Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Lightning. ❯ Chapter, The Fiftieth: In Which Ma Lies. ( Chapter 50 )

Kitty: Oooerr... Naughty Ma.

Eoko: Can we maybe not use the word naughty followed my the word Ma? I think that word only applies in... another context for me now.

Kitty: Yes, well, you are the Queen of naughtiness.

Eoko: -giggles happily- Anyway, we know we forgot again! We are fail, and forgetful, but this time it was more to do with Kitty being away at her sister's wedding and me being so busy my head nearly exploded. And that's the truth too. -nods-

Kitty: Anyway, here is the next chapter. So... no more threatening e-mails, okay?!

Eoko: Yea! Don't make me prosecute you little hell raisers in court, ya hear?

Kitty: I'm sure they're shaking in their boots.

Eoko: Well, they have fic to calm them again.

Kitty: Yes! Go read you bums.

Chapter, The Fiftieth: In Which Ma Lies.

Selphie knocked on Irvine’s door, not expecting it to be opened but expecting him to yell at the visitor to go away. When the yelling did not occur she cocked a brow and knocked harder. Again she waited the required amount of time before calling out his name and pressing her ear to the door to listen. Nothing.

It wasn’t the usual time for Irvine to be out getting something to eat. According to his regular schedule he should be locked away in his room. Of course, there was a chance that he’d gotten over it and left his little hole. Selphie snorted at that impossibility.

But where was he? Then her cheery mind took a quick and abrupt dive into a very dark place. She whipped out her cell phone and hit the speed dial for Zell’s. She had to get into that room now.

It took at least four rings before the blond picked up on the other end.

-Yeah?- he asked, not the happy Zell at all.

“What’s Irvine’s door code??” she asked quickly, voice a little higher than usual with worried agitation.

-It’s two-six-nine, two-six-nine. Why?- Zell questioned, catching the tone of her voice. -What’s wrong?-

“Maybe nothing.” There was a pause with the background sound of beeping buttons. “Dammit!” Selphie yelled and Zell had to thrust the phone out to arms’ length. Even Seifer cringed.

“There’s at least one lock out.”

Zell had to resist the urge to say ‘duh’.

“I’m going to hack it.” Which really meant guess, hit and otherwise beat the crap out of the door lock.

-Use your bloody overrides first! You’re higher rank than him. You should be able to cancel his level of lock outs.-

“Good idea!” she chirped, then stopped talking to press more buttons. “It’s open!” She rushed in and started looking around while Zell sat on the edge of the couch with Seifer looking questioningly up at him.

After tearing through the rooms and finding nothing, thankfully no blood, body or note she gave a heavy sigh of relief. But it didn’t take her long to start worrying about the fact that he wasn’t in his room.

“He’s not here…” she said quietly, almost more to herself than to Zell.

-He’s what? Where is he?!- Zell’s back went rigid and he nearly fell off the couch when he started at Selphie’s findings.

“I don’t know! There’s nothing here. Have you seen him, or Seifer?”

-I haven’t. Lemme ask Seif… no, he hasn’t either. Selphie… you have to find him. Ask the cadets, ask anyone. I will too. We have to find him,- Zell repeated himself, fingers clenching at the couch cushions.

“I know, Zell. I know. We’ll find him. Just try not to freak out.”

-How am I supposed to not freak- Seifer! Gimme back the phone!-

-Irvine’s missing?- Seifer asked, holding Zell away from him with one arm.

“Yes, I don’t know where he is.”

-Which would be why he’s missing. Alright, you do your thing. I’ll take care of Zell, ask around. Meet up in the caf at 1800 hours for dinner and debriefing.-

“Righto!” She cheered with renewed enthusiasm before hanging up and zipping off to start her investigation.

Seifer clicked off Zell’s phone and held it out to the bewildered blonde. It didn’t take a genius to know what was running through his head. “Of course I’m going to help you, Zell. You love him, and as much as it makes me jealous, he makes you happy. I don’t want you to be miserable. I love you.”

Zell buried his face against Seifer’s chest and held him tightly. He was scared. He didn’t know what Irvine would do, but he didn’t think his cowboy-love was capable of harming himself. “Thank you,” came Zell’s muffled gratitude. “Thank you. I’m sorry.” And there were too many things he was sorry for to say them all.

“Shh… shhh,” Seifer soothed, pulling the broken boy into his arms and holding him close. “Shh, let’s just give you a few moments to digest the information, calm down and think. Then we’ll go and look, alright?”

Zell nodded against his shoulder and took long, slow breaths to calm both his body and his mind. He curled into the warm, safe arms that held him and took in the comfort they had to give.

The gunbladist was discovering an unparalleled patience with the younger boy. He had spent hour after hour simply holding the fighter to him, giving him something safe and solid in the midst of the chaos he was facing. He was amazed he didn’t feel any anger or frustration over the constantly depressed state of one Zell Rubedo Dincht.

He’d learned his overactive teenage libido came second to his love and devotion. Besides, Zell radiated his sorrow so effectively not even the coldest of empathy-lacking bastards could stop themselves from feeling some of that pain and much pity. Not that Seifer fell quite into that category, but he wasn’t far off when it came to the cowboy in question.

Zell calmed down after about fifteen minutes and drew away from his lover only long enough to stand. The next moment Seifer was standing and the martial artist was pressing to him again.

Seifer had realized the very day he had discovered the younger blond in the hall, curled in front of Irvine’s door, that he needed the contact. The why didn’t matter to him. He didn’t care why Zell needed it, he just cared that he could give it, and would give it for as long as he his love needed it.

The fighter pressed up against Seifer’s side, slid his arm around his waist and waited for the usual arm to settle about his shoulder before heading to the door.

