Chapter Text
8 April 2015
This is a FFVIII fic by klepto_maniac0. I own no concepts and no characters except the ones you've never heard of, which means they're ones I've made. I freely admit I will take liberties with the FFVIII canon because this is an alternate universe fic. That's why some details are different, some events are ignored, and some people don't exist or act in a different capacity. Ain't fanfic fun?
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Squall was grey with blood loss and trauma, and as the wardens carried him into the infirmary and the doctors hooked him up to blood replacement and IV's, Seifer stood at the back of the room. He leaned against the wall and drummed his fingertips on his crossed arms, his eyes fixed on Squall's waxen face. He was in bad shape, made even worse once Edea's ice spikes had been removed from his chest. Seifer remembered hearing the words 'deflated lung' and 'massive internal bleeding'. His own chest seemed to ache. Had it really only been a week ago that they'd been taking the field exam side by side, and Seifer had been the one who'd nearly died from shredded organs and massive bleeding? Fortunately for him, Squall was unconscious. He wouldn't know the bewildering, inexorable terror of death coming closer.
Right now, anyway.
“When will he be conscious?” Seifer asked the doctor, who bowed deeply.
“Sir Seifer, it's hard to say. He's in superb physical health but that's frankly the only reason he's still alive. It took almost a continuous application of para-magic to keep his system from shutting down.” The doctor shrugged helplessly. “Maybe if we had more magic, but as it is, we've just run out. And using potions at this fragile stage would likely hurt him instead of help.”
Seifer's lips thinned. He had exactly three Cure spells left and while Edea had forbidden him to use them on himself except in case of emergency, she hadn't said anything about casting on anyone else. And as much as Seifer's lower leg hurt, the potion he'd applied right after battle made it bearable and able to be walked on. Never again would he underestimate Quistis and her whip; she'd all but ripped the muscles off their attachments. She pulled no punches, which was to be admired as much as feared. She should have been mission leader instead of Squall.
Seifer blinked and for a second, saw sunny blonde hair spread across the pillow instead of dark brown. The fist-sized wound in Squall's chest would be even larger in Quistis's, but the surge of fear and panic that went through Seifer's at the thought of Quistis being so injured seemed to scoop out all his organs.
Seifer growled in irritation. He shouldn't be having thoughts like those anymore. Edea needed him to be strong. She needed him to be focused.
“Everyone except for medical staff, get out,” said Seifer, surging up off the wall and gathering Cure magic in his hand. “Nurse, take notes.”
“Yes, Sir Seifer,” stammered the nurse, looking around immediately for a piece of paper and a pen as everyone scrambled to obey his orders. “On what?”
“On what he says,” said Seifer, casting Cure over Squall. As soon as the sparks touched Squall's pale body, color flowed back and Seifer saw Squall's eyelids flutter. The second Cure made Squall groan lightly and Seifer stepped around to the side of his injured shoulder, looking down at him as the younger SeeD blearily opened his eyes.
“Aren't you glad I always kicked your ass?” Seifer asked, making Squall turn and focus on him. Not very well. Seifer's mouth twisted as he saw the younger man's pupils were different sizes. “You wouldn't be nearly as tough without me. And trust me... You're gonna need that toughness.”
“Where are we?” Squall asked, his voice slurred.
“Is he on pain medication?” Seifer asked the doctor.
“Yes, Sir Seifer.”
“Take him off it.”
The doctor paled but complied. Seifer nearly grinned at his obedience. It was fun being the Sorceress's Knight. It felt right, people doing what he said without question. For once, people realized who was actually in charge.
“Now, is Squall going to behave too?”
“We're in D-District Prison,” said Seifer as Squall blinked slowly, wincing a bit as the subtle drip of medication eased. “Because you tried to attack the Sorceress.”
“Orders...”
“Yeah, yeah. I had them too.” Seifer put his hand on Squall's injured shoulder, making the brunet SeeD jerk. “Fortunately, I had a change of heart... But that's not important. So Squall, tell me about your mission. Who sent you?”
