AUTHOR'S NOTE: This 2nd place winning story for Give Me Passion's Quoted Writing Contest at Y! Gallery.  This is my original fiction.

I’m pathetic.  Who am I fooling that when I run away when I get back you’re still going to be there.  I must have lied to myself a lot of times that I can’t tell which is pretend which is real.

I hate this house.  I hate everything about it.  Because everything in it has a little bit of you in it.  And I can’t move.  I have to live here with all our memories and your ghost haunting the place.

Why can’t it work?  Why can’t you have her and me at the same time?  Why did you choose her when you said you love me more?  Can’t we at least give it a try?  Can’t we go back to what we were before all of these things happened?  I want it back.  Take it back.  Take back what you stole from me.  My happiness…my everything….you.

You won’t sleep with me because you said you don’t want to ruin our relationship.  But you go out each night, fuck every guy and girl so randomly sometimes you confuse yourself when you come home to me.  What am I then?  Your landlord?  Your keeper?  You won’t even kiss me.

Why do I put up with all of this shit?  How did I ever fall for someone like you?   We kissed only once and I followed you home, and never left your side ever since.

I hate the smell of that minty flavor after shave that you use; it hangs in the air in the bathroom even hours after you’ve gone.  I hate all the plants that you bring home.  There’s one in the bathroom and it’s so over grown, I wouldn’t be surprise if I find someone living in there or there is a jungle within the leaves.

The stray cat that you brought home had been begging me for food everyday as if it has a right to be here.  Pathetic loser.  That’s what I call myself.  Every time someone asked me if I have someone, I always reply, sort of.  And when they pushed, I would add, it’s complicated.   WTF is that, they often ask me.  What kind of answer is that?

I have a lover.  His name is Jerome.  But we don’t act like lovers.  But we live together.  We live together for five years and then one day he came home and told me he is moving out.  That he is getting married.  We had a huge fight, we end up kissing, and things got out of hand.  I left and when I got back he is gone.

I didn’t have anyone after that.  I pretended that you were just out every time I think of you and start missing you.  I pretended that its one of your usual mood swings but you would come home eventually and tell me that it was a joke.  And then we would take our relationship to the next level after five years of celibacy from each other.  Hell, Jerome.  If I wanted to abstain myself from having sex I would have become a priest.  I wanted sex.  I wanted you.   I didn’t push, I didn’t beg.  I had been patient for five years; I wanted to prove to you that I can love you even without that, that it’s not important to me just as long as I have you, that I can be with you.  But what went wrong?  Where did you go?  Why did you leave me?

“Hello?”

“Yes?  Who is it?”

“Is this Kyoji?”

“Yes, who wants to know?”  It’s a woman.  Who could it be?

“It’s Kana.  Jerome’s wife.”  She replied.  Click.

Why?  Why is she calling me?  Did Jerome tell her about me?  Then why?  I haven’t seen Jerome for two years now.  So if Jerome is messing around why would she call me?  Oh, God.

The phone rang again.  I ignored it.  It must have ringed ten times when it finally stopped.  She kept on calling for five days, keep leaving me messages needing to talk to me, wanting to talk to me.

What do you want from me?  You have Jerome, right?  He married you.  Why are you bugging me?  Leave me alone.  I had moved on.  I may still be at the same place, the same job.  But not because I’m still hoping that he would come back.  I just don’t want to lose the things I have left.

This is all I have.  You got the real thing.  But this is all I have.  Overgrown plants I can’t get myself to throw away, an annoying cat that had grown so big and attached to me even how much I ignore it.  The minty scent in the bathroom had long since faded, although at times it has faint remnants of it when I steamed the bathroom too long.  I had long changed the brand of my toothpaste.  I redecorate the house, now it’s mostly my style, although all your books are still there, gathering dusts.

Why now?  She left a very cryptic message that I decided to finally talk to her and get it over with.  We met at the bar close to where I work.

“Mocha latte and diet coke.” She said to the waiter before I could say something.  She smiled.   “You still like Mocha latte, right?” she asked.  I didn’t say anything.  How did she know that?

I looked at her.  So this is Kana.  This is the girl that stole my Jerome away.

She smiled.  “I’m a lesbian.” She said, leaning closer as if telling me a secret. 

I laughed, “You could have fooled me.” I said.

“I paid Jerome to marry me to get myself out a difficult situation.” she said.

