Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Love and Duty ❯ Enlightenment of the Naive ( Chapter 7 )

Notes and Warnings: Minor spoilers for FFX-2, as it is post FFX-2.
A Gippal/Baralai [eventual] slash, and romancing. Perhaps a slight spoiler for Baralai's Sphere.

'To Save My Meager Wages' Warning: I am ignorant thereof and don't own anything in the legal sector of ownership off FFX, FFX-2, and all other things. It's ©2003 SQUARE ENIX CO, of course.

Personal Note: Aha! See, told you I would finish chapter seven... it only took...er... a long while. Hence my apology V-day special. I hope that helped ease the long wait. And if all goes well, I'll pepper this story with little one-shots to hold you over on 'major' holidays. No hallmark greeting days either.
So I hope you all enjoyed SAD on feb 14; Singles-Awarness-Day.


Additional comment: The V-day special was exactly what I said it was, a one-shot. So please, don't go "what?!" when you read this, and wonder, how in the world, did they go from this nice scene of them in bed to them talking on a roof. This is the true chapter 7. So...


Enjoy Chapter 7: Enlightenment of the Naive

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Oh... Yeah. Now I remember. And I can't keep a straight face. Well, I kinda can, but it's real hard.

"Yeah I remember that kiss." I try and take a sip of the wine, hoping that the action will help control by breathing No such luck. I choke on the wine as I start laughing.

"What?" Gippal looks skeptically at me.

I swear, I couldn't help thinking back to when Paine and I... now that, my friends, is hilarious. "I was just thinking back to when Paine and I..." I just let it off at that, laughing when my friend flushed.

"Yeah about that... What exactly was going on between you two?"

"Well..." I tease, " when we were apart from everyone else, Paine would..." I stifle my laughter as he hangs on my every word. Or else my lips have suddenly become quite fascinating to him. "...tell jokes, be open, splash me with water," I watch as he face-faults, " You know, the things siblings do."

"Then what do you call that kiss you to had?"

"What kiss?" I play fey.

He falls for my trap. "I saw you two. She kissed you. You two were making out."

"Why where you watching?" I ask so cooly, it makes his response seem over dramatic.

"I was... I needed your help with something, so I went to go get you...."

"You seemed to have solved your problem just fine by yourself." I may be serene on the outside, but underneath I'm bubbling over with laughter.

"Okay, okay. So I went to check up on you two. Nooj is a fantastic friend, but can be deathly boring when he tries."

"So, what exactly did you see?" I'm asking for it, aren't I?

"I saw what I explained earlier. Now what exactly was between you and Paine?"

"A couple layers of clothes." This is fun.

"No, I mean, what exactly... oh, never mind!"

"Cat got your tongue?" I think I'm in a mood.

"More like curiosity kills the cat." Gippal threw his arm over his face, shading himself from the bright sun.

"Honestly? Nothing was going on. Except a great practical joke that has lasted the test of time. Gippal, the reason she pulled me away with her is because I could take point and keep my eyes closed. That day, at the Oasis, I felt you even before you were visible. I warned Paine, and we decided that perhaps a little show could put you in your place. And be quite funny." I waited silently for a response, feeling a tad bit guiltily now that the act had been exposed to the light of day. Literally.

"Heh. Well, that clears a few things up. I admit for a while I thought that perhaps you two were an item..."

I chuckle, setting down the wine and laying back against the smooth surface. "You thought we were an item? How could we have been an item when you couldn't keep your hands off me?" It's the truth.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Who would always have to sleep next to me? Who would have to pat me on the back, get a back massage from me, eat next to me, share blankets with me, wrap his arms around m-"

"-Woah! I don't ever remember that happening!" Gippal rolled onto his side, staring at me.

"Almost every single night after that pyre fly incident in the caves." I watched Gippal's face contort into confusion. "And if I'd try and get out, you'd just pull me tighter. And then you always had your hands in my hair." I started back on my accusatory list.

"And all that bothered you? You didn't want it?"

I smile. He's got me there. "No, I rather enjoyed it. After I got used to it."

"Got used to what?"

"Become accustom to you shoving snow down my back." I say emotionlessly as I blindly search for my drink somewhere nearby. I find something else. I feel long fingers curl around mine.

"Then let's call it even, 'kay?"

"As you wish." I squeeze his hand.

"Oh, c'mon, don't sound so put-out."

