Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Stealth ❯ Triad III ( Chapter 3 )

Stealth

<triad iii>

I could feel the weight of Squall's limbs tangled across mine. The air still held the faint scent of sex and sweat. I looked down to see the top of Squall's head, buried against my chest and felt that feeling again. It caught me off guard and took my breath away. He stayed. In total defiance of everything that probably made Squall who he was, he had stayed. I pressed a silent kiss to those silken threads of hair, running my fingers down his spine. He stirred and looked up at me, his eyes a dusky gray in the low light. I smiled, and he smiled back. At me.

"What time is it?" he asked, voice husky.

"About seven."

He grunted, burying his head in my chest. I felt the warmth of his lips pressing kisses to my chest. I chuckled, the sound resonating deeply. I still couldn't believe he was here, in my bed. I put my hand under his chin and tilted his head up, teasing the corners of his mouth with my tongue, tracing the sensitive curves of his lips, tasting a flavor that couldn't be described as anything other than Squall.

"Seifer," he said.

"Hmm?"

"I'm supposed to be in the office in an hour."

I growled. It hadn't taken long for the Leonhart practicality to kick in. I shouldn't be complaining, I know. I had more now than I had ever imagined having, I've just always struggled with that possessiveness, that selfishness. I rolled over, pinning Squall beneath me.

"Let's see you get to the office now," I smirked.

"Seifer..."

I sighed, rolling back over. I heard him swing his legs over the edge of the bed.

"Mind if I shower here?"

I waved a hand dismissively. "Course not." Yes, I was sulking.

I put my hands behind my head, closed my eyes, and listened to the sound of the shower start up. I could hear the soft sound of Squall's feet walking across the floor, then felt his mouth on mine. I opened one eye and regarded him as he stood.

"Pouting? That's new."

I grunted and closed my eye. A smile tugged at the edges of my mouth and I said, "Just go get your shower."

* * * * *

It was going to be a morning for the rumor-mill once the guards put two and two together. The Commander went in last night and didn't come out until morning. I stepped into the stream of water, half expecting Seifer to ambush me. Last night had been scary. Not in the typical 'oh crap a Malboro and I forgot to junction' way, but far worse. Physical fright only serves to give me that adrenaline rush, that feeling of momentary invincibility when I've got Lionheart in my grasp and I know that there really is only one possible victor. I was way out of my league, emotionally. I wanted it and didn't want it, prime example of emotionally deficient paradox I resided in.

It's not so hard to become enamoured, really. All that requires is an aesthetically pleasing set of features. Perhaps love isn't even so difficult. If it's that typical more intense infatuation type of response. Trust, though. That's a far truer test than any other. I don't trust easily. In my gut I'd say I really don't trust at all. Trust leaves you open, vulnerable, in a way that nothing else does, and I was a lifelong student in the study of invulnerability. What had possessed me to agree to this? As much as I told myself I was fine as I was, did I really crave something more?

I wanted to know Seifer. My entire life, he'd been there. My rival, not really a word that fit. Mirror? Second half? I was at a loss to describe it. Now what was he? Lover seemed too intimate a term, but that's what he wanted. He hadn't wanted just my body, but he had demanded more. He always had. Pushing me constantly, eliciting reactions from me that I couldn't control. I think that's what scared me the most. I always had to be in control of everything, every little nuance, every emotion, every action. When it came to Seifer, there was no control. It was just pure, unadulterated, response.

I shut off the water and reached my hand outside the shower curtain for a towel, feeling instead a hand grab mine. Seifer pushed the shower curtain back and smiled. I'd be damned if he hadn't been watching the entire time. He wrapped his arms around me, warm as the surrounding air cooled the droplets of water on my skin.

"Think enough?" he asked, naked flesh pressed against mine. I just snorted.

He grabbed a towel and tossed it over my head, releasing me from his arms and going back into the bedroom. I couldn't tell if he was playing or pissed. What did he expect from me? He was as out of character as I was. Neither one of us had ever been in this situation before. What am I supposed to do with a Seifer that's being caring and considerate and possessive? I'm not wired to deal with that Seifer. I'm not wired to deal with that from anyone. I can't even identify what it is I feel, why I want to trust him, and why that scares the hell out of me.

