Disclaimer: Anything that is not mine, is not mine. The game, the characters, they are not mine. The concept of the story is mine, but the elements added that were not originally mine, are definitely not mine. I hope that's enough disclaimer!

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The reverberating beep from the monitor pierced uncomfortably through his ears– fading... returning… then fading again.

The first thing Squall realized when he finally came to was the soft surface under his head and back. He was in an infirmary or hospital, somewhere that had medical services. He balled his fists, and the pressure of squeezing nothing against his skin flooded back to him like a new sensation. His body felt sore, though it was nothing too unfamiliar to him. He winced and slowly opened his eyes, squinting at the first sight of light then blinking.

"Squall!" he heard someone cry. It sounded like Ellone. That made sense. "Thank Hyne you're awake!"

Squall steered slowly toward the voice to see her standing and taking his hand.

"Sis?" he groaned.

Ellone smiled in relief and examined him while tenderly brushing his hair back. "How are you feeling?"

Squall's mouth pressed into a grim line. "Like hell."

Ellone sat on the bedside chair. "The doctor said you're healing quite well. We were beginning to worry you were in a coma, but the doctor said it was only your body needing sleep."

"How long was I out?"

Ellone's face fell. "Three days."

Three days? He had been sleeping for three days?

Squall gently placed a hand on his forehead. "That… long?"

Ellone nodded. "That doesn't matter, you're back with us now!"

Squall groaned as he pushed himself up with his elbows. Ellone swiftly held him on either side of his arms and propped him straight, gently leaning him on the pillow behind him.

Squall looked at her again. "What happened?"

Ellone smiled sadly and sat back down on her chair. He knew from the look she was giving him that he needed to brace himself for everything he missed in those three days. Three long days after the war. There would be no victory fanfare or dancing to music or confettis for heroes. No side ever won in a war. There were only more losses and deaths.

"We almost lost Dad," Ellone said. "If it wasn't for Ward who…–" she choked on her next words."– he defended Dad's life 'til the end. But he wasn't able to save him from the impact of the crash. It damaged something in Dad's back, and he still can't feel his legs. Kiros is the toughest of them. He broke many bones, but he'll recuperate."

The last word left a tone that was more reassuring than convincing.

Ellone hesitated for a moment. "Quistis has a bad head trauma. She's awake now, woke up just yesterday afternoon. But she lost her motor in speech."

Squall didn't want to ask. "Is she…"

"Mute?" Ellone finished. When Squall stared at her for a moment waiting for an answer, she closed her eyes and nodded. "Yes."

"Oh." Squall turned away. Quistis, the aspiring instructor, their group's strategist, lost her speech somewhere in the midst of the war. It would ruin her.

"Selphie is healing from minor burns," Ellone said, gripping back on hope with better news. "The sorceresses offered their help, so we're expecting a speedy recovery. And Rinoa…"

Squall snapped his head up at the sound of her name.

"She's in the other room, still sleeping. She took a bad one as well, but her sorceress friend Vanille never left her side. She's healing well. Out of everyone, she held the strongest faith that you'll wake up."

"How did you know?"

"Fang told me."

Squall hummed against his throat and nodded. "Of course," he murmured. After another moment, he lifted his head up without looking at Ellone. "Anything else?"

He heard a faint sound of Ellone gulping as she struggled to speak again. She didn't want to be the one to break the news, but the sooner he finds out the better. That was how he had always preferred it, anyway.

"We… well… we lost Raijin."

Squall shut his eyes and hung his head.

Ellone took a deep breath. "I've been told that he was able to clear the frontlines. But a bomb inside one of the jeeps set off and… He was closest to it."

He shook his head and turned away, suddenly feeling something heavy weigh down in his chest.

"I ordered him to stay there," Squall murmured. "Should've brought him with us where we could see him."

"The Salt Lake was the safest zone during the war. It was something no one had ever anticipated. It's not your fault."

Squall sniffed and turned back around. Raijin finally found friends in them, a sister in Fujin, and a brother in Seifer. He was lent to them for a fleeting time, and it was over before they realized they could have been better at being the family he sacrificed everything for.

"I'm going to see Rinoa," Squall said, having the sudden urge to seek comfort. At least Rinoa was safe.

Ellone stared at him for a moment, half-shocked at his unexpected request, but immediately understood what he needed. She nodded and helped him stand from his bed.

Walking wasn't as hard as he had thought. He started with smaller ones until he was sure he could make wider steps. Though there was the anticipated tingling in his legs from being stagnant for too long, each step encouraged what circulation his legs needed to feel normal again. To "get back on his feet again," as Ellone would put it. She handed him the white shirt and black pants she brought for him so he could change from his hospital gown. She offered to help him walk, but Squall held his hand up and assured her that he could do it on his own.

Out in the corridor, Squall glanced around. The infrastructure was too white and plain, and lacked the monitors and electronic panels usually seen in an Estharian hospital. Instead, it was filled with idle patients and medical staff buzzing back and forth the area.

Ellone detected her brother's curious surveying of the place. "We're not in Esthar anymore."

Then there was only one place they could be.

"Tear's Point."

Ellone nodded. "It's not as advanced as the city, but it has everything we need. Just until Esthar City is back on its usual operation, we'll stay here with the refugees."

Trudging along, they reached a room and Ellone gently knocked on the door.

"Come in!" said a voice from the other side.

Ellone looked at Squall for a affirmation (and translation), and he nodded. When they entered the room, they were greeted by a Vanille holding up her hands over Rinoa's waist with a bright white light of Curaga. She beamed at the two.

"Heya!" she said, keeping her voice down.

Squall nodded at Rinoa's direction. "Are you okay?"

Vanille knew she was asking about her use of magic energy and shrugged. "Well, I haven't collapsed yet. The red moon seemed to have done its trick. I think I'll be good for three more weeks without a coven."

