"Are you seriously coming to me for . . . advice?" Zell looked at Squall with wide eyes. Sure, Squall was his best friend and it seemed easier for Squall to talk to him then it did for him to talk to other people, but Squall never, ever asked for advice. "I guess . . . I could do my best, but what's going on? You look horrible man."

Squall's mouth went dry when he thought about the reason he had sought out his former roommate. "Never mind." He turned around, almost out Zell's door, though he jerked to a stop when Zell grabbed his arm. This was a bad, bad idea. What was I thinking?Squall thought in a panic. He didn't really want to talk about this with Zell, did he?

"Come on buddy, now I know something is wrong. So spill." Zell pulled Squall over to his couch and made his friend sit down. He set next to him and gave him a concerned look. "You look like you haven't slept in days. You're freaking me out."

With a sigh, Squall looked up at the ceiling. "I don't even know why I came, or where to start . . . " He mumbled. He wasn't really sure how to go about this. "So you know you're gay, right?" He finally asked the blond.

"Uh . . . yes, I figured that out a long time ago. Thanks." Zell rubbed the back of his head, feeling rather confused.

". . ." Squall glanced away from Zell. "I broke up with Rinoa because I'm gay... though I just figured it all out....I think... Hyne." Squall said all in a rush, his eyes widening at how fast it all had spilled out of his mouth. He shot up, though once again he was not able to go anywhere because Zell had a firm grip on his arm.

"Oh . . . Squall, I don't . . . I mean, you're hot and all, but I don't . . ." The blond flushed, mistaking the whole conversation as some sort of confession. Why else would Squall have come to him about this?

"It would be a lot easier if I liked you that way," Squall chuckled, before he groaned. "If you did like me back, but no... I wasn't confessing to you." As he went, it seemed to become easier to talk, though he was still uncomfortable.

"Thank Hyne! But why would it be easier?" Zell asked.

Flustered, Squall shrugged. He didn't want to say it was because Zell was very sweet and had a great heart and would always be a one person type of guy. Irvine liked to flirt, but the teenager was never serious about relationships and the last thing Squall wanted was to get hurt again.

"Because of the person I do like . . . " Squall mumbled. He glanced at Zell. "They aren't really the relationship type . . . Hyne, I'm not the relationship type. So, you see my problem?"

"At least you're not falling for your ex enemy who now treats you like his best buddy," Zell muttered darkly.

Deciding to change the subject, Squall leaned back as if he were going to take a nap, actually causing Zell to end up on the floor when his whole body took over the couch. "You really like him that much?" He asked. He usually wasn't one to pry into other's business; or have heart to hearts for that matter. But this was Zell. He and Zell had been through so many things over the years. It was a wonder they hadn't ended up liking each other instead of how things turned out. Would be better, Squall couldn't help feeling though try as he might, he could not find anything attractive about Zell. Sure he was cute, Squall could admit that, annoying as Hyne sometimes, and his body was nice to look at, but Squall got nothing when he looked at him. Why did it have to be Irvine, I mean honestly?

"I know it sounds freaken weird," Zell murmured. He went and set down next to Squall, making the guy lift up his head so he'd have room on the couch. Squall shuffled around so that his legs were laying over Zell's lap. "I do like him though," Zell continued. "It started out as just a normal crush, being attracted to him. I mean, even you can admit he's hot, right?"

"I will not," Squall muttered, laying his arm over his eyes. "He's changed and maybe he's turned into an okay guy after hanging with you, but..." he trailed off. Really what was going on lately? He didn't seem to be able to stop talking. Thank Hyne it was Zell and not someone else.

With a laugh, Zell leaned his head against Squall's legs and closed his eyes. He was completely comfortable with his best friend.

"Sorry, I know you just came out to yourself and all. It's not exactly easy to admit you think someone is hot, let alone admit that you like someone of the same sex," Zell said, trying to comfort Squall. "Who do you like then or think you like?" He asked gently. He really hoped it wasn't Seifer. If Squall liked Seifer, then Zell knew he'd never have a chance with the older blond. Zell would admit that Squall was drop dead gorgeous. It didn't accrue to him that as far as he knew Seifer was straight and wouldn't like either he or Squall.

"I'm not going to say," Squall answered quietly. "I can't." If he admitted it out loud, then that would make it that much harder to ignore how Irvine made him feel, at least how his body felt. Damn hormones.

With a sigh, Zell pushed Squall's legs away from him and stood up. "You know it won't get easier until you can talk about it with someone."

"I got Shiva," Squall said with a shrug.

