Okay, chapter 3. This chapter is several pages longer than the other ones, but there is a lot of dialogue here. Once again, this is a YAOI fanfic starring Seifer Almasy and Squall Leonhart.

Same thing as before. There is some language, and Rinoa makes more disturbing comments. This chapter is for the "Prom Queen" – you know who you are – who provided inspiration for this chapter and wanted Squall back in his old leather. She also wants Rinoa to come out looking sunny, but I’m still working on that one.

****Please take note that I've combined some of the chapters from how they were originally arranged.****

Life Begins at Thirty

Chapter 3

By Miss Dincht

That Saturday was one of the busiest days of Squall's life. Or at least it seemed that way to Squall, because he'd been running around like a madman all day. Squall had been expecting Riley earlier that morning, but Rinoa had called a little after 10:00 that morning to inform him that she wouldn’t be stopping by until late that evening. So, since his son wasn't expected until later, Squall had spent the rest of that morning at the Galbadian Shops getting everything he needed for his son's visit. He’d also had to prepare for the party, though that had taken a back seat to his child. Squall had considered postponing the little get - together, or at least rescheduling it, but he thought Riley might enjoy seeing his "aunts and uncles" again. Squall was especially eager for Riley to meet Seifer, the one friend of his that Riley had never met. By the time evening rolled around Squall had managed to take care of all that needed taking care of, and he arrived back at the Galbadia Towers just in time to catch a call from his former wife.

"Hello, Rinoa." Squall said after rushing to answer the telephone. He had barely had time to get in the door and get his jacket off.

"Squall." Rinoa said after a long pause.

Squall sat down in one of his brand new chaisr. The Galbadian Home and Garden Store had finally gotten around to delivering the majority of his furniture earlier that morning, and so now his living room, as well as the rest of the apartment, was nearly complete. Quistis would still have to come and make some adjustments, but all things considered, the place didn’t look too bad.

"Are you bringing my son to me?" Squall asked as he kicked off his shoes.

"I did bring him, but you weren’t home. I told you I would be coming by this afternoon." Rinoa said rather accusingly.

Squall sighed. "Rinoa, you said you weren’t coming until after 5. I told you that I had to go out and run some errands. I had to make sure that I had everything set up for Riley's visit. Why didn’t you call me? I have a cell phone specifically so that you can reach me when I’m not here." He said.

"Right, like I’m supposed to believe anything you say. Cell phone? Hunh. Since when did you like cell phones? It’s probably so you can keep in touch with your boyfriend. You could care less about your son. You were probably out making sure you had everything ready for that wild party you’re planning to throw tonight." Rinoa said.

Squall leaned back in the chair and raked his hand through his shaggy hair. "Rinoa, it isn’t a wild party. It’s a small gathering of old friends." He said.

"Old friends? Sure," she said.

"Who told you it was a wild party?" Squall said.

"I happened to run into Irvine at that new grocery store over here in Balamb, and he told me all about it." Rinoa said.

"Well, I don’t know what he might have said, but it won’t be what you think. You know everyone who is going to be there, Rinoa. We aren’t having some wild college blow – out or anything like that." Squall said.

"I don’t know. I mean, Irvine sure was buying a lot of liquor. I hope you know I won’t have any of that around my son." Rinoa said.

Squall sighed heavily and shook his head. "Rinoa, we had alcoholic drinks in our own home." He said.

"Sure, but we didn’t have any of the hard booze that Irvine was buying. He had a bottle of Wild Turkey whiskey, two bottles of Deling Vodka, some Balamb Rum, and Hyne only knows what else." Rinoa said.

"Rinoa, please. Please bring Riley here. I haven’t seen him in months. Rinoa, believe me, this is just a simple dinner party, and I promise you that you know all of the guests. I know how to care for my son. I wouldn’t ever let any harm come to him." Squall said.

Rinoa was silent for a long time. "I heard that Seifer was going to be there." She said.

Squall inhaled deeply. "Yes. He will be here. At least I think he will be." He said.

"Then that settles it. Riley will not be coming to see you this evening." Rinoa said.

"Now, wait one minute. You promised – " Squall began.

"I know, I know, but I just don’t feel that this is the right time. I’ll bring him over Monday." She said.

"But Rinoa – "

"Monday, Squall. I’ll bring him on Monday. That is if you aren’t still throwing a raging party and don’t happen to be hung over and out of your mind. If any of your gay friends are still there when we come by you can just forget it. I’ll call you later."

