[identity profile] leatheredlion.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] shiva_dancing_backup
Who: Balthier, Squall, Rinoa and the Doc
When: During a day in Balamb
Where: Balamb Garden, Balamb Town
What: Spending time together, arguing, visiting the doctor and more arguing
Rating: PG-13



The pirate had decided to head to Squall's office. It wasn't so much that he had anything in particular to say or do, he just wanted to spend time with Squall before he died. As he tapped the door, he shifted on his feet. He was dressed in his black leathers with a white shirt but no armour, since he didn't need it.

Squall was sat awkwardly in his chair, trying to keep the weight off his bruised hip. He gritted his teeth a little, looking over at the door at the sound of the knock. "It's open."

Balthier pushed the door open and gave a soft smile to Squall, shifting to sit on the edge of the desk. "How are you, Squall?" He tilted his head just a little.

Squall returned the smile. "I’m doing okay. How are you holding up?" He asked, closing his laptop, pushing it aside.

"I'm fine. I think I've come to terms with it all. I've no desire to sit weeping for the next two months." He replied, crossing his arms over his chest.

Squall ran his hand along Balthier's hip gently. "How's Fran coping?"

"She is hiding her tears. I know when she has been crying, though she does not tell me." He muttered, taking hold of Squall's hand and kissing his fingers. "How is Loire?"

Squall gave a sad smile, lacing his fingers with Balthier's. "She's just trying to be strong for you, no doubt." He drew Balthier's hand to his lips, kissing it in return. "Loire is... surviving."

Balthier brushed his fingers over Squall's face, leaning down to kiss his head. "Walk with me into town. You look as though a break is needed."

The teen gave a nod and shifted to stand, giving a slight wince. "Are you up to the walk or shall I drive us?"

"I am fine to walk... though, are you?" He rested his hands on Squall's hips frowning slightly. "You winced as you stood."

Squall gritted his teeth as Balthier rested his hands on his hips. "I'm fine." He smiled and tiptoed, pressing his lips to Balthier's softly.

Balthier curled his arms around Squall's lower back, returning the kiss and smiling lightly. "You are lying to me, Leonhart." He mumbled against his lips.

Squall nipped at Balthier's bottom lip. "No I'm not. Come on. Let's go." He smiled, stroking Balthier's cheek.

Balthier nipped back and leaned into Squall's touch a moment. "Mm. Mayhaps we should take your car instead. I'd rather I had the energy to walk around the town by the time we reach it."

Squall gave a nod. "Okay." He smiled soft, kissing Balthier again before pulling away.

The pirate gave a smile and headed for the door, running a hand through his hair, waiting a moment for Squall to lead the way.

Squall ran his hand over his hip before moving to the door, reaching for Balthier's hand, wriggling his fingers as he began walking down the corridor towards the elevator.

Balthier took Squall's hand with his left, stronger hand, following along behind the teen commander with a light smile.

Squall gently pulled him into the elevator, stealing another kiss. He smiled, stepping out once they reached the middle level of Balamb Garden. He kept hold of Balthier's hand as he walked towards the garage.

The pirate chuckled softly at the stolen kiss and followed the teen to the garage, slipping his arm around Squall's shoulders as they walked.

Squall smiled soft at Balthier, nuzzling him a little before pulling away to swipe some car keys from the wall. He walked over to their car and opened the door for Balthier.

Balthier shifted into the car, wincing slightly at his pain but soon just buckling himself in and resting against the seat, trying to lay off his right side a little.

Squall climbed into the driver's seat, shifting the weight off his bruised side a little, buckling in. He started the engine and pulled out of the garage. The Town was only a few minutes away by car.

Balthier was silent for the ride, save for slightly laboured breathing. It was hard for him to breathe these days. The wound wasn't just a surface mark anymore.

Squall parked the car in town and turned off the engine. He frowned a little, reaching over for Balthier's hand.

The pirate took Squall's hand and leaned over, placing a kiss to his cheek. "Do not worry. I do not want to see you sad." He murmured.

"Then close your eyes." Squall murmured, smiling a little. "So, where do you wish to go?"

