1 The finale
Q/N: It had to come sooner or later I guess, so I decided to end it now while I was ahead…thankfully I'm back to 100% health so this chappy is bound to be a bit longer than the other two before it. I like this ending and I really hope you do too, cos that's the important bit, right? On to the end!
Chapter 13 For the love of another
Squall sat in his room looking at the small table beside him. It was 1am of the morning of the most dreaded day of his life. He hadn't slept at all, and he had the oddest feeling Xu was about to bound in, rambling once again about her social life and how much it sucks at the moment. Either that or Nida complaining about Xu, Zell complaining about the recent hot dog shortage in the Cafeteria, Irvine complaining about all the complaining or Selphie complaining about Squall not attending the wedding. All he'd received all day were complaints about one thing or the other. A few complaints came about Rinoa, but they were either from Quistis or Xu. Ten past one. Time seemed to be deliberately going slowly, just to prolong Squall's misery.
[Is it me, or is this boring?] Shiva asked. [Hello in there? I'm bored out of my mind here! Let's do something!]
'Like what?' Squall asked.
[I dunno, go into Balamb! Let's go watch all the ravers coming out of the nearby clubs back home to Balamb!]
'You're a real clubber aren't you?'
[Well, when I get bored the whole world lives to regret it. Take Diablos for example. I've glued his hands together through sheer boredom.]
'How in the world did you do that?'
[It's amazing what I can get your brain to conjure up Squall…]
'Oh brother…all right…I'll go into Balamb if you sort Diablos out.'
[You got it.] Shiva agreed to his terms as Squall left his room to go out. He needed the fresh air anyway. As he approached the exit he caught sight of Quistis on a bench next to the water. He went up to her cautiously.
"Are you all right?" he asked. She looked up at him.
"Am I making a mistake Squall?" she asked in return. "Tell me…what were you going to say before Seifer showed up?"
"I…I…I can't," Squall stuttered. "I'm sorry. I just can't. I'll get into deeper shit than I already am."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Ah fuck it…I…er forget what I said! Just forget whatever the hell I just said!" he suddenly darted off, trying to avoid her next imminent line of questioning only to watch her grab his arm in desperation.
"Squall…" she said softly. "What's wrong? Are you all right?"
"Fine! I just…can't sleep!" he replied quickly. "I'm going out now, OK?"
"Can I come with you?"
"You…you want to…to…come with me?"
"Yeah. I can't sleep either. I'm too nervous."
"I'm sure…"
"What was that?"
"Oh! Er…nothing! You can tag along if you want to! Not for long though! You've got a big day ahead of you!" Squall replied hurriedly. She let go of his arm and followed him into Balamb.
[Look at all the ravers! Hey wait isn't that Zell?] Shiva asked Siren.
[Seifer's stag night I'm assuming] Siren replied.
"Zell?" Squall asked puzzled. "Why the hell are you pissed?"
"Party baby!" Zell exclaimed, waving his bottle in the air. "It's fucking good you know!"
"Why the dodgy accent?" Quistis asked.
"Accent? Where? What? Huh?" Zell tossed his head around aimlessly.
"He's too pissed to care," Squall whispered.
"What ho my friends! How is that darling little tea party of yours going? Did the teddy bear and the rag doll turn up or did that crazy pilgrim chase em off?" Zell stumbled over to Quistis with a goofy smile on his face. She looked from Zell to Squall nervously, literally begging Squall to drag her away.
[Uh oh. Irvine and Seifer at 2 o'clock!] Shiva warned Squall as Seifer and Irvine made their way over to them.
"Hey lookey here Irvy! It be Quistis!" Seifer said cheerfully. "And she brought a friend!"
"Is that Squall I see over there?" Irvine asked, standing directly in front of Squall. Squall sighed.
"I'm right in front of you Irvine," he replied.
"So you are! Well, you are a fast walker ain't ya Squally boy? Huh? Huh? Huh!"
"I'm…gonna go now…" Squall quickly started to edge away from Irvine as he followed Squall's gaze.
"I'll go with you!" Quistis added hurriedly, not wanting to stick around at all. Aside from Xu on the odd occasion, neither of them was accustomed to being around drunks, so obviously they were eager to escape. Squall made a break for the harbour followed closely by Quistis. They managed to get there without being followed by the others.
