Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction / Other Fan Fiction ❯ Strings Attached ❯ All But Confirmed Suspicions ( Chapter 12 )

Chapter Twelve

All But Confirmed Suspicions

 

It was a bright day, sun filtering into the classroom while Seifer and Raijin filed the remaining folders and specifics for the press conference coming up. Seifer took it more seriously than Raijin would have anticipated, but considering there were going to be about fifty or more strangers waltzing in through Garden's gates, it was definitely a matter of security. The fact that Squall was going to in the same room as them, without him standing two feet away, was unsettling. Then again, Seifer wasn't sure if he was just being overly concerned after the Epson incident.

 

Behind the blond's back were rows of the cadet's desks, each panel powered off while not in use. It was nostalgic to be in a classroom again.

 

“Are we like done? I have a class soon, ya know?” Raijin complained with a groan to follow.

 

“Yes,” Seifer answered, his tone carrying just as much impatience. It was a pain in the ass to research each person they were going to let in.

 

“You know, half of those reporters are still going to ask the wrong questions. And the ones you cut are gonna riot to get in. They're like impossible, ya know?”

 

“I'm not worried about keeping them out. It's not too difficult when they're armed with pens and we've got a fucking army in here,” the blond returned. As for the questions they would be asking, Seifer was a firm believer in being allowed to whatever the hell he wanted whenever he wanted. Squall wouldn't be too keen on the idea of only letting in the press if they were certain to only print good things. In fact, the Commander might actually get angry over such a matter.

 

With a heavy sigh, Raijin uncrossed his legs and let them dropped from his desk. While he didn't care for etiquette, he figured it would be difficult to control a class of cadets not much younger than himself if he was caught lazing about. Though, truthfully, he was quite the good instructor. He had a feeling he was going to start going on more missions though, now that Seifer was back.

 

“So,” the burly man said with ill concealed uncertainty, “How're you `n Leonhart, ya know?”

 

“You can call him Squall, I won't bite your head off,” Seifer replied with a roll of jade eyes. As opposed to his dark haired friend's composing gestures, he reclined further in his seat and rested his head against his hands. It was an open position, arms bent and elbows aloft, to show he was the type of man who kiss and told everyone willing to listen.

 

“I ain't talking `bout what you do behind closed doors,” Raijin assured with an dramatic shiver. He recalled all too well the sounds of his best buddy and Commander going at it.

 

“Then enlighten me,” the blond urged with half interest. He shifted to hold a hand out and absently inspect his nails.

 

Sending a halfhearted glare towards the leader of their three-person posse, the brown skinned man admitted, “He's more than a Commander to us all man, come on.”

 

“Quid pro quo, mon ami. How are you and Fu?” the blond questioned with a mischievous grin.

 

Raijin chuckled at the dodging interest Seifer showed. There were times when he observed similar characteristics in Seifer as he did in Squall. For all the blond's boastful nature, the arrogant man had yet to brag about sleeping with the Commander. Perhaps he was actually savoring the last vestiges of privacy before this Friday.

 

Complying with the ex-knight's demands, Raijin divulged the truth about himself and his silver haired counter part. “Fu's amazin' ya know? It's just casual for now. Nothin' serious, she says she's not ready to settle down with an oaf like me.”

 

Seifer barked with laughter. “That's my girl.”

 

“Hey, it's like totally obvious she's serious. Sex isn't good unless you like each other,” Raijin stated with a blush.

 

“Yeah, well Princess and me are getting along just fine.”

 

“Which is surprising when you're still callin' him Princess, ya know?” Raijin couldn't help but wonder if Seifer was brave enough to actually use the nickname in the presence of the sulky brunet.

 

With a mock pout, Seifer defended, “He loves all my pet names.”

 

“I'm sure,” the dark haired instructor commented wryly.

 

“You're oddly concerned about my love life here Raijin, what gives?” Seifer remarked with sudden seriousness.

 

Giving off an uncomfortable cough, Raijin shifted in his seat. Mindlessly delaying, he reached his hands out and started packing away the stacks of files. His desk was never organized, but Seifer didn't know that necessarily.

 

Jade eyes narrowed. “You realize I'm not leaving until you've told me,” he said, his eyes watching the man's movements.

