Be my Hope, Be my Light

A/N:

Boy o boy! It has been a while hasn't it? Sorry for the wait. Busy with exam prep among other things. I got mocks coming up in March so don't expect updates during that month. My sincerest apologies. However, I will update the second part of this Parallel Future arc soon.

I do not own Square Enix or Final Fantasy.

Parallel Future: Your Eyes.

Part 1

Lightning had no idea why she even agreed to this. She wasn't the type to enjoy some time in the park and yet….

When did I get so soft?

She didn't have an answer to that.

"Light!"

Or maybe, she did.

Hope Estheim, the director of Academy suggested they go out. She still cant believe how much he had changed.

How much he changed me…

As Hope made his way towards her, Lightning's gaze caught a group of girls surrounding Hope. Gritting her teeth and clenching her fists, Lighting tried to keep herself from slicing all of them down with her gunblade. Hope obviously got used to this. She shouldn't be surprised how popular he is but that doesn't mean that she should sit back and watch all this. Hope was too kind for his own good. After the group of girls were satisfied, Hope made his way to the bench. Lightning averted her gaze from him.

"Hi Light, sorry it took so long." Hope apologized.

"Don't worry about it." Lightning hissed. Hope was taken back before he sighed.

"Light…I really don't know what to say." His voice was filled with guilt and that made her feel guilty.

"Then don't say anything." Hope sat down next to her, keeping a comfortable distance.

"Look at me." Hopes voice was assertive. She complied and was surprised to find green eyes washed over with love and care. "I wish you would trust me more….after all I am your…."

"I know! Don't remind me!" Lightning snapped. Hope wasn't fazed at all. He gently held her hand and the physical contact startled her. Noticing her reaction, he immediately let go. Hopes heart couldn't bear much more of this.

"Light…its because I love you." Lightning went wide eyed, still not used to those words. "I am afraid Light, afraid of touching you because you don't like it. But I don't know any other way to give you some assurance of my feelings."

"Hope…its not you…its me." Lightning immediately regretted everything she had said. "You shouldn't waste your time with me. I don't deserve it."

"Why do you always say that?" Lightning kept silent. "I can't help you if you wont let me."

"I don't need your help."

"Right….I am starting to wonder myself." Hope smiled sadly.

"What?"

"That this was a mistake after all." Hope got up from the bench but something kicked Lighting into overdrive and she suddenly grabbed the fabric of his shirt. Hope smiled while Lightning was shocked at her own reaction. "See Light, you do need me." Hope grabbed her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I wont leave you Light, that I promise you." Lightning noticed the object that had sealed her fate with his shine on her finger. "Lets go home."

"I'll prepare some dinner. Rest up a bit." Hope said. Lightning nodded and went to her room.

Our room…

Lightning still couldn't get used to the idea of being married to Hope. Its not that she didn't like it, its just that…

He could've had a better life….without me.

That thought always hurt Lightning but it was the truth. Hope was the Director, leader of the existing human race but what about her?

I…I'm….I'm no one.

With these thoughts circulating her brain, she didn't even notice Hope enter the room.

"Hope you like it." He handed her the plate. Lightning took the plate as the tip of their fingers brushed against each other. Lightning expected Hope to feel embarrassed as he always was but was shocked to find no apparent expression on his face. Its almost as if….

He's given up on me.

An uncomfortable silence followed as they ate together. Lightning wanted Hope to talk about something, anything but to no avail. He usually talked about his work, future prospects, their relationship but now?

He's become even colder than me right now.

"Hope..we need to talk." Lightning began when they finished eating.

"The divorce talk huh?" Hope replied while casting his gaze down.

"Hope…I…" Lightning tried to make this as easy as possible. She even tried to comfort him by placing her hand on his shoulder. It was rare for her to instigate any physical contact but even then Hope simply brushed it aside.

"I know Light…you don't feel what I feel for you."

Hope…that's not…

"I am so sorry Light. Forgive me for forcing you into this…this…" Hopes voice cracked with sorrow. "This pathetic life with me."

"Its not pathetic!" Lightning snapped. " I want to know more about you! I want to spend more time with you! I…I…" Lightning lost her breath and Hope went wide eyed at the sudden revelation. He shifted closer to her and raised her chin so she could look at him.

"Light…" Hope didn't know what to say.

"Hope…I…I don't want you to waste your life with me. I married you because I….I have feelings for you…feelings I cant explain but I…I really am selfish." Lightning averted her gaze. "You could've had anyone you wanted. Someone smarter, richer, prettier and more loving than me. I…I can't be the wife you deserve." Hope suddenly embraced her tight sending sparks flying within her body. She felt like she could die if she forgot how to breathe.