“What? A girl got you pregnant?” I said, and laughed at my own stupid joke.  But she can see through me.  She can see through me and know what I am and who I am.

“Jerome was right.  You are everything he told me about.  Mocha latte, how you put the salt shaker and pepper on the side even though you’re not going to use it.  It’s a Wednesday, and there you are wearing your favorite mint green shirt.” She said, with a smile.  She wasn’t mocking me.  In fact her smile was sad.

“What the hell is this about anyway?  I got no time for your stupid ego trip, so you know all those things about me, big deal.” I said, angrily about to get up.  She put a hand on my hand to stop me.

“Please stay.” She said. 

I sat down again.   She smiled.  “Thank you, Kyoji.”

I just looked away.  Frozen, my mind was in a whirl waiting for her to tell me what is this about, what is it about Jerome that she wanted to talk to me about that she can’t say it over the phone.

“My parents loved me and accepted me as I am, my father has a business partner, and wanted to push a big contract, but the partner gave him a condition.” She began and looked at me.  “Me.” She said.

I didn’t say anything and just continued looking at her. 

“He wanted me to marry to his business partner’s son.  But it’s complicated, the son is an asshole, a womanizer and a sadist, he was known to beat women up.  That is probably why his father was scouting for a wife for his son.” She said.  I remained stoic.

“I met Jerome in the bar, I was drunk as hell.  My father came up with a solution, he also knows about the son.  And he saved me from divulging my secret about my deviation.  I have to find a husband.  And that’s where Jerome came into the picture.” She said.

“Then how come he has to leave me?” I asked.

“The business partner was desperate, his son has took a liking to me too when he told him about me.  So Jerome and I have to put up charade until the business partner and his son would leave me alone.  You see, the partner already signed the contract even before my father had told him his reply.  The partner was just making sure that everything is legit.”  She said.

I sat there quietly.  It only occurred to me just now that I never meant anything to Jerome.  That money is more important to him than me.  She took my hand again.

“He loved you; he loved you more than life.  We spent nights talking, and he always talked about you, how you were, what he loved about you.  He always has this look on his face, that I know he missed you.  And there are times I was tempted to call you and asked you to move in with us so he would be happy again.  He is so handsome when he smiles.  But he stopped doing that when we had to live together.  The last time I saw him really smile is when he came after he broke up with you.” She said.

I didn’t realize it.  But I was crying.  “He was so happy when he came to see me that night; he said he finally did it.  That he didn’t hold himself back anymore.  That he finally made love to you.” She was crying, too.

“You see, Kyoji.  Jerome had always loved you.  Although he has a weird way of showing it but he did.  He was so angry with himself because he is a bum and you were supporting him.  One of his reasons why he never slept with you or kisses you.  He was so afraid to go that far and you would get tired of him and leave him.” Kana said.

“You little fool.” I cried even harder.  “I don’t care about that, I don’t care if he just stayed home and never get a job, its not important to me, I love him and being with him is all that matters to me.”

“He took the money because of you.  He took the deal because of you.  And he died because of loving you.” She said.

I dropped the glass I was holding.  “What?  What did you say?  Repeat what you said?” I demanded, shaking her.  She cried harder.

I let her go; the waiter cleaned up the broken glass and brought me a new drink.  We remained quiet for a few minutes.  When she calmed down, she took something from her bag.  It was pictures.  It was pictures of me and Jerome.  When we were goofing off, got drunk one night and started fooling around, we were buck naked and holding each other, hugging each other.  It was one of those rare moments that we really acted as lovers.

“The son met one of Jerome’s friends at the club, and the friend told him that Jerome is gay and has a lover.  The son came to the bar where Jerome works and abducted him.  They interrogated him, tortured him.  He didn’t squeal on you and on me.  Good thing he left his wallet at home that day, or else the son would have found these pictures.” She said, and pushed them to me, and handed me Jerome’s wallet. 

And she also pushed a big envelope.  In it were money, stocks and bonds, all in my name.  I looked at her confuse.   “My father did everything to get that bastard behind bars.  Jerome held on until we got him in the hospital.  He held on longer to give me a key to his safe deposit box and tell me to give these to you.  He said this time you will be proud of him.  This time he can finally take care of you.”  She cried, and looked at me, “Then he called your name and he closed his eyes for the last time.”

We held each other crying.  Someone testified against the son and he got a life sentence for pre-meditated man slaughter.