 

“It's like this, ya know?” Raijin began while still packing, “After this Friday, there won't be any going back or calling things off without any harm done. I mean, everyone in Garden's already talkin', and they got everyone else just waitin' to start talkin'.”

 

“What's your point?” Seifer questioned evenly.

 

“It's gonna be a mess man, ya know? Zephlar and Trent are just itching to demote Squall. Fu knows more about this, she's always on the phone with Xu over in Trabia. No one's saying it, but we think it might be best to keep things quiet.” His dark brown eyes were almost apologetic.

 

“So, I have Trepe telling me to warn Squall about this little conference. Now I have you saying that it'd be better to coach the boy in saying `no comment'.”

 

“That's not what I mean, ya know?” Raijin corrected immediately.

 

“It doesn't matter,” Seifer dismissed lightly, “Squall will do whatever he wants, I'm not swaying him one way or the other.”

 

“Trepe wanted to remind the Commander about what's coming up, and that while being in love is all fun and games, he has a Garden to think about. Are you two seriously about to `come out'?” He gestured with his fingers to quote the last part.

 

For a thoughtful moment, stark green eyes stared at the blank screen just above Raijin's head. With a small nod, he conceded that the muscled fighter had a point. Before answering his friend, the blond lazily moved the chair he sat in away and scooted further down the desk. His eyes scoured the area around the projector. There really was no debate in his mind, though he would like to have a nice little discussion with Trepe. It pissed him off to think anyone would dare think Squall had any less consideration for being the Commander, Trepe of all people should not be losing confidence.

 

“Well,” the knight started as though he were about to answer, “Do you have a marker or something in there?”

 

Raijin's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, but his hands automatically reached out to search the drawer on his side.

 

Before Raijin could question him, Seifer spoke, “Contrary to popular belief, what I tell Squall usually doesn't count for shit. I could tell him the sky is blue and he'd shake his head in that cute little pouting way. If I pushed the theory of the world being round, he'd lash out and call me stupid, and then probably bite his bottom lip.” As an after thought, Seifer added, “It's damn sexy.”

 

“Uh, Seifer,” Raijin interrupted by waving a black sharpie at the tanned blond.

 

“Ah, thanks.” Seifer said, taking the marker. Before he continued, he pushed the sleeves of his hazel gray sweater up his forearms. He leaned over, moving the pivoting lights out of his way and pulling the cap off his new mischief tool.

 

“The point is, that even if I tell my lovely lover,” he lilted the new title, though there was a rather blatant undertone of mockery, “that I want the world to know, he'll do whatever he wants. Personally, I want every psycho fucker out there knowing that the Balamb Lion is off hands, and that the person they'd have to deal with isn't some manicured General's daughter who can't fight worth shit.”

 

Raijin wasn't sure if Seifer was angry or not. The blond had perfected the art of speaking harshly without actually doing so. He cast a curious gaze towards the left end of his desk, watching as Seifer wrote directly on the opaque surface that would be lit up with an image to be fed through the camera and onto the large panel for every student to see. He was going to object, since the marker was permanent and the light was bright enough to shine through any paper he set on top of it, but he held his tongue.

 

“If I had my way, the world would know. But that's just cause I'm a possessive man.” Seifer kept his eyes trained on what he was doing, pausing every so often to think. Finally, he grinned and quickly signed his name.

 

“You have to give him more credit,” Seifer said evenly, leveling his friend with his eyes. Frowning, he corrected, “Naw, not you Raij. Tell Trepe to settle down. Squall doesn't drop the ball, ever.” It was surprising to conclude that Raijin was more supportive of Squall than instructor Trepe. Then again, after returning, it had been quite obvious that Raijin and Fujin truly supported his former rival.

 

Raijin grumbled and scratched his spiky black hair. He didn't like being the messenger, but no one really wanted to approach the Commander. “It's only been a few weeks, ya know? I'm not doubting what's between you guys. Hyne knows I was there every time you were angry and spent all night talking about the Commander. `Course now I know why, ya know?”

 

“You're asking me if I think it's just a quick fling that's not worth causing a ruckus over,” Seifer questioned as more of a statement.

