Adult-FanFiction.org : Final Fantasy

Magic of Valentine	By : Zierra Category: Final Fantasy VIII > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 664 -:- 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
- 8
- 9
- 10
Chapter 9 (Contains sexual misconduct...)

�Can we go now?�

That was the third time in half an hour that Squall had voiced his desire to leave and normally, Zell would have been out the door and long gone by now, but despite being less Commander-Squall, he wasn�t the leopard-spotted-party-animal-Squall they�d seen on Halloween.

�You were the one who wanted to go�, Zell reminded him and gave the library girl he�d been talking to an apologetic smile. �You did before we got here, anyway.�

Squall looked around nervously, his entire body language screaming of discomfort and suddenly Zell thought he knew what the problem was. He grabbed the rigid brunettes hair and leaned in. �Listen, I won�t let you make a fool of yourself this time around.� Sometimes it was just best to humour him. �I know how to say no to you now.�

He could have imagined it - things had been so hectic lately - but he might have caught a flicker of a sensual look in Squall�s eyes. Zell would probably have written it off as his explicit imagination, if those sultry eyes weren�t still looking at him.

His heart made a summersault at the memory of their moment earlier that night, and it fluttered even more when he realized that Squall must have thought of the same thing. The long stare between them inspired new and sexier images and Zell realized he�d gotten hot under the collar.

�We�ll leave in a second�, he promised, when an impatient but polite cough from the girl who�s story Squall had so rudely interrupted, broke their trance.

�We better.� Squall began strolling away with a sly wink over his shoulder.

Hyne, Zell thought and tried to suppress a grin as he continued to listen to whatever story the girl was telling him. Squall being flirtatious? Absolutely unbelievable. He�d been introduced to the sexy side, the shy side and the somewhat crazy and adventurous side of Squall, but he realized there were a gazillion other sides of his Commander that he had yet to experience and practically no time to do it.

And he was wasting that time, listening to a girl he had no interest in.

�Sorry�, he cut in, adding a little of his goofy charm that most girls seemed to find adorable. �I really have to go. Don�t wanna be suspended for not obeying orders, you know.�

He was on Squall�s heels in a heartbeat, leaving the girl standing flabbergasted behind him. But him following Squall around like a whipped dog was luckily not an unusual sight.

�That was fast.�

�Yeah well, you are the Commander of Balamb G and your wish is my command.�

Again, with that sad smile. Zell was beginning to wonder if that was the only smile Squall was capable of anymore. What had happened to that smirk he�d thrown around so carelessly last year? The blond was tempted to ask about it, but he had learned that things went smoother (and inevitably faster) if Squall was allowed to choose is own pace.

�So, what do you wanna do instead?� Zell asked flippantly, throwing an arm around Squall shoulders. He�d done it so many times before that it was more of a familiar gesture than anything physical.

Squall shrugged indifferently, although Zell saw him sneaking a peak at the dance floor. He kept his tone carefree as he asked, �Fancy a dance?�

He noticed how the brunette tensed and hesitated before he vigorously shook his head, and Zell grinned.

�You know�, he whispered huskily in Squall�s ear. �I have a stereo in my room, some records and that disco light Selphie gave me. If you don�t have other suggestions, we can go back to my room and��

He left the rest unsaid, letting Squall interpret his silent anyway he pleased. The gunblader stopped and bit his bottom lip in thought. That was something Commander-Squall never did, probably because it wasn�t very professional and made him look an awful lot like Laguna.

Even though everything that had happened between them, all the things that had been said, Zell was still worried about rejection. This wasn�t just some random guy he�d picked up at a supermarket; this was Squall Leonheart, Saviour of the World and several other equally pompous titles. One misstep here, and he could say buh-bye to his career. At least the fun part of it. Even if Squall wasn�t the vindictive type, Zell doubted that if things wouldn�t work out between them, working together would become difficult and then maybe a transfer would be in order.

It might even be so that Squall wasn�t even interested in a relationship of any kind and what had happened between them would just be excused as a drunken mistake - end of story.

�Sure.�

Zell had wallowed so deep in insecurities that Squall�s voice came through as a mild disturbance. It wasn�t until he noticed the �I�m really impatient here and don�t wanna wait another second�-pose that Squall only displayed on rare occasions that he realized his Commander had talked. It was followed by the �You�ll be sorry if I have to repeat myself�- face he�d become quite accustomed to.