Squall nodded and surveyed Rinoa as she slept. She wasn't as pale as he had seen her before, but she had a few bruises on her arms and a shallow cut on her face as evidences of her onerous battle with Ultimecia. Unrewarded from the sorceress language, Ellone wandered to the window to pass the minutes and allow Squall to take his time on his visit.

"How is she?" he asked.

"She's fine. Wound is getting better," Vanille replied. "Shumis are really good at this hospital thing. She still has to stay in bed to rest. No hard work allowed, so I'm her nanny!" She giggled.

"Shumi?"

"Yeah, Shumis make their rounds in the hospital and make sure they monitor everyone. They're pretty good with medicine too!"

"Can they understand you?"

Vanille shrugged. "But whatever they're giving us, it's working on Rinoa nicely. So no worries there!"

Squall took one half-emptied medicine bottle from the table and realized from the label that they had given her antibiotics. It had dosage instructions on the back.

"Can you understand this?" he asked.

"Well, the nice Shumi lady did some hand gestures," Vanille replied. Squall grinned, recalling the first time Rinoa tried to communicate with him. She also had to use hand gestures.

"That's good," he replied. He turned his attention back at Rinoa. "What happened to her?"

"Stab wound."

Squall's eye twitched at Vanille's reply.

"There's nothing to worry about, as far as internal wounds are concerned," she added quickly. "The Shumis were sharp to take care of the damage before it got too far. They stitched it up, but Curaga will do miracles."

Squall nodded. "Thank you."

Vanille smiled. "She best be staying in bed to rest though, just until she makes a full recovery."

"And you?"

She leaned forward and peered at Squall. "I could use some rest," she said, and then winked. "Wanna take over?"

Squall raised his brows and blinked. After a moment of seemingly giving it a thought, he shrugged. "Yeah, I guess I can."

Vanille's smile grew wider. "Great! We'll just finish up with her daily dose of Curaga before you can take your turn!"

"Okay. Then," Squall glanced over at Ellone. "Ellone and I will leave for now."

Ellone turned away from the window at the sound of her name.

"She should be awake by then. Bring coffee while you're at it?"

Squall nodded. "Is that all?"

"She'd love to get her hands on cupcakes too," Vanille replied. Then shrugged. "Well, anything sweet, actually."

Squall smirked and nodded. "I'll see if I can find a cinnamon swirl for her."

Vanille's face lit up. "That's her favorite."

"I know." Squall nodded.

When Ellone shot him a questioning look, he clarified for her. "I'll be back for Rinoa later."

"Okay," Ellone replied before heading out with him thru the door. As Squall gently closed the door, Ellone nudged his arm. "You hungry?"

Squall nodded.

"We can go back to your room and have something arranged for you."

"I'm not going back in there," Squall said with distaste. Three days were enough to feel cramped in his room.

"Let's hit the canteen then," Ellone replied. "They must have something you like there."

Squall towed behind Ellone as they made their way to the canteen where Estharian guards marshaled the long line of refugees. When they finally had their share of lunch after twenty minutes of waiting in line, Squall's hunger had already abandoned him. But being under Ellone's watchful eyes, he knew she wouldn't let him go so easily with an empty stomach. They took a free table by the entrance where Squall blankly fiddled with his porridge, the only dish he was allowed to eat for not having solid food in his three days of sleep. After taking one bite of her butter croissant, Ellone eyed Squall's tepid appetite.

"Don't you miss the food? Like, actual food?" Ellone asked. "You only fed on I.V. I thought you'd miss this."

Squall sighed lightly. "I'm just taking my time." He shifted his eyes up to Ellone. She was rubbing her finger clean with her napkin before sipping from her bottle of water. "Sis."

Ellone raised her eyebrows and looked at him. "Hmm?"

Squall rest his spoon on his bowl. "What happened to Ultimecia?"

Ellone patted her lips dry with her tissue and bit her lip. "Well, after she was defeated, the coven found a way to freeze her long enough until Dr. Odine could seal her and launch her into space. They're planning to man a station there, but–" she shrugged. "– who knows what's going to happen about that one."

"So they finally saw the truth," Squall said nonchalantly.

Ellone nodded. "The Gardens and the other nations finally conceded to Esthar when they finally saw it for themselves and understood our point. Maybe except Galbadia. But President Deling was under the impression that if he refuses to cooperate in the armistice, it will be the world against him this time. And Galbadia Garden, their sole strong arm, pacified itself from attacking sorceresses."

Squall suppressed a smile. They were finally getting somewhere. "And Balamb Garden?"

Ellone's lacy fingers fidgeted around her cup. "Without a Headmaster, Balamb Garden closed down while the other Gardens absorbed their cadets and SeeDs. They are starting to reconstruct their program so that they are no longer obligated to purge sorceresses but they can still work as mercenaries for special missions."

Squall nodded. "That's good," he sighed. Maybe it was all good, except for one thing. "Is… Cid really gone?"

Melancholy passed through Ellone's eyes as she nodded. "Yeah… he was... far too gone."

"Even… Edea?"

Ellone nodded. "She died with Ultimecia."

"Oh," Squall replied. He was hesitant to hear the answer. Edea was the haphazard victim who found herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was beginning to think Ultimecia did it on purpose to hit Cid where it hurt, probably as soon as she found out he was leading the SeeDs of Balamb Garden to destroy her during the war. They were doomed from the start. Both of them were.

Squall shook his head and attempted on a lighter subject. "How's the coven holding up?"

"They suffered their own losses," Ellone replied glumly. It was an answer Squall was half-expecting, albeit his hopes that they fared better. "I saw some of their wounded, and some who were…" she hesitated for a moment. "Well, you know how it would be. They went to war, and without a knight, so…" Ellone's eyes fell on her hands for a few seconds then lifted her head again. "Their youngest sorceresses are safe with us here, though. Fang told me Lunar Gate is still under construction, so it's going to be a while until they can return. The coven decided to stay here in Tear's Point and help out with the healing before anything."