* * * * *

I don't know what exactly I expected. I shouldn't be peeved at Squall for being, well, Squall. I don't know why I'm reacting like a total moron. I know him, but this is uncharted. This is completely virgin territory between us, no pun intended. He comes out of the bathroom, towel tied around his waist and his hair all fuzzed out like some sort of perversely inspired kewpie doll. I don't challenge the silence. I know when to keep quiet, and this is one of those times. Better to let him have the first words, if at all. I had pulled on some blue jeans, just buttoning the first two buttons, and was leaning back on my elbows, just looking at him.

He was getting ready in 'I'm acting like I'm in a hurry, but I really just don't know what to say' silence. He pulled his leather pants on and reached over to take his shirt off the dresser. Buttoning it up, he tucked it in and buttoned his pants. Damn, it was disappointing, watching him cover up all that flesh.

I bent to pick my shirt up off the floor, and when I looked up, he was standing in front of me, one hand on his hip, the other running through his hair to smooth it down. I sat back and he moved forward, one leg on either side of my knees. I dropped the shirt and wrapped my arms around his waist as his arms encircled my neck.

"Patience," he whispered.

I just pulled him closer to me, not wanting to say anything.

"I have to get upstairs, but," I could hear the smile in his voice, "I'll see you at the usual time?"

That, from Squall, was worth more than a thousand words from anyone else. I lifted my head to look into his eyes, seeing warmth tinged with confusion and hesitance.

"The usual time," I agreed, and he kissed me. I released him from my hold and he turned. I just watched him walk out of the room. A moment later I heard the door chime and unlock, then open. I lay back on the bed and I could swear I could smell his scent on the sheets.

It was going to be a long morning.

* * * * *

I couldn't bring myself to look at the guards on duty. I didn't even bother to wave off the salutes, just kept my eyes focused on the dull-brushed metal of the elevator doors. At least they had the sense to keep the gossip down while I was still in the room. I wondered how long it would take the rumours to circulate through the SeeD guard, down through the general student body, and back up to the intimate little circle. I wondered if my clothes looked like they had spent the night on Seifer's floor.

I took the elevator up and stepped out on the second floor. I headed to the left, pushing open the double glass doors that marked my office suite. 'Commander's Office' glinted in imitation gold gilt beneath the glass.

"Boss!" Selphie called. I raised an eyebrow. "You got a message from Esthar. Sir Laguna's office said that he would be arriving in four days." The guy was the President of Esthar and still to Selphie he was 'Sir Laguna.'

I snorted, "That was fast."

"You mean you knew?" she squealed.

"It's about Seifer."

"Oh," she frowned. I could tell she wanted to ask why her Sir Laguna was coming all the way to Balamb to talk about Seifer.

I looked at her, "I promise I'll tell you when I can." She huffed a little but accepted it as the only answer she was going to get. She knew when I couldn't be pestered into things. "Anything else come in?"

"Erm... yeah. Zell's latest report came in and it's in the box. He said everything is going well. They've registered a whole slew of new critters. He estimates that things should be cleared up in another month though. I think he wants to come back. He said he missed the hot dogs."

I had placed Zell as Field Commander for the Lunar Cry cleanup. I figured it would do him good, being in charge like that. He had the potential to be a great leader - his exuberance and positive outlook inspired followers in a way I didn't. People followed me because I was strong; they followed Zell because they wanted to.

"Quisty says she'll be by this afternoon. She tried to find you this morning but said you weren't in your room."

Great, by the time the rumours got around Quistis' little observation would pound that last little nail of confirmation into the coffin. A traitorous voice in my mind questioned if I really would mind if anyone knew. Would I mind? I didn't know.

"Okay. I need you to get things ready for orientation. We have less than a month." When all else fails, make Selphie plan something. Not only would it keep her occupied, but out of my hair, and hopefully out of my newfound business.

I picked up the stack of things that seemed to accumulate in my box like fungus. Zell's report was on the top. I took it into the office and sat down at my desk. I scanned over it quickly.

--------------------

Standard Field Report

Active Deployment/ Non-Warfare

--------------------

Lunar Cry/Esthar area weekly operation status.

Current estimated Mission Objective schedule on time.

Last operative report dated one week prior to current date.

Current location places forces in/around Sorceress Memorial.

Estimated return to Balamb base one month.

Update Deployment Status? Y/N

Field Commander Operative Number: 05-3714 <Z. Dincht>

Squall - situation is positive here in Esthar. We've catalogued roughly two-dozen new monster species. Attached is all Scan information. There are two new L.C. Dragon-types that have shown high resistance. Difficult to defeat in groups of less than four among an average 15th Rank SeeD. Luckily, they've been few and far between. We had four high level injuries that required attention in Esthar. 20th Rank J. Black lost an arm when attacked from behind, 13th Rank F. Wong suffered heavy cranial trauma resulting in memory loss, 17th Rank N. Knight was impaled through the chest resulting in extreme internal injury, 8th Rank I. Malcolm received wound from T. Rexaur L. C. Variant, will require possible amputation.

