S to R

Troubles at Bonding
Ryme Ivan Leonheart


Ryme was five; he had a bunk bed to himself, a training schedule and a schedule for lessons. His father had rarely paid heed to him, usually ignoring him or nodding at him and working.

Quistis however had constantly tried to play with Ryme, Zell had always sparred and wrestled, Irvin had taught him how to shoot a gun with plastic suction cup bullets he had bought for him, and Selphie had just talked while Ryme had sat down with her.

He was a rather quiet child, not talking unless spoken to... or asked a question or needed to ask a question to clarify things.

If hurt, he had gritted his teeth and tightened his jaw to keep himself from crying and seeming weak. He was picked on a lot by the older kids in the children's dormitory's, so he was often in fights as well... usually the winner unless they would gang up on him or were to much older and stronger.

When this happened Zell and Quistis would handle things with the children's parents and reported it to Squall. Squall would usually reprimand Ryme for fighting, and then give him punishment or extra work; Quistis would always help him with that.

Squall acted differently around Ryme, for one he always seemed to ignore Ryme or at least have something pressing he was attending to whenever the child had come to him, and when he did pay attention he seemed slightly sad, or especially cold, only a few times would Squall act caring to his son, and that was not often at all.

This made Ryme work hard at training and lessons, he wanted his father to be proud of him, and praise him, though it hardly ever worked.

Ryme got A's on almost everything he did, and he did training well, moving they had said, rapidly. Still this had gotten no attention from his father.

That had made Ryme start to become more independent and act more maturely, he started to speak less and do things on his own, often times it got him in trouble but he didn't care, when he would start something he would finish it, he was very stubborn.
Ryme had constantly watched his father as well.

Squall when around friends would lighten up somewhat, around students he would seem caring about them, but only around Ryme was he distant, his own son... the students got more attention.

Ryme started getting in trouble and started fights more as he got older, this got him closer to his dad only because he would need to be reprimanded and or punished for his 'crimes'. Ryme picked up a lot of stuff from Zell on this.

One thing his father did with Ryme that Ryme cherished most, was when Squall practiced or cleaned the gun blade he would let Ryme watch or do it with him, often times Squall had even let Ryme try to pick up the blade himself, though he couldn't.

Squall would laugh at his attempts but rather kindly, but as soon as the gun blade had been put away the coldness would start to return quickly. But Ryme cherished those moments very much, and that was really the only very good leverage his father had with him, to take that away, it only happened once in a while but Ryme loved it.

Quistis, Zell, Irvin, and Selphie watched these bonding’s a few times, spying of course. "I don't understand... it's just strange that this is the only time Squall's even glad he has a son!" Quistis said softly once.

"Well... look at Ryme, his eyes and his facial structure looks like his mothers... and the blackish brown doesn't help either..." Irvine had replied. "But it’s so sad! That was five years ago! They should be happy all the time!" Selphie had said sighing sadly as well.

Zell had listened to them and had still watched the father and son. "I think... Squall really is happy he has a son... but he doesn't want to get close because he's kind of nervous and scared..."

They had all looked at Zell in shock, Zell had laughed nervously back. Quistis had looked amazed.
"Wow..." Irvine grinned.

“I knew you had brains!" he had said smiling. Selphie just smiled. "He’s right you know... I didn't notice it before... but Squall is kind of scared and nervous around Ryme..." and that was what they pondered about for a long time after that as well.