Chapter 3
Serah’s fingers tapped on the bar nervously as the phone continued to ring. Only a few of the gang had arrived so it was relatively quite and empty as the four of them waited for an answer.
"Hello?" Lightning answered, her voice huskier than normal. Lebreau curved her hand around her ear with a wink. Serah understood and hit the speaker button so that they could all hear the conversation.
"Claire..." Serah started. She was met with silence. "Erm...I wanted to know if your coming over this time?" She said hopefully.
"Maybe next time."
"But Claire...It’s been almost a month." Serah pressed.
An annoyed sigh responded. "I've been busy Serah."
"Everyone misses you."
"Yea girl, I'm missing our drinks." Lebreau joined in.
"And the oaf here's been givin Serah the eyes all afternoon. You need to have words" Fang chuckled. Followed by a nervous laugh from Snow.
"I'm sure you'll be able to manage it this time." Lightning replied bluntly, the slightest slur present.
"Have you been drinking?" Serah asked, more authority in her voice now.
Another annoyed sigh. "Just a few. It's been a long day, Serah. Like I said maybe next time. Bye" and just like that the line went dead. The four exchanged curious glances.
"Regular chatter box that one eh?" Fang grinned, trying to cheer up the pink haired girl.
"I'm sure she'll come next time" Lebreau half smiled. Serah just nodded.
"If she doesn't, we'll make her" Snow said with a grin, bumping his fists together confidently.
"Good luck with that" Fang mused, and they all laughed at the mental image of Snow trying to force Lightning to do ANYTHING.
A few hours later the music was pumping and the drinks plentiful. Lebreau carried a new pitcher over to the two Pulsians, complete with three glasses and made herself comfy.
"Gotta love these little get togethers" Fang toasted.
"Yep" Vanille nodded cheerfully. "It reminds me of home, you know, everyone being together. And of our little travelling group too" she smiled.
"Hey, sitting right here" Lebreau mock pouted. Fang laughed and ruffled Vanille’s hair as her face turned red.
"You guys are like family too!" she almost shrieked. The two older women laughed at her antics.
"I know Vanille, I was just messing" Lebreau smiled.
Vanille smiled back at her cheerfully then cleared her throat.
"So is Lightning coming this time?". The two older women shot thoughtful looks at each other.
"Nah, not this time ‘Nille." Fang shrugged.
Vanille caught the sad look in her eyes before her sister could hide it and sighed in recognition.
"It's like she doesn't want to see us" Vanille grumbled.
"Of course she does!” Lebreau asserted. “She took the whole thing pretty hard actually…” she said softly. “She came to see you guys in crystal more than anyone"
"That so?" Fang raised an eyebrow.
"Yea, in fact she gave the orders for the chambers to be carved. True Lightning fashion too."
"So death glares for everyone." Fang laughed.
Lebreau smiled and nodded, but stared at her glass.
"What's up?" Fang tilted her head to the side curiously.
"Fang...you know that Light...has feelings for you, right?" Fangs heart skipped a beat. The red faces, private smiles and body language had all but confirmed her thoughts but Lightning had never said as much. To hear someone say it out loud made it much more real.
"Oh!" Vanille squeaked in amusement, as Fang sat dumbfounded. "I knew it!" She beamed.
Fang composed herself, for all she felt the fluttering in her stomach, there was one thing weighing her down.
"Then why has she avoided us?" Fang question.
Lebreau shrugged, "It's Lightning."
"As if that's an excuse" Fang huffed in frustration.
"Listen Fang," Lebreau sighed. "We kissed, w-"
"Excuse me?!" Fang almost shouted, mouth hanging open. Vanille’s eyes as wide as saucers. It was a hysterical sight, if they weren't on a serious matter.
Lebreau shook her head, "We were both drunk. Light probably a fair bit more than me," Fang went to protest once more, but Lebreau ignored her and continued. "In fact, I think she was that drunk she didn't quite understand it was me" she paused. Wanting the words to sink in.
"Oh?" Was all Fang managed. Vanille grinned widely at her side.
"...She said your name, Fang. Broke down and then bolted."
Fang couldn't respond as she processed the new information.
Vanille on the other hand repeatedly slapped the table like it was a miniature drum, unable to contain her excitement.
"That's so sweet!" She gushed.
"Fuckin ice queen my arse" Fang muttered, standing up. Shock taking over the others’ faces.
"Fang?!" Vanille yelled.
