Well, this will be my first "serious" fan fiction that I will be posting. I hope you all like it. Nothing much more to say than that. Oh, rating will go up in later chapters. Right now it's PG; the worst that's said is 'Hell.'

Disclaimer: *sigh* No Final Fantasy VIII characters belong to me.

.chapter one.

Seifer Almasy sat in front of Commander Leonhart's desk. He smirked at the way 'Commander Leonhart' sounded. Who would have ever thought that Puberty-Boy could make it up that far? But that wasn't what was on the blonde's mind. He was actually wondering if the Ice King ever got those damn annoying eye twitches. Although, Seifer thought, as indifferent as he is, he probably wouldn't even notice.

As far as Squall Leonhart was concerned, he couldn't figure out why Seifer wanted back in Garden. After all that had happened after the incident with Ultimecia, no one had expected him to come crawling back, begging for forgiveness. Looking up, Squall knew that was the last thing Seifer would do. Sure, Seifer wanted back, but he sure as Hell wasn't begging for forgiveness. He hadn't even apologized.

"So, are you gonna let me back in?" asked the tall blonde, his ever-present smirk etched on his face.

Squall was quiet for a few moments, knowing he couldn't exactly keep Almasy from rejoining. He took in a deep breath and said the two words he hadn't really been expecting to say, "Welcome back."

Seifer's smirk seemed to grow. "Thanks, Squall."

Those two words surprised the Commander even more than his own two words had. Even so, he was able to keep his unemotional face. "Here's your schedule." Squall handed a form to Seifer.

Seifer took it and stood, still speculating about Squall's eye twitches.

"I'm guessing that you were planning on staying in the dorms. Lucky for you, there is an extra single. And besides, we wouldn't you to be cursed with a Junior Classman as a roommate, now would we?" Squall smiled a bit. "Here's your room key. Make yourself at home."

Seifer nodded his thanks. "So, uh, where's Chicken?" He tried to sound nonchalant about the question, yet his ego scolded him for just coming out with the question.

Squall was once again able to keep his regular expression, but he couldn't help how smug his voice sounded as he asked, "Why does it matter to you?"

However, before Seifer could explain himself, a ring came from the Commander's phone. Thank the gods, Seifer thought.

Leonhart turned to his telephone screen, where a familiar blonde's face appeared as he took the call. "Lt. Dincht, we were just talking about you."

Confusion took it's claim over Zell's face. "What are you talking about, Sweetness?"

Said 'Sweetness' blushed slightly at the nickname, but it wasn't enough for Seifer to notice. "How are you, Lt. Dincht?"

The blonde in question straightened, as if realizing that the call was still official. "Commander, I called to report that Tilmitt and I have completed the mission, and we will be on our way back to Balamb tomorrow morning. We should make it home about noon."

"Thank you, Lt. Dincht. We will be anticipating your arrival."

Seifer was curious about the mission they were talking about, but he knew it was none of his business.

Squall noticed how uncomfortable Seifer looked. As much as he enjoyed seeing the cocky bastard at such unease, he knew Zell wouldn't approve of torturing him. "Lt. Dincht, guess who's rejoining Garden?"

The Lieutenant's face crinkled with confusion once again. "Who?"

Squall motioned for Seifer to stand so that Zell could see him.

Seifer quickly shook his head, knowing that once he saw Zell, Squall would know his intentions of coming back. "Maybe I should be going."

"Is that Seifer?"

Seifer's eyes widened. Dammit, Almasy. That wasn't supposed to come out so loudly. Wait…Was that hope clinging to Dincht's voice?

Commander Leonhart nodded. "Yes."

"He's rejoining?"

A small smile formed at Seifer's lips. Yes, that had been hope.

The only brunette of the three nodded again. "Seifer would like to say hi, Lt. Dincht."

Seifer sighed. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. He stepped beside Squall's chair and peered at the telephone screen. "Hey, Chicken."

Zell couldn't conceal a hopeful smile. "Welcome back, Almasy."

He nodded, acknowledging the Lieutenant's words.

An awkward silence fell. None of the three knew what to say.

"So…" Zell decided to end it. "We'll be seeing you all tomorrow. Goodbye, Almasy. Bye, Sweetness." He winked at Squall, and the screen went black, signifying that he had hung up.

Seifer stepped away from Squall's chair. He smirked, even though he was dying of jealousy. "You and Chicken have something special going on?"

Squall pretended to ignore him and began to arrange the scattered papers that occupied his desk.

He had known Leonhart wouldn't answer it, but it was fun to watch him squirm. "What was the mission about?"

"Dincht and Tilmitt were sent to Trabia Garden to help with a small attack from Shumi Village," Squall said calmly, not taking his attention from his papers.

Seifer raised a golden eyebrow. "An attack from the Shumi? Why?"

Squall shrugged. ""No reason has been given. I'm hoping it will be in their report."

"That's strange. The Shumi are so peaceful," Seifer said. Hell yeah, it's strange! Why would the Shumi attack Trabia? There has to be some sort of explanation behind it… "No reason?"

"No. Now, if you'll excuse me…" He let his voice fade as he gestured towards the papers on his desk, showing that he had work to do.

Seifer rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes. Of course. Commander Leonhart needs to get back to work." He walked from Squall's desk, going towards the door.

His former rival made a final comment, "It'll mean a lot to Zell that you decided to come back."

The blonde stopped and turned back to Squall. He looked at him thoughtfully, not knowing what to say. He heard himself say, "Thanks." And then he left.