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 before the game. Theme 4: Every Single Obstacle.

Ten Thousand Miles

Seifer wandered down the beach, biting his lip. Matron had sent him to go find Quistis. She had been trying to hide the fact that she was upset, but he could tell that the woman who cared for them had been crying. They had visitors at the orphanage earlier in the day, and he figured they were the cause of the trouble. And if Matron was upset, Quistis was probably also upset which was why he had come to the beach.

Quistis liked the beach almost as much as he did, and whenever she wanted to be alone she would come out here. So Seifer wasn't surprised when he found her halfway down the beach perched on a rock with her knees drawn up to her chest.

"Hey, Quisty, Matron wants you to come back now since dinner's going to be soon."

Her head shot up, and she scrubbed her hand across her eyes, trying to hide her tears.

"Coming."

Seifer frowned. He didn't know what was wrong, but since both Matron and Quistis were upset, it had to be serious.

"Quisty?"

She scrubbed at her eyes. "It's nothing."

"You're crying." Quistis didn't cry. At least not in public. "Tell me what's wrong."

He hated seeing her cry. Tears were something that Seifer didn't know how to fix. Truthfully, he didn't like it when any of the girls cried, but Quistis was the worst. Yes, Quisty was bossy and a know it all, but she was the only one who had been here also long as he had, and that meant something to them both. She and Matron were the two most important people in his life.

Quistis bit her lip. "Those people who were here are the Trepes. They've been here before. They want to adopt me."

She suddenly burst into tears.

"Matron doesn't want me to go, and I don't want to go, but they say I have to. Matron's upset now, and it's my fault. If I go, I won't every see any of you again!"

He took her hand in his. "We will meet again, Quisty. I promise."

She tried to get free. "You can't promise that. I'll go with them, and I'll never see Squall or Selphie or Zell or Matron or you again!"

Seifer let go of her hand and hugged her. Quistis collapsed against him crying. Not knowing what to do, he just held her. When she finally stopped crying, he let go and stepped back from her.

"Then we'll make a reason that I have to find you again." He took her by the hand again, his face serious. "Quistis Cariad Serian, will you marry me?"

Her blue eyes went wide. "Yes. Yes, I'll marry you."

He nodded. "Good. Now I'll have to find you because I can't have a wedding with out my bride, can I?"

She gave him a weak smile and nodded.

They stood there at the edge of the sea where the water kissed the shore, their new promise lingering between them.

Quistis squeezed his hand. "Can we stay out here a little longer? Please?"

Seifer squeezed back. "Sure."

With the two seven year olds yet to return to the orphanage, she had ventured out to bring them in for dinner. Edea found her favorite children curled up together on the sand. Seifer had a possessive arm wrapped around Quistis. She smiled and reluctantly went to wake them. It was time for dinner.