It's ok to be us ch 7
Contact.
Author's Note: Okay, this chapter wasn't in my outline. But I wanted some fluff. After the tournament arc, I felt like some time needed to go by before the next arc began. This chapter is mainly to prevent me from becoming intimidated by my own story, and to introduce some themes that will be used later. No more rambling. Enjoy. Read and review please.
This week had been rough. Squall's first few days had been spent in the infirmary. Once he could walk again, he checked on Zell. He was in a much better state overall, except his knee. The repeated blows had torn his MCL, and Zell would be on crutches for several weeks, and in a brace for several months.
Zell had questioned Squall to no end about the last round. Zell had been furious that Squall hadn't been able to remember most of the details. Squall had promised Rinoa would visit, and tell him the whole story. He did bring in the trophy to show his injured friend.
"It's dented! Why the hell is it dented?" Zell asked.
"I guess I dropped it, I don't know."
Zell had suggested that Squall put it on display (dented side in the back) in their classroom, and Squall agreed.
After that, Squall resumed his classes. Although he was still in no condition to demonstrate anything, he was still able to teach the intricacies of various weapons to his specialized weapons class, or explain some of his tactics and though processes to the students of hand to hand. Plus there was all that damn paperwork waiting in his office.
He had decided to get caught up, to the best of his ability. And here he sat. His body still ached. Although his ribs had all been repaired, he was still bruised all over.
"Hey."
Squall looked up, snapped from his recollections. Rinoa was standing in the doorway of his office. She looked beautiful.
"Hey" he said, cursing his inability to converse fluently.
"I just came from the infirmary. And wow, I gotta say, Zell should be a police investigator. He hounded me with more questions about the finals than I knew how to answer. Maybe I should enroll in martial arts; then I could talk to him more about it. I hear Garden has a great, and hot, instructor." She said, smiling flirtatiously at him.
"Yeah, Zell's a pretty good looking man, I suppose."
Before Rinoa could reply indignantly, Squall rose from his chair, crossed the room, and swept her into his arms.
"Hey," he said again as he held her tightly. He had barely seen her all week.
"Hey yourself." She said with a giggle. She tightened her hold on his neck and shoulders. "I'm glad you're healing. You feel so much more... solid."
"I am."
"Hey, I actually came up to ask you if you had any time tonight. It is Saturday, and there's no way I'm going to let you spend it in the office."
"What if we go to the Waterfront? Just you and I. And some whiskey."
"You did say we could go to celebrate your victory."
"I think you said that." Squall said, pulling away and looking at her. Her eyes were sparkling.
"That's not how I remember it."
"Eight o'clock, front gate."
"Seven forty five, parking lot. Got it. Oh God what am I gonna wear? I've never been bar hopping with Squall Leonhart."
"Who said anything about bar hopping?"
"I did! I think we should go to Balamb Nights!"
"Whatever."
"Yes! Whatever! I've never been so glad to hear you say that. See you tonight!" She kissed him on the cheek and spun on her heel. As she walked away, she blew him a little kiss over her shoulder.
He sighed. She was way too damn cute. He turned back to his desk. It was only five forty five. He had some time to work before he had to get ready. Now if he could only find the motivation.
Rinoa practically skipped through the halls to her room. She was so excited. She had been so sure he would decline. She was going to enjoy tonight. As soon as she reached her room, she pulled out her phone and called Selphie.
"He said yes! We're going out tonight! Come over in ten minutes, I'm jumping in the shower, and I want you to help me get ready!"
Squall's phone vibrated. He picked it up and read Irvine's text.
- Heard you were going out with your leading lady tonight. Well my little lady just went over to help her get ready. That sounds kinda hot right? Anyway, you might wanna look nice. Just a heads up -
Squall sighed again. He texted Irvine.
- Thanks for the warning -
He stood from his desk, lamenting that now, he too had to go find something to wear.
Squall was in his car waiting to pick up Rinoa at seven thirty. If she wanted to call him out on his compulsion to be early, then he would be even earlier. Imagining her reaction to this made him chuckle.
