welcometotheughbackup

Who: Balthier and Squall
What: Cell swap
Where: Cells
When: Before lockdown
Rating: NC-17. Of course.

Balthier walked slowly, he was slightly in pain but he'd taken a lot of meds to remedy it. He closed in on Squall's cell then tapped his ring on the bars. "Knock, knock." He said as he looked in.

Squall looked up from the desk where he had been sketching and smiled bright when he saw Balthier. "Hey you. Come on in."

He smiled and moved behind Squall, wrapping his arms around his neck and kissing his cheek. "Guess what?"

Squall leaned back against Balthier slightly, smile never leaving his lips. "What?"

"I got that cell change." He murmured in his lover's ear, nuzzling playfully.

Squall shivered, blushing a little. "R-really??"

"Yes, really." He chuckled a little, picking up Squall's sketchbook to look through it, his arms still over the smaller man.

Squall had only been doodling, not his usual serious sketches. There were many little cartoon-esque images of him and Balthier. He smiled more and leaned against Balthier more. "When do we move? How is it working is one of us just switching or are we getting a new cell entirely?"

"I'm switching, today. That's why I came. I need your help moving my things." He smiled at the little images. They were adorable. "These are so cute."

Squall chuckled soft. "It's just something to pass the time away." He tilted his head, kissing under Balthier's jaw. "I see, you only love me for my strength." He teased.

"Of course. What use are you if you can't lift things." He teased back, putting the sketchbook back down. "A guard has already gone to... tell Norman. I would do it myself but I'd rather not while he's around blades."

"You know... This is really his cell more than mine. He's been here so much longer than me. I hope he'll be okay, I'm sure he will... I just... I hope Sam doesn't mess with him."

"Sam's actually quite passive. We could always move Sam's stuff in here and your stuff in mine. The guard is just going to say there's a cell change."

Squall nodded. "Mm. That would probably be fairer on Norman. Besides, then I won't feel guilty like we're doing it in 'Norman's' bed every time we do it!" He teased, nuzzling. "Plus, I have less stuff."

"Mm, alright then, let's start packing your stuff, Romeo." He began by picking up Squall's sketchbook and the pencil he'd been using. "I'll carry this. You get the rest." He joked.

"Scared of breaking a nail, Juliet?" Squall teased and moved to the locker, pulling out a box containing most his belongings, tossing a few books and other items in as well.

Balthier rolled his eyes. "Oh, hush up and give me the box." He laughed, kissing Squall's head.

"Hmph, you just want an excuse to look through my stuff!" He replied, handing Balthier the box so he could grab the last of his stuff from the locker. "Well. That's everything."

"What could you have in here that you wouldn't want me seeing?" He asked, joking as he looked into the box. As Squall spoke again he lifted his head. "That's it? Well, come on; let's go get you moved in."

Squall gave Balthier's arm a playful swat. "You can look through it later if you're so interested." He smirked, moving to the cell door.

"Oh, believe me, I will." He smirked back, carrying Squall's things only two cells away. He walked in and put it all on his own bunk. He ruffled his hair. "I should pack Sam's stuff quickly."

Squall flopped onto the bunk beside his belongings. "Heh. It's kinda weird being back here. Like being home." He smiled at Balthier. "Need a hand?"

"You used to be here? With Sam?" He asked, beginning to pack the stuff up anyway. Sam didn't have much.

Squall nodded. "Mm. When I first came to UGH, this was my cell, and this..." He gave a bounce on the mattress. "Was my bunk."

Balthier puts Sam's things on the desk, also in a small box, and then leaned down and kissed Squall's forehead. "Well now it's mine."

"Oh? Is that so? I thought it was ours, but maybe I should fight you for it."

Balthier laughed and gathered all of Sam's belongings. "I'd be highly amused at that." He teased, before heading out to put Sam's stuff in Norman's cell.

Squall waited on the bed, looking at his things in the box, pulling out a bright pink letter with hearts all over it, crinkling up his nose.

Once Balthier finished with the swap he came back and flopped beside Squall. "Ugh, moving is so stressful." He joked before looking at the letter. "Rinoa?"

Squall gave a nod, before shoving the brightly coloured mess back into the box.

Balthier kissed Squall's cheek. "Don't dwell." He murmured in his ear caringly.

Squall petted Balthier's hair. "I'm fine. Besides, it's because of her that I'm in here, where I met you."

He smiled a little. "I suppose I should thank her." He rolled his eyes a little at that. "Mm, shall we put your things in their place?"

