Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Silence ❯ Chapter 7

Silence

Chapter seven

(Irvine) That felt like the longest night of my life. Thank god its over. "Ugh." Searing pain went through my body while I rolled out of bed. It feels like I was lying in the same spot all night. Going to the bathroom I freshened up before my unscheduled meeting with Zell. I just hope I can bump into him without his guard dog, Seifer around.

..........................

Irvine waited quietly by the door listening for any kind of movement or sound from the next room. Which was easy because he did it for a living. It wasn't long before he heard voices in the hall, familiar ones.

"You'd better meet me down there in five minutes. I don't want to have to come looking for you." Seifer warned Zell but with a hint of humor.

"Don't worry I'll be there. I just have to use the bathroom." Zell assured sending him on his way to check them out. When he was out of sight, Zell returned inside their room. When the voices were gone Irvine peeked outside the door just in time to see Zell's door closing.

"I gotta think of a way to casually run into him." With an idea in mind he left the room and walked down the hall towards the elevator. 'I'll just wait for him to come out and act like I was on my way to my room.' He waited by the elevator for a minute until Zell came out of his room. That's when he made his move.

"Hey Zell! Fancy meeting you here."

The little blond turned startled and froze. "Irvine?" 'What's he doing here? Is he following me now?' Zell wondered being too polite to just out and ask. He'd wait and see what Irvine had to say.

"What a coincidence huh?" The cowboy asked trying to stay casual. He could see the questioning look on Zell's face and not having an answer he decided to turn the tables. "So what brings you here?" He asked. Nervousness showed all over Zell's features.

"It was uh.... Seifer's idea actually. He just didn't feel like going back to Garden last night." At the mention of Seifer, Zell's eyes looked past Irvine to the elevator knowing he was waiting for him. "So what are you doing here?" Zell quickly redirected the question trying to speed things up. The last thing he needed was for Seifer to see the two of them in the hotel together.

'Damnit I haven't had time to think of an excuse yet.' Putting his hand behind his head Irvine scanned his mind for a quick reason of being there. "It's kinda embarrassing.... ya see... I got a little plastered last night with uh...." He cleared his throat before continuing. "With uuh, Squall and we ended up here." 'Yeah that sounds believable.' He mentally scolded himself. Seeing the surprised then sly look on Zell's face, Irvine knew he'd made a mistake.

"You and Squall, no way," He crossed his arms grinning sheepishly. He used the same sly tone of voice he'd had when the two discussed Irvine and Squall's relationship the other day at the movies. Irvine started to panic. The last thing he wanted was for Zell to think he was seeing the commander. As long as Zell knew he was free he might still have a chance with him.

"Well we didn't do anything, just kinda passed out."

"Uhuh. So where is he now?" Zell asked in disbelief.

"Oh you know him, even with a hangover he's up early. Already back at the Garden."

'Guess that makes sense. Maybe he wasn't following me after all.' Zell thought. His eyes darted back to the elevator hearing it open but all he saw was one of the ladies from room service. 'Phew.' He turned his attention back to Irvine who had been watching him. Irvine had noticed since they began talking that Zell wasn't completely focused. Too busy looking around for Seifer. Yeah looking, more like watching out for him.

'If that’s not fear then I don't know what is. I could protect you Zell if you'd just admit what's going on.'

"Well it was nice running into you but I gotta go." Zell broke the silence bringing Irvine from his thoughts.

"Oh right, guess you can't stay and chat." Irvine gave a snotty reply.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Zell snapped back but keeping his voice low.

"Well we wouldn't wanna upset the all mighty, so go on it's fine."

"Irvine don't do this. I did promise Seifer I'd be there in five minutes. It has nothing to do with upsetting him or you." Zell pushed past Irvine heading for the elevator but Irvine grabbed his arm stopping him in his tracks.

"Sorry alright… but since we're here now just hear me out." Zell sighed in defeat waiting to hear what the cowboy had to say. Maybe listening would get him out faster than putting up a fight. "I wanted to apologize for last night. It's just hearing you say you don't want to be around me anymore... well it hurt."

"It's not that I don't want to be around you and I'm sorry if it came off that way. You're still my best friend, its just for the best if we keep our distance awhile."

"For who? You or Seifer?"

"Irvine." Zell warned.

"Alright, I just want you to know I'm here if you need me..... for anything." Irvine said sincerely hoping maybe Zell would get the hidden message from his soft tone.

"I know and I appreciate it but everything's fine." Zell replied also hoping Irvine would get his hidden message and just back off a little. "I gotta go. I'll see you in school."

