Seifer sat in the guestroom, a notepad in his left, pen in his right. The sun was descending across the sky now, journeying to a point probably underneath the earth, indicating that it was quickly becoming the evening. A lamp was turned on beside the bed as Seifer sat cross-legged on the mattress. The bed was unmade, the blonde too busy and occupied to bother with that small detail. The window was shut, the AC running instead, cooling the room temperature to well below 20 degrees Celsius.
The blonde scribbled a few words onto the first page, putting them down in bullet points:
1) Undercover (Spy? I spied on someone who betrayed me? NO! someone spied on me? I cheated on my wife! …Who said I was married?!)
2) Kinneas and Trepe (company? Married couple? Umm…law firm? My in-laws?)
3) Betrayal? (what the hell's that? My friend betrayed me? Wife cheated on me? I cheated on my in-laws? )
4) Working with the enemy (What the hell is this? Batman? Superman? Freakshow?)
The list consisted of the words that haunted whatever memory he seemed to have recovered. He wasn't sure what anything meant. Completely random words, they were to him.
'I should be more serious. Maybe I shouldn't involve Squall. If the government doesn't have my file then something is totally wrong. What if I am jeopardizing this family by being here? Damn what if I'm a convict of something? Or maybe part of a mob? What if I'm an illegal immigrant! I need to keep searching… but who can help me with the information I need? I need more memories to work with…'
He sighed and fell back upon his pillows. He was tired, very much so and he wanted to be around Squall again. Something about the way the brunet looked at him made his blood boil. He didn't really understand what was going on, then again it's only been a few days and they've both been too worried to understand anything. However, the brunet was pleasant and comforting to be around, and comforting is exactly what Seifer needed lately. Besides, that little Marlene was nothing short of a delight.
Sighing softly once again, the blonde crossed his arms behind his head and stared at the ceiling, trying to relax and think about his course of action. He could hear Squall outside, helping his daughter with her homework in the kitchen. It seemed the brunet preferred the kitchen to the living room. A soft yawn escaped the blonde's lips as the sound of Marlene's giggles and Squall's encouraging voice caused a content smile to adorn his face. He was starting to like this place.
'Maybe I shouldn't bother searching to my old self? Maybe I can get a job somewhere… Stay here with Squall and Mary… I probably can even rent this room if I have to.'
A soft knock sounded at the door before Squall let himself in, "Dinner is…."
The brunet trailed off at the sight of the blonde snoring away softly as he lay atop the snug mattress. It was already well into the evening, the sky dark yet starless as clouds once again completely blanketed the sky. Crickets were chirping outside in the yard and occasionally a dog would bark, probably at a passerby or some smaller animal. Although it was still cool and windy outside, the weather was more pleasant that naught, the overcast sky seeming harmless as the clock ticked away.
The lone lamp in the guestroom cast a warm glow, adding further allure to the blonde's tanned skin as he lay with his hands crossed behind his head, his breathing deep and even as he seemed lost in untroubled sleep. Seifer looked almost angelic, his face soft yet expressionless, his long lashes almost golden in the light. Squall sighed and walked closer to tuck the blonde in, noticing the notepad resting by the blonde's side, seeming to fight to stay on the bed as it dangled precariously over the edge. Grey eyes widened with interest and curiosity as he made a move to take hold of the notepad, but in a matter of seconds his vision blurred and pain shot through his arm, a small, surprised cry escaping his lips.
Seifer had the smaller man pinned on his lap, one hand fisted in Squall's soft, brown locks, pushing him down onto the mattress, the other gripping the brunet's wrist, twisting and pinning it to his back. Emerald eyes were wary and alert as he acted on pure instincts, holding onto the struggling brunet with sheer strength.
"Let go! When did you wake up! Let go! You're hurting me!"
The blonde gasped as the voice registered on him, releasing the brunet just as fast as he had pinned him. Squall glared at Seifer, shifting to sit up, his legs still resting over the blonde's lap.
"What the hell are you doing?! Are you crazy? What was that stunt?! You watch a lot of cop movies or something?!"
