Loving You
By Quistis88 and Quis
Chapter Six
Finding the Key
As though she were in a dream, Quistis stared up at the moon. It was deep red. Though she had seen the Lunar Cry from space, it was a frightening occurrence when seen from the earth. But, that in itself was not the scary part. The frightening thing was how clear it was. She could see it as it loomed high above, the clouds only hiding fragments of it.
Daniel Vlahos stood beside her. He was lost in his own thoughts, looking at the sky. Wish you had lived, my dear, he thought, remembering his own 'lost' wife, who had died some months previously. However, he didn't have the luxury, or the time, to mourn her. He'd been throwing himself into missions.
Quistis exhaled a little louder than she had intended to and caused Daniel to look her way.
"What's the matter?" he asked.
"Nothing. Just thinking."
"About what?"
She faced him. "Tell me, Daniel," she began, not sure how to phrase this, "Have you ever danced in the rain?"
"Well, I've walked and stood in it several times, but never . . . danced."
"Why not?"
He frowned. "I don't dance."
Quistis laughed. "Do you realize how much that just sounded like something our esteemed commander would say?" Her arm snaked around her stomach, as she clutched it in laughter. Dan looked at her askance.
"I'm sure it was very much so."
"Speaking of thinking, you looked rather distracted by something, too." She leaned against the window. "Have you been pondering about something as well? Reminiscing, perhaps?"
Dan glanced out at the pouring rain. He'd been thinking of matters that still cut deeply--namely his wife's death. Slowly, he began to speak. "I was once married..."
Quistis raised a brow. So he had lost someone he loved. It seemed as if almost everyone were losing loved ones nowadays. "Who was it? What happened?" Daniel swallowed. "If you don't want to talk about it, don't feel obligated to."
He shook his head. "I should probably tell you. It was Dr Alyeena Valentine," he said, his voice thick with grief. "She died when I was on a mission....I couldn't save her..." his voice broke, and deep, wracking sobs were the only sound Quistis heard for a while.
She walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder in hopes of comforting the broken man. There was nothing she could say to justify what had happened to him, so she kept her silence, and hoped her company would be enough to bring him out of his despair.
They were there, like that, for just a few moments. Selphie and Irvine had seen (and heard) the entire thing, and crept discretely away. For a few minutes, neither of them spoke, and then Selphie, with wisdom beyond her eighteen years spoke. "It's so hard when you lose someone you love."
"We all lose someone some time, darlin'," Irvine said, twirling his black cowboy hat around in a careless manner. Selphie sighed, and Irvine gave her a hug.
A new side of Selphie had awoken. The tender, kind and caring side had been brought out by wisdom, and experience. She held onto Irvine, as a rock. He was her anchor, her safe-haven.
Selphie was, indeed, very lucky to have Irvine by her side, and she knew. The tears began to fall and the sound of her sniffles made Irvine confused.
"Selphie, Selphie! Why are you crying?"
"I don't want to have to feel what it's like to lose someone I love. I don't want anything to happen to my friends, to you, to anyone . . . "
"Shhh, it's ok. Nothing's going to happen. We're all here."
~+~
Squall, meanwhile, had awoken in the field. He gazed lovingly at Rinoa, at the way she slumbered.
He watched her wrinkle her nose in her sleep and almost laughed aloud. She was so adorably lovely, he couldn't believe she was his.
Sighing imperceptibly, he nudged her gently. It was time they got up, and he knew it. "Rinoa," he whispered, "Wake up...It's a beautiful day outside,"
"Mmm . . ." she moved and stretched. " . . . Squall?"
"Yes?"
She laughed. "Nothing. Just wanted to make sure you were here."
"Why wouldn't I be here?"
"Well . . . I thought maybe I was dreaming again . . . "
She stretched out, luxuriating in the rays of sunlight that filtered in through the top of the glasshouse. She smiled as she saw that everything was as it was the night before. "I love you," she whispered, so inaudibly that Squall didn't hear it.
