The Five Ages of Seifer Almasy Chapter 5: Age Fourteen, a final fantasy viii fanfic

This time, he wasn't there for Seifer when he came around from the shift. Instead, he opened his eyes to see a worried face leaning over him, aged about fourteen.

"Seifie?"

"Zell? How do you feel?"

"Like someone has inflicted large amounts of pain on me." He winced and sat up awkwardly. "You?"

Seifer leant to help Zell sit, propping the pillows under him. "I'm fine. I was hungry, but I've eaten now. I feel good." The teenager's hands slid back along one arm to hold Zell's hand. "Are you really okay?"

"I will be." Zell smiled and closed his eyes again. "I must have been out a while."

"A few hours. Don't worry about it." Seifer smiled again, it seemed strange to see such a familiar face wearing such an unfamiliar emotion. "Doc said you had to sleep more."

"And you? When are you planning on sleeping?"

"It's a third night." Seifer shrugged. "I'm not going to get any sleep anyway. Not like I have anything to do tomorrow."

"You have class."

"Get real, Zell. I'm fourteen, or so the doctor said. I'm too old for those classes now." He shrugged and smoothed Zell's hair back from his face. "Go to sleep, Zell. I'll stay here until you doze off."

Zell's eyes were already drifting shut. He smiled at his charge. "Okay, Seifie."

"Night, Zell."

Zell felt soft lips brush his forehead, but he was already to far asleep to do anything.

When he woke in the morning, he felt a lot better.

He also felt a warm breath against his cheek.

Squinting, Zell peered to his side. Seifer was sitting on the chair, head on Zell's pillow, fast asleep. One hand rested lightly on his chest, fingers twitching slightly as he mumbled in his sleep.

He smiled and ran his hand through the dark blonde hair.

Seifer's eyes flickered before blinking open sleepily. He smiled as he saw Zell. "Mornin'."

"Morning, Seif. Your neck hurt from sleeping like that?"

"Not really." The boy sat up and winced. "A bit. I haven't been asleep that long." He glanced at his watch and yawned again. "About three hours... two and half."

"Seifer, you need more sleep. Go to your room and sleep." Zell tried to sound like a figure of authority but it was hard when lying in a hospital bed.

"I'm fine. I'd sooner stay here with you." Seifer smiled again, that soft tender grin of his that Zell was getting far too used to seeing. "Besides, Doc said you'll need a few days of care, so I can do that while they sort out what to do with me for schooling."

"Er, are you sure, Seifer?"

"Of course. You looked after me, I love you, of course I'll look after you." He beamed at the older boy.

Zell continued to stare. He said love, he thought, he's getting older, and he still says love me.

"Zell?"

"Huh?" He blinked. "Yeah?"

"Are you okay? You went spacey."

"I'm fine... must be the last of the poison working through."

"Well..." Seifer didn't look convinced. "If you say so."

"I do say so." Zell nodded to himself. "And you need sleep."

"I've slept less and been fine." He cracked his back out. "Doc said, earlier this morning, at about six, that you could go back to your rooms once you woke up, but you have to take a wheelchair, so that your limbs don't get fatigued."

"Wheelchair?"

"Yes, wheelchair. Chair with wheels." Seifer smirked and wandered into the next room, coming back with said equipment. "Come on."

Zell grumbled but slid on his robe and stepped out of bed. He did feel horribly weak, he hadn't realised how bad he was until that moment.

Hands steadied him and half lifted him into the chair. He sighed as he sat, feeling the trembling leave his legs. "Thanks."

"No problems." Seifer flicked the brakes off and turned the chair around. "I'll take you back to your room and then head down to the cafeteria and get some breakfast. I know, hot dogs for you, six."

Zell's stomach lurched. He closed his eyes and just felt the soft movements of the chair and Seifer wheeled him back home. "No, just some fruit. I still feel a bit off."

"You okay to go home?" A cool hand pressed against his forehead. "You're warm."

"Am I? I guess I must be. I feel cool."

"Not too far now." Seifer smiled down and lay a hand over Zell's eyes. "You should sleep."

"I'm staying awake until I'm home and fed." Zell yawned and blushed. "And then I'm going back to sleep."

"Fine, fine." Seifer chuckled and kept walking.

Zell closed his eyes and leant his head against Seifer's hand. Just to alleviate his headache for a moment.

He sat up sharp.

