Hello ladies and gentleman. Allow me to present myself. I'm Okikun. It has been almost a year since I started to write this story. I got inspired thanks to the fanfics that wolff777 and AquaThunderKnight made in the past. Since I love FF girls a lot (but rarely finished any of the games), and I started to fall in love with fanfics, I wanted to make a contribution to this community. I expect only to give you a good story. I hope you find this story, worthy of your precious time.
Oh... by the way... I do not own Final fantasy or any of the characters. Those are owned by Square-Enix
Well... enough of introductions.
I bring to you...
Strong Bonds - The Gathering
Enjoy... :D
The warm light of the sun climbs slowly, within the immaculate corners and soft walls, of an abundant room of clear colors, almost whitish. The light makes its crossing no matter what, or who stumbles in its path. It was fulfilling its purpose: to emanate energy in order to give life, in some sense. The tiny detail with that was, that Lightning was not very friendly with the dawn light. Much less, after a busy previous day of endless work at the command post. Lightning in her natural form is a fighter, even in her dreams. In order to gain a few minutes, perhaps more hours of restful sleep, she was ready to fight against the incessant and agile sun, which did not stop at anything to awaken her. However, her tools were less than useful for that fight: a soft padded sheet and a pillow, which would not even work as a shield. Lightning uses her innate agility to outwit the rays of the sun. She can feel the warm touch of the sun on her feet, and instinctively she retracts like a leaf that protects from the cold. She rejects the soft and mischievous touch of the sun, which gives her a "good morning" sweet greeting. It is a girl who does not want to open her eyes, she wants to continue in the peaceful world of dreams, at least for a few more minutes. Lightning dodges with shy coldness the tender gesture of the sun. For a moment she can't feel that warm sensation creeping across her face. She has won the battle against the star, for the moment. Or so she thought.
A despot, cold, rude and stubborn noise strips Lightning of her paradise. She opens her eyes, with immense desires to find out what, or who has dared to confront her newly acquired morning anger. A compact, dark, but deafening matte black alarm clock has done its job, once again. Lightning holds with strong skill the harmless and loyal device. The blue eyes of the pinkette traces, with sudden morning precision, what the alarm clock shows with its purple liquid leds.
-9: 45 am?. Lightning shakes her head, closes her eyes, and returns to watch the alarm. There is no error in her reading.
Lightning massages with her fingers the bridge of her nose, while keeping her eyes closed. She accepts her defeat before an object that, in a certain way, shares her way of life: always attached to duty, no matter what else ...
Lightning uses her will to lift her body and leave her cozy bed, which begs her with its softs, whites and almost feathery strokes to stay a little longer. She ignores the pleadings, extinguishing within her mind those sweet calls, full of promises of sweet dreams.
-There is no time... Lightning exclaims.
Lightning reviews her thoughts and her body. There are many things that needs to finish inside the command center, she couldn't take a shower the night before, tiredness took the best of her ... And now, she should only focus on the important ...
There is one thing that is clear inside her head, and her body needs it in the same way: she should take a shower. Her immaculate bathroom, full of golden-black and pearly colors, that reflects the life of her home, receives her once more to remove those discomforts that assault her mind and that shows on her skin. She takes off her cottony, snowy and whitish shirt and her purple-blackened boyshorts.
Lucky is the air that surrounds her, as it contemplates the beautiful and sculpted anatomy of the pinkette, who despite having received cruel treatment thanks to the battles she fought, she still retains that "hidden beauty" that could only be compared to a blue sky filled with White clouds: a simple but captivating beauty.
Her porcelain-colored skin bristles at the mischievous air that caresses her around. Perhaps because of her predisposition to feel danger, she prepares every inch of her skin at that moment, but her memory of the pleasant sensation of a hot shower soothes that previous alert of her skin.
The hot water that flows nimbly through her skin helps, as usual, to organize her ideas. Perhaps that is one of the things she can enjoy before facing the life she chose to take: The reputation and almost burden that implies to be Lightning: to make sure that her sister never runs out of that happiness that Lightning promised to her, so many years ago. To lead the task of protecting her home, after the great sacrifice that old friends made in the past. And also, to face the fact that while she exists, Snow Villiers will be around her, tormenting her. And for Lightning's disgrace, she will be unable to do anything about it (at least, nothing that involves to kick him, hurt him, punch him, or that the result of any of those actions, is that her sister hates her for the rest of her life). The day for Lightning Farron did not start very well... as usual.
