Frozen Dance

Warnings: More angst
Beta: None
Notes: Hope everyone had a great Christmas even if you don’t celibrate it. Here’s chapter 2/3 in this Chrismas story. Hope to see the end next year! ;p

---

2

There was one time each year when the Garden truly felt like a home. That was the days between Hyne’s Eve and the New Year. Most of those who had stayed during Hyne’s Eve, left to either visit friends or family or simply go on a vacation trip. It left Balamb Garden as close to empty as it ever came.

Seifer walked confidently through the echoing corridors, not seeing a single soul where you usually met at least ten people. The cafeteria, his goal, was almost empty. There was only Trepe sitting by a table by the windows. It always felt odd seeing her dressed down in regular clothes and not some kind of uniform. Seier himself wore casual jeans and his warmer sweater.

There was only one cook left in the otherwise bustling kitchen and the old lady only waved at him to take whatever he wanted while she didn’t even looked up from the book she was reading.

Most tables stood with the chairs upside down on them, only a few closest to the cafeteria being ready to use. Including a few along the windows. Seifer’s steps faltered as he realized he didn’t know where to sit. It was a baffling realization. Before it was a given he’d avoid the annoying instructor. But things had changed.

Was he supposed to join her, seeing as they were… what, friends? Acquaintances? Why should he suddenly join the blonde when he never usually did, just because they shared some memories?

Almasy ground his teeth in annoyance and stalked to an empty table. How could one bloody month under that bitch fuck so completely with his head?

“Seifer,” Trepe suddenly called.

The towering blond looked over, half ready to make a usual sneer about her having her nose in some report or the other. However, Quistis was smiling at him like he was one of the other. Like the chicken or that cowboy. It was surprising enough that it threw him off track and he obediently went over as she motioned for him.

Warily Seifer put down his tray across from the SeeD. Now what? He actually didn’t know what to say or what to do with anyone of them when he just couldn’t use his common sneers and sharp comments.

“Do you know what holidays are used for?” he grunted as he sat down.

He wanted to smack his own forehead at that. So much for trying to stay civilized. Trepe, however, just smiled.

“Selphie and I are going to Delling this afternoon for some massage and spa treatment. Nothing wrong with making sure I don’t return to some mess,” Quistis assured him.

Seifer didn’t say anything and instead started eating. He was starting to understand why Squall so seldom spoke and even more why he had been like a brick wall before the war.

“I’ve look at your record,” Trepe said lowly and green eyes glared.

So that was it? She just couldn’t help but mothering him like when she had held the title of instructor.

“Don’t glare at me. I just thought you’d might want to know how you’re doing, considering the SeeD field exam is this spring,” she scolded but still with a odd warmth in voice and eyes which he wasn’t used to.

Seifer shrugged since he felt oddly embarrassed by his hasty conclusion.

“I’ll know after the exam,” he answered calmly.

That had been a thing, he remembered, that had frustrated him. That you didn’t get to know the result on a test you wrote a year after when you took the exam. Of course, you didn’t get to take the exam without scoring the minimum requirement but if you had too few points altogether you had to work your ass off in the beginning once you turned SeeD. Seifer paused in taking a bite from his sandwich as he noticed the oddest of looks on the former instructor.

“What” he growled.

He didn’t like that scrutinizing, verging on pitying look. He absolutely hated the sudden somber look on the woman.

“Before… You would have confidently told me you’d score max points,” Quistis said lowly.

Seifer had to look away from those too clear eyes. He hadn’t even thought about it. The silence after that and the continued scrutiny of the woman made him lose his appetite.

“This time you will, you know?”

Seifer looked up at that and Trepe was smiling softly with a glint in her eyes that could be pride.

“I sneaked a peak at the tests and I never before realized how badly you neglected your studies,” she sighed as she leaned back.

Seifer could only keep staring. Max points? On all tests? It wasn’t fucking humanly possible. Unless you was named Trepe or Leonhart in lastname.

