Snow Drift | By : Resting-Madness Category: Final Fantasy VIII > Yaoi - Male/Male > Irvine/Squall Views: 975 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1 |
Disclaimer: I don't own anything involving final fantasy 8, nor do I make money from this fanfiction. The only thing that's mine is the take on a plot that's been done by just about everyone. |
The drive to the barracks is in silence between the two men, the baby is asleep in Irvine's arms since they have no car seat as of yet. Irvine can't help but wonder what's on the lion's mind since he is the one initiating the awkward silence between them. Don't get him wrong, he's very used to Squall's many mood swings and dips into silent thought, but this was ridiculous. Squall hasn't said anything since dinner. The girls 'aaaw'ed' and 'ooohhh'ed' at the baby. Zell made faces, making the baby laugh. Even Seifer spared the child a glance or two! However, Squall just sat in silence.
"What's up? You've been kinda quiet, is something wrong?" He asked in a quiet voice.
Squall shrugged.
Shrugging as well, Irvine looked out the window at the passing forest turning into mountain side. He wondered how much longer the silent treatment was going to keep up. Better push the subject. "Because, y'know, if something is wrong you can tell me." He glanced at him. "Just sayin'..."
'What could possibly be wrong,' Squall thought. 'I'm leaving my comfortable room at Garden to move into what may or may not be a bread box with my boyfriend and a strange baby - - who may or may not have living parents or relatives.'
The playful Galbadian, with a smirk, tapped his boyfriend lightly on the head. "I know you can say it up here, but how 'bout sharing with the rest of us.'
"I just think that we're making a big mistake by caring for that baby. It could have been planted in the forest by some renegade bomber or nuclear war monger," Hearing Irvine's laughter he says. "Its not funny, I'm serious; what kind of person leaves a baby out in the woods, alone, with no intentions of coming back?"
Frowning, Irvine says. "A bad one."
Hearing the sadness in his lover's tone, he switched his reasoning. Trying to talk the baby away wasn't going to work. Period. Oviously. So its time for another approach. "And what about our missions? We're both active SeeD, we can't just take care of a baby that needs constant attention. The job is better suited for one of the medical team members or the Garden doctor... maybe even an adoption home, but not us. Irvine you have a mission coming up in three days. What am I supposed to do while you're gone - - I can't take care of him."
"You don't know that you can't, the thing is that you won't."
"Whatever." He said defensively.
"Whatever, whatever. It's true, just say it."
"Fine! I won't take care of him."
Expecting a fight, Squall kept his gaze ahead on the road lit by the bright headlights of the car. But when no fight came he glanced at Irvine to see if, instead, the Galbadian planned to ignore him. But Irvine seemed to just be looking out the window, thinking to himself.
"Say something." Squall practically ordered, though, his tone sounded more request.
"Naah, I'm just wonderin' how a guy that was put in an orphanage can't find some compassion for a kid in the same situation that he was once in."
"I don't know if you remember, but I was dumped-off there. I wasn't left on the streets or something... but... I guess I can understand what you're saying." He admitted.
Giving in to the fact that, out of all of them, Irvine was the closest to Matron. He remembered her, when everyone else forgot; the old gang was more alive in his heart than anyone's. So his compassion for the baby was understandable and justified. It still doesn't mean its a good idea to keep him. They are active soldiers in a world that's still calming down after the Sorceress war. And natural uprises occure from time to time. Even with help from his friends, Squall isn't sure if he's cut out to be a guardian.
"I'm sorry." He says sincerely, though, absently.
"Forget it. Anyhow, he may not even be with us for very long since Matron's gonna get some people to look for his parents. They might have gotten into some kind of trouble, and left the little guy out of harms way, then took off until the danger was over." Turning his head so he's no longer looking out the window but at Squall, he goes on. "They could be filing a report right now."
'Let's hope so.' Thought the lion.
The large brown vehical pulled to a stop outside of a high chain-link gate. A security guard exited a small post, approaching the car. Squall removed his I.D. card from the compartment between the two front seats then held it out the window for the man. Taking it, he looked it over then gave a nod, handing it back. Returning to his post, he pressed a button to open the gate allowing them entrance to the housing area. The car winded slowly along the rounded metal houses that look more like bomb shelters than living flats. Arriving at house 5, the car stopped inside a small carport.
