Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ TKO- Total Knock Out ❯ Chapter 23 ( Chapter 23 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Linkin Fantasy 
Non Anime: Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Drama / Action | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 05.18.2003 | Pages: 6 | Words: 7.0K | Visits: 287 | Status: Completed
Non Anime: Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Drama / Action | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 05.18.2003 | Pages: 6 | Words: 7.0K | Visits: 287 | Status: Completed
Its been awhile hasn't it, well the first chpt 23 I wrote sucked and I was in a slump and ended up doing it all over and here's the final results. A nice long piece to keep you busy for awhile. Please enjoy. I hope its not too hard to understand because all my italics don't show up with text writing but when I get my microsoft works back I'll re-edit it. Until then this is what you get. Enjoy :o)
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< br> Chapter 23
Rinoa drove quickly to the gym hoping Seifer and Irvine were there. The two had switched machines again and Seifer was running the treadmil, while Irvine leaned against a nearby machine.
"You know you could do the workouts too." Seifer said and Irvine smiled. "Nah I'm as fit as a- reporter." Irvine said and Seifer made a noise saying 'that was the stupidest thing he'd ever heard' until he looked in the direction Irvine was and saw Rinoa.
"Ain't that the gal from the clinic?" Irvine asked and Seifer slowed his machine to a stop and got off. "Yeah and that's the same stupid bitch that was talking about the drugs." He stood beside Irvine and they waited while she made her way to them.
"Let me get to the point gentlemen," She said when she approached them. Seifer and Irvine gave each other a glance then looked back at Rinoa. "I'm a hard working woman but I don't really get the appreciation I deserve, until now." She held up the envelope with the pictures in it. "I have photos in here of our beloved champ getting a serious blow job from Deling's newest little boxing star."
"Lady what the hell are you gettin' at?" Irvine asked. "These pictures will be seen across the city by this afternoon unless you pay up." Rinoa explained and the two looked at each other again then broke into a fit of laughter. Rinoa was becoming aggrivated and crossed her arms.
"What the hell is so funny?" She demanded. "Lady we don't have any money." Irvine said when the two finally calmed themselves. "Boxers don't make that much money unless they're real professionals, world champions, Olympic winners." Seifer added.
"So you don't care if I tell everyone that their champ is gay?" She said. "I am not gay and since when did everyone care if I was or not?" Seifer asked. "Since I saw you the other night in here having a moment with that other kid." She pulled out the pictures and showed them to him. Seifer looked through them getting more annoyed with each one.
"What are you sick? You can't put something like this on T.V." Seifer said. "Can't I? I will if you don't cooperate and give me a story for the news tonight." Rinoa said.
"Wait just a damn minute," Irvine said. "I don't think you realize the situation here. We could have you arrested for this ya know." He said taking the pictures from Seifer.
"And how do you figure that?" Rinoa said.
"Its called invasion of privacy, peeping toms, spying- whatever the hell you wanna call it. We've got the proof right here." He said holding up the pictures. "You can't prove I took those." She said quickly trying to snatch them away from Irvine but he raised his arm from her. "We'll figure out somethin' count on it. Now get the hell outta here." He said. Rinoa glared at both of them then scoffed.
"Fine play dumb but I will get this story out there and there goes both your careers." She turned away. "That's what you think." Irvine said. "Oh and keep the pictures, I've got plenty of copies." She added and left the gym. Right after she left Squall and Zell showed up outside.
"There she is should we do something?" Zell asked. "No let her go, I need to talk to Seifer and Irvine." Squall said getting out of the car. "Well I'll wait out here. I don't think I should be there right now." Zell said sadly. Squall gave him a sympathetic look. "Okay. I'll be back as soon as I can." He closed his door and went inside the gym. Zell watched him go and sighed deeply.
Squall went in and looked for Seifer and Irvine finding them at the food and drink bar. He went over to them and stood there until they finished talking.
"Squall?" Irvine said surprised. "What are you doin' back here?" Irvine asked. "We need to talk." Squall said plainly. "About that busy body reporter, yeah." Irvine agreed.
"She can't do anything right? She has no power in this city." Seifer said. "Still I don't want Zell getting hurt in this. He came here to make something of himself and have his own life. I don't need his being exposed to ruin all that." Squall said looking directly at Seifer. "Not to mention this might effect the championship game, what if they don't want a gay person fighting or winning. What if someone complains?" He added.
"I don't see what the problem is we're gay so what if they are." Irvine said. "Nobody cares about the coaches when it comes to these things, that's what the problem is." Squall explained. Irvine nodded in agreement. They were all quiet a moment thinking over the real issue at hand and how to solve it.
'I hurt him enough already I don't want this to make things worse. I should have just pushed him away last night. What was he thinking?' Seifer thought.
'Irvine probably doesn't even care anymore I hurt him so much. Maybe he has nothing to lose in this but I do.' Squall thought.
'I gotta figure out a way to fix this mess before it gets out of hand. Maybe Squall will respect me more and see how good we work together if I can fix it. I can show him that I'm not just in it for myslef' Irvine was thinking.
"Hey I got an idea," Irvine piped up. The other two looked in his direction. "We'll just expose ourselves." He said happily. "What?" Seifer asked. "Yeah, beat her at her own game. We go to the news station the papers whatever and tell them the story oursleves. It'll be less damaging that way without her lies and rumors." Irvine explained to them and Squall thought about it. "That could work." He said.
"What? Wait a minute I'm not gay." Seifer said. "Please," Irvine spat at him in disbelief, he then took out his cel phone and started dialing.
"Who are you calling?" Squall asked. "The police, I'm gonna have that little bitch arrested before she can do anymore damage."
"What policemens gonna help us?" Seifer asked. "We don't have the best track record around here for good citizens."
"I think one will, remember that guy that was outside of the apartment during the drug search thing?" Irvine asked Seifer. He thought about it trying to think of who Irvine was talking about.
("Look I'm sorry but I can't help you right now. I don't even know what's goin' on but I assure you officers, and people that Seifer is not on any steroids and is legally entered in the games." "Can you show us your apartment........ coach?" The officer said with a rude tone.
Seifer suddenly stood up and walked over to where Irvine was with the other cop right behind him. "No he can't and there's no reason to." Seifer interrupted.
"Seifer-"
"Shut up Irvine, you guys can't search anything without a warrant and I don't see one." Seifer said standing in the cop with the attitudes face looking down at him. The cop nodded to his partner and slowly backed off. "Alright then, but we'll be back. Lets go." He went back to the car but his partner lingered behind.
"I hope everything works out alright, I love watching you fight and Irvine you do a great job and all." He whispered to them. "Why thank you." Irvine said to the man nodded and backed up.
"Alright everyone else clear out now lets go." The group listened to the officer and slowly departed from the building.)
He remembered that day clearly and there was one officer who seemed genuinely nice and seemed to be big fans of the two.
"Right, that guy." Seifer said after a moment. "Well I hope this guy can do what you say." Squall said. "I'm going to tell Zell what's going on." After getting a nod from Irvine Squall left the gym.
"Alright thanks alot officer, I appreciate it very much. Heh heh you too." Irvine finished his conversation and put his phone away.
"Well he's on his way to that reporter's place right now. They can't really arrest her for anything but he said he'd hold her for us." Irvine told Seifer. "Wait a minute how did you find the same guy, we didn't even get his name?" Seifer asked. "I asked around, they remembered that day all too well and found the guy for me. Of course I had to promise him free tickets for Friday's game to do it." Irvine explained.
"So now what?" Seifer asked. "Uh," Irvine thought about it pulling on his ponytail. "I guess we should get to the newspaper before they start prinitng copies of those pictures." "Speaking of that I wanna keep those pictures." Seifer said and Irvine looked at him suspiciously.
"You do? What for?" He asked getting a hint of humor in his voice. "Not for whatever sick reason you have in mind. I just wanna get rid of them myself." Seifer tried explaining as believeable as possible. "Yeah alright." Irvine said sarcastically handing Seifer the folder of photos.
