Hey guys, here's the complete chapter 3. It's a long one, almost as long as one of the parts of the prologue. Still, it's complete. I have plenty more plot for this bad boy, but I couldn't imagine adding anything to this.

Warning: There's a sex scene. It's beautiful.


"My lover's got humour
She's the giggle at a funeral
Knows everybody's disapproval
I should've worshipped her sooner
If the heavens ever did speak
She's the last true mouthpiece
Every Sunday's getting more bleak
A fresh poison each week
"We were born sick"
You heard them say it"

Cold, intricate patterns arranged themselves neatly like the magma cooling from a volcano-layers delicately formulated and perfectly crafted. It was freezing as I held it in my open palm. It quickly tempered itself to match my skin's warmth, but my aura did not taint it. I expected it to absorb some of my darkness but was pleasantly surprised by its fortitude. Perhaps the chain was not the strong part- I pulled the pendant up and stared at Griever.

The creature so pure and perfect that all Hyne's children came to welcome him into the world. A world which was dark and war-torn before his long-awaited birth. He was a symbol of everlasting peace, born out of the ashes of the fallen. Before him, there was no color, no happiness. The world before Griever was unadulterated utter chaos.

His bravery, his unyielding truth-shall-prevail attitude, and his indomitable spirit were contagious unto every creature he met. He brought with him a world of a million different colors, and each color had its own possibilities.

The newspaper of today's times told a much different story. A blood splattered, war-torn planet, still greedy as it was dreadful. The death toll kept rising-it didn't matter who's side you were on. The darkness in the world was thick with smog-you could escape it but for a short time, and then it would creep up on you, suffocating you, making you vengeful.

No matter where you went, the overpowering stink of the war got to you. You saw the hope draining from the citizen's faces. The once happy children being transformed overnight into casualties, being sent to orphanages, or simply missing their parents, who were pulled away by voracious looking recruiters.

When I was young, I admired Griever's beauty. Not only that, but I believed in him. I honestly and truly hoped to see him with my own eyes someday. Now that I was older, wiser, and perhaps bitter, I knew Griever was a fairytale for children. A hopeless ideology whose message died when people stopped believing in him. As I stood there, staring at the metallic trinket, Zell brought me back to the earth.

"Your presents look like shit."

I glanced over at them. What could I say? They did. I had no talents in aesthetically pleasing decorations.

"Well, you wrap them, then," I grunted, not particularly angry. Zell had a gift for wrapping presents. That, and making ugly things beautiful. I thought so, anyway.

"Are you kidding? I just wrapped my own shit, and you want me to do yours, too? Forget it, baby. I'm not doing it. Not no way, not no how."

I chuckled. "Then why bring it up?"

"Because these are going to your mom and your sister!" He pouted a bit. "Don't you think they would... I dunno, deserve a better present?"

"It's what's inside the box that counts." I corrected, leering at him a bit. "Your present is in there, too. If you don't want it, I'll find someone who appreciates my...creative wrapping."

Zell grinned. "No need. I'll take it just the way it is."

"I figured as much." I sat down on my bed, still clenching Griever in my enclosed fist. "Will you do my bows at least?"

"No." He spit his tongue out at me. Noticing Griever, he stared at my palm questionably. "I thought you were giving that to Ellone?"

"I thought so, too." I murmured, collecting the chain in my palm. "But..."

Why wasn't I giving it to her? Well, she already knew I had it. And it was once a gift from my father, so it wouldn't really be right to re-gift it. The truth, though, really, was that I was greedy. I wanted Griever all to myself. Despite his dishonesty, and despite the fact that he didn't even exist.

"My father gave it to me." I placed it beside me, no longer wanting to hold it.

Zell took it, and he admired it for a moment or two.

"I think you made the right decision." He whispered. "I think maybe, just maybe you need him."

I didn't know what to say, so I just stared at him dumbstruck and unthinking. He sat beside me, and I felt the chain go around my neck. He closed the clasp, and I suddenly felt my neck grow heavy-not with the pendant, but with the burden it carried.

Griever's bravery-it was mine now. I had to be stronger. I had to rebuild myself and become whole again.

I felt a hand pull me, and so I willingly followed its lead and found myself forcing all my body weight onto Zell's chest. Still, it was comfortable, and my ability to speak, let alone argue was weakened by his essence. Smelling him, feeling his body heat, took the words right out of my mouth.

We laid there a moment, recuperating from the day. When I finally got the strength to sit up on my own, I looked back at him. "I was thinking about it. Transfering."

Zell seemed surprised. "To Trabia?"

"Yeah." I nodded. "But I can't help but think maybe you should switch to Balamb instead. I know it doesn't bother you to spend your pop's money to travel abroad, but I think being close to home might help you and your ma be more at ease." Honestly, I hadn't put much thought into it, but Zell was having trouble at Trabia. It would make more sense for him to come with me rather than me always following him.

"I'll call them in the morning."

Well, that was easy. Was he transferring that quickly? It didn't take much deliberation. Still, I was satisfied hearing it.

Enthusiasm took over my body and I slid off the bed and tackled him. An action that took us both by surprise. I couldn't help it.

