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[cross_swords]

[As if it would be Seifer's ego that would really need to be worried about if Squall ever had the courage to comment on Seifer's ample assets. And it wasn't like the posse bothered to say it either. Should it be any surprise that he went elsewhere for praise?

Stand as the top combat student at Balamb Garden, for one thing. Though I've had compliments in a wide variety of other areas.

[His smile there is a mischievous one, and accents it with a wink. Today he's not playing that game, Squall. He knows the other youth too well as well.]

Want to explain why you were so distracted today?

[vacantexpression]

[ Emotional maturity isn't something Squall's ever claimed. Avoidance and denial are far more predictable of him, but every now and then they find common ground upon which to stand. It doesn't always tip Squall's hand but sometimes there's just enough in his words to signify praise. ]

Such as?

[ Inviting Seifer to talk about himself instead of blushing has kept their playing field even all these long years however when Seifer flips the script and comments on his performance, Squall can feel the heat in his cheeks.

For a few long strides, he's silent. Then, after a long moment of trying to find the right words, he tentatively confesses. ] I was thinking about the exam and how I need to be better. Stronger. To keep up with you. To show them what we're capable of.

[cross_swords]

[Emotional maturity, a level of development they are in some ways on par in. Except instead of avoidance and denial like Squall has, Seifer was more masking and denial.

Still, when he catches sight of the red in Squall's cheeks, he smiles to himself. Now this was interesting to see. He wondered just how he could push that. What buttons were here that he hadn't known about before?]

You already keep up with me, Leonhart. Surely you know that, right?

[vacantexpression]

[ Neither of them are exactly the pinnacle of mental health but being orphans thrust into combat training to prove their worth probably did more of a number on them than Garden wants to take credit for.

It is exactly that self-worth that Squall scoffs at when Seifer tries to reassure him. Hyne, what is this feeling? The warmness in his cheeks, the flutter that comes from Seifer's praise... Squall scowls. ] I don't need the platitudes, Seifer.

You were right...about what you said yesterday. You're not like me. You might buck up against orders, but you know how to give them. And you have the strength to see them through.

[ What that means for Squall is left unsaid. He might be able to climb SeeD as a mercenary but he'll never elevate to any kind of position of authority. He doesn't have it in him. He doesn't want that for himself either. But he wants it for Seifer. ]

[cross_swords]

When have I ever given you platitudes, Squall?

[But no, that's not the point he's going to dig as deeply into right now. Instead he reaches out, grabbing Squall by the wrist. His intention is clearly to pull the younger gunblader to a stop. To force Squall to look at him.]

Is that really what you took away from what I said? Hyne, if I knew it would get that stuck in your head... No, I'm not like you. That doesn't make the way you approach life wrong, does it? What you do is right for you. Hell, most people at Garden don't get it. Haven't been there nearly as long as we have. But that doesn't mean our ways of reacting are the only ways to do it. Just that Garden wants one thing and they don't like that I'm not that.

[One day Squall will think back on this, on that belief that Seifer should have authority and that Squall couldn't have it, and he'd regret it. They don't know it, but they'll see. The way that Squall's reluctance makes him better to lead than Seifer's desire for it. They were born to be leaders in different ways, and followers in different ways. Squall could walk the line between the two. Seifer... he could only follow in the same way a wild chocobo stallion could: by breaking his spirit.]

[vacantexpression]

[ It takes a moment for Squall to lift his gaze. Talking with Seifer at his back is always easier than when they're face to face. His breath comes in sharp, bracing for whatever it is Seifer might say as he lets himself be pulled to a halt. ]

Garden is full of idiots.

[ He says it flatly, but he's bitten off the obscenity that might have snuck itself between the words if he wasn't already warring with himself for speaking at all. Even in this, these assurances, Seifer has a way about him that Squall would devote himself to. The idea of moving forward...of passing the SeeD exam without Seifer when he has been his constant all these years...

Squall twists his wrist but it's not to get out of the clasp. Instead, he returns it. Likely pressing bloody fingerprints into Seifer's skin from the gloves that are saturated in it. Apparently blood is good for pacts. In the not so distant future, when they bear mirror marks across their faces, he'll wonder if that was just another way to bind themselves to each other. ]

I need you...to keep setting the bar. I don't want to go into this exam without something to strive for.

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Like we both don't know you'll always be chasing after me.

[The way Seifer says it, so calm and self assured, might make someone else call him cocky. But the way he smiles at Squall... It's not the normal arrogant smirk. It's not cocky. It's not the same mask he put on for the theater staff the day before. It's something different. Something unique. A touch more genuine. But perhaps Squall would never know that. His social skills were lacking. And even if he did, he would never know the bigger truth that went with that smile.

Seifer never offered that smile to anyone else. It was a rare thing. A pleased sort of thing. Satisfied and almost happy. A smile that sometimes lingered like a ghost about his lips when Squall managed a new maneuver they were both trying to master or that Seifer was teaching him. A smile reserved for the rare moments of a skillful blow. A smile held for the briefest second when they had first come back from Balamb together with their first non-practice gunblades together.]

