Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Silence ❯ Chapter 5

Chapter five

The afternoon had come and gone, now evening was falling upon the garden. Seifer had fallen asleep moments ago, asking Zell to wake him in an hour. The two had agreed that they'd have dinner out tonight, just the two of them.

Zell sat at the corner of the room in the cushioned arm chair. He watched his lover sleep, amazed that someone like Seifer could look so peaceful when they slept.

He thought for a moment about the last hours events. How his enraged boyfriend practically threw him into a car. Then became concerned and helped fix the damage he'd done. Seifer had even apologized for what he called an accident.

Sighing, Zell used his hand to prop his head up on. "Was it really an accident?" He asked the sleeping form across the room.

'I know he loves me, I believe that but why can't he believe me when I tell him I'm not cheating on him? What if this jealous thing gets out of hand?..... No he'd never hurt me like that and not on purpose.'

Getting out of the chair Zell went into the bathroom and looked at the newly bandaged bruise. After putting on the first band-aid Seifer went to the infirmary to get a larger bandage to cover Zell's injury. The small blonde touched the bandage and made a tiny smile to the fact that the swell had gone down.

"It was an accident." He said to the mirror image, convincing himself that the words were true. Leaving the bathroom Zell made his way over to Seifer. He knelt down beside the bed staring at the man. 'He has every right to be upset. I am over friendly with the others sometimes, especially Irvine. I'd be jealous too if the situation were reversed.'

Standing up, Zell kissed Seifer's lips and leaned close to him saying. "I understand now and I'll make it all up to you." Then he stood up straight and sighed. 'As soon as I take care of something else first.' Looking at the clock Zell noted that it had only been twenty minutes since the other blonde had gone to sleep. He had plenty of time to take care of what he needed to before having to wake Seifer up.

He gave the man another kiss whispering "I'll be back." Then he left the room as quietly as possible hoping Seifer wouldn't wake up until after he'd returned.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Irvine) I've been wandering the garden for awhile now trying to avoid the all mighty wrath of Seifer. Not that I'm afraid of him, I'm only doing it for Zell's sake. I don't want anything happening to him because of me. Its been pretty boring though not having him around during the day. I figured I'd head to dinner early to keep me busy maybe I'll run into Zell there. Even if he's not alone, Seifer wouldn't do anything to me with him standing there... or would he?

"Where the hell has Zell been anyway?"

As if right on cue the little tattoo head showed his face calling my name from down the hall. I turned and couldn't help the smile plastered on my face. For one, I haven't seen him all afternoon and two, because I was worried sick about him.

"Hey partner what brings you here?" I ask casually.

"I was looking for you." He says and my smile immediately wanes seeing the large white bandage on his face.

"What happened there?" I ask lightly tapping his cheek incase it hurt or something. His eyes darted away to the floor and I knew a lie was coming.

"It was an accident.... in the training center earlier. I was careless and got hit from outta nowhere." He laughed quaintly trying to convince me further of the lie. "Its no big deal." He added when I didn't say anything. I'm betting every bit of gil I have that Seifer is the reason that bandage is covering part of Zell's pretty little face.

"Well I hope you're ok now." I say and we start going in to the cafeteria.

"Yeah I'm fine."

"So why were you looking for me? Wanna join me for dinner?" I ask wrapping my arm around his shoulders.

"Yeah about that,... I can't eat with you today." I raise an eyebrow to that waiting for his explanation. "I promised Seifer- well Seifer and I made plans to eat out tonight."

"Oh, too bad... maybe another time then." I give his shoulders a squeeze and he sighs looking down at the floor. "Something wrong?"

"About that too, I might not see you too much for awhile." He began and I already tensed myself for the outcome of this conversation. "It's not that I don't like you anymore or anything, you're my best friend." Hearing that lessened the pain a little. "Its just that I haven't really been spending a lot of time with Seifer an-"

"Not spending time with him! Hell you two were practically inseparable when you first started dating." I blurted out letting go of his shoulders. Everyone in ears range looked our way until I shot them a dirty look. Keeping my voice down this time I continue. "How long can two people possibly want to be around each other alone before they go nuts? Don't you need some space?"

"Well yeah, but its not like that with us." He tries to explain. We take a seat at the nearest empty table. Though all thoughts of eating have completely left my mind.

"Then what is it like? I mean does Seifer make all the decisions for you?" I ask not hiding my annoyance.

