When the brew of the night meets the cold of the day – that's a hangover. –W.G.P.
SEIFER'S POV
With Zell's help we managed to walk Leonhart. Leonhart cheated our way to the top making Irvine and Selphie lose in the process than claimed the infamous hat before strutting around doing a very good imitation of the cowboy. Turning to the ladies charming each with a few corny lines and a wink before turning them all down on the grounds that his heart's been stolen by me.
"Seifer, what's wrong with me?" He asks not paying much attention to his drunken rambling I usually answer with yes or no but this time.
"You're off ya face." Taking his weight off Zell directing him towards the couch. He nods.
"That's my point. I'm inebriated, that I couldn't do before. Selphie gave me enough for three people I didn't get drunk." He holds up his index finger and smiles. "Much easier to give her only bits of story when she thinks me drunk. Don't tell her, please."
Leonhart pouts yes pushing out his lower lip in a childish pout. "My resistance is gone. I'm not touching alcohol again. It's bad." He's still in childish wonder but I have to agree, Leonhart is a wise child drunkard.
"Can you take care of him from here." I nod.
"Yeah, go home. It'll be alright." Zell nods and looks to Leonhart.
"It's been an interesting night but one question is still left unanswered." I raise my eyebrow.
"There was a question of the night?" Zell grins toothily.
"Does the Commander go commando?" He waves shutting the door behind him. Right, I should have been able to guess that one. I leave Leonhart on the couch and grab him a glass of water.
"Open up Leonhart, you need to drink some water." He eyes me wearily than reaches out with a shaky hand to grab the cup from me. Spilling half of it on his person and a quarter on me before downing the rest.
"I'm wet." Just a statement, not even something he's going to do something about.
"Time to get you to bed." He smiles coyly.
"Not tonight Seifer I'm tired." Wagging his finger at me. I ignore the comment.
"Do you think you need a bucket." He nods great looks like I'm here for the night. Dri will be fine with Matron. When Dri first came into this world Matron came over to help Celia and me cope with having a newborn. What would have happened to him without her I wouldn't like to think about?
I wrap an arm around his waist and place his arm on my shoulder vaguely remembering that last time I did this I didn't get a good reaction from him. Maybe because he's asleep though he's not violent he's like an ungainly sack of potatoes that is impossible to hold. Slapping Leonhart across the face lightly his eyes flutter before settling on closed again.
Moving to a different tack I heave him into my arms. Leonhart sags for moment before curling tighter and nuzzling my chest.
"A lion?" I smirk at the thought. "Leonhart you are beyond a doubt a kitten."
SQUALL'S POV
It usually takes a lot of alcohol to get me to the stage where I don't care what I'm doing and everything's a great idea. Only twice has it happen without consuming half my body weight in it. The child-care celebration as well as last night.
Last night I was testing my boundaries and the conclusion is that they don't go as far as they use to. Somewhere between my break-up with Jason and celebration my tolerance for alcohol has acutely lessened. I'm hoping this doesn't mean anything but that I'm never touching the stuff ever again.
I slowly get out of bed rolling off the mattress on to my feet. I take a step but my knee won't lock properly and gives way under me and I land with a thud on the floor. Pins and needles buzzing painfully along my leg. I'm rubbing my leg to get the circulation flowing again when Seifer bashes through the door. He sees me on the ground and bursts out laugh slapping his thigh then clutching his stomach.
"Always an interesting Morin' after isn't it?" I glare at him as he holds out his hand to help me up. "Come on Matrons in the kitchen making a delicious breakfast for us and all we've got to do it eat."
I, almost groan at the suggestion, eating is not something I intent to do now.
"Hello Darling how are you feeling?" Matron asks worry written across her face.
"I'm fine just a little woozy." Seifer smirks beside me.
"Woozy?" I don't understand what he's smiling at. "Just not a word I ever thought to hear from you willing."
"It's the word that best describes how I feel." I ground out looking around for something to throw at him but there's nothing around. Cid walks in balancing a plate of pancakes in one hand and jam and syrup in the other.
"Oh Squall your up. How are you feeling?" Seifer smirks at me and I know what he's going to say next I don't even bother to try to stop him.