Before Squall could respond the line clicked and the telephone went dead. Squall dropped the receiver in the base and leaned back. He sighed heavily and raked a hand through his thick locks. He began to slowly count backward from twenty, and by the time he reached one, some of his anger had ebbed away.

Squall got up from the chair, but had to grab one of its arms to steady himself. He suddenly felt very, very tired, and he wondered for the thousandth time that day if it wouldn’t be better just to cancel the party. Just as quickly, he decided against it. Now, more than ever, he needed to have a little fun, and he was still eager to see if Seifer would show up. Squall sighed happily as he made his way down the hall and toward his bedroom, his argument with Rinoa quickly taking a back seat to thoughts of Seifer.

Squall went into his bedroom and quickly removed his clothing. He had already pulled out what he was planning to wear, so all he had to do was shower and shave. The clothes he picked out looked like something he might have worn as a teenager, leather pants, a white shirt, and some motorcycle boots. He really didn't dress so flamboyantly anymore, although he still favored black. He tended to dress a bit more comfortably. Squall rarely wore leather pants these days, but he thought it would be fun for the party.

Squall wouldn't admit it, but he'd purchased the outfit in an attempt to be sexy for Seifer. Seeing Seifer with that guy, Nikki, the other day had something to do with it too. As Squall went into the bathroom and ran his bath water, he began to think about that Nikki fellow, with his pretty leather pants and pretty face, and how much they resembled each other. He thought back on what he and Quistis had talked about the other day during their dinner, and he couldn't help but smile. He'd seen two of Seifer's ex - boyfriends, and Squall had to admit that they did look a lot like him. The implications of that thrilled Squall to no end, but he still wasn't sure if it was just wishful thinking on his part. Maybe Seifer just liked slim brunettes and that was really all there was too it.

Squall bathed, and shaved - for some reason he oiled his body down too - and then got ready for the party. Not long after getting dressed, there was a knock at the door.

"That must be Quistis." Squall said to himself as he rushed to answer the door.

"Hello guys." Squall said when he'd opened the door.

"Hi honey." Quistis said.

The beautiful blonde woman smiled and held him closely before stepping into the apartment. Nida smiled as well, and he would have hugged Squall too if not for the heavy packages that he was holding in his arms. Squall couldn't help but grin himself as he looked at the couple. They were probably unaware of it, but they always seemed to be dressed alike whenever Squall got the opportunity to see them together. Quistis's black skirt and leather jacket matched Nida black leather jacket and black pants almost perfectly.

"Why didn't you call and tell us you weren't going to be home this afternoon? We thought something had happened to you." Quistis said.

"Quistis was losing her mind." Nida added. He looked at his wife and smirked.

Quistis grinned. She ruffled Squall's hair. "Oh, I wasn't all that worried. He was the Commander of Balamb Garden after all." She said.

Squall smiled. "Well, please, come in and get settled. Most of the furniture I ordered has finally been delivered, so at least we have some place to sit." He said.

Quistis laughed and grabbed one of the packages from Nida. She moved toward Squall’s kitchen. Nida and Squall followed. Once inside the kitchen, Quistis began unwrapping several of the packages.

"So how should we do this?" Quistis said. "I was thinking that we could just put the food out and let everybody get whatever they want. That way the party won’t seem so structured. You don’t mind if people eat in your living room, do you, Squall?"

"No." Squall said as he took a few carrot sticks from the plate of vegetables that Quistis had unwrapped. "As long as they don’t spill anything."

Nida laughed. "Then I guess Zell will have to sit at the dining room table." He said.

"Actually, I don’t think that will work either. I forgot to bring a highchair." Quistis said.

Nida and Squall laughed.

Quistis and Nida helped Squall finish preparing for the party. Squall had already put a few dishes of food out in the dining room, but by the time Quistis was done putting out all the food she and her husband had brought, they had a veritable feast. There was something for everyone: beef and potatoes, various types of chicken, salmon, shrimp, and enough vegetables to feed a small army. There was also juice, different kinds of soda, and plenty of wine to drink. While Quistis worked with the food Nida helped Squall set up the new DVD player and stereo system that he purchased earlier that day. By 8:30, everything for the small gathering had been set up, and at around 9:00 the first of Squall’s guests arrived.

"SQUALL!!!!" Zell hollered when Squall opened the door. He flung himself at Squall and wrapped his arms around the brunette’s waist. Squall hugged Zell back gently. The vibrant blonde was crushing Squall’s slender form, but Squall couldn’t help but laugh at Zell’s enthusiasm. Fujin stood back shaking her head, but she eventually pried Zell’s arms from around Squall’s waist.

