(no subject)

[xshatterheartx.livejournal.com]

Who: Fran, Balthier, Squall, Sora, Krja
When: Daytime
Where: Rabanastre
What: Squall and Sora crash in the desert
Rating: PG-13



Squall was exhausted. He was battered, bruised and bloody, and Sora wasn't in a much better way. The airship had crashed over the Nam-Yensa Sandsea. They had been forced to battle their way through a vast number of fiends, and even the occassional Heartless, under the deadly midday sun, as they attempted to get to some form of civilisation.

Panting hard, sweating and bleeding under the sun, the young teen staggered, his slippery fingers still holding tight to the Keyblade. "Leon... we have to get... to that... city." He gritted out, pointing to an exceedingly large collection of structures ahead in the distance. It was, of course, Rabanastre, but Sora didn't know that.

Squall wiped sweat from his eyes, peeling his jacket from his skin, tieing it around his waist. His footing faltered slightly. He was panting hard, skin drenched with sweat. "Yeah... how you holding up?"

"Not too good..." He replied, panting as he moved. A Heartless, only a small one but still one, came skitting towards him and soon enough he had killed the thing. "I thought you said there weren't any... any Heartless here...?"

Sitting on the wall outside the Aerodrome, Balthier waved at various passers-by. He was waiting for Fran and Krja. She said she'd bring the child out and he refused to go in there and rush her.

"There weren't the last time I visited..." Squall summoned what strength he had remaining and cast curative magicks over them both. He dragged himself forward, swiping his gunblade through a fiend.

Fran appeared with Krja nestled comfortably in her sling, nuzzling against her mother's chest. Fran rested the bag full of baby supplies over her shoulder and stepped down the steps of the Strahl.

Sora's eyes were getting hazy and he gritted his teeth, growling as a sandstorm swept through, making him choke on the tiny grit.

As soon as Fran joined his side, Balthier smiled. "A small walk in the Westersand before we set off, hm?" He held out his hand, straightening his golden armoured shirt.

Squall fumbled blindly through the raging sands, feeling for Sora, pulling the boy closer against him. He dug his hand into his pocket, searching for a potion, opening it and holding it against Sora's lips. "Ngh... not much further..."

Fran took a light hold of his hand, giving a nod. "That would be... nice."

Sora drank the potion, clinging to Leon. "Are you holding up?" He practically shouted against the roar of the sands.

Balthier began leading his lover towards the desert, smiling lightly. Walking into the area, he noted a storm not too far away. "Best not to head into that, hm?"

Squall shielded his own eyes against the sandstorm, coughing at the dryness in his throat. "I'm... okay..." He kept hold of Sora. "Ready to move on? Keep hold of me, okay?"

Fran curled her fingers around Balthier's. "Yes, I do not think Krja would survive such a storm at her young age." She paused then, eyes fixed on the cloud of sand. "..."

Sora grasped tightly to Leon, walking at his older friend's pace, coughing slightly each time he inhaled, trying hard not to take in more sand.

"..." Balthier stared out, too. With a frown, he tried to focus his eyes. "...Squall." He murmured before setting off at running pace, towards the male he recognised and the boy he did not.

Squall half dragged Sora through the sand, his own strength almost gone. The sand cut and grazed their skin, sticking to the sweat.

Fran moved closer, but not into danger and knelt down. She pulled a blanket from the baby bag and created a temporary tent... more of a sun shield than a tent... She pulled a selection of potions from the bag and laid them on the sand.

Sora's eyes flickered a little and he caught sight of a man. "Leon... Leon, look!!" He choked out, pointing at the approaching person.

Striding fast, Balthier shielded his eyes as another wave of sand came in. Grabbing hold of Squall and the boy, he pulled them both close, dragging them quickly towards the safety area Fran had now established. Once they arrived there, he coughed up sand, dusting it from his eyes and face.

Squall coughed up sand, blood being coughed up with it. He rubbed at his sore eyes. He was soaked in blood and sweat. "Ngh... help Sora..." He murmured, exhausted.

Fran removed the sling and lay Krja gently on the edge of a blanket as she pulled Sora closer to her, resting his head on a lap as she opened a potion, passing one to Balthier to aid Squall.

