Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Love and Duty ❯ Familiar Faces ( Chapter 12 )

Notes and Warnings: Minor spoilers for FFX-2, as it is post FFX-2.
A Gippal/Baralai [eventual] slash, and romancing.


'The Warning Everyone Else Has' Warning: ie chapter 7.

Personal Note: Er...I finally found time to write more. *sighs* Spring Break was just as busy as any school week. Once again, big thank you for the wait.




Additional comment: Alright, a nicer chapter, with a surprise guest!

<<Enjoy Chapter 12: Familiar Faces >>


I rolled my eyes up, wetting my lips for the effect. And affect. "You ready?" My fingers slid under the waistband, cool against the hot skin.

*Knock knock* "Hey Baralai, you in there?"

I almost tore his pants in two from the shock. I swore, she would die. Once is forgivable. Keeping him from me back in the squad days. Twice when we were on the couch yesterday. But three times? Oh no. Three times is a charm baby. No girl is going to come between me and my, man. My man who I was about to utterly ravish from head to toe-

"Gippal..." I looked up at my man who escaped from my grasp, now looking down at me.

"You put away the food. I'll get the door." He give me a little face, it looked like indecision, but he quickly kissed me on the lips, heading into the kitchen. The initial daze that came whenever Baralai kissed me helped quell my frustration and anger. A bit.

I reach the door keying the panel for it to open. I cover my eye with my arm. "Ahh!" The sunlight spills into the doorway.

Paine chuckled. "Too bright?"

I respond dryly, squashing the threatening grin. "No."*

With glee I see Paine make a face, and I grimace as she punches me in the shoulder. Hard. So I punch her back.

"Why you..." I didn't even see it coming. I should have, but I didn't.

She had me down on the floor in seconds, straddling my chest, knees pinning my arms. I was utterly vulnerable. She could start raining down the punches and there was nothing I could do.

But no....the Fayth couldn't put mercy on this creature....put in out of his misery.... they had to let Paine do her worst. And I have never, ever, in my life, blushed or laughed this hard. You would think a grown man would be 'tickle-proof', or something like that. Not twisting on the floor, laughing so hard he couldn't see straight. I rolled my head back as her fingers stopped exploring my sensitive flanks or neck. I saw this..smug face on Baralai, who crouched down so we could be face to face.

"Hey Baralai?"

I felt Paine shift as she sat back, still pinning down my body, but releasing my arms.

"Yes?"

"You know how you wanted to meet Tidus?"

I watched Baralai's face scrunch up a bit in confusion, then smooth out. "Oh, Yuna's boyfriend?"

"Fiancee, actually. He'll be in Bevelle sometime later today; I'm going down to the docks to meet him. The ship he's arriving on is the one we're leaving on."

"We?" I questioned.

"Yuna, Rikku and I. We're heading to Kilika, then Besaid. He was interested in meeting you two, so I'll give him directions to your place when I see him. He leaves early tomorrow; think he can stay the night?"

Baralai nodded. "Yeah, he can have my bed; I'll sleep on the couch in the study."

I plaster on my grin of grins. "He could have the guest room, and we could just sleep together."

Baralai ruffled my perfect hair. "Well.." He seemed to give thought to it, "...no."

I stuck out my tongue in defiance, only to have it caught between the Praetor's forefinger and thumb.

"Perhaps I should cut this off, since it has become such a nuisance."

I scowled as best as I could with my tongue stretched out. Baralai let my tongue go, and I ruefully rubbed my mouth. "I already lost my eye, what more could you ask for?"

"How about an arm and a leg?" Paine suggested helpfully.

"I'm not Nooj." I watched both Paine and Baralai smile lightly at my joke. So it was a bit below the belt... "Can I get up now?"

"I don't know, can you?" Paine glanced over at my boy.

"I don't know either. I don't think he's strong enough to-" Baralai stopped short when I lunged forward, now pinning Paine to the ground. She laughed, wrapping her legs around my waist in an iron grip.

"Oh Gippal!" She cried out, and I noted Baralai's laughter behind me. "I never knew you felt this way about me."

I tried to escape, but damn that woman had me trapped. I felt fingers briefly brush my back, and recognized the soft touch as Baralai's. I watched his fantastic retreating form. I turned my head back to my tormentor. "You always knew how I felt about you," I growled.

