Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction / Other Fan Fiction ❯ Protecting the Lion ❯ Garden's Newest Thief ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter Ten

Garden's Newest Thief

 

“Hey!” Seifer yelled, red flashing before his eyes. “Get the hell away from him!” There seemed no need to tear the kid away and throw him across the room, since the boy jumped back and fell gracelessly to his ass.

 

“I'm sorry,” Rui asserted.

 

“What the hell makes you think that you can touch your commander like that?” His mind twisted his words automatically. He was livid, and a very distant part of his brain recognized that some of his anger was the result of having witnessed someone else touching his rival.

 

Rui's jaw dropped as he fought to not freeze up in fear. The tall blond brute of man looked about a second away from snapping his body in two. “I-I,” he stuttered.

 

Standing before the cowering kid, Seifer glared down. “Which garden did you come from that taught you it was okay to be so bold to any commanding officer?”

 

Flabbergasted, the dark haired boy responded to Seifer's questions in a pleading tone, “I'm not really a cadet. I'm sorry.” His eyes squeezed shut in fearful apprehension.

 

Clenching his jaw, Seifer cursed at his own assuming manner. Here was this kid who looked harmless enough, but apparently posed at least some threat. Short of wanting to make the kid piss his pants, Seifer refrained from slamming him against the wall and conducting the painful interrogations he was prone to doing. “Who are you? Why were you at the training center?” Before the boy could answer, he reminded, “Lies will only make me angry and you don't want to be around me when I'm angry.”

 

For a moment, Rui stared blankly and fearfully up at tall man. In a false front of courage, he wiped the dumb founded look of fear from his face. Knowing he needed to start running, he wasn't confident he could escape the imposing blond's grasp. Standing up, he faced off, barely managing to keep his legs steady. “I'd say you're already pretty angry,” he mumbled to himself, loud enough for the other to hear.

 

Not straying from Leonhart's side, Seifer pressed, “Who the fuck are you?” This time he wanted a truthful answer.

 

“Rui Valdez, at your service,” the raven-haired boy said with a bow, a small tremor revealing how truly frightened he felt. He never should have accepted the job. He was in a place full of mercenaries who liked to take blood baths. He would never see the outside world again. His short life was over.

 

Either the kid could lie really well or was actually telling the truth. Surprisingly, Seifer had a difficult time telling the difference, if there was any. Then again, he hadn't been studying the boy under the pretense that he was being lied to earlier, so he had probably not noticed the telltale signs. Humoring the idea that the boy's real name was `Rui', he questioned, “Why are you here?”

 

“Not to be killed, so if you don't mind, I'll just leave.” Rui took a step back.

 

Smirking, Seifer commented, “You're more of an idiot than I first thought if you think you can leave freely.” His words were deathly calm and he employed his most intimidating glare.

 

Rui froze, going rigid. Staring into jade-green eyes, he feared he had chanced upon one of the most vicious mercenaries possible. He began to envision various ways the blond might torture him. Epson had made no mention of Ultimecia's knight being there, and he was almost certain the man before him was Seifer Almasy. Twenty thousand gil was not worth dying. “Please, I was hired. I didn't mean any harm.”

 

Seifer had become so absorbed with being back that he had lost sight of an important objective. His reasons for being summoned back were not solely to boss the commander around, but to protect him. “I think we're going to have a long talk.”

 

“Just talking?” Rui asked hopefully, praying the knight's idea of talking was like everyone else's and didn't involve that sword of his on the counter.

 

“Yeah, so sit your ass down,” the blond ordered, motioning to the coffee table next to him.

 

Hoping to walk or even limp away with his life, Rui complied readily. For the right price he would do just about anything, but to keep his head attached to his neck he would have ratted his own mother out if he had one.

 

Seifer watched as the boy sat down nervously. For the first time he noticed a content cat sitting and staring at them on top of the table. Throughout that whole scene the feline had remained still, just swishing its tail back and forth while watching in amusement. Grumbling silently, he vowed that the next thing he fed the fur ball was going to be dog food.

