Single White men

The three conspirators reconvened after school at the stage in the late afternoon, Selphie had been waiting for them anxiously, kicking her boots idly against the side of the stage, sitting on the edge. She beamed when the boy came into sight, not aware of the shame on their faces.

“How did it go?” She chirped, giving her Irvy a huggle. The two men exchanged glances and rubbed the pack of their necks in unison.

“Well, I’ll tell you, We need to get Zell a crown, because he is King-of-de-Nile” Irvine shook his head, flipping soft mahogany bangs away from his face.

“Seifer was the same way, Guy’s like that, they just won’t admit it, ya know?” Rajin echoed the cowboy’s sentiment. Selphie’s face fell.

“Bummer! But you know, I thought that might happen so I made another plan!” Selphie perked back up to her normal high. “All we gotta do is this!” 8she took a book out of her bag, flipped to the bookmark and displayed the pages to the men. Irvine scanned it in a heartbeat. It was a yaoi manga.

“You want to find a way to get Seifer and Zell stuck in an elevator together?” Rajin raised an eyebrow. “I dunno, that sounds… pretty cheesy, ya know?”

“Sorry angel, I just don’t think they’re ready yet” Irvine put his arms around Selphie and gave her a kiss on top of the head. “At least Zell’s not. He doesn’t even know if he’s straight, gay or what yet, or at least if he does he’s not ready to live with it. That makes me pretty sure it’s one of the latter two…” Irvine rested his head atop hers.

“You’ll have to help him discover himself” Selphie snuggled against his shoulder.

“Then maybe all Seifer needs is to know Zell’s not gonna reject him, ya know?” Rajin suggested, feeling a little left out the way those two were acting.

“Well, I don’t think with his ego he’d be the one to take the risk and make a move” Irvine thought out loud.

Selphie let go of Irvine and made a squeak, smiling huge. “I’ve got it! Seifer is cruel to Zell as revenge of unrequited love, and Zell can’t stand him because the sexual tension between them challenges him to face his homosexuality and Seifer becomes a symbol of that struggle!”

“Wha?” Rajin was confused. Irvine just shook his head trying not to laugh. That was a plot right out of one of those silly mangas of hers.

“We’ll see” Irvine teased her. “I think I’ve got a plan for Zell… isn’t he always in the Dojo part of the weight room this time of day?” he asked anyone who might know.

“Yeah, everyday.” Rajin nodded.

“Great, then that’s where I’m goin’” Irvine tipped his hat after letting go of Selphie.

“Go Irvy!” Selphie cheered for him as he started up the steps out of the stage area.

***

Irvine peeked into the “Dojo” of balmb, as it really wasn’t a Dojo, but it made the martial artists feel special about their own place in the garden. It was a large room with wood floors and mirrors on three walls across from large windows. Punching bags hung from chains, dummies were stored on a rack and vinyl mats lay on the floor if a fighter wanted to use them. The room was steamy with the smell of hard work and the grunts and cries of a handful of students training there. After a moment’s observation just watching wore Irvine out.

He spotted Zell on the far side of the room pounding the living daylights out of a punching bag with intent concentration. Irvine further realized that you couldn’t even see his fists they were moving so fast. Irvine tipped his hat before entering proper; all of a sudden he felt his masculinity was somewhat inadequate in the shadow of these fighters. He wished he would have worn his rifle now, if only to have something for his offensive abilities in combat. But as he passed though the room, boots clicking on wood none of the trainees so much as looked p at him.

He stood behind Zell waiting for the chocobo-haired boy to stop. Finally he stopped, leaning against the punching back to catch his breath, wiping an accumulation of sweat off his brow with the back of a glove.

“Ok, you have officially made me feel like a couch potato, happy?” Irvine teased him with a grin. Zell jumped a little when he turned around and saw the sniper.

“How long have you been standing there?!” Zell demanded, cheeks flushed from, the heavy exercise. His clothes were damp and ruffled and even his proud crest of blonde hair was sweat soaked and at odd angles. Irvine admired this, becoming further convinced that Zell didn’t have a date because he wouldn’t get a date, not because he couldn’t.

“Not that long. Didn’t want to interrupt you and bust up your rhythm” Irvine replied. “Anyway, what’cha doing later tonight?” he asked, glancing around, looking at his reflections in the three mirrors.

