Sweet Nothings

Summary: Squall and Rinoa couldn't get over their differences when they were going out, so why do Quistis and Zell think that a pair of handcuffs can solve everything? Possible Squinoa. Contains adult themes and drug use. Rated M.

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy. Square soft does. Please don't sue.

Chapter 4: Transatlanticism

I need you so much closer...

--

After agonising for hours on end, Zell managed to reproduce the key in fine form. Selphie made a remark about how he didn't chew his food. Irvine followed that up with a comment on his gag reflex.

"It is just me, or did the room suddenly get a whole lot dirtier?" Zell replied, trying his best to avoid more teasing.

"It's all about give and take!" The sharpshooter replied in his defence. Indeed, his sense of humour became more morbid by the day. "So where's the handsome couple?"

Quistis shut her phone, "I have no idea. I've been trying to call them, but no one picked up." She gave a wry look. "They were last seen at Centra with Matron and Ragnarok can't be located."

Zell hovered his hands above his head. "Aw man! Don't tell me I did all this for nothing! Do you know how torturous that was?! You owe me ten fridge fulls of hotdogs!"

The instructor batted his hand away. "What if they got caught into trouble? Oh, this all my fault. Who wouldn't want to capture the most important man of the free world and the strongest sorceress?"

"Quistis, calm down," Irvine said as he hugged her. "I'm pretty sure they'll turn up sooner or later. They are probably taking a stroll on the beach or something."

But she failed to accept it was something so simple. "Squall always answers his phone. It's the reason that most of the time he never locks his room, only his bathroom."

Irvine hugged her tighter. "Trust me," he let her go and held on to her shoulders, "they'll be fine. If you were handcuffed to the love of your life, you'd like some time by yourselves."

And with that, Quistis had to accept that Irvine was probably right. But just to be sure, she left a few voicemails in Squall's and Rinoa's inboxes. At the end of the day, she would realise that she had nothing to worry about at all.

-&-

Rinoa couldn't even recall the time or how long she had been in this blissful position. Her lips were swollen and she could feel the heat resonating from her cheeks. Gosh, how much she had missed this. His heavy breath was settling on her mouth as they were resting on each other's foreheads. He softly caressed her back, drawing small circles before finally taking the time to look up.

God, she's beautiful, he thought as he softly kissed her forehead. He noticed how her eyes were unfocused as she instinctively rested on his chest. He gave a small smirk knowing full well that he was the cause. Just the mere heat of her body made him tingle as the hairs of the back of his neck stood. Sure, there were moments in the past couple of days that they had to brushed past each other but it was nothing like this. It was never this intense.

They stayed like that for how long, they'll never know. Squall couldn't keep his eyes off her until they went through a bit of turbulence. Reluctantly averting his gaze, he looked out towards the window in the cockpit. "What?" was all he could say.

Rinoa arched an eyebrow as she too peered outside. "E-Esthar?"

Squall shifted his seat looking at the co-ordinates. "Must have pressed some buttons when we were...er," his nose twitched slightly, "t-together." He blurted out, it seem that that was the most he could gather at this point. Rinoa giggled at his hesitation. It was never easy for Squall to express his feelings, some things never change. But she knew he was trying.

A bright light caught her attention at the keypad of the control system, and Squall's too. He pressed the yellow button as a voice was heard, "This is Esthar Central Control. May I have some identification for the passangers aboard the Ragnarok."

Squall cleared his throat and replied in his authorative voice; "Commander Squall Leonhart, ID number 32881 and Sorceress Rinoa Heartilly, ID number 12982. That is all."

After the officer typed that in, he asked, "What is your trip to Esthar regarding?"

Well, I didn't really plan on going to Esthar. Squall rubbed the back of his neck as he sighed. Rinoa took this opportunity and held the microphone. "To visit the President."

"You what?!" Her knight blurted out. The sorceress rubbed his shoulder and winked at him, as if she knew what she was doing. No, no, no, no, no…

The officer cleared his throat. "Thank you. You are now free to land."

Squall could feel and impending migraine coming along. But then he suddenly remembered that the leaders of the free world were all in Galbadia for a United Nations conference. Squall was meant to go, but Cid took his place, due to unforseen circumstances. "He's not going to be there."

Nothing seemed to wipe the smile off Rinoa's face. "I know, I called my dad earlier in the week."

