Chapter 29: The Roller-Coaster of Us

Hope returned to the vehicle and sat down to fiddle with some controls by the steering wheel. Lightning watched him work, the question at the tip of her tongue hanging suspended for the moment as her eyebrows rose in surprise when the controls and the navigation screen beside it slid into a hidden compartment, the partition so seamless that if she hadn't seen it, she wouldn't have been able to tell there was something there.

She looked at him. "What's that all about?" she asked him instead.

Hope smiled as he answered, "Just camouflaging the specialness of this car. Wouldn't want the valets to press a button by accident and cause this car to drive itself off somewhere. That'll be dangerous." He sighed, trying to stifle the smile from stretching his lips too much, the giddy flutter of excitement making his stomach jump. He reached out to take a hold of her hand. "You ready?"

It was Claire's turn to attempt to curb the buzz that thrummed through her nerve-endings at what the rest of the night had in store. "You got us a room?" she asked, though she already knew the answer, wanting some sort of confirmation anyway.

He waved the keycard envelope with his other hand. "Yep."

For a moment, Lightning felt as though her heart would burst from the adrenaline that seemed to suddenly be singing through her veins, making her whole body tremble. She let go of his hand, not wanting Hope to feel just how affected she was, and simply nodded in response.

"Okay." He nodded. "Alright. Okay." Wiping his suddenly clammy hands on his pant legs, he opened his door again while simultaneously pressing the switch for the trunk door by his seat. "Wait here a moment."

He went out, making his way to the back to grab their shopping bags, then made sure that the trunk was secure before opening her door for her and assisting her out of the car.

Noticing that they were finally ready, one of the valets came over and took the car keys from Hope, handing him a voucher in return, and they both watched as he drove the car off to the hotel's underground parking.

Then, placing his hand at the small of her back, Hope led Lightning up the stairs toward The Ark.

For all that she'd lived all her life in Bodhum and therefore was aware of this hotel's existence, the notion that she would ever set foot in this place as a guest was one she'd never ever considered. So the trepidation she was feeling as she passed through the ornate doors was warranted.

Immediately at the front of them was a bubbling fountain that provided the entrance with a cool breeze. Inside the lobby was an artful scattering of couches, chairs, and tables with guests lounging around here and there, while off to the side was the front desk counter manned by hotel staff. Across was The Ark's miniature mall that housed small boutiques and a spa. The foyer was open to a large courtyard and garden that gave access to the hotel's man-made lagoon beside the beach and the swimming pool.

Following Hope's lead, they stepped over to the anteroom containing five elevators, standing with other guests already waiting there. With a chime, two doors opened, and they both made their way to the one closest to them after it was vacated by its passengers, and Hope pressed the button for their floor.

Limbs still wracked with uncustomary nervousness, Lightning kept silent and half-listened to the small conversation between Hope and the other guests, who were tourists from Eden, here to enjoy a much-needed vacation from the hustle and bustle of the capital. They uttered their pleasant surprise when Hope told them he came from Academia, and bade them enjoy their stay as he and Lightning got off on their floor.

He removed his hand from her back to open the door to their room, and she stood at the threshold, mouth opening as her eyes roved over the place once he turned the light on.

Moving inside to the sitting area, Hope deposited their shopping bags on the couch, turning on the table lamp for more light, frowning as he turned and saw her still standing at the doorway, expecting her to have followed him inside.

She changed her mind, didn't she? The thought rose, unbidden, automatic, and he couldn't help the pang that shot through the pit of his stomach, couldn't help the shaky exhale that pulled out of him. Couldn't find his voice to say something to fill the pervading silence, not trusting what would come out of him. Couldn't shake off hollowness even as she finally stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

He simply stood and watched as she came nearer, her blue eyes still taking in their surroundings.

She cleared her throat with a small cough as she finally reached him. "I was hoping the room would be smaller," she murmured, crossing her arms from the coolness of the air-conditioner. "This looks almost like an apartment."

Adjacent to the main entryway was a door to the bathroom, across from it was a closet. Further in was a kitchenette; the small dining area and living room faced the balcony; a large television was set on the wall in front of the sectional sofa; and off to the side was the door leading to the bedroom.

Willing his heart to beat again, Hope let out a small cough to clear out the frog that had taken residence in his throat, mustering up a teasing tone to quip, "I think they usually rent this out to longterm guests. Besides, all they had available was this or the suite with its own indoor pool and jacuzzi. And that one was about a few thousand gil more."

"Ah." Uncrossing her arms to wrap them around his neck, she rose up on tip-toes and murmured against his lips, "This is better, then."