They lingered in bed for a few more moments before Squall's sense of duty rang in his head and almost dragged him out by his ears. Fully dressed, they stepped out of the glasshouse.
Matron greeted them with a smile. "Good morning," she said, embracing both of them. There was something about Matron that would spell out comfort for any of her lost children.
"Good morning, Matron," Squall said.
"Did you finally get some rest last night, Squall?" Matron asked him, concerned.
"Yes, Matron."
Matron patted his hair as if he was still a child. Squall felt a little embarrassed as Rinoa giggled.
It had been a long time since anyone had patted his hair. The last person, (not counting just now), had been the elderly woman who lived in Balamb. That had been approximately four years ago, when he was fifteen. He'd been doing deliveries as part of Balamb Garden's focus on aged care, and how to treat elderly people.
And after so many years, he still remembered the old lady's cat. Oh, how he hated that cat. He'd turn around and the next thing he knew, the canned goods are gone. The cat would scratch his recently-polished shoes and leave a few markings on it. Squall was glad that Rinoa did not own a cat.
But, that was going slightly off the beaten track. He resumed his normal stance. Slouching slightly, one hand on his hip, and the other arm--amazingly, was around Rinoa's waist. Matron smiled knowingly, and led the two lovers into the kitchen. In the kitchen, Quistis, Dan, Gwen, Xu, Nida, Irvine, Selphie and Zell were seated around a long table. At the head of the table, stood Laguna. Squall groaned inwardly.
"Good morning, Son! It's GREAT to see ya! And you, too, Rinoa!" Laguna flashed a grin. Squall thought the man was too cheery to be someone who had just woken up. It's not that he disliked his father, but he thought that Laguna and Selphie would've made a better parent-child pair.
~+~
Rinoa grimaced a little as they sat down. Laguna was far too cheery that morning. After they'd all eaten breakfast, and dishes were washed, Laguna began to speak.
"It seems to me that we're dealing with far more than just a legend," he said, as he splayed his hands out over the table.
Selphie quickly raised a hand, eager to ask her question. "If it's not a legend, Sir Laguna, then what is it?" Irvine chuckled and called her silly. She stuck her tongue out at him.
It was then that Gwen spoke up. "There's reports of a strange, vampire-like creature roaming the streets of Esthar," she said quietly, "It was reported this morning that the body of a blood-less victim was found on the corner of Rose Street and Alexandria Crescent."
"That's the details we really have for now," Quistis said. "But there is a high probability that this 'legend' is involved in some way, if not the cause of these incidents."
Laguna cleared his throat nervously. Everyone glanced at him. "Kiros will keep you all informed of any further developments through Guinevere's computer, I assure you."
Dan raked a hand through his hair, suddenly nervous. "Sir," he began, in perfect SeeD protocol, "If the legend of Da'Vasha has been invoked, what does it entail?"
Laguna scratched his head. "To be honest, I find it hard to really know what to expect and what we need to do to keep it under control. All I know is that, if things go way out of hand, there will be more bloodshed than any of us have ever seen."
That sent a chill down nearly everyone's spine. The only person in the room who did not shudder was Edea. Long nights she had spent, studying the moon, and now, she glanced up at it, the malevolent red glow almost pale against the cerulean sky.
"We will have to hurry," she said at last, as she glanced at the faces of the SeeDs. "This evil will not stop."
Zell, in the midst of having a hot dog for breakfast, swallowed and spoke. "How do you propose we stop it, Matron? I think that just because it will not stop doesn't mean it can't be stopped."
What do you know . . . Squall thought, Zell said something thoughtful.
Laguna nodded. "Good question, Zell," he said, as Matron smiled. Proudly puffing his chest out, Zell soon became the object of food being directed his way.
"Hey!" he protested, as he raised his arm to stop the onslaught of food, "What are you all attacking me for, geez!"
