Archive of Our Own ^beta

Squall Leonhart paused in his trek to glance back towards the small group that was following him.

Irvine, Seifer, Laguna, Snow, Hope, and Demosthenes were accompanying him on his trail up the large mountain. The snowstorm around them was raging, signaling they were nearing the top where his destination lied.

Shiva's domain.

Settled atop the highest peaks of Mt. Lourdes was said to be a long-hidden shrine dedicated to the world's Eidolon, Shiva.

Though they could call upon her Aid at times, Squall wished to present her with an offering in exchange for a Boon. It was a sort of once-in-a-lifetime opportunity he wouldn't pass up.

Snow wanted to tag along due to his own connection to the Shiva Twins he had from his own world which meant Hope would follow after and Demosthenes... Who knew what the strange Red Wizard thought or why she wanted to accompany them, but he wouldn't refuse. Her strength was an asset.

He also had to wonder why Laguna wanted to tag along since he seemed to complain every other moment about the cold as they went but he refused to ask. The man could do what he pleased.

Turning his head forward again he squinted his eyes to see through the flurry in an attempt to judge the distance they needed to further ascend.

He was grateful to his own Shiva's Glacial Cloak that shielded him from the cold, allowing him to move uninhibited by the weather. Irvine seemed to be doing well, though he also had to suspect that was still due to the blessing the Eidolon Shiva had bestowed upon him. Seifer was grimacing about the weather, but didn't appear to be that effected by it. Probably due to his own affinity to Ifrit and the eternal flame he imbued within him. Hope was huddled in his cloak, sticking close by Snow who also didn't appear the worse for wear, and Demosthenes appeared unaffected as well. Leaving Laguna mumbling under his breath with his own cloak wrapped around him and teeth chattering.

"Almost there." He said aloud to the others, pointing upwards along the barely visible path they were climbing. Beyond the mist and fog from the blizzard swirling around them they could almost make out the silhouette of something beyond.

"Get your ass moving, then. If we have to fight one more Hyne-damned Frost Bomb before we reach the Shrine, I'm going to blow this whole mountain up by calling Ifrit." Seifer snapped.

"Now, Seif," Irvine piped up, voice taking on a soothing tone. "That wouldn't do any good for any of us in the long run, and you already promised Squall this." He gently reminded.

"Hmph... Fine. Still stands, though: Hurry up." He grumbled.

Squall rolled his eyes briefly, but made an affirming noise and began to walk once more.

Though the distance wasn't far, the blizzard impeded their speed up the frosty trail as it had a layer of ice hidden underneath the snow. But once they reached the end of the trail and stepped onto the stone of the temple, it was like magic.

The fog cleared, an aura surrounded the temple and blocked the blizzard around allowing all to see the grandeur of the temple itself.

Despite looking unvisited in ages, it glimmered with crystalline ice along the outside of the stone, large stalactites and stalagmites of icicles rising from the ground and hanging from the rocks above.

"Wow... It's beautiful." Hope murmured softly, his voice filled with wonderous awe.

"It really is something, huh?" Snow replied, looking around for a moment before giving a nod of his head. "Yeah, I kinda like it here. I can definitely feel Them here, too. Or maybe it's just the Shiva that lives here."

Even Squall couldn't deny he felt his own Shiva stirring within him, delighted by the energy and Temple before them.

"At least the wind doesn't reach us here." Laguna said aloud as he shook the snowflakes off of his cloak and out of his hair. His teeth were still chattering but it had lessened in intensity a little since the barrier seemed to keep out some of the bite of the cold.

"It really does look like something fit for a Goddess, don't you think? Like from a Movie or something?" Irvine asked.

"Not my kind of palace or temple, but I guess you have a point." Seifer replied, frowning a little as he gave a careless glance about the place, crossing his arms. "Can we stop gawking at the place and get on with what we came here for?" He demanded.

Squall let out a soft snort in response to the other's impatience but nodded his head in agreement and walked up the path to the steps that led inside the temple.

Once inside, the space inside was large, but empty. It looked as if it once held life within it with stone tables and benches, but now it simply remained motionless, as if suspended in time by the ice. There were several wings on either side, and doors that lead farther in.

Squall approached the doors, placing his gloved hand upon it, holding up the Shiva Emblem he had in his other and the doors glowed, before giving way beneath his hand and they opened of their own accord to reveal the large altar room. Ever burning torches surrounded the dais with blue flame, creating a shimmering effect from the crystalline ice that encased the room and the icicles that hung from the ceiling.

Squall approached the dais, stepping up to the frozen stone. This was it, he could feel the culmination of Shiva's force here. He placed the Emblem upon the dais and it began to glow a pale blue light.

"Shiva, I bring you an offering. May you see it fit and worthy." Squall murmured, reaching to his item bag on his belt and withdrew two items.

They were pale blue glacial flowers, eternally bloomed.

"I offer you the symbols of Eternal Affection."

He then placed the flowers upon the altar on either side of the Emblem and stepped back.

The altar glowed even brighter and magic began to swirl about, collecting the Ether around and gathering to the room before the light created a bright pillar before them and when it cleared, Shiva was hovering there.

This time, she felt different than all the times they merely summoned her briefly for advice or aid in battle. She seemed...more. As if her presence was completely solid.

"It has been quite a long time since I have been summoned within my own Temple... Ah, how refreshing." She spoke as her eyes opened, her frostic gaze settling upon the group before them before settling on Squall.

"So you offer me the symbols of love most precious to you?" She questioned.

"Yes." Squall responded.

"Are you sure?"

Squall looked over his shoulder to glance towards Irvine and Seifer.

Irvine gave a nod of his head with a smile while Seifer made a motion with his hand to get on with things.

"Yeah. I offer you something that means the world to me."

The flowers rose up into the air and slowly began circling around her before she held her hand up and the blooms floated into her open hand. "Something so precious... You are blessed to have received not only one, but two of these and you offer them freely... Very well. I accept your offering, mortal child."

She closed her hand and the flowers glowed before they were absorbed into the Goddess' being. A brief smile crossed her lips. "What is it that you would ask of me in return?"

Squall closed his eyes for a long moment, silently drawing his Shiva's consciousness to the front with him, to make her aware of the words he was about to speak.

"Here within your domain, with your power, I would ask of you to let my Guardian Force that dwells within me, Shiva, to be separated from me for a time." He spoke clearly.

Shiva's brow rose and he felt the curiosity and surprise from his Shiva.

The Goddess hummed. "Why this particular request?" She intoned.

The others remained silent, some of them curious to hear Squall's answer, and others simply being respectful of the exchange.

"Shiva has been with me for most of my life. She has shielded me and protected me from numerous harm and sheltered me from the effects of winter and the cold. Without her, I would have been nothing. I look upon her as more than a Guardian Force to be used as a tool or weapon. I would grant her freedom for what little time you would afford us to express my gratitude." He explained.

The Goddess' lips lifted once more in another smile. "I always sensed your fondness for my counterpart, but I did not imagine you held such endearment for her... Your sentiments ring true. I will grant your desire." She answered.

Squall's eyes dilated just a little at her approval and he felt his own Shiva's emotion overwhelm him briefly. Something akin to disbelief, elation, pride, and joy.

"Three hours is all I can grant you." The Eidolon spoke. "Would that I could give you more time, but even here within my own Temple, my power is not as great as it was."

"Three hours is more than enough. Thank you." Squall acknowledged softly with a bow of his head.

The Eidolon held her hand out towards Squall, a glow emanating from her fingertips and magic gathered before she made motion with her wrist and the magic swirled and expanded before the light left her fingers and began to expand and swirl around Squall.

He could feel his Shiva within him, feel her power growing like it did when he would get ready to summon her. He closed his eyes and opened his mind to release her.

The magic drew the GF from him and she manifested in all her power in a large swirl of crystalline ice and snow, much like when she was summoned, encased within a glacier's crystal before it cracked and she was free.

Squall slowly cracked his eyes open to see the GF standing there in front of him, her icy-blue eyes staring at him in utter fondness, the warmth in her eyes apparent as the smile on her lips.

"Shiva..." He murmured quietly, taking a hesitant step forward.

All the others in the room watched as the Guardian Force held her arms out to the other wordlessly.

Squall felt something spark within him, something along the lines of child-like elation. A true, real smile broke out onto his face and without warning, he pushed forward to meet the GF, rushing into her arms and embraced her.

