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[xshatterheartx.livejournal.com]

Who: Balthier, Fran, Krja, & Balthier’s Mother.
When: Over the course of a day
Where: Archades & The Strahl
What: Balthier meets a ghost from his past.
Rating: NC-17



Seated on the steps to the Strahl, Balthier stretched a little, watching the people in the Archadian Aerodrome. Many of them knew him as a child yet few knew the real "Ffamran". Yawning slightly, he leaned back to look into the airship. "Fran? Are you set? I'd prefer we not linger..." He frowned just slightly. They'd had rather an emergency stop, the Strahl deciding to malfunction mid-air. Scrunching his nose, Balthier returned to people-watching, trying hard not to reminisce about his childhood.

Fran adjusted her shoes and tied her hair up in a somewhat tidy way, making herself presentable after a hectic few hours of emergency repairs and mothering. She jumped down the steps of the Strahl onto the Aerodrome’s floor. "Ready when you are, Judge Ffamran." She teased.

Balthier stood, raising an eyebrow. "The Judge has a question. Where is Krja?" He tilted his head, crossing his arms over his chest. Honestly, he was a little nostalgic about that former title.

Fran turned her back on Balthier, showing the leather sling, holding Krja firmly against her back. "Tada. You think I would leave her unattended, Hume? I am not that careless."

"I wondered if you had forgotten. You've been inside the Strahl for far too long." He answered, stepping along the pathways in the Aerodrome. His hands lightly swung by his sides at his ever-confident strides. "We must do this swiftly. I've an idea where we may find a crystal of importance."

Fran gave a soft laugh. "You think I could forget such a noisy creature?" She half-teased, reaching over her shoulder to pet the babbling infant. "Shall we find the crystal within the Aerodrome, or must we go further?"

"To the abandoned Bunansa residence." He answered, smiling at the noises coming from the child. "She has certainly found more of a voice as of late." He chuckled lightly.

Fran chuckled a little under her breath. "Let us behave ourselves in a far more mature way this time."

"We have to. Krja is with us." He laughed, slipping his hand into hers and leading her towards the place he had once called home.

Fran gave his hand a gentle squeeze, falling into step beside him. "I do not think such things would stop you, Hume. Not if you truly wanted it, of course."

Balthier rolled his eyes, tugging her arm playfully. "You've no respect for me." He teased, stepping slowly along the streets, refusing to set his gaze upon the square in which he was almost hung to death.

Fran found herself giving his hand a firmer squeeze as they walked; the events still plagued her dreams. "Of course I respect you." She stopped as they neared the former Bunansa residence. Her nose twitched, followed by an ear twitch. "Someone has been in there since our last visit..."

Balthier frowned, stepping up to the door and pushing it. It swung open and his eyes narrowed. Sure, he didn't live there, but it was still his. He owned the damn place. Inching inside, his gun was removed from his back and he glared in concentration.

Fran's nose twitched more. "Hume. Possibly female." She stepped in beside Balthier, hand curling around the man's shoulder.

In the kitchen, a middle aged woman sat by the unlit fireplace, rocking in a rocking chair, knitting.

Balthier's eyes widened upon the sight of this woman and he froze in his place, unable to believe what he was seeing. Blinking a few times to be sure it was a real sight, he felt his mouth grow dry and the words refused to come out.

Fran frowned a little, curling her hand around his arm, giving a gentle squeeze. "Balthier?..."

The woman shifted a little at the sounds, turning to face the couple. "... A sight for sore eyes, indeed. Too young for Cid. Too young for Netzach. Too young for Mustadio. That leaves my young Ffamran..."

Balthier all but stopped breathing, his eyes still so wide. As Fran squeezed his arm, his throat let out a slight noise. "M... m-mother?" He blinked a little.

Fran gasped a little, looking at the woman more. Although Balthier looked so similar to Cid; there was something similar about the woman.

The woman set the knitting down and moved to stand in front of Balthier, looking him over. "You have grown." She gave one of his earrings a flick. "Not too sure about the choice of decoration..."

As his earring shook at the flick, he took a slight breath in. "You... I... I was led to believe you were dead." He shifted his arm to grip Fran's hand exceedingly tightly.

Fran returned the grip, brushing her fingers over his, trying to soothe him. "Shall I wait outside?"

The woman looked the pair over. "I was led to believe you were a judge. Yet you are not wearing judge armour, and keeping the company of feral wayward vieras."

