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: Seifer plots, Zell tries, Squall explodes. Now read. :P
Fujin and Raijin were still sitting at the table, looking up apologetically at Seifer approaching but relieved as Zell was captured in his stiff embrace. Rinoa stopped short of the table and waited for Squall to pull a chair out for her, who hesitated momentarily before ushering his girlfriend into two chairs left of Raijin and taking the seat in between them. Seifer, on the other hand, practically forced Zell to sit down in his previous chair and sat down between him and Rinoa. Zell tried to behave, really he did, but in his gut he was building a fire ready to knock the daylights out of that manipulative man.
Wishing for some water to calm his spirits, the blond boy fixed his posture as he retrieved a glass from the rotating centerpiece. It looked like it was made of thin pieces of stained glass arranged into a rose window shape, adorned with a rising Shiva sculpture in the middle, reaching skyward for summoning magic. Every other table had different GF figures as centerpieces, and their prospective decorations and color schemes matched the GF's powers. In this fancy and elegant atmosphere, Zell felt more uncomfortable than ever, knowing Seifer's intentions to disturb the evening. At the same time, he couldn't help but admire the way Squall looked tonight. He hadn't had the time earlier to see clearly what Squall looked like. His jet-black tux was made of satin, open, which seemed to catch bits of blue light reflected from the table's rotating piece. The pleated shirt he wore underneath was an impecable white, topped with a shiny yet simple black bowtie snug around his neck. His hair was parted a little to the right of the middle, combed neatly yet still had that slightly ruffled look as a few dark brown bangs shadowed his left eye, seeming to embrace the way his scar ran across the bridge of his nose. The scar that Seifer gave him. And his cold grey eyes, staring deep into his soul.
Oh shoot. Zell realized he had been staring too long and had Squall's inquiring eyes staring straight back at his own icy blue eyes. He diverted his eyes and looked at Rinoa, who was giggling with a light-hearted smile pursing her lips.
"Oh Zell, Seifer tells me you liked that girl at the library! I'm sorry she had to leave, but looks like you've been busy anyway, huh?" She winked and elbowed Seifer with a laugh, who also returned the laugh and reached over Zell's shoulders into a tight hold.
That bastard.. Zell grimaced at the two. Seifer was always up to no good, but lying like this wasn't acceptable. He threw Seifer's arm off rashly and tried to keep his voice from shouting too loud. "Not with *him* that's for sure." Whoops, he shouted too loudly and some of the people near them on the dance floor looked over inquiringly.
"Calm down Zell, this party is for us. Don't make a commotion," Squall's voice was low and smooth, still in his usual commanding tone that always quieted the boy. Rinoa turned to the crowd and waved with an apologetic smile to assure them everything was fine.
"Yeah Zellie, you don't have to be shy," he laughed, the sneer never once left his face. "For that I won't dance with you."
"Like I care," was the reply. Zell was fed up with this act.
Zellie? Squall flinched. Now he knew Seifer was acting weird, and his always strong friend looked like a helpless, angered chocobo. He wanted to reach out and soothe Zell and ask him why he was forced to come to the dance with Seifer of all people. Maybe it was his fault that he didn't bother to help Zell look for a date and just demanded that he showed up. He did seem less talkative today, but Squall just took the rare silence for granted.
"Rin, will you give me the pleasure of dancing with me? My date needs some time to himself. Of course, if your date doesn't mind, that is."
"No he doesn't mind at all, do you Squallie?" Rinoa chirped and rose as Seifer helped her out. "We'll be back when they serve dinner! Wait for me Squall," she leaned down and gave him a peck on the cheek and allowed herself to be led by the hand.
Squall frowned. He *did* mind, and his girlfriend didn't even give him a chance to speak. He shook his head, but it gave him some time to check on his partner at least. "Are you all right?" he said, sliding two seats over and next to Zell, so that Raijin and Fujin wouldn't overhear them talking.
Zell heaved, then suddenly was alerted that Seifer just took Rinoa out onto the dance floor. But Squall was next to him, and looked concerned. Squall was concerned about him? "Uh.. yeah I guess.." he flashed a quick smile then stood straight up. "Hey we need to uh.. uh.." Fujin glared at him, and Raijin leaned on the table in a threatening manner. "Do you want to uh, dance? Would you?" he rubbed the back of his head nervously. This was the only way he could get to talk to Squall without Seifer's guarddogs glaring over his shoulder, but boy was it embarrassing.
Well that wasn't expected. Zell recovered in a flash and made the odd request of dancing with him. The music was still festive so the gunblade specialist decided there was no harm in jamming on the dance floor with his best friend. "Sure. Why not," he responded, getting up and made space for Zell to get out as well.
