Right, sorry for the delay in writing this chapter! I kept trying to start it, and then something came up! The world must not like me. Anyway, I don't expect the next chapter to take as long, but the latest the next chapter will arrive will be the 16th of November. There isn't actually as much story left as I thought if they get to Esthar anytime soon, so expect a few more chapters before they actually get there. They won't be boring, I promise. ^_~

Road Trip

Seifer hit the pause button as Squall got into the car. "What took you so long?"

"It was only 10 minutes, moron." Squall smiled, "The guy didn't even know the way to Winhill, never mind Esthar."

"You mean we're lost?" Seifer asked, with an annoyed expression.

"Looks like it." Squall agreed. The sky was darkening around them, and the headlights lit up small areas of the potholed road and the fence with peeling paint in front of a small log cabin. They had only been on the road from Winhill one day, and they were lost. However, with the map and Squall's sense of direction, they would hopefully pick up the right road again in a couple of days.

"We'll have to sleep in the car, or just keep going all night." Seifer moaned.

"Lets keep going till late then. We'll be able to use potions to keep us on our feet if necessary. We can always switch places and let the other drive while one sleeps. Speaking of which, its my turn to drive."

"You are welcome to it!" Seifer exclaimed, switching seats gladly. He settled in the chair with a sigh. Squall took off the brakes and off they went at a sedate pace.

"Shit Squall, we'll get nowhere at this speed." Seifer began to grumble, starting up the familiar argument. Surprisingly Squall began to accelerate slightly. Seifer looked up, startled to see the tiny pinpricks of light, the stars. He sighed very softly, for one of the few times at life he felt utterly content, and he also felt especially safe. How could he feel anything else with Squall so near?

Squall looked at him, and put a hand out to smooth that unruly lock of blond hair back from where it fell in Seifer's eyes. They both chuckled lightly as it fell back, contrary as ever.

"Hey, Squall?" Seifer began tentatively after a few minutes trying to sleep.

"Yeah?" Squall asked, glancing sideways at him.

"Did you pack Lionheart and Hyperion?" He asked a little too quickly.

"Yes, now what were you really going to ask?" Squall replied shrewdly.

"It doesn't matter."

"Riiiight." Squall said skeptically. "So did you even bring it up? And why are you blushing?"

"Um… Ok, I'll ask but don't laugh." Seifer was being uncharacteristically hesitant.

"Would I laugh at you? Except when you're being completely absurd or trying to make me laugh."

"Well, it is absurd." He took a deep breath, "Will you kiss me goodnight?"
Squall, to his great credit, kept a completely straight face. It wasn't perhaps what Seifer was asking, but the way he was asking it. The chocolate haired boy eased the speed and checked the road before leaning over to kiss Seifer. "Its not absurd…. It is of course, desperately romantic… the sort of thing the Seifer Almasy the world sees you as would not do…" then, even quieter, "…and I like it."

He pulled his attention back to the road, not expecting or needing any reply. His lover simply reclined his seat and closed his eyes. He likes the romantic side of me, huh? I'll have to make a point of showing it more then. Seifer began to plan something within his quick mind.

Not often even I get to see Seifer go all mushy! Squall celebrated mentally, I hope he does it more often; I rather like it, as long as he doesn't cry. He can be so sweet when he's romantic.

Seifer drifted off to sleep in the peace that was just the gentle humming of the engine and rushing wind, and his lovers breathing, slow and regular as he drove the car.