The Five Ages of Seifer Almasy Chapter 2: Age Two, a final fantasy viii fanfic

Zell stared for a few more moments as the toddler rubbed his eyes and looked around. The big green gaze turned to Zell, and the teen found himself smiling slightly, despite; or maybe because of; the shock. "Seifer?"

The boy stared and reached up to Zell, tiny mouth pouting in a way that was entirely Seifer.

The teen looked around. The girl was lying still, no one was willing to approach the blast zone.

"Come on then, Seifer." Zell bent over to pick up the child, noting how cool his skin was getting. "Wow, you're really little, huh?"

Green eyes blinked at him and small pudgy arms wrapped around his neck, the boy snuggling close and shivering. Zell picked up the large coat and wrapped it around the bundle he held, trying to warm the baby. "We better call this in, Seifer."

He felt a yawn against his neck and smiled, heading back to the ruined car to call this in.

The new car pulled up next to them and Squall stepped out. He was wearing his formal uniform, glaring at the pair. "You better not be jerking me about, Zell."

Zell looked up from where he sat, rocking the baby in his arms. "Shh. He's been asleep since I called, I don't want him to wake up. He was bad enough when he was full sized."

Squall stared at the little boy asleep in Zell's arms. Short blonde hair, scar across the bridge of his nose, it certainly seemed to be a very young Seifer. "Give him here."

Squall held out his arms and Zell reluctantly handed over the ex-bully to his commander. The brunette held the baby up, looking at him critically, hands under the tiny arms.

Green eyes blinked open and stared at Squall.

Then he started bawling.

Squall blinked and few times and looked about, eyes darting back and forth. Seifer continued to cry, legs kicking furiously as he tried to squirm away.

"Zell, take it. Stop that noise." Squall shoved the baby back at the younger boy, face betraying a touch of panic.

"He's not an it," Zell took Seifer back, rocking him in his arms. "Shh, it's okay, Seif, it's okay." He bounced on his heels and smiled encouragingly. "Hey, all good, yeah?"

Watery green eyes blinked at him and the baby hiccuped, sobs slowing down. Zell smiled and bounced him softly, tucking the coat around the boy more. "All better, Seif?"

Squall seemed to be struck silent with awe at the ease with which Zell quietened down the screaming child. "How'd you do that?"

"Do what?" Zell glanced up from grinning at Seifer. "Make him settle? Ma used to run a creche, I learnt to look after babies. No. I am not looking after him, someone at Garden can."

"Fine. Just, keep him until then." Squall walked over to the girl. "This her?"

"Yeah. She's alive, I checked."

"Good." Squall snapped a locator onto her wrist and set it. "Esthar will come and pick her up. Get in the car with the kid."

"Squall, it's Seifer." He held up the baby. "He's not it, he's not that kid, it's Seifer."

Squall glared at him, so he got in the car obediently and put Seifer on his lap. Squall piled in Seifer's clothes next to Zell and got in the driver's seat.

The ride was very quiet.

Zell took Seifer down to the infirmary. Doctor Kadowaki stared at the baby for a moment and then calmly listened to Zell's story about the sorceress.

Then she laughed, took the baby and started to talk baby talk at him.

The blonde was mildly disturbed at the way the doctor carried on for a good five minutes before settling down again.

"Well, we'll look into this, see if it can be reversed. I'll contact Edea. In the mean time, leave him here, we'll look after him. We can only hope it'll wear off."

The blonde nodded and looked at the waking up baby. "Well, I'll stop by and see how you are tomorrow, okay?"

"Ze'?"

Zell beamed. "He said my name!"

"Ze!" Pudgy arms reached up and the toddler laughed. "Ze!"

"He seems to be quite taken with you, Zell." Doctor Kadowaki looked at the boys. "I'm sure he'll be happy when you come back tomorrow."

Indecision tore Zell for a moment. Still, what were the odds of Seifer remembering any of this when it wore off? "I might stay a bit longer."

"If you want." Kadowaki picked up a list and looked at it. "I'll go and get some clothes for him, bottles, you know. You can stay with him. Don't let him get into anything."

Zell nodded, not looking away from the bouncing child. "Okay." He smoothed a hand over the sandy hair. "I bet you were a handful when you were a kid."

"Ze! Ze!"

"Yes, I'm Zell." He laughed and picked up Seifer, holding him at eye level. "And you're Seifer. Seifer." He lay him down and smiled slightly. "You really are a very cute kid, Seifer."

"Seffa!"

Zell laughed again and leant over the baby, touching his nose to the baby's. "Yeah, Seifer." He stuck out his tongue, giggled when Seifer mimicked him, going cross eyed trying to see his own tongue. "You silly kid."

"Seffa!"

"Yes, you're Seifer. I'm Zell." He leant back and looked around. "I can't imagine you living in here."

There was a quiet yawn followed by a hiccuping cry. Zell picked Seifer up, holding him against one shoulder. "You still sleepy, Seif?"

Seifer yawned again. Zell yawned and scowled. "Now you've got me doing it." He jostled the boy lightly. "C'mon, go to sleep for a while."

"Ze."

"You are talkative, aren't you?" Zell rocked back and forth. "Go to sleep, Seifer."

"Seep."

Zell smiled as the little voice trailed off drowsily.

"Everything all right, Zell?"

"Yeah." He turned back to the doctor. "He's talkative. How old do you think he is?"

She scratched her head. "I guess, about fourteen months, maybe a little more or less." She laid aside the huge pile of stuff she had. "You can settle him down on that bed."

Zell lay Seifer down on his back, stroking his hair again. "I should leave you to it, huh?"

