Moment #2: Hug

Hope was surprised to say the least to feel Lightning's arms suddenly come around him. She was hugging him. A strange dull ache tightened his stomach that didn't have anything to do with what he ate. It was just a hug and he's surely gotten a lot in his life: from his Mom mostly, but several from Vanille and when he was younger from some annoying old ladies who thought he was "cute." But none of them made him feel like this.

Then the hug was over, and the group was moving on and of course there were more important things to think about than the fact that Lightning had just hugged him. He was about to meet his father, something he'd dreaded for a long time, mostly because - well, he admitted it - he was scared. He'd told himself over and over that his father didn't care about him so why should he care what his father thinks? But that wasn't true. He cared. And deep inside him he knew he feared his father's blame and rejection because not only did he let his mother die, he was now also a L'Cie, Cocoon's worst enemy and especially his father's since he worked for the Sanctum.

He remembered the hate on the people's faces, even that little girl, earlier when he and Snow had confronted them. His father would surely wear that expression. As Hope neared the door of his house he wanted very much to turn back and run away. But so many people depended on him to do this. And Lightning. She would think him weak and a coward.

Which Hope already knew he was. But he wanted to change that.

Because then, maybe Lightning would smile at him again. That rare, genuine smile meant for him and only him.

xx

Hope, his father, and Fang were sitting in the living room. His father picked up the remote and turned the TV off. "I've seen enough," he sighed, referring to the news that was previously broadcasting about the "dangeorus L'Cie investing the area." It was a funny feeling seeing his own face on TV, Hope thought. He pictured his classmates' faces if they had been watching just now. Ironically there used to be days when they all laughed about how awesome it'd be to appear on TV.

"It's time we have a talk," said Hope's father into the silence.

Fang raised her chin, studying Hope's father. Hope thought she was going to argue but she simply shrugged and said, "You're right." She turned to Hope. "Get Lightning and Snow. Wouldn't want to leave them out."

Hope nodded. He didn't know what to think of Fang quite yet but she didn't seem like a bad person, albeit a bit scary. Then again, he'd found Lightning scary at first too.

He walked down the hall to the guest bedroom where Snow was currently resting to recover. Fifteen minutes ago Lightning had asked Hope to lead her there, and Hope was smart enough to tell she wanted to be alone for her chat. Lightning acted like she hated Snow so Hope was pretty confused on what she had to say, unless it was to yell at him or beat him up some more (which meant it probably wasn't a good idea to leave them alone).

As he approached the room though, he heard no sign of yelling or hitting. Instead, Lightning was talking, but in a quiet voice, the kindest she'd ever used with Snow.

They were talking about Serrah. Hope hesitated, not wanting to intrude on this private subject. He could see them from where he stood. Snow lying in bed and Lightning facing him.

"Tell me your real name," Snow was saying.

Lightning let out a soft sound that sounded almost like a laugh. "Why don't you wait for Serrah to tell you," she said.

Hope knocked the wall at that moment, causing Lightning and Snow to glance over - and it was over, just like that. But Hope would be lying if he said he didn't feel it. "It" was a wave of impatience and irritation that suddenly gripped him right then and the desire to grow up, fast, right on the spot.

Because the difference in the atmosphere when he was with Lightning and the atmosphere when she was with Snow was glaringly obvious. As obvious as the difference between a child and an adult.

Lightning and Snow were looking at him expectantly. Hope cleared his throat. "My dad wants to talk to you," he said to them both, but he was looking at Lightning. He wondered if one day she would see him differently as he was seeing her. But he decided that was just wishful thinking.

For now, he had to be happy with that slight upturn of the lips and the trace of warmth in her blue eyes when they met his own.