"Is he drunk already? Oh, I forgot, he always acts this way." Quistis said as she moved forward to greet Zell and Fujin.

"Funny." Zell said as he pulled Quistis into an embrace.

"He had some candy on the way over here." Fujin said. She wrapped her arms around Squall.

Quistis laughed and nodded. "Ah, well no more sugar for you tonight young man." she teased.

"Whatever." Zell said before embracing Nida.

"Hey! That’s my line!" Squall said.

"We know, we know!" they replied in unison.

Squall rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Well, come on in guys. Get something to eat. Irvine isn’t here with the booze yet, but we have plenty of soda and punch. We have some wine too." He said.

"Yes! Punch!" Zell cried. He rubbed his hands together and rushed for the dining room. Quistis and Fujin looked at each other and laughed. The two young women locked arms and headed for the couch. Nida and Squall followed.

"Nice apartment, Squall. Zell told me how big it was, but I didn’t expect this." Fujin said. She smoothed out her skirt and sat down on the couch. Quistis sat next to her, and Nida sat next to his wife on the opposite end of the couch. Squall sat in the chair adjacent to them.

"You know Squall has to show off, Fu!" Zell called from the dining room.

"Just like you right!" she snapped. "And don’t be greedy, Zell. One plate at a time, okay?"

"Okay." Zell mumbled.

Squall grinned. "I do like this place a lot." He said as he looked around his living room. "I still haven’t filled all of this space, but it’s getting there."

"How’s your son Squall?" Fujin asked. "He been over yet?"

"He’s fine. He was supposed to have come by tonight, but….Rinoa……I wasn’t here when Rinoa dropped by." Squall said.

Fujin nodded. It was clear that she understood what hadn’t been said. "Tomorrow, Zell and Irvine are supposed to be taking all of the kids to Timber World. Why don’t you and Riley tag along?" she said.

"Sounds like fun." Quistis said.

"I’ll talk to Rinoa about it." Squall said.

Zell rushed back into the room and plopped down in the chair across from Squall. He had a little bit of every dish that Quistis had put out heaped onto his plate. He was tearing into the food greedily, shoveling huge heaps of it into his mouth.

"ZELL!" Fujin roared. "You drop one thing on that chair or on the floor you’re going to clean this entire apartment!"

"Yeah. Yeah." Zell mumbled between bites of food.

"Zell, still eats like a teenager." Quistis said.

"Yeah, but I always work it off." He said. "Right, Fu?"

Fujin ran a finger along her throat in a threatening motion. Everyone else laughed. A moment later there was a knock at the door followed by a small squeal.

"I know who that is." Quistis said.

The knocking continued and the squealing got louder. Quistis got up and moved toward the door.

"Squall, Squall!!! Open up. It’s me, Selphie!!!!"

"Who?" Quistis asked.

"Quis? Is that you?" the voice squealed.

"Yah." Quistis responded. She looked over her shoulder at the others and laughed.

"Open up! You know you shouldn’t make a pregnant woman wait!" Selphie cried.

"Open up girl! She might bust her load if you don’t let her in." a deep voice called.

Quistis opened the door and Selphie, big belly leading the way, rushed into the room. She wrapped her arms around the blonde woman and kissed Quistis hard on the cheek.

"I’m so glad to see you, Quis!" Selphie said as she clutched Quistis’s hand. "Ohh, you look sooooo good."

"You too." Quistis said. She smiled and rubbed Selphie’s belly.

"Hi Fujin! Hi Zell! Hi Nida!" Selphie cried cheerfully as she waved to everyone in the room.

When she finally saw Squall she screamed loudly. She flew to his side, moving much faster than a pregnant woman in spiked heels should ever move. She wrapped her slender arms around Squall’s neck and pulled his head against her bulging stomach.

"Oh, Squall! I was sooooooo worried. You didn’t call me. I didn’t know what happened to you!" Selphie said.

Squall grinned and tried not to suffocate in Selphie’s death grip. "I was getting around to it. Just didn’t have the time." He said, his voice muffled by Selphie’s stomach.

Selphie stood back and put her hands on her hips. "Yeah, right. Lies and fairy tales, all of it. You weren’t even thinking about us! Was he Irvine?" she said as she turned to look at her husband.

Irvine was still standing at the door grinning. "Yeah, what a load of bullshit." He said as he let Quistis take one of the bags from his arms.

