"... I can't believe you still have that."
Squall smiled slightly, tucking the hair back into the hidden pocket. "It's been through everything with me. I remember... Some nights I would actually tuck it under my pillow. Bad..." He cut himself off, looking away. Irvine frowned. "Bad... What?"
"Dreams... I used to be plagued by bad dreams. Of myself, alone. When I put that under my pillow, I felt that I wasn't anymore. I felt that with Rinoa too... but not as strongly."
His eyes had grown distant, sad. Irvine scowled. He still couldn't believe that Rinoa had left him. While they had never been the best of friends, he had still liked the girl. If she made Squall happy, then he had no beef with her. But seeing Squall reduced to the ghost he'd been after Ellone left... Just made something, inside of him want to weep at the unfairness of it all. He never dreamed that would have been any comfort to Squall. And now he was confessing something to him, but Rinoa still had a hold on his heart.
"Squall, May I ask you something?"
He glanced over at the cowboy, one brow lifting in silent question.
"When she left, what did she say to you that wounded you so?"
Squall's eyes frosted over slightly, and Irvine bit his lower lip. He shouldn't have asked that. He was sure Squall was about to walk away, when he replied in clipped tones. "She said, your job is more important then your life. Then your friends... But it wasn't that. A job is a job..." His tone had softened a little. "Something else kept me away."
Before Irvine could ask what he meant, Squall reached out to toy with a few strands of Irvine's hair. His breath hitched in his throat as Squall's hand innocently brushed against his collarbone. "I knew it was you, the moment I saw this. And something stirred inside me. But, after seeing how you acted with Selphie on the train. I figured it was never meant to be."
"You... You mean..." Irvine was tripping over his tongue. This had been his dream, but Squall had acted so chilly that day of the failed shooting... Could that have been why?
"And Rinoa... As I said, I felt the same with her. The need to protect, to give comfort. But she wasn't.... You."
It was barely whispered, before Irvine pulled Squall to him. He had been longing to do this, since the day he saw him standing on that sidewalk. Silent, brooding, and sexy as hell to boot. He ran a hand through Squall's hair, tracing his fingers through it and along his jaw line before tilting his chin up. Moonlight met approaching twilight as Irvine leaned forward, barely brushing his lips against Squall's. He shivered at the light contact, and Irvine grinned before kissing him again. Squall muttered something against his lips about his hat, and without missing a bit, Irvine took it off, and plunked it on Squall's head before leaning back to admire this new look. Squall scowled, as it was a tad too big for him, and covered his eyebrows. Irvine couldn't help it, and started laughing.

Selphie and Zell had just stumbled upon them, when Irvine had placed his hat onto Squall. Zell's eyes were wide, and Selphie nudged him in the ribs so his jaw would close. "Told you!" She whispered, trying not to giggle. The cowboy hat was at odds with Squall's punk look, but oddly suited him. "I wish I had a camera! This would be so cuuuuute!"
Zell sighed. "I guess I owe you fifty gil, don't I?" There went his hotdog money for the week, damn. Selphie giggled then, allowing it to escape, and threw her arms around him. "I'll make it up to you, Zelly."
He smiled, kissing her cheek, while a small smile quirked Squall's lips. He knew the perfect way to make Irvine stop laughing.

Irvine had his eyes half closed, shoulders still shaking from his earlier mirth. He barely felt Squall grab hold of his lapels, but his eyes did open when Squall jerked him towards him. "No mocking the commander." Squall smirked, then kissed him - crushing the brim of the hat in the process. Irvine made a token protest over the treatment of his hat, but decided to complain about it later. After all, he had more pressing matters to focus on.

"Let's go, Selphie. Leave the leather lovers be."
Selphie's eyes widened at the hidden innuendo there, and smacked his arm. Zell winced, as Selphie took one last look at the two. "I'm glad they finally admitted it to each other. I love being right!"
Zell rolled his eyes; she would now be impossible for the next two weeks. He could already hear her saying "I told you so!" However, she didn't protest again as he took her hand, and led her away.


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A/N- and so, the end. :) My one shot featuring Irvine and Squall. Many thanks for all the reviews. *feels loved* I hope everyone enjoyed. (and bonus for you Zelphie fans, lol) --I hope that was the right term. ^^;
Well, as always... please me know what you think - and Square owns them, lucky Square. -__-