The sun was setting over the lake, casting a warm glow in the atmosphere. The air shifted, causing the leaves to dance along the cotton candy sky. The land was covered with vast green nature as far as the eyes can see. A beautiful sight, indeed. The only sound that could be heard was coming from the woman, laying on the grass, humming with content.
Many would think the fair lady was fast asleep, but few knew it not to be true. Lightning Farron would never sleep in such a peaceful place as this, no, not when her mind was going a mile a minute. Relaxation was just a foreign word to her.
The stoic soldier was never one to pout, instead, she would leave to re-evaluate the situation. The situation troubling the young woman was between her sister and herself. It wasn't the first argument between the two, and it wasn't going to be their last. Usually, their disagreements would last a few minutes, only when it involved work or Snow, did it last more than a few hours.
Lightning's baby sister, Serah, was set to marry her boyfriend. Being the primary caretaker, Lightning was surprised to learn that Serah would no longer be living under her roof, but that of Snow's. It wasn't the nature of the move, no, that was to be expected; it was the timing of the move.
Soon after Vanille and Fang came back from their extended vacation, Serah decided she would "sacrifice" her room to the two Pulsians so they can all live comfortably. It might have sat well with Light, had she not been living in a five bedroom house. There was plenty of space, Serah just used the two Oerba natives as an excuse.
xXx
"My sister just walked in the front door, we'll talk about this another time." Lightning hushed into the phone before closing it and placing it back into her coat pocket. It was an unknown number, though that didn't mean she didn't know who she was talking to.
The soldier walked out of her bedroom on the second floor, turning to head down the stairs. booted feet padded across the carpet to head towards the kitchen, where her sister was. Meanwhile, Fang and Vanille sat peacefully on the sofa, getting adjusted to the television set Lightning recently purchased. Once she stepped foot into the kitchen, Light instantly felt the atmosphere change, as if something bad were to happen.
"How was school?" Lightning asked the moment Serah looked her way, acknowledging her presence. She watched the excitement in Serah's eyes at her question, appreciating the effort put in to being more involved with her life. It was something Lightning's been working on since the ex L'cie got her sister back, being there.
"It was great. I managed to finish my project early and I think I can get Vanille enrolled in my class after she takes the placement test, the teacher said the close off date isn't until next week." The younger Farron said while going back to her task at hand, making dinner. Lightning leaned against the door, watching her little sister's nurturing side come to light.
Growing up, Serah took on the motherly roles while Light took the more masculine jobs, like housework and job hunting. It wasn't easy but they made it work.
No matter what time of day Lightning got in from her patrols, she always had a hot meal waiting for her. Many of those times, she had walked in on the student, sleeping peacefully on the sofa with her homework spread across the coffee table. It was obvious that she waited for her sister to come home.
Though the soldier appreciated the gesture, she didn't like the idea of the girl losing sleep or becoming distracted at school. It wasn't like she was strict, she just didn't want Serah to resort to the same solutions she had many years ago.
She was absent-mindedly staring at Serah's backside while she reached for the cream on the bottom shelf. It wasn't until she noticed something in her back pocket, did she realize what she was staring at. Shaking the image from her mind, she cleared her throat before asking about it.
"What's the key for?"
Serah turned her head to see what Lightning was talking about. She saw the confusion on her face before realization flashed in her eyes. Her hand went to her back pocket, pulling out a set of keys.
"Oh, these? They're the key to Snow's apartment." She answered, moving over to the stove to stir the pasta.
Light made a face at the mention of Serah's boyfriend. "What? Did that idiot leave them here again?"
"Well, I figured, since I'm marrying that 'idiot,' I might as well move in." Serah said slowly. It was no more but a whisper, but she knew her sister's hearing was anything but bad.
Lightning heard Serah perfectly clear, there was just no way in hell she was going to let that happen.
"No."
"I wasn't asking." Serah grumbled before turning around to face the woman.
"What was that?" The soldier asked, catching the way her sister rolled her eyes. She crossed her arms, not liking where this was headed in the slightest.
"But Lig-" She tried again, hoping her sister has a change of heart before they get loud.
Lightning pushed off the door before ending Serah's sentence with another no. She was starting to get frustrated with the woman's persistence. She narrowed her eyes before placing her hand on her hip, waiting for her to say something. Serah would have none of that though, giving Lightning a glare of her own.
The silence lasted a few moments, as if they were having a conversation between their stares. Serah was the first to crack, haven't not practiced the Farron glare as long as the other one had. "Light, you're making this a bigger deal than what it is.."
"A bigger deal? Serah, you're leaving! It's not like there isn't enough room for them." Lightning said from the doorway, watching as her sister flinched from her tone. She didn't care who heard, this loser was coming in between her family.
The debate quickly turned into an argument, either side neglecting an understanding.
"Lightning, it isn't like I'm leaving permanently. You know I'm not going anywhere." Serah tried to reason, seemingly calmer than moments ago.
"You're right, you're just going to produce that idiot's spawn." She spat, words laced with venom and disgust. She never thought of what she said until it was too late. She spoke out of anger, from the hurt, she never meant to insult her sister's unborn children.
The hurt in Serah's eyes was enough to make Light look away. She tried to level her breathing, get her emotions under control. After another moment of silence, a sigh filed the room, neither knowing what else to say. The sound of the front door opening and closing jolted Serah, snapping her attention to the now empted spot in front of her.
Claire.
xXx
Alert to the sounds around her, Lightning waited for the disturbance that would be the death of her. Suddenly, a long double-bladed spear made itself a home, a breath away from her pinkette's head. She could hear the chuckle from the tanned woman making her way to her peaceful paradise.
"Well, well, if it isn't little miss sunshine"
"Not now, Fang."
"Still mad then, yeah?" Fang asked before occupying the patch of grass next to her battle partner. All she got for an answer was a groan, signifying the true annoyance to such questions.
Neither fighter said a word, just comfortable in each other's presence. Lightning almost thought differently about her reaction towards Fang earlier. Almost.
"Ya know? For what its worth, I might have done the same for Vanille. I sure as hell wouldn't want her shacking with Hope. I mean, yeah he's a good kid but still-"
"Fang.." Lightning spared her friend from babbling, knowing she was trying her best and was already thankful for her attempt.
"No Light, let me finish. You have to know he isn't gonna hurt her, he's not brain-dead, just stupid. And yeah she isn't gonna live under your roof no more, but look at it as a test to your relationship. Show her you can go the distance for her, nothing bad can come from this. And if all else fails, you still got me." Fang said from her spot next to the woman.
Lightning jerked her head to look at Fang, shocked by the genuine concern and care in those jade eyes. Taking a moment to let the words sink in, Light found the insight in her friend's short speech surprising.
"Thanks" Light said with a small smile on her face. Fang turned on her side, head supported by her arm before meeting the soldier's eyes. The happiness reached her eyes when she smiled brightly.
"Anytime, sunshine"
Serah, I'll make things right
