Jasmine here. Cami and I are both attempting NaNoWriMo, but we have enough chapters stockpiled for this to not effect our posting schedule (I think).
Still, just in case, know that we won't be actively writing new scenes for this until mid-December (after NaNo and finals).
Yeah. You probably don't care - after the last chapter, you're probably like "Shut up already I want to know what's happening!"
Right. Sorry. We don't own KH/FF.
XXXX
Kairi groaned as she opened her eyes, rubbing them absentmindedly and noting that they were swollen. Sitting up in her bed, she glanced around the room but found that she was alone.
What had-no. No. She wasn't going to think about that. Everything was fine. She was lying to herself, she knew it, but it was helping.
Her phone going off broke her train of thought. Reaching over, she checked the number to see that it was Xigbar. She quickly flipped it open, "Hello?"
"Kairi?" A voice that was not Xigbar's filtered through, and it took Kairi a moment to realize that it was Leon.
"...Where's Xigbar?" she asked, tightening her grip on the phone.
"Kairi, maybe I should talk to Sor-"
"Leon, where's Xigbar?" Kairi snapped into the phone.
Leon paused for a moment, and Kairi could hear him talking to someone else, but couldn't make out what they were saying. Why wouldn't he tell her where Xigbar was?
"Leon!"
"He's in the hospital." Leon answered, before immediately cursing at his bluntness.
Kairi almost dropped the phone, "What? Why? What happened? Leon, tell me what happened!"
Leon sighed, "We went after..." he paused.
"Kadaj." Kairi realized, the pieces clicking into place, "What the fuck did he do to Xigbar?" Kairi cursed.
"Xigbar was threatening him, and he... snapped. Grabbed the closest sharp object and stabbed Xigbar with it before realizing what he'd done and taking off. We've called the police, and Xigbar's in surgery right now."
Kairi let off a long string of curses that made Sora appear at the door, looking concerned, "Kai?"
"Leon, call me when he's out of surgery." Kairi ordered.
"Of course." Leon promised, "Are you coming here?"
"Soon." Kairi promised, and then hung up without any other prompting, looking completely pissed.
"Kairi, what's going on?" Sora asked, concerned. He was pretty used to how Kairi acted in situations like this by now, and this was not normal.
Kairi didn't answer, grabbing for her shoes and pulling them on. She went to go push past Sora, but he grabbed her shoulders. "Kairi!"
"Kadaj sent Xigbar to the hospital." Kairi answered, pulling out of Sora's grip and leaving down the stairs, past her sister and Riku in the living room before either of them could say a thing and jumping in her and Namine's car, it speeding out of the driveway before any of the three remaining people in the house could do anything about it.
XXXX
She pulled into the parking garage of Kadaj's older brother's apartment complex. Throwing her car into park, she climbed out, grabbing the keys and locking it before running up the still-familiar stairs to his apartment. She had dated Kadaj for fouryears.She knew where he would go if he was hiding from the cops.
Pounding on the door, she yelled, "KADAJ, GET YOUR FUCKING ASS OUT HERE RIGHT NOW."
His brother, looking mildly annoyed with her, opened the door. "Hello, Kairi."
Kairi glared at him, "Where's Kadaj?"
"He's not really stable right now." he answered, "You know him just as well as I do-"
Kairi repeated herself, but this time with more malice behind her words, "Where's Kadaj?"
His brother sighed, pointing towards the living room, knowing there was no stopping his brother's furious ex-girlfriend and grabbing his keys and leaving the house. His brother could use his apartment as a hideout, but hell if he was getting arrested for harboring a criminal.
Kairi walked into the living room, immediately grabbing Kadaj's arm whirling the man around to look at her. The cocky confidence from earlier was gone, and Kairi was vaguely (in the not furious section of her brain) able to realize that his brother had been right-he wasn't stable right then. This was probably pretty dangerous. The part of her mind in control of her actions couldn't have cared less.
"Kairi?" he asked, throat sounding sore.
Kairi clenched her hands to resist the urge to punch him in the face. "I fucking swear, Kadaj, if you ever even joke about coming anywhere near me, my family, or my friends ever again, there will be too many pieces for the police to find!" she snapped at him, continuing to yell.