Sora coughed hard, wheezing and almost clinging to Fran, trying hard to sit up and look at Leon, wanting to be sure he was alright.

Balthier took the potion and forced Squall to sit down. Kneeling beside him, he pushed the older teen's mouth open and began pouring the potion inside him. Once half of it was gone, he took the rest onto his hands, rubbing it into the worst wounds.

Squall coughed more, leaning into Balthier's touch. The pain fading a little thanks to the potion, but he still felt less than human.

Fran held Sora in place. "Do not strain yourself. Just relax." She treated his wounds as best she was able in their current location. "We should get them both back to the Strahl. We'll be able to treat them better there."

Squirming, Sora shifted to sit up, rubbing his eyes. "Leon's in worse shape... he kept me protected in the storm." He coughed out.

Balthier nodded once to Fran's words and scooped Squall up, holding him close. Looking to Sora, he tilted his head. "Can you walk?"

Fran placed Krja's sling back against her chest. "I shall carry the boy on my back. I doubt he is that heavy." She moved, wrapping Sora's arms around her neck.

Squll laid weakly in Balthier's arms. "... I'm fine..." His t-shirt was red with blood. Both boys were dehydrated and in bad shape.

Sora gripped loosely around Fran's neck, his legs curling around her waist and his face burying in her hair. With a silent yawn he closed his eyes.

"Easy, Squall. We shall speak when we are upon the Strahl." He murmured, awkwardly retrieving a potion and biting the cork out before sliding his hand under the larger brunette's t-shirt. He rubbed the goo into the wounds as he carried the smaller Hume back towards the airship.

Fran stood up, Pulling Sora onto her back as she did. She scooped up the blanket and the bag and began to walk back towards the city. So much for a peaceful walk.

Squall clung to Balthier, red, sore eyes looking for Sora. "Sora..."

Sora stayed deathly still on Fran's back, barely breathing but just alive. His lungs were full of sand and his eyes were tightly shut.

Balthier kissed the top of Squall's head, not making qualms about all the sand. "At ease, young one. Your friend is fine. Fran has him."

Fran instantly carried Sora to the bathroom, stripping him out of his clothing, down to his underwear, before sitting him in the tub, casting water spells over him to wash away as much of the sand as possible.

Squall lay limply in Balthier's arms, panting softly against him.

Sora squealed like a cat in a bucket of water as his skin was soaked. He wriggled and fought, trying to get out of the bathtub. "Stop it!!!"

Balthier rested Squall on the bed and began to strip him, keeping his eyes and mind away from the fact that Squall had no underwear on. Moving to the bathroom, he soaked a cloth in Fran's water spell and returned to begin wiping down Squall's body.

Fran continued to soak Sora's body. "You will feel better once all the sand, sweat and blood are removed. Plus it shall be easier to see which wounds need tending to most." She finished casting, set Krja down safely and wrapped a towel around Sora, lifting him from the tub.

Squall laid on the bed, resting his head aside, closing his eyes. A lump had formed on his head where he had hit his head during the crash.

Sora curled into Fran's hold, whimpering a little. His eyes were stinging and he was having trouble breathing still.

Balthier tapped Squall's face, trying to keep him awake. "You've hit your head, do not fall asleep." He ordered, wiping sand and blood, as well as sweat from the teen's skin.

Fran sat on the floor with the boy, cradling against her as she cast her magicks over him, trying to cure the worst of his injuries and ease the discomfort.

Squall fought the urge to sleep, sore eyes trying to focus on Balthier, reaching for his hand.

Sora gradually began to feel better and he soon found himself shivering slightly, looking up at Fran with wide, innocent eyes. "Thanks..."

Balthier took that hand and kissed the back of it, scooping up the teen and carrying him to the bathroom. Placing him where Sora had been, he sat on the edge, casting water and cure over the teen. "How is the boy?" He asked Fran.

Fran wrapped a second towel around the boy, stroking her hand over his cheek lightly. "I think he shall survive." She smiled, continuing to cure him. "They are both in needs of fluids. How is Squall?"

Squall shivered, wrapping his arms around himself. He felt like he had been hit with a truck.

Sora yawned, nuzzling into Fran and smiling lightly. His body ached but she was very comforting and she smelled so nice...

