Chapter 3;
"Alright, Dri time to get you ready"
"Daddy, Is Leonhart an angel?"
SEIFER'S POV
"Ha Leonhart isn't an angel. They're beautiful."
Dri butts in with a thought of his own."He is real pretty daddy." I'll ignore that next.
"But he does have wings or a halo?"
"No," his voice small. He scrunches up his face in thought. "I know. Maybe he felled and they got taken away. It could happen, couldn't it?" I chuckle at him but can't bring myself to take away his newly found mystical being.
"Sure, It could happen." His face lights up. Welcome the newest member of the Squall Leonhart fan club.
SQUALL'S POV
I groan 5 to 7. I should really get going which is exactly what Jason had been yelling in my ear for the last ten minutes. It's not like it matters if we're late it's only Seifer, which is exactly what I've been reply in bland monotone back.
Jason had spent ages getting ready and in the end settled for a deep green shirt that set off his eyes and black slacks. He'd brushed his black hair then tries to put my hair into some kind of order before I bat his hand away.
"So are you coming or not?"
As we make our way to Seifer's I watch as Jason continuously prims his hair and straightens his clothes. I beginning to think that Jason has a slight crush on Seifer or he might be trying to make me jealous, it'll never work.
I look at my watch and reach for the door only 7 minutes late not bad.
SEIFER'S POV
Finally, I thought that a Seed would know how to be on time. Celia gets up to answer the door up I wave her back down; I'll get it. I hit the pad and the door opens. Is that silver I see in Leonhart's hair, opening my mouth about to tease him when I notice his date.
"Leonhart you're gay?" It wasn't what I was going to say but I tend to say what I think.
"Yes, Seifer, very happy to see you." Leonhart replies in dry sarcasm. After about 5 minutes of waiting he is starting to fidget but trying to be patient.
"Are you over it yet?" I stare at him. No.
"No, not really but I'll let you in." I step aside to allow room for them to walk through. Leonhart only takes two steps before he is bombarded with a flying yellow creature that happens to be my son.
"Leonhart" Dri cries as he wraps his arms around the uncomfortable man. Then Dri peers around him to look at the other entrant. He frowns when finds it's not what he expected.
"You're not an angel." Dri avows. Try as I might I can't figure why Leonhart can be an angel but the other man can't be, sure not as pretty but. Kid logic I put it down to.
"No, no angels here." The dark hair man says sounding amused.
"Yous, lies Leonhart's an angel. Daddy said so." He states his absolute belief leaving no room for argument.
"No, Squall's not an angel." The annoying man says fakery of gently and I could just about punch him the dick. Who says that to a kid? might as well add that Santa Clause isn't real while he's at it. I see the tears brimming in Dri's eyes and I'm about to pick him up and try to make everything okay. When to my great surprise Leonhart bends down and hefts Dri up it a hug. Dri buries his face in shoulder made available for him while Leonhart takes the opportunity to shot a death glare at his boyfriend, I don't think he'll be getting any tonight and I do believe that's what look intended to say.
"Leonhart? Who taught you that?" He asks Dri when he has his attention; their eyes lock on to each other. "Do you know what a Squall is?"
I can't see clearly what is going on between the two of them but I see Dri nod slightly then brighten ups considerably and hugs Leonhart tighter.
Leonhart whispers to Dri and it's evidently something that we're not supposed to understand or hear. Leonhart turns slightly small smirk playing on his lips.
"So, you think I'm an angel?" Smug bastard, it's time to change the subject.
"Umm, so who's he?" I hook my thumb in the vague direction of the black haired man.
"Jason, my boyfriend, Jason this is Seifer, his wife Celia and his son Adrian." There's that boyfriend thing again, I don't have a thing against gays, just don't like Jason.
"Umm, I'm goin' ta check on the food." Fleeing the increasing silence that has spread and I'm starting to wonder if it would really be considered rude for the host to leave through the first convenient window.
SQUALL'S POV
The coward fled with the unarguable excuse of checking on dinner. I put down Adrian and proceed to take a seat near Celia where the he crawls on to my lap as if it's the most normal thing to do.
"Umm, so Celia what do you do for a living?" ask question, is the advice constantly thrown at me by Selphie and Quistis and this happens to be one on the safe list.
"I'm his wife."
"Good honest work." I'm almost tempted to ask how much does he have to pay for the 'privilege' of being her husband, but I believe that would be inappropriate.
SIEFER'S POV
The roast is cooked even if the veggies and roast are a little burnt and the gravy doesn't look too appealing.
"Dinner's ready." I announce to the people in the other room. They shuffle into the dinning room, Dri holding on to Leonhart's hand leading the way . Leonhart took the first chair he came across and Dri hurried to take the seat beside him. Gotta love kids. Jason frowns at Dri but takes the seat opposite Leonhart. Celia takes the seat to my right.
I set out the plate before everyone and I see frowns appear on all faces.
"What?"
"Do we really have to eat charcoal with the side order of spew. I thought poison was usually a little more subtle than this." Still frown as he pushes a black lump around and I try to ignore the unconscious nods of agreement.
"Pizza?" Leonhart asks pulling out his mobile phone and starts dialling before waiting for so much as a 'sure that sounds good.'
SQUALL'S POV
"Yes, I'd like to order three pizzas. A tandoori chicken,"
I point to Seifer looking for his answer. "Seafood."
Then point to Adrian signalling for his order. "Meatlover." He yells and I repeat though it was probably wasn't necessary.
"Any objections?" I ask mainly Celia and Jason but receive shakes of the head from both of them.
"So that's a tandoori chicken, seafood and meatlovers?"
"Correct."