"Mother." He acknowledged quietly as he felt her embrace him in return, the gentle coolness of her aura surrounding him like a blanket.

In the back, Laguna's expression softened for a moment. He heard the word come from the other, and while something wrenched inside of his chest, he kept quiet. After all, he had no say in who Squall chose as his family. In a way, though, as much as he missed Raine, he felt some form of gratefulness to the GF for her adoration of Squall.

The Eidolon watched the two embrace, another small smile settled on her lips before she turned towards Snow. "You are another Child of Ice... I have seen you call upon my twin counterparts before, but now your connection is severed... What brings you here?" She asked.

Snow stepped forward, meeting the Goddess' eyes fearlessly. "About that, really. I'm no longer a L'Cie, my connection to Stiria and Nix is gone. I came to ask you if there was a way to reforge the connection without my becoming a L'Cie again. I need their strength to protect the others. Strength to protect who and what I care about."

To Squall, the world had faded away and left only him and Shiva existing in it. For a moment, even Irvine and Seifer's presence left him. As it was, Irvine gently pulled Seifer out of the summoning chamber to give Squall his time to be with the Guardian Force.

Laguna decided it was time for him to depart the room as well, casting his gaze towards Hope who was watching the interaction with the Eidolon and Snow. "Come on, kiddo, let's let Snow handle his business with Shiva and let Squall have his time with his." He spoke, trying his best to grin like normal but some of his usual brightness didn't reach his eyes.

"Yeah, I suppose you're right." Hope acknowledged after a moment. glancing to the other, noticing their lack of shine and wondered, but did not ask as he followed him out of the room as well.

The Guardian Force Shiva drew back from the embrace she had on Squall to bring her hand up, caressing her fingers through his hair, gently ruffling the locks.

Thank you. Though the time we have is limited, this moment means so much to me, my Child... She spoke in the strange way that was both heard and felt throughout Squall's system.

He looked up towards her, nodding his head. "Me, too. I've wanted to do this for a long time... Before, I had no means of releasing you without fully setting you free from Junctioning, but I know you wouldn't want that. So I've searched for a way to free you for a time... The short moments we've only ever had side by side were enough, but I..." He trailed off, looking towards the ground in awkwardness.

Truly like a child unable to explain their reasoning, the Guardian Force smiled once more, bringing her hands up to frame the young male's face and lift his head back up.

I understand. I too, have wished long for the chance to be able to be here at your side like this... Outside of battle, outside of danger. To be able to touch and hold you. My Child, you've been nothing but a joy all of these years with the way you have cared for me and allowed me to dwell within you. I thank you for your selflessness in your offering to my counterpart to free me.

"They know how much I care for you." Squall answered back, reaching a hand up to take one of the GF's own. "They were okay with it. I'd do it all over again, too, if I could. Just for this chance... I've... I've wanted to..." He trailed off again, the child-like embarrassment rising to his expression at his trying to tell the Guardian Force just how much he needed her presence.

Hush now, Shiva commanded gently, drawing them back into her embrace, leaning her head down to place a kiss atop the male's head. I am here now. Nothing can separate us. She assured.

Squall relaxed into her hold, tucking his face into the crook of her neck like a child seeking safety, clutching at her loosely as he leaned his weight against her and let out a contented sigh, feeling safe and at ease.

Shiva began to glow a faint blue colour as she resonated and began to hum gently, combing her fingers through Squall's hair and began to gently sway side to side with the teen in her arms, rocking to and fro with him. After a moment, like nothing she lifted the other into her arms.

Squall startled briefly, unused to being carried, but he let himself fall lax a moment later, trusting the GF. He knew she would never harm him. "Mother... Thank you." He murmured quietly.

Shiva smiled, continuing to hum as she slowly glanced about the room before locking eyes with her Eidolon counterpart. They wordlessly communicated something before she spun on her heel and began to walk to the far side of the room opposite of where they had entered to another set of doors that opened on their own before she strode through, entering into another room that housed a lounge-like room. Though is was devoid of life, the magic and power of Shiva kept the place immaculately clean.

She made her way over to the large lounging sofa and sat down, shifting to accommodate the weight of the young man in her arms, pulling him close in her embrace, allowing his weight to rest against her fully. Squall shifted his weight just enough to somewhat tuck himself against the back of the couch and curl up close into the Guardian Force. His eyes fluttered closed again and he simply let his body relax, just basking in Shiva's gentle aura blanketing him. Before he knew it, he slipped into a faint doze, breath evening out into shallow intakes of air, at restful peace.

Shiva merely continued to hum softly, stroking her fingers through the other's hair and down the slope of his cheek. She was pleased he was able to rest so quickly, for she knew how much he often pushed himself without rest. Even with the two most important people to him trying to assist with getting him to rest more. To be able to allow him the comfort and safety he needed to feel as if he could rest was important to her.

This child... Her child. Warmth pulsed through her being briefly. Though they were different entirely and Squall was born to a different woman, she was honored that the boy looked to her so fondly. Enough to consider her a maternal guardian. Ever since the day they met and she viewed the awe and joy he held for her element and gifts, beholding her with respect that she forged their covenant and Junctioned to him.

She didn't regret her choice, her instincts guided her well when they said this child would be a suitable host to her power. Hyne be blessed in their wisdom. Though she was not human, and her feelings were sometimes different than that of them, her devotion and care for this child encouraged her to keep that close bond he yearned for. He was hers and in turn, she was his. Though she had to sometimes share room with others of her kin within him when he required their strength, they never stayed. Most were familiar enough with him and how he was, but none could claim to have the near perfect Affinity and Bond as they did.

"...He looks like a whole different person when he's asleep." Came a quiet voice from the doorway.

The Guardian Force raised her head and turned her gaze to where the voice came from and found Laguna standing there with a somewhat forlorn look upon their features.

He looks his real age; like the true child he is. She replied, glancing back down to Squall, never once having stopped her gentle motions of combing his hair and running her fingers across his cheek and down his shoulder.

"...He really is one, huh?" Laguna responded. "It's so easy to forget sometimes, with how he normally acts."

He had to grow up far too soon. More like he pressured himself into it. More so to protect himself from further pain and the fear. The loneliness nearly consumed him. Shiva admitted, a somewhat bitter expression crossing her face as she cast an almost baleful look towards the other.

They winced. "Yeah... I can only imagine." The man replied feebly. "I... I have so many regrets. But there's nothing much I can do about the past. There's no changing that, and it's difficult to find a road that leads forward for the two of us beyond what we have as-is. I don't want him to view me as a father. I can't be that, I know that. But is it selfish of me to want some place in his life?" He questioned.

Shiva remained silent for a time, her expression morphing into a contemplative one as she gazed back down to Squall's sleeping figure curled up against her. There were plenty of things she wished to say, to express. But none of it would do much good. There was no need to express her anger, her disappointment. The man already knew. He felt guilty enough for not being there. Instead, she focused upon her child's mentality, his memories, dreams, and wishes. She knew that while he rejected the man as a father, and found plenty of his quirks and personality annoying, he didn't refuse his aid or help when offered. He respected him in his own way as an individual. Beyond that, while she knew deep down he yearned for a family, she also knew he already considered the other children close to him as such in a non-traditional sense.

Though he rejects you as family, it does not mean he rejects you. She replied to him after another moment of mulling things over.

He may find plenty of your personality and character annoying, but he respects you as an individual. If you truly wish for some form of relationship with him, you must start there and build it slow with your own hands. She advised.

Laguna nodded silently, once more glancing to Squall's face, a wistful smile coming to his face. "He'd hate it if he heard me say it, but he reminds me of his mother--of Raine like that. All the stress and worry she would hold during the day would ease away when she slept." He looked back to the GF. "You've been there for him more than anyone else. Thank you. I mean it. Though I miss Raine, I'm glad Squall has someone he could consider a mother to him. Even if most others would consider it strange he holds a Guardian Force so close." He said.

Shiva hummed an acknowledgment to the man's thanks, though she looked a little surprised. We may not be flesh and blood, but he is my Child. Though many others have called upon me, made use of my powers and gifts, none have ever truly beheld me and looked upon my power with such delight and adoration. I can only say we were blessed by Hyne to have encountered one another.

"So you believe it's Fate?" Laguna asked curiously.

I don't believe in mere coincidence--happenstances can occur, but this has always felt...more. If not the act of Fate or Destiny, what would you call such a meeting? She countered.