..................................
Outside of the gym. Squall made it to Zell who was standing outside of the car waiting.
"What happened? Do they know?" Zell asked when Squall reached him. "Yeah she apparently threatened them too. Don't worry we came up with an idea and everything should be fine."
"Phew, thank Hyne because man I don't think I could handle anymore drama right now." Zell said sighing with relief. "Don't celebrate just yet," Squall stated and Zell threw him a worried glance. "Why not?" He asked his coach slowly.
"Well you might have to tell the papers your gay and when everyone finds out it might mean you can't play in the final game."
"What!?"
"I don't know for sure, I'm just saying it's possible."
"Oh great, what if Ma finds out about this? I haven't even told her yet and the whole damn city is going to know pretty soon." Zell fell backwards against the car and covered his face with his hands.
"It won't be that bad." Squall said and patted Zell on the arm, then Seifer and Irvine joined them.
"So is your cop friend helping?" Squall asked Irvine. "Yup, he's on his way to get the little tramp now. We figured that we should go down to the newspaper and see how far they've gotten into this." "Good idea." Squall said. Zell and Seifer were avoiding looking at each other the whole time Irvine and Squall talked.
'I wonder if he blames me for all this?' Zell asked himself. 'I would if I were him, gods why am I so stupid? I should have just left the gym when he told me to the first time then none of this would have happened. Now everyone's going to know and Ma's gonna find out. Who knows what they'll all think of me now.'
"Come on guys lets get this over with." Squall said and the four seperated, getting into their cars.
* * *
Just as Rinoa was getting out of her car a police car drove up her street. She went to her door getting out her house key.
"Stupid boxers. They obviously don't know who they're messing with. This reporter won't be so easily ignored."
Just as she turned her doorknob a pair of handcuffs slapped over her wrist.
"Hey what the!?" She spun around to find a police officer behind her. "Miss Caraway you are under arrest for breaking and entering into the Deling City gym." He grabbed her other arm and cuffed it too.
"What, you have no right. Let me go!" She tried pulling herself free but had no luck. The officer started pulling down the driveway to his patrol car. "This is unbelieveable. You can't do this to me!" "I can and I am, you are also coming in for loitering and stalking." The officer said. "Stalking!" Rinoa shouted getting pissed off and in complete disbelief.
Before she could say anything else the officer started reading her her rights and putting her in back of the patrol car.
"Oh my news cast." She whined and stomped her foot inside the car.
* * *
The four men made it to Delings newspaper just as the crew began bundling up the papers.
"Stop the presses!" Irvine cried out as they entered the building. "I always wanted to say that." He told the others who just rolled their eyes, except Zell, who laughed.
"What's going on out here?" The editor of Deling's paper said. He saw the four and smirked recognizing Seifer and Zell from the pictures.
"Well look who it is, our boxing faeries." The man said. "Watch your mouth." Squall told the man giving him the glare of death. "Alright alright. Look I don't want any trouble so if you're here to stop us from printing out those pictures, you're too late." The editor grabbed a fresh copy of the afternoon paper and held it up for them to see.
Front page headline: TOTAL KNOCK OUT OF THE CLOSET underneath that was one of the photos Rinoa had taken of that night. It was a distant shot so you couldn't really tell what the two were doing in it.
"Here ya go, you can have the first copy on the house." The man held out the paper and Squall snatched it from him. "You can't sell these," Squall said rolling up the paper. "Its not right." "Well its my job to get Delings news out there and this is big news considering it involves our beloved champ." The editor said looking towards Seifer.
'I can't believe this guy. What's wrong with people around here.' Zell asked himself. He suddenly started realizing what Seifer meant about getting sick of the press and being in the public eye.
"Look, what does it matter anyway? Can't you just change the front page?" Zell asked in a desperate attempt. "It'd be too much work I'm afraid and we need to get this paper out now." The editor replied. Zell sighed in defeat.
"What if we pay you?" Irvine tried. The man just shook his head. "You know the..... woman that gave you this information was arrested, so if you don't wanna be turned in as her accomplis I suggest you do what we asked." Squall piped in. "Arrested?" The editor asked taken aback. "You can't arrest me for printing the truth." The man laughed.
"No but we could sue you for it." Squall added. The man looked a little more concerned now and began rubbing his chin. "Well we wouldn't want that but what can I do its too late now and this is good news." "Look sir all we're askin' is for you to stop this issue from going out today. After that we don't care what you do with the information." Irivne said.
The newspaper editor looked at each one of them then to the clock on the wall. He sighed and shook his head. "Alright you win but it'll cost ya still." He said. The four of them smiled in relief that this little problem was over for now.
"How much?" Seifer asked. "Five hundred bucks." "Five hundred?" Zell said more to himself, in disbelief. The man nodded. "Don't worry we'll take care of it, just give us time to go and get your money." Irvine said. "You've got an hour if you're not back with the money by then this papers goin' out."
The four men turned and left the building relieved that things were settled but still upset that the situation even occured.
"So where are you gonna get this money from?" Seifer asked Irvine. "You told that reporter we didn't have any."
"Yeah well I lied. I've been saving up for awhile." Irvine said.
"What! And you haven't given me any?" Seifer asked.
"And why should I have, you probably would have wasted it all on crack and what the fuck ever else. Its just the winnings from people betting on your games and what the league gives me nothin' much." Irvine explained.
"So we've been living like poor people for what reason?" Seifer asked still upset with the fact that Irvine had money, enough to spare five hundred dollars and kept it to himself.
"Never mind that now, lets just go get it and pay this damn man." Irvine said. He turned to Squall and Zell who'd been listening quielty. "We'll take it from here now." He said to Squall who scoffed at him. "Fine, come on Zell." Squall and Zell turned away to go to Squall's car.
"Thanks." Squall said to Irvine before they got in the car and drove away.
"You're welcome." Irvine said quietly to himself. "Alright lets go and then maybe we can get back to training." Irvine said facing Seifer. "Can't believe that bitch made us waste half the day runnin' around."
Seifer nodded in agreement as they walked to his car. "So tell me again why you aren't sharing this money," Seifer started. "I said forget it." Irvine answered. "Yeah but I'm not doing drugs anymore so how about-" "Just shut up and drive."
* * *
Zell and Squall went back to the gym after leaving the other two. They were attempting to workout with the punching bags but weren't getting very far. Both being distracted by the events of that morning.
"Hey Squall." Zell said stopping himself from hitting the reflex bag. Squall looked up from the bench he was on waiting for Zell to go on. He cleared his throat before speaking again. "I know the final match is tomorrow and we should be training and I know you said not to get distracted but this isn't about Seifer."
Squall remained quiet waiting for Zell to finish. "Well its just I think I should talk to Ma, tell her what's going on before she finds out some other way."
Squall thought about it quietly then stood up. "Alright lets go home. We both need a break anyway."
"Thanks." Zell said and started taking off his gloves.
* * *
At the apartment Squall had just come out of the bathroom and dropped himself onto the couch. He turned his head in the direction of the kitchen where Zell was on the phone.
"No Ma its not that..... of course I knew then........ I don't kno- Ma look its not a big deal. I know and I'm sorry but-" Zell argued on the phone with his mom for awhile and Squall got off the couch and started throwing away their lunch trash.
"Don't worry about it Ma. I'll probably be coming home after the game tomorrow anyway." Zell said solemnly into the phone. Squall paused from what he was doing and stared at him curiously listening to the rest of the conversation.
"Alright, we'll talk later then okay? Love you too." Zell hung up the phone then slunked down on the kitchen table burying his head in his arms. He started making little whimpering noises. Squall finished putting away the garbage then took a seat beside Zell.
"I thought you didn't want to go home? At least not so soon." He said making Zell lift his head slightly. "Why not, it's not like I'll have anything left to keep me here, especially if I lose tomorrow night." Zell said. "Don't say that because you don't know. Besides what happened to persuing your new found love?" Squall asked sounding a little spitefull.
