11

The springs were the nicest things you would ever imagine to find in a freezing, lonesome forest.

Squall dismounted and grinned, "Look, the snow is actually melted here."

Seifer nodded as he came up behind the brunet, "The steam from the springs heats its immediate surrounding. Comon, let's go for a swim. It's nice."

Dran ran around his master, his enthusiasm contagious as Squall stripped to his shorts and waded in behind the blonde, who had gone under and resurfaced, a happy grin on his face. Dran jumped in after them, swimming around by the shore and the horses watered themselves.

Squall squealed, "It's so warm!"

Seifer nodded, "Comon, let's go deeper."

The brunet laughed and followed the blonde, bumping into him when Seifer suddenly stopped, "I've never been here with another person before."

Squall smiled, "I've never been anywhere with another person."

Seifer chuckled delightfully, taking the brunet into his arms and laughing against his shoulder, "You are so refreshingly different."

Squall sighed as Seifer nuzzled his neck and licked at the warm droplets of water that trickled down his shoulder. Dran came in between them and Squall shyly laughed, "Guess I have been to many places with Dran though."

"You are pretty close."

The brunet nodded, "Yeah, we're friends, aren't we, boy?" Dran nuzzled Squall's neck the same way the blonde had done earlier, making Seifer chuckle and pat the dog, "You know, if you were another person I would have drowned you by now for sure."

Squall laughed and Dran licked his master's cheek. Seifer groaned, "He's kissing you…I'm jealous."

The brunet laughed harder, "I can live with that."

"Oh, yeah?" Seifer slashed water onto the brunet's face, gaining a startled yelp from master and pet.

Squall smiled evilly, "You asked for it."

Laughter surrounded the area…embracing the trees and the grass…it rang through the once lonely shrubs and surprised the birds, who thought they were the only ones who could give life to such a forsaken place...

Seifer yawned, smiling as Squall snuggled closer. The blonde was surprised at his own feelings…how could he have fallen in love with an innocent brat who had an outrageous second personality and a protective wolf to his name?

Grey eyes softened as they stared up at the blonde, 'my mother and brother are waiting…What am I thinking…what am I doing?'

Squall pulled away slightly, "Don't you have someone waiting for you back in your castle?"

Seifer chuckled, "No. but that will change, won't it…cause now I have you."