Wherever You Will Go

Title: Wherever You Will Go
Fandom: FFVII / FFVIII crossover
Authors: Calvi Sama (Vincent, Irvine) and Madisuzy (Laguna, Kiros, Squall)
Pairing: Vincent and Laguna
Summary: From an erotic chance encounter blossoms a love that will test both
men's desire and devotion and will send them on a journey of self discovery that will change both of their lives forever.
Warnings: Yaoi, swearing.
Rating: +18
Disclaimer: We don’t own FFVII or FFVIII and make no money from this story.

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Sorry for the delay on chapter releases… we are working to speed things up now.
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Chapter 6

Squall sat in the Ragnorak, glaring at his best friend and co-worker who was smiling back at him. Why Irvine insisted they come all this way was beyond him. It was bad enough his father had shacked up with this guy who nobody knew anything about, but now he also wanted to employ him as his full time bodyguard.

As far as Squall was concerned the man was dangerous and he wasn’t comfortable having him at Laguna’s side twenty-four hours a day. His mind replayed the morning a week before when he’d found them together in bed. The sight of them lying together so peacefully had hit him hard, like a bullet piercing his heart. It reminded him of Seifer and what they’d had before the Sorceress had come and taken him from Squall. All he’d been left with were memories and a new relationship with a woman he could barely stand to be in the same room with. He’d saved the whole fucking planet and got nothing but shit in reward. Squall had only wanted one thing back but even now, years later, there was no sign of Seifer anywhere. Running a hand through his hair he decided he needed a distraction.

“Irvine. What exactly do you think this is going to achieve?” he growled out at the infuriatingly calm cowboy.

Grinning lazily, Irvine propped his long legs up on the table and pushed his chair back on two legs. “Well,” he drawled, using a finger to push his cowboy hat back on his head before lacing his fingers together back over his stomach again, “This new fella that yer old man’s shacked up with is want’n clearance to a whole lotta classified information, Squall. Or was yer head too far up yer ass that ya missed that little fact?” He winked at his friend, “I figured you’d wanna get a little more knowledge on him b’fore we just hand ‘im the key to the Garden’s mainframe.”

“We could just shoot the fuck,” Squall muttered under his breath, wishing that he could allow himself such freedom. “I don’t see why we just couldn’t say no and leave it at that. Laguna signed over his security to us and is under contract to obey Garden’s decisions.”

“Right,” Irvine said with a snort, thumping his chair back down onto all fours. “Laguna’s never listened t’us, ya dummy, and likely never will no thanks t’ yer lovable personality. Just ‘cause he’s got yer panties in a twist don’t mean he’s a bad fella. Laguna ain’t dumb, Squall, no matter how many times you try ‘n convince us to th’ contrary. I wanna get a gander of ‘im before we think about condemning ‘im to the category of ‘bad influence’. ‘Sides,” he leaned forward onto his arms and grinned coyly at Squall. “Kiros seems to think he’s all right.”

Squall looked back at Irvine and sighed. As much as he didn’t like to admit it, the cowboy had a point. Laguna would find a way to get what he wanted, and it was the smarter option to find out as much as they could about this Vincent while they were able to.

“Whatever,” he conceded, looking away from his friend and dropping his eyes to the floor. “Don’t expect a warm welcome. The guy tried to kill me last time we met.”

Irvine threw back his head and laughed merrily. “Aw perish the thought! Hell, Squall, the day I see ya give a warm welcome I’ll eat my own undershorts.” Getting up from his chair with the fluid grace of a trained killer, he shoved his cowboy hat back down onto his head and came around the table to thump his friend on the back, huge grin still in place. “If I had a gil for every person I’ve come across whose either wanted or tried ta kill ya, I could’ve bought my own damn island by now.” At Squall’s glare, he just laughed again. “I don’t know what th’ big deal is anyway, yer just a big ol’ teddy bear with a couple ‘a rough edges. Now I’m gonna go see if the pilot c’n get us there any quicker.” And with a wink he left his surly friend to his brooding.

***

Squall hadn’t said a word to Irvine since the ship landed, preferring to wallow in his own thoughts instead and stare out the glass panel of the elevator in the Presidential Palace. He would rather be shopping with Rinoa than here and that was saying something. Looking over at the cowboy who was leaning against the wall looking relaxed and at ease, as always, he scowled. What the hell was he supposed to say to Laguna? He knew he should apologize for barging into his room unannounced but saying sorry was something he never did. Chewing on his lip, he stared at the floor. He wished he had his gunblade with him. Why he let his friend talk him into leaving it behind was beyond him.

