Notes: Looks these chapters are going to stay long. This is almost all Baralai/Gippal here and there's a little lemon to have fun with. This one was also a difficult chapter to write, but it was fun. Enjoy! (Watch me find mistakes AFTER posting this chapter. Heh).
Rin's airship was nowhere near as garish as the fiery red Celsius nor was it anywhere near as loud or filled with insane people running around all over the place. It was black, sleek, and above all, generally quiet. Baralai thought that was quite suitable for Rin, not to mention himself, and he decided that if he were going to have an airship, it would resemble Rin's. It's not that he didn't like the Celsius, he just didn't like how noisy it was. If it wasn't Brother screaming his head off about nothing, it was the engine, or the Hypellos, or Callie's Chocobos, or the Gullwings, especially the ever energetic Rikku. And the color! Gah! The thought of crimson being the dominating color anywhere nauseated the young Praetor. Baralai never knew how Paine could put up with any of it, because for the few hours he was on that Airship, he was ready to kill everyone, except, of course, his closest friend. He made no complaints though because he spent most of the time mending his friendships with Paine and Nooj. But, most of all, he got to spend time being close to Gippal again.
Speaking of Gippal, Baralai was lying right next to him, his dark eyes noting the stark contrast between his dark hand and Gippal's spiked blond hair as his fingertips glided across the younger man's scalp. He sighed, wishing that the thirty minutes remaining until they arrived in Bevelle would stretch back into hours, but he accepted that he would have to return to his duties as Praetor eventually. He would also have to deal with those who had to have heard what he did in Luca. Now, he was concerned. He started anticipating what they might say, and he would counter that they didn't seem to mind the use of machina when the Temples were overrun by fiends or when Yuna's Guardians caused trouble. Pressing his lips together, Baralai realized that use of machina might not have been the issue, but rather stealing would be. He buried the back of his head in a pillow. How could he possibly come up with an excuse for that? Quite simple, really. He wouldn't.
His worries subsided when Gippal opened his one eye and stretched. Baralai smiled, keeping his hand on Gippal's hair as he leaned down, brushing his lips against his best friend's forehead. The young Praetor honestly believed that with Gippal close to him, nothing could ever hurt him.
"Good morning, my Gippal," Baralai snuggled into Gippal as he said that.
"Mmmm...what the hell are you doing?" Gippal grinned, obviously being playful.
Baralai chuckled, "I'm loving you."
"You're loving me?" Gippal shook his head. He put a pillow over his head and Baralai immedietly pulled it away. "Aw, come on. I know you want me."
"Oh please," Baralai scoffed, playfully rolling his eyes. "Don't flatter yourself."
"Hey, somebody has to since you won't." Gippal elbowed his friend. "You just want to 'love' me. Meh, you're boring."
"You never seemed to mind when we first got together," Baralai pointed out as he grabbed Gippal and held him close. He inhaled Gippal's scent, which was a mixture of sweat, machina oil and the fresh air of Spira. He closed his eyes, just absorbing it. That's all he wanted to do ever since he could finally be close to his best friend again.
Gippal grinned while running his index finger over Baralai's cheeks, his chin, and his succulent lips. "How can I mind, eh?"
"Hmmm...touche'..." Was the only answer Baralai could come up with, especially since Gippal's hand got past the folds of his shirt to glide across his chest and tweak a nipple. Baralai gasped, feeling little shivers all over his body.
"You like that?" Gippal inquired, knowing full well that Baralai did.
"Gippal..." Baralai sighed.
"Should have been obvious, huh?"
"Mmmm...hmm..." Was all Baralai could manage as Gippal's hand moved down his side, fingertips playing on muscle and dark skin.
"So how long until we get to Bevelle?" Gippal inquired.
"Less than thirty minutes."
"Really?" The younger man's one eye widened. "I thought it would be longer."
"You slept the whole time," Baralai grinned, putting his hand over his best friend's. "I almost had to carry you on the ship. Thankfully, Rin helped me or I would have dropped you."
"Oh, Baralai, you disappoint me. I thought you were stronger than that." Gippal had a hint of joking in his voice since he knew that Baralai was noted more for his dexterity than anything. The Al Bhed smiled, "I could have carried you all by myself."