"...Got a point. I don't fully believe in the hocus-pocus of Fate or Destiny, but... I can't deny occurrences that seem to have some sort of Preordained notion to them. Call it lucky stars aligning or something, but I can't fathom that there's some kind of invisible string guiding us all along and tying us to others at places we can't see." He answered.

Then what would you call your meeting of Raine? You cared about Julia before so. Shiva reminded quietly.

Laguna looked away, scratching the back of his head. "Again, I feel I was lucky with that. How she found and took care of me. Right place, right time kind of thing. If anything went different, or it could've easily been Ward or Kiros who ended upon floating that way rather than me. It just happened to be luck of the draw."

I see. You believe more in chance, then. She replied.

"Something like that, I guess." Laguna agreed.

They both fell quiet after that, Shiva returning her attention back to Squall's sleeping form, shifting just a little to pull him closer, letting out a reassuring hum when the young man stirred a little before he settled, bringing an arm up to hold onto the GF loosely.

Laguna slowly pushed from the doorway and turned. "I'll let you two be. Just... Again, thanks." He said.

Shiva met his eyes when he glanced back towards her and gave a nod of her head in acknowledgement and the gunner left without another word.

Meanwhile, Snow was concentrating very hard with the Eidolon Shiva nearby. She had told him the power to draw Stiria and Nix and summon them came from within, and while he was no longer a L'Cie, if he could remember the feelings, sensations, and even his promises that had first created the Pact that called them to him, he could call them again.

"This is harder than I thought..." He said after a moment.

"My twin counterparts live in the Between. You must reach with your energy and call out to them there. If they feel you, they should come." Shiva murmured.

"Yeah, I know. It's just... It's hard to reach for a place you can't exactly see or feel. Magic isn't my strong suit." He replied before letting out a deep sigh before punching one of his fists into his other hand determinedly. "Alright, I can do this." He encouraged himself.

The Eidolon nodded her head in agreement with the blond's words. "The power is within you, I believe in you." She praised.

"Thanks! Here I go."

Snow closed his eyes and did his best to concentrate. He tried to do what Shiva suggested and think upon how it felt all the former times he would call Stiria and Nix, trying to locate that connection, that bond. It felt a little easier now that he was here within Shiva's Temple with her power. He could feel traces almost, slivers of power that wisped and floated about between dimensions of the veil. He did his best to call out, reaching with all of his will for them.

Hope slowly entered the room, slowly walking over to join where Shiva was standing and observed silently, crossing his arms. If he was being honest, he was mildly sulking. Not at the situation, but that he felt horribly out of place. Once again, the destabilization of his body happened before their expedition up the mountain and he had reverted back into his young, teenage frame once more. Due to the instability of his genetic structure from being altered by Bhunivelze and the multiple timelines he went through and experienced, his form tended to flicker at random, switching back and forth, on and off like a light switch between his adult form and his child one. It annoyed him and mildly dismayed him at times.

It didn't change how people saw him once he explained the particulars to the other Warriors, they were still accepting of his power and strength, but it bothered him. Snow, Lightning and Noel here in this world made it bearable, otherwise he was sure he would've lost his mind and possibly his humanity again if he was stuck being alone dealing with this.

The Eidolon cast a glance to him, offering him a nod of her head in acknowledgment before turning her focus back to Snow and Hope observed, trying to feel the magical energy that would flow around him or the others when they called upon their Eidolons and abilities. It was stirring, he could feel the Ether within Snow building a little, but it wasn't at the level that could call forth the Eidolons.

"Shiva, is it possible for me to bolster Snow's connection between the veils by using my own energy? I am unstable, after all and I have the strongest magical connection between the two of us." Hope asked quietly so as not to disturb Snow's concentration.

The Eidolon turned her attention back to the other and regarded him with a contemplative look to her expression. "I know not if your instability would play a factor, but it is true you have the stronger connection magically... Hm. Perhaps there is a chance, but you must be cautious. You could tear the veils if you push too hard. This world does not need more calamity than is already upon it." She answered sagely.

Hope gave a small nod of understanding. "I know. I will be utmost cautious; I won't bring more ruin to this world. I'll stop if I feel the veil start shifting." He promised.

"Very well. Proceed." She motioned for him to approach Snow and assist him.

Hope nodded slowly walked forward, stopping in front of the larger man. He felt a fond smile rising up to his hace as he brought his hands up, reaching out to gently grab the other's hands. Snow's eyes snapped open in a start and he blinked down at him. Hope offered him a wider smile. "Let me help. Focus on me and my energy. Draw it to you, feel how it flows. Then follow it back to the veil." He said, coaxing the other to relax their grip. He always felt small compared to Snow, but the size difference between them now that he was in his teenage form again was so apparent he was acutely aware how dwarfed his hands were when Snow's fingers curled around his as they accepted.

"Thanks, Hope." Snow replied, giving the other a faint grin of his own.

"We can do this," Hope reiterated with confidence. "Close your eyes, feel the Ether."

A glow surrounded Hope as he began to draw upon the flow of the Ether around them and concentrated. Though he was no longer a L'Cie himself, calling upon Alexander had been almost effortless to him. Perhaps it was because of his connection to Bhunivelze and the knowledge he had acquired from being his vessel, but he was more aware of the veils between the worlds and that of the Unseen Realms and reality.

He opened his tie to the veil, allowing his magical energy to push towards it. Instead of focusing upon Alexander, however, he began to visualize Stiria and Nix within his mind. The Shiva Twins were an absolutely loyal duo to Snow; whatever it was he needed of them, they did their utmost to fulfill. They had been a wonderful help, too, in Lightning's final fight against Bhunivelze as well. He knew if they could reach them, they would all but rush to Snow's call.

Snow felt the mystic energy from Hope and allowed himself the moments he needed to attune himself to it, listening, feeling its flow and pulse, how it echoed around them before he began to draw upon it, feeling how it arced between the realities, disappearing into the veil, even touching upon the Unseen Realms, before flowing back into the Between. He then did his best to channel his own energy along with Hope's, letting it entwine and encircle his, following it along.

As he did, he once again tried to picture the Twins within his mind. This time, he felt a stirring. A familiar sensation coming to him.

'Stiria... Nix... Please, if you can hear me: I need your strength once again. Here, in this new world, there are places and people that need protecting. As strong as I am, I can't do it all on my own. I need you both at my side, helping me. Hope, Lightning, even Noel... They're here, too. I want to watch after them, still.' He thought, trying his best to send the message with his energy.

He began to think about what initially brought them to him. His wish and promise to find a way to free Serah. While things had changed and his feelings differed eventually, he still felt the same kind of promise dwelling within himself towards all the people he cared about. He wanted to protect them. It was true, he had loved Serah. But after being reborn in the new world, things had changed for them all. He'd found all the years he'd spent in the prior world had changed him in a near irrevocable way. The only people who seemed to understand and get it were Lightning and Hope.

His protectiveness towards Hope had only increased after the other told him of all the suffering and torture he went through at the hands of Bhunivelze. It had angered him to the core. He vividly recalled snatching up Hope's hands within his own and vowing to him he'd never let anything like that happen to him again if he could help it.

As he was remembering this, he felt a strong surge within the Ether, and a familiar energy wash around him.

'Snow... We hear you. We feel you. Call upon us. Summon us.' Whispered some voices in his mind.

Without hesitation, he visualized himself grabbing their hands and pulling them to himself.

"Come on, girls. Stiria! Nix!" He yelled aloud.

The energy around him turned blue and a swirling mist of frost encircled him and with a sound like a creaking glacier, Stiria and Nix arose amidst the sparkles of the frosty ice particles.

"We arrive." They chorused.

Snow opened his eyes and he grinned widely at the sight of the two. "Good to have you here again, girls." He called.

Hope had a small smile of his own on his lips as he let go of Snow's hands. "It worked."

The Eidolon Shiva made a pleased sound. "It pleases me to see you succeed in calling my counterparts." She praised.

Stiria and Nix gave short half-bows to their counterpart before turning back to Snow.

"You have our aid once more." Stiria vowed.

"We will help you defend those who need it." Nix added on.

Then, as one, they turned to look at Hope.

Hope blinked in surprise, head tilting a little in confusion, his expression showing his bewilderment.

"We heard Snow's vow; his promise to never let you suffer as you did as Bhunivelze's vessel." They spoke as one.

"O-oh..." Hope flushed a little, looking shyly towards Snow.

