Love lives, love dies
Love bites, love bleeds
It's bringin' me to my knees


The next morning:

Seifer groaned as sunlight filtered through the window, and hit his eyes. He pulled his pillow over his head, blocking out the light. After Squall's visit, he had trouble falling asleep. And even after he had- he'd dreamed. Of Squall. That was bothersome. Usually when he dreamed of Squall, he had been reliving the moment of his triumph. But this time, he was kissing him.
~Damnit, it must be some odd aftershock. Time compression and all that.~

However, his attempt to fall back to sleep was thwarted. Fujin snatched the pillow away, and prodded him with a finger.
"Seifer. Wake." A muttered reply.
"NOW!" Another prod, not so gentle. Seifer's eyelids opened, revealing bloodshot eyes. Fujin frowned. "Drinking?"
"No.. late night visit..."
He struggled to sit up, and placed a hand to his forehead. His head was throbbing, and Fujin glaring at him was *not* helping.
"Who?"
"Squall."

Fujin sighed, and sat next to him, taking his other hand.
"Seifer..." She paused, then lapsed into normal speech. Although it was easier to get her point across with "rage!" and a kick, Seifer needed more then that. Kicking Squall wouldn't help him. Although she would like to see him hop around, howling with pain.
"You dreamed of him, last night. Didn't you?"
Seifer nodded, eyes half-lidded. He wanted nothing more then to crawl back into bed. To close the blinds, and sleep a dreamless sleep.
"Different then last time. When you were the victor. What did he say to you, Seifer?"
"I.. Hyne.. Fujin... I kissed him."

Fujin's eye widened. Then she laughed. Seifer frowned. He had been expecting RAGE! and her promising to kick Squall's ass.
"S' not funny, Fuu. I was kissing.. a guy! And not just any guy, Squall! The man who has been a thorn in my side..."
Fujin shook her head, and squeezed his hand.
"I am sorry, Seifer. It is not a laughing matter, but I do wonder why you didn't see it earlier."
"See what?"

Ach, Seifer was a friend. But he was also blonde.. and dense sometimes. She could forgive him for that - he was a man. Her smile faded, as once again the stern Fujin facade had returned.
"Squall likes you. You like him, yet you could not admit it."
Seifer scowled. "I do *not* like him, Fuu."

"No?" One silver brow lifted. Damn, she could be so like Squall sometimes. Was she amused, or concerned? It was hard to tell. When she had laughed, that was unexpected. Maybe he was still asleep? Yea, this was all one weird nightmare. He hoped he'd wake up soon.
"You always sought him out, Seifer. Wanting to be his equal, or perhaps.. be better. You mistook your attraction for hate and jealousy. Go to him, Seifer. You won't be whole until you do."
She then rose, holding back a laugh as Seifer muttered, "...Whatever."

--------
Love lives, love dies
It's no surprise
Love begs, love pleads
It's what I need

Squall's forearms rested against the stone railing. He was up early, as had become his habit. No matter how much sleep he had gotten. Once dawn broke, he was out of bed. Usually he came here. So much had happened on this balcony. Quistis had come here once, to give him her last orders. And then last night, he had told Rinoa that he cared for her.

Life had been normal, till he had gone to sleep. Then, he was dreaming. The scene at the docks played out in his mind again - except when Seifer had grabbed him, he'd also kissed him. Different then his other dreams, but not majorly so. He knew he had feelings for Seifer. Part of the reason why he had taken up the gunblade. To always have a reason to be next to him. However, Seifer had not felt the same way. Squall finally realized that the day he had received his scar. It had been more then anger driving him to return the same slash. It had been hurt. Pain, that Seifer would harm him.

He heard Rinoa come up behind him, and sighed as she ran a hand down his back. He wasn't wearing his jacket, just a black tank. And those leather jeans.
"Squall, what's troubling you?"
"I saw Seifer last night...."

Rinoa said nothing, just continued to stroke his back. Not in a sexual manner, instead it was comforting. She knew that he needed to talk, and she hoped he trusted her enough.
"I invited him back to the Garden, Rin. It just.. isn't..."
He fell silent, trying to think of the right words to say. Half of Rinoa's lips twitched upwards.
"You care for him."
"Rinoa.. I..."

She patted his back, softly. "Shh, it's alright. I suspected, but I wasn't sure until now. It's somewhat messed up though."
He glanced over at her, wondering what she could mean. Then it hit him. The color drained from his face. The two men she cared about, liked each other. Well, one liked the other.
"Rin..."

"Squall." Those chocolate orbs, compelling him to be quiet. Even at the dance, they had been mysterious-but now she held a power he knew nothing about. And so, her eyes were something to behold. Now, more so then before.
"It is all right. You've opened yourself to me, more then I had hoped. If you care for Seifer.. you care for Seifer. I can accept that. What I couldn't accept, was a false love. So answer me this, Squall. Do you really care for me?"

Squall nodded, not trusting himself to speak. He really did care for her, he did love her. But more then his yearn for Seifer? He did not know. And he had no way to find out, because Seifer detested him.
"Then go to him." Rinoa whispered, reaching out to trace a line down his cheek.
"Find out how he truely feels. If he doesn't love you, I still do. And if he does, then I am happy. For you both. But make no mistake.. I will hold you to your promise."
"Rinoa... I don't deserve you..."

She shook her head, and then hugged him. His arms wrapped around her waist, as he breathed in the rose scent of her hair. Why couldn't life be easy? He was a hero, saved the world and the girl...
"No, Squall. Don't say that. You deserve to be happy. And not abandoned again. That's why.. no matter what.. I will be here for you. Even if you and Seifer end up together, and I find someone else to love. I will always be your Angel, and you will always be my Knight."
"Thank you..."
Squall whispered, wishing that for once, Seifer hadn't taken his heart. Rinoa was the perfect girl, and he was throwing away a chance that he would never get again. She was right - he needed to find out how Seifer really felt. But, he wouldn't go, per her advice. He'd wait. Let Seifer come to him, instead of the one being led around.

If you've got love in your sights
Watch out, love bites
Yes it does
It will be hell

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Dislaimer: Squaresoft owns the people, Def Leppard- The lyrics. "Love Bites." So, please review. ^_^ Tell me if you hated it or loved it. What I should change. Any helpful tips? Also, I'd like to thank everyone who has reviewed. (I was soo nervous to post this part, still am. ^^;;) Also, next chapter will have a bit more action, I promise.