Unconditional Love

~*Part 7*~


“Squall . . .” I heard Seifer call again, hushed. I felt his hand touch my shoulder and gentudgeudged me to turn to him.

I looked down at the hand on my shoulder as I moved, obeying Seifer’s hand. I felt his other hand go under my chin and lift it up to look at him once we were face-to-face. I looked to see his jade eyes fierce, but gentle. I could see the lurking anger that was probably held for Rinoa, but the gentleness was for me.

His finger then came up and traced down my cheek, gathering a tear I didn’t notice. He sighed, bringing me close to hold me. I took no cajoling to wrap my arms around his thick chest, seeking warmth and comfort.

“You’re shaking.” He murmured in my hair and I felt his lips drop a few kisses as I closed my eyes laying my head on his shoulder.

I suddenly remembered something.

“Where’s Dew?” I demanded, snapping my eyes open as I tried to pull away, but was held fast by Seifer. I struggled a little, but finally gave up the losing battle. I was too tried to really fight and I half didn’t want to leave.

“Relax Squall. She’s with Aeolus today, remember?” Seifer reassured me, combing his fingers through my hair.

I looked up at him, blinking as I remembered. Then with a small sigh, I completely collapsed into him, feeling completely drained. Seifer caught my weight and dragged me to a chair to which he sat in with me in his lap.

“That was certainly interesting!” Selphie exclaimed, once I was completely relaxed into Seifer, not really caring about any of them and only half listening. All that matter is that Dew was safe and I was in Seifer’s arms.

I needed nothing more.

“That stupid bitch just walked up here, like no one’s business and did this!” I heard Zell growl and I knew that he was made some gesture at me. I frowned slightly, but remained quiet as Seifer held me close. “Can you believe that?!” Zell slammed his fist onto the desk, causing a loud bang that made me jump.

“Yo chicken! Relax well ya?” Seifer demanded, tightening his hold on me for a few moments and heard Zell mutter a few curses before going quiet.

“Thank god Dew wasn’t here, or otherwise it would have been much uglier.” Quistis sighed, sounding more weary then anything else. I was very inclined to agree.

If Dew was here, there would have been blood.

And it wouldn’t have been mine.

“How did she get in anyway?” I heard Irvine demand and Xu sighed. We both knew why because I had done it earlier.

“Squall and I gave her clearance through entrance security. He had decided that if Rinoa was planning on returning and finding him, that it would be best - not to mention, it would look good for the court’s. If she had been denied access a lot of assumptions could have been made.” Xu said, sounding grave. That was our decision and most likely the smartest.

“That means you didn’t give her access to here though.” Selphie replied and I could hear her fingernails clicking on Lara’s desk.

“Lara left the elevator open because she knew Seifer comes up around now. I asked her to, but Rinoa beat him to it.” I said, not moving as Seifer’s hand ran up and down my back. Then something hit me. “When did you come up?” I asked, sitting up and turning enough to see them.

They suddenly got fidgety.

I scowled.

“How much did you hear?” I demanded, remembering my office door had been open. I hadn’t heard the elevator, but I could have easily missed it considering how heated and shocking the conversation was.

“We came up right after Rinoa. Selphie had seen her and ran to get us in the caf. We ty mty much got the elevator after she got out. We probably missed the first few minutes of your argument - that’s it.” Seifer replied, sounding a little chagrined. Probably because none of them stopped us.

Wait.

I had also said . . . that I loved him.

This was not the time to think about that.

“What the fuck happened here?” I heard Lara exclaim once the elevator doors opened. I turned in Seifer’s lap to watch her eye her bruised and broken red roses and shattered vase on the floor. I sighed, rubbing a temple as she tiptoed over the mess.

“We had a . . . little visit from an old friend.” Irvine muttered, while Zell snorted loudly as he collapsed in one of the waiting chairs.

“Rinoa, right?” She sighed, shaking her head. I wasn’t the only one arching an eyebrow when she looked back up. “I thought I saw her as a couple of SeeDs ran up to escort her out. She was swearing like a sailor. I swear, the air was going blue!” Lara chuckled and came before me and Seifer, who were seated on her chair. “Comfy?” She asked, obviously trying to lighten the mood, but I simply frowned in thought as Seifer shrugged helplessly behind me.

