Gummybears
By: Southwest Eggroll

Chapter Seven: Leave Me Breathless

~©~

Waste my days,

Drown aways,

It's just the thought of you,

In love with someone else,

It breaks my heart.

--- 'Keep Fishin' Weezer

~©~

THEY BOTH AGREED THAT THEIR vacation ended too soon. They purchased streamers and headed back to Garden the next day. Seifer slept most of the way and growled at Selphie when she sang too loud. When they arrived at the Parking Lot, Seifer waved good-bye to Selphie and told her he was going to crash at his dorm. Selphie wondered if she should be worried for him- he had slept a lot on the return trip. Then she reasoned that Seifer would go to the Infirmary if something was wrong. And then she realized that was not true. He stayed out of there as much as he could, avoided the place like going in there would make him look like a wussy.

She decided not to bother herself with it, instead she left for the Quad.

~©~

"WILL ALL SEED CANDIDATES REPORT to the Front Hall? I repeat: Will all SeeD candidates report to the Front Hall?" said a mechanical voice over the PA system. Seifer tensed.

So it was today, the SeeD exam.

The pre-requisite had been too easy for Seifer- way too easy. He slung his gunblade over his shoulder and walked casually down the hall, never betraying the nervous storm that was working itself up inside of his stomach. He normally wouldn't have been nervous- be he knew this was his last shot at SeeD. Every other time had been just another exam. But not this one, this was his very last chance, and he would not screw it up. He wondered if Quistis would put him as squad leader again. No, she wasn't stupid...As usual, he wasn't in his uniform. Seifer didn't know where it was- or if it even fit him, for that matter. Every year, students were given new uniforms. Seifer never went for a new one, so all he had was the uniform given to him when he first joined Garden. He doubted it would fit his frame now.

In the Front Hall, a group of students had gathered, and Cid was already giving his speech. It was the same every year. Seifer would know. Quistis waved him over to the side.

"You're in Squad B again," she whispered.

"Who's the leader?" Seifer asked quietly.

"Pilot Shaden," Quistis replied. "Nice guy."

Seifer clenched his fist. This was going to be wonderful.

~©~

XU WALKED INTO THE TRANSPORT vessel and greeted everyone but Seifer. She skipped over him, didn't even give him a raised eyebrow. He chuckled, and that earned him a glare from her.

"This mission is relatively simple," she began. "14 hours ago, a request for SeeD was made by the Winhill Legislature. An entire flock of Thrustaevis birds have swooped down on the city. They're trashing the place- tearing it to pieces, literally. There aren't many young people in that town to fend them off. You'll be the only squad in the city, and three SeeDs will be your back up, including Quistis and I. Your job is to clear out the monsters in the city. Simple enough, right?"

She paused, then eyed Seifer intently. "Any misconduct will result in a deduction from your score. Choosing whether or not to obey one order can make the difference between SeeD and the hotdog stand." Seifer smirked at her. He thought it was odd she would remind him, like she wanted him to make it.

"Lovely, as always, Xu," he said sardonically.

She did a sarcastic bow in his direction, then walked to the control part of the vessel, leaving Pilot, Seifer, Logue(the last third of their squad) and Quistis in the passenger space alone. Quistis sat, as always, with her hands folded and her posture perfect. Seifer smirked, and she raised an eyebrow at him.

"Yes?"

He shrugged. "You don't change."

"What exactly do you mean by that?" Quistis asked.

"Every year, you sit with your hands crossed in your lap, and your back stiff as a board. You should loosen up, Instructor, be more like-"

"Selphie?" she interjected, a wicked smile on her face.

Seifer leaned back and slung his arm over the bench-style seats they were in. "Yeah, more like Selphie."

~©~

QUISTIS SMILED TO HERSELF. SHE knew that if anything would shut Seifer up, it would be the mention of his relationship with Selphie. She had informed Quistis of their lovely weekend in Balamb, and Quistis was impressed. It was too obvious Seifer felt something for Selphie, even if Selphie didn't see it, and Seifer didn't know it.

The vessel came to a stop. Pilot opened the door, and ordered his squad out. They all gave Quistis a salute, then left for Winhill.

