DISCLAIMER: I do not own FFXIII or any of the characters. Unfortunately. Otherwise, Noel and Hope would be the main characters of the third game AND BE TOGETHER FOREVER.

This is set in the same universe as my other NoeHopu oneshot, 'Final Step Into Madness'. You can find it in my account.

This one is set during the events of Lightning Returns, when Noel has already been taken over by chaos.

Also, the cover image is an illustration of what goes on in here. You can find it in my tumblr account and in my deviantart account as well, just follow the links on my profile. That being said...

Enjoy!

'I'm done for today. I'm coming in.'

'Roger.'

'... Hope.'

'Yes?'

'I'm bringing someone with me.'

This was unheard of, Hope thought as he paced across the room, eyes never leaving the monitors in front of him. Every day, Lightning left in the morning and came back late at night from doing... whatever it was she had to do to save the world and bring back the goddess.

(If he were to be honest, she had explained it to him but, while he was glad to help in whatever she needed, he had had enough of Gods for a lifetime, thank you very much.)

Point is, she never brought anyone back to their little base. That got him thinking just what kind of trouble she had gotten in or who did she find.

He had first though that maybe, just maybe, she had found any of their old friends but, after two centuries of searching for most of them with no luck, he was quick to squash the thought down, not wanting to give himself the chance to hope and then suffer through the heartbreak.

Eyes focusing on the now flickering green light over his head, Hope turned and waited, knowing Lightning had just entered the building.

Soon enough, the door slid open and Lightning walked in. Alone. "I thought you said you were bringing someone?" Hope asked, confused.

"Patience, kid." The woman sighed tiredly, shedding her weapon and armor before she quickly walked back outside, this time returning with a familiar blade on one hand and an even more familiar man under her arm.

Seeing the younger - older...? - man's eyes widen, Lightning let the corners of her lips curl upwards. "I'm a liberator. it's my job." She said simply, reading the question on his face and answering it, seeing as Hope appeared speechless. Sometimes, her job sucked ass... but it was necessary. Other times, it was so worth it. Nudging her human luggage, she pushed him forward.

Moving automatically, Hope crossed the distance between them in just a few large steps and caught the stumbling man, gathering him in a tight hug. "Noel...!"

Feeling the body in his arms tense, Hope quickly looked over his partner's body for injuries, carefully noting those that would require immediate care. "Hope...?"

"Yes, it's- it's me. God, Noel... Look at you..." He looked pitiful.

Slowly, weak arms wrapped around his torso and squeezed a little, Hope feeling rather than hearing Noel's shuddering sigh of relief. "I'm... I'm back." He said, bewildered, before pressing his face to the other man's shoulder and breathing in his scent, tightening his grip just a little as reality begun to sink in.

it was over. He was back.

Buckling under Noel's suddenly dead weight, Hope grunted as he held on tightly before maneuvering them with Light's help so he could slide his left arm around Noel's limp legs and lift him up with a little effort. "Hope..." The brunette croaked.

"Shh, it's alright." Giving the still present woman a grateful smile, Hope walked past her and out into the corridor. "It's alright.

You're home now."