Protecting the Lion

Chapter Twenty-Five
Distractions

Irvine sat leisurely with his feet propped up on the back of the co-pilot seat. Hugging Exeter to his chest, he feigned a light dozing state. Beneath his down turned hat a smile played across his lips.

Selphie was at the controls, pouting. It wasn’t that she was going to use any missiles or the grappling arms, but the freedom that she could use them. Squall always had everything under some sort of security lock. She had been taking a few courses in pick locking and cracking codes. Today she’d finally managed to crack the lock on Ragnarok’s ammunition.

“Meanie!” she shouted over her shoulder toward the longhaired cowboy.

“Just doin’ my job,” he responded, his smile widening.

Just as she’d released the lock, Irvine had come aboard and reset the damn thing under a completely different code, one that was randomized and would take another two months for her to crack.

Rui sat directly behind Selphie, buckled in and gripping the straps for dear life. “Are you sure you can fly this thing?” The picture of the small teenage girl sitting in the pilot’s seat was less than confidence inspiring.

“Sure can,” she responded happily. She met Rui the other day when Squall asked her to show a new student to a single’s room close to his own. He was the cutest kid she’d ever seen, with pinchable cheeks and innocent eyes.

“So, who are you again?” Irvine asked, finally focusing his attention on the boy who had followed him all the way to the hanger.

“Rui Valdez,” the dark eyed boy answered. He was at a loss for exactly what he should tell the auburn haired man. Should he mention why he came to be there, or was that confidential information? No one other than Commander Leonhart and the perverted knight knew who had sent him.

“Rui just enrolled,” Selphie explained, keeping a light note in her voice, even though she was speaking to Irvine, who she was still upset with.

“Uh huh,” Tilting his head back, violet eyes surveyed the boy from beneath the dark suede hat. “And, is there any particular reason as to why he’s coming along?”

“Of course,” Selphie affirmed.

The conversation of Rui’s presence aboard Ragnarok became a matter between to the two SeeD members and not Rui himself.

Irvine was feeling a little more than grumpy at the moment. Squall didn’t even seem to remember his outburst earlier or care enough to give punishment. Not to mention, there was something about the pale brunet that seemed different. All through the meeting, he couldn’t take his eyes from the pretty young man, regardless of circumstance.

At least the small banter with Selphie occupied his mind somewhat. “Darlin’ you’ve got to learn to elaborate.”

“Hey! Most the time you guys are telling me to be quite. Besides, Squall’s the one who needs to talk more.” Turning in her seat, she stuck her tongue out at the gunman.

Chuckling at the good-natured fight, he pushed his hat back to see more clearly. “I don’t think there is any hope of changing the Commander,” he said with a serious tone.

Shrugging her shoulders she went along with the change of topic. “He’s always been pensive. When I saw him again, I didn’t think anyone could be that reclusive. It was a long time since I’d seen him last, so I guess a lot could of happened. Still, I was shocked.”

“You and me both. I never really asked Quistis or Zell what happened.” Dropping his feet from the seat, he became a bit more interested in what he hoped would be a conversation about Squall.

Biting her lip for a moment, she looked to Rui and then to Irvine. “There’s a mini fridge below deck. It’s got lots of goodies,” she suggested, knowing it was none too casual.

Rui was quite interested in hearing more about the Commander, especially from those who actually knew the man and not unfounded rumors from his fan club. However, as much as he found fault in the hyperactive girl he’d met the other day, he did like her a lot and could not deny the obvious request. As he moved to unbuckle himself he remembered why he was fastened to tightly. “You won’t, like, take off before I can buckle back in will you?”

“No, not if I remember.” She grinned.

Gulping, Rui looked to the cowboy for reassurance. It was anything but comforting to be surrounded by people he didn’t know or trust, even if he was used to it.

“You don’t even have to be seated. Selphie is the best pilot you’ll ever meet,” Irvine assured the frightened boy.

Looking earnestly from one SeeD member to the other, he did his best to make his dark eyes glisten. In a couple years he wouldn’t be able to play the little boy sympathy card, but it seemed to be working well enough for now. “I don’t suppose it means anything that I’m afraid of flying?”

Selphie smiled. “Not one bit,” she chirped.

Rui’s eyes widened a bit, surprised at the girl’s response. He thought for sure that she would have been the most susceptible. Reluctantly, he stood up.

“Trust me, it’s perfectly safe,” Irvine assured again.

Rui didn’t let them see the eye roll he gave while walking away. ‘Trust,’ he thought, ‘Yeah right’. He didn’t trust his little endeavor in Garden to last longer than a month, let alone a bi-polar, hyperactive mercenary and a cowboy hugging a gun. There were bound to be other seats on the ship, he’d find one and strap in. He hadn’t lied when he said he was afraid of flying. He’d never flown before and didn’t see how any creature other than a bird could stay in flight without crashing to their death.