~©~

WINHILL WAS, FOR THE MOST part, deserted. It looked like a ghost town, save the monsters. Seifer sauntered in behind Pilot, Logue standing next to him.

"So let's get to kickin' some monster ass!" Logue exclaimed.

Oh, no...Logue was like Zell, only worse. Seifer smiled a very plastic smile at him.

"Yeah, monster ass," Seifer added lamely, with a lazy punch of his fist.

"Both of you knock it off," Pilot scolded. Logue glared at his back.

Seifer asked, "Knock what off? We weren't doing jack, captain."

"You're disrespecting me, cadet. Now let's get into the city. I see a bunch of Thrustaevis up there," he said, and jogged off. Seifer glared at his back as he followed him.

They dispensed of the Thrustaevis birds, just to be attacked by another flock. They quickly sent those back to the earth, and had a short rest period before they were attacked my another group. Attack, kill, stop. Attack, kill, stop. That was how their next two hours went. It was boring, and Seifer was itching for some real action. Thrustaevis birds were easier to kill than flies, literally. One bullet from Hyperion sent them backwards in the air.

"This mission sucks ass," Logue said. "It's so damn boring."

"No kidding. They get worse every year," Seifer pointed out. He ran a hand through his hair, looking smooth as he did so.

Pilot smiled wickedly. "Selphie told me last year's mission was pretty exciting. She tells me a lot."

Seifer Almasy, ex-Sorceress Knight, knew a challenge when he heard one. He stuck his gunblade in the ground and put a hand over the hilt. He smirked at Pilot.

"Yeah," he said. "She's a very trusting girl. But we didn't talk much at the hotel in Balamb." Seifer was simply stating an opinion, but he knew Pilot would read too far into the statement; Pilot would assume Seifer was implying that he and Selphie had sex. Which, he reflected, would get his ass kicked by Selphie if she ever found out. Pilot immediately frowned. A Thrustaevis bird swooped down behind Seifer and nipped him on the shoulder, taking a bit of skin with it.

"Fuckin' birds," Seifer growled. He wielded Hyperion and swung it once in the air. He aimed it at the little hellbird and fired. Like always, the thing roared, already half-dead, and flew backwards in the air. It charged forward with fury. Just then, pain exploded in Seifer's right arm, and it drove him to his knees. He impulsively grabbed at his arm and inspected it. A deep, diagonal gash ran from the base of his elbow to the front areas of his shoulder. A sword wound. Only one person in the squad wielded a sword: Pilot.

Seifer looked up. Pilot was wearing a shocked, innocent look that Seifer saw right through.

Thrustaevis birds smelled blood a mile away, and suddenly the entire flock was on them. Seifer felt himself grow suddenly tired; Pilot must've had Bio and Silence junctioned into his status attack. Poison was seeping its way into Seifer's blood stream, and he couldn't cast the Esuna to stop it. He lifted Hyperion with his good arm and quickly fended off a Thrustaevis. His breath was growing haggard, and he could feel the life draining out of him. He searched around in his pockets for something- anything- to keep him alive. If he KOed, the Thrustaevis would probably tear him apart. And he knew he couldn't count on Pilot to save him. Logue might protest, but he would ultimately follow his captain's orders. He found a High Potion and drank the liquid. The nasty wound healed a bit, but not by much. The poison was doing its part.

When it became available, Seifer used Demon Slice on a Thrustaevis that was doing a number on Logue. The exertion got Seifer on his knees again. He fell forward. I'm going to die, aren't I? All because of that punk Plane Guy. Little shit's got it bad for Selphie, and he thinks there's something going on between us. Me and the Messenger Girl. It's almost as funny as me and bouncy little Rin.

But that worked out, for a while anyway, didn't it? said a little voice in his head.

Then there was relief. And damn, it felt good. Seifer lifted himself up, poison free, and let the Curaga someone had just cast on him wash over him. It felt good, like a glass of ice cold water on a sweltering hot day. He got onto his feet again. Logue. He smiled at him and held out a hand.

"Thanks," he said. Logue shook his hand firmly.

