He didn't regret separating, and he didn't even regret that he was the one who'd been captured; if anything, he suspected he'd been the target. The trap was too well laid, and one of his safety passages had been compromised. Someone in town had been paid off.
No, what he was worried about was whether Aerith made it back alright. And how much it was going to hurt her when he never came home. He'd overheard enough; they were taking him back to her country to stand trial for kidnapping. He'd be sentences, so even if he escaped, he'd be running forever, to be killed on sight. Kidnapping a noble was a high enough offense that other countries would take up the charge. He'd be hunted until he was gone.
And she'd be taken back to that life she hated, Piaget claiming the gold for both.
Balthier knows when to give a pointed jab of sass and when to keep his mouth shut, but it's only when he's alone, baking and dehydrated with sand everywhere it can reach, that the silent tears come. For her. For him. He should have -- he should have married her. He should have taken her to some other continent. He should have killed Piaget.
He tries to conserve his strength, but they have in binds that disable his magic, and he knows every day he's weaker it will be harder to escape. His only chance, really, is to get away before the hand off. But between the low amounts of food and water and the way someone comes to rough him up periodically, he loses track of how long it's been, and by the time he hears the distant sound of an explosion, he doesn't know if he's dreaming.
When he hears Aerith's voice, see's her silhouetted in the harsh light as he blinks from the sting of it, he's sure he's dreaming.
Except she feels entirely solid, and the moment he realizes it's her, he collapses against her, face against her chest as tears overwhelm him. "You found me," he croaks, equal parts surprise and pride and relief. He groans as she shifts him to undo his bonds, but it doesn't matter. She's here. They'll get out of this.
The sight of him like this hurts her heart, and she wonders, as she frantically works to free him if she looked the same when he found her in that cell aboard Piaget's ship. She ducks her head, resting it against the top of his while he hides his face against her chest, tears spilling down her cheeks.
"I'll always find you," she whispers against his hair before planting a firm kiss on the crown of his head. It isn't often that she's called upon to be the hero, but after this, it feels like if Balthier needed it, she could find a way to make anything happen.
"We got about ten minutes lovebirds," Zeda calls from a few yards away. "The last one's gonna go off soon and really surprise them."
Aerith throws the last of Balthier's tethers away, the space between them filling with soft green light as she presses her hands against his back, healing him as much as she can in as little time as possible. There's no way she'll be able to mend him fully, but he needs to be strong enough to flee to where the ships waiting.
"Can you walk?" She wants to ask if he can run, but, one thing at a time. "The Strahl's hidden about half a mile from here. We can't go back the way we came, but Zeda knows a shortcut."
It's almost unbelievable how healing it is to just have her close, head tucked over his and gently kissing him. He'd -- all but given up that he'd see her again, unless she miserably watched his trial. The moment his wrist are free, he loops his arms around her, pulling her as tight to him as he can. He believes her, gods he believes her, and whatever it takes, he's going to make it out of here.
"Zeda," he croaks at the other voice. Of course. Aerith was wise to get her. They have a real shot if Zeda's set this up. Better even than Balthier would have done.
Aerith's magic moves through him and he winces, letting out a moan, but the magic does it's job, easing the worst of his pains. What's more, the magic blocking tethers are off, and he can feel his own magic starting to return.
Half mile. He can do that. "Yes," he croaks again. "Help me up." He offers his arms, and Zeda's there in a moment to take his other side. Stiff, sore, but he finds his balance. "Water?" he asks, grasping for Aerith's hand. All he wants is to collapse in a safe corner with her, lock all the doors and sleep for a week.
It pains her, but she and Zeda have talked about how until they're all in the clear, she has to reserve some of her energy. She wants nothing more than to devote every iota of her magical strength to making him feel better, but for now, all she can do is soothe the most pressing of his pains and hand off the canteen hanging on her belt with a worried smile.
From the distance, the sound of another explosion sounded, followed by a second close behind it, and after a brief pause, a third. Zeda tips her head up at the sound, cocking her head. "That's our cue, we gotta move!"
Aerith does what she can to shoulder Balthier's weight, leading them in the opposite direction of the last few booms. They follow a ringed walkway around to a second one, cutting across a series of passes, putting some distance between themselves and the explosions.
