Disclaimer: I do not own any thing... blab blab blah... you get the idea :(...

Pairing: SnowxHope

Rated for Mature.

Warning: Contain Yaoi...

Chapter 1: In Two Weeks

"Hope wait up." A cheerful, girly voice yelled.

A silverette paused in the hallway full of lockers before turning around. He saw Vanille and Maqui running towards his direction with a grin plastered on their faces. Despite his first year at a new high school after moving from Palumpolum to Bodhum, he had already befriended older and mature people for his age. Well, Vanille was an exception among his mature friends; though he still enjoyed the girl's company and her cheerful disposition.

"Vanille and I are going out tonight, you wanna join us?" Maqui exclaimed.

Hope eyed the two people in front of him suspiciously, knowing their reasons for their outing.

"C'mon. It will be fun. We could introduce you to some hot looking people. And if you're lucky, you might hit it off with someone tonight." The pig-tailed girl said hunching his side with her elbow.

Hope made a uncomfortable look, staring the grin expression on Maqui and Vanille's face. The annual winter festival was coming soon and he needed to stop procrastinating before it's too late. And his friends were just looking out for him after all. He sighed wearily knowing he couldn't ignore this forever. "I'll go. But I wouldn't like it." He admitted.

"Great. We'll pick you up at six." The blond teen said.

"And make sure to dress extra attractive." Vanille added.

"Because we'll be pimping you out." Maqui finished with a grin before scampering off to their class.

Hope snorted. Two weeks from now, the Cocoon citizens will be celebrating their 50th Moonlight Festival. It was fifty years ago that six branded heros defeated the self-proclaimed Lord-Sovereign Fal'Cie, Barthandelus, who reigned over the Cocoon. But before the Fal'Cie could be destroyed, the monster left a perpetual curse on the citizens of Cocoon which could never be quell. And on the first day of the winter solstice, the curse came into effect from sunset to sunrise. During that night, the moon will glow a bright red exacerbating the curse. Under the red moon, the citizen seeks out a partner for the night due to the curse which causes their sex drive to heighten. The curse only took in effect after a person had passed fifteen of age. And unfortunately for the silver-haired teen, he just turned fifteen two months ago.

No wonder his friends wanted him to tag along. They were nagging him to find someone special so his first Moonlight Festival will be something worth remembering, whether he spent the night with someone special or alone. Both Vanille and Maqui had their own story to tell from their first winter festival two years ago. They were going to meet their lover tonight obviously and their lover was the same partner they chose to spend their first festival with under the red moon. The people said that if a person found true love on their first Moonlight festival, then only happiness and good fortune will be bestowed to the couple. It was rubbish but people clung their belief. Hope felt his inside stir. Even though he didn't believe in that sort of thing, he still wanted to find happiness just like his two friends have found. 'Maybe meeting someone wouldn't be that bad.' Hope contemplated.

"Mr. Estheim!" An authoritative voice called from the classroom door. Hope flinched. He turned toward the direction of the voice, only to see Professor Yosch leaning against the door with his hands folded. The man was looking at him with a curious brow, the sole student in the hallway. "They school bell has already rung to commence class. It will be wise if you keep moving rather than standing there like a statue. You don't want to get detention?"

'Crap I space out...' He gave the man a quick apologetic bow before running to his first period class.

Hope collapsed on his bed the moment he stepped in his room, feeling fatigue overcome his senses. The day went by unexpectedly quick and now he was already second guessing if he should go out with his friends. He closed his eyes, letting his tired body sink into the warmth and comfort of his bed. But it seemed like fate had a different plan for the young silver-haired teen when he heard a soft knock on his door.

"Sweetie, your friends are here." Nora said warmly from the other side of the wooden door.

Hope let out a weak groan, forcing his eyes to open. He glanced around his exemplary room. Despite being an only child, there are some advantages. For one, his parents liked to spoil him by buying him the most lavish things they could afford. He told them many times that he didn't need them, but his parents just brush the youth away saying it was for his enrichment.

"Hope. You there?" Nora asked, her voice sounding a little concern.

"Yes. Tell my friends I'll be there in few a seconds!" The teen yelled as he quickly started to get dress. Opening his closet, he grabbed the closes thing he could find and rushed downstairs to meet his waiting friends.

