After Midnight
Chapter 4
by Rena-Chan44
Story Name: After Midnight
Author: Rena-Chan44
Summary: From the moment I met him, I had always tried to tell myself it was just a petty little crush. Boy, was I ever wrong. Penelo x Balthier
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy XII, or any of its characters. Square Enix, does. So please don't sue. Only the plot of this story is mine.
X-X-X-X
"I have a question." Vaan said too pleasantly. Something was wrong.
"...yes?"
"Do you like Balthier?" he yelled a little too loudly.
The group turned and stared. Again.
"W-What?!" I stuttered, not expecting him to be so direct and loud.
"I said," He repeated even more loudly, "Do you have a crush on Balthier?"
I froze on the spot and looked at everyone's reactions. (Except for Balthier, of course.)
Vaan had his arms crossed and a pleased look on his face. I wanted to wipe that stupid smile off his face.
Ashe, to my surprise, looked rather interested in what was going to happen next.
Basch seemed slightly confused and looked away again.
Fran gave me an odd look. I didn't know what she meant. I thought I heard her mutter 'finally' under her breath, but I was so shocked that I was probably imagining it.
I accidentally looked over at Balthier who was standing next to Fran. I looked like he was trying not to laugh. I couldn't tell what he was thinking either. I guess he was waiting for an answer.
"So?" Vaan said, "Do you?"
Before I could choke out and answer, I heard Fran's voice. I silently thanked the Gods.
"Maybe Penelo does not want to speak of this subject at the moment. She may still be in shock; she was lost in a cave, after all."
"Right then. Let's continue our journey back to Rabanastre, shall we?" I heard Balthier suggest.
Thank the Gods. I thought in relief. But then, I realized that they'd be asking me this question again. Whatever I had done wrong...it was giving me so much bad luck it wasn't even funny.
X-X-X-X
By the time we got back to Rabanastre again, it was pretty dark out. We decided to ask Migelo if we could use the extra rooms in the back of his house, because we needed somewhere to stay. He said yes, and that he'd be out for the night. I doubted he wanted to be there anyways...to much awkward tension.
The entire way there, Vaan kept sending me weird looks, as if he was mad or something. I hoped not...I didn't want anything to be messed up between us.
After everyone else had entered, Vaan came over and pulled me aside. I already knew what he wanted, it was just obvious by now. At least he pulled me away from everyone else this time.
"You still haven't answered my question, Penelo. I want answers." He demanded.
"Why do you care so much? What is it to you, Vaan?!" I whispered loudly.
"So you do like him!"
"Vaan, what's wrong with you? Since when do you care who I like?"
"Penelo, you know what kind of guy he is!! He'll just take advantage of you and hurt you! Don't tell me you've fell for his stupid pick-up lines and ridiculous---"
"What?! Vaan, you don't need to protect me from anything. I'm seventeen, not seven! I can take care of myself."
"Penelo, I don't want you getting hurt over your first little crush!"
"He's not like that! Besides...he isn't my first crush."
"Then who was Penelo? Tell me!" He continued, his voice rising in pitch.
I didn't understand why he was asking me this or why we were fighting. I just wanted it to stop.
I didn't realize until now that I was crying. "Vaan...you were."
I saw his jaw drop. He would never get it. "…What?!"
"Yes, Vaan. It's too late now. You didn't return my feelings, and now I've moved on! I'm sorry."
I wiped my eyes and turned away. I noticed Ashe and Basch looking around the side of the door, wondering what the comotion was. Perfect. They had seen our little 'show'.
I stormed off and brushed right past them. I ran to the first bedroom I could find, and slammed the door.
I threw myself on the bed and brought my legs up to my chest and put my head on my knees. I cried even more. I grabbed one of the pillows, and screamed as loud as I could into it.
I sniffled and said to myself, "Vaan is such a jerk! Why did he have to bring that up?! It ruins everything..."
I felt someone put their hand on my shoulder, "Maybe it is because he finally returns your old feelings, Penelo."
I jumped and looked up, "Oh! Balthier...," I said quietly, "You scared me."
I felt my weight on the bed shift as he sat beside me. His leg brushed against mine and even in my depressed state, I still somehow managed to blush.
I felt awkward talking to him after he had heard Vaan and me 'talking about our feelings'. If he didn't know I liked him before, he sure as hell knew now.
