Part Twenty Two
Real Emotion
Fisherman's Horizon
Two days after Garden's crash
The battle against the Galbadian forces had been short but bloody. After talking to Cid Kramer Squall had been ordered to attack the Galbadians and drive them out of the town. The mayor didn't have any military forces at all on this floating town so that left the SeeD members along with Sora and his friends to fight. Squall, Seifer, Zell and Quistis had led the attack from the Garden while Rinoa, Selphie and Irvine took the route to the centre of the town.
Sora, Roxas, Riku, Baralai, Leon and Cloud were protecting the Garden and its students from various attacks from the enemy forces. The battle ended outside the town hall when the Galbadian Commander tried to kill the mayor and his wife. After defeating the commander it was simple enough to take out the other soldiers.
Now the group were fixing up the Garden while Nida finally found the history texts on how to pilot flying vessels. The day after the battle Squall had been called into Cid's office so that the Headmaster could promote him to the position of Garden Commander.
At first Squall had wanted to protest and refuse the position but Kramer had explained that Squall was the only one he trusted enough to stop the Sorceress. He told Squall everything about Edea being his wife and the evil Sorceress when she received her dark powers. Squall thought back to when Leon told him about Myde and how the dark magic corrupted an innocent soul to the point of trying to destroy the world.
In all honesty Squall Leonhart hated responsibility and this only added to his stress. He scowled as he angrily punched the button to take him down to the bottom floor. He wanted to go to his room, lock himself in and just think about things. After being made Commander the Headmaster had then told the entire Garden over the intercom system. Now the entire Garden knew about his new role as the fearless fucking leader. He was expecting Seifer to make a big deal out of it but when he got to the bottom floor the scarred man was nowhere in sight.
As he passed through the halls and into the dormitories he caught sight of Sora and Riku. The small brunet was giggling as Riku whispered something in his ear then he bent his head down so he could kiss Sora. Squall quickly averted his eyes.
He didn't want to be prying into a private moment between the two boys but shouldn't they get a room or something? Squall reached his room quickly and he punched in the door code. He entered his cool room and breathed out his relief. Falling onto the bed, still fully dressed, Squall flung an arm over his face and fell asleep in record time.
In the cafeteria Zell was happily munching on his hotdogs while Selphie talked about arranging something to congratulate Squall. Rinoa readily agreed as did Quistis while Irvine and Seifer looked disinterested. Zell was too busy enjoying his meal. Roxas was sitting at the table and glaring at Seifer.
The scarred man had refused to let Axel emerge from his mind after the battle for Fisherman's Horizon. He was exhausted and sick of this war already so Roxas sat seething and muttering something about possessive scarred blonds. Selphie suddenly sprang up and she had a look on her face that told the group she had thought up the perfect plan.
"We're gonna hold a concert." She proclaimed to the others.
"That's a great idea!" Rinoa clapped her hands. The others looked apprehensive.
"Do you think Squall's gonna like that?" Zell asked.
"I wanna show him how much we appreciate how he's handling things. What better way to do that than with music?" Selphie smiled brightly.
"She's got a point." Quistis said.
"So what's it gonna be?" Irvine spoke up. "Just music or are you planning on serenading the Commander?"
"Hmmm...that sounds like a good idea." Selphie's eyes were glowing.
"If you wanna impress the crowd get Demyx to sing." Roxas remarked. His blue eyes narrowed as he watched Seifer.
"He's the Siren; no one can resist his voice. The concert will be a hit." Seifer shrugged.
"I think someone close to Squall should sing." Rinoa suggested and she smiled slightly at Roxas. The blond could tell what she was thinking.
"What about getting Seifer to sing?" Roxas suggested and the table fell silent.
"Fuck you." Seifer spat out.
"I thought we wanna impress everyone not make them tone deaf thanks to Seifer's singing." Zell quipped.
"Screw you Chicken-Wuss." Seifer snapped irritably.
"Come on Seifer why not?" Selphie pleaded with puppy dog eyes.
"I don't sing." He said through gritted teeth.
Liar. Your voice can match Demyx anytime. Axel was grinning again. Seifer mentally told Axel to shut the hell up.
"I think we better sort out the instruments first then concentrate on the song." Quistis suggested helpfully.
"Good idea. So can you guys play anything?" Selphie turned back to the others.
"I can play the electric guitar." Zell said.
"I'm pretty good with a violin." Quistis said.
"I played the drums once." Irvine shrugged.
