Chapter Twenty-Four: Push/Pull

"And there he goes," Selphie announced to no one in particular as the Ragnarok reached flight altitude and headed back toward Balamb Garden. "What a weirdo."

"He's unique, that's for sure," Squall agreed as the two of them started back into the Garden proper. "Well, as long as he got what he wanted, then I guess everything's fine."

"Ah, commander," a familiar voice greeted, and the pair looked to find Headmaster Cid heading toward them along with his wife and Headmaster Winn. "I trust things went well with Seifer?"

"You knew about that, sir?" Squall said, clearly surprised.

Cid smiled over at his fellow headmaster, who nodded in response before turning his gaze upon the young SeeDs. "We wanted to give young Almasy a chance to show that he could be trusted out in society again; to redeem himself, if you will."

"Were you the one who opened the gate for us, then?" Selphie asked.

The headmasters shared another grin. "Yes, I opened it remotely," Winn replied. "Why do you ask?"

Squall snorted. "Seifer told us that he used 'maaaagic' to open the gate," he said, wiggling his fingers in an approximation of his former rival's gesture.

The others burst into laughter at the actions of the normally-stoic young man. "That does sound like him, all right," Cid chuckled while removing his glasses to dab his eyes with the back of his hand. "Anyway, you two must be pretty tired; it's been a long day, hasn't it?"

"Yes, sir," Squall agreed. "In fact, I was just thinking that it reminded me of my Field Exam."

"How so?"

"Well… It started with that stupid duel with Seifer that gave me this scar," Squall began, gesturing to his face, "then after a very short stay in the Infirmary, Quistis took me to the Fire Cave for that exam, then I almost immediately had to get on the transport for the Dollet mission." He chuckled. "The life of a SeeD, and I wasn't even a SeeD yet."

"Wow, Squall," Selphie breathed with a look of admiration. "I didn't know about that."

"He's always liked to keep to himself," Cid noted while clapping the younger man on the shoulder, "but I should let you two go. You'll be heading back to Balamb tomorrow, correct?"

"Yes, sir," the youths replied, almost in unison.

"Then we won't keep you any longer," Cid concluded with an affable smile as his fellow headmaster nodded. "Good night, and we'll see you in the morning." With that, Cid and Jonas headed toward the guest quarters, and Squall figured that the two would be talking Garden business until pretty late…or early, depending on how one reckoned time.

Squall watched the pair head through the gates before turning to his friend with a sigh. "I'm turning in; want me to walk you to your room?'

Selphie's eyes briefly widened before a smile spread across her face. "I'd like that, thanks."

The pair was quiet as they headed back into Garden and made their way to the hall that contained all of the guest quarters.

"Listen, I've been thinking…" Squall started, his voice breaking the silence of Trabia Garden's nighttime hallways.

"Good grief; when have you had the time to do that?" Selphie giggled, causing him to stop in surprise. Before he could respond, though, she continued, "No, I already know you're amazing, so… Anyway, what were you thinking about?"

Squall looked down into her bright expression, his mouth opening and closing several times with a confused expression. Finally, he shook his head. "I've been thinking about…our situation…you know, you and me and…"

Her bright expression turned slightly guarded but she said nothing.

"…with what's been going on with Rinoa and our situation…" He threw his arms up and let them fall to his sides. "I'm really sorry, but…I'm not ready for another relationship like that."

"Hey, it's okay," she replied soothingly as she stepped up to rest her hands on his chest. "I can't say that I know what it's like, but I can see that this really…" She briefly gnawed on her lower lip as she tried to find the right words. "I can see that this is really upsetting to you." She smiled softly up into his worried expression. "Just remember that I'm here for you, 'k?"

"'K," he echoed with a smile of his own, though his was more reserved. "You know, you make it really hard for me when you say stuff like that."

"What do you mean? Say stuff like what?"

"When you're all…I dunno, supportive like that," he replied, taking a step back to reclaim some personal space. "Honestly? It's kinda scary."

"What's scary about it?" she asked, her honest eyes devoid of any judgment.

"It's just…" He sighed noisily, roughly scratching his head as he looked to the side, unable to meet her gaze. "Right now, you're the only safe person to me. I mean, you're the most safe person to me right now. I mean…" He growled, roughly scratching his head again. "Dammit…"

"Hey, it's okay…" Selphie cooed while trying not to giggle at the sight; a flustered Squall looked so cute, after all. "I want to be a safe place for you to fall; I've told you that, right?"

"Yeah, you have," he admitted, then forced himself to take a slow, deep breath. "I guess I'm just afraid."

"Are you afraid that a relationship with me would end the same way it did with Rinoa?"

Squall said nothing, but bobbed his head several times in a nod.

"Hey…" she said, reaching out to cup his face and gently make him look at her. "I'm not going to pressure you. Sure, I want to get closer to you and be there for you and everything I've said, but I'm not going to try to force anything on you."

"I know…" Squall closed his eyes and took another deep breath. "Thanks."

Selphie opened her mouth to give him more encouragement, but all she got out was a squeak as she suddenly found herself wrapped in his arms. "S-Squall…?"

"Th-Thank you…" he shuddered as he held her tightly. "Thank you…S-Selphie."