 

Returning his focus to the deceitful brat, he concluded that the boy was no mastermind behind any insidious plot, just a pawn. Sitting down on the edge of the couch, Seifer remembered the damp washcloth in his hand and why he had it in the first place. Shifting, he turned towards the unaware brunet whose strained body was likely keeping that brain unconscious. He pressed the cold cloth to the Squall's forehead. Brushing damp bangs aside, he wiped along the brunet's temples gingerly.

 

“Uh….” Rui began to speak, blushing furiously as he recalled what the blond had told him caused the commander to pass out. While he knew the knight had only been sarcastic, as he watched the man gently wiping moisture from the commander's brow, he couldn't help but question whether the tall brute had really been joking.

 

Holding a hand up to silence the kid, Seifer demanded silence. He saw Squall's eyelids flutter. He kept swiping the cloth. They were both in need of hot shower, but that would have to wait. Setting the washcloth in his lap, he raised a hand to a pale cheek. Even after being still and unmoving for the past ten minutes, the younger man's skin felt like it was on fire.

 

“Hey,” Seifer said, trying to make Squall come to.

 

Squall's eyes snapped open. “Shit,” the commander cursed, quickly trying to sit up. A looming blond knight who pressed a hand to his chest and kept him down.

 

“Relax,” Seifer directed. “There's plenty of time. It was too soon to fight like that. You have to rest,” he explained, firmly holding the brunet down.

 

“Seifer,” Squall whispered softly.

 

The blond had to lean in closer to hear.

 

“Don't make me kick your ass again,” Squall finished, placing a hand over Seifer's and bending the fingers backwards.

 

Jerking his hand away, Seifer glared before hissing, “Stubborn prick.” He rubbed his hand sorely.

 

A meek cough sounded.

 

Squall strained his tired muscles to sit up. Apparently the hours he managed to get in the training center each week weren't nearly enough. He actually relished the feel of sore muscles. He had missed their sparring sessions.

 

Looking beyond the ex-knight, who blocked most of his view, Squall saw a young teenager sitting on his coffee table, blushing furiously. The unfamiliar boy kept his gaze downcast, as though he was too embarrassed to look him in the eye. Now he knew why Seifer was trying to block his view. Shooting daggers he asked silently, `What the hell is going on?' When Seifer gave an affronted look, acting hurt that Squall would accuse him of anything, Squall turned his attention elsewhere. The kid was still looking down. And Squall was still extremely confused.

 

“Look at me,” Squall said calmly. Recognizing the nervous posture in the kid. He was not in the mood for any surprises that day. Then again, he usually never was.

 

Rui couldn't help but look up. Commander's Leonhart's voice was almost melodious. Regardless of feeling entrapped and embarrassment, he gazed steadily into powerful eyes. There had been a few instances where he'd seen pictures of the commander, but he generally didn't have the luxury of following world events at his own leisure. Despite looking dead tired, the older boy radiated quiet strength, but not the intimidating kind. He felt comforted, knowing he faced someone who wouldn't kill him slowly.

 

Once the young boy made eye contact, Squall waited a moment. He recognized the petrified stiffness in the unknown guest's posture, and hoped his lack of hostility would be of some help. “What is your name?” he asked evenly. Though he was none too happy to have some random person in his apartment, he knew Seifer was behind it all. He'd deal with the ex-knight later.

 

Responding quickly, Rui blurted out, “Rui Valdez.”

 

It was then Seifer chose to give some insight into why Rui was there in the first place. Speaking into Squall's ear, he whispered, “The kid's got a few qualities that make him a good candidate for your stalker. I think he's working for him.”