"He doesn't want me, not after everything I've done, all the problems I caused." Zell put his head back down.
"It wasn't all your fault, it takes two right? I guess I understand though, things aren't exactly great for me either."
"Irvine right?" Zell asked looking up again. Squall nodded. "Yeah what's going on with that. I thought you two were like an item. He's a good guy from what I know."
"He is but like you said I've just caused too many problems for both of us. No point in sticking around without a reason." Squall sighed then continued. "Maybe we should go back after the game." Squall said after their breif moment of silence. Zell looked like he was mentally agreeing with what Squall had said.
.........................................
In apartment 13E above theirs, Seifer was sitting in his room alone holding the photos Rinoa had taken. Irvine was out taking the money back to the newspaper like he'd said he would.
Seifer sighed flicking through the pictures for the third time. 'Why is he so stupid?' He asked himself mentally referring to Zell. "Why'd he have to show up anyway and now of all fucking times." He threw the pictures and fell backwards on the bed. "I should be training right now not lying here thinking about him. He has some nerve coming into my territory and-"
Before he could finish his thought Seifer stopped himself and sat up. "I need to take a walk." He got off the bed and picked up the pictures placing them on top of a desk. He grabbed his coat and was about to leave but remembered Irvine's new policy and wrote a note for him.
After leaving the note on the coffee table he left the apartment. He got on the elevator and instead of going to the first floor he detoured and went to Zell's floor. Getting off he walked down the hall to his competitors door and stood there. He stared at the door remembering the first time Zell had brought him to the apartment, after their game.
(Zell and Seifer made it to the apartment and were coming out of the elevator on Zell's floor. The beer Seifer drank in the car was making his buzz return and he was laughing the whole way to Zell's door hanging off of the smaller boy. Zell kept looking back, smiling to himself, liking the closeness whether Seifer was drunk or not. "I thought you said you could handle your liquor?" Zell laughed out.
"I'm fine." Seifer said but when he tried to stand up on his own he fell into Zell pushing him against the apartment door. Seifer laughed then lied his head against the door. Zell sucked in a breath and tried to steady his breathing. Seifer was extremely close to him more than just an arm around his shoulders he could smell his musky but heavenly smell like they'd just got out of the showers at the arena.)
They went inside and talked not knowing that things would get out of hand and lead to something more.
'The hell am I doing here?' Seifer asked himself snapping out of the visions in his head. He turned away from the door and went back to the elevator, not sure what he'd planned on doing if he had knocked on the door and Zell answered. Once he was in the safety of the elevator he sighed and ran his hands down over his face.
"I need to clear my head and stop thinking about him. I need to worry about the game only and deal with whatever else later." He took the elevator back up to his apartment, forgetting all about his walk.
When he got back inside the room he took his coat off and tossed it in the closet. "Where the hell is Irvine?" He asked himself out loud noticing that he still wasn't back from the newspaper. "He tells you you can talk to him and he's never around when you need to."
Sighing he took a seat on the couch and started flicking through the T.V channels.
..........................................
Afte r paying off the newspaper editor Irvine decided to take a walk before going back to the apartment. He didn't forget that he still hadn't fixed things with Squall and he wanted to more than anything. He just wasn't sure how.
'Everyone keeps saying I'm self absorbed and careless. Maybe if I could just show him I'm not he'd give me another chance.' Irvine thought as he walked on.
A few people on the street waved to him and said 'hi' as he passed. Even though he felt miserable and was lost in thought Irvine managed to put on a smile and wave back or smile at them. He kept walking on trying to remember anything that might be able to help him get Squall back.
("No, nothing I understood, wait that's what he said, I don't understand. Ha! understand what, that he's a fucking crack head. This match is being broadcast live Squall everywhere. Do you know what it'll look like for me if he doesn't show. There goes my reputation, he never thinks about me." Suddenly Squall drops Irvine's hand and stands up. Irvine, confused, looks up at him.
"You know Irvine maybe if you'd stop thinking about yourself and your fucking image for one minute you would understand things. Its been years now and you're still doing it, you never learn. Now you come to me like you've got a problem when its really him with the problem. It can't always be about you Irvine."
"Wait a minute what are you talking about?" "Damnit Irvine, you're still gonna play stupid aren't you. This guy- Seifer ran away from you because he has a problem and obviously knows you don't really wanna hear about it because you're too obsessed with yourself. Do you wanna know why we broke up years ago, because I started those rumors about you sleeping with your students!" Squall said and turned around away from Irvine.
"You? I don't get it, why?" Irvine stood to stand behind him but not too close, Squall ran his hand through his hair and sighed.
"Because, because I wanted you to quit. You got so obsessed with yourself and your "image" you completely ignored the fact that we were together. I tried to put up with it, I tried for years but it wasn't working. So I started getting absorbed in my own work to ignore the problem. Then you ended it because of that. I guess I brought it on myself though." Squall sat on the table again and Irvine was still behind him, staring at the back of his head in shock.)
"That's it alright, I need to get my act together and remember what's more important now."
"Hey Cowboy!"
Irivne heard a voice not far from him and he looked up ahead seeing Laguna standing outside the bar. He smiled and walked up to him.
"Hey what are you doin' out here?" Irvine asked the bar tender when he reached him. "Taking out the trash," Laguna said holding up a bag of garbage. "What brings you out here alone?" Laguna asked back. "Just thinkin' a little." Irvine replied. "Well how about a drink you look like shit." Laguna suggested walking Irvine into the bar.
"Hey Irivne can't wait for Friday's game." A man at a pool table shouted at him when the two entered the bar. "You and me both buddy." Irvine said back. They went to the bar and Irvine took a seat while Laguna went behind the bar to make their drinks.
"So you wanna talk to me about it, you know what you're thinking about." He asked handing Irvine a glass of whisky. "You know the game's tomorrow night and we haven't had much time to get ready, Seifer's- I don't know what's with him. We're both distracted really." He took a sip from his glass when he stopped talking.
"Uh huh are you sure that's it?" Laguna asked him leaning against the counter. Irvine looked at him suspiciously like he knew something and was waiting for him to say it.
"Alright, you know Squall Leonhart?" "Yeah sort of." "Well he and I used to be an item right and then he shows up again and I thought maybe we could give it another try but I screwed up again." Irvine blurted out. "All I wanna do is get him back."
"I see," Laguna said nodding his head. "Well did you try talking to him?"
"Sorta, he said it's not the right time and damned if I know what that means."
"Well maybe now's the right time you should just tell him what you want, let him know how you feel. Cause if this relationship thing is gonna distract your coaching you'd better fix it quick." Laguna stood up and smacked the counter top with his hand.
"........Yeah you're right, if I put this off any longer I might lose him for good. Thanks man." Irvine leaned forwards and gave Laguna a quick kiss then downed the last of his drink and ran from the bar. Laguna was a little shocked by what just happened and the other guys in the bar were laughing at him and making 'ooh aah' sounds.
"Ah shut up or I'll collect payment on all your tabs." Laguna said to them and everyone immediately stopped. "Thought so, I gotta get a new job." He mumbled to himself going back to work.
* * *
In Squall and Zell's apartment the two were sitting on the couch watching a boxing game. Zell looked tired and close to sleep while Squall was busy being lost in his thoughts. He was thinking- of course- of Irvine.
'Why can't he just understand what I need from him? I'm not that subtle about it. Am I? I guess it doesn't really matter anymore if we go back to Balamb this weekend.'
He sighed and turned off the t.v making Zell snap up in attention.
"What'd you do that for I was watching it?" Zell said through a yawn. "No you weren't," Squall said standing and dropping the remote in his place. "I'm going out for awhile. You get some sleep."
"Where are you going?" Zell asked standing himself and stretching.
"To the gym." Squall answered already at the closet getting his jacket. "Oh. Well have fun and don't stay out too late and be careful." Zell told him imitating what Squall always said to him before he went anywhere.
