Autumn's Wish
By MoonShadow Angel
Chapter Four: Closer

:Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII or any of Squaresoft/ Square-Enix's characters.

Quistis woke up the next day with a bit of a headache. Yesterday was seemingly the most horrible day of her life, having been rammed into quadruple piles of work in preparation for the University Festival. You see, aside from being the Captain of the Science Club, she was PRO to the Central Student Board. And being so, she was assigned to be the Committee Head of the Festival Guild, which deals with the detailed faction of the forthcoming festivities.

Blinking her eyes, the blonde sat up from the chilly sheets with the sound of the shower drumming in her ears. It baffled her, since that was the first time it occurred to her in her entire life. Never had she experienced hearing bathroom noises while she was still on bed, for she was the one always using it first among the three. Anxious, she reached for her eyeglasses from the night table; there's gotta be something fishy going on.

"And for today's weather, a high of 50 degrees would be experienced this morning with chances of thunderstorms later tonight…" Quistis bit her nail in wonder, overhearing the weatherman through the opened television. She looked at the bathroom door; it had a baby blue chocobo ornament on the handle, signifying Rinoa's presence inside the toilet. Still confused, Quistis rounded their small living room for the kitchen, where a little blackboard for activities was at. Maybe she'd find something in there…What could Rinoa be planning today so important she had to wake up early?

"Hmmm…." Quistis quickly surveyed for Rinoa's column. She looked for Saturday, and to her surprise, she rolled her eyes, "A smiley face?"

The bathroom's door jagged opened; a Rinoa drying her hair came out. "Hey, Quisty! G'morning!"

"Good Morning!" Quistis emphasized, raising a speculative brow, "What are we planning today?"

She pointed at the smiley face, earning a giggle from the raven-haired girl.

"You were looking at it?" Rinoa asked, still giggly, choosing to answer quickly before Quistis gets the wrong idea, "I have a date."

Quistis gave the board another look, frowning at Selphie's column, "Why do I get this idea that I'm the only one who's abnormal in here?"

"You're not, Quisty! C'mon! Don't think of it that way!" Rinoa assured her, walking over the counter to plug the coffeemaker in, "It's just that you get too busy, and you think that college guys are still high school boys…perpetually immature until graduation!"

Quistis mocked a gape, as if the thought was a fact itself, "Duh! Because they are!"

Rinoa shook her head, opening the high cabinet for the coffee jar, "Quisty…you'd never get a boyfriend with that attitude."

"Look who's talking…" the blonde smirked, twitching her lips in a very annoying manner. She watched Rinoa stuck her tongue at her, scooping coffee from the jar. "As far as I can remember, Selphie gets all the boy trouble in here."

"She's a social butterfly…Guys love that." Rinoa said admiringly, turning the coffee machine around to put the filter in, "Our Selphie…" like a proud mother to her child.

"Who are you going out with?" Naturally, Quistis decided to join Rinoa for breakfast. Opening the bread cabinet, she took three bagels out before reaching for the bread knife, Rinoa giving her a mysterious smile.

"Guess who." She giggled again, pulling the fridge open for the creamer. She wiggled the bottle before Quistis' face, making her anxious.

"Ah!" Quistis folded her arms, incredulous, "So this is how it goes now, huh?" Rinoa just shrugged, now skimming the cabinets for her beloved Nutella. "Why do you have to put enigma on it?" No response; just glittery eyes that were so lovey-dovey Quistis wanted to puke, "You're faking it!" She demandingly accused, into which Rinoa just laughed at.

"I'm not! It's just fun kidding around with Miss-Uptight-Quisty." Rinoa teased, Quistis playfully hitting her in the rear with the back of her hand.

Rinoa yelped.

"HEY!" she squealed, swatting Quistis back in return, "You do that again and I'm going to play all of Selphie's CDs in loud speakers while you're having your tutoring class!"

Quistis was unmoved, "That's fine. I can move my class in library anytime."

"You're such a pain!" Rinoa whined, sounding like a baby. Whirling back, she scooped three saucers in one hand and three butter knives in the other, taking them to the table. "You really need a boyfriend!"