On a more personal note - did you have to send me without hot dogs?! That's no way to inspire me to lead, you know. Will send further update next week. Hope to get done soon.

Z.

--------------------

Typical Zell. A well detailed report. I would need to find out where we could place the injured SeeDs in the event they were unable to return to active duty. SeeDs Black and Knight were high enough Rank to consider utilizing them in a classroom capacity. I flipped through the hard copy of the file attachment. There were the two Dragon types, tentatively named Draconis Hematicus, or Black Dragon, and Draconis Serpentis, or S-Type Dragon. T. Rexaur Variant Magnus Rexaur, or M. Rexaur, the monster that had attacked SeeD Malcolm. One of the more dangerous Emergent Species was the Khemelionis, which had the ability to duplicate the attacks of a predator, or in this case, attacking SeeD troops. It had been this monster that had impaled SeeD Knight, mimicking his Naginata attack. There were thirteen more Variant types, and seven Emergent Species. A note attached to the file said that plans were being made to transport samples to the Forest Region near Esthar, so that they could be studied in more depth.

I was midway through a stack of SeeD Rank updates when the com buzzed and I heard Quistis' voice.

"Come on in," I said.

Quistis was in her lab coat. She had probably come up from the Infirmary. Since losing her Instructorship, she had begun interning with Dr. Kadowaki. She was proving to be highly competent, and as always, a quick study. I think it suited her better. It provided her an outlet for the nurturing aspect of her personality. Quistis was the type who needed to be needed, and providing medical care did that for her.

"Well, I was going to tell you about the get-together we had planned for Friday, but according to Selphie, that's not the best day. President Loire is really coming to discuss Seifer?"

I nodded.

"Do you think he wants to try and extradite him? I have mixed feelings about it, really. Something about the entire situation has never seemed right. Seifer was always hotheaded, but never stupid."

I shrugged, "Quis, I can't say much right now. I don't think Loire is going to try for extradition, however."

"Squall, what is it, that you can't tell us? I think we deserve to know. It's not like we haven't been involved with this from the start."

"I can't tell you what I don't know. I promise I'll have something to tell Friday. Give me until then."

"Okay." She stood to leave, and then cocked her head to the side. "Squall?"

"Yes?"

"I heard earlier... no, never mind. It's not important."

"I'll talk to you soon, Quis."

"Thanks."

I looked up at the clock. Less than eleven hours, forty-seven minutes. The speed of the Garden rumor system had officially been measured. I was just grateful Quistis had reconsidered asking me.

* * * * *

I walked into the front office and smiled at Selphie. She looked a bit taken aback, but recovered quickly. She waved shyly and went back to whatever it was she had been typing. If any of the others had ever rivaled my propensity for violence as a kid, she was it. Where I had concentrated on personal torture, however, Selphie had always been a fan of the techniques of mass-destruction. I think it made her all the more frightening. I left the goon squad lounging around the coffeepot, and made my way into Squall's office. I walked up to his desk and leaned over, reaching in my pocket as I did. I pulled out a silver length of chain and dropped it on the desk. It rattled loudly against the wood surface.

"You left that this morning." I couldn't help but smirk. He picked it up, running his hands across the links to the opposing ends and pulling it taut. Wrapping it around the back of my neck, he used it to pull me closer to him until we were nose to nose.

"I think it's more useful like this." He smiled coyly and leaned back, drawing me further across the front of the desk.

"I can think of better ways to use it," I purred.

"I'm sure you can, but you aren't holding it, are you?" His voice was low and sensual, eyes sparkling mischievously. I took back what I said about Selphie being more frightening. This was amazingly scary, in a really twisted I-want-to-jump-his-bones kind of way. I hadn't known Squall could be capable of playing around like this.

"So now that you've got me, what are you going to do?" I was enjoying this little game very much.