"I am unsure." He frowned slightly, cupping Squall's face and kissing him briefly. "I just wish to spend some time with you..."

Squall returned the kiss. "We could have done that at Garden." He replied with a smile. "Want to walk down to the dock and watch the ocean?"

"We could have, though I did not wish to mess up your work, as I have done before, when we have... spent time together in your office." He muttered, giving a half-smirk. "The dock sounds nice."

Squall flushed a little. "That was wise thinking. I do not think my laptop would survive the treatment the paperwork received."

Balthier chuckled softly and leaned in for another kiss. "Though, nothing stops us spending time together right here." He teased. After a moment, he pulled away, getting out of the car.

Squall swallowed hard and blushed more, shifting to climb out of the car. He moved around the car to take hold of Balthier's hand.

Balthier squeezed his hand before leaning to his ear. "Is it wise for the commander to hold the hand of anyone but his fiancée out in Balamb Town?" He whispered.

Squall shrugged. "I am not going to hide. I love you and I want to make the most of these last few months together."

Balthier smiled lightly before kissing the top of Squall's head. "Alright, sweetheart. If that is what you wish." He murmured, heading down towards the dock.

Squall smiled a little, keeping hold of Balthier's hand, leading him towards the dock.

The pirate was quiet again, his free hand having slipped into his pocket as he walked.

Squall shifted to sit down, resting his legs over the edge of the dock, wincing a little. "Sit with me."

Balthier moved to sit beside him, resting back on his hands, despite the pain it gave his shoulder.

Squall looked out over the ocean. "Have you done anything on your lists yet?"

"I'm afraid not. Fran and I had planned to but Vaan put a stop to that. Unintentionally, of course." He leaned slightly against Squall.

Squall rested his head against Balthier's. "I didn't see what was on the lists. Is there anything I can help you achieve?"

"Honestly, there are a few things I would enjoy doing with you before I... but there is little point in it." He murmured, kissing the top of Squall's head.

Squall cupped Balthier's face, pulling him into a soft kiss. "Little point? Why do you say that?"

Balthier gave a light smile. "Because most of them are very lewd acts and I expect my physical ability will deteriorate the closer the deadline comes."

Squall flushed a little. "And what kind of lewd acts would these be, darlin'?" He asked, stroking Balthier's side.

Balthier chuckled lightly. "Well, there are a few things... though, most of all, I'd like to make love to you somewhere dangerous or illegal." He murmured, nuzzling Squall's neck.

Squall gave a soft laugh, threading his fingers through Balthier's hair. "For example?"

Balthier laughed softly, nipping Squall's neck. "Somewhere where we could get arrested... but maybe I would prefer just the chance to make love to you one last time, no matter where it is we do."

Squall smiled sadly, petting Balthier's hair more. "I'm sure we can make that a reality."

"You've a fiancée and a child to think of, Squall. Do not damage that for the whim of a pirate with no future." He murmured, closing his eyes against Squall's skin.

"I would risk everything to make these last few months a happy time for you." Squall murmured.

Balthier leaned to kiss Squall, softly and almost just a ghost of a touch. "You shouldn't risk anything for me, sweetheart."

Squall pressed his lips firmer against Balthier's. "I do not want to regret what might have been. I want only good memories."

Balthier smiled lightly. "Well, you'd better take advantage of me while I've still the strength, Squall." He teased.

Squall gave a soft laugh, resting his head against Balthier's. "I will."

Balthier gave a soft sigh, looking out over the ocean. "Sometimes... I wonder what life would've been like if I'd stayed a Judge... if I'd be alive in the next two months... then I realise I'd already be dead by now." He slipped his hand into Squall's. "I don't want any regrets either."

Squall brushed his fingertips against Balthier's, resting his head against the other man's, watching the waves. "You wouldn't have Fran or Krja. It is best not to think of what could have been. It only causes pain."

"Mm. You're right." He closed his eyes a brief moment before kissing Squall's head. "I think I should head inside. I am beginning to ache more..." He muttered, frowning slightly.

"We could go to the Hotel if you wish to lay down..." Squall frowned.