He stared at her, and Kairi got the impression that he was only half there in the first place. She didn't care. All of her anger at him from the past seven years was pouring out as she yelled at him, threatening him and daring him to even TRY and hurt her or her family again. It was making her feel better, not that she could tell. She was too focused on Xigbar to even realize.
Finally through yelling her head off, she pushed Kadaj down onto the couch and stormed out the door, whipping out her cell phone and dialing 911 without a care. The police would be finding Kadaj if she had anything to say about it. She knew the most likely places he would go, if he even left his brother's apartment, which she doubted. She would see to it that Kadaj did not get away with this.
XXXX
"Fuck, she's not here?" Sora asked as he walked into the waiting room and spotted Leon and Seifer sitting in the uncomfortable plastic chairs, but the absence of the redhead they'd come searching for.
Leon shook his head, "I haven't seen her, no." he said, "I thought she was with you."
"Stormed out of the house and got in the car. Barely even told me what happened." Sora cursed again.
"Do you think she'll be okay?" Namine asked worried.
Riku grabbed her hand. "I'm sure she's fine." He reassured.
Cloud burst into the waiting room, going straight to Leon, followed by Roxas and Axel. "How is he?"
Roxas went to Sora. "How's Kairi?"
"Still in surgery." Leon answered.
Sora cursed, "Hell if I know-she ranoff!" he said, "I don't even know where she IS right now."
Unfazed, Roxas nodded. "You try calling her?"
"How bad, do they know?" Cloud asked.
Sora shook his head, "Just got here a second ago."
Leon sighed, "They haven't told me anything."
"All right, well, let's try that now. I'm sure everything is fine. Let's sit, at least." Roxas said, grabbing Axel's hand and sitting down.
Everyone else sat down too and Namine sighed. "This day has been insane." She muttered.
Riku smiled wryly. "No kidding."
Sora dialed Kairi's phone number, but it went straight to voicemail. He cursed as he hung up, not bothering to leave a message.
Riku grabbed his hand, "It'll be okay. She's probably on her way - that's why she didn't answer."
"Leon, before she gets here - what the fuck happened?" Cloud asked bluntly.
"We went to go confront, threaten, whatever the hell Xigbar had planned, and that Kadaj guy snapped and pulled a knife on Xigbar." Leon answered.
"Fuck." Sora sighed, "Kadaj obviously didn't get any help in the three years we haven't seen him."
"He's not all there, is he?" Seifer asked, glancing over.
Sora shook his head, "No, but he's damn good at hiding it."
"He's creepy." Roxas shuddered.
"How bad was the wound? What did they say when you got here?" Riku asked.
Axel put his arm over Roxas's shoulders and pulled him close.
"Knife in the shoulder, so it was mostly worry about muscles and tendons that had them rushing him into surgery, not organs." Leon answered, "Bleeding like hell, though."
Namine squeezed her eyes shut. "I hope he's okay."
"He'll be fine - Xigbar's not one to give up." Cloud said, squeezing Leon's hand and smiling at Seifer, trying to cheer them up.
Leon just mutely nodded, not answering this time. The doors opened and Sora glanced over to see Kairi walk in, looking surprisingly... okay. He jumped up, "Kairi!"
She glanced at him, "He still in surgery?" she asked anyone who would answer.
Namine stood up, quickly hugging her sister. "Yes."
"You okay, Kairi?" Roxas asked, offering her a smile.
Kairi just nodded, "The police have the locations that he's likely to go to, but he's probably not going to leave his brother's apartment." she said, hugging her sister back. She was shaking just barely, and it was mostly from worry over Xigbar.
"So you did confront him." Riku confirmed.
"He hurt you?" Cloud frowned.
Kairi shook her head, sinking down into one of the chairs.
"That's good, at least." Cloud said, nodding.
Namine sat next to her, taking her hand. "He's going to be fine." She murmured. "It didn't hit anything major."
Kairi glanced over at her, "Good." she breathed.
Sora sat down in the seat on her other side, "How are you feeling?"
"I'll feel better when I know he's okay." Kairi answered.
Riku moved to Sora's other side, taking his hand. Roxas leaned in to Axel, and everyone seemed to settle in to wait.
