Disclaimer: All the Final Fantasy stuffs are not mine. They belonged to Square-Enix.

They saved the world from the hands of the future sorceress. They found peace... even only for a while. They kept their promise to see shooting stars together. The raven haired sorceress looked at him, did the same gesture when they met for the first time at the party. But the beautiful young woman was surprised when the young man stood beside her smiled at her handsomely then he came closer to take her hand and gently wrapped his arms around her kissing her.

Rinoa meanwhile placed her hands on his chest kissing him back. Didn't care if somebody was watching them or video recording their sweet moments. She loved the feel of his body around her. She loved his warmth. Who would think that this lone wolf with a very cold attitude towards the other people as they believed they would was very romantic, sweet, gentle and tender. The only thing she cared for that time was none other than the man who was passionately kissing her.

However, they had to stop to catch oxygen. Squall caressed her face and softly confessed. "Rinoa Heartilly, I love you."

That caught her surprised. She paused a moment but eventually a little smile formed on her lips and she answered back. "Yeah, I love you too, Squall Leonhart."

The man smiled. For the first time in his life, he felt so much happiness. That he found someone to love not because of how beautiful Rinoa was both inside and out but accepted him and love him despite of who he was. They just embraced each other that night.

Three days after, Squall Leonhart really officially appointed as Commander of Balamb Garden. They should hold a ceremony before but due the Garden conflicts and sorceress threat, it did not happen. Since taking the position, Squall Leonhart almost rarely leave his office for many issues he had to pay attention for like the crisis caused by the Lunar Cry, President Deling's absence, and the Timber under the occupancy of Galbadia and accepting potential SeeD mercenaries. And to finish the day, he was having his own training at Training Center. He and Rinoa were not talking to each other back then.

Well, it looked so understandable for Rinoa. Many people relied so much on him and Squall only knew she would not complain for it .Anyways, Rinoa had friends to spend her time with. The brown haired man stood up from his chair to open the windows to take some fresh air when the door of his office opened. It was his girlfriend checking on him.

"I just wanna ask for a lunch with you. Will you come with me?" Rinoa asked.

"Sorry, I'm busy with my work." The commander answered. He did not even turn around to face her either.

"Oh, I see. Well, I'll be going. If you need something, don't hesitate to call me. Bye." Rinoa said. He didn't notice the expression on her face when she left. He sighed deeply. Then, as the commander would sit down to continue his work... he heard a voice.

"You're a fool!"

"Absolutely!"

Squall was terrified. Was just his imagination? He looked at the wall clock. It's twelve noon. It's was probably caused by his hunger but he had to endure it to finished the deadlines and then...

"So you wanna let her go again so that you won't hear her voice again?"

He froze. He totally lost concentration in his work so he took a break. Then, he started browsing the net to relax and what he got his attention was an article written by unknown blogger entitled: "DO' s and DON'T's FOR MEN IN A RELATIONSHIP" . Squall moved the mouse point to click the link and read the article.

He started. "Rule no 1: Know their likes and dislikes."

Gods...He paused. He didn't know what actually women wanted if they were in a relationship. This was also his first ever relationship with an opposite sex due to his living in solitude. What were those things that would actually make them happy? And if he knew he would stick to it but if they shared their dislikes that should be respected.

He read the second rule: "No matter how busy you are at least try to communicate with them by calling or texting them. They were worry about your well being."

Three days passed since the celebration and thanks to his hectic schedule, he wasn't able to give her time or check on her and not taking meals together. He was now unsure that just because Rinoa was spending her time especially with Quistis and Selphie while he was away sometimes it didn't mean that she was happy with it or maybe trying to fight the loneliness of not having him around.

Then, finally, he stated the last rule: "Never ever forget their birthdays. Only few women found understandable if their lover forget their birthday or there was nothing to give to them. But lots of women really wanted their partner to remember it. If your girlfriend remembered yours while you did nothing to her birthday. You might kiss your relationship goodbye."

Squall Leonhart gasped to this so he did a research. Well, since the sorceress was very popular due to her parents, her information was spread widely across the web. He input Rinoa's name on the text box and clicked the button.