"Woozy. He's fine but he's feeling a little woozy." He uses the voice that stupid adults use to talk/annoy children.
"Just sit down and shut up Seifer." Still look quite smug he takes a seat beside me.
"Come Dri brekkie." Seifer yells grabbing a pancake and shoving it in his mouth.
SEIFER'S POVDri takes a seat beside me immediately grabbing a pancake.
"Would ya like some syrup?" I ask. Dri nods his head eagerly in response.
"Squall, where's Seeker?" He looks around like he's going to pop out from under the table.
"Hmm, I don't know." He gets up and walks to the outside door. "Seeker?"
The large cat appears at Leonhart's call. Dri jumps up from his seat mouth full with pancake and run to the beastie. Matron looks at the animal curiously.
"So this is the pretty cat?" She asks Dri who is walking back beastie in tow. He nods to the question grabbing another pancake off his plate offering half to the cat.
"Ellone wanted to know when you're planning on visiting." Matron warns Leonhart.
"Ellone? Who's that?" Dri asks eagerly.
"You don't know Ellone? I thought she would have visited with Laguna." She frowns slightly. "Ellone is Squall's sister in everything but blood."
"Is she an angel too?" Eyes wide in wonder at the possibility of another angel. Matron smiles warmly at him.
"No, I don't think so…" She stops suddenly covering her mouth with her hand remembering something lovingly.
"Dri I remember when your father first saw Squall." Dri's face brightens up considerably after the disappointment that Ellone isn't an angel. Jumping up from his place on the floor with the beast to the chair.
"Oh a story, daddy doesn't like to tell stories about him." Leonhart frowns slightly at the innocent comment.
"Well your dad would have been 4 when Ellone and Squall came to our orphanage. It was just your dad and I standing outside waiting for the new comers. Two lonely children looking around nervously as they approached hand in hand. Then little Seifer, who looked a lot like you do now, pipes up tugging on my dress to get my attention.
'"Look matron it's an angel."' Pointing at the two children. I look confused at him not seeing what he's see and Seifer gets frustrated pointing out further.
'"The little one, the boy."' He clarifies. I remember searching the boy and finding nothing that made the boy an angel and not the girl."
'"I don't see what you see. Why the boy and not the girl."' Little Seifer shrugs before answering."
'"The girl's special but the boy's an angel."' And he ran off ahead to greet his angel."' Matron smiles at Dri.
"So you saw it too, Dad. You just forgot." Dri smiles up at me happy at something we have in common that I don't remember.
"Hmm, suddenly woozy doesn't seem so bad." Leonhart says smugly, a smirk appearing at my angry response.
"I was four-years-old." I growl out. I betting that when Dri grows up he's going to cringe at the stories I'll tell on how he thought Leonhart was an angel. That's the stage I'm waiting for in Dri's life when the stupid things he does and say now can be revisited in the form of paternal torture.
SELPHIE'S POV
The past few weeks have been hectic and me the prefect bumblebee always busy and Yellow. The polls have been taken, the entertainment booked and confirmed. The trail test went exactly as expected last week. Now just the finishing touches before the SEED Awards ceremony tomorrow.
"Selphie you've out done yourself this year babe." I peck Irvy on the cheek before sending Squall an evil grin.
"Without my dear commander looking over my shoulder with a big red rubber stamp printing with red ink denied on all my dreams. Things are a helluva lot more fun." I poke out my tongue at him.
"All I have to say to that is that I wouldn't use a big red rubber stamp and this better be in budget." Squall's stern face yikes I better change the subject. But before I can be saved Seifer butts in.
"Oh from her panicked look. I'd say she's well over." Squall smiles at Seifer and my mouth almost hits the floor in surprise.
"Why are you smiling, well what we all count as a smile for you." Squall shrugs not bothered by the comment.
"I'm feel good."
Seifer looks at him sceptically. "You must be getting some and I mean drugs hand them over." Squall bats away Seifer's hand away.
"When the awards are over I'm on vacation and it's not my problem that we don't have enough money to pay the bills. Not my problem that three-quarters the SEED body is drunk and unable to do their duties the next day. Along with a whole other list of dilemmas and guess what?" Squall on natural buzz isn't something we see often and we almost don't answer.
