Pairings: Irvine/Squall, Reno/Vincent? Seifer/Zell? Kiros/Laguna, the rest is unknown at the moment and the ones with question marks I'm still thinking on. blinks If you wanna give suggestions for yaoi pairings please do so. They're welcomed. And from that I'll see what I can do about it.

Warnings: yaoi, AU, slight moments of nose bleed, possibly major angst in later chapters, emotion stress, attitude, crossovers, possibly major flirtation action, stuff even I don't know about

Author's comments:

Comments: things in italics lyrics or well, singing

things in bold what the character is thinking

Edited: Um….eh…it was edited? ::blinks::

FF Banding Together 3

"What the fuck is your problem?!" That was Irvine, staring heatedly at the guitar player for the band, his hat held in his hands, looking on the verge of being crumpled under his tight grip if he didn't get a hold on himself.

"I don't have a problem aside from your ignorance and your stupid libido. You can't stop looking at a single person for ONE moment!" And that was Squall Leonhart, pissed beyond belief. Or at least the most pissed off Zell had ever seen him. Was it possible for the normally indifference male to be angry? Not that Zell wasn't angry himself. However his anger was for a different cause…he was angry with Seifer still…. Why, oh WHY did that man always had to pick fun at him?!

Man, if they'd just allow me one swing at him, I'd knock him out!

Yeah, he was still that pissed. He wanted to just beat the guy until he couldn't move anymore then just beat him some more just for the hell of it. And it wasn't like he CHOSE to wear these clothes! It was in his contract! Zell growled and punched one hand against the other. To be honest they were lucky that Quistis wasn't here or else they'd be getting yelled at quite a lot. She was really, the only one that kept any form of order between them.

"Guys, be careful. There are still a lot of people wondering around that would love to use this against you," Rinoa said, already clinging onto Squall's arm to support him.

A flash of something came through Irvine's eyes and he sniffed turning his eyes away. "Whatever." Heh, that was a Squall line, wasn't it? But Zell was getting the idea of what must have been happening. Though they wouldn't admit it to each other, Irvine and Squall had a thing for each other. And because they didn't want to admit it, they did the best thing they could, pushed each other away by any means possible. Mostly that was angry words and insults. But…even now Irvine was looking at Squall, Zell could see it in his eyes. He could also see the jealousy playing around there at the sight of Rinoa. Normally Irvine was just a little bit calmed down when she wasn't there. Who knew Irvine could be jealous, not to mention gay…or bi at the least?

As for Squall, he just didn't like Irvine running around sleeping with everyone else. But he never put into consideration why he did it…ok maybe there was no real answer for that. But with Rinoa holding on like that, there was no chance of Irvine even trying to break in which meant, Zell had to do some planning. Now if he could just figure out a way to make it so that Irvine and Squall had a chance alone…behind closed and locked doors….

"Hey Zell, you listening?" Zell shook his head quickly at the voices and looked up curiously. Irvine was talking to him now. "I said did you wanna go get something to eat or are you just going to go sit in your room or something?"

"Huh? Hey yeah some food would be great! But let's check out this place first." Yeah, he was hungry, starved really. But he wanted to look around too because this was the first time he'd been in a hotel so huge! And…and he was also…well he just didn't want to run into that bastard Seifer. He smiled as Irvine placed an arm on his shoulder then frowned watching Squall turning and walking away. "Aren't you going to join us, Squall?"

Squall stopped where he was, looking over his shoulder at Irvine then at him before he shook his head. "Why do I care? I don't plan to stay here or to live here once this is done."

"Aww come on, it'll be fun," Rinoa said pulling on Squall's arm. "Besides we might find something interesting to see and play on…." There was a suggestion of something else there and it was enough to make Squall turn around, though reluctantly. Zell could feel Irvine stiffening beside him and grabbed his hand quickly trying to pull him out of that state. When he got like that, it was hard to get him to do anything. "Hey come on, maybe they have a pool somewhere around here!"

Irvine didn't like the feelings that were coursing through his body but he smiled as Zell pulled him along on down the hallway back towards where they had come in. Leave it to Zell to have the energy to give anyone a cause to feel good. In fact Irvine was already forgetting the bad feeling that tried to take him over. The pool…wait it would have been a good idea to have gotten some trunks before just going like that. But the thoughts of meeting that black haired angel…if he were lucky maybe he would be there at the pool. But why did he care to see him so much? And why did he call him an angel? That one girl was cute too though…what was her name? Fujin? Maybe he'd fuck her.

Zell tugged again. "I think there's supposed to be two kinds. An indoor one and an outdoor one," he said glancing back at Irvine then past him to Rinoa and Squall. "The outdoor one is probably prettier but the indoor one is cleaner we hope. So which will it be? I vote for indoors!"

"I vote for outdoors," Rinoa said raising a hand. "I'm really curious on how the city looks, maybe we'll see some pretty birds."

Irvine shook his head at that. "That's just not very smart, Rinoa. I'm going to have to go with Zell on this one. I don't want to end up swimming through bird poop."

"Who said we were going to swim anyway," Squall said glaring daggers at Irvine. "I'm voting for outdoors…just because everything you pick always turns out to be stupid."