Logue replied, "No prob Bob. I would've cast it on you sooner, but I didn't realize what was going on until you saved me from that bird back there. Thanks a lot for that, by the way."

Pilot looked positively disappointed. He glared at Logue. "If you can't fend off a Thrustaevis, what makes you fit for SeeD?"

Seifer narrowed his eyes at him. "Who the hell made you Headmaster?" he snarled.

"Not Headmaster, but squad leader. I own you, Almasy," Pilot replied viciously.

"The fuck you do," he replied. "I could-"

"Get you out of Garden before you could say 'jackass'," Pilot threatened.

Seifer smirked. "And then Selphie would be all yours, eh? It would solve your problem."

Pilot took a threatening step toward Seifer. A grin came to his face. "Oh, there never was a problem. You and I both know, when it comes right down to it, who she would choose between the two of us. Come on Seifer, you didn't really think she had feelings for you, did you? You're in over your head."

His words were like a lighter dropped into a bucket of gasoline. Seifer's eyes flashed, and he raised Hyperion just slightly, prepared himself to attack at the next moment. He snarled, "No, I think you are. Do you have any idea who you're messing with?"

"I know who you are. You're the Sorceress Knight. So does Selphie. She knows firsthand how ruthless you are."

Anger hit him like Mike Tyson, and in seconds, he was holding Pilot up by his collar, his face very close to his.

"Would you like to?" Seifer asked. "Learn firsthand how ruthless I can be?"

For the first time, Pilot's eyes showed fear. Fuckin' coward..."Fuck you, Shaden," Seifer hissed. He dropped him. Pilot fell, lost his balance and landed on his rear. Seifer stalked away, and took his pent up anger out on an unsuspecting Thrustaevis.

~©~

WITH THE MISSION COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY, Seifer was hoping he had SeeD in the bag. His only obstacle was Pilot. And as he was glaring at him through the corners of his eyes, his anger only permitted him to think of one way to deal with his obstacle. Seifer's hand tightened around Hyperion, and he begged Hyne for some willpower, just a little, too keep him from slicing up the pudgy bastard and-

Willpower...He inhaled and exhaled deeply, getting a look from Quistis. He glared, and she smiled at him. The act agitated him, and he decided to stare at a spot on the wall in the transport car. His jade eyes did not move from that spot all the way back to Balamb Garden.

When the car stopped in the Parking Lot, Seifer practically dived out of the car, feeling suffocated by then. He was suprised when he nearly tackled Selphie.

"Whoa! Hey, buddy!" she exclaimed. "I know you were dying to see me, but control yourself!" She wrapped her arms around his neck. "So how'd ya do?"

Seifer shrugged. "There was...a little trouble. Nothing I couldn't handle, though," he said loudly.

"So you're gonna make SeeD then? 'Cause I would die if you didn't!" Selphie replied dramatically. Just then, Pilot stepped out of the car.

"Selphie, hey!" he said. He waved. Selphie smiled at Seifer, winked and bounded off after Pilot. She jumped onto him, causing him to nearly fall over. "How've you been?"

"Just wonderful. Waiting for you and Seifer to finish up your exams. So, captain, you gonna give my buddy a good report? 'Cause I might never forgive you if you didn't!" she said, jokingly. Pilot smiled at her.

"We'll see about that," he said, and Seifer found it strangely menacing.

~©~

THREE AND A HALF HOURS later saw Seifer sitting in his dorm, staring at himself in the full body mirror. It wasn't a matter of vanity, rather he wanted to look good for Cid's introduction speech.

That is, if he was present for Cid's introduction speech.

Those three and a half long hours had seemed like an eternity to Seifer. He spent it waiting, scratching his head and pacing, waiting, being nervous, and waiting some more. He hadn't seen Selphie. She was probably off, singing inspirational songs with Pilot, or something soothing to the soul like that. The thought agitated him. Pilot was hooked on Selphie, it was obvious, but he'd gone too far at the SeeD exam. The 'accident' was not an accident, it was an attempt on his life. Seifer wasn't worried for himself- he could deal with Pilot- but what about Selphie? Between thinking of Selphie's safety and the outcome of his SeeD exam, Seifer was a wreck. On the inside, of course. Outside, he looked like the cocky guy he normally was. On his way to his dorm, Logue even commented that he looked composed. Seifer had smirked at him.

