Cloud's POV:

After Math, Squall left. He went to the office, claiming he was sick and he still looked rather wan and his skin was still clammy. I waited with him in the office, waiting for Aunt Raine to come. Once she collected him, I headed to the Maths department to apologise to Mr Barrett. I told him the truth of the matter and he looked disapproving but didn't comment. I was glad that his daughter Marlene was in our grade. He understood what teenagers went through.

I headed to Garden to find Selphie, Quistis, Seifer and the new guys there. Selphie was whispering to Quissy when I walked in "Where's Squall?" came the question from three separate people. "Squall's gone home for the day. He wasn't feeling well" I told them. Quissy and Selphie both looked at me questioningly but didn't ask anything. Gods was I grateful to the both of them.

Seifer looked slightly dejected then, though he lifted his head and spoke to me. "Cloud, these are my two best friends from Galbadia. Roxas" he said indicating to the shorter one with the dark blonde hair. I shook Roxas' hand and he smiled at me before Seifer continued "and his boyfriend Axel" Axel definitely looked slightly uncomfortable as Seifer announced the boyfriend bit, but shook my hand nonetheless.

"Did you have to say that?" Roxas and Axel shouted at Seifer in unison. "Don't worry guys, he's cool with it. I'm dating his cousin Squall, that's the guy who ran out of the class… So he's not feeling well huh?" again he looked dejected. "Did you just say dating? I thought Seifer never did the whole 'exclusive' thing" Axel laughed. He was obviously calmed by the thought I wouldn't beat him for being gay.

While the three of them continued that conversation, I took the chance to shift over to Selphie and Quissy and explain what happened. "He's jealous" Selphie surmised. "I thought so too" I admitted. "There's nothing really to be jealous about though, those guys have been together for about four years. They're 'life partners' and they used to pay me and Fujin out for being together and saying the same thing" Quissy rationalised, a hint of amusement surrounding the last words.

I told them my suspicions, "Squall hadn't gathered that Axel and Roxas were together. I think what's worrying him more is that part of Seifer's old life had just re-entered his new. Squall's afraid that Seifer would resume his old life and leave him" Quissy nodded and Selphie bobbed up and down in agreement.

"I'll never stop marvelling at just how insightful you are… When I thought I saw those two this morning, I was worried that…" Quissy trailed off. It seemed that I wasn't the only one who spent the rest of the day worrying about Squall.

Seifer's POV:

This was great! My life here had just gotten better. I had a hot boyfriend, two really good friends, my amazing sister and now my best friends from Galbadia were here to stay. I couldn't stop thinking about Squall though. I was worried about him… It's a shame he was sick since I'd love for him to meet Roxas and Axel. We could totally go on 'double-dates' and shit now without disturbing the others. This was great.

I was happy the rest of the day. I should have asked Roxas and Axel for their addresses and phone numbers but it slipped my mind. I told myself to remember to get it tomorrow. The thought of getting their phone numbers made me realise that Squall had given me his weeks ago and I'd never called. When I got home, I riffled through my bag trying to find the slip of paper Squall had given me weeks ago with his home number on it.

I found it and punched the numbers in as fast as possible. The phone rang a couple of times and was answered by a woman. "Hello, is Squall home please?" I said enthusiastically. "Yes he is, may I ask who's calling?" came the polite response. I could see where Squall got his manners since this had to be his mother. I considered for a moment saying "His Boyfriend" but if she didn't know then that'd be likely to cause problems. "It's Seifer, I'm a friend of his from School. Cloud told me he wasn't well so I guess I just wanna make sure things are alright."

I could practically hear her smile on the other end as she said she'd go check if he was ok to come to the phone. I waited for a minute (seemed like a lot longer) before she came back and apologised to me saying he was asleep. I felt disappointed that I wouldn't get a chance to talk to him, but I thanked his mother nonetheless and hung up. I called Cloud instead just to check if he'd heard anything from Squall's mother.

I found his number and called. No answer at his home, so I began to dial his mobile number when my doorbell chimed. Cursing slightly, I got up to open the door. Standing on the other side was the LAST person I'd want to see. Rinoa. How had the bitch gotten my address? On second thoughts, I didn't want to know just how much ferreting that woman did.