"Funny, I'll have my phone with me call if you need to."
Zell waved before Squall was out the door then he yawned again and flopped down on the couch lying himself across it.
..............................................
Twenty minutes later someone knocks on the door waking a half sleeping Zell. "Huh?" He heard the knocking again and sighed getting up slowly. "I'm coming." He said drowsily when he got to the door he was surprised to see Irvine standing on the other side.
He blinked at the other man. "Irvine?" Irivne smiled at him. "Hey kid, Squall here?" He asked sounding kind of urgent. "Uh no he left awhile ago...........," Zell paused rubbing his head trying to remember where Squall was. "Oh right, he went to the gym, I don't know why but you want me to call him for you?"
"No no thanks, I'll just wait for him. See ya around kid and good luck for tomorrow." Irivne tipped his hat down to Zell. "Thanks." Zell said and when Irivne walked away he closed the door and went back to his couch.
'At the gym huh, its pretty late so he might be alone and I might have my chance to talk to him.' Irvine thought while he went to the elevator going up to his floor. When he got inside his apartment, he slammed the door and rushed in to his room and started changing his clothes to something more comfortable. A pair of black jeans and a brown tank top. When he came out of the room he banged into Seifer.
"Where the hell have you been for.........." Seifer paused his sentence to check the time from the clock in Irvine's room. "Three hours?! Do you know I've been waiting here talking to myself like a moron."
"Sorry partner. I just needed to clear my head and now if you'll excuse me I've got some business to take care of." Irvine pushed past Seifer and headed for the door again.
"Wait where are you going now?" Seifer asked turning in Irvine's direction but not moving from where he stood.
"To the gym, don't wait up alright." With that Irvine was out the door. "But- uuuugh! Fucking prick." Seifer went out into the living room and turned out the lights then turned off the t.v. Then he went into his room and slammed the door shut.
* * *
At the gym Squall was suited up in his boxing gloves, he had his shirt and boots off and was only wearing his leather pants.
He'd got permission to use the gym for the night and the owner in the building made sure the building was completely empty of others before leaving Squall alone.
He was in the back room where they kept the boxing equipment, the same place Zell had been when he first met Seifer. He was working out with the large bag that hung from the cieling, bouncing around and punching it with a fierceness.
...............................................
Irvine got to the gym and saw all the lights off excpet a distant one in the back. "Squall." He said quietly to himself. He paid the cab guy then tried the gym door but it was locked. Luckily the owner was a close friend of his and had given him a key a long time ago for Seifer's late night practices.
He pulled the key from his pocket and unlocked the large glass double doors. When he was inside he made his way towards the back room.
'I hope he's in the mood to talk right now.' He thought to himself. When he got to the area Squall was in he stood outside of the room looking in through the glass wall. He watched Squall punch at the bag looking miserable and angry at the same time. Irvine knew why, it was the same reason he'd been feeling like shit for days. He planned on putting an end to their misery that night.
He walked inside the room quietly so Squall wouldn't know he was there yet. Irvine made his way to the supply closet and grabbed a pair of gloves for himself and put them on. He kicked off his boots and made his way to Squall.
....When you're on top of the world
when its got you down
when you're flying through the air
and when you're crashing to the ground
when you're searching for the answer and its nowhere to be found
just find me baby....
Irvine stood behind Squall then tapped him on the shoulder. Squall turned around surprised and Irivne lightly and playfully tapped him on the head with his glove.
"Irvine?" Irvine smiled at him. "You shouldn't let you're guard down like that, I could've been a killer or somethin'." Irvine said with a laugh. "What are you doing here?" Squall asked not really amused.
"I came here to talk to you........ about us." Irvine said. "There's nothing to say." Squall turned away from him and started hitting the punching bag again. "Sure there is, you're just afraid to say it." Irvine went around to Squall's front blocking the bag.
Squall stopped his fist from hitting Irivne and dropped his arms sighing with aggrivation.
"Don't take your aggression out on the bag," Irvine said. "Hit me."
Squall stared at him confused. "What?" "Come on you're obviously holdin' somethin' in and if you don't wanna talk lets fight." Irvine explained and he bopped Squall on the head again.
"This is stupid." Squall mumbled crossing his arms. "Maybe, but it'll help." Irvine said and hit Squall again but harder this time on his shoulder.
"Cut it out Irvine."
"Not until you tell me what I can do to make things better with us."
Squall tried walking away but Irvine grabbed him back and turned Squall around punching him in the face. Squall fell to the ground and got back up growling then punched Irvine back in his face.
"Now you're gettin' it." Irvine said. "Fine, you wanna know what my problem is....... you." Squall stated and swung at Irvine again hitting him in the jaw. "Alright what did I do?" Irvine asked hitting Squall back. "You only care about yourself and being the man on top. You never stop to think about me or us, if there ever was an us."
The two moved around each other sparring with one another but making sure not to hit too hard.
"You're right and I know that now. I didn't think it was a big deal I just thought I was lookin' out for myself. I just wanted to be someone important."
"So you'd just put that in front of me, fame and fortune- fuck a relationship!" Squall said.
"Come on Squall I'd never put anything before you not then not now. I just thought you were ok with it. I didn't know it was hurting you. Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I wanted you to be happy and if that's what made you happy then so be it."
....I don't want to be the strings
that ever tie you down
I won't ever be the broken wings
that keep you on the ground
But when you start to see
I will be the sound, just let me know baby....
"But if you'd of just told me I would have been happier with you." Irvine said "Yeah right." Squall mumbled and Irvine punched him in the chest and knocked him to the floor again. He then dropped to the mats himself straddling over Squall and pinning him down.
"Damnit Squall, I'd do anything for you I mean that." "Even after what I did to us then? The rumors I spread about you and everything else." Squall asked trying to sit himself up on his elbows. "That wasn't so bad compared to how I treated you. I shouldn't have ignored you like that."
It was silent for a moment and the two just stared at each other." Squall I'm sorry and I want us to try again, please. I need you more than some stupid coaching career." Squall stared up at Irvine in shock not sure what to say but he knew what he wanted to say.
....I only wanna be the one you love
I only wanna be the one you want
Come and get me baby let me loose inside your soul
I only wanna be your every need
I wanna be the one in all your dreams
I'll do anything to be the one you love....
Squall leaned upwards and kissed Irvine then he grabbed the back of Irvine's head pulling him down into the kiss. The two started struggling to get their gloves off while kissing hungrily.
....Baby you can tell me everything
All the secrets of your heart
If you could look inside of me
You'd see how beautiful you are
I wanna show you everything
Each and every part of me is yours
Just take it baby....
When they got the gloves off they dropped them aside and held onto each other. They broke the kiss panting in each others mouths. "I didn't mean to try ruining your career, I just wanted us to have more time together. It was like you loved the game more than me and I couldn't handle it then." Squall said.
"I know darlin and that's why after the game I'm quittin' Seifer can find a new coach and-"
"No Irvine you don't have to quit. I know how much you love coaching and you and Seifer are a match set."
"Then what about us?"
"We'll figure it out. Just promise me if we get into this relationship again you'll be a part of it one hundred percent."
Irvine leaned down and kissed Squall again. "I promise."
....Let me be the lover
you want to uncover
Let me be the one you love....
The two started kissing again but not as rough as before. Irvine put his hands in Squall's hair while Squall put his hands on Irvine's jean undoing the button. Irvine sat up and pulled his shirt off then started opening Squall's pants.
....I only wanna be the one you love
I only wanna be the one you want
Come and get me baby let me loose inside your soul
I only wanna be your every need
I wanna be the one in all your dreams
I'll do anything to be the one you love....
"Forgive me?" Irvine asked pulling away again. "Only if you forgive me." Squall said back. "Deal."
The two began making love on the floor mats forgetting how late it was and forgetting the stupid things they'd done, forgetting there was a game tomorrow. The only thing on their minds right then was each other.
