Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Love and Duty ❯ Colors ( Chapter 11 )

Notes and Warnings: Minor spoilers for FFX-2, as it is post FFX-2.
A Gippal/Baralai [eventual] slash, and romancing.
**New Warning: This chapter is a bit dark at moments with Seymour+Baralai. It's only hinted, but I wanted to warn you. Oh yeah, Seymour's a potty mouth too.

'Because I need the Money' Warning: I think chapter 7 sums it up about right.

Personal Note: Oh, this is a long one. Oh well. You wanted fast updates, and wala! It's what you got.

Additional comment: "Colors of the past paint the future"

<<Enjoy Chapter 11: Colors>>


I slinked up to my lover busying himself with breakfast. I chuckle; he jumps as I wrap my arms around him.

"Ah, don't say it. It's not that I mind, it just will take me a while to get used to, that's all."

"So...what'acha doin' today?" I decide to give the man a break today, and not try to feel him up while he's lying so free in my arms.

"I need to get some more food," he said, a hand blindly reaching behind to touch my face. "After last night, there really isn't anything left."

I lean into his touch. "Yeah, they ate like pigs." I let a yawn puncture my speech, hoping he'd get the hint.

Baralai chuckled. "You don't have to go with me. I'm sorry I woke you. I'll be gone for about 2 hours, so you can go back to bed if you want."

"Good." I put my chin on his shoulder, and start to lean my full body weight on him, while adding great snoring sound effects.

He tries to shrug me off, laughing lightly. "I said you could go back to bed, not sleep on me."

"But I need my pillow," I complain, pulling him tight against me and cuddling him.

I can tell by his body language he's smiling. "Excuse me?"

I speak childishly back, sighing as I rest against his back. "My pillow is so smooth, soft, firm, and cuddly."

Baralai chuckled, moving away from me. "And your pillow is going to get food for its sleepy head to eat." The Praetor-on-leave makes his way into the bedroom, donning his usual attire before heading out the door. I catch his arm before he has the chance to leave.

"Forgetting something?" Baralai has this confused look, as in a last resort pats himself down, wondering what he forgot. I chuckle, pulling him in for a quick peck on the lips.

"Oh, yeah," he states, as if my kissing reminded him of something. His lips brush mine slowly, and it's a sexually sweet kiss. "Be good. I'll be home in two hours. Don't do anything-"

"-Crazy?" I supply. He smiles.

"Yeah. Bye."

I grab his arm again, pulling him back to me. "One for the road?" I ask, my hand sliding up his nape, burying in his hair.

"Sure." I kiss him, and this time our lips touch with pressure, and move against each other in a slow rhythm. After a while he pulls back, looking in my eyes. "Don't worry, I'll always come back for you." He winks at me and leaves.

I'm standing there numb, that simple phrase grounding me. it was eerily similar to what Baralai had said in my dream. I shake my head free of those thoughts, immediately heading towards the man's study, eager to get reading.


My interest is piqued, and I do have two hours, so I start off with the journal I found last time. I open it to the first quarter of the soft bound book.



I must admit today was quite a surprise to me. Just as I came under service of this man, I already meet an old friend at his estate. Or rather two old friends. I know he sensed me; we both have a sort of knack for that now. Being in such close permanent contact with the Fayth gives you...interesting advantages. Though some disadvantages too.

He looks a lot older than he should, but really, it's not life that ages you, it's the experiences in life. And we've both had enough for a lifetime.

But now he's her guardian. Though it was inevitable that she would be the next in the line after her father, I still was uneasy that she was going through with this. At least, until, I knew he was going to be there. Since her decision the two of us have well to be silent, though recent decisions have kept us of open ear.

But...that boy with her...it gives me shivers looking at him. His similarity to a past acquaintances make me almost want to retch. Though honestly, something tells me he should be there. Yet he should not. That he doesn't belong here, in the here and now, but that it's utterly important he stays with her. I'm not sure what it means, but I'll trust my instinct for now. If the almighty guardian trusts him, then so do I.



I looked, as the writing stopped for the rest of the page. It must have been the end of the entry. So, while Baralai was at the Maester's, he ran into a few friends, eh? I can only guess the old guy was Yuna's guardian, Auron. Yeah, that would make sense. Auron was her father's guardian also. Ok, and it's obvious who the 'boy' was. Tidus did have a scary resemblance to Shuin. Onto the next entry.

