Operation: Mariposa

by Scarlet Fever

Seifer/Squall slash! Rated M for Graphic language, violence, sexual content and drug/alcohol use. What do you do when your whole world turns against you? Been a while since I posted a fic on here! Work In Progress!

2. Chapter 2

Chapter 02

"From what we can tell, it seems they're based out of the Galbadian continent, but beyond that..." Xu trailed off with a shrug, her tone hushed. She and Quistis were talking, having passed each other in the hallway. They were discussing the latest hot topic at Garden - the Solar System, a mysterious new organization of assassins.

"It was bound to happen," Quistis murmured warningly. "With SeeD refusing more and more assassination contracts, someone was going to fill in the gap."

"We aren't hired murderers," Xu stated firmly. "And, we can't just let a group of thugs in the shadows go around killing anyone that they get a paycheque for."

Quistis just shrugged. Xu was very vehement on this subject, but Quistis couldn't help but think of all the people they'd all killed during their many missions. But, she stayed quiet because she didn't want to start an argument.

"Oh!" Xu suddenly exclaimed under her breath, her hands immediately going up to fluff her hair. "Do I look okay?" She breathed to her best friend.

Quistis's eyes followed Xu's, and she saw Nida walking down the hall towards them. She smiled and waved, feeling a little flutter in her stomach as he smiled back. She'd started to develop a crush on the Garden pilot after spending a lot of time with him and Xu on the bridge, but kept her feelings to herself because of how strong Xu's own were for him were.

"Hi Quistis," Nida greeted, his warm brown eyes searching her own sapphire blue ones. He then looked at her thin deep garnet v-neck camisole and long, lightweight white skirt. "You look really nice. Hi, Xu."

"Hi Nida," Xu breathed.

"What are you talking about so intently?"

"The Solar System," Quistis replied.

"Ah." He smiled at her. "Yeah, that's a popular topic around here."

"Listen," Xu said to draw his eyes to her. "I really wanted to thank you for partnering with Irvine, what with him being new and all." Irvine had just finished his SeeD exams at Galbadia Garden, and was coming back to Balamb, and would be partnered with Nida. Selphie had been a little pissed off, but she already had a partner, and Xu didn't think lovers should be working partners.

"It's not like he's green," Nida pointed out. "Hell, I'm not the one who went face-to-face with Ultimecia."

"Xu!" A voice called from down the hallway. A SeeD was waving at her to come over.

"Damn," she cursed under her breath. "Duty never stops calling. See you later, Nida." She reached up and gingerly touched his shoulder. Behind his back, she gestured silently for Quistis to talk her up.

"I'm sure you and Irvine will get along great," Quistis assured. "He's a great guy. And, he'll like you even if you aren't a hot girl."

Nida laughed. "Hey Quisty, umm... you maybe wanna... go out for coffee with me?"

Quistis's smile wilted a little. "Oh. I... I can't."

"I know you have that meeting today, but after?"

"Oh, I..." Quistis looked down at the scuffed toes of the old pair of leather boots she was wearing, her disappointment mounting. "It's not that. I can't."

Nida frowned. "Is this because of Xu?"

Quistis bit her full lower lip.

"It's not like she's been very subtle. Would it help if I said I don't think of her that way?" He asked hopefully, searching Quistis's face.

"No. She's my best friend..." Quistis trailed off with a sad shrug. "I just can't."

"Well, I hope you change your mind, but knowing you and your integrity, you won't." He gave her a tight-lipped smile. "If you do, come find me."

Quistis watched him go, shoulders slumping as she sighed. She really did want to say yes to Nida's offer. When was the last time she'd been on a real date, after all? But then she thought of how hurt Xu would feel. She then casually checked her watched and stood straight up. "Oh, damn!" She started walking at a quickened pace to the elevator, pushing Nida and Xu out of her mind. As she went towards the garage, she had the feeling that she was going to walk straight into a big scene. When civilians visited Garden, they had to be escorted through the building, so she was going to wait in the parking garage. Luckily, it was empty when she arrived, and the underground concrete area was nice and cool compared to the growing heat of the day.

"Oh no," she muttered under her breath when Selphie and Zell came into the garage.

"Hey!" Zell greeted, waving to Quistis and coming over. "Why are you down here?"

"Why are you down here?" Quistis asked, forcing a smile.

"Irvine's going to be here any minute!" Selphie exclaimed, excited. "Five months is a long time to wait for a booty call."

Quistis looked at her watch again. "Oh, yeah... I guess it is that time."

"You okay?" Selphie asked, eyes suddenly narrowing dangerously. "You seem verrrryyy nervous."

"Oh, no no. I'm fine. Just hot, I guess." She then jerked when Selphie made a squeal that would have fit right in on a farm. A Garden issue car was driving into the parking lot, and before Irvine could really come out of the backseat, she was all over him.

"How romantic," Zell muttered with a joking roll of his eyes.

Quistis checked her watch again, then folded her hands in front of her, then smoothed down the front of her skirt. Her eyes closed when the garage was now filled with the rumbling sound of a motorcycle engine.

"Whoa!" Zell exclaimed when he saw the bike. It was a jet black Hammerhead, a powerful motorcycle made for the Galbadian army.

Quistis visibly winced when Zell went over to the motorcycle and admired it as the driver, wearing leather and a helmet as black as his bike, pushed out the kickstand and killed the engine. "Oh wow, a Sonar!" He breathed. "They haven't made those in years." He peered down at the bike in awe, reaching out to touch the gleaming metal as the rider pulled off his tinted helmet.

"Get your grubby mitts off my motorcycle, Chicken-Wuss."

Zell jerked up to his full, thought short, height. A look of shock became one of great distaste. "Ugh! You?!"

Seifer gave his trademark smirk and stood, swinging his long leg around the bike. He put his helmet under his arm, and gave Zell a once-over, whistling in disbelief at Zell's baggy striped shorts and loose tank top, in an eye-watering colour combination of azure blue, fire engine red and nuclear orange. "My God, you have bad taste in clothes."

"What did you just say to me?!" Zell snapped, hands balling into fists, which caused Seifer to laugh. "Suck my dick."

Seifer raised his hand about an inch above Zell's head. "You must be at least this tall to ride this ride."

Zell started muttering angrily under his breath, fuming.

