From Now On

From Now On

Chapter 3

"You have a mission!"

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh." Irvine almost fell off the bed.

Giggles.

"Wake up already!"

Irvine opened his eyes slowly. Clarity of the morning, oh, what a cruel thing, hurting his eyes like that. His eyelids closed again.

Slap.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" The boy sat up on the bed, rubbing his left arm. "What was that for?"

"Listen to me. Today is the great day."

"A good reason to sleep more." Irvine laid down again.

"But I have a special mission for you. You're the only one who can do this."

"Oh, if you think I'm the man to do it, I guess I'll do this favor for you." The boy winked.

Anyone could do this, but I'm think you're the most useless to help with the preparations for the party.

"I need you to take a walk with Squall, you know, go with him to the forest while we prepare the house for the party. It has to be a big surprise, so he can't stay here."

"Oh, sounds like an important task! Okay, I'll do it."

"Thank you, Irvie-chan!" Selphie gave the boy a big hug.

"It's my pleasure to make you happy, darling." Irvine held the girl back.

"Okay, okay, that's enough." Selphie finished the hug. "Nida will think we have something between us." The boy was watching the pair silently from his bed, not wanting to disturb them.

"But we hav... Ouch. Okay, okay, I got it."

"Did I wake you up, Nida-chan?"

"Oh, no."

In fact...

"Oh, I'll give you a hug too!"

Nida blushed. He wasn't used to being hugged by girls.

"Hey, I think it's enough already," Irvine said, faking jealousy.

"Okay." Selphie got up. "I have lots of things to do. I still have to give tasks to everyone. Nida, you're in the decoration team."

"...I'm not good with--"

"I'm so happy you're gonna help! See you guys after lunch!" And then Selphie was gone.

"Lovely, isn't she?"

"Er... yeah."

"Well, time to go back to sleep."

"Uh... Irvine?"

"Yes, darling."

"?"

"Speak, man."

"Do you two..."

"We're just friends."

"But..."

"I know."

"Ah... Sorry if I..."

"Oh, relax, man! You don't need to be afraid to say something. When you want to say it, just say it."

"Okay, I'll try."

"I know it's difficult, but the more you try to hold back your feelings the more they make a mess in your head."

xxx

"Oh, good morning!" Laguna smiled brightly. "I'll make you breakfast!"

"It's not necessary. I just need coffee."

"Oh, eat something. Today will be a long day." The man searched in the kitchen for something he thought his son would like... But then he realized that he didn't know enough the boy to know what he liked. Well... "I think Selphie left a chocolate cake somewhere, would you like..."

"Yeah... whatever." Squall walked around the kitchen in search for his coffee.

"I'm so excited about this trip! What do you think, are you having fun?"

"I guess."

"I know it's still difficult for you. I don't wanna rush things. I just want you to have good times and maybe we can get along together."

Having a father was a strange thing. Well, he had matron and Cid, but a parent of this own... Someone who shared the same blood?

"Are you sure we are related? I mean, really."

"What?" That took Laguna by surprise. "Oh, of course. You are the son of Raine, she was my wife."

"Well, the fact that she was your wife don't prove that I'm your son."

"Squall!" Laguna wasn't angry, but it bothered him to think that his son would think such a thing of his mother. "She loved me, she would never betray me."

"Once you told me you've been away from her for a long time."

"For work. I wanted to give her a better life."

"You didn't even know she was pregnant. It shows how much you kept in touch..."

"It was far away."

"There was phone."

"I talked to her, I sent her letters. And she never told me she was pregnant. How should I know?"

"Maybe there was a reason for it."

"Yeah, she wanted me not to worry about her and for me to go on with my career. I still don't know why it happened. I wanted to be a journalist and when I realized, I had joined the army and then I left the army married and received a proposal for a job in Esthar. First I thought I could visit her on weekends, but then my work took all my time. I didn't have time to bring her to live with me. It was too late."

"You knew you had a son."

"I have just found out later..."

"And took you all this time to go talk to me?"

"You wouldn't understand."

"You're right, I can't understand." Squall looked at the sad blue eyes that stared at him. "You're not my father." Then he turned to leave, but Laguna grabbed his arm and made him spin around.