On second thought, I decided to skip a couple of pages; I did only have two hours.



I used to think my hand aching was a warning from my parents. Of course it ached while being here, but I shrugged it off. Too bad I didn't heed their advice. I guess I'm getting used to being accosted. I can now brush it off like an art. But he's getting bolder. How ironic. He needs a bride but wants a bed warmer.

Whenever he touches me...it's so sick. I'd rather have him try to kill me then to look at me like that. Even the guards are getting annoyed by his blatant passes at me. And every night, he orders me in his room. And every single night I have less and less excuses to get away. I can only politely steer him away from me. He made it even worse by assigning me his personal body guard. Only I am allowed in his chambers, and I am ordered to stay their all night, until he is ready in the morning.

The way his sweetly bitter voice tries to coat everything with sugar, and lure me into his bed; it's disgusting. Last night in anger I spit out words part of me regrets as he started touching me aggressively. That I have a lover. Honestly, I don't. At one time I hoped I might have one, but since I made this decision any of that hope has faded. At least he now thinks I prefer females. I do, but that's not who I want my lover to be. My lover is out there, doing who knows what in the sand, and I'm here, almost betraying his pure thoughts of me, as I let more and more of this man's evil twist around my heart.

It's all the more reason I stay here, and he doesn't get her. On my word...on my word.




I grow sick at the thought of Baralai being molested Seymour. His slimy hands all over him. And B had a crush on me way back when? I wish he would've said something. We could have both saved us a lot of time. And be a lot of embarrassment of trying to get up the courage to say something.

And who is this 'her'. Paine? No. That bastard's wife. Oh yeah, that fiasco a couple years back, with the marriage of Yuna! So B was infiltrating his ranks to keep her nice and cozy, eh? Now that is loyalty. Perhaps those to had something going on?

In curiosity I read some pages before the end. I noted the handwriting was no longer flowing and graceful; it was fast, sharp, and angry.


I swear, that man will die, even if it has to be by my hand. Now that he has left, I took all records of me and any that associate me with him, but kept the spheres for future extortion. There is only one I cannot find, but compared to the rest, it's not of importance.

She's near the end of the journey, and I can only hope Auron and that strange boy can do their part in protecting her. But I did the most I could to keep him distracted from her, but now he's not even human.

But she's a smart girl; she'll figure out what everyone else didn't. The only thing I can do now is to start pulling those favors people owe me in Bevelle. It's about time Yevon was scraped out of the scum there.

That bastard spent so much time looking at my appearance he ignored my wit. Time to pull the strings, and take on my visual power. I already am running most of Bevelle under the tables, it's time Bevelle got a new leader. Even if it's not me. The world needs a new Bevelle. A new Yevon.

Auron, my word is resting in abled hands. Don't let me down. Don't let me let him down.



I sat down, trying to absorb this new, not-so-soft side of Baralai. I'm not quite sure who he was letting down. Who was this man that he had promised something so important to him? I started to have doubts if the man Baralai had loved was really me. Was there another guy, that got lost over these year? But digging in the sand, that had to be an Al Bhed. But who was it?

I was pondering who it could be when I noticed a small chest. It was tucked neatly away in a corner, invisible to the casual viewer; it looked like another container for odds and ends. But who would put a heavy, complicated lock on such a chest?

I stared at it, licking my lips. Time to put the Al Bhed luck to use. I pulled it out; it wasn't too heavy. I stared at the peculiar combination lock. The letters were weird though. Different from toady's, but similar. I pinpointed were the strange alphabet had been from. Ancient Spiran. Well, this will take a bit too long to try and guess, so let's do it the good ol' Al Bhed way.

I ran back to my room, fishing out thin, strong, metallic lines, and grabbed a pen from Baralai's desk. Putting the metal wire carefully down to where the lock was, and spent a good three minutes on it. After those three minutes the lock was magically released, as if somehow the lock thought the code was inputted. Imagine that.

What I saw was a case of spheres. I pull out one, deciding to watch it. What I see startles me. I can make out two figures, both in the corner of room. I instantly recognize the extravagant hair of 'Sey-scum', and later I realize it's Baralai trapped in the corner behind him.

