Let Us Love You

Chapter 2:


A low groan left his lips as steely blue-gray eyes slowly opened. Looking around the room, he noticed that he was in the infirmary. 'What am I doing here?' he thought to himself. His memory from the night before returned to him, remembering that everything suddenly went black. 'I must have passed out.'

Another groan left his lips as he forced himself to sit up, wincing when the IV shifted in his arm. 'Damn thing.' Biting down at his lip, he pulled the IV from his arm and let it fall to the ground. The heart monitor was next to be removed, wanting to be free of all things attached to his tired body. Leaning back against the headboard of the bed, he ran his hand through his dark locks.

*-*

A pair of violet eyes and green eyes snapped open when they heard a prolonged beeping sound. "The heart monitor!" Selphie cried as they rushed out of the back room almost at the same time the attendant did.

They froze when they found the Gunblade master sitting up in bed against the headboard. Selphie ran forward and climbed on the bed, hugging him tightly. "Don't you EVER scare us like that again, Squall! If you do, Strange Vision is gonna have an interesting view of your ass!" She said, teary eyed.

Irvine came over and placed his hand on her back, comfortingly before meeting Squalls blue-gray eyes. "When you disconnected the leads for the heart monitor, the flat-line alarm went off…

"You had us really worried Squall. We know that you haven't been sleeping lately and I came to check on you…you were unconscious and slumped over your desk. I carried you here." He said quietly as the doctor entered.

"Commander Leonhart," She started in a stern voice as she picked up another intravenous needle as her assistant brought over another IV bag. "You are NOT to remove this IV. If you do not receive these fluids, you will become severely ill."

She quickly swabbed another vein and inserted the needle, watching as he jumped a bit. She couldn't stop the slight smile that graced her lips. "If you had just left the intravenous line in that I put in when Irvine brought you in, you wouldn't have had to worry about getting another put in.

She drew a bit of blood and placed it on a stand next to her before meeting his blue gray eyes. "As of last night, you are relieved of duty until you have rested…" She started off and told him of all of the havoc he was causing his body.

"Now, you will be taking a vacation away from the garden. I don't care where you go, but it needs to be relaxing." She said gently. "You are far too young to be having these problems."

Dr. Kadowaki excused herself so she could conduct the blood test, leaving the three of them in the room. "She's right Squall,” Irvine started quietly, “and Selphie and I were talkin…" He looked over to a couple students who had entered and stopped before pulling the privacy curtain. "Well we can talk about it when we spring you from here." He said with a smile as Selphie rest her head against Squall's arm.

An arm slowly wrapped around Selphie's waist, shyly pulling her against him. "I am sorry for worrying you Selphie," he whispered out faintly, placing a kiss on her head as she rested against him. Steely blue met with worried violet, silently apologizing to Irvine for worrying him also. The gunblade master knew how much they cared for him.

Closing his eyes, he rested his forehead against Selphie's shoulder and let out a deep sigh. "I kept telling myself I would rest after I got done with the paperwork, but it just kept piling up." He whispered out faintly. His other arm wrapped around her waist, holding her tighter against himself. Squall only felt like he could truly be himself and let out his true emotions around the two. They had managed to get him out of the shell he had created for himself since he was young.

"Squall, you can't take the entire burden on yourself…all you have to do is ask for help, Sefie and I will be happy help you. Zell and Quisty have been worried too. They left a message on my answering machine. They would have been here, but the got sent to Esthar to deliver something to Laguna early this morning."

Irvine sat on the foot of the bed, a warm smile tracing his lips as he watched his girlfriend and his handsome friend cling to one another. Both he and Selphie knew that they both had feelings for the lone man and they had talked about inviting him into their relationship.

Irvine had never been a jealous man and they both knew that if Squall were to be included, they would have enough love to share with him. He had told Selphie of some of the fantasies that he had of the russet haired man and she openly told him of hers. But the question was; Would Squall be open to a relationship with both of them?

