Chapter 5: No Need for Fear
It was a glorious day at Trabia Garden, mirth and happiness radiating from within its walls and the air everyone breathed. This joyous occasion marked Selphie and Irvine's wedding day; they were finally bonded in both spirit and heart. But then, I always believed one did not need a ring or a fancy celebration to be either of the two, those special bonds already existed between them, but the wedding was merely for show, to say: "Yes, we are united forever. I would have no one else at my side". It must be nice to feel so loved. . .so welcome to an embrace and know that this person would stand beside you until death or worse.
Was I envious? I guess so, though as I stood there alongside Zell and Seifer while the couple locked lips to seal their Holy Matrimony, the only thing I could think of was how happy I was for them. I don't think I've been this. . .at peace in ages. People should invite me to their wedding more often.
The celebration lasts well into late afternoon before the bride and groom take off down the street in their grand limousine which would cart them off to Deling where they plan on spending their honeymoon. Matron, Ellone, my father, and so many others had all been guests to this pleasant event, each one of them so happy for the newly weds. After awhile, people began to flock back to their homes or hotels where they would reside for the remainder of the summer weekend. Fatigue is wearing on me as my smile begins to fall and I'm pleased to say I actually spoke today. Not much, but I indulged in very light conversation since it did me good to see Irvine, Selphie and the others all together again, each one of them so blissfully happy with their lives.
Did I mention I was envious?
Although, I don't think I have any right to be. After all, Seifer had selflessly given up his time for me for more than a year. I should feel honored. And I guess I did. No one I know has seen Seifer in his strongest days and his weakest as I have. But when he has his low points, do I really come through for him as he does me? Such thoughts make me feel as if I'm a burden to him, so as we begin to say our farewells to the remainder of the guests, sure to give Edea a kiss on the cheek and our love before we too fled the scene and retired to the dorms we'd been provided for the duration of our stay here at Trabia Garden, I state quietly that Seifer didn't have to stay with me if he didn't want to.
Just his reaction makes me want to take back the remark and he scowls before playfully pushing his bare fingers through my shaggy hair.
"So I can hang 'round with more annoying people? No thank you. You're not an obligation, Leonhart," he says all too cheerfully, as if he were hiding something else, which sparked my curiosity. "And you, of all people, should know that if I didn't want to stay with you, I would have packed my bags awhile ago."
"So why do you stay?" It was reasonable question, I figured while beginning to undo my tie. The blasted thing gave me more trouble than I wanted and as he stepped up to finish unknotting it for me, I gladly accepted his help.
"Because I can," Seifer murmurs, while unfastening the navy blue material from around the collar of my dress shirt.
The answer doesn't meet to my satisfaction and I only grunt a response. He seems equally unpleased, but his fingers remain a touch longer than necessary along the base of my throat, the simple touch causing me skin to shiver as goose bumps trailed my arms and made the hairs at the back of my neck stand on end. I wonder if he knows just how he makes me feel at times.
"Because," he starts off again, helping me out of my jacket and folding it carefully on the armchair that stood no more than a few feet from us. His answer does not come for awhile and I just about give up, beginning to undo the buttons to my shirt before his hands catch one of mine in his own. Astonished, my eyes rise to meet his, warmth radiating from usually chaotic hues of turbulent jade before Seifer leans forward, catches my lips with his own in a kiss that brought horrid memories to my mind only to be drowned out as he wraps his arms around me in an embrace.
It was a feeling that stopped every motion dead, everything but the sensation itself as velvety lips meshed with mine in a soft, yearning kiss that deepened to match our heightened desires. No words needed to be spoken; we went on without them for months and did not need them now. Our eyes. . . our hearts spoke for us and when I lain upon that soft mattress below and those deft fingers began to undo my shirt, dread pit in my stomach, even though I knew this was Seifer, that I was safe within his arms, it still brought about unwelcome recollections that had me suddenly clinging to him for dear life. Did he realize just how hard this was for me? He must of. Why else would he stop what he was doing to simply hold me, whisper assuring words into my ear as he caught me in a loving hold? And I felt safe.
A/N: ^_^ I have room for a lemon which I'll be writing soon. I am so sorry for the delay of this chapter and I certainly hope it meets your expectations. Thank you all for the reviews. I'll be posting a nice little SxS scene soon along with another chapter. Expect it before the end of this month. ^_^ Again, thanks. Your reviews drive me to complete this fic.