by NightsDawne
[My first story Cowboy left things open for follow-ups, naturally. A big hole was what would develop between Irvine and Quistis now that he had a place to belong and possibly a place in her heart. I don't want to leave my reviewers hanging after you guys asked for more about whether they would get together, so I decided to give you what you want in the form of a songfic. Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine, they're Squaresoft's, the song is Aerosmith's.]
I could stay awake just to hear you breathin'
Watch you smile while you are sleepin'
While you're far away and dreamin'
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Where every moment spent with you
Is a moment I treasure
I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing
Lyin' close to you
Feelin' your heart beatin'
And I'm wonderin' what you're dreamin'
Wonderin' if it's me you're seein'
Then I kiss your eyes and thank God we're together
And I just wanna stay with you
In this moment forever, forever and ever
I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
And I don't wanna miss one smile
I don't wanna miss one kiss
Well, I just wanna be with you
Right here with you, just like this
I just wanna hold you close
Feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment
For all the rest of time
Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing
Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep, yeah
I don't wanna miss a thing
Chapter 1: Graduation
He stared at the uniform hanging on the door of his closet. He was half afraid to touch it lest it vanish, a dream too delicate to survive the abuse of his fingertips. Black military dress jacket with gold braiding on the shoulders and lapels. White french-collared shirt, small gold buttons down the front emblazoned with the lotus emblem of Balamb Garden. Black dress pants with a narrow stripe of ebony satin down the sides. It was the uniform of a SeeD mercenary, a member of the elite fighting force he'd stopped himself from dreaming of belonging to so many years ago. Now, three days after he'd helped his friends fight off an attack from the cruel and heartless Red SeeD forces, it was finally his turn to don the uniform of the Black SeeD, a graduate of Balamb Garden.
"Congratulations to all four of you." Cid's face broke into his absent, kind, somewhat shy smile. "I suppose this is the first time every cadet involved in a field test has passed. I'm quite proud of all of you."
Irvine shifted his weight slightly, surrounded by the mahogany walls and burgandy carpet of the Headmaster's Office. He'd never had the chance to be fitted for a cadet uniform and the one he'd borrowed from Nida was too long in the sleeves by a couple of inches, but it wasn't just the clothing that made him uncomfortable. He should be giddy with excitement, about to be handed his graduation diploma, inducted into SeeD, but the man about to give it to him wasn't just the professorly master of education for Balamb Garden's military school. He was his father, a fact he'd learned only a week before. Anger and relief battled constantly for the former orphan's emotions, leaving no room for him to think of loving his only living relative. He stared straight ahead at Cid's mahogany desk as the headmaster moved down the row of graduating cadets, handing each a sheepskin scroll and a word of gentle advice.
"Fujin, you're a true talent. Keep in mind that you've got more to share with others than you think, and a soft word on occassion can heal as well as a magic spell."
"GRATI-- Thank you, Headmaster."
"Raijin, you bring many assets to SeeD. Foremost among them isn't your physical strength, but the loyalty in your heart."
"Wow, thanks, Headmaster, ya know?"
"I know, Raijin, I know. Seifer. I knew you could do it, I always had faith in you. There may still be damage to be undone, but when you left us last time it was to save those you loved, never forget that fact. It's wonderful to have you back where you belong."
"... Thanks, Headmaster."
Irvine swallowed, his jaw tightening as Cid stepped in front of him. He looked down to the scroll in Cid's hand rather than meet his father's eyes.
"Irvine.." The emotion in Cid's voice caused Irvine to glance up, swallowing again as he saw the tears glistening in the pale blue eyes that so perfectly matched his own, a hint of violet in their depths. "Irvine, it's against my position in this school to show favoritism to any cadet, but I can't help myself. I've never been so proud in my entire life. You earned this, and you belong here. Don't ever think you don't."
Irvine dropped his eyes back down to the scroll as it was placed into his hand, focusing on the dark blue silk ribbon that tied it, unable to even offer the traditional expression of gratitude as emotions clenched his throat. He turned to follow the other new graduates from the office into the applause of the SeeDs waiting outside to offer their support to the new members of their ranks. He started to relax, casting a half grin to Seifer, the tall blond gunblader banging shoulders with him as he smiled victoriously at the other SeeDs. His glanced up at his best friend, the SeeD commander himself, Squall's stormy grey eyes full of pride as he clapped. He looked around, his eyes falling on golden hair, peachy skin, eyes like a calm of deep waters in a serene face. His heart took a leap as Quistis gazed back at him, smiling softly.
"BOOYA!" Selphie turned from planting a kiss on Seifer's cheek and threw her arms around Irvine in an enthusiastic hug. "I knew you'd make it! I said so, didn't I? I told you both of my favorite men in the world would graduate this time!"
Irvine laughed, returning the hug and swinging the perky mercenary around. "You did, Sefie." He relinquished her into the arms of Seifer, who pulled her into the kind of kiss that made it clear to everyone that the bouncy and petite brunette was his and his alone now.
A hand clapped Irvine's shoulder and he looked down a bit to see the grinning face of Zell, bright blue eyes holding no threat of a punch as was often the case when the martial artist came into contact with the gunslinger who'd invaded what he'd seen as his natural position as best friend of the commander. "No turning back now, Irvine Kinneas, you're a SeeD. Looks like we're stuck together." Irvine grinned back, taking Zell's offered hand and wincing as it was squeezed in a painfully strong grip. Zell let him go and punched his shoulder lightly, then swung around to congratulate Fujin and Raijin.
He shook his hand out as he strode over to Squall, who surprised everyone, including his dark-haired girlfriend Rinoa, by silently pulling Irvine into a tight hug of friendship. "It's about time," the commander said quietly, pushing Irvine back to put his hands on his shoulders, tipping his head back a bit to smile at the tall, lanky gunslinger. "Just tell me you're here to stay, this time."
"Hey, ain't got no choice, do I?" Irvine ruffled Squall's overgrown ash-brown bangs so they fell in his eyes. "Gotta start earnin' a paycheck. 'Sides, someone's gotta stick around and make sure you an' Seifer don't wind up killin' each other."
"That'll be a full-time job in itself." Quistis took Irvine's elbow. "So who won the bet? You graduated together."
"The bet was that he'd graduate before me and he didn't." Seifer held his hand out expectantly. "You owe me a hundred gil, Irvine."
Irvine groaned. "Seif, c'mon, I'm broke. I ain't gonna weasel out, but ya gotta at least give me a chance ta get paid first."
"I'll let you slide this time." Seifer chuckled, in far too good a mood to do anything but yank on Irvine's ponytail. "Just remember you owe me."
"Okay, get going!" Selphie gave both Seifer and Irvine a push. "You can't just stand around here. There's a dance tonight, so hop to it. I don't want either of you looking like ungroomed slobs."
"Damn, babe, we're going out two days and you're already ordering me around." Seifer turned to give Selphie one more kiss before heading for the elevator. "I'm going, I'm going."
"About time somebody ordered him around." Rinoa laid her head on Squall's shoulder and wrinkled up her nose in a grin to Irvine. "You'd better get going, too."
"Yeah." Irvine scratched his hair, stepping in with Seifer and the other two graduates. "Don't wanna get Sefie mad at me." He winked as the doors slid shut, catching a glimpse of the beautiful Quistis watching him.
The uniform stayed as his fingers slid over it, remained solid as it dropped from the hanger. Straightening his shoulders he started dressing. He wanted to look perfect tonight. It was more than just the SeeD graduation ball. Quistis would be there. Being a SeeD meant nothing compared to the joy he'd feel if he could win her heart.