Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Slamming the empty glass down on the table, Zidane grumbled under his breath as his tail swished behind him in agitation.

He should have known better. He shouldn’t have been so damn stupid. He was a hoodlum, a thief, so who in their right mind would ever think a queen would fall for the likes of him?

Shaking his head, the blond rose from the table and meandered out of the tavern, hands shoved into the pockets of his blue trousers. He wandered the streets of Alexandria with no destination in mind, but as he walked, he realized where his footsteps were taking him—the castle.

Of course. Even his heart knew what the right choice here was. He had to see her. He couldn’t chicken out, not now, not after everything they’d been through. For god’s sake, he’d leapt off the tallest point of the castle to save her, knowing that if he hadn’t had such impeccable timing and quick reflexes, the woman he loved would’ve died. He’d traversed foreign continents for her. He’d gone up against monsters worse than any nightmare for her. And in the end, he’d fallen for her as more than just a pretty face and the next fling, like was so often the case for him.

Stopping just before the moat that surrounded Alexandria castle, Zidane released a long sigh, eyes darting to the clear surface of the water. The reflection of the castle quivered on the surface, a mocking sight if he’d ever seen one, but he had made up his mind.

He couldn’t stay here.

Since his return, something didn’t quite feel right. He had wanted for nothing more than to see her again, to show her that he was alive and safe and here for her, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it no matter how often he stood at the water’s edge and stared at the one place he knew he would never belong.

The gondolier always asked if he wanted a ride, but the answer was the same each time—no.

Today was no different as the blonde woman, one of the castle guards, steering the boat pulled it into place, staring at the tailed man with expectant eyes shining just under the bill of her helmet.

He shook his head and she nodded, maintaining her position as she waited for someone else to need a ride.

Another castle guard walked up not even a minute later, followed by a Knight of Pluto, and clambered into the boat without so much as a side glance at Zidane. Not that the tailed young man was complaining. He was worried one of the guards would notice him anyway, so being ignored was a blessing.

“Hey, Barbara, Weimar.” The gondolier smiled, nodding at her passengers as she addressed them.

The female guard waved, returning a smile of her own. “Hey, Cindy.”

The knight simply nodded politely.

“How’re you guys doing?”

The couple shrugged in unison, but Barbara was the one to answer. “Same old, really. Just getting back from lunch break.”

Cindy sighed heavily, the oar in her hands slacking as her shoulders slumped. “I wish I could go on lunch break. I haven’t eaten anything all day.”

“Didn’t you eat breakfast?” Weimar frowned at her.

She shook her head, blonde hair falling over one shoulder from the action and her slouched posture. “I woke up late and didn’t have time.”

Barbara offered a sound of sympathy, a soft hum, as she frowned at her fellow guard. “If I had known, I coulda bought something from town for you.”

Cindy straightened her back and pushed her hair back over her shoulder, using the oar to finally start pushing the boat from the stone dock. “It’s okay.”

Zidane almost envied them. The simple conversation and simple problems for people who held normal lives, for people who didn’t have to deal with the turmoil he had found himself trapped in. To say he was a different man after the events he’d endured would be an understatement, for sure, and the idea of having a normal life was nothing but a delusion to try and make himself feel better.

The blond turned away then, meandering off and leaving the castle, and the useless chatter, behind him. He had a destination in mind now, a place where he could take his mind off his troubles and put the past behind him, or at least mull over his thoughts by getting hammered and playing cards.

Garnet was better off without him. It’d been a year since they’d last saw one another, so he was sure that in that time span she had moved on. Perhaps she had even found someone else. He wasn’t anything special anyway, just a monkey, a lady’s man and a skirt chaser, a ne’er-do-well who had nothing going for him, nothing to offer, especially not to a queen.

He could always return to Tantalus, his home before he knew where his real home was, but he didn’t feel the need to return there right away. Something about being alone, being left to one’s own devices, was comforting in a sad way, so he sought refuge elsewhere.

Refuge in a city that never slept, that no matter the amount of people who flooded the streets during the perpetual night, one could always count on feeling truly alone in a crowd.

To Treno it is.

Chapter Text

“Hah! I win! Now gimme that Cactuar, eh?”

“Aw, no, that’s my only good card!”

“Shouldn’t have lost then, huh?” Zidane leaned over the table, gloved hand held out and waiting.

His opponent, a scrawny kid with a mop of dark hair, relented with a heavy sigh. The frown on the young man’s face deep enough to leave a permanent mark.

