Basch x Penelo - Words To Show Title: Words To Show (Part 1) Fandom: FFXII Characters/Pairings: For now, Main party and some hints at Balthier/Ashe and glaringly obvious Basch/Penelo Rating: G for now Warnings: Mild AU-ness Summary: While traveling through the Tchita Uplands, Penelo kisses Basch and these are the ramifications. Author's Notes: It's not entirely done. Just the first part of it and in the next part there will be a time skip. I'll try to make it a little more organized when it's done. Also first time writing Basch so feel free to point out any mistakes. D:
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There was an awkward silence that prevailed through the party for much of their trip through the Tchita Uplands. No one ever said anything and Penelo couldn't help but feel partly responsible for it. Perhaps she had been too forward and bold. That seemed to be the case, as Basch had not looked in her direction for at least two days. Was it really so offensive that she had kissed him? She thought the action innocent enough. Basch had been injured during a fight with a particularly stubborn Coeurl and Penelo had not left his side when they made camp that night.
In her relief that he had finally opened his eyes, Penelo had leaned forward and kissed the knight gently on his lips. It was a small, tender kiss that lasted no more than ten seconds, though for Penelo it felt like a lifetime. For a moment, she liked to believe that he had actually kissed her back. But it was hard to tell for the very moment she was tempted to ask, Vaan and Fran interrupted their quiet moment together to check on Basch's condition. And then the silence came. And Basch seemingly refused to look at her. Penelo's heart did sink and she felt she had made a mistake.
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It was not that Basch didn't know how to react to Penelo's act. That was not the case at all. Instead, he knew exactly what he wanted to do. But he felt that it would be improper to do so. He had no idea what the kiss meant to Penelo. But to him, it meant the world. His heart raced and all the feelings that one would easily associate with affection had found their way past his guard. He thought he had done well with masking his affections for the dancer during their journey together. But the kiss was unexpected and Basch knew not how to go about hiding how he felt.
He had noticed her change in demeanor. And he had heard her whisper her worries to Fran. "Is Basch upset with me?"
He frowned at the question and shook his head. She had done nothing wrong to warrant any displeasure. And Basch felt he needed to rectify the situation when they reached Archades before they went into Draklor.
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Archades was like nothing she had ever seen. And she laughed out loud as she watched Vaan run ahead of them with his mouth agape. Balthier had business to attend to and he suggested they enjoy the city before going about their mission. And with him gone, Fran and Ashe went off to shop while Vaan had ventured off to find out more information about "chops". And this left Penelo with Basch, standing on a bridge overlooking the lower areas of the city. They stood with a small gap between them, neither of them speaking. Basch's hands clasped behind him and Penelo's tiny hands gripped the railing. "This is nothing like Rabanastre," Penelo remarked quietly. She wondered why he hadn't left her.
Basch glanced to his side at her and nodded his head. "It is quite different than all of Dalmasca. It seems too much like a machine."
Penelo smiled at Basch's voice, not that his words amused her. But she was pleased that he was finally speaking to her again. She missed their talks. "Basch," said she quietly as she took a step toward a shop, "I am sorry if I've upset you."
This was the opening Basch had been hoping for and took a spot to Penelo's right and walked with her. "There are no need for apologies," said Basch with a small smile across his lips. "It is nice to have you here by my side." She was silent for a moment, mulling over Basch's words. He was so dear and she enjoyed his company. "Then I will stay there," said she with a smile of her own. There was another silence and Basch wondered if Penelo could tell.
What he did not know was that she had a general idea and was, at the moment, feeling quite giddy that there was a chance Basch felt the same as she.