"Knowing about your existence made me remember a past I had buried in my memories."

"Why didn't you want to remember. Do you feel guilt?"

Laguna stared silently for a long time at the boy in front of him, until he finally said with a sad smile. "Yes."

For some reason, Squall didn't want to make a sharp comment. He was tired to think about the matter, so he turned once again, determined to get out of the place, stopping just once more to say that "I think it's foolish to make up for a mistake trying to fix another."

Squall got out of the house and felt the fresh morning air. The sky was still grey, but the sun would surely come. Squall didn't hate that man. He just couldn't see him as his father.

Why they think I should? Why should I?

xxx

The sun was then shining brightly in the morning sky. Zell yawned and stretched. The bed felt so good, the mattress, the sheets and the pillows adjusted so comfortably to his body that he didn't want to get up. The boy opened his eyes slowly and looked out of the window. What a beautiful day! He then turned to face the room and his eyes met a blond stripping out of his sleeping clothes. Zell's eyes wandered over his chest, his skin was lightly tanned. He worked out some, so he had some muscle development, but not overly so. Zell could see his abdominal muscles trembling slightly as he moved out of his clothes. And the well shaped surface of his back when he turned around.

"What?" The question startled Zell. Seifer turned his head and stared at the other boy. "Is there a problem? Why are you looking at me?"

"Nothing... it's nothing," Zell lied, as he walked quickly to the nearest bathroom. He stripped and turned on the shower, waiting for the first droplets of water cover his skin. The boy tried not to think but, damn, why he had been so turned on by the sight of Seifer. Dammit, it was Seifer! The guy who always made fun of him, humiliated him, picked on him and laughed at him. He should have turned the water cold. It was so disgusting to imagine Seifer fingers around his cock, squeezing and then moving. And as Zell imagined, his hand followed the same moves. And how would his member look like? The boy bet he was well-endowed and he would feel great inside him. When he imagined the cock fulfilling him, entirely in, he came hard and felt sinfully good.

Zell took some more time to bathe and got out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist. Shortly after entering the room, he stopped, anger rising in his chest.

"What are you doing?" screamed the tattooed blond seeing Seifer at his laptop.

Did he let it logged in...?

"Just had to send an e-mail, Chicken."

"And did I give you permission to touch my baby?"

"It's just an e-mail, it won't hurt, it's very simple..." Then Seifer got his eyes off the screen for a second, "Or do you have something to hide?"

Zell walked towards Seifer and grabbed his laptop. "It's none of your business..."

"Fuck, Chicken, take this fucking thing with you then," Seifer got up and walked out of the room. "Asshole"

Zell took a deep breath, his secret was almost discovered.

xxx

"Oh, where have you been? I was looking for you," Selphie said when she saw Squall entering the living room. "For a moment I thought you were hiding..."

"I was outside."

"But then, go back there and don't come back until night."

"...Whatever." Squall turned and made his way to the door.

Selphie giggled. "Wait! Are you hungry? I made something for..."

"No! I mean... I’m not hungry. I'll be out then."

"Hey! You need to wait for Irvine! He will keep you company and make sure you don't spy."

"Well... Okay then." Squall sat on the couch.

"You'll be so surprised when you come back!"

"I have no doubt about it."

But don't expect me to like it.

"Hey, wanna hear your horoscope for today?"

No.

"Hummm... It says it will be a day full of strong emotions for Virgos. Great chances you get laid!"

"Excuse me?"

"It says that you'll have good opportunities in your sexual life. But you have to be open to new experiences."

"And what is my luck today?" Irvine arrived at the living room.

"Well... let me see..." Selphie turned the magazine page. "The always adventurous Sagittarian might be careful not to ignore their true desires. The path that leads to the truth is not aways clear."

"It means I'll get laid today?"

"It means you have to stop being blind and make up your mind!"

"Oh..."

"Well, Irvine be useful and take that basket over there."

"There's food inside?"

"Of course! But it's for you two, don't eat Squall's part."

"Oh... it smells good."

"I made 'em."

"Really? Oh......"

"What?"

