Unconditional Love

~*Part 8*~
(Epilogue: 20 years later)


I stood on the balcony over the ballroom, watching the figures move in a swirl of clothes and colours as they gracefully moved to the classical- waltzing type of the music. This party was formal for the SeeDs, instructors and such. Later the SeeDs would hold various parties on the beach with alcohol, faster music and such. They had in my year, but being as antisocial as I was, I never was really invited.

I didn’t really care at the time.

I casually leaned my hip against the ledge where my glass of champagne rested, crossing my arms and crinkling my Commander dress uniform of dark blue and gold trimmings. I didn’t mind the uniform, even though I wasn’t a huge fan of any uniform, but this one was a little more me then any other one I’ve worn throughout the years.

It was double breasted, but zipped up with a gold sipper on the left instead of buttoning. Large lapels that shimmered of gold silk and gold chains that were attached to the corner and curled around the shoulder to attach to the back. A gold belt and simple slacks that just had gold trimming on the bottom and my black polished dress shoes.

It wasn’t too bad.

Selphie had done really well when she made new dress uniforms for everyone. I liked it well enough, considering I disliked pretty much all uniforms. It was fairly comfortable. I could live with it.

Besides, Seifer liked it.

The SeeDs had new dress uniforms that were less fancy and simpler then my own, but still held the command for respect that most uniforms had.

Their uniforms were a simple black jackets that zipped up the front to a high collar that mine thankfully lacked. Mine was down at a comfortable and respectable level. The trimmings on their jackets were a burgundy with matching belts and shirt underneath that was slightly revealed at the collar. The men wore slacks like my own, but were burgundy and rolled at the cuff to show off their own black, polished boots.

The women had skirts that stopped just before the knees. They also had black polished boots that went up to just under the knee, so all that was really revealed of the leg was the knee. The women did have the option of slacks if they wished, but most went with the tall boots and skirt.

The men also had a cloth - almost like a sash - of burgundy that went around the shoulders and was clasped in the front by a silver chain to match the zipper and the buckle of the belt. The women didn’t not have this, but their shirt was more blouse style with the jacket open or only half zipped and had a black scarf around their neck with a silver brooch of the SeeD insignia.

Selphie had remade all the Garden’s uniforms about 5 years ago. A few months after she and Zell married 19 years ago, she had become pregnant. Zell, who had been made my alternate Commander a year before his marriage because of my absences and lawsuit with Rinoa - I had been made to step down for a while, not that I was properly doing my duties with all the pressure and excitement - put Selphie on maternity leave.

Selphie hated it.

She was bored stiff, but was able to have Dew - who was staying with Quistis, her godmother, till my lawsuit with Rinoa was finished - and Aeolus come over as we did visit her, but she was still bored senseless.

Then she started what she does best.

She started designing.

Selphie had successfully started a little business in her and Zell’s own home in Balamb and even after her twin boys were born, she continued her work since she quit SeeD - Zell was relieved, not liking the idea of his wife on dangerous missions.

Balamb’s Headmaster, Xu and her husband, the Vice-Headmaster, Irvine decided to hire her about 6 years ago to create new uniforms for everyone. We needed a changed and Xu was tired of the complaints. Thus new uniforms were made for cadets, SeeDs, instructors, Commanders and Headmasters. The other Gardens were currently working on it. Also using Selphie to create ones for them.

Different colours and styles of course.

Each Garden had a different climate and we liked to be visibly different.

The uniforms seemed to be a big hit and they were much more fashionable and comfortable then the last scratchy ones. Selphie made sure she used material that was soft, but washable. We needed something comfortable, but could take a lot of wear.

And here I am talking about clothes.

You know your bored when . . .

“Hey Squall!” I turned to watch Zell as he walked up to me. Even at 45 he still looked young and cute, but respectable in the same uniform as myself. He still had the punk-ish look with his yellow blond hair buzz cut, but still commanding.

He looked better than I did in my uniform - even though they were the same.

I thought I looked ridiculous.

“Hi Zell.” I smiled, patting his shoulder as I looked down to see his two identical twin sons dancing with their sweethearts. This was their graduation dance tonight. “They did well. You should be proud.” I continued as he also came beside me to look down at them dancing.

Remus and Romulus were 18 and looked a lot like their father. Both around 5'6'’ with Zell’s creamy skin, build and bright blue eyes. They had Selphie auburn hair which they both had cut and tied up differently.

