Chance Encounters

Title: Chance Encounters
Author: nanthimus
Pairing: Squall/Zell
Rating: G
Summary: A chance encounter in the Training Center. Nothing pervy, I'm just trying to get a handle on their personalities.
Disclaimer: I make no money, I don't claim to own, I have no power, you know the drill.



Zell use to love the Training Center. It was exciting in there, never knowing what kind of monster would sneak up on you. Never knowing when a T-Rexaur would come trampling out of the trees, ready to snap you in half if you weren't fast enough.

He used to love it, because after traveling around the world fighting the Sorceress, there just wasn't enough challenge contained in this jungle-infested room.

Zell sighed and dusted his shorts off. Honestly, that type of monster was really annoying with it's status changing affects. Cracking his knuckles, he glanced at his watch. Fifteen past ten. It seemed later than that somehow. A sudden rustling to his left alerted him, and he immediately fell back into his fighting stance. Only to stumble out of it when he saw the cause of the noise.

“S-Squall? Hey man, what're you doing here?” Zell asked, surprised. It wasn't often that Squall was seen around Garden; he was usually at the Bridge or in the Infirmary. His duties as commander hadn't ended after the Sorceress fell, and whenever he was seen he had a rather beleaguered expression on his face.

Right now, however, this expression on his face could only be described as annoyance mixed with mild amusement. “Zell. What do most people do in the Training Center?” He asked, the questioned sounding as if it were asked to a two year old.

That didn't phase Zell, however. “To train man, but if you ask certain people it'd be 'to make out',” He declared with gusto. It was true; the Secret Area was still one of the more popular places in Garden, despite new rules set against it.

Squall shook his head and hefted his gunblade up on one shoulder. He really was more responsive and not as frosty after Rinoa had her influence. Unfortunately, soon after the war, the two of them found they weren't as compatible as they'd thought. They'd had a friendly break-up, and though Rinoa had gone back to Timber they still keep in touch.

“So, you want to train with me then?” Zell asked, and punched a fist in the air. “C'mon, it'll be like old times. How long has it been since we've fought together, anyway?” Squall was rarely sent on missions anymore. His duties as commander kept him tied to the Garden, much like a ball and chain.

“Too long.” Zell blinked. Sure it'd been a long time, but Squall's voice...why did it sound like that? Ah, it couldn't have been too important. Maybe Squall was missing the old days of battles too.

“Well, come on! Hey, maybe we'll find a nice big T-Rexuar to fight, huh?!” Zell said excitedly, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

Squall smirked, a bare twist of his lips, and followed the hyperactive blonde. “I remember when you were afraid of those monsters,” He said, smirk growing when Zell cast a glare in his direction.

“Yeah well, that was a long time ago. I'll have you know I fought and beat one of 'em all by myself, thanks.”

Squall looked at him, blank faced. “All by yourself?”

Zell flinched, and chuckled sheepishly. “Well, not entirely by myself, no. Selphie may have been there. And...Quistis too.”

“Hmmm.”

“B-but I did most of the work! I was the one who actually took it down!”

“Right.”

“Hey. Hey man. You believe me, right?”

Squall looked at Zell, who was surprised to see the mild smile growing on the Squall's lips. “I believe you.”

Zell stared for a moment, before looking away, shamefaced. “Okay, okay. I was revived more times than I can count. But I was the one who struck the killing blow!”

“After Quistis and Selphie dealt with it's HP, right?” Zell glared at Squall, but was secretly pleased. He'd known Rinoa and gotten Squall to open up, be a bit more friendly, but he was making jokes. Teasing, even! Nearly unheard of.

“ANYWAY. Let's get this show on the road, baby! Let's show these monsters what-for!” Nodding enthusiastically, he set a brisk pace, which Squall, with his longer legs, kept up with easily. Zell kept a constant stream of conversational babble about anything from school gossip to missions to places he wanted to visit, stopping only for battles with low to mid-level monsters. Squall, for his part, nodded and occasionally spoke up, His gray eyes constantly on the lookout for larger prey.

“I wonder,” He began softly, interrupting Zell, “where the larger monsters are at tonight?”

“They're afraid of our might,” Zell said, putting his fist on his chest and nodding gravely, almost absurdly serious. “Yes, being this powerful has a price, I guess.”

Squall shook his head. “Zell, you're s-” A bell interrupted him.

This is not an emergency. Commander Leonhart, come up to the Bridge please. I repeat, this is NOT an emergency. Commander Leonhart, please come up to the Bridge. Thank you.

Zell smirked at Squall's almost desperate face. “Hey man, when duty calls. C'mon, I'll walk you back.”

At the entrance to the Training Center, Zell stretched his arms skyward, his back arching. “Man, I'm beat. And since I know you're not gonna be doing anything interesting up there,” He laughed at Squall's frosty glare, “I'mma head to bed. We gotta do this again sometime, though, gotta get you some free time outta your busy schedule.” Giving a backward wave, he started heading down the hall, but a gloved hand came down on his shoulder rather abruptly. Blinking, he looked back at Squall, tattooed face confused at the expression on the brunette's face.

“Hey man, what gives?” He asked, turning to face Squall. Squall looked very uncertain for a moment before a distantly familiar expression fell over him. He almost looked like he did before a mission started, but there was more hesitancy and something that was akin to fear.

Needless to say, Zell was concerned.

“Hey man, what is it? What's wrong?” Blue eyes wide, he looked at Squall, who looked away for a moment before making eye contact again.

“Yes, we...we should do this again,” he said, an odd sort of determination set in his voice. Zell blinked, and a grin formed it's way on his lips.

“Yeah, definitely. You tell me when though. You're the one with the busy schedule.”

Squall thought for a moment, before nodding. “Next Saturday, noon.”

Zell nodded, not bothering to write it down. “Okay. See you then!” Winking, he went down the hall, turned the corner, and was gone.

Squall watched him leave, before setting his shoulders and making his way to the Bridge.



END?