Quistis lifted her face to the bright sunlight and breathed in the deep sea air of Balamb town. It had been two years since the end of Ultimecia's threat and while other towns, like Timber and Dollet, had grown and flourished, Balamb remained the same. Of course, it had expanded a bit, with a new pet shop, a bar, a chain of clothing stores, and of course, housing, but the town had not lost its quiet small town feel. And as sophisticated as Quistis portrayed herself, she was easily overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of Deling City; Balamb was the perfect place for her. A place where she could do what she enjoyed most: read a book, curled up on a remote bench on the far side of the harbor. The ocean and breeze not only relaxed her, but breathed life into her music. Sometimes she would drift off, fantasizing about having the courage to cast a Float spell on herself and dance across the top of the water, singing at the top of her lungs. She would come back tonight.
Today, however, she was not sitting on one of the benches, nor was she dancing on top of the water. She was following three dark heads through the cozy streets towards the shopping district-if it could be called that. Rinoa, Selphie, and Lex were chattering excitedly about where to find the perfect bridesmaid dresses, and Quistis was content to stroll along behind them. She was only a year older than them, but sometimes she felt ages beyond, and could not prevent herself from shaking her head good-naturedly at their excited squeals. The role of big sister always seemed to go to her, whether or not she auditioned for the part.
But Quistis did not need to force a smile. It was beautiful and sunny, with a slight breeze and a clear blue sky, and she pushed all negativity from her mind. She raised a hand to push back a strand of fluttering hair, the rest of it pulled into a loose bun, before realizing she'd fallen a bit behind the others. Carefully avoiding a pothole in the street, she increased her pace until she was walking even with the others.
Selphie gave her a bright grin, green eyes sparkling, as they neared the first shop. "Did you hear, Quisty? Rinoa thinks she knows exactly what she wants us to wear! I can't wait!"
"To tell the truth, neither can I," the blond woman laughed. "Have the colors changed yet again?"
"Of course," Selphie merrily replied. "Rinoa doesn't know what colors now, but she'll know when she SEES!" The brunette clutched her heart melodramatically, earning another laugh from Quistis. Her head tilted as she eyed Quistis. "Hey, Quisty…"
"Mmhmm?"
"Why are you so cheerful? I mean, it's not a BAD thing," Selphie added hastily," but you've been really cheerful since…well, last night! And you seemed so down about Eric…I was just wondering what brought it about."
"Have I gotten such a reputation that I can't be happy for no reason at all?" Quistis asked with a raised eyebrow, willing her mind not to drift to what had happened…well, nearly happened the night before. Not that what hadn't happened had anything to do with the way she was feeling now, right? Right!
"Don't give ME that look, Quisty, it hasn't worked since the orphanage!" Selphie winked and stuck her tongue out. "Don't avoid the question either!"
"I wasn't," Quistis protested. "There's no reason." She pushed the image of fiery green eyes out of her mind, telling herself, He is NOT the reason, Trepe. Nothing even happened. Besides, it was Seifer, and that's definitely not something to be happy about! Not that something even-
"Earth to Quisty!" Selphie waved her hand in front of the blond's face. "You've been a real space cadet lately, too," she accused. "I'm beginning to feel like my personality is being snatched!"
"Not snatched, Selph. Borrowed!" Quistis grinned. "But it's nothing special! Just a beautiful day, spending time with my best friends. Why would I not be happy?"
Selphie looked unconvinced, but she gave it up, realizing she would get no more out of Quistis on the matter. "Fine, keep your secrets! But I have my ways," she lowered her voice ominously, before laughing and catching ahold of Quistis' arm. "C'mon, blondie, Rinoa and Lex went inside already!"
The shop was small, a women's store, and the scent of cheap perfume filled the air, but not heavy enough to make one sick. With a nod and smile at the saleswoman at the front, Selphie made a beeline for the back, where Rinoa and Lex could be seen. Quistis, never having been inside any of the Balamb clothing stores, followed more slowly, glancing from side to side at the racks. Now she remembered WHY she'd never been inside. The clothes were perfect for grandmothers. Looks like a trip to Deling City is in order, she told herself.