I can see Sey-scum talking, no doubt dirty, as I see Baralai blush and assume an angered submissive posture. But he keeps eye contact. He was good at that. He may look submissive, but he never broke the eye contact. Always in control that way. Really, he was a smart kid.

I choke when I realized where that bastard was touching my Baralai. His hands were everywhere, especially below the waist. I watch through the rest of the sphere, relieved to see Baralai get a little fiery and scare the man away to his bed. I feel a little sick while I put that sphere away, and take out another one. The one at the bottom. I turn it on, gasping at the sight.

I immediately recognized Baralai, though in the dim light I made out the cuts and bruises visible on his skin. He was stripped of his usual attire from above the waist. His hands and feet were tied, a piece of rope connecting both bindings. It made for his least vulnerable position sitting on his legs, arms pulled back, shoulder muscles stretched, and bent legs parted to allow relief to his ankles. One of the most humiliating positions. But the only other one was to risk suffocation on his face.


"Tsk tsk, my pet. I offered my graces to you so many times, but you refused."

I watched that son of a bitch enter the room. I questioned why Baralai didn't respond with his biting wit, when I realized he was gagged.

"So many times I offered. There are people out there who'd beg on their hands and knees to be in your position."

I hear the evil chuckled, and immediately pick up on innuendo. My knuckles are white from the shaking fists I've formed in anger.

"So this time around, I thought you'd be more willing to my proposal. What do you say?" Seymour's hands dug in the hair, bringing up his gaze. He pulled down the gag, but Baralai remained silent. "Nothing to say, boy? I'm sorry I had to rough you up a bit, but I can heal you. I can restore you back to your former beauty."

Baralai whipped his head away from the touch. "If it displeases you so, then let me be forever scarred. "

Seymour crouched down in front of Baralai. "Everyday goes by and you become more cold towards me. I even offered you women, but you refused. Why my love?"

I watched in sick agony as the long fingernail bit into Baralai's cheek, blood drawing where the twisted bastard 'caressed'.

"Because I'm not your love. And because I have something and someone more important than you or them. So accept it, forget me, and I'll forget you."

"I could never forget you. I could taste your innocence from standing right next to you. Yet you teased me, never letting me taste the pure power you posses. What did I do to deserve your cold heart?"

"I ignored you feelings because you ignored mine." Baralai growled as Seymour made to kiss him.

"Oh! I do so love that feisty spirit. The way your brown eyes smolder. If you cannot give me your love, then for now give into your passion and hate. "

"I would if you were worthy of it."

I heard the sickening smack as Baralai was hit, being thrown to the floor. He was soon righted, anger seething from Sey-scum.

"I would be careful to bite your tongue, young one. It would do you well. I see your punishment has done nothing to change your mind. I wanted you to take me in that feisty mouth of yours, but I doubt you would now."

I feel a wave of nausea pass over me, and the dreading doom as I watch that guado-bastard mother-fucker turn his head to the door.

"Bring in the girl."

I watch as soldiers enter and a girl, probably not that much older than Baralai, be thrown to the floor. The men surround her completely, guns held out, pointed directly. Baralai tried to look indifferent. But the way he winced when she hit the ground proved he cared for her. In some way.

"See? I brought your woman. I know you two have become friends here. Perhaps I can convince you to do my bidding now, eh?"

The girl was sobbing uncontrollably, and I saw her trying to make eye contact through the tears with Baralai, but he adamantly refused it. He was trying to play off as indifferent. It worked until she started crying out his name.

"Baralai! Why won't you answer me? Oh Yevon, what did they do to you? Is it because you-"

"Caia, shut up."

Everyone, myself included, was surprised the demanding harshness in the command. You can forget that this quiet man, in a fury, can be quite intimidating. It takes a lot to get him riled up, but if you do....you're asking for a scary hell you could only imagine by the deathly burn in his eyes.

But I suddenly caught on. This girl, Caia, must of thought he was pulled in for being a spy! She was about to spill the whole secret without even knowing it. I grew sick at the real reason he was there.

"So you have meet here before. Very interesting. Now, if you would comply to my requests..."

"No."

The girl screamed as the guns were lowered to her head.

"Do you change your mind now?"