Once the prize was in hand, Zidane pulled back and slid the new addition into his deck, standing from the table with a soft smile. He felt for the kid, he really did, but that didn’t mean his victory was any less sweet. “Hey, it ain’t so bad, really. It’s just the way of the game. Do you know how many times I’ve lost good cards too? Just hang in there, all right? Someday you’ll get better, and perhaps even someday you’ll win this one back.”

“I just didn’t want to lose on my first round at my first tournament.” The kid sighed again, pushing his cards together into one neat pile and putting them away. He looked up at the blond, startled to see the other smiling at him almost fondly.

“Trust me, I know how bad it sucks. My first tournament here was a joke. I didn’t have any good cards on me, and let’s just say I didn’t make it past the preliminary rounds.” Zidane laughed, pocketing his own deck and moving around the table. “Stay in good spirits and you’ll win champion one day. I’m sure of it.”

“Thanks.” The kid bobbed his head, shuffling off to spectate the remainder of the event as Zidane moved to see who he’d be playing next.

He hadn’t known the Tetra Master Card Tournament was happening when he’d made the hurried decision to visit the nighttime city. He’d wanted to escape, but now he could escape and enjoy one of his favorite pastimes while he was at it. It was a win-win.

The remainder of the tournament continued with Zidane climbing the ranks to champion, but when he came up against his last opponent right before the final, he choked and lost that newly acquired Cactuar card. He let out a frustrated grumble, hands flying to his head in exasperation as he stared at his opponent’s side of the field with a frown. “I guess that’s what I get for being cocky. Karma can sure be a bitch, eh?”

“Ya played good though. Made it far before ya fell, but gettin’ cocky ain’t gonna make ya champ.” The man he had faced against grumbled a laugh, the large smile on his face friendly. He was a stocky gentleman, dressed like a commoner instead of one of nobles that frequented Treno.

Zidane didn’t like the nobles. They were, mostly without fail, snooty pricks who looked down on anyone they deemed less than them. It irritated the blond, and only reminded him, again, of his current predicament—being hopelessly in love with a queen.

The young man laughed too, that previous frustration morphing into an exhausted smile. “Yeah, you’re right. Well, good luck with the champion.”

“Thanks.” The man stood, folding his cards into a pile and departing.

Zidane took his sweet time, releasing another heavy breath as he stacked his deck and pocketed it. He didn’t plan on staying for the champion round, so he made his way to the door only to stop at the sight of two familiar faces: a red coat paired with an elongated muzzle and a shorter head topped with a drooping, pointed hat.

What the hell were Freya and Vivi doing in Treno?

The blond didn’t want to find out. He was here to collect his thoughts, not entertain company.

Quickly, he darted behind a plump gentleman with a massive styled mustache taking up roughly half his face. He huffed at Zidane’s erratic behavior, giving the young man a pointed look but earning only a shrug in response before the blond flitted away again.  

Did they somehow know he was back? Was he spotted in Alexandria and then followed to Treno? He wouldn’t be surprised. The security at Alexandria could be lax but given all the things that happened he doubted the guards were as lazy as they used to be. For Zidane not to have been spotted, and recognized, while he stood on the dock and stared longingly at the castle or sat in the same tavern in the same seat every night drinking himself into a stupor would’ve been the real surprise.

Curiosity getting the better of him, the young man danced around the stadium until he was adequately hidden yet within close enough proximity to hear what the two familiar faces were saying.

“. . . Dunno. I wish I had known though so I could have come prepared.” Freya frowned, one long, clawed hand rising to rest at her chin.

“I was never very good at Tetra Master. The rules were always, uhm, confusing.” Vivi shook his head, then reached up and grabbed the brim of his hat, pulling the sides downward and making adjustments.

“It takes a lot of practice. I’m not too good myself, but it’s still fun. Perhaps you and I should play some friendly matches. Get better acquainted before we risk losing our better cards.”

“Yeah. That sounds like a good idea.” The black mage bobbed his head, then looked around the stadium. “Do you really think he’s here, Freya?”

“I know he’s here.”

“You sound so certain.”

“Because I know Zidane. He talks a big talk about sticking together and doing things as a team, but he always tries to go off on his own. He thinks he has to deal with whatever it is alone or that he’s doing what’s best for everyone.” Freya balled her hands into fists and turned to face her shorter companion, the little mage staring up at her with wide, yellow eyes. “The only place close enough for him to run away to is Treno, and besides, he’s always been drawn to drinking, cards, and women even if he isn’t as big a player as he pretends to be. What better place than here?”

