CrossBlades Chapter 5

Aya sat quietly on the stool, staring blankly at the cash register. Ken was out on the sidewalk taking all the girl’s orders for flowers, most of which would just be left the next day. Why they thought buying flowers for someone who worked at a flower shop was a good idea was beyond him. Like they didn’t see enough flowers everyday anyway. He could tell what every damned bouquet that they left cost. And most of them were cheap.

He sighed and stood up, the old woman finally deciding which flower pot she wanted.

“Hello, how are you?”

“Hello there, dear.” She placed the ceramic pot on the counter.

“Is that everything?”

“Oh yes please.”

He threw his fingers over the keys and the total popped up. “Seven twenty five, please.”

Her wrinkled face wrinkled more and she tilted her shaking head. “Isn’t that price marked down?”

Aya sighed. “No mam, the pots that are marked down are beside these and have a red sticker.” He turned the pot over to show the white price tag. “This one is regular price.”

“Oh well then I’d like one of the other pots please.” She blinked up at him behind her glasses, making no other sign of movement.

He felt a drop of sweat run down his back. “Would you like me to get one for you?”

“Oh yes please, dear, if you don’t mind.”

Aya walked around the counter, taking the unwanted pot with him and picked out a new pot.

“This one is five fifty.” He set the pot down and cleared the total on the register.

“But that’s not half.”

“Yes it is.”

“No it isn’t. You said the first pot was seven and half of that is three dollars and fifty cents.” She trembled more, somewhat resembling a leaf.

“This is marked down from a different price than the first. It used to be ten.”

“Oh.” She picked up the pot, shaking it unintentionally, causing Aya to tense, ready to spring after it should it fall. “Well,” She started, after long consideration. “I don’t think this as pretty as the first pot.”

His jaw clenched. That’s why it was marked down and the other one wasn’t!

“I think I’d like the first one.”

Aya left the counter without hesitation and swapped the pots again, trying not to break the discount one against its shelf. He plunked the first one in front of her. “Will that be everything?”

She picked up the pot. “See? It’s a much nicer flower pot.” She bent her arm so the pot wiggled back and forth under his nose.

“Yes, mam.” He knew every bloody pattern on every bloody pot in the store so well he could draw them. “Will that be everything?” He repeated, then bent down.

“Yes please. Could you wrap it?”

Aya paused, already reaching for the paper under the counter. He came up and stuffed the paper around the pot, then put it in a bag. The keys smacked loudly until the register said seven twenty five again. “Seven twenty five, please.”

“Could you double bag that?”

He looked at her, then hefted the bag into the air. “It won’t break.”

“I know but I’m going on the bus.”

What does that have to do with anything?! He stuffed it in a second bag and handed it to her.

“Now what did that come to?” She wiggled her glasses on her wrinkled-up nose at the register.

“Seven twenty five.”

“All right. Let’s see here.” She pulled out her purse, old and wrinkled, and pulled the zipper open. The change jingled as she stabbed her fingers at it. She drew out a coin. “I’m going to get rid of some of my pennies. There’s one...”

Aya tried so very hard not to cry.


Squall looked up from the paper when he heard footsteps. Selphie walked sleepily into the kitchen. He set down his jam-covered toast and moved his feet from the spare chair. She sat, cracking a huge yawn then leaned back.

“So what’s up?” Her hair was oddly flat, resting lightly on her pale shoulders. Her pjs were nothing more than a tank top and boxer shorts. She was still cute when she was half asleep.

“Not much. Anyone else up yet?”

“Nope, Irvine was out till really late and he’s prolly hung over.” She took a banana from the fruit bowl and began peeling it.

“That figures.” He ate more of his toast, strawberry jam oozing onto his lip.

“So how’d the mission go?”

“All right.” He wiped his hand over his lips. “It was apparently a big setup, but at least we know who we’re up against now.”

“And who’s that?”

“There’s two groups, Weiß Kreuz and Schwartz.”

“And let me guess, they don’t like us.”

“They don’t like each other either.”

“So we don’t have any friends among enemies then. Bummer.”

“Yup.”

“So how’d it go though, you said something about a limo?” She tilted her head to the side.

Squall explained how the ambush went as Selphie finished her banana.

“So did you guys get hurt?”

“Zell’s all right, it won’t require stitches. I don’t know if anything happened to Seifer, he didn’t say.”

“You should call him.”

“I guess so.” He reached for the cordless on the wall. The other apartment was already programmed into speed dial. It rang for a while, Squall refusing to hang up since he knew the only people there hadn’t left this early in the morning. The phone clicked, replaced with dull static. It clicked again and then made the usual hum noise meaning he was disconnected. He held the phone back and looked at it.

“What happened?”

“He hung up on me.” He pushed the button again and crossed his arms, the phone nestled in his shoulder.

“Well he can’t be that injured if he’s still an asshole.”

“Raijin’s House of Porn, all the snatch you can watch, how may I help you?”

“Very professional.”

“Like calling me this early is professional.” Seifer’s voice was so tired Squall couldn’t pick up any emotion.

“Sure it is. Many businesses start this early.”

“Not on a Sunday, dipshit.”

