Disclaimer: I do not own FVIII. I just like putting Squall in embarrasing situations for Seifer to enjoy ;) This contains yaoi so if you don't like, then you wouldn't of gotten this far now would ya :)

Chapter 10
Zell paced the length of his room for the umpteenth time in the 2 hours that he had been confined to the dorms after his blow out with the ex-sorceress knight.

'Where's the hell is Squall?'

Sighing loudly to himself, Zell flopped backwards onto his bed, staring up at the plain white ceiling.

'Man, this waiting is more painful than his lectures.'

A soft click as the door knob turned informed him of Squall's arrival. Zell sat up, ready to vent his indigence about long waits and unfair punishments, but closed his mouth at the sight of Squall's cool gaze.

"Explain yourself."

Zell flinched at the cold tone of Squall's voice, hands clenching around the edge of his mattress.

'Man, he's still pissed off about it? He never holds a grudge for this long. I must of really pissed him off this time.'

"I'm sorry Squall, but Seifer just pushed me…"

"That is no excuse!" Squall cut off sharply. "You are a member of SeeD, not a child. You should be able to control yourself, no matter who is your opponent, team member or employer. You are expected to treat everyone with the same amount of respect and professionalism, no matter who they are or what side they are on. Not only was your outburst today unprofessional and childish, but it was a nasty attack on someone who did not deserve it."

Zell bristled at the last comment. "Doesn't deserve it! He deserves whatever he gets!"

Squall held a hand up, silencing Zell's outburst.

"Everyone makes mistakes, some bigger than others. Seifer has to live with his mistake for the rest of his life. It's going to be hard enough for him without having you throw it back into his face all the time."

"But Seifer said…"

"Seifer has always been that way," Squall cut in. "It did not warrant a personal attack like that. Not only was it childish and rude, but your antics disrupted the meeting, upset Edea and embarrassed us in front of a guest."

Zell hung his head in shame, staring at the Squall's black boots as Squall stood above him, arms behind his back as he let his words sink in.

"You are my friend and one of my best SeeD's, but I will not tolerate such behaviour from you, or anybody else. Is that understood?"

"Yeah Squall. I'll write a formal apology to Edea."

"And Seifer."

"… And Seifer," Zell mumbled dejectedly.

"You need to grow up and let go of this childish grudge you hold against Seifer. I do not want another repeat of this incident again. Your confinement has been lifted as of now."

Squall turned to leave.

"Why?"

Squall let go of the door handle and turned to gaze at Zell.

"Why what?"

"Why do you defend him? He has done so much, and has hurt so many people…" Zell trailed off, gazing back at Squall as he waited patiently for an answer.

"Because…"

'Because I…'

"I…"

'Don't want…'

"Believe…"

'him to…'

"That everyone…"

'ever…'

"Deserves a second chance."

'leave me again.'

Zell nodded in agreement.

"I guess even he deserves another chance, but let it be noted that I think that you're making a big mistake. He's already betrayed us once, you just can't ignore something like that Squall."

"Noted. Bye Zell."

"See ya."

Zell flopped back down onto his bed as Squall closed the door behind him silently.

'At least he didn't turn me into an ice cube.'

Squall walked slowly to his room, ignoring the giggling groups of students as they made their way to class.

'Why? Why am I feeling like this? Why do I care for him?'

Squall frowned, causing the passing group of first years to quieten as they walked past, afraid of angering the Commander of Balamb Garden.

'He's only been human for barely a day and I can't seem to get him out of my mind. Do I really care for him in this way, or am I confusing it with something else? I can't deny the fact that I missed him when he left, are these feelings coming from the relief that he's back?'

Squall touched his lips softly as he turned down the empty corridor to his dorm room.

'But if that's the case, then why do I react to him like that with only a kiss? Why must I keep reliving that moment when his mouth pressed against mine? A simple kiss from him shouldn't be able to steal my breath away.'

Squall shock his head angrily.

"Why did he have to kiss me! I was doing fine before, until he made these strange emotions appear from nowhere, making it impossible to ignore them. Rinoa never made me feel like this, so why him? Is this the way that I was supposed to feel with Rinoa? Is this how one feels when… No, of course not. He's a man and I've never been interested in men before, so why do I keep on thinking about Seifer of all people? Why not Rinoa or Quistis?'

Squall sighed as he keyed in the code to his dorm.

'This is getting me nowhere. Its just… too much, too soon. So many strange emotions… I just can't deal with this right now, not with a sorceress on the loose. Why did he have to do this to me?'

"You're back Squall. How did you go with Zell?"

Squall smiled distractedly at the older women sitting at the dinning room table, cup firmly held between her hands. Squall glanced around the room, turning his attention to Edea.

"How is he?"

Edea nodded towards the bedroom door.

"I'm not too sure really, he hasn't said a word since leaving your office. He's sleeping in your bed at the moment."

"I didn't expect him to react like that."

Edea smiled as she took a sip from her cup.

"Even as child he had the tendency to shut himself away like that when things got too much. He didn't do it often and it never lasted long, but it always distressed me to see him hurting like that and not being able to help him."

Squall nodded as he walked into the kitchen.

"Would you like another tea Matron?"

"No Thank You Squall, Edea called towards the kitchen as she placed her empty cup on the table and pushed the chair in.

"I promised Selphie that I would join her for lunch today."

Squall nodded silently as he walked her to the door.

"Thank you Matron."

Edea smiled as she placed a hand on his cheek.

"Don't worry Squall, everything will work out for the best in the end. Just give yourself some time – you'll work it out." Edea closed the door behind her, smiling at the confused look on Squall's face.

'Poor child, he just doesn't know what to make of these feelings he's having, though it should be obvious enough to him. I wonder how long it will take for him the work it out? I wonder how long Seifer will give him before forcing him to figure it out?'

Edea grinned at the thought as she walked away.

Squall pondered on the cryptic good bye as he walked across to his bedroom.

'I better make sure he's not dead or anything like that.'

Slowly opening and closing the door, Squall crept across the darkened room and gazed down on the sleeping blonde. Squall smiled softly as he brushed a stray golden strand from the man's face, resting his fingertips on the side of Seifer's face.

'He's so perfect, capable of getting any girl he wants, bad reputation and all, so why would he like someone like me? We are so different, my ice to his fire, so why do I feel so drawn to him?'

Squall slid onto the bed gently, trying not to disturb the blonde as he wrapped his arm around the older man, snuggling in close.

'What has he done to me?'

Another chapter done! This one is a bit short, but i felt that this was the best place to end it. I'm glad but also unhappy with the way i captured Squall's thoughts. Some of it pleases me, but others just seem a bit off. Remember to read and review :)