"No and what's with the attitude? If we're gonna be together than we're gonna spend a lot of time with each other!" He said raising his voice but not enough to be heard by everyone. "Look, I don't have to explain anything to you." He sounded angry now and I knew I went too far. Always gotta open my big mouth.

"Zell, I'm sorry okay I just don't get why we can't hang out anymore just because you're in a relationship. It don't make no sense."

"Its not just because I'm in a relationship." He replied.

"Then why is it?"

I could see the frustration all over his face at this point. He wasn't telling me something and I had a pretty damn good idea what it was. Everything he was trying not to say had Seifer's name written all over it.

"Don't make this any harder Irvine. Its not like its going to be forever. I just need to take a break from you." He pushed the chair out and started walking out of the cafeteria.

"Of all the messed up shit to happen." I mumble to myself pulling my hat over my head.

"Hey Irvine." Hearing the familiar high pitch of Selphie, I put on a happy face and looked up.

"Hey Selphie." She sat down with her tray across from me and started in on her food.

"I just saw Zell leaving and without a hotdog in hand. Did something happen?" She asked then took a sip of her drink.

"No, he just has plans." I say not hiding my annoyance at all.

"What's your deal then?" She asked.

"Nothing..... hey Sephie did you see Zell in the training center today, at all?"

"Mhm," She mumbled because she hadn't finished chewing her food. After swallowing she replied. "We were there this morning," Maybe he was telling the truth about what happened to his face. "Then Seifer showed up and they both started acting really weird." She added.

I knew it!, something is going on with them and from the size of that band-aid it can't be good.

"Did you see Zell after he left the training center? I mean, besides just now." I tried not to sound too suspicious when I asked.

"Nope, he kinda disappeared after that or I just missed him." She said and started in on her hamburger again. "Why?" She then asked.

"No reason, thanks." I got up to leave but hearing Selphie's voice again stopped me where I stood.

"Hey where are you going? You'd better not be leaving me to eat alone buddy." Hearing the threat in her voice I decided for my own safety to stay.

"Uuh no.... I was just gonna... um get somethin' to eat myself." I smiled at her for reassurance.

"You'd better be." She warned.

I gave my honor and headed for the service counter instead of the door like I planned to. On my way there I saw Squall going past the door and ran out real quick to get him. I nearly knocked him off his feet dragging him backwards by the arm.

"Hey! What the hell are you doing Irvine?"

"Sorry, I was just tryna get your attention."

"By ripping my arm off." He started rubbing his shoulder.

"Look, will you just do me a favor and sit with Selphie for a minute?" I asked more like begged. He raised an eyebrow to me.

"Why?"

"Because you know she don't like eatin' alone and Quistis isn't here yet and Seifer and Zell aren't showin' up."

"So why can't you stay?"

For a quiet person he sure asks alot of questions. "Because I need to...." Think of a lie quick "Use the bathroom. It won't take long I promise."

He looked like he was thinking it over even though it was obvious he didn't believe me. "Alright, hurry up. I've got somewhere else to be." He said and I grabbed him in hug-lifting him off the floor.

"I'll be back in a minute." I dashed off down the hall hoping he wasn't watching where I was going. I got to the boys dorm rooms and went to Seifer's room assuming that's where they'd be. Making sure no one else was around I put my ear to the door and listened. I wasn't sure what exactly it was I was waiting to hear, maybe things being thrown, yelling. You know, stuff that abusive boyfriends do.

Silence

Just as I was about to leave I hear faint laughter and put my ear right back on the door just to have it open on me.

"Shit!" I whispered and quickly backed away from it hoping no one saw me.

"Hey guys." I say walking a little forwards like I'd been heading this way the whole time. Seifer gave me this 'drop dead' expression and didn't say anything.

"Hey Irvine." Zell said and I put up a hand of acknowledgement.

"Heading out somewhere?" I asked trying to be casual.

"Yeah somewhere and I don't want to be late." Seifer finally spoke up. "Come on." He grabbed Zell's arm and yanked him down the hall.

'If that doesn't look controlling, I don't know what does.'

"Have fun!" I called after them getting no response. Seeing how miserable Zell's face looked when he saw me nearly broke my heart. "How could he just let that jerk run his life like that?" I say to no one. I know I'm not crazy now, the bruise and this little display proves it. With my new found discovery I start back down to the cafeteria.