The sunlight was filtering in through the curtains, casting a weak gold glow on the room. There was the sound of meditation music from next door.

He was definitely in his room. He must have fallen asleep on the way back.

With a grimace, Zell got up on trembling legs. He drew his blankets around his shoulders, padding over to the door and peering out.

Seifer sat on the floor, legs folded into the lotus position. His eyes were closed and his face relaxed.

He looked so much older in that moment, he looked like he was nineteen again.

"Zell? What are you doing up?"

He blinked and saw Seifer was standing up. "I just heard the music."

"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you." Seifer moved over to him, an arm going around his waist. "You all right? Where do you want to go?"

"I'm fine, really, I can walk." He laughed and batted away Seifer's hands, making it to the couch before his legs gave out. "I'm just a bit hungry." He sniffed and grimaced. "And I stink. I never did get that shower I went in there for."

Seifer looked away. Zell watched him, he was like a kicked puppy. "Seif? What's wrong, munchkin?"

Seifer chuckled softly. "I'm as tall as you, Zell."

"Maybe, but you'll always be my munchkin now. What's wrong?"

"I'm just, I'm sorry I wasn't there earlier. I mean... he didn't... you were both naked, and you kept screaming and I..." he went bright red and hid his face in his hand. "Never mind."

"No, he didn't. He might have though." Zell shivered and wrapped the blankets tighter. "Oh Hyne, he was going to rape me."

The reality of that fact crashed over him and he started shivering uncontrollably in his little cocoon.

Seifer was next to him in seconds, pulling him close and stroking his hair, littering light kisses over his forehead, just like Zell used to do when he had his nightmares. "It's okay, Zell, he's gone now, you're okay, right? You're just a little sick, he didn't do anything to you. Anyone ever touches you again, I'll kill them, okay? I'll kill anyone who tries to hurt you." He was getting the slightly hysterical edge that kids get when they see an older sibling crying. "Please, Zell, it's okay. Really."

"Seifer..." He clung onto the boy's t-shirt, burying his face. Warm arms encircled him, pushing away the blankets to hug him better. "Seifer."

"No one else is going to touch you. You're going to marry me, remember?"

Zell giggled quietly.

"I can't have anyone else laying a finger on my -wife-."

"Oi!" Zell hit Seifer in the chest, laughing as hard as the other boy was. "I ain't gonna be your wife, Almasy. I've cleaned that butt of yours, it belongs to me."

"Sure thing, Zell." Seifer leant in, eyes bright. "All yours."

Zell's breath caught. This was something he was not expecting. Seifer stared at him, breaths shallow and slightly fast, the hand on Zell's shoulder twitched in anticipation.

Their lips were so close.

This was so wrong.

Zell backed away, looking to the bathroom. Seifer coughed and sat up again, scratching his head. "You hungry, Zell?"

"Yeah, rather. What happened to breakfast?"

"You went to sleep and I had to carry you to your bed. There's some apples, I could cut them up. Are you feeling sick still?"

He thought about it. His stomach felt tight. "A bit."

"Okay. I'll start a bath for you and get something to eat." Seifer stood up, helping Zell to his feet, letting go quickly.

Zell headed back to his bedroom for clothing. He heard the water turn on and footsteps tread back out to the kitchen.

He went to the bathroom, shutting the door but not locking it. If he slipped he wanted Seifer to be able to get in without having to call Squall or maintenance to open the door.

He flicked off the taps, it was nice to be able to have a deep bath, and stripped before stepping into the tub.

It was hot, almost scalding. It felt good. He sank into the water with a happy sigh, sliding his head under the surface.

He surfaced and decided he needed a bubble bath.

He had washed, done his hair and was now soaking in a bath that reminded him of apples and spring grass.

There was a light knock at the door. "Zell? You haven't drowned, have you?"

"Yes, but I'm comfortable doing it, so don't worry."

There was a low chuckle. "I've got your breakfast, can I come in?"

"Um, sure." Zell sat up a bit, making sure that there was enough bubbles to cover his modesty.

Seifer stepped in, cheeks faintly coloured. He held out a plate of apples, peeled and sliced, and a glass of water. "Matron's wonder cure for nausea."

Zell grinned and took the plate, popping a slice into his mouth. It was tart but sweet, he smiled happily. "Fanks, Seifua."

"Don't talk with your mouth full." Seifer smirked and sat on the sink counter, swinging his legs idly. "But you're welcome."

