((Warning… don't flame me for whatever you may read, remember, this is a 'M' rated story. Don't like shounen-ai, don't read this part, 'kay? You'll know what happens in the next chapter, no worries. You WILL know. I will make it so as to those that take no enjoyment in reading these. You will miss NOTHING. This is for my experimentation! I'm serious. DON'T read this if you DON'T like shounen-ai. If you complain to me in anyway- email, IM, etc I will only say "I warned you." And say nothing else, switch the subject, whatever. You don't like it? Sorry.

Don't say, isn't there some way around this? No. There isn't. It DOES make the story continue at a quicker pace and I've had this on my mind. Don't scorn me, because, really, this isn't your story and I don't care.

YOU. DO. NOT. HAVE. TO. READ. THIS!

Do have a nice day otherwise.))

10

Baralai lay in bed, his hand over his eyes. He had the worst headache. He rolled over onto his stomach, burying his head in the pillows. He took in deep breaths, rolling over onto his back once more once he ran out of breath. He wanted to close his eyes, he desperately did, but flashes of Rikku came to him. He hadn't slept the night before, tossing and turning instead. He took in a deep breath, laying the back of his hand over his eyes. He knew it wasn't he who did it, he tried not to, but the thought didn't comfort him.

"What have I done?" He thought aloud, his voice very quiet.

Paine wasn't in the room, much to his great enjoyment. He had been lying in bed all day playing sick. He could tell he was starting to worry Paine, not that she worried easy. Baralai was starting to feel bad for pretending. He sighed, sitting up.

"Oh, you're up," Paine said, standing in the door way as she held a phone in her hand, "Gippal's on the phone, want to take it?"

Baralai hesitated, and then nodded. Paine walked over to him, handing him the cordless phone. She kissed him on the cheek, and then left the room. He watched her leave before placing the phone to his ear. He stayed silent for a moment.

"Hello?" He asked.

"She dead, 'Lai!" Gippal sobbed into the phone, "She's fucking dead; some sick fucking bastard killed her," He could hear his friend's sniffles and rapid breathing, "She fucking died with the first fucking shot, but did he fucking stop! No!"

"Whoa, Gippal, calm down," Baralai said with a natural sounding calm. He wasn't though; he heart was beating unusually fast, "I can't understand a word you're saying!"

He could though.

Gippal took in a few shuddering breaths as he tried to gain control of himself again. He continued breathing deeply for a few moments before speaking again. His words were slow, forcing a calm in his voice.

"Rikku's dead," He said quietly, "I need someone to talk to," His voice suddenly brightened up, "Could you meet me at that one bar?"

Baralai thought for a moment before nodding, "Yeah, I'll be there in a half hour," He started to hang up the phone, "Oh, Gippal," He heard Gippal make a small grunting noise, "Try not to become too drunk before I get there please."

Gippal laughed and hung up the phone. Baralai frowned, clicking his phone off. He stood up, walking to the closet. He pulled some black jeans off a shelf that were slightly too large for him and a green tank top. Baralai grabbed a long gray coat, throwing it over his as he left the room. He saw Paine in the hallway and kissed her on the cheek.

"I need to meet with Gippal," He said, "I'll be back by tomorrow at the latest."

Paine nodded, kissing him back. Baralai continued, slipping the jacket over his arms. He pulled the hood over his head, protecting his face from the cold of the November evening. He walked to the airship, getting in.

………………………………………

Baralai entered the bar, pulling the hood away from his face. He walked to the counter, looking down at the drunken Gippal. He frowned, sitting down next to his friend. The end of his coat trailed behind him, the hem almost touching the floor as he sat. He ordered water much the busty barkeep's dismay. He turned, looking at Gippal, who has a cigarette in his mouth.

"When did you pick that up?" Baralai asked, taking the cigarette from Gippal's mouth and smashing it into the ashtray along with a lot of other butts.

"That's the thing about death," Gippal said with a surprisingly clear voice, "Find all sorts 'o things to fill your time with."

Baralai stared at Gippal. He didn't really like that answer. He pushed his water over to Gippal, picking up the shot glass in front of his friend delicately. He also took the bottle of heavy liquor, which Gippal was starting to reach for.

"If you become thirsty, drink that," Instructed Baralai, "I don't think you'd like to become dehydrated."

Gippal grumbled under his breath, taking another cigarette from the pack. Baralai stared, but did nothing to take it from his friend. He looked away, staring at the bar with his head in his hands. He felt Gippal's arm slip over his shoulders, causing him to look up quickly. Gippal's face was dangerously close to the other man's, causing Baralai to recoil.

"Thank you for coming," Gippal said, putting his other arm around Baralai's stomach, "It means a lot."

Baralai gulped, his eyes widening as he looked over at Gippal with the corner of his eye. He nodded, looking away in the opposite direction. He expected the man to let go, but he didn't. He looked back at Gippal, opening his mouth to speak. He closed it again, his eyebrows furrowing. What the hell was Gippal doing!