“Training” Zell stretched out to cool down, using the mirrors to check his form. “Let me stay here as late here to practice” he explained. “And only because the instructor in charge of locking up likes me”

“Can’t go out for some drinks in Balmb City then?” Irvine was disappointed.

“Sheesh! a w a weeknight anyway! We got classes tomorrow” Zell protested. Irvine rolled his eyes.

“I didn’t say get wasted, just have a beer or two and talk for a while and come home before curfew even”

“Maybe some other time” Zell shrugged and began idly punching the bag, automatically getting into the footwork at the same time.

“Well, hey, you’re the only one that stays late? I’ll keep you company tonight!” Irvine suggested instead. He really wanted to talk to Zell tonight. For two reasons, one: Selphie wouldn’t have him tonight if he didn’t make some progress on her new project, two: he was concerned for Zell, and didn’t want to let this slide. Zell stopped hitting the bag, he looked a little nervous.

“I dunno, Irving. I could get in a lot of trouble and not be allowed to train late anymore; I’m not supposed to let other people in here after it’s closed” He looked at the determined smirk plastered across Irvine’s face. “Tsk… you never take no for an answer, do you?” He huffed.

“If I did I wouldn’t the stud I am today. I’ll see you later tonight” Irvine told the short kick boxer, delivering a smart slap on the ass that stunned the boy speechless. By the time he found his words Irvine was already sauntering out the door.

Zell fell back and sat on the floor on his butt, “Oh shit…” he moaned as he suddenly dreaded when Irving would return.

***

Before returning to the Dojo however, Irvine had to run a few errands. The first one being if Zell wouldn’t go to the bar, the bar would come to him! By chocobo it really hadn’t taken long to get to balmb Garden, but getting a hold of a six pack was a little harder, he had to try a few spots before finally, the gift store would let a little age difference slide. The trip back was held up by a dinosaur attack in the forest, but Irvine quickly destroyed the monster with his rifle.

Coming back into the garden he had to sneak past the guard, but made it in feeing proud of himself. This was his idea of fun. If only he could convince Squall or Zell that he might have some one to pal around with on these escapades. He headed for the dojo and by the time he got there it was dark, and the lights of the dojo were on. He had to knock on the door and stand there until Zell finally came. He had apparently been traning hard, he had a towel around his shoulders and was drinking from a bottle of Gatorade.

“What’s that?” He asked pointing to the gift shop bag with a speculative eyebrow raised.

“Fun stuff” Irvine said with a grin and a wink that made Zell nearly choke on the sports drink. He glanced around the dojo, it was so quiet now after hours. “Don’t you get lonely in here at night all alone?”

Zell shook his head, “Nah, I like it, I can train however I want without bothering anyone?” He walked over to a stack of mats and plopped down on them, scrunching down until he was comfortable, but never taking his eyes off of Irvine. The cowboy stretched, still standing.

“Hmm… and how’s that?” Irvine asked curious. He turned around to see Zell was blushing furiously.

“It- it just is, so I can have space and stuff!” Zell stated defensively. “It’s a martial art thing” Zell crossed his arms as Irvine settled down next to him with a little more grace.

“What ever you say, here, drink this instead” Irvine flashed a toothy smile and pulled a can out of the brown bag, offering it to Zell. The fighter stared at it like it was a death sentence.

“Beer?! What the hell are you trying to do, Kinneas?!” Zell exclaimed. “You think I’m easy when I’m drunk or something?!”

Irvine looked at him, trying to control himself, then burst out laughing. “Christ Zell! I’m not gonna rape you! What? You thought I was coming onto you?” he chucked, popping the top off a can for himself.

Zell turned a deep shade of red, feeling humiliated in front of his companion. “Well you’ve been acting weird...” he tried to say. He took the can offered to him and took a long swig, still looking nervous.

“Well, just kinda worried about you” Irvine shrugged. “You’re turning 18 and you’ve never had a girl friend, or even acted like you wanted to. Not that that’s necessarily bad thing… but when ever it’s brought up you start acting uncomfortable. Like you are now” the brunette observed the blonde glare into space.