"Penelo...sometimes when one is angry, 'tis best for us to seek comfort in someone else."
"W-what do you mean?" I asked shyly.
He then did something that truly surprised me--he put his arm over my shoulders gently.
"Do not worry yourself over Vaan, my dear, he will come around eventually."
I was silent. I didn't understand why he was suddenly comforting me like this. I never knew he was the type to do something like that. He surprises me all the time...
We were interrupted by a knock on the door. It was Vaan.
"What do you want!?" I yelled out the second he entered the room. I just didn't need to see him...not now.
"Penelo...I..." He looked up at us and stopped dead in his tracks, eyes widening.
I suddenly realized that Balthier's arm was still around me.
I watched as Vaan gave me a look of utter disgust and hissed, "Well, it looks as if you're happy right now...so never mind." As he turned away and left the room, I thought I saw a flash of pain and sadness in his eyes.
Maybe Balthier was right, I thought. But I still didn't know why Vaan was getting so mad...Balthier wouldn't hurt me...I was sure.
I yawned. "Maybe I should go to bed." I said quietly and got up and left the room, leaving him puzzled there. Normally, I wouldn't pass up a chance to be near Balthier...especially if he was actually putting his arm around me. But...I just felt so horrible about the fight with Vaan I needed to be alone to think.
As I walked down the hall to the last room a couple doors down, I was surprised to see Vaan come over and grab both of my arms. I jumped. What was he going to do?
"What do you--" I started, but the rest was muffled as I felt Vaan push his lips on mine.
I gasped and pushed him away. "Vaan?!" I hissed sharply, "What are you doing?!"
He looked down and his feet. "I'm sorry Penelo." he whispered sadly and walked away, leaving me confused as ever. Why in the world would Vaan want to kiss me? I had been positive that he didn't like me. That's why I had given up...and now that I finally didn't like him anymore he decided to just come along and kiss me? It wasn't fair, and it wasn't right. And that scared me. Vaan kissing me, Balthier putting his arm around me and comforting me. Two things I was absolutely sure wouldn't ever happen, until now. Why was my life so twisted all of a sudden?
I was so scared and confused, I couldn't sleep very well that night.
X-X-X-X
The next day, I woke from a sleepless night and got ready for the day, trying to contemplate if everything that had happened the night before was just a terrible nightmare. Fran knocked on my door and let me know that the Strahl was fixed and that we'd be leaving in half an hour.
I finished getting dressed, and walked down the Aerodome, being careful to avoid seeing Vaan. I suppose it wasn't a dream, then.
Luckily, Fran and Vaan had left before us. He ignored me as much as I ignored him. I was almost scared to look him in the eye.
I watched as Fran asked Vaan to get some gas for the ship. On the way out, he gave me a look of despair. I couldn't help but to feel bad. What had we done with our friendship?
I sighed and walked over to the cabin and looked out the window.
"A penny for your thoughts?" I heard a sky pirate say.
"I...I'm fine." I said.
"You seem troubled."
"It's just...I'm so confused."
"Would this help get your minds off your problems?"
"What do you mean?" I asked.
Suddenly, Balthier grasped my arm and gently pushed me up against the wall behind me.
I gasped as I felt his lips brush against mine, and before I knew it, we were kissing passionately. Well, he was doing most of the kissing, and I was trying to remember to breath.
After what seemed like hours, I heard something drop on the ground near the door behind Balthier.
I broke away from Balthier and looked over his shoulder to see Vaan standing at the door, open-mouthed, the gas container long forgotten on the ground.
X-X-X-X
a/n: CLIFFHANGER!! (gets attacked)
I hope everyone doesn't think this story is turning into 'Laguna Beach' (which I don't own...) or anything...with Vaan and Balthier seemingly 'liking' Penelo at once. Is that really their intent? Does Vaan actually like Penelo? Or is there something else behind it? Find out next chapter...LMAO
I hope anyone doesn't think this is too much (not too fast, is it? It had to happen some time...)
If it is, just let me know in a review and maybe suggest what you guys think should happen next! It's likely that I will take and use most suggestions because it makes the story alot better and helps out with the writer's block.
Special Thanks: Thanks again to my awesome friend Riley for all the help with this chapter!! Thanks to everyone who takes time to review this story consistently...you guys are the best!!
Rena-chan44