ONE

    The spring semester meant only one thing:

    Only one more semester to go.

    The students of Galbadian College and the inhabitants of the first floor of Gongaga Hall had moved in yesterday and had one more day to kill before they started classes. Some were glad to be back, others couldn't wait to get it over with, and then there were those who didn't want to come back at all. But they were all there nevertheless.

    The first floor of Gongaga hall was female on one side, male on the other. They shared one giant co-ed bathroom in the center that some of the students *still* hadn't gotten used to. There was a mix of grade levels, freshmen to juniors in doubles and triples on this floor, except for the RA's--the resident assistants, who got their own rooms.

    Sephiroth Hojo was the RA for the boy's side. He was a tall, intimidating guy in his junior year. A political science major who was a little tough when he had to be, but pretty lax over all, Sephiroth was well liked by the guys on the floor. His best friend Lark DeSimone was the RA on the girl's side of the floor. An english major who was also in her junior year, Lark was well liked by the girls but even more so by the guys whom she always seemed to be visiting with.

    Tseng Tyutyuik and Reeve Leander, both sophomores, held the room next to Sephiroth's single. Tseng came to Galbadian from a small town in Rhode Island with three friends, who, like him, were gay. They had known one another forever, and weren't willing to part, just to go to college. Two of them, Benjamin Raven and Darren Danieley had been dating for several years and roomed together, a situation they chose to keep for their second year in college. The other, Bryatt Porter, had been Tseng's boyfriend for awhile, but they had broken up over a case of unrequited love. Bryatt loved Tseng, but Tseng did not love him the same way in return. It was a hard breakup, but Bryatt was completely happy just having Tseng to love and they were still friends. They had opted not to live together freshman year, and Tseng was paired with Reeve Leander. Reeve, who came from Connecticut, was very smart, along genius lines with a 1570 on his SATs. He was an engineering major and a computer science minor, two subjects that Tseng, an english major and an art history minor, didn't even want to think about, never mind major in. The two hit it off right away, Reeve not minding in the least about his roommate's sexuality. They became the closest of friends and had decided to keep the same arrangement for the next year as well. And even though they were extremely open with one another, Tseng struggled to hide his strong feelings for Reeve, knowing he was straight and would never feel the same way back. Bryatt, who's freshman year roommate was repulsed by him being gay, was stuck with a new roommate this year, a boy he couldn't stand. It seemed he just couldn't win.

    But right now Tseng was hanging up the message board on the door, ready to start another semester. There would be a *lot* going on.

    "Hi, Tseng."

    "Hi, Reeve," he said, making sure the board was secure before looking up. His roommate was holding a crate in his arms. Reeve wasn't what you might call drop dead gorgeous, he was just very handsome with his black hair that was almost always slightly unruly and the emerald green eyes that Tseng loved most. "That the last one?"

    "Yup. My dad just left." Reeve had little family, just his father and a grandmother. He had no siblings, as his mother had died of cancer when he was very young. Tseng himself had a full family: both parents and two siblings, both older than him.

    Tseng frowned. Reeve had been pretty quiet upon his return from winter break, and he hadn't been his usual talkative self. "What's the matter, Reeve?"

    Reeve almost flinched, Tseng could read him like a book. "Lark and I broke up."

    Yes, Reeve and Lark, the couple that drove Tseng up the wall. They had started going out just before winter break, the two of them. Lark was pretty, a fair skinned girl with black hair and brown eyes who was friendly once you got to know her. She came from New York and was quite the creative and joking type, and had made friends with many of the boys in the hallway, including Tseng and Reeve. Reeve had asked her out, and she had accepted, a move that made Tseng sulk for days. He couldn't help it. He loved Reeve. But they were both his friends and he supported them. But now they were broken up. It was over. He wondered what had triggered it. "What happened?"

    "It was pretty mutual." He shrugged with a sigh and looked away. "The feelings just weren't there. We decided we were better off as friends."

    Just as friends is all you and I will ever be, he sighed. "That's too bad, Reeve."

    "It's okay. I'm just...a little confused right now. That's all."

    "Just unpack your stuff and get settled." Tseng grinned and poked him in the arm. "We can watch some anime. That'll make you feel better."

    Reeve smiled. "Yeah. Thanks."

    He went inside, and Tseng was about to follow him when the door across the hall opened up and Bryatt emerged, slamming it again and pressing his back against it, panting.

    "He's back."

    'He'--Bryatt's bratty roommate, Rufus Shinra. Rufus was filthy rich. His father owned some huge electric company out in California, and the blonde haired blue eyed business major was spoiled rotten. He was cold and snotty, and had absolutely no friends. He and Bryatt didn't get along in the least, seeing that Bryatt was very friendly and easy going. This was one case where opposites most certainly did *not* attract.

    "I'm sorry," Tseng said.

    "I can't wait until this year is over!" Bryatt sighed in annoyance. Bryatt was a writer, and a good one at that. He was an english major and worked on the school paper, The Weekly, just as Tseng did. "I was hoping maybe he'd move in with someone else. Then I remembered no one else would want him."

    Tseng couldn't help but laugh. Bryatt was a thin framed guy, with a head of light brown hair and sparkling light blue eyes. They had gone out for over two years before Tseng broke it off the summer before college. Their relationship as just friends, though, had not suffered in the least. "Poor Bryatt. You can always sleep on our floor."

    "Thanks, but I'll pass." Bryatt smiled at him, his eyes sparkling almost mischievously now. "Is Reeve back?"

    Very few people knew of Tseng's feelings for his roommate. Only Bryatt, Ben, Darren and Sephiroth to be exact. They were all people Tseng knew he could trust to keep quiet. "Yeah, he just got back."

    "I heard he and Lark broke up."

    Tseng's jaw dropped. "How did you know that already?"

    "Sephiroth told me."

    "I see." Lark and Sephiroth were best friends. Their particular floor had it's share of gay guys besides Tseng and his pals from Rhode Island. Sephiroth himself was bisexual, though no one ever seemed to see him romantically linked with anyone of either sex. But he and Lark were frequently together, and Lark was frequently in the guy's hallway. "Good news travels fast--oops." He put a hand over his mouth with a not so innocent little smile crossing his lips. "Did that come from my mouth?"

    "You're bad," Bryatt scolded him. "They're your friends."

    "I know, but I can't help it."

    "I know."

    The door behind Bryatt opened and Rufus, dressed in designer clothing from head to foot, stuck his head out. He was good looking, if you liked the pretty boy type. "Bryatt, where the hell did you put the extensions cords?"

    He sighed in annoyance but answered without turning around, "I *told* you, I put them in the closet!"

    "Well get in here and help me set up." His dark blue eyes turned to look at Tseng. "Stop socializing."

    Bryatt clenched his fists. "I'll be in in a minute."

    Rufus disappeared inside again.