The man only nodded his head. "I won't ever let anything take you away again, Hope. What that bastard did to you still pisses me off. If I have any say about it and can do anything to keep it from happening again, I'm going to. You won't hurt anymore. Promise." He said seriously.

Hope felt his eyes stinging briefly as he looked to the ground, his fists clenching a little at the memories before he looked back up, giving the other a weak smile. "Snow... Thank you. But I don't want to be the only one protected. I'm not that weak anymore. I vowed to Alexander I would protect you and the others, too. With my magic, with my strength and mind. I'm not the only one who went through pain and suffering... You, and the others did, too. I promise, I won't ever let anything like that happen again." He responded.

"Yeah," Snow agreed quietly, his eyes serious and fierce with the glint of determination. "Together, we'll protect this world and when we go home, we'll be strong enough to not let anything happen like that again." He reached forward and grabbed Hope's hand again, bringing it up to brush a kiss against the other's knuckles.

Hope's face flushed a shade of pink, but he didn't pull away from the gesture, continuing to smile.

Stiria and Nix both made noises of approval before they spoke. "Call on us whenever you may need."

Snow looked to the two and gave a nod of his head. "Thanks, will do."

"Thank you, Stiria, Nix." Hope thanked.

Giving them a smile, the twins disappeared in a mist of frost.

"It seems you have achieved what you came for," The Eidolon spoke up.

Snow and Hope turned to look towards Shiva, Snow giving a nod. "Yeah, thanks a bunch for the help." He responded.

She shook her head. "It was not my doing, but your own will that reforged your connection. My domain was perhaps the only thing that gave you a partial connection." She responded.

Hope spoke up. "Snow could feel pieces of the two here within your Temple... So I'm sure your connection to them played a role. Thank you for allowing us the time to reach for them."

The Eidolon simply smiled in response. "Such kind mortal children... I thank you for your thoughtfulness."

Demosthenes took that moment to poke her head in. "Is everything well?" She asked.

Hope turned towards the door where she was and gave an enthusiastic nod of his head. "Yeah, everything's fine, Demosthenes."

Shiva hummed as she gazed upon the Red Wizard. "Have you also come to ask something of me?" She questioned.

Demosthenes stepped into the room fully before she shook her head, offering a short bow of respect to the Eidolon. "No, my Lady. I simply wished to view your Temple and gaze upon you. As an adventurer, I love nothing more than to expand the sights I've seen and explored. As a servant of the Crystals and Light, I see it as my duty to honor the Gods of the World. My Crystal is the Crystal of Water. One could say Ice is yet one of the elements I call upon quite frequently in battle. To be here within your Temple leaves me filled with awe and a strange sense of familiarity. As if I can sense but a fraction of my Home within it." She answered.

"Ah so you are attuned to my element, as well..." Shiva responded with a nod.

"The Crystal of Water gives me an affinity to water and ice, yes. I've always loved the sea, but when winter would come to the land, I loved the snow. There is power and wisdom in both." Demosthenes responded.

"Indeed. You show much wisdom for a Bearer of the Crystal." Shiva commended.

The woman bowed her head in gratitude. "Thank you, my Lady."

Snow turned towards Demosthenes. "What Crystal does Gabriel have, then?" He asked curiously.

"He bears the Crystal of Fire. It is fitting for his personality when he does not have it fused within him." She replied wryly.

"He is quite different when it's not fused with him." Hope agreed.

"He's hot-headed and prone to jumping conclusions and falling into trouble from his desire to fight." She remarked amusedly.

"He's like the complete opposite of that though when he's fused with the Crystal." Snow commented with some interest.

"That's simply the Crystal's power suppressing our unneeded and unwanted traits and bolstering our virtues." Demosthenes responded with a shrug. "It makes us as close to perfect as a human can be. I dislike it myself, but I will obey the Crystal's will when it calls." She added on.

"It's sort of like being a L'Cie, then?" Hope asked.

"I suppose you could look at it that way. The Crystal grants us power but it doesn't punish us for failure nor does it subject us to bad intent. It's true that when we're fused with the Crystal we lose some of ourselves, but we do not forget our humanity truly." She replied.

Shiva let out a thoughtful sound. "The will of the Crystals differ world to world, but they are not ordinarily possessed of ill will or intent. They simply seek to maintain the balance and order of the worlds." She put in.

"Yes, exactly. Hence where there is too much good and Light, you will find worlds with Dark Crystals rising to seek balance by causing discord and strife. The very nature of the worlds is a delicate threshold of good and evil, if one wishes to boil it down." Demosthenes explained.

"Makes sense, I guess." Snow remarked. "It still sucks that bad things have to exist within the world, too."

"Everything has its place." The Red Wizard responded sagely.

"Including Corrupt Gods?" Hope asked almost bitterly.

Demosthenes offered the other a grim smile in return. "Even Corrupt Gods."

They fell silent after that before Demosthenes glanced towards the sealed window that allowed the light to filter in, frowning a little as she realized how much time had passed. "Time's passage hastens when one is not aware of it." She warned.

Shiva looked as well before giving a nod. "Indeed. There is very little time left for my counterpart and her child. I shall go inform them." She turned and glided towards the far sided double doors and disappeared through them.

When she entered the room that her counterpart was in, she didn't need to speak any words as she made a motion of her hand wordlessly that time was nearing its completion. The Guardian Force nodded her head solemnly in thanks before turning her attention down to the sleeping male lying against her and brought her hand up to gently ruffle his hair. It's time to awaken now, my Child. Our time is almost up. She said to him.

The brunet stirred after a moment as the GF's voice filtered in and the words she spoke before his eyelids fluttered and another moment later, fully opened to reveal drowsy, glossed eyes.

The Guardian Force smiled wider, giving the teenager's face a gentle, fond caress of her palm, other hand brushing his bangs from out of his eyes. I'm glad you were able to rest, you look lighter now. She commented approvingly.

Squall let out a long yawn, blinking his eyes a few times afterwards to clear the sleep away before he fixed his gaze upon Shiva. "I've been sleeping this whole time?" He questioned, sounding surprised.

She nodded her head. Yes. To have seen you resting so peacefully gave me joy. Being able to hold you, doubly so. You needed the rest.

Squall's face went downcast for a moment. "Maybe, but now there's little time left for us." He responded almost dejectedly.

My Child, Shiva began, reaching her hands to frame the other's face and bring his gaze to meet hers again. Any time spent with you, regardless of how it was done is enough. I know there's much to wish we could have done instead, but simply being able to be together like this for the time we had is enough. To be here at your side, interacting like this and being able to touch and express these things to you makes me happier than you know. She assured.

He gazed at her like the child he truly was before he moved forward to wrap his arms around the Guardian Force again, hugging her tightly. "I'm glad... I just wish I could've given you more time. You're important to me." He murmured against her chilled skin.

An adoring smile rose to Shiva's lips as she embraced the other back. This is enough, trust me. But I'm glad, too. You are the most important thing in the worlds to me. I will protect you, always. She promised.

"Don't ever leave me," Squall responded with a pleading, near desperate edge to his voice, revealing the frightful child he still was. "Please. I don't want to be alone, without you."

Shiva shook her head. Never, Squall. I will never leave your side willingly. For as long as you live and need me, I will always be here with you. I chose you as my Child. But you are not alone. Not anymore. You have the others of your little family, and those who love you wholly. She extended her arm out and made a gesture towards the doorway with her hand.

When Squall turned his head to look in that direction, he saw Irvine and Seifer standing there. Irvine held a gentle smile on his face and while Seifer held a somewhat impatient stance, his expression was tolerant. He looked back towards the GF and felt his lips turning upwards into a little smile of his own. "You're right." He agreed quietly before he withdrew himself from the embrace he still had on Shiva before he stood up from the couch. "I'm not alone. I have friends."

Shiva stood as well. Yes, She agreed. You are no longer alone. Do not forget to reach for them whenever you feel as if you're falling away. Loneliness is temporary; a falsity that weakens one's heart. You are stronger for letting others in, even if it can be painful sometimes. Even for the Ice I wield, I know there are times and places it must melt. Ice can be blocking the way, and sometimes it must become water again in order to venture further. Sometimes it must even become vapor, cleared away completely by heat. But the beauty of Ice is that it can always return--it can be remade. But you already understand this, don't you, my child?

Squall listened to her words, allowing the meaning to sink into his system as he thought to all the experiences he'd had so far before he gave a nod of his head. "I know," He agreed. "But sometimes... I need the reminder. Thank you, Mother."

