Legacy

Second story in the Sands of Time series.
by scribblemoose

Chapter 11

Irvine wasn't sure for a moment whether he was waking up from a dream, or slipping into sleep. Then he opened his eyes and a painful spear of sunlight cut straight to his brain, leaving him in no doubt at all that he was, in fact, awake.

He sat up to avoid the sun, propped himself up his elbows, and took a look around.

Hotel room. Huge-ass bed, big windows draped in green brocade. Very classy, not usual Seed style at all. He wondered exactly what (or who) Duck had done to pull that off. There were clothes all over the floor, along with full ashtrays and several empty champagne bottles.

Duck was curled up at the bottom of the bed, snuggled under a clump of blankets and smiling in her sleep like a particularly well-fed cat.

Someone stirred next to him, an arm snaking across his belly under the sheets. Zephyr, if the long strands of hair draped across the sheets were anything to go by.

Another arm snaked across from the other side.

Irvine grinned broadly to himself.

~Ether?~

His Guardian slipped into junction. ~Sniper.~

~Good night, huh?~

Kneeling on the bed, Zephyr spread out on his hands and knees in front of him. Groaning as Irvine sank inside him, all tight, slippery heat....

~It was very satisfying.~ Ether's voice was sleepy, but buzzing with power.

Zephyr's face dipping between Duck's spread thighs; fingers buried inside her, fucking her in the same rhythm as Irvine was fucking him; lips and tongue worrying at her clit.

~Make up for yesterday?~

There was a pause.

~I am fully refreshed.~

Duck opening her mouth to suck in the kid's long, skinny dick, tongue flicking at the head while she fed it in, inch by inch, the kid staring at Zephyr's ass, watching him getting fucked. His cheeks were pink and he looked desperate, scared and blissful all at once.

~What was it between you and the hamster-woman anyway?~

~She is very aggressive.~ Ether noted with disapproval.

Coming, pulling out to squirt over Zephyr's upturned ass while Duck shuddered under Zef's tongue and fingers. The boy had come a while back, but that didn't stop him doing it again, wrenching his cock from the wet heat of Duck's mouth to spill his mess in her hair, in Zephyr's hair, across Zephyr's back and Irvine's belly.

That explained why he felt so sticky.

Someone stirred again under the sheet; Irvine watched as a dark, tousled head emerged, blinking at him.

"Hey," said Irvine, gently.

"Oh gods," the boy said, his voice a tight, panicked squeak. "It really happened?"

"Yeah." Irvine sat up properly, ignoring Zephyr's sleepy protests, and reached out to stroke the kid's face. His hair was soft and tangled, sticking slightly to his heated skin. "Good, huh?"

"It... I, I don't usually, oh shit, I don't, I never..." He looked around, blinking. "Where am I?"

"The Grand Hotel. Don't worry, you're safe. Is there somewhere you have to be?"

"What? Um... no, not today, not... shit. Did I really...?" He looked miserable. "Oh shit."

"It's okay," Irvine soothed. "How old are you, kid?" Really hoping he was older than he looked.

"Seventeen. Eighteen next December. Why?"

"Still at school?"

"Business Academy, here in Deling."

"Live with your family?"

"No, in dorms, I'm from Timber. What's with the questions?"

Irvine smoothed the boy's hair back from his face, and smiled kindly at him. "Just getting to know you a little. Might be a bit late and all, but, y'know..."

"My name's Vogis," he said. "People call me Oggy."

"I'm Irvine."

"I, um, know who you are. Sarissa told me."

Irvine frowned. "Saris- oh, you mean Duck."

"Duck?" The kid was leaning into Irvine's touch, his fingers fisting anxiously in the sheet he clutched across his lap.

"The nice lady who brought you here. It's kind of a nickname."

"Oh. Bit weird, she's so beautiful..." He glanced fondly over his shoulder to where Duck was sleeping.

Irvine's heart sank. Shit. It didn't do for Duck's conquests to get too attached. "Yeah, she is."

"So, are you together? All of you, I mean? You and her and the other guy?"

"Duck and Zef are together. I just visit a lot."

The boy ventured a smile. It lit his face, made his eyes sparkle. "I can see why."

"Yeah. Listen, Oggy-"

"I should go."

"You don't have to." Irvine leaned a little closer, and kissed him briefly on the lips. Oggy darted his head back, startled. "Shhh. It's okay. There's no rush."

"It's not that, it's just... I haven't...."

"Haven't what?" Irvine curled his fingers around to tickle the soft hairs at the nape of the boy's neck.

"I've never kissed a man," Oggy said, eyes wide and impossibly innocent.

Irvine grinned, pulling him just a little closer. "Would you like to?"

"Um...." A delicate blush stained Oggy's cheekbones pink. "Yes?"

"C'mere." Irvine kissed him properly, a little more firmly and for a lot longer. After a hesitant start Oggy settled into it nicely, his tongue flicking against Irvine's lips, little noises coming from his throat. "See, that's better."

"I never thought people from Garden were like this," Oggy murmured. "You all seem very... relaxed."

"Not all SeeDs have a stick up their arse." Irvine couldn't help but think of Squall, sitting in his office somewhere, worrying about things. It seemed a million miles away.

Oggy was blushing again. "I didn't expect them to be putting anything else up there either." He managed a little grin; it made his eyes sparkle again.

"We're special," said Irvine.

There was a rustle of sheets and Zephyr emerged on the other side of Irvine. Oggy backed away a little, but Irvine's hand was on his shoulder, holding him steady.

"Morning," said Irvine.

"Is it?" Zephyr looked up blearily, rubbing sleep from his eyes.

"Yep. Late, too. And look what I've got."

"Is that Duck's pet?"

"Hey, I'm not-" Oggy protested, but Irvine cut him short with a kiss.

Zephyr watched with amusement.

"So do we get to play with him now she's done?" he said, when Irvine came up for air. Oggy's mouth gaped like a goldfish; he looked from Irvine to Zephyr and back again. Finally the grin came back, nearly as broad and devilish as Irvine's.

"If you like," he said.

*******

Frila slouched on a bench in the Clearing Area reception, fiddling with the keychain on her gunblade (dragon rampant, cast in metallic blue and tied to a bunch of silly beads which Sanke had insisted on putting on). She'd come for Sulis's routine check up, but they were running late with appointments. A couple of new admissions, apparently. One from Galbadia, if the receptionist she was eavesdropping on had been accurate.

She couldn't help but wonder if... and if it was his capture, maybe he would....

But the SeeD who came in and stood behind the force-field in the seclusion area for check-in was short, with blond hair spiked up like a chocobo, and he held a pet-carrier in one hand. Or at least, that's what it looked like.

"Sick puppy?" asked Frila, with a grin.

He blinked at her from across the room. "What?"

"In the box."