    "I'm gonna kill him!" Bryatt exclaimed softly, turning and taking the handle of the door in his hand. "And you know I'm not violent!"

    "You'll be fine. Just think, only one more semester!" Tseng offered, trying to be optimistic.

    "Right. One more." He took a deep breath and turned the knob. "See ya later."

    "Yup."

    Then Bryatt went back inside his room.

    Tseng was about to go back in his room himself with a loud yell from down the hall caused him to turn his head.

    "SEPHY!!"

    He watched with a stifled laugh as Lark came running up behind the tall man and jumped him from behind, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. Sephiroth was completely startled and flustered--this much was plain by the look on his face. Sephiroth, who came from Virginia,  was very good looking, with his electric green eyes and his longish hair that was dyed silver. On this day, as always, he was dressed completely in black: black t-shirt, and black leather pants. Not too different from the woman clinging to his back, who was also clad in black. Tseng didn't blame them--he often wore all black himself.

    "Woman!" he yelled, trying to pry her off him. "You scared the shit outta me!"

    "I know!" she laughed and released him, stepping onto the floor and coming along side him instead. "I was just glad to see you."

    "Good to see you too." Sephiroth smiled at her--something that was rare. The RA and baseball player, who had an incredible body to boot, could be very cold to those he wasn't close to. "You all unpacked?"

    "Yup. You?"

    "I just finished. I was just going to see if any of the other guys needed help."

    "I think I'll join you." She turned and glanced down the hall, her face lighting up. "Tsengy!"

    Tseng smiled and chuckled as Lark ran over to him and gave him a big hug. "Hey, Lark, did you have a good break?"

    "Yeah, it was pretty good--yours?"

    "Can't complain. Hi, Sephiroth."

    The silver haired man nodded with a pleasant expression. "Hi, Tseng."

    "Is Reeve back yet?" Lark asked quietly. Tseng nodded and she asked, "Did he tell you?"

    Tseng nodded again.

    "I see." But then she said nothing else.

    "Who else is back?" Sephiroth asked.

    "I know Ben and Darren are. Oh, and Bryatt...and Rufus."

    Sephiroth made a face. He hated Rufus.

    Lark tried to see the best in him, mostly because he was so good looking. "Maybe he'll change this semester."

    "Yeah, and maybe Tseng will start dating girls," Sephiroth joked. He was always poking fun at Tseng because he was almost *obviously* gay and most people still didn't notice it. Although he was open about his orientation, he didn't go around announcing it. Neither did Bryatt, and most people believed he was straight. Darren and Ben held hands around campus, so everyone knew the truth about them.

    "Ha ha." He laughed dryly, but smiled. "I see you didn't lose your sense of humor over break."

    "What sense of humor?" Lark retorted, shooting Sephiroth a grin.

    "I should beat you up for that," he threatened.

    "Yeah, but you won't." She turned her attention to Tseng again. "What's your schedule like this semester?"

    "English, of course, and art history. I also have american history and *chemistry* to get my science requirement over with." He stuck his tongue out in disgust. "Luckily Reeve is in my class, os he can help me out."

    "Chemistry, yuck," Lark agreed.

    "Who's your professor?" asked Sephiroth.

    "Hojo," was the reply.

    Sephiroth sighed. "Figures." Professor Alexander Hojo was Sephiroth's father and a chemistry professor at Galbadian. Sephiroth made it quite obvious that he didn't care for his father too much.

    Before anything more could be said, Reno Tsunekage, a freshman from a triple down the hall, poked his head out of his room. "Yo! Seph man!"

    Sephiroth winced. He hated being called Seph by basically everyone. "What is it, Reno?"

    "Uh, could we get your help a minute?" Reno was, plainly put, a party animal. He and one of his roommates, Irvine Kinneas, spent their nights drinking and getting laid rather than studying. Reno, an undeclared major from Indiana with messy red hair and light blue eyes, was here on a soccer scholarship, but was quickly working on getting kicked out of school. Irvine, his partner in crime, was a Texan and spent his days dressed as a cowboy. He was very popular with the ladies, even if he had an undeclared major. His father was rich, and Irvine wouldn't get kicked out no matter how many F's he stacked up. Rude Dhillon was the last member of the triple. He was a quiet guy, who shaved his head bald for no reason anyone could see. He kept mostly to himself, and even if he was friends with both his roommates, they did tend to get on his nerves, especially when he was trying to study. Rude, who hailed from Wisconsin, was dating Lark's younger sister Shell, also a freshman, who lived in the girls wing.

    "Yeah. Just a minute."

    "Hey, Lark, you look as sexy as ever." The red head raised his eyebrows.

    "Thanks, Reno, I'll file that away in your compliment file." But she smiled at him.

    "Hi, Reno," Tseng greeted him.

    "Oh, hi, man. Wuz up?"

    "Not much. Good break?"

    "Kick ass, man." He grinned. The very loud sound of Kid Rock's song "Cowboy" suddenly filled the hallway, and Reno turned to yell back inside the room. "Irvine! Man! Turn that down!"

    "I better go see what's up." Sephiroth took a few steps away before turning back. "Coming, Lark?"

    "Why not? See you later, Tseng. Tell Reeve I say hi, kay?"

    "I will. See you two later."

    "Bye, Tseng."

    They went down the hallway to see what Reno was up to, and Tseng turned around and retreated into his room, shutting the door behind him. Reeve was just finishing setting up his computer. He practically lived on the thing.

    "Lark says hi."

    "That's nice of her." He turned it on and smiled in satisfaction at his handiwork. "Did you see anyone else?"

    "Sephiroth. And Bryatt. Rufus and Reno too."

    "Ah...Bryatt still hate Rufus?"

    "Just as much as ever." Tseng smiled. "Glad to be back, Reeve?"

    "Yeah." Reeve turned to smile at his friend. "Yeah, I am."

    For a long moment they just stared at one another.

    God, he's so beautiful, Reeve thought. I can't stop staring at him. No wonder Lark noticed. Damn, what am I gonna do?

    "Will you set up my computer for me?"

    "Sure." I'd do more than that... "Tseng, can I ask you a question?" He went over to the unattached pieces of Tseng's Gateway computer and reached for the plugs. "It may sound kind of weird."

    "I won't think it's weird." He went over besides him. "What is it?"

    "Are you attracted to me?" he blurted out the words as fast as he could, refraining from making eye contact. Oh god, what did I do? I'm an idiot...

    Tseng licked his lips. Oh god, what does he want to hear? "...If I said I was....would that scare you?" He was trembling as he spoke.

    "No!" the answer was immediate, and Reeve was finally able to look up, his eyes meeting Tseng's black ones. Tseng truly was beautiful, with his creamy pale skin, long black hair and black eyes. Reeve had been struggling to hide the fact that he was attracted to him for over a year. Actually, Reeve had been stifling feelings of attraction for the opposite sex since high school. But Tseng was just so hard to ignore...so hard not to stare at. Lark had caught him on it and confronted him about it. She had so much evidence that he just couldn't deny it. He still couldn't believe she wasn't mad about it all--she was only mad he wasn't honest about the way he felt! She made him promise he would make sure of his feelings for his best friend and try to act on them. It was true. He really did have feelings for Tseng, though, exactly how deep they went, he wasn't sure. "That...that wouldn't scare me at all." He swallowed nervously.