“Aren’t we just a lovely ray of fucking sunshine?”

“What do you want?” Now his voice was annoyed.

“I wanted to know if you were okay, you didn’t say anything either way last night.”

“I’m fine Mom, and I don’t want to go to school today.”

“You sure?”

“Yes I’m healthy as a horse, now piss off.”

“You didn’t get hurt?”

“No already! You want to come over and check for yourself?”

“That’s okay, I can picture you lying there just fine. Rubbing the sleep out of your eyes, scratching at your messy hair, being naked.”

“I’m sure you can and can you also picture my dick in your mouth?”

“Oh bay-be turn me on.” Selphie gave him a revolted look and Squall shrugged.

“As much as I really needed you to call me and tell me you want my hot ass...”

“Sure do. Anyway, I’ll call if anything’s happening.”

“Kay, bye.” The phone died after Seifer no doubt dropped it back onto the cradle. Squall put the phone back on the wall and met Selphie’s wide green eyes. “What?”

“The hell was that?”

“Nothing.”

“Are you gay now or something?”

“No.”

“Oh yeah right. You and Seifer never used to get along this well. All that tension between you finally snapped and now you’re fucking like crazy.”

“No way.” He shifted, his face growing hot despite his control. Something about fucking Seifer like mad didn’t sound all that bad.

“Oh yes way! I was just bugging you but you’re turning red! Zell’s gonna be so mad!”

“What am I gonna be mad at? What’s going on?” Squall and Selphie both watched Zell walk through the living room and into the kitchen, tugging slightly on the loose boxers he was practically not wearing. He rubbed at his face, as tired as Seifer must have been. Except for the boxers, he was naked, and Squall mused silently how much of a perfect couple the two would make.

“Oh nothing, just Squall’s gay.”

“I am not!” He lunged at Selphie.

She darted off her chair and stood beside Zell. His mouth was hung open and he looked slowly from Squall to Selphie then back again. “What?”

“You are too!”

“I am not!” He stood and reached for her. Selphie ran around Zell and backed up against the back door.

“Squall’s gay! Squall’s gay!” She hollered.

“Shut up!”

“You guys seriously need to grow up.” Zell rubbed his cheek and opened the fridge. “Woo, cold. Oo! Pizza!” Squall turned to look at him and Selphie ran past him out into the living room.

“This is ridiculous.”

“You said it, flame boy.” Zell spoke around the pizza hanging from his mouth.

“Oh looks who’s talking with his mouth full.”

“OW!” Two female voices yelped in surprise from the living room.

“Oh, morning Rinoa.”

“Selphie, what the hell is going on?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing at all. I was just talking to Seifer and-” Squall stiffened unintentionally.

“At the top of your lungs on a Sunday morning. Thanks for waking me up.” She stood in her bathrobe, hands on her hips.

“He woke Seifer up, too.” Selphie shrank back against the couch.

“What are you thinking? You sound like a bunch of shrieking kids!”

“I’m outta here.” Zell sidestepped Rinoa and dragged Selphie with him. Both jogged up stairs and shut whichever door they’d gone through.

Squall stood abandoned in the kitchen doorway. “I’m sorry I woke you up.”

“You better be. It’s bad enough I stayed up half the night waiting for you, then you wake me up this early screaming and shouting. You’re in so much trouble.”

At least she didn’t seem to notice Selphie’s declaration of Squall’s new sexuality. If they only knew. His eyes dropped to the floor, studying the lines in the tile. His mind fell back to the swordsman in the park. His fiery hair, the deep look in his eyes.

“You’re not even paying attention to me!”

Squall looked back up. “Do you even know how close we could have come to dying last night?”

“You think I don’t know that? Just because I’m not as strong as you, you think I’m that stupid when it comes to fighting? I was worried sick!”

“I don’t need you worrying about me.”

“Well maybe I shouldn’t!”

The cell phone in squall’s flannel pocket cut in on Rinoa’s last word.

“What-?”She narrowed her eyes but he held up his hand to stop her and pulled out the phone.

“Don’t raise your hand to me!”

“Shh!”

“Oh this isn’t over.” She stomped out and he turned on the phone.

“Hello?”

“You did well last night, you’ve earned a day off.”

“Thank you.”

“I should be thanking you. Keep the phone with you.”

“I will.”

“Goodbye.”

“Goodbye.” The phone went dead and he stuffed it back into his pocket. “That’s one less thing to worry about.” He faintly heard the shower as he walked back upstairs and pushed open the door to his room. Zell and Selphie looked up at him from his bed.

“What? Okay great, I’m gay, and you guys start making out on my bed. Why me?” He walked into the room and leaned on the dresser.

“How is this making out? We’re sitting here talking.” Zell shrugged.

“You guys are way too sexual lately. Everyone’s screwing everyone else. So-and-so’s gay, blah blah blah.” Selphie just rolled her eyes.

“I guess when you don’t get any you get bored and start pretending everyone else is.” Zell barely had time to notice as Squall hurled the first thing he could reach, one of Rinoa’s many brushes. “Hey,” He caught it after it hit his arm and bounced across the mattress. “I don’t think her Royal Princess would like you throwing around her brushes.” He threw it back and Squall caught it with his left hand. It clattered back onto it’s place atop the dresser.

