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[cross_swords]

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[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. ]

[cross_swords]

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.

[cross_swords]

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.]

[vacantexpression]

[ The grit of annoyance is the kind of tit for tat that allows Squall to uncoil from his own tightly wound apprehension at being previously perceived. His outstretched hand retreats for the moment, letting Seifer keep the belt in his possession as Squall sets his foot on the bottom rung of the stool, the distance between them minimized. ]

Does it matter? When the right ones stay?

[ He's always chafed under Seifer's desire to be noticed by everyone. He's not sure how the posse feels about it but Squall has always hated the way it nags at him no matter how much he tries to tell himself it doesn't matter.

He extends his hand out for that final belt again, the leg it'll go on propped between Seifer's. ]

ngl i've been dealing with this week with so much Squiefer fanfic

[cross_swords]

[Damn, Squally-boy. That's close. It's got Seifer almost breathless. But he's capable of controlling himself. Usually.]

That's assuming the right ones stay.

[Because Seifer's sure Fuu and Rai won't bail out of Garden immediately with him, and if they do, they'll probably get bored of him and start their own lives after a while. And it's easier to think about that than the provocative position that Squall's put them in. Probably better not to let the guy see how flustered he got over it. He didn't want Squall to push him away even sooner. So he hands over the belt.]

same t b h 🤘😔

[vacantexpression]

[ The common misconception about their rivalry is that people think it's one-sided; that Seifer has simply managed to bully Squall into training with him all of these years. It's always been offensive and it's a narrative that has persisted despite him growing strong enough to prove he isn't the type to be pushed around.

But they do push each other.

Squall is pushing now. On the heels of Seifer believing he's not long for Garden, Squall is crowding and baiting him to rally against that fatalism. When the provocation doesn't escalate, when it fails to be reciprocated, Squall knows he's hit something tender. ]

You have to let them.

[ Squall's not the only one who pushes people away. It's not something he says outright. Instead he lowers his gaze so he can begin looping the belt around his thigh, their proximity buzzing under his skin like live wire. Without looking up, he adds: ]

Leave the coat behind for the exam. They dock points if you're not in uniform.

[cross_swords]

[His eyes are working hard to stay locked to Squall's. To not stare at where the fingers of Squall's smart fingers seemed determined to draw them. because of course Squall isn't trying to draw them. That isn't what they do. No matter how much he wishes it were.]

You think I don't know that by now?

[vacantexpression]

[ There is an inherent cowardice in the act. The leg between Seifer's is bold but only enough to make its presence known, but not enough to disrupt the balance of their rivalry. It can withstand bruises and blows, snide comments and snark, but Squall isn't confident enough to think it could survive this. Even as his heartbeat quickens with the thought of Seifer's fingers replacing his own.

It's not a foreign fantasy. ]

I'm not suggesting it because you don't know it. I'm suggesting it because you never do it and every point counts when they're stacked against you.

[cross_swords]

[Oh the things it could survive that they could not begin to fathom. The things they denied themselves the chance to explore.]

If I can't make it through with the points I get beyond that one, what's the point? Hell, even the actual SeeDs rarely go out in their full uniforms. I move better in it too. I should be able to use something that I have more awareness of myself and range of movement in. Plus the long coat helps distract people when I move in a fight.

[vacantexpression]

[ What's the point? Squall feels the tension return as he braces himself for the inevitable tug of war this will become. When his gaze finally lifts it's to stare hard at Seifer, a quiet fury behind the ice. What's the point? ]

Conduct matters, Seifer. It's not about what the other SeeDs do, it's what you do. You know damn well you don't need showmanship to put someone on their backs.

[ Do it for me, Squall wants to add. Just suck it up and do it for me. He bites it back and he'll always regret it. ]

[cross_swords]

[No one likes him for what he does. Why should he care about that.]

It's not showmanship, dammit. It's psychology. The fluttering movement draws the eye, and the bulk the coat gives me changes perceptions of my size and position. Makes people attack the wrong places or misjudge when a strike should hit, meaning that I'm avoiding the most dangerous point in the arc of a blow. There's a reason for everything.

[Not to mention the personal money he put into getting his damn vest some extra defensive padding to it.]

[vacantexpression]

To Garden, it's showmanship.

[ They're top of their class when it comes to tactical warfare. They know how to swing a fight in their favor before it even begins and how to turn the tide after it's started. But it isn't enough. It clearly hasn't been in Seifer's case.

Squall's head cants towards Seifer as if to further highlight the coat in question. ]

They're not grading us to see who's the most clever. If that were the case, you'd already be doing missions. It's about showing them you can follow orders.

[ Squall already knows he's lost just with that one remark and he scowls in recognition of it. His leg withdraws, belt in place, and he turns his back to go retrieve his gunblade, uttering a grumbled whatever to cede the coming argument. ]

[cross_swords]

That's because Cid and those fucking robed shitheads wouldn't know tactics if it bit them.

[Seifer rolls his eyes over claiming it's not about being clever.]

IT's also about coming back alive. Cadet Evans almost died last year.

[Yeah, arguing for obedience isn't really going to work when they both know the orders can be bullshit. Or at least Seifer does.]

[vacantexpression]

[ Squall isn't so heartless that the mention of Evans doesn't stop him in his tracks. Everyone knows how dangerous the SeeD exam can be and there is something especially sinister about its potential fatality that makes Squall's blood run cold when he thinks of their conversation yesterday. If he passes and Seifer doesn't...is Garden really going to be inclined to let another gunblader walk off its campus? Especially one they can't control?

Squall shakes himself of the thought. It's irrelevant. They're going to pass. Both of them. ]

I'm not asking you to follow blindly. I'm asking you to follow strategically. Wearing the uniform only downplays your lethality, it doesn't strip it away.