A/N: Hey guys! I am so glad that people are reading this story. I wish I'd get some more reviews though. So if any of you readers don't mind, hey, let me know what you think. Iwant to be the best reader possible, and I need feedback in order to do it. :-) Blessed be. - Grapefall

Chapter VI: Closeted Thoughts

"Uh..." Zell could feel his face flushing redder than his racy undergarment. "It's nothing. Yeah, it's nothing at all. I'm going to sleep now. Good night!"

Zell ran into the guest room and slammed the door shut. Seifer decided that it might not be a good idea to find out whatever that thing on Zell's butt was...

Seifer suddenly sat up in realization. He was just looking at Zell's ass. Here he was, in the place he shared with his beautiful, albeit a walking mass of estrogen, fiancée, whose heart had been broken by a man who left her for another man, and he was checking out another guy. Well, not just any guy, but the guy who her last boyfriend left her for, which was probably far worse than anything else. The last thing he wanted to do was anger Rinoa even more. She might be easier than a color by numbers book, but she gave him a chance after everything he had done.

After the Ultimecia fiasco, he had pretty much ousted himself from society. Fujin and Raijin stuck by him, as always, but they couldn't help him earn the trust of an employer or a landlord. He had sunk so low, any lower and he could have easily been in Zell's situation, dancing in drag and giving some sleazeball head in an alley just so he could afford a loaf of stale bread.

Then by chance, he encountered Rinoa at a bar one night. Squall had only left her a short time before and she was downing shots to forget her sorrow. When she couldn't sit in her seat without falling over, he took her home. One thing led to another, and well... She was happy that there was someone there to make her forget her troubles. She let him move in, and used her influence to get him a job at the local weapons store. She gave him a chance, and before long, he found himself down on one knee, asking her to be his wife.

Although, truth be told, Seifer was never really sure that he was in love with Rinoa. Sure, she had done so much for him, and was a dynamite in the sack, but gratitude and great sex didn't exactly qualify as love in his mind. It didn't matter anyhow, he couldn't find someone else if he tried...

But the kiss between him and Zell earlier... Try as he might, Seifer couldn't get it out of his head. That kiss had to be one of the most intense he had ever experienced, and he had his share of kisses during his years at Garden. There was so much emotion, so much passion, as though they were the only two people in the entire world, and... What the hell was he doing? Zell was only reaching out for help. Nothing more. Zell might prefer the company of men, but just because Seifer was a guy and there did not mean Zell liked him romantically...

Seifer groaned in annoyance at his spinning thoughts and stuffed his face into his pillow.

Zell lay awake in the bed, feeling like he had been off to war and may never be the same again. He stared at the ceiling, trying to keep himself from crying. He had shed far too many tears tonight.

So Seifer was engaged to Rinoa. Big deal, right?... So why was he so jealous and hurt? Why was he thinking about someone new when Squall probably was only just beginning to decompose in his grave?

Zell glanced at the clock. 3:30AM. Seifer had to be asleep by now. Perhaps he should just sneak out now while no one notices. He could return Seifer's (and Rinoa's) clothing later. He rose from the bed, and opened the bedroom door as carefully as possible. He crept down the hall to the den, and headed for the front door.

"Chicken-wuss?"

"Dammit," Zell muttered under his breath. "Hi, Seif."

"Where are you going at this hour?" He saw Seifer sitting up on the couch.

"I, uh..."

"Why are you leaving?"

Zell's shoulders sunk in defeat. "I thought it would be best if I just go home—"

"Zell, no." Seifer switched on a lamp, then indicated for Zell to sit down next to him. "Irvine is probably still waiting for you back at your apartment..."

"So?" Zell sat, and Seifer stood.

"I'll put on some coffee," the taller man said.

While Seifer plugged in the coffee maker and began hunting for cups, Zell sat quietly on the couch. Feeling uncomfortable, he looked around the room.

"Nice place you have here," Zell said.

"Thanks," Seifer replied, pouring coffee into cups. "It's really Rinoa's, though."

"Oh." Another awkward moment of silence passed between them before Zell suddenly thought of something. "Seifer ... why were you at the club tonight?"

Seifer walked in and handed Zell a cup of coffee.

"Well," Seifer said as he sat down again, "it was Raijin's idea to hold my bachelor party there. I think it was mere coincidence he chose the joint where you work."

"Bachelor party?" Zell looked at him strangely. "That was kind of a crappy party, wasn't it?"

"Yeah, but it's not like I have any other friends to celebrate an upcoming wedding with," Seifer reminded him. "I just had to take what I can get."

"But if that was your bachelor party, it means you're getting married soon, right?"

"In two days."

Zell wasn't sure if he saw a flicker of uncertainty pass through Seifer's eyes.

After a period of awkward silence, the taller man glanced at the clock.

"Oh geez, it's 6 o'clock," he said. "Rinoa will be up in an hour."

"I'd better leave now then." Zell stood up.

"Wait." Seifer also stood. "I'll go with you, just in case we run into Irvine and his thugs."

And so, as quietly as possible, the two men crept out of the apartment and out into the street as daylight began to make its way into Balamb.