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A Break in Character	By : Resting-Madness Category: Final Fantasy VIII > Yaoi - Male/Male > Irvine/Squall Views: 919 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or setting of the Final Fantasy VIII universe and make no money from this work of fan fiction. It's all for fun.

Chapter List
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Squall watched Irvine walk away from the table. He balled his hand into a fist in anger. "What is his problem?" He demanded to know.
"You." Seifer replied, in a tone that said it was too obvious that even someone as slow to human emotions as Squall Leonhart, should have understood that much.
Eyes sharpened like knives, he popped his fist angrily against the table. He had to hit something! He can't hit the guilty pricks who'd beaten up Irvine. He certainly wouldn't hit Irvine. 'Damn it.' He remembered causing Irvine to flinch, simply because he seemed ready to strike him. 'Those assholes made that part of Irvine. They put a rot of fear in him. He'd playfully laugh normally, turn it against me into a flirt that I liked violence kink, or something. For breaking his character... I'm really gonna make them hurt.' standing, he picked up his tray but Seifer kept him in place by grabbing his wrist.
"Want me to talk to him?" He asked, tone sincere.
Squall felt an annoyed growl in his throat, but he kept it in. 'I'd rather you not act as though you have a better chance at getting anything out of Irvine over me, but the desperate can't be picky.' He released a sigh. "Fine. But I get to be there too."
"Of course." Seifer released his hold, then returned to eating his meal.
Zell, who'd watched the entire exchange in silence, shook his head. "What is with the two of them? They've been so dramatic lately, you'd swear they were dating or something."
Brows furrowed. "What's 'or something'?"
Zell rolled his eyes, did he really have to explain it. "Casual lovers. Bed-buddies. How old are you?"
"Yeah, cause I'm immature." Retorted the ex-knight, who for the past ten minutes was privy to Zell playing with his unwanted food. "Would that bother you?"
"What? Squall and Irvine?" He looked in the direction the departed had gone. "Not really. It'd be weird, because before they didn't seem to get along."
"You didn't get along with Irvine, Squall was fine with him."
"Right. Either way, it's no bother to me. Long as they're happy... But, they don't seem happy now." He shrugged his buff shoulder. "Maybe they should date, cease the odd tension."
Seifer smiled. That's the first time anyone has thought people at odds should date, when the normal response was just-screw-already. He couldn't help but think the martial artist could be endearing at times.
...
"Did you get all that?" Seifer asked when leaving the locker room, later that day.
"Every word." Squall followed the go-between back to the dorms. He looked around the room when the door slid open for them. 'To think, I could be sharing this room, if not for certain idiots.'
"Out. The big cats need to talk." Seifer commanded of the lounging pair.
The resident Galbadian, who normally shared the room, simply grabbed his music player and left. Ferris protested. Not surprisingly, since the weasel has been trying to inject himself with their group since he'd glommed onto Squall back in Balamb months before. Talk about take-a-moment-for-what-it-was, and move the hell on.
Seifer crossed his arms. Enforced waiting.
"Me too? Oh, come on!" He popped up from the bed like a slice of bread would from a toaster. "What's so important?"
"Private talk. Out."
"But.. Squall, you don't want me to go?" His eyes pleaded.
Squall walked over to Irvine's bed, taking a seat. Not saying a word.
Ferris looked between the two. He wondered. He threw his hands up, then exited.
"It's gotten to the point where Ferris isn't even annoying," Squall muttered. "I'm genuinely hating him."
Seifer nodded, then sat on the borrowed bed.
"I knew there had to be a reason he broke up with me in the quad." Squall started. "But, I thought it was a little more complicated. He was humiliated, and beaten up. I thought he wanted to end things because he felt embarrassed and emasculated - - that being with a guy did it."
"I can see that." He'd feel it to some degree, if it were him in the situation.
"But he broke up to protect me..."
"Noble?"
"Annoying." Snorted Squall. "..But Noble.." He clenched his fists in and out. "It makes it easier, though. To flush out the losers who'd done it."
"Yeah. Now we know why not many cadets had an issue with other Gardens, despite Irvine being jumped." So, the desired peace was still possible. That was good. However, they now have to sniff out a new kind of monster.
"Same strategy as before. Covert asking in the message board."
Seifer agreed.
The pair turned their head when hearing commotion at the door before it slid open. They both blinked upon seeing Irvine, though the sniper wasn't the reason for the confused reaction. It was the anchor on his arm.
