The new world
Honstly, Serah had expected to crystalise once more. Being released from their crystalised states had also been a gift from Etro...But as she, Noel and Mog stumbled out of the time gate, she didn't feel it coming. She even checked her arm to see if the brand had returned, but no.
Her confusion was interrupted though by Noel's shaky voice.
"Wait...This is..."
Serah looked up from inspecting her arm to see the place they'd landed in looked familiar yet almost unrecognisable.
It was Noel's village. The Dying World....But alive and thriving. Greenery and water and People.
"How...How is this possible?"
The pieces clicked into place for Serah and she smiled.
"Because...You lived in the end of times due to the collapse of Cocoon. But, Hope and everyone...They saved it. The world was never destroyed, instead, it's thriving."
Noel was still stunned....But then sprinted off towards the village. He had to see. Had to check.
Serah made to follow him, but hearing Mog's sudden frantic 'Kupos' stopped her.
"Mog? What's wrong?"
"The time gate, kupo!"
Serah looked back and felt her heart plummet. The gate that had spat them out into Noel's timeline, had turned to solid stone. She ran over, pressing her hands to it, trying to get some reaction....Nothing.
"The Goddess has sealed the timeline, kupo!"
But that meant...
"...I can't get back to Lightning.."
It was like the ground had been ripped out from under her. The air drained from her lungs. Her heart was in a vice and she could feel the panic rising--
"Miss Farron?"
Serah whipped around to see...Was that, an Academy agent?
"..Y-yes?"
The man gave a visible sigh of relief. It almost seemed like he'd been waiting for her..
"It's good to finally meet you. Mr. Estheim's people had lost track of your progress, but believed to have caught your trace in this time period. I'll notify him of your arrival."
Her head was spinning.
"H-Hope?"
"Yes miss. He, along with some others, entered a time capsule so as to meet you here, but when they came to, you still hadn't appeared. We were assigned here at the gate to keep watch for you."
Serah felt some of the panic fade. They...They came for her?
"So...The gates don't work anymore?"
"Correct. Even the Oracle Drives stopped working. That's why they couldn't get a solid pin on your arrival."
"Who else?"
"Excuse me?"
"Um..You said others came with Hope. Was there..?"
She found she couldn't even finish the question. But, the man seemed to catch on.
"Your sister is assigned here as well. My apologies, I should have told you sooner.."
Relief flooded her and she all but collapsed to her knees, almost sending the agent into a panic.
"I-I'm sorry, miss..! I'll message her right away."
He immediately grabbed a communicator and started talking into it, apparently quite mortified (or perhaps just afraid of angering Lightning) that he hadn't done so sooner.
But Serah barely noticed. Lightning was here.
"Kupo..! Are you okay, Serah?"
"Y-yeah...Thanks, Mog."
The Moogle flew into her arms for a comforting hug, and Serah unsteadily got to her feet, the agent hurrying to help her up as well.
"Right this way, miss..! I've allerted--"
"Serah!"
She shouldn't have been surprised. Noel had run ahead for answers. If Lightning had been stationed here, of course she'd have found out. But still, seeing her sister running towards her had Serah almost in tears and she stumbled forward to run and meet her.
"Sis!"
It was a good thing Mog could fly because Serah had all but dropped him as she ran into her sister's arms. She was here. She was back. She finally had her sister back.
"Y-you're here..!"
"It's okay. You're okay."
Serah almost felt like a child again, clinging to her sister as Lightning comforted her. But she didn't care. She didn't care if she seemed childish. She didn't care that there were people stopping to watch now that apparently word had spread. She didn't care about what anyone thought.
She had her sister back.
"H-how..?"
Serah blinked back tears and looked past her sister to see Noel had returned. He must have noticed the commotion.
Lightning, keeping an arm around her sister, turned to look at him.
"It's, a bit of an explanation. How about we head back so we can talk in private?"
Serah took a tissue from Mog (Where had he even gotten that?) and dabbed at her eyes. Right, she was making quite the scene...