�What?�

But instead of trotting off with an indignant huff that he�d been known to do, Squall only sighed. �I said, sure. Why not?�

The grin that spread across Zell�s face threatened to unhinge his jaws. �On my six, Commander.� (1)

They only ran into two cadets, obviously intoxicated who attempted to simply run past them, giggling, when Squall stopped and stared and the two turned dead serious.

�Sorry, sir�, one of them said and Zell recognized her from his martial arts class. He assumed he preferred �sir� over �instructor�, but if he�d been the boss, there�d be no titles whatsoever.

�No problem�, he said and gave her a smile. �Just be careful.�

They nodded, throwing concerned glances at Squall who hadn�t even moved, but kept staring. Zell refrained from elbowing him in the side.

�Go back to the party, kids. It�s not over yet.�

�Yes, sir!� They saluted him cheerily and Zell snickered, giving them a sloppy salute back.

With the two kids running down the hallway, back towards the music, Squall returned from his reverie a slightly disgusted wrinkle at his mouth. �Hyne, that shirt gives me the creeps.�

Zell hadn�t even noticed the leopard print on the other girl�s shirt until Squall mentioned it and all he could do was laugh. �Get over it, damn it!�

�Were we like that when we were cadets too?� Squall asked as they continued to Zell�s room.

�I know I was. Me and Seifer would always get into an argument just seconds before an instructor walked by. And I was all �Yes, sir, Instructor, ma�am�, and Seifer would always hassle me about it. But I caught him doing the same thing at least twice.�

Squall smiled and did a quick perimeter check before he reached out and took Zell�s hand.

�I thought you were funny. No one could, or can, talk themselves out of a pinch better than you.�

�Yeah�, Zell agreed and took full advantage of the intimate handholding that was going on. �Saved me from a lot of detention hours. Seifer has the opposite gift. I�ve never met anyone who can talk himself into a pinch better than him.�

While he was talking, a frown accompanied Squall�s scar across his face.

�What�s wrong?�

�Nothing.�

Zell responded with a frown of his own. �Hey man, don�t lie.�

Squall bowed his head down in defeat and Zell felt strangely privileged to have seen it. �Why do you always bring up Seifer when you tell a story?�

The blond�s jaw dropped and his eyes bulged in disbelief. �What?� His automatic response to questions he didn�t want or couldn�t answer was to claim lack of knowledge, but when he thought about it he realized he did bring up Seifer a lot.

�I don�t know�, he confessed, ransacking his brain for something that sounded a little more intelligent, but Squall beat him to it.

�Do you like him?�

It was asked in such a way that there were no doubts as to what kind of �like� Squall was referring to. Zell spluttered something incoherent as too many words tried to make themselves understood. When he recognized Squall�s inability to translate his chokes and cusses into a reply, he settled for shaking his head. Once he felt confident he�d soothed Squall�s immediate worry, he calmed enough to form comprehensible sentences.

�Are you insane? After all those years of�. No, Squall. Not like you implied anyway. What the hell gave you that idea?�

�I�ve been thinking about it for a while. I didn�t think you did, with your history and all, but I had to ask.�

Zell chuckled, amazed that Squall would even get such an idea. �But why?�

�Like I said, whenever you tell a story of your past, it�s always something you and Seifer did, you know, together.�

Zell shrugged. �I suppose it�s because even though he and I haven�t been on the best of terms, like ever, we�ve done a lot of things together. Seems like we end up in the most bizarre accident after the other, more or less willingly.�

Squall pursed his lips, thinking. �Unlike us?�

�No, baby! Come on, we�ve done a lot too. It�s just that they�re�.�

�Not as memorable?�

Zell pulled his boyfriend to a stop and turned him around by his shoulders.

�Man, you gotta get over all these issues!� The blond took a deep breath and looked Squall deep in the eyes. �You have to admit that the situations that we�ve gotten into haven�t been all that hilarious. And if they were, it�s never been just you and me there. When it comes to storytelling, Selphie is the queen and Hyne help anyone who tries to trespass on her territory.�

Squall smiled and nodded.

