Esthar

He wondered why all those years ago a beautiful seventeen year old leader of a resistance group asked him to dance. He was so confused when his heart sped up as she grabbed his hand, leading him onto the dance floor. Months later he wondered why on the way to Esthar, he sat her comatose body behind him and told her everything; why he was the way he was and how he truly felt. Now years later, he wondered if she would even say, 'yes.'

Time had passed: five years since they first laid eyes on one another, about four since he realized he was in love with her. It has been three months since he has seen her smiling face and deep brown eyes and he missed them so much.

An agreement still hasn't been reached. The General, Laguna and Squall still had no idea how to protect Rinoa although Squall felt like he was dragged to Esthar for a completely different reason than what he had been told in the first place. There had been no discussion on the world post-war. All of their talks were based on Rinoa and her safety. General Caraway's plan of attack was just to take Rinoa away from Squall and place her somewhere remote where no one would know who she was. Squall wanted to flip the table onto the General but he refrained and just took another sip of his coffee.

Laguna's idea was whatever Squall wanted. What was good for Esthar and the rest of the world was not good for Rinoa or Squall – locking her up in the Memorial once more would only cause more trouble.

Squall…Squall still didn't know what he wanted. He had hardly slept in two weeks because he was too busy staring at the glistening ring that stood taught in the blue box. He would roll over and stare at it, occasionally picking up the ring and turning it to see the facets sparkle in the moonlight that broke through his curtains.

He still didn't know where he wanted to live, how many children he wanted to have or even if he wanted to keep his position at Garden. While not at war he just helped organize Garden but for the past few years he had kept peace throughout the world not only as a Commander, but as a lover and a boyfriend. There were constant threats that Rinoa would never know about.

He never would tell her the nasty things he would see written in the treaties people had wanted him to sign. Instead, he declined and the decisions were burnt to a crisp.

Squall was her knight. That would never change. He would always love her and stand by her side 'even if she ends up as the worlds enemy.'

And that's why he wanted the best for her. If she wanted a huge house he would give it to her; if she wanted six children he would help support and raise them while she stayed at home and catered to them. If she wanted a house in Winhill, Esthar, Dollet, Balamb, anywhere, she would get it because that's what she damn well deserved for being put through so much.

And it was nights like these where he really missed her by his side. She had a way of knowing he was thinking and somehow pull the string of thoughts from his mind. After talking to Rinoa he felt as if he could take on the whole world once more and not even be touched. He missed her playing with his hair when he had a hard day or the way her fingers raked down his back when they made love.

He missed everything about the tiny girl but he would just keep it to himself.

Laguna said it wasn't good for him and he knew it wasn't. The man had really been making an effort while Squall was here but it seemed like he was really kissing Squall's butt most recently. Squall felt like Laguna had something brewing behind his back which is why the last time he had seen him was at the congratulatory ball that Cid had thrown for the six friends. Even then he was acting quite odd but Squall attributed it the man being a moron and never second guessed things.

After that night Laguna kept asking Squall to come see him so he could discuss things – most probably his mother and Squall's childhood – but Squall ignored the numerous emails until most recently Cid forced him to go on this trip.

And it wasn't even about the rest of the world. It was about him and Rinoa's relationship which wasn't anyone's business but theirs.

Granted, Laguna was his father and he had the right to worry but Squall still had Laguna's position in his heart coated in heavy ice. Slowly it was beginning to melt ever since that night he had startled him and caused Squall to spill some of his coffee on the floor. Laguna was actually offering great advice and telling Squall he would always be there.

Whether Laguna realized it or not, Squall actually did appreciate it after all of these years. Squall just wouldn't dare tell him or else he would be bombarded by a huge hug and even a kiss if he knew his father well enough.

This whole situation didn't seem right from the start. Squall knew that most of the world was at ease besides Galbadia Garden and Esthar; the two places had a right to be uneasy after the series of unfortunate events. Galbadia had been taken over by a sorceress and Esthar was where it all happened. In the pit of Squall's heart, he knew that it would take a hell of a long time for those places to come back from the trauma. Cid was working on the relations with Galbadia Garden and Squall was hoping that sometime in the next month they would work on Esthar's relations with Garden but he knew that wouldn't happen.

