Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Like a Bracelet ❯ A charming life ( Chapter 10 )

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

Quistis and Irvine arrived at Metro Lane after a twenty minute walk. The clouds were rolling in thick overhead. Winter seemed eager to arrive this year. The cold certainly wasn't holding back. Irvine rubbed his arms then reached out and gave Quistis's arms a little rub to warm her up.

"I don't need it. I'm fine."

She's lived in Balamb for a very long time, it's much colder there since it's so close to the water. Timber was nothing but a nippy fall day. Truth is, she's hot under the collar over the messages and the newly acquired information that her boyfriend just decided to quit his job. Why would he do that? Why would he get so bent out of shape from only two days without contact?

'He must be what people call 'clingy'.' Clinginess is definitely not something she's used to having grown up around very independent people, and being one herself. 'Well, there is Squall to Sis', but he seems better now. And he didn't exactly exhibit the behavior later in life since the G.F.s took away the memory of her.'

She opened the door to the building and went for the elevator. She could see Irvine standing around outside as the doors shut. It seems he's not going to wait at the station after all but outside. That was fine, she didn't plan on being long. As she made her way down the hall to his apartment, she paused.

'What should I say to him?' She wondered. 'Hi. What the hell were those messages for? You can't do things like that.' Another good point to make was why did he quit his job? All good questions. Expelling a breath, she continued to 7B.

Quistis knocked on the door. She waited for two minutes then knocked again.

"Get lost! I turned it down!" Bailey called from the other side.

"B..Bailey it's me!" She called through the door.

She was about to say something else when the door pulled open. She was pulled inside so quickly it was as if a vacuum had pulled her in. The door popped shut against the frame and Quistis was nailed to it afterwards. She gave a tiny yelp as her head hit the wood.

"I missed you so much." Bailey whispered over her shoulder when pulling her close to him for a hug.

Quistis melted in the embrace; her cheek nuzzled his, but then she pulled herself from the moment and stepped away with what limited space she could. "Yeah, I gathered that from the dozens of messages you sent me."

He squinted then softened his eyes. "Look, I'm sorry. Okay? I'm sorry." He took hold of her by her upper arms and steered her to the couch with a sidestep. "But, I missed you."

"As if I'd been gone for two months rather than two days…" She shook her head. Quistis sat on the love-seat but her posture was tense and ready to leave. "Bailey, you do remember that I told you I had a mission?"

"I mean.. Yeah." He wasn't letting go of his hold on her. "But, why didn't you just text me back to say that you were doing alright, or that you got wherever you were going without getting hurt?"

"Because it's my job to have secrecy. I can't disclose my location as if it's nothing. Not even on simple jobs."

"But what if something happens to you?"

"I only go where I'm told. I don't stray unless it's absolutely necessary and the school knows where I am and my alternate locations. You," and she stressed the noun. "You don't have to worry about me. I've been doing this practically since I was a child."

"That doesn't make me worry any less." He muttered.

Quistis huffed. "If anything it should comfort you more. Bailey, I'm a strong woman. I don't need you worrying about me to that degree." She looked at his phone with the cracked screen. She removed his hands from her and stood. "Honestly… if you're going to get this worked-up whenever I work… Maybe this relationship isn't going to last."

Bailey shook his head rapidly. "No. No, no, no! It will!" He followed her to the door. "I.. I'm sorry - ok? This is my first time experiencing something like this. I'm just a civilian, I don't know your work.." He took her hand and gave it a light squeeze. "Quistis, please don't break up with me."

"We've been together for a couple months now; I'm going to keep doing my job. I'm going to have to cut contact sometimes. If that's not something you can handle, please let's just stop here."

"No. Really… I'm sorry." He kissed her hand then up her arm to her cheek. "I really, really, don't wanna break up. I was stupid.. I won't do anything like that ever again. I swear. Lesson learned."