"Good to see you," Irvine said, reaching his hand out to shake Seifer's. The taller man's smirk turned into a genuine smile as he clasped Irvine's hand. "I saw in the Deling paper that you graduated SeeD. Congratulations."

"About bloody time, right?" Irvine said with a laugh.

"I guess he succeeded where you failed, huh?" Zell snapped meanly, crossing his arms, glaring daggers at Seifer.

"I guess he did," he replied seriously without looking at the other blonde man. "Hello, Selphie."

"Uh... hi!" She greeted, uncharacteristically quiet.

"So, what's up?" Irvine asked, briefly removing his hat so he could wipe the sweat off his brow. "What are you doing here?"

"Picking up my credentials from Quistis."

"Which are in my office, so let's go." Quistis got behind Seifer and started pushing his broad back towards the ramped hallway leading up to Garden proper.

"Instructor, I have the feeling you don't want to see me!" Seifer exclaimed mockingly.

"You didn't have to shake his hand, you know..." They could hear Zell muttering to Irvine as the pair walked up the hall.

"You look good," Seifer commented.

"Thank you," she replied, trying not to think of Nida saying the same thing to her earlier. "You, too. Your hair looks good like that."

Seifer ran his hand over his hair, which was much shorter than it had been the last time he'd seen anyone from Garden. It was now buzzed quite close to his head. "Why, thank you, Instructor."

"Please don't call me that."

As they walked through Garden towards the elevators, people stopped dead in their tracks at the sight of Seifer Almasy. The Seifer Almasy. Even though he wasn't at Garden anymore, his name still hung in the air. And, not just because of Ultimecia. There were a lot of people who had Seifer Almasy stories, mostly involving him getting into big arguments with Instructors. His shouting match with a former mathematics Instructor was legendary, as was the story about him fighting a T-Rexaur all by himself when he was fourteen, and winning.

"Does it feel weird to be escorted around Garden like a stranger?" Quistis asked as they got in the elevator.

"Nah," Seifer dismissed with a shrug. "I was always being escorted around Garden for some reason or another. To detention, from detention, out of class, out of the Training Center after hours, back into Garden after sneaking into town at night."

"And, you were the head of the Disciplinary Committee," Quistis mused with a shake of her head.

"Do as I say, not as I do." When they entered her office, Seifer looked around, smirking. "Ah, yes. I pictured lots of taupe and bland, vanilla artwork. Nice to see I wasn't proven wrong."

"Yes, well..." Quistis sat behind her desk. "I can see how it wouldn't have the same appeal as Squall's office."

Seifer froze mid-motion as he lowered himself into a chair. It only took a second for him to regain his composure. "He told you about that, did he?"

"He did. Does that surprise you?"

"No," Seifer answered after a moment. "He has to talk to someone, right?" He let out a groan, unzipping his black leather jacket. "God, it's surprising how fast you forget how hot Balamb is."

"Soooo...?" Quistis trailed off expectantly, a smile on her pouty lips. She opened a drawer in her desk, pulling out a fat envelope, waving it and sliding it between her fingers. "What do you need your records for?"

"I can't do menial labour for the rest of my life," Seifer muttered, fully pulling off his jacket to reveal a tight white tank top underneath. "I'm kind of... running out of money, and need a real job."

"Do you have a path thought out?" Quistis asked enviously. She loved school, and was jealous that Seifer would be going on for further study.

"Herpetology." Seifer reached out for the envelope, but Quistis snatched it away.

"Ooh, really?" was Quistis's eager reply, holding the envelope out of Seifer's reach. "That would be the University of Dollet, right? They have the best zoology department."

"They've unofficially offered me a scholarship, and I could have a job lined up when I'm finished. They're even letting me into the current semester which starts in two weeks." Because Garden's academics were of such a high standard, it was the equivalent of an undergraduate program at a post-secondary school, and anyone who decided to leave Garden or who didn't become SeeD could go into more advanced university programs earlier than if they'd just gone through regular school. Their well-honed language skills also made it very easy for them to study internationally.

"Doing what? Study, or working in a zoo? What kind of reptiles would you specialize in?"

"Can I answer the first question before you ask me a second?"

"Sorry, sorry."

"There's this guy that Raijin knows in Deling that has a lab where they milk the snakes for anti-venom. With the city expanding into the desert, more and more people are getting bitten. They always need people, so..." He trailed off with a shrug. "I guess it's hard for them to find people crazy enough to purposely go after poisonous snakes and Malboros."

"And, you have more affection for animals than you do for most people?"

He chuckled. "Well, that too. So... how is Squall, anyway?"

"Why are you asking?"

Seifer rolled his eyes. "Leave that kind of immaturity for someone else, Quistis. It doesn't suit you."

"Well, excuse me, Mr. Highbrow."

"Besides, it was just a kiss, and it was months ago."

"Uh huh."

"Where is he, anyway?"

"Why?" She asked, eyes dancing.

"Just curious," he snapped.

"He and Rinoa went to Balamb Town for a lunch date."

"He..." Seifer's mask of bravado briefly dropped. "Did he tell Rinoa?"

Quistis shook her head. She saw that Seifer's expression of disapproval was the exact mirror of her own.

"If he loves her, like he claims, then he shouldn't lie to her. She'll be hurt more when she finds out. These things have a way of coming out."

"Like you?"

Seifer laughed sarcastically. "I guess he really opened up to you. Did he make out with you, too?"

"No."

"Used to be that would make you put your head on the desk and start sobbing."

Quistis shrugged a bare shoulder. "I know, but now the idea of kissing him kind of creeps me out. But... I mean... umm..."

"You want to ask me how I feel about the whole thing, Lady Transparency?"

"You don't have to be an ass, but I guess you can't go against your natural tendencies."

"I don't know!" Seifer exclaimed, exasperated. "Okay? I don't know! I know that he's with Rinoa, and that's that, but thinking about it it was" He could still taste Squall's mouth as if the kiss happened only moments ago, instead of months and months. He would still think about it at night, as he was drifting off to sleep, and the potential it'd had. Where it could have went. What having sex with Squall would have been like... He clammed up when he looked at Quistis across the desk. "Never mind. Can I have my envelope now?"

"No!" Quistis stretched it out of the way when he rose from the chair to snatch it. "Not until you tell me more!" She then put the envelope down the front of her tank top. "I'm a desperate, horny, lonely woman who will take any action she can get, including hearing naughty homoerotic stories."