"No, stay..." He answered his lover. Upon his mother's words, Balthier frowned intently. "Judge I am not. Sky Pirate is what my heart desires. Sky Pirate... and the love of an exquisite Viera." He'd have no one speak ill of Fran.

Fran gave a soft nod and kept hold of Balthier's hand, shifting her gaze to stare at her feet.

The woman looked them over. "I see. You never were like your brothers. Always the black sheep of the family."

"...Were you to look upon them now, you'd think me the normal one." He replied, looking to the floor, a little like a child being lectured. He ran his thumb over Fran's hand.

Krja began to stir from her nap, letting out a soft whimper, tugging at Fran's hair for attention. Fran released Balthier's hand. "I shall tend to her outside..."

"No, she can be seen to in here." Balthier leaned to reach for Krja, scooping the child from the sling and cradling her close.

Balthier's mother glanced at the infant, head tilting slightly. "An earless Vieran child? So far from the wood. Not the kind of thing you expect to see around these parts."

"An earless half Viera, half Hume, to be precise." He kissed the tiny child's forehead, his eyes closing briefly. "I do believe introductions are in order." He looked up to the woman he was child to. "Mother... this is Fran, my lover... and our daughter, Krja."

The infant babbled and giggled, giving Balthier the brightest of smiles. A real Daddy's girl. Fran stood silent at his side, feeling quite ill at ease.

Balthier's mother looked at the child and then at Balthier. "Not the grandchild I ever expected. A hybrid. Yet I suppose we do not get everything we desire. Unless, of course we are a Sky Pirate, perhaps?"

"You... know me too well. I am no longer Judge Ffamran Bunansa, the prodigal son. I am... hmph..." He lifted Krja a little, smiling. "I am the Legendary Sky Pirate, Balthier." Petting his daughter's cheek, he smiled broader.

Krja giggled more, grabbing at Balthier's fingers.

His mother tilted her head, raising an eyebrow. "The same Balthier with a bounty of thousands, and reputation of whore and thief?"

Balthier chuckled, handing his daughter to his lover. "The very same. Though, I'm certain the bounty is nearing the millions now. As for whore; I am a faithful man, now. Thief? I prefer pirate." He couldn't help the way he spoke; his words came out more as a pirate than an Archadian. He was not an Imperial at heart.

Fran took hold of Krja, cradling the child against her breast. Despite her discomfort, she couldn't help but smile at Balthier's words.

"You are Archadian. You should be living a good life. An honest life!" His mother replied.

Fran rose an eyebrow. "Honest life? All I see when I look around is deception and a rat race, struggling for a life of riches greater than the next person."

Balthier nodded once to Fran's words. "Naught about this city is honest. Not even its own Judges are lingering long." He shook his head slightly. "My life is as I want it. In a simple phrase; deal with it, mother."

Balthier's mother brought up her hand, backhanding Balthier across the face. "Wash out your mouth, boy. Pirate you may be, but you are still my son! Respect me!"

It was a good job Fran was holding Krja, or she may well have stepped in and returned the slap.

His head turned sharply at the slap and he let out a slight laugh afterwards. "Then respect my lover and my child. I give respect to those who deserve it, not those who would dare insult a child and her mother."

"A Hume and Viera partnership... It is abnormal. A child... a hybrid..." The words seemed to leave a bad taste in her mouth.

Fran held Krja closer to her, reaching out to touch Balthier's cheek lightly. "Let us leave."

Balthier's eyes showed a sadness he had not wished to ever show again. His lips parted; a soft, weak noise came out. At that, he glanced to the floor. "It seems that all Bunansa's are to war amongst each other. No love is shared in our family, no trust, no respect." He turned to leave. "And I had so wished for my mother, my father... my family to be as it was."

Fran placed Krja against Balthier's chest. "Take the little one outside. This dust is unhealthy for her." Her words were soft, but held a slight order to them.

Balthier nodded once and cradled the child close, his eyes falling once more upon his mother before he retreated, seating himself on the outside wall of his home. The very place he'd sit as a child, staring at the sky, dreaming of a life as a pirate.

Fran crossed the room to stand in front of Balthier's mother, towering over her. "You will listen to me, and you will listen well. I do not know where you have been these past years, nor do I much care! But what I do know is I have looked after that Hume, raised him, and protected him. I will not allow you to break his heart. He has already lost his father. Losing his mother as well will crush him! Push away your ideals and look at him! Look at his needs, his desires! He wants the love of a mother!!"

The woman looked at Fran, mouth gaping at shock at the angry words. She backed away a little and turned away from Fran. "I shall not be bullied."