Bath time is over. Lightning strokes the wet strands of her hair with a small towel. She walks back to her room, toward a large piece of furniture of dark colors and great height. She is accompanied by the warm and humid air of the bath, which enjoys dancing around the skin of the pinkette. She pulls out the little golden knobs that hold the wide doors of her wood-colored closet. Inside, she finds it, standing out among other clothes, her uniform. She can't remember when she readied it the night before. She shrugs and removes the clothes from the closet.
After getting dressed, Lightning leaves her room and crosses the solitary corridor, colored by the sun. The bright and golden tones are diluted harmoniously with the whiteness and aged tone of the walls. She steps down the matte brown stairs and heads towards the kitchen which has ample spaces, with its attachments placed in order. Lightning just takes a fresh sandwich from her fridge. Then she turns on her coffee pot. The relaxing aroma of that coffee captures Lightning's distracted nose. While the pinkette watches as the cup is filled with that friendly concoction, Lightning thinks about the times she has done that routine. In her thoughts comes the idea that, even though her daily activities have been the same for most of her life (mostly), her world has changed in many ways: her sister has grown up, she has a new home which has protected from abominable beings, with great fervor from every part of her being. Ligtning, in that specific task, has been selfish in taking that work to herself. For her, allowing herself mistakes was not an option, not when her sister, and the ones she loves, were involved. Lightning at the thought of those changes, is located in a corner that she hates to reach: everyone and everything around her is changing, and she remains the same. She feels pressure in the sides of her head at the thought of it, and shakes her head quickly so she can focus on the day. So far, that trick has worked for her.
-Well…. Another regular day. Lightning says after eating and reviewing in her mind what she would do from now on. She then listens, for a few seconds, knocking on her door.
-Who could it be at this hour!?-. Lightning thinks. With disbelief on her face, she tells herself that she was not expecting anyone. She checks in her thoughts if she did not make the mistake of scheduling an appointment with someone today. She is sure that she didn´t. She checks each of the things she said all week, and the people she talked to. Most of them were her subordinates, who only gave her reports. It was nothing important. She checks inside her head, in more detail, if there is anything more important. She senses it, since the knocking on the door is more insistent. The knocks on the door, now clearer, are familiar to her.
-Claire, open the door!. It's the voice of her sister, Serah.
Lightning doesn't remember talking to Serah face-to-face all week. Lightning had been very busy at work, although they had maintained contact by telephone. As she hurries from the kitchen to the foyer, Lightning tries to check, insistently, what she would have forgotten this time. Her thoughts are joined with a sense of apprehension. Serah had insisted on her to have a different life, one in which Lightning could go out with other people, in which she could share what she likes. Those kind of requests were something Lightning was never prepared for, and no matter how hard she tried, Lightning did not have enough tolerance to discuss her issues with her sister. And the result was the same: a bad comment coming from Lightning's lips, when it must have remained in her mind.
Lightning reaches the white door, adorned with champagne scraps. She rotates the chromed doorknob.
-Tch!. Whatever!. Lightning's mind surrenders as she tries to remember that she has forgotten, and opens the door. The yellow and clear rays of the sun illuminate Serah's silhouette.
-Hi, Light!. Serah begins the conversation with her kind and playful smile and waving her right hand. The little sister wears a simple, sleeveless, white summer dress, with flowery motifs and tropical colors.
-Hi, Serah. Claire responds calmly, maintaining her casual composure and mimics briefly the salute, trying not to look as if she has forgotten something very important. The warrior was taken by surprise, noting that the dress showed the sinuosity and softness of Serah's legs. The warrior shakes her gaze from that dress with subtlety.
-Remind my sister how she should NOT dress!. Lightning makes a mental note without taking her eyes off of her sister.
-Well, Claire, I came for you ... you were supposed to be ready half an hour ago and ... Serah stops her sentence when she notices her sister's uniform. Serah, after the quick review of her sight, from top to bottom, goes from looking confused to exhaling a breath with worrying slowness. It's the classic sign, that once again, the older sister forgot something important. Lightning suspected it. This time, she will not have a chance to escape. And as she sees it, Serah is very upset.
