Scandal

~*Part 6*~

I sat back in the white wicker chair as I leisurely lapped at the black cherry ice cream cone I held in my hand. Quistis sat across from me, she was eating her own French vanilla cone and Seifer, sitting between us, was enjoying his chocolate chip mint ice cream

A large green umbrella blocked the warm, bright sun from us as we sat around the on the white plastic chairs in front of the ice cream parlour. Somewhere I loved, but hadn’t been to in ages. I missed the cool treat, but hadn’t realized how much until I took my first lick.

It’s been six days since I had returned from the hospital. It had been six days since Seifer’s kiss. And still it seemed that everyone refused to let me dwell on anything. I’m constantly being taken out, or dragged off to do something (not always unwillingly), and no one tiptoes around Rinoa or the divorce anymore. I like it. I rather they were open, but I hate how I can’t even stop to think about thcommcomments, or my own ideas.

Not a moment of peace it seems.

I mean, I was having a relaxing bath after supper last night, while Quistis promptly let herself in. I was shocked, but not ashamed of my nakedness. Whatever I had, she has surely seen before, and I have never really been bashful about my body. There’s nothing to be really ashamed of because I’m not fat. Quistis wasn’t disturbed at all, or so it seemed, she just started talking to me about things as I bathed. She even washed my back and shoulders while we talked about various things.

There are also times that Seifer and I nap after a long, taxing battle. We would drag each other up to the closest room (usually his), take off our shoes and shirts, and crash. I often awoke in Seifer’s embrace. However, once I awoke and Quistis was curled behind me, while I was curled on Seifer chest.

I was embarrassed at how it sparked my lust, but it felt so right. I felt like I belonged. I felt loved, and cared for. I felt like I had found my home, and people that truly love me.

That’s when things got really confusing.
I’m not over Rinoa, pre-say. I miss her, and still feel betrayed by her. Miss what we had and shared, but I know that it isn’t what I needed or truly wanted. I still love her, but not as a man should love a woman (or man a man, a woman a woman depending on one’s sexuality). Not as a husband loves a wife. Though I think the only reason I am really seeing this now because I’ve found someone else’s love to compare it to.

Two actually.

I don’t understand why I suddenly realized this. Why it took years upon years that the love I feel for both of them is not one between friends or siblings. It is raw, demanding, comforting but arousing. I never acknowledged it, but one night I had no choice, and things came into perspective in a sense.

I was confused about Seifer’s kiss, and the emotions and feelings that it awakened in me. I was also confused as to why wver ver Quistis smiled at me, or touched me I felt my heart start to speed up. Or when Seifer touched me, it felt like an electrical charge. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get it in my head that they were only doing it out of friendship. It wasn’t sexual.

Oh, but how I wanted it to be.

I know it can’t. Seifer and Quistis are married, and how exactly can I have one and not the other? They have each other, and here I am lusting after them. However, I know it’s more than lust, or at least I like to think so. It could be because they are the first to help me get over the pain of Rinoa, but it doesn’t feel that way.

Still, the two are never letting me get a moment alone to think about it or forget it. The two have taken it on as their mission to do everything with me. Occasionally Raijin, Zell, Laguna, Kiros, and/or Ellone will come with us, but it mostly just the three of us.

Two’s company, Three’s a crowd as the saying goes, but it doesn’t seem like it with Quistis and Seifer.

“Oh~h! Nice red-head over there, eh Squally-boy?” Seifer mocked, disturbing me from my thoughts. That’s when I realized that my gaze had wandered to a red-head sitting a ways from us. She was making a lot of noise as she blabbed to her friends. She was actually quite pretty, stunning actually with the bright - almost Ariel, ‘The Little Mermaid’ - red hair, but she’s not what I want.

I think I have a new fetish for blondes.

“Whatever, Seifer.” I muttered, shaking my head as I licked some more of my ice cream. Seifer winked, but I thought I could sense a bit of hostility to my ‘supposed’ attraction to the red-head.

“Come on, Squall! You haven’t made an effort at all with the female species! Rinoa was your first, but don’t let her destroy your ideas on sex.” Seifer said, being rather vulgar. I glared at him over my sunglasses that slid a little down my nose.

“Seifer,” I sighed, pushing my glasses back up.

“Yo?” He asked cheerfully.

“Fuck off.” I gave a sarcastic smile as he shook his head.

“She is quite stunning, actually.” Quistis commented, looking around Seifer to look at her. I just rolled my eyes.

“I prefer blondes.” I commented, dryly. Only realizing after what that entitled.

“Is that so? By any ce yce you could be holding the torch for one, or maybe both of us? We’re blonde and beautiful. Both sexes to. Perfect for a bi-sexual.” Seifer asked a lustful grin on his face. I could feel a blush rise in my cheeks as he hit the nail on the head.