    "Oh." Tseng paused, looking away and trying to make sense of this sudden questioning. "Well, yes, then. I *definitely* find you attractive." So attractive that sometimes I have to take a cold shower for an hour just so I don't jump you.

    "Oh. Okay." Oh my god, he does... "I'm going to put your computer together now."

    "Thanks," said Tseng. And he was still trembling.

    "It's too hot in here. Can you lower the heat?"

    "That's cause Lark's in here." The Texan winked at the older girl. "Howdy."

    Lark tried not to sputter and blush like a fool. She knew Irvine was trouble and about as far from boyfriend material as a college guy could get, but he was just so charming and so cute. "Hi, Irvine."

    Sephiroth mumbled something and went to fix the heat.

    "Sephiroth's in maximum cranky mood today," she told them all. "Just ignore him."

    "Just pretend like I'm not here, Lark." He was turning down the heat.

    "I will." She grinned.

    "There." He brushed his hands off on his leather pants and looked around the room. "Anything else?"

    "Oh, Rude!!!"

    Another voice, clearly female, came from somewhere down the hall. A moment later a pretty blonde girl, thin, with hazel eyes appeared in the doorway, decked out in the latest fashion. She had a purse slung over her shoulder and was chewing a stick of gum. Lark's sister, Shell, sorority sister wannabe and Rude's current girlfriend.

    Rude turned. "Hi, Shell."

    "Did you get me a welcome back gift, Rude?"

    Lark sighed, crossed her arms and shook her head, but remained silent.

    "Yes, I did. I'll give it to you later, Shell."

    Shell frowned, but accepted the offer. "Fine. I'll be back in an hour. Tomorrow's my interview for the sorority. Me and Elena are both going." Elena Burch was Shell's roommate.

    "Hey, kick ass!" exclaimed Reno. "Me n' Irvine are goin' for the fraternity!"

    "Oh good god," mumbled Sephiroth.

    Lark laughed.

    "We'll leave you freshmen alone." Sephiroth grabbed Lark by the wrist and started dragging her away. "Holler if you need anything."

    They walked down the hallway to the beat of Kid Rock, and then into Sephiroth's room where, with the door shut, it was basically quiet.

    "Okay, what is it?" Lark asked, tapping her foot. "You're extra pissy today and you're going to tell me why."

    Sephiroth dug out his schedule and handed it to her. "I think it speaks for itself."

    Her brown eyes glazed over the page. Nothing looked unusual, until she spotted one course, American History, with Dr. Vincent Valentine. "Oh shit," she sighed.

    "My father doesn't know," he said. "And I'm not going to tell him."

    Because Sephiroth's father worked for the college, he had known most of the professors there since he was a little kid. Hojo treated his son poorly, which was why Sephiroth loathed his father. However, Hojo was quite good friends with Vincent Valentine, who taught history. Sephiroth had always idolized Vincent, and had been head over heels in love with him since he was twelve. Now he was twenty, and Sephiroth finally had his chance to making excuses to see Vincent alone. Vincent, you see, had feelings for Sephiroth too, although he was very quiet about them. If he were to be found out, he could lose his job, and neither of them wanted that. Lark was the only one outside of the pair who knew about the attraction.

    "Well this is great," she said, placing the paper down. "Guess you're going to have private tutoring sessions now?" She grinned.

    "I want him *so* bad," Sephiroth sighed, falling down on his bed and looking up at the ceiling with a dreamy expression. "God, how long have I been waiting for him to fuck my brains out?"

    Lark laughed and came to sit by him. "Okay, way too much information," she kidded. She sighed and stroked his hair, "Sephy, I'm so happy for you."

    He sat up and said excitedly, "He came over yesterday when my father was out for a few hours moving stuff into his office."

    "Details?" she requested eagerly.

    "Basically, we just talked, because we weren't sure when he'd return. But he told me he loved me, and we even kissed *twice*!" Sephiroth could remember the first time he had kissed Vincent, at the end of the last spring semester. He had gone to get something from the older man on an errand from his father, and the two had just locked eyes, completely lost in one another: crimson and green speaking love without any words. Then they both leaned forward and touched their lips, the passion exploding. It was only a minute or two, but those were seconds Sephiroth would never forget. And just afterwards, Vincent, his crimson eyes still shut as his black hair fell across his pale skinned forehead, breathed, "Oh god... Oh no... Why must I love you?" To which the nineteen year old had replied, "Oh, Vincent, I love you too." And ever since they had been trying to be together behind Hojo's back--stealing kisses whenever he wasn't around, having phone conversations whenever he went out. It was a difficult relationship, but they had both fought through it. Now they were both going to be rewarded.

    "Ooh... Long ones?"

    "Of course. Then he said that when we finally got to have sex, he was going to make sure it all went perfectly." A dreamy smile came to his lips.

    "That's so sweet!" She paused, her smile fading a moment. "Sephiroth, you've never done it *that way*, have you?"

   Sephiroth, of course, had had sex before. He had slept with a number of people before, including Bryatt and Tseng, as recently as last semester. But Lark was right in the sense that he had never ever been the submissive one before. Because really, there was no one he was willing to give himself completely to--no one but Vincent. Bryatt and Tseng were in love with other people as well, but they seemed to see things differently--they had already lost their virginity that way. Sephiroth hadn't. He was saving that for the man he loved. "No, I haven't, of course. I've been waiting."

    "So do you have it all planned out yet?" she asked. "You know, when you're going to do it?"

    "He's going to call me tonight."

    Sephiroth's father monitored almost every step his son took, which was why it was hard for the two of them to get together. But now, under the facade of schoolwork, they would be able to see one another with a low chance of being caught.

    "Oh, this will be great." Lark hugged her friend, tight. She and Sephiroth had met freshman year, and although they hated one another at first, it soon turned to like when they both realized they had a lot in common. Now they were best friends who told one another everything. "Promise to tell me about it."

    "I will," he promised, shutting his eyes and resting his head on her shoulder. "Lark...I...I..." he swallowed, trying again, "I just wanted to thank you...you know...why."

    He wasn't good with thank you's--but he didn't need to say anymore. She knew that he was thankful for her trust and her shoulder to lean on when he needed it. "I do. And you're very welcome. Anytime." She kissed the side of his head. "But for now I'd better head into my own hall and see if I can be of some service."

    He smiled. "Yes, please. Go do some work for a change."

    "I'm going, I'm going." Lark went to the door, then turned back, a small smile on her lips. "Love you."

    "Love you too," he replied shyly.

