Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Silence ❯ Chapter 10

chapter ten

Seifer and Zell woke a little late the next morning having spent the night before making love. It wasn't harsh or violent like the other times they'd been together the past few weeks. Zell didn't feel like an object or possession being abused he felt like a person being loved. The way it used to be. Seifer still hadn't apologized for the incident in the shower but Zell assumed Seifer thought there was no need to verbally apologize. So he let it go.

Today was going to be good Zell decided. All he had to do was avoid Irvine, without being too rude or distant of course. They were still friends after all he just couldn't be his best friend for awhile. He would also have the perfect excuse to get way from Irvine if need be. He'd just tell him he had a lot of work to catch up on. Which was true since he had missed classes yesterday. But how do you avoid someone that's usually always around?

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I can't believe I wasted the whole day looking for Zell and didn't find him. If I didn't know any better I'd say he was hidin' from me. Of course I know at some point he must have went back to Seifer but that’s not exactly comforting knowledge. I just hope he shows up for class today then we can be alone. Yeah I told him I'd keep my distance but if Seifers done anything to him I need to know.

"What are you scheming?" I turned my head to the sudden sound of Squalls voice.

"I'm not."

"The look on your face says different."

"Well looks can be deceiving."

"Oh you know that." He joked.

"Very funny. Are you here for an important reason or just to make bad jokes?" I asked light heartedly of course. Squall feigned a smile and took a seat beside me on the bench.

"Yesterday you left before I could tell you..." He paused for a moment almost like he was deciding if he should go on or not.

"Yeah what?" I tried to move things along.

He took in a breath of air. "I ran into Dr. K before going to Seifer's room." I turned a little more towards him giving my full attention now. "Apparently Zell had been in the infirmary for a head injury." I knew it! Seifer is hitting him. I could just feel my blood starting to boil, more so with every word Squall said. "He told her he slipped in the shower."

"Slipped my ass!"

"Not only that but she said Zell had previous bruises on his arms and in other minor places." My fist were clenching so tightly I could have pierced the skin in my palm. "But those could have come from anywhere." Squall added quickly. It was obvious he was tryna calm me down but it was too late. My anger already reached its boiling point and there was no going back. "Now don't go getting any ideas Irvine, you don't know if its true or not."

"True or not! No one just slips backwards in the damn shower Squall and what about the other bruises? Part of me really didn't wanna believe any of this shit for Zell's sake but you just confirmed what I already knew." I stood then and started down the hall to find Almasy and give him a good beat down but Squall caught up and stopped me.

"What do you think you're doing?" He held on tight to my arms. "You can't go attacking Seifer without proof."

"I've got plenty of proof." I tried walking off again but Squall stepped into my path. "Outa my way Leonhart." He didn't budge. It took everything in my power not to move his stubborn ass with force. That's not me anyway its more Seifer's thing.

"Just let me talk to Zell first and see what he says about it." He tried again to put an end to my charge.

"He ain't gonna say shit because Seifer probably threatened him already to keep quiet." I broke out of his grip and kept walking anyway.

"Irvine."

I don't have time for this authority crap. "Don't worry I'm just going to class now but if I find out Seifer is hurting Zell he'll be the one in a world of hurt!" Squall stayed where he was this time, lucky for me because I didn't have time to deal with him and I wasn't really going to class. I don't like lying myself but I couldn't listen to Squall try to make excuses fro what's so obviously going on. Not now, not when Zell could be in trouble, not when I know what Seifer's getting away with. I'm gonna confront that asshole myself and the sooner the better.

I stormed through the morning crowds of people on their way to class or who cares were else. My fist clenched and ready to punch his stupid lights out as soon as I saw the bastard. "Outa my way!" I pushed some kid in my walking path and got to Seifer's door. Soon as I got there I pounded on the damn thing ready to break it down if need be. "Get out here Almasy!" I tried the knob but of course it was locked, so I kept pounding until someone answered.

