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 8: Humiliation.

My Girl

Seifer had heard the gossip and the rumors before he saw Quistis. Up until the point that he saw her face, he had been willing to simply discount the grapevine. But one look at her pale, drawn face, and Seifer knew that the incident had really happened. Quistis didn't even see him. She was walking briskly through the halls, not seeing anything and trying not to cry. Quistis passed him by without a word, too wrapped up in her own feelings. Seifer decided that he would need to beat her to the punch. For the looks of things she was heading for her quarters, and if he took a short cut, he could get there before she did.

It was a good thing he did. In her state, Quistis didn't even notice him until she had walked right into him. Quistis took one look at his face and burst into tears. Seifer wrapped her in his arms and ushered her into her quarters. There was no need to make a public spectacle of this. It wasn't often that Quistis lost her composure like this. He held as she sobbed into his chest and did his best to make out what she was saying. The story was rather garbled, but he got the gist of it. A rather nasty prank had been played on her leading to her complete humiliation in front of the visiting delegations from Trabia and Galbadia Gardens. Quistis didn't go into the details of the prank, but that was all right. He knew it had hurt her, and he had other sources of information to find out just who he was going to have to deal with.

Once Quistis had cried herself out, she slipped into sleep. Seifer tucked her into bed, immensely grateful that she had exhausted herself. He wasn't good at the comforting thing. He'd get Selphie and Rinoa to do that, and he would go take care of whoever had hurt her. Quistis had once had a crush on Squall. That was common knowledge. It was also common knowledge that she had moved on, and there was no need to throw her past romantic failures in her face. Especially not just as a meeting with the other two Gardens was letting out. He tamped down his fury. He would need calm for what he had planned.

After rousting Selphie and Rinoa to go check on Quistis, Seifer headed off to find his posse. He might need some help for this.

Quistis huddled in the middle of her bed, feeling utterly miserable. She was cried out, but it hadn't made her feel any better. She wasn't going to leave her room any time soon if ever. This had completely blindsided her. Squall had been embarrassed and uncomfortable, but he hadn't been the target. She had been utterly humiliated. She had worked so hard to earn back her instructor's license and to redeem her reputation with the Garden officials and now this. Now they were going to simply see her as the girl Squall rejected and nothing more. And then to run into Seifer. Quistis shook her head. She really hadn't meant to fall apart on him that way. He really had been sweet; dealing with crying women was not his strength.

She burrowed deeper under her covers. Maybe she could just stay here for a few years until everyone forgot about today's incident. Someone pounded on her door. Quistis just sighed and ignored them.

"Quisty, let us in!" Rinoa's voice was muffled by the door.

Quistis didn't answer.

"Fine then."

There was the snick of the lock and the door opened. Quistis sighed. She'd forgotten Rinoa had a master key. The covers were pulled from over her face, and Rinoa peered down at her with concerned eyes.

"Oh, Quistis. Come on, out of bed."

"I'm not getting up."

"Yes, you are. If you're not out of that bed in two minutes, I'll get Selphie."

It was a good threat, but she wasn't going anywhere.

"Up!" Rinoa looked stern. "We are going into Balamb. We are going to the spa, and then we are going shopping. Matron gave me her credit card. It will make you feel better, and it'll give Seifer some time to deal with a few things. Now, come on."

The mention of Seifer had Quistis sitting up and frowning. "What is Seifer up to?"

"You think that you get humiliated in front of the most important people in Garden, and he's just going to let them get away with it? We both know that Seifer wouldn't stand for that."

"Oh Hyne."

Rinoa smiled. "Squall won't let him get too out of hand. Now come on."

Seifer stood in the shadows, fidgeting nervously. He hoped this would go well. Fuujin had advised him that this might be more effective than simply beating those responsible into a pulp. He wasn't so sure, but there was no way he was going to let them get away with hurting his girl. Quistis might act like an ice queen most of the time, but things like this wounded her far more than she let most people see. His fingers curled around the ring. It would at least get people talking about something else for awhile.

He caught sight of Quistis coming down the hall to join the rest of the Garden members for yet another meeting. He didn't recognize her outfit, but it was probably the result of Rinoa's insistence on retail therapy. She looked amazing beautiful and poised in the soft peach colored crocheted top and matching duster. Taupe legging and a pair of high healed suede boots completed the outfit along with a gold belt. Her hair had been neatly braided and tucked up in a neat bun. This accented the delicate earrings dangling along her neck. Quistis also wore the necklace he had given her six months into their relationship, the fire cross pendant on a braided gold chain. She looked calm and collected, but Seifer knew her well enough to recognize several her nervous habits in evidence.

Stepping out of the shadows, Seifer caught her attention. Quistis gave him a self conscious smile and a little wave, still heading for the meeting room. Seifer strode towards her intercepting her before she could reach the door. Regardless of their audience, he simply walked up to her, enveloped her in his arms, and kissed her. Files spilled out of her hands and onto the floor, and her arms went around his neck. Pulling away, he met her eyes.

"Marry me?"

She looked up at him, wide eyed and breathless. "Yes."

Seifer slid the delicate ring onto her finger before lifting her left hand to his lips, gently brushing the gleaming band with his lips. Now they all had something else to talk about, and he had an excuse to beat up anyone who hurt her again. Not that he really needed one in the first place, but it would keep Squall off his case. Besides, given the smile on his lady's face, he didn't think she was hurting any more.