Happy Holidays
By: Tenshi no Nozomi (tenshi_no_nozomi@hotmail.com)
Warnings: minor angsty-ness, waffy, Usagi-centered, love triangles (and a very small world in the future)
Disclaimer: Standard
AN: Okay, I really need to get this pairing out of my system, or I'm really going to screw up an upcoming story I'm trying to write. . I already made my decision, so I'm trying to hold to it. So, yes, this is going to yet another Squall x Usagi story. But really, people, in comparison, there really aren't all that many of them out there, at least not in comparison to fics in total, or even just Sailor Moon Crossovers. And to spice it up a bit, Squally's gonna have some competition from Seifer! ^.~
Anyhow. I don't feel like bothering to explain my motives. Do I really have to? Have a happy Thanksgiving, peeps! Your gift from me to you.
*---------------------* *---------------------*
Chapter One
The cool air circulated sluggishly throughout the apartment, as though lethargic or unable to find the motivation to move quickly. It was so quiet that you would have thought it to be empty, all but for the repetitive click of the clock and the occasional flip of the page from a reader seated in a teal reclining chair in a corner, seated between a tall, sturdy bookshelf and an end table where a lamp sat turned-on to aid his reading.
A handsome young man was doing the page flipping, curled up in the comfortable, plush teal chair with the golden light casting strange lighting effects on his pale skin. He had unruly hair that looked silky to the touch, but despite the beauty that was possible, it seemed surprisingly- and disappointingly- unkempt.
His stormy, gray blue eyes were hard and impassible, revealing nothing but a somber wall that hid his feelings (though some might say he had none).
His expression was solemn, serious, studying as his eyes scanned through page after page. His mouth was tilted down at the corners in the barest frown, his eyebrows furrowed in a look of not quite consternation.
Squall finally closed his book, and set it down on the table beside his chair and reading lamp. He checked the clock adjacent to him, and saw that she was about an hour late, and the frown that had been tugging at the corners of his mouth grew a bit.
He couldn't ever remember a time in which she had been late, for any reason- she was tardy anywhere else, but never when she was coming over.
At that moment, he heard a soft, scuffling noise at the door- someone fumbling for keys. A moment later, an equally soft click resounded as the lock sprang free. And barely after that, in entered a cheerful looking, petite, blond, young lady.
Her soft, sunshine yellow hair was done up in an odd style, with two buns on the either side of her head- there had been much debate in the past, an people either said they looked like meatballs with spaghetti or else odangoes.
Large cerulean blue eyes peered out from underneath longish bangs- she, too, like many other college students, could not afford to get her hair cut, so she had just taken to letting them grow out instead of going through the hassle.
Her fair, peach skin glistened with melting snow, and she shivered as she kicked the door lightly shut with one foot and shifted the weight of the grocery bags on her hips.
"Brr, it's so cold out there!" she grumbled in only a half-complaint, offering him a benevolent, cheerful smile. He returned it with a cold stare, and a slight nod- yes, he could tell that it was indeed cold out there. Between the thermometer, the snow, and the people with jackets outside, he'd been able to tell.
Instead, he only stated, "You should be more gentle with the door." Instantly, the girl's face changed from cheerful to apologetic. She looked shame faced and bashful, like a dog whom her master had just scolded when she'd done something she'd thought would have pleased him.
"I'm sorry," she murmured as she sat the bag of groceries down on the plastic Formica kitchen table, "but I didn't want to let a draft in, and I didn't have any free hands." He only shrugged in response as he began to put the items away in his pantry.
Usagi sighed and sat down in a chair, looking beat after a long day. If she was expecting sympathy, though, she didn't get it. Instead, she sat there in silence for the next few minutes, waiting until he was finished putting things away.
"Don't you think you should put your heater on, Squall? It's so cold in here, you're going to catch something, for sure," the blonde said, looking around and shivering in jacket. She didn't understand how her friend could put up with the cold temperatures the way he did- Usagi had always been a person who favored summer over winter as a child, and it was doubtful that that would ever change.
"Costs too much," he replied vaguely. Usagi sighed and leaned back in her chair, and Squall could tell by the openly dejected look on her face that something was wrong. "What is it," he finally asked, when he couldn't take it anymore.
Usagi looked up at him, and blinked a few times before answering slowly. "Well, you know, the holidays are coming up, and a lot of people are going to be going home for them," she said, starting off carefully. 'Home' and 'family' had always been tender subjects for Squall.