"Whatever." Quistis mouthed, toasting the bagels in the oven. She left one bagel out, knowing that Rinoa didn't want hers toasted. "We don't have to go through this, right? Just tell me who you're going out with…It's that simple Rinny. You're just making it hard for yourself."

But Rinoa wanted the suspense; the surprised look on Quistis' eyes when she realizes who she's going out with. "I love challenges, Quisty, so we better go on like this."

"Now who's acting like a pain?" Quistis wrinkled her nose. She went silent for a while, narrowing her eyes as she thought of possible candidates. "Kadaj Qatarahj?"

Rinoa's face went purple, "YOUR TASTE is CREEPY, Quisty!" She exclaimed.

"HELLO? Who are you to blame me? That's like the only guy I last heard you had a major 'stellar' on!" Quistis answered back, although she also found it nonviable for Rinoa to consider dating him. The guy looked cool and hunky, but that's the end of his admirable traits. "Geez, now thinking of it, I would lock you up in the room if you'd ever consider seeing him!"

Rinoa shivered, "No worries, Quisty. He joined the AVALANCHE Army. He's probably hiking in the desert now. Anyway, next please!"

"Can I have, at least, a tiny clue?" Quistis toyed with her tendrils, thinking while she watched after their bagels, "I would really love to have a lead, since I wouldn't want taking much of your 'grooming time' from you."

Rinoa placed a finger on her lip, pondering carefully, "I hated him."

It didn't even take a second for Quistis to recall, her eyes growing wide with disbelief as she beamed knowingly, "NO WAY!"

"Yes, way." Rinoa replied sensually, eyeing Quistis just as seductively. The blonde still gaped.

"What happened?" Quistis blurted, almost breathlessly. "Last I heard, you would do almost anything for a chance to hit 'POOL BOY' with a garbage bag! What's with the sudden change of heart?"

"Actually…" Frankly, it was also Rinoa's first time to thoroughly think of it, "I don't know…I bumped up with him while I was throwing the trash, he apologized and then we made up."

"He apologized, huh? Talk about stomping at your Achilles' heel!" Quistis observed, almost in a jeer. Rinoa now had mugs brought out from the cupboard.

"I don't know…" She whispered, placing their respective mugs on the dining table, "There's just something about him. Probably, I'm attracted to him because of his features…hell, Quisty, the guy's overly sexy, don't you think?" She thought loudly, not expecting a skeptic stare from her friend, "What?"

"Rin, that's not like you…AT ALL." Quistis pointed out, doubtfully examining her, "Are you on drugs or something? You're not yourself lately."

"If it would mollify you, NO, just my prescriptions." Rinoa scratched her chin, sitting on a chair while they waited for the bagels to heat up, "Kidding aside, do you think it's impossible to hate then to love?" She quickly amended, seeing Quistis' eyes get bigger than they already are, "What I mean is that, to like somebody you formerly hate? In my opinion, it's easier to see somebody's good qualities when you hate him. You get judgmental that way, which makes you inclined to intimately watch him…observe him while you wait for his shortcomings to appear. On the other hand, together with his faults, emerge the assets…" Rinoa cupped her chin, thoughtful, "I bet I'm unconsciously drawn to him…because I've seen his assets, although I'm not sure what they are…"

"Obviously, you've thought about this more than I do." Quistis was compelled to agree; Rinoa had a point. "And is that why you're going to have lunch with him?"

"I guess…" Rinoa smiled, envisioning a wonderful day ahead. What could go wrong? Squall didn't look like somebody who'd enforce sexual activity in the first date. "I'm interested in Squall, and I would like to find out why by the end of the day!"

The girls were interrupted, turning their heads as they watched the front door unlock and swing open. Selphie plopped in from the outside, ostentatiously waving two pieces of card-made unknown in her fingers. To add up to their astonishment, in came a tall auburn guy wearing a cowboy hat right after the bouncy brunette. That same bouncy brunette was the first to break the silent succession of swift events.

"RINNY! I GOT THEM!" Selphie squealed, dashing up to Rinoa's position in the kitchen. Irvine stopped at where he was, skimming the new environment. He found it averagely girly.

Rinoa snapped from her wonder, realizing what Selphie was talking about, "REALLY!" She stood up, turning both hands in as Selphie extended her arms to give the passes, "How did you do that? I mean, Gold Saucer's pretty far from here!"

