Triple Triad King
By
Syc0ticEpis0de
:Lemon Warning:
Chapter 7: The Sudden Death Rule
Balamb Garden Library
Ellone brushed away the tear rolling down her cheek and closed shut her magazine. She rose from her seat and stared fixedly at the table in front of her with a faraway look, her delicate knuckles pressed firm against the wooden surface. It seemed as though nothing had changed at all, and that was upsetting.
What do I have to do? She slammed her fist down in frustration. "Ugh!"
The Girl with Pigtails was returning several texts back to their bookshelf when she jumped in surprise. She could've suffered a nasty fall considering she was on a step ladder. It was near closing time right now, so it was just the two of them in the library. She cautiously stepped down, and went to investigate the fuss.
"Why…" Ellone mumbled something the librarian didn't quite catch. Before the Girl with Pigtails could go ask what was wrong, she felt a touch on her shoulder. Xu cupped a hand over the librarian's mouth before she could scream bloody murder.
"Not one peep, comprende?" Xu's commanding tone was something the timid girl couldn't contend with.
She nodded meekly and was let go. "But-"
"Ah, ah, that's more than a peep. Am I going to have to discipline you?" Xu licked the corner of her lips suggestively. "Run along."
"Ye-" the girl stopped herself the instant she saw a grimace on the lovely Queen Heart. She bowed her head curtly, and went out into the hall without a moment's pause.
Xu tucked a few strands behind her ear with a smirk and went over to join Ellone at the study area. She pulled up a chair beside the other brunette and took a seat, picking up the magazine nearby as she did. Ellone could already feel a migraine coming on when Xu began with, "Some light reading?"
Found an old issue of Timber Maniacs!
Ellone huffed in response.
The SeeD operative flipped a page meanwhile. "Have a seat."
…
"Thanks for the offer, but I was just leaving."
"It wasn't an offer." She licked her thumb to turn another page.
…
"Excuse me?"
"Not yet. So sit."
…
After carefully weighing her options, Ellone reluctantly did as she demanded. Her hands rested on her lap politely, but the bitter twist of her lips betrayed that modesty. They sat together in a heavy silence, only the sound of pages being flipped every so often reminded her of Xu's presence.
…
"These are always such a drag aren't they. I see why you didn't bother finishing it."
"Why, have you been watching me the entire time?"
…
"Heh, not exactly."
…You finished reading it!
The magazine vanished in Xu's hands once she read the last article. They tended to do that, and no one seemed to question the phenomena. Ellone mentally scolded herself because any other form of reading material would've sufficed for discretion.
"I was just really interested in the article about…" Ellone couldn't even remember the page she was on. With Xu having read the entire thing just seconds ago, she doubted she could trick her way out of that one. The short haired brunette was beginning to feel her frustrations stack higher and higher against her.
"Listen, sis, the longest I've stared at anything in any page certainly didn't consist of any words."
Elle couldn't recall how long it's been since anyone called her that. Her body tensed at the mere mention.
"So," Xu scooted closer and whispered, "let's have a little chat."
It seemed natural to have her in his arms like this, and her light figure was easy enough to carry considering his limbs were still half asleep. It had been a very long day, and Squall was close to calling it a night. That would be the reasonable thing to do, but Selphie always saw things in a different light. It bewildered him how such a petite thing could possess such boundless energy and never stop.
"Squaaaall," she whispered loudly.
Never…
"Yooohooo."
Stop…
The little brunette waved a hand in front of his deadpanned expression. "Earth to Squaaall."
"I can hear you just fine," he muttered.
"You know what sounds great right now?" She was beaming brightly.
"A cold shower."
"That's right! It cools you off on a hot day and helps tighten your muscles after a good workout. In fact, many professional trainers all around the globe recommend it for-wait a sec! That doesn't sound good at all!"
"You have no idea," he let out a sigh.
Never in his life had he been so worked up. Selphie had done a splendid job of giving him the worst case of blue balls…twice. If that wasn't enough, just a little while ago she had whipped his dick out for curiosity's sake. The Trabian actually stared at it, and maybe she was curious enough to go further at the time. Whatever the case, Squall didn't want to dwell on it.
"As I was saying, you know what sounds great? Apple pie."
Squall perked a brow. "Doubt they have any around these parts."
"Hmm, you're probably right. It's a good thing I can make my own, tee-hee."
"You can bake?" He seemed intrigued. One of the few pleasures Squall indulged in was sweets, after all.
"Sure as sugar. Cookies, pies, cakes, you name it!" She winked. "All from scratch."
