FFVIII: Proximity (4)

[edenbound]

Fandom: Final Fantasy VIII
Pairing: Squall/Fujin
Warnings: Angst, deathfic
Chapter: Four, final
Rating: G
Summary: Laying Seifer's body to rest. For fated_children.


"Didn't think you'd turn up, ya know?"

"Whatever."

Fujin doesn't say anything. She and Squall share a look, and then Squall reaches up to touch her shoulder. Maybe there's something there, a spark -- maybe not. Raijin wouldn't like to say for sure: the two of them are unfathomable even after all the time he spent with them. He wouldn't say anything even if he did infer something from the moment of closeness.

Fujin pulls away, then, and Squall lets his hand drop unconcernedly. She draws herself up -- and both of them think how strange it is that she's fairly small, when in their minds, she's so commanding.

"Shall we get on with it?"

"I already dug the hole, ya know."

Fujin still doesn't say anything. They wait for her, not minding, and then Squall fills in the gap when she doesn't speak. "Can I see his body?"

Raijin doesn't know what to say, but Fujin stirs at this, looking up at Squall and nodding slightly. "This way," she says, already walking off -- not looking back to see if he's following, just trusting he is.

"I'll stay here," Raijin says, to their retreating backs.

After, Raijin watches the two of them and their silent stares that might, or might not, be some form of communion. Finally, he tires of it, stretching out.

"I think I'll go and sleep now. Now that Seifer's at rest and all."

Squall laughs -- shortly, bitterly. "Seifer? At rest? I thought you knew him better than that."

Raijin shrugs and turns to go. As he leaves, Squall moves closer to Fujin. Once he's out of sight, Fujin moves closer to Squall and lets him hold her, his arms around her slim waist. He notices, now, that she's lost something. Gained something. An insight, maybe. Now she's lighter, less intense, more human. Less commanding.

It suits him just fine: even though it required Seifer's death.