"You think it's safe from me down there?" Seifer asked, looking at her chest, her shirt now askew because of the envelope inside. "Because I totally will."

"What did I just say about being desperate and horny?" She put her hands up protectively against her bosom as Seifer reached for her. He wound up getting her into a tight hug from behind, trying to get his hand up her shirt from the hem. She shrieked and started laughing as his fingers passed over a ticklish spot.

"Give it to me," Seifer demanded.

"Touch me here and say that!" Quistis exclaimed through her laughter.

"Got it!" Seifer tried to pull the envelope out of her shirt, but she started squirming and grabbed it so he couldn't take it from her. "Quisty, let go. I'm sure the university admissions board will wonder why my records are all ripped in half."

"I'm sure the truth will be quite the interesting story."

"Or, give me a one-way ticket to the sexual predators registry."

"Even more interesting!" She exclaimed breathlessly. "Oh!" She exclaimed with mock disappointment when Seifer succeeded in pulling the envelope away from her. "That was the most action I've gotten in never mind, it's too lame to admit."

Seifer sat back down, smoothing out the envelope. "It's pretty thick. All my disciplinary demerits in here?"

"No. Just your marks, and some letters of recommendation from staff."

"Recommendation?" Seifer echoed, surprised. "Recommending what? A firing squad?"

"I put one in there. So did Cid and a few other Instructors."

Seifer snorted, opening the envelope. "Let's see what Instructor Trepe had to say, hmm?"

"Oh, Seifer, no... it's too embarrassing!"

"Ah, yes. 'Extremely mentally gifted. Very self-motivated.' Aww, Quisty. You're too sweet."

"If you look past all your awful behaviour, you were actually quite a good student. Your marks are very impressive. Almost as good as mine."

"And, your ego is almost as big as mine." He looked at a sheet with his grades on it.

"If you'd applied yourself, you probably could have been one of the elite of SeeD."

"Can you really see me taking orders?"

She sighed. "No, I guess I can't," she replied with affection. "How long are you in the area?"

"I'm taking the morning ferry back. Can I use your fax machine to send these off?"

"Oh, sure." She watched for a while as he fed the papers into the machine, dialling the Dollet number. "You going to try and at least see Squall before you leave?"

"Maybe it's better if I don't. I don't know what to say." Right now, his better judgement was winning, but Seifer didn't know if that would be the case if he laid eyes on Squall again.

"That would be a first."

"Look, I got what I came for. I'm just going to take off now."

"Please don't. I was only kidding."

"I'm not that fragile, Quistis. I just... being here isn't exactly high on my enjoyment list."

"I can't really blame you, I guess." She rose from her chair as he started putting his jacket back on. "But, you did get to make fun of Zell, which I know is a great past time of yours."

Seifer chuckled to himself. "He just makes it so easy. And, I guess I did get to feel you up, so there's always that."

"Yes, that was quite nice," Quistis said with a withering roll of her eyes. "A good molestation always makes one feel like a lady."

They both laughed as there was a gentle knock on the door, which immediately followed the door swinging open. "Quisty, do you have the deposition from that jewellery store owner? I can't find it." Squall came into the office, stopping dead in his tracks when he saw she wasn't alone, and that she was with Seifer.

A look of shock and disbelief replaced Squall's usual perma-scowl as he looked at Seifer, standing in Quistis's office, laughing with her. Seifer, standing there wearing all black leather, as frozen as Squall was as he was zipping up his coat. All the leather sent Squall's mind into sexual overdrive, and the room started feeling a lot hotter than it already was.

"Oh, uh... hi, Squall. You remember Seifer, right?" She quipped, desperately trying to cut the tension of the moment and failing miserably.

Squall wasn't even aware that Quistis was in the room anymore. Most people in sexual fantasy would have imagined someone undressing, but the fact that Seifer was zipping his jacket closed, encasing himself further in leather, made Squall's intestines squirm pleasurably. He imagined himself being caught up in Seifer's strong arms, tight to the point of near-pain, his mouth being assaulted by Seifer's own, his nose filled with the smell of Seifer's jacket, chaps and boots.

He kept staring for what had now become an obscene amount of time. "I guess we know what Squall's kink is now..." Quistis murmured, starting to feel rather uncomfortable.

"Wh... what are you doing here?" Squall asked, finally able to find his voice. His cheeks were flushed in a way that was making Seifer notice the warmth in the room even more. He was trying desperately not to look at Squall's mouth. Especially now that he knew how soft it was and how good it tasted.

"You mean the whole school wasn't talking about my coming? I'm kind of disappointed."

"Squall doesn't pay attention to other people, remember?" Quistis said out of the side of her mouth.

"I came to get my records, and now that I have, I'm going back home."

"But..." Squall trailed off, watching as Seifer and Quistis walked out of her office. "Records?" Squall demanded, trying not to look to closely at Seifer, lest he go off into dreamland again. "What for?"

"I'm going back to school," Seifer replied, stopping to look into Squall's face. It was a bit of a mistake. He felt like he was falling, the absence not doing a goddamn thing to lessen his desire for the other man.

"Oh, hi Rinoa!" Quistis exclaimed, elbowing Squall hard in the side.

"Seifer!" She exclaimed, walking up to them, Angelo walking obediently at her side. When she stopped, the dog sat and looked up at Seifer expectantly.

"Hi, Rinoa," he greeted, trying not to sound guilty. "You look really nice."

"Thank you!" She moved forward towards him, stopping awkwardly as she looked at Squall, who quickly looked down at his shoes. She reached out to shake his hand, and then changed her mind and moved in for a hug, which Seifer returned stiffly, looking over the top of her head at Squall, who was still avoiding looking at them. He instead concentrated on looking at Angelo, and stroking her head. "So do you!" She complimented. "The shorter hair is really nice. Are you seeing anyone?" She asked boldly.

"Err, thanks." He patted her back as they broke the hug. "And, no. I'm single." He briefly looked to Squall. "You're even more famous than Matron now... always in the papers."

Her sunny expression briefly clouded over. "Yeah, I guess I am. Reporters seem to find us everywhere. I don't really mind all that much. Not as much as some people, anyway." She gave Squall a peeved, sidelong look. "Soooooo, Selphie said something about you coming back for your credentials. Anything you can share?" She asked, clasping her hands at the small of her back, and looking up at him with the same look on her face that Angelo had.

