literature

Lightning's Thoughts 8: Hope's Father

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Literature Text

Lightning's Thoughts

On Hope's Father

What went through Hope's father mind upon seeing him show up on his doorstep that night, Lightning would never know. She was glad that she had guessed right, any father would want to see his son safe and back at home.

He must have seen the images on the television. Images of the city his wife and son were staying in erupt in battle, images of his son being chased down by the military, of the rough looking l'cie and the female soldier who protected him.

He must have been worried, scared, and had known they were coming.

Lightning couldn't have been more grateful for a place to rest and to see Hope regain some confidence in his father again. He gave them everything they could possibly ask for, food, bath, beds, his generosity towards Fang Snow and herself came with overwhelming thanks. They had kept his boy safe.

"The kitchen is right over here," Hope led Fang and Lightning around his house as Snow rested. "Dad said that you can help yourselves to anything that's there, just make sure to bring some over to Snow too."

"Well let's see what you got kid," Fang opened the refrigerator door and glanced around. Lighting glanced over the other woman's shoulder. On sight of the food, she suddenly remembered how hungry she was.

It must have been a l'cie thing, she knew they hadn't stopped to eat anything since before she arrived on the purge train. It had been days since then and she had barely even thought about food. The hunger came on in an instant and like an animal she found herself pushing Fang to the side, shoving the first things she could find in her mouth.

An apple! With a crunch it's sweet juices filled her mouth. She kept hold of the fruit with one hand and forced containers of meat and other leftovers into Fangs arms. Lighting turned a bewildered Fang in the direction of the stove muttering, "heat this up," with her mouth full. She returned to the fridge to grab another apple, throwing it at Hope.

"Uh, thanks Light." Hope caught the apple and glanced at his dad who was watching the spectacle.

"How does this thing work?" Fang asked, sounding almost repulsed. "Our stoves were different from this."

"Turn the dial," Lighting called, still digging through the fridge. She poured a bag of shredded cheese into her mouth and grabbed a container of water, guzzling both down as fast as she could.

Fang prodded the dials on the stove, jumping back when the flames shot out of the burner. "Ours are electric!" She explained when Hope gave her a strange look.

"Sorry dad," Hope muttered, shifting his feet.

Lighting peeked up from behind the refrigerator door at the embarrassed sound of his voice, a slice of bologna hanging from her mouth. He was embarrassed for them, for her? She glanced at his father. No, he was worried that his father would not approve.

She would make sure to earn that approval. She had to, for Hope. Lighting took note of the contents of the fridge and quickly whipped up a sandwich.

"Eat up," Lightning handed the sandwich over to Hope, "you have to build up your strength."

"Yeah, okay." Hope took his apple and sandwich over to the table and sat down. Lighting took that moment to address his father directly.

"I'm sorry I could not keep your son better fed," she apologized, stopping herself from saluting on reflex.

The man motioned for her to follow him out into the hallway so that they could talk. The hall was dark, such strong contrast to the spotless white kitchen. "How has he been?"

Her face softened. Hope hadn't needed to worry. "He was shaken up at first, but he's kept strong." He was much stronger than she ever was at his age. She wanted him to know that, she wanted him to know how his son had changed her. Lightning glanced away, breaking eye contact. "He's a good boy, he's very smart, you should be proud of him."

"He's really grown hasn't he?" The man took off his glasses and rubbed them clean on the edge of his shirt. He sighed and shook his head. Lighting felt for him, she knew what it was like to feel powerless and to have no control over the safety of her loved ones. "Thank you, for taking care of my boy."

She let her eyes fall to the floor. "I told him I would protect him," she couldn't help but smile as she spoke the words, "and he promised to protect me."

That's my boy. His unspoken words were made clear in his face. He couldn't be more proud of his son. "What did you say your name was?"

Lighting opened her mouth to answer on reflex, then thought better of it. She hesitated slightly as she spoke, "It's Farron, Claire Farron."

"Hey, Lighting!" Hope hurried around the corner. "Do you want to see the rest of the house?"

"Could you bring Snow something to eat first?" Hope nodded, and headed back to the kitchen.

"That's not how the microwave works!" She heard Hope exclaim and run over to the other woman. "Fang!"

I see. Maybe he had just been embarrassed for the woman of another time. "He looks up to you, you know." Lighting glanced up at Hope's father.

She knew what he meant, she had seen it happen firsthand and she would not let it happen again. "I promise I will not lead him astray." Father and son put their trust in her and she would not let them down.

Thanks for reading!
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OhJayFMAManiac's avatar
I was just wondering, are you going to expand into XIII-2 with this?