Untitled Document
The Bloodcross Key ~ Arc 2: Reversals
by Lady Tempest

*****Part 7:

Squall sat staring vacantly at the castle in front of him. The sand that had been packed so tightly crumbled here and there along its apparent solidity, tiny clumps rolling down the walls to land haphazardly at his bare knees. His small fingers absently traced patterns in the cool sand as he watched the sun glint golden off the towers and walls he had worked so hard to build. Yet, like the light's glimmer, its strength was a fleeting thing, always needing repair no matter how diligent he was.

Another crack, and a small section of wall fell, like a glittering rain of tiny diamonds, dusting his already sandy knees. He didn't know what to do anymore, didn't know how to stop the slow ruin, and didn't know if he wanted to.

"Hi," a familiar voice said shyly.

Squall blinked and turned to the sound. A little boy, just a year older than himself stood several feet away, biting a pouting pink lip and studying him with brilliant blue eyes, pale and green-tinted like a tropical sea, yet full of life and warmth and uncertainty. The slight breeze rising from the ocean ruffled the boy's sun-gold hair, and a small, nervous hand tried to smooth wayward strands from his adorable face. So much like...

"Seifer," Squall murmured with a faint smile.

Young Seifer's eyes widened. "Sq...Squall. You...you're..." the boy stammered. Taking a wavering half-step back, the little blond stiffened, his petal pink lips trembling as he spoke. "You mad at me already?"

Squall shook his head. "Why would I be mad at you?"

Seifer shrugged. "I don't know. But you always are.... I know you don't like me, but..." He bowed his head and sighed. Tiny glints of silver fell to darkened gold in the sand.

Squall's chest hurt, like it was caught in the constricting grip of a T-Rexaur's powerful jaws. "...but, it's not true," he whispered.

"Really?" Seifer's head snapped up, quivering silver brimming his death-pale blue-green eyes. Eyes screaming with pain, and despair, and brokenness. "Why not? You should! I'm bad."

Squall wanted to wrap the small boy in his arms and hold him until the pain was chased away, and then hold him for an eternity after that. "No, you're not."

"I must be bad or why won't you ever play with me?" Another skittish back-step.

"I...I was scared," Squall admitted, his voice tight with the tears he fought.

The little blond shook his head violently. "See! I'm bad! I'm scary and everyone hates me!" Before Squall could stop him, young Seifer turned and ran, stumbling over the tufts of browning beach grasses and mounds of sand, sparkling drops of silver trailing behind him.

Squall jumped to his feet and chased after the other boy who had just disappeared over the crest of a dune. When he scrambled over it himself, Seifer was gone, without a trace. No footprints in the smooth sand or any other sign that someone had been there.

"No!" Squall screamed, falling to his knees, ignoring the scrape of sand on his skin. "Not again!"

"What's the matter, kid?" asked a strangely familiar voice, deep and smooth, like liquid velvet. "You look like you lost your best friend."

Squall glanced up at the tall form suddenly beside him, glimmering ocean blue eyes following the long legs, lean hips, and strong chest to a face obscured by the bright gold of the sun. "I think I did," he sniffed, wiping a small hand across his cheek.

"You think you did?" The light tilted slightly. "You don't know?"

Squall shook his head. "No, I don't know if he's my best friend. He ran away."

"Oh, well we'll go find him then," the melting voice said confidently, and Squall could almost hear the comforting smile. "Where did he go?"

Squall pointed ahead of him, then suddenly, eyes wide, dropped his arm as he noticed the changed landscape. Gnarled trees, scorched, blackened sand, jagged rocks and a roiling blood-red and death-gray sky spread before him.

"Damn!" the man cursed with a gasp. "Rather vicious. You sure he went that way."

Squall nodded slowly. The land ahead frightened him, so many horrible things to hurt his already hurting friend. "I think so, there's no where else."

"Okay, let's go then." A strong, gloved hand reached out to him. "Take my hand so you won't get lost too."

Squall nodded and took the offered hand. The grip was strangely yet pleasantly gentle, and warm, so warm.

"So, why did he run away?"

"He thinks I hate him." Squall lowered his head, his small shoulders lifting with a sigh.

"Do you?"

"No." It hurt knowing the pain he had caused his blond friend. Hurt knowing Seifer thought he despised him, thought he was bad, when all along Squall actually ...

"Poor kid, wandering through that dangerous place all alone."

Biting back a sob, Squall followed the warm man down the dune. He didn't want Seifer to be all alone, or to be hurt anymore. Too distracted by overwhelming emotions, his footing slipped from loose sand and he began to fall. Strong arms enveloped him, catching him without releasing his hand.

"Well, at least you have me with you to protect you," the smooth voice said with an airy confidence, and pat him reassuringly on the head, ruffling his chestnut hair. "I'll take care of everything. And we'll find your friend and make everything better."

"You sure?"

The man chuckled. "Of course, I'm sure. Or my name isn't Seifer Almasy!"

"Seifer?" Seifer? Seifer! He found him! He found him again and just as he had been before. Squall leapt at the tall blond, flinging his arms around the broad chest and hugging him like he would never let go.

"Woah! What's the matter Squall? Some new attack technique you learned? Hate to tell ya but it's not very effective, actually it kinda tickles," Seifer teased, the smirk Squall had never thought he could miss so desperately clear in the amused voice.

"I missed you! I missed you so much! Please don't leave me anymore." Squall's arms tightened around Seifer as the blond embraced him in return with soul-soothing arms.

"Well, I'm not planning on going anywhere," Seifer whispered, nuzzling Squall's hair. Then he added with a light chuckle, "Guess my shining personality finally won you over, huh?"

"Something like that," Squall murmured and buried his head against Seifer's shoulder, so warm and strong. He could stay there forever if Seifer let him.

"About time!" Seifer smirked, his gloved hand gently lifting Squall's gaze and bent down to capture his trembling lips in a overpowering kiss.

"Seifer," he breathed, melting against the taller young man.

"You know, Squall..."

"Hmm..." Seifer's lips were pure bliss, soft, moist, and gentle yet fiery and completely intoxicating.

"...You should probably get that."

"Huh?" Get what? There Seifer went again, talking instead of kissing. As much as he loved the sound of Seifer's voice, there were better times for it. Although the tickle of Seifer's wonderful lips and warm breath against his as he spoke was strangely heavenly, in its own way. Almost erotic.

"The door," Seifer chuckled. "Someone's pounding on it like they`re trying to wake the dead."

"What?... Oh, No!" Squall groaned. Damn! Damn, damn, damn! Not again! Not again...

******** (End Part 7) (tbc)