“Hey,” Irvine said, whacking Squall in the shoulder. “Unlock yer jaw, Squall. Yer gonna have ta talk to ‘im ya know if ya wanna find anything out.” Squall looked as though he was going to say something, but was interrupted by the ‘ding’ of the elevator, and the heavy doors sliding open. Kiros was waiting for them and after a brisk nod the man turned and led the way down the hall to a vacant conference room. They all filed in and Kiros shut the door behind them. Irvine picked the chair at the head of the table and sat down heavily, leaning back and thunking his boots down on table’s surface. Slouching low he pulled his hat down over his eyes and laced his fingers over his stomach, eyes shut but ears open.

“Squall, Irvine. Glad you could make it on such short notice. Laguna and Vincent are on their way and should be here any minute,” Kiros said, focusing on the Commander who looked like a walking storm cloud…not that he ever looked much different. “Squall, I am hoping that we can act like adults today and that tempers will be kept in check. Do you think that is manageable?”

“I’m not a fucking child, Kiros. Stop talking to me like I’m ten years old,” Squall growled out, slumping in his chair and glaring out from under his bangs.

“Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t you and Vincent nearly come to blows the last time you were in the same room?”

“I simply asked him who the fuck he was and the guy tried to kill me. Not my fault,” Squall replied stiffly. Kiros took a deep breath, sitting down and sighing at the boy he considered to be family.

“Squall, come on. You found him naked in your father’s bed. It was pretty obvious who he was. I know you and I’ve met Vincent. He is a…well unusual character but he would not have threatened you unless he was provoked. Are you going to tell me that you did nothing to cause such a reaction?” Kiros asked, softening his voice to try to sound less accusatory. Squall lowered his eyes, chewing on his lip in a way that always reminded Kiros of Laguna.

“Okay, I’ll admit that I may have been less than civil. It was a shock. I could have handled it better,” Squall muttered. Kiros smiled, happy that at least Squall was regretful of what had happened. Well, as regretful as Squall ever got.

“Then today will not be a repeat performance?” Kiros asked. He really didn’t want to have to mediate a punch up today.

“No. I’ll be civil. Look can we just get on with this now?” Squall said, frowning and setting his face into its usual scowl. Right on cue, a knock sounded on the door and in walked Laguna with Vincent at his heels. Laguna’s eyes immediately sought out Squall and he smiled at his son fondly, walking over to greet him first.

“Squall, can we… um… can I have a word with you in private first?” Laguna asked nervously. Squall nodded once, standing up to follow his father back out of the room without even glancing at Vincent.

Expressionlessly, Vincent watched Squall follow his father out into the hall and close the door behind them, feeling a muscle tick in his jaw. Turning around he nodded to Kiros and then eyed the third person in the room. He couldn’t see the young man’s face as it was lowered and hidden behind a cowboy hat. Long legs were kicked up onto the table in a manner than instantly reminded him Cid Highwind, and the rest of the young man’s body was completely relaxed, almost appearing as if he were asleep. Vincent however was not fooled. The youth had a subtle strength and a coiled lethality that he hid expertly behind the lazy façade. He looked at Kiros and the man introduced ‘cowboy hat’.

“Vincent, this is Irvine Kinneas, Squall’s Second and Headmaster of Galbadia Garden.” Kiros chuckled and said wryly, “Don’t let his appearance fool you, he’s rather sharp when he puts his mind to it. Irvine, I give you Vincent Valentine.”

***

Squall pulled the door shut behind him and turned to look at Laguna. His father was frowning and fiddling with the hem of his shirt nervously and he almost smiled at the sight. Deciding it was time to give a little, he spoke first.

“Laguna, I wanted to… say sorry,” Squall said softly. Laguna looked up, shocked at what he’d just heard.

“Squall I…,” Laguna stumbled on his words. He’d brought his son out to discuss this but never in a million years had he thought the boy would apologize. “Thank you,” he finally managed, his face lighting up with a smile.