"Are you alright?" Aerith has spent their exit glancing worriedly between the path ahead and Balthier's face.
It pains him, too, seeing that forced smile on her face. He knows the time since he was kidnapped was hell for both of them, and that until she has him home safe, she isn't going to start relaxing.
Still, on the list of scenarios he was grappling with, this wasn't in the worst three. They're together. They have Zeda. They have a real chance of putting this to rest.
He takes a big swig of water, rinsing his mouth and spitting, then drinking deeply.
"Aerith, if we get the chance--"
But he doesn't get to finish that thought because there are explosions sounding, and he knows better than to delay Zeda's timing.
He hates that he has to lean on Aerith at all, but he's stiff and sore. Still, the movement helps, and he starts to warm up. Once he's caught his breath, he nods at her question.
"Nothing terrible; they wanted me in good shape." Probably for torture and trial, but he wasn't going to worry too deeply about that now. "The magic's working." And then he bites his lip, glancing at her.
"Aerith, if we get the chance -- we should kill Piaget. He's not going to stop."
This wasn't kindness, or even strategy. He was toying with them, because he was going to ruin them one way or the other. Balthier had seen him do it to others.
Aerith almost stops running after Balthier tells her that it's for the best to bring about Piaget's end today. Even though the man's caused them both so much pain, what he's suggesting is not at all something she could have imagined, no matter how much grief Piaget's caused them, or how furious she is to think about Balthier being traded off.
Zeda seems to be on the verge of saying something before she turns and gets a look of the apprehension on Aerith's face.
"If we have to," she says, finally, her arm tightening around Balthier when she speaks. It's grounding to touch him, even if her guts are churning from the suggestion.
There are shouts, but they're faraway enough that Zeda doesn't butt in without clearing her throat. "I've got a couple of Hornitos should do the trick if you've got the aim."
"I'll do it," Balthier says, hand coming to the small of Aerith's back, meeting her eyes squarely. If she'd protested he'd have made his case, but he wouldn't have forced her hand. She doesn't need to be the one to with blood on her hands, though. That and he has the aim.
He's just -- relieved she hasn't pulled away from him, and he hopes that stays true once she's had time to think about it. "Give me two, in case I get the chance." Except he knows Piaget. They were close for years, and the man is predictable. Balthier will get the chance.
Zeda meets his eyes. She knows him too, and when she hands off the hand bombs, her hand lingers briefly on his, then Aerith's shoulder.
"This is the sour part of piracy," he says by way of apology, pressing a kiss to the edge of her hair as much to fortify himself for what's to come as to wish he could shield her for it. "Let's get this over with and as far from here as we can. See you onboard, Zeda."
They start again, another explosion going off in the sands. They're making progress, slowly but surely, and for a moment he thinks maybe he won't get the chance afterall, that maybe that's alright.
And then he hears Piaget's shout, sees him in the corner of his eye.
He's lucky its muscle memory by now, the way he pulls the pin and lobs the bomb. Even in his sore state, instinct kicks in, and he tugs Aerith the other way as soon as he's let go. It's moments before there's a burst. There's no way he missed his target.
Shakiness sets through him as he clenches his jaw, tightness in his chest over thoughts he doesn't want to have. "Let's go," he croaks. Away from this nightmare.
Aerith wants nothing more than to stop and pull Balthier into the tightest hug she can manage, but there's no time when they need to run for their lives. Zeda did her part to make sure a lot was blown up that day, but none of those explosions made her bones feel like they were rattling around in her body quite as much as the one Balthier caused. The sour part of piracy is heavy, and though she understands why it had to happen, she keeps quiet until they're back on the ship, letting herself sit with what's happened.
The crew rushes to Balthier once they step on board, giving Aerith and Zeda a moment to exchange quiet, weighty glances. Later, maybe, they can talk more, but for now, Aerith can't bring herself to leave Balthier's side.
She doesn't breathe easier once they're in his quarters, though there is a considerable part of her that does relax.
"It had to happen," Aerith says finally, both to herself and to him. She stands there for a long moment, collecting herself before her arms wrap around Balthier, and she buries her head against his chest with a sob. "I was so scared."
