A/N: Whoops, forgot the ratings in the previous update. It won't do harm, right? Please see my profile for information, I will post the entire thing again in the final update of this fic. For now, please enjoy! :Meresta
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy XII or Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings


Balthier and Vaan, prompts #051. to #055.
Warnings: Malexmale.
Ratings: PG

051. Woods.

One would think that the Wood would remind Balthier of Fran, but in the course of time, this connotation changed.

Because the dancing of the branches, began to look like the movement of Vaan's arms during a fight. The streams of sunlight the trees let through, began to feel like the warmth his skin radiated. The mysterious, cloudy appearance the Wood had during rain began to look like the colour of his eyes, and the rustling of the leaves began to sound like his voice.

"Hey, are you coming?" Vaan asked, walking ahead through the woods.
"..I'll be right there."

052. Fun.

"Vaan."
"Hm?"
"Could I ask you a question?"
"You just did."

Balthier sighed deeply, before continuing in a slightly defeated voice.

"We'll never have a normal, adult conversation now, will we."
"That's because you talk weird."
"Maybe it's because you, are not quite an adult."

This would have been a perfectly safe remark, had they not been at Mt. Bur-Omisace. However, right now it motivated Vaan to shoot down to the snow, gather all he could hold, and fling it at the older pirate.

As Balthier ducked to avoid it, he decided that it was much more fun this way.

053. Dare.

They had been looking at a certain poster from a distance for quite some time now.

It was a picture of Vayne, with propaganda quotes under it.

"This is.. rather inviting, don't you agree?"
"Yeah."

They stared on, until Vaan turned to Balthier, a wide grin on his face, handing him a black marker.
"Do it."
"What? Oh heavens no. I've passed that phase."
"You had a phase?"
"Didn't we all?"

Vaan took a moment, then tried again.
"I dare you to do it."
"What makes you think I would listen to a dare?"
"Because you're a pirate."
"..Good point."

054. Spell.

There were moments when Vaan was sure Balthier had put a spell on him that made him unable to form correct sentences, to pronounce words, let alone create sound at all.

This was one of these moments.

Balthier had come back in to their shared room, completely soaked. His leather vest hung over his arm, leaving his drenched, white dress shirt -and everything it failed to hide- in plain view.

Before Vaan could have attempted speech, Balthier stopped him with a raised hand.

"Not a word. Darn Waterga spell. And my good shirt, too."

Vaan closed his mouth. Staring. Spellbound.

055. Pray.

Vaan wasn't religious. He had been, before the war, but his trust in the Gods had dissolved in the fight. He didn't understand the benefit of praying to Gods who had taken everything he held dear. What was he supposed to thank them for? That they spared him?

Because sometimes, he wished they hadn't.

It wasn't until he had met Balthier, and decided to stick with him, that he found a reason to gaze up at the sky and whisper a small prayer.

Thank you for making all my dreams come true.

Thank you for bringing him into my life.


Again, THANK YOU ALL for your support and patience. I will be finishing up any fic or request that has been neglected for the past year, and then I will move on at a livejournal account that is not yet in existence. I hope to see all of you there! :Meresta