"Close call," Squall said. "They're out of their minds."
"Completely," Quistis agreed. "If Seifer's like that at the wedding it's all over, I swear. I'm not marrying a drunk." Squall laughed a little but restrained the rest when Quistis gave him an intrigued glance.
"It's getting really late now…you should head back…"
"Yeah…Oh, and Squall!"
"Yeah?" he watched as she came up closer to him.
"I'm probably not going to see you for a while now, seeing as you won't be at the wedding so…" she leant over and kissed his cheek gently. "Goodbye. I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too," he replied, watching her walk away. He stood on the harbour's edge and looked down onto the water at his reflection. He sighed heavily.
[Squall…you're exhausted. Let's head back too.] Shiva said in a concerned way.
'OK…' he replied. He looked up at the clear night's sky as all the stars twinkled down on him. 'OK…'
~~***~~
"Garden Announcement, Garden Announcement, Commander Squall you have a call from President Laguna. Please pick up your receiver," the familiar voice of Xu echoed through Garden. Squall was fast asleep, unable to hear Xu at all.
[You gotta speak up honey he can't hear ya!] Shiva hollered, knowing full well that Xu couldn't hear her.
"Commander Squall! There's a call for you here from President Laguna! Please pick up your receiver!" Xu called again. Squall's eyes winced yet remained shut.
[Ooh, ooh, just a little louder, then you'll have his attention] Shiva said. She could tell Xu was growing impatient.
"Squall! Your dad wants to speak to you! Pick up your fucking receiver!" Xu yelled. Squall jolted up out of bed.
"What the fuck…" he muttered. He looked over at his bleeping receiver. "Oh…I see…" he got up out of bed, picked up the receiver and pressed a button. "Hello?"
"Hey son!" Laguna's familiar friendly voice came down the line.
"Oh hyne…it's you…" Squall sighed. "What is it now? I'm in no mood for a mission today father."
"No mission on today my boy! I have a wedding to attend! Why aren't you awake yet? It starts soon!"
"I'm not going."
"Why!"
"Too busy…"
"Sure as fuck you're busy. Listen Squall; this is Quistis' wedding here. I think somehow she'd want you to be there."
"Well I can't get there."
"Bullshit. Squall, I know how you feel about her…"
"Then you also know exactly why I can't go. I refuse to sit and watch the woman I love get married to some drunken half wit who I can't stand!"
"Well then, don't go to watch. Go and do something." Laguna hung up his end of the receiver. Squall held his receiver out in front of him for a few seconds before replacing it on his desk.
[The dude's got a point you know] Shiva commented. [You have to do something Squall…otherwise, she'll never know how you feel and you'll rot like a pathetic corpse that's just been run through a blender.]
'Say what?' Squall asked, completely confused.
[Just listen to your old man Squall. He's right. You know he is. Go over there and do something! Make a difference!]
'All right…I will. I will! I'll do just that! Thanks Shiva!' Squall jumped up off of his bed and ran to take a shower. If he were to do anything, he'd have to act quickly.
~~***~~
The hall was packed full of people: Quistis' foster family, her friends, Raijin and Fujin, Cid and Edea, Zone and Watts, Laguna, Kiros, Ward and Ellone. Quistis stood by the doors into the main hall alone, nervously biting her lip. Irvine came up next to her.
"Your foster father is giving you away huh?" he asked. She nodded in response. He leant over to her so that only she could her what he was about to say. "You're making a terrible mistake. You know that." Irvine then proceeded in walking into the hall. What had he meant by that? Was something going to happen to make this whole thing a disaster? Quistis' foster father went to her side.
"Come on Quistis. It's time," he said hoarsely. She looked at him nervously as he took her arm up in his. "You'll be all right." She simply nodded to him, but she didn't believe him for a second. As he lead her out, she watched the sea of faces turn their focus onto her. The nerves she had bottled down started to build up. Was she doing the right thing here? Her father left her by Seifer's side as he took her hand. Seifer smiled at her confidently. She focused her attention on the registrar; the ceremony began.
~~***~~
Squall ran as fast as he could. Shiva and Diablos ran alongside him. The Lionheart occasionally beat itself against Squall's leg, but he ignored it. He had to hurry. He was running out of time.