"Awww Hope... just jeans and a hoodie. I thought you might wear something more articulate." Vanille pouted before grinning at the end looking at him. The teen just rolled his eyes. Who would want wear something flashy in this cold weather?

"Don't forget Hope, your curfew is at 10 p.m." Nora approached her son giving him a kiss on his cheek. "Don't take to strangers" Another kiss on face. "No alcohol" As kisses continued.

"Mom!" Hope yelled separating from Nora, rubbing away red kisses on his face. Maqui was having a difficult time holding his tongue before bursting out in laughter at the scene in front of him.

"Let's go guys." Vanille said opening the door. A cold wind entered the warm house, sending shivers to four occupants. Nora watched from the door as her son walked to his friend's car and until the moving vehicle disappeared into the horizon.

Half an hour later, the trio found themselves near the coast, standing outside of a beach bar. Hope did not want to admit that he was nervous, though anyone could see through his charade from the ways he kept fiddling with his fingers and his green orbs restlessly kept glancing at every corner. The silver-haired teen could hear loud heavy music and the bustling of occupants inside the building. He then felt a warm hand over his own.

"Don't worry. We take care of ya." Vanille said before pulling him in the direction of the bar.

The first thing that Hope noticed inside was the crowded atmosphere. There was absolutely no place to walk. He, Vanille and Maqui had to form a chain to hold on to each other just to pass the entrance. The next thing he noticed were the stares. Eyes were watching him intensively. It made his skin crawl. No wonder, he was the only fifteen year old person in the bar.

"Fang!" Vanille called cheerfully. The girl quickly let go of Hope's hand before running to bar where the bronze skinned woman who was sitting bar counter. The two youths remained at a distance, watching their friend as the pig-tail haired girl conversed with the older woman. Vanille glanced towards their direction signaling them to come to the bar.

"Maqui, you already met Fang?" Vanille asked who received a curt nod from the blond. She turned to the silverette.

"Hope, this is Fang. She is a very close friend." Vanille introduced.

"And Fang, this is Hope. He is one of my school friends." Hope gave the woman an acknowledged nod.

"It's nice to meet you. Vanille talks about you everyday by the way." Hope greeted whole-heartily. The girl's face turned tint pink before she gave him a slight nudge for mentioning unwanted information.

"Hi there Maqui!" A feminine voice purred over the bar counter. Hope turned to see a young brunet leaning on the counter of the bar. She dressed in a black suit like other bartenders usually do.

"Ohh... Hi Lebreau. Miss me much?" The blond said with a grin.

"Took you so long to recognize a pretty face, but don't worry about me. Here comes your boyfriend." Lebreau said eyeing behind the blond teen.

Both Maqui and Hope turned around seeing three older men just enter the bar. The first male to enter was Yuj. Hope only gave him a glance to know who he was from Maqui's description. The second man looked much more scarier and bigger than Yuj. The man was dressed in teal color clothing, but it seemed like his fiery hair make him standout much more. And behind the dark-skinned man appeared another bigger man. The man was standing over 6'7" feet tall with blond hair. He wore a black bandanna with a light blue vest with grey pants while carrying a trench coat over his shoulder. Among the three men, Hope was staring at a pair of beautiful cerulean eyes. And those eyes didn't waver much before meeting his gaze. At the moment, Hope could feel the temperature in the room becomes hotter by the second under the scrutinized stare from the blond-haired man. Hope was able to break the intense gaze when he heard Maqui called excitedly for Yuj. And in an instant, all three men were standing beside them near the bar. Hope watched as his blond-haired friend wrapped his arms around his lover before the older male gave him a quick peck on the lips.

"Hey Yuj, the festival starts in another two weeks. Keep your hormones under control." The fiery man said with a smirk.

"Yeah. Save some of that for later." The blond-haired man teased. Both men received an annoying look from the lovers.

"Maqui, baby, who is this cute little fresh meat beside you?" Yuj asked gesturing toward the silver-haired teen. Hope felt his blood rush in his cheeks from the blue man's question.

"Ohhh... Guys." The blond teen said gesturing the three older men to silverette. "This is little cherub here is Hope. He's my best friend...and he just turned fifteen," Maqui finished with a whisper giving a hint to the older men.

"You don't have to tell them that." Hope yelled as his face reddened from his friend's blunt statement.