We brought flowers and we both give each other a moment to say goodbye to Jerome.

Kana and I became friends after that.  Not because we were attracted to each other but probably because we both love Jerome in our own different way.  We held on to each other, so we can lean on each from losing that one person that connects us.  Once in awhile Kana and I will hang out like kids, I would sleep over her house and she would sleep over my house.  People often mistook us as lovers, we didn’t care.  We are happy this way.  We are sharing Jerome, immortalizing him with our memories of him.  And keep each other from forgetting him.  But I doubt we would forget him.  No, not Jerome.  Never Jerome.

“I asked Jerome once how do you know when the person is right for you, if there is a checklist of qualities a person should have to let you know they are the one.” She said, looking at me, we were lying down on the bed, after pigging out on ice cream, the cat on our feet, “He said, you come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly. He said this by looking at your picture and he has this faraway smile on his face.” 

We continued this ritual for years.  Kana never found a girlfriend and I never hooked up with anybody.  We both agreed we don’t need anyone else because we got each other.  That we don’t need to be in love just to be happy.  We still cling on to his ghost, even years have gone by, and he is what connects us.  And every year, we would go to his grave and celebrate with him, all those occasions.  Christmas, Valentines and yes, his birthday.  We would bring food and beer and party.  I’m sure wherever Jerome is right now, he is happy that we got each other.  That we found the cure to our loneliness.   I could never find another person like Jerome, and I’m sure Kana would agree with me.  We may not love each other romantically, but because of fate, because of Jerome.  I would never give her up; I would never have anyone else take her away from me.  And I know she feels the same way like do. 

I’m sure there should be a time that we need to say goodbye, let Jerome’s ghost rest in peace.  That we should let him go, and so he can go on to his next life.  Living sometimes is even painful than dying.  Living a long life doesn’t mean much.  Life is like a dream.  I just happen to have a longer dream.

The next season Kana and I bought a house.  We went to Jerome’s grave.  We brought a seed to plant.  We came to say goodbye to the love that brought us together.  Jerome was the last person I want to bury in my heart, the one and only love that I would allow to live inside of me.

I never knew before why I was born.  But I do now.  Jerome was the proof that I ever existed.  He is the proof of our lives.  We will leave here but we won’t forget.  This seed will grow and will lived on, that even though we are not here, we left ourselves in that seed so we will always be with Jerome for always. We will leave a little of ourselves with the one love that we will never ever forget.

Owari

I don’t know how it began. I never knew it existed. I have always put different meaning to everything, like when our hands accidentally touch and I needed air to catch my breathe. I explained it as fatigue, after a long hard day at work. No one had ever taken the time before. And you don’t originally belong in this garden but in Galbadia. But, you made Balamb your second home.

Squall took a hologram from his day planner. It’s a picture of him and Irvine after they beat Ultimacia. After that dreaded mission, order was restored throughout the land and neighboring gardens. Now, all they do mostly is keeping in shape and do minimal mission work for their respective gardens. Although Irvine barely ever set foot in Galbadia again. Squall thought it’s probably because of Selphie, the cowboy had taken a liking to the little sprite of a girl. While he tried his best to maintain his role as Rinoa’s knight, but that fizzled out quickly when Rinoa started dating Seifer again. So all his role now is the commander of the garden.

A knock on the door awakened the lion from his reverie. Squall quickly hid the picture back in his planner.

“Hey, commander. Still busy?” The cowboy himself materialized behind the door.

Squall bowed his head, his mane of hair hiding the redness of his face, and then when he felt himself composed, he looked up, he is back to his commander mode.

“Kinneas, what’s up? I’m just finishing up.” I replied, clearing my throat. Irvine strolled in, his lazy gait led him to my desk and he slumped on the edge of the table right in front of me.

Irvine is the only person I know who has little respect for authority. Even his headmasters have a problem trying to control this wild man. Yet, this man also brings out all those feelings I never thought I have in me, I feel flustered whenever he is close. I feel a heat that I cannot fathom. I have the urge to grab him and take him down, posses him, tame him. Own him.

A hand clumped my shoulder, awakening me from my private thoughts. Irvine was leaning dangerous close, and his face is inches from me.