"Probably best. He's going to need a mother for now." She came over and looked down on him. "Strange, to think that big, rough housing Seifer was such a small child once."

"Yeah." Zell looked away. "I better go back to my quarters and that. "

"Okay. Good night, Zell."

He walked out and went back to his room.

He went to the infirmary first thing in the morning. He heard the childish screaming as he came closer, wincing at the noise.

He peered inside, not game to open the door fully. He blinked and looked again, before stepping in.

Blankets and clothes were strewn about the room, a bottle lay on its side by the unmade bed. There was a ruckus from the other room, and another wail cut through the air.

Zell mussed his hair. "Hello?"

"Zell, I'm in here with Seifer."

He picked his way over to the next room and peered inside.

Doctor Kadowaki was sitting on the ground, holding a squirming child in her arms. Seifer was screaming and crying, face red, tears on his cheeks. "No no no! Ze!"

She looked up with tired eyes. "He started last night just after two and hasn't stopped since."

Seifer panted for breath, obviously a small break was needed even for a child to continue to scream, and he opened his eyes, looking up at Zell.

The blonde smiled. "Hey, Seif."

The baby stopped crying, holding up his arms. "Up, Ze. Seffa up."

Zell glanced at the doctor. "Do you want me to take him?"

"Hyne, please do. He's driving me crazy."

Zell picked up Seifer and pinched his nose lightly. "You causing problems, Seif?"

"Ze!" Seifer wriggled further into Zell's arms, snuggling himself in. "Ze back."

"Hey, you missed me, didja?" He bounced the kid on his hip. "Do you want me to dress him and stuff?"

She waved a hand. "You can damn well keep him. He's not staying here another night."

"Me? But, I don't have... I mean, it's Seifer, you're a doctor and stuff."

"And I need sleep. He likes you." She yawned. "I need my sleep. You keep him."

Zell stared at her. "But... SeeD. Missions. Baby. Not good."

"Ze? Hungy." Seifer tugged Zell's ear. "Hungy now."

"Hang on a moment, Seifer. Doctor, I can't take him. I'm a SeeD."

"For today then, please?" She looked desperate. "He hates me."

"But, he needs a mother, you said."

"And I need sleep." She waved him away. "I'll take him back tonight, just let me sleep."

"Hungy now, Ze! Hungy!" Seifer yelled in his ear.

"Ouch! Okay, okay, I get the point, Seif, calm down." He switched hips, and looked at the doctor. Noting that she was as good as asleep, he took Seifer outside to the main room. "Dress first, then we can eat."

He rummaged through the clothes and pulled out a pair of shorts and a t-shirt that looked tiny in his hands. "Think these are okay?"

"Bleh." Seifer stood up and started to jump on the counter. "Hungy!"

"Be quiet, Seifer." Zell crouched the look the boy in the eye. "Dressed, then eat."

"Hungy now!"

"Seifer!" Zell grabbed one wrist and made the boy look at him. "Clothes first." He said firmly.

"Kay." Seifer looked down, lip trembling. "Ze mad."

"Shh, I'm not mad." Zell picked up the shorts and sat Seifer down, tugging the shorts over his legs. "Just very, very hungry."

Seifer let Zell dress him in the shorts and t-shirt, watching the sneakers go on with some apprehension. He kicked his feet for a while until Zell sat him up and brushed his hair back. "There, all dressed. We can go eat now."

He put Seifer on the floor, chuckling at the way the boy ran to the door, jumping up until the door opened at his presence. "Ze! Ze!"

Zell caught up and walked Seifer down to the cafeteria.

The wait was short. Zell discovered, very quickly, that having a brash and very adorable toddler yelling for food made people smile and step aside for you in the queue. In no time at all, they were at the front of the line.

"I'll have four hot dogs, the kid'll have..." he looked at the list, "you got custard?"

"Uh huh." She piled the hot dogs onto a plate and put a bowl of custard on the tray next to it. "He your kid brother?"

Zell smiled and took the tray. "Can I have a glass of orange juice and a milk with that?"

She put the glasses down and he headed to a table with Seifer tailing along after him. He sat down near the window and sat Seifer on the chair next to him. "Tuck in, Seif."

Little hands reached out and grabbed the bowl, dragging it close enough to see. Zell stuffed an entire hot dog in his mouth and nearly choked, only just managing to swallow it.

"Zell! Wanna swallow my hot dog like that?!"

Zell coloured and glared at Tannin. "Get lost."

The boy came over and sat down. He was Zell's age, but a class behind, and had graduated with Seifer, under Zell's command. "Cute kid."

Seifer glared up at Tannin and stuck out his tongue in a completely Seifer manner. Zell smirked and handed him a spoon. "Eat with that, not your fingers."

Seifer took the spoon and dug it into the custard, giggling at the glooping noise it made. "Ze!"

"Yeah?"

"Schloop!" Seifer giggled and stuck the spoon in his mouth with some difficulty, still grinning.

"What do you want, Tannin?"

"Nothing, just thought I'd come over and talk." He shifted a bit closer to Zell. "Look, I'm sorry about the teasing. But that was pretty amazing, being able to swallow a whole hot dog. Can you blame a guy for thinking other things?"

Zell sighed and plucked Seifer's hand from the custard bowl, putting the spoon back in his grasp. "Fine, you apologised. I'm sorry, but he needs my attention, ya know?"

Tannin nodded and stood up. "Well, later, yeah?"

"Sure. Later." Zell watched him go and turned back to Seifer. "Do you think he has the hots for me, Seif?"

Seifer shrugged and dug in with his fingers.

"I don't like him. He freaks me out. He stares at my butt all the time."