Baralai spoke over the frantic shouts. "If it means her safety and freedom, yes."

Seymour rose from his crouch, the position shameful to the other man. "Now, show me that you love me. That you're ready to stop teasing, and show your worship."

The girl gasped, and Baralai turned his head to the side. "Not until Caia is free. Let her go."

"How do I know you'll keep your word?"

Baralai spit out the words in compromise. "Then at least take her from this room."

Seymour stroked himself through his pants. "I think she should stay and enjoy the show, don't you?"

Pure malice dripped from that once innocent tongue. "Take_her_outside."

Seymour sighed. "Very well. Guards, all you may leave. Keep the girl by the door. Kill her if anything goes wrong."

The guards dragged the hysterical girl away. "Baralai! Oh Yevon, what is he going to do to you?! Don't do it! I'm not worth it! Promise me you'll escape. Oh Yevon."

I swallowed heavy as now only that dead man and my lover were alone in the room.

"I want to fuck that sweet mouth of yours. And I want you to enjoy it. And I want you to take all of me. And do it good, because we'll keep trying until I'm satisfied, you hear? So why don't you try your best now and save us both some time. And save that bitch's life too, while you're at it."

I couldn't bring myself to turn it off, but neither could I bring myself to watch it either. It was like if I turned it off I was condemning Baralai to that fate, but I knew I couldn't watch this... this foulness...this reeking act. I closed my eyes, sickening at the sounds.

It was ten minutes later, but if felt like lifetimes when I heard the shouted cry. Shortly afterward a heard a muffled cry from Baralai, and then a choking cough. I opened my eyes when I heard the door in the sphere movie clang open.

"My lord, we have new information," a guado informed.

Seymour straightened himself, leaving the boy apparently passed out. He approached the guado. Whispered words were shared.

I couldn't hear the words, so I tried to fiddle with the mechanism to increase the volume. By the time it worked, the two guado finished talking and left the room. But I did turn the volume up in time to hear Baralai wake from his fake slumber and retch. What he threw-up, I didn't know, but I could guess. Baralai laid to his side shivering. But very quietly, over the static, I could make out his voice. Baralai was trying to say something. I amplified the volume as much as I could, and I strained to hear the chanted whispering.

"Ambush...Mount Gagazet....Ambush....Mount Gagazet....tell....Auron....must.... Ambush...at Mount Gagazet....I must tell Auron about..."

In a fit of rage I turned the sphere off and threw it back into the trunk, not caring as the force of impact closed the lid on the trunk and the sphere cracked in two.

So Baralai was letting himself be fucked with to help Lady Yuna on her journey, eh? I want to wring Baralai dry in my frustration as he was torturing himself for her sake. What did those exactly have going on between them that he'd risk his life for her?

And I wanted to kill that son of a bitch Seymour, even though I knew he was dead.

Shit, Baralai, why does all this have to happen to you?


I stiffened as I heard the door open, and a soft, "Hi honey, I'm home" floated through the air. I decided the two of us needed to talk. Right now.



--------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------

I came home with no arms free, regretting I didn't bring Gippal along. Yet again, Gippal would've been arguing the whole way about the difference between healthy food and 'food-food'.

I noted an angry Gippal bee-lining for me as I set down the recently purchased items. He gets right in my personal space, staring me down with his one eye, looking ready to deck someone. I wasn't sure how he turned from playful and sleepy to angry and wide awake, but I assumed I would find out soon.

"I can't believe you Baralai!" He shouted, rage filling the whole room, his voice painful to my ears even as he stormed away from me, pacing on the floor. "You let yourself be in service like that to that son of a bitch Seymour!"

I knew he'd been reading my journals, and I let him. But I didn't know he'd take it like this.

"Why the hell would you do that for someone else, eh? What was so important about Yuna and Auron that you'd let...Yevon...that happen to you?"

I pale, my body going to ice when I realize he wasn't only reading my journals. He was watching my spheres. Yevon, I should have gotten rid of them a long time ago; but I was so busy being a praetor and being possessed that it kinda slipped from my mind.

"An explanation," he spat out venomously, "I at least deserve that, don't I?"

I spoke calmly, though I couldn't keep my anger at his accusations from my voice. "Just know that I did my part ok? I helped Lady Yuna on her journey. Seymour wanted a wife and a bed warmer, and he got neither of us, ok? Let's leave it at that."

