Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction / Other Fan Fiction ❯ Protecting the Lion ❯ Surprises In Store ( Chapter 36 )

Chapter Thirty-Six

Surprises In Store

 

It had taken a solid twenty minutes of gentle and skillful massaging to get Squall to relax as fully as he was. Whether it was the less than private setting or the fact that this was yet another instance of intimacy that the little lion had never experienced, Seifer didn't know. It certainly wasn't the company, since Squall obviously had no qualms in letting go around him.

 

In the locker room, more specifically the therapy room where the hot tub resided, Seifer sat in the soothing water. Between his legs and resting against his chest was a tensionless Commander.

 

The sated kitten was practically purring as he hands worked the pliant muscles of the younger boy's shoulders. Feeling a tense knot, he worked out it with his thumb. A soft moan escaped the brunet pressed against him.

 

Ten minutes into his simple caressing touches was when the first sigh of gratification reached his ears from those enticing lips. Coincidentally, ten minutes ago was when he'd started to get a hard on.

 

Shifting slightly, so that he wasn't jabbing the pale form in front, he swallowed and continued to ease the tight muscles of Squall's shoulder.

 

The heated water rose just below his ribs. For Squall, who was leaning back, it came up to his pale chest. Upon Squall's adamant insistence, he'd worn a pair of swimming trunks. It didn't matter that they could simply hang an out of order sign outside the door, the Commander was not willing to be caught stark naked pressed up against him. While caution was best, Seifer had been looking forward to seeing the nude form again.

 

When he felt the brunet's head press against his collar, the top of the damp mop of hair brushing his chin, he realized that Squall was falling asleep. Never ceasing his ministrations, he ran his hands lower, along the sides of the lithe body. Dipping beneath the surface of the water, he smoothed his hands around Squall and let the slack body mold into his own.

 

Between the ever present whirring of the tub's motor, and the blanket of heat that covered them in the warm sauna-like room, he felt Squall fall completely vulnerable within slumber. Sweetly, that head of choppy strands nuzzled against him as that body turned to furrow impossibly closer. His arms enveloped the pale body, feeling the warm flesh and relishing in it.

 

Since he was the one on the conforming seat, he adjusted their positions so that he could better lean back. Squall was angled even more to the side, sitting atop his thigh. It was too difficult to have the man pressed between his legs, if he was stimulated any more, he would have to take care of it.

 

Before Squall could stir at his movements, he raised a hand to pet the chocolate mop, wetting it ever so slightly, though it was already damp from the man's second shower that day.

 

While he let the kitten sleep, elated that for one day Squall hadn't mentioned work or protested taking some time off, Seifer's mind wandered. His hand absently continued to stroke soft hair.

 

A week ago, he'd been perfectly resigned to the nomadic lifestyle, which he'd adapted to. Never in one city or town or outskirt village for more than a few weeks at a time, he never settled down. The only roots he'd ever grown were in Balamb Garden. But, considering he'd waged war against the world with a blatant focus on Balamb, he didn't think he could ever return.

 

Raijin and Fujin had showed up out of the blue. It hadn't been a particularly special day. Just wandering aimlessly around Timber, cursing the band of heroes with no real anger towards them. It might have been terribly selfish and wrong, but the war didn't feel half as serious to him as it did to the people who had been hurt by it. It was almost like an escalated fight between the childhood band of orphans, however, admitting this would mean he'd caused so much destruction for a trivial reason.

 

While he had been serious, there had been moments where his resolved had faltered and he'd only kept at it because he'd waded too far out to not cross over.

 

And somehow, even for the bad guy, he'd received an impossibly happy ending.

 

Never in his wildest dreams had he been expecting to encounter such a turn of events.

 

Returning to Garden hadn't even been something he'd planned on, yet he'd managed to end up right back where he'd started. Walking through those gates for the first time in six months had felt good, as though he'd finally given in to some desire he hadn't even known he'd been harboring.

 

To see everyone again, only a little older but so much more mature. Squall hadn't changed though. Gaunt and too thin, the Commander looked sick and tired, but it was still the same old Squally-boy inside.

 

But, something was different, in him perhaps. For Squall remained unchanged, still quiet and aloof, serious to a fault and an over achieving stubborn ice prince. Yet, the brunet ensnared his senses, captured his heart like no other in only a matter of days.

 

Previously turned off by the idea that he, Seifer Almasy, could be attracted to another man, he was now completely endeared to it. He still couldn't see himself ever being attracted to another man other than Squall. More importantly, for that matter, he couldn't see himself being with anyone else. No seductive temptress could pull his eyes away from the enchanting sight of the little lion.

 

He'd honestly rather subject himself to a day of arguing with the fiery Commander than go a few rounds in bed with the prettiest girl he could find. Besides that, sex with Squall was proving far more enjoyable than he'd ever experienced. From, that impossibly tight and warm hole that felt like heaven, to that beautiful body. The Commander was the best fuck a guy could ever hope to have in ten lifetimes.

