-3-

Partners

Seifer's red convertible glided smoothly down the street and the blonde glanced at his companion, "So, how old are you?"

"17."

"I'm 19, glad to make your acquaintance."

Squall snorted and stared straight ahead, determined to ignore his charge.

"Okay…so you hate talking, huh? Tell me something…how in the world did you catch my father's eye?"

Squall shrugged.

"I see. Aren't you a bit too young for this dirty job?"

Another shrug.

"Mhm…so, your parents are okay with this?"

A third shrug.

"Wow…I know you like the back of my hand now." The blonde sarcastically laughed.

Squall sighed and turned to look out his window.

"So, tell me, my-oh-so-quiet protector, did you have lunch?"

Squall grunted.

"Let's see…was that a yes? A no? A probably? A most likely? A thinking about it? A getting there? A"

"Shut up dammit! No…okay? I didn't." Squall burst out.

Seifer chuckled, "Voila…he speaks…he's alive."

The brunet glared at Seifer, "Do you ever shut up?"

"Actually…now that I come to think about it…the most I ever stayed quiet was…let's see…five minutes."

Squall groaned and slapped his hand to his forehead.

The blonde laughed, "Just kidding. Relax kitten"

"Don't"

"With nails and teeth." Seifer chuckled, "Comon, Squall, relax. I'm not as tough as you think. Unlike father dear I don't have many enemies and well I'm really such an easy going guy. You'll come to love me, trust me."

"Trust me, I don't love anyone and at this rate, you are going to top my loathe list."

Seifer frowned slightly, "Don't you have any friends?"

"No."

"Liar…I'm your friend."

At Squall's disgruntled expression, Seifer's light hearted expression returned, "You are so cute. Never quite met a guy like you. So, what do you do for fun?" Squall frowned in thought.

Seifer chuckled, "Man, you need to get out more often."

"I exercise and I work."

"Exercise?"

"Yeah…I work out and train."

"Boy, do you need a hobby…and what kind of work do you do?"

"What the hell…is this an interrogation or something? Why not talk to yourself for a change?" Squall looked annoyed and Seifer smiled, "What are you talking about…it's called getting to know each other."

"I'm not interested in getting to know you…okay?" Squall closed his eyes and sighed, "God, I spoke in ten minutes more than I had ever spoken in a damned year."

Seifer chuckled at Squall's expression, "You want to know what I do for fun?"

"No."

"Well, I'll tell you anyway."

Squall's eyes snapped open and he turned to the blonde in dismay. "I party and exercise."

"You? Exercise?"

Seifer grinned devilishly and Squall regretted that for a minute he had actually been interested. The blonde laughed and stopped at a red light, "So what do you want to eat, princess?"

Shrugged.

"Sea food or…land food?" Seifer supplied.

"Whatever…who cares?"

Seifer rolled his eyes and parked in front of a nice cuisine, which overlooked the beach. Squall was mesmerized for a second. The sound of the gentle waves and the cool breeze that played with his hair were soothing to his ragged nerves. "You've…never been to the beach before?"

"No." Squall shrugged and followed Seifer into the expensive diner. Seifer motioned for a table in the middle of the place but Squall shook his head, "How about…somewhere more reserved?"

The blonde rolled his eyes and let his brunet Protector lead him to a faraway table by the corner.

"So," Seifer asked as they were seated, "What would you like to order?"

Squall looked slightly uncomfortable.

"Is there something bothering you?" Seifer smiled.

"Ah…no…I'm fine. Salad will do."

"Tche…you really do need to get out more often. Are you a vegetarian or allergic to fish?"

"No…" Squall shrugged and looked at the menu lying closed by his arm.

"Lobsters here are good."

"Whatever." Squall rested his chin on his palm and avoided Seifer's emerald gaze as the blonde ordered for them.

"You're a loner right?"

Squall shrugged.

"Are you happy that way?"

"I'm less troubled, that's for sure."

"So, where are your parents?"

"They died." Squall whispered and closed his eyes.

"I'm sorry."

"Why? You didn't kill them…you have nothing to apologize for." Squall's grey eyes bore into Seifer's and for a moment the blonde lost his train of thought. Those orbs were so deep and held so much passion that Seifer felt taken, "So you don't have family?"

"A sister." Squall's eyes had softened when he stated her name.

"Where is she?"

"That's none of your business." The brunet glared at his plate and sighed, trying to calm his racing heart. 'What is wrong with me? What the hell is wrong!'

"Squall?" The brunet's head snapped up and Seifer grinned, "You know, the lobster is already dead. Whatever crime it had committed really cannot be atoned for anymore."

Squall's face was on fire as he noticed the mess on his plate. The poor lobster had been disintegrated. Squall put his knife down, "I'm not hungry."

Seifer frowned. There were dark circles under the boy's eyes and he looked like he hadn't slept in a month.

"I can protect myself, you know. There was no need for you to put more weight on your shoulders."

Squall snorted but said nothing.

"So…do you cook or do laundry?"

The brunet gasped, "In your dreams! You don't have a house keeper?"

"Yeah…I do…so what do you do other than fight and growl all day?"

Squall shrugged, taking calculated bites id his food.

Seifer noticed the haunted look in the brunet's eyes. Loose strands of chocolate brown hair fell to mar his vision, and Squall pushed them away unconsciously. Those small hands were tough and strong, indicating years of hard work and tough brawls. Squall looked up at the blonde staring at him. Seifer winked, "Don't push yourself to hard. I really am not as tough as I pretend to be."

Squall snorted, "You are too carefree."

"Yeah, but now that you're here, that wouldn't be a problem, right?" A shiver ran down Squall's spine but he frowned, "Whatever."