�Do you remember our diary pact?�

�Of course.�

The pact had been forged when the repercussions of the GF�s had become known and they suddenly began losing memories. They had vowed not to let the memorable moments and the small details get lost in the haze. Selphie was, of course, the one who had taken the pact the most serious, for practical reasons regarding her party-planning, but Zell had three-quarters worth of shelf space dedicated to his diaries. Tonight�s events would undoubtedly be documented in great detail, because this was one night he refused to forget. �Don�t worry, your mentioned plenty of times.�

Squall�s smiled took on a wider edge, a hint of a blush dusting over his cheekbones. � I have to admit that� so are you.�

�Yeah?� Zell inquired, genuinely surprised. He had always assumed that Squall�s diaries contained nothing but battle strategies and infiltration schemes, maybe a few cunning ways of avoiding Rinoa. It hadn�t occurred to him that Squall wrote journals just like anybody else. Although, Zell concluded as he opened his door, it did make sense. Someone of Squall�s importance couldn�t possibly keep everything bottled up inside without going bananas.

�Yeah�, Squall confirmed. �Mostly all the good things you�d done that day, like making me feel better. You�re very good at that.�

The confession made Zell feel all fuzzy inside and he wanted to pull Squall into a hug. In the enclosed confinement of his own living room, he gave in.

To his uttermost satisfaction, Squall responded immediately and Zell couldn�t help but shudder as those slender hands splayed on his back and warmed the expectant skin underneath.

The embrace lasted longer than it probably should have, but under the circumstances, Zell cherished every moment he could engage in physical contact with Squall.

�Hey�, he whispered and reluctantly removed himself from the brunette. The way hands lingered on his hips, keeping him close by, made Zell almost want to cry. �I thought we were going to dance.�

�And we are preventing that�how?�

�That�s not the kind of dancing I had in mind.� He felt provocative and added, �Yet.�

Disentangling himself from his blushing soon-to-be dancing partner, Zell began setting up a dance floor. Only after Squall had stared at him awkwardly for a few minutes did Zell allow him to help. �Move those chairs to the wall and roll up the carpet�, he instructed while he proceeded to dig deep in his closet. He knew he had hidden that embarrassing small-scale disco ball he�d received as an emergency birthday present during a mission in Fisherman�s Horizon. It had drawn out longer then expected and since Selphie had left the real gift at home, she had gone out on a mission of her own.

Apparently the only thing she could find that wasn�t a fishing tool had been that ball. Zell had sceptically accepted her claim, thanked her and buried it where no one would find it.

�Booya!� he exclaimed as he retrieved the item, still in it�s original package with unbroken seal. He walked over to Squall in the other room, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. It was almost frightening at how comfortable he felt doing that already. �Why don�t you pick out some tunes?� He pointed at the bookshelf where he kept his stereo. �Suitable music should be on the lower left shelf.�

Zell broke the seal on the box and took out the ball, no more than the size of his fist on a thin foot. He plugged it in and flipped the switch and watched it as it began to rotate, slowly at first, to then pick up a little pace. The sparkling silver dots that started to dance around the room wasn�t as impressive as from its larger cousin, but it worked well enough for what they had in mind.

Behind him, Squall was just putting in a CD in the stereo and moments later a familiar tune began to play. It was a slow song, with a dull but rhythmic beat and it was the last thing Zell had expected Squall to choose.

�How did you know? I love that song.�

He was impressed. Squall had never showed any interest in music and as far as Zell had seen, Squall owned no more than a handful of albums, all of them gifts.

�I like it too.�

�How would someone like you know of the Estharettes?�

Squall slowly walked out onto the cleared floor space and waited for Zell to join him. �My dad is a big fan. Plays them all the time. He even knows their choreography, which he never hesitates to demonstrate. Hell, he�d probably try to teach you.�

Zell laced his arms around Squall�s neck and pulled him close while finding a pace that matched the music. It took Squall a moment or two before he fell into step, but once he did, he pressed them tightly together. It was the kind of dance that the older generation referred to as �hugging in a circle�, but it was the kind they both knew and suited the moment.

Their dance continued well through three songs and only stopped when it distracted them from kissing.

�You know�, Zell whispered. �My feet are getting sore.�

And obvious lie, since he was barefoot and Squall hadn�t stepped on them once. �Maybe we can stop and lie down for a moment. Rest our legs?�

Squall nodded and moved away a bit.