 

Raijin grinned in an unarming manner. “It sounds worse when you say it, ya know?”

 

“I told you before, I'm not playing games here.”

 

“It's fast man. That Heartilly girl just left and you two hooked up after like a day of being back, ya know? It's just, everything about this is perfect to use against Leonhart. You know the garbage they're gonna throw at him, and that's if they don't demand you leave.”

 

Seifer ran a hand over his face. He wondered how much time they had before the bell tolled and his burly friend had a room full of cadets to focus on. There were very few things that could run him off from hanging out with the people he liked, especially when there were very few of them in this world. Having to question his relationship with Squall was probably number one on the list of topics to send him running, since he couldn't throw punches and demand to drop it, not with Raijin.

 

“Galbadia and Trabia have no legal rights to demote anyone in Balamb, especially the Commander. If they spin it one way, we'll spin it another.”

 

Raijin eyed him with patronizing disbelief.

 

“The messenger girl seems to have the most brains out of Squally boy's ring of do-gooders. She's got a group forming that's insanely obsessed about their Commander having a romantic liaison with the big bad sorceress knight. It's like the Trepies”

 

Raijin scoffed. “I think Commander Leonhart's the bad boy, ya know?”

 

Seifer glared. “That's my title and I worked hard to earn it.” He warned the larger man with a swift cut of his hand through the air.

 

With a valiant effort, Raijin managed a whole three seconds of keeping a straight face before cracking with a smile and laughing. Seifer grinned immediately after. They both knew of his reputation in Garden and how he practically made a sport out of playing the villain. Those were good times, and it was sad that it felt so long ago.

 

“Well, that reputation is gone,” Seifer complained, “I was tailed coming here by a four girl group of gigglers. They had the audacity to approach me. Can you believe that Raij? Me!”

 

Raijin shook his head in dismay, acting as though it were an utter disgrace. “How dare they even look at you, ya know?”

 

“Oh, they can look,” Seifer assured with a smarmy grin, “I can't blame them for that. But not a single one of them was afraid of me. Since when does becoming involved with a sorceress make you a stuffed teddy bear?”

 

“Maybe being under Leonhart's command is so frightening, that you're like a pussy cat, ya know?”

 

“There goes my pride Raijin, thanks a lot.” Seifer joked, but sobered up with his comment, “They don't fear Leonhart, they admire him. They trust him explicitly, which is exactly why it was okay to approach me. If Squall thinks I'm harmless enough to sleep under the same roof as him, then so do the rest of them.”

 

“No one thinks you're harmless,” Raijin pointed out seriously.

 

“Then they think I'm well behaved,” the blond supplied in turn. “The point is that these kiddies would follow him off a cliff if he lead them. Being with me might make them question the height of the cliff, but they'll be jumping off just the same.”

 

“I wouldn't follow him off a cliff,” Raijin said defensively.

 

“That's cause you knew him as Puberty Boy.”

 

Raijin laughed once more at all the amusing memories of a stoic brunet glaring daggers while his blond buddy shot wave after wave of insult. Every time that Puberty Boy name was whipped out, those steely cold eyes would gleam with a frightening fierceness. But, Seifer was never afraid, only highly amused. If it weren't for the ex-knight's confidence during those times, Raijin was almost certain the memories would serve as nightmares and not fond trips down memory lane. Leonhart had the eyes of a lion, and only Seifer seemed unaffected by it.

 

The ball rang, chimed rather, and Seifer stood up with a groan. Rubbing the back of his neck, he stretched with an audible crack. “Paper work is murder for fighters.”

 

“I hope you're right Seifer. It could get ugly, ya know?” Raijin spoke solemnly.

 

“Every piss ant can go fuck themselves if they don't like it. I can tell you right now that they won't be angry cause I'm here, they'll be angry cause the pretty boy wonder swings both ways and they don't get a piece of the action.”

 

Raijin waved him off with a grin. “Shut up before my students hear ya.”

 

Seifer strode towards the door. He mumbled to himself, “It won't matter in a couple days.”

 

Ten minutes later and Raijin was lecturing on the importance of the lesser used spells, which a good portion of the class had complained about being trivial the prior week.

