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Chapter Text

Quistis analyzed the crowd gathered on the platform as the train pulled into Dollet International Station. Just as she thought–no serious competition.

It was easy to spot her fellow Garden first years. Groups of girlfriends snapped photos of each other amongst their piles of luggage. Teenage boys rough housed, shoving one another and bantering loudly, occasionally sneaking a glance to see if any of the girls noticed them. Hardly anyone was accompanied by parents. So the rumors were true–Garden was a school of orphans, like her.

A tall boy leaned against a brick column, holding court over a group of starry-eyed girls. Morning sun glinted off his blonde hair, giving him a regal appearance. Quistis couldn’t hear what he was saying, but she found herself watching him narrate a story – a decisive swoop of his arm here, a vigorous shake of his head. Though he was flanked by a much taller friend and a much tougher one ( did she have an eyepatch? ), Quistis couldn’t take her eyes off of him. The train brakes hissed loudly and snapped her out of her reverie. 

Focus, Quistis scolded herself. They don’t matter.

The train car doors opened and the new passengers boarded. The trio she’d been eyeing passed under her window. She could hear the boys’ muffled debate as they gestured wildly to each other. Their silver haired companion rolled her singular eye and delivered a swift kick to the tallest boy’s shin, effectively ending the argument. The blonde tossed his head back, laughing. 

Quistis wrinkled her nose. She turned her attention back to her book as the doors closed and the interior lights flickered on. They’d be crossing under the ocean tunnel to Balamb soon. 

Quistis had finally turned fifteen, and her acceptance into Balamb Garden was her ticket out of her old life. No more St. Freya’s School for Girls, the drab and drafty old institution she’d called home for the past ten years. Adults always reminisced about childhood, but Quistis had never felt the carefree joy of being young. She was much more comfortable among the musty bookshelves in the library than playing sports with her classmates. Despite her height, she was usually picked last anyway. It wasn’t that her classmates were cruel, but Quistis knew she was always a beat too slow to laugh at a joke or gasp over the latest gossip. 

From the start she’d felt like an outsider, marked by an invisible scar. But none of that would matter at Balamb Garden. Her serious, analytical nature would be an asset. She’d be among orphans like her, forced to grow up far too early. She might even manage to make a friend.

The ache in her heart numbed as the train traveled under the ocean, bringing Quistis closer to her new life with every passing mile. She turned the page of her book.

Two heavy black boots thumped onto the empty seat next to her, sending a puff of dust and dirt from the weathered leather train seat. Quistis’ nostrils wrinkled in disgust as she looked up from her book to glare at the owner of the boots. It was the blonde boy from the platform. His hands were laced behind his head as he reclined, the sleeves of his jacket cut off at the shoulders to show off decently muscular arms. Quistis was baffled by this - what good is a jacket without sleeves? She caught his eyes, bright green and cocky, mischievous. He smirked at her, exuding the unearned confidence only a 15-year-old boy who thinks he’s invincible could possess.

Quistis hated him immediately. 

“Can you move your feet?” she snapped.

He uncurled his arms from behind his head as he surveyed the train car before shrugging dramatically. “What’s the matter? Saving this seat for your boyfriend?”

Quistis rolled her eyes, feeling her cheeks prickle. “No.”

“So what you’re saying is this seat’s open,” he sighed sarcastically, crossing his ankles so the grimy boots crept closer to Quistis.

Quistis closed her book and leaned forward. “It’s not, actually. I was enjoying being alone, before you so rudely interrupted me. So I suggest you go find whatever derelict friends you came here with and go sit with them. It’ll be so much more pleasant for the both of us,” she seethed, though her expression held a look of serene calm.

The boy’s eyes widened and he glared at her. “What did you say?”

“I told you I’m not interested. Now why don’t you get going,” Quistis dismissed him with a flick of her wrist.

In an instant he was on his feet, leering inches from her face, green eyes squinted under a furrowed dark brow.

“I don’t know what your problem is, but you better watch that attitude. Do you know who I am?” he hissed.

Quistis met his stare, narrowing her eyes behind her glasses. “Enlighten me.”

“I’ve been thrown out of every foster home in Dollet and kicked everyone’s ass in that stupid town. On the streets, I get respect. People know who I am. And Seifer Almasy doesn’t take shit from stuck up bitches who think they’re something special for going to Garden,” he spat.

“Good to know,” Quistis said calmly.

Seifer stood over her. “So watch out.”

Quistis rolled her eyes. “Sure.”

Seifer shot her one last menacing glare and stormed off. 

_____________

Once the train arrived and the incoming students were shuttled to Balamb Garden, the afternoon was a flurry of activity. Health screenings, uniform distribution, tours–Quistis could barely keep track of everything.

Balamb Garden was even more magnificent than she imagined. Daylight poured in from the soaring high ceiling and shimmered off the waterfalls in the main campus. It felt more like being in a cathedral than a school. Quistis couldn’t believe this was her home for the next four years.

According to the schedule she’d received, Quistis had some free time before the Headmaster’s speech in the afternoon. Her stomach grumbled after the long journey. The cafeteria was crowded with students, established cliques relaxing around their usual tables. The thought of walking up to any of them and introducing herself made her stomach turn. Quistis scanned the room with a tactician’s eye, looking for anyone else eating alone. Friends leaned in close, casual, reaching across the table to dunk a fry in someone else’s ketchup or steal a sip of soda. Even in her new uniform, Quistis felt like she was out of place. Her face hot, she grabbed a sandwich to go and walked back to her room.

The door slid open. Quistis had yet to meet her roommate, an equally anxiety-inducing prospect. From what she could tell, her roommate lived off of coffee. A collection of mugs dotted the desk and windowsill. Textbooks and papers were piled haphazardly at the foot of the bed and on the desk chair. Colorful post-it notes peeked out from the pages, implying some sort of method to the madness. It was a stark contrast to Quistis’ side of the room, which looked abandoned aside from her backpack and newly-issued Balamb gym clothes.

Quistis sat at her desk and unwrapped her sandwich. The door slid open behind her. Quistis jumped, surprised at the girl who’d just entered. She’d just come back from the gym, clearly not expecting to see her new roommate.

“Cordelia?” Quistis asked, extending her hand awkwardly. “I’m Quistis Trepe. We’re roommates?”

“Right. So nobody calls me Cordelia, I go by Xu,” her roommate said, shaking her hand.

“Sorry,” Quistis mumbled reflexively, feeling like she already botched this encounter.

Xu looked around. “Where’s your stuff?”

“Oh, I didn’t have much,” Quistis said sheepishly.

“Let me guess–war orphan who aged out of a state school?” Xu asked casually, taking off her gym shoes.

Quistis was stunned by Xu’s bluntness. “Um. Yeah. You too?”

“Yep. That’s most of us here, probably. Garden’s a step up, if you ask me.”

“So you’re a second year then?” Quistis asked. “Have you taken the SeeD exam yet?”

Xu shook her head. “Nobody in their right mind takes the exam before their third year.”

“Oh. Is that a rule?” Quistis pondered.

“Not exactly, but you’d have to be like, a genius overachiever to make it through enough training to pass it by your second year,” Xu shrugged.

Quistis nodded, intrigued. Xu went on.

“Your first year is nothing but basic training, you know. Getting the feel for junctioning, choosing a weapon to study. Second year’s more tactical stuff and specialized training. I mean, I guess you could take the SeeD exam at the end of your second year, but no one’s ever passed it that young.”

Not yet, anyway, Quistis thought.

“I get the feeling you’re some kind of genius overachiever,” Xu teased.

Quistis blushed. “I mean, I wouldn’t say–”

Xu laughed. “If all the first years are like you, you’re going to make us look like slackers.”

“I can’t speak for everyone, but there’s at least one idiot,” Quistis rolled her eyes. “This obnoxious guy from the train. Seifer Almasy.”

“Sounds like a douche,” Xu said sarcastically. She dug some fresh clothes out of her laundry pile. “I need a shower, but feel free to sit with me at dinner. No more sad desk sandwiches.”

“Really? Thanks, Xu,” Quistis said sincerely.

“No worries. You’re going to be helping me with all my homework, it’s the least I can do,” she called over her shoulder.

Quistis smiled. Things were looking up.

_____________

The first year students crowded outside the auditorium, waiting for the ornately carved doors to open. The late afternoon sun warmed the room with a golden glow. Quistis briefly scanned through the packet she’d picked up with her class schedule. Instructor Shima, Honors cohort. No surprise there. Quistis could ace an exam in her sleep. 

One of the hooded Garden faculty members opened the doors and the students filed in. Quistis spotted Seifer and his friends ahead of her, much more subdued than they’d been this morning. His blue and silver jacket was filled out by his broad shoulders. 

He looks better with sleeves, Quistis thought. Too bad about his personality.

She settled into a seat in the dim hall. On stage, several cloaked faculty members sat to the side of a wooden podium. Three instructors sat on the other side, wearing their decorated SeeD uniforms. She wondered which one was Instructor Shima. The brick wall of a man with the salt-and-pepper hair must be Instructor Aki, Quistis deduced. According to Xu, he was brutally strict.

After a few minutes, Headmaster Cid ambled up to the podium, giving the faculty members an apologetic nod. Quistis was surprised at how casual Cid was compared to the rest of the faculty. He wore a tweed jacket and round glasses, looking every inch an academic. His greying hair and slight paunch didn’t fit Quistis’ idea of a military school instructor, but Cid emanated a warmth and familiarity that put her mind at ease. The murmur of conversation quieted as Cid cleared his throat.

“Our new first years,” he began warmly, surveying the students. “To be here today means that you have all met the rigorous academic and conduct standards we at Garden expect of future SeeDs. That is no easy task. I sincerely congratulate you all. It is my honor to welcome you to Balamb Garden.”

The students all sat a little straighter and a polite smattering of applause echoed through the room. Quistis beamed.

“The Gardens were formed in the wake of the Sorceress War,” Cid continued. “The world lost so much during that dark time. It is no coincidence that many of you here today are orphans of that terrible war. What is most remarkable is that you have chosen to dedicate your lives to peacekeeping, to ensure the transgressions of the past never repeat. Those of my generation have made grave errors, but through cultivating a new generation here at Garden the world can be rebuilt. Myself and the faculty here at Balamb Garden support each of you to the fullest extent. Please, try your best.”

The headmaster paused. “You’ve all received your course schedules. In a few moments, you will meet with your cohort lead for a tour of the academic facilities. Based on your individual applications, we’ve arranged each cohort to encourage your strengths and grow from your weaknesses. Your fellow students will become a fixture of your life here at Garden. Encourage one another. Challenge one another. Remember, you are all united by the same noble goal.”

The audience applauded as the lights went up. The class filed out of the auditorium. The vestibule had been arranged with three tables bearing the name of the cohort lead. The instructors made their way through the crowd, greeting their incoming students.

Quistis spotted Instructor Shima. Elegant and lean with a taut silver ponytail, Quistis would have guessed he was a classical musician rather than a teacher. Her heart pounded as she walked up and introduced herself. 

“Pleased to meet you, Cadet Trepe,” Instructor Shima said. “I recall your entrance essay on the history of blue magic. Fascinating subject, we will have to discuss further.”

Quistis couldn’t help grinning. “Thank you, sir. I look forward to it.”

Instructor Shima nodded and turned to greet more students.

“Tch. School’s not even started and you’re already teacher’s pet,” Seifer’s snarky voice came from behind her.

Quistis crossed her arms. “Shouldn’t you be with Instructor Aki’s cohort of blunt instruments?” she sniffed, nodding to where Seifer’s two friends were standing.

He smirked. “I’m right where I need to be.” He dangled his course schedule in front of her face.

Almasy. Honors cohort, Instructor Shima. Block letters, clear as day over the printed class calendar. Meaning that for every class Quistis was in, Seifer would be there too. She felt the walls pressing in on her. Every single day with him just waiting to torment her? So much for a new life.

“I…well…for however long you last in honors classes,” Quistis sputtered.

“I’m not worried about it,” Seifer shrugged. “You, on the other hand…it’s a lot of pressure. Best of luck.”

“Oh, please,” Quistis fumed. “Save it for someone who needs it.”

Seifer looked over his shoulder before leaning in close. Quistis’ heart accelerated.

“Good luck, Trepe,” he sneered.

It was going to be a long year.

Chapter Text

Seifer hadn’t intended to talk to the girl on the train. Until he saw what she was reading. 

He’d never jeopardize his tough reputation by admitting to reading for fun (especially fantasy books). But Knight’s Quest ? He’d practically memorized the movie version from watching it so many times as a kid. It’s not like SeeD was that far off from the knights in those books, anyway–soldiers of fortune traveling the globe, leaving a trail of their vanquished enemies–basically, the life Seifer had been dreaming of.

Slender fingers turned the page. From behind silver glasses, blue eyes glided over the text. Something about the girl seemed familiar to Seifer, like he’d seen her from a distance before. Across the room at a party, perhaps, or through a cafe window. Her blond hair fell over part of her face, and Seifer felt the urge to brush it back.

Instead he’d dropped into the seat across from her, all charm, ready to talk swords and sorcery and had they met before?

And she’d torn his head off.    

So much for a first impression. 

Seifer had been so taken aback ( not interested in HIM? Seriously? ) that he’d stormed off like a petulant child. Not his proudest moment, but what were the odds they’d have to spend any more time together? There were plenty of other girls at Garden.

And now here it was that he’d seen Quistis Trepe every single day for the past two months. She was the first person Seifer saw in class every morning, primly sipping coffee from a cafeteria to-go cup. He studied the back of her head all day, honey-colored hair neatly tied back, perfect posture as she listened raptly to Shima’s lectures. Seifer would be lying to himself if he hadn’t checked out her long legs every time she stood up to give an answer in class.

Quistis always seemed to be in his peripheral vision. Seifer could spot her through the trees in the training center, practicing with the other girls studying ranged weapons. Or in the cafeteria, conspiring about something with her roommate, relaxed and happy. Or behind his eyelids as he drifted off to sleep, her expression unreadable, looking away before he ever made eye contact.

Experiencing Quistis was novel for Seifer. Girls didn’t deny him attention. He felt like he was picking a lock–the right word here, making her laugh there–and Quistis would finally give him the time of day. She gave him so little, so all he wanted was more. She’d thrown the gauntlet the minute she first rolled her eyes at him, and Seifer never backed down from a challenge. He’d figure out what was going on behind those icy blue eyes.

_____________

“Let’s pick up where we left off. Tell me your three essential stocked spells and why,” Instructor Shima addressed the class.

Like clockwork, Quistis’ hand was up first. “I would stock protect, regen, and holy. Protect to ensure the safety of my team and any civilians, regen for continual healing, and holy as an effective offensive magic against all elements.”

“A balanced approach. Any other thoughts?” Shima inquired.

Seifer raised his hand. “Yeah. Fire, fira, and firaga.”

A few students chuckled. Quistis turned to glare at Seifer. She’d be a terrible gambler–too quickly and obviously flustered. 

“An unorthodox strategy,” Instructor Shima’s elegant mouth quirked.

“I figure if you burn the enemy to the ground before they land an attack on you, you don’t need anything else,” Seifer shrugged.

“That’s absurd,” Quistis said flatly. “What if you encounter a fire-based enemy? You’d just sit there and heal it?”

“No, I’d cut it in half with my gunblade,” Seifer said innocently.

Her eye twitched behind her glasses. He was enjoying this far too much.

“Fine,” she spat. “And you think you’ll never get injured in battle?”

“That’s what healing items are for.”

“Which are a finite resource!”

“So? You can only stock so much magic.”

“Magic is much less cumbersome to carry into battle–”

“ Cumbersome ? Drink some milk, Trepe,” Seifer smirked.

Quistis sighed in frustration. “Why are you like this–”

“That’s enough,” Instructor Shima cut in sharply, glaring at them both. He cleared his throat. “We have the training center booked for an hour this afternoon. Let’s meet downstairs in ten minutes.”

Excited chatter swept through the class as students filed into the hall. From her seat in the front row, Quistis was first out. Seifer followed her down the main staircase as she pointedly ignored him.

“Choose your weapon yet?” he asked.

“Of course,” she shrugged. “I’m pursuing the chain whip.”

Seifer cackled. Quistis’ face reddened. “You know, you’re going to give every guy the wrong impression with that thing.”

“It’s an effective ranged weapon. Get your mind out of the gutter,” Quistis glared at him. “Besides, what weapon did you pick?”

“Gunblade,” Seifer straightened with pride.

Quistis rolled her eyes. “Good luck with that.”

“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?” Seifer asked sharply.

“Every boy who comes in these gates picks gunblade first. Majority of them fail. It’s such a macho cliche,” Quistis sniffed. 

“Yeah, well I’m better than anyone else at it,” Seifer said arrogantly. “So save your luck for someone who needs it.”

They glared at each other. He was a head taller than her, but her steely gaze never broke from his. The corner of her lip twitched, as though she was about to laugh. She smiled serenely, and for a heartbeat Seifer wondered how soft her lips would feel against his. She leaned in closer.

“Good luck, Seifer,” Quistis hissed, brushing past him. 

He felt like he’d had a bucket of ice water dumped over his head. She strode into the training center, never once looking back. Seifer’s fists tightened. What the hell was Quistis Trepe’s deal? He’d thought they’d have a friendly rivalry, but did she really have no sense of humor? If that’s what she wanted, fine. Seifer could be deadly serious when needed.

___________

Thirty minutes later he was down a jungle path in the training center, cutting down another grat. He dodged its flailing tentacles and swiped upwards with his rental gunblade, slicing it in two. The grat deflated into a pile of leaves and ooze. Seifer grunted and tugged his uniform jacket open. Between fighting monsters and the humid, greenhouse atmosphere of the training center, he was drenched in sweat.

Ahead of him he heard a metallic jangle and the thump of a monster carcass hitting the ground. He jogged ahead to see Quistis finish off another grat with her whip. She swiped her forehead with the back of her arm, breathing heavily.

“Impressive,” Seifer called. He genuinely meant it. The way she used the weapon was like dancing – the elegant twist of her body, the precise footwork. 

“Thanks,” she replied. “Three down.”

“Three? I’m up to five,” he bragged.

“Oh really?” she couldn’t hide the surprise in her voice. 

“Told you I was the best at gunblade.”

She laughed. Seifer found himself smiling at the sound. Maybe she did have a sense of humor after all.

There was a rustle in the tall grass, and two more grats came tumbling towards them. Before Seifer could react, Quistis had incinerated them both with a fire spell.

“Now we’re tied,” she challenged. Her cheeks were flushed pink from adrenaline. 

“First to ten wins,” Seifer countered, grinning. 

That same serene smile again, with a twinge of mischief in her eyes. In a flash, she was racing down the dirt path. Seifer pounded after her, the commotion attracting a horde of monsters. The path led into a small clearing, and Seifer pivoted so he was back-to-back with Quistis. The grats swarmed around them, and he cut through them confidently, always aware of her position on the battlefield. He could hear the jangle of the chain whip as she sent it flying into the monsters. An occasional burst of heat prickled his skin when she switched to magic. 

“Seven! No fair using magic,” Seifer yelled. 

“Eight! Don’t be jealous,” Quistis hollered back. 

Truthfully, he was in awe of her skill to go between casting spells and dispatching monsters without having to stop and think. He needed to concentrate to cast, which meant being vulnerable, which meant he’d rather stab his enemies in the first place.

With a yell, Seifer spun wildly, slicing through vine-like tentacles and scaly green hides. He didn’t care that he was quickly covered in monster guts. He didn’t even care if he beat Quistis’ monster slaying number anymore–mostly he hoped she was watching him, and that she was impressed.

The last grat collapsed with a squelch. Seifer looked over his shoulder at Quistis. She grinned broadly, swiping a smear of monster ooze off her cheek.

Seifer opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Instructor Aki crashing his way through the undergrowth.

“What is the meaning of this?” Instructor Aki demanded.

“Training?” Seifer said flatly, gesturing to the deflated monsters with his gunblade.

“Excuse me?” Aki seethed, a vein pulsing in his forehead.

“Instructor Aki, I can explain. We were–” Quistis started.

“Enough,” Aki growled. Quistis flinched. “Do you not realize we have a limited stock of monsters in here? You’ve left nothing for my class to practice on.”

“I apologize sir, I wasn’t thinking–” she said softly.

“Damn right you weren’t,” Aki snapped. Seifer tensed as he saw Quistis’ head drop in shame.

“Look, we didn’t realize we had to save the monsters for everyone. Last time I checked this was the training center,” Seifer said hotly. “Plus, it’s not her fault. I got carried away.”

“That’s irrelevant. Turn in your weapons for the day. I’ll see you both in detention for your gross lapse in judgment,” Aki stomped away.

“Are you serious? What’s the point of the training center if you can’t even–” Seifer stopped mid-tirade. Behind him, Quistis was shaking, clutching her elbows.

“Trepe. Are you…crying?” Seifer asked incredulously.

She shook her head vigorously and turned to leave. 

“Trepe, it’s just a detention. And Aki’s a dick,” Seifer reached out to grab her shoulder and she spun on him, crimson-faced and furious.

“Is everything a fucking joke to you?” Quistis hissed. “Detention? Making fun of me in class?”

Seifer put his hands up. “Trepe, it’s fine–”

“It is not fine,” she raged, poking her finger into his chest. “You can go through life and not give a shit. You’ve got your friends. Despite your personality, people like you for some reason. I have none of that. School–Garden–it’s all I have. So do me a favor and don’t fuck it up anymore, ok?”

She grabbed the chain whip and stepped over a grat carcass before stalking away.

All I have, the words rang in Seifer’s ears. But it couldn’t be true, right? Quistis seemingly was friends with her roommate. And she was Shima’s favorite student. But he could picture her sitting alone at lunch, in the corner at the library, on a secluded bench in the quad. 

Shit, Seifer thought. He’d been pushing her buttons to see what would happen and now he’d pushed her away for good. He needed to back off. But he couldn’t shake the image of her mid battle, how strong and vibrant and alive she looked when she’d turned to look at him over her shoulder. How was he supposed to stay away?

_____________

Quistis refused to look at him the entire detention period. She furiously scribbled her responses to the conduct worksheet they’d been assigned. ( How will I exercise better judgment in the future? Seifer’s blank worksheet asked. He’d yet to think of a better response besides “don’t get caught”.)

Her pen clattered to the desk as she marched up to Aki to turn in her assignment. Seifer watched the classroom door slide shut behind her, fighting the urge to follow her out and apologize. Not that he owed her an apology–she was just as responsible for the monster carnage, right? 

It was just after dinner as he left detention. He wandered to the quad, morose. It was packed with students enjoying the last crisp hours of autumn sunlight. Seifer spotted Fujin and Raijin and walked over.

“I won the bet,” Raijin grinned.

“What bet?” Seifer asked.

“Fu bet me 100 gil that you’d get detention the first month, but you made it two!”

Fujin rolled her eye. “LUCKY.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Seifer said sarcastically. “Aki sucks. I don’t know how you guys put up with him every day.”

“He’s not so bad if you’re not a smartass all the time, ya know?”

“Whatever,” Seifer grumbled.

Fujin raised an eyebrow. “PROBLEM?”

“Yeah, get in a fight with your girlfriend?” Raijin poked.

“Quistis got detention too, so she’s pissed at me. And part of me wants to tell her I’m sorry, but she was right there killing monsters, too. Which is the entire purpose of the training center, so the whole thing is stupid,” Seifer ranted. “And she’s not my girlfriend.”

“LIKE HER.”

“So what? She’s the smartest person here, I don’t want to be on her bad side.”

“And she’s cute, ya know?”

“I’m aware,” Seifer snapped, not in the mood for jokes. “Did you miss the part where she hates me now?”

“Just talk to her,” Raijin shrugged. “Since when have you ever been afraid to talk to a girl?”

Fujin nodded in agreement. The evening sky darkened along with Seifer’s mood.

“Thanks for the terrible advice. I’m calling it a night,” he said.

“Anytime,” Raijin said cheerfully. 

_____________

The cafeteria was crowded for breakfast. Seifer spotted Quistis at a table alone, playing a game of solitaire between bites of a bagel. He inhaled resolutely and walked over to her, his shadow falling over the table. 

“Hey.”

“Seifer,” Quistis observed, monotone. “What now?”

“Mostly just want to eat breakfast. You mind?” he gestured toward the empty seat across from her. 

Quistis sighed. “Fine. The scrambled eggs are terrible though.”

He shrugged and dropped into the seat. “I’ve had worse.”

She raised an eyebrow and went back to her game, flipping and stacking cards. Seifer felt an invisible barrier radiating from her. Either this conversation would work, or they’d exist at this distance for the rest of their time at Garden. 

“I’m sorry about yesterday,” he began. “I didn’t mean for you to get in trouble.”

Quistis shrugged a shoulder, not looking at him. “It is what it is.”

“And I’m sorry for annoying you in class. You’re the smartest person here by a long shot. I’m not trying to undermine you or make you look stupid. You’re my biggest competition,” Seifer felt heat spread up his neck. “But I get it. I’ll lay off.”

Quistis was still. She regarded him, blue eyes calculating. “All I am is competition?”

Seifer raked a hand through his hair. “No, it’s different. Debating you in class, it’s…kind of fun. And yesterday, fighting together. Nobody else is like that. Like we’re on another level.”

That smile again, serenity with a faint kiss of chaos. “As much as I hate to admit it, I’d be bored in class if I couldn’t argue with you.”

He grinned back. “So, truce?”

Quistis nodded. “Truce.”

Relief rushed through his veins. He tried to hide it by digging into his breakfast. Quistis shuffled her deck and dealt a fresh hand of solitaire.

“So what’s with the cards?” Seifer asked between bites.

Quistis wrinkled her nose. “You’ve never played Triple Triad?”

Seifer shrugged. “Is it fun?”

“I mean, I like it,” Quistis said. “But that’s maybe because I always win.”

Seifer straightened up, detecting a challenge. “Show me how to play.”

Quistis raised an eyebrow. She divided her deck in two and pushed a stack of cards to Seifer. 

“Good luck.”

Chapter Text

Quistis grimaced from the glare of the morning sun glinting off the cafeteria tables. Her neck and shoulders ached from falling asleep at her desk again. History textbooks made lousy pillows, but midterm exams were in full swing and Quistis wasn’t going to let a single minute of studying go to waste.

She absentmindedly shoved a bagel and fruit cup onto her tray and walked over to her usual table. No Seifer, yet again. Quistis sighed and slid into her seat.

Ever since they’d reached a detente after the Training Center debacle, Seifer had joined her for a game of cards over breakfast before walking to class together. Chatting with Seifer while annihilating him at cards had become part of the rhythm of Quistis’ days at Garden. She’d come to expect his presence over the last six months, and his recent absence the past few weeks made her feel dull and weighed down.

Or maybe you’re just exhausted from studying nonstop, Quistis chided herself. 

Robotically she reached for her coffee, only to realize she hadn’t grabbed one. She stifled an aggravated sigh as she spotted Seifer, weaving his way through the breakfast rush with two cups of coffee, almost like he’d read her mind. Her mood brightened.

“Speak of the devil,” Quistis grinned, eagerly reaching for a cup.

“Who, me?” Seifer asked, dangling the cup out of reach. “Since when does the devil bring you coffee?”

“Since I need it to live,” Quistis begged. “Please.”

A playful smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he debated giving her the drink. “Fine. But only because I feel bad for you. Those all nighters are starting to show, Trepe.”

Quistis gratefully accepted the cup and inhaled deeply. Just as she liked it – black with a whisper of sugar.

“I don’t know how you’re getting any sleep with Shima’s midterms,” Quistis groaned into her coffee. 

Seifer shrugged, sprawling an arm over the back of the cafeteria chair. “If it hasn’t been drilled into my head over the last six months, one more night studying won’t make a difference.”

“We’ll see how you feel after this history midterm,” Quistis mumbled, gathering her books.

“Last written test, that’s something,” Seifer stood and waited for her. “Plus we get field skills assignments today.”

“Yeah, I was wondering about that. Do you know–”

“Seifer!” A female voice called from across the cafeteria. Quistis turned to look, recognizing the cadet. Mika Benton. Instructor Helzen’s cohort. Archery specialist rumored to have lethal aim, in addition to being drop-dead gorgeous.

“Mika! Hey,” Seifer grinned back.

Quistis felt a crackle of jealousy as she noted how Seifer’s shoulders relaxed when he smiled at Mika. She’d never heard him mention her, but from their easy demeanor she could tell they’d been acquainted for a while. Not to mention his recent absences from breakfast. Her mind flew to an obvious conclusion. Seifer had a girlfriend.

“I wanted to give you this back! I washed it,” Mika presented Seifer with his grey Garden hoodie.

“Glad I could keep you warm,” he replied, tucking the hoodie in his backpack. 

“Who knew the beach could get so cold?” Mika giggled. 

“I’ll see you in class,” Quistis said casually. She gave a friendly wave in Mika’s direction and quickly turned to hide the red flaring across her cheeks. 

“Hm? Yeah, see you later,” Seifer called over his shoulder, not bothering to follow.

_____________

The countless all-nighters paid off, and Quistis breezed through her history midterm. She regretted finishing so early as her thoughts wandered back to Seifer. 

Was Mika his girlfriend? One friendly interaction did not mean Seifer was dating her.

And if even if they were together, why was Quistis so annoyed by that fact? She’d flat out told Seifer she wasn’t interested in him. Despite their rocky start, they’d managed to become friendly–if not actual friends–and if Quistis wanted to be at the top of her SeeD cohort that’s all they would ever be. Relationships were complicated (or so Quistis had heard). If Seifer wanted to date someone, all the better for Quistis–he’d be distracted while she rocketed to the top of the class. 

Quistis glared at the clock. At least class would be over soon and she could go sulk in peace. 

“That’s time,” Instructor Shima announced. “If you haven’t turned in your exams yet, please do so now.”

Various grumbles echoed through the classroom as the last stragglers turned in their exams. The door slid open and a hooded faculty member entered, pushing a large supply cart.

“Ah, right on time,” Instructor Shima said, wheeling the cart to the front of the class. It was stacked with a dozen green nylon backpacks. 

Right, the field skills practical, Quistis observed, craning her neck to get a better look at the supplies.

“One last order of business before you’re dismissed. I have the equipment for Friday’s practical exam. As we’ve reviewed, these packs are identical to the ones we issue to SeeDs in the field–not only do they contain three days’ worth of supplies, but each pack converts to a single shelter. All that to say these are expensive and we ask that you don’t lose them,” Instructor Shima said wryly.

A few chuckles throughout the class. Quistis listened as Instructor Shima continued.

“You’ll be working in pairs for this practical. Your objective is to simply navigate through the Alcaud forest to the rendezvous point by 0900 Saturday morning. How you get there is up to you and your partner. If you miss the rendezvous transport, you’re hiking back. It’s rained quite a bit this week, so I’d strongly advise against missing the transport. Not to mention this exam is marked pass/fail, and missing the transport is an automatic failure.”

Lovely , thought Quistis. No pressure or anything.

“Finally, we’ll be doing this without magic or GF junctions. Any monsters you encounter can be easily handled with weapons. I’ll assign partners now–feel free to leave once you have your assignment and pick up your equipment. Starting with Leblanc and Moray…”

Xu had assured Quistis the practical was a breeze with the SeeD field packs. Quistis hoped all of the survival guides she checked out from the library translated to real life experience. She just had to make it to the transport to pass–simple, right?

“...Almasy and Trepe.”

Quistis dug her fingers into her desk, feeling like the floor had dropped beneath her feet. 

“Sir?” A shocked squeak escaped Quistis’ lips, drowned out by Seifer’s deeper exclamation. 

“You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

Quistis made her way to the equipment cart, feeling the laser pinpricks of her classmates’ stares boring into her back. After witnessing six months of Seifer and Quistis fiercely debate in class, the thought of them having to work together–or possibly murder each other–was irresistably juicy.

“Instructor Shima, this must be a mistake,” Quistis said in a low voice.

Shima shook his head. “As SeeDs, you won’t get the luxury of choosing who you work with. Learning to set aside your differences and cooperate is crucial to the success of any mission.”

Quistis and Seifer stared at him blankly, unconvinced.

“You can’t possibly believe that,” Seifer said flatly.

“Besides,” the instructor continued, “You’re two of my brightest students. I’m confident you’re up to the challenge.”

“Right,” Quistis muttered through gritted teeth.

“You’re dismissed,” Shima said, turning his attention to the stack of exams on his desk.