"Huh." Now she was making him hungry, only this time for baked goods.
Selphie leaned in and gently stroked his chin, her voice just above a whisper, "Like my sweet buttermilk pie with pure, creamy, maple-kissed filling."
"Y-you don't say."
"Ooo, and rustic plum and peach crisp pie with oat crumbly crust. With a yummy dollop of smooth, creamy vanilla ice cream? Doesn't that sound super duper?" She cooed.
Squall imagined her prancing around in a kitchen wearing only an apron tied around her body. She bent over to stick a delicious looking pie in the oven, and then turned her head to the side to flash him a show stopping smile. He was blushing fiercely at the thought. Selphie seemed to enjoy herself immensely as she continued stroking him, eliciting a quiet moan from the lion.
"Super duper…" he mumbled in a trance like state.
Selphie giggled and wiped away his drool. "Hey, do you even know where you're going? Sheesh, Squall."
"Hm? Oh." He licked his lip.
"You must really like sweets, huh?" That little detail might come in handy later, and she was already scheming in the back of her mind.
"Yeah," he sounded a little embarrassed to admit that.
"Awwwh." Selphie firmly squeezed him. "If you're nice, I might let you have some of my warm, juicy pie…"
He was about to protest until she mentioned that last tidbit. Squall could already feel his mouth water at the thought of savoring the little brunette's delicious pie. "Deal."
When the Sun Panel finally came into view, the commander let out a relieved breath. There were two students from Garden standing at the edge and looking out to the center. It went without saying that the Sun Panel was huge. To Squall, it resembled an empty swimming pool of colossal proportions, even more so considering how curved it was. Squall went up to the edge and followed their stares toward the mayor's home.
What is that?
The center of Horizon shined brightly in the night, making it impossible to tell what it was from afar.
"Whoa, so pretty." Selphie patted his shoulder.
Squall took the hint and gently set her down. "What is it?"
"Hehe." She bounded over to the steps and waved him over. "Let's find out!"
It's not as though he had much choice. Martine's home was down there, and he still had his Ifrit. The commander stuffed a hand in his pocket, and felt a card he didn't remember putting there. Curious, he pulled it out and flipped it over, and it was blank.
This again?
He thought it was destroyed when his room was trashed, but the card always seemed to find its way to him no matter how strange the circumstance. Before he could give it much thought, he felt small hands tugging at his jacket sleeve.
"C'mon, slow poke!" Selphie chided.
"I'm going, I'm going." Squall slipped the card in his jacket and descended the steps with her.
"I don't know what you want me to say." Ellone gave Xu a sideways glance.
Queen Heart leaned her cheek on her knuckle. "You're awfully cute when you're shy. You know that?"
Elle scoffed much to Xu's delight.
It turns out that Xu was curious as to why a girl like her would risk her stay at Balamb Garden just for that blank card. Instead of catching her red handed when it was taken, she decided to wait and see what Ellone would do with it. After monitoring her closely for some time, Xu still couldn't make heads or tails as to why she would just stare at it for no apparent reason.
The operative reached into her suit pocket for a thin metal case. She opened it with a click, and retrieved a cig. "And to answer your question earlier: yes, I was watching you."
"Not long enough, or else you would know that I don't have it anymore."
"Then you wouldn't mind a good old fashioned pat down?"
"E-excuse me?"
"Anyway, I'm more interested as to why you wanted it in the first place." She slipped the case back into her suit and brought the smoke to her lips."Feel free to take your time; we've got all night."
The sound of her steel lighter seemed to chime in agreement.
Squall was truly at a loss when everyone started clapping and cheering at their arrival. The Garden Festival Committee was the loudest with their whooping and howling. Quistis and Fujin were the modest ones of the bunch, clapping dully as they glared at Selphie, arm in arm with Squall. Raijin had the biggest grin on his face, and Irvine removed his hat as a show of respect.
"Am I missing something here?" Commander Leonhart was confused more than anything else.
Irvine pointed up to the stage. "Sefie, care to do the honors?"
She flashed him a smile and nodded. Selphie unhooked her arm from Squall's and went over to climb onstage, looking ecstatic as she grabbed the mic from its stand, "Testing…one, two. Ahem, Squall! You 'big' stud!"
He slouched reflexively at that. "Hey now…"
Everyone turned to look up at the Garden Festival President. She was looking brighter than ever with the radiant hues of green and blue dancing on her.