So modest, isn’t he?

“Seifer!!!” Quistis snarled, and smacked him on the back of the head. Seifer rubbed the back of his head as he turned to catch Quistis’ glare that seemed to say something, and Seifer smiled sheepishly.

“You’re so~o modest Seifer.” I said, sarcastically. Seifer just shrugged. “No. My fancy goes more to Zell, I think. Rinoa destroyed all my innocence with women, so I may as well try something a little closer to home.” I remarked, forcing the blush from my cheeks and ignoring the moment that passed between the couple.

“Well, Rinoa was as far as you could get from home. You two were opposites. I think Selphie would be even closer to you than you liked to believe.” Quistis replied, licking her lips to catch the drop of vanilla ice cream that fell there. I took in a shaky breath as I watched, my senses becoming aroused. Damn Seifer for bringing those evil - but oh so good - thoughts back into my head!

Shit!
“Selphie?! Pfft! Whatever Quisty. Sunshine’s daughter is way~y too perky for Ice Prince over here.” Seifer exclaimed, waving his hand in my direction.

“Maybe so, but Selphie is a SeeD. Like any other true SeeD, she is a hard-worker, honourable, determined, and follows orders. Rinoa is none of those.” Quistis said, tapping a finger on the table. I had to agree. Selphie was all of those, and Rinoa wasn’t. Maybe that’s why Selphie and I got along fairly well.

Selphie and I have never been close, but she’s a sweet little thing. My enthusiasm was better off being non-existent compared to her, but we loved her for it anyway. She was great for a party, and fun to be around, but knew exactly when to get to business. Hence her placement as Trabia’s Headmistress.

“True, I suppose. Though Rinoa had determination. She didn’t give up on Squall when he brushed her off various and numerous times. THAT takes determination! If anyone should know, that would be me.” Seifer proclaimed, poking his finger at his chest.

“Maybe so, but I think that’s all Squall and Rinoa had in common. Squall needs someone more like him. Someone who understands him, and knows what to do or say without him saying so.” Quistis continued as if I wasn’t there, and I arched an eyebrow.

“Ya, that Squall is a really introverted guy. Smart, good-looking, but a cold bastard. Though maybe he’s just shy. No, I think it’s just sexual frustration. I think we should just ravish him one night and see what happens.” I said, dryly. Both Seifer and Quistis looked at me when I spoke. Quistis promptly blushed as Seifer burst out laughing.

“You know, I thought that once. I often wondered what would happen if I dropped on my knees and gave you a blow job.” Seifer smirked and I dropped my forehead to the table, fighting the mental imagine that came to mind.

Oh please shut up.” I growled, my voice muffled by the table as Seifer burst out into laughter again.

Quistis then changed the subject to the movie that we had seen before coming here. We had seen ‘Spider-man’. It was a pretty good movie, interesting graphics, and I liked the storyline. Not the best movie ever, but pretty good. I don’t think I’ll go see it again, I don’t usually go to the theatres to see a film a seconme, me, but I do occasionally, though not this one, I think.

One that I might consider going to see again would be ‘Star Wars: Episode II’. The graphics were amazing in that one. Zell had dragged us all to see it, him being a Star Wars fan. I’ve seen the old version, but wasn’t a huge fan like Zell. Zell was into that sort of thing.
I personally loved the saber fights. Zell wouldn’t stop mimicking them when we came back. Seifer and I had a little spar, and Seifer started to do it too, so I copied a few of the moves. The spar off ended up being a re-enactment of the various battles. It was actually quite funny as we role-played.

“So when does your train leave again?” I asked, as I finished off the cone. Seifer and Quistis instantly looked guilty which had me sighing in slight anger. They felt guilty for returning back home, and leaving me, but I didn’t. They had a job and life outside of me. I had to think about going back to my job too. Xu insisted she was fine, but I knew that I would have to return soon.

“We have enough time to finish and walk to the station. Laguna had some servants take our luggage to the station.” Seifer saglanglancing at his watch as he wiped his hands on a napkin. I nodded.

“Squall . . . we don’t have to go.” Quistis said, her eyes wide in earnest, and I rolled my eyes.

“Quistis, you do have to go, and I understand. Shit! Your lives do not revolve around me. You both have lives to live, and besides, I’m feeling better. I think I’ll stay with dad for a few more days and return to Balamb on Monday. Can’t hide forever.” I sighed at the thought of returning to work. I kinda liked this vacation thing.

“You could come with us.” Seifer suggested as we stood up, pushing our chairs in to walk to the train station. I scowled in thought. The idea wasn’t half bad, but considering my latest feelings for them, I think it’s best if I stay away for a while to figure out what’s happening.

“Thanks for the offer. Might take it up some other time, but you guys have work to do and you have spent the past five days with me constantly. You guys must be getting bored stiff of me by now.” I joked easily, smiling. However, they both took it seriously.