She laughed. "It'll be like old times. We'll share each other, and our love!" Paine's voice went sickeningly high in sarcasm. "Just you and me-"

"Baralai!" I shouted after him in panic. He couldn't leave me like this.

I heard the laughter and the shouting response. "Yes Gippal, like it was meant to be, just the three of us!"

My scowl at their laughter turned into a grin as I leaned in closer to Paine. "That doesn't sound so bad..." I lean in as if for a kiss, and she immediately kicks me off.

"Lady-killer as always," she replied in disgust, rising from the floor.

'Damn straight."

"I doubt you are." I admit Paine got me on that one. "Baralai, Tidus should arrive in the next two hours. Keep your eyes peeled."

I lifted up my eye patch. "Like this?" I ask innocently.

She laughed softly, laughter coming from deep within. "Not to that extreme."

------------------//-----------------------------//----- ------2 hours later----------//-----------------------------//

Loud, clear knocks brought me out of my trance. Gippal and I had wound down after lunch, basking in the sun that spilled through my open window. On bare skin it was a liquid rush of heat, and it easily lulled us into a semblance of sleep. Now it seemed that long moment finally broke.

I sat up and rose from the couch, slipping out from beneath the almost sleeping Gippal, walking to the front door. The small chime sounded. I picked up the pace into a short jog, socks sliding smoothly against the wood floor. I couldn't help the smile as I slid perfectly, stopping right in front of the door, keying the control panel.

I gasped at the sight. It was too...surreal. Too intense.

The man drew in a sharp breath, swearing as he reached out, fingering my collar. "Holy shit."

"Rumo cred!" I nearly jumped from my skin at the exclamation. I didn't even sense Gippal come up behind me, I was so taken by...

"My name is Tidus, you must be Praetor Baralai and Gippal."

I shook my head to clear my thoughts, smiled, and took the proffered hand and invited the blonde in. I laughed on the inside. What would I do with two blondes?

As if reading my thoughts, Tidus replied, "I don't know what we could do, but I think we should all sit down and share some stories, eh?" Tidus' brows furrowed slightly, giving me an almost appraising glance. "Especially yours."

We moved back to the couch the two of us were resting on earlier. Despite formalities, it was my break, and it was high time I got comfortable. While everyone else sat down, I curled up, resting against the couch's arm comfortably. I sighed contentedly, receiving two odd glances my way. I shrugged.

I introduced Gippal. "This is Gippal," I motioned to my lover on the other side of the sofa. He inclined his head. "He's the leader of the Machine Faction, Al Bhed."

Tidus turned to look him over. "I'm Tidus. Like the hair." He grinned, and Gippal grinned back.

"I'm Baralai-"

"Leader of New Yevon, the one and only Praetor." I squashed my inner-child urge to make a face at Gippal at the interruption.

"And I am Tidus. Just...Tidus." I smiled at his modesty.

"Oh-oh. We've got another one."

"Another what?" Tidus asked, turning to my childish love.

"Another Baralai. So humble he can barely say his name without blushing."

Tidus laughed. "I don't think I'm that bad."

"And neither am I. Now, won't you tell those stories you suggested?"



The three of us sat for a long time on the couch, relating tales and stories, starting with Gippal, then Tidus, and finally, probably least, my meager life. The odd part was during the Tidus' story; the blonde kept looking back at me periodically. Like I was...an oddity. Something that wasn't supposed to be there. Though, after a while areminiscing smile accompanied the odd looks. After all stories, and questions that had followed, came a peaceful silence. Until it was broken, quite suddenly.

Tidus reached out, fingers trailing the high collars of my robe. "It's just..."

I shifted under the intense gaze. He fingered the material, as if it was familiar to him. Like the texture would bring back memories. What memories, I wasn't sure. I saw Tidus once, and only once while under the service of Seymour. But I'm certain he never saw me. Perhaps Auron informed him about our little....'covert' operation?

I blushed, transfixed by his gaze as his fingers lightly trailed up my jaw line. There was a noise, and I broke the eye contact, leaning away from the touch to see around the tanned, broad shoulders. Gippal had an indecisive, angry, and hopeless look on his face.

