Epilogue: When Did This Happen?

Disclaimer: Squaresoft not Silver.

~Silverium. –Yes, I'm crying too--

With a long tired yawn Irvine slowly sat up from his bed, stretching out his arms and grimacing. His hair fell in loose auburn waves around his shoulders and back and lazily the cowboy stood up and tied it back as he wandered to the bathroom. The sun hadn't risen yet, it was complete blackness outside. A cruel morning for the senior SeeDs.

The SeeDs had a new mission, and it called for a 5am wake up. Knowing that the rest of Garden would be asleep, Irvine dressed in shorts and a loose tee shirt. They had a final briefing before an hour break to get dressed and pack so the SeeDs would all show up in their pajamas. As Irvine shut his door and locked it he saw an adorable fresh-out-of-bed Selphie swaying as she walked like a tiny penguin, head tilting back and forth to her own rhythm.

            "Mornin'" Irvine greeted warmly.

            Selphie was rubbing one eye, the other staring widely at him, a shock of green against her pale skin. She was dressed in a long cotton button down with pale blue stripes slashing vertically and the shirt in general was huge on her, falling mid-thigh. When she was within two feet of her tall friend she burst into smiles and waved energetically,

            "Let's go see who's up! I wanna get to the cafeteria first! Whee!" She chirped, taking off excitedly.

            Irvine laughed at her cheerfulness and followed, his long strides catching up with her. When they reached there the two blondes, Seifer and Quistis, were sitting at a table. Seifer was leaning back in his chair, eyes shut, his head resting against Quistis' as she snuggled against his side sipping her coffee. Selphie squealed at the sight, waking Seifer up, and Quistis had to fight to keep her coffee from spilling. Her eyes were glazed over with sleepiness but were soon blinking with new-found clarity as her and Seifer sat up straighter.

            "How long have you been up?" Seifer accused wearily,

            "Seven minutes!" Selphie beamed,

            "Hyne…she really is happy all the time…" Seifer muttered.

            Irvine pulled up a chair and ordered some coffee as well while Selphie found the largest mug she could and filled it with hot chocolate. She was rambling on about pink marshmallows when Quistis gently interrupted her.

            "Zell and Squall?" Quistis asked,

            "Squall's coming, I woke him up," Selphie announced, "And I kicked Zell's door as I passed."

            Sure enough moments later Zell and Squall appeared. Zell was shirtless and in shorts, looking dazed, Quistis chuckled at his appearance and made her way to get him some cold water. Seifer watched her as she went, her loose pink pants swishing as she went. He was half surprised she hadn't come out in her uniform. Though with that cute white tank top he was pretty glad she didn't. Quistis had a figure that could kill. Seifer nearly purred. When Quistis returned she smiled and gave the nearly asleep Zell his water. He muttered softly and began to drink it down, looking more alert with every swallow. The boys were not morning-people, that much was obvious. As Quistis looked over at Squall to offer him something she stopped and did a double take.

            There was a long period of silence-filled confusion where Irvine looked at Quistis and then to Squall. Squall. Irvine looked at Selphie. Then back at Squall. Selphie. Squall.

            Squall raised his delicate eyebrows in a deadly manner. Bare-chested like Zell he stood clad only in cotton pajama pants, white with pale blue stripes slashing vertically…

            "Oh…my…" Irvine turned faintly pink, his indigo eyes flared.

            Quistis swallowed and stuttered something before promptly burying her face in between Seifer's neck and shoulder. Seifer frowned, and shared a puzzled look with Zell until Squall passed by Selphie to sit down. There was a choking sound as Zell fumbled drinking and soft muttering from Seifer. The tall blonde wrapped his arms around a shaking Quistis who couldn't even manage the motor skills to pick up her coffee. It sat neglected on the table, cooling.

            Squall said nothing. The entire ordeal had gone straight over Selphie's head.

            The silence was broken when Xu came down with folders and paper, passing them out swiftly and launching into her discussion.  The mission was sub-standard, an easy breeze to keep them in shape. Her rattled off the information easily as if she had been awake for hours. Stoic and straight-backed she appeared as Quistis did any hour but 5am.

            "Partners are Quistis, Seifer, and Zell, and Irvine, Selphie and Squall,"

            "Whee!" Selphie jumped up and performed a small dance of happiness.

            Xu watched Selphie silently and looked back down to her clipboard. Then she looked back up. Squall had a smug smile on his face. Selphie…oh Hyne.

            "Er…right…so you will—Seifer, stop playing with Quistis' hair and pay attention," Xu snapped, "—all go to the Shumi Village, but once there one team will head over to the tribal plains of the Ninishka People. After—Seifer! Hand. Off. Quistis. Quistis, stop giggling,"

            "Oh lighten up Xu, they're doing no harm," Selphie smiled radiantly,

            "Don't even get me started on you, Selphie," Xu stared in exasperation,

            "What did a do?!" The brunette squealed with a pout,

            Here Quistis lost her composure completely and had to leave them to clean up the coffee she had spilt when her knee had accidentally smacked the table.

            "Matching set with your boyfriend?" Xu looked darkly at them,

            Innocently Selphie quipped back, "Oh, they're not a set, I stole his shirt in the morning when I woke up, while he was asleep, it was just lying behind the pillow beside me."

            Xu smacked her forehead as Irvine and Seifer burst into loud laughter.

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Review! Love me! Cherish me! Okay, you don't have to do the last two, but the first…well, I'd appreciate it. ::hands out tissues::

So, how many of you were won over to the Selphie-Squall side of life? ^-~ And all you readers who never reviewed, please, please, please review. For all those new people who have reviewed, THANK YOU! Hugs, plushies, and dessert for all!

Emrelle Elendal: I went back and extended the epilogue as much as I could. Sorry!

123: If I ever get the time I'd adore writing another adventure/romance that is more in-depth. I'll see what I can cook up, okay? I'll try, I really will. Were you thinking same series? New pairings? Old?

Kerrie-chan: Ooh, I really hope everyone likes the epilogue. Man, I'm going to be so sad after I post it.

Jade Stellar: Eeeee! Hugs! I love hugs! ::hugs back lots:: Awwwww!!!

Melancholy Dreamer: Don't cry! There's still the epilogue! Well. Actually. No doubt you just read it. Eh…that didn't work…

j-selphie-u: If University and work don't kick my tender tush then I'd love to write another one.

Escawing: Booyakisha! Won another to the Selphie-Squall!

Aramaring: Heh! I'd love to do another Selphie-Squall, I love that pairing so much. Best fic ever read? Whoa. I'm overly flattered, warm and fuzzy inside. Super Selphie Dominatrix! Booyakisha!  A moment surely never to be forgotten! You are one of my favourite readers, I'm so glad you reviewed so many times I cannot express how much it means! I've never had so many reviews in my life!!