He looked down at the carrier as if noticing it for the first time, and laughed. "Guess it looks a bit like that, huh? It's a Guardian. Shape-shifter, they reckon, but its main form is some kind of small mammal. This is to get it to the holding cell."

The light above the receptionist's desk turned to green, and the force field around the SeeD warped to allow him to go through the door into the admissions area. Frila watched him disappear, just wondering how it was captured, whether....

No. It didn't matter.

~Much power,~ Sulis observed. ~There are many others.~ It sounded as though she approved.

~Yeah, I guess. We always need Guardians, I guess. More Guardians, more magic, more magic, shorter battles, shorter battles, less casualties. That's what Quistis says, anyway. You okay in there?~

~I am content to serve.~

Frila was gradually getting used to Sulis's somewhat formal demeanour. She wasn't a friendly Guardian, exactly, but she was calm and her power was....

Frila tended to get a foolish grin on her face whenever she thought of Sulis's power.

"You can go through now," announced the receptionist. "Please wait in the next room and someone will be with you shortly. Could you remind me who you're bringing in today? Is it Sulis or Sanke?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"I have you down for two GFs, Sulis and Sanke. Which one have you brought in?"

"Sanke isn't... Sanke's a person."

The receptionist shook her head sadly, tapping her computer monitor with the end of her pencil. "Not according to this form. Definitely down as a GF."

Frila reached the desk in two strides. "So change the form. It's wrong."

"I don't think I can-"

"I'm here with Sulis. She's the only Guardian I junction. Sanke is a Cadet here. I take care of her. Got that?"

She must have looked more terrifying than she'd intended, because the receptionist went pale and scribbled something frantically on her notepad. "I'm sorry," she said. "You can go through now."

*******

Irvine lay back on a mountain of pillows, dragging deep on a joint, while Oggy made an excellent job of sucking his cock.

"Very pretty," said Zephyr, who knelt next to them, watching. He was stroking his own dick with long, lazy pulls. Everything felt quiet and lazy: Duck was in the bathroom, indulging in a long soak before they returned to the austerity of Galbadia Garden.

"Oh yeah," Irvine purred. "He's just fine."

"Fast learner."

"I can hear you," Oggy mumbled around his mouthful.

"Good," said Irvine. "Then you'll know how much we love you."

He raised his head, a little string of spit still connecting his lips to Irvine's cock. "You only just met me."

"What's not to love?" said Zephyr. "Duck has exquisite taste."

Irvine pulled Zephyr in for a kiss, a lazy swirl of tongues and brush of lips. "Too right," he murmured.

"Oh Hyne," Oggy breathed, his eyes fixed on Irvine and Zephyr as the kiss went deep. "Hyne, you're so..."

"You too." Zephyr tugged on Oggy's arm, pulling him up the bed to join the kiss. A tangle of tongues and noses and teeth.

"I didn't know you could kiss two people at once," Oggy murmured.

"He's so adorable," Zephyr said to Irvine. "Isn't he adorable?"

"Very," said Irvine. "You want to fuck him, or shall I?"

Oggy made a squeaking sound, and his eyes went wide.

"We could take it in turns," Zephyr said.

"Wait!" said Oggy. "I'm not so sure about-"

Irvine ran his knuckles down the side of Oggy's neck, and smiled at him. "You'll like it. I promise."

"And if you don't, we'll stop," Zephyr added. "Right, Shotgun?"

"Right. You'll be in control, Kid, all the time. I promise."

Oggy swallowed, huge eyes searching Irvine's, trying to work out if he could trust him.

"Promise," Irvine repeated, and moved in for another kiss. That, at least, Oggy had no hesitation over. He responded hungrily, his arms draping over Irvine's shoulders. Zephyr had moved away, leaving Irvine free to take care of any remaining doubts Oggy might have had. Irvine let one hand drift down the boy's spine, coming to rest on one firm, round buttock.

"Be gentle," Oggy implored him. There was fear in his voice, a bit, but something else, too. "Please."

~He wants,~ Ether assured Irvine, putting to rest any doubts. Ether was always right about these things. An unwilling partner was never on his menu. So Irvine let his touch move with confidence, up to the small of Oggy's back, down into the crack of his arse, smiling to himself when Oggy cried out in surprise, buttocks clenching shut.

"Shhhh," Irvine soothed, kissing Oggy's neck. "Relax."

Oggy did his best, and after a bit of work distracting him with kisses and soft murmuring noises, Irvine was eventually able to move his fingers, seeking out the kid's hole and ticking the baby-soft hairs around it.

"Oh gods," whispered Oggy. "That's so.. Irvine, that's so..."

"I know, babe. Good, huh?"

Oggy nodded. His eyes were shut, cheeks flushed. He rested his forehead on Irvine's shoulder and pushed his backside onto Irvine's finger. Encouraging him inside.

"Hang on, kid. Need t'get it nice and wet first. Zef?"

Zephyr was already in position, ready and waiting. He wrapped an arm around the boy's middle from behind and kissed the back of his neck. "You doing alright, sweetheart?"

Oggy nodded. "Be gentle. Please..."

"Of course," Zephyr assured him, and Irvine heard the familiar click as the top of the lube bottle was flipped open. Next he knew cool gel was being squirted around and over his fingers, and the faint scent of synthetic mint rose in the air.

Oggy giggled. "That's cold!"

"It'll soon warm up," said Irvine. He swirled his fingertip around, enjoying the way Oggy squirmed under his touch. Nice and relaxed now, nerves turned to a tremor of excitement. Very slowly, Irvine eased a finger inside, bit by bit, knuckle by knuckle. Pausing every time Oggy's hole clenched on him, whispering soothing things in the boy's velvety ear.

"Man, that's hot," Zephyr murmured, watching as Irvine pushed his finger all the way inside.

"You're telling me," said Irvine. "Tight, too."

Zephyr groaned. "Now you're makin' me hungry."

"Oh Hyne," Oggy moaned. "What are you doing to me?"

"I'm fingerfucking you," Irvine said. "I'm getting you ready. You know what that means?"

Oggy raised his head and squinted at Irvine. His cheeks were flushed pink; tiny beads of sweat sparkled over his temples. "What?"

"It means any minute now I'm gonna find the magic spot, and then you'll want to get fucked more than anything in the world" A quick twist of his finger and Oggy yelled out. "That'll be it."

"Oh yeah," said Zephyr.

"Oh gods," Oggy whispered, his hips rocking back onto Irvine's finger.

"And then we stretch you nice and wide," said Irvine slowly, pausing to press a sloppy kiss to Oggy's mouth, "and then he's gonna sink his dick right inside you. Or maybe it'll be me first. Not sure yet."

"Oh gods, he's, he's..."

Irvine grinned at Zephyr over Oggy's shoulder as he felt his friend's finger slipping inside the boy's hole to join his own. Sliding together, nice and easy, as Oggy whimpered against Irvine's shoulder.