Remus, the older of the two twins, was the quiet, sophisticated one of the two. His hair was slicked back so his silver-framed glass that adorned his face were more visible. His uniform was without a wrinkle and he looked impeccable. Remus was fairly easygoing - which was a must considering how his brother was - and showed a lot of potential of becoming an instructor, if not something higher up.

Remus was quick with his staff, but tended to have more intelligence then bruit strength.

Romulus was the complete opposite.

Romulus had his auburn hair cut fairly short around his face and had it spike. He was the daredevil of the two twins and had red colouring the tips of his spiked hair. He had his black jacket opened, revealing the burgundy shirt underneath that was partly unbuttoned to reveal his pale throat where a silver necklace of a wolf howling at the moon rested.

His Nunchakus were called Wolfhound.

Do we sense a pattern?

“I am.” Zell replied, simply smiling at his two sons. We watched as Remus was dragged out for another dance with his boyfriend, Eureus, who had graduated a year before. Eureus was Fujin and Raijin’s second son, which was obvious since he had Raijin’s colouring.

Unlike Aeolus, Eureus had taken most of his colouring from his father. He had dark mocha coloured skin with almond shaped eyes that were crimson like Fujin’s. His tight black curls were cut very close to his head. He was tall and bulky with muscles from martial arts.

It was funny to watch Remus struggle for a few moments, but then finally succumbed into Eureus embrace - not nearly having enough muscle, but he wasn’t really fighting anyway - and watch them dance with affection and care.

No one really saw either one of them getting together.

I sure as hell didn’t, but no one made a fuss.

They were good for each other and were obviously serious.

Romulus was dancing with everyone. He was eccentric and maybe had a little too much to drink, but no one minded. Romulus was loved by everyone and no one minded his little games.

He was a heartbreaker and a charmer.

With flourish he knelt before the young Lurion Almasy Loire-Trepe to ask for a dance. She accepted with a giggle at whatever he said and soon the two were dancing around the ballroom as people smiled, watching. Especially Ellone and Quistis.

Lurion Almasy Loire-Trepe was the daughter of Quistis and Ellone, who had married 18 years before. 4 years into their marriage, they asked if Seifer or I was willing to fertilize one of their eggs so they could have child.

They had the choice of having any father, but they wanted it to be one of us.

Since I already had a daughter and I knew Seifer longed to have a child he was the father of - even though Dew consider Seifer her father, Seifer stilled longed to have someone to share blood with and I knew and understood - so we agreed and Seifer was the father while Ellone was the mother.

They didn’t actually have intercourse.

There is technology that can do it for us.

So 9 months later, Lurion Almasy Loire-Trepe was born.

Lurion is 14 and knows Seifer is her father. It is actually quite obvious with her colouring who her true blood parents are. She has both Seifer’s mischievous jade eyes and golden blond hair, but she has the shape and build of Ellone.

A healthy combination, I think.

Lurion does know how she came to be and is not at all disturbed by it. She calls him her father and does the same with me. She came to the conclusion a long time ago that she has two fathers and two mothers. That is fine with me because I love Lurion like one of my own and am proud to be her godfather and stepfather - in a sense.

She is just like another daughter.

“I hope Romulus will settle down one day. From one girl to the next. I don’t think he has dated one girl for more than a week.” Zell muttered, fondly watching Romulus and Lurion dance. I chuckled.

“No, I don’t think so, but Romulus is trying things out. Have faith. I have no doubt that he will settle down. One day he’ll meet the right person and it will be no more flirting one from one to the next girl for him.” I reassured as Zell took a sip of his champagne.

“I hope so.”

“Actually, it’s a curse. Remember Irvine? He was a playboy for a long time. Then he met Xu and he fell like rock. Xu wasn’t easily wavered and he spent how long convincing her that he was serious?” I asked, arching an eyebrow as Zell laughed, remembering the story Irvine had told us the night before his wedding 15 years ago.

Of course, now Irvine and Xu were happy with a 9 year-old daughter named Vivian with long chestnut hair and bright, mysterious violet eyes. They decided to have children a little later with all the pressure form work and the Garden.

Everything turned out for the best for them in the end.

“It should be an interesting show then.” Zell laughed and I smiled, swirling the champagne in my glass around.

