Phase 2
Disclaimer: Squenix
Living with Hope is not that hard, she could adjust with his schedule just fine. The hardest thing is their annoying and super curious friends that call so often until Lightning decide to take off the phone cable for a while. And she only turn on her cell phone if she's contacting Serah, which every time she turn it on there are already lots of messages in the inbox that Light didn't even bother to read.
Of course their friends know this and they decide to bother Hope. Especially Serah, they even have their own group chat!
Geez~
The thought of that gone when Lightning found one small paper slid under her sandwich plate.
Good morning Light! I love you...
It's from Hope. Lightning didn't have to guess. Because since they live together, she often receive this small message, sometimes even including a single red rose, or heard Hope say this straight to her. Sure it makes her happy, but she never replies it. Not that she don't want to, but...she never say something like this and she feel embarrassed.
Of course as a couple they have done something more than hug, kiss on every special occasion, and they always holding hands whenever they walk outside.
But then her talks with Serah a week ago remind her.
"You can't possibly be that cold!"
"What?"
"Oh sis! You are so dense!"
"Serah, what is that group chat talk about that makes you like this?"
"Well...lots of things..."
"Like what?" Lightning sounds demanding.
"You know we all ask Hope about how his relationship with you? He only said that everything is fine, but there's a time when he ask me how to impress you..."
This conversation gets full attention of Lightning.
"When you're act like that, he starts to think that you just living together with him because of pity and all..."
"Why would he think like that..?", Lightning mumbled to herself.
"Maybe he didn't feel your feeling toward him...".
"How come...?", Lightning ask to herself.
"Look, sis, you guys have already living together for almost a year right? How many times Hope showing his love to you?".
"...almost every day...". Lightning can't count how many flowers or paper message or gifts she get from Hope.
"Sweetttt! Okay ahem! Then how much did you show him your love?".
"Is making dinner count?", Lightning see Serah frowning, "then...less than five...".
Serah hit her head with her hands, "May I know when was that five?".
"Kissing on valentine's day, his birthday, my birthday, and Christmas eve..."
"Sis! If it was me I won't count that! Oh, I can't believe this! You have to show him more affection, show him that you are serious! ".Then Serah start babbling out about things that happen between her and snow for example, which make her less interested and drown into her own thought.
Serah is right, Lightning knows it and makes her shock a little.
So, tonight she decides to make him know her feeling toward him.
Almost every night Hope comes home at 6 pm sharp. He always call if there's any job that makes him come home late. But not today, today just like the usual day...
Lightning's job as hand to hand combat trainer didn't take her much time, so she always makes dinner, even though she can't cook. She starts to learn from Serah, but she know her cooking is still not that good, even though Hope always say her cooking is good.
Today, she's cooking steak, the one cook she has full confidence of.
Suddenly, she can hear the front door.
"Light! I'm home!".
As usual, when Hope comes home, He changes his clothes then wash hands while Lightning prepares the table. And then he kisses her on the cheek while thanking for the dinner, and start to eat.
"Hope, how's the steak?"
"The best as always, I really like the sauce you made...".
Lightning smiled nervously, "and then how is work?".
They always chat about their day at dinner table. It's pleasant and become their habit.
"Oh, do you want some wine, Light? I think there still one in the cabinet...". Hope start to stand, but a pair of hand holds his shirt.
"Hope, wait!".
Hope look at her.
"There is something I want to say..."
"Yes, Light?"
Lightning look at him, her face showing shyness but it hides in the dim of light.
"I love you...".
Yep. It's only take three words to make Hope frozen. He still froze just looking at his loved one, until some tears falling down from his eyes.
"What? Wait why are crying?".
Hope couldn't hold it much longer and he just cries at her shoulder.
"Light, ... I ...I'm so happy to hear that! This is tears of happiness! I'm glad you finally feel the same as I do...".
Lightning smiles and she pat him on the back.
"I'm sorry; I don't know you feel unsure about my feeling..."
Hope shakes his head, "No, this is my fault. I should have faith about you...". Then he smiles widely, "but now everything is clear. I'm glad, Light...".
Lightning chuckled, "Well, I never thought the problem can be solved with just that one statement...too bad...".
"Why?"
Lightning take something from the cabinet, a small box , and open it, "I was going to ask you to marry me, you know, to shows some commitment from me...,wait- Hope?!".
And then Hope Estheim faint...
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