[I'm not built for all of this!] Shiva called to Squall. [I'm not a good runner!] At that moment Diablos, who was flying, took her up in his arms and into the sky above Squall. [Oh…er…thanks…]
[No problem] Diablos replied. Squall smiled.
"Come on you two!" he called up to them. "We're losing time here! We've got to speed up!"
[Squall! I see it! It's several miles up ahead!] Diablos called down to Squall.
"All right! Let's pick it up!"
~~***~~
The registrar looked from Quistis to Seifer. She smiled at them. She then focused her attention on the witnesses.
"If there is anyone here, who feels that these two should not marry, speak now or forever hold your peace," she said loudly. Selphie wished that Squall were with them. He'd object. No doubt about it. There was a silence of about three seconds before the door to the hall burst open. In the doorway stood Squall, Shiva and Diablos, all were looking pretty worn out. Quistis turned to face them in surprise.
"Squall?" she asked. "Why are you here?" Selphie leapt up and down happily and, in a fit of sheer joy, hugged Rinoa. Squall took a deep breath.
"I…I have to tell you something," he replied. "I should have told you this a long time ago. I wish I hadn't left it this long. I don't know if I'm too late now or not." Quistis felt herself start to get emotional.
"What Squall…what is it? Tell me." She looked at him desperately. Irvine, Zell and Laguna nodded at Squall approvingly. Squall took another deep breath.
"I…I love you!" he yelled. Everyone gasped in horror, especially Seifer. Selphie had a happy smile plastered all over her face. She was thrilled, no ecstatic, no; she was way beyond ecstatic. "I had to tell you how I felt before you went on with this…or I'd probably be miserable for the rest of my life! I can't keep things from you for too long, you know that! I just had to tell you…I love you so much!" Squall felt tears come to his eyes, so he quickly wiped them away. He took a step backward, ready to leave. Quistis' eyes welled up with tears. She removed the veil and looked from Squall to Seifer. She smiled at Seifer as tears trailed down her cheeks.
"Are you all right?" Seifer asked her.
"I'm…I'm sorry Seifer…I'm sorry…I hope you can forgive me for this…goodbye," she thrust the flowers into his hands and made a dash for Squall. She fell straight into his arms.
"What the hell are you doing?" he asked in an alarmed manner.
"I was just waiting for you to tell me, I've been waiting and waiting for so long," she sobbed. "I love you too Squall." As she kissed him loud cheers and screams were heard, mainly from the ecstatic Selphie.
"Go Squally! You did it! You got the woman you love! Wahoo!" Selphie squealed with delight. Rinoa leapt up and down clapping her hands. Zell cheered and jumped about.
"You go Squall! You go!" Irvine yelled. Quistis stopped kissing Squall for a moment.
"Let's run away," she said. He smiled and nodded at her. He held out her chain whip to her. She took it from him and threw it to Selphie. Squall picked up on her idea and threw his Lionheart to Selphie as well.
"We'll be back for those!" he yelled to her. Quistis pulled Squall out of the hall and far away.
[That's so cute, ah happily ever after] Shiva sighed dreamily. She held Diablos' hand and smiled. [We'll all live happily ever after won't we?]
[Yep. You bet we will.] He replied cheerily. For a few seconds they stood there in each other's embrace when reality suddenly hit them.
[Wait a sec…Squall! Squall come back!] Shiva called, darting off after Squall followed closely by Diablos. Seifer laughed.
"You OK Seify?" Selphie asked. He nodded.
"I guess I couldn't keep them apart," Seifer smiled pleasantly. "They do make a kinda cute couple, and he fought hard for her. All that matters now is that they're both happy, wherever they're headed."
The End
Aaaaaaaaaaah! The end! It's the end! Noooooo! Ah I'll get over it. So it all turns out roses for Squall after all. Good for him. And at least Seifer didn't flip out. What an understanding guy…will there be a sequel? I do not know, that is up to you to decide. My Nirvana thing was real cool, especially when my mate Ryan lost his shoe in the moshpit and the lead singer (who really looked like Kurt Cobain) held it up and threw it back into the moshpit. Ryan was so gutted. It was all soaked in beer too. Anyways, that's all from me, later days! (Hwoarang Girl do you remember Ryan Dean-Corke? Well that's the Ryan I'm on about.)
