Otherworld

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Genre: Drama/Romance

Classification: Epic

Rating: R

Pairings: Zell x Quistis, Zell x Squall

Warnings: AU, Alcohol Use, Drug Use, Language, Lemon

Disclaimer: The Final Fantasy VIII franchise is owned by Squaresoft

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AU. Zell is the lead singer for a rock band, but what happens when he becomes torn between the booze, the drugs, his bassist, and his drummer? [Zell x Quistis, Zell x Squall]

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Author's Notes: Thank you so much to everyone who has read and reviewed thus far. It means allot. You know, I review for those who review for me. I think it's only fair. Yes, I'll keep working hard on this story, as long as I know someone enjoys it. I'll try and keep it updated on a regular basis. And again, thank you.

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Ch. 02

And Stop For A Coffee

[Zell's P.O.V.]

Fuck. Not cool. Not cool at all.

This pounding fucking headache.

I knew it was a bad idea last night, drinking all those goddamn Bloody Mary's. I should've quit after a few, but I just kept at it. Come to think of it, I couldn't remember how many I actually had.

I rubbed my eyes, trying to kill the headache at the root. It helped a tiny bit, but not really. I'd have to take a shitload of aspirin. And that was my only excuse for actually getting out of bed.

I swung my legs to the side of my bed, rubbing the sides of my face, staring at my feet. Why was I such a fucking moron? I knew I should've stopped last night. I would've kept on drinking if I hadn't of crashed. Damn. Well, maybe it was just a blessing in disguise. It had to be.

I stood up, only to teeter a bit. Fuck. I had to get that aspirin, and fast. It was pretty pathetic. I had to fucking push my weight up against the wall, and kind of slide against it just to get out of my room.

"Hey!" I cried out. "Quistis? Squall? Get me some fucking aspirins! Like, six of 'em!"

I reached the corner of my room, and pushed my head into it. I pounded my fist against the wall a couple of times, laughing to myself.

"Ow," I murmured. "Haha, this is fucking priceless. Consequences, consequences."

I closed my eyes, running a hand through my hair. It was like a chainsaw sawing through my brain. Pain shot out in five thousand directions. Hell, pain shot out in more directions than I knew I even had. I needed those goddamn aspirins. Where the fuck was Quistis? Or Squall? Had they even heard me?

"Goddamn it!" I cursed. "Will somebody please get me some fucking aspirins?! I have a pounding headache!"

My voice sounded weird to me. Like it wasn't even me talking. My voice echoed inside of my head repeatedly, bouncing on every little muscle. I clenched my teeth, pushing up against the wall, trying to make it to my door. I had to move so fucking slow, because when my foot touched the floor, I felt a pulse of pain throb somewhere deep inside my head. I was about to fucking cry, I'm not even playing. It was like somebody had fucking beat my skull in with a hammer.

"I'm starting to get really fucking pissed off!" I yelled. "Somebody better fucking get me-"

Before I could finish, I heard my door open. I looked up, expecting to see Quistis or Squall standing there with a handful of aspirins, but I didn't. It was Xu.

"Xu," I said. "Come on, did you hear me? Please tell me you got me some aspirins."

She smiled, opening up her hands. I saw those wonderful little tablets. My mouth practically watered.

"I got seven, just in case."

She handed them to me, then folded her arms across her chest. She craned her neck at me.

"Aren't you going to need something to drink?" she inquired.

"Nah," I replied. "I'll chew 'em. They'll react faster."

"But they taste awful!"

"Yeah, well you don't have to worry about that. You're my manager, not my mother."

Xu nodded, running a hand through her dark hair. She offered a meek smile.

I tilted my head back, and put four aspirins in my mouth. Right when they hit my tongue I could taste their absolutely bitter flavor. I started chewing right away, grinding them under my teeth. I gave Xu a desperate look, and she merely nodded.

"I told you they tasted awful."

I rolled my eyes, and finished chewing. Then I popped the last three in and chewed them up. After I had finished, I started rubbing my head. The headache was still there, of course, but it had already numbed up a bit.

"Are you sure taking seven aspirins is okay?"

I shrugged, still rubbing my forehead.

Xu put a finger on her chin, raising an eyebrow at me.

"Well, let's hope it's safe."