Ether started to hum.

Zephyr slid another finger in, pausing when Oggy squealed but only for a moment. Irvine soothed him, stroking his back in small, comforting circles. As soon as he relaxed again Zephyr continued, pushing in, stretching, knuckles rubbing up against Irvine's.

They took it slowly after that. Irvine rubbed the boy's magic spot mercilessly, his own cock twitching in sympathy when Oggy's spat more precome out onto Irvine's thigh.

"Think he's nearly ready," said Zephyr, a little breathless.

"Yeah? What d'you think, kid? You ready for some dick?"

Oggy mumbled something into Irvine's hair.

"Was that a yes?"

"Yes," Oggy whispered. "Fuck me. You. I want you to fuck me. Please."

Irvine tilted Oggy's chin up and looked into his eyes. They were dark with lust, big as saucers, and just a little bit afraid.

"It's your call," said Irvine softly. "Any time you want, we can stop, okay?"

Oggy shook his head. "Don't stop," he said. "Not now."

"Good boy," said Zephyr. "Shotgun?"

Irvine gave Oggy a long kiss, then arranged him on all fours, working his way around to join Zephyr behind him. Oggy buried his face in the pillow. He was trembling.

His hole was slick and, if still tight, not as tight as it had been. Zephyr worked more lube in, then slicked Irvine's cock. Irvine hissed in a breath at the touch; sudden and quick and teasing.

"Off you go," said Zephyr. "Save a few strokes for me."

Irvine lined himself up, stroking the edge of the boy's hole with the head of his dick.

"Irvine," Oggy said, his voice strained and choked, as if he was fighting the urge to speak.

Irvine paused and stroked down the long line of Oggy's spine. "What's up, sugar?"

"I.. I... Is it safe?"

Zephyr chuckled. "We're SeeDs, man. Of course it's safe."

But Ether rumbled unhappily at Irvine, as if his own instincts hadn't already rung an alarm. Irvine backed off, put his arms around Oggy and scooped him into his lap. He kissed his cheek. "Sorry, Kid. You did right to ask. Always ask."

"Sarissa said she couldn't get pregnant," Oggy said. There were tears in his eyes. He looked confused and miserable, for all that his cock was still like iron. "But I didn't, I..."

"They give the girls shots," Irvine explained. "Comes with the pay check." He smoothed back Oggy's hair and kissed his cheek. "Hormone fluctuations mess with the magic and potions and all that shit. And as for the other stuff, well, we can cure ourselves whenever we need to, see?"

"W-with potions?"

"Yep. That's right. So don't worry, kid. You're safe with us."

Oggy swallowed, and nodded. "I'm not, you know. A kid."

Irvine snaked a hand between them and wrapped it around Oggy's cock. "I can feel that, babe."

Oggy gasped.

"I think it's time," Irvine said. "Okay?"

"Be my guest," Oggy murmured. "Please."

He made as if to get back on his hands and knees, but Irvine stopped him. "I've changed my mind. Think I'll get you to do some of the work here."

Irvine flipped over onto his back, and pulled Oggy astride his hips.

"Oh," said Oggy, eyes wide.

"It's easier this way. You're in control, see?"

Oggy's face broke into a smile, the relief unmistakable.

"Zef?" Irvine said. "Do the honours?"

"With pleasure," Zephyr purred, and his grip closed around the root of Irvine's cock. Irvine held Oggy in position by his hips, while Zephyr carefully guided Irvine's cock into place.

"Push out and sit on it," Irvine said, and very slowly, Oggy did. Irvine watched, the kid's cheeks flushed, teeth closing over his lower lip, the tiny flinch of surprise (no pain) as his body stretched and let Irvine in. Inch by inch.

Ether's power grew, spreading through Irvine's body in a soft glow. Wiping out doubt and fear and memories. Leaving only pure, delicious pleasure. He heard Zephyr's voice, checking, making sure the kid was okay. Irvine was all the way inside now, and Oggy leaned back into Zephyr's arms, let the man support him.

Slowly, Irvine let Ether's consciousness feed back from Oggy's, just the lightest touch. The boy was responsive, his mind open, his pleasure flowing freely and feeding on theirs. He got a touch of Zephyr's too, the more subtle pleasure from the friction of his cock against the small of Oggy's back.

Irvine flicked his hips up, dragging a gasp from Oggy's chest and a twitch from his ass. "Good boy. You havin' fun up there?"

Oggy nodded slowly, his teeth sinking deeper into his lower lip.

"That's it," said Irvine. "Nice and slow. Just like that. You want a bit of action here?" His knuckles brushed the side of Oggy's slender cock. It stuck up in a straight line, flushed and stiff.

Oggy gasped. "No, don't, I'll come!"

"So?"

"Wanna make it... last..." Oggy panted.

Irvine bucked again, making Oggy groan. Zephyr laughed. "You may as well give it up," he advised Oggy. "Once he decides you're gonna spurt, you'll spurt. He doesn't even have to touch your cock."

"Oh gods. Oh Hyne..."

"I might not have decided just yet," Irvine said. "Might wanna make him squirm some more."

"He does squirm very nicely," Zephyr said.

"Yeah," said Irvine, his grin taking on an evil tinge. "It's making Ether very happy."

"Yeah?"

"You remember that new trick Ether does when he's very happy?"

"Oh, really?" Zephyr's grin matched Irvine's. "That's a very cool trick."

Oggy frowned. "Who's Ether?"

Irvine grasped Oggy's thighs firmly, and pulled himself up to sitting. Oggy squeaked as Irvine's cock moved about inside him, stretching him different ways as Irvine settled himself, knees slightly raised to hold Oggy in place.

Then he kissed him. Gentle fingers cradled Oggy's jaw and soft, warm lips moved over his. Oggy groaned, the noise coming from somewhere deep and hungry inside him, and then...

....Then his whole body lit with energy like a thunderbolt, like sunshine, like magic; every nerve in his body was alive with pleasure and it was all he could do to breathe.

"That's Ether," Irvine said. "Like it?"

"Oh," Oggy breathed, eyes wide open, staring at Irvine like he was having some kind of epiphany. "Oh, Hyne and fuck, that's..."

"Isn't it?" said Zephyr, his fingers walking along Oggy's thigh, apparently unnoticed.

"How did you do that?" gasped Oggy.

"Magic," said Irvine, and thrust deep into Oggy' body, still feeling the shockwaves himself. At the same time Zephyr's fingers squirmed between their bellies and reached the soft, dark curls around the root of Oggy's cock.

"Oh," Oggy said, his cheeks flushed pink and his hands trembling against Irvine's back. "What have you done to me? I feel so..."

"Pleasure centre," Zephyr said. "Ether has a way with it, isn't that right Shotgun?"