And then came the call.

"Will Christine Devonair, Shawna Hulet, Price Lacon, Chance Pendragon, Logue Quelm and Pilot Shaden report to the Headmaster's office?"

His heart sank, a thousand miles and more. Seifer felt sick, and he was on his way to puke in his toilet when the voice came back over the system.

"Excuse me? Huh...? W- Okay! Will Seifer Almasy please report to the Headmaster's office as well? Seifer Almasy to the Headmaster's office."

Seifer was stuck between being incredibly excited, nervous, half-scared shitless, insanely happy and anxious all at once. His myriad of emotions exploded into one great big exclamation that was probably heard a mile down.

"HELLLLLL YEEEAAAAHHH!" He stopped himself, thinking that he might turn out like Zell if this kept up. Seifer straightened his trench and adjusted his vest. More than ever, he wished he had his uniform. He opened the dorm door and walked out. Something small and slightly bony attacked him, and the only thing Seifer could think was Shit, I finally make SeeD and I get killed by a spider monkey. And then he realized it was Selphie.

"YOU MADE IT!" she shouted, jumping up and down, her arms still locked around him.

Seifer struggled to shrug her off. "Of course I did. Did you doubt me?"

"Never. Let's walk," she said. They started down the hall, and she asked, "How does it feel, SeeD?"

Seifer chuckled. "Ahh...It feels good."

"Of course it does! You're definitely gonna be at the party, right?" Selphie quizzed.

He began to shake his head- he hadn't intended on going.

"No- you can't say no, no! You're coming! I have to see you in your uniform!"

They arrived at the elevator and Seifer shrugged. "I'll think about it."

"No, you'll be there! Or I'm gonna kick your bum!" She stuck her tongue out at him. Seifer faked a grab at it, and she snapped backwards. His rich laugh filled the area, just as the elevator was closing. Selphie shouted after him, "That's not funny, mister!"

The doors closed, and Seifer was alone. The higher the elevator went, the worse is nervousness got. He checked his reflection in the doors, just as they pulled apart. He stepped out. The other new SeeDs were waiting nervously outside Cid's office. Pilot was leaning against the double doors, a hand on his chin and a complacent smile on his face. He gave Seifer a wicked grin. Seifer wanted more than ever to show Hyperion's sharper edge...but the doors opened(Pilot got pushed over), and two robed staff members beckoned for the candidates to enter. Chin in the air, Seifer walked calmly into the office...

~©~

HE WALKED OUT OF THE Headmaster's office smirking, and he owned the world. Seifer Almasy was finally and officially a SeeD.

~©~

"HEY STUD," SAID A CHEERY voice from behind him. Selphie came up beside him and bumped his hip playfully with hers. "You look cute in your uniform."

Seifer was going to reply with something like "I was thinking something more along the lines of unbearably sexy" but he was too stunned, too utterly amazed for words.

Selphie was clothed in a loose dress that was fitted around the waist and made of a very clingy material. Besides being low cut, it had thin straps. Her had been straightened and slightly curled inwards. In short, Seifer thought she looked beautiful. He always knew Selphie had a nice body, but he hadn't ever thought of her as beautiful. He wondered how he had missed it- those twinkling green eyes, full lips and wonderfully rosy cheeks.

"You look...beautiful," he said honestly.

She smiled at him. "Sorry, it's a habit. Since I'm so beautiful, you're gonna ask me to dance, right?"

He smirked. "I'd be an idiot if I didn't."

"Too late!" Selphie exclaimed, as she grabbed his arm and dragged him onto the dancefloor. He put his arm around her waist and crushed her body to his. He lowered his lips to her ears.

"Selphie, I have a confession to make."

"My flawless beauty had enchanted you and now you're madly in love with me?" she asked, her eyes twinkling.

He chuckled, "I couldn't dance to save my life."

Selphie looked up at him. "You're joking." But she looked into his eyes, and she saw that he wasn't. She giggled in his arms.