"They said they wanna talk privately, Irvine. You can't go in." Ferris tugged, but rather than succeed at stopping Irvine, he was pulled along.
"I can go where I dang-well please; let me go." He yanked his arm free.
Squall stood up in a flash. "I was just leaving." He lowered his gaze to avoid seeing the pain on Irvine's face as he most likely was wondering why he was speaking secretly with Seifer Almasy. "We'll talk tomorrow."
Ferris lowered his glare to the floor. He then followed Irvine back into the borrowed room, and sat on his borrowed bed.
"Kin.." Correcting himself, Seifer began again. "Irvine, tell everyone tomorrow."
"Ok." He sat on his bed, then tossed his weight sideways. He closed his eyes, awaiting sleep.
"What's he gonna tell everyone?" Ferris wondered out loud.
"You are too nosy. Mind your own business." Replied Seifer.
Ferris balked. "I'm not nosy. I.. I just wanna be friends."
Seifer shrugged his hand. He walked out of the room to retrieve the shoved-out roommate, he couldn't have gone too far.
Squall looked over his shoulder at the sound of the opening door, he watched long enough to see Seifer depart, then he continued on to the auditorium.
...
Squall couldn't sleep. His mind was too busy. 'He just wanted to protect me. He loves me. I wasn't just some conquest. But, it's my fault. He was beaten up because I wasn't with him. Just to keep us a secret... it's my fault. If we had just told everyone...' His eyes welled up as flashes of Irvine played through his mind. His smile, his laugh, those idiotic flirtatious things he'd say and do. Or did. Now that his spirit has been broken to just be his usual self with anyone, the true Irvine is on hiatus.
He looked at his phone screen. All their old messages.
Irvine: I like lights out. It means I get to message you
Squall: Me too. Before you get excited, I should tell you I'm dressed.
Irvine: I know. I like it that way, I can peel off the layers are we go.
Squall smiled at how corny the pervert could be. He'd even texted him little chunks of a book he was reading. Paragraphs or conversations he'd found amusing or interesting. And the book he'd lend to Squall, or he'd tell him the title. They would have made mini mountains out of letters, had technology not wiped out paper as an option of communication to the modern generation.
'Homophobia... Seifer was right, that is the dumbest reason to hate someone or to harm them. Galbadia ordered a missile strike with intentions to kill us all, and each of them were forgiven for that. Maybe not entirely repaired, but ready for it.'
Each Garden had been getting along so well before the gang up. The games were fun, everyone was mingling. They were just normal teenagers. But, now there's a stir. Doubt. A feeling it was all a lie.
'Irvine revealing himself will repair that mix-up. But... am I really gonna let him be thrown to slaughter alone? He wants to protect me from the situation, but those involved likely already know about me. So what reason is there to protect me for?' Others joining in. He figured. If five guys got that upset over something so trivial, others could agree and take action as well. Madness loves to crowd up in numbers. Always many against one. 'Never again. I won't let you be a lone wolf in this. You have a pack, Irvine. You're mine. And I am going to protect you.'
He gave an affirmed nod. Eyes closed, he took a deep breath and awaited sleep.
The next day.
Squall walked towards the classroom entrance, but had to stop himself in his tracks to avoid bumping into Irvine, who had arrived at the door at the same time.
"After you," Irvine yielded.
Squall complied and walked in.
"Wanna sit together?"
He glanced over his shoulder, then muttered. "Why the hell would I wanna do that?"
Shoulders slumped, he replied. "Right. Sorry."
"After all, I was just nothing but a moment. You wanna resume the game now that it's thrilling due to being over?" He glared daggers. "Are you that cruel, you'd say what you did but expect me to be your friend?"
"I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking."
With a small smile, the commander nudged his sulking ex with his elbow. "I was kidding. We're friends, friends sit together."
Mood slightly elevated, he nodded. "Right."
"Right. So no more avoiding me at lunch."
He put up his hands in show of a thrown-in-towel.
"I can let what was said in the Quad slide, but only if you stop treating me like a disease."
"I promise. No more Houdini."
Squall slid onto a stool. Irvine took the seat beside him.
Botani class was underway, and when the instructor came to the portion where the cadets had to do their work, Squall leaned over and whispered. "Seifer said you're planning on telling the others today."
"During break."
"You don't have to be the only one out there... I'm a part of it too."
Irvine shook his head. He then remained quiet.
The lion looked at his wolf, an ache grew in his chest. Why was he so willing to take this on alone? It was both of their problem. And it was time for Irvine to be informed of that.
