Title: Tradition: Serah ( 1/3 )
Written by Ruine
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy XIII, original cast and storyline, belong to Square-Enix Company, Limited & Tetsuya Nomura. No copyright infringement intended. This work was made solely for pleasure and no profit was ever gained in its distribution.
Character(s): Lightning Farron, Serah Farron
Pairing(s): None
Warning(s): Spoilers for Lightning's Real Name, some swearwords
Status: Edited, Complete
Rating: PG-13, Family/Humor, Fluff
Summary: Lightning celebrates her 18th birthday. Lightning snorted. "I should have known this was a conspiracy."
Word Count: 2,752
Timeline: Three years before the beginning of the game.


LAST REVISION: 29 JULY 2012. Fixed some minor grammatical errors.


[ 1 ]

The aroma of cheese pancakes, topped with melted butter and sprinkled with rich maple syrup, pulled Lightning Farron out of her disjointed dreams.

The newly promoted corporal's blue eyes fluttered open, squinting slightly because of the blinding stream of golden sunlight spilling into her bedroom as her nose twitched from the enticing scent. Her mind quickly woke itself and she idly wondered why she had left her curtains drawn. She glanced towards her night table and, as always, her sleepy gaze lingered on a picture of two very lovely pink-haired girls holding hands and smiling with a beautiful vista of a white sand beach and endless crystal blue waters behind them. Like always, the photograph caused a fleeting smile to curve her lips before she finally read the time on the small alarm clock sitting beside the frame. Her smile instantly vanished as the hour registered.

9:37 A.M.

Lightning blinked. She was over an hour late for work.

"Shit!"

Throwing off her thin blanket, Lightning leapt out of bed with unrivaled grace and speed; already halfway across the room to the door when it swung open on its own.

"Good morning, Claire!"

Only Lightning's finely honed reflexes kept her from crashing headlong into her little sister and the huge, heavily laden tray cradled in the younger girl's hands. She skidded to a stop and shifted, intending to slip around the teenager. "'Morning, Serah. Out of my way please, I need to get ready—"

"Not until after breakfast, Claire." Serah shook her head and effortlessly blocked the doorway with her slight frame. The tray happened to make a very handy barrier.

Lightning jerked her head in a negative motion; her pink lips pursed in mild annoyance. "I don't have time for breakfast!" she argued and tried to sidestep Serah again. Normally, she would have succeeded but that infernal tray was foiling her attempts to squeeze through.

Serah beamed, her light blue eyes twinkling. "Of course, you have time for breakfast, Claire. C'mon, I made your favorite and it's just the way you like it. Two cheese pancakes with just the right layer of butter and maple syrup, six strips of well-fried, honey-cured bacon, one slice of strawberry jam-topped toast, one Sunnyside-up egg and a large glass of orange juice. Doesn't it look delicious?" She raised the tray up and closer to Lightning's face so she could enjoy the heavenly scents rising from the meal. Lightning's mouth watered.

No. Lightning bit the inside of her cheek. She wasn't going to yield to the temptation, no matter how good breakfast looked; she had to get to work. She couldn't allow them to dock her pay. "I'm sorry, Serah. I appreciate the effort but I'm late for wo—"

"No, you're not," Serah told her sweetly. "I called the Guardian Corps Headquarters several days ago and told them you're taking your leave today. It's already been arranged so you can just relax."

". . . you did what?" Lightning stared at her in horror. "Serah, how could you—"

Her sister's smile immediately disappeared, replaced by the familiar stubborn tilt to her fine chin that Lightning had learned to dread. She groaned inwardly.

"Because, you're entitled to a day-off. It even says so on your contract," Serah pointed out firmly, advancing into the room with steady, unwavering steps.

Lightning backed away in spite of herself; she silently waited for a chance to dart around her sister once the girl had cleared the door. Serah, easily anticipating her, waited for the automatic door to hiss shut and, using her elbow, keying the lock.

"I don't think so, Claire," Serah admonished. "Besides, didn't you hear me? I already told them you're not coming in for work. It's your special day after all." She sighed when Lightning merely fixed her with a blank look. "Just like I thought, you forgot what today is."

Crossing her arms, Lightning tilted her head to the side. "Alright, enlighten me."

Serah broke into a wide grin. "Happy Birthday!"

Lightning blinked once before her eyes flew to the calendar and the conspicuous red circle marking the date. " . . . Oh."

"'Oh', she says." Serah rolled her eyes, her grin softening to an affectionate smile. "This is why I took advantage of that Birthday Leave your new rank entitled you to. I knew you were working too much." She blew out an exasperated breath and squared her shoulders. "Well, you're going to enjoy it this year."

"You shouldn't have called for me, Serah. In fact, you should have told me about this benefit before just calling and deciding for me," Lightning chided.