"O-okay..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There was an Academy outpost in the village-sorry, town, now. One of the many new additions. Lightning had led Serah, Noel and Mog there while the agent hurried to send word to Hope and the others. Apparently Lightning had wound up back in Hope's time. Maybe to make sure that they were able to piece everything together. Her role as Etro's guardian had given her more knowledge on the matter after all. When Serah and Noel hadn't shown up, Lightning was the one who first thought that Serah must have been swept away to Noel's time since they'd been together at the end. The final blip they'd gotten from the Oracle Drive before it gave out confirmed her theory. She asked Hope if she could use his Time Capsule, and he not only agreed, but decided to come with her to help, along with a few others. They'd been here for a few months already and had been having to keep some of what they were waiting for secret, for fear of sending out more ripples along the timeline. Though, Lightning had a theory about their l'cie cure as well. Etro left those miracles as her final thanks before sealing the timeline. Without her Eyes and Heart manifested in mortals, the events that had led to Caius' attack on her and the timeline itself had settled. No more Seeresses to give people prophecies. No Guardian to watch the seeress die, again and again and again, to drive him to madness. That had left just enough leeway, for Etro to release them as thanks for saving her, and the world.
It was a lot to take in.
Many hours later, Serah was settled in Lightning's home. She'd settled here after they awoke, to prepare for when Serah would show up, so of course Serah had a place there. The last thing Serah had wanted to do was leave her sister's side, but Lightning had put her foot down. Serah was clearly exhausted. She needed sleep. Serah had only agreed if Lightning promised to be there when she woke up. Lightning had promised not to leave the house, so Serah had finally left her sister's side to go to her room and sleep. She must have needed it more than she realised, because when she awoke, it wasn't just the next day, it was the next night. She'd run out of her room to look for Lightning, only to find her in the kitchen, with that oh so familiar 'I told you so' expression on her face.
"...Sorry."
"Don't be. You needed the rest."
"But...I made you promise--"
"I wasn't going to leave anyway. Believe me, after everything we've gone through, a little bit of domesticity is welcome."
"...It's, really over?"
It was finally sinking in. Everything they'd struggled for. Everything they fought for....They had it now.
Lightning smiled and nodded.
"It is. Now you just have to settle in. It's not Bodhum, or even New Bodhum. But this is a good place for a home."
Serah nodded slowly, walking over to help with the food Lightning had been preparing.
"It's sad that we won't see the others from New Bodhum again though..."
"They understood what you were doing. Hope messaged them all before he first entered the Time Capsule to update them."
"I just wish I could have said goodbye to everyone properly..."
"You still have Snow at least."
Serah hesitated. They'd told her that Snow had been one of those to come along in the time capsule. he couldn't get back to Nora, and like hell was he going to leave Serah as well. He'd been working with Hope, but sent word he was on his way as soon as they learned Serah and Noel had arrived.
Lightning picked up on Serah's discomfort immediately.
"Something wrong?"
...She shifted uncomfortably.
"I just....Things have felt different with him...for a while now."
Lightning raised an eyebrow, but didn't speak. Just, waited for Serah to continue. Serah almost wished she would just ask a direct question like she would have years ago...But Lightning had grown. She was more understanding now. And she wanted the full story.
Serah sighed.
"...He's always treated me like...someone to protect. If we were working together, that's one thing, but..."
Lightning caught on immediately.
"But he left."
Serah nodded, her eyes focused on her work.
"Yeah...And, when we met again, he'd let himself become a l'cie again, just to keep fighting for that...Even knowing what that would mean. I know, we're all free now, but..."
"But it still hurt then."
"....I don't know if I can...If I..."
"You don't trust him anymore?"
Serah didn't answer. It was hard to. How could she explain that the man she had wanted so badly to spend her life with....No longer held that place in her heart? All she'd ever wanted was to be at his side. To be an equal. But, he left. He refused to treat her as that equal. He wanted to do everything for her instead. He wanted to save her, forgetting that, she didn't need to be saved this time.
It had just taken travelling with someone who did treat her as an equal for her to see it.
Noel.
Noel Kreiss had broken into her world and showed her what it was like not just to trust someone completely...But to be trusted in turn. She hadn't realised how much she had needed that until he showed up. She'd felt the conflict in her heart for almost their entire journey. Anytime they had a moment to rest. Anytime that her mind wasn't focused on the task of finding her sister....her mind drifted back to Noel.
"Serah."
..Serah looked up from the vegetables she'd been chopping to look at her sister. Lightning looked concerned...but understanding.
"...Do you still love him?"
With her mind having been on Noel, she almost misunderstood, but she caught up before she could let it slip.
