This chapter is a bit more serious (but only a bit), but Vaan is still reliable for being funny (stupid, but funny). I wasn't planning on having him in this chapter at all, but I figured it would be my last chance in a while to make fun of him! Also: if you read this years after it's been published you're still very welcome to leave a review and stuff, makes me happy! :)

Disclaimer: SquareEnix owns it all!

Part 11: Ashe

"There is nothing more to say on the matter." Ashe hated using her authoritative voice in this manner, something which had surprised her more than anyone during her first week as queen of Dalmasca. Now, after two years, she was getting used to it, but still was nowhere close to liking it. Her friends would have a fit if they ever found out -except Fran and Basch probably, seeing as the never truly laughed- after all she had used that tone with each and every one of them more than once during their travels.

"As you wish your majesty." The man bowed and walked out of the room, slightly put off, but not noticeably angry or upset, luckily. Nobility could be such a pain.

Ashe massaged her temples and let out a sigh. It had been a long day, to say the least, and by the look of official-looking letters stacked on her desk, there was much to do still.

Just as she grabbed for the first one, there was a small cough coming from her balcony.

Even though she had not gotten used to her "authoritative voice", this, on the other hand, was something she most definitely had gotten used to as time had passed, and she did no longer jump out of her skin.

"No reaction at all today, Princess?"

"I am way to busy for that. Also, I am a queen now, not a princess."

Balthier chuckled. "You'll always be a princess to me, Ashe."

She could hear him cross the room, light steps on carpeted floor. He stopped right behind her, gently placing a hand on her shoulder and leaning over to whisper in her ear. "All work and no play makes Ashe a boring girl."

In a very unqueenly fashion, Ashe rolled her eyes, and turned slightly in her chair to look at him. His hair was perfect as always, and his leather vest still seemed to be permanently sculpted to his body. The shadows of a beard covered his chin and cheeks, and it was clear it had been a long flight from wherever he had been the last week.

"I had to do something to keep myself occupied while you were away."

"Ah, so you did miss me?" He grinned at her, the same way he had always done when she had, intentionally or nor, expressed any sort of feelings towards him. "Then why the cold shoulder as I finally arrive back to your side?" There was nothing serious about his tone, and Ashe found that she was yet again rolling her eyes.

"Maybe because it is high time you learn how to use the doors? The servants are gossiping enough as it is about your little stunts. Climbing trough the windows only one of the things they whisper in the halls about. Honestly Balthier, you keep acting like a common pirate."

Pretending to be gravely offended, Balthier gasped in fake horror as he clutched a hand over his heart, and sat heavily down in an armchair. "My queen, how could you use such words? A pirate I may be, or have been in my younger years, but never, never, have I been a thing such as common!"

Ashe stood up, brushing her hands over her dress, smoothing it out, her official-looking letters all but forgotten on her desk. "You poor, miserable man, having a wife who would diminish your...dashingness to commoness." She grinned as she sat down next to him, the chair large enough for the both of them.

"Strictly speaking, those are not words, Princess," Balthier grinned at her. "But I am sure no one other than your handsome husband dares commenting on it, after all you can be quite scary."

"And I would let him get away with saying such things if he managed to use the front door whenever he comes home from his adventures, if only once in a while."

"Where would the fun in that be?" He sat up more straight, and fixed a pair of wicked eyes at her, the kind which sent shivers down her spine each and every time. "Does not me sneaking in here make it feel like a forbidden thing, like a dirty little secret just for the two of us?" His voice was suddenly husky and his breath fanned over her shoulder like a promise.

She shuttered, closing her eyes for a brief second.

Balthier captured her lips in a passionate kiss. It had been too long, even a week without this felt like a lifetime, but Ashe knew he had to go, or else he'd be hanging by the curtains, shouting profanities at every noble entering the castle, which was a good thing to avoid. And so he traveled. Fran and Balthier, flying of in the Strahl every once in a while. Then suddenly he would be back, warming her heart and her bed again.

"I love you." Balthier whispered in between kisses.

It was rare of him to say it, but after every one of his trips it was as if he needed to reassure her, and she held those moments close to her heart.

"I love you too."

They never made it to their bedroom, the chair being more than comfortable enough for the night's activities.

...

Vaan was in a good mood this morning. The scorching winds from the dessert had less heat to them than usual and the sky held many clouds, making the whole city sigh in relief at this slight fall in temperature.

Also, this was the day Balthier would be back, and the former sky pirate had promised the young blonde to help him look for an airship. Yes, Vaan was finally getting his own, and he needed a trained eye to spot any malfunctions if there were any.

He was currently walking down the corridors of the castle -which he for the most part had free access to- making his way towards Ashe's office, where Balthier had agreed to meet him before he had went on his way a week ago.

Reaching his destination, there was no Balthier in sight, and so Vaan decided to wait inside. Knocking didn't even occur to him, at least not until it was to late.

The first thing Vann saw as he opened the door was a very naked Balthier, sitting in a chair with a very naked Ashe straddling him. Had Vaan been even remotely smart he had stepped back outside and closed the door quietly, pretending like nothing had happened. Unfortunately, Vaan was not.

Stuttering and stammering, he yelled out. "I AM SOOOOO SORRY!" Before he ran out and slamming the door behind him so hard it nearly jumped of its hinges. Chasing him down the corridor was Balthier's foul swearing and Ashe's laughter.

"This makes it all come full circle, I guess." She giggled into Balthier's shoulder.

Sighing, he kissed her forehead. "In a strange way, it does. The stupid brat should still have knocked! I bet he'll never be able to look us in the eyes after this, we scarred his virgin eyes." He got a thoughtful look on his face before adding: "Maybe this is a good thing. Maybe, just maybe he will leave me alone now!"

Ashe shook her head. "No, he looks up to you to much. If anything, this will make him even more starstruck whenever you're around."

"The poor lad loves me." Balthier made a dramatic sound. "When I think about it, you all do."

Laughing, Ashe kissed him again, not really caring that Vaan was still in the castle somewhere, waiting for Balthier.