Oh, she's so clever. "Oh, in that case you have made your intentions quite clear, Miss Heartilly."

Rinoa chuckled as she kissed him gently on the lips. "Miss Heartilly? You only call me that when I'm in trouble."

The commander seemed to be very pleased with himself as he tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. "That's because you are." And he moved closer to her ear and seductively whispered, "You are in so much trouble."

-&-

They walked through Esthar and caught a taxi to the Presidential Palace. Rinoa insisted on visiting Kiros and Ward as they were like relatives to her. The commander was indifferent about the situation. At least it wasn't Laguna, he thanked whatever deities listening mentally.

Walking through the Presidential gates the guards immediately recognised the couple as they saluted and allowed them through. "At ease men," Squall replied coolly. One of the guards was still saluting as Squall took a closer look. "And women." The solider stood down with a smile.

Rinoa giggled as they strode to Kiros's office. They walked in as his assistant let them through. "Hello hello!" Kiros greeted shaking their hands, unaware of the invisible handcuff binding them.

"What brings you to Esthar?" he turned towards Rinoa. "It's the post Esthar Day sales isn't it, Miss Rinoa?" He then turned to Squall, "Or is it the fine Gunblade Convention held this weekend?"

They both smiled as looked at each other. "Um, no, not that, Kiros," Rinoa replied, "Although now that you mention it-"

"Oh, no you aren't getting out of this so easily," her knight whispered in her ear. As he pulled her closer towards him. Rinoa could feel the heat returning to her face. He was never this intimate in front of others.

Squall turned to Kiros. "We just wanted a break from Balamb. Hope you don't mind if we stay for the night."

Kiros gave a relaxed smile, "Ha, very good. As you know, Squall, our home is your home." He walked over to his desk and retrieved a key from his drawer. "No one has stepped foot in your room since you were here, as you requested."

"Thanks, Kiros, I really do appreciate that."

Rinoa looked slightly confused. "Room?"

Kiros laughed. "Yes, well, in finding out that Squall was indeed Laguna's son," Squall felt his body twitch at the simple three lettered word, "Laguna insisted that he have a place to stay. Family now comes first with that man."

Squall remained silent. There was no point in arguing the situation. Sure, Laguna didn't know, and when he did find out, he did try to talk to him. But no, Squall wouldn't listen. But over time he grew to accept it. Everyone has a mother and father. Just that my father is a complete moron that is the leader of the most advanced nation of the world... he's still a moron.

"Oh," was all Rinoa could say. "That's awfully nice of him."

"Well-" Squall coughed, "It's getting quite late. I'll see you in the morning, Kiros."

Kiros nodded with a small smirk, "And to you to Master Leonhart." He turned to Rinoa, "Sleep well, princess."

The couple walked out of the room, no, more like Squall nudged Rinoa out of the room as she still wanted to talk to Kiros. "B-But, I haven't seen him in ages. We have so much to catch up-"

Squall rolled his eyes and planted a devilish kiss on her. It wasn't just some kiss, it was soul taking. Her knees buckled, but Squall felt her movements and lifted her to his arms in good time.

"Sorry, what was that, Rin?" he asked, just a bit too sweetly, knowing full well that she was incapable of answering.

She shook her head, trying to collect her thoughts, "I-I, uh...damnit!" She folded her arms. "You are so bad!"

He laughed heartily, "And who wants to be good, when you can be bad?" An inquiring eyebrow was raised.

"Commander Squall Leonhart, are you trying to seduce me!?" She yelled staring at him with awe. He gave a smirk and a small nod. "Well, it's working," she kissed his cheek momentarily before resting on his shoulder.

"I'm never ever letting you go again," he whispered, barely audible.

Her knight fumbled with the keys from his pocket and opened the door. He gently lifted her head to avoid the railings as he paraded her through. Squall sighed as he observed the room. It was exactly how he left it.

"Squall, w-what is this?" She asked as she dropped elegantly down from his hands. "Petals on the bed, candles, ...body chocolate soufflé?" She arched an eyebrow with her hands on her hips. "Care to explain?"

He sighed as he guided her to the edge of the bed and sat down. "I planned this for our anniversary." He picked up the questioning chocolate, "This however I can't explain."

