Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction / Other Fan Fiction ❯ Strings Attached ❯ Strings Attached Tie Into Knots ( Chapter 35 )

Chapter Thirty-Five

Strings Attached Tie Into Knots

 

Overzealous as always, Laguna practically tackled his son to the ground, which was far less forgiving than water. Releasing his son, he turned his common place greeting on the tall ex-knight.

 

Meeting in the President's office, the three men took their seats, only set on remaining shortly before traveling further. It was well known that Squall was hardly one to make small talk, so the young fighters knew the older man had something to discuss that was of importance.

 

“I'm glad you came to see me,” the President said, his hazel green eyes alight with joy.

 

“We were passing through,” Seifer muttered in excuse.

 

Smiling, Laguna gazed at his son. “There was a bill brought up in Parliament recently. It's always been a touchy subject in Esthar, but I couldn't help myself.”

 

The door to the office opened suddenly, an obviously angry Kiros stalking in. “Laguna, this is not a legitimate reason to take such a firm stance.”

 

“Don't be silly,” the longhaired man returned. “It's a perfectly fine reason.”

 

“Hyne help you,” the dark skinned advisor muttered in exasperation. “Think with your head, not your heart.”

 

“I wouldn't know how,” Laguna affirmed with a grin.

 

“Right, we'll just sit here while you two have it out then?” Seifer commented impatiently. They really didn't have much time to spare and he was quite anxious to be in the middle of nowhere with Squall.

 

“Squall, if you want it… I mean, if you'd like to,” Laguna began, blushing slightly while he tried to speak without smiling so much. “I legalized gay marriages.”

 

Uncertain he'd heard correctly, Squall stared unmoving for a long moment. Sensing the stillness of the room, an atmosphere that spoke to affirm the sudden declaration, he felt growing trepidation at his misinterpreted love for Seifer. Though completely in love with the arrogant bully, marriage was hardly on his mind.

 

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Squall fought a groan of annoyance, knowing that his father only ever meant well. Glancing up, he gave a forced smile as those earnest eyes seemed to search for a better reaction.

 

“How much trouble did you get in to do this?” the former Commander questioned, not certain he wanted to know.

 

“None really,” Laguna assured, waving his hand animatedly to reaffirm his words.

 

“None?” Kiros scoffed. “It was split down the middle. Half of Parliament is now complaining.”

 

“Well, the other half would have if I'd decided the other way, so it's all the same,” the President pointed out with a huff.

 

“No, it isn't the same. If you'd vetoed the bill, Esthar's policy wouldn't have changed.”

 

“And Squall wouldn't be able to get married,” Laguna protested.

 

Squall felt slightly ill, hating to point out that he hadn't considered getting married in the first place.

 

“When can we tie the knot?” Seifer voiced in question, bringing all further argument to a halt.

 

“What?” Squall hissed incredulously, staring at the handsome blond in utter disbelief.

 

Unable to hide all his excitement, Seifer smirked. “One of has to wear a dress, and then there's the mandatory taking of the virgin bride on the wedding night. It's sounds like a fucking blast.”

 

Cheeks blushing slightly, Squall fought the urge to point out he would hardly have been a virgin bride. “No,” he said evenly. Refusing to argue, he slowly stood up and walked away. Before he could leave however, he turned back and looked at the slightly crestfallen eyes of his father. “Thank you, but no.”

 

Muttering darkly under his breath, Seifer stood up. As his kitten left, he round the President's desk and offered his hand to the man he was now determined to make his father-in-law. “He's shy. Give me some time and we'll definitely take you up on the offer.” With a confident smirk, he winked. “Your son is impossible at times.”

 

Laguna shook the hand, feeling slightly reassured by the confidence the steadfast blond seemed to exude. Still, he was quite worried that he'd crossed the line finally. “Does he hate me now?” he questioned solemnly, looking to Seifer for the answer since it had become quite clear that the former knight knew his son best.

 

Laughing at the idea, Seifer shook his head. “Squally-boy couldn't hate you if he wanted to. Like I said, he's just shy. Next time just slip me a note and I'll break the news.”