Squall lifted his filled spoon from his bowl and dropped it again to sink through the thick porridge as he looked away. It was hard to remind himself that it was over when too many lives were taken and ruined by the war. Many were still faced with arduous recovery, may they be the injured or those who had to deal with the losses. It was easy to say that they were rebuilding, but "rebuilding" was too optimistic of a word. It was a hard and painful process of finding their way to start again and bring back what once was.

"How's Esthar?"

Ellone pursed her lips. "Just as you had imagined after being made a warzone. It needs a lot of work. But," Ellone lifted her gaze and smiled a little. "Esthar is still strong with its people. They are hopeful Esthar will find itself again and bring their home back just as they remember it, if not better. Though they worry very much about their President."

Squall chuckled softly. "That part's easy."

"Huh?"

"You can act as substitute."

Ellone frowned. "No! Of course not!"

"The people will look up on the next Loire to lead President is still recovering, and I don't see a Vice President around. And you're the eldest of his children."

"I can't!"

"Of course you can."

Ellone shook her head vigorously. "I can't deal with Galbadia! What if they declare war again? What am I supposed to do? People are gonna DIE. You're better at this!"

Squall shrugged. "I can't even fix my life yet. I just woke up, remember?"

Ellone crossed her arms and waved them to her sides as her gesture of admitting defeat. "Okay, you know what? Fine, you're right. There are still so many things you have to deal with. But when you are ready, you will have to take my place."

"Maybe we don't have to," Squall said. "I mean, he's still alive. Right?"

"Dad?" Ellone asked. When Squall didn't reply with more than a stare, she leaned over the table. "Wanna see him for yourself?"

Squall nodded.

Ellone smiled. "Okay." She flicked her eyes at his porridge. "Finish that first before we pay him a visit. A hungry you worries me a lot."

"You sound like my mother," Squall scoffed and lifted a spoonful.

"Oh she's worse," Ellone replied. "You may not remember her much, but I do. She's way worse, trust me."

There was no longer a Presidential Suite inside the hospital for the President of Esthar. The one hundred square-meter room was converted into a stockroom full of boxes of food and medical supplies manned by five Trabians and Estharians. Squall was yet to see for himself when Ellone told him as they made their way to Laguna's room at the lower floors.

"So, Trabia's helping out, huh," Squall said.

"Trabia Garden has been against the war from the start," Ellone said. "After the war, they planned to change the name of the Garden to Esthar Garden to seal their allegiance with Esthar, since the treaty had been rendered void. But Dad told them to keep it."

When they arrived in front of Laguna's room, Squall faced Ellone after she knocked on the door. "To be fair, Trabia is technically a part of Esthar."

Ellone shrugged. "They tried to be independent from us, and Dad only gave them that freedom. He's welcoming them back with open arms, but he wanted them to keep the honor of having established a Garden on their own."

Squall hummed against his throat as Ellone pushed the door open. He gestured after her before entering and immediately spotted the empty bed by the window. His eyes travelled to the the other bed in the room where a bandaged Kiros laid while Laguna was sitting on his wheelchair at the bed's side. Both men turned to the two and Laguna beamed.

"Squall! You're up!" Laguna guided his wheels around and rolled them toward Squall. The latter surveyed him and noticed how his feet were stepping on the footplates. They were much too relaxed that even his legs were slightly parting from each other. Laguna had completely lost control of them to fix them firmly in place. Squall fought the urge from shaking his head or turning away. He couldn't look at him like this.

"Dad," he said and his voice broke when he met Laguna's eyes.

Laguna's smile slowly fell at the sound of his son's strained voice when he called for him.

After a moment of silence, Kiros chuckled from his bed. "Laguna, it wouldn't hurt to take your son outside the room, right?"

"It might not be an ideal environment for the President," the Shumi nurse chimed in worriedly. Squall didn't notice her standing in one of the corners until she talked.

"Wouldn't want to remember this place with a sob story about a father-and-son's long overdue bonding," Kiros commented.

Ellone nodded encouragingly at the two and opened the door for them.

"Right. Okay. Squall?"

Laguna looked at Squall for affirmation before leading him outside.

Squall felt his legs weaken as soon as he spotted a chair and sat, propping his elbows against his knees. Laguna wheeled beside him and placed a hand on his back.

"Hey, you okay son?"

Squall nodded and eyed him again. "Are you?"

"Well, I'm alive," Laguna said too cheerfully. "And you're awake. I'm really glad you woke up. I couldn't be better."

The edge of Squall's lips briefly curled upward at his father's sincerity. "I'm sorry about Ward."

There was a sudden far-off look in Laguna's eyes which he quickly rubbed out with a forced smile. "It certainly wasn't the worst way to go. He'd crack something up and boast about it. Yeah…" He nodded. "We'll certainly miss him."

Squall nodded with him. "Yeah."

Laguna observed his son and after a wordless moment, beckoned him closer with his arms. "C'mere."

Squall drew closer to his father and flinched when he was pulled into an embrace. He warily lifted his arms to reciprocate the gesture and patted Laguna's back. Now that was another first. He was sure he had hugged Laguna like this back when he was younger, but it was too long ago to remember. The rest of the moments in his life barely involved any kind of affection. Until he met Rinoa.

When Laguna pulled away, Squall almost smirked and rubbed the back of his neck. He cocked his head at Laguna's legs. "Maybe we can get those working again."

"Maybe, who knows?" Laguna replied. He sighed silently. "The doctor said something about something breaking in my back, and something about being paraplegic. I don't know," Laguna shrugged. "Maybe I will never walk. Maybe someday I will. Just wake up and twiggle my toes again. Miracles can happen, I know that now. Heh," Laguna chuckled. "Just like how you met Rinoa."

"Rinoa…" Squall repeated, her name fleeting sleekly through his lips.

"She's a miracle, ain't she?"

"Hmmm…" Squall mused. "You knew her mother, right?"

Laguna grinned and scratched his head. "Yeah. I knew her from my Galbadia days. Met her in Deling. Deling Hotel, actually," he recounted fondly.

His father didn't need to say more for Squall to see that there was something more to it. "Must be serious, huh."