Baralai rolled his eyes, "Only to drop me." He turned over on his back, feeling tingly when Gippal's hand slid on his abdomen. "You haven't had any breakfast, and it's lunchtime now. You should be hungry. I left some fruit for you if you want some." He pointed to the silver table that was filled mostly with grapefruit, oranges, kiwi, mangos and pineapples. Baralai requested those himself and practically devoured the whole table as Gippal slept. He chuckled just thinking about how he massacred a pineapple and couldn't keep his hands off the mangos. Baralai didn't want to think how long it had been such he had such things since the Celsius had none of those and he didn't have much time to hunt them down in Luca.
"Nah, no thanks," Gippal shook his head, half-smiling, his hand moving down towards Baralai's crotch. "All I want is a protein drink."
Baralai chuckled, knowing that since his jacket, belt and leather piece(or his "chastity belt") were on a chair, Gippal would have an easy time doing what he obviously intended on doing since he woke up. "Goodness, Gippal, wouldn't you rather have some actual food?"
Gippal grabbed the waistline of Baralai's pants and pulled them down, "I thought this was real food."
"Gippal!" Baralai quivered as the cool air rushed over his genitals. Quite naturally, he hardened, but he managed to say, "Shouldn't you eat something a little more healthy?"
"If I want healthy, I'll just siphon off you," Gippal grinned before closing his hot, moist mouth over the young Praetor's member.
Baralai breathed deeply, putting his hands on his face in the hopes that it would stifle any sound he made. Thankfully, he only grunted while his body jerked upward, overwhelmed by the sensations that coursed through him. Baralai moved carefully, however, because he didn't want to make Gippal gag, but he didn't need Baralai's help, because he moved as the older man moved. His tongue always managed to hit Baralai in the right spots. It had always been like this. Gippal just seemed to know what he was doing all the time, while Baralai usually felt awkward before feeling at ease. But, now, the Praetor arched his back as he felt his climax hit him, his seed spilling out of him into his best friend's mouth.
Spent, Baralai snuggled into the pillow as he watched Gippal swallow and wipe his mouth.
"Mmmm...yummy!" Gippal exclaimed as he lied down beside Baralai. "A very nutritious breakfast."
"Uhm, yea, I'm sure it was," Baralai shook his head. He started to pull up his pants. "We should be in Bevelle very soon now, so we need to get up."
"I wish I didn't sleep the whole way," Gippal replied, sitting up and stretching his arms over his head. "We could have done a lot more."
"We have time, my Gippal," Baralai walked over to the chair and began putting on his leather codpiece. "Does the Machine Faction need you immedietly?"
"No, they never need me that much," Gippal sat on the side of the bed, looking quite content. "I can stay with you as long as you like or until I get dragged back to Djose. If I had my way," Gippal walked over to Baralai and put his arms around him, "it'd be the latter."
Baralai chuckled, as he tied the belt that held his shirt together, "I wish I could be as carefree as you."
"Don't worry, you can be," Gippal whispered.
The young Praetor nearly glowed when he felt his best friend's slightly chapped lips on his cheek, but he pulled away. "I'm sorry. I have to get my coat on."
"Are you worried?"
Baralai froze, his hands on the back of his neck to tie his yellow collar, "Worried?"
"I remember you telling me that you would worry later about what happened with Rin's car. So, are you worried now?"
"Y-yes," Baralai said, his voice like a breeze. His hands almost fumbled as he tied the red cord into a knot. He felt himself relax when he felt Gippal's hands on his. "I am worried, but I think I can handle myself just fine." Once fully dressed, he turned to Gippal. "Besides, I don't think I'll get interrogated until the next day anyway. Either way, I'll be all right." But, his arms fell to his sides, as Isaaru suddenly came to mind. If he did indeed return to Bevelle, then Baralai knew that all of his old feelings would return. All of them, and some of them rather unpleasant. It wasn't just that either, but the fact that those who followed Baralai only because Isaaru was gone would go right back to him, abandoning the young Praetor and his visions in favor of visions little different, but slightly more conservative.
That thought nearly stopped his heart. He couldn't afford such a rift, and even though their support was lukewarm, it was better than nothing, and much better than going with the combined opposition of former Tremites and extreme conservatives. Isaaru's presence worried him more than anything, but he refused to treat Isaaru the way Trema treated him no matter how many vicious insults the former Summoner could come up with.
