Otherworld Chapter 3: Sure, That Star Can Twinkle, a final fantasy viii fanfic

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: This chapter is dedicated to Maia, since she really seems to be enjoying this. After all, she's probably the only one who's going to be reading it, because www.fanfiction.net is stupid, and they never show any of my stories in the Final Fantasy VIII section, even though I update frequently. But I'm writing this for her, and I'm glad she likes this. If she's got any friends who are into Final Fantasy VIII, they might enjoy this story as well. Well, thanks to everyone who's reviewed, and a very special thanks to Maia for being such a good fan.

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Ch. 03

Sure, That Star Can Twinkle

[Zell's P.O.V.]

I looked into the mirror, staring right into my blue eyes. This is it, Dincht. Xu was right. This would be a great opportunity for us. I couldn't fuck it up. I folded my arms across my chest, craning my neck. Quit stalling. You've got a show to do.

I gave myself a long, cold stare, and then left the mild sanctuary the mirror withheld. I loved performing live, I really did. But it was so eggshell. You had no idea what could happen. With one little fuck up, one wrong comment, one loose beat. You just don't know, and it could be kind of scary at times. But I loved it way too much to just throw it away like that.

I could hear the muffled screams of wild fans as I got closer and closer to the stage where Quistis and Squall were already at. Their introductory beat was just a tease for the fans, and a tease for me, too. Once I got out there, that would be it. No messing up, no second chances. I had to do my best. Phew. That's it, Dincht. Keep walking. I looked down at my feet as I moved along, my ears listening carefully as the fans and the beat got louder. And louder. I was getting closer. I looked ahead, and saw the slightly open door at the very end of the hallway. It wasn't far now. Taking in a deep breath, I ran a hand through my spiky hair. I couldn't keep thinking on the negative side. After all, the glass was definitely half full. It'd be alright.

And so I pushed through the door onto the stage, and was nearly paralyzed by the explosion of neon blue lights that sparkled like shattered diamonds on the stage. I saw Quistis and Squall writing in the limelight, their bodies completely buried in pale blue. A huge grin instantly came to my face. All of the sudden, it felt so natural. The way our fans threw their arms into the air, screaming so loud it nearly drowned out the music. The way their faces lit up under the weight of the neon blue light effects. I walked across the stage, giving them a typical, "rock on," symbol. They cheered in approval. I ran a tongue across my teeth, and reached for my mic. I leaned forward, over it, staring out at them.

"How's it goin'?"

They erupted in applause. I grinned.

"First things first, I'd like to introduce to of my favorite people in the whole world," I began, signaling to Quistis. "This is Quistis Trepe on bass."

The fans screamed, and a few dudes even whistled for her. I couldn't blame 'em, though.

"Aight," I continued. "And this is the human turntable, Squall Leonhart on drums."

Once again, screams filled the concert hall. I grinned.

I tapped the mic, using my free hand to rub my bare chest. I turned back, flashing a grin at Quistis and Squall. They knew what that meant. It was time to start this shit. No fuck up's, Dincht. Gotta work your ass off. And I planned on just that.

I started tapping my foot, catching the feel of the song I knew so well. I heard Quistis' dark, almost demonic sounding bass chords. It sounded like something straight out of a Silent Hill game, with Squall's fairly soft, almost creepy drum beat slowly crawling in and out of the alternative cords. I ran a tongue across my lips as the fans erupted like a series of volcanoes, their lava of approval burning me like fire straight from Hell.

I wrapped my hand around the mic, bringing it closer to my lips. I looked down as a world of darkness fell on the audience, the explosions of pale blue bathing me as if I were being baptized. I breathed into the mic, it was so intimate. It was just me and the music. It was like we were melted into each other or some shit.

I held in a final breath, and started singing, my voice low and cold.

"And you've smelled the fear in me. And how you're paper cutting me. The ribbons layin' at my feet. Maybe when I'm older I'll understand. It's in your hands, but my china heart is such a mess. I might break."

I let out a low breath, pulling the mic away, bringing to my lips, walking away from it's stand, moving as the rhythm picked up pace a bit, breaking into the chorus, with fucked up bass chords and hard drum action. I started rocking my head up and down, screaming into the mic.

"Nasty as you'll be! Come on, do me! I've set a bomb! 'Cause maybe you're a bitch, and I'm used to it! I said, a bitch, and I'm used to it!"

