Fanfiction inspired by the song "Hurtful", by Erik Hassel.

Hope x Lightning.

Please, enjoy all ff 13 lovers out there ;) (Please do imagine my personal voice as Vanille's… I know it's not mine but I honestly love her dialect, so.. ^^)

Chapter one: Were I wrong to feel this way about you? (Not too obvious, is it? ;) )

"If I could take it back, I would, but… the truth is I can't. Lightning, I…"

"Hope, just… just step away from me! I, I don't…."

"Lightning…"

Cherry lips, rosy cheeks, a pale, wet skin which glistened in the sunset, pink hair which swung with the wind, these intense, blue, sea filled eyes… To resist was impossible. The spotlight was entirely hers and she should be aware of that. The moment was absolutely perfect… or… maybe not?
It was embarrassing, but at the same time… would he get any other chance?
It was Snow's idea… that Snow… who would have thought that his mind was that… naughty? Standing on a bay, next to the high mountains to the right, surrounded by a forest… that's where they were. She wore nothing but a shower towel. She seemed anxious and most of all she would wish him to disappear. Good she noticed him in time. Snow told him to go and talk to Lightning after his confession… Wait, now when he thought about it… didn't Serah exhort him to do so too?
They just must have been aware, damn it…

"I'm… sorry…"

The boy blushed lightly… what was he even doing? In regular cases he would run away without hesitation, now… he couldn't avert his vision from her. He wasn't sure if she already knew it herself, but… yeah, she was gorgeous, much beauteous and fair. What would he do too propose already?
Fall down to his knees with a diamond ring, begging her please to be his forever… swear to always be faithful and never let her down. Do not misunderstand, he is not a pervert for god's sake, it's just… at the moment the timing was excellent and he couldn't assist himself to get a grip, instead…

"W-what are you d-doing?"

She didn't want to but he left her with no choice. She threw a stone in his direction, hopping that he would snap out of it. Of course she didn't intend to hurt him and therefore she wouldn't quite aim at his body but just at a spot next to him on the ground, thinking that he would consider that as a warning.

"Lightning, I…"

'It's been so long, and…'

Awkwardly she would steadily keep her tied hands crossed over her chest. She frowned and averted her head to the right. He on the other hand would embrace her shoulders, wrap his arms around her and pull her into a gentle hug. She was surprised by the action as she blinked with a gap shaped as a question mark while she glanced at the boy. He reached for her hair as he would pull his fingertips through it with a soft kind of touch.

"H-Hope…?"

"Lightning… I can't bear this…"

Suddenly he pulled back. Shamefully he bite his lip and looked for an excuse. Lightning on the other hand… felt something else so… out of the blue. Blushingly she would poke his forehead.

"Huh?"

Hope gave her a glance.

"I-I…"

She was unsure over what to say… why would he-…?

"Lightning, I love you."

"W-what?"

She would just stare at him with big eyes in confusion.

"I thought… it was better to say it right away and if you turned me down, then…"

"Hope."

He were just about to turn around and leave when he noticed her hold of his wrist.

"Lightning?"

Silently he would await her next move.

"Sorry, but… I can't return your… feelings…."

"Oh… okey, hehe…"

'I wonder if Snow expected that to happen as well? Oh, man!'

He gulped and scratched his forehead.

"Well, Lightning, I… understand, I-I mean…"

'Oh, come on, why can't I stop blushing?'

"So, ehm…"

It had already taken some time but Lightning wouldn't still let go of his wrist.

"Lightning, could you please, you know… let me go?"

"Oh, yeah, sure…"

For a moment there she felt… hypnotized. All it took was an examination. These light blue-green eyes shown no sign except from sadness. Even if he would try to hide it with the best he could she would still be able to distinguish it. He was… hurt. But… it was no surprise, was it? She wondered how she would react if she were turned down by her love interest in that age. It was painful to watch and she honestly wanted to turn that sad face into a glad one. Hope wasn't recognized to being the easy going type, but she knew much well that even a laid back, concerned boy like him would have his happy times as well. Should she… lie? The truth was easy to reveal if the other part didn't share the same feelings, but… at least it would set his mind to rest for a while, wouldn't it?

"Hope, I… I can't return your feelings… yet. And, that is because…"

She tried her hardest to find a trustworthy excuse.

"Remember our mission? Remember what I told you a few months ago? A soldier should never show their affection for other people… and, they should never pity…"

She patted his shoulder which caused him to raise his gaze.

"Until the mission is over…"

His eyes literally "shined up" by now.

"So… you mean you do have… feelings for me?!"

"Yes… but, that's also why you… should… stay away…"

"What?"

Of course he wouldn't hear the last part since she almost whispered it… at least spoken it out very quietly. The young female sighed.

"Hope, have faith in me. I might not… be able to speak up my mind now, but soon enough…"

"No excuses, Lightning… I'm so… happy!"

"Hope…"

"Duty's calling, see you!"

And that's when he made his escape. The boy swarmed of happiness.

'She… she actually… Oh, I can't wait till I tell Snow about this!'

(Chapter one, I do hope you enjoyed the reading? ^^)