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Green Romance	By : suixcausa Category: Final Fantasy VIII > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 803 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Part I
- 2-Part II
- 3-Part III
- 4-Part IV
- 5-Part V
- 1
- 2
Disclaimer: So we all know I don't own the boys, they obviously belong to Squaresoft/enix. Also the rough plotline is based off of the holiday movie "Borrowed Hearts" for those of you who thought the summary sounded familiar. ;D

Green Romance

Sui Causa

Part I
They were "making room for expansion", though everyone who worked at the company already knew what that meant. For years nobody had expected the factory to actually go bankrupt, somehow they always managed to pull by if the money situation got too low. But with the death of president of the company, it was apparent to all those, including the CEO board, that the small business just couldn't find the assets to pull through. So when an offer was made on the company, even though the board members didn't want to accept-- they really didn't have much of a choice.
They all knew what was going to happen. The buyer was known for his ability to buy companies and then split them up to resell the parts separately. The amount of layoffs that ensued was almost legendary. Most of the workers didn't even bother coming to work that day, already knowing what was going to happen. But the stubborn few who refused to give up so easily still went.
Squall Leonhart was one of those few. Through all the nights he had spent lying in bed speculating never once had the idea of losing his job crossed his mind. There had always been that threat, but he had never thought that god would hate him enough to make this happen. He supposed that what he was going through was being felt by nearly everyone who was being handed the proverbial pink slip. Most of the people who were working in the factory were there because they couldn't get a job anywhere else. Whether it was lack of resources, lack of abilities or lack of education -- this place meant more to most of these people then their own homes did. The president probably had something to do with that, the warm man was always a wonder to be around, almost adopting everyone who worked for him. Everyone loved him, everyone respected him, and everyone missed him, now that he was gone.
But now that he was gone there was nothing left to protect them anymore. Squall's mind filled with thoughts of how he was going to make money, how he was going to continue on living. He was running from the rent people anyways, hoping that he would receive a final paycheck today before he was booted to the street. He needed something to get the landlord off of his back long enough to obtain something more lasting. He really didn't want to dip into the money that he had been saving for years now.
While Squall was used to his current living conditions, he, like any other human being, didn't want to be stuck with it much longer. It wasn't just him he had to worry about too; he knew that Maggie was hoping for something better as well. Every night when he listened to her prayers from the doorframe of her small room, she asked god to bless them, asked Mommy to send them an angel to help them get through.
While Maggie's faith in angels was somewhat worrying to Squall, he didn't have the heart to crush that bloom of hope. He supposed had he grown up wishing or believing in some higher power he may have turned out a little better and not as pessimistic as he had, but that couldn't be changed now.
Though a few people had arrived, none of them were really working. Production had slowed down because of the holidays, though now with the company doomed to be closed soon, nobody saw the point in it anyway. They were now in the office rooms where executives usually worked, the rooms were empty and nobody seemed upset about moving into the part of the factory that was well-heated. Especially since the cold of the late December was starting to seep through the worn out boards.
Squall looked down at his hands, currently wrapped around a mug filled with steaming hot chocolate. Ma Dincht, an elderly woman who lived across the road had walked across to bring them all a snack. While the woman was not directly related to the company, she had been a good friend of the previous President. Like he had done, Ma Dincht also considered all the employees her adopted children. And whether she had done it purposely or not, the hot chocolate and pastries were doing a lot to lift heavy spirits.
The light chatter and gossip that was tittering throughout the room was nothing but soothing static in Squall's ears as he brooded silently. Today he was going to get his last paycheck. Considering he had been working here for a very long time, he wasn't sure where to start when it came to finding a new career, though he was sure he wasn't the only one. At least the paycheck would help get the landlord off of his back for another month, and he could get another job before he had to pay the next month of rent. Of course that left the other basic necessities, like food. Not sure how he was going to survive, Squall decided that he may have to take some money out of the savings to pay for it until he could get a new job.
"The Savings" were a very important part of Squall's life. Since his first job he had been putting a little of every paycheck aside, keeping the money together through thick and thin, with the hope in mind that someday he would be able to use the money to buy a new home for Maggie and himself. They even had a picture of the house they wanted taped up to the fridge. It was a dream, it was their goal, and it was what kept Squall going when he wasn't sure why he was bothering to try anymore.
