The Love Below (sheikah) wrote in areyougame, @ 2008-07-05 17:29:00 |
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Current mood: | accomplished |
Current music: | All Summer Long - Kid Rock |
Entry tags: | *final fantasy xii, author: sheikah |
The Second Chance, Final Fantasy XII (Basch/Penelo)
Title: The Second Chance
Author/Artist: sheikah
Rating: PG
Warnings: Kissing, a little fluffy
Word count: 885
Prompt: Final Fantasy XII, Basch/Penelo: height differences - "Then why don't you come down here?"
A/N: Set after FFXII. I haven't played Reverent Wings. So I couldn't tell you where it fits in there.
Penelo wasn't entirely certain if the letter she had received from Basch was actually form him or a cleverly planned hoax concocted by her partner in sky pirating. The very notion, however, was quickly dismissed. Because simply put, Vaan didn't have the guts to pull something like this.
She toyed with the cream colored envelope for two days before finally mustering up enough courage to open it and read the letter inside. The words were vivid and it struck her (before any of letter's meaning) that Basch's handwriting was loopy and ornate. She had all but dismissed the letter as nothing more than a pleasurable greeting from an old friend before it dawned upon her that Basch was in effect inviting her to visit him in Archades.
It had been nearly a year since she had seen Basch and the young dancer was ecstatic. He had promised her an escort during their correspondence and she was quite shocked when a judge greeted her as she stepped from the airship. “Lord Larsa is expecting you, Miss. Would you please come with me?” The voice was gruff, distinguished and so pleasantly familiar.
It would seem Basch had excuses for her visit carefully and meticulously planned. Larsa was of course informed as he was her “reason” for visiting. Never mind that she had only spent a hour of her first day in Archades with him. He granted his “Gabranth” usage of his of office so he could greet Penelo properly. His presence was lost on her, as she stood next to a great window that touched the floor and ceiling and allowed the gardens to be viewed.
He stood silent, removing his helmet and tucking it beneath his arm. She certainly was not the Penelo he remembered. And it bothered him that he had taken notice of just how curvy she had gotten over the past year. He cleared his throat and looked amused as she turned to look at him, her eyes brightening the moment they recognized him. “It's so wonderful to see you!” she cried as she rushed toward him and tossing her arms about his neck. He smiled gently, pressing her closer to him longer than he was sure was appropriate, though she made no move to pull away.
“How have you been, Penelo? And Vaan? How is he?” Basch asked finally.
She smiled, “He's fine. Left him Rabanastre arguing with Balthier over a treasure map.”
It was Basch's turn to laugh as he set his helmet down on Larsa's desk. “It would appear not much has changed then.”
Silence fell again and Basch's attention turned to Penelo as she moved back toward the window. It wasn't generally like her to be so quiet and Basch wondered if it had to be because of some indiscretion on his part. “I...I've missed you.” said she quietly from the window, her voice barely audible, “Why...why did you wait so long to write?”
He was hesitant to respond before she turned to look at him, her eyes upon him with a curious expression her face. “To be honest, Penelo, I thought it too soon. I had...I thought you wouldn't...didn't want to speak with me.”
Penelo took a step closer. “Well, I'm here now. Talk to me.”
“...What happened, Penelo, it was inappropriate. I had no right...”
“It didn't bother me. As matter of fact, I was quite flattered that you had.”
Basch hated that his cheeks were burning. It was so very rare that he blushed and yet there he stood, cheeks red as if he had been standing in a blistering wind for hours on end.
“Perhaps we should try again,” said she with a smile on her face. As she spoke, she had moved closer and Basch could smell her perfume. It was subtle and sweet and almost intoxicating. Her blonde tresses had been pulled up and just few strands and fallen and were hugging the curve of her neck. His hand was hesitant before brushing a bit of her hair out of her eyes and he smiled when she leaned into his touch, to feel more of his palm against her skin. She stood up on her tiptoes and gently placed a kissed on Basch's lips.
The knight, pulled away, his hand covering his lips as the color in his cheeks deepened. It certainly was embarrassing to have her know she had the ability to make him blush. “Well how was our second try?” she asked with a playful grin.
Basch smiled at her, “I would like one more try. Perhaps then I'll tell you.”
“Mmm, very well. But perhaps you should come down here. You are rather tall.” A teasing smile causing the corners of her mouth to curl.
A moment slipped by before Basch leaned down toward her, kissing her gently. Penelo threaded her fingers through his short and neatly trimmed hair. Basch had taken this moment, to shift his arms about her waist and hold her close. And in the back of his mind, he was worried that he would be caught in this intimate moment with her, but right then, he supposed it didn't really matter. At least it didn't, until the door opened and they would have to come up with a brilliant lie.
END