FOREWORD: This is an ongoing fanfic. To start reading from the beginning, click here.
Series: Final Fantasy VIII (8)
Pairing: Zell Dincht & Squall Leonhart
Status: ongoing
Rating: PG
Warnings: shounen-ai, light Rinoa bashing
Search keyword: ff8_floating
Notes: I wrote this in class so don't kill me for lack of creativity... Anyway, the following chapter takes place during a special training program for the SeeDs.
"Bummer, training session."
And so training continued. Their new instructor, Ms. Glynn, paced stiffly in front of the SeeD members. Side by side stood: Seifer standing proud in his fitted black uniform, Rinoa tilting her head slightly towards Squall, Squall looking bored but determined, Zell shuffling and digging his shiny black boot into the dirt, Quistis with her chin held high, and Selphie smiling with her hands folded behind. Ms. Glynn began in a boom, racing at the speed of a bullet.
"Okay SeeDs. Before we begin intensive training, we shall begin with introducing ourselves and setting up combat partners. Partners will fight against each other, train together, fight together, spend time and get to know each other, walk together, eat together, sleep together, and no you smartasses, not in the same bed."
That comment produced a snicker from Rinoa and Selphie.
"How dull, the girls find that amusing. For insulting my instructions, you two shall be partners. I'm sure I'm doing you a favor."
Rinoa whined, and Selphie smiled. Irvine wasn't there; Selphie could have cared less. Rinoa wanted to be with Squall - then again, fighting against him was not an attractive concept. Guess Selphie was an equal match.
Zell shuffled uncomfortably. His possibility of pairing up with Seifer increased, although there were equal chances in which he and Squall would be partners, but was one choice any better than the other?
Pacing in front of the line again, Ms. Glynn narrowed her eyes at Seifer, Squall, then Zell. She then stopped to face Quistis.
"What is your name?" Ms Glynn began softly.
"Quistis Trepe, madam."
"Ah. Well, you have your choice of three gentlemen. Choose wisely." Then, without allowing Quistis to answer, continued. "This young man seems suitable. The other two are gruff and disrespectful." She was talking about Squall.
At Ms. Glynn's decision, Zell's heart sunk. Not only did he not pair up with Squall but he was left with the gruff gorilla man, girlfriend-stealer.
"Madam, I am honored to be paired up with Cadet Leonhart, however, I find it more suitable that Cadet Dincht be paired up with him."
A piercing cold suddenly slammed into the line's front, but no one's hair moved. Zell felt a chill to his right that made his left side hot and bothered.
"Is there something wrong with Cadet Leonhart? Would you rather have the young man at the end for a partner?"
"No madam, whichever you prefer; it is only a suggestion, madam."
"Very well then," then she pointed at Seifer, "he will be your partner."
Zell could almost punch Seifer in the gut and clamor over not being paired up with him, but that chill in his right side numbed him still.
"SeeDs, call off your name in an orderly fashion, starting with you." Ms. Glynn walked up to Seifer with an icy stare.
"Seifer Almasy, madam," Seifer almost sneered.
"You do not ever speak to me in that tone, you hear? Now what is your name gorilla chest."
Zell chuckled inside; Ms Glynn was a cool lady.
"Seifer Almasy, madam," Seifer spoke with his chest full of air.
"And my giggling brat," she moved to face Rinoa head-on for they were the same height.
"Rinoa Heartily," she bleated out with confidence.
"Squall Leonhart, madam."
"Zell Dincht, madam."
"Quistis Trepe, madam."
"Selphie Tilmitt, madam."
"Good, cadets. We will be expecting a new transfer to join us shortly, and I will figure out something for him. For now, I expect the partners to station themselves together and report to me after breakfast. To-ge-ther."
"Yes madam," they shouted in unison. As soon as Ms Glynn vanished into the nearest building, the group split up.
Zell turned to his right to face Squall, who wasn't facing Zell and had his eyes fixed on some far away horizon.
"Hey Squall, I'm your partner," he almost choked on his words.
"Hn."
"Now why did Quistis choose Seifer over you?" he whispered jokingly.
"Don't ask if it doesn't matter to you," and with that, Squall faced Zell coldly momentarily then walked towards the main building.
But he wondered, why did Quistis nominate him to be Squall's partner instead of Seifer's anyway? She never looked out for him before, or maybe she just wanted to whip Almasy into shape. Who knows, or was there another reason? No matter, he had to catch up to Squall for breakfast, after all, they were partners now.