"....Not, like I did. I think...He'll always be my first love...Just..."
"....Not, your current one."
Serah blinked. Had she been that obvious? Or was Lightning just pointing out that, Serah wasn't in love with Snow anymore.
"I-I.."
Gods, she'd forgotten how observant her sister was. It was like she could read her mind. Before, the only thing that gave Serah any hope at secrets was hiding behind Lightning's earlier prejudices....But those were gone now. She didn't jump to conclusions or judgements. And she could read Serah like a book.
..Lightning took the vegetables Serah had prepared and placed them in the pan to cook.
"I'd known you two would make a good team....I suppose I just didn't realise how good."
Serah ducked her head.
"...That is what this is, right?"
She could feel the heat in her cheeks give her away before she could even say it...But still...
"I...I think so. Maybe..? I don't know..."
"Have you talked to him about it?"
"N-no..! How could I?"
Lightning was quiet for a moment. Serah wondered what she was thinking. They'd never really had girl talk before. Lebreau, sure. But not with Lightning.
"....Snow will be here in the morning. We'll need to figure out how to tell him."
....She was right. He'd gone through time and space and the fate of l'cie for her....But in the morning...she would have to break his heart.
Serah sunk into one of the chairs nearby, and buried her face in her hands.
"I-I..."
"Serah, it's okay. You can't blame yourself for what you feel. Especially when it comes from Snow leaving you behind in the first place. Honestly, he should have seen this coming."
There's the sister she remembered.
"...I'd, like to break it to him a little easier than that."
"...Fair enough."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It had been...Difficult. Snow had been overjoyed to see her. So happy that at first he missed Serah's expression, though she had been trying to hide it at first.
But eventually, She had to tell him. They'd had privacy to talk, but Lightning stayed in the house in case Serah needed support.
At first he didn't quite understand. She'd broken up with him once before, but he'd been able to get the reason from her, and eventually decided that it didn't matter. He would save her.
So when it finally hit him that this time it was he who had driven the wedge between them, he took it hard. It, broke his heart.
...But he understood. Serah had tried to apologise, but he'd shaken his head and told her that he'd been the one to break her heart first.
And....It was the truth. He'd believed her that Lightning was out there, but decided to leave Serah behind to look for her himself. Even left his engagement pendant behind. And when they finally reunited, that "It's on hold" had cut her like a knife. Discovering the l'cie brand was just the final nail in the coffin of their relationship, even if it took a while for Serah to realise it.
He did ask for a second chance, to try to fix what he'd broken.....but this time he read her expression better. Not just the sadness....but the pity. She had moved on.
...He decided to take some time. Work on himself. Maybe one day, he could be the man she once loved again. But, he didn't ask her to wait for him. Honestly, Serah suspected at that point that maybe he'd caught on as well. Especially when he turned to Noel during his send off a day later.
"Noel....Look after her for me, will ya?"
Noel was a little bewildered.
"Me?...Heh, she can take care of herself just fine. But, I'll watch her back."
Snow gave a small smile and clapped a hand on Noel's shoulder.
"That's all I can ask."
....Yeah. He knew.
Serah was quiet after he left. It was a different feeling this time. Likely because this time, technically, she was the one who'd left him behind.
The others mostly assumed she was just down because of the breakup. They didn't know the full details, only Lightning knew, and she told them all to give Serah some space. She'd open up when she was ready.
In the meantime, Serah tried to keep busy. She'd gone back to studying. She had a whole new history to learn now. A lot happened in between the visits she and Noel had made, and she had a lot to catch up on. And once the town saw how skilled she was in magic, she was eventually brought in to help the kids learn how to use it as well. Keeping busy gave her an escape from everything that was bothering her.
But once again, every time...As soon as she had down time, her thoughts drifted back to Noel.
It was a little different now. They didn't have to stick together like before, but he still sought her out. Honestly, she was an oasis for him whenever the new reality became overwhelming. He'd visit her. Study along with her. They'd play with Mog together. It was nice.
But he could tell there was a distance there that hadn't been there before. He wasn't one to pry. She'd just been through a breakup after all. But...it bothered him still.
He hated to see her so sad.
He'd brought it up once. Asked if she regretted breaking up with Snow, and she'd shaken her head, but hadn't met his eyes.