Squall hadn’t seen Irvine and Selphie for a few months, but they hadn’t changed much since then. Selphie hadn’t really changed too much over the years at all for that matter. Her hair was a bit shorter, and the flip was gone, but she was as youthful and vibrant as she had always been. Irvine, on the other hand, had changed quite a bit, at least as far as his appearance was concerned, because he was still as perverted as ever. He still wore his hair long, but the pretty, boyish face he’d had when they were teenagers had changed into that of a worldly older man’s. He was now ruggedly handsome as opposed to pretty, and the lines and creases in his face gave him character rather than detracting from the natural beauty he’d always possessed. He looked like one of those rugged cowboys with the sun – kissed, wizened faces that one saw often in old cowboy movies. He looked good in the black leather pants and loose white shirt he was wearing, the ever – present black cowboy hat plastered onto his head. Selphie looked quite fetching too in her slinky black cocktail dress. She never sacrificed style when she was pregnant.

"But you know how Squall is, Selph, honey. You know he thinks everyone operates on his time." Irvine said.

"Oh, that is so not true." Squall said.

Irvine grinned then turned and followed Quistis into the dining room.

"Give the guy a break, okay? He was just trying to get his shit together." Zell called after Irvine.

"You’re still trying to get your shit together." Irvine replied.

Fujin laughed.

"FUCK YOU." Zell said..

"Look, you guys can’t keep swearing around my baby." Selphie said as she rubbed at her belly. "And get up Squall!! Let me sit down!"

Squall relinquished his chair to Selphie and went to sit down beside Nida.

"Do they all act like this when they get pregnant?" Nida whispered to Squall.

"I heard that!" Quistis said.

Zell chuckled. "Yeah, they all go crazy." He said.

"You should talk!" Fujin said.

"Yeah, Zell." Selphie said. "You don’t even need to get pregnant to go crazy."

Everyone laughed. Zell gave Selphie the finger.

"I told you; NO SWEARING AROUND MY BABY!" Selphie said.

"So what are you planning to name her." Fujin said.

"Or him." Zell said.

Selphie giggled prettily and patted her stomach. "Well, if it’s a girl we’re going to name her Irvina…." She said.

Zell’s features twisted. "Irvina? What the hell kinda name is that?" he said.

"What? Should we name her Zella?" Irvine called out from the dining room. "Would you like that better?"

"Maybe I would." Zell said.

Selphie shook her head. "Behave, guys." She said..

"What if it’s a boy?" Squall asked.

"I thought you guys knew all this stuff. If it's a boy, maybe Cid, or maybe Cloud, or Vincent, or Barret, or something like that. We were thinking of naming him after one of those old classical heroes from Literature. Names are important, you know? A great name means a great child?" Selphie said.

"So what does a name like Zell mean for a child then?" Quistis called from the dining room.

Zell growled as everyone else laughed. "It means I could kick your ass." He said.

"Watch it." Nida said.

"ANYWAY, what I want to know is….where is Seifer!? Where is that big bear!! I haven’t seen him in, like, two, almost three, years." Selphie said. "When is he going to get here?"

Squall smiled. "I told him after eight, so I guess he’ll be here soon." Squall said.

"I hope so!" Selphie said. "I can’t wait to see him."

"So, what is everybody drinkin’?" Irvine called from the dining room.

"Watcha’ got!" Zell called back.

"We have wine, whiskey, Vodka, Rum, Triple Sec, Lime Juice, Grenadine, some wine coolers, we’ve got Sour Mix and Pina Colada Mix." Quistis said. "We can do a lot of damage with what we have."

"Then let’s party!" Zell said as he jumped up from the chair and dashed into the dining room.

Selphie, Fujin, and Nida got up and moved after Zell.

Fujin stopped and turned to look at Squall when she noticed that the brunette had remained seated. "You want anything Squall? A soda maybe? I can get you some food." She said.

Squall shook his head. "I’m fine." He said.

Fujin examined him closely for a moment, and then she headed into the dining room.