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My apologies for the long long long wait on this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it, if there's any mistakes etc its because I'm back on text, so bear with it please. R/R I always appreciate it you know that. The next chapter is in the works so it should be updated soon and might be the final chapter.
The song at the end was by one of my favorites, Paulina Rubio- The One You Love a very beautiful song.
Thank you all for your comments and stay with me its almost over- Linkin
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< br> Chapter 23
Rinoa drove quickly to the gym hoping Seifer and Irvine were there. The two had switched machines again and Seifer was running the treadmil, while Irvine leaned against a nearby machine.
"You know you could do the workouts too." Seifer said and Irvine smiled. "Nah I'm as fit as a- reporter." Irvine said and Seifer made a noise saying 'that was the stupidest thing he'd ever heard' until he looked in the direction Irvine was and saw Rinoa.
"Ain't that the gal from the clinic?" Irvine asked and Seifer slowed his machine to a stop and got off. "Yeah and that's the same stupid bitch that was talking about the drugs." He stood beside Irvine and they waited while she made her way to them.
"Let me get to the point gentlemen," She said when she approached them. Seifer and Irvine gave each other a glance then looked back at Rinoa. "I'm a hard working woman but I don't really get the appreciation I deserve, until now." She held up the envelope with the pictures in it. "I have photos in here of our beloved champ getting a serious blow job from Deling's newest little boxing star."
"Lady what the hell are you gettin' at?" Irvine asked. "These pictures will be seen across the city by this afternoon unless you pay up." Rinoa explained and the two looked at each other again then broke into a fit of laughter. Rinoa was becoming aggrivated and crossed her arms.
"What the hell is so funny?" She demanded. "Lady we don't have any money." Irvine said when the two finally calmed themselves. "Boxers don't make that much money unless they're real professionals, world champions, Olympic winners." Seifer added.
"So you don't care if I tell everyone that their champ is gay?" She said. "I am not gay and since when did everyone care if I was or not?" Seifer asked. "Since I saw you the other night in here having a moment with that other kid." She pulled out the pictures and showed them to him. Seifer looked through them getting more annoyed with each one.
"What are you sick? You can't put something like this on T.V." Seifer said. "Can't I? I will if you don't cooperate and give me a story for the news tonight." Rinoa said.
"Wait just a damn minute," Irvine said. "I don't think you realize the situation here. We could have you arrested for this ya know." He said taking the pictures from Seifer.
"And how do you figure that?" Rinoa said.
"Its called invasion of privacy, peeping toms, spying- whatever the hell you wanna call it. We've got the proof right here." He said holding up the pictures. "You can't prove I took those." She said quickly trying to snatch them away from Irvine but he raised his arm from her. "We'll figure out somethin' count on it. Now get the hell outta here." He said. Rinoa glared at both of them then scoffed.
"Fine play dumb but I will get this story out there and there goes both your careers." She turned away. "That's what you think." Irvine said. "Oh and keep the pictures, I've got plenty of copies." She added and left the gym. Right after she left Squall and Zell showed up outside.
"There she is should we do something?" Zell asked. "No let her go, I need to talk to Seifer and Irvine." Squall said getting out of the car. "Well I'll wait out here. I don't think I should be there right now." Zell said sadly. Squall gave him a sympathetic look. "Okay. I'll be back as soon as I can." He closed his door and went inside the gym. Zell watched him go and sighed deeply.
Squall went in and looked for Seifer and Irvine finding them at the food and drink bar. He went over to them and stood there until they finished talking.
"Squall?" Irvine said surprised. "What are you doin' back here?" Irvine asked. "We need to talk." Squall said plainly. "About that busy body reporter, yeah." Irvine agreed.
"She can't do anything right? She has no power in this city." Seifer said. "Still I don't want Zell getting hurt in this. He came here to make something of himself and have his own life. I don't need his being exposed to ruin all that." Squall said looking directly at Seifer. "Not to mention this might effect the championship game, what if they don't want a gay person fighting or winning. What if someone complains?" He added.
"I don't see what the problem is we're gay so what if they are." Irvine said. "Nobody cares about the coaches when it comes to these things, that's what the problem is." Squall explained. Irvine nodded in agreement. They were all quiet a moment thinking over the real issue at hand and how to solve it.
'I hurt him enough already I don't want this to make things worse. I should have just pushed him away last night. What was he thinking?' Seifer thought.
'Irvine probably doesn't even care anymore I hurt him so much. Maybe he has nothing to lose in this but I do.' Squall thought.
'I gotta figure out a way to fix this mess before it gets out of hand. Maybe Squall will respect me more and see how good we work together if I can fix it. I can show him that I'm not just in it for myslef' Irvine was thinking.
"Hey I got an idea," Irvine piped up. The other two looked in his direction. "We'll just expose ourselves." He said happily. "What?" Seifer asked. "Yeah, beat her at her own game. We go to the news station the papers whatever and tell them the story oursleves. It'll be less damaging that way without her lies and rumors." Irvine explained to them and Squall thought about it. "That could work." He said.
"What? Wait a minute I'm not gay." Seifer said. "Please," Irvine spat at him in disbelief, he then took out his cel phone and started dialing.
"Who are you calling?" Squall asked. "The police, I'm gonna have that little bitch arrested before she can do anymore damage."
"What policemens gonna help us?" Seifer asked. "We don't have the best track record around here for good citizens."
"I think one will, remember that guy that was outside of the apartment during the drug search thing?" Irvine asked Seifer. He thought about it trying to think of who Irvine was talking about.
("Look I'm sorry but I can't help you right now. I don't even know what's goin' on but I assure you officers, and people that Seifer is not on any steroids and is legally entered in the games." "Can you show us your apartment........ coach?" The officer said with a rude tone.
Seifer suddenly stood up and walked over to where Irvine was with the other cop right behind him. "No he can't and there's no reason to." Seifer interrupted.
"Seifer-"
"Shut up Irvine, you guys can't search anything without a warrant and I don't see one." Seifer said standing in the cop with the attitudes face looking down at him. The cop nodded to his partner and slowly backed off. "Alright then, but we'll be back. Lets go." He went back to the car but his partner lingered behind.
"I hope everything works out alright, I love watching you fight and Irvine you do a great job and all." He whispered to them. "Why thank you." Irvine said to the man nodded and backed up.
"Alright everyone else clear out now lets go." The group listened to the officer and slowly departed from the building.)
He remembered that day clearly and there was one officer who seemed genuinely nice and seemed to be big fans of the two.
"Right, that guy." Seifer said after a moment. "Well I hope this guy can do what you say." Squall said. "I'm going to tell Zell what's going on." After getting a nod from Irvine Squall left the gym.
"Alright thanks alot officer, I appreciate it very much. Heh heh you too." Irvine finished his conversation and put his phone away.
"Well he's on his way to that reporter's place right now. They can't really arrest her for anything but he said he'd hold her for us." Irvine told Seifer. "Wait a minute how did you find the same guy, we didn't even get his name?" Seifer asked. "I asked around, they remembered that day all too well and found the guy for me. Of course I had to promise him free tickets for Friday's game to do it." Irvine explained.
"So now what?" Seifer asked. "Uh," Irvine thought about it pulling on his ponytail. "I guess we should get to the newspaper before they start prinitng copies of those pictures." "Speaking of that I wanna keep those pictures." Seifer said and Irvine looked at him suspiciously.
"You do? What for?" He asked getting a hint of humor in his voice. "Not for whatever sick reason you have in mind. I just wanna get rid of them myself." Seifer tried explaining as believeable as possible. "Yeah alright." Irvine said sarcastically handing Seifer the folder of photos.
..................................
Outside of the gym. Squall made it to Zell who was standing outside of the car waiting.
"What happened? Do they know?" Zell asked when Squall reached him. "Yeah she apparently threatened them too. Don't worry we came up with an idea and everything should be fine."
