Disclaimer: I do not own Final fantasy 8, or Fujin would have more character development
The day of the festival snuck up on Fujin she was merely sitting minding her own business in silence enjoying the music player she had bought herself. Now that she had it she often caught herself wondering how she had ever survived without the thing, it was like having background music to life that changed appropriately. She was enjoying a book without the benefit of the headphones because she couldn't shake old habits even now and deadening herself completely to the world seemed so very foolish, and besides, it was hard to appreciate music while doing something else. She paused on that thought and sat up rail straight the book closed and the page dog-eared with nary even a thought. She stood up and placed the book under her arm and retreated from the main circle where she had been sitting and headed back to her classroom, she had already finished the weeks lesson plans, after all, they were as simple as anything to do. Her grades were inputted as they were almost entirely subjective anyway aside from the written exams that came by every so often. So one could as why she was heading to the classroom, well quite simply it was a method of finding a quiet place without distraction… and the fact she had been using her computer there as a planning station for this night. However, en route she was interrupted by a rather bubbly ball of energy that barred her path to the classroom.
"Hi!" the brown topped yellow thing squealed, Fujin personal had something of an aversion to Selphie, she was loud for one, and incredibly perky for two, both were serious grievances to Fujin. She didn't hate her, just preferred not to directly engage her without a suitable distraction prepared. Barring that as currently impossible Fujin gave the bouncy…. Girl her attention hopping to get this over with swiftly. Selphie smiled her hands behind her back and leaned forward a bit while rocking on her heels.
"You ready for the festival tonight? We are looking forward to having you there." She said which made Fujin internally frown keeping her eye on Selphie as she spoke she decided that simple answers would likely end the conversation simply, and that was good, because they were the preferred mode of response.
"Yes." having long since gotten over the need to raise her voice needlessly, especially when dealing with younger students. If she could handle ten year olds then she could definitely handle one Selphie.
"Great! We were almost worried you would try to skip out on us, Bye! Stuff to set up, Festival time!" She said as she veritably bolted past on her way to whatever other engagement she had going. Fujin wondered absently if Selphie was Always that hyper or if it were merely a 'just around people' thing. She was sure Squall had mentioned a few times where the little ball of energy had been quiet even if they had already faded from recent memory. Upon slipping into the empty classroom she headed to the Terminal and began digging to the buried files she was seeking. Opening them she began to browse her plans, she had finally come up with a good setup and had been taking care of it quietly for the last few weeks in preparation, never one to leave things for the final moment. She smiled as she closed the file and picked up the internal line calling the mailing service to ensure the package she had ordered had arrived on time. Gaining an affirmative from the faculty member on the other end she instructed it be brought to her dorm and she hung up and headed there herself, intent upon beating the package there if she could. On the way there she couldn't help but consider the words, she had heard them more than a few times from more than a few people over the last few days and it was beginning to get on her nerves. Did people really consider her that untrustworthy that her word was not good enough for them. Or was there something beneath it, an underlying anticipation, perhaps a grand humiliation was in store... well that train of thought had her stopping in the middle of the hallway. It was concerning because it sounded like a possibility... She sat down and planted both elbows on the desk in her dorm and huffed her chin landing on her upturned palms her head at a slight angle. After a moment the bell on her room chimed, that would be the package. She walked to the door and opened it to be greeted by one of the many..... well she had expected a faculty member to have brought it, instead was a rather interested looking Squall holding a box under his arm nonchalantly his other arm dangling to his side as he looked her in the eye.
"I can only guess this is your dress" He said pulling the box free of his one arm and held it out to her his face cleared of emotion. So he wanted to play that game, hm? She schooled her look and took the box curtly.
"Astute." she said looking him in the eye. "Reason?" She asked pointedly and he looked innocent something that she had often wondered if he was capable of, always so calm and in control one often wondered if such a creature was capable of anything but. But there he was, it was almost adorable.
"I am not allowed to take the easy job anymore?" he retorted vonomlessly, tilting his head a bit and shifting his stance. A subtle game of back and forth, Fujin however decided she was having the last word in this, looking him square in the face she smirked, not a tip of the lip slightly upturned but a full blown smirk as she lifted the box a bit.
