Chapter one: Taiyou ga Mata Kagayaku Toki (When the Sun is Shining Again)
Disclaimer: I don't own, my dog has no bone, I live of my loans, my icecream comes without the cone, so don't sue me wenches!
Betaed by: Shinigami's Forlorn Angel, and Megz! .
Warnings: Uh...not much that I know of maybe some swearing...
Over the next couple weeks Squall continued to ask Seifer about what had happened to him while he had been kidnapped, and each time was met with a vague answer which usually left him with more questions than when he had first asked.
So instead he turned his focus on developing growing relationships with Duo and Solo. However soon after Seifer's return the teen moved back into the blonde's house. Issues that had been previously forgotten were brought back to attention as they found 5 or so messages from Quistis reminding them that time was running short. Also Matron was set to leave in a few days.
Seifer sighed. He did not want to deal with this right now, yet he had no other choice. So doing the only thing he could he picked up the phone and called the female officer.
"Hello?" Quistis answered.
"This is Seifer Almasy.." He began. "I'm sorry that Squall and I have been a bit... Busy... as of late and unable to return your calls." He explained.
"I understand, but your time is running out have you found a lawyer?" She asked.
"Not yet." He sighed..
"Do you have any suggestions?" The blonde man asked as he slumped into a chair..
"As I said you can hire or you can get one from state for free. I do know a reasonably priced lawyer who is quite good by the name of Cid." She answered
"Where can I find this Cid?" Seifer asked as he grabbed a notepad and a pencil.
"I'll give you his number. It's 555-6993. You got that?" Writing down the number, Seifer nodded. "Yeah. I'll call him right away.."
"Okay you call that number and talk with him he should help. He'll contact me about a meeting for you." She finished.
"Alright." He said putting the pencil down next to the notepad. "Hopefully we'll see you soon then."
"Yes, me too. Bye." She said before hanging up.
Hanging up then picking up the receiver once more Seifer called up the lawyer's office.
"Hello?" He asked as soon as he heard the line pick up.
"Hello this is Cid Kramer, paralegal."
"Hi.. My name is Seifer Almasy.. A friend of mine needs a lawyer and we were told to call you." The blonde explained, hoping to get this dealt with quickly.
"Yes of course. You'll just have to set up a meeting."
The blonde nodded. "I understand. The inspector who referred us said you'd contact her about that.."
"Who? Quistis Trepe?"
"Yeah."
"Yes of course I'll contact her immediately. Now how do you plan to pay for me Mr. Almasy?"
"What exactly are your fees?" Seifer asked.
"Well if your suing then I take 30 percent of what you win if you win."
"And if we lose?"
"Then I don't get any money.."
Seifer blinked. Did he just hear right? "So if we don't win you'll do the case for free?" He asked amazed.
"Yes, that's why we must win so I don't go broke." The lawyer joked.
Seifer laughed. "Alright then."
"Okay, I'll call you when I've got a meeting set Mr. Almasy."
"Alright. I'll speak to you then." Seifer said before hanging up the phone.
Squall walked up behind Seifer wrapping his arms around the blonde, he had just gotten out of the shower. "Who were you talking to?"
"A lawyer." The blonde man replied tiredly.
Squall sighed, and left it alone for what he wanted to say was going to make it worse. 'I'll pay you back.'
Seifer turned and kissed the teen. "He seemed a little off though.. He said he'd only charge us if we win the case.."
Squall looked up. "Is that not normal? I really don't know much about lawyers." He finished before basking in another kiss.
"No.. It's not..." He answered, hugging the teen.
Squall nodded and laid his head on Seifer's shoulder. "Did you call Quistis?"
"Yeah.. She's the one who suggested I call that lawyer.." He replied, kissing the top of the teen's head.
Squall pulled back, and rose an eyebrow. "Then shouldn't he be trustworthy?"
"Yeah.." Seifer agreed before he decided he'd had enough of that topic. " Have you spoken to Selphie and Irvine lately?" he asked.
Squall nodded before pulling Seifer to the couch, sitting on it, then lying down in the blonde's arms. "Yesterday actually."
"Oh?" Seifer asked as he absently played with the teen's hair.
"Yeah..." Squall said sighing. "They're doing...okay...sometimes they have problems with Duo and Solo..."
"Problems?" Seifer asked as he looked down at the brunette.
"Seems that they still don't trust them that much...And there are times where Duo's completely withdrawn from everyone. His behavior is really beginning to worry Selphie." Squall answered snuggling to the blonde, licking the tan neck. Seifer suppressed a shiver as he smiled down at the teen.
"Considering some of the hard ships they must have faced it's only natural they don't give their trust out all that lightly." He reasoned.
Squall smiled at the shiver and nodded. "Yeah... but Duo's behavior is something to worry about." The teen said shaking his head and resuming licking the blonde's neck as it tasted good.
Seifer chuckled as he moved the teen so he could kiss him. "Now, now Squall.." He said. "Not until you turn 18. " He said playfully.
Squall pouted, but kissed the blonde all the same. "Don't tell me you're making me wait a week!" The brunette whined.
"Okay. I won't tell you." The blonde quipped, smirking. Squall scowled at the blonde. "Smartass."
"The rest of me is smart too you know." Seifer retorted. Squall nipped Seifer's chin. "I guess I'll find that out soon."
"I guess you will.." Seifer responded, gifting the teen with another kiss.
"Now how about we go visit Duo and Solo, huh? I'm sure they miss you." He offered as he fought back a yawn.