"Phew, thank Hyne because man I don't think I could handle anymore drama right now." Zell said sighing with relief. "Don't celebrate just yet," Squall stated and Zell threw him a worried glance. "Why not?" He asked his coach slowly.
"Well you might have to tell the papers your gay and when everyone finds out it might mean you can't play in the final game."
"What!?"
"I don't know for sure, I'm just saying it's possible."
"Oh great, what if Ma finds out about this? I haven't even told her yet and the whole damn city is going to know pretty soon." Zell fell backwards against the car and covered his face with his hands.
"It won't be that bad." Squall said and patted Zell on the arm, then Seifer and Irvine joined them.
"So is your cop friend helping?" Squall asked Irvine. "Yup, he's on his way to get the little tramp now. We figured that we should go down to the newspaper and see how far they've gotten into this." "Good idea." Squall said. Zell and Seifer were avoiding looking at each other the whole time Irvine and Squall talked.
'I wonder if he blames me for all this?' Zell asked himself. 'I would if I were him, gods why am I so stupid? I should have just left the gym when he told me to the first time then none of this would have happened. Now everyone's going to know and Ma's gonna find out. Who knows what they'll all think of me now.'
"Come on guys lets get this over with." Squall said and the four seperated, getting into their cars.
* * *
Just as Rinoa was getting out of her car a police car drove up her street. She went to her door getting out her house key.
"Stupid boxers. They obviously don't know who they're messing with. This reporter won't be so easily ignored."
Just as she turned her doorknob a pair of handcuffs slapped over her wrist.
"Hey what the!?" She spun around to find a police officer behind her. "Miss Caraway you are under arrest for breaking and entering into the Deling City gym." He grabbed her other arm and cuffed it too.
"What, you have no right. Let me go!" She tried pulling herself free but had no luck. The officer started pulling down the driveway to his patrol car. "This is unbelieveable. You can't do this to me!" "I can and I am, you are also coming in for loitering and stalking." The officer said. "Stalking!" Rinoa shouted getting pissed off and in complete disbelief.
Before she could say anything else the officer started reading her her rights and putting her in back of the patrol car.
"Oh my news cast." She whined and stomped her foot inside the car.
* * *
The four men made it to Delings newspaper just as the crew began bundling up the papers.
"Stop the presses!" Irvine cried out as they entered the building. "I always wanted to say that." He told the others who just rolled their eyes, except Zell, who laughed.
"What's going on out here?" The editor of Deling's paper said. He saw the four and smirked recognizing Seifer and Zell from the pictures.
"Well look who it is, our boxing faeries." The man said. "Watch your mouth." Squall told the man giving him the glare of death. "Alright alright. Look I don't want any trouble so if you're here to stop us from printing out those pictures, you're too late." The editor grabbed a fresh copy of the afternoon paper and held it up for them to see.
Front page headline: TOTAL KNOCK OUT OF THE CLOSET underneath that was one of the photos Rinoa had taken of that night. It was a distant shot so you couldn't really tell what the two were doing in it.
"Here ya go, you can have the first copy on the house." The man held out the paper and Squall snatched it from him. "You can't sell these," Squall said rolling up the paper. "Its not right." "Well its my job to get Delings news out there and this is big news considering it involves our beloved champ." The editor said looking towards Seifer.
'I can't believe this guy. What's wrong with people around here.' Zell asked himself. He suddenly started realizing what Seifer meant about getting sick of the press and being in the public eye.
"Look, what does it matter anyway? Can't you just change the front page?" Zell asked in a desperate attempt. "It'd be too much work I'm afraid and we need to get this paper out now." The editor replied. Zell sighed in defeat.
"What if we pay you?" Irvine tried. The man just shook his head. "You know the..... woman that gave you this information was arrested, so if you don't wanna be turned in as her accomplis I suggest you do what we asked." Squall piped in. "Arrested?" The editor asked taken aback. "You can't arrest me for printing the truth." The man laughed.
"No but we could sue you for it." Squall added. The man looked a little more concerned now and began rubbing his chin. "Well we wouldn't want that but what can I do its too late now and this is good news." "Look sir all we're askin' is for you to stop this issue from going out today. After that we don't care what you do with the information." Irivne said.
The newspaper editor looked at each one of them then to the clock on the wall. He sighed and shook his head. "Alright you win but it'll cost ya still." He said. The four of them smiled in relief that this little problem was over for now.
"How much?" Seifer asked. "Five hundred bucks." "Five hundred?" Zell said more to himself, in disbelief. The man nodded. "Don't worry we'll take care of it, just give us time to go and get your money." Irvine said. "You've got an hour if you're not back with the money by then this papers goin' out."
The four men turned and left the building relieved that things were settled but still upset that the situation even occured.
"So where are you gonna get this money from?" Seifer asked Irvine. "You told that reporter we didn't have any."
"Yeah well I lied. I've been saving up for awhile." Irvine said.
"What! And you haven't given me any?" Seifer asked.
"And why should I have, you probably would have wasted it all on crack and what the fuck ever else. Its just the winnings from people betting on your games and what the league gives me nothin' much." Irvine explained.
"So we've been living like poor people for what reason?" Seifer asked still upset with the fact that Irvine had money, enough to spare five hundred dollars and kept it to himself.
"Never mind that now, lets just go get it and pay this damn man." Irvine said. He turned to Squall and Zell who'd been listening quielty. "We'll take it from here now." He said to Squall who scoffed at him. "Fine, come on Zell." Squall and Zell turned away to go to Squall's car.
"Thanks." Squall said to Irvine before they got in the car and drove away.
"You're welcome." Irvine said quietly to himself. "Alright lets go and then maybe we can get back to training." Irvine said facing Seifer. "Can't believe that bitch made us waste half the day runnin' around."
Seifer nodded in agreement as they walked to his car. "So tell me again why you aren't sharing this money," Seifer started. "I said forget it." Irvine answered. "Yeah but I'm not doing drugs anymore so how about-" "Just shut up and drive."
* * *
Zell and Squall went back to the gym after leaving the other two. They were attempting to workout with the punching bags but weren't getting very far. Both being distracted by the events of that morning.
"Hey Squall." Zell said stopping himself from hitting the reflex bag. Squall looked up from the bench he was on waiting for Zell to go on. He cleared his throat before speaking again. "I know the final match is tomorrow and we should be training and I know you said not to get distracted but this isn't about Seifer."
Squall remained quiet waiting for Zell to finish. "Well its just I think I should talk to Ma, tell her what's going on before she finds out some other way."
Squall thought about it quietly then stood up. "Alright lets go home. We both need a break anyway."
"Thanks." Zell said and started taking off his gloves.
* * *
At the apartment Squall had just come out of the bathroom and dropped himself onto the couch. He turned his head in the direction of the kitchen where Zell was on the phone.
"No Ma its not that..... of course I knew then........ I don't kno- Ma look its not a big deal. I know and I'm sorry but-" Zell argued on the phone with his mom for awhile and Squall got off the couch and started throwing away their lunch trash.
"Don't worry about it Ma. I'll probably be coming home after the game tomorrow anyway." Zell said solemnly into the phone. Squall paused from what he was doing and stared at him curiously listening to the rest of the conversation.
"Alright, we'll talk later then okay? Love you too." Zell hung up the phone then slunked down on the kitchen table burying his head in his arms. He started making little whimpering noises. Squall finished putting away the garbage then took a seat beside Zell.
"I thought you didn't want to go home? At least not so soon." He said making Zell lift his head slightly. "Why not, it's not like I'll have anything left to keep me here, especially if I lose tomorrow night." Zell said. "Don't say that because you don't know. Besides what happened to persuing your new found love?" Squall asked sounding a little spitefull.
"He doesn't want me, not after everything I've done, all the problems I caused." Zell put his head back down.
"It wasn't all your fault, it takes two right? I guess I understand though, things aren't exactly great for me either."
"Irvine right?" Zell asked looking up again. Squall nodded. "Yeah what's going on with that. I thought you two were like an item. He's a good guy from what I know."