Seifer blushed in embarrassment, "I… Sorry…"
The brunet rubbed along his aching shoulder, his head still spinning as he tried to relax.
Seifer frowned, "Well what about you, huh? You usually tip-toe into people's rooms like a crook?!"
"I wasn't tip-toeing, you jerk! I was about to call you for dinner but found you sleeping so…"
"So what? You come to get a closer look and make sure I wasn't faking it?"
"Oh that is ridiculous! You're mad at me now? You're not the one who was tossed around like a bag of feed!"
"Hah! You're the one who snuck in like a fox!"
"I—"
"Papa?" Marlene poked her head into the room, her eyes glistening with worry.
Squall's head snapped to face his daughter, attempting to cool his anger as he pushed away from the obstinate blonde, getting up and brushing past his daughter as he walked out of the room without a backward glance. Mary remained, her hand on the door knob, his eyes wide in surprise as the blonde seemed like he was about to fall out of the bed. Seifer's eyes were closed, his head thrown back as his breathing hitched.
'Time for the meddling fox to cower in his hole…'
'Remember to remember holding a grudge when you can remember no more.'
There were no images to back the words up. Just the complete, familiar blackness behind his tightly shut eyelids. The words seemed like an echo of something greater.
"Uncle Seifer?"
Marlene touched her small, cool hand to the blonde's wet cheek.
"Uncle Seifer? Don't cry… Papa didn't mean to be angry…"
Verdant eyes snapped open in surprise, the faintness slipping away as the blonde regained conscious thinking. He was feeling slightly disoriented, his head pounding as his breathing returned to normal.
"Wha…?"
He reached to grasp the little ivory hand in his larger, warmer one. He didn't know he was crying… He wasn't consciously doing it and that was almost shattering to the blonde.
"I'm not mad at your papa, he's a good man. I just like to play shouting games with him. To see who's louder and cooler."
Marlene giggled at this odd explanation, "Papa says shouting is not good."
"Papa likes to shout, but don't tell him I told you, okay? It's our little secret."
Marlene giggled and nodded, "Shhhh."
"Yep." Seifer smiled halfheartedly and winked, "Now, run along for dinner. I'll join you in a few minutes."
"Okay!" Marlene pulled her hand out of the blonde's and skipped merrily out of the room, forgetting to shut the door behind her as he went to relay the good news to her papa that Seifer was gonna join them for dinner.
Seifer turned to pick up his notepad which had fallen to the ground. With a sad sigh, confused sigh, he added two more points:
5) Meddling fox cowering in his hole (analogy?)
6) Remember when you can remember no more (umm... poet's lines? An order? Mocking quote?)
'Oh well, guess that's all I can do for tonight…'
With that thought, the blonde slipped the pad beneath his pillow and walked out, making it to the kitchen just as Squall was setting the food on the table.
The brunet didn't even look up as Seifer walked in, pretending to pay close attention to everything but his presence, including the orientation of the cutleries.
Marlene smiled broadly as the blonde walked in, "Yaaay spaghettiiii! Uncle Seifer, do you like spaghetti? Papa makes yummy spaghetti!"
Seifer smiled, "Ooooh really? Wow I can't wait to eat it! I'll even race you! Bet I will finish my plate!"
The little child squealed, "NO! I will finish all my plate too! I always win!"
Squall silently sat down across from the blonde, beside his daughter who had begun munching down her food.
"Um… I'm sorry."
Grey eyes fluttered to Seifer's face at the sincere sound of the blonde's husky voice.
"Are you gonna stay mad for long? I didn't mean to umm… do whatever it is I did."
Squall couldn't help rolling his eyes and a devilish smile adorned his face as he continued to add more and more helpings of spaghetti onto the blonde's plate, "Let's see you try winning now, mojo!"
Seifer gasped and Marlene laughed boisterously, "Papa!"
"This is too much! You're such an evil man! And what the hell is 'mojo'??"
Squall grinned and Marlene chimed in, "It's a made-up word!"
"What does it mean?"
"It doesn't mean anything!" Mary laughed and turned to wink at her father, who smiled and patted her head endearingly.