    Then she was gone, and Sephiroth lay back, thinking about Vincent.

    Tseng was flipping through his anime collection, which was quite extensive. There was quite a group on the floor that enjoyed the Japanese cartoons, and he and Reeve were only two of them. Reeve had his own collection of tapes, but most of them he had left home in Connecticut.

    "How about Fake?" suggested Reeve.

    Tseng was confused, and turned with an eyebrow raised. Fake was an anime based on a manga about two cops, one of which was always trying to sleep with the other one. Not that the other one wasn't interested, he just was more careful about his feelings. It was one of Tseng's favorites, and although Reeve had sat through it a few times, he had never before suggested they watch it. "Uh...okay." He dug it out.

  Okay, Reeve, this is perfect. You know your plan. Maybe after you kiss him, you won't feel anything, and then you'll know your feelings are just as friends, even if he is the damn hottest guy you've ever seen in your life. He observed Tseng's body as he pushed the tape into the tv. He didn't play one sport but Tseng was *ripped*. He had a six pack and everything, just because he spent so much time at the gym with Darren lifting weights. The training definitely paid off, and Reeve often could get an erection just imagining him without a shirt.

    Today was no exception and he quickly put a pillow over his lap. "It rewound?"

    "Yup!" Tseng grabbed the remote and flopped on the bed next to Reeve. "All set."

    "Great." Reeve turned his attention to the screen.

    But he wasn't really paying attention. He was waiting for his cue.

    His cue came in the famous balcony scene where Dee, the horny cop, pinned Ryo, the quiet cop, to the floor and kissed him. It was a beautiful scene, but now, it had more meaning.

    Dee and Ryo were kissing and Reeve was shaking like crazy as he turned to Tseng. "That doesn't look too bad." Oh man, did that come out right?

    Tseng was laying back on the pillows, his hands behind his head. He looked at Reeve in shock as he spoke, and was quiet a moment, as if he was fully trying to process the actual words. "Um...looks normal to me."

    It's now or never. I have to. I'll go crazy if I don't. Reeve leaned in, closer to Tseng. "Everyone can experiment, right?"

    Tseng's mind was reeling and his black eyes grew impossibly wider. He had an inkling of what his perfectly straight roommate might have been suggesting, but he couldn't believe it was happening. He couldn't believe how close they were.

    "I want to kiss you." He leaned closer. "Can I?"

    He didn't even think. Tseng just squeaked, "Uh-huh-!" and was cut off as his lips were seized by Reeve's almost forcefully. This had come out of *nowhere* and his eyes were still wide as he felt his roommate's tongue trace his lips. After a moment he was drawn into it, lost in the pleasure, his eyes closing and his lips opening. Reeve's tongue snaked into his mouth and he stroked it, moaning ever so softly, his arms remaining at his side.

    It felt *so* good. *So* good. He didn't want to stop. But he did. He drew away, eyes still shut for a moment more, panting lightly. When his green eyes opened again, he saw Tseng staring up at him so innocently, a flush on his pale cheeks. Oh man, he's so damn hot I can't *not* do it again. "I-I don't want to stop," he stuttered out.

    Have I entered the Twilight Zone?! Since when does Reeve want to experiment with men?! Since when does Reeve want to experiment with me?! Did he fall on his *head* over break?! There was no way in hell he was going to turn down the man he loved and lusted over since freshman year. College *is* a time for discovery... Tseng barely shook his head. "Then don't."

    And his lips were seized again, even more forcefully this time. Reeve grabbed Tseng by the waist and lay down against him, their parts lining up. Tseng let out a gasp of surprise that was muffled by his friend's lips as he felt Reeve's erection. What does *this* mean??

    Oh god, kissing him feels so good... Reeve kept kissing him, roughly, loving every small noise Tseng made. He's so beautiful, god, I just want to strip him and take him...

    Their tongues tangled desperately, and their was nothing gentle about their kisses. Tseng whimpered, wrapping his arms tightly around Reeve's back as he rocked their hips together, growing more aroused by the moment himself.

    God...he's hard, I'm hard, this is driving me INSANE! Reeve was not normally rough, but he did have a powerful sex drive that could turn him into a different type of person if it was left in the closet too long. And his feelings for Tseng had been left in the closet WAY too long. He crashed his hips against Tseng's and listened to the muffled cry his friend made. He then rushed to pull Tseng's t-shirt free of his jeans, running his fingers over the well-defined muscles he had so long admired. God, I want him, I do. I want him so *bad*! He parted their lips, kissing down Tseng's neck as the shorter boy gasped and whimpered in pleasure.

    Oh my god... Oh my god... Oh my god... Am I dreaming? Am I dreaming? Don't stop, don't stop, don't stop. "Oh, Reeve! Oh, I love you, Reeve!"

    Reeve stopped immediately at the words and looked up, letting their eyes meet. Really? Is that true? "Really? Is that true?"

    "Yes!" he admitted freely, caught up in the moment and forgetting any instinct of trying to keep anything a secret. "Yes, Reeve, I love you. I've been in love with you since last year. I just never told you because...because you're straight!" Yes, straight... What the fuck is going on here?

    Reeve didn't know what to say. He wanted to say 'I love you too', because really, he meant it. He *felt* it. He could feel it the moment their lips had touched. "Tseng... I... Um... Do you want me to stop?"

    "...Do you want to stop?" he asked in a small voice.

  Hell no! He dove in again, kissing him hard and rough, crashing their hips together once more. Tseng's shirt had been pushed up to right under his arms and Reeve was feeling him up very eagerly, and the smaller boy let out strangled cries as Reeve's fingers brushed over his nipples.

    Oh, I can't take this much longer... I... Tseng parted their lips as he whimpered, arched his back and came, his eyes shut tight as he cried out softly.

    Reeve watched in fascination as he watched his friend come, then laying back again and panting softly.

    "Oh god..." he panted, putting a hand to his head. "I... That never happened to me before."

  Oh... My... God... Reeve was struggling not to come himself.

    "What was that?" Tseng whispered, mostly to himself.

    It was something Reeve just could not answer.

    "Oh, I'm so embarrassed," he muttered, covering his face with his hands.

    "Don't be embarrassed," Reeve told him, surrounding a wrist with his hand and pulling his hand away. "I understand, Tseng, I--"

    A knock at the door interrupted him mid speech and the two boys turned to look at where the noise had come from.

    "Yeah?" called Reeve.

    "Hey, you guys," it was Ben. "Darren, Bryatt and I are going to dinner--you guys wanna come?"

    Reeve looked at Tseng for approval.

    "We'll meet you there!" Tseng called back. Then he looked at Reeve.

    "All right." Then three separate pairs of footsteps drifted away.

    "You're still...hard," Tseng said simply.

    Reeve swallowed the lump forming in his throat. "Aah...uh....sorry."

    "Want me to take care of it?" he suggested.

