Imagine if you will, Seifer's line of vision. His deep blue eyes stared through the criss crossed, white lace lined window into Zell's house. The wind flowing through the open window and to the back ruffled the lovely, almost sheer white of the material, playing with the image of hand-embroidered tablecloths and dark wood. Bookshelves filled with books and magazines and photo albums in the open room beyond, with its comfortable seating and plush rug. Another window with the same curtains let in a stream of warm sunlight, warming the atmosphere of the small abode. A house like this could never hold pain for too long, it was a home. The type you dreamed about had you lived there or not.
And through that second window the yard with the comfortable hammock and green grass. Zell was in front of the window, wiping sweat off of his brow with one muscular arm. The blue of the sky and the trees swaying gently behind him made a picturesque, colorfull scene. He was shirtless, wearing a simple pair of red jogging shorts that were slightly damp. He looked like he had been hosed down, the muscles on his chest and stomach literally shining in the light. He looked like he was an angel. It looked like Seifer was dreaming. That he was returning home for lunch in the middle of a hard day's work where comfort and uh, comfort waited for him. An angel in heaven, that's what he looked like.
With a hot body and a killer smile to match. match not included at this moment however. The serenity was broken when Zell decided the lawnmower was "A stupid, shitty, lazy ass piece of stupid shit."
Some angel, eh?
Seifer didn't think that Zell would have calmed down fully from that last little spat in just forty five minutes. He really hadn't thought that he would try to calm himself down by stripping half-naked, hosing himself down, and mowing a lawn. Well, he had always known that Zell was a strange one, this clinched it. And what an attractive birthmark on his lower back! Careful boy, don't drool over him, he's still pissed. Although, he took some satisfaction in knowing that more than half of the frustration Zell was taking out on the lawnmower wasn't from its dysfunction. No, Zell was mad that Seifer hadn't swooned over him when he showed up. He was pissed that he hadn't, but he still liked knowing that that's what Zell had wanted. The little chicken was quick to the draw, wasn't he?
If it had been Seifer in his place talking to himself, he wouldn't have forgiven himself in a million years. He supposed that's why he thought they would work. He was an asshole and Zell was better than he thought at getting over that. Or at least being distracted from it.
He raised his fist to rap quickly on the door, but hesitated. Was it too soon? he didn't want to fuck things up even more if he could help it. Zell may not let him inside. Or just ignore the door. He had done that once when they were 12 or 13. Seifer was trying to get inside the shared dormitory for junior cadets after leaving his keycard somewhere and Zell had just ignored him.
Nix plan #1, go to plan #2. Which was to just walk inside as if it were the most casual thing ever. Easy enough, he wiped his hands on his dirty jeans carefully before turning the doorknob and walking into the home. He closed it behind him, as if he expected to stay awhile, or lived there, or actually was even welcome in any sense of the word by the currently resident. Which he was not, which burnt just a little.
"Ma? You home already?" Zell's voice floated from around the small door to the back. "This damn lawnmower doesn't wanna work. Haven't we had this since I was, like, 7? You should let me buy..." His voice trailed off as he came face to face with who was most certainly not his mother. Or if it was his mother, things were going to get a little complicated. His fists raised ever so slightly, like some people jump or squeak or freeze when they're scared. Zell immediately sets into a defensive stance and only after do his eyes go wide.
He reacted immediately, barely sparing a moment to stare at him, as if he figured Seifer might show up. His voice started in the soft notes of surprise, but quickly rose to more heated heights of anger. "Seifer? What the hell are you doing in my fucking house? Get out!" He just about yelled, pointing a very pointed finger at the front door that he had come in from.
He started in, sounding apologetic (which he was) and holding his hands out in an open gesture. "Listen, Zell I"
"Out!"
He tried pleading. "Zell, please"
"Get out!"
Now he tried sounding sad. "Zell..."
"Get. out. of. my. house." The latest reply was spoken through gritted teeth. It was interesting to note that even his neck turned red when he was very angry. If he got any angrier, Seifer thought he was going to spit at him. Wow, he had no idea that Zell would get this upset. Wait, yes he did, he just never stuck around to see the results of it after Zell ran off.
"C'mon"
"Fuck off!" This time he wasn't waiting for Seifer to leave of his own volition. He grabbed his arm with surprising strength (or maybe he's just never used it on me before, Seifer thought) and dragged his considerably larger bulk with him towards the exit to the street.
"Zell, can we just talk about this, you can't be that mad about this." He tried reasoning with him in the very short distance across the small house, but didn't get so much as an additonal "Zell, I" Before the door was firmly slammed shut in his face. "I'm sorry!" He shouted through the door before Zell could walk away. That was it. He didn't hear any more footsteps retreating from the front door, so he had to still be listening. That was the opening he needed. "I'm sorry I said that shit, okay? I'm sorry for everything, just c'mon open the door. Zell! C'mon, don't lock me out like this, I know I was an asshole." He waited, hoping that Zell would say something, anything rather than keep him in silence.
