Author's Note: I would say the plot thickens, but then you'd just snicker and say 'plot? what plot?' Well that chapter title doesn't help much, does it? ;)

DISCLAIMER: Characters of Final Fantasy VIII are property of Squaresoft. NOT us.

Tainted Love

Chapter 3 - Going Down

By Koorime and LaughingWolfGirl

Hyne, his head hurt. The weight on his lids was really starting to throb; but he couldn't sleep. Seifer looked up at the prone form in the Infirmary cot from where he hunched in his chair. He wouldn't rest until Zell woke up.

The door hissed open and Doctor Kadowaki entered, stopping when she set eyes upon on him. "You're still here?

Seifer shrugged, laying his forehead against the bed. Ah, that felt good.

She pursed her lips. "That's it. You've been in here for days and I know you haven't slept. Now go home and get some rest."

Seifer shook his head with a low mumble. He didn't even understand why he was still doing this. He wasn't given time to mull it over as her strong hands pulled him to his feet and started shuffling him towards the door.

"Go home. I'll tell you when he wakes up, alright?"

Seifer blinked wearily at her and then looked back at Zell, still sleeping. Ah fuck, whatever.

Zell was seeing fangs and claws... Darkness and fire... Fire everywhere... And was trying to get away but couldn't, he couldn't get away... He was hearing voices calling him but couldn't make them out, it frightened him... He was running but getting nowhere.

He felt his body soaking, sweat pouring down him in torrents, he was fighting, using all that he was taught in class, and it availed him nothing, the fangs were still cutting into him, the tail still beating him. He suddenly found himself unable to breathe, fighting for breath, sucking whatever he could within him.

Soon he found himself running through a long corridor... Someone stood at the end, but he couldn't make them out. He continued to run, but the longer he ran the further away the door got, until he was flat out running at top speed, trying to get there. He could barely make out that the person at the door looked like Seifer. He yelled out "Seifer" at the top of his lungs but the door was closing with Seifer on the other side; he was panicking

bad.Zell found himself sitting up in bed, shivering and shaking, his arms reaching out calling out for Seifer. He was badly disoriented, and it took him forever to figure out where he was and that what he had been running to was just a dream.

Doctor Kadowaki looked up in surprise as Zell sprang forth, crying out for Seifer. She rushed to the young man's side, and eased him back onto the pillows.

"Hey now, calm down, Zell," she soothed, brushing back the damp hair from his brow. The gel had long worn off and his long hair fell down in his eyes. She smiled at the boy warmly. "You're safe now."

Zell could feel his breathing begin to return to normal, the dream fading if not the feelings engendered. He still felt lost, and missing something, felt as if on some kind of rollercoaster ride. He turned to the Doctor not remembering why he was in the infirmary. "What happened?" he asked, his cerulean blue eyes huge, making him look even younger then he was.

The Doctor paused. "Don't you remember why you're here?"

Zell ran his hand through his hair tiredly, though he had been sleeping for what seemed like forever he still felt incredibly drained. "Um... I got hurt, didn't I?" he asked tentatively.

Her frown deepened, she took the seat where Seifer had taken post for the few last days without end. Could Zell's trauma have been so severe as to inflict memory loss? "You had an accident in the Training Center. I heard you went off without a full party." She brushed the bandages over his torso, the many around his forehead. "Do you remember the T-Rexaur?"

Zell scratched the back of his head, wanting to cry and laugh at the same time, he could vaguely remember fangs and claws. "Um... I think so... "

"Well some of your friends brought you here. You've been unconscious for the last three days, you had substantial blood loss." She gave him a warm smile. "But I think that you'll be fine. You're lucky to have such devoted friends with you." She pushed forward a tray of food, Zell must have been hungry not having eaten for over 100 hours. "Now eat something, you need to regain your strength."

A frown marred his face as he tried to recall, he was getting bits and pieces and trying to work out the fact that he remembered feeling safe at one point but no idea why... The smell of food was hitting him bad and his mouth began to salivate something fierce, but he asked her something instead. "You said friends brought me in? Who were they?"