Rinoa was browsing one rack, Lex at her side, and Selphie was at a different rack. Suddenly, Rinoa yelped in excitement and held a dress up in the air. Quistis felt her stomach drop. She was NOT wearing that. It was light pink and poufy, with off-the-shoulder sleeves and a V-waist, flaring out into layers and layers of pink ruffles. They would look like sticks of cotton candy. She opened her mouth to say so, but Lex beat her to it.
"Hey, Rin…This isn't really summer wedding-ish. It seems more appropriate for an early spring one. Maybe something lighter and simpler?" the librarian girl suggested tactfully, and Quistis nodded behind her. Rinoa looked at Selphie, who nodded also, before sighing and hanging it back up.
Quistis breathed a sigh of relief, turning to the nearest dress rack. Crisis averted. Looking at the rest of the dresses, though, she didn't know for how long, brow furrowing more and more as she bypassed dress after dress. Everything was big and frilly. Now Quistis liked feminine clothing, but the frills on these were ridiculous; they reminded her of the frosting on wedding cakes, rippling all around the edges of the layers, some with flowered decorations, some with bows, and some with big fake pearls. "Tacky," she murmured, eyebrow raised in disgust.
Four stores and three hours later, the girls' initial excitement had died down. Rinoa looked as if she were going to pull her hair out: every dress she'd suggested was met with a chorus of 'no's. She was aching to inform her bridesmaids that it was her wedding they were shopping for, but stopped herself, knowing she would be the same way. Taking a deep breath, the bride-to-be forced a smile. "Last one!"
"I know we'll find something, Rin," Selphie stuck her jaw out determinedly.
I wouldn't hold your breath, Quistis thought as she took in the window display. "And if we don't, we can always go to Deling City!" Wearily, she followed them indoors.
Immediately, she knew this store was different. Despite the tacky window display, obviously designed to draw in the loyal customers of the other clothing shops, the clothes in here were much simpler, but nonetheless, pretty. Quistis fingered a pale blue long-sleeved shirt as she brushed by its rack and lifted the price tag. Completely affordable. Unable to help herself, she picked it up and draped it over one arm. It would be perfect with her gray slacks and she hadn't bought anything lately.
Enthusiasm revived at the sight of actually wearable clothes, Selphie and Quistis moved from rack to rack, holding up ones they liked for Rinoa's inspection.
"None of them are RIGHT!" Rinoa sighed, as Quistis hung a sea green dress back up. Selphie flung an arm around the bride-to-be in comfort and Quistis chewed her lower lip, still rifling through the garments.
"Hey, Rin…what about this one?" The three girls turned at the sound of Lex's soft voice.
She held up a lavender piece of material, and Quistis caught her breath. It was beautiful. A simple sheath, the lavender fabric was covered with a sheer overlay in a slightly lighter color. The sleeves were made only of the sheer fabric, ruffled and falling to right above the elbow, and matching the ruffle of the knee-length skirt. Rinoa touched it, eyes wide, and she looked at Selphie and Quistis. Then she grinned widely, eyes sparkling, and flung her arms around Lex.
"Oh Lex, it's PERFECT!" She seized the dress and flew over to the counter, talking a mile a minute to the saleslady. Then she rushed back. "They have all of your sizes in, so we can get the dresses today!" As each girl picked up her size, Quistis reached for her wallet. "Oh no you don't, Quistis Trepe! My bridesmaids are NOT paying for their own dresses!" Rinoa shot her a dark look and shoved the required amount at the cashier.
"I wouldn't dream of it." Quistis smiled and held out the pale blue shirt she'd picked up, quickly paying for it and putting it in the same bag as her dress. The black-haired girl stuck her tongue out and proceeded out of the store, happily chattering once again. And once again, Quistis walked behind the others, mind far away, now that the task of the day had been completed. Now her mind was once again able to dwell on the very surprising events of the previous day.