“Too bad we didn’t get it on tape.” Selphie muttered and I nodded in agreement. I knew I was in for a very long and ugly court case with my divorce to Rinoa. She wasn’t going to give up without a fight.

She wanted to make me pay.

For what? I still not exactly sure.

Other than leaving her.

“What am I going to do? I have nothing against her. I didn’t report her missing wshe she disappeared because I didn’t want the cops to find her and she sure as hell will have lot against me. She can turn everything around quite easily.” I muttered angrily as I leaned against my elbows and placed my head in my hands.

“Rinoa was never very bright, but she’s a very good manipulator and actress.” Seifer sighed, stroking my back to ease some of the tension that was building up.

Nothing could ease my tense body at this point.

I was too close to losing everything.

“But we heard it! We can easily testify against her!” Zell proclaimed, jumping out from his chair. I shook my head.

“You can testify, but your credibility will be low because of our friendship and people assume I have control over you by me being Commander and your once Squad Leader.” I explained, scowling.

If only it was that easy.

“What about Seifer? Your past rivalry and his past record of disobeying orders may help waver them.” Selphie pointed out and it was true, but not enough.

“We are lovers and Rinoa knows. She can manipulate that just as well. Not to mention, if Seifer and I got together after - it would become the scandal of the century.” I snorted, pinching the bridge of my nose.

“Then of course you can use the tapes from the cameras.” Lara sighed, making an offhanded comment. I jumped off Seifer lap, frowning as she looked up at the ceiling innocently.

“What do you mean?” Irvine asked Lara, perplexed.

“It was decided to put cameras in all classrooms, offices and training areas for safety reasons and to avoid scandals like the one at Trabia were the cadet yelled ‘Rape!’ when he didn’t get the grade he wanted. This way there would be proNo sNo students or faculty know - outside of the Headmaster. And the secretary, it seems, who somehow knows.” Xu explained, arching a eyebrow at Lara, who shrugged somewhat innocently.

“I read the note on it by accident. I never told anyone though!” Lara said, putting her hands up in surrender.

“Till now that is.” Xu mumbled, glaring. Lara grinned sheepishly and rubbing the back of her neck in nervousness and somewhat in defence.

Xu loved Lara as a secretary, but Lara was somewhat of an odd-ball and one never knew what she knew or what she was up to. However, it seemed that as time passed we discovered that Lara knew a lot more than she ever let on.

Whether this was a good thing or not - we weren’t sure.

“Ah~h!” Lara waved her hand, feebly. Quistis kinda smiled, who stood near her. “I won’t tell anyone else and no one here well. Besides, Squall needed something to calm him down.” She shrugged and I grinned. “And no. I won’t tell anyone.” She told Seifer and I which earned us looks from all around.

I felt the strong urge to blush while Seifer discreetly coughed.

“So this means you have something against Rinoa!” Selphie cheered, clapping her hands in something of a victory.

“Yeah baby!!!” Zell also bellowed and pumped a fist in the air.

The two were perfect for one another.

No doubt about it.

“I better call Laguna.” I said thinking out loud. I felt better, but was still shaken. Something like this can’t be pushed aside so easily. Not when Dew was hanging on the line.

Actually when everything was hanging on the line.

I picked up the phone and quickly dialled Laguna’s cell-phone. It was the quickest, most effective way to get in touch with him. He got a cell-phone after all my bellyaching about having to go through so may lines and security just to talk to him. I was always being put on hold, or told to wait - even when he wasn’t busy.

“‘Lo?” I heard my father’s cheerful voice on the other end.

“Rhino’s back.” I muttered, not even bothering an greeting and placing some dry humour. Laguna had called her Rhino because her name was somewhere close to it. Sort of an inside joke, I suppose.

“Fuck! You aren’t joking are ya, Squall?” The question wasn’t really directed at me as he swore again when I didn’t answer. He just wished it wasn’t true and I completely agreed with his sentiment.

We had hoped she was be gone and stay gone.

No such luck.

“We have some tapes to help. I’ll get them to you by tomorrow.” I continued as I heard Kiros start asking my father what the problem was. Lagshusshushed him quickly before speaking again.

“How did you manage that?” Was the confused question.