"Irvine and I were about to go," Selphie walked back to Irvine, leaning her head on to where it reached…let's say…the chest! "…but we decided a movie would suit us even better." She winked with a wicked grin, the cowboy chuckling with amusement beside her. "And besides…you need a lot of gadgets to bring out Mr. Pool Boy's romantic side." Selphie sighed deeply, as if the task was close to impossible. "Good luck, girl."

"I can't believe that Squall asked you out on a date." Irvine stated skeptically, receiving harsh glances from the girls, especially from Rinoa. He waved his arms in alliance, "No, that's not what I meant, Ladies. Squall never asks girls to go out with him…it's always the other way around."

Quistis and Selphie made 'Ooooh' sounds, throwing Rinoa looks. The poor girl couldn't do anything but turn pink.

"ET TU!" she called out, however, eventually breaking into a relieved smile. At least, the thought of him yearning for this day to come was loud and clear!

Rinoa flipped her baby blue RAZR close, approaching an empty seat in the small lobby of her dorm. Eleven-thirty…THAT was twenty minutes ago! Apparently, Irvine's suspicions were right: Squall never asks girls…it's always the other way around. Smoothing her white peasant skirt, Rinoa frowned. Has she just been duped?

Fortunately, the lobby was deserted; nobody would see this embarrassing state of hers. Come to think of it…Why would Squall even ask her to go out with him? He'd said it himself—he doesn't KNOW her. Why would he possibly consider taking her out to lunch? What's with the swift change of opinion? Rinoa pursed her lips, staring at her crocheted little hand purse. Believe, Rin. Always believe. Squall also said that he felt bad for her, not eating in her favorite diner out of her annoyance at him. It may sound far-fetched, but still, it was a reason, no matter how you look at it.

Rinoa stuffed a hand in her purse, fishing for her Gold Saucer tickets. Pulling it out, she sighed. Please don't let these go into waste…I've never been to Gold Saucer…and I want to share that experience with you because I just I felt that I had to…Rinoa flipped it over, looking at the printed paragraphs blankly. Why is it that I'm so attracted to you? Why do I always think about you?

She was so intent that she didn't hear the entrance doors open, watchful steps closing in.

I've never felt like this…but I like it…Rinoa slowly found herself beaming, deciding that she would wait no matter what. She was in the verge of putting the passes back inside her purse when she saw black shoes stop right before her...You just don't know how her heart leaped in reprieve!

"What are you looking at?" if only Rinoa wasn't so happy, she would have been infuriated with his tone. Nonetheless, that wasn't the case.

"Your PUNISHMENT for being late." She quipped, looking directly at his eyes. To her surprise, she saw something quickly hide itself…relief, maybe? But either way, she continued, "Alongside with you buying me lunch, you're going to Gold Saucer with me, whether you like it or not." Rinoa stood up, gazing up to his tall profile, "Be grateful that I'm paying for you…'cause that is all you can be very thankful of this day."

"I thought that it would go something like that…seeing that wily smile of yours." Squall looked so fabulous! Rinoa thought; lost in his unexpected smile. Clad in a dark blue leather overcoat, white shirt and black straight-cut jeans, he was already a sight to see! What more if he wore something formal? Or tight-fitting? Or sweaty…

Rinoa suddenly found it hard to breathe. Hyne! What am I thinking about? She let her face fall down to the floor. RINOA! GET A GRIP, will ya! It's just a simple date! A test-drive…You can't be thinking of these during a 'test drive'!

"Rinoa? Are you okay?" Squall got worried, seeing Rinoa turn quiet all of a sudden. He gave her a full glance; she was wearing a cute girly outfit, and a long skirt to boot, so there was no way she'd be suffocating under those clothes like most of the girls he went out with. His hand itched, hesitating to touch. Would she push me away if I do? What would she think of me? I hope she doesn't get the wrong idea…

But he didn't have to, for Rinoa got hold of herself just in time. Now calmly, she breathed, flashing him that jaw-dropping smile of hers, "GOTCHA!"

"Ugh…" Squall rolled his eyes, cynic, "Nice one, but that won't happen again."

He turned back, walking away. Rinoa kept up with him.

