Author: Lipstickcat
E-mail: [email protected]
Pairing: Kiros/Squall
Rating: Pg-13
Summary: Kiros compares Squall and Laguna
Disclaimer: Not mine.
***
Laguna was with Selphie, feeding his ego, which would last a good few hours at least. Ward had vanished in the direction of the cafeteria, accompanied by Zell. Kiros watched them leave, and then stood alone in the middle of the Garden, feeling like a complete fool and a tourist. He pottered around for a while, reading the directory, watching the water, and keeping out of the way of cadets who always seemed to be in a hurry. He was invited to play Triple Triad at one point, but he didn�t have any cards on him, so he smiled like the old out-of-touch fool that he was feeling and sighed as the cadet walked away.
He felt lost, even though he knew exactly where he was. He was out of place. Perhaps this was how Laguna felt? Only, he was forever out of his depth, but it never seemed to get to him.
After almost bumping into the same jogger for a third time in a row, he decided that he really needed to do something. Maybe he should go and visit Squall? It wouldn�t hurt to get to know Laguna�s son.
He made his way to the lift with confident strides. Now that he had a purpose, he felt much more at ease. Squall had set his office up in Headmaster Cid�s old office, as it was close to the bridge. Kiros held the elevator door for a young female Seed, who then got off at the second floor. He continued up to the third floor, humming to himself without realising it. If Ward had been with him, he�d have pointed out that Laguna was rubbing off on him.
The office doors were slightly ajar. Kiros knocked politely before pushing them open a little more and entering. Squall was hunched over at his desk. There were piles of reports and scrapes of paper spilling over the desk and onto the floor. Cid had only recently handed the Garden over to Squall and the paperwork seemed to be engulfing him. The scene was reminiscent of Laguna�s own office in Esthar, and Squall seemed to be enjoying doing the paperwork about as much as Laguna did. That is to say, not at all.
Squall glanced up as Kiros walked into the room. He looked flustered and possibly even a little glad of the interruption.
�Can I help you, Kiros?� He asked as he sat back and combed his fingers through his fringe.
�Laguna�s� uh� Your Dad� eh�� Kiros faltered. He didn�t know how to refer to Laguna in front of Squall.
�Laguna.� Squall informed him. He blinked and seemed to have an afterthought. �Its still a little weird to find out after 17 years that I have someone to call Dad.�
Kiros nodded in understanding. He pulled up a chair and sat at one of the short sides of the desk.
�Laguna�s giving Selphie an exclusive interview and Ward�s discovering the joys of hotdogs. I thought that you might like to talk or something.� He glanced at the pile of papers on the desk. �If you�re not too busy.�
Squall looked torn. Paperwork was definitely on the bottom of his favourite things to do list, but it had to be done. He smiled apologetically at Kiros.
�I am actually very busy.�
Kiros nodded and began to stand up. Squall�s hand shot out to stop him, falling just short of grabbing the older man�s wrist. He still had issues with being touchy feely, and couldn�t quite bring himself to touch Kiros, but he didn�t need to; Kiros had stopped mid-rise, not quite standing or sitting.
�But you could help me, if you�ve got nothing else to do?�
Kiros beamed at him and sat back down, happy to have any kind of purpose. He hated being at a loose end.
�I help Laguna all the time. In fact, I probably take care of over fifty percent of his duties.�
Squall nodded, already sorting through a pile of papers. He cleared a space on the desk, and put the pile in front of Kiros.
�This is the cafeteria�s stock list. This is how much food they need, this is how much they�ve sold,� he explained quickly, pointing to columns of figures, �calculate how much needs ordering and insert it here.� He handed Kiros a calculator and paused to sweep his hair out of his eyes. �Thanks.�
He smiled sincerely for a split second and turned to his own paperwork, completely oblivious to the fact that Kiros� jaw was virtually on the table. Kiros had realised that when he smiled and actually meant it, it was just like Laguna�s smile. It projected earnestness, like he meant it from every inch of his soul. The only difference was that Squall seemed to use this open, honest, expression less than Laguna.
Kiros switched on the calculator and began to work at the rows of figures. For several minutes, the only sound in the room was the muffled tapping of fingers on keys, paper being shuffled and the rough scratch of Squall repeatedly signing his name to documents.
Keeping his head bowed down, Kiros glanced up as Squall signed his name with a flourish. By now, Laguna would have been bored, in another few minutes he would have suggested that they went and picked up a take away. Squall, however, was concentrating intently on wadding through the pile of work. Unlike Laguna, he seemed to realise that the sooner he got it done, the sooner he could get on with other things.
Kiros absently tapped his pen against the desk, making it bounce against the wood in a drum roll. Squall�s eyes drifted shut in mild irritation, but he didn�t look over or say anything. Kiros stopped, suddenly aware that his mind had wandered. Being around Laguna was seriously shortening his attention span. As much as he hated to admit it, he could really �go for pizza� at that very moment.
