When Basch first woke, Balthier was still pressed against his side, one arm flung across Basch's chest, his head nestled against Basch's shoulder. Basch opened his eyes to see the soft brush of Balthier's hair, but sleep was already drawing him back.

When Basch next woke, Balthier had rolled away from him to sleep with his back pressed to Basch's side. Basch shifted to spoon against Balthier, wrapped one arm around the pirate's slender waist, and promptly went back to sleep.

When Basch fully woke, Balthier was seated on the bed beside him, clad only in a smile. Basch pondered that smile even as he levered himself up and moved closer to taste it, licking the curve of Balthier's lips until it fell away into hunger.