A Narrow Escape

"A Narrow Escape"

orig. 3/11/2007 *(not original date)

Zell Dincht x Elly

Final Fantasy 8

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The T-Rexaur swiped at Irvine with its heavy tail. The slender cowboy leaped nimbly over it, but wasn't prepared enough to meet a counter swipe of those needle-sharp claws. He fell back, gritting his teeth and clutching at his side.


"Heh. Too slow, pretty boy." Seifer flicked his massive gunblade out, slicing the mighty lizard across the nose. Elly was watching Irvine out of the corner of her eye. She absently snapped several cuts at the T-Rexaur with her leg whips.

"Are you okay, Kinneas?" She called out a little anxiously. "This one's strong! And we only have one cure spell remaining."


"Still shootin', aren't I?" The brunette boy responded shortly. He suited action to the word, jumping up and aiming carefully at the lizard's midsection. Seifer glanced over at Elly, watching her watch Irvine. A small flicker of annoyance crossed his coldly handsome features. He attacked next, triggering the gunblade as it connected for a more powerful strike. There was a small explosion, but still the giant reptile lived--and now it was angrier than ever. Elly had to miss her chance to attack by ducking instead as it tried to grasp her in its powerful jaws. She got lucky, but the wounded Irvine was slower, and the creature was lunging for him. She shrieked and desperately tried to draw the monster away by repeated blows to its side, but it snapped him up in a second and threw him to the ground. He grunted when he slammed into the mossy undergrowth. The slender brunette could barely lift himself up after that massive chomp, but he reeled back into position, struggling to bring his gun to bear. He was doubled over, panting hard and trying to keep the T-Rexaur in sight.


The mighty creature seemed to decide he was easy prey now. They watched it sizing him up, its head dipping, sniffing at the blood that was seeping through the young man's vest and trickling onto his chaps.


"Irvine!" She ran as fast as she could, but Seifer was already there. He pushed her to the ground and shook his head. Elly sat down hard, her legs splayed out from under her skirt. The silly yellow and red bow her female uniform had flapped in a small breeze.

"He's going to get killed!" She snarled at him. "Don't you care?!"


"And how is getting yourself killed going to help?" Seifer sighed when he saw her frown at him. Her teeth bared, she flew at the giant monster and started throwing every tactic she could at it.


"Don't be a hero!" Seifer growled. "Come on!" But he saw it was useless. He accessed the situation bitterly. He didn't want any of them to be a monster snack. And of course, he couldn't let Irvine be hurt either. Fingering his massive blade, he nodded once and slid it into its sheath-like holster. "All right," he murmured.


Elly had actually run out of strength before the T-Rexaur could be defeated. Spent and helpless, she was on her knees on the moist ground watching Irvine desperately trying to get a bead on his target. The giant lizard reared back, lunging forward...


...and suddenly, Seifer was in his place. He'd hurled himself several feet at the last second to throw himself in harm's way. Elly stood frozen in place, her hand outstretched, her mouth open in a soundless yell. Seifer cast thunder magic directly into the beast's mouth right before the jaws clamped firmly down upon him. The anguished girl heard the scarred older boy scream in agony when fangs sank into his chest and waist. She rushed forward again, but at that moment the thundara he had cast erupted deep within the creature's belly. It dropped Seifer and staggered back, its tail slashing through the air. Elly chanced a peek over her shoulder at the young cowboy, but he had managed to crawl someplace further away from the impending fall of the beast. The T-Rexaur finally fell over, the sounds of its hissing and snarling cutting off abruptly as it crumbled into ashes. Then the ashes blew away into the wind, flittering across their faces.


"Nice job," Irvine coughed quietly. He blinked at Elly and passed out. A quick check told her his bleeding had stopped, but Seifer had taken the massive ending blow intended for him, and he was in worse condition. The older blonde boy's eyes were squeezed tightly shut, his mouth pressed into a thin white line. He lay on his side, curled partially into a ball with his hands clutching his lower chest area. His writhing was quite inspired. She reached out and lightly touched his brow, and he moaned. The sound was so weak, so un-Seifer that she flinched a little. He had to be hurt badly, and they didn't have enough healing magic left. The training center this day had been filled with tougher monsters, and many had seized upon this better-than-average opportunity to hone their skills. But even they had underestimated their opponents. Elly thought fast, and realized they had a chance if she could get them to the secret area. Someone might be there that might have a few healing cure spells - with luck, a curaga -- to share.