He forced himself to look back down at the columns of figures, but the numbers quickly began to drift away as his mind continued its wanderings. Letting out a sharp sigh, he put his pen down and stretched in his chair. Squall looked up and watched impassively as Kiros pulled his arms over his head and pushed his legs out under the table, arching up in the seat precariously. Kiros yawned deeply, screwing his eyes up. When he reopened them Squall had returned to his papers.
Leaning on the desk, Kiros looked around. The room was interesting, when viewed for the first time; once you walked through the impressive oak doors, there was an almost unobstructed view through clear glass walls that extended to the ceiling. Grey sail-like sheets hung over head, making glimpses of azure sky through the transparent ceiling even more dramatic. The simple elevator shaft rose through the centre of the room, the solid floor of the bridge above spreading out from it like leaf on a sturdy stalk. On either side of the lift there were tables with tapering white candles in bronze stands. Squall�s desk was set to one side, in front of one of these tables.
It had been quite breath taking the first time Kiros had seen Squall�s office, but he�d been there several times now and there was nothing particularly interesting to look at anymore. Not even an interesting view, just an expanse of blue sky and sea. Squall needed to put up a few pictures. Photos. A paperweight. A coffee machine even�
He turned his attention to the Headmaster instead. Laguna�s son, who�d have thought it? They were so different it was unbelievable. Yet, in their differences, they were alike. They were both nervous and self-conscious, but where Squall tried to avoid his insecurities by withdrawing into a private quiet world, Laguna dealt with his by babbling and drawing attention to himself. It was only possible to see how afraid of the world they both were if you got to know them.
Kiros had been fortunate enough to see Squall in battle a couple of times. Squall and Laguna were both spectacular fighters, though their techniques were obviously completely different; Laguna�s weapon being used from a distance, while Squall had to use his at close range to get the most from it. Both fought passionately, getting dragged into the here and now of battle, waiting for and feeding off the final burst of energy that was provided by their spectacular limit breaks. He knew Laguna�s limit break by heart and he looked forward to seeing it because he knew how much his friend enjoyed the chance to really let himself go.
He�d only seen Squall�s limit break once, but it was etched into his memory with a burning brand. The release of stored energy in such a rush that he had to take a step back. Like an explosion. Metallic blurs slicing thick T-Rexaur hide like it was little more than a delicate petal. The Fated Circle: the very atmosphere glowed as a shock of energy radiated from the gunblade. He�d been left speechless.
Squall had an elegance that, while not lacking in his father, was more refined. His movements were deliberate and never pointless. Even now, as he held a document in front of himself to read, he held himself proudly.
Of course, he looked a lot like his mother. He had Raine�s face and colouring. Kiros could see that in a few years time that would change. Once Squall hit his twenties he would mature into his face. The changes would be subtle, but they would make him more like his father; his jaw would harden, the line becoming more angular and masculine, his face would fill out, his cheekbones would become less pronounced. He would look less androgynous. He would probably keep those pouting lips of his mother�s though.
Squall looked up at him and, as if he had read his thoughts, he drew his lips out in a thin line. Not quite smiling or scowling, simply not pouting. However, the expression wouldn�t last long, the sullen look fitted naturally on his face.
He turned back to sign his name to yet another document, but Kiros had given up on the concept of work completely. He had caught Squall�s gaze when he had looked at him. He had Laguna�s eyes. They were a different shade of blue, with grey flashes striking through the brighter topaz. They were sadder too, shielded. But there was no mistaking the glint that was definitely Laguna. It was easy to make Laguna�s eyes catch fire, Kiros knew that Squall wasn�t so easily stimulated but he still had the potential embers burning deep in the steely grey.
Kiros gritted his teeth. This was maddening! He�d always prided himself on the fact that his mind did not wander. Maybe Laguna had spoiled his patience. Perhaps if he just got up and walked around the office a little, stretching his legs would freshen him up. Then he could get back to helping Squall.
Squall looked up as Kiros pushed his chair back and stood. The older man couldn�t help but notice that those eyes that were nearly Laguna�s searched over the length of his body before returning to the work on the desk. Kiros turned quickly as he felt heat rise to his cheeks. Surely Squall hadn�t just checked him out? No, of course not, that would be silly. For a start, he must seem like an old man to the teenager. He was old enough to be his father� But still, the possibility made Kiros glow a little on the inside.
He walked around the outside of the room, stopping at the tables to examine the candlesticks in detail. Then he moved to the back of the lift to gaze out the massive window. He watched gulls wheeling in the clear sky and diving into the water. It was very serene, but not particularly interesting. He paced back to the centre of the room and stopped in front of the lift. Absently, he pressed the buttons, enjoying the feel of them clicking beneath his fingertips. The lift whirred up and down twice before Squall turned in his seat to glare at him.
