kinkfest | Final Fantasy XII (Basch/Balthier, Basch/Others) (Reply)

Title: A Nest of Bunansas, Or, Why Basch Should Not Listen to Women
Fandom: Final Fantasy XII
Rating: PG13
Pairing: Basch x Balthier, Basch x OCs
A/N: Very late response to prompt. Sorry. [2,673]. Am combining prompt fic request with springkink request, because I am lazy and nanowrimo is in a few days. XD;;

For: Seyricka
Prompt Fic: Meeting the Bunansa Clan
Springkink Oct 25 Prompt: Balthier, Family Strife: Playing Pirate

Oct 25: Family Strife: Balthier: Playing Pirate

[A/N: Combining with prompt:

for: seyricka

fandom: FFXII
pairing: Basch/Balthier
notes: I am dying to see more about Balthier's brothers after your fic "Family Ties", so I wanted to see a little sequel ^^
prompt: meeting The Bunansa Clan

Sorry about the delay – my parents came down to Melbourne for a week.]

A Nest of Bunansas, Or, Why Basch Should Not Listen to Women

1 Where Basch yet again caves to a woman’s will

Basch tried to look stern as he addressed his Chief Aide. “I am busy, Meridian.”

“I organize your schedule, sir. You are certainly not so busy that you cannot take a week off,” Meridian replied pertly, her gauntleted arms crossed before her breastplate, and Basch wondered, not for the first time, why in the world his brother had appointed someone as bloody tenacious and quarrelsome as Meridian as his second in command in his Bureau. Surely they would have clashed wills at least every other day over the smallest matters.

“Therefore you know that I am busy,” Basch said, as reasonably as he could. “I can not take a vacation, and certainly not for such a frivolous reason.”

“You can, and besides, there is surely no such thing as a serious vacation,” Meridian pointed out cheerfully. “Besides, t’will be only for a few days, and you would be in Archades. If anything happens that absolutely requires your attention I give you my word that you will be the first to hear of it.”

Basch had learned over the year to listen very carefully to the diction of other Judges, even those on his team, and especially that of the women. ‘The first to hear of it’ did not, technically, mean the first to do something about ‘it’, especially where the ‘it’ currently involved several pressing questions of administrative law concerning the reinstatement procedure for the new Senate.

“And,” Meridian continued inexorably, just as Basch was about the voice his third refusal in not so many words, “I have spoken with Lord Larsa and he agrees with me.”

Basch stared at her in shock. “You did what?”

“Spoke to Lord Larsa yesterday,” the infuriating woman said, tossing her mane of silky hair insouciantly.

“How in Archades’ name did you… Meridian!”

“Oh come on, sir. Admit it, you want to see him.” Meridian grinned. “The other girls and I saw how you were like after Lord Larsa received that letter, and then your reaction to that magazine yesterday… and besides, all of us agree unanimously that the both of you would make an adorable couple.”

“I had my helmet on.” Basch staunchly ignored the last comment, and dropped his gaze pointedly to the stack of papers in his in tray, but Meridian breezily ignored the blatant hint.

“And you are not denying matters.”

Basch pinched the bridge of his nose, and let out a deep sigh.

2 Where Balthier contemplates fratricide

“But I do not want Draklor,” Balthier protested, when the grizzled old family lawyer, Drae Lapier, read out his father’s will. He had fully intended to leave after the photo shoots, but Fran had mysteriously disappeared into Lower Archades, supposedly to speak with a friend, and his brothers had cornered him in the drawing room.

Drae looked first at Midian, who shrugged and tugged absently at his long silver ponytail, then at Audipher, who smiled ingratiatingly under his frame of flame red tresses. “T’would have been what the old boy would have wished.”

“Since when has our vagrant youngest brother done what Father would have wanted?” Midian arched an eyebrow. The eldest Bunansa was dressed in the casual deep blue and silver of an off-duty Circuit Judge. “He has, after all, been playing pirate for the better part of seven years.”

“Midian,” Audipher snapped sharply, even as Balthier flushed with irritation.

“Why are you both still here, in any case?” Balthier folded his arms tightly, deciding to leave aside the thorny issue of inheriting Draklor for the time being. Audipher was sprawled comfortably on the expensively upholstered leather couch, his yellow silk robe open, barefoot in fine blue cotton breeches. Beside him, in one of the armchairs, Lapier wrote industriously on a notepad and pretended to ignore the latest bubble of family disagreements.

“Midian is here for the Magister selection,” Audipher said soothingly, with a quick eye at the eldest, who rolled his eyes and stalked over to one of the long windows, staring out at the family lawns.

“And you, Consul? You are a long way from Ranor.”

“Here to congratulate Midian when he is selected, of course,” Audipher smiled innocently. Balthier knew better than to take his words at face value – there was probably some connections Audipher was chasing up, either political or business in nature, and Midian’s selection – if it happened – would be a perfect foil. “If you stay the week you would be able to do so too.”