"Let's go, Irvine," she muttered. "I know you were spared the last hit...you have to have some strength to walk." She lightly slapped the tanned boy's face, and those icy-blue shooter's eyes snapped open.


"Must be luck," he grunted as he staggered to a half-kneeling position. "Always...wake up...next to a pretty lady." He coughed again, faintly, then managed to prop himself up on his rifle. By ingeniously using it as a walking stick, he could move about. Elly smiled at him, relieved. "Seifer?" He asked next. She pointed, a worried frown crossing her pale features. "Hey - wake up, scarboy."


"Seifer?" She bent closer to him. "We really have to get moving," Elly fretted. "Another monster could come any minute, and we're definitely not prepared!" She slipped an arm around him and hefted. Irvine hobbled over and grasped the scarred boy's other side. Seifer hissed sharply and grabbed at his lower belly, but he said nothing. He was too battered to walk, so they half-carried, half-dragged him until they reached the now-somewhat questionable safety of the secret area. Irvine collapsed in a half-faint against the farthest wall while Elly bundled Seifer close to her for an examination. He didn't protest when she quickly stripped his cloak and vest off, baring the sleekly defined chest muscles he'd worked so hard to achieve. But even though he was in agony, his hand checked hers when she would have unbelted his pants.


"No," he coughed. "Let me be."


"Seifer, there's a huge gash running down your chest!" Her hair swung wildly about as she grew more agitated and waved her hands around. Seifer had a vague thought that she resembled Chicken wuss in this particular moment. Then his thoughts wavered when he felt her hands again. He tried to shake his head at her, but pain flared when he moved his neck and he immediately grew limp again. The teeth marks of the giant monster were sunk into his skin just above his navel and on the upper part of his chest. One flat male nipple had been nicked, and it oozed blood, as all the cuts and punctures did. Elly whisked off her training uniform and cast a small water spell, wetting the cloth. She cleaned all the wounds she could see on his stomach and chest in silence. It seemed they were alone in the secret area. No one else had been lucky enough to get this far. They could rest for as long as they needed until they had enough strength to journey back.


Seifer finally closed his eyes and relaxed as she gently daubed the blood and dirt off him. It hurt to have someone touching those cuts, but she was gentle and the cloth cool. He gasped a little when he felt a light pat on his cheek, and opened his eyes to stare directly into her ice-blue ones. Her gaze was unnerving, a blunt look - almost a challenge. Irvine was saying something, and he tore his attention away from his contemplation of her eyes to the battered cowboy.


"Well, we can split the one cure spell we have," he was saying quietly. "It'll be enough if we can rest ...for a time."


"We have time," Elly said drily. "No one knows we're here, and no one was able to get this far yet." She concentrated and then spread her hands over at both of the men, casting a half-cure spell at each. A light thrill ran through Seifer's body as the spell took its effect. He swallowed hard when the it ran down the wound on his inner thigh, however. She hadn't cleaned it, and that complicated matters somewhat. Irvine was sighing with relief.


"Much obliged, my lady." He even went so far as to tip his hat, a sure sign he was feeling better. "I owe you one - maybe we can settle the score Sunday evening?"


"Now I know you're all right," Elly said blandly. "Thanks, but ah...Seifer?" She turned back to the older boy, who hadn't been able to suppress a moan.


"Nothing." He stared defiantly at her but his penetrating gaze, which always worked so well, failed again.


"Shut up and let me look." She ran a light hand down his chest past the healing wounds and grasped his belt buckle. Seifer exhaled sharply, blue eyes widening.


"Oh, my. If y'all just want to be alone, I'll move over here..." A faint chuckle came from the far end of the room.


"Kinneas! Stop laughing or I'll make you wish that d@mned 'Rex had gutted you on the field!" He shook his fist feebly at the snickering brunette. Elly had worked the buckle off in the meantime, and was gently tugging on the pants.


"I'll just..." Irvine tilted his hat back over his eyes and turned his lanky back on them both, his side resting against the wall.


"I'm fine," Seifer tried to growl, but the words he spoke seemed not his own. They sounded faint and weak. He grimaced at the sound of his own voice. Elly slapped his hand away, her fingers lightly brushing the sore slash. Seifer winced.