Laguna chuckled and shook his head. "Not as serious as with your mom. But it was definitely something. She was only starting her career in singing then. We chatted over roses and glasses of wine, and it became one of the most unforgettable nights of my life. Cheerful girl, carefree, and I swear she looks just like Rinoa. After that night, I was not able to visit her again, or see her. Not to mention, forgetting all about plans on seeing her after I met your mother," Laguna's smile fell quickly. "Then one day I just found out she died in an accident, leaving a husband, Fury Caraway. Imagine my surprise when I found out she has a daughter, a sorceress daughter. "

Squall looked away. "Feels weird."

"Yeah, it must be to you," Laguna affirmed. He tilted his head as if in thought. "Come to think of it, maybe that's why I never heard of anything about Rinoa."

Squall turned back around at Laguna. "Because she's a sorceress?"

Laguna nodded. "Yeah."

"She's… Julia's Ellone." Squall mused.

"Yep," Laguna replied. After a few seconds of needed silence, Laguna spoke again. "Wanna see her?"

"I already did," Squall said. "She was sleeping."

"She should be up by now."

Squall nodded lazily and peered at Laguna. "Should I?"

"Yeah!" Laguna cheered, his voice rising a pitch.

Squall stood and dusted his pants. He glanced around uncertainly. "Where can I get cinnamon swirls around here?"

"Try the kitchen," Laguna advised. "The stuff they make may surprise you."

"Okay," Squall replied and was already making his way through the corridor. He stopped and turned around. "Hey Dad."

Laguna's eyes perked up. "Yeah?"

"I think I owe it to you. For dumping me into that place."

Laguna scratched the back of his head. "Nah, it was my bad. I only wanted to protect you by giving you the best training in the Garden. And I did it without thinking. It was too late when I realized they actually never really cared if their SeeDs die in, say, Timber."

Squall shrugged. "If you didn't do it, if I didn't become a SeeD, Rinoa would still be hiding somewhere. Or worse."

Laguna's lips curled up. "You think so?"

Squall nodded. "Now I know I wouldn't have it any other way."

All the cook could manage with the lack of supplies for proper packaging was the wax paper wrap that loosened around the cinnamon buns. Not ideal for the sticky cream glazed over the pastry, but enough to keep everything intact. Squall also remembered to place the paper cups inside the plastic bag and carried a pot of coffee with his other hand, mindful of his parcels as he walked along the corridors from the kitchen. He had to give it to Tear's Point for always having a complete set of ingredients and ready to cook anything.

Squall sighed heavily to brush away whatever fuss he had in his system when he reached Rinoa's door and knocked.

"Come in," she called from the other side. So she really was awake.

Rinoa looked up from her laced fingers on her lap and inhaled sharply when Squall stepped into her room.

"Oh," she said, forcing a smile to allay the racing of her heart. She gulped and bowed slightly before looking up again. She giggled nervously, and she was beginning to worry she looked unstable, physically and mentally. "Uhm…"

Squall gazed at her as he tried to read the unease in her tone and movements. Was his presence suddenly something new and invasive to her? They had been this close several times before, and then there was that more intimate moment in Lunar Gate.

"Do you need more time?" Squall asked, his jaws giving a little quiver.

"Oh, no, please," Rinoa said hurriedly, gesturing at the chair beside her where Vanille used to sit.

Hyne, her voice sounds beautiful.

Squall gave a subtle smile and obliged himself on the chair after placing the pot of coffee on the side table. He lifted the plastic bag. "Cinnamon swirls."

Rinoa eyed them anticipatingly. "Are those for me?"

"Yeah."

She smiled and bowed. "Thank you."

Squall placed the bag closer to Rinoa and peered at her sideways. She tucked her hair behind her ear and brushed it down to gather over her shoulder.

"Uhm, how have you been?" she asked.

"I'm fine," he replied.

"I'm glad you're awake."

Squall nodded once. "Thanks." He angled his chin at her wound. "How are you holding up?"

Rinoa placed her palm over the bandage on her waist. "I'm getting better. It doesn't hurt as much anymore."

Squall nodded and Rinoa squeezed her arms together after looking away.

"This feels strange," she said after a moment of silence.

Squall studied her with a curious gaze. "How so?"

Rinoa returned his look. "This is the first time we ever talked."

"You mean, actually talk."

Rinoa laughed softly. "Yeah. It's just that–" she fidgeted her thumbs. "–there were so many things we could have said to each other. If only…"

Squall watched her shift uneasily on her bed as he waited on her next words.

"If only I had made you knight sooner."

He adjusted himself against his chair and leaned his elbows against his knees. "I supposed I wouldn't make me knight back then either."

Rinoa smiled and tilted her head. "What made you say that?"

Squall lifted his gaze. "Need I explain more?"

Rinoa laughed and shook her head. "For starters, you were a meanie."

"Meanie?"

"Yes," Rinoa replied. "A big meanie who never smiles."

Squall tried to keep his smirk as subtle as possible. "I'm sorry you had to deal with that."

"That's alright. I just wish I had a way to tell you that."

"Would it make any difference?"

"I don't know. Would it have?"

Squall tried to hide his grin and the flush that crept his cheeks behind his unruly hair. He didn't care less of what she thought of him than he did now. "Maybe…"

"What about you?" Rinoa asked. "What would you have told me?"

Squall pushed his hair back. "Back then?"

"Yeah."

"Since when?"

"From the start."

"From the cabin in Timber?"

Rinoa hummed and nodded. "If you still remember."

"How could I forget?"

"It was too long ago."

"It was the first time I met you," he came back softly.

It was Rinoa's turn to blush under his gaze, though it was too late for her to hide it. She ironed the sheet on her lap to distract and compose herself. "So, what would you have told me?"

Squall gave it a thought as he surveyed her. And when she looked back at him, he began to talk. "I wish I could have explained everything to you. Why we attacked Timber, why I didn't trust you at first, why they took you to Balamb, why I had to leave you in Lunar Gate..."

