Deviation Actions
Literature Text
Lightning's Thoughts
On Hope
Hope tossed his boomerang, knocking out the beast, before he began channeling his energy into a healing spell. The group had been ambushed by a horde of giant flan under Vanille's turn for watch. Lightning cut down the last of them, silence spreading across the field. She was filled with pride over the boy, not surprised that he had grown so skilled. So much so, that she had forgotten her annoyance in Vanille's shortcoming.
Lightning placed a hand on Hope's shoulder. "We should keep moving, other monsters would have heard the struggle and will come in search of an easy meal." Hope glanced up at her and nodded, understanding her form of praise.
Even still, she feared where his growing prowess would lead him. Hope was a smart boy and a quick learner. He understood things that she wished he had never had to learn. His eyes stared with steadfast determination at Cocoon for a moment.
He was just like her, too much like her, but at least he could learn from her mistakes. That look in his eyes, it was almost chilling. Who would this boy become?
Lightning prayed that he would not become like her.
"Hey Light?" Yet, with one glance back up to her, she knew he would. Hope smiled softly, his doe-eyes shinning in his admiration for her. "What do you think you'll do once this is over?" The two fell into pace behind Fang and Vanille, Snow and Sazh bringing up the rear. "I mean, you aren't going to go back to the military, are you?"
The last thing she wanted for Hope was for him to follow her into the military, he had far too much potential for that. "No," she spoke after a moment of thought, "I won't go back."
"Then what do you have planned?" He asked earnestly.
Lightning always had a plan. Truth be told, she probably spent far too much time planning out what she had to do and when she had to do it. Regardless, for once she didn't have the slightest clue. The possibilities, which used to taunt her, now seemed bright and welcoming.
"Sometimes," Lightning chose her words carefully, knowing that Hope would take every one of the to heart. That knowledge, that reflection of herself in his eyes, was what helped change her. He was the reason, the one thing keeping her check, that she tried to be a different, better person. "it's nice to not worry and dampen the joy to come."
"Right," he took in her words, thinking hard about them, "but, I will go see my father. . .and visit my mother's grave."
Lightning blinked.
If anything, she was surprised that she was surprised at his simple response. As always, the boy was reflective and made her think too. "I think I'll visit my parent's graves too," she spoke just soft enough so that Hope would only hear.
"Hey, kiddo, don't forget that you'll have a wedding to attend!" Snow didn't miss a beat reminding them of what they hadn't forgotten, leaning over with his hands clasped on each of their shoulder's.
Lightning slipped out of his grasp, taking Hope away from him as well in a swift motion. She gave him a death-glare for interrupting their conversation. He had taken away plenty of her time with Serah, she wasn't about to let him ruin her time with Hope as well.
Her annoyance with Snow quickly faded. She felt warmed holding a protective arm around Hope. Lightning knew in that moment that if Hope was the one in need of saving, she would be fighting just as hard to protect him as she was for Serah.
"Don't worry," she extended her hold and ruffled the boy's hair, "he won't forget."