Shiva hummed pleasedly before she gave a short sigh a moment later as she gazed down to her hands, wisps of frost were beginning to emit from them and her figure became glossy for a moment. It's time. She stated softly.

Squall held a look of sadness to his gaze for a moment, before it evened out into one of acceptance as he gave a nod of acknowledgment. "I'm not afraid now. You're always with me. Nothing will change that." He murmured.

Shiva smiled, stepping close to the brunet and brought her hand up to run her fingers through his hair before leaning down to place a kiss on their forehead. Receive me now, my Child.

Squall gazed up at her one last time, before he began to glow a pale blue and a familiar sensation overtook him as he lifted his hand and wordlessly Drew the GF back into himself.

A swirl of ice crystals and frost suddenly gusted around him and Shiva turned into the very vapor she spoke of before disappearing completely, leaving naught but a a wisp of frost behind, which was quickly taken in by Squall when he inhaled the chill air.

His eyes closed for a long moment as he felt the Guardian Force once more settle within his mind, re-Junctioning to his system like she'd never left. He exhaled the breath before he turned towards the Eidolon Shiva who had made herself a shadow in the corner and gave her a short bow of his head. "Thank you for giving us this gift." He thanked.

She floated forward, a smile rising to her expression. "I wish I could have given you more time, but I am glad it was not time wasted." She responded.

Squall shook his head. "It was enough. Even if it could've only been ten minutes, it would've been enough. To be able to be with her in the time we had means more to me than I can put into words."

The Eidolon's smile widened, but she did not reply.

Squall then turned towards the door and walked the distance, coming to a stop in front of Irvine and Seifer. "Let's go." He said to them.

"Sounds good, darlin'." Irvine responded cheerfully before he turned and began to saunter back towards the entrance of the Temple.

Seifer made a noise of acknowledgment, but didn't move.

Squall rose a brow at him in silent question.

"So you finally got that hunk of ice removed from your ass, right?" Seifer asked plainly.

Squall blinked at him a few times as he processed what the other said.

"You're not going to keep holding Cowboy at a half-space distance now?" The blond demanded, reiterating his question.

The silent 'Or me?' within it was unspoken, but Squall felt the weight of it nonetheless.

He let out a quiet snort in response as he bypassed the other but let his hand reach back to grab the firecracker's wrist and pull him along. "I needed the reminder. Come on." He replied.

Seifer made a disgruntledly annoyed sound at being pulled and quickly set his stride to match alongside Squall's. He made no move or motion to pull his wrist away from him, though.

They made it back to the entryway and Squall gazed around at his companions there, studying them for a long moment before he spoke up.

"If everyone's finished with their business, let's head back down before it becomes nightfall. Not everyone is tolerant to the cold up here." his gaze lingered briefly on Laguna as he spoke such, but the nods he received in response had him pushing the doors to the Temple back open. "Let's go." He urged.

Everyone began to file out and Squall glanced back towards the Summoning chamber doors where Shiva hovered within its threshold.

She raised he hand in a simple parting gesture. "Farewell, mortal children." She called.

Squall nodded to her. "Goodbye for now." He responded before he turned and fully exited the Temple, the doors closing on their own behind him.

Shiva remained hovering there a moment longer.

"Our world will not fall with mortal children like these helping to restore it..." She murmured aloud, an almost motherly smile of her own rising to her face. "I will do all I can to aid them when they call." She vowed before she disappeared back into the Ether, returning to the Veil where the Gods dwelt.

It was an easier trek down the mountain than it had been ascending it for the group, they were able to move at a faster pace.

The last glimmers of daylight were barely there by the time they reached the small Town that was settled at the base of the mountain. They made it to the Inn and purchased rooms for themselves before retiring to rest.

Squall sat himself down on the bed in the room and gazed out the window to the sky in silent contemplation.

He felt another weight settle on the bed behind him before he felt arms coming to drape down over his shoulders and firm, but warm weight lean up against his back.

"Whatcha thinkin'?" Irvine asked.

"Processing everything. Nothing particular." He answered as he let himself relax back into the other.

Irvine made a sound of acknowledgment and fell silent. Squall felt the way the gunner's fingers drummed against his chest and frowned a little before he lifted his own hands up to cover theirs with his. "Irvine," He murmured.

"H-huh? What is it?" The sniper seemed surprised.

"...I'm sorry." He apologized.

"For what?" Irvine sounded confused.

"...To put it in Seifer's words, I've apparently had an ice block up my ass and have been holding you both at a distance." He answered.

"Oh..." Irvine responded before he let his head lean down to rest on Squall's shoulder. "Don't gotta apologize for that, darlin'. I know you weren't doing it on purpose."

Squall shook his head. "Even if I wasn't meaning to, I... I should still try to be better about it. But I'm..."

"I know, Squall. You get scared. Everything we are, how things between us have changed; it's all new and unfamiliar. I get it. You handle things differently than me, than Seifer. But I can promise you, we're feeling it, too. It's not like there's an actual all-encompassing how-to manual about relationships and love. It's all from one person's perspective and take of it. And we're not exactly the most normal of people to begin with anyway." Irvine assured.

"..." Squall sighed heavily. "Guess not." He agreed quietly.

"The word 'normal' does not apply to you or Seifer, nor does it really appear in either of your vocabulary. And while you two say I'm the most normal of us, that's like saying I'm just a different kind of abnormal from you. Which is accurate, I suppose, since I've got more than my own ticks and quirks that can't really be classified as 'normal'." The sniper continued.

"What the hell is 'normal' anyway?" Cut in a new voice.

Seifer appeared from the doorway to the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist and one draped over his head.

"It's just a word," Squall responded with a shake of his head. "One people like to define as something commonly found in most and decidedly acceptable to the social populace."

Seifer snorted. "To hell with that. Why bother dealing with their perfect little glass world? It's not for me. I decide what I am, how I am. What I like and don't. No one else gets to tell me what's 'normal' or 'abnormal' about how I am and what I do." He stated fiercely.

Irvine let out a quiet laugh, the sound causing a small smile to rise to Squall's own face. "See what I mean? The word doesn't exist in his vocabulary. And it's not a bad thing."

"No, not a bad thing." Squall agreed as he glanced to Seifer. Their eyes met and while Seifer's stare was heated as usual, Squall didn't try to push back. Shiva's words echoed in his head. That sometimes ice has to be melted in order to continue moving forward. He swallowed, subconsciously clutching Irvine's hands a little tighter.

"...You really do hate feeling vulnerable." Seifer murmured, voice not-quite soft, but not nearly as hard-edged as usual.

"I kind of have you to thank for that." Squall reminded softly.

"You both hide your insecurities differently." Irvine chimed in.

Seifer broke their stare as he gazed off to the side with a dark frown, but he didn't deny the statement and proceeded to finish toweling off his hair before tossing said towel at the two of them.

"My turn!" Irvine responded cheekily as he slowly broke one of his hands away from Squall to snatch up said towel as he leaned a little further over Squall to plant a kiss to his cheek. "Be back in a bit."

With that he carefully withdrew himself from being draped over Squall and moseyed off to the bathroom, shutting the door behind himself.

Squall watched him go, an amused glimmer in his gaze.

"...He's right, though." Seifer spoke up quietly.

The brunet turned his gaze back towards the blond and gave a dip of his head in acknowledgment. "I know."

"I hated being told I was different; to 'be better' or asked 'why are you like this?'. It's just been easier to stick it to 'em and hold my head up and keep doing the opposite of what the world wanted from me because I knew I couldn't be like that. They never stopped to think about if I actually wanted to be different." He added on.

Squall frowned a little himself. "...Did you?" He finally asked.

The other turned his eyes to look at him. Most of the fire was gone, leaving a dim flicker. "Like any kid, I wanted to fit in and be like the rest. But that didn't happen, and it's always been obvious I would never be like that. So being a rebel was the only way to defy their wants from me, as a way to--"

"Shield yourself from the pain." Squall finished for the other softly.

The blond grimaced but gave a nod. "And it was far easier to keep exploiting others to make sure I wasn't the one exploited." He finished.

"Makes sense." Squall responded.

Seifer snorted. "Even when I was exploiting you?" He questioned.

"It hurt," Squall admitted in a very quiet voice. "But like you said, it toughened me up. I'm no longer that crying, weak child."

"Cause and effect, huh..." Seifer mumbled gruffly before he shook his head, moving over to plop himself down beside Squall on the bed as he reached for his traveling bag and began rummaging through it for his spare clothes.

