A/N: Hi guys! This will be the last chapter. The story didn't quite turn out how I thought it would, but nothing usually does. I hope that it was at least amusing even if it didn't get as sexy as I originally planned. Maybe by the time I write my next FFXII story it'll be better.

Disclaimer: I don't own any Final Fantasy characters, but I wish I did. Balthier's the awesomest sky pirate ever.

It was some time later before Balthier and Vaan emerged from their room to rejoin the others. Both of them looked different in the clothes the Marquis had set out for them, but Vaan looked drastically different with the starched white shirt and slacks. Balthier's outfit looked similar to his own, but without the detailed vest.

Everyone looked up as they entered the room. Vaan was talking excitedly to Balthier about the Strahl, his gaze firmly fixed upon Balthier and not on where he was walking. Balthier was listening indulgently, one hand placed on Vaan's shoulder, steering him into the room.

Finally, Vaan seemed to realize where they were and he looked at the group gathered in front of him. He seemed embarrassed by the stares. "Uh, hi. We're back."

Penelo gasped. "Wow, Vaan. You really did get a bath. You look so good."

Balthier's hand tightened on Vaan's shoulder and Vaan looked back at him sheepishly.

"So, have you two...worked out your issues?" Fran asked tightly.

"We have indeed. Vaan here has agreed to act slightly less like an annoyance-"

"Hey!" Vaan protested, shoving Balthier's hand off his shoulder. "That's not what you said."

Balthier gave him a warning look. "I said that if you stop pestering me constantly I might consider letting you watch me fly the Strahl."

Vaan's cheeks puffed up with indignation. "I'm not an annoyance."

Ashe sighed tiredly. "Those two never change." Already, she had lost interest and was again scheming ways to escape.

Fran tossed her head but said nothing.

"Truce?" Balthier offered, holding out his hand. Reluctantly Vaan nodded and took the offered hand. Balthier brought Vaan's hand up to his lips and kissed it gently then let go. Vaan blushed fiercely.

Penelo giggled. "Vaan, he says you're a lady. You kiss the hands of royal ladies when they get all mad at you."

Vaan scowled. "So you're saying I'm like some whiny princess?"

"Stop that," Ashe said sharply, glaring at Vaan.

"I know you're not a woman," Balthier said softly. "I know all too well."

Vaan turned scarlet. "Okay, I get it," he murmured.

Penelo giggled again. "You two are so funny together. You fight and then suddenly you're best friends again."

Fran sighed. "Would that their fights lasted longer and they were less close friends."

Balthier scowled at Fran. "If it offends you to this degree, I can arrange for your room to be located down the next hallway."

Fran tossed her head. "Viera hearing is very keen. I wish only that your 'fights' were less noisy. I could hear that boy even if I roomed across the city."

"I'm sorry you feel that way, Fran, but I quite like Vaan noisy."

"Cut it out," Vaan growled, elbowing Balthier in the side. "You're embarrassing me."

Penelo giggled. "Yeah, you can be pretty loud sometimes, Vaan. It was pretty funny hearing you screaming to get out of the bath."

Vaan crossed his arms over his chest and scowled. "That's not what he's talking about."

Penelo tipped her head to one side. "Oh? Then what is he talking about?"

"I think it would be best if you did not inquire further," Fran said sourly. Fran strongly disapproved of hume mating urges. Sex meant nothing to a viera but everything to humes. She couldn't understand why humes would engage in any activity so grating to the ears. She particularly disapproved of Balthier having sex with Vaan. The sounds of sex were bad enough, but Vaan's shrill screams should have discouraged anyone from wishing to be close to him.

But as Fran watched, Balthier settled down on the couch and gestured for Vaan to sit next to him. Bathier casually draped an arm over Vaan's shoulder with a smirk. Fran's ears twitched in annoyance. Balthier couldn't actually believe Vaan was a fine partner.

Balhier winked at her. He looked furtively to make sure Penelo and Ashe were otherwise occupied and then planted a kiss on Vaan's cheek. Before Vaan could really react, he had already backed off.

Balthier smirked as Vaan spluttered. "Yes, Vaan, I can let you pilot the Strahl for a bit later."

Poor Vaan simply gaped at him. He didn't know what to say, how to react. He hadn't even recovered form being kissed when Balthier presented him with the opportunity he had always wanted.

Balthier smiled. "You certainly do have a certain charm when you're flustered and at a loss for words. It almost makes me want to kiss you. In fact, I think I shall."

Princess Ashe recoiled in horror as Balthier pulled Vaan into a passionate kiss. "Disgusting," she muttered.

"Eww!" Penelo exclaimed. "They're eating each other's faces off."

To his credit, Vaan offered up a weak protest against the sudden onslaught. But he quickly succumbed and was soon clinging desperately to Balthier, oblivious to his horrified audience.

A hand cupped over her mouth, Ashe fled the room. She had seen quite enough and her stomach would not take much longer. Penelo also escaped, confused and a little grossed out.

Fran alone stayed in the room, feeling only slightly exasperated with the display. In her opinion, kissing was unsanitary and quite unnecessary. But it was nowhere near as bad as sex. At least while Balthier was kissing him, Vaan was quiet. For the gift of Vaan's silence, Fran would gladly put up with the kissing.

The End