Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Like a Bracelet ❯ Dream a little dream of me ( Chapter 8 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Quistis looked down at her daughter and then son; their tiny hands tightened in her grasp. She put on a reassuring smile despite the pain in her face from cuts and bruises. But she had to be strong for the kids. Walking towards the small motel, she kept her gaze to the floor wanting to avoid the judgment from the man across the reception desk.

"All we have left is one room with two beds." He said before passing her the key card. "Are you alright, Miss?"

"What?" The sentiment ached. Quistis felt it in her chest as though kindness from men was a lie. Just as he had lied. "No. I mean.. Yes. I'm fine." Snatching the key, she took her son's hand once again then marched away muttering. "Mind your own business; it's not as if you care."

"Geez. I was just trying to be nice." He rolled his eyes.

She let out a relieved sigh once the door closed behind them. It was a spacious room but by no means comfortable in the dim lighting. By no means safe from the horrors of the world. It's just four walls, two beds and a coffee machine. No dresser for a long stay. No little table to invite a passably comfortable meal.

"Mommy are you ok?" The girl, possibly five, asked.

"Yeah.. I'm fine." She sat on the bed.

She wiped her eyes; her cuts stung as the tears from her eyes brushed into them. This was her own fault. How could she not see it? Her husband was a monster, truly a monster. He abused her love for him, and when yelling wasn't enough, he became physical.

"If you're ok, why are you crying?" Her son cocked his head trying to see her hidden face.

"Because of allergies. I have an allergy to pollen." But when she said his name it came out as nonsense.

She moved her hands away from her face and looked at him. He looks so much like his father, except the eyes. Those are hers. Her daughter looks like her only with brown hair. What was her name again?

"I'll order dinner. We'll have pizza." She said,

"Yay!" The kids cheered in unison.

"I'm gonna pretend mine is pudding." The girl informs.

Quistis chuckled. That had to be the goofiest thing she's ever heard. She took her phone from her purse then called the pizzeria.

"So, that's one small half mushroom and half pepperoni?"

"Yes. Thank you."

"You're welcome. And by the way, Quistis?"

She blinked when the stranger addressed her by name; his voice was suddenly so familiar. "I beg your pardon? Quistis?"

"Your husband said he'll drop it off himself."

"He's not my husband." The line went dead. Panic rushed through her; little shockwaves danced over her mind like a robot being powered up. "We're leaving."

"But what about the pizza?" Her son groaned. He stopped bouncing on the bed in order to activate the puppy eyes.

It didn't work. Quistis scooped him up from the bed and grabbed her daughter's hand as it was offered to her and they rushed to the door.

She screamed when seeing him standing there. She couldn't shield herself as he swung. The bat landed perfectly against her face, breaking her nose, knocking teeth out of her mouth. She felt her son get snatched from her arm and her daughter was pulled away with little resistance.

"Go wait in the car kiddos. Mommy and I have to talk."

The kids seemed hesitant but then they hurried to the car. They were told not to watch. They were always told it's grown up stuff. As Quistis reached out a hand for her kids she noticed their appearance morphed. Instead of the two nameless children, whom she felt close to despite the anonymity, they were Selphie, Zell, Rinoa, Squall, and Seifer. She reached for them.

"Help me.." She whispered through tears.

But he dealt her another hard blow as they turned away. Their faces looked so disappointed. How could they see this and not help?

"B.."

"Too late to apologize." He raised the bat up over his head ready to give a fatal blow.

Quistis shot up in her seat. The seatbelt caused her to jerk back before she could rush forward too much and hit her head on the dash. Half asleep, she nearly shrieked thinking he was hitting her chest, but Irvine's voice calmed her mind and stilled her thrashing.

"Guess there weren't rainbows on the other side," he glanced at her then kept his eyes on the road. "Wanna talk about it?"

She shook her head. "No. I was dreaming about being on a roller coaster."

"Yikes." He chuckled, taking the bait that she tossed.

"Tell me about it." She further calmed herself. "It's so late; you should have woken me. I'll take over driving."

"It's fine. I'm fueled up on donuts and caffeine." He nodded to the box of Krispy Sweets on top of the dashboard. "I even snagged you an Earl Grey."

"Do people drink that?" She took the cup and then sipped with a smirk at her personal joke as she loves Earl Grey tea, despite all the turned up noses it often meets from others claiming it tastes awful. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, we're almost there."

She looked out the window. Right. Her dream. Seems she'd been suffering in it longer than it felt. 'What was that about? Why dream about Bailey being a monster? Who were those kids?' The song switched to a ballad. It was then that it came to her. The song. 'I was dreaming about that song about abuse. Of course.' Now she kind of wanted to call him just to… Well, she's not entirely sure. Just to hear his voice, and not the one from her nightmare.

After another couple of hours on the road Irvine parked the car at a motel. It's 3 in the morning and he's well past exhausted.

"You good with sharing a room?" He asked when the receptionist informed them there was only one room available.

"Of course." She followed him back outside into the cool early hour so they could find room 4. She walked inside once he opened the door then stood aside for her. "Oh.."

There's only one bed.

The pair looked at each other silently asking the question of who will sleep on the bed and who will take the floor with the bedding.

