Battle of Egos

Author: Qevna

I don't own the characters. They are property of Square Enix Co, LTD.

Chapter 3 Secrets in daylight

The morning sun rose sleepily from the ocean after the night. Zell did his morning rutines, ate hotdogs more than was healthy for him in a long run, missed a class and got yelled at by Squall, did his morning training at the Center and chatted with his other friends. But as the afternoon turned it's sheet, Zell noticed that something was missing. Today he hadn't heard a single "Chickenwuss", no " Zelly poo" and no other nicknames Seifer had for him. Actually he hadn't seen Seifer around at all.

"I guess he is studying in his dorm room." Zell thought out loud letting his chin press against his chest.
"Who is?" Chipper girly voice greeted him from behind and at the same time he felt a pair of hands reaching around him.
"No one, Selphie. I was just speaking out my thoughts." Zell laughed and turned to face the girl and took her into a big bearly hug.
"Hih, tell me Zelly poo. What is matter with you?" She playfully poked his cheek as she spoke.
Zell put her down and tried to keep his tone normal.
"Really, nothing! But have you seen Seifer?" He tried to change the subject from himself to Seifer but he knew that Selphie was too sneaky girl to catch the hook and leave the subject as it was.
To his suprise Selphie said "He is with Irvine. Last time I saw them they were cuddled together in the garden."

The anger that Zell had never felt before rose from deep and got him flustered.
"He is with Irvine?"
"Yeppers." Selphie smiled missing angry tone of Zell.
"I gotta go now. My class is about to start and I have some studying to do. I suggest that you do the same." Waving her hand she jogged off leaving Zell in his thoughts.

Just what has happened?!?! I thought those two couldn't stand each other. They can't be together! He gave the nearest wall a taste of his punch. A couple of students ran away scared as the fighter's anger grew deeper. Why I'm getting this angry. What has Seifer done to me?! This is madness!

"Arggh!!" Yelling his lungs out he stormed away.

"I don't know what I'm going to do in this situation. Everything I do seems to just push him away." Seifer said with a big sigh, his eyes dark because of lack of sleep.
"Have you tried changing the strategy?" Irvine suggested with a hint of sympathy in his tone. Even though he didn't thought highly about Seifer, he hated seeing him like that. After all he had promised to Squall to behave himself around Seifer and give him a chance.

"You might be the wrong person to ask this about... but here it goes." The knight took a deep breath before continuing. "doyouthinkzelllikesme?" He baddled so fast and so not Seifer-like that Irvine had to laugh."Excuse me?! Say it slowly and clearly. Nobody understands babytalk.""I was just asking if you know if Zell likes someone?" Seifer spoke up blushing slightly and trying to keep the pieces of his so-called-ego up.
Thinking for a moment Irvine finally replied, "It's not really any of my business but I think he has hots for Squall.""WHAT?! No way?" Seifer was suprised by his own reply and withrew back to his shell."I mean.. they don't seem like a pair.." He then said with a quiet tone because other people at the garden were giving them nasty glances because of sudden out burst.

Slapping Seifer's back a few times Irvine grinned as he spoke. "Man, I'm just joking! Hold your horses."
"WHAT!? Are you playing me around?" Another out burst from Seifer which caused students to move farther away from the couple."Chill! As far as I know, Zell hadn't shown any interest to anyone except hotdogs." Irvine said and waved to a blonde girl who walked pass them. The girl smiled to Irvine and let out a small giggle."But man, I need to get going now." Irvine continued and got up observing where the girl was going."Yes, yes.. Just go and leave the heartbroken loner alone." Seifer sulked but then smiled to Irvine."Thanks, I know I'm not the nicest guy and all that has happened..""No need to thank. Really. I have to go." Irvine winked and leaned to give Seifer a small peak on the cheek before hurrying after the blonde girl.

"Same old cowboy." Seifer let out a laugh but it died right after it had left his lips. "Shit."
Zell stood there, across the garden with a shocked look in his face. The knight didn't know how long Zell had been there but he knew that he had seen the Irvine's kiss.

If he walks away, I know for sure that he is jealous of me.
If he comes to me like nothing has happened, I know for sure that he is just plain suprised to see Irvine kissing me.
If he..

Seifer didn't get a change to finish the sentence to himself because rough lips captured his lips before he even realised that Zell had made his move and was now on top of him. Suprised by this sudden turn of the events Seifer slowly started to enjoy the situation and the fighter's lips. Giving into his own lust he slided his tongue gently over Zell's. They both got lost in the moment and didn't realise that students in the garden started to clap their hands together and cheer for them. Suddenly the knight tasted a salty aftertaste in the kiss. Opening his eyes he saw Zell staring at him angrily, eyes full of tears. He broke off and leaned against the tree that was giving them some cover for the hot midday sun.

"What's wrong?" Seifer finally asked as Zell couldn't get any real word out of his mouth. All he did was sob and groan like a little girl whose doll the guys had stole. The garden was now silent. People had stopped to watch the scene between these two guys. A breeze of wind shaked leaves on the trees. For a moment nothing more was heard. Untill a loud slap.