Quistis felt his sincerity with each kiss upon her face. She remembered how sweet he'd been in the second dream. That is Bailey. That's the guy she likes and can't wait to hear from each day.

"And, here, I got you something." He let go of her hand and left the room. When he returned he handed her a box.

"Jewelry?"

He blushed. "Not exactly…"

She opened the box. A smile spread across her face. "A keychain."

"Yeah.. I had it made yesterday. See, it says Bailey's Quistis." He grabbed his keys and showed her the near twin. "Quisty's Bailey. Cute, huh?"

She gave a slow nod. "Very." She looked at the gold half of a heart, then at his which would complete hers.

"You complete my heart, Quisty." He wrapped her arms around her waist and leaned over kissing her on the lips.

The warmth of the embrace and the physical contact warmed her anger and she kissed him back. "I did miss you. I didn't bring anything back with me."

"Don't feel guilty. I like surprising you. You don't have to return it like it's a favor." He cupped her cheeks then kissed her again.

"As much as,"

He cut her off. "Let's get something to eat."

"I'm not hungry." She turned him down. "Plus, I have to go. I just stopped by because I wanted to know why you were behaving so strangely."

"I didn't mean to ruin your impression of me. I'm sorry." He looked down at the floor.

"No. I forgive you." Her hand caressed his cheek. "Just, don't do it again."

"I promise."

Quistis detached herself from him. "I really have to go back to Garden to file my report."

"Oh." He followed her to the door. "Can you call me once you're done?"

The now pacified looked over at the device. "Does your phone still work?"

"Huh? Oh," he gave an embarrassed laugh. "I'll replace it."

"I can spot you the money,"

"Huh?"

"Well, you quit your job. The cashier told me." She turned back to face him. "Why'd you do that?"

"Because… I don't know… I just wasn't feeling it." He scratched the back of his head.

"Uh huh…"

"It's fine. I'll get a new job, and replace my phone. You don't have to worry about me." He caressed her shoulder.

Quistis placed her hand on top of his to still the movement of his touch. "Alright. Good luck on the job hunt."

"Thanks. I'm actually waiting to hear back from one."

"Great." She kissed his cheek. "I'll email you."

"People still do that?"

Quistis chuckled. "Bye, Bailey."

"Bye, my Quisty," he raised his keychain.

She smiled and dangled hers at him in response. He watched her walk away. Bailey went over to the window and looked out. His smile bent quickly seeing that cowboy outside greeting his girlfriend once she left the building.

"Good visit?"

"Yes."

"Good." He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and walked with her to the train station, unaware of the magnitude of his simple action.

Irvine studied his friend's profile; since leaving her boyfriend's apartment she's been quiet - even for an introvert like her. He nudged her with his elbow. "You ok?"

She nodded. "Look at this," she held up her phone to show the new charm handling from it. It would be on her purse, if not for the fact that she's got a flip case with a hole for the strap.

He studied the charm. "Bailey's Quisty." He read. His brow shot up. "Quisty?"

"Guess you're not the only one to rework my name." She stuffed her phone into her purse.

"Yeah, but.." He ended it there unsure of what he wanted to say. It was weird, at least a little in his eyes. But, he's not exactly gate-keeping the nickname. It's free for anyone to use, but it just feels a little… Try hard. "Everything good? You seemed kinda agitated when you left the grill."

"I was, a bit. I found out that Bailey quit his job. It just surprised me."

"Maybe he found a better opportunity than working a register."

"He did say he was waiting to hear back from someone." She looked out of the window at the passing trees as they turned into concrete when the train dipped underground to take them to Balamb station. "I love that he was happy to see me. I haven't had anyone miss me before."

"Heeey, I take offense to that." He poked her arm then cheek. "I missed you guys."

"Yes, but this is different."

Irvine scoffed. "Why? Because he loves you? I love you, too. Come here." He wrapped his arms around her and rocked her back and forth.

Quistis chuckled. "Let me go. I feel like a child playing 'Deling Bridge'."