 

Keeping his face trained on Rui, Squall didn't react to the blond's words. Thinking to himself, realized it was the perfect opportunity to find information on his stalker without involving anyone else. “Valdez,” he reiterated, vaguely recalling the name. “The same Valdez who pickpockets in Dollet?” It was a rhetorical question. If being a pickpocket were the kid's only crime, he wouldn't have known the name, but he generally didn't look too closely at anyone's wrap sheet considering the business he ran. Though he kept his face and tone impassive, inside he was only storing up more anger to let out on the blond later. Of all the people that the ex-knight could have brought back, it had been a thief. Coincidentally, he had been looking for someone with good thieving skills to help integrate the skill into the cadet's curriculum, but as headmaster, he didn't need to be buried in reports of stolen wallets.

 

Rui went rigid again. He realized he was relying on the kind nature of the commander without even knowing if the older boy had a kind nature to begin with. Those clear grey-blue eyes couldn't possibly belong to a bad person, but how was he to know for sure.

 

Squall gave a faint, reassuring smile. He was angry with Seifer, not the boy.

 

Dark brown eyes widened. Rui stared as the commander smiled at him. Unable to help himself, he felt relief overcome him all over again. Commander Leonhart was someone he could trust, he was certain.

 

Making a decision, Squall proposed, “We could use someone like you here. Have you ever considered becoming SeeD?” The kid was obviously not his stalker, but if there was some connection then he couldn't let the boy leave freely.

 

Seifer listened, his anger rising. Was Leonhart insane? Who invited the enemy to stick around? And why the hell was the pretty boy hero smiling like that? About to argue the commander's proposal, he was silenced when the brunet tugged his shirt. Glaring, he held his tongue. If he were any less interested in finding out more about the pervert stalking his rival, he would have forcibly put the man to sleep.

 

Rui didn't know how to respond. The idea was ludicrous and yet the commander was speaking as though he was hoping to enroll him that very day. “I hadn't considered it, sir.”

 

“You might want to consider it now.” If he were to interrogate the boy, he would learn everything he could about the person behind the scenes. For Rui to return unsuccessful after confessing, it was asking for punishment. He was willing to offer sanctuary for information.

 

As much as Rui tried to figure what the commander was trying to imply he couldn't sort it out.

 

Squall elaborated, “An entire garden full of trained mercenaries. It's more than a little troublesome to get in without welcome.” He saw dawning understanding in the boy's dark eyes. “Among ourselves, we take care of our own.” His meaning couldn't get much clearer.

 

“You mean, like, I'd have to or else….” he trailed off. Rui didn't know whether he liked the idea of getting up at the crack of dawn to run laps or go to class or whatever these people did that made them such good fighters. Then again, he couldn't return to Dollet after failing.

 

“No,” Squall said evenly. “You wouldn't have to enroll as a student in order to gain protection. Though it might be nice to not have to worry about staying within these walls to be safe.” Sighing, he refrained from pinching the bridge of his nose. “Who sent you?” he finally asked.

 

Unable to lie while looking into the commander's eyes, Rui mumbled. “Epson, just Epson”

 

“Tell me what you know about Epson,” Squall pressed.

 

Glancing away, Rui considered his choices. He wasn't cut out for spying. He was in over his head. There was no going back. “I never actually met the guy. He said he'd give me twenty thousand gil for some pictures. That's it.” he gave the commander a pleading look. Even he had standards. Taking pictures had seemed innocent enough, especially for the payment.

 

“You never met him, so how were you in contact?” Squall followed up.

 

Rui sighed, realizing the commander believed him. With his mendacious character, no one ever believed him even when he told the truth. “I heard a rumor about this job that had high money on the table. I've been looking to move up a little in the business and made a few calls. Once I got him on the line, we set up the terms and trade off.”

 

--

 

Rui explained how he had only arrived the day before. Proper documentation and false identification had been provided. His job had been to slip in undetected, act like a normal cadet, find an opportunity to get close to the commander, and take pictures. He had no qualms in admitting he had little courage in the face of six foot two inch knights who had bad tempers. His lifetime of thievery had taught him to turn tail and run at the first sign of danger, and his skills as a con artist were not very sharp despite his promises to Epson about succeeding.