"It's not," I admitted. "But people have done worse and didn't get fucked up. Don't worry so much. So, where's Quistis and Squall?"

"They're practicing."

"Without me? Is that possible?"

"Well, I don't know. But you guys have got a concert tonight."

"What?!"

"You don't remember?"

"Fuck no!"

"Oh, come on. It's at the Majestic Theater. Is it coming to you now?"

"No."

"Oh, Zell! You'd better get in there and run over some songs, then. After all, the Majestic Theater is the biggest concert hall in the city. It'll do you guys good."

I folded my arms across my chest, hugging myself.

"Uh, alright."

"I don't know about you, sometimes. Regardless, I think you should really start practicing with your band mates."

"Yeah."

"Is your headache going away?"

"It's a little bit better, but not too much. I think I can walk, anyway."

"How long do you think it'll take?"

"Well, I took seven fucking aspirins, so hopefully not long. What time is our concert?"

"Nine, but you'll probably want to get to the Majestic Theater at about seven."

"And what time is it now?"

"About eleven in the morning."

"Do you think I've got enough time?"

"You tell me."

I rubbed my forehead, putting my free hand on my hip.

"Look, I'll go ahead and practice. Let's hope that my singing will make me forget I have this fucking headache."

"Okay. Zell, if it really starts to hurt, just come tell me. I'll be around. I don't want you to strain yourself."

"Yeah, you do."

Xu placed a hand to her chest, as if she were insulted. I flashed her a grin, and she realized I was just being a smart ass. She smiled. I gave her a nod, and was out the door.

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[Quistis' P.O.V.]

Well, it was kind of tricky. Having to try and practice for the show tonight without our singer. I sighed, strumming on my bass. It just wasn't the same without Zell. I gave Squall a look.

"Um, do you think this is really helping any?" I asked him.

"What do you mean?" he inquired.

"Well, don't we need Zell to really practice? I mean, this just doesn't feel right."

"Yeah. I know, but, whatever. You heard what Xu said. Big Alt is a major club, we had to have everything down just right."

"Hmm. I guess."

"The music's important too, Quistis."

"I know, I know. It's just, so weird without his vocals. I don't know. But I'll quit complaining."

"Yeah, you bitch too much."

"Excuse me?"

Squall laughed, obviously joking with me.

I rose an eyebrow at him.

"Mmm, well, just give me two seconds with you and I'll break your leg off and then-"

Before I could finish my play threat, the door to the studio opened. Squall and I turned to see a fairly flushed looking Zell standing in the doorway. His hair was messy, and he was still dressed in the clothes he'd slept in. Last night he was drunk as hell, so Squall and I had just taken off his clothes, down to a black t shirt and some navy blue boxers. I tilted my head at him.

"Zell? You're still in your boxers."

"Yeah, well if my cock pops out, so be it."

I grinned, toying with my bass.

"I see. Well, Squall and I have been practicing for a little while. But I'm glad you finally decided to join us."

"Sorry," Zell apologized. "I've got a throbbing headache."

"That's what you get for drinking so much last night," I said.

"Really?" Squall butted in. "Damn, Zell. That's rough. I'm sorry. You know, if you don't want to practice with us, it's okay…"

"Squall!" I cried, turning to look at him. "You can't say something like that. We've got a concert tonight at the Majestic Theater. Xu said it's important for us."

"Yeah," Zell replied. "She told me the same thing."

Squall sighed, spinning his drumsticks in his fingers.

"Two against one," he muttered.

"Alright," Zell began, running a hand through his hair. "Do you guys have any idea what you want the set list to be tonight?"

"I wrote it out," I said, crouching down to pick up a neatly folded piece of paper lying at my feet. "Here."

I handed him the set list, and he unfolded it, his eyes scanning the list of songs we were going to perform tonight. Well, unless he had a different suggestion.

"Whoa," Zell said, a small grin on his lips. "Yeah. Yeah, this'll work. Really nice, Quistis."

I smiled, running a hand through my hair. "It's nothing. So, should we start practicing?"

"Yeah, let's just run through the songs."

Zell nodded, and gave Squall a look. I turned, also looking at him. Squall smiled, his eyes intent on Zell, a strange shimmer in his stormy eyes. I rose an eyebrow at him, though I don't think he noticed me. Zell cleared his throat, turned back to his mic, and tapped it with his hand.

