Author's Notes

Hmm…I appear to have revived from the dead!

YES I'M BACK…If any of you even remember me. Well, sorry for my long hiatus, Life has been so chaotic lately…Familial problems and college sorting etc.

Well, I won't ask for forgiveness nor should I, I imagine. I'm just happy if any of you still bother reading my updates.

Anyway, some news about this one, I plan to make it longer than intended…Eh, and the other stories might be updated sometime soon.

Sigh. I sure hope you enjoy this. It's been awhile, huh.

III – A Home Cooked Meal

'Hope's Perspective'

"Well, Light, this is your new home for the next 5 years! Make yourself comfortable." I said.

She took some time to look around before nodding.

"Seems like a homey place. Maybe I could get used to this…Wait, Light? I never said you could call me that." She said before glaring at me.

"Come on, we're roommates now! Nicknames, you know? I don't really want to keep being formal…" I pleaded.

She sighed before shaking her head.

"Fine, Hope. I suppose it's fair since I do it too."

She walked over to the sofa and dropped off her small bag of personal belongings on top of it. It's…Surprisingly small? And what happened to all her furniture anyway?

I shot her a query.

"Oh, the furniture? I left them there to act as collateral for my debts. Not like I'd have needed them after…that. Everything else included as well." She said before looking down.

"Right, right…" I said as I looked away.

Actually, I paid off all her debts without telling her. Well, I doubt the furniture would go anywhere, anyway.

"Well, Light, I took the day off today anyway; I'll show you around the apartment. It's kind of small though!" I said as I pulled her up from the sofa.

She gave me an annoyed look but sighed in resignation.

I showed her where everything was, and we went to the bedroom last.

"You room is cleaner than I thought, Hope. A lot more than his…" She murmured that last part in disgust.

"His…?" I tried asking a leading question.

"Nothing. Anyway, I guess I'll sleep on the sofa, Hope." She said matter-of-factly and tried to leave the room.

"Wait, Light! I can't let you sleep on the sofa!" I exclaimed before grabbing her arm and pulling her back in.

"I can't very well let a girl take the sofa, can I?" I smirked.

But she gave me a death glare.

"Hmph…Anyway, I can't take the bed either, because you're the host." She huffed.

"What do you mean? We can both sleep on the same bed." I said, confused.

The death glare just got sharper.

"You…What do you plan to do to me?" She said with slight trepidation.

"Because whatever it is, I used to be in the GC. Drop any thoughts about that." She threatened, regaining her composure.

I sighed in slight irritation.

"I won't do anything, Light. Do I look like that sort of guy who would do that?" I asked, exasperated.

"The guiltiest are the best at acting innocent. But…I'll believe you." She said offhandedly, looking away.

I shook my head and walked over to the bed, sitting down on it.

"Anyway, Light, I set up cooking lessons for you tomorrow. I sure look forward to what you bring back for me tomorrow after a hard day of work!" I said, upbeat.

She gave me a long, hard stare.

"Why, oh why, Hope, are you so insistent on me cooking for you?" She asked suspiciously.

I returned her look and smirked.

"I guess…I just want to taste home cooked food again. After, well, after my parents died."

I couldn't bring myself to look at her as unpleasant memories came back to me.

When I finally looked back at her, I noticed she was looking at the floor. She was quiet for a few minutes as I sat next to her, silently staring at the nearby window.

"I-I'm sorry, Hope. That was insensitive of me." She said, trembling a little.

"Don't be, there was no way for you to know, and I suppose you would have thought it suspicious. Haha, rightfully so, I imagine." I chuckled weakly.

"I know how you feel, Hope…Because I am the same. My parents left me and my sister when I was younger, and I had to take care of her afterwards. I decided to give my everything for her, even my life."

She lingered towards the end, dragging sentences on and emphasizing certain points. I nodded before inevitably questioning her.

"So, what, you then decide to kill yourself off? Kind of irresponsible if you had to take care of her." I said, before slamming my hand on my mouth.

She stared at me for a while before smirking.

"I suppose I would normally be mad at that statement, but I will consider us even, then, with that."

She then sighed in exasperation.

"Well, she found someone. Someone else who cares for her and loves her, and that means I'm not needed anymore." She started trembling as the last few words slipped from her lips.

I gave her a long, hard stare.

"I still think that's no reason to kill yourself over. You just have to find it again, right?" I said with a smile.

She gave me a questioning look that had 'what do you mean' plastered all over it.

I shook my head.

"Wasn't that obvious? You just have to find it…Find something else that is worth living for."

She looked at me, as if impressed, and then immediately after, looked down.

"I…Well…Thank you, Hope. I feel a lot better." She murmured.

I nodded and put on another smile.

"Feel free to rely on me anytime. It's your turn to be relying on someone now, after all."

...

She just nodded silently, and turned around.

"Well, it's kind of late, and I have work tomorrow. Have to compensate for today too, anyway. Good night, Light. We should turn off the night-light, eh?" I tried lightening the mood with a…rather lame joke, but she chuckled.