"Sure does," said Irvine. "You want more?"

"I can't," Oggy said, half-sobbing, his whole body trembling now. "Can't take any more, I want to, please, can't wait, now, please..."

"Oh, I do so love it when they beg," Zephyr murmured, and got quickly to his knees, pushing Oggy back far enough for him to duck his head between them. He found the kid's stiff, flushed cock and took the head straight into his mouth.

Oggy cried out, his fingers curling to fists and scratching Irvine's skin in the process. But Irvine barely flinched, mostly lost in Ether's gorging and the pleasure coursing through his own body. Zephyr grunted as Oggy came, the first spurt straight down his throat; then he pulled back so Irvine could look down and see the rest land across his tongue and lips, while Oggy yelled and shuddered, tears streaming down his face.

When he'd done he fell boneless against Irvine's chest, while Zephyr got up on his knees and stuck out his tongue, dashed with white. Irvine licked hungrily at it, pulling the come from Zephyr's mouth and chin, rolling it around on his own tongue before passing it back, back and forth, back and forth, a sticky kiss that went on forever.

Finally Zephyr couldn't help but swallow. He rested his forehead on Irvine's, fingers stroking his scalp. "So pretty, Shotgun. You're so pretty."

Oggy made a sort of squeaking noise, and raised his head. Irvine smiled at him. "Good?"

"Guh," said Oggy, and fell sideways off Irvine's body with a feeble laugh. Irvine yelped, his cock pulled at an unnatural angle as Oggy's arse slipped off it, but Oggy remained unapologetic apart from a vague wave of one arm.

"Ow!" said Irvine.

"Still as hard as ever," Zephyr observed.

"I didn't come," Irvine pointed out.

Zephyr shrugged. "Since when did that make a difference?"

"It's nice," Irvine protested, cradling his abused cock in one hand. "I like to come."

A voice came from somewhere to their left, a female voice. "Poor Shotgun. Let's see what we can do about that."

Duck emerged from the bathroom barely wearing a towel. By the time she reached them it had slipped off entirely.

Irvine looked down at Oggy, who appeared to have lapsed into a state of happy unconsciousness, a huge grin on his pretty face. "Looks like it's just the three of us."

"He'll catch up," said Zephyr, and reached for Duck, pulling her onto the bed.

"I hope you haven't broken my toy," she said, nudging Oggy's soft cock with a finger on her way to Zephyr's arms.

"He'll recover," said Irvine. "We were gentle."

"Did you pop his cherry?" Duck licked and bit at Zephyr's neck.

"Oh yeah," said Irvine. "His ass cherry, anyway."

"That's right." A wicked grin appeared on Duck's face as she looked at Irvine over Zephyr's shoulder. "I took the other one last night."

Irvine laughed, and if there was a sudden, uncomfortable knot in his stomach it evaporated fast enough under the warm glow of Ether's rumbling power. "You mean he was a total virgin?"

"Pure as Trabian snow," said Duck. "And look at him now. All debauched."

"You're a bad woman," Irvine said, watching Zephyr's hand as it slipped between her legs.

"Yep," said Duck happily. "Although I wasn't the one who assfucked him." She arched into Zephyr's touch. Dark, wet hair streamed down her back and she let out a soft moan. "Oh baby. Right there."

Zephyr grinned a smug little grin and winked at Irvine. "Not sure I can cope with so much woman all at once, man. You gonna give me a hand?"

"Among other things," Irvine purred, and crawled across the bed towards them.

By the time Oggy woke up, Irvine was on his back again with Duck on top, and Zephyr's cock was buried in her arse. Irvine could feel it, hot and stiff, rubbing against his through Duck's body. Oggy whimpered, and Zephyr groaned, and Irvine reached out to pull the boy close enough to suck. Lost in fucking, thrusting, wet and tight and Duck's hair whipping his chest, Oggy's cock hot in his mouth. Ether's power pounding, pulsing through his body like a shock.

Zephyr lost it first, his fingers trembling, twined with Irvine's as he emptied himself deep in Duck's body. Irvine took Oggy's cock out of his mouth and looked up into those big, trusting eyes.

"Take his place," he said.

And Oggy did. Slid his cock inside her like a pro, debauchery complete. That look on his face again, pure, flushed, tortured bliss.

"It's wet," Oggy murmured. "It's, I can feel... oh Hyne..."

Zephyr's lips brushed Irvine's ear. "He's come on nicely."

Irvine was too close to do anything but smile.

Duck yelled out and convulsed around him, and he was lost.

He came in an explosion, like fireworks, Ether's power surging through him. He was dimly aware of something wet landing on his chest, Oggy, he was coming all over him, over Duck, over everything...

The world went black for a moment.

When he came back to what was left of his senses, Irvine heard crying. Soft, wet tears. Duck and Zephyr were gone; in the bathroom if the distant sound of the shower was anything to go by.

"Kid?"

"'S okay," Oggy sniffed.

"C'mere."

Oggy crawled up the bed and fell, sticky and exhausted, into Irvine's arms. His tears subsided in a little while, and he nuzzled into Irvine's chest.

"Sure you're okay?" Irvine said.

Oggy gave a weak sort of smile, and nodded. "I think so. Just a bit… weird, y'know?"

Irvine failed to suppress a yawn. His body ached pleasantly. Ether was content; the kid couldn't be unhappy. Not really unhappy. Just a little overwhelmed, maybe. "Take a nap. When you wake up we'll get you all showered and dressed, and get some food, okay?"

A soft snore told him Oggy was already fast asleep.

*******

Quistis cradled the phone to her ear, stroking the warm plastic with one finger. She hugged a cushion to her chest. She was smiling.

"You're quiet," said Laguna.

"Just listening to you."

"Ach. Have I been going on?"

"No more than usual. But don't stop. I like it." She sighed. "It's good to hear your voice."

"I know. Me too. How long 'til you come out here with Sanke?"

"A few weeks."

"That long? It seems like forever since the graduation. I could send the Rag over, pick you up for a day..."

"We've talked about this before. How would you explain that to your staff? How would I explain it to Squall? Anyway, I can't get the time off, not right now. There's too much to do here. And Squall..."

"What about Squall?"

"He's okay."

"That's not your okay voice."

Quistis hesitated for a moment, winding the phone cord around her finger. "I'm not sure I can really talk about it," she said eventually.

"He's my son." Laguna's voice was slow, serious in a way it very rarely was.

"He's my superior officer."

"Quisty, I-"

"You could call him. Maybe he'll tell you himself."

"I do call him. He tells me fuck-all. Quistis, you've got me worried. Should I come over?"

"No, don't, he'll think I've said something, and really, it's not that bad. He's just working too hard, that's all. I'll take care of him. I promise."

"What about Rin? Couldn't she help him?"

"She's not due back from Deling until tonight."