"We're both equally fucked up from it, though." Is all the blond said after he finished pulling out said articles of clothes.

The brunet let out a snort. "To be fair, all of us are different kinds of fucked up all things considered." He responded dryly.

"True enough." Seifer replied before standing up and beginning to get dressed. Once finished, he proceeded to flop back down onto the bed and twist, kicking up his feet onto the bed and lean back against the headboard.

"Y'know..." He began after a moment.

Squall blinked, twisting to give the other his attention.

"I don't believe in Fate and Destiny and all that bullshit, but... Do you think things had to be this way?" He questioned.

Squall tilted his head. "What do you mean?" He questioned.

"The way everything turned out. Even this, us, everything in between." Seifer responded, looking to Squall and locking their gaze again.

It wasn't the first time they'd had a conversation like this, but back then Squall didn't know what to make of the question. Now, he still wasn't quite sure but he had some thoughts about it now.

"I'm... Not sure. When I speak to Mother, she says it was Hyne's will that we met and she's with me. And she's a Guardian Force, something beyond us mortal beings. If something like her can believe in the existence of such a thing, maybe there's a shred of truth to it." He replied before making a motion for the other to wait when he saw them opening their mouth to reply.

"But at the same time, that brings up the question of the existence of other timelines and realities. Until I was called to the other Worlds before this one, I never considered such a thing. Even now, the concept is...difficult to fully grasp. But the way I see it: If we truly are given free will and choices and chances then I'd say everything happened the way it did because we did so. Maybe there does exist a different time and reality where things were different; but it's not ours. So whatever the case is, our reality is the way it is because we chose it. That's what makes it ours. So... Yes. Everything that happened, everything we did, have done, and all these steps we've taken up till now. Us, and everything else. That's our own doing. If Fate or Destiny had any hand in it, I'm going to take a page from your book and call it a coincidence." He finished.

Seifer's brows furrowed for a long time as he took in the words. Silence began and the only sound was the muffled sound of the shower in the background.

Finally, he gave a nod, looking satisfied. "I can accept that."

Letting out a heavy sigh, the whole concept and thought weighing on him he let his own body twist sideways and allowed himself to curl up onto the bed, shifting close enough until he could rest his head on Seifer's stomach, closing his eyes. "Thinking of that is tiring." He admitted.

His head briefly bobbed as Seifer let out of a loud snort, the jostle from the movement and the familiar sound had a half smirk quirking his lips.

Silence once again settled between them, but this time there was no intensity to it. Nothing charged or stressed. Peaceful. Squall was lulled into his thoughts once again, simply processing everything that had gone on yet again before he found a weight settling onto his head. His eyes opened in a brief startle, before they fluttered shut a moment later when he realized it was Seifer's hand.

He momentarily wondered if he should be worried that the other might pull his hair just because he could. A moment passed and nothing happened, so he decided that if the other did decide to do so, it wasn't going to be because he flinched and showed the other a sign to strike.

He wondered for a moment if he should voice his thought aloud. He sighed a moment later.

"Now what's going through your skull?" Seifer demanded.

Ah, so the other was still reading his body language.

"Just... I'm still not used to being this close. To you, or Irvine, even. Part of me is...scared." He answered quietly.

"Of?"

"...That you're going to pull my hair."

Seifer let out a heavy sigh and after a moment his fingers dug a little into the brunet's hair and he did give a tug to the locks, but not hard.

"Thought about it," The blond answered. "But I didn't want you to raise your guard up again."

The tingle to his scalp from the gentle tug made a strange shiver run through him. It wasn't painful, but it was a new sensation. It felt kind of similar to when Irvine would ruffle and pet his hair sometimes. He bit his lip for a second in contemplation before he spoke. "Do...that again."

"What?" Seifer questioned, tone inflecting his confusion.

"You didn't yank my hair but... It..." He struggled to find the right words to convey the sensation. "Sort of felt like when Irvine runs his fingers through my hair, but stronger."

Seifer made an inquisitive sound, but did as requested and let his fingers tug the other's hair again. To him, it was an action he was familiar with doing, but to Irvine whenever he needed to be grounded. Was it the same sensation for Squall?

Another small shiver ran through him, and as he analyzed the feeling, he came to the conclusion it was a pleasant one. Strange... He supposed in logic it made sense given how it wasn't a forceful, hard pull and that it had to do with how much power one put into the tug.

He hummed a pleased note. "It's a strange sensation," He admitted. "But it...felt pleasant?" He knew he didn't sound fully sure but he wasn't sure how to describe the sensation.

"As long as it doesn't hurt." Seifer replied.

Squall shook his head lightly. "No, it didn't hurt. It...tingles. But not in a ticklish way."

"Huh. Weird." Seifer replied before he gingerly repeated the motion one more time, giving one more tug to the other's hair.

Squall didn't shiver this time, but the same tingly, buzzing sensation remained. "It's a good weird." He decided.

"Cowboy likes me tugging his hair when he's having one of his episodes. Says the sensation helps ground him." Seifer replied with a slight shrug.

"Hm..." Squall hummed, looking a little contemplative. "Guess I can understand a little. Maybe not fully, but it's a sensation you could focus on to pull your mind back from a panic." He agreed.

The door to the bathroom rattled and opened a moment later, with Irvine walking out with a towel around his own waist and hands already working another at drying his longish strands of hair.

"Tried to make it as fast as possible so you'd still have some hot water, Squall, but it's kinda difficult when my hair's this long and takes a bit to wash." He piped up, giving one of his real, gummy-smiles from beyond the visage of the towel on his head.

Squall lifted his head a little, though the motion was a little harder due to the weight of Seifer's hand still on it and shook his head. "It's fine, I don't require much hot water." He responded before he let his head drop back down onto Seifer's stomach and the other grunted in a quasi-disgruntled manner and proceeded to move his hand and push at their head. "Off, icicle. Go get clean." He ordered.

Squall snorted quietly, but reached up to snatch Seifer's hand and pull it away from his head and simply held it a moment as he proceeded to maneuver himself to sit up right.  He let his hand linger, feeling the heat from Seifer's against his own before he slipped away the moment he saw the other's brows furrow and his mouth about to open to say something.

He stood up and shed his shirt and tossed it down beside his pack as he passed by Irvine on his way to the bathroom and shut the door behind himself.

As he turned on the water, he could hear Irvine's voice muffledly begin talking, but he couldn't make out the words as he finished stripping down and got into the water. His eyes closed again as he let the warmth of the water pelt against his skin and let his mind simply turn off into a comfortably blank state for a long moment before he began to wash.

Irvine hummed a note as he pulled a brush out of his bag and sat down on the bed and began to carefully run the brush through his still damp locks, other hand carefully running the towel against the strands as he did to try and get as much moisture out of his hair as possible.

Seifer was still frowning a little and looking down at his hand where he'd left it since Squall let it drop down as he pulled away. "...I don't get it." He finally spoke up.

"Get what?" Irvine responded curiously, pausing his brushing to glance his way.

"I know I'm not exactly approachable, but is it really that hard for him to be straightforward in his want for touch?"

The sniper made a thoughtful sound and resumed his brushing for several moments. "I think it's easier for him to come to me for such, but... He wants to be able to freely reach for you, too, but I think... I think he's still scared you'll take that as a sign of weakness and push him away." He answered.

The blond let out a harsh sigh, fingers curling into a loose fist. "I get it. I do. I know I've hurt him, but I didn't think it'd be that hard to get him to lower that ice wall enough to let me in just a little." He muttered.

"Seif," Irvine said soothingly, once again stopping his brushing and set the towel aside to reach a hand out to take the blond firecracker's hand. "Be patient. I know it's hard. Believe me; it's been the hardest thing for me all these years chasing after you two, trying to understand and keep up. But if it's taught me anything, it's that it is possible. I know this will probably be a bit harder for you, but try to be gentler with him. He's used to you being rough, he almost instinctively reacts as if you're going to be. Try showing him the side of you that you show me. The quiet, gentle one; the side of you that handles me like I'm one step away from breaking. Because trust me, sometimes Squall is that close, too. Ice can be solid and sturdy, but if you keep picking at it and creating cracks, eventually it will shatter. Tone the force down, temper the flames, Angel. He'll melt and warm up in time." He advised gently.

