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And I'm Doing Just Fine
Chapter 7: As the World Falls Down
Balthier kept his arms wrapped tightly around Vaan as if he were sure that Basch was going to try and take him away from him any moment. He and Basch stared at each other for several minutes, both looking as if they wanted to kill one another.
"This is ridiculous," said Ashe, finally breaking the silence, "Balthier, they are telling the truth. Vaan loves you…and I know you love him so just cut it out!"
The pirate cut his eyes in her direction, but didn't respond, and he didn't loosen his grip on Vaan.
"Balthier," she warned in a stern voice, "You told me yourself you didn't know how you were going to live without him…don't fuck it up now that he's come all this way looking for you."
He looked at her a moment more before letting his grip on the boy loosen a tiny bit, letting his face nuzzle into the nape of Vaan's neck gently, but he still clung to the boy, and Ashe thought that maybe he really was a little afraid that someone was going to take him away.
Fran was the only person in the world who could tell when Balthier was on the verge of tears, and she saw now that she needed to intervene for the sake of his pride, "Why don't we give these two some alone time," she said, positioning herself between the pirate and the rest of the group, shielding his face from their eyes.
They nodded and began to walk off in different directions, and Basch gave Balthier a reassuring pat on the shoulder as he walked off, letting the younger man know that he held no grudge. Vaan didn't turn around to face the pirate, but stood still, letting him bury his face into the back of his neck. He closed his eyes as he felt Balthier's tears begin to run down between his shoulder blades.
"Vaan?"
Balthier's voice sounded so pitiful that it broke his heart, "Yeah?"
"You swear?"
"I swear Balthier," he said, finally turning around to face the pirate, "Basch only has eyes for Ashe, and my heart hasn't ever belonged to anyone but you."
Balthier nodded, "I'm sorry Vaan, I shouldn't have doubted you…I just…pirates are a bit possessive."
"I've noticed."
"You're not mad?"
Vaan seemed to think a moment, "No, but you should apologize to Basch, he's been busting his ass trying to find you…and you did shot him after all."
Balthier smiled, "You love me?"
"Maybe just a little," Joked Vaan, wrapping his arms around the pirate's neck and pulling him in for a kiss, "Happy birthday by the way."
"My birthday was three days ago."
"Not my fault you ran off…well maybe it was a little my fault."
Balthier shook his head, "No, none of this was your fault Vaan; it's just that every time I think about him touching you…"
"Hey," said Vaan, "Basch has never touched me so just get that thought out of your head. Now go and talk to him…and no fighting, I'll be waiting in our room when you're done."
Balthier gave him a seductive smile, "I won't keep you waiting."
"Basch?"
The blonde nodded to the pirate in acknowledgement, "You don't have to say anything Balthier."
The pirate stood there a moment before speaking, "I guess I'm sorry I shot you…and for not believing you about Vaan."
"We all know you're a jealous man Balthier. I take it you believe me now?"
The pirate ran a ringed hand through his hair, "I guess I don't have a reason not to. You don't seem quite as pissed off as I thought you might be you know."
"I'm more pissed that you felt the need to lie to us about who you are. We deserved to know the truth. Why didn't you just tell us?"
"I doubt you all would have trusted me very much if you knew who my father was."
"You're not like him Balthier," Basch paused a moment, "That's the real reason you're thinking about leaving him isn't it?"
"I don't think I could leave him if I tried to be honest," sighed Balthier, "He'd be better off if I did though."
"You didn't answer the question."
"I've been seeing things Basch…I think maybe I'm more like him than I thought, and what if I end up just like him…what happens to Vaan then?"
"What do you mean seeing things?"
"Just what I said. Before you guys showed up I kept seeing things…I'd see Vaan running through the ship. I'd hear you guys, all of you, like you were here the whole time."
"Balthier you were just upset. Things like that can happen when you're really stressed out."
"I don't think so Basch. It was real enough that I couldn't even tell you guys were real when you showed up."
Basch sighed and ran his hand through his hair, "You honestly think something is wrong with you?"
"Insanity can be hereditary, and I think my father definitely qualifies as insane."
"Go to bed Balthier, if you see anything else now that you and Vaan have made up let me know and I'll find a way to help you. Just don't do anything rash, I still think this is all just stress related."
Balthier nodded, "I hope your right."
"Get some sleep Balthier."
He forgot his fears as he made love to Vaan, and he was beginning to think that perhaps Basch was right as he drifted off to sleep with the boy in his arms.
It was a crashing sound that woke him up. He figured it was only one of the others stumbling over the mess he'd made of the Strahl, but he followed the noise just to make sure no fiends had somehow gotten aboard the ship.
It must be Fran he thought, the noises are coming from the engine room. She'd be the only one who would be in there.
"Fran?"
The noises stopped, but there was no answer.
"Fran?"
There was barely enough light to see by, and Balthier was starting to think that perhaps some animal had found its way onto the Strahl, after all if Fran had been in the room there was no reason for her not to answer him when he called to her.
"Hello Ffamran."
Balthier spun around at the sound of the hauntingly familiar voice calling him by his old name. A lump formed in his throat at the site of his father standing before him.
"You're not real," he managed to stammer.
"Of course I'm not," chuckled Cid, "I must say Ffamran; I didn't quite expect you to lose it this early."
To Be Continued…
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