“Whatever. Why should you guys get all the fun?” He stepped forward and collapsed on his stomach between the two of them.

“Aww, poor sexually frustrated Squall...” Zell rubbed his hand over Squall’s back in big lazy circles, causing Squall to blush. He was glad his face was buried in the mattress.

“So are you gay or what?”

He rolled over to glare as Selphie. “You’re too damned curious for your own good.” His cheek fell back to the blankets as Zell’s hand now rubbed his stomach.

“You’re avoiding the question.”

“Yes damnit!”

“Yes what? What the hell? Since when did Squall’s room turn into the balcony at 54?” Irvine was standing in the doorway, clad in shinny gold boxers and his cowboy hat.

“Since when has this room ever seen any action?” Squall unconsciously hit Zell. “What was that for? I’m being nice to you and defending you. Yer gay anyway.”

“Well SelphiePie,” Irvine swept in between the beds and hauled his girlfriend over to the other bed. “Maybe we should leave these two alone.”

“Hey! Cut it out! This is Rinoa’s bed!”

“Yeah, maybe we should break it in.”

Squall stared at them for a minute, then realized he didn’t want to see Irvine pawing the short brunette’s cleavage. He leaned back into his sheets, covering his face in his hands. “I don’t believe you guys, we have the day off and this is how you spend it.”

“I can’t think of a better way.” Irvine purred from his position above Selphie.

“We have the day off?” She sat up, shoving the cowboy off her.

“That’s what our boss said.”

“Sweet!” Zell bounced beside him.

“Do we have the night off too?” Irvine rested his head on his girlfriend’s shoulder.

“I’d assume so. But I’d prefer it if we didn’t go too far, just in case.”

“Well I have the perfect idea.”

“I didn’t know ideas fit under yer hat and all that hair.”

“Suck me, Dinch.”

“Any day, Daddy.” Zell’s raspy voice washed over Squall’s shoulder. A yelp escaped him as Zell groped his chest. He shoved his arms away, despite the heat rising in his body.

“Would you two grow up?” Selphie elbowed her boyfriend. “Now what were you saying?”

“I found this really awesome bar! Wikid music! And some totally hot chick-” Selphie abruptly sat up and folded her arms across her chest. “En wings. Really...tasty. What’s the matter, dear?”

“I guess we could all go. That way even if our employer does call we’ll all be in one place.” Squall sat up.

Zell leaned back and yawned. “Not to mention it’d be fun.”

“Yeah! It’s totally awesome! You guys’ll love it!” He wrapped his arms around Selphie and kissed her neck.

“If it sucks I won’t be surprised.”

“At least it’s not that gay bar you dragged us to.” He shot a look under the brim of his hat.

“It’s not my fault you guys wanted a place to go on a Sunday night.” Zell shrugged.

“Uh, today’s Sunday.” Squall looked back at him.

“It’ll be dead, Hun.” Selphie twisted slightly in his arms to look at him.

“No way! They have this dark rave thing every Sunday, I saw it on the board. A bunch of techno/industrial DJs. Sanguinary Sunday I think it’s called.”

“Could be fun.” Squall ran a hand through his bangs, twirling a section of red around his finger.

“Wow, our leader wants to enjoy himself. There’s a first for everything.”

“Whatever. Would you guys just get out of here before Rinoa comes in and has a fit, it’s bad enough you’ve messed up her bed.”

“It was a mess before we got here. It’s not like I left a cum stain. Did you, SelphiePie?”

She looked at Irvine with complete disinterest. “Oh yes, like I so totally want you take me now.”

“In that case...” He yanked her off the bed and led her out of the room.

“Well, since they’re busy, I’d rather not stick around and listen to their bed bang into my wall. Later Squall.” The spiky blonde stood and walked to the door.

“Zell,”

“Yeah?” He stopped and placed a hand on the door frame.

“You should really go for Seifer. I’d hate to see you two never finding each other.”

“Gee, you make it sound so romantic. When’d you get promoted to gay relationship expert?”

“Gotta start some where.”

“You’re serious?”

“I guess...I don’t know. It’s kind of hard to explain.”

Zell looked down the hall, then nodded to Squall. “We’ll talk later, okay?” He moved back and was replaced by Rinoa.

“What’s up? What are you guys talking about?”

“Not much, just Seifer’s laziness.” Squall continued to stare at the carpet.

“Oh, all right.” She moved into the room as Zell padded down the hall. “What’s up?”

“Nothing. I was just going to do the laundry.” He stood and walked over to the laundry basket, turning his back to her. A small sigh escaped him as he bent over to retrieve a few lost socks from the floor. He jumped slightly when he felt her hands slink around his waist, her chest pressing into his back.

“I’m sorry I yelled at you earlier, Squall, but you have to understand you just get me so mad sometimes. You know you shouldn’t do things like that.”

He’d forgotten exactly what she was trying to make him apologize for, and frankly he didn’t care. Not surprisingly Zell’s small massage had made him a bit horny and now any contact stirred him. He could feel her tight little breasts through her long T-shirt as they pressed against his bare back. He stood and turned, wrapping his arms firmly around her waist, mentally preparing what exactly to say.


