The younger cadets were always talking amongst themselves, gossiping whenever Squall walked past them. The older ones were more circumspect, the SeeDs were careful to change the subject to weapons or training when he got close. It amused him, in a detached sort of way. Did they truly think he had such poor hearing as to be ignorant of their interest in him?
“Shiva’s lover”, they called him. “Leonhartless”, Seifer had named him. “A cold-hearted, insensitive jerk”, Rinoa had screamed at him. The stern line of his mouth relaxed, full lips barely hinting at a smile as he opened the door to his apartment.
They have no idea how right they are, he thought, a low chuckle escaping him as soon as the door had closed behind him.
This two-room apartment was the only place he felt perfectly at ease. No expectations, no clingy women – or men, for that matter – and no responsibilities. Here, there were only him and her.
The few who had dared enter his sanctuary had complained about the lack of heating and never come again. That was exactly the way Squall wanted it.
He didn’t need people, and he didn’t want them.
Taking off his boots and his jacket, he made his way into the bedroom. The large bed covered in silk sheets was the only luxury he’d bought for himself after the war. And that was only because she insisted. She liked how it felt, and liked the way he looked against it even more.
He stripped off his remaining clothes, folded them and laid them on the chair in the corner. With a sigh, he slipped under the sheets. Crystalline laughter filled his mind, soothing away the tension he’d gathered during the meeting with Cid.
Finally alone, lover. Shiva’s voice was as cold as ever, smooth as the ice she commanded.
I’ve been waiting for this, Squall told her.
You know I’ll never leave you.
Smiling at her words, he enjoyed her presence inside of him before his senses blended with hers and he was no longer sure who was inside of whom.
There was no heat of passion between them, none of the fireworks that others spoke of. No battle of dominance, no challenges or insecurities. There was no place for Squall or Shiva, only two minds seamlessly joined, two hearts incased in the same ice.
In that unity there was beauty like sparkling, snow-covered fields, stretching as far as the eye could see. There was cool fulfillment of desire and chill pleasure.
And when morning came, and they were forced to become incomplete, connected but distanced from each other, their united thought remained a truth in both minds.
I love you forever.