"It might be an idea... I shan't make much of the journey to Garden..." He sighed heavily, shifting to stand with a slight wince. "I'm sorry..."

Squall pushed himself to his feet. "It's fine, you don't have to apologise." Squall took hold of Balthier's hand, walking slowly towards the hotel.

Balthier smiled softly as they walked, despite how his arm ached and his chest hurt a little. Even so, he was just happy to spend time with Squall.

Squall led Balthier inside, walking to the reception desk to book them a room. He paid and took the key, leading Balthier upstairs.

Balthier glanced to the hotel clerk, who'd been the same one the night Irvine bedded him, smirking before following Squall upstairs and to their room.

Squall unlocked the door to their room and pushed the door open, holding it for Balthier. "Go rest. I'll just call Rinoa to tell her where I am."

Balthier leaned down and kissed Squall on the nose. "Alright. Do not be too long, I wish to spend a little more time with you." He smiled quite sadly before heading in and sitting on the bed.

Squall gave a nod and fished his phone from his pocket to call Rinoa, closing the bedroom door for a moment.

Rinoa was seated in the infirmary with her knees tight to her chest, watching Loire with a soft smile. When her phone rang, she knew it was Squall since she set him with a different tone. A bigger smile came to her face and she held the phone to her ear. "Hi!" She couldn't have sounded more enthusiastic.

Balthier stripped his shirt off, hanging it on the bedpost before heading to the bathroom, removing his bandages and cleaning up his wound with a few winces, eventually re-wrapping it with bandages from the cabinet.

Squall smiled a little at Rinoa's happier voice. "Well, someone certainly sounds brighter than they have been." He leaned against the wall, running a hand through his hair. "Has there been any change?" He asked, referring to Loire.

"Yes! There has! He's stopped tapping back at me and his skin is getting pinker! Squall, he has blue eyes!" Her voice was full of happiness. "He keeps fading between yellow and blue, for a while they looked like your dad's eyes, but they're blue, Squall!" She giggled.

As soon as his wound was wrapped up, which took hardly any time thanks to his practise at the job, Balthier headed back to the bedroom, sitting on the bed and soon poking at a remote control, kicking off his boots.

Squall let out a relieved sigh. "Oh Rin! That's great news... wow... it's wonderful." He smiled, letting out a soft laugh. "I bet he's beautiful, huh? As soon as I get back to Garden, I'll be there in the Infirmary with you."

"Alright! Where are you, anyway?" She still hadn't heard about Balthier, though she figured it was probably the pirate occupying her baby's daddy.

Balthier hummed softly as he messed with the remote, furrowing his brow as the buttons he pressed made the radio come on. It played rather tranquil yet sombre music and the pirate found himself laying on the bed, his good arm behind his head and his eyes closed as he listened.

"I'm in town. I'm at the hotel with Balthier." He paused, wrinkling his nose. "But it's not how it sounds!" He added quickly. He frowned a little, not really wanting to tell Rinoa over the phone, but also not wanting her to assume the worst of them. "Rin... He... He's dying..."

"Well Cure him, stupid!! If he's dying, why the heck are you calling me?!" She sounded rather angry, though mostly at the idea of Squall calling at such a time!!

"No... I mean... he's terminally ill. Magicks won't cure him and the Doc doesn't know over any medicine that will cure him. He's being poisoned to death... His side... shoulder... arm... they're all turning black. The Doc gave him two months tops..."

Rinoa was silent for a long while, her eyes on her son. When she finally spoke, her voice was quiet. "...I'm so sorry, Squall... you do what you need to do, okay? Give him my love, alright? Gods... he's so young, too..."

"Yeah... Give Loire's box a kiss from me. I'll see you later. Balth needs a rest before I attempt to bring him back to Garden. I don't think he'd manage the ride right now." Squall wrinkled his nose, letting out a sigh. "I love you, Rin."

"I love you, too, Squall... Make sure he's okay to come back before you even think about moving, okay?" She scrunched her face up a little, tapping the box Loire was in and smiling as he just blinked at her. "...See ya soon, Squall."