�Sure. But you owe me a dance.�

It brought Zell back to the moment just after they�d stepped through the door to his room and the comment he had made, only half in jest. His heartbeat picked up as he looked Squall questioningly in the eye, trying to see what Squall had actually meant. He couldn�t be sure, but he might be reading innuendo into everything that Squall said.

But when the brunette reached down to take his hand and tugged him gently backwards towards the bedroom, Zell lost all doubts. Having sex with Squall had been his number one fantasy since he hit puberty and no amount of warnings from his conscience could keep him from fulfilling it.

The short distance from the bedroom was like a dance itself. Sensually in its movements and sexually charged.

Zell lost his shirt first, carefully removed by Squall�s nimble fingers and when they moved to trace slow patters over Zell�s chest, the blond shivered.

��

Despite his lack of experience, Squall was certain in his movements, following his instinct and desires. He allowed Zell to yet again to pull his blue shirt over his head, relishing in the flutter of butterflies in his stomach. He wasn�t nervous, he realized, as much as he was excited. They�d preformed this dance before, but it still felt new. Hell, Squall felt like an entirely different person when he stood shirtless in front of Zell. All his hesitations were gone and there was only one way this could end. No doubt he wanted Zell, in the way Zell obviously wanted him and with no inhibitions to stop him, Squall was all for it. And ready.

He was shamelessly craving, too. Craving touch and intimacy, the kind he had never shared before.

�Zell�, he breathed, trying to convey with his lovers name alone how much he needed him, and wanted him. Tried to make him understand how desperately he needed them to tumble back onto the bed and just get on with it.

Luckily, Zell had always been perceptive to Squall�s silent wishes and he nudged Squall a little further.

�Bed�, he clarified, indicating the furniture behind him. Without further thought, Squall bent down to pull off the comforter and moved the bedding aside. Hopefully, things would get messy. As soon as he was done, Zell moved past him and with deliberate slowness eased himself down onto the bed.

Squall stood and watched, mesmerized at how that strong body moved in the flickering light coming from the living room, and almost erupted in flames as Zell began to unbutton his own pants. He reached down to help, but Zell batted his hands away, with a sexy smile. �Not yet. Just watch.�

And watch he did. His eyes moved constantly across chiselled muscles and smooth skin and when Zell began to ease the dark fabric down over his hips, Squall lost his breath.

Zell wasn�t wearing anything underneath and it took all of his willpower not to disobey Zell�s request and tear the garment down powerful legs.

Once Zell kicked the piece of clothing off his feet, he lay there a moment, oblivious to his own naked perfection, eyeing Squall under heavy-lidded eyes. �Like what you see?�

He sat up on his elbows and Squall almost drooled.

The blond undoubtedly saw his answer in storm-clouded eyes because he smirked and winked. �Your turn.�

It took a while for Squall�s mind and body to coordinate and it was with unsteady fingers that he tried to discard his own clothes, but the urgency he felt at the prospect of having that body underneath his, hindered his progress.

With a breathy chuckle, Zell sat up straight and bluntly resumed the brunette�s sloppy work. Squall�s entire body hummed and he was positive that Zell could feel it.

The incredibly sexy blond made short work on the remaining clothes, chucking them down to Squall�s ankles and left the Commander to figure out the rest.

Once Squall was naked, they took a moment only to look at each other.

�Hyne, you�re gorgeous.�

Squall had been thinking the exact same thing, that for a moment he thought he�d voiced it out loud. With cat-like grace, Zell rolled onto his knees, and ran a skilled hand up Squall�s thigh. �So gorgeous�, he repeated and Squall almost whimpered when hot breath whisked past his erection. That had felt great before, but now he wanted more.

�You gonna let me into that bed?� he asked, shocked at how gravelled his voice sounded. �Or are you planning on having me stand here all night?�

Zell smiled, but his hand kept moving slowly up his leg, just barely touching Squall where he wanted him the most.

�What�s stopping you?�

Squall felt every muscle in his body tense just before he pounced. He was so attuned to his own body, he swore he could feel blood flowing rapidly though his veins.

Everything Squall had ever been taught about lust had never prepared him for this. He thought their moment together before had given him the general idea, but the ravage obsession that nearly devoured him whole caught him completely off guard. He felt like a wild animal and reacted as such.

