[Fanfic] To Learn Something New (ch 13)

Title: To Learn Something New

Author: Vianna Orchidia / Annasthacy Chashyme
Fandom: Final Fantasy XIII Series
Character: Lightning Farron, Hope Estheim
Rating: K+
Genre: General
Disclaimer: I do not own the series and the characters, and I do not gain any profit from this fanfiction

Warning: I'm not sure, but maybe AU, somewhere after FFXIII-2

season /sea·son/ n a time characterized by a particular circumstance or feature

Hope and Lightning were having a staring contest of the year. Or rather, glaring contest by the looks of it. Serah, the sweet innocent young girl she was, could only watch fearfully from the sidelines lest they decide to take things further, physically. Nah. The second Lightning or Hope move a limb, she'd better run for her life. Getting caught between the hell that was Hope-and-Lightning-style lovers' quarrel didn't sound enticing at all.

“Light. Summer is obviously the best time to hold a garden party. We can stay out until late and not need to worry about the weather,” the silver-haired young man tried to voice his reasons once more.

The female soldier countered him with a sharp glare. “Hope, you definitely haven't been in this area for long. The beaches would be too hot, and there are a lot of sudden showers during summer too. And don't you dare tell me otherwise because I know New Bodhum like the back of my hand.”

“Fine, but winter? Do you want to let the guests freeze to death?”

“Early winter, Hope. It won't be as cold. I know from experience that early winter in New Bodhum is very mild, and the plantations there are in their peak of beauty.”

Hope was not convinced. “It's still winter, and still cold. I don't want to risk you getting flu. No.”

Exasperated, Lightning rubbed her temple furiously. “I won't, dammit, Hope. Being pregnant doesn't make me less tolerant to cold.”

“Maybe now it doesn't, but who knows when you get over six months? No. Besides, you see, if we hold the wedding in summer, the child would've been born and you don't have to move awkwardly, right?”

“Do you mean I am awkward with my pregnant body?”

With Lightning's voice rising an octave, Serah decided to just bail out right now. Only Hope had the uncanny ability to calm her down when she got aggravated like this. (The fact that it was Hope that made her aggravated made things complicated, though. Serah prayed for his well-being sincerely.)