 

Eventually, Squall had heard enough from Rui to be satisfied. The young con artist had relaxed considerably, either from deciding it would be safe to reside in Balamb Garden or from forgetting what might happen upon returning to Dollet. The boy seemed less interested in the interrogation and more interested in petting a friendly Gabriel. Despite the pickpocket's track record, there was an air of youthful innocence about the *fourteen year old.

 

The sun cast warm rays into the main flat just from the single window in the kitchen. Seifer sat beside Squall with his head resting back against the couch. He had kept silent, unable to ask a single question because the brunet seemed to know exactly when to glance his way with eyes that told him to be patient and hush. He had gotten up at one point to stow the gunblades away, but returned shortly after only to continue playing a mute.

 

Sinking back into the couch, Squall relaxed for a moment. Beside him, Seifer was sulking. Indulging the blond's wishes, he asked, “Is there anything you'd like to ask Seifer?”

 

“I've heard enough lies for one day, thanks,” Seifer replied while crossing his arms.

 

Feeling assured that the knight couldn't hurt him as long as the commander was there, Rui mumbled, “Child.”

 

Green eyes narrowed dangerously. It only took a smile or two and suddenly the brat thought the commander would stop him from wrapping his hands around that scrawny twerp's neck. “Thief,” he shot back with distain.

 

“Brute!” Rui countered, standing to his feet. Commander Leonhart seemed like a nice enough person, which meant Ultimecia's knight was just particularly beastly.

 

Seifer stood, towering over the raven-haired boy like a very unfriendly giant.

 

Rui gulped, intimidated immensely. If the edge of the table hadn't been pressing into his calves he would have backed up.

 

Sighing, Squall stood up and walked away. “If you're going to fight, take it outside,” he reprimanded as he stalked to the bathroom. He couldn't deal with childish bickering at the moment. His head felt heavy and he was freezing. It might have been his body cooling off after the fight, but he was nearly shivering.

 

In the bathroom, Squall turned the shower's faucet on. He needed a shower to warm up and wash off. Afterwards, he could deal with Seifer and Rui, if the boy were still breathing. His fortune was better than expected to have encountered Rui without alerting Quistis or the others. If at all possible, he would like to resolve the matter of his stalker without anyone else's help.

 

Biting his lip as he considered his new lead, he felt less hopeful than he had been when first learning that Rui had been hired to take pictures. A part of him felt compelled to inform his head instructor, knowing it was the sort of thing he was supposed to rely on her for, yet his first instinct was to keep it to himself. There was no certainty that Espon was his stalker. Perhaps he would speak with Quistis if he found out more, or perhaps not.

 

Releasing his abused lip, Squall realized an oversight. He couldn't revoke his invitation to Rui, but the boy's presence would necessitate an explanation. He couldn't think about it right then. His mind was a bit foggy. His fight with Seifer had been more taxing than he had originally thought. He still couldn't believe he had passed out, carried back by his rival no less.

 

Undressing, he stepped beneath the shower's spray, soothed by its warmth. Expression softening, he reflected on his recent spar. Ignoring the fact that he had shown his rival his weakest side, he was undeniably excited to think he could continue sparring with Seifer. A small part of him, a very tiny part, was glad the ex-knight was back.

 

Sighing, he shut his eyes to avoid the sting of the shampoo as the suds were washed from his hair. Why had Seifer come back? He was curious and confused by the man's reappearance. Had he become so weak that his rival was taking pity on him? Shaking his head, Squall refused to belief that was the case. Pity was one emotion Seifer never expressed, least of all towards him. He knew he shouldn't be giving the matter such intense consideration. He had more pressing issues to be thinking about. Rinoa was gone, and he had to find her. If he were truly someone blessed by Hyne, then finding Rinoa would have nothing to do with finding his stalker. Theoretically, being able to solve two problems with a single solution was efficient. Considering the field day the press would have over the matter, which would be made public if Rinoa had anything to say about it, it would be a disaster.