Why? That was the question foremost in her mind. Before even yesterday, she and Seifer were scarcely able to stand the sight of each other. Then suddenly, she couldn't stop thinking about the way his lips felt on hers, couldn't help wishing Zell hadn't interrupted the inevitable meeting of lips again. Which was, of course, ridiculous, as Quistis was sure she should be grateful for the interruption. Yet there was one thing Quistis knew above all other things and that was she always brutally honest with herself. Yes, she'd ached for his kiss. It set her on fire, made her blood sizzle. Even the cold shower afterwards hadn't been able to cool her body off. She longed for that heat again, the heat she'd never felt with anyone before. Just thinking about it made her skin get hot.
But why? Why Seifer, of all people? They annoyed each other to no end. Was it an aftermath of gratitude? He had saved her life, after all. But then, she'd been grateful before and wasn't dreaming about doing dirty things to those people. Hormones longing for some release, seeing as how Eric was no longer a part of her life? Her hormones certainly hadn't been a problem before. Well, other than that singer. But hormones were easily kept in check when faced only with an orgasmic voice…
One taste of sex, Trepe, and you just can't get enough, she chided herself. Do you want it so much that just the sight of a hot body and gorgeous face makes you burn up? No, there were plenty of attractive male SeeDs around. It's the sight of an arrogant smirk that you just want to smack sometimes, the sight of piercing green eyes that burn right through you, that corded body…
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Quistis raised her hands to her suddenly hot face and emitted a sound that was a cross between a roar and a groan. You have GOT to get over this, Trepe, it's just a fluke! He's never affected you like that before, why should now be any different? And it all comes back to 'why'.
"Quisty?"
The blond looked up to find Selphie, Rinoa, and Lex watching her curiously. "What?"
"You just…made this really WEIRD noise," Lex said, trying not to grin, as she took in Quistis' flushed face and white knuckles.
"Yeah, it sounded like…well, something you'd hear in one of Irvine's dirty movies!" Selphie chimed in, hands on hips. Quistis' jaw dropped as Selphie jumped forward. "Do you have a new boyfriend?"
"Wha-no! No, I don't!"
"Quisty, I can't believe you didn't tell us!" It was Rinoa's turn. "Who is it? Do we know him?"
You have no idea, Quistis thought wryly, before shaking her head vigorously. "There's no one! I swear!"
"Quisty!!" Her name came out as a whiny chorus from the three of them. "Tell us!"
"There's nothing to tell."
"But your face is all red-"
"And it's not that hot out here-"
"And then there's that noise you made-"
"All right, you three, that's quite enough." Quite sick of dealing with her own emotions and the obviousness of them, Quistis straightened her spine and barely prevented herself from sticking her nose in the air, as she went into her instructor mode. "There is no one. I just broke up with Eric for Hyne's sake. Now we should be getting back. We've been gone for hours." So saying, she stepped to the left and continued around her disappointed friends, leaving them staring at her back.
"She's lying," Selphie said thoughtfully.
"Mmmhmm."
Quistis rounded the corner, clutching her bags tightly, sure that her face was now the color of a tomato. She really didn't give her friends enough credit sometimes. They saw far too much, far too often. Usually when she hoped they wouldn't see. Am I really that obvious, she asked herself, staring at the ground as she continued along at a brisk pace. Maybe it was because I'm starting to daydream too much. They probably wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't spaced…and made that noise. She raised a hand to her forehead. I can't believe I MOANED.
OOMPH.
She stumbled, but a hand reached out and grabbed her, steadying her on her feet. "Sorry," she murmured, looking up. Her eyes widened. Oh Hyne…
"We just keep running into each other, don't we, Trepe?" That cocky smirk, the rugged voice, the green eyes.
"Much to my dismay," she managed dryly, eyebrow raised, even as her posture straightened and her chin lifted.
"Now that stings, Trepe, it really does," Seifer mocked, clutching a hand to his heart. "Especially because it's not true."
"On the contrary, Seifer. It is very true." Oh, go away before I jump you, she thought miserably. "I don't want to keep running into you." Mainly because my body starts to smoke.
Seifer watched her, smirk in place. "Don't worry, Trepe, I feel the same way." He leaned down, bringing his face close to hers, and Quistis forced herself not to jerk away. So close… "Are you still hot for me?"