He's exhausted and shaken; it's not his first time killing, but it's not any easier. Aerith is quiet, and some part of him wails with worry that, in dealing with Piaget, he's broken something between them, that that heinous scab succeeded in ruining Balthier afterall. He does his best to push it away; it's a disservice to Aerith not to trust her, and gods he doesn't want to put either of them through any more than they've already dealt with. All he wants is to be home, bathed, and curled up with her.
He gives a few orders when they get back, puts Zeda in charge for the time being, and finally they're able to slip off into their chambers.
He takes a shaky breath as the door closes, and before his own emotion has a chance to catch up with him, Aerith makes a comment he can't quite read. He freezes, mind not quite able to form what he needs to ask, but then she's burying her face in his chest sobbing. At least it breaks the spell. He holds her as tightly as his tired body can manage, tucking her head under his as silent sobs shake through him, too, tears wetting his cheeks.
"I know," he murmurs, stroking her hair with one hand. "I know. He put us both in an impossible situation." It doesn't feel like what he wants to say, but other than the feel of her in his arms, he might as well be a fog over the plains. He feels far away, tired, small. He hates Piaget for making her scared again, and the knowledge that the man is dead makes his stomach feel heavy and sick.
"He was going to ship you back to your parents, get the ransom, make you watch me be tried for treason and put to death." It's barely a whisper, and his grip tightens on Aerith. Being the reason she was sent back to a life of misery was worse than being imprisoned.
Holding onto him with all her might Aerith lets herself cry against his chest, aware of the way he's trembling against him, certain he's mourning as well. Guilt over not having been the one to handle Piaget eats at her, a feeling that grows more raw and ragged as Balthier speaks.
"This is all because of me, I should have done something," she leans back, shaking her head woefully. "I will do something. It's wrong that you have to bear this burden."
"Aerith," he says sternly, taking her shoulders and pulling away just enough she has to look him in the eye. His gut twists at seeing her face so pained, tears shining on her cheeks. He's hardly aware his looks the same.
"None of this is your fault. You got Zeda, and you got me out. This was the best scenario we could have hoped for. You didn't fail."
She knows Balthier is as shaken as she is, and she knows he means everything she says, but–
"It doesn't feel like I didn't fail, at least in some way." Piaget did terrible things to both of them, almost tearing them apart more than once, but - someone still had to die for them to continue to be together. She had to find a way to make it better, at least a little bit.
"Balthier," she whispers before pulling him into another tight hug.
"I know," he says, voice cracking as he cradles her face, forehead pressing to her. "Gods, I know." He feels like he's failed them both a dozen times times over, having dragged her into Piaget's nonsense, having lost her the first time, having been kidnapped, having forced her to be a part of ending his feud with the man permanently.
It breaks his heart the way she says his name and squeezes him, so he holds her back, fresh tears trailing down his cheeks. "We did everything we could," he says. "Piaget was going to hurt more people. I should have done that years ago, I just --" Didn't have the stomach for it. Wanted the man to change, to move on.
"You did what you had to," she says quietly after finally lifting her head to look up at him with bleary eyes. This hurts, but he's here with her, where he belongs, and the weight of him in her arms is grounding and healing.
He’s kissing her hard before he even processed why. She still loves him. They’re here. They’re safe. Piaget hasn’t broken anything they can’t overcome.
“Come bathe with me,” he murmurs against her lips, cradling her as tight to him as he can. There’s something else he wants to say, a truth that was forged in those terrible days without her, and he’s not quite sure he has the words yet. He kisses her again, nuzzling against her as he adds, “My love.”
It's a relief, to be kissed like that. It feels more normal than anything about this day, and her arms tighten around them as their lips meet, allowing her to briefly ignore the way their cheeks are both damp.
"I'll go anywhere with you, always." Aerith leans up, kissing the side of his face as she holds onto him, relieved that he wants her to join him because it means she won't have to wait for him here, fretting.
In her arms again, he can almost pretend the last week or so was a bad dream, and right now he's happy to get lost in that. She's felt like home for a long time, but there's an added rootedness, a sense of returning from a long journey and seeing things he couldn't without leaving. Not the way he wanted to get that insight, but he was happy to be having it instead of being in the back of a transport.