Irvine looked up from Selphie’s shoulder when there was a knock at the door. They’d been lying like that now pretty much the whole time, both were rather tired and it was just so comfy to lie together, Selphie’s back curled into his stomach. He rolled over and slid his arm from under her, crossing the floor quickly. Zell’s face appeared in the doorway.

“Yes?”

“I’m going out shopping, I was wondering if you wanted to come? You two, Selphie.” He peered past Irvine and wiggled his fingers at her. A tight black T-shirt with a yellow happy face clung above his favorite pair of black widelegs with the yellow stripe up the sides.

“Where?”

“Oo! That clothing store we saw yesterday that was closed?” She sat up on the bed, pulling up the strap on her tank top.

“Will it be open?”

“I checked the hours. Yeah, I want those boots that were in the window.”

“Cool, well we’ll be down in a sec as soon as we’re dressed. You wanna get Squall?”

“He sounds a little engrossed at the moment.”

“Really?” Selphie poked her head out of the closet, completely in shock. “I thought they were having a fight.”

“Sounds like the kinda fight I’d like to have, ya know?”

“Okay Raijin, I don’t think I wanna know.” Irvine brushed one of his long bangs behind his ear.

“Whatever, I’ll be downstairs.” He backed up into the hall.

“Can’t you think of your own catch phrase?”

“How ‘bout eat my tight virgin ass, cowboy?”

“You guys! Cut it out!” Selphie stomped her foot as Irvine swung at Zell, the shorter martial artist hopping into his stance and dogging easily out of the way, a cocky grin spread across his face. She couldn’t see the matching one on her boyfriend’s face. Irvine’s arm swung over his shoulder as Zell’s arm swung over his, pinning each other.

“Guys, come on!” She walked into the hall as they stumbled around, laughing and scuffling. She stood straight and squinted her eyes. “Oh I so totally hear moaning!”

“Get off me!” The brunette shoved Zell off into the wall.

“It wasn’t me!” He held up his hands.

“No,” Selphie pointed down the hall to Squall’s room.

“Eeew, I’m outta here! See you in the car!”

“Yeah.” Selphie and Irvine disappeared into the room.


“You know I’m sorry and it’s all my fault. I just want things to work out between us.”

She smiled and shut her eyes. “Apology accepted!” Her palms were warm against his chest, thudding quietly with his heightened blood flow.

“Good.” He closed the gap between their faces and pushed his mouth against hers. His tongue filled her mouth and stifled her moan. She fell awkwardly onto her bed as he advanced, pushing her shirt up as he climbed on top of her.

“Squall...” Whatever protest she tried to voice died in her throat as he kissed her again, holding himself up over her with one hand as the other roamed under the loose shirt. He found one of her breasts and squeezed it, kneading it in his hand. The tips of his fingers played over her hard nipple and he could feel her moan into his mouth. He rolled the nipple roughly between his fingers before releasing it, dragging his fingers down her ribs. He tugged at his pants, pulling the elastic off over his trapped erection. Balanced awkwardly, he worked his pants off, flinging them to the floor. Shifting his weight, he sat back, pulling her up with him so she was sitting on his lap. His arms stayed locked around her thin frame, only tightening when she squirmed.

She finally pulled her mouth away from him, panting heavily. He reached up her shirt and brought his hand to her mouth playing with her lips.

“Do you want me?” He pulled down her lower lip with his thumb. She moaned, eyes closed. Like a whore. “Do you want me?” He tightened his grip on her jaw and her eyes opened to him.

“Yes...” Her voice was barely a whisper in her throat.

“Louder.”

“Yes.” She licked his finger, taking it into her mouth.

“Do you want me to fuck you?” She moaned around his finger, a small trail of saliva tracing to his palm. “Louder!” He pushed her hips down against him.

“Yes!” She let out a choked cry, his fingers slipping from the heat of her mouth.

“Show me.” Her eyes traveled from the ceiling to his and she leaned forward, tracing a line of kisses down his chest. He gripped her shoulders and pulled off her shirt, then moved her down quicker. His grip relaxed as her breasts rubbed against his length. Leaning back, he looked down to see her cupping her breasts on either side and trapping his shaft in her cleavage. He shut his eyes and thrust his hips against her unsteady bobbing, keeping his hands out behind him. The angry pace brought him close to the edge and he pushed her off, moving her onto her back. He wasted no time jamming himself into her, pushing feverishly despite her cries. His hand moved to her lips, getting double the sensation as her hot mouth took his fingers, her tongue working randomly over his knuckles, sucking and licking and panting.