His mouth found Zell�s purely on instinct, since he couldn�t keep his eyes opened. Seeing who he was kissing, and how, was much too intimate at the moment. Besides, he figured his visual senses took a backseat to all the other senses working overtime, except his common one. (2)

He felt Zell�s jugular vein pulse against his tongue and licked it leisurely, throwing in the occasional bite and as their heated bodies came in flush contact, they both voiced a needy sound and a chill ran down Squall�s spine. Hyne, how he wanted that voice to scream his name!

Bracing himself on one hand, he allowed the other to feel as much as possible, in the shortest amount of time. He felt nails dig into his back and arched up to meet them, grinding their hips together mercilessly and Squall almost lost it.

He only briefly registered that one of Zell�s hand stopped touching him, his concentration solely on the body beneath his. It wasn�t until he heard his name uttered through a needy sigh that he moved off.

Zell presented him with a plain-looking tube and he wondered of its purpose until Zell popped the lid and one of his legs moved to rest against Squall�s hip.

Now Squall couldn�t decide if it was nerves or excitement. Even in his frenzied state he recognized it at as a crucial moment. He didn�t want to hurt Zell, but inexperience combined with rampaging hormones wouldn�t make him very considerate.

�What if I hurt you?�

�You won�t�, Zell assured him, fingers playing carelessly over his skin. Then he smirked. �We could do it together.�

Squall didn�t understand the meaning until Zell smeared the cool substance in his own fingers as well as Squall�s.

�Hyne�, Squall whispered repeatedly as Zell�s hand came between then and he followed its descent. His body froze, unmoving, as Zell�s index finger first just circled his own opening, to then slowly push it inside. Squall�s erection was pulsing so hard he thought it would come loose and he felt sweat run from his temple.

The slick finger moved in and out of Zell�s body and with each inward push, the blond would deliver a hitched breath, the beginning of Squall�s name on his lips again and again. When he stopped, finger still buried deep inside and looked expectantly at Squall, the brunette had to fight to regain movement.

�Hyne, I can�t. I�ll�.� Zell shushed him gently as his left hand came up to guide Squall�s right.

�No you won�t. Just slide it in next�to mine.� The mere words seemed to turn Zell on as the act itself would and that gave Squall some courage.

Quickly, Squall went through his options. He could refuse, but then there would be no sex tonight�. Not much of an option, he realized, as he couldn�t bring himself to back peddle now. The other was to continue, to act first, just for once.

With a trembling hand, Squall let his finger run alongside Zell�s and only hesitated for a moment before pressing it in next to the first.

He vividly remembered the discomfort he had felt himself, but there seemed to be none of that in Zell�s features.

�You ok?� he asked, still uncertain that he was doing it right.

�Uh-huh�, was Zell�s only answer, with his head thrown back and his mouth slightly opened. Squall pushed in deeper, amazed at the tightness, the velvety feel and the heat. Hyne, the heat! He ventured a quick look away from Zell�s body to his own, measuring his member to Zell�s entrance.

�It�s not gonna fit�, he gasped, disappointed.

�Don�t worry, baby�, Zell said and cracked one eye open. �That�s what we�re working on. You wanna do the honors?�

Despite his rather submissive position, Zell was very much in charge. He knew what he wanted and how he wanted it done, and that gave the brunette the comfort of going through with this. At least this was something that Squall couldn�t correct him on.

He smirked when Squall frowned and pushed down onto their fingers. �Another one.�

Stunned, Squall complied and let his middle finger move in under the other. This time Zell arched his back, and Squall gawked at the obvious stretch the blond�s passage had to make and the resounding groan that echoed through the room. �Gods, yes!�

Only knowing that he made Zell feel good, Squall began to move his fingers more deliberately, following Zell�s as they began to stretch the fighter. The Commander noticed how Zell�s moans would pitch high on certain occasions and he made mental note to ask about it afterwards.

�I think�, Zell panted, �That we�re done.� A thin sheen of sweat covered his torso, making him glitter in the light.

Squall�s eyes again measured the radius of the inserted fingers.

�It�s still not--�

�It will be�, Zell interrupted, irritated and restless. �And I can�t wait any longer, anyway.�

Spurred on by Zell�s need, Squall pulled his fingers out and growled as Zell�s remained in place, moving slightly to make him shudder.