"But I'm not going, and a bunch of other people decided not to, so we figured that maybe we'd get together on Christmas and New Years and do something together."
For a moment, the silence hung in the air that was thick with tension as well as frigidity. Squall knew where she was going with this, and she already knew the answer to the question. Still, just like she had every time before, she went ahead and asked.
"And, well, a few of us were thinking. well, maybe you'd like to come, too." Her expression looked so hopefully, it would have been enough to break any other person down and come whether or not they wanted to and at least pretend to have fun for her sake.
But not Squall Leonheart.
"No." He replied simply. And the letdown showed openly on her face, which sagged from hopeful to despairing and sad in the breadth of a single word. He wondered why she still bothered to ask, when the answer was always the same.
"But Squall," she started off like she always did, "you never go out. I swear, it won't kill you to have a little fun every once and a while! Everyone asks what's going on with you lately; all you do is go to school and rush home."
Usagi looked perplexed and upset, as though the mere idea of his lackluster social life was disgusting. "I like it that way." He replied stiffly.
He expected more arguments out of her- that's what usually came. But instead, her face sagged further, and she looked almost. old, which startled Squall. "All right, fine, stay home, you party pooper." She practically growled at him, shoving her chair back.
And that was when he realized that he'd managed to make the fairly even- tempered and loving (yes, loving, there was no other word to describe a girl that willingly gave away her hours of potential freedom for sick, clingy, whiny children at a hospital) Usagi mad. It didn't happen very often, but when it did, watch out innocent bystanders- it could be an ugly, dirty fight to witness.
That didn't mean it would last long. Anger rolled in and out of Usagi's system quicker than a Summer storm. One minute she looked mad enough to grind your face into the pavement, and the next she was smiling at you and happy as the hypothetical clam. She'd be over it by morning time, most likely.
He merely shook his head, though- he wasn't the one responsible for her moods, and he wasn't going to just up-and-change his mind because she wanted him to. So she stormed out of his apartment, slamming his precious door behind her for good measure, and left him feeling strange. Hell, he almost felt. guilty.
*--------------------* *--------------------*
At college the next day, Usagi was the one to pass on the disappointing- though not surprising- news on to her friends. Most of them hardly knew him, and just shrugged, but a few of Squall's better, closer friends looked upset.
"Squall's turning into a real recluse," Quistis murmured in thought, looking genuinely troubled. Her elegant brows were furrowed as she chewed absently on her lower up. Her trademark orange dress hung looked as though it might have been a bit cold on her, but she didn't make one word of complaint.
"He won't even listen to his girlfriend," Zell agreed, though he seemed to be distracted with throwing jabs and uppercuts at some imaginary foe. Still, that was how Zell regularly behaved- he couldn't help but be energetic, it was just the way he was. The only things more eccentric than Zell were the clothes he wore.
Usagi blushed, however, at the mention of being Squall's girlfriend. "I'm not," she protested instantly, and perhaps it was automated, "his girl friend."
It was sadly true- there wasn't anything that Usagi wouldn't have given to have Squall look at her with warm, loving eyes (though she'd probably die of a heart attack on the spot). Squall didn't even really look at girls anymore, not since Rinoa. Hell, Squall spent most of his time trying to avoid people in general. That sure didn't stop the girls from looking at him, though.
Seifer grinned in the way that only Seifer could- it was borderline on being reptilian. "I'm sure our fearless leader would much rather us call him a 'lone wolf' to a recluse, though I personally prefer 'hermit,' myself." He made a few dramatic gestures from underneath his white trench coat, and Usagi couldn't help but think that one of these days he'd make a fairly good actor.
It was pity that wasn't his major. Actually. Usagi had no idea what Seifer's future profession was. She didn't know him all that well, not really.
Usagi stifled a giggle; it really wasn't funny, but it was just the way Seifer said it. "You really shouldn't say that," Usagi berated him, though only half-heartedly, because all of the things they were saying were true.
"You laughed." He reminded her nonchalantly. "Besides, if he doesn't care enough about his integrity to show up, then why should I care?"
It was true, in a way. Squall had always been a person who appreciated good, quality time with just himself around, and he wasn't much of a people- person. He chose when he wanted to show up, and generally didn't give a damn about what other people thought. It wasn't his responsibility, he always said.