"Took you long enough to get those wheels turning, man!" Irvine threw a hot dog bun at Zell and it hit him in the face.
"Awwww, that ain't nice!" Zell feigned a few sobs.
Matron shook her head in amusement. "Settle down, children."
Finally they settled down. Daniel picked a stray cornflake out of Quistis's hair, and Selphie wiped the milk off her own face. Sharing an amused grin with Cid, Edea began to speak once again. "We will be sending you out today, to investigate the Tomb of the Unknown King. While I know that you have already entered the tomb, we will need you to record any markings on the walls. You will each be given a digital camera, and you are to work in pairs."
"I call Selphie," Irvine shouted. A tiny commotion started as almost everyone named off people they did or did not want to work with. Gwen left the room to gather the technical equipment.
After the equipment had been handed out, they headed towards the Estharian craft. Nida was at the helm, with Xu shouting at him every few minutes that he was going to crash into the side of the Kashkabalds. Selphie and Irvine were talking quietly among themselves, as were Quistis, Dan and Gwen. Zell had dozed off, as he normally did, and Squall, being Squall, was ignoring everyone.
Rinoa looked out the window silently and breathed deeply. She was anxious, and more than a little afraid. This was a dangerous mission indeed . . . would she lose Squall again? She scolded herself. If she hadn't said anything about the dream to anyone, maybe everyone would be safe at Garden right now. If anything bad happened, it would be her fault . . . her fault . . .
Laguna was twisting his wedding band. It always made him feel assured when he did that--as though Raine had never truly left him. Guilt surged through him. What he was doing was wrong, he knew, but at the same time, he had to distract them, not let them know of his other plans.
From where he sat, Squall observed the rest of his . . . "team". Quistis, Dan, and Gwen seemed to be working at something, and Selphie giggled, hiding under Irvine's hat, while Irvine pretended to look for her.
He pursed his lips in a frown. Rinoa seemed to be quieter than usual, and so he crept over to her, and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You're quiet, Rin," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"It's nothing, Squall." She turned back to the window.
"What do you mean, nothing? It's always something when you're quiet like this."
Rinoa smiled weakly, warmed by the fact that he knew her so well.
Faltering, she spoke. "I had a dream, a few nights ago, Squall. I dreamt that it had something to do with Centra, and a legend of a powerful Sorcerer known as Da'Vasha," she said quietly, almost trembling as the dream flashed in her mind.
"Tell me," Squall whispered. Though a little upset about how she had told his father before telling him, he understood that at the time, there was no way he could've been there for her. He felt ashamed.
Shuddering, Rinoa let the images flicker through her mind. Finally, she spoke, her voice faltering again. "I dreamt of a field covered with blood. The dust, mingled with blood, surrounded me. It was terrible, Squall...terrible."
Rinoa choked on a sob and Squall hugged her. "What else was there?"
"I . . . I saw . . . I saw . . . " Rinoa paused and didn't carry on, her tears flowing again.
Squall stroked her hair. "It's ok. If you can't tell me now, then I won't force you."
"But . . . but I want to . . . "
Squall held her close, embracing her. From a slightly shadowed position, Quistis and Dan observed their commander's behaviour. Quistis truly couldn't believe the change in Squall, but was grateful that she could stick around to see more. "I just wish," she said quietly to Dan, "That some of us could be as happy as they are"
Daniel exhaled, feeling sad again. "I know what you mean, Quistis. But I suppose, like with them, it takes a great deal of time and care."
Quistis did something unexpected. She leaned her head against Dan's shoulder. Slightly surprised, Dan wrapped an arm around her shoulder, and held her.
"They say time heals everything," Quistis began. "But as more time passes, my doubt grows."
"It's all right to have doubts. They serve as warnings."
She glanced up, confused. "Whatever do you mean?"
Dan looked at Squall and Rinoa. "I . . . once had doubts about marrying. I thought I wasn't good enough, even if she said I was. I saw that doubt as a warning, that if I didn't change, then things would just start going wrong. But because of that, I realized that I was fine the way I am, and if she accepted me for that, then that's good enough . . . isn't it?"
