AN: Many thanks to VTD, Qwi-Xux, IH8Abbrieviations for their lovely reviews.

I think I'll be posting just 10 prompts each time, mostly silly ones because I'm not too overly fond of wangst. Okay, so without further ado, I present to you, Chapter 2. (giggles because it rhymes, then gets shot)


Pirate Pets

When Penelo first heard the news from a chuckling Basch, she dared not believe it and scrambled down the grassy knolls of Caima Hills in search for her buddy, however, even she had to admit defeat after seeing an exasperated Vaan scolding a meek baby bagoly, "No, no no! I said sit on my shoulder."

She deadpanned. "Seriously Vaan, I think you've lost your mind."

Safeguard

Lowtown has always been a rather shady area, one riddled with ex-criminals who wouldn't hesitate to make light work of unsuspecting visitors and certainly not an ideal place for recent orphans to set up residence but as they tread, hand in hand, cautiously down the rickety stairs towards their new home, she tries to put on a brave face. Her nerves were shot raw; she feels both physically and mentally drained and knowing he must feel ten times worse after yesterday's news, squeezes his hand tightly for reassurance.

The tremulous smile he gives her is enough to almost break her heart and at that very moment, she vows to stay strong, and be his pillar of strength when all else failed him.

Mornings

Vaan is fairly surprised when he wakes up first in the morning – he usually sleeps so deeply that short of pinching him awake, no amount of noise could ever rouse him from his comatose state – but he doesn't really mind so he gives a loud yawn then stretches a bit before glancing down fondly at the cocooned lump snuggled warmly into his side. He rolls his eyes then rummages through the blankets, his gaze softening when he finds the girl underneath and as Penelo begins to stir he is again reminded of why he loves waking up first in mornings. Snickering, Vaan flexes his fingers experimentally; he couldn't wait.

After all, all's fair in Love and War.

Prank

He's the first boy she's met who keeps tugging on her braids yet finds her fascinating at the same time, and while she herself is boggled by that, Penelo can't help but be eternally thankful she's found herself the one boy she's ever known whose greatest treasure is his friends and their dreams. And during the night as Vaan gently cradles her head closer to his heart, she can only pray the joke will never be on her.

Dolls

Ever since they were young children, Penelo has needed at least one hug from her mom each morning. Left suddenly with no mother to soothe away her fears, Penelo's world quickly became shrouded in darkness and she'd cried herself to sleep that night. When she woke the following morning, she found herself mysteriously clutching a single rag doll. There was no name, merely a note written in a messy scrawl "Hug me". The night Vaan disappeared to raid the Palace, Penelo'd discovered the entirety of her bed littered with dolls.

Penelo Sense

Vaan may not have a lot of common sense but he understands Penelo, and so, when he watches Penelo dance happily beneath the hazy gold of dawn, he notices, plain as day, a spark twinkling merrily in her blue orbs that tells him that despite the whirlwind of change their relationship has undergone, they will be alright as long as they stay together.

Chaperone

When the new couple announced their plans to spend the afternoon alone together, taking particular care to stress the importance of the word 'alone,' they were pleasantly surprised by the sheer number of bobbing heads followed immediately after with a series of cat calls and congratulatory shouts. Once the well-wishing was over and the pair became tiny moving dots, three humes, one viera, one blue Baanga and one Sandsea bartender forked over two-hundred gil each to two small pair of grubby hands.

"Pleasure doing business wit- What now, Filo?"

"Hurry up! They're getting away!"

Making a Mess

"But...but this is Balthier's ship, Vaan!" Penelo protests under her breath, though the dancer doesn't move to stop her best friend from swiping a pair of coloured chalk from the ship's drawing board. Eyes gleaming mischievously, Vaan quirks an eyebrow "Exactly." and after offering her the other piece, begins to doodle random sketches on the pristine walls.

"Good point."

Parting is such sweet sorrow

Vaan stiffened, eyes widening in alarm when he heard her shriek his name and as he saw her dashing desperately round the corner, he wanted nothing more than to gather the sobbing girl into his arm, bury his head into her silken locks and never move, but he couldn't, he was arrested. His chest seized painfully and he forced a wry grin on his face for old time's sake. "Sorry Penelo! I'll treat you next time."

He hoped she got the underlying message. Wait for me because I'll always return to you

Fashion Sense

At the sight of so many tall scantily clad Viera wandering about the village of Eruyt, Vaan's eyes glaze over and an almost wistful expression steals across his face while he imagines the countless possible combinations. Penelo in that fluttery silk dress. Penelo in a lacy bikini top. Penelo wearing a hot metal th-

"Quick, Fran. Where's the nearest clothing store around here?"