He'd understood her reasoning. Hell, he agreed with it. He'd never agreed with how Snow left people behind. But seeing Serah these days...Even when they were together, she seemed distant. In fact, it almost seemed intentional...
He tried giving her some space for a time...But eventually came back. He couldn't help it. She drew him in like air to a drowning man. He'd give anything just to see her smile again...
He'd do little things to try to cheer her up. Invite her out to explore the areas around the town. There was still plenty of wilderness and adventure to be had just outside the borders. And even if they didn't have the time to explore outside, learning their way around inside the town and meeting all the new people was amazing as well. For a time, Serah would seem almost back to normal.
But as soon as things settled again, he could see her close up. Whatever was bothering her, wasn't going away with adventure.
He was out late one night, having just come back from a monster patrol for the town borders, when he noticed her down by the lake. It was odd for her to be out at this time, usually Lightning asked for her not to stay out too late. Briefly he wondered if she'd snuck out. Well, it was safe inside the borders...But, he did promise to watch her back. And maybe...
Maybe he could finally get her to open up to him.
Serah had been sitting a few feet away from the water when she heard his footsteps. Even without looking, she recognised the sound. She wondered when during their travels she'd picked up on just how he walked...
"You're up late."
"Speak for yourself. At least I was scheduled for patrol. What's your excuse?"
Serah shrugged, letting a small smile cross her face as Noel plopped down onto the grass next to her. He had his back to the water and was just a few inches forward so that he didn't have to turn to look at her.
"I like coming down to the water. It reminds me of the ocean a little."
Noel glanced over his shoulder at the lake.
"Pretty sure the ocean is bigger."
"Waaay bigger. But still, coming down here helps me think."
"About...anything in particular?"
Serah finally turned her gaze from the water to look at him. He was trying to be casual, but she could tell he was worried.
"Just...some things I needed to work out."
She was still holding back. Noel sighed, reaching up to rub the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Is it...about Snow?"
Serah hesitated...before shaking her head.
"Not, quite. It's related to that but...no."
Noel shifted a little more in her direction to indicate he was listening and Serah bit her lip. An action that caught Noel's attention, before he snapped out of it to pay attention to her words.
"...I think...I know, that I moved on from Snow a while ago. I was just, struggling with the reason, why it was so easy.."
"...What reason?"
She looked back out at the water again, avoiding his gaze, and in the moonlight, he noticed her cheeks had gone pink.
"Serah?"
...She took a deep breath, before looking back at him again. She looked nervous, but...Some of that sparkle had returned to her eyes. Whatever had been bothering her, it looked like she'd finally made up her mind about it.
"Because...I realised that, I'd fallen for someone else."
It was a shock, and his heart skipped a beat, but he quickly pushed the feeling down. Don't get your hopes up. Don't make assumptions. It'll only hurt more if they're wrong.
"Someone....else?"
She nodded.
"Someone who, showed me what being an equal, really meant. Showed me that, that's what I really wanted in a relationship. I was just scared of admitting it."
"Scared? Why? What do you have to lose?"
She breathed a laugh, looking out at the water again.
"Well, if he doesn't feel the same it'd make things, pretty awkward.."
"And, if he does feel the same?"
She looked back at him, her eyes locking on his. And this time, he was sure. He knew who she meant. He thought his heart was about to burst out of his chest...But he still needed to hear it.
"Noel..."
He shifted again, angled towards her. He needed to hear it...
"..Tell me?"
All the time Serah had known him...she had never seen him look as vulnerable as he did now. Suddenly her own fears meant nothing. Her insecurities and doubts meant nothing. She shifted closer as well, reaching up to cup his face gently.
"...You, Noel. I fell for you."
It was all he needed to hear. He was pulling her into a hug before she even finished her sentence, drawing a gasp of surprise from her.
"N-Noel..?"
"...I was scared to hope.."
The tension left Serah's body and she hugged him back, letting a shuddering breath escape her as the realisation sunk in. He felt the same...He felt the same.
"I'm sorry it took me so long to admit it.."
"It's okay. It's weird to think of but...we actually have time now, yeah?"
Serah breathed a laugh as she pulled back a little to smile at him.
"Yeah. All the time in the world."
It was the smile he'd been waiting to see. That bright smile that lit up the hearts of whoever saw it. He didn't even realise what he was doing until he heard her soft gasp and felt her breath on his lips. Even then, he threw caution to the wind and closed the distance.