Balthier looked at Squall, frowning. "He is not doing well. Receiving a bump to the head has caused a lot of damage." He stopped casting water, now. Only casting curative magicks over him.

"Bring him to the bed, but do not let him fall asleep." Fran scooped Sora up, carrying him to the bed, tucking him in the sheets. She fetched a glass of water, mixed a potion in it and tried to coax the boy to drink.

Squall leaned against Balthier, closing his eyes again, just wanting to go to sleep until the pain faded.

Sora opened his mouth and swallowed painfully, coughing at the feel of it but trying desperately hard not to drown himself in the liquid.

Balthier carried Squall to the bed and wrapped him in the sheets beside Sora. Sitting beside him, he tapped his face gently. "Look at me, Squall. I can't let you sleep."

Fran stroked Sora's throat tenderly, coaxing him to swallow slowly. "You are doing well, young one."

Squall forced his eyes open. His focus blurry. Hands gripping Balthier's shirt.

Sora coughed but soon managed to swallow properly, his gaze shifting to watch Leon and the way he grasped at this mysterious man.

Balthier shifted to rest Squall's head on his lap, holding those hands in one of his own whilst the other stroked his head. "Easy... you're fine now, Fran and I have got you both and we shan't let you slip away."

Fran shifted to check Squall, looking at his eyes. "He is very dazed. Concussion most likely." She sat back down next to Sora. "What were you both doing in the desert?"

Sora rubbed his eyes a little, watching Leon. "Nn... Leon said he'd show me a place called Ivalice but then our airship crashed in the desert... he hit his head..." He pouted a little.

Balthier reached for a glass of water and tilted Squall's head up. "Drink, Squall. I do not wish to force it down your throat." He was being stern to keep him awake.

Fran frowned a little, watching Sora as he spoke. "How long have you been out in the desert? Days? Hours? Minutes?" She asked.

Squall sipped at the water, gagging a little at the soreness in his throat.

Sora shrugged a little. "Hours I'm guessing. I don't know... a day hasn't passed so I'm sure it's just hours." He brushed at his hair, knocking loose some sand.

Balthier massaged Squall's throat, coaxing the teen to swallow the water he was being given.

Fran petted Sora's hair gently. "Rest. How are you feeling now? Where do you hurt?"

Squall swallowed a little of the water, before pushing Balthier's hands away.

Sora leaned into Fran touch, closing his eyes briefly. "I'm fine. Just a little achy. You should check on Leon. He doesn't look to good..." He murmured, looking to the older brunette.

Balthier moved his hands away and set the glass down before petting his fingers through chocolate locks.

Fran smiled a little. "He shall be fine. He is in good hands." She petted the boy lightly. She looked over at Balthier. "It seems our young Commander is known by more than one name."

Squall closed his eyes at the petting, turning his head to sleep.

Sora wriggled down in the bed, curling up a little but laying a hand on Leon's arm, wanting to be sure he knew he was there.

Balthier nodded slghtly. "Squall Leonhart. Leon. It is easy to find where the name is from." He shifted Squall's head, petting him more. "Ah... wake up, Squall. No sleeping."

Fran watched over the two brunettes, before getting up, going to pick Krja up from her resting spot. "We shall have to make sure they drink plenty of fluids."

Squall grasped for Sora's hand, curling his fingers around the boy's. His free hand grasped at Balthier's shirt, clutching it.

Sora blushed slightly at the hand curled in his but soon just nuzzled into the older teen's side, trying to keep awake to watch over him.

Balthier frowned slightly. "I will try, but I've not much room to move with the way this boy grips." He tried to pry Squall's fingers away, petting his head with his free hand.

Squall remained attached to Balthier, once more closing his eyes. He started to cough, once more coughing up blood.

Fran cradled Krja against her shoulder. "Balthier... he is bleeding..."

Sora sat up, frowning at the sight. "Leon...?" He shook the hand he held, trying to get him to respond a bit.

Balthier's eyes narrowed and he pulled Squall to sit up. Taking a high-potion in hand, he forced the teen to swallow the liquid. Soon after, he reached for an antidote, attempting to make him swallow that, too.