“Don’t have to worry about Remus though. He looks like he has found where he wants to be.” I continued, watching him dance with Eureus.

People still weren’t happy with homosexuality, but it was much better than what it had been. In the Garden, they were very accepting since most swung both ways. It was proven in a survey that most were experimental in that sense, but outside the Garden there were still many people against it.

We were still working on people seeing that sex doesn’t matter when you are happy.

Who cares as long as we are happy and in love?

Happiness, love and time are things that money can’t buy - and you can’t put a price on them.

“Never thought Remus would be the gay one. I didn’t see it coming with Eureus either, mind.” Zell responded, sounding like he had given it a lot of thought, but still didn’t understand. Remus and Eureus had just come out a few months ago when Eureus wa a b a bad accident on a SeeD mission. It had come out then and supposedly they had been togther since before Eureus graduation a year before.

“No one thought Seifer and I would be either - let alone together. And look where we are now.” I said, holding out my hands to gesture to myself and what was happening between us. The gold ring on my left ring finger, flashing in the low light.

Zell smiled and simply nodded.

“Hi Squall! Zell!” Selphie called as she jogged up even though she was dressed up. Her shimmery gold gown crinkled as she held it to keep from tripping while her short hair curled that was pulled back from her face with gold combs, bounced. I smiled as she came up beside Zell - looking like the perfect matching pair - who took her hand. “How are you?” She asked me.

“Well. You?” I answered.

“Great! The party is just wonderful! I love parties and dances!” She grinned, her emerald eyes twinkling in excitement. I couldn’t help but feel her enthusiasm she would never lose. “Do you mind if I steal my husband? I would like to get a few more dances out of him.” She said, tugging on his arm which he followed with slight protest.

“Not in the least!” I replied, but too late as I watched the descent down the stairs with a ruckus. At the bottom Zell tickled her and she let out a indignant screech and I sighed, shaking my head.

Many SeeDs did the same.

We loved them, but they were always doing something like that.

I turned back to the dancers and watched as my beloved daughter, Dew and herncé,ncé, Aeolus take to the floor.

Dew was now 25 and beautiful. She was around 5'7'’with long ebony hair that reached past her waist. Her eyes still the same bluish grey like my own. She had fine features and pale creamy skin which she had obviously inherited from me.

Everyone said she did, anyway.

She had graduated from SeeD 5 years before, but was back taking courses that were offered to continue into some sort of career. Dew wanted to be a doctor and was a few months from finishing her volunteer work here before going to Esthar hospital for practise.

I was very proud of her.

Even though she had taken many falls along the way - she still got where she wanted to be. That was all that mattered.

It was harder for her in the Garden since she was famous for being the daughter of Squall Leonhart, Rinoa Heartilly and Seifer Almasy. In the history course, there was a whole unit based on all the sorceress wars.

I knew she had received as much harassment as she did praise for being who she was and the last name she beared, Leonhart-Almasy. There were still many parents who still loathed Seifer and children learn from their parents’ example.

Monkey see, monkey do.

She never said one word to me.

However, Aeolus was always there to help protect her.

Even though she was teased, she demanded to learn the gunblade like Seifer and I. She had a lot of past experience with us and watching us - he fhe felt it was her turn. Seifer and I were a little surprised, but overjoyed that she also wanted to be trained with a gunblade.

Though I was a little afraid it was because of pressure, or she felt she had to prove something, but she was adamant to weld a gunblade.

She named her gunblade ‘Neptune’ after the Roman god of the sea and on the blade was the engraving of waves that if you looked closely, made the shape of a woman. Dew had proclaimed it was a Siren and she had become the water while I was the ice and Seifer was the fire.

That was how everyone had described us, anyway.

Dew liked it and so had Seifer. I just snorted at the description.

Where was the wind then?

I cocked my head as I set my glass wat watching as Aeolus took Dew’s hand and moved her into the waltzing position. She smiled and as one they started to move around the dance floor with the grace of the wind and water.

One that neither ice nor fire could never achieve.

Dew had found her wind, it seemed.

Aeolus was taller than Dew by about 4 inches, but still under his younger brother by about 2. His long impossibly white hair was long and tied back in a single braid while his onyx eyes glowed with passion on his olive skin. His muscles not at all bulky, but more firm from his training with the twin swords.