 

He was slowly becoming aware of every little quirk and each small change within Squall. From the brunet's sleeping tendencies, which he was quickly altering, to the near non-existent eating habits. He would turn Squall into a cuddle-bug if it took endless nights of holding the lithe form against his own. He wasn't trying to make the young man change for his own benefit, though he could find little more enticing than a Squall who constantly sought his touch. Rather, he was showing Squall what intimacy could mean.

 

The Commander's previous relationships, which consisted only of the one with Rinoa, had shown him nothing of a lover's true touch. He knew Squall had feelings for him, even if the brunet couldn't vocalize it just yet or even understand it. There was no doubt, not when he'd taken the man's virginity willingly. There had to be feelings involved there, beyond pent up sexual frustration and lust, he knew Squall had grown attached to him.

 

It was more than obvious that Rinoa had not managed to capture the stubborn man's heart. It took a bit more than simply imagining a fairytale ending, something Caraway's little girl hadn't understood. She was truly sweet and meant well most of the time, but she was too immature. He should know, he'd dated her briefly. Sweet, but childish. Dreams were good, but not when that was all a person was. Rinoa was a dreamer and hopeless romantic, and there was little more beneath that smiling shell.

 

`Immature,' he mused with a smirk, `and apparently not nearly enough sex drive to keep the Commander happy.'

 

It was surprising and shocking to find himself suddenly attracted to Squall, the younger man he'd known since they were little boys. It was mind boggling to discover that his sudden desires were returned. And as if he hadn't encountered enough to deal with, the brunet was developing taste for sex.

 

A ridiculous grin spread across his face, one that he couldn't help. Staring down at the brunet, he felt his heart swell. Truly ridiculous, this feeling of happiness, but he just couldn't help it. It had been the same as when he'd felt the first stirrings of attraction. The consequences damned, he'd initiated a rather brutal kiss once his feelings had boiled over.

 

Squall could go to great lengths to keep their relationship a secret, but there would be no mistaking the look he was certain his eyes held while staring at the brunet. If anyone saw it, then they might as well hide everything by making out in front of a conference room full of reporters.

 

`Why shouldn't anyone know?' he questioned. Understandably it might become rather tricky. Many people would protest the Commander's choice, he was Ultimecia's knight, and no one would like that. He could also imagine a few people protesting the fact that they were both men, but any matters pertaining to the war would outshine that issue.

 

The subtle movement Squall made, shifting higher on his lap as though anchoring to something solid that wouldn't let him slip beneath the water's surface, let him know that it was time to leave. While the warm water was no doubt soothing for the hidden pain in Squall's lower back, they couldn't very well spend the day there.

 

And, while the Commander was affectionately furled against him, a feeling he would never tire of, he was quite certain that the brunet wasn't sleeping for the sake of needing it. Granted, the young man had several days worth of sleep to catch up on, but that lithe body seemed able to run on just a scant few hours every couple days, so Squall probably wouldn't like it if he let them both just sit around while the day slipped by.

 

**

 

“Seifer said that?” Irvine questioned.

 

Quistis had called the gunman into her office, or Squall's office, or whoever was acting as the overseer of Garden's academic affairs for the day. He wasn't sure if he was supposed to have mentioned anything from what happened in Dollet. Squall had asked him not to tell the others, or at least he knew that's what the Commander wanted.

 

However, it seemed that word of Epson's death had reached the Head Instructor's ears and she was more than capable of putting each piece together. What surprised him though was that according to her conversation with Seifer, the knight made it sound as though he hadn't been involved.

 

Being questioned on what happened, the light haired young woman asking him what he'd seen.

 

Violet eyes were narrowed while in inner debate. `Did Almasy do it on purpose?' he wondered. Perhaps he was giving the knight too much credit in thinking that the guy might not be so bad after all. The cocky blond probably just thought he would have been commended and wanted the credit.

 

But, judging from Quistis' outrage over it, he'd say Seifer would have had to have known no one would be giving him a pat on the back. Though, after being right there in the same room and finding Squall chained to the bed, he was rather happy to hear of the gruesome fate that Epson had met.

 

Seifer was a smart guy, beneath a whole lot of wooly exterior. Putting aside his current personal issues with the blond man who'd swooped in and taken Squall, he had to admit that the knight had probably been completely competent of the situation. Seifer had covered for him, taking full responsibility and all the blame.

 

The gunman furrowed his brows. `Wait, blame?' Why was this a bad thing again? “Quistis, what I saw doesn't matter. Seifer did the right thing,” he stated with a perplexed tone.

 

“Right thing?” the Head Instructor questioned incredulously. “Irvine, he killed man in cold blood, there is nothing just or right about it.”

