Roses are red, your eyes are blue,
Your hair is yellow,
Zell I love you.

Zell cringed as the class erupted with laughter as the latest poem flickered onto the classroom screens. He growled and punched the display, it was getting worse.
“Aw lookie here chickenwuss. Another poem.” Snarled Seifer from behind him. He turned and shot venomous looks at Seifer and his entourage who were now making kissing faces at him. He frowned and continued with his sums. The algebraic fractions were swimming round the page. He just couldn’t do it.
“I was built to fight, not do algebra!” He muttered in frustration. He tried to move the fractions round but ended up scrunching the paper up and chucking it in the bin. His monitor beeped and he looked round. Everyone had their heads down, some were assuming similar positions of distress. Squall was scribbling away like mad and Selphie was frantically tearing bits of paper up and throwing them into the pile next to her. He checked Quistis was busy with her “Trepies” then clicked the message open. Rows of the fractions filled his screen and he frowned before realising they were the answers. He scrolled down to the writing.
“You looked like you needed help, I know you aren‘t good at this and need to pass this test to be eligible for the test tomorrow, I know you were made for fighting not algebra -H”
He raised an eyebrow then slumped it down again when he realised he didn’t know with a name that began with H. He looked over the fractions deemed them all to be right and copied them down. He deliberately made some mistakes- not enough to fail, just enough to make it look like it was his work- then smiled. He looked round trying to see whoever sent it but couldn’t and hastily carried on with the paper. He never saw Seifer’s smirk.

“Well, that was hardly testing.” Said Squall nonchalantly playing with his necklace. They had all rushed to the cafeteria and Zell was currently inhaling several hot dogs.
“HARDLY!” Squealed Selphie, wild dogs in Trabia howled.
“Don’t do that!” Shouted Squall back.
“Down boy,” murmured Zell through mouthfuls of hot dog. Squall frowned at him and passed him off with a “whatever.”
“I so failed that test!” She wailed next to him as Zell swallowed the rest of his hot dogs.
“Zell passed, didn’t you.” Said Squall in a slightly mischievous voice.
“You sent those answers!”
He shook his head, “Rule no.32- cheating in SeeD exams means immediate expulsion.” He quoted effortlessly, “I saw the screen though. Must be your secret admirer.”
“You saw the poem?”
Selphie nodded wincing, “They’re getting worse.”
“Yeah, I think the fractions are off the same person. They signed it H.”
“They? You think it could be a man?”
Zell shrugged, “I think it’s a prank so I’m guessing it’s a man……”
“You know don’t you!?” Shrieked Selphie.
“I don’t KNOW, I’m guessing that’s all.”
“You think it’s a joke?”
“Yeah, there’s only one person I know who would go to this extreme to embarrass the hell outta me.”
“Seifer.” The three of them said simultaneously.
“It is fairly logical. He hasn’t forgiven you for saving his butt in Balamb, why did you do that?”
“Hey, I didn’t want him to be raped or worse….those thugs were nasty.”
“True, but despite your best interests, I think you hurt his pride.” Selphie said.
Zell shrugged and picked up his tray carrying it over to the cafeteria exit. He glanced back at Seifer and sighed to himself. He decided to catch some Z’s and headed towards the dormitories. Upon entering his room he flung his jacket over the chair and switched his computer on. He checked to see if there were any news messages and was about to log off when an instant message popped up.

Uknowuwantit: Chickenwuss, thought you could keep your handle from me huh? Tut tut tut!
Ehrgeiz: Seifer! How the hell did you get it?!
Uknowuwantit: Aw is Zell getting mad?!
Ehrgeiz: Go away Seifer. I’m going to sleep.
Uknowuwantit: Oh PLEASE stay and talk to me. I’ve got two guys going at it next door to me and the moaning is getting loud!
Ehrgeiz: Two guys?! Who!
Uknowuwantit:……………………please tell me I did not just hear that.
Ehrgeiz: !
Uknowuwantit: Well one of them had a “happy moment” and it sounded like he screamed Squall………..
Ehrgeiz: WHO HAS THE ROOM NEXT TO YOU!
Uknowuwantit: Nida…..k I was going to go bang on the wall but the moaning has increased again. Can’t be bothered.
Ehrgeiz: Nida? Oh thank god, me and Selp’ were getting ready to murder the two of them!
Uknowuwantit: You knew?
Ehrgeiz: I knew they were totally goo goo over each other, Squall has been even more quiet recently. Haven’t you noticed?!
Uknowuwantit:……………..
Ehrgeiz: What?
Uknowuwantit: Do you realise we’re having a normal conversation, I only called you chicken wuss once.
Ehrgeiz: Yeah….odd. God I’m wired now. I’m gonna go train in the training area, see yas.
Uknowuwantit: Wait! Let me come, please I need to get away from those two PLEASE *Down on bended knee*
Ehrgeiz: Fine, I’m not responsible for you though. You get hurt and you will get hurt get my message?
Uknowuwantit signed off at 21.45
Zell sighed and grabbed his gloves, he hastily equipped some Gfs and ran towards the training area. He paused as he saw Seifer killing a grat then tapped him on the shoulder.
“Hey,”
“Hey chic-”
“Wait! Before you say that, if we are going to work together don’t call me that. Call me Zell, please?”
Seifer shrugged then kicked aside the grat. They moved onward fighting grats, each working up a slight sweat. Seifer tossed Zell a potion and he drunk it gratefully. His eyes widened at the large t-rexuar behind him and he pulled his out of the way before the tail attack hit him. It got Zell instead knocking him off his feet to lie spread eagled a few feet away. Seifer growled and sent his limit break towards the creature. It fell with a loud thump and he rushed over to Zell.
“Zell, you okay?” He said gingerly picked the smaller boy up. He slung one arm over his shoulder and helped him to hobble out of the training area.
“Damn thing, broke my glove.” Zell said absentmindedly looking at the gash along the leather of his glove. Seifer took his hand and turned it over.
“Didn’t break the skin, what were you thinking you great lummox!” He said finally.
“Hey, we were a team right……..urgh….I don’t feel so good.” He said slumping forward. Seifer caught him and gently picked him up. Zell instinctively buried his face in Seifer’s chest. Seifer smiled at him slightly then picked him up properly, slowly carrying him to the infirmary.


