AN: Uncouth, for those who don't know is another fancy term for uncivilized, or coarse, not unlike my favorite pirate.

-Uncouth-

Balthier closes the distance remaining, not that there was more than a hair's breadth between them to begin with. His lips are impossibly soft, wet, and hot as fire, like the rest of him. He moves expertly and precisely, it's easy to tell it's not his first. On the other hand Basch is all rough and dry, stubble surely rubbing at the other, and he has no idea what to do or how to do it. But before he has time to think it over Balthier's hands move with lightning speed, one trying at the ties on his vest while the other tries to find purchase on bare skin beneath said vest.

It is then that he pushes Balthier back with such force he stumbles a bit. He moves forward to begin again when Basch moves aside and glares at him.

"Captain, come now don't be such a tease."

"I am not some courtesan to be bedded pirate."

"I never said you were."

"But that's exactly what you're trying to do. Good night Balthier." Basch turns and stalks out of the tent. Instead of being dissuaded Balthier only grins and redoubles his efforts. He flirts obviously and often, he takes every opportunity to be close to the soldier, but Basch only distances himself further.

At one point Balthier muses to Fran, "I'm just not having any success with that insufferable fool."

Fran sighs. "You said he was offended by what you did, yes?"

"What of it?"

Fran rolls her eyes, "Perhaps you should be more romantic."

Balthier slaps his own head in mock ignorance, "Of course! Thanks my dear viera."

Fran only twitches her ears and walks off.

Basch is skeptical when Balthier stops with the flirting, and altogether too. He almost wants to ask Fran again, but knows how fruitless that conversation is likely to be. He can only ask the stars each night he stands watch, but they are as silent as the viera.

Next time Basch is hurt in battle Balthier rushes to his aid and ever so gently heals his wounds or bandages him up, though it still should be someone else's job. When Basch mentions that a particular food is to his liking he finds that Balthier gives up his to him. Each little thing makes Basch more and more comfortable around the sky pirate.

Before watch one night Basch moves to get a drink again, but is greeted with a cup from Balthier instead. "Thought you might get thirsty."

Basch blinks at it, then takes it and drinks. "My thanks."

A silence falls, but to Basch it's comforting to share it with someone. He looks up to the stars, "They are beautiful tonight."

"Not as beautiful as you." Balthier murmurs and Basch turns to him, mouth a little agape. He's moved a bit closer, within a hand's reach.

Basch shakes his head, "Balthier do not jest." He's a traitor soldier covered in scars. He's far from beautiful.

"I would never." Balthier swears, his traditional mocking tone gone.

Balthier takes another step closer. Basch isn't trapped by a cliff or a pole, but he still feels like he can't move. He swallows loudly, suddenly parched, even after drinking.

"Balthier I…"

And Balthier moves forward again, pressing lips to his own and Basch's heart pounds like mad in his chest.

It's not demanding or pushy, but it's still hot and wet and wonderful. Balthier's hands stay at his sides and Basch wills himself to move, but he's so afraid he'll do it wrong. Balthier withdrawals and Basch stops himself from following the kiss.

Balthier lays his forehead against his, noses lightly brushing. "You can kiss me too Captain, I don't mind."

How can he be so cool and yet feel like fire? How can he be so calm when Basch feels like he might explode from sheer panic?

"I don't know how…" He manages, barely a whisper, ashamed, and begins to look away, anywhere but at the man before him.

Balthier hooks his fingers under Basch's chin and pulls him back. "Just move Captain. I promise you can't do it wrong."

Basch manages a slight nod, sure he's blushing furiously when all thought deserts him as Balthier presses forward again. He moves this time, so sure he's doing it wrong, but the other doesn't make to pull away and he feels ever the slightest bit more confident. A battle had felt difficult, in the midst of war there was constant peril. But this, this is unknown territory. In a fight Basch knows how to move, what to do, what to expect. This is all new and absolutely terrifying. Each move is a calculation with unknown variables and consequences, and each is also something so wonderful his heart is fit to burst; he can swear he must be flying, though he knows his feet remain on solid ground. What is this feeling? He doesn't know, but he doesn't want it to stop, something like wings in his stomach, in his heart, warmth from between his ribs, and fire in his fingertips.

Balthier moves back, brushing his nose against the other's, catching his breath and smiling gently at Basch. "Not half bad Captain."

Basch doesn't know what to say. He's never kissed someone before but he knows he wants to continue. When Balthier moves away to his side he almost speaks before Vaan walks up, yawning. How is it late enough for the next shift?

Vaan is too tired to notice Balthier beside Basch, and only waves at Basch as he takes his post. Basch begins to walk to his tent bewildered when a hand grabs his. He looks back to see Balthier smiling that debonair smile at him and he wills away the flutter in his gut.

"Come Captain, my tent is this way."

"Balthier…" Basch warns, concern edging his voice. He is not going to be had.

"No worries Captain, I'll be on my best behavior."

Basch sighs, abandoning argument for now, and follows the pirate to his tent. Balthier sits on his blanket and pats the space before him. Basch narrows his eyes at the man, but sits all the same. Balthier spins his finger in the air, so Basch turns around with a shrug. Fire hot hands clasp his shoulders and begin to move, thumbs pressing into places he didn't know could hurt. Basch hisses but the pain ebbs away as Balthier's expert fingers massage away. He finds himself relaxing into the heat soaked touch, relaxing in a way he hasn't ever done. It feels strange to let his guard down, to not be tense, but it also feels comforting, even if it is making Basch just a little unsure. He doesn't know if he should trust the man behind him, but he knows he won't place a blade, or in his case a gun, in between in his ribs, so what harm could come of it, really?

He soon feels Balthier undoing his vest and tenses again, "Relax Captain. I can't reach your back with this on." Basch makes himself relax as Balthier undoes the last hold of the vest and begins to undo the shirt beneath as well. Basch shrugs them off and Balthier drops them beside him, moving his hands back to their work.

Basch can't lie, there are places back there that hurt more than he can say, but most of him is nervous about the scars. It's a silly, trifling thing, but it nags him. Balthier's hands don't lag though, he only massages like they're not there, and Basch wants to ask, but decides to leave it be. The warmth of those hands is something he'd rather leave for now then to disturb them with such things.

There are spots Balthier hits where Basch has to bite his tongue for fear of unbidden noises escaping. He won't antagonize the man, and he's sure the others can hear none the less. He can feel Balthier pull closer, hands kneading, one up to his neck, and around to slide across his collar bone, and the other up his side, working up to his chest and Basch barely suppresses a shiver. It's not cold in the tent, no it's blazing hot and it's like the heat will burn him alive. He can feel Balthier move closer again and there's an exhale on the back of his neck that gives him goose bumps. He wants to say something but he can't find the words. He closes his eyes, trying to think as those hands massage his stomach, his chest and breath ghosts across his neck, his ears.

AN: Where is this going dear readers? Is the smut here? Maybe, I won't say. *halo above head appears, crackles and goes out* Don't mind that. Anyway… will Basch come to his senses and stop the advances, or will his lack of expertise be his downfall? What will Balthier do next? Read on to find out!