But about a month or so ago, his visits to talk and sit with them in the sunshine and chat had slowed significantly, and two weeks or so ago, he'd stopped showing up all together. Usagi had heard plenty of rumors from underclassmen about a handsome upperclassman that seemed to haunt the library, so she knew where he was. Still, she knew better than to try and confront him.
Usagi just sighed, and took another sip of her soft drink. The carbonation fizzled and tickled her upper lip and nose, and she had to refrain from sneezing as she swallowed the carbonated liquid.
Silence prevailed for a few minutes, but it was Selphie who broke it. "It's okay, Usagi-chan. Even if Squall won't go, we can still find you a date," the perky girl assured her with a grin. Usually Selphie would have been sitting near or on her boyfriend's lap- Irvine Kinneas- but unfortunately, said flirtatious cowboy was home sick with the flu.
Usagi snorted her Dr.Pepper up her nose, and coughed and snorted, cupping her hand over her nose while her friends tried to stifle their laughs. Usagi reached for a napkin, wiping the dripping liquid from her nose with great distaste as she tried to ignore the tiny tears of pain that pricked at the edges of her eyes.
She wiped the mess away, trying to regain what little dignity she had left, but even Quistis was chuckling. Usagi glared at them, standing with her hands on her hips.
"Whoah, you've been hanging around Squall for too long," Zell joked. "She's picking up on things, guys- next we know, she'll be walking around like she has bed head!"
Usagi giggled at this. The grin on Zell's face was enough for Usagi to know that he was just kidding, so it was okay- and the thought of herself walking around school with her hair in a total disarray was funny.
"You're really one to talk, chicken wuss," Seifer drawled, looking amused but 'too cool' for such an emotion. Instantly, like always, Zell was getting defensive and hoping around and twitching like he was going to beat the crap out of Seifer.
Usagi laughed happily; completely oblivious to the fact that she was being watched.
*------------------* *--------------------*
Yay! Chapter One's done! :does tnn's victory dance: ^^ Yippee. So, what did you think? Boring? :sigh: It seems a lot of my fics have very little action. But I happen to be deeply rooted in emotional development, and stuff.. Oh, well. Can't change that.
Anyhow, I hope that y'all enjoyed that, and please don't forget to review or drop me a line via email now that you've finished the chapter.
By: Tenshi no Nozomi (tenshi_no_nozomi@hotmail.com)
Warnings: minor angsty-ness, waffy, Usagi-centered, love triangles (and a very small world in the future)
Disclaimer: Standard
AN: Okay, I really need to get this pairing out of my system, or I'm really going to screw up an upcoming story I'm trying to write. . I already made my decision, so I'm trying to hold to it. So, yes, this is going to yet another Squall x Usagi story. But really, people, in comparison, there really aren't all that many of them out there, at least not in comparison to fics in total, or even just Sailor Moon Crossovers. And to spice it up a bit, Squally's gonna have some competition from Seifer! ^.~
Anyhow. I don't feel like bothering to explain my motives. Do I really have to? Have a happy Thanksgiving, peeps! Your gift from me to you.
*---------------------* *---------------------*
Chapter One
The cool air circulated sluggishly throughout the apartment, as though lethargic or unable to find the motivation to move quickly. It was so quiet that you would have thought it to be empty, all but for the repetitive click of the clock and the occasional flip of the page from a reader seated in a teal reclining chair in a corner, seated between a tall, sturdy bookshelf and an end table where a lamp sat turned-on to aid his reading.
A handsome young man was doing the page flipping, curled up in the comfortable, plush teal chair with the golden light casting strange lighting effects on his pale skin. He had unruly hair that looked silky to the touch, but despite the beauty that was possible, it seemed surprisingly- and disappointingly- unkempt.
His stormy, gray blue eyes were hard and impassible, revealing nothing but a somber wall that hid his feelings (though some might say he had none).
His expression was solemn, serious, studying as his eyes scanned through page after page. His mouth was tilted down at the corners in the barest frown, his eyebrows furrowed in a look of not quite consternation.
Squall finally closed his book, and set it down on the table beside his chair and reading lamp. He checked the clock adjacent to him, and saw that she was about an hour late, and the frown that had been tugging at the corners of his mouth grew a bit.
He couldn't ever remember a time in which she had been late, for any reason- she was tardy anywhere else, but never when she was coming over.
At that moment, he heard a soft, scuffling noise at the door- someone fumbling for keys. A moment later, an equally soft click resounded as the lock sprang free. And barely after that, in entered a cheerful looking, petite, blond, young lady.