It's Laguna.

So he laid in bed, his hands positioned behind his head as he looked at the ceiling. The ring beside him was sparkling and it caught his attention once more. He picked it up, taking it out of the cushion and tilted it from side to side.

He hoped she'd like it.

He hoped she would say 'yes.'

The Orphanage

It was nights like this where she really missed him; she missed his arms wrapped tightly around her waist as they slept, the way his breath touched the back of her neck and made her hair stand on end. Rinoa knew Squall would love this sky – it was clear with flecks of stars that shone just as bright as his eyes. She laid outside sometimes on the beach where the tides graced her toes. Sometimes she would stay here until high tide and let the water totally engulf her. It was her way of relaxing.

She wondered how he was doing and if the negotiations were going well. On the group trips back to Balamb, she would sometimes sit down in front of the television in their dorm and watch the news. Surely if there were some peace talks in the air the news would have covered it. But this time there was nothing and although it did worry Rinoa, most of the missions Squall went on were kept underwraps. The last thing people needed was psych-outs that there was another war brewing thanks to SeeD.

Rinoa thought about becoming one once upon a time but she found it contradicting: a sorceress becoming a SeeD.

She thought of it that way if anything ever did happen to her, Squall would be there. Her friends would be there to possibly bring her back to earth even though sometimes she thought that she may be entirely gone by time help came…

And her body shuddered. Not from the cold water or the breeze running its fingers over her wet body: from the fear that something could happen right now and Squall wasn't here. Fear of being gone: her mind, her body, everything she once had complete control over would be gone within one second if she were possessed. All of her memories would be gone.

The memories of her pulling Squall out onto the dance floor the first night they met; her heart beating so fast as they twirled in ways that other people actually laughed. Squall was a nervous wreck and she found it absolutely adorable. The way he held her close, his hand resting on her lower back as they stood torso-to-torso once the dance was finished and the fireworks exploded in the sky above.

She remembered how she had felt when Squall had freed her from the memorial. It was something out of a movie that she would watch over one thousand times just for that one scene where the knight saves the princess. Rinoa remembered seeing the outline of Squall's gunblade slash through the tubes. She remembered seeing his body there, waiting for her, as she fell through the glass and right into his arms.

She wanted to cry. She wanted to stay in his arms forever but he pulled away and said, "I don't care." He pulled her back against her and she could have sworn that he wanted to kiss her, but didn't.

And their first kiss, that memory would be gone too. How they stood on the balcony together outside the ballroom they had first met. Squall was tired of people drinking too much and came outside to stay with her. He handed her a glass of champagne, putting it beside her on the railing. At that moment, the two looked up and noticed a shooting star glide across the sky.

It was the first time Rinoa had ever seen him smile…ever seen him so happy.

His lips were chapped, hell hers were too since she hadn't been in contact with any chapstick for about a year. He held her close like he did all those times she was in danger, but this time it was just a need to be close – nothing out of protection.

He escorted her back to her dorm that night but refused to leave. They fell asleep together.

Thinking of him making love to her made her blush. The thought of his sweet kisses and calloused hands running over her back and hips. She needed him back in her life once more and she knew she would have to wait until the end of the month to see him once more.

She would be back in his arms and she would never leave them again.

Hopefully.

"Rinoa?"

Rinoa shot up, getting to her knees before she heard Quistis chuckle, "Don't worry, it's just me."

With her thinking about being possessed, she had to admit it to herself that she was scared it was Adel or Ultimecia again. Thankfully it was just Quistis who sat beside her, leaning back on her arms.

"Can't sleep?"

Rinoa shook her head, running her hand through her hair. "I miss Squall."

The blonde nodded, unclipping her long blonde hair and letting it fall over her shoulders. "I know, we all do. You're handling this a lot better though. It took a while but you should know we're all very proud of you."