Dazed, Quistis returned to her desk, clutching the backpack. Every brain cell screamed. An entire night in the woods with Seifer? Her nemesis-turned-friend? Who possibly had a girlfriend? For a grade? 

“...Trepe? Are you in there?” Seifer waved a hand in front of her spaced-out face.

“I have to go,” Quistis said woodenly, bolting for the door and leaving a very confused Seifer in her wake. 

_____________

“Xu! It’s terrible. I’m going to fail,” Quistis barged into the dorm room dramatically, dropping her books and backpack on her desk before falling face first onto her bed.

Xu laughed, looking up from her laptop. “Field skills practical?”

“Yes,” Quistis moaned, her misery muffled by pillows. 

“I’m telling you, it’s not that bad. Those backpacks are like magic how they pop up into tents. The worst part is the freeze dried rations, but it’s only one night.”

“It’s my partner,” Quistis groaned. “Shima put me with Seifer Almasy.”

Xu spun around in her desk chair, intrigued. “That guy you hate?”

Quistis felt heat prickle over the nape of her neck. She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. “Not hate, exactly. He’s just kind of–how do I put it? Seifer’s a lot of personality.”

“Hmmm,” Xu rocked back in her chair. “And you can’t ask Shima for a switch?”

Quistis picked at a button on her uniform sleeve. “Tried that. I’m not worried about him being creepy or trying anything inappropriate–”

“Good, because I’d kill him,” Xu commented.

“It’s more like I’m worried we’ll fail because he’s too stubborn to follow rules,” Quistis finished. “Like if the map says go west, Seifer will go east just to prove it can be done. I might have to leave him in the forest.”

“And you’re sure you don’t want me to take him out?” Xu joked.

“You’re not helping!” Quistis laughed, throwing a pillow at her friend.

“I’m protecting your perfect GPA,” Xu said innocently. “Seriously though, the field skills practical is easy. You’ll be fine, even if your partner is an idiot.”

“Thanks,” Quistis said dryly. “I’m going to read every survival guide the library has over the next two days, just to be safe.”

_____________

Friday morning matched Quistis’ mood–gloomy and unsettled. She studied the flinty grey clouds overhead and instinctively tugged the zipper of her jacket as high as it would go. It had rained all week, and the air wrapped around her like a cold, damp towel. Rain pooled on the stone steps at the entrance of Balamb Garden, and Quistis predicted the trek through the wet woods would be a muddy one.

At least she was dressed for it. The outdoor field uniform was infinitely more practical than the regular Garden one. Sturdy boots, lightweight insulated jacket in some kind of water-resistant camouflage material. She’d never understood SeeD’s insistence on skirts and was glad this uniform had a decent pair of pants.

She spotted Seifer sauntering to the main gate. Her heart involuntarily fluttered seeing him in an outdoor uniform. He seemed comfortable in the rugged gear, pack slung over one shoulder and jacket unzipped, revealing a gray t-shirt tight against his chest. 

Get ahold of yourself , Quistis thought. You have an exam to pass.

“Trepe,” Seifer paused and looked at her blankly. “You look insane.”

Quistis bristled, feeling her cheeks ignite. “What do you mean? We’re dressed the same.”

Seifer tapped his forehead. “Why are you wearing your headlamp?”

“Oh, right,” Quistis slid the elastic band over her head and tucked the lamp into her chest pocket. “I didn’t know how dark it was going to be once we got in the forest.”

“It’s a forest, not a cave.”

“Yeah, I get it,” Quistis muttered, turning to catch Instructor Shima’s parting remarks.

“This is everyone? Great. Field skills exam starts now. I expect to see you all at the rendezvous point tomorrow morning. Good luck.”

The class departed, heading towards the tree line. Quistis’ boots sank into the soft ground. The air was humid, a sure sign of more rain. Seifer strode a few paces ahead, pushing aside tall grass as he tracked towards the woods. Quistis fished the laminated map out of her jacket and tried to read it without falling too far behind.

“Do you know where you’re going?” she called. 

Seifer looked over his shoulder. “Yeah. We stick to the base of the mountains and eventually cut west.”

“Eventually?” That didn’t sound very accurate to Quistis.

“We’re nowhere near the mountains yet, Trepe, we didn’t miss the path,” Seifer said, irritated.

They trudged to the tree line in silence and ventured into the woods. The damp, earthy smell made Quistis wrinkle her nose. She picked her way over gnarled roots and rocks. Most of the trees were giant evergreens, so large it would take at least four people to wrap their arms around the trunk. The only sound was the squash of their boots over wet leaves and an occasional trill of bird song. Rain dripped from saturated branches and landed on Quistis’ head in cold drops. She pulled up her hood. Nature was better from a distance. 

Seifer seemed intent on their trek. He’d hardly spoken. Quistis bit her lip, deep in thought. She’d definitely avoided Seifer in the two days leading up to the exam, thinking the time apart would help settle her emotions. But her feelings were as tangled up as ever. The pleasure she felt hanging out with Seifer at breakfast knotted with the sting that he was interested in someone else, woven together with the pressure to excel academically and the sheer terror that her heart was acting with a will of its own. 

She had a prime opportunity to get to know Seifer better, but Quistis couldn’t think of a single thing to say to him. Her anxiety was consuming, and she didn’t notice he’d stopped hiking until she smacked right into his back.

“Hey! What is with you today?” Seifer snapped, turning around. 

“Nothing! Why did we stop?” Quistis asked defensively.

He gestured toward the gigantic fallen tree in front of them. It had been knocked down by a wave of boulders and debris from the mountain above. The trunk stretched deep into the woods, smaller trees and plants crushed under its massive weight. Quistis squinted, trying to determine what happened to the leafy top of the tree.

“Guess we have to go around then?” Quistis remarked.

“Can't. That’s a lake to the west of us,” Seifer said.

Quistis nodded, taking a look at her map. She’d been so in her own head the lake didn’t even register. They were stuck between the lake and the base of the mountain. If they retraced their steps back, they’d lose valuable daylight hours and have to race to the rendezvous point in the morning. She looked to Seifer and saw that he was already scaling the boulders at the base of the mountain.

“Wait, where are you going?” she yelled.

“Look, we don’t want to backtrack. So why would we not go…up and over?”

“Because that’s not on the map?!”

“Trepe, seriously? We’re not gonna get in trouble.”

“But the point of this exercise is to follow directions.”

“Yeah, and the directions didn’t mention a giant tree in the middle of the trail. You know you fail the assignment if you don’t make it past the giant tree?”

“We both fail if one of us falls to their death trying to rock climb.”

“So let’s try and not kill each other for five minutes and get out of here.”

“Fine. Lead the way.”

They scaled the rock face slowly, small pebbles sliding under their feet. The rain restarted, cold mist seeping under the collar of Quistis’ jacket. Seifer hauled himself over a ledge, then turned around and offered Quistis his hand. She grudgingly accepted. From the higher vantage point, they could see the swath of destruction something had carved through the woods. On the other side of the fallen evergreen, more ancient trees were trampled and snapped, the forest floor churned to mud. But there was an abrupt end to the chaos, as if whatever caused it hit an invisible wall.

“What do you think did all that?” Quistis asked.

Seifer shrugged. “Something big. And pissed. T-Rexaurs, I bet.”

“It’s weird how all the destruction just stops though. There should be Rexaur tracks,” she paused. “Unless whatever did it flew away.”

“What’s that big and can fly though?” Seifer raised an eyebrow. 

Quistis considered. “A ruby dragon.”

“No way,” Seifer shook his head. “Nobody’s seen a dragon here in years.”

“That we know of, we’ve only lived here for six months,” Quistis corrected.

He rolled his eyes. “Whatever. We can make our way down over here.”

They descended cautiously, navigating down the slick rock face. As soon as her boots hit the dirt, Quistis exhaled in relief. Adrenaline ebbed and her stomach gurgled. The morning had flown by.

“Let’s stop for a minute, I need to eat something,” she stated, rummaging through her backpack and fishing out a protein bar.

“Fine,” Seifer agreed, leaning against a massive tree trunk and uncapping his water bottle.

An awkward silence settled over them. Quistis was nearly finished with her protein bar before Seifer groaned, aggravated.

“Hyne, Trepe, is it really that bad to be my partner for this?”

“What?” Quistis choked on her last bite. “What do you mean?”

Seifer shook his head, pacing. “You’ve been weird ever since we got assigned to be partners. I know you’ve been avoiding me all week. Today you’ve barely spoken to me. Do you really think I’m going to screw this up for us?” 

“What?” Quistis stammered, heat rising to the collar of her t-shirt.

“I read all the manuals too. It’s not going to be like the Training Center. I’m not going to let you down.”

Quistis blinked, processing this new information. “I don’t think you’re a bad partner, Seifer.”

“Then what is it?” he asked, arms outstretched, an eyebrow cocked in anticipation. Quistis’ mind raced as she tried to map out their misunderstanding.

“I just…I’ve never done anything like this before. And I don’t want to fail,” Quistis said. It wasn’t a lie. And I think I like you, even though I told you I wasn’t interested. And you maybe have a girlfriend. She kept those thoughts to herself.

“Look, I promise we’ll be on that transport tomorrow morning,” Seifer said, stepping closer. “I’m not going to be beaten by anyone else in class. Just work with me, ok?”

Quistis nodded, meeting his resolute stare. “Ok. I’m sorry I doubted you. What’s our next move?”

He pulled his map out of his jacket pocket and unfolded it. “Here’s what we need to do…”

_____________

The afternoon faded as Seifer and Quistis ventured deeper into the forest. She was thankful they’d only encountered a few grats along the way. Her unease around Seifer subsided as they hiked onward. It’s part of SeeD training to put aside personal feelings, Quistis reminded herself. The sun slid downwards, painting the sky watercolor orange and elongating the trees’ deep blue shadows. A grove of evergreens dotted with slate slabs seemed like a logical spot to set up camp. Quistis busied herself with making a suitable circle of rocks for a campfire while Seifer tracked down dry wood. He returned with an armload of kindling.

“Okay,” Quistis said, balancing the last stick of firewood in a precise tripod, “now the flint.”

Seifer snapped his fingers, conjuring a small flame. He flicked it into the tinder, igniting the campfire with a whoosh.

Quistis gaped, dumbfounded.

“Work smarter, not harder, Trepe,” he shrugged.

“But–! You’re not supposed to be junctioned,” she sputtered angrily.

“I’m not.” Seifer replied.

“So you can just shoot fire out of your hands?!” she could hear her voice jump an octave in disbelief.

“It’s my limit break. I’m great at arson,” he grinned.

Quistis sat back, deflated. “Unbelievable.”

“What’s your problem? We needed a fire, now we have one.”

“The point is I wanted to figure it out for myself! You’re not always going to be around to light stuff on fire, are you?” 

“I hope not,” Seifer grumbled.

“Plus, we’re supposed to be practicing survival skills, not taking the easy way out,” Quistis griped.

Seifer rolled his head back in annoyance. “Will you get over it? Real life is about survival, not grades. Guarantee if you’re stranded in the woods on a mission, you’re junctioned. And knowing you, you’ll have two of every spell just to be safe.”

Quistis opened her mouth to reply, but stopped. Seifer had a point. 

Once the fire was crackling, Quistis set up her tent. She unzipped the bottom compartment of her pack and yelped as the shelter popped out like a spring. Xu wasn’t kidding about the tent setting itself up. 

“Keep it down, Trepe, you’ll call all the monsters over,” Seifer teased. He stomped plastic spikes into the corners of his tent to secure it. 

“I can take them,” Quistis grinned. She stood up and brushed dirt from her knees. By her estimation, they’d made a decent campsite. One compact, dome-shaped tent on either side of the fire, a crescent of boulders and trees to their backs and sides. A warm fire, more than enough food and water to last until morning. They’d pass the test.

“What’s for dinner?” Quistis asked, taking a seat across from Seifer, the fire burning between them. 

Seifer turned over a vacuum packed carton of rations suspiciously. “Supposed to be beef and vegetables.”

He tore open the carton and bit into a rectangle of jerky, grimacing. Quistis did the same, gagging on the leathery texture. She was too hungry to complain about the taste.

“So how do you think you did on midterms?” she asked between bites.

Seifer shrugged. “Combat was easy. Magic practical was okay. SeeD protocol and history were no problem.”

“Who’s left in your combat group?”

“Just me and this jackass Leonhart.”

“Squall Leonhart?” Quistis inquired. He was in Instructor Helzen’s cohort. With his quiet, loner nature, Squall had an intriguing aura. And even Quistis had to admit he was really handsome.

“Ugh, not you too,” Seifer groaned dramatically. “Guy can’t string a full sentence together but every girl wants to get in his pants.”

“Not true!” Quistis protested. “I was just curious. And you’re one to talk, you’ve practically got a fan club.” She hoped he didn’t pick up the bitter note in her voice.

“Oh really,” Seifer smirked. “And who’s in my fan club, exactly?”

Quistis shifted, hoping the deepening dusk covered the pink blush of her cheeks. “Well. Lelani from Instructor Aki’s cohort. Blair. Kelvie from my combat class. Mika, obviously.”

Seifer reclined, tilting his head to study her. The flames flickered between the two of them. Quistis swallowed and forced herself to keep eye contact.

“And what about you?” Seifer asked, a cat playing with its prey.

Both sides of Quistis’ mind yanked in opposing directions. She had entirely too much pride to simply admit to Seifer that she’d developed feelings for him. A one-sided crush on a friend who liked someone else? Quistis would sooner go streaking through the quad than be so vulnerable. 

On the other hand, she was completely, utterly smitten. 

“Me?” Quistis repeated nonchalantly. “Eh. You drive me crazy, but I guess I’m glad we’re friends. We’d be terrible enemies. Anyway, I was right about the fan club, yeah? Are you dating anyone?”

“Nah,” Seifer shook his head, contemplating the fire. “Not worth it right now.”

Quistis nodded, her thoughts spiraling. She felt silly for jumping to conclusions about Seifer dating Mika. Her newfound jealousy alarmed her. It was so counterintuitive to her logical nature. What other aspects of her personality would Seifer lure out? Under the forest stars and within her heart, Quistis felt like she was in uncharted territory. 

“Anyway,” Seifer shifted, looking at Quistis. “You never told me how you ended up at Garden.”

She thought for a moment. “I couldn’t wait to leave boarding school. It was so dull and lonely. When the recruiter visited from Garden, I thought it would change my life to get in. I’d have a purpose.”

He nodded. “Is it everything you expected?”

“Yes,” Quistis said emphatically. “It’s like a dream come true. For once I don’t feel weird for wanting to do magic. And this is the first time I’ve really had anyone I can call a friend.” She smiled wistfully. “So what about you?”

Seifer shrugged. “I spent my whole life being told I’d never amount to anything. But I knew it was just a matter of time before I could prove them all wrong. The minute we could get out of Dollet, me and Fujin and Raijin were gone.”

Quistis nodded. She stoked the fire thoughtfully. “Even though Galbadia Garden was closer, I like what Balamb stands for more, you know? Peacekeeping. Making the world better. Not just war.”

“I mean, it all boils down to the same thing at the end,” Seifer countered. “SeeD exists to stop the next sorceress threat.”

“I guess, but I’d rather be helping people than trying to annex Timber until the sorceress shows up.”

“Of course you would. You’re an idealist. I wanna see the world for free before then.”

Quistis rolled her eyes. “Opportunist. So do you think she’s out there yet?”

Seifer looked up. “Who? The sorceress?”

“Yeah. Adel would have had to pass the power on to someone else, right?” Quistis suggested animatedly.

“I dunno, didn’t Adel get blasted into space or something?”

“Yes, but did all that power go with her? I’ve been reading up on the succession process, someone would have had to absorb the power before Adel was defeated–”

“How the hell would I know, Trepe?” Seifer dragged a hand over his face.

Quistis paused, realizing they’d been talking for a long time. Night had fallen and white stars speckled the navy blue sky. “I’ll take first watch. You look exhausted.”

Seifer stood up and mumbled thanks. He stretched, shoulders cracking. A dark shadow passed quickly over the camp, fanning the campfire’s flames down with a burst of wind. Quistis froze and locked eyes with Seifer, her hand closing around her whip.

“What the hell was that?” he mouthed.

Instantly, the camp erupted into light and noise as the dragon crash landed, splintering several trees in the process. It screeched angrily at the trespassers, glowing flames licking the underside of its throat. It let out a growl that shook the ground. 

“RUN!” Quistis screamed, tearing off into the trees. Branches whipped at her arms and tugged her hair as she sprinted through the night. Her heart hammered behind her ribs. She stubbed her foot on a tangled root and pitched forward, shielding her face with her arms as she tumbled to the ground. Her body smacked against the base of a tree, knocking the breath from her lungs. Quistis curled into a ball and tried to hear above her own ragged breathing.

She could hear trees crack as the dragon whipped its tail, surveying the clearing. Even from a distance, she could feel the molten heat radiating from its body. Branches crackled as the dragon exhaled short, fiery bursts. Agonizing moments dragged by. All Quistis could hear was the crunch of talons through the campsite, an occasional piercing shriek. Satisfied it had scared off the intruders, the dragon snapped its enormous wings and flew off into the night.

Quistis waited, barely moving. After a few minutes she shakily got to her feet. She fumbled in her pockets for the head lamp, thankful for the dim beam. Slowly, she retraced her steps back to the clearing. Smoke wafted from singed leaves. Had it been a drier week, the entire forest would have been engulfed in flames.

“Seifer?” Quistis called tentatively. There was no answer.

Quistis felt lightheaded as she crept around the remains of the campsite. The fire had been crushed by a giant foot, only a few embers glowing red. The cold night air wound its way around her neck. Remnants of the tents were crumpled by the base of a stone slab. She saw no sign of Seifer.

Panic squeezed her heart. He wouldn’t have tried to fight the dragon, right? Seifer was arrogant, but he wasn’t stupid. Quistis gulped as she approached the ruined tents. The reflective fabric was shredded, the rounded domes crushed into sharp angles. She reached a shaking hand to pull aside the fabric, terrified of what–or who– she’d find beneath.

Nothing. Her light passed over rocks and the mangled remnants of their packs. Which meant no more food or supplies until morning. Not to mention a likely failing grade for wrecking two SeeD packs.

A snap of a branch cracking underfoot shook Quistis into battle mode. She whirled around, whip outstretched. 

“Trepe, it’s me,” Seifer panted.

In the dim moonlight she could see he’d been similarly banged up by the forest. Blood dripped from a scrape on his temple. 

Quistis had never been so relieved to see another human. She bounded into his arms, her fingertips curling into his back to feel the rise and fall of his breath.

“You’re okay,” Quistis gasped. “I was so worried you–”

“I’m fine. Let me see you,” Seifer held her at arm’s length, scanning her face and body for injuries. His thumb hovered over the cut on her cheek. “I have a potion–”

“Save it,” Quistis waved him off. “All our supplies are ruined. And I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be around when that dragon comes back.”

Seifer tore aside the remaining tent fabric and sifted through the wreckage. “I have a compass on me. One of these canteens is ok. The map!” He held it up triumphantly. “It’s kind of muddy but I think we can still read it.”

“I still have my headlamp,” Quistis volunteered. 

“Should have never made fun of it,” Seifer admitted.

They huddled around the map, regaining their bearings. Quistis realized they weren’t as far away from the end point as she’d thought. Together they picked their way through the woods, stealing glances at the dark sky and making as little noise as possible. The sky lightened from navy to lavender, and Quistis’ heart leapt as more light shone through the thinning trees. 

“I see it!” Seifer shouted, grabbing her hand. They ran towards a break in the tree line that sloped down into a tall grassland. A small canvas shelter had been erected, the Balamb Garden insignia printed on the side. Several crates were stacked underneath the shelter. Quistis unlatched the nearest one and peered inside. 

“Water!” She called, tossing a bottle to Seifer. She gulped hers gratefully. As her adrenaline subsided, she was acutely aware of how worn out she was. Her feet and legs throbbed from the arduous trek, and she plopped down with her back against the crate. 

“How much longer until the transport gets here?” Seifer asked, sliding down next to her.

Quistis glanced at her watch. “0900…but it’s 5:30,” she groaned.

“So we’re a few hours early,” Seifer remarked. “We beat everyone else.”

Quistis closed her eyes, her energy depleted. “We didn’t get eaten by a dragon.”

Beside her, Seifer nodded. They sat in silence as the sun crept higher. Rays warmed Quistis’ face and her eyelids grew heavy. The academic part of her brain scolded her for not remaining vigilant, but her body gave in to sleep. She opened one eye as Seifer touched the back of her hand.

“I was worried about you back there,” he said, staring into the woods. “I don’t want to lose you, Trepe.”

Quistis felt the sun rise behind her chest. Warmth emanated through her body as she laced her fingers between Seifer’s.

“Then I suppose we should stick together,” she said softly.

He sighed contentedly. They dozed off hand-in-hand until the commotion from the other groups’ return woke them up.

Chapter Text

“Again,” Seifer demanded, pointing the tip of his rental gunblade toward his rival. His arms quivered, muscles on the brink of exhaustion. He gritted his molars together and willed himself to stand taller.

Across the arena, Squall looked up in disbelief. He braced his hands on his knees, breathing heavily.

“You’re not serious.”

“Dead serious. Again.”

Panting, Squall picked up his gunblade, rolling his shoulder to stave off a cramp. He raised the point of the weapon to Seifer and nodded.

Seifer charged forward, sweeping the sword upwards. Squall dodged clumsily. Seifer stumbled forward, his momentum and fatigue making him feel like the soles of his boots were made of lead. He parried a swing from Squall, the crash of metal-on-metal drawing a gasp from the crowd that had gathered to watch them spar.

They’d been at it for hours, fatigue setting in. Seifer swung wildly, knowing his approach was getting sloppy. The hours he’d spent learning proper form and footwork were far from his mind, replaced by a primal drive to dominate. He had to win. He had to get stronger.

For her.

It had been months since the field skills exam, and Seifer had been haunted by that damn dragon ever since.

When it crashed into their camp, his feet were moving before Quistis screamed run. He’d torn off into the woods, assuming she was right behind him.

But she wasn’t.

Crouched behind a boulder, time slowed to a crawl. Minutes languished like hours as Seifer watched the dragon pacing around their camp, igniting everything it touched with each exhale. He couldn’t see Quistis. Had she escaped? Was she hurt? An invisible fist gripped his throat.

The gunblade at his side beckoned. Even in his panic he knew it would be suicide to go up against a beast like that with no magic support. All Seifer could do was wait out those agonizing moments.

When she ran into his arms shortly after, shaken but alive, Seifer knew a world without Quistis Trepe wasn’t worth living in.

He understood that she didn’t need a guy to protect her–far from it. Quistis had wrought her entire existence on her smarts and strength alone. Her heart was ringed in stone walls, but after their night in the woods Seifer swore he spotted some gaps in the mortar. Not deficiencies or flaws, rather places he could support her. Ease her burden of always being alone. He could flow into the cracks like water and close around them, offering her his unconditional loyalty. 

If she would have him. When he was worthy.

So Seifer trained harder than ever. Between these bouts with Squall and the job he’d lined up for the summer, he was on his way to becoming the best version of himself.

Just as Seifer parried another one of Squall’s attacks, a flash of light blazed through the trees, followed by a sharp crack of thunder. A high-pitched smattering of gasps and exclamations. The dozen cadets watching the gunblade battle dispersed to see what the new commotion was. Even Squall had stopped, craning his head to see what had happened.

“What the hell?” Seifer growled. “Who said we were stopping?”

Squall shrugged. “I’m done for today. This is pointless when we’re both exhausted.”

“Are you serious?” Seifer shouted to his retreating back. “You’re just sick of losing!”

“Whatever.”

Seifer grumbled, slinging the rental gunblade over his shoulder and heading out. A group of girls was clustered in a half circle, blocking the path. Just what he needed.

“Ladies,” Seifer muttered, weaving his way through the crowd. 

“Seifer!” A tap on his shoulder. He recognized Moray from class. “It’s Quistis. She passed out during practice summons.”

“Then what the hell are you all standing around for?” Seifer bellowed, elbowing to the middle of the crowd.

Quistis sat upright in the dirt, hands dangling over her knees as she took deep, quaking breaths. She lifted her head at Seifer’s approach. The color had drained out of her face. She looked unfocused and blinked at him, dazed. “Seifer? Why are you here?”

“To take you to the infirmary,” he replied, crouching next to her. “I’ll help you up.”

Quistis nodded and held on to his arm for support. As soon as she was on her feet, her knees buckled. Seifer caught her, his vision flashing white with panic.

“Someone go tell Kadowaki what happened. The rest of you get out of my way,” he commanded. 

“Put your arms around my neck,” he instructed Quistis. He hoisted her up easily and carried her towards the exit.

“Seifer, wait. I can walk,” Quistis protested weakly.

“Quistis, you nearly fell over a minute ago,” Seifer pointed out.

She opened her mouth to protest, but decided against it. Her head slumped against his shoulder. “I’m so tired.”

He nodded, feeling her hair brush against his cheek. His heart thrashed against his ribs. Was she sick? Had she been unwell and he missed it? Worry sawed through his middle.

“You know field medic training says we’re not supposed to move an injured person,” Quistis mumbled.

Seifer barked out a sharp laugh. “You can’t be feeling that bad if you’re criticizing my rescue skills right now.”

Quistis laughed weakly. “It’s a joke.”

“I could dump you into the fountain,” Seifer teased.

Another dry laugh, this time dissolving into a cough. Seifer’s brow furrowed with concern.

“Almost there, Trepe,” he said. A medical staff member pushed a wheelchair down the hallway, with Dr. Kadowaki a few paces behind.

“There we go, set her down–easy. Thank you for your assistance, Cadet Almasy,” the doctor nodded at him. “Quistis is in good hands.”

“Can I–” Seifer started. Dr. Kadowaki held up a hand.

“Check back later. She’ll need some rest,” the doctor assured him, disappearing behind the sliding doors to the infirmary.

 _____________

The rest of the day passed slowly. Seifer showered and tried to study for final exams, but couldn’t focus. He paced around his dorm room, hating the feeling of helplessness.

A sudden knock at the door sent him dashing across the room, grateful for any distraction. His jaw dropped as the door slid open to reveal a sheepish-looking Quistis.

“Ah…hi,” she started.

Relief hit Seifer like a gust of wind. Quistis was okay.

“H–Hey,” he stumbled, composing himself. “I thought you were sick.”

“I was dehydrated and exhausted, apparently,” Quistis said, fidgeting with the sleeve of her uniform. “I’m supposed to be going back to my room to rest for the remainder of the day. But I wanted to stop by and thank you for helping me.”

Pink spread across her cheeks and neither could make eye contact. Seifer wanted to wrap her in a bear hug, but her timidness suggested that would be the wrong move. He shrugged nonchalantly. 

“Not a problem, Trepe. You would have done the same for me.”

“No I wouldn’t have,” Quistis remarked, a smile blooming on her lips. “You’re way too heavy for me to carry.” 

Seifer laughed. “Well, you’d be there for emotional support or something.”

“Right,” Quistis nodded emphatically.

A moment passed. She hadn’t made a move to leave.

“Um. Can I come in for a minute?” Quistis asked quietly.

Lightning crackled up Seifer’s spine. Quistis wanted to come in. To his room. Where he slept, on a currently unmade bed. Which was covered in clothes that desperately needed washing. Though the clothes pile wasn’t nearly as disgusting as the trash bin, stuffed with snack bags and papers until it overflowed like garbage confetti. The trash pile was watched over by Raijin’s poster of two girls kissing, hung crooked and peeling off the wall in one corner.

Oh Hyne. Quistis couldn’t see this.

“I’ll see you at dinner? Go get some rest. Doctor’s orders, remember?” Seifer suggested, leaning against the doorframe to block her view of the mess.

Her eyes darted to the floor and she nodded. “Sure. Thanks again.”

Seifer watched her walk down the hallway, silently cursing himself. Any progress he thought he had made in bettering himself was dashed by the sad state of his dorm. He furiously bundled up his laundry and stalked to the laundry room. He had a golden opportunity to spend time with her, and he blew it. So much for his grand plan.

He glared at the clothes tumbling in the washing machine. He’d make another opportunity to spend time with Quistis. Time was running out before the summer, and finals week was nearly here.

Wait. Finals week. Seifer brightened, drawing up a new plan in his mind. 

 _____________

The next morning Seifer dropped into the cafeteria seat across from Quistis, plastic chair screeching as he reclined triumphantly. He pushed a coffee her way.

“You look entirely too nefarious for 8:00 am,” Quistis remarked dryly, raising an eyebrow. “What are you plotting?”

A devious smirk crept across his face. “I heard a rumor the cafeteria’s serving expired hot dogs tomorrow.”

Quistis laughed. “Gross? I don’t eat hot dogs.”

“No, Trepe,” Seifer leaned in conspiratorially. “It’s the Friday before finals week. Ditch day.”

“What does cutting class have to do with hot dogs?” Quistis asked.

“It’s the excuse everyone gives on Monday for why they missed class. Food poisoning. Word on the street is the instructors are basically in on it,” Seifer explained.

“Oh. I guess,” Quistis sipped her coffee. “I take it you’re planning on ditching class tomorrow under the guise of food poisoning?”

“No, we’re planning on ditching class tomorrow under the guise of food poisoning,” Seifer grinned.

Quistis choked on her coffee. “What do you mean, ‘we’? I’m not ditching.”

“You have to.”

“No! Not this close to finals.”

“How much new stuff is Shima really going to teach on Friday?”

“You never know.”

“Trepe, ditch day is a Balamb tradition. By opting out, you’re missing a critical part of the Garden social experience,” Seifer said haughtily, imitating Instructor Shima.

Quistis paused. That wasn’t totally incorrect. Xu had mentioned ditch day alongside the Garden Festival as key end-of-the-year celebrations. Seifer wasn’t not making sense. Wait.

Quistis squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it is a tradition–”

Seifer slapped the table decisively. “Great, so I’ll meet you at the front gate tomorrow at 7:00 am. Regular clothes.”

“Where are we even–”

“It’s a surprise,” he grinned. “Do you know how to ride a bike?”

“Yes, I know how to ride a bike,” Quistis rolled her eyes.

“Hey, you grew up in a nunnery, I don’t know,” Seifer shrugged.

“It wasn’t–” Quistis paused, not bothering to correct him. “One condition for tomorrow.”

Seifer leaned in. “Which is?”

“After whatever insanity you have planned for tomorrow, we spend the rest of the weekend actually studying?” she pleaded.

He nodded solemnly. “Fine. One day in heaven and two in hell.”

“Excellent,” Quistis nodded. “7:00 am tomorrow.”

 _____________

Quistis agonized over her nonexistent wardrobe. What did one wear on a date? Assuming this was a date. Which it probably wasn’t. Seifer wouldn’t invite her into his room, so why would he ask her out?

She pantomimed banging her forehead against the wardrobe door. We’re just friends, Quistis reminded herself. It’s better that way.

In the end she settled on a white tank top and leggings, tying her Garden hoodie around her waist in case it got chilly. She kept her head down as she made a beeline for the main gate. If any faculty asked, she was just going for a jog and would definitely be in class later.

Balamb Garden kept a stash of rental bikes in the garage, and Seifer held the handlebars of two of them. Quistis’ heart dipped slightly when she spotted Raijin and Fujin with bikes of their own.

Definitely not a date. She smiled broadly to mask her disappointment.

“Morning,” Quistis waved.

Seifer smiled, pushing a red bike her way. “Hey. Fujin and Raijin are coming too. Not sure if you’ve formally met.”

“Good to meet you guys. You’re brave to ditch Aki’s class,” Quistis remarked, extending a hand.

“It’s tradition, ya know?” Raijin said, wrapping her hand in his huge paw. “Plus I’m not missing out on going to Wondaria–OW”

“Supposed to be a SURPRISE,” Fujin growled, delivering a swift kick to Raijin’s shin.

Quistis turned to Seifer. “Wondaria? The amusement park?”

“Hell yeah,” he confirmed. “Shall we?”

The four of them hopped on their bikes and pedaled down the road to Balamb. The sun warmed Quistis’ skin despite the crisp breeze off the ocean. Her tires picked up speed as she cruised down the hill, a smile stretching across her face. They wound through the harbor and past the docks, headed for the distant boardwalk stretching out over the sea. A giant ferris wheel and roller coaster anchored either end of the pier, smaller rides and colorful tents dotting the space in between. Upbeat music drifted on the breeze as they approached, and Quistis could smell the crackling sweetness of fried dough. The park had just opened.

