Author's Note: Okay new chapter for this story. I'm so sorry once again for the lack of update. There's just too many things to do, and I have to think so hard about what will happen next for this story. Since like what I always tell you, I'm still kind of unsure of the events/happening I have for this story. But still thank you for all those who reviewed and liked this story. It's so much appreciated. But I'm also thankful that I have finally done this chapter after several months. And school works are another reason for my late update. But I really want to finish this story. I just hope I can. ^^ Bear with me. So here's another chapter for you guys. I hope you'll leave a review. A wonderful one please. I mean good and reasonable criticism. ^^ Thanks again.

Another thing: ENGLISH IS NOT MY NATIVE LANGUAGE, SO SORRY FOR THE WRONG USE OF WORDS AND WRONG GRAMMARS! Hope you bear with me. ^^

~3~

Soft clattering of the utensils and murmurs among the customers filled the Seventh Heaven Bar. Lightning went to clean the tables here and there, after a customer left. At night, the bar was filled with customers and alcohol could be smell. The Seventh Heaven tried to maintain its wholesomeness by looking peaceful and the music was only mild. They also have bands inside, specifically acoustic ones, but bands were only present at night. And since it's getting darker, customers increases more.

Lightning went to stretch as she got to the dirty kitchen, and it's almost six in the afternoon, already.

"Hey, Light, you're supposed to be home at five," Lebreau said, one of the waitresses there.

"I know. I'm just about to go home. So see you tomorrow." Lightning said. Then she went to the lockers just behind the dirty kitchen, and took her black cap and black apron off, which were part of her uniform and placed it in her bag, leaving her only on a beige polo which was tucked in her black slacks. And it's partnered with black leather shoes. Then she went to take her bag and took her leave.

The sky was a hue of orange, purple and blue. Sign that night time was starting to greet. The sound of the waves could be heard from afar, since the bar was located several distances away from the shore. Fine white sands met her shoes as she started to walk her way home. Her hair was tied up in a clean bun. She started to untie it as she was walking and brushed her hair by her hand on her usual style. Then as she met the corner, which was only few distance from the bar, she saw Serah and Noctis, standing there. She felt alarmed and approached them at once. She met Noctis' eyes who were intently fixed at hers. And it didn't move an inch.

"Hi sis!" Serah greeted, giggling, and then she welcomed her sister by giving her a hug.

"What are you doing here?" She broke from the embrace and frowned at Noctis. And she found him carrying some shopping bags.

"Well..." Noctis muttered, half smiling at her, with a shrug.

"Sis!" a voice she knows too well, suddenly called from behind. But she didn't dare to turn.

"Snow and I decided to go shop Noctis some clothes since he can't borrow forever from Snow." Serah explained. Then Snow appeared beside her, wrapping his arms around her shoulder.

"Yeah. Since not all my clothes can fit to him." Snow said.

"Do you have money?" Lightning turned back to Noctis. He blinked.

"Sis, don't think about the expenses. Snow and I shared." Serah went off from Snow's embrace and leaned onto Lightning's ear and whispered. "Noctis, almost stole clothes from the market."

Lightning looked at Noctis grimly and sighed. "Whatever. Let's go home."

Then Snow brought Serah on his motorcycle while Lightning took the bicycle.

"I know how to ride a bike now. Snow taught me." Noctis said, stopping Lightning to ride the bicycle. Snow and Serah already left, leaving only the two of them at the empty lot beside a park.

'Oh right, I can't leave him here or let him walk all alone. Serah will surely scold me, even if I'm the older one.' Lightning sighed and looked at Noctis with an eyebrow raised.

"Are you sure? Can I trust you with my safety?" Lightning crossed her arms, trying to intimidate him. But his face shows no emotion of intimidation but more of an amused and confident one.

"Of course, Claire. I'll keep you safe." Noctis held the handle of the bicycle with a smile.

"I told you to call me Light."

"Yes, Claire."

"Again, call me Light." she gritted her teeth. "Or you'll walk home."

Noctis smirked coolly. "Alright, Claire. Come here." He took his hands off the handle of the bike and without any word he carried Lightning like she's kind of a doll, and he placed her on his right shoulder. Lightning's body curved. Her stomach on his shoulder.