"Hi Seifer, how are you?" she asked feigning sweetness, though her eyes didn't hide the malice. "I noticed you and Squall seem to be a little close" she said, stressing the last word delicately. "Yeah, he's dating Quissy so looks like in a couple of years, I may have a brother-in-law" I lied and thankfully, Quissy chose that moment to walk up behind me. "Yeah, he's my boyfriend. Have a problem Rinoa?" she said in a slightly mocking voice, which mirrored Rinoa's forced sweetness.

"Sorry to cut your little visit short Rin" who scowled at the name "but Seifer was just about to drive me over to see the poor dear. I think that when he saw you today made him a little sick". Inside my head I was laughing hysterically. I had to congratulate Quissy for that one later. Perhaps I'd shout her dinner or something. Anyway, Quissy's comments had the desired effect on Rinoa. She glared blatantly obviously, all forced politeness gone.

"Well, I can't say much for your choice in boyfriends Quistis. He is gay you know. Besides I saw their little lovers tiff in Maths today so don't try to fool me. I know you guys are involved and the second I get actual evidence, I'll tell everyone unless" though exactly what she was going to say was cut off. Cloud had driven up the driveway and beeped the horn.

I waved at him smiling. Quissy, pushed past Rinoa and called "Even better! Cloud's here, I don't have to deal with your lousy driving. Come on Seifer, we've got to go see Squall" I followed her example, moving past Rinoa and closed and locked the door. Neither of our parents were home so it was fine. When I locked the door, I heard Rinoa whisper "Don't worry. I'll get you for this, one way or another." I smiled at her and told her to do her worse and dashed to Cloud's car.

Cloud's POV:

"What the hell was Rin doing at your place?" I asked the moment the both of them were in the car. "She knows. Or at least she THINKS she knows about Squall and Seifer" Quistis supplied. "She tried to bribe me I think…" Seifer's voice seemed slightly put out. "She's still trying to get me to notice her. After two months you'd think she'd get the idea". After hearing that, I knew he was definitely put out.

"How's Squall, have you heard from him at all?" Quissy asked hopefully. "I got a call from his Mother thanking me for taking care of him. He's going to be missing school tomorrow and so am I for that matter. I'll be staying with him. Aunt Raine seems to think it's for the best". Seifer's face showed that he was still worried. "He's fine. Just stress and some other stuff is getting to him" I smiled, I wanted to punch myself for not giving the whole truth and seeing Seifer sigh in relief did nothing to abate the guilt.

"So, why did you turn up at our house?" Seifer asked. "I wanted to talk to you Seifer. I think it'd be good if Axel and Roxas weren't around Squall for a while… Selphie likes them and I think they're both great guys but I think Squall is getting a little overwhelmed with all the people that seem to be crowding around him recently. I mean, you and Quissy are both great to hang out with and you belong with us now, but first it went from four people (since Yuna's always with Kuja) to six. Now it's eight and I think Squall's going to end up…"

I trailed off. How could I say it. His sanity would snap at all the forced interaction? He'd go back into his shell and never come out of his comfort zone? He'd completely run away from Seifer? Thankfully I was spared having to go on. "I get what you're saying but those guys were, I mean, ARE my best friends. I can't just turn my back on them, just like I can't turn my back on Squall…" he also trailed off. "So we're stuck between a rock and a hard place" Quistis said and I agreed.

"Is Squall alright?" Seifer eventually asked. "He's fine, just, like I said, he's trying to cope but something's holding him down. He'll be ok, he just needs some time and space" I smiled. "I think Rinoa should be gone by now so if you want to take us back home, I'd be glad. I guess I just want to take it easy for the rest of the night" Seifer sounded so sad. I really trusted him, even though it hurt him to stay away since he knew he wouldn't be able to do anything to help, he still stayed behind.

"Seifer." I began, the gratitude I felt was almost overwhelming "Thankyou. I want you to know that I truly trust you and I know you can make Squall happy. If there's ever anything I can do, please, let me know". He smiled for the first time since getting in the car and Quistis beamed at the both of us. "Things'll work out, I know it" he said as they got out of my car.

I certainly hoped so…

Squall's POV:

I don't remember much of today. I remember running from the classroom. I remember kissing Cloud. I remember my mother came to the school and took me home. It was now 7:15 and I was in bed, gazing out the window. I think Cloud was meant to come over at some point but had no clue if he was still coming.

My eyes couldn't focus, my bangs were partly obscuring my vision but that didn't matter. Not much did at the moment. My mom had known I was prone to anxiety attacks so I'd been taken to a doctor after leaving school and given some prescription medicine to calm me down. It had worked but now I may as well have been a bag of meat. I could barely move.