"Squall?" she peaked at his face. Hyne…it was stiff! "I want to go to Gold Saucer now. There's also a Buggy King in there, so don't worry about it."

He nodded, opening the door for her. Rinoa was the first to step out, freezing at the sight of his car.

It's not about the fact that he owns a Hyne-damn Lamborgini Diablo, but the realization that it was the same car that almost ran over her. Squall must have noticed her startled look, his eyes moving from her to his car and then back to her again.

"Something wrong, Rin?" Ooh…they're in 'nickname' basis now!

"Huh…N-nothing!" She stuttered, walking down the front steps mechanically. Squall immediately saw the resemblance of how she walked last time, when trying to pretend to do something, for the sake of appearances. Squall jogged down quickly to catch up with her.

"C'mon…" He persuaded her, grabbing her hand inside his in the process. It took a little time before the act settled in Rinoa's system…She flushed uncontrollably.

This is gonna be a long day…

…they both thought, at the same time.

Gold Saucer was a fifty-thousand acre theme park outside the great city of Esthar. Though its initial ground was nothing but near to coarse desert sand, its great architects and engineers were talented enough to turn the seemingly wasteland into a small metropolis of fun and laughter. Now functioning for more than five years, it was a tourist attraction to all wayfarers coming to the South East. And like an oasis, it was a splinter of hope in a continent of serious business activities, fast-paced living and sheer competitiveness.

Rinoa and Squall walked hand and hand inside the huge park. Using his free hand, Squall studied that usual colorful map they provided; Rinoa looking at him. Rinoa was busy figuring out what made the map so interesting until she saw Squall's ears…They were beet red…BLOODY red! Embarrassed to be caught 'ogling' at him, she took her time to look away, and THANK HYNE, here's Buggy King when you need him!

"Squall." Rinoa pulled his hand gently, urging him to look her way. He shyly did, and Rinoa tried her best to keep her actions normal, "Why don't we eat first? Buggy King is just up there!" She pointed at a restaurant at her left, themed with black and white checkered flags and a red car, a 'buggy', with eyes and a huge smiling mouth.

"Okay." He clasped her fingers tighter, leading the way.

The insides of Buggy King were very predictable. As you can see from the store façade, the place was race car themed, so you would expect red painted cubicles and stools, white tables and lots and lots of famous car racing insignas all over the place. Squall had never been to this Buggy King, although he'd been to Gold Saucer before, so he opted to scan the place while waiting in line. Rinoa asked him to order for them, saying that she'd be saving a seat while he's at it. That wasn't much of an ordeal at all, minus the cashier who flirted with every guy, including him, who stood in her line.

Rinoa was childishly clapping her hands when Squall arrived in their spot. Squall took it lightly, even managing to find it adorable that he grinned. He let Rinoa separate their meals, which were two of the same kind, and wordlessly watched as she arranged the burgers, rings and sodas neatly. What he didn't understand was the thing she began to do next...

Gingerly, after using sanitary wipes to clean her hands, Rinoa started emptying her container of Gyashi Rings, transferring the fried circular vegetables on his box. Squall frowned in confusion…Is she on diet?

"Nope." Rinoa knowingly answered his mental question. Turning a little sheepish, she went on, "It's just something I usually do when my friends and I go to Buggy King. I frequently put half of my rings on Selphie's, since Quistis is very well against oiled foods coming from fast food chains."

Squall said nothing, observing her slim, candle-like hands pile each ring, one by one, on top of the other. "Don't worry, I just put half of it…the reason why I always order EXTRA LARGE ones."

"Why do you do it?" Squall asked, marveled. Rinoa turned thoughtful for a while.

"No reason. I just like it." She simply replied, really stopping when her container was half full. Rinoa looked up to his eyes, her heart suddenly beating fast as a hidden persona of Squall seem to reveal itself at the moment…She decided to welcome him…to know him.

"You just like it?" he followed up curiously, even though his mask was still lifted, half-way covering… "For no absolute reason…at all?" he carefully trailed off.

