Disclaimer:  I don’t own the characters.  Squaresoft does.

Warning: AU.  SxS.  Rating might go up, not sure yet.

Synopsis: Squall is a renowned sexy model and he’s about to stage a show for Rinoa’s latest Angel Collection when someone tries to kill him.  Will he be able to live through it?  Who’s behind the scene?  And who’s Seifer, a friend or a foe?

To Feel the Fire

By konekomh

Prologue

Melting the Ice

“Thank you for calling Cowboy Express.  If you wanna chat, press 1.  If you want a date, press 2.  If you need something more, press 3.”

Sicko.  The caller sighed and pressed 69.

The phone was immediately picked up and someone purred, “Hello!  Cowboy at your service.  How can I help you, sweetie?”

“Tonight at 9 o’clock.  Deling City Hotel.  Payment already done as instructed.”

“Shall be done.  You sure you don’t want any other services?  You know we can offer you a complete package…”

“Safe it for someone else, pervert.”  The line was abruptly disconnected.

“Spoilsport.”  The Cowboy shrugged and started to get dressed for the night.

Chapter 1

“I said I was not going to meet those people and that’s final!”  He slammed the door with such force that the hinges threatened to fall out.  Luckily for Quistis, she managed to step back before the door hit her straight in the face.

“Come on!  Boy.  It’s not like it’s going to kill you.  You just need to look good with your wine and stand there before the show starts.  You see, Rinoa’s upcoming collections really depend on you.  At least you should show her your support by simply being there.”

“I *am* the one going on the catwalk.  Wouldn’t that be support enough?”  Squall whined.

“You *know* how it works with those people.”  Quistis stated matter-of-factly.  “You need to get some spotlight before standing on the catwalk.”

She could hear him sigh heavily behind the door.  “Fuck them all!”  Closets and wardrobes were roughly pulled open and rustling of clothes could be heard.  The boy was starting to get dressed.  Quistis smiled, she knew she’d won again.  Who told you to agree to be the official model for the social butterfly?  Serves you well.

“Squall Leonhart, better known as the Ice Prince within the industry, is going to be the official model of Angelwing Collection for the upcoming seasons.  Contrary to expectation, he has turned down the offer from Ultimecia, whose style is seen to be closer to the image our Ice Prince normally portrays.  Rumour says this is a personal favour Squall Leonhart graces Rinoa Heartily for their behind-the-scene friendship.  A cocktail party will be held tonight at Deling City Hotel where Ms. Heartily will launch the first batch of her upcoming collection.  The theme is ‘Melting the Ice’.  Does it mean she’s melting our Ice Prince?  The mystery is yet to be resolved.”

Squall sighed as he flipped through the pages while Quistis took the wheel to Deling City Hotel.  The manager did not allow the boy to drive in case he “accidentally” turned the wrong corner and ended up “just in time” for the show.

“Here we go.  Go meet your date.  I’ll be right there.”

Squall nodded and stepped out of the car.  Zipping up his leather jacket he puffed a cloud of mist as he adjusted his trademark sunglasses.  Spotlights were flashing from all corners once they noticed the brunette.  That was one of the reasons why he couldn’t part with his sunglasses.  Those reporters seemed to love hurting his eyes as they always pressed the shutters simultaneously.

“Squall!  There you are.  Don’t just lurk around like a ghost.  You’re the main focus tonight.”  Rinoa looped her arm around the brunette’s and dragged him over to the centre of the atrium. 

Squall mocked pouted and glared at the petite woman through his sunglasses, “I thought it was *you* who’s supposed to be the main focus.”  He felt relieved to see his best friend coming for him and saved him from his discomfort.  Yet it also made him more nervous as the social butterfly encouraged him to meet other people.  They all eyed him like hungry predators, ready to devour him once he’s let his guard down. 

“I couldn’t believe it when you agreed to Miss Heartily’s proposal.  What makes you decide to join force with her?  It seems that your style clashes with her from head to toe.”  Nida Kurosaki, leading fashion journalist, commented as he eyed the coupled up and down.

Rinoa was wearing a white dress covered in chiffon, which danced around her body as she glided across the room with Squall in toll.  On her neck was a necklace with a ring attached to the end, catching the light with a sparkle.  She had let her ebony hair down and it flew like waterfall down her back.  She was simply an angel.

