Author's Note: Just a little thing I wrote. Today was really stressful, and what better way to relieve stress than to write?
"Are you ready?"
Serah took a long breath. She looked across the maze of shifting copper panels they had just traversed. She remembered Academia one hundred years ago, with the bright signs, the savory smells of the food vendors, and the gentle chatter of the people. Now the city was silent, almost eerily so. She watched the closest walkway turn, without a sound, temporarily trapping them on this platform.
"Serah." Noel moved to her side. His arm curved around her shoulders. "Are you alright?"
Yeul's warnings of destruction and doom still echoed in her ears. "We could turn back now," Serah said softly. She gestured to the waystone that stood before them. "We could go through the Historia Crux and just... leave."
Noel was silent.
"It's not that I'm changing my mind about-about stopping Caius," Serah said. "It's just that... if this really does end badly-"
"I'm behind you one-hundred percent." Noel smiled a little, and Serah knew what it cost him to say that. He must have been burning to stop Caius, to save the New Cocoon. "Whatever you choose to do, I'll follow you."
Serah's throat tightened. All of a sudden, she hated that the future seemed so uncertain. "We could stay out of it. We could go anywhere, any time, it doesn't matter, but just-" Her vision wavered with tears and she swallowed hard. "Noel, you and I could... we could be together." She shut her eyes as tears slipped down her cheeks.
Noel turned to face her. "I wish we could be like that, too," he said softly. He brushed a hand across her forehead, smoothing away her hair. "I wish we were both cowards enough to take this opportunity and run," he said, chuckling.
"Me too," Serah whispered. Whether it was a simple premonition or part of her visionary powers, Serah had a bad feeling about the future. She looked up at Noel and couldn't help but think, I wonder if we really will be okay, when this is over.
Serah reached up and touched the large iron medallion that hung from Noel's neck. She traced the markings that lined its circular edges and smiled a little. It was warm from hanging so close to his heart. "I love you, Noel Kreiss," she said quietly.
Noel pulled her hand to his lips. "I love you, Serah Farron," he murmured against her fingers. "Are you ready to save the world?"
Serah brushed her tears away with the back of her hand, making her smile wider to convince Noel that she had no fears.
"I'm ready," she said bravely. "Let's go."
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