"Are you ready, Light?" Hope had finished getting ready for their visit to his parents house for at least 20 minutes, but it seemed that Lightning was having troubles on trying to find the 'right thing to wear' over there. Nora and Bartholomew wouldn't be picky over whatever articles of clothing Lightning was wearing, but no matter what he had to say on the matter, she was adamant to be looking her absolute best. He never thought anything could rattle the woman who saved the world, but clearly he was wrong.
"No!" Lightning sighed, "Why is this so hard?" she muttered under her breath. Truth be told, it was getting increasingly difficult. Should she wear a skirt, or pants? A button up shirt...? Would a dress be a better bet? Faltering in her endeavor, she sighed and tossed off yet another outfit. Lightning just decided to go simple, and elegant for the evening. Would the Estheims really care what she was wearing? At this stage in her life, she was surprised to be feeling so adolescent.
"Ready?" Hope asked, knocking on the door and shielding his eyes from getting a peek at her.
"Ready as I'll ever be." Lightning shrugged, hating the outfit she was wearing. A causal pair of jeans, loose fitting with sweater and a comfortable pair of shoes. As far as she knew, this should be able to fit for the occasion. Unless Nora had made it a very formal evening for all four of them to sit down and enjoy.
"Perfect." Hope smiled, "Come on." he wanted to try and get her out the door before she decided that there was some sort of catastrophe in her outfit immediately needing changing. Grabbing her hand gently, he led her out of his apartment, stopping only when he felt a bit of resistance. Seeing the indecision on Lightning's face, he smiled. "They won't bite, Light." Hope tried to encourage her, even giving a gentle squeeze to her hand. It seemed to coerce her a bit, but even then he wasn't sure it was enough.
"I don't think this looks right..." Lightning said, frowning.
"You look just fine! I know my mother won't mind at all! And you've met dad already, and I know he likes you- so it should all be fine! Come on, let's go." Hope tried to be assuring, this time it seemed to be working. Lightning and he walked in silence to his car, she began to fiddle with his radio, so the 20 minute drive wouldn't seem quite as long. "No luck?"
"I don't want to listen to any of this noise." Lightning shook her head, pursing her lips. Sighing of annoyance, she shut off the radio and folded her arms, sitting back in her seat.
"Yeah, that's not really my first choice, either. I enjoy more classical pieces. It stimulates certain parts of the brain, and-" Hope began to ramble, until he heard Lightning laugh a bit at him. Stopping at an intersection behind a few cars, he glanced over at her in his spare time, giving a blank look. What could possibly have been funny?
"You're lecturing me." Lightning pointed out, unable to help the laughter.
"Was I?" Hope asked, a bit embarrassed.
"Yes, you were. You like to jibber jabber about random things." Lightning couldn't help but to smile, he had some odd quirks about him, even if he didn't notice certain things. Maybe it had been a force of habit, due to his long standing career of being a scientist/teacher. Maybe he wasn't a leader of the Academy here, but Hope was already on his way for that job. No matter what world they were in, people had a hard time not recognizing his brilliance.
"Was it bothering you?" Hope asked, driving through the intersection.
"Not at all." Lightning shook her head, shrugging her shoulders. "You always have really interesting things to say. Half the time I can't even really keep up with you, but I still like to listen. You really know alot on just about everything. I can see why your students love their teacher so much. And why you have so much assistants lined up." she teased him a bit about the assistants. She'd came to see him on campus, and found out he had a female assistant, which had caused him to be flustered, when she jokingly said there could be a possibility he'd cheat on her. Seeing how flustered it was making him, Lightning continued to torture/tease until she decided he'd had enough.
"If you don't like it...I could change her out for a male assistant?" Hope offered, his fingers tensing a bit around the steering wheel.
"Why? She's a good helper to you, and I don't see any reason to get rid of her." Lightning looked out the window, watching the passing scenery. Some of it blurred, but if you made your eyes follow it correctly, then you could see the trees and grass without distortion.
