Fanfiction: "First"
Nov. 27th, 2019 02:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
deemoyzaTitle: "First" (3,183 words) [AO3]
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Final Fantasy VIII
Rating/Warnings: General Audiences / No warnings apply
Characters: Irvine Kinneas, Selphie Tilmitt
Summary: On the eve of his nineteenth birthday, Irvine ponders his future. (Post-game, one-shot.)
Excerpt below cut.
It had been about a year and a half since Trabia Garden had been destroyed by missiles, and reconstruction was still ongoing. Though the Trabians had initially resisted outside help, they realized, after months of little progress, that finishing the job, and doing so correctly, trumped their pride. Nevertheless, they refused to accept charity, and paid hired workers and volunteers alike in whatever form they could afford: money, food, lodging. And, like Selphie, they jumped in to help wherever possible, learning the necessary skills and strengthening their community as they worked, reaffirming their identities as Trabians and their self-sufficiency.
It was truly a collaborative effort, a tiny, impromptu society built on hard work, cooperation, and tenacity.
It was also the last place anyone expected to find Irvine Kinneas, lone wolf, ladies' man. When he'd answered the call for volunteers at Balamb Garden, even Squall couldn't hide his surprise.
"You do know there's work involved, right?" he asked.
"Of course," Irvine replied.
"Using tools and heavy machinery."
Irvine laughed. "How else are they gonna repair it? With hammers and nails?"
Squall didn't even crack a grin. "I thought that wasn't your department."
"It's not. But, I figure, why not make it one? It's time I stopped limiting myself to what I already know. It's time to grow a little, branch out. Ladies like a well-rounded man."
"This is about Selphie, isn't it?"
Irvine flinched, then tipped his hat over his face to hide his blush. "Sefie's cool," he said nonchalantly, "but just think of how impressed all the cuties back in Deling will be when I say I rebuilt Trabia Garden!"
"Whatever. So, have you told Cid yet?"
"Why should I tell him? I'm not a student here."
"He might have something to say about it."
Irvine groaned. Cid always had something to say, these days, it seemed. And that "something" usually involved the SeeD exam. As soon as Irvine had turned eighteen, Cid began pressuring him, reminding him that time was running out. Now, with his nineteenth birthday on the horizon, the reminders came almost daily, in person and via email. Cid offered to expedite Irvine's coursework, offered to proctor the written exam himself, if only Irvine would commit to becoming a SeeD.
"If not," Cid had warned, his tone grave and ominous, "I am afraid you will have to leave Garden soon."
"Fine by me," Irvine answered with a shrug.
"You'll be on your own."
"Been so, more or less, for years. I'll be all right."
"You will no longer be able to rely on Garden's services and protection."
"Hey, don't worry about me. I learn best on my feet, anyway!"
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Final Fantasy VIII
Rating/Warnings: General Audiences / No warnings apply
Characters: Irvine Kinneas, Selphie Tilmitt
Summary: On the eve of his nineteenth birthday, Irvine ponders his future. (Post-game, one-shot.)
Excerpt below cut.
It had been about a year and a half since Trabia Garden had been destroyed by missiles, and reconstruction was still ongoing. Though the Trabians had initially resisted outside help, they realized, after months of little progress, that finishing the job, and doing so correctly, trumped their pride. Nevertheless, they refused to accept charity, and paid hired workers and volunteers alike in whatever form they could afford: money, food, lodging. And, like Selphie, they jumped in to help wherever possible, learning the necessary skills and strengthening their community as they worked, reaffirming their identities as Trabians and their self-sufficiency.
It was truly a collaborative effort, a tiny, impromptu society built on hard work, cooperation, and tenacity.
It was also the last place anyone expected to find Irvine Kinneas, lone wolf, ladies' man. When he'd answered the call for volunteers at Balamb Garden, even Squall couldn't hide his surprise.
"You do know there's work involved, right?" he asked.
"Of course," Irvine replied.
"Using tools and heavy machinery."
Irvine laughed. "How else are they gonna repair it? With hammers and nails?"
Squall didn't even crack a grin. "I thought that wasn't your department."
"It's not. But, I figure, why not make it one? It's time I stopped limiting myself to what I already know. It's time to grow a little, branch out. Ladies like a well-rounded man."
"This is about Selphie, isn't it?"
Irvine flinched, then tipped his hat over his face to hide his blush. "Sefie's cool," he said nonchalantly, "but just think of how impressed all the cuties back in Deling will be when I say I rebuilt Trabia Garden!"
"Whatever. So, have you told Cid yet?"
"Why should I tell him? I'm not a student here."
"He might have something to say about it."
Irvine groaned. Cid always had something to say, these days, it seemed. And that "something" usually involved the SeeD exam. As soon as Irvine had turned eighteen, Cid began pressuring him, reminding him that time was running out. Now, with his nineteenth birthday on the horizon, the reminders came almost daily, in person and via email. Cid offered to expedite Irvine's coursework, offered to proctor the written exam himself, if only Irvine would commit to becoming a SeeD.
"If not," Cid had warned, his tone grave and ominous, "I am afraid you will have to leave Garden soon."
"Fine by me," Irvine answered with a shrug.
"You'll be on your own."
"Been so, more or less, for years. I'll be all right."
"You will no longer be able to rely on Garden's services and protection."
"Hey, don't worry about me. I learn best on my feet, anyway!"