“Look, I don’t HAVE to have a girl friend! I’m fine, and I wish people would drop it” Zell growled, shaking his head. Irvine pau He He didn’t think he mentioned it that much.

“Who brings it up that much?”

Zell was a little reluctant to answer. “Quistis keeps bothering me about it, like I’m defective because I don’t want to go out with her… My Ma keeps asking when I’m gonna bring a girl home to meet hAnd And the other kids keep makin’ fun of me about it” He balled his fists up in anger. “Especially Seifer!”

“I see. Well, how do you feel about it, are you just waiting for the right person to come along, or is that not it at all?”

“Why do you keep asking this stuff?!” Zell looked at Irvine.

“Because, you’re obviously not happy about it and that’s a problem. Zell, be honest haven’t you ever lusted before?”

Zell was silent for a moment, “y-yeah” He admitted finally.

“What was it, male, female, animal ….vegetable… alive? It wasn’t a hog dog, was it?”

“No!!” Zell exclaimed. Then glowered. “I like ‘em, but I don’t like ‘em like that”

“Sure” Irvine grinned “But… you’re avoiding my question”

“Aww, come on Irvine” Zell groaned. He rubbed his forehead and sighed.

Irvine put a hand on Zell’s shoulder, his tone becoming gentle. “...If it was a guy, Zell. That’s ok too. You don’t need to feel guilty about it”

“It’s not normal! I…I tried keep people from finding out. Nobody would understand” Zell turned pale.
rvinrvine looked at him, feeling a spike of pain inside. He pulled Zell close in a tight hug. He could see how Zell felt he had to hide. Out of all the gardens, Balmb had to be the most intolerant garden out of all of them in regards to anything that was different. In the garden Selphie grew up in, individuality was the curriculum there, at Irvine’s you were just part of a military machine, and as long as you preformed well, that was all you needed to be accepted. Balmb was like one huge preppy clique, and anyone that didn’t fit that type as shoved out. So you got people like Squall who were totally incapable of acting as a social human being or Seifer, who just acted out against the system.

“Zell, they can go to hell. There is nothing wrong with being gay, any more then it’s wrong to be left-handed, or a visual learner or anything else. It’s the way you are, and it’s how you’re happy. That’s what it c dow down to, Zell. Don’t let these short sighted morns keep you from finding some one who’s gonna make you happy. They can’t so anything to you.” He tried to tell Zell as best as he could.

“But I’ll still be alone—How am I ever gonna find some one else who’s gay too?”

“You just let me, take care of that Zell. But I can’t say anything out it yet, I don’t know for sure.” He rubbed the little fighter’s back.” Well… actually, I gotta find out what kind guy you think you’d like” he chuckled, realizing he was putting the chocobo before the cart. “You ever crush on anyone I’d know?” he asked when Zell pulled back. He went for his can and realized it was empty. He got himself another, handing one to Zell, figuring he was up for it too.

Zell blushed and looked down at his can, “He’d kill me… But... Squall was always hot”

“He is one sexy bastard” Irvine agreed. “Shame about Rinoa though” he said with a shrug. Zell nodded, sipping his drink.

“Nida’s kinda cute too… But he’s going out with Xu now. There a couple of fighters too, but you probably don’t know em”

“You’ve got good taste” Irvine nodded approvingly. “But, I guess a crush is one thing, but tell me now... what is it you think about when you jerk-off?” He swirled the last third of his can around in circles. “Wait- you do that, don’t you?” Irvine blinked, realizing not everyone in the world had made it a daily habit at 14.

“Well yeah! But that stuff is private!” Zell snapped.

Irvine poked Zell in the side several times rapidly. “Come on! You’re darkest fantasy! You don’t need to be specific, but if you don’t say yours, I’ll tell you mine and I wont spare a single, gooey detail”

“Ugh, okok- you already gave me a mental image, thank you” Zell grimaced. Another poke got him back on track with the question. “But if you tell a soul, Irvine Kinneas, I’ll kick your ass. I’m serious… And don’t laugh either and you have NO room to say anything. Ok?”

“Ok! I swear!” Irvine chuckled. This had to be a doozy.