"Nothing, darling, it must be delicious... sort of..."

"Where are you going?"

"I'm just passing quickly through the kitchen..."

"Don't you see, Squall's waiting here!"

"I can go to the kitchen before too, there's no problem..."

"You two! Out!"

The boys left the house and started to descend the stone stairs outside.

"Is there something edible?" Squall asked a bit concerned.

"I don't know, man." Irvine looked inside the basket. "It seems there's some cupcakes and fruits."

"Give me one." Squall extended his hand.

"What?"

"Something Selphie didn't made."

Irvine handed an apple to the brunet and kept staring at him while he bit the fruit.

"What?" Squall asked.

"Be careful, it can be poisoned... and there will be only me to wake you up."

Squall chuckled slightly. "Will you kiss me?"

"Of course!"

The brunet tried to convince himself that it wasn't meant the way he would like. Hell, he felt childish. Just with the crazy thought of kissing Irvine.

It will never happen. Face it.

"Look! We reached the river."

Squall had been so lost in thought that he didn't realize he had been walking in the woods for some time by then.

"Do you think it's the one the guy disappeared in?"

"It's the only river here."

"Oh..." Irvine looked around. The sun high in the morning sky, the mountains and the horizon. "Do you think it happened?"

"No." Squall stood by the other boy's side.

"I don't think it's difficult for someone to get lost here."

"Not if we stick to the track." Squall started to walk once more and Irvine followed him.

"We already walked this way yesterday."

"We don't know enough the area to go wandering aimlessly."

"Are you afraid?" Irvine teased his friend.

"Of course not."

"Look, there's a path over there."

"I don't think so."

"I bet it is an old trail."

"Maybe it was. But it hasn't been used for some time if so."

"Then it led somewhere."

"Not necessarily."

"Come on." Irvine put his hand on Squall's shoulder. "We can discover something interesting."

"Like a clandestine graveyard."

"You said you didn't believe..."

"Okay! But... we better not get too far away from the trail."

"We can let a trail of cupcakes in the way, like the kid's story."

"Trail of cupcakes?" Squall gave a look at Irvine and the boy chuckled.

"Well, we don't have bread and we have to get rid of the cupcakes Selphie made."

It doesn't seem like a bad idea after all.

"Look." Irvine put one cupcake on a tree branch. "After every 50 steps we put a cupcake on a tree, so we don't get lost."

"Brilliant. Let's go."

The path showed no problems for the most part of the walk, just some rocks and fallen trees in the way, but they were easy to surpass or avoid. Only a few times they needed each others help, but Squall wouldn't complain if there were more occasions for him to give Irvine a hand to climb some big rock.

"I think we already went too far."

"I think we can go a little further."

"We're out of cupcakes."

Irvine chuckled.

"What?"

"Did you think that we were really using the cupcakes for that?"

"..."

Irvine smiled. "I was just making an excuse to throw them away."

You always make me feel like a fool.

The boy laughed. "You should see your face, it's so funny!"

"...Whatever..." Squall started to go back.

"Hey!" Irvine held he other boy's arm. "Oh, come on, let's keep going!"

"I don't wanna end up lost in here."

"Squall." The brow-haired boy looked up to face Irvine. "Will you make me plead?"

"Maybe."

"Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease."

"Okay..." Squall gave up and broke eye contact with the other boy... or else... He couldn't keep staring at him for long anymore.

"Hey, what's that?"

Squall looked to the direction of a narrow passage between the trees. "It seems to lead to nothing."

"It means there must be something!"

What kind of logic is that?

With no other alternative, Squall followed his friend. The path became narrower and narrower as more and more plants covered the way. It was getting difficult to walk and it was getting dark with the amount of rocks surrounding them. The air seemed dense and humid.

"Irvine."

They had to walk very close to each other.

"What?" the boy asked quietly.

"Nothing..."

"Did you hear something?" Irvine squeezed Squall's hand.

"I guess..."

"Let's go back." The long-haired boy pulled his friend's hand.

"I think it's water." The brunette stepped forward.

"I don't know... I guess we should go back."

"You were the one who wanted to keep going."