I grinned as I heard a series of cheers, and gave Quistis and Squall a look. They were enjoying this just as much as I was. I brought the mic back to my lips, looking back at the obsolete darkness where our fans were.

"This time I'm all for democracy. It's another side of me. 'Cause you're lovin' me after you're killin' me, and I wipe my mouth. 'Cause you can copulate. And it's gettin' late. Your ultra demon blood. You know, it's fine. Wastin' my time."

I tapped my foot, took a few steps back, and started rocking my head as the beat picked up, screaming so loud into the mic that I could feel the veins showing in my neck.

"Nasty as you'll be! Come on, do me! I've set a bomb! 'Cause maybe you're a bitch, and I'm used to it! I said, nasty as you'll be! Come on, do me! I've set a bomb! 'Cause maybe you're my favorite planet crashin' into my world! I said, the way the rubber bounces off the girl! I said, and you keep givin' me your sex, your sex excuses, and I said, nasty as you'll be! Come on, do me! I've set a bomb! 'Cause maybe you're a bitch, and I'm use to it! I said, a bitch, and I'm used to it! I said, a bitch, and I'm used to it! I said, a bitch, and I'm used to it! I said, a bitch! A bitch! A bitch! A bitch! A bitch! A bitch, and I'm used to it!"

I let out a long, hard breath, and listened as the audience screamed in approval, and I heard lots of whistles sound out. I grinned, rubbing my forehead, surprised to see there wasn't much sweat up there. I licked my lips and ran a hand across my neck. I looked back at Quistis and Squall. The next song would be a bitch, and I knew it. Hell, I think even Quistis knew it. After all, she had backup vocals in it. But she was the one who had written the set list, so she knew this was coming. I nodded, tapping the mic. Quistis started off the song with her bass, a cool sounding rhythm that didn't sound anything like the last song. This time, it was almost somewhat ambient. It had a strangely relaxing sound. The fans recognized the song instantly, and began cheering. I swallowed, and then brought the mic back to my lips, once again.

"Words undoin' this," I began, my voice softer than before. "I'm not virginized, so, I shouldn't be pissed. I tend to take my word without a second thought. Such a tricky thing. It's gonna wash me clean. I've got an angel hangin' out back. And there's a demigod cuttin' slack. Oh, but to get off on a drink. How to jump in before I think."

I gave a little hop, leaning forward, peering into the world of blackness where my friends were listening intently. Quistis started getting sloppy on her bass, letting the chords sound a little fucked up. Squall brought in a rough drum beat, bringing the ambient rock song into it's chorus. I continued singing, rocking on the heels of my feet a little bit.

"And I'm losin' it, and I'm losin' it. Things like this. Yes, I'm sure it's a freefall, but don't rub it in. And I'm losin' it, and I'm losin' it. I'm navy blue. Yes, I'm sure it's a face first, but don't rub it in."

Our fans screamed triumphantly, obviously enjoying this just as much as we were. I smiled, but it got me right here, somewhere inside. This song had a special place with me. Just, I had written it when I was having a rough time. It meant allot to me. I heard Quistis' bass chords return to a cool, ambient rhythm, and Squall's drum beat bleed into a calm little rock loop.

"Depressed, got me sad in a plastic world," I sang, rocking to the beat as Quistis' threw in some backup lyrics.

"Well, well, watch where you're cryin'," she almost breathed, her voice cool as ice.

"And I don't understand it," I continued. "But I'm slowly changing. And I just adore razor diamond whores."

"Well, well, watch what you wish for," Quistis sang, still working on her bass.

"It's a nasty mess," I said against the beat, grinning. "What comes after this?"

Then I heard Quistis breathe in, and her voice came out with mine as she finished up the second verse, both of us singing at the exact same time, almost like a duet.

"I got my blood all horizontal. I'm so high I'm on a vertical. Oh, but my weekly acid high. The tears without the cry."

I jumped up, rocking as Quistis' bass fucked up and Squall brought in his hard drum beat.

I breathed in long and hard, this next line would be kind of rough. I closed my eyes for just a second as the beat built down, only to come back as major fucked up, as it were being played backwards or something.

"I hurt, I hurt, I hurt," I growled.

And then I let out a long, hard breath as Quistis and Squall let their instruments quietly die away, bringing the song to a sad end. I closed my mouth, and nodded as our fans screamed. I turned back, grinning at Quistis and Squall. They grinned back.

