A/N: The second oneshot in the series. I really loved writing Balthier as a pissed-off pirate, I can imagine him whining about stuff like this. Please enjoy! :Meresta
Summery: Balthier made a promise to spend the night in an hotel of Vaan's choice, and Vaan won't let him break it.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Suggesting a malexmale pairing, language.
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy XII.


Truth

"You promised!"
A sigh.
"Yes I'm aware of that, but can't we just..work something out?"
"A promise is a promise Balthier!"
"I know Vaan, but..this.."

"Fine. But don't even think of complaining to me about the rooms."

Ever since the two pirates had experienced a strange stroke of luck during one of their breaks, Balthier had started to take a liking to these breaks. Vaan didn't have to beg anymore; three jobs meant one night at an inn, which was even more than the wheat blond had asked for.

Up until now, Balthier had been the one to pick the places. All were high-class and luxurious, spending the better amount of their funds on fine wine and satin sheets. Not that Vaan was complaining, he just didn't like the amount of Gil it cost them. Therefore, he had asked Balthier to let him pick the next hotel. He had agreed, not knowing where that promise would bring him.

Bed and Breakfast 'The Happy Seeq', located in the centre of Lowtown.

Balthier could literally feel the dirt sinking into his skin as he walked alongside Vaan towards the small building. Lowtown was underground, home of orphans and beggars. Of course, there were some uptown people too, but they were rare, and mostly there for business.

The small bell attached to the door jingled wildly when Vaan entered. Balthier flinched when the humid wood creaked. He wouldn't be surprised if the roof fell on their heads while they slept. Behind the counter stood a middle aged, male Seeq, who smiled when he saw Vaan.

"Vaan m'boy! Where have you been!" Vaan smiled and approached his old friend, slamming a fist against his in an old greeting.
"There." He answered, pointing above, though there was no sky to be seen. "Do you have a room for us?"
The Seeq cocked his head to take a look at Balthier. He snorted. Damn those rich people.
"You're with him eh?"
"It's not like that. We're partners."
"S'what they all say."
"Paleos.." No matter who he would bring, Paleos the happy Seeq would always assume this person to be Vaan's lover. It has caused quite some misunderstandings before and Vaan was trying to avoid those tonight. Balthier hadn't been in a good mood to start with.
"Right right, room 6, she's all yours."
"Thanks. You coming Balthier?"
Balthier, distracted from staring at the enormous piles of dust forming on the counter, looked up.
"Hm? Yes, of course."
Vaan smirked upon seeing the brunette's 'I do not want to be here' attitude and showed him the way to their room. Well.. room..

When Balthier entered he honestly thought Vaan had given him directions to the basement. An unused basement. Two, large, dirty-looking cloths were hanging on flax ropes, a grubby pillow in each. By the side stood a barrel filled with water, most likely for cleaning purposes. On the other side there was a small 'I can collapse any minute'-cupboard, meant for storing clothes and such.
The older pirate would have gaped at the scenery if he wasn't afraid of inhaling the dust floating about. Vaan smiled, obviously used to this kind of thing.

"Say, Vaan.."
"Yeah?"
"Are those..hammocks?"
"Yup."
"Ah."
Balthier narrowed his eyes at what should have been able to pass for a room and made a turn, heading back outside. Unfortunately, a strong hand managed to get a hold of his vest.
"Where do you think you're going?" The wheat blond asked, trying really hard not to laugh.
"Out. I'd rather sleep on the streets than in oversized diapers, if you don't mind."
"Well I do. You promised!"
Balthier shook Vaan's hand off and faced him.
"No, what I promised, was I'd let you pick the next room. I never said I would sleep in it."
Knowing his partner too well to assume he was bluffing, Vaan decided to chance tactics. Blinking a few times to keep de dust from his eyes, he used his most effective pout, giving the brunette the best puppy eyes he'd seen in ages.
"No."
Vaan blinked.
"No!"
"But..Balthier.."
"I said, no. I'm a man of my word, you know."
Vaan blinked again.
"Balthier..please.."

That night, around three in the morning, Vaan awoke from the sound of a body hitting the floor with a dull thud, accompanied with a whispered string of curses.
"You alright?"
"Consider yourself lucky for not being in my direct reach."
Vaan turned and Balthier silently hoped the wheat blond would fall too, but the experience the boy had with sleeping in this manner saved him from this fate.
"It's not that hard.."
"Yes, well this floor is, and one encounter with it has been one too many." Getting up, the older pirate headed for the door, flinching as it cracked loudly beneath his touch.
"Where are you going?" Vaan asked, sitting up with ease.
"The Strahl. I'm not wasting anymore of my rest in this place."
"Fine."
"What?" Yeah, he was at least expecting some protest from his younger colleague.
"I said fine. Go. Be a coward."

Oh hell no.

"..I don't see how refraining from breaking my neck makes me a coward"
"Giving up does."
"This is not- I'm not even going to discuss this with you."
"Because you'd lose, right?"
Balthier turned to face Vaan and took a deep breath of..something close to oxygen.
"Keep your mouth shut, will you."
"Fine."

Balthier narrowed his eyes at the sudden obedience, but quickly wondered what he had been expecting. Shaking his head in attempt to clear his mind, he grabbed the blanket from his hammock and spread it out over the floor. He really wanted to leave, but his stubbornness kept him from giving up the game.
After turning a couple of times while trying to ignore how uncomfortable the floor felt, Balthier managed to fall asleep.

Thirst woke Vaan, about half an hour after his discussion with his colleague. He tiredly rolled his way out of his hammock, heading for the bathroom when his foot collided with something too soft to be a crate. He blinked and tried to get solid vision. All the exploring he used to do in the sewers had made his eyes more capable of seeing in the dark, a trait that came in handy quite often.
After staring and blinking for half a minute, Vaan realized it was Balthier, lying on the floor beneath him. He had to repress a chuckle, this childish behavior made the brunette very likeable at times. Soon, a smile replaced his grin, as he turned back to his own hammock, taking the blanket out of it. He tossed his pillow next to Balthier's and joined him on the floor, carefully minding the space left between them. He lay down next to the brunette, facing the sealing before closing his eyes. Soon, sleep took him over.

His thirst, forgotten.

"Vaan.."
The younger sky pirate shifted as he felt fingertips poke his shoulder.
"Vaan.."
He opened his eyes, meeting Balthier's in a sleepy haze.
"..What"
"Care to explain this to me?" His colleague questioned, pointing at the floor. Vaan followed his fingers, looking at the floor, the blankets on the floor and then the two people on the blankets. His eyes widened in shock. What had he been thinking?
"Uh..I eh.. I guess I fell too.." He finally managed to say, almost flinching at the lousy excuse.
Balthier raised an eyebrow and opened his mouth to ask on, but Paleos chose that moment to check if they have had a pleasant night, forgoing a knock.

And what a sight he was presented with.

"Not like that eh, you're 'n awful liar Vaan." An instant blush spread over the young pirate's face.
Balthier smiled at the seeq, not seeming embarrassed at all, which surprised Vaan.
"We're checking out in ten minutes." The brunette stated.
Paleos nodded.
"Fine." He replied, leaving the room and closing the door behind him. Vaan let out a sigh of relief, Balthier chuckled.

"What's so funny?" Vaan asked, getting dressed as quick as possible, still very much ashamed.
"Oh, nothing much." The brunette said, looking at his roommate with a relaxed gaze.

"You just really are an awful liar."

Vaan fumed and flung his pillow at Balthier, who had no trouble catching it.


Reviews are very much appreciated!