Squall looked down at his feet, uncomfortable. He was not going to give his father any more than that. To let himself get attached to this man would be disastrous. Everyone he loved left and after all these years he’d learned that it was better to keep people at arms length. Better for them anyway…

“Squall, I’m sorry too. It must have been a shock to walk in and see me and Vincent. I… I just didn’t know what to say or do when I came out and Vincent and you…,” Laguna’s voice trailed off before the President took a deep breath and continued. “I’m sorry you had to find out that way.”

“It’s fine,” Squall whispered, chewing on his lip and frowning at his feet. Laguna stepped forward, reaching out a hand to lift his son’s chin and look into his eyes.

“I want you to know that what you’ve said to me today means the world to me, okay?” Laguna said softly. Squall looked into his father’s eyes and what he saw there shook him. This man, his father, really did love him. Squall didn’t understand it but he could still see it there. He bit his lip harder as tears threatened to fall and pulled away. Squall Lionheart did not cry.

“Okay,” Squall whispered, slipping his face back into its usual mask of hostility as Laguna lead the way back into the conference room.

When the two men had entered the room, Irvine had kept his eyes closed, relying instead upon his ears and his ‘feel’ of the others in the room. He knew that the eye often deceived, and he cocked his head as he tried to ‘read’ his companions. Kiros he could pick out, calm and steady as always, but he frowned when he focused upon this ‘Vincent’. He got nothing; it was almost as if the man was a void, so great was his control over his emotions. He knew the other man was looking at him by the way his skin crawled, but other than that… empty. When Kiros announced Vincent, without looking up, Irvine raised a finger in a detached ‘hello’.

“Are all of your ‘Headmasters’ so chatty, Kiros?” Vincent asked, amusement clearly evident in his voice, and Irvine could avoid looking at his guest no longer, not with that incredible, deep voice shivering over his nerves. Cautiously the Galbadian gunman cocked his head and looked up out from under the brim of his cowboy hat… and met a stunning pair of sharp red eyes. And that wasn’t all, as Irvine felt a sudden shock of electricity shoot through his body causing his eyes to widen, and judging by Vincent’s eyes narrowing, the foreigner had felt it too.
“Naw,” Irvine answered lazily. “Only th’ ones that matter… my Valentine.” Vincent snorted and looked away, crossing his arms over his chest and shaking his head. Irvine grinned widely. “I heard ya were workin’ some serious attitude over on my boy, Squall, that right?”

“For which I am unfortunately regretting,” Vincent replied with a grunt and Irvine threw his head back and laughed delightedly, one hand holding his hat in place so it didn’t roll off his head.

“Aw shit, Vincent… I c’n call ya Vincent, can’t I? ’Ol Squall needs a good whuppin’ ever now and then t’ keep his head deflated.” Irvine sobered a little then and leaned forward over the table as he tipped his hat up on his forehead, smile smaller but still in place. “But let’s not have that happ’n again, we clear?” Vincent frowned and opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by the conference room door opening and Laguna and Squall joining them once again.

Laguna couldn’t wipe the grin from his face as he entered the conference room and walked over to Vincent. He took a hold of his lover’s hand, squeezing it gently as he resisted the urge to drag his partner off to celebrate how good he felt. Finally, after years of trying, he’d made some headway with his son. Laguna had begun to give up on ever being able to make a crack in Squall’s emotional walls but here, when he’d least expected it, it had happened. It was taking all of Laguna’s self control to resist the urge to hug his son and he really needed to hug someone soon.

Vincent grinned at Laguna and squeezed his lover’s hand back while his brain tripped over this new character ‘Irvine’ who talked suspiciously like Cid with the same lazy drawl, and he had to wonder just where Irvine hailed from. But that could wait until later. He had something very important that he needed to do.

Leveling a mild gaze on Squall, who sat scowling over the table at him, he said softly, “I owe you an apology, Squall. What I did was unforgivable and uncalled for. I ask that you accept my apology and I give you my word that it will not happen again. Though I do not doubt your considerable fighting ability, nor do I discount your ability to command warriors, as one does not achieve your position without having great skill at both, I am extending my protection to you as well. You are beloved to Laguna, and therefore beloved to myself, so I shall watch from the shadows and never interfere unless you ask it of me, and this is given regardless of the outcome of this meeting. Is this acceptable to you?”

Squall stared at Vincent, trying to formulate a response that was appropriate and wouldn’t upset anyone in the room. i>Great, two apologies in one day… Irvine will never let me live it down.