=-=

An hour passed and the IV bag had finished pouring its life-sustaining contents into Squall's body. The needle was removed from his skin and strict orders were given to the three of them to make sure that Squall rested, ate and did NOT go to his office.

Selphie and Irvine hopped easily off the bed before helping Squall up and taking his hand. Luckily the corridors were pretty empty as they led Squall up to his quarters. They sat him on the couch as the green-eyed woman ordered something for them to eat from the cafeteria.

They both sat on the couch with the gunblade master. Selphie coaxed Squall to lay with his head on her lap an Irvine pulled his legs onto his lap before looking to the other man with a small grin. "How are you feelin' now?"

"I still feel like shit, but not so exhausted." He replied, his lip twitching slightly at Irvine. A deep breath left his lips and he relaxed into both of them, knowing he could trust them both. They had somehow managed to creep into his protective barrier and began to form a crack. It was small and Squall seemed to be the same stoic man he always was, but it was a start. It was obvious they held a place within the gunblade master, seeing as how he could truly relax around the two.

"What did you two have planned for my vacation?" he asked softly, eyes closing as he did so. Squall knew the two well enough to know they had some sort of plan for him, they always did when it came to these sort of things.

"Well!" Selphie started, excitement tinting her voice. "When we left Esthar, Sir Laguna told me of this cabin he has near the lighthouse. He had it fully furnished and it has all of the modern comforts. He said that anytime I wanted to use it, just to give him a ring. I think that would be the perfect place!" She said happily, running her fingers through his hair. "I think headmaster Cid will let me take the Ragnarok to drop you guys there today."

Irvine nodded. "That does sound good, but what about you Selphie? You can't join us for another two days."

Selphie smiled and met his eyes. "I think you boys will be just fine without me. Plus, it's only a couple days. How does that sound Squallie? We all have plenty of leave saved up."

"It sounds like I am taking a vacation," he murmured back. Lips twitched again into one of his rare smile, knowing the two were smiling themselves. Vacation didn't sound half bad at the moment. The cabin was isolated and it would just be the three of them. For once he could give his burdens to someone else and just be himself.

After a few moments of lying there with the two, he finally decided he needed to get up. Slowly he pushed himself up from the couch, steadying himself with the armrest. "Irvine help me pack my things and Selphie you go call Laguna and talk to headmaster Cid." Though his voice was in a softer tone, it still sounded much like an order however, the gunblade master couldn't help it.

Stumbling slightly as he walked to his bedroom, he leaned heavily against the doorframe staring across his plain room. 'Not much to pack,' he thought to himself. 'I'll only pack the essential's since that is all I really have...'

"No problem Squallie!" Selphie said as a chime came from the door. She accepted the bowl of fruit from the cadet who had been sent and thanked him. She handed the it to her commander before picking up the phone and watching them leave the room with a smile.

=-=

Irvine moved forward and took Squall's arm as he leaned against the doorframe. He led the young man over to his bed and made him sit and eat. He opened his closet and removed a duffle bag and after meeting bluish eyes for permission, he began going through the drawers and his closet, pulling clothes and packing them into the bag.

Once that was done, he retreated into the bathroom and grabbed his toiletries before returning to the bedroom. He slung the bag over his shoulder then went over to the bed, noticing that he had just put the last plump grape into his mouth. The violet-eyed man took Squall's hand and pulled him to his feet. The sudden move from sitting to standing, must have made the gunblade master dizzy causing him to teeter forward.

"Whoa…" Irvine caught him by the arms and held him close. A smile graced his lips as he looked down to the shorter man. Slowly, Irvine moved forward and pressed his lips gently against those of Squall.

Bluish gray eyes fluttered close at feeling the warm lips against his own. An arm slowly snaked around the sniper's waist, pushing further into the kiss. Needing to breath, Squall pulled back panting slightly. Steely blue looked up at Irvine, a deep passion swirling within his depths.

"Thanks…" he whispered out, resting his head against the sniper's shoulder. A faint sigh left his lips as he rested against the taller man. "...Thanks for taking care of me Irvine and again I have to say I am sorry. I know you worry just as much as Selphie..." he trailed off. The feeling of being vulnerable was creeping up his spine but he simply ignored it, enjoying the moment of being held by the sniper.