“Seriously Seifer, why did you waste all that time when you could have passed it all with flying colors?” she sighed and shook her head.

Seifer shrugged again before narrowing his eyes.

“You sure I max out? On all? Sure you didn’t read someone else’s tests?”

That made the SeeD laugh.

“What, don’t believe you’re capable of it? I told you, I don’t know how many time, that you had great potential,” she teased.

“It was boring to read books,” Seifer explained with a shrug.

Max points on everything? Somehow he couldn’t believe it without seeing it. It made his patience in waiting for that bloody exam thin out frighteningly. He had never gotten the max points on any test. Except the fire cavern but that didn’t really count. His disbelief was slowly turning into giddiness though.

“Have you seen Squall?” he asked while standing up.

Trepe was smiling as if she knew exactly how giddy he was feeling.

“No, sorry. Haven’t seen him since yesterday to dinner. I was sure you two would be inseparable during this break,” she answered with a slight frown.

“He got stuff to do,” Seifer shrugged. It only made Questis arch an eyebrow as if asking what.

Seifer didn’t wait for her to vocalize the question, instead he took his tray and dumped it before entering the empty corridors of Balamb. First he went to his room to strap on Hyperion and some warmer outdoor clothes; then he went to Squall’s dorm. He knew the brunet wouldn’t be there. Squall had said something vague that morning about having errands to run today.

But really, how long could a few errands take? Squall had been gone since early morning, during a break no less! Would that man ever learn to sleep in? Almasy left the Garden shortly and strode for Balamb Town. At least he could take a look. Squall hadn’t said exactly where his errands would take him though.

It was cold outside and the ground was covered by a light coating of glittering white. The mountains were covered under a thick coat of the white stuff and a lot of people took the chance to do some skein. Seifer much preferred not getting the cold stuff under his clothes, which typically happened if you fell while skiing.

The road wasn’t plowed, but there was no real need for it either. The blond choose to stay on the road instead of roaming where annoying monsters would likely jump him. This way however, he got too much time to think. Immediately, like a masochist, worry and doubt assaulted him.

Quistis was not alone in wondering what the brunet was doing when he really didn’t have any obligations except being lazy back at Garden or whatever. Those first couple days of the break Seifer could understand if Squall needed to slip off and finish a few things before taking a good rest. Seifer had probably choosen to ignore what his basic instincts said. That something was wrong when he saw less of the man during the break than he usually did.

Past experience, common knowledge, told him that a person didn’t have to disappear to somewhere unknown each and every day when this person presumable had vacation. Almasy had ignored those dark thoughts but walking on his own at that road opened the floodgates to the darkest corner of his mind. That damn place which he’d never get rid of.

Seifer hadn’t asked what Squall was doing all the time, just assuming it had with SeeD work to do. Or just about anything else that didn’t include what the masochistic part of him wanted to think it was.

Balamb Town soon came into view, but it was a good extra fifteen minutes of walking before he passed under the arch. The town was lit up with bright decorations. The main road was overhung by glitter and lights. From some stores happy music poured out onto the street and it was thick with people. This was the tourist season of Balamb. Everyone, it seemed, wanted to go skiing or rolling in the snow. Everyone wanted to be there for the New Year Balamb Festival.

Balamb Garden had its own festival, or rather, the Winter Ball. Before Telitt invaded the place, the winter Ball had been a very traditional occurrence. Now it was apparently much more than just a dreary Ball. Squall had lowly told of the horror of disco and dances beyond the traditional ones. Seifer wasn’t sure yet if he was looking forward to the event or not.

Most would return to the Winter Ball and most would go to it together with someone. The blond had to admit that dancing with the brunet appealed to him. However, he’d rather cut out his own tongue before asking Squall for a dance.

The towering blond easily navigated among all people. The towns people didn’t raise a eyebrow at the show of Hyperion, but a lot of tourist stopped to gawk at the big blade. Idiots. You’d think they had seen armed people before seeing as there had been a lot of fighting the last years.