Squall was broken out of his reverie when a hand waved under his nose, causing him to look up at the person trying to get his attention. Mrs. Dincht gave him a worried smile before she set a hand on his shoulder. "They're starting to call people up, you should drink that up before..." She trailed off, but Squall knew what she meant. Before you have to leave this place.
He heard a small sob, and looked past Mrs. Dincht who moved aside to look as well. A young woman was clutching an envelope as she walked down the stairs that led to the president's office. "Why!?" She suddenly cried out, stomping her foot. "That man has everything handed to him on a platter! Why does he have to take everyone else's means of living away too?" Another young woman, her ex-coworker immediately wrapped the tearful woman up into her arms.
"It'll be okay, all of us. All of us will get by." She said quietly, while rubbing the girl's back in light soothing motions. The movement easily reminded Squall of a time when he had someone to hold him like that. Times when Rinoa would hold him when he wasn't sure if he could go on, when she would say just the right thing to put his spirits back in place...
"Leonhart? Squall Leonhart?"
Squall sighed heavily and lifted the warm mug to his mouth as he stood up, quickly draining it of the heated liquid before setting it down on the table. Wiping marshmallow residue from his top lip with the back of his hand, he ignored the comforting hand placed on his shoulder by Mrs. Dincht as he walked towards the stairs. May as well just get this over with...
The walk up the stairs was a short one, and soon he was watching his hand as it knocked on the door with "President" engraved on it. When he heard a muffled "come in" Squall hesitated for a moment. Perhaps he could just start running now, and not have to hear the words ending his career here. Though it wasn't like he would continue to be paid, and he needed this last paycheck.
As he walked in and closed the door behind him he was confronted with a sight that he didn't exactly expect. With all the rumors that he had heard about this business man, the image of the young, well built blonde seated behind the desk just didn't fit. Putting such a bad persona into a skinny, greasy man with beady eyes was just so much easier.
Though looking at the arrogant smirk that was plastered on the blonde's face, emerald eyes sparkling with apparent glee for his control over the entire situation, leaning back comfortably in the executive sized chair with his booted feet propped up on the desk. He wasn't wearing a suit, only a blue and gray vest placed overtop of a sleeveless white shirt, black slacks that were tucked into shiny black boots, and a large silver jacket that was hung over the back of the chair, only limitedly hiding a muscled frame covered with taught golden skin. Squall hated him immediately.
"Mr. Leonhart, are you planning on running away?" It was when Squall heard the sneer-filled tone that he realized he hadn't moved very far from the door, his hand still set on the knob as if he was ready to throw it open and run for it. Forcing himself to release the door he walked towards the desk. As the blonde motioned for him to sit, Squall only glanced at the chair before deciding that he would rather remain standing.
If the blonde noticed Squall's stubbornness, he didn't say anything about it. "My name is Seif--" He was cut off quickly.
"I know what your name is Mr. Almasy." Squall said sharply, crossing his arms.
"Ah, well I see that you just want to get down to business." When Squall said nothing, Seifer's smirk grew. "Though I suppose that this is not the business you are used to getting down to in this room."

The words, and most importantly the tone that it was said in made Squall flinch, before smoothly covering over the response with ice and glaring. "And what would you mean by that?"
Seifer seemed delighted by the opportunity to explain. "Seems you have built up quite a reputation for yourself, Mr. Leonhart." When Squall said nothing, he continued. "Some interesting rumors have reached me, and after looking through your pay check records, I see that they are more than just idle gossip."
Squall knew where the blonde was going with this, and mentally counted to ten to stop his fists from clenching.
"Obviously quite skilled, considering the amount of raises you have received over the past few years. But I suppose that's just because you held your wonderful presidents hand?"
Squall snarled. He was usually very skilled at holding back emotions, but this man made his blood boil. "As if you would know anything about what happened here."
"Ah, while I have not been present, I know a lot of people who have. They've even seen you in the act personally. Quite pathetic actually, that someone could be so desperate as to sleep with a man old enough to be their grandfather."
"And I suppose you heard all this from Nida?" Squall asked, having to work particularly hard to keep the snarl from his voice.
"Uh-huh. Though it must be rather hard to deny, was it supposed to be a little secret?"
Any further taunts were cut off by Squall biting out, "As much as I'm enjoying this conversation, I'm only here for my paycheck, and then I will be on my way."