"Don't worry. It's nothing new to us." The fiery hair man said with his hand extended out. "And the name is Gadot."

Hope exchanged hand shake with the man before turning to Yuj. "You don't need to introduce yourself, I know who you are from listening to Maqui's stories." The latter smirked. He then faced the blond-haired man with his hand out.

"Snow Villiers." The blond said with a warm smile seizing the teen's hand with his own. Hope held his breath the moment when he felt the handsome blond take his hand. The man's hand felt big and warm in his hand. He glanced up seeing the man still smiling at him. He quickly diverted his eyes in another direction before his mind could be lost in those powerful blue eyes.

"By the way Hope, the guys and I will be staying at that booth over there." Maqui said pointing to the a warm, candle light booth near the window. "You wanna join us or stay here with Vanille?" The silver-haired teen glanced behind of him seeing Vanille chatting with older woman before exchanging looks with other men. And those aquatic eyes never left the lithe body, examining every inch and flesh those eyes could see. Hope could feel his body prickling with heat under the man's gaze. He gulped down a nervous knot before looking away.

"I think I'll stay here with Vanille for a while." The silver-haired teen said. It was more like a suggestion to himself. He didn't know the reason he was acting like this; nervous and embarrassed.

"If you need anything, we'll be over there." Maqui gestured behind of him before walking off the booth with his boyfriend and his boyfriend's friends.

Hope's gaze remained fix on Snow's back as the blond walked away with the others. He let out a deep breath, feeling his body's reaction started to quell down. He only met Snow for a few minute and he is already infatuated with the man.

"So Hope, see any person you like so far?" Vanille asked with a mild excitement in her voice.

The teen tried to fight a blush on his face knowing that he did find some people here attractive. 'Yeah, that Snow guy is just your type.' A voice purred in his head. His body shuddered from the realization. But he couldn't help but agreed with that voice.

"Maybe." He said.

"Really. Who is he?" The girl asked eagerly.

"Well. I'm not going to say who he is, but... wait?" Hope's green orbs blinked before widened. He glanced at the girl who was smirking wickedly and her lover who held a smile on her face.

"Got ya. I've had my suspicion before and don't worry, your secret is safe with us." Vanille said patting the teen on his shoulder.

Hope groaned. He couldn't believe he carelessly let that slip. But the girl already knew about his preference, so there was nothing wrong to come out about it. "Just do me one favor. Let me see the guy first before anyone else!" Hope nodded if he could find someone. They continued their conversation until... "Hope, I'm leaving with Fang. You want us to give you a ride home or are you gonna wait with Maqui?" Vanille said while gathering her stuff before standing up. Hope opened his cellphone and frowned. It was only 8 p.m.

"I think I'm going to stay a bit longer." Hope suggested.

"Okay. Tell Maqui I'll see him in later." Vanille said and as quickly the two woman left their empty seat, immediately two people replenished their chairs. Hope didn't notice the two bystanders until a glass which reeked of liquor was placed before him. Hope's eyes widened in surprise when he finally realized two old men sitting side by side to him with a smug look on their face. Crap! Where the hell these old geezers come from?

"Say, my friend and I were watching you for the pass hour." The man on his right said playfully beside him.

"Yeah, we think you are cute!" The second man said a bit more serious.

Hope mentally groaned to himself. Great, now he had attracted perverts. Hope made a mental note to himself that he needed to pay more attention to his surroundings. Maybe leaving with Vanille was a better idea. "Ohh... sorry but my friends are waiting for me." Hope brushed them off. He tried to get up but an arm was slung on his shoulder, pushing him back in his seat.

"C'mon... don't leave yet? The fun just started." The man smirked.

Hope mentally groaned. Man, these guys can't take a hint.

Snow was tensed.