"I'll get the bags." Says Squall exiting the vehicle.
Watching the brooding lion depart, Irvine shook his head. "Don't worry, he'll come around." He assured to the child.
The car shook from the activity going on in the trunk; by the time Irvine climbed out of the car, Squall had removed all four bags carrying two by the handles and the other two are at his hips as the straps lay across his chest held by his shoulder.
"I can take one." Suggests Irvine seeing the further pissed look on his lover's face.
"No, just get the door. The card is in my pants pocket on the left."
Waiting for the grouch to get closer to him, Irvine removed the key from Squall's jeans pocket then headed for the front door. Looking about the area, Squall noticed that its a very quiet. Not only because its night, but because it seems almost abandoned. They did pass two places with cars in the port, though, so its not a ghost town completely or anything. The sound of the opening door called the commander's attention, he quickly followed Irvine inside.
The light came on instantly; the both of them expected a light that would flicker a little bit, like something in a horror movie foreshadowing doom ahead; however, the place was really not as bad as the gloomy outer area would like you to believe. There is a carpet that goes from wall to wall. Matching furniture: a couch, armchair, coffee table, to the right is a small kitchenette area, 3 walls to give it an open concept divided simply by a partisan wall with a counter top attached, left is a tiny hallway that has two bedrooms or at least thats what the housing guard had told them, the bathroom is in the master bedroom. A simple little home.
"Color scheme's kinda tacky." Irvine comments while heading off to the bedroom area.
Squall gave his lover a bitter glance before following after him.
...
"At least there's hot water." Squall says while exiting the bathroom, drying his hair with a, thankfully, thick towel.
The place really isn't as bad as he'd originally thought it would be. Its more like a small apartment that you could rent in Balamb Town than a trailer home - - which is what he had pictured. It would just need some personal touches here and there to make it more visibly appealing than the ugly furniture and iffy cookware. But, then again, these places weren't meant as anything more than living area's for aged-out SeeDs until they can get their own place. It's not life-long housing for families. So to someone alone this place would be a kingdom. Not Squall's kingdom, as he doesn't plan on living here longer than need be. And with luck they'll find the kid's parents - - soon.
Patting the bed beside him; once putting the kid down in the middle of the bed, surrounded by couch cushions to prevent him from rolling and falling off, Irvine reached for his boyfriend pulling him in close by the hip. "You're really against this, aren't you?"
"It's got nothing to do with anything personal. I just think it's a bad idea; taking care of a baby doesn't sit real well for me." He sat on the offered lap and wrapped his arms around Irvine's torso. He's more tired than he thought. "Its a lot of work. Look at Theodora and her brats. She can never keep that good of an eye on them, and they live around water. She must have eight heart attacks a day thinking that they'll drown or something."
"I'm sure she does... But it ain't like I'm leavin' you alone with him." He rests his chin atop Squall's head. "I'm gonna be watchin' him mostly, if you're sketchy about it. I can guarantee that you'll love Kait... eventually."
"Kait?"
"That's his name."
Raising a brow; he repositioned himself to now sit beside Irvine on the bed. "He had a name?" He asked hopeful. A name was as good as a lottery ticket for the police and searching mercenaries.
"Ahehe, not really, I just sorta made it up during dinner."
Brows furrowed, Squall asked. "Why Kite?"
"Because... he was... y'know, stuck up in a tree. And that's kinda where most kites are found." He laughed lamely. "But the spelling is different, it's K-a-i-t not like the toy."
"Irvine, that is so weak. Why not call him Cat, or Kitty - - Kid could work. I've seen kids get into trees and not be able to get out of them. Plus, Kait is easy to pick on with all that "go fly a kite stuff"."
Snickering, Irvine pulled Squall down onto the bed, keeping him in his arms. "Make fun all you like, but I like the name."
"I think if you're gonna name the kid you could come up with something a little better than Kait."
"We'll see, but for now, it stays."
"Suit yourself." He closed his eyes ready for sleep to take over. However, it's instantly disrupted by Irvine, who, normally, would be down for the count before himself, but is currently nuzzling his cheek against his.