I ran a tongue across my lips, staring out at the world of darkness where the audience was perched, probably like gargoyles hanging onto a tall building. Before the show, I had felt so nervous about this. About fucking up, about not giving it my all. But all of those insecurities had disappeared after that song with Quistis. Just hearing her voice brought me out of that. I could feel it in my heart, a sense of comfort that put me at ease. Even standing on that stage, with the neon blue raining down on me, standing here shirtless in front of hundreds, maybe thousands of people. None of that mattered. Everything just felt so right. I knew, then and there, that the rest of the show would go smoothly. It was a success.

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[Quistis' P.O.V.]

"Dammit!" a fan screamed. "Oh, shit! I can't believe I'm actually meeting Otherworld!"

A swam of fans crowded around us at the meet and greet, like an ocean of hungry humans, desperate to get the last meal there would ever be. It was strange. Back then, I never would've thought that something like this would've happened to us. We used to just be some little garage band that Zell had started. We'd come a long way since then.

"Man!" a male fan cried out. "Quistis so fucking sexy!"

I placed my hands on my hips, raising an eyebrow at our fans. I wrapped my arms around Zell and Squall's shoulders as they signed various autographs.

"You guys rule!" someone yelled.

I craned my neck and looked down at Zell's hand as it moved furiously across the cover of our first album, signing his name. I looked over and saw Squall signing some girl's t shirt.

Suddenly a young boy, probably about sixteen, found his way to the front of the crowd. He shoved his autograph book and a pen towards me. I looked down at him, and flashed him a sweet smile. I let go of Zell and Squall and took his autograph book and pen.

"And what's your name?" I asked him.

"Nida Garland," he said. "N, i, d, a. G, a, r, l, a, n, d."

"Okay, Nida."

And with that, I gave him my autograph. I put, "To Nida Garland, a wonderful fan. I wish you the best, Quistis Trepe of Otherworld."

I smiled and handed Nida his autograph book back. He flashed me a grin for his thank you, and disappeared back into the crowd.

And even though it was already almost midnight, I knew we would still be there for at least another hour. But all in all, it was worth it. By the looks in Zell's and Squall's eyes, I knew they felt the exact same way. This was the life.

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[Quistis' P.O.V.]

"Ugh," Zell groaned, collapsing onto a seat in the tour bus. "I am fucking exhausted."

"Me too," I agreed, sitting down, putting my feet up on the seat. "Damn. That was quite a show."

"You're telling me," Squall mumbled, falling onto a nearby seat. "My hands hurt so much from all of that drumming."

"But you guys did absolutely wonderful!" Xu cried, slapping her hands together. "I'm so impressed with all of you. That was the best show I've ever seen."

"You're just saying that 'cause you're our manager," Zell said, rubbing his eyes.

"That's not true," Xu protested. "You guys really did do a great job out there."

"Thank you," I said, nodding in agreement. "I think we all tried our best."

"Yeah," Squall said. "But I think I'd like to take it easy now."

"You said it!" Zell cried out as our driver began to put the bus into motion, taking us away from the Majestic Theater's parking lot. "Fuck yes! I could so go for a Bloody Mary right about now."

"No, no, no," Xu refused. "That's not going to be happening, Zell. Remember this morning? You woke up with a massive headache and had to take seven aspirins. I don't think you'd want to do that again."

"Oh, yeah," Zell realized. "Psh. Damn. Well, at least get me a Dr. Pepper or something. I'm thirsty."

"Yes," I agreed. "My throat's dry."

"Mine too," Squall chimed in.

"What?!" Zell cried out. "Your throats are dry?! I'm the one who did all of the singing!"

"Hey!" I protested. "I did backup vocals."

"Yeah, yeah," Zell muttered. "Anyway, let's get some fucking sodas already. I really have to drink something."

"Yes," Xu agreed. "That would be a good idea. In fact, I'm kind of thirsty myself. We'll stop by the nearest gas station and get something to drink."

"We'll stop by?" Zell inquired. "Haha, I'm staying in the bus."

Squall nodded in obvious agreement. I would've liked to stay with Zell, but since Squall had already vouched for that, and I didn't want Xu to have to go all alone, I decided I'd tag along.

"Don't worry, Xu," I replied. "I'll go with you."

"Thank you," she said.

And with that, the tour bus moved along, heading towards the nearest gas station so Xu and I could get some sodas.

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[Squall's P.O.V.]

"Aren't you coming in?" I asked Zell, standing at the front of the tour bus as Xu and Quistis headed up to our place.