“Squall, are you alright, man? Did you hear what I said?” he asked, the hand pulling me close, and I closed my eyes, wondering if he was going to kiss me. I could feel his hot breathe on my collar. A manly musk of Balamb issued shampoo and Irvine’s after shave mixed with sweat washed over me like a tidal wave.

“Hey, Squall.” A voice inches from my ear whispered gently. I looked up, blinking, a slight gasp escaped my lips.

“Sorry, what were you saying?” I asked, a little flustered, my leather pants began to tighten for a bit, as I found myself, inches away from that Adonis-like features of Irvine Kinneas, the sniper nice young lady of Galbadia, my childhood best friend and now my partner and second in command.

“Man, you really need a break. Enough of this commander thing, come with me, I will show you ways to relax.” He said, as he stood up in his full height and pulled me to my feet.

I imagined he was going to hug me. I shook my head. I need to get away from this guy; he is doing stuff to my insides.

“Wait! I can’t just leave. I got stuff to finish, why don’t you take Zell or Selphie?” I said, a bit flustered, as I took a step back away from his overpowering presence.

He frowned and grabbed me in a half embrace, I let out a moan that luckily sounded like a grunt, and I almost collapsed on my knees if he wasn’t holding me. I grabbed for his arm, sensing I lost my feelings on my legs and it wouldn’t hold me up.

“That’s it, I’m taking you captive.” He said, half dragging and half carrying me out of my office.

He glared at Quistis on his way out, “I’m kidnapping the commander for the rest of the day, and he is not feeling well.” He stated not as a request but as a command.

Quistis looked at me helplessly, her mouth opening and closing like a guppy but she didn’t protest. Irvine carried me off to the training center. We grabbed lionheart on the way there while he grabbed his riffle in his room.

“I’m not in the mood for this, Kinneas.” I said, swinging lionheart and swiping a flying monster.

“I got tons of paperwork to do.” “That paperwork can wait, I need you today.” He said, smirking at me as he took a shot at a funguar monster. Squall was taken aback when Irvine said he was needed. He felt a tug at his heart.

“Alright. I’m here.” He said, putting more force into his attacks.

Irvine gave him a grin, “Don’t worry, I got your back. Always.” He said, patting Squall on the back as he took a shot a bomb monster.

They had ventured deeper into the training center and almost got lost from the debris and foliage there. Squall let his guard down when they decided to call it a day; he was bending to pick up one of his gloves when a death claw monster attacked him.

The monster had already sunk his talons on Squall’s shoulder before Irvine could blast away the monster. What they didn’t expect that the ricochets of bullets had loosen up some of the debris if Squall haven’t pulled him down on top of him.

“Look out!” Squall shouted as he pulled his best friend right on time as the empty cargo crate closed them in like a coffin, missing the cowboy’s head by inches; his Stetson knocked off his head and landed on the ground right beside the cargo debris that boxed them in.

The two men stared at each other for awhile, Irvine was lying on top of Squall, there isn’t any room to move, and in other words they are trapped. There was a little light and air coming from the holes on top of the metal cargo crate. Squall was breathing hard, his heart thumping on his chest, he thought that they are either dead now or in heaven somewhere.

“Are you alright? Did it hit you or anything?” Irvine asked, worried, trying to sit up but it wouldn’t accommodate his full height let alone sit up.

“I’m fine; did it hit your head?” Squall asked, he saw the metal give way and almost sliced Irvine’s head off if he didn’t pulled him in time.

“I’m fine.” He replied, and remembered the death claw had attacked Squall right before he shot it. “Let me see your shoulder, I’m going to pull your jacket off, bear with me, I can’t move much we’re trapped like this for awhile.” Irvine said, lifting himself with one arm, as Squall tried to shed off his jacket.

Irvine tried to fish out the bandana in his pocket. Squall felt Irvine’s hand rubbing itself on his leg, “Wha-What are you doing?” he asked, he almost squeaked.

“Relax. I’m trying to get my bandana from my pocket, you’re bleeding, we need to stop the bleeding before Quisty misses us and start looking for us.” He said. It was torture for Squall because Irvine picked the right time to do that while he is on top of him, and his arm is rubbing on sensitive places that Squall has no control over. He squeezed his eyes shut, panting.

Irvine got worried, “Does it hurt? Are you in pain?” he asked.

Squall could feel the heat creeping up his face, yes, I am in pain, and you are torturing me with what you are doing. Squall wanted to shot back at him but of course, Irvine wouldn’t know that his innocent gestures were doing some nasty things in Squall’s mind and body.