Irvine held the shorter man close, truly surprised that the Commander hadn't pushed him away or yelled at him for kissing him, but it warmed his heart to feel him push back into the kiss. His hand came up and pushed a few brown strands out of his face. "No need to thank me, we're doin' it because we both care about ya Squall. We don't want ya to think that you have to do everything alone…"

Irvine placed another soft kiss against Squall's lips before grabbing his gunblade and escorting him out of his quarters. He walked closely by the commander's side just in case he became dizzy or weak, but fought back the urge to wrap his arm securely around his waist. He didn't think that the handsome gunblade master was ready for that sort of thing in public.

A call on his cell made him pause to speak briefly with the person on the other line. With a smile, he ended the conversation. "That was Selphie, Dr. K wants us to stop by the infirmary to pick up a couple medications for you." He saw the grimace on Squall's face and couldn't help the smile that graced his lips. He leaned in close and whispered in the blue eyed man's ear. "Come now, you have to take whatever she gives you…and I'm gonna make sure you do."

They picked up the nutritional supplements and a bottle of sleeping pills before heading out the dragon shaped ship where Selphie was waiting with Matron.

"Now Squall,” Matron started. "You are to rest, no work. We can handle things while you all are gone. Take as long as you need to recharge. Selphie will be joining you on Friday and when you are all ready, someone will pick you all up." She moved forward and placed a kiss on Squall's cheek, before repeating the action with Irvine.

"Goodbye, my boys." She said with a smile before leaving the hanger.

The all made their way into the ship and after going through start up procedures, took off from Balamb garden.

*-*

Squall was slumped in one of the chairs watching the ground beneath them disappear as they headed towards the small cabin. His head was propped on one hand, a spaced-out look tracing his features. The voices of Selphie and Irvine were lost to him as he was too lost in his thoughts to pay attention.

'...I should open up more to them... Both have taken care of me without ever wanting anything in return besides my well being... They're the only ones capable of getting me to relax... I don't have to protect myself from them...' he thought to himself, oblivious to the world around him.

They spent most of the flight talking about the resurfacing memories of their childhood at the orphanage and various other subjects. Irvine even managed to gain a few smiles from their exhausted friend as he rested in one of the passenger seats.

*-*

Irvine exchanged a look with Selphie before smiling brightly and moving to the pilot's seat. He lifted her from the seat and sat her gently on the deck plating and took the controls as they made their final approach.

The auburn haired girl grinned at Squall before moving to his seat and sitting in his lap. Selphie wrapped her arms around his neck and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "Squall, please promise me you will try and relax. If I hear from Irvy that you haven't been resting, I will make you pay!" She said playfully, poking him in the ribs.

At feeling her lips against his own, he glanced over to Irvine unsure of what to do. Irvine only winked before returning to the controls. "I will rest Selphie, do not worry," he murmured back, jerking slightly at being poked in the ribs. He rested his head against her shoulder, closing his eyes for a moment.

"Thank you for doing this Selphie," he whispered out faintly. The words sounded strange to him coming out of his mouth but he knew he had to say them. It's what he wanted to say to the bubbly woman. Squall truly did appreciate everything she had done for him, despite his lack of words and show of emotions.

Selphie smiled and hugged Squall tightly. She heard Irvine say that he was putting the ship down nodded as he looked over his shoulder. She held on tightly to the gunblade master as the ship landed with a thud. "Ivry darlin', you really have to work on your landings…" She said and stood.

The young woman pulled Squall to his feet before wrapping her arm around his waist. Irvine grabbed their bags as they left the ships hanger. The walked a short distance down the shoreline near the old lighthouse, before finally spotting the small cabin near a line of trees. A stone path led up to the front door of the cabin and wildflowers grew along the front of the home along with a few shrubs.

"Wow, Sir Laguna sure does have this place fixed up!" Selphie said with excitement as they moved up the path. She went to the lock panel and typed in the code that Squall's father had given her and watched as the door slid open.

