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 it also contains 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 22: Sublime Experience

Puma sat down next to the blonde on the plush couch located to the back of the car. The blonde held his head in his hands, staring at the ground. Letting Zell sort out his head, Puma kept quiet. The train thrust forward, and the daylight left the room as they entered the underground tunnel.

"She doesn't know," Zell sighed, finally breaking the long silence. "She didn't listen to me,"

"Did you expect her to?" Puma asked after a pause.

"…No." Another silence took over the car, as the blonde continued to stare at the ground.

"You had to do it," Puma muttered, also turning his stare to the floor. "You couldn't just leave."

"She didn't listen though!" Zell shot, suddenly staring right at the redhead. "She didn't get what I was trying to say!"

The conversation stopped again, as Puma thought of what to say next.

"So call her. Try again."

"She won't…she won't even fucking talk to me!" Zell was yelling, but Puma saw a tear run down his eye when he said it. He had a tendency to intermix anger and depression.

"So send her a letter. Send her a e-mail," Puma suggested, keeping his calm. The blonde sighed deeply, and ran his fingers through his hair.

"She…she wouldn't listen. You don't fucking…fucking understand." Another paused occurred, before Puma spoke up again.

"I don't."

"Tch…" Zell muttered. "Don't…don't…" He raised his eyes to the redhead, and the anger drained from his face. "I'm sorry." Puma put his arm around him, as Zell shook his head.

(**********)

"What the hell going on in there?" Seifer grumbled, coming in from the first car. Squall held post outside of the SeeD room, and Selphie was looking outside from the train window further down the corridor.

"I don't know," the brunette responded. Selphie suddenly jumped to attention, looking towards the two. Squall shot her a glare though, and her glance returned to the window.

"What do you mean you don't know?" the blonde continued. "You've been standing out here for an hour now!"

"Seifer just…" Squall patronized.

"Come on, I'm tired. They have a couch in there."

"No."

"What do you mean…?"

"No."

"But…"

"Seifer, sleep against a wall!" Selphie shouted, annoyed.

"Psshh," the blonde waved his arm. "Zell owes me some sleep." He walked back into the first car, returning silence to the small corridor. In actuality, Squall had heard every word of the conversation in the SeeD room, and with that knowledge, there was no way he was going to let anyone in. Selphie had picked up pieces, and with Seifer's daggers last night, she pretty much knew what was going on. They really didn't care about Zell and Puma's relationship though, because it didn't change much. Zell would still make them laugh at times, and Puma, well Puma was still Puma.

"Ding dong," a bell sounded. "Next stop, Timber. Timber, next stop." Daylight flooded back into the car, as the train resurfaced, and slid to a halt. Ironically, the town of Timber had no timber. Thought by the ignorant to be surrounded by lush forests, Timber was actually located in a large clearing, with only the Grandidi Forrest to its north. It was a relatively small town, but tightly compacted with many sights of attraction. Zell and Puma quietly emerged from the SeeD car, and followed Squall out.

"According to the briefing," Squall started, looking at his squad members. "We're at the western portion of town. The train to Deling City is straight north from here."

"What way's that?" Seifer asked, looking around to try to gain a sense of direction.

"Left," the brunette muttered putting his face in his hands. "There are a lot of Galbadian resistance organizations here. Do not stir up trouble. We are neutral." The group nodded their heads, as Seifer and Squall belted their gunblades. After a few steps, the group turned left into the first alleyway. A lot of strange and ragged people roamed the streets, eyeing the well-dressed five, but Squall didn't even acknowledge their presence. Brushing past the gawkers, the group past a bookstore, some item shops, and a pub before finally reaching another train station. Boarding the correct one, Squall once again opened the door to the second car.

"I call the SeeD room," Seifer growled, glaring at Puma and Zell. Leaving, Selphie, Squall, Puma, and Zell in the first car. The train thrust forward once again, leaving for their final destination.

"Why are those people so hostile?" Selphie asked, as soon as the town faded behind them. Usually Zell would perk up in interest at a brief history lesson from Squall, but he remained quiet, and Puma followed his lead. With just the annoying Selphie's attention, that just sucked all the fun out of it.

"Don't know," Squall replied looking at the floor. It was ok, because he really didn't want to explain it anyway.

"Yes you do!"

