-Unbelievable-

AN: At my tally, this is actually the longest chapter, and though I shouldn't have to warn you if you're reading this, SMUT!

Basch wakes up shirtless wrapped in blankets, a face full of blonde hair in his face. He pulls back and realizes all at once where he is. He's pressed up against Balthier, arm draped over the man, and it is then that he backs away quickly.

Balthier grumbles and sees the look of surprise on the other's face and smiles, "Good morning Captain. Where are you going so fast, I was hoping we could go again?"

Basch's eyes widen and he moves to scold the man before he interrupts.

"Calm down Captain, we didn't do anything." Balthier sighs, sitting up.

"What?" Basch asks, confused.

"We didn't do anything. Look, you're clothed and so am I." Basch looked down and noticed, he may have been shirtless, but his pants were still on, and Balthier was definitely still dressed too. Basch could only blink in disbelief.

"You fell asleep."

"What?" Was all Basch could manage.

Balthier looked at him the best 'really?' look he could manage, "I said you fell asleep. I was just working on massaging your chest when you leaned back on my shoulder and I'd realized you'd fallen asleep. Must have been pretty tired, hmm?"

Basch couldn't help but be surprised, relieved, and feel that little flutter again before he shut it out completely.

"Maybe next time Captain." Balthier smirked and winked. Basch stands as Balthier does, and seems to think for a moment before placing a quick peck on Balthier's lips and departing. He does miss the quick look of surprise pass over the pirate's face, followed by that trademark grin.

No one sees Basch leave, but they do notice the change. Basch doesn't shy away from the slight touches anymore, or scowl at every flirt. Instead it's a small smile, or maybe even a slight touch back, something only Balthier will notice. Basch compliments the pirate a few times, much to a few party members' surprise. He even goes out of his way to find favorite foods and give them to him. Nothing too decedent, mind you, but not unlike what Balthier had tried to do for Basch.

Somehow it's different though. He knows the foods even though Balthier swears he's never said a word. The compliments are well placed and never teasing. He wakes to find little things at his bedside, perhaps a small flask of alcohol, or he may wake to his gun clean and pristine as when he first purchased it. There's a battle they go through and Balthier comes out with his shirt all torn and covered in oil; he swears he'll have to buy a new one. But when Balthier comes back to his room at the inn his shirt sits on the bed, good as new. It's been washed, and thoroughly, and even stitched back together meticulously. Balthier can only blink at it, this time the one taken aback and lost, and when Basch comes in later he has to know.

"Did you do this?"

Basch nods.

"Why?" Balthier quirks an eyebrow at the other man.

"It's your favorite shirt."

"I could have bought another."

"Even you said that you didn't want to do that, and I quote, 'it won't be the same'." Basch retorts with a smile.

"This must have taken some kind of new magic to clean."

Basch only shrugs, "I didn't mind."

For a moment, and only a moment Balthier feels something…strange…in his chest but it's gone and he can only blame indigestion. Balthier lays the shirt on the chair instead and strides towards Basch.

"Something like that should deserve a reward Captain."

"Balthier, I said…" He begins before Balthier has covered his lips with his own. It's been a bit since their last kiss, but it feels just as sweet. Balthier pulls Basch up, with a little difficulty, and gets them a bit more level before letting his hands rake up and fall into those dirty gold locks. Basch has gotten a bit better at this, at least he thinks he has, but he wants to be better, so he takes his hands and wraps one around Balthier's waist, pulling him close, and the other threads its way up to mirror Balthier's, grabbing hold of what hair he can.

He must have done something right because Balthier makes a little noise that sends a shiver up Basch's spine. Balthier flicks something against his lips and he moves and soon realizes that there's a tongue in his mouth, tasting him, sliding across his teeth and he lets some instinct take over and tries to move his own.

There's the feeling again, the wings in his gut and chest, the warmth in his chest, the fire at his fingertips, but the fire is spreading, seeping and filling him, pooling in his gut and he doesn't know how long he can stand it, because each flick of that fiery little tongue only burns the fire hotter.

Balthier begins to walk him a step at a time until Basch's feels the bed behind his knees and he buckles, falling back. Balthier is somehow still kissing him, an arm holding him aloft, while the other begins to pick at his vest. He can only play fair, and a little brave, as he takes both of his own hands to pick at Balthier's clasps. Balthier is much better at this, and assists Basch with the last few clasps, throwing his vest aside. Balthier tugs at Basch's shirt and he obliges, sitting up and letting the pirate peel it and the vest off of him.

