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 AU. Theme 24: Opposites Attract.

Teacher's Pet

Seifer stood back and admired his handiwork. Double checking the table that served as the teacher's desk and podium, he grinned. Most people thought they would never get this far. He would admit that they were an unlikely pair: the academic star of the university and the athlete who had never finished his degree. But they had been dating since she had entered grad school, and this year would see their fifth anniversary as a couple. Seifer nodded to himself. Everything was prepared. Now all that was left was to wait. With a smirk, he seated himself in the back of the lecture hall, ready for the fun to start.

Quistis was running late. Her morning had been hellish so far. Everything from oversleeping her alarm to a hysterical student in her office had delayed her. The young assistant professor was beginning to regret agreeing to teach a ten-fifteen classes. She hadn't even had a chance to get her regular tea at the local coffee shop or a pastry to nibble on before class. It was not a good way to start her day, especially since she had a meeting with her dissertation committee only a half hour after class. She was only a year away from her doctorate at this point.

Still she made it to the classroom with just a minute to spare. Today was the midterm review, she didn't want to miss anything. Setting her lecture notes down on the table, Quistis frowned. Something was up. Her students were almost never this quiet. Quistis carefully scanned the room. Nothing was out of the ordinary. Her boyfriend was sitting in on the class, but that wasn't out of the ordinary, and her students were used to it by now.

"All right, today's the World Mythology midterm review. You all must know that given the class' population has increased by nearly half. That won't save you by the way, but it may help your grades some."

Quistis glanced down at her notes and reached for one of her dry erase pens. Noticing the other paper on the table, she frowned. It read: Turn around. She turned to the white board, the dry erase marker dropping from her fingers. In bright green letters it read: Quistis, will you marry me? An arrow next to those words pointed down to the shelf at the bottom of the white board where she found an apple. Encircling the stem was a gold ring bearing a pale blue diamond.

She carefully picked up the apple, slipping the ring from the stem. She set the apple on desk and put the ring on, holding her hand up so the class could see. Seifer was now standing in the aisle, hands shoved in his pockets and a familiar smirk on his face.

"So, did I get an A, Professor Trepe?"

It was her turn to smile. "Full marks, Mr. Almasy."

The next thing she knew, Seifer was pulling her into his arms for a kiss. Her class broke into cheers and applause while Seifer did his best to wipe any thought of school work out of her mind. He pulled away with a smile. "Can I take you out to breakfast after class? I'll have you back in time for your dissertation meeting."

"That sounds lovely." Quistis kissed him again. "I'll see you after class, Seifer."

Her class groaned. Seifer just smirked as he strode out of them room. Quistis glanced at her notes before meeting the dismayed faces of her students. She grinned at them, picking up the apple and taking a bite. "I don't see how my engagement affects your midterm next week."