Summary: not long after becoming SeeD's and sharing a whole bunch of team and friendship building experiences; Zell, Selphie and Squall have finally had to come to terms with the unthinkable. They are each going to go their separate ways on their own missions, relying purely on their own strength, instinct and being their only friend. Squall, or course is used to this life, but after spending time with the hyper and friendly SeeD's like Zell, how is he going to cope with being a lone wolf once again?
Key:
note: {note}
speech: "word"
thought: (thought)
*a/n: I would like to let everyone know that the only thing i own is myself and my rights to express myself. this is only my second fic, and my first FF8 fic so i would appreciate anything good you would like to tell me!*
*chapter one*
Squall Leonhart sat in the corner of the "Floor two classroom" waiting for his fellow SeeD's, Selphie Tilmitt and Zell Dincht. After ages of self denial and closing himself off from the world, he finally allowed himself to realise that there were people that actually really wanted to be his friends. He realised he wanted them to be his friends too. Squall pulled out his Gunblade and began to polish it half heartedly with the edge of his jacket. (any second now.....)
"HI SQUALL! Sorry I'm late... Tee hee. I was a little held up!" Screamed Selphie who burst in the door, wearing her typical yellow dress and knee high boots.
"Hi Selph... You got your letter from Cid?" He asked her, in his usual quiet and reserved manner.
"Of course. But i'm waiting for Zell to get here so we can open them TOGETHER SILLY!"Selphie laughed, dancing around.
Squall pulled a white envelope from his pocket. He ran his finger over the smooth surface.
"I can't wait any-" he began, but was intterupted by Zell running into the room.
"Sorry... I was Just... waiting for-"
"Hotdogs"said Squall and Selpie together.
Zell nodded and turned around vigouously to close the door. He accidentally bashed his usually armoured hand on the metal door.
"Ahh... BLOODY HELL!!!!"
The other two ignored this.
"ANY LUCK WITH THE HOTDOGS?" Selphie yelled over his mild swearing.
"No..."He said calming down a little. "Damn...... Seifer... He held me up!
Squall shook his head. "Ok.. The letters."
Zell and Selph sat opposite him and pulled out identical white envelopes.
They nodded and pulled out a their letters, which were all started out the same
"Dear SeeDs,
Your councellors and I have decided that you are ready for your latest mission... { Whoops and cheers from Zell and Selphie. Squall reads a bit before continuing.}
However, we have come to a conclusion that because of the seriousness of the situation plus the fact that each of you are strong and clever enough to handle your own... mission... we will spread you all out. Therefore all seeds will be posted to different locations. I would like to note that this is an entirely serious mission and any mistakes or underestimation may be fatal - Headmaster Cid."
Squall didn't need to look up to know that Zell would have hung his head, clenched his fists and started shaking, and that Selphie would be giving the floor adorable and sad puppy dog eyes.
"It's not fair guys. you're my friends." She said, getting a bit sobby before starting to cry.
Squall sighed and continued to read.
"Below are the Listings of the Postings:
Squall: Tomorrow, at 600 hours, you will take the Garden Car with Zell to Balamb. At 800 hours Zell will be taking a Boat to Dollet, which will arrive at the destination at 830 hours. You are to join with the Garden there to train new comers until futher notice of your mission. At 810 hours Squall will take a Train to Timber, he is to join up with "Forest Fox" resistance. Futher details will be provided. It has been decided that the day after, Selphie is to go to Delving City, at 730 hours to help their young candidates .... During that time you will be notified of a new destination. The afore mentioned SeeDs have free time until their departure. If you have any questions feel free to ask me before 500 hours tomorrow."
He folded the letter and placed it back in his backet. He was feeling a whole range of new emotions. {Why do I mind being alone so much? What is going on?}
"I... uh..... have to go!" he stood up in a hurry and ran off.
Selphie ran after him. Zell stayed behind, looking very forlorn.
Squall sat on the edge of the fountain. He sighed again and looked at his watch, reflecting the water. "0000 hours...." Selphie walked over to him and he immediately.
"Hi Squall." she chirped almost normallty. He said nothing and looked at the water.
"C'mon Squall, you can talk to me"she said gently, touching his arm.
He pulled it away and stayed silent.
Selphie stood up. "fine. I'll talk to Zell. He appreciates me as a friend." She tossed her hair and stalked off.