Squall remained on the couch as the rest of his guests chatted away in the next room. He was too nervous to eat, let alone drink one of Irvine’s toxic alcoholic concoctions. He was beginning to wonder if Seifer was going to make it to the party. Squall was enjoying himself thoroughly, it was nice to be surrounded by so many old and loving friends, but he could easily admit that he’d be disappointed if Seifer didn’t show. He was so looking forward to seeing the blonde. Squall sighed heavily as he looked longingly at the door. He knew was letting himself move too far too fast. He was already planning his wedding date and he hadn’t even gotten a chance to tell Seifer about his feelings. He still wasn’t sure telling Seifer about his feelings was the right thing to do anyway. It just seemed so hopeless. He had known Seifer practically all his life. If they were meant to be together, it seemed logical, to Squall at least, that they would have gotten together in the beginning. They each had their own lives now. Squall believed that he was wrong to want Seifer to accommodate him, when he honestly didn’t know what he wanted from Seifer, and he really had no idea what Seifer would be willing to give to him. Squall sighed again and got up to join his guests. He knew he was being a terrible host.

Just as he got up from the couch, there was a knock on the front door. Squall stopped and stared at the closed door, his eyes wide.  He had been pining away for Seifer Almasy all evening and now that the blonde had finally made it to Squall's apartment, Squall was reluctant to see him. The brunette wondered if it was possible that someone else was knocking at that door, but he knew that it had to be Seifer. No one else could be knocking at such a late hour, and he was expecting no one else. Squall had been thinking of the things he wanted to say to Seifer since he'd last seen the blonde, but as he stood there staring at the closed door, he couldn't remember any of it. Squall inhaled deeply, but still failed to get a hold of himself.

"Get the door!" Quistis called as the knocking continued.

Quistis’s commanding voice snapped Squall out of his dazed state. He smoothed down his shirt and hair and went to the door.

"Who is it?" he asked tentatively. He could have easily looked through the peephole, but he was too nervous to do anything other than clutch at the doorknob.

"Who the hell do you think it is Leonhart? Open the door. Or is the party over?"

Squall smoothed down his hair once more and opened the door.

Seifer Almasy, as tall and beautiful as ever, looked down at the wide – eyed brunette. A smirk twisted his pretty lips as his green eyes bored into Squall’s blue ones. "Sure took you long enough." He said softly.

Squall knew he blushed. It was stupid, honestly, considering his age and his reputation, but he just couldn’t help it. Seifer was so close, and that look on his face was making Squall’s knees weak. He felt like a little lamb looking down the throat of the Big Bad Wolf.

"Sorry." Squall managed after what seemed like several long minutes of silence. He stepped back and allowed Seifer entrance into his home. Squall shut the door and leaned against it as he watched Seifer from behind and began to mentally undress the big blonde. Seifer looked quite fetching in his loose, black slacks and red, short sleeved shirt, but it would have been so much better if he had been completely naked.

"Who is it!!!!" Selphie cried suddenly, drawing Squall’s attention away from Seifer’s body for the moment.

"S – seifer," Squall said, his voice cracking.

Selphie appeared in the living room about a millisecond later holding a Shirley Temple in her hand. She screamed when she saw Seifer. She handed her drink to Fujin, who had come up beside her, and the little woman with the round belly flung herself at the towering blonde.

"SEIFEEEEEEER!" Selphie cried as she flung her arms around him.

"Hyne in the shit house, Selphie! What the fuck IS that!" Seifer said as he pried the young woman gently off of him so he could get a better look at her stomach.

Selphie released Seifer and stuck out her tongue. "What do you think it is, Godzilla?" she said as she proudly displayed her bulging mid – section.

"Looks like one of those fucking Eshtar experiments gone wrong." Seifer said.

"Oh, shut up." Selphie said.

Seifer turned from Selphie and looked at Fujin. The silver – haired, one – eyed beauty smiled.

"How’s my best girl." Seifer said softly.

"RAGE." Fujin said. She wiped a tear from her cheek.

Seifer smiled, a wistful expression crossing his features. "I know, I know, but look how things turned out for you. You got the Chicken right where you want him." He said.

"I heard that!" Zell called from the dining room.

"What’re you gonna do about it!" Seifer called back.

"You’ll see!" Zell cried.

Fujin moved to embrace Seifer. "Don’t tease him. I do enough of that already." She said as she wrapped her arms around Seifer’s neck. He kissed her pale cheek and held her closely.

"Hey, me too!" Selphie said.

Seifer laughed and put an arm around Selphie’s neck.

Irvine soon appeared, holding a drink in each hand. "Okay, Almasy, just back away slowly. Let Selphie go and nobody gets hurt." He said.

Seifer grinned. "You only gotta ask once. I’m looking to get as far away from the scene of the crime as possible. Shit, man, what IS that under there? A fucking beach ball?" He said.

