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. |
1 week later.
Zell, as promised to his mother; with the help of his boyfriend and Squall, are getting ready to paint the living room of the Dincht home. They've got the supplies needed for the job, paint cans, newspapers on the floor, some brown bags from the market are taped together with painters tape, along with rags to clean off any mess they might make during the job. And the three of them are dressed in orange jumpsuits to protect their clothes - not that they wore anything of any value, should they have gotten paint on them. This was all done after Seifer and Zell helped move the things in the living room to upstairs, minus the little things that could fit in the tiny den.
"So the police took the I.D. and still haven't managed to find the mother?" Zell asked; opening a bucket of paint with a flathead screwdriver. The lid popped up then next removed with care of pinched fingers before its placed on the entirely newspaper covered floor. "What about other relatives? Its been a while now, and Kait's still here... it's getting kind of sad, his not having a real home."
Squall felt a pang of guilt over that since the baby's home was sort of with him and Irvine in the small cove in the barracks. Ok, not that small, but still small. Grabbing a brush, he tried to put it out of his mind, though, he can hear the seven month old speaking in long vowels while banging a rattle on a walker made only for standing or spinning in a circle as the seat moves; it also has a few built in toys: balls that are filled with smaller balls to make sound, a tiny keyboard - which, Squall was sure would have driven him nuts, if the kid kept banging on it for too long, there's a stuffed giraffe that squeaks when squeezed, and a bunch of other noisy toys that have babies at a loss for boredom when playing with them.
Seifer rolled his eyes, saying very casually. "Zell, out of all of us, you're the only one with a real home - you don't find that sad."
From his crouched place on the floor he cocked his head looking up at his lover to say. "No, not really." He blinked suddenly as some paint was flicked his way. "Well, we're all adults here. Kait's just a baby." He shrugged to Seifer's mutter. "Hey, did the police find out the kid's name? He got his blood tested Thursday, didn't he?"
"Would you believe it - the kid wasn't born in any hospital, so he was never registered anywhere, I guess his name will have to be Kait, since no one else gave him one." Squall added as an after thought. "At least he has Redwing."
"That's even worse than not having a home!" Zell declared looking through the opening of the living room into the den where the child sits. "Poor little guy." He imaged the worst things in life swarming in hover over the unsuspecting infant. With a shudder, he said passionately. "We should bring him into our family - y'know, the Orphanage Gang." He snickered at the term.
Brushing paint onto the wall, Seifer says. "We stopped being 'the gang' the moment we moved into Gardens."
Looking as though Seifer had just sprouted three noses on his face, the stunned male says. "I hope you don't mean that."
"Of course he does, he's Seifer." Comments Squall getting some painting done on his wall.
"Shut up, Leonhart," He flicked paint at him as well, but the glob only splats a bit on Squall's back.
"Real mature." He continued to work with no intention of further riling Seifer.
"Don't fight you three; work goes faster when you're actually doing it." Says Ma Dincht passing by after coming from upstairs.
"Yeah, Ma, we're working." Declared Zell. "Knock it off you two." He warns. "We're supposed to be working."
Scoffing with a smirk, Squall comments. "Says the only guy not working."
Seifer chuckled to himself.
"Tch. I'm working. Who do you think opened all the paint cans?"
"Keebler Elf?" Says Seifer.
"I was gonna say a paint troll, but good answer."
Smiling Seifer says. "Where're my cookies, Dinky?"
"I'm partial to the Pecan Sandies." Squall says to himself or perhaps to inform the cookie making elf.
"You don't say; I've always been a fan of the elves with the cream inside." His brow went up suggestively to Zell.
Zell rolled his eyes to their laughter. What is it about those two that they can only get along for a while when insulting something - namely someone. Zell dunked his paint brush into the can then spread it on the wall in long brushes. He couldn't believe his mother wanted this blue, though, it's so... dark. Maybe he's just too used to the original color.
They worked in moderate speed and occasional conversation. The window is already open to keep the paint smell out of the house; and when the baby pooped in his diaper they made sure to pass by the window as much as they could to keep the smell of that from their noses. Ellone came to the doorway only to put down a small radio to give the 3 some music to work to; a pop-star by who knows what name sang the second verse of her song which raised the brow, as they wondered if the girl was singing out about being nervous on stage or if it was secretly about her first time having sex.
"Do you kids want lunch?" Cedella asked.
Looking over his shoulder to where his mother stood, he asked. "What are you making?"
"We were going to have warm biscuts and baked beans."
Grimacing at the thought of beans, Zell straightened up from his crouch on the floor. "Naah, Garden's making chowders again today. We're gonna go eat that. Can we break now?"