Squall shook his head slowly, not trusting himself to speak. “I’m fine. I think my leg is starting to fall asleep.” He said.

Irvine tried to tie the bandana around Squall’s shoulder. And moved around to move his weight away from the shorter man. Rubbing sensitive spot more dangerously, Squall gasped and he grabbed for Irvine’s shoulder to stop him from rubbing him between the legs.

“Gahhh!! Stop! Stop moving!” Squall said, panting.

Irvine looked at him quizzically, his arm brushed Squall’s chest and yes, brushed against Squall’s small buds. Squall is not only panting but sweating now. His body shaking from all the sensation he’s got no words for. Lust. He was lusting after his best friend, and that is not in Squall’s limited vocabulary of words, in fact, it’s not even listed as a choice of words.

“Are you okay, man?” Irvine asked, worriedly inching himself closer, feeling the man’s forehead. He felt warm. Squall didn’t reply. He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to control back his composure.

“J-Just stop moving, Kinneas. You’re a bit heavy.” He said when he finally trusted himself to speak.

They were silent for a few minutes, when it dawned on Irvine what is Squall’s reaction all about. A hand ghost down the slender body of the lion and before Squall could react, Irvine cupped his growing erection.

“I’m flattered, commander, is this for me?” he asked, breathing down Squall’s neck.

“Whatever! You are moving and thrashing about, you keep rubbing yourself on me, I’m sure you are the same!” Squall spurt back angrily, and cupped the cowboy between his legs, too and yes, the man is as hard as a rod.

Irvine let out a breathe, fanning Squall’s neck with hot air. “Careful what you touch, commander, if that reacted you have to pay the consequences.” Irvine teased.

Tsk. “Yeah, right. You started it. Try it on Selphie.” He muttered.

But neither of them let go of each other, in fact, hands became busy as they rubbed each other.

“Y-You want it?” Irvine asked, his eyes glassy peering down on his commander, as he tried to shed off his coat.

Squall could only nod. He didn’t know why he nodded but he can’t stop it now or else he would go mad.

“Uhhnnn….” Irvine moaned, as his hand went inside Squall shirt, pulling it up, “Want to taste you.” He murmured.

“I’m not Selphie.” Squall said, letting out a hiss as Irvine’s mouth took his small bud in his mouth.

“I know you’re not. You are my lion. My only lion.” Irvine said, getting busy trying to undress Squall.

“What are you saying? You like me? How could that be? You’re the nice young lady from Galbadia; I’m not someone you can toy around, Kinneas. I thought we are friends.” Squall said a little hurt that Irvine could say those words to him to get what he wants.

Irvine stopped what he was doing and looked at Squall. “Why do you think I’m here, Squall? I’m from Galbadia but I moved here because you are here, to be by your side.” He said, brushing the hair from Squall’s eyes, tracing the faded scar on his forehead. “Yes, I used to flirt and play around but that is all I do, flirt. But, no one has ever been close. Not as close as you could ever get.” Irvine said, his long fingers traced the contours of Squall’s sexy mouth.

“What about Selphie?” Squall asked.

“She’s a player like me, but Selphie loves women and she likes Nida.” Irvine grinned.

“Nida? Our navigator? Woot!” Squall let out a low whistle.

“What about Rinoa? I thought you are her knight and all that shit, so how come she’s grinding it with Seifer all of a sudden?” he asked.

“It’s duty. I was chosen to protect the sorceress. Her knight, but she really is in love with Seifer all along even way before Ultimacia.” Squall replied.

Irvine traced Squall’s mouth again, leaning over to take a nibble, “Did you know why I told you I need you today?” he asked.

Squall let out a low moan. Shaking his head.

as reeling. He never realized or dreamed that he would end up with this situation, with the one person he thought he could only undress in his mind. And here he is, in the flesh, discarding every piece of clothing that would prevent him from touching skin. Irvine is as sexy as he imagined him to be. Those glorious locks when untied made him more sexy and desirable; no wonder every known species is after this fine specimen of a human.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” Irvine asked when Squall began to breathe fast. His face was all red, his pupils dilated, his breathing was like his GF, Doomtrain, and he was hyperventilating.

“I want you NOW.” Squall said, in a clear, precise voice, it’s not a statement but a command.