Fran moved towards the door. "Love him, or lose him." She muttered before stepping out onto the street.

Balthier's eyes were cast upon the sky as he held Krja close. Sensing Fran near him, his eyes closed, his head remaining cast upwards. "No longer shall I rely upon my memories of my family. My mother, my father... they are naught but names upon history's tongue. Nothing but the past. Unwanted, unnecessary, unimportant."

Fran sat beside him, threading her fingers through his hair as he had done many times in the past to comfort him. "Give her time." She kissed his temple softly, resting her head against his.

The pirate smiled softly at Fran's claws passing through his hair. "Time is all we have." His eyes opened and he looked to Fran. "Let us get what we need for the Strahl and be gone." At that he stood, holding Krja against his armoured chest.

Fran nodded and stood, dusting herself off. "Tell me where to find it and I shall fetch it for you."

"...the stone I required was in a small box. Inside that house." He sighed slightly, feeling quite cowardly. Handing over their child, he shook his head. "I refuse to let her make me feel cowardice." At that, he turned, heading inside, to get the stone he needed.

Fran took Krja and cradled her against her chest, calming the infant. She gave a nod. "I shall wait here for you."

Balthier's mother had resumed her spot by the unlit fire, once more knitting.

Balthier slipped into the room his mother was seated in, sitting on a small table, his arms folded. "You... have no right to this house. I will allow you to stay for the night but if I find you here in the morning... the Imperials will be called." At that, he shifted to remove a painting from the wall.

She set her knitting down once more, but didn't remove her gaze from the fireplace. "This is my house. I have more right than anyone to be here."

"Incorrect. Cid's will left it to me, not you. It was in his name; now it is mine." He paused after he spoke, his eyes on a small safe.

"This house belonged to Cid and I. Our marriage home. As I am still alive, it should pass to me."

Balthier half-laughed half-scoffed. Turning to knob to code in the combination, the pirate looked to his mother. "Read his will, mother. He left nothing to you."

"What need has a sky pirate for a house, anyway? You have your skies. Return to them. Flee as you always have."

Balthier yanked open the door to the safe and took the small box from inside it. "Flee as I always have? Ha! I fled only because Cid was naught but a madman. With no mother and only a lunatic for a father, a life as a Judge was never mine." He ran his hand through his own hair then rested it on his hip.

"Blaming your parents for your own shortcoming? You are nothing but a thief and a criminal. Your relationship with a Viera is neither natural nor pretty. It is the same as sleeping with a malboro."

"Malboro are neither attractive nor incredible in bed." He retorted, smirking almost spitefully. "I thieve only from vile nobles such as those in these streets; criminal I am, and damn proud of it." He shook his head slightly. "As a Judge, I amounted to nothing. No happiness was found. As a Sky Pirate, I am a man of legend. A king amongst pirates and the fallen alike. A hero who saved Rabanastre from being crushed!" Balthier laughed bitterly. "I am far more of a man than Cid will ever be."

Balthier's mother stood, turning to face Balthier. "You are exactly the same as him! He was driven by the power of nethacite! You are driven by treasure."

"I am driven by love!!" He almost shouted at her. Being told he was exactly like Cid sickened him. "No matter how you or others look upon us, my heart is driven by the love of a woman far more perfect than any Hume girl could be. My pride comes from the daughter I have. The very child Netzach mutilated!!!"

"Netzach is a man of science. That creature... no more than an experiment. The by-product of Hume and Viera mating. It is a thing to be thrown away. Not cherished."

Balthier's eyes filled with anger and tears. "How dare you utter such words?! She is your grandchild!! The only one you will ever have! You wish for family? You've a child and grandchild willing." He held the box with both hands, almost hugging it, his eyes on the floor.

"She is a hybrid. An infection in the world." His mother murmured, returning to her seat.

"Were you not a woman and my mother, I would shoot you dead in your seat." He swiped the tears from his eyes and turned to leave. "Netzach is insane. Nethecite clouds him not. Mustadio is vanished, not a sign of him has surfaced. ...You had your chance at a son; Ffamran Bunansa... he finally died today." And upon finishing his words, the pirate left, returning to his Viera lover and their child.

Fran stood instantly as Balthier exited the house. She could sense his hurt even if he didn't speak. She took hold of his hand, giving a gentle wordless squeeze.

Balthier squeezed back before slipping his hand away and walking ahead, a few steps in front, needing to calm himself. His eyes were burning with tears he refused to release and his knuckles were white.