Her soft, sunshine yellow hair was done up in an odd style, with two buns on the either side of her head- there had been much debate in the past, an people either said they looked like meatballs with spaghetti or else odangoes.
Large cerulean blue eyes peered out from underneath longish bangs- she, too, like many other college students, could not afford to get her hair cut, so she had just taken to letting them grow out instead of going through the hassle.
Her fair, peach skin glistened with melting snow, and she shivered as she kicked the door lightly shut with one foot and shifted the weight of the grocery bags on her hips.
"Brr, it's so cold out there!" she grumbled in only a half-complaint, offering him a benevolent, cheerful smile. He returned it with a cold stare, and a slight nod- yes, he could tell that it was indeed cold out there. Between the thermometer, the snow, and the people with jackets outside, he'd been able to tell.
Instead, he only stated, "You should be more gentle with the door." Instantly, the girl's face changed from cheerful to apologetic. She looked shame faced and bashful, like a dog whom her master had just scolded when she'd done something she'd thought would have pleased him.
"I'm sorry," she murmured as she sat the bag of groceries down on the plastic Formica kitchen table, "but I didn't want to let a draft in, and I didn't have any free hands." He only shrugged in response as he began to put the items away in his pantry.
Usagi sighed and sat down in a chair, looking beat after a long day. If she was expecting sympathy, though, she didn't get it. Instead, she sat there in silence for the next few minutes, waiting until he was finished putting things away.
"Don't you think you should put your heater on, Squall? It's so cold in here, you're going to catch something, for sure," the blonde said, looking around and shivering in jacket. She didn't understand how her friend could put up with the cold temperatures the way he did- Usagi had always been a person who favored summer over winter as a child, and it was doubtful that that would ever change.
"Costs too much," he replied vaguely. Usagi sighed and leaned back in her chair, and Squall could tell by the openly dejected look on her face that something was wrong. "What is it," he finally asked, when he couldn't take it anymore.
Usagi looked up at him, and blinked a few times before answering slowly. "Well, you know, the holidays are coming up, and a lot of people are going to be going home for them," she said, starting off carefully. 'Home' and 'family' had always been tender subjects for Squall.
"But I'm not going, and a bunch of other people decided not to, so we figured that maybe we'd get together on Christmas and New Years and do something together."
For a moment, the silence hung in the air that was thick with tension as well as frigidity. Squall knew where she was going with this, and she already knew the answer to the question. Still, just like she had every time before, she went ahead and asked.
"And, well, a few of us were thinking. well, maybe you'd like to come, too." Her expression looked so hopefully, it would have been enough to break any other person down and come whether or not they wanted to and at least pretend to have fun for her sake.
But not Squall Leonheart.
"No." He replied simply. And the letdown showed openly on her face, which sagged from hopeful to despairing and sad in the breadth of a single word. He wondered why she still bothered to ask, when the answer was always the same.
"But Squall," she started off like she always did, "you never go out. I swear, it won't kill you to have a little fun every once and a while! Everyone asks what's going on with you lately; all you do is go to school and rush home."
Usagi looked perplexed and upset, as though the mere idea of his lackluster social life was disgusting. "I like it that way." He replied stiffly.
He expected more arguments out of her- that's what usually came. But instead, her face sagged further, and she looked almost. old, which startled Squall. "All right, fine, stay home, you party pooper." She practically growled at him, shoving her chair back.
And that was when he realized that he'd managed to make the fairly even- tempered and loving (yes, loving, there was no other word to describe a girl that willingly gave away her hours of potential freedom for sick, clingy, whiny children at a hospital) Usagi mad. It didn't happen very often, but when it did, watch out innocent bystanders- it could be an ugly, dirty fight to witness.
That didn't mean it would last long. Anger rolled in and out of Usagi's system quicker than a Summer storm. One minute she looked mad enough to grind your face into the pavement, and the next she was smiling at you and happy as the hypothetical clam. She'd be over it by morning time, most likely.
He merely shook his head, though- he wasn't the one responsible for her moods, and he wasn't going to just up-and-change his mind because she wanted him to. So she stormed out of his apartment, slamming his precious door behind her for good measure, and left him feeling strange. Hell, he almost felt. guilty.
