Author's Note: Oh, golly gee, it's been a while, yes? Summer was busier than I thought. -- Anyways, back at school, and so I can write again!!! yaaay?
For my readers who probably need a 'season recap' (lol):
It's been two years since the events of FF XII, and a more womanly Queen Ashe is excited to see Balthier, Fran, and her long term crush Basch once again. Her visit with Basch was not as pleasant as she wished, for he brought news that Emperor Larsa has been poisoned. Ashe accompanies Basch to Archadia, where they are reunited with Balthier. That night, Ashe vows to make Basch happy (by hopefully becoming his romantic interest), and Balthier vows to sleep with the feisty and beautiful Ashe.
Balthier proves to be different than Ashe remembered, and he constantly teases her and tries to get on her nerves, but she can't deny the attraction between them. He tricks her by taking her out on a 'date' in which she thought Fran would be with them. On their 'date', they both get exceedingly drunk, and Ashe confides in Balthier that she parties frequently and will sleep around with handsome strangers. Balthier, who is disgusted but turned on by this news, offers to be intimate with Ashe, who quickly turns him down.
The same night, a drunken Ashe stumbles into the arms of Basch, where she admits she has feelings for him before planting a quick but unreturned kiss on his lips.
The following evening, Balthier offers to take Ashe out again, and when she is about to accept his invitation, Basch arrives and says that Larsa was woken from his poisoned coma. Basch informs them that he is going to follow a lead on a man named Gallus, who is reported to be at either the Jahara or Eruyt Village. Ashe and Balthier agree to accompany him, and Fran is also to come along.
C A R N I V O R E
Chapter Seven: Beneath Closed Eyes
You say she's unattractive
That she doesn't turn you on
But that expression on your face
Ain't exactly a yawn
-Very Big Girl
The Jahara Village proved to be a complete bust and an utter waste of time. The Jahara warriors seemed quite put off that four adventures could possibly think they'd allow a near king slayer into their colony. Yet the Jaharan citizens were forgiving, considering how Ashe had helped them in the past. They promised the three Hume's and one Viera that should a man named Gallus appear, they'd hold him and inform Ashe immediately.
Grateful for their understanding and help, the Queen, Judge, and two sky pirates abandoned the town and decided to pursue the lead that Gallus was by the Eruyt Village. For the most part of the journey, Ashe and Basch stuck together while Fran and Balthier fought side by side. The fiends in the Golmore Jungle were easy for the group to slice though, and therefore their travel was mostly pleasant.
However, Ashe's mind was a mess of thoughts; she didn't seem to be able to get Basch or Balthier out of her head. She was still humiliated she had kissed her lifelong crush last night. Yet at the same time she was thrilled, especially since when she had apologized, he simply smiled at her. Her vow to herself that she would have Basch for her own seemed to slowly be coming true.
Balthier was another story. They had only been reunited a mere three days ago, but even she couldn't deny the attraction between them. If her infatuation towards Basch was warm and gentle, her lust for Balthier was painful and fierce. As much as she clung to Basch's side during their journey, she couldn't help but eye Balthier.
And in her mind, she continuously thought: what if.
What if she had taken up his offer? 'Princess? If you would ever like to--'
She played with the idea in her head, imagining what it would be like and how they would treat each other afterwards. Two years ago, he had been her friend and helped her in time of need. Perhaps it was time to follow another path and experience another level of intimate friendship.
And Fran, blast her and her Vieran intuition. Ashe felt as though whenever she looked at Balthier, Fran would catch her staring. And then she would turn that pretty head of hers and whisper something into Balthier's ear.
Her darling Basch remained as regal and naive as ever, his eyes narrowed through the heat of battle and pressing forward to lead the party. Ashe was barely able to even make small talk with him, and she briefly wondered if he was embarrassed by her previous actions. She decided to confront him later about her feelings, and finally admit everything.
As for now, they had finally reached the Eruyt Village. Fran asked to enter alone and seek information on Gallus. She momentarily explained to Ashe and Basch that she had made amends with the Viera over the last two years and was now welcome into her homelands.
Alone at the edge of the village with the two men she desired, Ashe sighed and took a seat on a funny looking rock. She must have looked greatly confused (which she was; she was torn between two men), for the blonde men both had a look of concern across their faces.
Balthier questioned, "Is something wrong, Princess?"
She released another sigh and gestured up towards them. "I have a great deal on my mind at the moment."
