I've figured myself out. I completely understand why I have so much trouble keeping regular updates. If I'm interrupted in the middle of writing a chapter, it could be days before I finish it. Which happened with this one. Fail, right?

Oh my family came down with Swine flu too. We survived. Woot!

And I'm thinking I should have set this story in the FFVII world, at least I know it enough to not have to look up where the cities are. Fail again.

Wow two chapters worth of reviews. Here we go...

Clockwork Phoenix - I'm glad you like the multi-POV stuff, because I can't not address all the main character's views. Woot double negatives that read terribly.

Dragi - Well I'm almost completely sure there will be Cloud/Squall, at least a little. And onesided/slightly reciprocated Seph/Cloud looks likely too.

FFVII - :D I torture Cloud often. But he's too cute not to.

DarkBombayAngel -I'm glad you like it so far!

Subaru - Ok well I have my reasons for posting here rather than in the KH section. Many people, once myself included, have played KH but not FFVII or FFVIII. Which means they only know Leon and kid!Seifer. Seifer isn't very much like his KH counterpart. They have a scar and blond hair in common. I wanted the character to be true to FFVIII. I don't want you to think I didn't consider the KH and FFVII/FFVIII crossover sections. But for my story, it just fit right here. When it's done I may move it to crossovers, but right now I need the feedback I get from the FFVII section reviewers.

Set Forth

I kept the goodbyes short with Squall's little group. But by the time I'd gotten back to the apartment, Seifer was already curled up sleeping in bed. I was caught between a frown and a smile at the scene. On one hand, we needed to plan, and on the other, it was still early. Caught off guard by the very unmilitary perspective, I chose to indulge in a couple more hours of sleeping by Seifer's side. He instinctively curled closer to my warmth as I laid down and I ran my hand through his soft, blond hair. A couple more hours never hurt anyone.

Squall POV

Shiva, how the hell can he be so damn attractive? Surely it's only a symptom of the lack of intimacy with Rinoa. There's no way I'm feeling anything for him, not like that. The crush on Seifer was enough for my homo-erotic experimenting. And look where that got us. Seifer's on the run and I'm his soon-to-be executioner. For his sake, I hope to Hyne he stays out of sight. I'd really rather not have to hurt him. Hyne knows that crush still simmers from time to time, if the light catches his hair or eyes the right way. Or if he calls me one of those slightly suggestive nicknames.

Cloud POV

Those couple hours ended up turning into the entire day and night spent lounging around and cuddling. While the military part of my brain was disgusted, my fleeting humanity was delighted in the indulgence. Seifer didn't seem to mind either as he did nothing but nuzzle and purr all day. He didn't stay sleeping of course, but that didn't mean we moved. By the time we did move, it was already the next morning, very early but still morning, and we were getting hungry.

"So we're taking off?" I smile at the question as we devour the food I'd brought home with me yesterday morning.

"Who said you were coming?" Seifer growls lightly in response as I laugh. "Alright, you can come along. Yes, we're going to go out searching for Sephiroth. We'll need to scour the land. Are you up to it?" Seifer nods through his meal and I continue. "Okay. This will give us time to get to know each other at least."

"Don't expect a fairytale."

"Never do."

Smiling, I lean over and press a chaste kiss to his lips. As I pull back, I notice he's scowling.

"Why do you do that?"

"What?"

He growls again. "Don't play dumb. The kissing. Why me? You don't know anything about me."

I lean back in my chair and look upwards, this time with a frown. I take a moment to pause before answering. "Because I find you attractive, interesting, and just angsty enough to stand my company." Seifer huffs and turns his attention back to his breakfast. I can spot a very light blush over the bridge of his nose, adding color to his face. The sight enthralls me for some reason. I lean in close again and kiss the blush, making it deepen to crimson. Ghosting over his skin, I trail downwards to his lips. They meet mine in a very passionate display of affection. Seifer doesn't hesitate to open up to my tongue, allowing me to taste the citrusy flavor of his mouth. His moan was unbelievably arousing and I fought down the temptation to take him on the table.

Overwhelmed, I pull back and smile. "We need to get out of here."

Seifer frowns and snarls a little. "Way to kill a mood, asshole." I laugh and stand up, dragging him up by the arm.

Seifer POV

Of course, what does he do when I need to cool down? Drags me into a shower. With him. Dense as a rock, I swear to Hyne.

At least he keeps it short, sticking to the necessary cleaning procedures. Afterwards, we pack everything important up and move out. I take that secret way out that Fujin, Raijin, and I found back as cadets. Cloud leaves through the front, carrying the gear he was given by Balamb Garden. It takes about twenty minutes, but we're left beneath Balamb Garden, in the middle of Dollet. Looks like we moved a bit, considering we boarded in Fisherman's Horizon. Cloud seems to take a look around before turning in the direction of the wilderness. Which means he intends to do the camping-thing. Oh great Hyne, this already looks like it's gonna suck.

"What will this way lead us to?"

"Well if we keep heading west, we'll hit Deling City. They don't like me there, but they can fuck themselves." Cloud wrinkles his nose slightly and looks at me.

"Is it big city?"

"Yep."

"Fuck, well where else could we head? He won't be in a big city."

"Well, uh, we could head south for Timber. It's a fair-sized city too, but there's a port. They don't like me there either, in fact no one likes me. But you, of course." Cloud smiles in my direction and cocks an eyebrow.

"Naturally."

"So Timber or Deling? Doesn't matter to me. But if it helps, Deling has become more or less the evil capital of the world. Maybe it was Ultimecia and I, or the shady stuff Pres. Deling was up to, but that place isn't doing great right now." Cloud perks up at the information and nods.

"Alright, we'll head there first. It couldn't hurt. So lead the way?" I sigh to myself and start walking, pulling my trench coat closer to myself, trying to both stay warm and hidden at the same time. Of course it has to be winter.

"Oh I don't know. We may have to huddle close for warmth." My head whips around to see Cloud smirking. Caught between blushing and cursing myself for muttering out loud again, I'm unprepared as he wraps an arm around my waist and walks stride-for-stride with me.

"Stop responding to everything I say, asshole." Man what a lame response, Seifer. Way to go. And what luck to have a companion as sarcastic as I am. Maybe this shit's fate or something. Like falling for a guy who will give me mental torment for as long as we're together. Which is an idea that has many different flaws. 'Falling for', implies I feel something other than lust, which I don't. 'A guy', I'm straight, or at least I thought I was. 'Mental torment', I'm Seifer Fucking Almasy. I don't get screwed with. Ever.

"Until I came along."

"Fuck you." Cloud laughs to himself and nuzzles my cheek.

"What ever you say, darling."