"Ha! Suddenly your mother's cooking can't compare to a what's prepared by a cafeteria woman."
"Aaaw." He wrapped his arms around his mother, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "It's not that.. we just want something soupy in our system, to combat the cold. We'll have some when we come back - if we have room." He smiled innocently.
Shaking her head, she waved them off. "Go on, go eat your lunch, then hurry back and finish up." It made sense. The vents were closed due to the open window, and the cold air was getting in around them.
"We've only got one wall left." Squall says removing the jumpsuit and folding it up to set on the bench beside the door. "Bye, Mrs. Dincht, bye Sis'." Folding his scarf in half he sits it around his neck then pulled the two divided parts through the loop. He opened the door. Looking up at the sky he wondered if it's going to snow again? They had a little earlier in the morning but it wasn't enough to give any height to what has stuck to the ground.
"Bye, Squall, bye you two." Replied Ellone, who's feeding the baby.
Kait looked as though he's ready to call the meal quits and drop off to sleep. Who wouldn't be exhausted after the afternoon's bathroom break. Squall held his stomach feeling it attempt to turn on him; the one other time something got to him this badly was when they were in the Tomb of the Unknown King and he killed his first Armadodo. The thing released a monster-sized shit that nearly choked them to death in the dank air trapped within the catacombs.
Leaving his suit in a bundle on the bench, Seifer leaned over to kiss the woman on the cheek. "I would have eaten your lunch, Ma."
"Aaaw, you're a good boy, Seifer." She swats at the back of her son's head when he passed her by, but he ducked from contact.
Zell scoffed as he wraps himself, unceremoniously, in his scarf by placing it over his mouth before tossing the two ends behind him, to where he tucked them down the back of his shirt. He then zips his coat as high as it will go to keep the scarf from falling. "Butt-kisser." He muttered through the materials.
"What did you say?" Seifer punched his love on the shoulder as he's exiting the house.
Laughing, Zell dashed off down the street with Seifer chasing after him until the taller male caught up with him wrapping his arms around his boyfriend from behind, threatening to dump him over in a trash can while carrying the shorter blond bridal style.
Squall watched the scene with a smile. It made him miss his boyfriend's playful antics. He wondered where the hell Irvine was? The mission must have gotten serious. If that was the case, they should be calling for backup, if he and the cadets can't handle it alone - although, knowing Irvine he will most likely try handling it alone. He's the same way, actually - worse even. But Irvine has those days when he just wants to do things by himself.
'I'm sure all that southern sunshine isn't slowing their pace to return.' He stuffed his cold hands into his pocket following after the two lovebirds.
...
Humming a Christmas song she'd heard on the digital-clock radio earlier that morning in her room Selphie, dressed in her scarf, gloves, boots and semi-long skirt, bounced from toe-to-toe waiting for the man behind the small cart to fix her an ice cream cone. Used to weather in Trabia, she doesn't feel the cold as easily as everyone else does; and judging by the way some of the other people in Balamb are dressed they come from the same area. It's nice to see other natives visiting around the holidays.
"Here you are little lady." Says the man behind the cart.
"Thanks!" She offers him a smile. Turning away she gave the chocolate ice cream a lick; normally she'd get peach but since the man only makes tiny hot fudge sundae's in the winter season he only offers vanilla, chocolate or strawberry. Walking to find a bench to sit on the girl cocked her head when spotting a group of cadets returning from the peer. They look terrified - positively spooked.
"...What are we gonna say to him?" Eurydice asked her team.
Max only shook his head. Luna started to cry.
Watching the sad sight, Rakuta sighed feeling hopeless; spotting a familiar face he points. "There's Selphie."
The three others look over to the girl then hurry to her side calling her name. "Selphie! Selphie! Commander Tilmitt!"
"Creepy; they're dirty, too! Should I run?" She thinks out loud as they approach. "Whoops, looks like you caught me." She slips her free hand behind her head to show she was just joking around. "I wasn't really gonna run. So, what can I do for you?"
"We need to know where Commander Leonhart is?" Says Rakuta, looking as though he were going to faint just by letting out that much of their shame. The last thing he wanted was to find commander Leonhart.
Curious, she asked. "Squall? I think he's at the Dincht's - - no... no I saw them leave a little while ago, they may be at Garden by now." She shrugged. "Why? What's wrong?"
"It's urgent, we can't stay long. Sorry." Says a blond boy before they hurry away.
"It couldn't be anything too serious, or they would have told me." Selphie suddenly feels a shiver run up her spine. Shaking it off, she turned herself towards the Dincht residence. "I should probably go warm up; it's gotta be cold if even I'm getting chilly."
