So this is the last chapter, but I promise to start a whole new story soon. Hell, maybe I'll even make it a companion to this one, who knows. Anyhow, this chapter is still rated M, and I still don't own em', I just write about em'. Please review and let me know if you like it.

To See You Again

Chapter 9: The Ending

Balthier was vaguely aware that he was being carried, but his mind couldn't wrap itself around the concept that he wasn't still suspended high in the air above the cavern of the blood worms. He was comfortable, although a little dizzy and lightheaded. He could smell the richness of the trees around him, and knew without a doubt that he was safe in the Eruyt Village. His back no longer hurt like it had, but the skin was tender as new flesh always was after being healed. He didn't try to open his eyes, he had gotten used to the fact that doing so was pointless, and he wondered if the others had remembered to get the moon clay from the cavern. But of course they must have, he knew they would not have left without it. He thought it strange how far he had come in the past year. Before he and Fran had run into Vaan in the Palace treasury he had been a loner, with only Fran to keep him company and watch his back. Now, he was a part of a tightly knit group of friends, friends who would risk their lives to help him get his sight back. One of which he was going to marry very very soon. He could remember the exact moment he'd fallen in love with the boy, and it still surprised him. He, Balthier the sky pirate, in love. Who would have ever thought? He was pulled from his musings by the touch of a hand to his eyes. The hands were that of a Viera, he could tell by the long slender fingers. Something was being smeared on his eyes, and he assumed that it was the mixture of the three ingredients that had taken them so long to gather. Please work, he thought, once again afraid that he would never get to see the boy he loved again.

Vaan was having trouble staying quiet as the Viera had instructed. He wanted so desperately to hold Balthier's hand, to whisper in his ear that everything would be alright. He watched intently as a Viera he did not know smeared the thick salve over Balthier's eyes, and he shuffled his feet nervously.

"He'll be fine," Basch whispered in his ear after a moment, and Vaan supposed the older man could sense his worry. He nodded in reply, not daring to take his eyes off the man he loved.

When he felt the thick goo being wiped away from his eyes Balthier stirred. Even with his eyes closed he could see a great brightness where before only darkness had prevailed. The sun is shining, he thought, dear gods the sun is shining and I going to be able to see it.

"Do not open your eyes yet," the Viera warned, "They have grown used to the darkness. You will have to take it slow or you will damage them beyond repair."

He nodded and slowly cracked an eyelid. Even a tiny crack was painful, and he knew his face showed it when he felt a hand on his own. He knew the hand to be Vaan's, oh he knew every little contour of that boy by heart now, and he'd memorized every line, every little texture…just in case the quest for his sight was a failure. He forced himself to keep opening his eyes slowly, wincing through the pain, and his grip on Vaan's hand tightening. Finally they were open, and the pain was beyond intense.

"Keep them open," the Viera chided as he started to slam his lids shut again, "You must let them adjust."

He stared blankly up at the sky, trying to see anything beyond the bright white light that had set the nerves in his eyes aflame. Just as he thought their quest to be a failure…he made out the line of a tree. Slowly…oh so painfully slow…but sure enough, things began to come into focus…and then he saw the most beautiful blue eyes in the world.

"Vaan," he whispered as he touched the boy's cheek, "I never thought I'd get to look into those eyes again."

There was nothing Vaan could say as he grabbed his pirate and kissed him with everything he had.

It was an awkward group of people who were gathered in Ozmone Plain some seven or eight days later, but everyone was in high spirits. The odd collection of moogles, orphans, Viera, sky pirates, and nomads watched with happy smiles as the sky pirate led his orphan down a makeshift aisle of flowers. They stood now, facing each other, before Larsa…who being royalty could perform the ceremony legally.

Balthier stood, his hands in Vaan's, promising himself he wouldn't cry, and thanked every god whose name he could remember that he was able to actually see this day. "I thought a long time," he said, "about what kind of fancy words to say today to explain what you mean to me. Through everything that's happened recently I've realized that life without you, Vaan, just isn't worth having. In the end I finally figured out that I don't need any fancy words, they wouldn't do today justice anyway. All I can say is that…you make me happier than I ever thought I could be. You've given my life a hope and purpose that I thought I lost a long time ago. And if you'll let me…I'll spend the rest of my days doing everything I can to make you feel the same way."

"Balthier," said Vaan, wiping his cheek with the back of his hand, "I love you…so much. And I feel so lucky that I have you. You don't have to try, because I already feel the same way you do."

A sob from Penelo inturrepted them, and Larsa patted her on the shoulder before continuing on with the ceremony, "Do you Balthier, take Vaan to be your lawfully wedded husband, until death do you part?"

"I do."

"And do you Vaan, take Balthier to be your lawfully wedded husband, until death do you part?"

"I do."

"Then by the power invested in me, I know pronounce you husband and husband! And you can kiss him Balthier."

As he wrapped his arms around the boy he loved, and their lips met for the thousandth time, Balthier knew that no matter what happened in the future he and Vaan would be fine.

The End.

Hope you enjoyed it! Review if you did! More stories to come!