He stood up, giving me slack on the chain. I leaned back as he put one knee on the desk. I found myself hoping he'd crawl across it any second. Very wishful thinking. He put his knee down, much to my dismay, and stretched out his arm, walking around the desk, never letting go of the ends of the chain. I had no choice but to follow as he made his way over to a closet. Opening the door, he leaned over. It took every single ounce of willpower in my body not to attack him. The next thing I know he stood up and turned to face me. He pulled the chain forward, drawing me in to kiss me. There's something hard between us, and it's not the obvious thing. He put something cold yet familiar in my grasp. As my fingers closed around it, my mind recognized it immediately. Hyperion's grip. I smiled and he relinquished his grip on the belt. It fell across my shoulders, a negligible weight. I reached a hand up and pulled it off, tossing it in the corner.

"I haven't had a good sparring session in a while."

"Does this mean I get to ditch my babysitters?"

"I think I can keep you in line one way or another."

He walked back over to the desk. I looked at my weapon. It was perfect as always. Squall was telling Selphie to dismiss the SeeD escort to the basement, that he would be taking custody of me for a while. I could hear the wave of gossip it set off in the background. If I didn't know better I would say Squall was doing all this deliberately. He removed Lionheart from the familiar battered case emblazoned with the same Griever's head as his pendent. The modifications Squall had completed made the weapon an incredible sight. It seemed to glow with an aura all its own. I had modified Hyperion on one or two rare occasions, preferring to modify myself instead of my weapon.

We walked out of the office to Selphie's uncomprehending looks. Squall gave her a glance that conveyed in no uncertain terms that she was not allowed to say a thing. To him maybe, but I had a feeling as soon as we left, she'd have Quistis and Irvine up for a chat.

It was the first time I had set foot outside the walls of Balamb Garden in nearly three weeks, give or take that nasty Time Compression incident. The air was warm as we set out on the road. I didn't need to ask where we were headed. It had been the last place we had gone before Esthar had recruited me, and Squall had been sent to Timber. The cliffs overlooking the Fire Caverns. Wind and rain had scoured away the blood we had spilt.

We took up positions on opposite sides, Squall holding Lionheart in the two-handed style he favored, Hyperion in my one-handed grip. Synchronously we attacked, blades ringing out in metallic harmony. He withdrew, stepping back, as I pressed forward, thrusting towards him only to have him parry the thrust to the left. I had forgotten how good it felt to go against him like this, as equals. He brought his blade around and down as I blocked horizontally, stepping back to make him vulnerable.

I thrust his blade upward and he was open, but twisted to bring Lionheart down in a diagonal slash that caught me unaware. We circled each other, and I made the next attack, only to meet his blade halfway. Sparks flew as we clashed. Adrenalin surged through me, giving my moves an added intensity and quickness. Squall responded in like turn, his enhanced flexibility and skill matching me at every moment. For one blinding second I was hit with two images - one of the last time we had been here, and one of last night - juxtaposed on each other in a surreal way.

It was enough to give Squall an opening, and I found myself flat on my ass. The tip of his blade was pointed at me and he was smiling. He walked forward to stand over my legs.

"You should pay attention," he said.

"It's not my fault. I was thinking of you." I slowly snaked my foot out behind his ankle.

"So it's my fault then?"

I jerked my foot forward with enough pressure to make him lose his balance and down he went in a heap. I sat up and laughed. "Now who needs to pay attention?"

"It's not my fault."

"Oh really?"

I saw something I had never seen before. Squall grinned at me... lecherously. "I was thinking of what you could do while you were down there."

As I crawled over to him on my hands and knees, straddling him and pushing him down on his back I growled, "I'll be happy to oblige that."

* * * * *

Seifer pushed me back against the ground. The afternoon sun warmed the rock, and I felt its heat on my back even as I felt Seifer's heat above me. I couldn't believe I'd said that. I couldn't believe I was thinking about that while he was running his hands through my hair and his teeth were nipping at my neck. I silently damned my own thought patterns until Seifer's hands were unbuttoning my pants then pulling them lower, and the next thing I knew his mouth had moved... down. Somewhere between Point A and Point B my thoughts short-circuited. I groaned involuntarily as I felt his mouth enclose the tip of my shaft. He was sucking gently, teeth running against the sensitive tip as he bit light enough not to hurt, but hard enough to make me shiver. His tongue spiraled down, taking me further in until I felt him gag. He sucked in; raising his head so slowly it was nothing short of torment. I grabbed his hair, forcing him back down, and then pulling him back up. He let me have my way and then suddenly stopped, forcing a cry of protest from me. I tried to push him back down, but he resisted.

"Dammit Seifer," I growled.