"NOCTIS!" Lightning felt so surprised at what he did to her and he's surprisingly strong. She grabbed the hem of his black t-shirt. She thinks what he's wearing now was one of the clothes they bought. "Bring me down! I'm telling you!" Lightning gritted her teeth and she started to hit his back by her fists. Noctis just chuckled and took the bike on his other hand and he started to pull it. He's unaware that he's showing off much strength - a bit unusual for a mere human to do. He's carrying her while pulling the bike like they're just a piece of paper.

"Hey, careful Claire. You're hitting my butt." Noctis said, smirking.

Still, Lightning continued to struggle. "I don't care! Bring me down-" her face flushed red as she felt Noctis' hand on her rear. She gritted her teeth more and stiffened her jaw. "Take your hands off my butt!" But Noctis still continued to walk and his hand still resting on her rear. "Noctis, I said, take your hands off my butt, or I'll send you away tonight."

Noctis sighed and he took his hand off her butt.

"Good!" Lightning said. "Now bring me down."

"On one condition." Noctis muttered.

"What?"

"On one condition, you have to agree with me from now on."

"Hey, that's too much. You're not my boss."

"Don't worry; I won't do any harm on you."

She could hear seriousness in his voice. "No. I still won't do your condition."

"Well, alright then. I won't bring you down."

"It's fine. I'll send you away tonight."

"Alright." Noctis muttered and his hand went to rest back on her butt.

Lightning closed her eyes, frowning harder and she gritted her teeth more. But she'll tolerate this. 'I won't let him boss me around.'

"Won't still agree with me? Then let me enjoy your round butt for a while." Noctis' fingers went to squeeze her butt slightly.

"Tch! I'll shout!" Lightning said.

"…Okay, I'll bring you down, but once I do that. It means that you're agreeing with my conditions, Claire." He smirked.

Lightning sighed. Her pride hurts so much now. "Alright! Alright! Now bring me down!"

Noctis smiled. Then he granted her wish and he brought her down. Lightning frowned at him and huffed. And his smirk faded on his lips. "Please trust me, Claire. Try it for once."

"I said don't call me Claire." she crossed her arms and faced her back at him and the place doesn't look familiar. "And where the hell are we?"

Noctis rode the bicycle. "Come. Hop in. Why did we bring the bicycle after all? I think I know the way."

Lightning stared at him for a while before deciding to ride with him. She sat at the small foam seat available at the back of the bicycle. And she hesitantly held the piece of the guy's shirt for support.

"You might fall if you won't hold me more tightly." he smirked and he at once started to drive the bicycle fast.

Lightning hadn't expected his speed. Her body almost jerked away from him, and it caused her to wrap her arms around Noctis, at once. Noctis smiled and increased his speed more. And he felt Lightning's arms tightened more around him.

"Hey slow down please!" Lightning's voice Noctis wouldn't listen. He continued on his speed.

"Don't be scared. I'm here. Try to feel the air." Noctis said.

Lightning, even though, she feels annoyed by him, she found herself trying to relax and tried to feel the air as it blew upon her. And she found herself relaxed by it and unaware of Noctis' fast speed.

A doorbell rang from the outside and Serah stood up from the dining chair and went to open the door.

"Hey, where have you been?" Serah said as she saw Lightning beside Noctis. And they seem not fine. Lightning walked passed Serah with a sigh.

"...Long story." she muttered as she made her way to the dining. Noctis just followed behind silently as the two sisters placed themselves comfortably on the dining.

"Where's Snow?" Lightning asked as she realized Serah was alone.

"Well, he left about thirty minutes ago. We thought you're behind us but as we made it back here, we saw that you're not around." Serah glanced at Noctis hoping to hear an answer from him. But he kept quiet.

"Just forget it. What's important is we're back." Lightning turned to Serah, and smile assuredly. Then she started to serve herself a food.

Seeing Noctis hadn't moved an inch at his seat, Serah handed to him the platter of their dish. "Go on. Feel at home." she smiled. Noctis looked at Serah and smiled and took the plate. Then he took glances at Lightning as he started to place food on his plate.

Noctis was in Lightning's mind as she silently ate, remembering the words he always told her. Trust me. Don't worry because I'm here. Then she remembered their deal. And a thought came into her mind. "Is he just planning to live here his entire life? He seems not planning to search himself. " then she took a glance at him and caught his eyes at hers. But he simply looks away like it's nothing.

"Erm. Sis?" Serah decided to crash the deafening quietness around. Lightning snapped her head towards her direction, at once. "Where will Noctis stay for the night?"