Quistis groaned in exasperation and stepped away from him. "No, no, no! I'm not hot for anyone, least of all you! Now if you'll excuse me!" She started forward again, but stopped as another body hurtled around the corner.
"Seifer!" The figure threw its arms around Seifer's waist, girlish voice unmistakable. Clasyl.
The blond woman watched them for a moment, unable to understand the feeling rising up inside of her. Whatever the feeling was, it was making her feel sick. Envy? Of course not, why would she be envious of Clasyl? Single pregnant girl, no job, no money…But a single pregnant girl who had her arms around Seifer Almasy. Quistis swallowed hard. She was not jealous. Seeing Clasyl watching her, she forced a polite smile and spun on her heel, exiting the town of Balamb.
Seifer stared after her a moment, before turning his green gaze on the redhead who'd attached herself to his middle. He rolled his eyes and set her away from him. "What do you want now?"
Clasyl pouted, crossing her arms over her round tummy. "Just to see you. Aren't you glad to see me?"
"Thrilled," he replied sarcastically. "Found a job yet?"
"Um…"
"That's what I thought. You can't live with Ma Dincht forever, you know. And despite what you might think, you aren't living with me EVER," Seifer informed her.
Clasyl's pout faded as her large brown eyes welled up with tears. She didn't say anything as the tears slipped down her cheeks and Seifer couldn't help feeling ashamed. He was the reason she was in Balamb and quite pregnant, after all. At least as far as he knew. Sighing, knowing he would regret it, Seifer offered her his arm. "Come on, let's get something to eat. My treat."
Quistis entered the gates of Garden, mind in a whirl. She'd assumed he was finished with Clasyl, was only going to support her. She didn't think there was still anything between them. And maybe there wasn't anything! Maybe it just a hug of friendship or greeting. Those Timber girls were really forward. Even Rinoa had greeted the Squall she'd met only once before with a flying hug. So it was likely that the hug didn't mean anything. Not that it mattered to Quistis, of course. Just pure curiosity. Liar, she told herself, finding the dorm hallway.
"Hey, Quistis."
She stopped and turned around warily. Why she even bothered, she didn't know. "Eric."
Eric stood there, SeeD body looking quite attractive in jeans and a black T-shirt, and Quistis couldn't help feeling a tug in her stomach. Purely hormonal. He was a scumbag after all. "I just wanted to apologize."
Quistis stared at him blankly. "What?"
"I want to apologize." He ran his fingers through his dark hair, blue eyes focused on the floor. "I'm sorry." Raising his eyes to hers, he stepped forward and took her free hand. "Quistis, I'm so sorry. For the way I treated you, for the things I did. I don't know what I was thinking, what was wrong with me, but I apologize from the bottom of my heart. I-"
She regained her voice. "Eric, leave me alone," she said quietly. "You broke my heart and threw it in my face. Then you nearly let me die. It was only thanks to Seifer that I didn't." She withdrew her hand from his. "Just let me be." So saying, she turned to go, but he caught her hand again.
"Quistis, please! Please forgive me! I just want to have your friendship again. You were the best conversation I ever had, cause you're so intelligent and you taught me so much. I was an idiot, I admit it, but I'm trying to change. Can you forgive me?" His blue eyes were wide and pleading and Quistis felt her resolve give a bit.
"I…don't know if I can forgive you, Eric. Yet. Maybe in time." Withdrawing her hand again, she offered a small smile. "I won't hold it against you, but I can't be your friend either. But it's just too much work to hold a grudge. Please leave me alone." So saying, she continued down the hall and entered her room, leaving him staring after her.
Once she'd disappeared from sight, Eric sneered. "There's your weakness, my dear Quistis. So willing to believe others can change. But you'll see soon that I haven't…and neither has Almasy. And then you'll come running back to me." Eric shoved his hands in his pockets and whistling, walked away.
He was going to get a drink.