The toddler stared at him with solemn green eyes and shoved a handful of custard in his mouth.

Zell laughed quietly. "I like you like this. You listen and you don't poke fun at me and you are just as cute as you are fully grown." He paused. "But less sexy. Not sexy at all."

Seifer stood up and dug out a handful of custard. Zell grinned and looked at him. "What?"

Seifer shoved the handful of custard over Zell's lower face and laughed.

Zell managed to grab the rest of his meal, feed a bit more into Seifer and get the tray back before Seifer managed to make too much more mess.

He carried the giggling boy back to his own quarters, trying to ignore the squeals from the girls and snickers around him and the sticky feeling of custard in his hair and down his shirt.

Still, he was better off than Seifer, who thought that tipping the bowl over his head to cool down was funny.

He dumped the child in the bathroom and pulled off his own shirt as he flicked on the taps to start a shower.

He paused and reconsidered.

"Ze! Yuck. Seffa yuck."

"Yes you are, you little brat." He turned around and eyed off his charge. "Okay, I'm hosing you off, then you can have a bath."

He started to bath running, he hadn't used it before now, and pulled off Seifer's t-shirt, wincing at the scars that still covered the child. "Hyne... you'd think that fate would at least rid you of them for a while."

"Ze sad?"

He looked up and smiled. "Nah, I'm cool." He tugged off the sneakers and shorts and little boxers that were way too cute. "You better be housebroken, Seif."

Green eyes blinked at him.

"Never mind." He put him down on the floor and considered how to do this. Was it proper to be naked with your crush/rival/constant source of pain and wet dreams if he was a little kid?

Seifer was looking between his legs at something in the other room. Zell snickered and decided.

He pulled off his stained clothes and threw them in the wash, grabbing up two armfuls of squealing kid. "C'mon, shower time."

He tested the water wasn't too hot and stepped in, putting Seifer down at the last moment. He didn't want to deal with wet squirming child, he might drop him.

"Owies!"

Seifer jumped out of the water stream and hid behind Zell's legs.

"What is it, Seif? Too hot?" He turned to look at Seifer. "Too cold?"

"Owie." He looked up at Zell, eyes going watery. "Hard."

He blinked and held a hand under the stream. The water did hit awfully hard, he usually had it like this to ease out sore muscles.

He reached up and adjusted the head until the stream was soft and weak. "Better?"

"No owies." Seifer moved back into the water, giggling and throwing his arms around. "Splash!"

Zell grinned and quickly pulled the head down to spray off the worst of the custard. That done, he turned the spray on Seifer, who squealed and hid his face whilst the water ran over him.

Zell turned off the water and picked up Seifer, holding him in two arms. "You are the cutest kid, Seif, hey, what's this?"

He turned the boy to look at his inner thigh, where a small tattoo still sat. It was a strange archaic looking rune. "Where'd you get this, Seif?"

The boy giggled and kicked his legs, making Zell nearly drop him.

"Hey, slow down there." Zell kicked off the water to the bath. It was waist deep, about as deep as he wanted to let Seifer into.

He stepped in, child and all, and sat down, settling Seifer in the water. It took him a few moments to realise he was in a bath, then he giggled and splashed his hands on the water. "Splash!"

Zell grinned and grabbed some shampoo, dragging the blonde back over to him. "Okay, close your eyes and head back."

Surprisingly, Seifer did what he said.

"Wow, I figured you'd always sucked at taking orders." Zell lathered the shampoo into Seifer's hair, massaging the tiny skull in his hands. "You are so small like this."

Seifer giggled and wriggled a bit more.

"Hold still, munchkin." He clamped his feet around the boy's waist, to hold him there.

He finally got the last of the custard out and rinsed his hands. "Deep breath."

He carefully slid Seifer under, rinsed his hair and pulled him back up as fast as he could. "All done."

Seifer nodded and grabbed a sponge, making quacking noises with it. Zell started to laugh. "That's not a duck, Seifie."

"Quack. Quack."

Zell shrugged and lathered his own hair, washing as quickly as he could with a possibly a little over one year old squirming in the tub as well.

He washed Seifer clean and picked him up, putting him on the floor. "Stay."

He got out and pulled the plug, turning back to Seifer.

Who was gone.

"Seifie?"

He heard a giggle, a crash and "oops" before he got into the main room.

Seifer sat by the coffee table, a vase broken on the ground, the glass cracked on the table and dirt from the pot plant over his head.

Zell stared and felt his anger rising.

"Oopsies." The blonde turned to Zell with big eyes. "Seffa oops."

Zell sighed at the big watery gaze. Seifer did seem genuinely sorry.

"Ze mad?"

"No." He picked up the boy again. "Someone needs another bath."

"Yay! Barf!"

Zell tucked him under one arm and marched back to the bathroom.

Another bath later, Zell had both of them dry and had Seifer back in his boxers since the rest of his clothes were a write off.

Seifer seemed to be tired for now, and was currently curled up on Zell's couch yawning. Zell was making himself a real breakfast.

A small hand tugged on his shorts. He looked down to the obviously tired boy. "Yes?"

"Midi."

That made no sense. "Midi?"

"Seffa want Midi."

Midi? What the hell was Midi? "Seifie, you gotta tell me what Midi is."

Seifer wrapped his arms around himself and made a childishly exaggerated hugging motion. "Midi."

Oh Hyne. The stuffed Chocobo that they had had back in the orphanage. "Midi's not here, Seifie."

"Oh."

That small sad sigh was more heart wrenching that any crying or pouting that Seifer could have done. Zell sighed and picked up the boy, smiling when little arms wound around his neck. "I'm sorry, Seifie. We can get you a toy this afternoon, yeah?"

