Filling In The Blanks
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 9 or any of its characters
A/N: The chapter everyone has been waiting for :) hint, hint… nudge, nudge!
Chapter 27: Eyes That Can't See
Zidane sat at the edge of the city, wondering about what was beyond the guards who wouldn't let him pass.
"Say…" He turned to the guard, who stood ever still at his post, readily taking on his position in a very serious manner, "How come it's forbidden out there?"
"Tis the sanctuary! Only fer the joined! They who ain't joined here ain't gettin' through!"
Joined? Does he mean like… married?
A thought dawned upon Zidane that made him grin, but it slowly faded. He hadn't seen Dagger in a few days – he wondered slightly how she had reacted to his confession. Maybe she didn't see anything at all… He chuckled – that was probably the case.
Walking back down the path, he glanced at the bridge with a kind of alter looking thing up there, an old man sitting in a chair asleep. He moved stealthily towards the top of the bridge, bending down and reading.
129 joined…
That was odd... there were really that many people married… Where? On that bridge?
"Can I help you young man?" The man's accent was nothing like Zidane had quite ever heard… It sounded slightly familiar and yet he couldn't place a finger on it – he ignored it of course, and turned to face him fully.
"Do people get married on this bridge?" He questioned, trying not to sound as though he were interested in acting upon that question.
"Yes… This is the joining place of the people of Conde Petie…" He nodded, "the joinings have slowed though… considering what's going on with the rest of the world."
Zidane nodded, thanking his lucky stars that someone in this town knew what was going on, "So… is this the only way to get back into the Sanctuary place?"
The priest-man nodded. "Then… why is there a little girl running around back there?" He jerked back, surprised Zidane knew about such a girl.
"How did you know about her?"
"She stole a map I just recently bought right from my hands…" He chuckled and cupped his chin, "Almost more skillful at that than I am…" The priest gave him a look and he cleared his throat. "Anyways… Would there be a way for my friends and I to go back there –"
"It's sacred to the lovers who come here to cherish their bond!" He almost yelled, causing Zidane to fall back in surprise.
"Whoa, calm down…" He put his hands up in defense, "Sorry…" He mumbled, standing and walking away, "What a crazy guy!"
Stuffing his hands into his pockets, he walked on, his mind set still on the whole marriage deal. Who would ever want to get married in a place like this? Then again, there weren't a lot of happy places left in the world. A marriage could go recorded by Kuja, and ultimately used against you in the future. Sighing, he allowed his eyes to be set downcast for a moment, thinking about the country they had left behind.
"Zidane…" The soprano voice caused him to stop, paralyzed in shock, and look up without hesitation.
The girl, her raven hair blowing in the small breeze, chocolate eyes sparkling with confidence, stood in front of him, and seemed determined to set something straight.
"Princess…" He mock bowed, as she sighed and turned to look over the town. "Sorry… too soon for jokes?"
"I appreciate you trying to make the mood light, but it wasn't an easy thing to do… 'Dagger' has been my alibi almost since I could remember. I'm more a failing fighter than a princess, and I think I always will be."
"We'll don't say that…" She turned her head, hair hitting her slightly in the face as she watched him, eyes wide in surprise. "Come walk with me…" He smiled, as she turned completely, deciding she would take him up on his offer.
"Dagger… No matter who you've become, you'll always have the heritage… No matter what you want to believe."
"What do you mean?" She questioned, listening faintly to the sounds of the content village on the stupid roots that were awful to try and climb up – she wondered how all of these dwarf people could do it!
"You've grown as a resistance leader… but you'll always be remembered, no matter what happens to you, as a beacon of hope. Like you said before – many people still believe Princess Garnet to be their light at the end of the tunnel… Now you're simply here in the flesh to confirm that for them."
"But how can I be something that I've never thought I'd have the chance to be?" She questioned, looking at him, topaz to sapphire. He chuckled, and broke the eye contact.
