- chapter 7
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Seifer proceeded to go on patrol, not attempting to look for the tattooed blonde at all. It'd be illresponsible.

He scoffed -all of his excuses had started to sound lame.

None the less, he silently stalked off to the Library. It was quite empty today on his patrol... or was it because he was patrolling there that it was empty?

No matter, he didn't want to be bothered anyway.

So, he slipped a book of one of the back shelves. It looked promising, so he opened it up and flipped it to the first page. He was about to begin reading when he heard footsteps come from the outside hall. With a sigh, he placed the book back and looked past the bookcase toward the entrance to the Library. He breath caught.

It was Zell.

He could tell that the tattooed blonde must have seen him, for his pace quickened up until he was a bookshelf away from Seifer. Zell stopped, and turned to face the taller blonde.

No running in the halls... Seifer mumbled, doubting that Zell even heard him.

With a slight shake of his head, and a determined look on his face, the tattooed blonde spoke in a firm tone. Seifer, we need to talk.

Seifer met the statement with silence, somewhere between deciding on what to say and not knowing. He looked back at the shorter blonde with an unreadable gaze.

Zell continued, no longer waiting for a response.

Did you mean it? he said in a voice that Seifer noticed was strained.

As if the question of what?' was asked, he continued again, voice growing soft as he spoke. What happened... what you meant -did you mean it? he repeated, his face going from determined to what Seifer recognized as ....worry?

Seifer paused, did he mean what he said? Of course he did, he wouldn't have said it otherwise. Of course I did. he replied, voice sounding less strong than he would have liked.

Zell, eyebrows meeting, seemed somewhat thrown off by his answer, shook his head in confusion and softly asked ... why?

Seifer breathed deeply, getting frustrated for the fact that Zell didn't understand.

Why do you think I don't want to leave you alone? he replied, voice getting a slight edge due to his frustration.

The tattooed blonde shook his head and frowned, bringing out the the shape of the image on the side of his face.

Turning his interest to the image, Seifer stepped forward as to touch it, but holding his hand right before he did. Zell tried to speak but was cut off,



The said blonde started again, You said my name.

Don't you get it? Seifer asked.

Silence resounded for a few more moments before the scarred blonde answered his own question.

Because, for some reason, I care about you.

Seifer then ran two fingers down the side of Zell's tattoo. They breathed.

Zell shook his head again and backed up a few steps. He spoke, voice firm -but strained.

It'd never work.

Seifer had said those same words to himself too. Only now... it didn't seem as true anymore. He -he did want it to work, and he'd do anything to get it to. It was worth it -Fujin had said so. Suddenly, he felt a rush of emotion that he didn't think he had.

And why not?

Be -because of everyone...

He sighed in frustration again, slight edge returning to his voice.

It doesn't matter.

Nothing was said for a moment or two, for it seemed that the tattooed blonde was taking in all the information, including what was just said. He looked back at the taller blonde. This time... he slowly nodded.

Seifer stepped up to him again, taking Zell's chin in his hand. Before a moment's hesitation, they kissed.

It would not be for the last time.

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There's still an epilogue left... lemme know when you want it *nods*. -Lane