Rinoa nodded silently. "Can you tell me everything, then?"

And so he told her. From the time he commandeered the ambush in Timber, to his discoveries in Balamb Garden especially of Fury Caraway (Rinoa asked if there was anything more to it, and Squall regretfully said he only knew what he read in the folder), to their escape, their journey to Esthar, and when they finally made it to Lunar Gate. She was silent the whole time, only asking questions here and there, listening intently as he spoke. When he finally told her of their parting in Lunar Gate, she didn't ask why he left her, but he felt compelled to explain himself, no matter how difficult it was.

"I understand," she said. "You had your duties back in the city."

"To tell you the truth," Squall added. "I didn't want to leave."

"You didn't have to. Why did you?"

His mouth tucked uneasily. "I guess I was unsure back then."

"How you felt?"

"No. How you would feel."

Rinoa's smile sprung for a second. "You could have visited, you know."

"You were welcome to do the same."

They looked at each other for several seconds when they realized they were both waiting for each other to do something for two long months. And then they laughed. Not because they had to wait for much too long a time, but because they both felt the same way and were too silly to see it.

When her laugh died down, Rinoa fell silent again while her smile remained on her lips. "Just so you know,"

Squall turned to her with a waiting look.

"I missed you."

His eyes travelled to the floor and then back to her. And she saw the heartfelt look in his eyes when he said "I missed you, too."

Her eyes widened. "Really?"

Squall nodded once. "You were all that I think about"

Rinoa felt her cheeks warm again and she looked away. "A-and then the war happened," she said, prompting for him to continue.

Squall dipped his head back down. "Yeah."

"We lost Garnet."

Squall's brows wrinkled in the middle.

"Garnet was a good friend. You should remember her back in Timber," Rinoa recounted. "You faced her at one point. She was one of the younger ones in the coven."

"The short one with brown hair?" Squall asked wistfully.

"She always wore yellow," Rinoa replied.

"Yeah, I remember her." He remembered thinking she was much too young to be fighting off the SeeDs.

"She was the reason I was left behind," Rinoa said, her voice staggering against her throat. "She needed help, so I asked Vanille to take her while I distracted the SeeDs." She closed her eyes and tears quickly fell.

"We lost someone, too," Squall said, not to level with her, but to join her in her mourning. "We lost Raijin."

Rinoa gasped. "Raijin?" She remembered him– the gentle giant among Squall's friends.

Squall nodded. "He had big dreams for this world."

Rinoa nodded. "Garnet did, too."

"They all fought with something worth dying for."

"Even Ultimecia's knight?"

"Cid Kramer," Squall replied and nodded. "That was his name. Cid made his choice. He looked at the wrong ways to save Edea, unaware that he was leading everyone to a war. He was too blinded by the prospects of curing his wife when there really was no cure."

"Cure?"

"From being a sorceress."

Rinoa narrowed her eyes, more in disbelief than anything. "How can you cure being a sorceress? I don't understand."

"I don't either," Squall replied. "Maybe because Edea wasn't a sorceress in the first place. She was only possessed by Ultimecia."

"Edea is his wife?"

"Was," Squall corrected.

"Can't we still save her?"

"It's too late for that." Squall shrugged. "She's gone. And even if we can, I don't know how."

Rinoa's eyes fell. "Oh."

"Cid didn't fight for her like he should."

"From the world?"

"From Ultimecia," Squall said. "Maybe if he sought the sorceresses' help rather than hurting or killing them, he might have found something. Maybe Dr. Odine might have found something. He shouldn't have captured and strapped them in a chair like…"

He stopped when images of Rinoa screaming in pain on that damned chair came back to him in bolts. It hurt too much to go further, and he shook his head in his attempt to remove that memory in his head for good.

Rinoa reached for his arm and squeezed it gently when he looked at her and she smiled affectionately to give him even a fraction of comfort.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

She gave him arm a little shake. "It's alright. We didn't know better back then," Rinoa replied, raising her smile when Squall tugged his mouth on one side. Her compassion really knew no boundaries, and that was a miracle in itself. "Also, thank you… for getting me out. I can't imagine how much you had to give up for me. You stuck around, and I'm grateful."

Squall placed his other hand on hers and brushed it with his thumb. "You saved me. In every way possible. I'm ready to give you everything, as I always have, since Timber."

She smiled and laugh, bashfully looking away and then turning back at him. "I think 'everything' is too much. I only ever want to ask one thing, if I'm entitled to demand for anything."

"What is it?"

"Stay."

Squall finally smiled for good, narrowing his eyes in thinner slits. She never saw him do that before either. "I'm not going anywhere."

"You promise?"

"I'll be here with you, as long as you want me to."

They gazed at each other for a moment before Rinoa pulled away and scooted to a side. She patted the space she freed on her bed and Squall, though unsure at first, took her invitation and sat beside her, kicking his boots off before pulling his legs up. She wrapped her arms around his waist and though he recoiled for a second, he placed an arm around her and she leaned her head on his shoulder. They allowed the moment of getting comfortable to settle in before Rinoa spoke again.

"I'm sorry about making you fight Ultimecia," she said and waited for Squall's reply. When it didn't come, she added, "You were the only person who had the best chance to defeat her.

"I told you before, didn't I? I'm at your service."

"Don't say that."

"What?"

She lifted her head and peered at him. "That you're at my service."

Squall raised an eyebrow.

"Nobody services no one. We're partners, right?"

"Just partners?"

Rinoa playfully jabbed on his chest and Squall smirked when she hugged him right after. When he kissed the top of her head in response, the memory of the night they spent together in Lunar Gate came flooding back to her like a vivid dream. He told her something, and she thought it was a promise or a goodbye. She didn't know, but now she could ask.

"Hey Squall?"

"Hmmm?"

"Remember that night back in Lunar Gate?"

"Hmmm…"

"We were in this same position when you whispered something. I didn't understand it back then, but I really wanted to know. Do you remember it?"

Squall smirked through her hair. "Hmmm…"

"What was it?"