"Red." She said and closed the door as Squall opened his mouth his face disbelieving a bit but he was cut off by the door mechanism responding instantly to her command.
Squall was left standing outside the room wondering at it all. But mainly he had an image forming in his head of a white haired woman in a Very red dress. Somehow he felt like it was all to spite him. Though he knew it wasn't it still felt like a jab. The image in his mind though, would have to go before he let the overactive organ spa him into fantasizing until he was disappointed. Unbidden the image resurfaced. He stepped away and walked back toward his own dorm to prepare his own outfit that he would be wearing but a few hours in the future. He had paid a bit more attention than usual to what he was wearing feeling like a plain black tux would not suffice he had opted for a more interesting setup. Something he had seen once that looked interesting. He entered his Dorm room with his code, having coded it during a period when some of the gang had thought it might be hilarious to rearrange his room while he was out about a month previous. It was a pretty classic idea he had to admit but it was not fun to put it all back. In retaliation he had put a code on the door that called faculty after two attempts. Weasel out of that. Aside though, he stepped into the space and went over to the closet where the suit hung from the peg on the door into the closet. He laid it out and smiled. A Maroon and black striped shirt alternating vertical in pin sized stripes, making it appear just slightly darker than it was in reality. This went nicely with the black pants he had picked for the occasion, the jacket was a special job though, a dark maroon. The Irony struck him looking at it, and he was forced to sit with a mildly disconcerted look on his face, had she found him out? Possible though unlikely, he had been rather discreet, and had more of it available to him. No it was much more likely a coincidence that was almost as charming as it was ironic.
He chuckled softly to himself before moving to dress, with the festival's beginning mark measured in hours he got dressed and decided to sit back and relax a bit. He had forgone a tie of any type hating them passionately but he left the jacket open to show the smooth transition from a deep earthy red to a solid midnight, looking at himself in the mirror it was quite flattering really. He enjoyed the effect a bit longer before removing the jacket, draping it over the back of his chair and sitting down to do a little listening turning on his stereo that was small and economically priced, he let the sounds of the hard electronic beat press through his mind and relaxed into the infinite variation of the simple systematic beat. Efficient and comfortably predictable, It was safe and nice though he stopped to listen to the words pouring out and couldn't help but think. Something about the song just resonated, he mouthed the words as the song spoke them.
"Human After All." He was thoughtful and hiked a brow then reached over the the phone on the corner of his desk and lifting the receiver, punched the number of the musical coordinator, being head dog had it's advantages, like giving him say in some of the music played, in this case his favorite kind, electronic, and told him to put the song on the stack for the night, he wasn't really one to force things on people but he felt like this might be important, after dropping all the relevant information for locating the song he hung up and leaned back letting the music play on unimpeded. He knew there was a reason he liked DeftPunk. A Tribian Electronic band and they came up with some interesting songs. He smiled as the song switched to one of his favorites Television Rules the Nation. It Put a smile on his face and he tried to relax, because soon he would be thrown again to the wolves he called friends, with that brunette man-eater at the head of them. He leaned back planting one black shoe on the edge of the desk and pushing himself back to balance vicariously on the back legs of the chair moving a bit back and forth to the beat. He felt like the night would be eventful.
Standing outside dance hall, the same one that had housed their formal inauguration dance at SeeD adjacent to the quad allowing the cool night breeze out to roam the gardens It was well decorated, a tribute to Selphie's individual sense of style, it was heavy on light greens and what if not her favorite sunflower yellow. All in all though it made a tasteful combination that evoked the coloration of a field of the colorful namesake. The music was being set up as they spoke, he adjusted his collar and set his necklace to mid chest, hovering just below the apex of the V his shirt formed at the neck the top button undone. He looked around his hands seeking something to do and seeking his pockets where his thumbs hooked out as he supervised, so far so good, no tricks, no traps. He knew they wouldn't do anything during the dance it was too tacky to get by either Selphie or Quistis. He focused on the night outside it was pretty clear a few clouds floating here and there, high in the sky and wispy like cotton on a child's diorama. He smiled out at the twinkling stars and the gibbous moon, the full moon was approaching, he guessed about a week away yet, well, things can't be too perfect. He looked around the room scouting for his friends he saw Selphie and Quistis directing people around with the final bits of the decorating before the party began. He walked around the room seemingly looking at things but really his mind was wandering especially onto the fact the dinner tonight would have hot dogs as an option. He had been so strongly against it but at the same time he knew a few people personally that would likely starve without the things. He sighed outwardly and shook his head, then to hide his indiscretion, fiddled with the curtain he was standing in front of for a few moments and eventually putting it back where it was and nodding as though he had actually done something.