"Alright. Okay, let's try this. One, two, three, four."

I heard Squall bringing his drum loop into the beginning of the song, and I habitually started strumming at my bass, sending little dark chords here and there, scattered throughout like little ripples. And then Zell injected his voice into the music, turning it into a song. Filling it with a certain energy that I just couldn't put my finger on.

I tapped my foot to the beat, giving Zell a small smile. He flashed me a grin, taking the mic off of the stand, giving him a little more freedom.

It brought back memories. Just standing here, in our recording studio, practicing away. We'd come a long way since then. Those wonderful days when we were just a group of high school students starting a garage band. We'd do little gigs in the high school auditorium, and we felt like that was the best there was. We were so gullible back then. But Zell had led Squall and I a long way. He never gave up, even when the first record label refused us. They said the lyrics were a little too strange, it wouldn't be mainstream. But here we were, five years later, a successful underground band. Our first CD had gone platinum, and our second one was in the works. I, personally, was really looking forward to the concert tonight at the Majestic Theater. Well, maybe I was just looking forward to it because Zell really got into the music whenever he performed live. After all, he was amazing. Sexy, even. Phew, look at these thoughts. Just standing here, playing my bass as if I were an android programmed to do nothing but. And I'm still looking at him, smiling. I hope he wasn't getting suspicious. I mean, I hope he wasn't picking up on my staring problem. As long as he didn't know I liked him, it'd be okay. Huh? What? Damn. Well, it's out Quisty. Don't bother sweeping it under the carpet now. Of course I like Zell. When he was drunk last night, I would've loved to taken advantage of him, but, I realized I would've regretted it later, so I didn't. But, it did cross my mind. Well, which woman wouldn't have wanted to taken advantage of him? He was a god. After all, he was a major rock idol. I'm sure there were even boys who wouldn't mind Zell fucking them. Whoa. Did I just say fucking? Hmm. Quisty, all that hanging around with Zell has rubbed off on you. Now you've got a dirty mouth yourself. Yes, but I know I'd much rather have my mouth dirty with something else. Like Zell's cum. Hyne! I just didn't stop, did I?

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[Squall's P.O.V.]

"How'd practice go?" Xu asked, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Great," Zell said, flashing her a toothy grin.

"That's wonderful! Oh, I'm so glad. I know the concert tonight is going to be a success."

"They always are," Quistis declared, wrapping he arm around Zell's necks.

"Right," I said, folding my arms across my chest, offering a small smile.

Damn. It hurt like hell to see her hands all over him like that. Even if it was just a friendly little embrace, my heat fell in a puddle of water whenever she did things like that. I couldn't take it. I waved a hand through the air. I really had to get away for an hour or two.

"Look," I blurted. "I think I'm gonna go swing by a coffee house and get something to drink. I could use a little fresh air."

"I think that's a great idea!" Quistis cried. "Oh, let's all go together! You should come too, Xu!"

I let out a soft, practically silent sigh. Quistis and Xu. Phew. Oh, fuck, Squall! You're an idiot. Zell will be coming, too! Damn. Mmm.

I nodded, leaning against the wall, smiling. I actually showed my teeth this time.

"Okay," Xu replied. "Yes, we have a little bit of free time. And we deserve it. Hell, I'll even pay."

"You better," Zell said, grinning.

Quistis, Xu, and I laughed.

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[Squall's P.O.V.]

"This is great!" Quistis squealed, nearly chugging her cocoa mocha latte. I rose an eyebrow at her.

Zell grinned, bringing his cup of coffee to his lips. He chugged a pretty good amount, even though it was steaming hot. But my little musings only brought a smile to my lips. After all, isn't it like they say? People treat their coffee as they treat their sex. If someone enjoys coffee, well, they enjoy sex. And Zell definitely enjoyed his sex. I mean, his coffee.

"And it wasn't too expensive," Xu replied, licking a little bit of whipped cream from her french vanilla latte.

"That's saying allot," Zell said. "Coming from a tightwad like you."

"What?!" she cried, playfully.

Zell and Quistis laughed. I grinned, still hooked on the word "tightwad." Damn. I really was thinking about Zell in the sack, wasn't I? After all, I've got a tightwad for Zell any day. Phew.

