As soon as everyone had their backs turned and loading the chocobo's, Ashe quickly moved towards the tent. Fran was inside putting away her wares that had been knocked over when she had kicked Balthier out. She was fuming that when the tent flaps suddenly opened she spun around in surprise, not hearing the footsteps coming. She immediately got up in haste when she saw it was Ashe, eyes searching her face as the young princess trekked directly to her. Fran opened her mouth to say something but Ashe had yanked her head down, her open lips met by the younger woman's own parted lips.
Ashe's kiss was rough, wet, breathy and quick. She was gone just as she had come, leaving Fran to stumble forward a little from the sudden jerked motion. She straightened up and stared out the empty tent flaps, her mouth still wet from Ashe's tongue.
.
As they rode out over the plains, Ashe followed quietly alongside Penelo and Vaan as the older crew mapped out the area and chatted amongst themselves. Penelo and Vaan kept themselves amused, being lumped together Penelo complained about him elbowing her in the chest. Vaan would retort she had nothing there anyway and she would yank his hair. Ashe was amused by their small banter but her eyes fell on Fran's backside, so erect, so proud, so … beautiful.
When she had suddenly burst into the tent she had not thought about it, just let her body carry her over. She wondered what else she might've done if there had not been an audience outside. Would Fran have let her? When she entered her tent and Fran had gotten up Ashe remembered the look of surprise and hope as Ashe had moved in and invaded her mouth. She blushed to herself now, just what had come over her? They could've easily been seen.
"Oh, bugger," Came Balthier's voice. Basch chuckled, "You overpacked your bird the poor thing."
"You're right," Balthier dismounted the chocobo and stroked its beak, "My apologies, old thing." Ashe rode up to them, "Is there a problem?" she asked, dismounting her bird.
"I think I'll give my chocobo a break and let it carry just the supplies, or else we'll never get to the city in time." Balthier gave the reins to Basch and made his way over to Ashe with a grin, "May I share your saddle princess?"
Fran's ears twitched in reflex of his words. Suddenly her chocobo blocked his path and she stared down at him, "If a ride you need then I propose you take her steed and I carry the Princess."
Balthier placed his hands on his hips and smiled to himself. He shook his head. He looked up and saw Ashe look uncertain. He walked over to her and held out his hand, "If the princess does not object. Sorry to put you in such a spot m'lady." Ashe took his hand and Fran's outstretched palm as she was helped up behind Fran. She straddled her hips and trying to hide her blush she looked away as if positioning her weapon would hide her face. Balthier then turned to her steed and climbed on, "Well then, let's not waste any time shall we?"
Fran slightly turned her head and said softly, "Wrap your arms around my waist so you do not fall, Princess." Ashe reluctantly did so, sliding her cool arms around Fran's soft and warm waist, feeling herself burn up again, she was sure Fran could sense her but she showed no sign.
Penelo and Vaan moved up beside them as they trekked along slowly across the plains. Penelo kept their spirits up with her cheerful voice and consistent arguing with Vaan. Ashe was far from listening to them, all she heard as she was pressed to Fran was her own heartbeat in her head, pounding hard just like that night Fran had moved in on her. The memories vividly threw themselves into her sight. Her moaning out Fran's name as Fran bit her from behind as she clutched her tightly to her pelvis. So vivid was it that she let out a hot breath onto Fran's spine that was millimetres away from her lips.
Fran's ears perked up and she sat up straight with her eyes wide in shock. "Did you hear something Fran?" Penelo asked, stopping in mid conversation. Everyone looked back at them and Ashe hid her red face in Fran's spine who was struggling to keep her composure. "No," Fran replied coolly. "There's a cave up ahead where we can spend the night." The cave was nowhere in sight yet but Balthier nodded, "Good senses Fran, I almost forgot," even though he was looking at the map.
"Shouldn't we keep moving? At this rate we won't reach the city in time," Vaan protested. Balthier stuffed away the map and grabbed his reins again. "There's no moon tonight, everything will be quite dark and we can't risk our birds being something's dinner along with us. The cave is a few hours yet, by the time we reach it we'll have cleared a lot of land. Don't you fret boy, we're still making good time."
.
When they got to the cave's entrance the sun was beginning to set. They dismounted their birds and guided them inside to keep them safe from midnight predators. They started up the fire a few feet inside the cave and cooked the frogs Fran had caught in the stream a few paces back. Ashe ate slowly listening to the men's stories of battle long past. Fran was standing by the cave's entrance, being on first watch, her back turned to them and with a rifle in her ready hands. Ashe tried to look past her but it was too pitch black to see anything beyond the fire. After they ate and talked with a cup of tea they retired for the night, putting out the fire so not to attract any beasts.