“We got the place to ourselves,” Seifer said, grabbing Quistis’ hand. “Let’s go!”

They ran down the main promenade, ducking into the queue for the roller coaster.

“I’ve never been on a roller coaster,” Quistis admitted, weaving through the turnstiles.

“Don’t tell me you’re scared,” Seifer teased.

“No way,” she sniffed. They slid into a rocket-shaped car and adjusted the safety harnesses. The car clanked as it ascended a hill. Quistis could see the entire boardwalk surrounded by the glimmering teal sea. Garden sat on a hill in the distance, no bigger than a dollhouse. Quistis’ stomach twisted. The drop didn’t look nearly as high from the ground.

“Gotta put your hands up,” Seifer told her.

“Why would anyone–”

“I don’t make the rules, that’s how it is,” he hooked a finger under hers and pried her hand from its deathgrip on the harness.

Before Quistis could protest they were freefalling to the ground, banking hard before hitting the pavement to careen over the ocean. She screamed with glee and gripped Seifer’s hand harder. The car zipped through a series of loops and screeched to a halt in the station, pitching them both forward.

“Let’s go again!” Quistis squealed in delight.

“Great, so you can break the rest of my fingers?” Seifer joked.

Quistis smiled to herself. She hadn’t consciously realized she’d been holding Seifer’s hand.

“FUNHOUSE,” Fujin announced, charging toward the exit. The others followed.

The afternoon flew by in a noisy neon blur. Quistis’ face hurt from grinning. Between Raijin getting scared by an animatronic alien and Fujin nearly tackling a Tonberry mascot for a photo, she’d never laughed this much in one afternoon. Seifer was as easygoing as she’d ever seen him, pulling her from ride to ride like an excited kid. Every lunch option was deep fried and served on a stick, washed down with buckets of soda. The joy was infectious, the thought of exams abandoned at the entrance.

The sun dipped closer to the horizon, and bright bulbs flickered on every ride, adding a garish layer of illumination to the darkening sky. The heat of the day and crash from the sugar high settled on Quistis like a heavy coat. She yawned.

Seifer glanced her way. “Better get going. We got a ride back.”

“One more ride,” Raijin begged. 

“How about the ferris wheel? It’s on the way out,” Quistis suggested.

The group made their way to the giant wheel, lit up by hundreds of rainbow lights. Seifer slid into the seat next to Quistis, their knees touching. She looked over her shoulder to see Fujin and Raijin board the next car. She was alone with Seifer. Her heart beat faster.

The wheel rocked forward and they rose slowly, the park shrinking beneath them. An evening breeze rippled the waves below, and Quistis shivered involuntarily.

Seifer slid his arm around her neck and shoulders, his hand casually resting on her bicep. Even though his skin was warm, Quistis felt goosebumps prickle all over her arms. She swallowed, teetering between nervousness and excitement. We are just friends. Right?

“So,” Seifer asked, tilting his head, “What did you think of Wondaria?”

Quistis gazed over the boardwalk, pretending to be absorbed in the view. “I loved it. Thanks for convincing me to ditch class.”

He nodded. “After the other day, I figured you could use a break.”

There it was. Quistis knew she owed Seifer some kind of explanation for why he’d needed to carry her out of the Training Center. How she could deliver that explanation without confessing her feelings was another question entirely. She bit her lip.

“You know, I never used to mind the GFs. The headaches, the memory loss risk. It didn’t matter because I didn’t have anything worth remembering,” Quistis said softly. “But now I don’t feel that way. I never want to forget this. All of my good memories are ones of you.”

She felt his stare at her temples and turned to meet his gaze, knotting her fingers together to hide their trembling. The sky was dark, and his face was bathed in the multicolored glow of the neon lights. Her eyes rested on his lips, the subtle upturn at the corner, the slightest part between bottom and top. 

“Then let’s make more,” Seifer murmured.

He pulled her closer, and Quistis instinctively closed her eyes. His lips brushed hers, soft on the first pass, stronger as she leaned into his embrace. Her heart fluttered, wingbeats of a sparrow. He paused as if to ask permission, and when she met his lips again he cupped her cheek, kissing her deeply.

The ride halted, bumping them apart. Quistis met Seifer’s eyes under her lashes, roses blooming on her cheeks. He smiled at her warmly.

“Ooooooohhhhhhhhhhh,” Raijin whooped playfully from the car behind them. Quistis felt like a spotlight was pointed directly on her, exposed. She covered her face, giggling.

“Shut up,” Seifer called, climbing off the ride and offering Quistis his hand. She hopped down and followed Fujin and Raijin towards the exit.

They pedaled back to Garden, Quistis’ mind replaying the kiss. She felt like she was levitating all the way back to campus. After returning their bikes to the garage, they headed for the main hall, Seifer and Quistis trailing behind. Her hand brushed his as they walked, and he laced his fingers through hers. 

The fluorescent lights buzzed in the dorm hallway as they approached Seifer and Raijin’s room. 

“This is us,” Raijin announced, shooting Seifer a sideways glance.

“I’ll catch up,” Seifer said. 

“I had a lot of fun hanging out today,” Quistis said genuinely.

“Yeah, me too! I thought you were kind of uptight, but you’re pretty fun, ya know?” Raijin replied.

“MORON,” Fujin groaned, dragging a hand over her face..

Quistis chuckled. “I get that a lot. See you guys around.”

She waved and continued down the hall with Seifer, nerves buzzing like power lines. Did he want to come in? Was it bad if she wanted him to come in?

She stopped outside her door and dug her keycard out of her pocket. Seifer leaned casually against the doorframe.

“We should ditch class more often,” he suggested. He sported his trademark smirk, but with a new softness in his eyes.

“We have all summer,” Quistis countered, a vision of beach chairs and lapping waves flashing through her mind. 

“Yeah…” Seifer said, looking pensive. He focused his attention back to Quistis, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to concentrate on finals.”

She’d shared that very thought. History of the Sorceress War suddenly mattered much less than the history of their first kiss. Quistis swallowed. “One more week.”

Seifer leaned down and kissed her again. The earth rocked under her feet, a swoony smile curling the corners of her mouth. 

“I can live with that,” he whispered. “Good luck.”

“Save it for someone who needs it,” she flirted back, sliding the door open and rolling to her tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

She glimpsed his grin as the door slid shut. Stepping out of her shoes, she dropped backwards onto her bed. Glancing at the other side of the room she saw Xu was still out on her ditch day revels. Quistis sighed contentedly. She couldn’t wait to tell her friend what happened. 

Seifer shared her feelings. The thrill was like carbonation sparkling throughout her body. Quistis’ mind sped down a hypothetical trail of nexts– the next time they’d see one another, their next kiss, the next level in their relationship.

My boyfriend? Quistis thought, toying with the phrase. My boyfriend, Seifer Almasy.  

The thought wrapped around her like a soft blanket and she fell asleep smiling.   

 _____________

Finals week descended over Balamb Garden, driving the students to new heights of stress. Seifer’s week started with magic and combat practicals, after which he’d fall directly into his (newly made) bed out of exhaustion, only to pick back up the next day for eight hours of written exams in History, Junction Theory, and Introductory Protocol. Quistis’ week was similarly crushing, although she preferred to skip sleeping in favor of studying. They still ate breakfast together every morning, although the mood was considerably gloomier between the stress and sleep deprivation. 

One more week, Seifer reminded himself. Although a new worry had begun to gnaw at him. Once finals were over, he’d start his summer job. A job he’d lined up well before he decided to go for it and finally kiss Quistis under the neon lights. 

A job that would require him to be gone for the entire summer.

Ultimately, it was the best thing for their budding romance, or so Seifer thought. Jobs meant money which meant nice things and new experiences, all key elements for being in a relationship with someone of Quistis’ caliber. He’d just gone and mixed up the steps of his plan. Grand romantic gestures were supposed to be the last step, after becoming the best gunblade specialist in Garden and making some cash.

Best not to think too hard about it. Quistis would understand. No one worked harder at anything than she did. If anyone could respect the hustle, it was her. 

They’d had their final History exam that morning. Seifer had intended to hang out with Quistis, but she’d apologetically excused herself to go take a nap. He couldn’t argue with the purple circles under her eyes–she was clearly back to her all nighters. Instead, he’d joined Raijin on the quad for a game of basketball.  

Seifer dribbled the ball, noticing a faculty member walking briskly toward the court and brandishing a yellow slip of paper.

“Seifer Almasy?”

“Who’s asking?” Seifer grunted, passing the ball.

“The headmaster wants to see you.”

Seifer stopped in his tracks. He’d seen Cid around campus but never spoke to him directly. Kind of seemed like a mismatch for the leader of a mercenary school, but maybe the sweater vests were a cover for a stone-cold killer.

“What does he want?” Seifer grabbed the paper from the messenger’s fingers.

“I’m not authorized to say. But that’s your pass to the staff elevator.”

“Right. I’ll catch up later,” Seifer called to Raijin, jogging inside.

What did the headmaster want with him? Sure, he’d gotten a detention here and there for breaking curfew, but that was hardly a major crime. Some light gambling on Triple Triad matches once Quistis showed him how to play. A flask under his mattress, but he’d barely drank from it since school started.

He pondered on the elevator ride to the top floor. The doors opened into an ornately paneled lobby, where one Quistis Trepe paced nervously, gnawing at a thumbnail. Seifer thought he was hallucinating.

“Trepe?” he asked incredulously. “Do you know what’s going on?”

“No idea,” she groaned. “I can’t think of any conduct violations I’ve had besides that one detention. But that was months ago! Unless all this time I’ve actually been doing terrible and no one’s told me–”

A small elevator platform descended, making them both jump. Instructor Shima gestured toward them. “Cadet Almasy, Cadet Trepe. This way, please.”

The lift took them to Cid’s office. Situated at the top of Garden and surrounded by windows, even Seifer was impressed with the view of the landscape.

Cid stood behind a barge of a wooden desk. “Cadet Almasy, Cadet Trepe, hello. Thank you for coming on such short notice. Please, have a seat.”

Seifer and Quistis settled into stiff leather chairs, facing the headmaster and Instructor Shima.

“I’m sure you’re curious why I’ve called you here. Good news, I assure you,” Cid said.

Beside him, Seifer saw Quistis’s stiff shoulders relax. He leaned back slightly, relieved.

“I have your final exam scores,” Instructor Shima said. “You’ve both done exceptionally well. In fact, you’ve both received the same score–99%.”

Seifer grinned, watching Quistis’ eyes widen. She looked at him in disbelief.

“That’s not including magic and combat practicals, which were equally impressive,” Cid continued. “Cadet Trepe’s grasp of magic is unparalleled. And Cadet Almasy, you’ve proven yourself to be a once-in-a-generation gunblade specialist.”

Seifer felt electrified. Eat your goddamn heart out, Leonhart , he crowed internally.

“Thank you, sir,” Quistis said earnestly.

“I’ve discussed your progress with Instructor Shima, and we have a proposal for you to consider,” Cid said.

Seifer looked from Cid to Shima. “Which is?”

“We’d like to offer you both a spot in SeeD formation next term,” Shima stated. “It’s unusual for second-year students to take the SeeD exam, but not unheard of. You both have proven adept in the classroom. We think you’d benefit from more hands-on experience. You’ll each have specialized training for your chosen weapons, in addition to advanced SeeD protocol and decorum training.”

“Decorum?” Seifer asked. 

“Think of it as charm school,” Cid said lightly. “For future state dinners and the like.”

“It is an enormous commitment and will involve extra coursework, but the headmaster and I feel strongly you two are up to the challenge,” Shima stated.

“Of course, you always have the option to delay SeeD formation to your third year. You don’t have to make a decision now,” Cid reiterated.

“I’ll do it,” Quistis said decisively.

Seifer turned, shocked. Her profile was resolute, her gaze unwavering from Cid’s. He felt a surge of strength.

“I’m in,” he agreed. “Charm school and all.”

“Excellent,” said Cid, rising from his desk and extending a handshake. “I’m looking forward to seeing what the two of you will accomplish.”

“For now, enjoy the summer break,” Instructor Shima said warmly. “You’ll be busy when fall term starts.”

“We won’t let you down, sir,” Quistis promised.

They rode the lift down to the staff elevator, dazed. The doors slid shut, but Seifer hesitated punching in the first floor. He turned to Quistis.

“Did that just happen?”

“We’re gonna be SeeDs!” she gasped, bouncing giddily. “A whole year early. We really did it!”

Seifer couldn’t stop smiling. “We gotta celebrate. Let’s go into town.”

Quistis nodded vigorously. 

 _____________

Balamb was busy on a Friday afternoon. Heat rose from the cobblestones but didn’t deter the crowds of shoppers milling around the harbor’s open-air market. Sunlight bleached the hotel and cafe buildings diamond white. Quistis shaded her eyes. Summer break was going to be unbearably hot.

She yelped as frosty condensation pressed into the back of her neck.

“Seifer!” she screeched, whirling around. He laughed, holding out two sodas. Quistis swiped one away in mock indignation. 

“To the two youngest SeeD candidates,” he said, knocking his cup against hers.

Quistis elbowed him playfully as they walked down the docks. “I’ll drink to that. So where to?”

“Let’s check out the docks. Gotta show you something.”

“It better be good,” she teased.

They meandered through the crowd and up a flight of stone steps. A menagerie of boats bobbed alongside a maze of piers. Seifer stopped, leaning over the railing and taking a deep breath.

“You smell that?” he asked.

Quistis sniffed quizzically. “Sea salt? Maybe a hint of dead fish?”

“Nope. Money,” Seifer said, serious.

Quistis burst out laughing. “Oh no. What kind of scam are you into now?”

“It’s not a scam. I got a summer job,” Seifer told her.

“Where?”

“There,” Seifer said proudly, gesturing to a majestic ocean liner docked in the distance. “Me and Fujin and Raijin all got hired as cabin crew.”

“Wow,” Quistis chuckled, genuinely surprised. “I didn’t think anyone would let you three anywhere near something that fancy.”

“Very funny,” Seifer said dryly. “But get this. We get to sail around the whole continent and get paid for it. All we have to do is lug bags around. For like, thousands of gil. It’s a golden opportunity.”

“Have you ever been on a boat?”

“No.”

“What if you get seasick?”

“I don’t get seasick.”

“How would you know you don’t get seasick if you’ve never been on a boat?”

“You know what? Forget it,” Seifer grumbled, stalking away.

“Seifer,” Quistis called, jogging to catch up. “I’m just giving you a hard time. It’s very…entrepreneurial of you.”

He crossed his arms and smirked. “Don’t be jealous when I come back flush with cash.”

“Yeah, sure,” Quistis paused. “So you’re really going to be gone all summer?”

Seifer nodded. “Yep. We leave Monday.”

Quistis chewed her straw, alarmed at how much that information hit like a punch to the gut. Three months without Seifer. At one time that prospect would have thrilled her, but now the thought squeezed the air out of her lungs.

“This coming Monday?” she asked, aware of the wobble in her voice.

Seifer shifted his weight, a shadow of guilt sliding over his face. “Yeah.”

A sinking silence between them. Quistis felt like she was slipping under the waves.

“Why didn’t you mention this earlier?” she asked slowly.

Seifer glanced down. “I should have. I didn’t think it would be a big deal.”

“So what does that mean for…this?” Quistis gestured to the two of them.

“What do you mean, this ?” 

“I mean...Why did you kiss me?” Quistis struggled to hide the wound in her voice.

“Because I wanted to. I like you,” Seifer admitted, exasperation creeping into his voice.

“But why now, when you’re about to leave? I feel like it’s all over.”

“It’s not over, or started even? Look, I just–” he raked a hand through his hair. “It was just a kiss.” 

“So it didn’t mean anything?” Quistis yelped, stung.

“No! It wasn’t meaningless. The timing sucks. Do you think I’m trying to lead you on or something? I like you, Quistis. But come on, it makes no sense to try and be anything more than…whatever we are right now,” Seifer said defensively.

Quistis willed herself to stand still, to hide the anger vibrating through her body. “You’re right, this doesn’t make sense.”

“I never meant to hurt you,” Seifer said, reaching for her hand. She jerked back.

“No, it’s better this way. I have to focus on my training,” Quistis seethed. “Have a good summer, ok?”

“Quistis, wait–” 

She jogged down the steps, quickly blending into a crowd of shoppers. Seifer didn’t follow. The ashes of his grand plan tumbled all around him. For all of his efforts to be better, he’d gone and made things worse than ever. 

Almasy, you fucking idiot. He glared at the cruise liner docked in the harbor. He’d have all summer at sea figuring out how to win Quistis back.

Chapter Text

Seifer’s first postcard showed up a week after he left. Quistis let it languish on her desk. She eyed the cartoon chocobo on the front warily, imagining the card was booby trapped. As if one look at what Seifer wrote would spring the lock on her heart and allow him to slip back in.

After their last encounter (fight? Breakup? Quistis wasn’t sure what to call it), she’d channeled all of her energy into banishing Seifer Almasy from her thoughts. As far as Quistis was concerned, she couldn’t think about Seifer if she didn’t have time to think at all.

It wasn’t easy. Quistis had taken a few days to lick her wounds, hardly motivated to get out of bed. Knowing the source of her misery was a guy–Seifer, of all people!–made her feel pathetic. 

Xu had been the one to yank her back to reality. She’d hovered above Quistis’ bed, tapping her foot thoughtfully before being struck by inspiration.

“Get up,” Xu demanded. “You’re helping me paint today.”

Quistis peered out from under the comforter. “What? I have no artistic talent.”

“Doesn’t matter. You need to do something besides mope over Almasy all summer,” Xu declared, flinging the comforter off the bed. “Come help me with this student council project.”

Quistis sat up, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Can I change first? I’ve been wearing this shirt for two days.”

“You’re probably going to get paint all over it, it’s fine,” Xu called. Quistis stumbled into the hallway behind her.

They made their way to the cafeteria. A group of students had stacked all the tables and chairs against the walls and spread out a dropcloth. Music drifted out of a radio, drowned out by some good-natured bantering. The Balamb insignia had been traced on the wall, slowly emerging as the students painted it in. Xu waved to the group. A bespectacled boy waved back.

“Xu! You brought reinforcements,” he said, nodding at Quistis.

“You know it. This is Quistis. Quistis, this is Wendos. Tall guy over there is Jaret, girl on the ladder is Bree, and I think you know Kelvie from combat,” Xu introduced.

“Nice to meet you,” Quistis waved.

“Hey, you’re tall. Help me with this top part?” Jaret asked, holding out a brush.

Quistis joined in, enjoying the easygoing chatter of the student council. She lost herself in the flow of painting, gleefully watching the white wall morph into the Garden logo.

From then on, Quistis’ summer vastly improved. Absorbed into the student council group, she happily spent her days working on the mural. Nights were for wandering into Balamb, ducking into a divey harbor bar with lax ID checks and pumping the jukebox full of gil for pop songs to sing off-key. Or for bonfires on the beach. Most weekends Quistis didn’t change out of her swimsuit.

She was having the time of her life.

Wrapped in a blanket, the bonfire illuminating the faces of Xu and her new friends, Quistis sometimes wished Seifer was sitting beside her. But he was hundreds of miles at sea, getting into Hyne-knows-what kind of trouble with Fujin and Raijin. Before Quistis could get too morose someone would inevitably clap her on the shoulder and hand her another beer.

She didn’t miss him. She didn’t need him. She had moved on.

Or so Quistis told herself.

So by the time she got around to reading the first postcard, her pulse only sped up a little when she read Seifer’s handwriting.

Quistis Trepe
Balamb Garden, Room 64

Trepe. Been at sea for a few weeks now. Job is easy. Made a bunch of $$$ in tips because rich old women find me charming. Raha’s a cool town. You’d like the castle ruins. 

FYI I don’t get seasick (but Raijin does.)

The second postcard arrived two weeks later, along with an envelope stuffed with Triple Triad cards. Marlboro, Behemoth, Hexadragon–Seifer had sent some good ones. Quistis supposed this was his way of apologizing, even though he couldn’t put anything in writing.

Quistis Trepe
Balamb Garden, Room 64

Won these cards off another guy on the crew–enjoy. All those times we played paid off. Learned a few tricks too. Consider this a challenge for when I get back. Sailing around the mountains this week. Haven’t seen our dragon around.

She’d won a few critical Card Club matches with Seifer’s gifts, and while his face inevitably came to mind whenever she played a card, Quistis kept her hands steady.

The last postcard showed up right at the tail end of summer break, the morning of the student council’s welcome back bonfire.

Quistis Trepe
Balamb Garden, Room 64

Final stretch of the cruise. Never thought I’d miss school, but I’m sick of the food and sleeping in a bunk bed. Managed to train a bunch, gonna kick Leonhart’s ass into next week when I get back.

Hope you had a good summer. I missed you.

Quistis flipped the postcard over. A close-up of a harbor seal’s grinning face, “SEAL you real soon!!” in yellow text. She shook her head ruefully at the terrible pun.

“He has some nerve,” Xu remarked over her shoulder. Quistis jumped and dropped the postcard on her desk. 

“That’s Seifer for you,” she quipped.

“Unless those postcards say ‘sorry for being an asshole’, I’d throw them out,” Xu said, crossing her arms. 

Quistis winced. Xu was right that Seifer had never actually apologized for his abrupt exit. While her anger had burned down to embers, Quistis still felt a glimmer of heat thinking of Seifer. 

“Well…so far they’ve all been of cute animals,” Quistis said lightly. “I can’t throw away this little face.” 

She showed Xu the harbor seal, widening her eyes to mimic its innocent expression.

“Whatever. I still hope that boat sinks,” Xu grumbled. “You coming?”

“Xu! Don’t say that,” Quistis laughed, elbowing her friend playfully. “Besides, I really am over him. My only priority is passing the SeeD exam.”

“You and me both,” Xu agreed. They headed out the main gate and down to the beach. The sky was dotted with cotton clouds, the air thick with heat. Quistis closed her eyes and turned her face to the sun.

She should have trusted her instincts and kept things platonic with Seifer. She wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

“No more guys,” Quistis said defiantly.

“Too good for mortal men,” Xu declared, lacing her arm through Quistis’.

The beach was crowded with the other student council members. Jaret and Bree were setting up a covered tent for food, and Wendos was constructing a rocky perimeter around the pit for the fire.

“Need some help?” Xu called, dropping her backpack in the sand.

“Yeah! Can you guys put up the tiki torches?”

Quistis grabbed an armful of lights and followed Xu.

“Good day for a beach party,” Quistis observed.

“Everything’s on schedule,” Xu grunted, driving the spiked end of a torch deep into the sand. “Caterer and DJ confirmed, and we’ve got the ballroom reserved if the weather goes sideways.”

Quistis smiled. “Nothing says ‘SeeD party’ like military precision and contingency plans.”

Xu laughed. “And the lack of booze. Wink, wink.”

“We’d never dream of drinking at a party,” Quistis said in mock indignation. 

They planted the remaining torches around the perimeter and wandered back to where the rest of the student council had set up the skeleton of the bonfire. Xu rummaged through her bag and pulled out a blue water bottle. She took a sip and grimaced, passing it to Quistis.

“Would you like some regular water?” Xu joked.

“Sure, my favorite,” Quistis tipped back the water bottle, face puckering on the sour warmth of vodka lemonade. 

The drink settled into her stomach, stretching into her limbs. She wasn’t a hard partier by any means, but there was no reason not to cut loose the last day of summer break. Starting Monday Quistis knew she’d be drowning in SeeD classes, so why not live it up until then? Instructor Shima had suggested as much.

Besides, Seifer would have been partying on that boat all summer. His postcards may have been innocent, but Quistis knew he’d found a way to take full advantage of the floating bars and nightclubs. At the thought of Seifer, Quistis took another lukewarm drink.

“What else do we need to do here?” she asked Xu.

“There’s some boxes of decorations in the student lounge,” Xu said.

“I’ll go grab them,” Quistis called, setting off towards campus. She made her way to the lounge and found a cardboard box filled with fluffy plastic flower necklaces. It was light, but awkward to carry. Quistis bumped the door button with her hip and headed back towards the beach.

A small crowd of cadets was gathered in front of the main Garden directory, talking excitedly. Quistis spotted a tall figure in the back. Raijin.

Her heart slammed on the accelerator. If Raijin was here that meant Seifer wasn’t far behind. She suddenly felt self-conscious. A petty part of her wanted Seifer to see her dressed up and looking her best, not in a pair of cutoffs and swimsuit.

Don’t be ridiculous, she scolded herself. He wouldn’t even notice–

“Quistis!” Raijin’s voice boomed. He waved wildly. “How ya doin?”

She froze, stuck in fight or flight mode. It would be too awkward to ignore Raijin. May as well exchange bland pleasantries about summer break. Quistis conjured a smile and made her way down the steps. The crowd parted, revealing who they’d all been congregating around.

It was Seifer, of course. The months apart had desaturated her memories of him. But now, bathed in sunshine from the skylights, he was so vibrant Quistis could hardly look at him. Her heart leapt into her throat.

Seifer flaunted a new gunblade for the admiring crowd. Steel polished to a mirror shine, the sunlight glinting off the lethal cutting edge. Quistis didn’t know much about the weapon, but she could tell this one was magnificent. 

The gunblade wasn’t the only thing that was new. A dashing grey coat draped over his shoulders. So much for slacking off on training–Seifer was as broad as ever. The sun had lightened his hair platinum, and he’d recently got it cut, the edges perfect save for the one strand that always fell in his eyes. 

Seifer looked up and locked eyes with Quistis. She had to dig her heels into the ground to keep from sprinting toward him. So much for moving on.

Initially he looked shocked, his eyes widening as they met hers, mouth dropping into an O. Quick on his feet, he drew himself to his full height and plastered his trademark smirk on his face. 

“Look who it is. Trepe.”

The box slipped out of Quistis’ hands, sending flower necklaces flying everywhere as it collided with the ground. Caught in the pull of his gaze, it hardly registered.

Shit, Quistis thought. This isn’t supposed to happen.

 _____________

Seifer had prepared for the first time he’d see Quistis again. It would not be a big deal. He’d spent all summer recalling the sound of her laugh, her shoulders in a white tank top, her lips curved into a smile when he’d amused her. Her crystal blue eyes (usually rolling at something he’d said), the citrus scent of her shampoo in her soft golden hair. Her lips against his, the hidden intensity behind her calm facade.

Exposure therapy. The more you see something, the less power it has over you.

Seifer did not anticipate the bikini. 

Of all the days, this was the one Quistis was going to the beach? In a red halter swimsuit top and denim shorts? Seifer found her alluring in her uniform or workout clothes, but this was cosmically unfair. Heat exploded up the back of his neck and his thoughts crackled like television static. Get a grip, Almasy.

“Look who it is. Trepe.” Seifer’s own voice sounded unfamiliar in his ears.

She’d dropped the box, breaking the spell.

“Ah! Shoot. Oh, thanks–” the other cadets helped pick up the flower necklaces as Seifer locked Hyperion back in its case. He knelt down to pick up a few more. Her eyes darted to the box, suddenly engrossed in its contents.

“So how was your summer?” Quistis looked past Seifer and up at Raijin.

Raijin slumped over. “I hate boats.”

“MADE MONEY,” Fujin interjected, muscling in to show off her new chakram.

“That’s a work of art, Fujin,” Quistis admired the weapon. “Seifer, you bought your own gunblade?”

He crossed his arms proudly. “Sure did. It’s a custom model I designed myself. Hyperion.”

“I’m happy for you,” Quistis said evenly.

An awkward silence settled between them. Seifer studied Quistis’ profile. Her eyes searched everywhere, but wouldn’t meet his. 

“Are those earrings?” Seifer asked abruptly, noting the silver glimmer on her earlobe.

“Oh, these?” Quistis touched the small hoop instinctively. “Me and Xu got our ears pierced over the summer.”

Seifer let out a low whistle. “Awfully rebellious, Trepe. What’s next, a tattoo?”

“Doubtful. Speaking of tattoos though, Dincht from Aki’s cohort got a giant one on his face,” Quistis remarked.

“Dincht? Zell Dincht?” Seifer asked incredulously. “That dude who’s like four feet tall and never shuts up?”

“He’s at least 5’6. And yes.”

Seifer threw his head back and cackled. “Oh man. That’s…wow.”

“Be nice,” Quistis scolded.

“Come on. How’s it look?” Seifer asked between laughs.

Quistis pressed her lips together. “Zell seems really pleased about it.”

Seifer dissolved into laughter again. Quistis rolled her eyes. “You’re terrible.”

“Yeah, I know,” Seifer replied. “Seriously though, you had a good summer?”

Quistis nodded. “I did. I got a job too. Worked at the library all summer. Got a lot of good training in, took a healing magic course–”

“Did you do anything fun?”

“I’m helping the student council put on the welcome back bonfire.”

“I said fun .”

“Event planning is fun,” Quistis said defensively. “Besides, the bonfire’s tonight on the beach. I have to get down there and finish setting up.”

Seifer cocked his head. “Tonight?”

Quistis nodded, hoisting the box on her hip. “You should come if you’re not too tired.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Sure,” she called over her shoulder.  

Seifer watched her walk away, feeling his heart circle the drain. He’d told himself their first meeting would be no big deal. But their conversation was so stiff, so lukewarm, so lacking a pulse. Was it possible Quistis had forgotten him over the summer? Or moved on to someone else?

There was only one way to find out.

“Fujin, Raijin. Looks like we’re going to a party tonight,” Seifer declared.

 _____________

The night had cooled, but the blazing orange bonfire kept everyone on the beach warm. Judging from the loud laughter and swaying cadets, a number of students were staying warm with liquor. Music thrummed from the DJ booth. Seifer had traded his new coat for shorts and a black t-shirt. He searched the crowd for Quistis.

“Oh man,” Raijin exclaimed, inhaling deeply. “Do you smell that barbeque? I’m so glad to be home, dude.”

“Get on it, you need to replace all the weight you lost puking,” Seifer ribbed.

Raijin shuddered. “I’m never leaving dry land again. Screw the ocean.”

He jogged down to the tent with the food, leaving Seifer and Fujin behind. Seifer sighed.

“YOU GOOD?” Fujin asked.

“Eh,” Seifer kicked at a rock in the sand. “It’s weird with me and Quistis.”

Fujin rolled her eye. “SNAP OUT OF IT. You’ve been moping all summer.”

Seifer opened his mouth to argue, but recollections of how he spent the summer flooded back. Thoughts of Quistis tailed him as he dragged trolleys of luggage down narrow corridors. Her face haunted him as he stared at the ceiling in his cramped bunk.

He chuckled ruefully. “Sorry, Fu. I’ve never felt like this.”

“So go do something about it,” Fujin said, shoving him playfully. “Just talk to her. I’ll catch up with you later, I’m STARVING.”

Seifer cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders as if preparing for battle. No point in running from a long overdue conversation. He joined the crowd on the beach, weaving through throngs of friends chatting over drinks or nodding along to the music. Quistis was standing in a group with Xu and four others. Student council dorks, Seifer deduced.

She’d changed from her swimsuit into a long lightweight dress. Her hair was twisted and clipped up off her shoulders. One of the flower necklaces she’d dropped this morning hung around her neck. Seifer didn’t recognize the other cadets, but noticed how the guys turned to Quistis, drawn in like metal to a magnet. A flare of jealousy blazed through his chest, extinguished by a wave of guilt.

So Quistis had made friends. That was a good thing. Seifer couldn’t have expected her to pine for him all summer. But where did that leave him?

As if she’d heard his thoughts, Quistis looked up and caught his eye. She touched Xu’s arm and excused herself from the group. She walked towards Seifer, smiling tightly. Over Quistis’ shoulder, Xu shot Seifer a glare that could melt steel. He felt like sinking in quicksand.

“Enjoying the party?” Quistis called over the music.

“Yeah. Nicely done,” Seifer shouted back. 

“That’s all student council,” Quistis nodded to the group behind her.

“Right. Well done…those guys,” Seifer muttered.

The music bumped loudly, the bass vibrating Seifer’s teeth. “Let’s go somewhere quieter.”

Quistis turned toward the shoreline and wove her way through the crowd. Seifer followed. 

The din from the party subsided as they reached the water. Quistis cleared her throat. 

“Um, I got your postcards. Thanks for the Triple Triad cards, too.”