For once, in several months, joy was spreading through me, filling my body with a sweet pleasurable feeling that was sweeping me up in rhapsodic bliss. I hugged him, and held him there, with an actual smile on my face.

Zell looked at me, about to question it, but seeing my Hyne-given smile, he reconsidered, and simply grinned back, grabbing me in his overpowering arms.

The moment, however, was ruined by his growling stomach. He immediately flushed a pink hue, and I couldn't help but laugh. "Dinner should be ready, since, you know, you're starving and everything."

I straddled him, sliding backward gently. He sat up, bracing me as I lay my feet on the ground.

I headed for the door, but not before his hand caught my wrist, spinning me back around to face him.

He placed a faint kiss to my lips. "As far as we go—let's just see what happens."

Those terms were more than agreeable. Besides, I was sure that was inevitable.

We headed downstairs, him having to slow his usual jogging pace behind me, but as I was about to enter the kitchen, I was struck by something beautiful.

My mother and Ellone were in the kitchen, facing away from the arched entryway. Ellone was simply in the middle of the room, getting her haircut. The radio was playing, but Ellone's melodious voice was ever-so-slightly louder, and my mother's graceful and delicate hips were swaying playfully.

This moment would be forever locked inside my memories. This pure, untainted moment was so beautiful, so loving, so utterly and completely...my family. My heart warmed so much that I could feel my whole body temperature rise.

Zell stood beside me wrapped his arm around my shoulders, watching them with a peaceful smile.

This was it. This was the reason I came home.

I felt Zell's arm leave my shoulder, but as I turned to dispute him, he simply bowed to me, in an overly dramatic fashion, but one that I simply couldn't say no to. I placed my hand in his, and we danced our way into the kitchen.

We surprised my mother and sister as we waltzed, and unfortunately, our choice of dance was an ill-fit for the melody echoing from the kitchen walls. Truth be told, neither of us could dance, the style changed often, from foxtrotting to spinning around like ill-trained ballerinas. At some point, my mother had joined us, and we all simply looked ridiculous.

Ellone clapped along, trying to keep our rhythm in check, and in-between bouts of laughter, she sang along.

That was until Zell spun me a little too wide, and I ended up skidding out, slipping on the linoleum in my socks. I ended up falling right on my ass.

My mother, Zell, and Ellone immediately stopped laughing, and just stared at me.

Then, I couldn't help it anymore. The laughter poured out of my lips as I tried to stifle it between my teeth. I threw my head back, absolutely lost in the moment. The looks on their faces. Zell's horrible dancing. Me falling right on my ass. It was all too much.

"Squall, are you alright?" Even Zell was having a hard time keeping it together. As he kneeled down to help me up, I reached up, wiping saliva that was pouring out of the corner of my mouth with the back of my hand.

"You're so terrible." I sputtered, wiping away tears that formed in the corners of my eyes. "You're so terrible at dancing."

"My church offers no absolutes
She tells me "worship in the bedroom"
The only heaven I'll be sent to
Is when I'm alone with you
I was born sick, but I love it
Command me to be well
Amen, Amen, Amen"

Soon, I was sweeping up my sister's hair, while my mother finished dinner, and Zell had set the table. Well, he tried to. Ellone ended up fixing his mistakes, subtly, of course. Even throughout dinner, I couldn't keep the smile off my face. Between Zell's mysterious eating habits, mostly the fact that he shoveled food into his mouth instead of politely picking it up piece by piece with his fork, Ellone's staring in wonder, and my mother's acceptance of the whole thing... well, in short, everything was exactly as it should be.

My mother had bought some peach cobbler from the grocer, which we happily ate for dessert. Afterward, I took it upon myself to make coffee. I watched Zell spoon in a gratuitous amount of sugar into his almost-white beverage. I smiled with the edge of the mug in-between my lips, watching him affectionately.

Ellone made a point to make eye contact with me and simply raised an eyebrow. Maybe all siblings did this, this "behind the parent's back" argument. Usually, according to movies and television programs, it involved physical contact—kicking the other under the table, punching the other in the arm when mother had her back turned—but for me and my older sister, it was a bit different. We would have entire arguments making only facial gestures.

I should have known that my staring at Zell wouldn't have gone unnoticed. Especially not by her: and now she was asking me what exactly I was doing.

I pursed my lips in response, looking at her through slightly lidded eyes. I glanced back at Zell, who was calmly sipping his milk and sugar with a hint of coffee. I looked back at her, head slightly tilted and arched forward.

She tapped her index finger against the table, twice. She looked up at the clock and then backed herself up from under the table. "Well, mom, he should be here soon. I'm going to go up and change."

She wheeled herself to the elevator shaft, and I watched her leave and waited for the door to close before looking at my mother.

"Who should be here soon?"

"Oh, Ellone has a suitor!" She said cheerfully.

I suddenly became quite defensive. "What? Like a boyfriend?"

"Well, a love-interest. They go to the movies together, take strolls through the park... She met him in therapy."

I then realized I was grasping the edge of the table. I immediately let go. "But it's like eight-o-clock at night. Doesn't this guy-"

"Squall, honey, it's fine. We all talked about it. They're just enjoying each others' company." My mother didn't seem to have a problem with Ellone's boyfriend. But for some reason, I couldn't help but feel...

Like someone was taking advantage of my sister.