"You're a resistance leader… You lead a group of people, and make the decisions best for them. You have people who care for you, but also look up to you for guidance. You are known to everyone, and respected, and you have someone who helps advice you in your decisions… Think about it Dagger, it's as though you've been a rular all your life…"
When he spoke to her like that, she thought about the similarities. She stretched back to when she was small – any sort of detail from when she lived as Princess Garnet in Alexandria... she could only remember pitiful things her mother had done for people in the castle, not even the country, so that couldn't help her at all.
Though his words made sense, and she let on a smile, her lips twitching upward, and a delighted relief flushing through her body.
"Thank you, Zidane…" She smiled at him lovingly, and he grinned, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
"So… Now that the formalities are over," She laughed at this, "How are you liking the city?"
She shrugged, and looked down, remembering Beatrix from the previous night.
"Hey… What's wrong?"
"It's just…" She sighed, "I would like it here. The people seem… interesting, and they're very helpful and kind for letting us stay with them… And they definitely entertain us enough –"
"But…" Zidane allowed her to get to a part that wasn't trying to be optimistic.
She closed her eyes, in an attempt not to cry over the current event, "We just got news that Steiner was killed…"
The blonde nodded all knowingly, "Yeah… Blank told me last night…" It still shocked him to hear it, and he just couldn't believe that after all this time, it was Steiner – brave, strong, never-give-up, Steiner who would die before the rest of him. Even if the two of them didn't necessarily get along, it still stung to think about.
Dagger shook her head, "I don't really want to think about it though… The whole thing with Beatrix last night, and with hearing about his death…"
"I get what you mean…" He forced a goofy grin, "Then let's go have some fun!"
"Fun?" She cocked her head to the side, curiosity sparking in her expression.
"Yeah!" He laughed, "Let's see what this town's made of! I'll buy you some food, and we can go find away to entertain ourselves without any of the other resistance members tagging along!"
She laughed, "Is this a date Mister Tribal?" The girl teased, snickering at the thought of his embarrassed reaction.
But this only made him genuinely smile, "Sure, Miss Alexandros, I suppose if you think it is – then it can be…" He turned it around, causing her to pout, and he laughed, grabbing her hand.
A date? So right there confirmed what he said before he made his way up to Conde Petie. Who would think of going on a date in a sorrowful time like this? She almost felt bad about it… But then, at the same time, the raven haired girl thought maybe she deserved a break too…
?
Laughter floated in the air as the golden rays hit everything in its path, casting long, narrow shadows behind it. The movement of the small city had mostly worn out, as the day came to a close, stars already attempting to light the fiery sky before the sunset was over. They twinkled, making the atmosphere seem beautiful, when it was mostly boring and dusty all the time.
The water that ran through the city also held a shimmering hue, sparkling as the gold and azure colors swirled together, and gently tapped the sides of the containment, leaving the essence of a relaxing sound in the air.
"Then Marcus kicked him in the ass and blamed it on Ruby… Her reaction when he turned around was priceless!"
"I would have loved to be there for something like that! Absolutely adored it!" She laughed once more, her eyes squinting, looking all the more adorable.
Zidane let out a chuckle, and lead her to the place the guards resided, just before grass that seemed to mock them – out of their reach, and yet so rich looking and beautiful, swaying in the warm wind, the only color truly in their world.
"Oh this is beautiful…" She smiled, "Even though I've been down here, I guess I didn't notice what was beyond this point…" She sighed, "I wish we didn't have to stay here. I miss the grass…"
He smiled, leaning against the wooden stand where he had previously bought a map from the area. "Yeah, I know…" His thoughts flashed back to the bridge, but the sapphire eyed thief shook his head – he couldn't propose that idea to her.
"I would take any means necessary to get out there, and just to lie in that grass and watch the stars merge with the sky… Like right now…"
"Well…" He rolled his eyes at the silliness of his thoughts, "There are two ways to get out there…"
"What are they?" She demanded, though not in a harsh way.