"Why you fuck-"

"Hey hey!" Zell quickly held up his hands to dispel the conflict he could feel heating up between them. "There's no need to fight over this. How about we go to the outdoor one first for a little while then go to the indoor one before we start looking around again." He smiled as he got no complaints from that then once more grabbed Irvine's hand and started tugging him towards the elevator. "Then it's settled." Irvine huffed but he didn't fight anymore, watching as Zell pushed the button. He wondered if there were a jucuzzi here too. And maybe some beautiful women that wanted a night out with him. He didn't tell the others that Quistis didn't want him out of his room. In fact he had completely forgotten and ignored it anyway. Who was she to think she could control his life? Gods, she acted like she was his mother sometimes. Not that he knew his mother after all.

As the doors opened to the elevator the small group stepped inside and Zell once more took the honor of pressing the button. Number 25, that was the number of floors this building had. Still, he wondered where the other band members were supposed to stay at in this hotel. Oh man this leather was tight! Maybe he should have changed before agreeing to this. But well…Zell could be cute sometimes…when he wanted to be…when he wasn't trying to beat the crap out of someone…ok that wasn't often unless you made him reaaaaaaaaaaaally mad. The elevator stopped somewhere on floor 18 and the doors opened. Irvine had to quickly clamp his mouth shut at the person he saw step inside. It was Reno that smug bastard. But he wasn't alone, he seemed he managed to get at least two more of his members out of the room.

"Well fancy meeting you here like this," Reno said, his eyes watching Irvine making the cowboy have to hide his glare. Instead he just let his eyes wonder to the other two. As expected he didn't see the black haired male, only the other two, Cloud the guitarist and Rufus the drummer. This didn't shock him oddly but he was just a little disappointed. He'd never seen someone so beautiful. Someone so beautiful AND a male! It was like he had to prove it to himself by seeing him again. However…the elevator door closed and started moving again on its track up.

"Yeah…who'd have thought?" Irvine said pulling his grip from Zell's hand. This was actually the last male he wanted to see, especially after being hit on. Sure, the guy was hot…but there was something about him, something he just didn't like.

"Must be the fates conspiring to bring us together," Reno started again as he glanced to his two band mates before looking at Irvine again. Had Irvine looked to the side he would have seen Squall glaring at the red head standing across from the cowboy dressed male as well. There was a tension in the elevator and it was making Irvine uncomfortable and in need of breath.

Suddenly the elevator stopped and, thankfully, the door opened to the 25 floor where the members of SeeD stepped out followed shortly by the Chaos Materia group. As the rest of his group kept walking Irvine stopped and frowned looking to the other band group, which was now starting off in the other direction. "It was fancy meeting you again, but we have to go," Reno said winking at Irvine quickly before walking off again. "We'll meet again and talk later."

Irvine just shook his head trying to just let it go as he turned around to walk the other way. The ballrooms were the other way, and that was where the practices were to take place. So…the pool was in the direction of his group. Zell was waiting on him as he caught up and he started to walk beside him, staying silent. He didn't want to talk about it, not one bit. Squall was looking at him too, a strange look to his face that caused Irvine to scowl and glare at the lot of them.

"Would you just stop with the looks?! There's nothing going on, alright!" He didn't even wait for a response, shoving his hands into his pockets as best he could as he pushed past them heading towards the pool. His mind was in a state of confusion. His body…was shockingly in a state of arouse. The red haired Materia member was as good as he was with flirting, with just being magical. And Irvine just…wasn't comfortable with it he guessed. He'd always told himself he was straight…but lately, lately he'd been having other thoughts. He'd have dreams that where normally it was a female, it was a male now. And what was bad was that…he liked it. He didn't want admit it but he liked that feeling and …it was so wrong! His image, the whole thing that made him, was his being with women. What would that do to his reputation if the entire world knew he was into guys too? He'd be a laughingstock, he'd be criticized. But that didn't stop Zell…no people still loved him to death. But that wasn't the same, he wasn't Zell. Zell was cute…but Irvine was…as some women said in the past, a Greek god. He had a way with making any girl's heart pound with need.

He stopped as he went through the glass doors, and all his thoughts ceased in that instant. The sky…it was a beautiful sky, so clear yet filled with clouds that even now were making faces at him. A few birds let out a cry as they flew overhead, the sun peaking out past a cloud before going into hiding again. The breeze felt good too as well as the sound of someone in the pool. That was what had stopped him. His dark angel…was there. If he remembered right, the name was Vincent. He was a dancer…and Irvine could see why as well.

Vincent didn't seem to notice anyone there at the moment, his hand held up at the sky, limber fingers pointing out as a small bird moved, landing on it. The site was beautiful, seeing the man tame such creatures and Irvine almost could imagine seeing wings behind his back. His hair was wet as well, a sign that he had been inside the water at one point or another. Right now though he was standing at the center of the pool, the water around his waist as the bird stood on his fingers. What was odd, and disappointing to Irvine, was the fact that he had no trunks on. Instead he had something that reminded him of a wet suit, which was tight against him as well either way. Was he afraid of the light? No he was out here…afraid of tanning? Possibly…this was the coolest part of the day, so the sun's intensity wasn't even enough to do anything but light up the sky.