Fran hung back a little, keeping her steps slow, allowing Balthier to put some space between them. She followed him, holding Krja against her, making her way back to the Aerodrome.

The Leading Man was tense as he moved but soon letting his tears retreat, he walked slowly up the Strahl's steps. Without a word, he moved to the engine room, slipping under the engine and moving to reach the stone that powered her.

Fran lay Krja down in her crib. She knew the child would need feeding and changing soon enough, but right now her worry was for Balthier. She moved tot he engine room and knelt down beside the engine, waiting for Balthier to reappear.

Balthier tossed the stone out, the small crystal shattering on the floor of the engine room. "Hm." He'd expected that. Damaged or unusable stones would shatter, good ones were too sturdy. Reaching into the box, Balthier brought out a crystal of odd colour. It shone white at first but holding it to the light, it would change various colours. Locking the stone into place, the pirate slid out, his eyes falling upon Fran and then soon, the floor.

flinched a little at the shattering stone, but tried not to let it show. When Balthier appeared, she sat up on her knees, resting a hand on the back of Balthier's head, curling her fingers within his head, pulling his head against her chest. She held him silently for a moment, before pressing a tender kiss against the top of his head.

Sighing slightly into her breasts, Balthier couldn't help but let a slight smile out at her instinctive way of comforting him. Restin his hand on her thigh, he nuzzled lightly. "You must think me weak..."

Fran closed her eyes, inhaling the scent of Balthier's hair. "Of course I do not. You are strong willed. Stronger in body and mind than most I know. Stubborn perhaps." She smiled a little, stroking his hair.

"I am... naught but an unwanted child, Fran." He slipped from her grip and moved to gather the shards of the crystal, ignoring it as it cut his palms and fingers.

Fran stood and took the shards from him, casting them into a box of waste scrap. She took his hands in her own, drawing them in turn to her face, kissing at the new cuts silently, keeping her eyes fixed on his, her gaze filled with love.

His hands, his exceedingly sensitive hands, twitched at her kisses. He lowered his gaze, soon attempting to moved from her grip, cheeks tinted lightly pink.

Fran kept hold of his hands, licking the blood from his skin. "You are not unwanted."

"You heard what my mother said, Fran. I'm unwanted." He shook his head slightly, his fingers trembling and his breath quickening slightly.

Fran tilted her head a little, curling her fingers around Balthier's wrists as this unexpected reaction. "The cuts hurt so much they make you tremble?"

"...no... my hands are... sensitive." He answered quietly, frowning at giving up that kind of information. He felt a little awkward now.

Fran held his hands against her cheeks, fixing her gaze on him once more. "It seems there is still much I do not know about you."

"It is not a piece of information I give out unless it is discovered." He replied, petting her cheek lightly.

Fran chuckled a little, releasing his wrists, to pet her thumb against his lips. "I shall remember it." She cupped Balthier's cheek, petting lightly in return. "Your mother is a fool to turn you away."

Balthier crossed his arms, more hugging himself than anything. "She turned her words against Krja... I refused to stay any longer after that."

Fran moved to stand behind Balthier, wrapping her arms around his waist, resting her chin on his shoulder.

Balthier turned his head to look at her and smiled weakly. "Always there to support me when I am so close to falling." He murmured, petting her hands lightly.

Fran pressed her forehead against his back, smiling a little. "Just as you are there to support me. We are partners. It is what we do."

Balthier smiled more, reaching back to run his fingers through her hair. "I've all the family I need upon this airship. No parents or brothers are needed nor wanted."

Fran nuzzled against his hand lightly. "Your family of the skies will never abandon you, you will always be our Leading Man."

With a nod, the Leading Man turned in her embrace, holding his love close and kissing her face gently. "I love you, Fran."

Fran smiled softly. "I love you too, my foolish, beautiful Hume." She stroked his face tenderly. "Now then, should we go see our daughter?"

Balthier nodded once, smiling and taking her hand from his face. He kissed the back of it before leading her towards their bedroom, his hands still stinging from the cuts.

Fran led him to the crib where Krja was laid, blinking up with wide eyes, babbling happily to herself. Fran tilted her head. "Shall I get you a potion?"

"No; there is a far more stinging pain that is numbing the ache of my palms." He replied, reaching in to take hold of Krja. As soon as she was in his arms, he curled himself into a seating position on the bed, petting the infant's head lightly.

Fran gave his head a gentle pet, before moving towards the kitchen to prepare a bottle for Krja, and fetch a bottle of wine for Balthier. She returned and sat beside him on the bed.