"We get it. Not your problem." Seifer smirks draping his over Squall's shoulder.
"Squall boy, Squall boy. As the saying goes Vacation is the time off to remind employees that the business can get along without them." Still smiling slightly with a happy twinkle in eyes when Seifer sighs loudly.
"Well everybody what doesn't everyone think of my chance on getting an award cause I really have my heart set on that best Ass award." Pausing in his descent down the stairs to pull the material of his pants tighter over his butt. Squall pauses beside him looking like he's considering it then pinches Seifer's ass making Seifer bolt upright.
"I'd say they were decent." Seifer turns to Squall fuming. Squall's eyes positively sparkling with merriment with an actual dazzling teeth exposed grin, which we never see excluding when he drinks a gallon of alcohol. Then bolts before Seifer grabs him.
"Decent? Decent I, Seifer Almasy, deserve more then decent." He hollers after Squall. Qusitis steps up beside me her eyes following Seifer and Squall as they race around the room.
"I hope they don't break anything." That's the serious side of Quistis speaking soon the soft gentle side will follow, the side that loves and puts up with Zell and probably visible because of him. "I suppose Squall took the news that Seifer's going with someone to the awards well. There doesn't seem to be any weirdness between them."
"I think Squall prepared for it. Everybody brings a date to these sorts of things." We nod sadly it feels like the end of the hope that Seifer and Squall will get together. Irvine pulls me close to him and I lean back against him.
"I think Celia was more upset about it but Squall hides his feelings well. I think of leader needs of help." Seifer had finally caught Squall throwing him over his shoulder one arm filled with the task of keeping Squall there smacking his hostage's buttocks with the free arm before waving it around in victory.
"Having a nice cop and feel there, Seifer? Trying to figure out where you're lacking?" Seifer laughs heartily giving Squall another smack making a loud clapping sound.
"Me with my fine ass claim victory. Admit it Squally boy." Still parading around in a victory march before turning to us waving with excessive bravo.
"Oh I get you think they can save you." His doubt made crystal clear "They're down by three since the last time they fought me. Hey where is Chickenwuss?"
"Doing the security rounds." Quisty answers taking the lead. "But we shouldn't have a problem taking you. CHARGE!"
We all rush Seifer colliding with him, trusting in Squall's 'hero's right' to use some tricky manoeuvre to clear harms way. Which he doesn't with jazz while the rest of us land in a pill of tangled limbs, Seifer feeling the brunt of the fall more than the rest of us.
"I missed something didn't I?" All he receives in answer is more giggles and breathy chuckles.
SEIFER'S POV
"How do I look?" Dri runs a critical eye over me before giving me the thumbs up. I take one last look in the mirror smoothing back my hair before leaving the bathroom.
"Dad can I have a milkshake?" Dri pleads I look at my watch groan inwardly but grab the ice cream out of the freezer.
"You have to promise to be extra good for this." Messing up Dri's hair as he smile innocently up at me nodding his head like those noddy dogs people put on the dash board of their car.
"More ice cream!" he yells when I've stopped and put the lid on the tub. I open the tub again adding half a spoon more while distracting Dri with the order of getting the topping he wants.
"Alright, hands it over." Dri looks at the two bottles of topping unable to choose between chocolate and strawberry before holding out both to me.
"Both? Well problem solved." Putting a dollop of each topping in into the cup and placing it under the milkshake maker.
"There you go Sir, a choc-strawberry delight." Handing Dri his milkshake who's holding out his scrunching them in and out in the universal 'gimme, gimme.'
We both turn to the door at the knock. I find myself uncharacteristically nerves while I'm standing gawking at the door Dri's taken the initiative to answer the door. When the door's open my date and my son eye each other.
"You're not very pretty." Dri states innocently to my very stunned date.
"Adrian Luke Almasy. You better watch your mouth kid." The use of his full name means trouble and he knows it backing away and continuing to drink his milkshake but not saying sorry like he'd usually do if he thought what he did wrong.
"Come in, Emily. Ignore him he's five, boys don't have taste at that age." She smiles weakly at me before stepping across the threshold.
