"A bond between souls is ancient - older than the planet."

Dianna Hardy

It can be harsh sometimes he admitted. The world where he now inhabited didn't revolve around him, but rather the other way around. He was ordinary now and his contribution to society would forever be swept under the realms of the old world.

But it was ok. Living was better than fighting, and perhaps even more so than changing time. Still even now when he has these little moments to himself outside his office, broadly gazing over the sun beamed city on the 34th floor of his research office he can't help but remember. And in doing so he remembers his friends and that's when Hope changes his mind.

"Is this the real life? Is this fantasy?"

"Estheim please report to the biomedical room 1303," The default speaker over the intercom broke his thoughts as Hope gazed down at his watch.

"Damn. It's already 3:30? Better get going," he said as he turned around to his desk picking up his messenger bag and swinging it around his left arm.

Looking one more time outside his wide panel window he murmured something about distractions and made his way towards the door. Making his way down the hallway the feed noise of phones and humming computers surrounded him instantly. All the way from the 30th floor to the 36th floor were R&D stations. As a researcher Hope remained mostly on this floor dealing with monitoring and analyzing whatever projects the company gave him to do.

He loved his job as much as he hated it. Days would turn to nights when a breakthrough would spark through his hard work and usually, well actually always when his peers would turn in and leave he would remain alone doing almost the entire process of solutions. He was good at that, solving things.

Yet with all the alone time and Chinese take-out during his work environment he loved even more so the idea of making a difference. It was stupid and more of a vague concept he admitted, but it brought him assurance that he was needed. That he wasn't alone.

Increasing his walking pace Hope turned down the hallway and managed to slide inside the closing elevator getting judgmental stares from some of his colleagues and interns. Almost flawlessly he looks at his watch again and remains quiet after the number 36 button seemed to already been pushed.

"I don't know most of these people, it's not like I'm embarrassed. Besides that these interns get replaced almost every other month," Hope thought to himself as he turned to the right of the reflective wall of the elevator.

He saw his reflection and noticed the back of his hair was longer than he thought. Wearing his casual long sleeve black shirt under his lab coat with gray slacks made his appearance seem nearly professional. Well all but his ridiculous hair, it wouldn't listen to him unfortunately. He really did try and get a haircut once and imitate the professional hairstyles his lab assistants seemed to have, but it made him look more normal than anything. That was four months ago now his hair was back the way it was, silver locks in front of his temple and the weird tamed strands tucked behind his ears.

The elevator stopped at his final destination and he stopped judging his hair, following three other people that stepped out. Not bothering to look anywhere but up ahead he saw finally some familiar faces at the see through lab he was headed for.

Hope reached for his key card and swiped it through the card reader opening the lab door. He walked towards the nearest locker and put down his messenger bag while reaching for his notebook. Today would be an interesting day he thought.

"Anti-gravity lifters huh?" Hope asked to his lab partners who gave him a side look.

"Let's go prove Newton wrong…again." Hope thought smiling to himself.

After hours of recording their data and testing more lifters using electromagnetic fields Hope's group of colleagues decided it was time for a break. This was the part he hated the most.

"Come on Einstein let's take a breather already," pleaded one of the guys who always took it upon himself to be the one brave enough to persistently ask Hope at least three times for a break. It was always him and it was always with the Einstein joke. Sure some points for creativity but honestly it was annoying to hear over and over again.

Hope finally lifted his nose from the screen in front of him and looked up at his annoying partner. Gale was one of the most persistent if not boldest guys he ever met. Apart from being quick on his feet Gale really liked taking on challenges, but he always had a presence to him that screamed- I do what I want when I want. Hope admired him greatly and to some extend was grateful that Gale even bothered to get him to take a rest. However…..

"Dude come on the guys are already at outside waiting! Just an hour and then we can finish up till midnight if you want," said Gale rolling his eyes in defeat. Clever attempt to get Hope to get up but he knew Gale would stay till midnight to help anyways.

Still Hope managed a defeated sigh and closed his laptop and wordlessly left the lab with Gale thankfully behind him just in case Hope pulled a 180.

"So this is it huh? You think you're going to talk to her now?" Asked Roger with a look of amusement. Hope and his two lab partners were inside a small coffee shop packed with a lot of business workers and college slackers that pulled all nighters. Hope remembered hearing about this place before, it had opened not that long ago, maybe around a month or so. He didn't remember well, too busy getting shocked by repulse sensors that day. Still he did recall the attraction to this place.

It was the only coffee shop that didn't close till ten, rather closed at midnight. Perfect for procrastinating students and all company workers who needed a quick pick up from work. The shop was called Café Rosella. A rather adorable red bird adorned the lighting of the shop's name on top. Not to mention the walking distance to his work, it really was genius of the owner to pick such a sweet spot. No doubt whoever the owner was Hope was sure this shop would always be kept busy.

Sitting inside a black adorned booth Hope casually looked up from the paperwork he managed to bring with him. His partners disapprovingly shaking their head when they left work. Gale and Roger both sitting across the booth looked around eagerly for some reason. Hope gave his attention to Roger who still didn't get an answer from Gale. In terms of being cool and collective Roger was far from the totem pole. But he was kind and always enjoyed talking freely to Hope and Gale. Although admitting enough both guys were probably friends in category, Hope couldn't say they were that to him. Finally Hope decided to look at both guys unison direction of attention before asking awkwardly what they were looking at.

"Look Einstein the owner of this place is actually a really hot chick. I managed to get her attention last time, I'm trying to see what I can do tonight," Said Gale peering through the crowd of workers at the bar where the baristas were located.

"Really what did she say?" Asked Hope casually his attention reverting back to his paperwork.

"Well she didn't actually say anything to me, it was more like this look dude. You'd have to be there to know ok?" Said Gale reassuringly as he gave Hope a wink.

A slow nod was all Hope showed Gale before Roger asked another question.

"W-wait how did you exactly get her attention if you didn't say anything?" Roger raised an eyebrow at his buddy who reverted his eyes to him.

"Well she was kind of going around asking people if they wanted complimentary drinks and stuff, you know since they are new store and all. She came up to my booth and asked our group if we wanted anything, when she handed me my coffee I just saw her give me this look." And I- Einst err Hope why are you laughing?!"

Gale whose prideful face was slightly flushed now glanced at Hope who was had given at least two good chuckles out of his partner's story.

Still he lied to Gale said something about remembering something funny just now, Hope knew he didn't buy it. Still he took it.

Just as the slight hint of embarrassment was there it vanished quickly and Gale's face showed a poker face winner complexion.

"Look she's right there," he said as Roger quickly looked towards Gale's direction.

There was a pause, Hope didn't look he kept his busy mind around the question of a lab result.

"She is very hot dude," nodded Roger who in turn gave Gale a beaming look.

"Einstein if you want to act all weird you can, just do me a favor don't say anything for the love of God." Replied Gale as Hope finally looked back at him.

"Wow." Hope thought. Gale was being serious, just how hot was this girl anyways? Hope looked finally towards the workers area and saw the woman in question. His eyes shot up when he saw Lightning with the same boring look while topping off a brulee tea.

"You can't be serious." Blurted out Hope.

"Shut it, you see what I mean?" Said Gale looking worryingly towards Roger.

Well then…

Author's Notes: Hello I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I really want to make something small but complete story of Hope and his life after the games. Just a reminder this take place after FF Lightning Returns when they live on a new world free of fighting. Any reviews are extremely welcomed, most of my fun comes from your opinions and in return gives me a feel for what you guys like. Till next time, take care!