"No. Midi."

Oh boy.

"Sure, we'll find Midi." Like that was anywhere to be found. He'd probably fallen apart by now, even if they managed to find him. He cuddled the boy close. "How about you sleep for now? You sleepy?"

"Uh uh." Seifer yawned and laid his head on Zell's shoulder.

"Course not." Zell grinned and moved out to his bedroom, laying Seifer down. Small lips smacked together and he rolled over in his sleep.

"Have a nice nap, Seifie."

The peace lasted about an hour before Seifer was awake and bouncing again. Zell had gone down, collected some clean clothes and a couple of bottles that were already made up and was settling in for his own long over due breakfast when he heard the thundering of little feet.

"You sleep all right, Seifie?"

"Ze, up!"

He looked over the back of the couch to where the boy was clambering up the dining room chair and onto the bare table. "Seifie, get down."

"Up, Ze, up!"

"Yes, you're up, and now you're going to get down." Zell swooped in and grabbed the boy, swinging him around in his arms. Seifer giggled and yelled happily, flapping his arms. "Fly! Seffa fly!"

The teen put Seifer down and took him over to the couch, shoving the last of his sandwich in his mouth. "Wanna go out into town?"

"Town!" Seifer agreed happily.

"Okay, clothes on."

"No!" Seifer grinned and ran off under the table. "No!"

"Seifie, you can't go out in your underwear, adorable as you are." He knelt down and tried to pull the boy out. "Come on, Seifie."

"Ze! No!" Seifer giggled and squirmed his way further under the table.

Zell sat back and eyed off Seifer. "Well, we can't go out then. And Seifer can't have ice cream."

"No?" Seifer seemed torn, but he crawled closer. "I'cream?"

"If you're a good boy, and do what Zell says." Zell raised an eyebrow. "You going to be a good boy?"

"Uh huh." Seifer came over and snuggled into Zell's arms. "Good boy."

Zell got him dressed and into his shoes again, before he got his own jacket on. "Seifer, you got to promise not to let go of my hand, okay? I don't want to put you in a harness."

"Hand!" Seifer jumped up and grabbed Zell's hand, his little fingers curling around Zell's index finger. "I'cream?"

"Okay, come on, Seifie."

They wandered through Balamb, pausing in shops, rummaging through jumble sales and, eventually, stopping to get ice cream. Seifer got a bowl instead of a cone; Zell could see what would happen with that; and they went down to the docks to eat and watch the ships.

A Garden ship pulled into docks. Zell watched as Selphie, Irvine and Quistis stepped off, all looking refreshed and chatty.

"Hey, Zell!" Selphie came running over, chain of her nunchaku jingling. "What an adorable little boy."

Seifer looked up at her and wrinkled his nose, glancing at Zell uncertainly.

"Selph, um,"

"I thought you were an only child?"

"Look closer, Selphie." He took Seifer's hand and pointed to the scar on his face. "Look a lot closer."

Her eyes went wide. "Seifer?"

"The one and only. In miniature." Zell picked the boy up and put him in his lap. "He got belted by a spell yesterday and here he is now."

"Hyne... he's so cute!" She giggled and sat down, beaming at the boy. "You are so adorable, Seifer."

Seifer smiled shyly and peeked through his hands at her.

"Can I hold him, Zell? Please?"

Zell nodded, almost reluctant to hand Seifer over. Selphie picked up the child, settling him on one hip. "Hey, cutie."

Seifer smiled and touched her hair, making it straight before letting go to watch it curl up. He laughed and did it again.

"Zell, I hope you plan on taking that kid back," Irvine drawled as he sauntered over.

"No worries, I kinda like him better like this." He watched Selphie poke Seifer's nose and the boy looked confused and started to gaze around. "How was the mission?"

"Fine, fine." Irvine eyed off the toddler and raised an eyebrow. "Please tell me I'm seeing things. This kid looks an awful lot like our own resident asshole."

"Yeah, there's a reason for that and Seifer isn't suddenly a dad. We took on a sorceress yesterday and she blasted him one."

"Wacky." Irvine leant in and grinned at Seifer, who smiled back. "I like him."

"Yeah, he's pretty damn cute like this."

"Ze!" Seifer started to kick, his face going tense. "Ze!"

"I'm still here, Seifie."

"Seifie?" Irvine smirked.

"I can't call him Seifer, can I?"

"Ze! Back now!"

Zell stood up and took back his ward from Selphie. "It's okay, Seifie, I've got you."

Seifer snuggled back into Zell's arms, his eyes closing. Zell smiled and kissed the top of his head.

"Aww, how cute. You gonna do that when he grows up again?"

"Shut up, Irvine. We don't even know if it is going to wear off." He rocked the toddler softly. "Besides, he had a rotten childhood. What's wrong with giving him a bit of affection this time?"

"He's always bullied and teased you mercilessly, making your life a living hell?" Irvine jutted one hip, hat tipped back. "He tried to kill us all and wipe out the world?"

"No, Seifer tried that." Zell snapped back. "This is a child, Irvine, what would you have me do? Lock him in the cells and tell him he's a bad boy for something he can't remember, let alone comprehend? He's a kid."

"Zell's right, Irvie. Seifer is sorry, and Seifie here," she looked at the boy, "is just adorable. He's only a widdle kiddie."

"Selph, don't do that. You'll teach him bad habits. Irvine, lay off. He likes me, I'm just taking him for the day to give the doc a break."

"He likes you?" Irvine seemed genuinely surprised. "I woulda thought he'd hate you."