"Think I'm gonna go pay our soldier girl a visit" she winked and left before anyone could change her mind. Ever since she'd awoken from crystal sleep, Lightning had avoided her. Bar that first night. She missed the woman's company. So she was paying her a visit, weather the stubborn soldier liked it or not. Its time to stop hidin sunshine.She rapped on Lightnings door again, louder than the first time. Impatient with the lack of response. She knew Lightning was home. Better not ignore me all night. When there was still no answer she tried the door handle. Surprised when it opened, she stepped cautiously inside. The house looked almost unlived in. No clutter, no homely objects. The living area was a simple sofa, TV and lamp. Even the ceiling lights had no shades, only bare bulbs hung down. Maybe it is the wrong house after all she though. Looking past the barren kitchen Fang spied some glass doors that led outside. As she neared she could make out a faint orange glow, a fire? Opening the doors as quietly as she could, she saw Lightning taking a swig of a bottle. In fact she noticed around six bottles discarded close by, and what looked like a box full of empties a little ways away. Night as usual then? A fire blazed in front of Lightning. It cracked away, disguising her entrance.
"Light?" Fang chanced.
Lightning turned to face her. Her eyes were red and Fang wondered if she'd been crying. For a second they sparkled anyway, as if the woman were going to hug her. But it faded and the woman turned away.
"Why are you here."
Fang swallowed her sarcastic come back before it was voiced.
"I wanted to check in on you. Haven't seen you for awhile."
"And now you have, you can leave." The words harsh and to the point. Just leave me alone.
Fang kneeled down behind her and closed the gap to whisper in her ear, intending the soldier to drop her hostility with the flirt.
"Come on, I'm sure you can do better than that for me" she purred.
Lightnings breath hitched and Fang grinned cockily.
"Tch. Just go, Fang." She spat, moving away.
Fang looked dejected for an instant until her own anger surfaced.
"What the heck is your problem?"
"I didn't ask you to come" Lightning muttered.
"Yea, but it’s not like you've made the effort to see anyone, have you?"
Lightning stayed silent.
"You've avoided us and you know it!" Fang shouted.
The alcohol in Lightning’s system dampened her thinking and she bit before she could stop herself.
"It's non of your business though, is it!?" She got up and walked further away from the fire. She didn't want to face Fang. Not like this, not now. She was being hurtful and she knew it. But she couldn’t stop herself.
"Oh, it isn't? Serah’s really worried about you. We all are."
The soldier was quiet again.
"We're friends Light, that makes it my business" Fang said a little softer, trying to defuse the argument.
"Are we though?" The words came calm and cold, precise like daggers. What's wrong with you?
"Are you being serious right now!?" Fang snapped, striding forward until she was in the soldier’s face. "We're not friends? After everythin?"
Silence again as the shorter woman stared up at her, defiant even without an answer.
"Stop the bullshit, Farron. You're a liar! Your actions tell me somethin’ different!"
Snap. Lightnings last fibre of control vanished. She growled and pushed the brunette away with enough force to topple her to the ground. Lightning followed, pinning her there as she glared down at the Pulsian,
"And what do they tell you exactly? Nothing! Not a damn thing!" Lightning panted as the alcohol and adrenalin made it hard to breath. Made it hard to move and even think. Her heart pounded and her temples throbbed from her actions as she struggled against Fang to keep her position.
"They tell me plenty!" Fang heaved, toppling the woman from her, pinning her in return. "When I woke up, the way you hugged me, that was friendship, Light. All those emotions I saw in you, they weren't nothin!" As Lightning thrashed against her, Fang tried to catch her breath and continued. "And avoiding us? If we weren't friends you'd be there, because you wouldn't care either way!" She breathed heavily. "It wouldn't stop you seeing everyone!" She snarled. "And I know about the kiss! I know that you-umph!"
The soldier’s fist collided with Fangs jaw like her namesake. Lightning took the opportunity to kick out from under the brunette, grabbing her sari roughly and pushing her against the floor, pinning her once again.
"Don't talk like you have it all figured out! You don't understand anything!" She heaved.