"Squall, baby, you're the younger sibling. She's supposed to worry about you. Not the other way around, man." Zell chuckled.

I glared at him a bit. "Well, your sister's not like mine. Your sister's not-"

"In a wheelchair?" My mother asked, suddenly more stern.

"No, I just meant..."

"You meant that your sister is in a wheelchair. You meant that someone was taking advantage of her because she has a disability."

"How the hell could I not believe that, mom?" I whispered.

My mother stared at me and then sipped her coffee, seemingly not caring to answer me.

I'm sure Zell felt awkward beside me. I reached over and brushed his thigh gently when I heard the doorbell chime through the house.

My mother didn't bother to move, only stared at me over the rim of her coffee cup.

I stood up and walked over to the door. I opened it a bit quickly, maybe to scare this guy—maybe to instigate some kind of argument. Yet, as I opened the door, I had to look down, and see this young man was also in a wheelchair, and suddenly, I felt like an asshole.

Even as I watched Ellone leave with him, into his specialty car, I couldn't help feeling like the world's biggest piece of shit again. He smiled at me, shook my hand, and introduced himself; He grinned when he saw her, and he even complimented her haircut; He told me they were running late, but he'd love to get to know me tomorrow.

I walked back into the kitchen and slumped into my seat.

My mother usually lets this kind of thing go. Not this time. She wasn't angry with me—she was disappointed, and that was a lot harder to bare.

"I thought I raised you better than to be so judgmental, Squall." Well, she didn't bother using my full name, so I wasn't in that much trouble.

"I'm not judgmental, I'm perceptive. I'm an INFP." I muttered.

That struck Zell's interest enough to interrupt. That, or maybe he was trying to remove some of the tension from the room. "Oh? You took one of those, too? I'm an EST or something."

I may or may not have kicked Zell under the table. He had absolutely no proof.

I sighed, looking at my mother. "Look, I wasn't being judgmental because of her disability, per se, I mean, that's part of it, yeah, I'm not going to deny it. But it's not that entirely. It's because she's a girl-" I shook my head. "She's a very kind, loving, beautiful young woman. There are men that take advantage of that, mother."

"This isn't my first rodeo, Squall Leonhart." I sulked a bit, but I couldn't help but picture my mother in full cowboy get-up: the boots; the hat; the awkward lopsided belt. I would have to tell Irvine about it later. But this was serious. "She IS beautiful, she is kind, but you know what else she is, my son? Smart."

I stared into the pool of black coffee, still steaming in my mug. "I know that, mom. I know. Still, everyone's always telling me how smart I am, and look at the men I'm interest-" I clamped my hand over my mouth. She heard me, though. I know she did.

Zell, please. Please save me. I fucked up. May day. May day. S. .S.

It wasn't like I was embarrassed or concerned about my mother knowing my sexual preference. Rather, it just wasn't the right time. This wasn't how I wanted to tell her.

I wanted to tell her by bringing home Blake, Jasper, or Cliff, with his skinny-athletic build from winters, spent skiing at a resort in Trabia, after, of course, his volunteer work in Timber, while maintaining a 4.0 GPA and graduating at the top of his class. He would have a diverse stock portfolio and say things like, "Why, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Leonhart, or should I say, Miss Leonhart. Squall you never told me your mother was so young and beautiful." and "You set a lovely table, Mrs. Leonhart, oh, sorry. Mother dear." in a posh accent, wearing a baby-blue cardigan sweater, while sipping only an inch or two of wine out of his glass which lasted him all evening.

Yet, Zell was unable or unwilling to save me.

"Oh? And just what kind of men are you interested in?" She accused.

"I'm not having sex," I mumbled, trying to deter where this conversation was going.

Zell choked on his milk and sugar drink. Panicking, he grabbed some napkins off the rack in the center of the table and cleaned up after himself.

"I'm not concerned about that, per se, Squall." I always wondered where I got my attitude, and now I had my answer. I sounded just like her. "You're a man now, and I always told you it's your body and your rules. What I'm concerned about is what kind of men you're interested in. Answer the question."

It occurred to me then, that I could never bring Seifer home to meet my mother. It was absolutely out of the question. An eighteen-year-old dropout with no ideas for the future. He wasn't viable, he wasn't "good enough" for me.

I heaved a heavy sigh. "I'm just saying I..." What was I saying? "I guess I like a more... rebellious type, or something." That was the kindest way to explain Seifer.

But I didn't want to talk about him. I looked at Zell sitting beside me. "What about you, Zell? You having sex?" I tried to make my grin look mischievous, but according to his reaction, it was way more malicious.

"Hyne, Squall!" He backed up, his chair screeching against the linoleum tiles.

I chuckled. That's what you get for not helping me, you fucker!

"Safe sex is never irrelevant, Zell. What, with STD's, teen pregnancy, HIV..."

Zell sulked. "Right in front of your mother."

"It's just sex, Zell." I grinned, knowing he was uncomfortable. "If you're not comfortable talking about it, you're not ready to have it. Isn't that what they say?"

Zell's nostrils flared a bit. "I'll have you know I am perfectly comfortable."

My mother chuckled. "It's almost time for my game show. Do you guys want to watch with me?"