I smile. "You weren't the one who had a little boy following him around all day, who just happened to like shoving snow down your back."

He reached for a little container of rice cakes, handing one to me. "What do you mean little boy?"

I shrug. "Just playing the martyr."

"And what a horrible job you do at it too."

"Aka, 'don't quite your day job'?" I bite into the rice cake. It's been a while since I've had these; Gippal's cooking is as good as ever. "Mmm." I moan appreciatively.

"Only you." He shakes his head, smiling as he watches me.

"Can I have some more, please?"

He reaches behind himself for more. "Only if I can feed you."

"Am I some sort of bird that I have to eat from your hand?" I ask curiously as he lays the small cake on his flat fingers.

"Some rare, radiant, creature then." He sits up, crossing his legs.

I mimic. "You want me to eat from your hand?"

"Eat...peck..." Gippal elaborates vaguely.

I stare at the hand near my mouth. I was expecting him to break little bits off and feed them to me, but apparently not.

I lock my gaze with the Al Bhed, opening my mouth to encompass the small rice cake and the tips of the three longest fingers. My bottom teeth graze his fingers. About 1/3 way past the cake I gently bite down and pull back, my front teeth grazing the underside of his fingers as well. I half suck the rice cake back into my mouth, my lips tight around the digits so I don't loose a single grain. When his fingers are gone from my mouth, I just let the dessert sit in my mouth as I savor it. My eyes slide shut, but not all the way; I can't bring myself to break the electric eye contact I have with him.

I finally chew, a smile on my face as I notice Gippal hasn't even moved. Maybe he hasn't even breathed since I set my lips on him. I swallow the little bit of cake, waiting for Gippal to say something. Or at least move. He doesn't, so I pull his hand closer so I can finish the rest of my dessert.

I nip at the cake, consuming it in small bits. I try to lick up the lose grains on his hand, but it's not as easy at it seems. I end up nibbling the palm, eyes still locked with his. I hold the still hand, and I silently hope there is still a pulse. Death by seduction, what a way to go.

He finally breathes, pulling his hand away. "Okay." He wipes the white grains on his pants.

"Just okay?" I prod, almost disappointed. It's hard to balance the line between innocent, fey, and seductive; I think I did a relatively good job of that.

He smiles weakly. "I uh...wow. I didn't think you'd actually..."

"Oh." Congrats Baralai, you just ruined a wonderful afternoon outing, freaking out your good friend and potential future lover. Leave now before you do something else just as stupid. Yevon, you moronic idiot, you can get nothing right-

"Hey," Gippal spoke softly, waiting for me to make eye contact; probably to tell me off... " I didn't say I didn't like it." A genuine smile lights up his face.

"Good," I joke, trying to alleviate the tension, "'cause I'm still hungry."
He grins maniacally, setting of my internal alarms. " Just bare with me on this one." He picks up some of the blue flan, er... 'zamm-u', placing it delicately in his mouth. He evilly beckons me over; I'm quite curious when I realize he hasn't swallowed yet.

Placing his lips on mine, immediately open my mouth as I predetermined what was required of me. It still comes as a shock as the gel is still cool against the invading, hot tongue. I dutifully extracted the fruity glob, sucking the contents off of the restless tongue. Gippal moves closer, drawing himself up, tilting his head down, refusing to break the 'transfer' as he assumes the dominate position. I'm not sure when we decided he was on top, but it's time to prove I'm not out of my prime yet. I quickly consume the contents, placing my palms on his shoulders, throwing my weight against him. I break the kiss as he lands hard against the sloped roof, an indignant rush of breath escaping. I spread my legs to either side of his, making sure there would be no easy escape. I lower myself for another kiss, slipping my tongue into the shocked man's mouth.

Soon the roles were reversed as he grabbed my ribs and pulled to the right, thus placing him on top once again, his legs entangled under mine. What he didn't expect was I would use the momentum to keep the roll going. We mutually broke the kiss, our hands mutually coming up to cradle the back of each other's head, protecting each other from any impact. We moved faster and faster as we made our way down the pinnacle of Bevelle Temple, the roll making me dizzy as we revolved. I grew light-headed as we reached the top speed. My stomach dropped as we fell, a short fall to the walkway below. Any breath in me is forced out on the rough impact. A short time later I open my eyes, seeing worry flash over the Al Bhed's face before an answering grin appeared on his face. I noted sourly that he landed on top. Go figure.

