6AN:Sorry for not updating for so long, real life got in a way and I didn't know what to write.
I haven't abandoned the fic but I will update when I can.
I still have to figure out how to slowly progress relationship between Light and Hope. And I don't know to do it.
Maybe you guys have any ideas?
I have tumbler now - stellanoxcaelumblr
Feel free to message me your ideas here. I'm open to suggestions.
Anyway, enjoy.
Meanwhile Noel was walking through New Bodhum. Since morning he had been looking for a job, but had no luck. No one wanted a guard or hunter to get rid of some creature bothering them. 'we have nothing worth stealing' or ' monsters don't bother us.' they say.
Brunet sat on bench, sighing in defeat. And how he was going to help Hope and himself, if he didn't had a job?
There was sound of footsteps and someone sat beside him.
"Hi, Noel," said familiar voice.
Young man turned his head to the side and saw it was Serah. "Hi, Serah."
"Why so gloomy?" she asked.
Noel sighed again. "I can't find a job. "
Girl tapped her chin in thought before, Serah snapped her fingers.
"I think I can help you."
He looked at her in surprise. " How?"
Instead of answering, she stood up and brunet did the same. "Follow me."
He followed.
After an hour or so later, walking in silence, they came to a bar which stood near seashore. Noel and Serah entered.
"Welcome to the bar ' At Lebreau'! What's your order?" The dark haired woman - probably the owner - asked them, before noticing Serah. "Hi, Serah. How are you?"
"Hi, Lebreau," she said. "I'm good. Anyway, I want you to meet someone. Noel, meet my friend Lebreau."
"It's nice to meet you," Noel said, offering his hand. Woman shook it.
"You too," she said.
"Lebreau, remember you told me you needed a bartender?" Serah asked once introductions ended.
"Yeah," she nodded. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, I just found you one," Serah said, gesturing to Noel. Both looked at her in shock.
"What?!" they said at the same time.
Serah sighed.
"You need bartender," she said to Lebreau and turned to Noel. "And you need a job. It suits both of you."
Lebreau tapped her chin with a finger.
"Hmm…" she said after a moment and looked at Noel. "She is right, you know. It's win-win situation. What do you think?"
Noel thought about the suggestion. He never worked as bartender before but what choice did he have? There was no work for him if worked as hunter or guard.
He really needed a job. So he will accept.
"I accept the job," Noel said, making up his decision. "But I never worked as bartender before, so I don't know what to do."
Lebreau grinned and took his hand, leading him to his new workplace.
"Don't worry, "woman said, still grinning. "I'll show you what to do."
Next few hours Lebreau showed him what he needed to do and soon Noel caught the hang of it.
At ten 'o clock Lebreau closed the bar and once outside turned to Noel.
"You did well today, "she said. Noel's tense body relaxed. Lebreau was observing him the whole day, making him nervous and he was afraid he would mess up something; although he accepted, the decision was still after Lebreau.
"Come tomorrow," brunette continued, "At eight."
Looks like he had a job now. Noel felt relief and light as if great weight left his shoulders.
"Okay," he said." See you tomorrow."
His new boss nodded. "Yeah, see you. And, "she added warningly, with twinkle in her eyes, making it clear what Lebreau was half joking, half serious. "Don't be late. Or else."
A small smile touched his lips. He started to like Lebreau.
"I won't be late." he replied, still smiling. Brunette nodded, waving goodbye before disappearing in distance.
Noel turned to Serah, who was watching their interaction with a smile.
"I like her," he said to her.
"I knew you would," Serah said, as they began walking home.
They fell into silence until Noel decided to break it, as they saw their houses a few minutes later.
"I wanted to thank you," brunet said and Serah looked at him with curiosity.
"What for?" she asked.
"For finding me a job. If you didn't help, I don't know what I would do."
"Don't be silly," Serah said. "You're my friend. Not to mention you're new in New Bodhum. You probably would have done the same, if I was in your shoes."
Warmth spread inside Noel's chest. It was nice to know that Serah thought of him as a friend. Back home, in Palumpolum, he didn't have much people he could call friends. He only had Hope and Yeul to call as such; the others have been just acquaintances.
But now he had another person he could call a friend.
And it was a nice feeling.
"You're right," Noel agreed with Serah. They neared his and Hope's house. "See you tomorrow?"
"Yeah," Serah nodded. "Good night."
"Good night," he replied and entered the house.
Hope, who was already in his wolf form, laying on rug in living room, raised his head from his paws.
"Welcome home," the prince greeted his friend, his tone slightly grim. "I cooked a dinner for you, but it might be cold, since I cooked it before transformation."
"Thanks," Noel said gratefully. Now what he was home, he realized how exhausted he was. He just wanted to eat and fall asleep.
Noel was about to head to kitchen, when he noticed Hope's grim look.
"What's wrong, Hope?" he asked with concern in his voice, as he bent to prince's level. Hope placed head on his front paws again, turning away from his bodyguard.
"I'm fine, "he replied trying to sound casual but his best friend could tell he was lying. "Go eat and rest. I can see you are exhausted."
But Noel refused to rest, while his friend was clearly troubled by something.
He shook his head. "You're lying, Hope. Please tell me what's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong!" Hope replied, raising his voice and standing up on his four legs. He began pacing back and forth. "Everything is perfectly fine! While you try to do something - finding a job, so we could have money – I just sit here doing nothing! "Prince yelled with frustration and annoyance, and then added quietly. "I feel so useless. Some friend and prince I am."
In that moment Noel understood what troubled his best friend. He smiled softly and ruffed Hope's fur on his head like he did to his hair when prince was human.
"You're not useless, "he said looking into prince's eyes. "Once we break the spell, you'll be human again. Until then, you'll have to hope and wait. Got it?"
Hope smiled, feeling a little better. Noel was right. He had to wait and hope. And don't give up. He didn't have time to cry about the situation he was in. He needed to break the spell and reclaim his throne from Caius.
It wasn't just him. His people's lives were at stake.
"Got it. Thanks, Noel," Hope said gratefully and nudged his friend in direction of kitchen with his head. "Now, go eat and sleep. You have work tomorrow."
"You're welcome," brunet said before doing what was told.
Soon he was asleep in his room.
Hope looked at moon, before placing his head on paws and falling asleep.
He will do anything in his power to break the spell.
He will do it.
Because he is not alone.