Ashe's thoughts were on Fran as she lay on the bedroll. They weren't able to hook up the tent inside the cave for fear of the noises echoing and bouncing off the walls of the cave and the tent. So they slept on the ground. Basch was further inside the cave to catch any signs of beasts inside and warn everyone. Ashe was wide awake, almost every little sound jolting her senses. Her skin crawled when she heard a snake slither by her. It slithered up slowly onto her bedroll, flicking its tongue. It stealthily glided over her bare thighs and she supressed any urges to kick it off, not knowing what kind of snake it was she wasn't about to alarm it. It lurked upwards to her bare belly and slid under her clothes. Suddenly it's trail across her skin was on fire. She forced back a scream and trembled in fear as it moved along slowly.
All at once it was yanked from under her shirt and a hand was pressed to her lips as she almost screamed in surprise and fear. She panted in the hand as her heart rate slowly calmed down.
"Vicious things…" came Fran's murmur from the darkness. "Had you made noise it would've bitten you with its poisonous mouth. It left its trail… we must wash this off immediately." Fran helped her stand and whispered where to step in the darkness. Ashe clutched her hand tightly and tried to see in the darkness, clumsily knocking over a pot. Fran caught it in mid bounce and they stood still to see if anyone awoke. Balthier stirred but was back to snoring instantly.
Fran then scooped Ashe up in her arms and carefully made her way through the jamble of people's legs and rocks. She carried her deeper into the cave. A few minutes in they came across a clear illuminated pond, shedding its own light on the walls. Ashe stared amazed as Fran gently placed her down.
"This is amazing… How does such a thing exist?" Ashe was marvelled by the water's glow that she never noticed Fran helping her out of her clothes. She finally noticed when she started sliding down her skirt. She reacted instinctively and pushed away, almost falling backwards. Fran stood up abruptly and caught her, staring down at her nonchalantly. "Those burn marks will only intensify if you don't cool them off right away," she replied, eyes unwavering.
Ashe slowly nodded and tried to relax but whenever Fran touched her exposed skin it felt like her skin was on fire. Or maybe it was that damn snake alone. Ashe insisted she remove her own clothing and left on her underwear. Fran watched her, making Ashe feel rather self-conscious. "This too," Fran motioned to her bra and Ashe's eyes widened and she blushed. "I-I cannot!"
"Ashe," Fran said softly, "I caught it under there, surely the fabric is rubbing on the burn tis not?"
Ashe groaned at her being right and slowly began to unhook it, turning her back shyly as if Fran had never seen her naked body before. Fran took her hand gently and was the first one to step into the pool of water coaxing Ashe in slowly. Ashe kept one arm around her breasts as she followed Fran into the water. Fran took her to the middle of the pool, the water reaching their waist. Ashe exhaled at the cool water, feeling it refresh her legs where the snake had slithered over them.
"You need to submerge yourself in up to your neck," Fran instructed gently, still holding onto her hand. Ashe nodded and very slowly bent her knees and gasped as the chilly water enveloped her chest and chin. She saw the where her burn marks glowed blue, ebbed and faded. "What is this place?" she asked in a hushed voice as she arose from the water. Fran was eyeing her face, her chest and her lips dripping with the water. The glowing water rippling its reflection on Ashe, making her even more beautiful than moonlight could. She moved in close and pulled Ashe toward her, making her wrap her arm around her waist. The water rippled around them as Fran moved her hands to cup Ashe's face. Caressing her cheek sweetly with the back of her other hand.
Ashe raised her hand and gently guided Fran's two declawed fingers into her mouth, sucking on them provocatively, closing her eyes. Fran's breath hitched and she leaned down, removing her fingers from her mouth cupped her cheek kissing her softly. Ashe's eyes widened for a second but then slowly fluttered closed as she melted into the kiss. They both sank under the water with Fran's hair floating around them like a cloud.
.
Balthier was first to wake to relieve Fran from her post at first daybreak. He rubbed his shoulders from the stiff ground and yawned widely. He took his cup of tea and sat at the entrance with his shotgun across his lap. Basch and Vaan's snoring could still be heard. Fran would be able to get a few hours of sleep until they departed. As soon as she lay down she was out like a light. Ashe, lying a few feet away, twitched and smiled in her sleep.
.
After breakfast they all started to pack up the chocobo's after feeding them. Balthier grinned at Fran as she helped Ashe climb onto her saddle first, "You sure you don't want to trade with me?" he asked in mirth. She hissed at him and climbed up behind Ashe, reached around her to grab the reins, keeping Ashe secured in the middle as if she were precious cargo. "We'll scout ahead," she declared not looking at him. "Take your time, we have all day." With that she kicked her heels into the chocobo's side and off they went.
.