 

Leaving it at that, Seifer hurried to catch up, not entirely positive that his kitten wouldn't leave without him. At the door, he cast a final glance back, seeing obvious disappointment in the President. It was a bit extreme, but the poor sap was only trying to make his stubborn princess happy. “Loire,” he called out.

 

Downtrodden hazel green eyes glanced up as if expecting some miracle. Kiros stood beside him with a frowning face that seemed to say such a reaction from Squall had been completely predictable.

 

“He loves you. He just can't say it.” As an after thought, he added, “But he'll always love me more.”

 

**

 

Panting heavily, Seifer sheathed his gunblade and wiped the sweat off his brow. “I'm surprised the beasties can track us,” he commented with a glance behind.

 

“They don't all go by scent,” Squall said evenly. “Besides, just following the river like this doesn't clean our scent from the air completely.”

 

“And where exactly do you expect to lodge tonight? I won't stand for a damn Torama interrupting when we're fucking.”

 

Ignoring the nonsensical idea of having sex while camping, Squall explained, “We should reach the village by nightfall.”

 

“Do you know how to read a map?” Seifer questioned. “Let me take a look at it.”

 

“Seifer,” Squall bit out. “Just shut up and keep walking.”

 

Grumbling to himself, Seifer eventually fell silent as his eyes settled on Squall's ass once more. He was more than happy to let the brunet take the lead when it meant watching those swaying hips and the shifting of leather-clad cheeks. It was a torturous pleasure.

 

The Island Closest to Heaven was a very peculiar place. It wasn't actually an island at all. Though more like a peninsula, it would be an island in a matter of years, or perhaps decades. Jutting out from the plate Esthar was on, the land still clutched like a reluctant child to a parent with bridging conduits of dry rock. The fast change of climates caused a violent churning of the salty seas that had eroded the waning area connecting Esthar and the so-called island.

 

Having taken a land roving jeep as far as they could, traveling by foot was the only option when the thick forest appeared. Between the steady incline they'd been hiking up for the past four hours and the near constant encounter with monsters, Seifer was receiving the best work he'd had in years.

 

“So, what sort of village are we talking about? Are they going to start banging drums near a bonfire as they roast for dinner or are they Estharians?”

 

Squall stopped completely and leveled the blond haired fighter with a disbelieving gaze.

 

Seifer stood his ground under the `you're asking this now?' gaze. “I'm just following you kitten, the details were never important.”

 

Rolling his eyes, Squall turned back and continued walking slightly faster than before. “They're not a part of Esthar and neither are they cannibals,” the brunet threw over his shoulder.

 

“Good to know,” Seifer stated, eyes once again fixed on his prized conquest.

 

It wasn't very much longer before the ex-knight's lewd thoughts and taunting eye candy had him walking with a bit of a painful stride, the ache between his legs hindering free movement. It was difficult to simply will it away because he couldn't ignore it, which meant his thoughts began to become entirely focused on his growing arousal and how much he wanted to be buried inside Squall.

 

“Maybe we should take a break, wash up in the water, you know freshen up before meeting the locals,” the blond suggested.

 

Rolling his eyes, Squall spoke, “Maybe have a quickie?”

 

“If the opportunity arises.”

 

Squall almost laughed. Seifer didn't wait for the opportunities to arise. The sexually charged knight created the opportunities on a near constant basis. “We're down river with a town only a few miles ahead. I wouldn't consider it a very nice place to have sex.”

 

Cringing at Squall's informative tidbits, Seifer grumbled his complaint about having to deal with a hard on while hiking.

 

With little less than a couple miles to go, Squall took pity on his lover, knowing full well the predicament the blond was in. Spotting a decent place for a quick rest, finding he too was feeling the protest of overworked muscles, he slowed once reaching a small clearing with a few rocks that would serve well for sitting.

 

Shifting his large pack off his shoulders and setting it on the ground, Squall signaled that they'd take a break.

