If only you can update thiscontinue with more chapters. I'm sad that reading this stopped at chapter 15So so so so saaaaaaaad! D':

I just wanna reach out and give Squall a big hug. Following just in case this ever gets updated; I need more.

Beautifully written story. I do implore you to continue whenever you can. Although I'm writing this a year since your previous update. Hehe. I hope all is well with your life.

Oh man I just motored my way through this and it was awesome. It was one of those stories that I just couldn't put down. I'm excited to see future updates. :)

I've been thinking of the right words to review this story for a while now but nothing I want to say wants to come out - I just cannot find the words for it. What this entire story makes me want to do is jump up and down and scream and squeal and laugh and cry and hug Squall because it's so bloody perfect. I can definitely see this being canon. It's so honest and blunt in this realistic way that I have never understood before - you explain the feelings so well that even though I have never experienced anything remotely to what Squall is, I can empathize. The anxiety suits his personality so well that his reactions are purely instinctive, anything to get rid of the hollowness. He had so much potential and you've really grounded all those out of reach expectations. It's hauntingly beautiful.
Don't even get me started on how much I absolutely adore Squall's new look. Very unintentional hipster-like (to him).

What really got to me throughout reading the story was not the actual plot itself, it was your writing. I don't think I have ever read a fan fiction that flows so naturally and connects deeply. Every word was just right, the metaphors and similes perfect. I can't get enough of that word - perfect. It's all that's in my head right now. But it is the honest to God truth. And your playlist...Like Knives is the perfect theme. Every time I listen to it I can't help but think of this story.

Now, onto my less articulate thoughts.
YOU NEED TO GET SQUALL AND RINOA BACK TOGETHER PLEASE! I love how you have allowed them to still be civil and friendly but my heart goes out to Squall (and Rinoa but she's the one who has supposedly moved on - or is trying to). Yes, their relationship is sweet and nice and all that, but Squall's failure at balancing his roles and staying with Rinoa breaks my heart. I love Ellie. I cannot fault her existence at all. Again, you've grounded their relationship, the responsibilities, expectations, faults, everything. It's very realistic. But still. They need to be together.

I could go on. I want to go on. My brain isn't functioning because this entire story is whirling around my head and turning it into a jumble where I cannot get any coherent sentences out anymore. I wish I could favourite this a thousand times over.
And your artwork is beautiful!

this is super interesting. I read it all in one go tonight. here are some of my thoughts, if you don't mind:

I'm a severe anxiety disorder sufferer and man you really nailed the feeling of anxiety, and what's more you really made me believe squall suffered from it, canonically, you know? he's trying to smother the feelings of depression and anxiety with booze and drugs, but it never works like you want it to, does it? the procrastination is an excellent point too... so small and trivial... but so suffocating and trapping too. i feel absolutely awful and empathetic to him and I just wanna whisper 'squall man get some therapy'

I found it interesting that squall was so pliable to Irvine's peer pressure, and at times I was angry at Irive but found it in character too.

rinoa is one of my fav characters but somehow, she was understandable, and I also found her a bit... callous? a few of her remarks reminded me of people I have known who would say just the wrong, patronizing, thing and never have any clue. like what she said 'you'll never quit' re SeeD I felt a genuine spark of anger. like she has no idea how he's feeling and dealing with being trapped in his own mind and anxiety.

it's something I've seen and dealt with and terribly realistic. people who don't feel it have no idea and sometimes you can't even blame them. even if I do, a little. I mean, this isn't to bash on rinoa' character, but it is an interesting flaw of hers, that sheltered slightly spoiled thing she does. idk. interesting.

mostly I just sincerely hope squall finds happiness and purpose and something in life for him that isn't complicated and makes him happy and is for and about him and not what other people think he should be.

also the case is terribly interesting. I love crime fic. the mystery kills me.

YAY! For the new post! I actually must confess to reading this earlier but not being able to review properly. I was out of the country for a little bit. Well it was a long hiatus but I love the chapter update. It killed me seeing Squall promising Laguna and slowly screw up and turn to old ways again. I'm surprised Rinoa is as calm as she is about it. I want to pull those two together and make them has out their issues so bad! Well great job! I am looking forward to reading a ton more! -hint hint hint

Thanks for updating! Great chappy as usual.

I guess it's my turn to be on the feels train (yeah, it really doesn't sound any better - now I'm just picturing a train with a bunch of grabby hands).

But seriously, I want to hug the crap out of Squall and simultaneously push him and Rinoa together. Not that I'm an addict, but I get that cycle of justification to a T. I'm like that when justifying purchases/decisions a lot and I can see Squall having that thought process too. Hell, I can totally see his precision in drug-taking/bad decision-making too (though let's be real, I squee-d when Rinoa started talking to him). Another thing that is so so so so true is just that idea of having such a disconnect between yourself and everyone else while overthinking/having so much anxiety. I have that too in situations that I always leave early. My friends notice but they're ok with it. But yeah, I think it's more of an issue with someone introverted and really smart like Squall. You. Can't. Turn. Your. Brain. Off.

Insofar as the Rinoa interactions, they felt very very natural. I like how she can poke fun at him but yet when they're alone, talk to him like a normal person, like they never broke up (like, it's not super uncomfortable) - it was nice that she didn't shoot his comment about writing or being a dad to Ellie down and was supportive. Then again, she's always a supportive person - a lot of people just like writing her post-breakup as a catty bitch to justify crap in a craptacular fashion.

Aw man, I really hope that something, even if it's not drunken sexytimes, comes out of this night. (Seriously, I am waving my shipper flag so hard right now - if you make me wait another year, I may have to hunt you down.)

Is that what it's like to get 100% wasted? Jesus.

I wouldn't know, but it felt pretty real and vivid so I'd say you did a fantastic job. I just read another fic where I was told a lot and you /showed/ a lot and you did significantly better. Keep it up- I miss this story! FF VIII still resonates with me as its my childhood and I hope you keep this through to the end; you're awesome for writing this great fic and I hope there's more soon.

-Skij

Squall's life is so sad. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel for him? I like the idea of Laguna being there for him.

I missed this chapter update last year! Not too surprising seeing as I was busy having a baby but I just went to see if there was any updates. It's almost been a year and while I don't want to be "that person"... well I guess I just have to accept I am that person...

COME BACK! Im loving what you're doing! You do it so well and we need you!

Please oh please update soon! This fic is amazing!

I know Squall has his faults but I really hate Rinoa for leaving him and giving up on their relationship. Squall went through so much for her and he was-and probably still is-ready to stay by her side even if the whole world turned against her.

I've been reading FFVIII fic since the game came out. This is the best I've ever encountered. You happened to post this latest chapter on my BDay, it was a great gift, thanks!