"U-huh…" Rinoa nodded, smiling. Squall's eyes…they were so soft…like an amiable clash between blue and gray. These were the doors to his soul…they were opened at the moment, and she would try to enter, as long as he permitted her to. "Sometimes in life, you experience things that you like with no definite or even satisfactory reasons for you to…"

Squall blinked, listening to her…Experiencing things with no explanation…

"It's ordinary that you get confused…confusion is a part of learning." Rinoa took her time, careful not to quicken her pace and so much not to make him struggle. She wants their conversation to be tranquil…comforting…liberating. "Someday, after you've undergone confusion, you would realize why you like that perplexing sensation afterall…"

They stayed in comfortable silence for a while, just staring at each other. In the middle of the food chain's hustle and bustle, they had their own little world…a private oblivion where two souls were reaching for each other…exploring fresh possibilities. Squall was the one who broke eye contact, although not fully; he just gave his pile of Gyashi Rings a look, as if it would remind him of something he want to ask about.

"W-what do you do in the mean time…?" he stared at Rinoa's eyes again, loving how the warming feeling came back. Her eyes were so cool…yet so warm; an intoxicating concoction of fire and ice. "What…?..Until you find the answer?

"I do what I want to do…I enjoy the feeling while it lasts…"

"But what if the feeling goes away? Aren't you going to feel hurt?"

"No…" Rinoa answered with finality, "If it goes away, then it isn't worth my hurt."

Like what the magic of Gold Saucer had promised, the couple's day became a fun-filled, memorable one that would be cherished for the rest of their lives. Rinoa was tougher than she looked, yanking Squall here and there and everywhere to all the attractions which required both strong minds and stomachs. She even insisted riding the Ragnarok twice; which would have made Squall throw up in no time, having been tossed and turned in such a terribly fast speed. Of course, the male ego came out victorious…Hyne, what he does to keep up appearances…

Besides the grueling test of stamina and indomitable composure, the second portion of the 'date' was, rather, even more excruciating than the earlier part. Just like the prior series of trials, the second part required certain…almost unattainable attributes, well, in Squall's part that is. It comprised of…deceiving activities…

…easy on the outside, but complicated in the inside…

"I told you, Squall…" panting heavily, Rinoa cuddled her 'prize' preciously. It took half of her being to do so, which Squall tried helping her into, but was stubbornly refused. "See what happened?" She goaded conceitedly, having a hard time assessing Squall's reaction, being partially covered by her huge, white teddy bear, "If you just listened to me, you wouldn't end up looking like a walking gift shop!"

Squall pretended to scowl, but it ended up in a lopsided grin. He MUST really look like one HELL of a walking gift shop with that tone Rinoa used.

Okay, so this is what happened. Squall and his male ego were having a boost after surviving two straight rounds of riding the tumultuous rollercoaster ride, "RAGNAROK". Rinoa, thinking that her date needed a short break, thought of visiting the arcade; where the series of 'unfortunate' events happened…

It began with this game called 'Blitz Ace'; which was a simulation of Blitzball, obviously. Squall tried it out, noticing Rinoa locked eyes with this enormous teddy bear, and of course, winning the 'mammal' single-handedly. It would have permanently stopped there, IF Rinoa had just earlier realized the effects of her 'Way to go, Squall!', or 'You're the best', and so on. Belatedly comprehending the source of his enthusiasm, Rinoa was already too late—Squall already won her every prize available, from heart-shaped balloons, to rubber chicobos, Moogle pillows, Jecht Zavrone's action figure, Cactuar slippers…the list goes on…you could just imagine…

Rinoa was touched, but admitting it right away would spoil the fun.

"If I LISTENED to you," Squall countered, pushing his shoulder backwards to keep the balloon from hitting his face. It kept on doing the same damn thing; the breeze was getting stronger, "the arcade would be so empty they'd close even before they have to."

They finally caught sight of each other's faces; Rinoa sticking out her tongue while Squall looked on smugly.

"Pain in the ass…" Rinoa mumbled, but was loud enough for Squall to hear. He chuckled.

"You have no idea—"

Oopsie. Wrong joke. They both turned red.

"OH SHOOT!" Rinoa threw the sky a look, droplets hitting her face after she did. They were having so much fun that they didn't realize that the sky was getting darker; it doesn't look like there's gonna be just a mild drizzle!