"Okay..." Irvine got closer to Squall's body, making him chuckle.

"We just walk some more and if we don't find something we go back." The brunette reassured his friend.

They kept walking some more until they reached an area with a little more space. In between some big rocks, a small stream of water ran peacefully and made it's way to the earth, then tortuously went back to more rocks and disappeared.

"It seems like we reached the river source. Can it be? A large river like that beginning here?"

"Maybe... Or maybe it will end up in some subterraneous lake."

Irvine leaned a bit down and reached out his hand, so his fingertips touched the water. "It's cold." He smiled. Then he took some of the fresh water in his hand and gave it a try. "Hey... it's really good."

Squall did the same and tasted the clear liquid. "Yeah... it tastes..."

"Different. In a good way. It's different from the water in the cities."

"I think it's a good topic for our school work."

"Oh man, don't make me think about school in a moment like this."

"In what moment then?"

"Good point..."

"We have to finish it before the end of the trip."

"Yeah, but we have some days to think about it later."

We?

"Yeah, you're right."

Then Irvine drank more of the water and leaned against a rock wall. "It's nice here. Guess it's too hot outside the forest."

"Let's go?"

"Yeah... I guess so." Irvine brushed some small leaves that had fallen over his clothes. When he was almost ready to begin the walking back, he felt himself pressed again to the rock surface. He turned his head and felt lips on his chin. A shiver ran down his spine when he felt Squall's breath on his neck. The brunet tried to reach the other boy's mouth, but he had a height disadvantage. Then he felt Irvine's hands on his arms, stopping him from advancing.

hat the fuck am I doing?

Abruptly, Squall moved away from Irvine. He started to walk away as quickly as he could in the tortuous terrain. It was like a million thoughts were rushing in his head at the same time. The boy didn't know why he had done what he did. It was a surprise to him, in a moment he simply couldn't be far from the other teen. But there he was, running away. His life was so fucked up.

xxx

"Do you think we should search for the source of the river?"

"Yeah! It would be fun!"

"I think it would be an interesting topic for our school work."

"Oh, please, Quisty, don't talk about school, you'll ruin the cheerful mood of Squall's party."

"Only you can put ‘cheerful’ and ‘Squall’ in the same sentence."

"Thanks!"

"It wasn't a compliment..."

"Just in time! I need you for..."

"No way, I'm outta here." Seifer walked to the front door quickly before Selphie had time to catch him.

"...What is fucking wrong with him?"

"Selphie, forget it." The blonde girl squeezed the other girl's shoulder.

"But..." Selphie sighed. "Okay..."

"You still have many slaves to help you, don't worry."

"Sounds kinky."

"Geez, you're spending too much time with a certain pervert..."

xxx

"Where's Irvine?" Zell asked after entering the room Nida was in.

"He got out with Squall."

"Why didn't you go with them? Irvine's your friend, isn't he?"

"Yeah, but... Selphie told me to help her with the preparations for the party and besides... I don't think Squall and I get that well together."

"Squall is like that. He's not a bad guy. He's one of my best friends."

"But it's different, you all know each other since kids."

"Oh, but I spent some time away from them when I went to another home and went to another school. But I don't know, I think that even if I hadn't grow up with Squall, I'd be his friend."

"He doesn't seem friendly."

"Well... no, but he's my friend anyway."

Does he know that?

"Why are you looking at me like this?" Zell asked a little suspicious.

"Oh... nothing..."

"You know, you're a nice guy. We should be friends."

"I don't know why you think that..."

"Well, we both like video games and you don't upset me and mock me, and make fun of my hairstyle and mess up with my hair. You don't throw things at me and you don't laugh at me. It's a good start."

"Well... I think so..."

Zell sat beside Nida on the bed.

"Do you like martial arts?"

"Oh. I like, but... Never tried."

"You should try! You know, you kinda remind me of a teacher in my Kung Fu classes..." For a moment the boy was lost in his thoughts.

"Zell?"

"What?"

"Ah... you were talking and then you stopped..."

"Oh... thinking about some things..."

"Hey! What are you two doing here? You should be helping!"

"Come on, Selphie, you have the other ones..."