When there was a knock on my bedroom door, I didn't call out, there was no need. There wasn't a need to do anything at present. "Hey" a voice said as the door opened. It was Cloud. I didn't respond. He walked around my bed and sat down near me. I slowly refocussed my eyes to take in his face, lit partially from the streetlamp outside my bedroom window.

"Medication again?" he smiled. I didn't respond. Nothing mattered right now. This detached feeling which was the after effect of the medication was bliss for my overly stressed brain. "Very well… Seifer's really worried about you. I think he's a bit upset" that got my attention. I think I tried to say something though my mouth wouldn't articulate the words properly. I heard Cloud chuckle before saying "don't push yourself, I get the message" and he smiled at me again.

Without realising, I clung onto his hand and he squeezed back. Actually, I lied. This mattered a lot, Cloud was important to me. I closed my eyes and shivered. I guess I must have dozed off, since the next thing I recalled was that I was alone and it was just after 10:15. I felt incredibly lonely all of a sudden and thought of only last night when I had been with Seifer. The fire which had melted my ice was now gone.

I only remember one more thing that night. I was very cold despite the warm night air.

Cloud's POV:

I was feeling drained emotionally and physically by the time I'd returned home. I also had a killer headache. Walking in the kitchen, I took a few painkillers before heading upstairs, taking my time as I didn't trust my balance when I felt so bad. I felt even worse when I remembered my words to Seifer earlier. "I think it'd be good if Axel and Roxas weren't around Squall for a while" and even after saying that, I didn't give the whole truth as to why they should stay away.

I saw just how jealous Squall got when Seifer noticed Roxas and Axel. I saw how happy the three of them were to see each other and Squall obviously did as well else he wouldn't be so jealous. Selphie and I weren't fooled. We knew what was up instantly though we both kept silent. I lay in my bed and groaned loudly. Between a rock and a hard place was an understatement.

When I saw Squall earlier that evening, he looked dead. There was no light in his eyes, his face was slack and he barely grasped that I was there. I tried to remain calm and happy for his sake but seeing him like that didn't help and there was also the fact that I was worried about losing Seifer. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep but I felt the warm sting of tears welling up. Refusing to shed them, I lay awake for hours, thinking.

The next morning I didn't feel refreshed. I'd finally managed to sleep but there was no comfort. I couldn't help feel a dull sense of dread about what would happen today or tomorrow.

I got to Squall's house just as Aunt Raine was leaving for work. She hugged me and thanked me for looking after Squall. I smiled and saw her off. I let myself in and found Squall in bed. "Morning" I said as cheerfully as I could manage, he rolled over to face me and I noticed the paths of not-quite dried tears still lining his face.

"Hi" he said so softly I barely heard. "Squall, what is going on" I asked. I had a fair idea of course but having a fair idea is still only speculation. I wanted confirmation of the situation to assess any damage control needed. "I'll tell you what's wrong" his voice rose in anger. "My boyfriend was flirting with a couple of jerks. How the hell does he know them anyway? He looked awfully happy to see them so perhaps they're the lovers he left in Galbadia!"

I will admit I blanched as he yelled the confession to me. Knowing I was right didn't make me feel any better. It actually made me feel worse. "I thought so" I whispered in admittance. He glared at me for the first time in living memory. "If you knew then WHY did you ask." His voice was cold. "Squall, there's no need to get angry at me for caring!" I said softly. He looked at me then slumped back down onto his bed, drawing the covers over his face so that I couldn't see him cry the tears I knew would be streaming down his face now.

"I hate him" he said after five minutes of silence. "Squall, somehow I doubt that. There's something you need to know about Roxas and Axel, they were Seifer's best friends in Galbadia and the only ones who stuck by him. The two of them are lovers, they've never been involved with Seifer that way." He removed the sheet and shot a quick glance at me when I said that but his face was resolute. "So what… He'll still leave now that he's got his old life back".

I'd expected this. Amount of damage control required? My assessment told me that a lot more was needed than I'd like to say.

Quistis' POV:

Seifer was worried all day. He was pacing around nervously all morning before we left and when we got to School, his almost compulsive pacing returned. I didn't pay attention at all that day as most of my thoughts lay with Cloud, Squall and Seifer. Selphie was mysteriously absent today as well which meant that Seifer and I spent the day with Roxas and Axel.