Kadowaki looked up from her clipboard, fingers gently examining his head injury. He was healing well. "The Instructor brought you in, she was the one that healed you." She paused in writing something on her sheet, a pensive look crossing her face. "Raijin was with her as well, I was surprised that Fuujin hadn't come in. But Seifer," she laughed. "I only managed to make him leave a few minutes ago. That boy hasn't slept in days, and I ran out of excuses to tell his Instructors why he was missing class." She laughed to herself, shaking her head.

Zell stilled his hand in the process the food halfway to his open mouth making him look a bit ridiculous... "Seifer was here?" he said softly, trying to wrap his brain around that one.

Doctor Kadowaki was scribbling more data on her sheet. She didn't look up, but nodded and made a sound of affirmation. Then she remembered her promise to call Seifer the moment that Zell woke. But the man hadn't had a decent night's rest in quite a while, perhaps she would let it wait a while. With a click of her pen, she grinned in satisfaction and winked at Zell. "You're going to be just fine, get some rest."

"Wait, how long do I have to stay in here?" he asked anxiously, he hated to be stuck in here and would rather be in his own room.

She gave this some thought. "As a matter of fact, you can leave after you're done eating. Your wounds have healed, but your body is still weak so you can't put it under any excessive stress for a while. I don't want you training for at least a week, at the end of which I want you to come back for a check-up; and then we'll see."

Zell felt himself grimacing at the thought of coming back and no training for a week. Man, training was his life, he lived for his time in his hand to hand classes. But all he did was sigh and nod his head in agreement.

At that moment, the doors hissed open and a familiar blond rushed through. "Sorry, Doc, I just forgot my... " He stopped when he set eyes on Zell propped up on the pillows. "Oh... Hey." Zell's attention snapped up to the blond in the doorway and just sat there with his mouth open, blinking.

Doctor Kadowaki didn't notice the dumbfounded silence, greeting Seifer with a bright smile. "Ah you see now, he's awake. Nothing to worry about." She made her way around to the foot of the bed, hanging the clipboard on a powerful magnet. "So, you say you left something here?"

Seifer tore his gaze away from Zell, the blank shock on those sharp features. He couldn't fathom why his mind always went utterly blank when those blue eyes locked on him, instead he directed his full attention on the doctor. "Yeah, um... My notes and stuff? I think it was in a bag."

The Doctor looked around, then spotted the small duffel bag half kicked under the bed. "Ah, here we go."

Seifer took it back quickly, slinging it over his shoulder. "Thanks, Doc." He looked back at Zell who was still staring at him. All coherent thought fled his mind; fuck. With a small wave he hope didn't come off as anxious, he turned for the exit. Zell sat there still in shock and began shaking his head a bit to regain his senses. He wasn't sure what he should have said, but he knew he wanted to say something. Man, he felt lame, but the thought of Seifer sitting here making sure he was ok, filled him with warmth and he found himself smiling hugely.

Seifer did not care. No, he didn't. He threw the duffel bag on his bed the second he got back to his dorm. For a moment he stood still, fists clenching and relaxing at his sides. With an snarl, he whirled, sending a hard punch at the punching bag by Hyperion's case. He cursed, recoiling at the hard impact; damn that hurt when he wasn't wearing gloves. Seifer scowled darkly, fingers brushing his injured knuckles. He needed to stop thinking about Zell. He needed that damned kid out of his system. His blue-green eyes narrowed to slits and he made his decision, stalking from his dorm, back to the Infirmary.

Zell got slowly out of the bed and began to dress, wanting to be out of here fast. He wanted to think about everything, he still was only remembering bits and pieces, but he would do better back in his own dorm instead of in here. He hurried putting on his shorts, but had to stop and take a breath before he put on his shirt, getting a bit dizzy from the fact that he moved to quick and his body wasn't ready for it all.