Not the tense, numbing feeling a person got when facing a dire situation. It was more like adrenaline, the rushing feeling of blood racing through his veins. The kind of feeling you gets when a person found something wonderful in this world and you just wanted to hold onto and cherish forever. And that was the first thing Snow saw when he entered the bar by the coast with his friends. Snow had seen a lot of cute things before, but this kid took the whole cake. And what luck! The teen was friends with Yuj's boyfriend. And an hour ago, he was contemplating not going with his friend to this outing. He would've shot himself for missing this opportunity to meet this beautiful youth. From a closer view, Snow agreed that the teen looked more beautiful. He could feel his body tensing eagerly and excitingly when the boy looked at him with those innocent wide green orbs and with those rosy flush cheeks. And then he had this sudden realization to know how the teen would feel pressing against his body. Snow was starting to face a dilemma, but not for long. It seemed the silver-haired boy kicked him under his feet when the teen refused their offer to join them at their booth. A frown appeared on his face, missing an opportunity to know more about this certain silver-haired teen.

At the booth, Snow took the seat which was facing the bar. Truthfully, the blond wanted nothing more than the chance to know more about the silver-haired youth. He raised a brow when the girls got up, grabbed their belongings and left. It seemed circumstance took a different route leaving the latter alone. It was an opportunity, and he was going to get it.

"Snow! Snow!" Yuj called but the man's focus was elsewhere for the moment.

"I think we lost him" Maqui stated. The three exchanged looks around the circular booth before watching the blond-haired man, who held a mesmerizing smirk on his face. Gadot waved his hand in front the man's gaze.

Snow blinked. Someone hand was screwing around in his perfect view.

"Hey Snow!" Gadot called out.

"What?" Snow growled grabbing the stupid thing waving in front his eyes. The three men watched him with concerned eyes.

"You've been quiet for a while." Gadot noticed.

Snow eyed his fiery red hair friend. He sighed, never losing his composure like that before. "Sorry. I was just distracted." The blond apologized. Detecting that his friends had returned to their conversation, the azure orbs quickly returned back to silverette. Those baby blue orbs widened in surprise and in rage when he saw two old men trying to get lucky with the teen. Snow clenched his fist feeling his blood began to boil as he watched the scene unfolded at the counter. When he saw one of old farts throw his arm on the teen's shoulder, he mentally snapped. That's it! He stood up from his seat with determination, walking up to the bar. He blacked out, only seeing the two men at the bar; his friends started calling his name, asking where he was going but he disregarded them.

"So can you tell us your name?" The man on right asked. The men continuing their teasing with the teen, not noticing the presence hovering over their heads.

Hope was in a predicament which he could not escape. He was about to tell them an another excuse of leaving but stopped when he felt the hand on his shoulder being pushed aside and unwillingly strong arms wrap around his middle, pulling him against a warm body.

"Sorry guys but this one is with me," A voice said behind the youth. Hope's eyes widened in surprise when he glanced at the figure behind him through the corner of eyes and saw Mr. Villiers standing with a smirk on his face.

"What?" Three voice yelled. Two of the voices sound pissed and the other voice sounded a bit surprise.

"Hope, we're waiting for you at the booth." The blond said giving the latter the hint to follow along. Hope reluctantly nodded as the man pulled him on his feet. Snow placed an arm on the teen's shoulder and gave the old perverts one last look telling them if they ever come within feet near the teen, he would rip them apart from the inside out.

"You need to be more careful around shady-looking fellows like those two." Snow said shifting his attention back to the teen.

"Umm... thanks." Hope said sincerely. He gave a relief sigh and a smile to the blond.

"Snow? What happened?" Maqui questioned as the two arrived to the booth.

"Two rats tried to hound little Hope here." Snow stated.

"What?" Maqui yelled. He couldn't believe he was too in grossed with Yuj to notice the safety of his friend.

"Hey... don't let it bother you. There is no harm done thank to Snow." Hope said smiling to the man seated beside him.

Much better... Snow reflected. Opportunities were there for a reason and if it wasn't for those old geezers, he wouldn't dream of the chance like this. The remaining of the evening was spent with the guys digesting more about the youth. Despite his age, Snow learned that the teen was adventurous, intelligent and mature for his age which just suited fine with him. As the time reaches closer to Hope's bed curfew, Maqui wisely suggested that they should leave to avoid a mouthful from Hopes' parents. Snow, however, wasn't pleased. Before he could do anything, Maqui and his new favorite silvery hair friend had already said their goodbyes and exited the building with Yuj following their tracks.

"Well, I think an early nap is in order." Snow yawned standing up stretching his arms.

"You're leaving already?" Gadot asked.