 

He'd turned the projector on, needing to give it a minute to warm up and for the camera to focus.

 

When he'd glanced up and found several heads leaning sideways and many sets of confused faces, he frowned.

 

“Somethin' wrong?” he questioned after taking a pause.

 

“Instructor,” one of the more studious cadets spoke up, “What does code twelve, section thirty-seven, line one-eighty-two of the SeeD Code of Conduct state?”

 

Before Raijin could question the relevance, he gave a perplexed look while trying to recall that particular part from memory. He was supposed to have that entire rulebook memorized, but everyone grew a touch rusty after a while.

 

“I believe that's section pertaining to conduct among fellow SeeD and superiors, ya know?” He blushed slightly when it started to come back more clearly. “Err, the bit that says no sleeping with instructors or having any romantic relations with the higher ups. O' course the same rules apply to SeeD of higher ranks, like no dating those under your command, ya know?”

 

Seeing blinking stares, Raijin became uneasy. With insecurity he thought back again, but concluded he was right. He hadn't spent a whole week of using flash cards for nothing.

 

“Ahh!” a bleach blond girl in the back cried out.

 

“Somethin' the matter Tracy?” Raijin asked, wondering if she'd seen a spider or something.

 

“No,” she squeaked out, her feet tap dancing on the floor with excitement.

 

Scratching his head, Raijin figured she realized they were serving her favorite for lunch and couldn't wait for the period to end. Picking up where he'd left off, he was quite surprised when he turned to use the projector and saw the message his blond friend had left behind.

 

12:37:182

 

SeeD Code of Conduct

 

Add this to my record of broken rules.

 

Seifer Almasy

 

Raijin had fumbled to turn the machine off. It was just his luck that half the cadets present had watched Seifer stroll from the room. Why did they wait outside his room, didn't they have other classes to be in?

 

Upon altering the curriculum for the day, he'd given them a study hall so as not to leave the wonderful little message up for viewing.

 

Tracy sat in the back, positively bursting with excitement. It was like a subtle but obvious confession that the handsome knight was having an affair with the Commander. Never mind that there was no plausible reason for the message itself, it was too juicy to matter.

 

**

 

Laguna, Seifer, Quistis, and Squall sat around the square table in the furthest corner of the cafeteria.

 

While Squall continually pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, Quistis asked him question after question. She was trying to prep him for the conference.

 

At first, Laguna had tried to give a helping hand, answering in a manner he would have done, but when Quistis had rejected his answers enough times, he'd stopped. Apparently honesty wasn't the way the Head Instructor wanted to go.

 

Instead, the longhaired president idly pushed the remnants of his Caesar salad around and cast glances at his son. Staring at Squall was interesting enough, but he felt kind of useless.

 

Seifer was also habitually staring at the attractive brunet, who he found casting glances at himself every so often. Each time, he'd smirk and elicit a classic eye roll. He was quite over come with lust when instead of smirking, he held the gaze and found that Squall blushed faintly. Was it too far fetched to think that the pale Commander was checking him just the same as he was doing?

 

“The best case scenario will be that they only ask about Rinoa,” Quistis chided while adjusting her glasses.

 

“By now, she's probably already been interviewed. Why do I need to confirm it?”

 

The blonde instructor shook her head. “Rinoa hasn't gone to the press with anything. The only thing anyone knows is that she's living in Dollet and hasn't come to see you or vice versa since you were last spotted there during the missile incident.”

 

Squall frowned, but gave a soft smile after a moment. It was nice to think that Rinoa didn't hold it against him. He had doubted her maturity on the matter, and actually wondered if she might leak the story just to spite him.

 

“Caraway's kid isn't that stupid,” Seifer interjected, not liking the smile that pulled bowed lips upwards when the topic was an ex-girlfriend. “It doesn't look too good when the two men you used to date, start dating each other.” Wriggling his eyebrows he impressed his meaning more bluntly, “Rumors start and people wonder just how bad you must have been in the sack to turn two men gay.”

 

Quistis snorted abruptly, holding a hand to her mouth in an effort not to laugh when Squall seemed rather unamused.

 

“Seifer,” the instructor began while fighting the urge to smile, “This is why I must ask you not to be there.”