Doctor Kadowaki hummed happily to herself, the sunlight was streaming in cheerfully and Zell was recovering well. Yes, today was a good day. She looked up in surprise as the doors hissed open and Seifer came through; she didn't like the dark look on his face. "You're back again?" Had he forgotten something else?

He raised a hand, not wanting to hear it. "I've got a few things to settle with the chicken, so stay out."

Seifer locked the doors behind him, struggling to keep his rage in check as he turned on Zell. It wouldn't go down well to hurt the patient when he was just getting better.

Zell was halfway to putting his shirt on. He had one arm in, one out and his head halfway stuck. He quickly pulled it down and looked questioningly over to Seifer, confusion and surprise across his face.

Seifer grit his teeth, the adrenalin was starting to make him dizzy. He didn't want to hurt Zell. He really didn't want to hurt him... Seifer covered the distance between them in three steps, his hands came up to grip Zell's shoulders roughly as he pressed the younger blond against the wall. Before Seifer realised it, he was kissing Zell. Again. This was not good.

Zell kissed back, confusion reigning supreme in his head but desire running rampant once more, damn it. He was supposed to have better control than this. He tried to get his arm through his armhole in his shirt so that he could get a better grip on Seifer but couldn't seem to do it.

Seifer found it interesting that Zell never failed to respond, though he seemed to be struggling against him. Wrapping a strong arm around Zell's torso, he entrapped the martial artist's movements. He leaned further in, tongue exploring the wet heat of Zell's mouth and his unique taste as his other hand braced them against the wall. He couldn't remember why he was doing this. What had he come here for? Why couldn't he quench this horrid need to smooth down on Zell's body? What in the hell was he doing?? Finally, he managed to break away, his breathing was short and slightly ragged. He traced a hand down Zell's tattoo, the sharp jaw to his lips. Seifer couldn't find anything to say, knowing full well that he should.

Zell watched Seifer's lips, almost willing him to talk to him, cause he sure as hell didn't know what to say. His eyes fluttered partially closed at Seifer's touch upon his cheek and he half smiled. "That’s nice," he whispered.

Seifer paused as Zell spoke, the soft murmur wafting air that teased his lips. He hated the way Zell was looking at him. He buried his face in Zell's neck, growling as his hands tightened on Zell's shirt, he wanted to tear it off and was struck with a flash of deja vu.

Damn it, Zell, get out of my head....

Zell moved his head sideways to give Seifer better access, running his fingers through the shiny strands of Seifer's hair, a small half smile still on his face. Zell didn't know if he should say anything, he was actually afraid to, was afraid it would be a dream and would go away.

Seifer drew skin between his teeth, suckling hard as though meaning to break it. He had to resist the urge to bite down completely, the last thing he needed was the Doctor charging in here if Zell started screaming. The thought brought a sly grin to his face, he licked the dark bruise that was already forming at the juncture where neck met shoulder. "Do you think you can keep your voice down?"

Zell was shivering with the pent up desires building and let his head fall back with a grin. "Hell ya, I can control my voice... Why?" he asked with a hopeful grin. Though he wasn’t too sure if he could actually live up to his boast.

Seifer's hands slid down Zell's front, hard pressure on muscles before he started undoing the martial artist's denim shorts. "Cos I don't think these walls are soundproof." He nipped at Zell's collarbone, barely visible above the neck of his shirt. "And I really wanna hear you scream."

Zell gulped and tried to concentrate on anything... Hotdogs... the taste... Shit, that wasn't working, it was making him harder. Hell, he was lost. Though he did try once to be the voice of reason. "Um... Seifer, what if Dr. Kadowaki walks in... ? The doors don't have locks ya know," he said breathlessly.

Seifer didn't look up. "Sure they do." Why the fuck did this thing have so many buttons?

Zell pulled back slightly. "They do? And you locked it? ‘Cause dude... I sure as hell don't wanna be caught with my pants down," he laughingly said. "Can ya imagine the look on the Doc's face seeing whatever the hell ya got planned?" he said while looking into Seifer's eyes, running his finger over Seifer's lower lip and focusing on that.