"Mr. Leonhart?" A doctor asked, walking into the room, causing everyone to jump up.
"Yes?" Leon said, taking a step forward.
"Mr. Stuart is out of surgery now and in recovery. We managed to repair the muscle damage, but it will be several weeks before he can fully use that arm again. Otherwise, he's going to be fine. A nurse will be in to let you know when he's settled for visitations." The doctor explained, shaking Leon's hand and nodding before leaving.
Leon sat back down, taking a deep breath that was almost a sigh of relief, and Kairi leaned into her sister, obviously less tense.
Cloud hugged Leon, sitting next to him and grinning.
Roxas sighed and squeezed Axel's hand, relieved.
Namine guided Kairi back into the chairs. "I told you he'd be fine."
"Yeah, you can probably see him soon, although they might not let us all in there..." Riku trailed off just as a nurse popped into the room. "Family and friends of Xigbar Stuart? You can see him now, room 302. He's still a little groggy but awake. We ask you visit two at a time please."
Kairi pulled herself from her sister's arms and headed past the nurse, murmuring a thank you, but not checking to see who was coming with her. She hesitated for just a moment at the door to Xigbar's room before pushing it open and taking a step in.
Xigbar blinked at the figure in the doorway. "That you Red?"
"Yeah." she said, walking towards him, "Hey..."
Struggling, Xigbar managed to push himself up into a sitting position using only one arm, reaching for Kairi with that hand. "How you doing?"
Kairi gently pushed him back down, sitting lightly on the edge of his bed, taking his hand in hers, and shrugging, "Better. More importantly, how are you feeling?"
"Worried about you. Jesus, Sass, you had me so worried..." He squeezed her hands. "I'm fine. Prick barely got me." He smirked.
"Right, which is why you're in the hospital." she giggled softly, holding his hand tightly, "Xigbar... please, please don't do something like that again."
"Didn't plan on landing here in the first place." Xigbar grunted, slipping his hand out of hers and reaching up to cup her cheek. "Come here so I can kiss you." He murmured.
Kairi shuffled over and leaned down, giving him a kiss.
Xigbar smiled when she pulled back. "Glad you're okay, Red."
"I'm glad you're okay." Kairi said, "Kadaj could've killed you when he snapped like that, Xig-he's not..."
She was interrupted by Leon poking his head in, "Sorry to interrupt."
Kairi just shook her head, beckoning him in but not moving.
"Hey. You listen to me right now. That bastard got in a lucky shot, that's all. I told you, he barely hit me. I'm fine, okay?" Xigbar said, studying her face before turning to Leon. "Hey, man. Please tell me the prick's in jail."
"Well, your girlfriend apparently tipped the police off to pretty much all the possible places he could run, so I'd say that's a large possibility." Leon answered.
Xigbar grinned. "Nice going, Sass." To Leon, he said, "When the hell they letting me outta here? And where's Seifer?"
"They're only letting us in two at a time, so he's waiting." Leon answered, "And I don't know, they didn't answer that question yet."
"Well when you find out, let me know somehow, okay? I'm leaving tomorrow with or without their cooperation." Xigbar grinned.
Kairi smacked his good shoulder lightly, "I don't think so."
"I told you, I'm fine. Tell the lady I'm fine, Leon." Xigbar demanded.
"Nah, I agree with her." Leon said, chuckling, "I'll go find a nurse and let Seifer come in." he smiled, "See you later."
"Hey, you're supposed to agree with me!" Xigbar yelled at his back as he left before sighing and turning to Kairi. "I hate hospitals."
"Then don't do stupid shit that gets you sent to hospitals." she laughed softly, giving him another kiss and squeezing his hand, "But thank you."
"For what?" Xigbar asked.
Kairi shook her head and smiled at him.
Xigbar studied her. "I didn't do anything you wouldn't have done for me, Sass."
Kairi smiled again, "I know." she said, leaning in and kissing him again as Seifer walked in.
Xigbar sighed when she pulled back, noticing Seifer. "Hey. You guys find out when they're releasing me?"
"Seems you're in luck. As long as there aren't any complications, they're gonna let you go sometime tomorrow. They want to keep you overnight for observation." Seifer answered.
