mako_lies

Noel slid to the lit tile just after the time ran out. He hissed between his teeth, and then he looked over at Serah. “You wanna give it a try?” he asked, spreading out his arms to gesture at the stupid puzzle.

She laughed, eyes bright as she examined the spread. “Come on, oh great hunter,” she put her hands on her hips. “Thought you were gonna show us your prowess.”

“Serah.”

With his lips downturned, he watched the blinking lights ahead, parsing out the fastest solution. And he turned back to them once Mog started giggling, too. “Very funny, you two,” he said, crossing his arms. “Hilarious.”

Serah calmed her smile, just barely. “Need some help over there?”

“I’ve got it,” he called.

Noel took in a deep breath and then—he ran, connecting the points of light as he darted in the order he’d decided on. The clock ticked and ticked downward and then—as he slid to the last tile—Serah and Mog cheered. “Good job!” Serah told him. “That was the last one.”

“And you doubted me,” he spread open his arms as the puzzle disappeared.

Serah hugged him, tight and warm. “Not for a second.”