Seifer was entranced, embarrassed and just a little angry all at once. Angry because she laughed, and embarrassed because she had reason to. Seifer was entranced, though, because Selphie was flawlessly beautiful, with her head thrown back, her shoulders shaking lightly and her lips parted and turned up into a smile.

"Hey," he growled playfully, once he was able to function again, "you're making me look like an idiot."

She retorted, "I already said- it's too late for that! Okay, Seifer! I, Selphie Tilmitt, am your new dance instructor-"

"Hyne..."

"Now, put your left arm here, and your right arm there," she coached. The position was hardly intimate- Seifer didn't like it. He put both hands on her hips and pulled her closer to him.

"I kind of like this..." he whispered.

Blushing immensely, Selphie returned his hands to their proper positions. She sighed.

"I wonder how Quisty ever managed to put up with you," she said. "Okay-dokay! Step left...like so...step back...forward...right...Oooh, good! Yeah, like that. Okay, left...forward...back...right- ouch!" He stepped on her foot. "That's okay...Okies, now forward...Yeah, yeah! Like that!"

He stepped on her toes. Again. And again. And again. She wasn't frustrated at all- she found the situation extremely hilarious. Seifer, though, was getting cranky. He complained through the whole song.

"Selphie," he growled, "I can't do this. I couldn't dance-"

"To save your life, I know, I know! But one day, Sorceress Ultimecia might return and threaten to kill you unless you dance with her. What would you do then? What would I do without you?" she asked, half-kidding, half-not.

Seifer flashed her a grin. If Plane Guy could hear Selphie now...he thought. Feeling triumphant, he gave the simple step another shot. Selphie noticed that he was indeed trying. She was pleased, and put both her arms around his neck. He smirked at her, put his hands on her hips.

"All women succumb to the famous Almasy charm," he said.

She rolled her eyes and laid her head on his chest. Suddenly, she gasped.

"Hmm?"

"Seifer..." she said weakly, "I...I can...I can feel your heartbeat."

"That's a good thing, generally."

"I know, but...I...nevermind," she sighed. They swayed together for a while, absorbing the music and each other.

The song switched to a tango, and Selphie felt a tap on her shoulder. Pilot.

"May I?" he asked politely. Selphie smiled at him.

"No-" Seifer protested.

Selphie glared. "You tango? Wow!"

Pilot literally pulled Selphie away from Seifer. She looked back at him apologetically and was about to say something, but Pilot cut her off. Seifer stood, looking helplessly after them. In seconds, Pilot had her giggling and blushing like a schoolgirl. Seifer suddenly felt ridiculous, and he left the ballroom for the balcony.

A glass of sparkling wine in his hand, he leaned over the rail and let the breeze cool his temper off a little. He swirled the clear liquid around in the glass.

"It seems I've come down with a case of deja vu," said a voice. He half turned.

"Hello, Instructor," he said. "What are you talking about?"

Leaning over the rail as well, Quistis shrugged. She put a delicate hand over her mouth and giggled a bit.

"Oh...nothing. Just, last year...well, weren't you there? Didn't you see the whole Squall meets Rinoa act?"

Seifer frowned. "I heard they danced."

"Was that jealousy I heard?"

"No...More, curiosity. I have no idea where you're going with this."

"Isn't it obvious?" Quistis asked, turning halfway to him. He shook his head. "Seifer! Are you that blind. Selphie- hello!"

"We're not a couple," he growled lightly. "She's busy with Plane Guy."

Quistis put her lips to his ear.

"Then go get her," she whispered simply. And she walked away.

"Quistis-"

"Hmm?"

"Thank...you," Seifer said awkwardly. She smiled.

~©~

HE WALKED BACK INTO THE ballroom and searched around for Selphie. She was patting Zell on the back. Seifer guessed he had choked on another hotdog. It seemed he was prone to that. Seifer walked purposefully to the table, smiled at Selphie.

"Hey Seifer," she said. "Just saving Zell's life."

"Thanks..." Zell croaked, his voice raspy. He pounded on his chest.