"You don't want to see me angry..."

"Oh no, I don't." Zell got up. "And you too, man. You don't want to see this girl take revenge on you..."

xxx

"What are you doing here? I thought you were lost in the woods with Leonhart."

"..."

Seifer eyed the other boy. He had a very strange expression on his face. "What happened? Did he drown in the river? Did he fall from a cliff?" Seifer started to laugh and made an effort to stop himself when he saw that the expression on Irvine's face didn't change. "Well?"

"What you're doing here? Running away from Selphie? She won't like it." Irvine spoke in a serious voice, trying to change the subject.

"Did you lost Puberty Boy?"

"Well... sort of..."

"Damn, why didn't you tell me earlier?" Seifer headed to the beginning of the forest then stopped to laugh. "Man, I imagine his face, lost in the woods."

"He went back earlier. He should be here."

"Did you two have a fight?"

"No... I mean, yes. I mean, no."

"...What?"

"He ran away... from me."

"Why? Did you try to rape him or something?"

Irvine stared at the blond with a shocked expression.

"...Did you?"

"No!"

Seifer laughed hard. "By the look on your face... It seemed like you had really tried..."

"It's not funny."

"Yes it is."

"Fine." Irvine walked to the house direction. "Fuck you."

"Oh, you wish."

xxx

"What you're doing here?"

"Aren't you happy to see me?" Irvine asked with a half smile. "I'd like to help with Squall's party."

"Ooookay..." Selphie answered. She could tell that something was strange in that situation. "Where's Squall?"

"He wanted to be alone, I guess."

"Sounds like him..." Selphie grabbed the boy's hand and led him to her room. When the door was closed she looked at Irvine with big green eyes. "Is he alright?"

"How should I know?" The boy lost his temper without even realizing it.

"Well, you spend more time with him, you should know him better."

"I don't know if I know him."

Selphie sat on the bed. "Sometimes I'm worried about him... He seems so lost in his own world... I wonder if he's happy... I want so much to make him happy. I'm putting so much effort into making a great party..."

"He'll like it."

"I'm not sure... But still, I have to try."

Irvine kissed the girl's forehead. "Don't worry, baby."

"Maybe I should've sent Rinoa on the mission instead. But it's true that she's the most capable on the sweets part." Selphie then stood up and started rummaging in her wardrobe. "I'm about to give you an important task."

"I'm ready to accept the risks, sir!" Irvine saluted.

"You're gonna check on the costumes."

"Oh! Cool, baby! I'm honored!"

"But please... it's top secret..."

xxx

The preparations were almost done. The sun was ready to rest in the sky, so the horizon was a mixture of light and darkness. Squall stood near the front of the house, looking over the landscape. How was he going to face...

"Oh, you're there."

Yes, I am.

"Had fun?"

No.

"It's very peaceful out here. I enjoyed getting lost in the woods... Well not so much in the night... in the cold... But thanks for my military training, it wasn't much of a problem."

"Did you enjoy the time you spent in the army?"

"Yeah! It was fun to go out with the guys in the countries we were sent. We saw a lot of strange things."

"Why did you got out of the army then? You could make a career there."

"It's hard when you're married, going from place to place. In that time, I thought that it would be good to stay at one place, have a house to go back every night."

"Did you get bored?"

Laguna laughed. "Well... I guess so."

"But now you live in Esthar."

"I travel a lot. Business and stuff. But Esthar... you should visit the place some time, Esthar is an amazing country, full of technologies and possibilities. You'd be surprised at how many kinds of entertainment you find there. You could go to a college there, if you like high-tech stuff. There are lots of great job opportunities. The best in the world, I guess. I'm sure you could have a great position in a few years. You could live with me until then..."

Squall couldn't deny it sounded like a really good opportunity. His father had become the president of one of the greatest companies in Esthar, of course he would have a place there, if he wished.

While Squall was lost in thoughts, an annoying ring sound came from somewhere near Laguna's pocket.

"Hey!" Laguna answered. "You found me here, didn't know we got signal... Yeah... yeah... I never pay attention to these things. Yeah... fine. Okay, I guess... I... Oh... of course. Uhum... Yeah... I know, I'll try. Okaaay... Bye..."