That was a relief! His palms were suddenly sweaty, but he acted normally and punched a "Booya!" (which was inappropriate for the suit he was wearing but heck) before he made his way away from the table, with Squall following close behind. Raijin opened his mouth to speak but Fujin held him down, knowing that if they said anything suspicious, especially when it came to her blabbering brother, Squall would figure out what was going on.
The two boys got to the dance floor and made their way up front where the music was live and even louder. Zell bounced around like his normal self, and Squall, surprisingly, seemed to follow his steps, adding his own touch to the moves. Irvine and Selphie on stage spotted the two and nodded with wide grins, and as if their presence encouraged them even more, they picked up the pace like wildfire, the volume equally proportional. The party sure seemed more like a rave than a ballroom dance with those two on lead vocal and guitar, but Zell didn't mind. The rhythm of it all soothed his spirits and he found himself more relaxed, even when dancing with their leader the professional iceberg.
The martial artist raved and skipped to the beat, moving closer and closer to Squall so that he could be heard despite the music. "Seifer's up to no good, I don't know if Rinoa's got anything to do with it, but Seifer's got some plan to take her away from you," he shouted and looked side to side, still in sync with his movements, making sure Seifer and Rinoa weren't nearby.
"What?" Squall heard him, but he wasn't sure what Zell was rambling about. Take Rinoa away from him? Seifer had always been a rat, but what Zell said seemed highly unlikely. That kind of plan wouldn't work out unless Seifer was planning on kidnapping his girlfriend, and he wouldn't have the nerve to do such a thing. Not after the whole battle with Ultimecia. Seifer was lucky to be even admitted back into Garden. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"I know, but Seifer's gonna do something bad I'm telling you baby. I know it, be careful, trust me," his eyes pleaded and he moved closer, half-timing his moves so he could speak to Squall closer without crashing into him or anything. Squall just stared back, his dancing slowed to match Zell's. He never realized how deep those blue eyes were up close.
On stage, Irvine saw the two look into each other's eyes intensely, and as shocked as he was at the moment, he figured maybe they should play something else. He nodded over at Selphie who smiled at her favourite SeeD in all of Garden, and she signaled a different pulse to the band, who transitioned the rhythm into a slower pace.
Suddenly, Selphie and Co. were playing a ballad. The crowd on the dance floor took the opportunity to rest their dancing feet and linked arms with their partners. Slow dance. It totally caught Zell offguard, who panicked and looked up at Selphie with bewildered eyes. The peppy girl took the look as something positively cute, so she waved back and gave him a big encouraging smile, much to Zell's dismay. He had to get off the dance floor now. They couldn't talk now, everybody would hear, and he certainly wasn't going to slow dance with Squall!
Right when Zell was about to dart off, a warm hand gripped his wrist and pulled him into a loose embrace. The martial artist was seldom caught offguard like just now, especially when he looked and saw his captor. Almost terrified he'd see Seifer grinning predatorily down at him, he tensed up for a fight, only to see their leader gaze into his eyes. His leader.
"You wanted to dance, now you're leaving?"
Zell couldn't believe his ears. Or his eyes, or his head. Or his heart. The tension melted from his face and he felt the temperature crank up by ten degrees. Squall wasn't smiling, but his hold was gentle, and Zell's legs started to go woozy. If that wasn't surreal then Zell had three heads. The professional iceberg was warm, who would've imagined? The blonde stuttered, "Uhhh.. I.. wasn't.. I'm not."
"Don't talk, just dance, " and with that Squall led Zell in their steps. They had learned how to dance very well as part of their SeeD training, but Zell never imagined that of all people in the world, he would have the opportunity to dance with his friend like this. The usually hyperactive one nodded into Squall's shoulder and stared over it. He didn't dare look into his eyes when they were this close - Zell might just lose control.
Even though his eyes weren't focused, Squall still gazed into their icy depths. It was funny, how someone with so much spontaneous energy had such intense blue eyes that sparkled but were essentially icy, although not frigid. Just like crystal ice in an endless ocean of blue. The brunette didn't know why he was thinking such things, but dancing with Zell felt so strange that it felt.. Right. Like he could drown in his eyes at any moment, and it would be all right. Because it was Zell.
Since the bouncing attendees on the dance floor had slowed down into a swaying swarm of heads, Zell was able to make out Seifer and Rinoa's faces in the crowd. They were not only holding each other tightly, but their arms were intwined and their lips touching. They had some nerve to be out there making out on the dance floor! Zell felt his anger rage again, this time towards Rinoa as well, but felt arms reach around his waist and pull him in. He was so mad he must be losing his mind!
"Look Squall, I hate to be the one to break this to you but look.."
"Shh," he held Zell tighter. Strange how numb his mind felt.
