AN: Its me again :) . I actually meant this chappie to be longer but haven't had the time to type at all. Been busy :/ Heh.

serina258 : Heh, thank you so much :D I'm really happy you enjoyed it! –blush-

Hikari Heijin : Hehe..Thankies!!! I'm so glad you did! I have to admit its one of my favs too. Of course Seifer is! Damn, I mean, just look at him!...mmm… Seifer…

Sorry the goodness is still gonna be in a couple of chappies! Sorry! But I can't rush the two hotties ;) But soon! Anyhow, on we go…

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"That's a wonderful idea!" Squealed Selphie, wrapping her arms around Zell happily, "I'll set up a little panel to audition whoever applies," her large green eyes brimming with excitement.

Zell rubbed the back of his head, a slight blush to his cheeks. Selphie giggled and kissed him on the cheek before running off to set up.

"It should be interesting to see what kinda talent this Garden has. Shame mine couldn't be judged like that," Irvine winked as he stood from the table at the cafeteria where the group had jointed almost everyday. Today it was missing Rinoa and Squall.

"I have to practice a bit before class," tipping his hate, Irvine strutted off; he always seemed to strut as opposed to walk, yet he did it subtly enough for it be kind of sexy and not arrogant, IF one were to look at Irvine like that.

Quistis herself just couldn't, to her the group was like her children, at least she tried to keep it that way; she always felt the need to protect them.

"So I guess Rinoa is gone for good, huh?" Zell asked quietly, they were the two left from the group, and for some reason around Quistis Zell would always find his own hyperness dissolved by the air of clam that surrounded her.

"Yeah," Quistis wrapped her arms around her narrow frame, "she said she was going to stay with her father till she found a place of her own." She looked intently at Zell, "I think this is going to be better for her. She can start to find who she is, and do what she wants with her life."

"Yeah, I guess," Zell shrugged.

"She wasn't cut out to be a SeeD, nor to be stuck in the Garden. She was pretty unhappy here, and I think it's better now for the both of them."

"Squall's changed as well since he came back," Zell slouched, leaning on the table, watching the other students rush to clean up and head to class.

"Yeah," Quistis pressed her lips in a slight pout as she frowned, "he seems back to the old 'old' Squall. Withdrawn and focused on work, makes me think of the old days," she sighed, "seems like so long ago, a lifetime." She looked away sadly, " I heard they ran into Seifer," she added absent mindedly, "I wonder how he's doing."

"Even though he picked on me all the time, I kinda miss the guy. Felt bad for him," Zell glanced at Quistis, noticing her sadness and decided to drop the subject.

"We have a class to teach," she looked over to him, sharing a long look to which she found Zell's hand squeezing hers comfortingly. She couldn't help but smile, Zell really had a heart of gold, and was one of the kindest people she knew.

"Thanks Zell," she whispered.

He just smiled shyly, waving it off as he got up, extending his hand to help her up.

"Did we cover the magic backed physical attacks last?" She asked as they headed to the class.

"Ohh, I think we started to," twisting his lips. Quistis watched the tattoo along his face distort with the gesture. She had asked him why he got the tattoo but he never really answered her, she hoped someday he'd tell her.


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That same night, Squall headed to his dorm. He actually felt better, being back in a set routine, where the hours meshed together to form a day he would easily forget. He changed into a pair of tight black slacks of a light thin cloth, and a thin black vest.

He wanted to practice tonight and sometimes he found the jacket and leather restrictive, but didn't mind it for the most part. Standing in front of his nightstand, his pale but shapely arms exposed. It was unusual for him, but at the moment he was in a mindset where he didn't care.

He always found it strange when people saw a part of his body, which he kept hidden; they always seemed to be surprised with that they saw. Rinoa had told him once that it was because he seemed too lithe and graceful that when one saw just how fit and built he actually was, it was surprising, pleasantly though.

Slipping on his griever necklace, he gave himself a quick look over before slipping on a two-inch wide but thin metal bracelet that he sometimes used as an armlet while fighting. His black gloves slipped over the creamy soft skin, and retrieving his gunblade he headed off to practice.

-

Being late in the night, he knew most people were in their rooms by now. On the odd occasion he'd run into a student practicing, hoping to do well on an upcoming test. Perfectly, it seemed no one was around as he found his favorite spot to fight, hoping for a T-rex or two.

It didn't take long for one to show up. Squall glared at it in between his loose hair as he held up his hand, palm out as he cast a fire spell, blasting the creature in the eyes; he was hoping to aggravate it and make it a better fight.

Several minutes passed while the dance of blades and fangs went on between Squall and the T-rex. It looked to be mostly exhausted, so Squall stopped and stood completely still.

