At once there was a rage of action. Vaan stood up quickly, sheer anger and fear roaming in his blue eyes; Penelo whined in protest and tried to get Vaan to sit back down; Fran, being the Veira she was, just sat there with a slightly amused look in her eyes. Balthier sighed, shaking his head as he crossed his arms casually on his chest. He leaned back a bit, his hips sticking out more than the rest of his body. He slightly expected this reaction from Vaan. Actually, it seemed right in his own mind.

After all, Vaan was a man…in his own way. Though he was only seventeen, he was a man none the less. He had fought many battles in the months they had spent together. And each time Vaan proved to surprise Balthier greatly. He was fantastic with his spear, moving swiftly and easily away from the poison tipped fangs that graced some of their enemies, as well as the sharp fangs or gases. Vaan had become very skilled…and Balthier wanted to test that theory he had created in his mind oh so long ago.

"Why do I have to share a room with you? Fran is the one that lives here," Vaan protested, a whining sound intruding his voice.

Balthier smirked, already having thought of the response for that popular question, "Because, Vaan, you want to learn by me, you have to stay near me. Think about it. If you are off on your own, how will you ever learn? You have to be smart with what you do, Vaan. And staying along on the Strahl is not an option for you. Not with your curiosity. You're like a cat sometimes."

Vaan looked insulted by the comment, but nodded his head in submission. A sensual smirk moved over Balthier's lips as his eyes gleamed with the pleasure of having won Vaan over. He thought it would be far worse than that, but it was easy really. He glanced toward Fran, seeing the look in her eyes and grunted his disapproval at the look. Since when did she start to get touchy?

Balthier grunted before walking back toward the wheel. He looked out over the sands, staring toward some of the monsters that started to fight with themselves. He still wasn't sure where the hell he was going, but he was sure they could circle and get somewhere good later. Perhaps Arcadies if they played their cards right. The smirk stayed on his lips as he listened to Penelo and Vaan behind him, able to hear them despite their quiet whispers.

"Vaan, are you sure you want to sleep in the same room as him? He could do something to you," Penelo whispered, a slightly worried edge to her voice.

There was a small laugh from Vaan before he responded to her, "Don't worry, Penelo. It's not like we'll be staying in the same bed. And Balthier is a womanizer…no way will he come after me."

Penelo sighed at this point, and whispered something else. It wasn't caught though, as Fran had moved to Balthier's side and glared down at him. Balthier glanced up, curiosity in his eyes before he saw the look. Hard as stone, Fran looked utterly worried and angered. Something was bothering the Veira, and it would be his head if he didn't find out what it was soon.

"Is something bothering you, Fran?" Balthier asked, his voice smooth and calm despite his slight fear.

Fran murmured something under her breath before speaking so Balthier could hear her, "You know not what you are doing, Balthier. You are trying to do something horrible to Vaan. I know you are. Why?"

"Horrible? Well I wouldn't say that. Bedding the boy is hardly horrible, Fran." Balthier responded.

"Watch yourself, Balthier. Vaan is smart…he knows the ways of the Sky Pirates well." With that, Fran turned and walked back toward the steering wheel, their conversation over.

Balthier grunted under his breath and turned back toward the window. He stared out it, wonder caressing over his mind. He was barely aware of Vaan moving toward him and standing beside him. Vaan's eyes ran over Balthier's form, taking him in lightly. He looked annoyed, even angry somehow. But Vaan didn't know what to say about it. What could he say to talk to Balthier when he was in such a state?

"Um…pretty sight, huh?"

Balthier glanced over at the voice. He stared toward the younger male, curiosity masking his form for a few moments before he let a small smile move onto his lips. He looked back out the window and nodded once, his spiky brown hair staying where it was supposed to. Vaan smiled a bit, looking back out the window and watching some beasts below before yawning. The sun was starting to set over the distant horizon, turning the skies a light shade of blue and pink.

A Moogle entered the room at that moment, the small ball of fluff on its antenna bouncing a bit as it walked. It approached Balthier, gently tugging at his sleeve before whispering into his ear. Balthier nodded before grabbing Vaan's hand and pulling him toward the door. Fran and Penelo were already gone, having left when the two were talking. The feel of Vaan's small hand in his own was a pleasure by itself, making Balthier's mind fog a bit as he walked.

They were soon in the dinning hall. Balthier had released Vaan's hand and took his normal position at the table. Vaan followed after, sitting beside Penelo and smiling reassuringly. They ate their dinner, only a soft bit of talk around the quiet room before Balthier stood to go. He looked down toward the other three, watching them as they ate and laughed and just relaxed. He smiled lightly, shaking his head before slowly walking out toward his room.

A sigh fell from his parted lips as he clicked the open button on the keypad to his room. The door slid open, showing the large room to his eyes. The bed was in the center, laced in black silk sheets and a dark comfiture. A dresser resided on another side. In one corner was a black leather couch, a television stationed in front of it. There was a lamp in another corner with a recliner. A computer desk was by the lamp, with a small computer on it for when Balthier needed to check over some figures. And of course, the door to the bathroom was on the opposite wall as the door to the bedroom.

A smile graced Balthier's lips as he walked into the room and slowly sat down on the edge of his bed. It was a rarity for him to be this relaxed at a time like this. He lifted his head, the earrings in his ears shifting ever so slightly. His fingers twitched a bit, the rings holding fast as always. He had to have them, of course, or he would be blind. The aid in these rings helped him to see all that was around him, even things that others couldn't possibly imagine. They kept him from being blind.

Slowly standing from his bed, Balthier walked casually to his bathroom. He looked inside. It was a good sized bathroom. A toilet by a sink with counters. A shower that could fit three people comfortably; and the tub that was the size of a small pool, of course with the turbo jets for relaxation. Balthier slowly stood in the middle of the bathroom. He reached up, unzipping the golden and brown vest before laying it on the counter top. He then proceeded in pulling off the white shirt that clung to his muscular chest and laid it with the vest. He reached over, starting the warm water and allowing it to fill the pool as he undid his black leather like pants and laid them over the other clothes, leaving himself nude except for the earrings.

Balthier smiled at himself in the mirror, seeing his form. Perfect as ever, with the slight dirt that coated his form. Yes, he would defiantly have to clean that off. He glared a bit, shaking his head before slipping into the warm water and letting out a sigh of relaxation. He leaned his head back, allowing it to rest on the small pillow that was already there, as always. He started to think, his mind wondering as he laid there comfortably.

It was then that Balthier heard the door open. He scowled, not wanting to be interrupted. He listened quietly, not sure who was in the room but not really caring all that much either. His eyes scanned the door for a moment before he saw it being pushed open and his eyes widened a bit. He never thought he would see that walking into his bathroom.

Vaan had stripped. When, Balthier couldn't say, but he was now standing at his door. A red tint had quickly formed over the blond boys cheeks, showing his embarrassment at having walked in on Balthier's bath. A small noise escaped Vaan's throat, obviously he was trying to talk and not succeeding at it. Baltheir raised an eyebrow in slight amusement, watching Vaan slowly started to back up out of the bathroom. Balthier sat up a bit, water dripping down his chest.

"Come join me, Vaan. There is room enough for two," Balthier whispered, his hand outstretched to Vaan's retreating form.