"I know," he murmurs, eyes closing as he enjoys the soft touch on his cheek. "Because I'm the same."
He wants a bath, and he wants rest, and so he reluctantly pulls away, but not without taking her hand. There's something calming to going another room deeper into the ship, locking another door as he turns on the tap and puts a heavy scoop of jasmine and lavender salts into the tub.
When he looks back, there she is, his savior, his love, his world, gleaming in the afternoon sun like a painting. He closes the space between them, seizing her and kissing her hard as his hands move to gently undo the fastenings on her clothes. There's a fresh round of tears on his cheeks, but these aren't all for sorrow. "I must have done something to please the gods," he murmurs, "For them to let our paths cross."
It feels better for her as well, when he leads her further into their quarters and they get to lock another door. Aerith's rattled to the core and all she wants is him close, and a long stretch of peaceful quiet to try and get back to something that feels more normal. Having Balthier in her arms helps, but there's still a raw and ragged part of her that needs a little more time to patch itself back together.
She's reluctant to let him go even for the sake of filling the tub, and when he gathers her up in his arms again not even a minute later she can't help but sink against him in relief. "You're the one who saved my life," she whispers between kisses as her hands move to lift his shirt up and off before her own follows suit. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me Balthier."
Stripped to the waist clutching each other, water rumbling beside them, the familiar creaks of the ship every so often—it’s like he’s deep enough in his fortress to breathe again.
“Aerith would you—“ the words are out before he’s decided to say them, and when he catches himself, he’s not sure whether to avert or press on. He stalls by smoothing her hair behind her ear, heart tight at the tears on her face. All he could think about those endless days imprisoned was his anger and hurt at their beautiful life being torn apart before it really even started.
“If you were married, they wouldn’t be able to keep trying to ship you back to your parents.” His voice is tight, and now that he’s said it, he feels like he can’t breathe.
“And I’ve never been so sure of anything as I am about wanting to spend my life with you. I know you joined my crew to avoid your engagement but — would you consider it? Letting me be your husband?”
Maybe it’s selfish asking now, and gods know she deserved a better proposal, but his eyes are tracing her face like he could etch into his memory, hands lingering on her bare torso because he can’t stand to let her go.
He starts and stops, leaving her looking up at him in confusion as she tries to work out what it is he's not saying. The thought of the safety that being married would give them was admittedly something that passed through her mind only to return once they were reunited, but at present, that's not at all where her thoughts go - at least until he continues.
"Yes." Her answer comes immediately on the heels of that question, her heart pounding against her ribs as she nods up at him in earnest.
"You've been my husband for a long time already, yes, yes." Aerith's arms tighten around Balthier as she pulls him close for another kiss, a few more yeses slipping out against his lips. This has always felt so wonderful and right, and he's never made a secret out of how he feels that too.
"Marry me Balthier." It's only right to ask him back, she wants him to feel the same rush of love and acceptance that's swept over her too.
He isn't prepared for the joy and relief and happiness that crashes through him at how quickly she says yes. Grinning and weeping tears of absolute unabashed joy, his kisses her back, gripping her to him and reveling in her bare skin against his, her constant stream of yes, and the lightheadedness of realizing she's thought of him this way for awhile now.
And when she asks him back, his chest seizes and his face twists with emotion he can't even rightfully name. "Yes," he breathes back, rocking her in his hold as he kisses her yet again. "Gods, yes." He presses his forehead to hers, noses just touching as he strokes tears from her face, so much happier than it was moments ago. "I've wanted to, ever since the wedding." Maybe before, but it was the first time he couldn't deny it.
Aerith's shoulders shake with relief, laughing and crying at the same time as she hugs him to her with all her might. The feeling is indescribable, how joyous and right it feels to commit her life to him and he to her. Marriage had never seemed like a happy prospect before they began playing at husband and wife as a cover, and now she couldn't imagine her life any other way than entwined with his.