"Is everything alright between the two of them?"

Laguna picked things up a lot more quickly than most people (including Squall) tended to expect.

"As far as I know. You do understand, don't you? Why I can't talk about it?"

"Not really. But then I was never one for rules. Ask Kiros. But if you can't, you can't. Just keep an eye on him, okay? And if anything is seriously wrong, call me."

"Okay."

"Promise?"

"... promise."

*******

The sky had greyed to evening, and the lights of Deling showed bright, gaudy red and green through the window. Irvine stood and stared out at the rain, aware of Duck and Zephyr bickering over their packing and another, quieter presence adding to the air of dawning reality.

Vogis sat perched on the end of the bed, knees under his chin, hugging his legs to his chest as if he was trying to hold himself together. He looked very young and not a little overwhelmed.

"You okay, Kid?" Irvine said.

"I have a name," said Vogis.

Irvine crossed to the bed and squatted down in front of him. "You okay, Oggy?"

"Yeah."

"Want a ride back to your dorm?"

"I can walk."

"You could stay here for a bit, if you want."

"No he can't," Duck interrupted. "We have to be out in half an hour, or we have to pay."

"If you hadn't got picky about what order things went in the bag..." said Zephyr.

"It's not picky. It's common sense. Come on Shotgun, leave the newbie alone. You don't need any more head cases following you around."

"Take no notice of her," Irvine told Vogis. "She always gets cranky when it's time to go home."

"Fuck off," said Duck. "It was a fair point, your girlfriend is cracked as a Winhill pavement. You gonna deny it, Cowboy?"

"Duck, stop it," said Irvine.

"Is that true?" asked Vogis. He looked genuinely curious.

"No. She's not my girlfriend, she's just a friend, and she's not a head case, she's just going through a messy break-up."

Duck snorted.

"I'm not a head case either," said Vogis.

"That's alright then," Duck said. "No head cases. Happy times, eh Shotgun?"

Vogis uncurled himself and stood up. "I'm sorry. I-I'd better be going." He smoothed down his crumpled dress-shirt and shook his hair back over his shoulders.

"Yeah. She's only going to get crankier from here on in," said Irvine.

"You likely to come back to Deling?" The question was aimed more at Duck than anyone, but she showed no sign of answering it.

"Who knows," said Irvine. "They send us all over."

"Oh. Well, okay, I mean, whatever. If you do come back, look me up, okay?"

"We'll do that," said Irvine, ignoring the faces Duck was pulling behind Vogis's back. Vogis gave him a shaky smile that was probably supposed to look nonchalant, and accepted Irvine's offered hand. He shook it firmly.

"Out you get, Kid," said Duck. "Nice knowing ya and all. Have a nice life." She kissed him on the cheek, patted him on the head and turned him towards the door. Zephyr waved a vague goodbye.

Only Irvine watched him go.

*******

Rinoa got out of the car and blinked up at the gates of Balamb Garden. It felt like she'd been gone a lot longer than a week.

"Are you okay?" Zell asked. "You've been very quiet."

"You too."

"Well, yeah. I still feel bad about stuff. I mean, what if Ness's father is right? What if I'm not good enough for her?"

"Don't be silly." Rinoa gave his hand a little squeeze. "Ness loves you, that's what matters."

"Yeah," said Zell with a goofy sort of smile. "I don't know why, but she does, doesn't she?"

"You're not a bad catch, Zell Dincht."

"So why does her father hate me?"

"I don't think he hates you. I expect it's politics. It always is, in Deling."

"You mean he wants her to marry someone like that Binti guy? With loads of money, a job in finance or some shit like that, all the social graces. Everything I'm not."

"Yeah, because you're just a hero who saved the world twice already." Rinoa nudged him with her elbow. "Who'd be impressed by that?"

A glimmer of hope appeared in Zell's baby-blue eyes.

Come on," said Rinoa. "Let's find Squall and get this thing sorted out. If the worst comes to the worst we'll help you elope!"

Zell gave the faintest of smiles. "She won't do that. Already asked. Couldn't stand being exiled from Deling for the rest of her life."

"I'm sure she'd get used to it," Rinoa said, determination squashing the sinking feeling in her belly.

She got out her phone and pressed the speed dial, but Squall still wasn't answering. Looked like he had it switched off, or maybe it wasn't working. She hadn't been able to reach him all week, except through a couple of terse computer messages, but that wasn't so unusual. He often switched his phone off when he was training and invariably forgot to turn it back on again. Squall may have come a long way in some respects, but Rinoa was convinced (as Irvine had suggested) that Squall's subconscious firmly resisted communication of any form whenever it could.

Just then Rinoa spotted Xian, leading a group of cadets through the turnstile towards them.

"Xian! Hey! Have you seen Squall?"

"He's in his office, I think. Did you have a good vacation?"

"It was okay. Has he got loads of meetings today? Only I have something important to ask him."

"No idea I'm afraid. But I'm sure he'd clear his diary for you. What is it? Monsters? Sorceresses? World saving?"

"I need him to take on the Deling Diplomatic core," said Rinoa, worriedly.

Xian let out a low whistle.

"You sure like a challenge, girl," she said.

Some kind of squabble broke out among the cadets at the back of the line. Rinoa recognised Sanke, standing a little apart from the others, hands clenched tight behind her back. She looked unhappy. Rinoa made a mental note to go visit Frila soon, see if things were alright. Then she remembered Zell, bouncing anxiously from foot to foot behind her. First things first. They left Xian sharing a few sharp words with her charges, and headed for the elevator.

The door to Squall's office was slightly open, and Rinoa saw him right away, sitting at his desk, squinting at the computer. She found herself running into the room, flinging her arms around him, pressing her face into his neck. He gave a little squeak of surprise, before his arms folded themselves around her in return.

Zell coughed.

"Are you okay?" Rinoa asked Squall.

"Yeah. You're back early, I wasn't expecting you for another couple of days."

"I know." Rinoa disentangled herself reluctantly from Squall and perched herself on his desk. "We have a bit of a problem."

"What kind of problem?"

"I can't get married," Zell blurted out. "Ness's father says I'm not good enough. Squall, you gotta help, man, my life's falling apart-"

"We thought you could talk to him," Rinoa said. "It's not too hard, we'll tell you what to say, just smooth the waters a bit-"

"What's it got to do with me?" said Squall.

The room fell silent.

"Zell's your friend," Rinoa said, eventually.

Squall frowned. "So?"

"Don't you want him to be happy?"

"Of course, but... could we start at the beginning?"

"Squall, man, please," Zell said. "If I can't do this..." He looked like he might burst into tears.

Rinoa slid off the desk and put a hand on Zell's arm. "Shh, Zell. It's okay."

"The beginning?" Squall said.

"Zell went to Deling to ask for Ness's father's permission, so they can marry."