"Uh… Gippal?" Baralai asked, his voice quivering, "You… plan on letting go? Perhaps? Maybe?" Gippal shrugged, but did nothing, "Please?"

"Mmmh…No," Gippal replied, causing a horrified look to cross the praetor's face, "I'm comfy."

'Comfy'? What the hell?' Baralai thought, staring down at the teen with his mouth gapping. Gippal looked up at him, smiling in a confused way. He put his cheek against Baralai's waist again.

"Gippal," Baralai said, his voice in pure shock, "Get off me. I know you're going through shock, but please."

Gippal nodded, sitting up. He lit another cigarette, taking a deep drag and blowing the smoke away from Baralai. He smiled at him before turning and leaning against the bar. He sighed, looked at Baralai, and sighed again.

"At least have a drink, would ya?" He said, snapping his fingers to call the bartender over, "Get me whatever you want as long as it's alcoholic…"

Baralai sighed, but nodded, accepting whatever the bartender gave him. He took a sip of it, the liquid burning its way down his throat. He shivered, cringing against the horrid taste. Gippal laughed aloud, patting his friend on the back.

"It's ok 'Lai," He said, still laughing, "You'll get used to it by the end of tonight."

"Can't wait…" Baralai replied dryly, pushing his bangs from his eyes as he took another painful sip.

As the night continued, the both of them lightened up quite a bit. Gippal had started laughing uproariously at many a subject, Baralai letting out a small giggle here and there. Both of them seemed to be a bit pink in the cheeks.

"Look, boys," The bartender said once Gippal asked to fill his glass for the tenth time, "I believe you'd best be getting home."

The smile on Baralai's disappeared as he nodded. He stood, grabbing his coat that he had placed on a nearby stool. He looked at Gippal and helped him up. The Al Bhed seemed to be a bit unstable on his feet so he decided to help him to the door. Gippal shoved Baralai away from him.

"Look," He said to the bartender as he kept his balance on the bar top, "What if we don't want to leave? We're payin' customers!"

"Yes, but you've had enough tonight, Gippal was it?" The barkeep replied, looking down at the glass he was cleaning. He looked up, putting a hand on the flustered teen's shoulder, "Just go with your frie-"

Gippal slapped the man's hand, "Don' touch me!" He said, his eye narrowing dangerously, "I swear to Yevon I'll hit you back."

The barkeep poked Gippal's chest, a small smirk on his large face. Though it was stupid taking on someone so much bigger then him, Gippal punched the man square in the jaw. The man stumbled back a few feet, catching himself on a shelf of alcohol bottles. He stared at the blonde haired man in shock. Once getting over it, he advanced on Gippal.

"Hey, stop!" Baralai commanded loudly, getting in-between the two feuding men. He pushed Gippal back, causing him to fall, but didn't touch the other man, "Don't be stupid. This is your establishment, set a good example for everyone else." He walked over to Gippal and helped him up, "And you… just don't be so uncommonly thick all the time."

Gippal nodded and allowed Baralai to lead him from the bar. They stopped outside, allowing Baralai to slip his coat over his arms. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, shivering against the cold. He looked over at Gippal for a moment.

"You want me to walk you home?" Baralai asked, looking away from his friend and across the street.

Gippal grinned, nodding, "If you could."

Baralai smiled, lending his shoulder for Gippal to walk against. Baralai could hold his liquor quite well; he could walk normally, talk normally, and his overall appearance was perfectly sober. He could tell he was drunk though. He felt light headed, and his stomach hurt slightly. He was laughing and giggle, not something that was normal for the praetor. Baralai felt as if he was in a dream; nothing felt real.

"'Lai?" Gippal said, waving a hand in front of the other's eyes, "You okay?" Baralai nodded, "Good. 'Cause we're here."

Baralai's eyebrows rose as he looked up. Yes, that was most definitely Gippal's townhouse like apartment. He frowned, thinking that it was so much further from the bar then he had last remembered. He sighed, shaking his head as if to pass the thought off.

"Do you think you will be able to manage from here?" Baralai asked, "As in making it to your room or where ever you decide to pass out at."

Gippal laughed loudly, nodding, "Yeah, I think so," He said, taking his weight off Baralai. He stumbled a few steps, catching himself on the rot iron railing. He took a few breaths, slightly startled from his near collision with the metal, before standing up straight. He looked back at Baralai, giving him a comforting smile to keep him from running over to help, "I can do it, dun' worry." He looked back ahead, walking slowly up the stairs and steadying himself. He managed to make his way up the stairs very shakily.

"I'm walking you to your room," Baralai said, watching the sorry attempt of Gippal walking up the three steps that led to his door.

