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 13: Because We Have To.

Sinking Slowly

"Would you like some wine?"

Quistis hesitated, biting her lip, before nodding. This was probably not a good idea, but it would get her through this evening. Right now the only thing doing that was imagining the various tortures she could inflict on her date. She knew that Rinoa and Selphie had meant well, but this was not her idea of a pleasant evening. But since they had been concerned about her working too much and being too alone, Quistis had agreed to let them set her up on a blind date.

So Quistis let them arranged the date and had put up with the fussing over her hair, clothes, and make-up. That was mere piffle compared to this. Karl Bjerre was many of the things she liked in a man: smart, charming, handsome, successful, and responsible. The problem was he was also an arrogant ass who thought he knew what was best for everyone, including herself. Unfortunately, Quistis had only discovered this twenty minutes into their date, too late for her to leave.

"…and so it was clear that by not listening to me they had doomed the whole mission. Anyway, what do you think about spending a weekend in Trabia? They have the best skiing and the hot springs are just wonderful. I know a masseuse that…"

She took another sip and hid a grimace as she found her wine glass empty once again. It had been her third glass of wine. Quistis knew that it was probably a bad idea to be drinking this much, but it was about the only thing keeping her from harming her date. The man was presumptuous to the extreme and had made it very clear that he already considered her a forgone conclusion. She was not going home with him tonight. No way, no how.

Still, things were a little fuzzy right now. Quistis sighed again before smiling at the waiter and declining dessert. She just wanted to be done and go home. Finally, the idiot paid the bill, and they could leave. Despite her inebriated state, Quistis managed to make her way out of the restaurant and out onto the street without betraying too much. It was a good thing that she hadn't driven to the restaurant. They had only made it one block when Karl grabbed her arm, pulling her close.

"What do you say to a little club hopping, baby?"

Quistis pushed at him. "My name is Quistis, not baby, and you may call me Ms. Trepe. I am going home and to bed. Let go."

"Now, come on, baby. You know you want to."

Her efforts to get free were too uncoordinated to make a difference. Quistis continued to struggle with him, but she wasn't going to win this battle, and she knew it.

"I believe the lady asked you to let go of her," a voice drawled out of the shadows.

The grip on her wrists eased a bit, and Quistis managed to free one arm.

"Mind your own business, buddy."

The man stepped forward. "Quistis is my business. Let go. Now."

There was a staring contest, but Karl finally backed down. Quistis suddenly found herself alone with Seifer who was gently examining her wrists.

"It doesn't look like these are going to bruise. What were doing going out with that asshole, Quisty?"

"I had to. Rinoa and Selphie set me up with him. It's not like I could tell them I had a boyfriend since we're not dating. Why aren't we dating?"

Seifer sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "And of course you get drunk. Come one, I'll walk you back to Garden."

"I'm not drunk," she protested, wobbling a bit. "I'm just a little tipsy."

"Of course you are."

"It's these damn shoes," she explained as the reached the shore side path. "Hold still."

Using Seifer as a support, Quistis managed to get her heels off. She left out a sigh of relief. That was much better. Seifer was staring at her.

"You're going to walk back barefoot?"

"It's better than hobbling in those shoes." Said shoes in one hand, Quistis clumsily balanced on a piece of driftwood, treating it like a balance beam.

Seifer just shook his head. "Come here, Quisty. I'll give you a piggy back ride."

So she found herself perched on Seifer's back with her arms wrapped around his neck. Quistis rest her head on his shoulder.

"So why are you, ah, tipsy? You usually have more sense than that, Quistis."

It was her turn to sigh. "I didn't want to make a scene, and alcohol made things tolerable. I overdid it though. I didn't want to hurt Selphie and Rinoa's feelings though."

She tilted her head to kiss his cheek. "You're awfully cuddly, you know? Everyone thinks you're scary, but you're really rather sweet. We should get married. Would you like that?"

"Did you just propose to me?" He sounded rather shocked. "Why?"

"Cause you're sweet and kind sometimes and you argue with me. And you like Quistis for herself. Not Instructor Trepe or big sister Quisty. Just Quistis."

They had arrived at Garden. Seifer set her back on her feet. He walked her to her door. Seifer smiled down at her.

"Here you are, safely home." He kissed her forehead. "Ask me again when you're sober if you mean, and we'll see about my answer."