And Serah relaxed into it, one of her hands moving up to his shoulder as she kissed back. She'd wondered before what it might be like to kiss him. His lips were soft on hers. Exploratory. Learning.
She angled her head a little, her lips pressing more comfortably against his, and she noticed him follow her lead. She pulled back a fraction to take a breath, and noticed him start to chase her lips again, before hesitating, opening his eyes to look at her, questioning.
She smiled softly, staying close.
"Are you comfortable with this?"
"I was the one who kissed you, remember?"
"Mhm..."
She was so aware of him right now. Her only hesitation came from knowing how little experience he had, compared to what part of her, or a lot of her, wanted..
"So, why wouldn't I be comfortable?"
"Just, let me know if you aren't, okay?"
He tilted his head a little. He may not have experience...but that didn't mean he was naive.
"Are you not comfortable?"
"I am. I promise."
"Then...What's the issue?"
Serah shook her head, leaning in again.
"Just, making sure.."
Noel moved to close the distance, but Serah beat him to it. Her lips on his felt...Amazing. He tried to follow her lead, though admittedly, a little clumsily. But any bump of teeth, she adjusted for. When he ran out of air, she pressed soft kisses to the corner of his lips as he caught his breath. She was intoxicating, and he wanted more..He felt himself leaning further into her, and she leaned back, not to avoid it, but to help guide them back to lay on the ground. Her hand on his shoulder slid up, tracing her fingers over the back of his neck before tangling into his hair. He braced one hand on the ground beside her, a little afraid to put his weight on her fully, but let his other hand move to her waist. He felt her smile against his lips before moving her free hand to place on his arm braced on the ground.
"It's okay.."
..He allowed a little more of his weight and felt his heart skip a beat as she arched up into him for it. Is this what she meant about his comfort? Was she worried that he wouldn't want this as much as she seemed to? How much did she want this? Want him..?
"S-Serah...I.."
She let him pull back and he could see the concern in her eyes, and he knew he was right. That's what she was worried about...Well, best put that fear to rest..
"I uh...I don't exactly, know what I'm doing here, but...I want to."
Understanding dawned on her face. Ah, perhaps she should have taken a more active leading role, rather than gentle guidance.
"...Are you sure?"
Noel looked down at her beneath him. Cheeks flushed, lips swollen and red from kissing. The rise and fall of her chest from heavy breathing. He was never more sure of anything in his life.
"Absolutely."
There was that smile again, and she moved to sit up. Noel sat up with her, but hovered in her orbit, unwilling to stray far from her.
"Is there, somewhere we could have a little more privacy?"
Noel thought for a moment...
"Hm...There's a hunting outpost not too far. Basically just a little cabin."
"That'll do."
She got to her feet and he followed like a puppy, reaching for her. She took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Lead the way."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The outpost was actually a little outside the town border, but was still safe enough. Especially for them. Noel opened the door and led the way inside, closing the door behind them and..locking it.
Serah took that as the invitation, moving close to him again and leaning up to kiss him. Noel let out a soft sound of surprise, but settled into it easily, wrapping his arms around her to hold her close. He was following her lead here, and she clearly knew what she was doing.
She'd only taken a cursory glance around the room as they entered, but it was enough for her to guide him over to the bed in the corner. Nothing fancy, likely just a spot for people to nap. But it would do.
As soon as the back of her legs touched the edge she turned them around to guide Noel to sit down on it, settling on his lap afterwards and wrapping her arms around his shoulders as she kissed him again. It felt different this time, hungrier. Her lips parted against his and he followed her lead once more only to feel the tip of her tongue graze his lips. That action alone caused a heat to start building in him. He tried to copy her only for his tongue to meet hers instead, and he heard a muffled sound escape her. That was, good? He tried again and felt her meet his attempts with her own. His hands on her waist tightened a little, trying to pull her closer, only for her to pull back again. Noel blinked, ready to ask if he'd done something wrong, but the words died on his lips as she instead moved to straddle his lap instead and press close as he'd tried to bring her. His hands fell from her waist to settle on her thighs without thinking as her hands moved to his shoulders, pushing him back to lay on the bed proper. He could have sworn he forgot how to breathe for a moment as he looked up at her moving to lean in and close the distance between them again, capturing his lips in another kiss as her hands moved over his chest. He moved one of his hands up to her neck, fingers playing with the shorter strands of hair before moving to the ponytail at the side of her head. Could he..?