Zell rested the plate on the corner of the bath and stretched again. "What time is it?"

"One, but I wouldn't worry about it. Isn't that getting cold?"

"Kinda." One foot came out to flick on the hot water before submerging again. Zell took another slice of apple. "Well, I guess this could be the last one."

"Huh?" Seifer looked up form the floor. "What do you mean?"

"The last shift before you're you again. I mean, you were about a year, then five, then nine, now fourteen, the next one will probably be nineteen, your actual age."

"Yeah, I guess." He looked down again. "Did I make you cry a lot, Zell?"

"No. You used to rile me, but you changed."

"After the Sorceress War."

Zell sat bolt upright. "How did... have you remembered?"

"Sort of. We talked about it in class. She didn't say names, but I know who she meant. I was the one who captured SeeDs and tortured them for information. I was the one who sold out Garden. I was the one who put that scar on your rib cage."

"Seifer... you're a good person. No matter what they say, you are. I've known you nearly all my life." He reached out a hand, Seifer slid from the counter to kneel by Zell. "You understand me? You did what you did, but it's gone. Everything was all right in the end, you made amendments, we know what happened. It's forgiven. Anyone who says otherwise is a jerk."

Seifer laughed and lay his head on the edge of the bath. "I love you, Zell."

Zell's voice caught in his throat. He stroked Seifer's hair, his eyes closed. "I love you too, Seif."

Zell was lying on the couch, dressed and fed and feeling a hundred times better. Seifer was scrawling some notes about the first Sorceress War into his notebook, fingers drumming away to the music on his walkman.

It was a very lazy evening.

"Zell... how do Grats breed?"

Zell spat out his water. "What?"

"One of my homework questions. How do Grats breed?"

"Um." Zell scratched his head. "They're plants, so I guess they have pollen and... I think they spread their pollen like normal plants."

"So how about dragons?" Seifer leant his chin on his hand.

"Err... is this your homework, Seifer? I thought you were doing the first war."

The blonde looked at his paper. "Finished that. Question five, detail the way in which the three monsters you have been studying breed. I did grats, dragons and Marlboros. I guess Marlboros are plants, so they'd be like the grats, but dragons are animals."

"Shouldn't you have done this in your research?" Zell turned to look over the back of the couch.

"I only just transferred into the class, I haven't done anything yet. So how do dragons breed?"

"Like normal lizards I guess. I dunno, it never came up before." Zell got up and sat down at the table, spinning the paper to look at the questions.

The neat cursive handwriting made him smile a little as he scanned the page. "You haven't done the guardian forces section either."

"I know, I'll get around to it. It's not due in for two days." Seifer lay aside his pen and scratched his head. "Zell, do I have a guardian junctioned?"

"Yes, you do. You have Alexander."

"Oh. Is that I why I can cast magic?"

"Yes."

"And no one can take him from me, can they?"

"No." Zell wondered where this was going.

"So, I coulda used him in the locker room, instead of that silly fire spell."

Ah. Zell pulled Seifer over to him, wrapping his arms around the boy's shoulders. "You did what you could, and you saved me. You saved me, Seifer, you couldn't have done anymore."

"I could have been there to begin with. I knew he was looking at you funny."

"It doesn't matter. It's happened, it's past, it can't be changed and it doesn't need to be." He kissed Seifer's head. "I think you should take a break and relax for a while."

"Okay, Zell." They moved over to the couch, Seifer curling up and laying his head in Zell's lap. "Zell?"

"Yes, Seif?"

"The past can't hurt us, right?"

"Right."

"Okay."

They sat in silence and watched the television.

Seifer refused to go home that night, so Zell gave in and let him stay over. It was late, past midnight, but Zell couldn't sleep.

He sat in the lounge room, wrapped in his dressing gown, staring out of the window.

So much had changed in the last six months. Six months ago, he'd been heading off to fight a young sorceress in Balamb. Six months ago, Seifer, as the only SeeD available, had been sent with him.

Now, Seifer was asleep in his bed. Seifer was fourteen, after spending two months as two, five and nine.

Seifer thought he loved him.

Zell started to laugh bitterly. He loved Seifer, without a doubt, these last few months had only made him love the other boy more, but Seifer didn't even remember who he was.

In two months, it would all be over.

"Zell? What's wrong?"

