Notes and Warnings: Minor spoilers for FFX-2, as it is post FFX-2.
A Gippal/Baralai [eventual] slash, and romancing.
'The Just In Case' Warning: I am (probably) ignorant thereof (plausiably) and don't own anything in the legal sector (mayhaps) of ownership of: FFX, FFX-2, and all other things. It's ©2003 SQUARE ENIX CO, of course. And if it's not, then I don't have a clue. ( It was Mrs. White, with the iron rod, in the library, and Mustard died. Bad Mrs. White.)
Personal Note: Gippalai Day is Sept. 1st! Ah, good, that's out of the way. Anyways, here's the next chapter. A tad angsty. But don't worry, it'll be resolved. And just to spoil it, it isn't, and will not be an IsaaruxBaralai fic, so don't worry. And I'll have some good smut up by Sept 1st for the first celebrated Gippalai Day ever. (as far as I know, anyways.)
rebrose: Why thank you. Now you can stop freaking our for a while.
Kat-chan : Yeah, I'm crazy. A day to celebrate Gippalai? I'm nuts. --prances around Lai-kun--( --Baralai is Lai-kun
nathan: One of these days I will get around to it..maybe this week actually.
Gysecune: Heh heh. You're one of my very own favorite reviewers. I sure wish Baralai would through with that threat.. it wasn't elegant, but it'd sure bring in the readers. Oh well. Maybe for Sept. 1st, eh?
Amber Dawn: enter mass chaos here "Gippalai week and pickles" /chaos A little html for you.
tiduslover55: Geeze, why do I leave everything on cliffhangers? Oh, that's right; because I'm cruel to my readers. And thank you for the most wonderful comments. And I will keep writing, because of people like you. And I like Tidus too.
Yonaka Niji : Midnight Rainbow. Nice Japanese name. Three cheers. Again. Man that was pure brilliance when you were like "yes! That one!!" And the wedding? Well, actually they elope, but you might here juicy details about it in the next chapter. "Tidus thought it would be fun go to Zanarkand; I kept trying to tell him about the monkeys, but nooo... and then he had to go get himself petrified..."
Big-Purple-Lizard: You're from lizzard-land! Crikey! Anyways, we'll see how those two fair in this chapter. No worries. Well, actually, quite a few.
Samurai Bishie Queen: I love your reviews. It makes my whole week. You and your bishies. Heh heh. Go Heero. You go get your piece of Hisoka; rawr. And just to let Cloud know, I did name him the 'dunce muse' once, and I wrote him in a fic where he actually got a little of Baralai... And I am a poor author who has a job and is busy voluntering. So bishies, if you really want me to make more chapters, you should tie up Baralai so Gippal can finally have his way with him. Or vice-versa.
-smacks Squall on the back of his head- Oh course Queenie has talent!
And what would happen if Quatre ran into Hisoka? -laughs- Empaths unite! Ha. Quatre and Hisoka trade lives for a day. Woo. That's a 'doozy'. And get well soon. I hope you're still not sick. If you are, I hope this makes you feel better.
Unknown Yuna: Y'know there is opposition, personally and politically of the idea of an Al Bhed and a Bevellian, even if they admire the star-crossed lovers' idealism. And celebrate by just waking up on Wed saying "Happy Gippalai Day", and, if daring, even write it in a public places.
SakuraBubbles the Muffin Child: heh, wankers eh? Isaaru isn't a pansy in this story..he's a his own man finally! Thank goodness too.
Additional Comment: 'Lai, is another nickname for Baralai. And Isaaru is my 4th favorite FFX-2 character, and my 3rd favorite FFX character. Heh. I love Auron.
{Chapter 17: Strangers }
It was like... they were all strangers. They were all trying not to step on each other's shoes. And it made for the most awkward situation Isaaru had known.
Bevelle was once again in a frenzy, much to the media's delight, and sour distaste to the old aristocrats that inhabited the separatist city. It didn't help him that Baralai was trying to work when he should be resting. If it wouldn't have made for an even more awkward moment, he would have threatened to tie that man to his own bed. Not that the idea didn't sound appealing. But Isaaru had a feeling those kind of advances would be... non-receptive if he read between the lines correctly. Though, of course, he could just very well be paranoid.
While Baralai was still unconscious, the wounded Al Bhed said a farewell with more emotional impact than what a good friend could produce. So the feeling was at least from one side of the party. Although he didn't ask, Baralai hadn't talked much about this young man, or his affiliation, so Isaaru thought better than to pry.
Thinking of prying, Isaaru desperately wondered how Baralai even managed to live this long being the Praetor. The paperwork and bureaucracy alone could kill you; not to mention nosey, pestering monks and never-ending media coverage. Even if you had enough time to have some time alone, everyone around the world had to pry into your life and judge you.