"You look great." She has her red brown hair up in an elegant bun wearing a sleek low back black dress with sequences on it. There are men who can look at what a women is wearing and tell what they're hankering after for the evening but I haven't a clue, my best guess is good food.
"Thanks and so do you." We'd met at the cafeteria about two weeks ago and hit common ground over how bad the coffee was that morning. We talked for a while before I had to go to class then again a couple of days later and then I asked if she'd like to go to the SEED ceremony with me. Dri is right she isn't what you'd call a looker but a good looking, high maintenance woman isn't what I'm looking for. If I wanted that I would stick to Celia.
"We just gotta wait for Fujin and Raijin to get here then we go meet the others who are giving us a ride in their limo." Her eyes widen somewhere in my explanation on how we're getting there and now she looks a cross between scared shitless and awe struck.
"By others you mean?" waving her hand for me to continue.
"Leonhart, Quistis, Zell, Selphie and Irvine. That's the one's I know there could be others." I shrug but it shouldn't matter. "Why?"
But she's saved from answering by the door but these guests don't wait for an answer they just barge in.
"Hey, Seif. What's up with you little one?" He questions Dri who after going to his bedroom has sneaked back without me noticing. Dri looks to me before shrugging.
"Well, We're going to have fun, you know while your Dad goes out." I check my watch noticing it's time to leave.
"You be good Dri." I walk over giving him a peck on the head. "I'll be home later." I say to Raijin and Fujin who nod their head.
"Have fun Seifer, you know." Raijin winks while Fujin nods beside him as we leave.
ZELL'S POV
"Look it's a chicken in penguin clothing." Seifer announces himself in the usual fashion, by pissing someone off most of the time me.
"So you're Seifer's date?" Qusitis beside me turns to the red head beside Seifer. I don't know how friendly feelings are going to be to her tonight.
"Yes, Emily a pleasure to meet you. Not everyday you get to meet the leaders of the Garden." She seems pleasant enough but not the type I would have thought Seifer would have chosen I exchange a look with Quisty and can tell she thinking the same thing.
"I feel naked." Irvine complains when he joins us his head bare of the always-present cowboy hat.
"Stop being such a pussy, it's just for tonight." The rest of us are in awe of Selphie's abilities.
"How on Hyne's green world did you manage that Selph?" but she just grins widely and taps the side of her nose knowingly. Right a secret, I just hope she doesn't tell Quisty.
"If she can get the hat away from the cowboy's I would have to say world peace is well in her abilities." Seifer smirks.
"This is for teasing you when you had normal hair isn't it?" Irvine asks looking regretful, Seifer crossing his bulky arms across his chest smiling smugly and nods.
But Lonesome Irvine isn't the subject of interest for long as Squall appears, agitated but in attention seeking clothing. He wore black leather vest a line of netting running down the right side giving a peep-a-boo of a nipple if you look really hard. Also tight black leather pants cut nicely showing off his ass and shapely legs large metallic light blue zippers running down the outer side of his legs as well as multiple belts cris-crossing on his right leg. Finally who ever did this accessorised with fingerless black gloves with metallic blue weaving starting from between his little and ring finger and winding around his arm until about halfway up his forearm. All up though the look was unprofessional it did look classy.
"Let's go." Squall already heading to the fancy car; give us a view of Griever printed on the back of the vest in the same metallic blue as the zipper.
"Woah, hold your horse, you don't get to show up looking your going looking for the honeys instead of the awards and not have us gawk at you then have a 5 minute question and answer." Irvine makes goes to make the "thankyou mam" that he usually does forgetting his hat's not there.
"Missing your hat cowboy? You guys have 5 minutes. It starts now." Looking down at his watch.
"Where's the get up from?"
"The laundry ladies." Right that explains a lot but not why he went along with it. Which is my next question.
"I put my bomber jacket in to get cleaned." There is it is. All Squall needs to say. Squall loves that jacket, when they got it they had to know the gem they held against Squall. Then sighs.
"I guess it's not that bad." Then turns to Selphie who gulps dramatically. "There better not be any long walks down aisles."
"Just remember one word Leonhart." Seifer sidles up to him throwing his arm carelessly over his shoulder. "Vacation." Squall nods agreeing mouthing the word to himself before his eyes catch sight of Emily.