"Yes, I suppose so."

With that, our first night together under the same roof ended as we fell asleep, backs facing each other.

Well, today was definitely a lovely morning.

You see, I woke up sandwiched between two soft, lovely buns which belong to Ms. Lightning Farron. It was a very stimulating experience, I would say, and I would have gladly stayed this way forever if possible. However, the thought of the pain that would come if she woke up now…

I shuddered at the thought.

I somewhat reluctantly slithered out somehow after enjoying it some more.

By the time she woke up, I was already done in freshening up. I took my clothes and went out into the living room.

"Well, Light, thought I'd give you some privacy. Feel free to use the things in my bathroom as you like. Just let me know when you're done, yeah?" I said.

I heard a loud yawn inside.

I smiled and went to cook some eggs for her and myself.

'Lightning's Perspective'

That…was the most rest I had in a long time. One of the best, too, in years! I really am thankful to Hope.

I was actually kind of reluctant to get up from this comfortable bed, and I rolled over to the middle. It really smells strongly of Hope, no surprise there.

Hope's smell…

...

WHAT AM I DOING?!

I shot up as soon as I realised what I was doing, looking down, embarrassed.

"Light, are you alright in there?"

I heard a voice call out. Embarrassed, I could barely formulate a response.

"Y-yesh!" I replied.

Well, flopped that one grandly.

"Um, alright, just remember that I'm here if you need me!" He replied.

Great. Just…great.

After using Hope's...No, our bathroom to wake myself up, I got changed, not bothering with makeup or anything as always.

I was greeted with the pleasant aroma of fried eggs as I walked over to the table.

"Light, good morning! I hope you don't mind them fried." He said as he poured water into two identical looking cups.

Eggs…How quaint. At least it isn't more rations, though…

I nodded and returned the greeting. He smiled as he returned to the table and sat directly facing me.

Breakfast ended up fairly silent, and we didn't talk at all as we ate the eggs.

After cleaning up the table and washing the crockery, Hope walked over to the front door carrying an attaché case.

"Well, Light, I made breakfast, so I am definitely looking forward to a home cooked meal filled with love when I get back!" He said, as he quickly put on his shoes.

"Bye, Honey!" He exclaimed as he dashed out the door before I could react.

...

I stood there for a moment, stunned. Perplexed, for lack of a better word, I suppose.

I shook my head.

"Well, don't blame me if it turns out inedible, you idiot. It is, after all, my first lesson…Or first time cooking, for that matter."

Well…To say that I screwed up at the cooking lessons would be an understatement. Actually, I kind of screwed everything up.

"No, no, Miss Farron, that is too much ingredients, it will overpower the taste very much!" The instructor exclaimed.

"S-sorry, I'm trying my best to remember the amounts, though…" I apologised.

Strange…My memory of the mission briefs given while I was with the GC was unparalleled.

"No, no! zat is first mistake, you do not memorise! No harm, no embarrassment with double checking cookbook! "She scolded.

I nodded and made a mental checklist.

That sort of pattern went on throughout the entire lesson…

"No, no! The heat is too strong! Is too much!" She exclaimed once more.

I hastily lowered it, and then the fire went out.

"You don't just turn it off, then! The blend of the taste will be destroyed!"

The routine for the entire class...

My resolve and her patience were getting severely tested with each step in the cooking process.

I'm making soup, by the way. Basic enough that I thought I wouldn't screw up, but…

I sighed as I sat down, just about to give up. I really am not cut out for working a knife without thinking I'm cutting up some silver lobo meat.

The instructor huffed as she put her hands on her hips.

"Very well, I shall teach you the secret to make tasty foodstuff!" She exclaimed.

I gave her a dubious look. Can a recipe or some strange secret really change how good food tastes?

"Just think of ze face of your beloved as you cook, good enough!" She exclaimed with confidence.

I frowned.

My beloved?

Does she mean Serah? But she couldn't possibly know…

"Just think of how you want your husband to enjoy this lovely and sweet home cooked grub from his beloved, and he definitely won't let you sleep tonight!" She almost shrieked.

I gave her a perplexed look, as if I couldn't formulate a proper reply.

"He's not my husband…" I mutter.

"What? You're not married to Hope? Tis very much a pity! Either way, just think of him when you're cooking and I assure you it'll taste better! Guaranteed!"

With that, she went off to teach another student who seemed to be doing well.

I didn't know what to feel. Embarrassed? Angry? Frustrated?

As I pondered about what she meant with those words…

Think of your beloved…she probably meant Hope, right? That's just a misunderstanding…

I mean, sure, what Hope seeks from me is basically like that of a housewife, but actually marrying him would be…

No, T-that's impossible. I don't deserve him, I mean, I'm sure he likes a girl with a nicer personality, kinder, cuter and…

Wait, why do I even care about his preferences?