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A few of the people passing by stopped to watch what was going on. They whispered and wondered why Irvine someone well known in the garden was furious at Seifer and what the blond would do when he showed himself.

Inside the room Seifer was casually slipping his arms into a button down shirt, almost as if he hadn't heard the noise at all. Zell came rushing out of the bathroom yanking his own shirt over his head.

"What the hells going on?" He stopped and looked at Seifer who was finishing the final few buttons on his shirt. "Don't you hear that?" Seifer gave Zell a bored look.

"Of course, what am I hard of hearing. Doesn't mean I have to acknowledge it."

Zell ignored the snide remark as the pounding and shouting continued outside. "That sounds like Irvine." Seifer's eyes narrowed at the back of Zell's as the little blond went to answer the door. "Irvine?" Seeing Zell at the door the hat wearing teen dropped his fist and stopped shouting. "What are you doing?"

"Finally, are you alright?"

"Yeah but wha-"

"Where the hell is Seifer." Ignoring the boy Irvine shouted over his head into the room. "Show your ugly face Almasy!" Seifer emerged from the room seconds later pushing Irvine back and away from Zell.

"What's your problem?' He asked unnecessarily calm and that made Irvine even angrier.

"My problem is you asshole." He geared back and punched Seifer square in the jaw. the crowd gasped including Zell. Seifer however, seemed unfazed by the action and laughed it off. Seeing this Irvine hit him again even harder with more anger than the first punch. This time Seifer stumbled backward but caught himself in the doorway.

"Irvine, what the hell!"

"Stay outa this Zell." The cowboy warned trying to keep his tone less harsh with his friend. He moved Zell aside ready to attack Seifer again but didn't get the chance because Seifer's fist caught Irvine in the eye first.

"Ooh." The crowd became rowdy and excited when a fight broke out between the two.

"How do you like it huh?" Somehow during the brawl Irvine managed to get Seifer down on the ground and was kicking him repeatedly.

"Irvine stop it!" Zell tried but his plea went unheard. Seifer stopped shielding himself with his arms and grabbed Irvine's legs pulling him down on the floor as well. Seifer climbed on top of Irvine and then started choking him.

"Fucking prick." Seifer practically growled at the boy beneath him. The blonde then put one of his knees into Irvine's stomach pressing down hard.

"Aaah." Irvine tried to grit through the pain and push Seifer off but the man had a death grip on him. Zell tried pulling Seifer off but the stronger teen pushed him away causing Zell to stumble into someone next to him.

"Somebody do something!" Zell yelled into the uninterested crowd its obvious they were enjoying the scene and no one made a move to interrupt it. Luckily for Zell, Squall heard the boys voice down the hall and ran in the direction of it.

"I'm gonna kill you son of a bitch." Irvine's strangled voice rang out as he fended the other off.

"Alright knock it off!" Squall pushed through the crowd and went straight to pulling Seifer away from the cowboy and Zell joined in shortly to help. Eventually Seifer let up and moved away yanking himself free from the two smaller boys. Irvine held his stomach and gasped for air. Zell helped him up despite the bitter look Seifer was giving him.

"Bastard." Irvine spat out as he leaned over slowly picking up his hat that came off during the fight. Even though he was also in pain and breathing harshly Seifer made another move for Irvine but Squall stepped in front stopping him.

"Enough both of you. Now what the hell happened?"

"What happened?!" Irvine repeated. "This asshole tried to kill me."

"Well you asked for it." Seifer remarked.

Sighing Squall ignored the two and focused on breaking up the crowd. "Alright everybody go wherever it is you belong or you'll all be going to the headmaster." With a few complaints and mumbles the group eventually parted. Then Squall turned to Zell for answers. If what Irvine says is true Zell should know why the two were fighting and he'd have no choice but to admit Irvine's accusations. "Zell what happened?" Squall asked calmly. The little blonde glanced over at Seifer. Then at Irvine who was nursing his neck by massaging it.

