Hey guys :) Since chapter three of Fix You is taking ferociously long to churn out, despite being a pretty short chapter, I decided to try my hand at a practice story, so my christmas present to you guys is good.
This story is based off the song "Enchanted" by Owl City, so excuse my...yeah.
NOTE: My beta is...a little backed up at the moment, so I will be proof reading this myself. So take it easy, okay?
It was the last had been staying with Snow and Serah for a while, because Snow was the only one comfortable enough to take him. He always wondered why a certain pink haired soldier hadn't offered.
'I've probably bothered her a lot by then.' he thought bitterly to himself, and continued to drag his duffel bag down the stairs. Today was the day he would be going back to live with his father, in their new home on Pulse.
He was happy his dad had survived, but angry that he still wanted to take him away. But he straightened his shoulders and thought sharply, 'I have burdened everyone enough. I still have to get stronger for Lightning, because I promised her I would.'
That was the one person this whole time who had not tried to say goodbye, or good luck, or even talk about with him really. He was a little disappointed; he thought after all they had been through, she would at least say goodbye.
He heard the car slide into the drive way and felt his heart drop. He was now right next to the door, staring at the faces before him. Sazh, Dajh, Serah, Snow and...Lightning. He forbade himself from calling her 'Light' anymore, just because it...it reminded him of things he didn't want to dwell on. He had called her Light when Fang and Vanille were there, for one. Now...there would always be two empty places in their group of friends.
The first to step forward was, of course, Snow. The big bear wrapped his arms around Hope, crushing him. Snow laughed, his voice still booming, and ruffled Hope's hair, "Have fun, buddy. "
Serah came next, fixing Hope's silver strands and giving him a warmer, gentler hug. He wondered vacantly if this is what it would be like for Lightning to hug him again. He remembered her hug the last time, but...it seemed so far away. He smiled a little at Serah and Snow.
" Thanks for taking care of me for this long, guys. I appreciate it. " He forced that smile, and acted happy even though he was aching inside.
He turned towards the 'Frocobo' as he called Sazh, because these days him and his little bird were inseparable. He got a pat on the arm and a smile, " Good luck, kid. "
A loud beeping noise came from the kitchen - supper was burning. Snow and Serah bolted toward the kitchen. Seconds later, " Sazh! Get the fire extinguisher! " and the Frocobo was gone.
That left just him and Lightning. He averted eye contact, until she stepped forward and poked his forehead, saying nothing.
He looked up at her and fought back the pricking at his eyes - he would not cry.
He flashed her a famous Hope smile that he secretly only reserved for her, and he saw her mouth twitch slightly at the edges. That was enough for him. He held out his hand to shake hers, and she shook it back like the soldier she was.
He knew she was more than that, but...still.
He grabbed his bag after a minute or so, realizing she wasn't going to make any move to say anything to him. He just nodded and opened the door. Without thinking he told her, " Light? ...It was..." the car horn honked, and it drowned out whatever it was Hope was going to say. He shut the door behind him and left her standing there.