"Glad you approve," he replied, linking his fingers behind the small of her back. Forehead to forehead and nose to nose, he simply let himself bask in her closeness, relishing the feel of her fingers playing with the ends of his hair at his nape, willing to let the rest of the world fall away and keep them interlocked in this position. Willing to let that pang earlier to dissipate.

I don't need anything else, he tried to convince himself. Just Lightning.

But his stomach chose that moment to make its objection known, making the both of them chuckle.

And apparently, food, too.

Lightning drew back a step, her hands wandering to his chest. "So what do you want to eat?" He opened his mouth to answer, but she immediately placed a finger over them. "Food. And not..." She sighed, rolling her eyes. "Just food."

After snickering, Hope reached up to take her hand, his tongue snaking out to run between her index and middle fingers, and licked at the juncture, wiggling his eyebrows at her. Even as she felt her knees tremble and a jolt shoot through her centre, Lightning strove to control herself, wresting her hand from his hold and clapping her other hand over his eyes, and removed herself from his arms.

"Food, I said," she reiterated, walking over to the other side of the room by the air-conditioner, standing in front of its blast in an attempt to cool down.

Expelling a long exhale as he flopped down on an armrest, Hope offered, "This hotel has two restaurants: one on the roof and one just off the courtyard, overlooking the beach. I think the one on the roof requires you to dress up a bit, though. Definitely no swimsuits-only-clad people allowed." He patted the shopping bags on the couch beside him. "Brought these up in case you wanted to go up there and check it out."

The pink-haired pursed her lips. Really, the only things she actually owned in those bags were the lingerie that Fang and Jihl bought for her, the rest belonged to them. And between the two restaurants though, she found herself leaning more towards the top one as there seemed very little chance it would be frequented by anyone she knew and therefore would afford them the privacy and secrecy she craved. Still...

"Don't you have to have a reservation there?" she asked.

Hope thought for a moment. "I'm not really sure. Hang on, I'll ask at the desk." He rose, looking for the hotel phone, and found it in the bedroom on top of a bedside table.

Lightning walked to the sofa and rifled through the bags. She heard Hope hang up and call out from the bedroom, "They transferred me to the restaurant and they said we don't need a reservation. They have tables set aside for walk-ins. So if you want to go there, we can. What do you think?"

Inwardly, she felt relieved at hearing that. "Sure, why not. I guess it's fine."

"Well, I guess it's time to make ourselves look presentable. I think I'll take a quick shower first. Wanna join me?"

She rolled her eyes. "Food first, remember?"

He laughed. "I was asking about a shower. Nothing else."

"Sure, you are."

"You seem to be the one whose mind immediately jumped to a non-shower-related activity."

She turned and glared at him, eliciting another round of chuckles from him as he headed off to the bathroom connected to the bedroom.

After hearing him close the door and the sound of water running, Lightning took out her phone and scrolled through her contact list, then made a call.

"Sunshine?" came Fang's puzzled voice after a couple of rings.

"Yeah, it's me," she replied.

"Huh. Didn't figure we'd hear from you at all tonight."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Aw, c'mon, no need to be in denial or snippy. Jihl and I are staying away from the house to give you guys some privacy."

Lightning's eyebrows rose at that. "I—we didn't, I mean, we're not at the house."

"Oh. At his place, then?"

"No."

"Somewhere else?"

"I..."

"Ah, you don't need to tell me as long as you're happy wherever you are." Fang paused, and then, "And hey, you get to test out the stuff Jihl and I bought you. Isn't that wonderful? Why, you can even—"

"I kinda have a problem," interrupted Lightning before her friend could go on a lengthy tirade.

"Oh?"

"Other than those, I don't have any other clothes."

"Sunshine, honey." She could just imagine Fang shaking her head on the other side of the line. "You don't need to worry. You won't be wearing those lingerie for long anyway."

Lightning let out an exasperated breath. "That's not what I mean. I just – we're heading out to dinner, and I need something that's not just a tank top and skirt."

"So?"

"I can't just walk into the restaurant in a teddy."

Fang sighed on the other end. "You still have a couple of our bags, yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Well, take your pick, then. There ought to be something appropriate there."

"Is that really okay?"

"Of course, it is, you silly. Knock yourself out." There was a beat, and then, "On second thought, knock Mr Ellenty off his socks."

"..." Fang, dammit, thought Lightning, unable to conjure a reply from the blush permeating through her face.

"Oh..." Came a grave sigh from the receiver. "You're not with Mr Ellenty, then?"

"What?!" exclaimed the pink-haired. "What makes – what the hell, Fang?"

"Well, give me a break. I took your silence for the negative."

"Fang."

The brunette chuckled. "Alright. Sorry. Sorry. Have fun. Use protection—"

"I'm hanging up now."

"Bed him good and proper—"

"Fang."

