Orange and Blue

Disclamier: I don't claim to own FF9 or anything of the like.

Warnings: Shounen-ai-ish themes.

The halls were strangely vacant in the large castle. It was a beautiful hall, and even at night was normally patrolled by the Knights of the castle. They would make their runs, saluting the other and speaking of the most recent gossip, if they could.
The marble pearl-colored floors would be silently covered by the large boots the soldiers wore, as the ghostly pictures hanging on the walls would watch over all that occupied the halls.

Yet, there was something strange about the North Wing. No one occupied it. Save the lovely young woman walking down the halls.
Queen Garnet Til Alexandros XVII was a beautiful and caring woman.
She had once fought to save the earth, and she could summon the sacred Eidolons.

Now she was to be engaged to the dashing young rogue, Zidane Tribal, the boy who accompanied her on her journey and helped her every step of the way.
She was happy.

She wondered where the soldiers where. Where they perhaps lousing about in a different wing?
Soon she found herself on one of the castles high balconies, that overlooked her beautiful city of Alexandria.
She edged herself to the rail, and rested her arms on it, looking over the city.

In nightfall, only small lights could be seen, as at this ungodly hour, others would be sleeping.
Thought the large castle-town was dark, it was still a lovely sight to behold to Garnet. A calming one.
"Can't sleep?"

Garnet turned to face her visitor. A tall man, with long silver blue hair, and lovely painted lips.
"No...It's just nice out."

"Really?" The other asked, moving to stand beside her, resting his hand on the balcony's edge, looking out into Alexandria.
"Yes. I feel very calm out here at night. I can think."
The man nodded. "This is rather tranquil."

Silence fell between them, yet it was not uncomfterable.
"Is Zidane driving you mad?"
"No....I love him."

"Do you really?"

She nodded, her lips pulling into a small smile.
"Yes."
He finally looked at her, his eyes meeting hers.

"Then take care of him."
"I will." she nodded, smiling.

"You loved him?"

The man sighed.

"I didn't think so. Not at first. I always held hate and contempt for him. He was to upstage me...yet he didn't, not really."

She turned her look onto the man again, as he continued to gaze into the starry sky.

"But...at the end...Yes. Yes, I did love him. He was my kin, my "Brother". He was that one person I could love."

Their eyes met again.
"Please take care of him....Dagger." The humorous smirk that came to his lovely blue lips as he said her nickname, given to her from the man they spoke of.

She nodded. "I promise."

They returned to gazing out at the sky together.

"Hey, Dagger, what's up?"

Garnet turned, to find Zidane, her groom-to-be.
She smiled. "Just watching the stars."
"The stars, huh?" He asked, coming to stand beside her, both looking into the sky.

"That's cool."
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
She nodded. "Yeah...that is cool."


They watched the blue turn to orange as the sun rose in the horizon.