A Seiferous Seduction
Seifer Almasy is more or less stuck in the friend zone when it comes to Quistis Trepe.
The old Seifer would have been bumptious enough to ask Quistis out on a date regardless of how she may feel about him.
The new Seifer is wistfully cautious in every decision.
He tries to show that he likes her—making excuses to be able to talk to her after-hours, bringing her breakfast and lunch when she's busy. But the hints sadly miss their mark, over and over, as she smiles and exclaims what a good "friend" he is to her.
Is it poor timing? (He should have made his move before he took off on his doomed Knightscapade.)
Is it the lack of a fur jacket? (Damn that trendsetting Leonhart for setting the bar so high.)
Is it the fact that he rarely seems to say the right thing at the right time? (People would laugh their heads off if they knew just how nervous he can get around her.)
Imagine if he is to actually confess to her.
"Seifer, I'm seeing someone else." (Cue plenty of tears.)
"Seifer, I see you as a friend and nothing more." (A gentle smile to let him down easy.)
"Seifer, I'm sorry, but you are completely not my type." (And it's over before it's even started.)
"Seifer, what are you daydreaming about?"
He is staring into amused blue eyes.
"Huh?"
Quistis chuckles. "You're uncharacteristically quiet today."
"Daydreaming is a highly beneficial cognitive activity," he grunts in defense.
"Put your cognitive activity on pause for a moment." She retrieves a mission contract out of her purse. "You and I have been assigned to monster duty in Trabia!"
"Trabia…?" Wait a minute. "That sounds like more than a day's worth of work," he remarks casually as hearts threaten to burst out of his eyes like a cartoon dork in love.
Quistis nods smartly. "Three days and two nights should do it!"
Three days and two nights!?
Shared lodging in cold weather translates to opportunities to keep her warm and cozy. Maybe they'll even be lucky enough to get snowed in. Perhaps he would at last work up the nerve to verbalize his feelings for her without the entire population of Garden watching their every move.
"Let's go."
Alas! Seifer's romantic dream slips away as the grueling job of monster extermination and the sheer need to survive take priority over everything else.
The two get Tail Slapped by many a Snow Lion and Hind Kicked by many more a Mesmerize.
Their meals are efficient routines.
Their cabin is old and charmless.
Quistis turns in shockingly early on the first night. He doesn't blame her, for she's just as wiped out as he, though he's awfully disappointed that she won't partake in any relaxing activities with him.
On the second night, he broods alone in his room for so long that he's convinced he is temporarily possessed by the spirit of Leonhart. The irritating thing is that Quistis would probably pay more attention to him in this state. What is it about that guy that has all the females turning their heads when he's clearly in a relationship!?
He sighs, shakes his head, and pushes off the covers.
As he pours himself a glass of water in the kitchen, he hears a loud thump from the direction of Quistis' room.
His senses are on high alert as he tiptoes right up to her door.
He doesn't hear a thing. This worries him immensely.
"Quistis?" he ventures. Then, louder: "Quistis!"
Seifer opens the door with heroic flair.
She has fallen off her bed in a twisted tangle of blankets!
He runs over to cradle her head and ensure she is not hurt.
Her mouth and chin are soaked in drool!
He wipes it all away with his pajama sleeves.
She twitches and mumbles, her mind thrashed about by a nightmare!
He folds strong arms around her and makes soothing noises to ease her out of disequilibrium.
As Quistis startles awake, her hands form a weak but sure grip that makes his heart pound with relief.
"Seifer…?" Her voice is panicked. "Seifer, what's happening?"
"It's alright," he murmurs. "I got you, Quisty."
He feels her gasp against his shoulder. She pulls herself away, and in the arctic light of the Trabian moon, she is terribly distressed. "I didn't want you to see me like this!"
"Like what?" he asks in honest confusion.
She touches her face and gasps once more.
"I've already wiped away your drool," he informs her.
Her lower lip trembles in embarrassment.
"Quisty." His brows crease. "Did I offend you or somethin'!?"
"No!" she squeaks. "Far from it."
"Then tell me what's wrong."
"Seifer…" She pauses for the longest time. "I'm not seeing anyone right now."
"What?" he chokes out.
"Seifer…" Now it's her voice that is trembling. "I see you as more than a friend."
There's a hallelujah chorus in his heart.
"And…" Her last words are a contented whisper. "Seifer, you are completely my type."
"Damn," he chuckles hoarsely. "And here I was, trying to seduce you!"
Quistis flushes crimson, retreats to the safety of her bed, and buries herself beneath the blankets.
Seifer joins her in the hiding spot with a triumphant grin.
She turns on a mini flashlight to illuminate their faces.
"Tell me all the reasons you like me," he demands teasingly.
Her smile is shy and lovely. "I like you because you're Seiferous."
He laughs with great delight. "Oh, yeah?"
"You feed me when I'm hungry," she goes on. "You walk me to my dorm room at night. You threaten the creepers who get too close for comfort!"
A smile spreads across his face.
"And you always look at me like I'm the prettiest girl. Even when I'm drooling all over myself!" she concludes dreamily.
Seifer leans in to give her a kiss.
His plan may not have worked out, but…
Quistis' seduction is so much better!
The End
Author's Notes: For ondanelsilenzio, who authorized my Quistis to use the word "Seiferous" whenever it pleases her. ;)