Final Fantasy XIII: Cursed Past

Chapter 20 of my Final Fantasy XIII story, enjoy.

Reviews

Lightslighting: Yup he did, here's the next chapter.

Kurosaki Anne: Yeah, she is, well she's been set straight, Hope and Lightning will be talking in this chapter, as for Caius, wait and see.

The Light to all Fears: Yeah, I love my cliffhangers, glad you are enjoying it, actually Caius' reappearance and Hope and the others getting their tattoos will occur at the same time.

don'tmakemesnapmyfingers: Thanks, glad you are enjoying it, personally Lightning/Hope is my favourite pairing.

Beloved Nightmare Union: Yup, thanks, glad you are enjoying it, Yeah Hope's realized his mistake, if it was anyone other than Hope then yeah, they'd need to really kiss up to get forgiven, but don't forget, if you look at it, even in the game Lightning has a soft spot for Hope.

Otaku-Entity: Thanks, glad you are enjoying it, I just manage it somehow, things won't be back to normal however, they'll be...well read on and see, as for Snow and Serah, they don't need to help.

Lightarcana: Thanks, glad you are enjoying it, yup, she is, well she's been dealt with at least.

bookgirl111: The action will come, be patient, at this moment Cid is busy trying to find out more about the shadowy figures and PSICOM's return.

TheWarrior12: Yup, she's been dealt with and Hope is no longer fooled. Yeah, Fang's forgiven her too, thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy XIII belongs to Square Enix.

Chapter 20: Love Realized

It was Sunday 15 August 2 APW, Lightning had just stepped out of her car; she glanced at her watch, 15:13 EST. She sighed and thought about what she was going to do. After Serah had spoken to her about being true to herself she had tried to talk to Hope. But the awkwardness between them had made it difficult for them to talk to each other. Hope sat with the group at lunch again but he wasn't able to look Lightning in the eye throughout all Thursday and Friday, Alyssa still tried to get back with Hope but he refused to even look at her. During Saturday at Fang's birthday party they both enjoyed themselves and talked but not about their feelings, Fang was in a better mood and didn't react angrily to Lightning at least. It was now Sunday and Lightning had decided enough was enough, she wasn't going to wait any longer, she was going to talk to Hope immediately about their feelings, which was why, right now she was parked outside his house and walking up to the door. She knew Hope found her blend of strength and vulnerability attractive and had played up to it; she was dressed in a simple pair of denim jeans, a plain black tank top and a pair of brown leather boots. The tank top meant the scars on her arms and shoulders were visible. She swallowed nervously and composed herself before knocking on the door. After a brief wait the door opened and Nora stood there.

"Hello Lightning," She greeted with a smile, Lightning smiled back weakly and then asked, "Is Hope in?"

Nora nodded, "He's in his room, he's been lost in thought all day." She explained, Lightning thanked him and, after Nora let her in she headed over to Hope's room.

She walked up to the door and, after hesitating briefly she knocked on his door.

"What?" He called out, She called back, "Hope, it's me."

"Light," He gasped surprised, there was a brief silence and then, "Come in."

She stepped in; Hope was sitting on his bed, staring at her in shock, clearly not expecting her. Just then his phone rang, he groaned and picked it up, groaned again before refusing to answer the call and putting his phone back down on the table. Lightning looked at him, confused.

"I'm starting to think I should change my number," He remarked bitterly, Lightning nodded, finally understanding, "Alyssa, right?"

He nodded with a sigh. Lightning shifted uncomfortably, Hope couldn't meet her eyes. Finally Hope sighed and turned to face Lightning.

"Lightning I know you were right about Alyssa, and I'm sorry I lost my temper with you," He said, "But it still doesn't change the fact that you've lied to me...and to yourself."

Lightning lowered her head, he was right.

Finally however she raised her head, she remembered Serah's words, be true to her heart and she knew now she had to tell the truth.

"Hope, I came here because I have something important to tell you," She explained, Hope looked up at her, "First off, I'm truly sorry for lying to you, it was a terrible mistake and..."

Hope shook his head, "It's alright, really, I know you didn't mean to lie to me...I just want to know why."

Lightning sighed, "That's why I'm here." Hope waited, wondering what she was going to say.

After a few false starts Lightning finally got the words out.

"Hope, the truth is...over the summer, things began to change and I...I began to feel, like I wanted to be with you, After two years being completely alone I never felt so connected to another person." Hope started at her wide-eyed.