{Oh Selph.....I don't want you to leave me......}
He stood and on a sudden instinct, walked off slowly to the training room
Selphie had absent mindedly walked down a corridor and could hear faint noises inside the training room. She peered inside. Zell was giving a punching bad everything he had, oblivious to her and any other distraction that could be there. Beads of sweat were forming on his face and naked chest and arms and rolling down before soaking up in the waist of his jeans. He yelled and drop kicked the bag which exploded into cinders and fell, dilapidated to the floor. Selphie hid behind a pile of boxes. Zell grabbed a towel and dried himself off before falling to his knees in exhaustion. Selphie jumped out of her hiding place.
"Oh Zell!" she cried running over to him
He stood up and leaned on his knees. "s.. S'up selph?"
"Oh... Nothing. Er... I just yeah... Just came now to get some quiet...." she stammered.
Zell stretched. "sure you're ok girl?" He asked her, tilting his head, eyebrows raised.
Selphie couldn't help it. She burst into tears. "no..."
Zell had never really been the affectionate type but Selphie Tilmitt, his long time friend, lookes unusually pathetic standing their sobbing. In a sudden impulsive movement he walked over to her and wrapped his strong arms around her in a firm hug, trying to reassure her even though he wasn't too sure of everything himself.
"we'll all be ok Selph...." He said softly.
Selphie was pretty surprised at this sudden outburst of affection, but she found herself even enjoying him holding her.
After the heavy workout, his body simply radiated heat and tiredness, and his grief at the news was also felt pouring off him in waves.
For a few minuets time stood still and Selphie felt like their was no one else in the world. She sighed, a bit louder than she had intended to.
Zell loosened his hold on her.
"Are you ok?? Do.. dyou want me to let go?"he asked her, concerned.
Selphie's heart was beating a lot quicker as she gazed up into his lovely green blue eyes.
{what is this strange feeling?}
"No." she said softly.
Their heads inched together slowly and selphie could feel his heart pounding too. Suddenly the door flew open and they tried to look like nothing was going on. It was squall.
"Um... Hi."said Selphie trying to look cheerful.
Squall looked around suspiciously. That's when he noticed that Zell's hand was resting on the back of Selphies neck and Selphie still had her arms partly wrapped around Zell's waist.
A hot wave of irrational jealousy swept through his body.
"Er... I'm just off to bed ok...... I have a long day tomorrow." He turned and walked away.
Zell and Selphie turned to face each other. "dyou think he noticed?"Zell asked breathlessly.
Selphie shook her head fervently.
Squall lay in his bed, not able to sleep. It was now 100 hours, the next day. He had left his door open a sinch to see when Selphie came back to her dorm. There........ he could see a small crack of light and could hear voices......
"Thank you for walking me back... You didn't have to" said a voice.. Selphie....
"No.... It's ok. I wanted to...." A male voice. Zell! {the jerk!}
"I'll be there to see you go tomorrow..."she sounded mournful.
"It's too early Selph... You need your rest ok?"
"I don't care Mr. Know-It-all-zell, I want to be the last person to see you go..."
"Ok, Fine......... Hell, It's up to you. But i know how you are so i won't be worried if you don't show ok?
"K.... Goonight......"
(there was a pause of about 5 seconds)
"Night Selph......"
That night No one could sleep. Selphie lay on top of her covers in her pj's staring at the ceiling. She was very very confused. She shifted onto her side, staring at a picture that Quistis had taken ages ago of Zell and herself after they had become SeeDs, at the celebration ball. Before ,She could just look at the picture and see a picture, and remember how much fun she had, but now?... Selphie felt all warm and fuzzy. {What am I feeling?I had always thought I have been slightly attached to Squall.....}
"This is too complicated.... Oh no."
Selphie suddenly grabbed her neck.
"oh no.... My necklace must have come off when..."
Selphie felt all faint for a few moments.
{stop thinking about him Selph!!!!}
She got up, pulled on a jumper and some jeans over her tank top and boxers, and went back to the training room.
It was even darker now that most of the lights had been extinguished. Selphie shivered as she walked into the mainly forested area. "It's Kinda Nice..." she said softly to herself. All the monsters were locked away after 1200 so it looked like a bit of a woodland in timber or something. She turned down a narrow track and went to sit under a large tree. There was a large "CRACK!" and a "Look OUT!" Selphie instinctively closed her eyes and felt someone tackle her out of the way. They broke her fall and landed with a thud.
"ahhhh...."
"Are you ok?"
"Selphie"
" Zell?"
She opened her eyes.
"That's... me."
That warm fuzzy feeling inside Selphie started to kick in again. They realised what was happening and stood up embarrassed.
"I thought you had gone back to your dorm..." Selphie said, not looking Zell in the eye.
"I was going to..... But i couldn't sleep..."
"n-neither could I.... I came to look for my necklace." She said staring at the ground.
There was a few seconds, then Zell took her hand and closed it around something cold.