He can feel Balthier's gaze on him, roaming over his skin, and he wants to cover up again, somehow self conscious again. "Apologies, I must be a sad sight." He mumbles.

Balthier only tuts, "Stunning Captain, absolutely stunning." He soothes, fingers tracing over the lightest form of muscles Basch has regained since imprisonment. Basch gives the other a disbelieving glance, at least until he's distracted by Balthier's quick movements, and in the blink of an eye Balthier's shirt is with his vest and Basch can't help but stare.

Compared to his own, Balthier's skin is smooth, and as he soon finds, wondrously soft and warm. Balthier grabs one of his Basch's hands and places it upon his chest with a small smile. "This isn't a case of look but don't touch Captain." He teases.

Basch trails his hand across chest and stomach, mesmerized. Balthier only chuckles a little, and leans down, nosing Basch's face aside and places little kisses across his neck and collarbone. Basch only exposes more and closes his eyes, relaxing, at least until Balthier nips at his collarbone, making Basch gasp.

Balthier only glances at him for a moment, his gaze mischievous, and dare he say it, sexy? The pirate only ducks back down and trails the kisses down his bare chest, gentle fiery wet kisses, gracing across scars and bare skin alike. He slides down the bed, hands working on undoing the laces on his shoes as he peppers more kisses across what skin he can reach. When Balthier moves to hips he nips again and Basch nearly jumps out of his skin as electricity zips up his spine.

During the distraction the pirate's hands have begun to tug at his pants, and they're nearly off his hips before Basch realizes and grabs those plundering hands. "Balthier…I…"

"Haven't done this before? Don't worry Captain, I'll be gentle. Pirates honor." He says, holding up a hand in mock swearing.

Basch can only swallow the lump in his throat and nod. He can't deny the pounding in his chest, the want he feels building there. He wants to share this...feeling…this elation, and he must be brave to do so. As soon as he has nodded, the pants are whisked off and Balthier has shaken off his own, and they're both as bare as can be.

Basch is larger, yes, but he's never shaved and there's a bundle of blonde locks while Balthier is as smooth and hairless as everywhere else. Basch can't decide if he should stare or not, so the most he can do is look for a few moments, look away, back again, and repeat. Balthier on the other hand is trailing his fingers across his hips, giving him chills. The pirate leans down and begins to pepper more kisses across his bare hips and he can only lay there tense. "Relax Captain." Basch nods, even if the pirate can't see, and tries his best to follow instructions.

He's gaining focus, though he still feels like his stomach is churning and the fire in his gut is pooling lower and lower with each kiss. It's shattered when a warm, wet tongue glides up his cock, flicking off the head. He'd say something, but before any words can form Balthier's grabbed hold of him and he's enveloped by that heated mouth instead and all thought ceases, besides perhaps, 'Oh Gods'.

He can only hold onto Balthier's shoulders, hoping he's not gripping too hard, but everything feels so good, it's all he can do to keep a hold on reality. He can only squeeze harder, at a loss for words, when the feeling comes to a point, but Balthier only ducks his head down further and Basch tips over the edge, groaning long and low, head pushed back into the bed, back arching.

Balthier only laps at him a few more times, earning a twitch or two in response, before he withdrawals, licking across his swollen lips. Basch wants to say something in compliment, but isn't sure of the words, and before he can think of anything Balthier has placed two fingers at his lips. Basch only blinks at them, "Suck." Balthier instructs and Basch opens his mouth and obliges. He's not quite sure what's going on right now, he still feels so buzzed.

Balthier pulls them back, and pushes Basch's legs apart. When he presses one of the wet fingers against him, he jumps back a little, but Balthier only grabs onto his hip and holds him, "Remember Captain, you must relax. It will hurt a bit, but I do swear it will feel much better after long." He swears, voice gentle and low, the hand on his hip tracing comforting circles.

When the finger slips in he hisses, but the pain is nothing compared to whips or swords. Strange, sure, but not altogether uncomfortable. When another joins it he does his best not to tense up, even when the pirate begins to move them and scissor them about.