"I'm going on for further study. Can't be a Garden drop-out forever, right?" He looked beyond Rinoa, his shoulders stiffening when he saw Zell, Selphie and Irvine coming towards him. But, it wasn't them that suddenly made his blood curdle. It was that Xu was with them. To say him and Xu weren't the best of friends would have been hugely understating the hatred that thrummed between them like a current.

"Ah, Seifer. I'd heard you slunk into Garden. Can't keep all the pests out."

"Xu," he greeted stiffly.

"So?" Rinoa asked as Seifer and Xu glared at each other. "What are you going to study?"

"Herpetology," he answered, eyes practically shooting lasers at Xu.

"That... that's not what I think it is, is it...?" She asked, cocking her head. "You're not really studying herpes, are you?"

"That would be appropriate," Xu murmured, to which Zell laughed.

"No Rinoa," Zell piped up, still grinning. "It's the study of reptiles, which is even more appropriate in this case."

"Oh, you and your butter-knife sharp wit, Zell. Don't worry, Xu... I'm leaving. You can stop clenching."

Quistis pursed her lips at Xu as she walked with Seifer back towards the elevator.

Rinoa put her chin on the back of her hand, watching as Seifer and Quistis walked together, heads bowed together as they talked. Squall was too busy patting Angelo to notice the big smile that suddenly and slowly washed across her lovely face. Squall thought that if he just kept looking into Angelo's chocolate brown eyes, things would be okay, and he would forget about how warm he felt, and how Seifer had looked, and the electricity between them.

"I don't know why you have to be so bitter..." Irvine trailed off as Squall's senses slowly came back to him. It was like Irvine had been talking through a tube, and then lowered it from his mouth. He was addressing Xu and Zell. "He's been through worse shit than we can imagine, I'm sure. Give him a break."

"Like he gives me?" Zell spat.

"I'm not saying it's right," Irvine replied smoothly, running his fingers over the brim of his black cowboy hat. "But, if you just ignored him, he wouldn't bother. He's going after the reaction that you give."

"Men like him don't deserve second chances," Xu murmured. "He's had quite enough of them already." She narrowed her eyes at Irvine. "Besides, don't you have work you should be doing? I remember giving Nida an assignment for the pair of you."

"Right..." Irvine's periwinkle eyes also narrowed. "Yes ma'am." He gave an icy tip of his hat, took Selphie's hand, and went down the hallway. Squall cocked his head and watched them leave. He'd never seen Irvine as cold as that before.

"I should probably apologize..." Xu trailed off, putting her fingers to her smooth forehead, looking shamed. "I guess Seifer just brings out the worst in me."

"That makes two of us." Zell patted her awkwardly on the shoulder.

"Squall..." Rinoa trailed off after Xu and Zell followed the direction Irvine had went in. "I think we should try our outing again."

"Hmm?" Squall had crouched in front of Angelo, and was scratching her ears. Her tail was thumping loudly against the floor in appreciation. She rolled over onto her back, wanting her belly rubbed. Squall showed a rare, real smile as he lavished affection on the dog.

"I think we should try our outing again," she repeated. They'd gone for a lunch date in Balamb Town, but it had ended rather quickly when a cluster of reporters had discovered them. Rinoa had tried to keep the lunch pleasant, but Squall was having none of it, and they'd started to tensely argue all the way back to Garden.

"Why bother?" He asked bitterly.

"I think it might be better if it was a double date," she prodded as they went into his office, Angelo bounding in ahead of them, flopping down on the rug, panting heavily because of the heat.

"I'm sure Irvine and Selphie want to be alone tonight."

"No. With someone else..." She trailed off slyly.

He sat down, and looked at her from across the desk. She was practically tenting her fingers as a plan hatched in her mind. "Who...?"

"Don't you think that Quistis and Seifer would make a good couple? They're both so tall and blonde and good-looking."

"NO!" Squall exclaimed, loudly enough that it caused Rinoa to jerk.

"Why not?" She asked, shocked by his outburst. "They get along really good, they've known each other for so long, and they're both single. Right? What possible reason could you have for not wanting to see them happy?"

"They... they just wouldn't work out, okay?" Squall didn't feel he had the right to tell Rinoa about Seifer's sexual orientation. If Seifer wanted her to know, he would tell her. "They're just friends."

"The best relationships start out that way."

"No," Squall said again with a frightening finality. Even though he knew it wasn't a remote possibility, he hated the image of Seifer on a date with someone else, even if it was Quistis.

"It would help Quistis get her mind off Nida."

"Quistis likes Nida?" He asked blankly.

"Yes!" Rinoa exclaimed, annoyed with Squall's density. "But, she'd never go against her friendship with Xu."

"Xu likes Nida?"

"Oh, Squall..." She shook her head in dismay.

"So what?" He snapped. "Maybe I have better ways to spend my time than gossiping about someone."

"It's not gossiping!" She exclaimed, getting angry. "It's noticing and caring about your friends."

"If Quistis wanted to tell me, she would have, instead of letting people talk about her behind her back."

"What does that mean exactly?" She asked, putting her hands on her hips.

Squall opened his mouth to retort, but then snapped it shut. "...Whatever."

Rinoa let out her breath slowly, then started playing with the ends of her hair. "Squall... why are we fighting?" She came over to him and put her hands on his shoulders from behind. "I don't want to." She kissed the top of his head. "Can we please just have a nice dinner together? Maybe the whole gang. And, we can look forward to this weekend." That weekend, since Squall wasn't on assignment, he and Rinoa were taking a trip to Esthar at Laguna's insistence. Though Squall wouldn't admit it out loud, he actually... enjoyed spending time Laguna. Yes, Squall had unresolved issues with Laguna's abandonment, but his father made it hard to hate him. And, there was also the huge plus that paparazzi laws were really strict in Esthar, and they weren't allowed in the Presidential Palace at all. Squall could actually have a few days without a camera being shoved in his face.

"Okay," he replied quietly, squeezing her hand.

"Good." She leaned in and kissed him, beaming. "Do you want me to come remind you when it's time to get ready to go?"

"I'm not a baby..." He muttered as she went to the door.

"I'll come remind you," she replied, blowing him a kiss.

Once the door closed, Squall groaned and lowered his head to his desk. His spat with Rinoa actually had nothing to do with Seifer's sudden reappearance. They actually bickered a lot. Rinoa expected a lot from Squall, at least in his eyes, and he resented his dwindling 'alone time'. But, he didn't enjoy fighting with her, and felt like a bit of an asshole.

