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."
"First to prove you wrong about me, and then, just," Aerith shrugs, her smile growing shy. "You're captivating."
She can tell the magic helps, and that puts her more at ease. As happy as he's made her, the fact that he's been held prisoner for a week isn't far from her thoughts. She's got a duty to him as the ship's healer, and now, as his future wife.
"Wait," Aerith pulls her hand away and takes one of his. "First, I need to," she guides his hand to rest on his thigh, looking over the rings on his fingers before slipping one off to put on her ring finger.
With a satisfied nod she lets his hand go before sinking into the water to gently settle against his chest. "I needed a ring."
It's so sweet, seeing her shy like that. And now he recalls how often he saw that expression early on, oblivious that she cared for him. He returns it, equally shy in his honesty. "You're the only person whose opinion I cared about in a very long time," he assures her.
He's confused at first when she tells him to wait, but consternation turns to amusement as she shifts through his rings, stealing one for herself, and when she settles against him he cradles her tightly, sighing happily. "Here I was fretting I hadn't gotten you one, but stealing mine suits you better, doesn't it?" And there are no words for how happy it makes his heart to see his ring on her finger, placed there because she wanted it to be.
After wrapping an arm around his shoulders Aerith kisses his cheek with a content chuckle. "They're our rings now, aren't they? If I'm going to be your wife doesn't that mean half of what's mine is yours, and half of what's yours is mine?"
Laughing again she kisses his cheek a second time. "Our earrings too, right, husband?" Her heart leaps at the thought and she can't help but cozy up against him a little more, her lips trailing from his cheek to the side of his neck before she nuzzles against his skin with a happy hum. "I love you so much Balthier. You've made me so happy."
"I should have known," he sighs dramatically, but he can't keep the grin out of his voice. "Just after my things. A true pirate."
He hums as she kisses his cheek and cozies up to him. "I do like seeing you in my things. I suppose I can abide by this." He adjusts his arm around her, squeezing her to him as he settles his head against hers, eyes drifting closed as she kisses down his neck.
"My sweet Aerith," he murmurs, fresh tears at just how much she loves him. "My incredible wife." His chest flutters saying it for real.
"After you and your things," she points out before peppering his face with kisses.
Her arms tighten around him, kissing the spot where his neck meets his shoulder before her head settles against him. Their escape from Piaget felt like a lifetime ago. She recalls too keenly what it was like getting over the nightmares to believe that terror is gone completely, for either of them, but for now, she's the happiest she can remember being.
"Tell me what you want for our wedding. I want small, but I want a nice dress and lots of flowers, and you."
"Mmm well I have been your possession for quite a long time now. I suppose I should hide the earrings I actually want to keep though, hmm?" he asks, smiling into all the gentle kisses on his face. If not for how they got here, this would be a perfect day.
And something about her settling so cozily into his hold, the water easing their aches and shutting out the world as she asks for thoughts of their future, feels almost surreal. "You will have all those things," he promises, tucking his head against hers and settlings his arms around her, fingers trailing on her arm.
"I want music, and somewhere outdoors, and a good meal, and afterwards I want to take you on a trip far away from here and kiss you even more than I usually do." He turns to press his lips to her hair. "But so long as you're there, I'll be satisfied. Assuming I look nice."
"Why hide them? If you're keeping me forever it's not like they're going to go anywhere," Aerith teases in a murmur as she kisses the bridge of his nose.
This has been one of the hardest days they've faced together, but Aerith feels sure they can weather it. They have each other, after all, and even though being apart was never something she considered, the thought of getting married brings the notion of sharing the future with Balthier to the forefront of her thoughts.
"I want all those things, and to dance with you. And you will always be the most beautiful person I've ever seen."
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no subject
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."
no subject
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."
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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."
no subject
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."
no subject
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.
no subject
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."
no subject
Date: 2023-04-17 02:38 am (UTC)She can tell the magic helps, and that puts her more at ease. As happy as he's made her, the fact that he's been held prisoner for a week isn't far from her thoughts. She's got a duty to him as the ship's healer, and now, as his future wife.
"Wait," Aerith pulls her hand away and takes one of his. "First, I need to," she guides his hand to rest on his thigh, looking over the rings on his fingers before slipping one off to put on her ring finger.
With a satisfied nod she lets his hand go before sinking into the water to gently settle against his chest. "I needed a ring."
no subject
Date: 2023-04-17 02:59 am (UTC)He's confused at first when she tells him to wait, but consternation turns to amusement as she shifts through his rings, stealing one for herself, and when she settles against him he cradles her tightly, sighing happily. "Here I was fretting I hadn't gotten you one, but stealing mine suits you better, doesn't it?" And there are no words for how happy it makes his heart to see his ring on her finger, placed there because she wanted it to be.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-17 03:29 am (UTC)Laughing again she kisses his cheek a second time. "Our earrings too, right, husband?" Her heart leaps at the thought and she can't help but cozy up against him a little more, her lips trailing from his cheek to the side of his neck before she nuzzles against his skin with a happy hum. "I love you so much Balthier. You've made me so happy."
no subject
Date: 2023-04-17 03:53 am (UTC)He hums as she kisses his cheek and cozies up to him. "I do like seeing you in my things. I suppose I can abide by this." He adjusts his arm around her, squeezing her to him as he settles his head against hers, eyes drifting closed as she kisses down his neck.
"My sweet Aerith," he murmurs, fresh tears at just how much she loves him. "My incredible wife." His chest flutters saying it for real.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-17 04:24 am (UTC)Her arms tighten around him, kissing the spot where his neck meets his shoulder before her head settles against him. Their escape from Piaget felt like a lifetime ago. She recalls too keenly what it was like getting over the nightmares to believe that terror is gone completely, for either of them, but for now, she's the happiest she can remember being.
"Tell me what you want for our wedding. I want small, but I want a nice dress and lots of flowers, and you."
no subject
Date: 2023-04-17 10:38 pm (UTC)And something about her settling so cozily into his hold, the water easing their aches and shutting out the world as she asks for thoughts of their future, feels almost surreal. "You will have all those things," he promises, tucking his head against hers and settlings his arms around her, fingers trailing on her arm.
"I want music, and somewhere outdoors, and a good meal, and afterwards I want to take you on a trip far away from here and kiss you even more than I usually do." He turns to press his lips to her hair. "But so long as you're there, I'll be satisfied. Assuming I look nice."
no subject
Date: 2023-04-17 11:01 pm (UTC)This has been one of the hardest days they've faced together, but Aerith feels sure they can weather it. They have each other, after all, and even though being apart was never something she considered, the thought of getting married brings the notion of sharing the future with Balthier to the forefront of her thoughts.
"I want all those things, and to dance with you. And you will always be the most beautiful person I've ever seen."