Six years after Larsa takes the throne, he comes of age, which occasions a state visit to Dalmasca.
Basch suspects that this has more to do with a certain lady sky pirate than anything related to politics. But he cannot object; it means, after all, that he gets to see his lady.
It is not an unmixed blessing: his first thought at the sight of her is that she looks tired.
Tired, worn, as Larsa does not; and his first thought is to blame himself, that he left her side at all.
(She has Balthier, he knows; had Balthier while she had him, sometimes quite literally. But a gadabout sky pirate is not the same thing as a proper knight's steadfast devotion.) (He thinks that he needs to explain this to Larsa, betimes.)
So he finds his way to her quarters, as inevitable and inexorable as the tides on the Phon Coast. He is not surprised, though he is gratified, when her guards let "Judge Magister Gabranth" into her presence unannounced.
She looks up from whatever business of state holds her chained to her desk at present, and her wan smile twists his heart. There is a long moment in which they look at each other, then, "I didn't think you'd come," she murmurs.
It is enough, and more than, to send him to her side, going on his knees to her even as he takes her hands. "Rather should not have left your side at all," he murmurs, "and leave you to carry your burdens alone."
She opens her mouth, doubtless to mouth some courtly denial; whatever she sees in his face stops the words upon her lips. Instead--- "Basch," she murmurs, barely a breath, and lowers her face to his.
Their kiss is all the sweetness he could ask, even as he aches to make it a comfort for her, and when they break, she rests her head against his, as if for a moment she could let him bear the weight of her crown for her.
"Service of the Queen": FFXII (OGC): Ashe/Basch, G
Basch suspects that this has more to do with a certain lady sky pirate than anything related to politics. But he cannot object; it means, after all, that he gets to see his lady.
It is not an unmixed blessing: his first thought at the sight of her is that she looks tired.
Tired, worn, as Larsa does not; and his first thought is to blame himself, that he left her side at all.
(She has Balthier, he knows; had Balthier while she had him, sometimes quite literally. But a gadabout sky pirate is not the same thing as a proper knight's steadfast devotion.) (He thinks that he needs to explain this to Larsa, betimes.)
So he finds his way to her quarters, as inevitable and inexorable as the tides on the Phon Coast. He is not surprised, though he is gratified, when her guards let "Judge Magister Gabranth" into her presence unannounced.
She looks up from whatever business of state holds her chained to her desk at present, and her wan smile twists his heart. There is a long moment in which they look at each other, then, "I didn't think you'd come," she murmurs.
It is enough, and more than, to send him to her side, going on his knees to her even as he takes her hands. "Rather should not have left your side at all," he murmurs, "and leave you to carry your burdens alone."
She opens her mouth, doubtless to mouth some courtly denial; whatever she sees in his face stops the words upon her lips. Instead--- "Basch," she murmurs, barely a breath, and lowers her face to his.
Their kiss is all the sweetness he could ask, even as he aches to make it a comfort for her, and when they break, she rests her head against his, as if for a moment she could let him bear the weight of her crown for her.