“Apology accepted. I’m sorry for my earlier behaviour,” Squall finally answered, ignoring Irvine’s chuckling beside him. Looking up at Vincent and Laguna he added, “I don’t need any protection. He does though and you are unknown to us.” Squall nodded at the President with his last comment before looking back at Vincent for a response.

Vincent chuckled and rested his free hand on the table. “I expected just such an answer from you Squall, which is why I said ‘from the shadows’. You’ll never see me, unless I want you to see me.” He held up his hand when Squall opened his mouth, and continued, “Make no mistake, my first priority is to Laguna. But you are family and family must be protected.” He glanced over at Laguna and his grin widened. “Besides, I do not think Laguna would have it any other way.” Then he grew serious once more. “Which brings us to the real reason we are having his meeting. I shall be up front with you. If I am to adequately protect Laguna, I shall need access to all high security databases, in essence your mainframe.”

“I shall need to know schedules, itineraries, dossiers and reports filed from anyone… from Kiros to the groundskeeper. I need to know this building and grounds from basement to attic, every mortar, brick and shingle as well as any other building Laguna is known to frequent. In other words, blueprints. I shall require clearance to all areas and I do not wish to waste time with unnecessary questions from subordinates or the curious. Your concern is a valid one and I completely understand your hesitance and I would willingly volunteer any files on myself, but they were destroyed when the ShinRa tower in Midgar was destroyed during Meteor fall. I will answer any and all of your questions, or you may consult Kiros.

I will accept whatever decision you come to; however, I cannot stress the importance of my being informed. If it will ease your mind, while I answer directly to Laguna in this matter, I shall work closely with you, Squall, and keep you well informed. Again, is this acceptable? Take all the time you need to come to your decision as I am not going anywhere.”

Squall listened to every word intently, one eyebrow going up at the ‘you are family’ bit. Shaking the thought away, he concentrated on what else the gunman had said.

Vincent’s requirements illustrated that he did have training in the area of protection, and were normal things that Squall himself would request if doing a similar job. The fact that even if Squall said no Laguna would take his partner with him anyway, hadn’t escaped the Commander’s attention either. There was only one way that Squall could retain any control of this situation and it would also supply him with just what he wanted.

“Since there is no way to verify anything you say, it becomes a matter of trust,” Squall said flatly. “Laguna, how long have you known Vincent?”

The President looked back at his son and frowned. Laguna had been ready for questions but he hadn’t even really thought about what a short time it had been. Closing his eyes and running a hand through his hair, Laguna realized that he was asking Squall to give security clearance to a man he’d known for two weeks. His son could never allow such a risk without some kind of condition, and the President was praying that it wouldn’t be something painful.

“Two weeks,” Laguna answered, opening his eyes to hold Squall’s gaze. “What will it take for you to clear this? We’re all busy men with better ways to be wasting our time.” The President felt Vincent’s grip on his hand tighten under the table and he gave it a squeeze.

“I want to leave Irvine here to ensure that our trust is not misplaced. He needs full access to Vincent and any files you have on him. Irvine will interview you all while he is here and then we’ll make a final decision. One month should be sufficient,” Squall said, turning to look at Irvine. He hoped the cowboy didn’t protest to being volunteered as he was perfect for the mission. Squall needed someone he could trust who would be unbiased in his reports back on Valentine and his intensions towards the president.

Thanks a lot, ya asshole, Irvine thought irritably while carefully schooling his expression into one of boredom. He wished Squall would have a little more confidence in Laguna’s ability to judge people. Klutzy and chronically unlucky the President may be, he did have an uncanny ability to know the measure of a man – or woman – by just spending a little bit of time around them. But, Squall did have an anally constrictive nature, and the fact that Laguna so quickly accepted Vincent’s protection over Squall’s and Garden’s did nothing to relax his friend’s sphincter any. Maybe he could get a little payback though before he began his sentence…

“Well,” he said, kicking back in his chair and propping his boots back up onto the table again. “Since I’m pretty much gonna be sharin’ the shitter with these two fer the next month, why don’t you handle the questioning for this meetin’ then, Squally.” On the plus side, Vincent was not exactly hard on the eyes. Though he preferred women as a rule, he could appreciate a pretty face when he saw one regardless of what was parked between the legs, and those high cheek bones, pale, flawless skin, full lower lip meeting that cupid’s bow not to mention the man’s thick black hair, fine eyebrows arching above a pair of the most uniquely colored and depthless eyes he had ever seen was prime ‘distraction’ material; case in point.