"Maybe he remembers somewhere in that little head that I never actually fought him, I dunno. Maybe he just remembers me being there when he was a kid before. By the way, do either of you remember Midi? The toy Chocobo we had?"

Selphie nodded. "Yeah, I remember him."

"Do you know what happened to him?"

Irvine butted in before Selphie. "He was there when I was adopted, which was when only Squall and Seifer were left. Maybe Matron would know."

"Hey, I didn't think of that." Zell grinned. "Thanks."

"You want a lift back to Garden with us?"

"Yes, thanks." He peered at Seifer, who yawned and snuggled closer. "I think he's had enough for today."

They piled into the car, Zell in the back with Seifer, and drove back home.

Zell carried Seifer back down to the infirmary, still asleep. "Doctor? I've brought Seifer back."

Doctor Kadowaki looked up and shivered. "Fine, put him down on the bed, I'll keep an eye on him. Thank you, Zell."

Zell grinned and lay Seifer down, patting the dark blonde hair. "I'll come by tomorrow, okay?"

The boy mumbled in his sleep and clutched onto Zell's hand, holding it to his chest. The teenager smiled and slipped his glove off, leaving it in the boy's grip. "I'll pick that up tomorrow as well."

He nodded and slipped out to go and get dinner.

It was at one in the morning that he got paged down to the infirmary. He hurried down, hoping that Seifer was all right.

Once again, he could hear the screaming well before he got there. He jogged down and went in.

Doctor Kadowaki had Seifer in her arms, restlessly bouncing him. The boy was dressed in a t-shirt and shorts, obviously designed for sleeping in, and he was hoarsely crying on her shoulder.

She turned around and relief flooded her face. "Zell, he's been screaming for you. He won't stop crying."

At the mention of Zell's name the cries stopped and Seifer looked up, his face wet and red. "Ze?"

Zell held out his arms. "C'mere, Seifie."

He cuddled the boy close, wiping away the tears. "It's okay, little one, it's okay. Zell's here, I'm here now."

"Ze? Bad seep."

Bad sleep? A nightmare? "Did you see bad things when you were asleep?"

The boy nodded and hiccuped. "Make go, Ze."

"Shh." He looked over at the poor, long suffering doctor. "I guess he's with me tonight, eh?"

"Please. You're the only person he trusts." She wandered about, piling up some clothes and bottles and dumping them in a bag. "These are premixed, I'll pack the milk powder as well. He's toilet trained, so don't worry about that, seems he's a fast learner or he's remembered something of his adult years." She pulled out a glove. "This I believe is yours. I'll pack it in here as well."

"Thanks." He shifted his grip on Seifer to take the bag on one shoulder, securely wrapping his arms back around the child. "He's going to live with me, isn't he?"

"Oh yes. I am not going through another night of him screaming for you." Doctor Kadowaki sighed and pushed back her messy hair. "Good night, Zell. Good night, Seifer."

Zell slowly walked back, trying not to jostle Seifer too much. The boy quiet but obviously awake, occasionally murmuring under his breath or tightening his grip on Zell's shirt.

They got inside again and Zell dropped the bag by the door, resolving to see to it tomorrow. He wandered back to his bed and lay down, Seifer still in his arms.

"Dark."

"You want a light on?"

"Yes."

Zell flicked on the small bedside night light. It was there to let him find the way around his room at night without blinding himself by turning on a larger light.

It seemed to calm Seifer down. The boy crawled onto Zell's chest, snuggling into the warmth.

"Nothing's going to hurt you, Seifie, I'll look after you, okay? Keep the nasties away."

"Ze Seffa seed. All Seffa."

Zell smiled and kissed the top of the boy's head. "Sure thing, Seifer. Your SeeD. Your guard."

Seifer dozed off, but Zell stayed awake for several hours, just watching his little angel sleep.

It was six when Seifer decided it was time to get up. Zell got woken up when a small body bounced on his chest and a loud voice bellowed, "Up Ze! Hungy!"

He sat, reflexes letting him grab Seifer before he tumbled. "I'm up, Seifer. You want breakfast?"

"Uh huh."

"You gonna get dressed first? Then we can go to the cafeteria."

"Okay!"

Zell watched as Seifer slid down onto the floor and ran over to his bag. The kid really was too cute when he ran around like that. "Wait up, Seifie, let me change you."

Seifer stopped and looked back at Zell, eyes large. "Ze, tummy owie."

The teen frowned and got up, picking up Seifer and tucking him on one hip. "Where?"

"Grawh." Seifer giggled and Zell heard his stomach rumble. "Owie."

"You hungry, huh? How about I set a bottle going and get you dressed." He rummaged in the bag and pulled out a bottle, taking it out to the kitchenette and setting it heating up. "You can have that in a moment."

"Kay." Seifer hugged Zell and bounced in his arms.

Zell chatted aimlessly to Seifer, occasionally brushing kisses over his hair while he waited for the bottle to heat. Finally, he deemed it ready and sat down with Seifer on his lap, giving him the bottle. "There, drink that."

Seifer happily grabbed the bottle and started sucking on it, eyes half closed with concentration.

The door chimed.

"Come in!"

The door opened and Quistis came in with Selphie. Zell smiled before the flash caught him off guard.

Seifer turned to look at the bright light, still firmly clutching the bottle.

"Guys! What did you do that for?"

"Because Seifer is too cute and you playing mother is adorable," Selphie giggled.

"I think you might like to look back on this someday and remember your little boy, whenever Seifer is being a jerk to you," Quistis added quietly. She pulled out a cam corder and waved it. "Well?"

