Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction / Other Fan Fiction ❯ Protecting the Lion ❯ Unknown Danger ( Chapter 20 )

Chapter Twenty

Unknown Danger

 

“Beautiful,” a husky voice murmured on the other end of the phone.

 

Governor Charles Fenrir furrowed his thick white brows. “Why did you want the direct feed so badly? What is this all about?” the old man asked. For ten years, he had been in office as the governor of Dollet and in all those years he hadn't had so much trouble as he had in the single night of the tidal wave.

 

He had been roused with an emergency call from Balamb Garden and forced to call for a citywide evacuation. Then before he could feel a moment of relief, only a short while after Commander Leonhart froze the onslaught of a catastrophe, he received another call. His adrenaline was still running, threatening to give an old man like himself a heart attack, while Reaper was on the phone. An old man could only take so much.

 

As a governor, he answered to no person of higher position within the city. Nonetheless, Reaper was no mere man. His heart was in his throat and he felt certain death was near, which might explain the peculiar nickname Reaper went by. He had done as bidden, which had been to upload the satellite recording of Commander Leonhart's miraculous work on the shoreline.

 

“You ask too many questions,” the deep voice replied.

 

Stirred from his musings, Fenrir jumped slightly in surprise. “Yes, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked.” The last thing he needed was to bring Reaper's wrath upon himself.

 

“Thank you Charles.”

 

“Not at all.” Fenrir ran a shaky hand through his head of white frizzy hair. He had mass hysterics to deal with before breakfast and couldn't afford to lose his composure so early.

 

Reaper's chilling voice exhaled audibly. “So beautiful,” he exclaimed.

 

Confused, Fenrir commented, “I'm sorry?”

 

“Stunning, the way he moves,” was the only reply.

 

Frowning, Fenrir questioned the powerful man's sanity, though he never let on to such thoughts. “Are you watching the video?” By all means their conversation should be over, but he couldn't very well hang up without the go ahead.

 

“I must have him.”

 

Fenrir opened his mouth to voice his confusion when his office doors suddenly burst open. “Hey!” he cried out. He was paralyzed with shock as a woman dressed from head to toe in black stalked in. The woman, whose face he couldn't even see behind the high collar and low riding hat, was the last image he ever saw.

 

While the phone clattered to the desk, the man on the other end listened to the gunshots and grinned. In silence Reaper waited. When he heard the phone being hung up, he knew the job was finished. Fenrir was an old sod unfit for office anyway, he had just done Dollet a favor.

 

Reaper continued to grin as he shut his cell phone. The room he sat in was dark, except for the lone screen hung on the wall before him. The screen held a paused image of his favorite little lion. The brunet was fighting stubbornly to aide the ice queen. There was such a pained expression of strain on that delicate and perfect face. It would seem his lion had gone through quite the struggle.

 

His mind filled with the different expressions he would make the young commander show: pain, lust, want, need, and ecstasy. He would make the lovely creature feel them all.

 

“Beautiful,” he muttered again, shifting as the bulge in his pants became too uncomfortable.

 

--

 

Briefly, Squall opened his eyes before shutting them again. The light was unbearable, worsening the pounding in his head. He'd never woken up with a migraine. Wanting to go back to sleep until the pain in his skull passed, the sharp tingling in his fingers and stiffness in his limbs informed him that it might be best to wake up.

 

Keeping his eyes shut Squall flexed his hand, working blood to his fingers. He was surprised when a warm hand grasped his. Instinctively, his eyes opened. Regretting his actions, he groaned. Eyes shut again, he waited a moment, vaguely aware of the warm hand now squeezing his tightly.

 

“What's wrong?” Seifer familiar voice questioned with a very unfamiliar tone of worry.

 

“Cut the lights,” Squall ordered, turning and smothering his face in a pillow. The ex-knight complied swiftly, releasing his hand to do so. He could hear the man's footsteps retreating before the world dimmed into wonderful darkness. It was few minutes before the nausea and flashing subsided. During that time, he'd curled up slightly and remained as still as possible. He was thankful that Seifer kept silent.

 

When he finally did open his eyes to the dimmed area, Squall was surprised to find a vacant chair by the bed he was in. Looking futilely around the small space, which consisted of three walls and a partially drawn curtain, he found no blond knight.

