#I'm good either way! and I don't mind giving a whirl at writing Balthier and Vaan))

[lambofasolidor]

@tarnishedxknight - continued from here

Cygni remained crouched as her head spun - her blood pounding in her ears as she squeezed her eyes shut. She was almost afraid to move. Afraid if she did, she would find something broken. Find that the crash had done more harm than she could tell. It had been far from ideal to be sure, but what had to be done had to be done...

She opened her eyes as she heard the sound of someone struggling, and her pain dissipated with the jolt of panic through her heart. She heaved herself to her feet, ignoring the sudden lurch of her stomach as she clenched her teeth to keep from vomiting, and moved to Basch's side as he slumped over. Her vision slowly coming back into focus as she grabbed hold of his arm, and touched one hand to his cheek. Whatever pain and discomfort she felt fell away as she examined him - as her mind sharpened - and she resisted the urge to lay a tender kiss upon his forehead. Ignored the surge of relief and joy that filled her chest just at the sight of him alone, and instead focused on taking count of his haggard state.

That alone turned her joy into utter heartbreak.

"Dee-deep breaths for me," she whispered, and did well to hide the way her voice wanted to shake. Did well to steady the tremor in her hands as she did her best to force her attention away from his frail frame. Gods, he was so thin... And the raw flesh that had been eaten away from the restraints of his cage-- "'Tis only- only me, Basch. I- I have you, now." I will not let you go again. "Ste-steady. Let- let me take- take care of you."

It was easy enough, to allow her magic to flow through her hands. For her to direct it into him, as her brow furrowed in concentration and as her breathing slowed. As her own aches faded into nothing, with her attention only on healing someone as dear as he. But Cygni met his gaze as his eyes slowly opened, and--

A smile tugged at her lips - filled with relief despite the way her heart ached for him - and as tears of relief pricked at her eyes. And hearing her name fall from his lips...

Oh, it was so good to see his smile again.

"I- I am here," she soothed, and briefly permitted a moment's affection by brushing her thumb over his cheek. Her gaze flicked briefly to the scar that marred his face and ear, and she felt her heart begin to break all over again. It was not difficult to see the torture he had suffered, but to know the bad blood between him and Gabranth...

She dare not allow herself to think of such things.

Instead, Cygni kept focus on Basch. On her magic surging through her and into him, and on their surroundings. Ever painfully aware now of the quiet that descended upon them, and the waking fear of being caught by Archadian soldiers. But she would not rush him, not when he could barely even open his eyes. She doubted there would be trouble from Archadians just yet, with how far they had fallen. "Keep your- your focus on- on me. I- I need you to- to stay awake for- for me a- a little longer. We- we can rest once we- we return to- to Dalmasca."