"What about you Roxas?" Rinoa turned to the small blond boy.
"I can't play anything." He frowned.
"Neither can I." Rinoa confessed. She glanced back towards Seifer and a plan formed in her mind.
"What are you staring at?" Seifer demanded. "I'm not going to sing."
"I think you should at least escort Squall to the concert." Rinoa suggested with a smile.
"Do I look like his boyfriend?" Seifer snapped then immediately regretted it.
"I think you should bring Squall to the concert. He only reacts around you." Quistis stated simply.
"How come I have to bring Leonhart?" Seifer whined.
"Because you won't play or sing so that leaves you with taking care of Squall." Selphie replied.
"Fuck..." Seifer muttered then he stood up to leave. "He won't listen to me."
"Just dress up nice and ask him to come tomorrow evening." Selphie instructed.
"Fine." Seifer murmured then he left the cafeteria.
"So what should we do first?" Rinoa asked.
"Let's sort out who should play which instrument. Meet up in the quad in one hour." Selphie instructed then, pulling Irvine with her, she left the cafeteria.
"I'm gonna go tell Sora and Riku." Roxas got up and left. Quistis sighed then got up and left the cafeteria. Zell glanced down at his hotdog as he thought about the concert. Maybe Baralai would like to help out.
"Hello Zell." The silver haired man in question greeted Zell as he sat down to eat his own lunch.
"Hey Baralai do you wanna help with a concert?" Zell flashed his canines at the confused man.
Seifer Almasy's Quarters
You should just sing man. Axel sighed in a bored tone.
"Why should I sing?" Seifer snapped at his reflection in the bathroom mirror.
Oh let me see...hmm, how about the fact you're in love with the frigid prick and every time you hear some emo crap you just gotta sing it because it reminds you of him. Axel yelled in Seifer's head.
"You don't have to fucking shout!" Seifer growled. "Besides he won't come with me to the concert."
With an attitude like that you're never gonna get fucked again. Axel smirked. And I know that you love it when Squall bangs you tight little ass into the next millennium.
"Shut the fuck up already." Seifer stalked out of the bathroom.
I'll sing with you. Axel offered softly.
"Excuse me?" the scarred blond frowned.
If you want I'll sing with you. Axel offered.
"You don't even know what song I'll choose." Seifer replied. He got a loud shriek for his efforts.
I'm in your head. If you think about a song I'll know the tune. I'm part of you. Axel explained.
"Fine...let me think." Seifer muttered as he sat down on his bed and placed his aching head in his hands.
How's this...if you don't wanna sing then Demyx and I could do it. We know a few tunes. The GF suggested.
"You'd actually sing?" Seifer sounded unconvinced. The blond summoned up Axel so that he could look at the crazy red head.
"Demyx and I used to sing a few times back in our world." Axel shrugged. "It was something we enjoyed."
"I dunno..." Seifer frowned as he looked away. "Fine, you and Demyx can sing and I'll bring Squall to the concert."
"Sweet." Axel was grinning again. All he needed to do now was tell Demyx of his plan. It was time to have a little fun.
The Quad
Later that day it was decided that Selphie, Irvine, Quistis, Baralai and Zell would perform a simply musical piece with their preferred instruments. Afterwards it was decided that Axel and Demyx would be summoned and the first musical performance by Guardian Forces would happen. The concert was to be held in Fisherman's Horizon and Seifer agreed to take Squall to the show.
Rinoa and Roxas were pleased with this outcome while Sora and Riku remained in their own world. Leon and Cloud had been asked to participate but after giving their infamous death glares Selphie promptly dropped the subject. She liked her head being attached to her body thank you very much.
"So when is the concert going to be held?" Baralai asked as he set the flute he had been playing with aside.
"Tomorrow evening. This is going to be so good." Selphie said gleefully.
"And Seifer is going to take Squall right?" Zell questioned.
"I can't believe that two GFs are going to sing though." Quistis said.
"Are you kidding? We'll be booked out with that performance alone!" Selphie shrieked excitedly.
"You've got a mind for making Gil you know." Rinoa laughed.
"Well I'm not just a pretty face." Selphie smirked then she turned to Seifer and Ienzo. "So what do Axel and Demyx want to sing?"
Fisherman's Horizon
Concert Night
To say the concert was a hit would be an understatement. Everyone from the Garden came to see the musicians and most of the population of Fisherman's Horizon came to watch the entertainment. At the beginning Selphie had announced that this concert was for the newly promoted Commander Squall Leonhart.
