The New World (Final Fantasy XIII) - Hope Estheim x [Reader]

Two Months Later

A/N: I realize that this chapter is quite shorter than the others, but it makes up for it, I promise! It came about pretty adorable :3 Enjoy!

You found yourself staring at the bedroom that now belonged to you. Your brother had recently moved in with Serah, allowing you to take over his room. You were grateful, but also nervous. You now lived alone with Hope, without the company of your brother. You had arrising feelings for the silverette, and you weren't sure how they were going to effect you living with him. Sure, you had already been living with him for the past two months, but that was with Snow there as well. Now Snow wasn't there to prevent anything from going on between you and Hope. But what was there to be worried about? You didn't even know if your crush had the same feelings for you.

"He works today... so I can go get my stuff." You let out a sigh as you nervously ran a hand through your hair. You and Hope had been discussing how your bedroom was pretty empty, since you didnt have very many clothes or belongings.

"You shouldn't go alone." Hope's eyes showed concern, which made you smile a little. "I'll go with you."

You dug the appartment key out of your pocket and unlocked the door, then entered with Hope close behind you. The lights were all off, and the car keys werent on the hook, meaning that he wasnt home. You sighed in relief as you flicked on the livingroom light.

"Um... There should be a few pictures of me and Snow around, would you mind looking for them?" You asked, quickly rewarded with a nod. You headed into the bedroom feeling nervous. Everything looked the same, but as you went through the drawers you found that your clothes were no longer there. When you opened the closet, you found a box sitting on the floor. Inside were your clothes, or at least some of them. Your precious stuffed animals - a chocobo and a rabbit - were in there as well. You picked up the box and headed back into the livingroom with it.

"Any luck?" You asked as you set the box down on the couch for the time being. Hope shook his head, making your mood dampen. Where the hell were your pictures? Before anything else could be done, the front door opened. There stood your ex-fiancee, narrowed eyes in your direction. Once he saw Hope, he let out a dark laugh.

"Shacking up already?" He rolled his eyes as he strut into the room. "Slut." Your eyes widened and you opened your mouth to speak.

"That's interesting, coming from the person who cheated on her weeks before your wedding." Your gaze snapped in Hope's direction, where he spoke with this new-found confidence. You hadn't expected him to stand up for you due to his rather shy nature, so you appritiated it very much.

"Shut up. You're not a part of this." Your ex snapped at him before approaching you, getting too close for comfort. Hope suddenly pushed you behind him, shielding you.

"I am a part of this, and I have been ever since you left her homeless and heartbroken two months ago." Hope picked up your box off of the couch and led you towards the front door. "We're leaving. I kindly suggest you stay away from her from now on, as well." You both left the appartment and headed into the elevator.

You were shocked. You had never seen Hope be so defensive nor protective before. It was a whole other side of him that you hadn't witnessed until now. And truthfully, you were grateful for it. You two made it down to the car, but you waited for him to place the box in the back seat.

"Hope?"

He turned around and looked down at you, a curious look in his eyes.

"Y-Yes?"

"Thank you." You wrapped your arms around him in a hug and rested your head against his shoulder. He wasted no time in wrapping his arms around you as well. You placed your lips against his cheek before pulling away and climbing into the car.