Chapter Twenty One

The Sound Of A Heart Breaking

Besaid Island

Ten Years Ago

Baralai was in nirvana. His body was igniting under those caressing hands and that wicked mouth was latched onto his neck. He felt a hot tongue lick across his throat as nimble fingers caressed his inner walls before finding that spot that made the stars explode in the heavens. The Praetor vaguely wondered why he agreed to let Gippal seduce him out in the open on the beach but then the fingers were gone and something else took their place and all rational thought melted away.

This was the only time Baralai felt complete, when he had his lover buried within him and making him scream the filthiest things. The white haired man lost all inhibitions when it came to his blond lover and he wouldn't trade that for the world. When Gippal began hitting his sweet spot harder the Praetor dug his nails into golden skin as he pleaded for more of that mind numbing pleasure.

Finally he reached his pinnacle and all that remained was white hot pleasure along with that pulsing member buried deep within his body. Eternity passed or maybe it was an hour, Baralai couldn't be sure and he didn't care. He squeezed his aching legs around Gippal's waist, unwilling to let the man slip out of him just yet.

He loved this feeling of absolute completion with the man who made him feel so treasured and desired. He smiled when Gippal raised his head and grinned down at his blushing lover. His patch had been removed revealing the angry red scar in place of his eye. Baralai gently kissed the scar as he caressed that beautiful face. Molten amber eyes were glazed as he settled down on the blanket and he pulled Gippal down so that he rested his head in the crook of Baralai's neck.

"That was the best one yet." The blond moaned while he kissed and nipped at that delicious neck.

"I am inclined to agree." The white haired man smiled.

"I'm surprised you can still talk after that." Gippal smirked. He kissed those wonderfully addictive lips.

"But I am glad you talked me into this vacation." The Praetor ran his fingers through golden locks. "You can be quite the charming devil."

"And you love me for it." Gippal grinned.

"Among other things." Baralai murmured. "I don't want to go back tomorrow."

"I know babe. But at least you'll have these memories to take with you." The Al Bhed sighed.

"I'd rather have the real thing." Baralai hated being the leader of the Yevon Temple but his conscience wouldn't let him walk away. "One day I'll be able to kiss you whenever I like. I can hold your hand and let the world see."

"I'll look forward to that." The blond man smiled. "And maybe we can have that flashy wedding you wanted."

"Maybe..." Baralai giggled. "But I loved the ceremony you arranged."



Platinum rings glittered in the moonlight and fingers became entwined. The Al Bhed let them be bonded in secret. Yevon would never allow such a union between the Praetor and his Al Bhed lover. Hopefully one day Baralai could show his people how much he loved his bond mate. Yevonites and Al Bhed could be strong together as a unified race but the prejudices of the past refused to stay buried and forgotten. It broke Baralai's heart but for the moment there was nothing he could do. It was more than enough for him to just be with Gippal.

"Don't get that frown on your face." Gippal admonished. "You can't make them change overnight love."

"I know but I wish I could." His amber eyes shimmered slightly.

"Hey, I love you so that's enough." The blond man grinned and Baralai melted.

"I love you." The white haired man whispered as he wriggled his ass, teasing Gippal's cock back to life. "Now fuck me again."

"Your wish is my command." The Al Bhed groaned as he fused his mouth to the supple one beneath him.

Bikanel Island

Present Day

"Lai?" Gippal whispered in shock. His one good eye was focused on the man he lost ten years ago after that night on the beach.

"I can't believe it...you're really here." Baralai choked out. Tears were already burning his eyes as he took a step forward.

"But...you vanished...I saw it." Gippal still remembered the worst day of his life. He and Baralai had been walking back towards the village when his white haired lover started screaming and then he disappeared in a flash of blinding white light.

"But I'm back now. I made it back." Baralai whispered. Happiness he hadn't felt in months swelled up in his chest.

"Ten years...I can't believe it. I looked for you everywhere for years." Gippal looked like he was on the verge of crying.

"I know baby...I missed you so much." Baralai ran to embrace his lost love but Gippal grabbed his shoulders and held him away.