Why did it seem like most of the girls in this stupid school "conveniently" keep running into us? They had to be purposely following behind the four of us in the hopes checking out the three guys. I felt like shouting at them to get a clue but I kept my silence (which considering the circumstances, was almost painfully difficult).

Without Selphie or Cloud present, I felt oddly uncomfortable walking through the school. "UUUUUUUGH" Seifer groaned loudly before he turned and shot a glare at the gaggle of girls who openly stalked us. The girls all gave exaggerated squeals and took off. "Thanks!" I said to him and he gave a slightly amused sneer. "You're welcome" I heard him say before he ran full speed leaving Axel, Roxas and myself standing there, looking shocked.

Axel and Roxas stood beside me for a little while before walking in the opposite direction, past the girls who had now regathered, and out through the doors to the quad. That was the last I saw of them that day. I walked to the library (the only place I felt comfortable at the moment) and sat in a corner, thinking. My heart ached in pain for my brother right now. I couldn't ever remember seeing him this upset.

I headed to class by myself. Half way through the lesson and there was still no sign of Roxas, Axel or Seifer. It was obvious that all three of them would have cut school by now. I couldn't remember feeling as lonely as I did now. My heart wasn't in it today so after the lesson finished I left school and walked to the park near our house. I sat in the shade of a large oak tree and dialled Fujin's number on my phone.

Her phone rang though there was no answer. I threw my phone back into my bag and leant my head against the trunk of the tree, enjoying the play of the slight breeze against my face. How long I stayed there? I don't know, nor did care. I only left once the sun began to set. As I neared home I noticed that the driveway was free from either of our parent's cars.

Opening the door, I didn't hear a sound. I walked up the stairs to my room, closed the door and locked it behind me. I lay there for the rest of the night, hearing the noises downstairs signalling the arrival of my parent's and even later, the arrival of my brother. When I was called down to dinner, I ignored it pretending to be asleep. I curled into a ball on my bed wishing that everything would work itself out.

Cloud's POV:

I left shortly after Squall said "So what… He'll still leave now that he's got his old life back". He was refusing to talk any more, he was refusing to look at me, and he refused to eat. I got the hint that he wanted to be left alone. I said my goodbyes and showed myself out, his last words still echoing in my mind. "You're wrong" I said to the door after I'd closed it.

When I left Squall's yard, I noticed Selphie sitting on her front steps. "I knocked but no one answered" she said in answer to my questioning gaze. "Sorry. We mustn't have heard" I said as I sat beside her. Selphie leant her head against my shoulder and began to cry. Not because she was sad herself, but because she cared about Squall and I so much that if one of us were upset, she'd empathise with us to show that we weren't alone.

I wrapped her up in a hug and we sat there for a while, before she joined me on my walk back home. On the way, I told her everything that had happened this morning, my fears about what would happen next and for the most part, she agreed with me. "After his reaction today, I don't think he's going to too happy about looking me in the face any time soon, so for some reason, I am afraid that he'll leave our group" I said, suddenly feeling suffocated by the emotions that were raging inside me.

"What other group would have him other than ours? The Football team and their friends will kill him if they notice he's by himself, the Turks are out of the question since Squall doesn't trust them, the Baseball team is also out since the group's too large Squall would freak out… I guess the same can be said about most of the little cliques in our school…" her voice trailed off.

"I know where he'll go. The Brotherhood will take him no questions asked." I said gravely. "You mean Sephiroth?!" she asked with the slightest trace of trepidation in her voice. I knew why she was scared. Seifer and his friends were quite a bit on the weird side so most people tended to follow the principle "live and let live" regarding them. Selphie was very much in that category.

I was on speaking terms with the four of them at least. I wouldn't say Sephiroth and I were friends but at the same time, we weren't enemies either. "I know something about Sephiroth that I should have told you a while ago. Sephiroth has been in love with Squall for years. Squall knows it too so if he's going to leave our group then he's certain to go to theirs." I said.

I didn't want Squall to leave. He was in many ways more a brother to me than a cousin which was the primary reason I rebuked him on so many occasions. I loved him a lot more than I'd be able to say, though after the icy treatment today, I no longer knew. All I knew was that I'd miss him.

"So, he'll join the Brotherhood?" Selphie's voice, almost a whisper, spoke out beside me. "At least people will leave him alone now!" she joked feebly. Neither of us was remotely amused but we took solace by just being together. The three of us – Squall, Selphie and Myself - were once so close, now we were but two.