'What?' He mouthed to me, indicating the entranced Tidus. He looked like he simultaneously wanted to rip Tidus off from me and beat him to a pulp or indulge in his curiousity, and just let him be.

I shrugged in response, not really sure myself what was going on. I sent him a warm smile, and it seemed to calm his nerves. It was one of those 'I'm alright, it's ok' and 'down boy!' looks. I watched as he started making random faces at me, some of them intentionally made behind Tidus' back.

"Same eye color..." I started when Tidus laughed, leaning closer, finger now tracing my right brow. "...but different eyebrows."

It was like...he was memorizing my face. The way the blind map your features; it was very similar to what Tidus was doing now. Except, Tidus wasn't blind. Not from what I could see anyways.

I was about to call this fun little adventure into my personal space quits when my headband was pulled off. But the exclamation from Tidus cut off any of my remarks.

"Ah-hah. Yep. Even has the hair thing going on." Tidus pointed to my hair, as if a sudden revelation would happen once we saw it. Honestly, I've looked in the mirror enough to know I won't get any good ideas from there.

Embarrassing, I know, but I made a little 'eep' when his hands buried in my hair. Ok, not that I'm adverse to tactile sensations, but this was starting to become a 'feel-up-Baralai' contest. I shook my head free of his fingers, ducking my chin down into my green collar.

"Hey! He even has the same facial structure." Tidus sighed wistfully. "Y'know, Auron never told me his son was still alive, yet alone dresses like him."

Yep. Can you believe the most shocking moment of my life is right now? Great. Then you can imagine how shocked I am.

"H-how did you get that idea?" Woah. Been a long time since I've stammered like that.

Tidus just laughed. I bet my shocked expression was something funny on my features. "Awe c'mon, you look just like him. Well, I mean you probably have your mother's dark complexion, her eye structure, hair; well, color anyways, and you definitely got Auron's hands."

I looked down at my hands. Fine-boned, long, but strong fingers, not too wide of a palm, sharply narrowing to my wrist...

"But I'm not..." I laughed at the irony of the situation. "My parents died. I don't even remember what they looked like." My nerves broke as I realized all the similarities to Sir Auron and myself. "My parents were dead before I was born."

Tidus didn't seem shocked. "Well it makes perfect sense, really. For your age he would have already been dead." I shook my head, trying to refute the one-sided logic.

Gippal gave me a look, one that said 'Is he crazy?', and another 'Do you want me to beat him up for you?' I shook my head no to both. I found a loophole in the logic.

"My parents were sent, sent, Tidus. They turned into the Fayth and left."

"So?" he inquired.

"So, Auron wouldn't have been with you, if he was sent."

Tidus smiled, a smile that you'd use on a child when they were endearingly wrong. "Just because someone sends you away, doesn't mean the Fayth can't call them back in the flesh and blood."

I was going to argue that point, but the living proof was right in front of me.

GIppal slid off the couch, settling on the floor by me. "So what are you trying to say?"

Tidus turned to Gippal, no longer leaning over me. "Just look at him. He has to be Auron's son." Tidus settled back down into the couch, readying to tell a long story. "Listen, Auron was married way before Braska. Just before his son's birth Braska announced the wonderful news of their own child conceived, Yuna. There was an accident, I never got out of him what happened, when he and his due wife were traveling. Apparently she got ill, but somehow gave birth to a healthy son. It was about, I don't know, seven years later she 'passed away'. At first I thought it meant died, but after a while I got the feeling isn't was death she experienced. I'm still not sure what it was though."

Gippal gave another look at me; this is the quietest he's ever been.

I shook my head again in response to him. "No, no-one except eyewitnesses knew. They were afraid...." What was the right word? "...a sort of 'assassination' would happen again if people....knew."

"If people knew what?" Tidus interjected.

" My parents died before I was born; there was a witness. Yet they still gave birth to...me. On my seventh birthday-"

Gippal choked. "That was your birthday?!"

I nodded weakly. "Yeah. One I never forgot." I laughed dryly at my own joke. "My parents...were sent that day. After they knew I would be taken care of and alright, they let go. They let themselves be sent..."

"And what about these... 'asassination' attempts?"