Quistis and Xu quickly became involved in some obvious girl talk, with their loud, quick chatter, girly hand signals, and the religious switching of crossed legs. I smiled, turning my gaze to Zell.

"Girl talk," I muttered.

He looked at me, his fabulously blue eyes lighting up. He grinned.

"Yeah. It'll cause the end of the world."

"Most likely."

"So, want some boy talk?"

"Boy talk?"

"Sure. Girl's have girl talk, why can't boys have boy talk?"

"Well, we're twenty two. I'm a man, not a boy."

"Oh. Yeah, you're right. So, want to have some man talk?"

"I think it's called man to man, Squall."

He grinned at me, melting me from the inside out.

"Okay, let's have some man to man."

"Aight. So who do you wanna shag?"

"What?"

"Who do you wanna shag? You know, what girl do you wanna fuck?"

I smiled, although inside I didn't feel one hundred percent. After all, I wanted Zell to fuck me. I didn't want to fuck any girl. I don't think I could, even if I tried.

"Come on, man," he egged on. "You can tell me. Who is it? Xu? Oh, no, no, don't tell me. It's that, uh, that one chick who works at McDonald's, right? Lilly?"

"Selphie," I corrected him.

"That's it, dude! You wanna shag Selphie!"

Quistis and Xu glanced at me. I blushed.

"No, that's not it. You said her name was Lilly, and I was just correcting you."

"I bet," Zell said, slapping me on the back. "Way to go, man."

Quistis and Xu smiled at me, looking at me for a little bit, before turning back and continuing with their girl talk.

"Well," Zell began, leaning closer to me, lowering his voice. "I wouldn't mind gettin' a piece of Quistis. She's a fucking babe."

I felt my heart sink. I offered the weakest smile I'd ever given. In fact, it probably looked more like a frown. Oh, yes. It was a frown.

Zell furrowed his brows.

"Yo, man. You look depressed. Somethin' wrong?"

"No," I lied, shaking my head.

"Don't pull that shit with me. What? Do you got a thing for her?"

"For who?"

"Quistis."

"Oh. Um, no. That's not it."

"Then what is it?"

"Nothing."

Zell leaned in even closer, and I could literally feel his hot breath on my face. It was nice, although bittersweet. Because I realized then that this was the closest we would ever be. Zell wanted Quistis. He would never want me.

"What?" he whispered. "You want me to fuck you or something?"

My face went scarlet. I opened my mouth to say something, my mind screaming a refusal, but my libido jumping up and down in joy. I was torn between them. I couldn't say anything.

"Hey! I'm just kidding, man. You should see the look on your face!"

Zell laughed, pointing at me.

"Priceless," he said. "Just priceless."

I sighed, nodding. I picked up my cup of cappuccino, taking a sip from it. My head was a mess of various thoughts. I didn't know what to think. Zell had said he was joking, and he probably was, but he sounded so serious. Had he caught onto me? Had he found me out?

I looked up from my cup of cappuccino, only to be met with Quistis' and Xu's eyes, staring right at me. Little smiles planted right on their lips, as if they had known what was going on.

I rubbed a hand nervously through my hands, and nearly jumped when I felt Zell's hand slapping against my back.

"You're aight, man," he told me.

I offered a smile, looking up into his sapphire eyes once again. Suddenly, my smile turned into a bit of a grin. That was an amazing look in his eyes. The kind of look whenever he looked at Quistis. I knew I was jumping to conclusions to say that he liked me, but I think it was safe to say that we were extremely close, and that was always good. I suddenly didn't feel so cold inside. Instead, I started warming up, and felt perfectly well. I nodded, still looking at Zell.

"So are you," I finally said. "So are you."

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Author's Notes: Alright, there's the second chapter. Yes, I know there was allot of talking in this chapter, and not really too much action. I hope I didn't disappoint anyone, though. The reason this had so much talking was because I couldn't just leap into the concert, you know? I had to work up to it. And they had one hell of a time last night, I didn't want them going to a bar and having some huge fight. Well, not yet, anyway. Next chapter, expect to see a concert at the Majestic Theater, with songs by me. Don't worry, there will be some nice things happening in the next chapter. I've got allot of ideas for things to happen. I just had to build up to it, that's all. I hope I didn't scare anyone away. So, if you'd be so kind, please review. It'd mean so much to me, and I review for those who review for me. Thank you very much.