He started thinking about Seifer, and started to get aroused again, and a little angry. Why did he have to come back to Garden so suddenly, and why did he have to look so fucking hot while doing it? The leather showed he obviously had driven a motorcycle here, and Squall's mind went into sexual fantasy overdrive, thinking about Seifer straddling a big bike, the engine roaring loudly. Maybe Squall would go for a ride with him, and Seifer would fuck him right on the motorcycle

"Rinoa just commandeered me for some dinner," Quistis announced when she came into his office.

Squall sat up and frowned at her for interrupting his fantasy, which had gotten rather graphic. "Why didn't you tell me?" He snapped.

Quistis raised her eyebrows at Squall's waspish tone. "Because I found out my appointment was Seifer after you'd left for Balamb Town. Besides," she flopped down in the chair across the desk from him. "Maybe I was hoping you wouldn't see him. You have a girlfriend that you're in love with... apparently," she added under her breath.

"I do love her."

"Then why do your eyes look all glassy like you just had an orgasm?"

Squall looked away, the room still feeling stiflingly warm.

"You have to do something about this," Quistis insisted.

"It's just... surprise. I didn't expect to see him, is all."

"I guess it brought out your inner leather slut."

Squall glared at her.

"I think you're being cruel," she pressed sternly. "To both of them. You're having sexual feelings for someone other than Rinoa that aren't going away, and maybe you're leading Seifer on."

He frowned.

"I mean... Seifer is gay, right? If he kissed you before, I'm sure he feels some sort of sexual attraction to you. And, you're sending him all kinds of signals that might give him a false sense of hope."

"Why? Did he say something to you?" He demanded, a little too quickly.

"No, of course not. But... Hyne, Squall! You were a heartbeat away from giving him oral sex."

Squall mumbled some sort of protest under his breath.

"Never mind. You won't listen anyway," she muttered, standing. "I guess I'll see you at dinner."

"Quisty?" He asked as she opened the door.

"What?"

"Is it true you like Nida?"

She cocked her head, kind of surprised by the question. She closed the door again. "Why?"

"Rinoa said you did. She wanted to set you up with Seifer so you could get your mind off Nida."

Quistis snorted. "Yeah, I'm sure you loved that idea. And... yeah, I guess I do. He asked me out today," she admitted sadly. "But, I turned him down because of Xu. Even though I really wanted to say yes."

"I... Why didn't you mention it to me?"

"I dunno. You're too involved with your own problems."

Squall pursed his lips as Quistis left, feeling like an ass, and a poor friend. Quistis had all this internal torment that he hadn't noticed, and he hadn't even considered that he might be leading Seifer on. Would Seifer maybe want more from him? "Stop it!" He told himself, pulling his paperwork towards him. "Stop thinking about him."

---

A few hours later, Quistis was in her room, looking at the clothes in her closet, deciding what to wear. But, Rinoa hadn't been specific on where they were going to eat, so she didn't know if it was strictly casual, or something a little nicer. After all, Irvine had been away from Garden for so long that they might want to all celebrate.

"Quistis, is it okay to come in?" Rinoa's voice called from the other side of the dorm room door after a quick knock.

"Yeah," she called.

Rinoa opened the door, and looked stunning wearing a halter-necked dress in beautiful lavender silk with a layer of chiffon on top of it. Her hair was pulled back, and she wore pretty diamond earrings and a tennis bracelet to match.

"I guess I know what kind of outfit to wear..."

"I told Squall to start getting ready, so we should be good to go soon."

"Okay. We going to take separate cars?" She asked, pulling a cashmere forest green turtleneck from a drawer. She started placing it against suits to see which colours looked nicest together.

"You should wear this one!" Rinoa pulled a backless black satin dress out of the closet. "With your hair down."

"Aw, no... I can't wear a bra with it. It's too fancy."

"Quistis, you're so beautiful. You should show it off! Put it on, or I'll zap you with magic."

"Yes, My Lady!" Quistis did a SeeD salute, going into her bathroom to change.

"I'm going to pick out some jewellery for you," Rinoa called.

"Seems kind of fancy for Irvine and Selphie. But, I guess Irvine will appreciate the lack of bra." She slipped into the dress, and took her hair down from her bun. She came out of the bathroom and sarcastically twirled. "Does this meet your approval?"

"You should wear your hair down more," said Rinoa. "You look so pretty." Rinoa wasn't just saying that to be a good friend. Quistis really was a beautiful woman who, even though she was only a year older than Rinoa, seemed so sophisticated and adult. It baffled the new Sorceress as to why Quistis didn't have a string of boyfriends. She grinned mischievously and handed Quistis some sapphire jewellery.

Quistis started putting on the earrings as Rinoa helped her with the clasp of the pendant. "Matron gave me these, just after the Ultimecia fight. She said they'd belonged to her grandmother." Her voice sounded sad, wistful. "I guess she's the closest thing I have to a mother."

"I think she brings that out in everyone," Rinoa murmured. "Even me. I know Squall feels that way, though of course he won't admit it. There!" She stepped back. "You look perfect. Let's go collect Squall."

"Where's everyone else?" Quistis asked as the three of them went to the garage. Squall looked very good in a black on black suit, and also highly distracted. Quistis could guess what he was thinking about.

"They'll be coming later," Rinoa murmured. "We're going to the Shilahn, honey," she told Squall as he sat behind the wheel of the car.

The drive was a silent one. Rinoa was smiling and humming a tune under her breath, watching as the scenery whizzed. Squall was thinking about Seifer and Rinoa, having no clue what he should do. And, Quistis was thinking about Nida. Even though Squall and Rinoa were very dear to her, and the Shilahn was a very nice restaurant, she would have much rather been going out for coffee with him. She wondered what they would talk about, or if they would even talk at all. Maybe they would just sit across from each other, sipping their coffee and looking at each other in comfortable silence. She got so lost in her own head thinking about Nida's warm brown eyes and his contagious laughter, that she was surprised when they'd pulled up to the valet at the restaurant.

There was a flurry of excitement when they got out of the car, people coming up to talk to Rinoa, who was gracious as ever. She smiled for a random picture, looping her arm through Squall's, who started glowering violently. A couple coming out of the restaurant started to stop and ask him about Laguna, but he stalked right past them, dragging Rinoa behind him.