"If I waited for you to decide, I don't think you'd take the benefit. Secondly, you may have forgotten about it, and just gone to work like usual." Serah replied. "I figured it would be better if I just let you know after the fact and look how well it worked? You're still here!" She flashed a mischievous smirk. "Switching off your alarm clock was a stroke of genius, I have to say."

"You did that?" Lightning shook her head in irritation and mild anger. "You're defeating the purpose I bought the thing for, Serah."

"Only if you have to be up early, Claire," Serah chimed in blithely. "And, for today, you don't. Don't worry so much, I talked with Lieutenant Amodar three days ago so he knew you weren't going to come in today, too."

"That explains why I didn't learn a thing until now and why he was so smug yesterday," Lightning mused, recalling the grinning face of her superior and his too-cheerful farewell the night before. She should have clued in when he had told her 'Have a great day tomorrow!'.

"Anyway, enough of that. Since, you're on leave—and don't try to change it. If you tried to go in to work, Lieutenant Amodar promised me he'll just send you right back home!"

Lightning snorted. "I should have known this was a conspiracy." She had no doubt that her little sister's threat was true; this was just the sort of thing Lieutenant Amodar would do.

Serah giggled. "Anyway, it's your birthday so let's start it right, shall we? First up! Breakfast in bed." Serah noticed that Lightning hadn't moved and arched a pink eyebrow. "Usually, 'breakfast in bed' means you have to be in the bed, Claire." She gestured with her chin.

"You don't—"

"Yes, I do and this tray is getting pretty heavy . . . " Serah nodded toward the bed again. "Please, Claire?" She reiterated her request with imploring blue eyes. Lightning never stood a chance.

With a smart about-face, Lightning turned, marched back to her bed and lay down; resting her hands on her stomach as Serah set the tray down in front of her. Serah moved behind her and fluffed up her pillows, making her as comfortable as possible. "Dig in," she chirped. "I'll be back in a few minutes. I'm just going to check on something."

"Alright." Lightning couldn't help but smile at her sister's antics, taking up the fork and knife. Since, she was clearly outnumbered and outmaneuvered, Lightning figured she may as well cooperate and enjoy herself. Moreover, Serah had really outdone herself with breakfast and Lightning wasn't going to let any of her little sister's efforts go to waste.

[ 2 ]

Serah returned quickly, carrying a pitcher of orange juice when she did. She refilled Lightning's nearly empty glass then sat beside her on the bed; nursing a mug of her favorite green tea with mint and honey.

"Thank you." Lightning took a sip of the cold drink, enjoying the taste and the pulps that slid into her mouth. The juice had been freshly squeezed, too. Her little sister really knew her so well.

"I've been thinking, since you're now a corporal let's start a tradition."

"A tradition?" Lightning nibbled on her last bacon strip.

"Uh huh," Serah smiled. "You're always so busy, I've missed your last three birthdays."

"That isn't your fault," Lightning assured her. "I didn't have this 'Birthday Leave' before because of my rank after all and we did have small celebrations so my birthdays didn't entirely go by without us celebrating them. It's interesting that you knew about this particular benefit, though. I didn't see it on my contract."

Serah huffed. "It took some research but I discovered it by checking the military rules and regulations. Members of the Guardian Corps from the rank of corporal onwards are entitled to two Special Leaves aside from the normal Emergency and Sick Leaves. It was actually really by chance I even found it. I was checking to see how many days of leave you're allowed when I saw the clause."

"I see, so one is a Birthday Leave. I assume barring no emergency." Lightning took the last slice of pancake and popped it into her mouth, relishing the sensation as it melted and the delicious flavor of cheese and well-baked batter hit her tongue.

"Naturally."

Lightning swallowed and asked curiously. "What's the other one?"

Serah's eyes sparkled. "Wedding anniversary."

Lightning neatly arranged her utensils on the corner of the cleared plate and picked up her glass again, taking a sip. At Serah's answer, she snorted, lowering the glass to keep from spilling the juice inside. "I doubt I'll ever have to make use of that one."

She blinked as she saw a look of sadness darken Serah's face. "Serah?"

"Why not?" the younger Farron asked, her tone soft. "Don't you want to get married? We used to talk about it before. We even planned a double wedding!"

Lightning's hand tightened around the slender container. That was another lifetime ago. Aloud, she murmured. "Things were different back then, Serah. You know that. Now, we've . . ."

"There isn't a 'we', Claire, it's always been about 'me'. You're always thinking about me, for me. I . . . want you to think about yourself for a change, especially today." Serah clasped Lightning's free hand in both of hers.

Silently, Lightning enjoyed the contact; Serah's hands were warm, soft and yet, also strong. Just like her little sister. Serah never complained, even at the start when things had been so rough for them. She simply stood by her and offered what little support a child of twelve could give. However, Lightning could not, would not make promises she knew that she most likely could not keep. This one was clearly one of those. Her little sister always came first, no matter what.