The creature seemed confused by this move at first, but then it took the bait and went to take a bite out of Squall. As graceful as ever, using his training, he leaped onto its head and brought the blade around in a beautiful swift arc, gaining its momentum before it cleanly sliced through the creature's thick neck. He leaped off the falling appendage, landing softly on his feet.

Turning, he watched the limp giant drop with a thud and sickening wet sound as it collapsed in a pool of its own blood.

If someone hadn't been watching they'd never guess he had done that just then. The cut had been so clean and quick that was almost no mark on Squall.

"Wow," a foreign voice sounded, and Squall whirled around, his eyes slits at the intrusion. He had been focused on the fight and hadn't noticed he had an audience. Glaring at the three young men who stood in awe and approval, he tightened his grip on the gunblade instinctively and his weight shifted a little to one leg with a hip protruding in a rather impressive sight.

The one man shook his head. Well, one thing he can say for this Garden, it has one hell of a Commander. He hadn't actually ever seen the Commander close up, but heard of him and seen pictures. He remembered how surprised he was to see that the Commander was so young, and actually very striking, but now seeing him like this he understood why.

The man was absolutely incredible; the best fighter he had ever seen. The intensity of the Commander, even now as he stood and glared at their intrusion, every part of him poised and ready for the worst.

"That was incredible!" The other man gawked, his eyes wide, "where did you learn to fight like that?"

"You know you aren't allowed here after hours," Squall replied icily and with authority.

"We were just practicing," the same man shrugged, his dyed purple hair slicked back in a rather unflattering fashion, "you can report us if you want."

The other young man, who had been deep in thought and admiration of the Commander turned in surprise to look at the speaker, the idiot probably didn't know this was the Commander.

Squall decided against his instinct of actually discrediting them of several rankings, "go to your dorms immediately." He said simply before starting to go further into the make shift jungle.

"Wait, wait," the ignorant purple haired man ran up and held Squall's arm, who froze and very quickly yanked his arm from the man's grasp.

"Neil, what the hell you doing man?" the now worried friend ran up to him and pull him away from Leonheart, who seemed ready to rip the man's hand off for touching his exposed arm. Squall now remembered why he always covered every inch of him, he couldn't stand someone touching him, his arm seemed to burn where the young man's fingers had been.

The other two men seemed frightened when Squall glared at the three of them, but the rude one didn't seem to understand what he'd done.

"We're sorry, we'll be heading to our rooms right away," the third man, silent up till now, said apologetically, he knew Leonheart was letting them off easy.

"What's the matter with both of you?" the one called Neil burst out, "I just wanted him to show me how to do that," he looked between all of them, "Hyne, he might be hot but that's no damn reason to act like a buncha pussies."

The other two wanted to run before their idiot friend made it worse. Squall's stormy eyes widened at the comment, he would normally just walk away but he knew he needed to command respect in his position so Neil's comment surprised him.

The taller man hissed at Neil, "shut up you idiot. That's Commander Leonheart."

Neil's eyes went wide as saucers and he stared at Squall, "Oh Shit, I'm so sorry." Squall didn't say anything as the men quickly apologized a few more times before running off.

"Oh shit, I had no idea," Neil whispered when they were out of earshot, "he seems our age!"

"He is," his smarter friend informed him, "I can see why he's the Commander now."

"Wow though," Neil added, "I had no idea how hot he was."

His friends laughed, "Always thinking with your dick Neil."

"Keep dreaming though, he'd bite your head clean off if you said anything on that note. But I'm surprised you hadn't heard that before. People are always talking about the guy. A loner, and ice prince, and a hot piece of ass to boot."

"What a waste then," Neil mumbled.

"No kidding. Come on already before your idiocy gets us in more shit."

-


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Squall continued training for another couple of hours, till he felt that wonderful burn through his body, a slick layer of sweat covering him and dampening his hair. He called it a night, it was already after twelve and he needed to meet with a few faculty members tomorrow.

He was walking leisurely back to his dorm when he saw something out of the corner of his eye as he turned down a narrow hallway leading to the rooms. He thought to dismiss it at first but hearing someone start running he took off after him or her.

He didn't know who he was chasing and why, but he knew no one was supposed to be walking around at this hour, and the fact that they took off when they noticed him made him suspicious. He followed the sound of their rapid footsteps, unable to see whom he was chasing because of all the turns and corners.

At a point where the hallway broke into four paths he heard the steps stop.

Squall came to the junction and looked around carefully. Where the hell were they hiding? Maybe in a room? Or a spell?

Deciding to use a dispel he noticed a figure being to appear to his right but just as soon took off.

"Stop!" Squall yelled after them. He was having a hard time keeping up, whoever it was, was fast.