Xigbar sighed, nodding. "Good. One of you'll pick me up? And hey, try to find out about this bastard's whereabouts, okay?"
Seifer nodded, "Already planning on it. Leon's on the phone right now." he said, "How're you?"
"I'm fine. You know I've had worse." Xigbar grinned. "This is barely a scratch."
Seifer rolled his eyes, "Yeah, well, don't overdo it." he said, "From what I've heard about this guy, you were lucky you just got a 'scratch.'"
"Yeah, yeah. Don't trash the apartment tonight when it's just you and Leon, all right? And hey, thanks." Xigbar said.
Seifer just smiled, and repeated his own words, "Yeah, yeah. We'll be back tomorrow." he said, waving and leaving.
Xigbar snorted, turning back to Kairi. "You it for the visiting brigade or are there more out there?"
"Cloud's out there." Kairi answered.
"Who the hell called him?" Xigbar asked.
"Leon, of course." Cloud said from the doorway. "You're an asshole, trying to pull heroics, you know that." He pretended to glare.
"Hey, hey, this was nothing!" Xigbar protested.
"Sure. I'll call Cid and update him. You just focus on healing up and fixing things for your girlfriend - you had her, all of us, worried." Cloud said.
"Okay, okay!" Xigbar grinned.
"Hey, Kairi? Sora wanted me to tell you he and Riku are going to stay to wait for you when visiting hours are over, but Roxas and Axel are taking Namine home. Leon, Seifer, and I are leaving, too." Cloud added.
Kairi shook her head, "Tell them they can go." she said, "I have my car."
"And Sora said to tell you he doesn't care and him and Riku will still be waiting when you're done." Cloud grinned.
Xigbar nodded. "Good. I don't want you driving home alone anyway, Sass."
Kairi huffed, "I drove to Kadaj's brother's by myself, and I drove here by myself, and this was before I knew you were okay." she said, not quite realizing what she'd just admitted to.
"You did what? Jesus Christ, did you actually find him? Are you okay?" Xigbar demanded, attempting to sit up again.
"I'll, um, see you later." Cloud muttered, ducking out of the room.
"Lay down!" Kairi said, surprised, pushing him back down, "I'm fine!"
"Why would you go after him alone? He could've hurt you! That bastard!" Xigbar fumed, struggling against Kairi for a moment before giving up and lying down, left shoulder throbbing in pain.
"I- he- you..." Kairi stammered, "He hurt you! I did nothing that you wouldn't have done for me." Kairi turned his own words back on him.
"Dammit, Sass." Xigbar said wearily, reaching for her hand again. "I don't like the idea of you near him - I don't want you hurt. I'm supposed to protect you."
"He didn't do anything." Kairi promised, "Like I told you earlier, he snapped when he hurt you, and after he snaps, he... well, shuts down." she explained, "But I was pissed at him, and worried about you, and... not really thinking, so I went there and yelled at him for like ten minutes before finally leaving and calling the police." she said, taking his hand and squeezing it.
Xigbar nodded, closing his eyes and shifting, trying not to wince in front of Kairi. "Just stay safe now, okay?"
Kairi nodded, leaning in and kissing him, "As long as you promise you won't go and get stabbed again." she said, "Considering I have no other ex-boyfriends to stab you, this should be easy."
"You got it, Sass." Xigbar grinned, kissing her back, this time unable to hide his wince as the movement pulled at his shoulder; his pain meds must've been wearing off.
"Lemme call a nurse." Kairi said, standing up.
Xigbar grabbed onto her with the hand that hurt less to move. "No, it's okay, I'm fine."
Kairi gave him a look, "Xigbar."
"Kairi." Xigbar said levelly.
Kairi rolled her eyes, turning around and leaning down to give him a kiss, reaching up with her other hand to press the button that would call a nurse.
Xigbar sighed, cupping her face, thankful she was okay.
Kairi successfully pressed the button and pulled back, smiling lightly at him, "You're a bit of a handful." she said with a smile.
"But I do love it when you handle me, Sass." Xigbar smirked.
Kairi giggled, "Mmm... I love you." she murmured, leaning in for another kiss.
Xigbar blinked at her, stunned as the nurse walked in. "Is everything all right?" She asked.