The older blonde forced himself to be neutral. "Nothing, Seifie. Go back to bed, you have class tomorrow."

"Are you sure?" Seifer came over, laying his hand on Zell's face, eyes narrowing. "I did it again, didn't I?"

Zell must have looked confused because Seifer continued after a moment. "I made you cry again."

Zell held Seifer's hand to his cheek. "No, Seif, you didn't. I was just thinking."

"Don't lie to me, Zell. I'm not a little boy anymore. I'm not that much younger than you anymore. I made you cry." He glared, almost daring Zell to contradict him.

"You didn't make me cry. I was thinking about things, and I got a little, tiny bit teary. I wasn't crying because of anything you did."

Seifer continued to stare him in the eye. "Is it because I'm growing up? Or because I was a child and you don't want a child?"

"No, it isn't you, Seifer. You didn't do anything wrong." Zell stood up and wrapped his arms around Seifer, feeling slightly guilty for these stolen moments that he could treasure when Seifer would shun his touch.

Seifer bumped his cheek against Zell's, rubbing them together. Zell stroked his hand over the lean back, eyes half closed. Seifer leant closer, his breath brushed over his guardian's ear.

They swayed slightly, Seifer's arms around Zell's waist, Zell's around the lean neck, holding each other, both trying to offer comfort to something nameless that plagued them.

Seifer moved back, Zell turned his face blindly and felt lips touch his. Without thought he pushed back softly, felt the other's mouth open slightly.

The touch of a slick tongue against his lips brought him from his stupor. He wrenched away from Seifer, hand going to his mouth, eyes wide with shock.

Seifer stared back, he looked bewildered, almost confused. "Zell?"

"We can't do this, Seif." Zell stepped back again. "You're fourteen."

"Except I'm not, Zell." Seifer stepped forwards, eyes desperate. "I'm nineteen, Zell. I'm nineteen years old, and my mind's catching up and soon my body will too. I love you, Zell. I love you so much." He almost stumbled forwards another step, hand reaching out to Zell.

Zell stared at him. "You're a child, Seifer. I'm your guardian. I can't, we can't be doing this."

"But I love you! I want you." He sank to his knees, head down. "I love you, Zell. I need you."

"You've never needed anyone, Seifer. Least of all me." He closed his eyes, feeling the pain in his chest. For once, he couldn't just hug Seifer and make it all better, because it wouldn't be. It wouldn't be enough. "When you're an adult, you'll remember, and it'll be different. You're just young, and I'm all you remember, and when you're you again, you won't need me." He turned away and wrapped his arms around his waist. "You won't love me. You never loved me, Seifer. You hated me. And that's the truth you kept asking for.

"You hated me, and that's why I cry. Because it isn't going to last."

Zell closed the door to his bedroom as he heard Seifer running out of the suite.

Zell spent the day in bed, not willing to get up and face the world. Seifer's papers were still on the table, but he didn't want to pack them up and send them over to the boy's room.

He did it anyway, sending a young cadet to slip the papers into Seifer's mail slot.

He got up in earnest at about five. He dressed, though he didn't bother with his shoes, and made himself a sandwich.

At about six, Quistis burst into his room. Her hair was slightly messy, and her cheeks were flushed. "Zell, have you seen Seifer?"

He looked up. "No. Not since last night. Why?"

Solemnly, she handed him a letter. Zell took it, feeling his heart clench painfully as he read the familiar script.

'I fucked up, I fucked up bad, so I can't stay. I want to, but I can't, because it hurts. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.

'I don't want to age again if it means I become that man again.'

Zell closed his eyes. "When did you find it?"

"About half an hour ago. He never showed up to his classes today, we found it in his room. No sign of him."

Zell stood up. "Okay. He's not in Garden?"

"No. No one's seen him." She pushed her glasses on top of her head. "What happened, Zell? Why is he so scared of being himself, it's all he talked about, growing up and being with you."

Zell was silent as he pulled on his boots and picked up his gloves. "I'll tell you on the way to Balamb. He might have gone to Ma's."

Quistis followed him out and down to the garage.

He told her everything. The kiss, what he had said, Seifer's desperation. There was no point in hiding it. She was quiet, not admonishing, just thoughtful as they pulled into Balamb and stopped outside the Dincht house.

Zell was thumping on the door within moments. Ma opened it, looking confused and worried. "Zell? Honey, what's wrong?"

