FF9 is the best final fantasy game, lemme tell you here and now. Alright. this is a drabble collection, most of these are stuff i've written since last year but, i'm playing the game again so i decided to just post these. mostly anything and everything ive written for ff9!

this particular drabble features marcus, garnet and steiner, and their time together during the trip to treno. their dynamic...is good to me. this also might read as a little shippy. but well! i'll do what i want.

"For the last time, Steiner!" Dagger's voice was uncharacteristically raised, now; she was more than displeased, "I don't want to hear you going on and on about Alexandria again! We've agreed to go home, just let me help Marcus. Blank saved our lives. Surely we need to repay our debt."

Steiner seemed to be pleading, almost, "Yes, Princess, I concur. But let me—"

"Enough! I'm making my own choices now. Stop telling me what to do!"

The knight's mouth snapped shut. His jaw worked with things to say, but he refrained himself. Dagger glared at him, before leaving for the tent they had set up, dismissive.

It was like a watching a dramatic play.

Marcus didn't actively indulge in gossip or scandals, but it was difficult to look away from this particular train wreck. And the knight looked like he was about to weep. Marcus could sympathize.

"Hey," Steiner jerked in surprise, frowning after, "You wanna drink?"

"Drink what exactly?"

"Mead. It's good; Baku gave me some of his special brew, for luck."

Steiner's face clouded over, suddenly angry, "You! You are trying to get me intoxicated so I would be careless! Not a chance, scum, I will not allow harm to befall the princess."

Of course. Marcus grunted, rolling his eyes, "Sure. Offer's still open if you want it."

"Certainly not!"

Marcus took a swig anyway, as Steiner fumed. But his anger soon turned into sorrow again, as he glanced at their tent. He could really pull off the expression of a kicked puppy, Marcus thought.

"She really is an adult, you know. She knows what she's doing."

Of course Steiner took offense to that, as he whirled around to face Marcus once more, "But it is my sworn duty to protect her! I will do anything and everything it takes to ensure her safety."

Marcus raised an eyebrow, "Even if she'll hate your guts for it?"

Steiner's face fell, but he spoke with confidence, still, "Yes. I would prefer...not to be despised, but if it comes to that..."

"Look. You're just causing her distress, the way you are now. If you truly care, you'll give her some space. It's great that you're loyal to a fault and all, but you're making her miserable. Stop acting like she needs supervision all the time. For the both of you."

Steiner was surprised. Then, he seemed to remember who he was talking to, "What would you know about loyalty? You're nothing but a mere criminal."

It was fortunate that Marcus' tongue was already feeling a little loose from the alcohol, or he wouldn't have even entertained the idea of replying to Steiner's rude statement, "Oh? Excuse me then, you're right. I'm a criminal. I've worked with the same group of people for years and they're literally my family, so of course I'd know nothing about loyalty. Being a criminal means I'm not human in the least. All I do is antagonize people. I have no emotion. I couldn't possibly understand. I'm here right now on this trip to find a cure for my petrified best friend simply because there's Gil in it for me later, not because he's my best friend and I care about him. Good point, Steiner."

The knight said nothing. He kept silent for a while as Marcus downed a few more gulps of Baku's brew. It was good. Burned his throat a little, but he needed the distraction. He didn't look at the self-righteous Alexandrian.

He heard Steiner swallow audibly, anyway, "I...Hm. I understand."

"Do you." Marcus replied, tone flat, but he shrugged anyway, "Whatever. Not my problem. I can't tell you what to do, either."

Steiner made a slight noise, "Hrm. Thank you. For the advice. I will consider it."

"Sure."

He glanced at Steiner, who seemed sheepish now. Steiner floundered a little, before asking, "Do you have any of that special brew left?"

Marcus managed to suppress a smile of amusement, "Yeah."