During free period, Irvine called his friends for a group chat. It was too personal to put up on the message board. That beast of knowledge would come later for everyone else.
While Irvine was telling the others, Squall remained silent. Just listening in to the conversation through his ear buds as he made his way to the headmistress office. He was given the go ahead to tell headmasters Cid and Edea Kramer about it on Irvine's behalf. He shouldn't have to take on all three zones himself. Their friends, the other cadets, all 3 headmasters. It was too much. And as his boyfriend, ex or otherwise, Squall wanted to help. As Cid put it, he was the team glue, after all.
He paused outside of the door, taking a seat in the waiting area as he listened to his friends talk.
"So like," Irvine began, his nervous tick.
Which is why Squall had stopped to listen once the pleasantries were over. He wanted to be on the ready, without interruption from the appointed conversation between himself and the headmasters. He wants to defend Irvine if the outcome was bad. He doesn't think it will be, but one never can tell when one strays from what's considered The Norm. It's what caused this mess.
"I have some news, it's kinda personal-personal... Not just the day-to-day catch up.. I um.. I'm seeing someone - - or, was."
Selphie wasn't surprised. Irvine told her as much before. She figured it would be nice to put a face to the mysterious person.
"That's wonderful.. or is it bad?" Quistis sounded unsure. "You said you were seeing someone. You broke up?"
Zell scoffed. "Don't tell me she caught you flirting and gave you the boot."
Irvine waited for the banter to thin, then continued. "We broke up because who I am... was the reason I was attacked."
"I don't understand." Quistis understood. Or thinks she does.
"I knew it. You cheated. You can't do things like that," Zell informed.
"I'm gay - - bi, rather."
There was silence.
Squall held his breath during the pause. It seemed too long, when really it was just 40 seconds, or so.
"Are you sure?" Quistis spoke up first.
Zell then asked. He needed it properly confirmed. "As in bisexual?" He added. "Your relationship was with another guy?"
"Yeah." Irvine sounded tucked away. In a hole. Not ashamed just protecting the world he's come to know and care about.
Selphie, who'd been silent, said calmly. "That's why.. isn't it? Someone found out and they don't accept it."
Irvine expelled a breath. "Never mind them, are y'all alright with it?"
The martial artist piped up first. "Yes! Irvine, I mean.. shocked, because you're a power-flirt to anyone in a skirt but.. You say you're into guys too?"
Quistis asked. "Since when? Do we know this person?"
"Not important, Trepe." Commented Seifer, who seemed to be silently monitoring just as Squall.
"Irvine, of course I accept your relationship. I want you to be happy."
Selphie sounded as though she was smiling. "Yeah! Love and peace all day, Irvy. Date whoever you want." She chuckled before dawning a stern tone. "You'd better introduce him to us. I wanna give this guy the once over."
"Me too." Chirped the martial artist. "For a guy turning your head, he must be some looker."
Squall smiled.
"I won't intimidate him, but he'd better treat you right." Quistis added to the parental badgering.
"Once all this blows over, I will... If he'll take me back."
'I never broke up with you.' Squall thought. Standing, he heads into the main office. His fears put to rest.
"Squall, Seifer," Quistis was saying. "What about you two?"
Seifer held his laugh. "If Irvine wants to play to a different tune, I don't care."
"It's fine. I have to talk to Cid and Matron." Replied Squall. He put his end on mute after informing them.
He listened as they continued to tease and grill Irvine. Selphie asked the main question.
Was the attack a hate crime towards his relationship? Yes. And as the strategizing to flush them out started, he told Edea and Cid.
"Irvine was victimized because the attackers found out that he's bisexual, and in a relationship." There. Clinical efficiency. Any other report. He can't have his emotions involved. However, his facade slipped when his gaze shifted to Edea. Her teary eyes brought mist his own.
"I see. And he's told you this?" Cid inquired.
"Yes. He's currently telling the others. And, he plans to tell the other cadets."
"Why? He doesn't have to." The headmaster scratched his chin.
"Irvine is trying to provoke the attackers from hiding." The former Matron cleared it up for her husband.
"Do you think they could be drawn out?"
Squall nodded. "They could easily hide behind the lie, that it was a hate crime against all Galbadians, but those people... They rarely keep their feelings contained when seeing what they hate."
"And how would he go about flushing them out?"