Inspired, he sang. "Grab under her knees and hoist her up,"

"No!" She laughed as he only pretended to do it, but she thankfully stayed on her feet. "You're a menace. How does anyone hire you to do such a serious job?"

"Because I'm that good." He tilted his head when seeing a dim glow up ahead through the window.

Quistis figured he must be if a general thinks so highly of his skills. "Are you really staying for a bit?"

"About a couple hours." He rubbed his hands together. "We give our reports then get down to some cards."

"No take backs." It was not a question but a statement from the King of Triple Triad - at least in the Balamb region.

"No take backs."

The train stopped giving its usual snake-like hiss; all passengers departed. Irvine stopped at the souvenir stand and bought an extra pack of cards. Quistis rolled her eyes when he shook them into view.

"For all you know, those new monster cards are a ploy to get people to buy more cards."

"And if it's true, then I'm gonna not only crush you but I'm gonna do it in style."

"Mhm."

It took no time at all writing up their reports. Quistis filed them away. She then joined Irvine in the Quad for cards. She felt weird hanging around where cadets normally dwell to socialize and do various other things that they shouldn't. But, she's not an instructor anymore. A truth she has to often remind herself when she's feeling like a ball and chain to people who are exactly her own age half the time.

A few cadets said "hello" to Irvine when seeing him, they smiled politely at the former instructor. This was another thing she liked about being around Bailey. With him, she's just a girlfriend. Not an authority figure, even if it's past tense.

They took a seat just anywhere free, and played cards.

"That's my phone," she said after her third victory. "I'll just be a second." She took the device from her purse then walked to a quiet spot to talk. "Bailey, hi."

"Are you home? Was it a safe trip?"

"Yes. I'm back at Garden, and my report is done."

"Great! So you have time to talk?"

"Actually, I'm a little busy." She said with humor in her voice. "I'm annihilating Irvine at Triple Triad."

Her boyfriend was quiet before saying. "Oh. That's great."

"I'm known as the King of cards. Poor guy didn't know what he was getting himself into."

"Can you stop talking about him? I.. I wanna hear about you."

"Oh. Ok."

"How was the mission?"

"It went fine. Nothing happened. No one attacked us."

"Great!"

"Yeah."

There was an awkward silence between them.

"Can you call me back a little later, maybe around six?" She asked when seeing Irvine tap his wrist. She held up her finger.

"Yeah, fine. Bye." He hung up.

She rolled her eyes. He's seriously clingy. 'That could be a good thing. At least I know he'll never cheat on me.' She shoved her phone into her pocket then returned to Irvine to resume another two brief games. To save her friend's pride, she let him think he was going to win. At least, he should have a glimmer of hope.

"I'll have a rematch next time I can." He gave her a brief hug. "I'll see whenever I see ya."

"Have a safe trip."

Quistis had intended to go back to her room and catch up on her reading, but she figured she may as well call Bailey back. She supposed she could make up a story about the job since he's so interested in what she does.

…

"Quisty? You called me back so soon. Is everything ok?" Bailey asked when answering his phone.

"I'm fine." She felt her heart rate pick up each time he cared for her, and used that soft concerned tone for her. "Irvine left, so I thought I'd call you."

"Thanks." He said shyly.

She snickered. "You don't have to thank me."

"But I feel like I do." He admitted. "I feel like I'm fighting for your attention from your job and your friends. It's hard living far from each other."

Quistis has never once in her 20 years of life wanted to say "Aww" but hearing that bloomed the response. But rather than the word, she simply let out a breath with the emotion etched into it.

"When's your next free day?"

"I'm not sure." She looked at her calendar on the desk, a mini that flips by the days. "Next Thursday. Do you think you'll be free?"

"I hope so."

She liked that she could hear his smile. "You seem like you wanna say something?"

"I do. But, I don't wanna spoil the surprise. I'd rather be with you to see your expression."