"Hey." Selphie said. "Don’t swear around my baby."

Seifer looked down at her and grinned.

Quistis and Nida soon emerged from the dining room, and when Quistis saw Seifer her face brightened considerably. She went to hug Seifer as her husband stood back smiling.

"Now he’s got all the girls." Zell said as he joined the rest of them in the living room.

"How are you Seifer?" Nida asked.

Seifer smiled and reached out to shake Nida’s hand. "Good, man, real good. Good seeing you again. How you treatin’ my Princess?"

"Like a Queen." Nida said.

Seifer smiled and looked at Quistis. "Quistis wouldn’t have it any other way. She’d knock your head off first. So, Kinneas, I guess I have you to blame for Selphie’s condition." He said. He shook Irvine’s hand, then punched the auburn – haired young man on the shoulder.

"Won’t be the first time." Irvine said.

"But it will definitely be the last." Selphie said. She pulled Seifer toward the couch. "Sit, Seifer, sit! We have so much to talk about."

Zell, Fujin, Irvine, and Nida joined Selphie and Seifer in the sitting area. They crowded around him, getting a seat wherever they could. Squall was still leaning against the door like an idiot, not really sure of what to say or do, and he was sure he must have looked like a total fool just standing there with his eyes glazed over and drool hanging out of his mouth.

"Squall, what are you doing?" Quistis asked. "Come on." She gave Squall a knowing look, but it went completely over his head. She grabbed Squall’s arm and led the nearly catatonic brunette toward the loveseat where her husband was sitting. She pushed Squall down beside Nida, then squeezed in beside Squall.

The conversation had already started and it grew more rowdy, his friends getting increasingly boisterous, as time went on. The questions never stopped. Selphie, Fujin, and the others questioned the blonde ruthlessly about everything from where he lived and how he ran his business to what books he’d read lately and what he thought about the newest President of Galbadia. Squall had a few questions of his own, but he’d die before he ever asked them in front of this bawdy crowd. He was having a hard enough time finding the courage to ask Seifer these things in private.

Squall said very little during the conversation, and very little was said to him. He didn’t mind at all, however, because he still didn’t much like being the center of attention, and he was enjoying hearing Seifer talk about his life and all the things he’d done after leaving Garden. At the same time, Squall was somewhat saddened by the things he heard. Seifer had experienced so much in such a small time, and Squall felt somewhat jealous and slightly forlorn because he had shared in none of those experiences.

Although they had all played some part in the Great Sorceress War, they were still more than the people who had challenged and been challenged by the future Sorceress. They were individuals, and there was more to each of them than Garden, or SeeD, or being a legend. They had all created lives that went beyond that. When Squall was younger, he would wonder at those who would so easily forgive what Seifer had done. Now that he was older he understood. Now when he looked at Seifer he saw more than a bully, a fellow student, a world menace, a fellow wielder of the Gunblade, or his greatest rival. Now he could see Seifer for who he was. Seifer was a human being with individual dreams and desires just like himself.

"I remember! I remember!" Selphie cried.

The gang had been reminiscing about old times at Garden, and Seifer had conjured up some stories about a Halloween party that they had had one year.

"That was like the dumbest thing." Zell said. "Don’t you remember that, Squall?"

Squall brushed his bangs out of his face. "I think so." He said. "Seifer is talking about the time this Grat got out of the Training Center and came to the Halloween Party because everybody thought it had on a costume." He said.

Fujin laughed loudly. "I totally don’t remember that!" she said.

Nida shook his head and looked bewildered. "I don’t either." He said.

"Of course you do." Quistis said as she rubbed her husband’s arm.

"What year was this?" Nida asked before taking a sip of his Rum and Coke.

"It was the Halloween right after the whole Ultimecia thing went down, a few months before I left Garden for good." Seifer said.

"Oh, yeah, now I remember." Irvine said.

"But it was, like, the funniest thing! Oh, Hyne, I still laugh about it! The Grat like came to the party, and no one even said anything!" Selphie said.

"Remember how it was at the table, eating the crackers and making little cheese sandwiches with them." Squall said.

Everyone laughed. Squall smiled.

Zell punched his fist up in the air and started bouncing in his seat. "Yeah, and then the little fucker got drunk because Seifer had spiked the punch."

"Oh, c’mon, I did not spike the punch. I’d get blamed for everything back then because no one wanted me around." He said.

"I did." Selphie said as she grabbed Seifer arm.

Seifer smiled. "You were one of the few." he said without a hint of regret or sadness.