�Sorry.� Kiros apologised.
�Maybe we need a break.� Squall sighed. �Do you want to get a coffee?�
Kiros nodded, thankful that Squall didn�t sound to angry with him, just weary in general. A break would do them both good.
As Kiros approached, Squall stood and sat back against the desk, crossing his arms in an uncharacteristically relaxed posture. This time, it was Kiros who couldn�t help checking Squall out. Who wouldn�t be able to help themselves? All that leather, fur and belts naturally drew the eye. So different from Laguna�s more practical outfit. So provocative for someone so withdrawn.
Kiros drew level with him and looked down at Squall. He was a little shorter than Laguna, but he�d probably grow that extra foot or so in the next few years. He felt as if Squall was going to speak, but he just looked at him expectantly. Kiros had never expected to make eye contact with Squall; he had thought that the only time the brunette would hold someone�s gaze for more than a moment would be in battle. Yet, here they were, watching their reflections in each other�s eyes.
He was used to this with Laguna. They would often find themselves staring blankly into each other�s eyes in long meaningless connections. They were friends, they were comfortable with each other, it was simple. But with Squall, he couldn�t imagine such a look not meaning something. Squall did not stare.
As he gazed into Squall�s eyes, detached part of Kiros� mind confirmed that, yes, they were a lot like his father�s, the flame was just dimmer. He felt ill at ease. Twitchy. He was desperate to look away, but he couldn�t break contact. The sparkle that he had inherited from his father held his attention.
Without realising it, he was shuffling forward, invading Squall�s personal space. Squall�s breath caught in his throat as his lips parted in surprise. His hands automatically uncrossed to grip the edges of the desk, which he was already trapped against. Kiros reached up and cupped the sides of his face, his fingers sliding through hair that was as silky as it looked. That came as no surprise to Kiros; Laguna�s hair was equally as soft.
His mouth touched against Squall�s and the gunblader didn�t resist. Soft young lips moved against his, interrupted by a hesitant tongue sliding out to moisten them before withdrawing again. Kiros pressed deeper and Squall returned the passion, tilting his head to the side to allow Kiros� tongue to explore his mouth.
Kiros shifted position, so that his leg was between Squall�s, effortlessly pushing them apart. Their bodies fitted well together. Squall began to lean back and Kiros hesitated, but Squall continued to kiss him, suckling on his bottom lip to encourage him to follow him down.
Papers fluttered as they slid from the table, but neither person seemed to notice, or care. Squall lay back on the desk, his legs dangling over the edge, his feet not quite touching the floor. As he reached up to pull Kiros to him the older man braced a leg against the hard wood top and hoisted himself up, so that he was kneeling on the desk, over Squall.
He paused for a second to take in the sight of Squall; his eyes lightly closed, his ragged breath panting out from between his kiss bruised lips, his hair tousled and splayed across the dark oak desk. He pushed away the unbidden thought that Squall looked more like his father than he�d previously observed and dipped back down to engulf his lips in a deep, hard kiss.
Squall moaned into his mouth as his hands began to run over the toned muscle hidden beneath Kiros� shirt. Kiros� hands returned the caress, feeling Squall arch into his touch. He tugged the t-shirt out of Squall�s trousers and slid his hand over the silky warm skin beneath.
Somewhere, there was the noise of people having a conversation. Neither noticed as it got louder. Suddenly, there was a squeal, almost of surprised delight, then utter silence.
Kiros looked up to find Selphie and Laguna standing in the doorway. Selphie was staring at them with her hand clamped over her mouth. Squall opened his eyes and craned his neck to see what Kiros was looking at. The figures were upside down, but they were easily recognisable. Squall made a small sound of disbelief.
Laguna�s gaze locked with Kiros�. Kiros opened his mouth to say something, but what could he say? He began to back away, climbing off the table clumsily. Laguna�s eyes flicked briefly to Squall, before falling shut and screwing up tightly, echoing his fists, which were also in tense balls. Then he turned and half ran to the lift, refusing to turn around until the doors slid shut behind him.
Squall scrambled off the desk, staring in his father�s wake. He glanced at Selphie, then at Kiros. His eyes were wide and frightened. Kiros reached out to him but he backed away, before swiftly moving towards the lift to the bridge. As the lift hummed upwards, and Squall vanished from sight, Kiros noted miserably that both Squall and Laguna ran away from him with equal speed.
He didn�t know which way to turn, but he couldn�t just stand there with Selphie staring at him. Trying to retain some dignity, he walked around the desk, past Selphie and waited for the lift to come back up. To her credit, Selphie left him alone and let him go. Once the lift doors slid shut behind him, she let out a gasp that she had been holding in since her slip when she had walked into the office. Then she walked over to Squall�s desk and began to pick up the papers from the floor. All the while, her brain was whirring as she tried to rearrange her personal observations of the people who had been in the room moments before.