He felt her smile into the kiss and reached up to help pull the hair tie free and letting her hair cascade down over her shoulders. He didn't know why that made such a difference but as he ran his fingers through it, he found himself reaching up to grasp behind her head to pull her into another kiss, drawing a pleased sound from her as she met his lips eagerly, mumbling his name into the kiss. He found that the breathy way she said his name filled him with a whole new heat. She seemed aware of it too as she broke the kiss to trail kisses along his jaw, his name kept slipping out in between each kiss, low and breathy. He wanted more...Wanted to hear more of her sounds. Wanted to draw them from her himself.
Serah felt Noel's arms wrap around her and gasped as he rolled them over in one quick movement, pinning her underneath him and moving to kiss along her jaw just as she'd been doing to him a moment earlier. A fire seemed to light inside her from the sudden eagerness he showed. She'd been enjoying leading, but his sudden switch up did things to her she hadn't expected.
"N-noel.."
His name came out almost as a whine as he kissed his way up and almost to her ear before switching to mouth down her throat. He really was a fast learner...
She moved her hands back to his chest and sides, exploring and kneading at the muscle she could feel through the fabric of his shirt. She wanted to explore all of him. Every last inch. Biting her lip, she moved her hands to the hem of his shirt, slipping her fingers just underneath to get her intention across. Noel let out a little grunt, but pulled back to take hold of his shirt himself and pull it up and off before dropping it off the edge of the bed.
Serah's jaw actually dropped from the action. He was catching on much faster than she'd expected, and from the smug expression on his face as he leaned back in, he was well aware of it.
"Problem?"
"N-no. None."
"You stuttered."
"Shut up."
Serah huffed a little, pulling him back into a kiss. How had this suddenly turned into a contest? Even now she could feel the smirk against her lips and before she could second guess herself she gave those infuriating lips a small nip. It did get the surprised reaction she'd expected, but she hadn't expected the groan and for him to return the favor. Nor for it to have the same effect on her. Oh. Oh that had awakened something in her. In Noel as well it seemed. The previously soft but hungry kisses had taken on a tinge of roughness. That was new for her. Her previous experience she'd always been treated as fragile. But with Noel...they really were equals. With all they'd been through, they knew each others limits...
Serah let go of her previous annoyance as she explored this new hunger with him. This was new for both of them, and she found her hands slipping around to his back just to ground herself as their kisses and touches grew more desperate. Noels hands were moving to her dress, and now Serah's amusement could be seen as Noel couldn't seem to work out how to undo the blasted thing.
"How do you even get into this thing..?"
Serah let a laugh escape her before moving a hand to his chest to push him back so she could sit up.
"Hold on.."
She undid the straps before working the dress off. Hell with it, might as well lose the stockings too. When she turned her attention back to Noel she froze. His eyes had darkened with desire and he seemed just barely holding himself back.
"...Noel?"
She still had her underwear and bra, but under his gaze she already felt completely naked.
"...Can I touch you?"
Serah bit her lip, but nodded, reaching for him to invite him back into her space again. Noel didn't waste time, leaning in to kiss her as his hands moved to her curves, hungry to touch her after so long of thinking he'd never have the chance. Running his hands over her hips, waist, one moving up towards her ribs and higher...Serah had to remind herself to breathe. And to move her own hands down to his belts--How many did he need?
"C-can I?"
"Stuttering again?"
Noel grinned at the face she made at him, before moving his own hands to undo his belt. Only one of them really held anything up. The rest were for show. Though he couldn't help the way his breath caught when he felt her fingers slip into and grasp the waistband of his pants to tug down.
"There. Now we're even."
Noel's eyes moved to her bra.
"...Not quite."
This time though she just smiled, sitting up again and moving to turn around so he could see the clasp.
"Wanna help with that?"
"...Sure."
Welp. It shouldn't be too hard, right? He moved closer and reached up to try and undo the clasp. He was used to working with his hands but...why was this so fiddly? He could hear her giggle as he struggled with the tiny hooks.
"Again I ask, how do you even get into these things?"
She didn't answer, but instead reached behind herself to take hold of the clasp and with practiced ease, unhooked it.