“The one that’s defiantly the weirdest has Seifer… and he comes and takes me by force. Not like I EVER want that to happen- It’s just a fantasy, that’s all. If it ever came true I’d hate it”

“Yeah, I gotcha. Besides, you control your fantasy, so it’s really more like a bondage game” Irvine nodded. He liked thinking of it like that. He could get a nice picture in his mind without feeling guilty about enjoying it. “Seifer’s a sexy bastard too” he added.

“Emphasis on the bastard” Zell scowled.

“Think you’d ever wanna go out with him if he cleaned up his act?”

Zell shrugged then scoffed. “I dunno, but that’s not likely. The guy’s a huge prick. He thinks he can get away with whatever the hell he wants”

“Hmm” Irvine gave a sound of agreement then stretched again, letting and arm fall around Zell. The beer was kicking in and making him feel warm and comfortable. Zell leaned back against him. The same stuff actually seemed to be the only thing that calmed Zell down as long as nothing disrupted him on his buzz. “You ever fool around any with a guy?” He asked, just out of cur curiosity.

“No way” Zell shook his head, watching the stars though the windows on the far side of the room.

“Ever even kiss before?” Irvine asked. He always found Zell to seem very innocent, but was a little surprised he never experimented with friends.

“…No” Zell admitted again, a little sheepishly.

“Mmm, I need to teach you then. Turn around and look up at me” He commanded gently, guiding Zell around and putting a hand on his warm cheek. “And kiss me” he added with a smile.

Zell paused, then went for it with all the knowledge he had, cracking both of their foreheads together. “Owwww” he rubbed the sore spot, Irvine tossed his head to shake off a little dizziness.

“You’ve got some stuff to learn” Irvine blinked. “First, take it easy, they’re not gonna disappear on you. Then, tilt you head to the right,” Irvine cupped the boy’s cheek, soft hands tracing over the black lines that marked his face. Zell breathed softly, eyes locked on Irvine. “And open your lips, just a little” he added, before bending down and placing his lips against the blonde’s and getting only a sweet hint of a taste. It was enough to make Zell’s heart beat fast.

“That was just a nice, little kiss for when you’re just starting out with some one” Irvine explained, but Zell had a questioning look on his face.

“How do you kiss some body… when you really want to kiss them, like they do on tv?” he asked, eyes earnest, but his body language cried of yearning. Irvine smiled and kissed the blonde again, wrapping an arm tight around his body and holding the back of his head with a firm hand. The cowboy pressed his tongue into Zell’s mouth, holding him fast from breaking away until the boy opened up as well, mimicking the menstruations done to him. It’s wasn’t long for their blood to run hot, kissing deep, taking gasping breaths in between.

Irvine ran a hand over Zell’s shoulders, feeling hard and shaped with thick muscles before coaxing the jacket off. Zell took his arms from around Irvine just long enough to wriggle out and let Irvine slip out of his, their mouths never breaking contact. Hand were left free to roam over steamy, exposed skin, touching and exploring new feelings that Zell had never experienced and Irvine had never experienced before with Zell. Passions began to soar as a need that couldn’t be satisfied by kissing or touching became more pressing. Irvine slowly became aware of this, and realizes as well that Zell was not about to stop. The cowboy broke away, taking a deep breath to soothe his brining lungs. Zell’s shoulders rose as fell as he panted to catch his own breath. He looked up Irvine with a look questioning why he stopped.

“Damn” Irvine breathed. “You’re a fast learner” He smiled, running a hand over Zell’s bizarrely spiked hair. Looking down as Zell’s delicate face, sharp features softened with color and a thing sheen of sweat, and flushed full lips made Irvine almost regret stopping and not trying to get all the way right now.

“But ya gotta save some thing for when you get with that some one for the first time” He told himself and Zell at the same time.

“Yeah, I guess” Zell agreed to a degree, leaning his head on Irvine’s bare shoulder. “That was nice”

“How about I help you clean up so you can lock up in here, and I’ll walk you to your room. It’s late already” Irvine offered, staring up at the star filled sky outside.

“Sure. Thanks Irvine.. For a lot”

“Any time Zell. If you ever need advice, I’ll always be right here for ya. That’s what friends are for” Irving gave the fighter one more hug before helping him up to his feet. Zell gave a small groan. He was so comfy where he had been, on the mats snuggled up to Irvine. He could have stayed there all night. In fact, he could have done so with no problem at all.