"Let's go!" Squall urged, trying to carry all of Rinoa's prizes in one hand. He used the other to take Rinoa's, "We have to hurry. We still got a long way to the parking lot."

Very much indeed, that when Squall had finally unlocked his car, the two of them were already soaking wet. Now, in the confines of the vehicle, Squall quickly turned the heater on. He took off his leather jacket for Rinoa to use.

"It's still dry inside." Squall gave a small appreciative smile, admiring the way Rinoa still held on her wet furry present from him. "My shirt didn't get soaked that much, so don't worry." He added when he saw her reluctance.

The way back wasn't much of a hassle, the two talking about any topic plausible. A couple of times, Rinoa would start humming this song, listening to the radio, and end up singing it quietly. Squall would look at her, glancing for a while before he turns back to the road.

I do what I want to do…I enjoy the feeling while it lasts…

"You could stay for a while, Squall…it's really okay." Rinoa assured him, now walking in the hallway towards their rooms. The dormitory was gloomy and quiet at this point, apparently everyone was inside, tucked in their beds, and out of the wet cold. She opened her purse, looking for her keys; Squall following her behind. Now, he carried everything, even the huge teddy bear.

"Don't worry about me, Rin, I've experienced much worse." Squall watched her smile turn into something lesser, stopping. His smile turned out the same way. "What's wrong?"

"I—" Rinoa paused, opening her purse even wider. She took out her celphone, together with a small compact and a MAC lip gloss. "I can't—" she stopped herself again, now taking out the final content of her pocketbook: a thin wad of Gil.

"I don't know where my keys are at." She whispered with disbelief, her face falling. Squall visually went after her, looking at her as she ran towards her, seemingly, door. She knocked on it a couple of times, even tried the bell—no luck.

"This is embarrassing." Rinoa admitted, flashing Squall an apologetic smile as she dialed Quistis' number. A few rings have passed, and then she was transferred to voice mail.

"Oh I forgot, Quistis has a tutoring class." Squall saw her dial another number, talking to both him and herself. She had almost finished pushing Selphie's number when Squall took the phone from her hand, folding it close.

"Here." He stuffed it back to her purse, "I have an idea…"

It was risky to offer, but Squall couldn't just let her stay outside her door until her roomies arrive.

"Let's go to my place…" Squall chose his words carefully, cautious of any unnecessary implications that might offend her, "It's not that far…just a few blocks."

Rinoa was relieved, but that was before she paled. Me…? Going to Squall's place? She knew that she had to answer now, or else Squall might think that she's frightened about him or something. "…uh…Okay."

Now this ride was the most agonizing of the three. The comfortable silence was always failing; it was more of an eerie, discomfiting quietude. Good thing that it was just a few blocks; can be counted with one hand, much to their reprieve.

Magnus Hall was an exclusive dormitory for boys, and more importantly, coming from well-to-do families. Rinoa somehow thought of Squall as a rich kid, until he took out a darkly shaded, gold rimmed card. Upon reaching the elevator, he swiped it below the floor buttons, which made the 'PH' sign light up. Rinoa did her best not to gag.

The penthouse suite stretched spaciously on the top most floor, having an enormous hallway before the front doors. The hallway was lighted, perfect enough to showcase Centran designs paired up with carefully chosen furniture and ornaments coming from Alexandria and Lindblum. Rinoa wordlessly breathed, becoming more and more apprehensive as they approached the door. She was so shocked to discover, passing a big mirror hanging on the wall, that she looked so bushed; oh man, why did she let Squall see her in this horrible state?

"It's kind of messy inside…" he cut off her sorry, self-disparaging thoughts. Rinoa looked up, just in time for Squall to look back while swiping his card again, now using the reverse side, "…but try to feel like you're at home."

Messy, my butt.

The place was immaculate, that Rinoa was afraid that she'd ruin the place. Light blue, white and black where the key colors, intricately melded to bring about a masculine, refined and reserved aura. Squall disappeared into a room for a while, and when he came back, he was carrying a thick, terry-cloth towel in his hand. He showed Rinoa to the living room, who was still shocked by her surroundings.

"Very flamboyant…don't you think?" Squall quietly joked, Rinoa receiving the towel with both hands. She quickly shook her head, passing a look at the huge plasma TV complete with surround sound and game consoles.

