THE ZELL DINCHT COLLECTION

WARNINGS

1) I do not own Zell, Squall, Rinoa, Irvine, Seifer, Selphie, Irvine, Quistis, or any other character I may mention from the FF8 series. I may add some more characters, which are mine. If you steal them, I probably won't find out about it. I also do not own most of the towns, monsters, etc… used in this story.

2) This was written cause Zell is the coolest character ever to be created in the FF series. It's rated NC-17 for mostly sex, but there's also some language and violence.

3) This is a yaoi story. If you are offended by yaoi, or don't know what it is, I suggest you leave. You have been warned

Ok think I got everything. Just read it and leave me some feedback. If you flame me I'll find it funny, so do whatever the hell makes you feel good.

CHAPTER 7: Zell Isn't Stupid

Puma enjoyed this ride much more then the one this morning. Mostly because he was wide awake for this trip, and holding Zell so close was a huge turn on. Zell smelled so good, and he loved the softness of Zell's shirt when he leaned his head against it. Puma wished it would last forever. It didn't matter that his arm felt like it was going to fall off from carrying the big assed shopping bag, or that Zell hummed an incredibly annoying tune the whole way. He had Zell so close, and he cherished the moment, because he didn't know when one like this would come again. Unfortunately, in no time at all it seemed, Zell reached the fountains.

"We're here," Zell nodded. He could see the disappointment in Puma's eyes, and frankly, he was disappointed himself. He wasn't stupid. Zell knew that Puma was holding on to him as close as possible, and the wind wasn't causing him to lean his head into his back. Could this possibly be fear? Yes, but Zell thought the better possibility was that Puma really liked him. He liked being held tight by Puma. He wasn't usually a cuddler, but with Puma, it just felt right. Reluctantly, Zell helped Puma to a nearby bench, while he kicked up his T-board and sat next to him. "Tired?"

"A little. My arm hurts," Puma complained, leaning back.

"Builds muscle," Zell nodded. "Let's go find Selphie. We're late." Puma eventually got up, and followed Zell into the garden. They took a right at the circle though, which threw the redhead off..

"I thought we were going to the Quad?"

"In a minute. I want to put my T-board in my room first." So they walked the entire way around, and reached Zell's dorm. Swiping his ID through, Zell entered and headed towards the bedroom. Puma stood in awe at the doorway. The blonde's room was 4x bigger then his. He had a kitchen, a bathroom, a living room, and a huge bedroom. "Pays to be a SeeD," Zell smiled, looking at the impressed boy.

"Can I come over some time Zell?" Puma asked looking at the big screen TV.

"Yeah……I guess so," Zell scratched his head. "We gotta get this thing taken care of though.

"Leather couches." Puma plopped down and sank into it. "I would kill for leather couches, more or less a living room."

"Yeah……well we really ought to go," Zell tried, steering Puma towards the door.

"And a kitchen table. Do you know how long it has been since I've sat in a real kitchen?"

"You saw one at my mom's house."

"Oh……yeah."

"All right time to go." Zell had to literally push Puma out, who would have spent all day in there if Zell didn't act soon. He locked his door with his ID, and led Puma down to the Quad.

"I'll get a kitchen by next year," the redhead boasted.

"Sure……um……Selphie didn't give you a card I'm assuming." Zell scratched his head.

"Uh……no why?"

"Nothing." Zell attempted to push his way through the mob again, and successfully showed a Garden Faculty Member his Selphie Card.

"Go in," she grumbled, parting for him. She obviously had a lot less patience then before.

"He's with me," Zell tried, pushing Puma in front of him.

"Does he have a card?"

"No……but……"

"Then he can't come in."

"But Selphie……"

"Listen, come in or leave, but I'm not letting all your little friends in too." Frustrated, Zell caught sight of Selphie down the corridor and yelled to her.

"Yeah, let both of them in," Selphie smiled. The guard reluctantly stepped down, and obliged. Zell glared at the Faculty Member as he walked by, and Puma didn't smile either. The three strolled down the hallway together. "What took you guys so long?"

"I had trouble finding this one," Zell muttered, pushing the redhead playfully.

"Why's that?"