Balamb Town had grown during the years he had been gone. A whole new block had been added down by the water and a new fabric had popped up just beyond the town to the west. It resulted in an increased population and beside the new block, two more was being planned and built. The blond wasn’t sure yet what he thought about it. The island was just so big.

Knowing his search would be fruitless even before he left Garden, Seifer strolled around the town aimlessly. He had needed to do something with the sudden energy that was all. If he found Squall it would be a bonus.

“What are you doing here?” A sudden voice asked.

Seifer turned and looked down with a practiced sneer.

“Window shopping, what does it look like chicken-wuss?”

Baby blue eyes narrowed but the smaller youth surprisingly held his tongue. Seifer blincked. Zell was still dressed in shorts. And t-shirt. And that bloody harness.

“Are you insane?”

“Hey, I can only handle so many insults before I punch you, you know?” Zell growled and started jumping on the spot.

“Then don’t walk around in summer clothes, idiot,” Seifer growled back and shoved his fists deeper in his pockets.

Zell looked down at himself as if not realizing what he was wearing.

“Yeah, well, it’s much easier like this in the café,” the blond muttered.

“What café?” Seifer had to ask.

“You don’t know? Ma opened Balamb’s Café about a year ago. She said she was bored without me home,” Zell answered and beamed with something looking like pride.

Briefly the tall blond wondered what it was like to have a parent like that.

“It’s going really well. Are you really window shopping? You don’t seem the type,” Zell continued and Seifer rolled his eyes.

“Whatever, seen Squall around?” Seifer said exasperated.

What was the world coming to uf he wasn’t able to goad the chicken any longer? Either Zell had worked up a resistance or Seifer couldn’t deliver as he usually had. Dincht shrugged.

“No, but he usually comes in for a chocolate whenever he’s in town. Why haven’t the two of you showed up yet?” Zell asked instead with a slight frown as if they had gravely offended him.

“To drink chocolate? How old are you, ten?” Seifer smirked but to his dissapointent zell just stuck out his tongue.

“You’re loss, later,” Zell countered before jogging of, probably starting to feel the cold.

Seifer shook his head before continuing. Really, he must have lost his touch if he couldn’t annoy the smaller blond.

Almasy decided to take a look at these new parts of town before returning to a warm Garden. Perhaps he’d ask if he could come with the brunet the next time the youth had to do some “errands”. Thinking about it, it was probably something inane like that which had made Squall not tell him what he was doing. After all, Seifer hadn’t asked and Hyne knew Squall was an airhead sometimes, seldom giving anything for free.

There were less people in the new block which seemed to consist of only condos and townhouses gazing out over the ocean. A new hairdresser had moved in though and, to Seifer’s delight, a weapons dealer. It was a given that he’d be drawn into the small shop like irion to a magnet.

The door made a nice jingle as he stepped in. It was of modern cut. Every weapon was tucked away nicely in secure looking stands. To his surprise there was a woman standing behind the disk. Judging by her very well sculpted body and the way she was eyeing him he’d say she was either a former mercenary or military. He nodded in greeting and she gave a nod back violet-blue eyes staring at him for a moment longer before returning to whatever she was scribbling in.

Since the shop was small it didn’t take long for him to conclude that it was the usual dealer with guns, rifles and knifes. She probably had ammunition for gunblades too but he had enough. Perhaps later she would take in a bit more weaponry that could interest SeeD cadets. Feeling a bit disappointed, he strode out into the cold again.

As the door closed and he gazed down the row of townhouses he saw his elusive brunet. The electricity of joyful surprise quickly froze as he saw another man by the brunet. The two were talking and when the shook hand something painful twisted the blond chest. He didn’t know this stranger that acted so familiar with the brunet.

The man of medium height and middleage appearance smiled and said something more before returning into his house. Seifer stood frozen, not wanting to or able to digest that. His mind jumped to conclusions he refused to acknowledge but instincts and self-preservation was already preparing him for the pain.