Thick bright-gray clouds loom overhead. They brought with it a group of flurries that twisted and twirled through the town of Balamb as the nipping winds carried it along to the fields and ocean. Though its twenty minutes to Garden on foot Eurydice Montego, Phineas Max, Rakuta Baron and Luna Cates choose to walk; it's sort of like a punishment for them they figure; plus, catching pneumonia isn't anything compared to what commander Leonhart will do to them once he finds out. Why did this have to happen? The mission was over - - over! But, Irvine... Irvine disappeared. Maybe not right before their eyes, but he was gone all the same. And after a weeks worth of searching, they knew it was hopeless for them. It was time to bring in the big guns. If only one of the 'big guns' wasn't dating their missing commander.
All 4 of them took a hard swallow when the tip of Garden rose in the distance. They'll be there in eleven minutes... Each step seemed like it would become their last to the point of them taking hands with the person next to them: Phineas and Luna, Rakuta and Eurydice. He's just one person. They can handle this.
In the cafeteria.
The three hired painters are having their meals while playing Triple Triad off to the side of their trays - - minus Seifer, who's watching, while he eats as though only interested in the rich stew before him. Taking one of his cards from the pile Squall set down on the board; it flashed beneath the card's clear background behind the monster then turned blue changing three of Zell's cards from red to blue.
"Shit." Zell complained. "You always pick Ultimate UWeapon, change it up man."
"Hey, if you don't like it, we should play with the rule to pick each other's cards."
"Then you'd pick all my bad ones."
Squall snickered knowing his deck has maybe 1 "bad card" which is a Creep. "Buy better cards then - - or capture them."
"That is too much trouble." He opened his mouth to Seifer's offering of a chowder coated cracker taking a bite; he his hand to catch the crumbs falling about. "Wanna play again?"
"Yeah."
"No walls. Let's play with Balamb rules."
The 4 cadets entered the cafeteria; unfortunately, yet fortunately, the girl with one pigtail - - they forget her name, watched Zell and the others enter the cafeteria pointing out the table where they sat, when the squad leader asked if she'd seen them. Approaching, they stood idly behind the Lion of Balamb, all with knots in their stomachs and lumps in their throats.
Being team commander Eurydice figured it was up to her to say something. "Um.. commander Leonhart?"
Without turning around Squall says in a bored tone. "If you wanna hear war stories, find someone who likes to talk." He sifted through his deck picking 5 cards.
Grinning, Zell puffs up his chest as if to say: "I'm right here, up and coming cadets, ask me anything". The four gave each other nervous glances.
"Commander, it's not about that."
"What's with the commander thing?" Zell commented absently. "You're not on duty."
"Not that I know of." Replied Squall, still focused on the game; a frown on his mouth, when two of his cards are flipped.
That only made it worse, they feel sick to their stomachs seeing this. Look at how close they are - - they've probably seen each other naked!
"Max, you say something." Luna gave the male a shove. He always acts so brave, time to put it to better use than puffing up his chest and acting as though he's Hyne's gift.
The blond looked ready to wet himself. "Uh, commander.."
"Squall." Corrected the distracted.
"S-Squall," He swallowed hard. "It's about Irvine."
Zell snickered hearing that. "Was he showing off again?"
"Probably. Just tell me what hospital he's in, and we'll go see him."
Chuckling, rich and throaty, Seifer jokes. "I'll bet he broke his leg or something. He's in the hospital crying like a baby."
"Don't make fun of him, you cried like a baby when you broke your leg last year." Retorts Zell being cut off.
"He's not in a hospital." Phineas says his tone growing desperate. They wouldn't be taking it this lightly if they knew.
"He's at Garden then?" Squall finally stopped playing, turning in his seat, he then stood from the chair.
The group trembled under his blue-gray gaze, especially when it fell on the sniper's hat in Luna's hands.
"No." Says the team leader.
This got the attention of Zell and Seifer now. "Then where is he?" Asked Squall, though, his tone still wasn't quite sure what to think yet.
"That's what we've been trying to tell you... Irvine's not at the hospital or Garden because... because..." Closing her green eyes Luna says. "He disappeared!"
Squall blinked thoughtfully trying to figure out what that could possibly mean.
Standing as well Zell asked. "What do you mean "he disappeared" what the hell happened?"
Whimpering, Eurydice explained in what she hoped was a calm tone. "We did the mission; everything was going great; but when Irvine tried to seal away a G.F. a bolt of light shot out, and..." she flung out her hands like a burst of confetti popped. "he disappeared. We searched for him for a full week, but found nothing. His hat was the only thing that was left behind."