I shook my head. "No, I'm going to do the dishes. We still have stuff to do." I grabbed Zell's now empty coffee mug with my ring finger, as my own cup was hanging off two others, and walked over to the sink.

My mother walked over and placed her mug next to the sink, kissed my temple, and then headed into the living room.

I turned on the hot water and waited patiently for it to heat up while I soaped my sponge. Zell came up behind me, hugging me around the waist, his chin on my shoulder. "What's the deal with you? Your mother thinks we're up to no good now."

"Well, I'm sure that isn't being helped by your constant need to be attached to me in some way," I chuckled. "But who cares about that? You didn't even help me."

"With what? That type of guys you're interested in thing? I thought she knew that much. I mean, you're a pretty boy." He pushed me gently to the side and began washing the dishes.

I was a little dismayed by him doing my chore. "What's that mean, you thought she knew? 'Pretty boy', what is that?"

Scrubbing a dinner plate, he peered at me from the side. "It's not an insult. I just thought she knew. I mean, my mom always knew. Sometimes I think that's why she and dad stopped getting along... I mean, it's not like it's obvious, but you guys are so close."

I placed my hand on Zell's. "I'll wash, you dry."

Zell chuckled. "Do I have to? I like washing dishes."

"What? What do you mean you like it?"

"Is that weird? I like the running water, and I like using my hands, but the rest of my body is dry. It's a cool experience. Usually, I can just go off into my own little world, but with you here, I'm distracted as ever."

I sighed, defeated, and grabbed a dry towel, took the plate and began wiping the droplets of water off the surface. "As for that other thing—me and mom are close, sure, but it's not a matter of being close. I was never interested in men before I—came home from college."

Zell shrugged a bit, concentrating on the dishes, mostly. "You weren't really into anyone. You hardly talked. People thought you were mute, or an asshole."

"I am kind of an asshole," I mumbled. "At least I'm pretty while I'm doing it."

Zell chuckled. "I think that's why you get away with it. People thought I was an asshole, too. I wasn't so lucky."

I smiled a bit. A weird reaction, maybe, but I had a hard time believing anyone ever thought that about Zell. He was really anything but. A little too hyper, too needy maybe, but never an asshole.

"Eh, you're pretty lucky. I mean, look who your best friend is."

Zell snorted.

"Take me to church
I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife
Offer me that deathless death
Good God, let me give you my life
Take me to church
I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife
Offer me that deathless death
Good God, let me give you my life"

As I was drying the dishes he handed me I couldn't help but check him out. I didn't mean to, my eyes just trailed over him. He was muscular but still thin and compact. His chest was broad, but his legs were still so thin. Probably from all the excessive bouncing. Still, his bright skin, his proud lips, and his heavy eyelashes had an appeal I couldn't help but notice.

The haircut, the pronounced canines, and the tattoo all said, "wild", but he was a history major and he enjoyed washing dishes. He was... contradictory.

Even I had to admit he had a bold sex appeal.

Zell was...kind of a turn on.

My eyes rolled to his shoulder's, rotating as he scrubbed the last dish—my mother's mug. My eyes trailed down his back. Perfectly muscled, sculpted by his weight-lifting, his treadmill running, his excessive energy. Looking down further, I bit my lip. He had a cute butt—too muscular to have any fat, but there was enough skin to be grabbed.

My fist balled at my side.

"Squall?" He looked at me, offering me the mug. He had already turned the water off.

I took it and dried it as quickly as I could. I was hungry, but not for food.

He flicked his fingers into the sink, before taking the towel out of my hands. He reached up and ran a wet hand through his mohawk. A drop of water dripped down his temple, down his cheek, down to his jawline.

Fuck.

I placed the mug down on the drying rack and grabbed his wrist. Maybe a little too tightly. Sorry, Zell.

I pulled him up the steps, and once I got him into my bedroom, I pinned him against the door, closing it with his back. I gripped him and slammed my mouth against his. Kissing him hungrily, passionately, wanting and needing more.

He was perhaps confused, but that wasn't stopping him from letting me kiss him—kissing me back just as eagerly.

It wasn't enough.

I pressed my body against him, hoping he would feel how much I needed this.

He must have, because he backed up, ready to say something, but I moved forward again, pinning him to the door. I kissed him again, but I ran my lips down his jaw and to his neck, kissing gently at first. I felt his pulse quicken under the skin of my lips. "Squall—are...?"

I only grunted in response as I opened my mouth and grazed my teeth against the flesh of his slender neck, sliding down to the junction of his shoulder, and quickly bit down, unable to help myself.

"Oh, fuck, Squall." He grunted.

I kissed back up his neck.

He grunted again, and this time, he reached down, around my waist and effortlessly lifted me; I wrapped my legs loosely around his waist as he carried me over to the bed, placing me down gently, his hands still at my back.

He slid his hands down, and then back up and under my shirt. Feeling his hot fingertips on my bare skin only increased my appetite. I sat up and allowed him to pull off my shirt. I yanked him back over to me and again kissed him. Allowing his tongue into my mouth, I slid my hands down his sides and pulled his shirt off as well. Oh god, those abs. I grazed them with the side of my thumb.

Want. Need.

