If he didn't think about it, it wasn't there. If he didn't speak about it, it never happened. If he distanced himself from the world and let everything escape his mind, he wouldn't remember. He hoped, for the sake of his sanity, that he didn't think about it or speak about it or remember it. But hoping wasn't enough.

He ran faster and harder than he ever had before, but Seifer was much stronger and faster, and in no time the older blond caught up. Sharp pain rain up Hayner's back, and he fell to his knees with a choked sob. His throat was tight and every breath felt like fire. There was laughter, and at that point, Hayner tried to put his mind elsewhere.

A boot slammed into his stomach, and he gagged, the wind knocked clean from his lungs. He slammed a fist on the ground and squeezed his eyes shut, trying not to sob but failing miserably. He hadn't even done anything to deserve Seifer's wrath- why was the older blond attacking like he was? "Stop..." Hayner cried, weakly, flinching and screaming as Seifer's fist slammed into his jaw.

"What's that, Chicken Wuss?" Seifer mocked, standing over Hayner's pathetic-looking figure. "I couldn't quite hear. Did you tell me to kick harder?" Shrugging like he was merely completing a request, he kicked the younger blond in the side. "Fuck you, Hayner."

"Why are you doing this?" Hayner managed to ask, spitting out blood. He had bit his tongue during the last kick, and knew without a doubt, that there would be more blood where that came from. He refused to look at Seifer, so he stared at the pavement, which seemed to get increasingly darker the longer he stared.

"Because you're a Chicken Wuss and I'm stronger than you. You're an annoying little twerp who thinks he can be better than me, and I won't have that. You hang out with two equally annoying twerps and I just can't even stand to look at you." There was enough hesitation for Hayner to notice, and he cocked an eyebrow. Seifer couldn't see the questioning look, thank the gods, but it was definitely there. Why was he hesitant?

"Whatever. Just finish up here so I can get home."

Seifer spat, looking away. "It's not as fun when you request it." He mumbled. Even so, he decided that one last kick would make him feel better. He aimed right for the stomach, and watched as Hayner took it. But he kicked too hard. Hayner's eyes widened and he coughed, a drop of blood forming at the corner of his lips. He clutched wildly at his stomach, gasping for air. It hurt. It hurt too much.

"H-Hayner?" Seifer's stomach was doing somersaults. What had he done? "Hayner I'm sorry, are you alright?" He hated to admit he was sorry, but he had gone a step too far, and now Hayner looked like he was dying. It was a horrifying, pathetic sight- enemy suddenly trying to help enemy after beating him for no reason. He pulled Hayner into his arms and felt his stomach and ribs, horrified to find that at least one rib was broken. He wasn't a doctor, so he had no idea what sort of damage he had done to his stomach- but it wasn't good.

Gently, Seifer set Hayner onto the pavement. The blond's breathing was evening out, which was reassuring. He would call an ambulance soon, when he was sure that Hayner wouldn't die right there. He wasn't thinking of the flawed logic in his plan, just crying to himself for being such a dick and stroking Hayner's hair.

"I didn't do anything to deserve this..." Hayner whispered, his voice weak.

"I know... I know." Seifer cooed, voice trembling. A few tears splashed onto Hayner's already wet face, and he wiped them away as they blond's blue eyes closed. He was alive, and it was time to get help.

"I don't hate you Hayner. I've never hated you." Seifer was sobbing, then, as he stood. "Never hated you..." With that, he dashed off, towards the nearest Gas station, where he called an ambulance.