 

Looking at his hand he flexed it again. It wasn't a painful sensation necessarily, just odd. His nerves didn't seem to be responding so well. His sense of temperature was dulled. For a moment, he was confused to be back in Balamb Garden. After concentrating, most of the events leading up to his black out came back.

 

He remembered waiting in Shiva's snowy world while the ice queen took care of the wave. Unlike usual, the guardian force's world had actually felt cold. He had waited a terribly long time considering it had been a summoning. When he had returned, he had been shocked by the disturbing noises and chaotic blizzard. Shiva had not disappeared, but had actually begun to attack again. Before he had known what was going on, he had fallen while the guardian drew his energy.

 

Wincing as thinking too hard took its toll, Squall vaguely recalled casting Blizzagas to aide Shiva. Beyond that, there was nothing. Scornfully, he threw the blankets back. If he had been in better condition he would have lasted longer. He wasn't sure whom he was angry at, since he only had himself to blame, but he was angry nonetheless.

 

The curtain rustled aside. “Lay your ass back down Leonhart,” Seifer commanded. Pushing the curtain all the way back he revealed Dr. Kadowaki who was behind him.

 

“I'm fine,” Squall grumbled, making to stand up. The action had been a huge mistake. Between the head rush and increased tempo of the drumming in his head, his vision began to go dark. Gripping the back of the chair that was nearby, he tried to steady himself.

 

Striding forward, Seifer pulled the smaller man close before the defiant commander stumbled and fell to the floor. “Don't make me get legal on you now. Lie down and stay put,” he whispered into the stubborn fighter's ear.

 

Pulling back as much as he could within the blond's strong arms, Squall glared up into green eyes. “Legal?” he questioned.

 

Grinning broadly and returning the commander's glare, Seifer replied, “Trepe had a few sketchy sections in that contract. If it concerns your health and well being, I call the shots.” When bright grey-blue eyes narrowed dangerously he added, “You can argue all you like, but you signed the paper and right now I'm telling you to lie back down.”

 

Clenching his jaw, Squall curbed his desire to lash out. Lionheart wasn't holstered anyway, which was another matter of concern. “My blade?” he asked with a tone that was dangerously low.

 

“Oh, did I anger the kitten that much?” Seifer goaded.

 

Making a noise that was very near a growl, Squall tried to shove back, but his attempts were easily thwarted by the blond's steely hold.

 

“Please,” Seifer spoke earnestly, “for once, just listen to me.” Dropping all pretense, green eyes requested cooperation.

 

Squall settled down, more for lack of strength than concession. He stared solemnly into jade-green eyes. Frowning, he was troubled by the serious concern he found. “I'm fine,” he reassured. The older boy was really worried about him, which made it impossibly to stay angry.

 

“So you say, but let me be sure.” Pleadingly Seifer regarded the brunet.

 

Breaking his gaze, Squall turned his face away and scowled at the wall. “Whatever,” he eventually spoke softly. He winced slightly at his continued migraine.

 

Gently, Seifer ruffled the brunet's hair, noting how the delicate features of Squall's pale face contorted in pain. The look was gone quickly though. “Your head hurts?”

 

“Just a migraine,” Squall replied.

 

Moving his arms away and gripping the brunet's slim shoulders, Seifer directed the commander to the bed. “Sit down.”

 

Still standing by the opening, Dr. Kadowaki felt strangely out of place. It was as if she didn't belong there when the two rivals exchanged words. Briskly, she walked forward as soon as the commander was sitting on the edge of the bed. From her lab coat pocket she pulled a small white container. Setting her bag down she reached in for a small plastic pouch of liquid. Handing both to Squall, she waited.

 

Kadowaki watched keenly, observing that the commander didn't seem to have any trouble with his motor skills while opening the container for his migraine pills or opening the electrolyte water pouch.

 

Squall popped a couple pills into his mouth, willing them to work instantly, and took a sip of the water. His throat was parched, but other than that he didn't feel dehydrated. As the doctor took his blood pressure he asked, “When will I be discharged?”

 

“A few days of rest would do you good,” the older woman responded, listening with her stethoscope pressed against a pale arm.

 

“I don't have a few days to spare,” Squall replied immediately.