Squall walked a few steps before looking up. Grey-blue eyes widened, but then the youth smiled. That small smile that was most visible in those amazing eyes. That smile Seifer knew was reserved to the closest circle of friends.

“She don’t have any gunblades,” the brunet said softly once within hearing distance.

Almsy stared at the pale man while trying to force his brain off its current track and onto this new one. The smile melted from Squall’s face and instead the brunet titled his head in question.

“What’s wrong?”

Hyne, was his thoughts so obvious that Mr. oblivious noticed it that easy? He was about to ask who the fuck that man was but swallowed it in his throat. Wouldn’t he sound very suspicious? It wasn’t any of his business, right? That man could be anyone from a SeeD client to some random stranger that accidentally bumped into the gunbladist. Yeah, right. If he asked he’d sound just like he felt, suspicious of betrayal and possessive.

“No gunblades,” he grumbled after awhile as if that was his source of bad mood.

Squall wasn’t fooled. Those grey-blue eyes stared at him far too long for comfort so Seifer flashed a somewhat strained grin.

“So, done with those errands of yours? Meet Zell earlier, he was babbling about chocolate,” Almasy deflected and turned to show they should move.

Squall was unreadable for a while longer before following.

“Uhn, Ma Dincht opened a café. They have fairly good chocolate but mostly sweets, are you hungry?” the younger man asked as they slowly walked towards the centre of town.

“Not hungry enough to endure chicken-wuss dropping trays in our laps,” Seifer smirked.

Squall nodded without hiding his amusement. They entered the main road by the dock and had to endure more stares from tourists. Though Seifer silently thought it was the pale beauty in tight leather that drew the most attention this time. He longed to wrap a hand around that waist to show what had but knew it wouldn’t be well received by the reclusive brunet.

“You know, Garden is as good as empty,” Seifer said lowly and Squall hummed in reply.

“I’ve always wondered if those couches in the library are as good fucking in as sitting in,” he smirked.

Squall’s steps faltered briefly and he glared as a faint blush marred the pale face. Seifer just leered and took a step away in precaution.

“Come on admit you’ve thought about it,” he continued and Squall promptly ignored him.

It was a silent walk through the town and it surprised him somewhat that Squall hadn’t taken a car. Seifer sure would have since the car would’ve been a heck lot warmer than walking. They kept to the road even though both carried weapons and Squall was certainly hooked up with Shiva.

“The couch furthest in the back, the red one you know? I think it would do fine,” Squall suddenly said lowly, eyes only glancing in Seifer’s direction.

The blond leered and sidled up closer to the smaller gunblader.

“Oh? And what could be wrong with the green one between the shelves?”

“Too hard.”

“You sure? A hard surface makes for deeper moves, know what I mean?” Seifer purred and already felt himself stir.

“Softer makes for better riding,” Squall retorted without missing a beat.

His face was however slightly reddening and he didn’t argue as Seifer boldly traced a hand along his back down to squeeze a buttock.

“Perhaps we should try both and see which is best?” he huskily suggested.

Squall did not argue.

*****

The harsh metal clang echoed in the training centre. The two gunblades meet in a violent clash that sent sparks flying. As they slid free, Lionheart made its characteristic song that seemed to echo longer than anything else. Seifer parried a couple fast jabs before countering with a wide arc. Hyperion met Lionheart again in a singing clank before they exchanged fast jabs again.

Sweat was getting in the blond’s eyes and at an opportunity he whipped it away. They were both dressed down in training gear but still both youths t-shirt where spotted by sweat and some blood from minor scratches. Agin the danced around, Squall far faster in his footwork but Seifer far stronger in each strike.

The brunet’s hair clung in thick, sweaty strands and stuck to his neck. If Seifer hadn’t been forced to concentrate one hundred and ten percent on the spar, he might have turned aroused at the sight. As it was it was all he could do to keep up with the fast paced brunet.