Fran made sure her senses were not overpowered by Ashe's scent. Her ears stayed alert, cautiously and attentively awaiting the rest of them to catch up. Fran had found shade in the only tree on the field and pulled the bird aside. When Ashe asked what they were doing so far away she was interrupted when Fran pulled her chin to face her, kissing her deeply. Ashe was arching into her hand as it travelled down her tight abdomen, playing around her bellybutton and the rim of her skirt. She leaned back on Fran's shoulder as Fran kissed her neck and breathed hotly into her ear. Ashe smiled with her eyes closed; all those nights of tormenting thoughts were blown away. She raised her arms over Fran's head and encased her gently.
Neither of them spoke of that night but it still singed in their blood and hummed on their lips. Each caress was a whisper of the heart. Ashe found herself complete with Fran's warm and eager embrace. She turned her head to kiss her again but Fran's ears perked up and she quickly pulled away. Ashe straightened when she eventually heard the faraway thuds of the team's chocobo's catching up. She calmly composed herself and took a deep breath.
Fran leaned back in her saddle and jumped off to meet them. She casually strode up to Balthier's steed, swaying her hips and stared at each other as she spoke to him. "There's a river up ahead, the chocobo's can drink and we can be on our way."
Basch nodded in acknowledgement while Balthier was listening to the strategy plan he raised his eyes at Ashe who remained in the shadows, his brows deep with curiosity. Ashe caught his stare and straightened up in the saddle. She remembered his comment earlier about congratulating her and it didn't sit well with her. She ignored his gaze and looked ahead.
A pirate ship sped above them with a sonic boom making them all raise their heads to the sky. When Ashe lowered her eyes she saw Fran making her way over to her and her heart swelled. She held out an arm to her and she clutched it, climbing effortlessly behind her. Fran took the reins again and kicked her heels into the animal's side and they were off to the great city.
.
While they kept their low composure they went to relax at the nearest inn and pub. Perfectly safe they unwinded in their rooms, so glad that they were sleeping on mattresses tonight. Ashe suggested they each have their own room as a luxury for one night. Penelo and Vaan were so happy to be apart for a short while, sticking their tongues at each other as they closed the doors.
As night fell Ashe stood outside her room on the balcony staring out at the crescent moon's glow over the city. She heard rustling to her right and half expected Fran but she was shocked when it was Balthier who slid from the roof onto her balcony, hopping off to land beside her. He dusted himself and grinned at her, "Not easy to get you alone now is it?"
Ashe turned away, her hands on the balcony's rail. "Balthier, I don't mean to be rude but-"
"Hold on princess, please don't be getting the wrong idea. I only want to talk. As friends, just talk." Balthier rubbed his wrists and stared out into the city. They were 10 stories high; he wondered why Ashe had picked such high rooms. If there was an emergency in the middle of the night were they just supposed to hop out of the windows?
"I need to apologize for my comment that time," he said with a chuckle. "Was a little surprised myself."
Ashe faced him and saw the shiny scar puckered on his cheek. "Was that Fran's doing?"
He chuckled and rubbed his thumb over it fondly. "Mostly mine I'm sure. Let me tell you a few things about Fran and her people, princess, they sure don't mess around, seems Fran has taken an interest in you."
Ashe slowly looked over the railing again. Interested was a strange way to put it. Balthier shook his head and crossed his arms. "I feel I should warn you however."
Ashe looked at him again, half intent on listening and half wanting to find Fran.
"Fran has lived twice as long as any of us here. She has been through so much, seen so much and experienced much. She is wise in every aspect of the word," he sighed and looked up into the sky. "She is mysterious as they come. In my years of knowing her I've come to realize I will age and die an old man in her arms and she will carry me to my final resting place." He rested his hands on the rail, eyes still to the sky. "We've had so many adventures together. Dangerous and even romantic ones."
Ashe felt a twinge of pain in her heart like a stab. She clutched the rail and was ready to depart, "Balthier, I apologize but I am rather tired…"
He clutched her wrist firmly but gently. "Fran is very important to me. Her happiness is my happiness. I don't want to see her get hurt, princess."
Ashe froze. She had no idea what he was getting to. She kept her face hidden from him. He continued and never let go of her hand. "Fran has seen many lovers come and go, each one either killed in battle or of old age. She's had had many heartbreaks, even if she were to span them apart they all eventually leave her one way or the other. What kind of life is that to lead? I'm not entirely sure what you and her have going on but let me warn you that Fran will eventually push you away for fear of losing you as well."
Ashe turned her head slightly toward him, "Dare I ask if you are in love with her, pirate?"
"She is a pirate as well. We both have soiled our hands with blood and treasure. We are much alike. We do not choose sides in politics. She is free as a bird. Cage her and she will cripple." With that he slowly released her wrist. Ashe stared down at the streets and spotted two Viera's talking in the shadows, she identified one as Fran and the other of kin. Balthier backed away until he hid in the shadows.
"Save yourself from falling in love with her, princess. Save yourself and her the heartache." He was gone the moment the last words were said and all she could do was stare down at the two Viera talking.
Was she in love with the Viera?
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