"What happened to Plane Guy?" Seifer quizzed.

Selphie's eyes went big. She hid behind Seifer's back and moved him so he was facing the dancefloor, and she was behind him.

"I'm trying to escape from him..." she whispered. "He keeps wanting to dance...but I'm so dizzy from all his spinning. Did you know he took dance lessons when he was a kid? I didn't..."

He saw an opportunity and turned around to face her.

"Why don't I walk you to your dorm?" Seifer asked innocently.

She looked at him skeptically, narrowing her eyes. "Hmm...okay. Just hide me!"

Together, they walked out of the ballroom. They ducked around the halls, and Selphie began humming the Mission Impossible theme song. Seifer smirked as she held up an imaginary gun.

"Cover me!" she whispered. He expected for her to do a ninja dive roll any minute now. They arrived at her dorm, and Selphie turned to face him. She gave him a nice, long once over, and he grinned at her.

"You do look good in your SeeD uniform. You should wear it more often," Selphie declared. She began to turn to her dorm, but Seifer caught her chin gently in his hands, closed his eyes, and leaned over her.

Just as their lips were coming together, Selphie asked, "You're going to kiss me, aren't you?"

Their lips were brushing together as he replied, "That's the basic idea..."

Selphie ignored the pleasant tingling that was everywhere. She said, "And if I resist?"

He chuckled and pulled away from her. His eyes glinting devilishly, he said, "Look me in the eye and tell me you don't want this."

Selphie stammered, "Hey! Well- I- You're so...lapdog!" She swung her arm around his neck, brought his lips down to meet hers and crushed herself against him.

In one moment driven purely by desire, Seifer experienced perfect heaven. Gone was his messed up past, his worries, his hidden insecurities. Just then, all he knew was Selphie, and their wonderful, wonderful moment. He slipped his hands around her waist, just as she pulled her lips off of his. He put his forehead down to hers, and she breathed for a minute.

"How was I?" she squeaked.

Seifer placed a kiss on her jaw..."Perfect," he muttered...her neck...her shoulders...

She put her hand to his chest and pushed gently. "You better go," Selphie managed evenly.

He smirked regretfully at her. Seifer bent over her and placed a soft, barely-there butterfly kiss on her cheek.

"'Night, Sefie."

She smiled at him and waved, thinking that at any given moment she might fall to the ground because of her weak little knees. He disappeared around a corner, and Selphie was breathless.

~©~

NOTE: Okay, lots of things to say...first of all...I'm nervous about this chapter, just like ALL the others. Chapter Six was a big success- 18 reviews, I think- and I'm just hoping this one lives up to expectations. Also, this was kind of a turning point. I'm an extremely hopeless romantic- expect sappiness. Though I'll try to keep it at reasonable levels. ^_^ AND- sorry for the long time no update! School started last Monday, and I've been so bogged down with homework, and forms, and all that preliminary crap! Ech, it all sucks! Since I've got school and homework, expect longer periods inbetween updates v_v. I WON'T ever stop updating this fic, unless I lose interest in it, but...gosh, I love Selphie x Seifer so much, how could I ever get bored with it? Seriously, sometimes I surprise myself...

I'd like to give huge shoutouts to a lot of people!

First and foremost, mercurymari83, thank you so much! Your reviews are helping me tremendously, and they also gave me a much needed confidence boost! Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou! *takes deep breath* Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!

To Saphire-in-the-mist and Dalpal - I'm so GLAD you guys think that the Selphie x Seifer pairing can work! One by one, I'll convert you all! MUAHAHAHAHA! -ahem- Sorry...I have a confession to make to you, too...(At heart, Seiftis will always be my favorite pairing.) *GASP* *dodges things*

To everyone else who reviewed- I love you guys! A good review on a bad day really turns things around, and I'm going to make a point to go and read all your stuff and return the favor once I'm through with Gummybears!

To those who stuck Gummybears on their favorites list- Could you flatter me any more?!?! I nearly cried when I found Gummybears on a few favorites lists! Thank you so, so, so, so much for your support. You have NO idea what it means to me. I'm working really hard to live up to expectations, and it's all for you guys!!