"He is but like you said I've just caused too many problems for both of us. No point in sticking around without a reason." Squall sighed then continued. "Maybe we should go back after the game." Squall said after their breif moment of silence. Zell looked like he was mentally agreeing with what Squall had said.
.........................................
In apartment 13E above theirs, Seifer was sitting in his room alone holding the photos Rinoa had taken. Irvine was out taking the money back to the newspaper like he'd said he would.
Seifer sighed flicking through the pictures for the third time. 'Why is he so stupid?' He asked himself mentally referring to Zell. "Why'd he have to show up anyway and now of all fucking times." He threw the pictures and fell backwards on the bed. "I should be training right now not lying here thinking about him. He has some nerve coming into my territory and-"
Before he could finish his thought Seifer stopped himself and sat up. "I need to take a walk." He got off the bed and picked up the pictures placing them on top of a desk. He grabbed his coat and was about to leave but remembered Irvine's new policy and wrote a note for him.
After leaving the note on the coffee table he left the apartment. He got on the elevator and instead of going to the first floor he detoured and went to Zell's floor. Getting off he walked down the hall to his competitors door and stood there. He stared at the door remembering the first time Zell had brought him to the apartment, after their game.
(Zell and Seifer made it to the apartment and were coming out of the elevator on Zell's floor. The beer Seifer drank in the car was making his buzz return and he was laughing the whole way to Zell's door hanging off of the smaller boy. Zell kept looking back, smiling to himself, liking the closeness whether Seifer was drunk or not. "I thought you said you could handle your liquor?" Zell laughed out.
"I'm fine." Seifer said but when he tried to stand up on his own he fell into Zell pushing him against the apartment door. Seifer laughed then lied his head against the door. Zell sucked in a breath and tried to steady his breathing. Seifer was extremely close to him more than just an arm around his shoulders he could smell his musky but heavenly smell like they'd just got out of the showers at the arena.)
They went inside and talked not knowing that things would get out of hand and lead to something more.
'The hell am I doing here?' Seifer asked himself snapping out of the visions in his head. He turned away from the door and went back to the elevator, not sure what he'd planned on doing if he had knocked on the door and Zell answered. Once he was in the safety of the elevator he sighed and ran his hands down over his face.
"I need to clear my head and stop thinking about him. I need to worry about the game only and deal with whatever else later." He took the elevator back up to his apartment, forgetting all about his walk.
When he got back inside the room he took his coat off and tossed it in the closet. "Where the hell is Irvine?" He asked himself out loud noticing that he still wasn't back from the newspaper. "He tells you you can talk to him and he's never around when you need to."
Sighing he took a seat on the couch and started flicking through the T.V channels.
..........................................
Afte r paying off the newspaper editor Irvine decided to take a walk before going back to the apartment. He didn't forget that he still hadn't fixed things with Squall and he wanted to more than anything. He just wasn't sure how.
'Everyone keeps saying I'm self absorbed and careless. Maybe if I could just show him I'm not he'd give me another chance.' Irvine thought as he walked on.
A few people on the street waved to him and said 'hi' as he passed. Even though he felt miserable and was lost in thought Irvine managed to put on a smile and wave back or smile at them. He kept walking on trying to remember anything that might be able to help him get Squall back.
("No, nothing I understood, wait that's what he said, I don't understand. Ha! understand what, that he's a fucking crack head. This match is being broadcast live Squall everywhere. Do you know what it'll look like for me if he doesn't show. There goes my reputation, he never thinks about me." Suddenly Squall drops Irvine's hand and stands up. Irvine, confused, looks up at him.
"You know Irvine maybe if you'd stop thinking about yourself and your fucking image for one minute you would understand things. Its been years now and you're still doing it, you never learn. Now you come to me like you've got a problem when its really him with the problem. It can't always be about you Irvine."
"Wait a minute what are you talking about?" "Damnit Irvine, you're still gonna play stupid aren't you. This guy- Seifer ran away from you because he has a problem and obviously knows you don't really wanna hear about it because you're too obsessed with yourself. Do you wanna know why we broke up years ago, because I started those rumors about you sleeping with your students!" Squall said and turned around away from Irvine.
"You? I don't get it, why?" Irvine stood to stand behind him but not too close, Squall ran his hand through his hair and sighed.
"Because, because I wanted you to quit. You got so obsessed with yourself and your "image" you completely ignored the fact that we were together. I tried to put up with it, I tried for years but it wasn't working. So I started getting absorbed in my own work to ignore the problem. Then you ended it because of that. I guess I brought it on myself though." Squall sat on the table again and Irvine was still behind him, staring at the back of his head in shock.)
"That's it alright, I need to get my act together and remember what's more important now."
"Hey Cowboy!"
Irivne heard a voice not far from him and he looked up ahead seeing Laguna standing outside the bar. He smiled and walked up to him.
"Hey what are you doin' out here?" Irvine asked the bar tender when he reached him. "Taking out the trash," Laguna said holding up a bag of garbage. "What brings you out here alone?" Laguna asked back. "Just thinkin' a little." Irvine replied. "Well how about a drink you look like shit." Laguna suggested walking Irvine into the bar.
"Hey Irivne can't wait for Friday's game." A man at a pool table shouted at him when the two entered the bar. "You and me both buddy." Irvine said back. They went to the bar and Irvine took a seat while Laguna went behind the bar to make their drinks.
"So you wanna talk to me about it, you know what you're thinking about." He asked handing Irvine a glass of whisky. "You know the game's tomorrow night and we haven't had much time to get ready, Seifer's- I don't know what's with him. We're both distracted really." He took a sip from his glass when he stopped talking.
"Uh huh are you sure that's it?" Laguna asked him leaning against the counter. Irvine looked at him suspiciously like he knew something and was waiting for him to say it.
"Alright, you know Squall Leonhart?" "Yeah sort of." "Well he and I used to be an item right and then he shows up again and I thought maybe we could give it another try but I screwed up again." Irvine blurted out. "All I wanna do is get him back."
"I see," Laguna said nodding his head. "Well did you try talking to him?"
"Sorta, he said it's not the right time and damned if I know what that means."
"Well maybe now's the right time you should just tell him what you want, let him know how you feel. Cause if this relationship thing is gonna distract your coaching you'd better fix it quick." Laguna stood up and smacked the counter top with his hand.
"........Yeah you're right, if I put this off any longer I might lose him for good. Thanks man." Irvine leaned forwards and gave Laguna a quick kiss then downed the last of his drink and ran from the bar. Laguna was a little shocked by what just happened and the other guys in the bar were laughing at him and making 'ooh aah' sounds.
"Ah shut up or I'll collect payment on all your tabs." Laguna said to them and everyone immediately stopped. "Thought so, I gotta get a new job." He mumbled to himself going back to work.
* * *
In Squall and Zell's apartment the two were sitting on the couch watching a boxing game. Zell looked tired and close to sleep while Squall was busy being lost in his thoughts. He was thinking- of course- of Irvine.
'Why can't he just understand what I need from him? I'm not that subtle about it. Am I? I guess it doesn't really matter anymore if we go back to Balamb this weekend.'
He sighed and turned off the t.v making Zell snap up in attention.
"What'd you do that for I was watching it?" Zell said through a yawn. "No you weren't," Squall said standing and dropping the remote in his place. "I'm going out for awhile. You get some sleep."
"Where are you going?" Zell asked standing himself and stretching.
"To the gym." Squall answered already at the closet getting his jacket. "Oh. Well have fun and don't stay out too late and be careful." Zell told him imitating what Squall always said to him before he went anywhere.
"Funny, I'll have my phone with me call if you need to."
Zell waved before Squall was out the door then he yawned again and flopped down on the couch lying himself across it.
..............................................
Twenty minutes later someone knocks on the door waking a half sleeping Zell. "Huh?" He heard the knocking again and sighed getting up slowly. "I'm coming." He said drowsily when he got to the door he was surprised to see Irvine standing on the other side.