Not to mention subject for a hell’uv’a wet-dream, he thought. In point of fact, Irvine felt himself drawn to Vincent in such a way as to make him a bit uncomfortable and begin to question the intelligence behind Squall’s decision to leave him to ‘observe’. He was about to ask Squall to step out into the hallway so he could tell him just that when Vincent spoke again.

“That is acceptable, Squall. Indeed, I would question your idea of ‘security’ if you were to just blindly accept me into the routine here, as it were. I approve.”

Well, maybe I could just give it a week er two b’fore callin’ in a replacement, Irvine thought as that deep voice filled his head and played over his nerves like black velvet, and he found himself staring.

Laguna frowned over at his son, keeping his mouth closed and his opinions to himself. Great, finally I get Vincent alone but after only one day it’s ruined. Glancing over at Irvine, the President noticed him looking at Vincent in an odd way and he lifted an eyebrow in question as he caught the cowboy’s eye.

Irvine stared at Laguna and grinned slowly. When he winked slowly at the President, he was rewarded with a furious blush; however, it also earned him a glare from Vincent who had happened to notice his rather obvious attention. He gave Vincent a little air-kiss and laughed when the dark-haired man narrowed his eyes threateningly. “Not a good start, my Valentine, not a good start.” And that earned him a glare from Squall. Irvine laughed again. Man this is turning out to be a pretty good day after all!

Vincent’s respect for Squall went up a notch at the conditions the young man had set. He apparently took his job very seriously and he could do nothing but approve, as he would have done the same thing. He turned to give another visual evaluation to Irvine, but stiffened when he saw the cowboy grinning rather lasciviously at Laguna. The young man had been staring rather openly at him before that, but it was attention that he was used to therefore had ignored it easily, but his rather obvious attention to Laguna made his hackles raise and he couldn’t stop his glare. His grip on Laguna’s hand tightened as Irvine called him ‘my Valentine’ yet again and he wondered if his promise to Squall was going to hold up or in fact get broken.

Kiros rose to answer a knock at the door, speaking quietly to a woman before excusing himself from the rest of the meeting and departing with a pat on the back to Laguna on the way past. As the door closed, Squall decided it was time to get the rest of the meeting over with.

“Vincent, can you tell me what job you were doing before coming here?” Squall began, leveling his eyes to study the dark haired man carefully.

Vincent flashed a quick grin at Kiros as the man walked by then gave Squall his undivided attention. “How do you mean? When I was employed or when I met Laguna?”

“Both,” Squall answered flatly.

“Well,” Vincent said, raising an eyebrow and settling more comfortably in his chair. “When I was younger, I worked for the Department of Administrative Research, which were known more crudely as ‘Turks’, for the ShinRa Electric Company. My job was precisely what this job would entail, but we were a little more… well, thuggish. We answered only to the president, gathered intelligence, performed assassinations, spied, and in effect protected our employer… with our lives if necessary. We were trained extensively in hand-to-hand combat techniques, explosives, and weaponry to which I excelled and was often used as a sniper.”

“There wasn’t a building we couldn’t break into, and we also were trained in various infiltration techniques. All of the cadets were required to go through basic military training and if they survived that, then moved on to more specific Turk training. When I met Laguna, I was merely performing a favor for Reeve. I belong to no one. I have served Gaia, and now I am finished. I do not involve myself in the affairs of others. I have learned that the world could care less about you, and if you are truly lucky enough, you’ll find someone who does. I have been unbelievably lucky. Next question?”

“Impressive resume, Mr. Valentine,” Irvine said frowning, “but somethin’ just ain’t soundin’ right t’me. Y’said you worked for the Turks when you were ‘younger’. Now, ya don’ look more’n, what, thirty?” He cocked his head. “How long you worked for ShinRa?”

Vincent turned his head and pinned Irvine with a level stare. “Eleven years,” he said flatly.

Irvine nodded. “Yep, that’s what ain’t computin’ with me. Yer talkin’ like yer a good sight oldern’ thirty.”

Vincent swiveled his chair to more directly face Irvine. “Perceptive.” He said quietly, “I am nearly sixty-five years old. Truthfully, I’ve stopped counting.”

