"Irvine" Quistis greeted him simply when he arrived at her tent the next day. She hadn't been waiting long, and was enjoying the brisk evening air. She wore a simple pink sundress that stopped at the knees and sandals with ling straps tied up her legs.
"Hello there" He said delicately planting a kiss on her cheek. She smiled up at him and took his arm as he led them away from the small collection of tents. Quistis hadn't seen Seifer all say while she was getting ready. He had apparently decided to make himself scarce for the day.
"You look very lovely tonight" Irvine purred in her ear leading her down to the beach.
"Thank you" she whispered resting her head on his shoulder.
He led her along the beach for awhile, and finally around a cliff to a little cove. Set up there was a blue blanket lying across the sand. Tall white candles surrounded it and a wicker basket brimming with food. Pink long stemmed roses were smattered around sticking out of the sand.
"How beautiful" Quistis gasped sitting down on the blanket. Irvine smiled sitting down next to her. He reached behind him and pulled his acoustic guitar into his lap. Tuning it a bit he hummed along with the cords.
She sighed rummaging through the basket as he started to sing for her. His voice was soft rich, and had a tiny country twang to it. She pulled out a bottom of wine and popped the top spraying wine all over him.
"Sorry" she said with a little giggle.
"No problem" he drawled winking at her. She smiled and poured him a glass, taking a sip from it before handing to him. He grinned and tipped his hat of plopping it on her head.
"Oh Irvine, lasagna. My favorite!" she exclaimed pulling out the plastic container that it was held in.
"I made it myself" he said. She grinned and popped it open.
"Here let me do that" he said talking it from her and setting his guitar to the side.
The food was delicious, the conversation delightful. Now they lay next to each other on the blue blanket staring up at the stars.
"Irvine?" Quistis said dreamily.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"How long have you felt like this about me?" she asked. He rolled over on his side and propped his head up on his hand.
"Remember that say at the prison when I came to rescue you all?" he asked.
"When Rinoa kicked you down the stairs?" she said back with a giggle.
"It was then" he said ignoring her comment by sticking his tongue out slightly.
"I didn't even remember about the orphanage then" she said.
"But I did. I never forgot, remember?" Irvine said. Quistis nodded remembering the scene at the basketball court in Trabia. She rolled over and looked at him tucking both of her hands under her head. He smiled at him and leaned towards her their lips meeting.
The familiar smell of him filled her as he drew her close to him. Passionate kisses he trailed along her neck sending shivers up her body. Their reverie was broken as the sky seemed to open up and cry. Rain plopped heavily down around them. Quistis squeal hopping to her feet.
"Come on" Irvine said grabbing her hand and beginning to run. She giggled as she ran after him kicking up sand in their wake. The reached the cliffs and headed up. He ran towards the lighthouse, its slim white structure contrasting with the black clouds.
"Inside" he said opening the door for her. She giggled ducking inside.
"I've never actually been in here before" she said as she started to climb up the stairs. He nodded following behind her. The reached the top where the light was held. The light had lain dormant for as long as they both could remember.
"This is a great view" She whispered looking out the windows at the rain falling down on the ocean.
"Liberating, isn't it?" he asked throwing the window open instantly filling the room with the smell of salt and rain.
"Your wild" she said as he stepped out onto the small ledge winding around the lighthouse.
"Come on" he said pulling her out. She followed him out into the rain leaning against him.
"Lets go up" he said pointing to a tiny ladder leading up to the tiled roof of the lighthouse.
"Ok!" she exclaimed following him up the ladder. She took his hand steadying her on the wet slippery tiles. He threw his arms out wide and his head back.
"Fly" he said to her and she copied his movement. She had never felt so free, she had never felt so alive.
"Thank you for tonight" Quistis said to Irvine as when he dropped her off at her tent. He smiled at her and planted another kiss on lips before claiming his hat from her head.
"Good luck tomorrow" he whispered before waltzing away into the night. Quistis watched him go for awhile before he disappeared into the night.