Her chest aches when he answers her back, a happy squeak escaping her when their lips meet again. "I love you," she murmurs, repeating herself one or two times more for good measure before her hands come to cradle the sides of his face, her lashes fluttering when she feels the familiar weight of his forehead rest against hers.
"I didn't even think you wanted me to kiss you that night you know."
He's laughing too, squeezing her back and enjoying all her sounds and faces. "I love you, too, more than I thought possible."
At her admission, he chuckles, kissing her forehead before finding her lips again. "Then you don't know how often I kept my distance or skipped a drink because I didn't think it was right, the way I wanted to kiss you. Your silly game with the earrings undid me, and I'm so glad for it."
But he's getting tired, the week catching up with him, and he sighs happily into her hair. "Come lay on me in the water," he says, staying close as he leads her to the tub, pausing only to take the rest of his garments off. "And tell me if you want a big wedding or something small and private."
She laughs when he mentions the earrings, lifting her chin to nuzzle her cheek to his. "I wanted your attention, and, I wanted to be alone with you again." All of which paid off the night of her birthday, she thought.
"Get in the water first, I want you to get comfortable while I heal you, then I'll join you, okay?"
As much as she doesn't want to step away from him, Aerith slips free of his embrace, undressing along with him before she waits for him to get into the water, perching on the side of the tub once he's settled. "I want you. I would have a wedding with you right now if I could, the rest isn't important to me."
Her hand slips beneath the water, settling on the center of his chest before the soft green light of her magic glimmers to life.
He chuckles affectionately, trailing his fingers in her hair as she nuzzles against him. "You wanted my attention from the start, didn't you? I just convinced myself I was making it up. A good thing you were so persistent." And that his resolve had wavered.
He follows her directions though, slipping into the hot water. He can't help the moan that escapes him, his exhausted body starting to relax, brain remembering he's in pain. "I'm going to sleep for three days," he warns her.
When she comes to perch, he lifts one hand out of the water to find her wrist, leaning his face against her arm. "Mmm," he agrees, "As would I, but I think after everything we've been through, we deserve a celebration, too." Lightness. Laughter.
Her hand slips down to his chest, and that alone is healing, but he sighs as he feels her magic sinking into him, his own merging with it to start stitching wounds and healing bruises. "We'll have to call up for some dinner and tea," he muses. "But first -- come here."
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Re: – kidnapping 2 piaget is still an asshole
Date: 2023-03-23 05:46 pm (UTC)No, what he was worried about was whether Aerith made it back alright. And how much it was going to hurt her when he never came home. He'd overheard enough; they were taking him back to her country to stand trial for kidnapping. He'd be sentences, so even if he escaped, he'd be running forever, to be killed on sight. Kidnapping a noble was a high enough offense that other countries would take up the charge. He'd be hunted until he was gone.
And she'd be taken back to that life she hated, Piaget claiming the gold for both.
Balthier knows when to give a pointed jab of sass and when to keep his mouth shut, but it's only when he's alone, baking and dehydrated with sand everywhere it can reach, that the silent tears come. For her. For him. He should have -- he should have married her. He should have taken her to some other continent. He should have killed Piaget.
He tries to conserve his strength, but they have in binds that disable his magic, and he knows every day he's weaker it will be harder to escape. His only chance, really, is to get away before the hand off. But between the low amounts of food and water and the way someone comes to rough him up periodically, he loses track of how long it's been, and by the time he hears the distant sound of an explosion, he doesn't know if he's dreaming.
When he hears Aerith's voice, see's her silhouetted in the harsh light as he blinks from the sting of it, he's sure he's dreaming.
Except she feels entirely solid, and the moment he realizes it's her, he collapses against her, face against her chest as tears overwhelm him. "You found me," he croaks, equal parts surprise and pride and relief. He groans as she shifts him to undo his bonds, but it doesn't matter. She's here. They'll get out of this.
no subject
Date: 2023-03-23 11:01 pm (UTC)"I'll always find you," she whispers against his hair before planting a firm kiss on the crown of his head. It isn't often that she's called upon to be the hero, but after this, it feels like if Balthier needed it, she could find a way to make anything happen.
"We got about ten minutes lovebirds," Zeda calls from a few yards away. "The last one's gonna go off soon and really surprise them."