Squall nodded and moved off the bunk, picking up the box to push it into the locker. "There. All unpacked and moved in."

Balthier chuckled and stood up, pulling Squall close and holding his waist. "Well, now you're home, what would you like to do first, love?"

Squall nuzzled Balthier's chest. "I'm open to suggestion." He stroked the man's arms lightly. "I still can't believe the Warden said yes."

He hummed slightly. "I'm persuasive when I want to be." He nuzzled Squall's ear, nipping his earlobe. Hopefully he'd be distracted.

Squall purred a little. "He scares me. He's kind of intimidating. I really thought he'd make me have sex with him when I went to his office..."

"You didn't, right?" He asked, kissing Squall's ear more. His fingers gripped handfuls of his lover's shirt.

Squall shook his head. "No, he just made me give him a massage."

Balthier slid his hands down to Squall's butt, squeezing a little. "He's an odd man." He murmured as he began kissing down Squall's neck.

"Mm. He is." Squall leaned into the touching. "Did you have to give him a massage too?"

"No." He replied, not elaborating further. He nipped the skin lightly, walking Squall back towards the bunks now.

Squall gladly moved to the bunks, sitting down on the bottom one, pulling Balthier with him.

Balthier guided Squall to lie back, kissing his neck still, his hands sneaking under the smaller male's shirt.

Squall shivered and laughed soft. "Looks like you decided what we should do first then."

"You didn't come up with anything soon enough." He sat up, brushing his hand through his own hair. "Do you want to do something else?"

"Mm. Nope, this is fine." He reached up, wrapping his arms around Balthier's neck. "You'll have to be gentle with me though. Unless, of course, you're after a repeat performance of last time, that was fun."

Balthier tensed just slightly, swallowing. His mask had slipped for a brief second. He put it back up and leaned down, kissing Squall's forehead. "We'll just lay together, hm?" He lay on his side, leaning up on his elbow with his other hand on Squall's chest.

Squall frowned a little, watching Balthier. "You... didn't like it? Why? Was it me, did I do something wrong?"

"I loved it. It was incredible." He answered, nuzzling Squall's cheek.

"Then... why don't you want to do it again? Did I hurt you?"

"No... I'm just..." He had to think up a lie that sounded very truthful. He sighed. "I felt weird being so... vulnerable. It's not your fault, but I need time to lower my guard gradually."

Squall sighed a little and kissed Balthier's cheek. "Okay... I guess I understand."

Balthier felt awful for lying, even though the lie was mostly truth, but he couldn't tell Squall what he did for Mutou. "I'm sorry." He mumbled, looking away.

Squall brushed his thumb over Balthier's cheek. "It's fine, cuddles are good too."

Balthier buried his face in Squall's neck, closing his eyes. He'd never felt guilty for lying but this one made his stomach throb.

Squall nudged Balthier's head with his chin. "I can't believe we're living together."

"You'll get sick of me soon enough and want to go back to Norman's cell." He replied, hooking his leg over Squall's legs.

Squall shook his head. "Nope, you're stuck with me; the only way you could get rid of me would be to betray me and break my heart, or kill me."

"Well, I'll never kill you, that's for certain." He mumbled. He let out a sigh. "Squall, why do you honestly trust me so much? You know who... what I am. Why would you trust a person like me?"

Squall shrugged. "I dunno. I know how stupid it is to trust people in this place, that friendship and love are illusions. But, I dunno, when I'm with you everything just feels... right. Sounds cheesy I know..."

"Yeah, it does." He teased. Balthier lifted slightly and kissed Squall's head. "But it's how I feel with you, too."

"I really am very much in love with you, Bal."

"Good. Because I'm in love with you too." He smiled then glanced away for just a second before resting down again.

Squall sighed and snuggled against Balthier. "Are you okay? You seem distracted... You did want me to move in, didn't you?"

"Of course I wanted you here. It was me who suggested it." He kissed Squall's cheek. "I guess I'm just tired. See, it's something you'll have to deal with. I'm an ass when I'm tired."

"You're an ass all the time." Squall teased, stroking Balthier's cheek tenderly.

"Idiot." He replied, turning to kiss Squall's palm.

"But you love me anyway." Squall smiled. "Want me to go on the top bunk and let you sleep?"

Balthier shook his head and clinged to Squall, burying his face in him. As he shifted closer he winced at the pains in his butt.

Squall frowned a little. "Balthier? Are you okay?"