Rinoa smiled at the blonde.

"…Do you think he would ever settle down?"

"Who? Squall?"

"Yeah."

"Hm.." Quistis thought, leaning her head back and looking at the sky, "I feel like he would. He would be very private about it though. Like his home life and if he were to propose to you. He would tell no one."

Rinoa nodded, "I think so too."

"Why?" The blonde turned her head towards the sorceress, "Do you want to get married?"

A blush covered Rinoa's face as she nodded, "It's been four years. I love him, he loves me."

"You can't rush him, though. He'll -."

"Shut down." The two said in unison, smiling at one another.

Quistis sighed, "I'm sure he'll marry you one day. It'll be when you least expect it."

Rinoa nodded, "I know…that's what I love about him."

Esthar.

In three weeks Squall was going to be able to see her again. He was going to hold her, kiss her and make more memories that would last him until he would have to leave on another mission. He also finally figured out how he would propose to Rinoa: in the one place that they had promised in the first place.

His dreams were getting sweeter: dreams of kissing her and making love to her once more were taking over his life and was slowly prying him away from his Commander duties in Esthar. One morning while he was dreaming, he was awoken with a loud bang.

"What the…" Squall swore under his breath, sitting up in bed and swinging his legs over the side. Just as he was running his fingers through his hair, he was put in an even worse mood from frivolous knocking at his door.

"Squall! Squall!" It was Laguna. "Are you awake?"

How could I not between your moronic knocking and the loud explosion?

"Yes." Squall called.

"Meet me in Odine's Lab!"

And he heard nothing else.

Squall just groaned. He looked at the clock and realized it was almost six in the morning and he normally didn't get up until around nine on Saturdays. Not only was he pissed, but he was exhausted because he couldn't fall asleep until four that morning.

He was thinking again.

Rinoa. Their life together. Their future. Their children. Their whole life.

He was worried she wouldn't accept the ring, but he still shoved it in the pocket of his black jeans as he walked out of his room moments later without a shower.

It must be important if Odine is involved…

And then Squall thought.

The bastard.

Immediately Squall began to storm towards Odine's lab, slamming doors behind him and slamming his fist into the elevator walls before finally arriving in the lab. There stood before him was a tiny man, Odine, wearing what looked like a clown collar. General Caraway and Laguna were there also and Laguna looked like he wanted to run for cover when he saw the look on Squall's face.

"You made something, didn't you?" Squall sneered towards the smaller man. "You made something to suppress her powers."

"Indeed!" Odine cheered, obviously not picking up Squall's anger. He reached forward, grabing a small box and opening it. Inside was a bracelet: woven leather like a braid and on it were small, silver hearts. When Squall looked at the item he felt like all of the energy was being drained from him and he wasn't even a sorceress.

He wanted to take the item and throw it out the window.

This is why they brought him here.

There were no negotiation plans.

They wanted to get rid of Rinoa's powers.

Squall turned to Laguna and the General, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"We're making her normal." Caraway stated, crossing his arms, "Do you not want her placed back in society as a normal person?"

"What do you mean as a 'normal person?' She is a normal person!"

Laguna interjected, "Squall, calm down," he sighed, "Odine has been working on this for four years and have tested it on many people that have the ability to use magic. It works and there are barely any side affects. If Rinoa wants to -."

"Rinoa will not do anything. I won't let her wear that THING."

Squall thought of the time they were all in Deiling City together in their first attempt to assassinate the sorceress. Rinoa found a bangle hidden somewhere in her old home and went out by herself to give it to Edea while she was possessed.

He wouldn't have it.

Any wife of his was not going to wear that damn thing.

"I refuse to give it to her." Squall shook his head, "I will not have her wear that. It's…wrong."

"Wrong how?" Laguna asked.

Squall crossed his arms in total disgust of his father, "It's none of your business. I love her the way she is and I don't care if she's a sorceress. We will go somewhere far so she doesn't have to deal with people."

