Author's note: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII or its characters. This is for the 30 Kisses challenge using list iota. This is set after the game and is slightly AU. Theme 30: Say It Without Saying "Will You Marry Me?".

No Words to Say

This was completely ridiculous. Garden had fallen into chaos. It had been struck by an unexpected enemy it couldn't fight. Quistis fought the urge to bang her head against the wall. She did not need this. An epidemic of acute laryngitis had gripped Garden, and nearly no one had been spared. It did not make for a comfortable living environment. There had been more fights and misunderstandings in the last twenty-four hours than in the past year. And of course she had been stuck sorting things out. She had gone through five pads of paper in the last three hours alone. All she wanted was a hot bath and a nap. And her voice back but that wasn't likely for another few days.

Footsteps sounded behind her. Quistis sighed and turned, expecting to have to sort out another fight. Instead she found her boyfriend of two years. Seifer grinned at her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Letting out another sigh, Quistis leaned into him. At least she didn't have to worry about him spoiling the moment with a sarcastic comment. Seifer just squeezed her shoulders and directed them towards on of the balconies. Quistis raised an eyebrow at him, but Seifer just shrugged.

She would have asked him to just write down what he wanted, but she had used up the last of her paper twenty minutes ago. So instead she left him lead her outside, turning her to face him. He took one of her hands and placed a little black box tied with an emerald ribbon in her palm. Quistis raised an eyebrow. She couldn't think of the occasion. It wasn't her birthday, their anniversary, or any major holiday. Seifer just pointed at the box.

Quistis pulled the ribbon off and lifted the lid. Inside on a velvet bed lay a delicate gold band mounted with a single pale blue diamond. She blinked and pointed at herself, the question clear. Seifer nodded, and her gaze dropped back to the ring. Carefully pulling the ring out of the box, she held it out to him. He took with a puzzled look, clearly confused. Quistis imperiously held out her own hand. Realization dawned and a true smile spread across his face. Seifer slid the ring onto her finger before gathering her into his arms and kissing her breathless.

Words were definitely overrated.