Still, despite Seifer's jovial tone, Squall looked down at his hands and felt embarrassed.

"Oh, but remember when the Grat started dancing?" Quistis said.

Seifer and Fujin laughed loudly. Fujin almost spilled her drink and Seifer had tears in his eyes. Zell chuckled and Irvine shook his head.

"I still don’t remember this." Nida said.

"Oh, please, how could you forget?" Quistis said. "The thing started, I don’t know, break – dancing or something."

Seifer laughed so hard his face turned red. "Yeah, Zell, like moved everybody back so the Grat could have more space and everybody was dancing and clapping and shit, cheering it on." He said.

"He was so smashed!" Zell said.

"What eventually happened to the little fuck?" Irvine asked. "Selphie and I left the party early."

"Uh huh, I know you did." Quistis said pointedly. "Squall and I never told anyone this, but the Grat wound up high and in bed with a faculty member."

Irvine guffawed loudly and Zell and Seifer were nearly doubled over with laughter. Squall shook his head and Nida wiped tears from his eyes.

"NO WAY. LIES." Fujin said.

"Ewwwww, GROSS!" Selphie cried. "You’re lying! Is that true Squall?!"

Squall smiled and nodded. "Unfortunately, it is." He said.

"Which faculty member?" Nida asked.

"It must have been Miss Barquist. She was the only member of the faculty that left that year." Selphie said.

Quistis nodded. "It was her." she said.

Seifer shook his head. "I always knew that bitch was a freak." He said.

"Look who's talking." Quistis replied.

Seifer gave her the finger.

Squall smiled. "Still, we shouldn’t be laughing because she was severely traumatized. We had to dismiss her and send her home to her husband." He said.

"We also had to pay out a lot of money." Quistis noted.

"We got sued?!" Selphie asked incredulously.

"We sure did." Quistis said.

Seifer chuckled and leaned back. "I can’t take anymore." He said before another fit of laughter overtook him.

"Me neither. I’m exhausted." Fujin said. "What time is it?"

"A little after 3:00." Quistis said.

"Hyne! The time went by so quick. We have to get going. We told the baby – sitter we’d be home no later than three thirty. We’ve got to catch the train." Fujin said.

"I don’t wanna go." Zell whined.

Fujin got up from the couch. "Well, we have to, but you’re welcome to stay here if you like. Do you want to keep him Squall?" she said.

"No. You can have him." Squall said.

"Screw you, Squall." Zell said.

Squall laughed.

Quistis got up and brushed off her skirt. "We better get going too. Squall, I’ll clean up, you relax." She said before heading into the dining room.

"Do you mind if we take some food?" Selphie asked Squall as she lurched up from her place beside Seifer on the couch.

"Of course not. Take whatever you like." Squall said.

Selphie rushed off into the dining room calling out to Quistis as she went.

"Give me your number Squall, so I won’t have to kill Selphie." Irvine said as he got up.

Squall smiled. "Sure. I’ll give you my cell number too." He said.

Irvine nodded and adjusted his hat. "I’ll leave our number, and you can call me tomorrow if you want to tag along with us to Timber World." He said.

"Alright." Squall said. Irvine nodded and left to join his wife.

Zell got up next. "Yeah, Squall, I hope you and Riley can make it. Should be fun." He said. "Unlike that last time we went to Timber World."

"What happened last time?" Seifer asked.

Zell grinned.

"Zell, please." Squall said. "That was so long ago."

The little blonde man chuckled. "Mighty Leonhart got sick on the Timber Maniacs ride and hurled on everybody." He said.

"Yeah, he never did like heights." Seifer said. He laughed loudly.

"Whatever." Squall said.

Zell grinned and marched off into the dining room leaving Squall and Seifer alone.

Squall looked over at Seifer. Seifer was lounging on the couch, gazing up at the ceiling, rubbing his hand across the hard muscles of his stomach. Squall felt his heart flutter as he watched Seifer’s long fingers play over his abdomen.

"Can I smoke in here?" Seifer asked suddenly. Squall jumped and quickly pulled his eyes away from Seifer’s bare skin.

"You can smoke on the balcony." Squall said.

Seifer nodded. He got up, adjusted his shirt and headed for the two glass doors behind the couch. After a few minutes Squall got up and followed.

"When did you start smoking?" Squall asked.

Seifer was leaning on the iron railing. He turned to look at Squall. "After I left Garden. Does it bother you?" he said.

"Maybe, but we can work on that." Squall said.

