19

Dran was lying on the ground in front of Squall's cottage, waiting for his master to open his door and let him in. but the wait was in vain.

It had been a week since Squall locked himself in there without a friend or a relative to wither away in solitude.

Now that he knew who he was and head freed his kingdom, there was no reason for him to live, no one he would allow himself to love. The brunet lay sprawled on the bed, his arm suspended off the side of the bed and he looked disheveled and in dire need of someone to tend to his needs. His hair was tangled and askew, resting on his face.

Elisa knocked the cottage door, "Squall. I demand you open this door before I ask someone to break it down."

"They wouldn't dare, I'm their king, dammit." Squall muttered hoarsely.

"Stop doing this to yourself. What is it you want?"

"Nani mo nai…" Visions of a cheery blonde crossed his mind and he amended, "Nothing you can arrange for me to have, mother. Please go and enjoy your time with nii-san. I only want some time alone."

"Some time alone! Squall, you've been cooped up in this cottage for a week. Even Dran misses you…Just look at the way he's waiting for you out here. Have some mercy and open up."

"Where is nii-san? Ask him to take care of the wolf for me."

Elisa frowned and turned around, gasping as her son surprised her, "Mother, I'm home."

"Where have you been all this time? Squall needs you now more than ever. Go see him for me. He always listens to you. Tell him to some out for God's sake."

Gavin frowned, "Mother, who he needs now is not me, but rather a friend here."

Elisa turned to a handsome blonde, "And you are?"

Seifer shrugged, "I'm Seifer."

"Ah...You're the one he keeps muttering about. Anyhow, I will leave the boy to you. Do as you will, but I want to see him at the dinner table tonight."

"Mother…" Gavin drawled, "Tonight is much too early and I think he is going to be busy…maybe tomorrow? Good with you old man?"

"Who are you calling old man you"

"See, mother, Seifer needs till tomorrow to weave his magic."

Elisa rolled her eyes, "Well I have waited for a long week, and I suppose a day won't make a difference."

Gavin nodded and patted the lonesome wolf's fur, "Isn't he being selfish, throwing you out like this."

Seifer frowned, "Will you stop stalling and ask him to open up?"

Gavin grinned, "Impatient, I see?"

Seifer snarled and Gavin raised his arms in a gesture of peace, "Squall, open the door."

The brunet frowned, "Go away. Take Dran with you."

"Squall…you know I hate repeating myself. It's bad for my health" Grey eyes looked tired as the brunet lifted himself off the bed and opened the door, "Nii-san…" all other words died off as he was met with a frowning blonde, "You look like hell…what the hell is going on?"

Squall hurried to shut the door but Seifer held it open, "Is this how far your hospitality goes? And I welcomed you…heh…this is what I get."

"If you're here to lecture me on my hosting abilities I suggest you change your mind and go home."

Gavin tugged to the wolf's fur, "Comon, buddy, that's our cue to get out of here before the fireworks start…it's always safer to watch them form the distance."

Squall stepped back as the blonde walked in, "Your place seriously needs a lover's touch."

Tears streamed down the brunet's cheeks, "What do you want…I'm not going to wage war on your hometown so you can rest assured."

Seifer smiled vaguely and shut the door behind him, "You really are a bad guesser; I didn't come here to lecture you or allay my worries and fears."

Squall frowned, "Then…why?"

Seifer shrugged as he cornered the brunet, "I came to reclaim my weakness."

Squall sniffled as the blonde pressed against him and nuzzled his neck, "Will you forgive me?"

Squall cried as he hugged the blonde closer, "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry."

Seifer chuckled, "Nah, I just wasn't thinking clearly when I read your letter…you know…I happen to need a lover's touch too."

The brunet was too happy to comply and too eager to indulge…