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During the class, which was out on the field, Squall found himself unable to concentrate on several occasions. Watching Vincent seemed much more interesting. The young man was assissting Seifer in his stance and aim. Seifer was crouched, his Gunblade raised and pointing toward a target. Vincent shook his head, one slender hand coming to rest atop the other man's forearm. He bowed his head, ebony hair slithering over one shoulder to brush against the blond's back and chest. He whispered something to the SeeD member and straightened up. Seifer nodded, took aim, and fired. It hit the bullseye dead-on. Vincent congratulated him and moved on--towards Squall.
"Mr. Leonhart!" Vincent called, waving his gloved arm so Squall would notice him across the span. The SeeD commander stopped, waiting for the slender man to catch up with him. "Squall, what is this I hear about Seifer and Zell? Are they really engaged?" he spoke softly, almost worried. Squall nodded. "Yeah, Seifer proposed a few weeks ago. They've been together since . . . after Ultimecia." Vincent frowned, eyes troubled. "Oh, I see. Thank you, Squall." The SeeD member watched him a time and then lightly touched Valentine's shoulder. "Is something wrong?" The ruby eyes focused on him after a moment and he smiled slightly, shaking his head, raven locks swinging about. "No, nothing I can't handle, I suppose," he said gently. He winked and was gone before another word could be said.
"So, whaddya' think ah' the new instructa', Squall?" Irvine drawled, tilting his hat back to look at his friend. Squall shrugged noncommitedly. Zell, sitting comfortably on Seifer's lap, lifted his head from his lover's shoulder. "I think he's gorgeous, but pretty useless other than that." Seifer nudged the smaller blond. "Speak for yourself, Dincht. He's got me aimin' better," he said affectionately. Zell smiled and stuck his tongue out, teasing, "That'll be Almasy soon, mister, and don't you forget it!" Selphie rolled her eyes, cuddling closer to Irvine. "Oh, stop it, you guys. You're too lovey-dovey!" she complained. Quistis laughed, "And what do you call yourself and Irvine?" Selphie looked thoughtful for a moment and then began giggling.
Her giggling died down when the door opened and Vincent stepped in the classroom. He looked drained, but he still carried himself with pride. He sat down on the teacher's desk, swinging his legs. Squall noticed how, suddenly, Seifer's demeanor changed. The older man hopped up, nearly knocking Zell off his lap. Almost immediately, Seifer recovered, apologizing to his lover and settling back down. Squall shuddered, thinking of the strange expression that had crossed the older SeeD's face.
"Is this a bad time to talk to you guys?" Vincent said, eyeing each of them. He sounded worried. Quistis shook her head. "Of course not, Vincent. What would you like to know?" The instructor frowned faintly, running a gloved fingertip along the side of the desk. "I'd like to tell you something. Cid told me that you're all fairly good people and that you're trustworthy." There were several hesitant nods. Vincent sighed, drawing his legs up until he was sitting cross-legged on the desk. "I've noticed you staring at this," he held up his gloved arm, "and at me." Irvine shifted uncomfortably, taking his hat off and clearing his throat. "Uh, yeah," he spoke sheepishly, "we were wonderin' why ya' only wear one glove an' not two, know what I mean?" Vincent nodded and sighed. "Yes, I do." He began unbuttoning the small clasps on the leather, "People are always wondering, but I rarely trust anyone with my past." Under the opening glove, they could see the glint of something gold-coloured. "I only do this now because you must learn to trust me." Gracefully, he tugged off the leather, exposing . . . . "My God," Rinoa whispered, "a claw." It was a delicate piece of work, the same proportions as his real hand, his real forearm. The fingers, though, were talons, sharp and wickedly curved. "You see why I wear the glove, ne?" he said sadly, turning it over under the light for the others to see.
After the initial shock, Squall spoke. "Is there anything else you'd like to tell us? Like how you got it?" Vincent drummed his claws on the table and sighed. "Not much to tell, I'm afraid. Professor Hojo gave it to me when I got in the way of his experiments. He shot me and ran tests and new experiments on me." He shrugged. "Like I said, not much." He glanced up as he pulled the glove back on. "I can trust you to keep this a secret, can't I?" Various affirmatives were heard among the SeeD members. Vincent smiled faintly, obviously pleased, and left the room.
**Three Weeks Later**
They were so close he could feel his lover breathing, could feel the clawed hands flexing against his chest. He was nearly lulled to sleep by the aftereffects of their lovemaking. He sighed, pulling the raven-haired man close and smiled when his beloved snuggled closer. "Won't you ever speak to me?" Squall murmured, running fingers through the silky ebony waves. Ruby eyes stared questioningly back at him. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but was silenced when storm clouds overspread the surreal sky. Squall's lover jumped up, oblivious to his nudity. Large, frightened eyes turned to the SeeD, pleading for protection. Squall sat up. "What's wrong?" Before the smaller man could answer a blackened wind swept down, picking him up. Squall's Demon Lover screamed mentally as the wind picked up speed, catching up debris. Sharp objects flew by him, cutting him and tearing his wings to ribbons. Squall again saw the pleading, helpless, blood-red eyes before his beloved disappeared.
Squall sat up again sharply, eyes burning with unshed tears. "This has got to stop or I'm going to go crazy." He stood and ran a hand through his hair, trying vainly to straighten its tangles. Sighing, he shook his head. "Oh Gods, Vincent, do you know what you're doing to me?"