11
Baralai stormed into the home he and Paine had claimed as their own above the New Yevon headquarters. He threw his jacket and the flowers he bought for her on the nearest couch, pulling off his shirt as he walked towards their laundry room. He prayed Paine was out so he could go through his fit of rage alone. He threw the shirt into the washing machine, followed by the pants. Baralai poured the soap in after them, turning the water on. He ran his hands over his hair, pulling on it as he did.
He cursed loudly, slamming his hand against the wall. What the hell did he do with Gippal? He couldn't remember! Damn alcohol! Damn it! He took in a deep breath. He woke up in a bed next to him. That was all. Baralai chuckled coldly. Like telling himself that over and over was going to change the fact that he probably slept with Gippal the night before. He slammed the side of his fist against the wall again, feeling angry tears form in his eyes. If that ever got out he would be sure to be relieved of his post as praetor of New Yevon.
He took in a deep breath, walking to the bathroom to take a shower. How the hell could he tell Paine? He could actually tell her that he cheated on her with… Gippal? He laughed coldly, imagining the look on her face.
"Oh, but we were drunk," Baralai whispered as though he was actually talking to her, "So we couldn't control ourselves," He snorted, turning on the cold water and standing under it, "Like she'd ever think about loving me after this…"
Baralai's eyes narrowed. Love? Could she? Did she? It was Paine though. Paine. She was cold and almost never let on with her emotions. He closed his eyes, leaning his forehead against the cold tiles of the huge shower. She could just be playing with him. She could grow bored. And she could leave him. He smirked, shaking his head. She's too vague with her emotions; he could never tell what she was thinking.
His amber eyes opened suddenly. Where was she? She would have at least come to stare at him during is fit of rage. She would have at least asked if he was ok. He pushed away from the wall, walking in circles in the huge shower. Where was she?
"Doing her own thing, no doubt," Baralai said quietly.
He shrugged, turning off the water. She'd be fine with whatever she was doing. He grabbed a robe once he left the shower, tying it loosely. He didn't even bother with a towel to dry. Baralai stretched, taking in deep breaths as he walked to the kitchen to get something to drink. He opened the refrigerator, pulling out a bottled water, and then closing it. He started to walk away as he opened the bottle when a piece of white paper caught his eye. He turned back around, taking a gulp of the water as he read the paper.
Went to see a friend.
Paine
Baralai smiled, pushing his hair from his eyes. He was surprised she even left a note, but he didn't think much on it. He walked back to their bedroom, falling backwards onto the bed. He took a drink from the bottle again. He took in a deep breath, closing his eyes. For the first time he realized how tired he was…
"Geeze, Baralai!" Said Paine from nearby.
His eyes snapped open. How long was he asleep? He looked over at a clock; it was a good five hours since he last looked at the clock. Baralai said up, looking over at the woman standing in the doorway.
"You want to cover yourself?" She asked, staring at his eyes.
Baralai looked down, blushing. He stood, wrapping the robe tightly around his waist as so he could barely breathe. He smirked, walking over to his closet. He pulled some pants off a shelf, slipping them on quickly. He let the robe drop as he turned back to face her.
"We need to talk," She commanded.
Baralai's stomach dropped, though he didn't show it. He took in a breath, an eyebrow rising. He nodded, walking to the bed. He sat, looking up at her expectantly.
"You were the last person seen with Rikku," She said shortly, "You see anything?"
Baralai was sure all the blood in his face drained away. He felt lightheaded suddenly, and his heart was in his throat. It seemed difficult to breathe. Paine didn't seem to notice though. He looked up at her and shrugged.
"Not that I remember," He replied in a very believable way. Paine stared at him for a moment, causing him to hesitate, "She needed to talk to me about… things," He looked up at her, noticing her expecting expression, "She didn't want the child and she wanted to run away," Baralai summarized. He wasn't really lying, just not telling her the whole picture. He continued, "I left her in the bathroom after she seemed to calm down," He frowned, "I'm sorry I can't tell you anything useful, Paine."
She shrugged, turning her back to him, "I just came back from Yuna's place in Besaid." She said. She normally didn't tell Baralai where she went, but there were those rare occasions in which she would, "Gippal dropped the kid on her and Tidus," Her eyes narrowed, "He couldn't stand the kid; it's always crying," She frowned, "Named him after Rikku actually…" She took in a breath, "I'm going to kill the fucker that murdered her." She whispered, more to herself then Baralai.
Baralai gulped, giving Paine a smile of agreement when she met his eyes. Paine seemed slightly distressed on the subject, being that she walked from the room quickly. He followed her with his eyes for a moment before standing. He stretched, walking after her.
"Paine…" He said quietly, catching her attention.
He wrapped his arms around her once she turned, closing his eyes. He leaned his head against her shoulder, leaving her shocked. She was used to his sudden signs of affection, but why had this one, out of all the others, caught her off-guard? Paine smiled to herself, returning the embrace.
"I'm sorry, Paine," Baralai mumbled quietly into her neck.
Her eyebrows furrowed, as she pushed away from him. She stared at him for a moment in confusion. She took a step back.
"For?" She asked, a suspicious tone in her voice.
So. It came to the time to confess. Confess to what though? The murder of Rikku? Or the night before? He didn't really feel like dying that day. He hesitated for a moment, opening his mouth, then closing it. He looked up from the floor to Paine. He stayed silent, trying to figure how to word it.
"Er…" His eyes narrowed in thought as he bit the inside of his lip, "Gippal and myself…" Baralai faltered yet again, something that was very uncommon for him, "Got a little on the drunk side and things…" He looked back up at Paine, his eyes pleading for forgiveness, "I am really sorry."
Paine stayed silent for a moment before bursting into cold laughter. She stopped short though, glaring at him. She shook her head, walking into their bedroom. She pulled a small bag from the top of her closet.
"Yuna needs comforting," Paine informed him, "I was planning on staying here and visiting her every other day, but you've made me changed my mind," She smiled at him, grabbing some clothes and throwing them into the bag, "I'm pretty open-minded on this subject, but," She laughed coldly again, "Of all people. Baralai?" She clicked her tongue, "I'll be back eventually," Paine left the room, calling, "Maybe." She stopped in their living room like area, spotting the flowers lying top of his coat. She walked over to them, picking them up, "And thanks for the flowers," She said in the same cold tone, dropping them on the couch again. Paine looked back at Baralai, who followed her out of the room silently, "For the sake of your position in New Yevon, I won't tell anyone."
Baralai watch the door start to close before running after her. He wrenched the door open, calling after her, "Paine, please!" He begged, "You're the only thing that keeps me sane!"
Paine stopped for a moment, looking over her shoulder, "I know…" She replied, and continued to walk.
The praetor took a step after her, but stopped, holding out his hand. He let it drop, feeling tears come to his eyes. He bit his lips, refusing to let them roll down his face. He looked away from her, his vision blurry. It wasn't fair. None of this was fair. He ran the back of his hand across his eyes. Baralai walked back into his house, flopping onto the couch. His eyes came across the flowers. He picked them up, holding them to his nose to smell them. He took in a deep breath, chucking them against the wall on the other side of the room.
"Shuyin…" Baralai whispered, "I can't take this… I give up…"
'Finally!' Shuyin replied…
((Holy crap, this was short. I'm going to get right on the next chapter after… A bit. I just finished two chapters in like… three days, gimme a break!))
