3Disclaimer: Don't own characters. Square-enix does.
Author's notes: in the Japanese game, Zell likes bread, not hot-dogs. I've made the switch and Zell therefore likes bread in this story as well. Also, I apologize for the unusually long delay. I just had no computer time- the story is finished, and it will be finished here.
There was someone else in the room, Zell noted as he faked sleep and waited for Seifer's apology. Stupid bastard. He couldn't help his face from giving a pout. Seifer sat on the bed, too close for Zell's comfort. Zell hoped Seifer wasn't looking too far down.
Seifer chuckled weakly, coaxing Zell's arms away from his chest and placing Zell's hand to the gunblader's face. "You'd kill me with these," Seifer whispered, and Zell shivered. Seifer was well aware of how Zell wanted to hit back.
Seifer placed Zell's hand down and paused, as if thinking of something. Quickly, he picked up the hand again and kissed it, then gently laid it down where it had been. Seifer then shook the blonde. "Zell. Zell, wake up."
Zell pretended to wake, looking at Seifer. Oh, he shouldn't have done that. Seifer was making his heart beat faster just because it was dark and he couldn't see all of him.
"Get in the covers, Zell. You're cold." Seifer opened one side up and Zell slipped in, too shocked to do otherwise. Seifer had actually noticed his shiver. Just how close had Seifer been watching, anyway?
"Why did you hit me?" Zell asked, but Seifer just gave a smile and ruffled Zell's hair as he walked away, letting Zell sleep again. Oh, no. Zell wasn't letting him off easily. "Seifer?" You stupid jerk, you'll tell me why you hit me when you've been sneaking in all these kisses.
Seifer paused before looking back, a sort of pained expression on his face. Zell closed his eyes. "I'm still cold." That wasn't what he had meant to say. Swallowing, he was afraid he was going weak whenever Seifer pulled out a hurt face. He'd never seen it before.
Hell, he'd never felt Seifer kiss him before, either.
Seifer took a breath, and Zell knew Seifer was going to refuse, so he quickly stated, "But thank you." No apology. Seifer was still to arrogant for that. He was still too proud to apologize to his little Chicken. Wait… what the hell did I just think?
Seifer nodded, leaving. Zell heard the TV shut off and the dishes being put away. Zell never did eat that sandwich, he remembered, and smacked himself for not eating bread. Zell was almost asleep when he felt a sag in the bed as Seifer got in, several layers of pjs on him as well. Zell should have done the same, but now he was too tired to care.
Zell liked the warmth, and moved into it instinctively, not hearing the sharp inhale or feeling the arms around him possessively. But he did remember the kiss to his forehead, and the voice as he fell asleep, though he couldn't quite remember the words.
...there's supposed to be a space here...
Zell woke up, aware that someone had slept next to him and had gotten out of bed. He looked up at the man and blushed deeply and faked sleep again. It was not a good idea to see Seifer get dressed in the morning, not if he was going to stay with Seifer for a few more days. Not if he was going to be an ideal guest for the two of them.
Why did he always have to look at a guy's ass first anyway?
Back to more important things, he was cold now that Seifer was gone. He frowned; he didn't feel like getting Seifer back in the bed. Last night must have been a weakness of some kind. Or maybe it was Seifer's version of an apology, one that didn't seem all stuck-up and normal. Zell smiled to himself, strangely happy. An apology from Seifer made him feel tingly for no reason.
And Seifer had kissed him again. This was the fourth time. There was no doubt in Zell's mind that Seifer liked him, and he wondered strangely why. Seifer hated him. Seifer always picked on him. Was it to get the attention? Did he crave Zell's attention the way Zell craved his?
/"My pretty, rebellious Chicken…" Seifer's face so close, in the very bed Zell was in now, Seifer above him.../ Zell gasped, the image much to vivid to hold inside. He shivered; Seifer must have seen him. No! I'm not gonna think of that jerk like this…
Seifer moved over to the bed and closed the covers around Zell, and Zell gave a mumble in response. Seifer chuckled again. "Cute little chicken." Zell knew he blushed.
As Seifer left Zell took in a deep breath. He could do this. He could live with this for a few days. He could live with the dreams and the confusion and the hard-ons and kissing and sex-
"I did not just say that!" Zell yelled, then covered his mouth. Oh, shit. Fuckin' hell! I'm not attracted to this bastard!
"Zell?" came the voice, and Zell held back a groan as his cock jumped, delighted. "Zell? Are you dreaming?" Zell made no response and the feet walked away.
"Dreamin' 'bout you," Zell mumbled into his pillow. Oh, Hyne, this was not happening.
...space...
Zell emerged about thirty minutes later, wanting to use the shower so he wouldn't dirty up Seifer's sheets. Needless to say Zell had taken off his shirt so Seifer couldn't see his pants. Seifer's eyes seemed to flicker hungrily at his exposed skin, but then Ice Seifer was back, pointing to the bathroom. Zell thanked him, and apologized for the other day. As he shut the door, he heard a response- very soft.
"You shouldn't have to," Seifer whispered. Zell leaned up on the door, wondering if Seifer would open it, if Seifer would come and take this…feeling away. He couldn't fall in love. There were lots of people in love with him! The library girl, for one example. He'd be a complete jerk if he suddenly announced, "Sorry, but I'm going out with my archenemy."
