Four Way Stop

(Same disclaimer as always. It's a bit disjointed so far, i'm afraid. Any feedback is appreciated, positive or negative ^-^.)

      The heavy thudding reverberated in the wall next to the bed. Green eyes squeaked open in the dark, and blankets rustled in confusion. A hand skimmed a slender shoulder and small fingers entwined with it in response. Covers were tossed fitfully sideways, and Selphie dangled herself over the floor, toeing into a pair of slippers. Irvine slapped a pillow over his head.

      Visible to the top of the thigh, spindly legs sought their way through the kitchenette. A button was pre, an, ane doe door slid open.

      "What on earth isng ong on?" Selphie demanded in the midst of a yawn, one eye obscured by rubbing knuckles. Through the mist of sleep, the vision in front of her suddenly registered. "Squall?" she murmured.

      The brunette was hunched, leaning precariously on the doorframe. He was completely in black; a combination of denim and leather. One hand was pressed to his face, the glove torn and bloodied.

      Selphie leapt forward, "Oh no!" She grabbed the front of his jacket and ducked close to see his obscured face. "What happened? Are you alright? Yikes, you're so bleeding!" followed the rush. "Is something horribly terribly completely wrong? Like, boom, wrong?" She hauled him inside, his limp body staggering after her to opposite facing seats.

      Irvine had crawled out of the bedroom to investigate. "What in the..."

      "Band-aids!" Selphie ordered, pointing a finger. The tall man blinked, but scuffled to the bathroom obediently. She pulled Squall's haggard fist into her lap, examining the extent of the damage. He remained silent while she prodded the wound. "Your lack of protest is freaking me out. Are you gonna tell me why wer were pounding the door down at two in the morning?"

      He withdrew into the chair, leaning back and letting his head drop, exposing his throat. "She dhis,his," he grated. Tears carried on his voice. "She did this to me."

      Selphie stood and proceeded to tuck herself into the prone man's lap. He snapped to attention at the shock, their eyes locking. "Who did?" she asked, petting his salt-matted hair.

      "Who do you think!" he snarled.

      The redhead had reappeared from the bathroom, a cardboard box with him. He glared at the scantily clad girl who had taken up roost against Squall's chest. "Mm goin back ta bed..." he grumbled sourly, tossing the band-aids on the coffee table. The entwined pair watched a door slam.

      "Seriously," Selphie intoned, frowning. "Explanation goes here," she gestured back and forth between them.


&nbsbsp;bsp;    The corridor had been a blank slate. Like a mirror reflecting for miles; lights, carpet, doors. Straight as a vacant runway. The shadows of the stairwell were visible through the glass panels.

      "What are we doing?" Squall questioned. The muscular frame leading him spun to flash a grin.

      "There's a little secret I think you should know," he whispered. "Now shhh." Dng tng to the wall, he directed the younger man forward. "In there."

      One palm against the smooth, clear surface, Squall stepped into the stale air of the stairwell. He was hit with a familiar fragrance, and head tilting in confusion, became aware of the movement in the far corner of the room. Elegant white fingers gripping long orange hair, small sounds he thought only he was entitled to.



      "I rammed my fist into the glass," he whispered to Selphie. "It shattered."

      "Squall...>
&>
      "Stupid," he continued. "So fucking stupid. Thinking I could actually trust..." the statement trailed off into clenched teeth. "Did the rest of you know?" he snapped. "Think I couldn't handle it?" The small girl had finished wrapping his hand.

      "I had no idea. Quistis? And Noa? No idea," she reassured, eyes wide.

      "How the hell did that bastard find out then?" Squall growled. "I can't believe this..." He laughed, wet lines trailing down his face. "I can't believe this is happening."

      "You're not the only one," Selphie muttered, tucking away the unused band-aids.


      A backhand knocked Seifer into a stumble. "How dare you!"

