"Aye." Perfect answer, wasn't it? Basch scolded himself as he moved in between the two thrones. He wasn't prepared to face Ashe, as she stood, closing the distance to the poin the could smell her perfume. He didn't want to think of that again. The smell had just finally gone away from his nightmares.

His breath came in short, quick huffs He almost couldn't get the air in time. Ashe hadn't been beautiful to him before. He had not feelings of love as he protected her through their trials to make her queen. It was at the end, when he had finally seen her cry. After the long fight with Vayne was over, he saw all of her anguish and hurt stop. That was the time; that was when he realized that he did not merely give his sword for her, but his life, his love. Anything that she would need of him, Basch had told himself that he would be there.

"Larsa, would it trouble you to let Gabranth be my escort?" She didn't do anything more than flash her dazzling smile.

"Not at all. Please, Gabranth, show her a better time than you do I." Larsa didn't finish his sentence before he was up and finding someone new to talk with.

Basch took a few steps forward as Ashe stood. He leaned his arm towards hers. "Your Highness," Basch did not focus on the idle chatter that was around him as he walked the lady down the halls of the Archades castle. He knew Ashe wanted to speak of things that couldn't be talked about around everyone, who did not know who he was. Basch had successfully kept his real identity hidden for the last five years, at the expense of his own soul. But to the Emperor, souls were not worth too much.

The halls they wandered did not seem to end, but it seemed her highness had no idea where to start.

"It has been five years." It was all that he could think to say. He hoped it brought something out in her.

"Basch…" She let her arm fall from his. "I…" She shook her head. "Let me start again." It was her nervous laugh; the cute one he heard in his sleep. The one that when he was almost asleep, as the last breath was finally taking, he heard that laugh and he awoke again, only to more tormenting thoughts of the past. The past that he often seemed to take for granted.

"Of course." He could deny her nothing. Ashe had stopped their strolling, leaning up against the wall, her hand smacking into the side of it. The other hand worked nervously with a piece of cloth from her dress. Basch only watched, hidden beneath his guise of Gabranth's judges outfit. He stood too straight, probably as his brother stood. He hadn't noticed, but he had stepped close to her, enough to see the tears that glittered on edge of her eyes.

"How have you been? I have not seen nor heard from you in years." The nervous laugh paused her for only a moment. "I feared you hate me."

Basch smiled. He wished for his crowned princess to see, but it would not be right to lose his disguise now. "Never had the thought cross my mind, but why do you seem so troubled, your highness?" He couldn't help but notice the look on her face. She seemed so hurt, so lost. In all the time he had been with her before, not once had she been like this.

Ashe took great care deciding on what words to use before she spoke. "Basch, this is something… I am quite unsure how to deal with." Her hands folded in each other.

There was the sickness again. Basch never felt like this. What was afoot? Basch could not deal with the heaviness in his stomach, especially around Ashe.

Ashe spoke, "I have been asked to be married… to your emperor." Her voice filled the tiny hallways.

Larsa had not spoken to him of his plans. Larsa must've known Basch's feelings for the Queen, but even so, this would've come out eventually. He waited for Ashe to continue.

Ashe looked down at the wedding band she still wore. "I do not want to disgrace Rassler's legacy. I do not want to do wrong by him."

"By the gods, your highness, it has been nearly a decade since he…" Basch stopped. He didn't believe the words that were coming out of his mouth. He didn't really expect himself to be here, trying to talk her into marrying Larsa.

"Though… I do have another offer." She twirled a lose strand of her hair. "Al-Cid…"

To think of all the things that those men would have her for, not for love, but for power. Basch lived for love; for love of his brother, his country, his queen. "You have two fine suitors; take your pick, my queen." He knew he couldn't calm the shaking in his hands. He hid them behind his back instead.

"But they are not cut of the cloth I want."

The wind whispers Landis and Basch is lost in a time of where he wished to forget. Another shudder of desire trickled down his spine. Basch couldn't look at her.

Ashe dispersed the memory with a quick shake of her head. "Please, Basch, let us forget this now?" She smiled, turned, and started to walk away. "We should go back to the party."
"As you wish, your highness." Basch knew the conversation did not end here. However, it did not take long enough for it start once he had lead her back to the main room. He looked over to her. What did she think she was doing? She was going to play between two men and what about him? If she knew, why did she come to him? If she doesn't, Basch hoped he could find a way to stop it. He doubted he could take much more talk of marriage.