"I was just...if it made you uncomfortable...then I..." Hope paused, "I...I would get rid of her." he said seriously.
Lightning was a bit surprised by that statement. "You're...really sly, you know that?" she placed her hand over his, giving it a gentle squeeze. Lightning could feel how tense his hand was, and that was her doing. He was a very anxious person, and maybe it was wrong of her to tease him. He didn't get that she was joking, most of the time- so things turned into these serious conversations. "I wasn't being serious, Hope. She can stay. You can keep her. Okay?" she made sure to say each part moderately slowly, to let him know that she wasn't angry.
"Sorry." Hope apologized, smiling, hoping that Lightning could see it.
"And why are you sorry?" Lightning asked, "I made you feel like this- it should be me apologizing."
"I don't always get your humor, which is why it often gets lost in translation, and then you have to go and spell it out for me. It ruins your fun, and I end up taking things so seriously." Hope explained, glancing at her quickly through the corner of his eye.
"Well, at least we both have to explain things to each other, I guess. But I should work on my humor if you don't get it." Lightning withdrew her hand, sitting quietly and patiently until they arrived at his parents house.
"You don't have to do that." Hope shook his head, looking over at Lightning. "Are you ready to go in?"
"Truth be told?" Lightning paused, "Fighting Bhunivelze again seems easier than this."
"You don't have to be so nervous- they're my parents, not fal'Cie!" Hope smiled, "Come on." he climbed out of the car and opened her door for her.
"Thank you." Lightning smiled, bracing herself for meeting his mother. Maybe it wouldn't have been a bad idea to talk to Snow about her, to gain some sort of information about the woman. Hope always talked so highly of Nora, but from the gossip of coworkers in this world, she always heard that the parents of the person you were dating were always from 'hell'. Trying to ruin the relationship at any cost, because they found your not worthy for their child. And while it sounded ridiculous that they'd try to split them up, as they were both adults, it was something to keep in mind. Maybe Bartholomew wouldn't approve.
Again, she found herself being led by Hope. He knocked on the door three times, before opening the door, "I'm here!" he announced.
"Hope!" Lightning heard Nora call out his name excitedly, and the ensuing footsteps of the woman. It sounded as if she was sprinting over to see her son and hug him. The woman came into view, hugging her son tightly. "Oh!" she finally noticed Lightning, "Who's your friend?" she asked, stepping back from Hope and staring at the pink haired woman with a kind smile.
"Mom-" Hope paused, "This is Lightning." he smiled, "Light, this is my mother, Nora."
"I've...heard a lot about you." Lightning was trying to steady herself, smiling at Nora.
"I've heard plenty about you, as well!" Nora smiled, "I'm only sorry that I had to wait so long to meet you! If it weren't for you...my baby boy probably wouldn't be standing here!"
"I don't think that's...true." Lightning admitted, finding herself surprised when Nora hugged her.
"Nonsense." Nora smiled, "Come on, let's go." she grabbed a hand from either one and led them in to the living room where Bartholomew waited.
"Welcome back, son." Bartholomew smiled at Hope, "Ah, I see you brought Lightning by." he remembered the woman he'd met over a thousand years ago on Cocoon. "It's nice to be seeing you again, and under...better circumstances." he stood up and hugged Hope first, then doing the same to Lightning.
"Nice to meet you again too, sir." Lightning nodded.
"It's nice to be back, dad." Hope grinned, it felt nice to be in their home. It wasn't often that he could visit, but when he did Nora always made sure to make his favorite foods.
"Lightning, would you mind helping me out in the kitchen?" Nora asked.
"Sure." Lightning wasn't adept at cooking like Serah, but she could still make good food. Following Nora, she left Hope and Bartholomew to talk. It was obvious what he got from either parent. He looked just like Nora, her eyes and hair color, Bartholomew's spiky hair, and, most likely- his intelligence. She didn't belittle Nora's, it was just that Hope's father was a very smart man, so she assumed it to be him who he inherited the trait from.