"I don't buy that, Baralai." Gippal said, snapping Baralai out of his thoughts.
"Excuse me?" Baralai turned around.
"I didn't mean to piss you off," Gippal held his hands up in a warding gesture.
"No, no, you didn't," Baralai shook his head. "I'm just a little excited, that's all." /Isaaru.../.
"I think you're worried," Gippal rubbed his neck, eyeing the Praetor carefully. "No, actually, I know you're worried."
"Well, you'd be right, but it's not for the reasons you think." Baralai inwardly winced as he remembered that the only person he never could handle in Yevon was Isaaru.
Gippal frowned, "What?"
But, the airship landed before Baralai could come up with an answer, and he was relieved because he didn't want to reveal his history with the former Summoner to Gippal just yet. /And if Isaaru isn't there, I don't think I'll ever have to, thank Yevon/. "Nevermind, sorry. I'm just a little jittery, that's all."
"If you say so," Gippal shrugged, opening up the closet to put a few articles of clothing in a bag. Baralai blinked about a thousand times.
"Gippal, what are you doing?"
"What? You think I'm going to wear the same clothes over and over again?" Baralai rolled his eyes, "Oh, Gippal." /I can't wait to see how Rin is going to react now/.
"Anyway," Gippal threw the bag over his shoulder, "the airship has stopped completely, so follow me. I can't wait to see Bevelle."
"You and I both," Baralai muttered as he walked out of the room.
Bevelle both looked and felt good as the two young men stepped out of the airship after saying their good-byes with Rin. Nothing seemed to change since Baralai had been taken deep into the Farplane. Unless, of course, you counted groups of people running towards the young Praetor and shouting in joy. Gippal and Baralai looked at each other and greeted everyone as best they could.
"Oh wow! Looks like everyone is just glad to see you!" Gippal commented, as curious towards the Bevellians as they were to him. "I'm sure it'll be this way once I get to Djose."
"Of course," Baralai smirked as he weaved around the crowd, always smiling shaking hands when he could, and hugging female guards. Gippal raised an eyebrow.
"Lucky you! You've got some female admirers." Gippal poked Baralai's side.
"You don't?" Baralai grinned as he pinched Gippal's cheek.
"Nah!" Obviously, the younger man was lying through the skin of his teeth.
"Did you know that some of those female guards we passed would talk about you?"
"I bet they did. I'm such a stud." Gippal beamed, causing Baralai to roll his eyes and shake his head.
"They used to talk about marriage with you."
The Al Bhed's smile faded, "What? Okay, now that's just scary."
/And I'd get upset. It took everything I had to not lash out, even while I was in love with Isaaru, I still got angry when people even thought of taking you/. "I was scarier." Baralai replied. He grabbed Gippal's hand and held it tight, but was very careful to conceal the act as much as possible. Still, the Yevon girls would gossip now, but they probably did that well before the two friends arrived considering what happened after the Luca speech. He really wished that Gippal was more careful, but it was too late to change any rash actions now.
As the two friends neared the entrance to the temple, Baralai heard things he wish he never did, but he tried to keep his spirits up. He knew this was inevitable and it made him certain of Isaaru's presence in Bevelle.
"I wish Isaaru could stay the Praetor. He's much better than Baralai."
Baralai almost stumbled upon hearing that, but Gippal held him up.
"You okay?" he asked, his one eye filled with concern.
"Yes, of course," Baralai whispered, trying remain elated as more of his followers shouted in joy at his return. He smile almost vanished when he heard someone else comment.
"Isaaru has such a pull on people. Baralai never had that kind of effect, no matter how humble and polite he was."
/Oh gods/. Baralai now grit his teeth when he smiled. The green monster was attacking him because those words were the truth and he knew it. He thanked Yevon for his supporters, and wished he had the strength to keep Isaaru's followers completely loyal, but he accepted that it would never happen. Especially when he heard this,
"We were stupid to let Isaaru go. We should have done what we were willing to do, and that is follow Isaaru into the gates of the Farplane!"
/Well, I'm glad you didn't/! Baralai thought, his eyes narrowing as his smile began to fade. /The Youth League would have enjoyed it if you all left for Isaaru. Damn it/! He sighed, leaning towards Gippal.