Seifer's eyes flickered back up to lock with Zell's. "It's locked. It's just us, I'd appreciate less talk unless yer screamin' my name. Hyne, don't ever wear these things again." Seifer finally succeeded in getting the shorts down, without a word he dropped to his knees. "Now shut up."

Zell sucked in his breath. "Whatever you say," he said with anticipation coloring his words. While he was also thanking Hyne and all her/his glorious descendants and anyone else who helped this dream come true.

Well wasn't the chicken submissive behind closed doors? Seifer took Zell into his mouth, hands gripping the blond's thighs lest he should buck. He took Zell in up to the hilt, and he didn't favour being choked. If Garden's sex Ed graded you on performance, he'd be the top of the class. Seifer hummed low in the back of his throat as his tongue ran Zell's length, swirling around the tip.

Zell could feel himself literally melting, he had never had anyone do this for him, not once. He had only dreamed of how it would feel, he knew what it felt like to be on the other end, having experimented once before. But damn... this end was so much nicer to his way of thinking. Well he wasn’t thinking anymore, he was moaning and trying to keep it down by biting the inside of his cheek to help him out with the stifling of sound.

Seifer's hands tightened on those hips, he could feel that Zell was close. Moaning against Zell's member, he let the reverberations reduce the martial artist to a quivering mess. He pulled back just as Zell may have reached his climax, rising to his feet and pressing an arm over Zell's torso to prevent him from moving. His other hand teased his throbbing desire with fleeting touches;

Seifer smirked at Zell's futile attempts to keep his voice down. Well he wasn't screaming yet, he'd have to do something about that. Yes, he decided with an inward snicker, he would make Zell beg.

Zell breath hitched, he wanted to come so bad, he felt like he was at the edge of a cliff and was being denied the right to jump down and fly; to soar over the clouds. He whimpered his need, his body boneless, if Seifer weren't holding him in some way he would have fallen to the floor in a heap. "Seifer..." he whispered hungrily.

Seifer's mouth quirked in a seductive grin, his fingers traced lazy circles round the base of Zell's length as he canted his head to one side. "Hmm?"

"I thought you said you didn't want me to be loud... Teasing me has this affect of making me loud," he said, his voice full of want and need and very husky. He ran his hand once more through Seifer's hair, trailing it down Seifer's cheek softly, though his hips tried to buck into that wonderfully aching touch. The grin became a full-on smirk, Seifer leaned forward almost close enough to press his lips to the other man's, but didn't.

"When did I ever say that? All I said," his fingers brushed upwards to the leaking tip, grazing his thumb over it leisurely. "Was I wanted to hear you scream. And I will." He commended Zell for still being so coherent, he wondered how long the shorter blond could hold up.

Zell could feel his eyelids growing heavy and his body was shaking so bad, partly from desire, partly from the healing. He knew he wouldn’t last long, he leaned his head forward till his forehead lay against Seifer's forehead. "You want me to scream... " he said with a small grin. "Well ya gotta give me something to scream about!" his voice was low and raspy.

Seifer's eyes narrowed and he pulled his hand away. "Does it hurt?"

Zell groaned loudly at the loss of the warmth and pleasure Seifer's hand gave him. "It hurts now," he said with a grin that turned into a slight grimace. "It don't hurt Seifer, I just don't have alot of energy, damn it," he said matter-of-factly.

Seifer lifted a slender eyebrow and started to step back. "Well if yer tired, maybe I should leave ya to rest... " he taunted, releasing Zell from his hold entirely.

Zell growled low in his throat. "Don't you dare," he said with a determined look in his eye. "I'll hunt you down if you leave me like this," he chuckled slightly. "Though ya gotta wait for a few days before I do the hunting."

Seifer smirked. "D'you think you stand a chance against me?" Zell's attitude was giving rise to certain ire. "You think a few days makes any difference? You think I give a flying fuck what you do?"

