Late Night Visit

[igneousdogtag]

Open to loudchickenwuss

[A continuation of this long text message convo.]

[As promised, Seifer kept his dorm room front door unlocked. He sat in the small kitchen and, as he mentioned before, he was studying. Books laid out and one glance at the table would make it obvious he's studying with all the note-taking he's doing. Huh, who knew he could be studious if he really wanted to be. He hit the send button to send one last message to Zell before putting his phone down taking the last bit of notes he wanted to remember for the exam tomorrow. He figured he could look these over in the morning before the exam itself. This was easy street anyway so Seifer was confident he'd pass it.

He then looked at the front door and give it a squinty-eyed look for a moment. He shook his head before he said in a normal tone of voice.]

I told you the door's unlocked. Open it. Don't make me call you chicken wuss.

[And with that, he grinned. He figured he'd get Zell's attention that way.]

Comments

[loudchickenwuss]

You are very bossy and I’m a little high on painkillers.

I’ll make sure they let you in. Where are you right now?

[igneousdogtag]

It doesn't matter where I'm at right now. From what I hear, you should probably be on every painkiller known to mankind. But I'd rather hear it from you.

You say the word, I'm there.

[loudchickenwuss]

I’m okay. Really. Just a little banged up. I was not at death’s door.

I’ve told the nurses to let you in if you happen to show up.

[igneousdogtag]

[Even with the class ending in literally 2 minutes, Seifer got up from his seat and walked out. All the students in the class and the instructor watched him as he took his belongings and immediately left the class seconds after the buzzing was heard from his phone.

He immediately headed towards the hospital wing. He didn't want to waste any time getting there because in his mind, he wanted answers. He wanted to know why and how Zell got so hurt. He also wanted to give Squall an earful. Once he got to the reception, the nurses there recognized the face and just gave him Zell's room number.

Seifer wasted no time going there. As soon as he entered, there was the blond. The tattoo. At first, he wasn't sure what he was looking at but he at least knew it was the chicken wuss.]

Son of a bitch... [Seifer said softly. He felt like yelling at things but restrained himself from doing so. He didn't entirely know why, either. Instead, he was going to take a nearby chair and placed it next to the bed.]

I'm trying to restrain myself from going to Squall's dorm and killing him. Or at least, shooting him in the face with a bright pink paintball.

[loudchickenwuss]

If you do that then you’ll never get to be a SeeD and I’m pretty sure after my last mission I need a partner.

[Zell gave Seifer a lazy grin that had a touch of exhaustion to it as the blonde tattoo looked at the older male.

Zell’s right arm was bandaged up and in a sling, the burns healing, and the rest of his body was covered in scratches, some places had heavy bandages from the claw marks.]

I’m going to make a speedy recovery. So get that angry worried look off of your face.

[igneousdogtag]

[Seifer took a very good look at an injured Zell. Despite being busted up like this, he was still positive and sounding like he was ready to take on the next challenge. But this is Seifer we're talking about here and he had a habit of making things complicated.

As soon as Zell mentioned his angry look on his face, he relaxed a little bit and gave the entire thing a bit more thought.]

See, this was what I was talking about. You never mentioned how many people you were deployed with but it's clear that the puberty boy should have sent more for back up. Hells, this could have been a perfect SeeD Field Exam. If Squall had more experience up his sleeve, which no one our age should actually have, then he'd have been more careful.

[Seifer just gave an obviously exasperated sigh and shook his head.]

Still, I feel like he should have known better. How long did the doctors say you have to be in here? You say you're a little banged up but I see a bunch of bandages around you.

[loudchickenwuss]

The remedies and elixirs I’m hooked up to are doing their thing. [He gave a tired point to the IV drip that was in his good arm.]

And don’t go off on Squall. I went after the unknown creature without calling backup. After the first night I knew it was something we haven’t seen before.

[igneousdogtag]

[Seifer shook his head, pursing his lips a little bit. At least Zell was going to recover. Still, he felt like this could have been avoided. He sighed a little bit.]

Alright, so it was your bad that you went after the thing without backup. But it was also puberty boy's responsibility to know the kind of risks-- [Then Seifer came to a realization.] Wait. You didn't have back up? I thought there were at least a few others who came with you. Did... Did Squall send you out there on your own?

[loudchickenwuss]

…yes. [There was a moment of hesitation on Zell’s part as he watched Seifer. The older male didn’t seem happy.] But only after I looked at the mission details and said I could handle it on my own.

[igneousdogtag]

For fuck's sakes... [Seifer was kind of upset, but uncharacteristically quiet about it this time.] Didn't we just talk about being safe? You do remember that conversation, right? We were taught about safety in numbers in the SeeD prep classes we took together. Holy Hyne...

[He shook his head, feeling a little defeated mainly because all of this was in the past and nothing could be done about it now. He facepalmed for a moment then rubbed his face to try and remove some of the frustration out of him.]

What did we learn from this shitty experience, Dincht?

[loudchickenwuss]

That you are really cute when you are very angry at me but can’t be because I’m hurt? [Zell gave Seifer a small cheeky grin before he reached out his good hand for Seifer’s own.]

And I’ve learned to always take backup even when you don’t think you need it. Plus I don’t think Squall will ever let someone else go out alone after this.