"My Necklace! You found it!"
"Yes. Here, I'll do it up for you."
She stood still as he reached around her neck and fastened the clip while gazing into her eyes. He brushed his hand gently against her cheek and stood, still staring into her Blue eyes. Selphie couldn't take it anymore.
"Zell, I......"
She didn't get to finish her sentence because Zell had taken her in his arms and kissed her. When they broke apart, their heads still together, Selphie was breathless.
Without really knowing why Selphie broke out of his embrace,
"I.... Have to go...." she stuttered before breaking into a run
She heard Zell call her a few times.
"SELPHIE?! WHY? Please... come back."
By the time she was back to her dorm she was crying helplessly. All she could here were her footfalls and the Echoes of Zell's words in her head.
"SELPHIE?! WHY? Comeback.....please."
Over and over. She threw herself onto her bed, sobbing.
Squall had heard her crying from his room and had gotten up to see what was wrong.
"Go Away Zell...."she mumbled when Squall walked in.
"It's me Selph.. What's wrong??" He asked her, a bit un characteristically.
Selphie turned around and sat up. She took a few deep breaths.
"H-He Kissed Me..." she whispered.
That felt like a kick in the guts for Squall.
"That's It! Im going to wring his scrawny NECK the next time I see him!! I mean How could he do that to you? Just going and kissing you when you didn't want him to-" He began...
"No Squall, I wanted him to Kiss me. I kissed him back...... It's just.... Nevermind."
Selphie felt a fool. Now, after she had thought it over, realised there no reason to why she had ran from his arms.
"You should go and sleep. Goodnight Squall."
He left, feeling like his heart had been ripped out.
The next morning Selphie got up early, although tired, so she would be able to see Zell leave and explain why she had ran. She brushed her hair around 50000 times and put on lipgloss and mascara. She decided to wear some blue jeans and a white jacket. She ran eagerly to the cafeteria. {It's 5.50, i'll be just in time.}
She stopped short at the door. There was just Squall, who was rather pale and another Seed
"Where's Zell?" She asked, a bit panicky.
Squall passed her a note without speaking.
"Dear Squall,
I'm sorry but I won't be going to Balamb with you.
Something happened last night, and i need to clear my head
so I switched with Vida. He was going to go to the desert, at two thirty, to directly start fighting. Now I am. He's taking my place. When you start reading this,
I will already be fighting. Be careful Squall.... take care of
Selphie...... from - Zell Dincht."
Selphie dropped the note. The desert...... She fainted.
Key:
note: {note}
speech: "word"
thought: (thought)
*a/n: I would like to let everyone know that the only thing i own is myself and my rights to express myself. this is only my second fic, and my first FF8 fic so i would appreciate anything good you would like to tell me!*
*chapter one*
Squall Leonhart sat in the corner of the "Floor two classroom" waiting for his fellow SeeD's, Selphie Tilmitt and Zell Dincht. After ages of self denial and closing himself off from the world, he finally allowed himself to realise that there were people that actually really wanted to be his friends. He realised he wanted them to be his friends too. Squall pulled out his Gunblade and began to polish it half heartedly with the edge of his jacket. (any second now.....)
"HI SQUALL! Sorry I'm late... Tee hee. I was a little held up!" Screamed Selphie who burst in the door, wearing her typical yellow dress and knee high boots.
"Hi Selph... You got your letter from Cid?" He asked her, in his usual quiet and reserved manner.
"Of course. But i'm waiting for Zell to get here so we can open them TOGETHER SILLY!"Selphie laughed, dancing around.
Squall pulled a white envelope from his pocket. He ran his finger over the smooth surface.
"I can't wait any-" he began, but was intterupted by Zell running into the room.
"Sorry... I was Just... waiting for-"
"Hotdogs"said Squall and Selpie together.
Zell nodded and turned around vigouously to close the door. He accidentally bashed his usually armoured hand on the metal door.
"Ahh... BLOODY HELL!!!!"
The other two ignored this.
"ANY LUCK WITH THE HOTDOGS?" Selphie yelled over his mild swearing.
"No..."He said calming down a little. "Damn...... Seifer... He held me up!
Squall shook his head. "Ok.. The letters."
Zell and Selph sat opposite him and pulled out identical white envelopes.
They nodded and pulled out a their letters, which were all started out the same
"Dear SeeDs,
Your councellors and I have decided that you are ready for your latest mission... { Whoops and cheers from Zell and Selphie. Squall reads a bit before continuing.}
However, we have come to a conclusion that because of the seriousness of the situation plus the fact that each of you are strong and clever enough to handle your own... mission... we will spread you all out. Therefore all seeds will be posted to different locations. I would like to note that this is an entirely serious mission and any mistakes or underestimation may be fatal - Headmaster Cid."