“No problem. Any good ones?” Seifer asked, stepping out of his shoes.

“Oh yeah. That Hexadragon is the whole reason I’m up to Queen in Card Club,” Quistis proclaimed proudly.

“Damn. Look at you, Trepe,” Seifer stopped, the cool surf washing over his feet. He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked up at the moon, suddenly at a loss for words.

He’d spent the summer imagining what he’d say to her at this moment, but all Seifer could do was look at Quistis. Away from the bonfire her skin glowed like frost in the moonlight. One of the thin straps on her dress had slipped down her shoulder. She adjusted it nervously.

“You look good.” It slipped out involuntarily. 

Quistis flushed and looked away. “Thanks. You do too.”

Seifer took a deep breath. Do or die. “Quistis, I–”

“No,” she cut in. “I know what you’re going to say. About what happened with us. It’s ok. I’m not mad anymore.”

Seifer was momentarily speechless. “I still owe you an apology. I’m sorry for leaving like that. I should have told you sooner.”

“Yeah,” Quistis dropped her head. “It’s ok. It’s in the past. Let’s leave it at that.”

She turned to leave. 

“Wait,” Seifer reached out, his fingers brushing her bare shoulder. Quistis turned around, the firelight reflecting off the tears in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around herself, bracing against the chill of the night.

“What, Seifer,” she sighed.

“I’m truly sorry,” he said sincerely. “I shouldn’t have thought I could start something between us and leave it unfinished.”

Seifer took a step closer and ran his hands down the backs of her arms. Quistis looked away, her throat working over her heartbreak.

“Quistis,” Seifer said quietly. “I don’t want things to be bad between us. I thought about you every day this summer. We can pick up where we left off.”

“No, we can’t,” Quistis said, anguished. She backed out of his arms. “We have too much to lose. We could make SeeD this year, Seifer. And out of respect for each other we should just keep it…professional. Like adults.”

Seifer felt like he’d been in a hit and run. “You don’t feel the same?”

Quistis let out an exasperated sigh, turning her face to the sky. She swiped tears from her eyes.

“Of course I still feel the same,” she hissed. “I spent all summer telling myself I was over you, and it all went out the window the minute I saw you again.”

“So why fight this?” Seifer begged, hearing the desperation seep into his voice.

“Because I’m leaving!” Quistis blurted out.

The planet shifted on its axis. Seifer felt lightheaded. “Where are you going?”

“Galbadia. Professor Reese is the only Blue Mage in the Garden network right now. So I’m spending the first semester training with her,” Quistis said, dejected.

“That’s…a long time. And far,” Seifer finally remarked.

“Seeing the world for free,” Quistis mumbled.

The barb hit. “Right,” Seifer said, suddenly exhausted. “I’m happy for you, I guess.”

“It’s crucial for my training.”

“No, I get it.”

They stood quietly, the gulf between them filled by the sound of the lapping waves. In the distance, the opening beats of a song dropped and cheers rang out from the partygoers. Quistis looked over her shoulder and sighed heavily.

“I should get back,” she said.

Seifer nodded. Quistis toed the surf, agitated. She glanced at Seifer. Sensing her unease, he stepped closer and wrapped her in his arms. He felt her break down, her shoulder blades trembling as she started to cry.

“I’m sorry,” Quistis choked out. “I hate this. I wish things were different.”

“I know, Quistis,” Seifer said. 

“I’m scared to leave.”

“Scared? Come on, you know you’re gonna tear up Galbadia Garden. And you’ve got everyone back here on your side,” Seifer assured her, trying to cover up the uncertainty he felt.

“Can I write to you?” Quistis asked softly.

“Of course,” Seifer replied. “You gotta tell me how G-Garden is. If there’s any other gunblade specialists. Or if you meet a rival girl genius.”

Quistis laughed weakly. “Right.”

“Let’s head back,” Seifer said, nodding towards the bonfire. He released Quistis, feeling pieces of his heart crumble to dust. He lagged a few paces behind her as they rejoined the party. 

The idea of karma floated into his head. He’d left Quistis behind for the summer, and now she was leaving him. Only there was no hope for the two of them to be anything more than friends now. What was crueler–being left behind with false hope, or with the cold truth? Seifer trudged back to his dorm and collapsed into bed. His second year at Garden was off to a bad start.

 _____________

Dear Seifer,

I’m settled in here at Galbadia Garden. It’s distinctly different than Balamb. For one, their instructors are SO strict and humorless. Like a whole faculty of Akis. Also, people are insane about sports here. Basketball, tennis, even hockey (despite being in a desert?) It’s exhausting. Although you might like hockey, there seems to be a fair amount of sanctioned fist fighting and hitting things with sticks.

My roommate is nice enough–her name is Fionne, and she’s from Deling City. Her parents are both high up in the Galbadian Army and she’s filthy rich. I think she was shocked that all I brought was uniforms and workout clothes, because apparently she’s taking me shopping in the city next weekend for a fall formal dress. I don’t even want to go to fall formal! The guys who have asked me so far are all such assholes. (I’ve turned them all down–much better to go with a group of girls and have strength in numbers). That’s another difference, there’s way more guys than girls here. The testosterone overload is unbearable. Do you know how many guys have told me to smile? Or out of nowhere told me I’d be prettier without glasses? 

Joke’s on them though. I’ve been training with Instructor Reese and have picked up a new limit break from battling monsters. So the next time someone refers to me as “babe”, they’re getting electrocuted. (Too bad I’d get expelled).

How are things at Balamb? Are they doing fall formal? You should ask Mika, I bet she’d say yes! 

Sincerely,

Quistis

**********

Trepe,

Things are boring here. I don’t think Shima knows what to do with class since you’re not in it. I tried arguing with Moray over the benefits of burning through healing medicine to kill zombies but she almost cried. Lame. Leonhart copied me and bought a gunblade. Stupid two-handed Revolver model. No match for Hyperion. 

There’s fall formal here. Last year we crashed an afterparty and smuggled out a bottle of champagne and two trays of shrimp (both of which Raijin ate). Probably gonna do the same thing you are and go with friends. I got a suit over the summer and need an excuse to wear it, because it looks–pardon my language–really fucking cool. What kind of dress did your rich roommate buy you?

Tell me more about electrocuting your enemies. Making a mental note not to piss you off as much. 

Seifer

P.S. Happy (early) Birthday

**********

Dear Seifer,

Be nice to Moray! She’s so shy. And go easy on Instructor Shima too. We could have it so much worse. I think I’ve fallen asleep with my eyes open in class here. 

Fall formal was fine. I didn’t dance much because 1. Aforementioned sleazeball guys and 2. I have no idea how to dance? I think that’s covered in Decorum next semester. I bought my own dress! It’s black with a red rose print and spaghetti straps. You’d like it. I want to see this really fucking cool suit of yours. Did you buy it at the same shop you got your grey coat? I don’t think I ever told you, but it’s a great coat. You wear it well. 

Of course Squall would get a gunblade. Think of it as a new challenge in your training. Every challenge is an opportunity! You’ll get even more skilled. Speaking of which, I was successful in defeating a Marlboro! They are SO GROSS and slimy in person, and Bad Breath is fundamentally disgusting magic, but it’s damn effective at neutralizing a large swath of enemies.

How was your formal? Tell Raijin not to eat two trays of anything in one sitting, I worry about his health. 

Sincerely,

Quistis

P.S. Thanks for the birthday card!

**********

Hyne Trepe, you sound like an instructor. Did you read “every challenge is an opportunity” off of a motivational poster or what? For your information my record with Leonhart is 10-4, so statistically I’m twice as good as he is. Can’t argue with me, it’s science.

Sorry I haven’t written in a while. Fall formal was boring. Shima’s killing me with this advanced junction stuff. Evidently there’s a way to junction magic to your weapons but I haven’t been successful. Not that Hyperion needs magic, it’s already a killing machine. Also been doing intense practicals with the SeeD Formation group. So far we’ve jumped out of an airship (with parachutes) and evacuated a sinking ship. Doing anything like that at G-Garden?

You stuck there through midterms, or are you gonna be back for the holiday break?

Seifer

**********

 Dear Seifer,

THAT IS NOT HOW STATISTICS WORK. I will argue with you about it on a later date, because right now everything hurts. Spent today in a hand-to-hand combat workshop, with an emphasis on disarming your opponent. Scheduled to do the air evacuation practical Friday. Were you scared? (Of course not; dumb question). If I think about it too much I feel nauseous.

Classes here are busy too. So many papers to write! I’m looking forward to midterms and getting back to Balamb. I miss it. I’ll be back just before the holidays (and your birthday!) on December 20. Any plans?

Sorry this letter is so short, 

Quistis

**********

Trepe,

No plans besides being done with midterms and catching a movie. You’ll be back the 20th? That’s earlier than expected. Guess I got my birthday wish. I’ll pick you up from the train station. Seifer

 _____________

Quistis spotted Seifer on the platform from the window of the train. He’d turned the collar of his grey coat up against the cold. Even though it was past noon, he held a coffee in each gloved hand. 

She smiled to herself. It was good to see a familiar face after four months. Her whole body breathed a sigh of relief.

The train brakes screeched into the station. Quistis claimed her suitcase and maneuvered through the departing crowd. Seifer spotted her, smirking playfully.

“Look what the cat dragged in.”

“Please, don’t act like you didn’t miss me,” Quistis retorted. “You brought me coffee.”

He lofted both cups out of reach. “You wish. These are hand warmers.”

Quistis stumbled on a comeback. Seifer chuckled and handed her a cup. “Come on. I got us a ride back.” 

He grabbed her suitcase and rolled it through the station. “You don’t have to–” Quistis started.

Seifer shook his head. “Bet you’re missing that desert heat right about now.”

“Ugh, hardly,” Quistis said, following him to the parking garage. Seifer popped the trunk of a Balamb jeep.

“Did you get your license?” Quistis asked incredulously.

“No, I stole it,” Seifer deadpanned. “Course I got my license. If I was going to steal a car I’d steal something cooler than a school jeep.”

“You never mentioned it in your letters,” Quistis said as she slid into the passenger seat.

“It’s required for SeeD,” Seifer said devilishly. “So looks like I’m ahead of you on prerequisites. Quit slacking, Trepe.”

Quistis rolled her eyes. They drove up the winding road to Garden. It was quiet in the car, but Quistis felt comfortable. Like she didn’t need to fill the silence with awkward chatter. 

Seifer glanced at her. “Thanks for writing me.”

Quistis smiled. “I would have lost my mind if I didn’t have you and Xu to write to. Galbadia is so uptight, even for me.”

“Well, you’re back now. Just in time for the hard stuff,” Seifer remarked. 

Quistis gazed out the window at the familiar ocean view. The scenery comforted her, stress melting from her shoulders. The lead-up to the SeeD exam was paved with even more grueling classwork and practicals, but there was nowhere else in the world Quistis wanted to be.

“At least I’m home,” she said.

 _____________

Winter melted into spring. The energy swirling in the halls of Garden relaxed as summer vacation inched closer. Festival plans were finalized, ditch day excuses rehearsed. But for Quistis and the rest of the SeeD candidates, the practicals intensified as the exam approached.

Battling a T-Rexaur in the Training Center, minus magic.

Struggling through an obstacle course on the beach, rope ladders and barbed wire.

Facing down a fiery beast and convincing him to share his abilities.

Authoring a thirty-page thesis on the acquisition and deployment of blue magic.

Memorizing the difference between three different kinds of forks.

Learning to waltz properly, even with an uncoordinated cadet stepping on her toes.

Six grueling hours of the written SeeD exam.

Not that the written exam had bothered Quistis. She’d studied every spare minute, and it was little surprise when her name was posted at the top of the score sheet. Even Seifer applauded. 

The field exam was another matter entirely. The date had been set, but Quistis had no clue what she’d be walking into. She reviewed her notes constantly, as if she’d crack a secret code that would reveal their objective. No such luck.

The quad was crowded the evening before the exam. Lights along the perimeter flickered on, casting a warm glow on the remaining students hanging out on the benches or tossing a frisbee. Curfew was in half an hour, but Quistis was distracted. She’d been trying to read the same four pages for the last ten minutes, but her mind kept wandering to the looming field exam. She slammed her textbook shut in frustration and sighed. Seifer looked up from his notes.

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

“The field exam! I wish we knew what we had coming,” Quistis said, aggravated.

“Seriously? Trepe, you of all people don’t need to worry about the exam.” Seifer tossed his notebook aside. “You got the highest score on the written exam - “

“Totally different,” Quistis interrupted.

“Let me finish,” Seifer said, pacing. He ticked off her accomplishments on his fingers. “Aced the written exam. Unstoppable in ranged combat. So good at magic you can literally cast monster spells unjunctioned like some kind of wizard. You’re passing the field exam, Quistis. No question.”

Quistis was stunned. She was grateful the dusk covered the blush warming her cheeks.

“Thanks, Seifer,” she said quietly.

“And I’m passing it too, and this time tomorrow we’ll be chugging free champagne at the SeeD ball celebrating our victory.” He playfully grabbed her arm and hauled her to her feet. “Come on, I didn’t sit through all those Decorum classes for nothing.”

Quistis laughed. “Are you asking me to dance?”

Seifer shrugged. “Gotta practice for tomorrow.”

He held out his hand, and she took it. Quistis felt her pulse flutter faster as he confidently placed a firm hand on her waist. She glanced at Seifer’s face quickly, taking in a rare, genuine smile. In spite of herself, she laughed nervously again.

“Right! Ok. So you step forward–” Quistis mumbled, dropping her eyes to their feet to avoid meeting Seifer’s gaze. It’s just Seifer, she admonished herself. We’re not doing the whole romantic thing again.  

“Like this,” Seifer said, stepping forward and leading her in a waltz. “Just footwork. No different than training for a fight.”

“Right,” Quistis breathed as they broke apart, stepping around one another. Stars illuminated the evening sky and fireflies blinked around the now empty quad. Seifer extended his hand and Quistis touched his fingertips as they circled each other. She felt electricity crackle through her body, making her pleasantly lightheaded.

“You ready for the spin?” Seifer asked as they extended their arms.

“Don’t drop me,” Quistis called. She gripped his hand and swayed outward, on an invisible cliff edge. With a deep breath, she closed her eyes and spiraled back into his arms.

He held her tightly. Quistis could feel Seifer’s heart pounding in time with hers. It was impossible for her to deny her feelings. Her mind could rattle off hundreds of reasons why she was better off alone, but her heart couldn’t be swayed. She was falling for Seifer. Quistis looked up at him from under her eyelashes. 

Seifer pushed a strand of hair out of her face and leaned in for a kiss. Their lips barely touched when the intercom crackled loudly, shattering the moment.

“Attention Balamb Garden. The time is now 9:00 pm and curfew is in effect. Please return to your quarters…”

They froze, Seifer’s arms around Quistis. A volcanic surge of embarrassment rushed through her. What was she thinking?! Now was not the time to be caught up in a crush. Not when she was this close to making SeeD.

“Um. I’d better go! We both should. Because curfew. And the exam tomorrow,” Quistis rambled, snaking out of Seifer’s arms and snatching her books off the ground.

“Quistis–” Seifer started.

“I’ll see you tomorrow!” she called, jogging back toward the dormitories. “Get some sleep! Don’t forget to eat breakfast!”

Breakfast? She thought. Hyne, kill me now.

Seifer watched her hurry off. He groaned, tossing his head back in frustration to stare at the night sky. Had he really misread the situation with Quistis that badly? Their reunion had been rocky, but they’d slowly regained each other’s trust as the year went by. Throughout the hardest training practicals and driest lectures, Seifer had only thought of making SeeD with Quistis by his side. Thoughts racing, Seifer grabbed his books and stormed off to his dorm.

Get some sleep? Not bloody likely.

Chapter Text

Quistis was starting to think she wasn’t cut out for a life at sea.

The choppy ride on the Garden gunship made her stomach turn. She should have taken her own advice and eaten breakfast, but her anxiety over the field exam made every bite taste like dust. She twisted her hands in her whip, the metal and leather grounding her as the ship hurtled towards their destination.

Two narrow benches ran the length of the cramped cabin. Quistis was squeezed between Xu and Wendos. An unfamiliar cadet, Rian, sat across from her, his knee bouncing in anticipation. Instructor Shima and two SeeDs stood near the front, surveying incoming footage on a grainy screen embedded in the ship’s control panel.

What was once a blurry stripe on the horizon was coming into focus. A large commercial fishing boat bobbed on the waves, eerily devoid of human activity. A full catch of fish hung suspended in a huge net at the rear of the ship, swarmed by flocks of seabirds. The deck was crowded with crates, enormous spools of rope, and complicated-looking equipment. At the front of the ship, a tower ringed in windows and dotted with radar dishes stood watchfully. There should have been lifeboats tethered to the hull, but all that remained were empty moorings.

Monsters swarmed the ship.

Although the video was pixelated, Quistis glimpsed flashes of spiny fins weaving around the deck. The footage sharpened as they approached, revealing four slug-like Oilboyles suctioned around the hatch leading to the crew’s quarters. She swallowed and set her jaw. 

Instructor Shima gestured to the screen. “Twelve hours ago, the Fortuna sent a distress signal. Seems the sailors hauled up a number of monsters with their catch. We’re looking at Oilboyles and at least two species of Fastitocalons. For this mission, Squad A is going to be dealing with what’s on the deck.”

As if on cue, a fiery explosion rocked the deck, blasting two fish monsters into pieces. Shima raised an eyebrow.

“They’re on it, I see. We will be boarding shortly. Upon the all clear from Squad A, you will enter the crew’s quarters. Records show that six sailors are still unaccounted for. Your mission is to find them. There may be monsters below deck, so stay aware.” 

Every nerve in Quistis’ body was taut as her squad filed across a thin metal bridge to the Fortuna’s lower deck. The sea spray beaded on her uniform jacket. She vibrated with tension, spring loaded, ready to charge as soon as her team got the signal. The Garden gunship retracted the bridge and roared off, joining two identical vessels floating a short distance away.

Another explosion reverberated from the deck above, Fastitocalon fins plunging into the ocean below. The fetid smell of fish had nearly knocked Quistis over when they’d boarded. She pursed her lips, trying not to inhale too deeply. Beside her, Xu readjusted her grip on her sai, eyes never wavering from the upper deck. 

A ragged hiss from above, followed by the unpleasant squelch of blade through belly. That had to be Hyperion. Seifer was on the monster extermination squad. Based on the sounds of metal slicing through the air and the occasional growl, Quistis knew he accomplished the task with gusto. She smiled to herself. Once her part was done, they’d be full-fledged SeeDs.

Seifer popped his head over the deck rail, face slick with sweat and monster blood. He could hardly conceal his excitement. 

“We’re clear up here,” he shouted. “Come on up.”

Quistis lead the team up the stairs, taking them two at a time. Xu followed, flanked by Wendos and Rian. The deck was carnage, slick with seawater and the green sludge from the decimated school of Fastitocalons. The other two Squad A cadets looked squeamish. Seifer calmly kicked a severed fin out of the way, sending it sliding across the deck. 

Quistis gave him a nod, feeling her adrenaline spike. The previous night scratched at the windows of her mind, and it had taken all of her willpower to close the curtains. For the next few hours, at least. Until she became a SeeD.

“Cover us on the way down,” Quistis instructed. 

“You got it,” he nodded.

Quistis heaved the metal hatch open with a creak. The interior of the ship was dim, the emergency lights glowing along the ceiling and down the long, narrow corridor. A trail of rust dragged along the floor and down another flight of stairs, dents in the walls showing signs of struggle. Quistis gripped the chain whip tighter, her knuckles going white.

“Okay,” she began, her heart pounding, “According to our intel, there’s six crewmembers still on board. Be prepared to administer first aid. There’s a chance some of the monsters are still down here, so stay aware. Wendos and Rian, search the staterooms and common areas on this level. Xu and I will head downstairs and search the galley.”

“Understood,” Wendos nodded. The boys took off down the hall.

“We couldn’t have sent them after the bloody trail?” Xu asked, eyebrow raised.

“We can handle it ourselves,” Quistis said, despite the trepidation tightening around her waist. “Let’s go.”

The stairs descended into the mess hall, long tables and benches strewn about like blocks. Bracken water covered the ground, and anxiety creeped up Quistis’ neck. The ship had taken on a lot of water. They didn’t have much time.

Quistis and Xu took a few tentative steps into the water, their boots soaking up to the ankles. Three orange fins sprang to attention and darted toward them. Quistis hit them with a blast of air, knocking the three Fastitocolons up out of the water. Xu leapt forward and cut down two as Quistis’ whip dispatched the third. 

Thoroughly soaked, they pressed onwards, stepping up into a large, empty kitchen. An initial search revealed nothing. Quistis’ eyes skimmed the walk-in freezer. With most of the ship’s power disabled in the initial monster attack, the freezer wouldn’t stay cold–but its heavy door would make a good barrier.

Quistis banged on the metal door. “This is SeeD from Balamb Garden. Is anyone in here?”

A suction sound as the door disengaged. Two bedraggled fishermen regarded the girls warily at first. One gripped a chef’s knife protectively.

“We have a rescue vessel waiting, but we don’t have much time. Is anyone hurt?” Xu asked. 

“We’re all right, but it’s too late for Carver,” one of the men rasped. Quistis’ stomach dropped, thinking of the blood trail down the hallway. 

“I’m so sorry,” she said. “Our team is handling the monsters as we speak. We’ll escort you to the rescue transport.”

“You got the big one?” The second fisherman asked in awe.

Xu met Quistis’ eyes. “What big one?”

A colossal force slammed against the ship, sending the group careening across the kitchen. Quistis collided with a metal table, sharp pain in her back bringing spots to her eyes. Another impact landed on the upper deck, sending down a shower of dust from the pipes crisscrossing the ceiling.

“Oh Hyne,” the first sailor moaned. “We’re doomed.”

 _____________

When the first tentacle shot out of the ocean, it took Seifer’s brain a minute to translate what he was seeing. He’d seen octopus served on a plate before, a small curlicue of flesh and suction cups. But the scale of this one– a column of muscle taller than any building in Balamb–simply didn’t compute.

Three more arms shot skyward, frozen in time for a moment before plummeting to the deck. Seifer leapt backwards as the first one hit with an ear-splitting slam, crushing metal crates like they were made of paper. Another arm swung wildly, cracking into the ship’s radar and knocking the dome into the sea. Two tentacles landed at the bow and jerked downwards, sending everything on the deck sliding.

“Hold onto something!” Seifer yelled, lacing his arms through a railing. Fishing equipment and monster parts skidded across the deck, with Cadet Erwin tumbling behind. Seifer threw his body sideways to stop Erwin’s descent, grunting as the other cadet crashed into him.

“Shit! What do we do?!” Erwin gasped, his eyes white with panic. Seifer’s eyes darted to the door leading into the ship. Quistis and the rescue team were still down below.

The kraken shifted, loosening its hold on the bow. The ship rocked back on the waves, struggling to remain upright. The Garden ships sped closer, volleys of gunfire piercing the air. Bursts of inky blood popped from the tentacles, but the kraken was hardly affected.

“We’ve gotta drive it away,” Seifer responded, searching the deck. The SeeD’s weapons were too small to do much damage. A hit from a GF might slow it down–or make it angrier. Seifer’s gaze stopped on the full net of fish hanging from the crane at the rear of the ship. It swayed in the commotion like a punching bag. Two tentacles slithered up towards the net. A crackle of gunfire swatted them back.

He was on his feet before he could tell Erwin to cover him. The deck lurched again, sending Seifer skidding through muck. He barely noticed, eyes never wavering from the control tower stationed behind the crane arm. Kicking the door open, he bounded up the metal stairs and looked out over the scene.

The gunfire was keeping the kraken from pulling the ship under, but Seifer knew the boats couldn’t hold it off forever. He scanned the control panel, pulling on various levers and switches to get the crane moving. Glancing back at the deck, he saw the rescue team emerge, guiding a group of five bedraggled fishermen up from the bowels of the ship. Quistis was the last one out, a look of shock registering on her face seeing the giant tentacles above. She quickly composed herself and issued an order, the golden glow of a Protect spell covering the remaining crew.

That’s my girl, Seifer thought.

Now that everyone was accounted for, he knew he had to distract the beast. The Garden ships couldn’t shoot and evacuate people at the same time. Seifer flicked a glowing red switch and yanked a lever towards himself. The crane arm groaned and began to swivel, dangling the heavy net over the ocean. The kraken took notice, sliding its remaining arms up to the net and wrapping tightly. It tugged the net, yanking the entire ship downward. Seifer pitched forward, slamming into the control panel. He needed to release the net, but all of the blinking switches and buttons looked identical. He slammed his palm into the middle of the control panel and blasted a Thunder spell into the machinery.

Circuits fried, the mechanical arm released the net, dropping two tons of dead fish onto the kraken’s face. It unfurled its hold on the ship and the vessel rocked backward sharply. Seifer lost his footing and stumbled back. The ship recovered, ricocheting forward and bobbing a few times before settling. Shaking, Seifer hoisted himself off the ground and peered out the window. The SeeDs and sailors were slowly creeping out from where they’d sheltered on the deck. Quistis sprang to action first, signaling to one of the gunships to send out the boarding bridge to finish the evacuation.

She motioned the team and sailors onto the bridge as Seifer sauntered over. Her head snapped around at his approach, but her expression softened from alarm to relief as she realized it was him. 

Seifer held out his arms. “Mission accomplished.”

Quistis shook her head ruefully. “Just get on the boat.”

They jogged across the bridge and ducked into the narrow cabin. The gunship rumbled away, cutting a path through the sea. Inside was packed with cadets and the rescued sailors, all chattering at a fevered pitch. Quistis leaned her head back against the wall and squeezed her eyes shut.

“You ok, Trepe?” Seifer asked.

“I never want to eat another fish in my life,” Quistis groaned. “The smell.”

Seifer bumped her shoulder playfully. “Pretty sure that’s the main course at the ball tonight.”

The corner of her mouth twitched. “All I care about is the champagne.”

She walked her fingers along the wall until they found his. He folded his hand protectively around hers. As the ship raced towards shore, exhaustion settled on his body like a heavy coat. He desperately needed some sleep. And a shower. But the exertion had been worth it. In a few hours, Seifer would be spinning Quistis around the ballroom, celebrating their success as newly-minted SeeDs.

 _____________

In the heat of the exam, Quistis hadn’t thought twice about her actions. She remembered her training. Her weapon had been an extension of her body, cutting through fiends like air. She’d protected the sailors and got them safely off the boat, even with the unexpected giant sea monster interference. On paper, she accomplished her mission.

Under the cold shower tap, however, Quistis second guessed everything. She fretted as she scrubbed seawater from her hair. Could their rescue have been more efficient? Could they have moved faster and avoided the kraken? What about the sailor that died?

She buttoned a clean uniform shirt, lost in thought. Across the dorm, Xu buffed imaginary dirt from an immaculate pair of shoes. Her expression was equally tense.

“You ready for this?” she asked Quistis.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Quistis sighed, smoothing her skirt. “I think we did well.”

“I think it’s us. Probably Wendos and Rian too. I don’t know what the first team did,” Xu commented.

Quistis tilted her head. “If it wasn’t for Seifer, we’d be in trouble.”

“Almasy’s quick on his feet, I’ll give him that,” Xu agreed.

They approached the classroom and entered. Tension buzzed with the fluorescent lights. Wendos waved Xu over to a desk. Quistis spotted Seifer in the back of the room, leaning casually against the wall. He’d showered and changed into a fresh uniform. Quistis imagined him in his SeeD uniform, how the gold on the epaulets would reflect the gold in his hair. Her heart fluttered as she caught his eye.

She stood next to him. He smirked at her knowingly.

“Word on the street is there’s an afterparty in the Training Center,” Seifer said deviously. 

Quistis blushed. “We have to pass first.”

“A formality,” Seifer scoffed. “For tonight–”

He was cut off as the door slid open. Two hooded faculty members entered. Instructors Shima and Aki filed in after, their expressions aloof. The chatter halted and the cadets snapped to attention.

“The following students will accompany me to the Headmaster’s office,” Aki barked without pretense. “Alister Rian. Juri Stelle. Quistis Trepe. Nyle Wendos. Cordelia Xu. That is all.”

Hearing her name was like being hit with a bomb. Every emotion detonated at once. Color rushed to Quistis’ face. She’d done it. She’d made SeeD an entire year early. The relief the exam was over and the swell of pride behind her chest fizzled when she realized Aki hadn’t called Seifer’s name.

Quistis looked up at him, breath catching as the reality that he failed set in. The life drained from his profile, jaw and shoulders sagging. He staggered back slightly, bracing himself against the wall.

“Seifer–,” Quistis whispered.

“The Headmaster will see you NOW, Cadet Trepe,” Aki commanded. Quistis hurried toward the door, a stab of pain in her chest.

She felt like she was hovering on the ceiling, watching her body follow the group to the Headmaster’s office. She went through the motions of saluting, nodding at the appropriate parts in his speech, accepting her report.

It was as though Quistis was watching a movie, but the actors were all wrong. Seifer should be there. His actions had saved everyone on board the ship. What went wrong?

The other cadets began to file out of the office. Quistis lingered behind, pretending to page through her report. As Instructor Aki left, she turned to Cid.

“Headmaster,” Quistis asked, struggling to keep the shake out of her voice, “If I may be so bold. I see Sei–Cadet Almasy didn’t pass the exam, but his actions were crucial to the evacuation. Why didn’t he pass?”

Cid sighed deeply, leaning against his desk. He folded his hands over his ample belly. “Disappointing, that. I argued for Seifer to pass, as did Instructor Shima. But SeeD is determined by committee, and the other three members did not share our views.”

“I just don’t understand,” Quistis pressed.

“Quistis, I shouldn’t be telling you this. But you’re one of my brightest students, and as a SeeD I trust you’ll keep it confidential,” Cid shifted uncomfortably. “Seifer’s conduct was rash. It aided a successful evacuation, but our client isn’t thrilled it cost them several hundred thousand gil in profits, not to mention equipment repairs. Our business-minded committee members agree.”

“So it’s about money?” Quistis asked angrily.

Cid held up his hands. “Believe me, I fought for Seifer’s appointment to SeeD. I don’t agree with the committee. But when you think about it, Seifer took his exam an entire year early. Most candidates fail their first try. He’ll take it again next year and pass with flying colors, I’m sure of it.”

Quistis felt her chest boil with anger. “Of course,” she said through gritted teeth.

“I am sorry you’re disappointed for your friend, Quistis. But don’t let that overshadow your own considerable accomplishment today,” Cid escorted her to the lift. “The ball is in a few hours. We’d best both get ready.”

“Yes sir,” Quistis muttered as the lift descended, her anger drumming in her temples with every beat of her heart. She knew SeeD was a business, ultimately–but the thought of Seifer’s dreams being ruined over lost profits galled her.

His stricken expression filled her mind. She had to see him. Hurrying to his room, Quistis hoped he was there. She rapped on the door. No answer. She pressed her forehead against the cool metal, exhaling.

“Seifer,” she called, knocking again. “It’s me.”

The muffled creak of the bed as he hauled himself up. Quistis leaned back as the door slid open. Her heart hit the floor.

Seifer looked miserable. He’d kicked off his boots and uniform jacket into a crumpled heap near the trash. The exhaustion from the mission had caught up to him, dark crescents under his eyes.

Quistis threw her arms around him, pulling him close. “I’m so sorry,” she said into his chest. “It’s not fair.”

He didn’t embrace her back. She felt his muscles stiffen at his sides, his jaw twitch from where it touched the crown of her head. 

“Trepe,” Seifer said, his voice monotone, “I don’t want to hear it.”

Quistis stepped back, startled. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t need the bullshit about it being unfair. I failed. It’s on me,” he said.

“No, it’s more than that,” Quistis pleaded. “It came down to the committee–”

“I know,” Seifer cut in. “Shima explained it. The almighty gil or whatever. It doesn’t matter.”

He turned away, his shoulders tense around his neck. Quistis delicately placed a hand on his back.

“Seifer,” she said softly, “It’s ok to be upset. Most people fail the exam their first time. You’ve still got next year.”

He laughed bitterly. “There won’t be a next year.”

Quistis felt like she’d been doused with ice water. Every nerve stood on end. “What do you mean, there won’t be a next year?”

“I’m out,” Seifer said, tugging his duffel bag out from under his bed.

“You’re quitting.” Quistis’ jaw dropped.

“Gonna do my own thing.”