Laguna and the General looked at one another, "He's stubborn just like his mother…"

"It is ze best item I have ever created!" Odine yelled, "Are you telling me that you refuse to accept it?"

Squall scoffed, "Yeah. Pretty much."

Laguna walked towards his son, placing his hand on his back and pulling him to another side of the room. He sighed.

"Just…"

"I don't want to talk to you. You flew me here for four months, four months I could have spent with Rinoa, just to mess around and eventually give me that THING he created. She is the woman I'm going to spend the rest of my life with and I don't care what or who she is. I will not make her wear that."

"Would you at least talk to her about it?"

Squall groaned and lied to shut him up, "Yes. Now if you don't mind, I will be returning to my Garden."

Just as Squall turned on his feet, he felt Laguna grab him again, "What?"

"This came for you in the mail."

What is…this is Selphie's handwriting. Did something happen?

Squall simply bowed his head and walked out of the room, ripping the envelope apart. Inside were two letters: one looked like it was written from a normal notebook and the other was written on baby blue paper.

He didn't know which one to read first, so he saved the blue one for last.

The first one read:

Hiya Squally!

I found this in a journal lying in the middle of the flower field. I'm guessing it was from Rinoa…Irvy and I thought you should read it! It made me cry!

She really misses you. Come back soon, kay!?

Love always,

Selphie

P.S: Folded up in Rinoa's writing is a picture of all of us. We're at the Orphanage! We're having so much fun!

Squall didn't know whether to smile or roll his eyes, but he undid the baby blue paper as soon as he sat on his bed. He had thrown his suitcase on top of the bed and it was sitting beside him as he smiled at the picture.

Matron or Cid must have taken it because it had all five of them in it. Irvine and Zell were on the ends; Irvine with his shirt off but still wearing his cowboy attire and Zell was wearing a pair of plaid swim trunks and a white tank top. Selphie had her arms wrapped around Irvine's body and Irvine must have liked that Selphie was wearing only her bikini top and shorts because his hand was wrapped tightly around her bottom.

Quistis being Quistis was fully clothed in jeans and a tee shirt, but her hair was pulled up into a high bun and she had pair of sunglasses on. And in the middle stood Rinoa, her hands on her hips, her head thrown back smiling and wearing something similar to Selphie's, except it was a one piece with cut outs on the sides of her bathing suit.

Her smile made Squall chuckle to himself, At least she's doing okay, he thought to himself.

And he then proceeded to read the letter.

It made him even more inclined to pack his things. He didn't care if they were neat or messy, he just threw everything in. His gunblade was placed back in it's case and within ten minutes he was ready to leave.

He took special precautions of the photo and letters, placing him right in his pocket beside Rinoa's engagement ring.

"I'm on my way, Rinoa…" he whispered to himself, walking out of the palace doors and looking behind him, "I'll be there soon."

The Next Day:

The Orphanage

"Wouldn't it be nice if we were older?"

"Then we wouldn't have to wait so looooooong!"

"And wouldn't it be nice to live together?"

"In the kind of world that we beloooong!"

Quistis shook her head on the other side of the room, "That song doesn't call for such long notes, Selphie."

Selphie turned around and glared at the former instructor, "Hey! It's our version!" The brunette nudged Rinoa playfully, causing her to laugh. "Besides, Rinoa has some of her moms pipes on her!"

Rinoa blushed.

"You really do, Rinoa. You have a beautiful voice."

She smiled, dipping her paintbrush into the white and adding more highlight to the mural, "Thanks, guys."

The orphanage was now fully recovered with the help of some additional SeeD's and magic. Now the friends were spending the rest of their time together painting murals on the walls and moving in some furniture. Cid and Matron came by to see the work done and Matron even considered taking up the job once more.

It made Rinoa happy. She was happy that she took the time to help her friends.

The time she spent with them was probably the closest she ever felt to the group.

"Well, you can definitely tell which side is Selphie's." Irvine played, coming into the room and closing the door behind them.

Zell chimed in, "It looks like a three year old painted it."

