Alright everyone, chapter 10! In honor of reaching the double digits (which is kind of cheating because a few of those chapters have been pretty short) it's time for some squinoa fluff! Enjoy!

"There's no point in staying here, then. It sounds like you understand what this all means. Do you want to fill us in?" Squall asked his beloved.

"As I was travelling, looking for you, I met many people. One of the worlds I visited was this place named Arendelle, and the princess who met me was very kind. She and I got rid of a few of the heartless together. She had some ice powers, and I helped her figure out how to use them. I'm guessing that whoever gave us this box wants us to return there." Rinoa explained.

She knew exactly who sent the box. But it would be better for everyone if she were the only one who knew about the previous night's excursion. With no thought, she headed towards the Ragnarok, the other three following close behind.

As the keyblade warrior and his companions prepared for takeoff, squall turned to Rinoa, who had turned many shades paler. It was a pleasant world to visit, but she was afraid that her other had done something terrible there. She didn't want anyone to be harmed because of her. There had been enough of that already. As she looked at squall running the power up procedures, she could see it in his face.

The years certainly had been good to him, as well. He still had that stern look about him, as this was a dangerous time. He was still the courageous man she had fallen in love with many years earlier. But there had been a change. He was more mature in a way that Rinoa really couldn't put into words. It added much to her respect for him. But surely, after all this searching, it was for nothing. Could he really accept her for the blood that now stained her hands? So many people had been changed into the heartless by her. Many more had fallen victim to her dark side. She knew she wasn't acting the way he remembered her. But how could she, when there were so many souls weighing down on her own?

Squall looked over at Rinoa as she was strapping down for the ride. According to the maps, Arendelle was in a more central part of the universe, and pretty close to traverse town. It would still be a bit of a ride, but if they could figure out what was going on with her, it would all be worth it.

Time hadn't been cruel to her; she still kept much of her beauty and kindness. But as he looked in her eyes, there was no more of that mischievous sparkle that they once held. Now there were only volumes of unspeakable guilt and remorse. If only he had been there when she needed him. The remorse in her eyes had matched the remorse he occasionally held in his own. That fateful day, when the heartless attacked their world would forever be burned into his conscious. Those he thought were his friends were merely heartless made to look like those he cared more about. He thought he had everyone. There was no saving the world; he wanted to at least protect those who he held dear.

When he realized that his friends were indeed still on the planet, he had been overshadowed by grief. He had been weak. And he had left them to fend for themselves. There was no turning back, both then and now. But seeing that they were all alive and well took away some of that grief. If only he could help Rinoa ease that pain that she was feeling.

"Hey. You want to tell me what's up?" squall pushed a button so that Sora, Donald and goofy could not hear their discussion.

"Nothing's up." Rinoa forced a smile.

"That's a lie, and you know it." Squall gave her a look as the ship began to lift off the planet.

They looked into each other's eyes for a few moments until Rinoa couldn't hold his gaze anymore. As tears filled her eyes, she unbuckled her seatbelt and leaped to squall's seat.

"H-Hey! We're still taking off, you could have hurt yourself!" Squall took the shaking girl into his arms.

"Squall, you'll forgive me, won't you? I promise I really wasn't trying to let you down." Rinoa sobbed.

"Of course I would. But I can't think of anything to forgive you for. You've had a long last few days, and even longer eleven years. Why would you need me to forgive you? If anything, I need you to forgive me. I shouldn't have left you all those years ago." Squall brushed through her hair and placed a loving hand on her back.

They sat still and clutching on to one another desperately until the ship reached the vastness of space. Squall sent a message down for Sora to drive the ship to Arendelle, so that he could help Rinoa out, who was silently sobbing into his chest.

When the sobs subsided, squall kissed Rinoa on the top of the head and then cupped her chin in his hand so that he would look at her. Her eyes were red and swollen from all the tears. Tenderly, he brushed some of the hairs that had fallen to her face out of the way and stroked her chin. Her eyes softened as they met his in a knowing stare. There were still so many things she wanted to say. Her travels hadn't all been a tormented nightmare. There were stories to be told, and friendships to be renewed. Surely, she hadn't lost it all. Not yet.

Gaining hope, she moved her hand to his face, brushing along his cheekbone, and feeling the scar that ran across his face. How many times she yearned to be here. To smell the scent of his hair, to feel the softness of his skin against hers was beyond anything she felt she deserved. And yet, it was what she needed. Her eyes fluttered closed as their lips came closer and closer together. Love was the antidote. This time, she needed to feel his.

Squall pulled Rinoa in tighter, and deepened the kiss. He poured himself into it, allowing her to feel of his love for her. It was the only way he knew how to help her. If she could only know that he would always be there, like a knight to his queen, then she might be able to open up a little bit.

Rinoa returned his love with passion of her own. With each second, she could feel weight lifting off her shoulders. Like somehow, everything would be fine if they could just live in this moment. He needed her just as much as she needed him. They didn't need to catch up to where they had been. There had been no ending to their relationship, just a temporary pause.

When they broke for air, Rinoa looked into squall's eyes. The guilt of all the years flashed through her brain and left, hopefully never to return. She placed her face in the nape of squall's neck and took calming breaths. Squall understood her feelings now. He had guessed it before, but now he knew it. Kissing her head gently, he whispered "oh Rinoa, I'm so sorry."

Her lips met his again, but this time, there was no more guilt to pass on. Instead, she could only feel sheer ecstasy. He had accepted her for what she had become, and decided to stay. He loved her, and she could almost hear the words "I love you" through his kiss. It brought back to mind the words her snow queen friend had told her.

"True love must be the warmest magic you have."

They hadn't realized that Sora was trying to call them as they rekindled the relationship they once held so dear. Nothing else mattered but the sensation of the kiss. it was warm, it was healing. it was necessary. If they had, they would have heard him leave the pilot's seat and enter the captain's quarters, where they were sitting.

"Hey squall, Rinoa, we're….." Sora's voice tapered off. "Oh, sorry." He quickly turned away.

He had turned away immediately when he entered the scene, flustered by the notion. He had nearly forgotten that they had been in a relationship, much less that they were older than he. It was only natural. Still, he had never done such a thing, and was still naive to the ways of love. He had wondered on several occasions what it might be like to kiss a girl. As a certain girl came to his mind, he could feel the heat rising in his face. Kairi would never kiss him like that, would she?

With equally crimson faces, squall and Rinoa immediately separated, each too embarrassed to say anything.

"We'll be landing in just a few minutes, so…we'll see you down there." Sora tried to think of something to finish.

Hope you guys liked it that was the first time I have ever written anything quite like that. It was fun for me, too! If you have any comments, don't forget to review!