Disclaimer: Square Enix owns FFVII/VII, not me.
Warning: This fic contains Yaoi, which means guy-on-guy action, drug use, swearing and descriptive scenes (mainly containing blood and guts) that might disturb some people. Do not read if you don't like. Flamers will be used to roast marshmallows on. Not suitable for kiddies.
Chapter 6
They arrived back at Balamb Garden in the early morning, trying to avoid the morning rush of students. For this Seifer was glad. He wanted to be prepared before he was introduced to the student body. The two SEED's and ex student made their way up to Squall's office to get an early morning coffee and to deal with the paperwork. After filling out form after form, Quistis rose and stretched.
"Well, I'm off now guys. I have to go and prepare for class. Play nice." And hurried off to her dorm, leaving the two alone in Squall's office.
"So Squall, where will I be staying? In my old room?"
Squall shook his head.
"No, in my room for now. You'll be sleeping on the futon until it's deemed alright for you to move back into your dorm."
"And my stuff?"
"All packed away in storage."
"Who did that?"
"Me."
Squall packed up the last of the paperwork and headed towards the door.
"Well, come on. I want to get you there and settled in before the rush to class starts."
Seifer followed the smaller brunette down the corridor until they stop in front off a white door.
"The code is 4-9-2-1. Remember that."
"Yeah sure. 4-9-2-1. Got it."
Squall punched in the code, letting the two males enter the apartment room.
"Wow, being headmaster sure has it's perks."
It was a large apartment; complete with a kitchen, a private bathroom, dinning room and lounge that housed a large flat screen TV and a flash stereo system. The main décor of the place consisted of black a grey chrome - diffidently Squalls influence, but the tacky flower prints on the wall suggested that Rinoa got her little bit in.
"Hey, Rinoa won't be staying in here as well, would she?"
"Na, she's staying with Selphie for the duration of your stay here, much to her dismay." Squall replied.
"Thank god. No offence, but I can't handle that bloody 'high ol mighty' attitude of hers. Drives me around the bend. How do you put up with it Squall? I wouldn't of taken you for someone who goes for that type of lady."
Squall walked over and dropped the pile of paperwork down onto the dinning room table.
"She needs me and it was what everyone expected me to do."
"Do you care for her?"
Squall fidgeted with his jacket sleeve, uncomfortable with the subject.
"That's none of your business," Squall replied coldly.
"Oh, touchy subject I see," Seifer said, flopping down on the couch. "So this is my bed?"
"Yeah. The kitchen's there, bathroom's up the hallway. Help yourself to the food but clean up after yourself. Here's a list of the subjects to choose from. I need it back tonight. Don't have the stereo on loud and don't go outside unless you have to. Many won't take your presence to kindly. I'll be in my office. Just press F1 on the speed dial if you need me," Squall rattled off, grabbing a piece of fruit and headed back to his office, leaving Seifer alone in his new surroundings.
'Squall's place huh? Lets see what I can dig up on puberty boy here.'
Glancing around, Seifer spotted his first target – the bedroom.
'Oh yeah, if there's anything juicy on a person, its in the bedroom.'
Pushing the door open slowly, Seifer stuck his head into the darkened room.
'Looks like Squally boy has some personality after all.'
In the middle of the room was a large king-size canopy bed, neatly made and covered with a back satin duvet cover with golden Chinese symbols embroidered on it. The four pillows matched the cover. Seifer bet that he would find satin sheets under the quilt. On the bedside sat a gold and black lamp and alarm clock. Seifer walked over and turned on the lamp, which emitted a soft glow. Across from the bed sat a large dressing table with a mirror, tarnished with a dark varnish that made the wood look almost black in colour. Gold rimmed the mirror as well, making it stand out against the darkened wood. Looking at the placement of the mirror and the bed, Seifer let out a chuckle.
'So Squall has a kinky side to him after all.'
Overall, the room had a mysterious, sexy feel to it. Seifer liked it. Seifer strode over to the wardrobe and flung the doors open. It was here that Rinoa's presence was felt. Dresses, dresses and more dress's filled the wardrobe, with only a few items that looked to be Squall's.
'Imagine what the room would look like when she's choosing her outfit. Poor neat freak Squall would have a heart attack.'