    Again, Reeve had to fight not to come at those words. "Uh...what do you mean?" he asked nervously.

    "I could give you the best blowjob you've ever had in your life."

    He trembled, sitting back. Oh, yeah... "Okay." He had to whisper the words, having almost no voice left.

    Reeve lay back, and Tseng slowly unzipped and unbuttoned his friend's jeans, waiting to hear some kind of indication to stop. When none came, he pushed them down, taking Reeve's boxers with them. He watched eagerly as Reeve's shaft was revealed to his eyes, licking his lips in anticipation. Oh my god...

  Oh my god... Reeve was panting and he couldn't help tensing at his suddenly half naked state. He's really going to do this. Then he let out a cry as Tseng took his shaft into his mouth. "Oh, *GOD*!"

    Tseng couldn't help but smile at Reeve's cry of joy. He worked his mouth around Reeve's cock, hardly believing that he was really doing this, and it wasn't just another wet dream. Pure enthusiasm took over as he sucked hard, feeling Reeve start to tense and knowing he would come soon.

    The taller boy was moaning loudly, enjoying this just as much as he feared he would. Tseng *was* giving him the best blowjob he'd ever had in his life, and he knew he wasn't going to last very much longer. "Oh *God*, Tseng!"

    And that was it. Reeve came with a shudder and a cry, and Tseng swallowed down every last drop, licking his lips clean upon completion. He observed Reeve for a moment, lying on his back, hands on his chest, breathing heavily.

    "Holy shit," he said in amazement. "Oh my God..."

    "I'm just going to change before we go," Tseng said quickly, stripping off his pants as he stood up and dropped them in his laundry pile.

    That was INcredible, Reeve thought, mind still reeling at the events that had just occurred. What must he be thinking? He turned his head just in time to see Tseng dropping his underwear in the laundry pile and reaching for a fresh pair of boxer briefs. Reeve tried not to drool at the site of that perfect ass, flawless and shapely, right before his eyes. "Oh god..." he forced himself to look away, deciding now was *not* the time for another erection, and looking at Tseng's perfect ass was definitely going to produce some mental images he was trying to avoid right now.

    "Ready, Reeve?" he said casually, as though nothing had happened. What the hell *did* just happen? You gave your perfectly *straight* roommate a blowjob, and he obviously *liked* it.

    "Um, yeah." He stood up, a bit dismayed that Tseng had put on clothes. "I'll just get my shoes."

    I'll just pretend this never happened, Tseng thought as he opened the door. That's probably the way he wants it.

    This is it. No more denying that I want him. Not only do I *want* him, I *love* him. Reeve sighed, slipping on a pair of sandals and glancing at where Tseng stood in the doorway. I want to be his, and I want him to be mine... Tseng, I love you. How should I tell you?

    If only his silent question could be answered.

    "Glad to be back?" Ben asked. He was a very earthy looking nineteen year old with light brown hair and sparkling hazel eyes that always seemed to smile. He had a wiry yet muscular frame, though he was not as well built as Tseng, or his boyfriend for that matter. Ben was an accounting major, and he and Darren shared the room next to Reeve and Tseng's.

    "Yeah," Tseng answered shortly, concentrating more on his food than anything else.

    Reeve glanced over at him, sipping his Coke. "Yeah, me too." And he kept his eyes on Tseng.

    "I'm glad to be back," Darren agreed, placing down his glass of water. Darren was very good looking, a definite, clean cut pretty boy, just like Tseng. He had dark brown hair that was nearly black, and aqua colored eyes. He and Tseng spent so much time in the gym that they had acquired the type of bodies that made straight guys stop and stare. Darren was very smart, and he was doing well as a biology major. "I forgot how hard it is to find time alone together with your parents around. We barely had enough time alone together to make out."

    "But I thought you guys were out," Reeve commented, poking his food with his fork.

    "We are," Ben assured him. "But being out and being comfortable with your parents walking in--are two different things."

    "My mother walked in on Bryatt and me making out once," Tseng said, finally looking up. "She just...got startled and left the room."

    "Your parents are far more easy going than either of our parents are," Ben pointed out.

    Tseng nodded, agreeing, and looked down at his plate once again.

    "I, for one, am *not* glad to be back," Bryatt said sorely, putting down his fork. "My roommate hates me, and I hate him, I got shut out of all the classes I wanted because my lottery number was practically the last fucking one, and I couldn't *pay* a guy to go out with me."

    "Sorry about the schedule," Darren said with a sympathetic look.

    "If you really want, you can sleep in our room," Ben offered, stabbing a piece of carrot with his fork. "Darren never sleeps in his bed."

    "No. No way." Bryatt shook his head surely. "I'm not going to lay there and listen to you two fuck each other in the next bed."

   Both of them blushed.

    "Well why do you need a boyfriend?" Ben pointed out, holding up his fork as he spoke. "What's wrong with casual sex? It works for Tseng."

    Tseng looked up and shot him a dark look that he didn't catch.

    "I like casual sex fine," Bryatt sighed. "I just...would like a boyfriend for a change. Or at least someone *different* in bed."

    "What about Sephiroth?"

    Bryatt shook his head. "He's absolutely amazing, but the emotion is totally missing."

    "What about Zell Dincht? Isn't he bi?"

    "That was Tseng," Bryatt corrected him quickly, glancing at the long haired boy. "Not me."

    Everyone then turned their eyes to Tseng, causing him to look up. "It was pretty good," he said, "But nothing worth reporting."

    Ben smiled and shook his head, and Darren turned to Bryatt again. "What about Cloud Strife?"

    Bryatt shook his head. "Forget him. He's got a new crush every week. He's had crushes on half the guys in the hall--including my roommate."

    "Rufus?" Darren exclaimed in disbelief. "Really?"

    "Oh yeah. And of course Rufus wasn't the least bit interested. Of course, he doesn't seem much interested in girls either."

    "That's so weird," Darren decided.

    Before another word could be exchanged, and before anyone else could suggest someone for Bryatt to hop into bed with, a black spiky haired boy with a firm build and a mischievous look in his blue eyes, came over to the table and stopped besides Tseng. Zack Mainstay, a freshman and the roommate of the openly gay Cloud Strife, was a communications major whose sexual preference was always a guess among the older boys. "Hey." He pressed his hands on the table, and leaned over, eyes glistening in Tseng's direction.

    "Hi, Zack," several of them said absently, watching intently the unfolding scene which was sure to give them some more clues.

    "Tseng, I need to talk to you. Alone...." His voice was low and breathy, but everyone else could hear him perfectly. Bryatt dropped his jaw and his fork.

    Tseng nodded shortly, but he didn't looked up. He was too busy trying to ignore the faint whisper of Zack's breath on his skin. "Sure."

    "We can go in my room. Cloud's not coming back until tomorrow."