"Another present? What is it?"

"I told you, I'm not gonna tell you."

"A hint?"

"Hmm… What's a good one?" He seemed to be pretending to think about it with no actual intention to hint at anything. "What if I said you'll be so happy you'll dance?"

"Ahaha, I'd say you'd better have something incredible for that to happen."

He chuckled. "I still would love to take you dancing."

"Are you a good dancer?"

"I like to think so. My parents put me through dancing school as a kid, and the good stuff I picked up just around."

"I know dances from classes."

"Are you any good?"

"Top in my class." She said without bragging in her voice. "But, compared to other cadets, I don't think I'm the best."

"If you're the top, you're definitely the best. You shouldn't be afraid to brag."

"I don't know.."

"No, really. Just do it, it's just the two of us, right?" He asked.

"We're alone."

"Well, go ahead. Brag away."

Taking a breath, she expelled it then said. "I'm the best."

"More confidence."

"I'm the best."

"Add some Quisty flare to it."

"I am the greatest Balamb Garden has to offer, if I wasn't then I wouldn't have graduated with a promotion of an instructor so early." Which was true. It felt good knowing that.

"Why'd they let you go?"

And now she's back to uncertain self-doubt. That was a short-lived bulk in her chest. "I… lacked in places." Places. The lack was in leadership thanks to a certain blond ex-knight.

"Oh. Well, that's ok. No one is perfect at everything." Bailey assured. "You've still got a great talent at other things. I know you're the best girlfriend."

"Thank you."

"Can I have a kiss?"

"Sure." She turned on her video screen. She held her laugh at his shattered screen. The distortion looked so funny, his nose was by his ear and his eye was almost offscreen. She pressed the phone close to her lips.

"Can you make the "mua" sound? My screen is all messed up."

Quistis blushed. "I'm too embarrassed. But I definitely kissed you."

"Pleeease? It'll mean so much to me."

"I don't know, it makes me a bit uncomfortable."

"How can you be uncomfortable around me? Just do it."

Hating being pressured, she gave in. "Mua."

Bailey gave a sigh. "Thank you." He returned the request by doing the same.

Sitting up, she folded her legs and rested her back against the wall. "So, what did you do over the weekend, besides quit your job?"

"I just saw some friends and did some job hunting."

"What did you do with your friends?"

"Uuhh, we played some soccer and had a guy's night in. Messy food and a bad movie."

"That's where women differ, we have greasy food and a good movie."

"Not a Western, I hope."

Quistis audibly cringed. "Not in a million years."

"Good." He laughed.

"Bailey, I'm curious, are you worried that I'm going to cheat on you or leave you without a word?" She had to ask. He's been saying such unusual things. "Are you clingy?"

"Well, I wouldn't say clingy.. But.. I don't know. You're just special to me. I've never felt like this before, and I don't wanna lose you to someone who you think is better than me."

"Let's drop that right here, I'm not interested in anyone else. I'm not even looking." Her eyes softened. "We're a long distance couple; I'm not entirely used to it either, but I trust that you won't cheat on me or dump me because of that. You can have the same assurance from me. I'm not going anywhere."

He was quiet for a bit. "Really?"

"Really."

"Ok. No more paranoid boyfriend."

"Good. No paranoid girlfriend either. I trust you."

"Thank you."

"Thank you."

"Alright. No more bad vibes. Let's just talk about anything and everything."

"Ok."

"Starting with your idea of a dream date."

Quistis and Bailey spoke for an hour and half more before she had to hang up. They said their goodbyes then went about the rest of their evening.

'Bailey's Quisty.' She removed the charm from her phone then stuck it on the strap of her purse where everyone could see it. There. No room for anyone to see her otherwise. Bailey would like it.

X x X

Commentary: I am officially on AO3 now. I'm under ParanoidD0ll, that's a zero not an O in the doll. So, if this place is being plop-dumbs, please read there.