Final Fantasy VIII: The Things We Are Given

"You keep fidgeting." Rinoa straightened the tie Watts had tugged loose again. "Cut it out."

Watts looked over Rinoa's head into the mirror. The last few weeks had felt surreal, but today was the worst. He stared at his reflection, marveling that the people who had fixed his hair had done the same thing he did every morning, but with triple the time and with way more gel.

"Are you listening to me?"

Watts looked down, face flushing at Rinoa's stern look. "Well, I—no. Sorry."

Rinoa's palms smooth over creases in his suit, and Watts wondered if the amount of sweating he was doing was going to stain it. It was a rental, after all, and he didn't want to lose his deposit, especially since it was Laguna who had—

"Stop it." Rinoa's tone was mild as she pinned on the white rose and spray of blue flowers Ellone had chosen.

Watts blanked his face, because Rinoa had a creepy way of knowing when his thoughts slid over to Laguna. Zone said he looked like he was constipated, and one of the escorts had been quick to tell him that he turned purple, and then made it worse by reminding him that purple wasn't part of the color theme. Watts liked most of Rinoa's friends, but that girl had a weird sense of humor.

"I can't help it. Ellone and I will see him everyday. I—I mean, we're getting married. He'll know things now." Watts took Rinoa's wrist.

"You're just extra nervous today, is all." Rinoa stepped back and eyed his clothes. "I'm not really supposed to share the secret," she said, brushing a stray hair from her cheek. "But between you and me, Ellone is gorgeous today."

"Of course she is." Watts knew all about these tricks. "She's gorgeous everyday."

Rinoa laughed. "You'll never trust girls again after me, will you?"

"Probably not." Watts grinned at her, nerves soothed a little bit by the old joke between them. At least he wouldn't have to go it alone. Rinoa would be on one side, Zone and Kiros on the other. "But you're a special case, I guess I should."

"You big meanie." Rinoa opened her little handbag and stuck three fingers in to dig around. Watts wasn't sure how anything fit in it. "I have something for you."

Watts watched her pull out a wrapped bit of black fabric, tattered at the edges. "A gift? I hope this doesn't replace the toaster I asked for."

"You asked everyone for a toaster to win that bet with Zone." Rinoa glared, but it was full of too much humor. "Some people—like me—do get creative wedding gifts."

"What's this?" She placed it in his hand, and Watts pulled back the fabric to reveal the contents. His eyes met hers, shocked, before staring at the rings again. "What?"

Rinoa lifted a shoulder, eyes fighting tears he hadn't noticed before. Watts knew better than to call her on it, so he kept silent and waited for her to tell him.

"Laguna gave them to Squall, because—" She sighed. "I was dropping hints, so Laguna thought it was going to happen. He tried to give them to Squall, but he said he wasn't getting married." Rinoa closed Watts fingers over them with one hand as she wiped her eyes with the other. "I can change his mind, and anyway, I know that Ellone was closer to both Raine and Laguna. So I asked Laguna if I could give them to you."

"Guess he likes me more than I thought."

"He said he wished he had thought of it first, actually. He offered to give them, but I didn't think of it until yesterday. I figured you'd probably have a nervous breakdown if he tried so soon to the wedding." She shifted on her feet. "Will you take them?"

"Of course," Watts said, staring at the silver bands in surprise.

Rinoa threw her arms around him in a quick hug. "That's great. Ellone will be thrilled. She might cry, Laguna said she would, so—"

Watts knew how to handle Ellone. It was everything else that was trying to give him a stroke. "I'll be okay."

Rinoa held out an arm. "I'll walk you to the aisle."

Watts pocketed the rings, liking the way they clinked together, feeling better than he had all morning. He took Rinoa's offered arm. "Lead the way."