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The day was overcast. Rune glanced around her simple room, smoothed the cream coverlet on her bed once more, before leaving. A blue-gray blur bee-lined for her as she entered the great room, clasping a loose strand of strawberry blonde hair as it made contract and standing on her shoulder. "Rune! San tabas rahna Seifer? Tan fischt."

Pale green eyes blinked softly, a graceful brow arching slightly as a smile slowly curved her mouth. She did not miss the two Relms giggling over an opal egg on the sofa in her peripheral vision and shot them a knowing glance before answering the kun. "It's likely, Tien. To the pier at least."

"Yenenin!!" Tien clapped its tiny hands and flew off singing a happy song in kunkunese to find more of the small fae of the family and anyone else that would listen. Rune smiled softly & looked sideways at the bereted females on the sofa.
Anthro feather tailed cat and kirin shared a glance and looked with wide-eyed innocence. "We didn't send it! Honest!" The cat exclaimed, henna patterned ear twitching. The kirin smirked a little, her species giving her the appearance of being wise. "Although I wish we had come up with that first." Both girls had to suppress giggles, their green eyes bright.

"Hmm... If you say so." Rune gracefully passed them on her way to the kitchen.

"Hey! I thought you were going to see Seifer!" The anthro cat's floral printed green skirt swished around her ankles as she paused in the doorway to glance over her shoulder at her little 'sister'. "After a bit to eat, Relm." I've waited this long... and I don't think I'd have the gumption on an empty stomach.

A glass of cranberry juice and a toasted English muffin with a thin layer of peanut butter satisfied that need. She breathed in heavily as she made her way from the house, smiling and nodding her quiet greeting to the members of their large and diverse family that she passed on the way. Hearing a tala pup growl softly Rune paused to bend down and scratch behind little Seifer's ears, being one of the few permitted to do so. It gave her hope. Squaring her shoulders Rune stood and glided out the door.

Amaryllis was in the garden as she passed of course, her rabbit familiar glancing at the sky as if he feared the gray sky would bring rain. The White SeeD found herself wondering the same thing & considering what she would do if it did. The matter held her thoughts well as her booted feet made their way down the path out of the woods and across the short grass with barely a sound more than the swish of her long flowing skirt. The click of her boot sounded upon the first plank of the pier and Rune halted, shifting the bundle she carried and looking down the length of wood to where she could see him clearly silhouetted against the lake and sky beyond. From the way his trenchcoat pooled onto the pier behind him Rune could tell he was squatting. She could almost imagine the look of concentration in his blue eyes and the set of his face, watching the bobber of his fishing pole in the water of Bass'ken Lake.

"I know you're there." If it was not for her training as a SeeD more than her heart would have jumped at the sound of his voice. "Might as well come on, since you're here." A little surprised Rune heeded, her boots making more sound on the echoing pier though she still walked with steady & light steps.

Setting the bag down within reach behind him she stepped alongside the gunblader and kneeled, being mindful of his distinctive white trenchcoat. She wanted to reach a finger out and trace the red cross-dagger on his sleeve, wanting really to so to one on his ears. But this already was new grounds for her. She watched the side of his face -the sadness behind his tough exterior. "You miss them, don't you?"

Seifer's head snapped, ears twisting aggressively. The points of his sharp teeth starkly apparent in contrast to the darkness of the inside of his mouth as he barked his reply. "What're you talking about?"

"Fujin & Raijin." Sympathy & compassion swirled in her pale green eyes, gently consoling exactly that part of him that ached with loneliness. He had to look away. "That's crazy."

But he did miss them. Fujin with her forceful one-word talk; Raijin with his almost incessant prattle spattered with 'ya know's; Fujin kicking at Raijin... especially when she knocked him into the water.

A smile at that memory and Seifer almost laughed. Almost. Then he remembered they were not here. Hunkering into himself Seifer grew sad. "Yeah. Guess so."

Her eyes were soft & sad. "I'm sorry..." Very lightly Rune set her hand on top of his black gloved one.

It was barely a touch, especially through the leather of his gloves but Seifer could not help but notice it. He was in the middle of deciding whether he liked it or not when there was a tug on his line. Spotting it, her hand was pulled away even before Seifer yanked his hand from the pier to add it to join it to the other on his pole, jerking the rod up and back and swinging the fish into his lap. There was an instant of surprise a second before being replaced by a huge cocky grin as Seifer nodded his head as if he never had any doubt of his abilities.