He scratched his cheek, looking almost embarrassed to answer, though she knew that wasn't the case at all, "Well…" The blonde wanted to keep her in suspense, and it was working.
No longer content with rocking back and forth, she grabbed both of his hands and placed them a little lower than their heads, their bodies close to being pushed together, "Well what? Tell me, Zidane!"
"Either we get married…" He chuckled, watching her confused expression, "Over on that bridge – they say that the place with the grass is sanctuary to the people who live here – the ones who join themselves together in Conde Petie…"
She snorted, not wanting to take that way at all. "Or, we sneak…"
"Sneak?" She parroted.
"Yes, that's what I just said…" He winked, and pulled her away from the beauty, and into the town.
With no one looking, he picked her up bridal style, making her yelp. After double checking that the coast was clear, he hopped onto the rooftop, and began to run swiftly as he could – hoping no one spotted them.
At that last building, he made a grand leap, and heard one guard yell to stop, but he couldn't stop – he was mid air. Laughing, she saw the green come closer and closer, and began feeling excited.
As he dropped into the grass, he let her down on her own feet and snatched her hand, tugging her along, gesturing her to run from the guards who were bound to chase them a little ways down the path.
Their feet were light in the dusty road. Dagger watched purple flowers dotting the grass shoot by, her breath barely leaving her – nothing could ruin this moment. They continued to run until they heard the trickle of a river, and she squealed, pulling away from the Genome and running towards the water.
He ran after her, a smile dancing upon his own lips, as he crept close behind her, and suddenly called out, pushing her forward. She screamed, losing her balance and falling into the river. Her close were sopping wet, and she huffed in irritation – though she loved the feel of the water on her.
He watched her face catch the wondrous, pastel colors of the sunset, the droplets on her face almost like liquid crystals, slowly rolling, and caught in her hair like dew on a spider web. It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen… She stood, her eyes sparkling with a happiness he hadn't seen in her since that very night they spent on their patrol in the moonlight.
Her clothes clung close to her body, outlining her in a way that made Zidane take a second glance at her. Not only was Dagger beautiful, that he had noticed since the very first time he laid eyes on her, but she was sexy. Her body had all the right curves, and was petite, and she was flexible and nimble…
He shook his head, clearing his mind of his thoughts. She laughed at his dumbfounded face, it like a melody he never wanted to stop hearing, as she walked forward towards him. Her eyes narrowed slightly, as she smirked lightly, one side of her lips moving upwards more than the others. Her eyelashes now looked longer and more volumized, giving her eyes just the right shape.
Her hips moved with her hair, though it was plastered to her face, it was still beautiful – short as it was now. She was a gorgeous creature, and it pained his heart to know all the hurt she'd been through.
She closed the distance between the two of them, and suddenly grabbed his shirt, standing on her tip toes, her face only inches away from his. Her breath was hot on his neck, and he almost felt sweat forming on his brow, a certain shock overtaking him, causing him to lose his cool.
Suddenly, she hurdled him into the water, a great splash causing water to splash onto the bank, and even to hit her. His head whipped up from the water as he spewed the aqua from his mouth, eyes shimmering with playfulness.
"That was cheap! Cheap Dagger!" He was truly impressed to say the least.
She watched his eyes, playful and young, as though there wasn't a care in the world. He shed his now wet gloves and bracers, and pulled his shirt over his wet head. Water droplets moved down his nicely toned abdomen, and had Dagger slightly mesmorized on the spot.
His hair framed his gorgeous face, as his heads moved to pull himself further out of the water. She watched as his muscles flexed, and realized she could stare at the blonde forever…Before she had anymore thought on it, he again pulled her into the water, and a splashing game began.
The moment for watching each other differently than they ever had before had passed, and now they were just back to having a good time. The water fight consisted on tugging and shoving, in an attempt to get the other more wet than they already were. Dagger pointed out after a while this was impossible, since they both were already soaking wet, but Zidane answered with another wave of water towards her, ending all needless conversation.