�Fuck, Zell.� He moved in for a heated kiss, loving how, even after they�d kissed so many times, they still felt so amazing.

Zell finally removed his finger and although Squall had enjoyed the show, he knew he had something better to look forward to. �Squall, now would be a good time.�

The brunette found himself with the tube in his hand. �I trust that you know what to do with that.�

Sort of, Squall admitted to himself and squirted some onto his hand and hoped it was enough.

He wasn�t an exhibitionist like Zell, so he crawled over him, kissing a lazy trail up Zell�s flushed torso, while coating himself. Masturbation wasn�t something that he often indulged in and certainly never in the presence of someone else. In the mix of the intoxicating feeling of Zell, the lack of mental reservations and the undeniable power of his arousal made him forget that he was shy about stuff like that and just let go. Zell moaned encouragingly in his mouth, bucking his hips up, grazing against Squall. He almost bit his tongue at the sharp surge of pleasure.

�Hyne, Squall. Now!�

Squall leant back on his heels as Zell lithely placed a leg on his shoulder. With a body shaking by nervous tremors, Squall guided himself right and began pressing into Zell�s body. He whimpered as he was engulfed in something not far from heaven. The few sexual acts he�d been involved with in the past (all women) had not prepared him for what it would feel like. An almost unbearable friction combined with an all consuming heat and the sexiest sound he had ever heard had him gritting his teeth and fighting against his own body even before they�d even started. Zell moved constantly against him and around him, not allowing him catch his breath.

He bowed his head and tried to will his arousal to dim, for the pleasure to lessen just a fraction to let him enjoy it. But Zell was merciless.

�You�re killing me�, he managed to choke out. He got no reply and made the mistake to look at his lovers face.

Somehow Zell�s tattoo only intensified the contorted expression of ecstasy, mouth open in a soundless scream, impossibly blue eyes burning through slit lids. Squall was so close to losing himself that he had to bite into his own arm, pulling at the skin until the pain subdued the passion enough to let him function properly.

Slowly pulling back, Squall gasped but managed to stay in control. How the hell could anyone last more than ten seconds in such a paradise?

The rapture was almost overpowering and he felt frustrated for his own lack of endurance and wavering restraint. He didn�t want to hold on anymore. He almost felt angry, with how he sweated and his blood pulsed hotly. He pushed back in and found the sensations as strong as before and he nearly howled in rage.

�More�, Zell pleaded. �I�m so close� Fuck, just move!�

�It won�t last�, Squall pressed out, jaws aching.

�Don�t care�, was the breathy reply. �Just go.�

Squall tried a second backstroke only to find it worst than the first. �To hell with it�, he growled and pushed in roughly. Zell shifted against the assault, angling his hips and with the next thrust his scream echoed through the room.

Squall didn�t care. He didn�t even care enough to breathe, so he held his breath and delivered the few thrusts he had in him with as much passion as he could muster. With a final push, his body finally found an outlet for all that frustration.

He knew orgasms during sex was much better than those achieved on your own, but Squall doubted he would survive if his climax could get more intense than the one he experienced.

As cruel as it might sound, Zell seized to exist the moment Squall�s back arched and his whole body went rigid. The unadulterated pleasure that coursed through him made him blind to anything but his own body and the divine turmoil it underwent. It wasn�t until his arms were no longer able to support him and he crashed down on Zell�s spent body that he remembered his lover.

�Shit�, he murmured and considered rolling off, but Zell hadn�t said anything or even moved, so Squall stayed where he was.

After a few moments of silence, Zell stretched and his hand came up to play with dark hair.

�You�re wild, baby.�

Squall blushed with embarrassment and was glad for the cover that Zell�s body provided. He had never liked anyone commenting on his performance, especially not in bed, not even if it was praise. But Zell wasn�t finished. �I love it, though�, he declared breathlessly and wriggled a little. Squall took that as a cue to get off and Zell made a pained face as he pulled out of him, but it was gone in the blink of an eye.