There was a snort from Midian, at the window, and Balthier bared his teeth. “No doubt my beloved oldest brother would be so very happy to receive the congratulations of a pirate.”

“Do not bother speaking sense into him, brother. Let him be.” Midian said coldly. “If he wishes to sell Draklor, on his will be it. ‘Tis not wholly his fault that his blood is so wild.”

“I am damned tired of you slighting my mother,” Balthier hissed, knowing that he shouldn’t have taken the bait, and yet giving in far too easily to his anger. Beside Audipher, Lapier mumbled his apologies and crabbed quickly out of the room.

“Midian. That was-” Audipher caught Balthier’s arm tightly, going from reclining at the couch to the youngest Bunansa’s side with snakelike speed.

“Deserved, and true,” Midian’s lip twisted, and he did not look their way. “Taking a second wife was ill-advised. Marrying a merchant’s daughter, even more so.”

“Come now, you loved Liadrin as much as any of us did,” Audipher growled, his fingers tightening on Balthier’s arm. “You’ve simply not-”

“Do not say it, brother.” Midian turned at last, his fingers groping for the sword at his hip. “I have warned you before.”

A knock at the door shattered the tension. “Begging your pardon, sirs,” the dry tones of the head butler, Admon, was muffled slightly by the wood. “There is a visitor at the door for Master Ffamran.”

“Some ruffian, no doubt. Turn him away, Admon.” Midian growled, and Balthier stiffened, narrowing his eyes.

“Judge Magister Gabranth, Master Midian,” Admon said, unperturbed by Midian’s temper. “He says he is a friend.”

Midian’s expression, Balthier felt, was well worth seeing one of the few persons in Archades whom he had sought so hard to avoid. “Send him in, Admon.”

“Very good, Master Ffamran.”

3 Where Basch has the niggling impression of having stepped into a snake’s nest

Basch looked around himself curiously as the lanky, wrinkled old butler led him through the mansion. He had vaguely known that House Bunansa was part of the older nobility, but had not actually registered that it was part of the wealthy older nobility. The mansion was constructed mostly of aged oak and mahogany, with sweeping, high chambers tiled with marble mosaic and plush Ranor handweaves. Large oil portraits of obligatory ancestors decorated the paneled walls in solemn formality, and huge confections of glass provided a pale light from the arched ceilings.

The drawing room was no different, with one wall a line of long windows, the others bookcases and showcases. A long couch and two armchairs faced an unlit fireplace.

Balthier blinked in shock when he was shown in, opening his mouth, and then closing it into a tight line. Beside him, the red head, Audipher, smiled warmly with a politician’s welcome, but it was the silver haired Circuit Judge, Midian, at the window, who spoke, once the butler had been shown out, his hand on his blade. “You are not Gabranth.”

At that, Audipher frowned, and looked sharply at Balthier, who stared at Basch. When he shrugged, his ceremonial armor rasping, the sky pirate sighed. “Midian is right. Basch, what in Giruvegan’s Hell are you doing dressed as your brother?”

“He did not survive Bahamut,” Basch frowned. Surely someone must have told Balthier about him… but then again, the sky pirate had stolen back his ship without notice. “Before he passed on, he charged me with Larsa’s care.” He paused. Midian had seen through him at a glance, and Basch had thought lately that he had already fit almost seamlessly into Gabranth’s persona. He had even developed the accent. “If I may ask, how did you see the difference? Gabranth and I were twins.”

Midian’s throat worked, then he looked away. “No matter. You do appear exactly like him.”

Balthier still looked nonplussed, but Audipher shot the oldest brother a glance over his shoulder, then walked lightly to his side and took his arm, showing Basch to a chair. “Basch… Queen Dalmasca’s guard? Then you must have accompanied her and our dear youngest brother on her quest! Would you like some cognac?”

“Er, no thank you,” Basch mumbled, distracted. The sky pirate had bared his teeth for a moment when Audipher had looped fingers over his elbow. Midian was also pointedly ignoring him, when Basch would have thought that, being a contender for the Bench and therefore according to the rules of Archadian politicking, Midian would have attempted to at least make small talk.

“That’s Audipher,” Balthier said then, grudgingly, his eyes darting all too obviously and longingly at the exit. “And the silver haired one sulking at the window is Midian, the oldest.”

“I saw the photograph in a magazine. All of you, that is,” Basch added, his tongue beginning to knot itself when Balthier sat down on the couch next to him and crossed his legs. The sky pirate was dressed in a cream shirt that was only partially unbuttoned, and black leather breeches tucked into high bucket-cuff suede gray boots.

“Oh, that,” Balthier said, in distaste, just as Audipher chirped, “Did you like it?”

“Er. It was a good photograph,” Basch said diplomatically, as Audipher sat down on his opposite side. Balthier tensed perceptively, glaring at his brother over Basch’s shoulders.