Q/N: It had to come sooner or later I guess, so I decided to end it now while I was ahead…thankfully I'm back to 100% health so this chappy is bound to be a bit longer than the other two before it. I like this ending and I really hope you do too, cos that's the important bit, right? On to the end!
Chapter 13 For the love of another
Squall sat in his room looking at the small table beside him. It was 1am of the morning of the most dreaded day of his life. He hadn't slept at all, and he had the oddest feeling Xu was about to bound in, rambling once again about her social life and how much it sucks at the moment. Either that or Nida complaining about Xu, Zell complaining about the recent hot dog shortage in the Cafeteria, Irvine complaining about all the complaining or Selphie complaining about Squall not attending the wedding. All he'd received all day were complaints about one thing or the other. A few complaints came about Rinoa, but they were either from Quistis or Xu. Ten past one. Time seemed to be deliberately going slowly, just to prolong Squall's misery.
[Is it me, or is this boring?] Shiva asked. [Hello in there? I'm bored out of my mind here! Let's do something!]
'Like what?' Squall asked.
[I dunno, go into Balamb! Let's go watch all the ravers coming out of the nearby clubs back home to Balamb!]
'You're a real clubber aren't you?'
[Well, when I get bored the whole world lives to regret it. Take Diablos for example. I've glued his hands together through sheer boredom.]
'How in the world did you do that?'
[It's amazing what I can get your brain to conjure up Squall…]
'Oh brother…all right…I'll go into Balamb if you sort Diablos out.'
[You got it.] Shiva agreed to his terms as Squall left his room to go out. He needed the fresh air anyway. As he approached the exit he caught sight of Quistis on a bench next to the water. He went up to her cautiously.
"Are you all right?" he asked. She looked up at him.
"Am I making a mistake Squall?" she asked in return. "Tell me…what were you going to say before Seifer showed up?"
"I…I…I can't," Squall stuttered. "I'm sorry. I just can't. I'll get into deeper shit than I already am."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Ah fuck it…I…er forget what I said! Just forget whatever the hell I just said!" he suddenly darted off, trying to avoid her next imminent line of questioning only to watch her grab his arm in desperation.
"Squall…" she said softly. "What's wrong? Are you all right?"
"Fine! I just…can't sleep!" he replied quickly. "I'm going out now, OK?"
"Can I come with you?"
"You…you want to…to…come with me?"
"Yeah. I can't sleep either. I'm too nervous."
"I'm sure…"
"What was that?"
"Oh! Er…nothing! You can tag along if you want to! Not for long though! You've got a big day ahead of you!" Squall replied hurriedly. She let go of his arm and followed him into Balamb.
[Look at all the ravers! Hey wait isn't that Zell?] Shiva asked Siren.
[Seifer's stag night I'm assuming] Siren replied.
"Zell?" Squall asked puzzled. "Why the hell are you pissed?"
"Party baby!" Zell exclaimed, waving his bottle in the air. "It's fucking good you know!"
"Why the dodgy accent?" Quistis asked.
"Accent? Where? What? Huh?" Zell tossed his head around aimlessly.
"He's too pissed to care," Squall whispered.
"What ho my friends! How is that darling little tea party of yours going? Did the teddy bear and the rag doll turn up or did that crazy pilgrim chase em off?" Zell stumbled over to Quistis with a goofy smile on his face. She looked from Zell to Squall nervously, literally begging Squall to drag her away.
[Uh oh. Irvine and Seifer at 2 o'clock!] Shiva warned Squall as Seifer and Irvine made their way over to them.
"Hey lookey here Irvy! It be Quistis!" Seifer said cheerfully. "And she brought a friend!"
"Is that Squall I see over there?" Irvine asked, standing directly in front of Squall. Squall sighed.
"I'm right in front of you Irvine," he replied.
"So you are! Well, you are a fast walker ain't ya Squally boy? Huh? Huh? Huh!"
"I'm…gonna go now…" Squall quickly started to edge away from Irvine as he followed Squall's gaze.
"I'll go with you!" Quistis added hurriedly, not wanting to stick around at all. Aside from Xu on the odd occasion, neither of them was accustomed to being around drunks, so obviously they were eager to escape. Squall made a break for the harbour followed closely by Quistis. They managed to get there without being followed by the others.