Seeing nothing of interest in the wardrobe, he closed the door and went back to the bed. Flinging himself down, he spotted a piece of fabric sticking out form under the pillow. Pulling on it, Seifer let out a laugh.
'Yep, diffidently a kinky Squall we have here. Bondage huh? I wonder who'd the one tied up? Him or her?'
Still musing over the thought, Seifer pulled opened the bedside table drawer.
'Mmmm, lets see, pen – boring, book on accounting – boring, unopened packet of condoms – a bit more interesting, looks like puberty boy's not getting any lately, and a photo frame?'
Seifer pulled out the frame. In it was a picture of the group at the orphanage, back when Seifer had first arrived. Irvine and Selphie were on the far left side of the photo, hugging and smiling for the camera. Zell stood next to them grinning while trying to do bunny ears to Quistis, who was standing tall and prim, a small smile gracing her face. Standing separate from the rest were two boys, a small sad looking brunette with bangs falling in his face, and standing next to him with his arm around his shoulder stood a younger vision of himself, looking bored. Staring at the photo for a few minutes, Seifer shook his head and replaced the photo back into the drawer. After taking one final look around the room, Seifer got up and left the room, heading towards the kitchen. It was brighter here, with a large window letting in the sunlight. 'Spotless and sterile – so different from his room.'
Stomach growling, Seifer decided to hunt down some food before he wasted away.
'Hope he's stocked his fridge up good,' Seifer thought as he reached for the fridge door. His hand stopped as he saw a photo stuck to the door. It was almost the excat same as the photo he saw in Squall's drawer, except it was a more recent one, and instead of Seifer standing by Squall's side, Rinoa was found instead, arms wrapped around Squall's waist, beaming at the camera.
'Looks like the found a replacement for me then.'
Not feeling very hungry anymore, Seifer just grabbed an apple, threw himself down on the couch, and waited for the day to pass.
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Squall finished signing the last piece of paper and threw down his pen, sighing. He had just spent the last 3 hours signing papers, which had built up over his absence, leaving him with a sore wrist and a moody disposition. Leaning back in his chair and running his hands threw his hair, Squall let himself enjoy the few moments of peace, letting his mind wonder, which inevitably returned to Seifer, and awful habit he had gotten into since Seifer was found.
'I wonder how he's doing? It must be hard for him to come back here. Hope he doesn't go through my room.'
When they had reached Balamb Garden, Seifer had been tense and strangely silent, relaxing only when he was safe in Squall's room. As soon as he had delivered Seifer to his room, Squall quickly took off, trying to banish the memory of Seifer's golden hair glimmering in the early morning light as they walked through Garden, unwilling to even think about the tightening in his stomach that came with the memory.
'Maybe I should check up on him,' Squall thought, picking up the finished paperwork and placing it into his outbox.
"Squall sir," Squall pressed the button on his intercom.
"Yes Xu?"
"There seems to be a disturbance by your room sir. Apparently Zell's screaming and kicking at your door, causing a big ruckus." Squall sighed. Zell had found out.
"I'll get onto it."
"Ok sir."
Sighing again, Squall grabbed his jacket and made his way down to Zell.
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"Open the door you jackass piece of shit!"
"Zell!"
Zell turned around to find Squall standing in the middle of the hallway, anger on evident in his gaze.
"What are you doing to my door?"
Zell stormed towards Squall.
"I can't believe you let him back in! Are you mad? He can't be trusted!"
"That's my decision to make Zell," Squall said stonily, pushing past the steaming blonde, "And I happen to trust him enough to leave him alone in my room all day. Now go away and calm down before I book you for disturbance of the peace and wilful damage to Garden property. I'll see you in my office once you've calmed down. Tell the others that as well."
"Tsh, fine," Zell mumbled, slinking off down the hallway. Shaking his head, Squall glanced at the few SEED's that had gathered, causing them to suddenly find something that required their immediate attention. When the hallway was cleared, Squall punched in his code and entered the room.
"Seifer?" Squall looked around the room. "Seifer, you still here?"
Seeing the blonde's foot hanging off the edge of the couch, Squall went over to the lounge.
"Seifer, you..." Squall stared dumbfounded.