A shiver shot down my spine as I stared up at him through my half-lidded eyes. I couldn't help but notice his eyelashes were also heavy. He licked his bottom lip, obviously dry, as he was panting a bit. Eager. Usually, desperation was such a turn-off, but watching Zell so eager...well, let's just say if I wasn't already hard as a diamond, I would definitely be rock solid now.

My eyes trailed down his clean-shaven chest, down his stomach, still admiring his abdominal muscles. Still, there was a more pressing matter which required my attention. I noticed he was just as hard as I was. Fuck. My fingers were shaking, hesitant as I reached for his fly.

His warm fingers encircled mine, and I looked up at him.

"Squall, are you sure?"

I appreciated the sentiment, but I was long past sure.

"Positive."

Zell was hesitant, but his fingers slid off mine. He lunged forward and pinned me down and the rush of blood pumped even more lust through my veins.

He kissed me this time, taking the lead away from me, and although I missed being the dominant one, I liked Zell's aggression. As he pinned my wrists down on either side of my head, moving down to kiss my neck, his fingers curled tightly, so tightly his knuckles were cracking.

His teeth grazed my neck, the force against my wrists—he was holding himself back. He was trying to pace himself. First impressions were right—Zell was wild.

I couldn't take it anymore.

My abdominal muscles rolled up and I bucked into him, forcing a gasp out of his parted lips.

I slipped my wrist out of his now loosened hold, and reached up, grabbing a nipple with my index finger and thumb, pinching him, causing him to look up at me, delightfully startled.

I licked my lips, trying to lubricate the words out of my mouth, and trying to think of a sexy way to say what needed to be said. "Release this tiger from his cage?" I asked, angling my hips upwards again.

No need to ask Zell twice. He slid a finger in the waistband of my sweatpants and pulled tantalizingly slow, kissing my bare, exposed hip. That wonderful wet heat was the closest to the sun I've ever been.

That burn, that glorious heat I have grown so accustomed to lately. As I looked down, all I could see was that short, honey-colored hair, and he would look up at me with that strong nose, those feminine sea-after-the-rain eyes that I loved so much. Seifer. I felt my cock twitch at the thought.

"More," I begged.

Zell chuckled, pulling them down just the slightest hint further. Another kiss. Another wave of heat.

I swung my arms back on either side of my head, gripping the sheet behind me in tangled knots of fabric. This wasn't enough—not even close. I wanted more, I wanted it to feel even better, I wanted him to lose his patience.

Despite my best efforts, I let out a whimper of need, and with it, Zell took the waist of my sweatpants all the way off passed my feet. Still, my boxers were still sitting, low on my hips, and the tent I formed in them was agonizing.

I grunted and shot my hands down there to take them off myself when a firm hand grabbed me and gave me a stroke. Even through the layer of fabric, it still felt better than anything I had ever experienced. That only increased my appetite. I now knew the literal meaning of 'insatiable'.

I bucked into his hand a few times, but he simply chuckled and held me back down with minimal effort.

A few more strokes and my brain was scrambling for an escape. It was torturous. I wanted to tear them off.

"I can't take it anymore!" I whined.

Zell smirked a dark smile. He slipped them off me just as easily as before. Having my flesh exposed to the cold air was ambiguous. It felt good, but it also left me aching.

I waited in anxious misery as he stood and slid his thumbs into his own pants, taking all the layers off at once. Jerk. Still though, eyeing him up, his cock was beautiful.

He crawled over top of me, sliding his hot flesh against mine, causing me to shutter. Then his cock slid over mine and the sensations caused my toes to curl tightly. I wanted to say something—anything: to beg him to continue, to scream, but all I managed was a low moan.

He began, slowly and steadily to grind his cock against mine. I leaned my head back, and soon he took his place back on my neck. His kisses were too soft. His grinding was too slow. I was going to explode.

Before he could stop me, I reached up and pushed the back of his neck, bringing him closer. Then my fingertips began clawing at the back of his head—feeling his teeth in the flesh of my neck made me leak pre-cum, but more rewarding for him, another lip biting, hip arching moan.

"You liked that? You're going to love this."

Zell leaned down, gently kissing the tip, which to my embarrassment was already soaked as the liquid pooled out of me in drips. My breathing hitched. He glanced up at me as if to make sure, and my body, drawn like a magnet lurched up to meet him.

"I—please—I don't..."

He took the head in his mouth, and I saw fireworks. Hell, I could hear fireworks. The heat—the liquid heat pouring from his mouth was soaring up my cock and shooting up through my whole body. Passion enveloped me in some kind of stasis. The insurmountable pleasure was causing me a brain malfunction. I couldn't think or speak. Then my base animal instincts set in, and I was jumping up into his mouth. More. I needed more. I needed all of it.

He simply held my hips steady and swirled his tongue around the tip. I gasped. "F-fuck!"

Slipping me passed his lips, he saw me staring, and without breaking eye contact, he stuck his tongue out and pressed it against my shaft, steadily slipping upward. My body shook, the stars behind my eyes causing me to lull my head back. Then a pause.

Looking downward, I was greeted with his smiling lips around the head of my cock. I could feel a deep-rooted urge flushing my body.

Blaming it on my virginity was easy enough.

But Zell wasn't-

I stared at him a moment and motioned him over.