Balthier took the child's bottle first, not even considering to take the wine. Testing it on his wrist he deemed it suitable and slid the teat between Krja's lips.

Krja suckled hungrily on the bottle, looking up at her father with nothing but love and devotion. Fran shifted to kneel behind Balthier, reaching up to rub his shoulders.

Closing his eyes and moving his head slightly, Balthier made a soft groan as her hands worked on his tense, knotted shoulders.

Fran leaned in nipping at his ear tenderly, nibbling around an ear cuff. She continued her massage, giving a soft purr.

Krja continued to suckle, attempting to grasp Balthier's fingers.

Balthier allowed his child to toy with his hand, another sound, a far less calmed sound, reached his lips. "Fran..."

Fran blinked and stilled her hands. "What is it, Balthier?"

"The massage and the biting... it is... inappropriate with Krja present. I am... becoming a little warm." He answered, his eyes lowering to the child.

Fran flushed a little and lowered her hands. "I see. I apologise."

Krja finished her bottle, blinking up at her daddy innocently, wriggling in his arms.

"No apologies necessary. I just feel awkward with Krja around..." He laughed softly, placing the bottle aside and shifting the child to pat her back lightly.

Krja quickly burped and shifted to snuggle against Balthier. Confortably full, now she wished for sleep. Much like her father.

Rising from the bed, Balthier carried Krja to her crib. "Sleep, little princess. No dreams of fiends nor fire shall harm you." He whispered to her softly before returning to the bed.

Krja's thumb soon found it's way to her mouth, sleep quickly following. Fran held her arms out to Balthier as he returned to the bed. "How about you? No bad dreams for you either I hope."

Nightmares, both the dream kind and the fiend kind, they haunt me no matter the day." He smiled softly, curling into her embrace.

Fran held him close, stroking her fingers through his hair tenderly. "I worry about you."

"Hm... worry not. I'm just fine as I am." He kissed her cheek before shifting to remove his armoured shirt. Balthier unbuttoned the top of his white shirt and lay back, one arm covering his eyes.

Fran shifted, laying beside him, hand playing with his hair lazily. "You are not fine. You are troubled. I can see it."

Balthier smiled slightly, keeping his arm in place. "Troubled is the man whose life is full of woe. I have no sadness any longer. Troubles I have not."

Fran continued to pet his hair gently. "You are far from happy though. Aren't you?"

"I've a woman who loves me and a child to love. I am happy." He replied, lowering his arm to look at her face. He shifted that arm behind his head.

Fran traced her fingers over his face, her own eyes fixed on his with worry. "I wish to see you smile."

Balthier smiled his best pirate smile at her, petting her fingers gently. "Smiling is simple, love."

Fran gave his nose a firm poke. "An actors smile, perhaps."

Laughing slightly, Balthier leaned up and kissed her lips, curling his hand in her long hair. "The smile of an actor is all I have."

Fran returned the kiss, before resting her forehead against his, closing her eyes. She truly was worried about him, and really didn't know how to make things better for him this time.

Balthier smiled lightly, his hand petting down her back before a lone tear slipped from the corner of his eyes and down the side of his face.

Fran opened his eyes and wiped away that tear with a sigh.

"Say nothing. I don't need pity, Fran." He muttered, turning his head away. He was so... so... he couldn't even pinpoint how he felt. So... crestfallen.

"It is not pity I give you." She whispered softly. "But my love and devotion."

Balthier gripped hold of her back, his hands holding tight to her armour. Burying his face in her neck, his body trembled lightly.

Fran held him gently. "It is okay to cry. It is not a sign of weakness. No one will see but me. Do not bottle up your heartbreak."

"I... bottle up... n-nothing." He choked through gritted teeth. The young pirate refused to cry. Not over the family he hated so intensely. Yet, he wanted them all near so badly.

Fran pressed her lips against his firmly, kissing him hard. She gripped at his hair, giving a sharp tug, attempting to get Balthier to release some of the tension and frustration inside him.

At the hard kiss and the pull to his hair, Balthier groaned slightly, his fingers pressing hard to her back as he kissed back, his brow furrowed intently and his eyes shut so very tightly.

Fran continued to kiss him, shifting to straddle his lap without breaking this kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him to sit up.

Balthier sat up with her guidance, keeping his lips firmly against hers. He almost dug his nails into her back, making a slight noise of general tenseness.

Fran gritted her teeth a little at the slight discomfort to her back, but did not voice it. She kissed him harder, moving her hands to his shoulders, gripping them lightly.