-What's going on?. Lightning asks in her classic defensive tone.
-I can't believe it…! You actually forgot it! Serah says. Lightning felt a slight crack in Serah's voice.
-Forgot what?. Lightning responds, leans her head to a side and crosses her arms. She ignores the fact that she responded in the same way that she has responded to her sister every time Serah advised her on what other people do on a day-to-day basis. Again, Lightning prepares for the possible words that Serah will say. She can imagine it ... a lecture about priorities, and how she should dedicate herself to people instead of devoting herself to her work only. But also, Lightning felt that something was not going well, that break in Serah's voice... That was something new, or at least something she had heard very seldom.
-You know, I came here hoping to find you almost ready, or at least to find you asleep. For me, it would have been easier that way. Snow told me that maybe I should give you some more time... Which I did ... but I come here and ... I see you do not even remember it ... Serah comments as a prelude to something that Lightning might not like to know ...
-Just say it... will you? Lightning rests her defensive pose on the door frame.
-Remember what!?. Lightning responds without looking at her sister and wishing to know at once. And there it was again ... Lightning had crossed that line that she should never cross ... the one in which only she will face another awkward situation, because of her fault.
-My Wedding... Claire!. I marry Snow today!. You know ... Snow even left me a message telling me that he was ready for me, and very early. When I did not know anything about you, I got worried, since you are my bridesmaid... or is that, you forgot that too?. Serah responds with the same fragile tone but in addition, Lightning feels some impotence in the voice of Serah.
Lightning's eyes are filled with surprise and return to her sister's disconsolate look as she hears those words. The warrior can't answer. Only her sight focuses on her sister's face, while the rest of her senses are only waiting for Serah's response. It's the only thing Lightning can do before committing another stupid thing. Something she learned in the worst way was that, when Serah pointed out a mistake, Claire had to keep her mouth shut. Otherwise, there would be only tears on Serah's side. Lightning had only responded a couple of times in that way... and the results were so tragic, that there were weeks when Serah did not want to talk to Claire.
-Well?. Serah asks. She narrowed her eyes and locks her hands around her hips, surprisingly shifting from victim to accuser.
Lightning dodges the look of her sister. She moves her lips but without emitting any word. She had to be careful. She had to carefully measure her words. She must think what words to use.
-I ... I'm sorry Serah ... I forgot it. Claire takes the fingers of her right hand to her forehead. She thinks by rubbing her fingertips gently, she may be able to find a solution ... but she just admits her mistake hoping that at least her sister's mood will change a little. She hoped that her sister would be disappointed, annoyed and rebuked her. Lightning was prepared to face that, and if it was necessary to keep the peace, to accept the punishment.
-Good thing at least, I put a reminder on your phone about this day!. Serah looks at Claire's pink purse as she leans slightly toward her sister. Serah points with her index finger at the pink purse to let know to her sister to find her device, and fast.
Lightning's face is assaulted with bewilderment and she quickly searches for her cellphone in her pocket. She turns it on. And there it is ... in big letters and accompanied by a deafening bell: SERAH'S WEDDING!. DON'T FORGET IT!.
Serah ... hey ... I'm really sorry ... I ... Lightning uses a great physical effort, and part of her will to apologize. But Serah just pushes her back to her house …
-Forget about that!. Now we must be ready, and we only have an hour to get ready and be on time to the altar. Serah responds as she drags Lightning into the room.
Lightning is pushed vigorously by the locomotive that is her sister, regardless of Lightning's stumbling and complaining. The duo arrives, stumbling, into the room. Serah looks around. Her eyes are fixed on every detail of the room, under each piece of furniture, behind each door. She is doing an exhaustive search. Lightning is intrigued to know what Serah is looking for.
- Okay ... Where's your dress?. Serah asks in a tone of surprising seriousness and placing her hands firmly on her hips.
Lightning, confused, looks at her sister. It was classic that when Lightning made a big mistake, family roles were in some way reversed. Serah was the older sister and Lightning was the clueless child.
- Let's see if that dress is in the same place where I left it... Serah comments softly but severely.
