His Second Childhood
By: Selim
Summary: When Squall returned from Time Compression, he wasn't himself anymore. Now he must grow up again, but would having his father in his life the second time make any difference? Squall doubts it, but time has never been on his side.
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII. I am not making any profit off this piece of fiction.
Rating: T

Laguna had never been in a Garden before but he had to admit it was beautiful. He'd heard stories about the Second Sorceress War taking place in these very halls but it didn't look like it. In fact, it looked like a page from a book in the Estharian Capital Library. Placing his coffee cup in front of him, Laguna tilted his head back to look out the tall windows of Headmaster Cid's office while he waited for the man to collect his wits and speak with him.

On the floor, with his stuff chocobo and blocks, Squall was laying on his stomach while carrying a very deep conversation with his toys. The child had thrown a fit when Laguna had first admitted they were visited Balamb for the night before heading to Esthar. It was a mixture of reasons that caused the latest tantrum – leaving Ellone so soon, having to see his friends still in child form, and having to leave Seifer behind – but the boy did agree to come along just to see how his old home was doing.

Seifer didn't fare as well. The man was reluctant to even leave the cockpit, swearing he'd rather shoot himself before he reared his head near Balamb. Technically still a wanted man outside of Esthar; the teen was happy staying in hiding even if it meant having to leave Squall for the evening. Kiros had reluctantly stayed back with the blond, leaving Laguna to face Cid Kramer alone.

Rubbing his scalp, Laguna brushed his foot out, purposely knocking Squall's tower of blocks over. The child let out an alarmed cry before tossing a toy towards his father. "Have you ever been in this office, Squall?" He asked, unsure if he'd even get a response. Squall had been in the middle of a lapse and it wasn't clear if he was still in child mode or not.

Bringing his chocobo to his face, Squall chewed on the fading feather on top, looking away. Definitely not adult mode, Laguna winced as the toddler rolled on his back, bored with his other toys. It was only a matter of time before he started climbing in drawers and causing plain havoc. Where was Seifer when needed? Laguna shook his head, reaching through Squall's Choco-Ranger backpack for snacks to tide the boy over.

The crinkle of a plastic bag filled with Ellone's special cookies grabbed Squall's attention immediately. Blue eyes, so much like his own, stared up in wonderment before the child rolled back on his belly, trying to steady himself up on his knees to crawl over. "C'kie!" Squall reached a fist out, his other hand grabbing Laguna's leg, still fisting the chocobo.

"What do you say?"

"C'kie, daddy!" Squall stood on the tips of his toes, reaching for the plastic bag. For a second, Laguna almost dropped the bag of treats.

"What did you call me?"

"Daddy-!" Squall ignored him, reaching for the bag more.

Unable to stop himself, Laguna wrapped his arms around the child's center, pulling the boy close to his own chest. Squall had never called him 'daddy' before. It was always "Laguna" or "Asshole" or "Hey, you". Hearing the actual title was endearing, at least for the president who never thought he'd hear it in his life.

Not sure what was going on but knowing the word had some kind of effect on his father, Squall started chanting it loudly, his eyes still locked on the bag of cookies hoping it would magically open with his treat. Laguna wasted no time, pulling out two of the treats to give to his son. Reaching for both, Squall shuffled both treats in his grubby hands, leaving stains on the yellow chocobo's fur. "Mmm, c'kie!" Squall stuffed as much of one into his mouth, leaving smears across his cheeks.

Going through the bag again, Laguna pulled out wipes to clean Squall up. No need for Cid shoving a cleaning bill on him while this was all going on.

The side doors slid open, causing the older man to jump in his seat. Craning his neck, Laguna relaxed his breathing when Cid came in the room. The other old man paused, watching Squall on the floor attempting to shove the second cookie in the chocobo's beak before taking a bite of the treat himself. Bending some, the older man put his hands on his knees while smiling wider than Laguna thought imaginable. "Hello there, Squall. How are you doing in Esthar?"

Pausing in his snack time, Squall's dirty fingers tightened around Laguna's pant leg. His fat cheeks tightened some, unsure about the new man in the room.

Cid's eyes lightened, his face falling. "Not good then. How long has he...?"

"It's just a lapse." Laguna brushed the wet wipe over Squall's face. The child pulled away, making a deep noise similar to a cry. Laguna took the time to grab flailing arms to clean sticky residue from them. "He has them three or four times a day. I was hoping to speak with your wife about this later. She may be interested to hear about this effect of the time compression." Cid nodded in agreement, taking a seat across from Laguna. "Have all your SeeDs returned? We transferred them out via shuttles but word has it a few have strayed. Would you like us to collect those ones?"

"Most have returned home, deserters. Parents were notified, you don't need to worry. And is the monster clean up…satisfactory?"