Selphie gasped, dumping her large paintbrush into a can of yellow paint, splattering it across the walls, floors, and capturing Zell, Irvine and Quistis in its wrath.

Rinoa stood beside and giggled, happy the paint didn't hit her.

"Selphie! Really?!" Quistis yelled, smirking as she dipped her hand into the yellow paint, dragging it down Selphie's overalls. The two girls started laughing, everyone surprised at Quistis actually relaxing and letting loose.

Irvine got a little too excited and Zell joined in with his bright red paint, sliding it against Quistis' face.

Rinoa went to grab the camera she left in the flower field.

It was quiet there; she couldn't hear the screams and giggles of her best friends. She took the moment to just stare into the field, noticing where it went from green grass to pure, white sand and then blue ocean. The camera was at her feet but she didn't want to pick it up. Instead she stared at the view: the perfect blue sky, the deeper blue water and the fluffy white clouds that seemed to fit perfectly in the sky.

She just wished Squall was here to share it with her.

And she wrapped her arms around herself realizing once more that he wasn't here beside her. He knew he would turn his head at their childish antics and wouldn't laugh with them, but she knew that inside he may be. She knew Squall had a heart and sometimes he would actually have a sense of humor, but it was very rare that it happened.

She wondered if things were going well in Esthar, if him and Laguna were getting along okay or if at all.

She liked Laguna.

Rinoa sighed deeply as the wind picked up, running its fingers through the field of flowers and through her hair. She bent down and picked up the black camera, turning it on and flipping through the photos.

Many of them were of her painting walls, Selphie doing something stupid and Quistis' priceless faces when they messed around. There was one of Zell with chocolate and marshmallows over his face from s'mores the first week they were there and there was one of Selphie eating a hot dog for Irvine's own pleasure. Rinoa smiled at the one of all five of them together that Matron took the day the SeeD's came down to help, giving them all a break.

Selphie made her pose obnoxiously so her head was thrown back.

It was right before they went into the water and tried to drown Quistis because she was being such a 'party pooper.'

Rinoa took a deep breath and turned the camera on, slipping it into her pocket.

"I got your letter."

And her heart stopped. She thought that it was another hallucination that she sometimes gets in the night when she rolls over in bed. She would see him there, lying on his back with his shirt off; his arm would be extended, welcoming her into his embrace but she would blink and he would be gone. Or maybe this was a horrible dream that she just hasn't waken up from yet.

Nevertheless, a Squall was there, looking at her…smiling.

"Did you want to send it?"

"…"

Rinoa wasn't the person to never have something to say.

And she didn't know whether she should kill Selphie or hug her the next time she saw her.

"Rinoa?" And Squall walked towards her, reaching for her hand.

She knew he was real then and she began to cry tears of happiness. She threw herself into his arms, wrapping them tightly around his neck and pulling him towards her. Rinoa breathed him in – he smelt like his cologne, gunpowder and sweat but she loved that smell more than anything else in the world.

Her tears were binding the fur collar of his jacket together but she didn't care and neither did he. They just wanted to be in each others arms again.

And Squall's heart was beating faster than ever because he knew what he had to do.

He never felt like a moment would be so…perfect.

So he pulled away, running his gloved thumb beneath her eyes. "I've missed you so much."

Rinoa smiled, her fingers intertwined in his hair, "I've missed you too."

And a kiss.

"Why are you here so early? You're not supposed to be back for another three weeks!"

Squall shook his head, "Don't worry about it. I just…"

And he looked down, his face flushing which never happened to Commander Squall Leonhart. Rinoa began to get worried, running her nails against the back of his neck. "What's wrong?"

"I love you," he said softly, taking her hands in his, "And I didn't think I would miss you as much as I did. Being away from you reminded me of how much I love you."

Rinoa smiled, tears brimming in the corner of her eyes.

"And being away from you every day reminded me how much you've become a part of me. It was…it wasn't right. It wasn't the same sleeping without you and having breakfast with you."

