Bittersweet – Chapter II
A/N: Wow. I had checked my email to see many notifications from —they were about how many people had set alerts for updates and all to this story. I've been coming to this site for many years, never writing (Well, I did once, but it was a long time ago and a horrible short little thing, so I immediately took it down a minute after I had posted it) until now. I now see why many people write; its little things that others do that motivate you. With that said, I hope to meet expectations and even surpass them. I hope you all enjoy.
Additionally, I was disappointed with how short the first chapter was (Thank MS Word for making me feel it was longer…) so I'm going to try to churn out longer chapters. Also, I own nothing.
As Hope saw Bodum growing larger each time he had looked out the window, he started to become very nervous. He was nervous about seeing everyone again. It had been so long. He had hoped that they would recognize and still be able to connect with him. Even more importantly than that, he thought about what he would say to Lightning. There was so much he wanted to say, but couldn't.
"Hey there, Light….Hi Light! Nice to see you again!...Its, been a while, hasn't it?..." mumbled Hope, under his breath. None of these had sounded right…They all seemed juvenile. That was the last thing he wanted to come off as when he saw Lightning for the first time in four years. He stopped trying to figure out what to say when he realized a few passengers were giving him odd looks. He had just hoped that the right words would come to him when the time came.
An attendant's voice came over the intercom system a short while later. "Attention Passengers: We will be arriving at Bodum very shortly. After this, we will depart for…"
Hope looked down at his watch. Almost 1 PM. His friends knew he was coming, but he said that he would meet up with them a little after he had arrived and settled in at his hotel. When the train stopped, Hope took his two suitcases and stepped off the train.
Bodum was different, but in many ways, still the same. It was still a picturesque beach town, alive with color, voices, and people. However, during the fall, the town did sustain some damage. This was evidenced by newer buildings, and some minor cracks in some. Despite this, Bodum still had its soul. The people were still bright and sunny as ever. And apparently, tourists were still lured here. Hope had to dodge, dip, duck, dodge (yet again!), and weave his way around the tourists. After a close to ten minute walk, he had found his hotel, checked in, and dumped his suitcases off in his room. In such a beautiful in lively town, he couldn't stay cooped up in his room all day—he decided to set out to rediscover the seaside town.
It was refreshing that Bodum was almost the same. Some towns had been deserted, as people migrated to be closer to each other, or they moved down to settlements on Pulse. The fall of Cocoon really changed people.
While on the boardwalk, Hope seems to aimlessly wander, just taking in the scenery. Small shops lined the boardwalk, hoping to lure in any suspecting people to buy overpriced trinkets. People ran along the light tan colored sand, while some just laid on it. He even saw many people head into the clear cerulean water. Hope began to feel that he would like to stay much longer than just three days here.
As he wandered, Hope found himself bumping into a tourist.
"Sorry sir, I wasn't paying very much attention…" he began.
"Don't act like this is your first time here, because I know it isn't, kid" replied the man, who had a deep, gruff voice. It wasn't mean. It was rather calm and mature. Then Hope had noticed the dark skin and afro….
"Sazh!"
Sazh shot back a grin. He had looked exactly the same as Hope had remembered him, except now he wore a light blue coat as part of a uniform, probably having to do with him being a pilot, Hope thought.
"You know, I think you've changed just as much as Cocoon has. You've shot up like a tree! And you aren't so scrawny anymore" said Sazh, with a laugh at the end.
"I suppose that's what puberty does to a guy. I'm 5' 8'' now."
"So how've you been? Its been way too long, kid."
"I've been alright I guess…Just graduated high school, attending university in the fall…Most likely Palumpolum University."
"Sounds good…I tell ya what. I'd love to catch up and all, but how about we go take a seat somewhere? I know a great place too."
Sazh had ended up taking Hope to the café run by LeBreau. He had figured it would be nice to be in a familiar place with hopefully familiar people around. Unfortunately, LeBreau was the only NORA member around, seeing as she had to run he café.
They spent a good thirty minutes going into more depth about their lives. Sazh told Hope about the various flights he made to and from Pulse. He had also mentioned that Dajh was doing well in school, and that their little chocobo was nowhere near little anymore. Hope had talked about his father's work in the government, and how he had done well in school. When this was out of the way, Hope had asked about what he really wanted to know.
"So how's Lightning—"said Hope, with a slight flush on his cheeks…He then immediately added "….And Snow and Serah?"
Sazh grinned to himself, and took a sip of his coffee. He noticed the change of color in Hope's face at the mention of Light's name, and his awkward phrasing and cover-up. He wondered if he should pursue this train of thought with Hope…He figured that he should, but not exactly right now. Hope's eyes revealed everything to him, aside from his comments. They had a depth to them. He was staring at Sazh intently, awaiting any word that would come out of his mouth.
"Um…Well?"
"Oh well, Snow and Serah are doing well. Besides the wedding on Sunday (Today was Friday) they've moved in together a while ago. She's not popping out kids yet though, Light's made sure of that."