- Great. Level 2 ... and still much to come!. Claire thought. For the interrogated warrior, Storm Farron has not yet ceased.
Serah heads to Claire's ample closet and begins her quest in the left corner. She opens the thin, matte wooden door ... Nothing. Lightning could never understand why she bought such a large closet. She recalls that Serah advised him to do so. This uncertainty only made the soldier sigh at the realization of her situation. She has been very careless with her sister, and now, she was paying the price.
Serah enters the dark space of the large, dusty wardrobe. Lightning still stands still, watching her surroundings. Occasionally, due to the noises and some sneezing inside the closet, Lightning returned her attention to Serah.
- Found it!. Serah exclaims triumphantly, though Lightning still feels the stern tone in her proclamation.
- Okay ... then let me get dressed, and we can continue with this. You better go and be ready ... I'll catch up with you later. Lightning says in an attempt to take her role as elder sister and leader.
- Oh no! You're wrong about that!. Serah, who was still inside the closet, interrupts, letting Lightning know that she was still in troubles.
- So… what do we do?. Lightning rolls her eyes and crosses her arms.
- You will dress, and we will go together!. With some luck, we will be ready before the ceremony. Serah responds, already in a calmer tone. Lightning can feel in her sister's voice that she is focused on what to do.
- What a relief!. For Lightning, Storm Farron, of category "Serah" had ceased.
- All right…. Lightning looks carefully at Serah's cautious exit. The warrior notices something that her sister carries in her arms. It is a beautiful long aquamarine dress with touches of dark olive green. Lightning now remembers ... the night when her sister and Snow arrived to give her that dress. It was 4 months ago. The strange sensation she had when she saw that dress and imagined it close to her skin, the unpleasant pressure she felt inside her chest upon hearing of the wedding day. Those things were not important anymore ... Lightning chooses to discard those thoughts. Now it mattered that her sister married the man she loves. At least, it was what Lightning was mindful of.
- Isn´t it beautiful?. Serah asks, as she hides with one of her hands, the smile that forms on both corners of her lips.
- Uhhh ... Yes ... of course ... Lightning's skin bristles softly, her voice becomes fragile, she feels a slight pressure on her chest, her legs feel the dry breeze in the room. And all that happens when she sees the dress.
Serah gives the dress to her sister and Lightning takes it with disinterest, and without looking at her sister. Lightning takes off her jacket... And she is taking off her shirt, when she feels Serah watching her closely.
- You do know what "personal space" means, don't you? . Lightning asks. Waiting for her sister to get the message. Of course, the sarcasm in her was easy to express ... sometimes she got the desired results, but at other times...
-I know!. Serah crosses her arms, leans forward and looks earnestly at Lightning. -I wonder if you know the meaning of: You're still in trouble, Claire!-. -I said that we would go together and that is what we will do-. -Even if I have to be by your side just like that uniform you always wear-. Serah responds, who shows her innate ability to outwit a sarcastic question from Lightning Farron with an answer that can disarm the older pinkette.
Lightning can only breathe deeply, and exhale defeat. Slowly and with timid precision, Claire begins to remove the rest of her clothes until she is only dressed in her champagne panties and brassier.
- I hope you're enjoying this. Lightning murmurs as she reluctantly clutches the silky-textured green dress.
- What did you say?. Serah asks.
- Nothing!. Nothing!. After an uneasy start as she slides her feet into the dress, Lightning manages to figure out how to put the dress on. As the silky texture rises through Lightning's skin, the reluctant bridesmaid feels a little tingling in the sides of her ribs and chest. This sensation climbs with great speed towards the cheeks and arms of the warrior. She puts the corsages on both wrists and the missing accessories on her ears.
- Ready!. The now maid of honor says with disinterest. Lightning places her hands on her hips while avoiding looking at her sister.
As she turns her gaze, Lightning notices how Serah smiles as she gazes intently at the colors that unfold the dress in combination with the toned silhouette of her sister.
- Hey... I'm ready!. Lightning raises her voice and waves her hand near Serah's face, waiting for her sister to react.
- OK!. It's my turn. Wait here!. Serah raises her thumbs and orders Lightning as she hurries out of the room. Lightning can hear Serah's footsteps reaching the entrance to the house.
