Chapter 4

It was quiet on Seifer's way home from the docks. The sun was setting on the waters, turning the oceans into a multitude of colors. Mostly blues and greens with slivers of yellow and gold laced on the edges of the waves. The cool moist air settled in as the lights on the street came on one by one, and for once in a long long time he was at peace with himself. The day had gone on like usual, but the blond man felt as though something was different. He had ENJOYED it. Jack seemed to notice too and commented that what ever had lifted his spirits was doing him good.

Seifer turned the corner and looked at his surroundings. It was like his own little corner of FH. As soon as one turned the corner at the weapons shop and went down what most people thought was a alleyway, you would emerge onto and large dock.

To the left was a couple of small boats that belonged to old man that he rent from. At the end was his own small boat that the man had given him to use as he pleased.

To the right was a long home that resembled more of a trailer than a house. Seifer could see that the mans granddaughter had been by and trimmed the abundant flora that cascaded over the edges of the long porch and window sills. The blue paint was beginning to peel to show the old wood under neath.

At the end was his home. Between the alley way and the his home was 40 feet of dock. The boats and the old mans home was nearly 20 apart. The front of his house faced to the left overlooking the waters and was elevated two stories above the water because of the large working shed that had been his landlords pride and joy in his youth. From what little he knew of the man, Seifer learned that he had been a boat maker. His last project was the Horizon Maiden. A large stairway lead up the bit of edge that was viable from where the ex gun bladder stood. Home sweet home.

Seifer ambled up to his stairs and took one by one. He paused half way up to gaze back at the rest of FH. The sun had set and all was silent as many had gone to bed with the sun disappearance. The sea was dark.

The tall blonde finished his decent to the top and rounded the corner of the porch and froze. Everything was as he had left it. The fishing net that was draped on over the railing, the many vining plants still over took the corner and trellised down the support beams, and his few fishing poles leaned against the railing with a red bucket bracing him. The awning blew gently in the breeze. Everything was the same except one thing. The rocking chair.

It wasn't so much the chair... it was who was in it. Seifer blinked a few time before realizing who it was. Squall. The brunet seemed to be asleep, his head tilted back against the wood of the chair. Seifer found it very hard to breath. It really was him. The blonde slowly examined him from where he stood.

Squall was dressed in his usual leather pants and combat boots. He had on a thick black sweater that looked exactly like his green one. Seifer concluded that he was not the only one to receive gifts from Edea. The color complemented him nicely. Squall sat with one leg over the other and his arms folded in front of his chest. His hands were covered in the battle worn leather gloves and Seifer noted the new addition of a leather choker at his neck. The brunet was very pale and dark circles seemed to be formed around his eyes.

When he was finally able to breath, Seifer walked slowly over to the youth in his chair. He placed a hand on his shoulder and gently shook Squall into consciousness.

"...uhhh..wa...SEIFER!" Squall sat strait up, wide eyed and viciously rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

Seifer let loose a soft chuckle and looked at the man before him. "Well well... what do we have here..." Squall looked away, not daring to meet his eyes. After a few minutes of silence Seifer sighed and tapped Squall on the head gently "Come in Squall... you will freeze out here if you don't." Seifer unlocked his door and grabbed the mail from the slot on his way in.

" ...thanks." Squall said softly. He stood by the door avoiding Seifer's gaze. The brunet started a bit when a small orange blur sped from the backroom and ran circles around Squalls unmoving feet. Seifer let go a low chuckle and snatched Kitkat from the floor and hoisted him onto his shoulder.

"Don't mind him... he just likes new and interesting things."

"Well not to disappoint him, but im not very interesting." Seifer looked at the hunched form of his former rival.

'He looks beaten...' Seifer thought.

Seifer motioned for Squall to follow him into the kitchen. Once in the kitchen Seifer set about it, gather the few things he needed for a simple stir-fry. After about ten minutes he turned towards the table expecting to see Squall. Instead the saddened teen was at his window looking out at nothing, lost in his own thoughts. For a brief second Seifer wondered if he was thinking Of jumping to his death in the chilled waters.

"Squall? Would you like something to drink." No reply came. Seifer decided to leave him be for the moment.

Kitkat avidly tried to get the attention of the stranger in his domain. As Seifer prepared two servings and placed them on the table he saw Kitkat lunge from the fridge and attempt to pounce on their visitor. Squall let out a hiss trying to catch the torama clawing down his back. Kitkat ran to the back as fast as his little feet could manage once he was on the ground, and Seifer just began to laugh.

"I don't see what so funny." came a cold murmur.

"Now THAT'S the Squall I know and love." The brunet stiffened immediately.

Before he could say anything. Seifer threw him a beer from the fridge and gestured to the table.

They ate in silence mostly staring down at the table cloth. Seifer noticed a burn mark and thought about getting a new one. 'Maybe a print of some sort with fish on it..."

Kitkat eventually emerged from his hiding spot and made his way to the table purring lovingly at Squall. The torama leapt onto the table and began to help himself to Squall stir-fry, The said man just watching it calmly.

"KIT!" Seifer admonished half raising from his seat to grab the greedy animal

"It's alright I am not really all that hungry.."

Seifer noticed how he seemed to just move things around his plate. Squall sorta reminded him of a small child who didn't want to eat his brussel sprouts. Seifer sat back down and speared a piece of meat and took a bite. 'Damn I'm a good cook...hahaha' he thought.

"... So... Squall... how have you been." He asked between mouthfuls.

"I don't know... depends on which way you look at it... I..."Squall glanced up and fell silent.

"You what?"

"Nothing... how have you been Seifer..."

The blonde carefully considered his words. He thought about what Zell had said and smiled his most charming smile. "Ok I guess... its been kinda boring... well until this morning."

Squall looked up with a little more confidence at Seifer, now that the conversation had been directed away from himself. " What happened this morning..."

"Well you know that Fujin's getting married right?"

"Yes... I have receive quiet a few letters stating that if I don't show up, she will disembowel me."

"Same here... Did I ever tell you she got the part as the nut cracker when we were kids just before you came to garden?"

Squall quirked a bit of a smile. "Lemmy guess... you got chosen to be the simple minded heroin..."

"Hahaha ah no... I was the Rat King." Seifer said with a chuckle.

"I see not much acting was required.."

"Hey!" Seifer exclaimed with mock anger on his face. He took a good look at Squall. The brunet had a soft smile on his face.

"Where was I... oh yeah.. The wedding... well Zell wrote me, and asked what he and Irvine should get her... I told him spices... He also said that you had disappeared..."

Squall head shot up with his eyes wide. "What?"

"You heard me..."

Squall stood swiftly and made towards the door. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have come-"

Seifer lunged from his seat and made It too the door as Squall was about to open it, effectively holding it shut. His arm was braced against the door just above Squalls left shoulder. The Brunet tugged a little on the door handle before letting his hands drop to the side. Seifer heard the man drawing a shaky breath, while leaning his head against the door, and he wondered for a second if his ex-rival was crying.

"Squall? Don't leave... I really have missed you."

Seifer felt the butterflies in his stomach take flight 'What chicken wuss said better be right... there will be no turning back...'

"Squall... I love you." everything came out of his mouth in a whoosh and he wondered softly to himself wether Squall could understand him or not... It didn't matter though. He hadn't the courage to say it again.

Squall slowly turned tracks, of tears down his face, eyes slightly puffy. Chocolate strands framed the ivory pale face, and his lips red and swollen from biting down on them.

To be continued...