Emily holds out her hand nervously obviously in awe of Commander Squall Leonhart. "It's a pleasure to met you and I think your clothes look wonderful on you."
"Umm, thankyou." Shaking her hand that she holds onto a little long than protocol call for.
"Where's President Laguna and Ellone?" Quistis asks Squall mindful that there's a stranger who Squall would be terrifyingly mad if she found out.
"He had a late meeting that went later than what he expected and now the airliner is having troubles." He shrugs. "They might make but now they're basically coming down so they can make sure I come back with them."
"Okay lets get going." Selphie charges on ahead dragging the lost cowboy without his hat along. Squall follows as well as Emily, Seifer holds back watching Emily.
"My date has a huge crush on Leonhart. I'm betting that if he asked her to ditch me for him she'd do it in a heartbeat." Scratching the back of his head trying to adjust to the blow to his ego.
"I know how you feel, man. I used to dread when I introduced my lady friends to him or Irvine for that matter." I pat Seifer on the shoulder before Quisty pushes her way between us.
"Oh poor babies." Kissing me on top of my hair. Oh like she wasn't one of those girls drooling over Balamb's Lion.
"Come on slow pokes." Selphie yells waving her arm. I put my arm around Quisty's waist and pull my girl closer as we walk to the limo.
SQUALL'S POV
I can't keep my eyes away from torturing me with the sight of Seifer with Emily. They look quite happy commenting on each award on who will be the winner, a sickly cute couple. Keeping a tally where Seifer is 'unfairly' (insert girlish giggle) winning.
"Hey Squall, how are you doing? Looks like your going to start a fire the way your eyes are burning into that chair." Irvine lays a sympathetic hand on my thigh. I look to Seifer and Emily in the midst of calculating whom they'll bet on remove Irvine's hand and stand up.
"Yo man, where are you going?" Zell asks as I shove pass him.
"To piss." It's not what I usually say and I not surprised by the look of shock but I ignore it I need to get away, NOW! I never thought I'd be neither the jealous type nor a near panic attack along with the urge to rip Seifer away and scream 'He's mine bitch.'
I splash water over my face looking into the face in the mirror.
"Not mine." I tell my reflection before taking a deep breath erasing emotion from my face. I start to walk back to my seat but stop when I catch Seifer leaning into Emily trying out to laugh out loud. I can feel my mask cracking I turn around again heading back stage, I'll just stay there until my turn to announce an award.
The best couple. I can't believe Selphie put me up for this award. Just because I'm single doesn't mean I want happy couples shoved in my face. This particular award entails the happy couple to kiss and try to beat last years while I stand back and congratulate them after wards.
I walk to the podium and give a fake smile then look into the projector with my lines on it.
"I'm here tonight to present the award for best couple and the nominees are." I pause as the screen behind me changes from saying Best Couple to a picture of the first nominee's.
"Quistis Trepe and Zell Dincht." The picture changes as I start to say the next couple.
"Selphie and Irvine Kinneas." Picture changes again.
"John Terran and Amanda Skye." I turn to find the names of the next couple. My heart stop at the first name as the next is yet to be revealed.
"Seifer Almasy and S…" this is not a funny joke and I look to the side line for help who are moving their hand in circles impatiently and mouthing 'keep going'. I should have drank a lot and be dame the consequences drunk Squall have found this funny. I turn to the photo and it's and there's no point in saying a different name.
"And Squall Leonhart." The picture with Seifer head on my shoulder and arms around my chest in a tight bear hug when he was trying to get me to say that Sir Almasy is the greatest and me with a slight smile playing on my lips as I thwart is will. Then the winner screen comes up.
I take the envelope that I was given earlier and rip it open. "And the winners are... I should've known. I'm going to keep you in suspense while you listen to the brilliance of 'Switch.'" The band look at me wide eyed for a few seconds before the drummer starts the beat. I march my way to the sidelines where Selphie is waiting.
"I'm so sorry Squall, I swear I didn't know." I let out a deep breath, I don't care as long as the person who did the joke gets punished and it's fixed right now.
"Alright, where's the real envelope. With the real winners." Selphie cringes.
"You don't understand this isn't a prank and the real winners are the people are written in the envelope.