"Isaaru," a breathy tone broke through his reverie. He looked up with a mock-scowl on his face.
"I thought I got rid of you."
Baralai slowly made his way to the chair across from Isaaru, eyes running over the desk and scattered documents. "You can't get ride of me that easily." Baralai almost fell into the chair, his shoulder hitting the back support with a pained sigh.
A real scowl formed on Isaaru's face. He had no idea why Baralai, just for once, couldn't just relax his body; he worked himself faint everyday with menial tasks. Isaaru momentarily pondered the thought of making his brother put Baralai under house arrest.
The former summoner stared at the lovely hand reaching out for paperwork. Scathingly. He held his amusement in check at the frustrated and flustered appearance his friend assumed.
"Isaaru, I know you can do this by yourself, but I have nothing else to do, and I could help you-"
"-'Lai." Baralai paused at his old nickname, looking Isaaru in the eye. Isaaru continued on, admiring the strong-willed dark pools that meekly swirled with emotion. It was hard to remember that Baralai was an adult, and that he didn't need supervision. But Isaaru would give it anyways.
"Issy, I-" Baralai stopped as Issaru had his coughing fit. Nothing like pet nicknames to get your way. Baralai rested his head on his hand, quietly studying Isaaru like he did many years ago. A small smirk formed at his lips as the suspected tinge of red appeared on his elder's cheeks.
"Baralai..." Isaaru spoke sternly, paying rapt attention as Baralai broke into a wide, sheepish smile, ducking his head, eyes only temporarily flickering up to meet with his and then quickly back to the floor. Isaaru was floored; it was a long time since he'd seen that expression. Too long, infact.
Isaaru rose from the desk, the chair scraping on the tile, the sound filling the empty room. Baralai looked up quickly from the ground, startled by the sound and sudden movement. Isaaru saw the doeful eyes turn a darker shade in surprise, curiosity, and apprehension.
Baralai sat straighter in his chair, something nagging in the back of his mind as this seemed like a sort of deja vu. He winced as pressure was put on his slow-healing wound from pushing himself further back into the chair. Nervous, warm energy seemed to pool inside him as Isaaru reached his chair, leaning over his significantly smaller frame. Baralai was going to voice something; he wasn't sure what, but the close features of Isaaru did well to cloud his mind. A pale finger ghosted his cheek, trailing down the center to his chin.
Inexplicably, Baralai's breathing changed, and he couldn't help a slight flutter of lashes as he was pinned by those very soft, but piercing ice-water blue pools called eyes. He was waiting for something. He didn't even dare think what the something was, but an old part of him thirsted...
Isaaru saw those amber eyes darken and turn liquid, and he immediately recognized the look. He grinned, tapping his index finger on Baralai's nose, carefully pondering his next choice of words.
"You're so adorable."
As Isaaru walked away, Baralai futilely worked his jaw, desperately searching for a scathing remark, or at least something witty. But his mind was overrun with thoughts, and nothing coherent made his way from his throat. Baralai somehow felt... bereft. He shook his head, removing the oppressing thoughts, determined to leave this place; the nostalgia must be getting to him.
Baralai started, gripping the chair as it was moved from the desk. Warm, dark arms slipped around him, and he was lifted even before he could chastise their owner.
"Maroda!" He practically yelled, but the expression still held a soft tone.
"Hey," Maroda gave a saucy wink, carrying his young companion though the private set of doors. "Isaaru here tells me you've been misbehaving... again." Maroda tried to sound put-out, but the laughter that followed proved he was enjoying ruffling Baralai's proverbial feathers.
"I was not. I merely decided I should do some of my work." Baralai sighed, giving up. He added this on second thought, "And don't you dare try and put me to bed this early."
"But that's where we like you," Isaaru quipped easily, the words unassuming but ultimately suggestive. Isaaru tried to politely cover his snicker at Baralai's shocked expression.
Baralai tried to work a commanding tone into his voice. "Alright Maroda, that's far enough. Put me down; I'm walking."
"But I like you in my arms."
Baralai's jaw slackened. He forgot all about the teasing moods Maroda could get in. He tried to scowl, but he actually was smiling now. Despite his best efforts not to.
"I forgot how much a pain in the.. a..hh.. butt... you two could be." Baralai quickly diverted his language as Pacce joined them. Maroda smiled at his youngest brother, talking insinuation's over Pacce's knowledge.
"But what a lovely pain in the butt it can be..."
Baralai blanched at the deep erotic purr as he was carefully set upon his immaculate bed. He shook his head trying to remove unwanted thoughts.
"Tell me again why I hired you from Nooj in the first place?"