Seifer smirked, before reaching into the drawer beneath him to find a stack of envelopes, slowly flipping through them to find the one marked for Squall. "So do you have any idea of what you are going to do? I'll warn you that most professions now require job-skills. May be a bit tough for someone who can only sleep with the boss to get by." He said, as he pulled the envelope that had the words "Squall Leonhart" written in pristine handwriting across the front of the envelope, holding it up for Squall to take.
Squall glared as he had to reach over the desk to grab the envelope, not responding to any of the taunts in hopes that the blonde would get bored and leave him alone. But when Squall tried to pull the envelope back, Seifer wouldn't release it. "Perhaps I could find a use for your...skills. Care to hear a proposition?" He asked with a cocked eyebrow. Suddenly his feet were on the ground and he was leaning across the desk to brush the back of his fingers against Squall's cheek.
Squall jerked back away from the touch, acting as if he had been burned. Looking down at the envelope in his hand, he backed away from the desk, since he had now gotten the only thing he needed here. "I'm not a whore." Squall said firmly, before walking backwards until he reached the door. Quickly he opened it and stepped outside, barely hearing the blonde as he called out –
"I'm not through with you yet, Leonhart!"
---
"Daddy, Daddy!" The moment Squall had opened the door he heard the high pitched squealing of his daughter as she ran through the small apartment. Moments later he was being tackled with a tight hug around his legs. Squall made an amused sound before he bent down and scooped up Maggie into his arms. "Daddy, Selphie took me to see the duckies today! And we fed them bread and one of them swam really close and Selphie spanked it with the paddle in the boat!"

Squall smiled after a few moments of deciphering what the girl had said so quickly. "Well that was not very nice of her, where is Selphie now?"
"I'm in the living room!"
Squall faced Maggie before planting a small kiss on her forehead and then set her back on the ground. The small girl beamed, straightening out non existent wrinkles in the little blue sundress that she wore. She looked so much like her mother, long deep brown hair that fell in ringlets and locks of curls down her back, a headband holding up to fall behind her shoulders and short bangs and curls fell down on the side of her face. Chocolate brown eyes that could make irresistible puppy dog expressions on cue, a pert nose and full pink lips. She looked like a little angel, which in Squall's mind she most definitely was. The little blue dress wasn't in the best of shape, but it was good for playing around in, a small white belt around her middle that had a few stains on it. Squall wanted to get her some nicer, fancier clothes, but of course that was expensive, and he wasn't in any situation to go out and buy things now.
He was fortunate that he had gotten her Christmas presents a few weeks early.
Taking the small girls hand, he noticed that her fingernails were delicately painted with pink nail polish, something that hadn't been there when he left that morning. Squall guided her through the small kitchen into the living room, or rather, a small room with a couch and TV on the worn carpet floor. He seen Selphie sitting with her legs straight out in front of her, bent over them as she carefully painted her toes, the smell of nail polish strong through the room.
Sitting on the couch behind her was a man about Squall's age, long auburn hair held behind him in a pony tail, a black cowboy hat beside him. Maggie giggled and released Squall's hand to run to the tattered couch, grabbing the cowboy hat and happily putting it on her head, turning around to show the newest addition to her outfit. Squall gave her an amused smile as he walked towards the couch, flopping down onto it next to Irvine, ignoring the creak of protest the couch gave out.
"Harsh day?" Irvine asked, while reaching to the floor and picking up a bottle of beer, handing it to Squall who took it after a moment. "Heard about the layoffs." Irvine Kinneas and Selphie Tilmitt had been Squall's friends since high school. Though they were now reaching 25 years old, none of them seemed to look, or act much differently then they had as teenagers. Selphie was constantly hyperactive and full of cheer, even though her and Irvine were living in the same apartment building as Squall, and in the same living conditions. Optimistic and friendly she was perfect to baby-sit Maggie, which she loved to do on any given occasion. Irvine had a good paying job and so they got through life fine, but he never acted like he was doing any better, although occasionally Squall had to tell him off for offering financial support. So it didn't surprise Squall that Irvine knew about the layoffs, since Irvine seemed to know about everything that happened in his life.
"Yeah, don't know what's going to happen next. That guy, Almasy? Should be taken out and shot."
Irvine looked amused. "Heard a lot of rumors about him. Everyone was saying that he was bad news the minute he moved into town. That guy just settles in one place, leeches all the money he can get out of the area, and then moves on to the next place. One of the richest guys in the States now, and he doesn't deserve a penny of it."