Kairi pulled back, "His pain meds are wearing off, I think. He said he was in pain."
"Oh, let me check." The nurse said, moving over to Xigbar's IV stand.
"No, I'm fine, really." Xigbar protested.
The nurse smiled at him in amusement. "No need to act tough, dear. I've given you some more pain killers, you should feel it very soon. Just press the call button again if you need anything else." She smiled and left.
"You... sneaky little..." Xigbar said, eyelids already getting heavy but fighting off sleep as best he could.
Kairi just smiled at him, "I'll be here 'til visiting hours end." she promised.
"That's good." Xigbar sighed, allowing his eyes to slip shut. "I'm just... resting my eyes..."
Kairi giggled, pulling the chair in the room close so she could hold his hand.
Xigbar squeezed her hand once before falling asleep.
XXXX
Xigbar cursed as the nurse helped him adjust his arm in his new sling, glaring at the waiting Leon as if daring him to laugh. "Is this really necessary?"
"Yes. It'll keep the strain on your shoulder to a minimum, but you'll still feel some discomfort and soreness." The nurse said, stepping back to admire her handiwork. "I just need to get the discharge papers and then you're free to go." She said, leaving to the room for a moment.
"Well, at least it's your left shoulder, so you won't have any trouble with paperwork." Leon smirked.
"Fuck you." Xigbar muttered as the nurse came back in, wheeling a wheelchair.
"No way." Xigbar said firmly.
"It's hospital policy. Here's the paperwork, I need you both to sign." The nurse said, holding the papers out to Xigbar, who quickly signed them and passed them to Leon, glaring at the wheelchair.
Leon signed them as well, handing them back to the nurse.
"All right, Mr. Stuart. You're ready to leave." The nurse said.
Xigbar stood up. "Thank god." He tried to walk past the wheelchair but the nurse blocked him. "It is our policy. Please don't make me call security."
Cursing under his breath, Xigbar unceremoniously sat in the wheelchair and the nurse smiled.
The three left the room, taking the elevator down to the lobby and the nurse wheeled Xigbar to the doors. "All right, you're all set now. Have a good day." She said.
Xigbar stood up. "Yeah, thanks." He said, following Leon out of the hospital.
Leon rolled his eyes, "Do you have any idea how much you were pouting?" he asked, approaching Seifer's car, where Seifer and Kairi were waiting for them.
"It's not like my legs were broken." Xigbar growled before noticing Kairi. "What're you doing here, Red? Don't you have class?"
Kairi just shrugged, smiling at him.
"You skipped, didn't you?" Xigbar asked, grinning. "Didn't have to, but thanks, Red."
Kairi grinned back, "How's the shoulder?"
"Told you, it's fine, Sass." Xigbar said, rolling his eyes. "Let's get outta here already, I hate hospitals."
"Yeah, and guess who the lucky one who had to come pick you up was?" Seifer grumbled at him, climbing back into the car, "Come on, already."
"Aw, Seifer, you act like I did this on purpose or something." Xigbar teased as he awkwardly climbed into the backseat, having to twist in order to close the door. "Oh, yeah. Happy birthday." He said cheekily.
Seifer rolled his eyes, "Yeah, thanks." he said, making sure Kairi and Leon had gotten in the car before starting it and pulling away from the curb.
"So besides picking me up, any plans? Got a date, by any chance?" Xigbar smirked.
"No, I have class and then I have work." Seifer gave him a look, "Though I might skip work. Not like Xemnas will notice."
"Sure. And then maybe grab a meal at the college with a classmate." Xigbar winked at him. "There, my birthday present to you - good advice."
Seifer rolled his eyes but couldn't resist smirking.
Kairi gave Xigbar a questioning look, but didn't ask.
Ignoring the two in the front seat now, Xigbar turned to Kairi. "You okay, Red?"
Kairi smiled lightly and nodded, "Yeah. You?"
"Dandy, Sass. Just dandy." Xigbar grinned.
Kairi rolled her eyes, "Stop acting tough." she said, reaching over to take his good hand and squeeze it.
"Who said anything about acting?" Xigbar smirked, squeezing her hand back and using it to pull her close enough to kiss her, effectively preventing any more comments.
