Chapter 12- My Fault (Imagine Dragons)

The whole drive home, Seifer held my hand and sang along, happily, to the radio. I hadn't experienced this side of him in quite a few weeks. My mind was swirling with confusion. What the heck happened while I was gone?

We didn't talk much which I preferred anyway. I didn't want my memories of Radiant Garden to be tainted with my dilemmas here at home with Seifer. Instead, I sang along with him until we arrived to my apartment.

"Let's go on a drive tomorrow," he suggested as he helped me with my bags.

I smiled as I slung my backpack over my shoulder. "I work tomorrow."

"After," he insisted. We began to head up the stairs to my front door.

"So eager," I replied once we reached the top stair.

"Can you blame me?" He leaned his blond head to the side. "I haven't seen you in almost a week and it's not like when we saw each other last we were on the greatest of terms. I've missed you and I couldn't stop thinking about you the entire time." I didn't know what to say, but he wasn't done there. "Plus, we could use some good times together. Especially with you returning to work tomorrow. I know how much you hate your job."

I sighed. "You're right. Okay. We can go on that drive."

"Great," he grinned like a little kid. I unlocked the front door to my empty apartment. Namine and Roxas must have been at work still. Seifer followed me to my room. He set my luggage down by the door and handed me my flowers.

I examined his attire. "So what made you want to dress up so fancy?"

He casually ran his hands down each sleeve. "I wanted to look good for your arrival." Seifer smirked and ran his fingers through his golden locks. "Did it work?"

I could feel myself blush with his flirtatious question. "Maybe…" He walked up to me and reached for my roses to set them on my bed. He ran his fingers through my hair and ran his other fingers along the side of my neck. His face was close to mine. Seifer began to kiss the nape of my neck. His warm breath sent shivers down my spine. I closed my eyes in anticipation of his next move. I felt his lips caress my but not enough to make it a kiss. I parted my lips lightly to welcome one.

Seifer stepped back with his arms crossed and smile on his face. "Did that change your maybe to a yes?"

My jaw dropped. I slapped his arm. "You're a jerk." He laughed. I grabbed my flowers. "I'm going to put these in water."

Seifer followed me into the kitchen. "Still didn't answer."

I eyed him as I began to fill up the vase and trim the stems. "Yes."

"Good," he smiled satisfied. "My job here is done."

"Are you leaving?" I asked as he stepped toward the door.

"I've got to make some arrangements for tomorrow."

"What in the world do you have up your sleeves?"

He walked over to me and kissed me. "You'll just have to wait and see. I'll pick you up tomorrow." All I could do was smile as he disappeared outside. I was hoping this was a step in a new direction because seeing him like this made me miss him more than I thought.

Namine and Roxas came home later that night and asked me all about seeing Sora. They seemed a little nervous about Seifer and him being so close with me on the fence. I couldn't agree more. I was hoping these two weeks would help me more than confuse me, especially since Seifer has no clue about Sora's return.

x.o.x.o.

The next day at work, a few of Sora's friends asked how he was and what his plans were with school being done. Even Larxene seemed interested for a while. As usual, her mood flipped like a switch after I told her all I could about her old star employee. She sent me to do cartridge clean up and complained almost every hour about me not being fast enough.

"Maybe because I don't work in this department," I said through clamped teeth.

"Maybe I should transfer you here," she said crossing her arms. "Now pick up the pace. I want those boxes emptied by the end of your shift." Larxene spun around and disappeared behind closed doors. I so badly wanted to chuck the cartridge in my hand at the back of her head. I looked down to see two more boxes full of about one hundred cartridges. I grumbled to myself dreading the next four hours.

I somehow managed to clear out the remaining boxes by the end of my shift. I hurried out of the store before having to face the evil being known as my boss. The whole ride home I debated on looking for another job because it definitely wasn't my ideal place of employment. Returning home, I changed into a pink summer dress perfectly ready for the late May evening I had planned with Seifer. I sent him a text to let him know I was waiting for him at home.

At I waited, I began to think of the pros and cons to my little boy dilemma. Sora is sweet and charming. He's seen all aspects of my life from very important moments like driving a car for the first time to the death of my grandmother a few years ago. He was my first on so many levels. My subconscious trapped my shoulder to remind me of him almost being engaged. Sora also got awkwardly jealous seeing me with someone else. Then again, Seifer really was the only other person I've ever dated other than him. He's never reacted that way with any other guy friend.