At her heels was none other than the Ice Prince Squall Leonhart.  He was wearing a short raven leather jacket, contrasting sharply with his pale skin of his bare chest.  A silver Y-chain was hanging loosely around his neck, with a pendant in the shape of a winged-lion which stood out from his dark outfit.  His dark leather pants clad tightly around his legs, making him looked even taller.  Although the shades managed to block his eyes from the others, his prominent features spoke enough for him.  Hyne would be proud of such creation.

Truth be told no one had ever seen his eyes naked unless he was on the catwalk or doing the shots.  Yet it was his eyes that did the final touch to his charm.  Contrary to his usual cool demeanour, his eyes spoke a lot for him.  And the emotions they conveyed were even more than the brunette himself was aware of.

The brunette quietly nodded as he acknowledged the journalist’s presence.  Yet he ignored Nida’s comment and took two glasses of Champaign from the attendant lurking behind him, passing one to Rinoa while sipping from another.

“Oh thank you.”  Rinoa beamed at Squall’s kind gesture and turned to Nida.  It was apparent that her date didn’t want to socialise with anybody, as usual.  So she took it upon herself to be the one at the frontline, with Squall quietly standing behind her to act as her support.  “Opposites attract.  Don’t you think, Nida?”  Rinoa winked as the journalist slightly blushed.  “Well, long story short, Ice Prince fell in love with my design when one day he and his manager stumbled into my studio.  So I asked him to be my official model and he just said, ‘whatever’.  And that sealed our deal, right?”  The designer turned to her shadow, who looked as if his mind had drifted off somewhere.  He snapped back to attention when Rinoa lightly jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow.  Frowning at the sudden disruption to his trance, the supermodel muttered something incoherently and excused himself to the changing room.  It was time for him to get ready.

Nida smiled, “I guessed it was your beauty that attracted him to your studio in the first place…”

“Oh, I’m really flattered.  But I think he’s more drawn to my clothes than my looks.”

“Rinoa, what a big surprise to see Ice Prince teaming up with you!  I really look forward to the show.  I have great expectations on you.”  Ultimecia, one of the most prominent designers of the City, drifted towards the couple with measured grace.  She was known to be a constant rival to Rinoa.  Whilst Ultimecia was well known for her dark, sexy and demonic design, Rinoa score her marks with simple, elegant and sometimes angelic themes.  Despite the divergence in their target market, it seemed that they often crossed path with each other and ended up in a “civil catfight”.  The tension between them stepped up another level with the Ice Prince suddenly joining Angel Collection, while Ultimecia was coincidentally in the process of luring him to her side.  It was on that same day the Ice Prince suddenly announced his decision, surprising the whole industry, even his own manager.  Famous for being *the* model for anything dark and sexy, the industry expected the Angel Collection would clash with his image tremendously.  Everyone was waiting for the show, eager to see how the demon can bring life to the Angel Collection.

Rinoa mentally grimaced at the other’s entrance.  Ultimecia always managed to steal her glory with her mere presence.  The Witch, as Rinoa had labelled her, was wearing a long, blood red silky dress which was all too revealing.  The garment hung on her body so closely that it left nothing to imagination.  The collar was cut deep and the end of the V-shaped collar nearly reached her navel.  Rinoa wanted to stick her tongue out but she held herself, it wouldn’t do your reputation any good if you act childish.  So the designer resolved to return the “compliment” with a smile.

“Thanks for coming Ultimecia.  I’m sure you’ll enjoy the show.  After all we have *the* supermodel on the catwalk tonight.  He’ll surely bring out the best of my collections.”  Rinoa took a final sip from her glass and gave it to an attendant nearby, “I’m afraid I’m needed at the backstage right now.  Excuse me.”  The designer slightly bowed and took off to the changing rooms, all too eager to stay away from the pest.

“Wait!  Selphie!  Don’t wipe that hard!  You’re tearing off my face!”  Squall complained as Rinoa’s assistant helped him with his make-up.  Normally the boy would have painted his face before going out to face everyone, today was no exception.  Yet Rinoa issued a strict order that the brunette must be kept away from his make-up this evening, save a little eyeliner to keep him comfortable.

“I feel so naked…” Squall whined as Quistis entered the changing room to find her employer fiddling with the buttons on his snow-white woolly jacket.  White was one of the theme colours for Angel Collection, signifying purity, innocence, simplicity and tranquillity. 

Unruly bangs covered his eyes as the brunette starred at the floor blankly.  The model was now covered in white from head to toe.  Without the make-up, he looked more innocent that anyone could ever imagine.  If she didn’t know better, the manager would have thought she saw a lost angel stranded in a snowfield.