“Seriously? You’re going to walk away from everything you worked for– two years of training–just because you failed an exam that most people fail their first time?” Quistis demanded, her voice rising.

Seifer whirled on her, eyes bright with rage. Quistis couldn’t recall this much ire since their first meeting on the train, nearly two years ago. She stumbled back as he advanced. 

“Yeah, Trepe, I’m walking. I worked harder than I ever worked for anything in my life, and I failed on a dumb technicality. So what, I’m supposed to do it all over again and see what the committee can fail me on next year? Everyone on that boat is alive because of me, and I still got fucked over. There’s no point in staying,” he snarled.

Quistis’ heart hammered, pressure building in her ears. Seifer sounded thoroughly convinced about leaving.

“So you’d leave me?” she whispered.

The question hit him like a punch, his head and shoulders sagging. He sighed, dragging a hand over his face as he considered what to say.

“Quistis, you’re a SeeD now. You don’t have time to hang around with fuckups like me. It’s better I’m gone.”

“I don’t think you’re a fuckup,” Quistis seethed. “But you’re acting like an idiot right now.”

She held up a hand to stop his incoming protest. 

“Be upset, quit, do whatever. But don’t you dare act like it’s for my sake that you left. Like I’m too good for you. That’s never been true and you know it,” a hot tear spilled down Quistis’ cheek. “SeeD or not, Seifer, it doesn’t matter. I just like you. You’re the only person who I can talk to all day and still wake up the next morning and tell you something new. You make me laugh. You know how I like my coffee. You drive me crazy, but I can’t stay away from you. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had. You–we could…”

Quistis trailed off, depleted. She’d laid her heart at his feet, bloody and raw. 

It might still not be enough to stop him from leaving.

He stared down at her, his expression unreadable. He could be speechless. Or his mind was made up. Quistis was flooded with the desire to bolt back to her dorm. She stared at her feet, the image distorting as her eyes brimmed with tears again. She spun and paced out of his room quickly, pausing in the hallway to listen for his footsteps following her.

He wasn’t.

Quistis raced to her room and bolted inside, sobbing. This should have been the happiest day of her life. How had it gone so wrong?

 _____________

A knock at the door roused Quistis from a fitful nap. She rubbed her eyes and put her glasses back on. She opened the door just enough to accept her SeeD uniform from the messenger and hung it on the back of her wardrobe before flopping back onto the bed.

Eventually she’d have to get up and get ready for the ball. She’d been hiding under the covers ever since her fight with Seifer. Xu had come through earlier and Quistis guiltily feigned sleep. She wasn’t up for giving another explanation of why she was crying over Seifer. Nor was she in the mood for another one of Xu’s lectures about why Seifer was terrible.

Figuring she couldn’t procrastinate any longer, Quistis peeled herself out of bed. She turned her face in the mirror, noting the puffiness of her eyes. Nothing some makeup couldn’t hide. She fixed her face and redid her hair, twisting it back into a clip. She dressed in the new uniform, admiring the gold trim on the cuffs and lapels. By the time she secured her tie, her confidence was restored. At the end of the day, she’d made SeeD, a full year early at that. Now that she looked the part, Quistis felt ready for the night.

Another knock at the door. Quistis was shocked to see Seifer through the peephole, dressed in a trim charcoal suit and gripping a bouquet of flowers.

She slid the door open and regarded him warily. “Traveling light, I see?”

He grimaced, embarrassed. “I’m not leaving.”

She raised an eyebrow, waiting. Seifer cleared his throat.

“These are for you. They symbolize friendship. Or at least that’s what the guy at the shop said,” Seifer muttered, presenting her with a bundle of yellow roses.

Just when Quistis was certain the pink flush creeping up his neck was real, not a trick of the light, he turned his head to avoid her eyes. 

“Friendship,” she repeated.

“Yeah. They didn’t have ones that said ‘sorry for being an asshole’.”

She hid her face in the yellow blooms, taking a deep breath of their scent.

“No friend’s ever given me flowers before. I really like them. Thank you,” Quistis said.

“And I am sorry for being an asshole earlier,” Seifer looked her straight in the face this time, knowing full well she could see he was blushing, humbled. “The exam pissed me off, but I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”

“It was quite a tantrum,” Quistis remarked dryly. 

He nodded once, shifting his weight. She could tell he wanted to say something else, the sentiment hanging between them like a balloon.

 “So why’d you change your mind about leaving?” Quistis asked, breaking the awkward silence.

Seifer rubbed the back of his neck. “Like you said, it’d be a waste of two years of training. Can’t let Leonhart get all the glory. And if I left, I couldn’t take you to the ball. If you still want to go with me, of course.”

“Well,” Quistis said, feeling a blush prickle across her cheeks. “That explains why you’re all dressed up.”

He adjusted his suit jacket with a smirk. “Gotta look good if I’m gonna dance with Balamb’s finest.”

Quistis pretended to think about his offer. “Hmm. I suppose I can save you a dance. Hyne knows Wendos has two left feet.”

Seifer laughed, offering his arm. “So that’s a yes?”

Quistis twined her arm around his. She smiled mischievously.  “I’ll let you know when we get there.”

 _____________

Balamb’s ballroom was usually repurposed as an extra classroom or training space, but tonight it had been restored to its original purpose. Opulent crystal sconces flickered, casting a warm glow over the tan travertine columns. The windows were festooned with deep blue banners bearing the Garden’s insignia, and the balcony was dotted with fresh urns of flowers. White tablecloths draped the tables that surrounded the dance floor, a glimmering array of silverware flanking each plate. Music drifted from the quartet playing on a raised wooden dais. Waiters wove between the crowd with trays of champagne and appetizers. Genial conversation swirled about the room, the mood joyful.

Although they had entered the ballroom together, Seifer may as well have been a ghost. All eyes were on Quistis. Radiant in her new uniform, every instructor and student swarmed around her to shake her hand. Seifer observed from a distance how deftly she handled the attention, her easy smile, her humble grace. To think when they met two years ago she would have detested the attention, hackles up like a cat. Now she was fearless. She was among her people. 

Seeing Quistis’ triumph negated how badly Seifer wanted that glory for himself. Next year, he thought.

Seifer was used to people drifting into his orbit, pulled in by his cavalier attitude and outspoken confidence. This ball was different. In a sea of the most elite mercenaries, foreign dignitaries, politicians, and business tycoons, Seifer admittedly felt small. He’d lorded over gangs of street punks throughout childhood and made it known he was the gunblade specialist at Balamb, but here, in this room, was real power. He was all the more awestruck watching Quistis blend in, as though she was born for this.

The string section hummed and the band began to play. Seifer set his empty champagne flute on a table and straightened his jacket. Quistis caught his eye in the crowd, a sly smile in her eyes. He held out a hand as she glided over. 

“May I have this dance?” Seifer asked with mock formality. 

Quistis’ mouth twitched, concealing a smile. “It would be my pleasure.”

As Seifer took her hand and led her in the opening steps, Quistis felt like she was floating. His face drifted closer as he spun her around. 

“Someone paid attention in Decorum,” Quistis said lightly.

Seifer grinned. “Everyone’s got their eyes on you. I’m just an accessory.”

Quistis suddenly became aware of the crowd at the perimeter of the dance floor. Ice crept up her spine as she imagined their stares like red lasers from the scope of a rifle. A few girls watched her dance, but the majority of the onlookers were men. A few SeeDs, older men in suits, rigid military officers. Quistis missed a step, stumbling into Seifer.

“You ok?” he raised an eyebrow.

“I don’t really like being the center of attention,” Quistis admitted.

“It’s your night,” Seifer reassured her. “Balamb’s girl genius and youngest ever SeeD. You’ve got celebrity status now.”

“Well, if it’s my night, I’d like to go somewhere else,” Quistis said as the song ended.

Surprise registered on Seifer’s face. “Oh yeah?”

The ballroom lights dimmed, signaling the fireworks were about to start. The first few flares exploded above, sending glittering light over the guests.

“We’ve got a distraction. Let’s go,” Quistis nodded. 

Seifer slid his hand in hers. “I know a place.”

They wove through the crowd and slipped out the double doors. The main hallway was dim and empty. 

“Are we going to the Training Center?” Quistis asked, her pulse picking up speed.

“Too crowded. The afterparty’s already started. Here,” he tugged her toward the parking garage.

“The parking garage? This is how crime novels start,” Quistis teased.

Seifer rolled his eyes. “I’m not going to murder you.”

“Obviously. I’d murder you first.” Quistis pointed out as they wandered through the rows of cars.

“I believe it,” Seifer replied, dropping her hand to wrench open a metal service door leading into a stairwell. Their feet clattered on the metal steps up to the roof. Seifer shouldered open a creaky door at the top of the stairs.

Quistis’ breath caught in her chest. From the secluded patch of roof, they had a clear view of the  moonlit ocean. The fireworks popped overhead, building to a crescendo for a dazzling finale. Quistis watched in awe. She turned to Seifer, suddenly feeling shy. He stepped closer to her, placing a hand on her shoulder to angle her towards him. He wore the same expression from the night on the ferris wheel–sincere, guileless, vulnerable. Quistis’ heart swelled.

“I didn’t say it earlier because I was being a shithead, but I’m really fucking proud of you, Quistis,” Seifer said. “Nobody deserves this more than you. All this time I’ve been trying to keep pace with you and you just keep getting better. SeeD’s lucky to have you.”

Her eyes blurred with tears, even though her heart radiated joy. “Thank you, Seifer. That’s the kindest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

“Which is insane,” he continued, brushing hair from her face. “How all these years people missed out on you. Yeah, you’re a genius, but you’re so much more than that. You care about people. You’re funnier than anyone thinks. What you told me earlier today…Quistis, you changed my life. I’m–you make me a better person.”

“Seifer,” Quistis breathed, a tear sliding down her cheek. He brushed it away with his thumb, cupping her face and leaning in for a kiss.

Quistis melted, wrapping her arms around his strong frame. All of her pent-up longing tumbled free as her lips met his. 

Whatever the future held, Seifer Almasy was part of hers. 

They separated, breathing shaky. She sunk into him, unwilling to let go. His hands rested protectively on her back. 

“Whatever happens…it’s me and you,” Seifer murmured.

Quistis nodded, the fabric of his jacket grazing her cheek. “That’s all I need.”

Chapter Text

Quistis wasn’t used to getting what she wanted. 

From a young age she’d understood there were certain things she could earn , provided she put in hard work. Long nights spent poring over library books, early mornings repeating forms in the Training Center until every arm muscle twitched. This was the proven formula that brought praise and affection from teachers, admiration from classmates. Push yourself; receive love. Everything balanced, sensible. Like algebraic formulas written on a chalkboard, bound by rules and logic.

Any other stirrings in her heart were snuffed out quickly. Quistis knew a wish made on a birthday candle wouldn’t come true, that fairy godmothers weren’t real. The only magic she could rely on was what she could channel through herself.

But then came Seifer Almasy.

That they could stand to be in the same room after their first meeting was unlikely enough. Becoming friends was stranger still. And now this concept that Seifer was attracted to her simply because she was Quistis Trepe–not the SeeD, not the prodigy, just herself–felt like a miracle, a celestial anomaly.

That of all the people in Garden, he reserved a tenderness strictly for her. A softer register of his voice; the gentle brush of his fingers through her hair; dozens, hundreds, all the kisses she could want.

The way his knees brushed hers under the table at breakfast, how he leaned closer when she spoke, how she could look out among any crowd and lock eyes with him first, magnetic. 

How they orbited one another, pulled closer by their own hearts–a force stronger than gravity.

With every passing summer day, the poisonous whisper in her ear that this will end, another shoe will drop, you’ll wake up from the dream– grew quieter and quieter.

Maybe, Quistis allowed herself to think, this is the real thing.

 _____________

A winding trail of footprints tracked all over Rinauld beach. Their pattern was punctuated by small skirmishes, as if an invisible hand had reached down from the sky and twirled a finger in the sand. The serenely lapping tide was interrupted by an unseasonable burst of thunder. 

Quistis backtracked from where her spell had hit, a half-fried Fastitocalon lunging toward her. The creature shrieked as Hyperion split it in two. Seifer leaned over the blade, panting. He grinned at Quistis.

“Some picnic.”

“I intended for this to be relaxing,” she said defensively, brushing sand off of her sundress. “I didn’t realize this is when all the fish spawn.”

“Yeah, love is in the air,” Seifer smirked sarcastically.

Quistis smacked his shoulder playfully. She slung her bag over her shoulder as they hiked over a dune, winding their way down towards the woods hugging the coastline. When the land flattened and there were no more monsters in sight, Quistis paused. 

“Here?” she asked.

“Works for me,” Seifer agreed. He unzipped his backpack and produced a slightly dented six pack, yanking a can from the plastic rings and offering it to Quistis.

She rolled her eyes and accepted, smiling ruefully. Setting the can aside, she pulled out a blanket and a half dozen meticulously packed food containers from her overstuffed tote. A navy blue binder slid out and fell to the sandy ground.

“I thought we said no work on the beach,” Seifer said, raising an eyebrow.

Quistis shook sand out of the binder and stuffed it back into her bag. 

“I know, I’m just nervous about tomorrow,” she replied guiltily. “My first real SeeD mission.”

“You’re gonna do great,” Seifer assured her.

“I can’t help but feel anxious.”

“You know,” he smirked, an eyebrow arching over his sunglasses, “if you’d just tell me about the mission I could give you specific examples of how you’ll do great.”

Quistis shook her head playfully. “We’ve been over this, it’s confidential.”

“Ok, fine. I’ll make some up. You’ll be the best at whipping stuff to shreds, obviously. Definitely the only one with blue magic. You’ll be the hottest one if you’re going undercover at a swimsuit modeling competi–”

“Stop,” she said, cracking up. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Ridiculously right,” he countered, leaning over to kiss her neck. He worked his way to her cheek, tiny kisses like fireworks crackling over her skin. She turned to face him, winding her arms around his neck and pulling him down to the blanket for a proper make out. 

Never in a million years would Quistis have pictured herself in this situation. Carefree, about to start her career, engaged in a public display of affection like a normal teenage girl. Even more ironic was that the object of her affection was once her enemy and rival. She thought back to the first time she’d seen Seifer on the train, nearly three years ago. His stupid coat with the cutoff sleeves. The same cocky smile. She giggled mid-kiss.

Seifer pulled back, a lopsided smile on his face. “What’s so funny?”

“Everything. Life itself,” Quistis said, regarding him. “Do you remember when we first met?”

He chuckled, resting his head on his hand. “I remember you hated me.”

“Hate’s a strong word.”

“Accurate though. Here I am, just trying to talk about Knight’s Quest with a fellow fan, and you go and tear me a new one for speaking to you.”

“You put your nasty boots on my seat!” Quistis paused. “Wait, you remember what I was reading?”

Seifer nodded. “Oh yeah. I couldn’t believe it. Good taste and she’s cute? I had to get to know you.”

Quistis squinted at him. “You know, had you lead with that rather than ‘stuck up bitch’, I probably would have given you a chance.”

“Hyne, I was stupid,” Seifer winced. “Not my finest moment.”

“I wasn’t exactly friendly to you either,” Quistis mused. “What a difference three years makes.”

She shifted closer to him, nestling her head under his chin and draping an arm over his chest. His fingers played with her loose hair. Between the warmth of the sun filtering through the clouds and the rise and fall of his breathing, a comfortable drowsiness settled over her. 

“Two whole weeks, huh?” Seifer asked, bringing her back to reality.

Quistis nodded, sitting upright. “I’ll be back right after classes start. Stay out of trouble?”

He laughed. “No promises.”

They dug into their picnic and beer, not minding that it had gone lukewarm. The sun slowly crept towards the horizon, casting the coast in a golden light. Quistis picked the last strawberry out of its container when Seifer turned to her, mischievous.

“Up for a hike?” he asked, nodding towards the woods. “It’s not far.”

Quistis gathered her things and followed him down a path through the trees. A steady drumming of water grew louder the deeper they walked into the forest. A waterfall tumbled off a rocky outcropping into a crystal clear pool, the sandy bottom dotted with plants and flashing schools of tiny fish. Rainbows glinted off the spray, mist beading on Quistis’ skin. She felt like she had stepped into a painting.

“How did you find this place?” she asked incredulously. 

“Dumb luck,” Seifer said. “We had a few off days that summer I worked on the boat. Decided to do some exploring one day.”

“It’s beautiful,” Quistis said. 

“The water’s always warm, too,” Seifer said, a devious glimmer in his eye.

Quistis turned away, bashful. “Too bad we didn’t bring swimsuits.”

“Who says we need ‘em?” Seifer asked. Quistis’ mouth went dry, her eyes fixed on the flash of skin as he peeled his shirt over his head. He caught her staring and grinned, unbuttoning his shorts and sliding his thumbs into the waistband.

“Wait!” Quistis yelped. “I am NOT going skinny dipping.”

“Neither am I,” Seifer said, sliding out of his shorts. “It’s not like swimsuits cover any more than underwear does.”

Quistis reddened, pointedly willing herself not to stare at his chest, his muscled torso, whatever was going on underneath his black boxer briefs. He had a point. And between the heat of the afternoon sun and the heat of his mostly bare body, the water looked all the more irresistible.

A sly smile tugged the corner of her mouth. “No peeking,” she ordered.

Seifer held his hands up, innocent. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Oh please,” Quistis ribbed. “Turn around. Close your eyes.”

He obeyed, and she allowed herself to survey his sculpted back muscles for a brief moment. Heart fluttering, she kicked off her shoes and slid her dress over her head, folding it neatly on top of her bag. She tucked her glasses on top and took a deep breath, grateful she’d chosen a decent pair of grey boyshorts and a lilac bra this morning.

“You good?” Seifer asked.

“Keep your eyes closed,” Quistis called. 

She took a running leap and breezed past him, plunging into the oasis. The waterfall thrummed underwater like a heartbeat. Seifer was right about the temperature–Quistis felt like she’d leapt into a bath. She allowed herself to sink to the bottom, her hair floating freely like a mermaid’s mane. As soon as her toe touched sand, she kicked upwards, breaking the surface with an elated breath.

Seifer was still standing at the edge, eyes closed. One eyebrow perked quizzically, undoubtedly picturing Quistis’ dive in. Treading water, she called out to him.

“Ok, you can come in now.”

He opened his eyes and took a few steps back before diving in. Quistis watched him glide under her and surface a few feet away. He raked a hand through his wet hair and swam toward her. 

Quistis felt like a bottle of champagne uncorked behind her sternum, a sparkling swirl of desire, nerves, and pure happiness. She slid her arms over Seifer’s shoulders, the momentum of the water pushing her into his chest. He pulled her close and she kissed him, feeling weightless and sublime. Seifer returned her affection, his hands tight against her back. They broke, Quistis’ heart pounding as she treaded water. 

Seifer bobbed a few feet away, speechless for once. Pink flushed the bridge of his nose and cheekbones, contrasting the deep green of his eyes. Quistis’ heart swelled to catch the rare sight of him unabashedly happy. 

“I’ve never seen you without glasses,” he remarked.

“I’ve never seen you shirtless,” Quistis replied, surprised at her own flippancy.

Seifer smirked, gliding toward her. “Like what you see?”

Quistis grinned coyly, diving underwater in response. The thrum of the waterfall and weightless sensation of being underwater stirred something at the back of her mind. She’d always loved swimming and was never afraid of getting her hair wet during pool days at boarding school. But why did the saltwater feel so familiar? 

Her thoughts were interrupted by Seifer’s hand closing around her ankle, tugging her playfully. She floated closer, brushing his lips before surfacing. He swam up beside her.

“I’m taking that as a yes,” he said.

Quistis’ response was muffled by the roll of thunder overhead. A torrent of rain doused the grove. They swam quickly to the edge of the pool and jumped out, gathering wet clothes and bags.

“It wasn’t supposed to storm!” Quistis exclaimed, struggling to yank her wet dress over her head.

Seifer slung every bag over his shoulders before awkwardly hoisting Hyperion. He’d found his shorts, but abandoned his soaking shirt.

“Bit late for that,” he called, jogging toward the beach. 

The trek to the car was slow, weighed down by bags, losing flip flops in wet sand, and being soaked to the bone in the downpour. Quistis flung herself into the passenger side as Seifer tossed the bags into the trunk, slamming it roughly before diving into the driver’s seat. 

“Shit!” he cursed, starting the car and trying to crank the heat.

Quistis couldn’t help laughing, even though her teeth were chattering. “Pretty memorable first date.”

Seifer leaned over to give her a quick kiss. “Makes the hypothermia worth it.”

She laughed. He maneuvered the car onto the road, taking one hand off the wheel to lace his fingers with hers. 

Quistis smiled the entire ride back to Garden.

 _____________

A week later Quistis was somewhere classified, but Seifer was stuck in Balamb, watching the rain pour down outside the junk shop’s window. 

The lousy weather had kept any customers away, and the hands of the clock above the door scraped forward slowly. Seifer drummed his fingers on the counter, bored.

The whine of a saw through metal screeched from the workshop in back. That was the beauty of Balamb’s junk shop. The jumbled front room could be any pawn shop, glass cases packed with antiques, jewelry, sorceress memorabilia, magic talismans, weapons that had seen better days. But the workshop was where magic happened. Seifer’s boss Astra could forge any weapon, her skill combining metal and monster parts unparalleled. She pulled Hyperion from Seifer’s head and placed it in his hands. He was forever grateful and more than willing to take the job manning the store for the summer while Astra worked. Minimum wage, but if he played his cards right there’d be some upgrades made to Hyperion at the end of the summer.

Seifer wiped down the cases again, pausing to inspect the rare Triple Triad cards. Quistis’ birthday was still months away, but Seifer had already begun planning a surprise for her. As much as she liked Triple Triad, the cards seemed impersonal. Plus the thought of paying hundreds of gil for a piece of cardboard didn’t sit right with him. The sports and celebrity memorabilia meant nothing to Quistis. The jewelry case, though…

Seifer crouched down to study the pieces through the glass. Any pearls or gaudy gemstones were out. Earrings dangled and glimmered under the shop lights, but Quistis would hate anything that tangled in her hair during battle. She wore gloves most of the time, so that ruled out bracelets. Seifer skimmed over the rings. Too loaded. He shifted onto his heels, evaluating a tray of shimmering chains.

“Slow day?” Astra interrupted him, wiping grease from her hands as she exited the workshop. 

Seifer nodded, getting to his feet. “Shit weather.”

Astra tilted her head towards the jewelry case. “Need something?”

“Yeah,” Seifer replied. “How much for this silver one?”

 _____________

Quistis’ watch vibrated. Adv Refining w/Shima 730 read the neon display. She sighed and swiped the reminder away. Classes started two days ago, but she was still out in the Galbadian desert, patrolling the desolate landscape around D-District for any signs of two escaped convicts.

She had pictured her SeeD missions to be as exciting as training for them was. If anything, her education had overprepared her for this particular mission. She was paired with Wendos and Rian, and the bulk of their days were spent driving a borrowed G-Army rover through the desert, searching for signs of life, and repeating until the sun went down. Outside of an occasional geezard, they’d seen no signs of life in the desert. It was like being on a boring camping trip. Worse still was that Aki was in charge of the mission. While he was based up at D-District, Quistis could feel his steely scowl judging every move she made from afar.

Plus the odds of finding the escapees were slim. Boiling hot in the sun, frigid and windy at night, rust-colored sand whipping in Quistis’ eyes and hair. The desert was a prison of its own.  

Three more days and I’ll be home, Quistis reminded herself. She scanned the rolling sand dunes through her binoculars, her mind rearranging them into Balamb’s coast. She pictured Seifer, water beading down his arms and chest, kisses salty with the sea. Quistis inhaled deeply, replaying their swim in the waterfall. She felt vibrations shoot through her hip.

Wait.

She jolted back to reality, fumbling with the walkie talkie in one hand and binoculars in the other. 

“This is Qui- er, Trepe,” she shouted too loudly into the speaker.

“Trepe? Do you copy? They’re headed right for you!” shouted Aki’s gruff voice on the other end.

Quistis cursed, running back to the rover and pounding on the window to wake her teammates. She’d agreed to take first watch, but Wendos should have been up by now. Scanning the desert through her binoculars, she spotted a truck barreling down a dune, a cloud of sand whirling around its wheels.

The escapees had stolen two guards’ uniforms and a vehicle, as well as an untold number of guns. The mission brief described them as armed and dangerous. Now they were blazing straight towards Quistis. 

She sprinted directly at the oncoming truck, magic coiling around her fingertips.

The truck sped over the nearest dune, going airborne as Quistis’ stop spell smashed into it. It hung suspended in mid-air, looking like a poster from an action movie. She ran towards the floating vehicle, calculating how much time she had before the magic wore off. Five minutes, maybe. Over the sound of blood pounding in her temples, Quistis could hear the rev of the other SeeD teams' engines rushing through the desert.

She swung her whip, the barbed end piercing the metal of the driver’s door. Another mighty yank and the door snapped off the truck, skidding down a dune. The two convicts were frozen, surprise etched onto their faces. It would make a good story to tell Seifer, assuming she could subdue both men before the spell faded.

Quistis pulled the driver from the truck, his gun tumbling into the sand. She kicked it aside and wrestled his arms behind his back, no easy feat given his limbs were stiffened by the magic. Snapping restraints around his wrists, Quistis raced to the passenger side just as the spell broke. The truck slammed to the ground, careening wildly downhill as the other convict struggled to control the wheel. Quistis stumbled forward, blasting another stop spell after it. Too far.

Four more SeeD teams crested the dunes and chased the runaway. Someone cast aero, the sandstorm whipping the truck into a cyclone and tossing it aside like a toy. Quistis grimaced at the impact. Behind her, Rian and Wendos arrived, panting from their sprint. 

“We miss anything?” Wendos huffed, eyes widening as he noticed the fugitive. “Oh. Shit.”

Rian hauled the man up roughly, shoving him into the back of the army rover. “Nicely done, Trepe. We’ll take it from here.”

Quistis rolled her eyes. So much for her first mission.

 _____________

After returning the fugitives to D-District, a debrief, and a much-too-short shower, Quistis was finally on the train back to Balamb. Back to Seifer.

She pondered what exactly she could tell him–missions were confidential, after all. Stopping a truck in mid-air, so long as she didn't give specifics. Her eyelids grew heavy tracing the dark line of the horizon out the window. She nodded off, not noticing Instructor Aki sliding into the seat across from her. He cleared his throat impatiently. Startled, Quistis snapped to attention in her seat.

“Sir! I apologize. How are you this evening?” Quistis rambled, cringing inwardly.

Aki regarded her stoically, his mouth a parallel line. “SeeD Trepe.”

A beat of awkward silence, the mechanical chuff of the train filling the car. Quistis frantically tried to figure out what Aki was here for as he stared at her, stone faced.

“Did you…ah, did you enjoy being back in Galbadia for the mission? You used to teach there, right?” 

“It wasn’t a vacation, SeeD Trepe,” Aki replied flatly.

“Right,” Quistis swallowed, wishing she could sink into the upholstered train seat and never return.

Aki shifted, crossing his arms. “It’s my responsibility to ensure our most recent SeeD recruits are performing their duties adequately.”

Quistis felt like the air had been punched from her lungs. “Of course. Is–Did I do something wrong?”

“Not in any official capacity. But it’s come to my attention that you’ve been overlooking a critical component of the SeeD Code of Conduct. Section twelve, paragraph three point one.” He stared at her pointedly.

Quistis envisioned the thick handbook, mentally flipping through its pages. Section twelve. Regarding fraternization with cadets.

Oh Hyne.

Her face ignited as Aki’s meaning sunk in. Shame doused her like a torrent of rain.

“Of course, Sir,” Quistis mumbled.

Aki rose. “See to it that you review the contents. I’d hate to see you written up for a conduct violation so soon after making SeeD. Or for your poor judgment to reflect poorly on another SeeD candidate.”

Quistis nodded silently as he walked away. She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the window glass, the rumble of the train drowning her thoughts. In her mind, her relationship with Seifer had been discreet. They spent a lot of time together, but besides holding hands or a subtle kiss on the cheek their affection was reserved for off campus. Her single room (a perk of making SeeD) wasn’t even ready yet, and Xu certainly didn’t tolerate Seifer anywhere near their dorm. But it didn’t matter. They’d been found out.

All Quistis wanted was for Seifer to make SeeD, but her same desire could be his undoing. And if being with Seifer jeopardized his chances of making SeeD, then there was only one alternative.

Not being with Seifer.

Chapter Text

Summer was over, the humid days replaced with a brisk breeze rolling in over the sea. Class was back in session, students trading casual clothes for uniforms, lazy beach days for library study groups. The energy within Garden had shifted, a growing alertness after waking up from a long nap.

Seifer felt the shift too. He was a third-year now, with one failed SeeD exam to his name. Failing another exam wasn’t an option. Not just for the sake of his own pride, but for his future with Quistis.

She had a few days left on her mission, if he’d calculated right. Seifer had a grand vision of dinner at the Balamb Hotel when Quistis returned. Worth spending most of the gil he’d saved up from working at the junk shop to celebrate her SeeD career’s official start. 

Quistis just had to get home first.

With SeeD, there was the unspoken question of if they’d return rather than when. The thought smoldered in Seifer’s mind, usually when he couldn’t sleep. But to doubt Quistis’ abilities would be a betrayal. Pack of ruby dragons, underworld assassins, deep espionage–she could handle herself.

And in a matter of months, he’d be doing the same.

Seifer sheathed Hyperion on his back and paused on Garden’s steps. He shaded his eyes from the sun, incandescent on a blue canvas. A perk of being a third-year was field training privileges, the ability to roam the land around Garden and clear out monsters freely. Less predictable than the Training Center, but so much more of a rush.

He took a deep inhale of the crisp fall air and set off towards the foothills near the base of the mountains. Training before class was a good way to stay fit, as well as chip away at his night owl tendencies. He’d have to be ready for SeeD’s early starts. Seifer grinned, picturing the surprise on Quistis’ face when she found out he’d (eventually) become a morning person.

Someone else had been in the field this morning. Seifer trekked through the tall grass, noting the bite bug shells littering the way. He squared his shoulders in his jacket and swiveled, searching the plains for another student. The only movement came from the breeze rustling the grass.

Pressing up a small hill, Seifer felt the pluck of a guitar string behind his chest, the vibration emanating through his limbs. Magic in the wild–there had to be a draw point nearby.

Seifer crested the hill and froze, having discovered the draw point and the person responsible for dispatching all the bite bugs.

Quistis’ back was to him, her arm extended over the slight divot in the ground. Magic swirled around her, a cyclone of bluegreen prisms that disappeared into her skin. A tremor passed through her body as she absorbed the magic, dropping her hand to the whip coiled at her side. 

Seifer’s eyes widened as he leapt back, the barbed end of the whip flashing past his face with a rush of air. He watched it snap back to Quistis’ hand, the impact of seeing him causing her to stumble in surprise.

“Seifer?” Quistis gasped. “Hyne, I’m so sorry–I heard something behind me and thought it was another geezard.”

“Ouch, Trepe,” Seifer said, crossing his arms over his chest, as if trying to restrain the cacophony of emotions threatening to burst out. He could forgive almost taking a hit–unwise to sneak up on a SeeD–but the idea that she’d been back at Garden and hadn’t told him stung.

“What are you doing here?” Quistis asked, flustered. She tugged at the hem of her vest. Seifer noted her new clothes, the peach vest and skirt, maroon leather gloves up to her shoulders. 

“I could ask you the same thing,” Seifer shot back. “Thought you were gone another few days.”

Quistis’ shoulders dropped. Seifer felt an immediate snap of guilt for being so terse. 

“I got back last night,” Quistis said. “We finished early.”

Seifer exhaled, stepping closer to her. “Sorry. I didn’t expect to see you. I’m glad you’re back.”

He set a hand on Quistis’ shoulder, but she wouldn’t lift her face. Worry curled around Seifer like wisps of smoke.

“Hey,” he said softly, lifting her chin with his other hand. “What’s wrong?”

Quistis swallowed, blinking back tears. Seifer stroked her temple and she caught his hand, holding it next to her cheek. She took a deep breath.

“Seifer, we can’t do this anymore,” Quistis said heavily.

Seifer briefly flashed back to the previous autumn, on the beach at the bonfire. She’d said the same thing back then, certain her stint training in Galbadia spelled doom for any feelings they’d harbored for each other. They’d weathered that storm. They’d stayed together even though he failed the first SeeD exam. 

