Chapter III

Matron opened the door to the bedroom, looking at the sleeping children. She smiled, leaning her head against the side of the door. "Guys..." She said softly. "It's time to wake up."

The first one to open his eyes was Irvine, yawning. He looked at Matron and frowned. "Why do we have to get up?" He asked, burrying his face in his pillow.

"We are going to the Zoo!" Matron told him.

Both Selphie and Quistis shot up in their beds. "Ponies!" Selphie beamed. "Monkeys!" Quistis giggled.

Squall opened one eye, groaning. "Be quiet..." He muttered and pulled his blankets over his head.

Matron walked over to Zell's bed and sat down on it. She brushed some strands of hair out of his face and smiled. Zell was holding his stuffed chocobo, holding it tight against himself. "Zell, wake up." She whispered and waited for the large blue orbs to show theirselves.

Zell yawned and looked up at Matron. "Hi Matron." He beamed, still sleepy.

Selphie jumped on his bed, making the small boy yelp. "We are going to the Zoo!" She beamed, punching in the air with her small fists.

Zell smiled and pushed himself out of bed, forgetting about his chocobo. He placed his small feet on the cold floor, shivering slightly. "All of us?" He asked, hoping Matron would say yes. He didn't want anyone to stay behind because they had been bad this week.

"Of course Zell." She stood up and looked at the children. "Let's get dressed." She told them and left the room.

Zell walked over to Seifer's bed, watching the blonde sleep for a second. He placed his hands on Seifer's bed and leaned forwards slightly. He leaned down, giggling when he felt Seifer's breath in his face.

"What are you doing?" Seifer growled, watching the smaller blonde.

Zell blushed and shot up, looking at Seifer. "I wanted to wake you, we are going to the Zoo."

Seifer sat up, pushing Zell away. "Don't ever come that close again." He told him and pushed himself out of bed.

SSS

Zell pushed his face against the window, watching the trees passing them quickly. Selphie was sitting across from him, doing the same. Quistis looked at the two and rolled her eyes, returning to the book she was reading. Irvine was sitting across from Quistis, playing with a loose strand of his shirt. Matron was sitting on the other side of the small path. Squall was sitting next to her, looking outside. Seifer was sitting across from her, his arms crossed while he glared out of the window.

Matron looked at Quistis and smiled. "What book are you reading Quistis?"

The blonde looked at her, slightly annoyed. "The history of Deling City, that's where we are going, aren't we?"

Matron nodded. "How did you get it?"

"I found it in the house, along with other books." Quistis told her and returned reading, hoping Matron would leave her alone after the hint. Matron did, turning her attention towards Zell and Selphie.

"Zell, Selphie, you are getting the window dirty."

Selphie grinned, turning her head. "But it's so pretty outside!"

Matron sighed. "Fine." She muttered and closed her eyes for a minute, sighing.

Seifer looked at Matron and then glared at Selphie and Zell. "Stupid children."

Quistis glanced up, looking over her book at Seifer. "And what does that make you?" She asked.

The blonde turned to look at her, crossing his arms. "I wasn't talking to you."

"No but you were talking about my friends, I'm suppose to respond to that."

Seifer looked away. "Whatever..."

The small brunette who had been silent since his sister had left turned to Seifer and chuckled. "Whatever..."

"Shut up ice prince." Seifer growled.

SSS

"Look! Look!" Selphie beamed, jumping. "A monkey!"

Quistis ran after her, followed by both Irvine and soon after Squall who tried to act indifferent. Seifer and Zell stayed behind with Matron. Zell looked at the taller blonde and bit his lip, remember what had happened the last time he had tried to talk to Seifer. He brushed his hand over Seifer's, wanting to grab it but afraid Seifer would hurt him again.

Seifer noticed the soft touch and pulled his hand away, pushing it in his pocket. "Shouldn't you watch those animals or something..."

"Or something." Zell whispered, still walking next to Seifer. "I'll stay here, with you."

Matron looked down at them and smiled, walking a little faster, catching up with the other children.

Seifer groaned, watching Matron's back. "So, what do you want this time?"

Zell smiled slightly, glad Seifer was at least talking to him. "Nothing, I'm just walking."

"You are walking to close to me." Seifer muttered, noticing that Zell's hands brushed against him again. "Would you stop that." He said and stopped walking. "I'm not holding your hand."

Zell pouted. "But Selphie and Quistis hold hands."

"They are girls, that's different." Seifer deciced and started walking again.

Zell sighed and dropped his head, a tear falling down. "I understand."

Seifer looked at the from the corner of his eyes and sighed. He pulled his hand from his pocket and brushed it against Zell's, waiting for the smaller boy to take it. He looked away when he felt Zell's warm hand wrap around his own, wondering why he was doing this. "Don't you dare tell anyone." Seifer muttered.

SSS

Selphie giggled when she saw the two blonde walking towards them. She nudged Quistis and told her to look around. Quistis smiled when she saw Seifer and Zell holding hands. The smaller blonde was beaming, while Seifer just looked indifferent. "Seifer and Zell, kissing in a-"

"Shut up Selphie." Seifer growled and smacker her on her head.

Zell's cheeks turned red and he stuck out his tongue, looking at Selphie.

Selphie just giggled.

Zell looked up at Seifer, blushing. "I don't wanne kiss you."

Seifer looked down at him and shrugged. "See if I care..."

Matron looked at them and clapped her hands, drawing the attention of the children. "I'm really hungy." She started. "Let's go eat something."

"Ice-cream!" Selphie jumped.

The other's just sighed.

SSS

Zell and Seifer were together the whole day, every now and then Selphie made a comment and Quistis just smacked her on her head. Zell was happy, never leaving Seifer's side and always holding his hand. Seifer didn't know what to think of it, he didn't mind Zell being so close, but he wouldn't let them know that...

Author's Notes: Please review
Tynne : I'm really glad you like the story!
Unity-Song : Thanks
Discl.: I don't own Final Fantasy VIII
Warnings: Yaoi
Pairings: Seifer/Zell