"Of course." Laguna clasped his hands together. "Your students are wonderful at what they're trained to do, you should be proud of them. We had no complaints from the people about any misconduct, each were professional in their own manner. The senate, actually, wishes to come to terms with Balamb to do a leasing program with the students. The outskirts of Esthar always have stronger monsters and Squall has told me one of the toughest things to come upon is a monster to take on when those in the training center here become obsolete. We would love to offer our lands for training grounds for your students."

Cid's eyes relaxed. "In turn," he smiled, "you have monster control."

Laguna smiled. "Of course. I only want to better set up communication, mostly, with your Garden for Squall's benefit. It is true Esthar could find use with your students and we always offer business to your school as we will play those students per monster eliminated." Laguna dug through his brief case, looking for the terms and agreements he founded with the senate. He could only hope that those weren't the forms Squall had found and colored all over with Seifer.

Meanwhile, Squall found himself fascinated with the door Cid had came through. On his feet in seconds, the child made his way to the metal sliding door, touching the wall in attempt to learn how it moved. Pushing on the frame, the boy slide down his nose pressing against the cold surface as he went. The chocobo in his hands came down next, slamming into the frame hoping it would open. Looking behind him at the adults, Squall made an attempt and letting them know he wanted to go to the other side and see what was there. They, of course, ignored him, too engrossed in the "coloring books".

Cheeks puffed out, Squall started towards a potted plant, staring inside it. Digging through the dirt, Squall scooped small handfuls to the floor eager to find where the plant was leading down to. So enraptured with his work, the child didn't notice how much of his weight he was putting into the pot until it and the plant tipped over.

"Squall!" Laguna jumped up, rushing to the child while Cid laughed wholeheartedly.

"Maybe Squall would like to see some of his old companions?" The headmaster reached into his pocket, pulling out a communicator.

In seconds the door that Squall wanted open did so, four bodies wrestling to get into the room. The smallest slid past them, sliding towards the child still on the floor. "Squallie!" Selphie's arms extended before wrapping around the child, pulling him off the ground. Wide eyed and terrified, Squall reached for his father as he started to cry. "Oh my god! You're just so cute!"

Still reaching towards his parent, Squall's sobs racked his frame. "Daddy-!"

And the whole room fell into chaos.

Selphie delved into Squall, lifting the boy into her arms to pat his back while bouncing him against her shoulder. Her words soothed him some, enough to get him to stop screaming. Instead, Quistis and Zell's voice rang out to Laguna, demanding to know what had happened to their dearest friend. Cid and Irvine, on the other hand, were trying to get Squall to talk, adding to the noise. Rubbing his temples, Laguna leaned against the conference table thinking maybe he should have stayed behind with Seifer.

"Could one of you just take him to get a bite to eat or something?" He asked softly. "Make sure whatever it you get him is cut into pieces or he'll choke. Also, he's had a nap already but if he gets tired just let him sleep. I have a spare change of clothes in here for him in case there's an accident but to be safe after he eats suggest the potty." Laguna handed the chocobo-ranger bag to Zell's arms, watching with glee at the unaccustomed look on the blonde's face. Quitis looked just as startled with the turn of events. "Think of it as birth control." Laguna snickered, turning back to the papers in front of him.

Cid joined him with laughter. "Some of these kids might need it. Be good with Squall, I still want to sit with him later."

"He should be back in his own mind later." Laguna nodded. He nearly jumped out of his skin when Selphie screamed.

"Yay! That means Squall can come to our party!" The brunette squeezed the child in her arms, only stopping when she felt plush against her face. Squall attacked again, the toy rebounding off her cheek. Face lighting up, Selphie almost hugged the child again had Irvine not rescued Squall from her arms, positioning the child to sit on his shoulders. His hat was the first thing grabbed by the curious child but he didn't say anything as he held firmly onto one ankle, his other placed on his girl's back. "Did you hear that, Irvie? Squall can join us for the celebration party!"

"I think that depends on when his bedtime is, hun." Irvine's voice carried as he left the office. Zell and Quistis followed soon after, chasing the other two to the elevator. Back in the office, Laguna could only shake his head at the so-called Heroes. Some people never grew up.

It took two hours before Squall came back into his own mind. He was with Selphie in the newly rebuilt Quad. Blue eyes gazed up over the high beams before coming back down to the new floors. He never liked this room as it always symbolized parties and guest, all of which Squall hated with a passion. Grabbing his stuffed chocobo from the floor, Squall pushed himself to his feet to get a good look at what was going on. It wasn't often that the school actually used the wing. Normally students just crowded in here to pay a few hands at games or meet up with groups so they could go into town. Now it was filled with excited children talking about the first party to celebrate the complete end to the Sorceress War.