 

Not lingering in the shower any long than necessary, Squall shut the tap, the coldness he had felt before returning immediately. Shivering in his sopping state, he hastily dried himself off. Realizing he hadn't brought a change of clothes, he was about to leave the bathroom in naught but a towel when he remembered Rinoa's secret stash.

 

The raven-haired sorceress had a fetish for dressing him in what society considered fashionable clothing, but he had a stubborn tendency to refuse anything that he wouldn't have worn in battle. While he had only threatened to instruct the cadet's on laundry duty to dispose of all trendy garments that came from his shoot, Rinoa had taken him quite seriously and hidden pants and shirts in various places all over the apartment. He had actually found a belt in the freezer one time.

 

Glancing around the bathroom, he felt certain there was a whole wardrobe buried beneath the washcloths and towels in the linen closet. Sure enough, there was a bin on bottom shelf that he had never really taken notice of before. More than just a few items, there were carefully selected articles from ties to a ridiculous pair of socks that were decorated with lions. With a sigh, he grabbed what he needed. He selected at random a pair of dark blue jeans and teal colored long sleeve top.

 

While the jeans sagged around his waist, they didn't fall down. About to don the shirt, he was interrupted.

 

 

--

 

Watching the commander leave without a word, Rui was left with a feeling of abandonment and fear. Now that he was alone with the angry knight, he would surely be torn limb from limb. Gulping, he turned his attention to the tall blond in front of him. Meeting those narrowed green eyes, he glanced desperately at the closed door the commander had gone behind.

 

With Squall in the bathroom, Seifer felt he could ask a few questions of his own. “Why the hell were you groping him before?”

 

“Which answer won't get me killed?” Rui asked nervously, praying Commander Leonhart returned soon.

 

“The truth,” Seifer growled while crossing his arms and staring down.

 

“I…” Rui began, knowing the frighteningly strong looking knight wasn't going to like the truth. “I was curious,” he supplied, looking up with innocent brown eyes. He was going to die.

 

Enjoying the terrorizing effect he had on the boy, Seifer asked, “Curious about what?”

 

Biting his lip, Rui was afraid this particular matter would set the knight off. He didn't have much choice. Having the shame to blush while admitting his earlier thought process, he mumbled, “I couldn't tell if he was really a guy or not.” He had always wondered whenever managing to see a picture or glimpse the older boy on the news. Everyone said the commander was a man, but Rui didn't think any man could look so pretty. His curiosity had gotten the best of him, blowing his cover.

 

The blond pulled a very confused face, trying his best to piece it all together properly. At length, when he understood the seriousness with which the boy spoke, he nearly doubled over with laughter. “You were feeling him up for breasts?” Shaking his head, he pointed out, “Just by looking at him you can tell he ain't got nothing under that shirt.”

 

“Yeah, well, maybe he was hiding it,” Rui countered, a little defensive now that the blond was being condescending. When the imposing knight just laughed at him more, he added, “I didn't think you looked like the gay type, so I figured you'd only have been doing the commander if he were a girl.”

 

Rolling his eyes, Seifer valiantly refrained from wringing the kid's neck. “You know damn well we were fighting in there.”

 

“Sure,” Rui replied mockingly, his courage only a veneer. “Well you wouldn't be the first guy to wanna do him,” he said with false casualness. He knew he had crossed the line, but his sharp tongue often spoke without consulting his mind first. While he knew Epson must have had some perverted fetish, he had never planned on sneaking into the commander's bathroom for nude photos. He would still have gotten paid for quick snapshots of the man walking.

 

Seifer's retort fell flat. Glaring menacingly, he decided the kid didn't need to be alive for Epson to be found.

 

Rui realized the time for flight had come. Fleeing, he bolted just as the blond started after him. In a panic, he sought the commander's protection. Running to the room he had seen the brunet walk into, he threw the door open and ran in headlong. Coward or not, he didn't fancy dying at the hands of Ultimecia's knight. “Commander Leonhart!” he cried out, jumping forward and grabbing the man.

