Cherished

prompt : promise
Vaan & Penelo

Disclaimer: I do not own FF12, its characters, settings, etc. These words, however, are mine.

"Yeah, yeah... I promise, alright?"

"Good. I'm going to remember this, you know!"

"I don't know, Vaan..." Penelo trailed off hesitantly. "It's a little expensive, don't you think?"

He titled his head. "Maybe. But we're leaving in a while for another hunt and bout of pirating -- it can't hurt to have a newer sword with me, can it?"

"I guess not." She sighed, turning and walking away unhurriedly.

"I won't get it if you don't want me to!"

"No, no... Get it." She replied, turning back to face him with a smile, still walking only backwards. "It'll be good, like you said. The better equipped you are, the better chance we have of doing this right."

He nodded and went to pay for it. Penelo faced forward again and looking up into the bright sunlight, watching the birds fly by, carefree, swirling in the sky with the others of their flock. She closed her eyes and let the warmth wash over her. Maybe they'd actually get somewhere this time, do something worthwhile, she thought, trying to distract herself from her growing sadness and disappointment that had absolutely nothing to do with their pirating career and everything to do with Vaan and his obliviousness.

He didn't seem to pay much attention to her -- which was fine, she didn't particularly want him focused on her. But it would nice, from time to time, for him to actually think about her and the part she played in their gallivanting across the world. He just didn't seem to appreciate it.

It was -- is -- his dream, she thought. Why couldn't she be happy he was enjoying it?

Because he was enjoying the pirating and not her and the keeping of her company. She wondered if that was a little too selfish...

"Alright, you ready to go?" Vaan said excitedly, suddenly appearing beside her. She jumped, not expecting his outburst and return so soon. "Are you okay?" He asked, seeing her expression of surprise.

She smiled quickly and nodded. "Yeah, of course. Let's go."

He frowned a bit, but she brushed past him without elaboration of her obvious displeasure. Cover it up, she thought. Just keep it to yourself. The footsteps that she heard start behind her made her feel a bit better -- at least he was still willing to go, despite her momentary clipped tone and tense body.

The walked towards their ship, the Terra, without another word to each other. They separated upon reaching it, Vaan going up to the pilot's cabin and Penelo towards the bedroom on the bottom floor. Vaan wouldn't need her up there right now, anyways. Later on.

Slipping onto the comfortable bed, she sighed and stretched out lazily, thinking everything over in her head.

Before she knew it, she was dreaming of a happier time.

"Penelo, Penelo..." A smooth male voice cut through the dreamy haze she was shrouded in and she drowsily listened to the familiar voice. Something was holding her hand -- another hand, she judged and that made her open her eyes. Blinking slightly, trying to waken herself, she looking down at joined hands.

"How long did I sleep for? I'm sorry..." She sighed, rolling over to face him.

He grinned a little. "It's okay. As long as you're feeling better."

She made a face. "I wasn't feeling anything less than 'better' before."

He nodded slowly. "Sureeee you didn't. I believe you." He said, in such a way that she knew he really didn't believe her at all. Standing, he turned and walked out from the room, leaning back just outside the doorway to deliver one last message for her. "I need you up at the front?"

She nodded, pushing herself up into a sitting position. "I'll be there in a minute."

He nodded and left.

Rubbing her hands over her face, she halted when she felt something cold against her cheek. Bringing her hand back, she spied a shining silver band on her hand. Looking closer, she saw small engravings on it and squinted her eyes to try and make the words -- and pictures -- out.

Together til' the end, V&P.

Something was holding her hand -- another hand...

She smiled to herself and sighed. 'Vaan...' She thought, feeling a little bit giddy.

"We have to stay together forever, okay?"

"Well... We live near each other, why wouldn't we?"

"And you'll always like me?"

"I don't know... That's a difficult question to answer..."

"Vaan!"

"Yeah, yeah..."

"You promise?"

"Yeah, yeah... I promise, alright?"

"Good. I'm going to remember this, you know!"

Sitting down in the chair beside him, she looked down at her hands she held in her lap and let a moment of silence elapse between them. "You remembered." She said, finally.

Vaan nodded and grinned at her. "Of course I remembered."

Penelo nodded, not sure of what to say.

Vaan took control of the situation, taking her hand in his and lifting it into the air. "Ready for the amazing adventure?" He chuckled. "Again?"

"Whenever you are."

Those rare little moments.