�You�re fucking amazing, babe. Hynedamned perfect is what you are.�

Snuggling up to Zell�s side, Squall placed a shy kiss on his cheek, silently begging his lover not to say another word. Zell obeyed, only after telling Squall one more time how good he�d been. Despite his inability to take a compliment, Squall smiled tiredly. �You too. To all of the above.�

He hadn�t planned on spending the night, it was a little too much too soon, even for them. But whenever Squall tried to climb out of bed, Zell�s arm was tight around him, or Squall simply couldn�t bring himself to. The blond�s body was still heated and he could hear the slowing heart rate in Zell�s chest and he found a strange comfort in having another human being so close.

It had been ages ago, his relationship with Rinoa. They hadn�t really worked out, she too insecure and he trying too hard. But it had given him a taste for flesh, sort to speak and when they�d gone their separate ways, things had, quite accidentally, heated up between him and a few co-workers that he knew were discreet. But not like this. Not like the thunderstorm he�d been in just moments ago, not that drawn out agony of longing he�d felt prior to Zell�s return. He knew it was more than just passing lust, but he didn�t know enough to put his feelings into words.

And in the middle of trying to decipher something cleaver to say as of why he shouldn�t stay, Squall fell asleep.

��

Quistis was sitting restlessly beside her phone, idly letting her finger run over the receiver. She had considered stopping by Zell�s room, but standing face to face with him was probably more than she could handle. And if Seifer was right, Squall would probably be there, and she would still try and avoid him as much as possible. Seifer could say what he pleased but he didn�t have to work next-door to Squall.

And picking up the phone had proved to be difficult enough, as she had found herself replaying her first day at Garden in her mind, remembering how nervous she had been and how she had gone out of her way to be as polite as possible and make a good impression. She specifically remembered how she and the rest of the gang had been reunited with Zell. Even though he had promised upon his adoption to stay in touch, she hadn�t believed that he would. None of them did. He hadn�t, of course, except for a strange-looking picture of something indiscernible on Selphie�s seventh birthday.

Thinking back on it, she couldn�t recall how Squall had taken their reconnection with the fighter, but then again, they�d been only thirteen and such feelings must have come way later, if not just recently. But the friendship had of course always been there and Squall could deny it all he wanted, because she did vividly remember the day of Zell�s departure and a little brown-haired boy locked up in the bathroom for two and half hours. She didn�t need any diaries to remember that.

With a mental smack on the back of her head, she picked up the phone and forcefully dialled the number. She fought the urge to hang up when it started ringing and wished she had when Zell answered, obviously roused from sleep.

�I�m sorry, I woke you.�

�No, Quisty, it�s alright. It�s not my bedtime yet, I was just�.napping.�

She heard a faint rustle in the background as he kept talking. �You wanted something?�

He sounded no different than he usually did, although her calls to him were infrequent and usually very short.

�Yes�, she confirmed, quietly, trying to form the right words in her head. �I wanted to apologize and I realize it�s lame doing it over the phone, but�.�

�No worries�, he picked up where she left off. �I suppose you�re lucky in a way.� He chuckled sincerely. �Since your set-up, well, let�s just say I can�t be mad anymore.�

�But you were?�

�Kind of. Well, not mad maybe. More like disappointed. But I�m over that too. It�s just that I made all that food!�

She smiled, even though she knew he was just trying to make her feel better. �Zell.�

�Right, so you�re forgiven.�

Despite his flippant behaviour, she was genuinely relieved. �Thank you.� And after a moment of doubt, she added, �And Squall?�

�He won�t be mad at anyone for a few more hours, so I should enjoy them while I can. Don�t worry. Tomorrow, he�ll be back to�normal.�

She caught the slip easily, wondering what it could mean, but before she could think more about it, or ask unnecessary questions that she had no business asking, she began to end the conversation.

�Again, I�m sorry I woke you.�

�And like I said, no problem. And Quistis, once burned, twice shy, right?�

�More like scared to death.�

They hung up in mutual consent and Quistis sighed. With the last of her worries gone, she felt the fatigue fall on her like a pile of bricks. She hadn�t figured that matchmaking could be hard work and keep such long hours.

May I be so confident as to say that this lemon ROCKED! Frankly, I enjoyed writing it immensely. Wanna do it again!

(1) Has anyone else noticed my shameless use of "JAG" quotes? I have no idea why I do that...

(2) Common sense... Everybody should know what that is.

Leave a review, yeah? I'd love to get your response on this one!

Hugs, Z
- 8
- 9
- 10
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Magic of Valentine