A/N: It was…technically written for khdrabble, but it was thirteen words too long. But it is love. Yes.
Warnings: None.
Disclaimer: Who needs a disclaimer? You already know I don't own anything.
Summary: "My name is Leon. Until we get it back."
Squall had always been a quiet child—serious, stubborn, and strong. He was a fighter, always striving off monsters (both real and imaginary) from his friends, always promising the little girl in blue that he would protect her from anything. He had, at seven, talked his father into allowing him to learn how to use a gunblade, and had become proficient with his wooden toy (too young for real blades and bullets, they said). It was no wonder that the destruction of Hollow Bastion had changed even him. He was even quieter now—wouldn't say any more words than absolutely necessary—and his eyes were dark and guarded. It hadn't taken him long to find a way to acquire a real weapon that he could practice diligently with. Nine years old, and he was already more of a fighter than the man watching him from the shadows.
With a deep sigh, Cid (a twenty-five year old man with less weight on his shoulders than this particular child he cared for) stepped forward and settled himself down next to Squall. His feet lay flat on the box below them, and he grinned briefly at Squall's waving legs.
"Squall...," he began uncertainly, wondering what he could say to help. He had never been good with words.
"Leon," the young boy's soft voice replied.
"What?"
There was no response for a moment as dark eyes searched the sky. "My name is Leon. Until we get it back."
There was no question as to what 'it' was. Cid looked around in hopes of finding some sort of inspiration to help him make a speech, but he saw nothing interesting except the final desperate glow of a dying star. Squall had already fallen back into his habitual silence, and this time Cid willingly joined in, closing his eyes and breathing in the feel of a silent late-night town.