[igneousdogtag]

Tch, Hyne damn it, Zell. [Seifer shook his head again and reached out for Zell's hand. Seifer's own were not currently gloved.] I'm not just angry at you, I'm angry at Squall, too. I don't think it would have mattered what the mission was. You never go at it alone. Even if you just had a medic as back up, that would have been better than nothing. When you see Squall next, tell him to re-think his life decisions.

[Seifer took a look at Zell once again. Despite being a little bit high from the meds and being all bandaged up, he was ready. He did not let that set him back. He took a few moments to stare at the tattooed blond before he spoke again.]

You know, I don't think I would have been saying this shit back then before you guys became SeeDs. "You never go at it alone." "Take back up." Back then, I got angry for dumbshit reasons. I'm legit angry you did this alone, and your commander didn't have the foresight to give you backup. [Seifer's voice, however, defied being angry. He was genuinely concerned. For once.

He gave a sigh though if only to relieve whatever anger he actually had.] Hey, you never did answer my question. How long did the docs give you before you could be out of here? And did Doc Kadowaki give you the same talkin'-to that I did?

[loudchickenwuss]

I’m sorry. [Zell had tried to make light of the situation thinking Seifer couldn’t be that mad. But he was and he was mad and probably disappointed in Zell, not just Squall but Zell too. The tattoo blonde squeezed his hand gently.] I really am. What I did was really stupid and I’m going to have the scars as a reminder and I won’t make the same mistake again.

I’ve heard the speech several times… And they are going to let me out today as long as I stick to the order of just bed rest.

[igneousdogtag]

Well... [Seifer shook his head, squeezing Zell's hand back instinctively.] Nothing we can really do about it now. Just focus on getting better or some shit. Guess this means you've got battle scars now too.

Since you got yourself all fucked up here, what do you wanna have for dinner? I'll get take out or some shit. I'm sure that being holed up in Hyne-knows-where, you haven't really had a proper meal. [Then Seifer added this as an afterthought.] Besides hot dogs, I mean.

[loudchickenwuss]

I have a growing collection. [There was a hint of a smile as he continued to hold Seifer’s hand.]

What if all I want are hot dogs? Will you take back your offer?

[igneousdogtag]

[Seifer looked at Zell, then at their held hands. He just realized they were holding hands but he also did not retract it.]

Do you? What if I want to see them one day?

If all you want are hot dogs, I may take the offer back. Besides, there is more to life than hot dogs. Meatloaf, for instance. Have you had meatloaf before? Didn't someone in your adoptive family make it for you at some point, or no?

[loudchickenwuss]

Oh? All of them? I have one on my butt you know. [Zell would happily show Seifer each and every scar as many times as he wanted.]

Of course I’ve had meatloaf. Ma knew how to cook. But hot dogs are my favourite and they are my comfort food. But I guess… if you are going to take back the offer I’ll be okay with something else.

[igneousdogtag]

Yep. All of them. And don't worry. I've seen more sacred places than your butt. [Seifer didn't appear angry anymore as he gave Zell a smirk.]

Okay, compromise. You want hot dogs. How about Galbadian sausages? They aren't that much different and taste better than hot dogs. [Seifer had to do an internal double take. What was this about compromise?] I mean... if you want to. I guess I could buy you hot dogs if you really wanted them. [He snickered as he offered Zell dinner.]

[loudchickenwuss]

Galbadian sausages sound really good but nothing tastes better than hot dogs. [Zell closed his eyes, still smiling, as he squeezed Seifer’s hand.] Let's go with the sausages but one day I will get you hooked on hot dogs.

[igneousdogtag]

Yeah yeah, nothing tastes better to you than hot dogs. [Seifer mused, shaking his head in light amusement.] But try not to push your luck. You might be able to get me to try them, keyword might, but you're not gonna get me hooked on them.

[Seifer let out a small sigh of relief. It felt nice for him that things were relatively normal again.]

So where'd the monster get you good? Your arm? And what did it look like?

[loudchickenwuss]

I will. Just you wait. [There was a small smile on Zell’s lips at their banter. He was feeling tired but he didn’t want Seifer to go.]

It had fire and got my arm pretty good. [Zell opened his eyes and looked at Seifer.] I’m pretty sure they brought the body here if you want to check it out. Not sure where they would be keeping it now.

[igneousdogtag]

[Seifer nonchalantly squeezed their held hands together as he listened to Zell explain. He shook his head at its description and where it might be kept.]

I don't know if that's something I wanna look at right now. Was the monster alone? No others like it or anything? Is it even in documented in a bestiary somewhere?

[loudchickenwuss]

No where. Not even a hint of it in the bestiary. [Zell shook his head as he looked at Seifer. Squall and others had questioned Zell extensively.]

And I think there is only one but I know Squall sent a group to check out the area to find its nest and make sure.

[igneousdogtag]

[Seifer gave a sigh in slight annoyance, then a headshake.]

Let's hope the puberty boy has the foresight to send more than one person this time, eh? Don't know if I'll let him live this down. But eh.

Anyway, when are they discharging you? Or should I go get the food now? You said you could get released today. Bet you're ordered not to do anything strenuous. [Seifer grinned a little bit.]

[loudchickenwuss]

Go easy on Squall. It was my mistake too, remember?

I think the doctor wants to check on how I’m healing before they will release me. And ya the only way they will release me is if I behave and stay in bed until they tell me I can do more.