A/N; Another FFXII oneshot. I just love Balthier and Vaan together. XD

Disclaimer: I own nothing and I make no money. XP

Vaan was bored. The trek to Eruyt village seemed like a complete waste of time. None of the viera really wanted to talk to the, except for Jote. And all she really told them was to leave and go look for Mjrn somewhere else. They weren't really any close to Mount Bur-Omisace than they were before. Vaan sighed heavily.

Balthier looked back over his shoulder and smiled. "Good work, Vaan. I didn't think we'd get anything out of that one."

Vaan blushed. Okay, maybe it wasn't a complete waste of time.

Everyone started towards the exit out of the village. Vaan was struck with a sudden thought. "Fran, wait."

The viera turned back and looked at him patiently. "Yes?"

Vaan shifted uncomfortably. "Uhh…I was just wondering about what Jote said, you know? About you saying the same thing fifty years ago?"

Fran waited for Vaan to gather his courage and continue.

Vaan plunged ahead. 'So…uhh, you left the village fifty years ago. Have you been with Balthier ever since?"

Balthier twitched. He had been expecting the conversation to go in a completely different direction.

Penelo giggled behind her hands and Fran even allowed Vaan a small smile. "Perhaps you should ask him," she said softly.

"Do I look over fifty?" Balthier demanded.

Vaan laced his fingers behind his head. "I dunno. I mean, Fran's over fifty and she still looks good."

'Fran is a viera, Vaan. I'm a hume. We have very different lifespans."

Vaan shrugged. "I just wanted to know how long you two have been together."

"Not that long," Balthier retorted. "I'm only in my twenties."

"Well, if you were fifty, you'd look pretty good for being fifty."

Balthier shook his head. "Just drop it, Vaan."

Vaan shrugged and raced ahead.

Later that night, the party was camped close to the Henne Mines. Vaan and Balthier were both placed on guard duty while everyone else slept.

Balthier settled in nest to Vaan. 'Do I really look fifty?" Balthier lamented.

Vaan gave him a sidelong look. "You told me to drop it."

"I want to resolve this once and for all. If you have any notion in that little mind of yours that I'm fifty, it could seriously impair our relationship."

Vaan sighed. "You mean sex."

"Precisely, Vaan."

"I know you're not fifty," Vaan said cheerfully. "No one could ever look that good at fifty."

"I'm the leading man, Vaan. Leading men never grow old and die."

Vaan scowled at him. "Aren't we supposed to grow old together? Isn't that how it works?"

"I'm a sky pirate, Vaan. It's a dangerous life. We don't usually live to old age."

"But you've stayed alive so far," Vaan said, looking puzzled. "You've lived a long time."

Balthier frowned. "You're making me feel old again, Vaan."

"But you're an adult and I'm still a kid."

Balthier sighed. "I just had to choose and underage kid to attach my affection to."

Vaan grinned. "Fuck the rules. Sky pirates should be able to love whoever they want to."

"You're far too young for that kind of language," Balthier admonished.

Vaan stuck out his tongue. "I'm old enough to have sex. I'm old enough to sear too."

"Vaan, this really does nothing to prove your maturity."

Vaan shrugged and leaned against Balthier. "So, will we grow old together?"

"If that's what you want, Vaan. The leading man never dies. Just try to stay alive, hmn?"

Vaan scowled. "I can be a leading man too."

Balthier kissed Vaan's forehead. "Of course. In our story, we're the lead characters."