"Sandcastles"

By: Apolena Soleil

A/N: Whoa. Hey guys. It seems as if I haven't written anything in awhile… Eep. I apologize for that. It's been forever, hasn't it?  Well, this is my first attempt at Final Fantasy fiction in a long while… The idea came to me and I decided to write this on a whim. If I get good feedback and find the time, perhaps I'll expand upon the idea. (Who am I kidding? I already have a second chapter in the works. XDD This time I'll finish a story for a change!) And please forgive any oddities in the story… I haven't played Final Fantasy 8 in a millennia. :3

Disclaimer: I own Seifer on the weekends. Muahahah. Other then that…errr, yeah.

In and out, out and in… The ocean never ceased to amaze Quistis Trepe. Its grandeur was unparalleled and yet if you sat and watched long enough, it wasn't too complicated. Yes, the tide changed every now and then, but the waves, the foam, that characteristic sound of the surf rolling up onto the shore… She had been observing the same thing since she was a young child. Her entire life changed since the first time she frolicked along the beach, but now things had finally come full circle. Here she was, and despite all that occurred, life on the sand was just as it always had been: peaceful.

"If time could only go backwards just this once…just for me…"

Quistis felt the granules between her toes and couldn't resist wiggling them as she sat, knees up under her chin. She could never forget the first time she sat down in that same spot; Selphie and Zell were helping her with a sandcastle, but Seifer ended up throwing a pail of water on it. Although not totally damaged, the castle had a dilapidated look to it that the kids couldn't repair. Seifer considered it a victory. Selphie cried. However, Quistis couldn't find it within her to be upset over such a thing. It was only sand. Another castle could always be built. It certainly wasn't the biggest problem in the world.

why can't things be that simple anymore… Her blonde hair hung down across her cerulean eyes and pale face as she took a handful of sand and let it trickle over her palm, through her fingers, and back to where she found it. Oh, if life were only as simple as a fallen sandcastle! Quistis thought about all that could be avoided in life with such simplicity. No war, no hatred, no pain… The young woman's mind wouldn't be clouded with terrible, painful thoughts. She wouldn't feel so alone…

"Quistis? Aren't you cold out here?"

A familiar blonde haired man stood several feet behind her. Quistis was so enamored in her thoughts that she failed to sense his presence. His voice was barely audible over the sound of the ocean, but it didn't really need to be. Over the years, she and he developed a bond so close that they almost didn't need to say anything. A simple glance or movement conveyed a thousand words. Unfortunately, the woman was not facing him, so she turned her head ever so slightly to the left. His striking features were illuminated in the moonlight; Quistis couldn't help but elicit a tiny sigh.

"No. I'm quite all right, Seifer. I was just thinking. Care to join me?" She smiled and lifted a hand for him to take.

"I would, but I really don't think that you should be out here, Quis." Seifer took her hand in his own and squeezed it, but didn't sit. "You'll end up in bed all day tomorrow."

"Oh, no I won't," She began, shaking her head roughly. "That only happened once before, and it was because I was running around! Right now I'm doing nothing like that."

"Well… I guess I can't force you to move. Fine."

Seifer sat down next to Quistis and wrapped his arm around her back. To him she felt so tiny and delicate, like a china doll. For the past several months he had been afraid that he'd break her if his touch was too forceful. She always tried to be strong, but he took note of all the times she winced when he tried to gently hug her. Nowadays, it was rare for him to even kiss Quistis' forehead for he didn't want to hurt her.

"What do you think the others are doing now?" Quistis whispered into Seifer's ear. She leaned her head on his shoulder, grateful for the warmth he supplied. "They all must be so happy…"

"Last I heard Squall and Rinoa were settled down in Balamb. They wanted to be close to Garden, but didn't want to live there anymore, which I guess is understandable."

"Yeah… We've all spent so much time there. It's only natural to leave." She closed her eyes, shutting out the world for a moment. "Irvine and Selphie have their daughter now. What's her name?"

Seifer smiled. "Nayri? I think that's it… Her name starts with an 'n.' I'll have to check the letter they sent us." Nayri… A little Selphie! Wasn't it only yesterday when we were all little kids running across this beach? It feels like I just threw a crab at her and Irvine the other day… "Why didn't we ever consider kids, Quis?"

Quistis furrowed her eyebrows and looked up into Seifer's blue eyes. "I'm not entirely sure. I suppose the thought just never came to our minds." She tightened her grip on his hand and imagined tucking a child into bed that had his wonderfully deep eyes and charismatic smile and she grinned herself. "Would have been nice, though."

The breeze began to pick up, creating ripples on the already bustling sea. Seifer placed his free hand on Quistis' bare arm and sighed. "OK, I think we've been out here long enough. C'mon… I'll bring you inside and make you some tea."

"I…" She wanted to protest, but couldn't find it in her heart to do so. Her blonde hair fell in strands across her face, shrouding her from the glittery light of the stars.

I knew that she would do this… The strong young man stood and slipped his arms around Quistis, lifting her up and holding her the way that one might hold a piece of glass or crystal. A body that had once been full of vitality and love was now frail and wilted – Quistis was only twenty eight years old! It never bothered him until he held her in his arms, which even though he was afraid to do he ended up doing often. He loved her so much…and hated to see her this way. Nights like this made Seifer wish that things had ended up differently, that they never fell for one another, that the results that the doctor held in his hand that fateful day said something else completely…

The affect that Quistis' ailment had on his heart was probably more damaging to him than to her. Every day he fought back tears that threatened to spill… He couldn't. Quisty depended on him for too much. Seifer managed to be someone's knight once and he had to assume the role again.

"No matter what, Quis…" Seifer murmured as he carried her back into the house, "I'll never let you go. We've come too far. Please…"

He whispered the same things every night and nothing ever changed.