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 16: You Don't Understand.

If I Just Breathe

Quistis slumped into a chair, grateful to be off her feet even if it was just for a moment. She had spent most of the day running around, and she'd forgotten lunch once again. The woman sighed. She just wanted tonight to be over with. Balamb Garden was hosting a gala event to celebrate the rebuilt Trabia and Galbadia Gardens. Quistis, thankfully, had no other duties except showing up and making nice with all of the dignitaries invited. However, Rinoa was handling all of the publicity and promotion for the event while Selphie had taken on all of the decoration and set-up logistics. And because they were so busy, Quistis had found herself running around to make sure that her friends would be ready for the evening.

It had meant that Quistis had been arranging shopping trips and dress fittings as well as making hair and other appointments. When she had offered to give them a hand, Quistis hadn't realized just how involved the job would be. The past two days had been absolutely insane. Between their actions in the Sorceress War and their current responsibilities, Selphie and Rinoa had become the faces of Garden. Quistis felt rather lost in the rush. Most of her work had been everyday things such as the teaching of classes and tutoring of individual students. She didn't exactly envy Rinoa and Selphie their spotlight, but sometimes she did feel rather forgotten. And it didn't help that her boyfriend was currently away on a mission.

She let a smile cross her lips. She and Seifer had been dating for nearly a year now. After the war, Quistis had found herself forming an odd little friendship with Seifer that than somewhere along the way turned into a romance. He could really be quite sweet when he wanted to, though that typically wasn't in front of other people. The others had not understood at first. Despite the ruling of a jury that both Edea and Seifer were innocent due to the fact that they were being mind controlled, Garden hadn't exactly welcomed Seifer back with open arms. It had taken time for Squall and the others to accept his presence, both at Garden and in her life. Still, their relationship had proved to be very good for Quistis, and in time the others had become less wary of Seifer.

With a sigh, she levered herself back to her feet. She needed to go pick up Rinoa and Selphie from the hair dresser. Then they just needed to get dressed and take care of their make-up and then they would be set for the evening. Quistis collected the dress bags she had been out picking up. She'd drop them by Rinoa's quarters before heading out to pick up the girls. Two hours later, Quistis found herself slumped in a chair once again. Rinoa and Selphie had just walked out the door, immaculately dressed and coifed, to meet their dates, and she once again had breathing space. She smiled. They would make quite an impression on any visiting dignitaries.

Quistis closed her eyes and let herself relax. She was done.

"Quistis?" Matron's voice came from the doorway. "How long do you think you'll be, dear? Rinoa said you weren't quite ready yet."

The blood drained from her face. Hyne, she'd forgotten that she had to attend this blasted event too. Quistis buried her face in her hands; she'd completely forgotten in all the chaos. She let out a groan. There was nothing suitable in her closet, she'd been wearing her uniform all day and it was rather sweaty now, and her hair was a mess. This was a disaster.

"Quistis?" A gentle hand rested on top of her head.

Quistis looked up at her foster mother. "I forgot, Matron. I'm a mess, and I don't have anything to wear."

Matron smiled gently. "Let's see what I can do about that. Go hop in the shower, Quisty. You'll be a little late, but that should be fine."

Being a SeeD taught you to shower quickly. However, Matron had clearly been hard at work. When she stepped out of the bathroom, Quistis found a dress hanging over in front of the closet as well as underthings and shoes laid out on the bed. The shoes and underthings were hers, but the pale violet dress was something she'd never seen before.

"It's one of mine from when I was younger," Matron looked up from the jewelry box she was rifling through, "but I think it should fit. Hurry up and get dressed, and then we'll do something about your hair."

The simple gown fit her perfectly. Matron did something with her hair that made it tumble down her back in loose curls. Gold and amethyst jewelry, a touch of purple eye shadow, and pale pink lipstick completed the outfit. The young woman in the mirror looked far more sophisticated and put together than she had just twenty minutes ago.

"I think you're just about set." Matron beamed at her.

Quistis had to fight back tears. "Thank you so much, Matron. I don't know what I would have done without you."

"It's the least I could do for one of my children." They had reached the door. Matron opened the door with a smile. "You can come in now, dear."

Seifer was standing just outside the door, dressed in his formal uniform. He took in Quistis and whistled.

"You clean up nice, Quisty."

She laughed. "When did you get back? I thought you weren't going to make it."

He smiled. "Just a few hours ago. You're missing something."

She frowned. "What?"

Seifer caught her hand in his, slipping a band with a diamond flanked by amethyst onto her finger. "Marry me, love?"

"Oh." Quistis couldn't help her bright smile. "Yes. Seifer, yes."

He leaned down to kiss her before tucking her hand in the crook of his arm. "Good. Now we're ready."