A/N: And here I thought I could finish this collection of one-shots before 2012 would even start...

Well, happy holidays! :D

Thanks: FifteenWishes, Niqsta, prilly55, Aithre Lenore-Light, JinJulia4eva, michelle. evans, and RoseOfADifferentColor, my new beta reader. Enjoy! :)

PS: I would really appreciate it if you could take a look at my new poll and vote for the pairings you'd like me to write about in my next KH challenge. SquallxRinoa's an option, too (and a popular one at that). Thanks in advance! :)

~ He started to find it harder and harder to say "no" to her, no matter what she would ask him to do for her this time. ~

N. - No

"...And then we can have lunch together and after that, you're free to return to your work. So, how does that sound?"

A dry sigh escaped his lips, before he answered curtly for what seemed, the umpteenth time. "Not now, Rin."

The young woman sought nothing behind that voice, though. After all, this was her boyfriend's default personality. She knew that he didn't mean anything by it. However, there was something else about him that bothered her immensely, his incurable stubbornness. But that didn't mean Rinoa was defeated, not by a long shot.

On the contrary; she knew exactly what to do to get her way and she wouldn't stop until that happened. "But why not?"

Only silence greeted her question as Squall pretended to be busy with paperwork.

"Sq-"

"You know why..." he interrupted, before he would get another dramatic scene on the work floor (after all, that wouldn't be the first time and with someone like Rinoa, one could never be too sure about anything.)

"Please Squall?" The Sorceress pleaded once again, as she pouted in quite an adorable way, hoping her face would persuade him to change his mind.

The brunet male sighed in exhaustion, averting his gaze in order to avoid her temptation, instead turning his attention back to the computer screen. It caused his chocolate-colored bangs to fall in front of his chiseled face, so he brushed it away with his gloved hand.

To be honest, he started to find it harder and harder to say "no" to her, no matter what task she asked of him. He'd already gone to different parties and other social gatherings with her, even though he was definitely not fond of social interaction. Personally, he had enough of that in his duties as Commander. However, he did it all for her, because he couldn't stand to see her sad.

However, now she was simply going too far. Apparently, she was under the impression that Squall was working too hard, even for Balamb Garden's Commander. That was why she was nagging at him to come out of this office for a breather and to get something to eat. Her efforts were proving to be somewhat futile, though. Admittedly, he was very tired and his muscles were crying in protest, as he hadn't moved from his chair in several hours, but those large stacks of utterly important papers weren't going to correct themselves.

Rinoa just had to see that, too. He needed them to be finished before the end of this week and the sooner this was over with, the sooner he would be able to spend more time with his beloved girlfriend. However, it seemed that they had different views about the way he worked and it was honestly starting to get a little frustrating now.

Rinoa sighed exasperatedly when she didn't get any reaction out of him. She really loved Squall, with all her heart, but she truly hated how stubborn he could be sometimes. She had tried everything already; begging, throwing a tantrum, making a joke of it, giving very obvious hints (that he either didn't catch or simply ignored) but he just wouldn't listen to her. Gosh, the things she had to do in the name of his personal improvement.

Of course, there was one other thing she hadn't tried yet. It was something that would surely give her what she wanted, for no man could resist her secret weapon. But to be honest, she didn't really dare to try her final trump card. What if he wouldn't fall for it? Or what if her act would only make things worse?

On the other hand, if she didn't do anything now, Squall would probably pull another all nighter again and that way, it was more likely for him to catch a cold... or worse.

No, she certainly couldn't let that happen. She wouldn't be able to live with herself if she let him hole up in his office all night.

Rinoa sniffed, before crying in a heart-breaking voice, "You don't love me anymore, do you? Is that it? I-I just know that's the reason. I can feel it in the way you're ignoring me all the time... You hate me!"

With a start, Squall turned back again, wondering what this nonsense was all about. Honestly, she could be such a drama queen sometimes and it was always for the smallest issues. But now he could see that his girlfriend had started crying. At first, he thought she had been faking, just in need of some attention. However, when she removed her hands from her face, he could see that her makeup was starting to run.

Shit, that was not what he'd wanted to happen. Now that the tears were running fully over her cheeks, he visibly started to panic. Her tears made something break deep inside of him.

He got up to embrace the raven-haired woman and she just let him take her in his arms. While stroking her hair, hoping to calm her down, he whispered, "Rin, don't say that. You know I still love you, really. I'm sorry I upset you. It's just that..."

He paused, not able to find the right words. "I can't... uh... Fine, I'll go outside with you for a short break."

She looked up at him, her chocolate-like eyes widening in disbelief. "...R-really?"

Squall took his chance to wipe her tears away, as he reassured her with a small smile, "Yeah, sure. Just don't cry anymore... You look scary enough already with your mascara running out."

This earned him a smack on the shoulder, before she got serious again. "Thanks!" She gave him a fierce hug, before taking his hand and pulling him towards the door.

"C'mon! I heard from Selphie that there's a cool restaurant only a few blocks away. Let's go there!" She encouraged, dragging him further from the office.

"Okay..."

Squall narrowed his eyes suspiciously at her sudden change of mood. Something wasn't quite right here, but he couldn't really put his finger on it...

Of course, it didn't take him too long to realize that Rinoa had played him like a fiddle. Hyne, how could he possibly have been so blind towards her? She was going to pay for that. He didn't know how yet, but that was just a matter of time...