      The blond rubbed his jaw, his expression a solid wince. "You hit harder than the chicken wuss, instructor," he admitted. "Now if you were just wearing your dominatrix getup—

      "Shut your mouth, or I'll break it this time," she raged, one arm raised, tense muscles visible under the tight fabric of her shirt. He took a step backward. "Never again, Seifer. Do you understand the words that are leaving my mouth?"

      "Or maybe that little red dress," he contemplated aloud. What had first been a slap metamorphosed into a closed-fist back-swing. "Ow," he spoke plainly over a split lip.

      "Listen to me, you socially challenged megalomaniac," Quistis hissed, eyes narrowed to icy slits. "We had an arrangement, or had you forgotten?"

      "I couldn't say, my head has been a little sore lately," he reasoned, smudging the blood draining down his chin. "Since I'm so deficient, I'm sure you understand."

      Quistis tossed her loose hair over a shoulder. "You were to keep things to yourself," she said flatly. "I kept up my part of the bargain. Why couldn't you, for once, do as you were asked?"

      He smiled, red caught between several of his teeth. He shrugged, "The opportunity was too beautiful to ignore."

      "If you think this will get you any closer to Rinoa—

      "Rinoa? You're still convinced this is about Rinoa?" He burst into laughter, hugging his ribs. "I let that one go before all of this even started," he choked out between snickers.

      "Why bother then?" she demanded.

      "It's easy," he told her. "I liked things better the way they were. All you underdogs just had to rise to the occasion though, didn't you. A band of mother effin heroes."

      "I don't believe that for as long as it takes you to say it," Quistis spat, curling her lip. "You just hate that nobody chose you, don't you Seifer. A terminal narcissist."

      "Technically nobody chose you either, Shiva," he incited quietly. The long-haired woman fell hushed. "I did you a favour getting this out in the open. Besides, the guy had a right to know. Screwingund und behind his back for how long now? It's cheap, and doesn't become any of you."

      "Now you're looking out for Squall? Right," she laughed. "That makes sense."

      Harsh blue eyes fixed on her features. "He's the only thing that's changed for the better around here," Seifer commented. "I respect that, and you guys are fucking with it."

      Shaking her head and eyes roll Qui Quistis turned to leave. "I hope I left bruises."


      Zell leaned disinterestedly on the table, a half eaten hot dog within reach. His library companion sat across from him, an open book on her thighs.

      "You're not feeling well, are you?" she asked, her eyebrows bent with concern.

      The blond flicked his gaze to her and smiled weakly. "Not hungry today, I guess."

      She closed her novel. "What's the problem?"

      Zell pouted, crossing his arms in a sudden, jilting motion. "My friends never tell me anything!" he whined. "Like, I just found out this afternoon that Rinoa and Squall totally broke up last night. And I don't even have details."

      The library girl glanced around. "Are you supposed to be talking about this?" she questioned in a soft voice.

      "There's zip to talk about! That's all I know!" he cried. "Jeez, it's just... just annoying. Like, I really want to talk to Squall, but I'm not sure he'd be too happy to see me."

      "You never know," the girl said kindly. "I think you should visit him." The upward lilt in her suggestion grabbed Zell's attention. He blushed, a slight dusty pink.

      "I know what you're saying. It's not funny. It's damn inappropriate," he pouted stiffly.

      m onm only saying he might appreciate the comfort of a friend," she defended, turning a coral hue in reciprocation.

      "You're pretty shameless, huh?" he remarked. "Swoop in for the kill while he's good and vulnerable?"

      She bit her lip and nodded. "Zell, I can picture it now."

      He blushed harder. "Aw, man..."

      "You'd be such a hot couple! You gotta at least try," came the insistence. "I know you want to," she taunted.

      Standing up to leave, he ruffled her hair. "Girls are so weird."




(a/n: If anyone wants another chapter, it's simple: review! ^.^ here or at hado_koa@hotmail.com. all feedback is welcome. I'll also note that i'm looking for betas, or anyone who wants to share their work on a one on one basis, original or fandom.)