"Here." Lightning stated simply and she added. "In my room." Then she glanced at Noctis and she found his lips slightly created a smile. Even though, Serah wanted to react, she decided to just keep her mouth shut and observe on what's going on between her sister and Noctis.

Lightning let the warm droplets from the shower relax every muscles of her body. She just agreed on Noctis. But what did that guy really wanted from her anyway? Just for her to trust him? Damn, one simple word composed of five letters that's not easy to give and to do. How was she going to trust him if he's insisting? And that trust he asked from her was like some kind of a favour she have to do. She heaves a sigh, and went to turn the shower off. She took a clean towel and wiped herself dry, wrapping the towel around her body and made her way out.

But her eyes widened in surprise as she saw Noctis lying comfortably on her bed. And the look on his face as he saw her was frustrating, like he's looking straight into her soul. Or maybe he's actually ogling at her right now.

She frowned and took the nearest pillow and she threw it right on his face. Then she put her hands on her hips.

Noctis let a low grunt and he took the pillow off his face. "W-what's that for?"

"Well, I wish to have privacy for a moment, if you please." She crossed her arms, enveloping her chests. Then she swears she saw Noctis' throat went up and down as he gulped, and his face seems to flush. But she kind of liked it and just stayed still on her place, trying her best to intimidate the guy, who's starting to make his way out of the room. And as he got out, she shuts the door completely and she heaves another sigh and started to get dressed.

She wore a loose white shirt and beige pajamas and went out to see Noctis, but her eyes couldn't accept what it saw. She found Noctis happily talking to her sister at the living room like they've known each other for years. She coughed loudly, enough to get both of their attentions.

"Oh, Noctis, I think it's time for you to get back to your room. Oh I mean Claire's room. Hi Claire." Serah smiled to Lightning. But the look on Lightning's face wasn't happy at all.

"Don't call me, Claire." she remembered the troubles she has to face earlier for calling her that name. And in the end Noctis will be sharing the room with her.

She sighed to herself, to erase the irritation that's starting to boil in her again. And she walked back to her room, with Noctis following behind.

"Your sister's sweet." He silently said after Lightning closed the door, quietly. But she felt hesitant doing it and felt suddenly paranoid. But she assured herself that Noctis won't get his chance towards her, if she's right about her assumptions. She kept her guards on high alert.

She didn't face him and just went towards the bed.

"Sleep on the floor. See? I even laid a mattress for you." Lightning said, finally turning to him. She took the blanket and covered herself up as she lied down. Then after it, she faced her back to him. "So goodnight." She closed her eyes.

She silently waited for his answer or even listened for some movements. But it's so quiet. And she just felt more impatient, but still dared to stay put in her place, still waiting for some sound of his silent movements.

But nothing.

She sighed in defeat and turned, and can't believe that he's still standing there, staring at her.

"What?" She said, her brows furrowed. His face was grim.

"I won't sleep on the mattress." He silently muttered.

"Then sleep on the floor…." She said and turned her back at him, once again. "I'm done with you."

'And yes I'm so done with him!' She thought.

But suddenly, without any words, she felt his arms wrapped around her, pulling her close to him.

"I'll sleep here beside you." Noctis said. And she felt his face snuggled against her back, without her damn consent. She struggled and tried to put his arms off around her

"Noctis?! Get…away!" Lightning said, gritting her teeth.

"No!"

"Please!" Lightning can't believe she'll be the one to plead in this kind of situations.

"Just calm down. And trust me. I told you many times I won't ever harm you."

"I didn't recruit for some body guards to take care of me or look after me." She still continued to struggle but he stayed still, not moving.

'Damn, he's so strong, like a rock.' She thought.

And after she struggled many times, she found herself feeling tired and giving up. 'Damn, this guy is impossible. What on Earth are you?'

But deep inside her, she believed him, and even trusted him. So, she finally gave up and let him that way.

"Just don't do anything more than that." She warned him.

"Just trust me."

"Hugging me isn't free, so you'll have to pay for it."

"Give me some money."

"No, you'll work in the house for me. And that's for free."

"Deal."

She smirked to herself after she have thought about that things she'll make him to do for tomorrow.

Another Note: woah! will Lightning trust him fully this time? Hope you guys still wait for another chapter.

Forgive me if this is quite short. ^^ But I hope this worth the wait and I hope you enjoyed reading it. Thanks! R&R!