 

Exhaling deeply as he settled down on a hard rock, Seifer scanned their surroundings with contentment. There were trees everywhere, the scent of pinesap in the crisp air. It was slightly chilly, but not so much that there was snow on the ground and certainly not noticeable when he was sweating with exertion. Though they were steadily heading north and their elevation increasing, the ever-studious brunet said they wouldn't be encountering winter weather since it was summer in the area.

 

Squall drank some water, not having realized how dry his mouth was. When he tried to hand his bottle off, he found his wrist grabbed by the blond's large hand. Pulled in and thrown off balance, he collided with Seifer's solid chest. Dry lips were upon his, the warmth of the knight's tongue quickly seeking entrance.

 

With a sigh of contentment, Squall welcomed the intrusion and closed his eyes as the kiss overtook his senses. His hands roamed the firmly muscled body he was pressed against. They were both rather sweaty and overheated, but that was hardly cause for forgoing the pleasures of bodily contact.

 

Seifer hummed into the kiss, a wide grin calling his roving tongue to a standstill. “Do you know what you're doing kitten?” he questioned at the feel of wandering hands, one gently rubbing his half erection to full arousal.

 

“Helping,” the brunet answered, breaking away with a final lick to now slick lips and slowly going down on his knees.

 

“So you say,” Seifer hissed out as his hardened length was released from his pants, immediately shying from the cold air but heated once more by tentative fingers.

 

Stroking Seifer's engorged penis several times, until he was assured it wasn't just at half-mast, Squall leaned in to finish the job with his mouth. The sudden fisting of his hair was unexpected. Glancing up at the blond, he tugged away from the hold with a questioning look.

 

Painfully aware that pout lips had been mere seconds from touching his needy organ, Seifer shook his head. “We've been hiking all day. I'm a sweaty mess. Just use your hand and we can do more after we've had a nice shower.”

 

Rolling his eyes, Squall pulled away from the now loose grasp of his hair. Leaning in once more, he didn't hesitated to trail his tongue over the reddened head, lapping at the slit.

 

Trembling at the unexpected pleasure, Seifer felt all further protest leave him. Fuck, he loved Squall beyond words. His control began to slip as his cock was skillfully enveloped in wet heat and fondling fingers pushed his pants open further to massage his balls. Legs spreading to accommodate his new lord and master, Seifer let the pleasure wash over him.

 

The musky scent was practically tangible, joined quickly by the bitter tang of precum. Completely drawn into the act, Squall released the throbbing member from his mouth. Nuzzling the course thatch of hairs at the base of Seifer's cock, he laved his tongue around the underside of the pulsing organ. He let the sound of Seifer's groans guide his progress, speeding things up when needy hands gripped his hair and then easing off in the teasing manner Seifer so loved to use during sex.

 

“Sweet Hyne,” Seifer muttered, tossing his head back and sinking down further, threatening to fall right off his uncomfortable perch.

 

Deciding to render the blond completely incoherent, Squall once again took the length into his mouth. Flexing the skills he was still developing, he slowly guided the heated organ as far as he could let it go, and then he pushed himself to let it slide just a bit further. With the leaking tip firmly rubbing the back of his throat, he swallowed, grateful that his control over his gag reflex did increase with practice.

 

“Fuck, Squall,” Seifer grunted out, eyes scrunched shut as he desperately fought the urge to begin thrusting in and out of the that wet heat that so sweetly stimulated him.

 

Trading off the occasional deep-throated swallow and hard sucking as he bobbed up and down, Squall rushed Seifer towards ecstasy. With a growl that sounded like an attempt at calling out his name, Squall was warned just before hot seed filled his mouth.

 

Pulling off a bit, Squall used his hand to stroke the ejaculating organ while his lips surrounded the mushroomed head and drank the bitter fluid as if a sweet treat, not wanting to waste a single drop.

 

Breaths uneven, Seifer remained tensed up as the unmatchable pleasure that only Squall gave him flowed through his body. When his lapping kitten continued to lick his softening length clean, he ran his fingers through mussed hair he'd been gripping tightly. Before he could warn the brunet that too much cleaning would just cause him to become aroused once more, the wet appendage ceased its caring ministrations. Once tucked away, pants zipped back up as if his raging hard on hadn't been poking out shortly before, Seifer slid down to the softer earth.