I'll always set the bar. It's up to you to figure out what you're going to do with that. But we're going in together. And I'm going to kick ass.

[vacantexpression]

[ Maybe Squall doesn't realize its rarity beyond the way they train, but that smile undoes him all the same because of what it means between the two of them. It's a flash pan of genuine approval. A moment where they are unequivocally aligned and in sync. When, for a moment, the scales are perfectly balanced.

He's not the type to smile but he does squeeze Seifer's wrist as his eyes narrow with pleasure. Like a cat lying in a sun patch, perfectly content to stay where it is forever. It is terrifying to recognize but...He wants to stay like this forever.

It's something he thought briefly the day before and it's what lives under the frustration that Garden might not pass Seifer. If he doesn't pass the exam, there's a very real possibility...

No. Squall forces his mind to stop. To focus on the way Seifer beams in front of him. It's a moment that will get rewritten one day, carved out of him and fed to the ravages of time compression. He doesn't know it's temporary. Maybe that's what makes it so bittersweet to look upon. ]

I'll believe it when I see it.

[ Which is just Squall's way of saying he wants to see it. The goad is gentle, suffused with another squeeze to make up for the lack of smirk that might have otherwise crossed a normal person's lips. And then Squall is unclasping his hand from around Seifer's wrist to free his own. ]

[cross_swords]

[Forever wasn't something for mortals to achieved. Hyne, it may even be the most terrifying word ever for them one day. But not today. Today Squall can think it even though Seifer knows this moment is fleeting.

The exam is in three days. He expects to be booted shortly after. It's what makes this moment so frustrating. Because for a second he thinks he sees something in Squall's eyes he hasn't seen there before. Something he wished he could reach for. Something he wished he'd known to look for.]

Chances are they won't put us on the same squad. Because they know you'd be too distracted by me to test properly.

[And the touch is gone so Seifer's hand drops to his side.]

[vacantexpression]

[ The promise of forever will one day erode itself into a threat. It will take on a new and more sinister meaning. But today, there is only the promise of it. A dangerous potential Squall naively hopes to cling to. They can do it. They can pass the exam together. With Seifer, he feels like he can do anything and if that proves true then he can show Garden how valuable they are. What it looks like to have two perfectly honed weapons working in tandem. ]

Show me what I'll be missing and I'll let you know whether it's as distracting as you think.

[ Squall knows it's too late in the morning now to push themselves further but there's still time in the day to tempt Seifer back into the Training Center or out into the fields. They can stock up on spells, go over junctions, and prepare as best they can to beat Garden's rigged game. ]

[cross_swords]

[What a change could be wrought on the future if only Seifer knew. If only he didn't fight his desire to reach out again. To touch. To feel the heat of Squall's skin and let himself be caught up in the wonder of the way Squall thinks he matters. Thinks he's worth something.]

There's plenty I can't show you in the time we have. But yeah. Come on. Glacial Eye hunting I suppose.

[vacantexpression]

[ Squall's most egregious mistake is that he thinks they have time. Seifer leading the Disciplinary Committee and being the Garden's most ferocious and accomplished combat student are red herrings for success. He can't see a world where they aren't SeeDs. Where his salutes aren't directed at Seifer as he commands missions with the same unerring efficiency in the way they train. He's stronger because of Seifer. And he'll tell him as much, in his own way, but it won't be enough. It won't be what could have made the difference if he'd been brave enough to be honest.

If he can't be honest with himself though, what would have made him think he could be honest with Seifer.

Nevertheless, he'll still look back with regret. ]

Good. Dorms first though.

[ The blood isn't the worst thing. In fact, it's probably perfect for drawing in monsters, but Squall has an indecent tear through his shirt that he'd prefer not to walk the plains with. ]

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What? Is it nap time?

[He grins as he shoots a look at Squall.]

Maybe put on your leathers before we head out. To keep you warm against the ice spells. Unless you're really trying to live up to the Ice Prince reputation.

[Granted it was a reputation that Seifer had helped create, but it was there.]

Worried about being eyed on the way back in?

[vacantexpression]

[ A patented Leonhart eyeroll, then: ] You'd have to exhaust me first.

[ If it were coming from anyone else it could have been innuendo, but their sparring is enough to goad Seifer in other ways. The chill of the mountains will be enough to prompt him into changing, but the thought of being under anyone's stare is added incentive. Squall's face pinches with annoyance at the thought. ]

No, but I'd prefer everyone to mind their business.

[ A lie. Of course Squall's worried. He hates the whispers that follow them after they've had a particularly brutal training session. It aggravates him to no end that he's constantly perceived as the victim to Seifer's aggressions; as if he can't give as good as he gets. As if he isn't the one pushing for it once their blades are locked and he won't back down.

There aren't a lot of students milling around this early on a weekend but the few who are up cast suspicious glances their way. While Seifer might thrive in the spotlight, Squall coils like a serpent in defense at the slightest morsel of attention and remains every bit as icy as his reputation suggests until they reach the dormitory wing.

His door is before Seifer's but now that the code is under scrutiny, Squall crowds the pinpad as he enters it. ]

[cross_swords]

Oh trust me, I'm more than capable of that.

