Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ In Time With You ❯ Just keeping an eye out ( Chapter 5 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

There must be something in the air. Irvine thought as he rolled over in bed. After leaving the library he felt a weird warmth in his body. It reminded him of sinking into mud in the summer humidity. At least the reading is good, so far. The lady, Bree, woke up with three slices on her bedding. And that's just chapter two. He likes reading that gets to the point.

 

He rubbed his eyes. He groaned in agitation and sat up. Rubbing his eyes again, he, again, groaned. He blinked rapidly. His head turned when hearing a drumming sound.

 

'Too few to be a drum.' He realized it was the door when the sounds came a second time. He got out of bed and went to the door. "Hey," he greeted when opening the door.

 

"Is this a bad time?" Squall asked after seeing the book in Irvine's hand.

 

"No. I can read later." He held it up. "Creature horror."

 

'Shumis turning into Moombas is exactly that.' He thought. The cover was pretty straightforward with a simple Moomba paw on it.

 

"Come on in." He was followed farther into the small dorm. The door slid shut behind Squall. Irvine sat on his bed then leaned back. "I'm happy to be going back to Galbadia, but I'm gonna miss this easy-going life in Balamb."

 

"Stay, then."

 

Irvine chuckled softly, cracking a peek of vision between his heavy eyelids. "I can't do that."

 

Squall took a seat at the desk. The chair was comfortable with a nice soft cushion.

 

He couldn't blame Irvine for declining. He liked the other Garden, from the short time he'd spent there. They're officiant. No nonsense. And the food in the cafeteria smelled amazing. He can't recall the last time food in Balamb drifted into the halls. The food is delicious, but nothing so fragrant. The seaside school doesn't go bold on seasoning.

 

'Why am I thinking about food?' He wondered. Looking at his host, he frowned. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather be alone?"

 

"Mhmm." Hummed the sniper. He's got his eyes closed again, and looks half asleep, if it weren't for his foot tapping on the floor. "What do you feel like doing?"

 

Squall's eyebrow rose. Looking at his companion, he doubted the sniper could do anything at the moment. This probably was a bad time. "How 'bout we just sit and talk?"

 

"Deal."

 

"What do you do in your free time?"

 

"Read. And TV has become interesting since it's come around."

 

With the sadelite back up and functioning, each continent has the ability to use it. Television shows have gradually been returning, along with newer shows.

 

"Which ones?"

 

Irvine shrugged his hand. "I like that one with the monster owners."

 

No way. "You watch Monstrous Attraction?"

 

Kinneas looked at Squall with surprise. "Yeah. Do you know it?" He was expecting to hear a few jabs at the show and himself for having an interest, but was surprised to receive the opposite.

 

"Yeah."

 

"Nice." He asked. "You got a favorite?"

 

"From the show?" Getting a nod, he thought about it for a moment. "I like the one with the lady who brought home a Gesper."

 

Irvine sucked in a breath through his teeth remembering that episode. "Blinded, silenced when screaming for help, and then beaten to a pulp…" He shook his head.

 

"Why do they always think just because it's small it's harmless?" Because 23 episodes later, the gunblader still has no answer.

 

"Not sure. But I know it will never be me."

 

"Do you like any sports?" Irvine asked.

 

Squall thought about it, but shook his head. "I can't get into them."

 

"I like to play hockey and watch basketball."

 

Squall smiled wondering if the sniper would like to be a player? He remembered the near 3 pointer at Trabia. He's seen one basketball game with Seifer, back when they were thirteen. His rival bought two tickets and said Raijin didn't wanna go, and Fujin laughed. Rather than sell the ticket, he asked Squall if he wanted to go. He didn't. But, he went because Seifer seemed like he wanted to ask him in the first place.

 

It was fun. But not a peak interest stay.

 

"How's the recruitment?" Irvine asked, as if having read Squall's mind.

 

"Not good. I think everyone should ask him back."

 

"I'll ask, but I don't wanna bother the guy."

 

Squall wasn't sure how lack of conviction would change Seifer's mind about re-enlisting, but he supposed help was help.

 

In Balamb town.

 

Zell found himself outside of Tiger's Auto Body in Balamb town. His eyes are at a squint due to the sun moving behind the building, causing his lashes to hinder his vision a bit too much.

 

He's been scoping the place out for ten minutes and had yet to see his blond nemesis. Or anyone with blond hair for that matter. Brunet, black, orange. No blonds. Did Squall lie to him? He wondered this as he felt a presence behind him.

 

"Who are we looking at?" A female voice asked.

 

"I am looking for Seifer." Zell turned his head seeing Rinoa Caraway crouch down beside him.

 

"Why not just go over then? Why spy?"

 

"Because I don't wanna interact with him, I just wanna see if he's there."

 

"Oh." She watched the area Zell seemed fixated on. A question popped into her head, and she asked. "Why?"

 

"Because I wanna know how he's doing."

 

Her fine brows rose at that statement. "If you don't wanna interact with him, why care?"

 

"Because… well… because he's from Garden. And we have history - annoying past and current standing - but history all the same."

 

She thought that was the most ridiculous thing she's ever heard. How do you care without caring? "Should I go talk to him?"

 

"No, because.. And she's gone." He threw his hands up in defeat to impulse. 'Some people have no control over their actions.' He shook his head in dismay. But watched with intense interest.