"Have you seen Seifer, Ma? About fourteen, has he been here?"

"Seifer? No, not since you two came down. What's going on?"

Zell shook his head and hands. "Can't stay to talk, if he rocks up, can you keep him hear and call Garden, tell them where he is?"

She nodded, about to ask more when Zell ran back to the car. "I'll tell you when we find Seifer!"

The car drove off, and Ma Dincht watched it leave, confused and worried.

They checked the train and found out that a boy matching Seifer's description had been lurking around, but hadn't had the money to pay for a ticket. Zell guessed that something as trivial as a lack of cash wouldn't have stopped Seifer and he took the train over to Dollet, trying to piece out where Seifer had gone from there.

Quistis stayed in Balamb to contact Matron and start a proper search team looking for the boy.

Dollet was as open as ever. Zell contacted the Forest Owls, they said they'd be back with whatever they could find.

So, he was booked into a hotel for the night, staring at the ceiling, wondering if he could have handled that night any worse.

Admittedly he could have, but not by much. He had crushed Seifer's hopes and told him that everything he felt and thought was a lie, and that he had been a dreadful person when he was an adult.

Well, what Seifie considered to be dreadful, and that was all that really mattered.

Zell rolled onto his side. He would have thought Seifer would go to Ma's, maybe to Esthar.

His phone rang, he rolled over and grabbed it, flicking it open. "Hello?"

Zell? It's Quistis.

His heart caught. "Have you...?"

No. I contacted Matron, she's keeping an eye out for him, if he comes into Esthar the guards will take him to the palace and she'll keep him there, but I don't think he will.

Zell nodded to himself. Seifer didn't like Esthar, he wouldn't want to retreat into those memories. He'd go somewhere more familiar.

"Oh Hyne, how fucking stupid do you want? Quistis, grab the Ragnarok, come and get me from Dollet. I know where he is."

You do? But-

"No, no time. Please, Quistie, trust me." He sounded desperate. He was.

All right. I'll be there as soon as I can.

"Thanks, Quistis. I owe you. I'll see you soon." Zell scrabbled to get dressed and sat outside the town, waiting for the ship.

Quistis appeared within an hour. Zell scrambled onto the ship and up to the cockpit, turning to her with apologetic eyes.

She nodded. "I understand. I'll catch the train back."

He slipped into the seat, waited until she was safe on the ground and tore off into sky.

He was going home.

The ship landed within the reach of the beam of the lighthouse. Zell headed off, padding over to the derelict house and pushing aside the wooden door.

He could see the footprints, bare footed, though the dirt and dust on the floor.

He went out the back, to the cliffs and the garden. The garden was empty, not a flower broken from feet, but the sand had been shifted under the weight of a teenaged body.

He walked down the trail, shedding his own shoes, until he hit the beach. A lone figure sat by the water, knees drawn to his chest, staring out at the waves.

"Seifer?"

The blonde head dipped, the moonlight made his hair silver. Zell came closer until he was nearly next to the boy.

"I'm sorry, Seifer. I shouldn't have said those things."

"Why? It was the truth. That's what I wanted." He didn't look up, just kept talking into his arms. "I was a bastard. I made you cry constantly, I picked on you, teased you, bullied you. I tried to kill you. I hated you, and I don't know how, because all I can ever remember is how much I love you. I don't want to stop loving you, Zell."

Zell knelt down, wrapping one arm around Seifer. "Maybe you'll remember this, Seifer. Maybe you were just a jerk because you did care. I don't know. But until you're an adult, we can't be anything. No matter how I feel, I don't love you like that as a child."

Seifer laughed, slightly bitterly. "You love the me that hates you, but can't love the me that loves you like that."

The older boy thought about it for a moment. "Er, yeah, I guess." He kissed Seifer's cheek. "I love you, Seifer, I meant that."

"I know." He buried his face in his arms. "I want to always love you."

They sat there and watched the ocean until it swept over their bare toes and Zell carried the sleeping Seifer back up to the Ragnarok.

They slept on the ship. Zell was unwilling to fly while tired, so he settled Seifer in the captain's cabin and curled up with him. He couldn't help it, he needed to feel Seifer next to him.

Seifer woke up first. Zell woke to feel hands, nearly as large as his own, smoothing over his face.

"Hm, Seif, you gotta stop that."

"Why?" Soft lips touched his cheek. "I promise not to kiss you again. I just like the feel of your skin."

