*...* Squall's thoughts, '...' Zell's thoughts.
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Nothing like a shower to make a person feel better. 'Especially after they had just come in from the cold. The door to Zell's bathroom opened, steams escaping, followed by a figure with a towel draped around his waist, and another wrapped turban-style on his head.
Zell started to dry his hair off, pausing when he thought he heard a light tapping on his door. He waited, crossing the room when it was followed by another, louder one. He opened the door a crack, thinking it was Selphie. "C'mon in." He invited, crossing the room again.

Squall stepped inside, blinking at the towel atop Zell's head, smiling slightly at the sight it presented. Then his gaze traveled downwards, studying Zell. Broad shoulders tapered down to a narrow waist, covered by smooth, tan skin. The dark towel around his waist was loosely tied, covering him to about mid-thigh.

Zell felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Odd, Selphie was never quiet after walking in. He turned slightly, and a pair of rust colored belts could be seen in the corner of his eye. 'Squall?'
Why was Squall staring at him? It was slightly unreal... he decided to clear his throat, not wanting to embarrass him. Squall's eyes snapped up, focusing on Zell's turban.
"Have you taken a look outside?"
"No, why?" Squall just motioned to the window. Zell crossed the room again, leaning against the window to try and see outside.
What had been a gentle snowfall just an hour ago, had turned into a blizzard. "Damn...." He drew back, chilled.
"We'e not going to be able to leave tonight..." A pause. "Selphie said it was unexpected... Everyone's stuck for the night." Another pause. "Will I be able to bunk with you? All the other rooms are taken."
'Yes, yes, yes...' A mini Zell was jumping around in his head. Zell, meanwhile, just shrugged. "Sure. I can grab the floor."
Squall shook his head. "I'll take the floor. After all, this is your room."
Zell smiled slightly, something inside making him say what he said next. "We could always share the bed."
He turned to face Squall, pulling the towel off his head. Squall's left eyebrow was arched slightly, and Zell knew he was thinking.
"Don't worry, Commander. I'll stay on my side of the bed. We can even hang a sheet down the middle if you want." He laughed, softly. Somewhat kidding, but somewhat not. Squall's eyebrow lowered, a semi-teasing smile gracing his lips. "Oh, and here I thought that was a proposition..."
Zell's eyes widened for a mere second, and he was mentally commanding himself not to blush. He knew that Squall was watching for a reaction.
'Was he... Is he..? Is he flirting with me? No way!'

Squall smiled inwardly, the merest hint of pink was staining Zell's cheeks. Rinoa had often thought there was something going on between them, since Zell was his best friend. She had sensed that Squall liked him a bit more then that, though Squall refused to admit it to himself or Zell. There was no point; Zell liked him as only a friend. Period.

Then when he told her was going to pick them up, and no - she could not go along...

"If you leave without me, there's a good chance I won't be here when you're back."
Squall blinked. Rinoa had placed her hands on her hips, eyes darker then usual. "What are you talking about? I'll be gone for maybe four hours. Six tops. Quistis said she needed your help with the decorations."
He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. She was only like this when Zell was involved. "I mean it, Squall. I just know that something's going to happen."
"Honestly. If something was, don't you think it would have before now? Really, Rinoa... You're being childish."
She drew back a little, hurt entering her eyes. "I just..."
"Just what? You're treating me like you own me, not as an equal in this relationship. I agreed to be your Knight, not a goddamn puppet."
For some odd reason, this reminded him of their first fight at Timber. Except only, Selphie was not there to tell him to tone it down. Rinoa took a step back, hand going around her rings, as was habit for her.
"Squall..."
"We will discuss this when I get back."
Squall's eyes met hers more gray then blue. She nodded. "I assume you'll still be here?" She nodded again. "Good. I'll see you in a few hours then."

*Didn't think she'd be right about Zell, though...*
"By the way... I'm going to call Quistis in an hour. Will you want to talk to your mom? She's at the Garden, she arrived when I left."
"Yea... I'd like that." Zell smiled, touched by Squall's offer. This was going to be his first Christmas not spent with Ma... His smile faded slightly, eyes growing a shade darker as well.
"I think she'll understand." Squall remarked, causing Zell to look up. He raked a hand through his hair, eyes meeting Squall's. "You think so?" Squall nodded. "We didn't think it was gonna hit till tomorrow."
Zell nodded eyes still a little wistful. Squall walked over, surprising Zell by patting his shoulder. "I wanted to be home too... Laguna and Ellone were going to fly in tonight. So, while I can't say I know how you feel, I'm disappointed too."
Zell smiled, then waved a hand in front of Squall's eyes. "Alright. Who are you... and what'd you do with the real Squall?"
Squall laughed, taking a step back. "Whatever."
"By Hyne, it is the real Squall." Zell placed a hand over his heart, feigning shock. He'd had to joke to break the sudden tension he'd felt the air.
"Well, I'll leave you to getting dressed. Meet me in Selphie's room in about forty-five minutes, she's getting the vid-phone hooked up."
Zell nodded, stilling as Squall suddenly ruffled his hair. Then a shiver danced down his spine, and he could have sworn that he saw Squall tremble as well.
'Why... he's done this before... Why does it feel different?'