 

“You haven't suffered any major damage from hypothermia, but even before that you were in poor condition. Malnourishment and exhaustion are both very serious ailments. My recommendation is a few days of bed rest and a better diet, but I know you won't listen.” Sighing, she stood up and packed her equipment away. “You never listen.” Looking briefly for some sign of remorse or understanding, she shook her head. “I would ask that you remain here until tomorrow at least, but I know you won't settle for anything less than right now.” Huffing with indignation, she turned to the blond. “If you can, get him to rest today.” With that she left the two alone. It was frustrating to deal with either of the pair who so frequently sought her medical attention, but then refused to be treated properly.

 

“Stubborn fool,” Seifer chastised the commander as Kadowaki walked from sight.

 

“That missile came from Esthar, I don't have the time to rest.” Squall rubbed his temples soothingly.

 

The blond's eyes widened. “What?” he asked incredulously.

 

Squall scoffed cynically. Shaking his head, he rubbed tired eyes. “This is going to be hell,” he murmured quietly. Not even a full day after he had made an alliance with Esthar, promising prospective wartime aid, and the city-nation sent a missile to Dollet. There would be no end to the inquiry and uproar.

 

“Are you sure?” Seifer asked, wondering when Squall had discovered this.

 

“Pretty sure. It wasn't one of ours and Trabia is far from operational. That only leaves Esthar,” he answered while raising his head to look at Seifer.

 

“Galbadia,” the knight suggested.

 

Squall shook his head, stopping abruptly. He really had to stop doing that. Cursing silently at the throbbing of his head, he explained, “It detonated early, not late. Besides, we would have heard it over head before it reached the water.”

 

“You don't know for sure. I mean, we didn't hear it coming at all,” Seifer reasoned, not adding that he had been so consumed by desire when it happened that he had considered ignoring the explosion entirely.

 

Placing his hands on the mattress, Squall readied himself to stand back up. “Then call it a hunch. It's just my luck that something like this would happen.” In his gut, he knew it came from Esthar.

 

Wrapping an arm around the younger man's lower back, Seifer helped the brunet stand up. “Yeah, well, that's what you get for having that black cat of yours around.”

 

“Careful,” Squall warned with underlying mirth. “I'm beginning to like Gabriel.”

 

“Beginning? Why have it in the first place if you didn't like it?” the blond remarked dubiously, walking forward with the brunet at his side.

 

Squall answered evenly, “Rinoa found Gabriel in Timber. He isn't my cat.”

 

Seifer's eyes narrowed suddenly in serious thought. “Did you love her?” he blurted out before he could stop himself. Mentally he cringed as he felt Squall's body stiffen in his hold.

 

Standing straight, Squall kept his eyes trained forward. He was a little embarrassed at the obvious conclusion he had come to regarding his recently ended relationship with Rinoa. Biting the bullet, he admitted, “I thought I did. I thought I was in love….” he trailed off as he steeled himself to say the last bit, “I was just confused though. I don't what it is to be in love.”

 

Understanding dawning, Seifer felt his mouth open slightly. The pale man was looking intensely forward and a very faint blush dusked smooth cheeks. The brunet was embarrassed at not being able to understand the intricacies of the heart. The demure admission was one of the most endearing things he had ever heard. Unable to stop himself, he turned Squall's pretty little face upwards. Leaning down he pressed his lips to the commander's soft ones. Knowing he couldn't start anything with the younger man in such a condition, he mumbled, “Do you have any idea how cute you are?”

 

Not pulling back from the blond's kiss, Squall wondered what his rival was thinking. It suddenly occurred to him that they were standing in the middle of the infirmary where anyone could waltz in. “Do you have any idea how close you are to a painful death?” he hissed back.

 

Soft chuckling filled the air as Seifer finally broke away from enticing lips. A simple kiss was far from quenching his thirst, but it would have to suffice. If he was to be around the brunet all day he could grope the weary man to no end. A playful smirk came to his face as he resumed their walking. The faster they reached the apartment, the sooner he could have some fun. It was his duty to make sure Leonhart stayed in bed, so naturally he would join the stubborn commander.

 

“Where's Lionheart?” Squall asked as the infirmary door swished open.

 

“It was on Ragnarok, but I asked Tilmitt to take care of it a bit ago, so I imagine it's in your room.”

 

As the doors closed behind them, Squall could hear the usual bustling of a busy garden. A quick glance at his watch told him it was seven. Filled with dread, he realized his departure from the infirmary was just in time for the cadets to be finishing their breakfast and heading off to class. Before they moved out into the open, Seifer held him back. Quirking a brow questioningly, he waited for an explanation.