"Okay." He rolled over, cuddling Seifer for a moment. The teen kissed his cheek again, leaning in closer and to kiss the other.

Zell shot out of bed. "Seifer! What were you..." he blushed, he knew what he had felt when the teen had pressed against him.

Seifer coloured and pulled the blankets over him and up to his chest. "Err, I didn't think. I'm sorry. I... I need a shower."

Seifer bolted from the room, leaving Zell to sit there blushing.

They got back to Garden in the afternoon. Zell had called ahead and told them, he also called Ma and reassured her that Seifer had been found, alive and well.

Quistis had scolded Seifer until he was red with embarrassment before she set onto Zell. Both of them had escaped from her wrathful clutches and fled back to Zell's room, laughing and gasping as they locked the door behind them.

They looked at each other for a moment. "Zell?"

"Yeah?"

"I think I'm starting to remember things." Seifer's eyes were dim for a moment as he remembered something. "I feel like I..." He turned to Zell again, and there was a dawning awareness in them for a moment.

And then Seifer's mouth crashed against Zell's, hands tightening around the older boy. Zell struggled for a moment, it felt all together too good for him to keep doing it.

It was illegal and immoral and horribly, temptingly good.

Seifer let go and backed off. "I'm sorry, I know, but Zell... I'm fourteen." He leant in closer, his breath was hot. "Zell, I want you, before I become me again."

Zell cupped the soft face in his hand. "That's why we can't, Seif. It isn't you." He chastely kissed Seifer's lips. "I can't betray the man I care for like that."

Seifer sighed and leant back. "I can't promise I won't keep trying, Zell."

"I know. You wouldn't be you if you could. I can't promise you anything beyond being your guardian, Seif."

"I know, Zell."

They sat there, in silence, until Zell startled to giggle again.

They both lost it and laughed until they couldn't breathe.

It was a hard routine, but it did them well. Seifer stayed with Zell, even sharing his bed, and every morning he would try and tempt Zell. Every morning, Zell would knock him back gently and go and make them breakfast so that Seifer could have the first shower.

The memories were flicking back and forth. Sometimes, Seifer would look at Zell as though he were seeing him for the first time, at others he would be so familiar it made Zell ache.

A month passed. It was rough, but they were getting there. Seifer was growing more melancholic as he realised that soon he would shift for the last time.

And then it would all be over.

It was Friday. Zell was watching Seifer and Squall spar, Seifer holding his own frighteningly well against the older boy.

Squall flicked his Gunblade at Seifer's midsection and the boy screamed. Squall drew back immediately, showing honest confusion as Seifer doubled over, clutching at his stomach.

Zell was there in seconds. "What did you do to him?!" He screamed at Squall.

"Nothing. I didn't contact." Squall stepped back again when Seifer hit the ground, hands desperately grasping at his midsection.

Zell ran his hands over Seifer's back soothingly. "It's okay, Seif, you weren't touched. Seif, please, you're fine. You're not hit."

Jade eyes flicked up. "I..." he choked on pain, head arching back for a moment before he managed to look Zell in the eye again. "I love you."

"Seifer?" Zell reached to grab the boy when rose coloured lightning crackled from his gut, lancing out over his form.

Zell tried to reach in, Squall grabbed him and pulled him back. "Don't be an idiot, it might strike you. We can't do anything."

"But what's happening?" Zell lurched against Squall's arms again.

"I don't know, but we can't do anything." Squall threw them to the ground as the electricity got particularly violent. Seifer screamed, Zell could feel tears on his face.

"I can't leave him!" He pushed against the man lying on him.

There was another scream, and Squall covered their heads with his jacket, cutting out the light. Zell thought he saw a tear on his face.

Then, it went quiet.

Squall rolled off Zell, both of them sat and looked over, Zell already scrambling to his feet. "Seifer!"

The prone form lay on the scorched ground, eyes closed. Zell rushed over, skidding to a halt mere feet away. "Seifer?"

The man did not move, but his chest rose and fell steadily. Zell knelt down, taking the massive hand in his own, holding it tight. "Seifer? Wake up, Seif. It's over."

Those words hit him. It was over. Months of playing and sharing, even the stolen kisses that he had rejected time and again, it was all over.

Squall called in for a medical team as Zell held Seifer's hand.

But he had no more tears to cry.

to be concluded...