"Girlfriend?" Squall arched an eyebrow.

"..." Laguna stared at him. "Kinda."

Squall remained silent for a moment.

"You know, why don't you date Rinoa, she's a good girl."

"Yeah... But I'm not interested in her. Why don't you guys see it?"

"Well... I thought..."

"I don't like girls."

Man, did he say that aloud?

"Oh." Was Laguna answer.

"You're not surprised..."

"Yes, I am."

"..."

"..."

And it all went silent again... That was awkward.

"I'm coming inside."

"Ah... Okay, I think I should go too. Selphie will get angry at me if I stay here longer." Laguna smiled.

"..."

They entered the house and were greeted by a loud scream.

"What are you doing here? It will ruin the surprise."

Squall looked at the decorated room with awe.

What the fuck...

Then someone started to laugh hard.

"Don't you think it's too early for Halloween, Selphie?" Seifer had come back from his walkings.

"I thought Squall would like! Don't you like it, Squall?"

"..."

The place was surrounded by smiling pumpkins, paper bats and fake spiderwebs. There was even some skeletons sitting on the couches and chairs.

"I wanted to bring a coffin too, but Laguna said it'd be difficult to make a surprise then."

"It was too difficult to bring a coffin here. But if you want..." Laguna said concerned.

"Definitely no." Squall answered.

"Well, you're already here, so I think we should get the party started." Selphie turned on the stereo and the room was filled with a creepy soundtrack. "We're gonna have a sequence of movies. We'll start with The Return of the Dead Chocobo, then we'll watch Doomtrain, and then Doomtrain II, I love Doomtrain, you know, and finally the movie said to be the scariest of all time, according to the poll on Balamb's High Internet forum: Ultimecia in Your Bed."

"Even I am scared of this last one," Seifer said. "So, where's the booze?"

"In the freezer. Let's bring them." Selphie went to the kitchen.

"Yes, ma'an."

"Where's the food?" Zell asked for his stomach.

"Rinoa and Quistis are preparing some things, but come here get the snacks on the kitchen.

"Sure thing!"

The only ones that remained on the great room were Laguna and Squall.

"Well, hum, have you seen the game room?"

"Not yet."

"That door." Laguna pointed out and then held Squall's wrist, guiding him to the room.

When the door was opened, the pool table and game boards were revealed. It had also the leather couches and wooden walls of the great room. There were two figures playing by the pool. One was Nida, who was wearing fake wolf ears and a furry tail, with his white shirt and denim pants. Squall thought he looked kinda cute.

Where did this thought come from?

Until he realized the other one was someone with a cowboy hat, heavy make up and fake blood on his face. Squall wasn't expecting to see Irvine just yet. He wasn't prepared for it.

"I see the game room was found!"

Irvine turned and smiled seeing Laguna, but his smile faltered a little when he saw Squall with him.

"Well, yes, sir. Zombie cowboy appreciates it."

"Oh, that's good, I'm glad you're having fun."

"Yes, we are. And we are impressed with your weapon's collection too." There was a cabinet wall filled with weapons of all kinds. Maybe there's no need to mention that Irvine was in love with the guns collection. "Did you use them all?"

"Oh, no! Some are gifts and others I brought here because... they really look good, like those gunblades."

Squall suddenly forgot everything, looking at the sword.

"I really like that shotgun."

"Oh, that's one hell of a sexy weapon. But..." Laguna got close to the cabinet. "...my favorite one was this gorgeous machine gun. I could fire it all day long back those times."

"You don't seem the type to have been in army. But you do carry your dog tags all the time."

Laguna looked at the chain around his neck. "Well, yeah, I carry them around because they make me remember good times. Not that I liked war, but I can't deny the fact that being in the army gave me the opportunity to travel to a lot of places."

"Sounds cool! You must have a lot of stories about your adventures."

"Yes, I do."

Man, they will never shut up.

Squall ignored the rest of the conversation and touched the glass covering the gunblade. He could imagine himself useing it in a battlefield. Unfortunately for him, his daydreams were interrupted by the door slamming open.

