Chapter 5 – Normality
The first thing Hayner noticed when he woke up was the pulsing ache in his lower back and bum, wincing and cursing Seifer silently, he slowly sat up. That was the second thing he noticed, where was Seifer?
Glancing around in confusion, Hayner confirmed that he was indeed Seifer's room, so the lack of the elder blonde was odd. He knew that there was no chance Seifer had panicked and was avoiding him; the cocky bastard was far too full of himself for that. Scoffing, Hayner swung his legs off the bed and slowly tugged some loose pants on.
As soon as the door was opened, the strong smell of bacon hit him and the sizzling made it clear just where his roommate was.
Grinning, Hayner limped in unnoticed by Seifer who was wearing a very similar outfit to the other day – just boxers and an apron, giving Hayner a strange sense of déjà vu. Instead of sitting down, he shuffled over and wrapped his arms around the pale waist, burying his face inbetween the defined shoulder blades.
"Morning" Seifer smirked, looking back over his shoulder at the tired boy, removing the now done bacon from the pan and putting the rashers between bread, putting ketchup on Hayner's and leaving his own dry.
Slicing the sandwiches in two, and pushing one plate towards Hayner, Seifer grabbed his own and moved to sit down. A hungry rumble left Hayner's stomach, making the smaller boy scratch the back of his neck in embarrassment; Seifer's cooking was just so good.
Seifer waited a moment for Hayner to taste his food, once he was happy with the reaction he got, he also tucked in, gaze only momentarily leaving the younger male. With it now being a Sunday, neither had lessons, so they had the day to themselves, but Seifer was sure he had heard Hayner mention he was meeting up with Roxas and his Pyro boyfriend earlier in the week.
"So, I'm heading out today" Hayner said, shooting a glance at Seifer. He wasn't sure where he stood with the elder blonde, considering he wasn't exactly in the right state of mind during their activities.
"Ok…" Seifer raised an eyebrow at Hayner's weird behaviour, but at least his previous question was answered without him having to ask – he didn't want to seem like he was prying.
"Well uh, I'm going to go shower now, so I'll uh, see you later?" He stumbled over his words and quickly darted out of the room, feeling far more embarrassed than he should have been, it was just Seifer. Why was he acting like a prepubescent girl?
Shaking his head to remove the thoughts of Seifer as she showered, he turned the water to a cooler setting, letting the cold water drag him out of his head before getting out and getting dressed.
What he needed right now was a chat with Olette, she always seemed to have answers to his dilemma.
Roughly rubbing a towel over his damp hair, not bothering to dry it properly, he threw his standard T-shirt and cargo pants on and grabbed his phone, keys and wallet. When he left his room, Seifer was still not clothed, and instead was lounging on their sofa, body splayed out, forcing Hayner to be reminded of the exact thing he was trying to forget.
"I'll not be too long" Hayner said, cringing at how needy he sounded, but he couldn't leave without saying anything.
Green eyes darted up to meet Hayner's, and the elder blonde smirked but nodded letting his hand scratch lazily at his lower stomach, almost daring Hayner to look.
With a blush on his face, he quickly left, shutting the door after him and taking a few deep breaths.
~S*H~
Hayner grinned when he saw his friends all reunited again, he knew that the few who had moved away were back for a few days and were heading away again soon.
"Hay!" Olette cried out and bounced over to him, dragging him into a hug. Pence waved at him from his seat at the usual spot and Roxas grinned from next to Axel who did a mock salute. "So, I see you're still alive" The knowing smirk on their faces told him that they all knew exactly what had gone down after the party the night before.
"Shut up guys" He flushed red and scuffed the toe of his shoe on the ground, not meeting their eyes.
"Hayner, you want to come grab a drink with me, I'm really thirsty" Olette's question was more of a demand and Hayner was in no place to argue with her. It would probably be better they chatted alone anyway.
The two departed from the small meeting space and towards their local shop to grab Olette some water; they remained silent for a few moment before Olette broke it.
"So, you went home without a date then, unless you count Seifer" Olette started softly, shooting a glance towards her friend as she entered the shop.
"I mean, it wasn't planned, I swear! He was just in the treehouse and I was drunk… he's been messing with my mind lately" Hayner started, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "We nearly kissed so many times, but it never ended up happening, until I saw him that night" He groaned and grabbed himself a drink alongside Olette, heading back to the till.
"Well, it sounds to me like it was what you wanted, so why are you so stressed? A kiss can't be that bad" Olette's brow furrowed in confusion and Hayner flushed.
"It wasn't just a kiss though, that's my problem and now I don't know where we stand" Olette's mouth hung open in shock – so maybe his friends didn't know the extent of his late night activities.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Olette shuffled forward in the queue, giving the lady both her and Hayner's drinks to scan and pay for. "You had sex with Seifer? Hayner!"
"I know, I know. I couldn't help myself, he was there and willing and…" He trailed off, as they left the store, slowly walking back to the usual spot. "But now, I don't know how to act; it's like he's taunting me, but not in a nasty way. It's almost as if he wants me to react" He bit his lip, shoving his hands deep into his pockets.
"Maybe he does; but more importantly, how do you feel now?" Olette asked, sending Hayner a worried glance. She knew that Hayner fell hard and that there was a good chance Seifer felt nothing more for the boy.
"I don't know, I never used to even consider him as more than my worst enemy or a bully – but he's not actually like that at all. I mean, sure he's an asshole at times, but, the other times, he's nothing like that" Hayner sighed and rubbed a hand over his tired face. "Can we just forget about this please, I need time to mull this one over?"
Olette nodded and looped her arm through his affectionately, a sympathetic smile on her lips. Getting involved with Seifer wouldn't be easy for anyone, nevermind Hayner.
~S*H~
When Hayner returned to his dorm room it was dark and he was starving having eaten nothing since lunch. He was surprised to see the place empty, with no sign of Seifer to be found.
Shrugging and thinking it probably best that the elder wasn't there, he wandered into the kitchen rummaging for something to eat. Opening the fridge, he found a plastic container full of what looked like some sort of beef stir fry with a little note attached to the top.
Lamer,
I figured you'd be hungry when you finally decide to come home. I've gone out and I can't be bothered with your inevitable whining about lack of food when I get back, so I left you some stir fry.
Try not to burn the place down.
Seifer
Feeling a strange twinge in the pits of his stomach he quickly binned the note, not wanting to think too much into the fact that Seifer had bothered to cook for him.
His only excuse as to why he was so excited was that the food was delicious, or at least, that's what he tried to tell himself.