Irvine grinned, as he discarded the last of the clothing hindering them from touching skin. “With pleasure, commander.” He replied, as he showed Squall why he was such an expert in all those “flirting” game.

How could one fall for another man? Squall wanted to ask, as he watched Irvine devour his body like a feast, taking his small buds in his mouth like a delicacy he had been waiting for. Making Squall squirm and squeal like a girl the way he used his tongue. Squall tilted his head back, his eyes rolling at the back of his head. Irvine sucked on his tiny buds, sucking and pinching them between his teeth until they are all red and hard.

“S-So good…” Squall moaned. Irvine watched him. He knew it all along but this is the first time he had seen how sexy Squall is up close. That stern face could be so handsome when it is unguarded like moments like this, writhing under him in pure pleasure. Muscles taut from the constant practice and training wielding lionheart like a scepter. He is the lion after all, the king of the jungle, and ever since they met at the orphanage, he had vowed he would make Squally the king of his heart. Rule everything about him, and make him his.

Squall shuddered when he felt a foreign finger teasing his entrance. “Relax, I would be gentle and slow.” Irvine murmured at the crook of his neck. Squall gripped his arms, a little frightened.

“You want me to stop?” he asked, although he knew he can’t stop now, he would force Squall if he has to or convince him somehow to agree.

Squall shook his head, but Irvine could still see that he was still a little hesitant.

“Ah, I know.” Irvine said, and reached for his coat and fished out a bottle.

“Why didn’t I think of this before? Its elixir. Its basically use for healing.” He flipped the top and undoes the bandage on Squall shoulder, it’s not a big cut but still they could never know if the monster has poisoned talons. He rubbed some of it on it, and in seconds the cut disappeared. Then he drank some.

Squall wondered if he was hurt and wasn’t just telling him, but he was surprised when Irvine scooted down his body and then he let out a yelp when he felt warm tongue covered with that liquid snaked inside his hole.

“Irv-ine.” Squall let out a moan, he never realized you could use that liquid as lube, and it was giving him strange sensation. Irvine probe, lick and suck on his tiny hole, Squall was mewling and moaning, his body writhing and dancing to the tune of lust Irvine had played for him.

When Irvine knew he was ready, he snaked his way back to Squall’s other head, and devoured his mouth, sharing some of the elixir with his commander, and when he aimed for his target with his human magnum, Squall was ready to take the shot.

“So tight.” Irvine hissed, trying to hold himself back so as not to rush his virgin lion.

“Hahhh….huff.…Irvy…ahhh…..” Squall moaned trying to maintain his composure being ridden by his best friend. Irvine touched his face, all sweaty now.

“Move, Kinneas!” Squall grunted. Irvine laughed,

“So demanding, my lion.” He said, and he speeds up a bit, and Squall moved with him, although he knew it got to be painful. They moved together as much as they can in that cramped, hot and dark space under the half piece of metal cargo crate that had boxed them in.

Squall was surprise when Irvine poured the rest of the elixir on his hand and took hold of his erection. “Bollocks!” Squall grunted when Irvine started to give him a hand job in time with his thrust. The liquid was giving him a strange sensation, a different high. Probably because it was meant for other use. But Irvine had cleverly used the healing elixir as a mild aphrodisiac.

“Come with me, Squall.” Irvine said, as he leaned closer and took a nip at Squall’s neck, his hand moving faster, Squall moved his hips in time with Irvine’s thrust, together they danced in frenzy. The monsters left in the training center had wondered about the sound coming from the box coffin that had suddenly appeared in the middle of their domain. It sounded like beasts mating, with all the moans and grunts. A lion was roaring and his hunter was right behind him in pursuit. They all scurried away when two human voices echoed with euphoria from the box thing in the middle of the foliage.

Squall and Irvine were panting, they are now sticky and sweaty from all the strenuous activity they had accomplished in a cramped and dark place.

Then they heard voices. “They couldn’t be here, Quisty.” Zell said in a doubtful voice.

“Well, where else they could have gone, no one reported the commander going out of the garden.” A whiny but authoritative voice of their former instructor complained. “Hey, I see Irvine’s hat!” Zell shouted excitedly. “Over there!”

The two mating beast scurried to get their clothes back on, they were half decent when a loud crash echoed in the training center and light blinded the two, Zell had ripped the door from its hinges.

“Quistis! I found-“ Zell began to shout when he stared at Irvine and Squall still in the motion of trying to get dressed.