Finally the lights dimmed and the music began softly, sound checks mostly, a few people standing around the room offering affirmatives at various times. He could hear outside the door there was a bit of noise, people were already arriving. He shook his head and put his hands on his hips looking toward the door. Why couldn't they show this kind of poise on class days he had enough trouble without people being chronically late for class.... no, he was supposed to leave work behind tonight and he had every intention of doing so. This was supposed to be fun and he was not going to let it be otherwise.
Finally the Start time arrived and the doors opened, and the residents of Garden poured in. The students and faculty swiftly moved to engulf the room in a soft atmosphere of voices as they awaited the beginning of the Garden Festival. Once the food was well the way to the stomaches of most of the attendees the music began. It was a soft beginning just some light background sound guitar and soft vocals letting everyone get into the mood of the night. It was an event that many would remember the rest of their potentially short careers. Beyond the morbid thought of that moment the party was going well and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves Squall mingled into the crowd for once allowed to vanish into the throng. It was a party and he was willing to let go a little, after all, this was as much a celebration of a year of survival as anything else.
Fujin arrived about ten minutes after the scheduled start, after all why bother to show up in the crowd let people figure out where they want to be before showing up. It's less hectic, and it ensures that one way or another it will be easier to get what she wanted as she could seek out one aspect of the group and find them all. She was accompanied, somewhat unexpectedly by Karin. These are the sort of things many call a pleasant surprise. She was willing to go with this one, and spoke softly with her company as they made a slow circuit of the room, pausing for essentials like punch and snacks before settling outside as the music became a little louder and shifted to a more technological bent, obviously Squall's hand in things. The Lion himself had yet to make himself known, but that was hardly a problem, the Garden Festival went till Dawn, They had all night to find one another. She stood at that moment against the Railing in the cool night, not yet cold merely an invigorating chill in the air that made one feel alive. She looked inward toward the dance as it progressed recognizing a few faces from her tenure as a Student of the Garden. She watched as Zell spoke to a girl she recognized from the Library. She chuckled to herself, who would have guessed such a loud guy would go for such a bookish girl. He however had his hand around her waist as they danced to the slow beat of the music, close like a waltz. Fujin could only laugh, as she knew the title of the song, Make Love. Ah the delicious moments shared by those who knew. Karin looked up to Fujin periodically, who true to character pretended she didn't notice the first few times. She would look up to her and open her mouth to say something then close it and try again. The fourth time she looked up Fujin took the initiative and spoke.
"Speak." she said simply without even looking down. Karin swallowed before saying something.
"um, Aren't you kinda... mad?" she asked looking up as she said that Fujin's brows knitted together then after a few moments of trying to figure out what she was talking about, she turned and looked at Karin who suddenly looked sheepish, Fujin spoke with an incredulous edge.
"What?" She asked making it quite plain she was confused. Karin took a moment to speak up.
"Zell.... he's dancing with another girl... kinda... you know... close." she said growing quieter and quieter as she continued. Fujin looked at her trying to figure out whether to laugh or be insulted at the insinuation.
"Chickenwuss?" was all she could think to say for a moment then finally her body reacted on it's own, she laughed, hard and it lasted much longer than it should have but it would not stop her so easily at the sheer absurdity of the insinuation.
"seriously?" she asked blinking back a tear as Karin looked simultaneously mortified and amazed. Mortified that her suggestion made her laugh so much and amazement that her instructor could laugh at all, she had heard no more than a chuckle out of her in all the time he had known her and that had only been twice. A voice behind Fujin however caused her to spin on her heel, and caused Karin's eyes to widen a bit and her head to drop a bit.