"……"

And that pretty much finished off the conversation. It was another long train ride, as Deling was to the far northwest. In time, Squall and Selphie moved to the second car. She looked out the window, while he retook his post in front of the SeeD room. Zell and Puma stayed in the first car for the entire trip, eventually taking a seat against the right wall.

"So what are we doing when we get there?" Puma asked, looking over to him.

"It's gonna be late," Zell replied after a pause. "Prolly just check into the hotel."

"Nothing fun…?"

"Not really."

"That sucks…"

"Yeah…" Zell's eyes fell to the floor as the conversation dropped. He had replayed the events of today and yesterday in his mind a million times, and they never got any happier. They brought him nothing but depression, and he knew he'd have to stop thinking about them here soon. He knew he was being a complete ass to Puma, and it would suck to keep that up for the entire trip. So for the train ride, he worked on only having positive thoughts, trying to smile; trying to laugh. He stuffed his feelings deep down until he was walking on them.

"Ding Dong!" the bell sounded. "Next stop, Deling City. Deling City, next stop." The light had faded from the train, as the sun slowly set to the west. Seifer emerged well rested from the SeeD cabin. In the second car corridor, Squall was still at his post outside of the SeeD room, while Selphe slept against the wall. Zell and Puma fell asleep in the first car too. After waking everyone up, Squall led the troop out into the train station.

"You're free to do whatever until 1:00 p.m. tomorrow," Squall muttered, as the tired bunch followed him toward the town gates. "Full uniforms, and look respectable. Dismissed." With this, the group split up. Seifer and Squall took their own routes almost immediately, looking as if they already had plans. Selphie quickly ran after the brunette, knowing that Seifer wouldn't provide her company, and Zell and Puma were going to do their own thing.

"Where to?" Puma asked, looking around the large town. Deling was the largest city in the world other then Esthar. Vizar Deling ruled the Galbadian Empire, which included Deling City, Timber, and the Galbadia Garden. General Carringway supposedly ran this city, but in actuality he only took orders from Vizar, and the Galbadian Garden leader Martin. Carringway did his job however, and an order from Vizer came in the other week, to destroy a revolutionary group named the "Forrest Spiders". Knowing Balamb Garden's unrest with the group, his first priority was to get SeeD involved. Thus was the importance of tomorrow's meeting. That was all irrelevant right now though, as Zell was only interested in putting his luggage somewhere, and maybe finding something to eat.

"I say we get a hotel for the night, and then grab some grub," the blonde said, walking Puma out into the street.

"Good enough…"

They hailed a bus, and made their way to the industrial district of town. Shops of different assortments flew by, before they finally reached the hotel. Lugging their suitcases for the last time that night, they made their way in.

"Any vacancy?" Zell nodded, to the clerk.

"Yes, how many?"

"Two."

"Single or double beds?"

"Eh…it's only tonight, we can share one," Zell confirmed, after looking at Puma.

"34D," the woman smiled, pushing the key through the window. "Checkout's at noon tomorrow."

"Thanks," Zell nodded, and led the redhead to the elevator. After a short ride, they reached their floor, and swiped into the room. Throwing their suitcases down, they collapsed on the bed. It had been a long stiff train ride, and it felt good to be on something plush.

"Cold in here," Puma noted after he was comfortable.

"Yeah," Zell responded. He sat up, and made his way to the air conditioner. Turning it to hot, the knob suddenly snapped off. After a few kicks, the machine continued to pump out cold air, and the blonde sighed in defeat. "Damn things broke."

"Just throw on something warmer." Shrugging, Zell took off his SeeD uniform, leaving him only in his boxers. He made his way to his suitcase, and pulled out his green hoody, and matching sweatpants. His eyes shot to Puma however, as the redhead was staring in half shock, half awe.

"What? You saw more then this last night." Zell laughed.

"True," Puma smiled, breaking his trance. He quickly did the same, throwing on a yellow hoody and some black sweatpants. Zell recollapsed on the bed, a little warmer, and Puma crawled on top of him, wrapping his arm around the blonde.

"I need to see more of that," Puma breathed into his chest, slipping his hand under the hoody, and rubbing his side.

"Definitely." Zell ran his right hand through his short hairs, and his left across his back. They warmed each other for a while, until Zell's stomach overtook him. "I'm hungry," he laughed, as a large rumble rippled down his stomach."

"So I see." Puma rolled off of him, and got up to leave the room.

"There's just a restaurant downstairs if you want."