Ashe knew the look even if she could not see it for it was hidden beneath his mask She shook her head. "Another time, Gabranth."

The hurt hit before she stepped away from him. He hated hearing his brother's name fall off her lips. But, once again, Basch was lost in the background of it all. He had spent countless hours and nights wishing to see her again, to say all those things he had meant to, those things that he could never have to courage to say. Now he was stuck in the same place again, watching her shine from the sidelines. Waiting for that one precious moment she would grace him with her presence.

"Ah, Gabranth, staying to the side tonight, I see?"

Basch looked to his left. "Balthier, still playing the sky pirate, I see."

Balthier let out a laugh. "Oh, how I did miss your dry charm. How does life treat you in these halls?"

Basch didn't know how to answer that. Part of him struggled to lie and say he was content in his life, but the true part of him that he felt like Balthier knew wanted to tell him of his lamentable story of love. He considered the latter and while it seemed like a good choice, it would not help him. "I fare well."
"You miss something." Balthier cocked his head, his hand placed on his hip. "We all know."

Basch turned his head. Sometimes his disguise was a blessing in place of the curse. He would have killed Balthier for seeing his face. He knew it was red. Balthier knew of Ashe. Everyone did, but why was he the only one bold enough to say it? Was that a slight bit of jealousy he saw on Balthier's face?

"But the worse part is, seems I've heard that there are two new suitors in her life." Balthier took another sip at the drink. "Don't suppose that's provoked your foul mood, now has it?"

"I would say not. Yours?"

"Not a chance," Balthier slapped him on the back. "Try as you might, you can not hide… even under the mask."

Basch had kept hid head turned during the last bit of his conversation. He had never liked Balthier, he was too overly-brash in some situations. Sometimes drawing too much danger. To think that Balthier would presume to know Basch's hidden feelings.

In truth, Basch was only angry because he was right. Basch would kill to have Ashe for himself. Fate played a cruel trick and put him so close to her, but to never be satisfied with his place in her life. For his sins, he had been punished to his duties as a knight of Dalmasca and to his brother. Forever in debt.

But, in so many of Balthier's faults, there were more charms that outweighed the annoyances. Soon, Balthier cheered on and pointed out the ever-going drama that Basch had not been privy to the last few years. Basch learned of a few of Balthier's new adventures with Fran. Always the charmer, but even Fran had smiled once from across the room at him. She could hear even over there of the tales. It surprised Basch, but he did not question it.

"What of Vaan and Penelo?" He saw the two in the room, but they were not close. Penelo hung close to Larsa. Vaan was lost somewhere in the background. Truth be told, Basch could not even see him.

"Those two. Just as I thought they would be. Vaan will forever be in love with being free in the sky. Penelo? Well, she seems to have her eye on a higher opportunity, or so I've heard." Balthier flashed a grin and finished his drink.

Basch could see it, even from here. Very rarely had he ever seen girls look at Larsa that way. Admiration, no… Loyalty? No. Devotion? He couldn't pin it down. He tried as he watched, but she was so engrossed with his every moment. She was truly infatuated with who he was. But, obviously, the feeling was mutual.

Often times Basch had pulled off over zealous women from the Emperor. A quick nod to him and it would be done. This time, Larsa actually smiled to Basch. Basch did not believe he had even been told what to do if he smiled, so he did nothing at all. Strange things were happening tonight and he was not sure if he liked it.

The unknown troubled him.

Author's note: I apologize if this is terrible. Haven't written a new story in over three years, so hopefully this will not be disappointing. I also realize that it looks like Ashe is going to be a total ho in my story, which is not the truth at all… it's just she's definitely a hot commodity, but for obvious reasons. Oh, does anyone have ANY idea where the hell Landis is? If you do, please let me know otherwise it's just ending up wherever I feel like. Nonetheless, if you made it here, I hope you enjoyed it. Reviewing is GREATLY appreciated. Might only make it this one chapter…Who knows? -Saph

P.S. Review please:D