Irvine sat at the kitchen table eating his Frosted Flakes, when he heard the door open. He looked to the clock on the wall. A little after Noon, must be Zell. Smirking, he waited for the hyperactive martial artist to enter. 3, 2, 1,
Zell entered the room, glowered at Irvine and flopped down in his seat. "Well, what do you have to say man?"
"A cowboy knows when to reserve comment."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, I'm just messing with you. It's looks different but cool, too bad you can't keep the tattoo it really makes you look like a demon.
"You think so, sweet…" Zell subconsciously ran a hand through his now Hot Rod Red hair.
"How'd they cover the tat anyway?"
"Artificial skin stuff, hey pass the Frosted Flakes."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Squall lay in his bed looking at the ceiling. Things are getting interesting. I just heard Zell enter, I wonder how he likes his new look. He rolled over onto his side. I wonder how I'll look, me with long hair and platinum blond streaks…that just doesn't work. Sighing, he curled into a ball. Something about this mission is unnerving. Laguna seems to be acting weird. He keeps trying to get me to do things with him. What gives? Closing his eyes, he drifted off to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Laguna sat at his desk staring off into space, his lunch lay forgotten in front of him. It was pretty quiet today. Kiros sat on the other side eating his lunch.
"Laguna!"
"What?"
"I've been calling you for a minute…" Laguna began to apologize, but Kiros waved it off with his hand. "When are you going to him? I know that's what you were thinking about."
Laguna chuckled nervously, "Uh, I plan on telling after the mission, I don't want to screw up his concentration and all."
Kiros looked at him. "Forgive me, but isn't that what you said last time?"
Laguna only blinked. "Ah, I guess I could tell him soon."
"How soon?"
"Next week."
Kiros held back a snort of laughter. Laguna leveled his gaze on his long time friend.
"You know what I can do it right now." With that said, he stood up and went in search of his son as fast as he could. Well, as fast as a man with a cramped up leg can move anyway.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Laguna managed to get to Squall's room only to find the young man curled up in the fetal position sound asleep. Looking at the sleeping figure, he felt a pang of pride, guilt and love. Squall shifted in his sleep and grimaced, it looked as if he was having a nightmare. He reached out a tentative hand to stroke his son's hair, praying to Hyne that he didn't wake up. Hyne honored his request. Surprisingly, Squall quieted down and began to sleep peacefully once again. Laguna leg kept screaming at him, so he lowered his body onto the beds edged.
Oh Hyne, do I wake him? Wait, no, he wouldn't want to be roused from his dreams. I'll leave him alone and just watch. As a father I don't want to ruin this quiet moment. Hyne knows I've missed too many of these moments all ready. So, I'm going to be selfish and enjoy this time. Well, while I'm here I may as well practice how I'm going to tell him.
Laguna began speaking softly. "Remember when I told you if I had a son, I would name him Squall? Well there's a reason for that. I do have a son, he's a brave and courageous young man. He has his mother's temper and her eyes. I like to think he has my hair and nose and maybe just maybe he gets some of his courage from me. That could be wishful thinking but hey, a man is allowed to dream, right? So, yeah I have a son, he's 18 now. I missed a lot of his life over some stupid reasons and circumstances. Look, what I'm trying to say is, you're my son."
Laguna sighed and looked over at Squall to make sure he was still asleep. He placed a hand on his back and kept talking, while tears formed in his eyes.
"See your mother Raine had you while I was gone and then she… passed away. The village sent you and Ellone to an orphanage. When I returned they told me you died with your mother and they sent Ellone to a better place. They didn't trust me. I was crushed. My wife, and child ripped from me in a few short words. I left and well you know how I searched for Elle. When I found her, she told me the truth, but you were already in Garden. I didn't know what to do. So, I chickened out and left you there. I regret it and then again I don't. If you were here, would Ultimecia have won? Would we all be dead? I couldn't bear the thought of you dying or living under a Sorceress' rule. I can't help but wonder if fate is true at times like this. I hope you can call me Father or Dad someday. Maybe I'm just asking for too much."
Looking at Squall once again he leaned in for a quick kiss on the forehead, to his horror a tear hit Squall on the cheek, but he didn't stir. I've tempted fate enough today, I should leave. "I'll let you sleep and tell you when you wake up, night… son. I love you." With that he stood up and left.
When the door closed and Laguna's footsteps were no longer heard, Squall opened his cloudy blue gray eyes, letting a single tear fall. His lips uttered one word, "Father…" before closing his eyes and drifting off to a restless slumber.