"Light…I can have all that but…" Hope looked straight into her strong blue sapphires, the ones he fell in love with. "I would trade all that and more just to have you by my side." Lightning felt like shedding tears. "Lightning…I accepted you for everything, faults and all. I love you just the way you are. Don't belittle my feelings or yourself." Hope buried his face in her hair. "I'm glad you love me so much." Lightning tensed up. "Always thinking whats best for me even if it means discarding yourself. Oh Light.." Hope strengthened his grip on her. "You don't need to be all lovey dovey with me."

"Hope…you really deserve someone like yourself. Kind, loving,caring.."

"I am who I am because of you." Hope cut her off. "You are all that and more. You may not express your love in words but you do so in your actions."

"Idiot…" Lightning shed a single tear. Feeling Hope, his body filled with love and care made her happy.

Love and care for me..

"I don't mind if we don't even get to have a first kiss. I know you're not the type to…."

Hope couldn't finish that sentence as he was silenced the moment Lightnings lips crashed against his. Shock and disbelief was soon replaced by love and a delicate passion. Time slowly crept by but the both of them wouldn't let go, savoring their first kiss. There was a sudden influx of emotions but they were all dominated by their desire to need the other. After a short eternity, they separated, out of breath. Even when they pulled apart, Hope connected their foreheads, keeping as little distance as possible between them.

"Wow…" Hope was in a daze. "Please don't tell me that I'm trapped in some paradox." Lightning giggled.

OMG!…she…she actually giggled!

"Who knows. I'm not sure myself." Lightning joked.

"Light…why did you do that?" The atmosphere got seriously tensing once again.

"I don't know. You are my husband after all and I do have feelings for you so…so I guess…I just.." Lightning was interrupted by Hopes laughter. "What?"

"Sorry, its just that I never expected such an explanation or even a kiss from you." Lightning's face fell.

"See…this is why you deserve someone better than me." She felt Hope place his hand on her cheek.

"Idiot…theres no one out there who can make my heart beat so fast and so slow at the same time…except you. I…I've loved you…for so long. Just waiting for the day you would wake up. Then you actually agreed to marry me." Hope smiled and Lightning felt her heart was going to give out. "I was so happy…it all feels like a dream to me. Thank you Light…for everything."

"I haven't done anything." Hope shook his head.

"I didn't survive on my own, remember. And I am not only referring to our L'cie days. When chaos took over, I wanted to end my life but I couldn't because…I….I had you to think about." Their eyes met and that was enough to figure out what the other wanted at this point. Lightning took charge and pushed him on to the bed and took a comfortable position above him. "You sure?"

"As sure as I'm gonna get."

"Then don't look so nervous."

"I could say the same about you." Lightnings face inched closer to Hopes.

"Well it is my first time so…"

"Same for me."

"I find that hard to believe." Hope joked.

"Why?" Hope trailed his hand across her cheek.

"You are so beautiful. Who wouldn't try?"

"Impossible." Lightning snorted with a tinge of pink on her face. "Theres no one who made me feel the way you do back then. You…you are my first love Hope." Hope brought her face down to his and connected their mouths in a tender kiss. Lightning tilted her head to deepen the kiss. Panting and out of breath, neither would relent as the kisses grew more passionate followed by the discarding of each others clothes. Lightning trailed her fingers across his strong chest, sending jolts of electricity through Hope.

"You are so…beautiful." Lightning said meeting his green emeralds with her blue ones.

"Isn't that what the guy usually says?" Hope joked.

"I am new to this, deal with it."

"No complaints here." Lightning trailed her kisses slowly down Hopes neck which caused him to moan. She then trailed it down his torso and slowly reaching his manhood. That's where Hope stopped her.

"Whats wrong?" Pulling her closer to his face, he touched her forehead with his.

"Your mouth doesn't belong there."

"Then where does it?"

"Against mine." Hope caught her lips in a fiery kiss.

The long night was filled with the cries of love and passion.

6 weeks later….

Hope watched his wife's sleeping face. She had started feeling comfortable in his presence and never got startled by any physical contact. In fact, Lightning couldn't get enough of him. Hope grinned. Even when she's fast asleep, Lightning still snuggled closer to his chest.

"I am the luckiest man in the world." Hope kissed her forehead. "I love you so much Light." He whispered in her ear. Soon, her eyes slowly opened revealing the blue hues he fell for.

"Morning." Lightning smiled.

"Hey Light." Hope smiled back and caught each other in a trance when their eyes met. "I still can't believe this."

"What's not to believe?"

"This…everything. I never imagined you would love me so much." Lightning grinned.

"Don't get too used to it. This is a side of me only you know Hope." Lightning cupped his face and brought it closer to hers. "And you're the only one who will ever get to know." She kissed him tenderly, gently but above all else, lovingly. They separated when they were out of breath.