Irvine whistled, “Shooo, now that I did not see comin’.” He fell silent and continued to watch Vincent expressionlessly.

When Irvine made no move to continue, Vincent swiveled his chair back around to face Squall. “And your comment?”

Squall didn’t watch Irvine and Vincent’s exchange, instead chosing to watch Laguna’s reaction to what was said. The President couldn’t keep his eyes from wandering back to his lover at every opportunity and kept grinning like a fool, obviously completely smitten with Vincent. He just hoped that Irvine would be able to work out the truth to how this new bodyguard felt towards Laguna in one month. On the surface the guy’s story seemed reasonable. Well, everything but the Vincent’s sixty-five years old part, anyway.

“How can you be sixty-five years old?” Squall said, finally looking at Vincent. “You look late twenties, tops.”

“Twenty seven,” Vincent replied mildly, ignoring Irvine. “I was twenty-seven when I died, and so I shall always remain. Long and short of it: my body was used in a series of experiments that resulted in not only its reanimation, but genetic enhancement, mako treatments and the grafting of demons into my DNA, which is why I am dangerous when pushed to my limit. My senses are sharper and my reflexes are faster. I have knowledge and experience you could only dream about.”

“S’at right, now,” Irvine drawled. “’Scuse me if I don’t really b’lieve ya, Valentine.” He shook his head, “A human experiment?”

Vincent sighed, “Yes, Kinneas, a human experiment. I do not know how familiar you are with recent Midgar events, but ultimately I was the trial and error experiment that eventually led to the elite SOLDIER program and later Deep Ground. So you can imagine my tendency toward self-loathing. I am the reason a lot of people died and Sephiroth was born. I assume you at least have heard of him?”

“Vincent, it’s not your fault,” Laguna interceded, cradling Vincent’s hand in both of his. “You didn’t ask to be an experiment. It was out of your control.”

Squall watched the two interact, frowning at the memories that came flooding back every time he did. He didn’t want to be thinking about Seifer right now, re-running romantic dreams that would never be. The Commander shook his head, trying to clear his mind enough to focus and find a way to escape this meeting.

Irvine noticed his friend’s discomfort and grinned a little sadly. After all this time Squall was still mourning Seifer. “A’right, I think we’ve talked ‘bout as much as we prob’ly need too ‘bout this. Squally, why don’t ya head back t’Garden ‘n I’ll keep ya posted.” He turned to Laguna. “So what’s on our agenda first, boss?”

“Well, how about you see off your Commander and we’ll meet you back here in an hour?” Laguna asked, smiling at Irvine as he tried to cover up the fact he wanted alone time with Vincent now. Four weeks of being shadowed was going to be hell.

Squall glanced over at Irvine, nodding his thanks to the sniper as he passed an expense account card into the cowboy’s hands. Collecting up his paperwork, he said a quick goodbye to Laguna and Vincent before heading for the hall, not waiting to see if Irvine would follow or not.

Grinning, Irvine briefly fingered the expense card before making it disappear and with a nod of acknowledgment to the two men, followed his friend and Commander out into the hall. His long legs easily caught up to Squall and he grabbed Squall’s arm to stop the surly man’s forward progress. “Ya gotta let it go, Squall. He’s gone.”

“I’ve tried!” Squall hissed back at Irvine, immediately regretting the venom in his voice. Running a hand through his hair, he breathed in deep to steady himself before trying again. “Look, I’m sorry. It’s just… raw today. I’ll be fine.”

Irvine sighed and put his hand on Squall’s shoulder and leaned in companionably. “I can’t say’s I know how ya feel, Squall, as I’ve never felt that way ‘bout anyone. But I’m here for ya, if ya need t’talk t’ someone. Ya may be an insufferable, pig-headed asshole, but yer my best friend and it hurts me t’ see ya sufferin’ like this.” He caught Squall’s gaze with his own. “Have ya talked t’ Rinoa ‘bout this at all?”

Squall scoffed, rolling his eyes at his friend. “Come on, Irvine. You know Rinoa. She talks, I listen, end of story. Wish she would just carry through on her threat to go back to her daddy,” he grumbled, starting down the hallway again.

Unmoving as Squall moved off, Irvine grew serious and said softly, “He’s out there, Squall…”

TBC