"This is your night, and all of this is our way of showing appreciation for everything you've done," she said proudly, gesturing around her with wave. "For me personally, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping save Trabia Garden. I'm just so happy to have you…a-as our leader! Heheh." She rubbed the back of her neck and blushed.
The committee swooned at their president.
"Anywho! Enjoy the show!" She returned the microphone to its stand and carefully hopped down.
Quistis noticed the rose tint on Squall's cheeks, but her jealousy was brief. Her attention went back to the stage where a smiling Rinoa was dragging a defeated looking Zell, front and center. The spiky blonde had the strangest contraption strapped to his body. A guitar was secured around his torso, a violin to his shoulder, and a flute to his collar. The sight of that alone was threatening to coax a smile from the lion.
Heh.
"Ok, just like we rehearsed," Rinoa whispered encouragingly.
"It hurts to live," Zell groaned.
The princess took the mic. "Give a big hand for our very own Zell Dincht!"
Raijin clapped madly. "Wooo!"
While the rest of the group clapped along hesitantly, Selphie sneaked her way over to Quistis. "Uhm, where is the band?"
"You're looking at it." The blonde nudged her glasses.
"Haha, no really..."
"Really." Master King took a breath before explaining. "Rinoa's band was Galbadian. Turns out they didn't want to get involved with 'political terrorists' so they did us the courtesy of canceling at the last minute. We had to find a back up."
"You mean them?"
Quistis nodded toward the duo when she heard tapping, prompting Selphie to turn and see. Rinoa was kicking her shoes in a upbeat rhythm, arms behind her back as she concentrated on her tap dancing. She sped up the tempo when she felt everyone's stares on her, Squall included. The princess made eye contact with the commander and felt her resolve strengthen under his gaze. She was now determined more than ever to give a knock out performance.
The Trabian went slack jawed. She didn't know Rinoa could tap dance so well, and in front of an audience, to boot. She had to wonder what Zell was doing up there, standing like a Mesmerize caught in headlights.
When Fujin met Zell's stare, she made a slitting motion across her throat. The hand-to-hand specialist slipped into action and frantically blew into the flute's mouth piece. It was a rather catchy tune, and it complimented Rinoa's fluid tap dancing. More bizarre was how well the duo performed, considering they had only minutes to prepare.
Once Zell started drawing the bow over his fiddle, he started strumming the guitar with his other hand. Snaps were set on the strings of both instruments to allow single hand play, but no one was sure how Zell managed to play the flute with just his mouth; there were no visible tweaks to it.
Quistis chuckled with a hand over her mouth. They were actually quite good, but it was just so amusing to watch Zell perform. She wasn't alone in that way of thinking, even Fujin had to smirk because it was unlike anything she had ever seen.
Irvine offered a hand to the curvy blonde. "How 'bout it, Quisty?" Apart from his usual shit eating grins, he actually seemed genuine when he smiled at her.
She glanced in Squall's direction briefly and saw him looking their way. "I'd love to." Quistis took his hand and danced with the handsome sniper. Though focused on Irvine's gaze, her thoughts wandered elsewhere...
"Mh! Ah! Squall!" Instructor Trepe moaned under her former student's probing tongue. She ran her fingers through his mane and bucked against his strokes. "Don't stop. Don't you dare," she whimpered, trying desperately to keep her glasses from falling amidst their passion.
"COMMANDER?"
The lion shook his head slightly before turning to Fujin. "Oh, I'm surprised to see you here."
It wasn't long until other students joined in dancing. Selphie spun amongst her committee simultaneously, completely lost in the cheer. Raijin just moved his body like it was his first time dancing, but he seemed to be enjoying himself. Rinoa and Zell were really into their irish jig and they showed no signs of slowing down.
Fujin nodded towards a small, secluded spot nearby. "A MOMENT?"
Looking around them now, everyone was busy having a good time to pay them any heed. Fujin and Squall were the odd ones out, so he wasn't averse to the idea. "I guess."
Fujin led the way with Squall following closely behind.
Irvine lifted Quistis' hand to spin her around. "Smooth moves, Quisty!"
The blonde searched for Squall during the flourish, but was nowhere to be found. It wasn't until Irvine pulled her in that she spotted him with Fujin. They were walking toward the edge where Horizon's center ended and the Sun Panel began.
"Hey, you alright?"
"Hm? No, it's-" Quistis couldn't see them anymore. "It's fine. I mean, I'm ok."
The sniper flashed her a heart melting smirk. "If the lady says so."
Ellone coughed several times the first time she took a drag. The smoke entering her lungs didn't go down so well, and it seemed like her coughing only worsened each time.