Quistis stretched her arms above her head, before sitting down on her favorite bench in Balamb harbor. She checked her watch and sure enough, the lights flickered off some ten seconds later, all but one in the middle of the pier. Bringing her knees to her chest, she raised her face to the sky and gazed at the thousands of twinkling stars above her. For some reason, no one else had discovered the beauty of those stars from this remote bench when the lights went off in Balamb, and Quistis wondered absently why that was. Not that she minded; she enjoyed her solitude. And this place made her feel as if she knew a secret no one else did.
The blond took in a deep breath as a light breeze blew up from the ocean and she shivered slightly. The weather had been so warm earlier, and she hadn't planned on being out here at night. Her sundress did nothing to protect her from the wind. But she was loath to move from her spot. It was so peaceful, so beautiful. Dropping her feet back to the ground, she leaned forward, a slight smile playing on her face. Despite her inability to cope with being alone, Quistis liked her isolation; the difference was one was self-imposed. She had so much to worry about, and yet, out here, it all seemed so unimportant. The wedding, the music room, Eric, Seifer…all were so faraway, as if they didn't exist. For these few moments, their existence didn't matter, didn't bother her. Her eyes fluttered closed, as she listened to the gentle lapping of the waves. Sweet, sweet solitude…
"What are you doing out here, Trepe?"
Her eyes shot open. There was no mistaking that voice. All of the cluttered feelings from earlier came running back, pitting against each other in the bottom of her stomach. She swallowed hard, forcing her to turn her head slowly. "I could ask you the same thing, Seifer." Don't meet his eyes, Trepe, she told herself. His eyes were too intense for her, and especially dangerous when her guard was completely down as it always was when she came out to stare at the stars. Yet another part of her urged her to look him in the eyes and find out where it led, find out if the fire returned in all of its blazing glory, and that part was slowly winning. Telling the urge to keep quiet, she looked back out over the water. "Was there something else?"
A long pause, before, "Can I sit down?"
Quistis raised an eyebrow. "Asking permission, Seifer? That's not like you." There was no reply, but she knew he was still there. She could feel his presence in the air vibrating around her. Dare she invite him closer? She gestured absently. "Go ahead."
Then he was next to her, leaning back on the bench, one ankle resting on the opposite knee. They sat in companionable silence, before, "Come out here often?"
She nodded. "Whenever I have the chance and excuse." Stealing a glance at him, she tilted her head. "Do you?"
"Whenever I have the chance," he mimicked.
"That's right, Seifer Almasy doesn't need excuses," she murmured, stifling another shiver as the breeze kicked up again. Actually, the breeze was welcome. Her skin was beginning to feel ridiculously hot.
"Excuses are a cop-out. A cop-out for those who don't want to take responsibility for their actions." There was a bitter note in his rough voice that he didn't bother disguising. "Why do you come out here, Trepe?"
Quistis stared at the dark hue of the night ocean reflecting the tiny pinpricks of light above it. "To be alone," she finally said.
"You hate being alone."
Her head turned in his direction. "Only when I'm LEFT alone."
Seifer nodded in understanding, forcing himself not to meet her stare. Already his body was betraying his resolve to stay away from her and he shifted, uncomfortably, then realized his shifting had brought them closer. Somehow, he couldn't force himself to shift away again. They stared at the water for awhile, neither of them really paying attention to it, both too aware of the person beside them. Seifer shrugged out of his trenchcoat and let the cool air wash over him. The silence was getting to him, his mind doing dirty-albeit fun-things to the body next to him. To hell with it. The hint of fire was getting to be too much for him and Seifer did not have a reputation for curbing his appetites. He opened his mouth, but Quistis beat him to it.
"How did you come back?"
It was his turn to stare at her. "What?"
Quistis bit her lip, but made herself continue. "After Ultimecia. I don't know how you…" Please let this cool the air off, she prayed. Please Hyne.