 

“You're tripping Trepe, if you think I'm not going to be there.”

 

She held a hand up and placated, “I'll be there, so there is no matter of safety.”

 

Squall winced slightly. That wasn't what Seifer was getting at, but he wasn't about to correct his former teacher.

 

Jade eyes glared sardonically at the regal young woman. “It's called being supportive. Besides, I'm not some coward to hide behind closed doors while my boy toy defends me.”

 

Seifer gave a yelped upon receiving a harsh kick to his shins. “Sorry,” he apologized for the slip in the nickname.

 

“I can be there,” Laguna suggested. If Squall needed support, he could do it. “I want to do it,” he added enthusiastically.

 

Squall's lips parted to speak up, but pressed together upon second thought. Bright green eyes stared into his own, studying him. For a moment, he thought Seifer was going to tell him to speak his mind, but the blond didn't.

 

“He doesn't need support,” the ex-knight stated, “But they're less likely to express their opinions about me when I'm standing right there. It'll be one less thing he has to deal with.”

 

Squall chewed his bottom lip for a moment, studying Seifer's face openly. Cleanly shaven, he almost imagined he could pick up the scent of the blond's aftershave. Part of him wanted to trail his fingers through golden hair to dislodge it from its perfectly proper placing, combed back meticulously. It wasn't fair that Seifer's hair stayed in place so nicely when his was a bird's nest half the time. It wasn't until Quistis cleared her throat pointedly that he realized he'd been staring.

 

Blinking in response, Squall shook his head slightly and focused on the conversation.

 

Quistis eyed the brunet keenly. She couldn't help but wonder if the Commander's work would suffer for the obvious distraction Seifer presented. Squall was becoming so smitten that he was daring to express it without care or presence of mind. Staring with a love struck gaze was not something the rest of the cadets milling nearby would miss. And the fact that Seifer seemed to puff his chest out in recognition of the fact didn't help.

 

“Laguna,” the blonde instructor directed her comment, “You're here on vacation. And, I don't think it would be wise to include you in this. It's fine for you to keep up relations with Balamb Garden and to not disown your son, but if you publicly give approval, it'll just create unnecessary trouble.”

 

Hazel green eyes blinked in depressed manner. With a weak nod, the raven-haired man agreed.

 

Seifer nudged Squall beneath the table, tapping his foot against the brunet's.

 

Squall's brows rose in question.

 

With a barely perceptible jerk, Seifer gestured to the downcast president.

 

Taking the hint, Squall said quietly, “It means a lot though.”

 

“Really?” Laguna questioned immediately, head raised once more.

 

At the insistent tapping of the knight's foot, Squall nodded and added, “It's why I wanted you here.”

 

With the scraping of his chair, Laguna was on his son in a heartbeat. Hugging the young man warmly, he was oblivious to the sudden quiet that seemed to have fallen over the room.

 

Squall tried to relax. He wondered it practice made perfect in such instances, or if he'd ever become accustomed to such contact. It was certainly not awkward with Seifer, but still seemed foreign with everyone else.

 

“Careful Loire, I might get jealous,” Seifer quipped, his eyes raking the entrapped brunet with none too concealed jealousy.

 

Blushing furiously, Laguna broke away and tucked a few long strands that escaped his hair band behind his ears. Taking his seat once more, the older man suddenly became aware that half the room was stealing glances at their table.

 

Quistis smiled brightly, always happy to see progress between the father and son. Still, they were far from seeming to have that particular air about them that hinted at their relation.

 

“Hiya!” a cheerful cry called from half way across the large dinging hall.

 

Selphie came abounding closer, tray in hand. Each person she passed seemed to tense up, her careless manner of skipping along just asking for an accident involving the loaded tray of food.

 

Seifer watched, wondering at the odd gleam to the copper haired woman's green eyes. She seemed almost too enthusiastic, causing him to tense before she approached. He had a sneaking suspicion about her actions, perceiving a little too much bounce in her steps.

 

Grinning broadly, Selphie didn't show any sign of slowing down when she neared them.

 

The blond knight was torn between standing up simply because he sensed something was coming and remaining seated because there was nothing to really call for caution.