I sighed thinking about Seifer. He's obviously been through stuff. He's serious yet boldly carefree. He sees me as a young and full of inexperienced opportunities. He's caring yet stern. My drunken pathetic-ness didn't scare him off; it only intrigued him more. Then of course he has his deeply buried secrets that he promised to tell me about up on my arrival. I couldn't bare to bring it up tonight with him being so excited. I sighed.

"Knock knock," a voice behind my door said. Seifer soon appeared in my doorway.

"How'd you get in?" I asked surprised to see him.

"Roxas let me in." He crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame. I took a moment to admire him. His tall, muscular body looked calm and ready for any feat he'd come across. His shaggy blond hair was askew as if he'd just rolled out of bed. His piercing green eyes watched me closely. "You okay?"

I sighed with a smile. How could anyone not fall for this guy? "I'm great." I walked forward and held my hand out. "Let's go enjoy this evening you have planned." Secrets or not, he was still my boyfriend and I had my two weeks with him clear minded. He laced his fingers with mine and he led me to his car.

As I buckled myself in, he turned on his car, raising the volume to his stereo. Classic was just getting ready to blare through his speakers. I looked over to see him wink before sliding on his dark sunglasses over his alluring eyes.

We began to just drive. We sang and danced with the windows down. He explored the streets with less traffic and unknown endings. It was so nice to feel like we were in our own world on roads less traveled- together. I felt like everything was being lifted off my shoulders the longer we drove.

Eventually he turned down the volume. "So how's work?"

"Ugh," I grumbled.

He let out a small chuckle. "That bad?"

I rolled my eyes just thinking about it. "Larxene is the worst. She had me cleaning printer cartridges for most of my shift. It's the most boring, god awful thing."

"Yuck," he said. He was quite for a moment before he spoke again. "What's your dream job?"

"At this point, anything is a dream job compared to this place. I thank Lucas for the job but it's definitely not the job he remembers."

Seifer remained quiet in thought. "What about working in a bar?"

I definitely wasn't expecting that. I glanced at him but he was staring straight ahead. "Um, well, I don't really know how to make drinks or anything like that. I haven't even been a waitress to be a server."

"Well that's easy to learn." I saw him glimpse at me through the side of his sunglasses. "You have a degree in business, right?"

"Associates, yes," I nodded. We started driving on more familiar streets. I began to realize we were heading toward The Pocket. "What are you getting at?"

"I think you should work at the bar." He finally looked at me. He was actually serious.

I let out a nervous laugh. "I wouldn't know what I'm doing. Plus, I don't think I could handle all the crazy drunks."

"I'd be there to help you with that." He smiled his perfect smile.

"What does my degree have to do with this?"

"You'll see." We continued on. I watched the ocean get closer as we drove toward The Pocket. It didn't seem too busy as we pulled up. Seifer took my hand once I stepped out of the car. With no words, he led me inside.

The air was fresh with the fans rotating above us. A few of the customers were playing pool while others were in small groups or playing on their phones. Seifer waved to a few regulars and to his fellow bartenders. He led me all the way to the swinging door to the back room. "Wait here." He disappeared behind it. I ran my hands down my arms and looked around. Seifer returned just moments later with Cid trailing behind.

"Hi Cid," I smiled sweetly at the old man.

"Kairi, my girl, I have a proposition for you," he said getting straight to the point. "I want to retire and want you to be the assistant manager."

My mouth dropped open instantly. "Me?"

"Of course you!" He grumbled. "I hear you hate your job and why not use your talent of a college degree and do something better?"

My mind was swimming in thought. Not dissing anyone who works in a bar but I definitely didn't picture myself in this position. He was right though, I did have a degree and Staples had nothing to back it up for me. I cleared my throat. "But don't I have to interview for it?"

He crossed his arms. "Have you ever been convicted of a felony?"

I shook my head. "No."

"You're hired." It was really that simple to him. I looked at Seifer as sudden excitement coursed through my body. He grinned back.

"So if I'm the assistant and you're retiring, who's going to be the manager?" I looked at Seifer, half expecting him to answer or raise his hand.

"Well if you catch on fast, then maybe you," Cid said.

"Why not Seifer?"

I saw him shaking his blond head. "I tried but the dumb ass doesn't want it." Cid glared at him.