Gippal just seemed even more angry at my words. "Like shit we'll leave it at that! What in the world made you take all that shit from Seymour? What the hell was going on between you two that you'd risk your life...and your virginity, to help her? And what else did that son of a bitch to do you? Dammit Baralai! How many other secrets do you have from me?"

I couldn't. He pushed too far. I spoke so calm, but I was boiling in such a rage at his accusations, in anger for being so stupid in keeping those sphere, and not realizing these parts of my life would once have to reach the light of day. My words were short, piercing and poisoned. "Sit. Go, sit. Sit now. Shut up. Then I'll tell you." I pointed to the couch, and the suddenly deflated Al Bhed quickly complied.

"What the hell did he do to you, B?" Gippal whispered quietly, and it seemed as if he was on the edge of tears.

My heart broke at the sight, and I immediately forgot my anger, all my harsh words gone from my lips. "He did enough so I could never forgive him."

Gippal looked up. "I saw...he beat you, then.. then..."

"Shhh.." I spoke softly, sitting next to him, stroking back his hair comfortingly. "I'll tell you a story, ok? From my childhood."

"Okay."

"When I was, oh, 7 years old, I meet this wonderful summoner, his guardian, and his daughter. Lord Braska frequented my adoptive father to learn potent white magic from him; often following was Lady Yuna and Sir Auron. In that short while we became fast friends, and even Auron found some companionship despite my age. It was only for maybe not quite a year, but they became my extended family."

"But-"

"Shh. Let me finish." Gippal moved to rest against me. "One day Lord Braska had to leave. It was time to start the pilgrimage. He placed his hands on my shoulders, calling up my gaze with my name. And do you know what he asked?"

Gippal shook his head, emotions reeling as he went from hot and angry to cool and depressed.

"He asked I take care of his daughter. That she was his life. That I would take care of her for as long as he was away. And do you know what I said?"

Gippal sighed.

"I said I'd protect her with my life. I made no promises; it was my word. On my honor, on my life, on my dignity. On her life. Yuna never knew; despite she was barely a year younger than me. I knew she wouldn't remember an old childhood playmate. After her father passed away on the journey, she was taken from Bevelle, and grew up on Besaid for the rest of her life. When it was announced her journey would begin, that was when Auron and I became close acquaintances again. We had two things in common; our unnatural connection with the Fayth, and our promises with Braska. When it was learned Maester Seymour wanted to wed her, I took it under my responsibility to find out all I could about this man. I got that opportunity after we broke up and went our separate ways. The Crimson Squad was already a perfect excuse to plead to be under his wing.

"I did well in keeping Auron appraised of Seymour's plots. I couldn't warn him of every one, but I could pull his resources. I was... indisposed when the marriage was arranged, but the location was able to be sent to Auron, and I was able to pull many heavy armaments Seymour originally wanted. I couldn't do anything else in my...state; I left it up to Auron. He did his best, even to the end. But he passed away on the journey.

"This brings us to recent events. After Yuna joined the Gullwings I was concerned, until it was rumored she was with Paine. It gave me a comforting. I even tried to keep them away from Vegnagun, but she is persistent. And then I got all tangled up with Shuin...and well...ended up trying to kill her. It was..kind of counterproductive on my part..." I trail off as there are no other words to be spoken. Not now, anyways.

Gippal remained silent for a long time, and I found myself unable to meet his gaze. He spoke after a while into the silence. "What did he do to you?"

Of all the questions, it was the one I was dreading to hear. I couldn't describe... oh Yevon I've barely scratched it from my memory when he has to drag it back up. "Things best not said in polite company. Or any company for that matter."

"Please, tell me." His voice was so soft, and caring. It hurt me even more.

"He...well, you saw it. He touched me, sickening me with his talk. And when he beat me and brought in Caia..." The burning was in my heart, throat, and eyes. I wanted to cry at the even mere mention of those memories. His hands brushed my cheeks and I blushed under the gentle care.

"I'm sorry this happened, that I wasn't there. " He suddenly chuckled quietly. "How can you blush so innocent, yet obviously yesterday you showed me you weren't?"