But…He did seem to look forward to a home cooked meal from me, I'd hate to disappoint.

Actually, I think I would like to give him something nice, but I just can't get this right…and I sure as hell can't employ a cliché like "I put lots of love into it!" and make it tasty, god no, this isn't a drama show.

...

Before I knew it, time had passed, and I had no idea what I was doing to the soup while I was in a daze.

"Zis is pretty good, but could use a little bit more salt! And maybe a bit more of the meat too, too much bone isn't always good for soup! Okay, next for taste test is Ms. Farron!" The instructor announced, as she walked over.

"W-wait! I haven't…" I tried to stop her, but she was already at the pot, taking her ladle and scooping into my soup to have a taste.

Oh no…This isn't going to turn out well.

"…This…This is amazing! Exquisite! Delicious!" She exclaimed in surprise as she took another sip, as if to confirm the taste.

"You see, lass, just thinking about that special someone adds something to the formula no one else can copy, and that's love!" The instructor said as she dipped her ladle in for another scoop.

"I saw you dazed and daydreaming so I wasn't expectin much, t' be perfectly honest, but this is just unexpectedly good! Especially since zis is the first time you have cooked!"

The instructor continued to lavish praise on me as I blushed with embarrassment.

When I got back…Home, I set the pot down at the dinner table, and sat down.

I wouldn't have believed myself if this was just a few days ago, but I caught myself doing it.

You do know, right? That thing that housewives do quite a lot.

I caught myself sitting at the dinner table, food ready, staring back and forth between the clock and the front door, smiling at the thought of welcoming home her working…

…Roommate, with a hearty meal.

Just like a housewife. Except, well, he's just a roommate.

Eventually, after what seemed like an eternity, I heard the door open.

I quickly got off my seat and went to the front door to greet him.

"Welcome home, Hope!" I said, tilting my head downwards towards him.

He seemed stunned for a while, but eventually smiled… As if conveying the message 'I'm glad to see you finally smile'.

He took off his shoes before walking up to me and held my hand, looking at me expectantly.

I looked down at this hand, wondering if I should pull back, but decided against it.

...

After staring at each other blankly for a while, his shoulders slumped a little bit and he looked disappointed.

"You aren't going to ask whether or not I want to eat, take a bath, or…to have you?" he said before grinning like a fox.

"Y-you didn't have to hit so hard..." he complained, rubbing his now red cheek.

"Shut up and eat your dinner, Hope."

He forced a slightly pained smile.

"S-so, you've been to class for the first day today, I hope it was alright?" he asked, concerned.

"Nope. Couldn't follow the lesson at all, but Madam Instructor insisted on me packing this for you to eat."

He froze for a moment before nodding.

"Of course, I'm looking forward to my very first home cooked meal by my sweet-"

I cut him off with a piercing glare that I usually reserved for the most unruly of recruits back when I was in the GC.

"...Er, Roommate." He said, before I smiled, satisfied.

He gulped, and then poured himself a bowl. He nervously dipped the spoon into the soup, and tasted it.

He paused for a moment before downing the entire bowl in one prolonged sequence of gulps.

I was stunned. T-that was quick…

He let out a puff of air that sounded like he was satisfied, before eagerly pouring himself another bowl. He also made sure to pour on for me too.

He looked at me before he went onto his second round, and smiled.

"This taste…It really reminds me of my mother's cooking."

He didn't give me enough time for that sentence to register in my mind before continuing.

"Simple, not too complex...And yet, has a certain taste that is just delightful. It's like you really put a lot of love and effort into this." He said, looking at me and smiling as tears poured down his eyes.

I couldn't bring myself to hit him for that comment because of the emotions I could feel backing the revelation. The Forlorn tone of his voice, and yet the juxtaposing happiness in which he said it really had an impact on me.

"O-of course, Hope...I Made it just for you, while I was...Um, thinking about you, to be honest." I quickly looked away, red with embarrassment.

"Thank you, Light...I love it." he complimented me, as he wiped away his tears.

I spent the rest of dinnertime staring at him, silently sipping the soup in my bowl as I watched him literally empty the entire pot, smiling in satisfaction after each one.

It gave me a great sense of accomplishment, seeing him so happy like this.

I wonder if this is how housewives feel when their husband compliments their cooking and genuinely enjoys it. Because if it is…

Then maybe, just maybe…This feeling isn't so bad. I could grow used to it...

I smiled happily at the prospect of spending the next 5 years like this, in bliss…

I caught him looking at me through his now dry eyes as he smiled.

"I knew it. You really do look so beautiful when you're smiling." He commented, before continuing to stare at my face.

I looked away, embarrassed.

And yet, I didn't get the urge to hit him for that remark.

-To Be Continued -

Author's notes

So…Yeah. I tried my best and gave it my all in this chapter to extend it beyond my normal length and detailed it best I could without, hopefully, being too overbearing.

Once again, I sincerely hope you enjoyed it; R & R's will be much appreciated!