"Like that."
Noel caught the article of clothing as it dropped and set it aside, his eyes never leaving the exposed expanse of her back. He moved his hand back to trace featherlight touches up along her spine, smiling when she shivered in response. Good to see that he could have an effect on her while he was still learning...He moved to press a kiss to the back of her shoulder and heard her soft gasp. He noticed those sounds tended to happen when he surprised her, because so far each time she's seemed like she enjoyed it. And he loved getting those things right. He rested his chin on her shoulder, pressing his lips against her neck.
"This okay?"
"..Mhm."
"You hesitated."
"Just a little surprised by how fast a learner you are."
"Got a good teacher."
He heard her breathe another laugh and grinned, moving to guide her to turn around again. He didn't get a chance to look at her though as she moved in to kiss him again as she turned around, pulling him close against her as she guided them to lay back down again. But it definitely felt different as he pressed down against her this time, and he slowly moved one of his hands up to brush against one of her breasts. He couldn't help breaking the kiss to glance down at her as he touched her. It felt almost unreal that this was really happening. She'd always seemed so completely out of reach...But now...
He felt her hands cup his face to guide him back to hers and he caught the blush on her cheeks as she pulled him back into a kiss. He couldn't help but feel a little smug at causing that reaction.
Though he also couldn't help the heat rising in his own cheeks when he felt her roll her hips up against his, and he let out a soft groan against her lips as he returned the movement. Okay, that was new..
Serah smiled into the kiss and moved her hands down to his hips, fingering the waistband of his underwear, and upon feeling him move his hips to give her room, starts to tug them down. Noel followed her lead, moving his hands to her last piece of clothing as well to even the playing field, but couldn't help but stop as he set them aside, causing Serah to go pink under his gaze again.
"...What?"
"Nothing, just...You're beautiful.."
Yeah, she wasn't going to be returning to her natural colour at this rate.
"..Sweet talker."
"I'm serious."
He leaned back in, cupping her face and kissing her tenderly. Just wanting to show he meant what he said. How gorgeous she was to him. Though admittedly, he became a little distracted when he finally pressed down against her now they were both bare. Oh. Oh, that was nice...Serah felt the same, evident by how she hooked a leg around one of his to keep him against her as she returned the movement, letting a soft breathy sound escape her lips as she kissed him back. He felt like a perfect fit against her and she felt an almost primal need to find out if he fit just as well inside of her.
But. It's his first time. She didn't want to rush him, so she just focused on following his lead, shifting to make room for him as he moved a hand between them almost hesitantly, waiting to see if she objected before letting his fingers seek out her core. His touch was gentle and exploratory as he watched her reactions. Serah let her eyes flutter closed as she let herself enjoy the feeling of his touch. There had been moments when she'd imagined this in private, but...The reality felt so much better, even if he was still learning. She slid a hand down as well, fingers trailing down along the vee of his hips and smiling as she felt him tense as little in anticipation before she brushed her fingers along his length. He moaned softly into the kiss as her fingers traced the shape of him before taking hold and giving him a proper stroke. He almost forgot what his own fingers were doing, so distracted by her touch. Almost. The fear of not doing enough for her though kept him in the moment enough to try to at least match was she was doing for him. Learning the shape of her, rubbing and exploring, eventually slipping a finger inside of her, causing her to let out a soft pleased sound. She felt so warm and damp. He was mesmerised by the feeling of her and the sounds she made as he tested his fingers against her and within her. The way his name slipped from her lips. He wanted more. Needed more.
Though it was becoming increasingly difficult to focus with her hand on him. She read his reactions so easily that she'd worked out how to get him squirming already. As much as he wanted to focus on her, his bloodflow was very much being diverted from his brain. One hand on his length and the other tracing over the muscles of his back. Though he did notice her hold on him tighten now and then. Through the haze of pleasure he tried to pinpoint what caused that reaction...
"--ha..!"
Found it. At first he thought her sharp gasp might have meant he did something wrong, but as he broke the kiss to look at her face, that thought disappeared immediately. Her eyes were glazed with pleasure, lips parted as her breathing sped up. She was blushing right up to her hair and seemed mildly distraught when he seemed ready to stop.
He moved his thumb back to the spot that had triggered that reaction, and saw her bite her lip to muffle a soft moan.
