(9)

Of Salty Waters and Healing Wounds

Monday came sooner than the brunet had wanted. He had barely worried the past week, trying to keep up with Seifer's lifestyle.

Although the blonde told him he liked him just the way he was, Squall wanted to learn everything about being and aristocrat. Thankfully Mary was always there to aid him and she kept rooting for him and Seifer, being a mother that Squall never had.

Seifer walked by Squall to Trisha's room, "You should have told me before of your mother's condition. We will treat her with the best that money can buy, Squall."

The brunet shook his head, "It's really not as easy as you think, mother won't take lightly to being a charity case…that's how she's going to put it…I know."

Squall stopped by the door, "Ummm… Seifer…could you wait here for me…I'll be out in a moment. Please?" Squall implored shakily.

"If anything happens"

"Don't worry. I'm fine."

Seifer snorted, "I'll wait."

Squall opened the door after a brief knock, "Hey mother."

With a backward smile, Squall shut the door behind him.

"What the hell are you doing here? I thought I told you to get lost!" Trisha glared at her son.

"Mother"

"Well look at you, bastard. What's with the rich and mighty clothes? Found yourself a crazy lover who would pay for you…charity case."

Squall shrugged, "Seifer isn't like that."

Trisha slapped him across the face, "Don't talk back to me you bastard. Don't ever think, just because you wear leather, that you would be high enough for anyone's standards."

"I'm sorry." Squall frowned.

Trisha's fingers were already digging into the tender flesh of his neck, "Why don't you just die!" Trisha screamed.

Squall closed his eyes, "I came here" He winced as Trisha's nails wrought blood, but continued nevertheless, "To ask if you would agree to go to a hospital and get properly treated."

Trisha's grey eyes that looked so much like her son's widened with disbelief, "I'm choking you…is that all you could think of?"

"I don't care…I'm sure I deserve it."

Trisha glared at him, "Get out you weakling! Go to hell…why can't you be more a man…you sissy, good-for-nothing."

Squall sadly smiled, "Mother…will you at least think about my offer?"

"Go to hell, you and that devil who thinks money could buy love! Get the Fuck out of here! Get out."

Seifer opened the door and turned to Squall, "You heard the woman, let's go."

"Oh, you're Seifer, eh?"

The blonde ignored Trisha as he pulled Squall out of her room, "I see he overstayed his welcome, I'll be taking him from now on."

Seifer pushed Squall outside and turned to Trisha, "I've never had the misfortune to meet a mother like you, although considering it is Squall's second name I shouldn't be so surprised now, should I?"

Squall was sitting outside, out of eyesight and earshot.

Trisha smiled, "Take care of him, will you."

Seifer raised a brow but Trisha's mood changed faster than lightning and she was glaring and spitting insults like the wind.

Seifer spared her a last glance before walking out to Squall, who looked like he swallowed a hedgehog.

"Your neck is bleeding."

Squall ran his fingers across his stinging flesh, "Tche, it doesn't really hurt, wouldn't have noticed if you haven't spoken up…"

Seifer walked over to him and extended his arm for Squall to hag on to, "You know, I have a house by the beach, you want to go?"

Squall smiled, "Sure. I love the sea."

Seifer nodded and it was settled.

Half an hour later Squall was standing in front of the most beautiful beach house he had ever laid eyes upon, "Wow, you live here!"

"No, I just come here when I'm bored or trying to get away from the city troubles."

Squall's mood lightened immensely as he stared out at the gentle waves and white sand.

Seifer and he were met at the door by an elderly man, "Seifer, it sure has been a while."

Seifer smiled kindly, "Al, this is Squall, my lover. Squall, this is Al, Mary's husband."

Squall smiled, "Mary told me about you."

"Really?" Al laughed, "She told me about you too."

Squall chuckled, "So Mary comes here on weekends?"

Seifer nodded, "Al, We are going for a little swim, please arrange my bedroom and have lunch prepared outside."

"Yes, Seifer."

Squall sat in front of the mirror, "I don't have swimming trunks."

"You can use one of mine."

"They'll fall off." Squall complained.

Seifer chuckled, "Who needs them? They are bound to be taken off anyway."

Seifer chuckled as Squall's cheeks heated, "You really are a shy one."

Squall stuck out his tongue as he tried on one of Seifer's trunks. They didn't call off but they barely clung to his hips.

Squall followed Seifer into the warm water. The blonde stopped when the water reached his chest, the brunet already swimming to stay afloat. The wounds on his neck stung in the salty water.

Seifer pulled him closer and Squall wrapped his legs around the other's waist. The blonde began licking Squall's wounds in a soothing fashion, suckling on some points to remove the sting of the sea.

Squall threw his head back and closed his eyes, seeming to savor every aspect of the moment. Seifer felt like making love to the brunet with everything he had.

'Why was the grey-eyed kid so damn kind and innocent! Why the hell does he go through so much pain yet he still smiles and laughs! It's not fair that he's like this!'

Seifer pressed his face to Squall's throat, "Why are you so damn…you."

Squall opened his eyes and looked down on his lover, "Huh?"

Seifer frowned and tilted Squall's chin heavenward, "I never thought a person like you would ever exist."

Squall chuckled, "You exaggerate."

"You understate." Seifer sucked on another of Squall's small nicks, leaving a third love bite.

