Free


Contrary to popular belief, SeeDs do have vacations. One simply can't be on the job all of the time, even if that one is a workaholic ('like you, Squall'), he had been told by Cid Kramer. Of course he had to remain on standby in case of nasty sorceresses threatening the world, but there was nothing keeping him from lazing around on beaches and going out in clubs for two weeks on end in summer.

SeeD wanted him to be sharp and quick-witted, and so SeeD had to let him spend a few weeks in undisturbed bliss on the beach. Just so he could do his job better, you know.

He did not do much those two blessed weeks of vacation; he read a little, went out to a romantic dinner with Rinoa, played beach volleyball with his friends, and spent long afternoons on a terrace with a drink always nearby... like they were doing right now.

And as he was sitting in the leaves-filtered sunlight on that terrace, Squall Leonhart decided for himself that vacation truly was a wondrous thing.

"Glad I talked you into this?" Irvine grinned, sipping at his ice cube-chilled soda. He looked like a testament of laziness, sprawled over the uncomfortable plastic chair like this.

"Fuck yes," nodded Squall, contentedly gazing at all the beautiful brightly and barely dressed people that were on their way to undoubtedly fun and sunny places. "It's as if you've been massaged for hours and finally they've gotten that knot out of your shoulders, or something."

"Like a weight's been lifted."

Squall nodded. "Exactly."

A comfortable silence fell.

"They *are* taking rather long, aren't they?" Squall ventured after a while, referring to his friends. He leaned back in his chair and gestured the cute waitress for another round of drinks for the both of them.

Irvine shrugged. "They are taking Zell to go shopping, what do you expect? Three girls dragging a guy into a mall? I bet they'll show up in an hour and a half, with billions of bags with clothes, and Zell's bankaccount being utterly empty."

"Probably." Squall couldnt help being amused at that particular mental image.

"You mind?"

"Naw, not really. I think I can live with staying here for a while."

"So can I," Irvine chuckled. He looked over his shoulder. "Oh lookie-here, our drinks." He winked at the waitress when she handed them their drinks, "Thank you," he only said, but she flushed a little before smiling back. "You're welcome."

They both looked at her as she walked away.

"Cute butt," Irvine commented.

"Cute everything," Squall agreed.

They grinned at each other, a little drunk on sunlight and freedom.

Irvine raised his glass. "Hey, want to toast on the vacation?"

"Of course." Squall raised his. "To vacation!"

"To vacation!"

When they clinked, the summer sunlight sparkled on their glasses.