 

Rinoa strolled over the auto-body. She peeked into the open area where the cars are getting worked on. No Seifer. Going around to the front of the building, she looked through the window then stepped inside.

 

Zell marveled at how women operate on a different level than guys when it comes to espionage. So direct. He ducked down when she came out, on the assumption that, if she found Seifer, she'd have dragged him out with her.

 

"He's working today but left for lunch already." She reported.

 

"Oh." He stood up from his hiding place. "No sense in staying then. Q has been A'd."

 

Rinoa smiled at him, amused by his odd ways.

 

"Hey, you here to see Squall?" He asked. Zell moved to the sidewalk.

 

Rinoa quickly shook her head. "No. No, I'm not here for him."

 

Zell noticed that the lack of name spoke volumes of who called off what. According to both of them they weren't dating. Rinoa had interest. Squall assumed he did. But it turned out to be premature and they separated amicably. So says Irvine when they were in a private chat on the message board.

 

"Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike him or anything. I'm just, I don't know, embarrassed." She laughed a bit. "Right now, I don't know, we probably need to hangout more so the feelings solidify for me that there will be nothing between us but friendship."

 

"Good idea." He nudged her with his elbow. "Selphie and I could have recruited you."

 

"For what?" She followed him to wherever he was wandering to.

 

"To hang with Squall. He seemed kinda down lately - well, down isn't right.. He seemed like he was bundling up a swing to the jaw."

 

"Is Selphie with him now?"

 

"No. Irvine. We sorta got let off the hook by him volunteering."

 

Rinoa's eyebrows furrowed. "That's unusual."

 

Zell laughed. "Naah."

 

"Throw this out for me." A male voice at his free side commanded.

 

Zell barely registered that his hand was taken and something was placed into it, as the owner of the voice formed a picture in his mind. He jumped when seeing Seifer walking beside him for just a moment, before he cruised away towards Tiger's.

 

"What the.." He then registered that something was in his hand. "You creep!" He shouted after him. He located a trashcan and tossed a bag with a logo that read: Stacy's Fishnet into it. "I hope it had a garlic dip, and your coworkers avoid you!"

 

He scowled at his hand, smacking away the assault of both being grabbed by his nemesis and then handed trash. Rinoa laughed at the encounter. She doesn't know much about them, but from what little she'd acquired from random conversation, Seifer and Zell do not like each other.

 

"It's not funny. That guy is the key lumberjack to the size of the chip on my shoulder."

 

"That may be true… but a part of me feels like you kinda like him."

 

"Like him? I better like breathing underwater while not having any ability to do it." He shook his head. "Me liking Seifer Almasy… Noooo."

 

"So why are you spying on him?"

 

"I was doing a favor for Squall, who for some odd reason wants not-so-little boy lost to come back home."

 

Rinoa recalled how freaked out Squall had gotten when he thought Seifer was executed for his part in sorceress Edea's attacks. It was that memory which brought her to understand that Squall had been acting in panic and past. That his feelings for her truly were nothing. She wasn't exactly enthused about it, since her feelings were true. But, she understood.

 

"I'm going back to Garden. You coming?"

 

"Hmm?" Realizing what he'd said, she shook her head. "Yes. But, I came here on business."

 

"With the headmaster? You're hiring out again?"

 

"No. I just wanna go over some things on my father's behalf."

 

"You're getting along?" And he remembers being locked up in the man's office as he attempted to get a handle on his rogue daughter posing as a soldier. Not a fun experience.

 

"So-so. Better than before."

 

"Ok. Well, walk with me to Garden then."

 

She linked arms with him. "It would be my pleasure."

 

Back in Garden, in Irvine's dorm.

 

"I'll tell you this for free, I hope I get a new roommate once I'm back at Galbadia. Sherwood was a grade A asshole." Irvine stated. He and Squall are playing Triple Triad.

 

'I'm lucky not to have a roommate anymore.' He didn't dislike him.

 

Squall just preferred to be alone and not always have someone looking at him wondering if he wanted to be included in something he was doing, or if he, Squall, would make himself scarce while he was with friends.

 

"I hope our next headmaster is into co-ed living."

 

"Don't hold your breath on that."

 

Irvine nodded. He placed a monster onto the board, regretting it the moment he realized he was about to be a victim of the Wall rule. "That reminds me, everyone keeps saying you're usually quiet around here."

 

"So?"

 

"I was wondering if you ever think funny things - cracking jokes, y'know?" Seeing the ghost of a smirk, he chuckled. "Thought so."

 

"I was just thinking that's really stupid." He replied. "You sure think about me a lot."

 

"I think about all of my friends a lot." He confessed. "I'd ask if you think about me, but I know you don't."

 

'You'd be surprised.' Watching Irvine for a second, he asked. "Are you all right?"

 

"I'm just tired."

 

'From wasting your breath when flirting all day.' Squall blinked as he realized he does crack jokes in his head. "Rest then. I'll go."

 

He would have objected, but he nodded. "Alright. See you at dinner."

 

"Yeah." He handed Irvine back his cards then got up from the floor beside the bed where he'd moved to play Triad.

 

Squall exited the dorm then walked down the corridor. He saw Rinoa walking down the stairs from the elevator. He would have greeted her, but she paid him no attention because she didn't see him. So he felt no need to alert her and went on his way.

 

X x X

 

Commentary: Thanks for reading.