What could possibly keep them apart now?

“Quistis,” Seifer said, shaking his head. “We’ve been down this road before. I’m not going anywhere unless you want me gone.” 

She sighed deeply, defeated. Her gloved hands moved to his lapels, smoothing them down and resting on his chest. Seifer wondered if Quistis could feel the anguished thrash of his heart under her fingertips.

“I don’t want you to go anywhere,” she said forlornly. “But as long as we’re together, you’ll never make SeeD.”

Seifer felt like he’d been smacked in the back of the head. He studied Quistis’ sad expression for more context but found none.

“How does that affect–”

Quistis clapped a hand over his mouth, suddenly on high alert. Her eyes narrowed as she honed in on the edge of the forest, just downhill from where they stood.

“Listen,” she hissed.

Seifer followed her gaze to the tree line. Treetops rocked sharply, even though the wind had died down. A flock of birds launched into the sky, high screeches and panicked wingbeats underpinned by tremulous pounding. 

Every hair on the back of Seifer’s neck stood straight up. This was why field training was reserved for upperclassmen only.

“T-Rexaur,” Quistis whispered.

Seifer looked over his shoulder, Garden small in the distance. They were totally exposed in the hills and plains, not even a tree to take cover under. He licked his lips.

“Do we run for it?”

“No, we can’t draw it towards campus,” Quistis said decisively. “There’s a good chance it’ll turn back–”

She was interrupted by a bellowing roar as the T-Rexaur smashed through the woods, splintering trees. It paused and snarled, its enormous jaws open to the sky. Rows of pointed teeth glinted in the sunlight. In a flash, Seifer had Hyperion at the ready, blood thrumming through his temples. Beside him, Quistis wound her whip around her arm. 

The beast roared again, pounding uphill. Its enormous body sent quakes through the ground. A vibration at a higher frequency rippled through the air as Quistis readied a spell.

“If I can blind it, we can drive it back to the forest,” she commanded. “Just don’t let it eat me first.”

“So much for it turning back,” Seifer muttered.

The monster closed in, Seifer lunging towards it and slashing swiftly across its haunch. It howled, snapping down. Seifer rolled, feeling the beast’s furnace breath on his back as he narrowly missed its jaws. A cloud of smoke swept forward, wrapping around the T-Rexaur’s head. It flailed in confusion, suddenly blind. Quistis charged into the fray, cracking her whip across the dinosaur’s back.

“Press the attack!” she yelled. “The spell won’t last forever!”

They surrounded the monster, Seifer swiping at it from the left and Quistis attacking on the right. The flurry of blows disoriented the T-Rexaur, howling as it stumbled further away. Quistis raised her arm, a bolt of thunder shocking the beast. It careened around, retreating to the forest. 

Seifer glanced over at Quistis, grinning. 

He didn’t see the tail coming.

 _____________

Seifer wasn’t sure how much time passed before he came to, the dreamy haze of healing magic fizzling off his skin. Quistis’ face came into focus, upside down and backlit by the morning sun. Her brows were knit in concern. Seifer realized he was propped up on her lap, his head resting on her knees. 

He smiled weakly. “So you were breaking up with me?”

Quistis let out a half sob, half laugh. “I don’t know what to do.”

“Don’t pull any punches, Trepe. Tell me what’s going on,” Seifer said. 

Quistis exhaled, setting her hand on his chest. He reached up and laced his fingers between hers. She squeezed his hand.

“I got a warning on my mission. From Aki,” Quistis began.

“That asshole,” Seifer growled. “What’d he say?”

“He said I was in violation of the SeeD code of conduct. Section twelve.”

Seifer thought for a moment before it dawned on him. Heat flashed before his eyes. “Fraternizing with cadets?”

She nodded. “Right. He told me I– we –need to be more discreet. Otherwise it means a conduct write-up. And that it shows poor judgment from the cadet.”

Seifer shook his head, anger tightening his jaw. “Unbelievable.”

“I know,” Quistis said, her voice rising. “I didn’t think we were that…obvious about things. But I don’t want to hurt your chances of making SeeD and–”

“That’s why we’re breaking up,” Seifer concluded. The knowledge slammed him harder than the dinosaur’s tail, leaving him disoriented and woozy. 

“No!” Quistis cried, fresh tears springing to her eyes. “But if we have to, so you can make SeeD…I understand.”

“Quistis,” Seifer sighed, pushing himself up to sit beside her. Relief flooded his body, his pounding heart returning to its normal pace. “We’re not breaking up.”

She gazed at him, a flicker of hope replacing her forlorn expression. “But Aki said–”

“Aki’s a dick,” Seifer spat. “He gets off on threatening people. No one else would write you up for a conduct violation. Hyne knows everyone here’s hooked up with someone, SeeD or not.”

Quistis tilted her head, considering.

“Tell you what,” Seifer continued. “We can keep things under the radar. It’s not like we announced to the world that we were together. Hell, I never officially asked you out or anything.”

A sly smile quirked at the corner of Quistis’ lips, and Seifer felt the tops of his ears go red. Hyne, since when had he become so corny? This wasn’t middle school, where everyone paired off as boyfriends or girlfriends and carved their initials on desks when the teachers’ backs were turned. Quistis was a mercenary for crying out loud. What they had didn’t need to be childishly labeled and flaunted around the schoolyard.

Still, there was an undeniable appeal to thinking of Quistis as his one and only girlfriend.

“Are you asking me out now?” Quistis grinned.

Seifer returned her smirk. “Yeah, I am. Will you be my girlfriend?”

She laughed, pretending to think for a moment. “I accept.”

Quistis wrapped her arms around Seifer’s neck and they tumbled back into the warm grass. She rested on top of him, teasing him with light kisses. Seifer caught her and pulled her closer, finding her tongue and deepening their kiss. 

The morning’s uncertainty rolled off his shoulders. It would take more than a warning from Aki to keep him from Quistis. 

It would take an act of Hyne.

She pulled back, a mischievous look on her face. “You’re worth the conduct violations.”

Seifer laughed. “Thanks for that.”

“When you think about it, it’s a stupid rule to have,” Quistis went on. “We’re all trained in various forms of espionage.”

“So in a way this is extra credit?” Seifer raised an eyebrow at her.

Quistis tucked her head to hide her blush. She sighed contentedly. “I’m glad we don’t have to break up.”

“That wasn’t an option,” Seifer said flatly. “I pick you over SeeD any day.”

He gazed into her face. There was so much more he wanted to tell her, but he didn’t know how to translate his emotions into words. Instead he brushed her hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead, imagining his thoughts transferring into her mind.

I’ll always protect you.

I’ll always believe in you.

You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

I think I’m falling in love with you.

 _____________

Fall semester passed. On the surface, Quistis and Seifer went about their days at an amicable distance. The daily breakfasts stopped, their once-legendary classroom rivalry cooled now that Quistis was a full-fledged SeeD. For any of Balamb’s gossip mongers, there was nothing exciting to report.

Of course, that couldn’t be any farther from reality.

Quistis often found herself wearing a small smile, reveling in the paradox of feeling closer than ever to Seifer while convincing the rest of Garden they were simply classmates. The student body was fixated on the secret area of the Training Center as the place for romantic encounters. No one ever suspected Seifer and Quistis would sneak up to the roof of the parking garage to catch up after a long day, having conversations long after the sun dipped into the sea.

The T-Rexaur encounter didn’t deter them from field training sessions, either. Decimating the bite bug population provided the perfect cover for an afternoon lying in the sun. Training was also an excellent excuse for why Quistis always returned from these expeditions with tousled hair and grass stains on the back of her shirt. 

They’d been at it again today, despite the rain. There was something exhilarating about battling the elements and monsters at the same time. Nearly as exhilarating as the aftermath, weapons cast aside, the rain barely registering as they kissed.

Quistis slid her room key, shivering slightly as the cold air from the dorm collided with her rain-soaked clothes. Xu spun around in her desk chair and gave Quistis a quizzical look.

“Do I even want to know why you’re soaking wet?” Xu asked wryly.

Quistis blushed, turning away from Xu as she grabbed a towel from her wardrobe. “Ah…I was just talking to Seifer.”

“And you had to have your conversation in the pouring rain?”

“Well…” Quistis waffled on how much to tell Xu. It had felt wrong to keep the fact that she had a boyfriend from her closest friend. But Quistis didn’t want word to spread, and telling Xu meant the rest of the Student Council would know by dinnertime. Plus, Xu wasn’t exactly a fan of Seifer.

“In retrospect maybe it wasn’t the best idea,” Quistis finished.

Xu grumbled something and turned back to her desk. Quistis pulled some clean clothes from her drawer and grabbed her shower caddy. She paused to study Xu. Xu pecked at her laptop keyboard, her fingers hitting the keys with unnecessary force. A scowl stretched across her profile. Guilt surged through Quistis. It was wrong to keep things from a friend.

She opened her mouth to speak just as Xu closed her laptop in frustration, spinning to face Quistis. 

“So you’re really serious about Almasy?” Xu asked.

Quistis stiffened slightly, prepared for a lecture. “I really like him, Xu.”

Xu crossed her legs, her ankle bobbing. “I just don’t trust him.”

“You haven’t really tried to get to know him,” Quistis pointed out.

“Don’t tell me he’s nice once you get to know him,” Xu scoffed.

“You’re right, nice isn’t really the word for Seifer,” Quistis agreed. “He can be arrogant, but inside he’s very caring. He’s loyal to his friends, he’d do anything for them. You guys are a lot alike that way.”

“ I’ve never made you cry,” Xu said flatly.

“True. We’ve had some arguments. But Seifer’s always been sincere with his apologies,” Quistis said. “And I haven’t always been kind to him either.”

“Have you made him cry?” Xu teased.

Quistis chuckled. “Not that I know of.”

Xu sighed, leaning back in her chair to study Quistis. “I don’t want to see you get hurt. He’s basically your first relationship, right? And I feel like he’s been around before, if you know what I mean.”

“I know,” Quistis said quickly, feeling bashful. “I…kind of figured as much. You’re a good friend, Xu. And I know you worry about me. But I’m really happy.”

Her friend returned a half smile. “Alright. I can’t deny that. I guess you crazy kids can have your fun.”

Quistis shook her head playfully. “Thanks mom.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Xu waved her hand, turning back to her desk. “Oh! I forgot to mention. Some faculty dropped that off for you earlier. Looks like a mission briefing.”

Quistis went over to her desk and peeled open the manila envelope, sliding out another navy blue binder. It was twice as thick as her last briefing. She scanned through it, her eyes growing wide at the details.

Dollet. Undercover operation. Eight weeks.

Quistis’ breath caught in her throat. Eight weeks. Two entire months.

Departing Monday.

Her heart plunged to the floor. Despite having to keep their relationship undercover, Quistis and Seifer still saw each other every day. How were they supposed to deal with two months apart?

 _____________

Quistis barely slept, the impending mission to Dollet looming over her bed like a ghost. She felt like she’d been hit by zombie magic, her limbs heavy and her mind clouded. Morning dragged by, and Quistis was grateful when the bell finally chimed. She hurried down to the library, losing herself in the stacks of nonfiction. It was quiet in the afternoon, with most of the student body either in the cafeteria or on the quad for lunch. Aside from the girl behind the desk, the library was empty. Quistis idly pulled a book off the shelf, paging through it as Seifer approached from the other side of the aisle. 

“I got your note. What’s going on?” He asked quietly over his shoulder. 

Quistis took a deep breath. “I’ve been called up for another mission.”

“And?”

“I’m going to be gone awhile.” Quistis filed her book back on the shelf, turning to face his back. “I won’t be back until winter break.”

“Winter break?” Seifer repeated loudly, turning to face Quistis. From beyond the shelves, the girl at the front desk shushed, annoyed. Seifer narrowed his eyes.

“I know ,” Quistis whispered, her pulse accelerating. 

“What kind of mission is this?” Seifer asked.

Quistis opened her mouth, then closed it sadly. “I can’t tell you.”

“Right,” Seifer shook his head. “You think this has anything to do with what Aki said?”

Quistis looked at the floor, considering. “I think so. I can’t distract you from training if I’m not here. And in theory, all my focus will be on the mission. I suppose it’s Aki’s way of helping.”

“Yeah, he really cares,” Seifer scoffed, crossing his arms.

“It doesn’t matter what Aki thinks,” Quistis said, surprised by the defiance in her voice. She squared her shoulders and looked directly at Seifer. Clarity calmed her nerves, causing her shoulders to straighten and her chin to lift. 

When it came to Garden matters, Quistis followed protocol. It was logical, reliable. But she couldn’t abide by this. Long before she was a SeeD, she’d only had her heart to trust. And if her heart ached for Seifer–longed to be near him, opened to his voice and touch–Quistis wasn’t going to deny her instincts. 

“Seifer,” Quistis repeated, “Even if I’m away for twice that long, it doesn’t change my feelings for you.”  

She could see the anger and apprehension evaporate from his face. His grimace softened, shoulders relaxed. He glanced over his shoulder and pulled her closer, pivoting her body so her back was against the heavy wooden bookcase. He cupped her face with his hands, eyes never breaking from hers. Quistis’ breath quickened.

“I’ll wait for you. No matter how long it takes,” Seifer breathed.

She closed her eyes and kissed him, never wanting to let go. 

 _____________

The cafeteria should have been empty at 4:30am, so the sight of two coffees and a familiar figure at her table made Quistis do a double take. Seifer had gotten up before sunrise just to see her off. Quistis felt warm, a blanket wrapped around her heart. A smile spread across her face.

“Good morning,” she said lightly, sliding into the seat across from Seifer. His half-closed eyes snapped open. He grinned drowsily at her.

“How do you have this much energy in the morning?” he yawned.

“You’ll get used to it once you’re a SeeD too,” Quistis shrugged, taking a sip of coffee. Black with a tiny bit of sugar, just as she liked it. “I appreciate you getting up so early.”

Seifer nudged her foot under the table. “I’m not gonna see you for two months. Can’t miss seeing you one last time.”

Quistis dropped her head, tears prickling her eyes. She cursed her sentimental side for acting up before a mission, and in front of Seifer too.

“I’m going to miss you,” she said quietly.

Seifer waved his hand. “I’ll be here when you get back. Do what you have to do.”

He rustled around his jacket pocket and pulled out a small green box, placing it on the table in front of Quistis. He cleared his throat, his usual swagger leaving him.

“You’ll be gone on your birthday. But I wanted to give you this now since I’ll miss you on the actual day.”

Quistis picked up the box. Seifer couldn’t meet her eyes, his attention focused on the grates over the cafeteria counter. 

He’s really worried about me, Quistis realized, tenderness rolling over her like a wave. She wanted to crawl across the table and embrace him, bury her face in his neck and never let go. Her throat tightened. 

How was it possible to feel homesick when you hadn't left home yet?

“Thank you, Seifer,” Quistis whispered. 

“Hey, don’t thank me yet,” he bumped her knee, leaning closer over the table. “You might think it’s hideous.”

Quistis chuckled as she opened the box, revealing a silver chain with an elaborate knot twisted into the middle. She’d seen the design before, the chain looping around itself and joining back together, unbroken and eternal. A love knot.  

A bubble of happiness swelled behind her chest. “I love it. Thank you.”

Seifer grinned, pleased at her reaction. “Happy birthday.”

Quistis slipped the chain around her neck, fastening the clasp. An idea was coming together in her mind. 

A risky, stupid idea. 

A risky, stupid idea that was well worth it.

“Ah, I was thinking,” she started, biting her lip. Seifer raised an eyebrow playfully.

“I know that look, Trepe.”

Quistis pulled a small notebook from her bag and scribbled an address. She took a deep breath and carefully tore the page out, folding it once before sliding it across the table to Seifer. 

“If you don’t have plans for winter break, you should come to Dollet,” Quistis suggested.

Surprise registered on Seifer’s face, rendering him uncharacteristically speechless. He peeked at the address. 

“You can’t tell anyone. Not even Fujin and Raijin. Memorize what I wrote down and destroy that note,” Quistis whispered.

“Are you sure?” Seifer asked slowly.

Quistis nodded curtly. The watch around her wrist began to vibrate. She tapped it twice. 

“I have to meet up with the group at the front gate,” Quistis said, standing and shouldering her backpack. “Thanks for the coffee.”

Seifer came around the table and hugged her close. Kissing was forbidden with Aki’s warning and the Garden Faculty had eyes everywhere. Still, Quistis leaned into Seifer’s chest, breathing deep to memorize his scent of woodsmoke and linen.

“Trepe,” Seifer whispered in her ear. “See you in Dollet.”

_____________

Two months later.

When she’d asked Seifer to meet her in Dollet, Quistis hadn’t accounted for any details. Like what time his train would arrive. Or what they’d do. Or if, two months later, he even wanted to come.

Her days had been busy, her mission complex. On the surface the SeeD team was sent to clear anacondaurs from the Duke of Dollet’s personal vineyards. That the vineyard was close to a secret Galbadian army base was more than a coincidence.

Quistis devoted herself to the mission with the religious zeal of a new convert. When she was patrolling the field her thoughts were only focused on rooting out the giant snakes. When she was on the surveillance team she stared unblinkingly through her binoculars at the unmarked outbuilding, counting the number of blue-armored soldiers coming and going. Her fellow SeeDs and supervisors took notice. Quistis almost wished Aki was in charge of the mission so she could flaunt how wrong he’d been about her and Seifer.

Nights were a different story.

Lying in her stiff bunk, Quistis ran her fingers across the silver chain at her collarbone. She felt an ache behind her sternum, gravity pressing on her throat. The last three years she’d expected Seifer in her peripheral vision, for better or worse. Since they’d been together she’d become more attuned to his whereabouts, the temperature of the room ticking a few degrees hotter every time he was around. But now, without Seifer, all Quistis could do was replay her memories.

Small instances, catching the moment his expression shifted from outright boredom to sly happiness when she walked into class. Her head resting on his shoulder as they huddled around his laptop to watch Knight’s Quest . More monumental ones, the day he’d asked her to be his girlfriend. Her whip snaked over Hyperion in the grass, the two of them a blur of hands and mouths a few feet away.

What did it mean that her memories could animate her heart and warm her body? That they were so clear Quistis could still feel Seifer’s hands on her skin, even a continent away? That these moments alone at night wore her reserve down more than any battle she’d fought on this mission?

Oh.

Quistis took a sharp breath, the realization shivering up her body as though she’d stepped into the cold ocean.

I’m in love with Seifer.

It should have been so obvious–why was he the only element in her life with any color, everything else a businesslike grey? Why she’d worked so hard to keep their relationship concealed, to support his dream of making SeeD? Why she sought him out for everything from a spirited argument to a tender embrace?

Quistis was in love with Seifer.

But after all this time, did he feel the same?

_____________

Quistis compulsively checked her watch, quickly tucking her hand back in her coat pocket to avoid the brisk winter air. If she knew Seifer, he would have taken the second train out from Balamb (likely oversleeping to catch the first one, definitely cursing about it). If he was on that train and followed her directions, he’d be strolling down the stone steps of Dollet International Station right about–

“Well.”

Now.

Seifer strode down the steps, clad in his favorite grey coat. The crowd swept by, but Quistis was transfixed. She’d wondered if Seifer’s feelings had waned while she’d been away, but to her great relief he seemed just as eager to see her.

“Hi,” she grinned, practically floating to where he stood. He swooped her into an embrace, spinning her off the ground. Quistis has read about swooning before, but never experienced it until this moment. Her body felt lighter than air, gliding on butterfly wings. She met Seifer’s lips for the first time in months, melting into his arms.

“I’m so happy you’re here,” Quistis whispered.

Seifer clasped her shoulders, taking a step back to admire her.

“Wouldn’t be anywhere else. Hyne, look at you.”

Quistis laughed self-consciously. “I look the same, “ she insisted.

“You look beautiful.” Seifer said decisively.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” she teased, looping her arm through his and heading towards the city center. “So what kind of trouble did you get into while I was gone?”

“Come on Trepe, have some faith,” Seifer said. “You’re looking at the Disciplinary Committee’s newest member.”

“What?!” Quistis burst out. “How did you end up on the Disciplinary Committee?”

“Come on, think about it. I’m a former delinquent. I know all the tricks,” he boasted. “Plus, it looks good on my SeeD application.”

“That’s…kind of brilliant,” Quistis admitted.

“I know, I’m a genius,” Seifer said. “I’d ask what you’ve been up to these last few months, but I’m guessing you can’t tell me.”

“You could probably guess,” Quistis nodded towards a group of three off-duty Galbadian soldiers huddled around the entrance to the subway, their helmets retracted to reveal gruff expressions. 

“Deling’s minions?” Seifer grumbled.

“The border dispute between Galbadia and Dollet is getting heated. It’s in all the papers. You could draw your own conclusions.” Quistis explained.

“I don’t read the news. I’ve got you,” Seifer threw an arm over Quistis’ shoulder.

She rolled her eyes. “Enough about that. Let’s get something to eat.”

Seifer brightened. “Now you’re talking. Hey, I know a place. We’re not that far from my old foster home, actually.”

Right. He grew up here, Quistis realized. I hope it doesn’t bring up any bad memories.

They headed further into the city center, a swirl of snow dancing between iron lampposts and brightly lit evergreens. The cobblestones were frosted with ice, making the streets charming but precarious. Quistis felt like she’d traveled back in time. She glanced at Seifer as he took in the familiar city view. His brow was furrowed, pensive. Quistis squeezed his arm, second-guessing if this trip was a good idea. Potential conduct violations aside, Seifer had spent his childhood here–and if his was anything like hers, it wasn’t a particularly happy one.

“Is the city a lot different than you remember it?” Quistis asked.

Seifer turned to her. “Nah, this place never changes.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“Definitely brings back some memories. Come on, I’ll show you around.”

They walked around the old streets, the ornate stone architecture a stark contrast to Balamb’s sun-drenched coast. Shop windows were decked out in holiday finery, wreathed with pine branches and glass ornaments. Shoppers wove in and out of doors, arms laden with bags of clothing, candy, and gifts. 

“There’s so much stuff here,” Quistis remarked.

“Oh yeah. I shoplifted from most of these stores,” Seifer admitted, somewhat proudly. 

“Delinquent,” Quistis rolled her eyes.

“No, entrepreneur,” Seifer corrected. “We had a whole system. I’d cause a distraction. Fujin and Raijin would grab as much stuff as they could carry. Didn’t matter what. We’d all run out different exits and meet up in the alley six blocks over.”

“What did you do with it all?” Quistis asked.

“Sold it at school. We made a fortune selling Girl Next Door to all the other middle school kids.”

Quistis laughed. “And you never got expelled?”

Seifer held up a finger. “Never got caught. You wouldn’t rat out Raijin, he was 6’2 in seventh grade. Fujin never talked and scared the shit out of everyone. I’d fight anyone and win, so we were golden.”

“So what did you do with all the money from your criminal enterprise?”

“Bought a lot of dumb shit. We were kids,” Seifer said. “And we had to take care of each other. Didn’t exactly have a happy home or whatever.”

“I know what you mean,” Quistis said softly, winding her fingers through his. She leaned her head against his shoulder. 

“Anyway,” Seifer said, shaking his head. “We all ended up somewhere better. And I don’t miss this shit weather.”

Quistis nodded. She could picture a younger Seifer shoving past her on the street, laughing from the adrenaline rush of petty crime, nearly out of breath. A brooding young Fujin, Raijin towering awkwardly over everyone else. Cold nights like this one in a drafty house, stuck with guardians who were in it for the checks. 

Three misfits, realizing at a young age the only way out was sticking together. Quistis felt a bittersweet pang in her chest.

“But I did miss this,” Seifer stopped, gesturing to a shabby storefront. Peeling yellow paint curled off the exterior, a faded menu posted in a grimy window. “Best bowl of curry you’ll ever eat.”

“Moomba Joe’s?” Quistis said skeptically. “Is the food made by humans? I have so many questions.”

“You gotta trust me, Trepe,” Seifer smirked.

Quistis met his eyes, volleying a sly smile of her own. She laced her fingers in his. 

“I trust you.”

_____________

Questionable name aside, Seifer was right about Moomba Joe’s. Two scorching bowls of delicious curry made up for the increasingly icy weather, and Quistis hadn’t found a single Moomba hair. They’d walked around a park after dinner, but the cold quickly drove them to the hotel.

“Checking in,” Quistis said to the clerk. 

She swallowed, suddenly feeling too warm in her winter jacket. As the clerk retrieved the room key Quistis tugged at the scarf around her neck. From a few paces behind her she could sense Seifer’s presence, her brain registering his heat signature.

They’d spent all their free hours together since the summer, but never a night. The concept had all seemed very abstract when Quistis invited Seifer to Dollet on a whim, but now that he was here her nerves were in overdrive. She cleared her throat and observed the lobby. The inn was cozy, probably advertised as a place with old-world charm. Fire crackled in a hearth flanked by two floral armchairs. A portrait of some duke or another hung above the mantle, decked out in a military uniform and bushy sideburns. Quistis hoped the room didn’t have similar artwork to stare at them while they slept. Or did other things. She felt a squeeze in her middle as she signed for the room.

“Okay, we’re checked in,” Quistis turned around, displaying a brass room key. Seifer hoisted both bags as they climbed a carpeted set of stairs.

“I wasn’t sure what you preferred, so I requested a room with two–” Quistis trailed off as she unlocked the door. Her eyes widened as she took in the room–the tidy wooden furniture, vase of fresh flowers, a single bed covered in white linens.

“–Two beds,” she finished, dazed. Her pulse thrummed in her ears, pressure building like a flight during takeoff.

“He’s been around before.” Xu’s words echoed in Quistis’ head, anxiety wrapping around her heart. Would Seifer think less of her if she admitted her knowledge of romance began and ended with what she’d read in books? He’d been her first real kiss, after all. Of course, the thought of doing more than kissing had crossed her mind. Repeatedly. 

Quistis swallowed, her throat dry.

“Well, one’s fine,” Seifer replied mischievously, stepping out of his boots and flopping backwards onto the bed. “You can sleep on the floor.”

“I don’t think so!” Quistis said indignantly. 

“Fine,” he smirked. “We’ll fight for it.”

“You’re on,” she countered, pouncing on him.

Laughing, Quistis tried to wedge her hands under Seifer’s broad shoulders and pry him up. He wrapped his hands around her waist and swung her sideways, rolling over and pinning her under his weight.

Seifer’s face was inches from hers. Quistis held his gaze, currents of electricity coursing through her body. He grinned playfully.

“Changed my mind. I’ll share,” he chuckled, leaning down for a quick kiss before releasing her.

Quistis sat up, feeling pink flush across her face. Her thoughts were too scrambled for a witty comeback. She watched Seifer stretch and dig some fresh clothes out of his backpack.

“I’m gonna shower,” he said.

Quistis nodded. She got up and fiddled with the contents of her bag, organizing and reorganizing as the shower ran. Her nerves vibrated. She didn’t know what she wanted to happen, though she could picture the possibilities. 

The tap cut off, and Seifer poked his head out of the bathroom. “You want next?”

“Um, sure,” Quistis said, gathering her pajamas. She slid past him shyly, noting his lack of a shirt.

What am I doing , she cursed herself as she stepped under the hot water. Why am I so nervous?   She brushed her teeth and toweled off her hair. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door.

Seifer had turned off the overhead lights, the only illumination coming from the small lamp on the end table. He’d made himself a sleeping bag out of the comforter and a few spare pillows.

“Hey,” Quistis said, surprised.

He glanced up at her. “Hey. I was kidding earlier. You take the bed.”

“Thanks,” Quistis said, climbing over the edge and sliding under the covers. From where her head lay, she was eye level with him. Quistis studied his face, feeling her tension unwind as her eyes reacquainted themselves with his familiar features. The strands of hair that always fell into his eyes. Those green eyes, a jade she’d never seen in anyone else’s face. The angle of his jaw, the strength contrasted with the gentle smile on his mouth.

“You good, Trepe?” Seifer asked softly.

“Yeah,” she whispered. “I’m glad you came to see me.”

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

“Goodnight, Seifer.”

“Night, Trepe.” He reached up and clicked off the lamp. 

The light from the streetlamps filtered through the curtains, casting the room in a velvety blue haze. Quistis studied the ceiling, listening to Seifer’s breathing from the floor below. If he felt anything like she did, he’d have a hell of a time falling asleep.

“Seifer,” Quistis said into the darkness.

“Yeah?”

A pause, a rustle of sheets as she turned on her side. “You should come up here.”

“It’s ok, the floor’s fine–”

“I want you to come up here,” she said softly.

Her words were hushed, but they sent a jolt of lightning down her spine. Her mind shot far afield, scenarios like photo negatives flashing briefly behind her eyelids. Quistis blinked them back as Seifer climbed under the covers, the mattress shifting towards his weight. She swam towards him, fitting her head under his chin and draping an arm across his chest, her limbs drawn to the heat radiating from his bare skin. He enclosed her in his arms, muscles firm and pleasantly heavy against her body. She nudged his chin with her nose, inching upward to see into his face.

In the blue light he waited, unmoving. For once his face was still, lips relaxed instead of curled into a smirk, his eyebrows gently furrowed. In the soft night she could see light reflect in his eyes, almost as if he was sad.

“What are you thinking about?” Quistis asked. 

“You,” Seifer said plainly. He pushed her hair behind her ear, letting his fingers glide languorously along her jawline and neck.

Quistis took a shaky breath and licked her lips. In the still of the night, so close to one another in the single bed, Quistis felt like she and Seifer were the only two people on earth. This was her moment to tell him how she felt. Three simple words, yet she was so afraid to let them take flight.

“Yeah?” was all she managed, barely a whisper.

“Yeah,” Seifer replied. “When you were gone, I felt like there was a hole in my chest. Like a piece of my heart was missing. And it made me realize I don’t want to be without you. I love you, Quistis.”

Time stopped, Seifer’s words the key into her innermost world, the walls falling away to reveal her soul. She reached for his face to steady herself as she stared into his eyes, feeling no shame at the tears pooling in her own.

“I love you too, Seifer,” Quistis breathed.

She felt his swift heartbeat, heard how his breath had quickened like hers. Seifer’s focus sharpened as he locked eyes with her, a minute quirk in his eyebrow asking are you sure?

Quistis was sure.

When he kissed her she felt the same rush as she did at the waterfall. The brief seconds airborne over the water, unsure if she’d dive in or keep ascending into the sky. With every touch her senses clicked into focus, the fog of the months without him dissolving into history. A need–to be close to him, one with him, bound to him–consumed her like flames. 

Falling in love, the phrase made sense now. Quistis had stood at the edge of the world she knew, one of logic and order, and relinquished her grip on her heart and mind. She was freefalling, the horizon blurring into the unknown. Fright could have yanked her back to the edge, back to the safety of routine, but she soared without fear.

Fear couldn’t hold her back when she had love. 

She had Seifer.

Chapter Text

“So if you encounter a Belhemel, what’s your best course of action?” Quistis asked. 

The three first years she’d been asked to tutor answered her with silence, each taking care not to make accidental eye contact.

The group had been meeting weekly in the library’s study room since the spring semester started. Languorous afternoon sunlight drifted through the windows, particles of dust hovering over open notebooks. The round wooden table was slightly too large for the little room, and with four people, half a dozen textbooks, and a weighty fog of midterm anxiety, the air felt stuffy and warm. Under different circumstances, it would be ideal napping conditions. But that wouldn’t be fair to the cadets, and Quistis couldn’t allow them to bomb midterms on her watch.

She swallowed a yawn. Time to switch tactics. 

“Let’s go back to the basics,” Quistis suggested patiently. “What type of monster is a Belhemel?”

Cadet Roska muttered, flipping through a notebook. Quistis made brief eye contact with Cadet Keeve, who froze on the spot like an animal caught in headlights. Something clicked for Cadet Mena, the furrow between her brows disappearing as she glanced up at Quistis.

“It’s a flying monster,” Cadet Mena said shyly, “so it’s immune to earth-based magic.”

“That’s right! Great observation, Cadet Mena,” Quistis smiled warmly.

“It uses its saw blades for attacks,” Cadet Roska said.

“But it’s magic, too,” Cadet Keeve mumbled. “So you can silence it.”

“That’s a smart tactic,” Quistis encouraged. Keeve’s face brightened as he sat straighter in his chair.

“Oh! But it only uses magic if it’s laughing. That’s how you can tell what it’s going to hit you with, its two faces,” Mena jumped in excitedly. “If it shows its angry face–”

“Then it brings out the blades,” Roska finished. “So you can blind it.”

