Author's note: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII or its characters. This is for the 30 Kisses challenge using list iota. This is set after the game and is slightly AU. Theme 5: Everything But the Kitchen Sink.

Life or Death

Quistis sighed and rubbed her temple, doing her best to appear interested in what the diplomat was saying. It wasn't like the man was telling them anything new. She could have told Squall that diplomacy was not going to work in this case, but the negotiations had been a project of Rinoa's, and he wouldn't have listened. So, she had kept her peace and was now mapping out possible escape routes for herself and Zell when things went south.

Thankfully, their hosts were willing to wait until the garden party that evening to make their feelings on the negotiations known. It had a number of possible exits; that was if she and Zell could fight their way to any of them. Quistis was just grateful that her whip fit in the purse she was carrying. She and Zell were outnumbered. On the other hand, they were both highly trained SeeDs. She still didn't like the odds. A gunblade cut through the attack to her right, and a familiar presence slid into place at her side.

"I think your negotiations are concluded," Seifer smirked. "Honestly, Quisty, can't you stay out of trouble for once?"

"This isn't my fault," she snapped back, "and what are you doing here anyway?"

He shrugged. "I ran into messenger girl the other day, and she mentioned you were here. I though you could use some decent company. Chicken Wuss, stop staring and keep fighting. You're going to get us all killed."

Zell immediately snapped back into battle mood. But even with Seifer's help, they were badly outnumbered. This was not looking good for them. Pressed up against Seifer's back, Quistis scanned the area for a viable exit. Maybe if they could just punch a hole through the group on the left, they could get out into the street below. Seifer nudged her shoulder.

"Quisty?"

"What?" She snapped. This was really not the time for a conversation

"Marry me?"

"What?"

"Will you marry me?"

"You mean if we survive this?"

He shook his head. "I mean regardless."

"Why?"

"Cause I love you."

An opening appeared by Zell, and they back toward it, Quistis signaling Zell to go ahead.

"Yes."

They made it out. It was a close thing, and ended up involving a high speed car chase. But they made it the safe house that had been set up on the edge of town, and that left her with dealing with Seifer and Zell. Well, Seifer wasn't that bad. They had made their peace during his and Matron's trials, and their friendship had started soon after that. Unfortunately, he and Zell still got along about as well as fire and gunpowder. They could go at each other over everything but the kitchen sink, and they could probably find some reason to argue about that too. And they were giving her a headache.

"We could have managed just fine without your interference!"

"Managed to get you both killed. Not that anyone would miss you, but the world would miss Quistis."

She raised a hand to temple to ward off the oncoming migraine. Seifer broke off yelling to glance at her.

"You're hurt."

"It's nothing." It was throbbing a little, but it really wasn't that bad.

"You're bleeding, Quisty. That's not nothing."

Seifer sat her down on one of the cots with a first aid kit. Quistis sighed. It really wasn't a bad injury, a mere scratch more than anything, but she let him fuss. It was easier than arguing with him at any rate. Seifer gently wrapped the long gash, and Quistis bit her lip.

"Were you serious? About wanting marry me, I mean."

He tucked the tail end of the bandages in and pressed a kiss to her palm. "Yes, Quistis. I'm serious. Is your answer still yes?"

Quistis nodded. Seifer grinned and leaned into kiss her properly. She slipped her arms around his neck to help his effort. Zell groaned and made gagging noises. Quistis pulled away from Seifer's lips and smiled at him.

"Shut up, Zell," they chorused.