He had decided to go a little more upscale than he originally planned. He figured if she was calling in backup to impress him, that he should do his best to impress her. He wore his SeeD uniform, essentially, but with a few personal tweaks. He wore the dress shoes that were intended to be worn with the uniform (he missed his combat boots already), and left his jacket open. Under the jacket, he wore a white collared shirt that he got from, well, he didn't remember where he got it from, but it fit perfectly. He also wore a tie, a rarity for him. Knowing her attachment to his necklace, he wore it tucked under the folds of his collar, and let it dangle down on top of his tie like a tie chain. He had brushed his hair back, though it had already began to cascade across his face once more. At least it would feel nicer when he ran his hands through it awkwardly. Or if she ran her hands through it. His final addition was found in his car. He wore his sunglasses, which were aviator styled but slightly more compact than traditional ones. They were polarized with a bright mirror on the outside of the lenses. Ok, the sunglasses weren't really for fashion, the sun wouldn't be setting until nearly nine o'clock. But he knew she liked them.
To his shock, Rinoa walked through the door. She had, it seemed, called his bluff again. It was only seven thirty three.
Squall exited his car and walked around it, opening the passenger door. As she drew nearer, he stood in awe of her beauty.
Her hair curled gently into long, thick, wavy curls. Her chocolate eyes were highlighted by a beautiful plum eyeshadow. Her lips were a subtle but shimmering bubble gum pink. Squall's eyes slowly moved down her neckline, and he noticed her dress. Wow, that dress. It was one shouldered, black, and accented with rhinestones. Squall couldn't be sure, but the way the material seemed to shine in the light, he would have guessed it was a luxurious silk. Around her elbows was a dark purple silk shawl, and in her hands she clutched a purple handbag, which had rhinestones to match her dress. Her shoes had three inch heels, and were the same dark purple as her bag and shawl, and even fingernails.
She looked, in a word, perfect.
"Hey there soldier. Would you care to show a girl a good time?" She asked, walking up to him, taking the edges of his open jacket in her hands and pulling him closer.
"Yes. I would." He said. Her heels gave her a little extra height, and their faces were tantalizingly close now.
"God, you do look hot in uniform. But I love the... Extra details." She said, stroking his tie and letting her fingers play with the pendant. As if she could sense him struggling to find word again, she helped him out. "What do you think? How do I look?"
So many adjectives ran through Squall's mind at that moment, but all of them escaped his grasp. Only one word was his to say in that moment.
"Wow."
Her face lit up, and she kissed him. It was brief, and dangerously seductive.
"Shall we go?" She asked after their lips parted, her eyes were still closed.
"Sure"
He stepped aside, and when she had gotten into his car, he shut the door.
Rinoa loved his car. It was always immaculate in every detail, from the sporty engine that had a deep and sensual purr, to the spotless leather interior, to the sleek black body and tinted windows, and the car even had a sound system with a subwoofer that Squall had meticulously tuned for optimal sound quality. This was such a better was to travel than Irvine's pickup, or those horrible rental cars. The Ragnarok certainly has its own appeal (how many people had their own space ship?), but this was definitely her favorite way to travel. Squall shifted the manual transmission with an ease and grace beyond his years.
"Irvine texted me," he said simply. Rinoa didn't understand, so she smiled and narrowed her eyes at him. He smirked, more to himself than to her, and continued. "He told me you called in backup to get ready. So I figured you were looking for more of a date. We'll still go to Balamb Nights, if you insist on it, and I figured we could end the night at the Waterfront. But first... I made some... Uh... Other arrangements."
"And you're not going to tell me until we get there, I imagine."
"Correct. I gotta keep some of the mystery in our relationship."
"Squall Leonhart, our relationship has an abundance of mystery."
"Perhaps, but a little more wouldn't hurt. You'll have fun. Trust me."
Quite frankly, Rinoa would have been fine just driving around in Squall's car. But to her surprise Squall pulled the car in front of the Balamb Embassy Suites, the most expensive hotel in town.
Squall got out and opened her door for her.
"Squall?" She asked confused. Why had he brought her here?
"Why would I bring you to a hotel?"
"My goodness. You're forward." She said, blushing.
"That came out wrong. Why would I bring you to this particular hotel? Do you know anything about where we are?"
"I know it's expensive."
Squall laughed and took her hand, leading her across the lobby.
"We'll, you're not wrong. This place is called the 'Embassy Suites' for a reason. Whenever a political conference is held in Balamb, this is where the ambassadors are housed. Well, do you remember the first week after time compression? I had to attend one such conference. I overheard the manager yelling at one of his employees. Apparently they needed twenty two rooms, but one was double booked, meaning they would be one short. I went over to them and said they could use my room. It was no big deal to me; I'd get to come home. To you. So the hotel got to save face, and the manager, Kinta, has owed me a favor ever since."
