I hear you calling and it's needles and pins (And pins)
I want to hurt you just to hear you screaming my name
Don't want to touch you but you're under my skin (Deep in)
I want to kiss you but your lips are venomous poison
--Alice Cooper, Poison


That evening:

Seifer once again was sitting on the docks. However, he was dressed a little more casual then last night. His usual trench coat was missing, along with his steel capped boots. He was wearing a white tee tucked into low slung black jeans. He was leaning back, propped up on his elbows. A light breeze ruffled his hair, and he smiled slightly. It was peaceful. He was also trying to get his mind off what Fujin had told him earlier. However, Seifer didn't know he wasn't alone till a hand came to rest upon his shoulder.

He jumped about ten feet in the air, glaring at the person who had dared to sneak up on him.
"Were you trying to kill me?!"
Rinoa was laughing hysterically, so she wasn't able to answer his question right away. While his heartbeat returned to normal, he tried to ignore the girl who was gasping for air just a few inches away from him.
"You know. I've heard that breathing is important..."
Rinoa's fit of giggles finally subsided, and she waved a hand at Seifer.
"Sorry, sorry. I didn't mean to sneak up on you. You looked so peaceful, and I didn't want to say anything..."

"Uh-huh. What are you doing here, anyway?"
He folded his arms across his chest, studying her intently. Rinoa rolled her eyes at the set expression in his face and stance.
"Don't worry. I'm here alone. Squall told me he asked you back to the Garden last night."
Seifer's eyes widened slightly then returned to their usual narrow, hawk like state. If she hadn't been paying attention, she wouldn't have caught it.
"Why don't you come back? Edea did.. and your family is there..."
"What family? My family is here. Fujin and Raijin."
"Seifer, you grew up with them. Even after everything that's happened, I think they would welcome you back. You weren't yourself."
Then she smiled.
"Or are you scared? Hmm? Scared of Squall?"
If such a thing was possible, Seifer's eyes narrowed even further. Amber hued sparks lit up those emerald orbs of his. Bingo.
"I *fear* nothing. Not life, not death. Not Squall."
"But what of your emotions, Seifer?"
He frowned. What could she mean? Then - that. He groaned softly, lowering his gaze. "Not you too. Fujin was harping on me about it earlier."

Rinoa just waited, listening. A breeze once again danced around them, as Seifer looked over the water. Seeing the moonlight dance off the waves had a calming effect on him.
"Did he put you up to this?"
"No. You know how Squall is. Stubborn to a fault. Rather like you."
Seifer's gaze swung back to her. "He said that too." A pause.
"Last night, when we talked. Fujin mentioned it this morning as well. Do you two and Quistis have something cooked up?"

Rinoa laughed again, softly and shook her head.
"No. I had a feeling that Squall cared for you, but I wasn't sure until he told me earlier today. Why don't you give it a chance, Seifer? Go past the rivalry, if you can. Go past what happened on that fateful duel. After all.. I bet it hurt him as much as it did you when he slashed you."

Now it was Seifer's turn to arch an eyebrow. He hadn't been expecting Squall to rise up and give him a matching scar. In fact, he couldn't remember why he had done, except to teach him a lesson perhaps. Instead, they branded each other, forever.
"Will you?" Rinoa asked, softly. He nodded. Rinoa held out a hand, which Seifer accepted. "He's on the beach, I'll take you there."
The air around them rippled, as they appeared on the beach. Seifer could barely make out Squall's form, for he was standing about a mile away. He could however, seen the blue sheen of the Lionheart gunblade. Rinoa squeezed his hand.
"Good luck."
He turned to look at her, but she was already gone. And he frowned at the sudden weight on his hands. He looked down, and saw that he was in his trademark clothing. And Hyperion was waiting for him, blade buried in the sand. He gripped the slim handle of the revolver, and pulled it out the sand. The moonlight glinted off the edges of the silver tipped blade, and he smiled. Then he strode the beach.

Squall was practicing against invisible enemies. He had seen Zell do it enough times as a warm-up before a battle. Zell had explained that it wasn't just 'swatting flies'.

"You gotta imagine yourself in a battle. Pretend it's someone ya know. See them in your mind. Their moves, how they evade.. how they attack. Imagine yourself blocking a move, then attacking as they block. It's good practice. Helps you become one with the blade."
Squall had actually smirked at that last comment. But he had said thanks anyway. And now, he actually found it to be good advice. He was able to work out tension while doing this, since he didn't have a true sparring partner.

Now, since his eyes were closed he didn't hear Seifer approach. What he could hear, were the gentle sounds of the waves kissing the shore. Of his blade cutting through the air. So, when he swung his blade in a low upward arc, only to hear it clang against another object made of metal - his eyes opened in shock.
Seifer stood there, Hyperion in an upright position. In one hand. It reminded Squall of that duel, and he slowly lowered the Lionheart.
"Seifer."
"Squall."

And with those two words, blades once against met. Seifer smiled as they had moved in unison. Attacking and blocking at the same time.
"Are we dueling again, or is there another reason for your visit?"
Squall asked, eyes as dark as the Hyperion blade. Seifer lifted one shoulder, then spoke softly. "You said I would have to seek you out, Squall."
Squall blinked, lowering his gunblade again. He was fighting to keep his hands from trembling. "So, you're admitting that you need me?"
A cocky grin spread over Seifer's lips. "No, I'm saying that you need me."

Squall's eyebrow arched up again, and Seifer blocked with Hyperion just in time. They pushed against each other, the blades crossing till they were face to face. It reminded Seifer of last night, and he almost laughed. However, when he looked into Squall's eyes, he was reminded of the calm which watching the moonlight gave him. Perhaps it was the moon, for it was a full moon tonight. Maybe it was an after affect of Time Compression. Or maybe it was just the way Squall's lower lip trembled ever so slightly. Seifer leaned forward, brushing his lips against the younger boy's.

Squall's eyes widened slightly, before he returned the kiss. Although, he was a bit hesitant, not believing this to be real and not a dream. Seifer bit his lower lip gently, causing Squall to gasp. However, once Seifer's tongue teased his own, Squall knew it was real and closed his eyes.

Seifer couldn't believe that he was actually kissing Squall. It was nothing like the kiss in his dream. That one had been rather bland. Squall's lips were soft against his own, and he tasted of chocolate. Only a few knew about his passion for the sweet stuff. He broke the kiss off gently, leaning back. Squall opened his eyes, and Seifer smiled at him, then spoke softly.
"I can't promise you anything, Squall."
"We.. We'll take it slowly."
Before Seifer could reply, Squall kissed him again.


From their hidden viewpoint, Rinoa and Fujin watched.
"Ahh. A happy ending, I love those."
Rinoa hugged herself, while Fujin rolled one eye. However, she too- was glad Seifer had finally admitted his true feelings towards his rival.
"Well, Fujin. Let's go. Raijin's waiting for you right? I hope he and Zell didn't eat all the hot dogs already."
"Agreed."
The two girls started to leave, but Rinoa took one last glance over her shoulder. The two figures were embracing still, gunblades at their sides. Rinoa smiled again, even though her view was a little misty. Then she followed Fujin back to the Garden.



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And - that's it. Ahh, first kisses. ^^ I hope everyone enjoyed. I might try to write another or perhaps a sequel to this if people want. Thanks for reviewing, if you do so. <Hugs her proofreaders> This is for you two, hope it was sappy enough. ~_^
Disclaimer: Squaresoft owns the boys and the girls. The lyrics belong to Alice Cooper. Dunno why I put them in, but it's what I was listening to when I wrote this.