'I don't believe it! He slept through all that?'
"Seifer, hey, wake up."
"Eh what?" Seifer mumbled sleepily as he opened a single eye. "Go-way, I'm sleeping."
"Is that all you've been doing all day?"
"Yeah well its not as if I have anything else to do. Is it time to eat yet?" Seifer asked as he stood up to stretch, sculptured body clearly shown without the trench coat on. Squall blushed slightly, looking down at the ground, hoping that his ex-rival didn't see it.
"I guess so."
"Good, I'm starving. What you got?"
"Um, pasta?"
"Sounds good to me. I'll go cook. What was the ruckus outside?"
'So Seifer wasn't as asleep as he pretended to be.'
"Zell found out you were here."
"He didn't take it to well?"
"Nope. Let me do that. It's my kitchen."
Seifer shook his head.
"Na, let me do it. It gives me something to do and besides, I happen to make a killer macaroni and cheese, having to of lived off of the stuff for a while."
Squall shrugged his shoulders and sat on the bench next to Seifer.
"Whatever."
The two worked in a comfortable silence, with only the clanging of pots and pans as Seifer prepared lunch for the two.
"So..." Squall said, "How you feel about being back in Garden?"
Seifer paused, thinking about his answer.
"OK I guess. To tell you the truth I was a bit worried. I 'm glad I don't have to face anyone just yet, though that stays between us ok Squall" Seifer added in quickly as he served up lunch. Squall grabbed the cutlery and sat in front of one of the steaming plates. Seifer watched expectantly.
"Well, eat up."
Squall timidly picked up his fork and grabbed a mouthful of macaroni and cheese, cautiously taking a bite.
"Mmmmm, this is good" Squall said.
"Of course it is! I made it didn't I?"
"Whatever."
"Now now Squall, none of those one worded answers. I've been enjoying those sentences you've been showering on me – less work in interpreting you."
Squall huffed as he took another mouthful.
"Have you decided on your subjects yet?"
"Yeah, I'll have the usual except I'll replace Junctioning with Advance Science 3."
"Science?"
"Yeah, Science."
"What strand are you interested in?"
"Genetics."
"Interesting."
Seifer placed his fork down.
"Do you remember much about your childhood?"
Squall gazed at Seifer, uncertain over the sudden change of subject.
"Not really, just bits and pieces. You?"
"Yeah. I didn't like to junction much. Some memories are too precious to lose for a few minutes of extra power."
"What memories would hat be?"
"My family."
"Oh."
Riinng
Squall picked up the phone.
"Yes?"
"Zell and the others are waiting in your office."
"Thanks Xu. I'll be right there."
Squall cleared his empty plate off of the table.
"I have to go and talk to the others now. Thanks for lunch Seifer, It was good."
"Yeah well, the company wasn't so bad either. Its nice to know that we can spend a few minutes together without trying ti rip each other apart."
Squall smiled on of his rare smiles.
"Yeah, it was nice."
The two stared at each other until Squall looked down, breaking eye contact.
"I better get going" he said softly to the floor.
"Yeah, can't keep the others waiting."
Squall rushed out the room, green eyes burning in his mind.
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Squall was greeted by the sight of three flustered SEED's and one pacing Zell upon arrival. The only one who was calm was Quistis, who was waiting just outside the office door.
"Hi Squall."
"Hey Quistis. How things up here?"
"You're looking at it."
"Has he clamed down a bit?" Squall whispered, looking in Zell's direction.
"Kind of. None of them was expecting to have Seifer come back here. It's a bit of a shock to them."
"What did they expect me to do? Tag him and set him free again?"
Quistis smiled. "Actually yes, I do believe that that was their thoughts."
"Oh well, I better go do some damage control then." Squall replied as he entered his office. Zell was the first to notice him.
"Squall! Why the hell is he here! Why didn't you tell us?"
"I am right now."
"Why does he have to stay with you Squally poo?" Rinoa whined from the couch.
"Yeah Squall, why does Rinoa have to stay with me? No offence Rinoa."
"None taken."
"Ok, quiet down, one question at a time. Seifer is here because he wants a second chance, which I granted. I haven't had time to get you together and tell you about him until now. Seifer has to stay with me until we are sure that he won't cause any trouble, and Rinoa's in Selphie's room cause that were I stuck her," Squall said as he sat down in his chair, gauging the other's reactions. "Any questions?"