As Squall told his story, they reached the elevator, and Squall pressed the button for the top floor.
"So you decided to call in that favor? That's a very interesting story, but it doesn't tell me what we're doing here, or why we have to go all the way up."
"Ah, picked up on that did you? Let's just say this hotel has all the bells and whistles. They have a bar, a gym, a swimming pool, a lounge, a study, restaurants, and..." Squall hesitated as they reached their floor. "...one place in particular I think you might like."
Rinoa gasped as she stepped out into the rooftop garden. There were rows upon rows of flowers and plants of every kind imaginable. After merely a cursory glance, she had spotted daffodils, orchids, irises, sunflowers, lilies, and roses. Lots of roses.
The sun was setting over the water, and the view was breathtaking.
Each row of flowers was spotlighted by little candles in glass jars, which shown all the more beautifully in the twilight.
Rinoa hadn't even realized she had taken several quick steps forward. The scent of this place was unlike anything she'd ever experienced.
Then she saw it.
In the center of the garden, down the path in front of her, was a small table with two chairs. The table cloth was ruby red, and a green vase of red roses sat just off center. Two green candles in silver candlesticks burned on either side of the roses.
Rinoa turned back to Squall with tears in her eyes.
"I hope you're hungry." He said simply.
"Starving," she said as her tears slipped from her eyes.
"Oh come on, you'll ruin your gorgeous makeup." He wiped her tears away gently.
"Oh, it's waterproof." She said without thinking. "Squall, this may be the most beautiful place I've ever seen! My mother and I used to tend to flowers in our own garden in Deling!"
"I'm glad you like it." He said walking past her. "Come. Sit."
He had pulled out her chair for her. She looked around in amazement as she strolled over to him. She took the seat he offered, and he helped scoot her chair closer before taking his own seat across from her. She gazed across the small table into his eyes, which sparkled with twilight and candlelight.
She had no words for this moment.
Their server came out of the elevator doors and walked up to them carrying black leather bound menus and a matching wine list.
"Might I start you out with some wine? Please, browse our list. Or if you prefer, I could recommend something for the both of you to share, or perhaps something more suited to each of you individually."
"Actually, both. A glass of something for each of us, then a bottle to share for the remainder of the evening. Trust me Rin, Kinta knows wine better than I know combat." Squall said.
"High praise indeed from this year's Combat King! Miss? Do you have faith in the good Sir's decision to leave it in my hands?"
There it is again. That word. Faith.
"Of course," Rinoa said smiling brightly.
"Very well. I shall return in a moment." And with a bow of his head, he turned to leave.
"That's Kinta? The manager?" Rinoa asked him, opening her menu.
"Funny story, I didn't find this out until after the fact, but no, he's not the manager. He's the owner of this place." Squall said with a slight chuckle.
"And he's our server?!"
"I believe he prefers to be called a maitre'd, as he is in charge of everyone. But yes, he told me on the phone today that he likes to personally wait on his VIPs. I didn't ask him to do it, but he insisted."
"What did you ask for exactly?"
"I said I wanted a table on the rooftop garden. He did the rest. I was kind of afraid he'd overdo it on the decorations, but I think it's, well-"
"Perfect." Rinoa said.
Squall held her captivated with his cobalt eyes.
"Yeah." He said finally.
Kinta appeared moments later, pushing a cart.
"For Monsieur, a Cabernet Sauvignon, from a private Trabian vineyard. A very dark, powerful wine. Not for the faint of heart, but I believe it will suit your pallet perfectly." Kinta said, placing the red wine in front of Squall. "Ah, and Madame! For you I have a real treat. Light and sweet, this Riesling is originally from Winhill. I am confident you will enjoy it. And who knows? Perhaps the taste of this wine on your lips will captivate him too." Rinoa laughed at this. Squall smiled appreciatively. "And what, my young lovebirds, do you get when you combine your personalities and tastes? What happens when light meets dark, or when white meets red? You get this! Rosé! From right here in Balamb. Fermented by a very close friend of mine. Please enjoy, with my compliments."
Rinoa looked at Squall, who had silently raised his glass toward her. Their glasses clinked as they shared a silent toast. Rinoa gave her glass a little swirl, then inhaled the aroma and took a sip.
"You, sir, are very talented." Rinoa told Kinta.
"Indeed. It's perfect." Squall added.
"Ah! Thank you! Thank you! Just wait until you try the Rosé! I will open it when I return with dinner! Have you decided on what you will be having?"