As Zell came out the door behind him, the bird flew off, the atmosphere broken by the intrusion. Vincent looked over, a small little glance before he moved through the water to the side, starting out of the pool at the steps. His hair floated behind him, so long, so dark. Irvine wanted to touch it…. Suddenly there was someone else behind him and Irvine turned around coming face to face with Squall. He could feel his breath being taken away there as well, staring into those striking blue eyes that just seemed to speak so many foreign words to him that Irvine quickly had to look away. His breathing was coming a little fast as he tried to control his urges and moved, walking towards the railing.

He could feel eyes on him, knew he was being watched and questioned but he wouldn't turn around, not just yet. He had just been faced with so many questions. He had just witness so much that he wasn't ready for yet. Now he just needed time to confront them. Maybe…he could talk to Zell about this…. He felt a hand on his shoulder and let down his guard starting to tremble slightly.

"Zell…gods I'm confused, what's wrong with me?!" He clutched at his head for a moment before he felt the other sit down beside him. However, a glance over showed a shocker. It was that dark angel again. A glance back showed the others sitting at the poolside talking, worrying probably. Mostly Zell was doing his best to keep everyone cheered up but he knew they were all watching. Then why was Squall staring so intently at him? He'd never seen him like this….

"Whatever it is, you should probably let it go," Vincent said resting his arms on the railing in front of him and placing his chin on his arms. Irvine admitted to himself again that he was a beautiful man, a male that sparked such…naughty perverted thoughts into his mind. It wasn't the same as Squall but it did give him thought and he really could not turn away from him.

"It's not that easy," Irvine chuckled lightly and turned his eyes back out to the sky, the city laid out below them so close yet so far. If he looked hard enough he could see the stadium where their performance would be held. Wow, one of his opponents was talking to him. Was that a good sign? "You know, when you believe something for so long and then you find out it could be false…it's surreal…" He had to force himself not to look over, to stare at him. This had been his fascination since coming here after all.

"It is…." Vincent started to his feet then, pushing from out of the chair. "When you are left with a choice you are forced to choose one or the other. Both, of course, will decide your fate. You can choose either the easy way out…or the hard way out…. But I speak from experience," Vincent said glancing at him, red eyes shining with a purpose and a sadness. "picking the easiest…will always leave you unfulfilled…and unhappy…." He turned away then, starting off towards the glass doors and leaving Irvine staring again, at the sway of hips, the smallness of a body that obviously held so much power. What could he possibly mean? "Your decision, your life, your choice. Choose wisely," Vincent said with a glance over his shoulder. He was gone right after, back out the doors leaving Irvine wondering what the chances were that he'd met him.

Heh, I'm getting advice from another band member. Who'd a thought….

Squall frowned. He didn't like that one. He didn't like that black haired male. He didn't know why, maybe it was the way Irvine was constantly staring at him. But then why did Squall care at all? Besides, he had his girlfriend right beside him. He just barely gave thought to Zell talking on the other side of him, barely gave thought to Rinoa hugging on his arm. No, his eyes were on Irvine. Why? He wasn't even sure why, but he couldn't look away. He felt…disappointed…angry…pissed…annoyed…he couldn't even begin to finish off the list. Either way it made him wish he had followed through with his first decision not to come here.

He stood up from the side of the pool, and walked over starting to put his boots back on. He felt the need to be alone, without Rinoa even. Problem was he didn't know where to go, he didn't really know this place yet. He felt eyes on him as he started away and instantly Rinoa was at his side, squeezing his arm.

"Squall, what's wrong?"

Squall shook his head at first, looking at her…she could normally cheer him up, why wasn't it working? He rested a hand on hers and squeezed slightly before he pushed it away. "Nothing…just need to think…alone."

"Oh well…ok…." She bit at her lips looking away sadly and it made Squall almost hug her, almost try to comfort her but he forced it away and moved quickly walking from the pool area. He could feel her eyes on him but he couldn't help it. Right then, watching Irvine talking to Vincent, watching those eyes on Vincent…so mystified he couldn't take it. It was worse than when the other was looking at the judges. And then there was anger again. How could he be looking at others like that?! But then it wasn't like he belonged to Squall or anything. But…he had to admit that Vincent was beautiful…maybe he was just jealous of that…no Squall did not get jealous.

Whatever…

He just kept walking shoving his hands into his pockets and leaning forward some, sulking. Not that he'd admit it to himself. No he was just mad that Irvine would still go around flirting shamelessly. And…did this mean he was admitting to being bi or gay finally? He wasn't sure. He didn't know if he wanted to be sure. Squall…was just lost in a confused haze.

TBC….

Ah I woulda continued this chapter but my brain was fried and I started to get lazy and I didn't want it to start getting weird so I figured I'd start again on the next one. More to come soon. We'll see how Irvine's doing…well we'll see how they're all done. Meet more band members, more conflicts…and more fun stuff! Suggestions for pairings aside from Irvine, Squall, Kiros, and Laguna welcomed!