"Nghh..." Balthier could barely restrain himself. He hands held her waist and he moved them swiftly to have Fran beneath him. Gripping her thigh rather sharply he slid his tongue into her mouth, making a quiet growling noise.

Fran snaked her tongue around his, a fight for dominance that she wasn't truly trying to win. She rested her knee against his side, curling her leg around him.

A second later, Balthier pulled away from the kiss, he head shaking before he rested it on her shoulder. "I do not... wish... ngh..." He gritted his teeth in frustration.

Fran threaded her fingers through his hair tenderly. "You do not want me?" She asked, kissing his head.

"Gods, Fran... I want you. Krja is in the room..." He huffed heavily, his hands trailing through her hair.

Fran purred a little at those petting hands. "She is fast asleep."

"We may wake her." He breathed against her lips, unable to keep from kissing her again. His eyes shone in the darkness of their dimly lit room.

Fran returned the kiss, lightly running her claws up Balthier's back and down his arms.

"Nh... you're so beautiful..." He nipped her lower lip, his tongue instinctively snaking into her mouth again. His hand trailed down to her thigh once more and he gripped tightly.

Fran circled her tongue around Balthier's, her arms snaking around his neck, her leg once more wrapping around him, pulling him against her.

The pirate rocked his hips against his lover, his eyes tightening shut, one hand stroking repeatedly over a graceful ear. "Mnph..." Balthier panted softly against her mouth, still so very tense and frustrated.

Fran's ear twitched in response to the petting. She rolled her hips to meet Balthier's, nipping lightly at his bottom lip.

Balthier pulled back again, his face flushed as he shook his head. "What if she wakes?" He looked down at Fran, swollen lips parted as he breathed.

Fran looked up at him through half-lidded eyes. "We pause. Tend to her. And then continue. Less you take her to the moogles to watch over."

Balthier gave a nod and lifted from Fran's grip. He carefully lifted the crib with the small child inside and began to carry her through the doorway. Settling her in the moogles' room he gave them orders to care for her like a treasure and to call through the bedroom door if something was wrong. At that, he turned to return to the waiting Viera.

Fran propped herself up on her elbows, looking at Balthier with a seductive smile and those come-to-bed eyes.

Seeing her non-verbal invitation, Balthier removed the belts and pouches that hung from his leathers and slipped his shirt off the reveal his lightly tanned skin. Kneeling over her he began kissing her neck intently; biting and licking with impeccable skill.

Fran tilted her head aside, exposing more flesh to Balthier. She pressed soft kisses against his shoulder, running her hand up and down his arm in a way that was both seductive and comforting at once.

His fingers knowingly removing each piece of her armour, Balthier bit and sucked at her throat, intent on leaving a mark there. Slipping her free of all but her under-bodice, Balthier began to peel it from her skin. "Fran... nnh..." He had no other words; all he could breathe out was her name.

Fran pressed her hands against his shoulders, pushing him back against the bed. She straddled his lap, wriggling out of the last of her clothing. Her shoes kicked off somewhere across the room. She reached up, untieing her let, letting it fall loose about her shoulders.

Balthier looked up to her, his hands trailing lightly over her sides, down her waist, ghosting over her hips and slipping back to her supple backside. "Kiss me." He murmured, his eyes begging the woman.

Fran dipped her head, capturing Balthier's lips with her own, kissing him firmly as she rolled her hips.

A low groan came from him as she moved on top of him. His hands split up. Each cut appendage found a place; one caressed her breast lightly whilst the other trailed over her thigh, stroking lightly.

Fran let out a soft moan, her eyes fluttering shut, her mouth falling open as each moan passed over her lips in a whisper. She rested her hands on his shoulders, rocking slowly against his body.

"Mmn... Fran... I do not wish to sound... impolite but... please... ahh... use your mouth?" He wasn't sure she'd understand exactly where he wanted her mouth to be put to use but it was worth asking to begin with.

Fran flushed a little and gave a silent nod. She shifted off of him and down the bed until she was nestled comfortably between his legs. She freed him from the confines of his pants, she gave him a few firm strokes before dipping her head to take him in her mouth.

One wounded hand curled around an ear whilst the other threaded itself in her hair. Balthier let out a low moan, his feet pressing hard into the bed. "Gods~, so good!"

She flicked her tongue a little, lapping, licking and rolling it, trying to find what got the best response. She curled her hand around the base, making sure her claws would cause no harm.

Each movement her tongue made gave Balthier intense pleasure; he let out moans of enjoyment and satisfaction as he tugged her hair lightly. Everything she was doing felt so good that he completely forgot all that troubled him.