"Yeah, I got that part."

"He said no, because Zell isn't part of Deling Society, and his rank here isn't high enough to make up for it."

Squall snorted.

"You have a lot of influence," Rinoa continued. "Ness thinks that if you were to speak to her father, and explain how our ranking system works, how respected Zell is, then he might reconsider."

Squall looked straight at Zell. "You want me to tell some Deling arsehole that you're good enough for his daughter?"

Zell went pale, then flushed red, then looked down at his feet, fists clenching and unclenching wretchedly at his sides. "You could put it nicer, but yes."

"Why should this bastard take any notice of me?"

"Because you're Squall Leonhart," said Rinoa softly. "Hero. Head of SeeD. Most powerful man in the world. They have to take notice of you."

"No, they don't. Especially not about shit like this. I'm sorry."

"It's not so hard," Rinoa said. "We'll help you."

"It's not that," said Squall, and then with a helpless tone to his voice repeated, "I'm sorry, man."

"You won't help?" said Zell.

"I can't."

"But you can, like Rinoa said, we'll help, tell you what to say..."

Squall shook his head. "I'm sorry. It's best you just forget her."

Rinoa was dumbstruck for a moment, staring at Squall in confused disbelief.

Zell stepped up to Squall's desk, looked him straight in the eye, and said: "I resign."

"What?" exclaimed Rinoa. "Zell, don't be silly!"

"If I can't marry her as a SeeD then I'll go to Deling and be whatever her father needs me to be. I talked to a few people at the party, Ness has friends who can help me get a job there, work my way up the ranks. I'll do whatever it takes..."

"Don't be an idiot," said Squall.

"I love her," said Zell. "Don't you get that? I thought after what you've been through with Rin and her father you'd understand, but you know what? I don't think you know what love is. I don't think you've ever loved anyone, you're just a cold, heartless bastard who only ever thinks of himself and his fucking job and you never... never.... you..."

Tears got the better of Zell and he tailed off into a sobbing mess, running from the room.

Squall let out a long sigh.

"Squall..." Rinoa started, but she couldn't finish. Didn't dare, for fear of what she might say. "I'm going after him. Please think about this. Please."

She ran down the corridor after Zell.

*******

Sanke sat very still, with her back very straight, as if she was concentrating very hard on what the teacher was saying. She was trying so hard to look attentive that it hurt.

A message appeared on her vid screen; she took her eyes off the teacher for a quick glance.

::Message from Asha: Don't let them get to you. They're just bullies.
xx::

Sanke allowed herself to turn her head just far enough to give Asha a smile.

Something hit the back of her head. There was giggling.

Sanke took a deep breath, fixing her eyes firmly on her teacher again.

And again. Whatever it was, it stung her skin. It hurt.

It was harder and harder to focus; her head filled with the roar of the ocean and her fingers tingled with magic.

Concentrate. Just concentrate.

"As we have established," the teacher was saying, pointing at the diagram projected onto the board with a long, slender cane. "Rain falls on mountains such as the Nortes Mountains here, and fills streams and rivers. What happens to the water after that?"

Asha's hand shot up. The teacher nodded. "The rivers get bigger and bigger and run into the ocean, Miss."

"Yes, that's right. Can someone give me an example of a place they know where a river meets the sea?"

There was a pause. The hairs on the back of Sanke's neck stood up.

"Why don't you ask Sanke, Miss?" came a voice from the back. A croaky, half-broken voice; Sanke knew who it was but that didn't matter. It could have been any of them.

"I'm sure if Sanke knew the answer she would have put her hand up, Vincent. Why don't you take a stab at it yourself?"

"Balamb Harbour, Miss," said Vincent smugly.

"Yes. That's right. And-"

There was a buzzing noise. The teacher pulled a pager out of her pocket and tutted. "I'm sorry, class, I have something to attend to. While I'm gone please read the rest of the transpiration section in the databank. Quietly!"

Sanke's heart sank. She watched the teacher leave the room, and swallowed hard as the doors closed with a gentle thud.

It started straight away. Giggling from somewhere near the back of the classroom. She gave Asha a nervous little smile and set to work, clicking through screens on her computer to find the databank. More giggling. She heard her name among the whispers.

She could feel their hostility. Sharp. Bleak. Dark.

"So. Freak."

Vincent appeared at her desk, smirking at her in his usual irritating way. Sanke shivered.

"Go away!" Asha said. "Leave her alone, she's done nothing to you! Why do you have to be so bloody mean?"

"She doesn't have feelings! She's not even human."

"You take that back!" said Asha. Sanke gave her a grateful look, and a little shake of her head. It never did to argue with them. Ignore them. That was the thing.

Only...

Only, every time she tried to ignore them, this feeling inside got a little bigger, a little scarier, a little more out of control.

She just wished they'd stop.

"She's here to spy on us," Vincent said. "Aren't you, Freak?"

Sanke started counting, and thought of Frila. Of Irvine. Of Laguna. Of the beach at Balamb and the sea rolling in...

"You notice she don't deny it," Vincent pointed out. "Sure sign of guilt."

"It's because you're a retard," Asha said. "Leave her alone!"

"Oh yeah?" Vincent turned his attention to Asha, a mean, thin smile on his face. "You're being very protective of your little friend. What's that about? What's she to you?"

Sanke was aware of a circle forming around them. And they weren't on her side; some of them would keep out of it but most were behind Vincent.

"She's my friend," said Asha, getting to her feet. "What's wrong with that?"

Vincent gave a bark of laughter. "Nothing, if you don't mind being friends with a freak."

"She's not a freak! Take that back right now!"

Vincent was close to Asha now, too close. "Make me," he said.

Asha looked scared, and Sanke's heart clenched, it wasn't fair, and Vincent snorted and looked away, and then Sanke watched Asha's hand swing around, as if in slow motion, an inch at a time, until it made contact with Vincent's face.

He hit back in an instant, a wicked punch to Asha's stomach, a nasty, vicious look on his face, and Sanke wanted to scream.

But she didn't.

The roar in her ears took over; the tingle turned to an ache and power like a tide rushed through her. She raised one hand, just one, and the next she knew water was splashing back on her face like a slap.

Vincent was on the floor at her feet in a pool of water. He wasn't moving. Everyone was staring in horror. Even Asha looked scared.

There was a moment's silence, a calm, eerie stillness, and then a lot of noise. Voices, footsteps, and all Sanke could do was stare at Vincent and wonder if he was dead.

She didn't move. She thought people might be asking her things but she didn't understand. Someone tried to touch her and the roaring started again; she snatched her hand back, yelled, maybe, she wondered if she should run but didn't know where too.

"Sanke. Sanke!"

Sanke turned around and searched the blur of people through her tears.

"Sanke, what happened? Are you okay?"

Frila stood in front of her, reaching out.