Quistis smacked him on the head, “Don’t look, moron.” She reprimanded and slammed the door close again until the two finish dressing up.

Irvine and Squall crawled out of their haven, couldn’t look at their friends in the eye. Zell had a hero-worship look in his eye looking up to Irvine.

Squall swatted him on the head, “If you talk, chicken wuss, I’m going to sic the library girl after you.”

Zell sobbed, and run behind Quistis. “Meany Squally!”

Quistis was grinning like a Cheshire cat, “I see that you have found the healing that you needed since you’ve fallen ill, commander.”

Squall blushed beet red. Irvine gave her a wink, “Yes, I’m his cure after all.”

“Irvine!” Squall cried.

Zell volunteered to take their weapons to their room since they said they are on their way to the infirmary to check up on Squall’s shoulder. Quistis saw the blood on his shirt.

Squall was at his desk when Irvine strolled in without knocking. He walks over to Squall and surprised him by leaning down and giving him a kiss.

Squall slapped him. “What are you doing, Kinneas?” he spat out angrily, papers flying all over the desk.

Irvine was shocked. He was sure he didn’t dream what happened between them. They had agreed to sleep in their respective rooms to avoid rumors. Quistis wouldn’t talk but they bribe Zell with all he can eat hotdogs to keep him from babbling and yes, to make sure that the library girl would be there to keep him on a tight rein.

“What’s wrong, babe?” he asked, surprised.

“Don’t babe me, Kinneas. I’m in the middle of a meeting with the president of Eshtar.” He said, seriously.

Irvine whirled around and saw the snickering president and Squall’s father, Laguna, and Kiros, Laguna’s advisor and friend, gave him a smile and a nod.

Irvine stood there, and blushed. Laguna stood up, “I think we need a break, commander.” And looked at Kiros, “Kiros, why don’t you take Irvine and have some coffee while I talk to my son.”

Kiros bowed and escorted the sniper outside. Irvine gave Squall one apologetic look before walking out. Squall couldn’t look at his father.

Laguna was still snickering that Squall slammed his hand on his desk in anger. “Stop that! You’re enjoying it, aren’t you, old man?”

“I’m sorry. I just never thought that Irvine could still blushed as red as that. I thought the man is so used to all flippant manners that he won’t be embarrassed by kissing his lover in front of his father-in-law.” Laguna said, with a chuckle.

“He is not my lover! And you are not his father-in-law! We are not anything!” Squall protested, slamming his fist again on his desk, papers flew about.

Laguna smirked, he liked teasing Squall, he knows that his son is not used to showing his feelings just like his mother. “Oh, I don’t think Irvine would act so familiar with you in that manner if he isn’t.” Laguna commented.

“For the last time, he is not my lover!” Squall said, exasperated.

Laguna patted him on the shoulder, “We’re going. Just don’t let him slipped away, Squall.” He said, and then looked back at him again, “You come to love not by finding the perfect person but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly.”

Squall remained silent. “Irvine might look that he is easy. But seeing him how he is when he is with you, I don’t think he gives his heart to anyone just as easy. He only has eyes for you.” Laguna stated before walking out the door.

Squall sat down again, gathering the papers when Irvine knocked and walked in uncertain, he stood by the door. “Commander, I’m sorry for my mischief, it’s unbecoming of an officer. I assure you it won’t happen again.” He said, seriously, and was about to walk out.

“Just a second, Irvy, we need to talk.” Squall said. He buzzed Quistis.

“Please hold all my calls and meetings. I just need an hour.” He said, still in his commander mode that Quistis knows that Squall means business and not pleasure.

Squall opened the collar of his uniform. He had dressed formally for the meeting. Irvine didn’t notice that at first when he walked in. He didn’t even notice all the other people in the room, just Squall.

Squall motioned for him to sit; he had poured them two glasses of scotch. Irvine tried hard not to fidget. Wondering if what he did would make Squall break up with him, not that they had agreed that they were seeing each other after what happened in the training center. Squall leaned on his desk in front of the cowboy as he handed him the other glass. Irvine gulped it down to give him some nerve to take whatever Squall has to say as a man.

“Do you remember sis? Ellone.” Squall asked looking at Irvine.

Irvine nodded.

“We are pretty close. She used to say that she can see the future, the past and the present. She can go back through time and predict what was going to happen. Time compression. That’s what she said it was.”