"See? You're not," she rebuked him. "You're hurt, and I don't care - I have to clean this or it's going to take forever to heal, spell or no spell." She rinsed her ragged jacket again and began to blot gently. He was too tired at the moment to further resist. In fact, he had to privately admit that he was feeling better as she finished cleaning that last big cut. He was soon laying on his back, oblivious to the fact that his torn pants were down around his ankles.


"...well built," Elly said.


"What?" Seifer was wide awake in a moment. "What did you say?"


"I said, you're, ah, very well built," she said shyly. He glanced at her and saw to his amazement that was blushing hard. It made her pale features stand out all the more, with the lone color on her face those twin patches of red on her cheeks. He couldn't think of anything to say. The faint early sunlight stained the small open area with a soft light. It fell upon her and to Seifer's bemused eyes, she looked like she was glowing. He watched her wring her jacket out and settle next to him. She was like his very own guardian angel. Realizing what he had just thought, he struggled, trying to force some anger up. It certainly would be a lot easier if he had to deal with a known emotion, rather than the one that was tugging at him now. He felt confused. The image of the angel stuck with him as she reached out towards him. Her fingertips lightly grazed the old scar across the bridge of his nose, sliding down to caress his cheek. He blinked with surprise.


"You know, you wear this scar well." She murmured. Seifer reached up and grasped her hand. He had discarded his gloves awhile back, and his hand was warm and strangely smooth for a soldier-to-be.


The gloves must account for that, she thought vaguely.


"Thank you," he said gravely. Gently, so as not to frighten her, he moved her hand away from his face until it was resting by her side again. He was alarmed to see her reaction. Elly's face was flaming, and small tears stood in the corners of her eyes as if she'd realized she'd said something wrong. She cleared her throat and whipped her head to the side.


"You know, Irvine, I guess I could maybe go wi-" Elly called out crisply, turning to the long-haired young man. Irvine raised the brim of his hat. When she trembled beside him he knew: she was doing this because she thought he'd rejected her. Seifer understood rejection. His heart beat faster in his chest and he opened his mouth.


"...not possibly go out on Sunday," Seifer finished for her. Elly jumped at the sound of Seifer's voice. It was very firm and commanding: his disciplinary tone. A slow, langorious smile spread across the sharpshooter's lightly tanned features when he heard his companion.


"Oh?" Was all he said. He raised a long eyebrow at Seifer.


"You have a problem with that, Kinneas?" Seifer growled. Inwardly, his stomach felt a trifle queasy. She wasn't like the assorted lapdog girls that cluttered the Garden's hallways, especially like the ones Kinneas always had surrounding him. He grimaced inwardly. She wouldn't be told what to do, and he didn't know how this would end up. She stood and placed her hands on her hips. Seifer waited. If she decided on the other young man he could do nothing.


"What?" Baffled, the object of their little discussion stepped between and into their line of view. Her long locks swayed down, almost obscuring her puzzled blue eyes. Seifer stared, amazed at how long her hair was when she pulled it out of that stupid pigtail.


"Well, if you would be with that thin pile of cowskin than me..." He leaned back against the wall across from Irvine.


"Was that a half-assed attempt to ask me out?" She asked wonderingly. Irvine snorted laughter, and Seifer slapped a palm to his face.


"Shit," he gritted through clenched teeth.


"Two good-looking guys want to go out with me?" Elly seemed baffled. Seifer actually blushed.


"Good looking?"


"Naturally." Irvine sniffed. He winked slyly at Seifer and mouthed 'watch this!' "Elly, sweetheart..." He walked over and slipped an arm around her. "...you looked incredibly gorgeous out there, and not only that," he added, "You saved both our lives." She backed away from the smooth-talking cowboy and frowned at him, eyes narrowing.


"You don't need any dates, Kinneas. I've seen your little harem of girls." Seifer had to laugh. He did it as quietly as he could - it hurt his belly -- but Irvine heard, and he scowled at him. He didn't look half as pretty when those full lips were peeled back in a snarl. Elly moved back to Seifer's side and slipped an arm around him.


"Are you a little better now?" She asked, concerned.


"Much," he murmured. "Um. Thanks. But don't noise this around so much, all right?" A thought struck him. "And don't tell Chicken wuss that I got this badly hurt by that f#cking 'Rexaur." He regretted the words the instant they were out of his mouth. A mention of Zell and she dropped her hand from his side in a moment, a gentle smile touching her lips. Seifer stared longingly at them, wishing he could make her smile like that. The tattooed freak had a secret admirer that really wasn't so secret. And he didn't even do anything about it! He ground his teeth in frustration. It was all so unfair.