“Not telling,” said Squall, rolling his eyes up to glare at Seifer. “You know that.”
“You learned as well as I do that we don't give up names,” was what the blue-grey glare said.
“Now Squall,” said Seifer, patting his shoulder very firmly; Squall went white with pain. “There's no reason to be stubborn about this. If the client didn't give you all the information, then you can cite breach of contract. You know that. So tell me everything.”
“No.”
Using two fingers, Seifer pushed right on top of where he knew the brachial plexus was located. Always a tender spot, it would no doubt be afire with pain after the ice spike. Squall could not stop from making a choked gasp that bowed his body into an arch of pure pain, half-lifting him off the bed. The doctor and nurse looked alarmed.
“Tell me who wants Edea dead, Squall,” said Seifer, slowly increasing the pressure. Squall panted, a fine tremble going through his body. Peripherally Seifer was aware of the heart monitor beeping faster and faster. “Martine's too much of a pussy to do this himself. Who's behind wanting her dead?”
“No,” the younger SeeD choked out.
“Come on, Leonhart. I don't want to have to get mean.”
He really didn't. Squall was a dumbass and Seifer was pretty sure he'd kill himself in battle one day, but Seifer had enough fond memories of him that he didn't want his last one of Squall to be one where the boy was screaming in agony. Not this way, anyway. Now in a duel, that would be fine. Seifer made a mental note not to fuck up Squall's shoulder muscles even as he continued to stab into the nerves, making Squall go sweat-sheened with pain.
“Tell me who's trying to kill Sorceress Edea.”
“F-f-fuck you,” Squall gasped out.
Seifer grinned. “Aww. Baby's first swear.” He eased pressure for exactly two seconds before stabbing again, making a harsh cry tear itself from Squall's throat. “Just tell me what I want to know, Squall. Otherwise I'll just keep pushing this nice big button right here... Or maybe not. I've got your friends. Someone's gonna talk. The little runner girl, the wuss... He wouldn't last five seconds.”
“Quistis,” Squall gritted out, looking at him. “Y-you'd hurt her too?”
The reckless promise stayed behind Seifer's lips as he looked into the brunet's wide but angry eyes. Seifer leaned down over Squall, putting his weight into the point he was pushing instead of relying on strength. He saw Squall's eyes roll back into his head and was vaguely aware of Squall's heels thudding back on the hospital bed.
“The only one that matters to me is the Sorceress, Squall,” said Seifer, his voice soft with conviction. “So what do you think?”
Squall gasped, eyes so wide Seifer could see the whites all around. And then he passed out. Seifer rolled his eyes and straightened.
“Get him fixed up right,” said Seifer to the doctor and the nurse, who were both trembling violently and looking down at their feet like good peons. “We're doing this again tomorrow.”
“Y-yes, Sir Seifer,” said the doctor, bobbing awkwardly. “U-uhm, the pain medication—?”
“Put it back on for now. He'll heal quicker if he's not a mess while he's sleeping.” Seifer folded his arms and drummed his fingertips again, going through his options. “And as soon as you're done, get out. I'll be using the main room and there's no reason for you to be around.”
“Yes, Sir Seifer,” said the doctor while the nurse bowed and said, “Thank you, Sir Seifer.”
He gestured at them impatiently and once they settled the IV's, they fled. Seifer looked at Squall for a long moment, his mouth twisting.
“Don't die on me, now,” he said to Squall, his voice half irritated and half affectionate. “I hope for your sake you're tough enough. This won't get any easier.”
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a/n: Yes, this is an extremely short first chapter. Look, it was either 3 pages or 21, the majority of which was.... Well, you'll find out soon enough.
I spoiled all of you with New Seed's daily updates, but for Cracked Seed I'm going to go every other day or MWF, whichever is easier for me to remember. Still whacking away at Part 3, haven't even gotten to Part 4 yet. Need to buy some time for consistency's sake.
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