He lifted his head, green eyes glinting with sensuality. I felt him chuckle, the vibrations sending chills up my spine in a trail of electricity. I lay back down against the rock, unable to even lean back anymore. I felt the blood pounding in my body, felt it pulsing through my member as Seifer pressed his tongue against it, his hand moving down to press gently on my balls. His tongue trailed down the underside of my shaft, past the junction and then his hand had moved up, pumping me fiercely as he ran his tongue over and around and finally sucked on my balls. My breath was ragged, my words the unintelligible language of pleasure. I arched my back, bucking my hips up to match the rhythm of his strokes. He licked his way back up and when I felt the heat of his mouth again, I couldn't contain myself. Every muscle in my body tightened and then it was nothing but the flood of release as I cried out his name in a litany, his mouth swallowing again and again as I lost myself in orgasm.

I could only whimper as the tremors subsided in my body and then I felt the solid weight of Seifer on top of me, felt his tongue probing my mouth, the lingering taste of my fluid filling my mouth. As he withdrew from the kiss, I opened my eyes. The light gave his hair a surreal golden glow and he lowered his head to nuzzle my neck. Slowly, my breathing returned to normal. Seifer laid his head on my chest, resting his full weight against my body. I lifted my hand and ran it through his hair, feeling the silky texture against my fingers.

"Your heart's still pounding," he said softly.

"I know." I lay quietly, running my hand through his hair.

"New use for an old place. I think I like it better this way."

"You're just saying that because I knocked you on your ass first."

"Does that mean next time if I knock you on your ass first...?" he trailed off, chuckling.

"So is that how it is then?"

"I didn't hear a single word of complaint."

I couldn't help but laugh. I think it startled him a little, because he gave this twitch, like he was shocked. So maybe I didn't laugh much, I didn't think it was that surprising. We just lay there, and for once my mind was still, fixed only on the feel of Seifer's hair between my fingers and his weight on me. I closed my eyes, reveling in the uncertain intoxication of just letting go. I could get used to this and that was a scary thought. Later, as the sun began to drop closer to the horizon we headed back to Garden. As we walked, Seifer took my hand in his in a surprisingly gentle gesture of familiarity.

* * * * *

Squall let go of my hand some time before we walked in the gates. I wasn't shocked. Even more amazing, I didn't mind. This afternoon he had been more open than I had ever seen him in my life. I was acutely aware of every pair of eyes we passed. They followed us as if drawn by an invisible thread. I suppose the site of the Commander and the Knight, both armed, and in apparently good spirits was something to note. Maybe they were just waiting for a fight. I remember how there had always been cadets who had congregated every single time Squall and I had words, just waiting for blows.

As we neared the directory, I began to head for the elevator. Squall tsked softly, and angled his head to the left, indicating I should follow. We walked into the dorm area, heading for the area occupied by Senior Staff only. He stopped in front of a door, punching in a code. The door chimed and opened. We headed down a hallway and turned right, stopping in front of another door. Another code, chime, and the door opened. I was shocked to see a spacious suite of rooms.

"Umm, Squall?" I asked.

"Hmm?"

"Shouldn't I head back downstairs? I mean, my keepers must be concerned and all."

"No hurry. It's already all over Garden, you know," he said as he set Lionheart against the wall in the corner.

"Eh?" I placed Hyperion next to his gunblade.

"Last night."

"How do you know that?"

"Quistis knows. If it's made it to the Infirmary, everyone knows. She had enough sense not to come right out and ask me though. Don't be surprised if they show up here tonight."

That explained a lot about his behaviour, if I stopped to apply bizarre logic to it. Maybe, in his own way, staying the night had been Squall's way of showing his commitment.

"What about the guards downstairs?"

"If they hadn't opened their mouths in the first place, nobody would know. Might as well make them guard anyway."

I laughed. "That's positively perverse."

He quirked an eyebrow at me and shrugged. I sat down on the arm of the couch and flopped backward, my knees hanging over side.

"Want a drink?"

"Sounds good. Whatever you've got is fine." I heard him opening the door to a small refrigerator and a sound as something hit the couch behind my head. I reached up and brought the bottle to rest on my chest. Juice. I unscrewed the cap and tilted my head upward, drinking deeply. A chime at the door startled me. I put the lid back on the bottle and sat up, swinging my legs around to the front of the couch.

Squall walked over to the door. I tried to scrunch back against the couch, making myself less conspicuous.

"I was expecting you," he said as soon as the door opened. Great, great. I was wishing I had gone back down to my little cave. "Come on in."

The sound of multiple pairs of feet crossing the floor stopped suddenly as the owners of said feet realized that there was someone sitting on the couch. The effect was only enhanced by the realization that it was me. I raised my arm and waved backhandedly, not turning around to face them.