Once the door shut behind Rui, Selphie swiveled her seat around and crossed her legs. Looking at Irvine with a serious expression she asked, “What’s wrong?”

Hesitating only a moment, he wondered what had given him away. “I never could put anything passed you, could I?”

Not responding, Selphie waited.

“This stays between us.” He straightened up, unsure about voicing his feelings. In his mind he hadn’t even given words to his problem, let alone voice it to anyone.

“Oh,” she said with excitement, “Now I have to know.”

“Swear you’ll keep your silence,” he insisted.

“I promise not to tell anyone.” Her green eyes shone with interest. “Now spill it.”

“Recently….” he struggled for the right words, not wanting the truth of it to sound as ridiculous as it felt. “I’ve been attracted to Squall.” Wincing, he waited for her response. There was no relief in getting the matter off his chest. In fact, he felt even more annoyed by it all. Now that he’d stated it, he knew exactly what it was, but had yet to find a solution.

Green eyes widened. “You, um, like Squall?”

Clearing his throat, Irvine never felt more uncomfortable in his life. “Yeah, something like that.”

“As in, you want to have sex with him?” The curious note in her voice was more pronounced than the shock.

Blushing, Irvine gaped at the girl. How blunt could one person be?

Selphie leaned back and pointed animatedly at the gunman. “You’re blushing, oh my goodness.”

“Thanks for your sympathy Selph, really,” he bit out defensively.

Forcibly removing all traces of a smile, though it wavered a bit, she settled back down. Putting on an apologetic expression, she did her best not to dance around and bask in the glow of the flirtatious man’s insecurity. It was like Zell declaring a dislike of hotdogs, it was something she never would have expected. Irvine was never unsure about anything that involved who he wanted to be with next.

Having schooled her expression, she couldn’t help but press her luck. “So, who would be bottom?” She fell into a giggling fit.

Before Irvine could yell at the girl for being so insensitive, his mind was suddenly filled with a rather vivid image of just how Squall would look playing the submissive wanton. A far cry from how the Commander would ever let himself go, it was still more than appealing.

“Oh no,” Selphie said slightly alarmed. Looking at the deepened blush on the promiscuous man’s face she realized just how serious he was being. “You really want him?” she asked in all seriousness.

Not meeting her in the eye he admitted, “I think so.”

“Join the club,” she commented nonchalantly.

“What?” He snapped his head up and stared at her. “Don’t tell me…. you too?”

“At least once a month.” She grinned. “Naw, not me, but just about everyone else. I mean, it’s not like I haven’t thought about it. I think everyone’s at least thought about it.”

“What?” he asked incredulously. The prospect of what Selphie was hinting at was already making him feel relieved, but at the same time it made him angry. Just who was looking at Squall like that? He’d beat them up.

“Irvine, have you seen Squall?” She paused for emphasis. “When he was officially sworn in as Commander of Balamb Garden, I caught Commanders Trent and Zephlar checking him out. Trent was practically tripping over her tongue and I’m pretty there was only one reason for Zephlar shifting in his seat so often.”

“I thought he had a rash or something….” Irvine trailed off in self-thought, recalling the ceremony.

“Then there was General Caraway.” She held out three fingers as if counting off.

Leaning forward Irvine studied Selphie for a moment. As an expert in this field, he didn’t think it was possible for all this to have escaped his attention. “Caraway? Rinoa’s father?”

“Quistis and I were forced to let Squall duck out early, like he wanted to, during the celebration dinner at the mansion. Rinoa kept dragging him back to talk with her father, and after a few drinks Caraway was getting a little touchy feely.” Shaking her head at the memory of that night, she couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for Squall. The poor guy had no clue why Caraway kept shaking his hand and throwing an arm around his shoulders.

“General Caraway came on to Squall?” Since when did all this happen?

“No, just copped a few feels.” She giggled, “We got our naïve buddy out of there before Rinoa or him could catch on. You weren’t there. It was while you and Zell were on mission at the prison. And, it’s not like we want to spread the story around.”

“What else has happened that I don’t know about?” The idea that he was not alone was extremely comforting at this point. This was why he talked to Selphie. She had her quirks, but she could always make a person feel better. And, if she admitted to ‘thinking’ about their quiet ice princess, then that meant his feelings were fleeting. Just like any other fling he had, it would run its course. Now, however, he was quite interested in who had been ogling his Commander.

“Do you really want a list?”

