iv. rival

"Let's get away," he suggests to her as she stirs some cream into her coffee. "Before classes start again, Let's go back to Fisherman's Horizon, didn't you want to go there?"

It's the close of Summer as the scorching temperatures in Balamb begin to cool. The sun isn't as warm, the breeze is refreshing and Squall is still struggling to help her cope. He doesn't have the vivid dreams that she has. The second his head hits the pillow his world fades to blackness, and often Rinoa is jealous of this luxury he has. But Squall wishes he had nightmares, he wishes he could relate to her in this aspect.

He wishes she didn't run to him every time she has a nightmare. Aside her rehashing the disturbing details of time compression, he hates the fact that Seifer has a connection with her that he doesn't. As it is Squall feels guilty enough that he's not around as much as he use to be. Seifer comforts her when Squall can't. The irony of it all, Seifer has empathy.

"It was Dollet," she smiles at the anticipation of a getaway.

"I'll make the reservations," Squall says kissing her forehead. "We'll go away, just you and I."

And maybe you won't run to him anymore.

-xx-

Her hand has the firmest grip on his like she will never let go, like they will never be broken apart. Her blue jeans and lavender t-shirt is soaked through as the rain beats harder against their skin. They are running together this time. Running away from the downpour that was inevitable from the moment that dark grey cloud loomed over them as they walked along the Balamb shoreline.

For a moment he feels what it is like to be carefree.

They find shelter under the docks and she utters three words that he has never heard anyone say to him before. Her lips meet his as their eyelids lower in delight that they have a happiness others spend lifetimes searching for. When he opens his eyes she's not right. Her eyes are blood shot and he recognizes the tribal markers on the face of a foe; the sorceress is there instead.

She laughs so menacingly, his heart could stop.

Seifer awakes suddenly as he hears thunder against the gloomy sky through his opened window; it has been awhile since he had a nightmare. There is a soft purring next to him and he remembers he isn't alone, the junior SeeD he had been seeing for a few weeks now was lying next to him. They fell asleep together during the rainy afternoon, an idyllic Saturday of sex, comfort food and laziness. Seifer met her last semester in his business management class. He was surprised when she approached him, most of the girls in Garden were afraid of him. He wasn't looking for anything, but he'll get his for the time being while he waits to transfer.

For a moment he feels like his old self before his life crashed before his very eyes.

-xx-

She's standing at an imaginary fork in the road; one path leads her to Squall and the other leads her to him. When Rinoa is alone she is flooded with emotion that she can't explain. She can't be upset because she's the one that broke it off, or rather they never actually ended. She choose to open one door when the other wasn't closed. The feelings in her heart, the feelings buried dormant in her subconscious all lead to him.

They share a connection that she doesn't have with other people, not even Squall. He saved her from the nightmares; they saved each other. She knows her life with Squall would be safe. He would provide for her. He would do everything in his power to make sure she is happy and fulfilled, but...

"Squall will never love you the way I do."

Seifer's last words repeat over and over in her head; the last words he said to her before he threw her into the claws of Adel.

"Rinoa?"

Maybe she just wasn't ready to see him move on so quickly this summer.

"Hey Rinoa...?"

Maybe she just needs to spend more time with Squall.

"Rinoa?" Selphie's voice echo's in the living room bringing her back to reality. "Are you awake?"

She came in from Trabia to visit for the weekend while Squall left for Galbadia. Hyne, Rinoa was grateful for company, she hated being alone, especially when Squall was away.

"We polished off those bottles of wine pretty good last night," Selphie laughs. "I'm surprised you don't have a headache."

No headache, just heartache.

-xx-