"laughing at the kids is hardly a good Way to encourage adventurous thinking.... and plus, I think he makes a great Foil, wouldn't you say?" Squall asked standing behind her, looking at her dress with interest. She returned his interest, gazing slowly over Squall's appearance, inch by inch taking in the change from the normal appearance of the leader. Both stood in silent marvel of the color coordination that occurred completely separate of each other. Squall broke the silence a short moment later.
"Red works for you." He said As she nodded her thanks and responded,
"Likewise." He responded in kind. Squall stepped up and stood next to her nearly mirroring her pose looking into the crowd, both were party watchers. Karin, momentarily forgotten, leaned a bit forward to take in a look of both of them eyes darting back and forth, an acute mind coming to a conclusion that fit much better than the other available, and smiled softly before sinking back metaphorically into Fujin's shadow. An interesting night lay yet ahead.
Fujin spent a moment longer before looking away back into the room and letting out a soft sigh looking back at the party as it continued inside, Squall was doing the same though both full well knew the other was not really watching what was happening, just passively observing the smooth flow of people as they moved some flowing to the beat while others danced in their own way to the rhythm set by their friends in little cliques all over the room, the music poured outside loud enough to hear clearly but not so overpowering that conversation had to raise much above normal. Not that it mattered, with the Two of them pointedly not speaking, even as the song turned over to a faster tune the style stayed similar. She looked over to him and spoke.
"Harder." And looked at him with a smug look and he glanced back with the look of the cat caught in the canary cage.
"Better." He responded as she looked to hide the smile that threatened her face only to be caught by another smiling face, if possible more smug than the lion's, Karin's she blushed when she noticed she'd been spotted and mumbled softly.
"I get it now...." and then turned away as Fujin turned to look back into the room her face twinged pink, Squall had to stifle himself to keep from laughing. The timing was too perfect, he only wished he had set it up. He'd have to talk with the girl later, he made a point of catching a glance of the girl's face to commit to memory as best he could. He felt it might be important that he know who she was sooner rather than later. The more important thing however right now was teasing Fujin. He moved to stand in front of her, slowly her eye rose to meet his face. As their eyes met he smiled.
"I'm famished could I get you anything? Perhaps some Blush wine? Or Darker?" He asked in a deep tone that made her shift a bit and try not to think about it too much. She took a breath to compose herself noticing that even that didn't make him break eye contact, she almost loathed his self control. Even Seifer had snuck a peek now and again.... not that he would have ever admitted it..... the train of thought began to darken swiftly as that image passed through her mind. However she banished them in a moment as she looked back up and decided two could play this game.
"Bloody." She said looking him square in the eye, knowing full well the effect the lighting would have on her irises. To his credit he didn't flinch, he nodded slightly and walked away with purpose skirting the crowd. Fujin watched him as he went and sighed shifting her footing a bit and shifting her weight to the other foot leaning back on the banister a bit when a titter to one side reminded her of Karin's presence, Fujin had thought she had left, that girl really was invisible if you weren't careful. Karin grinned at Fujin an unsettling image she painted with that toothy grin.
"I see..." She said looking downwardly her hair falling in front of her eyes again as the grin shrunk back down to a smile. Fujin wondered if that was how she looked when she grinned like that. But then a thought struck her.... well the cat was definitely out of the bag now. Fujin sighed silently and rolled her eye then did what she did best think on her feet, and gave out a full body shiver, which had Karin watching her closely again. Slowly Fujin Turned fully to face Karin putting on the most forced smile she could, she didn't doubt for a moment that it looked completely cheesy. Then she spoke with a forced stutter.
"S-squall?" She shivered again and then looked her hard in the eye dropping all pretenses for a moment and giving her a full on glare.