Quistis nodded sagely. She'd known his wife, Alyeena. "I'm sorry she died, Dan, Alyeena was a good friend of mine before her passing," she said quietly, her voice sympathetic. She smiled then, and Dan smiled back.
He suddenly gave her a tight hug and said, "Thanks for being here to listen, Quistis. I'm very grateful."
Quistis, surprised, slowly put her arms around him as well. " . . . you're welcome, Dan."
Suddenly, they were interrupted by a loud hoot of laughter, and they turned, embarrassed, to see Zell laughing and clapping his hands in glee. "Took you guys long enough!" Zell exclaimed. Dan's ears went bright red, and Quistis hugged herself, feigning nonchalance.
Quistis seemed slightly unaffected. "Come now, Zell. We were just friends being there for each other."
Zell looked at Dan.
"Er, yes . . . friends." He frowned a little, but Zell didn't notice.
Zell smiled knowingly. He'd developed a habit of smiling like that when people he knew were destined for one another seemed to think that they were oblivious. "Suuure you are," he said, rubbing his tattoo and crossing his leg in thought. "Say, Squall and 'Noa look kinda cozy, don't they?"
Quistis stared at Zell, who laughed. "What now, Quisty?"
"Don't tell me you like watching people when you're not supposed to."
"Oh, does that mean I wasn't supposed to be looking at you and Dan either?" he teased.
They laughed together. Soon, Nida made the announcement that they had reached the tomb. "Alright you lot, listen up!" Laguna called, "Remember the brief! Take any photos you wish," he said, then quickly amended that as he caught the wolfish expression on Irvine's countenance, "Of relevant things."
Quickly, they filed out of the aircraft and stood outside on the uncut grass, some loading film into their cameras at the last minute, some merely checking to see that the film was in place. Everyone walked into the tomb, while Quistis and Dan examined the external appearance of the ruins.
Rinoa's hand found its way into Squall's, and their fingers linked. Zell and Gwen worked quickly, clearing the long grass away from the entrance with fire spells. Soon they were in. Quistis fumbled for her flashlight, and turned it on, sweeping the walls with her gloved hands to remove the grime.
After half an hour of exploration and only a few pictures that were thought to be important, everyone seemed exhausted. Nonetheless, they continued deeper into the tomb, to the room where some of them had released the GF Brothers during the war.
Gwen examined the writing on the tomb, playing the ancient words on her tongue. It was a form of Centran--she could speak little bits of it, but she'd only learnt it through trial and error. She ran her fingers over the carvings, and she felt something.
The object had jagged edges, almost cutting her fingers. Putting on a latex glove (and realizing she should've had them on before she even came inside), she picked it up gingerly and placed it inside a small plastic bag, but not before taking a photo or two. Its original position might have significance.
Meanwhile, Selphie was frowning as she looked over at the pile of rubble. There just had to be something buried underneath that rubble. Moving over towards it, she proceeded to unpack what appeared to be an archaeologist's toolkit.
"Irvy!" she exclaimed. "Irvy, come look!"
He ran to where she kneeled. "Keep it down, darlin', you're bound to wake something up."
"Oh, you're not scared, are you?" Suddenly, there was a howl and Selphie dropped the toolkit back on the ground. "Ahhhh! I didn't do it, I didn't do it!"
Zell's howls filled the room. He'd managed to bang his leg against a sharp bit of metal which was protruding from the ground. Quickly dropping what they were doing, Gwen and Selphie rushed to his aid. "Shit that hurts!" he whined, as Gwen proceeded to apply a gauze pad with antiseptic on the wound.
"Stop being such a baby, Zell," Gwen muttered.
"I'm not a ba --- ow! What are you doing to my precious leg!?"
"If it already hurts THAT much, then there's no way you'll be moving around if you don't get this healed, silly."
