A filler of sorts. The next chapter will be much more eventful. And surprise, surprise… It's already written. Just in need of some typing.
Blank's POV
Zidane's quivering upset flushed into rage. His nails dug into his palms and his eyes narrowed until only a glimmer of those cat-like sapphires glowed through the blackness.
"I trusted her…" His clenched teeth stifled his words and darkened them. I was frightened. Zidane's mood had never crossed beyond frustration. His happy-go-lucky smile was one thing I could always count on.
Even through these recent events he'd managed to keep a cooler head than I could.
Now his aura was brimming with hatred.
"Zi, there's no point in it now," I reasoned, attempting to calm him down. The world around us is being cruel enough, I don't need him to turn down that path.
"She backstabbed me. They all did!" His accusations altered again into sadness. I didn't know what to do, so I repeated my statement as before.
"We'll escape."
"Where?" He cried. I'd wondered myself exactly where we could go to avoid Baku. Tantalus could be anywhere. Even I don't know all of the members.
How many people has Baku involved in this? What is this worth to him?
"Maybe it'd be best if we didn't even know." I finally answered. Zidane gave me a curious look. "We'll hop the first airship outta here tomorrow and see where we end up."
I thought Zidane might hesitate upon so graciously accepting my reckless plan but he smiled. He trusted me. Out of all of those he'd come to trust I was the only one left, I suppose.
In an upsetting sort of way that brought me joy.
"Where will we stay tonight though?" He asked. I glanced aroundthe dismantled home with heartbroken stares.
We were supposed to be happy here… This was meant to be our safe haven to live in together. But even if we live on an airship for the rest of our lives we'll be happy together… I know it.
We just have to prove it to Baku.
"Here, I guess. It's still better than the streets." I admitted. Zidane nodded and got up to rummage through the assorted destruction. I snagged a tattered curtain from its remaining rings along the window. Zidane tipped the mauled couch's back side the rest of the way from the base and fixed a makeshift mattress on the floor.
I sat on its edge as Zidane took his place beside me. We pulled the curtain over our exhausted bodies and huddled close.
Zidane's tired eyes watched downwards for a while. I wrapped my arms about him and kissed his hair.
"They can't stop us. They think they can, but then again they dunno what love is." I smiled as I pried a grin out of Zidane. I need at least one of us to believe what I'm saying.
***
The sun's light, which didn't touch our slumbering faces when perched upon the loft, now burned brightly through the open door and into our delicate eyelids. I stirred awake with a groan of disappointment.
Zidane pulled the curtain over his face and rolled away from nature's alarm clock.
I nudged him. He whined and did not move. I pushed him off of the cushion and he rolled out from under the curtain.
"C'mon," I smiled, "We have to catch an airship."
Despite his sluggish rising, Zidane became more cheerful.
"Right!" He leaped up and seized my wrist excitedly. "Where do you think we'll go?"
I touched his hand softly and gently shrugged in reply. His tail curled upward towards his back as he went up on his toes, bright eyes gleaming at mine. I couldn't help but think he enjoyed the unknown.
A reckless wish for adventure constantly hung over the boy's mind. I suppose with his upbringing in a thief's guild it's natural for him to desire the exhilaration daily life used to hand him.
Would he be disappointed to leave all that for a dull, quiet eternity with only me?
"Blank?" His tender raise of eyebrows and grip of my hand brought me back to the present.
"Oh sorry… Let's get goin'." I nodded. Zidane shook my wrist as he gave a jolt in the direction of the door. I chuckled and allowed myself to be pulled towards the streets. However, as soon as we reached the open air, Zidane halted. I rammed into his shoulders and apologized.
"We shouldn't board an airship directly," he surmised, turning to me as he came to the realization.
"Why not?" I understood the thought as soon as I questioned it. We suspected Ruby and the other of spying on us and destroying our home. It only makes sense that they'd stick around on Baku's orders and see what Zidane and I would do afterwards.
"Right…" I sighed, "Let's take the back alleys." Zidane agreed.
We ran along the narrow walls together, keeping our eyes roaming across rooftops, windows, and the lengthening passage behind us.
There was no sign of Tantalus but that didn't mean we weren't being watched. Though we did make it to the edge of town without a sighting, neither of us were truly convinced… but what could we do?
I stared out over the grass as it danced a glossy shine back and forth in rippling waves across the field. Not too far out was the airship dock. There were two ships loading cargo; four guards per ship; two at the head and two at the rear.
"Ship number one, ship number two." Zidane said quietly. It took me a moment to realize it was a question. Choose one.
Just how am I supposed to make the decision alone? This is hopefully the rest of our lives… wherever this ship leads us is where we'll be together forever.
"One, two? One, two?" Zidane pressured.
"You pick." I nudged him. The engine started on the ship closest to us and the guards stood back a bit to see it off.
"Number one! Run!" Zidane suddenly bolted from the mouth of the alley and out into the field, sprinting desperately for the first ship. I regained myself and hurried after him. The guards spotted us easily on the flat plain and gathered their weapons.
Zidane looked back to me as he kept running. I drew my blade slightly from its hilt and he turned back with the reassurance and placed a hand at the ready on his own daggers.