"Thanks for the compliment," Seifer huffed at him crossing his arms. "Anyway, Kairi, any questions?"

Too many. Why me? How fast am I expected to catch on? Will someone always be with me? My mental list went on. "When do I start?" I finally smiled.

"As soon as you're ready," Cid nodded with his half smile.

"Well, let's sign the paperwork," I nodded back. Confidence is key, right?"

"That-a-girl," the old man grinned, patting my back. "Let's get that ink going." He led the way to the back room. Seifer gave me two thumbs up as I wandered into the back. I couldn't help but beam with excitement.

Nearly half an hour and a half went by as I signed my life away into a new career supporting my college education. When I emerged from the dark storeroom, also known as the office, I saw Seifer sitting at the bar talking to this coworkers. His sea green eyes met my blue ones. "To our new assistant manager," he said raising his glass. The nearby workers did the same and smiled.

I laughed and bowed. "Thank you." My smile didn't fade as I walked into Seifer's arms.

He smirked. "I'm dating the boss lady."

"You better behave," I replied slyly.

"With you, it's hard." His lips met mine.

When he parted, I swooned. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"Getting me the job."

"You're the one with the degree that you earned. It's all you."

"Well, thanks for guiding me."

Seifer laced his fingers with mine. "You deserve it." How lucky I am to be loved by him. We agreed to go back to his place to eat dinner and watch a movie. He made lasagna while I set up the living room for our night in. We talked about nothing while we ate and said nothing as we cuddled up to watch the movie. Eventually it was late enough to curl up for bed. He lent me an oversized shirt to sleep in.

"I'm sorry," he said after a while. We were both laying under the covers staring at each other in a comfortable silence.

"For what?" I asked furring my brows.

"It's all my fault for being so distant," he finally said. "I took a walk, or a lot of them, while you were gone. I shut down too often around you when anything was brought up about my past. I realized how much I needed you."

I didn't even realize I was holding my breath. I slowly let it out. "Now what?" I whispered.

"I want to be honest and open with you."

"Okay."

"It's going to take time to open up fully but I'm ready to at least start talking." He looked so nervous making him look young.

"You can tell me anything," I assured him, holding his hand.

"My parents were high school sweethearts. My dad was tall and blond with grey eyes and my mom was slender, light brown hair and green eyes. They had me two years after graduation. My dad was my hero and I knew I wanted to be just like him. He taught me how to sail, fish, play sports, and when he wasn't working, he did everything he could to spend time with my mom and me. He died when I was ten of a heart attack while working at the fishing docks." I felt my heart pause as he took a deep breath. "My mom became depressed. With my dad, use always did her hair, wore dresses, and did her make-up. She was so beautiful. But as soon as the depression hit, I barely saw her. She was either working or crying in her room. I felt so alone." He fell silent.

I tightened my grip to let him know I was still listening. "Then she met Tim at work. He was such a great guy to her. Slowly, she saw the sun more and after a year of seeing each other, they got married. Tim took us to old car shows because he had some of his own. They were his most prized possession- besides my mother."

"Where did he keep them?" I asked as I pictured the large house back in Twilight Town. I didn't remember seeing room for an old car collection.

"On the winery as part of the tour he offered." I forgotten about the winery.

"Is that where your mom met him?"

"She picked up a job as a book keeper a few months after my dad's death to help pay the bills. He was supportive and comforting when she would cry at work. Even after my mom found her happiness, I still felt alone. When it was the three of us, we felt almost like a family, but when Tim tried bonding with me, we just couldn't connect. I missed my dad too much. I was quiet and hardly talked to anyone at school."

"Except Ryuu?"

He smiled softly. "Right."

"He was your best friend."

"Since elementary school," he finished. "And when I was thirteen, I met Xion."

My chest constricted a bit hearing her name. "They were the only two who met my mom before she died of pancreatic cancer."

My eyes widened." You lost your mom and dad? Seifer…"

He took a deep breath. "Yeah, in just four years I lost both of my parents."

I felt heart broken imagining my poor fourteen year old Blondie, quiet, parentless, and nearly alone. Tears were fighting their way from deep within. "But you had Tim at least."

