a/n: There's a lot of 's' sounds in this for some reason. I haven't written anything in seven years, so please leave me a review letting me know how I did. And yes, I stole that line from Fang, haha. Oh, and I don't own anything.

Hole in the Wall -

She was standing in what little water was left in the desolate beaches of New Bodhum. She'd found a small and secluded spot where the water reached her calves – a hole in the wall. The water was lukewarm and it didn't rustle. The air was still, musty and repugnant, making her gag reflex act up before she choked back down the fact that this is what her home was destined to become if her and Noel didn't do their job right.

"Serah?"

"It stinks." Her voice was soft, almost inaudible.

"What?" He took a cautious step closer, being mindful of the sharp rocks and holes.

"I said it stinks!" She yelled to no one in particular, maybe to the rock she kicked. He was the one who lost his balance.

"The air! The water! The land! The deteriorating houses! All we have to go through to fix the timeline; everybody that we have to leave behind. It all stinks!" Her yell trailed off to a soft whimper and her shoulders slightly shook.

He took a step forward, then another. He checked the footing space in the puddle then carefully stepped in front of her. She wasn't crying. However, tears were welling up in her eyes, threatening to spill.

She shook violently. She slipped – he caught her, he held her.

"It stinks." She mumbled against his chest, burrowing her face in deep and wrapping her arms around his waist. Noel's arms tightened around her.

"I know, but we can fix it. And we will, together." He laid his head on top of hers. "I refuse to let it be this way. I don't want you to live the future that I did. I want us to have a happy future – one with children running around and laughing; with Lightning and all the others. I want us to have a future that I never got to have. We can make that happen, Serah, together."

As her name fell from his lips she looked up. Her eyes clouded over and she held him even tighter.

Noel was having trouble breathing. He looked behind him, saw a large flat rock and sat down on it, pulling Serah onto his lap. She gave a small hiccup and he put a hand on her waist and thigh to pull her closer.

He kissed her cheek. "It'll be alright. I promise." He let his thumb rub circles on the small of her back. "Look at me." He gently pulled her face toward his and rubbed his nose against hers.

"Stop crying dammit. I won't let this happen." He rested his forehead against hers and wiped away her tears with his thumb.

Serah hiccupped one last time and kissed the corner of his mouth. Noel closed his eyes and felt his way to her lips, leaving behind soft kisses against her lips. There wasn't any hurry in them; just a solid foundation of love and condolences. His hands brushed the back of her neck, pulling her closer and dipping her head. Serah ran her fingers through Noel's hair as the kiss became harder.

"Noel…" Serah sighed his name as he pulled away, searching for something she couldn't name in his eyes. She brushed a stray strand of hair out of his eyes. Noel gazed into her eyes just as hard. He spoke the truth. He would tear down the sky if it'll save her.

"I promise Serah. I will make that future happen. I want us to have a happy future, together."

"Oh, Noel…" Serah smiled. "Together?"

He nodded and smiled. "Together."