"As much as I would love to be here the entire day, duty calls." Hope got up from the bed. "I'll make some breakfast."

"No, I'll make it."

"You sure? You never like to cook."

"Its not that I hate it..its just I am no good at it but I want to learn. I've been taking lessons from Serah." Lightnings face showed a slight hint of red. "I really want you to love my cooking." Hopes breath was caught in his lungs. He smiled and embraced her with a warm hug. "What's that for?"

"I don't know…I just." Hope took in the scent of her hair. "I just felt like it."

"You're getting too sentimental on me, partner." Hope grinned.

"I'll take a shower." Hope made his way to the bathroom. Before entering though, he looked at Lightning. "I can't wait to eat your cooking."

Lightning prepared to cook some breakfast for Hope but suddenly felt nauseous. She gripped her head in pain as the world started spinning around her. She felt like throwing up. Lightning tried to take heavy breaths to gain control over her body. She took a breath of relief once that was over.

This has been going on for a while…am I sick?

Lightning decided to visit the doctor soon but for now she wanted to concentrate on making Hope something to eat. However, that time was cut short when her phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Claire! Its been a while! How is my favourite couple doing?" Lightning sighed. Serah wouldn't change no matter what.

"Don't ask things like that out of the blue." Lightning scolded.

"But I wanna know if he treats you right. If he doesn't then I could beat him up or better yet you could dump him face first and find a new man."

"Serah…" Lightning's tone was dead serious and that shut Serah up on the other line. "I will never do that."

"But do you love him yet? I mean I was pretty shocked that you actually married him. You sure about this? Don't do this if you're not comfortable with the idea. Even Hope wouldn't want this if you didn't feel happy."

Do I love him yet?

That question brought a smile to her face. "That is a silly question, Serah." Even Serah could feel the happiness radiating from her words on the other line.

"It finally happened huh? My sister…THE LIGHTNING FARRON fell in love for the first time."

"You could say that." Lightning was beaming with happiness. "I didn't think I would have a normal life till I met him."

"So how far have you two gone?"

"What?" Serah sighed.

"You know! Have you done 'it' yet?" Lightning caught on to what she was saying and felt the heat rise to her cheeks for some reason.

"NO! Stop asking such questions!"

"Why not! Come on! He's the hottest guy as voted by the people of Bhunivelze Haven and you are married to him! I want to be Aunt Serah soon!"

"Like I said, would you stop with the…." Lightning lost her words as a frightening revelation dawned on her. She was feeling nauseous for the past month and her period was long overdue.

It couldn't be….

Her grip on the phone loosened until it fell, leaving Lightning petrified, staring into blank space. She lost all ties to the world. She didn't even feel Hope sneak up behind her as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Light?" It didn't take Hope long to figure out that something was wrong. Lightning wasn't responding to anything. "Light!" Hope grabbed her shoulders and turned her around but to no avail. Lightning would not respond. She looked like a living corpse and it scared Hope to death. Hope did the only thing that came to mind. Lightning finally felt something. A warm sensation on her lips. Hope was kissing her with all that he had. Lightning pulled away when she regained her composure.

"Hope?"

"Whats wrong Light? Something wrong?" Hope asked while searching her eyes for any sign of pain or fear.

"N-nothing is wrong. I…I was just deep in thought, that's all." Lightning lied to Hope and it made her feel disgusted with herself. Hope knew that wasn't the case but decided to ask about it later.

"Sure, whatever you say." Hope took a few steps back and assessed the kitchen. "Still nothing on the table huh?" Lightning kept quiet. Hope sighed. "Guess I'll just have to get something from outside." Lightning averted her gaze but felt him approach her. "Light, will you look at me?" His tone was warm and kind. Lightning hesitated but raised her eyes to look at him. "I don't know whats wrong but I hope that you could tell me when you're ready. If its something I did, then please punish me, I don't mind. Heck, this silence is punishment enough." Lightning felt unsure of everything at this point. She went wide eyed as Hope embraced her with a hug. "I love you Light, don't forget that."

"Yeah…" That's all Lightning managed to say and it was barely a whisper. Hope nodded and left their home for work at the Academy, leaving Lightning alone with a situation she wasn't prepared to accept.

A/N:

So there you have it! Part 1 of the Parallel Future arc Your Eyes. I am sure all of you are wondering whats going on with this? Well this isn't a direct chapter to the story. Think of it as a spin off. This is one out of the infinite possibilities of the future Lightning saw when she was in Valhalla. Plus, I really really wanted to write some Hope x Light romance scenes. I could not bear leaving those two separated so I improvised. How do you like the idea? How was Part 1 of Your Eyes? Any and all reviews are deeply appreciated. R & R