"Cause I was walking outside," Puma answered. He obviously didn't want Selphie to know his relationship with Zell. Selphie caught a confused stare from Zell though, and this was a big enough hint to her. She wasn't stupid. Knowing Zell wouldn't tell her anything that Puma didn't want him to; Selphie quickly got rid of the redhead.

"Okay, Puma, go help that guy over there put those decorations up," she pointed. Puma nodded and jogged over.

"What do you got planned for me?" Zell asked.

"You're coming with me." Selphie pulled him to a nearby table, and sat him down. "I know Puma lied to me, and I checked up on his whereabouts. His dorm buddy said he didn't come home last night. Now Zell, he looks a little tired, and I'm assuming there's a story behind it." The blonde just nodded.

"Wellllll, It's kinda personal." Zell reached back and stretched. He wasn't stupid. Selphie would pay a heavy price for this information, and being the gossip goddess she was, she would willingly pay it.

"Come on Zell you can tell me." This told Zell she was desperate. A fish had jumped into his boat, and all he had to do was whack it with the oar.

"I might be able to tell you if I could have a little favor," Zell nodded.

"What is it?"

"My friend wants to meet Cool Coeurl, she helped me shop, and she'll be here on Wednesday."

"Why'd she help you shop? Where was Puma?"

"I'll tell you that if you promise me." Selphie wanted to know badly. "What's one more person going to hurt?" she thought. "Kay fine just tell me!"

Now Zell wasn't stupid. He was about as excited to tell Selphie about today as Puma was. "Gonna have to make this good Zelly," he told himself. "Well like you said, I went on a search for the kid after I ran into you. First, like any normal person would do, I went to his dorm and asked his dorm buddy. He said that he wasn't there, and like you, he told me he hadn't seen him all night. So I got a little concerned. So my next stop was the Caf."

"Why was that," Selphie interrupted.

"Thought he might be gettin breakfast. Anyhoo, Seifer just laughed me away from there."

"Awww……poor Zell."

"Yeah I know. So, I knew he wouldn't be in the Quad, so my next stop was the Infirmary."

"(Gasp) he wasn't in there was he?"

"No it gets better. I was relieved though, and knowing that the library was closed, I headed to the only place left, The Training Area. And guess where he was."

"Where?"

"In the secret area."

"I knew he lied! So why was he in there?"

"You have to keep this a secret, but he was in bad shape. He hadn't slept last night, and didn't eat anything since lunch yesterday."

"Poor kid!" Selphie whined, suddenly she had a flash of anger on her face. "Why was he in there? Who did something to him?"

"Well I didn't tell you, but Seifer pushed him in there, and stood guard by the door for about three hours. Apparently Puma stepped on his shoe or something. He told me that Seifer left to go get dinner, but threatened to kill him if he came out. So Puma stayed there all night. He was too terrified to sleep."

"WHAT?!? SEIFER?!?" Selphie suddenly started yelling. She was mad. Puma helped her out a lot the last two days, and she didn't like anyone to look at him the wrong way, especially not Seifer.

"Shhhhh……….quiet down. I didn't tell you that. Don't say anything to Puma about it. He didn't want you to find out cause it was too embarrassing for him."

"Kay sorry," Selphie lowered her voice. "I don't care what you say though, I will get revenge on Seifer."

"That's okay, I encourage it, but just try to keep the story low."

"Kay thanks Zell. I'll keep my mouth shut." The blonde just nodded, and Selphie eventually gave him something to do. The work wasn't that bad. There was a little painting, some banner decorating, and they also helped make the stage. At the end of the night, everyone involved was satisfied with the results, and they all headed to bed early. They wanted to be up tomorrow, as Selphie had big plans.

Overall, everyone wasn't stupid. Zell felt smart, cause he not only kept his relationship with Puma secret; he also sunk Seifer's boat. Puma felt smart, cause he thought Selphie bought his excuse. Selphie felt smart, cause she just organized one of the biggest festivals the garden ever held. Zoe felt smart, cause she weaseled her way into having a blast with Zell tomorrow, even if she did have to owe him a favor. Ma Dincht felt smart, cause she didn't burn even one of the cookies she made tonight. The only one who felt stupid was Geof. He spelled Balamb with an 'f' on one of the banners he made.