(2)

Of Pain and Remedies

Seifer gritted his teeth at the situation he was forced to out up with. It's been three nights since his encounter with Squall. A jumpy brunette hanged on his arm and chatted away lively as he walked through the streets of an equally lively neighborhood.

In truth the blonde wanted nothing more than to dump her in the nearest dumpster along with all the bags he carried, which contained items his money had bought for her.

'Why am I doing this again?' he asked himself in utter disbelief and annoyance. 'Ah yes to get my mother off my back.' He answered his own question.

"And do you know what she said?" the woman chirped and droned on and on in a senseless fashion.

'For heaven's sake why doesn't my mother date all these women and just pretend she's me for a change! What the hell…I can't even remember this silly woman's name!' just when Seifer thought he was actually going to ditch her and run off like his ass was on fire the woman stopped him and pointed to a dark alleyway, "Look, Seifer darling, is he dead? I think we should help him…Look!"

Seifer turned to where she was pointing, impatience carved in his aristocratic face which was soon taken over by recognition, surprise, understanding then back to it's former annoyance.

He pulled away from his date and bent beside the stained form of a young brunet.

The blonde pulled off his jacket and covered Squall's barely clad figure. Blood was seeping form the side of the brunet's mouth and there were too many bruises to count, also the blood trickling down his naked thighs confirmed Seifer's earlier worries and suspicion.

"What are you doing? The boy's…dirty…leave him alone…Seifer!"

"Listen woman…dammit I can't even remember your name… take the bags and go home."

"But Seifer…I'm your date."

"Date's over…go find yourself a deaf date or a complete fool who would put up with a blabbery chit for that matter. Get lost already."

The woman turned and ran, but not after taking her goods, Seifer noticed.

With a snort he gently picked up the boy, frowning at how light he was, "Man, I've carried women who weighed more than you."

Ignoring the crowd's stares and whispers he made his way to a black convertible parked in the shadows. Setting Squall comfortably in the passenger seat and speeding away to his estate.

"You sure are early today, Seifer." His house keeper, Marlene, smiled. However she soon lost that motherly smile of hers when her keen blue eyes fell on the brunet cradled in Seifer's arms, "My, what happened here."

"That's what I'd like to know, Mary. Please prepare the guestroom, and some chicken soup, a bath too. Call Dr. Reynolds and have him come here immediately. Also, please get me a pair of shorts and cotton shirt from my dresser."

Squall moaned slightly and whimpered as the Dr. inspected his wounds and bruises, "Like you said he had been raped, but I figure he was also drugged since the crook of his arm has such a bloody bruise and he is still unconscious."

Seifer's eyes scanned the brunet's trim body with intense jade eyes. "He won't be coming around till the middle of the night probably. I'll prescribe some antibiotics to prevent any infections. Don't worry Seifer…I'm sure he will be just fine. It's really the memory that will hurt but the boy looks capable and old enough to get over it."

Seifer sighed and turned to his trusted doctor, "Thanks a lot Brad; my drivers will drop you home if you want. Please call Mary on your way out."

Dr. Reynolds smiled kindly, "I've treated you since you were nothing but a toddler…Take care of yourself okay?"

Seifer smiled, one of very rare sincere smiles, "Yeah, I will."

"Which means you will be eating breakfasts form today?" Brad chuckled.

"Mary is a tattletale." Seifer said with mock hurt.

Brad laughed on his way out, "I'll let you deal with her then. See you my friend."

Seifer waved and strode to the window, pulling back the drapes to reveal a full moon.

"The guestroom is ready…will you transfer him?" Mary asked.

"Nah," Seifer turned to the bandaged brunet sleeping comfortably on his bed, "Just prepare the sofa please."

Mary raised an eyebrow, "Well this is a first. I remember you sent girls crying and turned you back on weeping women… this is a change."

"Mary." Seifer growled.

"If you are sure I will proceed with the preparations immediately." Seifer shrugged his confirmation and walked to the bathroom to freshen up and change.

A slight cry woke the blonde up. Shifting from his place on the sofa, Seifer made his way to Squall, who had begun crying and calling out in his sleep.