He didn't say anything.

I looked over at him, through the darkness of the bus. I could only see his silhouette against the moonlight that poured in through the windows.

"Zell?" I inquired.

"Huh?" he murmured.

"You're coming in, right?"

"Nah. I'm gonna stay out here for a little while longer."

"Oh, okay. Um, do you mind if I keep you company?"

"Not at all."

"Okay," I said, walking over and taking a seat beside him. "So, what's on your mind?"

"What's on my mind?"

"Yeah, what's on your mind?"

"What kind of a bullshit question is that?"

"You look like you're thinking about something."

"Oh, haha. Well, maybe."

"You can tell me."

Zell let out a sigh, and shook his head. It looked like he was brushing my question away. He looked outside, staring at the starlit night.

"It looks amazing out there," I said quietly.

"Yeah," he agreed. "Wanna get a better view?"

"What?"

"Wanna get a better view?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Come on," Zell said, standing up. "Let's climb up on top of the bus."

"What?"

"You heard me. Let's go."

I wasn't going to complain. Sure, Zell was dominating, but it was a turn on for me. I had no complaints whatsoever.

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[Squall's P.O.V.]

I stared up at the wonderful explosion of stardust and little astral treasures hanging in the sky. The starlit sky was a gift from another galaxy, literally. It really was beautiful. Now I understood why Zell wanted to get a better view.

I looked at him. He was lying there, with his arms folded beneath his head. His wonderfully blue eyes were staring at the world of stars that hung above us. As much as I tried, I couldn't concentrate on his eyes. I couldn't help myself as I started checking him out.

Moving down to his slim, hot, compact body. That wonderfully hard chest. That smooth, sxy six pack. That adorable happy trail. The obvious hint of the black boxers he was wearing beneath his jeans. I looked down even further, looking at his crotch. It looked amazing, even behind his jeans. I reluctantly let my eyes travel back up to Zell's eyes.

Oh, this isn't happening. This is just a bad dream. Isn't it? It's got to be.

Zell was staring right at me. A strange shimmer in his eyes. I knew, then and there, that he had caught me checking him out. How humiliating.

"I'm," I breathed. "I'm, I'm sorry. I, I didn't mean to."

"You were checkin' me out?" Zell inquired, instantly sitting up. He gave me a strange look. "Are you gay?"

"No!" I lied. "No, I'm, I'm not. Why would you say that?"

"Because you were looking at my crotch."

I blushed a horrible shade of red.

"You're gay, right?"

"No."

"Stop lying to me. Hey, man, it's cool. Like, would you suck my dick if I wanted you to?"

"What? No, no, stop."

"I bet you would."

"Whatever."

"Come on," Zell said, standing up, fumbling with his jeans, unbuckling them. "I bet you'd suck my dick. You wanna?"

I shook my head, giving Zell a disgusted look, even though inside I was screaming in ecstasy. Of course I wanted to suck his dick, then have him fuck me with it.

I looked up, noticing the huge bulge in Zell's revealed boxers. I set my gaze on his face, and saw the huge grin he had. Then it was clear that he was joking.

"Dude, I'm just playing with you!" he cried, kneeling down, putting a hand on my shoulder. "Don't mind me, I know I'm givin' you a hard time lately. You're kind of quiet. Are you sure you're okay?"

I just nodded, not really able to say anything.

"It's been a long night. Let's go in, okay?"

I nodded again, and followed Zell off of the bus, and back into our place.

What a night.

Everyday Zell's little comments and now, even his actions were getting a little serious. It was insane. Though, I'm not sure if I disliked it or not. If I had to give a short answer, I'd say that I liked it. It was a turn on. Zell was sexy, and even though he said he had a thing for Quistis, that seemed a little iffy to me. After all, even though Zell always ended up grinning and acting like it was a joke, his little games with me were getting closer and closer to home. And somewhere, deep inside, I think he enjoyed it just as much as I did. Or maybe it's just my libido talking. Maybe I'm just being a little too optimistic. I don't know anymore. I've seen the looks he and Quistis give each other. I should quit jumping to conclusions. Ugh, I'm thinking too much again. I need to go to sleep.

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Author's Notes: Alright, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Once again, this chapter is dedicated to Maia. And if she keeps giving me those wonderfully long reviews, I think I am going to dedicate this entire story to her. And yes, if you give me a review, I'll give you one in return. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed. I'll keep this updated regularly.