"Make sure you get some rest too, Rin. I'll be back later." At that Squall blew a kiss into the phone and hung up, slipping the phone back into his pocket, before entering the hotel room.

Balthier was still laid on the bed, wearing just his leather pants. He had one arm under his head, his blackened one resting over his torso and his eyes were shut tight. Barely breathing, to ease the pain, he remained deathly still.

Squall swallowed hard, his heart giving a hard thump against his chest. He moved over to the bed and sat beside Balthier, reaching out a hand to stroke his hair lightly.

Balthier opened one eye, smiling lightly. "Hey there, Commander... is all well with your girl?" He closed his eye again, purring lightly to the stroking.

Squall gave a nod, smiling a little. "Loire is showing signs of improvement. Rin sounds happy. She... sends her love."

Balthier smiled a little more. "I am glad; no doubt he is my replacement in this world, hm?" He chuckled lightly and rested his weaker hand on Squall's thigh. "I shall keep her love dear, Gods know she'd never send it were I not dying."

"Don't say that, Balth. I don't believe in al that someone has to die for another to be born stuff. But... at least Krja shall have a playmate as they grow up..." He murmured, stroking Balthier's cheek.

"Krja will eat your boy alive. She already has the hearts of three men." He smiled and leaned into Squall's hand kissing his palm. "It is good that she will have someone near her age to be close to. Mayhaps they shall grow up and marry one day." He chuckled lightly.

Squall gave a soft laugh. "Three men, huh?" Squall returned Balthier's smile, leaning in to kiss him softly. "It would be sweet if they were sweethearts."

Balthier brushed his fingers over Squall's cheek as they kissed, smiling soft. "Just like their fathers, hm? I hope they do it the right way, mind..."

"Mm. I'll keep an eye on them both. I promise." He rested his forehead against Balthier's.

Balthier nipped Squall's lower lip. "Thank you, Squall." He murmured, curling his arms around the teen.

Squall leaned into his embrace for a moment. He then pulled away, poking Balthier's nose. "Be right back."

Balthier chuckled softly, swatting at Squall's hand as his nose was poked. "Alright. Do not be too long, I may fall asleep."

Squall gave a nod and shifted off the bed to go into the bathroom, doing something he rarely did by pulling the door shut.

The pirate furrowed his brow as the door closed, watching it for a moment before picking up the stereo remote to change the music to something less depressing.

Squall moved over to the sink, pulling his leathers down past his hip. He rinsed a washcloth, wiping it over his bruised hip that had started weeped black blood. He hissed a little as he wiped it.

Balthier sighed slightly, tapping the beat to the music on his chest, watching that bathroom door with a frown.

The teen patted the wound dry, gritting his teeth at the pain. He wiped the blood from the inside of his pants and rinsed the cloth, wringing it out, before dressing himself again. He flushed the toilet to make it seem like he had been using it and moved back to the bedroom.

By this time, Balthier was stood at the door, arms crossed over his chest and a neat eyebrow raised. "The truth. Now." He spoke sternly, watching the shorter male.

Squall tiptoed to press a kiss against Balthier's lips. "I needed to pee. Now, you, bed. Before I have to start giving official orders."

Balthier took a step back, frowning at the teen. "You are lying to me, Leonhart, I can see it in your eyes." He muttered, frowning a little more afterwards.

Squall ran his hand down Balthier's good side. "I told you, I needed to pee. Now come on, let's snuggle."

The pirate sighed and flicked Squall's nose before moving to the bed and flopping on his back, making a mental note to lift his right shoulder as he did, managing to not hurt himself more.

Squall moved over to the bed, removing his jacket and t-shirt before climbing onto the bed, snuggling into Balthier's good side. "I'll miss this."

Balthier cuddled Squall all up, shifting to lay on his left side, nudging Squall's nose with his own. "You know, I'd say the same, though I've little knowledge of where I am headed."

"You're so going to Hell, Pirate. Only place that can hold your fiery personality." Squall murmured, shifting onto his side to face Balthier.

"Thanks, Squall. When I face eternal damnation and punishment, I shall blame it on you." He teased, petting his fingers down Squall's hip.