Squall pulled away and gazed at her longingly, stroking her cheeks gently with the back of his fingers as he did. "I told you that no matter what happens, even if you end up as the world's enemy, I'll be your knight."

Her smile grew as she held her eyes on his, swimming into the heart and sincerity of his gaze and words. She cupped his face in between her palms, and gently pulled him close for a kiss.

Squall fulfilled another promise. This time, it was the one he made with Vanille. He stayed with Rinoa for another day, making sure she had everything she needed and that she grew stronger. Vanille had paid them a visit to give Rinoa her Curaga and left everything else to Squall. When the sun set the second time, Squall grew silent, and Rinoa could tell his mind began to travel elsewhere. He didn't seem to be the type who rest still in the present. He always looked forward, anticipating problems and future worries even when he was surrounded by people who would catch his back in a heartbeat.

Rinoa slid from her bed and carefully approached Squall with light footsteps. He was clearing up the table from plates and wrappers they used for dinner and jumped when Rinoa placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey," Squall said, half-scolding. "You should be in bed."

Rinoa brushed off his comment and beamed at him. "Let's head out."

He recoiled and shook his head.

She pouted. "I'm getting cooped up in this place already."

"You have to stay and heal. We have no choice on that matter."

Rinoa averted her eyes and rocked on her heels. "What if we give other people a visit? It's just like transferring rooms!"

Squall turned around to face her and leaned his back against the table. "Yeah?"

"You told me you haven't seen Quistis yet."

Squall shrugged. "I'm not sure if I already can."

Rinoa clamped her hand around Squall's and pulled him to the door. "Let's go find out!"

"W-wait, you–"

"Oh stop it, I'm fine!"

The next thing he knew, they were already out in the corridors and Rinoa was glancing around. "So which way is Quistis'?"

Defeated after Rinoa brought up his promise to be "at her service," he relented and lead her to the reception to inquire. They went up one flight of stairs and quickly spotted Quistis' room. Squall knocked and let themselves in after a faint response from what seemed to be Seifer. The latter looked up from Quistis' bed with dark circles hounding beneath his half-lidded green eyes.

"Oh, hey," Seifer gruffed weakly and rubbed his lids with the back of his hand. "It's you."

"Poor thing," Rinoa breathed at Seifer's sight. Squall gave her a curious look. "He must be really exhausted."

"What did she say?" Seifer asked.

"She called you a poor thing and said you look exhausted," Squall translated for him.

Seifer chuckled and swayed an arm toward a sleeping Quistis. "Yeah? Well, I present to you my own mistake."

Squall frowned and examined Quistis. No wounds were visible on her exposed skin, but the left side of her head was wrapped in white bandage with hints of bloodstains soaking from the inner layers.

Seifer's eyes travelled to Rinoa who was approaching Quistis then back at the latter. "I bet Ellone filled you in."

"Yeah," Squall replied, leaning his back against the wall by the door and crossing his arms. Rinoa sat on the free chair by the bed and held Quistis' hand, careful not to touch the tubes injected through her arm, and studied her with inconsolable eyes. When she turned away and glanced at Squall, he swore her eyes were already welling with tears.

"What happened? How can we help?" she asked.

"Rinoa's wondering what happened," Squall said. "I'm curious myself."

"Ellone didn't tell you that part?"

Squall shook his head, coming to the assumption that Ellone wanted Seifer to tell him himself.

Quistis grunted and haltingly opened her eyes. She scanned her visitors inside the room and smiled. When she parted her lips, she began to say a string of gibberish one-syllable words. Rinoa failed to stop her tears from streaming down her cheeks and her sob prompted Quistis to comfort her with a gentle stroke on her cheek.

"Ultimecia got into my head," Seifer began after watching the two. "I don't know how she did it or why she chose me. The last thing I remembered was helping Quistis up the ground. I tried to fight it–" Seifer choked and shook his head. "–Hyne, I did. I fought hard when she made me walk to her, when she made me blow Selphie away with Fire, and when she–"

Seifer's eyes fell and he shook his head some more. "I wanted to scream when I threw her to that rock. And when she didn't wake up. Zell held me in place until a sorceress Petrified me. I'm still thankful that she did. It eats me to think she could've made me do more. And then, when I'm finally myself again, I was told that Ulti– that bitch tried to make me her knight."

Squall watched Seifer grit his teeth and pull his interlocked knuckled down, all in his bid to repress his own tears.

"She knew what happened?" he asked.

Seifer scoffed. "Of course she does. We told her. She's not deaf."

"Of course."

"We also told her about Rai."

Both of them fell silent. Rinoa began pulling her trick of dancing wisps to keep Quistis entertained when her face fell at the mention of Raijin.

Squall shifted on his heels and cleared his throat. "Can she still write?"

Seifer nodded. "Yeah. She already told me it wasn't my fault. It was nobody's fault. Damn if it isn't. I'm glad that bitch is dead."

Squall caught Quistis watching them from the corner of her eyes and her smile wasn't there anymore.

Now's the time to move onto Rinoa's next question. "How can we help?"

"Do you have a cure for her?"

"Rinoa can try, if you let her. But we both know Curaga can only do so much. It will take more than that."

"Then help the others that you can heal," Seifer said, finally lifting his eyes to Squall with readable entreaty. "Quistis has me. And I'm gonna stay here until they discharge her, whether you need me or not."

Squall shook his head. "I agree. Take as much time as you need."

Seifer turned back to Quistis. "They have the other refugees in the open grounds. They have tents there, it's hard to miss. Zell and the others are already there. They could use as much help as they can get."

"Then we'll go there," Squall said, pushing himself from the wall.

"Thanks."

Squall nodded and called for Rinoa. Her face brightened when he told her they could visit the refugees and help out. He then cocked his chin at Quistis when his sorceress reached his side. "Hey, Quistis."

Quistis carefully turned her head against the pillow and to Squall.

"Catch you later."