 

Not even fully dressed, Squall was taken by surprise. Half way in and out of the greenish colored shirt, his arms were caught in the shirtsleeves while the thief clung to him as though for dear life.

 

With his wiry arms wrapped around the commander's bare torso, Rui exclaimed pleadingly, “He's gonna kill me!”

 

Following the thief's path, Seifer stood in the doorway. Outraged, he watched as the little brat clung to a half naked Squall. The brunet just stood there with sopping wet hair and his arms in a sort of tangled entrapment.

 

At first, Squall attempted to pinch the bridge of his nose. Unable to do that, he looked at Seifer in exasperation. “What have you been doing?”

 

Stricken, Seifer furrowed his brows and defended, “I haven't done a damn thing. The kid just flipped out.”

 

“Did not!” Rui countered, his head turned away over the commander's shoulder.

 

Gritting his teeth, Squall wondered if having Seifer around was going to help him or cause more stress. “Rui, let go of me,” he ordered softly.

 

“But,” the raven-haired boy protested, squeezing tighter. He didn't know why, but he trusted the commander.

 

“Seifer is not going to hurt you,” Squall assured.

 

“Says you,” Seifer muttered under his breath.

 

Sending a glare the knight's way, Squall attempted to pull Rui off himself. It didn't work out, so he attempted to finish putting his shirt on. The boy was forced to step back.

 

Pulling the shirt down, Squall said, “Rui, I'll have a student fix you up with new quarters right away. Okay?”

 

Rui distanced himself obligingly, feeling as though the more space between him and the commander, the closer he was to the violent knight. “I want to stay here,” he requested solemnly. It was hardly the idea of being in Balamb Garden that felt safe. He couldn't return without the pictures, but there was little chance of accomplishing that. He wanted to stay with the commander. There were very few things he felt strongly about, such as not breaking the law, but staying close to the Balamb lion was one of them.

 

Grabbing a towel, Squall draped it over his head and walked out past Seifer. He didn't need to be dealing with this now. It was bad enough he had to deal with an ex-knight who acted like a kid most of the time.

 

“But it's not safe with the other students,” Rui continued in protest. He wasn't stupid enough to believe he could not return and Epson wouldn't care. Epson's reputation was hardly that of a forgiving man.

 

Squall paused in the middle of tousling his hair dry. “What do you mean?” he questioned quietly.

 

“Epson got in before, I know that,” Rui admitted.

 

Just when Seifer didn't think he could dislike the brat anymore, he did. “Listen, you little piece of chicken shit, when we ask you tell us everything you know, that means everything,” he spat angrily.

 

Quickly moving towards the commander and out of the knight's reach, Rui glanced back and gave the man a stubborn look. “You never asked me about this place,” he said, referring to garden.

 

“Rui,” Squall began, letting the towel hang forgotten over a shoulder. “Tell me what you meant by it not being safe?”

 

Again, looking into those grey-blue eyes, Rui couldn't help but feel at ease. “Epson mentioned being here before, and I don't think it's possible he could have done so without some help. I'm no detective, but on the streets you have to suspect everyone.”

 

Nodding, Squall tossed the towel on the back of the couch and turned away to walk into the kitchen. Rui hadn't mentioned anything that he hadn't already considered. It was likely that there was an inside source. Epson might even be hidden among them. As headmaster, he refused to suspect his cadets. It might have been foolish considering Rui was proof of at least one spy among the young fighters in training, but he refused to lose faith in the very fiber of Balamb Garden simply because he had an annoying stalker on the loose.

 

With a sigh, Squall murmured, “I'll have someone I know to be trustworthy escort you.” He considered Selphie for the job, certain the energetic pilot would quite enjoy showing the young teen around the premises.