His training was more based upon skill, speed and grace then muscles and strength. He was strong - no doubt about that t tht that had come after instead of before. He didn’t look as strong as he was which was often a advantage when fighting.

He had become quite a man over the years and it had taken Dew many years to see him as one. It was the simple problem of being best friends and neither seeing each other as a man, nor as a women - just as a friend.

However, Aeolus was the first to see it when they were 17.

I watched as he tried to court her in subtle, but firm ways whDew Dew stayed oblivious.

He then gave up when they graduated and started going serious with another women.

That’s when Dew realized what she had lost.

For months it seemed the two played cat and mouse. Seifer, Fujin, Raijin and I watched the two bicker with jealously and anger. And then watched again as they apologised, proclaiming never to fight again.

Silently whispering the love they felt and shared through their eyes.

It was then one night Aeolus came to v Dew Dew at our house on the shore of the ocean a few miles from Balamb. I stayed upstairs, pretending to be asleep or busy and I listened to them fight over the most ridiculous thing - remembering me of Seifer and myself over the years. Seifer, himself, was still at the Garden, but if he was there he may have gone down to break it up.

It was getting rather heated and I was half afraid that they would unsheathe their blades like they had so many times before. Both were as good - maybe better - than Seifer and I if that gives a clue how the battle would have been and had been at various times.

However, instead Aeolus departed and I waited, watching him walk away in the rain to go back to the Garden, but then Dew went slamming out. I had sighed, thinking she was going to challenge him - he never denied her for some odd reason - but she had other plans.

I watched as she jumped him and he caught her as she grabbed his face, kissing him frcallcally. Aeolus was blinking in surprise, but slowing the pace, he returned the passionate embrace and after that storm, things changed.

They dated for a year and half till he asked her to marry him a few months before.

They couldn’t be happier.

Neither could Seifer and I - mind you we were sighing and thinking, ‘finally’.

“What-cha thinking about, baby?” Seifer asked as his arms wrapped around my waist and his chin propped itself on my shoulder. I smiled, putting my hands over his as we looked down below.

“Just thinking about Dew and Aeolus and how they got together.” I murmured, watching as the two danced. Even though they were in the uniforms that all the other SeeDs wore, they still seemed to stand out for some reason.

Even more than Romulus.

“And how lucky we are.” I continued, turning my head so his had to lift of my shoulder. He smirked, giving me a quick kiss before sitting on the ledge, but not releasing my left hands, which I in turn, also wouldn’t release. Our matching gold rings glittering on our ring fingers.

“Yes. It took us years, RinoRinoa finally got what she deserved and us what we did.” Seifer sighed, also watching Dew and Aeolus. He was as proud as them as I was.

It had taken us years to gain the full adoption of Dew and to please Rinoa enough so she would stop trying to nail me for something. Seifer and I were torn apart - howenot not from each other - as were many others in the process, but we all survived.

Even Rinoa.

Seifer and I married after the 4 painful years of my father’s lawyers fighting Rinoa’s fathers lawyers. Continually throwing barbs for the press to tear apart till the judge had enough and gave me full custody of Dew, who was torn the worst.

I never wanted to put her up on the stand because I was afraid of the results, but Rinoa had demanded it which was partly why Quistis was to take Dew till it was over. Rinoa wanted to take her till it was over, but I wouldn’t allow it, so the judge decided Quistis - Dew’s legal godmother - would be her guardian till further notice.

On it went. Seifer kept his promise and never left me. He was there to help celebrate small victories, to help create strategies and there to help whip the tears of defeat from me.

Without him I may have never won.

Not to mention, the gang was also there every step too.

In the end, Rinoa was torn apart by the press, all her interviews were destroyed and she was called a fraud. I wasn’t completely on top because of some of the mistakes I had made throughout the years and my status with Seifer was revealed, but I faired better than Rinoa.

From what I’ve heard from Dew - who has taken it on herself to visit Rinoa on occasion - that she is married to Zone, but unable to have anymore children due to ovarian cancer, thus they have removed all her reproductive organs. Dew was much more sympathetic then I am and ever will be even though Rinoa is now in remission.

I do feel a little pity and regret for Rinoa, but I tend to mostly feel that she deserves it.

I know Dew knows that I feel that way though I have never said it.

I think she is slightly angered by it, but in Rinoa hurt me badly and I don’t think I will ever forgive her. I don’t think any of us can.