He removed his gloves, shoving them in his pocket as he slowly fished with his free hand into his other pocket. Rinoa felt her heart beating out of her chest. She knew what was happening but she couldn't believe it.

Was Squall going to propose to her?

Right now?

A very long line of curse words were going through her mind right now as Squall removed his other glove, holding the blue velvet box as he slowly lowered himself onto his knee. He still held her hand sweetly, running his thumb over the back of her hand.

"Four years ago, I promised to be your Knight. Right here in this field because I care so much about you and don't want anything to happen to you. And I always want to be by your side to protect you, because Rinoa, even though you're such a pain in my ass sometimes," Rinoa giggled as Squall looked up at her with a smile, "I love you with all of my heart. And it would be my honor…if you would be my wife."

And he opened the box. Rinoa looked down at the beautiful ring, tears gliding down her cheeks.

She always thought when this day would come that she would scream and throw her arms around him, but all she could manage was a squeak and nod.

Rinoa never thought she would see the day when Squall cried, but she did see a tear come from one of his eyes as he slid the diamond ring onto her finger. He picked her up, hugging her tightly as he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"I love you so much." He whispered, cleaning her cheeks with his hands. Rinoa smiled.

"…Why are you crying..?" she squeaked, still trying to hold back her tears.

Squall shrugged, wiping them away with his hand, "I'm just…happy I guess."

And the two embraced for what felt like forever, but neither of them wanted to let go.

They heard a door slam but didn't bother to move until,

"Oh my GOD! SQUALL! SQUALL'S HERE! SQUALLY!" Selphie shrieked, throwing herself onto the two and getting bright red, yellow and pink paint over both of them.

Squall wanted to kill the girl but just laughed it off, causing Selphie to step away carefully.

"…You laughed. You laughed. Squall…"

"I know, Selphie," he said, raising an eyebrow, "I am human. I can laugh."

Rinoa giggled as the remaining three friends came out, all embracing Squall with handshakes and hugs. Squall wrapped his arm tightly around Rinoa's waist, looking down at her like he did the moment they met at the ball: totally lovestruck.

"Uh-oh, do we need to give you two a moment?" Irvine winked. Rinoa just laughed.

"Can I tell them..?" she questioned softly. And when Squall nodded all she had to do was hold up her left hand, letting the diamond shine in the light before Selphie and Quistis attacked her, Zell and Irvine patting Squall on the back.

They were all sitting in a circle, holding sticks impaled with marshmallows over a bright cackling fire. It was nice to be back together again. Especially to the newly engaged couple.

Squall sat down with Rinoa sitting in between his legs like a little child as Squall wrapped one of his arms protectively in front of her. Irvine and Selphie sat side-by-side and Zell and Quistis were enjoying the view of the lovers together.

"How was your trip?" Zell asked, pulling his marshmallow out of the fire and blowing out the flames. He slid the sweet treat onto a graham cracker.

Squall didn't want to think about it, but he figured he would tell them.

He sighed, "They lied to me about why I was there."

"What?"

"How?"

"Why?"

All of them were asking questions at the same time but when Squall looked up, everyone knew to be quiet as he spoke, "I was there…for Rinoa."

Rinoa's head shot up, tilting it back so she could look at her fiancé. "What do you mean..?"

"We were there negotiating means of your protection in case something happens. We didn't agree on anything which is why I left early."

Rinoa felt her heart sink.

Squall left because of her. There weren't any negotiations between countries, it was because of her…

Because she's a sorceress.

"So what was the general idea?" Quistis asked, pushing her s'mores together gently.

She didn't like it when too much marshmallow leaked out.

"…Dr. Odine was working on something for Rin. Some sort of bracelet or something that she would always wear to suppress her powers. It would protect her and such from being possessed apparently."

Rinoa was wringing her fingers together. "…And..?"

"And, I said I wouldn't take it. I'm your Knight and I'll take care of you."

Rinoa still felt apprehensive: it was Odine. He made something for her to help her get through normal life and Squall didn't take it. She understood his position, but sometimes Squall is too proud and doesn't see that something like that would truly be useful.