Kairi rolled her eyes but leaned into the kiss, perfectly fine with being unable to talk.
Xigbar pulled back just as the car stopped and Seifer parked. "You staying for a bit, Red?"
"Would that be okay?" she asked.
"Of course - you know I'd never turn you away, Sass." Xigbar smiled, letting go of her hand in favor of turning to open the car door.
Kairi smiled at him and hopped out of the car herself, walking around to meet Xigbar. Leon climbed out, but leaned onto his own car.
"I've got to get to work." he said, glancing at his watch, "And Seifer's heading to class." he gestured to the blonde that had yet to exit his own car, but had rolled the window down.
"M'capable of talking for myself, y'know." he gave Leon a look.
"Right, how could I forget, you're all grown up now."
"Shut the fuck up, Leon." Seifer grumbled, "Later." he said, pulling out of the parking garage.
Leon rolled his eyes.
Xigbar snickered. "Let's go." He took Kairi's hand as they walked up to the apartment. Xigbar pulled Kairi in and straight into his bedroom, closing the door behind her, leaning her against it as he kissed her, pulling back and smiling. "I didn't get a chance before 'cause you surprised me, Sass, but I love you too."
Kairi's face lit up and she leaned in, giving him another kiss, "I didn't expect you to reply-I know I sort of threw it on you out of nowhere." she admitted.
Xigbar laughed. "Yeah you did. But I've known I loved you since we pretty much started dating, so it was more surprise you were ready to say it rather than freaking out about feeling it. You are a damn amazing woman, Sass."
Kairi blushed, "No, I'm really not." she frowned, "I'm really sorry about freaking out on you while we were shopping."
"Hey, don't disagree with me - you're amazing. Period. And it's okay. Can I ask you some questions about it - about him? Sora and Namine never got around to telling me the story and I'd rather hear it from you, anyway." Xigbar said.
Kairi hesitated, but nodded, "I'll try."
"How long were you two... together? Was he always that crazy?" Xigbar asked, forcing himself not to blurt out the other questions buzzing in his head as he led them both to his bed and sat down.
"Four years." Kairi answered, leaning into him, "And... I don't think so, but Sora says otherwise. I didn't really notice."
"Why'd you break up? Were you the one to do it?" Xigbar asked, putting his good arm around her.
"After he left for school, I started to realize what he was doing to me." Kairi said, shuddering lightly without realizing it, "I broke up with him, but I'm sure Sora told you what I was like afterwards."
"A little. Not really - I was more focused on you and then keeping him away to worry about what had happened in the past." Xigbar said. "Did he ever... hurt you? Physically?"
Kairi flinched.
Xigbar cursed. "Kairi? What'd he do? Were you ever in the hospital because of that bastard? Did he... did he rape you?"
"He never sent me to the hospital." Kairi said, "And... he never raped me." she said, "We had sex, but..." she trailed off.
Xigbar's face hardened. Carefully, he asked, "Did he ever keep going when you said no or weren't in the mood?"
She was quiet, not looking at him, "I never told him no."
"Fuck." Xigbar cursed quietly, pulling her closer. "It's okay. He's never coming near you again, I promise."
Kairi relaxed against him, "I know. I... I'm okay."
"Hey, look at me." Xigbar said, forcing her to look at him. "It's okay if you aren't. Seriously, I completely understand why this would shake you up, okay? So you don't have to hide it. I love ya, Red."
Kairi leaned up so she could kiss him, "Thank you." she breathed.
Xigbar kissed her again before saying, "I haven't done anything worth thanking."
"Trust me." Kairi said, "You really have."
Xigbar shook his head but smiled. "Sure, Sass. How about we go watch a movie or something?"
"Sure." Kairi smiled lightly.
XXXX
Hayner stuffed his hands into his - Seifer's - jacket as he walked to the courtyard by the library. The older blonde had insisted that the jacket he had left behind at movie night was the one he'd given Hayner, and Hayner caved seeing as the scent on this one was stronger, anyway, even if it was starting to fade now. He glanced at the sky, hoping it would snow again, not watching where he was walking and tripping over a rock, arms flailing as he stumbled.