"Swallowed my pride?" he finished for her. "I don't know either. It was like…something I had to do. Once we fell out of time compression, and Fuujin, Raijin, and I were at FH, it was nice, but…I just didn't feel right. I don't remember doing everything I did," he continued quietly, jade eyes meetings hers in the darkness. How could his body be so tense and alive when what they were talking about was so dismal? She quickly tore her eyes away and Seifer swallowed hard, ignoring the stirring in the pit of his stomach. "But Rai and Fuu reminded me. Then we saw Garden fly overhead and I knew I had to come back. I needed to make up for it, atone for it, I guess. So much innocent blood on my hands and I don't remember committing one murder."
"You were telling the truth, then?" she asked. "You were possessed too…like Edea?"
"I…guess. I wonder about that, too. When it was Edea, I went with her willingly, I know that. But she changed. She wasn't really Edea. But by the time I realized that, I…couldn't do anything else." He laughed harshly and Quistis turned to face him unconsciously, eyes worried. "It sounds so lame."
"It didn't sound lame coming from Edea, why would you think it would be, coming from you?"
"I'm not stupid. I know I was problematic and I made myself out to be this invincible bully, but in the end, I lost. And to say that I was a puppet is to make an excuse for what I did. It sounds like I'm trying to get off for the horrible things I did, by claiming I was afflicted with the same problems as Edea." His eyes turned to Quistis. "My turn. Why did you let me back in?"
"We thought that if you could swallow your pride enough to ask us for forgiveness, you'd grown and changed enough. And we'd grown up together. Despite what you did or why you did it…I guess it takes more than that to dissolve our ties," she replied vaguely. His body was so, so close…
"When I made SeeD…"
"I was angry that you hadn't when I was your instructor," Quistis admitted. "And then it didn't seem like you HAD changed. I mean, you cause fewer problems with authority figures, but you're still the same. Hyne knows, we didn't get along when I was your instructor, why should now be any different?"
Seifer nodded slowly, letting out a deep breath. "Did you protest me coming back?" Hyne knew how long that question had been in the back of his mind. To figure out who actually wanted him back and who didn't. It didn't particularly matter to him, just a morbid curiosity at first. Many cadets had made it perfectly clear what they thought of him, and he'd made it just as clear that he was not to be trifled with. But now…it mattered. It mattered out here, when it was just the two of them and the stars and the ocean, that Quistis wanted him back. He wished he knew why it suddenly mattered.
"No, I was all for it."
He jerked, turning to stare at her, suspicion warring with…something else, in his eyes. She'd leaned back and was staring absently at the sky. "Why?"
"I was your instructor, Seifer. I know what you were capable of, and even when we fought you, I could tell your skills had improved. You lost because you were against three of us. I remain convinced that you would have beaten any of us in a one-on-one battle." She laughed. "Don't tell Squall I said that. I doubt he'd appreciate my sentiments. Of course, all he would have to do is watch you when you train to know that you're better. You and Hyperion," she moved her arm as if she was striking at something. "Hyperion is like an extension of your arm, she does exactly what you want her to do, even before you realize it. It's actually quite beautiful to watch." Her eyes widened and she coughed. I can't believe you just said that, Trepe. Talk about corny. Must be the stars…and the water…and him…
"Talk about a crush, Trepe," he laughed. "I know I'm hot stuff, but you don't have to say all that to win me over. No one likes a liar, babe."
"One thing I've never done, outside of a mission, is lie," she responded, ignoring the rest of his statement. She rose, then, and turned to face him.
"Oh no?" Seifer stood too, arms folded, smirk in place. "What about that line about it taking a real man to turn you on?"
She froze, before raising an eyebrow at him. "That wasn't a lie." Oh Hyne, she thought as their eyes met. Unconsciously, she shivered.
"Are you cold?" Seifer asked. "Stupid, coming out here without a jacket."
Cold? Quistis nearly snorted. Far from it. But to admit that to him was an open invitation…And how could they…when she didn't even know if she LIKED him? So she nodded. "Yes, yes I am. I should go back-"
She never got to finish her sentence.
