Easing the Pain

Chapter 2

Squall stood in front of the gathered group of cadets that were anxiously waiting to see if they passed their field exam. He had taken over the duty from Cid when he had become Commander of Garden, and though he didn't show it, he often enjoyed giving the young cadets the good news that they were now SeeD's. A few would be disappointed, but it was to be expected. Not all could pass the exam the first time through. Seifer had failed several times before he had come back to the Garden after the Sorceress War.

The blond was standing at the back of the room with a soft smile on his lips. Squall caught his eye as he spoke to the group, and he forced himself not to smile back. It wouldn't do to have the cadets seeing their Commander with a love induced smile on his face.

It had been a month since they had started their new relationship. They were keeping the news to themselves, simply because they didn't know how everyone would react to it, but everyone had noticed Squall's positive change of attitude. Seifer had often had to hold back laughter while he listened to their group of friends debate on what had brought on the sudden change.

"Sayid Hammel," he called the first name on the list of new SeeD's. The young man jumped from his seat with a triumphant yell. Squall couldn't begrudge him for being so overjoyed. He was reminded of Zell on the day they had become SeeD's, and he had to fight back another smile. He looked back at the reason for this sickly sweet feeling of happiness he seemed to be feeling on a constant basis now. The blond's smile had turned from innocent to seductive, and Squall hoped no one else would notice.

He felt that distinctive heat rise on his body when Seifer slowly mouthed the words, 'I want you.' Squall looked away from his teasing lover to make sure no one else in the room caught his suggestive lip movement. Clearing his throat, he went through the rest of the list, purposely avoiding Seifer's gaze. Time seemed to stretch now that Squall had a reason to want this to be done quickly, but he refused to let himself rush through the list. The cadets had worked too hard, and they deserved to be recognized and respected.

Those that didn't hear their name called left the room with their heads hung low, but they would have another chance at the exam in a few months. The others rushed from the room to celebrate their success, and only then did Squall allow himself a small smile.

"Is that a smile I see?" Seifer said, kicking the door shut, and leaning against it with a playful grin.

"You're an ass, you know that?" Squall said, walking toward him like a man on a mission. Seifer responded by pulling him into his arms to give the brunette a hungry kiss. Squall melted into the very familiar embrace, savoring the taste of his lover's mouth.

"Tell me you're free for the rest of the day," Seifer breathed against Squall's kiss swollen lips.

"I'm all yours... after I get a few reports done," Squall said, cupping his strong jawline.

"Dammit, can't they wait?" Seifer murmured, planting a light kiss on the corner of Squall's mouth.

"I'm sorry, they can't," he sighed, enjoying the feel of his lover's hand that had snaked underneath his shirt to tease his nipples. "It shouldn't take me long. Just wait for me in my quarters," he said with a slight hiss of breath when Seifer's fingers pinched him playfully.

"Don't keep me waiting too long," Seifer's voice purred, and Squall shivered, amazed that just his soft voice could bring out such a response from his body. They shared another tender, lingering kiss before they reluctantly pulled apart to go their separate ways.

Squall often thought how ironic it was that he had promised himself never to fall for anyone again, and here he was, deeply in love with someone that he would have never imagined. Neither of them had gone down this kind of road before, and their first sexual encounter had been interesting to say the least. He smiled inwardly with the memory as he made his way to his office.

They hadn't been hesitant to touch each other in the most intimate ways, both of them going beyond the boundaries of their desire. They both enjoyed the give and take of their coupling, neither being dominate over the other. The physical part was fantastic, and Squall had never felt anything like it before, but the emotions that Seifer brought out of him were unbelievable. He hated being apart from him for too long, and something as simple as a missed smile drove him crazy.

Three days, Seifer had been gone on a simple mission, and Squall had felt empty for that short time. His happiness had not left him, but the aching loneliness had invaded him, especially late in the nights while he slept alone in his bed that was too big for one person. Their lovemaking had been long, and intense with passion on his return, leaving them both with sore muscles and sultry memories the next morning.

