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[xshatterheartx.livejournal.com]

Who: Balthier, Fran & Rinoa
When: After Rinoa has left Squall
Where: Rabanastre
What: Rinoa moves into the Strahl.
Rating: PG



Rinoa had taken a public airship all the way to Rabanastre. It was strange that the man she was fleeing to was one who Squall had cheated on her with before. Yet, Balthier understood her a lot more than anyone else seemed to. Even Squall, sometimes. Spotting the Strahl in the Aerodrome, she headed through the door to the private hangar and snuggled Loire up in her arms. She banged the palm of her hand on the Strahl's hull, pouting a little.

Fran had been playing with Krja and Gero on the playmat, toy blocks and shapes were scattered all over. The knock caught her attention. It was strange; most people usually just came right on board without invitation these days. She placed Krja in the playpen to ensure she wouldn't waddle off, before moving to the door, pressing the door release button. "Rinoa??"

Blinking up at Fran, tears in her brown eyes, Rinoa gave a week smile. "I-is Balthier around?" She choked out, hugging Loire very protectively.

Balthier was on his back, under the engine, wearing a ragged white shirt covered in oil stains and black pants. He had oil on his cheek and a spanner in his hand as he worked.

Fran gave a nod and stepped aside. "Yes, come inside." She made her way to the engine room, giving a firm bang on the engine. "Balthier. A guest for you."

Rinoa followed Fran on board, her face blatantly tired and her arms aching from holding Loire for so long. Yet, she wouldn't put him down.

As the engine was banged, Balthier jumped slightly and caught his hand on the hotter area of the engine. "Fuck!" Sliding out and cussing some more, he blinked at Rinoa and wrapped his hand with a wrag. "...Why are you here?"

Fran rested her hand on top of Balthier's, giving him an apologetic smile as she cast a Cure spell over the burn, kissing his cheek. "Rinoa, do you wish to put Loire down in Krja's crib? You look exhausted."

"No!" She gasped, hugging him up tight, looking like a frightened child herself. "I mean... no, thank you..." She swallowed hard and looked at Balthier then at Fran and back again. "Please... I know you have no reason to... but let me stay here? Just for a night or two?"

Balthier sighed slightly, shifting to stand and running a hand through his hair. "You know I will call Squall, Rinoa. He did that for me."

Fran sighed a little. "At least sit down with the child. Thereis no reason to cling so tight. Pirates we may be, yet we shall not steal a child." She kissed Balthier's cheek. "I shall make us all some tea, hm?"

"I... just for tonight...?" Rinoa blinked a little before looking to Fran. "W-would you... put him down for sleep? He didn't get much rest on the flight here..."

Balthier huffed a little and ruffled at his hair. "Fran, take the boy. I should knock some sense into this girl's brain."

Fran took Loire from Rinoa. "I shall change him and then lay him down to rest. You should sit yourself down before you fall." The Viera said, holding Loire against her chest, before disappearing to the nursery.

Rinoa watched as Fran left before looking at Balthier with a frown. "I... I'm sorry..." She mumbled.

Balthier gave a low sigh and pulled her into his chest, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her head. "You fool of a girl."

Fran tended to Loire, before laying him down in Krja's crib, tapping a Thunder spell against the mobile to activate it, the tiny airships starting to turn, a gentle lullaby playing. She moved to turn the baby monitor, before moving to make a pot of tea.

Rinoa sobbed against his chest, gripping his filthy shirt and trembling. "It... It was Seifer... a-and... I... I just..." she choked on her breath.

Balthier sighed again and scooped her up off her feet, cuddling her up. "You need sleep." He murmured, beginning to carry her to the spare room.

Fran carried a tray with the teapot and three cups to the spare room, as well as some toast and cereals. "Be sure to eat. And then sleep. You must rest."

Rinoa settled into the bed, kicking off her shoes and cuddling the blankets. "I'm sorry..." she whispered, trembling a little, her face stained with tears.

Balthier sat on the bed, behind her, and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her head. "No apologies. We shall keep you and your boy safe."

Fran gave a nod. "Just relax. You are safe from harm. We shall look after you both."

Rinoa nodded a little and bit a piece of toast, sipping some tea before dropping swiftly to sleep, almost passing out, in Balthier's grasp.

The pirate gave a light sigh and settled her into the sheets, pulling the blanket up over her before gesturing to Fran to follow him from the room.

Fran nodded and followed Balthier, shutting the door behind her to let Rinoa rest without being disturbed. "What do you plan to do? Shall you phone Squall?"

"I should. He deserves to know. It is... just difficult. If he comes running now then Rinoa will be disturbed and she is so obviously exhausted..." He sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. "When she has rested. I will call then."

Fran gave a nod and curled her hand around the back of Balthier's head, pulling it to her breast, before curling her arms around his waist, resting her chin on his head.

Balthier laughed softly and wrapped his arms around her, nuzzling her chest. "I most enjoy it when you pull me down here," he teased softly.

Fran gave a soft laugh. "I most enjoy having your head there, love. It calms me." She said, stroking his sides.

Kissing her skin once, he nuzzled a little more. "It calms me, also." he murmured, chuckling soft before lifting his head and kissing her nose.

Fran stroked his hair gently. "It seems we shall have to take a break from our um... baby making practise..." She said, brushing her thumb over his cheek.

Balthier laughed lightly. "Mm. Things will continue once Rinoa finds somewhere more permenant to live." He murmured, nuzzling her hand.

"It is strange that the roles have been reversed as such... You Hume males are such fickle creatures." She teased, tapping a finger against his nose.

"Indeed we are. Humes. Each Hume is fickle... yet, you Viera are equally so, in different ways." He smiled and kissed her lips. "I love you."

Fran laughed softly against Balthier's lips. "Mm. I love you too. I should go lift Krja from the playpen before she learns to climb her way out of it."

"No doubt she'll learn one day." He muttered, nipping her chin. "I am off to finish repairs." He slapped her backside before heading back to the engine room.

Fran gave a soft squeak as her ass was slapped, shooting Balthier a mock glare, before going to check on Krja.