"I was a little surprised...when Hope said he was bringing someone along for dinner..." Nora trailed off a bit, tying up her apron, "But I'm glad he finally felt comfortable enough with someone to invite them over."
"He mentioned to me before, that no one ever came with him to these family gatherings." Lightning just wanted to keep the conversation going, so things wouldn't get awkward between the two of them. And the more she could learn about the woman, the easier dinner conversation could go.
"Truth be told...I was getting a little worried." Nora sighed, "I thought he'd never find someone." she admitted, looking at Lightning, "I'm glad he did."
"That bad, huh?" Lightning asked, smiling a bit at how motherly Nora was of Hope, even now.
"You don't know the half of it." Nora laughed a bit, "Do you want an apron? It'd be a shame to get those nice clothes dirty and all floury."
"Sure." Lightning nodded, taking the apron Nora offered and tying it around herself. "Where do you want me to start?"
"How about dicing some vegetables?" Nora asked, offering Lightning a chefs knife.
"That should be doable." Lightning honestly couldn't see why she'd been nervous before. Hope was right about his parents, and Lightning already had taken a liking to Nora.
"So, how long have you and Hope been together?" Nora asked, she was busy preparing dessert, and periodically looking up at Lightning so as not to be rude.
"Not very long...a week." Lightning saw that Nora was a little surprised by that.
"Really?" Nora blinked in surprise.
Lightning nodded, "It hasn't been very long."
"He must really like you, then." from the way he spoke to her privately on the phone, it sounded as if Lightning was the one. Only being together for a week, and he was mapping out their future? Hope definitely felt strongly about Lightning, but did she feel the same? Part of Nora wanted to ask her right then and there, what Lightning intentions with her son were- but she couldn't. Interfering with their relationship would only make some sort of discord erupt. Hope likely wouldn't like her prodding for information, anyway.
"Did he say something?" Lightning asked, remembering his phone call with Nora a week ago. She hadn't heard it or been trying to eavesdrop, she'd been busy talking to Serah at the time. But Hope did mention his mother calling, hence the invitation to this dinner.
"I don't think I'm at liberty to say." Nora joked, "But- off the record, yes." she whispered the word.
"Can you tell me what he said?" Lightning asked, whispering just like Nora had been while she carefully diced vegetables.
"Sorry, it's not my place to say." Nora shook her head, smiling. "He'll tell you himself, when the time's right."
"Maybe." Lightning sighed, she wanted to know what he was telling his mother about her.
"I'm a bit surprised, seeing you here with that woman you stumbled into our house with a thousand years ago." Bartholomew commented, he could see the nervousness his son had over the situation, and was trying his best not to seem judgmental or disapproving of the matter. Truth be told, so long as Hope was happy, then what was the big deal?
"To tell you the truth...so am I." Hope admitted, sheepishly smiling at his father, "Out of everyone else...Light and I found each other first, on the new world. Then, I found out where Serah, Snow, Yeul, Noel, Sazh, Dajh, Fang and Vanille were- and I was made to keep her location a secret. Lightning wanted to see them again, but in her own time, and on her own terms. She wants to find a place in this world, and she's still searching for it. I'm trying to help her, but I'm not so sure I can say for certain if she will or won't find it."
"And you want a place with her, in this world." Bartholomew nodded in understanding. "Does she want the same with you, son?"
"For right now..." Hope paused, looking his father in the eyes, "I can say 'yes'. But in the future, who could say? I hope that Light and I will stay together, but I don't know for sure if I'm what she wants, or what she'll need."
Bartholomew stood up and walked over to Hope, sitting next to him on the couch. He slung his arm around his son's shoulder, smiling softly at Hope. "If it wasn't something that she was interested in, then I don't think she'd be here in the now, with your parents, having dinner with them. Let alone cooking with your mother in the kitchen. You are a couple, aren't you?"