The position grew tiresome when she typically refrained from moving, so he pulled out and grabbed her by the ribs, spinning her over and pulling her up onto her knees. He positioned himself and thrust deep into her again, the bend in her body now making it seem even tighter. His grip fell to her thighs and he pulled her against him, practically shaking her back and forth. Her back arched and she lifted her head. Reaching forward, he pulled the hair out of her face, then found it winding through his fingers. He grabbed a clump of the black locks close to her neck and twisted it around his fist, keeping one hand on her thigh. Her body swung back and forth in front of him, each time he pulled out then shoved deep inside of her. As he pulled out once, he tightened his hips and aimed slightly higher. In one fluid movement he penetrated her clamped rectum, making her cry out. The feeling was beyond anything he’d ever had with her before, it felt so tight around him he couldn’t help but shorten his thrusts so he wouldn’t come out of her. He bent over her back and released her hair, moving his hands up to her breasts as she moaned loudly under him, the sound vibrating through their chests.

He rolled her breasts under his palms, then released them to swing back and forth as he pounded feverishly away at her, then gripped them again and squeezed them together. He could feel his balls pound against her dripping genitals and he reached back with one hand and rubbed them against her, now gripping her thigh with the other. He stopped thrusting, now rocking back and forth with her, and he pushed his balls into her wet opening, growling deep within his throat as he felt her bear down and begin to spasm around his genitals. Her whole body shuddered and he pulled her up to him, frantically thrusting into her again, his sack falling free and slapping against her flesh. His spine gave out and he arched forward against her, pushing her back to the mattress and he came, deep inside her, loosing his ability to stand in the waves of pleasure. He collapsed on top of her panting body and felt himself slip out.

Slowly he pushed himself up and sat back, whipping the film of sweat off his brow, then he got up and pulled his robe down off the door. He left her on the bed and walked down the hall to the bathroom. As he stood in the mirror he looked down to his still sensitive member, smeared slightly in dark blood. He leaned against the low sink and washed himself off, wincing slightly even at the lightest touch. His chest quivered as he wiped himself clean and patted a towel over his skin. His own flat silver reflection stared back at him as he leaned against the sink.

“That’s the best and last sex we’re ever going to have, Miss Rinoa.”


Selphie was still debating over a pair of microfiber pants with fishnet inserts down the legs when her boyfriend called to her.

“Hey, check out this shirt!” He held it up as she walked over. It was shinny blue with red flames outlined in yellow all over it. “Isn’t it neat?”

“It’s pretty cool.” She crossed her arms over her slender frame. “Hey!” Something on another rack caught his eye and he pulled out a pair of black cargo pants with a flame pattern running up each side. “These would go so well with this shirt!” He held them up together against himself.

“Then you’d really be flaming.”

“Ha ha, yeah ‘cause I’m just so gay.”

“I’m sure Squall just sneezed.” Zell walked up beside Selphie. “Like ‘em?”

The boots were dull black with about a three inch heel, giving him a bit more of a height advantage over Selphie. Zell pulled up his pant leg to show off the rest of the boot. There were no laces, instead straps started from the edge of the toe and criss crossed halfway up his leg, large silver O-rings and buckles standing out against the black.

“Wow, those look complicated.” She moved her hands to her pockets.

“Actually it’s just three buckles on each boot, pretty simple.”

“So are you going to buy them or just wear them around the store.”

“I already bought them.” He swung the bag holding his sneakers from behind his back.

“Nice. What do you think of my outfit?” Irvine held up the clothes.

“Snazzy. I saw a shirt that you should get to go with it.” He led him across the store. The black T-shirt had PORN STAR in legible graffiti surrounded by more “artistically” rendered flames.

“That’s great! I’m so getting it!”

Selphie hid her face in her hands. “I don’t want to be seen in public with you in that shirt.”

“Oh come on, you like it, admit it.”

“I do not, it’s so piggishly male!”

“It’s him all right.”

She couldn’t help but laugh and shake her head. “Fine, wear what you want. I don’t care!” After a minute no one moved. “Well are you going to try it all on?”

“Why should I?”

“To see if it fits?”

“Everything’s in my size, medium, pants are a 14, it’ll all fit just fine.”

“Oh I hate shopping with you.” She walked off towards the shoes. His eyes followed her for a minute, then Zell tugged on his arm.

“Come on, let’s get you to the checkout before you see something else.”

“Like what?”

A small grin spread on Zell’s bish mouth. “Well, like the velvet cowboy hat over there.”


Rinoa was already asleep when Squall walked back into the room. He dressed quickly and left again, not wanting to be anywhere near her. A short walk through the house proved he was the only one around, so he grabbed his keys and locked the door, walking quickly down the sidewalk.

“Hey Squall, what’s goin’ on?”

“Nothing much, just stopping by. Is Seifer decent?”

“When is he ever? Come in, he’s in the living room, ya know?”

“Thanks.” Squall walked past the large fighter and into the living room. Seifer was curled in the same chair, starring blankly at the screen, legs tucked in against one chair arm with his back on the other.

“You don’t sit well in chairs, do you?”

“If it isn’t the morning wake-up committee. Do come in.”

“It’s not morning anymore.”

“It’s morning to me.”

“Whatever.” He plunked into the soft couch again. Something clinked as Seifer fumbled after an object in the coffee table drawer. Squall’s eyes raised to meet the silver object. It looked almost like a silver cigar, long and smooth, about the length of a finger.

“What’s that?”

“What does it look like?”

“A chrome-plated pickle.”

Seifer threw it over to Squall, who barely caught it. “Take a closer look.”

