This is beautiful.

Absolutely in love. Thank you so much for sharing!

Oh my gosh this started off really sweet and I was so happy with all my favorite Rinoa/Squall scenes from the game with Rinoa's take on it. Especially when he proposed to her on the FH to Eshtar bridge. THEN it got heartbreaking _. I really love the mention of the Odine Bangle. (it was the Odine bangle right? at least I think it was) UGH but I'm so upset because the way you write I can feel all the pain and I get so upset because I feel so bad for Rinoa and Squall because I can see them going through those hard times. I'm so happy about the ending though. I feel like this could be loosely attached to The Successor :D.

I've been trying to set aside some time for the past few weeks now to review this story. I wanted to be able to give it the time that it deserves. As I was reading this story while out walking during my lunch breaks at work (gotta get things in when you can, ya know?), I thought about all of the things I would say about this story. But, now that I'm sitting here... staring blankly into my iPad... I don't feel like I can do it justice.

This was an AMAZINGLY beautiful story. The sign of a great story, and a great writer for that matter, is that they have the ability to pull you into the story as if you were there with the characters... feeling what they're feeling... experiencing what they're experiencing. I have to say... as you read this story, your heart simply breaks for them (Squall and Rinoa of course) as the story progresses.

Every single aspect of this story, including all of the little details from the game (The anklet from Dr. Odine for instance) were believable. It was both true to the characters and the FFVIII universe.

This has instantly become one of my favorite FFVIII related stories.

Loved it. I have the ebook I put together on my iPad. I don't remember if you wrote any more one-shots for the 'Where I Belong' project, but I am looking forward to reading them if you did.

Wow, I don't know how I didn't see this story before. I absolutely love how you focus on the little details of Squall and Rinoa's relationship rather than draw up this big, elaborate storyline. I also like your use of present tense (and your consistent use of tense, for that matter; it bothers me when authors flip flop between present and past). Anyway, I found it appropriate and it really helped drive the reader through all the little moments that Squall and Rinoa shared.

I am now officially hooked on your work and hope to read more from you in the future!

I absolutely love this. I don't know what else to say. The realism, the sense of fear, dread, and at the same time love and the desire to live. Thank you for such a well thought out piece. You've captured so much so well.

...Hot damn. Now THIS is realistic post-game Squinoa. Still with the predestined doom on the horizon, still a path littered with shellshock and tragedy, but... well. The personal was always going to come first - and just because it's mutually inclusive with the future Ultimecia and the road down to hell, doesn't mean they couldn't resolve the issues that were rightly, in the end, solely their own.
Suffice to say, I could actually see something like this happening.

I was sitting her mentally trying to compose a review in my head, but that changed with the last paragraph. Everything I just read took on an entirely different meaning and since everyone has already hit on the beauty of Fifteen Minutes Old (which I will more than agree with) I want to focus on something equally - if not more so – amazing; it’s the story that ran parallel with the one you submitted for the challenge.

It’s what you said in passing, as nothing more than a footnote – your real life inspiration; the person who shares your ‘dreams’ or fantasies that supports you. The person on the couch that first night wasn’t just Squall but Victor. The person understanding (you) was him – in life, he’s the person who’s shared your hobbies and supported you and actually been able to *understand* your hobby; the one who said on this page he knows your head canon…

…And as beautiful as the piece is, I’ll say it again - there is something even more beautiful here.

To have someone you love read your work and to leave those words – *that* is something we all wish. You just didn’t share this with ‘us’ you shared it with your Squall and he listened, he understood, and that goes far beyond any words typed on a monitor.

Again thank you for sharing more than one story with us; they’re both beautiful.

Kris [Ashbear/Eternal Tiet]

This was so beautiful. I feel speechless...

You know, one of the rules for this challenge was Squall and Rinoa couldn't die, but I kept having this nagging feeling there was going to be some sort of bereavement. I was tearing up at the end, because I thought the dreams of the car crashing was some foreshadowing sign when they got on the train. You had me with my fingers on my mouth, anticipating tragedy.
Then when Squall returned home, I was sure that the baby was still-born. It's only when I re-read the last bit again, the word 'squirming' popped up. Thank you, thank you for not ending this on a sad note.

Have to say, getting older I know how Rinoa feels about wanting something you're not quite sure can happen. It was agonising to read about her failed attempts, and at the end when she almost gives up, it's just heartbreaking.

Thanks for this wonderful piece. :)

This was truly one of the most beautiful, heart-breaking, yet happy, stories I've ever read about Rinoa and Squall. I think I ached the entire time reading it, but then the ending was so beautiful. Beautiful. Just absolutely beautiful. There's really nothing else I could say. Thanks for making my afternoon very lovely. :)

Wow. This is just... incredible. Awesome. So beautiful. Almost brought me to tears, which is NOT easy, as i don't cry (not usually at any rate. i think the last time was about 12 years ago when my marriage ended). Sort of like a certain stoic SeeD we both love. But THIS...I am suitably impressed, and at the same time, humbled. Well done.

This definitely one of my favorite story. Your words are very beautifully constructed and it invokes various emotions as well. Thanks for writing such a wonderful piece!
-Acorns

I only have one word to say and I know people sometimes hate one-worded reviews:
Beautiful.

Thank you for writing.
-rinnyheartillyizawesome

Wow. That was...moving. Yes, I recognized the similarities to TimeTraveller's wife but it's a very common story and you folded it so well with the sorceress-fear aspect. I choked up a little bit with the simple "she didn't even cry this time. Just put the chain back in the box." Damn.

Great work. I would have killed for one final "epilogue-ish" scene.

The glorious depth and intricate textures of your head canon are very much on display here.
The way Squall and Rinoa communicate and even the way they simply exist around each other is so very clear and real in this.
A good work of fiction allows you to fully imagine a world that is not your own, but a great work transports you there.
Well done. Well done, indeed. :)