Looking at her expectantly he stated the obvious, “Yes” As an after thought he added, “Why didn’t I notice any of this?”

“You were probably too busy chasing tail. Unless this little attraction of yours has been going on for a while?” she questioned.

“A few days,” he answered openly. There were so many aspects of this conversation that he wanted to know more about that he couldn’t help but jump from one to the other. “Did you really like Squall?”

Looking from side to side, as though someone might over hear, she leaned in conspiratorially. “Between you and mean,” she glanced around again, “My knees went week when I first saw him all grown up.” Standing up, she walked the length of the small cabin, looking down each row of seats. Her soft shoes made a dulled clanking noise against the cold metal. Returning to her seat, she scooted to the very edge and waved Irvine closer.

Quirking a brow at her odd behavior, Irvine wondered whether she might just be messing with him. But, that wasn’t her style, so he humored her and shifted closer. She motioned for him to turn his ear, so he did so as well.

Cupping Irvine’s ear, she whispered, “I saved those pictures of Squall on another disk.”

Pulling back, he looked her in the eye. Furrowing his brows, he shook his head in disapproval. “Selphie, he’ll kill you.”

“That’s why he can’t know.” Sitting back she smiled at him. “Besides, Zell asked me to.”

Irvine very nearly fell out of his seat. “What?”

Selphie fell into a fit of laughter. Irvine must have been the straightest guy in the world to not have checked Squall out any sooner or not to have noticed the rest of the world doing the exact same thing.

Frowning, Irvine wondered how much time he’d have to get more answers. “Does Zell like Squall?”

“I doubt it. I think he just wants to sell the pictures. I know Nida would pay top dollar for something like that.”

“Hyne,” Irvine groaned. “Nida too?”

“Oh yeah. But, that guy carries a torch for our little siren, just like Quistis did.” Sticking the tip of her tongue out she tilt her head in thought. “Is it wrong to gossip like this?”

“It ain’t gossip,” Irvine said abruptly. “Now tell me more about Nida and Quistis.”

Bobbing her head from side to side she considered it for a moment. Shrugging, she figured that if the gunman had taken his eyes off of the nearest female’s butt for more than two seconds, he’d know just as much. “Before the war, when Quistis was still Squall’s instructor, she thought she was in love with him.”

“And now?” he prompted.

“It wasn’t long before she realized she was just stumbling over remnants of old memories. She was certain there was nothing romantic about her feelings once she remembered everything again.” It was a good thing Quistis didn’t really care much about who found out, then again the Head Instructor also knew that she was among the majority of the population.

“I see….” he trailed off in thought.

Narrowing her green eyes she asked, “Is it because of Seifer?”

“No,” he answered right away, “Wait, what?”

“You said you just started to think of Squall. Is it because of Seifer?” She recalled the hickie on Squall’s neck and the way the two rivals acted around each other like they did with no one else. “Are you jealous?”

“Jealous,” he spat incredulously. “That asshole is harassing Squall. The only thing I feel is concern. There is nothing good about that traitor staying in the same place as Squall.”

“Traitor?” she questioned, “Funny, before Seifer started proving to us that he could get away with almost anything, you didn’t seem to care that he’d come back. Honestly, it was probably the only way any of us could have made Squall wear a uniform. Rather inspired I’d say.”

“It was more than just a hickie,” he half shouted, standing up suddenly. “Yesterday, I heard them. I know those sounds very well, not to mention the marks all over his body. That cocky bastard had his mouth all over Squall,” he finished with a growl, squeezing Exeter’s handle tightly.

Blinking a few times, Selphie absorbed Irvine’s words. It was her turn to be flabbergasted. “What?”

The sound of the ramp rising to a close startled both of them. Falling silent, they waited like two dears caught in headlights. When the resounding steps of military boots became louder they both hastily scrambled back to their seats with blank expressions. Before the door could open, they shared one last glance. A tacit agreement to continue the conversation later was formed.

**

All his life, Squall had been serious and a critical planner. It wasn’t as though he’d sit on the sidelines forming the best strategy when there was a fight at hand, but he generally thought things through down to the little details.

He was the type of guy who would know the exact number of security cameras and guards on duty. That was why he was chosen to lead Edea’s assassination and why he was Commander.

Trained to think clearly in even the most stressful and chaotic situations, he would have cursed how his training failed him so completely, if he was able to form cohesive thoughts at the moment.

When Seifer kissed him, his mind seemed incapable of all reason and logic. All he could do was lose himself in the feeling, the sensation of rough hands squeezing his hips, kneading the soft flesh.

Never mind the unlocked door or the unbidden moans that came forth. As long as Seifer kept touching him, it was fine.