"Someone who can hold you or smack you, or whatever else you need," Zell grumbled. "I know you are not really one for touching and sharing emotions, but Hyne Squall, let some people in." The short blond pulled Squall to his feet, this look in his eyes.

"Hyne, are you going to hug me?" Squall groaned. Yes, Zell was right, but it was easier said then done for Hyne's sakes.

Zell didn't even bother answering his friend, there really was no need to as it was all in his eyes. Squall could only stiffen as he suddenly found pressed against his chest. When Zell hugged, he hugged! He was holding onto Squall as if he were a lifeline.

Squall's hands laid limply at his side, twitching as the gunblader tried to figure out what to do. He did like Zell, Hyne, he even considered him his best friend when the blond wasn't being annoying, but still, Squall wasn't used to contact like this. Despite himself, he did start to fell comforted and he could tell Zell needed hugged just as badly as he did.

With a sigh, Squall lightly put his arms around Zell, though he didn't squeeze like Zell did. He was really uncomfortable, but that was starting to fade the longer they stood together.

It seemed as if they stood this way forever and if anyone had walked in on them it would look as if they were lovers, and long term lovers at that. Squall had quickly relaxed which amazed the gunblader, though he didn't seem inclined to complain about it. Zell on the other hand was grinning a goofy grin, feeling some thrill that in a way he was helping Squall open up more. If only he could be this open around Seifer. He just wanted to be able to go up to the older blond and hug him, among other things that made him blush and his toes curl.

"Ahem," Seifer coughed when he walked into his dorm. The last thing he expected to see was Zell and Squall clinging to each other. Sure, he knew Zell was gay, and dang did Squall's pants scream gay, but he would have never imagined the two could be together. He had thought Zell liked him . . . Hyne, why did it even matter? Seifer inwardly scolded himself. He didn't like Zell like that. He felt close to him, even cared about him, but he was not gay. So then why did he feel hurt at this sight? Why did he feel betrayed? And just why did he feel the undeniable desire to rip Squall away from Zell and punch him in the gut? Sure, in the past he wouldn't have batted his eye twice at feeling this way, but now he knew he shouldn't be feeling this way. He had changed! So then why . . .

Squall pushed away from Zell and took one look at the older blond, his eyes wide. Great, now he thinks we're lovers.

Zell blinked up at Seifer, confused by how fragile he seemed to look. He seemed upset, though Zell had no idea it might have been because he had seen something he didn't want to see. Squall rushed out of their room, before anything else could be said.

"Seifer, are you okay?" Zell asked. He didn't even think to explain why he and Squall had been hugging. He thought anyone should know they were just friends. It was so obvious, right?

"I didn't know you and . . ." Seifer cursed himself for sounding so broken. What in the world was wrong with him? He was not, could not be gay? But what if he was? Just what if he was? If, and if was the key word, if he was gay, then Zell . . . yes, Zell would be the only . . . but he wasn't, so it didn't matter at all. So then why did he feel like he wanted to die?

"Me and who?" Zell blinked up at the taller blond, confused and quite frankly startled. Seifer seemed to be close to a nervous breakdown or something. He was shaking and his eyes looked panicked. "Are you okay?" Zell asked again. "Come on Seif, what's wrong? This isn't like you and it's scaring me."

Without even thinking, Zell went to hug Seifer, to pull him close; he needed to be hugged and comforted, though he wasn't talking, so Zell had no idea why. The younger blond was startled when he was pushed away, and Seifer was glaring at him, almost looking like his old self.

"Don't do that," Seifer growled. "You shouldn't go around hugging other guys when you're dating someone."

"B-but," Zell whimpered as if he had been hurt. His eyes filled to the brim with tears. "I'm not dating anyone," he cried. He dropped his hands to his side. "Sorry, I just wanted to hold you, you're scaring me and I don't know what's wrong!" Zell really hated being so clueless sometimes. He rubbed at his eyes, feeling mortified that he was crying. "I won't hug you again. I've learned my lesson, but you don't have to pretend it's because I'm dating someone. Just tell me to back off because I'm gay, I mean it won't hurt my feelings . . ." his voice lowered and he knew he was lying through his teeth.

There had been a time when seeing Zell's tears would have Seifer teasing and making fun of the teenager, but not anymore. Knowing he was the cause of the smaller's tears made Seifer feel sick to his stomach, so much that he wanted to throw up. Every thing was turning into one misunderstanding after the next. Zell wasn't dating Squall? Then why . . . Seifer shook his head. He couldn't believe how fast he had jumped to conclusions.