He blinked at the other man. "Irvine?" Irivne smiled at him. "Hey kid, Squall here?" He asked sounding kind of urgent. "Uh no he left awhile ago...........," Zell paused rubbing his head trying to remember where Squall was. "Oh right, he went to the gym, I don't know why but you want me to call him for you?"
"No no thanks, I'll just wait for him. See ya around kid and good luck for tomorrow." Irivne tipped his hat down to Zell. "Thanks." Zell said and when Irivne walked away he closed the door and went back to his couch.
'At the gym huh, its pretty late so he might be alone and I might have my chance to talk to him.' Irvine thought while he went to the elevator going up to his floor. When he got inside his apartment, he slammed the door and rushed in to his room and started changing his clothes to something more comfortable. A pair of black jeans and a brown tank top. When he came out of the room he banged into Seifer.
"Where the hell have you been for.........." Seifer paused his sentence to check the time from the clock in Irvine's room. "Three hours?! Do you know I've been waiting here talking to myself like a moron."
"Sorry partner. I just needed to clear my head and now if you'll excuse me I've got some business to take care of." Irvine pushed past Seifer and headed for the door again.
"Wait where are you going now?" Seifer asked turning in Irvine's direction but not moving from where he stood.
"To the gym, don't wait up alright." With that Irvine was out the door. "But- uuuugh! Fucking prick." Seifer went out into the living room and turned out the lights then turned off the t.v. Then he went into his room and slammed the door shut.
* * *
At the gym Squall was suited up in his boxing gloves, he had his shirt and boots off and was only wearing his leather pants.
He'd got permission to use the gym for the night and the owner in the building made sure the building was completely empty of others before leaving Squall alone.
He was in the back room where they kept the boxing equipment, the same place Zell had been when he first met Seifer. He was working out with the large bag that hung from the cieling, bouncing around and punching it with a fierceness.
...............................................
Irvine got to the gym and saw all the lights off excpet a distant one in the back. "Squall." He said quietly to himself. He paid the cab guy then tried the gym door but it was locked. Luckily the owner was a close friend of his and had given him a key a long time ago for Seifer's late night practices.
He pulled the key from his pocket and unlocked the large glass double doors. When he was inside he made his way towards the back room.
'I hope he's in the mood to talk right now.' He thought to himself. When he got to the area Squall was in he stood outside of the room looking in through the glass wall. He watched Squall punch at the bag looking miserable and angry at the same time. Irvine knew why, it was the same reason he'd been feeling like shit for days. He planned on putting an end to their misery that night.
He walked inside the room quietly so Squall wouldn't know he was there yet. Irvine made his way to the supply closet and grabbed a pair of gloves for himself and put them on. He kicked off his boots and made his way to Squall.
....When you're on top of the world
when its got you down
when you're flying through the air
and when you're crashing to the ground
when you're searching for the answer and its nowhere to be found
just find me baby....
Irvine stood behind Squall then tapped him on the shoulder. Squall turned around surprised and Irivne lightly and playfully tapped him on the head with his glove.
"Irvine?" Irvine smiled at him. "You shouldn't let you're guard down like that, I could've been a killer or somethin'." Irvine said with a laugh. "What are you doing here?" Squall asked not really amused.
"I came here to talk to you........ about us." Irvine said. "There's nothing to say." Squall turned away from him and started hitting the punching bag again. "Sure there is, you're just afraid to say it." Irvine went around to Squall's front blocking the bag.
Squall stopped his fist from hitting Irivne and dropped his arms sighing with aggrivation.
"Don't take your aggression out on the bag," Irvine said. "Hit me."
Squall stared at him confused. "What?" "Come on you're obviously holdin' somethin' in and if you don't wanna talk lets fight." Irvine explained and he bopped Squall on the head again.
"This is stupid." Squall mumbled crossing his arms. "Maybe, but it'll help." Irvine said and hit Squall again but harder this time on his shoulder.
"Cut it out Irvine."
"Not until you tell me what I can do to make things better with us."
Squall tried walking away but Irvine grabbed him back and turned Squall around punching him in the face. Squall fell to the ground and got back up growling then punched Irvine back in his face.
"Now you're gettin' it." Irvine said. "Fine, you wanna know what my problem is....... you." Squall stated and swung at Irvine again hitting him in the jaw. "Alright what did I do?" Irvine asked hitting Squall back. "You only care about yourself and being the man on top. You never stop to think about me or us, if there ever was an us."
The two moved around each other sparring with one another but making sure not to hit too hard.
"You're right and I know that now. I didn't think it was a big deal I just thought I was lookin' out for myself. I just wanted to be someone important."
"So you'd just put that in front of me, fame and fortune- fuck a relationship!" Squall said.
"Come on Squall I'd never put anything before you not then not now. I just thought you were ok with it. I didn't know it was hurting you. Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I wanted you to be happy and if that's what made you happy then so be it."
....I don't want to be the strings
that ever tie you down
I won't ever be the broken wings
that keep you on the ground
But when you start to see
I will be the sound, just let me know baby....
"But if you'd of just told me I would have been happier with you." Irvine said "Yeah right." Squall mumbled and Irvine punched him in the chest and knocked him to the floor again. He then dropped to the mats himself straddling over Squall and pinning him down.
"Damnit Squall, I'd do anything for you I mean that." "Even after what I did to us then? The rumors I spread about you and everything else." Squall asked trying to sit himself up on his elbows. "That wasn't so bad compared to how I treated you. I shouldn't have ignored you like that."
It was silent for a moment and the two just stared at each other." Squall I'm sorry and I want us to try again, please. I need you more than some stupid coaching career." Squall stared up at Irvine in shock not sure what to say but he knew what he wanted to say.
....I only wanna be the one you love
I only wanna be the one you want
Come and get me baby let me loose inside your soul
I only wanna be your every need
I wanna be the one in all your dreams
I'll do anything to be the one you love....
Squall leaned upwards and kissed Irvine then he grabbed the back of Irvine's head pulling him down into the kiss. The two started struggling to get their gloves off while kissing hungrily.
....Baby you can tell me everything
All the secrets of your heart
If you could look inside of me
You'd see how beautiful you are
I wanna show you everything
Each and every part of me is yours
Just take it baby....
When they got the gloves off they dropped them aside and held onto each other. They broke the kiss panting in each others mouths. "I didn't mean to try ruining your career, I just wanted us to have more time together. It was like you loved the game more than me and I couldn't handle it then." Squall said.
"I know darlin and that's why after the game I'm quittin' Seifer can find a new coach and-"
"No Irvine you don't have to quit. I know how much you love coaching and you and Seifer are a match set."
"Then what about us?"
"We'll figure it out. Just promise me if we get into this relationship again you'll be a part of it one hundred percent."
Irvine leaned down and kissed Squall again. "I promise."
....Let me be the lover
you want to uncover
Let me be the one you love....
The two started kissing again but not as rough as before. Irvine put his hands in Squall's hair while Squall put his hands on Irvine's jean undoing the button. Irvine sat up and pulled his shirt off then started opening Squall's pants.
....I only wanna be the one you love
I only wanna be the one you want
Come and get me baby let me loose inside your soul
I only wanna be your every need
I wanna be the one in all your dreams
I'll do anything to be the one you love....
"Forgive me?" Irvine asked pulling away again. "Only if you forgive me." Squall said back. "Deal."
The two began making love on the floor mats forgetting how late it was and forgetting the stupid things they'd done, forgetting there was a game tomorrow. The only thing on their minds right then was each other.
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My apologies for the long long long wait on this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it, if there's any mistakes etc its because I'm back on text, so bear with it please. R/R I always appreciate it you know that. The next chapter is in the works so it should be updated soon and might be the final chapter.
The song at the end was by one of my favorites, Paulina Rubio- The One You Love a very beautiful song.
Thank you all for your comments and stay with me its almost over- Linkin