"Yes." Hope could see where his father was coming with this kind of talk, but he couldn't help his insecure feelings.
"Then you have nothing to worry about. The important thing, is that you like this woman, and you give it your all to ensure she gets your side of things. She won't know, if you don't tell her. It's not fair to just assume the other person in the relationship knows everything that you're thinking. So long as you're both open and honest about your feelings, then I'm sure this relationship will thrive." Bartholomew was doing his best to make his son feel at ease. He'd never seen Hope this anxious- not since his adolescence. Especially when talking to him of Nora's death, and how he and his friends would leave as soon as possible. Like he wouldn't be welcomed within his own home.
"Thanks, dad." Hope smiled, he really appreciated the gesture. "I'll try...and I mean it, I really will. I want this to work out, and I'm willing to do anything it takes."
"You're a good man, son." Bartholomew smiled earnestly at his son, he was proud of how devoted his son was to this woman.
"I think I learned from the best." Hope didn't know what else to say. His dad was really helping the situation, and he was really thankful for it.
"I love to see how well the men in my are bonding." Nora laughed a little, seeing Hope and Bartholomew bond like this was so enjoyable. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but she had caught a few odds and ends of their conversation. "Dinner's ready." she announced.
"Come on, son." Bartholomew stood up, following Nora into the dining room. Hope followed right behind his parents, to see Lightning finishing up setting the table. It had a simple elegance to it.
"Wow mom, great spread." Hope commented.
"Lightning organized it, actually." Nora corrected her son.
Hope looked at Lightning, blinking in surprise.
"What? You seem surprised." Lightning shrugged her shoulders, "I can manage this much." she frowned playfully at Hope, taking her place beside him at the table.
Bartholomew and Nora shared a knowing look, each laughing a little bit.
"I...I'm sorry I doubted you." Hope sheepishly apologized to Lightning.
"Apology accepted." Lightning and Hope seemed to completely forget the fact that they weren't alone at the table. The two acted as if Nora and Bartholomew weren't there, not that Hope's parents had minded one bit. It was refreshing to seem them act naturally, and both were intrigued to see how their son was with her, one on one.
"We're...being rude, aren't we?" Hope asked, finally cluing in to the fact that Nora and Bartholomew were staring.
"Not at all." Nora shook her head, "Are you offended?" she asked Bartholomew.
"Not in the slightest." Bartholomew shook his head, "We're both fairly well enjoying ourselves, and it's great to see that you're both doing the same."
"Sorry." Lightning couldn't help but to apologize, "Even if you excuse our behavior- we are being rude." she paused, "Thank you both, for inviting me into your lovely home. It's an honor and a privilege to be allowed inside, on such an occasion."
"How formal." Nora smiled, "Thank you for joining us, we're happy to have you, right?" she asked Bartholomew.
"You're always welcome to come by- even if Hope isn't able to join you. I'd love to be able to learn more about you." Bartholomew made sure to sound welcoming, he meant every single word of it. Hope had filled him in on their adventures after becoming l'Cie, but there was still Lightning's side of the tale that he refused to give up. And it had him absolutely curious.
"You want to meet with Light, alone?" Hope was curious on why that was. He hadn't meant to interject before Lightning could respond to his parents, but Bartholomew had him curious.
"That's not necessarily the case, son. I just know that you have a very busy schedule to maintain, and if she were to have any sort of spare time to join your mother and I here, that she should do so if she likes the idea. That's all." Bartholomew clarified.
"I'd like that." Lightning nodded, "I think it'd be nice for us to meet like that." it wasn't that she didn't want to invite Hope along, but they'd be able to quiz her a lot better without him being there. And, maybe she'd be able to find out a few more things about Hope. It wasn't that intimacy between them was a key issue, just that Hope sometimes liked to keep things to himself. He'd always been a shy young man, and it seemed a thousand years of living didn't even dent into his personality. It was great to see that he remained the same. Of the six, she was the one to have changed the most. Because of the false Serah, and Lumina, she was able to see that Light at the end of the tunnel, and learn to say what was really on her mind.