He turned it over in his hands, the cold metal sliding easily over his palm. There was a hole in one end and a crater-like impression on the top of the other end. A reproduction of the Hyperion blade was carved into the same side as the indent, black accenting the lines. Squall rocked it back and forth, letting the light slip over the surface and reflect onto his face.

“Well?”

“Well what?” Squall looked up.

“Oh for Christ’s sake, it’s a fucking pipe. You really are a girl scout.”

“Shut up, I can see that.”

“Especially when you look in the mirror.”

“So where’s the pot that’s obviously supposed to be in here?”

“But Squall,” His voice gained a cool pitch to it. “Marijuana is bad for your mind. It will make you go crazy.”

“You make such a sexy after-school special.”

“I should have been an actor. Here, pass it back.” He tossed it and Seifer clapped his hands around it, turning slightly in the chair to reach back into the drawer in the coffee table.

“So how’d you get Hyperion carved into it?”

“I did it myself.” He spoke without looking up.

“You did that? I had no idea you could draw.”

“You have no idea about a lot of things.” Seifer sat back, holding a barbecue lighter to the pipe. After a minute, a cloud of smoke rolled from the end and he leaned out of the chair and held it out to Squall. He took it and looked into the glowing embers in the bowl. He brought it to his mouth and inhaled.

“Hold it in.” Squall looked at Seifer and held his breath. “Not till you pass out, dumbass.” He breathed out and watched the smoke curl away in front of him. “Well, take another one.” Seifer passed the lighter. It clicked and he dragged the flame into the pipe with his breath. The smoke threatened to burn his lungs and he coughed.

“I’ll get you some water.” Seifer left the chair. He continued to cough till Seifer came back and handed him the water. The cool liquid calmed his throat, leaving an odd taste in his mouth. “So?”

“Good.” He passed everything back as the tall blonde sat down. After his own haul on the pipe, he tilted his head back and blew smoke rings.

“I’ve always wanted to know how to do those.”

“It’s an art.” He had another puff and leaned forward again, just beyond Squall’s reach. “This is silly.” He stood and moved to the couch. “Here.”

Squall took more into his lungs, then breathed out slowly. “So, now neither of us can see the TV.”

“What, would you like me to move the couch?”

“No, just move the TV.”

“Fine, smartass.”

“You’re so negative.”

“Not always.”

“Just when I’m around. It’s a sign isn’t it?”

“Yes I hate you.” He crouched down and tugged on the TV cart. “There. Better?”

“Much, even though there’s nothing on.” Squall handed the silver pipe back as the blonde sat down again.

“What do you mean? This is a nature show.”

“And?”

“Just watch, it’s neat.” It was some documentary on African lions. A few lionesses were chasing a whole heard of zebra. One launched itself onto the back of a mid-sized zebra, clawing at the animal’s flanks to grip on. The lioness continued to bite, but slipped off, leaving a few small red lines against the black and white. Another lioness leapt at the back of the zebra’s neck, clinging to its shoulders with massive paws. Another leapt onto the hind legs, tearing at the muscles. The animal fell into the grasses, kicking and trying to roll the lions off, but more joined on top of it and it was slowly peeled apart, torn open while still struggling to escape. One lioness finally bit through its neck and the zebra’s head lolled back, partially hidden in the tall grass. The pride descended on the carcass to feed.

Squall turned his head back to Seifer just as the blonde let a puff of smoke out his nose, and he totally lost his bearing on the room.

“Shit.”

“Ha, now you get it.”

“No, you don’t even know.” Squall leaned back and stared at the edge of the wall where it met the ceiling, zebra lines still running in front of his eyes. His whole body tingled and vibrated, just like the sensation after an orgasm. “This is wicked.”

“Ah, I’ve corrupted you. What would Quistis say?”

“Probably ‘Pass it over here’ if I’m not mistaken.”

“Definitely. I heard Dr. Kadowaki caught her and Xu smoking outside once.”

“Really? Bad Qusitis.”

“Yup, but she never got in trouble, benefits of being a good girl, no one believes it when you cause trouble.” He passed the pipe to Squall. “Hey, they’re doing it again.” His finger raised to the TV.

Squall turned mid drag and watched the pride of lions chase down a gazelle, the camera speed slowed down for effect. He just now heard the music blasting from further in the apartment, one of Fujin’s industrial CDs Squall had borrowed once. It matched the movements of the lion perfectly and he found himself stuck, the pipe still hanging in his mouth.

“I can’t stop looking.”

“Well stop and hand me that, it’s empty.”

“What, you’re going to do more?” Squall felt every part of moving his head sideways to look at Seifer, the matching scar made it look like he was looking into a mirror. He pictured Seifer with red streaks in his blonde hair.

“And why not?”

“Neat.”

“What’s neat?”

“Your hair.”

“My hair? Man you’re fucked.”

“What? No I’m not.”

“Oh yeah, how would you feel if we were in public right now.”

“Umm...okay maybe that would be bad.”

“You are so fucked.”

“So? It’s not like Rinoa can say anything.”

“Who’d listen anyway?”

“Not me, I hate the bitch.”