Gippal answered for me. "Some people weren't too fond knowing someone was born of dead parents." He grabbed my arm, pushing up the garment's sleeve. I surpressed the urge to growl at him; I really didn't like people knowing about that.

Sure enough, Tidus grabbed my wrist from Gippal, resting it against a thigh as he trailed the white scar. I tried to tug my hand from his grasp, with no luck. Perhaps Tidus and Gippal had something in common. They couldn't mind their own business!

Both heads snapped up at my explosive released breath. I wanted to yell at them to mind their own damned business; but it wasn't their fault. Inside, I was really angry at myself. That I wasn't strong enough to save my parents from the summoners. That I couldn't protect myself. That long white scar held everything I hated about myself. My weaknesses. My flaws.

I sighed and slowly drew my arm back. "Just know it wasn't the best day of my life, ok? I'm here now, so obviously everything's ok."

The two blondes looked at each other, concern etched in their features. They turned back to me, looking like they wanted me to talk. Like they were going to make me talk about. Just create a little crying session for me, so I can bawl about all the bad things that happened to me in life. What I really wanted to do was throw my head back and scream in frustration. Couldn't they just drop the issue?

I put back on my 'I'm a happy little Praetor' face. Yevon, was I in the mood for some biting sarcasm. I calmed my nerves. Even the damaged ones in my hand.

"Still, even if Auron was my father, why didn't he come back for me?"

Gippal and Tidus looked at each other again.

Great, now they think I have abandonment issues. I mean, just because I saw my parents float away, 'die', and I watched my surrogate mother die in my arms, my surrogate father leaving me after she died, and then my close knit 'family' of the crimson days stabs me in the back, and then Auron 'dies', along with Braska, and my only childhood friend Yuna is put thousands of miles away from me, and doesn't even recognize me even though I risked my life for her....Like fiery damnation did I have abandonment issues. Yevon that I let them know any of that. Oh yeah. Then I was possessed by Shuin, who hijacked my emotions, and felt abandoned for centuries by so many people. I couldn't be more messed up even if Tidus said 'I love you.'

"I love you."

I breathed sharply at the words. It was an irrational fear, but the uncanny coincidence, and the complete turn of tables had my heart beating fast. Tidus couldn't have just said that, could he have? I mean, it sounded like his voice. Oh no. Don't you dare get closer!

I plastered myself against the couch, wondering where in Spira Gippal went. Tidus leaned closer, and it seemed he was confused. He reached out for me, calling my name. I didn't know why I was so afraid. My emotions took over my common sense. Arms suddenly folded around me from behind, and my heart skipped a beat, my body jumping.

"Hey..." Gippal. It was Gippal who held me. I relaxed a bit as one hand started running through my hair, soothing my shaken nerves. He whispered lovingly in my ear, and I could sense a hint of amusement lacing those words, though it was buried under concern. "What's got you so jumpy all-of-a-sudden?"

"I..." I looked back over at Tidus, observing his head tilted in confusion. At that angle it was almost painful to look at him; his hair reflected the sun so well. But there was no indication he suddenly confessed a proclamation of love. Not to me anyways. Unless...Gippal knew it. I laughed inwardly. Sure Baralai, there is a sexual conspiracy out there; everybody just can't wait to get in your pants. "....it's nothing. I...just though I heard something."

Gippal laughed, the vibrations of it sending shivers down my spine. "Didn't think I could say 'I love you'?"

Damn Gippal and Tidus for their similar voices. Or perhaps it was my subconscious playing cruel jokes on me? I blushed slightly. "I thought...oh... sorry Tidus, but you and Gippal sound so much alike..." I blushed harder as Gippal muffled his laughter on the side of my neck; it felt so good to have his lips there... I jumped when I heard the thump.

Tidus fell off the couch laughing, and that only further tickled my Gippal. Though in a split second I felt the tell-tale pressure and scrapes of nips along my neck. Gippal's hand stroked the other side of my neck, evoking electric tingles to sing along my skin. His other hand pulled down my collar so he could 'explore' more with his lips, teeth and tongue.

I gently pushed him away; he growled softly and nipped at my ear for good measure. Although he straightened, standing tall behind me, that one hand remained, stroking my skin. My awfully sensitive neck, with light touches. The jerk knew it got to me.

