Squall absently ran a comb through his hair and wondered what to do. He had, if he wasn't mistaken, no less than five people who might show up at his room tonight, expecting some time alone with him. While that might prove interesting, it was more likely a disaster waiting to happen. Or a series of disasters. If Selphie came to claim her kiss while Irvine was there, hoping for another… and then Quistis showed up wanting a continuation of what they had just done… followed by Zell with a Triple Triad deck in hand, looking for a shoulder to cry on—maybe… looking back on it, it was hard to tell what he had meant—and then Rinoa wanting… well, whatever it was that Rinoa wanted from him…
Why me?
He figured that he'd better go down for lunch. Hopefully he could find everybody and minimize the damage. He gave his reflection a cursory once-over, decided he was presentable, and went to the cafeteria.
He ordered the daily special without asking what it was. It was all pretty generic, anyway. In the back of the room he spotted Zell, alone, stuffing his face.
Squall sat down opposite Zell and observed him for a moment. "Zell, you're not a pig, but you do eat like one."
Zell flashed a broad grin, looking like a chipmunk with full cheek pouches.
"I heard about your choking fit last night at the party," Squall told him. "Try not to repeat it, okay?"
Zell's face darkened at the memory of Quistis, Selphie, and Ako all trying to pound on his back and of Irvine filming his outburst of temper. He swallowed a few times to clear his mouth and took a smaller bite.
Squall noted that and nodded approvingly. "Uh, Zell?" he asked. "You know how you wanted to come over? Well, tonight—"
"Hey, there!" Irvine strolled up and dropped into a chair beside Squall. "Zell," he exclaimed, "I like the new 'do!"
Zell's eyes crossed as he tried to see his own hair. He swallowed. "Thanks. Squall recommended it." The long hairs normally teased up into a crest atop his head were softly falling to either side of his face in subtle waves. "I figured that being 5'10" with hair didn't matter—I still get called short." The last was directed at Squall, who resisted a smile.
"Well, man," Irvine declared, nudging Squall in the ribs, "it looks like you've got good taste." He tipped his hat in a mock salute.
"Yeah…" Squall looked at the two. "There's something we need to talk about."
"Guys!" Selphie's excited shout rang over the cafeteria. She bounded up to them. "I was just talking to Quistis and she gave me the best news!"
Squall cringed.
"She said that Headmaster Cid said that since Garden Festival happened at such a bad time I can plan another one!"
"That's great, Sefie!" Irvine beamed.
"Thanks, Irvy." Selphie ducked her head shyly. "Squall," she said suddenly, "what happened to your face? It looks like a handprint!"
Squall floundered for a response. He really didn't want to tell the others about Quistis, but if he avoided the question Selphie would hound him until she got—or invented—an answer that satisfied her.
They were all three staring at him, now. "…I'm not sure," Squall offered weakly.
Improbably, Zell came to the rescue. "Oh! I bet I decked you when we were wrestling. Sorry 'bout that."
"Don't worry about it," Squall told him, relieved at the plausible explanation. "I didn't even notice it."
"You were wrestling?" Irvine asked, a knowing grin forming on his too-pretty face.
"Who won?" Selphie interjected.
"Zell did." Quistis had changed back into her usual clothing and had restored her hair to its usual clip. She looked her normal, implacable self, and Squall felt a thrill run through him, knowing what was hiding under that cool exterior.
"Came out on top, did you?" Irvine leered at Zell.
"Shut up." Zell swatted playfully at Irvine, knocking his hat off.
Selphie pounced on the fallen headgear and backed away, holding it behind her back. "You can't have it back until you behave yourself," she admonished. Her attempt at sternness was spoiled by her wide grin. Irvine glowered and swiped at her but Selphie dodged easily and backed away.
Zell and Quistis watched, laughing, as Irvine and Selphie circled the table. At a particularly loud guffaw from Zell, Irvine tossed a murderous look over his shoulder at the convulsing blondes before resuming his chase.
Squall felt something drop on his head and a presence at his side. He turned and saw Rinoa, grinning wickedly. "You might want to hide that," Rinoa said, indicating his head. "I took it from Selphie while he was distracted. He'll figure it out pretty soon."
Squall reached up and removed Irvine's hat from his head. He set it on the table next to Zell, kicking the fighter as he did so.
Zell turned with a yelp and opened his mouth to say something, but caught Squall's glance and remained quiet. He looked down and saw the hat beside his plate. He looked up again at Squall and, seeing the faint smile and the twinkle in his currently slate-grey eyes, passed the hat to Quistis.
Quistis looked at the hat in her hands, looked at Irvine, who had just caught Selphie and discovered her state of hatlessness, and, thinking fast, tossed it to Rinoa.
Irvine whirled to face the four at the table just as Rinoa once again dropped the hat on Squall's head. Seeing Squall sitting there, poking absently at the nondescript mess on his tray, Irvine's hat shadowing his eyes, he laughed out loud.