Zell pouted and winced every once so often as his shin was being treated.
While Zell's leg was receiving medical treatment, Rinoa had wandered over to where Zell had hurt himself. Pulling her arm warmers down her arms, she gingerly picked up the sharp bit of metal. It had little runes carved into it.
Finally, something more to go on. Rinoa's camera flashed away and she took the piece of metal and placed it into a small box.
Quistis dusted herself off from where she sat on the ground, a little chisel and hammer in her hands. She'd managed to find a little box in the earth--now it was just a matter of removing the box from the earth. Hyne only knew what was in there.
She tried to pry it out with her fingers, but to no avail. Grunting a little in frustration, she attracted Dan's attention from across the room.
"Here, let me try," Dan offered. He neglected to give Quistis time to pull her fingers away and his hands came in contact with hers, and they both snatched their hands away. "Um, sorry..."
"It's fine."
Being a weapon-smith is good for something, Dan thought, as he gently pried the box out with a small sword he had on his belt. The box came out of the earth. Along each side of the box, there were little arrows, some form of Centran, Dan reasoned, as he wrapped it gently with his jacket.
Something in the ground glimmered at him and he searched. "Hold this for a moment please, Quistis." She took the box from him along with his jacket, which was still warm.
Bending down again, he placed his hand inside the hole that the box once occupied. He picked it up and examined it in the dim light. The box had been sitting on a key.
They'd definitely found SOMETHING. This little key would probably open the box. But the light was fading, and it was getting past eating time. Zell's stomach rumbled audibly, followed by Gwen's. It seemed like it was long past lunch and dinner.
"I'm hunnnnngrrrryyy . . . " Zell whined.
"Oh, Zell," Gwen shook her head. "You can't stand pain OR hunger. What kind of SeeD are you?"
"Right now, hungry and bitter."
Nida, fortunately, had the sense to realise that there wasn't much else they could do that night. "Look guys," he said, speaking loud enough for everyone to hear him, "Let's go to Deling City and bunk down there. We'll grab a bite to eat there, too," he said.
Dan smiled. Deling City was his home. "And as a grandson of the owners of Galbadia Hotel," he began, "Your rooms and food are free."
"BOOYAKA!!!" Selphie screamed.
Zell looked stunned. "Dan . . . man, I love you."
"Zell, that sounds wrong," Irvine gagged.
"Shut up! You know what I mean!"
Everyone piled back into the Esthar craft, and soon they arrived in Deling City. Dan led the way to the counter, where a smile appeared on his face as he saw an old friend of his, a Trabian merchant named Giani. "Long time no see, mate!" Dan greeted.
"Dan! How are ya?" Giani gave Dan a small pat on the back.
"Great. I was wondering if the hotel has some room for a few of my friends here."
"Certainly! This way, everyone!"
Everyone followed the old wizened man through the screen doors and down through a back alley. When they reached the end of the alleyway, they saw what appeared to be a house bordering on palatial proportions. Dan felt a surge of pride whenever he viewed his ancestral home.
"Everyone, this is my home," he said.
Everyone seemed speechless. Zell was the first to speak. "Hey! Cool, man! I LIKE this place!"
Quistis looked up and smiled. "It's quite impressive."
Dan smiled. "It's home," he said simply, as he rapped sharply on the door. It opened, and a butler appeared. "Good to see you again, Jac," Dan said in greeting.
Jacques nodded and gave a semi-formal bow. "Likewise, young Master Dan," he said, trying to suppress a smile.
"Awesome, Dan!" Irvine said with glee, then pointed to him. "You one of those eccentric millionaires or something?" Selphie elbowed him.
Dan's ears went pink. "My grandmother's one of the deGroots," he said, as if that explained everything. "Her name is Asiante deGroot."
Squall was silent. Rinoa, however, recognised the name. "Ah, I thought you looked familiar when I saw you, Dan!" she said, "You were at that banquet a few years ago with a lovely redhead."