Zell lost a bit of his smile. "I think if I truly did put my mind to it, yeah... Hell yeah I stand a chance... " his pugnacious chin rising along with his own bit of temper. "So if you don't give a flying fuck about what I do, what the hell are you here for? Why do ya keep blowing hot then cold...? Why did ya sit here and finally leave when the Doc kicked ya out? What the hell is your problem huh?!"

Zell lost it, hurriedly buttoning his shorts back up and everything flashed back to him in one huge burst, the last few days all jumbling together along with his feelings of confusion and rejection; the highs and the lows that Seifer was constantly giving him. His skin was mottled red in patches from his temper and his legs would barely hold him up, his weakened state pissing him off even more. He tried to push past Seifer to get to the safety of the cot before he fell to the floor in an embarrassing heap. He could feel his eyes tearing in his anger and kept his head down. "Since ya don't care... Don't ya have somewhere else to be...? Get the hell out… go."

Seifer caught Zell's arm as the blond stumbled. "Watch it, idiot. You're still weak."

Zell snapped his arm out of Seifer's. "So why do you care? I told ya, get out... I got stuff to do before I get outta here, don't ya have somewhere to go? Other people to torment?" he said, still avoiding looking up at Seifer.

Sure, Seifer could torment anyone. But since Squall was off the radar and he got such an easy rise out of Zell, the martial artist was far more satisfying than the average picking. He didn't care for Zell, but something else in the small blond called out to him. Like a moth to a flame, he kept coming back only to leave the flame sputtering angrily.

He wasn't obsessed, he wasn't in love, he wasn't tormented every waking hour with the thought of Zell. But the memory of their encounter a few nights ago was still fresh in his mind and returned to haunt him every time he closed his eyes. He had to get Zell out of his system, somehow.

"Shut up and lie down," he said. "Doc's not gonna like it if you hurt yourself while I'm here, she'll think it was me."

Zell got onto the cot only because he could feel himself about to lose what little bit of strength he had left. "What the hell you waitin' for? I know you can hear, and I did say get the hell out. That way you don't have to worry about anything, not me, not the doc; nothin'. Oh wait, you don't care, sorry confused ya with someone who would care." He rolled over giving Seifer his back, making sure his tears didn't fall, blinking like mad.

Seifer was cursing himself and Zell to high heaven, he had no idea what was going on here anymore. But for some reason, he just didn't believe Zell. He reached for Zell's shoulder and turned him over. He didn't care. Really, he didn't. "Do you really want me to leave?"

A tear slipped down from the corner of his eye, not paying him any mind, he quickly wiped it away with his fist. "Shit, do I gotta spell it out for ya? Yes... Go away... Leave me alone... " he said, his voice full of hurt and his eyes pleading for Seifer to stay.

Seifer bit the inside of his cheek as a tear escaped Zell's eye. The boy was a shit-ass liar. He pulled up a chair and straddled it, staring Zell right in the eye. "Make me."

Zell growled and turned back over. "Go away... Please... I don't have the strength to deal with you right now... " he said despondently, all his earlier rage disappearing down like the tear.

Seifer rolled his eyes, standing he climbed up on the bed and started to pull Zell into his arms. "C'mere, Chicken. I promise I won't try anything, alright?"

Zell didn't have the heart to pull away and something about this tugged at his memories. He refused to put his arms around Seifer, but did relent to himself that he could get used to this very quickly. Seifer settled back against the pillows as Zell leaned back into him - though rather hesitantly, the tense fix of his shoulders proved. He leaned Zell's head back against his shoulder, bearing the mark he'd made only a few minutes earlier. After a moment's debate, he kissed the dark bruise, arms winding round Zell in a warm embrace. "Just sleep."

Zell didn’t have the energy to resist and found himself doing just that. “I’m only doing this cause... I can't,” a yawn, “stay awake,” he said, soon losing himself in slumber.

Seifer chuckled, shaking his head. Sure, whatever. He chose wisely not to reply and just let Zell rest against him.

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