Zell took off the rest of his clothes, leaving them by the door. As he started the water, he looked at the cabinet mirror, wondering what Seifer saw in him. A fighter? Someone strong? Someone emotional, who needed a foundation? Was Zell someone who needed to be kept in restraint just like Seifer needed someone to protect? Zell wasn't weak, that was for sure. Zell slipped into the shower, trying to figure out if they ever would have a relationship.
He shivered at the prospect of having someone there to be…dominant, but not as much as like a… master. Someone who could meet his ups and downs as well as switch. Never having these thoughts before, especially not of a man, Zell swallowed, wondering if Seifer would ever give him a blowjob.
Oh, Hyne, why the hell had he just thought that? His hands slowly stroked himself under the water, picturing Seifer, realizing exactly what was going on. Seifer was trying to push him away, mentally. He groaned. "Seifer-" he whispered to himself. As he heard his voice, he suddenly was filled with dread.
What the hell am I thinking? Oh, shit, oh, shit, I am not jacking off to a man in his shower!
With an image of Seifer creeping up toward his lips, kissing along his chest, hands around his member, Zell continued, hard pressed to feel guilty. Hell, he decided, my emotions always get away from me, so why not now?
His imaginary Seifer got a few more moans and then Zell came suddenly, the feeling so much better now and allowing him to think straight.
Love or lust, Zell was attracted. He sighed. I suppose there's no way to get over this…
Zell clambered out of the shower, smiling bigger than he had all mission. He could almost envision Seifer later that night, arms wrapped around them as they fell asleep, his head cradled against Seifer's warm pajamas. Zell looked around and realized his clothes were gone. When had Seifer come to take them? Had Seifer seen him…
Oh, Hyne, please, no.
"Seifer?" Zell called out, the door creeping open.
"What?" Seifer yelled back. "Shut the hell up, Chicken!"
Zell clucked his tongue and waited patiently for Seifer when he heard the voice.
The boss's voice, to be specific. The boss was here, looking for him. But Seifer hadn't turned him in; was the boss after Seifer, too? Zell worriedly stepped back and looked in the drawers for anything to hide his face. The boss knew him and knew what he looked like far too well. Why was the boss back here?
Grinning as he found cover-up, he quickly applied it to his tattoo, almost draining the entire bottle and flushing it down the toilet so the Boss couldn't trace it. He rubbed it in and he grinned. There wasn't a trace of it left, but he washed his hands just as Seifer knocked on the door.
"Chicken?" Seifer called, a hint of worried ness in his voice.
"Hmm?" Zell asked, opening the door to the Boss, a lackey and Seifer's own surprised eyes. "Can I help you?"
The boss glared at his lackey and gave Seifer an odd gesture before turning to Zell. "My apologizes," he stated, and Zell realized the boss was looking at his towel. Or rather, trying to figure out what was underneath it. Zell blushed and nodded as Seifer handed him his "clothes" and walked the boss to the door. As it shut, Seifer watched them go and then hissed-
"Get away from the windows."
Zell did as he was told, moving to the living room to put on his clothes and sat there, patiently until Seifer had closed all the blinds and pulled him into a hug. "I thought we'd be dead for sure," Seifer whispered into his ear. "I'll never call you stupid again."
Zell wasn't sure he liked the sudden closeness and responded. "We'll need more cover-up. I flushed it."
Seifer tensed, but then nodded, sighing and letting Zell go. "All right. I'll have Fujin get us some. She's just upstairs." Seifer moved off of Zell. "That was brilliant."
The little blonde swallowed, afraid of saying anything but wanting to nonetheless. Why exactly was the boss here? "Where are my real clothes?" he asked, and Seifer shrugged. Zell grew hurt but Seifer returned with toast. Zell took his piece. "Why'd the boss show up?" he asked, hoping to figure out what was going on.
Seifer dodged the question. "We may have to leave at some point. He's interested in Chicken." Seifer looked at him, studying for a reaction.
"Well," Zell started, "He is kinda sexy." Realizing what he said he covered his mouth the best he could, but Seifer was staring at him as if he were crazy. "Sorry. Homophobic?" No, you just love me, right? So you're jealous.
Seifer turned, not responding and then picking up the plates harshly and dumping them in the water. Angered by Seifer's outburst, Zell stood, glaring at the taller man's back. "Hey, why the hell are you mad at me for?"
Seifer said nothing, and Zell walked up to him, turning him around. "Look. I don't want this anymore than you do, but I'll keep quiet and rational if you just stop getting so angry. Why the hell are you getting angry fo-"
Seifer pushed him back, causing Zell to fall onto the floor. It kind of hurt, but the pain didn't matter after a while. Seifer fell on top of him, whispering some magic. Pain. Why would Seifer cast Pain on somebody he liked? Oh, right. The pushing away part, Zell reminded himself.
Zell couldn't move his hands to shut him up, and he still wasn't junctioned, so he did the next best thing.
He kissed Seifer. It was a small peck, but Zell blushed as he did it. Seifer really didn't taste too bad.
And Hyne help him, Seifer kissed him back.