Fran began to bob her head as she pleasured him, lifting her gaze to meet his through half-lidded lust filled eyes.

The pirate looked down to her, a soft laugh escaping in a moan before his eyes flickered shut and his head hung back, his body tensing in pleasure.

Fran continued to pleasure Balthier, humming around his length. She let her fingers spider over his chest, slowly, teasing.

Balthier moaned loudly, his hands tightening in her hair and around her ear. "Nghh... if you do not stop I will... ahh~" His teeth gritted as he jerked his hips slightly.

Fran rested her hands on his hips, pinning him down lightly, pulling her head back. "Do you wish me to stop, or do you wish me to continue?"

"I... want you." He panted softly. His eyes opened lightly and he nodded slightly. "C-continue?" He exhaled.

Fran snaked her tongue along Balthier's entire length, before taking him back in her mouth, resuming her previous actions.

"Nghh... Fran... u-use the flat of your knuckle... move it against m-my scrotum..." He was wanting stimulation to his prostate gland but would not dare to ask Fran for internal stimulation.

Fran did as asked, she curled her finger against him, nudging and pressing with the flat part, testing various strengths, from a mild rock to a hard press, seeing what worked best as she continued to pleasure Balthier with her mouth.

Balthier moaned slightly more to the rocking of her finger but when she pressed hard, his eyes watered in pleasure and he cried out intensely. "Oh gods~!!" His body arched up off the bed.

Fran lifted her gaze once more to watch Balthier as she pleasured him, both with her mouth and finger.

Just a few more pushes of that knuckle would do. Soon, Fran's actions had him writhing in pleasure. A moment later, Balthier cried out his climax.

Fran swallowed Balthier's release, pulling back once his orgasm subsided, sitting back on her knees.

"Gods... you are the most amazing creature I could ever come to know..." Balthier breathed out, fully removing his pants and pulling the stunning Viera close.

Fran shifted to lay beside him, drawing lazy circles on his chest. "You speak of yourself again."

Slipping a hand down to tease her clitoris, Balthier pressed his lips to her head. "Your turn, love."

Fran curled her hand around Balthier's wrist lightly, stealing a soft kiss. "It is fine. You do not have to."

"I... wish to. Do you not want me to?" He frowned slightly, looking to her face and barely returning the kiss.

Fran cupped his cheek, smothering his lips with lots of tiny kisses. "I wish only to please you."

"Be a pirate, Fran. Take for yourself." He murmured against her lips, his fingers rocking lightly against her.

Fran arched against his hand, lips parted. She closed her eyes, restin her hands on his shoulders.

His own lips and teeth lovingly tugged at her lower lip as he teased and touched her most sensitive of external areas.

Fran purred soft, wrapping her arms around him, tangling her hands in his hair as she parted her legs further for him.

"Fran..." Balthier leaned in, kissing her neck as two fingers began to gently tease at her opening. He made a soft noise as her claws ran through his hair.

Fran dug her heels into the bed, arching into Balthier's touch. "Such wicked hands."

Balthier kissed further down her body, taking a nipple between his teeth and nibbling lightly before suckling at it a little, closing his eyes briefly.

Fran raked her claws against Balthier's scalp lightly, arching her back off the bed. She nudged her knee against Balthier's groin lightly, rocking it.

With a slight moan to her knee, he slipped away from that joint and travelled further down her body. His tongue trailed over her skin until it flicked lightly at her clitoris.

Fran inhaled sharply, toes curling in pleasure. She gipped at Balthier's head, holding him in place. "Ah~ Balthier."

With a soundless laugh, Balthier let his tongue get to work, lapping and tickling at that sensitive place as one finger pressed its way inside.

Fran squirmed more, arching to meet Balthier's wicked hand and mouth. "So good~"

Teasing with one finger wasn't enough; Balthier slipped a second in, curling and thrusting them both together. He sucked slightly before returning to licking.

Fran writhed and squirmed beneath Balthier's assault, moaning his name in a whisper.

The pirate continued a moment longer before lifting his head, kissing her thigh lightly. "Fran... may I?" He looked to her with lusty eyes, a sadness still lingering there.

Fran swallowed hard, giving a nod. "Yes." She breathed out, keeping her eyes on his. "I am yours."

Shifting up, he kissed her, one hand reaching to the bedside drawer for contraception. Another ball of noise like Krja was not a good plan. The pirate tore it open with his teeth, moving to wrap the rubber over his length.