The air around Squall suddenly became very still as his gaze hardened.
"Squall!" Zell grabbed his friend's arm in hope to stop him from turning the place into an ice cave, and turning the people in it into frozen statues. "Squall stop. The more time we waste here, the less likely Irvine will be found soon. Come on!"
Blinking from his angered rage, he gave an understood nods. "Right. Let's move." Moving away from the table, he, Zell and Seifer exited the cafeteria at a hard pace.
Luna released her held breath as the anticipated beating didn't come.
"Guys look." Points Rakuta.
The table had sheen of ice where Squall's fist once rested and it remained there melting slowly; the students all wondered where that sudden gust of cold came from but figure the heating system must have just malfunctioned for a moment since the room was warming up again.
Clutching his chest Phineas joked as best as his nerves allowed. "Well, that wasn't as bad as it could have been." He reminded himself to thank Zell later, only to have said male return and snatch him up by his collar. "You're coming with us."
The other three watch as their friend was practically dragged off with the martial artist.
"Poor guy." Says Luna, though, glad it wasn't her.
The team made haste to pack some things, since you can't just go to a place like Centra and expect to be alright. The area is a wasteland, and a few hours without water could be costly to your health. Zell filled the girls in, calling them once they informed the Headmistress that they're leaving. She couldn't believe what they said! She wanted to go look for Irvine as well, but being head of Garden that would be a bad decision. She knew if anyone could find Irvine it was her children, though, she now had to re-schedule or flat-out change teams for missions any of them were going to take. Hopefully the search would not last long.
"He's ready to fly. Are you buckled up?" Selphie looked around the seat she's in to ensure the others weren't just standing around during take off. Squall said he'd co-pilot; although, Selphie was pretty sure the guy had no clue what to do, she didn't dare tell him no.
The engines roared as fire burned behind the large dragon shaped ship, and with a few levers pulled and buttons pressed the ship was up in the air. Heading towards the Centra Ruins the ship's passangers are silent. The only sound was wind whipping around the craft as it sped through the sky at record breaking speed.
Though terrified, Phineas can't help but be in awe of sitting among the higher ups. The rulers of Garden, the ones that fought the Great Sorceress War. He'd like it more if he weren't in trouble with the commander of all commanders. He lowered his head, after stealing a peek at the silent and angry lion who's seated up front and diagonal to his vision.
"Cadet Max, was it?" Says Quistis calling the male's attention.
"Yes, ma'am."
"I'm still not clear on what happened. Tell me again, from the beginning."
Nodding the cadet swallowed hoping to dispel the dry lump in his throat; where's that stick of gum Irvine gave him when he needs it? "We were waiting for the worshippers to show. We all took our positions before they did. Commander Kinneas remained on the highest cliff, where we'd arrived to just - I don't know, keep an eye on us without interferring."
"Go on."
The others: Rinoa, Seifer, Zell, and Selphie are all listening in, as well.
Feeling a bit of pressure he continued. "Well, the men showed up as scheduled... but they were carrying a small stone in a cage - - it had a bird inside."
"A small stone?" Quistis wondered to herself.
"That's where the bird came from!" He piped up like he was thrilled by talking about something less hurtful.
Seifer balled his hand into a fist. "This isn't a fucking hero story boy, focus on Irvine."
Beet red, he kept his eyes to his lap to avoid the scrutinizing gaze of Seifer Almasy. "Right, sorry. Well, they hooked the bird up to a machine beside the satelite - - I guess they were getting power from it or something, but, when the fight broke out I got lost in the woods for a bit, helping Rakuta - - I mean, cadet Baron, or maybe he helped me... it's fuzzy. But, when we came from the woods more guys showed up. We split up a little bit; I was told to help the woman they were trying to transfer power into, and I heard shots being fired off and blood was getting on me from the G.F." He can still feel the cold flecks, seriously because he's had no time to really shower and the stuff dripped everywhere beneath his clothes "...Anyway, the last thing I heard from commander Kinneas was to take cover, then Siren put everyone to sleep." He shrugged lamely. "I helped the woman to a safe spot to rest; we went to the cliff but he was gone."
Seeing how torn up the guy was, Rinoa reached across the distance, touching the male's hand reassuringly. "We'll find him. You're cadets, after all; you may not know the terrains as well as experienced mercenaries do."
Turning to meet the friendly gaze; he blushed for a reason other than embarrassment.
"Guys, we're here." Announced Selphie as the ship engines died down for a landing.
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