Green eyes blazing, color visible even in the semi-darkness, Seifer advanced on her, wrapping his arms around her waist and lowering his lips to hers. Flames erupted across her skin and she shivered again, pressing herself closer into his warmth. Music flitted through her head, escalating the spinning her head was doing and she staggered. His grip on her tightened. Closer…they had to be closer. His gloved hand moved up and down her back, then moved to the back of her neck, playing with the tiny hairs at her nape. She rose up on her toes, fingers curling in his hair and pulling him lower, increasing the pressure. Tongues danced, twining, color bursting in front of her closed eyes and the temperature sky-rocketed.
With a low, guttural growl, Seifer moved his lips lower, tickling her skin, before nibbling at her neck. Her eyes shot open, even as her head dropped back. The flames fanned out from where his mouth met her skin and she felt them spread to her entire body, her hands tightening on his shoulders. His lips skimmed across her clavicle, moved lower…lower…
It was the sound of her own gasping moan that had Quistis coming to her senses. She froze as she stared at the top of his head, his tongue drifting lazily along her neck, heading for… "Stop," she whispered, only half-meaning it. But he did and she ached as he raised his head to stare into her eyes. The lower part of her belly ached, her heart ached, her skin ached, and she opened her mouth, but Seifer raised his hand to her lips.
"Sorry," he murmured roughly, leaning his forehead against hers. His eyes were confused, even a little scared, but Quistis could have imagined it as she watched the familiar arrogance drop down to hide the other emotions. "Sorry," he said again, in a voice that clearly said he didn't mean it. She stared at him for a moment, in bewilderment, before clearing her throat.
"It's okay. I'm not cold anymore," she joked, smile not meeting her eyes.
"Good, that was the point," he smirked back. A long silence.
"Why did you do that?" she finally asked.
Seifer's smirk wavered, before, "I couldn't help it."
"Must have been the romantic atmosphere," was the wry response.
"Must have been." Another awkward silence. The wind washed over them, cooling their bodies off, and both unconsciously took a deep breath.
"Seifer…are you going to let go of me soon?"
"Oh…yeah." He let go of her and she took a few steps backward, pushing a few wayward strands of hair off her face. Collapsing on the bench, Seifer glared at the water. He suddenly felt empty, not holding onto her…and the fire in his veins had yet to fully fade. "What did that do to you?"
Quistis tilted her head to look at him in disbelief. "Um…" she blushed. "The same thing it did to you."
If you only knew, Seifer smirked inwardly, leaning forward to cover the evidence of his arousal.
"I think it's a bit late for that, Seifer," she said with a grin, and Seifer couldn't help but grin back.
"Just a bit." He rose then, but Quistis didn't move, her eyes fastened on him. "You better go back." Before anything else happens and I can't stop myself, he thought to himself. Quistis nodded and started past him, but he reached a hand out and grabbed her upper arm. She turned her head, warily. He couldn't help himself, leaned down and brushed a quick kiss across her bruised lips, so light she could barely feel it. "Night."
"Night…" Quistis took off at a brisk pace towards Balamb, resisting the urge to turn around and look at the man still standing by the bench, knowing that if she did, she'd run back and finish what they'd started. She rounded the corner and bumped into the poles separating the parking lot from the harbor. Cursing and holding her hip, she chided herself. That's always been there, dummy! You've been dodging it for years. "Great, now I'm running into things," she murmured wryly. The lights of Garden lit up the entire stretch of the Alcauld Plains, but she walked quickly anyway along the road. Not she felt the road beneath her feet. Something about being wanted made her feel light and floaty, and the cool breeze only heightened the sensation. She hummed to herself as she walked, twirling here and there, content that no one could see her.
And when she entered the military facility, she immediately went to the music room. When had she stopped playing for the person on the tapes and started playing for someone else? Why was she walking on air, and twirling as she did so? It boggled her mind, but she didn't care. She felt wonderful, even allowing herself a little spin once she sat on the piano bench, legs drawn up and arms thrown out.
Is this what it feels like, she asked herself. It's so different from what I felt with Eric, and so much better.