Say if they went on a trip to Esthar or Galbadia, anywhere, if she wore that, people may back off and realize that she is no longer a threat. In the mean time, she had no idea what side affects the item would bring. No one knew that junctioning a GF would cause memory loss…who knows what would happen with an item that strong.

Selphie spoke, "What are you thinking of, Rinny?"

Rinoa shrugged, pulling her fully burnt marshmallow out of the fire and sticking it in the sand. Squall ran his fingers through her hair. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Why didn't you take it?" Rinoa questioned, looking up at him, "That could have been our way out."

"Our way out?"

"Into the real world. We could be normal, Squall."

Squall sighed, "We are normal, Rinoa. If you like, we can go back to Esthar and speak to Odine…if it makes you feel better."

Rinoa felt herself nodding but then realized how much she probably upset Squall. She didn't worry about it until about an hour later they were back in their dorm in Garden, curling up in bed.

They were together again, though, and at the moment something as small as a bracelet couldn't take away the happiness that the two felt. Rinoa curled up into a ball into Squall's side as Squall extended his arm, wrapping it tightly around her small frame. She was happy and content. And he was warm because she was a heater.

"…I love you." Rinoa whispered, nuzzling her head into Squall's arm. He smiled, noticing the sparkling ring on her finger.

He let the words slip out, "I love you too, Rinoa."

Squall thought that in that moment, everything was perfect. He had the most beautiful girl in the world cuddled up in his arms, snoring softly while the ring glimmered in the light coming from the moon. Squall ran his gloveless hands back and fourth over her naked shoulder, and for a second, he smiled, because all of the times he saved her were worth it. And he should have known all those years ago that the way he felt for Rinoa wasn't just teenage hormones – it was love. And it hit him straight in the face the first moment he saw her; he never wanted to see it.

Who could love Squall Leonhart?

So he put on a façade, acted like a grade 'A' jerk and tried to push her away. But Rinoa was adamant and she broke through his shell, pulling him out and welcoming him with safe, open arms. Squall never thought he could love no matter how stupid it sounds; he was betrayed as a child and he let that bother him way too much, but when he saw Rinoa muttering in her sleep with a tiny trail of drool coming out of her mouth, it made him smile.

He loved everything about it even though he swore that he would never love.

And two months later the two travelled to Esthar to see how Rinoa felt about the bracelet. Squall was less than pleased but it was what his fiancée wanted and he had no choice but to comply: he didn't want to argue with her because she always ended up winning. So as Odine stood up straight and slowly fastened the bracelet onto Rinoa, Squall stood beside her with his arms crossed over his chest.

"How do you feel?" he asked, looking down at the item.

Odine pulled away and watched the two as Rinoa slowly felt her power being drained away. She felt weak and fragile, almost enough to cause her to be slightly dizzy.

"Weak…"

"Zat is a normal side affect for ze first couple of days." Odine spoke, "Once ze body is used to ze item, you will feel completely normal."

Rinoa nodded, turning to Squall. Her eyes were completely dull and Squall felt like ripping the item off almost immediately. "Do you want to try it?"

She wore the bracelet ever since.

It was true, the side effects wore off days later and Rinoa felt ten times better. Two months before the wedding the friends decided to have a little party at the Orphanage. The place was still in great shape for being redone and Matron was even considering beginning the business once more, but for now, it was a small vacation place that they all used to get away every once in a while.

Selphie was physically dragging Quistis into the water while Irvine watched with a very amused look on his face. Zell was attempting to surf but the waves were not very powerful. Far away, Squall sat with his shirt off on a beach towel with a tanning Rinoa by his side.

"…Hair youhana liph?"

Squall looked down at Rinoa's body, her bikini top undone in the back and her face firmly planted in the towel. "What?"

The sorceress wrapped her arm around her exposed chest and leant upward, looking up at her fiancé, "Where do you want to live?"

Squall had been wondering when this question would come up. It was only natural it be asked sometime. "Not at Garden…we need to get away."