The Alexandrian guards charged with their swords but Zidane and I out maneuvered them easily enough there wasn't a need for any weaponry.
With a giggle and a wave, Zidane bounded up the loading ramp as the airship lifted off he ground. I hustled to climb the incline as it rapidly steepened. I kicked off of the board and barely caught the edge of the hull as the ship took to flight.
Zidane assisted me to my feet.
"We did it." He rejoiced. I nodded, panting.
"I hope this new place has much less excitement… I'm 'bout done with sprintin' after you." I joked, falling back on my bum and just breathing. Zidane threw himself over me and nuzzled into my neck.
"You'll miss it." Zidane teased.
"Doubt it. I rather like not chasin' you," I smirked, "When you're right here in my arms already, there's more time for other stuff." Zidane's cheeks darkened to a rosy color.
"Liiiike…" His lips curled in a sheepish expression. I pretended to think for a moment. I muttered a "hmm" and stroked my chin pensively. When Zidane became impatient enough to shove me I finally gripped him in my embrace and forced a quick kiss to his mouth.
"When we're finally safe…" I spoke in a hushed tone, smothered by his closeness, "We can truly be together as we've been longin' to." I hinted. Zidane's blush deepened but he held me closer and moved into my lap.
"To think we've only been intimate once in these many months." He seemed shocked at the sudden awareness. The situation never called for it again… Our lives have been so hectic up until this point. We haven't had a chance to be a couple.
"We'll make up for lost time." I promised, touching his jaw just so slightly with my hand. I traced the bone line there and moved to his lower lip. The plump, red flesh still glistened from my lips' touch a moment ago. I thumbed the rim where his pale met the deep pink.
Why did he chose me… I'll be wondering forever on that one.
***
Zidane's POV
Blank shook me awake as the airship was approaching its destination. I groaned and shoved his prodding hands away. He chuckled and opened the side hatch. The wind and noise was enough to startle me into complete alertness.
"It's Lindblum." He shouted over the roar of the passing air. With a wave of his hand he welcomed me to take a peek.
I stood and sauntered over to his side to peer out over the city.
It was amazing… I'd seen the city once before when I was very little. The images in the back of my mind were thrust into the present, once blurred but now completely clear again. Herds of airships soaring in and out of the hundreds of docks. People, like ants from this altitude, bustling about from pub to shop and back home again.
The glorious chime from the clock tower sounded as our ship pulled into a dock by the castle.
"It's beautiful…" The lights had left me dazed and I snapped back to reality only in the darkness of the indoor dock. Blank snatched me by the arm and pulled me close as the ship began to lower and guards began to station themselves in the landing area.
"We have to be ready to jump." He reminded me.
"R-right." I nodded.
"You alright?" He gave my shoulders a comforting rub.
"Yeah. Sorry to worry you. I'm actually just overwhelmed with… happiness." I gave an airy laugh. Blank smiled warmly and then turned his attention back to the landing platform.
He crouched slightly. I did the same. As the ground approached, he gave my arm a nudge before leaping directly into the guards. I jumped immediately after the gesture and we did what we always do… we ran…
Right over some guard's faces and into the Lindblum night. I had a brief flashback as we dodged into alleys and weaved our way through crowds together.
I recalled all of the times we'd been together fleeing the wrath of security. If this plan works out then we'll never have to steal again… we'll actually be the members of society we once looked down upon from our pilfering pedestals.
No more running. No more thieving. No more of that life. From now on it's just Blank and what we need to be a normal couple here in Lindblum.
I had a second of wondering…
Will I miss it?
One glimpse of Blank smiling and guiding me onwards told me no. I won't miss a thing about Tantalus. Blank's the only future I want and if that means giving up my livelihood then so be it. After all… he's doing the same for me.
At last Blank needed to take a rest and we paused in a square. Carts and various shops were still open, despite the hour. Then again people were still wandering about too. Big cities never sleep I suppose.
Blank took a seat on the curb. I joined him.
"So… what now?" I asked. I hadn't been aware of it until just now, but I was blindly following Blank all this time. I had no sense of a plan at all. I trusted and believed in everything Blank came up with. "Where will we stay?"
"Well," Blank ran his fingers through his crimson locks briefly, "I have a decent amount of gil still with me. And there's always a place for rent in the city. We could find someone willin' to spare a room for now until we get… jobs and… earn… our own livin'."
I chuckled as Blank's expression was nearly painful at the mention of "jobs" and "earn".
"Sounds good." I nodded.
"Really?" He gave me a knowing glace. He must've already considered my feelings on not being able to continue our life of crime.
"Yeah. I'd happily work all day to come home to you." I said. Blank was a little shocked to hear that I wouldn't mind it. Or maybe the reaction was more towards the cause of my commitment… meaning him.
"Don't be so surprised," I knocked a knee to his casually.
"It's hard to believe, that's all." He admitted, staring down at the cobble stones.
"You mean the world to me… so how is it difficult to believe I'd give up anything to be with you?" I smiled.
"I guess when you put it that way…" He returned the smile.
"C'mon," I stood, "Let's find a home."
TBC