Gippal spoke with glee. "You los-!"

I arched my back, then used the tensioned energy to snap back and push Gippal backwards. I fall perfectly between his legs, placing an adoring kiss on his nose. "Yep. You lose, I win. " I grin, confident of my victory. I push to get up, but arms on my waist hinder my movement. I try again, but he just pulls me even fiercer to himself. "You going to let me go?" I glance over my shoulder at the imprisoning arms.

"I'm quite comfortable." His fingers start to rub little circles into my spine.

I hiss at the sensation. "Stop it." My body contradicts my orders by yielding to his touch.

"Stop what?" Oh, he's trying to be cute.

"That." I push my shoulders back, my spine dipping away from the touch.

"This?" His hands move further up my spine.

"Yes, that." I try to rise again, my arms locked, my position forcing our hips in close contact. His hands glide down to grip my sharp hips. I give him a malevolent stare. He gives a sort of attractive pout, hands kneading my sensitive lower flanks. I sigh in surrender, dropping my head. He raises himself on his elbows, gnawing gently on my neck. I silently wonder if Gippal is Al Bhed for 'energy'. It has the right number of letters.

I grow too warm with the heat of the sun above me, and the enticing heat of the man beneath me. A breathy moan escapes me as his hands try to find their way underneath my clothes. "Gippal..."

He doesn't respond, never even pausing in his actions. He doesn't stop until I call his name again, this time with a stern, attention-catching edge. "What?" Gippal replies instinctually.

"I need to go." No matter how much I may enjoy it, it just isn't right to make out on your workplace roof. Even if you are the boss.

He lowers himself back on the hard walkway. "You should have gone before we left," he teased.

"No, I just probably should go back into my office and check on the paper... work..." I slow as he stares at me with distaste.

"You've got plenty here you should be doing too." He mock-accused.

"Don't mix business and pleasure." I throw back at him.

"Exactly. So leave out the business," he chides.

"Personnel and personal are two different things. Keep them that way."

"So which one am I?"

"To me, personal. To everyone else, personnel. Listen, I only need three hours, I'll be back for dinner." I tried to leave, but to no avail. "Alright sweet-love-of-my-life, let me up."

"Flattery gets you only some places. And what incentive do I have to let you go? You'll just leave. No, I think I like you the way you are."

Perhaps a compromise would work? And the batting of eyelashes wouldn't hurt. "Ok, here's the incentive, I will be home for dinner-" I raise a hand to silence his protests, " and I will make it worth your wait."

He raised on eyebrow. "Oh really? Well then, I just might let you go." The sandy blond pushed me up, following me so he rested comfortably on my lap. "I agree to the terms, but I ask of one more thing."

I raise my brow at the indecent glint in his eye. "Oh?" I inquire.

" Just a..." I laugh as he pulls me closer, "...another..." he kisses me, "one of these." He kisses me again, and I try to push him away.

"Ok, ok," I laugh, "There's your kiss. Now let me up." Mumbling he gets off me, and I take the proffered hand. Of course when I stand it leads right back up to him and his wonderful, sun-chapped, exquisite lips. I let this one kiss slide; right down back to my covered neck. I laugh again as he resists my pushing away.

He finally lets me go, and I start to walk toward the upper entrance of the temple, when he turn me around again, words rushing out of his mouth. "Just, one more." He gives me another quick kiss. How I love that man.

"Ok, I love you too. I'll be home soon, don't worry." I walk away from his embrace, affording one last glance. I make my way toward my office, my mind shifting gears from the Al Bhed to the large tasks at hand.









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2 hours left. Ok. What to do? No Machina to tinker with. I already finished that book; which, by the way, explained quite a lot about the peace-time history. How Spira had these towering cities; billions of electric lights, millions of people; it was like a Luca a hundred times over. Machines running everything, making life simple and easy.

But that was the past. On to the present. The 1 hour, and 55 minutes of the future before Baralai comes home. Hmm. I noticed all the shelved books in his study... maybe they would be worth a look?

I walked down the hall, entering the chamber across from his bedroom. It was sparsely furnished; a large, plain desk, a light, organized data pads, papers, and apparently recording spheres also. The chair was firm, but cushioned with a smooth, black surface; probably lupin-hide. The tall back and swivel abilities made it quite comfortable. I leaned back in it, and decided immediately I must get one of these.