"I'm glad you're willing to come over. Now everyone dig in." Nora started to dish up some food for herself, Bartholomew, Lightning and Hope following suit.
"What did you end up helping with, Light?" Hope asked in-between mouth fulls.
"Chew with your mouth closed and do not initiate conversation while eating." Nora scolded him.
"Sorry." Hope sheepishly apologized.
"Surprised it isn't your usual diet of boxed sushi?" Lightning teased him, "Nora did all of the cooking, I just helped a little here and there."
"Boxed sushi!?" Nora sounded outraged at that. "Are you not getting a proper diet at home? Do you want me to start meal planning for you? Because I can-"
"Mom, I'm okay." Hope didn't like the idea of her having to go through so much trouble. "I just...don't have time to do those kinds of things. My work schedule as you know is very busy, and things like cooking aren't top priorities for me. But Light's actually been helping with that...she started to cook for me."
"Oh." Nora paused for a moment, "Are you saying that you don't need my cooking, because hers is better?"
"No! That's not what I'm saying at all-" Hope tried to explain away the situation, but he noticed Lightning was also intrigued by the situation. Her heated gaze bored into the side of his head, and he instantly felt himself trapped in the situation. Bartholomew sent him a sympathetic gaze.
"So, you're saying my cooking is terrible?" Lightning asked.
"No!" Hope waved his hands, shaking his head, "That's not what I'm saying at all!"
"But my cooking isn't good?" Lightning enjoyed tormenting him like this.
"It's very good! I haven't tried anything like it!" at that, he felt Nora now staring at him intently.
"Is that so?" it seemed both women were working in tandem to tease Hope.
"Dad...help?" Hope pleadingly looked toward his father.
"Son I think this is a problem you need to solve on your own." Bartholomew shook his head. He wasn't going to be dragged into a conflict between Nora and Lightning, it seemed like a losing battle.
Hope's head dipped down at that, he sighed heavily while trying to find a way to fix his current predicament. There was no way he could possibly 'win'. "I was just kidding." Lightning pat him gently on the shoulder, "I know I'm not that good at cooking. Serah's always been better at it than I am."
"If you want, I could show you how to make a few things Hope enjoys?" Nora offered sweetly.
"Sure! I'd love to be able to make things like this." if she could make dinners like Nora, then maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
Hope's mouth opened, he wanted to say more, but he honestly couldn't find the words. Lightning and Nora had obviously come to an understanding in the kitchen. Jumping on his case over their abilities in cooking. Between Lightning and Nora...he didn't know how he could possibly try to choose. His mother, and his girlfriend. Hope's left hand was shaking a bit, and Lightning must have seen it, as she grabbed his with her spare right beneath the table. She shared a small, knowing look with him. Hope mouthed 'thank you' to her, to which she nodded.
Seeing Lightning smile and laugh with his parents, making their way through this dinner- it made him happy. Before he noticed it, they had made their way to dessert, and out the door.
"Come again soon." Nora said.
"We'd love to do it again." Bartholomew added.
"Count on it." Lightning nodded.
"Yeah." Hope agreed, "Bye Mom, Dad." he hugged each of his parents, he and Lightning make their way to his car. Nora and Bartholomew waved as Hope and Lightning pulled out of the driveway, both waving back.
"So...that went well." Lightning commented.
"Yeah." Hope nodded, "I just...I...didn't know if I could make it through all of that dinner conversation."
"We were just teasing." Lightning chided him gently, placing her hand over his, just like at the dinner table.
"I know." Hope sighed, "Maybe I should just try to be less sensitive about these things."
"You don't have to change. I like you, just the way you are." Lightning assured him.