"Baralai..." the blond gasped out.

"Please, let me hold you. I've dreamed of this moment for so long." Baralai begged. He needed to feel his lover in his arms again.

"I know...but there's something you need to know." Gippal didn't look into those beautiful amber eyes.

"What's going on Gippal?" Baralai asked in an even voice.

"Baralai...come with me to the village." Gippal sighed. He let go of the ex-Praetor then walked along a wooden bridge over the marshes.

"What was that all about? I thought he'd be ecstatic to see you." Tidus crossed his arms.

"Are you ok Lai?" Vincent placed a hand on the man's shoulder.

"I've dreamed of this since the moment I awoke in Radiant Garden. But to see him walking away from me was never one of those dreams." Baralai gasped.

"Let's go to the village. He'll tell you there." Seifer suggested.



The other nodded then followed Gippal along the bridge towards a small fork between a rocky valley. The right pathway would take them into Sandstorm Village. When they reached the village Baralai noticed that nothing seems to have changed. Men, women and children went by their lives in the village. Small thatch houses dotted the tiny village and at the northern end the doorway leading into the Temple of Earth was guarded by the best warriors in the village.

These warriors were also loyal to the Sand King and that made whoever was guarding the gateway lethal adversaries. Gippal took them to a house sitting on a hilltop with a single tree overhanging the roof. Once he pushed open the door Gippal motioned for the others to follow him inside.

"Can I speak to Baralai alone for a few moments?" Gippal asked. They were reluctant at first but Baralai asked them to go.

"Gippal please talk to me. I just need to hear you again." Baralai turned to the love of his life.

"You're still wearing the ring." Gippal murmured when he saw the platinum band on Baralai's finger.

"Why would I take it off? You're my bond mate." Baralai smiled but Gippal did not return it. It was then that Baralai noticed that Gippal wasn't wearing his ring. "Where is yours?"

"I...I need to explain something to you." The blond turned away. "You've been gone for ten years Baralai."

"I lost those years Gippal...they were stolen from me." Baralai approached the man. "Why won't you hold me? Why won't you kiss me?"

"It's not that easy Lai." The Al Bhed didn't look at him.

"Yes it is!" Baralai grabbed Gippal and turned him around. "I love you!"

Before Gippal could answer the door opened and a tall blond woman stepped inside. Gippal quickly pushed Baralai away, leaving the man hurt and with tears burning his eyes. The woman stopped when she saw who was in the house then she turned her gaze to Gippal who had gone red in the face. When she got closer Baralai noticed that her eyes were spiralled. She was an Al Bhed.

"Who is this Gippal?" the woman asked.

"Nhadala, this is Baralai." Gippal moved towards the woman. "Baralai...this is my wife."

It's strange how a single sentence can send you falling into an abyss of such pain it made you gasp for breath. Baralai stared at Gippal then Nhadala until the reality of that one sentence sank like a dagger into his broken heart. He stumbled forward then ran out of the house as fast as he could. He ran down the hill towards the entrance to the village. When he reached his destination he slumped against the rocks and began to sob brokenly. Gippal was married...he had gotten remarried, found a new love and was now living the domestic life in this village.

"What did I do wrong for this to happen?" Baralai sobbed. The tears came hot and fast. He could barely breathe anymore. "Why?" he sobbed as he placed his head in his hands and continued to cry, letting months of pain and loneliness erupt to the surface.



"Where's Baralai gone to?" Reno asked. He and the others had stayed in the guest room for five minutes when they became concerned for their friend.

"We heard the door slam." Zell piqued up. Gippal looked away from them then left towards another room.

"Is everything ok?" Vincent asked.

"Your friend ran out of the house when Gippal introduced me." The blond woman explained. "I'm Nhadala, his wife."

"Oh no..." Seifer felt the blood drain from his face. The others looked as shocked as he felt.

"Is something wrong?" Nhadala asked quickly.

"I'll go talk to him." Vincent left the house before anyone could protest. Nhadala stared at the stunned group as the silence began to stretch and their anxiety for Baralai only increased.