Squall didn't need to look up to know that Zell would have hung his head, clenched his fists and started shaking, and that Selphie would be giving the floor adorable and sad puppy dog eyes.
"It's not fair guys. you're my friends." She said, getting a bit sobby before starting to cry.
Squall sighed and continued to read.
"Below are the Listings of the Postings:
Squall: Tomorrow, at 600 hours, you will take the Garden Car with Zell to Balamb. At 800 hours Zell will be taking a Boat to Dollet, which will arrive at the destination at 830 hours. You are to join with the Garden there to train new comers until futher notice of your mission. At 810 hours Squall will take a Train to Timber, he is to join up with "Forest Fox" resistance. Futher details will be provided. It has been decided that the day after, Selphie is to go to Delving City, at 730 hours to help their young candidates .... During that time you will be notified of a new destination. The afore mentioned SeeDs have free time until their departure. If you have any questions feel free to ask me before 500 hours tomorrow."
He folded the letter and placed it back in his backet. He was feeling a whole range of new emotions. {Why do I mind being alone so much? What is going on?}
"I... uh..... have to go!" he stood up in a hurry and ran off.
Selphie ran after him. Zell stayed behind, looking very forlorn.
Squall sat on the edge of the fountain. He sighed again and looked at his watch, reflecting the water. "0000 hours...." Selphie walked over to him and he immediately.
"Hi Squall." she chirped almost normallty. He said nothing and looked at the water.
"C'mon Squall, you can talk to me"she said gently, touching his arm.
He pulled it away and stayed silent.
Selphie stood up. "fine. I'll talk to Zell. He appreciates me as a friend." She tossed her hair and stalked off.
{Oh Selph.....I don't want you to leave me......}
He stood and on a sudden instinct, walked off slowly to the training room
Selphie had absent mindedly walked down a corridor and could hear faint noises inside the training room. She peered inside. Zell was giving a punching bad everything he had, oblivious to her and any other distraction that could be there. Beads of sweat were forming on his face and naked chest and arms and rolling down before soaking up in the waist of his jeans. He yelled and drop kicked the bag which exploded into cinders and fell, dilapidated to the floor. Selphie hid behind a pile of boxes. Zell grabbed a towel and dried himself off before falling to his knees in exhaustion. Selphie jumped out of her hiding place.
"Oh Zell!" she cried running over to him
He stood up and leaned on his knees. "s.. S'up selph?"
"Oh... Nothing. Er... I just yeah... Just came now to get some quiet...." she stammered.
Zell stretched. "sure you're ok girl?" He asked her, tilting his head, eyebrows raised.
Selphie couldn't help it. She burst into tears. "no..."
Zell had never really been the affectionate type but Selphie Tilmitt, his long time friend, lookes unusually pathetic standing their sobbing. In a sudden impulsive movement he walked over to her and wrapped his strong arms around her in a firm hug, trying to reassure her even though he wasn't too sure of everything himself.
"we'll all be ok Selph...." He said softly.
Selphie was pretty surprised at this sudden outburst of affection, but she found herself even enjoying him holding her.
After the heavy workout, his body simply radiated heat and tiredness, and his grief at the news was also felt pouring off him in waves.
For a few minuets time stood still and Selphie felt like their was no one else in the world. She sighed, a bit louder than she had intended to.
Zell loosened his hold on her.
"Are you ok?? Do.. dyou want me to let go?"he asked her, concerned.
Selphie's heart was beating a lot quicker as she gazed up into his lovely green blue eyes.
{what is this strange feeling?}
"No." she said softly.
Their heads inched together slowly and selphie could feel his heart pounding too. Suddenly the door flew open and they tried to look like nothing was going on. It was squall.
"Um... Hi."said Selphie trying to look cheerful.
Squall looked around suspiciously. That's when he noticed that Zell's hand was resting on the back of Selphies neck and Selphie still had her arms partly wrapped around Zell's waist.
A hot wave of irrational jealousy swept through his body.
"Er... I'm just off to bed ok...... I have a long day tomorrow." He turned and walked away.
Zell and Selphie turned to face each other. "dyou think he noticed?"Zell asked breathlessly.
Selphie shook her head fervently.
Squall lay in his bed, not able to sleep. It was now 100 hours, the next day. He had left his door open a sinch to see when Selphie came back to her dorm. There........ he could see a small crack of light and could hear voices......
"Thank you for walking me back... You didn't have to" said a voice.. Selphie....
