A/N: Heya! I'm back! Well, it's been quite a while since I wrote a ficlet or anything on FF so I thought I'd write something. This is just a short ficlet about Laguna and how when he decides to go visit Squall.

FYI: I'm at-the-moment up over my head in homework (grade 12 and all), grad meetings, commitees and keeping in shape so I can't really show up that often anymore... hard to find time to type besides the oh-so-short tweny minutes a morning waiting for the bus.

So yeah... sorry about the rambling and to all those who took time to read my stories and ESPECIALLY those of you you took the time to review said stories I extend my thanks from HERE TO THE MOON!

Of a father and son

The second sorceress war had ended, time compression was over and everyone had managed to return, somehow, to their respective homes. For the group of friends who waged war against Ultemicia it was a good ending to a long story. But, this tale didn't concern any of them save one person, the one called Squall.

Well, more precicely is concerned him indirectly. It mostly concerned Laguna.

--

Laguna was laying on his back, watching the Garden lights drift slowly across the wall. He sighed deeply and turned to face the clock. It was 9:37 pm and outisde the skies showed every outward appearance of deep night even though it was early summer. Mainly it was due to the fact that it called for heavy rain that evening.

The weather brought back memories of Raine and his time well spent in Winhill. He had once said something along the lines of "Hey Raine, why don't you like the rain?", thinking it was pretty amusing and was completely dumbfounded when she burst into tears. He later learned her favourite cousin, who she spent almost all her time with, was killed in a mudslide caused by heavy water eroding the muddy hillside which they played together. For some reason Raine always blamed monsters for the accident.

Maybe that's why she was always so concerned about monsters… Why she never let Ellone leave on her own.

Laguna chuckled as he remembered a little tooth-missing Ellone and how she used to call him "Uncle Lagoona". It was hard to tell the difference between his name and what she called him, but it was heart-warming to reminisc about it. Memories of their happy times spent together sent a fuzzy warmth through him and made him smile. It came back so clearly it was as if he was still there, standing in the doorway or waking to their faces. The bed brought back another memory, one that concerned Raine alone… intimate moments…one that had caused her to create a new life…

Squall… I wonder how he's doing?

Laguna stretched his arms and laid them to rest behind his head. He wondered if his son was resting as well. Perhaps they where still partying or just chilling in the cafeteria?

How can they keep him from having his rest? He must be tired…

Laguna had only learned he had a son after Raine had died. It was a bright, sunny day when he returned to Winhill to see Raine, only to find out she had died of illness. He was escorted to her final resting place and had spent the entire day sobbing on the fresh earth covering her delicate body. Not long after he returned to Esthar and was planning to go out and find his son, but he was elected president unanimously and had no chance to escape.

How could I have done such a thing to him? I should have declined the presidency and gone searching for him. I denied him a father and a happy life… it's my fault he's so… so…

… so cold.

Lagune felt his eyes prick with tears. He let the salty droplets run freely down his cheeks. The remorse he felt was unbearable. For years it appeared and disappeared, coming gently and building until he could no longer bear it or just exploding into his chest when he saw father and son together and happy.

That's the relationship I could have had with Squall. We could have been happy… could have been a family… I never chased after my son, my only family and this is where it got me… I'm crying because I never told him he was my son, never went to find him, never held him, never told him I loved him, never gave myself a chance…

And now I'm too much of a coward to go and tell him… Kiros was right, I am too soft hearted.

But, he realized that now was the perfect opportunity to go and confess to Squall. He was somewhere in Balamb, the atmosphere was right, it was a time to make a fresh start and it was probably the only time he would have away from Esthar in a long time. Correction, probably the only time for maybe… the rest of his mortal life.

So with a firm resolve he left his temporary shelter inside the Ragnarok and entered Balamb Garden. He walked shakily to the elevator and as soon as the first floor came into view he heard and saw the grandest of parties taking place. There was music, laughter and people dancing at every corner of the circular hall. The atmosphere was jovial and Laguna wondered how he was going to find Squall in all of it.

Best to start somewhere. Maybe one of his friends will know?

Laguna quickly found someone he recognized: the one with the tattooed face. He wasn't sure of his name, but he approached him regardless. He was sitting on the railing with a certain pig-tailed girl and seemed to be having a great time. Lagune tapped his shoulder and he turned around.

"Yo?" He asked and fixed an inquisitive look on his face. Laguna had to strain to hear him over the music.

"Do you know where Squall is?" Laguna screamed over the roar of the energetic music. Zell pointed to the elevator and Laguna understood that he was pointing to the dorms.