"You don't have to be so rude," she hissed to him under her breath as the approached the maitre d'.

"Good evening and welcome to Shilahn," he greeted.

"Yes, a reservation for four, under the name Heartilly?"

"Four?" Quistis asked, cocking her head in confusion as they were led to their table in a secluded part of the restaurant. It felt inappropriately romantic for a nice dinner with friends.

Squall's eyebrows started raising as he pulled out Rinoa's chair for her.

"Why only four of us?" Quistis asked, Squall also pulling out her chair for her. "Thanks."

Rinoa just smiled and grinned. Squall's body language was starting to get stiffer as he sat down.

"Would you like something from the wine list?" A waiter asked.

"Dear god, yes," Squall answered. He picked a bottle from the list, then whipped his head around to glare at his girlfriend. "You didn't."

Her smile got wider, and she sort of stood, waving.

Quistis looked over her shoulder, her face a mask of surprise when Seifer came towards their table. He also looked confused when he saw it was only Squall, Rinoa and Quistis. "Where's everyone else?" He asked, voice laced with dark suspicion. Squall had to look down at his plate because Seifer looked really handsome in a dark grey suit with cream pinstripes, with a matching waistcoat and white shirt and tie.

"It's just us. Sit down in the empty seat beside your date."

"My what?" He sat, looking at Quistis and laughing in confusion. The waiter came back with the wine, and poured their glasses. Squall gratefully downed liquor, still trying to not look at anyone else at the table. "So, you guys are trying to set us up?"

"I had nothing to do with it," Squall snapped, finally looking up. "I told her it was a bad idea, but she doesn't care what I have to say."

Rinoa frowned at him, sipping her wine as Squall poured another glass. "I don't see why it's so wrong." She looked across the table at Seifer and Quistis, who both still looked highly confused. "You two get along so well, and know each other really well. And, you look so good together! You'd have such cute blonde children."

Seifer bit his lower lip, and looked the most uncomfortable that Squall had ever seen him. "Rinoa..." He trailed off. "This isn't how I wanted to tell you, but I guess I'm backed into a corner." He folded his hands on the table, stroking one of his fingers over his cross-sword ring, the only heirloom he possessed from a family he never knew.

"Tell me what?" Her brow knitted together. "But, you said you didn't have a girlfriend. You don't like Quistis?"

"I like Quistis very much."

"Awww," the blonde cooed playfully.

"It's just... I'm gay, Rinoa."

She sat there, staring at him. He could see her mind working furiously behind her coffee brown eyes. "No," she murmured. "You can't be."

"He seems to be under that impression," Squall muttered into his wine glass.

"But... we..." She bit her lip, which was painted a delicate and glossy pink. "What about us? Were you... using me?"

"No!" Seifer exclaimed quietly, his voice actually quite gentle. It made Squall look at him closely, and made him feel warmth growing in his stomach. "I wasn't ready to admit it to myself, and I really liked you regardless. I really liked how passionate you were about Timber's liberation. And, you are pretty. Who better to try and be straight with?"

"Very smooth," Quistis teased as Rinoa blushed.

"I feel so silly!" Rinoa moaned.

"Don't. I've barely told anyone. Consider yourself on the inside." His charming smirk slid back on his face. "Now... can I have some wine, or are you going to drink the whole thing, Squall?"

Squall just looked across the table at him, unable to find words, or even think properly when looking into his peridot eyes.

"Umm, can we maybe have a nice dinner anyway, and forget that I mortified myself so completely?" Rinoa asked.

"Only if you're paying."

"Oh, Squall won't mind. Will you?"

"Nah, I have the feeling he won't," Quistis murmured, to which Squall replied with a scathing glare.

"Why reptiles?" Rinoa asked after they'd ordered and their appetizers were brought to the table. "There are lots of kinds of animals to study, but why them?"

"I think they're interesting. Particularly snakes and dragons..."

"And tonberrys," Squall interrupted, sipping his wine.

"Well, maybe..." He admitted, looking a little embarrassed.

"You like tonberrys?" Rinoa asked, grinning.

"He loves them," Squall answered.

"Hey, now."

She giggled. "That's really cute."

"I'd really like to study their social behaviour. They live in such hostile environments, and are so critically endangered that it hasn't been documented. But, I might not get the chance. If I take that job milking snakes, that is."

"I can't imagine..." Rinoa trailed off, trying to suppress a shudder when she thought of a bunch of cobras and rattlesnakes slithering about, baring deadly fangs. She wasn't very fond of snakes. "So, I guess you'll be moving to Dollet then, right? What about Fujin and Raijin?"

"They're coming, too. Raijin has a surprising knack for finding work and meeting the right people wherever he goes. Fujin's expressed some interested in Dollet's business college. I think being a water-cooler dictator would suit her really nicely."

"They'd go anywhere you did," Quistis murmured fondly.

He shrugged casually, though his eyes softened with affection. "They're the only family I have."

"You have us!" Rinoa exclaimed. "The Orphanage gang, right?"

"I'm not... part of that. You six are the 'gang'. I'm just... I'm Antoine Fugelli."

Squall looked up from his glass. "You saw that?" Seifer had made a reference to The Mercy, an obscure play that had opened a few months ago in Deling City's Avon theatre district. It hadn't lasted very long because it didn't draw big numbers, but Squall had dragged Quistis to see it while they'd been in the area for a mission, and they'd both come out stunned and enthralled by it. It was about the fictitious Fugelli family, and the fallout when the patriarch smothered his terminally ill daughter. "I think you, me and Quisty must be the only people."

"Too bad for them. You didn't see it, Rinoa?"

"No. They went while they were in Galbadia on a mission. But, I feel like I've seen it already because Squall couldn't stop talking about it." She gave his shoulder a loving squeeze. "It's the most I've heard him talk about... well, anything. But, which one was Antoine again?"

"The son who was disowned for having an affair with a married woman."

"Right."

"I guess people would rather go to the theatre to see something stupid instead of something good. Like Falling Stars."

"I haven't seen that one," Quistis answered. "But, there was a production in town here that Zell said was pretty good."

"Big surprise," he muttered under his breath. "Well, don't listen to him. It's awful. If Zell wants people to take his intelligence seriously, he should stop professing moronic opinions."

"Do you think that Mrs. Fugelli killed her husband at the end, or herself? I think she killed him, but Quisty says herself."