"KIDDING?" She asked in her formerly so common tone that left no doubt as to whether or not she was being completely serious. Despite the obvious incongruity. Karin however looked away again though a ghost of a smile never left her lips. The music dominated the atmosphere for a few moments before Squall returned looking sidelong back to the drink table a small wet spot on his collar. He was carrying three glasses two of which were obviously for himself and Fujin judging by color and the third was far too pale to be wine, Fujin looked at that glass trying to fathom its purpose but was unable for many long moments until he handed it to Karin. Well it definitely wasn't alcoholic if he was handing it to a kid. When Karin looked up quizzically he dispelled the mystery.
"it's white grape juice." he said quietly and both women nodded knowingly as he moved toward Fujin and handed her one of the two remaining glasses. He smiled at her and she returned it, that had Karin grinning again but she said nothing for now merely looking down reaffirmed in her suspicion.
"Trouble?" Squall just looked a bit coolly back at the refreshment tables when she said that, she couldn't help but laugh. Squall merely looked back to her laughing and after a moment loosened up a bit and gave a little chuckle of his own. They brought up glasses in a silent toast as the music turned down catching everyone's attention. Selphie, looking the picture of her perky self in an uncharacteristic Black dress her hair down in a brown flow given a slight curl. It was a look recommended to her by her erstwhile "companion" who didn't need to be named. All the same, she stood looking down over the crowd as she began to speak. He never ceased to marvel at her speaking ability, that girl had been full of surprises.
"At this time in the year, it has become a tradition to take pause from our lives as warriors and tacticians and take the time to merely be people. But all the same I think that the battlefield is slightly less dangerous than the dating scene especially here," That got a chuckle out of the audience, she seamlessly continued. "But during this festival we make a point of remembering that dangerous aspect of our lives. We celebrate it with this event and with that in mind I'd like to announce the awards, beginning with the beloved teacher award. I think there is little doubt as to who it will be going to again." she said as she opened one of the envelopes that she had.... somewhere. Looking at it a moment she smiled and spoke up even as she pulled out the next to have it ready.
"Quistis Trepe!" She announced with an exuberance only she could posses. After a few moments of applause Quistis ascended the stage, with grace in an interesting black dress matching the affair. It appeared to be made from a long bolt of cloth wrapped about her frame a few times covering her completely, but not without that touch of scandalousness that always hovered somewhere near the instructor. She accepted the award with a muted pleasure, before descending back into the crowd. Selphie held up the next envelope gingerly as she spoke again.
"well, that was a bit of a twist, I thought it would be Zell for sure..." she said softly as though it were a thought to herself, a ripple of laughter passed through the audience followed by one "Hey!". Selphie continued as though that hadn't happened at all, composing herself and raising her head a moment later.
"Next we have an award for a student, Voted on by the instructors as well as your peers, this goes to the one most likely to become SeeD. And this somewhat prestigious, apparently, award goes to... " pausing with dramatic effect as she opened the envelope the room nearly silent but for the soft music in the background.
"The award goes to, Nicoli Veriati!" A cheer arose a moment later from many of the students as a young man bearing a healthy olive skin tone in an eggshell suit ascended the stage under a steady stream of applause. He left the stage into a group of his friends, the only explanation for the sudden rise in volume. Once it calmed again, Selphie stepped up with a bounce of the curl and produced two enveloped from wherever she kept them. A grin on her lips that made her almost frightening to look at for a moment, this was her favorite part.
"and now for the arguably most sought after awards, Cutest couple, best dressed, and of course like we could let you escape without finding the Royals of the Festival!" She spoke with the sort of anticipation that only she could muster at times like this when the gossip wheel showed its true colors and showed what people really thought of course there was an upset planned already thanks in no small part to Quistis, Selphie, and Zell. Squall had set up the atmosphere for the night and convinced them all to aid in his plot to get Fujin to attend, now it was their turn to do something interesting and unexpected.
" First, cutest couple, The winner is... Sharon Gradis and Harry Trist!" A shower of applause as the two called came onto the stage arm in arm, dressed in a rather revealing Forest green dress and a traditional Tuxedo, respectfully. Once they had safely made it back into the crowd she moved on.