Seifer groaned halfheartedly, suppressing his own bout of giggles as he made a move to finish his food, "I'm gonna win, you mojoes! Just wait and see!"
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It was well into the night as Seifer crept along the deserted park, his eyes carefully sweeping and scanning the area for any signs of danger as he made his way down the familiar terrain. He was here this morning, and he was here again. Governmental buildings were tightly secure at night, but the blonde knew his way in. How he knew still eluded him, and he couldn't care any less at the moment.
He needed to be sure about himself. To make sure his file really wasn't there, one more time. Also an idea had presented itself while he was helping Squall with the dishes. The thought that had seemed pretty interesting and practical was trying to search for the names 'Kinneas and Trepe'. Something about the name, or names, just struck a chord somewhere within the blonde. He felt that cracking the mystery around those names, or name, would initiate the unraveling of his forgotten past and jumbled memories.
The stars were actually observable tonight, the clouds having moved on to drench another city or region. There was still a cool breeze to ruffle the trees, and it was sending a small chill down the blonde's spine. However, other than the sweet sounds of nature, the night was still. It was almost like time was frozen. The blonde knew that no one would be in the big computer room with the mainframe at this time of the night. In fact the whole building would be deserted except for some hallways where security would pass twice during the whole night shift. Seifer glanced at his wristwatch.
Squall had been genuinely worried and curious when the blonde had expressed his wishes to go out for the night. It seemed to him the brunet was really protective by nature. And he worried a lot. And he asked a lot of questions. Yet Seifer was so touched someone seemed to care about him to really get bothered by the younger man's behavior. Still, the blonde wanted to keep his findings all a secret till he knew the kind of information he was dealing with and the dangers associated with all of it. No matter what, he didn't want to risk destroying Squall's loving family and home.
The watch read: 11-37 p.m.
The security would have passed for the first time already. The trick was to get over the wall without alerting the watchdogs he knew where also part of the patrol team. Seifer made his way to the wall, impressing himself with his ability to so silently move. It was almost like he was one with the dark. Almost. The blonde felt a pair of eyes trained on him, his instincts begging him to turn around. Sighing and running a hand through his blonde hair and turned around to indulge his wary senses. And his instincts were once again very correct. For now there stood another figure, watching Seifer with a small smile on his face.
Seifer almost gasped in surprise. He hadn't heard the other man appear, hadn't sensed the other man's presence, but it was unmistakable that the stranger was watching him with penetrating eyes, almost like staring at the blonde was going to answer a few of the world's desperate questions. Seifer's first impulse was to tackle the guy and beat the crap out of him for spying, but that was hardly rational and rather highly suspicious. Besides the fact that all the commotion would alert the security guards and dogs.
'Holy crap…speaking of the dogs. They hadn't sensed this guy either. He's just as good as me. Who is this guy?!'
Dark, verdant eyes stared back as the blonde considered alternatives. The man was almost smiling now as he crept closer, his dark brown eyes almost black in the night. The man had long black hair tied in a ponytail behind his head. He seemed like a normal guy, dressed in a blue shirt and black jeans, but nothing else was normal about this guy. His hands were in his pockets as he stopped a few feet in front of Seifer, lips curving further into a bigger smile.
"Nice night, eh?"
The dogs started barking at the gentle sound of the stranger's voice.
Seifer grit his teeth and took an ominous step forward, "Who are you?"
"My, my… are you always so rude to strangers?"
The blonde's eyes flashed with anger as he remained silent in hopes of frightening the man, but the man didn't seem bothered at all, continuing with a lazy drawl.
"You know, it's illegal to creep around the walls this late at night."
The dogs' barking grew louder as they traced the sound to come from the side of the wall they were standing close to. In a few minutes, the security guards were going to come out to ask a few questions, maybe even request for IDs… the blonde couldn't afford to get himself into a mess.
"What's wrong? Did you accidentally bite your tongue just now?"
Seifer growled, "Who are you?"
"You sure sound like a parrot now, repeating the same question over and over."