Vivi shrugged. “You got a point. Uhm. I don’t see him though. Do you think he . . .”

But Zidane was too far away now, slipping behind them and through the entrance of the building. He began his short trek back to his motel room, a shady joint on the bad side of town where the room was cheap enough and the drinks at the bar below were better after you drank three in a row.

He was tired suddenly. Seeing his old comrades stirred unwanted emotions he had been trying to suppress. He just wanted a break to clear his thoughts, but now even here wasn’t safe.

He’d have to face the music sooner or later, but he’d rather it be later.

Chapter Text

After three days and no sign of Freya and Vivi, Zidane started to feel complacent. Figuring he’d avoided them well enough and they skipped town to search elsewhere, he stopped being nearly as cautious. With the tournament no longer a point of interest in the city, there were fewer people crowding the streets, but the nightlife was still ever prominent to serve him decent enough cover.

It was while drinking quietly in the bar of his motel that he knew he had made a mistake. He had broken rule number one--always stay on guard.

A quick shoulder tap grabbed his attention, successfully pulling his gaze to the stranger bothering him, but the person he saw caused him to gape like a fish out of water.

Garnet Til Alexandros XVII stood with her hands on her hips, lips pulled into a tight line, and eyes a hard stare. She wore a familiar orange, sleeveless jumpsuit with a puffy, white top underneath. She hadn’t changed a bit other than her hair being long again, grown out to the same length it was before she chopped it off that day on the castle pier.

Zidane was at a loss for what to say or do, stunned by her appearance and not knowing how to correct the situation he found himself facing sooner than he hoped. Normally a well-placed joke or comment would do the trick, but right now? Right now his mind was broken, all thought process temporarily impaired and out of service until otherwise noted.

Good thing Garnet came prepared.

“What are you doing?”

“Uh . . .” Came the blond’s eloquent reply.

“What on Gaia are you doing?”

“Uhm.” He swallowed a forming lump. “Drinking?” He scratched the back of his neck, eyes dancing away and toward his half-empty mug of beer. He risked a glance back toward Garnet and flinched from the raw emotion he saw etched onto her face. This probably wasn’t the reunion she’d been hoping for.

“Drinking.” She parroted, drawing out the syllables as her hands fell from her hips and loosely to her sides.

“Look, I—”

“Why didn’t you come see me?” The dark-haired woman interrupted, gaze softening briefly to show the hurt underneath.

Zidane ran a hand through his hair, musing the tresses. After a long moment he spoke. “I got scared.”

“Scared?”

He nodded slowly, turning and wrapping his hands around his mug. He glanced at her, nodding toward the empty stool beside him.

She frowned but complied with his suggestion and sat down, leaning her elbows on the sticky bar top with an ill-disguised grimace from the feeling on her arms even through the cloth.

Neither of them spoke. Garnet only offered a polite no to the bartender when he tried to get her something to drink, but other than that, the quiet remained between them. It wasn’t exactly awkward, per say, but it was far from comfortable.

Eventually, after finishing his beer and pushing the mug away, he hung his head and released a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry.”

“How long have you been back?”

“Seven months, I think. Maybe six. It took a while to get back here.”

Garnet made a sound, close to a gasp but more like a scoff. “You’ve been back for that long and you never thought to come see me ?”

“I couldn’t.”

“Couldn’t? Or didn’t want to?”

“Both.”

“Have I been waiting all these months for nothing, Zidane? Waiting for the one I love to return to me like he promised but simply wasting my time instead?”

The blond’s head whipped up so fast at the word ‘love’ that he nearly toppled from his seat. He composed himself with a frown. “I figured you had moved on.”

“Moved on?” The hurt in her voice made the tailed man cringe. “How could I have moved on, Zidane?” She shifted to better face him. “I waited from the moment we parted ways to now to see you again. I was informed by my guards that you were in town. I tried to come see you, but you’re quite hard to find when you don’t want to be found.” The queen shook her head.

He had no words, no way to properly respond, so instead he asked the first question that came to mind. “How did you know I was in Treno?”

“Doctor Tot.” 

Zidane blinked. “ Tot told you?”

She nodded stiffly. “He saw you at the tournament. I knew you’d still be here.”

“You didn’t send Vivi and Freya?”