“But that’s who you are!  They *love* to see your true self.  Remember the last time you posed for the Timber Maniacs?  That’s the first time you let go of your foundations.  What was the result?  That issue was completely sold out the next day.  You see, the thinner the mask you wear the more popular you get.  So why don’t you go along with it?”  Selphie squealed as she hopped around helping the boy with his outfit.

“I thought it was the thicker the mask the more you can get…” Squall muttered as he strolled towards the exit, gesturing Selphie to go with him.  It was about time for the show.

~ A month ago ~

“Squall, take a look at this!  I think this is the perfect fit for you!”  Rinoa enthusiastically dragged the baffled brunette across the studio and gestured towards the samples hanging on the dummies.

“How so?  It completely goes against his image.”  Quistis rebutted as she eyed the snowy collection with Squall standing amongst them.  It looked as if a demon was window-shopping for angel’s fashion.

“The idea is to melt the ice.  You see, these designs are meant to be cosy and warm, so warm that even the Ice Prince has to melt in them.” 

Squall raised his hand to touch the woolly jacket.  It was soft and fluffy, yet it wasn’t bulky at all.  Nice…  The brunette mused as he glided his hand down the sleeve, feeling for its texture.  “Can I try this?”

“Of course!”  Rinoa beamed and handed the Squall the outfit with a mischievous smile.

~ * ~

“YOU SAID WHAT?”  Quistis couldn’t help but cover her ears at the boom from her employer.  It was rare for Squall to speak, let alone roaring.

Not a bit intimidated by the outbreak, Rinoa returned calmly, “You’ve ruined my stuff with your make-up.  See?”  The designer shoved the soiled jacket into the model’s face, who looked guiltily away almost immediately.  “And I only ask you to stage a show for my collection this year to repay.  Is that too much to ask for?”  Seeing the model wasn’t moved, well at least on the surface, the raven hair girl blinked her puppy eyes at the pouting brunette.  “Consider this being a favour to your best friend?”

Squall looked between the designer and the ruined jacket from the corner of his eyes, and then he chanced a glace at his manager, who had conspicuously looked away.

With a sigh, he breathed, “Whatever.”

~ Present ~

“You did it on purpose, didn’t you.” Quistis stood beside Rinoa backstage as the music started.

“Huh?”  Rinoa blinked innocently and smiled at the blonde as she acknowledged her presence.

“The jacket.  You knew he loves nuzzling against fluffy things and so you soiled the jacket behind his back.  His make-up stays like glue, it shouldn’t have come off that easily.”

Rinoa’s smile froze for a minute before she lowered her head, “Nothing escapes your eyes I suppose.  Why didn’t you tell him then?”

“He likes your stuff.”  The designer raised her head to meet with the serious manager, “He just needs some reasons to get his hands on your design.  It might be a cheap shot on your part but I guess it really worth the effort, considering it might bring you both a major breakthrough.”

Rinoa nodded in gratitude and turned her attention to the stage as the Ice Prince stepped out from the other side.

Squall fidgeted backstage as he waited for the music to start.  Selphie was busy sorting out the garments with a few assistants, all readied to help the brunette change once he came back.  Zell was bouncing with every ounce of energy as he finished loading his camera before the stage.  The brunette couldn’t help but smile at the antics of his photographer.  He always managed to brighten him up with his excessive energy.

The lights dimmed and the music started.

The supermodel closed his eyes and took a deep breath.  Imagine you’re in this cold, desolated snowfield... 

Artificial snow started to fall from the above, the guests starred in wonder and some reached out their hands to collect the flakes.

An innocent, lost boy who’s looking for something….

Squall took his steps forward, matching the pace of the slow music.  The audience silenced at the entrance of the brunette clad in white from head to toe, looking innocent and lost.  No longer was he the sultry sex kitten that people knew him to be, but a shy boy that begged to be hugged, that yearned to be protected.

Then you see it, an angel from heaven that brings warmth to you…

He stood at the end of the catwalk and looked up, eyes shining with a passion that could melt anything and he reached out towards the shining star across the hall…

His eyes widened as a piercing pain tore through his chest.

A scream broke from the audience and he looked down to see himself half drowned in crimson.  Blood spluttered from his mouth as he coughed from the sudden inability to breathe properly.  The world then turned pitch black as he did a face dive.

TBC…

konekomh's ramblings:  What do you think?  Interested in me continuing with the story?  Can I have a few comments, please?  Kitty needs some ruffling in the neck to get going (…as usual… sweatdrop)…

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