    Tseng nodded again, and he got up, taking his tray with him. "I'll see you guys later," he mumbled, following a grinning Zack out of the cafeteria. The other boys watched him leave until he was gone, and then they turned back to one other.

    "He's gonna get laid," Ben said plainly.

    "Well look at that. Looks like Tseng's going to be Zack's welcoming to the gay world," Darren said with a smile, tipping his glass in sort of a toast before he sipped from it.

    "He doesn't even have to *try* to get a fuck and he does," Bryatt said in amazement, eyes back on the exit doors again. "God, he doesn't even try."

    Reeve sighed sadly and hung his head. It hurt him to think Tseng had gone off to sleep with someone else. That could have been me...maybe...

    "Zack has his tongue pierced *and* his nipple pierced," Bryatt announced. "Same as me."

    "What, and that makes you soul mates?" chuckled Ben.

    "No. I think Zack likes Cloud anyway. I think he just wants someone else to fuck him so he doesn't screw up when he gets into Cloud's pants."

    "Would you stop it," Darren scolded. He looked at the black haired boy who's brow was furrowed in thought. "You're making Reeve uncomfortable."

    "No I'm not, he's used to this." He looked at the darker haired boy. "I'm not making you uncomfortable, am I?"

    Reeve shook his head absently, trying to clear it. "No. Not at all."

    "See?"

    "Fine, fine." He went back to his plate.

    If I came out I would fit in with them better, but I would be an outcast with everyone else... Ah, but screw them... These guys are my friends...

    "Reeve?" Ben was looking at him with a concerned eye. "Are you okay? You seem out of it."

    Reeve looked up, and the words just flew out of his mouth. "I kissed Tseng."

    Three forks dropped in unison.

    "Shit, and I thought I had been shocked enough today," breathed Bryatt.

    "W-why?" Ben asked, shaking his head in amazement. "Why did you kiss him?"

   "Because I love him," he breathed, suddenly finding himself unable to hold in the truth.

   "Holy shit," Bryatt breathed.

    "You do?" Darren's blue eyes widened.

    "Is that why you broke up with Lark?"

    "Actually, she broke up with me," he swallowed, feeling very very nervous. "She caught me staring at him."

    "And how long has this been?" asked Ben calmly.

    "Since last year," he admitted, feeling sheepish.

    "I don't believe this!" exclaimed the blue eyed english major. "You know he's in love with you too, right?"

    "I...I...I know." He looked down with a sigh, feeling a great weight lifted from his shoulders, but wondering all the same why he had blurted this very secretive information to Tseng's closest friends.

    "It must be killing you, that he went off with Zack," Darren said gently.

    Reeve barely nodded.

    "You have to tell him," Bryatt said sternly. "I'm not exaggerating when I say he'll be the happiest guy in the world when he knows how you feel about him."

    Reeve nodded. "I know. I...I *will* tell him, it's just, it's hard. It's a whole different world for me..."

    "Coming out is always hard, whether you're gay or bi," Darren said, still being completely gentle and very grown up about the whole situation. "But you'll feel so much better about yourself that it's worth it. Trust me."

    Reeve looked up, a somewhat relaxed smile crossing his lips. "Thanks. I do trust you."

    "I think it's time we all relaxed and got ready for class tomorrow," Bryatt decided suddenly, after a momentary lull in the conversation. "It's definitely something we *won't* be ready for, no matter what."

    "Yeah, you're right," Ben agreed, standing up and gathering his own tray.

    "Will you be okay?" Darren said, still obviously concerned.

    He nodded. "Yeah. Thanks."

    "Look, we won't tell him," Ben said, trying to meet Reeve's green eyes. "That's *your* job."

    "And I'll do it." Reeve looked up. "Thanks."

    "No problem. We'll see you tomorrow."

    Good-byes were exchanged, and Darren and Ben left the cafeteria.

    "I always had a feeling," Bryatt admitted, "but I thought it couldn't be."

    Reeve sighed as he answered, "Hopefully I can get my feelings *out*."

    "Kind of like with us," Ben pointed out, as he slowly crept up behind his lover.

    A smile played on Darren's lips as he knew the other boy was coming. "I still remember that fourth of July when you just leaned over and kissed me out of nowhere. I thought I was going to die of happiness."

    "So did I." He wound his arms around his boyfriend's waist, nuzzling against his neck. "And you remember our first night together?"

    "*God* yes," he answered softly, placing his hands over Ben's. "It was perfect."

    "It was," he agreed, pressing kissing against a pale neck. "I'm so glad we're finally alone." He kept kissing lower, trying to get his lips under the collar of his shirt. His fingers slowly wandered and he started to unbutton the other man's shirt. "You know what I'm going to do to you now, don't you?"

    Darren let out a shuddered sigh as he felt Ben's fingers brush over his abdomen as his shirt buttons were parted. "Fuck me till I scream?" he said, a twinge of utter hopefulness in his voice.

    "You got it." He turned the other boy in his arms and pressed their lips together. They melted together, enjoying the familiar motions. They kissed gently for a minute or two before they parted in an equally gentle manner. "I love you."

    "I love you too."

    "Do you want foreplay, or do you want me to rip your clothes off and take you?" he asked, whispering in Darren's ear and rubbing his leg against Darren's growing erection.

    Darren sighed, bending his head back slightly, lips parted as he tried to sort out what he desired more. They had plenty of foreplay at home, where they were scared to go any further than some tentative third base. What he needed now was the main event. "Just fuck me," he exhaled.

    "Yes," he answered in a whisper, backing his lover towards the bed and trying to undress him as quickly as possible. Darren helped, and they were frantic as they stripped one another completely, dropping the cast off garments carelessly on the floor. Darren fell back on the bed, and Ben reached into the drawer where he had placed the lubricant just this afternoon, and squirted some onto his hand. They had been together so long that they didn't use condoms anymore, and Ben simply coated his shaft and crawled onto the bed, putting his lover's legs over his shoulder and positioning his erection against Darren's entrance. They had been together so long and were so used to one another that Darren didn't need stretching any longer, as long as Ben was slow and careful on the initial entry, which he always was. "I can't keep my hands off you. You drive me crazy."

    "Fuck me," Darren begged.

    "Yes, darling." And slowly he pushed in.

    Darren gaped, loving the familiar feeling of Ben pushing up into him. "New Year's Eve," he gasped out, blue eyes closing tight as Ben pushed further in. "That quickie in the car was the last time we..."

    "Too long..." The rest of his slicked shaft slid in, and he leaned down to kiss Darren gently several times. "Aah....yes, you feel good..."

    "I'm all right, you can move," Darren instructed, hands drifting over Ben's chest and pulling at his nipples a bit. "Do it *hard*, *please*..."

    "I will," Ben promised. And he started thrusting.

    And it was hard, as after a few thrust he lost all control of his needs and emotions and pounded into Darren. Darren's hands had come to tangle in his own dark hair and he gasped and moaned "harder" between desperate, seeking kisses that were pressed to his lips.