"Because I'm very good at my job, and you knew Pacce missed us being together."
Pacce smiled brightly at the mention of his name, who, thankfully, was unaware of the innuendoes that danced before him only seconds before.
"Yep, now it's just like old times! 'Cept now Baralai is a Praetor, so we can do whatever we want, and we don't have to listen to those old guys!"
"Sure is," Maroda quipped, "I can still make sir youngin' here blush like the day he was born!"
Baralai half-growled, half-pouted. "Well if I made every conversation full of sexual innuendoes, I could make you flustered like that too."
Maroda opened his mouth for a retort, but the only noise heard in the room was Pacce's curious voice.
"What's a sexual in...inny-you-end-doh?"
Isaaru was suddenly quite still, and Maroda seemingly speechless. Baralai laid back on the bed, throwing an arm over his eyes. "Pacce, why don't you go ask one of the priests what a sexual innuendo is. They're very wise in these matters. I'm sure they'll be happy to explain it to you."
A wry smile appeared on Maroda's face. "I'm sure they'll be positively ecstatic."
Isaaru hastily added, "But don't tell them we sent you. You don't want us to look dumb, do you?"
Pacce slowed in his pursuit to the door. "Okay. I promise I won't say anything!"
Maroda smiled, catching up to his brother. "I should be going back to my office. I'm Chief of Security, y'know."
Baralai groaned. "Why, again, do I bother paying you?"
Maroda grinned, tossing out one last phrase while he walked through the doorway. "Because you're loaded!"
Before the on-leave Praetor could form a proper retort, his older friend already left with his sibling, leaving him all alone with Isaaru. Isaaru had his head tilted to the side, as if curiously studying him. He straightened, seeming to coming some conclusion of sorts, and headed to the large bed, sitting with his back against the headboard.
It only startled Baralai a little as he felt hands gently move through his hair, fingertips brushing his scalp. Of course, his traitorous mind right then had to think of Gippal. And Isaaru. Almost at the same time.
With a sigh Baralai rolled over on his stomach, allowing the playful fingers to stroke the hair on his nape. He didn't know what to think. He had woken up eight days ago, as if waking from a long, horrible nightmare. Pacce and Isaaru were asleep on the bed with him, in a definitely Bevellian bed, like the last couple of years never happened. The only thing that alerted him to reality was the horrible acute pain on the right side of his chest. But there was a different ache.
Gippal hadn't been a figure of his imagination; he was sure of that. But when he woke up, it wasn't him he woke up next to. It was like waking up to a complete stranger in your bed. He and Isaaru hadn't talked since he left for the Crimson Squad; so many things had changed, in him and the siblings. Although Pacce was always thrilled to be with him, and Maroda had a permanently kind, but smart-ass attitude (or so it seemed), it was like things had never changed.
But between him and Isaaru? There was this unspoken agreement to keep it exactly that; unspoken. He was the one who left the relationship; Baralai could have been a guardian for Isaaru, and, in proposition, a permanent lover. But he sought out other things; he needed to find a purpose to his life.
And he didn't swear, but it was his word, and he said he would be back. And sure enough, it took years and many distractions, but here they were, all four of them, back together again. Though this time Baralai wasn't as young, or as naive. And that was part of the problem.
He knew these touches was a bonding of the personal nature. And Maroda knew it too; the Chief of Security seemed to know when to leave at the right time to leave himself and Isaaru alone. As if he realized we needed time to recreate our relationship. Another part of the problem.
A third part of the large picture was Gippal. Where did he go? He had inquired of him the second he woke. And he found out he had left. That he had been back in Djose for a couple of days now. So he tried to get in contact via spheres. No such luck. Gippal always seemed unavailable. So he had tried recorded spheres. No response. He was never around to talk live through the radio waves even. So three days ago he resorted to writing, on paper, and sending it that way via a messenger. It was like Gippal was avoiding him, or had totally forgotten him.
But shouldn't he have realized that? It was a short summer fling. They'd both been overexcited with this new step in their relationship; they didn't even think about the real-world consequences. A Bevellian with an Al Bhed? That's major trouble. Lady Yuna was only so lucky. No, not lucky; talented and loved.
And there, lied his problem. Baralai at the moment, with his romantic life, had a major split in the road, and had to decide which way to go. He could go back to his first love, to which it seems, came to his rescue. He'd have family support, and Isaaru would understand his hectic work schedule. Not to mention Isaaru knew how Bevelle ran, and could even live with him. Obviously Isaaru loved him either which way; the new Baralai and the old.
And his second love on many occasions he was going to give himself to. Gippal, an Al Bhed, who would be mocked in Bevelle, wouldn't understand the whole 'paperwork thing' as he put it, and would have to run his very own Spiran faction. And Baralai had a sour feeling he wouldn't give up the Machine Faction for him, despite all the pretty words, said or implied; and Baralai knew he wasn't ready to call it quits on Bevelle and New Yevon.