"Comfortable, Captain?"

Basch nods again, confused when the fingers move, but then the pirate moves forward and an altogether different appendage presses against him. He takes a breath, finally understanding a bit, and then it's pushing in, and Basch grits his teeth until Balthier is sheathed completely, though he doesn't move yet. The pirate only hisses a bit, hands twisted in the blanket, so Basch, in fear that he's somehow in some sort of pain, reaches up and strokes the man's cheek.

Balthier blinks his eyes open, confusion crossing his features for a moment before he notices the concern on Basch's face and chuckles. "I'm fine dear Captain. Just controlling myself." When Basch only blinks at him he continues, "I assure you it is the opposite of pain that I am feeling dear Captain."

Basch seems to register the meaning implicit, and his cheeks color, earning a hearty laugh from the man atop him.

"Now my dear Captain, it's up to you. When you are ready, simply say the word."

Basch takes a moment to take a few deep breaths, and though some part of him wants to wait longer he can feel the slightest shake in the pirate's arms, and see the black of lust in the other man's eyes, so after one more deep breath he pulls the other to him and locks his lips with him and moves his hip up towards Balthier's. That's all the permission the pirate needs, and he begins to cant his hips, and kiss fervently, tongue flicking out, and Basch opens his lips and lets the warmth fill him.

Basch's hands catch in Balthier's hair and rake through earning a low growl that sends that warmth right back down to between his hips again. Balthier pushes further, a bit harder and then he hits something and Basch can't kiss because all he can do is call out in surprise and pleasure.

Balthier smiles devilishly, "There we go. I did say it'd feel good soon enough, didn't I Captain?" He says it, but it comes out an almost purr, his hips steady, but Basch can't focus and pulls on the pirate's hips.

When he doesn't move and only grins all the more, Basch can only whisper out one word, "Please."

Balthier smiles outright, "You've found the magic word Captain." And he pushes forward again, into that spot over and over again, foreheads pressed together and Basch can barely register the warm breath coming across his face in quick gasps. Instead, he can only grip those slim little hips and pull him into him, and then Balthier wraps a hand around his cock, and pumps in time with the movement of his hips and Basch's head fall backs and he cries out.

"Balthier!" He groans and then he's clenching and the pirate pushes just a few more times before he shudders and moans, deep and guttural, and they finish not more than a few seconds apart, gasping.

Balthier withdrawals and Basch doesn't want to admit that he misses the feeling already. But Balthier has returned with a cloth and wipes the white off of him, his touch so delicate that Basch takes the cloth when the other pulls away and returns the favor. Balthier watches him, that something kicking in his chest again, and though he can almost ignore it, Basch discards the cloth, finished, and pulls him into a kiss.

This kiss is soft and tender though, no rush or fever, no pushing tongues or ragged breaths. Just a slow, gentle kiss and Basch pulls back, bumping his nose against the other's and Balthier can feel that…thing…in his chest kick again, a growing warmth that spreads to his fingertips. The pirate only scolds it, tells it to quit, and adopts his cool carefree demeanor once again.

"Go gets some rest Captain. I'm sure you need it." He says, and lies down upon the bed, fully expecting Basch to leave so he can forget…whatever that was.

The bed's weight shifts, but instead of the weight leaving it's spread out next to him, and he opens his eyes to see Basch laying next to him, staring into his eyes. Balthier swallows that lump in his throat, "Suit yourself Captain." He says and turns over, trying to hide the confusion from his face, and to stop that thing coming back again.

He can feel it beating at his ribs, up into his throat, his chest unpleasantly warm, and his fingertips burning. He wipes them on the covers, willing it away, when his breath catches in his throat.

Basch has scooted forward, curled behind him, and wrapped an arm around his chest…holding him. He doesn't know what to do, with the man's breath ghosting across his neck the wing-like beats and warmth becoming so hard to ignore. What the hell is this?

AN: Yup there's the smut…damn was that hard to write. It took me twenty minutes to decide on 'cock' by the way, because half the other words out there…just no. I tried my best, but anyway, to other things. Will Balthier keep the Captain on his toes? Will he figure out what is going on with him, or ignore it in traditional fashion? Will Basch stay, or leave? *plays The Clash's 'Should I Stay or Should I Go'* Ha…not mine by the way, so let's just…read on to find out!