Aerith throws the last of Balthier's tethers away, the space between them filling with soft green light as she presses her hands against his back, healing him as much as she can in as little time as possible. There's no way she'll be able to mend him fully, but he needs to be strong enough to flee to where the ships waiting.
"Can you walk?" She wants to ask if he can run, but, one thing at a time. "The Strahl's hidden about half a mile from here. We can't go back the way we came, but Zeda knows a shortcut."
no subject
Date: 2023-03-25 02:46 am (UTC)"Zeda," he croaks at the other voice. Of course. Aerith was wise to get her. They have a real shot if Zeda's set this up. Better even than Balthier would have done.
Aerith's magic moves through him and he winces, letting out a moan, but the magic does it's job, easing the worst of his pains. What's more, the magic blocking tethers are off, and he can feel his own magic starting to return.
Half mile. He can do that. "Yes," he croaks again. "Help me up." He offers his arms, and Zeda's there in a moment to take his other side. Stiff, sore, but he finds his balance. "Water?" he asks, grasping for Aerith's hand. All he wants is to collapse in a safe corner with her, lock all the doors and sleep for a week.
Soon, if they handle this right.
no subject
Date: 2023-03-25 03:19 am (UTC)From the distance, the sound of another explosion sounded, followed by a second close behind it, and after a brief pause, a third. Zeda tips her head up at the sound, cocking her head. "That's our cue, we gotta move!"
Aerith does what she can to shoulder Balthier's weight, leading them in the opposite direction of the last few booms. They follow a ringed walkway around to a second one, cutting across a series of passes, putting some distance between themselves and the explosions.
"Are you alright?" Aerith has spent their exit glancing worriedly between the path ahead and Balthier's face.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-05 01:54 am (UTC)Still, on the list of scenarios he was grappling with, this wasn't in the worst three. They're together. They have Zeda. They have a real chance of putting this to rest.
He takes a big swig of water, rinsing his mouth and spitting, then drinking deeply.
"Aerith, if we get the chance--"
But he doesn't get to finish that thought because there are explosions sounding, and he knows better than to delay Zeda's timing.
He hates that he has to lean on Aerith at all, but he's stiff and sore. Still, the movement helps, and he starts to warm up. Once he's caught his breath, he nods at her question.
"Nothing terrible; they wanted me in good shape." Probably for torture and trial, but he wasn't going to worry too deeply about that now. "The magic's working." And then he bites his lip, glancing at her.
"Aerith, if we get the chance -- we should kill Piaget. He's not going to stop."
This wasn't kindness, or even strategy. He was toying with them, because he was going to ruin them one way or the other. Balthier had seen him do it to others.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-05 02:47 am (UTC)Zeda seems to be on the verge of saying something before she turns and gets a look of the apprehension on Aerith's face.
"If we have to," she says, finally, her arm tightening around Balthier when she speaks. It's grounding to touch him, even if her guts are churning from the suggestion.
There are shouts, but they're faraway enough that Zeda doesn't butt in without clearing her throat. "I've got a couple of Hornitos should do the trick if you've got the aim."
no subject
Date: 2023-04-13 08:31 pm (UTC)He's just -- relieved she hasn't pulled away from him, and he hopes that stays true once she's had time to think about it. "Give me two, in case I get the chance." Except he knows Piaget. They were close for years, and the man is predictable. Balthier will get the chance.
Zeda meets his eyes. She knows him too, and when she hands off the hand bombs, her hand lingers briefly on his, then Aerith's shoulder.
"This is the sour part of piracy," he says by way of apology, pressing a kiss to the edge of her hair as much to fortify himself for what's to come as to wish he could shield her for it. "Let's get this over with and as far from here as we can. See you onboard, Zeda."
They start again, another explosion going off in the sands. They're making progress, slowly but surely, and for a moment he thinks maybe he won't get the chance afterall, that maybe that's alright.
And then he hears Piaget's shout, sees him in the corner of his eye.
He's lucky its muscle memory by now, the way he pulls the pin and lobs the bomb. Even in his sore state, instinct kicks in, and he tugs Aerith the other way as soon as he's let go. It's moments before there's a burst. There's no way he missed his target.