Someone grabbed his arm before he could fall, lifting him back up and keeping him relatively steady, "You alright there, sweetheart?"
Hayner blushed and jerked out of his grip. "Don't start with that again!"
Seifer laughed, "Nice to see you too."
"Thanks." Hayner mumbled, stuffing his hands back into his pockets. "So how's your roommate? Didn't something happen yesterday? Roxas was a ball of energy this morning."
"Yeah, he's fine." Seifer said, "It'll take more than a knife to the shoulder to keep him down." he rolled his eyes.
Hayner winced. "That's good, I guess."
Seifer shrugged, "Long day." he sighed.
"Ah." Hayner said, glancing at him. "Um. So where're you going now?"
Seifer glanced at his watch, "Probably home. Skipping work. Why?"
Hayner shrugged. "Just wondering. You want this jacket back before you leave campus? 'Cause we both know you left this one at my house on movie night."
"We can trade if you want." he teased.
Hayner blushed again. "I'm always going to regret telling you I liked the smell, aren't I?" He groaned.
"Are you regretting it?" Seifer laughed.
"If you keep teasing me, yes. You and Roxas both find sick amusement out of picking on me, jerks." Hayner very nearly pouted.
Of course, Seifer thought that was adorable. "I wouldn't call it sick amusement." he rolled his eyes, taking off his jacket, "Gimme that jacket." he said, offering the one he'd been wearing out to the younger blonde.
Hayner eyed him suspiciously. "Why? To make fun of me more?"
"Does it sound like I'm trying to make fun of you?" Seifer raised an eyebrow.
"No." Hayner sighed, taking off the jacket he was wearing and giving it to Seifer.
Seifer chuckled, handing him the other one and pulling the one Hayner had handed him on.
Hayner stared at the jacket in his hands before pulling it on and blushing. It was so warm... "Why're you skipping work?"
"Didn't feel like going in on my birthday if my boss won't even notice anyway." Seifer shrugged.
Hayner gaped at him. "It's your birthday?"
Seifer chuckled, smirking, "Mmm."
"Damn. Well, happy birthday, then. Doing anything fun?" Hayner asked.
"Nope." Seifer shrugged, "Picked up my roommate from the hospital, went to class, and now I'm skipping work."
"C'mon, you gotta do something for your birthday! At least have cake or something." Hayner said.
Seifer laughed, "My birthday is usually met with roommates attempting my murder, so this hasn't actually been that bad."
Hayner gave him a look. "You're weird."
Seifer just laughed again.
"So do you have any finals next week?" Hayner asked.
"Yeah, both of my classes." Seifer nodded, "You?"
"Two projects, two finals." Hayner sighed. "I can't wait for them to just be over."
Seifer chuckled, "Looking forward to winter break?" he guessed.
"Hell yeah! Sleeping in and no more essay writing! Plus it's the heart of winter, so snowball fights and snowboarding and Christmas..." Hayner said, smiling.
Seifer smiled, "I take it you like winter, then."
"Yeah, I love it. What about you? Most people tend to hate it." Hayner commented.
Seifer shrugged, "I don't really have a favorite season." he admitted.
"Sure you do! Okay, would you rather be out in the snow or on a beach somewhere?" Hayner asked.
Seifer shrugged, "If I was by myself? The beach, 'cause I'm less likely to freeze to death."
"So would you rather there be a breeze at the beach or it be warm enough outside that the water's not freezing?" Hayner asked.
"I know you're trying to figure out my favorite season, but these questions are weird." Seifer informed him.
Hayner rolled his eyes. "Just answer the damn question."
"I dunno, a breeze, I guess."
"Spring, then. See, was that so difficult?" Hayner smirked.
Seifer rolled his eyes.
Hayner laughed. "Aw, I can just picture you running through a field of flowers in the springtime, not a care in the world!" Not at all seriously, he asked, "What's your favorite flower, Seif?"
Seifer gave him a look, "Sweetheart, is there something you forgot to tell me?" he joked.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Hayner blushed.
Seifer laughed.
"Seriously! Stop laughing at me!" Hayner demanded, blushing deeper.
"You hungry?" Seifer asked, still looking amused.
Hayner's stomach growled before he could answer. "Yeah. I kinda skipped lunch."
