Author's Note:

Hi everyone! This is my first fanfic. I hope you enjoy it! Comments are always appreciated.

Final Fantasy and its characters are (c) SQUARE.

Chapter One: Squall: The Breakfast of Champions

"Here's the last of them, Cid." Quistis dropped a huge stack of paperwork on his desk. She rubbed her reddened arms.

"Thank you, Quistis." Cid replied. "I really appreciate it. And I'm sure Squall does, too. You know... it's amazing. He's always been so stern and silent... as if he were iron." He paused and began to snicker a little. "But even the one who helped to defeat Ultimecia can't stand against Mother Nature."

Quistis raised an eyebrow. "I hardly think it's a laughing matter." She said evenly.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, you're right." Cid scratched his chin. "Well, I'm sure Rinoa'll have him back to normal in no time."

-At that very moment...-

"You remind me of a spoon, sitting in all of this oatmeal." Rinoa peered down at a rather unenthused Squall.

"Gee... thanks." He replied with a small scowl.

"You're welcome." She grinned and poked his cheek. "I still can't believe you've never had the chicken pox before." She thought for a moment. "Actually, I'm surprised you weren't vaccinated for it at the orphanage. Selphie and Quistis were."

Squall looked down into the soupy bathwater as a blush crept across his face. "... I hate needles..." He said quietly.

Rinoa smirked. "It's a good thing you've got me, then."

Squall looked up and smiled. "It is."

-Meanwhile...-

Quistis made her way back to her room. After staying up to finish grading tests, homework, putting together her classes' next assignment, and Squall's paperwork, and teaching three classes on top of that, Quistis was thoroughly exhausted. She was miraculously able to spur herself on with the manta "Nice, cosy bed" playing over and over in her mind. It seemed to be working. That is, until...

"QUISTY!!!" An emerald-eyed whirlwind ran up and glomped her.

"Nice, cozy bed..." Quistis mumbled out of a mixture of lack of sleep and confusion.

"Wha...?" The yellow-clad girl released her iron grip on the taller woman. "Gee, Quisty, you look terrible!"

"Why thank you for noticing, Selphie," Quistis replied sarcastically.

"I order you to march yourself right to bed! I won't take no for an answer!"

Quistis nodded. "I'll do that."

A few moments later, she was greeted yet again.

"Wooooaaaaah, Quisty! What the heck happened to you?" A short, blonde man cried.

"...It's called two hours of sleep, Zell."

"Well, you should go take a nap or something."

"That's a brilliant idea." Quistis replied in a monotone voice.

"That's what I'm here for." replied Zell with a grin.

For the rest of the way, Quistis mustered up her remaining strength and sprinted to her room. Upon reaching her destination, she slammed the door behind her and shouted, "FREEDOM!"

Suddenly, there was a knock at her door. "Quisty! You should be sleeping!" Selphie called from the other side. Upon hearing this, Quistis fell over.

-In another room...-

"Would you quit smelling my head?!" Squall cried with exasperation.

"I'm sorry... Mmmm..."

"Rin..." Squall whined.

"Okay, okay. Just hold still then." She finished spreading chamomile lotion over his arms. "There."

Immediately, Squall attempted to scratch at an offending spot, but Rinoa grabbed his arm before he could. "I was afraid it would come to this..."

"No, no! I promise I won't try again! Please?" He tried his best puppy dog expression.

"Sorry, that's not going to work this time."

"But, but! I'll do anything... ANYTHING! Just don't make me wear those!"

A few moments later, Squall was clad in light blue mittens and booties. He scowled at Rinoa, who tried hard to hold back a fit of giggles. Squall looked more adorable than ever with his fuzzy apparel, lotion-spotted skin, messy hair and half-hearted deathglare.

"Why don't you take a nap? Then you won't think about itching."

"I'm not tired." Squall replied, crossing his arms.

Rinoa brushed a few stray frosted brown bangs away from his grey-blue eyes. "Go to sleep." She commanded soothingly.

Squall obediently scooted under his covers and closed his eyes.

Rinoa kissed the top of his head. "I love you, Oatmeal Boy."

Squall opened an eye and a slight scowl lit his face. Rinoa laughed quietly and blew him a kiss as she left the room. A smile now took the place of the scowl as the spotted bishounen drifted off to sleep.