Rinoa poked out her tongue, "Sure buddy, sure." Knowing full well that he had a sweet tooth.

"Hmm...shame to waste it," he mumbled as he lit some of the vanilla candles.

The sorceress looked around the room and how vastly spacious it was compared to her SeeD room. It had its own separate kitchen, laundry and bathroom. Her eyes adjusted to the dimming lights as she looked back to her other half. "It would have been really nice," she commented. "I would've loved it."

Squall gave a rare chuckle, "I guess you still can..." He moved towards Rinoa with a smile that could kill.

"Oh, ho-ho," she giggled, "I know that smile...too darn well and I hate to disappoint, Commander, but you aren't getting any of this," she pointed to her body, "tonight."

He slipped her cardigan off and sensually kissed the sensitive spot on her neck, catching her by surprise. "Oh really," he mumbled between kisses, "is there some way I can change your mind?"

Rinoa closed her eyes as her breathing became laboured. Damnit! She yelled mentally. Only a few months ago did she promise herself never to get intimate with the commander again. It hurt too much and she made herself try not to care. How many nights did she spend crying herself to sleep, swearing over and over that she hated him. Tell him to stop. You are going to end up getting hurt. He's only doing this because he needs to entertain himself. Remember, he's just a mercenary, they can switch their emotions on and off. And now he's lips are making love to her neck, knowing very well what those pair of lips can do to the rest of her body. In a minute... or so.

"S-Squ-oh," managed to escape her just before he placed his finger to her lips. She didn't even realise that she was caress his finger with her tongue. He laughed as she was startled at what she was doing. How easy it was to fall. He dropped his hand away, giving her the chance to speak. He could sense there was something else on her mind.

Even with this dull light, she could read the passion from his eyes, he was resonating with it. Don't look at his eyes. She looked down to his neck, a familiar fragrance wafted her sense, a mix of sandalwood and spice. Damnit. I can't win. Even his chest is heavenly.

"Squall," she managed to whisper. "I-I don't want this... It's only going to lead us getting hurt again." There I said it.

Squall held her hands and bent down to look her straight into her earthly brown orbs, "Rinoa, I can't predict the future. 'There are no guarantees'. Those were your words, but I can promise you this." He sat up with her eyes following him. Rinoa mentally cursed herself. Those eyes had its own centre of gravity as its pulling force was astronomical. "I promise you that I will try my hardest to make it work, and that if it ever came down to you and SeeD again, you will always win. Everytime."

Rinoa's eyes softened. "Please, you're only saying that," she dropped her hands away. "You're impossible!"

She stared at him knowing that he needed to know now or he'd never know. "T-That night we broke up, you know what I was thinking? 'I wonder how Squall is getting through this? I hope that he'll be all right,' I never blamed you for a second." She could feel her eyelids swell as she looked down, afraid to meet his questioning eyes, "I thought I did something wrong."

Squall held her shoulders. "Rin, look at me," he asked softly. But she wouldn't. "Rinoa, please."

Her eyes eventually did venture forward to meet his. He sighed in disgust, just the thought that Rinoa blaming herself for what he did made his stomach tumble. "Never ever blame yourself for something I did. I was an idiot and I should have never done what I did to you," he sighed as he clenched his fists. "Rinoa, I don't expect you to trust me after what I've done, but now I know what I need."

He held her hands. "You are the rest of my life. What I feel for you is real," Squall stopped, knowing that he was stepping into very deep waters. He opened his mouth to say something, but Rinoa hushed him. She was just delaying the inevitable.

"I know that what we share is real, and I do trust you Squall and I will to the end of this world, but you have to understand, sometimes it just isn't enough," she felt a tear run down her cheek and it scorched Squall's heart. "I love you."

He smiled, wiping away her warm tear as she chuckled, fighting it through. "Hey," he murmured. He held her close as she shifted her weight towards his side. He instinctively wrapped his arm around her and kissed her forehead. He rubbed her shoulder as he gathered his thoughts. She loved him, scars and all.

"Rinoa, I..." he paused. "I," he paused again. "I entrust you with my gunblade."

The sorceress giggled at his agony in emotional expression. "Well, I guess I would be honoured to have your gunblade." Could he be more adorable? "And to think of it, I want your necklace too. It's a matching set."