"Close call," Squall said. "They're out of their minds."
"Completely," Quistis agreed. "If Seifer's like that at the wedding it's all over, I swear. I'm not marrying a drunk." Squall laughed a little but restrained the rest when Quistis gave him an intrigued glance.
"It's getting really late now…you should head back…"
"Yeah…Oh, and Squall!"
"Yeah?" he watched as she came up closer to him.
"I'm probably not going to see you for a while now, seeing as you won't be at the wedding so…" she leant over and kissed his cheek gently. "Goodbye. I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too," he replied, watching her walk away. He stood on the harbour's edge and looked down onto the water at his reflection. He sighed heavily.
[Squall…you're exhausted. Let's head back too.] Shiva said in a concerned way.
'OK…' he replied. He looked up at the clear night's sky as all the stars twinkled down on him. 'OK…'
~~***~~
"Garden Announcement, Garden Announcement, Commander Squall you have a call from President Laguna. Please pick up your receiver," the familiar voice of Xu echoed through Garden. Squall was fast asleep, unable to hear Xu at all.
[You gotta speak up honey he can't hear ya!] Shiva hollered, knowing full well that Xu couldn't hear her.
"Commander Squall! There's a call for you here from President Laguna! Please pick up your receiver!" Xu called again. Squall's eyes winced yet remained shut.
[Ooh, ooh, just a little louder, then you'll have his attention] Shiva said. She could tell Xu was growing impatient.
"Squall! Your dad wants to speak to you! Pick up your fucking receiver!" Xu yelled. Squall jolted up out of bed.
"What the fuck…" he muttered. He looked over at his bleeping receiver. "Oh…I see…" he got up out of bed, picked up the receiver and pressed a button. "Hello?"
"Hey son!" Laguna's familiar friendly voice came down the line.
"Oh hyne…it's you…" Squall sighed. "What is it now? I'm in no mood for a mission today father."
"No mission on today my boy! I have a wedding to attend! Why aren't you awake yet? It starts soon!"
"I'm not going."
"Why!"
"Too busy…"
"Sure as fuck you're busy. Listen Squall; this is Quistis' wedding here. I think somehow she'd want you to be there."
"Well I can't get there."
"Bullshit. Squall, I know how you feel about her…"
"Then you also know exactly why I can't go. I refuse to sit and watch the woman I love get married to some drunken half wit who I can't stand!"
"Well then, don't go to watch. Go and do something." Laguna hung up his end of the receiver. Squall held his receiver out in front of him for a few seconds before replacing it on his desk.
[The dude's got a point you know] Shiva commented. [You have to do something Squall…otherwise, she'll never know how you feel and you'll rot like a pathetic corpse that's just been run through a blender.]
'Say what?' Squall asked, completely confused.
[Just listen to your old man Squall. He's right. You know he is. Go over there and do something! Make a difference!]
'All right…I will. I will! I'll do just that! Thanks Shiva!' Squall jumped up off of his bed and ran to take a shower. If he were to do anything, he'd have to act quickly.
~~***~~
The hall was packed full of people: Quistis' foster family, her friends, Raijin and Fujin, Cid and Edea, Zone and Watts, Laguna, Kiros, Ward and Ellone. Quistis stood by the doors into the main hall alone, nervously biting her lip. Irvine came up next to her.
"Your foster father is giving you away huh?" he asked. She nodded in response. He leant over to her so that only she could her what he was about to say. "You're making a terrible mistake. You know that." Irvine then proceeded in walking into the hall. What had he meant by that? Was something going to happen to make this whole thing a disaster? Quistis' foster father went to her side.
"Come on Quistis. It's time," he said hoarsely. She looked at him nervously as he took her arm up in his. "You'll be all right." She simply nodded to him, but she didn't believe him for a second. As he lead her out, she watched the sea of faces turn their focus onto her. The nerves she had bottled down started to build up. Was she doing the right thing here? Her father left her by Seifer's side as he took her hand. Seifer smiled at her confidently. She focused her attention on the registrar; the ceremony began.
~~***~~
Squall ran as fast as he could. Shiva and Diablos ran alongside him. The Lionheart occasionally beat itself against Squall's leg, but he ignored it. He had to hurry. He was running out of time.