"Hello," I said. I had to admit, the awkwardness was extremely amusing. I had to bite my tongue to stay quiet. Squall walked around to the couch and sat down beside me. The three of them shuffled around to the chairs like a group of junior classmen at a museum field trip, quiet and extremely self-conscious.

Their eyes darted between the two of us punctuated by the occasional glance between each other. Eventually, Quistis took the initiative and spoke up.

"Squall, what's going on?"

Figures she wouldn't address me. He just arched one of his eyebrows, answering in 'whatever do you mean?' silence.

"You know perfectly well what I'm talking about."

"Maybe."

I resisted the urge to wave my hand in front of her face and grab her attention. This was one time I was more than willing to let Squall do it his way. If I so much as blinked funny I'd probably find a whip around my arms, nunchaku up my ass, and a shotgun to my head. So, I just sat really still. Besides, I was more than content to see that maddening closed-mouth tendency used on someone else for a change.

I got the feeling that Quistis was the only one of the three who saw this as a major problem. Selphie looked like she'd just as soon make this a social event. Cowboy... Irvine, I corrected myself, just looked like he'd gotten dragged into this by the ponytail.

"Squall, it's all over Garden. Do you know what's being said?"

"Why don't you enlighten me? I've been a little busy."

"Squall!" Selphie chirped, "Come on. It's not like we want traumatic gut-spilling here. It's just one day things are one way and the next it's like boom!" she gestured wildly with her arms. "We just want to hear the truth from you rather than getting half-assed rumors from bored SeeD members with too much imagination and time on their hands!"

Squall sighed resignedly. "Fine, ask away."

"Ooh, me first then! What's up with this," she gestured between me and Squall, "and Sir Laguna coming to visit?"

Squall looked at me, his expression telling me to answer.

"What do I get if I tell you?" I snorted.

"Erm... appreciation?"

"Hrm, there really is no market for information these days I guess. Laguna Loire is coming here to discuss my involvement in the Sorceress Conflict." That was met with three expressions that clearly stated duh in no uncertain terms. "Two days ago Squall intercepted and decoded a report he was never intended to get. That report happened to be from the Presidential Office of Esthar. It was an Operative report for a CI/U mission. My CI/U mission." Fuck it, might as well just broadcast the entire story over the bulletin board system. It'd be quicker and it'd save me the stupefied looks of the masses. I launched into a shortened version of what I had told Squall.

By the time I finished the silence was palpable. Selphie's jaw was hanging, Irvine wore a look of perplexity, and Quistis opened her mouth to speak.

"Squall, is this true?"

Squall nodded. "President Loire is on his way because he believes I'm convening a War Crimes Tribunal to call for Seifer's execution."

"So you mean that entire time..." Selphie began.

"Yes," I responded. By the time the last sound had left my mouth I was being launched into the back of the couch by a blinding yellow blur.

"Booyaka! This rocks, you know!" Selphie was squeezing me around the neck. "We never really lost our Seifer at all!" I slowly put my arms around her and hugged back.

I had to admit, that hadn't been the reaction I had planned on. Then again, before the Conflict, our entire history of life together as children had been obliterated. I guess that changed things a little. Selphie wedged herself in the space between the couch arm and myself, pushing me closer to Squall. Quistis wore a small smile, tinged with confusion while Irvine just shrugged and slid back in the chair.

"So, what about the rumors I've been hearing, huh?" Selphie asked. "You know, being up in the office and everything, I hear a lot."

"And that would mean what?" I asked.

"Well, I tried to get Quisty to ask Squall today but she just chickened out."

"Why not just ask Squall yourself?"

"Well, now I can just ask you, but you know, I don't think he'd tell me if I did. He'd give me that freaky silent death glare thing, walk back in the office, and mute the com."

"Has anyone ever told you that you're incredibly nosy?" Quistis said.

"I prefer innately curious," said Selphie.

"Either way, same thing," retorted Quistis.

"So...?" prompted Selphie.

"So people talk too much," said Squall, "and apparently on-duty SeeD have too much time on their hands."

So he didn't mind the rumours around Garden, but he didn't want to come out and tell them. That was fine by me. Less hassle that way. I'll admit it wasn't easy to sit there for the next several hours and keep my hands to myself. Eventually, it grew late and they decided to leave. It had been a pleasant evening though, all things considered. I found that I had genuinely enjoyed the company. A little time does strange things, I guess.