A/N: A continuation of my previous piece with these two. You don't need to read it to understand what's going on here, but if you want Snow and Nydil's backstory, you're free to read it. :)

Commentary and constructive criticism is welcomed! Flames will be used to roast marshmallows. :P

True Happiness

Everything was over. Cocoon was saved by Fang and Vanille's selfless sacrifice. Those who were turned to crystal returned and everyone was rejoicing.

Everyone except Nydil.

Watching those he called friends frolocking and happy made an uneasy feeling lodge in the pit of his stomach. He was glad they were no longer l'Cie and could live a life of peace and happiness. He truly was. But that meant he was no longer needed.

Looking off in the distance, he sees Snow and Serah embracing one another, then Snow lifts her up, the pink haired girl giggling the whole time. Tears burn in Nydil's eyes as he quickly turns his head away from the scene. This… this is the main reason he's so unhappy.

Nydil knew this would happen. Serah was everything to the blond, and the main reason he was fighting to stop Ragnarok. Sure, they may have had sex when Snow's l'Cie mark decided Nydil was his mate, but Nydil understood it was a hopeless dream, despite Snow saying he wouldn't leave him.

Of course he would leave him. He had his fiance back. They could start a new life for themselves, away from gods. Nydil wasn't part of that.

Turning on his heel, Nydil starts to walk away, but a voice stops him. "Where are you going?"

Looking back, Nydil gives a tense smile at Lightning. "I'm not needed anymore."

"Why would you say that?" Lightning questions, eyebrow arched. "I'm sure that idiot will wonder where you've gotten to if you just up and leave."

The smile turns to a bitter smirk. "Why would he? He has Serah now."

"Men…" Lightning mutters, rolling her eyes. "Didn't he promise not to leave you after your little… escapade? I know he's stupid, but he's a man of his word."

Nydil faces her and grits his teeth. "That was his l'Cie talking. Not him. I knew things would be like this once Serah returned…"

"And yet you're crying."

"Huh…?" Nydil touches his face, feeling wetness there, and scoffs at himself. "I don't matter, Lightning. Snow has the love of his love back, and that's all there is to it. I'm not needed."

Lightning shakes her head. "Why don't you talk to him? See what he feels, instead of just assuming."

"I know how he feels. Look how happy he is with Serah!"

"You didn't notice he's looking at you?"

Nydil blinks, tears trickling down his cheeks, as he turns, seeing Snow is indeed staring at him. He notices Serah give him a gentle shove, and Nydil makes an undignified sound when Lightning shoves him as well. "Talk to him," she says, giving him a final shove.

Nydil bites his lips, sighing. This wasn't going to go anywhere. Snow would tell him he had Serah back, he was going to start his life with her, and Nydil would once again wander, killing monsters aimlessly and without anything to live for.

He was used to it.

Why did it hurt so much then…?

Taking a few tentative steps towards Snow, he doesn't expect the blond to run towards him and engulf his smaller frame within his arms. Letting out a squeak, Nydil freezes, not knowing what's going on.

Did Snow want to let him down gently? One final embrace before parting ways forever? Nydil remains frozen, but can't help to wrap his arms around Snow's waist, wanting to feel him one last time before leaving for good.

"I told you I wasn't going to leave you."

Nydil blinks. What?

"I told Serah everything… and she wasn't even surprised. Seems she saw everything through the crystal tear I always carried on me. She wants me to be happy, and happy means being with you."

Nydil looks up, eyes widening. "Wait… what? I thought this is when you were leaving me behind."

"Leave you behind?" Snow shakes his head, holding onto Nydil tighter. "Nope. I'm your hero now."

Cheeks burning, Nydil buries his face in Snow's chest. "I… I had myself convinced you and Serah would live a happy life and you'd be better off without me…"

"See, this is why I can't leave you alone. You get bad thoughts," Snow jokes, laughing quietly. "I promised to never leave you, remember?"

"But… I thought that was your l'Cie talking…"

"Hah! It might have been, in the beginning at least." Nydil tips his head up, and Snow runs his fingers through crimson strands. "But as we traveled, I realized I was falling for you, and damn if that wasn't confusing."

"I'm sorry?" Nydil murmurs, cheeks flushing darker.

"Don't apologize. It just means you're too cute to handle," Snow replies, grinning. "But I talked to the tear every day about what I should do about Serah, my feelings for you… and Serah told me she heard everything. She gave me quite the speech once she came back."

"Speech?"

"She told me my happiness was all she wanted for me and if that meant I was with you, she would walk away. I guess the tear also gave her a glimpse of my emotions, and she said she knew how much I loved you. She couldn't take me away from someone I loved so much, her words, not mine." Snow's grin settles to a soft smile as he places a kiss upon Nydil's forehead. "So as I said, I'm your hero now, not hers."

Tears build in Nydil's eyes as he buries his face in Snow's shirt, and in reply, Snow holds him in a grasp stronger than steel. "I… I was so afraid…"

"Afraid of what?"

"I didn't want to go back to my old life… I wanted to be with you. But… but I thought you and Serah would go on, be happy, and I would be alone again…"

"You fool," Snow whispers, pressing a kiss against Nydil's hair. "I don't know what you did without me, but now you're stuck with me."

Nydil lets out a wet chuckle, flicking his gaze upwards to look in Snow's eyes. "And you're stuck with me."

Neither is sure who closes the distance, but when their lips meet, sparks and fireworks explode in the pits of their stomachs. When they pull away, Snow grasps onto Nydil and whispers, "You'll always have me."

Nydil nods, a content smile resting on his lips.

This is true happiness.

Fin.