"No..." he replied in a thelonious voice. "That's Zell's. I entrusted him with that years ago."

"You entrusted Zell years ago?!" Rinoa laughed.

Squall scratched the back of his neck. "Yes I did. You wouldn't understand."

Rinoa was crying, out of laughter this time round. "Please, please, do try."

The commander was confused with all her laughing. "It's an ancient tradition amongst the warriors that SeeD has adapted," he started. Rinoa snickered. "Men would chose a man, and women would chose a woman to... entrust items that were ...sacred."

She tried to contain her laughter, only releasing them in small bursts. "You have to spend one night with the chose person and share the item you are entrusting them with and the reasons behind it."

Rinoa snickered again. "Behind!" she blurted out.

"Rin," he shook his head. "You have got one dirty mind," he sighed deeply and smiled weakly.

"I'm sorry," she laughed between fits. "Zell...you...night together?!"

The commander just shook his head and walked into bed. "Fine. Goodnight, Rinoa."

Rinoa frowned. "Squall, don't, you know I wasn't laughing at you..."

He closed his eyes and adjusted to the large pillow, "I said goodnight." He managed to blow out a candle on his side of the room.

"Wait! I'm sorry!" She pleaded as she nudged his shoulder, lowering herself to bury her face to the nook of his neck. "Finish what you were saying."

He rolled over and held the duvet above his shoulder, "No Rinoa, it's fine. I'll see you in the morning."

And with that tone, she knew that that was the last she was going to hear about that story. For tonight, anyway. She jumped over him to his right side and wrapped her arms around him underneath his doona, but he kept his eyes closed. "Squall," she whispered softly. "Can I ask you something?"

His eyes flickered underneath his eyelids. "Hmm?"

The question had been bothering her for a while and thought that there was no other time than the present to ask. "Are you lonely?"

He frowned as he began to open his eyes and peer down to the chocolate ones that met his. "Sometimes," he started and paused. He pulled her closer towards him as she rested on his chest, his warmth embracing her. "But I'm not at the moment."

If there was more lighting, Squall would have noticed Rinoa's rush of blood to her face as he swept a strand of hair away from her face. Of course he loved her, but saying that now would just seem forced and she knew that. Time stood still as they stared into each other's eyes, seeing eternity in them. He held her hand within his like a glove, as she giggled as the mere touch and watched as his fingers played with hers.

She could feel his breath on her forehead and suddenly looked up catching his kiss by surprise. Her eyes widened, but then mellowed to a half open as she was back to being entranced by his skillful lips. She could feel a smirk play upon his lips as he deepened the kiss as his free hand played with her silky midnight locks.

This was the Squall that she fell in love with. The Squall that she wanted to spend eternity with. The Squall that she dreamt of... was right there in front of her. He groaned as her hands ventured underneath his shirt. She planted hot sensual touches across his abs that drove him crazy as his tongue slowly caressed her. Long strokes and short breaths.

He stopped and broke away momentarily as he threw his shirt off to another side of the room, long forgotten. He was on top of Rinoa and bent down to kiss her lips and slowly trailed to her neck but ventured no lower. "Squall..." she whispered.

"Mmm?" he hummed, vibrating through her body. His hands were still politely on her shoulders, as a gentleman should. She held her hand up on his chest to break their kisses as she searched in his eyes. This felt right.

She could see the confusion in his eyes and then he looked down. "Don't," she said, her breath trying to catch up with her as she pulled him back down. "Don't think. Just do."

Everything was perfect, his body against hers. Clothes disappeared and all that was left were two people that were destined to be together as they became one. Slow, ragged breaths and sweat droplets cooling their heated bodies. Sounds of pleasure erupted, muffled by raging kisses as they fell to each other's side.

As they slept and whispered sweet nothings.

--

A/N: Biggest THANK YOU to RIKKE LEONHART. She's fantastic, brilliant, great and other synonyms alike. I could compare her with another lousy metaphor, but they never do any justice. This chapter would not be here without her help. Also to my loyal reviewers.. I know I'm not the most.. lets say, 'prompt updater' but thanks for sticking around. This isn't the end of this story.. there's one chapter left.

Believe it or not, I do like reading reviews. You don't know how much of a confidence boost they turn out to be. So hit the purple button underneath this blurb. Go on, you know you want to.

Much love.

Leonhartilly.