Seifer was silent as he took in the words, some of the frown easing up before he sighed. "I know," He acknowledged. "You're right; I know this, but... Old habits." He replied before slipping his hand free from Irvine's and lifted one leg only to use a downward kick motion to give himself the inertia to sit upright without using his arms and reached for the brush the cowboy had set down. "C'mere. Your hair'll dry quicker if I brush and you work the towel. Otherwise it'll take you longer trying to do both."

Irvine smiled softly, nodding his head in agreement and carefully scooted back towards the other. "'Kay. You start and I'll follow along with the towel."

With a noise of acknowledgment, the gunblade user reached up with the brush and began to run it through the other's hair; he was careful not to pull the tangles and work the brush slowly through them, using his free hand to grasp the strands of hair and stabilize them before letting his hand fall away to let Irvine run the towel over the strands. The motions repeated for a time, neither speaking as they worked until they heard the shower shut off and the sound of Squall shuffling out of the shower.

"Dry enough?" Seifer questioned.

The brunet hummed thoughtfully as he brought a hand up to run through the mostly dry locks. "Good enough. The rest of it'll dry on its own and won't cause too much tangling in the mornin'. Thanks, Angel." The sniper responded.

The blond grunted an acknowledgment and handed the brush back before shifting to sit back against the headboard again.

Irvine put the brush back into his bag and stood up, grasping for his sleeping clothes and began to dress wordlessly. He was just slipping on his sleeping-tank when Squall came out of the bathroom.

His eyes were lidded partially, merely running on autopilot as he carelessly rubbed a towel over his hair haphazardly for a moment before discarding the towel atop his former shirt, his hair still a little damp but not ringing wet. He reached for his bag, poking into it with one hand and fishing around for his sleepwear, pulling out boxer-shorts and a sleeping tank before he dropped the bag and proceeded to get dressed with practiced, if not slightly loose movements showing his lack of attention before he finished and simply stood there in silence for a few long moments, merely breathing.

"...Squall? You okay?" Irvine called, tone inflecting a little concern within it.

Squall's eyes closed before blinking a few times, gaze sharpening as he brought his conscious mind back and turned his head towards the two and gave a nod of his head. "Yes, I was just processing through my thoughts again." He responded before stretching his body, a few clicks and pops sounding from various places on his body before he shuffled over to the bed and sat down on it beside Irvine.

Humming an understanding note, Irvine tilted his head to the side for a moment, thinking of what his next move should be before he simply smiled again, reaching out and grasped the leader by his arm and tugged at him to move closer. Squall blinked at him in surprise, but didn't resist and let himself move closer until he felt Irvine's arms wind around him and pull him close.

"Are you happier now, Squall? After getting to spend time with Shiva?" Irvine asked him gently.

Squall immediately perked up a little at the question and nodded his head, relaxing his body into the embrace. It wasn't the same as Shiva's; it was warm but caring. Gentle. Safe. "Yeah. Getting to be able to spend that time with her... Thank you. Both of you." He responded, a small, shy-like smile rising to his expression.

Irvine gently squeezed the brunet in response and let his chin rest down on their shoulder. "If it makes you happy, then it's worth it."

Seifer didn't say anything for a moment, a thoughtful expression on his face before he leaned forward away from the headboard, curling one leg to accommodate the angle, the other moving to dangle over the side of the bed. "It wasn't like I had a particular attachment to that damned flower that had been in me, so if you found a use for it besides just keeping it as a reminder, it's fine by me. You got to have something not many can experience. So hey, if it turned out well for you, then it works for me." He spoke slowly, voice softening and lowering to a mild tone.

Squall blinked a little in surprise, gaze turning towards Seifer, the other meeting his gaze silently. Though the fire in his gaze was there, it was neither fierce nor dim. It was something...flickering. Almost like candlelight. The others expression looked a little unsure, as if he was still trying to figure out something and Squall realized he was trying to be gentler.

He swallowed a little anxiously, unused to this, but he knew he had to meet him with some kind of equal force. Nothing distant, nothing cold. Slowly he reached forward with his hand, upturning his palm and let his fingers uncurl and offered it out towards the blond in a silent question. The three of them noticed the slightest trembling of the digits.

Irvine observed them both quietly and waited, keeping his arms secured firmly, but gently around Squall to assure him and gave a little nod to Seifer to encourage him.

Not breaking their gaze, Seifer slowly lifted his own hand and carefully settled it over Squall's allowing his arm to bear a little weight down onto Squall so that he could feel their palms pressing together, to let him take in the sensation and heat before he let his fingers curl around their palm and fully grasp Squall's hand in return.

Little steps, he told himself. As much as he wished he could be as expressive as Irvine with his affection, he knew the cowboy was right in what he said about Squall expecting him to be harsh. "Squall." He called gently.

"Yes...?" Squall replied, his eyes having widened the slightest, looking a little scared and vulnerable, but he wasn't pulling away, he was keeping their stare.

"Be brave and trust me?" Was all Seifer asked of him.

Breath catching the slightest, the memory of the moment everything changed between the two of them rang back to him. He could feel his hand tremble the slightest in Seifer's. Be brave... For Seifer. He slowly tightened his fingers against their hand in return into a more firm, sure hold and leaned forward just a little, shifting his shoulders in signal to Irvine to loosen his hold. He could do this, he told himself again.

If it was Seifer, he could do anything.

"...Okay." He responded, voice almost a whisper. Irvine's arms went slack and withdrew a little and as he did, Seifer pulled Squall towards him at a slow pace. Squall followed along, having to crawl a little unsteadily with one hand closer on the bed, but he soon found himself settled at Seifer's side, the other tugging him in until he felt their other arm come up around his waist, hovering there as if the blond were also unsure of how to quite move on.

Swallowing again and letting his longing for touch and affection come crawling through the cracks in his barriers he leaned into the other and brought his other hand up to Seifer, fingers finding purchase on his shoulder and shyly pressed and tugged at him to get him to shift until he was once again leaning back against the headboard and he was pressed up to his side, staring doe-eyed up at him with question.

It was tense for a long moment between them as they were both struggling to adjust to the new position and the closeness, but Seifer reacted first, slowly moving his arm up from Squall's waist, slowly letting his hand glide up along his arm to his shoulder, stopping there to let the warmth and pressure sink in for a time before continuing to move up until his fingers found themselves combing into the other's hair.

Squall's eyes almost immediately snapped shut, but either out of fear or something else, neither Irvine or Seifer could fully tell, but Squall didn't move away, he continued to breathe evenly, waiting. His grip tightened just a little more on Seifer's, giving away his anxiety.

"Not gonna hurt you, Squall." Seifer vowed quietly, voice low and gravelly but not sharp.

Irvine took the moment to shift and move on the bed as well, taking the time to press himself up against Squall's back and let an arm curl around his waist.

Squall wasn't quite sure how to react or what to do with all of this, he was frozen in his thoughts and emotions. Torn between his wants and his fears.

Irvine's calm, warm breath puffed against the skin of his shoulder and he shivered. He was used to Irvine holding onto him, but this was different... Being pressed close to Seifer as well was new.

"You're safe, Squall." Irvine assured him, placing a light kiss to his shoulder, slowly tightening his hold around the other and let his cheek rest down against their arm.

"..." Squall ducked his head down a little in a shying away motion, face tinged a mild shade of pink. He wasn't sure at all what to do or how to handle all of this. He tried to relax, but he found it nerve-wracking being in such an unknown situation. Nothing really prepares one for closeness to others, let alone any kind of intimacy that comes with that. Sure, one hears about it or witnesses it in others but it's an outside-looking-in situation that offers no real knowledge about the subject.

He let out the quietest of gasps when he felt that tingling sensation from before run through his system as he felt Seifer's fingers tug at his hair in a non-forceful grasp, bringing his attention back to the present moment.

"Don't get swept up in the what-ifs," Irvine urged, letting his cheek rub and nuzzle in a soothing motion against the skin of Squall's shoulder and forearm, letting his fingers trace gentle, soothing circles against the other's waist. "Stay here in the now. Let yourself feel it all; even if you don't understand it."

Squall swallowed, feeling his face flushing harder and he bit his lip for a long moment. "...It's hard." He whispered out.

"You're not kidding," Seifer murmured, voice straining a little. "All of this is new. But that doesn't mean we should hide away from it. I don't want to be afraid of this--afraid of us."

Squall slowly lifted his head a little, gazing diminutively up towards Seifer through his lashes. "...You're scared, too?" He asked quietly.

Seifer stared back at him with the most openly serious expression as he grimaced before giving a minute nod. "Terrified." He answered honestly.

