Chapter 2

The Melodious Nocturne

From that point on, Selphie never left Irvine's side. Even when Irvine went to the toilet, Selphie stood outside the door. Irvine found this attention oddly pleasing at first, until it became incredibly annoying.

"Are you gonna meet him now?" Selphie asked for the umpteenth time as the walked out of the cafeteria with the rest of the gang.

Irvine resisted the urge to yell at the enthusiastic young woman. "No, Selphie, I'm not." Irvine said as casually as he could. "Ask me again and I will shoot you."

Selphie giggled at the cowboy's comment, not taking it seriously for a moment. It was until he noticed his finger twitching ominously that she decided to back away. She was enthusiastic, not stupid.

Zell had hung back to talk with Greta, the cafeteria lady, while Quistis paid no attention to the two's antics. Although intrigued by Selphie's obsession with Irvine, she really didn't pay any attention. She had other things to worry about, namely Squall.

Quistis looked at the Commander. His frame was shivering slightly, and he walked with a barely noticeable limp. Apart from those, his eyes were glistening and lines of sweat glistened on his face. The penny dropped as she pieced together Squall's secret, and she was tempted to question him, but for the moment, she held her tongue.

"What's wrong with you, Squall?" Quistis asked tentatively, unable to hold back her curiosity.

Squall looked at Quistis as if she had two heads. He opened his mouth to answer, but Seifer swooped in and interrupted. "None of your business, Trepe," Seifer said playfully. "Unless you want a live demonstration?"

Quistis blushed slightly and quickened her pace. Seifer smiled at her reaction, but his attention was redirected when Squall began to turn off down another corridor. Seifer grabbed his arm quickly before he could slink away.

"You wouldn't happen to be going to your office, would you?" Seifer asked slowly.

Squall looked him straight in his vivid green eyes. "I have work to do." He said bluntly.

"After a morning of mind-blowing sex?" Seifer said incredibly. "You really are stronger than you look."

"Sure, like you help," Squall said sarcastically, attempting to shrug off Seifer's firm grip. "I have to work now…"

Squall only noticed that he really hadn't shaken his hold of Seifer when he was steered in the direction of the exit. "You need a break." Seifer said sternly, frog-marching him towards the front gate.

Before Squall could protest, he was half-way across the lobby of the main complex. "Seifer, let go!" Squall finally let out, struggling in vain in Seifer's grip, earning a few odd glances in their direction.

Squall continued to protest as Seifer led him to a grassy patch on a hill just outside of Garden, sitting him down before doing the same himself. He laid back, staring up at the clouds, while Squall just watched him.

Although Squall wouldn't admit it, the sun and grass felt pleasant compared to the hard wood of his desk in his office. It was almost therapeutic, the way it felt against his pale skin. Just to please Seifer, he sat there for a while in silence as Seifer dozed.

An hour passed until Squall had had enough. Seifer had done his work and he was no longer stressed. Squall was about to voice his opinion when Seifer opened his eyes and stared at him.

"Fell better now?" Seifer said roguishly.

Squall hummed loudly in agreement. Seifer smiled, rising from the grass and hugging Squall, planting a kiss on those plump crimson lips. Squall obliged, letting the tongue explore in his mouth.

Squall's hands explored Seifer's back, while all of Seifer's attention was on working his tongue with Squall's. Lust filled them both as they fell to the grass again, still making out as they hit the grass.

Then, out of nowhere, there was the unmistakable noise of a guitar being played. Seifer untangled himself from Squall, looking towards the noise. Squall was puzzled, looking at Seifer strangely. He hadn't heard the strumming yet.

"What is it?" Squall asked before he was shushed abruptly by Seifer. Seifer signaled to follow him as he made his way towards the noise. Squall followed, the music finally filling his ears.

It was the best music he had ever heard. The tune filled his ears as easily as water, and the melody was so beautiful, it was as if he had heard it many times before. The music allured him as he moved closer and closer, until they reached the top of the hill and the source of the noise.

Leaning against an old tree was a man in a black cloak, strumming an aqua-blue guitar, the base shaped in a heart. His fingers skillfully maneuvered around the fret board, and all the grass around him glistened with dew. He hummed along with the music, and he didn't seem to notice Seifer and Squall approaching.

The man's song ended and he rose his head from the guitar, looking towards the two young men approaching him. His hood had fallen back, gracefully revealing his spiky blonde hair, a few strands falling around his face. He looked at Squall with cold green eyes.

"You enjoyed that, didn't you?" The man said casually.

Seifer looked from the man at the tree to Squall, who were staring at each other exactly how he and Squall did. This royally pissed Seifer off, and he was about to intervene, before the man rose again, slinging the guitar over his shoulder and walking towards Squall.

"I've always wanted to see what the Commander of Balamb Garden in person," the man said as he walked, adopting a charming demeanor. "I mean, there are rumors, but I've never really believed them until now."

He had reached Squall and was staring into Squall's eyes. "It's a pleasure to meet you." He said softly, and never taking his eyes off Squall's, he reached for his hand and kissed it softly, causing Squall to blush lightly.

That drew the line for Seifer. He was the only one that could touch Squall like that, let alone kiss him so seductively. "What do you think you are doing?" he muttered, hinting his anger.

The man's eyes turned to Seifer and looked him up and down casually. "What are you, his protégé?" he said calmly.

Seifer couldn't take any more. "Do you even know who I am?" Seifer roared, standing between Squall and the guitar playing man.

The guitar player looked Seifer up and down vaguely. "Nope," he said honestly. "Can't say I do. Are you, like, a celebrity or something 'cause I don't watch too many films."

Seifer's ego took control. "You ungrateful little faggot!" Seifer roared. "Have you been living under a rock? I'll show you…" He drew his gunblade and raised it up into the air.

They were interrupted by footsteps approaching. They all turned to the noise and they saw Irvine walking up the hill lazily. His violet eyes caught the guitar player, and a smile rose on his face.

"You made it!" he yelled, running towards him.

"Hey, Irvine!" the guitar player said, embracing Irvine as he ran over. "It's good to see you again!"

Seifer was dumbstruck. He merely stared at the two men hugging each other and exchanging pleasantries. "You know him…?" he stammered.

Irvine let go of the guitar player. "This is the guy that Selphie was following me around for." He said happily. "Guys, this is Demyx.

Squall nodded slightly in greeting as he was introduced. Seifer was still dumbstruck, and said nothing as his name was called.

"Ah, I remember you now," Demyx said, pointing a finger at Seifer. "You were some sort of soldier in that war that went on a while back."

This comment snapped Seifer out of his trance. "I was Ultimecia's knight, you moron!" Seifer yelled, waving his arms around as he proclaimed his role to the world.

"Really?" Demyx's eyebrows raised slightly in comprehension. "That must be good on your resume."

Seifer opened his mouth to protest, but Irvine interrupted with a laugh. "Come on, Demyx," he said, draping an arm over Demyx's shoulder. "Let me give you a tour of Balamb Garden."

Irvine steered Demyx around and together they trod off towards Balamb Garden, Seifer staring after them incredulously. Squall waited for a moment then followed them down the hill.

"Where are you going?" Seifer yelled.

Squall stopped and looked over his shoulder. "I have work to do, remember?" he said obviously.

With that, Squall walked down the hill and out of sight. Seifer simply stared into space for a moment. Finally, he sat down heavily on the ground, thinking of reasons why he didn't kill that obnoxious guitar player on the spot.

TBC

NB: Ha, so now you know who it is. 3rd chapter coming. Please review.