He was perhaps a bit confused, but after releasing me from his mouth, he crawled over. I kissed him again, able to taste my flesh on his lips. While he kissed me, I managed to put him on his back. I kissed down his neck, slow, tantalizing him like he had done to me.

Once at his chest, I slicked my tongue over his nipple, to which he jolted a bit. A delightful reward.

I bit down on his nipple, hard enough to grasp it without hurting him, and flickered my tongue over it, feeling it quickly harden on my tongue. I sucked on it, only for a moment before feeling that familiar hot wetness on my thigh, where his cock was resting.

Turning my attention downward, I took his shift cock in my hand, pumping it a few times.

"Beautiful," I whispered. "Your body is beautiful."

He moaned before muttering, "You have no idea how you look."

I shifted over to get closer. I wasn't exactly sure how to go about this. Unlike Zell, I had never gotten to this point. Still, what Zell did seemed straightforward enough. I'd give it a shot.

Leaning forward, I flickered my tongue out, over his head, before swirling my tongue around like he had done to me.

He was humming a low moan, and I was egged on by his pleasure. I opened my mouth wider and took his head and some of his shaft into my awaiting mouth.

"Ah!" He hissed. "D-don't take too much. Don't choke," he sputtered.

Zell tasted good. I couldn't help but want more. Still, I wondered what Seifer tasted like. I slid down, causing him to spasm.

Feeling the tip of his cock hit the back of my throat, I slid back slightly, trying to steady myself.

"S-shit..."

That little grunt was all it took me to slide all the way back up and back down again. Then again. Then again.

"Holy shit! Holy shit, wait!"

I looked at him, the head of his cock still in my mouth.

"I—I'm gonna..." I'm not sure if he was blushing or if his face was just hot from the pleasure, but I wasn't one to talk.

I opened my mouth and released him before sliding back up and attacking his other nipple with licks and bites.

"Fuck, Squall..."

I looked at him, and in between my kisses and bites I whimpered an, "I want it."

Zell sighed a bit. "No." He reached down and grabbed me in his fist, stroking me firmly this time. "I'll tell you what, if you still want it tomorrow, it'll be here and you can have it."

I moaned again, all the pausing to regain composure was lost.

I quickly grabbed him, stroking him as well.

"Y-you don't want me?" I whined, feeling an intense sensation swell within me.

"Shh." He hissed. His strokes were wavering in intensity as he was approaching his orgasm as well.

"F-f-f-fsh..." Was all he muttered as his body shook. His lips were quivering, and he suddenly yanked me over, me on top of him, and he pressed his body against mine, our cocks slipping and sliding against each other.

The sensation—it was too much. It was too hot and then my mouth opened and my eyes clenched shut as I came, literally all over him.

He wasn't much better with his aim when he came a few moments later.

"If I'm a pagan of the good times
My lover's the sunlight
To keep the goddess on my side
She demands a sacrifice
Drain the whole sea
Get something shiny
Something meaty for the main course
That's a fine looking high horse
What you got in the stable?
We've a lot of starving faithful
That looks tasty
That looks plenty
This is hungry work"

I fell beside him on the bed, panting and trying to recover.

He turned and hugged me against his body. We were both covered in cum, but I was in no position to argue. "Of course I do. There's evidence I want you all over your belly." He hugged me under my chest, but I still managed to turn my head and look at him.

I kissed him, then turned back around. My way of quieting him.

"Squall, seriously." He grunted. "We'll have sex if you want. Just... it would have lasted less than a minute, alright?"

I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "We can't tomorrow."

"Well, then the day after." He said before turning to me and going, "Wait, why? What's tomorrow?"

"Hynemas Eve." I grinned.

He snorted a bit. "Oh. Right."

"Take a shower with me?"

"Yeah," he muttered, "as soon as I get my energy back."

"3...2...1. And it's back." I teased.

He grunted. "Very funny." He leaned on his elbow and looked at me again. "That was really your first time? I mean, giving, not receiving. Clearly, it was both our first time receiving anything."

I paused a moment. Zell's first time...on the receiving end. Oh. Well, that sucked.

I rolled over, snuggling into his chest. He was warm, maybe a little too warm, and he smelled of semen and sweat, but c'est la vie. "Yes. Of course, it was."

"You're a natural, I guess. Not that I should be surprised."

I smiled, not taking it as an insult, for once.

I yawned, stretching my extremities as I did so. "C'mon," I said standing up, "let's get that shower."

He wasn't as energetic as usual, and merely rolled off the bed, following behind me to the bathroom Ellone and I shared. It was a good thing she wasn't home.

I let Zell turn the water on. I didn't care so much about the temperature. I walked over to the sink to get mine and Zell's toothbrushes ready for after our shower.

I cracked my neck and yawned again as I approached Zell and stepped into the shower. He followed me and we slid the door closed.

Zell liked hot water.

"I was always jealous of this shower. You're a lucky guy, Squall."

"It's for Ellone, jackass." I grabbed the soap and started at my chest.

"Oh...shit." Zell even made a grimace as I cleaned the side of my neck. "I'm sorry," he pleaded. "don't be mad."

Perhaps I was just too tired for this, but I simply raised an eyebrow.

