Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Why Don't You Let me Love You? ❯ One-Shot

Why Don't You Let Me Love You?

--A Quifer songfic by Ethereal Fury.

DISCLAIMER: As usual, I don't own squat. Zilch. Zero. Nada. Those lucky multimillionaire bastards at Squaresoft own it all, the FF characters, the settings, everything. Oh wait! I do own something! My FF8 game! 'Nobody Wants to be Lonely' belongs to Ricky Martin, or his record label, or whoever. So don't sue me cos I don't have a dime.

===========================================================

Why Don't You Let Me Love You?

Why, why, why

There you are, in a darkened room

And you're all alone, looking out the window

Quistis Trepe stood alone, champagne glass in hand, in a corner of the Balamb Garden ballroom, half-concealed by the shadows. Her golden hair, not pinned up in its usual severe fashion, cascaded past her shoulders and framed her delicate features. Cornflower blue eyes scanned the room, warily watching the couples dancing. She sighed inwardly; it was another of those boring Garden parties thrown in celebration of their defeat of Ultimecia. Quistis, usually a socially outgoing person, was beginning to resent the balls and had taken to observing rather than participating, standing by herself in a corner.

Funny, this is so reminiscent of Squall she thought with sarcasm, wincing inwardly at the thought of Squall-the cold and aloof commander of SeeD, her childhood friend, the one man that had won the heart of the Ice Queen but didn't love her back. He'd always thought of her as the Instructor while she ached with all her being to reach out to him, comfort him. And now he had Rinoa-the straightforward and downright flirtatious Sorceress had succeeded where Quistis had failed; she'd captured Squall's stone heart. The Angel and the Lion, forever meant to be she thought bitterly as her gaze fell upon the dancing couple, mahogany locks and stormy blue eyes contrasting midnight black hair and chocolate eyes. Quistis turned away as a wave of jealousy inundated her.

Your heart is cold and lost the will to love

Like a broken arrow

Here I stand in the shadows

Was I just meant to be alone? To grow alone and die alone without having someone to love me? She thought, her gaze shifting to where cowboy Irvine was attempting to get a petite but exuberant Selphie to slow-dance with him. She almost grinned at the sight-good old cheerful Selphie always made Quistis smile with her radiating optimism and contagious happiness. But not tonight Quistis amended heavily, seeking out the energetic blond warrior who let his fists do the talking. Zell. She spotted him over by the punch bowl talking to Alys, the perky librarian with the ponytail he'd had a crush on for ages.

Everyone's got somebody but me. The Orphanage Gang is all grown up and in love but bossy little Quisty, child prodigy Quisty, ex-Instructor Quisty, savior-of-the-word Quisty. No, she's all alone, hiding in a corner by herself, watching others live the life she wish she had she contemplated, tears springing to her eyes and hands shaking as she raised the champagne glass to her lips.

Come to me, come to me

Can't you see that

Nobody wants to be lonely

Nobody wants to cry

My body's longing to hold you

So bad it hurts inside

At the other end of the ballroom, a blond figure clad in a gray trench coat with the crosses of the knights of old upon his sleeves watched the Instructor intently. He, Seifer Almasy, the Sorceress' lapdog, had been readmitted into Garden by Headmaster Cid. He had seen the wrong in his actions, how Ultimecia had corrupted his dream and led him astray, and pleaded for a second chance. He'd returned to redeem himself, to become a SeeD and prove that he wasn't just the problematic child who couldn't follow orders. But there had been another reason behind his return-the very woman he was watching now. He'd always loved to tease her, irritate her, anger her, push her buttons, all to make her notice him. He hadn't seen it before but he'd always liked Quistis, even as far back as the orphanage. But she'd never had more than contempt or disapproval towards him. She'd always defended Squall, demanding Seifer stop picking on him.

Perfect little Squall. Cute little Squall. Over-achieving little Squall. Attention-getting little Squall. My archenemy little Squall, he thought angrily. None of them had realized Seifer teased the others so little Quisty would come running to defend them, hands on her minute hips and blue eyes flashing dangerously. Seifer watched Quistis scan the room, her eyes resting on each of her friends, her cool composure crumbling with each passing second. He drained his wineglass and pushed himself off the wall with a sigh.

Great Almasy. You just HAD to fall for the Instructor didn't you. It's bad enough you tried to kill them, he muttered under his breath as his feet carried him across the ballroom to where the Ice Queen was finally breaking down.

Time is precious and it's slipping away

And I've been waiting for you all of my life

Nobody wants to be lonely

So why (why), why don't you let me love you

Why, why (oh why), why

Quistis, too occupied wallowing in her own thoughts to notice Seifer's approach jumped in surprise when a heavy yet comforting hand landed on her shoulder. She whipped around, her face falling into its customary expressionless mask, eyes resting upon a familiar tall blond frame-that of her enemy. But he's not the enemy anymore, is he? She thought, peering into his sincere ice blue eyes and feeling her heart beating slightly faster and her knees weakening. What is wrong with you? You cannot fall for HIM Quistis, she scolded herself, annoyed at how she was reacting to his presence.