"Hey, don't force it." Xu gently rubbed Ellone's back to ease her convulsions.
"Sorry, it's my-"
"I know," the operative said with a grin, "I've been there."
"I don't understand why you like this stuff. It's a bad habit, and it's unhealthy." Ellone wrinkled her nose slightly as she brought the cig to her mouth again.
"Oh, bless your idiotically pure heart." Xu breathed smoke out her nostrils.
"You're a bad influence."
"Not the first time I've heard that." She leaned back in her seat. "So, you never saw him again until now, is that right?"
"Yes, but he doesn't remember- uhm, may I?"
"You may."
"Thank you." Ellone tapped her cigarette over the ashtray Xu had set out, and then brought it back to her lips, "Squall didn't remember me." There was a shadow of sadness on her face as she spoke, "I didn't expect him to. It's been so long."
"You've been around a bit, why haven't the others said anything?"
"It may be that they too have forgotten."
Xu crushed her cig into the ashtray. "Unlikely."
"I seem to recall your SeeD junction Guardian Forces."
"I never believed in that memory loss bullshit."
Ellone took one more drag from her smoke before snuffing it out in the tray. "I have no reason to lie to you of all people. Your loyalties are clear, and I care about Squall more than you know."
"Hm, it just boggles the mind how all of this comes together. Children from the same orphanage grow up and become SeeD, and are now fighting together against their former caretaker? Fuck."
Ellone frowned at her choice of words, but agreed nonetheless with a nod.
"So, where does that card fit into all of this?"
"I'm not entirely sure. I just know that I feel this energy whenever I hold it. Matron entrusted it to me before her SeeD took me under protective custody."
"She never said why?"
Ellone shook her head.
"And you're certain Commander Leonhart is in possession of it?"
"I would stake my life on it."
Queen Heart let out a moan as she stretched. Everything they talked about only served to raise more questions instead of answer them.
"Excuse me, Xu?"
"Operative Xu…"
"Oh, right, operative." She cleared her throat. "What do you plan to do now?"
"That," Xu sighed, "is an excellent question."
Fujin and Squall were sitting beside one another, their legs hanging off the edge of Horizon's center. Rinoa and Zell had drawn a small crowd at their show; people seemed really taken by them. Even the Mayor eventually stepped out with his wife, Flo, to watch them play. So it was looking more like no one would be bothering them anytime soon. Despite that, neither seemed willing to speak first.
"Woohoo! Shake it Rinny!" Selphie cried out from afar.
Both of them turned their heads at the same time, but stopped when their gazes met. Their way of communicating was more subtle, and more than enough was said when Fujin gently grazed Squall's cheek with the back of her hand. The brunette subconsciously leaned into her touch, goading Fujin to scoot closer to him.
Irvine could be heard whistling and hollering.
The silver haired beauty was caressing his cheeks, but it was more like she was trying to comfort herself through him.
"Fujin?" Squall whispered.
Her answer came in the form of a kiss, tender and brief unlike their first time. Squall didn't have time to return it as she pulled back to look him in the eye. "PROMISE ME...that we'll bring him home."
Seifer. That's what this is about.
"Still haven't given up on him?"
"He's my friend, and I want to help him, Squall."
It's likely that we'll have to face him again.
"I understand if you can't make that promise. Fighting him is inevitable."
"I have no intention of harming him. However, if push comes to shove, I can only promise that I won't kill him."
"Even if it meant saving your life, or that of a squad mate?"
Squall went silent.
Fujin tipped his chin. "Don't make a promise you know you can't keep."
Everything was full of music and cheer for a better part of the night. Zell shocked everyone with his talent and rediscovered his love for music, and even decided he would write songs in the future. Rinoa tap danced the hell out of that stage, and was in dire need of a foot rub, something that Irvine happily obliged to. The Garden Festival Committee had formed a Selphie Tilmitt fan club (no affiliation to their current one) by the end of the night. Selphie herself returned to her kitchen to bake a delicious apple pie while high on life. Fujin retired to her room, and Raijin stayed up watching cartoons.
It was far too late for anyone to be in the Training Area, so that's where Squall went to clear his head.
No encounter yet?
He strolled through the miniature jungle, pausing only when he spotted the path leading to the 'Secret Area.' Although that's what they called it, many students knew about it. It's where couples went to hang out or mingle back then. It was closed off ever since Garden went mobile, but it being a side entrance meant it would have a scenic view of the outside.
…Why not?
And so he went down the path.
