"What makes you tick, Lightning?"
Hope stared up at the pacing Lightning from the fire, watching as she stopped abruptly and turned to gaze at him curiously.
"What did you say?"
He stood, brushing off his pants as he met Lightning's stare. Swallowing, he was ready to back down at the intensity of her glare, but he continued, "You're just restless to go at all times. But what good is it to always go if we will be weaker later on?"
"I've said it once," Lightning snapped, resuming her pacing, "and I'll say it again. You're weak, Hope, and it will take work to toughen you up."
"Look at me!"
Lightning froze, and this time turned slowly to look at the boy.
How could she? How could she just say that? If she hated her Snow so much…if she was such a witch…why would she keep him on to just demean him like that. "What did I do to deserve this?" He asked. "I have done everything you need and you dismiss me as a wimp."
"Because you're just a boy, Hope. You're growing and learning and you haven't learned enough!" Lightning retorted. The red firelight reflected her anger in her eyes as she stepped towards the boy. "I can't always protect you, but if we keep moving we can soon leave this danger zone!"
"Can't you just…I don't know…relax? One night spent sleeping will not kill you or me."
"I beg to—"
"Shut up! Just shut up and listen to me!"
Lightning leaned away from him, crossing her lean arms across her chest and letting a small smile touch her lips. "Alright, tough guy. Tell me how it is."
"Don't. You're doing it again."
"I can either smile or frown while I'm acting like myself—you seem to like neither."
"I don't like your attitude."
"Don't tell me what to do. I'm saving your butt, and you need me. From this point on, we go by my rules and you don't complain. Go to sleep—I'll keep watch."
Hope opened his mouth to protest but Lightning let her hand wander back to her bizarre sword. Quickly, Hope clamped his mouth shut and laid flat on the rocks, trying to sleep before Miss Dictator ripped out his heart manually.