this is my first fanfic. I hope you enjoy it.
English is not my native language, so please let me know if there any mistakes.
disclaimer: Squenix
It's started with a hug.
That's what Lightning think when a pair of hand covering her body in deep gentle hugs. This already happen for almost a minute. Of course she should be getting used to it because this is exactly what happen when she visits all of her friends from the old world.
Except that sisterly hug she often shares with Serah, she also feels that fatherly hug, a comrade's hug, a gratitude hug and a bear hug. But this...this is different...this gentle, deep, passionate feel hug that she felt since the first time two hands covering her body.
Well, she can't complain because a sudden visit on his door from the person he has been looking for of course would make him overwhelmed...
"Hope...we could do this all day or you could allow me to sit and perhaps offer me some drink?"
Hope Estheim, the scientist guy, nodded and release his hug, he still hold her hand though, look through her eyes, amazed and feeling unbelief with his own eyes.
"How could you...? How come you didn't visit me sooner...?".
A disappointment implied on the tone of his words, of course Lightning would expect this question too, but she refuses to answer it right away. So then she just smiles.
His heart melting after he see that smile, he just chuckled and offering her a drink while she sat.
"I didn't know you want to see me that badly, not until I heard news from the others and Aoede..."
Hope, giving her a glass of water, sit in front of her and sort all the words in his head.
"Of course I wanted to see you! You are...", Hope didn't continue. "Never mind...", he didn't want to sound demanding, "So, how are you Light? I heard that you already visit the others?"
Lightning nodded, "I'm fine, they all fine, this world fine, everything is fine, nothing I can complain...", she give a look at him, "and I'm sorry if you're the last I'm visiting, Hope...".
Still feeling disappointment, Hope look at her sharply, "May I know why?".
Lightning put the glass on the table and start wandering herself, "because I don't know how to react...".
"React about what?" Hope is getting curious.
Lightning look at him and sighed.
"About this...about you...".
Hope didn't understand, "what do you mean about me?".
"You know that time when I was in Valhalla?". Lightning see Hope nodded. "You know that I can see everything from Valhalla...?".
Hope nodded again.
Lightning shake her head, "geez Hope you are really dense sometime...", she decide to speak bluntly, "I didn't only see, but heard also, and I know everything you said...especially that time in front of the oracle drive...when you replay the vision about me many times...".
Finally, that enough to makes Hope face change color and frozen.
"I forgot all about this when we fought for 13 days. But now, our emotions came back and I know I remember it...that's why...".
Hope lowered his head down, "I'm...uh-".
"So, do you still love me?". Lightning needs to know.
Hope reaction was as fast as thunder, "of-of course Ii do! Light, I still feel the same like when I said I love you 500 years ago! That's why I'm searching for you, that's why I upset when I know you visit me the last!".
Hope realize the little shock in Lightning face which she tried to hide it. So, he lowers his tone.
"I'm sorry...to startle you like this... It's not that you had to have same feeling towards me, I just...want to see you, you know, after all of this time, you are my friend, and I just want to know that you are safe and sound...We still partner right?".
Lightning shows her small smile, "Yes, and we always are...".
"Thank you, ... Light...".
Hope hold his tears which almost fall down, he just realize his heart broken...
"Hope, you never asked how I feel...". That sudden voice makes Hope success to hold his tears.
"Wha-?".
"I said I don't know how to react to you...so I'm taking my time and thinking about us, about me, about me without you...".
"...".
"and then I just knew that when I heard you said that you love me...I feel ...happy...", Lightning look away, hiding her slightly embarrass cheek.
"Do...do you mean...that...you...love me to?". Hope dares to ask.
"Love? I don't know about that, but for now, my affection to you is more deeper than to any other men, that I can say for sure...".
Suddenly Hope just stand and closing his gap with her, he suddenly hug her.
"Then! Let me be that only man for you Light! Let me show you what I've become, I can protect you know, I can provide for both of us, please stay...stay with me so you can be sure about this...if in the end you'll want to leave, then I won't hold you...please...?".
Here it is, this passionate and intimate hug. The one and only hug that could give her that feelings.
If this happen centuries ago, maybe she would laugh at it, because he was just a child. But now he's even older than her, she can't deny it any longer.
At first she still doubting about what she should do but now she knows what she wants to do.
And slowly she hugs him back.
"Okay".
Thanks for reading. All review are welcome.