“I think I should like to speak with Basch privately,” the sky pirate said.

“Surely nothing scandalous, for you’ve mentioned not a thing about him to us,” Audipher said cheerfully, placing a hand lightly on Basch’s thigh that made him flinch slightly. Balthier let out a low growl. “T’would be a crime to keep us from knowing your handsome friend better, would you not say, Midian?”

As Midian grunted assent, Basch edged backwards as much as he could into the cushioned back of the sofa. What had Meridian gotten him into?

4 Where Balthier again contemplates fratricide, this time in all seriousness

Somehow, Audipher had talked Basch into staying over for at least the weekend. Balthier shuddered at the thought. Audipher was a playboy, and Midian – well, he knew why Midian had recoiled at Basch’s appearance, having had ‘relations’ with Gabranth in the past, but he wouldn’t put it beyond even his oldest brother to warm up to Basch. Basch unfortunately tended to have that effect on others.

Which meant that leaving for Lower Archades to find Fran would have to wait – he could not quite in good conscience leave Basch to the two slavering wolves that were his brothers.

He was fairly sure Basch wouldn’t be able to handle his brothers. That and a sense of misplaced, remaining sense of camaraderie was all that caused the unhappy knot of tension within him whenever he saw Audipher leaning on Basch’s arm, of course.

It was rather a pity that his brothers’ deaths would mean that he would have sole responsibility for the Bunansa estates. With a sigh, Balthier gave the aft wing of his beloved Strahl one final polish and dropped the cloth into the bucket at his feet. He really should check on Basch… and he yelped as he turned around to see the very person standing diffidently behind him.

“When did you… no matter,” Balthier put his hand back against the wing to steady himself. He really was slipping. “Managed to lose them about the house?”

“Midian has been called to the Department, and Audipher has gone to lunch with some associates.” Basch said apologetically. “May I borrow the use of a communications panel? I should contact my Bureau and inquire about work.”

“So the snakes have left for now.” Balthier relaxed slightly. “There’s a panel in the back of this hangar.”

“You never mentioned brothers,” Basch said softly, as he followed the sky pirate over the coils of servicing wire towards the back of the large chamber.

“We were bedmates out of convenience for a while, not confidants,” Balthier said sharply, then took a breath when he heard a mumbled apology. “Sorry. I do not get along well with my siblings, and having to stay with them until Fran comes back is fraying my nerves.”

“Ah. Er,” Basch coughed, “I, or my brother, had an apartment in Central. You could use that if you wished. I also have rooms at the Department.”

Balthier glanced behind him for a moment, then smiled faintly when he saw Basch was looking away in embarrassment, and turned back to the panel he was uncovering at the corner of the hangar. Dusty, but still serviceable – his father had never used the hangar for its true purpose, only as a large storage space. “I cannot leave the Strahl by itself here.”

“I could try to find Fran, send her a message,” Basch offered, standing far too close to the sky pirate as Balthier started up the panel, accessing the menu and the locks.

Balthier tried to ignore the heat he could feel from the other man. “No thank you. Fran does not appreciate being found when she is on private business.”

It was certainly conscience.

5 Where Basch wonders what his life would have been like with fewer women

“Well?” Meridian demanded, when Basch sat down at his desk and began shuffling through his in-tray.

“What?” Basch affected a look of bewilderment that he knew would irritate his Chief Aide. She deserved as much, he felt.

“How did your week go?”

Behind Meridian, through the partially open double doors to his office, Basch could all but taste the interest of the undoubtedly hiding female associates of his Bureau. He sighed.

“It was fine, thank you.”

“Judge Midian made Magister,” Meridian tried a leading question.

“I know.” Basch began leafing through correspondence. That night, Midian had been remarkably possessive… but Basch carefully put the memory away under the need to peruse the memo.

“And the Consul of Ranor is sniffing about the Senate, I have heard.”

“I know. Many Consuls are looking for a place in the new Senate. As you should have heard.” Basch knew he was being irritating, but he had to fight to keep his smirk down. Audipher was very charming, and he did not doubt that the middle Bunansa brother would eventually work his way into the Senate.

“And the sky pirate has not left for Balfonheim.” Meridian’s temper was firmly under control.

“He is waiting for his companion,” Basch said mildly. Balthier had conceded some matters ungraciously the last week, but thankfully the morals of a pirate meant he did not seem to object to what Audipher had dryly called the ‘time-share’. He did, however, object very strongly to his brothers being about in the first place, but-

“Hah!” Meridian’s crow of triumph told Basch that he had wandered off in thought. “So, something happened.”

“A week of no work completed to my satisfaction happened,” Basch said sternly, but Meridian enthusiasm was not to be dampened.

“And no further work will happen to your satisfaction until we get all the details,” Meridian said, leaning her elbows on his desk and cupping her cheeks in her palms.

“Did you use to treat my brother like this?”

“Maybe.”

-fin-