Zell leaned forward, with a delicate hand and lifted my cheek away from my neck. "Does it hurt? I'm sorry, I really didn't think—"

"It's fine," I grunted, shooing his hand away. I continued cleaning myself off, but eventually, curiosity got the better of me. "What is it?"

Zell sighed and opened the shower door.

Looking over at the mirror above the sink, I certainly noticed what Zell was so 'sorry' about. A large purple splotch covered up the whole side of my neck.

"What the hell? How'd you even—my mom is going to see this!"

"I'm sorry! I didn't even think I bit you that hard."

Truth be told I didn't remember him biting me at all. Actually, wait, yes I did. I'm the one who made him do it.

I sighed and realized I had been unconsciously rubbing at it, probably making it worse. Still, though, I liked the feeling of it. It was an ache, but like, the good kind, I guess. Maybe I was just a masochist, or...

"Squall? Listen, if you're like fuming before you say anything, I used to get black eyes all the time, I know what to—"

"No. No, it's okay. I like it." I closed the door again.

Zell hesitated a moment, his mohawk dripping into his eyes. "But your mom—"

"Our mothers aren't stupid, Zell. They know we're up to something. Might as well just let it be." I continued scrubbing at myself, and then handed Zell the bar of soap.

He took it, but he was still staring at me.

"What?" I asked, a little abrasive.

"I don't—what exactly are we supposed to tell them?"

I rolled my eyes at that. "Sometimes, when two people love each other very much, they make out, they have sex, casualties everywhere."

"You seriously want to tell our parents we had sex?"

Hyne Zell was daft.

"We don't have to say anything. They'll come to their own conclusions. Just be yourself. Man, Zell. It's not complicated."

He shook his head as he lathered himself up. "It is complicated. When my mother asks I'm just supposed to say, 'Oh yeah, we're fooling around.'?"

I grabbed him by the forearms. "Zell. You gave your boyfriend a hickey. That kind of thing happens, alright? It's not a big deal. No one is going to make a scene. If you would prefer, I'll tell them you hit me. Okay?"

Zell just stared at me, his mouth slightly agape. Then he just smiled. "Whatever. I'm still getting you a steak."

Unable to help myself, I just thought aloud, "That's a weird present for 'first blowjob', but whatever."

He snickered. "No, for your neck, you dick." He full-blown chuckled at that.

I blushed a little, I could tell. Whether I was tired, or...

"But," He whispered as he pressed his hot, naked, wet body against my back, "if you want to celebrate with a steak, I think that'd be pretty sexy, too."

I smiled and lulled back into him.

"Take me to church
I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife
Offer me that deathless death
Good God, let me give you my life
Take me to church
I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife
Offer me that deathless death
Good God, let me give you my life"

We turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. I grabbed a towel and quickly ruffled my hair with it, not bothering to dry anything else. The heater was on in the bedroom, that should take care of it. I tossed the towel to Zell, who made a face. "You just used this."

"Yeah, so?"

"That's nasty."

"How is it nasty? It's just a towel."

"It has your hair all over it."

I eyed the towel, not seeing anything. "Then use the other side," I grunted, sticking my toothbrush in my mouth.

As I helplessly brushed my teeth, Zell came up behind me with the now wet towel and began drying my back.

"You're really tired." He murmured.

I only grunted to acknowledge him, the toothpaste still foaming in my mouth.

Once Zell finished brushing we re-entered my bedroom to the sound of falling rain. Suddenly rejuvenated, I headed downstairs. Zell, curious, followed me down.

Through the windows, I saw the heaviest rain storm I had seen in a long while. Sheets of rain were pouring from the sky, soaking everything in its wake. As I sat on the divan attached to the living room, my memories pulled me back to July. The rain always reminded me of him. Staring out into the wet world outside, my memories were drawn to meeting him. My anger upon hearing him plead me for a ride—the smell of the wet seats inside my old Ford.

Along with those memories came my feelings. The whirlwind of emotions that overcame me as I yelled at him; ate with him; and slept next to him, curled up at his side.

I only then realized I was only fooling myself. I would never be able to let go of him. His essence was woven far too deep into the fabric of my being. The mere fibers of his trench coat had invaded my flesh and filled me with his scent, his emotions, and even the colors he saw the world in.

This world was vast and over populated. There were millions of places, tens of thousands of people I might be compatible with. Much more I would be able to learn from, experience things with. Yet, amidst all these different things, among all these different people, there was no one I needed more.

Zell was beautiful—really. He was, in so many ways, perfect for me. Yet, even when he was in my bed beside me, caressing me, even when I was in his mouth, he was merely a distraction from my innermost desires. No matter what Zell did, he would never be able to take Seifer's place. Moreso, I didn't want him to. I wanted Zell to be Zell. I wanted him to always be beautiful.

Despite my best efforts, I couldn't let go of my first love. I couldn't replace Seifer. He left a huge silhouette in the panorama of my vision, and no one was big enough to fill the space he left behind.

Still, I had no problem with being Zell's boyfriend. Whether that was immature, irresponsible, or even arrogant I didn't know. What I did know, however, was that my love for Zell was genuine. I was glad he was my first sexual experience. In fact, Seifer might have been... too hasty, too rough.