Her eyes went wide and she pulled the gunblade master into the spacious cabin. "Geez this is nice!! Much bigger than it looks from the outside." She said and made him sit while she and Irvine unpacked their things.

The food she had packed for them was loaded into the cabinets before she looked around the modern additions to the home. "Yes, this will be perfect for them." She said quietly with a smile before turning to the two men.

"Well Irvy, Squall, I gotta get back but I'll be back soon to stay."

Irvine moved over to his pixie and captured her in a deep passionate kiss, his hand roaming up and down her back. The kiss broke and Selphie met his eyes. "I'll miss you." She said as he released her.

"I'll miss you too darlin'."

She walked over to Squall and pulled him off the couch she had made him sit on. Placing her hands on either side of his face she smiled up at him before kissing him with all the passion and love that she had for the lonely man. She wanted him to know that he was loved and was not alone anymore.

Her hands left his face and wrapped tightly around his waist as she moaned against his lips. The yellow clad girl slowly pulled away from his lips and placed her head against his muscled chest. "I'll miss you too Squallie…"

"I'll miss you too Selph," he whispered back softly, letting his arms wrap around her waist. The gunblade master held her tight against him, taking in her warmth for the moment. A groan of protest was swallowed at feeling her pull back. Another kiss was shared between the two before the bubbly woman disappeared out of the door.

Squall glanced back to Irvine, letting his lip twitch slightly before he began to wander about the spacious cabin. Everything about it was clean and neat yet still had a homey touch to it which helped calm the commander down. He slipped down the hallway and entered the room that he was sure was deemed Irvine's and his. Dark blue-gray eyes took in the large room and smiled just faintly at the large bed that looked way too comfortable.

Slowly he walked to the bed and ran his fingers across the cool sheets. Boots, belts and jacket were slipped off and tossed to the floor before he let himself fall hard on the mattress. Eyes closed and he let out a faint moan, glad to have the comfortable bed. It was the only thing he had liked about his room back at the garden.

*-*

Irvine watched as the Ragnarok took off to the North. "Bye Sefie…" He said quietly before entering the cabin. He didn't see the commander anywhere so set of in search for the handsome man.

He walked down the hallway and smiled when he entered one of the bedrooms to find Squall lying on the bed. He looked so relaxed already and they'd only been there for an hour at the most. He couldn't help be to think of how gorgeous he looked sprawled across the bed like that. Images of the man writhing beneath him as he gently thrust into his body made their way into his mind, but he pushed him away for now.

Slowly, he padded over to the man on the bed and sat next to him. "You okay Squall?"

One eye opened partially, looking up to the taller man. A small smile crept onto his lips, this place having a great calming effect upon him. It also helped that Squall trusted the cowboy and knew he could truly let himself go around him. "The bed is comfortable..." he muttered out, it partially muffled by the bed. The eye slid shut and soft breaths left his slightly parted lips.

After a few minutes, the gunblade master crawled his way into Irvine's lap. Head rested on the cowboy's thigh while his hand was carelessly draped around his waist, eyes still closed. A smirk traced over his lips at feeling Irvine shudder beneath him at the simple contact.

Irvine was surprised by the commander's action but it also warmed him to see that Squall actually trusted him. He looked down to the blue-eyed man and after removing his gloves, ran his fingers through the silky brown strands of his hair. "Bout time you started to relax, man." Irvine started.

"You've run yourself ragged and me and Sefie are not gonna let you continue this." He said softly. "You are too young to be in the state." He said and after adjusting the other man in his arms, placed a tender kiss on his lips.

Squall pushed back into the kiss, enjoying the feel of the soft lips against his own. Fingers found there way into the cowboy's hair, the band holding his hair back being ripped out and tossed to the floor. The gunblade master then ran his fingers through the soft hair loving the silk feel each strand had.

Slowly he pulled back and let his head rest on Irvine's shoulder. "...Irvine....thanks..." he murmured out just faintly, the word still strange coming from his mouth. Squall did not think he would ever be use to the word but he still had to use it. Though there were plenty of other ways to show his appreciate, he felt that simple words meant more than any action he could do.

