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At
an Arm's Length
A Final Fantasy VIII Story
by
Aligator
Chapter 11 - Where Ships Come In
It’s late, and I can’t sleep. So I’m sitting on the dock, in the dead of night, here in Fisherman’s Horizon.
No matter what the time is, the lighted boats come in and out of the nearby harbor. The people who serve as the crews for these vessels have lives – real lives, with wives, girlfriends, children and families. Lives they leave behind for days and weeks at a time when they go to sea. But when they come back, they have something to look forward to, people who care about them and who are praying for their safe return.
The phrase “when his ship comes in” has taken on a whole new meaning. I wonder if mine ever will.
Why am I sitting out here? Because I dreamt about you, again.
I can imagine what your reaction would be, if you knew. You’d brush back those strands of hair that you hide behind and roll your eyes. You’d try to cover up that you are blushing by making a really ugly face. And you’d say, in a slightly irritated voice, “Get your mind out of the gutter, Almasy.”
Don’t get your panties in a wad, Instructor. It wasn’t like that. . . this time.
Seifer abruptly closed the journal with a loud “thwap” and, without turning around, said softly, “Isn’t it a little late for you to be up, Fujin?”
She gingerly made her way to join him on the bench along the dock’s edge. “I thought I was pretty quiet that time.”
“All those years of SeeD training aren’t something you forget after only a couple of years.”
“YES,” Fujin answered, noting the forlorn look in his eyes. A look like he was missing something. Or someone. “But I’ve got a disadvantage due to my condition.”
He gave her a sideways glance, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly upward, as he saw her lightly trace her not-yet-swollen abdomen. “How’s my nephew doing this morning?”
“Busy. Wants Daddy home.”
Seifer nodded solemnly in agreement. “Rai’s nearly done with his contract, right? I mean – he’s got another eight months, but then he can take that mechanic position, instead of having to go out.”
“Yes.”
“Good,” he responded with finality.
Fujin looked at the young man seated next to her. Seifer wasn’t much older than she and Rai were. In fact, in some ways, he seemed younger than them. Until you looked in his eyes. She had no idea exactly what horrors they had seen. Seifer’s eyes were the eyes of someone much older, and now they were staring off toward faraway lands.
He’s restless, she thought, sadly. They had cajoled him into promising to stay – at least until the baby was born – and then only after Rai made a big deal about not wanting her to be home alone while he was on the fishing trawler. She absently patted her stomach. Little one, he’s going to leave us. I hope you get to know him.
“Seifer?”
“Hmhmm.” Blue-green eyes still searched the dark waters, not noticing that his companion’s gaze had fallen to the well-worn book, half hidden by his hand.
“You,” she started, almost timidly. “You write to her, don’t you?”
His blond lashes fluttered in surprise at such an unexpected question, before he responded in a measured tone, “Who do you mean?”
“Instructor Trepe.”
“Yes,” he answered simply. He felt cool fingers linger just for a moment, straightening his signet ring, before covering his hand fully.
“I thought so.” She took a deep breath. “You always were sweet on her.”
Seifer finally faced her, astonishment written all over his face.
There was no mocking in her voice, as she continued, with a slight grin. “She was the only person with ‘untouchable’ status on our Disciplinary Committee list.” A sad frown was beginning to form on his face. Oh, come on, don’t frown like that. . .
“Seifer, no one else knows. It wasn’t obvious. Rai doesn’t even –”
“Then how do you know?” A flat voice countered.
“Because. . . I’m a girl, and, well, she was one of the only people who was consistently nice. I mean –”
“Fuu –”
“NO! IMPORTANT.” She cut him off, and resumed at a volume just above a whisper. “She’s good enough for you.”
Seifer had to bite his lip to keep from laughing bitterly. She’s only known for a week or so, and it’s already time to humor the pregnant lady? I’m a murderer, a disgrace and a disappointment, and Quistis, of all people, is “good enough for *me*?” He heard his own, carefully modulated, response, “Really?”
Ignoring the disbelieving eyes boring into her, Fujin said, “YES.” He looks as if he could break.
His eyes shifted, quickly back to the journal in his hand. “You know, she and I grew up together. . . at the orphanage, I mean. I wonder if she. . .”
Seifer stopped himself and looked over at his longtime friend, who in a split second, seemed to have fallen totally asleep. So being pregnant makes you narcoleptic, eh?
He carefully hoisted Fujin up and started to carry her back to her home. I wonder if Quistis remembers that there *was* a time when she considered me a friend?
To
be continued. . .
Next week: Chapter 12 – Wish You Were Here
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AN ARM'S LENGTH © 2002-2004 A.L. Roberts.
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