"Yeah," drawled Irvine. "Seifer was found over a month ago. Why is he suddenly appearing now, and where have you and Quistis been during that time?"
"Making sure that Seifer wasn't going to make trouble. I didn't re-enter him on a whim. I made sure that he was going to take this seriously."
Irvine shrugged his shoulders and lent back in the couch, apparently happy with the answer.
'No need to tell them what happened.'
"Is that all Squall?" Quistis asked, prompting Squall.
"No. As you know, Seifer won't be getting a very warm welcome, if Zell's performance today was any indication. Because of this, I'm asking you to keep an eye on him, making sure he doesn't cause any trouble, or that the students hassle him. Any trouble is reported straight to me. DO NOT sort it out yourselves. Is that understood Zell?"
"Loud and clear Squall."
Squall reached over and grabbed a file from his desk.
"Here is his subject list, so you know where he is. Get Xu to get you a copy each on your way out. Quistis, he will be in 3 of your classes, doing the basics again, except Junctioning. Will you please inform Professor Cohoon that Seifer will be attending his Advance Science 3 classes."
"Advance Science 3? You sure he's up to it? That's a pretty high level"
"Writing out a thesis paper on Genetical Manipulation for my assignment."
"Wow, that's intense."
"It's easy if you understand the lingo."
"Where did you learn that?"
The young blonde stiffened.
"Just here and there."
"Oh, can you help me with my science homework? I'm kinda stuck."
"Yeah sure Squall"
"Yeah, he can handle it."
"Ok then." Quistis replied doubtfully.
"Right, you guys now know what's happening and such. Treat him as you would a student and the students should follow your example. Dismissed."
The others stood up and took their leave, except Rinoa. When the other had left she walked around Squall's desk and sat on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him on the lips.
"I waited until the others had left this time Squally poo."
"Good girl Rinoa. What can I do for you?"
"Why can't I stay with you?
"Because it wouldn't be fair on Seifer and besides, you wouldn't want to share the place with Seifer anyway."
"Your right, I still haven't forgiven him for giving me to Adel, but I don't see why we have to shuffle around to accommodate for him. He should just accept whatever you give him and be grateful for it. He doesn't deserve this special treatment, and the others would agree, except for Quistis."
"What would you rather me do? Build him a dog house and throw him a bone every now and again?"
"Yep, that sounds right. He's a pitiful loser who doesn't deserve the air he breathes."
For some strange reason Squall felt oddly defensive for his ex rival.
"Well I don't and I'm in charge so the arrangements stay as they are and I will hear no complaints about it," Squall replied coldly, glaring at the girl on his lap.
"Oh, don't be like that Squall. Geez, you'd think that you preferred Seifer over me. Betcha he doesn't kiss as well as me though" Rinoa replied sultry, pulling Squall in for a kiss. Squall tilted his head so that she go his cheek instead and whispered into her ear.
"You would know Rinoa. Tell me, was he any good?" Squall asked, suddenly curious.
"Mmmm, yeah I guess. Very dominate. I prefer your lips any day though" She whispered back, unsure of where the questioning was heading.
"Did you sleep with him?"
"Squall!" Rinoa squealed, jumping off of his lap. "That's.."
Squall pulled her back down onto his lap.
"Just answer the question. Did you fuck Seifer Almasy or not. Just a simple yes or no answer" he said, nibbling on her ear.
"... Yes, I did sleep with him."
"Was he good?"
"Squall, why do you want to know?"
"Just curious. I never knew exactly what the relationship between you two was." Squall said, planting kisses down here neck.
"Yes he was ok" Rinoa replied, arching her neck for more. "But I'm glad I ditched him before he showed what a dog he really was. I can't believe that I ever let that filthy thing touch me."
Squall stopped, not feeling in the mood to play anymore.
"Squall?"
"I um, needed to work now Rinoa" Squall replied, genteelly pushing Rinoa off from his lap and picking up a random file.
"Did I say something wrong? It was you who wanted to know the details you know. No need to get upset because Seifer's a good fuck."