"Nn... I'm fine. Just stay." He mumbled, closing his eyes. He wanted to tell Squall what he'd done but he was afraid he'd lose him.

Squall frowned more. "Are you sure? You don't seem fine."

"It's nothing. Just a headache. Don't worry." Balthier gritted his teeth then, nuzzling Squall's shoulder.

Squall sighed and nuzzled. "OKay... Well get some sleep then, it might help." He rested his hand on Balthier's thigh, drawing circles with his fingertips.

Balthier tensed and shivered just lightly. This situation felt awkward and Squall's hand was close to a very sensitive and sore place.

Squall nuzzled closer. "Get some sleep, Bal. I'll still be here when you wake up." He let his hand move to the small of Balthier's back, just letting it rest there.

Balthier gasped slightly. His lower back felt like it was on fire, but not in the good way. He arched away from Squall's touch, closer to his lover's body.

Squall scrunched up his nose a little. "I was only cuddling... Why are you so jumpy?"

Balthier sighed slightly. "I... I hurt my back. Just where you're touching." He lied. His stomach gave a sharp throb as he spoke.

"Why didn't you say? I'd have carried my own box!" He sighed soft. "Do you want me to massage it? Did you see a doctor? That might be why you have headache if you tweaked a nerve or something."

"The box wasn't heavy... and I've got some pain killers." He sighed heavily. "Don't worry."

"I don't like seeing you in pain."

"I'm fine." He shifted but winced and let out another sigh after it.

"You don't look fine. Let me see!" Squall huffed, reaching for Balthier's shirt.

Balthier squirmed and bumped his butt on the wall, groaning in pain. "There's nothing to see."

"It might be bruised or swollen. Now stop being so stubborn and let me look!"

"There isn't a bruise or any swelling!" He wriggled back and pressed himself against the wall, panting slightly in pain.

Squall sighed and stroked Balthier's cheek. "Okay, okay... But I still think you should get it looked at, you look like you're in agony..."

Balthier shook his head. "It's... alright. I'm okay." He huffed slightly, relaxing now he wasn't under the attack of Squall's hands.

Squall frowned and nuzzled the pillow.

A hit of guilt stabbed his chest and he shifted forward, kissing Squall's cheek. "I'm sorry... I just..." He frowned, not knowing what to say.

Squall shrugged. "It's fine... I hope it gets better soon."

"Thanks." He replied, sighing. He felt like they'd just had an argument and resolved it badly.

Squall sighed, burying his head in the pillow, lacing his figners with Balthier's.

Balthier groaned frustratedly. "I'm sorry... Squall, I just... can't let you see, okay?"

Squall kept his face buried in the pillow. "Why? It's not like I've never seen your body before."

"It's just... I..." He groaned and squirmed onto his front, exposing his back. "You can look if you want." He mumbled.

Squall shifted to straddle the top of Balthier's legs, lifting his shirt up more, touching his lower back gently. "In here?"

"Mm." He replied, wincing and pulling the pillow close to bite it.

Squall trailed his fingers down, dipping them under the waistband of Balthier's jeans to touch the base of his spine. "How about here?"

He nodded, groaning a little. Even if Squall was gentle his body was tender there.

Squall wrinkled his nose. "You've maybe bruised the base of your spine..." He gave another gentle rub. "Does it hurt anywhere else?"

Balthier nodded but he wouldn't say where. He was preparing himself for the coming argument and possibly the break-up.

"Where?" Squall tenderly worked his fingers up Balthier's spine.

Balthier mumbled into the pillow but it wasn't coherent. He sighed heavily, closing his eyes just that fraction tighter.

Squall frowned a little. "Where?" He asked again, rubbing Balthier's shoulders.

Balthier shook his head. "Let me up." He grumbled. It sounded like he was just trying to get away from being examined rather than anything serious.

Squall shifted off of Balthier and flopped on the mattress.

Balthier huffed and knelt up. He removed his shirt then unfastened his pants and awkwardly squirmed out of them. "It's... my butt. That's where it hurts." He answered, resting back down on his front, lying in just his boxers.

Squall frowned and sat up. "Your butt... but why?" He crinkled up his nose. "Did you cheat on me? Or did someone mess with you?"

"Neither? I don't know how to... explain it." He sighed and looked at Squall. "And you'll hate me if you know the full truth."

Squall let out a heavy sigh. "You can't say something like that and then just leave me hanging... What happened?"

"Mutou." He answered, turning his face away and closing his eyes.