Squall sighed, "I love you so much…it hurts."

Seifer tried to ignore Squall's avowals of love but it has become increasingly difficult the past week.

Squall had sworn his love every night since the day they became lovers but the statement was always ignored or overlooked by the cynical blonde.

"Stop it."

Squall pouted, "You're mad?"

Seifer looked up, "No."

He walked out of the water, Squall still clinging to his waist, his arms wrapped around the blonde's neck, "Don't be angry…I know you hate it when I tell you I love you, but it's so hard to keep it inside when you're so good to me…I can't help it."

Seifer laid Squall down on the blankets the servants had laid out for them. Squall didn't seem to notice as Seifer proceeded to make love to him, "You know, you make me feel safe and protected…I never have to worry when I am with you."

Seifer's heart skipped a beat but he seemed determined to block out the brunet's words.

"When you hug me at night and smile…it makes me feel like I belong…like my existence means something to someone. Unlike what mother says…someone would miss me if I die…when I'm with you…it feels like all my problems and worries are trivial and that together we might actually overcome obstacles."

Seifer sighed, starting to pull off the brunet's trunks.

"I know we might fight, but that's okay…I don't mind…because I know at the end of the day you're just an arm's reach away."

Seifer stopped and stared deep into grey orbs that reflected the sea in their depths.

"Even if you don't love me…I know deep down you care for me…it says so in your smile and your touch…you're so strong but with me…your hands never brought me pain…you treat me like a fragile vase."

Squall chuckled but just then noticed Seifer's tender gaze. "Oh…look…your eyes are so expressive."

"Really?" Seifer's voice was clouded with emotion, "What are they saying now?"

Squall looked thoughtful for a moment before his face lit up with a knowing smile, "That you love me too."

Seifer hovered above him, a broad smile showing off a dimple in his left cheek, "Looks like my eyes are traitors."

Al walked over to the couple resting peacefully under the umbrella. Squall was sleeping, cuddled against Seifer's side, his arm and leg draped snugly across the blonde's tanned form.

"Seifer…" Al started, sounding worried and contrite, "Your mother and Ms. Rinoa just arrived, and they know you're here from your car."

Seifer's eyes narrowed and he gently pulled away from the sleeping brunet, "I'll be there in a moment."

Squall sighed and turned to his side. "Squall just slept and I assume he won't be awakening for a while, please stay with him for a while."

Seifer stood up and followed Al into his mansion, walking over to where his mother and the persistent brunette stood.

"That is convenient…you were swimming? I hope we we're not bothering you. Here, Rinoa, go put on your swimming suit and Seifer will take you for a swim."

"Like hell…I'd accidentally drown her. What the hell is her swimming suit doing here anyway?"

Raine smiled, "Well, since Rinoa will be the matron of this house, it is only right that I show her around."

Seifer glared at the brunette, "I would advise you to stop playing this game, because I don't like games and if I were forced into one, I really become the dominating player."

Rinoa frowned in confusion and Seifer felt the need to embellish, "What I'm saying, darling, is that when I'm done with you, you would be begging me to drown you."

Rinoa brushed past him, "You have such a beautiful villa; like it's owner."

"Beautiful?" Seifer sneered, "Don't you mean rich? I was once told that this villa is the definition of opulence and importance. I think that is the side you saw."

Rinoa feigned ignorance, "Whatever do you mean? I am not interested in your money."

"Good, then go find yourself a blind bachelor who can somehow see the so-called perfection my mother keeps talking about…since money is of no essence."

Raine hurried to intervene, "My, you really are a Lion, just look at all the blazes. Rinoa, dear, go put on your swimming suit."

Rinoa nodded and meekly complied.

Squall sighed and turned to look for the blonde.

Al grinned, "If you're looking for Seifer, he's a bit busy with his mother at the moment."

Squall pouted, "Is his mother cruel?"

"Not cruel, just…cunning if you want. She wasn't much of a mother after Seifer's father died when the lad was six."

Squall nodded and stood up, dusting his trunks, which had already dried due to the heat. Pulling on his shirt he turned to Al, "It's kinda hot, no? I think I will get a glass of water." Al nodded as the brunet excused himself and entered the beach house.

Squall looked sun burnt and his cheeks were flushed an adorable shade of red. Rinoa walked into the kitchen on shaky legs and sat at the table, ignoring Squall's presence as her heart raced.

The brunet smiled in greeting, "Umm…hi there…do you need some help?"

Rinoa turned to him, "A glass of water please."

The intensity of Seifer's glare always made her throat dry and her heart skip a beat.

"You look like you've seen the devil." Squall chuckled as he handed her a glass of water.

Rinoa smiled prettily, "Actually, if your master Seifer was one, I can understand why people are so afraid of the devil."

'My master Seifer?' Squall frowned slightly.

"I'm sorry to talk about your master this way, you work here, right?"

Squall shrugged, "Seifer and I are pretty close."

"You call him by his first name? He doesn't kill you? Can I ask something?"

Squall chuckled, "Yes?"

"Did Seifer ever drown anyone in the beach before?"

Squall laughed, "No." 'Rather he makes love to me there.' Squall's face heated and

Rinoa frowned, "Were you swimming?"

Squall cleared his throat, "Ah…heh…excuse me Ms…ummm…"

"Rinoa, I'm Seifer's fiancée, pleased to meet you."