AN: Just another cutesy thing, ha ha.
"I will agree to this on three conditions."
Balthier looked up from his porridge, mouth full, and replied: "Mmmph?"
Fran sat down, legs crossed. Her expression was unreadable.
"One: you must not give me ridiculous gifts. I do not want extravagant jewelry or clothing."
The morning sky is a light orange, and Nono is below-decks, rattling in the engine room. Balthier blinked slowly.
"Two: You may not flirt with any other."
In the distance, bells chimed from a clock tower.
"And third?" Balthier asked.
"You may not go about, crowing to everyone about your conquering me. It is untrue, and moreover displeasing to me."
Fran coughed, then, stood up, and began to make tea for herself. Her partner sat in thought, finished his breakfast, then stood up and leaned over her shoulder, his cheek fitting into the curve where her neck meets her collarbone.
"I have conquered you?" he whispered.
The tea kettle is set upon the stove. Fran sighed. "That is all you can remember of my ultimatum, Balthier?"
"Certainly not." His voice is muffled against her soft skin, her hair tickled his forehead. "I remember all that you speak to me; it is music to my ears, dearest Fran. One: no gifts, two: no flirting, and three: no bragging. It is simple enough to recall."
"The simplicity is intentional...I felt anything more than that would only perplex you."
"I am quiet simple minded," Balthier admitted, then he smiled slowly, lazily, in the way he was wont to do on mornings in the hot summertime.
Fran turned to face him, and pressed her lips to his forehead.
"The answer to your query is yes. But I would have it so you do not spread such truths through all of Ivalice."
"I would not dream of it," he murmured as he kissed her brow. "Instead, I shall merely think my boast: that Fran loves Balthier, dreaded sky pirate. Does that satisfy you?"
She said nothing in return, only took his hands and pulled him away, leaving the tea to sit, getting cold.