"Zell!" she exclaimed. Seifer jerked and then swore fluidly.


Oh, this was even more unfair. His unknowing rival had just entered the room. The slender martial artist was wearing his usual: skater-style baggy shorts with his strapped black shirt and jacket with blue flames etched on the red sleeves. His best metal knuckles were on, and they gleamed in the sunlight as he whipped his fists through the air excitedly.


"The he11 happened here?" He exclaimed, bounding further inside. Elly moved over to him in a moment, her eyes starry and absolutely devoid of thought. Irvine shook his head and pantomimed sticking a gun in his mouth. He pulled the "trigger" when she sighed dreamily. For once Seifer agreed with the lean cowboy. He nodded curtly at him, then drew his best defensive wall up around his emotions.


Which lasted about two seconds. Not bad. A new record.


"Where's your help, Chicken wuss?" Seifer snorted. "I know you couldn't have fought all the monsters yourself out there." He seethed inwardly. She had almost been thinking about a date with him. She was attracted to him; he knew that. It was Zell Dincht that got in the way...always in the way!


"What did you call me?!" Zell drew himself up, trembling with rage. "I told you not to call me that again, asshole!" Elly stood between both boys, her eyes wide. Seifer chanced a quick look at her and then decided he would poke the younger boy again. Just to make her realize how little he thought of her. Seifer really believed Zell cared less for the girl than his hoverboard. It was obvious to everyone that he hadn't a clue of her feelings for him, anyway.


Maybe she'll give him up and go with me if she sees that, he thought, and smiled dangerously at the fists that were flying inches away from his face. Zell stopped throwing punches and raised an eyebrow. "Could you excuse me a minute, Chicken wuss?" He bent and retrieved his pants, which were puddled around his ankles. The martial artist's eyes widened as he watched him pull them up. Elly's face grew bright red as she imagined what Zell could be thinking. Her mouth opened...then closed. Finally she pointed at Seifer with a shaking finger.

"They both got hurt and I had the spells to..."

"Much better," Seifer yawned, stretching. He deliberately ignored the flaring pain when he moved and walked as casually as he could to Zell's side.

"What's...?" Zell looked to Irvine for an answer. The sharpshooter was shaking his head in disgust.


"Seifer, man, that's really not cool," he murmured. He popped the ten gallon hat he wore up with one finger. "You know that's..."


"What the fuck was going on here?" Zell blurted.


"Your girlfriend was just tending my wounds," he said calmly. He ran a hand through his hair and raised his eyebrows innocently.


"Girlfriend?" Zell stared stupidly at Elly. Her eyes were even wider, her face mortified. "She's not my..." Seifer smirked when he saw her face fall. They hadn't gotten that far yet, obviously. And maybe wouldn't ever if he kept at it like this. Besides, he would be better for her than Chicken wuss anyway. He hadn't counted on her reaction, however. Irvine was faster than any of them and saw the impending flight in her eyes before she even moved.


"Don't!" He shouted quickly. He lunged at Elly, but it was too late. She darted out the door out into the dangerous training area.


- -


"Are you proud of that, Seifer?" Irvine spat in the general direction of his feet. "You're sick, man."


"What?"


"Where'd she go?" Zell scratched at the back of his neck. "The frig's with that, Seifer? You know I'm not seein' anyone. Had to go to that dance last month by myself." He stared at the back of the massive door in wonder. "And you busted up on me for it."


"Get her!" Seifer yelled. "Out! Quick!" He turned to move and pain bloomed in his wounded thigh. He clutched at it, falling to his knee and grimacing.


"We fought one of the toughest T-Rexaurs I've ever seen," Irvine explained to Zell. He pointed at Seifer. "She cured us with a lesser spell." He poked Seifer with his boot, causing him to fall down all the way. The bigger boy grunted and only managed to get partially up. "You ungrateful bastard. She was hurt too, you know. She's not in the condition to fight anything now." He limped to the door and opened it. "Especially since she didn't use any of the cure on herself." He shouldered his gun and walked out, letting the door slam behind him.


"Elly?" Zell said.


"C'mon, Chicken wuss! Move!" Seifer groaned. "She's gonna get hurt!"