Quistis simpered and muttered something incomprehensible, eyes darting between Rinoa and Squall. Whatever it was, he knew it was a warm return.

The open field was an organized mess with people going around and about carrying things, delivery things, and looking for things as they hopped from one tent after the other. Squall searched the place for any familiar face and quickly located Zell's tattooed cheek handing out string bags to the people in line with Fujin assisting him. Not too far from them were Selphie and Irvine who were giving out instructions and directions to the refugees. Selphie still had a bandage around her arm, but it didn't seem to bother her movements. They were also surrounded by sorceresses who lead the wounded to the entrance of the hospital or toward tents. Even the younger sorceresses lent their hands by playing with refugees their age.

Rinoa gasped beside him. "There's Fang. Oh, and Aranea."

Squall followed Rinoa's gaze and saw Fang's hands glowing over a child's wounded leg while the silver-haired sorceress he encountered soothed him from behind. So that was Aranea.

Rinoa whirled around at Squall. "Where should we start?"

Squall pointed the pair of sorceresses. "They seemed to be fully-booked. Want to help Fang with the healing?"

She nodded. "Sure."

They started squeezing through the crowd, ignoring the curious eyes that followed them and murmurs that begged to confirmed if he was the "Loire" and if she was "THE sorceress." And he had no better response, how else would they call them? He could only thank Hyne that Rinoa couldn't understand, and she didn't ask. Though the stares didn't escape her, but she chose not to say anything.

"Squall!" Irvine's voice boomed in the place and waved at his direction.

"SQUALL!" Selphie's call overpowered the other as she waved at the two with two arms. She began jumping when she saw Rinoa. "RINNY!"

Squall leaned over and whispered to Rinoa's ear. "You're Rinny. She's calling for you."

"Oh!" Rinoa began waving at Selphie too, trying to match the latter's energy.

"Squall?" an older woman said.

"Squall Loire?"

"That's really him?"

"So that's really his sorceress?"

Several people around them suddenly paused, staring at them and watching as he and Rinoa tried to pass through. And then, one of the older men began clapping. A young boy followed suit as he shouted a loud "THANK YOU", and the sound of clapping grew louder as everyone gradually joined the ovation. Irvine began clapping zealously and Zell whistled to cheer. Fang was applauding for them as well with a look of approval.

Squall and Rinoa halted on their tracks and looked around. Rinoa began clapping as well even when she looked uncertain at what's happening.

"What are we clapping for?" she asked.

"I think…" Squall glanced around. "I think they're clapping for us."

"What?" Rinoa's hands relaxed. "Why?"

"You saved us!" Y'shtola replied from behind. The couple turned around. "You did it! And we thank you!"

Squall looked at the cheering crowd and extended his arms toward Rinoa, rousing a louder acclamation with Selphie yelling in support. He began clapping for her too, knowing that it was really her who dreamed big and made everything possible. It was true that she was too good for this world, and though it sounded harsh, maybe even too good for him too. He felt the most fortunate to be granted this lifetime where she was in it.

She shot him a questioning look. "Why are you clapping with them?"

He didn't need to answer. Whatever it was, she saw it in his mesmeric blue eyes. She could see everything in his beckoning visage the reminded her of the incredible truth that he was her knight. He was hers.

"We both saved the world, you know?" she said, gracing him with his favorite smile.

He shrugged. "You started all this."

"All I wanted to do was to save you."

Squall finally laid his hands down and his smile softened when she locked him in a loving gaze. His heart leapt with the way she looked at him and it muffled the cheers and applause around them. Everything else slowed down and revolved around the immaculate vision of her. She was all and everything that mattered.

"And all I wanted is a world where I can stay by your side," he said.

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Eight years later…

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Ashen black hair that belonged to a boy floated through the crowd and out of the gaudy assembly. He pulled the hem of his red cape, swirling it through the wind in his victory stance for successfully squeezing free from the madding crowd.

"The knight of the night has made it alive!" his little voice piped and his eyes piercing at invisible challengers. He hopped and pushed his cape back while midair and did a half-kneel landing which he imagined looked mean enough for a hero. He pointed his wooden sword outward and scanned the lit place, stopping at the sight of the lone girl on the ground. She was fixing a loose tire on her doll's pink car, and though patient as she seemed, he could tell she was growing more and more frustrated.

And because he was a hero who fought for anyone in need, he rushed to her side as fast as his small steps could manage.

"What's the problem, you dimsel in stress?" he clamored gallantly.

The girl silently looked up to him from her work and stared blankly with her round brown eyes.

He "sheathed" his sword under the garter of his shorts and knelt beside her. "Do you need help? I can help if you want!"

The girl silently watched him talk before glancing back on her toy, fidgeting her fingers uneasily around it.

The boy offered his hand. "Do you need to fix it? Maybe I can look!"

The girl lifted her gaze again and saw the sincerity in his green eyes. She gingerly handed him her toy car and quickly retrieved her hand to brush her brown hair over her shoulder. She observed him examine the car in his hand as if he had conjured all the concentration and focus from all the depths and corners of the world. He fitted the wheel on the free slot and pushed it into place with a click.

He handed the car back to her and smiling proudly at his work. "There! I changed the tires!"

The girl gave him a half-smile and began to giggle that sounded like chimes in a windy morning.

The boy was about to leave but looking at her made him decide to help himself a spot beside her. And so he sat, rocking back and forth on his thighs. "So what's your name?"

The girl have finally decided to respond and shook her head.

"Huh? What's that?"

She pointed at the banner by the entrance of the place that said "Red Moon Festival" both in sorceress and non-sorceress languages.

"Huh?"

The girl then produced small wisp figures over her palms. One of a moon and one of a sorceress.

"Wow!" The boy said, ogling at the pretty glowing figures she invoked effortlessly. "Are you a sorceress?"

The wisps disappeared and she smiled at him. This time, it was a sweet one that reached her eyes.

"So you don't understand me, huh," the boy mused, tugging his lips to his side in evident disappointment. "Well, I hope you understand this one." He swung his strong arm and pointed a thumb at his chest. "Machina!"