"That's perfectly okay to be. Even I'm a little scared," Irvine assured them both. "I'm not so much scared of us, really, just... I'm more afraid I'm going to do something wrong." He voiced.

Squall slowly turned and tilted his head enough to glance back towards Irvine from the corner of his eyes, frowning a little before shaking his head. "You've not done a single thing wrong. You're you. We get that." He said firmly, his voice finding some of its strength again.

Seifer nodded to accentuate the words. "He's right. You can't fuck up when we know pretty much anything you could do that'd count as a fuck up and to us, we don't care about it."

Irvine was quiet for a long moment as he took the words in before a small, but sly little smile came to his face. "If that's true, then I don't see why you should be so afraid, either. You know one another like clockwork. Sure, I may see some parts of you that you haven't shown to one another yet, but you can trust yourselves to simply be with one another, as you always have. Just without the real pushing and pulling. Like magnets. Flipped one way they can repulse and push each other away, but flip them to the other side and they will draw and stick to one another with great force. That's the way you two have always been. Drawing together, or pushing away. It's now simply about honing the way you draw together and realizing what pushes you apart." He voiced up.

Both Seifer and Squall looked to one another again as they processed the cowboy's words and almost subconsciously, Squall's shoulders lowered out of their tense pull and Seifer's hand clutched just a little at Squall's in response.

"Guess the smartass's got a point." Seifer acknowledged quietly.

Squall let out a slight chuckle in agreement.

The atmosphere around them eased up a little with this and Squall found his eyes going partially lidded again, but not from distancing himself, he suddenly felt fatigues and drained from the tension prior. Perhaps Irvine was right; he didn't have much to fear in the face of being close to Seifer, it was the unknowns that had bothered him. But knowing that Seifer seemed to be on the same page as him right now, voicing the same fear, and subsequently the same want, it was alright now.

Seifer made a noise, tugging at Squall's hand a little, drawing his attention. "You still with us?" He asked.

"Yeah, still here. I'm feeling worn from the stress." He answered honestly.

"We should get some rest soon," Irvine suggested. "We're going to need to be at our best if we want to start the Journey back to Cosmos' Tower in the morning."

Seifer grunted an acknowledgement and gingerly shifted, dropping his hand from Squall's hair in order to lean forward, bringing Squall with him before he carefully pressed him towards Irvine. "Hold on," He mumbled when Squall gave him a confused look, but didn't fight at being moved and watched curiously as Seifer briefly got up to shut the curtains to the room and flick the main light off, leaving only the bedside lamp on, engulfing the majority of the room in long drawn shadows.

Irvine hummed appreciatively and slid further down onto the bed, tugging at Squall and urging him to follow along. Letting out a sigh, Squall followed suit and let himself wiggle downwards until he was lying on his side with Irvine still pressed up to his back, arm settled around his waist. A few moments later, the whole room became dark as Seifer switched the lamp off. Squall blinked his eyes owlishly before squinting into the dark, trying to make out the shape of Seifer amidst the shadows.

The slightest movement was all he could catch before he felt the bed shift and settle as Seifer once again slipped on. He was acutely aware of Seifer's rising and falling breath wafting across his face, realizing the other was facing towards him and he blindly reached his hand forward, fumbling to grasp for some part of him. His fingers grazed across skin and he felt the muscles coil tensely for a moment and he immediately stilled his hand, feeling his heart jolt just a little.

A moment later, he felt Seifer's hand come over his and slowly followed up his arm til he was grasping at him. Suddenly, he was closer, and he felt the blond's legs bump up against his and automatically like he was used to with Irvine, shifted them to entangle with theirs. His heart was beating a little faster now, and he was sure the swallow he made was heard as audibly as he felt it. Irvine's head dipped close and he felt his nose press into the back of his neck, finding the spot it usually did when he held him from behind like this and he felt his body relax a fraction.

He let his own head lean forward just a little, feeling his forehead meet against Seifer's chest a second later. His fingers curled against Seifer's shirt where his hand had settled against him. He could feel Seifer's breath rustling his hair and could faintly, if he strained, feel the slightly elevated heartrate of the other's pulse against his skin.

Being engulfed in the darkness like this made the rest of his senses expand to make up for his lack of sight and the sudden awareness of how closely he was pressed between Irvine and Seifer made a small shiver run through his body.

"Scared?" Seifer whispered in question.

Was he? Squall contemplated the sensation he was experiencing, trying to analyze the feeling and define if it was a repulsive or pleasant sensation. After a moment he made a quiet noise of denial. "No," He whispered back. "I'm just...adjusting to the feel of you both. It doesn't hurt, it's not repulsive; it's just new."

Irvine shifted just a little, murmuring against the skin at the back of Squall's neck. "Yeah, took me a little bit to adjust and really enjoy being between you two, my body felt kinda weird, almost foreign like I couldn't recognize what the sensation was." He related.

Squall gave a slight nod. "Yeah, it's kind of like that. Or like earlier." He murmured more to Seifer.

"Earlier?" Irvine inquired sleepily.

"Seifer tugged at my hair and said he does it to you to ground you. It...felt pleasant. Tingly, but not ticklish. But it took a few times for my body to adjust to the feeling." Squall replied.

"Ah," Irvine breathed. "Yeah, I think it's a similar sensation."

"As long as it doesn't hurt?" Seifer questioned.

Squall felt the tiniest smiles rising to his lips just a little. "It doesn't hurt." He assured.

"Good. Now both of you shut up and try to sleep." He ordered.

Irvine let out a short, quiet laugh. "Aye-aye, captain." He responded cheekily.

Squall felt his smile turning more into a grin as he felt Seifer reach past him with his arm and found Irvine's and the resounding, dull smack sounded twice as loud in the dark, accompanied by the slightly whining noise Irvine made.

"You're a pain in the ass," Seifer grumbled gruffly, voice gravelly.

"At least I'm your pain in the ass, right?" Was the cheeky reply.

Seifer growled in warning. "Kinneas," He threatened, though his voice held no real edge to it.

"Fine, fine. Shutting up now." The sniper responded with a mock-sigh.

Squall knew without seeing Seifer's eyes were more than likely rolling because his own were pretty much responding the same way at the other's sass. He lifted his head upwards just a little, eyes opening to try just one more time to see a glimpse of Seifer.

His nose bumped up against Seifer as he did and though it was still plenty dark, his squinted eyes could make out the slightest tone of blue-green beyond thanks to the close proximity.

He felt his face heating up just the slightest in reaction to the sudden stare he found himself in and he opened his mouth to whisper out an apology, heartbeat once again jolting to a more quickened pace again, but Seifer moved his hand close to catch and cradle against his cheek to hold him there and the next thing he felt was Seifer's lips meeting his.

Despite the suddenness of it, and the shock and surprise he felt, Squall didn't make a sound. Instead he found his hand clutching just a little more to the other as if trying to draw him even closer and the sensation that ride through him made his eyes slip closed instantly. His heart began pounding in his ears in response, and once again it felt like every nerve within his entire body was ignited and aware of everything and trying to understand the sensations and feelings going through him.

He felt like he barely had a moment to even start processing it before Seifer pulled back a few inches. As much as he felt like his entire body was ignited, there were no words coming to him. None were needed. In that moment he felt everything from Seifer that he needed to feel. Wordlessly he let his head lean back down again and resume its place it had been before against Seifer's chest and he felt Seifer's hand slip away from his cheek to settle against his chest.

The fatigue once again began to settle in and before Squall really knew it, he was losing the battle with his consciousness. He didn't know how long it was thsat it took him to fall asleep. A minute, or ten? All he knew was the surrounding warmth on either side of him lulled him into a daze that had his body quickly relaxing into and soon his mind went blank, slipping into the depths of slumber.

Morning found the group rising early and after eating a large meal for breakfast they were quick to gather up their gear and leave the town, beginning their five day Journey back towards Cosmos' Tower.

While they faced a fair deal of monsters and even a few Chaos Warriors along the way, the others noticed a new synergy that seemed to have begun between Seifer, Irvine, and Squall.

That synergy only seemed to grow stronger as the time passed even beyond the time they returned to the Tower.

For the three, it was no longer about what was, but finding more beyond that. Their dynamic was still chaotic, sometimes dysfunctional to everyone else on the outside looking in, but they didn't care. They didn't fully understand it in its entirety, either; but what they did understand was each other, which was honestly more preferable than something that could be fully defined.

None of them would change it.

-End-