No one of them was juncture and none of the gunblades where loaded. Seifer had to admit that the Lionheart masterpiece was perfect for the lithe SeeD. Seifer had tested it once, to know what it was like, and damn. It was strong with a slight yielding flexibility in the blade. It was also so light it was ridicules. Perfect for a fast, two-handed gunbladist as Squall.

Almasy had entertained the thought of getting one for himself, in the far off future, but after testing it in a few rounds with monsters he realized it didn’t suit him. It was far too fickle for him. Hyperion was and would forever be his choice of gunblade.

Seifer hissed as he had to push himself to his limit to parry three fast strikes. He was pushed out of his stance and balance and by an effort he couldn’t afford he countered and got some space from the stormy eyed menace. He followed up with a heavy strike and frustration welled up as he just couldn’t get to the brunet. His legs where burning and heavy, his arms was screaming at him and his lungs and heart seemed too small for the air and blood needed.

They circled and the Seier made a uncharacteristic sprint. Stormy eyes widened before the brunet was forced to stand his ground and take the heavy attacks instead of parry and dodge. Seifer didn’t hold back as he hammered on the beautiful singing gunblade and satisfaction welled up as Squall was forced back. At one hit, Leonharts arms fell but they were up just as fast. However, the show of dwindling strength encouraged the blond who put his whole weight behind a downward strike and finally that blue menace was struck away.

Fast like a snake Seifer got behind the brunet’s guard to press Hyperion against the pale throat. However, he hadn’t counted on his own body not being able to handle his own bloody momentum. To avoid doing some serious harm, Seifer managed to angle the blade away but then crashed into the brunet. Not able to handle the blond’s whole weight, Squall gave a grunt as they both fell down in a heap.

Almasy heard as his weight hit the air from the brunet. Still, he didn’t dare count on Squall being sensible and calling it quits. Shifting his legs, he pressed one between Squall’s and then weighed down on his hips to keep the cunning SeeD from doing any roll movement. Then he caught slim wrists and pressed one between them and the other above Squall’s head. He smirked as stormy eyes glared even as Squall was gasping to regain lost breath.

However, that was the end. Squall lay limp and panting under him and Seifer allowed his body to collapse and rested his forehead against a leather clad shoulder. For long minutes they lay panting, bodies aching and heavy. Seifer wondered when sparing the brunet had become such a challenge. During the time he had been away from Garden, Squall had evolved even further. It had been a shock to come back and have his ass handed to him in their first spar.

He had blamed it on his body not being what it used to be at that time. Seeing as he had managed that day to get past that infuriatingly difficult guard, his body was obviously getting close to its proper form. Laying there, soon both was breathing evenly, Seifer realized he wasn’t completely exhausted. Not if the throbbing of his groin was any indication.

However, the sense of power made his body tense up in a familiar instinctual panic/alert state. Rolling off of the brunet, Seifer sat up. Squall gave him a calm gaze and surprisingly hastily squeezed his hand. The brunet slowly got to his feet and quite ungracefully stumbled to his thrown gunblade. Seifer grunted has he forced his own cooled body to get up and then to bend down to pick up Hyperion. Shorty after Rinoa appeared along the trail.

“Oh,” she said in surprise.

Seifer narrowed his eyes. He still couldn’t quite believe that Squall could block her off so completely that she didn’t even feel his presence that close. Sheathing Hyperion, Seifer then stretch weary and aching muscles.

“I thought you said you would rest today,” Squall commented as he sheathed Lionheart and stepped up to his sorceress.

“Well… I became restless and beside, look,” she smiled happily.

The young sorceress snapped her fingers and somewhere inside the bushes a grat screeched at the sudden fire attack. Squall arched both eyebrows in surprise, Seifer shivered in… respect. He wouldn’t use the word fear so easily. But it was surprising how Rinoa had developed her powers.

To be able to direct a magical attack at something they didn’t even see… It spoke of a level of power maybe equal to that of Ultimecia. Not even Adel had been able to direct magic like that. Seifer gasped as sudden healing magic flowed through him, soothing shallow gashes and aching muscles. He glared at the doe eyed woman.

