Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Lost Time ❯ Chapter Three ( Chapter 3 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Lost Time

Chapter 3

Penelo's body shivered, both from the cold evening air and the intense heat radiating off of Balthier. Never in her wildest dreams had she ever expected him to be holding her this way, believing her love would remain unrequited. She had struggled to get pass her feelings several times; telling herself it was a silly childish crush. She even tried to see if she could stir up the same emotions with Vaan, but after sharing a short kiss she realized that her love for him was purely sisterly. Now, after spending countless nights imagining what she would do if given the opportunity to see him again, she was in Balthier's arms, with her heart thumping rapidly from excitement.

The rogue sky pirate leaned closer to her form as he pushed her back to the brick wall behind them. She wrapped her arms around his neck, slowly parting her lips, granting access to deepen their kiss.

Balthier couldn't help himself as he grasped her hips tighter to his. He lost any semblance of control the second the lithe blonde's lips touched his own. Taught to always be a calm, logical thinker, the sky pirate rationalized to himself that this sudden burst of passion must have been brought on by the Bhujerban Madhu. For someone as experienced as he was with the sensations of bodily delights, there simply was no other reason for him to feel his senses ablaze by a lost fire he had thought extinguished long ago. No other cause to make his body crave to create more of that delicious friction between their two bodies, while his mind went numb from the pleasurable sensation.

Yes, Balthier smirked to himself, he really had no other choice but to give in to the wine. He slowly obeyed his desire as he began to trail kisses down her jawline and neck, showering her collarbone with his fervent attention, while his right hand took full advantage of the slit of her skirt and caressed the skin of her left thigh underneath. He felt her arch her body towards him, rubbing her hips instinctively against his as a low breathy moan escaped her lips.

He suddenly slowed his ministrations to a stop. He recognized that lusty sigh. After hearing it time after time in prelude to his many liaisons, he knew what that sigh meant. It usually meant a fun romp between the sheets, ending with a hasty farewell in the morning. He always made sure that his leading lady for the evening would know that it was just for one night and nothing more.

No promises.

No commitments.

Lovers for only one night.

But he didn't want that for Penelo. She deserved much more than just that, he realized, giving him all the more reason to restrain himself. Though the years have past, she was still young Penelo. The same selfless young girl that would take care of everyone else before herself; the girl with the never fading smile; the girl that he used to look out for like he would a little sister.

Yet, in the moonlight, Penelo looked like an undiscovered treasure to Balthier. Her porcelain skin sweaty from their heat was almost aglow in the white light, while her lips were red from his kisses like undiscovered rubies that dared to be stolen away again in his lips. The shadows on her shapely curves seemed to tease him, beckoning him to uncover the rest of the riches that he knew lay hidden below. She truly was a contradiction, both angel and seductress.

He tucked a strand of her golden hair behind her ear, which had become disarrayed in their heated moment. “We can't be doing this,” his breath was now haggard as he licked his lips, tasting the salty flavor of her sweat from her skin. Balthier leaned his forehead against hers, trying to regain any control as he squeezed his eyes tightly close.

“Why? What's wrong?” Hesitantly Penelo asked and tried to meet Balthier's gaze. But try as she might, she just couldn't since he set aside his stare downcast to a point on her side. She kept her arms encircled around his neck, not daring to loosen her hold on the flighty sky pirate.

“Because,” Balthier finally looked down at the blonde in his arms, “it just wouldn't be enough.” He wouldn't be enough, he silently corrected himself.

He was certain that he cared a great deal about the dancer. She was one of the few that he allowed to get close to him and see the other side of his cocky, overconfident, smug veneer. But he wasn't sure if what he could offer her would be enough. She deserved somebody that would be there for her the next morning; someone that would take care of her and love her always; a true prince charming, not just a pirate in disguise.

However, he wasn't clear about what else was lacking. It would be better if things stopped here, he rationalized to himself. Yet, he kept his hold on her hips steady, unwilling to let go.

“Isn't it enough that it's just you and I here together?” Penelo's soft voice broke through his thoughts. She didn't want to lose him now, not after all this time. Though her infatuation with the famous sky pirate began as a girlish crush, she has felt it grow and mature. Too much of her life has been devoted to him; both her waking hours and sleeping dreams have been about her finding love, with Balthier cast as her leading man.

“Is it really, Penelo?” his voice barely above a whisper.

She could sense the cause of hesitation in him, that he was afraid that he would hurt her, however, she wasn't worried about tomorrow's consequence. She was certain that she loved Balthier and trusted him with her heart before anyone else. But she was at a lost on what to say. She figured that this would be the best way.

Closing the gap between them, she placed her lips delicately on his. This kiss was not passionate like the countless others they just shared, nor like any he has had with any other woman. Rather, it was filled with compassion, sincerity, understanding and above else, love. This kiss spoke volumes to Balthier, more so than any words that could have been expressed. From this one kiss, he could tell Penelo refused to be thought of like any of his other past lovers; that what they were sharing was something much deeper than lust brought about by the Bhujerban Madhu and that this night promised to lead to so much more.

Balthier couldn't deny it to himself any longer. Penelo may still have been the same girl, but she has indeed grown up into a woman that he could find himself becoming enamored with. She embodied all the qualities that he was looking for in a leading lady: kind and caring, yet strong-willed and highly opinionated. If they had just met now, there was no doubt in his mind that he would be attracted to the beautiful dancer. But then again, it was because of their past that he knew that they shared something more extraordinary; that their something could fill the lack in his solitary life.

Balthier looked down at the young woman in his arms, cradling her cheek in his hand. With no contemplation further needed, he took her hand in his and guided her back to the local inn and to whatever else the night had in store for them.

Author's Notes:

Okay, I lied. I guess that this story will be longer than I thought. Originally, I was planning for this chapter to be the “adult content” one, but I wanted to touch more on their feelings and their thoughts. I also decided to end the chapter here so that any readers who do not want to read the “adult content” can just skip to the next chapter.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I really tried my best to depict Balthier and Penelo's thoughts, and at least give a decent reason why the two may end up together so suddenly. It's tough ya know!!!! It's difficult to not drag a scene too long, nor have endless blushing and shy scenes (like my other story). Yet I also don't want to just lock them in a room together suddenly. Hopefully I somewhat succeeded. I really did give it my all. So don't hate me if you're displeased with this outcome.