Squall chewed his lip. That was never good. If there were no Sorceresses, there was no need for SeeD. Turning around, he crawled down the steep stairs. It didn't take much to completely leave Selphie's sights. Instead, he was too eager to see other changes that had come over the Garden, including the wide assortment of students now enrolled.

"Hey, Squall."

Looking up, Squall gave his old companion a small smile. "Irvine."

"Finally got tired of Selphie?" Irvine glanced back into the Quad when Selphie's voice carried out for the students to find Squall before he hurt himself. "You've been with her for a good while."

"Where's Laguna?"

"I think he just finished his meeting with Cid and is getting a tour of the Garden by Quistis. Apparently he's going to be the school's benefactors and needs to see what's going on." Irvine slowed his strides, letting the child keep up with him. The plush toy in the boy's hands drew his attention but he didn't say anything about it. "We came back for a huge party. Matron is finally stepping out into public again, it's been a whole year since time compression – you didn't invite us to your birthday by the way."

Squall snorted. "I didn't even tell Laguna until after the fact. It was best that I didn't; he went all out with this stupid pizza place. I'm three, it's not like I'm going to remember any of it." The last part was said with malice, letting the world see his full resentment towards his entire lapse. Taking a deep breath, Squall calmed himself some. "Besides, it wasn't too eventful, you would have been bored."

"At a pizzeria? Hell no. All I had for my birthday was a little one-on-one time with Selph, if you know what I mean." When the child's face turned red, Irvine snickered. "Besides, so much has changed we just wanted some time to hang out as old friends in a familiar atmosphere."

"I thought you were at Galbadia."

The cowboy shook his head. "Yeah, during the beginning of the year. I trained a replacement. Still go over there ever few months to make sure it's being run similar to Balamb as well as its old ways but I spend most of my time up at Trabia with Selphie. Oh did you hear?" The gossip in Irvine reared its head, his smile stretched across his face. "Zell bought Quisty a ring. I heard he's going to propose tonight."

"What happened to the Library Girl?"

"She transferred out. Now, what else is there…Oh! Matron is teaching the children here now. She's pretty good even though he's not combat training although she does have a few magic classes for the more advance students. And Rinoa…" His expression closed off, not even looking down at Squall. A tug at his pant leg told him to continue. "Because she is a Sorceress, we have a SeeD always trailing her so we do know of her whereabouts and doings. She's dating a nice guy, last I heard. I think they're serious."

Squall's face darkened a bit, his chocobo suffering his anger. "Well that's good." He pushed out. "Will she be here tonight?"

"No. She avoids the Gardens. She's not all that aware of the SeeD trailing her, either. Anyway, let's go to better topics. I bet you're eager to see the training center. We added a new floor and…" The man trailed off but Squall's lucrative attention was already gone, caught up with the newest fountain in the Garden. It was shaped like Griever. His eyes sparkled as he reached the marble, trying to climb up so he could see it better. Irvine was with him in seconds, talking about the new statue.

That was how Laguna found them. All smiles, the older man stopped just short of them, hearing some of Squall's wild tales of Esthar that only a child's imagination could make up. Irvine seemed to calmly take them in but his eyes told the story of a grieving man that lost a dear friend. "There you two are." Laguna ran his hand through Squall's hair. His boy pulled out from under him. "Hope he didn't get into much mischief."

"I could totally send him into the girl's dorm with a camera and get good footage." Irvine snickered. "He's a chick magnet."

Laguna's smile fell some, if not all. "Please don't send him in there, he gets scared in crowds. Anyway," he focused his attention on Squall, catching a yawn from the child, "someone needs to be put down for a quick nap if he's going to be joining you all for this party. Mind if I take him away?"

"No, not at all." Irvine patted Squall's head. "I'll see you later, be a hellion." With that said, he left the two. Squall's eyes remained fixed on Griever before he was picked up into Laguna's arms and taken to the VIP Dorms. Maybe, he agreed, a quick nap would take away all these thoughts of inadequacy.

Hours later, Squall was back in bed, having only spent a few minutes (possibly an hour) with his friends at the party. There he'd danced with Quistis (and he would forever brush it off as a lapse as Squall Leonhart did not dance), ate bread with Zell until the man choked, and spoke with Matron about his changes. After that, he had a small lapse, leaving him running around the Quad screaming on the top of his lungs while trying to get someone to play with him. After that, Laguna excused himself and Squall, saying they were going to be leaving early in the morning.

Now, fully awake in bed, Squall was tossing and turning eager to go back to the party for at least some treats. He saw some of his favorite mint chocolate cookies on the buffet line and worried someone else would eat them if he didn't go back. It was already midnight, the party at its high. Squall rolled back over as Laguna snorted in his sleep. The man would never realize, the child realized, sliding towards the edge of the bed. He'd run downstairs, grab a few cookies, maybe hug Matron one last time, and then go back to bed.