"There you are! I was looking for you two everywhere! You need to hurry up and pick up your costumes for the party!"

Squall felt nervous by the thought of dressing a Halloween costume.

"Sounds fun!"

"Oh mr Loire. I choose a nice costume just for you!"

"I can't wait to see it!"

"It's waiting for you in your bedroom! And, Squall, you have no scape."

"...Whatever."

Oh that would be a long night...

xxx

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Fuck!"

"Is there a problem, Chicken?"

"Man, these bandages are impossible!"

"Let me help you." Seifer smiled devilishly.

"I don't think it's a good idea..."

"Oh... don't be a chicken mummy wuss."

"You promise not to strangle me?" Zell looked up with pleading baby blue eyes.

"Of course," came the serious reply.

"Ah... Okay."

"Seifer started to warp the bandages around Zell's torso, with a compenetrated expression on his face. The short blond was trying hard to calm down his accelerating breathing and heart beats.

"Are you nervous? What's the matter, I'm not gonna harm you." The voice was close to the younger boy's ear.

Oh fuck, why does it sound so erotic?

Seifer's hands travelled from his chest to his abdomen, then went around his back and up his shoulders and Zell's head started spinning because the touch seemed to go everywhere...

It's just my imagination, he's just helping me, not feeling me up...

Zell tried to convince himself as far as he could, but then he brushed Seifer away and turned to leave the room.

"I remembered I had to go somewhere!"

Then seconds later Seifer was alone in the room.

"Squall, your costume is in your room," Selphie said when they reached the second floor. "Don't worry we won't spoil your surprise, Rinoa will get changed in my room..." Then the girl saw a blond boy running through the corridor. "Hey, Zell!"

"Later!" the boy shouted after locking himself in the bathroom.

"Okay, later!" Selphie shouted to the empty corridor and returned her attention to Squall and Laguna. "If you need any help, don't be shy or anti-social, ask me for help! See you later!" And Selphie disappeared in her room.

"Well... I guess it's time to face our destiny. Good luck for you." Laguna kissed Squall's forehead before heading for his room.

They boy felt like an idiot because he was almost sure his face was flushed. He entered his room and

Thank God!

Rinoa wasn't there. But soon his relief vanished when he saw a head band with a pair of tiny red horns, beside a plastic trident, red satin cape and the worst of all a red pointy tail. He didn't want to wear the costume, but he knew that Selphie would make his life hell until he gave up and dressed as a devil. So Squall took a deep breath and faced his cruel fate.

xxx

"Selphie, I don't know. It doesn't look like a Halloween costume."

"Oh... Quistis, you're so gorgeous. I think it's great. I always have great ideas for costumes!"

"It looks like a costume for a porn movie." Quistis turned around in front of the mirror, thinking the white dress was too short and the upper part showed more of her breasts than she would have liked to.

"Everyone would love to play doctor with you."

Quistis laughed. "Oh, I know someone who won't even notice I changed outfit."

"Squall only has eyes for Rinoa, love does that to people."

The blonde girl rolled her eyes. "Do you really think that he feel this way for her?"

"Of course! They make a cute couple, they're so pretty together."

"I doubt that." Quistis tried not to think about the subject too much and concentrated on adjusting her breasts on her dress.

"Time for make up."

"Oh, please, try not to make me look like a whore."

"Oh... don't you trust me, Quisty?"

"No."

"You sound like Squall. He would say so if I put make up on him. Shit! I forgot to get some make up for him." Selphie thought of going to Squall's room, but decided to finish her work on Quistis first.

"Selphie, don't you think it's enough?" The girl asked after fifteen minutes.

"Almost done!" Selphie paid special attention in painting Quistis lips red, passing the lipstick with her tiny fingertips. "There you are."

Quistis looked at herself in the mirror, eyelashes longer because of the mascara, purple eye shadows around her eyes and full blood red lips. "I look like a whore."

"You're so beautiful." Selphie hugged Quistis and because of her size, her face rested between the blonde's breasts.

"Selphie... Stop molesting me."

"I'm just an innocent girl..."

"Oh... it's so beautiful, can I join in?" asked a pervert who opened the door.