“She paid me a little visit.” I answered, shortly. I started to pace. “I’ll try to be there on the weekend. We have some problems that will come up and I need to tell the lawyers as soon as possible.” I nodded at Seifer when he grabbed the cradle of the phone so it didn’t smash on the floor, but didn’t stop.

“That would be . . . ?”

“I’m in a relationship with Seifer.” I stated, quickly not stopping my pacing - even though I knew it was driving at least half of the people in the room insane.

Including myself to a degree.

“Oh.”

“Yes, ‘oh’.” I sighed, stopping my pacing for a moment. I rubbed my forehead, trying to loosen the tense muscles. “We may as well be honest from the first. Rinoa knows and she’ll use that against me.” I snarled, angry at myself for saying that.

However, I suppose it was better to have it out now rather than later.

“You do realize that the press will have a field day on it?” Laguna asked, sounding concerned. I grunted, rolling my eyes.

“They are going to have a field day on the whole thing. Who gives fuck who I’m sleeping with!” I yelled and then stopped. I looked at Seifer, who was watching me, adamantly. “Unless you don’t want people to know.” I said to Seifer, emotionlessly.

I was preparing myself for hurt. I would do what he asked. I didn’t care if the world knew, but maybe he did. Maybe Seifer didn’t want to get dragged into this.

“I am going to stand with you till the end of this, Squall. I don’t fuck just anybody.” Seifer replied and a certain glimmer in his jade eyes told me that there was more to it then just that.

I simply nodded, dumbly.

“Squall?” Laguna’s call, snapped me back as I took a deep breath looking at the picture hanging on the wall.

“Have them send the papers that were already made. I doubt Rinoa will sign them, but at least we can make the effort.” I quickly gathered my thoughts back.

“All right.” Laguna agreed. He was quiet for a moment. “Are you okay Squall?” Laguna asked, his voice laced with concern. It was times like these that I was glad that I had a father. Now I knew what I was missing - the comfort and unconditional love.

Just like I did for Dew.

“I’m fine. I will be even better when this shit is over with and I can get on with my life.” I muttered, collapsing into a chair near Lara. She patted my shoulder, reassuringly.

“Okay. I will be here for you though. Always am.” Laguna stated, his voice a little more cheerful then it was. I gave a small smile, thinking of all the support he had given to me over the years - and what he done for Dew.

“I know.” I whispered, but I knew he had heard me. Mostly because it was silent on the other end. Laguna was hardly ever silent - if ever. “I will be in Esthar as soon as I can.” I continued and we exchanged short farewells before hanging up.

“So~o . . . ?” Selphie murmured after a few moments of silence.

“Squall needs a breather and he is coming with me to pick-up Dew.” Was Seifer terse reply as he came up beside me. I went to protest, but was quickly intercepted.

“Go. We’ll see to tapetapes, and cleaning up. You need to calm down, and Dew does need to be picked up. The air well do you some good.” Quistis said, giving a warm hug. I was a little surprised, but leaned into the embrace with a sigh.

Small gestures like that meant to the world.

Seifer then took my hand and started to lead me out. We had gotten all the way into the elevator before Lara just had to destroy the moment and break the silence.

“You owe me a dozen roses, Squall! And they better be red!”


~*@*~


I closed my eyes blissfully under the nice warm rays of the sun, instantly remembering the day at the beach would ended with a long night of passionate sex with Seifer and marking the beginning of our relationship.

I looked up at him - I hated being 6 inches shorter - as we walked down the path to Balamb and watched as the sunlight played on his long loose blond hair that was fluttering in the small breeze and strong face. The face of the man I loved.

I smiled, unconsciously at the thought.

However, then I felt the unwanted fear and nervousness takeover my initial inesiness at the thought of what was to come.

It was going to be a long, dirty battle.

One that wasn’t fought with physical weapons.

There was a time I would have thought Seifer to be more than a bruit asshole, who knew nothing more than the blade of his gunblade. He acted reckless, impulsively and obeyed no rules, except his own. A man - rather a teenage boy - that loved recking havoc and chaos. However, lately he has contradicted it with this intelligence, wit, maturity and knowledge that was well hidden in the deep layers that made Seifer Almasy, who he is.

This was what made me feel fear.

It wasn’t him directly, or a question of trust - it was what it was going to do with him.