Serah searched Lightning's face; what she found caused a pang of pain to cut into her heart. Oh, Claire, what will it take to bring you out again? I don't think I like 'Lightning' too much; I can't help but feel she's stolen my real sister and locked her away in some tower. Though, at the same time, she is you, too. The part of you that you needed to bring out for us, for me.

Abruptly, Serah shook her head vigorously; ignoring the quizzical look her sibling was giving her. She was being selfish and that was just wrong. Today was supposed to be Claire's day, not hers. She should only think of her older sister. That was what really counted right now; not her fears or her pain or her insecurities. Serah released Lightning's hand and rested her palms on her lap.

Seeing her sister relax, Lightning leaned forward. "So, what's this tradition you wanted us to start?"

"Oh yes." Serah broke into smile and giggled, instantly brightening at the mere thought of her plan. "I suggest that, from now on, on your birthdays we do stuff together. Just like when we were kids; you know, the things we haven't done in a while. You have to promise you'll take your Birthday Leaves from now on so we can do them, Claire."

"If there are no emergencies, I'll consider it." Lightning was quick to amend. Serah pouted but Lightning was unshakeable. "I mean it, Serah. I imagine if I don't take my leave, there's a bonus in my next paycheck. Especially, if an emergency arises, I recall that gives double pay."

Naturally, she'd think of that; it isn't like we don't have enough money now. Serah grumbled silently to herself. " . . . yes. There would be, it would be compensated with a monetary equivalent. But, Claire, you can't put a value on your birthday! It's your birthday after all."

Lightning only shrugged noncommittally.

"You're so hard to reason with!" Serah whined, resting her hands on her hips and frowned.

The older Farron's lips twitched in amusement as she regarded her sister, Serah always insisted she could be intimidating when she wanted to be. Watching her sister attempt to be so now, all Lightning could conclude was that Serah just ended up looking cute. "Of course. However, I'm more curious as to how we're going to spend today."

"Oh, I have it all planned." Serah rushed to assure her. "We're going to go out and visit all of your favorite stores. I mean, when was the last time you went to them? Two, three years? Afterwards, we'll watch a movie if there are any you like. We did that a lot as kids, remember? Then let's walk along the beach, I know you used to love doing that, too! We can even search for seashells, you need new ones for your collection!" Serah grinned up at her, waving towards a large glass bottle filled with seashells on her cabinet shelf. "I want us to do things you and I used to do a lot and I'll be treating you, of course. I saved up just for this occasion! Finally, we're going to cook dinner together!" she was practically bubbling with delight and excitement.

Lightning watched her with a gentle smile. If celebrating my birthday makes her this happy, maybe I will do some serious thinking about making use of my leaves more often . . .

Oblivious to her sister's thoughts, Serah continued enthusiastically. "We used to cook together and I think you miss it as much as I do. Plus, I have this recipe for your birthday cake. We have so got to make it!"

"And you said I wasn't going to work?" Lightning chuckled. "Work sounds easy compared to this. I don't think I've ever had such a fully loaded schedule."

Serah flushed in chagrin, realizing her sister had quite the point. "Claire!" she glared at her, though, as expected, Lightning was entirely unaffected. "This is not work. It's fun. Got it?"

Lightning nodded solemnly, and in her trademark bland tone. "Got it."

I have got to get her to teach me how to sound like that one of these days, Serah mused in secret admiration. She stuck out her tongue. "You're not cooperating with me at all, Claire. But, I bet you'll thank me for all of this later."

Lightning suppressed another all-too-familiar twitching of her lips; Serah would not have approved and likely retaliated in kind. For all of her gentle nature, her younger sister could be quite cunning and very vindictive if the mood struck her. It ran in the family after all. " . . . "

"Anyway, now that you've finished your breakfast; go get dressed. Also, I don't want to see you in your uniform, you're off today. Pick something nice, Claire. You were always beautiful, and I want you to wear something that really brings it out. You may look better than great in your uniform but I don't want you looking professional this time, okay?" Serah smiled tenderly up at Lightning. "Mom did say you got most of the beauty in the family." Her cheeks dimpled. "I just got the cuteness."

Lightning felt a small flush warm her own cheeks and retorted quickly to hide her embarrassment. "You also got mom's habit of nagging and the fussing; definitely, the fussing."

"And you got the meanness," Serah parried.

"Yes, no argument there whatsoever and I make damn good use of it too," Lightning smirked.

"Just be glad it's your birthday so I'm going to let that one slide, Claire." Serah plucked the now cleared tray from the bed, adding the empty pitcher to the pile of dishes.

"Right. I'm so grateful," Lightning said dryly, earning another glare from her little sister which she ignored completely; rising and heading to her closet as Serah gave up and sauntered out of her bedroom.

To Be Continued . . .