Point of View

Yaoimonger 500 word fic challenge: “Hero Behaving
Unheroically”. Posted here because I always sort of liked how it came out.

Important Stuff: Characters not mine. Not for profit.
Hints of yaoi. Yes, I am working on Fever.

Not counting this
bit, the fic is exactly 500 words. Howzat?

Point of View

Quistis barged into Squall’s office unannounced as usual.
She paused, taking in her Commander’s atypical position.

Squall leaned back in his chair as far as the narrow space
between his desk and the ubiquitous file cabinets allowed. He set his feet on
the desk edge, gripped the armrests tightly, and closed his eyes. He suppressed
a quiver and tried to control his breathing. From between his spread knees, a
crested blond head popped up.

“Hey, Quisty,” Zell said.

She drew herself up, clutching her armload of files to her
chest. “Ok, I’ve had it! We were all happy for you guys when you started making
moon eyes at each other-“

“ ‘moon eyes’?” Squall mouthed to Zell. Zell explained with
a kissy face and a grin. Squall arched an eyebrow. He didn’t remember
any such exchanges.

Quisits continued her rant. “And we were thrilled when you
guys moved in together-“

“Hey!” Zell tried to interject. “My quarters were damaged
when-“

“It’s not like anyone disapproves or anything, and I realize
love is a beautiful thing-“

Squall bugged his eyes slightly at Zell, silently ordering
him to get back to work. With a shrug and a grin, Zell complied, his head again
dipping out of sight.

“But don’t you think you guys are over doing it a little?
It’s only an 8 hour shift and you still can’t-“

There was some rustling and the side of the desk bumped
once. Squall’s eyes widened.

Quistis rolled her eyes and gestured. “See? That’s just what
I mean! This is a school, you know, and some proprieties have to
be observed!”

Looking back and forth between his Top Administer and his
Second in Command, Squall prioritized. “Quistis. Leave the files and get out.”
His voice was slightly strained.

She slammed the files on Squall’s desk with a huff. “Yes
sir, Commander Satyr, Sir.” Quistis saluted smartly and stalked off.

Squall closed his eyes again, willing himself to relax. He
obeyed Zell’s whispered command to move his legs with a shiver.

Zell crawled out from under the desk, his hands cupped
together. “Good thing I’m small, they sure don’t give you a lot of room, Baby.”

“Are you sure you got it?”

“Yeah, I can feel him crawling around on my palm.” Zell
laughed at Squall’s shudder. “Who knew you were so freaked by crickets,
Baby? They don’t eat leather, you’re safe.”

“Just get rid of it.”

“I’ll fling him outside and let him take his chances.” Zell
trotted for the door, only to be stopped by Squall’s voice.

“What do suppose that was all about? With Quistis?”

Zell’s smile became wistful, and he explained gently, “They
think we are lovers, Baby.”

Squall shook his head, wonderingly. He set his feet back
into the tiny desk well and reached for the files left by Quistis.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “That woman has way too much imagination.”

“Never costs anything to hope.”

Zell left to free the insect, unaware of the cool silver
gaze that followed him.