'I gotta figure out what's really going on with those two before I start spreading it around.... No no, I can't tell anyone at all. That'll hurt Zell more than Seifer is... if he really is hurting him.'

This was all getting too complicated now, how one simple crush could turn into an investigation I'll never know.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Seifer and Zell walked the corridor to the parking garage arm in arm. The image of a perfectly happy couple again. What everyone always saw since they first got together

"I think Kinneas has a crush on you." Seifer suddenly said, making Zell freeze inside but he kept walking.

"No he doesn't." The smaller blonde replied light heartedly.

"Maybe not but do you see the way he looks at you?" Seifer asked. They stopped beside the car.

"Yeah but, I love you so it doesn't matter." Zell said a bit nervous about where the conversation might go.

"I know. I was just messing with you. Make light of the situation they say." Seifer smiled down at his lover and Zell relaxed knowing Seifer wasn't trying to start trouble. He really did want the two of them to be together happily but he was a little afraid now. Afraid that someday Seifer would snap from jealousy and not just on him but anyone.

Giving his head a mental shake Zell tried to forget the bad thoughts creeping around at the back of his mind. He'd made up with his boyfriend and in a way warned Irvine that it'd be best for everyone if they kept their distance. Hopefully Irvine would listen to him and Seifer would realize nothings going on. Then things could go back to normal. He'd have his boyfriend and his best friend.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Irvine walked slowly back towards the cafeteria, his head down, kicking a soda can some careless cadet dropped. 'Man, Zell couldn't even look me in the eye when we were talking.' He mentally griped. 'He really does plan on ignoring me.'

Sighing heavily he picked up the can and pushed the cafeteria doors open. He tossed the can like a basketball into a nearby recycling bin. He then rejoined Selphie and Squall at the table and sat heavily in his seat, just as Selphie was getting up to leave.

"Hey Irvine." Selphie said standing up with her empty tray. She didn't seem to care too much about the cowboys absence anymore. "See ya Squall." She said before bouncing off. Hearing Selphie leave Squall, who had his head down on the table looked up.

"What the hell took you so long?" He asked the solemn cowboy who had slouched down in his seat.

"Sorry, I got distracted." Irvine half ass apologized.

"Well while you were distracted," Squall began "I got stuck listening to Selphie's life story of why she loves hamburgers." Hearing that made the distressed sharp shooter laugh. "It's not funny." Squall mumbled.

"Sorry." Irvine said apologizing again this time more sincere.

"So what's your problem?" His best friend asked.

"Who said I had one?" Irvine questioned back.

"Alright then." Squall stood from his seat to leave.

"Wait, wait." Irvine said making him pause mid stand until he was motioned to sit again.

"You can be really annoying ya know that?" Irvine said as Squall sat back down. All Squall offered was a shrug in reply.

"So what is it?" The brunette asked again.

Sighing Irvine stretched his arms in front of himself before speaking. "It's about Zell."

"I should have figured." Squall mumbled to himself.

"Him and Seifer are still acting weird. Like they're hiding something and its not good."

"Didn't we go over this earlier today?" Squall asked sounding irritated with the current situation.

"Yeah but nothings changed since then. I mean Zell's got a large bandage on his face now and I swear his arm looked a little bruised. Not only that but, he told me we can't see each other for awhile." Irvine explained.

"And you think its all because of Seifer?"

"Who else?" Irvine answered getting irritable himself.

".....Are you trying to say you think Seifer is abusing Zell?"

"What?! No, I didn't say that.... I don't know and that's what I'm worried about."

"So do what Zell said and keep your distance until he tells you otherwise."

"Uuugh," Irvine groaned sliding his hands down over his face. "I can't do that Squall.... I got a... thing for the guy." He confessed. A silence fell between them.

"Have you told Zell that?" The gunblader suddenly asked.

"No, but I tried talking to him about this Seifer thing and we kinda ended up arguing. I think he's mad at me now."

Squall could only shake his head. "Only you could get yourself into this mess."

"I know... I know." Irvine whined as he let his head drop down on the table.

"Just forget about them for now. You shouldn't get yourself into avoidable trouble." Squall said.

"Want to have dinner with me?" He offered and Irvine slowly lifted his head.

"Yeah sure." He said and the two left the table for the service counter. 'It's hard to avoid something when someone you love is involved.' Irvine thought in annoyance to what Squall had said.