Dew I guess feels that she owes it to Rinoa to see her and be there for her because Rinoa brought her into this world. It’s the same attachment she’s always felt for me. I could do every wrong in the world, but I would still be her father and she would still love me in some way.

Unconditional love.

A funny thing that it is.

Then there is just love that is no less confusing and no less wonderful.

I looked at Seifer, eyeing his instructor uniform that I swear Selphie made purposely for him - though it also looks pretty good on Quistis too. Seifer had decided that he loved philosophy so much that once the Rinoa fiasco was over, he quit SeeD and took the teaching course to become a teacher.

Seifer was more than capable of being more than a teacher, but he was happy with what he was doing. Xu was slightly unsure due to the ostracism that he still received from the war, but Seifer refused to be denied. Luckily he taught only older students who were less influence by their parents and made there on conclusions.

He still had enemies.

We all do.

I was just happy to see him happy. If that was what he wanted to do, I would support him just like he had at various times for me.

I even remember the times I helped him study. Mind you we never really finished because he would get sidetracked, but we had fun. Seifer passed, just under Quistis’ score by a few decimals, but he proclaimed it was because it was her second time taking it and already knew what the course was like - smiling the whole time.

He had done well and that was what mattered.

Now back to his uniform.

His uniform - the instructor uniform - was dark forest green and royal blue. The jacket and slacks were green with a small trim of blue around the edge. The jacket was also double breasted, but with blue buttons and lapels. It was much like my own, but less fancy and flashy.

His was more subtle.

But damn - did he ever look good.

“Like what ya see?” Seifer asked, catching my eyes as I looked him over. I gave a half smirk as I cocked my head to one side, letting my tousled chin-length locks flutter over my face that I knew drove Seifer insane.

“Maybe.” I replied, watching his jade eyes darken with desire that I knew so well.

His hair was still long - Seifer had refused to cut it any shorter than his shoulders in the past twenty years. I didn’t mind, liking the long silky length. It was just past his shoulders, but was tied back in a tight ponytail for the evening.

Most times he just let it loose.

Which was great for holding onto - if you know what I mean.

I simply had to reach out and run my hand over his hair - so I did. I brushed his hair with my fingers, trying to slick back that unruly strand of hair that never went with the rest of the hair no matter how much gel or grease you used.

It liked being loose.

I loved the feel of his hair and I watched him watch me.

I felt a wave of protectiveness and possessiveness rush over me for the trillionth time in the past 20 years. Seifer was mine in every way. No one could take my husband from me - not without a fight.

I owned him as much as he owned me.

His eyes said so.

I know I had told Rinoa that love isn’t about possession - and it isn’t, but because of the love you feel the need to protect and help the one that you love. He isn’t my possession to control, or sell - he’s my possession to love and protect.

I live beside him and will protect him with my being till the day I die. I am attached to him in everyway and in that way he is my possession and he is mine. He is me and I am him - in that way we own each other.

“Don’t do that, baby. Or you will find yourself squashed in a bathroom stale moaning my name in ecstasy.” Seifer growled, his eyes narrowing. I ignored the warning in his voice, hearing so many times before.

“Is that a threat?” I murmured, leaning closer so that my lips were inches from his own. I could feel his warm breath on my face as he watched me.

“No. It’s a proposition.” Seifer hissed, leaning in to catch my lips in a kiss - neither of us caring that we were in a public place in our dress uniforms tha that we were supposed to be good models for the soldiers below.

Not that they hadn’t seen us neck before - we were always being found in various places. Classrooms, offices, the hallway, a closet, you name it. Anywhere that we could find a private moment.

Most students were used to it and left us alone, or warned us when someone was coming.

We had them all wrapped around our fingers.

Besides, we were married - the golden ring bands with engravings of our names beside forever and eternity on our left ring fingers was proof of that.

“It is boring out here.” I muttered leaning closer, but careful not to push him off the ledge. Instead I pushed him against the pillar that was to the left, but careful of my champagne glass - we didn’t need that falling off the ledge on the head of an unsuspecting SeeD.

“Want to liven it up?” He asked, throatily and I chuckled as I brushed my lips up his cheek and to his ear.

“That would be ni I r I responded, latching onto his ear.

“But you’re so fucking sexy in that uniform! I love a man in a uniform.” Seifer said smirking as I pulled away, watching as he ran his hands down my jacket clad chest.