Shakiness sets through him as he clenches his jaw, tightness in his chest over thoughts he doesn't want to have. "Let's go," he croaks. Away from this nightmare.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-13 11:04 pm (UTC)The crew rushes to Balthier once they step on board, giving Aerith and Zeda a moment to exchange quiet, weighty glances. Later, maybe, they can talk more, but for now, Aerith can't bring herself to leave Balthier's side.
She doesn't breathe easier once they're in his quarters, though there is a considerable part of her that does relax.
"It had to happen," Aerith says finally, both to herself and to him. She stands there for a long moment, collecting herself before her arms wrap around Balthier, and she buries her head against his chest with a sob. "I was so scared."
no subject
Date: 2023-04-14 04:04 am (UTC)He gives a few orders when they get back, puts Zeda in charge for the time being, and finally they're able to slip off into their chambers.
He takes a shaky breath as the door closes, and before his own emotion has a chance to catch up with him, Aerith makes a comment he can't quite read. He freezes, mind not quite able to form what he needs to ask, but then she's burying her face in his chest sobbing. At least it breaks the spell. He holds her as tightly as his tired body can manage, tucking her head under his as silent sobs shake through him, too, tears wetting his cheeks.
"I know," he murmurs, stroking her hair with one hand. "I know. He put us both in an impossible situation." It doesn't feel like what he wants to say, but other than the feel of her in his arms, he might as well be a fog over the plains. He feels far away, tired, small. He hates Piaget for making her scared again, and the knowledge that the man is dead makes his stomach feel heavy and sick.
"He was going to ship you back to your parents, get the ransom, make you watch me be tried for treason and put to death." It's barely a whisper, and his grip tightens on Aerith. Being the reason she was sent back to a life of misery was worse than being imprisoned.
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Date: 2023-04-15 12:14 am (UTC)"This is all because of me, I should have done something," she leans back, shaking her head woefully. "I will do something. It's wrong that you have to bear this burden."
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Date: 2023-04-15 02:08 am (UTC)"None of this is your fault. You got Zeda, and you got me out. This was the best scenario we could have hoped for. You didn't fail."
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Date: 2023-04-15 02:41 am (UTC)"It doesn't feel like I didn't fail, at least in some way." Piaget did terrible things to both of them, almost tearing them apart more than once, but - someone still had to die for them to continue to be together. She had to find a way to make it better, at least a little bit.
"Balthier," she whispers before pulling him into another tight hug.
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Date: 2023-04-15 03:13 am (UTC)It breaks his heart the way she says his name and squeezes him, so he holds her back, fresh tears trailing down his cheeks. "We did everything we could," he says. "Piaget was going to hurt more people. I should have done that years ago, I just --" Didn't have the stomach for it. Wanted the man to change, to move on.
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Date: 2023-04-15 08:32 pm (UTC)"I love you."
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Date: 2023-04-15 09:35 pm (UTC)“Come bathe with me,” he murmurs against her lips, cradling her as tight to him as he can. There’s something else he wants to say, a truth that was forged in those terrible days without her, and he’s not quite sure he has the words yet. He kisses her again, nuzzling against her as he adds, “My love.”
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Date: 2023-04-15 09:55 pm (UTC)"I'll go anywhere with you, always." Aerith leans up, kissing the side of his face as she holds onto him, relieved that he wants her to join him because it means she won't have to wait for him here, fretting.
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Date: 2023-04-15 11:26 pm (UTC)"I know," he murmurs, eyes closing as he enjoys the soft touch on his cheek. "Because I'm the same."
He wants a bath, and he wants rest, and so he reluctantly pulls away, but not without taking her hand. There's something calming to going another room deeper into the ship, locking another door as he turns on the tap and puts a heavy scoop of jasmine and lavender salts into the tub.
When he looks back, there she is, his savior, his love, his world, gleaming in the afternoon sun like a painting. He closes the space between them, seizing her and kissing her hard as his hands move to gently undo the fastenings on her clothes. There's a fresh round of tears on his cheeks, but these aren't all for sorrow. "I must have done something to please the gods," he murmurs, "For them to let our paths cross."