Gippal frowned but nodded, sticking the key into the lock and throwing the door open. He leaned on Baralai's shoulder again, allowing the man to lead him up the stairs. Baralai pushed the door open, leading Gippal to his bed and forcing him to sit. The praetor turned on his heel, walking to the door. He stopped though, not exactly knowing why. He looked back at Gippal, whose eyes seemed to be cloudy. He chuckled mentally, but of course the other's eyes would be clouded! They were both hysterically drunk.

"Baralai, wait," Gippal said quietly, though there wasn't a need for him to call out to him like that, the man was already stopped and waiting.

Gippal stood, walking over to Baralai. They stood awkwardly close, Baralai looking up into his best friend's eyes. The blonde chuckled, mumbling something about not believing what he was doing. He grabbed Baralai by the collar, pulling him onto his tiptoes. Their lips were pressed forcefully together for a moment, neither of them pulling away. Baralai's senses came to though, causing him to push Gippal back. The praetor stumbled into the hallway, his back slamming into the wall. He looked up at the Al Bhed, a look of shock on his face.

"What did you just…?" Baralai couldn't finish his sentence; something like tears came to his eyes. That shocked even further. What the fuck? He wiped his cheeks, looking back up at the man standing in the doorway.

"I think it was obvious enough," Gippal replied, eyebrows raised. He laughed loudly, walking towards Baralai, who slid against the wall away from him. He reached out, catching Baralai by the hand and pulling him back to him. Gippal held him in a tight embrace, refusing to let go no matter how hard the other fought. The white haired man gave up soon enough, knowing that Gippal was easily a lot stronger then him.

"Please let me go," Baralai said quietly, an almost scared sound of expression in his voice, "Gippal… please…"

Gippal frowned, but nodded, letting go of him. Baralai didn't move though, his chin still resting on Gippal's shoulder. His hands tightened into fists. Why the hell wasn't he moving? Why the fuck wasn't he walking away? Did he enjoy that forced, yet sinfully enjoyable kiss? He closed his eyes into something like a cringe. Baralai told himself over and over mentally that it was only the alcohol. Gippal was a woman-loving playboy with someone new in bed with him ever other night before Rikku came. And he was… well… himself: a praetor. He had no interest in the other gender and didn't really plan on it. Ever. His eyes narrowed. It was accursed alcohol. It had to be.

Gippal laughed, interrupting Baralai's thoughts, "You don't want to go, do you 'Lai?" Gippal asked, an amused tone in his voice.

"I guess not…" Baralai said regrettably.

It was as though he had no control over his actions. He allowed himself to be led back into the Gippal's room. He allowed himself to be forcefully thrown against the bed. He allowed himself to be kissed by Gippal. He allowed Gippal to force his tongue into his mouth. He even, much to his regret, returned those. He gagged at the thought, but he did slightly enjoy having Gippal on top of him.

………………………………………………………

Baralai awoke the next morning, greeted by a splitting headache. That had to have been his worst hangover ever. The two of them had started drinking more and more as the night progressed. So much so that he couldn't remember much of what happened.

He opened his eyes, sunlight flooding into his eyes. Baralai groaned throwing a hand over his light sensitive eyes. He felt… a body next to him. He didn't remember going home to Paine. He moved his hand, looking over at the person next to him. A very faint scream reached his lips upon seeing either the naked, or half naked Gippal next to him. The bottom half of his friend was covered by the blankets. He sat up, moving backwards quickly and falling off the bed. He stood up quickly, pulling the sheet with him to cover himself. He stared down at the waking Gippal, unable to breathe.

"What the…" Gippal groaned opening his eyes. He spotted Baralai standing before him, covering himself with a sheet. His eyebrows furrowed in thought for a moment before his mouth dropped, "What the hell are you-"

"Don't… say… anything…" Baralai growled inching his way towards where his pants lay sprawled on the ground. He slipped them on with some difficulty. Baralai threw the sheet back on Gippal's bed, walking to pick up his shirt from a lampshade.

Gippal watched him silently for a few moments. He had to ask though; he wasn't one to keep his mouth shut, "What the hell happened?"

Baralai pulled his shirt over his head, shooting Gippal a dangerous look, "Don't you know what 'Don't say anything' means?" He growled in the same quiet voice. Gippal opened his mouth to say something, but Baralai held up his hand, quieting him, "This doesn't leave the room," He commanded, "If anyone finds out, I'd lose my position in New Yevon. This is forbidden in my and their eyes."

Gippal looked very serious for a moment before laughing, "We were both drunk," He said simply. His smile faded though, looking up at Baralai's very stern face, "I won't tell anyone, not that I would," He smirked, "I have an image to uphold…"

"Good," Baralai replied, walking quickly towards the door and grabbing his long coat on the way out of the room. He slipped it on as he walked quickly down the stairs. He didn't even look back as he pushed the front door open and walked out into the crisp morning air.