[I'm not built for all of this!] Shiva called to Squall. [I'm not a good runner!] At that moment Diablos, who was flying, took her up in his arms and into the sky above Squall. [Oh…er…thanks…]
[No problem] Diablos replied. Squall smiled.
"Come on you two!" he called up to them. "We're losing time here! We've got to speed up!"
[Squall! I see it! It's several miles up ahead!] Diablos called down to Squall.
"All right! Let's pick it up!"
~~***~~
The registrar looked from Quistis to Seifer. She smiled at them. She then focused her attention on the witnesses.
"If there is anyone here, who feels that these two should not marry, speak now or forever hold your peace," she said loudly. Selphie wished that Squall were with them. He'd object. No doubt about it. There was a silence of about three seconds before the door to the hall burst open. In the doorway stood Squall, Shiva and Diablos, all were looking pretty worn out. Quistis turned to face them in surprise.
"Squall?" she asked. "Why are you here?" Selphie leapt up and down happily and, in a fit of sheer joy, hugged Rinoa. Squall took a deep breath.
"I…I have to tell you something," he replied. "I should have told you this a long time ago. I wish I hadn't left it this long. I don't know if I'm too late now or not." Quistis felt herself start to get emotional.
"What Squall…what is it? Tell me." She looked at him desperately. Irvine, Zell and Laguna nodded at Squall approvingly. Squall took another deep breath.
"I…I love you!" he yelled. Everyone gasped in horror, especially Seifer. Selphie had a happy smile plastered all over her face. She was thrilled, no ecstatic, no; she was way beyond ecstatic. "I had to tell you how I felt before you went on with this…or I'd probably be miserable for the rest of my life! I can't keep things from you for too long, you know that! I just had to tell you…I love you so much!" Squall felt tears come to his eyes, so he quickly wiped them away. He took a step backward, ready to leave. Quistis' eyes welled up with tears. She removed the veil and looked from Squall to Seifer. She smiled at Seifer as tears trailed down her cheeks.
"Are you all right?" Seifer asked her.
"I'm…I'm sorry Seifer…I'm sorry…I hope you can forgive me for this…goodbye," she thrust the flowers into his hands and made a dash for Squall. She fell straight into his arms.
"What the hell are you doing?" he asked in an alarmed manner.
"I was just waiting for you to tell me, I've been waiting and waiting for so long," she sobbed. "I love you too Squall." As she kissed him loud cheers and screams were heard, mainly from the ecstatic Selphie.
"Go Squally! You did it! You got the woman you love! Wahoo!" Selphie squealed with delight. Rinoa leapt up and down clapping her hands. Zell cheered and jumped about.
"You go Squall! You go!" Irvine yelled. Quistis stopped kissing Squall for a moment.
"Let's run away," she said. He smiled and nodded at her. He held out her chain whip to her. She took it from him and threw it to Selphie. Squall picked up on her idea and threw his Lionheart to Selphie as well.
"We'll be back for those!" he yelled to her. Quistis pulled Squall out of the hall and far away.
[That's so cute, ah happily ever after] Shiva sighed dreamily. She held Diablos' hand and smiled. [We'll all live happily ever after won't we?]
[Yep. You bet we will.] He replied cheerily. For a few seconds they stood there in each other's embrace when reality suddenly hit them.
[Wait a sec…Squall! Squall come back!] Shiva called, darting off after Squall followed closely by Diablos. Seifer laughed.
"You OK Seify?" Selphie asked. He nodded.
"I guess I couldn't keep them apart," Seifer smiled pleasantly. "They do make a kinda cute couple, and he fought hard for her. All that matters now is that they're both happy, wherever they're headed."
The End
Aaaaaaaaaaah! The end! It's the end! Noooooo! Ah I'll get over it. So it all turns out roses for Squall after all. Good for him. And at least Seifer didn't flip out. What an understanding guy…will there be a sequel? I do not know, that is up to you to decide. My Nirvana thing was real cool, especially when my mate Ryan lost his shoe in the moshpit and the lead singer (who really looked like Kurt Cobain) held it up and threw it back into the moshpit. Ryan was so gutted. It was all soaked in beer too. Anyways, that's all from me, later days! (Hwoarang Girl do you remember Ryan Dean-Corke? Well that's the Ryan I'm on about.)