Hello

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of these characters. They belong to Squaresoft, damnit! The song I used for this is Evanescence Hello.

The lights lowered to a soft blue with a gentle hum. Slowly, a lithe figure stepped onto the lightly illuminated stage. Twin slender ashen hands grasped the microphone. A deep inhale and exhale was heard. The music began.

“Yeah! Go SQUALL!” Zell yelled.

“Zell, shut up!” Rinoa laughed while her hand came out to make contact with his muscular shoulder.

Leather creaked from on stage and everyone gazed onto the ethereal scene. Squall was uneasy. His heart was racing. He had never talked much in public and now everyone wanted him to sing karaoke. He made a mental note to disown them all. His cue came and he began singing…

“Playground school bell rings, again, Rain clouds come to play, again, Has no one told you she's not breathing?” He thanked Hyne it was a slower song. Rinoa, Zell, Quistis, Selphie, and Irvine were all smiling.

Squall’s grey eyes connected with green eyes at the back of the club. “Hello, I'm your mind, giving you someone to talk to...Hello…” His heart sped up as he realized who was watching. Seifer…

“If I smile and don't believe, Soon I know I'll wake from this dream, Don't try to fix me I'm not broken, Hello, I'm the lie living for you so you can hide…”

“*Don't cry...*” Tears escaped down Squall’s cheeks a saw saw the blond break down.

“Suddenly I know I'm not sleeping, Hello, I'm still here, all that's left, Of yesterday…” Squall took a deep shuddering breath. He gazed at the group sitting in front of him. They appeared shocked. The music slowed, finally ceasing. Everyone, except one in the club stood and clapped. Squall closed his eyes. Finally he knew what he needed to do. And he knew if he didn’t do it soon he would regret it. He soared off the illuminated stage and moved.

Rinoa opened her arms to take Squall and embrace him but he staggered right by her. Her smiled dropped as she watched.

The rest of them finally comprehended who the one in the back was. Quistis shook her head in silent recognition. Selphie grabbed Irvine and hugged him smiling. Zell took hold of Rinoa’s hand. Rinoa shook her head, holding the tears in. Zell turned her into his arms and hugged her tightly.

“Its okay…I will be here for you.” Zell comforted as she sobbed onto his shirt.

Squall made his way through the crowd and stood in front of the hunched over figure.

“Stand up.” Squall ordered softly. Seifer arose slowly.

Squall opened his arms and grabbed hold of Seifer in a strong embrace. The blonds tears began to flow anew and he gripped onto Squall.

“I saw it in your eyes and I knew…” The brunette whispered.

Seifer gazed down at the smaller man and smiled softly. He brought his lips down and touched the brunettes soft lips. Its was a chaste kiss. The perfect kiss.

They parted slowly. And grinned at each other.

It was the beginning of something new. Something uncharted. Rivals became lovers.

The perfect paradox.

Fini???