Authors Notes

Been a while since I've updated this one so sorry about that. I think you're going to like this chapter. Enjoy

Chapter 9: Just like old times

"Light? What are you doing in my bed?" Hope whispered cautiously. "Enjoying the view" She whispered back rubbing his chest and then wrapping her arms around him. "Are you feeling okay?" He asked. 'She never normally acts like this' he thought. "I'm great." She said. "How are you doing?", "…I'm good too." He murmured, still very clearly confused. 'What if Serah and Snow see us like this?' he thought. 'They'd probably make an assumption.' Hope paused for a second. "Would you like some breakfast?" He asked caringly. "Already made some." she replied bluntly "Been up since five."

Hope got up and tried some of the breakfast. It was cheese on toast, simple yet effective. It was also his favourite and he couldn't help but wonder how she knew.

"How'd you know?" he mumbled through mouthfuls. Etiquette never was his strong point. "Know what?" she replied coldly rising from the bed. For the first time since they met after the fall Hope was astounded by her goddess-like beauty. Then he realised she was wearing his yellow and white jacket. She looked so cute. Of course he would never describe her as cute to her face as that would not end well for him.

"Hope?" Lightning said, while looking at him confusedly. "Oh… Sorry Light I… Uh…" He trailed off into his thoughts. 'Maybe I should say something, about her birthday.' he wondered, reaching for his coat pocket to check that broach he got for her was still there. Then he realised that she was wearing his coat.

He perked up suddenly and asked "Hey, Light, would you do me a favour?" "What is it?" she replied. "I need you to reach into my right pocket and get what's in there." She looked confused at the request but followed his instructions. "Hmm… What's this?" she murmured under her breath as she searched the pocket. She pulled out her hand triumphantly having found something. "I told you that I'd keep it safe." Hope said excitedly. "Oh." Lightning said, and she froze, staring intently with her cerulean blue eyes at the rose broach.

'Oh, no. She hates it.' Hope thought regretfully. "If you don't like it I can take it back." He said fearing the worst. "No, It's beautifull." She said sternly, her eyes still fixed on the ornate present. Before thinking Hope blurted out the cheesiest line, "Well it matches you perfectly." Lightning looked up and smiled, while blushing. "Thank you." she said sincerely, both accepting the compliment and Hope's present. She then proceeded to walk over to Hope and gave him a big hug. Her warmth against his made him feel much better and in a way energized him, he felt like he could fight off five behemoths. "I'll treasure it always…" she whispered in his ear before letting go. Suddenly Hope had a flash of inspiration, 'I have to tell her right now.' He thought. "Lightning…" he murmured. She turned around to face him still radiating happiness. "What is it?" she asked politely her smile fading slightly. "I… Uh- I've" 'Say it you fool!' his subconscious practically shouted. "Hope… are you okay?" Lightning asked her face returning to being completely serious. "Yeah I'm fine. It didn't matter anyway." he whispered realising the moment was gone. "I'm going to call the others now." He finished, referring to the former L'cie: Sazh, Dajh, Serah and Snow, as well as referring to their new friend Noel.

As Hope made phone calls Fang and Vanille groggily got up. Hope noticed, "Breakfast is on the table!" he shouted. The two young women nodded in recognition of that fact. "You have a nice sleep?" Fang asked, quickly adding "Did you dream of me?" Hope Chuckled. "Yes I did have a nice sleep and no I was not dreaming of you." Fang frowned "Ugh… Men. They have no idea how to flatter a lady." said Fang after belching loudly.

"Okay, Sazh and Dajh are on their way and the others will follow after them." Hope mentioned. "So it's probably a good idea to get properly dressed." He said, directing this towards Fang and Vanille. Vanille was wearing Fangs blue sari around her like a toga, and Fang had nothing covering her underwear.

After the girls had sorted out their clothing, Sazh and Dahj arrived. Dajh had grown a lot and was almost the same height as Sazh, and Sazh… well Sazh was Sazh, he didn't look as if he had aged a day. "Hey there buddy!" the old man shouted at Hope, pulling him in for a man hug. Dajh just nodded. "It's been a long time. It's good to see you." Hope said in greeting to the two visitors. "I think there are some people here who'd like to see you." He finished motioning to where the three young women sat.

Sazh and Dajh joined them and started talking almost continuously. Hope waited at the door and a mere twenty minutes later the doorbell buzzed again. He opened the door cautiously before Snow barged in. "Sis? You here?!" He shouted. He obviously didn't expect lightning to get mad at him, but she still did and he was out the door with Lightning pursuing him within moments of calling her 'sis'.

Serah then shouted after them. "Snow be careful! You almost knocked Hope over twice." "It's fine Serah." Hope reassured her. "Come in before they start wrecking the hall." He finished and surveyed the corridor warily.

Lightning and a bruised Snow soon re-entered the apartment and everyone was finally able to catch up. Lightning immediately ran over to Serah and enveloped her in a warm hug. "I thought I lost you." She whispered. Serah smiled and pointed at Hope, "Without him I would have still been lost. Fortunately I have him and the rest of you to rely on. So I no longer have to worry." Serah finished. "I thought I'm supposed to be the hero…" Snow murmured disappointedly. "You are my hero silly. Just not in that way." Serah assured her fiancé. She proceeded to whisper something in his ear which made him smile. Snow could not contain himself…

"WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!" he shouted. "Damn right you are." shouted Lightning. "You better make her happy Snow." Fang and Vanille congratulated the couple and Sazh and Dajh however were asking how they could help with the wedding. Then Snow approached Hope. "I think it's only right that you be my best man. You saved Serah after all." "Snow…" Hope started. "Are you sure? Won't Gadot be disappointed?" He asked sincerely. "He'll be fine, he's got the stag to organise anyway." Snow answered nonchalantly. Snow then shouted something nobody expected. "Yeah Hope I'll get you that date with Lightning now!", "Snow!" Hope shouted angrily. "What!?" shouted Lightning, realising what had been said.

'Godamnit Snow!' Hope thought as Lighting pulled him away from the others. "Is he serious" She asked. "I think so…" Hope replied weakly, seriously questioning why he let Serah and Snow know he likes Lightning. "Maybe after the wedding we can go on a date." She suggested. "Of course, if you want to.", "It's a date", she replied kissing him on the cheek like she had all those years ago. Hopes face flushed pure red and he didn't even try to control it.

Afterwards Hope and Lightning returned to the others to see there was a new member with them. It was Noel freshly out of the hospital. "Hi Hope, sorry I'm late." He said whilst man-hugging Hope. "Don't worry about it, at least you're okay." Hope replied. "Yeah, no thanks to Snow." Noel joked.

'It's just like old times.' Hope thought happily watching his friends converse. 'Well except Noel and Lightning are here.' He thought noticing them talking quietly away from the others. 'That's weird.' He thought. 'I could have sworn Noels eyes were blue not purple.'

Authors Notes

Another good chapter filled with great moments, if I don't say so myself. If you liked this chapter, show me by reviewing or following the story.