 

“No, I want to stay here,” Rui reaffirmed, already wondering where he might acquire a large chain to lock himself to the commander's bedpost. He knew taking chances often meant winding up rotting in the gutter. At this point, he had already betrayed Epson. The commander had already offered protection and a better place to stay than he'd had in all his life, but such protection meant nothing if he couldn't trust the people doing the protecting.

 

“You can't,” Squall said flatly. In the kitchen, he set about making a pot of coffee. It was nearly noon, but he needed a little something to wake up. He had a long day ahead.

 

Seifer followed his rival into the kitchen, smirking at how the boy crept back out and moved around to the small alcove, too afraid of him to be in the same room.

 

Gabriel jumped on the counter and was shortly met by Rui, who sat down on a stool. “Please, you gotta let me stay here. I can't sleep if I know someone might ice me.”

 

“There's no room,” Seifer argued, leaning against the reflective surface of the refrigerator.

 

“I can sleep on the couch or the floor,” Rui suggested hopefully. His big brown eyes searched for any sign of sympathy from the icy toned commander. He found none. Desperate, he said, “Then perhaps I should leave. Go back to Epson.” It was an empty threat and he felt guilty for making it the second the words were out of his mouth. He doubted he would ever manage to put a leash on his unruly tongue.

 

Squall set the filter he had in hand down. Turning he regarded Rui with a serious expression. “You wouldn't do that,” he stated evenly, knowing the boy's best hope for reaching adulthood would be staying in Balamb Garden. More than that, he suspected the boy felt safe under his protection, despite the fact that he had done nothing to show he even cared.

 

Thrown, Rui stared wide-eyed. “No,” he agreed, turning his eyes downcast. It almost sounded like the commander trusted him, but he wasn't foolish enough to believe someone so smart would trust a thief.

 

Scoffing, Seifer said, “Yeah, well that's obvious. Epson wouldn't be too happy with you.”

 

“That's not why!” Rui exclaimed heatedly. He couldn't help feeling how he did. Even if he could go back, he didn't think he would want to. He liked Commander Leonhart, even if he didn't know why. He couldn't explain himself, not when no one had any reason to believe him.

 

Squall studied the boy's downtrodden demeanor curiously. It was like watching kicked puppy. Feeling a small pang of sympathy, he understood what it was like to be unable to express oneself properly. He couldn't tell what was running through the boy's head, but he figured there was more to it than the selfish urge for self-preservation. Perplexed by his odd urge to comfort the boy, he left the coffee filter forgotten on the counter and moved towards the opening Rui sat behind. Unpracticed when it came to comforting someone with actions or words, he simply ruffled spiky black hair. “I know why,” he assured.

 

Seifer watched in shock at the consoling actions of his rival. Jaw clenching, he observed the brat gazing adoringly at the commander. It was no wonder Leonhart had a fucking stalker. The oblivious commander went around putting ideas in people's heads and giving hope.

 

“Does that mean I can stay here?” Rui asked hopefully.

 

“No,” Squall stated again, moving back to finish making the coffee. He waited a moment before adding, “But I'll have a trusted friend set you up in a place nearby.”

 

“How near?” Rui asked immediately, ready to bargain.

 

“Near enough,” the brunet replied, not really knowing where the closest dorm room was in respect to his own.

 

“Can I come here when I want?” Rui asked excitedly. He had never stayed at any place so fancy as garden. This whole thing might turn out to be pretty fun.

 

Squall waited a moment. He was taking a big chance by trusting the boy. “Within reason,” he finally answered.

 

“A word, Leonhart,” Seifer hissed out, stalking from the kitchen swiftly.

 

As Squall made to follow, Rui commented, “If he tries to rape you, just give a shout.” It was his unaccounted for tongue again.

 

Squall nearly tripped over his own two feet.

 

Seifer grabbed the nearest object and chucked it at the thief's head. Lucky for Rui it happened to be the towel Squall had used on his hair.

 

Straightening, Squall ignored the comment and followed the blond, prepared for a heated argument.

 

 

TBC… Please review… I'll give you a cookie…