"Real Name: Rinoa Heartilly Caraway

Age: 17

Birthday: March 3

"March 3...hmmm" He mumbled. He glanced at the desk calendar to know today's date. It's March 2... Oh! MyGod! Tomorrow is her birthday!" He panicked; in addition, his forearm unintentionally hit the folders that now scattered on the floor. He picked up all of them and he read one by one and... cursed himself why he was rushing things while the deadlines of those documents were far from reach.

Squall took all of his keys and pulled out his phone from his pocket while locking the doors.

"Irvine? I need your help."

The next morning he made one more inspection at his office when somebody knocking at the door. He asked the person to come in and he felt extremely relieved when it was Rinoa who entered his office with a smile on her face.

Meanwhile, after Rinoa closed the door, she was stopped by him embracing her tight. "Wha...Squall?" She was startled.

He whispered softly. "Don't talk. I just want to feel you. To let you know that you are alive." Rinoa did what he asked and she hugged him back closing her eyes, smiling. Well, there she had it. She got what she wanted when they aboard the Ragnarok for the first time. They remained like that for almost ten to fifteen minutes. He gently moved away and his forehead touched hers cupping her face.

"Rinoa, I'm so sorry for not paying attention to you. I don't know how to love a girl. I'd never know that you're worry about me every time you come to see me. Also, I rushed a lot of things. You said you love me and yet I didn't know you at all."

"Well, that's because we were busy in saving the world and stuff." Rinoa said sadly. "And we had no time to know each other." Eventually, she smiled. "But we do have now."

"You're right." He said. And it hit him. He asked her to wait for he forgot something so he went back at his table and took something carefully underneath. It was his birthday present. It was a bouquet of flowers with a roses and lilies.

"Here. I didn't even try to court you before. And umm…Happy Birthday." He looked away.

Rinoa gasped, her cheeks turned red and felt giddy. She accepted it and she rewarded her new boyfriend with a kiss on his lips. She repeatedly thanked Squall for this was her best day in her life. Her father never remembered her birthday. And Squall should thank Irvine for his advice. Squall turned his gaze away from her. He was looking left and right. He wanted to have a date with her.

"I want you to… come with me...for a date. He asked nervously taking a deep breath while scratching the back of his neck. Squall was so shy to look at her face.

Rinoa answered with angelic smile. "Yes. But I have to change…"

Squall shook his head. "No, you don't need to. You look so beautiful already. Please stay on that. " He pointed at Rinoa's usual blue duster. Squall made sure that he turned off all the switches. The couple left the office silently and their arms wrapped on one another. While walking towards the Garden's main gate, Rinoa glanced at her knight. He's so handsome. His face, his hair and most of all, his eyes. They look so calm and innocent. But Squall caught her staring at him.

"What? Is something wrong?" He asked smiling.

"Nothing. You look so handsome especially when you smile." She said.

"Whatever."

Rinoa just laughed on his usual word.

Later, they just stopped by on a peaceful café which Squall said it was his favorite place especially when he wanted to take time off from his work. It was so peaceful, both chairs and tables were made from Narra wood. The patio umbrellas were made from bamboo. The calm sea and the ship reaching docks could be seen. No need for the radio because the only noises could be heard were people chatting and the cool air running on their bodies.

He didn't share it to everyone. Only to Rinoa. It was also his opportunity to let her know everything about him. Through her, he learned how to live, how to smile, how to trust, how to love, how to be loved.

They sat down on his favorite spot and he called for the waitress who knew him for three years. She was surprised that he had a female companion which he courageously introduced to her as his girlfriend. Both young women shook hands. The waitress gave them the menu book while the commander was telling her how good both their foods and drinks were and he was so sure that Rinoa gonna loved it too.

"I want green tea frappe and a dozen assorted mini donut. Please." Squall started, and then he asked Rinoa. "Rinoa, how about you?"

"Well... let see... I want cafe avocado shake please."

"Alright ma'am and sir coming right up."

While waiting for their order, Squall looked up to his girlfriend and he stopped. He saw how those winds blew her hair and the way she brushed those tiny hair away from her face and Squall's heartbeat became faster. And the view, it was so nice. Rinoa sensed that his quiet boyfriend gazing at her and she smiled.

"What?" She asked.

"Well umm... you see I want to clarify some things and asked you some questions that I would really love to know too." He shyly said.