Squall gritted his teeth as Balthier's fingers brushed over his hip. He forced a soft laugh. "At least you can roast plenty of marshmallows."

With a childish pout, Balthier slapped Squall's backside as a reprimand. "You are being awful to me. How cruel of you, Squall." He murmured.

Squall gave a soft wince. "H-hey... less of the butt-slapping, more of the snuggling, darlin'."

Balthier nipped Squall's lower lip. "But sweetheart, I like slapping your backside. It is a rather pretty rear, after all." He teased.

The teen smiled a little, nipping back in return. "You would know. You spend enough time staring at it."

"Gods, can you blame me?" He joked, sliding his hand affectionately over Squall's rear, squeezing lightly a moment later.

Squall gave a soft purr, running a hand down the non-blackened side of Balthier's chest. "It's almost as nice as your butt."

Balthier laughed slightly, flicking his tongue against Squall's lips. "Your butt shan't ever be as good as mine, dear." He teased, squeezing Squall's backside with both hands.

Squall rolled his hips a little, sucking on the man's bottom lip.

Balthier purred lightly, grinding against Squall and slipping his tongue into the teen's mouth.

Squall curled his tongue around Balthier's, before pulling his head back a little with a smile. "You're supposed to be asleep."

The pirate chuckled lightly. "You'd rather I was asleep, hm?" He nudged Squall's cheek lightly before sighing softly. "Alright..."

Squall threaded his fingers through Balthier's hair. "I just don't want you wearing yourself out."

Balthier laughed slightly. "Squall, I may get tired quicker, though it does not mean I am incapable of things." He muttered.

Squall frowned, stroking Balthier's hair more. "I know. I just... let's just lay together, hm?" He didn't want Balthier to know about how his bruise had grown and started to weep, and that meant keeping his pants on.

Balthier gave a slight nod and buried his face in Squall's neck, frowning slightly. He didn't want to act selfish and demand more attention, though he felt a little annoyed that Squall had all but offered this down at the dock and was backing out of it now.

Squall threaded his fingers through Balthier's hair against, petting lightly. "You deserve better than a quick fumble in a dirty, cheap hotel room."

"There is no where else for us, Squall." He muttered, sighing softly a moment later and wriggling away enough to lay on his front on the bed, burying his face in the pillows.

Squall sighed, stroking Balthier's spine. "I will find somewhere for us. Where we can relax and be ourselves."

"There is no where, Squall." He repeated, a little harder in his tone. He shifted to look away. "Neither of our homes is a place we can be together." He shook his head, shifting to sit up.

"We could... always take the Ragnarok out somewhere..." Squall murmured, sub-consciously rubbing his hip.

"Oh? Besaid again, where we supposedly finished all this?" He shook his head slightly, reaching for his shirt and tugging it on, leaving it open.

Squall gritted his teeth a little, sitting up to hug his knees to his chest.

Balthier sighed slightly, running a hand through his hair. "I did not wish today to end like this... I shall return to the Strahl, once I see the doctor."

"Balth... I don't want to argue with you... I want to make the most of what time we have left."

"Squall, I do not have enough time for us to fly all over Gaia each time I wish to be alone with you." He began buttoning his shirt. "Forget it. I shall walk to Garden."

Squall grabbed Balthier's hand, clinging to it. "No. Stay. Please? I want to be near you!!"

Balthier sighed, looking at Squall's face, unable to deny the fact that no matter how mature he acted, Squall was still a child. With another sigh, he pulled Squall close.

Squall instantly snuggled into Balthier, burying his head in the man's chest.

Balthier kissed the top of Squall's head, frowning slightly. "I should've realised when we met how much trouble you are." He teased softly.

Squall huffed a little. "Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" His bottom lip jutted out in a pout.

"Simply, Squall Leonhart, you are a child in love with a dying man." He muttered, poking that lip. "Far too much trouble than it is worth, hm?" He joked.

Squall gave another huff. "I'm not a child! I'm almost twenty!"

Balthier laughed lightly. "You do not need to be young to be a child." He replied. "My father was a child until his dying day."