Hell, he wasn't even completely sure that Zell was listening. In these years of vigorous training and Seifer's slowly slipping away, he might've left. but he had to take the chance that he was right and Zell would still be behind the door, regardles. He yelled even louder, ignoring the slight warmth that spread to his cheeks as he was about to admit some embarrassing things to both neighbors and street passerbys. "A big asshole and I'm not just talking about all those years, I mean specifically really recently." He waited for a moment, trying to smoke Zell out. Fuck, if that hadn't worked there was nothing else he could say. In public and yelling through a door at someone he didn't even know didn't hate him for real, anyway.
He was rewarded because less than five seconds later came the still angry reply from behind the door. "How recently?" He asked.
Shit, he wasn't going to just let this go away easy, was he? "Just before, on the hill. I didn't mean to make you leave like that. Bad habits die hard, I guess."
"Yeah, I guessed that too. Good luck on that."
He knocked on the door as if it would help. Rinoa had done this to him at least three times and each time he ended up knocking on the door and feeling like the biggest asshole ever. Actually, that was really the point, wasn't it? "Zell, I'm really really sorry I said that shit to you. C'mon, I just wanted you to stay but was too big an idiot to just say it." There, the air had a less tense feeling about it. Was it because Zell was less angry or because he had finally admitted it? Either way, he laid down his hook. "I only have twenty minutes before I have to go back for cleanup, Zell. I was hoping we could talk." Okay, so he had maybe he had lied a little, but add a single word 'would' to that sentence, for would have to go back and it would be completely true. It was just a small fib. Anything to look at that birthmark again, he hoped Zell hadn't toweled off yet. Shit, he really was an asshole for thinking about that now.
But all doubt was gone when the door opened just the slightest crack so Zell could peer out. Looking for a tank or what? His eyes darted to both sides before he decided Seifer was safe and opened the rest of the way up. He had the exact same expression as his Ma when she was mad at someone. All cold and diffident as if they could drop off a cliff and they wouldn't bat an eyelash. When had he picked that up? Probably from teaching. "Alright, talk." He said plainly enough, stalking off to the reading room to pick up his flimsy tank top, just leaving the door open for Seifer. His face looked set in stone.
Okay, now he had to talk. He walked in slowly and closed the door at a snail's pace. He didn't want to make any quick movements and spook Zell. The goal was to be as non-threatening as humanly possible. For Seifer, anyway. "Well, I just came by to say I'm sorry and I didn't want to upset you. I was hoping that we could remain friends." He winced at that word. /friends/ Let's be friends. Let's be buddies. We can watch broadcasts and drink beer together out of cans. Fuck. "Or you know, whatever." Fuck again, what the hell had he just said?
---
Remember what I said about suspense in the last chapter's notes? Well, just repeat that to yourself and insert my evil laughter...here.
Thanks again to everyone who has reviewed and I'd once again to encourage people to, in fact, review. Because I like reviews and people who review and ask favors may get them. hinthint
And through that second window the yard with the comfortable hammock and green grass. Zell was in front of the window, wiping sweat off of his brow with one muscular arm. The blue of the sky and the trees swaying gently behind him made a picturesque, colorfull scene. He was shirtless, wearing a simple pair of red jogging shorts that were slightly damp. He looked like he had been hosed down, the muscles on his chest and stomach literally shining in the light. He looked like he was an angel. It looked like Seifer was dreaming. That he was returning home for lunch in the middle of a hard day's work where comfort and uh, comfort waited for him. An angel in heaven, that's what he looked like.
With a hot body and a killer smile to match. match not included at this moment however. The serenity was broken when Zell decided the lawnmower was "A stupid, shitty, lazy ass piece of stupid shit."
Some angel, eh?
Seifer didn't think that Zell would have calmed down fully from that last little spat in just forty five minutes. He really hadn't thought that he would try to calm himself down by stripping half-naked, hosing himself down, and mowing a lawn. Well, he had always known that Zell was a strange one, this clinched it. And what an attractive birthmark on his lower back! Careful boy, don't drool over him, he's still pissed. Although, he took some satisfaction in knowing that more than half of the frustration Zell was taking out on the lawnmower wasn't from its dysfunction. No, Zell was mad that Seifer hadn't swooned over him when he showed up. He was pissed that he hadn't, but he still liked knowing that that's what Zell had wanted. The little chicken was quick to the draw, wasn't he?
If it had been Seifer in his place talking to himself, he wouldn't have forgiven himself in a million years. He supposed that's why he thought they would work. He was an asshole and Zell was better than he thought at getting over that. Or at least being distracted from it.
He raised his fist to rap quickly on the door, but hesitated. Was it too soon? he didn't want to fuck things up even more if he could help it. Zell may not let him inside. Or just ignore the door. He had done that once when they were 12 or 13. Seifer was trying to get inside the shared dormitory for junior cadets after leaving his keycard somewhere and Zell had just ignored him.
Nix plan #1, go to plan #2. Which was to just walk inside as if it were the most casual thing ever. Easy enough, he wiped his hands on his dirty jeans carefully before turning the doorknob and walking into the home. He closed it behind him, as if he expected to stay awhile, or lived there, or actually was even welcome in any sense of the word by the currently resident. Which he was not, which burnt just a little.