Dan looked a little uncomfortable. "Yes, Rinoa, I was . . . " He quickly turned to the door, so he didn't see Quistis frown in sympathy. "Come on in."
Inside, a circular staircase was to the left. It was a wide, open room that they stepped into. Little lights in sconces created a softly-lit interior, and the room itself was lined with portraits of past Vlahos and deGroot family members. However, that was common in the houses of the elite Deling City people. A fountain off to one side could be seen.
Expensive tapestries lined a section of one of the walls and the carpet was soft under their feet. The place looked practically brand new.
"There should be more than enough rooms upstairs," Dan said, leading them up.
The rooms upstairs were furnished with antiques. Brocade chairs could be seen in several rooms Dan led them past, before he stopped before a door. "In here are several guest rooms with en-suites," he said, as he pushed open the door. A man popped out, dressed in what appeared to be a sailor's outfit, complete with the tri-cornered hat. A puzzled glance from Quistis made Dan chuckle. "That's old Uncle Marquis," he said.
"Dan! Dan, my boy!" Old Uncle Marquis gave Dan a bear hug, and he was clearly embarrassed. "Haven't seen you in ages? Where've you been, lad?"
" . . . around," he answered. Marquis looked at Quistis, who stood a little behind Dan.
"Why, hello, pretty lady." He tipped his hat, and Quistis smiled in acknowledgement, blushing a little. He looked at Dan again. "Your girlfriend, is she?"
Dan didn't answer for a moment. "No, Uncle Marquis," he said, "Remember, I was already married?"
Marquis's face finally dawned in comprehension. "Oh, that's right....She was a pretty lass, that one. But Danny-boy, you can marry again, surely?" and he nudged his nephew none-too-gently.
Dan looked at Quistis warmly, but still embarrassed, and they both looked away at the same time. There was a rhythmic sound everyone heard in the silence that followed. It was Squall's left boot tapping on the floor.
Marquis glanced guiltily up at the young man. "You're---" he began, "You're Leonhart!"
Squall rolled his eyes. "Yes, I am, and Dan is here on business, not to engage in idle chit-chat, so, if you would be so kind, please let us pass," Squall said, each word getting slightly clearer and sharper as he said them. Oh, he was irate.
Marquis sidestepped, "Sure . . . " Everyone filed in past him, except Quistis and Dan.
"I apologize for the Commander's behavior, sir," Quistis said. "He's like that."
"No harm done, my lass! A spot of rum should fix the damage, if there was any at all!"
Whistling, he walked down the hall. She turned to Dan. "Sorry Squall took on such a tone with your uncle, he's ---"
"It's all right."
Dan led the way towards what appeared to be a glasshouse. It was, however, the most exotic room any of them had laid eyes upon--except for Dan, of course. Smiling and shaking his head at the wondrous glances shown by the others, he motioned to them to follow him out of that room. Soon they were sitting comfortably in winged chairs, and sipping a cold glass of lemonade.
They fell into discussion about what had transpired in the tomb. However, Nida, being Nida, had wandered off to look at the various little pieces of machinery that littered the room.
They were about to look over their findings when a loud snore came from across the room. Zell was apparently asleep, and his mouth was wide open.
Glancing at Zell, and then at his watch, Squall realised it was past midnight. They'd apparently spent hours over dinner, and other meaningless discussions.
"Daniel," Squall began, "We need an early start tomorrow if we're to head back out to the tomb. As it is after midnight, might I suggest we adjourn until approximately 0800?"
"Excellent suggestion, Commander," Daniel said getting up from his chair and stretching. "Your rooms should be ready by now, just choose any one you'd like."
"Are there any bright, happy, yellow rooms!?" Selphie chirped.
Daniel shared a glance with Squall. "Selphie," Dan began, "The only yellow room is the one in the attic. Unless you feel like sleeping up there with the rats, I suggest that you take one of the rooms offered."