Squall smiled and set his head on the blondes shoulder. "Yeah, after a nap." He said yawning himself, as all yawns were, are, and always will be, contagious.
Selphie giggled and hung up the phone practically skipping off to Duo and Solo's room. "Hey boys!" She greeted.
Both boys looked up after hearing Selphie call them.
"Squally and Seif are going to visit!" She said at their inquiring looks.
Duo's eyes lit up as he sat back on the bed from where his brother had been telling him stories. "Really?" He asked quietly, hugging Mr. Bear as he looked up at her again.
Selphie nodded happy to see the child's reaction. "Yep! For dinner so you should get ready."
The boy nodded before looking at his brother. "Finish telling me about the dragon and the princess later, Nii-san?" He asked.
Solo smiled and nodded. "Sure, before bed I'll finish." He answered standing up from the floor where he was sitting cross-legged. "Okay." The longhaired youth smiled as he crawled off the bed.
About half an hour later a knock sounded at the door.
Duo was sitting at the window watching for Squall and Seifer when the two arrived.
Selphie happily ran from the kitchen, where she was cooking dinner, opening the door to let them in, immediately giving them hugs. "I missed ya even though you weren't gone that long!"
Selphie turned to her cowboy sitting on the couch. "Irvine! Go finish supper so I can visit, please?" She gave her lover puppy eyes, complete with a pout.
"Me? Cook? "Irvine blinked as he pointed to himself.
Selphie nodded full pout still in place. "Pleeeeaaase?"
"Selph.. I don't know the first thing about kitchens and cooking.." He tried to reason so he wouldn't have to make dinner.
But Selphie wouldn't have it. "You're a cowboy! You're supposed to know how to cook in the wilderness yet you can't use an actual kitchen?"
Meanwhile Duo seized this opportunity to sneak over and tug on Squall's sleeve.
Squall looked down at the tug, smiling at Duo. "Hello." The little boy returned the smile as he reached up to hug the brunette teen.
"I've never been out in the wilderness for more than a couple days and the kitchen is definitely foreign domain." The sharpshooter retorted crossing his arms.
Squall hugged him back kneeling so the boy could get around his neck better. Duo's smile grew as he snuggled close to the older male, letting out a small sigh of contentment. "I missed you.. Nii-san.." he said quietly.
Squall's eyes widened as did those of Solo's... The brunette hugged back. "I missed you too." He replied picking the boy up so he could stand straight.
Selphie who was still within hearing range also turned to look at the child, blinking. Which left Irvine alone on the couch confused.
Squall couldn't help but ask now as he saw that it wasn't only him curious. "Why did you call me Nii-san?" he asked.
"Because..." The boy answered, not elaborating.
"It's okay though, I don't mind." The brunette said, quickly reassuring the boy.
Duo nodded and laid his head on Squall's shoulder. Solo who was a short distance away couldn't help but smile.
He understood why Duo had called the teen 'Nii-san'.
"IRVY!" Selphie suddenly exclaimed. "Please pooky wooky woo?"
"Sefie!" The cowboy replied. "I don't know the first thing about cooking! I'll probably burn everything!"
"No you won't!" She said. "It's easy..." She trailed off as her and everyone else in the room smelled the smoke. Shrieking the small brunette ran off to the kitchen. "It's burning!"
Irvine sighed. "I knew it would turn out like this." He said as he rose to join Selphie in the kitchen.
Squall chuckled along with Seifer and went to go sit on the couch waiting for the call for supper. "So what did you boys do for the past few weeks?"
"Solo told me stories.." Duo answered as his sibling walked over to sit next to them.
Squall nodded and glanced at Duo. "What kinds?"
"About dragons and ogres and princesses and knights..."The boy answered. Squall smiled. "Cool. Do you like dragons and princesses?" Duo nodded.
"Do you like it here?" Squall asked remembering what Selphie said the other day over the phone.
The small brunette looked down. "It's lonely without you here.." He admitted quietly.
Squall frowned. "You've got Solo here with you."
"Yeah... " The boy said as he didn't look up.
Squall squeezed the boy and couldn't help letting his earlier thoughts come back. maybe he could adopt them? Duo returned the embrace laying his head on the teens shoulder once more.
Squall shifted and looked at Solo who looked a bit sad as well. "Would you like to spend more time with me? Maybe live with me?" He asked.
Duo pulled back almost immediately, a confused, hopeful look on his face.
Squall rose an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"Live with you?" The child asked, almost as if the concept were too good to be true.
Squall nodded and glanced at Seifer hoping the blonde wouldn't be mad at him for such an offer. "You and Solo with me, and Seifer.."
Seifer nodded. Seeing the hopeful look on the small boys face, he couldn't say no.
Duo nodded and hugged the teen as he felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes.
Squall smiled happily and hugged back. "Is that okay with you, Solo?" He asked the other boy.
"Yeah." The older boy answered with a small nod.
Squall nodded. "I'm sure Selphie wouldn't mind. We'll set the date. Day after my birthday." He said casting a sly look to Seifer.
Seifer chuckled quietly and gave the teen a light punch in the arm.
Squall smirked. "Ow."
Suddenly Irvine walked back into the room from the Kitchen. "Ehh.." He shrugged. "I think we'll be eating out tonight." He said as he look back towards the kitchen where Selphie was lamenting the loss of what she dubbed 'a poor, innocent meatloaf.'
Squall chuckled. "Sounds okay to me."