 

Looking apologetic, Seifer said, “I should warn you, that little stunt you pulled earned another year worth of muckrakers and fangirls.”

 

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Squall wondered whether he would ever be able to live a quiet life of solitude. “Wait until they hear about Esthar,” he replied cynically.

 

Seifer hummed his agreement while motioning for the brunet to stay put. The younger man defiantly stood straight, refusing to lean against the wall. Rolling his eyes, he moved along the corridor towards the gushing sound of water. Nearing the fountain, he stepped from the secluded hallway and into the circular spacious center of garden. There were indeed young cadets mulling about, mainly near the cafeteria, which was unfortunately close by.

 

Finding his predicament to be quite ridiculous, Squall refused to be restricted from walking around freely simply because of appearances. Biting his lip against the intensified pounding in his head, he strode forth to meet Seifer. The blond turned unexpectedly and moved back to his side. “No, I can walk fine,” he said, shaking the knight's hold off.

 

Frowning, Seifer let the stubborn man have his way and opted to walk closely instead. As expected, every set of eyes turned their way. The chattering died down only to be replaced with hushed whispers.

 

Groaning inwardly, Squall easily ignored the attention and focused his mind on keeping each step balanced. The walk was short, but tiresome. With sheer force of will, he remained composed until finally reaching the elevator.

 

“Commander!” a voice shouted from the bottom of the stairs.

 

Seifer and Squall turned to see who had called. It was Rui, with his dark hair looking unkempt and a blanched expression of worry on his youthful face. In a quick blur, the boy sprinted up the stairs and leapt forward at the commander, only to be intercepted by Seifer.

 

“Ah, brute! Let go!” Rui yelled in defiance. The sorceress' knight was holding him aloft as though weightless. Wriggling frantically, he managed to escape the man's grasp and land on the ground. “Commander!” he cried again, moving forward.

 

Seifer thwarted the thief's attempt again, this time with one arm. He looked to the commander for concession to throw the kid down the stairs, but the brunet simply shrugged his shoulders innocently. Frowning Seifer felt a little angry that Squall didn't seem as opposed to the kid's actions as he thought he would be. “Fine,” he grumbled, releasing the thief.

 

Once released, Rui pitched forward and wrapped his arms around the commander's lean torso.

 

Seifer almost laughed at the wide-eyed and flustered expression that crossed Squall's face. It seemed the brunet was slow on the uptake and hadn't been expecting that. His anger melted away as he realized that the pretty boy hadn't known what the thief would do.

 

“Uh, Rui….” Squall trailed off feeling terribly awkward and more than embarrassed as everyone within sight froze to stare.

 

“I heard what happened and I was worried,” the dark haired boy explained with his face pressed against the commander's chest.

 

The elevator dinged open at that moment, and Seifer hurriedly ushered the pair in. Rui was effectively glued to Squall, who was rendered helpless by such affection.

 

Furrowing his brows, Squall fought to reason out the right thing to do. No one had ever dared to hug him, except for Selphie and Laguna on rare occasions. Rinoa hadn't even hugged him, only clung to his arm until his fingers went numb. He had never had to deal with little kids or anyone younger than himself. Finally, Squall came to the conclusion that Rui wasn't going to let go unless he gave the boy some sort of consolation. “I'm fine,” he stated while hesitantly patting the dark hair atop the boy's head.

 

The only response was a muffled question, “Do you promise?”

 

“He's still recovering you little thief, so back off before you make it worse,” Seifer growled, folding his arms in an intimidating manner.

 

Rui released his hold promptly, backing away to glare mulishly at the blond knight. Expression changing as he glanced to the commander, he gazed reverently. “I'm going to become a SeeD,” he stated proudly, as if the fact would heal Squall instantly.

 

Squall couldn't help but chuckle at the annoyed expression on Seifer's face. It seemed that Rui affected Seifer just as the blond had affected Squall when they were still cadets. “Is that so?” he asked with as much good nature as he could muster under the slightly straining circumstances. “I'm glad to hear that.” He even offered a small smile.

 

Seifer watched as the thief's eyes glazed over with what could only be adoration for the brunet. He kept his arms folded, but now it was more for a pout than intimidation.

 

 

TBC… ^_^