Her face fell in disappointment. Dan felt slightly bad, but he was telling the truth.
Dan led them down a well-lit corridor lined with many doors, each an entrance to a room different than all the others. He showed it all to them one by one and some even bickered playfully over one or two, until Squall said, "It doesn't matter where you sleep, it's only for a night or two."
"Oh, Squall, you won't understand . . . " Selphie said, eyes twinkling.
"Oh?" Squall's eyebrow raised slightly. He could perfectly understand why rooms mattered, but he just felt like being his old self. When Selphie's back was turned, he winked imperceptibly at Rinoa, and she blew a kiss back.
Dan smirked. "Well, I shall leave you to sort out your rooms," and to Quistis he whispered, "Eighth corridor, fourth door along. That's my room, if you want to come."
Quistis' face burned a pale red. "Well, sure, if you'd like me to. I'll be there in around 15 minutes or so."
Dan couldn't believe she accepted. "Sure, I'll be waiting." He smiled and headed for his room.
It was only Gwen who noticed the exchange. Smiling secretively to herself, she entered a room at random, only to come across a shirtless Zell. Stammering and blushing, she made to exit, but Zell stopped her. "Hey, sleep here tonight if you want," he said, as her eyes widened. "Nothing's gonna happen, I promise."
"Well...if you say so," Gwen managed to stammer out.
She set her equipment in a corner and, making sure they were safe, went into the adjoining
washroom to change into a nightgown.
Fifteen minutes later, Quistis Trepe exited her room. After making sure the coast was clear, she stole down the corridor, until she reached Dan's room. She knocked on the door, and was surprised when Dan opened it, wearing nothing but his jeans.
Quistis tried to keep her eyes on his as she spoke. "I'm sorry I interrupted you . . . " she began.
"Oh, it's all right, I was just in the middle of getting changed . . . er, come in." He opened the door a little wider and closed it behind him.
She blushed, and entered. The room was fairly sizeable, and the bed was large enough to be a room of its own, or so it would seem.
"How can you get used to sleeping on the narrow cots in Garden after coming from THAT?" she pointed at the bed.
"Well, I suppose you could say that I'm a very . . . " he twirled a hand, looking for the right word, "adaptable person."
"I see." Quistis turned her back to him to look around the room, but mainly to avoid the view of his chest.
"Quistis, I'm quite sorry about how my uncle treated you . . . "
"It's alright, Daniel," she said, her voice frostier than she'd intended. She was struggling to keep her eyes off Dan's chest, which was miraculously hairless, and thus, drool-worthy in her opinion.
"Whatever," he said, somewhat hurt by the tone of voice she'd taken. "Quistis, look at me," Dan continued, crossing the room.
She did so.
Still not able to force the tone of her recent words out of his mind, he carried on, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Whatever it was that I've said or done that made you upset, I'm sorry. You've always been there for me when I needed someone and I don't ever want to lose that."
Quistis sighed. She just couldn't find it in herself to stay mad at him.
Besides, he was quite handsome, there was no denying that. She unconciously leaned forward, closer to him. "You're forgiven," she breathed, and gave his lips a soft touch with her own.
Realizing that maybe she shouldn't have, she pulled back again. "I'm sorry." Dan's eyes softened.
"Maybe we should both stop saying sorry."
"Sounds like a good idea to me," Dan rejoined, as their lips met once more in an explosion of fire that burned.
Shedding clothes quickly, their hands roaming over one another's bodies, they fell back onto Dan's bed.
~+~
"Zell, I know you can't sit still, but can you at least try to SLEEP still? You keep kicking my leg." Gwen rolled over and slid closer to her edge of the bed.
Zell thrashed again, and his arms somehow found a way to Gwen's waist. She sighed resignedly, and realised that if she was going to have ANY sleep that night, she'd be best to just accept this. Somehow, it felt strangely right, with Zell's arms wrapped firmly around her waist. Deciding that she was being too analytical again, she let her eyes flutter closed.