“Not as good as you. You look sexy. I look ridiculous. This uniform makes me look goofy.” I sighed, as he hands came to rest on my hips as he looked up at me seriously.

“You honestly think that?” He asked, incredulously.

I felt a small blush rise in my ks, ks, but nodded slightly - 45 and I still blush!

It’s amazing what the man can and does to me.

“Fuck Squall! I could just eat you! I’ve been restraining myself the whole evening and every other time you wear this damned thing! I swear, Selphie made it purposely for you.” Seifer remarked, looking me over. He thought the same I did for him with the uniform that he wore.

“You’re just saying that.” I sighed, shaking my head as I titled it down.

I felt his hand under my chin as he stood up and he pulled my up to look at him. I watched a smile warm his face as he brushed a hand down my cheek.

“No, I’m not. Have I ever lied to you?” He asked, sounding as loving as serious as he had the day we walked to Balamb when had exchanged our love.

“No.”

“And I will never stop. You look amazing. It maybe through the eyes of love because I am still thoroughly smitten by you, but fuck, who gives a shit! I’m the one you’re going home with and if I like how you look, who give a flying fuck what anyone else thinks?!” Seifer exclaimed, bringing a smile to my lips.

Yes, the love still hadn’t died over the past two decades.

It hadn’t even simmered in the least.

“Have I told you how sexy and fuckable you look tonight?” I asked, gripping his jacket lapels and pulling him closer. Neither of seemed to care that I was wrinkling the soft smooth material. “How I want to throw you down on the floor and fuck you raw? How I want to ravish your lips? To hear my name screamed with passion and moaned in ecstasy?” I asked, pulling him closer as his eye again darkened with desire.

I watched as our heart sped up and we were panting with anticipation.

“Pound myself into your velvet heat and be one with you again. To feel so alive that it has to be illegal. To want to die knowing that I would die happy. To never want to leave and feel overwhelmed with passion and the love I feel for you. To know that I’m not alone.” I whispered, pulling him closer as I leaned him.

He moaned quietly, but loud enough that I could hear it.

He licked his lips while he eyes stayed steady with my own.

“Fuck Squall. You are not alone and never forget it. You are my only weakness and you know it - but I have absolutely no worries because I trust you with my entire being and soul.” He answered, his hand encasing my face as he pulled it away to look straight at me.

He knew my answer was the same and that really - time was our only enemy.

He leaned down as I pushed myself up higher to catch his lips.

“Honestly! You two still go at it like a couple of horny teenagers! Will you ever grow up?” I heard Dew exclaimed as she destroyed the mood.

She had a habit of doing that.

“Hello Dewdrop.” Seifer sighed, as I leaned my forehead on his shoulder and curling myself into him, letting him know that his words weren’t forgotten - actually there were etched on my soul like all his other words of devotion, love and trust had been.

“Hi dad. Hi pa.” She smirked as I pulled away to watch her approach. Her smirk was so much like Seifer’s, it was uncanny. She was a meld of Seifer and I with her own personality mixed in.

Between the three, she was someone that I, personally, never wanted to mess with.

I prayed that no one ever got on her bad side.

Her anger was as cold as the north, but as hot as the south.

Kinda like a frost bite - cold, but it burned.

“Having a good evening?” I asked, reaching a hand out and she took it, showing off her black opal engagement ring as she kissed me and Seifer’s cheeks. The opal was her birth stone and they were had to find and expensive, but Aeolus was adamant that she was worth it even though she had yelled at him for paying so much for at least 15 minutes.

He offered to take it back, jokingly of course, and that shut her up.

“Pretty good. However, no other man dares to dance with me because of Aeolus.” Dew sighed, rolling her eyes as Aeolus approached, quietly - practically inaudible. He arched a single white brow as he handed her a glass of Champagne.

“Oh?” He asked, sipping his own after Dew took her with a small kiss on his cheek in thanks. “How’s that?”

“You are quite intimating, Aeolus.” She shook her head and he simply frowned. Yes, Aeolus was because of the cool composure he had, but also his quick and deadly ways in battle. He was not a force to be reckon with.

Even I was wary of him to a degree.

I never wanted to battle or spar with him.

Neither did Seifer - even though we both had a hand with his training.