 

Squall allowed himself to be drawn into the ex-knight's embrace, returning the tender kiss that was given.

 

“I love you so much,” the blond whispered huskily, ending the kiss so that he might draw Squall in even closer to his body.

 

Chuckling softly, Squall commented, “I must be getting better.”

 

“Hyne no,” Seifer murmured. Immediately realizing how his words could be mistaken, he corrected, “I mean, yes. But that's not why I love you. I love that about you, fuck I really love that about you. But it's so much more.”

 

“I know,” Squall assured, resting his head against a broad shoulder. “I love you.”

 

Arms tightening, Seifer gently nuzzled the smaller man's neck. “Keep saying it,” he urged with the selfish insatiability to hear those words repeatedly.

 

Smiling secretly while Seifer couldn't see, Squall spoke once more, “I love you.”

 

“More,” Seifer urged a deeper tone of lust.

 

“I love you.”

 

Finding that it was a milestone to hear the repetition thrice in such short order, Seifer pulled back and laid claim on enticing lips. He could taste the flavor of his release within Squall's mouth. His hands groped along the brunet's lithe back, running down to knead the ass he'd been ogling hours at a time.

 

Breaking away, Squall warned, “Too much, not here.” Anymore heated touches and he'd need to find his release as well.

 

With a groan of protest, Seifer released the warm body in his hold. “I can return the favor,” he offered.

 

Shaking his head, Squall found the discarded water bottle. Sloshing the liquid inside, he determined how much was left before holding it out for the blond to take.

 

“Marry me,” Seifer requested as he took the bottle from a delicate hand.

 

“Seifer, we've been over this,” Squall replied. Straightening, he turned away to retrieve his pack.

 

Not letting the brunet retreat, Seifer cast the water away and moved to close the distance. Roughly, he turned the smaller man around to face him. “I know what we've been over, but I'm still asking you to marry me.”

 

“Seifer,” Squall spoke in protest, trying to shrug the hold off. The idea of marriage was ludicrous. They'd been seeing each other for only a few months. Apart from moving too fast, he found the idea of marriage to be pointless. They already slept together and lived together. They were devoted to only each other and planned on staying together indefinitely. What would be the point of some elaborate ceremony?

 

“Why doesn't it mean anything? I can tell you're not being honest with me,” Seifer said, demanding an answer as he kept his hold.

 

“A lack of meaning is the reason,” Squall stated, finally managing to break away. “It'll be dark soon, let's go.”

 

“This isn't over,” Seifer grumbled.

 

**

 

Yeril was a small town on the Island Closest to Heaven. Primarily interdependent, it was known to have relations with both the Shumi and former Trabia Garden. Given that it wasn't the sort of place to make news headlines, there wasn't much known about the people or the town.

 

Most of what Squall had learned was from what Laguna had sent him. Esthar was far more knowledgeable about the place given that it was practically a neighbor.

 

Making their way back from the market, toting a bag of some fruit that Seifer fell in love with, Squall ran over every instance of supposed Guardian Force meddling in his head. There really was no bearing when traveling off to find the spirit like creatures, but Yeril had seemed like the best bet.

 

Headed back to the inn that they'd already checked into and left their baggage at, the couple walked slowly. The walk around town was just to get a feel for the place and map it out for memory. There was no telling how long they'd be staying.

 

The streets weren't paved, but were smooth and worn dirt. All the buildings were small scale, nothing more than three stories. Given the natural resource the forests provided, almost everything was made of wood, the scent of pine everywhere.

 

Beyond Yeril, continuing northward was Mt. Yeril. Though a small mountain compared to the range that surrounded Trabia, the caps always brought a rush of spring water during that time of year, making the flow of the river dangerous at certain intervals. Squall suspected that any trade routes detoured around the base of the rocky and likely snowy landmass.