"Well... Irvine attacked Seifer and he fought back." He answered dumbly.

“Yeah but why were they fighting. Do you know?"

Zell hesitated looking at Seifer and he remembered the promise they made to each other. "I don't know neither of them said anything." Hearing the hesitated reply Squall pulled Zell a short distance away from the other two and whispered to him.

"You can tell me anything you know."

Zell nodded with a cheap smile. "Yeah I know but I really don't know anything." His words came out a bit more aggravated than he'd have liked Squall to hear. The commander shook his head in disbelief and they walked back over to the others who were in the middle of bickering. They were practically hissing threats and insults at each other.

"That's enough you two. You should be going to the infirmary anyway." Squall said.

"I'm fine." Seifer declared through gritted teeth.

"Alright then fix yourself up and both of you better be in class today.” He helped his bruised friend to the infirmary leaving Zell and Seifer. Zell trotted after them grabbing a hold of Squall's shoulder before they could get anywhere.

"Y-you're not gonna report this are you?" He asked nervously. Squall stared at the boy then over at Seifer.

"No but if it happens again I will."

Seifer scoffed at the cheap threat as they walked away. When the two got out into the main hall Squall slapped the back of Irvine's head. "Ow! What the hell?"

"I told you not to go making trouble with Seifer and you did it in front of Zell. How do you think he's gonna feel about that?"

"I was angry. I couldn't stop myself or think straight."

"That's why I told you to let me handle it."

"Alright I get it, it was stupid... and unless Seifer gives me a reason it won't happen again. cowboys honor." They walked quietly together for a few minutes.

"He didn't hurt you too much did he?" Squall asked out of nowhere.

"Why I didn't know you cared." Irvine laughed briefly.

"Whatever."

"Nah I'm alright. This'll be nothing compared to how I'll feel when Zell gets a hold of me. if he ever speaks to me again."

"Well if its any consolation I see what you mean now."

"Oh you finally believe me?"

"That's not what I said but I believe Seifer and Zell are acting different. When I was talking to Zell he looked almost frightened. Like he didn't want to talk to me."

"Well I told ya he's never gonna say anything with the all mighty Almasy standing around. That should be proof enough that something’s going on." They walked into the doctors office.

'I hope you're wrong.' Seeing the way Seifer was just acting Squall was starting to worry himself for Zell’s and Irvine’s safety.

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The tension in the hall was unbearable just like the knot in Zell's stomach and the lump in his throat. He didn't need a psychic to tell him that Seifer was furious but he wished he were one so he could find out what was going to happen next. He followed Seifer back into their room but kept his distance. The tall blonde went to a full length mirror that hung on the closet door. He lifted his shirt examining the bruises on his body from Irvine's kicking. He hissed back a sting of pain when he pressed too hard on one of them.

"Fucker."

Zell watched him poke and probe his flesh for another minute before he decided to say something. "I can help you clean it up if you want." Seifer froze hearing the little blonde having almost forgot he wasn't alone. He glared at the younger teen through the mirror.

"I can handle it."

"Are you sure?"

"You didn't seem to care a few minutes ago don't pretend to now."

"But I'm not."

"Shouldn't you be getting to class? Wouldn't want you getting in any trouble."

Zell wanted more than anything to stay and keep talking until Seifer believed that he was concerned but he also didn't want to make things worse. Right now he was just confused and hurt so he gathered his things and left. As soon as the door closed Seifer stared angrily in to the mirror. "Rrr." He kicked the mirror in shattering the glass with the heal of his boot. Standing against the door outside, Zell flinched hearing the sound.

'Everything was going to be fine, we were going to work things out. What if he thinks I lied or betrayed him? Damn you Irvine.' Pushing off the door Zell headed for his first class that he was already late for. 'Maybe I will have a talk with him today and for the last time.'

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A/N: My email is acting like a ….. so updates might be a bit slow not too slow though. And I appreciate the comments very much and I’m very happy that you guys are enjoying the story. -Linkin