The characters of Final Fantasy 13, 13-2 do not belong to me. I make no profit off this fiction.

Resonant Blue

He could feel the strain she felt as they fought through another landscape looking for Valhalla. Ever since she woke her rhythm felt off. It was nothing so bad he couldn't compensate for in battle, but the last time she acted this depressed was when their brief time with Snow ended.

There were no words or time to ask. But with each wounded soul they saved, he could see her depression deepen. It must frustrate her to enter a gate, hoping it would lead to Valhalla and enter another barren and stark future. He told her to think of each gate as a step, but eventually the daily grind weathered her. Once the sun showed the first hint of laying to rest, he told her they'll set up camp.

As he cleaned a large beast, Serah set up the campfire and foraged for edible plants. Their pet monsters took their spots around the perimeter of the camp, keeping watch for them. Noel struggled to think of a way to get her to talk. The words would not flow forth. Every idea seemed contrived.

"Noel," Serah asked, smiling slightly as he jerked to her in surprise. "Deep in thought? I've been calling your name for awhile now."

He chuckled and ran a hand through his chestnut hair. "Something like that."

"This area is abundant in tubers. Do you want to make a stew tonight?"

He nodded, "Sure."

She turned on her heels and walked back to the campfire, pulling a large pot out of their supplies and began setting it up for the stew. Mog fluttered about, dumping the cut vegetables into the pot. Everything seemed normal. He walked to the pot and gently placed the chunks of meat, bones and cartilage in the boiling broth. She didn't notice his presence and he decided not to make it known. If she was that deep in thought she should be left alone.

He went back to the body and distributed the meat that they did not use to their monsters that wanted it. As they walked through the plains they killed an abundance of wildlife that ensured they never went hungry.

He sighed as he walked back to the fire, seeing her small frame hunched into itself. What words could he say to ease her troubles? The closer he drew near, the stronger a desire grabbed hold of him. What words could not say, actions could. Her vulnerability called to both his duty and primal senses. Would she become angry with him? Would she push him away? He swallowed. Words did not come to him, this would be the only way.

He dropped to his knees behind her and wrapped his arms around her petite frame, pulling her back into his chest. She gasped and her body tensed. "You look like you needed it," he said simply, squeezing her.

Her body relaxed and she settled into the embrace, placing her hand on top of his forearm. "Thank you," she said. He meant to let go after that, but a wave of calm and comfort washed over his body. He'd grabbed her plenty of times before to push her out of danger or to shield her from harm.

But now he became aware of how warm and soft her skin felt. Her soft musk drifted to his nose. He could feel every muscle as she sifted herself to mold within him. She rested her head on the crook of his elbow, tickling it with her soft breaths. Without thinking, he nuzzled her hair and kissed it tenderly. "I know it's hard, but I'm here for you."

Something cracked inside her and pulses of electricity ran through her veins. She became acutely aware of his sinewy arms firmly wrapped around her shoulders, his warm breath in her hair, his earthy scent. It nearly intoxicated her to dizziness. Each inch of her body became inflamed.

His body tensed as he became aware of the ramifications of his actions. "Serah," he stammered, pulling his arms away. She grabbed them. He let out a shaky breath. She felt the confusion in his arms as he hesitantly pulled her back into him.

"Kupo," Mog whined, jolting them out of their embrace. "The soup is boiling over!"

They looked at each other, laughing softly in awkwardness, before rising and tending to their dinner. They did not need words to communicate.

This will probably end up being a series of short fluff scenes that enter my mind as I play through the game. May be rated mature for later chapters, or I may not write more at all. Eh, I'm not sure yet.