"I'm just not used to seeing these things all…in one house." Rinoa asked permission to sit, taking the leather upholstered couch behind her. She began patting her hair with the towel, trying her best to fight her jumbled feelings inside. "Um…I hope your roommate won't mind me, being here."

She thought of Irvine, thinking that Squall can't possibly live in this massive suite alone. It could get lonely, you know.

"I live alone." Squall had a towel of his own, sitting across from her, rubbing his hair. "It gets lonely, but I manage."

Rinoa thought that she heard a whine, but the intimidation was overwhelming her. She was in Squall's house, and that admission that he lived alone just made it worse.

"Um!" She gave a nod, anything, just to continue the conversation and stop silence from washing in. She pretended to look around the place, when in truth, she was avoiding his eyes. Her heart was beating furiously…what was she so afraid about?

But Squall can read her thoughts. Unlike him, Rinoa was predictable often times; all of her emotions were written in her eyes. She was panicky at the moment, and Squall was also starting to be, trying to figure out what made her jumpy. She would clasp and unclasp her hands—he caught her a couple of times now—something she'd do when undecided, now he observed. Might be proximity, Squall thought, so he decided to stand up and get some drinks.

"I'll get you something…" he rounded the living room set, "Do you want coffee? Or tea, maybe?"

"I'll get the tea, please." Rinoa joined her hands; they were freezing cold. She felt sorry for Squall; she knew that she was being rude, acting this distant. But what can she do? She's not in the safety of her own territory…she was in Squall's territory—the whole acre of it!

"Here you go." Squall came back, passing a steaming mug of green tea. He made sure that he stayed far enough, so much not to scare her or trouble her even more. Rinoa reached up, but to her growing uneasiness, knocked the whole thing down. The warm liquid spilled on the dark carpet, making an even darker circle on the floor. The both of them jumped down to it.

"I'm sorry—!" Rinoa bent down to reach for the fallen mug, thankful that it didn't break. "I'm so clumsy—I"

Squall stopped her hand, preventing her from touching the porcelain. Rinoa stared at their joined hands.

"What are you so afraid of?" he hushed, almost an inaudible whisper. He tightened his grip on her, but light enough to feel his warmth, "I'm…not used to seeing you like this."

Rinoa's eyes were left unmoved, replying just as softly, "Forgive me…I'm new to this kind of thing." She stammered, swallowing a lump on her throat.

"Confusion?" Squall asked, and that made her look him in the eye. He didn't turn away, wanting to express what he felt, "It is a part of learning…"

He used her own words…

"What do you want to do now?" her lips trembled; the soft, pink hue becoming even more enticing every second. Squall didn't hesitate this time, touching her face with his knuckles. Her skin was so smooth…and her eyes…they could go on like this forever. His hand opening, Squall cupped her cheek, his heart throbbing on his ears.

"I want to do this…" Squall slowly descended, feeling her hold her breath, "I want to enjoy this."

Rinoa mindlessly watched, Squall's breathing dawning to her face. He smelled so good…he sounded so good…he felt so good; she gradually closed her eyes…

Her first kiss…

Their lips touched lightly, Squall sucking her lower lip. It was enough to ignite the fire inside them, that Rinoa parted her lips, expecting Squall to push their kiss deeper…

But nothing came…

…just tickling on her lap.

Rinoa snapped her eyes open. She saw Squall covering his face with a hand.

The raven-haired girl flushed. Hyne-damn it! Squall didn't want inexperienced girls! She thought embarrassingly, seeing the sheer disappointment crawl on his beautiful face. She pushed herself back, never been this humiliate in her entire life. What shall I do? I failed him!

Tickle.

Huh?

Rinoa looked down.

"Angelo!"

A/N: I did make this chapter long, didn't I? (chuckles)

Thank you so much to all the people who'd been reviewing my fic, especially to Luis and, of course, Lady-Rinoa14. I really appreciate your time, and encouraging words. To my friends, Soul Nightingale and Winter Serenade, Arigatou Gonzaimasu! I'm very grateful to your efforts…you've inspired me a lot. ;)

PLS. R&R! Thank you very much!

Tootles,
Moonshadow Angel