"This was a wonderful idea!" Rinoa squealed, wrinkling her nose happily as she spread out her arms as if to take flight. Squall couldn't help but smile, she was such a precious child to him sometimes the he just wanted to take care of her.
"If you say so yourself Rin," his head tilted at an angle as he watched her in between his loose silky brown bangs. The sun reflecting in his eyes, making them look almost completely grey.
They stood at the harbor in the early day, and he breathed a sigh of relief as he narrowed his eyes, his face turned up into the warmth of the rays. His usually frowning expression gone, now replacing it a foreign soft happy smile, showing off the curves of his high cheekbones, as his rebellious hair framed the pale delicate features.
He had decided, by suggestion of Rinoa, to lose his black attire; well at least part of it. He instead wore plain dark denim jeans with a looser fitting grey long sleeve shirt that matched his eyes, at least Rinoa used to say that it brought out his eyes.
His noticed eyes on him and lowered his gaze to look deeply into those warm chocolate eyes. She shook her head happily, her brows pressed together as she wrapped her arm around his, "you're just so pretty," she wrinkled her nose, a slight pout to her mouth in a child like manner, "Far prettier than me even." He laughed, a sound his throat wasn't used to, a grin now on his face. "I don't know whether I've been insulted or complimented." His eyes twinkling with delight, "let's go eat. I'm hungry," he announced. Rinoa nodded, leaning her head partially on his shoulder as she held onto his arm. Squall slipped off the sunglasses hanging off the top of his shirt and onto his face as they headed off.
To anyone watching they were the epitome of happiness; young, beautiful and in love. They were the envy of others, it was a shame so much can be hidden; otherwise a lot more people would be happy and less enviable.
To another youth not far from there, things weren't going so well, they weren't horrible either but not that good.
Seifer growled inwardly as he hurled the heavy sack of Hyne-knew-what over his shoulder, lugging it into the cargo ship. He wasn't going to question the strange behavior or ask anything, he knew better, and frankly he didn't care as long as he got paid; he would do anything.
Well, just about anything, just not that though he did get a few tempting offers. He wore heavy work gloves, and work boots, and the laborious work combined with the 'wonderful' sunny day beating down on him was giving him a bloody heat stroke. He was drenched, though he was shirtless, his pants were clinging to him like unwelcome hands. His scar almost disappearing between his furrowed brows, his teeth gritted with effort, his sharply alert emerald eyes showing his frustration.
Finally he threw off the oddly heavy sack for its size, wiping at his forehead, his now slick blonde hair almost shining in the sun. "I'm taking a break," he informed his boss whose grunt was the only acknowledgment.
He walked onto the pier, taking in the ocean. He used to love this view, but now he almost couldn't care less, it lost its effect. He didn't want that to happen, so he tried to force himself to appreciate it.
Dammit, just how many of his pleasures were going to be taken away from him?
They were far fewer now, drinking after work with his two closest friends being one of those. He looked forward to seeing Fujin and Raijin tonight, and getting hammered. The two had finally decided to move in together, and as unlikely a couple they made, he was happy for them. Now, if only he could find someone for tonight, a slight smirk on his face as his eyes lit up with the prospect. One thing he must admit, his work kept him in great shape, and he got his fair share of attention.
"Seifer?" a clear familiar masculine voice asked in disbelieve. Seifer rolled his eyes before turning; cant people fucking leave him to have his break in peace?
"What?" he folded his arms, an annoyed look clear on his attractive features.
It took him a moment to realize who had said his name, and he felt his mouth and eyes widen in surprise. He couldn't be more surprised to see them than Squall. There, standing in all his glory, as cocky as always, was Seifer.
Squall pulling his sunglasses off, tucking them away and approached the statuesque blond. What he did next shocked the already surprised Seifer, with an actual genuine smile on his face, happy to see Seifer; Squall placed his hand on Seifer's arm in a warm greeting. "Hyne Seifer, I didn't know you were in Balamb," Rinoa stood to the side with a delighted smile; she gave a small wave when Seifer looked over to her. She almost giggled, Seifer's brow was wrinkled in confusion and surprise, and she couldn't blame him, Squall had changed a lot since Seifer left almost a year ago.
Seifer regained his cool quickly, a wide smirk slipping onto his face, making him even more devilishly attractive. "Is it possible puberty boy has finally grown up?" He shrugged Squall's hand off, "has Rinoa made you a man?" Seifer laughed, Squall's smile turning into a frown at the sound; Now that was more like it.. Seifer didn't feel right with Squall being all friendly and nice towards him, dammit, he at least wanted that part of his past unchanged. Who did Squall think he is touching him like that? Tch, the almighty Seifer lugging around sacks for a living, maybe he shouldn't be so arrogant, but then again fuck it. Why not? Nothing really mattered anyhow.
"Now there's the puberty boy I know," he grinned wickedly when he saw Squall's frown deepen.
"Hey Seifer, good to see you doing well," Rinoa came up when she saw Squall tense up, Seifer didn't have to be rude like that, Squall had done right by him. She touched Squall's shoulder, meeting Squall's gaze as he turned, his frowns dissipated to a look of a lost child when scolded; a look of bewilderment as it to say "I tried."
That just pissed Seifer right off, who the hell was this pussy in front of him? What happened to the cold uncaring ass who didn't give a shit about anything or anyone?
"Look at the sweet couple," his lips together in a vicious smirk, with a hand on his hip, he waved them off with the other, "thanks for coming out. Have a wonderful life." He turned and walked away to the cargo ship, not finding it even worth giving them a second glance. He wished he hadn't actually run into them, or they into him as it were. He preferred to remember Squall as he had always up till now, not a jean wearing smiling pussy like that. Gah, fuck it, dismissing it with a shake of his head he continued on with his work.
Squall looked down at where Seifer had stood; clenching the hand he had put on his arm. He suddenly felt incredibly ashamed, and it hadn't been anything Seifer had even said, but as if he was ashamed of himself; as if Seifer had judged him. He looked to Rinoa oddly, his face blank, his eyes hiding his feelings as they studied her lazily. "Let's go eat," she smiled supportively, the mood for Squall had changed drastically, as he complied placidly.
R&R? Thanks!