"Wonder if a trist is what is going to follow that little award.... Anyway, Best Dressed, let's see... Bradly Jones!" The mentioned ascended the stage in a snappy black suit shoes shining and a scarlet tie giving him a remarkably professional look all the way to what looked to be gemmed cuff links, likely costume, and a gold pin in the lapel. Amusingly though when he raised his hands around the rolled paper that was the award he showed he was wearing florescent pink socks, his bravado got a rise out of the crowd as he descended the steps in a flourish of Pride, hamming it up for all it was worth. After that had died down a little Selphie stepped up and put on her game face, this was the important part for her.
"Now the part that has been awaited Eagerly. The Royalty of the Festival!" A cheer rose as she held up the first card and flipped it open with a smile.
"The Prince of the festival is... Jack Newton!" A roar bubbled up for a moment as the young man who's name was mentioned ascended the stage. He was waving into the crowd and throwing kisses out into the throng he seemed rather proud of himself at least. As the din lowered again Selphie stepped back up to the microphone opening the second card and reading it aloud.
"the princess is... Silvia Greanic!" the cheers were even louder this time as a rather demure looking girl ascended the stage to stand by Jack her head looking at the floor surprise clearly written on her face. Selphie stepped back up to the microphone and cleared her throat before going on as a pair of small metal crows were added to the heads of the pair by a pair of likely unwilling recruits on Selphie's little trip. Speaking of, she had produced another envelope.
"Now for the King and Queen of the festival, voted by their peers, The King of tonight's celebration is....... Squall Leonheart!" She said with a flourish sounding far too pleased with this turn of events. Fujin looked sidelong at Squall who was looking back with a subdued but suspicious expression. He moved away as her eyes followed him ascending the stage with a minimum to the handshakes and congratulations. Once the crown was on his head he was standing eyeing Selphie, a look that clearly conveyed the simple words "You didn't." of coarse Selphie burst into the sort of grin that was usually reserved for villains who had just tied a damsel to the railroad tracks. Squall just stared, he had figured she would pull something but he wondered how he had gotten everyone to go in on it. Fujin in the meantime was watching with amusement to see what girl ended up having to share a dance and a kiss with the Ice Prince. She almost missed the declaration lost in her own little world of speculation. She looked up just as Selphie announced the name of the queen.
"Fujin Laskota!" Fujin stood there thunderstruck, with a supremely confused look upon her face sure she had misheard until she felt a little push from the suddenly bold Karin who was grinning at her again. After some prompting and applause that had Fujin looking indignant and somewhat embarrassed she ascended the stage and cast a gaze at Selphie in such a way that even she balked a bit, something that made Squall look somewhat smug for a moment. The two icy individuals, looking independently uncomfortable, were remarkably well matched a choice of dress that had been amusing before and was now somewhat irritating. Both stood looking at various people in the crowd who they knew to be at least partially responsible for this mess, Zell Quistis and occasional glances cast at Selphie who had the wherewithal to look perturbed. Once the applause died down the stage lighting changed a bit to more closely match the darkened atmosphere in the room though with better highlighting, and Selphie spoke once more, a calmer voice, softer and seeming more the pleased cat rather than the rambunctious kitten.
"May I present to you, the Royals of the Garden festival." She said as applause began, with hoots and hollers that persisted until the music got turned back up and Selphie gave some parting words. Even as the attention in the room shifted to a dull roar as people spoke amongst themselves.
"remember to make sure the Royals spend a dance together, DJ, if you would... something appropriate." She said with a Cheshire grin as she vanished off the stage melding into the crowd as the song shifted to one that had Both Squall and Fujin glaring out looking for the mischievous brunette, the song was entitled "Make Love". They shared a sigh and looked to each other unsure whether to be happy for the opportunity to Dance or fearful due to the an ounce of trepidation, this was a slow beat and a slow dance something, close and sensual. The two of them made their way into the crowd, stopping on the dance floor Squall's hands settled just on her hip, hers onto his shoulders, and the song began in earnest. It was not a long song both knew but even as it ended and the next began they stayed there on the floor, enjoying the feeling of closeness. A small circle had formed around them giving them room so they didn't have to worry as much about being bumped into. The music slowly tuned out as they danced. After a time the silence was broken by a soft voice in her ear.