Squall shook his head.
"It's not that Rinoa. I just remembered all the paperwork I have to do," he lied, giving her a peck on her cheek. "I'll see you tonight."
"Ok" replied a disgruntled Rinoa as she left the office in a huff.
'Ok, that was weird' Squall thought as he stared at the closed door.
'The first time I've wanted Rinoa in a long time, due to hearing about Seifer... I'm sick.' Squall placed his head on his hands.
'Why would hearing about Seifer's sex life turn me on? Why can't I stop thinking about that bloody sexy arse of his – not so sexy arse I'm mean. Or do I? What the hell. Damn it but I'm confused. Why is this happening to me. I'm with the girl who is supposably meant to be my perfect match, even though I don't care about her in that way, the perfect job, and yet I can't stop thinking about him. This is Seifer we're talking about, my ex-rival. I cannot – I am not, attracted to him. I am straight, not gay.'
'Then why do you get a hard on every time you imagine him without a top on?' a traitorous inner voice asked him.
'Oh go away. I don't need you to remind me of that. That's it. I'm going to the training center,' Squall finally declared in his head, tired of arguing with himself. Picking up his gunblade, Squall stormed out of his office, determined to make a few monsters pay for his turbulent thoughts.
------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ --------------------- ---------
Seifer looked up as the door opened, letting in a very dirty, sweaty Squall.
"Training center huh?"
"Yes," Squall replied shortly. Dumping his gunblade on the table, he walked towards the bathroom, pulling his shirt off on the way, giving Seifer an eyeful before he slammed the door shut behind him.
'Nice' Seifer thought as he walked across to the bathroom door.
"So, what pissed you off so much that you had to kill half the monsters in the training center?" Seifer asked, listening as Squall turned on the shower. Moments later belts hit the ground and the sound of the water spray lessened as Squall entered the shower. The thought of Squall naked just beyond the door excited Seifer more than he let on.
'It would be so easy just to open the door and... whoa, lets not go there.'
"Nothing that concerns you" Squall finally replied, words distorted by the door.
"You want some dinner? I found some chicken in the fridge and stir-fry in the cupboard. I can whip us up something if you like?"
'Hmmm, dinner with Rinoa or dinner with Seifer?'
"Sure then." 'Damn it, I was meant to say no.'
Excellent. I'll go put it on now then." Seifer replied, heading towards the kitchen.
'Why did I just agree to that?' Squall thought, as he washed his hair, making sure that it was thoroughly cleaned.
'I just choose my ex – MALE – rival over my girlfriend.'
Squall reached out unconsciously for the scented shower gel, lathering himself up generously. Turning off the shower, squall reached out and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around his waist before opening the bathroom door, running straight into Seifer.
"Ah, sorry Squall, I was just..." Seifer stumbled staring at his wet, hot nearly naked roommate, who was only an inch away from him.
'Just close enough to steal a kiss eh?'
"Just what?" prompted Squall; unsure of the look that was crossing Seifer's face. Seifer shook his head at the sound of Squalls voice.
"Oh, what veggie's you would like to have in the stir fry." Seifer replied, tearing his gaze away from Squall's toned chest.
"Ah, any will do," Squall replied softly, eyes in lock with Seifer's.
"Yeah, well, I'll just get back to dinner then."
"Yeah, and I'll just go get dressed," Squall mumbled as the two parted hastily. Practically running to his room, Squall slammed the door shut, closing his eyes as he lent against the door.
'What the hell just happened then? Seifer was looking at me as if I was ... something he wanted to eat. No no,' Squall thought, shaking his head.
'Seifer's not interested in me in that way, its just my imagination – was it?' Squall thought confusingly as he pulled on some clean clothes.
'What if he had kissed me back then, would I of kissed him back?'
Yesssss
Squall shook his head.
'Seifer's not interested in me. Its just my imagination, and I don't want to kiss those lips of his,' Squall thought weakly, not really believing himself. Checking his hair in the mirror, Squall took a deep breath and left the room, no sign of the confusion that he felt on his face.
"Hey Squall, dinner won't be ready for a little while yet."
"Whatever."