Yet as I sat watching the rain, I couldn't help but want more. Like sex with Zell, seeing was not enough. I wanted to feel it. I wanted it to wash me away.

I stepped down from the window-seat and walked to the door. Kicking my slippers off, I opened the door and stepped outside.

Quickly moistened by the rain, I felt somewhat elated. I threw my head back, enjoying the cold rain rushing down my skin. I looked over my shoulder, looking at Zell still lingering in the doorway. I motioned him over, but he made a face.

"No way! Are you nuts!?" He shouted.

I chuckled, skipping around, dancing and splashing in puddles. Zell would never be my rainy-day friend. He wasn't careless and free-spirited like Seifer. Seifer threw caution to the wind, Zell lived inside caution every day. As much as I would always have Zell in my heart, he would never own it.

But I didn't want to think too much about him. I spent far too much time brooding over him. If I was going to continue down this dark path, I would only end up abandoned and slip further and further into depression. Zell, Irvine, everyone, was right. If I was going to pine for this man, I needed to meet my expectations. If I wanted him, I would have to get him. I planned on it.

"No masters or kings when the ritual begins
There is no sweeter innocence than our gentle sin
In the madness and soil of that sad earthly scene
Only then I am human
Only then I am clean

Amen, Amen, Amen"

I turned around and headed back inside. Soaking wet, I reached down and pulled my shirt off, about to slip off my pants, too.

Walking past the den, however, I glanced into the room, where my mother was sitting by the table lamp, doing a crossword puzzle, but what caught my eye was—it couldn't be. No way!

I ran inside, still dripping, soaked to the skin, even my boxers were dripping. I fell to my knees in front of the TV. On the screen was...it couldn't have been—but it was.

"—Seifer Almasy, aliases include 'Cross' Almasy. Date of birth, December 22nd, 1981. Born in Dollet, but has been known to live in Timber. Blond hair, blue-green eyes, six-foot-two, approximately one-hundred-and-sixty pounds, medium build. Please call the police if you have any information."

Zell, curious, was looking over my shoulder. I could feel his breath on my neck.

"That's him," I whispered. "That's him," I said again, unable to pull my eyes away from the screen.

"Who—wait, no way. That's...?" He looked back to the screen.

The photo wasn't great, but he still looked handsome. In his military uniform, his hair slicked back perfectly. There was no denying he was a gift from Hyne. Still, he was in the military? He—he never told me. There was so little I knew about him. But now he was wanted?

Wh—what if something happened to him?

What was he wanted for? What did he do? Was he in danger? Was he the danger? What if he killed someone? What if—

I felt a tear roll down the left side of my face. I made no move to stop it. Still too stunned.

His picture was gone.

Zell made no movement. I'm sure my mom was staring at me. I couldn't be bothered to acknowledge anyone else right now. Seifer. I had to do something. I had to—I had no idea what I had to do. But I had to do something.

I had to protect Seifer. Even if he did something...he was... I clenched my eyes shut and shot up, throwing my soaked clothes on the floor as I ran up the stairs.

"Squall?" I heard my mother call. I'm sure Zell was just standing there, unsure of what to do. I grabbed my cell phone and turned it on, panicking, pacing back and forth, waiting for it to start up.

I heard someone coming up the stairs. I was too panicked to tell who it is by the footsteps, but I hoped it wasn't my mother. I had no excuse for what I was about to do.

My text messages started loading, but I ignored them and hit the phone button on the screen, then I stopped. Who exactly did I call? I hit the internet button and looked up Balamb's police force. I quickly hit the phone number, which my phone automatically called.

"Squall, what—"

I held a hand to stop him. I waited only a few seconds before, "Balamb Police Force, Sargent Lewis speaking."

"Hello." I sucked in a harsh breath, noticing just how shaky my voice was. Shaky, hoarse, and probably not believable. "Hello," I said again, this time with confidence I didn't have. "I'm calling about Seifer Al—Almasy."

There was a moment of silence, before he said, "Hold on one moment, please."

As soon as he put me on hold, I started hyperventilating.

"What are you doing?" Zell asked. He was kind enough to put my clothing in the laundry hamper.

"I don't know," I answered. I really didn't know.

"Sheriff's Office."

"Yes, hello. I'm calling about Seifer Almasy." I paused a moment, but he didn't say anything. "I met him in Balamb last month. He said he was heading down to Esthar." I stopped.

There was a moment where I heard the rapid clicks of typing on a keyboard, then he said, "Do you have any other information?"

I paused. "When I met him, I don't think he was armed or dangerous. What is he wanted for?"

"I'm sorry, sir, but that's classified information. I will be sure to look into this information, and I thank you for calling in with your info."

"...Yeah." I whispered.

"Have a good night, sir." He said before hanging up.

I hung up and just fell to my knees. I had to go find Seifer before someone else did.

"Take me to church
I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife
Offer me that deathless death
Good God, let me give you my life
Take me to church
I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife
Offer me that deathless death
Good God, let me give you my life"
Hozier / Take Me To Church


So tha's Chapter 3, guys. I hope you enjoyed it. Chapter 4 is going to take a bit. I'm working on another little thing inbetween. Something short, haha. As always, thanks for reading, and thanks in advance for the comments, reviews, and feedback!