*--------------------* *--------------------*
At college the next day, Usagi was the one to pass on the disappointing- though not surprising- news on to her friends. Most of them hardly knew him, and just shrugged, but a few of Squall's better, closer friends looked upset.
"Squall's turning into a real recluse," Quistis murmured in thought, looking genuinely troubled. Her elegant brows were furrowed as she chewed absently on her lower up. Her trademark orange dress hung looked as though it might have been a bit cold on her, but she didn't make one word of complaint.
"He won't even listen to his girlfriend," Zell agreed, though he seemed to be distracted with throwing jabs and uppercuts at some imaginary foe. Still, that was how Zell regularly behaved- he couldn't help but be energetic, it was just the way he was. The only things more eccentric than Zell were the clothes he wore.
Usagi blushed, however, at the mention of being Squall's girlfriend. "I'm not," she protested instantly, and perhaps it was automated, "his girl friend."
It was sadly true- there wasn't anything that Usagi wouldn't have given to have Squall look at her with warm, loving eyes (though she'd probably die of a heart attack on the spot). Squall didn't even really look at girls anymore, not since Rinoa. Hell, Squall spent most of his time trying to avoid people in general. That sure didn't stop the girls from looking at him, though.
Seifer grinned in the way that only Seifer could- it was borderline on being reptilian. "I'm sure our fearless leader would much rather us call him a 'lone wolf' to a recluse, though I personally prefer 'hermit,' myself." He made a few dramatic gestures from underneath his white trench coat, and Usagi couldn't help but think that one of these days he'd make a fairly good actor.
It was pity that wasn't his major. Actually. Usagi had no idea what Seifer's future profession was. She didn't know him all that well, not really.
Usagi stifled a giggle; it really wasn't funny, but it was just the way Seifer said it. "You really shouldn't say that," Usagi berated him, though only half-heartedly, because all of the things they were saying were true.
"You laughed." He reminded her nonchalantly. "Besides, if he doesn't care enough about his integrity to show up, then why should I care?"
It was true, in a way. Squall had always been a person who appreciated good, quality time with just himself around, and he wasn't much of a people- person. He chose when he wanted to show up, and generally didn't give a damn about what other people thought. It wasn't his responsibility, he always said.
But about a month or so ago, his visits to talk and sit with them in the sunshine and chat had slowed significantly, and two weeks or so ago, he'd stopped showing up all together. Usagi had heard plenty of rumors from underclassmen about a handsome upperclassman that seemed to haunt the library, so she knew where he was. Still, she knew better than to try and confront him.
Usagi just sighed, and took another sip of her soft drink. The carbonation fizzled and tickled her upper lip and nose, and she had to refrain from sneezing as she swallowed the carbonated liquid.
Silence prevailed for a few minutes, but it was Selphie who broke it. "It's okay, Usagi-chan. Even if Squall won't go, we can still find you a date," the perky girl assured her with a grin. Usually Selphie would have been sitting near or on her boyfriend's lap- Irvine Kinneas- but unfortunately, said flirtatious cowboy was home sick with the flu.
Usagi snorted her Dr.Pepper up her nose, and coughed and snorted, cupping her hand over her nose while her friends tried to stifle their laughs. Usagi reached for a napkin, wiping the dripping liquid from her nose with great distaste as she tried to ignore the tiny tears of pain that pricked at the edges of her eyes.
She wiped the mess away, trying to regain what little dignity she had left, but even Quistis was chuckling. Usagi glared at them, standing with her hands on her hips.
"Whoah, you've been hanging around Squall for too long," Zell joked. "She's picking up on things, guys- next we know, she'll be walking around like she has bed head!"
Usagi giggled at this. The grin on Zell's face was enough for Usagi to know that he was just kidding, so it was okay- and the thought of herself walking around school with her hair in a total disarray was funny.
"You're really one to talk, chicken wuss," Seifer drawled, looking amused but 'too cool' for such an emotion. Instantly, like always, Zell was getting defensive and hoping around and twitching like he was going to beat the crap out of Seifer.
Usagi laughed happily; completely oblivious to the fact that she was being watched.
*------------------* *--------------------*
Yay! Chapter One's done! :does tnn's victory dance: ^^ Yippee. So, what did you think? Boring? :sigh: It seems a lot of my fics have very little action. But I happen to be deeply rooted in emotional development, and stuff.. Oh, well. Can't change that.
Anyhow, I hope that y'all enjoyed that, and please don't forget to review or drop me a line via email now that you've finished the chapter.