Axel and Demyx agreed that their performance would be the last one of the evening. Partly it was to surprise to crowd but it was also to buy time for Seifer. The blond had gone to get Squall but only after Rinoa forced him to wear something really good. The scarred man settled for an emerald green silk shirt and black leather pants.
Squall had dressed in his usual outfit of black leather, his Griever Pendent and a white t-shirt. The Commander had a scowl plastered on his face as Seifer led him to a section of Fisherman's Horizon that would give them some privacy. Irvine had marked the place by putting a sex manual on a marble ledge that overlooked an ice rink. Seifer mentally cursed that sex mad cowboy as he pushed the magazine aside before Squall could see it. The brunet glanced at Seifer then sat down on the marble ledge to stare at the ice rink.
"So why did you bring me out here?" Squall broke the silence.
"I thought you could use the time off." Seifer shrugged. He was glad he summoned Axel before getting Squall. The red head had begged Seifer to let him have Roxas for the night before he started singing.
"Whatever." Squall muttered.
"You're not gonna just say that to me all night." Seifer bit back as he sat beside the brunet.
"Why are you being nice?" Squall could sense that something was going on.
"You don't think I can be nice?" Seifer quirked an eyebrow.
"You're Seifer Almasy." Squall remarked as if that explained everything.
"So why aren't you in the concert?" Squall muttered when Seifer fell quiet. Jade eyes flickered towards where the concert was being held.
"Axel wanted to steal the limelight." Seifer smirked. "He and Demyx are gonna be singing."
"So why are you with me?" Squall demanded tersely.
"Dammit Squall I just wanted to talk to you." The tall blond groaned.
"Whatever." Was the reply. Seifer put his head in his hands and sighed. This was going to be a long night.
"Are you all enjoying yourselves?" Selphie cheered and the crowd roared their approval.
"We've got a special treat for you tonight. Two Guardian Forces are going to entertain you tonight." Selphie cheered and the crowd waved their arms frantically. "This is your once in a lifetime opportunity so enjoy it. Here are Phoenix and Siren."
The crowd went wild when a pillar of water emerged and transformed into a beautiful man with a tail instead of legs. Golden light spilled beneath his tail and it gave the illusion of levitation. Behind him a winged red head emerged from above and landed with perfect grace on the stage beside the water wielder.
Demyx and Axel grinned at one another then Demyx raised his right hand and blue light erupted from the palm. Music began to play and a beat started up. Axel started moving his hips to the sound then he walked behind Demyx and placed his hands on the merman's smooth hips where the scales of his tail ended and human flesh began.
Lying' in your bed and on a Saturday night
It's sweating buckets and it's not even hot
But your brain has got the message and it's sending it out
To every nerve and every muscle you've got
You've got so many dreams that you don't know where to put 'em
So you better turn a few of 'em loose
Your body's got a feeling that it's starting to rust
You'd better rev it up and put it to use
After Demyx sang the first few lines of the song the crowd was enraptured by his voice. He wasn't using his Siren ability to control their influence by singing. He was singing normally and he crowd loved it. Demyx couldn't help but feel immensely pleased with himself.
Axel was pressing his body against Demyx while the merman swayed to the beat and created more music. Glancing back he nodded at the red head and Axel moved towards the edge of the stage. He ran his nails along his bare legs and slowly dragged them along his flushed skin. He winked saucily at the crowd. Glancing around he spotted a very red faced Roxas then he began to sing his part.
And I don't know how I ever thought that I could make it all alone
When you only make it better and it better be tonight
And we'll fly away on those angel wings of chrome in your daddy's car
Waiting there for you tonight I'll be there for you tonight
Even if you don't have anywhere to go
You go down on the pedal and you're ready to roll
And even if you don't have anywhere to go
You go down on the pedal and you're ready to roll
And your speed is all you'll ever need all you'll ever need to know
Darlin', darlin'
Roxas couldn't help but drool at the display Axel was putting on for the crowd. He was running those skilled hands all over his body while Demyx wrapped his tail around Axel's waist and pressed his body close to the red head. Roxas felt his hands balling into fists and he fought back the hot rush of jealousy.
Glancing to his side to noticed that Ienzo was seething and glaring rather heatedly at Axel. Sora was looking between the two and he couldn't suppress a giggle. The two GFs moved across the stage and turned so that they were facing one another. They started to sing the chorus to the song and the crowd cheered.