Hope smiled, and it eventually turned into a small laugh. "Yeah…That sounds exactly like her."
"Snow's working with NORA mainly. They do security, ya know, basic things. Clearing out some areas near Pulse, just helping to keep the peace. They're actually making out quite well. In all this, him and Serah have planned this wedding."
"Serah's doing well too. I don't know her as well as say Light or Snow, but she's a very happy, optimistic girl. Kinda makes you wonder how her and Light are related" joked Sazh. "She helps out here at the café in her free time, but she does PR for the town, actually. Like advertising too, getting people to come here, helping set up events, the works."
"Wow. Everyone is off doing their own thing. I kinda feel left out. Or maybe I haven't done as much" replied Hope.
"Don't feel that way, we've all got our own agenda in life. Yours is just going to school. In a few years, you'll be working in no time. But yeah, that's about it for everyone" said Sazh. He intentionally didn't mention Lightning, just to see what Hope would do. It was his own test of sorts, just to definitely confirm his beli—
"But you didn't tell me about Light" blurted out Hope, the red tinge reappearing on his cheeks.
Sazh's actual grin mirrored the one he was doing in his head. He had always thought the kid had some kinda crush on Light all that time ago. It made perfect sense to him, those two were close. And he was a teenager raging with hormones. And she just happened to be an attractive older woman who looked out for him. It looks like he was right, and it still held true.
"Oh yeah, forgot about her…" said Sazh, grin reappearing on his face.
"She's still in the Guardian Corps. As you know, they've been the premier branch of the military. No more PSICOM and all, after merging the two branches together. She was reinstated, but is a Lieutenant now. Took Amodar's job when he got promoted. Very busy as usual, and as you know."
"Wow! Really? A promotion? That's really good her! I'm really proud of her!" exclaimed Hope, and probably a little too loudly he realized. Cheeks ablaze yet again, he said "Oh, but is there anything else…?"
"Well she lives by herself now. Serah moved out of the apartment to live in a house with Snow, as I said before…"
"No boyf—I mean, roommate?"
"Living by herself, that usually means no roommate. Ya know kid, you've got a lot of questions about her." replied Sazh.
Hope started to feel really embarrassed. He was hoping he wasn't coming off as too inquisitive about Lightning's life.
"How about you just ask her when you see her? I'm sure she'd be happy to fill you in on her life…And she probably wouldn't mind hearing about yours. She's got a soft spot for you, kid."
Hope turned as red as a tomato. He knew it too. But he couldn't help it. Someone else said she had a soft spot…For him of all people! He wanted to shake Sazh back and forth, demanding more information, but Sazh acquiesced before he could.
"Ya know, always looking out for you and all back then. Wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't mind seeing you too."
Hope was a little disappointed that Sazh didn't mean romantically—or did he? But what would it matter? Hope was sure he wouldn't try to pursue her…But now he was feeling conflicted…Maybe it was the right thing to do….
Sazh noticed the conflicted looks on Hope's face. He wanted to just joke around and have fun with him, but he realized that Hope obviously felt very strongly for Light. He rose to leave, as he had to pick Dajh up from school. Before he left, he said to Hope:
"I hear she wonders about you. You being so far away from us, and it having been so long. You should go see her, assuming Serah isn't dragging her about getting ready for that wedding and all. Sure it'd make her happy. You were pretty good at making her smile back then."
Hope eye's met Sazh. He knew they were true, genuine words. Did Hope really cheer her up as he said? He now wondered, trying to think back to when he was 14. He almost didn't hear Sazh.
"You've got their addresses, right? Snow is working his last day before the vacation days for the wedding and honeymoon kick in, but the sisters should be free. Light, I mean, they, really wouldn't mind seeing you. They live pretty close. I'd take you, but I've gotta get Dajh now. I'll see ya soon, Hope."
"Right…Thanks Sazh. Tell Dajh I said hi."
"Will do."
Sazh walked off, and when he was far enough away, he yelled out: "Good luck, kid!"
Hope tried to ask him what for, but he was far enough away where it would look awkward in public. However, Hope got the feeling that Sazh could tell what he had kept to himself for so long (With the exception of Vanille, who also knew of his feelings for the pink-haired soldier). He felt relieved though that at least it was a tight-lipped person who knew of his feelings, as opposed to someone like Snow…
But Hope decided to take Sazh up on his advice. He really did want to see Serah. And he REALLY wanted to see Light…
Mind made up and addresses in hand, Hope made his way to the residential district of Bodum. Time to catch up with the Farrons, and most importantly, the one who his desire burned for.
Lightning.
A/N: There you go. Chapter 2. If you manage to read this, it means I've worked out how to add chapters to stories! Thank you guys for the comments/adding it to your favorites/following this story. Hopefully I can crank out a chapter relatively soon.
Read, review, and write your own Light/Hope stories too!