…
He came upon the view and saw someone standing there, looking out at the ocean. Squall had a good idea who it was judging by the shapely figure, so he stuffed his hands in his pockets, and went over to join her.
Quistis hugged her body, the crisp sea air brushing her long bangs. "What are you doing here?"
Commander Leonhart leaned against the wall. "I'm your superior. Shouldn't I be asking you?"
It was actually kind of dangerous to be standing here like this. There was no railing or veranda separating them from falling into the water below.
"If you think pulling rank is going to work, hah."
"Whatever." He closed his eyes and let the breeze comb through his hair. The feeling was soothing, and he could see why she would want this to herself.
"I noticed you weren't there for the rest of the show."
"Did you?" He thought back to her dance with Irvine.
"I did." She frowned.
"Sorry."
"I didn't ask for an apology. I just made an observation."
"Hn."
It was just like this when they spoke back then, too. But eventually…
Quistis nervously bent over, bracing herself against the railing as Squall slowly hiked up her dress. The 'Secret Area' was empty, but there was always that danger that someone might find them, maybe that just made what they were about to do much more exciting... She shivered when the cool air brushed against her glistening sex, still very tender from his previous tongue lashings. He pressed the bulbous head of his cock against the Master King's slit, forcing her open with a slow thrust.
"Ahh!" She cried out, her virgin tight walls straining around him like a vice. Squall shuddered, and dared to go deeper inside her maidenhood. It was only when he felt the thin, fleshy resistance inside her that he stopped. He looked over to her for the first time and noticed how rosy she was. Her hair clung together in strands from sweat, and her glasses were fogged just so. Her being such an erotic mess was a sight he never wanted to forget.
"Am I hurting you?"
She shivered, but just knowing it was him inside made the pain bearable. "I've wanted this for so long..."
"Quistis..."
He grabbed hold of her hips to help push her against him, easing himself deeper until he finally felt the resistance giving away. Quistis bit down hard when he broke past her hymen, pain immediately shooting through her body. Squall couldn't believe how incredible it felt to be inside her tight little pussy. It was hot and soft inside her, and it felt like she was sucking him in with each thrust. The ex-student moaned as he pumped in and out of the whimpering Instructor Trepe. Despite being slightly buzzed from her drinks before, she couldn't resist gripping the railing until her knuckles went white from exertion.
He kneaded the sides of her curves in excitement, relishing how her shapely ass slammed against him. The buxom blonde never knew such mixture of pain and pleasure, and she couldn't deny how amazing it felt, having him go at her from behind like a lion in heat. She turned her head to the side and said something he never expected to hear from her.
"Shoot your fucking SeeD inside me."
Squall felt himself burst. He squeezed her supple butt tightly as he unleashed jet after jet of cum inside her. Quistis bit her lip and grinned, marveling at the creamy warmth filling her to the brim. He groaned, feeling her tighten around his monstrous length. It was like she wanted to milk every last drop, and he was perfectly willing.
"Squall..."
Even now, standing beside her former student, she couldn't find a single tinge of regret in her. Even after she saw him leave the group to be with Fujin for Hyne knows what. Even after she saw the way he and Selphie looked at each other. Even after everything, no regrets.
The commander broke the silence after a while. "Can I ask you something?"
"That's new."
"Hear me out."
She sighed.
"When the time comes, do you think people here will confide in me?"
Quistis raised a brow. "When the time comes? Expecting trouble so soon?"
"Not really. I guess I'm just...worried that I might let people down."
She gripped his shoulder firmly, almost like a reflex when she felt something was on his mind. "Listen, it's normal to be a little worried, it just shows you care. Everyone here knows what's at stake, and how dangerous our enemy is, so you can count on us doing everything we can to ensure that we all make it through. And if worse does come to worst, I'll still have your back. I promise you."
Squall felt a weight being lifted off his shoulders. And seeing her now, with the moon shining off her silver-rimmed glasses, he could think of no one more capable of keeping their word.
Fujin tipped his chin. "Don't make a promise you know you can't keep."
They looked at each other in silence, her words sinking deeper than he could've imagined. His answer, much like hers before, came in the form of a kiss. Fujin tilted her head, parting her lips in welcome.
Quistis gasped when Squall encircled his arms around her waist to pull her against him. "H-hey! Mmh!" He pressed his lips against hers, and her struggles ended as quickly as they began. Cold showers could wait.
To be continued
A/N: Thanks to everyone following, and an even bigger thanks to those that reviewed. Your encouragement is oddly motivating. Also, a special thanks to sadistic lunatic and Traingham for their inspiration and support.
