Disclaimer: I don't own anything here, Square does, except for the characters that are unfamiliar.
Three years after Ultimecia's defeat, Squall is going out with Quistis and Rinoa has gone back to live with her father (they've forgiven each other) in Deling City and found a boyfriend. Squall has learned to express his feelings a lot better and is more outgoing. Everyone is going on with their lives. And so the story begins…
Chapter one: This isn't going to work
Ethereal blue eyes stared into calm azure ones. The couple they belonged to was sitting in the quad of Balamb Garden, safe in the comfort of each other's arms. Envied by many, Squall and Quistis were considered the "perfect couple". Then, all of a sudden, Quistis pulled her eyes away and frowned.
Squall nudged her and said, "What's wrong?"
"No," was the reply. "You didn't do anything wrong, but I think we have to talk. About our future. Let's go to my room to discuss this, okay?"
"Umm… Sure." The Commander hesitated, concern etched across his brow.
*******
"Squall, I don't think this will work out."
"What do you mean…"
"I mean us. At first I thought things couldn't be better, but now… Don't get me wrong, I do love you, but not in that way. I think I just thought I loved you because I felt the need to protect you. I see now that we were not meant to be. I could never really be anything but a big sister to you, Squall. I'm sorry," Quistis averted her gaze and shook her head. "I think it's time that we both moved on, okay? I want you to promise me that you will find someone else to love, because I know that the right person is out there somewhere. You just have to find her. Promise me." When he nodded mutely in reply, she gave him a hug and whispered, "I'm sorry."
*******
Over the course of the next few days, Squall and Quistis avoided each other, or rather, Squall avoided Quistis. He grew more and more reserved every day, becoming more and more like the Squall he was a few years ago. Quistis partially resumed her "Instructor personality", becoming stricter and spending more time in the Training Center battling T-Rextaurs.
The Trepies and the "Lionesses" (Squall's fan club, little known until now), however, could not have been more delighted. The Trepies could once again chase after Quistis without shame, and as Squall no longer had any commitment to someone of the opposite gender, Lionesses pursued him with renewed vigor.
*******
Deling City…
The bubbly dark-haired woman flew into the house like a whirlwind. "Hey, Dad!" Rinoa called. In the three years since Ultimecia's defeat, she and her father had grown very close and gotten to know each other a lot better. Rinoa had forgiven her father and had accepted him back into her life.
"Dad, this is Taese," she said when she saw her father coming down the stairs.
"So you're the new boyfriend she was talking about… Welcome to our house." He smiled broadly and shook hands with the young man.
"Dad," Rinoa interjected. "Taese and I were planning on going to visit the beach this afternoon. Would you like to come?"
"Sorry, but duty calls, and I must obey. I'll leave you two lovebirds to enjoy your time. Taese," he said, turning to the young man. "We would love for you to join us for lunch though."
"I would be honored," Taese bowed in a very formal manner and gave a salute. Laughing, the three went off into the living room to talk some more. General Caraway asked a few questions of him and was very pleased with the answers he was given. Taese was from a semi-wealthy family who had lived in the area for only about one year. They had moved there from Dollet and were planning on spending the rest of their days in Deling City. He enjoyed outdoor activities and was very outgoing. The young man was tall with very dark hair and soft amber eyes. He smiled very often and had a talent for making people feel at ease with him around.
After lunch, they went to the beach and Rinoa laughed as she watched him get caught by a wave and fall down, and getting up again only to be caught by another wave. They stayed there until sunset and then they went back to the Caraway mansion. Rinoa and Taese shared their first kiss there on the white sands of the beach.
A/N: I know this isn't much and it is kind of confusing and they seem a bit OOC, but I
promise, I WILL get into the story soon. And this WILL be a Squinoa, Seiftis,
Selvine, and Zell/library girl, I just haven't gotten to the other couples yet. BTW, I
haven't finished the game yet, so feel free to correct any mistakes I have in here. Please, be kind to this first attempt at a fanfiction, and r/r.