Even Squall couldn't explain why he did it. The damp gold strands had been calling to his fingers, begging to be tangled by them. He'd only allow himself to ruffle his hair, much as he had done when joking around with Zell after a training session.
"Never seen you with your hair like this before..." He remarked, "Had to fix it a little so I knew it was you."
"Oh, who else would I be?" Zell said to his back.
"Seifer." Tossed Squall over his shoulder, narrowly escaping the towel that that was thrown at him. Both of them were laughing though, trying to forget the moment that had just passed.

"Yea, Mom.. I miss you too." Zell reached out to touch the screen, wishing it was his mother he was touching. He missed her, he didn't know how much till he saw himself looking at her. He'd been gone for two weeks, but talking to someone over a phone was a lot easier.
"You take care of yourself, Zell. Don't go outside unless you have to." He smiled, she was always warning him against something. "No worries Ma, even when I went outside when it was nice, I was wearing a lot of clothing, ask Selphie."
His mother laughed. "She took photos, she told me."
"What?" Zell barked, head swiveling to look at Selphie who giggled. "You won't be able to find them, Zell." She then stuck her tongue out at him, causing him to grumble as he faced his mother again.
"I love you, Zell. Merry Christmas..." He knew that their time was almost over, but still...
"Merry Christmas, Ma.... I love you, too."
They smiled at each other; eyes locked till the screen started to slowly go black. Selphie and Squall had spent about twenty minutes talking to everyone; they planned on doing a longer conference call tomorrow.

They ate dinner together, played a few games of triple triad (using Balamb's rules), and talked about past Christmases. Selphie was the first to yawn, and the boys rose.
"Oh, Squall... just a second." She rose, walking over to a dresser. She pulled out an item of clothing. "Here. They're Irvine's, so they'll be a little long.. But better then nothing."
Squall accepted the pajamas, one eyebrow arching in silent question.
Selphie smiled. "He flew with me about two months ago, remember? And they're clean, so don't worry."
"I wasn't worried about that." He handed the top back to her. "I know I'm not going to use that."
"Are you sure? It gets a little cold at night..."
"Don't worry, I'll be keeping him warm." Zell remarked a sort of comeback for the Seifer remark. Squall choked, and Selphie turned to Zell's, eyes wide. "What?!?"
Zell had a sly grin on his lips, and he winked at Selphie. She started giggling, while Squall coughed. Zell's gaze traveled to him, noting the light red of his ears. 'Could he....?'


"So, which side of the bed do you want?"
Zell plopped down on the left side then started to take off his shoes. "Either. It doesn't really matter to me."
Zell paused, looking up at him. "Look, if I..." Squall held up a hand. "It's alright. Just getting me back for the Seifer crack, I know."
He retreated into the bathroom to change and shower. Zell studied the door, sighing.
"You don't know, do you Squall?"
Tonight was going to be the longest night of his life. Squall had been acting oddly today sending him mixed signals. Did he like him, or did he not? Zell was confused. But he knew on thing. Before the sun rose, he'd get an answer from Squall. Come hell or high water.

Rinoa had not been pleased to learn who he was bunking with. Squall thought over their conversation as he ducked his head under the hot water.
"So, you're sleeping with Zell?"
Squall frowned. "You're implying something with that tone, Rinoa. We've shared a bed, if you care to remember."
"..." She hadn't been able to reply to that one, and so, had walked away. Squall sighed, shaking his head. Honestly... He loved her, but she could a pain in the ass to deal with sometimes.
Then he shook his head again, willing the thought of Rinoa away, allowing the water to relieve the tension in his shoulders. Tonight was going to be a long night.
Zell's earlier joke had affected him a way a rather not think about, he could not think about. Zell was his friend. Only a friend... but he sure had been acting strangely today. As though...

'Nah, it couldn't be. Squall doesn't like me that way, I'm sure of it.'

*Though, sometimes I wish he did... I can't tell him my feelings...*

'He'd kill me. Rinoa would kill me if he didn't.'
Ick, just imagining the girl with her feather-designed weapon chasing after him was not a pretty image.
Squall stifled a laugh himself, seeing Rinoa running after him and Zell - vowing revenge. But would she really be mad? He thought she would be at first, but the spark in the relationship wasn't really there anymore, for him, anyway.

'I wonder what happened between him and Rinoa....' Zell pondered, as he changed into a pair of black pj bottoms, tying the cord so they didn't drape as low as usual. Ah, well. He'd ask, hopefully Squall would answer him this time.

Squall stepped out the bathroom. Zell had dimmed the lights, but he could see Squall very clearly. His breath hitched his throat for a moment, and he drew the covers around himself tighter, fighting the urge to jump upon Squall that very moment.



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A/N - hahahah. Aren't I evil, leaving it there? (chirp, chirp) Ah, phooey... Anyway. Okay, Rinoa fans.. She's a bit more of a witch in this story (hey, she's treated cool in the other ones... ^^;;) but I wanted a different direction this time, I suppose. Next chapter : dun dun dun... the big climax. ^_~ Christmas morning, what will Santa bring?
Continue or no, let me know what you think, (breaks out marshmellows just in case, hehe)
Disclaimer: I own nada. Oh, and Pixie, I'll share. (hands out chibi Zells) hehehehe