Squall stopped when he ended up coming up to the front of the Garden, out in the open leading to the gardens. He examined the area rapidly but could see no sign of anyone, and now the figure could have gone in any direction. There was no way he'd find them now.

Breathing rapidly, Squall decided to give it up, it was probably just a student breaking the curfew laws anyhow. He went to his dorm, letting out a long breath once the door locked behind him.

A single lamp on a small table lit the room in a dim warm light. Stripping his boots off he headed to the kitchen, pulling out a glass from the neatly organized cupboard he filled it with cool water, which he downed greedily.

He was about to set the glass in the sink when a pair of strong arms closed around him, a gloved hand slipping over his mouth, while the other wrapped itself tightly around his neck and shoulders. The glass hit the ground, shattering all across the tiles.

Squall's panic was short-lived due to many hours of training, and he rammed his elbow into his attacker, hard. The attacker loosened his grip a little, but Squall rammed into him again, causing the desired effect of having him double over enough for Squall to swing the taller figure over his shoulder and onto the kitchen floor.

Squall winched as the glass crunched under his bare feet as he stepped back, feeling his warm blood underneath his feet.

"Seifer!" Squall froze, staring at the blond laying on his floor.

Seifer grinned sheepishly as he very carefully lifted himself off the ground, not wanting to get cut by the glass. Squall's shocked expression quickly turned sour, the fine brows pressed together as he clenched his fists, forgetting his cut feet.

Once Seifer stood, his shoes crunching the glass underneath, Squall pulled his fist back and slammed it hard into his already bruised midriff, "what the fuck is your problem?" Squall spat at him with fury.

Seifer held his throbbing section, rubbing it gently, "fuck Squall. I was just kidding around, you don't have to be a bitch about it." He had the audacity to smirk as he rubbed his tender stomach, "what was I thinking, you're always a bitch."

Squall was either going to explode or completely shut down and ignore the asshole. Pressing the bridge of his nose as he let out a long breath, "what are you doing here?"

Seifer cocked his head, a wide smile on his face as he studied the Leonheart. It was always very amusing to see how he could get under the pretty man's skin.

It was then Seifer noticed what the boy was wearing, his eyes trailed the creamy muscular arms that were exposed in the vest, his skin completely flawless over the tightly knit web of muscles. He wasn't overly built but enough that under layers it could be hidden.

Seifer found it hypnotizing, seeing the forbidden so to speak, and finding himself curious what the rest of him looked like. The memory of his drunken attack on Squall came back and he tried not to engage the delight it brought with it.

Seeing as Seifer hadn't answered him, Squall opened his eyes and looked at him curiously, "what are you staring at?"

"You know, you're pretty built for a little guy," Seifer remembered the sting of the punch, "Guess the punch makes sense now."

Squall huffed, crossing his arms, "what do you want Seifer? You're wasting my time."

Seifer could see Squall was tired and irritated. Perhaps having a bit of fun with him wasn't a great idea. "I decided I'd take you up on your offer, give it a fresh start," Seifer said happily.

Squall half snorted, half laughed, "Why should I help you?"

Seifer tone serious, "You owe me."

"I don't owe you," Squall put his hand to his hips, looking away, "I'm not the idiot who joined the sorceress."

"I was being controlled dammit!" Seifer grabbed Squall's vest, pulling the man closer, "you bloody know that," he hissed.

Without even turning his way, Squall just shrugged while still being held, "whatever."

Seifer sighed and let him go, looking helplessly around. Even Squall didn't believe he didn't have a choice. Maybe he really didn't deserve another chance seeing as he must have let her control him. This whole thing was a mistake, fuck this.

"Alright then," Seifer waved it off, and went to pass Squall to leave but stopped when he stepped into something.

Looking down, he saw he stood in a shallow pool of blood; Squall's blood. "You're bleeding," he whispered with concern, and Squall looked down to see a small pool had accumulated, " Its nothing for you to be concerned about," Squall dismissed him and turned to leave but winced painfully when he stepped on more glass.

"Shit man," Seifer, without asking permission, picked up the surprisingly not so light Squall in his arms and headed to the couch, taking his own glass covered boots off before stepping into the living room.

Squall shoved back and squirmed trying to get free, "Put. Me. Down."

"Hold still dammit," Seifer commanded. Squall stared defiantly at him, but Seifer's tightened grip stopped his movement.

Placing the brunette down gently on the couch, and forcing him to sit still with his hand on Squalls chest, he knelt in front of him, examining the soles of his feet, "Oh man, I'm sorry. I didn't see that stupid glass," Seifer seemed sincere, and the look of concern was what really caused Squall to sit still.

Seifer's worried about me?