"No," both girls answered in unison.

Even so, Irvine entered the room and hugged both girls. "If feels so nice..."

"Irvine, where are you going with your hand?" Quistis asked in a warning tone.

"I'm just an innocent zombie cowboy."

"Huh huh..." Someone by the doorstep cleared her throat.

"Hey, baby, come in too!"

They were a weird family.

"Er...no, thanks. I think I'll come back later."

"Noooooooo! Come here!" Selphie disentangled herself from the embrace and held Rinoa's hand. "I was waiting for you!"

"Well, I think I'll go downstairs to see how things going." Quistis said as she shoved Irvine away.

"I'm coming with you too!" Irvine put his hand on Quistis waist.

The blonde slapped the hand away. "No, you're not. Or else you'll be a real dead cowboy."

"Yes, ma'am." Irvine raised his hands in sign of surrender then headed for the door after Quistis. "Why do girls always shove me away?"

"Irvine!"

"Still here! Threesome?"

"Where's your costume."

"I'm wearing it."

"No... you just put your cowboy clothes with make up."

"But I needed an opportunity to dress with the entire cowboy outfit!"

"But you have all your free time to do this! I want you to wear the costume I've chosen for you!"

"Okay, I got it..." Irvine sighed and left the room.

"Don't need to worry, Rinoa, the pervert's gone. Now you're safe in my hands." Selphie smiled and led the girl further into the room. She opened her wardrobe to reveal a tiny black outfit.

"Is it a maid costume?"

"No, it's a witch one."

"But it looks like maid clothes."

"Well... we put a witch hat on your head."

"But still..."

"And we make you walk with a broom."

"Then I'll be really looking like a maid."

"Well, shut up, put on the costume and look sexy."

"?" Rinoa glared at Selphie.

"Pleeeeeeeeeease." The short girl looked at the other one with huge watering eyes.

"O...Okay."

Rinoa started to undress, trying to avoid the thought that she was being intently watched.

"Oh... I love baby blue," Selphie said when Rinoa stood only in her panties and bra.

"Er... okay." Rinoa grabbed the black outfit and was surprised to find out that it fit her perfectly.

"I knew it! It looks really nice on you!"

"Thanks" Rinoa blushed.

"I know that Squall will love it, who wouldn't?"

Rinoa's eyes shone happily. "Do you think so?"

"Of course! You look so pretty and..." Selphie grabbed a deep blue silk cape. "I forgot to mention that." She put the garment over Rinoa's shoulders and gave it a knot around her neck, finishing up with a lace.

Rinoa giggled and turned around, making the thin fabric flow in the air. "It's fun to wear costumes."

"It's fun and kinky! I hope someone's getting laid tonight."

"Selphie!"

"Did you two got to this stage yet?"

Rinoa blushed furiously. "No."

"But you already gave him head."

"No!"

"You make out regularly..." Selphie looked at Rinoa's expression. "Have you kissed each other?"

"..."

"You two really need help. Thank goodness I'm here."

"I don't know what's wrong with me... I do everything to keep his attention... Well, first I saw him only as a friend, but feelings have changed as the time passed."

"Rinoa... don't worry..."

Selphie spoke into the girls ear. "I have a plan..."

xxx

Squall went downstairs, glad it was all dark and no one could see well his outfit. At least Selphie hadn't made him wear make up. At least it was only for a few hours.

When he reached the main floor, he barely could see anything. It was all dark, except for jack-o'-lanters and candle lights. It was silent too. He walked carefully around the place, then he noticed a person standing in front of the fireplace. He was wearing a red satin shirt and black pants. There was a velvet black cape around his shoulder and silver jewelry adorned his neck and fingers. His long black hair was loose, landing on his shoulders gently. Some locks fell on one side of his face. He tried to brush them away with a hand, but they stubbornly landed back on his face. The fire on the fireplace illuminated his pale face, the mixture of red, yellow and orange lights danced upon his features. He looked supernaturally gorgeous and Squall could only stare at him when his lips parted, showing pointy canines. His mouth moved and he could only register what the man had said when the lips settled into a smile.

"Happy birthday, Squall."

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To be continued...