~*~ When Did This Happen? ~*~
:: Seiftis. Squffie hints. (Quistis x Seifer, Squall x Selphie) ::
Chapter Ten: Towel Flirting
Note: I usually go into detail with things, but I'm in university now, I have a midterms and essays staring me in the face. This is a quick and casual read. We think. Reviews are more than a little appreciated.
~Silverium~
Disclaimer: Squaresoft. Not Silver.
"You're kidding me," Zell threw down his slip of paper and ran a hand angrily through his hair,
"Hm," Quistis mused, looking at hers over again,
"This isn't too bad," Irvine said after a moment's of silence,
"I get to ride a TRAIN!" Selphie squealed,
"No-no-no-no-no!" Zell banged his head against the wall,
"You're teamed up with Selphie, aren't you?" Quistis suppressed a smile,
"Yes! On a goddamn TRAIN!" Zell groaned,
"Yeah! Train! Whee!"
"Who's your third teammate?"
"The Prince of Ice, Squall," Zell moaned afresh,
"So that leaves me with Irvine and Seifer?" Quistis looked up at her friends,
Irvine nodded and Seifer blinked at her, his mind elsewhere. Quistis was mildly pleased, she couldn't explain the new relationship with the blonde man but it was unpredictable, and excited her. She only wished she hadn't cried in front of him…twice.
"So, we're looking for the lost council member, and you guys are…?"
"Looking for the lost parts of a crashed plane," Zell nearly wept,
"Ouch!" Irvine wrinkled his nose and looked truly sympathetic, "Hey man, that's rough,"
"It's not that bad," Selphie rolled her eyes, "The plane crash landed in an old industrial city that lost its power generator. It has scant buildings running on solar power, so there are a few people living there, but it's not like we're searching in an open field for the remaining nuts and bolts, the plane is lodged in the middle of the old generator."
"Someone is excited," Zell muttered,
"It's a mechanics dream, silly, I get to piece together the remains of a ship! WHOO HOO!"
They all winced at her cry but Quistis had to smile at Selphie's enthusiasm. Waving goodbyes they split up to their rooms and packed belongings for the trip. Quistis loaded some clothes into her bag and packed her trusty whip. She threw in a few cosmetics and then dashed outside, joining Seifer and Irvine. They trickled down to the quads and were soon rolling over the flat terrain.
Quistis stared out over the sea of gold. Grass tumbled down under their wheels as Irvine steered methodically, his indigo eyes scanning the horizon for their destination, a small newly founded city. Seifer was looking out in the opposite direction but his gaze moved soon to Quistis who was unaware of his eyes. She was wearing her normal outfit, the one that hid some things and left others open. The one he liked on her. One arm was resting on the side of the quad; the other placed in her lap, holding the rolled up mission statement, and her posture was perfect. As usual. She was beautiful, there could be no denying that, and Seifer wondered how he had looked over that for so long. All the moments they had shared in the past few days were steadily making him ponder this new bond they shared. His sea-green eyes traced over her figure and when they came back to her face he was startled to see her watching him back passively. Their eyes held together for a long moment before Quistis absently turned back to the monotonous scenery.
A careful frown crossed over Seifer's features but he wordlessly went back to looking out his own side. In the front seat and trying his best not to grin wickedly, Irvine Kinneas smirked and averted his gaze from the two blondes in the back.
They reached the small hotel they were staying at that afternoon. Tired from the long drive the three retired instantly into their separate rooms. The hotel was a large mansion with its bedrooms out for rent, thus the trio of SeeDs shared a bathroom down the hall, and had communal meals in a mini restaurant downstairs. Quistis looked at her room, it had a queen-sized bed, a nice large window and drawers, and was done completely in baby blue. Finding it to her satisfaction she tossed down her bag, stripped off her outer vest and skirt, and then trudged down the hallway into the bathroom in a tank top and her pants. Inside the room was steamy, someone had just had a shower. Quistis took off her dirty clothes and stepped inside the shower, pulling the water on full-force. She could smell a male's cologne in the bathroom, it was familiar, one of her companions, and was good. She spent half an hour melting under the hot spray, letting her mind wander…
…Feeling clean was the best sensation in the world. With the dust of the fields off her, as well as the sweat, a squeaky-clean Trepe climbed out and wrapped the pale blue towel supplied around her lithe form. She bent over and bundled up her clothes, kicking the door open and leaning on it to shut it. As she padded down the hallway Seifer and Irvine came out, holding up a light conversation. Both stopped dead when they saw her and Irvine nearly dropped the basket of clothes he was holding. Without batting an eye the ex-instructor threw her clothes inside, one hand holding her towel up, and slipped past them.
"Lookin' hot Trepe!"
"Seifer!" Quistis turned around, her eyes full of surprise, she shot him a scowl though it was hard to keep the smile off her face, and darted inside her room.
Irvine had a large lazy grin on his face and he nudged Seifer with his elbow, "Smooth man, but a lady like Trepe, she needs class at her side,"
"No, Trepe needs someone to put some fire in her and thaw that heart," Seifer shot Irvine a grin, "I think…I think that's why I came back."
The indigo-violet eyes of Irvine widened and his lips parted slightly. Seifer grew somber then and looked towards Quistis' shut door.
"Think I can do it?"
"She respects you, I can tell, you've got as good of a chance as any of us," Irvine said thoughtfully after a moment's pause.
They shared a look and then Seifer went to his room, leaving Irvine with the laundry, grumbling.
~*~*~*~
And at this point I'd like to thank my amazing reviews, it's only been like, what, three days since this was published? I had seven reviews almost automatically which is just so meaningful and appreciated. Here are my shout-outs to you lovely dears. In no particular order.
Verdanii ~ A review nearly every chapter, the constant compliments are keeping me going, thank you!
Juliet3 ~ Looking forward to more? Well more is on its way!
Thugstra ~ The world's gone mad when Selphie is sad. Seiftis rules, and the Squall x Selphie will grow on you, hopefully.
Satanic-Purple-Onion ~ Updates should be pretty regular and frequent, as long as I can write a chapter per day, and I'm well-ahead.
Chibi Angelo of Kamikaze ~ YEAH! Squall X Selphie rocks!
Legendary Neo-Jin ~ I got both of your favourite pairings? All riiiight!
DBH ~ I hope you enjoy it straight to the end.
So thank you all! I hope you'll be happy to know that I've got 20+ chapters written, so you won't have to wait long gaps between. I'm trying to publish at least one chapter per day. Hopefully it works out! Keep on reviewing 'cause you know I love them!
~Silverium