"Me and Seifer are not the winners. We're not a couple, how are we even contenders for this award." I growl out.
"Oh, phooey you won." Selphie pouts.
"Selphie focus."
"Right, Sorry. Congratulations."
"Not what I'm looking for Selphie. Fix it." I feel like a child pleading who pleads for his mother to make things all better. She looks a little confused then brightens and I seriously believe she should have a little light bulb pop over her head.
"Leave it to me I'll fix it." Giving me the thumbs up before skipping on to stage. 'Switch' finishes their performance and the main stage lights with Selphie standing at the podium.
"I think we've kept you at the edge of your seat long enough. ARE YOU READY FOR THE RESULTS?" She whoops getting the crowd into frenzy.
"YES."
"Alright." The crowd is deadly quiet. "The winners of best couple are SEIFER ALMASY and SQUALL LEONHART." She's the devil there can be no other reason this is just plain nasty. The light that follows the winner down their victory walk is shining on Seifer and the big screen is showing a picture of a very stunned man. Finally with encouragement from everyone around him excluding Emily he gets up from his chair and makes his way to stage. By the time he's got to the stage I can tell he's got over the shock and finding this just as hilarious as Selphie is.
"I can't accept this award without my other half where is he?" Half making a performance for the audience and half-asking Selphie whom points to me. He beckons me with his hands.
I smile sweetly "you can kiss my ass." Seifer smirk clearly understanding what I said.
"I'll be right back." The blonde says into the microphone before heading my way. I briefly consider running before deciding to stand my ground.
"Turn around Seifer. I'm not going out there." He keeps walking smiling broadly not pausing grabbing me around my legs and throws me over his shoulder.
"Put me down or you're a dead man." But threat has no effect, never have with this man.
"Well, we're excited to except this award aren't we Leonhart?"
"I liked it better when my butt was winning awards." I grumble but the only one to hear me is the man who has me still thrown over his shoulder.
"Don't worry Leonhart it's still doing a fine show." Clearly amused but says it only loud enough for me to hear.
"Well we'd just like to thank all close to us who without we wouldn't be able to win this award and of course Hyne almighty. There's just one more thing before I can wrap this up. The kiss." Before I know it he drops me and I fall into the textbook position for the old school movie kisses. He smirks leaning closer and kisses me. I struggle against him and he lets me up I storm off stage to the "ooh" of the audience that knows that Seifer is in trouble.
SEIFER'S POV
Shit! He's pissed and if we were a real couple I'd be in the doghouse tonight.
"Leonhart wait up." I have to jog to catch up. I grab on to his arm and spin him around to face me when he won't stop.
"You know how I feel about you how could you do that?" I feel that a bucket of ice cold water hit me. I guess because it's only been said in jest and the one time I accuse him of it he shot me to hell. My brain never got the neon hint that Leonhart likes me more than a friend. Here I am parading around with someone else and making fun of the idea that we could be a couple.
"I'm sorry." His face relaxes marginally probably from shock but before I can say anything else a young cadet interrupts, saluting us before speaking.
"Sorry for interrupting Commander Leonhart and Sir Almasy but there's a messenger sent from President Loire and he said that it's urgent that he see you, Commander Leonhart."
"Thankyou Cadet Jun. Please escort the messenger to meeting lounge. I'll meet him there."
"Yes sir." He salutes again positively glowing that his commander knows his name before turning on his heel then jogging off to carry out his orders. Leonhart starts to walk off and I follow. I can see Selphie in the background giving a message to someone before running to catch up with us.
"Squall, I know you're mad with me but I'm coming with you and I sent a messenger to get the others." She fiddles with the hem of sleeve afraid Leonhart will yell at her and turn her away.
"If you want to but it's probably nothing."
We're all sitting comfortably around a coffee table with munchies on it wait for this messenger to enter.
There's a knock on the door and the door is open letting a plain looking man of mid to late thirties in. He scans the room and an undeniable look of disappointment settles on his face.
"I asked for the leader of this establishment."
"I am the leader of the Balamb Garden. Commander Squall Leonhart." Standing up and holding out his hand in a show of respect that the other has yet to show.