"Come on." Seifer said, heading towards the parking lot.
Hayner followed him, looking confused. "The cafeteria is in the other direction." He pointed out.
"I know." Seifer said, "I'm getting pizza. Are you coming?"
Hayner hesitated. "Uh..." He pulled out his wallet, double checking he had some money with him. "Yeah, okay."
Seifer, having no intentions of making Hayner pay for the pizza he was dragging him to go get, just rolled his eyes.
"What? I wasn't expecting to buy pizza today!" Hayner snapped, blushing a little as he climbed into Seifer's car.
"And I wasn't implying I was going to make you buy pizza today." Seifer shrugged, "I'm getting a pizza whether you decide to come or not, so either way, I'd be paying for it."
Hayner looked at him weirdly. "You're going to buy yourself pizza on your own birthday, and are now offering me some of that pizza? You really are weird."
"I wasn't kidding about the usually getting almost murdered on my birthday." Seifer said in response, pulling into the parking lot of the pizza place that they definitely could have walked to if they were feeling less lazy.
"At least let me give you some money to cover my slices or something." Hayner said as he climbed out of the car.
Seifer shook his head.
"Don't be a stubborn ass." Hayner growled.
"I'm not being a stubborn ass." Seifer chuckled.
Hayner threw up his hands in aggravation. "Fine, whatever. Let's just get the food already."
Seifer laughed.
Hayner yanked the door open to the pizza place. "After you, your highness." He said sarcastically.
"Who's being an ass now?" Seifer joked.
Hayner snorted. "You're lucky it's your birthday."
Seifer stuck his tongue out.
"What are you, turning two?" Hayner laughed.
"Wouldn't you like to know." he said, plopping into a booth.
Hayner rolled his eyes. "I already know how old you are. Jesus, already starting to lose your memory?"
"Nah, just enjoying teasing you." Seifer shrugged.
"Of course." Hayner mumbled from across from him just as the waitress appeared and he glanced at Seifer, waiting for him to order whatever the hell he was getting.
Seifer just ordered a large plain pizza, and then leaned back in his seat.
The waitress left and Hayner stared at Seifer before glancing away, unable to think of anything to say to break the silence.
"Cat got your tongue?"
Hayner scowled. "I hate cats."
Seifer laughed.
"So why didn't you have plans with your family for your birthday, since your friends don't care?" Hayner asked.
"I didn't say my friends didn't care, they're just not the celebrating type." Seifer shrugged, "And neither is my dad, for that matter."
"Oh. What about your mom?" Hayner asked.
"Never knew her." Seifer shrugged.
"Oh. Sorry." Hayner glanced at the table.
Seifer shook his head, "No worries. S'not like I had a bad childhood or anything, I just don't know my mom."
Hayner nodded slowly. "Okay." Before any more could be said, the waitress came back with their pizza, placing it on the table before walking away.
"What about you?" Seifer asked as he grabbed a slice of pizza.
"What about me?" Hayner asked, confused, as he took a slice and dropped it onto his plate as it was way too freaking hot to attempt to eat right now.
"Parents still around?" he asked.
"Oh, yeah. They're still together and all that, just hardly ever home due to their jobs. As soon as Olette and me were old enough to take care of ourselves, they focused on furthering their careers and..." Hayner shrugged. "They aren't bad parents, just are never around."
Seifer nodded, "Ah. Sorry."
Hayner shrugged again. "It's not really a big deal."
Seifer nodded again.
Hayner shifted, picking up the pizza and taking a big bite, swallowing before saying, "You sure you don't want me to help pay for this?"
"I dragged you here." Seifer reminded him.
"So." Hayner snorted. "I could've said no."
Seifer just rolled his eyes.
"Well whatever. Happy birthday, then." Hayner said, saluting Seifer with his pizza slice.
Seifer laughed, "Thanks."
XXXX
A bit anticlimactic, I know.
So, another plotline done-ish. Yay?
I've got a cold and I think the meds are messing with my head a little - or maybe that's all 30 of Alex Day's songs that I just bought and have been listening to on repeat nonstop...
Alice, that last scene, as always, was for you. :D
Everyone else, hope you liked it! Review please?