“So are you, if I may say so. You aren’t exactly approachable. No one fucks with you and now that you are my fiancé - no one looks at you.” Aeolus said simply, shrugging. Dew snorted and Aeolus gave a small smile as Seifer and I chuckled at his comment.

It was true - Dew had also taken her place as dangerous beside Aeolus.

They were as infamous as Seifer and I once were back in our day.

That’s enough to make you feel old.

“I’ll dance with you.” I said, holding a hand out to her as she blinked. I never danced at any of the formal parties - not even with Seifer.

Seifer and I danced all the time at clubs and casual parties at friends place, but as Commander at SeeD parties and dances, I stayed on the sidelines watching with Seifer. Seifer didn’t like waltzing or any of the formal dances and I felt the same.

I always felt on display when on the dance floor and I hated that kind of attention. Almost like they were waiting for to slip up, or tread on someone’s foot.

Watching was easier.

“Seriously?” Dew blinked, not yet taking my hand. I sighed loudly before nodding my head, but a warm encouraging smile on my lips. She returned it with earnest as she took my hand, a indescribable delight glittering in her eyes.

“That is if you husband-to-be has no objections?” I asked, turning to Aeolus with a smile, who simply looked at me for a moment before gesturing with a hand for me to continue.

“You’re her father and I’m not idiot - I will never mess with either of her fathers. Believe me. I value my life.” He said, his onyx eyes twinkling as Seifer walked over to place an arm around his shoulders.

“We aren’t that bad!” Seifer retorted, smirking in a dangerous way.

“Seifer!” I admonished.

“What? We aren’t what we used to be so we got intimate them somehow! You know bloody well that we are no match for them now, but we do have titles, experience and damn reputations! And I’ll be damned if I ain’t going to us ‘em for something!” Seifer scoffed as Aeolus chuckled, not at all disturbed by Seifer. He was used to his godfather’s - and soon to be father-in-law’s - antics.

I shook my head at his words, but at exactly the same time we both reached to trace our fingertip down the scar between our eyes remembering that was the day that everything started.

The start of our fall.

“That was freaky! You did exactly the same time!” Dew blinked as I snapped to look at her and then at Seifer, whose hand had yet to fall.

“It was the day that started to all. I still remember that battle. It was our best ever - even if it ended ugly. Much more heated and beautiful then any of the ones with Ultimecia.” Seifer sighed, shaking his head as he reached out to trace my scar with his own finger.

We both still held regrets about that day, but we didn’t dwell on them anymore.

Past was past.

“The end of our rivalry and the start of something more.” I murmured, catching his hand with my free one and brought it to my lips to give it a small kiss. “Come. I promised you a dance, no?” I said, turning to Dew as I let Seifer’s hand go - but not after I shared my love with him through my eyes.

He could read them better than anyone I knew.

Just as I could him.

“Of course.” Dew replied and together we walked off the balcony to the dance floor. I watched as she blew a kiss to Aeolus. I smiled at the affection and love they shared. I knew they would be as happy as Seifer and I.

We stepped out onto the dance floor, aware of all the eyes on us. I knew that Quistis was watching with Ellone at their table. I knew that Irvine and Xu were also already on the dance floor waiting for the next waltz. I could see Selphie and Zell making their way onto the floor. I could see all the second generation of the gang were also watching with curiosity.

No one had seen me dance at a formal SeeD dance since my own graduation with Rinoa.

They were curious if I still had the talent.

“Wanna lead?” I asked Dew, arching a brow knowing that she could see the audience that we were accumulating.

“Nervous pa?” Dew teased as she leaned in to kiss my cheek. She knew me as well as Seifer - which was too well. “Don’t worry. You’ll do great. Seifer’s watching.” She whispered in my ear and effectively giving the right motivation to dance and get over this little bit of stage fright.

I looked up at the balcony to see both Aeolus and Seifer sitting on the ledge to watch us. Aeolus gave a small smile as he gave me a salute. Seifer blew me a kiss with a smirk and a wink that reassured me.

Dancing was not rocket science.

I was just out of a little practice.

Turning back to Dew as the music started, we began to dance. I was a little awkward at first as I got used to the feel again. Dew was muttering under her breath the numbers, ‘one two three, one two three’ as we danced even though I didn’t need them.