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Date: 2023-04-16 02:42 am (UTC)She's reluctant to let him go even for the sake of filling the tub, and when he gathers her up in his arms again not even a minute later she can't help but sink against him in relief. "You're the one who saved my life," she whispers between kisses as her hands move to lift his shirt up and off before her own follows suit. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me Balthier."
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Date: 2023-04-16 05:23 am (UTC)“Aerith would you—“ the words are out before he’s decided to say them, and when he catches himself, he’s not sure whether to avert or press on. He stalls by smoothing her hair behind her ear, heart tight at the tears on her face. All he could think about those endless days imprisoned was his anger and hurt at their beautiful life being torn apart before it really even started.
“If you were married, they wouldn’t be able to keep trying to ship you back to your parents.” His voice is tight, and now that he’s said it, he feels like he can’t breathe.
“And I’ve never been so sure of anything as I am about wanting to spend my life with you. I know you joined my crew to avoid your engagement but — would you consider it? Letting me be your husband?”
Maybe it’s selfish asking now, and gods know she deserved a better proposal, but his eyes are tracing her face like he could etch into his memory, hands lingering on her bare torso because he can’t stand to let her go.
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Date: 2023-04-16 10:13 pm (UTC)"Yes." Her answer comes immediately on the heels of that question, her heart pounding against her ribs as she nods up at him in earnest.
"You've been my husband for a long time already, yes, yes." Aerith's arms tighten around Balthier as she pulls him close for another kiss, a few more yeses slipping out against his lips. This has always felt so wonderful and right, and he's never made a secret out of how he feels that too.
"Marry me Balthier." It's only right to ask him back, she wants him to feel the same rush of love and acceptance that's swept over her too.
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Date: 2023-04-16 11:03 pm (UTC)And when she asks him back, his chest seizes and his face twists with emotion he can't even rightfully name. "Yes," he breathes back, rocking her in his hold as he kisses her yet again. "Gods, yes." He presses his forehead to hers, noses just touching as he strokes tears from her face, so much happier than it was moments ago. "I've wanted to, ever since the wedding." Maybe before, but it was the first time he couldn't deny it.
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Date: 2023-04-16 11:42 pm (UTC)Her chest aches when he answers her back, a happy squeak escaping her when their lips meet again. "I love you," she murmurs, repeating herself one or two times more for good measure before her hands come to cradle the sides of his face, her lashes fluttering when she feels the familiar weight of his forehead rest against hers.
"I didn't even think you wanted me to kiss you that night you know."
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Date: 2023-04-17 12:06 am (UTC)At her admission, he chuckles, kissing her forehead before finding her lips again. "Then you don't know how often I kept my distance or skipped a drink because I didn't think it was right, the way I wanted to kiss you. Your silly game with the earrings undid me, and I'm so glad for it."
But he's getting tired, the week catching up with him, and he sighs happily into her hair. "Come lay on me in the water," he says, staying close as he leads her to the tub, pausing only to take the rest of his garments off. "And tell me if you want a big wedding or something small and private."
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Date: 2023-04-17 12:45 am (UTC)"Get in the water first, I want you to get comfortable while I heal you, then I'll join you, okay?"
As much as she doesn't want to step away from him, Aerith slips free of his embrace, undressing along with him before she waits for him to get into the water, perching on the side of the tub once he's settled. "I want you. I would have a wedding with you right now if I could, the rest isn't important to me."
Her hand slips beneath the water, settling on the center of his chest before the soft green light of her magic glimmers to life.
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Date: 2023-04-17 02:21 am (UTC)He follows her directions though, slipping into the hot water. He can't help the moan that escapes him, his exhausted body starting to relax, brain remembering he's in pain. "I'm going to sleep for three days," he warns her.
When she comes to perch, he lifts one hand out of the water to find her wrist, leaning his face against her arm. "Mmm," he agrees, "As would I, but I think after everything we've been through, we deserve a celebration, too." Lightness. Laughter.
Her hand slips down to his chest, and that alone is healing, but he sighs as he feels her magic sinking into him, his own merging with it to start stitching wounds and healing bruises. "We'll have to call up for some dinner and tea," he muses. "But first -- come here."
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