"I meant the real Leader and not some poster child." Leonhart lets him hand drop.
"Poster child? Show some respect for the people that saved your sorry ass." I growl unable to stand by idly.
"You're just a bunch of pin-ups used to make being a seed the more attractive option. I don't have time to talk to children. Now run along and like good children and go get me the real leader to speak to." The pep squad looks peeved and any sane person would be grovelling on hands and knees forgiveness but this dumb shit is standing tall and proud.
"Right Mr.." Leonhart waves his hand for the man to fill in the dots.
"General Collins." Puffs out his chest probably thinks that his rank out ranks the Commander of the Garden.
"Sorry General Collins. As I've mentioned before I'm the leader here. Just give me the message." He shakes his head rage now entering his eyes.
"You can stop playing grown ups now. I just need to speak to your leader it's really important." He speak every word clearly like talking to a demanded child and I'm only held back from beating the crap out him by the warning glare Leonhart gives me. I can tell the others are itching to do the same but held back for the same reason. Collins spreads his arm in a gesture of long suffering when Leonhart gazes back to him calmly that clearly says he's being an idiot.
"You there, girlie." Pointing to Selphie easily the less threatening of all of us, fuckin gutless prick. But whatever he was to say next is cut off so quickly I didn't even see Leonhart move. He's knocked off his feet and now at a 45 degree angle to the floor Leonhart looming above him holding his tie just above the knot the only thing stopping Leonhart from choking him. Oh and did I mention General Collins is scared shitless.
"You leave her out of this." Leonhart voice very low and threatening, I watch with great glee and I can see Selphie buzzing quietly with excitement. "My hospitality is at an end. I am the leader here I don't care if I'm too pretty for your tastes you don't matter. Now tell me what you were sent to then I suggest leaving immediately."
He nods fervently. "President Loire's plane was hijacked. The President has been kidnapped."
Leonhart's mouth opens and shuts several times, his eyes wide with shock before anger come back in full force along with silver eyes but lucky for Leonhart the only one with a clear view of his face are me and dickhead.
"What about Ellone?" He growls.
"Only the President has been taken. Everyone else is safe and left alone. They have been taken back to Esthar." There's a thud as the loser hits the ground and Leonhart heads to the door.
Irvine looks to General Collins. "You got off easy. I'd leave before he sees you again." Not bothering to look at him. Zell walks to the door.
"I've never seen him like that. Did anyone actually see him move when he tripped him?" hooking his thumb in the loser who is still sitting on the ground not actually looking to see us shake our heads.
"Jimmy?" Zell speaks to the guard outside the door. "Can you escort this dude to the entrance. Make sure you take a route that Commander Leonhart is unlikely to take."
Jimmy nods hoisting Collins to his feet and walking him out.
"I'm going after Leonhart." They all look at me like I've lost my mind.
"I'm not sure that's such a good idea." Quistis says sadly but I not listening. I'm already walking out the door heading for Leonhart's place.
SQUALL'S POV
I told him extra security. Did he listen? No. Now where is he? I run my hand down my face in a useless gesture that doesn't calm me one bit. Pick up the vase and hurl it against the wall. My breathing increases as the pain in my chest increases and I start pacing up and down the lounge room hands running through my hair in attempt to ward of the tears.
"Leonhart." Strong arms wrap around me from behind and I struggle against them.
"Piss off Seifer I want to be alone.'
SEIFER'S POV
I wait him out and the struggles weaken and I turn him in my grasps to face me. He gives in weeping silently I thumb the tears running down his face and kiss the top of his hair pulling him closer and wrapping my arms around him.
"It'll be okay Squall." Kiss the top of his head again he brings his arm up between us I thought he's going to push me away. Instead, he clutches hold of my shirt and clings to me tightly. We stay like this and I let him find whatever comfort he can.
AUTHOR'S NOTE Oh my who has Laguna? Time to explain thing. One, when Squall has previously got drunk he's had to work hard for it as in drink two bottles of 40 proof alcohol other time he's pretended some Selphie wouldn't bug him as much. Um, anything else? Well thanks for the reviews I loved them so much. I was beginning to think I'd gone off track. Sorry. I seem to have an obession with asses in this chapter. Thanks for reading and please review.