Seifer chuckled yet rolled his eyes. "I guess you could say that." I gave him a questioning look. He elaborated. "After my mom died, Tim took it hard. He turned to alcohol for comfort. She had left me everything her and my father had but since I wasn't old enough, Tim had to hold onto it until I was eighteen. The alcohol started to change him. He started to blame me for everything. He claimed my mom truly couldn't be happy with him because I never had a smile on my face since they had been together. Tim started threatening that I'd never see any of my inheritance." The atmosphere in the room felt a little colder. I put my hands on his lightly stubbled cheek. He closed his eyes for a moment in look of comfort.

His eyes opened slowly. "What ended up happening?" I asked quietly.

"Tim started beating me."

My insides fell and I suddenly felt nauseous. I could feel my lungs tightening just picturing it. "How? Why?" I could barely speak.

"He would punch me in the stomach or kick me. He'd throw empty bottles at me, sometimes shattering against me and cutting me. He threatened that if I told anyone or went to the police, he'd kill me and I wouldn't have anything left to remember my parents."

"Didn't Ryuu or Xion notice?"

He shook his head. "Tim was desecrate on where he left marks. If they noticed they probably didn't know how to react because they had seen a few of Tim's outbursts. I don't blame them for not bringing it up."

"So what happened? That bastard just beat you for years until you were finally old enough?"

"Tim's depression of my moms death got the best of him and he over dosed on pills and alcohol when I was seventeen." All this death at such a young age in just seven years made my heart wrench in sympathy for him.

"What happened to your inheritance? Where'd you go?"

"Ryuu's mom let me live with them until I was eighteen. Tim, in his prime of early marriage with my mother, left all of his belongings to her in his will. He must have forgotten. When he died, the small fortune in my parents name and all of Tim's belongings were given to me. He didn't have any family, so I ended up getting all of his classic cars and the winery without trouble. I didn't want anything to do with him, so I kept the house since my mom picked it out, and sold everything else that belonged to him. As you saw, Ryuu moved in.

I made sure I sold all of Tim's prized possessions first- his twenty classic cars. With all the money I accumulated, I put it away into savings to go to college. It was a weight off of my shoulders."

I was rendered speechless. He was beaten, lost his parents, step dad- who I'm sure he was thankful for- and a wealthy, college bound teenager at just eighteen. I didn't know any of it. "I'm so sorry."

"For what?"

"That you had to go through all of that."

"It's nothing anyone could have changed. Fate has a funny connection with karma. I hope I've enlightened you some…"

I nodded. "You have. I'm sorry I made you have to relive all of that."

"Don't be. It was nice telling you. You're the first person who I've ever told. Even Ryuu and Xion don't know the full extent of it…." I felt our connection growing stronger. I couldn't believe I'm the only he's told. "So tell me all about Radiant Garden. Was it everything you expected?"

After all the information he enlightened me with, I had to tell him the truth about Sora's arrival. "Sora is moving back in two weeks…"

It was noticeable how the mood switched, but I think he didn't want me to notice. "I bet you're happy."

I smiled sadly. I didn't think this could get any harder. Seifer was finally opening up to me and soon Sora would be here. Neither of them are excepting to chose and at this point, it would almost be easier if someone gave me an ultimatum. Two sweet, loving men after my heart care enough to respect my decisions that were unclear, even to myself. I sighed then smiled again. "I'm happy I'm right here with you. I wish I could have met your parents."

"My parents would have loved you," he said kissing my forehead. "Let's get some sleep. You have a big day tomorrow at Staples."

It was hard to sleep that night. All I could picture was my sweet, little Blondie, black and blue and miserable. I wish I could have saved him, but I knew someone did in the end- Xion. She saved him somehow and for that I'll secretly appreciate her. I stared at the ceiling thinking about how much has changed in the last few months. I had no idea what was going to happen next or what my mind was trying to decide. I could feel Seifer's warm body up against mine and I knew he needed me and trusted me with everything he shared. His back caught the light of the moon through the window. I saw a scar that was a few inches long making me wonder if that was a mark left by Tim's bottle throwing. My stomach twisted in agony as my hand gently caressed it. I knew he had more to say but what he said was enough to settle some uncertainty that itched at my mind. Seifer was a broken child with a sick history but he survived it and made the most of it and at this moment, he needed me to help guide him toward a brighter future. I hoped I could give it to him.

A/N: And finally we learn some stuff about Seifer. Some of you guessed right about part of his past after all. If only it were going to get easier.