    Ben was concentrating deeply, mumbling phrases under his breath as he kissed Darren and soaked up the heat of his body. "God, you're *incredible*..."

    "Ah!! Ben!! Oh!!" Darren arched his back a little, his erection rubbing against Ben's lean stomach, and he knew he wouldn't last much longer. "Oh, yes!!!"

    He let out a few loud moans as he felt he was close to coming. And it seemed his whole body jerked as he came, coming deep within his lover's body, kissing Darren deeply as he felt him come too, almost immediately afterwards.

    They relaxed in their kissing as they came down from the heights of pleasure. Their arms wound tightly around one another, and they shut out the world for quite a long time, just concentrating on the feeling of lips and tongue.

    "I love you," Ben whispered after they finally parted, leaning his forehead against Darren's.

    "Love you...too," said Darren, eyes closed, still gasping. "Ben?"

    "What baby?" he nuzzled against the other boy's neck.

    "Too tired to go again?"

    Ben grinned. "Give me five minutes, and I'll fuck you all over again."

    Darren let out a shuddered sigh, smiling himself. "Damn, it's good to be back at school."

    "It sure is."

    "Ah... Ah..."

    Black hair being pulled harder, pulled closer.

    A rough kiss placed to parted lips.

    "Oh *GOD* you're amazing! Harder, HARDER!"

    Thrusting hard enough to break, and the distinct sound of two bodies coming together in nothing more than pure animal instinct.

    Two hands pulling at the same cock, hot and hard, straining towards a mind-blowing orgasm.

    "Oh, yes! Yes! Christ! Tseng! Oh, *yes*! Oh *YES*!"

    One orgasm triggering another, and two bodies collapsing in a heap, sweat dripping off their bodies as they slowly began to recover.

    Zack looked over at Tseng, grinning. "Holy shit." He was too tired to move. "I would say that was *incredible*, but that just seems way too underrated."

    The situation had been explained. Zack was bi. He wanted Cloud. However, Cloud had been with a ton of guys and Zack had never been with any. Would Tseng be willing to teach him a thing or two? Why not, Tseng figured. He was still horny after giving Reeve that blowjob and actual sex would be better than jerking off. So, he had done it.

    "They say massaging the prostate gives a pleasurable sensation," the older boy quoted as he sat up and glanced around for his clothes.

    "That's totally underrated too!" Zack sat up then as well. "You leavin'?"

    "I better." He got up, and started dressing. "After all, class starts tomorrow."

    Zack grimaced. "How lucky is Cloud? He has *no* class on the first day of class."

    "Pretty damn lucky." He slipped his shirt over his head. Looking at Zack, he added, "Let me know how it turns out."

    "Thanks," Zack said sincerely. "I really needed that, as stupid as it sounds."

    "It's not stupid." Dressed now, he gave the freshman one last look. "See ya around."

    "See ya around."

    Tseng left the room and went into the hallway. It wasn't late, around eight o'clock, and most of the guys in the hall had their doors open, and music could be heard blasting from inside.

    The room Irvine, Reno and Rude shared was across the hall, and their door was wide opened. Reno spotted Tseng and waved cheerfully as he and the others worked to put up more posters they had acquired over the break. Mostly posters of rock bands and movies with hot chicks in them. Tseng moved back, but then began down the hall, not wanting to start a conversation.

    Next door to Zack roomed Squall Leonheart and Zell Dincht, both sophomores. Squall was tall, with dark hair and blue eyes. His girlfriend lived on the girl's side. A political science major, Squall's father, Laguna Loire (Squall used his mother's last name), was Governor of Colorado, where he was from. He was mostly quiet, and many wondered how he had come to befriend the loud mouthed Zell Dincht. Zell was blonde, short, and fairly cute. Tseng had discovered mid last semester that the communications major from Arizona was bisexual, something everyone knew now, but could care less about.  Their door was shut, but rap music could be heard from within the walls, the work of Zell.

    Across the hall, the door was open. There Seifer Almasy was the unfortunate roommate of Nida Quinn, a grade grubbing brat from South Carolina. Nida had two majors, but Tseng had never cared enough to learn either of them. He constantly whined and complained about everything, and he nearly knocking on Sephiroth's door more than Lark with something else to report. No one in the hall could stand him. He was disliked more than Rufus. At least Rufus kept to himself. Seifer was a bit of an egomaniac, but not a bad guy. He was a communications major from Michigan and he hated his roommate more than anything. The boy Seifer was supposed to room with transferred after freshman year, leaving him stuck with fellow sophomore Nida. Tseng peeked in to see the two arguing over something else again. It was best just to walk on by.

    The room besides Squall and Zell's had belonged to two boys that had gone abroad in the spring semester. However, two new tenants had moved in. Zidane and Rory, according to the message board on the door. Tseng made a mental note to stop by and say hi later on.

    Darren and Ben's room was closed, and quiet. The door to Bryatt and Rufus' room was propped open with a textbook, but all he heard coming from there was typing.

    The door to his own room was shut, and he knew Reeve was in there. Suddenly he was very uneasy. 'I love you'. The words had just popped out of his mouth when they were...kinda...making out before. Now what was he supposed to do? I mean, Reeve was straight, wasn't he? He must feel weird about what happened before.  Tseng couldn't go back in there before getting some help on the subject.

    Sephiroth's door was shut, and he had a lingering feeling he didn't want to be bothered.

    Trying to get a private talk with Bryatt would take minutes of negotiation he didn't want to waste.

    Though he had a lingering feeling that they might be 'busy', Tseng took a deep breath and knocked loudly on Ben and Darren's door, having little hope that it would actually open.

    But it did. Ben stood there in his boxers, while Darren sat in bed, naked above the waist.

    Tseng tried not to feel funny about this. "Hope I'm not interrupting anything..."

    "No," Ben assured him, allowing his friend step inside as he shut the door. "I wouldn't have opened the door if you were."

    Tseng sat on the bed, grinning at Darren. "Ben couldn't come anymore, huh?"

    Darren laughed, but he said, "It was pretty mutual." Looking at Ben, he asked, "Wasn't it?"

    "It was." Ben smiled and sat besides him, slinging an arm around his boyfriend's waist. "I knew it was going to be you at the door, Tseng." He looked at the dark haired boy.

    Tseng sighed. "Yeah... I can't go back in my room just yet.

    Darren and Ben exchanged a look. Then Darren looked at Tseng and asked, "Did something happen today? You and Reeve were both acting...a little strangely."

    "I told him I loved him," he blurted out. "It just happened... You wouldn't believe what went on this afternoon." Shaking his head he sighed again. "God, I don't know how to face him."

    "It'll be okay," Darren said gently. "Tseng, I think Reeve will be okay with it."

    "But he's straight," Tseng insisted.

    The two lovers shrugged, but said nothing more.

    Tseng looked at them both strangely a moment. "What are you guys suggesting?"

