Fanfiction: "Take Me Where the Streetlights Glow" (Final Fantasy VIII)

[deemoyza]

Title: "Take Me Where the Streetlights Glow" (7,959 words)
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Final Fantasy VIII
Rating/Warnings: Explicit / Warning for Explicit Sexual Content
Characters: Rinoa Heartilly, Quistis Trepe
Relationships: Rinoa Heartilly/Quistis Trepe
Summary: Quistis hasn't taken a proper vacation in years. Now, four years after meeting Rinoa and saving the world, she travels with her to Dollet for a week of relaxation and indulgence. And if Quistis hasn't learned how to properly enjoy those things by now, Rinoa is only too happy to help her out.
Notes: Written as a treat for this year's smut4smut exchange.

Rinoa turned around and assessed the dress in the mirror.  "All right," she said slowly, "what do you think would look good for dinner tonight?  For me, I mean.  What would you like to see me in?"

"Rinoa, I don't think—"

"Nope!  No doubting!  Pick something you think would look good on me."  She turned around, grinning mischievously.  "And I'll do the same for you."

"It won't be something like this, will it?"

"No."

"Or like what I'm wearing right now?"

Rinoa laughed.  "Of course not!  Quisty, I'm not going to embarrass you.  I'm just gonna find something that'll really make you shine, that'll show all of Dollet what a looker you are…and how lucky I am to have you all to myself!"

"So those are the parameters?  Well, that'll make my part of the bargain easy."  Quistis winked.

"What are we waiting for, then?  Let's get out of these silly outfits and do some real shopping!"

They took their time sorting through the racks of dresses, and each presented the other with several options to try on.  For Rinoa, they both agreed on a light purple halter dress with a flower garden and butterflies printed along the bottom.  For Quistis, a strappy dress printed with fuchsia and pink flowers and trimmed with fuchsia lace.  

"This is lovely," Quistis said, smoothing the skirt and admiring her reflection, "but not something that I'd normally choose for myself."

"That's the whole point!"  Rinoa crossed her arms and nodded, as if looking over a job well done.  "Break out of your comfort zone a bit, Quisty, and you'll find there are lots of things you've never done or seen or worn.  Things that are good for you.  So, do you like it?"

"I love it!"

"That's the spirit!"  Without warning, Rinoa hopped into the stall, pulling the curtain closed behind her, and planted a kiss on Quistis' mouth.  The kiss was gentle, but insistent, and Quistis' fear of being discovered paled in comparison to the thrill of the situation.  She responded, pulling Rinoa close, one hand on her waist, the other sliding up her back and into the hair at the nape of her neck.  Rinoa placed both hands on Quistis' shoulders and gently guided her back against the wall, catching Quistis' lip between her teeth and sucking hard, then kissed her again, harder still, before breaking away with a gasp.

"I'll bet you don't normally do that, either," she said, the blush risen in her cheeks.

"No," Quistis answered, still trying to catch her breath.  "You do?"

"No."  Rinoa giggled.  "The idea never really crossed my mind, until right now."

Quistis began to giggle, as well, a high-pitched, girlish sound she was not accustomed to hearing come from herself.  Before long, they both escalated to full-fledged laughter, and Quistis caught several curious glances from other customers when Rinoa exited the stall.  Both buoyed and aroused by Rinoa's bold move, she changed quickly and the two of them headed to the counter with their purchases, then left the store arm-in-arm.

Comments

[sapientesgladio]

Hey! I was scrolling through my inbox on AO3 (as you do) and I noticed you orphaned this specific fic you wrote for me. ; w ;

I was curious if you weren't satisfied with it because I was sure about to go on a little re-reading spree too.

Also I hope you're doing well even if you hardly see me posting anywhere LOL

[deemoyza]

Oh no, I actually still like it very much; it was simply a victim of a very intense episode of personal insecurity. At the time I orphaned this, I also deleted quite a few fics, hid a few more, and orphaned most of my smut fics I had posted at the time. It was a stupid decision, for sure, and I really regret it. But as for the fic in question, I'm still very satisfied with how it came out (it was so much fun to write!), and I would be honored if you did choose to reread it. I'm really glad you enjoy it! :D

And it's great to hear from you! I'm doing well, and I hope you are too! 💕

[sapientesgladio]

Oh nooo! I'm sorry this happened!

Insecurity is a battle all of us have faced in some capacity but I'm sad that it came at the price of some of your works 😭. I know it can't be helped but I don't want you to regret it!

Maybe there can come a time where you HD Remaster these works and still slide them back into your account? If you ever wanted to do that honestly!

I've been in a reading and writing slump for a while with my own personal life in turmoil (I have a GoFundMe to prove the actual shenanigans I'm under right now). So focusing on anything other than my current problem is rough. But it's refreshing to try to re-read something I originally enjoyed!

I did reread it a few times before today so it's definitely a great piece of work. If you ever need a cheerleader, just lemme know! I'll absolutely be here (even if you seldom see me on here lmao)!

[deemoyza]

I apologize for the super late reply, but thank you so much for your support! 💕

Revisiting and remastering some of my fics sounds like a fun idea, and may bring me back around to remembering why I wrote certain fics (and what I liked about them!). It might be worth a try, someday.

I'm so sorry that you're having personal problems at the moment. :( I really hope things get better soon. Sending you all the good vibes and well wishes! 💕

[sapientesgladio]

I will definitely support you any way I can!

Also random: but I saw you applied for the Final Fantasy Fanthology zine! Are you joining the Discord server too? I'm already working on my FF8 writing piece and it's gonna be great. I wanna hear all about your ideas as well and if you're in the same boat as some of the other people picking popular fandoms and might need to change their pitches 👀

And yes! Revisiting pieces would be so fun but definitely don't push yourself if you find yourself having a bad reaction to doing just that. 😭

Thanks so much for the well wishes and positive vibes. It would all happen prior to my bday too smh 😭 but it's ok. I have hopes for the future.

[deemoyza]

Happy early birthday! 🎂 I hope the coming year gets better and better for you!

Re: the Final Fantasy zine, I unfortunately dropped out. My writer's block is not budging, and I wasn't sure if I could keep my obligations. (Also, Discord intimidates me. 😬) I'm flattered they considered me, though!

If I'd stayed on, my initial pitches on the application were for FF6, FF8, and FFX. Setzer and Daryl going on adventures together, pre-canon. Celes actually meeting Maria and the two singing a duet. :) Selphie getting in way over her head with event planning. Rinoa finally having a serious talk with Caraway about the past and the future. Lulu and Luzzu discussing their respective pasts and finding healing in one another's friendship. I've kept all of these ideas written down, so they might actually make it to full-fledged fics someday! :)

Good luck with your story for the zine! 💕 I hope you really have fun with it!