 

“That bastard,” he pointed to a file atop the glossy wooden desk, a police report containing information on the crime, “was the guy we've been after the whole time.” It suddenly infuriated him that after running around Dollet in a frenzy, as panicked as the knight he'd been partnered with, the ordeal was now considered to be some terrible crime on their part. “Quisty, what happened is over with, Squall doesn't want to make a bigger deal out of it, and when he gets like that you can't change anything. The police won't care, not even Hollow's Knights are likely to retaliate. Let it go, please.”

 

Clear blue eyes searched violet ones for a moment. “Bah, I give up!” she cried, dramatically throwing her hands into the air. “You two always gang up on me. Fine, I'll drop it, but know this Irvine Kinneas,” she pointed her finger up at him, “If Selphie wants you tap dancing this year, then you're going to do it.”

 

With wide eyes, Irvine swiftly fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around the instructor's slim waist. He implored, “No, not that, anything but that.”

 

“Well maybe you should have thought of that before you decided to go around and becoming involved in killing mob bosses,” she chastised.

 

“But, it was Squall's stalker,” he pleaded in defense.

 

“And yet somehow, I remained uninformed of the entire situation,” she tried to unclasped the gunman's hands. “Where's your hat?” she asked abruptly, looking down upon the man's auburn hair.

 

“Oh it was horrible, horrible I tell you,” he mocked hysterically, glad that the young woman had conceded in the matter and would drop it.

 

“I'm sure,” she replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes. Upon the unmistakable groping to her butt, she swatted the womanizer on his head, “Irvine Kinneas! I'll make the suggestion to Selphie myself if you cop another feel.”

 

Chuckling softly, he released his hold. Winking up at the slightly flushed instructor, he stood up to his full height. “Come on Quisty, you can't wear that tight skirt and expect me not to.”

 

“I can see why Selphie continues to make you sleep on the couch,” she shot back.

 

Sighing heavily, Irvine tossed his tail of hair over his shoulder. “Alas my love, she makes me sleep there for more reasons that just that,” he spoke cryptically.

 

Between him and Selphie, they had a unique relationship. While he'd become a bit more serious in his affections for the happy girl, she refused his hand on the basis that he was far from boyfriend material. So, while he carried on, slowly changing, they remained friends. He supposed there might be a day when they could settle down together, but Selphie was right about him. He still felt unable to control his urges to ogle every swaying set of hips and swelling bosom in sight. Squall was at the top of his list right now, and he was struggling with his own issues because of it. But, like a true friend, Selphie didn't ridicule him, but sympathized and even offered to make duplicates of the pictures she'd given to Zell.

 

One of these days he was going to fall in love with Selphie, he just knew it.

 

“If that's all you have to say, then you can leave,” Quistis sighed, growing weary of the man's antics.

 

The knock at the door caught both their attentions.

 

Frowning, Quistis glanced back at the intercom on the desk. The secretary should have buzzed her before allowing anyone to enter of their own accord. And, if it were Squall, then he wouldn't have knocked.

 

“Come in,” she stated, giving the gunman a small shrug when he gave her a questioning look.

 

Meekly, the door cracked open. Stepping in and giving a small bow, the first words spoken were, “I'm so sorry.”

 

“Rinoa?” both Irvine and Quistis intoned together.

 

The raven-haired girl straightened up and gave an unsure smile. “I'm really sorry about just leaving like that. I didn't mean to cause you guys trouble.”

 

At a loss for words, Quistis wracked her brain. This didn't seem like something that concerned her. While Squall's previously overstressed conditioned had been her concern, the affair with finding Rinoa had always seemed more of a personal matter, even if it did include the use of SeeD cadets.

 

“Heard you moved to Dollet,” Irvine drawled, a bit more perceptive on the situation between Squall and the dark haired girl. “It might have been nice to have known you were still alive,” he commented wryly, unable to suppress the annoyance he felt on Squall's behalf.

 

“I know,” Rinoa said, stepping further in. “I- I don't know what more I can say, other than I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking when I did it, I just had to leave, and it was easier not to think about any of it once I was gone.”

 

“What happened?” Quistis asked with concern. Squall hadn't mentioned anything other than Rinoa was safe and sound, and from that point she hadn't thought to question him on it. But, with the younger girl standing there apologizing and speaking as though she'd fled Garden like some refugee, she became concerned that something had happened.

 

“I can't really explain it just now. I came to see Squall, but his secretary said he wasn't in, and then after what Seifer told me, I thought I owed you an apology, so I just stopped by for that.” As if realizing how her words might be taken she quickly added, “I really am sorry, but I have to find Squall, is he in his dorm?”

 

“Yeah, he should be….” Quistis said, not sure what was going on or if she should be allowing Rinoa to waltz into Garden like always.

 

“I'll take you,” Irvine offered, striding forth.

 

“I know the way,” Rinoa responded sheepishly.

 

Not missing a beat, Irvine said evenly, “Yeah, but I have a few things to talk to you about.”

 

“Oh,” the raven-haired girl commented a bit wary.

 

Quistis watched as the two left. “What is going on?” she muttered to herself.