    "Just talk to him about it," Ben said simply. "Reeve's different. I think it'll be okay."

    Tseng didn't reply as a lingering feeling told him his friend's were right.

    "Tseng, trust us."

    He looked up and met Darren's eyes. "I do. I do trust you." With a sigh, he stood. "Guess I better go and face the music. Thanks, guys." Grinning, he added, "You can go back to cuddling now."

    Darren threw his arms around Ben's neck with a grin. "You're welcome, Tseng. Good luck." He winked.

    "Yeah, good luck." Ben turned and started tickling Darren, and Tseng laughed softly as he left and shut the door, feeling a bit more confident than he had before. Talking to his friend's never failed to make him feel better.

    With a deep breath he opened his own door and walked in, shutting the door carefully behind him before turning around. Reeve sat at his desk, surfing the internet, and quickly closed his browser window as he saw Tseng enter.

    "Hey."

    "Hey." Tseng paused a moment, trying to find the right words. "I...need to tell you something."

    Reeve stood, facing him. "It's okay."

    "What?"

    "I know what you're going to say," Reeve rushed, sounding as uncomfortable as he looked, "and it's okay. I'm not weirded out by you loving me. Not at all."

    Tseng blinked, wondering why that had been so easy. "I'm....glad it doesn't bother you...Reeve..." he said haltingly.

    Reeve held out his arms, and said in a child's voice, "hug?"

    Tseng grinned and rushed to hug him, wrapping his arms tightly around Reeve and resting his head on his roommate's shoulder with a sigh.

    Reeve held him just as tightly. His eyes squeezed shut, and he asked, "Did you and Zack...?"

    "Yes," Tseng answered quickly, reveling in their embrace. "But it meant nothing to either of us."

    They parted reluctantly, and Reeve ran a hand through his hair as he suddenly remembered something. "Oh yeah, Sephiroth stopped by and said there's going to be a party in the lounge tomorrow for both sides so the guys who just moved into the hall can meet everyone."

    "Oh, cool. Their names are Zidane and Rory. I saw it on their door."

    "Yeah, Sephiroth told me."

    A moment of silence passed between them.

    Tseng tapped his thigh absently. "So...you wanna...watch TV or something?"

    Reeve let out the breath he had subconsciously been holding. "Sure."

    First, the room of Quistis Trepe and Ellone Leonheart, both sophomores. Quistis, a chemistry major from Illinois was intelligent, a definite bookworm, but she liked to have her share of fun. Her roommate, a history major, was Squall's adopted sister. Ellone was liked by all, and was very close with her brother.

    Across the hall roomed Rinoa Heartily, a sophomore political science major and Squall's roommate, who was from Rhode Island,  as well as Selphie Timillt, a hyper spanish major from Tennessee who had the habit of getting on Lark's nerves from time to time. They were both sorority members, but nice girls.

    Down from them was a freshman dorm. Tifa Lockheart, a childhood friend of Cloud Strife, who was an art history major from Indiana. Yuffie Kisagari, from Georgia, was a business major, and quite a music collector. If you were looking for a CD, chances were, Yuffie had it.

    The final room belonged to Lark's sister, Shell, a political science major, and her roommate, Elena, also a political science major who hailed from Washington state.

    Shell, Elena, Rinoa and Selphie were in the hallway, all admiring Shell's new bracelet.

    "Rude got it for me," Shell was saying. "He buys me things all the time."

    "Squall buys me gifts too," Rinoa put in.

    "Have you seen him since you've been back?" asked Elena.

    "Yeah, I went in the boy's hall. But I didn't see anyone besides him and Zell."

    Elena spotted Lark and smiled. "Hey, Lark!"

    "Hey," she said, greeting the other girls as she was greeted by them. "Glad to be back?"

    "The sooner it's another year over," shrugged Rinoa.

    "That's my philosophy," grinned Lark.

    "Did you go over to the boy's side yet?" Elena asked, eyes shining.

    "Of course! I saw Rude, Reno, Irvine, and Tseng. Oh, and Sephiroth of course."

    Elena sighed dreamily. "I can't wait to see Tseng."

    Elena's crush on Tseng was well known on the girl's side, and she got teased about it constantly. The funny part was, Lark was the only one who knew he was gay, and didn't have the heart to tell her. Best to let her find out for herself

    So she just shook her head. "Don't go to bed too late. You guys have class tomorrow!" Going to her door she opened it and turned back with a grin, "And no slamming doors. You know I hate that."

    Sephiroth lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, a knot his stomach. Waiting for a phone call was torture, especially the phone call you had been waiting years to receive.

    The hall outside was mostly quiet, except for the low hum of music from down the hall. For once he was glad for it. Hearing some form of life calmed his nerves a little. But he really wished the phone would just ring.

    Sephiroth had never known a mother. His left when he was just a baby, which left Hojo to raise his son on his own. He wasn't very good at it, and Sephiroth frequented therapy for a few years. Hojo was more concerned with his own research than he was with his son.  Sephiroth known Vincent since the day he was born and turned often to him for comfort. It had always been nothing more than fatherly, until last year. When he was twelve, though, Sephiroth fell in love with Vincent and decided that he would strive for the best for his own good, never mind what his father thought. And despite how the years had gone by, his feelings had only grown stronger.

    The phone rang, and he lunged for it as if it would run away if he didn't get it fast enough.

    "Hello?"

    "Ah, my angel, is it wonderful to hear your voice."

    Sephiroth sighed, happily leaning back against his pillows.  "I've been looking forward to your call all day, Vincent."

    "And how was your day, my angel?"

    Angel... Sephiroth couldn't hear that enough. "It was fine. Everyone moved back in, and we had some new people down the hall. Tomorrow the floor is throwing a party to welcome them."

    "Ah, I see." He could hear Vincent smiling. "Well that should be fun."

    "I suppose..." He absently picked some lint from his bedspread. "I miss you very much, Vincent."

    "I miss you too, my angel. I look very much forward to the time I can hold you in my arms again."

    "I wanna hold you too. And kiss you. And make love to you."

    "Oh, my angel, the phone is not enough for me... I've been thinking. Your class is my last of the day tomorrow. Would you like to come to my house afterwards? Then you could return in time for that party."

    "And then I could come back," Sephiroth suggested. "I don't have to stay at the party long." He paused, then added, softly, "I want to spend the entire night with you."

   "I want that too. Perhaps one day we can spend every night together."

    "It will happen," Sephiroth swore. "After college, when I get a job and support myself--then *he* can't say anything anymore."

  "I love you so much, my angel. I will be patient."

    "I'll be patient too." Sephiroth closed his eyes and exhaled a shaky breath. "I love you, my beautiful, beautiful Vincent. So much."

    And their conversation went on for several hours, talking of anything that came to mind, punctuated with the reassurances that they loved one another.

    When Sephiroth hung up, he had a huge smile on his face.