Authors
Note- Alright, here's my excuse for this depressing mess of a story: I was sick. Very sick. And it was one a.m. I got this inspiration, and had to
write. I know its bad, but I'd
appreciate all constructive criticism to make it better. Oh, and if you like this, I might write a
"before and after" story. Details at
the end of this story.
Thanks,
SelphieBabe
DISCLAIMER- I'm not going to write one. I think everyone realizes that Squaresoft
created the characters that we all adore, not me. (though I would like to own Irvine J )
Hey,
that was a disclaimer. Oh well,
its my last.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*
Selphie
stared at her boots, refusing to look up at the broken body of her cowboy. He was so strong…why did this happen? She tried not to think about it. After all, her friends were here. They mustn't see her cry. She must not cry…must not…
"Selphie, you ok?"
It was Zell. He sat down beside her, worry reflecting in his wide blue eyes.
Selphie looked away. "I'm fine, Zell." Don't break down now. Don't let them see what you're really feeling. You're the comedy relief, you have to cheer the others up. But Irvine…
The room was silent, coldly silent. Irvine's sharp gasps as he struggled to
breathe were painfully audible. He
wasn't gonna wake up, wasn't ever gonna wake up.
Squall frowned, watch the little brunette
strive to keep it all in. This wasn't
like her. "Selphie," he said finally.
She looked up reluctantly, and Squall
could see the terror in those naïve green eyes. Terror…and anguish.
"You can cry, Selphie," he told her
gently, crossing the room to sit on her other side. "Sometimes…it's the best thing to do."
Selphie didn't answer. She got up, and walked to the center of the
room, leaning over the infirmary bed, her hands resting lightly on the cold
metal railing.
Irvine looked strangely beautiful in his
deathlike state. He had been in a coma
for two weeks now. Dr. Kadowaki had
done all she could to repair his ruined body, but now it was all up to
him. And the chances were slim. He was dying.
Again, Selphie wished fervently that she
hadn't allowed him to go on the Esthar mission. She had had a feeling…but ignored it. What a mistake. She
remembered the day he had left with frightening clarity.
He leaned against the Ragnarok
casually, his tall, lean frame relaxed in his favorite position, Exeter resting
on his shoulder. He brushed his
chestnut hair away from his face and looked up to see his little girlfriend running
towards him. She flew into his arms,
and he lifted her up, kissing her softly. Selphie wrapped her arms around him, and kissed back. "I don't want you to go," she whispered.
Irvine smiled. "Sorry, darlin'. I have
to. I'm a SeeD now, like you. I'll be back in a week, I promise."
Quistis appeared from the ship, her
blonde hair flying in the wind. "Irvine, we have to go. Come
on!"
"Alright, Quisty. Give me a sec. "
They stood together, arms wrapped around
each other, reluctant to let go. Then
Irvine loosened his hold on her, and turned to leave.
Selphie pouted, which made him
laugh. "You're so cute when you're
upset, Butterfly." He kissed her once
more, then headed up the plank to the ship. Selphie watched him go, a strange feeling of foreboding in her
heart.
Pausing at the top, Irvine turned around,
flashed her the smile that was so popular amongst the ladies, then disappeared.
Later,
Quistis had told her that Irvine was already weak when the ruby dragon had
attacked. Separated from him by a blue
dragon, the Instructor and Zell couldn't help the cowboy. They were fighting for their own lives. Irvine had fallen easily.
The tears came. Sparingly at first, then in rushes, downpours of liquid sapphire
cascading down her face. "You can't
die, Irvy!" She sobbed, her small body
shaking in grief.
Absorbed in their own emotions, no one
moved to comfort her. Selphie felt all
alone.
Suddenly, a hand reached up to touch her
cheek, brushing her tears away. Irvine. Selphie stared into
those stunning blue eyes, and he smiled. "Don't cry, Sefie," he whispered. His body was racked in coughs, and a trickle of blood appeared on his
lower lip. "I..can't stand it…when…a
woman..cries."
Selphie bent over and kissed him, licking
the blood from his lips. "Who's
crying? Not me," she murmured.
He smiled weakly. "Good. I don't…want…any tears…shed…over me…especially …yours, Butterfly."
Rinoa came back into the room, followed
by an excited Dr. Kadowaki. She began
prodding him gently, checking his wounds. Selphie held his hand as he winced in pain.
Everyone crowded around the doctor
nervously, waiting for the verdict.
Finally, she stood up, smiling. "He'll live."
The tension that had held in that little
room for two weeks finally broke and the teenagers looked at each other, and
grinned.
Irvine cracked a faint smile. "That's…great…news…Doctor."
Selphie's eyes watered, and she beamed as
she began to cry again. But the pain
was gone, and it its place was a glimmer of hope.
~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~
Right,
I promised you details, so here it is. The "before" story would consist of exactly what went on with Irvine and
the ruby dragon, and the purpose of the Esthar mission. The "after" would be about Irvine's
recovery. What, you didn't think I'd
let him get away without a scratch? His
legs are messed up pretty bad…poor baby. L