Squall and Rinoa ordered their dinner (somehow they both managed to make 'spectacular' and/or 'wonderful' choices.), and Kinta had returned to serve them in what seemed like no time at all. He also opened the bottle he had brought them earlier, and both Squall and Rinoa agreed it was delicious.
They ate their meals with minimal conversation, although neither felt awkward in the slightest.
When they had finished dessert, a shared Strawberry Savarin, Kinta returned with one last gift for his VIPs.
"Go now! Enjoy the town! The night is young! But I insist that when you are ready for bed, you come stay under my roof. No charge for this legendary world saving couple, who I am lucky to call my friends." He said, handing a room key to Squall.
Squall shook hands with Kinta, and Rinoa embraced him briefly. Rinoa felt sad to leave this place, but even more excited to see where the night would take them.
Their next stop, as promised was Balamb Nights, and, sure enough, the place was packed. Squall and Rinoa squeezed their way to the bar.
"Whiskey on the rocks, and- wait what do you drink when you're not pretending to be me?" Squall asked, turning back to her.
"Vodka and cranberry please!" She said to the bartender directly. Squall was disgusted, and gave her a look telling her as much.
"Ew really?" He asked her.
"Oh that's funny coming from the one who likes to drink watered down whiskey."
"Whatever. Everyone is entitled to their preference. Even if yours is wrong."
She smacked him on the arm playfully.
"Squall, how much of your dancing lessons do you remember?"
"SeeD formal diplomacy training?"
"Yeah, that."
"Basically just the standard ballroom dances. Waltz, tango, foxtrot, salsa. We didn't go into jazz or swing, but they wouldn't really be appropriate here. In fact none of those dances are appropriate here."
"Wait wait. Don't go anywhere." Rinoa said as she made her way through the crowd toward the DJ booth.
Squall sighed. He knew he'd have to give her one dance. Under any other circumstances, he would say he hated dancing. He certainly hated this club. But right now was about her. They would go to his bar later.
And he had to admit, if Rinoa was his partner, he didn't hate dancing. It seemed as though the closer they got, (well okay, he could admit it to himself, the more they fell in love), the more he could feel her... energy when they were near each other. He was beginning to sense her feelings. Was this because she was a sorceress and he was her knight? He'd have to ask Cid. Ha! Just kidding. He wouldn't want his boss to feel like he was any kind of father figure.
Or was that just what it felt like to be in love. Maybe he should talk to Lagana.
Squall actually laughed out loud at that thought. No, he wouldn't go to Lagana about anything, ever, unless he absolutely had to. No, no, he would find a book in the library about sorceresses and knights. He would do what he was good at: read, study, learn.
He finished his drink and set it on the bar. Rinoa appeared from the midst of the crowd and took his hand. Squall felt that feeling again. That spark. That energy. He could see logically that she was excited, but he also felt something else. He couldn't put it into words exactly. But if he had to, he would say she felt...
Mischievous?
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to Balamb Nights, the most hopping spot in town!" The DJ said over the sound system. The crowd cheered. "My name is D-J-Rexaur and I got a hot new track by request, but first, if I could get some space on the dance floor, I got a special treat for you! Our very own special edition of 'Dancing with Legends!' Tonight I want you to welcome freedom fighter, teacher, and magical expert extraordinaire, give it up for the lovely, the sexy, Ms. Rinoa Heartilly!"
The crowd cheered, but D-J-Rexaur wasn't finished.
"And her partner. I know him as the brooding badass commander of our very own Balamb Garden, you might know him as this year's Combat King, make some noise for Squall Leonhart!"
The crowd roared as Rinoa pulled him forcefully to the spot that had cleared on the dance floor.
"Selphie put this song on the jukebox at the Waterfront. It didn't go over to well there, but I thought it might here. It's perfect for Salsa." Rinoa told him.
Squall sighed, and gave her a small smile. He really hated being the center of attention. But it was hard to feel nervous or upset when her hand was in his.
"LET'S GET IT ON!" The DJ shouted, and the song began.
Squall was leading her perfectly. Rinoa had to stop and wonder if this was truly the same man who fumbled with the waltz a year ago. Together the effortlessly switched from open to closed position. Their steps were truly in sync. As the song neared its end, Squall led her through a series of dramatic turns and maneuvers, including a guided front flip to a pirouette that landed her in his arms.
Rinoa had never learned that particular move before, but somehow he led her so well with only his touch that she seemed to know exactly what he wanted her to do, how to do it, and was confident she would be successful.
