It was harsh.
Six of them standing together. Bewildered faces, silent words hanging in the air. Time ticking slowly by.
Selphie was linking Irvine for support, Squall holding Rinoa's hand tightly, her head bent, silently crying. Zell staring unbelievably into the distance, his arm wrapped around Xenna's light shoulders as she nervously twisted her pigtail.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the life of..." was all that he could hear. He refused to listen anymore. His own thoughts secretly gathering, trying not to break, fighting for a chance to breathe without falling.
"Daddy, lift me." came a little girls voice. He looked down at the little strawberry blonde girl, and smiled, reaching down to pick her up. She was the image of her mother, yet had his eyes and at age 4, she already had his confident attitude. He picked her up and swept her into his arms, grateful that he had her to hold on to. He smiled sadly at her knowing that she would never see her mother again, except in the photographs, in her memories, the videos that they recorded on their vacations and around the house to which her mother always got cross with. He gently kissed her forehead, and swept her hair to one side.
"Daddy loves you little princess" he whispered, and she smiled the most beautiful smile he'd ever seen. He placed her back down on the floor and took her hand. Her little fingers grasped his strong male hand, and as she did so she looked up at her father. "Is mommy up there now, daddy?" and pointed to the sky.
Seifer hitched in his breath. He didn't want to watch his wife being lowered into the ground. He didn't want to answer his daughters question, as that meant it would be a reality. Instead, he felt himself falling to his knees, unable to control himself any longer.
He pulled his daughter close to him and hugged her as his first tears fell. Selphie began to cry and closed into Irvine who held her. Rinoa could be heard sobbing through her hitching breath. Zell cleared his throat and pulled Xenna closer to him.
He was crying fully now. Rinoa stepped forward and called little Chanisey, who didn't fully understand the situation, and let go of her father to run to her Auntie Rin-rin as she so loved to call her.
Seifer buried his head in his chest. He clawed at the earth. He tore grass from its roots and clenched his fists, continuing to sob unashamedly. He had lost control. This was his wife. His Quisty. His world. His universe. He wanted to hurt somebody, something, yet he sobbed uncontrollably, his emerald eyes streaming with tears, the anguish and pain in his sobs becoming clearer.
It was Squall who walked toward him. They were always known as 'rivals', granted. But they also had a bond that nobody else shared. An understanding of each other, the simplicity of Squalls gesture was enough to make Seifer look up directly into his eyes. Squall saw anger, hate, pain, anguish and grief in a flash instant. There was none of the old Seifer left. None of the confident, arrogant and cocksure Seifer Almasy seemed to exist. Squall placed a hand on his shoulder and nodded in understanding.
He pulled Seifer off the ground, and pulled him close, embracing him in a hug. Squall was not ashamed. Seifer was his best friend, his worst enemy. He let Seifer continue to sob on his shoulder for a few moments until he said:-
"Do not break my friend. You have us. You have to be strong for your little girl. Be strong for Quistis too. This is your toughest battle." and in that moment, Squall looked into his equal's eyes and knew his friend understood that they were not just words, but genuine heartfelt concern and knew he wouldn't be alone in coming to terms with her death.
The eight of them stood bonded, knowing they were all children of fate.