"I've been back almost a month! You coulda took the stick from out your arse and talked to me!" Fang grunted between breaths. "I woulda listened! I woulda-"
"You left me!" Lightning screamed at her. Her hair messily covering her eyes. But the strands didn't stop the tears, they fell instantly onto tanned cheeks below her. All the anger in Fang evaporated as soon as those words hit her ears and the warm droplets from above ran down her cheeks. Lightning let go of her captor and moved off from her, turning to leave. I’m such an idiot. She thought, ashamed. But before she could stand strong arms wrapped around her, stilling her in her tracks. She shook as Fang nuzzled into her back, the tears coming in gasping sobs that she couldn't even attempt to control.
"I'm...so sorry...Light" Fang whispered. She ached from the pain she had caused. It hadn't seemed so raw, so deep, until now. In one quick motion Lightning turned, throwing her arms around the warrior and burying her head in her neck.
"We...we were supposed to..to be a team, we had a plan and...and you left!" She spluttered between sobs, gripping Fang tighter as her world was spinning. Her breath was ragged and she was afraid her head was going to explode from the pressure. "You left me" She whimpered.
"I'm sorry" Fang croaked again, holding back her own tears. Lightning needed her to be strong right now. It wasn't something that happened very often and damn the Fal’Cie if she couldn't at least do that. Fang rubbed the small of Lightnings back as the waves continued to come, whispering hushes and reassurances as she did. She waited for Lightning to grow quiet before she spoke. Even though the shorter woman still shivered, she couldn't judge whether it was the cold, exhaustion or the last remnants of her breakdown. Either way she felt it necessary now. "Will you look at me?" She whispered.
"No" the pinkette almost sounded fearful as she pressed into the brunette.
"Please, Light" Fang urged pulling away slightly to test the soldiers reaction. When Lightning didn't move she placed her hands on the woman's shoulders, pushing her back slightly. "Light?" Fang urged again.
Lightning slowly looked up. She was afraid to face Fang after everything. She felt weak and ashamed. I don't deserve you here. I don't deserve your pity. When her eyes finally reached Fangs the fears disappeared. In those jade eyes, glazed with tears all she found was understanding.
"I'm sorry" Fang repeated.
Lightnings heart ached. She knew Fangs act wasn't selfish, she'd saved Cocoon. Saved lives. It was her own selfishness that fuelled the bitterness in her mind. Why couldn't she over come this? Lightning swallowed hard,
"I know, but...it still hurts" she replied, looking down guiltily.
Fang lifted her gaze back up with a finger under her chin, a small smile on her lips.
"I get it, Light. It's okay."
Fang...you don’t deserve this.
"I promise, I'm here now. You hear?"
Lightning nodded slowly.
"I'll prove to you, I'll make it up, okay?" She laughed a little, voice cracking.
"You don't have to do that" Lightning reasoned.
"But I'd do anything for you guys" she assured. "I'd do anything for you." She added, softer.
Lightning couldn't speak, she was too afraid of breaking again. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around the Pulsian’s neck, squeezing gently but firm.
"Come on, let's get you to bed. You must be beat, eh?" Fang said as she eyed the last remaining embers of the fire. Lightning nodded against her in answer. Fang helped her to stand on shaking legs.
"Want me to carry you?" Fang asked genuinely.
"I can walk on my own, Fang" Lightning declined with a scoff before unceremoniously stumbling as her legs nearly gave way.
"Looks like it too" Fang grinned draping the woman's arm over her shoulders. Lightning rolled her eyes but didn't pull away as they started to the house.
Lightning landed on the bed softly. Falling back onto the mattress she could feel her muscles begin to relax.
"Feeling any better?" Fang asked from beside her.
"Tired" Lightning muttered.
"You got any spare blankets? I'll take the sofa" Fang said standing. She stopped when she felt a hand clasp hers.
"Fang…” Lightning stared up at her, "stay...please" she whispered. It felt wrong to be alone after everything that had happened.
Fang rejoiced inwardly, feeling needed by this woman was intoxicating in its own right. Plus she didn't really want to leave her alone either.
"You sure?"
"It's a double anyway" Lightning shrugged in reply.
Fang lay down and offered the soldier her arm to to lean on, her heart doing back flips as the woman pressed in perfectly beside her. How damn beautiful, Fang grinned.
"No funny business" Lightning mumbled from her spot, feeling the grin more than actually seeing it.
Fang snorted with surprise, unable to hold back a chuckle. Always gotta be tough ey,
"No funny business" Fang repeated. She absent mindedly played with soft pink tresses of hair until she felt Lightning’s breathing deepen. She turned her head to smile down at her sleeping form, leaning in slowly she kissed the pale skin of Lightnings forehead. "G’night, Sunshine."