It was weird, at first, when they started dating. Squall had always been used to a certain way of things; however, within the short amount of time of 3 weeks of giving into the sniper it was thrown right out the window like it were nothing. Eating, entertainment, downtime; his sleeping habits being the number one thing. Irvine liked to cuddle, he's almost desperate for human contact it seems like. Whereas, he, Squall, likes to sleep alone and cuddles himself with his legs pulled into his chest. A childish habit he supposed would break someday, but it hasn't happened yet. Either way, Irvine became like this fleshy pillow to latch onto, and its soothing. Squall's self-supporting craddle straightened out after a while, and the knees digging into Irvine's gut became legs tangled. Kissing before bed was also a lovely little perk that Squall has gotten used to. It was an odd thing that one doesn't know they need until it happens.
But, despite being a guy who takes naps when he's good and bored, he cannot get into sleeping early. The earliest time he goes to bed is around 10 o'clock.
"Hey?"
Eyes still closed, Squall intones. "Hm?"
"Where do you see us in five years?"
"Where'd this come from? Don't tell me you're thinking about the future because of the baby?" He opened his eyes.
"A little. I mean, don't you want kids at some point?"
Squall closed his eyes laughing quietly at the prospect.
"Don't laugh, haven't you ever thought about it?"
"What would be the point, we're men - - unless there's something you're not telling me."
Cocking a brow looking a bit peeved, the sniper says a bit irritant. "You're in a silly mood for someone who was, not too long ago, ready to shoot someone in the nuts."
"And you're in a cranky mood for someone who was ready to cry motherly rainbows from first child joy."
Irvine laughed sleepily; he could never stay up past nine p.m. on a normal day. Only exceptions are if he's on a mission, or stake out, then he managed the late hours as late as three in the morning. "Come ooon, seriously."
"Seriously? ...Once."
"Yeah?" He asked in genuine surprise.
"I had a dream. I don't know where the baby came from, or if it were even mine... but I could feel - - even in the state of dreaming, that I loved him."
"Aaaww."
"Oh, shut up."
Kissing his emotional boyfriend on the cheek, he asked humorously. "And did dream baby have a name?" Irvine wasn't sure but... it looked as though Squall were blushing. Something he's seen maybe once their entire year and half relationship when he told him that he cared about him - - which is not why Squall had blushed. It was when Squall Leonhart had come to him upon deciding that he wanted to say it back.
"Well?"
"...It... it was Lyon, okay." He added. "With a 'y'."
Irvine laughed so suddenly he couldn't control the volume of it, and because of that the sleeping, existant, child woke up in a start and began to cry.
Leaning up on his elbow Irvine then sat himself up, picking up the baby. "We'd better get you changed and fed, huh, Kait." Looking down at Squall he says. "Wanna get him a bottle while I change him? ...It's easy." Cocking his head he sighed seeing that Squall has chosen this particular time to fall asleep on him.
Making a face at him, the sniper got up from the bed, rocking the baby gently back and forth; he then whispered in a loud voice. "Though I know you're pretending to sleep, I'll let you off the hook this time." Now speaking in a kiddy voice he says to Kait. "Let's get you some cereal and milk going while I change you. Then it's right back to sleep so papa Irvine and daddy Squall can get some rest."
The crying quieted only a bit when the two left the room; Squall peeked an eye open then smiled. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if they didn't find the kid's parents... at least for a week. Let Irvine get his fun out of him. Squall still had to snicker at the name Kait. It's strange. Not bad, though, if it comes down to being called anything else. He still liked Lyon better.
...
Morning had been a nightmare the kid woke them up at 4:16 a.m. and didn't stop crying until 5:02. There was a brief break during his bottle, from which point he threw up most of the milk only causing him to resume crying. Irvine seemed like he had the patience of a saint. Squall was ready to crack.
"I'll get it!" Squall couldn't get up fast enough to answer the door.
Probably the guard checking up on them or something. It could also be nosey neighbors wanting the new brat to pipe down since they are in training and need their rest whenever they can get it. But the homes are well spaced, in Squall's opinion, and possibly soundproof. Pulling the door open he's ready with a half-hearted apology but instead is a bit surprised to see...