"You sure you okay?" Gippal inquired, putting an arm around Baralai's shoulders.
"I'm still tired..." Baralai lied, his eyes scanning the source of those comments, but there was more than one. He sighed, feeling a little more relaxed as he felt Gippal's firm body against his. It gave him the strength to let this comment practically slide by:
"Why did Isaaru leave to begin with? Things were wonderful when he was around."
But, Gippal heard that comment. He turned to Baralai, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Those are people who support Isaaru," Baralai replied, whispering into his friend's ear. "I'll tell you more later." But, the young Praetor couldn't quite decide how much to tell his best friend and when. He would deal with that later. For now, he heard a little boy's voice.
"Baralai!"
"Who's he?" Gippal asked, nudging the Praetor.
Jarred from his thoughts, Baralai looked ahead of him to see a small, black haired boy running straight for him. His smile widened as he knew just who it was.
"Oh, Pacce!"
"Pacce?" Gippal frowned.
Pacce jumped into Baralai's arms before he could answer. The Praetor held the little boy in his arms, running his dark, slender hands through Pacce's hair.
"It's good to see you, Pacce." Baralai said, his hand running down Pacce's round face. He knew that with Pacce around, Isaaru was nearby, but he didn't even think of the former Summoner. Instead he thought of how he could be close to the youngest brother, like the little brother Baralai himself had always wanted, but never could have. Sure, Pacce would be a surefire way to get close to Isaaru, but that wasn't his main reason why he was so happy to see the child here.
"I'm glad your back, Baralai! We found all sorts of cool things here!" Pacce jumped up and down. "I'm a Sphere Hunter, just like Lady Yuna."
Gippal snickered, which irritated Baralai.
"Shut up, please," He demanded through clenched teeth. He softened towards Pacce, who looked at Gippal in awe. "Who is 'we', your brothers?" /Isaaru/.
"No, I met my friends Taro and Hana in Zanarkand, and made a group called the Kinderguardians. We came back here to help Maroda, and explore."
"I see," Baralai nodded, wondering just what the children were exploring, but he would deal with that later. For now, his eyes flickered upward and he froze.
It was Isaaru. The former Summoner stood no more than twenty feet above him his white gloved hands gripping the railing as he leaned forward. Some of his red hair came out of his topknot and wind picked up the strands. Baralai quickly inhaled, his breath nearly catching in his throat as all the emotions he suppressed came right back. Love, admiration, desire, envy, resentment, fury and despair pulled him apart in a hundred different directions, but he didn't show any of it. Instead, he only showed only his sweetest, most charming smile as genuinely as he possibly could. Isaaru showed no emotion, but he stood straight up, gazed at Baralai for a few seconds, turned, and walked back inside the upper levels of the temple.
Baralai sighed, finally realizing that people, including Gippal and Pacce were staring at him with concern.
"What's wrong?" Pacce asked, tugging on the Praetor's coat. "It's only my big brother."
"Uhm, yes," Baralai nodded.
"Baralai, are you sure you're okay?" Gippal looked up to where Isaaru once stood. Only Priests walked there now.
"I'm fine, Gippal," Baralai replied as he ran his slender hand through Pacce's black hair.
"That was Isaaru?" Gippal asked.
The young Praetor bit his lip, "Yes, that was him."
"That's my big brother," Pacce interjected, drawing a smile from Baralai.
"Wow...he's smoking hot."
As soon as Gippal said that, Pacce gasped and Baralai's smile faded immedietly. Grinding his teeth, he glared at his best friend.
"Gippal!"
"What?" Gippal shrugged, grinning a cocky grin, which made Baralai even more tense.
"Would you like to keep your other eye?" Baralai raised his eyebrows, giving a playful, yet menacing smile.
Gippal rubbed the back of his neck, "Uh...sorry..."
"Baralai," Pacce again tugged on Baralai's coat.
"What is it, Pacce?" Baralai's hand moved down to the little boy's shoulder, his fair face showing nothing but affection now.
"He really likes you," Pacce said quickly. "It might not look like it, but he really does."
Baralai looked back up, his dark eyes fixed to the space where Isaaru once stood.
"I know."