Basch shifted uncomfortably, and both Ashe and Balthier noticed his nervousness. Balthier smirked at this, and Ashe wondered if he had the wrong idea. He already suspected something between her and Basch, that much she knew.
"Your Majesty," Basch began. "If I may--"
"How many times must I tell you not to call me 'Majesty'," Ashe growled at him.
"...If I may," he continued, seeming to ignore her request. "I suggest you return to the Strahl and contact the Emperor. Report that we found nothing at Jahara. I doubt Gallus was here either, so inform him the lead was a complete failure."
"Should I not just wait for Fran to return, so we all may travel back together?"
Basch glanced from Ashe to Balthier and then shook his head. "Just go, your Highness. I will wait for Fran. Balthier, will you please accompany her?"
The stern look on Basch's face as he looked at Balthier nearly shocked Ashe. His words seemed to be a test; a very dangerous test that only he knew the outcome to. Balthier was no fool and could see the look on Basch's face. The younger man hesitated slightly, eyes somewhat narrowed, and then released a low sigh.
"Of course," Balthier answered carefully. "I will let no harm will come to her."
With that, Balthier pivoted on his heels and walked off in the direction towards the Jahara. At first, Ashe did not follow. She instead tried to meet Basch's eyes. He was acting quite strange, and she did not like it.
"Basch..." she began.
He refused to meet her curious and concerned gaze. With a wave of his hand, he turned his back to her. This action upset Ashe even more, and she took a step forward and reached out to touch his back.
"Ashelia," stated Basch in a tired voice. Her arm froze in the air. She was surprised he had used her name. He continued, "Go. We will talk later. Much needs to be discussed..."
"Very well," she reluctantly agreed. The nervousness in his voice worried her deeply, and she suddenly didn't know how to react. She hesitated, then slowly turned and began to follow the already far ahead Balthier.
As they silently went on their way, she forced Basch from her mind. She figured that there was no use worrying about the problem now; she wasn't able to do anything about it. The best thing to do was to simply focus on the 'now'.
Except, the 'now' offered her a whole slew of new issues.
It occurred when they had finally returned to the Strahl, which was docked about a mile away from the Jahara's village entrance. Balthier was up to his old tricks again of trying to make her mad.
When they were about fifty yards away from the Strahl, Balthier halted in his tracks so suddenly that Ashe stopped as well.
"What is wrong," Ashe breathed, a bit weary from all the walking and fighting.
"While we are alone, I wish to ask you a question." The grin on his face was wild, and Ashe knew he was up to no good.
She decided to play along. "And?"
"Just how many men have you been intimate with?"
The boldness of the question startled her, and she had to think a moment before answering. "How is that any of your business?"
His grin widened. "I will tell you how many I have been with."
The Queen hesitated. "Men?"
He scoffed, "You know what I mean."
She smiled cruelly back at him, and decided to indulge his question. After all, she was curious as to how many he had been with. "Six."
She waited for a reaction and received none. His facial expression did not change. "So I see."
"That is not too many, you know," she instinctively defended herself. "As a Queen I could be in the hundreds by now. It averages out to a mere three a year."
"Alright." He looked bored.
She was almost insulted by his lack of response. "So, what is your number?"
"Hmm?" He mumbled, pretending to have not listened to her. "Oh. That is private information. Not worth telling, mind you. I cannot believe you told me."
She was irate. He had promised to tell her in exchange for her number, and he had lied! Still, she told herself, you must have expected this from him.
"Six men," he said with a low whistle, finally showing emotion. "Do you have any kind of-- fungus-- growing on your nether regions?"
That does it!
His comment was the lowest of the low. The worst anyone had dared to say to her and most certainly not true. She was so enraged by his blunt cruelty that her body completely froze, with the exception of her shaking hands. His eyes searched her face, eagerly awaiting her reaction.
As angry as she was, she forced herself to swallow back her fury and shrug her slender shoulders. She was finally starting to understand his game. The way he watched her... he wanted to make her mad. He wanted to make her sweat and get pissed at him. She realized that it was, in a sick and twisted way, his way of flirting with her. He was like a little boy who threw stones at a girl when he wanted her to notice him. It didn't matter if the attention he received from her was negative; it was still attention.
She knew he didn't mean the comments he said. She knew he had nothing but the best intentions, but she was still infuriated. She inhaled sharply, trying to control her urge to wipe the stupid look off his face with her hand.
"Should I take your silence as a yes?"
"You pompous, mindless bastard," she swore through grated teeth, her emotions coming free. It was in her nature, after all, to not let anyone undermine her. "How dare you say such things to me!"
