"Why couldn't he trust you, because you told him the truth?" He countered pointedly, still arching that eyebrow. "Or d'you think your friendship is so fragile that it wouldn't survive a little bit of discomfort?" See, challenges were how cadets and SeeDs did things. It wasn't always the best method for everyone, but it usually worked for them. Challenge them to push and better themselves. One could never tolerate being called out on their cowardice.

"There you go assumin' again. An' if you think you're so bad, then do better," He says flippantly, as if it were so simple. Of course he knows it's more complicated than that. Everything is, but does it really have to be. "You'll never get anywhere if you're too afraid to take a step. And knowing Nida? He ain't gonna run over a little thing like that. Hell, he puts up with me." He barks a laugh at his own private joke. Yes, Nida's made out of far more forgiveness than anyone should be.

He shakes his head. "Your ex around?" A smirk, because he's not so sure that's the case. "Listen, I dunno what happened. But I've never seen Nida anything close to as happy as he is with you. And if you've got some feelings building in there, aren't you doing both of you a disservice keeping it to yourself? Dishonesty won't get you anywhere. Take your time, tell him what's up, but lyin' to yourself isn't gonna do you any good."

Who knew Seifer could occasionally have some good advice in that thick skull of his?