Squall blinked. "We're hoping his saying so to everyone will be enough. If not... I'm willing to help Irvine. We could just go around pretending to be a couple. Surely one or all of the guilty will come out of hiding, if we provoke them with enough information."
"It's underhanded. Squall, this isn't a game. You two could really be hurt."
"Some poison amongst us has already hurt me, by hurting my friend... I'll take the risk."
"You want it out of revenge."
"I want it out of retribution."
"I can't authoritively allow you to punish others."
"But what will you do, headmaster? To make them stop? To see that it never happens again? Not just to Irvine, but all closeted cadets?" His stern posture wavered. He felt sick thinking about this being a constant for Irvine, and others. Nevermind himself. "The Garden creeds and guidelines were never clear about sexuality. It was never mentioned at all, as far as I know." And does know. He memorized the damned rule book cover to closure.
"Because such a thing doesn't matter. I, we," he touched Edea's hand. "Never felt it needed to be addressed. You are who you are. You love whom you love."
Squall was so relieved to hear that, he actually became lightheaded. Some jobs release homosexuals employment once they find out. But, Cid and Edea don't mind. They see it as nothing. The guilty persons will be punished.
"Trust me, Squall... Those involved will be punished. Thoroughly reprimanded for their crime."
"Squall... You seem like you have something more to say." Edea inquired.
Squall closed his eyes, took in a breath, then said as he released it. "Irvine and I are dating. He doesn't want me mentioned, to protdct me." He opened his eyes, locking them with Cid's. "You have to put an end to this, so that we can have each other back. I won't let him feel so powerless that all he can do is stay away from me."
Cid and Edea were stunned to silence. Squall Leonhart... very much involved with Irvine Kinneas. How does that happen? When did it happen?
"You have my word. My personal best will be put forward in this matter. You've helped me so much during the Sorceress war, gave me my wife back. I will not let the return be any less."
"Thank you." He stood from the seat before the desk.
"One more thing." Edea walked from around her desk, to the emotionally drained child of hers, and wrapped her arms around Squall.
Squall recovered from the surprised feeling and hugged the Matron in return.
"I'm happy for the two of you."
"Same here."
"Thank you." He didn't know he needed anyone's blessing, but receiving it out of the blue... He really appreciated it.
He left the office getting filled in on the rest of the phone conversation the others had. He checked the message board to see what was written about it. To say the cadets were shocked by Irvine's news was putting it mildly. There were some who laughed, mostly because they felt he'd quit hitting on them. Others who teased - - good-natured, not cruel. Some swore at him, called him a faggot. But, they couldn't really be seen as the perpetrators because they assumed it was why Irvine didn't commit to them. Jaded doesn't always equal guilty. The good thing, however, was the majority were supportive, although some were lewd about it wanting dates or threesomes with the sniper.
Over Squall's dead body. No one was getting anything from Irvine outside of him.
Everyone posting comments began to shift their shock into concern when it was also revealed that Irvine was the cadet who was attacked, and that his secret was the reason why. They were disgusted. Embarrassed. Confused as to why anyone would care. Even the angered girls calmed their bluster to throw out concern, and express their sympathies. It would seem tragedy could heal a green heart. Most people love a tale of tainted love. By the end of it, virtually anyway, the verbal response would most likely go around privately for another few hours, but by the end almost everyone expressed support. Everyone wanted to help find the guilty. It was a nice relief to see such care for one another.
Squall entered the dorm hall, he wanted to talk to Irvine in person. But when the door slid open, he was floored by what he walked in on...
Ferris Sergeant was on his hands and knees, scooping up broken glass. Sobbing through sniffles as he cleaned.
The room was a total wreck. Mostly Irvine's bunk. Squall could even see a yellow stain. Disgusting. How could anyone go so far?
"Squall!" Ferris stood up when he saw the commander at the door. "I tried to stop him, but he decked me and ran off. I couldn't see his face."
Squall noticed a golf ball sized knot under Ferris's eye. The guy decked him good.
"I wanted to clean it up before Irvine could see it." He shrugged out his hands as if to say: but look at what a huge job it is.
Irvine was just returning to the dorm from the library. He, Seifer, and Zell skitted to a halt. Taking in the disaster, they didn't know what to say or do. But, it was a promising show, to know that whomever did it took the reveal as the bait it was intended as...
X x X
Commentary: thank you for reading. I'm sorry if the mistakes are too grand, I'll fix them once I catch them, because somehow I tend to miss them sometimes even after the proofread. Have a good week.
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A Break in Character