“Or cast Beserk so it can’t use magic anymore,” Keeve added.

The three cadets turned to Quistis eagerly. She couldn’t help smiling as she watched the lesson click in real time.

“Well done, guys,” Quistis told the cadets. “Whenever you’re in doubt, break it down to the basics. What type of monster is this? What kind of attacks does it use? You don’t have to memorize the whole bestiary at the expense of being quick on your feet.”

“Tell that to Instructor Helzen,” Mena groaned. “My head spins whenever she starts droning on about this stuff.”

“ You should be an instructor,” Roska chimed in.

Quistis chuckled. “No, not me. I still have a lot to learn myself.”

“I’d take your class. I’d take all of your classes,” Keeve blurted out loudly, crimson spreading from the collar of his jacket up to his hairline.

“That’s…very kind of you, Cadet Keeve. Looks like we’re at time, but I’ll see you all next week,” Quistis said, closing her notebook.

Mena and Roska gathered their textbooks and headed out. Keeve stayed in his seat, suddenly engrossed in his fingernails. His red cheeks had faded to pink, but Quistis could feel the current of nervous energy radiating off him like a generator.

“Did you need anything else, Cadet Keeve?” Quistis asked gently.

“Um. Well. I, uh, wanted to know, will you play cards with me?” Keeve stammered, rustling around his jacket pocket for his Triple Triad deck.

Through the study room door, Quistis saw a familiar presence striding towards her. Since winter break had ended and Garden’s spring term began, Seifer had traded his grey coat for a standard uniform. But even dressed identical to everyone else, Quistis could spot him a mile away. A familiar wavy feeling swept over her, space refracting and focusing on the one she loved. He caught her stare and smirked, settling his shoulder against the study room door frame. 

“Um. SeeD Trepe?” Keeve asked uncertainly, breaking her reverie.

“I promise I’ll play cards with you next week, Cadet Keeve. Keep up the good work. Your idea to use Beserk was really astute, by the way,” Quistis said, standing and sliding out through the narrow space between the table and the wall to drift to the door.

Seifer slid an arm over her shoulder and pressed a kiss to her temple. Quistis felt like she could float to the main hall. 

“Hi,” she said quietly, aware they were still in the library.

“Hey,” Seifer chuckled softly. “That poor kid is down bad for you, Trepe.”

“Keeve? He is not,” Quistis hissed, quickly glancing back over her shoulder. Keeve had swiveled around in his chair to stare at Quistis’ back as she left, his chin propped in his hand. His wide eyes and dreamy smile reminded Quistis of a dog staring up at a plate of steak on the table.

“Ok, maybe a little,” Quistis admitted. “But we’re here to study. Shima asked me to tutor the first years, I can’t let him down.”

“Not like you need extra credit,” Seifer pointed out. 

“True. But I like tutoring. I feel good helping the first-years. And you know me, I–”

“You’ve got a heart of gold, Trepe.” Seifer shook his head, his tone only half joking.

“Ah–no,” Quistis blushed, her fingers drifting to the silver knot at her collarbone. “I mean I can’t say no to orders.”

They stepped into the main hall, the bubbling of the fountain dulled by the chatter of students heading to the cafeteria. Friday meant pizza, plus the promise of the weekend in a few short hours. A group of girls brushed past Quistis, absorbed in the latest scandal. 

“So what do I have to do to get some private instruction?” Seifer teased, tugging her closer to his side.

“Seifer!” Quistis exclaimed, flustered. She scanned the main hall, praying no one had overheard. “There’s faculty around.”

He laughed at the rosy flush blooming across her cheeks. “You know I was talking about the SeeD exam, right?”

She turned to face him, her drowsiness evaporated. Quistis couldn’t sleep on getting the last word. A devious smile tugged at the corner of her mouth as she clasped her hands demurely behind her back.

 “Oh. Well. If that’s the case, I suppose I can help you out. But I’ll need your help in return.”

“With what?”

“Moving.”

“Moving?” Seifer pivoted, stepping out of the crowd of cadets into the shadow of one of the fish fountains. Quistis followed, facing him. 

“No shit. Finally got your single room?”

Quistis nodded proudly. “Me and Xu found out yesterday. Took long enough.”

“No kidding, you’ve almost been a SeeD for a whole year.”

“Well,” Quistis stepped closer to him, biting her bottom lip. She unclasped her hands, tracing the silver piping down the front of his uniform jacket from the shoulders to his hips. Her fingers slid through his belt loops as she pulled herself closer. She felt her pulse race as she turned her gaze up to his face, delighted at his expression of sheer surprise.  

 “I think it’ll be worth the wait,” Quistis whispered.

She stood on her toes and kissed Seifer quickly, darting back into the flow of the crowd a moment later. 

“Come by tomorrow at noon,” Quistis called, giving him a wave.

Heat crept up her collar as she walked to the cafeteria, her heart pounding with glee. Quistis glanced over her shoulder at Seifer, nearly frozen in shock, hand still raised in a half wave. 

Seifer Almasy, speechless. This had to be a first. She squeezed the silver knot in her necklace and grinned.

_____________

Saturday was busy with packing, and while Quistis didn’t own much she spent the morning organizing everything neatly into cardboard boxes. She tore a strip of packing tape off the roll, sealing her last box of books. Her side of the dorm was bare, save for the faint outline of the photographs she’d pinned on the wall beside her bed over the past three years. 

Her and Xu at the bonfire last summer, both flushed from the humid night and one too many drinks.

At the SeeD ball, smiling in her new uniform standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the other incoming cadets.

Most recently a skinny photobooth strip from a return trip to Wondaria, crammed into the too-small booth with Seifer. Mugging for the camera in the first frame, all bug eyes and stuck-out tongues. Quistis laughing too hard to pose in the second frame, her hand a blur as she tried to cover her mouth. Seifer grinning at her in the third snapshot, his profile amused as he held her eyes. And the last frame, a kiss, forgetting the camera was there save for the bright pop of light beyond Quistis’ closed eyes.

The door slid open, bringing Quistis back to the present. Behind her, Xu sighed dramatically.

“I can’t believe you’re already done packing,” Xu lamented. “I’m so behind.”

“I can’t believe we’re not going to be roommates anymore,” Quistis remarked wistfully.

“Yeah, but it’s bogus how long we had to wait for our single rooms,” Xu said, cracking her knuckles and tearing open a desk drawer. “We’ve been SeeD for like, a whole year.”

“Eight months, fifteen days,” Quistis corrected automatically.

“Right, that,” Xu rolled her eyes, dumping the entire contents of the desk drawer into a box with a rattle. “Toss me the tape?”

Quistis obliged. Xu tore off a strip with her teeth and slapped it haphazardly across the box.

“I’m glad we got to room together,” Quistis said thoughtfully. “If it wasn’t for you…I don’t know what I would have done my first year. I’m happy we’re friends, Xu.”

Xu turned, her wry smile unable to hide the mist in her eyes. “Me too. Even though that’s really sappy.”

“Whatever, you love it,” Quistis teased gently, enveloping Xu in a hug. Xu clasped her hands around Quistis, the packing tape knocking against her shoulder blades.

Xu pulled back, clearing her throat. “Let’s not talk like we’re marching off to war, never to see each other again, ok?”

Quistis chuckled ruefully. “Don’t we do that for a living?”

Xu’s comeback was interrupted by three quick knocks on the door. Quistis opened it, grinning at Seifer.

“Hey,” she said, carbonated happiness prickling across her skin.

“Hey Trepe,” Seifer smiled. “Hey, Xu.”

“Almasy,” Xu muttered.

Quistis deflated slightly. Xu’s dislike of Seifer hadn’t wavered in the months they’d been a couple. As much as she wished the two would get along, they seemed elementally opposed. 

“This everything?” Seifer asked, appraising the small stack of boxes at the foot of the bed. 

Quistis nodded. Seifer scooped up three boxes with ease, winking at her.

“We’re going to get moving. See you at dinner?” Quistis asked Xu.

Xu nodded, jokingly tossing a SeeD salute as Quistis hoisted a box. The door slid shut behind her as she fell in step behind Seifer.

They meandered through the dormitory halls and up the stairs to the second floor. Garden was lively for a Saturday afternoon. Students in civilian clothes headed for the main gates, intent on a day in town. No one gave Seifer and Quistis a second look. 

Their deception had worked. A little discretion had paid off, cooling any rumors about their relationship status. Their trip to Dollet had gone undetected in the whirlwind of the holiday break. Aside from the bold kiss she’d given him in the main hall yesterday, they’d been careful to avoid any glaringly public displays of affection. If anyone was to see them at this moment–Seifer in sweats and a t-shirt, Quistis in her uniform even on the weekend, posture straight and serious–there’d be no reason to think they were a couple.

Quistis glanced at Seifer out of the corner of her eye. The same subtle smile that captivated him years ago crept across her lips. A quirk in the corner of her mouth, playful but shy.

He answered with his signature smirk, charismatic and ready for anything.

“I’ve seen that look before,” Seifer teased.

“Have you?” Quistis said, counting the numbers on the identical white doors. “Ah. This is me.”

Seifer paused as she tapped her keycard, the door sliding open to reveal a tidy room. Dresser, nightstand, mirror on the wall. A desk and chair in the corner, across from the single bed.

“So,” Quistis said breezily, turning to face Seifer. “Are you coming in?”

His eyes widened, and Quistis grinned. It wasn’t often she could render Seifer Almasy speechless twice in one week. He set down the boxes by the desk as the door slid shut. Quistis took a deep breath to steady herself, trying to calm the ricochet of her heart against her ribs. 

She turned to Seifer and unclipped her hair, letting it fall freely over the gilded shoulders of her uniform. He grinned, raking his hands through the strands and pulling her in for a kiss. As their lips met, Quistis felt like she could melt. Her jacket slid off her shoulders, landing in a heap at her feet.

She felt Seifer’s fingers press into her scalp as he deepened their kiss, deftly sliding his tongue into her mouth. Quistis breathed into him, her hands shaking as she teased the hem of his shirt upwards. He stepped back and peeled it over his head, letting it drop beside her jacket.

She had seen Seifer undressed, but it was like opening a birthday gift every time. Quistis heard her breath hitch in her throat. She felt her cheeks smolder and knew they were turning pink, but she didn’t care. Seeing Seifer’s sculpted torso, the solid muscle roped around his arms–knowing she’d be wrapped in them soon short-circuited her normally logical brain. It was pointless to struggle against this newfound crash of desire, and more importantly, Quistis didn’t want to resist.

She wanted to be swept away.

Seifer stepped closer and shook his head, tilting Quistis’ chin to meet his eyes.

“You know, I’ll never get tired of you looking at me like I’m a piece of meat,” he teased.

“It’s not–I’m–,” Quistis stammered, interrupted as he pressed another kiss to her lips.

Quistis wrapped an arm around Seifer’s shoulders, her other hand fiddling with the buttons on her uniform blouse. She couldn’t see what she was doing and gave up after a few buttons, instead opting to glide her hand up his arm, tracing the groove of his tricep. Seifer’s hands slid down her back, bracing against the backs of Quistis’ thighs as he lifted her off the ground. Quistis shivered as she wrapped her legs around his waist, not caring if her uniform skirt rode up. Seifer kissed her once, twice, a third time before they collapsed backward onto the bed.

Quistis gazed up at Seifer, a strong arm on either side of her head. Her heart was racing, but he was a picture of calm, eyes hooded with a sly smile.

Seifer’s fingers crept to the valley between her collarbones where the silver love knot rested.

“I love seeing you wear this,” he murmured.

“I never take it off,” Quistis said. 

It was true. She’d kept the necklace on since the day he’d gifted it to her. Even when she was across the world on a mission, pressing the knot between her finger and thumb renewed her memories of Seifer. Glimpsing a flash of silver in her reflection reminded her that their love was tangible, irrefutable; as solid and timeless as the metal used to forge the chain.

Seifer leaned in for a kiss, warmth emanating from his skin. 

“So can I take everything else off?” he whispered, tracing his finger from her collarbone to the bare skin where she’d started unbuttoning her shirt.

Quistis shivered, desire curling in tendrils around her fingertips as she brushed them over his cheekbones.

“Yes,” she breathed.

_____________

Afterwards, Quistis pressed against Seifer under the sheet, her face nestled against his neck, ankle hooked behind his calf. She closed her eyes and sighed happily, never wanting to leave the warmth of his arms. He adjusted his shoulders, pinned between her body and the wall.

“They should give SeeDs bigger beds,” Seifer grumbled.

Quistis laughed, tilting her face to his. “We’re not supposed to be sharing them with anyone, remember?”

“Oh, right,” he chuckled, shifting her body closer. “Guess I’ll just buy my own once I get my first check.”

Quistis brightened. “Wait. Does that mean your exam date’s been set?”

“Yeah. This Thursday.”

“That’s great!” Quistis exclaimed. 

“You got a dress for the ball?” Seifer smirked, running his hands down her back.

“Mmm, I might have something lying around,” Quistis teased. “You have to pass first.”

“I will,” Seifer replied, a hardness in his voice. “No way I’m failing again. No matter how stupid the orders are.”

Quistis sensed his sadness, the sting of last year’s failure pressing against her throat. She squared her gaze with his, serious.

“I’m still proud of you, Seifer. You of all people should be a SeeD.”

He swallowed, unable to conceal the emotion in his eyes.

“Thanks, Trepe,” he managed.

She leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to his lips, wishing she could transmute the love she felt for him into words. Instead, she wrapped her body around his, imagining her aura protecting him from harm. He gripped her tighter, his arms almost enclosing her whole back.

They dozed off until dinner, each making their separate way to the cafeteria. 

_____________

It took Seifer a minute to figure out where the staccato hammering noise was coming from. Sunday morning meant Garden’s maintenance staff was off duty, which meant someone was knocking on his door at the crack of dawn. 

On the only day he had to sleep in. 

Anger worked even better than caffeine, a one-two punch knocking the fog out of Seifer’s mind. He stomped towards the door, jabbing the keypad with excessive force.

“This better be fucking good,” he snarled.

The Garden faculty’s hood obscured their face, but their hand trembled as they offered Seifer a slip of paper.

“Cadet Almasy. You’re needed immediately in classroom 3A. Your SeeD Formation class will be taking its field examination today.”

Seifer cursed under his breath, snatching the paper and slamming the door button. He threw on a clean uniform and quickly brushed his teeth. What the hell happened to Thursday?

He sheathed Hyperion and strapped it to his back, rolling his neck and shoulders under the leather harness. Across the dorm, Raijin groaned and pulled a mound of blankets over his head.

“Don’t wanna get up,” he mumbled.

“You can stay there. I’m gonna go make SeeD,” Seifer declared, cracking his knuckles and heading out the door.

“Save me an app tray from the ball,” Raijin called, sticking a hand out from under the covers to give a SeeD salute.

“I’ll grab you two.”

“Good luck, ya know?”

“I don’t need it,” Seifer said, sights set on the main hall.

Classroom 3A buzzed like a wasp nest. The sun was barely up, but adrenaline kept the cadets on high alert. Hushed conversation swirled through the room as the class tried to piece together what they’d be doing in the field.

The chatter halted as the doors opened for Headmaster Cid and Instructors Shima and Aki. An unfamiliar older woman in a lab coat accompanied them, lines etched into her concerned face. Unlike the cadets, she bore an aura of exhaustion. The group made their way to the front of the classroom. Cid situated himself in front of the instructor console and cleared his throat, scanning the cadets gravely.

“Good morning,” Cid began. “I know you’re all surprised to be taking your field exam a few days early. Such is the unpredictable nature of SeeD. But time is of the essence in this case, and we at Balamb Garden are in the best place to respond.”

Instructor Aki stepped forward. “We’ll have two teams, led by an instructor and a senior SeeD. Starting with Squad A…”

Seifer was assigned to Squad A, with Moray, Romik, and Aurelin. Gunblade, crossbow, field medic, staff. Seifer didn’t know the other cadets well, but their skills made for a balanced team overall. Shima was assigned to lead the group, which Seifer vastly preferred to the alternative of Aki. 

Now to find out who their SeeD leader was. Seifer looked around the room for any gilded SeeD uniforms.

“So who’s our babysitters?” he asked Romik.

Romik jerked his head toward the door. “One of them.”

Seifer’s heart screeched to a stop as Quistis and Xu slid in quietly and stood near the door, the gold piping of their uniforms glinting in the morning sun. Had Quistis known she’d be assisting Seifer’s field exam? His confidence faltered slightly. Sure, he’d still pass the exam, but it’d be twice as hard to do without being distracted by his girlfriend.

Their eyes met as the senior SeeDs approached the cadets. Surprise registered behind Quistis’ glasses but she blinked it away, giving Seifer a curt nod as if to say this was strictly business. He smirked back playfully.

Instructor Shima gestured to the woman in the lab coat. “Now that you have your teams, I’d like to introduce Dr. Cerilyn Senna of Balamb University. She has valuable information vital to this mission.”

Dr. Senna nodded as the screen behind her flickered on. A photo of stone ruins covered in lush vegetation filled the screen. 

“Thank you, Instructor Shima. I am–was– the Field Director on this archaeological expedition. My team and I have been excavating this site in the Gaulg Mountains for the past six years. The artifacts we’ve recovered are similar to those found in the Centra ruins, and the labyrinthine layout closely resembles the Tomb of the Unknown King in Galbadia.”

Dr. Senna clicked to the next slide. Photos of pottery pieces crowded the screen. 

“As you can see–” the doctor began, only to be cut off by Aki rudely clearing his throat.

The doctor pushed a hand through her hair, agitated. She clicked through a dozen more pottery slides before pausing on a diagram of a maze. It was square, with four chambers at the cardinal directions and a large chamber in the center. 

“I could go on, but I suppose I should spare you all the history lesson. Long story short, two days ago we found…something inside the ruins. We haven’t been able to get a good look. It’s hostile. And it’s not happy we woke it up.”

A surprised murmur floated through the room. The hair on Seifer’s neck stood on end. Now this was a mission. 

The doctor pulled up a series of monster images. Raldos, Blood Souls, Creeps–all the nasty creatures that lived in the damp and dark. Seifer raised his eyebrow at the photograph of a Tonberry. That was a new foe for him. 

“In addition, the creature we discovered has seemingly been drawing other monsters to its energy. We’ve had to evacuate the dig site. My life’s work is there,” Dr. Senna despaired, gesturing to the screen. “We are hoping you SeeD can clear them all out.”

“Rest assured they will, Dr. Senna,” Cid said, nodding to the class. “You’ll receive additional briefing on the way to the dig site. I wish you all the best.”

Xu turned and spoke. “You guys catch all that? Let’s head to the transports.”

As the groups walked toward the front gate, Seifer casually fell in step next to Quistis. She glanced at him sideways, a pink blush betraying her happiness.

“You’re gonna be so mad when I beat your perfect score today,” Seifer whispered playfully.

Quistis’ professional veneer wavered as she grinned. “Good luck with that.”

“Oh, come on. Save that good luck for someone who needs it.” he teased.

She paused and looked him in the eye, a wicked grin playing on her lips. “Good luck, Seifer.”

Quistis spun on her heel and fell back in step with her group. Seifer chuckled to himself and jogged to catch up with Xu and the others. Hyne, Quistis was brilliant. He couldn’t wait to dance with her at the ball tonight.

_______________

The transport slowed to a stop, raindrops pinging off the metal roof.

“It’s a narrow hike to the dig site,” Xu said, opening the vehicle’s back hatch. “Watch your footing with the rain. And stay alert for monsters.”

Seifer hopped out of the back, boots sinking into soft earth. Quistis’ team had already begun their ascent into the forest. He spotted her amber hair bobbing through tree branches as she navigated the uneven terrain. 

The two teams snaked up the mountain trail, single file. Dense trees blocked out some of the rainfall, but Seifer’s jacket was still soaked through by the time the group reached the dig site.

The ruins looked identical to the photos Dr. Senna had shown them, gray stones overgrown with verdant weeds and twisted vines. A moat had been hewn into the ground around the imposing structure, the rainwater sloshing over stone slabs. The path to the temple entrance had been adorned with pillars in its heyday, but time had shifted the landscape so the remaining columns sagged towards each other, forming shadowy crosses over the path. Beyond the arched entrance, all Seifer could see inside was black.

He didn’t scare easily, but this place was creepy . His eyes told him the building was made of stone, but the atmosphere felt wobbly, temperamental, like the structure could vanish before his eyes in an instant, with all of them in it. Magic vibrated all around, making it difficult to focus. Besides the soft patter of the rainfall, the forest was dead silent. 

“As we discussed on the ride over, Squad A will sweep the east side of the building and Squad B will take the west,” Instructor Shima said. “Meet in the central chamber. And don’t hesitate to radio the other squad for backup if needed.”

The instructors saluted their teams. A melody of metal rang out as weapons were unholstered and loaded. Heat radiated under Seifer’s skin, the result of his natural affinity for flames and the healthy stock of spells he’d drawn from the Fire Cavern. He held Hyperion at the ready, polished to a diamond shine. 

“Let’s move,” Xu nodded. The two teams filed down the path to the temple entrance, the pillars looming over them like a ribcage. Seifer fell behind a step, once again coming shoulder-to-shoulder with Quistis, her whip coiled in hand.

She tilted her head towards him but kept her eyes fixed on the entrance. 

“You’ve got this,” Quistis whispered.

Seifer’s heartbeat surged forward. “I’m not gonna let you down again.”

Quistis turned to meet his eyes, her brow furrowed wistfully. “You could never let me down, Seifer.”

He watched as she caught up to her group, disappearing under the shadowy arch. 

A new resolve swelled in his chest, his grip tightening on Hyperion. Whatever was hiding in here had better run, because it didn’t have a chance in hell against Seifer Almasy.

_______________

Dr. Senna hadn’t been lying about the monsters. Barely twenty paces into the labyrinth and two Raldos came barrelling down the corridor towards Seifer’s squad. Moray stunned them with two quick crossbow bolts as Seifer charged forward, hungry for a fight. Hyperion sliced through an armored hide, a spray of the creature’s inky blood splattering against the granite wall.

With each turn into the maze, dread snaked up Seifer’s spine. The roof of the temple had rotted in places, the dark hallways punctuated with sickly grey light. An earthy, ripe smell hung in the humid air. It dawned on Seifer where he’d seen smooth stone walls like this before.

They were walking through someone’s mausoleum.

The first chamber had been thoroughly excavated, niches carved in the walls where artifacts once rested. An earsplitting screech rang out as the team entered, a colony of Blood Souls clustered in the rotting rafters. Seifer cut down three as they dive bombed him, a crackle of lighting to his side frying a few others. Xu skewered the last monster with her sai, panting from the battle.

“Let’s regroup for a minute,” she ordered. For once, Seifer didn’t bother disagreeing with her.

Xu slid her radio from her belt. “Squad B, do you copy?”

Quistis’ voice crackled from the radio. “Copy. Nothing of note in the western chamber. A few Creeps. No sightings of the main objective yet. We’re going to make our way to the central chamber. Over.”

“We’ll meet you there. Over and out,” Xu replied.

Seifer relaxed his shoulders slightly. Quistis was okay. Whatever was in the central chamber couldn’t stand up to ten of Balamb Garden’s finest.

The team continued through the temple, veering left to venture into its heart. The inner walls were better preserved, and the light dwindled into a weak haze. Seifer squinted, waiting for his eyes to adjust. Around the bend of the hall, a glowing light cast a hunchbacked shadow on the wall.

“There’s something–” Romik shouted, cut off as the Tonberry charged forward, sinking its knife into his thigh.

Seifer sprang forward, leaping over the creature to bring Hyperion down on its scaly head. The sword stopped mid-blow, an invisible shield protecting the monster. It rolled a cloudy yellow eye at him, mocking. Seifer spotted the knife as it swung towards him, clanging off Hyperion at the last second.

He dodged back, stunned. For being three feet tall, the Tonberry hit like a truck. Seifer ran through the spells in his arsenal. Elemental magic wouldn’t hurt it, but he had an ace up his sleeve.

“Meltdown,” Seifer commanded, crushing the monster under a beam of magic. It shrieked and writhed, the sound ringing in his molars.

His teammates saw the opening. Moray fired three bolts, the shafts puncturing the scaly hide like a pincushion. Xu attacked, silver flashing as she whirled to avoid the creature’s last flailing attacks. Seifer charged and delivered the deathblow, Hyperion cleaving a canyon down the monster’s middle.

“I mean this sincerely,” Seifer panted,”but fuck those things.”

Xu scowled at him from the other side of the Tonberry carcass. “Foul language counts against your conduct score, Almasy.”

Seifer rolled his eyes, watching the ochre monster blood run off Hyperion’s edge. “I said I meant it sincerely.”

A dull blue glow flickered as the Tonberry rapidly decayed into oblivion. Seifer scanned the stone hallway, watching for eyeshine from the shadows that led to the central chamber of the temple. Behind him, Aurelin cast curatives to revive Romik. 

Tough break, getting knocked out during the exam, Seifer thought. Glad it wasn’t me.

“Good work, everyone–” Xu was interrupted as a quake tore through the earth, raining dust and rock from above. Aurelin quickly cast protect, the golden shield flashing before Seifer’s eyes. An agonizing silence settled over the group as all the light in the room went black.

“Quistis, what’s going on?” Xu shouted into her radio. The device crackled in response.

Every one of Seifer’s nerves was on edge. He gripped Hyperion. 

“Quistis? I can’t hear you, what’s –”

“Fall back!” Quistis’ voice flared through the communicator. “Get out now! It’s–”

Seifer bolted toward the central chamber, shoving past Romik and Xu. Squad A could handle themselves. Whatever Quistis’ team found sounded angry. And she’d sounded scared.

Another tremor shook the building, followed by a piercing shriek no animal or human could make. Seifer ran faster, conjuring a fireball to light his way as he banked around the final twisting corridor. 

The Squad B cadets raced toward him, dragging their unconscious teammate towards the exit.

“Where’s Quistis?” Seifer roared.

“Fighting that demon thing!” shrieked the female cadet.

“Tell Shima and Aki to get their asses down here!” Seifer bellowed, leaping over a fallen pillar and bursting into the temple room. He hurled the fire spell toward the winged creature hovering above an open stone tomb. It recoiled and shrieked in anger.

He’d never seen a monster like this–at least, not in real life. This demon haunted the pages of fairy tales, all bat wings and horns, the cruel fanged smile. Two amber eyes smoldered in its bony face, like coals in a fire. It was a massive creature, twice the size of a human. 

And at its feet, Quistis. She’d been knocked to her knees, but stumbled up as quickly as she could. She glanced over her shoulder quickly at Seifer, fear flashing in her eyes. He raced towards her, heart beating full throttle.

Quistis’ whip snapped, narrowly missing a leathery black wing. She cast Blizzara, ice shards momentarily stunning the demon.

“I haven’t found a magic it’s weak to,” she shouted. “Watch out, it can cast grav–”

As she spoke, the demon raised a claw and brought the weight of the world down upon them.

Seifer felt the air being forced from his lungs. He frantically searched for Quistis and stumbled toward her as he felt his legs go weak. The demon swept upwards and Seifer gasped for air. Where the hell was backup?

Quistis crawled toward him, panting. “It’s a GF,” she rasped. “That’s why it’s so powerful.”

The demon screamed and dove towards them. Seifer threw an arm over Quistis and flattened them both to the ground. The demon’s claws raked over his back and arm, tearing down to the flesh. Seifer choked back a scream, his vision going white. He dug his fingers into the stone floor, gasping for air.

They were face to face, lying on their stomachs. Quistis’ eyes were wide, a splatter of blood on her glasses. 

“Do you trust me,” she whispered.

Seifer nodded, the searing pain too great to speak.

“Stay down until my signal, then hit it with your Limit Break. I’ll heal you after, ok?”

“What are you going to do?” Seifer choked out, a shade of panic creeping into his voice.

“You have to trust me,” Quistis intoned.

Above, the demon shrieked again. A gust of wind whooshed from its powerful wings as it circled to attack again.

“I love you,” Quistis whispered. She leapt to her feet as Seifer reeled. 

Spotting her, the demon lunged forward, but Quistis unleashed a ray of white hot light from her eyes, knocking it to the ground. Seifer had never seen her blue magic before. It was magnificent to witness.

“Now, Seifer!” Quistis screamed. 

He surged to his feet, heat burning through every inch of his body as he spun and sliced Hyperion through leathery black flesh. Blue and green light began to glow through the gashes in the demon’s hide. Seifer spun and saw the glowing lights were tendrils connecting Quistis to the demon. Her arms were outstretched, her face twisted in agony. Blood trickled from her nose.

She was drawing the GF to her.

Seifer felt like he was underwater. He wanted to run toward Quistis, but he lurched forward and fell, depleted of energy from his wounds and limit break. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Xu and the rest of Squad A unload their strongest attacks on the wounded demon. With each arrow strike and blade slash the light flowing into Quistis glowed brighter, culminating in a blinding flash. 

Quistis crumpled to the floor as Seifer’s eyes rolled back. 

_____________

The darkness was all consuming, as if Quistis had jumped into a lake of ink and opened her eyes while submerged. She wasn’t floating, but the ground below her feet felt unstable, decayed. Sound didn’t travel in this place. The only sound that reached Quistis’ ears was her own rapid breathing. She forced herself to inhale more slowly, imagining trapping her panic in a jar and screwing the lid on tight.

This wasn’t what the other GFs felt like.

Shiva lent her aid freely, and although Quistis got goosebumps every time the guardian’s icy fingers brushed her shoulder, she felt safe. Even the battles against Quetzacotl and Ifrit felt like good-natured sparring sessions, the guardians willing to lend their strength to a worthy opponent.

This was different. A malevolent presence pressed from every direction, suffocating. Whatever it was wasn’t going to help their cause freely.

The darkness distorted in front of Quistis, scrunching into a writhing mass. It exploded outwards into a swarm of screeching bats. Quistis shrieked and covered her head instinctively, even as she realized the bats were an illusion. Their wings passed through her like a cold gust of wind.

She inhaled and stood defiantly, locking eyes with the creature that emerged from the depths. It snapped its leather wings to their full span, hovering intimidatingly.

“You’re a foolish girl to disturb my slumber,” it growled, voice echoing as if from the bottom of a well.

Quistis swallowed. She knew the script for how this interaction should go.

“You are a Guardian Force. I am a warrior. I call upon you in this time of need,” she declared, masking the fear in her voice.

The demon tossed its pointed chin back, cackling. “What king do you serve?”

“I serve no king,” Quistis said, her voice strengthening. “I am a SeeD with Balamb Garden. We stand against the sorceress threat.”

“What sorceress?” the guardian hissed. “Adel has fallen. You fight shadows.”

Quistis paused, unsure of how exactly to respond. A familiar chill crept up her spine, the hair on her arms standing on end.

Shiva.

“Diablos,” Shiva spoke. Her voice echoed behind Quistis, resonant and clear. “Don’t be foolish. Adel’s successor stirs even now. You’ve felt it.”

Diablos jerked its head to the side. “And if I have?”

“Then it is your duty to stand with SeeD.”

Quistis felt a swell of pride as Shiva spoke. Although the darkness hung heavy, she felt Shiva’s power radiating through her like light through stained glass.

Diablos crossed its arms, considering Quistis. “You’re a child.”

“I’ve proven myself in combat with you,” Quistis responded.

“You had help.”

“From other warriors, ones as skilled as I am,” she shot back. Thoughts of Seifer filled her mind, how he didn’t hesitate to join the fight. His courage inspired her, the love she felt for him plating her body like armor.

“Diablos,” Shiva intoned, “you must.”

With an exasperated growl and impatient snap of its wings, Diablos hovered over Quistis. She stared up, unwavering.

“My assistance comes at a price,” it snapped.

“I’m prepared to pay it,” Quistis said evenly.

“Don’t be so sure,” Diablos said. It thrust a clawed hand skyward and brought it down swiftly, the magic crushing Quistis before she could even scream.

Her vision darkened, her body in freefall. She could hear Shiva cry out in the distance. Diablos’ power seeped into her pores, the sensation like a swarm of beetles on her skin. She thrashed, limbs flailing at air. Pressure built behind her eyes, air rushing into a balloon. She clutched her head, fingers digging into her scalp to keep her skull from splitting.