Outside in the lush, overgrown training area, Elly pelted off as hard and fast as she could, rushing for the main doors. She ran blindly, sobbing as she went, not caring about the branches and vines that stung her neck, face and legs. Thus it was that the sudden growl that broke the stillness of the center caused her to start violently. Bleeding from various thorn scratches and dazed with anger and shame, she turned around and faced the monsters that were about to attack her. She quickly counted seven grats - plantlike creatures that used status abnormalities in their attacks. Elly raised a hand to quickly shield herself from their magic, but four tendrils snaked out from every side and knocked her sprawling on the moss. She struggled to get to her feet, but yet another cast sleep at her. She blacked out, one hand clutching at the ground, lying facedown in the thick carpet of moss.


"You want an ass kickin' don't you!" the massive shout echoed throughout the center. Zell quite literally flew through the air and landed on one of the grats, knocking it down. He kicked at it and then flipped backwards over to where Elly lay. "Wha? Hey, wake up! This ain't the time for a nap!"


"Zell - you have any esunas?" Irvine appeared, squeezing off a bullet at one of the creatures. He barely dodged a whipping vine and half ran over to where the tattooed young blonde crouched.


"As if. I used em all up getting here." Zell shrugged. "Watch your back!" He jumped up and punched another vine away. "Can't leave her. They'll attack until she's dead." He pulled the sleeping girl into his arms. Irvine snapped several shots off, killing one of the beasts. The others creeped slightly back, as if pondering their next move.


"Hurry up, Zell! They're thinking this over..!"


"I ain't gonna let her get hurt any more!" Zell frowned and lifted her up all the way, standing with her propped against his side.


"Neither am I!" Seifer suddenly appeared, swinging his gunblade ferociously. He swung at the tendrils blocking his way, pointing at Zell his free hand. "Summon your GF, ass! Clear these and then we can make it!"


"Won't work. I had to use him too much...before," Zell admitted sheepishly.


That was an understatement, young master, Quezacotl moaned inside his head.


"He just confirmed that," the tattooed boy grunted.


"No GF's, no good magic, one down and two almost out of it," Irvine grumbled. "Just grab onto me and we'll all run!"


"Fuck," Seifer stated blandly. He didn't want Kinneas helping him, but didn't see any other way. He made his way over as fast as he could and they all ran for the door. The grats tried to follow, but Zell blocked any of the attacks their way until the main doors closed after them. All three boys heard several thumps on the back of the heavy metal. They stared at each other.


"Close," Irvine said sagely.


"Wake up!" Zell was shaking Elly gently. "Why'd you run out like that anyway?!" Irvine shook his head.


"That's Seifer's fault." He looked around for the young man, but he had slunk quickly out the hall, most likely heading for the infirmary.


"Seifer's a moron," Zell growled. He slung the girl around so he held her in his arms instead of on his hip. Her brown locks hung limply down away from her pale face. "Why'd you take the library girl with ya?" He asked curiously as they followed in Seifer's tracks. Irvine watched Zell closely. He was wiping some of the blood from her face away with a careful finger. She had thin cuts running across her face from the thorny vines.


"She's a good fighter."


"I never fought with her before." Zell shrugged.


"Well, has she ever even talked with you?"


"A little. Oh, and one of her girlfriends asked me like, a bunch of questions a few days ago." Zell stepped through the last door. Irvine followed and they were finally out of the Training Center completely. Students bustled by, staring curiously at them. "Do not go in there," Zell told a hulking young brute and his girl all ready to rush inside. "It ain't worth it."


"A bunch of questions?" Irvine covered a smile with the back of his hand.


"What I like to eat, my favorite colors an' stuff like that."


"Zell," Irvine sighed, "Didn't you find that odd?"


"Nah - errr -- hey, why? Should I have?" Those innocent hazel eyes focused in on the cowboy. Irvine burst out in laughing.


"She wants you, man!" He managed to choke through the laughter. "It's classic!"


"You would know." Zell rolled his eyes. "Mister 'I have a date every second'."


"Listen. The girlfriend getting all the info, the way she's always around you..."


"She does show up a lot, huh." Zell started to think about it.


"...she always stares at you..."


"Huh?!"


"Yeah, man."


"That was that her crying in the...?" Zell's lower lip pushed out in a thoughtful kind of pout. When he had rushed out of the door to step back out in the training area, he had heard the sound of someone sobbing. He hadn't given it a second thought until now. Irvine nodded.