Plan decided, Squall let his feet touch the cold bed at once before he took off towards the door. Laguna hadn't even locked the door; Squall smirked as it slid open for him immediately. Outside, the two guards jumped from the wall. "You shouldn't be up…" One frowned.

"I have to pee." Squall whispered, hoping they wouldn't know there was a bathroom in there. "Can I go use it?"

The one on the left shrugged his shoulders. "Just hurry back."

Nodding, Squall darted off in the opposite direction of the public toilets, his little feet padding across the cold hallways. His mind shifted back to the last time he did this during a party, when he rushed to the Training Center to meet up with Quistis. Pushing into the Quad, Squall was surprised with the number of students still out there, talking.

Remembering his mission, Squall moved to the wall, hugging the cold surface before making his way to the buffet table housing all the treats. When a drunken student nearly stepped on him, Squall darted under the table, only reaching up once to grab a handful of cookies. He was stuffing a few in his mouth when he got the feeling he was being watched. Looking around, Squall tensed when he saw golden eyes staring at him from one corner. Edea Kramer hadn't aged at bit, still looking like the Matron from his memories.

"Matron…" Squall whispered, dropping some cookies.

"Couldn't sleep?" The woman asked.

"Uh, uh." Squall whispered, picking one treat off the floor. He almost shoved it in his mouth when Edea stopped him, taking the dirty treat from his hand. He was then pulled out from under the table, lifted into her motherly arms. Wrapping his own thin ones around her neck, Squall tucked himself against her ear, breathing in her earthly shampoos. He missed this. "I missed Matron." He whispered.

"And I missed you Squall. I missed all my babies." She swayed some with him in her arms, resembling a dance mothers used to put children to sleep. "You, Quisty, Zell, Selphie, Irvine. I missed all of you."

"What about Seifer?" Squall brushed his fingers through Edea's hair. It wasn't as soft as Laguna's but still felt nice in his fingers.

Edea's breathing slowed. "I miss him, too."

Looking around the room, Squall found himself staring at all his friends, talking amiably at once on a far off table. The only one missing was Seifer and it hurt the child to know where that one person was. "I can show you him. He thinks you hate him."

Not moving altogether, Edea pulled Squall back. "You really know where he is?" Squall could only nod, asking her to take him to the Ragnarok.

Ragnarok wasn't parked that far away, in fact, it was only a few minutes away. The ship didn't groan to admit them into the docking bay and Squall pulled himself out of Edea's arms to drag the woman up to the passenger bay when Seifer had last been at. Inside, Kiros jumped awake at the sound of the door opening, his dark eyes looking around the room to see all that was going on. When they fell on Squall, they lightened some until they fell on the Sorceress behind him. A sharp intake of air from the corner of the room had all eyes turning on Seifer who'd been pulled awake from one nightmare to an even bigger one.

Trying to pull away from that spot, the man moved himself across the floor, but each step was nothing compared to that of Edea's as she made her way over to him, dropping on one knee. "Seifer…" She whispered.

Swallowing hard, Seifer looked around for an escape, but Kiros was blocking the only door with Squall nestled against his leg, looking dead on his feet. "Sorceress Edea…"

"Please don't call me that Seifer, call me what everyone else does: matron." The woman brought her arms around Seifer, locking him in a tight hold. "I'm your matron." She reminded the child who never got adopted.

"M, matron…" Seifer's eyes stayed wide, his thoughts circling around him. His arm wrapped around Edea. "M, matron…" this time his voice broke into a sob. "I'm so sorry Matron-!" He cried loudly into her shoulder. "I didn't mean-!"

"Sh, sh." Edea rocked him in her arms. "I've hurt you so much, sweet Seifer. I didn't mean to. Please…will you ever forgive me?"

Across the room, Squall wrapped his arms around Kiros' leg, begging to be held before he fell asleep. "Where's Laguna?"

"Sleepin'…" Squall rubbed his eyes, still wanting to watch his dearest friend and matron repair their broken relationship.

"Like you should be…" Kiros trailed off as the doors to the passenger bay slid open again, this time all four of Squall's friend entering. Zell was speaking about having seen Squall and Edea enter the ship. All of them stopped talking when they saw Seifer, still enveloped in Edea's arms.

It was Selphie that stepped up first, falling to her knees beside Edea, trying to hold her lost friend as well. Quistis followed, suit. Taken by the emotion of everything, Zell rushed over, falling on Seifer with a outward cry of, "I love you, man!" Irvine could only shake his head, brush his hand over Squall's messy bed head, before joining the others on the floor to take turns welcoming Seifer back.

Kiros patted Squall's back. "Let's get you back to Laguna."

No one saw that Squall had fallen asleep already with a pleasant smile on his face.