"Damn, sweetheart!" he said. "If you wanted to borrow my clothes, you could have just asked." Ignoring the others' laughter, Irvine strutted around to stand behind Squall. Squall stoically ignored him. Bending low, the heat of his breath sending tingles down Squall's spine, Irvine whispered, "I think I will stop by tonight." He ran a finger up Squall's back and tipped the hat over the brunette's face, stifling a protest. He then plucked his hat up, settled it on his own head, touched the brim of his hat to acknowledge the group, said, "Later," and sauntered out of the cafeteria.
"As fun as this is, kiddies," Zell stated while Squall struggled to regain his composure, "I've got stuff I need to do. Selphie, don't forget you promised to look over Ragnarok's engines with me."
Selphie looked indignant. "I didn't forget, Zell!"
"Sorry." Zell sounded contrite. "I'll see you in an hour, then." He turned to the others. "I'll see you guys later. Oh, and Squall… thanks for the match." If he grinned any wider his head would probably have split apart. "If you want to try again, I'm ready for you."
One corner of Squall's mouth pulled back. "A rematch sounds good. Tonight—"
"Tonight would be perfect!" Zell enthused. "See ya then!" He bounced out the door, turning a cartwheel through the cafeteria line—much to the dismay of the people standing in said line.
Squall sighed, plunked his elbows on the table, and buried his face in his hands. A soft touch on his shoulder made him look up.
"I forgot about Zell," Selphie whispered. "I've got to go, too, if I'm going to talk to Irvy before meeting Zell." She bent low to breathe her next words into his ear. "I think it'll be okay between us, but I still need to know. I'll claim that kiss tonight, Squall." Her lips touched the top of his ear in a feathery light kiss, and then she was gone.
Squall dropped his head again. He had wanted to avoid problems, and instead had three confirmed dates for tonight. This wasn't good. The worst part was that every time one of his friends said they were coming over, he felt a little rush of anticipation. It kept playing over and over in his mind… the taste of champagne on Rinoa's lips, Irvine's arms crushing their bodies together, Selphie squirming delightfully on his lap seeking comfort, Zell's lapis eyes begging for reassurance, Quistis looking up at him from his bed…
What was wrong with him? Was he seriously lusting after all of his friends? That would be sick—and what did it say about his sexuality? What was it that Quistis had said? "At least now I know you're not gay. Bi, maybe, but not gay." Was that true? Was he really attracted to men and women alike, or was he just so starved for physical affection that he didn't care where he got it from? Or was he just attracted to weakness?
That was a sobering thought. He'd gone for each of them in a moment of frailty. Rinoa, always in need of a rescue, looking so wistful at the party… Irvine, begging for help, his delicate features inscribed with his need… Selphie, so small he could practically break her with one hand, tears spilling from her emerald eyes… Zell, his hair as broken down as his spirit, wanting to be told that he was worthwhile… Quistis, pale as a porcelain doll and just as easily damaged, her anger at him and at herself overwhelming her, making her lose control… was he some sort of sadist for being drawn to them all when they were hurting in some way?
No.
No.
Surely not.
After all, he'd made them feel better, not tried to increase their pain, hadn't he?
Hadn't he?
Rinoa had lost that look of sad longing after his kiss, and weren't Irvine and Selphie feeling good enough to chase each other around the table? Zell had been eating like usual instead of sulking and avoiding everybody, and Quistis was here, smiling, laughing…
…Shaking him. Squall looked up from his hands.
"Welcome back," Quistis mocked. "Rinoa decided that you were in Squall-land and went to get something to eat. I wanted to talk with you, anyway. About tonight."
Squall tried to speak, but Quistis touched his lips with a finger and went on. "It's about what I was going to ask you… earlier." She glanced around to assure herself that no one was listening before saying, "I've got a problem and I think you're the best one to help me with it. I have something that's becoming a real burden… I was hoping you could relieve me of it."
"What?" Squall was completely lost.
"My virginity." Quistis stated, very matter-of-fact.
Squall froze.
"Hear me out, first," Quistis said quickly. "I'm not performing at my top capacity lately. The curiosity is killing me. Well, that, and the fact that I have a horrible urge to rip the clothes off of every good-looking male I see." She eyed Squall, licked her lips, and continued. "I don't want to just pick up a random stranger, though. That would be wrong in so many ways. Irvine's gay, so that eliminates him, and Zell would take it too seriously. I don't even want to get into what a member of my fan club would think of it. I just need a friend I can trust who won't get emotionally involved, Squall. You're perfect for that." She glanced at him, concerned. "Squall?" She poked him in the shoulder. "Breathe."
Looking faintly blue, Squall did as ordered. He gasped for air, finally getting back to a semblance of normality as Rinoa returned. She resumed her seat next to him.
Quistis leaned in and said in a soft voice, "I'll drop by late tonight. You can answer me then." She kissed his cheek in the middle of her handprint, rose, and departed.
"What was that about?" Rinoa asked, poking at her meat-like substance on a bun.
"I'm not sure," Squall answered, stunned. He touched his cheek where he still felt the fiery imprint of Quistis' lips.
"Huh. Oh well." Rinoa took a tentative bite, chewed thoughtfully, swallowed, and shrugged. "S'not too bad," she observed. "Anyway, you know how I asked for a favor this morning?" At his nod, she said, "Want some company tonight?"
There was a soft thump as Squall's head hit the table. He groaned.
"Squall? Your arm is in your mashed potatoes."