 

Wearing her usual yellow jumper and brown sued boots, the happy young woman began giggling. Without warning, he feet tangled. Only a few feet away, she careened forward rather dramatically, her ham and cheese melt along with a piping hot cup of tomato soup sliding off the air born tray.

 

Seifer had stood up quickly, watching in dismay as Squall attempted to move out of the way, but was inevitably splattered with the mess.

 

Selphie wound up on her knees, plopping down onto her butt as she watched the mayhem ensue. Seifer moved past her line of vision faster than she thought possible, moving behind Quistis and confronting poor Squally.

 

Squall winced at the scalding feel of hot soup, the container not actually spilling until it made contact with him and the lid popped off. His shirt was covered, but he managed to stand quickly enough that it dripped to the floor and not his lap.

 

Before any words could be spoken, be they apologetic or cursing, Squall's head disappeared momentarily in a blur of navy blue material.

 

The brunet jerked back, affronted at the feel of his exposed skin and the coolness it brought. Blushing, he forced himself not to let his eyes wander any further than where Seifer stood before him.

 

Though the tall knight had practically ripped the shirt off Squall, he'd taken are not to let the hot liquid rub against that pale face. He understood all too well what Tilmitt was up to, but he felt more sympathetic to an unsuspecting Squall at the moment than anything. Turning, he chucked the messed garment at the messenger girl's head, effectively ridding her of her amused grin.

 

In shocked silence, the whole of the cafeteria watched the aftermath of Selphie Tilmitt dumping her food all over the Commander. Eyes widened further when a concerned ex-knight leapt around the table and tore the impassive Ice Prince's shirt off. There were a few creaking chairs as many tried to peer around the tanned knight's broad form, desperate to sneak a peak at a shirtless Commander.

 

All too soon, the ex-knight peeled his own sweater off his back, wearing a white under t-shirt, and held it out for the brunet to put on.

 

A couple clusters of cadet's broke out in giggles and hushed whispers as Commander Leonhart promptly shrugged in to the offered sweater. It was far too big, but somehow fitting.

 

“You burned?” Seifer questioned, his baritone voice drifting to nearby ears over the silence.

 

“No,” Squall mumbled, heat rising to his cheeks as his eyes strayed from the concerned blond and realized the entire room was staring.

 

Seifer reached a hand out and ruffled soft locks, rather surprised when Squall didn't reject the openly affectionate touch.

 

After a moment, Seifer forced his hand away when he realized he was about to stroke the shorter man's cheek. Turning, he glared at a less than guilty looking Tilmitt.

 

Selphie cast an apologetic gaze to the Commander. “Oopsies!” she spoke and stuck her tongue out.

 

Seifer pinched the bridge of his nose, a gesture he decided he'd caught from Squall like a cold. Grumbling, he reached back and grasped Squall's wrist, his sweater spilling over lax hands with excess material.

 

“Come on,” he whispered, “Let them talk it up, we don't have to listen for it to happen.”

 

“Hey, my lunch!” Selphie complained after a moment, realizing she'd just lost her food. It was one of several faults in her plan that she'd over looked.

 

“Buy another Tilmitt,” Seifer shot her down, “And wash that shirt, since your genius is what dirtied it.”

 

With a mock sniff, Selphie clambered back to her feet and pat her jumper. “You guys staying?” she questioned Laguna and Quistis.

 

“Sure,” Laguna agreed.

 

“This is why we keep you away from explosives,” Quistis chastised, but settled back in her seat to keep Selphie company.

 

“I'll just be a second,” the copper haired girl assured.

 

Crystal blue eyes widened. “Take your time!” the Head Instructor called out to the younger girl's retreating form.

 

Squall had all but given up on the idea of discrepancy at that point, following a step behind the ex-knight as they walked from the cafeteria together. He wanted to be angry with Seifer, acting brashly like that, but he couldn't. He supposed it was probably a good thing, since in truth, getting upset over such a matter was actually rather childish.

 

More and more, the idea of leaving this all behind was popping into the brunet's head. It wasn't like there was added pressure or that being the Commander was suddenly too much. But, his priorities had been suddenly rearranged and things were just different now.

 

With his eyes trained on the floor, Squall let his mind host the idea of living a different life… with Seifer.

 

 

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