"Pride of a Lion"

--
All I ever wanted
All I ever needed
Is here in my arms
Words are very unnecessary
They can only do harm
--

Squall glanced over at Seifer as he rose. It had been a year, but he was still an early riser. And Seifer was lovely to look at when he was asleep. Dusky lashes resting against high cheekbones. The sheen of peach in his lips, the even all over tan of his skin.
As if he felt the weight of Squall's gaze upon him, Seifer stirred. He stretched, lazily, then opened his eyes.
"What are you looking at?"
One golden brow lifted in amusement, as Squall smiled gently.
"A thing of beauty."
Seifer had learned that Squall had a hidden romantic side. He didn't show it very often, vocally but he often did small things for Seifer to show how he cared for him. At those words those, a faint blush stained Seifer's cheeks. Squall chuckled.
"That would be a perfect blackmail photo."
"Oh yea?" Seifer growled, sitting up enough to loop an arm around Squall's neck. He then pulled Squall down towards him, claiming his lips in a kiss.

About an hour later...

The phone started ringing, and Squall groaned as he reached over to answer it.
"Hello?" He muttered, hearing an amused laugh on the other end of the line.
"Didn't mean to bother you, Squall. But the headmaster has been trying to get your attention about two times over the intercom now."
"What?!"
Squalls' eyes snapped open, as Seifer started snickering-he had a feeling Quistis got him with the intercom thing. He held out a hand for the phone, which Squall handed to him.
"Quisty?"
"Hmm?"
"Don't lie. Squall's not that loud, we woulda heard the headmaster."
Squall's jaw dropped open, just as Quistis gasped. Seifer's grin widened cause he'd bet Quistis was turning red as a beet. Squall wasn't too far behind.
"We'll be up in about twenty minutes."
Seifer then handed the phone back to Squall, who hung it up, still red.
"I can't believe you told her that!"
Seifer winked. "She pulled that on Selphie and Irvine about two weeks ago, Irvine was telling me all about it. Selphie refused to look at anyone during the meeting, remember?"
Squall remembered the meeting, but he hadn't known why the overly cheerful Seed had seem so subdued. He shook his head. "Still."
"You mean you wouldn't have said the same thing if you had the chance?"
Squall just shrugged, but he was smiling as he gave his usual reply.
"...Whatever."
-------

Xu led them into the office, after asking Seifer what he had told Quistis. Seifer had just shook his head, refusing to reveal the answer. She did confirm the fact that Quistis had become a most unusual shade of red.
After they took their seats, Squall glanced around. Selphie and Irvine were sitting next to each other, holding hands. Rinoa sat next to Zell, Quistis was on his left. She refused to look at Squall, but glared at Seifer, who just smirked. The headmaster cleared his throat, and all eyes went to him.

"Sorry to wake everyone up..."
At this, two glanced at Seifer to see if he'd make a remark, but he stayed quiet.
"As you know, the new Garden is opening tomorrow. Laguna requested that you all go, even Seifer. You'll be there for the weekend. And yes, you will be taking the Ragnorak."
Cid answered the question before Selphie could ask. She grinned widely. The plane had become her unofficial baby after Laguna had presented it to them.
"You will receive your 'orders' for the weekend after arriving there. Have a good time. Dismissed."
As a group, they all rose and saluted, then filed out.

---
Two hours later

Squall and Zell were involved in a Triple Triad game, while Seifer polished the Hyperion. Quistis was up with Selphie and Irvine, Rinoa was taking a nap.
"So ... does your dad know about you two yet?"
Zell asked, while placing a card in the upper left hand corner. Seifer paused, wondering what Squall's answer was. He had never asked, nor had Squall ever offered the information.
"He knows."
Squall replied, while placing Rinoa's card in the middle. He flipped over two of Zell's cards. Zell grimaced.
"Damnit, not again. That's three games in a row! Can't I win at least once?!"
"That's why I'm the King, Zell. Let's see what you got."
He scowled, and set his cards on the table. Squall arched a brow, seeing that he had Irvine's card. Even Seifer looked interested, grinning widely. A chance to tease Zell.
"Does Selphie know you have that?"
"Just what are *you* trying to imply? It's a good card, I'll have you know!"
Zell hopped up, glowering. Seifer laughed, shaking his head. "Just kidding, calm down. Sheesh."
Squall pocketed the card, while Zell grumbled under his breath. He then took what was left of his deck, and headed to the front of the plane.
"You really told your dad?"
Squall nodded, shuffling his cards. "Why wouldn't I?"
Seifer didn't reply, and Squall finally glanced over at him. He was looking down at his reflection in Hyperion. Squall wondered what it could be, but before he could ask, Selphie's voice came over the intercom.
"All right, Guys! We're about to land, so everyone get ready!"
Squall rose, then held out a hand to Seifer. After a moment, Seifer took it within his.
"I know I don't say it often enough, but I am not embarrassed to be with you. I don't give a damn what other people think of us, nor what you did. That's in the past, this is the present. Ok?"
Seifer nodded, then glanced up at him. "Thank you."
Squall smiled, reaching out to stroke Seifer's cheek. "C'mon, let's go before she pages us again."
Seifer laughed, letting himself be pulled up.

------

When they stepped off the plane, a girl was waiting for them. She was clad in nothing but black. Zell smirked when he saw her, and whispered something to Irvine, who laughed out loud. She glanced upwards then, and both blinked. Her eyes were the color of whiskey, amber hued like Edea's when she had been using her powers. The girl chuckled, and went back to studying the ground as she waited for them to finish getting their stuff.
Her outfit was similar to Squall's (jeans, boots) but she wore a black tee, and a silver wolf pendent instead of the well known Griever. As Squall stepped off the plane, her gaze went back up, studying him.
~Hmm, the president's kid. Cute.~
Seifer stepped out, glanced over at her-and saw that she was staring at Squall. He moved closer, and she smiled inwardly.
~Nuts, the cute ones are always taken. By each other. Damn.~
She walked over to them, clearing her throat. After the three females had disembarked.
"Squall Leonheart?"
He stepped forward, and she saluted. He returned it, and she nodded to the others.
"Laguna sends his regrets in not being able to meet you. I am to be your guide for this weekend."
"Oh?"
One brow lifted, and she just continued to smile. He didn't trust her. Just as well. She would have be disappointed if he had.
"Tala Nokomis. Esthar Seed. Rank 20."
Then she handed him a small folded envelope, which was sealed. It also bore a wax stamp.
"How medieval." Seifer remarked. Squall shot him a look, breaking the seal. He quickly scanned the contents of the note, then nodded to Tala.
"Lead the way."
"As you wish, Commander."

-----
Disclaimer: Squall and company belong to Squaresoft. Tala is my own creation. Lyrics belong to Depeche Mode-Enjoy the Silence.
Second part to "A thin line between love and hate", if you guys like it so far.. I'll continue.