 

The locals seemed friendly enough, but Squall was hardly willing to make any new friends and had turned down every offer for tours, dinners, and quick cups of tea. Now, they were trying to get back before the last bit of sunlight left the western skyline. The cold air indicated that camping would not be fun even in the warmest season.

 

As Seifer snuck another of the oval shaped fruit, firmly textured like a pear on the outside while reddened the color of a grapefruit inside, Squall scowled. “You know that's Chocobo food.”

 

Taking another bite of the juicy treat, Seifer smirked. “Those birds never had it so good,” he commented, holding his half eaten fruit before the sulking brunet's mouth. “Go on,” he encouraged.

 

Finding the knight incorrigible, Squall took a small bite, scowling despite the pleasant taste.

 

“Do you have something against Chocobos?” Seifer questioned. His keen observations told him the constant scowling and glaring around anything to do with the yellow birds was a sign of dislike for the creatures.

 

Sighing, Squall explained, “I didn't know this place had a range of Chocobos.”

 

“Is that a crime now?” the blond pressed, finishing off his snack.

 

“…”

 

“Oh, I see,” Seifer mocked. “Cats are okay, but birds big enough to kill the fur balls aren't,” he said in a noting manner.

 

Unexpected amusement brought laughter from the brunet, quickly disguised as a cough. “In Winhill, the odd occurrences were all caused by a baby Chocobo. It makes me doubt that we've come to the right place.”

 

“Well, it might not turn out any Guardian Forces, but I don't think it'll be wasted. I for one am pleased that this place has a decent inn. We might consider honeymooning here after we're married.”

 

“…” Squall didn't reply, unable to keep reiterating the same points.

 

“Let me explain something kitten,” Seifer said softly, stopping mid stride and waiting for the brunet to follow suit. Reaching out, he pulled the lithe form close. Carelessly dropping his bag of fruit, he swiftly encircled a slim waist and grasped at thick chocolate colored hair. With the lingering tasted of the Meridian fruit on his tongue, he took care in jerking Squall's head back and roughly kissing the younger man.

 

Seifer's actual explanation was prolonged as he too became lost in the kiss. Passion and lust pulsed through him as if it were the very essence of his blood. The sweeter flavor was far more preferable than the bitter tang of his seed, but in the end everything was welcome within his carnal desires to ravish Squall.

 

Squall hadn't anticipated that Seifer was going to carry on to such an extent in the middle of the street, but he was undoubtedly a prisoner of lust in the form of strong arms. Molding into the firm body pressed closely, his fingers found placement in soft strands of blond hair. Stroking his tongue against Seifer's, he was lost as the ex-knight delved mercilessly, seeking to consume him in a sinful manner.

 

With a groan at ending the exchange just when heavenly notes of pleasure began to sound from his kitten, Seifer pulled back. Dazed eyes of grey-blue, heavy with want, peered at him from behind long lashes. Removing his hand from mussed hair, he stroked a pale cheek and gently rubbed his thumb across pout lips. “Make no mistake, tomorrow or ten years from now, we'll be married.”

 

Groaning at the continued pressing of the matter, Squall let his head fall against the knight's chest. “Eighteen years of a successful presidency will not be ruined by this single bill. Laguna will be fine.”

 

“This has nothing to do with making it worthwhile for your dad,” Seifer stated firmly.

 

“If we're going to argue, it'd be best to do so back in our room.”

 

“Your wish is my command,” Seifer returned, stepping back from the warmth and dipping to retrieve his forgotten food. Suddenly feeling deprived of the body he yearned for, he settled an arm around the brunet's waist. His hand rested comfortably on softly curved hip and his thumb neatly hooked beneath band of leather pants.

 

TBC…

 

A/N: I realized when writing this chapter that I must end the story soon. It has taken me far longer to write lately because I have to sit there and come up with what's going to happen next. The plot has run it's course already, and I would hate to drag it on and ruin something good. I didn't understand why it was so hard until I was typing away with another Seifer/Squall story I have in the works. It was easy to write that piece because I had a set story I was trying to tell. With Strings Attached, the story has already been told.