(no subject)

[balthier-strahl.livejournal.com]

Who: Balthier and Squall
What: The end?
Where: Balamb
When: Afternoon
Rating: G


Stepping from the elevator, dressed in tight leather pants and a shirt only buttoned in the middle, Balthier looked exceedingly healthy. His skin held a golden glow from what was likely tanning for hours on the Strahl's wings, and his hair was perfectly styled. Tapping the door of Squall's office he leaned against the doorframe as he waited.

"It's open." Squall called. He was sat at his desk, gunblade in pieces, being thoroughly cleaned and checked for damage.

Slipping into the room, he slid his ringed fingers through his hair, shifting to sit across from Squall, his shirt falling away to expose his pierced navel. "Hello, sweetheart."

Squall looked up, giving a soft smile. "Hey." He began to piece his gunblade back together, looking seemingly distracted by something. "How's it going?"

"Well." He tilted his head, watching Squall. "What's on your mind, hm? You look rather distracted from your weapon." A slight frown creased his brow.

Squall set the weapon aside and wiped the oil onto his pants, tossing the newspaper he'd used into the trash. "Me? I'm fine. So, how's my favourite niece and nephew?"

"They're fine. Loud." He gave a half-smile, still watching the younger man. "Are you going to tell me what is wrong, then?"

"Nothing's wrong, Bal. It's nothing." He shifted to stand, mving to Balthier, kissing the corner of his mouth lightly.

Balthier pulled away as he was kissed, frowning at him. "And with that, you only make it sound worse." Shifting to stand, he waved a dismissive hand. "If you shan't tell me, this conversation is going nowhere. I'll see you when I do."

Squall sighed. "It's nothing. Just... something Seifer said." He grabbed Balthier's wrist lightly. "Don't go."

Balthier frowned more, tugging his hand away and sliding his fingers into his back pockets, watching the man. "So? What did he say?"

The brunette sighed again and turned away, stuffing his hands in his jacket pockets. "That... he loves me..."

"Oh? Well, isn't that nice?" He swallowed thickly. "Then you've got your man, hm? You've wanted him to love you for five years..."

"Yeah... I guess I have..." Squall stared at the floor, scrucnhing up his nose a little.

"You do not desire him any longer?" He shifted to cross his arms, frowning at him. "You know, I would've thought you'd be a little more excited."

"I do... I just... It's complicated..." Not to mention awkward, telling your male lover that your other male lover loved you, whe he was supposed to be marrying his female lover. Talk about difficult.

"Because? Rinoa is like not going to accept it, but I suppose now you've cut down your numbers, it shouldn't be too difficult to win her over." He gave a slight shrug.

Squall frowned. "What do you mean cut down my numbers? They're exactly the same, if anything they're higher than before..."

"Ah, but with Seifer to love you, there is no need for this anymore, hm?" He gave a slight smile, though his gaze wouldn't meet Squall's. "I should get back. I have to fine tune the engine before we set out again."

Squall swallowed hard. "W-what? You're ending it? Just like that? You think this was just some quick fling to me??"

"Was I not simply the man to love you in his place?" He ruffled Squall's hair gently. "I'll stop by soon. The children do so adore seeing you."

Squall slapped Balthier's hand away, glaring at him. "Is that what you truly think?!"

"Perhaps." He crossed his arms, trying to keep a steady gaze and a calmed attitude. Even if he felt like shouting at Squall.

"Then if that's what you think, maybe you should leave! You think me shallow enough to bed a man in place of another?! To risk my relationship, to risk your relationship?! You think I'd use you as a substitute for Seifer?!" he growled, glaring at Balthier.

Balthier swallowed thickly, biting his lip for a moment before looking at Squall. "I'll give you your time to calm down, before I visit again." He swallowed again, harder than before, turning to open the door.

Tears welled in Squall's eyes. He was so damned angry that Balthier could even think that! He may not be faithful in the usual way, but when he loved someone, he loved them truly.

"Goodbye, sweetheart. I'm glad you've got the man you desired." Closing the door behind himself, he headed for the elevator, waiting until the doors closed before leaning back against the wall, covering his eyes with his hand.

Those held in tears rolled down Squall's cheeks. He moved over to the window, resting his forehead against the glass, looking down at the tattoo sat proudly on his wrist. "... Goodbye? ..."