A/N: Well, I decided to rewrite the Snow/Hope chapter for one of my reviewers, though I don't have the documents or anything back yet. I didn't want to keep .rain waiting, they seemed to look forward to it ^_^

Cocoon shined down onto Pulse with its surreal light. To Hope and Snow, it was strange to see it at such a great height from the lower world after having lived in its depths for so long.

Height or distance were somewhat of an illusion to them now. In such a new place, what was height, what was distance? Does it matter?

Scientifically, they knew approximately how far apart the two worlds were, studies, formulas, all that Pulse machinery that was on Cocoon. The worlds were so different, but part of the same world in themselves.

They were just in another piece of it. A new piece, with new rules and new creatures. No one to judge anyone. No one to blame anyone.

One could nearly compare the two shards of world to the two beings who sat watching them. Snow was big and strong, with his own type of natural, masculine beauty. Hope was small compared to the other, fragile with his unique, shimmering but delicate splendor.

The personalities of the people and places were, however, severely wrong. Yes, Snow was strong, but he was also sympathetic and caring. Hope was, of course, beautiful, but not judging of others, at least not after his ordeal.

The two watched the last of the daylight fade to darkness, hands entwined, knowing their companions would not return until well after the light of morning returned.

Hope stared up at Snow, marveling at the way Cocoon illuminated his face at just the right angle, blushing slightly as the other man looked down and caught his staring.

Snow smiled. Even if Serah came from her crystal stasis, he knew exactly where he was staying.

Their relationship was always a struggle, between all of Serah's 'mystical female emotion' freak-outs to Snow's hidden struggle with his sexuality, that she eventually figured out, everything was hard. A struggle between pleasing his childhood friend and his 'wrongly-placed' lusts.

Would you rather please your closest friend and stay unsatisfied your entire life, or have both parties move on and stay close? Because of Hope, he was able to make up his mind. Serah's ultimatum was now null; he wouldn't marry her. He wouldn't put on the mask that he and her were the 'happy couple.' Everything was rainbows and unicorns until they were alone. 'Set an example, Snow! You're a leader! Do you want to be known as the leader of NORA or the guy who came out of his closet and lost the whole group?!'

Snow didn't want either of those things; he wanted to be remembered as himself, if he remains the leader of NORA, that's great, if not, fine, they can leave him, it just goes to show how shallow they are. He's not going to pretend to be something else just to please everyone else.

He wasn't going to be like Yuj, who put on a mask in public and snuck out of his house to meet up with Maqui. If his parents found out, he would be disowned. It almost made him happy his parents gave him up before any of this.

No, he wouldn't put on the façade and masquerade as a straight man, leader or not. Leaders aren't supposed to hide. So he could hold Hope's hand for now, and press his lips lightly to the younger's even if he wouldn't step from his act until the battle was over, he wouldn't hide it.

For now they are a secret, just like Sazh and Lightning, but it would definitely not stay that way. For now they could only kiss in private and whisper words of love alone, and for now they are a secret, but he would definitely tell everyone. Shout it to the whole of Bodhum, the whole of Cocoon if it made them happy.

Snow was not in love with Serah, Snow was not a straight man. Snow loves Hope and Hope loves Snow, if anyone dislikes them for it, they're just as fake as the fal'Cie. Just as superficial as the media they watch. Just as judgmental as Cocoon and Pulse were to each other. And none of it matters, because he finally knows who he is and he's no longer afraid of that person, no longer afraid to show that person.

Hold on to hope, he thought, pressing the silver haired boy to his chest as he pressed his lips to silver hair, both the tangible and not-so-tangible types, he smiled.

A/N: I mean no bashing to Serah through all of this, I wasn't trying to bash on her of make her into the bad guy or anything, I think that if Snow was homosexual, she would be accepting, but that quote up there I put it like that from how I think she might react with the fear of losing Snow and worry of how other people would start to see him, but I wanted to portray her as forceful about it, if that makes sense.

Anyway, reviews make me happy, don't bother flaming if you're trying to make me sad because, believe it or not, it actually gets pretty cold here sometimes.