"Shield," Sanke said, in a voice that didn't sound like hers at all.

And then the world became an ocean.

*******

Squall's office doors slid closed behind him as he staggered towards his desk, only just reaching it before he dropped the armful of paperwork he was carrying. He contemplated setting a quick fire spell: a quick surge of magic and the whole lot would be gone forever. But he had a suspicion that more would appear to take their place. Xu seemed to be capable of generating an endless supply.

He searched through the mess of stuff on his desk for a coffee cup, and finally located one under the pile of GF profiles he should have read last week. Grimacing at the fuzzy growths in the bottom of the mug, he crossed the room to the tiny sink. Once the cup was moderately clean and full of coffee he slumped on a chair by the meeting table and stared out of the window.

Garden looked beautiful from up here. All clean lines, sleek, shiny metal and glass. So huge it was hard to remember it could fly. There was more landscaping than there had been in the old days. One of Quistis and Xu's plans for self-sufficiency; each Garden now had its own gardens for producing a modest amount of food, and agriculture had appeared on the curriculum for the first time this year.

And beyond that, beyond Garden and the trappings of Garden, was the winding path leading to the Fire Caverns and, in the other direction, towards Balamb itself.

It had been home to Squall for almost as long as he could remember, and yet it seemed a million miles away. He rarely got out of Garden at all these days. He found himself yearning for the freedom to run. Catch a chocobo just for the hell of it. Fight fastitocalon on the beach. Anything.

To sit on the cliffs at Balamb with Rinoa and watch the sunset.

Squall pulled a small chrome ball from his pocket and rolled it in his palm.

Rinoa.

It was a surveillance device, so Xu had said, as she handed it to him at the end of their meeting. Retrieved from the mission Frila and Seifer had been on. She'd looked matter-of-fact and casual about it, in a way that Xu hardly ever did about anything, which was enough to make him instantly suspicious.

Squall put the device down and got to his feet. He went back to the window, biting his lower lip, brow furrowed. He didn't know what to do.

He got his phone out of his pocket, dialled a familiar number. It rang, three times, before he lost his nerve and hung up.

Squall went back to the table, and picked up the ball again.

She'd shown him the button on the underside, a tiny dimple in the smooth chrome surface that apparently triggered a control panel. He was going to try it there and then, but she stopped him. Claimed they had too much to get through, and it would wait, he could take a look in private, just so long as she had it back in a day or two to send it to their client...

He ran a finger over the neat join where he guessed the control panel would pop up.

Clever little thing. Camera, transmitter, data store. No bigger than an apple.

He pressed the dimple, and the ball split in two, opening up like a clam with a gentle whirring sound. Light spilled from the device, glowing around a screen and a little bank of buttons.

Squall hesitated. If this was the thing referred to in that report Frila had given him, it might...

He'd know, for certain. No going back.

Nausea churned in his stomach.

Is that why Xu had been scared to give it to him? Had she already looked? Of course she had. Who could resist?

Squall picked the button with a little triangle on it, pretty much at random. Nothing happened, so he pressed the one next to it. The screen fizzed to life, an image flickering into view. A moving image.

Small, but very clear.

Very clear indeed.

*******

Irvine yawned and rolled his shoulders, a satisfying ache stretching down his body. He remembered just in time to let Ether slip from junction, and for once the loss of power wasn't too dramatic. Ether had been mostly dozing all the way back from Deling, completely gorged and rather smug.

He buzzed the door buzzer, for some reason, before he entered his room. Selphie was sitting at the desk in the corner. She looked up with a warm smile as he came in.

"Hey! How was Deling?"

"Cool. Scored a Guardian. Good party, too. You would have liked it. Great catering."

"Really? Who did they use, did you ask?"

Irvine laughed. "'Course not, silly. I was too busy having a good time."

Her face fell, just the slightest bit. "That's great."

"Selphie, I-"

"I was just writing up my journal. Stupid habit, I mean if we're not junctioned, why bother?" She snapped her notebook shut and pushed it to a corner of the desk.

"Because they don't mind what memories they eat, babe. You know how it works. Next time you're junctioned they could snack on anything."

"Yeah, but if... ah, never mind. I'm just silly." She got up and crossed the room, sliding her arms around his middle. She hugged him, warm and gentle. Irvine closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her in return. His head was suddenly full of the scent of her hair, intoxicating, familiar.

"Missed you." She kissed his chest, nuzzling his shirt. "Want to go training tomorrow?"

"Sure. I could do with a bit of exercise."

"I can smell him on you, you know. I... I know, when you've been junctioned." A little shudder ran through her tiny frame. "You don't have to lie to me."

"I didn't lie, Sugar." He kissed the top of her head. "Just nothing to say. Fun party. Got a bit carried away, maybe."

"It has to be fed. I get that."

He stroked her hair, letting her warmth seep into his bones.

"Do you ever wonder," she said, so quietly he could barely hear her, "what it would be like if we didn't junction any more?"

His fingers curled, touching the softer-than-soft skin at the nape of her neck. "Never thought about it."

"'Course not. But here... they don't do it here, right?"

"Not as much, but I think Squall had some kind of plan to change that. Just needs more Guardians, I guess."

"Yeah. I... oh Irvy. I...."

She was clutching his shirt, as if she needed to hang on. Irvine hugged her closer, eyes squeezed tight, and tried to breathe.

"I'm just being silly," she whispered into his soft, cotton shirt. "Silly Selphie."

"Yeah," Irvine whispered back. "Silly Irvy too."

She looked up, and he kissed her, and she shook, and his heart ached like she'd hit him in the chest with her nunchaka.

"I don't, I..." Her eyes were full of tears, but she kept kissing him. "Irvy, I-"

"It's okay," he whispered. "It'll be okay."

*******

Rinoa found Squall in the Quad. He didn't tend to go there much, so she was surprised, if pleased to see him sitting on a bench, head tipped back, looking up at the cloudless, greying sky. Her heart lurched. His pale skin contrasted with the dark leather he wore, and his hair spilled down his back. Beautiful.

She was still mad at him, she reminded herself.

He heard her approaching; she saw him tense up. But he didn't say anything, didn't even turn to look at her.

"I tried to call you," she said, uncertainly. "You must have been in a meeting."

"No. I turned it off."

He showed no sign of getting up to hug her; there was no trace of a smile. Rinoa's heart was racing, suddenly more from panic than excitement. "Squall, what's wrong? Quisty said I should come and talk to you."

"Quistis should mind her own business."

"Squall!"

He shifted his shoulders a bit. "You're angry because I wouldn't do what that Deling woman wanted."

"I'm angry because you let Zell resign."

"It's his choice. He didn't have to. Besides, you know what Zell's like. He'll calm down."

"I wouldn't be so sure. He thinks the world of Ness, and you were damn mean about her."