Zell grinned a bit sheepishly. "Well, he is awfully cute."

Quistis started filming.

The four of them went out that day, walking in the park near Balamb Garden. Quistis was discreet, Zell often forgot she was there and filming them as they played.

At lunch time, they pulled out a picnic basket and ate on a checkered blanket, watching butterflies and dragonflies dance near them.

Zell was amazed at how gentle little Seifie was with the insects. He giggled as butterflies landed on his fingers, aided there by a little honey on the boy's hands.

After lunch, Seifer fell asleep on Zell's lap, fingers twitching in his sleep.

"What do you think he dreams of?"

Zell looked up at the camera. "I dunno. He seems to have a lot of nightmares, but he doesn't talk about them. He woke me up a few times kicking in his sleep. He calms down when he knows someone's patting him." Zell smiled and looked down. "Maybe he dreams of when he was an adult."

Seifer whimpered on cue and rolled onto his belly, burying his face in Zell's stomach. Zell laughed and stroked his hair until the boy stilled again. "He's so precious like this. I wonder... would he have been like this if he hadn't been orphaned? I mean, is it because he doesn't remember whatever he saw that he's so different now, or is it because there's no other children?"

"I think this is what he's like," Selphie said quietly. "I think, deep down, Seifer isn't a bad person, just a resentful one. Maybe hurt."

Quistis turned off the camera and they sat watching the child until he woke up and looked at them blearily. He twisted and looked up at Zell, chubby fingers reaching up to push at Zell's mouth. "Ze, no sad. Peez?"

Zell smiled slightly at Seifer's earnest gaze and hopeful smile, before he started laughing.

Seifer tackled him and they lay on the grass laughing while Quistis and Selphie filmed.

It was late in the day that Zell, Selphie and Quistis walked back to Garden. Zell had Seifer in his arms, wide awake again but strangely quiet.

They slowed as they approached, surprised to see the mammoth shape of the Ragnarok parked outside the grounds. They filed in and up to the main office to see what had happened.

Squall ushered them in. Laguna sat by the door, glasses perched on his head, a tall elegant figure loomed by the window, black hair swept about her shoulders.

Seifer dropped from Zell's arms and ran over with a wide smile. "Matron!"

She turned around and scooped the boy into her arms, running her black nails through his short hair. "Hello, my little knight."

Even as Matron cuddled Seifie close, petting him softly, Zell was both happy and sad. He was glad that she was here, she had raised Seifer once, she could do it again and yet...

Well, he had kind of hoped Seifer would stay with him.

Laguna stood up and greeted them all, shaking hands, kissing cheeks, blushing when Selphie hugged him, bouncing up and down excitedly.

Matron walked forwards, kissing each of their cheeks, still holding Seifer in her arms. The boy was cuddled against her breasts, head nestled into her neck. She looked at Zell, and he knew she was reading his mind through his eyes when she smiled softly and sadly.

He remembered the doctor's words. 'He's going to need a mother for now.' And no matter what way you looked at it, Zell was no mother.

"Zell, we should talk outside." She moved to the door, opening it with her free hand. "We can go for a walk."

Zell followed her out obediently. Selphie and Quistis exchanged a glance before slipping out as well to follow, cam corder in hand.

Matron walked down to the front gate, sitting on the grass with Seifer in her lap before turning to Zell. "Sit down, child."

He sat, feeling like he was four again. She smiled and stroked his cheek, fingers tracing the tattoo. "My little Chocobo, I am sorry about this."

He blushed and ducked his head. "Sorry for what, Matron?"

"For taking him away." She looked at Seifer, who had crawled off and was playing with some plants. "But Garden is no place for a child, not even if he would be well loved."

Zell looked away. Matron had always been able to read exactly what went through his mind, even when he was little. "I know. But I want to keep him here. This is his home."

"This is where he was trained. He has no home, Zell. He has no family, and fewer friends. You and Squall are all he has, and I hate to take him from you, but this is a military base. This is no home for an infant." She held out her arms, and Zell snuggled into them, trying not to cry. She petted him as she had Seifer, watching both her boys.

Seifer looked up and saw the tears on Zell's cheeks. He ran over and climbed into Zell's lap, wiping them away. "Ze, no sad, no cry. Seffa here. Ze?"

Zell started to cry harder and just held onto the distressed little boy as Matron held them both.

Zell and Matron were in his room, packing up Seifer's new things. Seifer himself seemed confused about what was going on, and was staring between the adults.

"He has a lot of nightmares, and he likes to be held at night."

"I know, Zell," she laughed quietly.

"And don't let him have custard, he goes silly with it. He likes late night television, and," he turned around and blushed, "you probably know all this stuff from last time. I'm sorry."

"Zell, it's touching that you care so much, but I think we can manage." She looked down at Seifer, who held up his arms. "Up?"

She picked him up and settled him on one hip.

"Matron, do you remember Midi?"

She nodded slowly.

"Seifie keeps asking for him. Do you know what happened to him?"

"He was with us until Squall and Seifer came to Garden, then... he went missing when they left." She smiled slightly. "Cid always suspected that one of them had taken him."

Squall or Seifer holding onto Midi? It didn't seem that likely but still... "I can go ask Squall. Maybe he'd know."

"All right. We will wait here for you."

Zell headed out and up to the office.

It took Squall a few moments to open his office door, peering out and glaring at Zell. "What?"

"Er, I had a question. About Midi."

"Midi? The Chocobo toy?"

"Squall? Who is that?"

Zell looked past Zell, trying to see the owner of the voice. "Is Laguna in there?"

"Yes. We are trying to... bond." He spat out the last word.