"Seifer and Rinoa... No Squall, stop. Look." I really don't want to end this, really Squall, I don't. But I can't let this happen to you. Zell made up his mind, and gripped Squall firmly for the first time since they started dancing and whirled him around. "Look."
What Squall saw was not what he expected. He knew Seifer and Rinoa were out dancing, but *this* was too much. Forgetting about Zell in his arms, Squall's arms flew up and he shoved Zell away, pushing through the crowd towards his girlfriend and that BASTARD.
Being pushed away hurt more internally than his ass skidding on the waxed tile floor until his back slammed into the bottom of the stage. Irvine saw his friends part and stopped playing, jumping offstage to help Zell to his feet.
"Hey what's going on?" Irvine asked worriedly of the martial artist.
"Seifer," Zell snarled, then looked into the cowboy's eyes. "Squall saw Rinoa and Seifer locking lips, we gotta do something about Squall. C'mon!" He waved and ran off down the pathway Squall had cleared in his wake.
Too late. The music stopped completely, and Selphie bounded off the stage after Irvine, who was tailing Zell. Ahead, a large noise mimicking an explosion sounded, and screams and shouts were heard from guests fleeing in all directions of the doors and balcony. On reaching the commotion, some SeeDs had gathered and remained fixed.
"Shit Squall what the hell! Oh hyne, Seifer!! Stop it Squall!!" Rinoa's high pitched screams were in vain, and what sounded like a one-man beating had a few SeeDs up front, including Nida, trying to stop the fighting.
Zell pushed his way through the SeeDs and his eyes widened. In front of him was a badly bloodied up Seifer, who was being cradled in the arms of a frantic Rinoa sitting on the floor. Her sequin dress had a huge tear from the bottom up to the thigh, and blood was splattered on the gold. Squall was half-standing, half-kneeling, face contorted in rage, and there were three SeeDs and Nida holding the thrashing Squall as tightly as they could. Nobody could figure out why Squall was ungodly strong then, but from the looks of Seifer on the floor, Squall had probably cast something on him rather than being able to beat him up like that. Oh hyne. Squall must still have Diablos junctioned.
"Someone! Unjunction him! Shit is that even possible?" It wasn't that Zell was concerned about Seifer or Rinoa, but he was worried Squall would go insane if he kept this up and allowed the guardian forces to consume him like this. His knowledge of junctioning was limited to himself, he tore off his blue-black blazer and ran up to Squall, shaking his shoulders as well as holding him down. "Squall! Listen to me! Calm down! SQUALL!"
Suddenly, audible clicks were heard, and Squall slumped forward into Zell's arms. He seemed to have fainted from exhaustion, and Zell looked around confused as to what happened. Ms. Glynn stepped forward from behind a few SeeDs and gripped Zell's shoulder with a firm hand.
"Dincht, take your partner Leonhart back to his room. He'll be fine when he wakes up. Just make sure he doesn't go to the infirmary."
"Ms. Glynn! How did you.." Zell cradled Squall's unconscious form in his arms, and looked up at her.
"I cast sleep on him. You should pay attention to the lectures. I give you graduates extra training for a reason, you know." Her voice was soft and consoling, yet scolding.
Quistis appeared from behind Ms. Glynn and fell onto her knees beside Zell.
"He'll be okay," Quistis held out a black gloved hand and traced Squall's face with her fingers, sighing in relief. "Let him have some rest, and hopefully when he wakes up he'll come to his senses. Cast him a full-heal later, too." She was glad that Squall merely looked asleep, unlike Seifer who was barely hanging onto life by a thread. The older sister instincts in her stirred, and she went over to check on Seifer as well.
But Zell didn't quite hear her. He just looked down at Squall, seeing how he was utterly useless when his best friend went berserk. Nodding up at Quistis, he glanced over at Rinoa, who was sobbing over the barely conscious Seifer and telling him to hang on. The younger blonde was angry, if she hadn't cheat on Squall, none of this would have happened! Then again, if Zell had had the courage to tell Squall about Seifer's plan earlier on, none of this would have happened. It was his fault as well, and hot tears welled up in his eyes. "I'm sorry..." he bit his lip, apologizing softly to the boy in his arms.
"No.. No.. NO! Open your eyes! Seifer!!" Rinoa was hysterical.
"Send Almasy to the infirmary stat, somebody alert Kadowski about the situation. Code red, do you hear me? STAT!" Ms. Glynn ordered the SeeDs left around, who scattered in all places, some helped pick up Seifer, in the process peeling Rinoa away from him. Selphie tugged Irvine's arm helplessly, and the two went back to the stage to pick up their instruments and head back to quarters. Zell got up and carried Squall into his arms towards the main doors, his hanging head gazing sullenly at his leader. The evening was completely ruined, and it was partially his fault. Zell knew Squall was going to be outraged when he woke up, but he had to deal with it. He had to be there for him.