I knew that the battle on the horizon would be long and painful. Many would be hurt and I feared that Seifer would be the first because he was right beside me instead of behind me like the rest of my friends would be.

All because he was my lover.

I knew they would tear him apart like the would me - just like wolves on a dead carcass. There wouldn’t be a silent moment as our vigilance would be tested. I wouldn’t give up because Dew hung in the distance, but I feared for Seifer’s well-being. If it was worth it for him to stay. His already tender and blackened reputation would be completely destroyed.

He was strong, I knew.

But was I strong enough?

“What’s wrong? What are you thinking about?” Seifer asked, his voice calm and comforting as he lifted my hand to his lips. I licked my lips as he brushed his lips against my knuckles, his eyes not wavering from mine and refusing to let my own wander.

“You.” I answered, honestly. I saw no point in lying. He would know and I had to admit the situation to face it.

“Oh?” Seifer questioned, arching an eyebrow as he let out tangled hands fall back to our sides as we continued to walk. I looked to the side at the forest as I frowned, trying to find a way to explain my fears and maybe convince him to do as I asked.

It would be hard - for both of us.

But it was necessary.

“Seifer, I don’t think we should be together anymore.” I said, looking at my feet, but I could feel his astonishment. His grip on my hand tightened.

“I know what you are trying to do, Squall, but I’m not leaving you. Rinoa can’t make me. No lawyer or judge can make me either.” Seifer hissed, determinedly as I snapped to look at him. His jade eyes caught mine fiercely. “You can’t make me.” He stated.

“Seifer - !” I started to protest, to make him understand that I couldn’t let him. I couldn’t watch them tear him apart for me. I didn’t want him to do it for me.

I rather see Seifer walk away unscathed, instead of him broken.

But could they break Seifer?

Ultimecia wasn’t able to.

“No Squall. And that’s final. You can’t make me go and I’m not going to leave you, or Dew at such a time. You need me and together we will put that bitch where she belongs. Then we can then start a life together.” Seifer growled, tugging me to a stop. I bit my lip as we stopped in the middle of the path. “I love you, Squall and I am not going to leave you. Not now. Not ever.” Seifer whispered, harshly.

I blinked at him gapping.

He loved me?

“Seifer, I - ” I started to say, feeling the tears of happiness and relief start to collect in my eyes. I knew he could see the love and devotion I had for him.

Seifer wouldn’t hear it as he yanked me into his arms and caught me in a ravishing kiss. I thread my fingers through his loose silky hair, pulling him impossibly closer as our tongues duelled. I could feel my lips bruise under the pressure of the kiss as he also tried to be as close to me as possible. I could feel his hands gripped my hips tightly - almost bruising - as he raked his teeth over my sensitive bottom lip.

“I know.” He whispered hoarsely and caught my lips in one last, divesting passionate kiss before releasing me so we could breath.

“Don’t leave me, Seifer. God! I love you and I need you.” I murmured into his chest as I held him close. His hands stroked up and down my back, half reassuring me and half just enjoying to touch me - two in one.

“I won’t, baby. I won’t. And for fuck’s sakes, we are going to win. Rinoa will be fucked around the corner and we will have Dew. I don’t care if I have to hire an assassin to win. We will win.” Seifer snarled, viciously.

“Seifer Almasy doesn’t do defeat.” I teased, enjoying the comfort and warmth he was providing - even though it was warm out.

Sometimes it’s just nice to be held.

“Damn straight.” Seifer muttered, pulling away to take my hand. “And neither do you.” He tugged my hand as we started to walk again.

I just smirked, and let him lead me.

Sometimes it was nice to let someone else lead every once in awhile.

“We have to drop off at the florists on the way back.” Seifer said out of the blue when we arrived in Balamb. I frowned as we walked to Fujin and Raijin’s place.

“Why?” I asked, completely perplexed.

“You owe Lara new bouquet of a dozen roses. Red roses, remember?” Seifer teased, while I rolled my eyes knowing that was another thing Lara would never let me forget.

Not to mention, her boyfriend will also enjoy teasing me about getting his girlfriend flowers. Constantly teasing that I was coming onto her and trying to take her away. That we were having an affair and that I was cheating on Seifer and her him.

Yes, he was as bad as her.

The two made quite a pair.

“Oh shut up.”

Seifer just chuckled.


~*TBC*~