"No.... It's ok. I wanted to...." A male voice. Zell! {the jerk!}
"I'll be there to see you go tomorrow..."she sounded mournful.
"It's too early Selph... You need your rest ok?"
"I don't care Mr. Know-It-all-zell, I want to be the last person to see you go..."
"Ok, Fine......... Hell, It's up to you. But i know how you are so i won't be worried if you don't show ok?
"K.... Goonight......"
(there was a pause of about 5 seconds)
"Night Selph......"
That night No one could sleep. Selphie lay on top of her covers in her pj's staring at the ceiling. She was very very confused. She shifted onto her side, staring at a picture that Quistis had taken ages ago of Zell and herself after they had become SeeDs, at the celebration ball. Before ,She could just look at the picture and see a picture, and remember how much fun she had, but now?... Selphie felt all warm and fuzzy. {What am I feeling?I had always thought I have been slightly attached to Squall.....}
"This is too complicated.... Oh no."
Selphie suddenly grabbed her neck.
"oh no.... My necklace must have come off when..."
Selphie felt all faint for a few moments.
{stop thinking about him Selph!!!!}
She got up, pulled on a jumper and some jeans over her tank top and boxers, and went back to the training room.
It was even darker now that most of the lights had been extinguished. Selphie shivered as she walked into the mainly forested area. "It's Kinda Nice..." she said softly to herself. All the monsters were locked away after 1200 so it looked like a bit of a woodland in timber or something. She turned down a narrow track and went to sit under a large tree. There was a large "CRACK!" and a "Look OUT!" Selphie instinctively closed her eyes and felt someone tackle her out of the way. They broke her fall and landed with a thud.
"ahhhh...."
"Are you ok?"
"Selphie"
" Zell?"
She opened her eyes.
"That's... me."
That warm fuzzy feeling inside Selphie started to kick in again. They realised what was happening and stood up embarrassed.
"I thought you had gone back to your dorm..." Selphie said, not looking Zell in the eye.
"I was going to..... But i couldn't sleep..."
"n-neither could I.... I came to look for my necklace." She said staring at the ground.
There was a few seconds, then Zell took her hand and closed it around something cold.
"My Necklace! You found it!"
"Yes. Here, I'll do it up for you."
She stood still as he reached around her neck and fastened the clip while gazing into her eyes. He brushed his hand gently against her cheek and stood, still staring into her Blue eyes. Selphie couldn't take it anymore.
"Zell, I......"
She didn't get to finish her sentence because Zell had taken her in his arms and kissed her. When they broke apart, their heads still together, Selphie was breathless.
Without really knowing why Selphie broke out of his embrace,
"I.... Have to go...." she stuttered before breaking into a run
She heard Zell call her a few times.
"SELPHIE?! WHY? Please... come back."
By the time she was back to her dorm she was crying helplessly. All she could here were her footfalls and the Echoes of Zell's words in her head.
"SELPHIE?! WHY? Comeback.....please."
Over and over. She threw herself onto her bed, sobbing.
Squall had heard her crying from his room and had gotten up to see what was wrong.
"Go Away Zell...."she mumbled when Squall walked in.
"It's me Selph.. What's wrong??" He asked her, a bit un characteristically.
Selphie turned around and sat up. She took a few deep breaths.
"H-He Kissed Me..." she whispered.
That felt like a kick in the guts for Squall.
"That's It! Im going to wring his scrawny NECK the next time I see him!! I mean How could he do that to you? Just going and kissing you when you didn't want him to-" He began...
"No Squall, I wanted him to Kiss me. I kissed him back...... It's just.... Nevermind."
Selphie felt a fool. Now, after she had thought it over, realised there no reason to why she had ran from his arms.
"You should go and sleep. Goodnight Squall."
He left, feeling like his heart had been ripped out.
The next morning Selphie got up early, although tired, so she would be able to see Zell leave and explain why she had ran. She brushed her hair around 50000 times and put on lipgloss and mascara. She decided to wear some blue jeans and a white jacket. She ran eagerly to the cafeteria. {It's 5.50, i'll be just in time.}
She stopped short at the door. There was just Squall, who was rather pale and another Seed
"Where's Zell?" She asked, a bit panicky.
Squall passed her a note without speaking.
"Dear Squall,
I'm sorry but I won't be going to Balamb with you.
Something happened last night, and i need to clear my head
so I switched with Vida. He was going to go to the desert, at two thirty, to directly start fighting. Now I am. He's taking my place. When you start reading this,
I will already be fighting. Be careful Squall.... take care of
Selphie...... from - Zell Dincht."
Selphie dropped the note. The desert...... She fainted.