"Sure. Good ahead." Rinoa encouraged.

"Ok. But first, your real name is Rinoa Heartilly Caraway. Your birthday is March 3rd. Age 17. Isn't?"

"Yes." She answered and added. "Oooh you were doing some research. Aren't you?" The commander nodded and asked again.

"What are your interests? Hobbies?"

"Well I love flowers. Lilies especially. I love reading books. The love story ones."

"Oh! Yes! I gave her the right flowers." Squall thought."

"What are your dislikes?" Squall asked.

"My fa... I really hate Caraway." Rinoa angrily answered. "Ever since my mom died. He never cared about me. He was always away due to his work then we torn apart.

"Is that why you used Heartilly as your surname and went Timber?"

"Yes."

"Oh! I see so both of us had a terrible childhood huh." Squall was saddened by her answer. He was silent them. Squall understood that he was not the only one who experienced loneliness. The pain of losing love ones especially when you got close to them. Squall apologized for bringing that up which Rinoa said that was fine.

Then, their orders came and when Rinoa sipped her drink, she was astonished. She took a bite of her donut and admitted Squall was right.

"Wow! Squall, I like the sweetness of the donuts here. Not too sweet. Oh! I loved it."

"Glad you like it. What about the place?"

"It is so beautiful." She said while sipping her shake." Well it's my turn." Rinoa put her shake at the table. "I want to know you. Same question of course."

"Well... my name is Squall Leonhart. Not sure if that's my real name. Matron called me that since then. Age 17, my birthday is August 23. I don't have any interest at all...or maybe..." he was sad looking away from Rinoa. He knew Rinoa won't believe him.

"You can't remember because the GF's erased your memories. You'll remember it eventually."

"You're probably right. But there's one thing I am sure of. I hate my childhood. Ever!"

Rinoa was dumbfounded on his revelation but remain silent. She let Squall spoke. "Seifer bullied me for being weak and he said Sis left me because of that. I was so young to understand the true reasons of her leaving. But Edea explained to us after the war while you're in coma." He became quiet then. Rinoa reached for his hand. She gently removed the glove and held it firmly. Then, she put it on her cheek closing her eyes. It was so big and warm, and doing that probably it was the way of her comforting him.

She asked him carefully. "Squall, you told me before that you can't remember anything about your parents. Do you want to...try to look for them?"

Squall gently snatched his hand away and put the glove on and shook his head. "No. There is no need. I lived without them." He smiled sadly. They just finished the meal.

It was five thirty in the afternoon when they tried to go back at the Garden. For Squall, there was still plenty of time and... He had an idea as they paused. He really wanted to spend time with her as long as he liked.

He looked at her. "Rinoa, do you want to watch sunset?"

She faced him surprisingly and couldn't believe that he was asking her while she got used to his silence.

"Of course! Why not?" She beamed. The commander gently took her hand and led her to a grassy hill at the left side of Garden. Sea was in front of them. They sat down looking at the horizon relaxed with a little space between them.

"Squall, thank you for remembering." She said softly. Squall did not answer instead he moved closer. Rinoa was watching him. He brushed her hair away from her face and gently titled her chin whispering her name and slowly leaned forward to claim her lips with his. Rinoa closed her eyes and deepened the kiss.

They had to go back. It's evening. It's still a long way to go. Squall did not want Rinoa to feel tired so he immediately ran in front of her showing his back and kneeled down. It was a piggy ride back.

"Come on Angel, ride on" Squall requested. However, Rinoa stubbornly refused because of her weight. But he insisted and so... the girl agreed anyway. When he felt Rinoa rode on his back, he asked his girlfriend if she was ready then Squall lifted her up as he said. "Up, up and away!"

Rinoa playfully raised her fist in the air. "CHAAARRGE!"

Squall laughed out loud that shocked her. She made Squall Leonhart laughed. For her, it's an honor. "Rinoa, I liked that. But I'm not a horse." He paused and laughed again but this time showing his white teeth on her.

Rinoa laughed too. "Of course not!"

Squall continued running towards the Garden with his girl still riding on his back.

Author's Note: This is my first fic for the year 2015. Another disclaimer: Those scary lines belonged to Quistis and Zell respectively. They were taken from third disc wherein the Instructor gave Squall a harsh lecture.