Squall let out a long sigh and slumped forwards, staring at the ground. "I won't lie for anyone. I won't go begging to some bastard in Deling who thinks that saving the world isn't good enough. And I won't-" He stopped, biting his lower lip, eyes closing, long dark lashes meshing together.

"You won't what?"

He shook his head.

"If you've got something to say, Squall, spit it out. I've had about enough of guessing what's going on in your head. Just say it."

"Nobody asked you to guess anything. Are you planning on going back to Deling?"

"Yes, probably. I want to see Ness, and try and help her and Zell sort this mess out."

He looked up at her. "Is that the only reason?"

"Of course it is!" She moved a step closer. "I know we're going through a rough patch, and I'm sorry I stormed off like that, and yes, I'm mad at you, but I still love you. I'm not going to abandon you for Deling, I promise."

She held out her hand, but he just stared at it, his own hands remaining clasped firmly between his knees. "I can't allow you to go back," he said.

"What?"

"Things are difficult. And I can't trust you not to… I can't trust you anymore."

Rinoa's blood ran cold.

"I understand," Squall continued, his voice soft, commander-tone muted. "I know I can't give you what you need. I don't do fancy parties or picnics or anything. All I do is work. I'm no good at social shit and I don't get.... I understand."

"Understand what? Squall, you're not making sense."

"We have enemies, Rinoa. And you're getting too close to them."

There was an edge of darkness to that 'too close' that made Rinoa's stomach lurch. "How can you say that? What enemies?"

"Why did you go back to Deling with that woman?"

"I needed a break."

"But why there, with her?"

"She invited me."

"What did you do there?"

"It's none of your business!"

His eyes snapped on to her, cold grey. "The whole world is my business, Rinoa. You always told me you hated Deling."

"I do! Or at least, I did. My father-" Tears came; she did her best to choke them back but they spilled down her cheeks and choked her throat regardless.

"I always thought you only went because you felt it was your duty. But that's not the whole story, is it?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." She sounded pathetic, her voice whiny and thin, and hated herself for it.

"Minister Fargi."

Everything went very still, very quiet, and Rinoa could feel her heartbeat, hear it, like the tolling of a bell.

"Have you been spying on me?" Her voice calm and distant, like it belonged to someone else.

"Yes," he said.

She noticed how calm he looked. She noticed how the breeze caught his hair and ruffled it at his temples. She noticed how he could look her in the eye, and how cold and flat his expression was.

"I don't know you," she whispered. "I have nothing to say to you."

And she turned and walked away.

*******

Frila slumped on the sofa in a squeak of leather. She was shaking inside, the sort that made you feel as though everyone could see you trembling, only you weren't.

"Is she okay?" Seifer held out a bottle of beer for her. "I couldn't find anything stronger."

"I don't have anything stronger," Frila said, somewhat regretting the fact. "Yeah, she's sleeping now. Whatever Quistis gave her seemed to do the trick."

Frila knew what Quistis had given Sanke. She'd seen them use it to subdue Guardians in the clearing centre only that afternoon. But she wasn't going to tell Seifer that.

"She'll be okay," said Seifer, sitting down next to her. "It was only a waterga spell. The kid survived."

"Just barely. Have you found anything?"

"I've got a few leads, nothing definite. One thing I can tell you, this isn't just ordinary kids' stuff. Someone's got it in for her."

"I kinda worked that out," Frila said, picking at the label on her beer bottle.

"It's more complicated than that! Look, I'm getting there. It takes time."

Frila banged her head back on the sofa and let out a long sigh. "I think we just ran out of that."

"Depends how you handle things."

"It's not up to me. She'll be up on a disciplinary for this."

"Probably. And they won't go easy on her, you can be sure of that." There was an edge of bitterness to Seifer's voice. "But you're okay. You've got the right connections."

"What d'you mean?"

"Leonhart. Trepe. You're in with all the right people." Something of a leer appeared on his face. "As well as some of the wrong ones."

She grinned back, before she even realised what she was doing. "It's not like that."

"Wanna bet?"

"Besides, if she gets let off, that'll make things worse for her. I know how it works. The kids won't like it, will they? So they'll take it out on her."

"Or they might be scared of her."

"And can you imagine how she'd feel about that?"

"Strangely enough, yes." Seifer scowled. It gave a mean sort of look to his eyes that Frila really didn't like. "Try getting possessed by a sorceress and see what that does to your social life."

Frila pulled the last bit of label off her beer bottle, eyes fixed on the dark green glass.

"They'll probably take her out of school," Seifer said. "Might be best to go along with it, at least for now."

"It's not her fault."

"That's not the point."

"But...." Frila sighed. "Yeah, okay, you're right. Fucking frustrating, though."

There was a pause. Frila drank her beer half-heartedly; it wasn't really doing any good after all and she wanted to stay alert, just in case Sanke woke up. Seifer fiddled with his cigarette lighter, striking flame after flame.

"So how come you got caught up in all this?" Seifer said eventually. "What is she to you? Some kind of secret mission?"

"She's my friend," Frila said. "I look after her. That's all you need to know."

Seifer let out a long, hissing sigh and got up from the sofa in a swish of calf-length coat. "I'm on your side, you know. You don't have to be so damn prickly."

She looked straight into his pale blue eyes, making sure he was listening. "Yes. I do. I know exactly what I have to do. It's like this. If anyone tries to hurt her, anyone, I will make damn sure they can't do it again. So those idiot, pathetic little cowards had better watch their backs." She stood and looked up, wishing he wasn't so tall. "You got that?"

"Oooh, feisty," said Seifer. "You want a hand with that vengeance, or can you do it all by yourself?"

"Just find out who started this," she said. "And soon."

*******

Irvine stared at the shadowed ceiling, stroking the soft, thin lines of Selphie's arm, and something inside him broke. A deep pain, almost tangible, an ache behind his ribs that made him want to cry out.

He very gently folded her arm over her chest, kissed her forehead and slid out of bed. She gave a tiny little whine and turned over, nuzzling into the pillow.

Irvine dressed from the heap of discarded clothing by the bed: socks, underwear, jeans, shirt, boots, coat. Hair tie. Hat. He slipped quietly from the room.

The corridors were dark and silent, emergency lighting casting orange shadows over grim metallic walls.

He arrived at Room 305, and tapped in the code.

Zephyr was still awake, sitting on the chest at the foot of the bed, knees hugged under his chin. His hair shone in the soft glow of the little reading lamp next to him. Duck was a fuzzy shape under the quilt, which rose and fell with her sleeping breath.

Zephyr looked up as Irvine came in, his gentle smile fading as he saw Irvine's face.

"Zef," Irvine's voice came out as a choked-off sob. "Zef, I'm in trouble."

"Yes, man," said Zephyr gently, reaching out to touch his arm. "I know."

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