Snow nodded. His fun just walked out of the building and now he was bored. And the chances of him crossing path with the silver-haired teen again were very unlikely. The blond gave his fiery friend a wave before exiting the bar. As he opened the door, Snow stopped and blinked when he saw Hope standing alone outside the building, his back facing the bar. He cocked his head, unsure why the teen was alone by himself. Hope was fiddling away with his cellphone, blissfully aware of the person walking toward him. Snow gulped, another opportunity ready to be snatched. He needed to careful if he hoped for something.

"Hope?" Snow called. He saw the youth flinch hearing his name from his lips. The latter turned around giving the blond a sheepish look. "What are you still doing here? I thought you have already left with the others?" Snow questioned concernedly.

"Well... you see..." Hope squirmed. "I really didn't want to impose on Maqui and Yuj, so I decided to call a taxi."

"What!" Snow replied. Was this kid daft to wander home alone? He was just asking for it. But Snow wouldn't let that happen. "Come, I'll take you home."

"Wait... I appreciate the offer but..." Hope said but was quickly interrupted.

"No buts. I don't think I have the heart to let you go home alone, yet with some strangers. So the decision is final." Snow exclaimed. Hope only pouted.

Snow led the youth to his car parked across the road on the sidewalk. Hope's mind was running uncontrollably. The blond who caught his attention was taking him home... in his car. The latter refrained from squealing. And moments later, the car drove off onto the road. Hope tried to remain calm but his body begged to differ. He could feel his skin prickle with heat as the moving vehicle gets hotter and hotter for some uncontrollable reason. Snow, on the other hand, was facing the same dilemma. One little glance at the youth could cause him and the latter sitting in passenger seat their life. Without any notice, his eyes kept whirling to the direction of teen. The boy was squirming nervously in the seat with flush red face. Snow gripped the steering wheel lightly and practiced control breathing to refrain from doing something foolish.

"S-so where do you live?" Snow asked starting a conversation to distract his perverted thoughts. He could feel is voice itching as he spoke.

"Ammm... District 41, by Felix Heights." Hope replied.

Snow perked hearing those words. "Ohhh, one of those rich neighborhoods." He said smugly. The latter was a rich kid though he didn't act spoiled. They didn't get to talk much before the car pulled up to Hope's house within fifteen minutes, which Snow mentally cursed. He had forgotten that the neighborhood wasn't that far. He turned off the ignition as silence befell the two occupants in the car.

Hope's heart was pounding in his chest. The atmosphere feels like those cheesy romance movies where the date brings home their girlfriend and then follow by a kissing scene. "Ummm Snow." The latter turned to face the man only to meet a piercing blue eyes staring at him intently. Hope tried to look away but by some uncontrollable force kept him from doing so. The adolescent could feel the blood rush to face before finally darting his vision somewhere else. "Thanks for the ride and it was nice to meet you." Hope said in a flash before scampering out the car.

Snow thanked whatever god was looking above him. When those innocent eyes watched him like that, the man nearly lost his wits. He was about to lean forward and then things may have turned ugly and fast. 'Shit... this kid is adorable.' Snow mentally cursed himself as he looked on as the teen walks away. Opportunities are slipping away again and he needed to act quickly. "Wait!" Snow yelled stopping the teen in his footing. Snow quickly lowered the passenger seat door's window. "The guys and I are meeting up at a friend's place tomorrow. I was hoping if you like to... you know... tag along." Snow offered nervously while scratching the back of his head. However, the youth just blinked at him. Honestly Snow felt like a wreck. In all his life, he never wanted more than to hear those three letters word from those soft and delectable lips. The blond bit down his bottom lip waiting in anticipation.

"Sure." Hope said smiling brightly.

Well the word wasn't exactly three letters, but Snow still accepted it. "Great, I'll pick you up at six." Snow said restraining from pumping a fist in the air. He ignited the car engine and drove off contentedly. He kept looking at the youth through the car's mirror until the latter disappeared into the horizon.

'So the night wasn't a waste after all...' Hope thought as he smiled and walked his way to front door of his house. He did get to meet Snow and was a bit surprised from the blond's offer, but it was a chance again to see Snow again. And Hope happily obliged.

To be continued...

A/n: Feedback would be nice. If you like it, then I probably continue the story, if not, then I probably will just stop. And also thanks to my beta, MidnightsFantasy.