Squall curled into Balthier more, tucking his head under the man's chin. "I'm afraid..."

"Afraid of what exactly, hm?" He asked, shifting to rest back on the bed, rocking Squall lightly.

"Of facing a life without you. Who will give me advice and snuggles?"

"Rinoa is there for snuggles... as for advice, Fran is a wise woman. All my wisdom comes from days at her side." He murmured.

"It won't be the same though." Squall sighed, nuzzling Balthier more. "I love you."

"I love you too... I'm sorry..." He whispered, burying his face in Squall's hair.

"Don't apologise. It's not your fault." Squall sighed and kisses Balthier's jaw.

Balthier closed his eyes, keeping Squall close and gritting his teeth to hold in tears. It hurt... not the physical pain, but the trauma he was causing everyone.

Squall ran a hand over Balthier's chest, his free hand rubbing at his own hip again.

Balthier snatched hold of Squall's hand, frowning. "Show me your hip. Now." He spoke in rather a fatherly way.

"You saw it the other day." Squall replied, wrigglign away a little.

"No, show me it now. Squall, I am not joking with you." He murmured, eyes narrowed.

Squall sighed and pulled back, unfastening his pants and pushing them down just a little to expose the top of the bruise.

Balthier tugged Squall's pants down enough to see the rest of the bruise, his eyes wide as he looked at it. He knew the easiest way to make it weep. Pressing the flat of two fingers to the flesh, black blood seeped out. "...gods... no..."

Squall winced in pain, pulling away from Balthier, refusing to look at him. "It's just a bruise!"

"No bruise bleeds black, Squall!" He snapped, fastening the teen's pants and shifting to tug his boots on. "Get dressed. We make for Garden. Perhaps the doctor can do something with you before your death certificate is signed as mine is."

"It's just a bruise." Squall repeated, hugging his knees to his chest. Of course he knew better, but he had too much to concentrate on without worrying about his own death. He had a lover to aid through death, a child to cure and a war to win.

"Get. Dressed. Now." He looked almost angry as he pulled Squall's t-shirt over the teen's head, though he was angry at himself.

Squall sighed and wriggled his arms through the holes. He pulled his jacket on, still refusing to look at Balthier.

Balthier took hold of Squall's hand, tugging him up and out of the hotel room. "I cannot believe I've done this to you... I need to speak with Vaan and Penelo... Fran has no marks, this I know well..." He almost seemed to murmur to himself.

Squall sighed and kept hold of Balthier's hand. "Don't you dare blame yourself! You don't know it is because of you! It could be anything." He huffed, pouting. "I didn't want to tell you."

"I damn well know you didn't want to tell me!" He snapped, dragging Squall along behind him as he headed for the car. "You will go straight for the Infirmary, I will make sure of that."

Squall sighed and fished the car keys from his pocket, shifting into the driver's seat.

The pirate was angrily silent the entire ride back to Garden and as soon as he could, he began a brisk walk towards the Infirmary.

Squall pouted and got out of the car, locking the door before following Balthier, slouched with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

Balthier slipped into the Infirmary and looked at the Doctor, frowning slightly. "You have a new patient." He muttered, nodding in Squall's direction.

Rinoa was curled up in a chair, near Loire's case, fast asleep. She'd drifted asleep there and it seemed no one had the heart to wake her up.

"I'm fine, really!" Squall insisted, shifting his weight onto one foot, folding his arms across his chest. "It's nothing."

The Doctor looked over at Squall and let out a soft sigh. "It is better to be safe than sorry, hm? Now, what's the problem?"

Balthier gave Squall a slight shove forward towards a bed. "Leathers down, Leonhart. He has a mark like my own, Doctor."

The sounds of voices made Rinoa shift in her seat, blinking a little and rubbing at her eye quietly.

"It's just a bruise!" Squall protested, unfastening his pants and pulling them down despite his lack of underwear. He huffed and jutted the bruised hip out.

The Doctor crouched down a little to inspect Squall's wound, giving a slight press on it, causing Squall to wince. "Hmm." She stood and moved to the cabinet to get a syringe to take a blood sample.