"Machina," the girl repeated. Her voice sounded smaller than he had expected.

Machine nodded eagerly. "Machina!"

The girl smiled and pointed a finger to her chest as well. "Rem."

"Hi Rem! That's a weird name, but still pretty!" the boy said.

The girl tilted her head and smiled.

"Machina!" a female voice called from behind. Both children looked over Machina's back and saw a woman with long black hair approaching with a hand on her hip. "Your dad and I have been looking all over for you! The sorceress fireworks show is about to start!"

"Just a minute!" Machina called back and turned back around at Rem. "Mom's here. I guess I have to go now. I hope to see you later so we can play with your car!"

Rem only nodded and smiled as she watched Machina scamper away to the woman. He tugged her black skirt.

"Mommy, I found a new friend!" Machina said excitedly. "And she's a sorceress!"

"Really?" the woman replied encouragingly. "That's good. Did you make sure to greet her? This is their festival."

"There you are," a man carrying a popcorn and a chocobo-shaped cotton candy said as he approached the two. He gave the boy a look that was reproaching even under his sky blue eyes. "Where have you been?"

"I met a new friend, Dad!" Machina replied and pointed at Rem.

Just then, Rem looked away at the sound of her name and was lifted from the ground by Squall, her smile growing wider.

"Daddy!" Rem hailed and wrapped her small arms around his neck. Squall pulled her closer and rocked her lightly in his arms. Rinoa reached them from behind and held Rem's hand.

"Mommy!" she giggled and clasped her tiny fingers around Rinoa's.

"Hi Baby!" Rinoa greeted back.

Machina's parents squinted at the girl and her family curiously.

"Cloud," his mother said, trying to keep her voice as low as possible. "Is that…?"

"Yes, Tifa," the father said. "That's the Captain."

"So that's Squall Loire?"

"Yep."

"And his sorceress wife? Rinoa?"

"Uh huh."

Just then, Rem was telling Squall about the friendly boy who fixed her broken car. He followed his daughter's finger pointing at Machina's family who were observing them from the audience gathering for the fireworks. Squall caught Cloud's look, and the latter nodded at him with due respect. Squall nodded back.

"So where are we going?" Rem asked and earned back her father's attention. "Is Grampa and Auntie Ewony coming with us?"

"No. But we're going to get the best view of the fireworks," Squall replied, smirking as he adored his daughter. "I'm sure they can see the fireworks from the city too."

"Are we going to that same place as before?"

"Yes," Rinoa replied cheerfully. "The rooftop of the cabin."

"It's too high!" Rem moaned and dug her face on her father's neck.

"Don't worry," Squall soothed. "Mommy and I are here to catch you before you fall."

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A/N: Yep! Those are Rem and Machina from FF Type-0! If you're not familiar with them, GO SEARCH THE ADORABLE KIDS RIGHT NOW OMG!

Okay, since this is the last chapter, I think I might owe you some explanation. (cracks knuckles)

You might be wondering what happened to Serah, since she's arguably one of the most powerful sorceresses aside from Rinoa. She could have fought, but, along with Lightning, she chose not to. Remember, Snow and Lightning only concerned themselves with protecting Serah and staying out of the limelight. Maybe they made the right choice too, since Serah had been too sheltered all her life without experience in fighting. Even with a knight, she might not last long in the war. Don't worry though! The Farrons and the Villiers are still friends with the Leonharts/Loires! Claire actually ADORES Rem! Just couldn't find a place to fit that into the chapter lol

The "Red Moon" represents two things in this fic. One, it's Rinoa's dream for peace, as that was how she perceived it from the start. This was also why she saved Squall's life in the first place. She was all about peace, and she believed in it. It also represents Ultimecia's power, as the Red Moon or the Lunar Cry event is when sorceresses become more powerful. She was chasing for it which started a bloody war and hatred against sorceresses. Basically it's war vs. peace kind of thing, if there even is one. That makes both of them chasers of the red moon. Of course, Squall is a chaser too. Can't say the same about Cid.

What happened to Holy? Fang defeated Ultimecia using Holy during the great sorceress war 10 years prior. It did work, because that was the most powerful spell she could summon without a knight. Remember how Fang used to have one but he was killed during the war? Yeah. So Rinoa, being the all powerful now aside from Ultimecia, decided she needed Squall's help to defeat her, since he had the right set of skills to kill a sorceress, and she can add more to those with her magic, making an effective offense toward Ultimecia. Group effort, guys. Group effort.

Now, does it really all have to end here? Well, my buddy Angel Wings Naya asked if there will be any sequels of spin-offs. Not sure about a sequel, but if there is going to be, that will mean I have to do one that crosses over to Final Fantasy Type-0 because I will have to extend the story to Rem and Machina. For spin-offs, mmmmaybe omakes of what happens after the war. So that means actual moments where Rinoa and Squall talk, exploring the aftermath of the war in Esthar, Lunar Gate, maybe Balamb, etc.

Are you guys up for it?

So what's next for Scribbleness? I'm developing a new story and, fingers crossed, I hope you'll like that one too! It's going to be a lot different, but still Squinoa. Also, whereas this crossovers somehow with FFXIII, that one will heavily involve FFXV. I also have other fics to finish, so there's that too!

Thank you for reading and for all the support of people who stuck around til the end! Special mention to Angel-Wings Naya (awesome girl who gave me non-stop encouragement, support, and just for being someone I can count on!). Thank you to the usual suspects (in no particular order) Cerulean Twin, seranoa, lionheartilly, Rebekka, theGiftedFreakGriever, Enigma Esprit, Elendyr, fanakatsuki, ChaosreigN, Lorelyn Cruz Digo, kikodaisywrites, and Greyshade! Thank you for your reviews guys! What else can I say? KEEP CHASING YOUR OWN RED MOONS! Until the next story!

Oh, and as usual, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the whole story in general! Reviews are still very much super duper appreciated!

Cue the Final Fantasy Main Theme!