Seifer leaned back in his chair, meeting Squall's gaze, a small smile gracing his lips. He liked seeing Squall showing genuine emotions. It lit up his entire face. "I don't think it necessarily matters. It's written in a way that you both can be correct. It's all about interpretation."

"I wondered after it if Mrs. Fugelli was actually suffering from Munchausen by Proxy, and had caused Lillia's illnesses, and thus caused her death," Squall pondered. "Then, she would have wanted to kill Mr. Fugelli because he took away the crux of her disorder. She wanted to keep making Lillia sick."

"When I heard that production was stopping, I went and saw it on the last night, and when I saw it the first time, I agreed with you, but the second time, I wondered if it was just grief and she ended her own life because her family was so torn apart. Maybe I was just in a different mood the time that second time. Either way, I didn't feel that either opinion was wrong."

"There was no evidence in the play that Mrs. Fugelli was suffering from any mental illness," Quistis pointed out.

"It was all in subtleties and sub-context. She was always the one who gave Lillia her medicine, and who tended her bedside, who always seemed convinced that she wasn't cured."

"It could have also been a murder-suicide."

Rinoa listened to the conversation with interest, and a bit of jealousy. The three of them were talking so passionately that she felt a little left out. And, while she enjoyed seeing Squall talk so animatedly about something, actually smiling in his interest, she would have liked to have seen it more. Though Squall did show her a lot of physical affection when it was just the two of them, their conversations were still sometimes lacking.

"I actually got to meet Trinnia Delilah after the last production," Seifer replied, speaking of the actress who played the matriarch, Ava Fugelli. "She's even more beautiful up close. She kind of reminds me of Matron."

"Ooh, what was she like?" Quistis asked eagerly.

"She was very posh and well-spoken. Really captivating. We actually talked for about fifteen minutes."

"Did she tell you that her character suffered from Munchausen?"

"No, no. She was actually pretty coy about the last scene, and wanted me to have my own opinion about it. We actually talked about Dollet. She lives there when she's not doing work in Deling. She recognized me, but was really tactful about it. I appreciated it. And, she signed my playbill."

"Lucky bastard," Squall muttered enviously. Talk casually turned to other plays, and then films, as they ate their dinner. Squall talked more than he had in weeks, finding it so easy to converse with Seifer. He'd forgotten how fluid their talks were, and how comfortable he felt, which was the opposite of how he usually felt when talking to people.

"Seifer," Quistis asked during a lull in the film conversation. "Do you know anything about the Solar System?"

"Quistis, you don't have to talk Garden stuff all the time, you know?" Rinoa murmured teasingly.

Seifer cocked his head and looked at her. "Why? Is Garden starting an aerospace program or something?"

"No, no, no. Not that solar system. The other Solar System."

"You mean the fake solar system, or some kind of parallel dimension solar system?" Seifer's grin was getting wider and wider.

Quistis made an annoyed noise at the back of her throat. "You mean, a mysterious underground group of assassins isn't showing up on your radar?"

Seifer shrugged. "I'm sure you've seen the papers. People care more about the councilman hooker scandal, or about what Squall and Rinoa do in their free time."

Squall muttered angrily under his breath, refilling his empty wine glass.

"That's... a little disheartening."

"Why? Is Garden having a problem with this group? Taking away some of your business or something?"

Quistis hesitated. Rinoa and Seifer, though they both knew the inner workings of Garden, were technically civilians, and they weren't supposed to discuss Garden information with outsiders. "Garden has started to... move away from that aspect. Not that we were ever completely hired assassins..."

"What do you mean, 'move away'?" Seifer asked.

"Cid and Xu and the board of directors decided that wasn't a public image that we wanted. I mean, I can agree with that. We don't want everyone to see us as thugs, right?"

"Well, then what did you expect? If Garden's not picking up assassination contracts, someone's going to start doing it. The money's out there. Even though I can't stand to admit it... maybe Xu has the right idea. Teaching children how to murder people" He shrugged. "Well, you can see the result of that sitting right in front of you."

"Oh, come on... I still don't get why you and Xu are always at each other's throats," Quistis murmured defensively.

"Why all the bad blood? Did something bad happen in the past between you two or something?" Rinoa asked, picking up a cracker with cream cheese spread on it. "Did you two date and it went wrong? I mean... oh, no!" Rinoa lowered her head. "I'm sorry!"

"It's okay. Some people just don't get along right from the start. Me and Xu are like that."

She smiled at him. "I still feel silly for setting this dinner up for nothing, but I guess it all worked out, because we're having a good time, right? I mean, I guess you didn't get to go on a date though, right Quistis?"

Quistis replied with a smile that was a little wilted around the edges, her mind going to Nida.

"Well, I know you must agree with Xu's decision," Rinoa murmured to her boyfriend.

"I'm sure he doesn't," Seifer said with confidence.

"It puts those contracts in the hands of criminals," Squall replied, meeting Seifer's pale green gaze. The way Seifer was smirking causing heat to rise in him. "Terrorists and oppressive tyrants don't just change, no matter what rehabilitation they're given."

"And, it's better that a teenager kill them instead of an already hardened against murder criminal?"

"Some people just need to die."

"So, people don't deserve a second chance?" Seifer asked, raising an eyebrow. "What you're talking about isn't justice. It's vengeance. It's not very Knightly of the current Sorceress's Knight."

"What's 'knightly' is doing what needs to be done to protect what you have to protect. These people ran out of second chances." Squall's voice was starting to slur because of all the wine he'd drank.

"People like me?" Seifer asked darkly. "You really do sound like Xu, Squall."

Squall's face paled. "That's not what I meant."

"Yes, it was. Do whatever you have to do to protect your Sorceress."

"I was never trying to kill you," he said very quietly. It struck him like a slap to hear Seifer say that.

"Squall... you can't mean what you just said," Rinoa urged sadly. 'Some people just need to die' wasn't something she enjoyed hearing Squall say. "I know you"

Anger flared in Squall, and he snapped "Oh God, just shut the fuck up for once."

Rinoa opened her mouth in surprise, stomach clenching painfully. She looked across the table to Quistis, who suddenly started fiddling with her napkin in embarrassment, and at Seifer, who was staring at Squall unwaveringly. She looked down at her lap, feeling tears welling in her throat. "Excuse me..." She whispered, getting up and making a beeline for the washroom.