The chuckles subsided. "Enjoy yourself, Lightning. Have a good time."

"..." The pink-haired took a deep breath. "Thanks, Fang. Goodnight."

"G'night, sunshine."

As soon as Hope vacated the bathroom, Lightning stormed in, bags in tow.

After a quick shower, she held out her housemates' purchases, weighing the pros and cons to herself. Fang liked to show off her legs, so the short dress was definitely hers. Jihl knew she had assets aplenty, and so was more varied when it came to her purchases since she knew she could work any dress to her advantage. It was fortunate that one of them also bought footwear from the same store – a metallic silver strappy number – but it was bought on a whim without any of the dresses in mind. Still, though, Lightning knew she had to work with what she had since she hadn't exactly planned to have her day turn out the way it did.

Finally settling for Fang's dress – since the night would inevitably end without clothes on so she might as well pick the one that would be easier to get out of – and the shoes, being metallic, were neutral, and so would go with anything anyway, all that was left was the lingerie.

For the first time in her life, Lightning found herself dressing provocatively for one particular person with the express intent of seduction. The black lace, she knew, was a classic. It meant that intercourse was a given. But since Fang's dress was already dark, Lightning figured a splash of colour was in order, even if it wasn't going to be seen by anyone else aside from her and Hope. The fuchsia number, to her, was a little too daring, and she felt she wasn't ready for that yet. The teal had too many pieces that, at that moment, she just couldn't be bothered to figure out how to wear. So that left the mauve set.

As she began to tear the tags off, she got a closer look at it, and couldn't help feeling flushed. It was a one-piece teddy that at first glance looked rather modest – in comparison to the others, anyway. She pulled it on, legs first, and she had to admit she liked the way it hugged her hips, making her look tantalizing from the back by only showing the bottom part of her ass cheeks, but not so modest since it was crotchless – for easy access, no doubt, she thought, biting her lip bottom as she checked herself out in the full-length mirror. The bra part provided support, not just enhancement, she saw as she tucked her breasts into the cups, the underwire helping push them up and out, then she reached behind to fasten the hook-and-eye closure and then adjusted the shoulder straps for a better fit.

Finished, she examined herself, turning around and from side to side. The bottom was attached to the bra by two narrow strips of lace and lycra over her abdomen, leaving the middle of her abs bare and showcasing the belly ring. Wow, she thought, amazed. I don't look half-bad.

After making sure the tags were also off on Fang's dress and the shoes, she slipped them on, eyeing the finished product in the mirror. She pursed her lips at her reflection. She couldn't really do much about her face since she never really wore makeup, and the hotel only provided a complimentary kit for removing it. Au naturel it is, she thought, leaving her face and her hair as they were and braced herself for what was to come by releasing a long exhale, all too aware of the feel of her new garments against her skin.

That's me, she told her reflection, knowing it was herself and yet not finding the person staring back recognizable.

I-I think I'm ready, she thought, drawing her gaze away from the mirror only to stare at the doorknob.

The seconds trickled by, each tick swinging her towards willing her hand to grasp the handle and turn, and each tock making her wonder if she really was okay with this: the whole scenario, their situation, the predilection to keeping it a secret. Hope. And her.

Dressing up like this. Feeling an air of artificiality over how they got to where they were.

Was this really what she wanted?

After all the preparations, Lightning found herself unable to reach out and open that door.

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy XIII and its sequels belong to Square Enix.

A/N: Anyone else feeling like they'd been punched in the gut with that last bit?
I was happily writing along, excited about what's to come next, and then...yeah.
It went the opposite of where I intended to be, but thinking about the grand scheme of things, it's better this way.

Thanks as always for reading and/or reviewing this story, I appreciate that you took the time and consideration to do so ^_^

Random Q&A:
MegaHamX asks Any ideas how much longer you intend to make it or is that a suprise for us to discover?
I'm not sure how much longer this fic will go on but if it's any consolation I do have the ending written since ages ago, and I'm at the hardest part of writing where I'm trying to work my way to that ending. So I guess it will be as much of a surprise for you as it will be for me.

Sunflowerspot asks Did they leave anything behind in the back seat?
I'd imagine there's probably some residue of bodily fluids left behind, and that if their friends should learn about it, they'd probably refuse to ever sit in the back seat ever again *lol*

H-thar asks How much time until the Farron-Villiers wedding?
Answer: Serah's wedding will be in August (mentioned in chapter 4), so about ten or eleven months away from the current time this fic takes place in (I figured that should be plenty of time for her dress to get custom made, have her fittings and alterations done, also plan out the rest of her wedding stuff).

Thanks for reading. Please review, I'd really appreciate knowing what you thought of this chapter :)
May/2015