After some time in the chair, my curiosity got the best of me, and I made my way to the bookcase. 'Bevelle Laws, Appendix A, B, C', and etc.... I moved on. 'History of the Machine War', 'Chocobos, A History'. I laughed. Now that's funny.

'Music Through the Centuries', 'Factions of the Ages', 'Origins of Al Bhed, Yevon, Crusaders, and Other Powerful Organizations'. Hel-lo. Origins of the Al Bhed? This I have to read.

I pulled out the book, opening it to a random page, to see one word bolded, obviously the main topic.

"Cid: This name can be found throughout the changing history of Final Fantasy. This name has always been associated with great heroes of the age, either directly or indirectly on their journeys. Though historically popular, there is rarely more than one Cid every generation. Cid-"


Ok. Enough of that. And what in the world is Final Fantasy? Must be some weird book series. Though I have no idea what that has to do with the old man Cid or Al Bhed history. Must be a coincidence. Huh. 'Strategy Guide for FFX-2.' It looks real old. Huh. So Final Fantasy must be some odd game. I'm going to have to talk to Baralai about his unusual hobbies of collecting antiques.

I was about to move on to the next book when I realized something. Buried discretely between thinner volumes were unmarked bindings; nothing like hiding something in the open. No one would look there. I put back the book in my hand, reaching for the soft, cloth bound book. I open to the first page, and seeing it blank, was about to put it back when I realized the binding was worn. Why would someone open this for a long time, or repeatedly reopen a blank journal?

That's when it dawns to me, and I flip past five pages. Sure enough, it is a journal. A personal journal. B's personal journal. I glance around, feeling guilty as I read the first entry. Odd, they aren't dated. Just written in.


"I am still a bit sour from our last meeting. It feels odd separating, they were my new found family. Then something happens, and everyone has to leave; it felt like we were shot in the back...twice."


Woah. Baralai was keenly aware someone could read this, and had the smarts to be vague. But this was right after...right after we parted ways. The gap in life he never, ever spoke about. No matter who tried to talk to him. I flip to a new section.


".... I have taken refuge in an unusual confidence. I am testing my theory of an ancient saying. I remember a good friend of mine said this 'cliché' wasn't true. It seems I prove him wrong."


"'Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer'." I barely realized I said it out loud, and continued to read, every once in a while lifting my gaze to make sure I was alone. I decide to skip to the end of the journal.


"...I have been employed, on an interesting task, and am learning much of what I seek. Long has it been said there have been ways to end the war of all wars. The solution is destruction; the thing runs deep, it's rooted in the past, and entwining in the future. It's fragile, almost sentient. I endeavor to protect it, from destruction, for the ancient spirit would do all in his power to sway anyone's intentions.

But I know. They will come, all of them. My family will enviably be drawn to it. Even the one who betrayed. They will be drawn, they will come. Because of him. One day. Don't ask me how I know, but one day, together, we will go back. Go back into the hell of past."


I close the journal. "That's heavy stuff, B. Heavy stuff." I carefully place the worn journal back into it's former spot, and left the room, only looking back once to make sure everything was the way he left it.

I decide to take my racing mind to the comfy couch in the living room. With a sigh I take off the boots, and put my feet on the couch.

"You're a mystery B, a mystery. Honey sweet on the outside, but cunning and deadly on the inside. And, somehow, underneath all that, you're basic fundamentals are loving, considerate, thoughtful, and all of those other wonderful things. A mystery.... a mystery...."




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And the door open right at 17h00. Baralai kept his word. Ah, honesty is refreshing. Now let's see if he keeps all his word.

"Hi honey, how was work?" I hear him chuckle as he shrugs off his praetor robe and pulls out the tucked in pant legs, removing his boots. I watch with interest as Mr. Mystery himself walks all quiet towards me, throwing off the band that held his hair, his hair falling around his face, white hair, white linen shirt, and earth-tone pants exotic against the olive skin.

To my true surprise he crawls over me, palms on either side of my head, knee on either side of my waist. I look into the dark, decadent eyes, and my heart skips a beat.

"My day was," Baralai purred darkly; his is face slightly closer than it was before. "long..." He slowly lowers himself down, "...hard..." his body starts to settle, covering every inch of me. "...and," he purrs, his full weight on me, "..slow." He licks at my lips as I groan, and I finding immense pleasure in the heat and weight of the sensual man.

Truly, a man of mystery.





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Ensuing: Chapter 8: "Who's For Dinner?"