"I'm just guessing. But look at her, Zell." He pointed at her eyes. Trails of wetness still gleamed on her pale cheeks. Zell's face blanched.


"I didn't, I mean, ack! How was I supposed to know?" He stepped back when she stirred in his arms. "She's wakin' up! Irvine!"


"Don't look so scared!" Irvine laughed. "You never had a girl before?"


"No!" Zell hissed. "What do I do, man? Help me! Quick!"


"You like her, Zell?"


"I think she's a babe! But how do I...!"


"Z - Zell?" Elly husked quietly. She peered about and found herself in his arms, held securely against his body. "Huh? Oh. Dreaming." She snuggled against the martial artist's chest and curled her arms around his neck, sighing wistfully. Her eyes closed again.


"Sleeping?" Zell had to bend to whisper in her ear. "No way! You're wide awake." Her ice-blue eyes snapped open immediately and her arms jerked away from his neck.


"Aaaaah!" She yelped. Zell almost dropped her in surprise, but he held onto the scared girl. That helped him, anyway. He saw she was as frightened as he was or maybe more. Irvine had hobbled his way the last few feet over to the Infirmary in the meantime. He shook his head laughingly at them just before he walked inside.


"Have fun, kids," he teased.


Both Zell and Elly ignored him.


"Unnh...ow. Zell, my head hurts." Elly whimpered a little and he saw with alarm that the grats had left one of their tendrils leeched onto her right temple. He quickly ran into the Infirmary.


- -


A short while later, he was carrying a sleeping Elly out of the Doc's offices. Her arms were wrapped trustingly around his neck. Zell walked steadily, although each glance from his fellow students had him turning a darker shade of pink. He saw Irvine waiting for him in the hall and flashed him a fanged grin.


"Irvine!"


"She all right?" The cowboy tipped his hat, peering closely at the pale girl's face. Zell nodded happily.


"Doc said yeah." He hugged her a little, then shyly glanced up at the sharpshooter. Irvine was chuckling.


"I guess this means you know what to do, huh?"


"Oh yeah."


The young men stared at each other for a brief span of time. Irvine winked slyly at the tattooed boy.


"Just don't let the sentinels catch you at it," he whispered.


"Kinneas!" Zell stumbled in shock. Irvine laughed, clapped a hand to Zell's back in lieu of goodbye and sauntered away.


"Geez, to think I'd really take advantage of her. 'Sup with that? That's like, Seifer - not me." Zell mumbled to himself. He checked the card the doctor had given him with her room number on it. "Here we are." Gently, so as not to disturb her, he placed her hand on the panel and the doors opened. Elly stirred in his arms as he walked slowly inside. Zell laid her on the bed and then turned to leave - but he noticed something on her desk. Moving quietly he stepped over and picked the piece of paper up. It was a photograph, actually - a classroom shot he barely remembered posing for. He hadn't even realized it had been her that had taken it.


But there he was caught on film, running a hand through his hair and grinning wildly. His sharp canines peeked out through his smile, and he was giving a thumb's-up at the photographer.


"Sexy," a husky voice whispered from behind him. Zell jumped, dropping the photo.


"El?!"


"Well, that's what you look like," she shrugged fluidly. She was curled on her side on the bed, blinking at him sleepily. He could see she thought she was dreaming and he shook his head, raising his hand to her.


"Uhhh, Els, yer awake..."


"You just don't get it, do you? No, no, shut up - this time I'm gonna do somethin' about it before I wake up." She got up and threw her arms around him. Zell tried to speak but she touched the tattoo on the side of his face with her fingertips. He froze, hazel eyes widening. Something about her light touch...it was maddening to his senses. The blonde boy's eyes closed and he leaned his head to the side, closer to her hand. She responded by cupping his cheek and rubbing it gently.


"I always wanted to kiss this tattoo." She stood on her toes and placed her lips on his skin. Zell stooped so she could have better access, sighing lustily when she kissed a tight little outline of the tribal-like mark. When she finally released him, he set his teeth and gulped.


"You're awake," he told her firmly. "Snap out of it, Els. Ya gotta believe me, yo." He slipped his arms low around her waist and bucked gently against her, bringing her into contact with his body.


"What?!"


"Yeah?" he murmured.


"Oh my god, oh my god." Elly's face burned wildly. "I didn't mean to, uh..."


"Nah, it's okay. Really. I guess I sorta knew ya felt that way."


"It's not okay!"