The song ended as they struck an intimate and dramatic pose. The crowd roared and closed in around them, the DJ said something, but when they finally broke apart Rinoa felt a bit of her earlier confidence leave her. Weird. Suddenly she didn't really want to be here anymore.
"Ready to go?" She asked him, knowing the answer.
"Yes, if you are."
Squall paid their tab and they left, returning to his car once more.
"What was that about 'Dancing with Legends'?" He asked her as they set off for the Waterfront.
Rinoa laughed. She had forgotten all about that.
"Apparently they host a celebrity dance competition, televised on public access. And as of now, we are entered, I guess. I don't know much about it, all I did was tell him who we were and request a song. I was just hoping he'd do me a favor and help us clear some room on the dance floor. I didn't expect all... well, all that. I'm sorry if it made you uncomfortable."
"It should have made me uncomfortable. But somehow, when I hold your hand, I sort of feel your energy. It made me feel better about the whole thing. Does that sound weird?"
"I know exactly what you mean! That's so weird. During the dance, I could, sort of, feel your confidence. A few of those moves were actually new to me, but somehow, I was able to follow your lead."
They entered the Waterfront, and Squall took the exact seat Rinoa had sat in a week ago. Rinoa smiled and moved her seat closer to his and took his hand again. They ordered their drinks and sat in silence for a moment, before Rinoa asked the question that was on both of their minds.
"Is it because I am... what I am?"
"You mean you are WHO you are." Squall corrected her. "Or, more accurately, 'is it because WE are who we are?' Honestly I don't know."
Rinoa felt a rush of love for him. She hoped he could feel it through their joined hands.
After a second drink, they decided it was time for their night to end. Once they were back at their hotel, they walked through the lobby into the elevator. Squall checked the key card he had been given, and pressed the corresponding button.
"Squall? I really want to say something and I hope it won't make you uncomfortable. Remember, it's okay to be us. We're not like anyone else."
"Go on. I promise to tell you if something upsets me."
Rinoa smiled, remembering the tournament. Those memories, while painful at the time, were now fond ones. They showed how they had matured. Together.
"I... I don't want to stop touching you. Not yet."
He gave her that little smile he reserved for her and her alone.
"Then don't."
When the elevator doors opened, they nearly fell out, lips locked, arms wrapped tightly around one another. Rinoa sighed as he pulled back, never breaking contact completely. Hand in hand he led her to their room.
Rinoa barely noticed the splendor of the room. The exquisite kitchen, luxurious bathroom, and cozy sitting areas all escaped her attention. Even the bottle of Rosé on the counter went unnoticed. She was focused on one thing. She pulled him to the king size bed, stripped him of his SeeD jacket, and pushed him forcefully down onto the bed. Kicking off her high heels and dropping her bag and scarf, she climbed on top of him.
When their lips met again, the electricity that went through their lips was powerfully intoxicating. Rinoa pulled his tie out of its knot, and began to hastily unbutton his shirt. His hands began to roam her exposed shoulder and back, then play with the shoulder strap of her dress. He slid it down her arm, exposing more of her flesh to his hands.
Finally she had removed his shirt and undershirt and had unrestricted access to his torso. She kissed down his jawline to his neck, enjoying how he would gasp for breath. When she sank her teeth into his shoulder, she was delighted to feel his fingernails scrape across her back.
More sparks flew between them as they continued undressing each other. Neither spoke a word beyond passionate gasps and moans. Skin met skin for the first time as the love, lust, and passion intensified.
Squall rolled them over and was now on top. He hungrily let his hands, then mouth explore her exposed flesh. It seemed that all his insecurities and doubts had vanished with such complete contact. But it wasn't complete. Not yet.
As though she sensed his thoughts, Rinoa spoke for the first time in what seemed like ages.
"Squall, take me. Be mine and make me yours. No fear, no doubt, just love. Please."
Squall was officially addicted to her body, but for the first time, he hesitated.
"No fear, no doubt. Just love. And I love you Rinoa Heartilly."
"I love you Squall, more than words can say. Let me show you. Take me."
And he did.
Final notes: Sorry if I got carried away. I didn't really mean for this chapter to be so long. A little fluffiness goes a long way, and there's more than a little in this chapter.
I've been really struggling with how to do a "teen" rated lemon. Sadly, I don't get as many reviews as I would like (hint hint) and I thought that keeping the T rating would encourage more people to read. Please please let me know what you think.
Thanks for reading.
-Noble Falcon