Lightning x Hope: Final Fantasy XIII- You are My Hope

Chapter 8-1: Lightning's Date

Hope had devised a very thorough plan for his date with Lightning. The first stop was getting an early lunch at a small bistro that Lightning liked. It was a popular spot amongst the town where they resided, and so was packed even on weekdays.  Hope had already reserved a table far in the back, where they could talk without being disturbed by all the chatter around them.

A waiter greeted them at the reception desk, and brought the pair to their reserved table. As they approached the small square table, Hope hastened his pace, pulling out a chair for Lightning. He glanced over at Lightning, intending to signal to her.

Unfortunately, fitting for her name, Light moved like... lightning and had already seated herself across from Hope who was still standing dumbfounded.

Lightning chuckled. "You're going to have to move faster than that, Hope. I'm not someone who is going to wait around to sit down."

"No you are certainly not." Hope thought to himself. Hope couldn't do anything but laugh at himself as he sunk into his seat. He had totally blown his chance to taken the initiative.

"Oh, Hope. You' re going to have to do better than that." Lightning said as she picked up her menu.

"Oh? They have a special on steaks today. Should I get this?"

"Hrm? Go for it. Isn't that what you normally get here anyway?"

"How would you know that?" Lightning's eyes glanced inquisitively at Hope.

"I-I guessed. This place just seemed like someplace you liked."

"Uh huh. Meaning you asked my sister."

Hope sighed. "Indeed it means I asked your sister. She said you were into the steak here."

"What would Serah know? All she does is hug the dessert menu."

After a few minutes of waiting, Hope and Lightning's meals had arrived. Lightning's face lit up with satisfaction as she ate. Hope would very often look up and glance at Lightning's. He found her so extremely cute. Was this adorable woman, happily tearing into a steak really the cold, ruthless super soldier he once knew? Everything on the outside was the same, yet so different. Her long, beautiful hair was the same shade of pink, her delicate features and piercing green eyes were the same as always. But the aura of dominating strength was gone and her cold, unwavering stare was no where to be seen. Instead, she wore many expressions that would have seen out of place in the Old World.

In place of her knight's armor or soldier uniform was an elegant dress, her hair not roughed up and damaged, but beautifully trimmed and conditioned.  If Lightning was already immensely beautiful in a world where she didn't have to traverse mountains and rivers fighting, then didn't suprise Hope in the slightest to see how beautiful she was when she wasn't covered in scars and dirt.

Beautiful. It was a word that Hope could always use to describe Lightning. Especially the Lightning in front of him today.

Hope's eyes wandered onto Lightning's hands, which were currently holding a fork and knife carving up her steak.

Hope couldn't help but notice how fitting the image of Lightning with a knife was. Lightning was no less an expert on how to handle sharp objects here than she was in the past.

"Stop staring at me. Your food is getting cold."

"Huh?"

Hope realized he hadn't even touched his food yet. He had spent the entire time staring at Lightning.

"Hope, I know I'm pretty, but please keep your eyes off me. Its embarrassing."

"S-sorry."

"Hehe. You know, you could have denied it. You suck at lying."

"Argh." Hope had fallen into yet another trap. Hope really needed to keep his guard up against Lightning.It was in his best interest to keep in mind how sly Lightning was. He wanted to get back at her teasing somehow. And then a method to do so dawned on him.

"Claire."

"E-eh?" Lightning was visibly shaken.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, its just... you don't usually call me that. "

"Didn't you want me to call you Claire?"

"I did, but its still unusual to me. I threw that name away a long time ago. Getting used to hearing it again has been a struggle."

"I think its a beautiful name, Claire."

"Stop saying it."

"Alright, Claire."

"Stop." Lightning was slowly unraveling.

"Cla-"

Suddenly, a metal object flashed in front of Hope. In a single elegant motion, Lightning pointed her steak knife in front of Hope's dress shirt pocket.

" Lets finish eating." A less sincere smile appeared on Lightning's face this time.

"Okay, Light."

After their mostly successful lunch, Hope and Lightning left the distro. The date continues...