“Gee, Squall used to be such a nice boy, then something about him changed. I think he became hooked on the pot.”

“Shut up already! Weren’t you going to fill that?” He squinted into the ice blue eyes.

“Yeah, probably.” He leaned forward.

“Never mind. I don’t think I need anymore.” His arm rested across Seifer’s chest and he leaned against him slightly, pushing him back to the couch. The warmth from his body made him tingle again, and he rested his head against his shoulder.

“I don’t think so either.”

“Nope.”

“Look, Squall?”

“What?” He sat up way too fast and kept moving backwards into the arm of the couch.

“Can you honestly think straight for a minute?”

“Yes, why? What’s wrong?” He pushed at some of the fog in his mind, finding it rather easy to dismiss.

“Do you have a crush on me or what?”

“What is this, high school?”

“I’m serious.”

“Well, maybe a bit. You’re fucking gorgeous, Seifer. How can I not?”

“I figured. Why?”

“I don’t know. You’re hot!”

“Well look, would you ever act on it?”

“What do you mean? No, I guess not. Maybe if you started coming on to me. But probably not.”

“Probably?”

“What do you want me to say here? I have no idea what you’re getting at! Do you want me to want you? What?”

“It’s just a question.”

“Okay look, Seifer. I’ve only ever been with one person in my entire life, and now I’m all of a sudden gay, or at least bi. I’m going to throw away the only source of physical love I’ve ever had. I have a lot of emotions and feelings I have to deal with and it’s not my fault if I end up getting a crush here or there. Honestly I don’t think I’d ever act on what I feel for you. We’re friends, okay ? You’re pretty much like my brother, actually.”

Seifer sat for a moment, processing all he’d heard. “Good. I’ve got enough feelings I have to sort out myself.”

“Like what?”

Their eyes met again, something swirling in Seifer’s. He blinked and looked down at the pipe. “Nothing, I’ll tell you later maybe.”

“Whatever.”

“So how’s everything at your apartment? Other than Rinoa. Like how’s Zell and company?”

“Fine. Why don’t you ever come over to visit?”

“I’m not one to show up uninvited.”

“Oh I see. I’m just rude, is that it? I barge on over whenever I feel like it.”

“Basically.”

“Well fine then, you’re invited.”

“Cool, I hear Irvine does a few illegal activities, perhaps he’d appreciate my tastes.” The tall blonde stood up and walked to the TV, shutting it off.

Squall stood, gripping the arm rest. “I could so say something right now.”

“What?”

“Oh nothing.”

“Say it.”

Squall’s mouth hung open for a second, then shut. “I forgot.”

“You suck.”

“Yes I do, damnit!”

“Let’s go.”


Squall was amazed how interesting a simple walk down the street could be. He noticed a stop sign and stood staring at the patterns in the reflective coating until Seifer tugged him away. He was now being led down the street by the hand. It was tough not to think about holding hands with Seifer when it was so easy to think about every single thing that was going on around him.

He pulled himself to Seifer and whispered in his ear. “I wonder how many people can tell.”

“Don’t breathe in my ear.” He pushed him back a bit. “Tell what?”

“That, you know...” He gestured a bit randomly.

“That you’re a knob?”

“Fuck you.” He yanked his hand free from Seifer’s and crossed his arms, standing still. Seifer turned and raised his eyebrows.

“You’re even more sooky when you’re high.”

“Don’t say that so loud!” Both hands shot out to his sides and the blonde grabbed one before he could even notice and continued to drag him along. “Hey! Let go!”

“If I don’t drag you, people’ll start to think we’re having a lover’s spat.”

“Well good for them.”

“And you’d probably never find your way back to the apartment.”

“Oh well.”

“Quit being so mad and enjoy yourself.”

“I was until you pulled me along like a three year old.”

“Would you rather this?” Seifer’s hand snaked around his waist and hugged Squall’s shorter body to his. He instantly regretted two things; saying anything and wearing leather pants. His face grew almost too hot to bear.

“Well if you insist.” Squall’s arm rested on Seifer’s hips and they stayed like that till they reached the apartment, a mix between showing off and holding each other up.


“Hey, did you ever think that maybe when you’re stoned it’s better to have thoughts and ideas run out of your brain than come in...like use your mind as a teacher than absorb ideas like a student?”

“What the fuck are you talking about, blondie?” Seifer cocked his head to the side.

“I mean, like if you watch TV, you’ll get stoned dumb, cause the TV’s feedin ya shit, but when you do stuff like tell stories and discuss shit, you’re not getting stupid stoned case you’re the feeder, it’s going from you to them, shifting the balance of high brain waves and low ones, like you think really smart for about 10 minutes normally, then shift into dumb stuff and like body stoned and stuff. In this circumstance however, when there’s more defined catalysts instead of just you staring at a wall, then the reaction will happen more abruptly, and last longer.”

“Holly shit, Zell,” Squall leaned over and whacked him in the arm. “You’re a fucking philosophizing scientist.” He leant back and thought about what he’d said for a minute. “Wait, yer playing both sides of it! Cause yer so above everything else, you reach the true top level of thinking, what we weren’t supposed to have, and usually don’t.”