You and me we're goin' nowhere slowly and we gotta get away from the past
There's nothin' wrong with goin' nowhere baby
But we should be goin' nowhere fast
Everybody's goin' nowhere slowly
They're only fightin' for the chance to be last
There's nothin' wrong with goin' nowhere baby
But we should be goin' nowhere fast
It's so much better goin' nowhere fast
"They're really good." Baralai commented brightly.
"You said it." Zell was cheering with everyone else. "I gotta say, in those shorts Axel's got a great ass."
"And I gotta say that if you make any more remarks about Axel I will kill you." Roxas growled lowly.
"I'm just complimenting him." Zell defended.
"Well you can stop it." The smaller blond snapped.
"Those two really know how to put on a show." Quistis commented.
"IS it me or are they actually making steam?" Sora commented innocently. Everyone turned back when the next part of the song started up and Demyx took the lead.
Stalking in the shadows by the light of the moon
It's like a prison and the night is a cell
Going anywhere has gotta be heaven tonight
Cos staying here has gotta be hell
Dying in the city like a fire on the water
Let's go running on the back of the wind
There's gotta be some action on the face of the earth
And I gotta see your face once again
By this time Axel had his chest pressed to Demyx's back and steam billowed around the two swaying forms. The crowd were screaming for the two of them while Roxas and Ienzo looked ready to murder the first person who approached Axel and Demyx.
Roxas was still scowling at Zell while the martial artist kept his eyes fixed on the dancing red head. Leon and Cloud just smirked as they watched the little blond getting so worked up. It seemed Roxas had jealousy issues that could rival Cloud's any day. Axel twirled Demyx around as he began to sing his next part.
And I don't know where I ever got the bright idea that I was cool
So alone and independent but I'm depending on you now
And you'll always be the only thing that I just can't be without
And I'm out for you tonight I'm coming out for you tonight
Even if you don't have anywhere to go
You go down on the pedal and you're ready to roll
And even if you don't have anywhere to go
You go down on the pedal and you're ready to roll
And your speed is all you'll ever need all you'll ever need to know
Darlin', darlin'
Away from the stage Seifer was listening to the song and he found it to be enjoyable. He used to wonder what it would be like if he and Squall had just left the Garden one day, the two of them going nowhere in particular but as fast as they could.
He wondered if Squall preferred being alone and independent. Seifer sure as hell hated it. He liked talking to people and being around a crowd. He couldn't help his nature sometimes and he came off as a total jerk. Squall had broken his heart so it was to be expected. Sighing the tall blond glanced at his rival.
You and me we're goin' nowhere slowly and we gotta get away from the past
There's nothin' wrong with goin' nowhere baby
But we should be goin' nowhere fast
Everybody's goin' nowhere slowly
They're only fightin' for the chance to be last
There's nothin' wrong with goin' nowhere baby
But we should be goin' nowhere fast
It's so much better goin' nowhere fast
When the music died completely Axel and Demyx took a deep bow as the crowd cheered them. The Siren was in total bliss. He always wanted to sing before an audience. Axel was gripping his hand and steam continued to dance around their forms.
Roxas and Ienzo had to smile when they saw the blissful smile on Demyx's face. For the moment Roxas forgot about his jealousy and he clapped along with everyone else. Maybe later Ienzo would kick Axel's ass for touching his man. Right now they celebrated with the rest of the crowd.
"Am I always gonna be your rival Leonhart?" Seifer demanded suddenly.
"I don't even know you Seifer. I'm not your friend." Squall replied coldly.
"You're a damn lair!" Seifer shouted suddenly. "There's has to be some part of you that remembers."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Squall was on his feet as well as Seifer.
"I'm gonna do something and if you don't feel anything then I swear I won't bring it up again." Seifer sounded so subdued and beaten.
"What do you want Almasy?" Squall sighed.
Before he could lose his nerve Seifer grabbed Squall's wrist and pulled him close. Squall didn't even get a chance to protest before Seifer's lips covered his own.
Note-Extra long chapter for you guys and some Seifer/Squall action!!! The song is Nowhere Fast and it can be found on the Streets of Fire soundtrack. I fianlly got my Gravitation EX and it is totally awesome. The kid Riku is such a sweetie. And that buisness with Ryuichi...who saw that coming? Anywho coming up the gang head off to Trabia where Seifer and Irvine's secret comes out. Don't miss it.