Tidus' laughter quelled, and he went back to his respective seat. Honestly, we were all acting like a bunch of boys. Though, it was kind of nice.

"So, you two are a couple, eh?"

I nod, and I can just feel that sunny smile from my lover.

Tidus smiled bright, showing his very white teeth. "Paine thought you might be, though she wasn't quite sure how far along it got. Though I'd say," Tidus stared at my neck, and I realized he was watching the small movements of Gippal's fingers against my skin, "that you two got far enough."

"Not as nearly far as you'd think." I heard Gippal speak almost wistfully. He bent down, kissing my mop of hair. "Though yes, far enough."

I smiled warmly. "So about the whole Auron being my father thing."

"What about the whole zoning out for three minutes thing?" Tidus shot back with a grin.

"What?"

"We couldn't get your attention. It was like you were someplace else," Gippal supplied helpfully.

"Oh, I was just thinking."

"Sure you were," he replied doubtfully.

"Anyways," I continued, "About this whole Auron theory you had.." I gesture vaguely.

"You asked why didn't he come back for you?" I nod. " He did. Your mother didn't come back, because the only reason she stayed was for your safety. When she knew you'd be alright, she left. Auron? He promised Braska to help him. Call it unfinished business. But what did he do? He didn't interfere with your life. You didn't even remember him as your father anymore. So he just stays minimal in your life, making sure you're safe, and he can keep an eye on you. Once he knew you were ok on your own, he left. He had you to watch over Yuna; he had fulfilled all his word. Everyone was safe, and you were a strong young man. You didn't need him anymore."

Huh. Interesting logic. "That still doesn't mean he's my father. It's still all speculation."

"True. But how do argue against the physical, and even mental, similarities?"

I shrugged. "I could be his cousin twice-removed." Ahh. Finally I can say something sarcastic.

Tidus threw up his hands. "Who knows! But you startled the heck out of me when I first saw you."

"Same here."

"I remind you of someone?"

"Yes."

Tidus paused. "Please don't tell me that I scared you like that. I mean, it is uncanny my similarities to Shuin..."

"It's ok. You remind me more of Alexia, she lived nearby when I was young; we were being taught sword techniques by the same instructor. She had short blonde hair, bright like yours, same eyes, and she had a habit of falling over laughing too." I exaggerated a gasp. "She could be your sister!"

"Ha-ha." He emphasized the last 'ha' with a poke into my ribs. I was going to lunge forward and retaliate, but hands suddenly slid down my chest, pushing me back into the couch. I liked his hands there, so I made no attempt to remove them.

He purred sensually in my ear. "Oui dfu lyh'd caas du gaab ouin ryhtc uvv aylr udran."(You two can't seem to keep your hands off each other)

I looked into his eyes, purring back. "Oui zaymuic?"(You jealous?)

"Syopa."(Maybe.)

Tidus smiled sheepishly as his stomach groaned. "Dinner?" He asked.

I grinned. "We're going out, if you don't mind."

"Nope. They have mighty fine food here."

"Good. Give us a minute and we'll be ready to go."

Tidus grinned. "It looks like you two want more than a minute."

"Want, need..." Gippal grinned, bending down over me. I pushed his face away.

"A minute...to get ready for dinner."

As Tidus got up, Gippal bent down, kissing me. "But that's no fun."

I laughed as his hands slid lower. "Dinner," I reprimanded him.

"Dessert," he whispered, planting his mouth back to the side of my neck.

I chuckled out loud. "Dinner comes before dessert."







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* he was implying the sight of Paine was unbearable, not the bright light. Gippal can be so cruel.... and mighty playful.



up next Chapter 13: Dinner, Company, then Dessert


ps. I uh.. think Baralai and Tidus would make a good couple... heh heh. Of course, in a worse-case-senerio Baralai could be hunted down by Tidus, Gippal, and Shuin. *shivers* Now that is a fic. Baralai getting tumbled by all three of 'em. All three blondes. In relentless sexual persuit. I wonder, can you really get out of a corner if three tall, beautiful blond men surrounded you, and were doing unspeakably pleasureful acts with their fingers, tongues, teeth and mouths?