"Yeah, I'm not in the mood for anything particular." Nodding, Zell led the way into the elevator, and then down the steps to the bottom floor.

"How many?" the hostess asked.

"ZELL! PUMA!" Selphie called from a nearby booth. Squall was nowhere in sight.

"Oh will you be dining with the lady over there?"

"Unfortunately," Zell replied, raising a laugh from Puma. Handed two menus, they made their way over to the cheery brunette. "Squall ditch you?"

"No, I ditched him."

"Sure you did…" Zell responded, with so much sarcasm it could choke a rather large buffalo. Puma laughed again, but she just glared at him. "Did you get a room?"

"Yeah, Squall said it's paid for, so it won't be taken out of your paycheck."

"Nice," Zell nodded, as a waitress brought over some water for the three.

"Are you ready?" she asked, pulling out her notepad.

"Yeah, let me get the deli sandwich," Puma started.

"I'll have the veal," Selphie went next.

"Murderer," Zell coughed.

"And what are you having sir?" the waitress questioned.

"I'll have the veal as well," Zell laughed, getting hit by Selphie. The waitress giggled at his shenanigans, took the menus, and left.

"Why are you such an ass?" she asked, glaring at Zell. The blonde shrugged, and took a sip of his water. Selphie sighed, and turned her conversation to Puma, hoping for better luck. "How was your day today?"

"Okay, I guess," he muttered, surprised with her sudden attention.

"What'd you do?"

"Stuff…"

"Anything exciting?"

"Meh…"

"Ugh…You're impossible," Selphie sighed, defeated. "That's why you get along so well, you're both impossible to get along with." They both shrugged, not caring about Selphie's opinion. Nobody else dining, their food came rather quick, and silence thankfully took over the conversation while they ate. It was a short meal, and they were done in about 15 minutes.

"I left my wallet up in my room," Zell excused himself, getting to his feet. "Puma you coming with?"

"Sure," he responded following the blonde.

"Aww…you can make out in front of me," Selphie cooed after them. "No need to be embarrassed."

"Ha, that's funny Selphie," Zell smiled back, as they were walking up the steps. They walked up the twisting stairway, and reached ground level again.

"Why'd I have to come?" Puma asked, suspicious in Zell's motives.

"Well, if I left you, I wouldn't be able to ditch Selphie with the bill," the blonde laughed, walking by the elevator and leaving the hotel.

"You're pure evil."

"True," Zell nodded. They made their way out into the lamp lit streets, and started walking in a random direction.

"Where are we going?"

"Away from her."

"Nowhere specific?" There was a brief pause, as Zell looked up to the sky.

"You can't see the stars here."

"We're in the city. Too much light."

"We can change that," the blonde smiled mischievously. They grabbed another bus, and rode it to the outskirts of town.

"We're leaving town?" Puma asked, as they walked under the city gate.

"We'll be alright." Walking about a mile or so out, millions of stars replaced the city lights "Good enough," Zell muttered, taking a seat on the soft grass. He laid down on his back, and looked up into the heavens. Puma followed his example, placing his head on Zell's stomach, and lying perpendicular to the blonde. His head moved up and down with every breath Zell took, and he felt the blonde's six-pack and naval from under the thick cloth. "What do you see?"

"What do you see?" Puma shot back.

"Stars, the moon, more stars," Zell listed, running his fingers through the redhead's hair.

"You think we're the only life in the universe? You think we're alone?"

"I hope so."

"Why?" Puma asked, surprised with his answer.

"The world's fucked up enough with its own people," the blonde explained. "The last thing it needs is a whole new race or even worse, another batch of life just like us."

"That's dark."

"You disagree?"

"Yes and no." The redhead took a brief pause, taking in the vastness above him. "I hope we're the only ones, but just because of change."

"What do you mean?"

"If a new life came here, they'd change everything from trade to government. But I'm happy where I'm at right now. I'm happy now." Another pause occurred, as Zell rolled the theory over in his mind.

"I'm happy now too," the blonde responded.

"Yes and no."

"What do you mean?"

"Ah…that you'll have to solve yourself," Puma muttered. "Just give it time though." Zell ran his right hand over the redhead's stomach, as a wave of sadness once again swept over him. Feeling the blonde's breaths become heavier, he decided to change the subject. "Tonight's a good night to see the dippers," he muttered tracing them with his fingers. "The bigger one, and then the little one. They originated in…"

(**********)