Rinoa raised an eyebrow, surprised at the answer, "Seriously?"

"Well we can't stay at Garden forever. It only makes sense…"

She tied her bikini top securely around her back, sitting up straight as she felt her skin silently thanking her. Pulling her knees to her chest, she rested her cheek on her legs, looking at Squall. She had to admit, he looked amazing with his shirt off…and the sunglasses added a very sexy vibe.

She almost giggled to herself but realized how serious of a talk they were having.

"Selphie! I do NOT want to go into the ocean!"

"Stop being such a baaaaaaaby!"

"Come on, Quisty! Come in the water!"

"NO!"

Rinoa giggled and Squall shook his head.

"So…did you have anywhere in mind?"

And he did. He had been looking at locations for quite some time and actually narrowed it down to either Winhill or Dollet. Dollet had been redone since his first mission as a SeeD candidate; now it was actually a beautiful, seaside place with newly renovated buildings. Perhaps they could live in the city center is a nice, small apartment…

Or in Winhill, where it was quiet and no one knew anything outside of their own town. Squall thought Rinoa would love that the best because she was always so excited to visit when the gang needed to get away or do some shopping during the war. She loved old architecture and how sweet everyone is; she also had a sweet spot for the old woman that sold flowers.

Perhaps they could live where Squall's mother, Raine, once lived with Ellone and Laguna.

"…Winhill or Dollet."

Rinoa smiled, "Really?"

Squall nodded and said nothing else.

"…Are there properties we could look at?"

"Which one?"

"I would like Winhill but we should give Dollet a chance. It's closer to Garden."

Squall looked at her and smiled, leaning over and casually brushing his lips against hers. "I love you."

Rinoa smiled back, "I love you too, but promise me something."

He raised a curious eyebrow.

"…I want to maintain residence at Garden. It's your home."

"Rinoa I-."

"And it's my home. We'll go back and fourth. After all…we'll need some time alone."

He didn't know whether to smirk or smile but Rinoa took up a bit of both, kissing his cheek. "Just promise me that, Squall."

"I promise."

He blinked.

Was this real?

Then he felt his breath catch mid-inhale. His heart was beating a million miles a minute even with Zell's reassuring hand on his shoulder. Opposite him were Selphie and Quistis, wearing the baby blue bridesmaids gowns, Selphie dotting her eyes with a tissue.

Rinoa was walking towards him. The mermaid gown highlighted her figure, the lace and sequins dancing all throughout the gown. She had gloves, carrying the red bouquet of roses and around her neck dangled her mothers wedding ring and Squall's ring that he had given her all those years ago.

It was the moment they both had been waiting for: through the distance and turmoil that life had thrown at them. They were going to be together for the rest of their lives.

He took her hand in his, giving her the most gentle smile as Laguna handed her over.

They said their vows, slid on the rings and said their 'I Do's' with a smile. Squall pulled her close for their first kiss as husband and wife and the small crowd of friends and family cheered. In the flower field the wind blew the flowers so petals flew everywhere.

It was the perfect moment.

For once, Squall wanted to cry.

They had withstood everything: the war, cheating death in space, Rinoa being a sorceress, being lost in the time compression and finding one another again. They withheld the distance that separated them for four, long months and here they were now, married, dancing together for the first time since they first met.

Selphie was too drunk and Irvine was trying to keep her away from the bar. Quistis was shaking her head from afar as Zell attempted to dance. Rinoa was on the dance floor, her wedding gown still on and her arms above her head as she danced. From the wedding flower field to the reception ball room in Garden, Squall had watched his wife with a smile on his face.

She was his, forever.

Once again, this is for the 'Where I Belong' Challenge for Squinoa taking place in August 2012. Perhaps this should happen every year. It'll give me something to look forward to.

This is for the boy who has stood beside me through all the years we have been together. I appreciate everything he has done for me and I am so lucky to be his girlfriend. If it weren't for Squinoa, we would have never met.

And I know that this is where I belong.

Angel's Fallen Knight, I love you.