Entering his office, he sighed when he saw the small stack of reports on his desk that needed his attention. It was an honor to be Commander of the Garden, and he loved being out in the field or on a mission, but paperwork was something he would never enjoy. He sat and got to work, letting his eyes roam over the paragraphs to take in the information before putting his signature on each document. It was a slow process, and one he took seriously, but it was a tedious part of the job that couldn't be avoided.

He was only halfway done when he tossed his pen on the desk with a groan, looking at his watch and cursing when he saw he had already been at it for two hours. He hoped Seifer wasn't pissed, but he had a feeling the blonde would let his feelings be known when he finally got to his quarters. He went back to work only after a short break, wanting to get done as quickly as possible, but he had a feeling he would be there much longer than he wanted to be. Actually, he was already past that point.

"Enter," he called when a knock interrupted him.

"Squall, I have the list of candidate for the next field exam for you," Quistis said as she shut the door behind her. She handed him the paper, and he took it, glancing over the names.

"That was fast," he commented lightly, placing the paper on his desk, and putting his full attention on her.

"Well, I already had an idea who would be ready, even before this last exam," she explained with a soft smile. He nodded, and he was aware that she was keeping her eyes locked onto him with a curiosity that was undeniable. He knew what that look meant, and he had been getting it from them all since his mood had been lifted.

"Can I help you with something else, Quistis?" he asked.

"Alright, I'm just going to ask you point blank, and believe me, none of us are complaining, but what happened Squall? You've seemed so.....happy lately," she said.

"Can you keep a secret?" he asked. He trusted Quistis, and out of their group of friends, he found her to be like a sibling in some ways. Only a few years ago she had been in love with him, but he knew she had gotten over those feelings.

"You know I can," she smiled.

"I've been seeing someone." he said, and her smile widened.

"That's wonderful, Squall. Do I know her?" she asked, and he chuckled until tears sprung from his eyes. I was rare for Squall to even smile, but to see him laughing was a magnificent sight, and she watched him with awe.

"You know him," Squall corrected her after his laughter died down.

"Him?" she said with a trace of confusion.

"It's Seifer," he said, and he sat back to see how she would react. Many emotions crossed her face, but none of them were of disgust or contempt as he would expect from most people. He felt a twinge on relief when she smiled once again, leaning over to grab his hand to give in a soft squeeze.

"I'm happy for you. This is...unexpected, but if you're happy, then I say, good for you."

"Thank you, Quistis."

"Don't worry, my lips are sealed," she winked, and gave his hand another squeeze before she let it go to leave his office. Squall didn't really care what anyone thought, but a part of him felt a small weight lifted at Quistis' acceptance. He just wondered if everyone else would be so accepting when the time came. Either way, he wasn't about to leave Seifer for anyone.

*~*

His quarters was quiet when he entered, and he called Seifer's name, not getting a response. He cursed silently, feeling guilty for not getting here sooner, but he would make it up to his lover later. He took his boots off with a light groan, leaving them by the door to head for the bedroom. He had his jacket halfway off as he went through the door to see Seifer napping on the bed with his fist curled under his chin. An open book was next to him, and the lamp's light glow enhanced Seifer's face that was peaceful as he slept.

Squall tossed his jacket on the chair, walking quietly over to moved the book, and crawl up to lay next to the sleeping man. Seifer stirred and opened his eyes when he felt the warmth of the body pressed against him. He was groggy from sleep, but that didn't keep him from giving Squall a sour expression.

"What took so long?" he asked, entwining his fingers with Squall's as he took his hand.

"I'm sorry. I had more work than I thought," Squall said softly, kissing Seifer's lips that were scowling with phony anger. The blond's angry facade melted, and he deepened the kiss, pulling Squall impossibly closer in a warm embrace.

"I had half a mind to come and drag you out of your office," Seifer breathed against Squall's ear, making the brunette chuckle lightly with a shiver when he felt the wet heat of his tongue tracing over his earlobe and toying with his earring.