"No need to thank me." He said before placing a kiss on the smaller man's shoulder, his heart thumping in his chest.

He stood easily with the gunblade master in his arms and placed him on the bed, making sure that he was comfortable. He looked down to Squall with his trademark grin before placing another quick kiss on the man's lips. He stood near the bed for a moment, his long sandy hair framing his face. "Rest. I'll go make us something to eat for now until dinner later on."

Irvine walked from the room and went to the front door. His shoes were removed along with his coat and chaps, leaving him clad in his jeans and a plain white t-shirt. He went into the kitchen and pulled out the sandwich meat, cheese, and other fixings and went about making sandwiches for them both.

Two pieces of bread were layered with turkey and roast beef, tomatoes, lettuce, swiss and cheddar cheese, mayonnaise and a bit of mustard. He sprinkled a touch of pepper on each and placed on plates. Smirking at the fact that his innocent little Selphie had remembered, he pushed the beer to the side and grabbed two sodas for them, not wanting to drink alcohol around the man until he was sure the he could handle it.

He started for the bedroom but turned back to the living room and placed the plates on the table. He went into the pockets of his coat and grabbed the bottle of pills that Dr. Kadowaki had given him before reclaiming the plates.

He returned to the bedroom and sat the plates and sodas on the nightstand before giving him the pill. He placed the sandwich on Squall's lap and cracked open his soda and took a sip before turning on the TV. "You gotta eat it all, or I'll let Selphie and Dr. K know. We both know you'll catch hell if they get a bad report on ya." he said with a grin.

Squall rolled his eyes and gave his trademark 'whatever' to the taller man. Gloves were pulled off and nimble fingers picked up the sandwich and put it to his mouth, taking a bite of it. A faint smile touched at his lips and the gunblade master slowly ate the sandwich, enjoying the 'snack'. He did not know when he had last had such a good sandwich or eaten anything good for that matter.

Sandwich finished, he put the plate on the nightstand and grabbed the soda. Tab popped, he let the can fall against his lips and let the carbonated drink slide down his throat. He leaned against the headboard of the bed and brought one knee up, his arm hanging from his knee with soda in hand. Dark blue-gray eyes watched the cowboy intently, listening to various chuckles and expressions that crossed over his face from whatever was on the TV. Squall did not particularly care, he was too enthralled by the taller man and enjoying the calm that was still in his veins.

The sharpshooter had noticed that Squall was studying him intently, which caused his grin to widen. As the credits to the show he had been watching began to roll, he turned to the man who had been studying him, surprising the man.

A blush tinted the gunblade master's cheeks at being caught staring. He turned and moved up the bed a bit, and grabbed the bottle of pills. He removed one and placed it in the Squall's hand and watched as he grimaced before popping the pill.

"Squall, how bout we head out to the beach? You could use some fresh air and the sun will be setting soon. Its pretty nice out still."

Only giving a nod, he took another sip of the soda before setting it down on the nightstand. Socks were pulled off and placed on the floor, the russet-haired man slipping off the bed. He grabbed his gloves, sending a glance to the cowboy then he disappeared out the door and down the hallway. The cool carpet felt good against his feet as he continued to walk. Door was pushed open and he made his way out of the cabin.

Dark blue-gray eyes looked around intently at the beach and tree-line, making sure that nothing was there; body tense once more. Seeing nothing, he continued his way to the beach. The white sand felt good upon his bare feet, the gunblade master actually missing the feel of it. He walked a few feet onto the beach before stopping and crossing his arms over his chest. A cool breeze blew over him causing the russet strands to sway against his face though he did not mind. Squall was looking out at the sea, watching the horizon as the sun began to set.

He grabbed his shoulder holster and slipped into it before checking the safety on a small but powerful hand gun then placed it in the holster. He followed Squall out, closing the door behind him.