Lately I find myself out gazing at stars
Hearing guitars like someone in love
Sometimes the things I do astound me
Mostly whenever you're around me
Lately I seem to walk as if I have wings
And to sing like someone in love
Each time I look at you, I'm light as a cloud
And feeling like someone in love
Sometimes the things I do astound me
Mostly whenever you're around me
Lately I seem to walk as if I have wings
Bump into things like someone in love
Each time I look at you, I'm light as a cloud
And feeling like someone in love
Like someone in love
Like someone in love
Still humming to herself, Quistis left the room and sauntered, uncaring about the Garden Faculty, back to her room. "Like someone in love," she sang, and twirled off into sleep.
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A/N: Whoops, it's been forever! I apologize everyone, I had so much going on and a huge case of writer's block. Hopefully that should be gone by now *crosses fingers* I want to finish this before I go back to college in August, so between my job and other shtuff, I'll be working on this! Please forgive me for taking so long, and I hope you all enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! It's a bit longer than usual, as well, so please accept that as a peace offering :P "Like Someone in Love" is by Bjork! Now for shout-outs(ooh, so many! I love you all!):
Quis88-I hope I gave away a bit of Clasyl's and Eric's plan, though it wasn't exactly sooooon ^_^
Cara macree-Kilolo-chan, I would NEVER pair Seifer with anyone other than Quistis!
Cyberwing-thank you!
Laura-thank you dearie!
Arashi-I wanted to hit Zell too! How dare he interrupt!
Setobsessed-It's not really EVIL, just mean…
QuisTrepe1402-I'm all right. We're still friends and I got over it! Thanks so much for reading!
Melodramatic-I want to learn guitar so I can start playing GGD songs ^_^
Ianesa-well, it's lengthy and I hope it's delicious!
WaterFF-oh no, not you! Not nasty at all! I received nasty e-mails, not from anyone who left a review! I needed to be hit on the head with something, would have helped me write quicker ^_-
Caleb Nova-I hope this chappy answers your Seifer question well-enough. As for Eric and Clasyl, I was going to address that a bit later!
Megs-I'm much obliged, sweetie!
K-chan-Thank you!
Sabacat-slow and painful indeed *evil laughter* And yet again, you review within one day of my updating! Are you psychic?! ^_^
Mintaka-uh…well, it wasn't soon but I did update eventually! I'm glad you have your cpu back!
WDCain-Wow, high praise! Thanks so much!
Miss d-I'll try and keep 'em coming faster!
Lovexfool-awww, don't hurt Zell! He's my second fave male character! 3Zell!
Nogui-you're too kind!
Slice of Zucchini-I'm going to have to beg for forgiveness again, aren't I? ^_-
Aloura-I'm trying!
Kris-I think it took me about 5 months to update, but hopefully it won't be nearly as long this time around!
Lovelace-S'allright, he was a goober anyway :P And as for "eyes on me", you'll just have to see ^_-
Emerald-queen-Amen sistah! That's exactly what I meant! I hope you like this chapter too!
Demonic-eee, you've been waiting too long! I'm sorry!
Ally-I shall try!
Artifex Epistulae-Good, I'm glad you like the song selection! I try and choose songs that fit the story well, but are also good to listen to!
Kokuro usagi-aw, Bun-chan, gomen nasai!! I shall be better in the future!
Metallicafangirl-He didn't really change his mind per se, it was more like he was trying to brush off the way he felt in front of Quistis(in chapter 9). In chapter 10, he was being honest with himself. I'll try and make that a bit clearer!
FallenWinters-Those two didn't start out that way but somehow they evolved into evilness :P
Stylin*bebe-Thank ya!
Alonia Everclear-Thanks so much, Al! I hope I didn't disappoint!
Cyrell-I'm a music whore ^_^ That, and I do searches for certain subjects in lyrics, then d/l songs that seem to have the appropriate lyrics to see if I enjoy listening to them! ^_^ I hope this one lived up to your expectations!
Quezacotl14-Thanks for the praise!
Ruby-Yeah, he is pretty slimy :P
Sayiera-Immense writer's block -_- One of those where you know where you want to go but don't know how to get there
Kari-I adore Stephen Trask ^_^
Thanks so much for reading everyone! Whenever I was stumped(which was quite often on this chappy), I came back and read the reviews, so please keep on doing so! I appreciate it immensely!
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