“They’re here too?” She tilted her head. After a beat, she hummed, “No, I did not send them.”

Zidane pushed away from the bar, sucking in a deep breath and releasing it slowly. He looked sideways at the queen of Alexandria, then looked toward the stairs that led to his room. “Let’s speak somewhere private.” Neither one of them needed all of Treno to know their personal business. 

Without a word, Garnet stood, and when the male led the way, she followed silently. 

His room was nothing special--little more than a bed and a table with a single chair--but it served its purpose. 

Once inside, he closed the door behind them and motioned for her to take a seat. She took the chair, leaving the bed for him to occupy. 

Neither spoke for a long time.

After what felt like an eternity, Zidane finally mustered the courage to break the thickening silence. “I’m sorry, Garnet. Truly.” 

“Tell me why.” Her gaze betrayed the underlying hurt. “You owe me that much.”

“You’re right.” The blond sighed, the palms of his hands resting on his knees. His gaze remained downward as well, avoiding looking at the woman. “I was scared. I guess the gravity of the situation caught up to me when I realized you’re a queen now.” He risked a glance at her, then made himself maintain contact. “I’ve been gone for a year. I was worried, terrified, that you’d moved on. Or, worse, realized you wouldn’t want to be with a street rat after all.” He ran a hand through his hair. 

“Zidane.”

He glanced up, blinking when Garnet rose and stepped closer to him. He steeled himself for a slap, but the soft look on her face made him unsure of what to expect. 

Her hands found his shoulders, her eyes finding his, and she slowly shook her head. “You’re stupid.”

“Tell me all about it. I’ve got the time.” He smiled at her, hoping his joke would help break the tension.

She shook her head, but smiled a little in return. Quietly, she sat beside him and offered out a hand. 

With caution, Zidane took it.

The queen entwined their fingers, using her free hand to cover the back of his. “No one could replace you.” She squeezed their hands. “Please come home, Zidane.”

At that, the blond blinked. For a moment, he was utterly speechless. To refer to Alexandria as his home was strange to start with, but to think of the castle as his home? Or, better yet but still just as hard to imagine, Garnet as his home? It was a lot to soak in, which was his main problem and the reason he visited Treno period. But, she had come all this way. For him . Because she cared for him. Wanted him as much as he wanted her. All the evidence he needed to prove she hadn’t moved on was right in front of her--or rather, perched beside him holding his hands. 

He couldn’t refuse any longer.

He couldn’t convince himself he was unworthy of her any longer.

Zidane removed his hand from her’s and held his arms out.  When she took the signal and wrapped him in a hug, he tightened his arms around her and buried his face in her silky hair. He had missed her dearly. They hadn’t had much time during their endless travels to really have time together, so to know they finally had the time and she still wanted him made his heart swell. 

After a long moment of them holding each other, Garnet was the first to move. When they parted, however, the queen leaned in close and quickly brought their lips together in a brief kiss. 

When they parted again, Zidane smiled softly at her, taking her hand in his again. “Let’s go home.”

The grin on Garnet’s face was something the blond would cherish for all his days. The happiness on her face caused a grin of his own to spread. That grin easily shifted into a smirk though. “I do have this room for the night, however. The last time we were in Treno we didn’t exactly get to enjoy all the sights and activities. We could stay and enjoy ourselves? The night is still young, after all.” He winked.

Garnet laughed. “Fine, fine. I wasn’t expecting to return so quickly anyway, and I’d be lying to us both if I said I didn’t want to stay.” 

He brushed some hair from her face, staring at her fondly. “A night away from any royal duties or prying eyes.” 

“It’ll be much needed.”

“I’m sure.” He nodded. He brought their lips together for a longer reunion, pulling the queen into his arms as he did so. 

Although he hadn’t planned for their reunion to be like this, he was pleased it hadn’t gone sour. He promised himself he’d make it up to her one way or another, but for now? For tonight? He had other plans.

“What would you like to do first, Garnet? Go for a stroll through the safer parts of town? Go see if there’s an auction going on? Maybe--” He blinked when a finger was suddenly against his lips. He looked at Garnet with wide eyes.

“I’d rather stay right here, if that’s alright with you?”

“Oh, yeah, that’s fine.” Zidane’s confusion was still prominent.

To help him understand better, Garnet smiled and pushed him back onto the bed. Before he could sit up, she swung a leg over his waist and kept him pinned down. “We have a lot to catch up on, after all.”