"He left a while ago, said he was tired. Don't worry, he's alone!" Zell gave Laguna a playful punch in the shoulder and winked. Laguna laughed and thanked the young man.

Making it through the crowd of people was the most difficult task of the evening. He had to weave his way through bodies moving this way and that which, in his mind, made it seem more like pandemonium than a party. The dorms where situated at the other side of the grand hall and when he finally arrived and the music faded away he swore he could hear the silence ringing in his ears.

So this is what they mean by 'deafening silence'.

Laguna continued down the long hall until he reached the directory for the dormitories. The panel was handy: it gave detailed information on the wereabouts of a certain person's dorm. It also told you if they had checked in. That was the thing about Balamb: they had a sophisticated location system which marveled Laguna beyond words.

Enough about technologie: I'm here to find my boy.

Laguna brought up the search panel and entered 'Squall' into the search. He was surprised to find that there where two Squalls residing on campus. He immediately located his son: he was the only one with the last name Leonhart.

Single dorm, huh? Nice. Number 48, got it.

Laguna felt pretty confident as he made his way down the hall. But he was also scared out of his mind.

What will Squall say? He won't accept me with open arms, that's for sure.

Laguna wondered just how Squall would react. He didn't know the boy at all and had no idea of his real personality. Above all else Laguna feared rejection. He knew it would take a long time to forge a relationship with Squall, but the thought that there was still a chance that Squall would just disown him made dread built up in him. He dreaded the rejection more than an angry Squall. Anger could be soothed over time, but flat out denial would be impossible to surpass.

25…

What do I say to him?

28…

How can I tell him?

30…

'Hey Squall, I'm your daddy!' Yeah, he'll sure appreaciate it like that. I've got to be sesitive…

33…

I have to ease into it… something like 'Do you remember your parents at all?' Yeah, I guess that would work.

35…

How should I bring up the subject! Man, I can't beat around the buch for something like this… Ow! Leg cramp!

38…

Why am I so nervous? I can speak in front of an entire country without even rehearsing a speech but I fumble my words when I want to tell my son who he is…

41…

Man, almost there… help!

43…

What is he's not there….?

46…

What if he's asleep?

…48.

Here goes…

Laguna took a deep breath and knocked on the door lightly. He was startled when it hissed open on it's own.

The room was dark and for a moment Laguna thought that Squall wasn't even there. But as his eyes adjusted to the almost non-existant light he saw Squall laying on his bed fast asleep. He let out the breath which he wasn't even aware he was holding and entered the room. The door shut behind him, casting the room into a comfortable darkness.

Laguna tip-toed to Squall's bed and sat next to his son. He could now clearly see his face and smiled at how peaceful he looked when he slept. Laguna felt a great sense of pride towards what he had helped create. Squall may not have been the perfect son, but he was his son.

Why didn't I come looking for you before?

There was that remorse again. Tears once again began to streak down his cheeks and he smiled despite himself. He brushed a stray strand of hair from Squall's face and marveled at how warm he was. The scar running down his forehead didn't impede his looks in the slightest. If anything it made him look better.

He looks just like rain. Lucky thing he never took after me.

Laguna chuckled at his inward joke. Squall stirred and Laguna held his breath. What would he say if he woke up to find Laguna hovering over him like that? That would ruin everything!

Laguna waited until long after Squall had stirred to breath again. Suddenly, his breathing seemed too loud. So did his heart beat.

Few… So what do I do now?

Actually, Laguna felt content just standing there in Squall's presence. He knew he was asleep, but what did it matter?

"Hey kiddo, I just wanted to talk. But you're asleep so I'll just leave you a note." Laguna whispered to the young man. He found an open scribbler on his desk and a pen. He tore out a page and wrote the following:

Squall, meet me at the gate tomorrow at ten.
We need to talk,
Laguna

That was clear enough! He left the paper unfolded and place it on the nightstand that way Squall would see it as soon as he woke up. Before he left Laguna mustered up the courage to kiss Squall's forehead and wish him sweet dreams.

Laguna made his way to the door quietly.

Before he left he turned and looked upon Squall's peaceful face.

A smile crossed his lips.

Fin/End/Finito

A/N: Thanks for reading, review please I'd really appreaciate. Oh, and tell me if you thin I should try my hand at writing something about when Laguna actually does tell him! If you do see any spelling/gramatical mistakes or just plain things that don't make sense please tell me. I'd be happy to know what I'm doing wrong. :D

Seeyas!

-A