"Hey, kid, wake up. Hey." Seifer sat by the boy's hip and pulled him into his protective arms. It has barely been two hours and Squall's hair was still slightly damp from the bath Seifer had given him.

"Hey, kid, dammit get a hold of yourself." Seifer growled as the brunet thrashed about in his arms.

Finally Squall opened his eyes, gasping at the warmth enveloping his being. A tear slipped down his cheek and he frowned that he had been crying in his sleep again.

Seifer pulled away slightly to look down at the brunet's face, "Glad you decided to come back at last."

Squall yelped at the achingly familiar voice, "You!"

"Did you think you had died and gone to heaven…me being the angel saddled with the task of watching over you?" Seifer drawled.

"Tche, it would be more like hell if I'm in your arms." Squall joked as he betrayed his words by snuggling closer and burying his face in the crook of Seifer's neck.

The blonde smiled slightly, "So…" he started turning serious, "How about you tell me what the hell happened to you? For your info. You were lying in an alleyway half naked and totally unconscious."

Squall pulled away to sit on the bed, a frown adorning his pretty face, "I..." the brunet seemed lost in his memories. A man…his lover for the night…yes that was it…he could remember the needle and then …nothingness…

"I can't remember…I don't know." Squall lied.

"You're a bad liar, you know." Seifer glared at the brunet.

Squall hugged his knees to his chest, noticing the comfortable clothes and the bandages, "I'm sorry…it's nothing you need to worry about…I can take care of myself. Sorry I seem to trouble you."

He scooted to the edge of the bed, "I'll be on my way."

Seifer's frown deepened at Squall's petty attempt to stand.

The brunet cried as his knees buckled and he fell on the ground. Looking up with tears in his eyes, Squall smiled, "I'm fine…just gimme a few moments…heh."

Seifer stood up and extended his hand for Squall to take, "You know," Seifer stated and he supported Squall's weight, "Half the night is already done…you might as well spend the rest of it here…no one's chasing you away."

Squall cleared his throat, "I overstayed my welcome already…I bet I even spoiled the sheets. You already did a lot for me and I could never repay you for the favors, really. Thank you so much."

Squall let go of Seifer's arm and staggered to the door, his legs were shaky and his whole body seemed to hurt. Seifer was beside him when he stumbled forward, catching him by the waist and helping him regain his balance, "Squall, was it?"

Squall nodded. Seifer rolled his eyes, "Please stay. I really don't think you are a burden…but if you really have to go I will drop you off."

That seemed to change the brunet's mind, "Are you sure I could stay?"

Seifer nodded in an offhanded manner and picked Squall up in his arms, laying him gently down on the bed.

"Do you want to call your parents? They must be worried." Squall shrugged, "They don't know."

Seifer sat on the edge of the bed again, "You snuck out?"

Squall chuckled, "No it's nothing like that. I don't have a home to sneak out of in the first place." Seifer frowned in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"My father…left a long time ago and my mother in staying somewhere."

"And you?" Seifer inquired.

"Oh…heh…I stay someplace." Squall turned away from Seifer's bright emerald eyes.

"And I gather this 'someplace' you are staying in is different from the 'somewhere' you mom is?"

Squall shrugged and closed his eyes.

"We'll talk more in the morning then." Seifer stood to walk back to his makeshift bed when Squall's soft, musical voice stopped him, "Please…don't go. Sleep next to me. There is room for the both us. Please." Squall implored with misty grey eyes that reminded Seifer of a wolf's.

"Scoot over." Seifer climbed under the blankets but gave Squall is back.

The brunet didn't seem to mind as he snuggled closer against Seifer's back, "Your back is so broad…it' feels so nice and safe."

"Go to sleep. It's late."

Squall closed his eyes, a small smile on his lips, "you are so kind."

Seifer snorted and turned around to gather the brunet into his arms, "Go to sleep."

Squall nodded his head, silky brown strands of hair falling to cover his face and he cuddled against Seifer's strong chest, "This feels so nice."

Seifer silently agreed and buried his face in Squall's hair.