Selphie looked up, now that she had finished one foot, opening her arms so that Maggie could sit on her lap. The little girl listened with an interested expression, remaining quiet as the others talked. "I heard that he's a contributing member of society, I heard that he donated a bunch of money to the Mayor to get those orphanage kids some new beds, and gave a bunch of money to the hospital to help pay for renovations."
"Well of course." Squall said, taking a long drink of his beer. "He helps the rich people, because then it benefits him in the long run. I don't see him giving money to people like us who could actually use it. The orphanage kids aren't going to get a cent since Mayor runs that place and we all know that he spends all the money on his wife. The hospital renovations mean that all the investors in his medical stock will feel more confident about buying, which means more money in his pocket. The guy is a crook."
"Wow Squall." Irvine said after a few moments of silence. "That's the most you've said about anything in a long time, he must have really pissed you off."
"Don't use bad words in front of Maggie." Squall said after a moment, shooting Irvine a glare before he smiled down at Maggie. "Did you have lots of fun with the ducks in the park?"
Maggie nodded, immediately brightening at the memories. But her expression went serious after a few moments. "Mommy's really worried about you, Daddy. Did something really bad happen today?"
Squall sighed, opening his arms to invite Maggie into them, which the girl did after hopping off of Selphie's lap. "Daddy explained how the all the people who worked for Mr. Kramer had to find different jobs right?" Maggie looked sad and nodded, before she hugged Squall tightly around his middle. Irvine took that moment to grab his hat back, but moments before he had it back on his head, Selphie snatched it out of his hand and put it on her own.
"Yee-haw cowboy." She said with a giggle, before plopping into his lap and pouting at the auburn haired man. "How come only Maggie gets love and affection?"
A giggle was heard from Maggie and Irvine grinned before putting his arms loosely around Selphie's shoulder and planting a small kiss to her lips. "That's better!" She said contentedly before giggling and batting Irvine's hands away when he tried to grab his hat again.
"Mommy will help us, you know that right Daddy?" Maggie said quietly while Selphie and Irvine got into a minor wrestling match over Irvine's cowboy hat. If they heard any of the talk about Rinoa's supposed "angel", they didn't appear to be disturbed by it. Though Squall wouldn't be surprised if Irvine and Selphie already knew that Maggie thought she seen Rinoa's angel on a regular basis. According to the small girl, Rinoa was constantly around them, never leaving, only there to take care of them. Squall didn't necessarily believe his daughter, but he wasn't going to tell her that angels didn't exist. Since they made Maggie so happy, when most children would be upset, he wasn't going to take that away from her. And hopefully as she got older she would grow out of it, as other children grew out of their imaginary friends.
"I hope so."
---
"Last day of schoooooooollll~!" Maggie sang as she accepted the small lunch bag that Squall handed to her. "And then Chrissstmasssss~!" She sang even louder, hopping from one foot to the other while doing a little twirl. Squall couldn't help but smile at her jubilant attitude, untouched by stresses or worries. It was easy to relax around her, and he needed to relax as much as he could before he went out job hunting today. He was hoping that he could get a job before stores and businesses started closing for the holidays.
Maggie raced out of the small kitchen to find whatever it was she had to locate before going to school, and Squall leaned back against the counter, reaching out for the coffee that he had made earlier that morning. After closing his eyes and taking a drink Squall opened them and surveyed the room he was standing in. The apartment overall was not much at all. Enough for two bedrooms, a small bathroom, then a living room that's corner had been made into a kitchen. All the furniture was mismatched and not in the best condition, most of it had been donated by one person or another. But most importantly, all of it was what they could afford. Which reminded Squall that he should cash his last cheque so that he could pay the landlord before he evicted them.

Squall could hear Maggie racing down the steps, and when he was about to pick up her shoes from under the table, most likely misplaced, he heard a harsh rapping on the door. Squall was almost positive that it was the landlord by to demand payment. Sighing he walked to the door and opened it, not even looking up. "I'll have rent in a few hours as soon as I go to the--"
When he finally looked up, he was very much surprised to see that the man standing there was definitely not his landlord. He immediately made a move to close the door, but the blonde man had already pushed himself past the doorframe.
"I said I wasn't through with you, Mr. Leonhart."
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Green Romance