Squall was confused, but when Seifer began plucking out pieces of glass he was snapped out of it. His natural instinct to jerk away from the source of pain forced Seifer to hold his ankle tightly as he removed all of the pieces of glass and placed them on a cloth.

A gentle warmth spread through his feet as Seifer cast a heal spell, watching the numerous cuts disappear, "good, none of them seem to be too deep." Seifer let out a sigh of relief.

Squall sat completely still, watching him, a blank expression on his face. Several things were very wrong with this picture.

One. Seifer was worried about him, when in the past he seemed to take pleasure in causing him injury. Two, he was tending to his wounds, kneeling before him. Three. He apologized. Four. Squall didn't feel repulsed by his gentle touches and caress.

Seifer had removed his glove to better feel for smaller pieces of lass, and the calloused fingers touched on his feet tenderly, sending soft shivers though Squall. THAT, bothered him the most. He didn't want Seifer to stop as he switched feet.

Several pleasurable moments passed with Squall still from Seifer's ministrations, till he was finally done and Seifer examined his handiwork, "your feet should be fine now." Seifer raised his head for the first time since he put Squall down and noticed the odd expression, he frowned, "you feeling light headed?"

"I'm fine," Squall said quietly.

"Well, I'll be leaving then," Seifer stood, putting his gloves back on, "I'd clean up but I should get out of here before security's next look around."

"Did you have to sneak into here?" Squall's surprise evident, he hadn't realized Seifer would have probably been turned away.

"The security here has always been a joke," Seifer shrugged, "funny, how that worked out for me. Who would have thought that one day I'd be sneaking into the Garden as opposed to out." He chuckled, "and to see you of all people," he shook his head and picked up the black trench coat he had snuck in with; strange how Squall didn't notice that coat laying there when he came in, "It's been fun princess."

"What are you going to do?" Squall's question stopped him, his back to Squall.

"I'll find something," he waved his hand dismissively over his shoulder, "I always do."

"Wait," Squall stood, approaching him, "why did you change your mind?"

Seifer looked down, "I don't know," he answered thoughtfully, "I thought maybe if I came back to the point that I screwed up at, then maybe I could, " he smiled bitterly, "it was a stupid idea. No ones going to give the sorceress' lapdog another chance," he turned to study Squall, "at least you verified that for me. So it wasn't completely pointless."

Squall frowned, "I was just lashing out," he was having a hard time choosing his words, he didn't want Seifer to give up like that; it was odd to see him like that. "You didn't even try yet."

"Who says I haven't tried Squall?" Seifer's tormented expression at his words cutting into Squall, his green eyes expressing shadows of the past buried within him, "I've been trying to have a life ever since all of you defeated her. Even now, I can sometimes hear her voice in my mind, but even though it's a memory, I can't forget it. It feels so real." He smiled sadly, cutting himself off, "Guess I'll just have to deal with the mess I made of everything."

Maybe it was the night, he always felt at peace at night, or Squall's softened expression that was making him speak so openly. Seifer gazed at the lovely man in front of him, the usually cold eyes swimming with concern, guilt and realization, making Squall look so fragile. Without the frown, Squall seemed so different, it was strange. Seifer pushed away the sudden urge to take the man into his arms. "Its something I need to deal with alone."

Seifer shoved his hands into his pockets, and with a smirk, "bye." With that, he left.

Squall stood rooted, he honestly didn't know what to say or do. He wondered whether Seifer was right about no one accepting him. What if he would make it worse for Seifer by bringing him in? He hated never knowing the answers to anything.

Squall quickly opened the door and ran after the blond. Seifer was already down a few hallways.

"Wait!" Squall yelled out.

Seifer turned to look at him curiously, a fair eyebrow arched, "What?"

"You're giving up," Squall said once he stopped, "you have another chance and you're not willing to try. At least give it a try before you leave." Squall folded his arms, finding it difficult to decide what to do with them, "you could always leave anyhow if you wanted to."

Seifer's smirk played across his supple lips, "Are you asking me to stay?"

"Don't read too much into it," Squall frowned with annoyance, "I'd offer the same to any SeeD I feel deserves it."

"Oh, so you pity me."

"I always thought you were an amazing fighter, and a natural leader. I just think we could use you," Squalls annoyance growing with Seifer's delighted expression, "Stop that," he hissed.

"Stop what?" Seifer asked innocently.

"That look," Squall huffed, "Never mind." He started back to his room, pausing when Seifer didn't follow, "you coming or what?"

Seifer had an unreadable expression as he decided to follow the Commander, "If you insist." Glancing at Squall next to him, "Was wondering when you'd come to your senses and admit you need me."

"Don't push it Almasy," Squall growled, causing Seifer to chuckle, just like old times.