“We aren’t bored of you Squall.” Quistis replied, instantly taking my hand as we started to walk down the street. I frowned. Why do they continually touch me, and take things the wrong way?

“Ya! We love for you to come for a few days. It would be kinda fun to show you around, and we could see Fujin and Nida in Timber.” Seifer said, putting an arm around my shoulders as he came in step on the opposite side of me.

“I was only joking, you two, but the idea has merit. Like I said, maybe some other time. I do like to have some time to myself.” I replied, giving them both a small smile as I squeezed Quistis’ hand, and wrapped an arm around Seifer’s waist.

May as well indulge myself in my fantasies while I have the chance.

Seifer went on talking about various places they would take me when I came. It seemed he had it all planned, and was more then serious about my coming for a visit. I was slightly surprised by this. I mean, I thought it was just one of those passing suggestions where you agree, but neither parties ever fulfill the bargain.

Quistis was just as inclined, and was already thinking of dates I could come because of holidays, and such. I was slightly overwhelmed, but liked the idea that our friendship was growing again.

Though inside I wished it was more.

“Here we are! So promise to call us when you go back to Balamb.” Seifer demanded as we came to the car they had to board.

“I promise. I call you the day I arrive, sir.” I mocked saluted again, and Seifer shook his head while smirking. He then promptly pulled me into a bear hug.

“I’m going to hold you to that. Break that promise, and I will string you up by your baby toes off the side of the garden.” Seifer growled in my ear as I patted his back, returning the embrace. I concentrated on his words to ignore how the proximity of our bodies was effecting me.

“Balamb, or Galbadia?” I asked as I pulled away.

“Both.” Seifer answered, and kissed me on the lips, much the same way as he did when I returned from the hospital, but maybe shorter. I responded instantly, and gave a friendly smile as he pulled away. I refused to take the kiss more then one of friendship, though I wished it was.

“You too, Seifer.” I shook me head as Quistis then took his place, wrapping her slim arms around me in a tight hug. She was fairly strong for her size. She could probably take either Seifer or I on, and be a very worthy opponent. Though Quistis still had that certain delicacy about her. Maybe it was just femininity.

“You take care, ya hear? If you need anything, and I mean absolutely anything, call us. Even if you need an ear to rant on.” Quistis commanded, letting her fingers trace up and down my spine, causing me to shiver at the pleasure from the caress.

“What’s with all the promises?” I asked, wryly. She just sighed.

“We don’t want to exclude you again, Squall. You need friends now, and we want to be there when you need us. None of us are going to make the same mistake again. Now promise.” Quistis demanded as she pulled away enough to look into my eyes.

“I promise, scout’s honour.” I replied, somewhat mockingly, as I stared into her twinkling blue eyes. Her mouth curved into a breathtaking smile as she leaned in closer.

“You never were a scout, but it’ll due.” She murmured, and that was when we shared our first kiss ever.

Her lips were smooth, and sweet with the gloss that she wore. Her scent was the opposite of Seifer’s spice, and her vanilla perfume added to the enticing scent. I could feel her soft, silky skin under my fingertips as I brushed her cheek with my hand when I responded. I could feel the flutter of her hair against my cheek and eye as the wind blew around us.

“If you break those promises, I swear I will help Seifer string you up.” Quistis said smugly as she retreated from my lips. I blinked, nor fully understanding what happened. I was about to comment to try and brush it off like I did with Seifer, but the call of the last chance to board flooded our ears and beat me to it.

“Take care, stud. We’ll call you when we get in, if it’s not too late.” Seifer said, punching my shoulder in a friendly way. I was confused as to his actions, now and before, as I was with Quistis’. Why the hell were they kissing me in such a way? Why wasn’t Seifer at all jealous about the affection Quistis just showed me? He seemed more intrigued than angry. Then again, we were friends, but those kisses seem more than friendship, or at all brotherly or sisterly.

Maybe I’m reading too much into it

“Sounds good.” I replied, as they walked onto the train, trying to brush off what just happened. I didn’t want to let them know how much it affected me. They went to their seats, and Seifer opened the window to poke his head out.

“May the force be with you!” He called, waving as the doors slammed shut and the train blew its whistle to take off. I groaned. He was still stuck on the Star Wars thing.

“Shut up, Seifer!” I yelled over the noise, but I’m not sure he heard me. He sat down, and I waved as they moved out of sight. I could see their hands waving in return.

Those two. Whatever will I do with them.
Then again, what would I do without them?

Shaking my head at the display that had just happened, I walked back to the palace feeling better than I had in a long time. Seifer and Quistis seemed to know exactly what to say and do to make me feel better.

Still, I was also more confused about their intentions, and my feelings.

Life is never easy, it seems.


~*TBC*~