Final Fantasy XIII

Hopeless Without It

Hope watched from the side lines as Lightning trained the rookies with her gunblade, feeling absolutely useless. I can't fight without magic, magic was always the special part of Hope; his expertise at medic, synergist and ravager all included magic where Hope was concerned. Lightning never really needed magic, her training was her help.

Deep in thought about his problem has caused the boy to frown slightly, Lightning noticing this dismissed the rookies and silently made her way over to Hope, giving him a fright as she tapped on his shoulder to get his attention.

"What's on your mind?" Lightning asked, her voice calm as she stared at Hope trying to catch his eyes.

"Nothing," Hope muttered while looking at the ground away from Lightning's piercing gaze.

"No point in trying to hide it, I'll get it out of you sooner or later," Lightning stated in an irritated voice about to walk away.

Hope grabbed the soldier wrist before pulling back, "Wait, it's just that-"

"What?"

"Whenever it comes to battle, I'm useless! I don't have any magic," Hope explained while feeling sadness take over his features.

"You won't have to fight again Hope; did you really enjoy being an l'Cie?" Lightning asked.

"I-I being a l'Cie made me who I am today, I'm not happy that mum died for this to happen, that Vanille and Fang sacrificed themselves so that we could continue our lives-" Hope – starting to ramble – cut himself off once the sharp nick attacked his forehead; Lightning had flicked his forehead.

Ouch.

"Follow me," Lightning ordered before turning away, walking quickly. Hope ran to catch up before fast walking compared to Lightning's smooth stride. They made their way through the training field earning strange looks from some training officers, until they reached a building.

"What are we-" Hope started, Lightning cut him off with a look before pushing the double doors open to reveal an armoury filled with all types of weapons. Lightning took off past all the expensive and well looked after weapons until she reached a corner at the back filled with shelves.

"Manadrives," Lightning said while pointing to the shelves, "take the ones you specialize with."

Hope scanned the shelves looking for certain manadrives to find the ones he needs in the back of the shelf higher than him.

Hope frowned; he didn't want to ask Lightning for help, she'll just laugh at me.

"What's wrong?" Lightning asked curiosity clear in her eyes.

"I um, can't reach Fire, Blizzard, Thunder, Aero or Water," Hope muttered, attempting to ignore Lightning's amused look as she easily reached up to grab the manadrives. "Thanks."

"Grow a little taller and you won't need my help," Lightning said in amusant, is she teasing me?

Hope walked a little closer to Lightning before standing on his tiptoes till he is about her height.

"Happy?" Hope asked, teasing her right back.

Lightning fidgeted at the close contact as she jumped back slightly.

"Now you can fight," Lightning stated before abruptly running out of the armoury, gunblade holster hitting her legs behind her.

Hope smiled slightly, still the same Lightning – always running away before getting too close to anyone, focusing on one goal and set herself forward and most of all; letting her walls down to Hope even if only for a few seconds.

That's why I fell in love with her, Hope thought before leaving the armoury.