"Oh. Sorry. I just, before Matron left with Seifer, you know?"

"Whatever. I haven't seen him since we left Centra."

"Um, sorry then." He shifted on his feet. "I'll, go."

Squall stared at him until he turned around, then closed the door again.

It was a whim. Zell used his clearance to open Seifer's door, stepping into the room he had never even seen.

Everything was spartan. There were cupboards, they probably had things hidden in them, but the room itself felt empty.

Zell had little doubt Seifer's ego filled the rest of the space.

He stepped over to a chest at the foot of the bed. There were some broken metal shards on it, Zell realised it was the shattered blade of Seifer's beloved Hyperion.

He moved each piece carefully, arranging them in the exact same order on the counter before he turned to the chest.

It was locked.

He frowned and glanced about, wondering where the key might be. He checked the pot plant, the drawers and cupboards and the shelves.

He glanced around to spy a photo of Matron, an old one. On impulse he took it down and checked behind it.

The key fell into his hand.

Shaking slightly, feeling immensely guilty, he opened the chest up.

It was not that full, but everything inside was wrapped up in cloth, neatly packed and stored for safe keeping. Zell felt each one, a photo frame, a sheathed knife, what felt to be a length of hair and a jewelry box, each one was wrapped and hidden from the rest of the world.

He didn't look at any of them, left them where they were until he touched a cloth bundle that yielded under his fingers. He pulled it out, unwrapping the small toy.

Midi.

He brushed his fingers over the fluffy crest, surprised at how well preserved the toy was. He realised that it had been restored to a degree, given new blue glass eyes and the fur freshened up.

He closed the chest, laying the metal back on the top and covering it with the unwound cloth. He tucked the key away again and left, Midi tucked under one arm.

Matron looked up as Zell came back in, hands behind his back. He knelt down to look at the boy on her lap. "Okay, left or right, Seifie?"

Seifer blinked and pointed at Zell's right side.

A moment later the hand came out with a bright yellow toy clutched in it. Seifer squealed and grabbed the Chocobo, hugging it close to his chest. "Midi!"

Matron smile. "Where did you find him, Zell?"

"In Seifer's room. I got this mad idea, since Squall didn't have him, maybe Seifer... well, deep down he's a softy it seems, so I figured he might have kept him."

"Ze find Midi." Seifer held his arms up to Zell. The teen picked him up, burying his face in the little boy's hair.

"I don't him to go, Matron. I want to keep him."

"I know, Zell. But you are SeeD. You do not have time for a baby. I, on the other hand, have time for everything." She stood up. "We must go soon."

"Go?" Seifer perked his head up. "Out?"

"Yes, darling, we're going out. We're going to your new home."

"Ze?" He looked up at Zell and beamed. Zell forced a smile and patted Seifer.

"Come children."

They headed outside, Matron carrying Seifer's bag, Zell carrying the child himself.

They stood outside of the Ragnarok. Laguna and Squall seemed to be less defensive, Laguna even managed to give his son a hug before Squall pulled away, faintly coloured.

Zell watched Matron stow away Seifer's bag and looked down. "Well, I guess this is it. I'm going to miss him, ya know?"

"I know, Zell. I felt the same each time one of you was adopted. It never gets easier."

Zell looked up to her eyes, surprised by the admission. "I never thought of that. I guess you know how it feels even more, huh? You never knew if you would see us again."

"No." She looked away and sighed softly. "You had best say your goodbyes."

Zell put Seifer on the ground and looked at him. "You gotta behave for Matron, yeah?"

"Ze?" A small hand reached out to grab his fingers. "Why?"

"Because she's going to be your mother. You're going to live with her."

"Ze come?"

"I can't, Seifie. I live here. I work here. You have to go and be safe with Matron."

The bottom lip started trembling. "Ze... no... Seffa want Ze."

"I'm sorry, Seifie." He lent over to kiss the little blonde's cheek and nose lightly, patting his hair. "You be good. I have to go."

Zell stood up and turned away, not wanting Seifer to see his own tears. He heard a choked sob. "Ze, no! Seffa be good boy! Stay, Ze! Stay!"

He heard Matron gather Seifer up, and he forced himself not to look back, because if he did, he might not be able to keep going. He knew it was best for the boy, Garden was no life for a child.

"Ze! Ze! No! Stay!" Seifer started to scream and cry.

Zell stepped off the gangplank, surprised when Squall took his hand and squeezed it, looking up to the two of them.

Zell looked up, and it was only Squall's firm grip that kept him in place as the gangplank closed up. He forced himself to wave goodbye to the crying child, eyes glancing to Matron, who cried along with them.

The ship closed and took off, and Zell collapsed sobbing on Squall's shoulder.

Zell didn't eat that night. He didn't sleep either, just sat on his couch and tried not to think about why he was so distressed.

He had collapsed at about five in the morning, so when he was woken up at eight he was not overly happy about it. He stormed to the door and threw it open, glaring at Squall. "What!?"

"Matron's on the link up from Esthar. She would like to speak to you."

Zell pushed past Squall, sprinting to the console. Matron smiled, she looked tired. "Zell, good morning."

"Hi. Is Seifer okay, has something happened?"

"Seifer is physically fine." She sighed. "He will not settle. He has not stopped screaming since we took off. I have never seen anything like it, most children will calm after a few hours. I would like you to come to Esthar. I am hiring SeeD to act as bodyguards, should anyone use this time of vulnerability to attempt to harm Seifer Almasy."

Zell's heart broke and his spirits lifted in the same moment. "When will the Ragnarok be here?"