Balthier shifted to sit on the bed, tapping his boots on the floor and fiddling with the sheet. "It is best we are sure you've not got the same as I."

Rinoa moved to look over more, frowning. "Squall...? What's going on? What's that bruise from?" She frowned slightly, her voice quiet.

Squall frowned, wincing again as the needle pierced his skin, drawing black blood from him. "Ngh... It's nothing Rin, just bumped it on something.

The Doctor moved over to her analysing equipment to analyse the blood, though she alreayd had a good guess at what it was.

Balthier frowned slightly, looking to Rinoa before letting his gaze hit the floor and fix on a single place. He felt so guilty...

Rinoa shifted from her seat and shuffled across the room to Squall, pouting at him. "Why didn't you tell me sooner...? It looks infected..."

"It's nothing, Rin. Besides, you've got your hands full with Lorie." Squall murmured, poking her pout.

The Doctor frowned, letting out a soft sigh. She turned her attention to the trio. "If I could have a word alone with Squall?"

Balthier gave a single nod and shifted from the bed, gripping Rinoa's wrist rather tightly as he dragged her from the room.

The teen pouted more as she was pulled out, wincing before looking up at Balthier with a frown and a huff.

The Doctor looked at Squall with a serious look on her face. "No doubt you know what I am about to tell you. You have the same illness as Balthier. Though yours is not as aggressive... yet."

Squall gave a nod, pulling his pants back up. "Do not tell the others. They have enough to worry about..."

"But Squall..." The Doctor protested.

"I do not want them to know! Rin has Loire to worry about and Balthier has enough in his own life to worry about."

"As you wish..." The Doctor moved tot he door, opening it. "You can come back in now."

Balthier stepped back inside, crossing his arms over his chest and looking at the floor, knowing what the Doctor was about to say.

Rinoa furrowed her brow, moving to take Squall's hand. "What's going on? Tell me. I want the truth."

Squall gave Rinoa's hand a gentle squeeze. "As I said, it's just a bruise that has a bit of infection. A few antibiotics and I'll be fixed in no time!" He said, giving a smile.

The Doctor looked at Squall and then to Balthier, before moving to her desk.

Balthier gritted his teeth, shaking his head and turning to leave, slamming the door on the way out.

Rinoa smiled up at Squall, but as Balthier left she blinked at the door. "What's his problem? Oh... oh, I didn't mean..." She pouted slightly.

Squall sighed and pressed a kiss to Rinoa's forehead. "I dunno, Rin. I'll go find out. I'll be right back." He gave her a smile and quickly left the room, jogging after Balthier. "Balth! Wait!!"

Balthier continued walking, waving his injured hand dismissively before cursing under his breath. "Go back to your girl. No doubt you've to celebrate your health." He snapped.

Squall furrowed his brow. "Balthier... what the Hell is that supposed to mean?!?"

The pirate turned on Squall, pointing at him with an accusatory finger. "You, Squall, are a lying little rat. If you wish to die without Rinoa's knowledge of why, leave me out of it." He growled, eyes filled with anger as he turned away.

Squall sighed and jogged after Balthier again. "Don't give me that look..." He huffed, grabbing hold of Balthier's hand.

Balthier pulled his hand away, heading swiftly towards the docking bay, aiming to get on the Strahl and damn well go.

"Balthier.... please. Just stop walking away from me!!!" Squall all but begged.

The pirate turned, his hands resting on his hips as he looked at Squall angrily. "You are naught but a liar. Certainly, I've lied a lot, but never... never would I lie to Fran about such a thing. That you would lie to Rinoa... it is simply incomprehensible!!"

"You think I want to lie to her?! There is only so much a person can cope with! She is dealing with enough without having to worry about me! I need to be strong for her and if that means damn well lying, then so be it!!"

"And when you die? What then? The girl has a right to know what she faces, Squall." He shook his head slightly. "Forget it. There is no sense in reasoning with a child." He muttered, turning to leave.

Squall let out an annoyed growl, turning to walk back to the Infirmary, a pout forming on his lips.

Balthier shook his head with a sad sigh before heading back for the Strahl.
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