Not too long later, after most of the color was washed out of the sky, the two lay in the grass, more content than they had been in such a long time. Water still hung about them, but they didn't care, they simply watched the stars dot the sky in random shapes and patterns.
Crickets were chirping, and the water still moved with an ever-so-slight current that gently nudged the melodic sound of nature into their ears once more. It reminded both of them of Alexandria – the one that though war waged on the borders of all countries, was a home to them – more in a hole in the ground, than in an illusion or a grand castle any day.
In truth, ever since they had lain in the grass, both of their hands, Zidane's right, and Dagger's left, got subconsciously closer together, and now, as cheesy as both of them thought it was, their hands touched, sending tingles and sparks all over their body. It was a type of pleasure neither of them would ever feel again – a connection they were sure they couldn't have with another.
Dagger glanced at Zidane who was already looking at her, his face serene, but his eyes more serious than they had been in forever.
"Zidane –" she tried to speak, but he pulled a finger to his lips, and she closed her mouth, waiting for whatever he would do or say next.
"Don't talk…" He murmured to her, and rolled, on his hands and knees on top of her. It wasn't a closeness that made her uncomfortable, as their bodies didn't even touch, but he leaned close to her, and without hesitation, pushed his lips onto hers.
The shock she felt almost made her want to turn away, but there was a slight temptation to it that willed her to stay still. The blonde lowered his body more so, until he was closer to her, and as he shifted his body weight, she realized she should close her eyes.
The kiss was a lovely trick. This small gesture, though it could be turned greater, or even more microscopic depending on the will of two people was designed by nature to render words to a silence when they became useless. It was true – Zidane had completely taken the words away from her as soon as his lips connected to hers.
Through the darkness, and though she, at the moment, had eyes that couldn't see, she felt a warmth that didn't come from Zidane being so close. It was just something inside of her that said this was right, and that it felt nice, and comfortable.
She sighed, and smiled shyly into the kiss, as Zidane took to that gesture to deepen it. He slid his tongue across her lips, and she happily greeted him inside her mouth.
He explored it thoroughly, as she did to his, all the while playing a little game with their tongues. The connection it seemed, simply never ended, as he put a hand to her cheek, as her arms snaked around his neck, fisting his hair.
After what seemed like only seconds, the need for breath overcame their desires as they broke apart, Zidane pulling back completely off of the girl. They stared at each other for a long time, a loving spark in each of their eyes, before Zidane glanced up, seeing the moon in the sky.
"Hey…" His voice was light and caring, as he stood, offering a hand to help the girl, "We should probably be getting back, people are probably wondering where we are…"
She nodded in agreement, still too shocked and out of breath to word a reply. But her hand didn't let go of his once she was up, and with a chuckle, he switched her hand and walked side by side of her.
?
Once they were back in, and Zidane bought some stuff in apologies for the two of them going outside the boundaries of Conde Petie, he lead the girl in the direction of the place she was staying and smiled.
They only enjoyed each other's company, keeping the walk silent, in half fear of ruining the beauty of the time shared, and half in fear of waking others up. When she came to her door, she wanted to ask Zidane so many things, but instead she just smiled and blinked her eyes at him.
He chuckled, and kissed her quickly, a tender peck – nothing compared to what she knew he could achieve, given the time and place, and then he was gone – a rogue in the night. Turning, she opened the door again, and stepped inside, feeling her way in the dark, and finding her way to the room.
She supposed she could deal with having to be away from Alexandria… Perhaps maybe she would never see it again…
But if she had something like that in her life, as mystical and beautiful, and simply breath-taking as she had tonight… Then perhaps things wouldn't be so bad…
She could manage with change – sometimes… with the blonde in mind as she closed her eyes… she even liked it.
?
A/N: Awww! After 28 chapters they FINALLY kiss! I think that was just adorable, sorry if it was cheesy though. I tried to make it passionate more than cheesy, but not sure if it worked.
Please review!
-zesty-