"Three hours." She looked past him to Squall. "Your father would like to see you here as well. Cid is quite capable of running the place for a few weeks. Perhaps you would also bring Selphie or Quistis?"

Squall nodded turned away. Zell beamed. "Are you bringing Seifie here?"

"No, he's in no state to travel. He's asleep now, the travel will just distress him more. I will attempt to keep him asleep until you arrive."

"Okay. Bye Matron."

"Goodbye, darling."

Zell ran down to his room and started packing.

The flight was a long one. Zell had never been so restless during travel as he felt during that three hour flight.

They landed at the presidential palace, guards escorting them to their rooms. Zell insisted on going straight to see Matron and Seifer, his luggage taken elsewhere while he himself hurried off down to Matron's rooms.

He knocked, unsurprised when she answered the door and smiled weakly. "Please, come in. He'll be waking up soon. I was surprised at his spell resistance, I have never met a child so resilient against sleep spells."

Zell wasn't sure whether to be horrified or amused at the lengths Matron had gone to to keep Seifer asleep. He could well understand her choice if nothing else.

He stepped in, looking down to the couch where Seifer lay. He was asleep, but restless, and clearly near waking up again. His face was red, his cheeks tear streaked and his lips had the dried and sticky look of a long time spent crying.

With a relieved smile, Zell picked up the boy, rocking him softly. He smiled as the Chocobo nearly tumbled from the small hands, he moved Midi to sit on Seifer's stomach. "Seifie."

Seifer grimaced in his sleep and his limbs twitched. Zell stroked his hair and kissed his face softly, tickling one ear with his breath. "Seifie... wake up."

Seifer yawned and cracked open an eye. Instantly, he was awake, bouncing upright, arms thrown around Zell's neck. "Ze! Ze back! Seffa good boy, Ze back!"

Zell laughed and leant back, letting Seifer crawl up his chest and run sticky hands over his face. They were both laughing, and he could hear Matron laughing as well as the two boys, one little more than a baby, one nearly a grown man, rolled about laughing with each other.

The rest of the day passed easily. Seifer and Zell played in Matron's room, both of them falling asleep in the afternoon for a short nap. Zell had never been so thankful to see Seifer, and the screaming child he had heard about was nowhere to be seen now.

Dinner came and went, and Matron deemed it time that little boys be going to sleep for the night. The crib and the rest of the gear had been moved to Zell's suite, ostensibly so that Zell could protect the boy in his sleep.

Zell said his good nights and took Seifer down to his new suite. There was total silence from Squall's room as he passed, he took that to mean that the brunette was spending some time with his father.

He shut the door behind him and walked out to the bedroom, glancing around the room. It was large, all his belongings had been packed away and a smaller chest and bed sat to the side.

"Come on, bed time for you."

He changed Seifer into his pajamas, though it wasn't easy with the boy wriggling so much. Finally, he got his teeth cleaned, face washed, into pajamas and laid him back on the bed.

He started to cry.

"Seifie?" Zell picked him up, rocking him slightly. The cries immediately silenced.

"Seifie, it's bed time."

"No. Stay, Ze. No go."

Zell caught on. "I'm going to be in the next room, Seifie. I'll be close by."

"No! Ze no go, Seffa be good!"

The child didn't understand that Zell wouldn't be leaving him again. He was too scared of being left alone.

Zell grabbed the blanket and carried both out into the living room. "You have to go to sleep, though."

"Yes, Ze."

"Good boy." Zell flicked on the television and settled Seifie on his lap, covering him with the blanket. Within minutes, Seifer's breath was falling in long, shallow breaths, his tiny hands knotted in Zell's shorts.

Zell put him to bed and sat back down with the TV.

At about three in the morning, Zell was woken up by a noise.

Sitting bolt upright in bed, he looked about for any sign of what he had vaguely heard.

Seifer was sitting in the corner of his bed, hands clasped over his face, sobbing. Zell quietly got up and moved over to the boy's bed, sitting down, frowning at the flinch his presence caused. "Seifie?"

Seifer shivered and glanced between his fingers to Zell. The blonde held out his arms, bracing himself against the anticipated rush into his embrace.

The boy looked at him and slowly shifted over until he leant into his guardian's arms. Zell hugged him lightly and picked him up, carrying him over to the other bed. "Seifie? What's wrong?"

"Shh." He looked around and buried his face in Zell's chest. "Shh."

Zell petted the short hair and kissed the top of his head, rocking Seifer back and forth.

Zell had expected him to fall asleep nearly instantly, or maybe a few minutes later. Not the two and half hours it took for Seifer to calm down again and curl up to sleep.

But he didn't move him back to his own bed. They stayed on Zell's bed together.

They settled into a comfortable routine. Days were spent exploring the palace and city, often with Matron along. Night time was usually fine, Seifer curled up next to Zell, but still, every three nights, the nightmares came back.

Zell got used to not sleeping on that night, and he slowly learnt to put aside his frustration that Seifer couldn't, or wouldn't, tell him what happened in them.

Two long months passed. Zell couldn't have been happier.

They were playing in the garden of the palace with Squall and Laguna, well, Squall was watching Zell and Laguna play with Seifer, when it happened.

Matron's eyes half closed, her hand reaching to her head. Squall was with her in a moment, Laguna and Zell close after.

"Edea?"

She shook her head, and a scream cut through the gardens. Zell turned, saw Seifer tremble and collapse, body convulsing.

He was cradling the boy seconds later, tears streaming down his face. "Seifie? Seifie?"

There was a crack, Seifer screamed again, and the weight in Zell's arms increased.

A pair of green eyes blinked at him from the youthful face of a five year old.

Zell smiled and stared blankly.

to be continued...