I'm sorry it's so short, it seemed a little longer in my notebook. My sister requested a Final Fantasy XIII story with Hope and Vanille, so here it is. I hope I got their personalities right, it's hard to tell since all I've seen is the trailer. I wrote this straight through on a bus to Raleigh for a field trip today; I hope it's okay. I think I'm the first person to write a fanfic for FFXIII (yay!). [Edit] I have been corrected: I'm not the first FFXIII story, but I am the first HopeVanille story (hey, it's something!). My bad, sorry for the mistake.

Please review!!!

Disclaimer: I do not own FFXIII. But the plot is mine.

Prompt: 2 a.m. (and my sister)

2 a.m. Warehouse District. Cocoon.

"I think we lost them," Vanille whispered, peeking over the crates she and Hope we're currently hiding behind. "I hope Serah-tachi got away okay too." She slid to the ground next to Hope, glancing over at the boy. He sat with his knees drawn up to his chest, arms wrapped around his legs, and vacant eyes.

Vanille called hi name gently, slightly concerned. "Hope?"

"What?" he replied heavily, sounding older and more tired than a 14 year old should. It hurt Vanille to see anyone like that, and Hope was like that all the time.

"Come on, Hope. Cheer up!"

"What's there to be cheerful about?" he replied in an almost snarl.

Vanille blew out her cheeks in a pout. "We're alive aren't we? And so are Lightning and Serah and Snow."

Hope just shook his head. "What's so great about being alive if we're l'Ciel?"

"We're still people! We can live, love, laugh, and feel. We have friends and family and a home. So what if we're hunted?" she added, as if sensing Hope's thoughts. "We'll get through this and show them we're not bad."

She was on her hands and knees facing Hope now and he just stared at her for several long moments, his expression unreadable.

"Can't you at least smile?"

A short pause and he turned away, frown still in place.

Vanille looked at the boy sadly. Even Lightning smiled occasionally. Then she had an idea.

"Hey, Hope, are you ticklish?"

He turned back to look at her, confused. "What?" She just smiled mischievously.

"I-I don't know," he answered warily.

"Well, let's find out!" And with that she pounced, knocking the boy to the ground.

"Wai-! S-stop – no!" he cried, trying to keep from laughing. He failed.

Vanille grinned as Hope's laughter rang out, continuing her attack on his abdomen. There were tears in his eyes but his lips were turned up in a smile.

"Uh…"

Hope and Vanille froze, looking up. They hadn't noticed Lightning, Snow, and Serah approach; somehow, Vanille had ended up straddling Hope. She quickly jumped up and helped Hope to his feet as well. Both we're slightly blushing.

Snow asked incredulously, "Hope laughs?"