"I would have liked to see you try," Squall sighed, letting Seifer push him onto him back to cover him with his weight. "Of course, I probably would have let you," he added, then pulled Seifer's mouth to his for a lush kiss.

Their clothes seemed to melt off with unhurried hands until they were skin to skin. They didn't speak, only needing their bodies to communicate what they needed from each other. Squall let himself moan softly as Seifer took his time, kissing practically every square inch of his body until he was hovering over his erect cock. The sensation of wet heat surrounded his dick, coaxing a deeper moan from him as Seifer lavished him with long firm lashes of his tongue and lips. Gentle finger massaged his sack, and Seifer pulled him deeper into the depths of his mouth. Squall pumped his hips with harsh breaths, cursing in protest when Seifer's hands stilled his gyrations with a firm squeeze.

"Relax. We have plenty of time," Seifer said, kissing along his shaft as he spoke. Precum pearled from the tip of his cock, and he trembled when Seifer rolled his tongue across it to lap it up with a satisfied sigh. He kissed his way back up Squall's body that was squirming deliciously beneath him.

"I thought you'd be eager, since I kept you waiting," Squall panted, cocking an eyebrow with a small smile.

"I am, but that doesn't mean we have to rush," he muttered, then drew Squall's tongue into his mouth for a deep, lingering kiss that made them both lightheaded. Squall took a long, shuddering breath when Seifer pulled away, mewing softly when he felt his hand encircle his stiff cock. He was gentle, but firm with his strokes, watching the expressions on Squall's face as he pleasured him. Only at these times when Squall was lost in the gratification of sex did he let himself be so openly emotional. He was a little jealous that Rinoa had at one time seen it as well.

"Hyne," Squall said, groaning louder when his cock was stroked at a faster pace. Seifer smiled, taking his hand away to grab the bottle of lube from the side table, putting a generous amount on his fingers. Squall shifted beneath him in preparation, his eyes fixed on Seifer's face. Gel covered fingers teased his opening, and he let out a slow breath when they slid inside with practiced ease. Beads of sweat covered his brow as he let his muscles relax to enjoy the feel of Seifer stroking inside him. A gasping breath escaped him when his lover's exploring fingers found what they were looking for, and he arched his hips up in invitation. "Now, Seifer," he whispered.

"Pushy," Seifer said in a tone of voice that betrayed his own need. He hastily lubed up the tip of his cock, and chuckled when Squall pulled him forward with an impatient growl. "Ahhhh, fuck," he hissed, unable to stop himself when he slid inside his lover's caressing warmth.

"Move," Squall demanded, thrusting up with a curse of his own. Seifer pulled back, nearly coming all the way out before he thrust forward once again, making the brunette cry out when he hit his prostate. "I still can't believe how good you feel," Squall panted, moving in rhythm with Seifer's unhurried thrusts. The blond grinned, pulling one of Squall's legs up and over his shoulder to thrust deeper. He leaned over his lover, kissing him feverishly as he thrust harder into his ass.

"Damn, you're the one that feels good," Seifer grunted, against the side of Squall's neck, and he felt himself coming closer to the brink. "Come, Squall," he urged, nipping at the sweaty skin of his shoulder, and running his tongue over it to sooth the sting that it left behind.

"Harder," Squall strained, scratching up and down Seifer's strong back. A haunting moan passed his lips when he climaxed, his seed spilling between their bodies, and his relaxed muscles tightened almost painfully around Seifer's thrusting cock. Seifer's cries of pleasure were muffled against his sweat covered neck, and his hot breath tickled him, covering his skin with goosebumps. His thrusts slowed, but he didn't stop until he was pleasantly spent and sated.

"Asshole," Seifer panted, raising his head to look down at his lovers face. "I wanted to take my time with you."

"I hope you don't think we're done," Squall said, giving him a smile that only he ever had the pleasure of seeing. Seifer chuckled, covering his mouth with another passionate kiss that took both of their breath away. It seemed they would both be sore the next morning, but neither of them would mind.