"Well," Selphie said hanging off her older cousin. "Since Quistis is drunk, and everyone else is drunk," she paused for a moment, carefully thinking it over, "Zell should drive us home," she said as if it were the most obvious answer in the world.

"Selphie," Squall said, "There's not enough room for all of us if Zell drives."

"I guess Selph will have to come with me," Irvine suggested, "and I'll drive her home in the morning."

"No!" Selphie said a little too quickly for Squall's liking, "no, I want to go home." She paused again. "No, I have to go home."

She pulled Irvine's collar down and whispered something into his ear. The cowboy's violet eyes grew wide as he listened. He raised an eyebrow at her when she pulled away. "Selphie," he said, giving her a funny look, "even if that is true, I didn't need to hear it."

She giggled letting herself fall back onto the couch. "I doubt that you have anything at your house that will help me," she said.

"Alright," Irvine said, "Squall can stay at my place for the night."

"Well," Selphie shrugged. She turned her gaze to Squall and added, "He is pretty drunk. Maybe you should keep him for a two or three days."

"Selphie, I am not drunk," Squall practically yelled. He was beyond annoyed now. "And don't I get a say in this?"

"Squall don't be so poopy," replied Selphie. She stood up and grabbed his hand, leading him to the corner of the room, and away from Irvine. She stepped closer to him and whispered in his ear. "Squall don't be so upset," she said. "I know you like my cousin and he's a great guy. I'm just trying to help you out a little bit."

"That's the reason you got Quistis drunk? To help me? Selphie, what the hell is wrong with you?"

She put on the cutest and saddest pout she could manage at the moment. "I only did it 'cause it's your birthday and I want to see you happy."

Squall just glared at her. "Stop that, you know that pout doesn't work on me."

"Nothing does!" She screamed in frustration, "Everything nice that I do for you gets me yelled at. You always yell at me. I only tried to help. If that's how you feel then I hope you have a horrible time."

"Um," Irvine said, "I just called Zell. He's on his way."

"You're still going through with this?" Squall asked him.

Irvine shrugged. "Male or female, it doesn't bother me who I take home."

Selphie giggled. "You guys go ahead and leave. Me and Zell will take care of Quistis and Seifer and Rinoa and get them into the car," she said and pointed to her friends that were passed out on the floor.

"Ok Selph," Irvine said walking over to the door. "Tell Zell to close up for me. And you," he gestured to Squall, "are coming home with me."

It was at that point that Squall realized it was useless for him to fight any longer, so he gave up and followed Irvine silently out of the club and to the older man's car. "You can't stop it," Irvine said, getting into the driver's seat.

"What?" Squall asked confused, also getting into the car.

"Once Selphie sets one of her plans in motion, there's nothing anyone can do to stop it, whether they like it or not," he explained putting his key in the ignition and starting the car.

Squall finished fastening his seat belt and looked over at Irvine; he didn't say anything.

"But what I don't understand," the cowboy continued, "is why she wanted you to come home with me in the first place."

Squall continued to sit there silently. He turned his head to look out the window in attempt to hide the blush that creped it's way onto his cheeks.

"Something tells me you know exactly why she did it."

Squall kept silent for the rest of their drive, and it wasn't long before Irvine pulled his car into the driveway of a fairly large house. They both got out of the car and Squall followed Irvine up the walkway and to the front door. When Squall got inside he was surprised to see how big it really was.

"Do you live here all by yourself?" Squall asked as he watched Irvine set his keys down on a table in the hall. The cowboy walked over to the closet on the other side of the table and hung up his coat.

"Yes," Irvine replied as he took off his hat and set it on top of his keys. He reached behind to his hair and pulled the elastic out. "I like my space," he said, running his hand through his wavy hair a couple of times before he replaced the elastic.

Squall didn't say anything as while he stared at Irvine. He found himself blushing again and he had an urge to run his fingers through Irvine's long brown hair …

"Squall?" Irvine asked looking strangely at the teenager.

Squall immediately snapped out of his thoughts. Did Irvine notice him staring? It wasn't that obvious … was it?

"I said it's 3am," Irvine said, "I'll get you some pajamas and you can crash in my bed. I'm going to sleep on the couch."

Squall took a minute to think it over. "No," he decided.

"No?" Irvine repeated. "No what? No you don't want any pajamas? No you don't want to sleep in my bed? Or no you want me in bed?"

"No!" Squall said a little to loudly. By the time he realized what Irvine had said, the cowboy was already making his way up the stairs on the right. "Wait, what did you say?"

Irvine turned around on the stairs to look back at Squall. A light smirk played on his lips as he began to walk back down the stairs. He stopped just in front of Squall and put one hand around the boy's waist and the other reached up and brushed a piece of hair out of his eyes.

"Listen, Squall," he whispered, inches away from Squall's lips. "You're cute, and it's your birthday. I know Selphie dragged you into this, but you might as well have some fun while you're here." He emphasized his point by leaning down and placing a light kiss on Squall's soft lips.

Squall found himself blushing madly beyond his control and he didn't trust himself to speak at the moment, so Irvine continued, "Of course I'd never force you into anything. I'm comfortable with anything, so think about it, and let me know when you decide."

Irvine pulled away and began to walk back up the stairs, hoping Squall would follow.

AN: Yay, the next chapter is finally done. Sorry for the long wait. School sucks big time, and I haven't had that much time to write or type up what I've already got written. And thanks for all the reviews, the feed back is very much encouraged and appreciated.