Fran kissed back firmly and settled back, propped up on her elbows, watching her lover intently. She rolled her head slightly, letting her hair fall over her shoulders.

The pirate leaned down to her, pressing the tip against her and rubbing lightly before proceeding to enter her. "Hnn... Fran..."

Fran sucked in another sharp breath, moving her hands to wrap them around Balthier's neck. "Ngh~"

"It hurts?" He stopped moving, his eyes on her face. It was the first time since Krja arrived. Maybe she wasn't ready for it...

Fran shook her head, leaning in to catch Balthier's lips with her own. "No. Doesn't hurt." She whispered against his lips, running her hands down his back to grip his backside.

With a soft smile into the kiss, Balthier eased all the way inside her, rocking his hips lightly, his hand rested on her breast, caressing tenderly.

Fran let out a purr, tilting her head back, eyes drifting shut. "Mm~" One hand remained on Balthier's rear, the other moving to grip his hair lightly.

As he allowed her to get used to it, Balthier moved lightly and gently, giving occasional harder thrusts into her. Gradually, the pirate picked up a harder rhythm.

Fran parted her legs further, resting one knee against Balthier's side to allow him to thrust deeper. She gave his hair a firm tug, pulling him into a hard kiss.

"Mn~..." The leading man drove deeper and harder into his lover, his hands coming to rest on her body; one remained on her breast while the other gripped her hip.

Fran rolled her hips to meet Balthier's hard thrusts, crushing her lips against his to muffle the sounds of her moans.

Balthier kissed back just as hard, panting lightly as he shifted his thrusts in aim for her g-spot. His tan, strong body glistened in a sheen of sweat.

Fran threw her head back in pleasure, panting hard. She dragged her claws along his back, clawing at sunkissed skin. "Ah~ Balthier~"

The clawing cut into him but only served to heighten Balthier's arousal. "Nghh..." His eyes slipped closed and his brow furrowed as he moved against her, his hand shifting from her hip to touch her clit again.

Fran trailed kisses along Balthier's jaw, nipping at his skin as she did, pressing a bruising rough kiss against the Hume's lips. She ached and writhed against every touch. Her entire body shuddered and tensed, her claws digger harder into flesh as she cried out in orgasm.

As she tensed around him, Balthier could barely contain himself any longer. His back arched slightly and his eyes tightened shut as he groaned lowly, releasing his climax. The pirate panted soft before resting down on her lover, kissing lightly and lovingly over her cheek.

Fran lay back against the bed, chest heaving, eyes falling shut, toes curling and flexing as she attempted to get her breath. "Mm~" She purred, a sated smile on her lips, as she threaded her fingers though Balthier's hair.

After a moment, he pulled out, slipping the protection off and moving to rest beside her. Balthier pulled the blanket over them both, his fingers trailing lazily over her stomach.

Fran forced her eyes open, looking up at the sky light, rather than at Balthier. She traced her fingers over Balthier's back just as lazily. "Do you need healing?"

"The pain is rather pleasantly distracting." He muttered, leaning to look up out at the sky, too. With a slight sigh, he took her hand, kissing her fingers lightly.

Fran shifted a little to lay on her side, resting her head against Balthier's shoulder. She kissed the bloodied, sweat soaked skin lightly. "I love you."

"I love you, too." He murmured, his eyes falling closed at the kisses to his shoulder. He was stuck for words. He had no idea where his head was.

Fran rested her hand on Balthier's chest, petting her fingers against his skin, as she continued to kiss his shoulder.

Balthier closed his eyes briefly before turning to press a kiss to her lips. "Sleep. You have done far too much to ease my pain." He smiled softly.

Fran returned the kiss, before laying her head down on the pillow, curling her fingers around Balthier. "Lay with me. You must sleep too." She murmured, closing her eyes.

With a nod, he kissed her head, petting her ears down her hair. His eyes stayed open as he watched the beautiful Viera, his heart heavy.

Fran purred soft, quickly drifting to sleep under Balthier's gentle petting.

As soon as Balthier was sure she was asleep, he slipped from her grip. Standing near the bed, he took a look at her then swiftly moved to clean himself up. The pirate dressed in his leathers and his white shirt, slipping on his sandals before leaning in and kissing Fran's forehead gently. Balthier etched out a note, informing her of his decision to embark upon a soul search. As soon as he set the paper down, he left the room. Knowing he would not be able to look at Krja and leave... he continued out, picking up his gun and a supply of sundries and gil. The pirate pressed the open-door button and removed himself from the Strahl, taking one look back to her before walking away.