By the Campfire

Title: By The Campfire
Author: nanthimus
Pairing: Zell/Selphie
Fandom: Final Fantasy VIII
Theme: #22 Cradle
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters nor am I making money off of this. It's just fun!
This fic was written for one of the themes over at 30_kisses community on LJ.


“Damn, what a lame mission,” Zell muttered. He and Selphie were on official SeeD business. Their mission was to find out what was causing the surge in breeding in the local monster population. Really, a stupid mission if you asked Zell. And now they had another problem. A very wide, very long river.

Luckily, the river was lazy, not the dangerous, violent wash of water that was more prone to be deadly. It was gentle and rather scenic. This, apparently, was not good enough for the two young SeeDs.

“So cold, so cold,” Selphie's teeth chattered as she quickly hopped up the bank, shaking her arms out.

“Man, why couldn't Squall give us a better route to take?” Zell cried, tossing Selphie a towel. “I think my balls took a permanent vacation north.”

“Ewww, Zell! That's gross!” Selphie cried, laughing. Zell grinned boldly at her. If there was one good thing about this mission, it was getting Selphie out of Garden. She and Irvine had been having a lot of problems lately. Zell was doing his best to keep the hyperactive girl's thoughts off her troubles.

'Damn cowboy,' Zell thought darkly, shouldering his pack. He was sure it was Irvine's fault. Hurting his friendly like this was unforgivable!

Though if Zell were honest with himself he was a little relieved. The thought of Selphie having a boyfriend gave Zell an unpleasant wriggle in his gut. Zell sighed to himself. “Jeez. You're such a bad friend,” he muttered to himself. The only thing that should matter is Selphie's happiness. Even if it's with that jackass!

“Did you say something?” Selphie asked, looking back at the blonde.

“Nah, just thinking,” He said and Selphie giggled.

“I walked right into that one, didn't I?” He asked. The girl nodded and Zell shrugged. “Oh well. I'll get back at you! Right now, it's getting dark. We should find someplace to set up camp.”

“Right!” Selphie said, looking around. Her eyes fell on a nearby clearing. “How about over there?” She pointed. “I'll set up camp, you look for firewood.”

“Gotcha!” Zell said, handing the petite girl his pack. She lifted it with little trouble and Zell smirked. She may not look it, but Selphie could be pretty badass. She headed toward the clearing and Zell headed in the opposite direction.

************

Zell stepped into the clearing with an armload of wood. A neat circle of rocks was in the center, all brush and leaves pushed away from it. Two sleeping bags were stretched out on opposite sides.

“Hey, not bad!” Zell exclaimed, setting the wood down and tossing some of it the circle of rocks. “That was fast.” He hadn't known Selphie had gone on many missions that required camping.

“Oh! Well, Irvine and I use to go camping a lot,” she said and though he wasn't sure, Zell thought he could see a blush cross her cheeks. Zell knew he shouldn't say anything more on the subject but he really didn't have much control over his mouth.

“Why 'use to'?” He asked, casting a fire on the neat wood pile. No use wasting time doing it manually. Selphie was quiet, picking at the grass by her knees. Zell had almost given up on an answer, ready to change the subject when she finally spoke up.

“I...guess you've heard the rumors. About Irvine and me,” she said haltingly. “We haven;t been getting along lately.” Zell said nothing and Selphie drew her knees up to her chest, staring into the fire. “He...he said I was getting too clingy. That he wanted to see other girls.” She took a shaky breath and Zell was completely dismayed to see tears welling up in her eyes.

“Selphie, I...” He started bit fell quiet. He didn't really know what to say so he say down near her and put an arm hesitantly on around her shoulder and he gathered her up to him, cradling her on his chest.

“I don't understand,” she sobbed. “I don't get it. Why does he want to see other girls? What's wrong with me?!”

Zell pulled back and looked down at her. “Nothing's wrong with you!” He exclaimed and she gave a watery, rather ashamed smile.

“I know,” she said, almost soundlessly. “I know there's nothing wrong with me. This is the way it happens. I'm being pretty pathetic, huh?” She wiped her eyes.

Zell shrugged, uncomfortable. “Hey, it's normal,” he said and she leaned back on him. “It's...it's normal to be upset. I mean, you loved him, right? But you'll be okay.”

She nodded. “Thanks Zell,” she said. “You're my best friend.” Zell closed his eyes, a sharp, slow pain shooting through his chest. He ghosted a kiss on her forehead and pasted on a smile.

“Hey. I'm just here to help.”

End