Hiding a smile Rune reached around and brought the pail forward, holding it out for him like an offering. He blinked, then with a shrug released the fish into the pail where it flailed and flopped unhappily trying to get out until they pulled the lid over it. Hmphing with satisfaction Seifer baited his line again and tossed it back into the water with a small splash.

They sat there silently for some time, neither saying how they enjoyed the other's company as they both gazed out across the water. Seifer scowled from time to time -when the thought came to him that he would like her to lay her hand on his again. He was not comfortable with that thought, or the way it returned time and again. Another thought kept rearing its head too, but that one finally he permitted voice. "Why're you sorry?"

Rune turned to look at him to find blue eyes already staring steadily at her. To another it might be unnerving... she drank it in. "Because you miss them, and there is nothing I can do to bring them here for you."

He had not expected her to be able to follow his question, presuming she was no longer thinking about it like he had been. But she must have been. That, or she had been waiting for the question. The eyes that met his spoke of a tenderness Seifer could not recall having permitted in his life before. And more, what was offered was all for him -only for him. Their Matron, Edea, had been kind and tender to them all. He stroked a black gloved thumb across her cheekbone, watching her breathing shift as her eyes flickered half closed at the feeling. When had his hand moved to cup her cheek? Seifer's thumb stopped and light green eyes opened to find his once again. "You'd really bring Fujin & Raijin here if you could?" He leaned her way a little bit, drawing her face towards his with a light pressure from his hand.

She did not resist, letting his hand guide her. "Yes." Rune breathed softly, like a prayer. They had never been so close. Even then, Seifer drew her face even closer. Her eyes widened slightly, wondering what he was planning for as much as she wanted it... he certainly was not about to kiss her -was he? "Even if it meant I'd be off with them & you couldn't come following me?"

A sheen of moisture glimmered over her pale green eyes. Even so... "If it would make you happy."

Hyne...! Those eyes! It did not help that he had memorized the curve of her body and spent nights dreaming about feeling her beneath his hands since she had come to stand so silently beside him that first time. Seeing that look in her eyes... realizing those tears that threatened to fall were for him... and that she was willing to let him be away from her for his happiness...

Seifer closed the distance between their faces, felt her sharp intake of breath when their lips were but a hair apart, saw those sweet eyes start to close before his did the same... "Your line..." She whispered, a catch in her usually clear soft voice showing how much it hurt her to confess it.

Growling Seifer snapped his hand away to tend to his fishing, jerking the rod and dumping the fish in the pail as she held it out. Stupid fish!

Blue eyes darted to watch her out of the corner of his eye as he debated setting up his pole again. She looked annoyingly calm, which considering the way Seifer was feeling right now was almost doubly annoying. He did not know her enough to catch the faint shiver in her graceful frame and realize that it was from remembering his touch. He gaze lifted & met his -calm to his angry. Seifer tensed to hold his shaking in a barely restrained grip. How could she be so damn calm?

Rune watched him, a smile not quite curving the ends of her mouth. Always so much emotion bottled inside Seifer, but him insisting on being so cool. She wondered what it was this time and hoped -maybe- that what had nearly happened was not a fluke... and that he would try to kiss her again. "They're both of a good size. How hungry do you think you'll be by lunch?"

Her question caught him off-guard, forcing him to mentally berate himself for being distracted by her lips. "The hell kind of question is that?" He growled, ears flattening angrily to his head until the cross-daggers upon them were upside down. He meant to stare her down but she met his gaze without fear & with that same look of affection that both annoyed and relieved him. "I thought I could cook your catch over a fire for you. If you wanted." Seifer caught the look of uncertainty behind he show of strength. The courage of a SeeD used... to offer him lunch while giving him a compliment to his fishing skills? Oh, she was good. Either that or... Seifer looked into her honest face, seeing the nervousness behind the SeeD façade of strength. She really liked him.

He was floored. Carpet pulled out from him, floored. Sure, she had said as much before but Seifer had not really believed her. He looked at Rune, watching the breeze tug at her coiled hair. huh... "Four. Two for me, two for you. If that's too much for you, I'll finish yours." The male smirked and set up his pole again, looking satisfied to have taken command of the situation. In appearances at least. Inside thoughts and feelings battled within him, making him scowl or look contemplative in turn.

Rune left him to his thoughts, content that he had conceded to her idea; content that she would be able to spend time with him at least until after the meal.


((to be continued...))