He stood a bit to the side and behind the blue-eyed man as the sun began to set. After admiring how beautiful the man looked as the light from the setting sun shone on his smooth skin, and the cool breeze tousled the russet locks. Irvine moved forward slowly and in a bold move, stood behind the gunblade master and wrapped his arms around him, pulling the smaller man to his chest.

His lips moved down to kiss the sensitive skin of his neck before resting his chin on Squall's shoulder, his hand moving in small circles on his flat abdomen. "It's beautiful…" He whispered into Squall's ear.

"There were times during our battles that I wondered if I'd live to see the end and sometimes I wonder if I'm still dreaming. I sometime think that I'll wake up and well be camped out or sleeping in my quarters on the Ragnarok, racing towards Esthar or the deep sea research center…but its times like this that make me thank the gods that its all over…"


Squall leaned back into the embrace, letting his eyes close. "Sometimes I think that all of this is a dream and I will wake up in my bed alone, pain-stricken and sweating from the nightmares..." he whispered out faintly. Slowly he brought his hands to grasp Irvine's clutching them tightly. The gunblade master leaned further into the embrace, tucking his head in the crook of the cowboy's neck.

"...I do not want to be alone anymore... I have been without for so long and I am just tired of it. It seems like have always been in charge, always having to take care of things... but when do I get to fall back on someone... Who is there to catch me if I fall helplessly from all this weight..." Without warning, Squall turned in the gunslinger's arms and snuggled into the warmth. Head tucked beneath the cowboy's head while arms were wrapped tightly around his waist.

Vulnerable he felt for opening up like this but right now he didn't care. Call him a 'child' but again he did not care, wanting to have this freedom that was stolen from him when he was a child growing up.

Irvine wrapped his arm tightly around the commander, his heart heavy at the confession the man had just made. He kissed the top of Squall's head and tilted the man's chin up so blue eyes met violet.

"Squall, you don't have to bear this burden alone. You don't have to worry about not having someone there for you ever again because no matter what, I will be here…Selphie will be here. We won't let you collapse under the weight of commanding the garden." Irvine brought his lips down and pressed them firmly against those of his commanders in a soul-searing kiss.

His hands gently ran over the muscled expanse of his back as he nipped at Squall's full lips. Breathlessly, he pulled back and smiled lovingly at the gunblade master. "I love you…Selphie loves you and if you'll have us, we will never leave you." His smile turned into a grin. "Besides, the boss wouldn't have it any other way." He said, referring to the little emerald-eyed girl.

Squall let a genuine smile touch at his lips, looking to the cowboy before resting his head on Irvine's shoulder. "I know..." he simply whispered out, not being able to say those three words. The gunblade master found it stupid that he could not say them, but the pain in his chest would not let him. Not at this moment. For now all he could do was nod his head and show that he did care for the two.

After a few moments of standing there, he moved his hand back and looked up at the cowboy. He placed a hand on the taller man's chin, tilting it downwards before claiming the soft lips for his own. "Mine," he murmured out against Irvine's lips, nibbling at the man's bottom lip. For now he would not worry about the rest of the world. At this moment, at this place, in these arms he would just let himself go and be free of all burdens.

Irvine wrapped his arms tightly around the smaller man and shivered when he felt Squall nipping lightly at his lower lip. He smiled when he heard the smaller man's mumbled words. When the kiss broke, he removed his large cattlemen's coat and laid it on the soft dry sand.

He sat on the coat and looked up to the gunblade master, marveling at how the beautiful he looked against the backdrop of waking stars that came with the early evening hours. He reached up and took Squall's hand and gently coaxed him to kneel between his parted legs.

He pulled him down gently and kissed his lips tenderly, loving the other man's taste. After a few moments, the kiss broke, leaving them both breathless but as he looked up to the face of the man he loved, he knew something wasn't quite right.

"Squall? Are you okay?" He asked, tightening his grip on the man's arms.

The russet haired man grimaced and tried to speak, but no sound came from his kiss swollen lips. His hand came up to his head as if in pain and Irvine watched in horror as Squall fell forward into his arms unconscious.


*Edited 12-6-08*