A/N: Well, here's my second fanfiction. I have to say, whoever came up with writing fanfic is a genius. Sure, I waste like an hour or two writing and editing this stuff, but heck. I love it.

Don't worry, it gets better than this. I just need a foundation for this story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy XIII, Square Enix, or anything else but my own ideas.

10/21/11: Revisions

"He's with the Calvary, Mr. Estheim."

At first, Hope didn't know whether he should laugh, cry, or even just say thank you.

The PSICOM soldier said he's alive. His dad. And he was really going to fulfill his promise of returning to him.

When Bartholomew spotted his son, he only gave him a curt nod. Hope's heart began to race, thousands of thoughts crowding his mind. Yet he was at a loss for words. Dad. The one who was always too busy to take care of his son. The one who rarely focused on anything else but Sanctum work. The one whom Hope had hated so much before his mother died. Now that the Sanctum was demolished, Hope was sure that his dad would have no excuse. After all, it was just the two of them now.

It was a silent stand-off for the first few moments. Hope stared blankly at his dad, wondering what to do.

"I wouldn't blame you if you're not too happy to see me," Bartholomew finally said. "Serves me right, Hope. If I had followed you and your mother to Bodhum…perhaps she would still be with us."

Hope had to fight back tears. He didn't even know if they were tears of sadness or tears of joy. If you had been there in the Purge with us, Mom might've had a chance. Things might've been different.

Or I could've lost you both.

"I see that…you are going to have to adjust a little, being a former l'Cie and all. It's fine, Hope. You've grown during your time as a Pulse l'Cie. It is evident. I will…permit you to finally depart from my guardianship."

Dad…?

"You have been wanting this for a while, haven't you Hope? I heard you lament before, how your life would be…better without me. I understand. You must have grown closer to your comrades than I have ever been to you. I won't argue if you decide to reside with your l'Cie friends."

Is he serious? Hope could barely comprehend what his father had said. Let him live with whoever he wanted? He could live with Lightning, Sazh, Snow, Serah…

"I've been thinking Hope...and you have every right to hate me after all that I've done. My actions have led us here. I wish I could atone for what I have done. I've shattered your heart from a very young age, and since then, you have been (1)sustained by hate against me. I...I am very sorry, Hope. I truly am."

There he goes...trying to say it in the most formal Sanctum-employee way possible...

"Perhaps...perhaps it truly is best for you to live with your comrades. I am unfit to be your father. You are fourteen, and much more responsible than I had previously thought. And even though it doesn't seem like it...I'm proud of you, Hope. You live up to your name, just as your mother had said you would."

He...he just said he's...proud of me...

Without thinking, Hope ran up to his father and wrapped his arms around him. Bartholomew was shocked.

"You…you're my only family left," Hope said, tightening his grip on his father. "And I don't think Mom would've liked it if I abandoned you. The past is the past, Dad. It was by fate that the world is saved. If you had been there, if Mom was still alive…well, I wouldn't have lasted this far. I never would've become a l'Cie. I wouldn't have a reason for moving forward. The three of us would've died. I think destiny works in a weird way. But this is the way it is…and we're better with this fate than a worse one."

Hope gulped, finally letting the tears slide down his face. "Dad, because of you, I became a l'Cie. I helped fight the battles that destroyed Orphan. I fulfilled the fate of Cocoon. I don't hate you because of that. After all, you're still my dad. You're a part of me. And the only part I still have."

Bartholomew was completely speechless. Hope smiled and pulled back, looking up at his only family left in the world with the shining green eyes of his mother.

"I can't leave you. You're my dad, after all."

A smile slowly grew on Bartholomew's face. "And you're my son, Hope. T-thank you…you've certainly grown into a fine young man I can be proud of."

"I love you, Dad." And for the first time in years, Hope meant it.

(1) Sustained by Hate - One of the variations of Hope's Theme. It's most obvious before his fight with Alexander.