Seifer laughed. "Don’t fuck with me, Squall." he growled.

Squall was a bit taken aback. "What do you mean?’ he asked softly.

"You know what the fuck I’m talking about. You come back into my life after all this time, acting like a little bitch in heat, flaunting yourself around me, acting like a little teenage girl in love. What do you want from me?" Seifer said as he looked at Squall intently.

Squall turned to look at the Galbadian skyline. "I’m gay Seifer, really." He mumbled stupidly.

Seifer laughed. "You’re gay. Hyne….did you hear anything I just said?" He shook his head. "You’ve always had a lot of shit with you, Leonhart." He said.

Squall sucked his teeth. "Whatever. I could say the same about you." he said. He pouted and brushed his bangs out of his face.

Seifer grabbed Squall's arm and pulled the smaller man closer to him, being none to gentle about it as he did so.

"I mean it, Squall. Don’t fuck with me. I’m still as hot – headed as I was back then." Seifer said.

"I wouldn’t play games Seifer." Squall whispered.

"That’s a first." Seifer said as he let Squall go.

"What do you want me to say?" Squall said.

"I don’t know. There is a lot of shit I’ve wanted to hear you say." Seifer said. "But I learned a long time ago that I was just lying to myself, wishing for things that would never happen." Seifer said.

Squall closed his eyes. "I was the one lying, but I finally know what I want." He said softly. "I want you, Seifer. I want to be with you."

"Now you want to be with me, after all these fucking years? If I would have asked you the same back then you would have spit in my face." Seifer whispered in his ear.

Squall looked up. "Yes, you're right, but it's different now. I…..is….is it too late?" he said.

"I don’t know. I guess we’ll just have to see what happens." Seifer said.

"Will you stay with me tonight?" Squall asked without hesitation, despite the overwhelming nervousness and fear he felt.

Seifer smirked. He looked at Squall and licked his lips. "Like I would ever say no to an offer like that." he said.

"There you are!" Selphie screeched from behind them.

Squall jumped, but Seifer just turned and grinned. Selphie was carrying a few plates of food and she had put a sweater on. Squall examined it and eventually realized that it was one of his own. Selphie saw him looking at the garment, and she smiled sheepishly.

"You don’t mind, do you Squall?" she said.

Squall smiled. "Of course not." He said.

She giggled and reached for Seifer. "Bye, Seifer. Don’t ever stay away again. I’d be so made at you." She said.

Seifer held Selphie gently. "I’ll keep in touch, Baby Girl." He said.

"Promise." She said.

He nodded. "Promise." He said.

Selphie smiled and took his hand. She pulled Seifer back into the living room. Squall followed, a small smile on his face.

"Ready, honey?" Irvine called from the door. He was holding several plates of food wrapped in foil and a bag filled with half – empty liquor bottles.

"Yep." Selphie said. "Bye everybody." She looked at Seifer one last time before sighing happily and then following her husband out of the door.

"Okay, man. We're out." Zell called out to Squall as he and Fujin emerged from the dining room.

"You think you got enough there, Chicken?" Seifer taunted.

"I won't even bother to dignify that with a reply." Zell said.

Fujin smiled and walked up to Seifer. "You know I love you, right?" she said.

Seifer smiled and placed his hand on her cheek. "Yeah." He said.

Fujin grinned prettily, then she hauled off and kicked the big blonde in the back of the leg.

Zell laughed and ran out of the apartment. "Bye, Squall!" he called. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

Zell's wife winked at Squall, and then left to catch up with her husband.

"Fuck, did she have to kick me so hard?" Seifer said.

"Yes, you deserved it." Quistis said. "Squall, I packed everything up and cleared the table. Nida washed most of the dishes, so you won't have too much to do tomorrow."

"Thank you, Quistis." Squall said as he leaned in to hug her.

She sighed and held him tightly. "Call me soon, okay?" she said.

Squall nodded.

"Hey, Seifer, need a ride or anything?" Nida asked as he walked with his wife toward the door.

"Of course he doesn't." Quistis said.

Nida looked at his wife and narrowed his eyes. He and Quistis exchanged glances, and then Nida's eyes widened. "Oh, I see." He said.

Quistis looked at Squall and smiled rather lecherously before walking out of the door, her grinning husband right behind her.

Seifer looked over at Squall. "So, Leonhart, I guess it's just me and you." He said. He licked his lips.

Squall blushed slightly and looked at the floor. "Yes. It's just me and you." He said softly.

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