Squall shook his head, trying to stop Balthier forcing that liquid down his throat. He groaned a little, flopping against the older male, clinging to him, free hand still clutching onto Sora.

"It is probably irritation to the throat rather than internal bleeding." Fran concluded, looking at the blood.

Sora's eyes welled with tears as he watched Leon being forced to drink the healing liquids. "Nn... d-don't... he doesn't want it..."

Balthier frowned. "Squall Leonhart, you will swallow this or I will force it down a lot damn harder." He massaged the teen's throat, huffing in frustration. "He needs this, boy. It is best he does not fight it. I've a lot more experience in damaged throats than most would believe." He scrunched his nose slightly as he recalled being hung.

Squall closed his eyes, swallowing the liquid with a groan. He lay his head against Balthier's shoulder, slipping into sleep within seconds.

Fran bounced Krja on her shoulder a little, walking around the bedroom with her, fetching a fresh drink for Sora. "Here. You must drink."

Sora took the drink and swallowed it painfully, keeping hold of Leon's hand. He was a little frightened of their mysterious saviour but wouldn't say it.

Balthier groaned slightly, moving the bottles out of his way and petting Squall's cheek. "Fran... he keeps falling asleep. What can I keep him awake with?" He asked, tapping the teen's face lightly.

Fran laid the baby in the crib, rocking her to sleep. "I do not know... He seems content in your hold, but it is best he stay awake... Try talking to him, if that does not work, dump him in the bath?"

Squall groaned a little, curling out of Balthier's hold to nuzzle against Sora.

Sora blinked a little, looking down at the older teen. He wasn't sure what to do about this situation.

"Content in my hold? I think not." He ran a hand through Squall's hair. "Mayhaps we let him sleep yet wake him each half an hour?"

Fran chuckled a little at the snuggling brunette. "That should be okay, as long as we monitor him closely." She looked at Sora. "If you are tired, you should sleep too."

Sora shook his head a little. "I'm not tired... I'll watch over Leon." He looked at Fran's crimson eyes with his own blue ones, quite amazed by her large ears and... well... her height.

Balthier nodded once. "I say we set out of Rabanastre. I am tiring of the place." The pirate kissed Squall's cheek before getting off the bed. "Oh, boy. You are free to roam the airship once Squall is well. However, do not enter the engine room. You'll get yourself killed." Taking Krja from Fran's hands and kissing her nose he moved for the door. "Ah... I am Balthier, this is Fran and our daughter, Krja." At that, he left the room, for the cockpit.

Squall curled more into Sora's side, wrapping his arms around himself, holding his ribs as he slept.

Fran watched Balthier leave and moved to follow. "Help yourself to potions. If you need us, just call." She smiled warmly at Sora.

"Ah, I'm Sora!" He called after the man. When he left he pouted slightly but soon smiled brightly at Fran. "I will! Don't worry, Leon will be fine! I'll take good care of him!" He nodded once.

Balthier settled into the cockpit, Krja against his chest as he hummed softly, tapping in co-ordinates for their destination.

Fran smiled again and made her way to the cockpit, sitting beside Balthier. "Where are we heading? To Balamb to return the Commander, or are we kidnapping him?"

Sora shifted down in the bed, laying beside Leon. He brushed a hand over that dark hair, frowning slightly at the older teen's expression.

Balthier smiled softly. "He needs a break. We'll return him when he is well and back to his usual grating self." Balthier pressed a finger to the map. "Bevelle. I have looked over that list and there are treasures to be found there. A temple that needs raiding."

Squall blinked his eyes open, looking at Sora for a moment, before closing them again.

"Bevelle it is, then." Fran replied. She sat back in her seat. "What do you think to the boy ...Sora?"

Sora stayed still, gasping just slightly as Leon looked at him. "A-are you okay?" He asked quietly. He wasn't sure if the teen was awake or not.

Balthier chuckled a little, nuzzling Krja lightly. "He is pure. The boy that Squall has been searching for. This... 'Keyblade Weilder' he told us of. The boy will end the Heartless. And, hopefully, Vayne."

Squall gave a weak nod, holding himself tighter. "I'm sorry I put you in danger. I should have protected you better." He murmured, voice hoarse.

Fran looked over at Balthier. "So... that child is the one... I hope fate is on his side."