Hot and wet, their tongues battled. It was a new experience to explore Seifer’s mouth, but when the blonde fought for dominance, he was more than complacent to let him in.

He never knew a kiss could feel so good. Fingers twined in blonde strands, longer than before the war, he liked the feel of it.

By the time they broke apart, Squall was panting and unable to lift his eyelids more than halfway. Seifer seemed rather immune to the effects of suffocation and chose to lick and suckle the skin of his neck instead of catching lost breath.

Seifer’s hands moved from his hips, spreading heat with every touch. Pulling his lower body closer, one hand firmly pressed against his lower back. The other hand slipped beneath the waist of his pants, an action that wouldn’t have been possible if he hadn’t lost the weight that made the leather loose.

While the blonde nipped at his collarbone, the hand in his pants kneaded his ass, drawing a soft moan. It was a sensation dangerously close to the one early that morning, when the blonde first pressed a finger into him. Instinctively, he arched back into the touch. Unfortunately the hand at his back kept him in place.

It would seem his action did not go unnoticed though. Stilling against Squall’s neck, Seifer paused a moment before resuming the purposeful marking of pale skin on the brunet’s collar. Sliding his hand lower he teasingly trailed his fingers around what was sure to be a sore entrance.

Squall felt restless, his body was aching to be filled again, but he knew it was too soon. Frustrated, he sought relief. Grinding his pelvis against Seifer’s, the blonde laid his head back and groaned.

Seeing the exposed flesh of Seifer’s neck, Squall leaned forward and trailed his lips across it. Licking the shell of the blonde’s ear, he nipped and licked lower to under the jaw. Never stopping, he tried to touch it all. The beating pulse was pounding against his lips. It didn’t matter that it was a part of the knight’s neck that others could see, it mattered that he wanted to leave his own mark. Sucking lightly, he was encouraged by a soft groan deep in the blonde’s throat.

Needy hands left his pants and back to grip his shoulders, and directed him away from the warm skin he’d been lapping at. Before he could give a questioning look, Seifer tugged his hair and held him in place for a deep kiss. The blonde’s explored every inch of him, roving deeper with each movement.

Sucking on the appendage that gyrated against his own, Squall wrought forth a pleased hiss from the blonde. His lips were bruised from the harsh meshing and needy consumption of the other man.

It didn’t matter that they were already late in flying to Dollet. His father could wait, so could the rest of the world. He’d walk with a cane if he had to, but right now he needed to have the blonde inside of him again. He wanted that feeling of being so totally filled that he felt like he was splitting, while at the same time bringing him pleasure and sending him over the edge.

The prospect of having Seifer fuck him again caused his hips to press harder against Seifer’s. Arching his back, he strained to not break the kiss while rubbing against the hardening bulge below.

Still gripping chocolate tresses, Seifer pulled back and gaped at the slick lipped and heavy lidded brunet. A fucking sex demon was exactly what Squall was. Sultry and alluring beyond the ability of any person, Squall was emanating desire and want.

Gulping, Seifer knew very well what the aroused kitten in his lap wanted. But, he also knew the repercussions that would follow. His stubborn princess would be angry later, if only unbelievably hot at the moment. Aside from his concerns for hurting Squall, he knew that a bit of waiting might even enhance later experiences.

“We can’t do this now,” he spoke with the voice of reason.

Somewhere, in the back of Squall’s mind, his sensible side began to awaken. It took a moment, a few in fact. Blinking away the over powering lust, he licked his lips. Biting back a whimper, he slowly climbed off the blonde.

Straightening up, Squall was more than happy for all his belts. Seifer had a trench coat, which would do well to hide the most prominent evidence of what they’d been up to. Running a hand through his hair, he tried to fix the tangled mess.

As Seifer stood up, Squall chewed on his lip and fought with himself. While he knew very well what he needed to do right now, the desire for something more would not leave. It wasn’t just the attraction he felt when looking at the blonde, it was that he was half aroused and wanted to feel Seifer inside him, wanted to taste him.

It was a delayed realization that green eyes were searching his with question.

“Squall?” Seifer asked, seeing the creased brows and worried look in those blue eyes.

Releasing his abused lip, Squall looked up in uncertainty. A little embarrassed to ask, but knowing it would ease his want, he hesitated. Feeling childish for such indecision, he finally just came out with it. “It’s a fifteen minute flight, let me taste you.”

When Seifer just gaped at him with wide eyes, he wondered whether the blonde knew what he meant. Stepping closer he let his hand trail down and cup the arousal concealed in the denim jeans.

Seifer blinked slowly. This was cruel, just cruel. Grabbing Squall’s wrist, he pulled the startled man along as he rushed out of the room.


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