We swirled around the dance floor - easily out doing everyone else there. I hadn’t lost my touch and Dew was somewhere between gaping at me and smiling at me. She was surprised, but proud - which I found slightly odd, but reassuring and exhilarating.

“You never told me you were a dancer.” She murmured as I lead us around the dance floor, barely caring how the audience was watching us ardently.

“You never asked.” I simply responded and she glared at me. Did I really glare like that? It was quite intimating. “It was part of the training like it still is now. At the time of my life I was bent on being perfect and had no life outside of class. I hated people and it came easy to me since my training for the gunblade also included footwork as you know. I guess it just stuck and I never lost it “ I explained, smiling and she returned it.

“If you’re this good - which is better than at least half the people in here - why don’t you dance?” She demanded, looking at me like I was a lunatic for not showing off my ability.

Which she could be right.

“Seifer and I don’t like being on display like this - not when it’s formal. I only doing this for you because pretty soon you won’t be my little girl anymore.” I sighed, watching as he eyes soften at my words.

“Oh pa!” She whined and moved with me like a mirror image or shadow. I wondered if Seifer and I could waltz like this - I knew we could dannd gnd grid our hips like one demon, but could we waltz? I had no doubt that we could, actually.

Seifer and I knew each other inside and out.

He just didn’t like waltzing.

Neither did I, really.

“I always be you little girl, no matter what. Even when I’m old and grey. I’ll always love you, pa.” She whispered, pulling me closer as we held each other, continuing to dance. I smiled, kissing her forehead.

“I know.” I closed my eyes for a moment, relinquishing in the embrace. “I know.”

Gently, we pulled away as we continued to make our way around the dance floor, both of us noticing that our audience was suddenly intrigued by something else that I found unable to find or see.

“Would you look at that!” Dew exclaimed and I turned us around to see what she spoke about. I found myself blinking at the sight.

Seifer was dancing the waltz with his own daughter, Lurion.

“I guess it’s some sort of father-daughter dance, eh?” Dew laughed and I smiled. I caught Seifer’s eye and winked. Seifer smirked, pleased withselfself, and promptly proved that I wasn’t the only talented one on the dance floor.

It seemed Seifer still had surprises for me.

Not to mention, was still a worthy rival wherever I turned.

“May I cut in?” Aeolus asked as he came up as new waltz began. I released Dew with a bit of reluctance, but relieved at the same time.

“Of course.” I smiled, bowing as I had Dew’s had to him. He bowed with a smile, but pulled me in for a hug before I could lift off.

“You know, I may have never said it, but are as much a father to me as my father and Seifer are.” Aeolus said, his onyx steady with mine, speaking the volumes of love he had for me. I prayed that he could see mine in return.

“Just as you are as my son.” I answered and found myself pulled into a hug as a kiss was placed on my cheek - one that wouldn’t be noticeable by any viewer, only felt by me - and I returned the embrace.

Aeolus had always been a slick one.

Not to mention, discreet.

I nodded at Aeolus when he pulled away and he reached for Dew as the new waltz started and I watched them begin to dance. I smiled, giving one last shake of his head.

“What are you shaking your head about?” I swung around to see Seifer, noticing that Lurion was now sitting with her mothers while watching us.

“Aeolus.” I answered as he reached to take my hand as I started to walk again, thinking he would follow. Instead he stopped me and pulled me into the waltzing position. “What are you doing?” I asked, perplexed.

“Just let me lead.” He answered calmly and with that I found myself in a strong embrace as I was lead around the dance floor. I smiled at the gesture of love and trust Seifer was showing me. He hated his waltzing and was doing this to show me that even though he was self-conscious and hated waltzing - he would do it for me.

I sighed and rested my head on his shoulder as he pulled me closer.

Yes we did move as one on this dance floor as well as we did any other.

That is when I knew that every pain and trail I had endured with him, because of him and without him was worth it for this moment of utter trust, love and devotion.

I don’t know if the love I felt for him was unconditional, but it sure as hell felt like it. He could do no wrong in my eyes and who knows how long I’ve loved him. I don’t think I can really think of a moment in my life that I didn’t feel some sort of passion towards him - even if it was hatred, but they say hatred and love are closely related.

Maybe it was unconditional love . . .


~*OWARI*~


A/N: Sappy, I know. I was in one of my romantic moods - not that this is uncommon.
Anyway, what do ya think? Let me know?

Smiles :)
CJ