"I wasn't pretending, I really thought you were dating Squall. I mean, I walked in on that." He hesitantly reached out and placed his hands on Zell's trembling shoulders. "Stop crying. I didn't mean to yell at you. I was a jerk. You know I don't care you're gay. I don't know why I yelled like that." Yes you do, Seifer's inner voice taunted. You do know, admit it.

"Squall?" Zell squeaked. His tears dried up almost instantly when he heard that. "Ewww Seifer!" He exclaimed. "You don't fall in love with your best friend. It's just wrong!" He yelled. "I was only comforting him. You know, because friends comfort each other? Like I was trying to comfort you, but nooo, you had to push me away." He was angry, but glad Seifer didn't care he was gay, but still . . . that had been uncalled for.

"Even if I was dating Squall, there is nothing wrong with hugging your friends. Why were you acting so . . . so . . . " Zell trailed off. A light bulb went off. "Oh.."

Seifer was really take aback by Zell's yelling, feeling just horrible for making the blond upset, but whatever he had been about to say to Zell got lost when Zell said "oh."

"Oh what?" Seifer asked.

"N-nothing," Zell stuttered. He was blushing now. How could he be so stupid to think Seifer would be jealous over him of all people? But that is what he had thought. If he really thought about it, Seifer's reaction would point to jealously. There was no other reason for him to act that upset for seeing him and Squall together. Then again.

Zell paled.

What if Seifer liked Squall?

He can't, Zell reasoned. Seifer and Squall had next to nothing to do with each other and ever since the project started he and Seifer had been together every day and now they lived together! But Seifer wasn't gay . . . not that Zell knew that for a fact.

"What?" Seifer grumbled. "You can't go "oh" and then just leave it at that. You know that's annoying as Hyne," Seifer complained. "Tell me."

"I don't want you to get angry at me if I tell you," Zell said instead of answering.

Seifer sighed. "I won't get angry," he answered. He was too tired to get angry. He set down on their couch and made Zell sit down next to him. "Now what did you think of, hm?"

"I was worried about you because when you came in and saw me n' Squall, you started acting all, umm upset," Zell said in a rush. "I'm sorry, but I thought it was because maybe you . . . " He couldn't say he thought it was because Seifer liked him. That would be too embarrassing.

"I thought you were acting jealous because you maybe liked Squall, but I know you're not gay, so I'm sorry!" He turned away from Seifer and buried his face against the couch's arm.

Seifer had been jealous all right, but not because of Squall. The very thought made him shudder. Sure, Squall was hot in his own right, but he wasn't Ze...

Hyne, what am I thinking? I can't admit that Squall is hot, but then go on to say he's not... not Zell. Seifer pressed a hand over his eyes.

Before admitting that he might be gay would have been seen as a weakness, but now Seifer didn't see it that way. Though to hear that Zell had misunderstood something else really was quite frustrating for him. Saying to himself that he could be gay, and that he did like Zell, gay or not, was one thing, but saying it out loud?

"You're wrong, Zell," Seifer said in barely a whisper. "I do not like Squall."

"I know," Zell muttered. "S-sorry for thinking it,” he said, his face blushing, though he was still hiding it against the couch.

Seifer shook his head, "but I might be gay." He smirked when Zell turned to look at him so fast that Seifer wondered if he got whiplash.

"Ouch," Zell complained as he rubbed his neck.

The older blond chuckled. Yep, he had given him whiplash. Despite the fact that he had just outed himself, Seifer was calming down and feeling really amused with Zell's reaction.

"What?" Seifer asked. "Now don't tell me you think it's wrong or something," he teased.

Zell started to blush. "Well of course not, duh," he said, "I'm just shocked, I mean . . . since when?" The younger blond couldn't stop staring at Seifer as if he were seeing him for the first time. "If you're gay then . . . how can you not like Squall? I mean you were acting really jealous. It freaked me out!"

Seifer sighed. "You know you are quite possibly the most clueless person I've ever met," he said, though he wasn't trying to be mean, he was just annoyed. He didn't want to have to admit to both being gay and that he might quite possibly like Zell. Why couldn't Zell just figure it out?

Well, maybe I'm not ready to yell it out loud, but maybe I can get the hint across another way, Seifer thought with a smirk.

Oh yes, Seifer hadn't truly figured out if he was gay or not, though one thing was certain, he was attracted to Zell and very much so. For now he would come to terms with being Zell-sexual.

Though Seifer couldn't help but think in the back of his mind that even though Zell was gay, the younger blond could totally be appalled by the idea of him being romantically interested in him.