"So like," he nodded at the bed. "I don't roll around when I sleep, heh, Galbadia knocked that right out of me."

"You think we should share?" Her brows rose to her hairline. Was he serious?

"Yeah, of course." He walked over to the bed and sat then removed his boots. "My words may be for all, but my actions only know one person. I swear to Hyne, I won't try anything funny."

Quistis weighed those words between lies and truth. Irvine seemed truly disinterested as he removed his jacket and hat. 'He's not going to do anything. This is Irvine, after all. He acts like a player but deep down he's probably a nervous wreck just trying to be a big-shot.' With an inward sigh, she stepped out of her sneakers then walked into the bathroom to get ready for bed.

After she exited, Irvine went inside. She took the opportunity to check her phone. 'Incredible. How is the battery dead?' She thought she'd charged it the other night. 'I meant to do it, but I was on the phone with Bailey then fell asleep. How could I be so oblivious?'

She looked through her purse. "And I left my charger in the dorm."

She stuffed the phone back into the purse and set it down on the small dresser. Looking around she felt a bit unsettled that the room almost resembled the one from her nightmare. Shaking off the irritation, she called out.

"Irvine, do you have a charger I can use?"

"You can check. I think our phones are different." He called back with a mouth full of toothpaste.

She grabbed his phone and eyed the charge port. Fuck. It's different. 'Oh well. I'm not supposed to make contact with the outside world when working. I'll just check-in when we're heading back.'

When hearing the toilet flush, she quickly climbed into bed. She trusts Irvine, but she was not about to get into bed last for some lewd comment to come her way. The package is secured underneath the bed where no one shall get a hold of it. She's a light sleeper and junctioned, armed even without her weapon or magic since she has Blue magic.

"I'm coming out," Irvine announced.

Quistis furrowed her brows wondering what that was supposed to mean. She then got her answer.

"If you're, like, planning to sleep nude or something then hide yourself now."

She groaned inwardly. "It's fine. You can come out."

The bathroom door opened with a quick squeak. Irvine exits and, looking as though he's moving towards the bed with his eyes at a slit, he makes his way to the vacant side. Quistis shook her head.

"Back to back.. Even though I like sleeping on my other side." He was saying. "Hands under the pillow."

"I trust you, okay?" She snickered. "Just get some sleep. I'll drive the rest of the way."

"Yes, ma'am." He smiled and closed his eyes. "Say, let me ask you something," She made a small sound telling him to go ahead. "I like that you're happy with Bailey, but don't let it change you. I'm just wondering if you're still you at the end of the day?"

"Why do you say that?"

"I don't know. Love changes people, sometimes in a good way and sometimes in a bad way."

"I haven't changed. I promise."

"Good. Because he seems nice. And I don't want that to be a deal breaker to be someone else."

"I don't think it's that serious between us. But, if there is any change to be had then I'm sure it will be a good one that's only between him and I."

Irvine was quiet for a second, then he said. "Right. G'night."

"Good night."

Quistis had a rather pleasant dream this time, now that the influence of music stayed out of it. It was lovely. A picnic underneath a large tree blooming with thousands of cherry blossom petals.

She swatted at his hand when he reached above her head for the fourth time. "What are you doing?"

"I can't help it," Bailey smiled, warmer than the spring sun. "The flowers don't want to be away from the beauty that helped them bloom."

Quistis laughed into her hand. Of all the corny things to ever hear. But she loved each word. She's often heard from movies and books, and students who couldn't help but level-up with how publicly they could display their affection that their girlfriend was a lovely flower. Bailey has gone and called her the entire beautiful tree.

"Quistis, you're so beautiful with your hair down. You should wear it that way more often." He cupped her cheek and leaned over to kiss her. He didn't have far to move, as he was practically on her lap the entire outing. He just loves to be close.

"If you want me to."

"I really do!" He combed her hair with his fingers making her blush. "I love you."

"I love you."

"Will you call me?"

"Hmm?"

"Call me. As soon as you can."

"But we're already with each other right now."

"Please call me."

Quistis promised to call him. Then her eyes opened.

She sighed. Pleased to feel the warm embrace. Her eyes flew open as she felt the warm embrace a little too realistically. "Irvine!?"

He grinned and with a cheeky tone he promised. "I won't tell if you won't - Whoa!" He went careening over the side of the bed from being shoved.

"What happened to keeping your hands to yourself?" She snapped.

"Hey, hey, now. You grabbed onto me. And in case you missed it, my back was to you, just as I had fallen asleep."

She recalled the situation. He was telling the truth. She was the one who had rolled over and latched onto him.

"Mhm. I'll take that apology."

"I'm sorry."

"Think nothing of it." He winked at her, and laughed when the pillow met his face. "Ya know, if you were a guy-." He wasn't able to finish his comment as the pillow pummeled him silent on repeat.

The pair refreshed themselves then left to continue the drive. The package was securely placed into the vehicle. Quistis, as promised, took the wheel. They were back on the road to finish their mission. And it couldn't end any sooner. Quistis had promised, though in a dream, to call Bailey and she couldn't go back on her word.

X x X

Commentary: Thank you for reading. Sorry for the very late update, but I've been in a lot of pain and had to rest it off.