Lightning paused before continuing, "You were partially right when you confronted me about why I didn't want you near Alyssa...I was jealous."

"Hold on," Hope interrupted, "How could you be jealous, unless you...?"

Lightning nodded and he almost fell back, stunned.

"Yes, the truth is Hope...I've fallen for you, it was slow, but then after you saved me from Hiroshi...I began feeling strange feelings for you...I now know those feelings were love for you."

There was silence as Hope fought to find his voice, amazed at the fact that Lightning had, in a roundabout way, admitted she loved him.

"Light...I-I um...I don't what to say..." She shook her head but before she could speak he admitted, "I, I actually love you too, I loved you the moment I first saw you, but I thought you'd never look at me like that."

He hung his head, "I figured I was lucky to even have you as a friend and I ruined it, thanks to Alyssa."

Hope sighed, he was certain now that he had said too much, now things would never be the same between them.

Lightning smiled as she saw Hope, she had never seen him like this before, the muscle build up from the workouts, contrasting with the vulnerability he was showing at the moment. That same blend of strength and vulnerability that Serah had told Lightning she had, the interesting blend that Hope found attractive.

'Looks like I do too,' She thought with smile.

Hope looked downcast and Lightning realized that he was expecting her to leave now that she knew the truth, he was afraid he had damaged their friendship, on the contrary she wanted to be near him even more. She walked over to him, he looked up in surprise but before he could say anything she gently brought her hand up and caressed his cheek before smiling and then leaning in closer, she could feel his breath tickling her face before their lips met and everything else dissolved. They were lost in enjoying the feelings throughout their bodies, the texture of the others lips as they deepened the kiss, Hope fell back onto his bed, pulling Lightning with him. They lay, still kissing, Hope threaded his fingers through her hair as she caressed his face again, still kissing. They were so lost in the kiss they didn't see Nora open the door and see them. She smiled and quietly closed the door again, heading back to the living room.

'Looks like they've finally found each other, I know they're going to be happy together.' She thought happily.

Finally Lightning and Hope parted, gasping for air. Hope was wide-eyed, blushing, his fingers still threaded in her hair. Lightning was also blushing and had a lopsided grin on her face.

The moment as punctured when Hope's phone rang again, he groaned it was Alyssa yet again, he was about to decline the call when Lightning stopped him.

"Wanna mess with her," She suggested, this time it was Hope's turn to grin as he agreed and answered the call.

"Alyssa," Hope answered, still breathless.

"Hope finally," She replied, sounding disgruntled, "Why haven't you been answering my calls."

Hope smiled and casually remarked, "Well, I've been kinda busy."

"Busy?"

"Yeah, I've been talking to Lightning," He revealed, as anticipated she reacted hysterically, "What, what are you doing with her, wait, you're lying, you haven't spoken to her since Wednesday, so don't lie."

Hope smirked and nodded to Lightning who was trying to cover her laughter, Lightning then spoke up, making sure Alyssa could hear her, "Hope, are you gonna be on the phone much longer," to which Hope replied, "I'll be right there."

Alyssa went ballistic, "What the hell, what is she doing there, how could you, remember what she did to you...!"

Whatever else Alyssa wanted to say they never found out for Hope simply hung up and put his phone back on the nightstand.

Lightning smiled as Hope turned back to her; they were both lying on his bed, side by side, smiling.

"Well, that takes care of her," Hope said with a relieved sigh, Lightning nodded and once again they kissed.

They remained locked together, their hands running up each others backs, before long Hope's tongue was begging for entrance into Lightning's mouth, she willingly complied and soon their tongues were engaged in a passionate struggle. They remained that way until they once again needed to breathe.

"I could never get tired of this," Lightning said breathlessly.

Hope smiled and nodded. His eyes slowly took in her appearance, her flushed face, her tousled hair, her breathlessness and the visible scars.

'I wonder if she'll ever tell me what happened to her, probably not.' He thought to himself, 'It must've been horrific, for her to be so badly scarred.'

Eventually Lightning stood up.

"I wish I could stay longer but I have to get home," She explained, "I'll see you at school tomorrow, okay."

Hope nodded smiling, Lightning smiled back and, after a third kiss, shorter than the other two, she left. Once back in her car she drove home, her heart almost bursting with joy, she was definitely looking forward to school tomorrow.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, we are now at the halfway point of the story and entering a new Arc, the Love and Bonding Arc, this will also be the longest Arc, lasting up until chapter 29. Anyway read and review please.