Gippal always could use humor to lighten any mood. I laugh quietly, more to myself. "I blushed because, for two years I was completely devoid of...that kind of touch. And no one....no one's really touched me like that."

"Like what?"

I hesitate, knowing my answer might dampen the mood. "To touch me... like they wanted me to enjoy it. Like...it meant something." Gippal has this look of surprise on his face, and I quickly move on before he can bestow anymore pity on me. "Why else in one day do you think I got used to you pinning me in the hallways?"

Gippal groaned. "Listen, B, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...like that. I mean, I don't want to be doing the same stuff he..."

"-You aren't," I assure him. "I like that," I really can't help the blush, "I do. It's...so different with you." I smile. That's the difference. "I'm with you. I want it. I love you; I'm yours. He could never have me. But you've got me. And you can never get rid of me."

A grin spreads on his face. "I wouldn't want it any other way." His face turns thoughtful. "But listen, just tell me if I do anything you don't like or reminds-"

"-I could never hate anything you do. Even if you throw pillows at me and shove ice down my shirt."

His eye sparkles in mirth. "You'll never forget that, will you?"

"How could I ever forget you?"

"You stole my line."

"Steal your own cliché."

I watch as he pauses in consideration. "Whatever floats your boat?"

"Water."

I see him hesitate; he was going to push me down on the couch and have his way with me, but he hesitates. I save him the trouble and pull him over me.

I sigh. "This is going to be a long day, isn't it?"

"We've got plenty of time, if that's what you mean." Gippal mumbles against my cheek, planting a kiss under my chin.

Oh-o. I just remembered. "I need to put away-" I start laughing as he grumbles against me wearing my collared robes, limiting his kissing space. "-the groceries." I try to wiggle off the couch, but he grabs my hips and pulls me back under him.

"So..." He makes idle conversation while pulling my robe open. "What was that oh-so-good dream of yours about? Because if it was better than mine, I must hear everything in complete detail."

My cheeks tinted again. "That's another thing not mention in good company."

He laughs against my lips as he kisses me. "That good eh?"

I nod my head.

"Well, I had just slid down your perfect body," I felt his hands mimic the moves. "And was about to show you just how orally competent we Al Bhed are when you woke me."

The whole time I felt my cheeks get hotter as he described what exactly I was dreaming about when I woke up.

Gippal seemed to latch onto my thoughts. "So you were dreaming about something similar, eh?"

I nod, swallowing dryly. "Yeah, I was lying down and you were going to..." I feel my whole body flush at that admittance. I'm not really the kind of person to talk...dirty. Or even think about that, actually.

I grow concerned at the glint in his eye. "You want to finish that dream?"

My cheeks burn so unbearable at my wild, confused thoughts. "You...I... Here?!" I feel my heart hammering away in my chest as he nods and his hands start to explore below my waist.

He smiles as he raises himself on all fours, slowing moving down the couch. "Yeah. You don't mind, do ya?"

I want to speak, but my body tenses, and I grow lightheaded as my heart is circulating more blood than necessary, causing me to almost pant. My body grows warmer and other places warmer still. I gasped as his cool fingers slipped under my top, my body heat searing into his.

"I'll take that as a 'yes'."

My body's reacting to this as if it's having a panic attack. My heart beats like crazy, and I find myself short of breath as he starts removing my boots. I nearly choke as he quickly and with ease is able to loosen any ties at my waist. His fingers slip under the band. He looks back up at me under his lashes, licking his lips as if there was a fantastic meal spread before him.

"You ready?"

---------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------

Add itional-Additional Comment: Isn't that bad , was it? And you see, though I like Seymour, it is possible he did have some bad days.

Challenge!Of sorts) I leave you with this thought. You know how they make those little candies on strings that you can wear as braceletts or necklaces? Imagine two on Baralai's neck like a choker, two on each wrist, one on each bicep, one stretched on around his exposed waist, and one high on his left thigh, over his silk, green pajama pants.

Then, to make it even better, imagine Gippal stuck in the room with Baralai, while he has a sudden craving for sugar. Title that thought " Sweetener." Bonus points if you try and draw it. A bazillion brownie points if you email the drawing to me. And if three or more of you send me those drawings, I will write a lemon and post it here. And all of you readers will get to vote on who the pairings/pairing will be, and what food item will be used as the aphrodisiac.