"Fujin." She looked up her red eye half lidded her body and face relaxed as she looked up into his eyes. They paused like that for a moment, before he continued speaking.
"I guess this wasn't so bad, huh?" he asked with a muted smile, and she let out a soft chuckle and shook her head a bit, the smile grew a bit as she lay her head back to his chest a few more moments as the song slowly ended and turned over to a slightly more upbeat tune, though the tempo increased little. The night passed by swiftly after that, they danced a few more songs and then broke away, Squall's arm still around her as they went to get refreshments speaking quietly to each other as much as possible. The night however soon began to turn to day, a day off it was worth adding, after all who could really expect to go to class when many of the people involved had been up literally the entire night. So, as the horizon began to light Squall was found walking back with Fujin to her room, sharing a comfortable silence filled with little things that didn't need to be said. As they reached her dorm she inputted the code without looking and the door slid open she made to step forward and felt his hand slip from her, she turned and looked back at him a moment he seemed calm, she however stepped back outside the door and in a show of her former roughness grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him in the door letting it slide closed behind she looked him in the eyes then smirked.
"Comfortable, then return." she said as she opened the door and he stepped back out a little surprised but more simply stunned. He decided that if she was planning on making a move she would do it then headed off to his room to comply with her order knowing that was what it was. He Returned in short order wearing a loose pair of pants over his sleepwear and a loose white shirt a size or two too large. He buzzed her room and the door slid open showing Fujin standing much as he was in a set of clothes obviously too large for her and with something on underneath. He stepped in as she stepped out of the doorway and with a quick glance about the halls closed the door confident that they had gone unnoticed. She walked into the dorm and sat down in one of the chairs in the single motioning to the other and to the coffee table with some other drink on it, steaming softly filing the room with the light scent of tea. A little caffeine to let the conversation continue. He sat down and poured himself a cup and one for her which she took with a nod of thanks, they both took a moment to sip at the tea letting the silence carry a few more moments. Squall was the one to break it.
"I swear I had everything to do with the music and nothing to do with the crown." he said calmly and sippped the tea waiting for her response. She chuckled.
"Bouncy." she said looking him in the eye. He sighed and rolled his eyes taking another sip of the hot liquid.
"I have no doubt that she's behind it. It is something she would do." Fujin chuckled over her Tea and Squall joined her mirth a moment later. He closed his eyes and looked over at her she cocked a brow at him.
"tired?" Squall looked away and she smirked at his embarrassment. Then a moment later she got caught off guard by a yawn she couldn't stifle in time which had Squall laughing until he too got trapped by the yawn. They both sat in silence as they finished the tea that unsurprisingly did little for their individual sluggishness. After it was finished Squall stood and she looked up at him, her legs curled under herself likely for warmth judging by the thickness of what she was wearing. He walked over and stood over her a moment composing what he was going to say though Fujin jumped in and beat him to it.
"Stay?" She asked softly, a little unsure of herself. Squall said nothing a moment then nodded and her face brightened a bit. He offered out a hand which she took and he gave her a hand up on standing she stumbled a bit and stomped her foot a few times covertly, Squall stifled a chuckle in favor of the moment. He wrapped an arm about her shoulders and she sighed softly. Her mind lapsed a moment as she realized just how warm he was, lord, he could be a space heater if he wanted. Ice Prince was nothing she would ever call him again. She was quite prone to getting a little chilly, she had always had a strong preference for warm climates, being slight, she was often chilled, adding to her already pale complexion. Squall took a step toward the bed and she stayed with him trying her damnedest not to break contact with him as they moved, they did break as he deftly removed the outer pair of pants and slipped into the bed, followed quickly by Fujin who had taken a moment longer having one extra article of clothing to remove. He lay looking up at the ceiling and she lay not beside him but rather partially atop him her head resting on his chest. He lay a hand on the side of her head and took deep breaths that soon blended seamlessly into the slow rhythm of sleep, she followed him shortly thereafter. The shades pulled close and the world around them quiet, it seemed to her that she could sleep all day like this.
A/N: well, update with a times 3 multiplyer on it. Took me hell and high to write it. However here it is. all 6745 words. try to enjoy.