He didn't have time to feel pleased with himself though, since she'd decided to pick up the pace with her hand on him as well, shifting her grip on him so that when her hand reached the base, she could trace her fingers over his balls. Ohshit...That felt better than he'd expected...
It must have been clear on his face as well, because she looked rather pleased with herself as she did it again, this time drawing a soft groan from him in response, and causing him to add another finger into her to try and match the pleasure she was giving him..
"I-Is that..okay?"
She hummed in affirmation.
"Mhm. It feels...really good."
He pumped his fingers in and out of her with more purpose now, though didn't forget to keep his thumb moving on her as well, as that seemed to do more for her than his fingers did, given the way she squirmed under him. Though he had to stop for a moment once she moved both hands to work on him. Oh shit that felt good...He could already feel something building...
"S-Serah.."
Her hands stilled on him as she took in his expression.
"Do you...want to move on?"
He nodded, but hesitated.
"Are y-you..Do you, want to?"
Serah smiled, moving one of her hands up to place on his cheek as she nodded.
"Mm. I'm ready. Do you, want me to lead?"
Noel considered for a moment...He really didn't know much about how this was supposed to go...So he nodded and allowed her to roll them over again, moving his hands to her waist as she settled on top of him, leaning in to kiss him again.
This was, admittedly, new for Serah. Taking the lead. But she was happy to do it. She moved a hand back between them to guide him to her entrance before gently sinking down onto him with a soft moan. Noel's hands tightened their grip on her waist at the feeling. Oh damn...He'd never imagined it'd feel so good to be buried so deep inside her. She took a moment to adjust to the feeling, then moved her hands to his chest to support herself as she shifted her hips a little...before starting a pace. Slow at first, as they both got used to it, but soon enough Noel was moving with her as he followed her lead. Serah leaned in to kiss him again as they found their rhythm together, muffling her sounds against his lips.
It was always like this with them. They followed each other and trusted each other completely. They adjusted on the fly when the universe tried to throw a wrench into their plans, and they still came out on top. They were on the same wavelength and fit together Just Right. This moment was a long time coming.
Noel could feel that sensation building again, and was vaguely aware that he seemed further along than her. As he started to move a hand between them again he noticed her legs trembling. Not from pleasure...Exertion. He realised with a start that she was wearing down, but pushing herself so as to keep leading.
"S-Serah.."
She pulled back enough to look at him, only for him to wrap his arms around her and roll them over again, drawing a gasp from her.
"I got it f-from here.."
She had to take a moment to catch her breath, but pouted.
"A...a little..warning n-next time?"
He grinned and kissed her again, picking up the pace where she'd left off. He'd picked up enough from her leading, and he was better suited to that physical exertion...Not to mention, he found with him focusing on her like this, he felt he could last a little longer..
Not that she made it easy. She locked her legs around him as he rocked into her and the sounds escaping her just made him want her more. He couldn't keep from running his hands over her body, memorising the feel of her and how she responded to his touches. He could listen to those sounds forever. The proof of how he was making her feel. He wanted to make her feel more...Wanted to hear more...The way his name sounded on her lips was damn near intoxicating..
With Noel taking lead it let Serah just feel it. Just focus on the feeling of him inside her. How did he pick this up so damn fast..? It had to be some sick irony that the once "last man alive" was a damned sex god...She could already feel the heat building and buried her face against his shoulder to try to muffle herself--only for him to pull back. He kept moving in her, but she could see on his face that he refused to let her stifle those sounds.
"N-Noel.."
"Don't...D-don't hold back."
Fuck...She couldn't have even if she tried. Not after that. She just let the feeling crash over her like a tidal wave, Noel following her soon after.
It was probably a good thing they chose a place outside of town.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The sun was already starting to peek over the horizon when Serah finally sneaked back inside the door of her and Lightning's place, only to come face to face with her sister.
"S-sis..!"
Lightning took one look at her sister, hair still down, disheveled clothes and her face still flushed...Though some of that was likely due to being caught....And she sighed.
"..I'm still waking you up for morning duties. Get what rest you can. I hope it was worth the sleep deprivation.."
Serah ducked her head and nodded, walking past her towards her room....But couldn't help letting it slip.
"..It was."
Lightning rolled her eyes and shooed her off. Oh boy. Those two were going to be trouble from now on..