“Don’t worry, Zell. We’ll find him.” The gunbladist placed a soft kiss to the side of his lover’s head, and then they were off. He knew he’d be the one doing the talking. He could keep his voice steady and wouldn’t risk breaking down all together. The fucking cowboy never bothered to find out how something was affecting Zell. Not with “Rubedo” and not now. Did he think Zell was invincible?

“Let’s find that lone ranger of yours.”

- - -

“Irvine, dear, could you reach that pot for me?” Ma asked from where she stood in front of the cabinet.

“Of course, Ma,” Irvine said with a smile. It was amazing how quickly she had brought him to that point. He didn’t think he’d ever smile again just two days ago. The first night had been long and hard, but Ma seemed to know exactly when she should offer support and when to leave him be.

She had all but forced him into Zell’s zoom and closed the door behind him. He’d cried as soon as the door clicked shut. The memories washed over him like waves, white-water and pain, but he hadn’t tried to get out. He’d fled to Zell’s bed like it was his safety net, curled his fingers in Zell’s blankets, buried his tear-stricken face in Zell’s pillows and let himself cry and cry, and finally, sleep.

The next morning had been almost as hard, but after that Zell’s room became his sanctuary. He’d retreat there for minutes to hours at a time, whenever the need to have Zell near him was too great. It made him angry to still need the man so much, to still love him with all his heart.

But now he was smiling as he helped Zell’s mother in the kitchen. This woman who had raised the man he loved, who had imparted so much of herself onto her little boy, reminded Irvine of his tattooed love so much, and yet, he could still smile with her. She had such energy, enthusiasm and optimism. But those qualities had yet to pierce the shell of his anger and sadness.

“It’s so nice to have a tall boy around the house,” she said, smiling brightly as she took the pot from Irvine’s hands. She knew the joke at Zell’s expense would not make the cowboy laugh, but she also knew she could not baby him. Keeping to her own normalcy would be better for the both of them.

Irvine managed a somewhat strained smile and a nod of his head. “Anything else I can, like, help you with, Ma?”

“Oh no, that’s all I think. Besides, I’m pretty sure that show you like will be on soon.” She smiled and nodded him off, getting back to the stew she was about to cook.

Irvine headed to the living room and got comfortable in the chair across from the television. The show wasn’t something he’s paid much attention to before, being busy with classes, then missions, Zell and Lightning. Now that he had the time to watch episode after episode he found he quite liked it. And when it was over, dinner was always just about ready.

It was after dinner and half way through a heated Triple Triad match that a knock came at the door. Irvine started and Ma Dincht reached out to squeeze his hand. “Grab the cards and your glass. Hide in the laundry room.”

He nodded and scooped everything up before dashing into his hiding place while Ma took her time getting to the door, not answering it until she was sure Irvine felt safe enough.

“Hello, Mrs. Dincht,” Seifer said when the door was opened to him. He stood by himself on the doorstep. “Happy belated Christmas. Sorry for not visiting before. It’s been hectic.”

“Now Seifer, I’m sure you didn’t come all the way out here to wish me a happy holiday. Please, come in.” She stood to the side to allow him entrance, then closed the door and led him into the living room.

“Alright, Ma, but only for a bit. I left Zell with Selphie and Anasha. I should get back pretty quick. So, I’ll get right to the point. Have you seen Irvine?”

“Irvine?” she repeated. “Not since the last time he and Zell were out. Why? Is something the matter?” she sat and straightened her skirt the way she always did.

Seifer eyed her for a moment, then accepted that she had not seen him and continued. “He’s missing. We’ve had everyone looking all day. Selphie, his cadet friends, me and Zell. Can’t find him anywhere. People are starting to consider the worst.”

“Why would any of you have to consider the worst?” Ma asked, the perfect level of apprehension in her voice as she curled one set of fingers over the other.

“I won’t lie to you, Ma. Zell and I… slept together. It’s not just a fling or something like that. I love him, and I know he loves me, because he wouldn’t cheat on Irvine if he didn’t. Irvine found out – I think I know how too, but that’s not important – and he and Zell had a bit of an “encounter”-”

“Have they broken up?” Ma asked, interrupting, her voice slightly pained and eyes looking as if they might betray her and let tears escape.

“I don’t think so, as much as I would love it if they had. He took Zell from me before I even realized how I felt. But they love each other just as much as Zell and I do. He was hurt and angry, but they still love each other. Irvine can’t deny that. I know he loves Zell because he’s put up with me trying to drive him away to stay with him – and no, I wasn’t the one that helped him find out. No. They haven’t broken up. They’re just going through a very big issue. But Zell’s been near if not in hysterics since it happened, and I need to get back to him. I’m far more worried about Zell on his own than Irvine. Irvine didn’t do anything wrong. He doesn’t have the guilt on top of the sorrow and depression,”

“Of course, Seifer. Of course. Take care of him. He can do rash things if he’s not thinking right. I’m sure Irvine’s alright. I’ll keep an eye out for him.”

“Thank you, Ma. No, that’s alright, I can let myself out,” he said as she began to get out of her chair. “Have a good evening. I’ll call you if we find anything.” He smiled one of his true smiles, then turned toward the door, eyes glancing very briefly at the darkened doorway that he knew led to the laundry room.

“If he does turn up, take care of him. He’ll need someone solid. I know Zell does.”

“Yes Seifer. Yes, of course I’ll look after him if he shows up. Tell Zell I love him, keep him safe.”

“I’d sooner die than let anything else hurt him, Mrs. Dincht. Good night.”

“Good night, Seifer.”

And with that he headed to the door and out of the Balamb home. He shook his head and straightened his trench as he made his way back to the parked Balamb car he’d borrowed.

Fuck, that woman can lie.