She blinked away several tears as his words registered. She then sighed happily as she wrapped her arms around him, her hands coming to rest on his shoulder blades as she gave in to the embrace. "Y-… You're welcome."


"Aren't you two marrying a little young?" Cid asked the Ragnarok's copilot from the back of the cabin as the huge craft carried the group back to Balamb.

"No way!" Zell replied, then gently reached out to squeeze Sally's arm between his thumb and index finger. "Best to get 'em when they're young and tender!" He then reached toward her leg before quickly drawing his hand back with an impish grin. "Heh heh heh…"

"Zell Dincht, behave yourself!" Sally scolded as she fidgeted in her seat. "You're distracting the driver!"

Cid simply chuckled as he settled back in his seat and crossed his arms.

As the two continued their exchange, Selphie found her gaze drawn to Squall's hands; they looked strong and appeared to be slightly calloused, likely from all his time wielding his gunblade, and she started to wonder how they would feel on her- She drew a shuddering gasp, her hands flying to her mouth.

"You okay?"

"Wh-What?" She glanced up to see Squall studying her with a concerned expression. "What do you mean?"

He blinked at her, as though the answer should have been obvious. "Well…I thought I heard you gasp, and now you look like you're upset about something."

"N-No, I'm fine…" she managed to giggle, waving a hand as she tried to keep herself from falling into his deep blue gaze. "Just…had a weird thought…"

"Oh," he said, not understanding but trying to be sympathetic. "Okay. Well, if you need to talk about it, let me know."

"O-Okay," she replied, though there was no way that she would ever tell him about that. "Thanks."

He flashed a small smile as he settled back in his seat, and it wasn't long before a familiar structure came into view.

"Now approaching Balamb Garden," Sally announced through the PA system. "Please return to your seats and secure your restraints." She flipped a switch, closing the channel. "Including your restraints, Chief Dincht," she quipped as she caught him reaching for her leg again.

"Busted," Squall chuckled.

"Totally," Zell agreed, also chuckling as he withdrew his hand.

She glanced over at him and smiled. "Don't worry, Zellacious; we'll have some 'special time' later."

Zell's eyes widened, and he quickly sat up properly in his seat. "S-Scoooore…"

"Please remember that one of your elders is in the cockpit," Cid warned, though his tone showed mild amusement.

"Yes, sir," both Ragnarok pilots acknowledged, and with blushes.

As always, Sally landed the ship without incident, and everyone quickly gathered their things and started to debark.

"Man, my butt hurts after all that sitting!" Zell exclaimed, stretching his arms over his head. "I mean, I know you were mainly flying, Salamander, but I still sat in the copilot's seat the whole time!"

"You could have gone below and chatted with our guests," she suggested, twirling her pigtail while giving him a meaningful look.

Her intent wasn't lost on him, though; watching her fly the ship, their smooching sessions between flights… "You know, my butt doesn't hurt so bad now."

"That's good to hear," she giggled, her eyes crinkling with her smile.

"Thank you for another smooth flight, Miss Regal," Cid said as he and his wife stepped from the cargo ramp; behind them, a pair of admiring candidates carried their few pieces of luggage for them.

"Yo, HM!" Zell called, starting after them. "I meant to ask about this on our way here, but is there any way I could talk to Esthar's pointy-heads about making a starship?"

"A starship?" Cid blinked at the question, his pace slowing. "I…suppose…" He looked over at his wife, who simply smiled. "Tell you what; Edea and I are the last ones off the ship, right? How about you come to my office after the two of you get settled back in?"

"SWEET!" Zell exclaimed with a fist-pump. "Thanks! See you in a bit."

On his way back to his girl he came across Squall, standing in the middle of a pile of luggage. "Sound like good news," his dark-haired friend observed with a grin.

"Totes!" Zell chirped. "Man, I'm gonna be the first Chief of Security on a starship!"

"Wouldn't you want to be the captain?" Squall asked with a raised eyebrow. "This whole thing is your idea, after all."

"Naw, I'm not cut out for commanding," Zell said with a wave of his hand. "Busting heads and ordering security teams around, though? Yeah, I could totally do that. Anyway, where's the Sylph?"

"She went on ahead with some of her luggage," Squall explained, waving toward the gigantic building as he surveyed the mess around him. "I don't know why she has to take so much stuff."

"Aw, you know women," Zell chortled. "They think they need all this stuff to be pretty for us and stuff."

"Well, Selphie sure doesn't need it," Squall absently replied, still figuring out how he would carry all the luggage inside.

Zell's brow jumped at his friend's words before a goofy grin spread across his face. "A'ight, Squallifier; let me help you with that."

Squall's gaze snapped up to his friend's. "You sure? I wouldn't want to put you out; I'm sure you're wanting some 'Sally time'."

"Pfft!" Zell snorted as he picked up a couple of suitcases and tucked them under his arm. "Dude, I'll be getting plenty of 'Sally time' later. 'Sides, if I tell her that I helped a friend…" He leaned forward with a conspiratorial smile. "…boooooonuuuuus."

"Good grief," Squall sighed as he shouldered several boxes. "Look, I'm glad the two of you are doing so well, but…keep that kind of stuff to yourself, okay?"

"Sure, man; sorry," Zell chuckled as the two men finished loading themselves up. "A'ight, let's get this to your digs, eh?"