[OF course he goes quiet after that, given they're approaching more populated Garden areas. This is when Seifer's posture changes. His attitude. His smile. He's all the bad boy of Garden, the popular guy. The asshole. Whatever people want to label him as. He knows how to sell the story he plays. Hyne, if he was a bit less broke than he was, maybe he would have been a good infiltration specialist. As it is he just smirks when Squall crowds his keypad.]

I know what you're up to Leonhart.

[vacantexpression]

[ There is something about the implication that makes heat rush through Squall. Their sparring sessions are the only thing that cut the ticker tape of his mind and sink him into a delicious white noise. If Seifer can do that with a blade, Squall can only imagine, and has imagined, what he can do with just his hands and the heat of Ifrit's magic holds no candle to the warmth that rushes through him at the potential in the words.

As he unlocks his door, Squall pushes his hand into Seifer's face to nudge him back. ] Whatever you think it is, it's not.

[ He levels his best glare at Seifer before shouldering his way into his room, aware that closing the door on the other will just result in it being caught and held open so he doesn't bother. It's not an explicit invitation but he certainly doesn't hold the door open for him either. ]

[cross_swords]

Sure it isn't.

[But he lets Squall go. Not like he can do much but wait outside the door for... Wait. Did it not slam? Seifer smirks and steps into the common area. He sits down at one of the tall stools at the table, watching Squall through his seemingly still open bedroom door.]

Hurry up. I hate hunting Glacial Eyes too late in the day.

[vacantexpression]

[ Squall is hyper aware of Seifer's presence. It's something he can feel acutely through the open door even as he keeps his back to it. He's in the middle of changing his shirt when he hears Seifer's grousing and all Squall can do is snort at the rush. As if the few minutes it takes to get into his leathers will be what pushes them to hunt late in the day.

From where Revolver is propped up, Squall can see the soft reflection of Seifer in its steel. How odd to feel his presence without feeling like it's an intrusion. He's in the middle of swapping out his pants and working the soft leather of them up and over his hips as he replies. ]

Is there a better time to hunt them?

[ He has several belts to deliberately take his time with now that he knows Seifer's in a rush and so he does, looping the one around his waist with little incentive to move any faster. ]

[cross_swords]

Pre-dawn. The morning light reflects off their skin better, gives you more warning that they're approaching. I prefer to do it then.

[Of course, he also doesn't care about being on time to home room, especially since he knows Trepe won't report him specifically some days.]

Oh great. Now we're delaying for your belt collection.

[vacantexpression]

[ A soft hum of acknowledgement is made. These tactical advantages are beneficial but they've spent their pre-dawn hours slicing through the air at each other and letting their blades do the hunting. They have time, but it isn't the luxury of what they could have had if they'd skipped sparring.

Something Squall is not in the habit of doing.

He casts a glance over his shoulder to meet Seifer's eyes, brow cocked in a silent challenge as he reaches for his next belt. ]

You're the one who told me to change.

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Yeah, but I'm starting to regret it. You take longer than the Princess did to get ready. I'm beginning to wonder why you wear so many. Looking to make sure you have something on you to tie someone up if you have to knock them out or something?

[Who but Seifer would ever suggest that? Who but Seifer would even dare to question Squall on it?]

[vacantexpression]

[ There's a nagging curiosity to know who exactly Seifer's princess is but Squall refrains from asking. Likely the girlfriend from Galbadia and the comparison earns a soft huff as he rolls his eyes.

The strap of leather in his hands is examined in a new light now. He has three belts left and one of them is tossed Seifer's way as he moves to finish getting ready in the bedroom's doorway. ]

We both took the same lessons on how to subdue and restrain. I doubt these will do the job.

[ But maybe now they serve as more than just a warning that he's impossible to touch. That anyone who ever wanted to try would need to have the patience and dedication to undo more than just his reservations. ]

[cross_swords]

[The princess absolutely wasn't important here. But he catches the belt when it's thrown at him and he looks it over.]

Would restrain someone who didn't take classes to get out of them.

[People who didn't keep knives in their boots and hidden behind belt buckles and other things.]

Though I guess for you they're just using them to seem difficult. Untouchable.

[vacantexpression]

[ Subterfuge has been apart of their lives as long as they've been at Garden. Both he and Seifer know how to disarm, dismantle, and disappear. Most of their practice has been on or against each other. If they want to be the best, then it's always made sense to train with the best and that's been them for as long as Squall can remember. ]

Lucky for me then.

[ The observation earns a slant of his eyes and a firm purse of his mouth until it's a thin line. ]

The coat is to draw attention then? To make yourself bigger and inescapable in every room you walk in?

[ Two can play this game and Squall emerges from the room to extend a hand out for the last belt that will go around the top of his thigh. He's quiet a moment, then adds: ] You don't need it.

[cross_swords]

[Seifer bristles a little at the read. Don't do him like that, Squall.]

No. It's just to be noticeable. People flee pretty fucking easily. Which is fine.

[It's not fine. He lies. Of course he lies.]