“Oh, sorry, I should have asked,” she said and had the decency to make a faint blush.

“No problem but I’m still sweaty,” Seifer answered and dared to step up closer.

This close it felt as if electricity was stroking along his skin and unease coiled in his stomach. Almasy clenched his teeth in determination. This was not Ultimecia or Adel. This was Rinoa, a kind hearted woman. He knew this and yet each time he had to fight through those basic instincts or rather the conditioned responses.

“Let me escort you out since you both still look exhausted,” she smiled happily.

“No offence, but I think we can handle a couple grats if needed,” Seifer muttered.

“Probably, but 30lv T-rexs could be a problem,” she said slyly.

Both youth stared wide eyed at her. The training centre system was designed so that you could choose the lv of the monster. It required that you knew who was inside before changing it. Since no one of them was junctioned a T-rex above lv 15 would prove a challenge.

“You can handle those on your own? They can come in groups of sometimes three,” Squall cautioned as they moved towards the exits.

“I won’t develop if I don’t press myself and I’ve done it before,” Rinoa happily answered.

Seifer rolled his eyes.

“I hear who taught you tactics. Remind me to give you a proper lesson in self-preservation one day,” he said dryly.

It was disturbing to see a wide grin on the sorceress as if he had just offered her something of great value. Squall’s silent amusement was much warmer to his stomach.

“Hey, are you two coming to the Ball?” Rinoa suddenly asked, making both gunbladists arch their eyebrows.

“Yes, seeing as it would be quite impossible to avoid it,” Seifer said dryly.

“No, I mean together as a signed couple. The first fifteen couples that sign in will get to dance the first song alone on the dance floor,” she smiled happily, dark eyes glittering with that romantic hue.

They stared at her for a while, she stared back.

“What?” Rinoa asked, still smiling as if not understanding what was wrong.

Seifer gave a strained chuckle.

“Come on Rinoa, how many times did this behemoth trample on your feet during that one dance?” Seifer chuckled and ruffled brown strands.

She pouted unhsppily.

“You’ll just wait and see. I’ll find a way to trick you,” she pouted before giving them each a playful glare.

They separated by the entrance, Rinoa happily returning into the centre and the boys continuing towards the shower room. Seifer studied the silent brunet. He knew Squall didn’t enjoy public displays or festivities at all. And going to the Ball together like that was just out of question.

“Did you want to?”

It didn’t stop his traitorous tongue from asking though.

“What?” Squall asked and blinked out from that inner world of his.

“Stamp around on the dance floor for everyone’s entertainment, what else?” Seifer retorted with dry humor.

To his surprise Squall only shrugged. It made the blond blink in unrealized hope.

“What, is that a yes or a no?” he asked in part humor as he followed the brunet inside the dressing room.

Squall didn’t answer, didn’t even give him a look to tell him how ridicules he was. Seifer felt the doubt and silliness surge up in him. Doing something like that, especially signing in to the Winter Ball, was almost the same as declaring they was to be married. Mercenaries seldom married. Very few did because very few thought of a life beyond the mercenary occupation. So signing in at the winter Ball was huge, something Rinoa didn’t understand but Seifer did.

He felt bad for placing the brunt in the trap of asking. How could he ask such a thing? He couldn’t expect Squall to have such feelings for him. At least not yet. A picture of the man in Balamb Town swam up in his mind and Seifer promptly shoved it away. Perhaps he never could expect such feelings from the younger man.

“Forget it, don’t fry something important in that pretty head,” Seifer said offhandedly as if the issue wasn’t gnawing at him as badly as it.

Squall looked up and there was something in those eyes that seifer wanted to call relief. It made him look away so those all seeing eyes couldn’t see what it did to his insides.

The water was hot and still it didn’t seem able to warm his frozen insides.

---

Author’s Note:
I swear I was going to keep this in a two chapter story but it just didn’t work. I have to face it, I can’t write short stories ;^^