Can you hear my voice, do you hear my song

It's a serenade, so your heart can find me

Seifer watched the conflicting emotions flicker in her eyes. She looked so vulnerable; he just wanted to sweep her into his arms and protect her from all harm, be her righteous knight. But he refrained from touching her, his hand on her shoulder the only contact between their skins, but still enough to send sparks through both their bodies. He cocked his head to the side and studied her delicate features, finally breaking the silence with the soft utterance of one word, "Quistis."

She felt herself being drawn into his mesmerizing gaze, concern etched in every angel of his handsome face. No witty comments, no arrogant smirk…just concern and… was there something else? Quistis, you are being ridiculous. You do not love him and he does not love you, she stated firmly, but a part of her cried out … or does he? She was tired of internal battles, of suppressing emotions, of being alone. Without even realizing it, she fell into his warm, comforting, embrace.

And suddenly you're flying down the stairs

Into my arms baby

Before I start going crazy

Run to me

Run to me

Cause I'm dying…

"Is my distress really that obvious?" she murmured against his chest.

Seifer stroked her long golden hair and shook his head. "You gotta know where to look."

She pulled away far enough to be able to look at him fully. "Why are you doing this Seifer?"

Because I care… because I've just realized I'm in love with you… because I don't want you to slip away, all ran through his mind, but instead he shrugged and replied, "That's what friends are for right?"

Quistis nodded. "Friends… yeah, I guess," she whispered, resting her head back onto his chest.

Seifer shut his eyes tightly and enjoyed the comfortable feel of her slender frame in his arms, the peachy smell of her hair. Friends, just friends Almasy, he told himself, hugging her tighter in an attempt to erase her loneliness.

Nobody wants to be lonely

Nobody wants to cry

My body's longing to hold you

So bad it hurts inside

Time is precious and it's slipping away

And I've been waiting for you all of my life

Nobody wants to be lonely

So why (why)…

Why don't you let me love you? Seifer wondered, resting his cheek upon her soft curls.

Why, why, why

Oh why, why, why, why, why…

Why, why, why

I wanna feel you need me

Just like the air you're breathing

I need you in my life

As much as she hated to admit it, Quistis felt secure in his arms; right and complete for the first time. But this can't be right she pondered. He tried to kill us, I should despise him! Instead I'm… in love with him? She jumped at the realization and wriggled out of his arms.

No I can't be! He's always been an annoying arrogant bully, totally not my type, she reasoned. But then why did a part of her scream out that she was meant to be forever safe in his arms? Confused, Quistis turned away. "Seifer, thank you for your comfort… I… I need some fresh air," she muttered, heading for the balcony.

Don't walk away, don't walk away

Don't walk away, don't walk away

No, no, no, no…

Say something Almasy! The woman of your dreams is walking away and you're just going to let her? What a coward. Seifer shook his head; I'm not a coward, he thought defiantly.

"Quistis," he called out in his deep baritone.

She stopped and turned, no more than 5 feet away from him, confusion reflected in her deep blue eyes. Seifer shifted his weight nervously, trying to conjure up a way to tell her how he felt. She waited patiently, studying him intently, trying to sort out her own emotions as well.

"Quistis… I…" he began, but couldn't get the words out. He looked at her, silently pleading with her to stay, to not walk out of his life like she had those many years ago when she had been adopted and he'd done nothing to stop it.

Quistis returned his steady gaze, searching his penetrating ice blue eyes for an implied meaning, something that wouldn't come out of his lips. As she watched him standing there helplessly, unable to say what he wanted, she felt her heart leap. Clearly written in his eyes was 'I love you', the agony of not being able to say it to her evident in every line of his face. Without another word, she threw herself into his embrace again.

"I don't want to be lonely anymore," she sobbed onto his shoulder.

Seifer wrapped his arms around her small waist and hugged her tight. "You won't be, I promise."

Nobody wants to be lonely

Nobody wants to cry (ooh)

Nobody want s to be lonely (I don't wanna be lonely)

Nobody wants to cry (I don't wanna cry)

My body's longing to hold you (I'm longing to hold you)

So bad it hurts inside

Time is precious and it's slipping away

And I've been waiting for you all of my life

Nobody wants to be lonely

So why (why), why don't you let me love you

"Let me love you," he whispered into her ear.

FIN!!

A/N 2 : Awww! Wasn't that just soooo cute? Okay, it was pure mush I know, but I needed a break from my Precalculus homework and the stress of picking new subjects for next year, and this is what resulted. I don't particularly like Seifer or Quistis, but I thought this song was just perfect for them. BTW, the 'Nobody Wants to be Lonely' here in this fic is the original one sung only by Ricky Martin (no Christina Aguilera) so the lyrics might be a little different. Anyhow, watcha think? Love it, hate it, want it taken off the site? State so in your review! Again, thanks for taking the time to read my fic.. and remember it's the first songfic I've done!

P.S. Before you totally tell me that Quistis is OOC, keep in mind that they're concealed from the rest of the ballroom by the shadows and the curtains near the window, so it'd be a perfect place to break down. Besides, you can't have a songfic when two people are too arrogant and stubborn to admit anything… what kind of a songfic would that be?! Cheers.