Memories flew before her vision like a video on fast forward. Snippets of the chapel at her old school, the coast from a train car, Xu sitting cross-legged on her bed, laughing at something. Shima in front of the instructor’s terminal, a bonfire on the beach, the kraken’s tentacle suspended in the sky. 

The reel slowed when she thought of Seifer. So many memories of him in so few years. Cutting through grats in the training center, his face aglow in the neon of the ferris wheel, spinning her during a waltz, kissing in the rain, sleeping in her bed, morning light gold in his hair.

Seifer.

Quistis’ heart stilled, the agony in her head receding. She reached out in the darkness towards his face, a beacon cutting though the void.

“He’ll do,” Diablos thundered, its voice ripping through Quistis’ thoughts.

Darkness slammed down, severing her vision with the stroke of a guillotine.

Quistis shattered.

Chapter Text

Garden Square Forum

4 users online

6:36 PM
[xoxo_mena]

ok so why is the SeeD ball postponed?? I wanna go 🙁

6:37 PM
[a.penfeld]

Rumor has it someone died on the field exam.

6:38 PM
[xoxo_mena]

wtf are u serious?????

6:38 PM
[s_keeve]

holy shit

who was it

6:39 PM
[a.penfeld]

I heard one of the SeeDs.

6:40 PM
[s_keeve]

HOLY SHIT

6:40 PM
[xoxo_mena]

😭 that’s awful. Who??

6:41 PM
[romik777]

dude no one died

ball’s postponed because they’re still figuring out rankings

exam was fuckin crazy

alot of people got hurt

6:42 PM
[a.penfeld]

And how exactly do you know?

6:43 PM
[romik777]

I was there dumbass

6:44 PM
[s_keeve]

Holyyyyy shittttttt

6:44 PM
[xoxo_mena]

what happened????

6:45 PM
[romik777]

brief says there’s a monster in some ruins we need to neutralize

like no problem right??

BUT

It’s not a monster

it’s a fucking GF

6:47 PM
[a.penfeld]

Are you serious?
That’s a monumental discovery.
You all should have passed simply for finding another GF to aid Garden’s cause.

6:49 PM
[romik777]

outside garden GFs don’t just….help you for funsies

Ifrit is tough but isn’t actively trying to murder us

this thing chose violence

it kicked our asses

ever been hit with time magic? It sucks

ALSO it had fucking demon claws

was like 90% sure i was gonna die

def have some new scars 

6:52 PM
[a.penfeld]

But you bonded with it?

6:53 PM
[romik777]

i can’t take credit for that

it was all SeeD trepe

6:54 PM
[xoxo_mena]

Wait Quistis Trepe???

I know her! I’m in her tutoring group

6:55 PM
[romik777]

well she took down a whole GF

a few of us helped weaken it 

gunblade guy in shima’s class-almasy i think?

but trepe drew & absorbed it

6:56 PM
[s_keeve]

holy. fucking. shit. 

thats intense

6:58 PM
[xoxo_mena]

Omg. is she ok???

6:59 PM
[romik777]

………idk

7:00 PM
[a.penfeld]

What do you mean you don’t know? I thought you were there?

7:03 PM

[romik777]

…….i got knocked out

7:04 PM
[a.penfeld]

Good grief.

7:04 PM
[s_keeve]

BRUH

7:05 PM
[romik777]

like i said: GF with demon claws and TIME MAGIC

like you’d do better

7:07 PM
[xoxo_mena]

I hope quistis is ok 😔

She’s like the nicest person

I would have failed junction theory 1 without her

7:08 PM
[a.penfeld]

You know, I’ve seen her in the training center. Not surprised she took down a GF.
(unlike someone we know)

7:09 PM
[romik777]

fuck off penfeld

talk to me after you take the SeeD exam

7:10 PM
[a.penfeld]

Whatever. I’m impressed. We should all be as skilled as SeeD Trepe.

7:10 PM
[s_keeve]

its the whip for me

unreal

#teamtrepe

7:11 PM
[xoxo_mena]

Yessss we love you quistis ♥️

_________

Where is she?

Seifer awoke with a jolt, bolting upright in an unfamiliar bed. Mint green privacy curtains, the acrid scent of disinfectant, adhesive from fresh bandages tugging at the skin of his newly-healed back–he’d made it to Balamb’s infirmary.

But had Quistis?

He swung his legs over the side of the bed, clanging into a metal cart. His knees buckled as he lurched forward. It was called a limit break for a reason. He’d focused every atom in his body towards the singular point of Hyperion’s blade, driving every ounce of his strength into that demon hide. Seifer felt wrung out, flattened.

He swiped aside the curtain to his right, causing the medic on the other side to yelp in surprise.

“Where is she?” Seifer coughed, his voice rusty and unused. How long have I been out?

“Who are you talking about? You really need to–” 

Seifer growled, yanking the curtain back and stumbling to the next partition. 

“Cadet Almasy!” a weathered hand batted his away from the curtain. Dr. Kadowaki stared at him sternly.

“Where’s Quistis?” Seifer demanded, feeling the ground warp under his feet. Dread wove itself around his lungs and pulled taut, leaving him lightheaded.

“Cadet Almasy,” Dr. Kadowaki repeated, putting a firm hand on his shoulder. “You should sit down.”

Sitting down only meant bad news. 

“I need to know where she is,” Seifer rasped, shrugging the doctor’s hand from his shoulder.

“Sit down, Cadet Almasy. We’ve spent the last twenty-four hours putting that shoulder back together, I won’t have you tearing it apart again,” Dr. Kadowaki admonished, gesturing to the plastic chairs near the intake desk.

Seifer grumbled and accepted the seat. The doctor nodded curtly.

“Now. SeeD Trepe needed serious medical attention, but I promise she’s in good hands–”

So Quistis is still alive. But Seifer knew she was in bad shape if she wasn’t at Garden. The infirmary may have been small, but Dr. Kadowaki and her team were unrivaled in paramagical medical care. “Serious medical attention” meant the university hospital in Balamb city–either in the intensive care unit, or the–

Seifer couldn’t finish the thought. He shot up and spun towards the door, urging one foot in front of the other as black spots crowded his peripheral vision. If Quistis was in the hospital, that was where he needed to be.

“Seifer Almasy,” Dr. Kadowaki called sternly. He paused involuntarily, surprised to hear his full name.

“It’s past midnight, Seifer,” the doctor sighed. “Visiting hours are long over. And storming the hospital won’t help you see her.”

Seifer’s shoulders tensed. He hated to admit it, but Dr. Kadowaki was right. Logic didn’t ease the torment he felt, a riptide pulling his mind to darker depths.

“What am I supposed to do right now?” he ground out.

Dr. Kadowaki placed her hand on his shoulder once more. Seifer didn’t pull away.

“Right now you need to take care of yourself, Seifer. Eat something. Try to get some sleep. You’re of no use to Quistis if you can’t think straight.”

Seifer nodded, swallowing the knot in his throat. “Right. Yeah.”

“Head back to your room. You can visit Quistis after class tomorrow,” Dr. Kadowaki reassured him. “Oh. And Seifer?”

“Hm?” he glanced over his shoulder.

“I’d take a shower if I were you,” the doctor said wryly, nodding at him.

Seifer looked down at his uniform, realizing he was splattered with mud and monster blood from head to toe.

“Right. Got it, Dr.K,” he tossed back halfheartedly.

For once in his career he followed orders without question, standing under a scalding shower head until it ran cold. Garden was asleep at this hour, the only option for food the vending machine. Seifer caught his reflection in the sallow lights, haggard and hopeless. He trudged back to his dorm in a haze, grateful that Raijin was a heavy sleeper. Seifer didn’t want to talk about the day.

He let himself into his room and fell face down onto the bed, numb. 

Seifer turned his head and spotted a manila envelope on his desk, faintly glowing in the moonlight. He didn’t need to read his exam report to guess what the result said. Failed again. Abandoned his team, again. All meaningless, the exam a footnote in the events of the day. The future was pointless, a work of fiction.

Quistis.

Acid crept up his throat. He dug his palms into his eyes, pressing into his skull. His breath rasped as he choked back a sob. The air in the room felt liquefied, the pressure crushing him as if he was at the bottom of the ocean. A weight on his chest drove him deeper, lower, down through the floor, the concrete, the earth, somewhere light couldn’t reach.

He let the blackness of despair knock him into a dreamless sleep.

_________

Sunlight filtered through the blinds. The brightness felt like a personal affront. Seifer scowled at the clock on his desk, realizing he’d slept through his first class.

To hell with that . Seifer dragged his hands down his face. If Quistis was in the hospital, that’s where he needed to be. With two failed SeeD exams to his name he’d probably get booted out of Garden any day now. What was the point of listening to an advanced junctioning lecture from Shima?

He stalked to the parking garage, sliding into the attendant’s booth like he belonged there. A rack of keys hung over a bank of monitors, rows of instructors’ cars and Garden jeeps lined up on the pavement. He snatched a keyring and strode to a jeep, climbing in and peeling out of the garage.

This was a stupid plan, if he could even call it a plan. As the head of the DC he knew he’d racked up a dozen conduct violations in the last twenty minutes. But it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered, except seeing Quistis. It was like his brain had glitched, unable to move forward until he laid eyes on her again, heard her voice, held her. 

Anxiety grasped Seifer by the throat as he sped through the winding streets of Balamb. Outside of the infirmary, he’d never set foot in a hospital. Dr. Kadowaki’s serious medical attention slithered through his head. What did that even look like? Imagining Quistis broken and in pain made his chest ache. He desperately wanted to see her, yet a wisp of fear wound itself around the base of his skull.

Seifer moved robotically through the hospital entrance, noting the bright bundles of flowers visitors carried through the drab beige lobby. Showing up empty-handed suddenly seemed ominous. A quick stop through the gift shop for flowers, then. 

Ten minutes later Seifer was in the elevator, counting the floors. Quistis was so close now, moments away. Soon they’d be reunited, able to walk away hand-in-hand from this brush with doom. 

So what was he so afraid of?

_________

Yellow roses. 

They were the first thing Quistis noticed as her eyes focused. Sunlight filtered through the glass vase on the windowsill, casting prisms on the white blanket draped over her body. The rays lit the petals from behind, the blooms glowing like candlelight. Compared to the rest of the concrete grey hospital room, the bouquet was a comforting sight.

Yellow roses symbolize friendship.

The thought popped into Quistis’ mind, as if someone had whispered it in her ear. Who told me that? Xu? 

She shifted, inching up to a seated position. Her vision wavered and the room tilted. Quistis squeezed her eyes shut and waited for the vertigo to subside, focusing on her breathing. In through the nose. Out through the mouth. 

An expected side effect, a doctor had assured her. She could have fared much, much worse after what she’d put herself through. Drawing an ancient Guardian Force into her own head? It’s a miracle she’d survived with her brain intact.

Not that Quistis remembered that part. 

She could place herself back in the labyrinth, the scent of damp earth in her nose. The dim light, having to squint to see down dark stone corridors. Taking endless turns until they reached the central chamber, the weathered wooden door crisscrossed with iron. 

Beyond that door?

Nothing.

No matter how many times Quistis retraced her steps in her mind, everything stopped at that door. She imagined herself pounding on it with her fists, kicking it in, convinced whatever memory was on the other side would uncurl the icy fingers of dread clenched around her heart.

But the door never budged.

That critical piece of the timeline, gone from her mind. In its place was fear and uncertainty, cloudy water, a black hole in a smile. Frames missing from the film reel, picking up only as she came to in Balamb’s hospital, meeting a concerned pair of eyes over a medical mask.

The nurse had asked her a battery of questions. Her name. Her school. The year. All easy to recall, aside from the exact date. She’d been out for three days, the nurse said.

Quistis frowned and looked at her hands. She’d had an IV port on the right at some point, based on the yellowing bruise between her knuckles. She flexed her left, curling her fingers in and out, forming them around an invisible palm. 

Someone had held her hand while she was out.

Not that Quistis could remember such a thing, but she knew it to be true. Her palms and fingers resonated with the memory. A protective warmth, an earthside tether as she tumbled in and out of consciousness. She couldn’t put a face to the owner of the phantom grip, but she felt it, the space her fingers made to entwine with someone else’s.

But who was it? 

Quistis sighed and glanced back at the roses. GF memory loss was completely normal. She knew this; she was eager to accept it if it meant sloughing away the loneliness of her childhood for raw power. 

But like everything with Diablos, this felt different. Like she’d discovered a hole in her pocket, but hadn’t pieced together what exactly had fallen out yet.

She could account for most details of her life. Her SeeD exam on the ship, days on the beach with Xu, Shima lecturing at the head of the class. But her memories felt tampered with, someone else’s fingerprints smudging the corners. It’s not that they didn’t happen. They were just…off. Slightly out of focus. 

Which is probably what she should have expected drawing a demonic wrecking ball into her head.

Too late for that, Quistis thought. There was no changing the past. The future, on the other hand–that she had a stake in. Too many days had passed, and Quistis knew how rumors zipped around Garden. She wasn’t conceited enough to think that she was popular, but she’d developed somewhat of a reputation among the small student body. She’d tutored a slew of underclassmen and was close with the Student Council. No one else had broken her record as the youngest SeeD. Her absence would be noted–and dissected, commented upon, and remixed among her peers.

Quistis curled her hands into fists. Whatever was happening in her mind needed to stay there. She was strong. She could deal with anything. She could not–would not–show fear.   

She was a SeeD. And that’s all anyone else needed to know.

_______

So this is the brig.

Not as intimidating as the name implied, Seifer noted. Besides the guard posted outside of the locked door, the brig could have been any other office. Except for the lack of windows, a fluorescent fixture washing the room in a sickly haze. And the metal table bolted to the floor.

Seifer had sat through plenty of detentions, but he’d never done anything serious enough to get thrown in here. Absconding with a Garden vehicle for an unauthorized trip to the city would do it, though. 

It had been worth it. He’d seen Quistis. 

Held her hand, even, cold and solid as marble. 

Watched her eyelids twitch as she slept in a spiderweb of wires and tubes, told her how much he loved her over the hum of the machines monitoring her vital signs.

He wasn’t surprised the Garden officers were waiting for him in the hospital lobby. Riding in the car on the way back to Garden, he felt so empty he was almost peaceful. Like sleepwalking, nodding when people spoke to him, following the officers to the brig, sitting in the hard folding chair for what could have been hours or minutes.

Seifer closed his eyes and rolled his head back, knocking against the wall. For the first time in his life, he didn’t have a next move. No long game, no goal to chase. His conviction was gone. 

The door beeped, the lock clicking as it disengaged. Seifer cracked an eye open, dully regarding the Garden messenger.

“The headmaster will speak to you now,” the messenger stated, voice muffled under their hood.

Seifer sighed. “Let’s get this over with.”

He’d spent his time in the brig in sort of suspended animation, blindsided at seeing Quistis so hurt. Having to face the consequences of his actions pulled him back to earth. Seifer followed the messenger up the elevator to the third floor, new pinpricks of pain pulsing through his temples. Dusk cast a melancholy blue shadow through the grand windows.

He pushed open the heavy office door, surprised to see Instructor Shima speaking with the headmaster in hushed tones. Cid spotted him first, rising in greeting. He’d pasted a smile on his face, but his eyes were heavy behind his glasses.

“Ah, Cadet Almasy. Welcome. Please have a seat,” Cid gestured to one of the leather chairs across from his desk.

Seifer stared at him blankly, in no mood for pleasantries.

“Can we get this over with?” he asked, voice hollow.

Cid and Shima exchanged a look, a crackle of tension between them. 

“Why don’t you sit down, Cadet Almasy,” Shima suggested.

The ground beneath Seifer rolled like a wave, his vision clouding. He gripped the back of the chair to steady himself.

“Did something else happen to Quistis?” he asked hoarsely.

“No! No, SeeD Trepe is expected to make a full recovery. We’ve just had word she’s awake and doing well,” Cid said quickly.

Seifer exhaled, the tension leaching out of his body. He felt unsteady, as if his bones had softened under all the stress. He slid into the chair across from Cid, tapping his fingers against his thigh and trying to calculate when Quistis had woken up. I must have just missed her.

“When will she be back?” he asked. 

Shima’s eyes slid to Cid, his mouth curving downward. Cid tented his fingers and smiled stiffly at Seifer. 

“Soon, I’m sure. SeeD Trepe is in excellent hands. I understand your concern for her. Her valor is simply remarkable,” Cid’s eyes locked with Seifer’s over his wire-rimmed glasses. “But I called you here for a reason, Cadet Almasy. This is your second failed field examination. And the matter of your actions this afternoon.”

Seifer dug his fingers into the wooden armrest, a pulse of mercury blazing up his spine. Everything that had happened, and Cid wanted to talk about the field exam? Did they not understand how screwed they were with Quistis gone? You didn’t have to be in love with her to recognize she was one of the most promising SeeDs at Garden. He gritted his teeth.

“I’m aware,” he choked out.

“I’ve been speaking with Instructor Shima, and it’s clear that you’ve excelled in all of your training. Your instincts are sharp, and your dedication to the Disciplinary Committee demonstrates that you can work with others when you’re so inclined,” Cid paused. “So it’s time we tried something new.”

Instructor Shima stepped forward, sliding a navy blue binder towards Seifer. He recognized it from Quistis’ things–a mission briefing.

“We’re deploying you to Timber,” Shima informed Seifer. “We’ve had an established SeeD outpost there for some time. It’s necessary for us to keep tabs on the various revolutionary groups operating out of the city.”

Seifer paged through the binder, thoughts swirling like a cyclone. “Why me? I’m not a SeeD.”

“Precisely,” Cid tapped a finger on his desk. “Our SeeDs in Timber haven’t made inroads with many of the separatist groups. We’re looking for someone who can take a more casual approach. Get a clearer picture of what’s happening without being bogged down by procedure. Think of yourself as an ambassador.”

“You mean spy.”

“Three months should be ample time to gather information. And it doesn’t hurt that Timber is lovely in the summertime. You may even enjoy yourself,” Cid continued. 

“Enjoy myself,” Seifer repeated tonelessly.

“We expect a full report when you return,” Shima cut in, indicating the mission brief. “Your travel accommodations are inside. Your train leaves tomorrow.”

Seifer held up his hand to protest as the office door opened behind him. 

“Headmaster? NORG is on the line in the conference room…” 

“Of course! Terribly sorry to keep them waiting,” Cid nodded to his administrator apologetically. “I must be leaving, Cadet Almasy. I look forward to your report.”

Cid ambled out of his office. Seifer turned to Instructor Shima, dumbfounded.

“What is this really about?” he spat. “Because it doesn’t make any fucking sense why you’d ship your worst student off on a free summer vacation.”

Shima sighed, pinching the bridge of his thin nose. “The headmaster is trying to do you a favor, Cadet Almasy.”

“I’m not leaving. I need to be here–”

“Yes, for SeeD Trepe,” Shima cut in sharply. “We’re well aware of your relationship. A relationship which is in violation of Garden’s Code of Conduct.”

Rage ballooned in Seifer’s chest as he shot to his feet. Shima held up a hand. 

“Give me a moment. That Code of Conduct wasn’t written just to punish students, you know. The fact is, SeeD is a dangerous life. Not everyone who walks this path returns. And sometimes people return very differently than when they left.” 

Shima stared at Seifer, his steel gaze never wavering as the gravity of his words settled over Seifer like a cloud of ash. The air in the room thinned, a metallic twang vibrating through Seifer’s ears. He swallowed, his mouth dry.

“How bad is Quistis doing then?” he asked.

“Physically, she’s recovering quite well,” Shima responded. He opened his mouth to continue, but paused.

Seifer pinched the bridge of his nose. “But?” 

Shima sighed, dropping his gaze to the floor. He circled his fingers through the air, tracing his thoughts.

“Imagine the difference between a dog and a wolf,” Shima began. “They share a common ancestor, but over centuries dogs and humans have become acclimated to one another. They’re generations removed from their wild nature.”

Seifer growled impatiently, not in the mood for metaphors. “What does this have to do with Quistis?”

“The Guardian Forces we are familiar with at Garden have been sympathetic to humanity for ages. But Diablos had been at rest until our clients opened its tomb.”

“So Diablos is the wolf,” Seifer said hoarsely.

Shima nodded. “It’s not yet beholden to humans. Its energy is…hungrier.”

Images flickered in Seifer’s mind. Jaws closing around soft skin. Heat and crimson.

“What did it do to her?” he asked, gravel in his throat.

Shima looked away briefly, and in that instant Seifer felt his heart freefall. He felt hollow inside, scraped to the bone.

“Quistis is still extraordinarily bright. She’ll maintain her SeeD status, of course,” Shima said wistfully. “But when asked about more…personal aspects of her life, her memory is gone.”

“Are you saying she’s forgotten me?” Seifer braced his arms on the edge of Cid’s desk, digging his nails into the wood.

“All I’m saying is that she made no mention of you. Not out of malice, but…” Shima trailed off and shook his head. He pushed the blue binder between Seifer’s clenched hands. 

“Take that train ticket, Seifer. Spare yourself the pain.” 

Seifer picked up the binder wordlessly and left the office. Dusk had turned to night, the conversation over, his fate sealed.

________

To Cid’s credit, the old man was sly. He looked friendly with the spectacles and paunch, but he’d perfected the art of making problems disappear without a trace. 

A first class ticket to Timber wouldn’t solve the Seifer Almasy problem.

Sure, he’d still go to Timber on the made up mission. But if the headmaster had been really sharp, he wouldn’t have booked Seifer’s ticket for the early evening. 

He could get into a lot of trouble before 4:00 pm. 

As he shouldered his bag and hefted Hyperion’s case, that was exactly what he planned to do. He stalked through the main hall and down the front steps, eyes fixed on the hazy skyline of Balamb Harbor. 

He didn’t pay attention to the group coming back from field training until he heard his name.

“Almasy!” Xu shouted, breaking off from the group. She was flushed, winded from training. “Where are you going?”

Seifer’s eyes narrowed. “What does it matter?”

“Are you going to see Quistis?” Xu matched his glare.

“No, I’m going fishing.” he said sarcastically.

“Don’t go,” Xu told him bluntly.

Anger blurred Seifer’s vision, like staring at the sun. “Fuck off,” he spat.

“I’m serious,” Xu hissed. She crossed her arms and stood defiantly in front of him. “Do not go to see her.”

“Xu, don’t try this shit with me today,” he growled. He ground his fingernails into his palm, stilling the urge to shove past her.

“Seifer, I’m trying to help you,” Xu said, exasperated.

“Bullshit. You’ve hated me since day one. Jealous I got between you and your best friend,” Seifer snapped.

Xu threw her hands up. “I’m not even going to dignify that with a response.”

“Great, then we’re done here,” Seifer said through gritted teeth, shouldering his bag and edging around Xu.

“Fine,” she spat. “Believe it or not, I was trying to do you a favor. She doesn’t remember you, Seifer.”

He froze, her words twisting around his throat. He glared over his shoulder at Xu, dissecting her. She’d dropped her tough act, her shoulders drooping under her faded Garden sweatshirt. She looked faded and mournful under the hazy morning sun, a change from her typical sharp demeanor.

Xu had every reason to lie to him, but Seifer believed her.

He swallowed. “How do you know?”

Xu exhaled deeply, shrinking lower. “When she absorbed Diablos. Her memory’s been…it’s all over the place. She remembers Garden and training and stuff, but she never mentioned you.”

A shimmering thread of hope beckoned to Seifer. 

“Quistis wouldn’t mention us to any faculty. Not after Aki chewed her out about it.”

Xu bit her lip and stared at the ground. 

“I asked her about you too.”

The air stilled, a heaviness like water filling Seifer’s lungs. Quistis would never lie to Xu.

“What did she tell you?” he asked, mouth dry.

Xu met his eyes. “I told her you were worried about her. And she sort of looked surprised. Then she asked ‘why would Almasy be worried about me?’ It…I didn’t feel right saying ‘because he’s your boyfriend’ or whatever. I didn’t want to upset her.”

Seifer nodded, dazed. “What else?”

“I said you were in class with her, and she looked confused. She remembered you both had Shima, but that was it.”

The revelations sunk into Seifer. GF memory loss was variable and potent. Mostly it was childhood memories the guardians absorbed, obfuscating a past so distant it was hard to miss. 

Wolves tore through Seifer’s mind again, fangs into flesh. 

Of course Diablos was vicious, preying on Quistis’ happiest memories. 

Still. It could all be a misunderstanding. Xu saw her when she had just regained consciousness, woozy from medicine. Seifer would have to see Quistis himself.

“I’m sorry, Seifer,” Xu whispered.

He shouldered his bag. “Don’t be. She’s going to remember me. You’ll see.”

______

Seifer left Hyperion with Astra in the junk shop, figuring he’d never get near Quistis if he showed up to the hospital brandishing a gunblade.

The elevator floors counted up slowly. Shima and Xu’s warnings clanged in his head like a siren. He gripped the paper bag he carried tighter, his heart slamming against his sternum.

The metal doors slid open and he navigated to Quistis’ room. Her door was open enough that he could spot her as he approached. Quistis paged through a book, free from the tubes she’d been wrapped in when he had first seen her. Someone had brought her an extra large Garden hoodie, her fingers barely peeking out from the long sleeves. She pushed a lock of hair behind her ear, deep in concentration.

Seifer felt like falling to his knees and thanking Hyne to see her conscious again. Heat rose to his eyes and he blinked back tears. He lingered in the door a moment before rapping his knuckles against the frame.

“Oh!” Quistis said, eyes focusing in his direction. “It’s you.”

Seifer held his breath as she scanned him, watching for any signs of recognition. Or rejection.

“Almasy?” Quistis finally asked, voice tentative.

He exhaled, taking it as a sign to come a bit closer. She remembered his name, which was already more than Xu and Shima claimed. Hope flickered faintly behind his chest, the first few clicks of a lighter.

“That’s right. How’re you feeling, Trepe?” Seifer asked, easing down into the chair beside her bed.

Moving slow was agonizing, but if he let his enthusiasm run full throttle Seifer was positive he’d scare Quistis off.

“How am I feeling? Bored, honestly,” Quistis sighed. “If I have to stay in bed, I’d rather it be my own. And as strange as this sounds, I actually miss the cafeteria food.”

“Heard hospital food sucks,” Seifer said, presenting her with the paper bag. “Brought you something.”

She accepted the gift cautiously, peeking inside. Her face lit up and she rustled through it happily. 

“Chocobars? And Sour Tonberries? I love these. Thank you Almasy,” she tore into the candy greedily, shaking a few sour gummies into her palm. “How did you know?”

Seifer returned her grin, feeling like there was glass in his throat. How did he know her favorite candy? The same way he knew how she took her coffee, her favorite books, her secret affinity for cute animals. Nearly three years of spending his days and nights with only her. 

“Lucky guess,” he mumbled.

“Do you want one?” Quistis asked, offering him a piece. Seifer shook his head. She popped a gummy into her mouth, squeezing her eyes shut as the sour sugar dissolved on her tongue.

“You know, they make the Tonberry on the wrapper so cute, but they’re absolutely brutal in real life,” she remarked, chewing thoughtfully.

Seifer flashed back to the tomb, trying to drive Hyperion through the scaly skull as Romik nearly bled out behind him. His stomach sank.

“Yeah, I’ve…I’ve seen one,” he said carefully. “Last SeeD exam.”

A cloud passed over her, the momentary sugar high crashing down. Quistis dropped her head, her shoulders wilting in shame.

“You were there too?” she asked quietly.

Of course I was there, he wanted to scream. I’ve been here all along.

Instead he nodded, unable to look her in the eye.

“I’m so embarrassed,” Quistis whispered.

Seifer’s head snapped up. “What? Why?”

“I failed my team,” she said plaintively. “I couldn’t stop it and I put everyone in danger.”

“Quistis. You saved everyone. You single handedly brought down a Guardian Force. We’d be dead if it wasn’t for you,” Seifer said, aware of his voice rising. “You’re like the greatest person Garden’s ever had–”

“And I don’t remember any of it!” Quistis cried, anguished. “Everyone keeps telling me I’m some kind of hero, but I have zero memories of it. Nothing.”

Seifer was dumbstruck. He ached to embrace her, soothe her uncertainty and pain. 

“Quistis,” he said softly, gently covering the back of her hand with his. She didn’t pull away.

“I was there,” he continued. “I–I saw everything. You were so brave. Where everyone else ran away, you faced the unknown. I couldn’t have done that. No one could.”

“I just feel so guilty,” Quistis said. “All this attention feels like it belongs to someone else. An active duty SeeD, at the very least.”

“You’re off duty?” Seifer asked.

She nodded. “I’m on med leave. It’s the memory loss.”

A current crackled through his spine. “There’s more than the exam?”

“Yeah,” Quistis sighed. “I feel like I’m all over the place. Garden stuff? Sure. I could tell you any bullet point in the SeeD Code of Conduct. Probably recite every entry in the bestiary. But everything else is kind of blurry. Yesterday Xu came to visit me and it took me an hour to recall her first name. Even though I always call her Xu, I’m supposed to be her best friend, you know? I should know that.”

Seifer could see the tears brimming her lashes and felt the vise around his heart tighten. 

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “Quistis, I’m so sorry.”

Her head dropped, her other hand fluttering to the neck of her pajamas. As her fingers brushed the hollow of her collarbone, Seifer realized her necklace was gone. 

“Do you know…” Quistis started slowly. “Almasy, I think there was something I was supposed to tell you.”

The ground dropped beneath him, and his fingers curled around her hand like a reflex. His pulse accelerated, blood pounding through his temples. 

This was the moment of truth.

“What did you need to tell me?” he asked, breathing hard.

The spike in his energy startled Quistis, her eyes darting to their entwined hands. He felt her fingers tug away and tightened his hold, feeling like it was his only lifeline.

“Quistis, please,” Seifer begged. “Tell me anything. Anything you remember about me. About us.”

She gasped, her brows drawing together above her glasses in fear.

“I–I don’t know. Please let go of me.”

“Do you remember me?” he pleaded, feeling like his eyes were being burnt out of his skull.

“I–sort of? We had some classes together as first years. Please,” Quistis said, tears streaking her cheeks.

“Nothing else?” Seifer’s voice was strange in his own ears, twisted with grief.

“I don’t remember!” Quistis shouted, yanking her hand to her chest. Her breath heaved, red splotches blooming up her neck and cheeks.

Time slowed as Seifer registered the terror in her face, seeing himself through her eyes. A strange man, too blunt, breaking every one of her boundaries like the tape at a finish line. Yet another presence trying to steal a piece of her for himself. A vampire, a parasite. A threat. 

“What is going on in here?” a stern voice barked from behind.

Seifer whirled around to see an angry nurse, arms crossed over her chest. She jabbed a finger at him. “You need to leave.”

“But–” It’s not what it looks like. Although this looks pretty bad.

“You need to leave now,” the nurse repeated, striding towards Seifer. He glanced back at Quistis.

His heart decayed when he saw her, shoulders quaking as she drew in short, panicked breaths. Her expression was painted in his mind, strokes of discomfort, confusion, but most of all–fear.

He should have listened to Shima and Xu. Coming here was selfish, and in the end he’d only hurt Quistis.

“I’m so sorry,” he called to her as he was marched out of the room. A security guard escorted him down the hall, into the elevator, and out the door.

Appropriately, it had started raining. Numb, Seifer trudged to retrieve his things. The drops pelting his face melted with his own tears. 

Quistis really didn’t remember him.

At his core, Seifer believed in love. Blame it on repeat viewings of Knight’s Quest , the unbreakable bond between the sorceress and her protector. Or the fairy tales he remembered by heart, though his recollection of childhood was murky at best. 

Love was supposed to win, endure the onslaught from its enemies. It was supposed to be a diamond in strength, unbreakable and everlasting. 

Love was supposed to be powerful.

Until, of course, it wasn’t. All along it was fallible, human. Crystal instead of a diamond, shattered on impact. Quistis had no love for him anymore. Maybe she never did. 

But where did that leave Seifer?

His love for Quistis had never severed, his memories of her ever present. Even this last horrific interaction, where he’d nearly smothered her with his need.

He collapsed on the bench under the platform shelter, Hyperion’s case at his feet. The dread that his worst interaction with Quistis was now the only clear memory she held of him seeped into his pores like poison gas.

The train to Timber rumbled into the station, brakes squealing. Passengers shuffled around him, a stone in a current. Seifer watched the train depart for Timber, not caring that he was supposed to be on it. 

The future was over before it began.

There was nothing left of the world to burn.