He seemed to become overjoyed by her reaction, as she knew he would be. "Please, Princess, there is no need for name calling."
"You know what you said is not true!"
"How could I possibly know?" He feigned innocence, placing his hands defensively over his heart.
She had enough of his games. Her feelings got the best of her, and she pulled back her right arm and extended her hand. Quickly, her hand cut through the air in its effort to smack him hard across his face. Unfortunately for Ashe, his reflexes were as quick as a cat, and he grabbed her wrist with his left hand when it was inches away from his cheek. She instinctively tried to pull her arm away, but he held his grip firm.
"Now now, Princess," Balthier told her, his facial expression considerably darker but still pleased. "It is not nice to hit people."
"You deserve it," she hissed through closed teeth, trying once again to free her arm. His grip tightened, and he pulled her slightly towards him, until their bodies near touched, and she could feel his breath hot on her face.
"Perhaps you have anger management problems," he smirked at her. "The whole slapping thing. You damn near slapped me, and I know you slapped poor Basch two years ago. Shame shame, Princess."
She shoved at him with her free hand in an effort to free herself. He combated this action by grabbing onto her other wrist and pushing her slowly backwards. She offered resistance, but he was stronger than her. He backed her up until her back was flat against a rock wall.
"Release me," she commanded sharply, glaring up into his proud face.
He pinned her arms high above her head, stretching out her body which cause her to arch her back. Her torso met his.
"I'm warning you," she cautioned in a dark tone. He only grinned harder, thinking the whole thing to be a delectable game.
Little did he know, however, was that Ashe was a personal fan of being pinned down and tied up. It had always been a fantasy of hers, and the suitors that she brought to her bedroom were often commanded to do such things to her. The fact that Balthier was now in charge and she was at his mercy drove her completely wild. She again struggled- not enough to free herself, but enough to cause him to grip her tighter. She stared wide-eyed at his face, which was only a few inches from hers, and ground her teeth at the sight of him:
His soft hair falling onto his sweat laced forehead. His juicy lips which were curled into a pleased snarl. His untamed eyes were filled with lust and longing. Lust and longing for her.
The sexual tension between them seemed to pulse and thrive until Ashelia B'Nargin Dalmasca thought she would explode unless one of them did something about it. Honestly, she didn't believe she had felt so weak in the knees for as long as she had lived. Not even her beloved Basch could make her feel so powerless and hungry. She yearned to have her needs fulfilled, right then and right there and right next to the jagged rock wall.
He looked her face over and noted her desire filled expression. The words came out from his mouth were smooth and inviting: "What are you going to do about it?"
It sounded like a dare, to her. She weakly struggled a final time, but it was clear he wasn't going to release her. Not unless she gave him what he wanted. Not until she gave into what she wanted.
Her azure eyes traveled down to his lips, which seemed to pulse with anticipation. Quickly and without warning, she threw her mouth onto his and pressed their lips together as hard as she could.
She instantly tried to pull herself back and witness his reaction, but he wouldn't give her the chance. An inch of space separated their faces before Balthier forced yet another kiss, crushing their lips together so violently that she gasped into his mouth. He released her arms and instantly slid his hands down the sides of her body, toying with her belt as he went. Then he paused, as if he was unsure if he was doing the right thing.
To reassure him, Ashe deepened the kiss, biting down onto his lower lip hard enough to make him flinch. He seemed to love it, however, and moved his hands down and behind her and grasped at her butt. She arched her back even further than it was, pushing herself into him, and raised her left leg up to his side. Her hands were all over his body- touching and exploring every crevice they could.
Getting the idea, Balthier hoisted her up, pinning her once more to the rock wall. Waist to waist, she wrapped her legs around him and briefly broke their passionate yet sloppy kiss. She looked down into his face. Their eyes met and reflected each other's intense yearning. She was already out of breath but didn't care; she needed to taste his mouth again. As their kiss resumed, he pulled her away from the wall but still cradled her up. When they fell to the hard, dirt ground, he was on top of her.
She swore that she could see fireworks beneath her closed eyelids as she whimpered out his name and begged him to take their passion further.
Author's Note o.O sorry if the first part of the chapter sucked. I was trying to get back into the writing groove... Plus I had to set it up for the end of the chapter/beginning of the next. The next chapter will contain more graphic detail than this (but not a lemon). Be warned. Enjoy :) Reviews (bad and good!) welcome. :)