"Yeah see ya." Hearing the sadness in Irvine's voice Zell decided that one little hug wouldn't hurt if it eased the others boys mind. Besides, this might just be the last time he saw his best friend for awhile. Irvine gladly accepted the gesture and put his arms around the little muscled body. The two stayed there for a brief minute unaware that they weren't alone.

All the while neither knew that Seifer had made his way back up to their floor, wondering what was taking Zell so long to meet him at the front desk. He stood at the stairwell watching the two embracing each other for what seemed like an eternity to him. 'What the hell is he doing here?..... Zell probably told that honky tonk to meet him here.' Seifer thought, his anger flaring up. 'That little....' His teeth began to mash together in sync with his hands balling into fist. When the two separated he headed back down the stairs while Zell took the elevator leaving Irvine alone again.

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(Irvine) I stared at the closed doors of the elevator that took my secret love away. "You can't stay away from me forever Zell." Deciding to take the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator I turned in the other direction. "This didn't go exactly as I'd planned but at least I got to make up with him." I made my way down the lonely stairwell relishing in the feel of that hug. What had just happened began replaying in my mind. "......Heh me and Squall." I laughed a second at the thought. Oh shit! I forgot about Squall. Zell might ask him if he was really with me last night!, "Or worse Zell will tell Seifer and he'll ask him!" I stood in a panic for a second, wonderin' if I should go back to my room and call the garden or just beat them there and hope the commander will cooperate. I decided for the latter and kept going to the front desk to check out.

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When Zell finally got to the lobby Seifer was already there waiting for him by the exit like he'd never budged. "Sorry, it took longer than I thought." He explained. Seifer just stared at him blankly ignoring what the boy had said.

'Gonna play stupid huh? Well so will I.' Seifer thought before responding. "Don't worry about it. Lets go before we're late." He opened the door and left, not waiting for Zell to follow.

'What's with him?' Zell followed Seifer to the car playing with the option of asking him what’s wrong. 'If I do and he's fine he might be offended but if there is something wrong I have the right to know about it. Especially if it's me.' They got inside the car and Seifer lit himself a cigarette before starting it up to take off. 'Better do it now then.' Zell decided and cleared his throat. "Is everything alright? I mean you just seem different all of a sudden."

Seifer saw Irvine from his side view mirror, leaving the hotel and furrowed his brows. Then he turned to Zell blowing a cloud of smoke in the boys face. "No everything's fine." He lied.

"Oh, okay." Zell decided not to push the envelope and leave well enough alone. Even if he was getting a sinking feeling about Seifer's reply. ****  

(Irvine) After seeing the two drive off I got in the car and sped away as fast as I could. Luckily I made it back to Garden before they did. I went to the boys dormitory and found Squall's room empty. Stopping a kid in the hall I asked if he knew where Squall was.

"Yeah he was called up to the headmasters office earlier."

"Thanks." I rushed off for the elevator as fast as I could. 'I hope he goes along with this or everything I worked for could be ruined.' Once I got to the third floor I barged right into the office not noticing there was a group of people sitting around. "Squall we need to talk." I said.

"Irvine?"

"Hey. There is a closed meeting going on here." I heard Xu's voice and looked around noticing the others in the room, all looking peeved as hell at me.

"Oh, heh heh sorry 'bout this. Could I uh borrow the commander for a minute?"

I waited quietly as looks were exchanged and whispers went around. Xu sighed but dismissed Squall anyway. He got up from his seat and headed for the door pulling me along with him by the collar.

"Ow! Hey, not so rough." Once we were outside the door and it was closed, he let me go.

"This had better be important."

"It is, I need you to be my alibi."

"What? What did you do now?"

"Nah it's nothing like that. I just need you to go along with my story." He was already sighing in detest and about to go back inside but I stopped him. "Now wait a minute just hear me out. Look last night I followed Zell-"

"I should have known this had something to do with him."

"Yeah well, he and Seifer were at Balamb hotel last night and I followed them. It was supposed to be covert but I ran into Zell in the hall. I needed an excuse for why I was there so,"

"Why are you stalking Zell? And were you the one that stole a garden car without signing it out?"

"Stole! No, I borrowed it and its been returned still in good condition. Now back to important matters. I told Zell I was at the hotel with you and we had a few too many drinks. I just need you to go along with it if he or Seifer ask."

"Irvine." He said exasperated. "I don't know if they'd believe it even if I did go along, which I won't."

"Ah come on, they will believe it. Please, I promise this is the last favor I swear."

"...I thought I told you to stay out of their business."

"I was just worried about him that's all." I gave him my most sincere and pleading look. I was ready to drop to my knees and beg if I had to.

"....Alright fine, but this is it and if it all blows up in your face don't come to me." After that he moved past me going back into the office.

"Thanks buddy. Nothing's going to blow up in anyone’s face though, at least not mine."