"Ma? You home already?" Zell's voice floated from around the small door to the back. "This damn lawnmower doesn't wanna work. Haven't we had this since I was, like, 7? You should let me buy..." His voice trailed off as he came face to face with who was most certainly not his mother. Or if it was his mother, things were going to get a little complicated. His fists raised ever so slightly, like some people jump or squeak or freeze when they're scared. Zell immediately sets into a defensive stance and only after do his eyes go wide.
He reacted immediately, barely sparing a moment to stare at him, as if he figured Seifer might show up. His voice started in the soft notes of surprise, but quickly rose to more heated heights of anger. "Seifer? What the hell are you doing in my fucking house? Get out!" He just about yelled, pointing a very pointed finger at the front door that he had come in from.
He started in, sounding apologetic (which he was) and holding his hands out in an open gesture. "Listen, Zell I"
"Out!"
He tried pleading. "Zell, please"
"Get out!"
Now he tried sounding sad. "Zell..."
"Get. out. of. my. house." The latest reply was spoken through gritted teeth. It was interesting to note that even his neck turned red when he was very angry. If he got any angrier, Seifer thought he was going to spit at him. Wow, he had no idea that Zell would get this upset. Wait, yes he did, he just never stuck around to see the results of it after Zell ran off.
"C'mon"
"Fuck off!" This time he wasn't waiting for Seifer to leave of his own volition. He grabbed his arm with surprising strength (or maybe he's just never used it on me before, Seifer thought) and dragged his considerably larger bulk with him towards the exit to the street.
"Zell, can we just talk about this, you can't be that mad about this." He tried reasoning with him in the very short distance across the small house, but didn't get so much as an additonal "Zell, I" Before the door was firmly slammed shut in his face. "I'm sorry!" He shouted through the door before Zell could walk away. That was it. He didn't hear any more footsteps retreating from the front door, so he had to still be listening. That was the opening he needed. "I'm sorry I said that shit, okay? I'm sorry for everything, just c'mon open the door. Zell! C'mon, don't lock me out like this, I know I was an asshole." He waited, hoping that Zell would say something, anything rather than keep him in silence.
Hell, he wasn't even completely sure that Zell was listening. In these years of vigorous training and Seifer's slowly slipping away, he might've left. but he had to take the chance that he was right and Zell would still be behind the door, regardles. He yelled even louder, ignoring the slight warmth that spread to his cheeks as he was about to admit some embarrassing things to both neighbors and street passerbys. "A big asshole and I'm not just talking about all those years, I mean specifically really recently." He waited for a moment, trying to smoke Zell out. Fuck, if that hadn't worked there was nothing else he could say. In public and yelling through a door at someone he didn't even know didn't hate him for real, anyway.
He was rewarded because less than five seconds later came the still angry reply from behind the door. "How recently?" He asked.
Shit, he wasn't going to just let this go away easy, was he? "Just before, on the hill. I didn't mean to make you leave like that. Bad habits die hard, I guess."
"Yeah, I guessed that too. Good luck on that."
He knocked on the door as if it would help. Rinoa had done this to him at least three times and each time he ended up knocking on the door and feeling like the biggest asshole ever. Actually, that was really the point, wasn't it? "Zell, I'm really really sorry I said that shit to you. C'mon, I just wanted you to stay but was too big an idiot to just say it." There, the air had a less tense feeling about it. Was it because Zell was less angry or because he had finally admitted it? Either way, he laid down his hook. "I only have twenty minutes before I have to go back for cleanup, Zell. I was hoping we could talk." Okay, so he had maybe he had lied a little, but add a single word 'would' to that sentence, for would have to go back and it would be completely true. It was just a small fib. Anything to look at that birthmark again, he hoped Zell hadn't toweled off yet. Shit, he really was an asshole for thinking about that now.
But all doubt was gone when the door opened just the slightest crack so Zell could peer out. Looking for a tank or what? His eyes darted to both sides before he decided Seifer was safe and opened the rest of the way up. He had the exact same expression as his Ma when she was mad at someone. All cold and diffident as if they could drop off a cliff and they wouldn't bat an eyelash. When had he picked that up? Probably from teaching. "Alright, talk." He said plainly enough, stalking off to the reading room to pick up his flimsy tank top, just leaving the door open for Seifer. His face looked set in stone.
Okay, now he had to talk. He walked in slowly and closed the door at a snail's pace. He didn't want to make any quick movements and spook Zell. The goal was to be as non-threatening as humanly possible. For Seifer, anyway. "Well, I just came by to say I'm sorry and I didn't want to upset you. I was hoping that we could remain friends." He winced at that word. /friends/ Let's be friends. Let's be buddies. We can watch broadcasts and drink beer together out of cans. Fuck. "Or you know, whatever." Fuck again, what the hell had he just said?
---
Remember what I said about suspense in the last chapter's notes? Well, just repeat that to yourself and insert my evil laughter...here.
Thanks again to everyone who has reviewed and I'd once again to encourage people to, in fact, review. Because I like reviews and people who review and ask favors may get them. hinthint