"You—"
"HOLD IT RIGHT OF YOU. DON'T MOVE A MUSCLE!"
Seifer turned as three security guards and a huge snapping guard dog, hurried towards them. The stranger took a step forward and with what seemed to be an innocently worried expression and relaxed posture, confronted the guards.
"My, oh, my. Whatever is the matter sirs? Are we standing on a ground mine?"
Seifer made sure his face was expressionless, though the stranger sure was amusing with all his feigned innocence.
"You are standing close to government property in the middle of the night. Who are you and what are you doing here?"
The stranger smiled slightly and shifted to curl an arm around the blonde's shoulders, leaning into him in a way that almost seemed intimate, "Well, I'm Roger and this cutie here is Brad. Not Brad Pitt though. They're both blonde but trust me, there's a difference."
The guards seemed a little taken aback by the open display of affection, "What are you doing here?"
Roger, if that was even his real name, shrugged slightly and turned to nuzzle his nose along the blonde's ear, "What were we doing here Brad?"
A shiver traveled down the blonde's spine, "uh…"
Roger chuckled and turned to the guards, "Sorry, I think I accidentally bit his tongue."
The guards blushed in embarrassment. They sure were too young and inexperienced to be in this line of work.
"Okay… Please leave this area and go home."
Roger nodded and with his arm, gently yet firmly maneuvered the blonde away from the building and towards the nearby park. When they were both out of eye and earshot of the guards, Seifer pushed the man away.
"Who do you think you are?"
"Don't be so angry. I will tell you though, handsome, it's futile. Don't search for yourself, you'll end up nowhere. Nowhere is a pretty scary, lonely place."
"How do you know?!" Seifer cried, his heart skipping a beat. Was this man a link to his past?
"I cannot tell you anything. You're a smart guy, always was, you'll find yourself soon…I wonder if you will soon enough."
"What the fuck do you mean?!" Seifer reached out to grab the guy's collar but he just moved out of the way and waved off the blonde's anger and frustration.
"Things are going to get crazy now, cutie. But… For old time's sake… I actually owe you. No time to explain why now, but I'll repay my debt with this: Laguna… I'm Laguna Loire. Find me and you will soon enough find yourself."
"Find you? Find you how? Chase you?"
Laguna chuckled, "No, silly. You were here today, come again tomorrow. As for now, I have to take my leave. Please don't try to stop me. There is nothing more I can say."
"Wait!" Seifer jogged to catch up as Laguna turned and swiftly started walking away. "I want more information!"
"Go home, blondie. Sleep. Tomorrow will come with its revelations. Don't hurry it. Half the fun is getting there!" With that, Laguna almost disappeared, jumping onto the nearest sturdy branch and leaving Seifer to his thoughts. Little did the blonde know that after that moment… he was never truly alone. The dark eyes kept watch from the hidden distance, flashing with both envy and wild delight as chaos and madness replaced the serenity that was once Squall's home and Seifer's haven.
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"We have found him, Mister Irivine."
"Ah, excellent."
"These are copies of some of the details regarding the family he is staying with."
"Is that so?" There was a long pause and the sound of flipping papers. "Well, well. Squall Leonhart. He seems interesting enough. Nice to know he was once a customer of ours."
"Well, now all we have to do is kill Almasy and everything falls into place."
"Not so fast. Let's play a game, shall we? Almasy deserves a worse fate than death, and funny how Lady Luck has placed him in the most suitable hands."
"What do you mean?"
"Leonhart and Almasy. Sounds good to me. Let's see how much we can bond those two before I make that bastard regret the day he was born."
"..But he has a daughter! The family has nothing to do with us."
"Oh, you are wrong, Miss Trepe. Right now, this family has everything to do with us. I have vowed to do whatever it takes to break that bastard, and here, Lady Luck has given me the chance. Almasy will fall."
Yaaaaaaay! finally done with this chapter. hehehe i like it :P Sorry took a while cuz... got alot of assignments and work to do and it's nearing the end of the semester so i'm kinda busy.
Oh well ^^ hope you all enjoyed!
Thanks for reading!
Till next time ^^