Vaan carried Balthier on his back, with him drugged being unable to walk.
He had given him his gun back.
They were now racing in the enemy's corridors.
-Why didn't you escape while you had the chance to?
Vaan was surprised by the question.
-Because you're not worth dying that heroically.
The captain grinned.
-C'mon, get to the point already.
-Well... seeing you all fight together... Oh well you in particular, when you were helping your crew like one of them and not like a captain, it made me think. And when you disappeared, they just went without hesitating, following your orders even though you were not here. So basically I was the only one who could do something... And I kinda wanted to.
Balthier smiled softly.
-Thank you.
Vaan stopped.
-... What?
-I won't say it twice!
-Hahah! Captain Balthier thanked me!
-You little...
He staid still for a second.
-Vaan, someone's coming.
The young pirate let Balthier down and unsheathed his sword.
A second later, he was facing a strong man with an axe in the hands.
Vaan, as fast as thunder, charged first, but the man was also fast and dodged easily. With a counter-attack, he scratched Vaan's right arm, and, without a second thought, Balthier shot him. It looked as though his eyes would dig holes right in the man's skull.
Vaan wiped the blood from his wound and kneeled near Balthier.
-Are you okay?
Balthier cast him an angry look and kissed him without a word.
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He closed his eyes. The pirate's lips were warm. And soft.
He had no clue in why he'd done that, but the sight of his arm bleeding made him sick. He considered the boy as his. It wasn't a bad feeling, but it was quite unusual for him to feel that way towards another guy. Well life would be boring if everything went only one way.
And he felt so good right now. But they needed to breathe, so he slowly pulled away. Vaan stared at him for a long, long time.
And what he said next staid carved into his heart.
-I don't want to return to my own boat now, isn't that lame?
He took the boy's hand and pulled on it so he landed right in his arms (well his left arm, he still couldn't feel the right one).
-There isn't anything lame in love.
Vaan smiled.
-Let's get out of here.
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Fran sighed as the crew returned to the ship. No sign of Vaan or Balthier. Were they both killed or sold as slaves? Knowing Balthier, he'd rather be dead than enslaved. But the young pirate...
-Hey guys!
Fran raised her head, recognizing the voice.
-Balthier?
-What're you making that face for? Thought I was dead didn't you?
The whole crowd was cheered up now, and as the sun was setting they decided to light a fire. It was a really nice weather and the sky was slowly turning orange. Fran could tell something had happened between the pirate and the captain, and it was for the best. They seemed to know each other for a long time, even though Vaan was supposed to be a slave and Balthier a proud bastard.
Oh well, that trip sure had changes things.
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Thanks to The Trailblazer!