Irvine sat there quietly, trying to understand what Squall’s point was. Squall looked at him again, Squall looked so serious. So regal in his uniform. That he didn’t dare interrupt him.

“From every human being there rises a light that reaches straight to heaven. And when two souls that are destined to be together find each other, their streams of light flow together, and a single brighter light goes forth from their united being. You are my destined partner, Irvine. The name that I have carved in my heart. That the words that I have kept locked away in the crevices of my mind are only meant for you.” He said, stood up and leaned closer to Irvine.

“I decided not to run away anymore, so if you’re willing to catch me, better not let me go.” He said, and kissed him. Irvine made a sound at the back of his throat, and his arms flew around his destined partner, deepening the kiss.

“I thought you were going to break up with me.” Irvine finally said, his eyes bright with fresh tears that were about to fall. Squall touched his face and smiled one of his rare smiles.

“Bollocks! How can I break up with you when we haven’t even agreed that we are seeing each other yet?” Squall said. Irvine looked at him uncertainly, “So what was that all about, your speech? Are you just drunk that you said all those crap for nothing?”

“Moron!” he cried, and hit him on the head, “Weren’t you even listening?” Irvine still stood there with his mouth open, “I still don’t get it.” He said.

Squall let out an exasperated sigh, “For a nice young lady, you could also be so slow, Kinneas.” He said, scratching his head. He pulled the sniper to him, until they are almost on top of the desk.

“We are finally official, Kinneas. Do you even want a written referendum to be read all over Balamb? Even dad approved highly of you, your new father-in-law.”

Irvine jumped him, and started undressing his commander, he was grinning from ear to ear, “In that case, let’s cast the first vote to make it official.”

When he got the commander undress, he quickly got rid of his clothes, he pressed the buzzer, “Quistis, the commander and I are writing a referendum and we would be casting votes, and please cancel all calls and meetings for the rest of the day.” He paused, “On second thought, arrange for a leave of absent.” He said.

“Yeah, right, cowboy, you are not the boss of me.” Quistis answered.

“Ms. Trepe, Kinneas has been officially been accepted into my family, even his new father-in-law approved of him so I’d be careful what you say to him. And yes, arranged for that leave of absent for both of us, we need to make arrangements to make this official.” Squall said.

There was a loud crash from the other end, there were shouts, cheers and woots from the other end of the line before it was cut off.

“Now, where were we?” Irvine slurred, he had undid his hair tie. And Squall watched him enthralled. The god Adonis, in all his splendid glory.

Irvine had downed the rest of Squall’s liquor, brown liquid poured down his lips and Squall followed the liquid trail as Irvine followed it with his fingers, tracing his nipples with the liquid then gripped his own manhood, spreading the rest of the liquor on his cock. Squall let a breathy moan, whimpering how hot and sexy Irvine looked now. Mine. All mine. This man is mine. My destined partner, my imperfect but utterly damn sexy partner. “Do you have elixir?” Irvine drawled. Squall nodded, not trusting himself to reply, and pointed stupidly on his discarded coat.

Irvine liked a cat slithered over and got the coat, crouching down, and Squall let out a squeak when he was shown the greatest spectacle that he had ever witnessed in his entire life, a sexy man doing a strip tease and a cat walk in his office.

Irvine opened the bottle, took a swig and walked over to Squall, and shared what was in his mouth while he slicked both their manhood with that instant aphrodisiac. Irvine captured both their manhood together in a tight embrace, and while they did some mouth exercise with their tongues, his hand was busy spreading precum and elixir all over their erections. Irvine slithered down Squall’s body and took him in his mouth, enjoying the taste of the elixir spiked with precum, Squall let out a squeal when Irvine took him all the way down his throat not fully swallowing his engorged member but his hot mouth plus the elixir almost made him cum. A finger teased his entrance, it went in easily when hours before there was something bigger that had plunged in that hole.

“Irvine…need…you…” Squall moaned, couldn’t stand anymore what Irvine was doing to his body.

But Irvine continued what he was doing. “f*** now!” Squall cried. Irvine chuckled; his mouth still around Squall, the vibration elicited another moan from his commander.

Irvine got up; withdraw the fingers from Squall’s hole. “I really have to tame you with your overpowering attitude, commander.” And before Squall could react, he speared him again with the human magnum. That made the lion of Balamb roar.

Owari