He leans heavily on the console's glare, Garden computer flickering off into safe mode. A groan runs along Squall's teeth, hissing out between incisors as his head grows numb against the bleak screen. Little warning sirens blink on the keyboard, telling him to back off.

He's in no mood for more orders.

Shoulders tense, breath drawn sharp. Squall scans the shadow overtaking his, but then there's the touch against his bared arm and he can see her plainly.

"Instructor Trepe."

Blonde fiber brushes with his neck, the console flaring once more into azure life as she tugs him off. Gloves ease his arms back to the keyboard, Quistis' cheek warm against his.

"Too hard for you?" She is mocking, toying with the boy. Boy he can hear Quistis' lectures already, like one year makes a shot of difference.

But it's not the year. It's the degree.

"I thought better of you, Squall."

"It's not hard." The voice comes out one octave too deep and several mudslides too thick, slathered with burnished lacquer. Surprising him as much as her. "It's tedious."

"I'll be more careful with your next assignment." Quistis coos between the smirk. Squall's eyes stray up, claret lips pursed as she navigates the platform—focused, not returning his gaze. It's a special sort of lipstick, difference from her strawberry reds and Chocobo golds.

class5-A Squall Leonhart

{

private int V;

private array[fira] drawnSpell;

private Squall (fira loadedSpell)

{

V = 20,000;

drawnSpell = loadedSpell

}

"You're off by a zero." Comes the criticism, softly spoken but inoffensive. "And you won't be getting anywhere without defining temperature..."

"I know," and privately Squall wonders how many times he's known.

"Use your hands and not your words."

Lionhart blue scowls up from below, low laughter breaking the silence as Quistis reaches down to brush away stray locks. Teasing.

"Wrong again, Squall. Use your hands and not your eyes."

class5-A Squall Leonhart

{

private int V;

private array[fira] drawnSpell;

private int TEMP;

private array[fira] drawnSpell;

private Squall (fira loadedSpell)

{

V = 200,000

drawnSpell = loadedSpell

TEMP = 1600C;

loadedSpell = loadedSpell

}

"There you go." Leather creases against his shoulder, an instructor's hurried pat. Heels resound over the classroom tile, console flickering out once more as Squall leans away, watches the combat whip bounce against her skirt.

Ah. That's it. Promotion pink.