"So Mr Leonhart are you doing well as always?"
"Yes and I'll be paying you. Understood?"
"No, I couldn't possibly accept any money." Josie always does this and it's getting really old one of the reason I prefer the cafeteria or cooking to ordering in or out.
"No you didn't understand. I'm ordering from Seifer Almasy's residents shouldn't that cancel each other out?" Silence is all that is heard from the other line then. I'm determined to pay, become a challenge to me.
"So, you finally dumped Jason. Oh yes and I can so see you with Sir Almasy. This is great I'll get your pizzas right away. This is absolutely wonderful." She hangs up the phone before I can deny any of it.
"Umm, so do we get our pizzas?" I nod my head in answer to Seifer's question.
"But according to Josie the pizza lady, I'm dating Seifer and have finally dumped Jason." Seifer starts laughing.
"Shut it, Almasy." I pick up one of the charcoal lump and throw it at him.
SEIFER'S POV
I catch the charcoal potato that Leonhart chucked and decide to change tact.
"Aren't I good enough for you Leonhart? That really hurts, I mean it right here." I say holding my hand over my heart.
"It doesn't yet but it will soon." He growls picking up the fork menacingly but before he has the chance to follow though with his threat I hear a pounding on the door.
"That was quick. Hmm, amazing service." Leonhart isn't as impressed
"It's not her. It's Selphie. I know the knock and she's probably dragged along Irvine."
SQUALL'S POV
This should be painful Selphie had probably set out a course of action for whatever she has planned. She knew that I was having dinner with Seifer today, so this is her prefect opportunity for...? I don't know for sure but I'm betting number one on her 'to do' list is: royally piss Jason off, it always is.
This was just like those scenes where the victim invites the vampire in. Seifer steps a side and Selphie plus one enters. Irvine has his hat down so that means he'll only intervene if he has a valid point, so basically to look like Selphie has backup. Selphie's eyes scanned the room and rearranging her plans to get her desired effect. She starts stalking her prey.
SEIFER'S POV
"Seifer it's so nice to see you again. Haven't seen you in so long, to which I blame you. Anywho, we've got big secret Seed meeting in an hour only top Seed officials which means not you Jason." Ouch, remind me not to get on Selphie's bad list. I wonder what he did cause let's face it if I'm not on the list then it takes a lot. She pauses for her sweet smile.
"Sorry Celia I would invite you but can't sorry." She sounded a little more sincere about this but somehow it sounded a little too planned. I'm not buying it.
"So, what's this meeting about?" she giggles.
"Duh! It's a secret, I can't tell you here." All right a pathetic try, I didn't really think it would work.
"I'm curious alright I'll go." Says Leonhart lazily. All right something isn't right here.
"Well, I'm not." If he agrees so easily it aint good for me.
"A little paranoid aren't you?" Leonhart asks, Hell yeah I am. Selphie frowns and I can see a lopsided smile under the cowboy hat.
"Squall! Stop no more head games. You really do have to come." She whines, and the corner of Leonhart's mouth tweaks slightly and his eyes are shining.
"Alright but if it isn't good" he lets the sentence hang and Selphie gulps.
"I wouldn't be threatening my girl like that Commander." Irvine finally speaks up.
"No, you wouldn't there's disadvantages for you if you do." He quips back, obviously not seeing the comment as an actual threat. The cowboy tips his hat in agreement and I think he's lucky Selphie didn't see. I look at Leonhart seeing him differently from the cold teenager there's now a sadistic mischievous side. Head games where he play the unexpecting, ignorant and me, the bugger played me like a flute.
"So, Seifer you're coming right?" Selphie asks hopefully.
"Yeah, not like I have a choice."
"Alrighty see yous at 9." She turns and ushers Irvine through the door. "Oh and Josie's right you do make a lovely couple." She smiles sweetly it seem this is her petty way of getting back.
We migrate to the living area. Leonhart sits down and Dri promptly crawls into his lap. I raise an eyebrow at him and I guess I'm slightly jealous he isn't usually this comfortable around anyone but Daddy dearest.
"So Cowboy and Messenger girl are together?" I ask.
"Yes, been married for 4 years. They do well with each other even though Irvine still flirts. Selphie can handle it, know it's just that and they're been trying to get pregnant for a while now." I nod it's good to hear that some relationships work out well.
"Raijin and Fujin are married as well. They can take each other's crap and live modestly but are happy." Damn it was funny to watch them when their relationship changed from friends to lovers.
"Zell and Quistis are together been dating about 2-3 years." I make a face it's hard to believe them getting along or it on. "That's what I thought but they work Zell's accident prone and has Peter Pan syndrome and Quistis finds it funny to see others in pain and is a mother hen. Perfect really." He smiles his small smile, looks like he's proud of them.
"And you two?" I gesture from him to Jason who's trying to talk to Celia.
"About a year." He pauses there should be more there's always more with people in love. He frowns and looks over at Jason and I hear a knock.
"Pizza?" Dri looks up and asks Leonhart.
Leonhart nods vaguely. "Come on lets go." He puts Dri and gets up on the floor and starts heading toward the door. He hits the pad and the door slides open for a bored teenager with three pizza boxes.
"Here's your pizza and are you Mr Leonhart?" the teen asks and Leonhart nods "Sir Almasy?" The teen points to me and I nod.
"Great can you stand over here and answer this question. What the last letter of the alphabet?"
"Z." but I'm the only one that's saying it Leonhart is just standing there while the guy takes a photo.
I set the pizzas out on the table while Leonhart mutters about people and their damn cameras. But hey he made it through dinner. We should be fine now only about half an hour of small talk we have to go to the meeting.
(revised 3rd August 2005)