"Yeah, I think that's a perfect definition of the word 'knightly'," Seifer murmured. "You should apologize."

"Squall, what the hell?" Quistis demanded angrily. She collected hers and Rinoa's purses, and went to the bathroom after her.

Seifer's expression was quite blank as he got up from the table, making his way towards the hall leading to the men's washroom.

Squall sat alone at the table for a few moments, downing what was left in his wine glass. The waiter came by with the bill. Squall put his credit card in the leather folder, and then got up. When he came into the brightly lit, impeccably clean men's room, Seifer was the only one there, leaning over one of the gleaming sinks, washing his hands. He raised a blonde eyebrow as he looked at Squall's reflection.

"Why did you ask me to apologize to her?" Squall demanded, taking a few steps more into the room, stumbling a little.

"Because you acted like an asshole." He stood to full height as he turned off the faucet. "And, I should know. I'm an expert in asshole-ish behaviour." He moved to the door, but Squall was blocking his path. "What do you want me to say?" He demanded. "What?! You want me to fight for you or something? You want me to tell Rinoa that we made out? That you were pretty much ready to suck my dick this afternoon?"

"I... I don't know," Squall admitted truthfully, looking up into Seifer's eyes. Both men started to notice how close they were now standing to each other. Seifer couldn't help but marvel at Squall's flawless skin, and he reached out to touch his smooth, perfect cheek, despite his mental reservation.

Squall's eyes slid shut, and he moved closer, until his and Seifer's chests were brushing together when they inhaled. He could feel Seifer's breath against his face, and their lips brushed together ever so slightly. "Seifer..." Squall couldn't help but whisper. He connected their mouths, and his heart flip-flopped when Seifer returned the kiss.

But, only for a moment. His hand dropped from Squall's cheek, and he stepped back, just as he had during their prior embrace. "No," he stated firmly, though Squall could see the conflicted lust in his eyes.

"Why?" Squall demanded sharply. Angrily. He reached out and grabbed Seifer's lapels when the taller man tried to move past him towards the door.

"You're drunk."

"So what?"

Seifer grabbed Squall's wrists and forcibly disentangled himself from the other man, even though he felt his willpower crumbling with each second they were alone in each other's company. "In case you've forgotten," he hissed angrily. "You have a girlfriend whom you claim to love very much. One that you seem to be doing everything in your power to hurt."

"I'm...not..." Squall mumbled, words slurred together. He stumbled when Seifer pushed him away.

"I'm not going to sneak around with you."

"Even though you want to?" Squall asked challengingly. He knew Seifer, and knew that his words didn't fully reflect his wishes.

Seifer didn't reply. What could he say? Squall would know that he was lying if he denied it. Instead, he just walked past him, the smell of wine strong from him. Quistis and Rinoa were back, and Rinoa held her head high and proud, even though her cheeks were blotchy and it was obvious she'd been crying.

"I'm sorry our dinner got ruined," Rinoa apologized quietly, trying not to look at Squall as he came back.

"Don't apologize." Seifer leaned in and kissed her cheek. "It was really good seeing you, Rinoa."

"You're not just saying that, huh?" She asked.

"I'm not that much of a prick. Well, not all the time." He turned to Quistis. "That doesn't mean we still can't hang out. I got a new suit just for this dinner. I'd actually like to get some use out of it."

"Let's do it." Quistis wasn't exactly looking forward to getting in a car with Squall and Rinoa right now. That would be one ugly, silent trip back to Garden. She could only shake her head at the look of jealousy that flickered across Squall's features. Seifer didn't notice because he was making it his business to avoid looking in Squall's direction at all costs.

"I don't blame you," Rinoa muttered, glaring at Squall through her red-rimmed eyes.

Squall could only silently watch as Seifer and Quistis left the restaurant, heads already bent together as they got into some hushed discussion. What were they talking about already? Would they keep talking about The Mercy, or other plays? Would they talk about the Solar System? He pictured himself standing close to Seifer, like Quistis was doing now, talking. Just... talking. Or, maybe they wouldn't even talk at all. Maybe they would just look at each other, and maybe the sexual possibility in their eyes would be realized.

It surprised him when he looked up to see that Rinoa had left him behind. He walked quickly after her, finding her waiting for the car. Squall was too inebriated to drive and knew it, so he handed her the keys. She snatched them away without looking at him, her body language defensive and closed. Squall poured himself into the passenger seat, a massive headache starting behind his eyes. The drive was as Quistis had feared - silent. Squall looked at Rinoa's profile, how her shoulders were hunched and how tightly she was gripping the steering wheel. How her jaw was clenched and her cheeks were still splotchy. Rinoa's dark and full lashes were clumped together because of her tears.

Why are you so angry with her? Why are you purposely trying to pick a fight with her? Rinoa didn't do anything wrong...

He had a wonderful, sweet and beautiful girlfriend, so why was he acting like this towards her? Was it just because of Seifer, or was Squall purposely trying to find a way out of this relationship for other reasons?

"I'm sorry," he murmured, continuing to look at her profile, temple resting against the car seat. "I... I don't know why I got mad with you."

"I do," she snapped, sniffling a little. "Because you're drunk. Again."

"Can I make it up to you this weekend?" He asked, being very genuine.

Rinoa didn't answer, but she did look at him out of the corner of her eye.

"Rinoa..." He reached out for her hand on the steering wheel, and clumsily covered it with his own in his drunkenness.

"You hurt my feelings."

"I know."

She let out a great, frustrated sigh. "I wish you would let me in there, Squall. Even after all we've been through, you still keep your walls up." She briefly took her eyes off the road to look at him. "Why don't you tell me what you're thinking?"

Squall pursed his lips. "I'm sorry," he repeated. He felt anger rising in him again that had absolutely nothing to do with Seifer. Actually, none of their arguments had anything to do with him. He was really beginning to despise the phrase 'tell me what you're thinking'. But, he didn't rise up to his lurking bitterness. He really didn't want to fight with Rinoa anymore.

"Well..." She trailed off. "I forgive you." She smiled sadly, finding it hard to resist him, even when he was being a complete jerk. "Pending your plans for this weekend."

"I'm glad."

"Squall...?" Rinoa began to ask after a period of silence. Garden was getting bigger on the horizon.

"What?"

She opened her mouth to say something, brows coming together with concern. "... nothing," she murmured sadly, briefly looking at the sharp angles of his profile. "Never mind."