"Wha? Whaddaya mean it's not? Don't ya like me?" Zell reached out and gathered her in his arms when she would have run away. "I'm just sorta nervous 'round ya. That's all."


"You're nervous!"


"Yeah..."


"Well, I'm petrified!" She twisted in his grip but he just stared down at her. "I'm not supposed to tell you! You - well, you were supposed to ask me out." Her blush deepened, but she went grimly on. "You never had a clue, Zell? I tried everything." He swore vociferously. Elly blinked at his use of language, but he was suddenly sliding his arms around her lower waist and kissing her neck. She moaned softly.


"What? Zell?"


"I get it, I get it!" he muttered. "Now I'm gonna do somethin' about it." He kissed her lips and she froze in place.


Zell was an impulsive young man. He'd always been, and now that he knew how she felt about him, he was throwing caution completely to the winds. He'd almost lost her today, and he didn't ever want to repeat that experience again.


"What are you doing?!"


"Shut up an' enjoy it," He grinned. His sharp canines flashed into view and she smiled. "I know I haven't told ya that I liked you, Els...but I do." He nipped her below the jawline and then grinned a little more shyly. "We're always apart and goin' on dangerous missions and stuff," he struggled to explain. "I don't wanna..."

"Whaaat?"

"C'mere an' shut it," he growled lowly. His gloved hands grasped the top of her head, gripping her hair in his fingers. Someone at the Infirmary had redid her hair, he noticed. He only to apply needed slight pressure to tilt her face towards his, as his other hand pulled her hair out of the new pigtail.


"Zell!"


"I toldya to shut it." His lips touched hers and she gasped. Zell flicked his tongue out and stabbed delicately, entering her mouth for a sweet kiss. Elly swooned against him, closing her eyes and letting him take the lead. The martial artist drew back a little bit, but she followed as if drawn to him. Zell sighed, opening his eyes to stare at her as their tongues played gently against each other. Her face was flushed and small teardrops stood at the corners of her eyes. The dark brown hair he had just pulled free hung down her back, but two little strands curled cutely down by her ears. He fingered one wonderingly as they continued to kiss. Elly reached up with a shaking, nervous hand and touched his spiky bangs.



"Mmm!"


"Mmhhh?"


"What do you use in that hair? It's a stiff as a rock!"


"That's not the only..."


"ZELL!"


He chuckled.


"Here, let me show you something..." His hand grasped hers and led it down to his chest. Their eyes met and continued to hold as he trailed her fingers down his tight black tank top. She thrust her hand down with the intent to take his jacket off, and he giggled. "Hey! Watch it - I'm ticklish."


"That's really kind of sweet, you know?" Elly breathed. "...everywhere?" she asked laughingly.


"I dunno." Zell's hazel eyes widened.


"Well, let me take this off." With Zell's help she wriggled the leather jacket off of him, staring closely at it. Black sleeves with blue flames etched along the sides, red leather on the front. She sighed. Never had she thought she'd be getting this close to it. He grinned as she hugged it impulsively.


"That's better," he sighed. His arms drew her close again. Elly was fingering the odd straps on his tank top. It was more like a muscle shirt, with ribbing on the chest and metal buckles on the straps. A small metal plate was sewn across the front, no more than a finger's length and width in size. This whole interesting tank was tucked into his baggy denim shorts. He wore them skater-style, several sizes too large, and they were held securely in place by a black leather belt. A pleasant little thrill ran down her back as she wondered what kind of underwear he wore.


"What'cha thinkin' about, beautiful?" Zell's laughing voice broke her reverie. Elly stepped back and held her arms out to him.


"Pick me up again?" She asked shyly. He bent and scooped her in his arms quite easily. She giggled girlishly with sheer delight. Zell pressed his mouth against her throat as he carried her over to her own bed.


"You need your rest, y'know," he coughed uncomfortably.


"Yes, but..."


"I - I'll stay if ya want."


Her answering smile was like the sun coming up.


"Yeah," she agreed. "I want."


"But, rest ya hear? Doc told me y'need all the rest you - you can, uh..." He trailed off as she pulled him down with her and snuggled up against him. "...get," he finished lamely.

"Zell?"


"Wha?"


"What was it you wanted to show me before?" Elly let out a sleepy little yawn. The young man took her hand and curled it against his chest, holding it against his heart.


"Somethin' like this, girl," he whispered. "Just somethin' like this."