Zell cracked an eye open as light flooded the small room. He sat up and winced slightly when pain flooded his abdomen. He dimly remember the nights events then turned to the small table next to him. His slashed gloves lay there and he stroked on fondly. They had defeated so many monsters and now….he didn’t have enough money to buy any others.
A loud snore broke his train of self-pitying thoughts and he looked at Seifer who as sleeping in a chair. His coats was wrapped round him and he was curled up round the pillow that had been laid under his head. Zell got off the bed and tapped him on the shoulder. He awoke immediately and smiled sleepily at him.
“Hey……” He said slowly,
“Thanks, for the other night.”
“Sorry about your gloves.” He said jerking his head towards them. Zell looked at them sadly. “You can get replacements though right?”
Zell shook his head, “No gil, no gloves.”
“It’s your birthday soon right? Maybe someone will get you some new ones.” Seifer said quickly.
“You know my friends, they don’t have enough money either. it’s okay I’ve still got my old ones.”
“But they’re useless.”
“Thanks for cheering a guy up Seif. I need a shower, change my clothes and stuff. Thanks again.” Zell said, quickly pulling on his clothes and walking out of the infirmary.

A week later

“ZELL! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” Selphie screamed as he walked into his bedroom. He scanned the room quickly as many of his classmates had strung up various streamers across the room. Selphie dragged him over to meet some new sharpshooter from Galbadia.
“Whoa nice tattoo dude.” He said before promptly showing Zell the half naked woman he had on his arm. Selphie sighed but it was obvious to him it was mainly for show, she gazed up at him adoringly then pulled Zell away. He spotted Squall and Nida in a corner and they winked at each other. They sidled up and started to eavesdrop on the couple…..
“Come on Squall….PLEASE.”
“…….”
“You know as well as I do that you want to ravage me right now so lets go do it so we can enjoy the party!”
Zell blinked at Selphie as Nida rushed past being dragged by a rather impatient Squall. Selphie burst out laughing and Zell felt warm breath on his neck.
“You see what I have to contend with?”
He turned round and Seifer smiled at him. He held up a present and thrust it at Zell embarrassed.
“God, poor you….”
“Seifer, what you doing hanging round with chicken wuss?”
Raijin appeared out of nowhere glaring at Zell who turned an interesting shade of scarlet. Seifer froze.
“Of…of course not Raijin, just tormenting Chicken wuss.”
Zell turned and looked him. He swallowed hard and held up the present slightly.
“Ooooooh, Seifer is that from you?” Raijin sneered poking him in the side. Seifer blushed and said nothing. Zell leant in and whispered in his ear,
“I thought you’d changed. Please, just go. You know there will be a fight if you don’t.”
“I have changed.”
Zell shook his head slowly and pushed Seifer away from him. He watched form across the room as he walked out then let himself be dragged over to the table of presents.
“Come on open this one!” She shouted as everyone gathered round. He opened them slowly, a necklace from Selphie, a new belt from Squall and new earring from Quistis.
“What about this one?” Said Quistis holding up a package. He took it and ripped the wrapper off. Inside were two Red and black lather gloves. The metal knuckles shone with blue light and he gazed at them. (A.N: Don’t know what these type of gloves look like so I improvised.)
“Ehrgeiz…..” Selphie said slowly. He pulled them on and gasped as they fitted him perfectly.
“Who brought this one?” asked Selphie as he scrambled to find the tag.
To chickenwuss, hope you like them. I wanted to say that it was me- I’m H. Seif…….
“Seifer?”
Zell looked down at the gloves and launched himself over the desk skidding out of the room. He ran as quick as he could to the training area and headed towards the training area. He stopped and looked around, his heart fell when he couldn’t see Seifer.
“Lookin’ for me?”
He spun round and watched as Seifer walked away from the wall. Blue moonlight glanced off his face and he smiled. “I see you like the gloves.”
“How did you-”
“Doesn’t matter, I didn’t steal them if that’s what you think.”
“Thank you.”
They both stood still for a while, before Seifer walked to the edge of the are and leant over it.
“Isn’t this where you hit me?”
“Why?”
“It was me, the secret admirer stuff.”
“Why did you do it?”
“Wha-” Said Seifer taken aback, “I think that’s obvious.”
“Did me saving your life hurt your pride so much that you had to humiliate me?”
“That wasn’t my objective.”
“Well, what was your objective?”
“This-” He said before pulling the shorter teen toward him. Their eyes locked as he lowered his lips to the others moaning as electricity flowed between them.
“Oh.” Said Zell when they parted. He smiled and stroked Seifer’s face. “One thing-”
“Anything.”
“You have to tell Raijin and Fujin about us. No more calling me chicken wuss.”
“Deal.”
Zell smiled and pulled Seifer in for a hug, he breathed heavier when fingers started stroking his neck.
“Seif?”
“Yeah.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too….chocobo head.”
“Hey!”
“What? Your hair does look like a chocobo.”
Zell frowned and raised an eyebrow.
“Fine, a very cute chocobo then.”
Zell laughed then pulled him in for another kiss.