"Zell? What are you doing here?" He asked standing aside to let his friend in. He checked his wrist watch. '7:30 a.m.' He noted.
"I came with breakfast - - well, muffins, assorted. Ma gave 'em to me to bring over, since she can guess how your morning might be going." He looked for a place to set them down, but mostly was drinking in the room with his eyes. He'll likely just get an apartment, but there was a chance he'd give the barracks a try for a stint. "More attention to the baby than to yourselves, right?" He hands the basket off to Squall. "Where is the little guy?"
He's already overjoyed to see the baby again. Something about babies just make you a little happier - - although, Squall would say otherwise at this early in the morning. Looking at the baked goods in the basket he took a chocolate chip muffin from the pile.
"He's in the bedroom getting changed or maybe he's getting a bath, I don't know."
Flabberghasted, Zell asked. "What kind of way is that for a father to talk?"
"Zell, I'm not his father. I'm barely his guardian;" He pulled the wrapper down off one of the sides of the muffin. "Irvine said that he would care for the kid... I plan on searching for his parents and finding them." He took a big bite.
"Thought I heard somebody - - hey breakfast!" He cheered with a simple saying what the food category was. "Come look at this cute outfit Kait's got on." He waved Zell, and his muffin munching boyfriend, into the bedroom.
"This place is kinda cool, wish I was staying here now." Says the blond at a steady passed down the hall.
"Wanna trade?" Squall joked with a serious tone.
"Really?"
"Now what fun would that be?" Asked Irvine, appalled that his boyfriend would suggest something like that.
With a shrug Squall replied. "Boys night-in."
Shaking their heads to shut it down; the two excited young men entered the room. Kait is sitting up against a pillow that's leaned against the crease in the wall playing with one of the little outfits in the package the girl that was helping them bought. Too bad she didn't purchase a crib, but then Irvine figured it'd be kind of fun to house and baby shop. Garden is paying for them, so they can spare some gil for the baby.
"Hey there, baby, did you have a good night?" Zell asked holding the baby's hand with his finger to give it a shake of a greeting.
Squall scoffed. 'Waking up, then being pampered back to sleep, I can't image he didn't have a good night.' He shoved the empty wrapper into his jeans pocket, that's when it hit him. "Zell, your mother likes kids, doesn't she?"
"She sure does," He spoke in a childish tone since he was playing blow on the belly with the baby. "why?"
"Couldn't she watch over him - - at least until after Irvine's mission; we're going looking for the parents anyway. And odds are that we're going to find them so it wouldn't be for very long. ...He won't be a hinderance."
Zell shrugged then stood up leaving the baby's attention to talk. "I'm sure she'd love to do it; but, with the diner and all, her time has been kinda thin in the morning and she's tired at night..." He trails off feeling a tinge of hopelessness, then snapping his fingers he says. "You could ask Sis' to watch him! I mean, if you guys are really all that stressed from him, she's still in Esthar but I'm positive she'd do it." As an after thought, he says in question "Kait?" as though what Irvine called the child just hit him. "You found out his name?!" He sounded hopeful.
"Made it up." Irvine shook his head to the question.
Smiling, Zell returned to the kid picking up his little hands. "Kait, huh? It's cute."
"Ya see! Thank you, Zell." Cheers the sniper triumphantly. "Squall didn't like it."
"I didn't say that I didn't like it." He started to leave the room. 'Just that he might get picked on for it.' Pausing his exit, he thinks further. 'Picked on? What person would pick on a baby? I'm starting to think like this kid isn't going anywhere, and I shouldn't be; calling Sis is a good idea, though, I should check into that.'
"Say, Zell, wanna come with us to the store?" Irvine wondered. "You can help shop for baby clothes and junk."
"Yeah!" Hoisting the baby into the air, he held him at his side. "Are we gonna go shopping? Yes, we are. Yes, we are."
The child sneezed, giggling directly after it.
"Better bring a blanket or somethin'." Thought Irvine out loud upon hearing the sneeze.
"Naah, it sounded like a normal sneeze to me," Assured the martial artist. "that means someone is thinking about you." He says to the baby.
'Let's hope its the parents.' Squall chimed in mentally then continued down the short hall as he intended to.
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