Seifer stared at Squall as the brunette flung himself down on the couch, turning on the TV, ignoring the blonde. Seifer was still feeling confused about the incident before. The urge to kiss Squall on his full lips was almost unbearable, with Seifer resisting at the last moment.
'I've never reacted that strongly to Squall before. Sure, I had my little fantasies about his arse before, but I've never wanted to act on my impulses so strongly around him. And it didn't look as though he would of stopped me if I did,' Seifer pondered as he stirred the vegies through. 'Whoa, what am I thinking? He's got a girlfriend. Way out of my league. As though Squall would be interested in me.'
Dishing up two meals, Seifer called out "Dinner's Ready" before setting the plates down on the table. Squall sat down silently and started to eat.
"So," Seifer finally said, "how did the others take it?"
"Ok. They weren't jumping for joy over it."
"I wouldn't expect them to. Tell me Squall, why did you let me back in? I mean, we didn't part on the best terms. I even had you tortured, but you don't seem to care about that. Why?"
Squall looked up at Seifer, who was gazing at the table.
"Because we're friends." Squall stated simply, continuing eating his meal.
"You really think of me as a friend? After all I did?"
Squall sighed and placed his fork down.
"It wasn't really you doing all those things. I never hated you, not even before the war. I don't see why I should hate you now because of something you had no control over."
"You don't think I'm weak, because of it?"
"Of course not. She caught you unexpectedly. None of us was expecting a sorceress to pop out of nowhere. Under any other circumstance, I doubt you would of gone with her. By the way, why did you come to Timber that day?" Squall asked.
"I don't know," Seifer mumbled evasively. "I guess it seemed fishy that Cid sent 3 unexperienced SEEDs for a job that needed at least one experienced SEED."
"Ah," Squall said, not quite accepting Seifer's explanation.
The two spent the rest of the meal in silence.
"I've got your schedule here," Squall said as he placed the dishes into the sink. "You'll start next week. That should give you enough time to settle in."
"Ok."
Ring
"Squall speaking."
"Squall, where were you? You said you would meet us for dinner. Dinner was an hour ago and you never showed," Rinoa whined.
"Sorry, got caught up with some paperwork concerning the IGPTA meeting coming up. I have to get this sorted out ASAP."
"Ok then Squall, but don't do it again. I missed you. Selphie's staying at Irvine's tonight, you want to come over for a while?" Rinoa asked sultry.
"Sorry Rinoa, I can't."
"Fine then" Rinoa huffed, and hung up the phone without saying goodbye.
"Yeah well, good bye to you too" Squall huffed at the phone before slamming it down.
"Pissed off your girlfriend Squally?" Seifer called out. "Wouldn't expect you to know how to please a woman properly eh puberty boy," Seifer taunted.
"Shove it Seifer."
"Oh, but this is getting interesting. I mean, first you lied about what you were doing and then turned down a night of passionate sex with your girl."
""How?"
"I heard. She speaks rather loudly doesn't she?" Seifer smirked as Squall glared at him.
"So why? Lost interest in her already, or do you prefer a little arse yourself?" Seifer taunted, smirking at Squall reaction.
"Go fuck yourself Seifer."
"What, and let you miss out on all the fun? Its always better with two," Seifer teased, pressing up close to Squall.
"Seifer... Get Away From Me!" Squall yelled, pushing the laughing Seifer away as he grabbed his files and ran to his room.
"Oh, touchy subject I see," Seifer called out to Squall retreating back. When Squall slammed his door shut, Seifer's smirk faded from sight as he lent against the wall.
'Great one Seifer. Now he really wants you eh?' Seifer snorted and turned the TV on. A movie later Seifer got up and gently knocked on the door.
"What."
"Where do you keep the blankets?"
"Cupboard next to the bathroom."
"Thanks."
Seifer grabbed a few blankets and settled down for the night, thoughts on a turbulent brunette with full, pouty lips.
ANSorry about the wait, I had many assignments to finish off. This chapter was originally longer, but when I went to type it up, it was twice as long than normal so I decided to split it up into two chapters. Got a bit of Squall/Seifer action there. There will be more in the next chapter though. I wasn't too sure about some of the parts in this chapter (squall/Rinoa in office), but I added them in anyway. Remember to read and review, helpful criticism always welcomed. Next chapter coming soon.