“But we broke the code, and now we have their little brain plants too, and they don’t know what the hell to do. 'What’ll we do now, they’re as smart as we are. Our power’s all gone.'” Seifer looked distantly into the carpet, then slipped his head back up at Squall.

“Uh...that wasn’t exactly what I had in mind, but yeah.” He sat back, “Sure.”

The blonde beside him stiffened and shifted his seat everso nonchalantly. As he did, his hand slid through the cushions and brushed a rather stiff object. He pulled it out. A fair sized box of Sour Tarts. “Hey! Look what I found!” He raised it up for all to see.

“Gimme some of those!” Squall held out his hands.

Seifer reached up and grabbed the box, tipping out a handful while he turned his back. “Sweet. Didn’t you ever have any of these when you were a kids?”

“Sure, who didn’t?”

“I mean have these?” He turned back around with a pile of pastel dust in his hand.

“Didn’t this stuff give you brain cancer? Like sniffing powder to your brain?” Squall raised an eyebrow. Zell looked from the scarred blonde to the scarred brunet.

“No,” Siefer leaned in, hovering his head over the pile. “I was just worried it was gonna give me pink boogers.” He pushed in one side of his nose and inhaled the peak off his hand, blinking and tilting his head sideways.

“Just like in the movies.” Squall clasped his hands in front of him, bouncing his legs a bit.

“Man,”

“What?” The two men turned to Zell.

“I can’t spell pinkish. I mean I don’t think I can spell it...The words just won’t stop appearing in front of my head.” He leaned his head back and shut his eyes.

“Yeah, this shit is fucked!”

“What’s with all your swearing, Squall?”

“What are you, my parent?”

“Not at all, I’m merely saying you should pronounce your words, enunciate if you will.”

Squall moved his gaze from the tall to the shorter. “Man, I wonder if, if you taped this, if you’d need a translator afterwards to watch.”

“But who would translate the watcher?”

Seifer grabbed Zell’s knee, gripping it firmly. “You would, my friend, you would.”

“Huh.” He got lost somewhere in the swimming blue eyes, then suddenly realized. “Hey! I have a hot-dog around here someplace.” He jumped to his feet.

“Is that a hot dog in your pocket or are you happy to see me?”

“Uh, it’s a hot dog.” He pulled out the hot dog, wrapped in tinfoil.

Seifer raised his finger to point. “But hey, what’s that one?”

Zell just blushed, his face emitting heat like an engine almost. It’s a very weird sensation to have one’s cheeks fell like they’re the inside of a jet engine.

“So where’s the ketchup?” Squall’s voice pulled down Zell’s glance.

“In this pocket.” Zell was now standing over Squall, holding two ketchup packets.

“So, we should totally go to this thing I saw tonight.” Irvine finally raised his silent head and spoke.

“Yeah that thing with the stuff.” Seifer cocked his head to the side.

“No, this bar thing I saw, Zell can tell ya.”

“I would have been funnier if you had said thong.”

“Why?”

“You expect me to remember?”

“It’d be funny, if people watched a movie, then went outside and smoked a joint. They’d forget the whole movie cause of the short term memory loss.” Zell’s gaze seemed to pass through his hot-dog.

“No you wouldn’t.”

“Yeah you would, like that would explain why I can’t remember pretty much any of “Snatch”? But wait, I was already forgettin stuff partways through the movie...not as a selective whole all together.”

“Yeah, that’s the whole point!” Siefer hit Zell’s knee again. “Wow, I’m going to get so fat.”

“Hey, how’d you get that?” Zell swung to regain his hot-dog, then faltered. “Man, this gonna be one of those ones I remember.”

“Yeah cause you’ll read it again.” Irvine fixed his coffee eyes on Zell.

“What do you mean I’m reading it?”

“How do you not know?”

“Know what?” Zell gripped onto the couch. “Holy fuck.”

“Man, Siefer, my complements to your friend.”

“Wow, it’s like you’re all little puppets, in this play I’m watching.” said Irvine.

“God this hot dog is good.” Seifer took another bite.

Zell screamed. “That’s mine!”

“Definitely gonna have flashbacks.”

“Like yer so fucked, you get flashbacks of this shit....”

“Nasty.”

“So are we going or what?” Irvine shifted forward on the chair.

“Going where? Insane from brain damage?”

“I think we should go, it’d be interesting at the very least.” Seifer continued to hold the hot-dog beyond Zell’s reach, who was practically climbing into his lap to get it back. Squall watched it all without blinking, feeling somewhat sorry for Zell.

“Okay then, I’m getting dressed, you guys?”

“Dressed for what?” Squall looked up at Irvine, who was now walking towards the stairs.

“That DJ thing I told you about.”

“Oh yeah. Okay, I’m gonna get dressed too.”

“You sure you won’t need help?”

“I think I can manage.”

“He’s big and old and ugly enough to dress himself.” Zell finally sank back into the couch again, the reclaimed hot-dog stuffed greedily into his pouting mouth.

“Thanks, you’ve always been there for me, Zell.”

“Less talk, more walk, Leonhart.”


Chapter 6
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