And if he did, what would he do? Even if he went with Gippal to Djose, what good would he be? At most a healer, a navigator, or a mercenary. And that wasn't the life he wanted for himself.
Could they really, would they really, sacrifice their hard-earned lives for each other? Maybe, ten years down the road, Baralai could see leaving Bevelle. But to do what? He could teach mage skills, and fighting techniques. But he had an itch for adventure, just him and Gippal. He'd like to explore again. Be under the desert stars together; freeze together in Macalania, bathe in hot springs at Mt. Gagazet. That's a good idea. After he retired, he should go on a pilgrimage of his own.
But all these thoughts could be pondered later. Right now exhaustion was getting the better of him, and he had to concentrate on balancing the line of friend and lover. Which is hard when you have history, and... worryingly enough...still some feelings...
Isaaru smiled lightly, watching his tired friend slowly battle the fatigue and lose, falling into a light, peaceful slumber. He continued carding his hands through the soft white locks, enjoying the feel; it was like smooth silk.
Baralai had changed, not only physically, but emotionally and mentally too. This Baralai was more outspoken, confident, and reserved. The other Baralai was quiet too, but that Baralai was more...respectfully humble. Never bragged about his abilities once, and had this loving heart that he would open to anyone hurting...
...But what happened to that caring heart? Baralai seemed more closed off. Isaaru could understand, but it hurt him. Baralai never hid secrets from him before he left. And now, a few short years later he kept many secrets, and he was more skeptical of the world. He lost his hopeful naivety; something Isaaru had admired. He used to be able to assume the best of everyone. He doesn't trust as easily.
But Isaaru knew this young Baralai was still buried deep inside; repressed by necessity. He saw a glimpse of the old Baralai just this evening. Baralai not meeting your eyes, adorably bashful and self-conscious. Not to mention indignant; but Maroda can bring out the indignant side of anyone.
He hadn't changed much around Pacce though. He still has the same young light in his eyes as he talks and plays with Pacce. Pacce is kind of everyone's little brother. Pacce is good for Baralai's weary soul.
Isaaru started from his musing as Baralai suddenly rose, eyes wide in revelation.
"Yuna," he mumbled, getting up slowly.
"What about her?" Isaaru inquired curiously.
Baralai clenched and unclenched his damaged hand. "She's back from the wedding, right?"
"Because of the accident, she eloped as soon as you were awake. Those two were tired of waiting, and press was everywhere. And yeah, they're back. Why did you want to know?"
Baralai got up slowly. "She owes me a favor, and I intend to recollect it."
Isaaru's brows knitted in confusion. "Pardon?"
Baralai grinned. "Old history. Her uncle has access to airships, and I want to go in person to Djose."
"Why do you-"
"-Isaaru, I.. I need to know why he hasn't answered me. I need to know what's going on before I choose."
"Choose what?"
Baralai closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose, a headache coming fast to him. "Before I choose my destiny, and my lover."
Isaaru was quiet, and softly placed his hand on Baralai's shoulder. "You mean between us and your Al Bhed friend."
"No," Baralai conceded, "There will always be an 'us'. But there might not always be a Baralai and Isaaru. I will never intentionally leave my family again."
Isaaru removed his hand, leaning back heavily against the headboard. "So in reality, you're trying choose between me and him."
Baralai leaned forward, running his hands through his hair while releasing an explosive breath. "Yeah, and it's the most fucked up decision I have to make yet. 'Cause either way I'm loosing something pretty special."
Isaaru sounded distant. "Then you should take your time."
Baralai turned to look back at Isaaru, studying his longtime surrogate brother and part-time love interest. "Part of the problem is, time is relevant. I don't have enough time."
"Love spans all ages, 'Lai, and it spans all time. You might not be patient for love, but you have to wait all the same. What you do in the meantime is what we call life."
"Love like that is a stranger."
Liquid blue eyes turned once again to pierce his soul. "That kind of love might be closer than you think. It will reveal itself all in due time."
"...I need to see Gippal. I need to know."
Isaaru stood up. "No, you need to look at yourself first. The answers are there; not in other people."
"But-"
Isaaru walked to the front of Baralai, waiting for the youngster to raise his gaze to match his own. "You do need to see him. But remember this; I will always be here for you, but I refuse to be second best."
Isaaru gave a small smile, and left towards the office once again to burn the midnight oil.
For the millionth time in his life, Baralai was left alone to fight against the inner turmoil.
For the second time in his life, Baralai was left only with a silent room to comfort him from the tears falling from his face.