- Hey! We must go!. We do not have much time!. Also, where is your wedding dress? ... Lightning asks.
- Serah...!? Lightning raises her voice progressively, waiting for an answer from her sister. Again, she hears accelerated steps, the sound increases as the seconds pass. Lightning senses that the sound will end in the portal of her room
- Here I am! Serah comes back swiftly, her breath deep, but there is a wide smile across her face. Serah carries a large white box in her arms.
- Is that...?. Lightning looks closely at the box, it had already been opened, the loops that covered that box were removed; But something called more her curiosity: the contents of the box. A small hole in the box shows Lightning the answer to the question hovering in her head. Lightning could see slightly the lace that adorned Serah's wedding gown, and the small sparkling ornaments that showed through that tiny hole.
-What are you waiting for…!?. Get out of here!. I must change. Serah catches Lightning's attention and pushes her to the door of the room.
Lightning rolls her gaze, and tilts her head to the side before she exits, by force, from her own room. Serah closes the door behind her sister and Lightning waits for the bride, crossing her arms and leaning her back against the wall near the portal.
-Thud!. Lightning uniquely and forcefully hammers her head against the wall, not caring that her sister heard her.
- It won't be long. The cheerful tone of Serah is clearly perceived and the urgency accentuates her emotion even more.
- Don't worry... Claire waves her right hand and responds quickly, as if she's still apologizing.
As Serah dressed, Claire watched the dress she wore, especially the flowery bouquets she wore on her wrists. When she felt the soft texture that caressed her skin, and the colors of the dress playing in harmony with the bouquets tangled in her wrists, a faint smile escapes in a corner of Claire's lips. Claire always loves her sister's good taste as far as clothes are concerned. In secret, Claire admired many facets of her sister. Lightning began to assimilate everything that would happen to her, from now on ... Her sister will marry the man she loves ... Lightning thinks that maybe that is the result of the struggle of so many years of her; Her sister is now happy, and in a way, that was Claire's happiness. Slowly, but with tight security, Lightning's lips begin to smile. She does not realize it, she is only immersed in the thought of her sister smiling. But, after she remembered who would accompany her most precious treasure ... well, Claire falls into reality, just like the rock trying to reach the sky, and only ends up embracing the ground. Snow Villiers ... he was an idiot, but her sister loved him deeply. And Snow will become her brother-in-law. Claire breathes and exhales at length acknowledging that, to her disgrace, Snow will have more than one chance to call her sister, and she will have to deal with it. Even though, she just wanted to hit him every time he opens his mouth. But another thought interrupts Claire's psychopathic desires. She had known for a long time that there would be only one fight she would ever win, and that fight was, to convince her sister not to marry that idiot. Claire remembers the idiocy that Snow mentions every time the three of them are together and all those times, they had one of several results: Screams, murderous look, or punch.
- What did Serah see in that good for nothing of Snow?. Claire wondered, quickly realizing that she was not interested in the answer.
- I'm ready!. Come and see !. Serah calls for Claire to interrupt her thoughts.
Claire holds the door knob and turns it ... pushes the door with pause. The eyes of the maid of honor are set in a silhouette that the rays of the sun draw with a magical sheen. It's her sister, Serah, who wears a beautiful, wide white dress.
- Ummm ... What do you think?. Serah asks Claire in a fragile tone as she nervously rubs the fingers of her hands.
- You look good. Claire responds truthfully but with disinterest, as she shrugs her arms and briefly waves her hand.
- Just fine!?. Serah exhales slightly in defeat. Serah was expecting a little more "tender" response from her sister, but she quickly realizes that she could not ask for a miracle of that kind, much less when it comes to her sister.
- It's time to go!. Claire takes the initiative to continue the plan Serah drew.
- Right! Let's go! Serah responds with a smile.
- Oh! Don't forget your bag and your slippers. Serah reminds Claire
- Riiight!. How could I forget? Claire responds with her tone of sarcastic disinterest.
- Don't play with me, Claire Farron!" Serah responds softly, but with that hidden severe tone that Lightning perceives as knives aimed precisely at her.
Claire makes sure that her sister, dressed as a bride, carefully steps into the red and spacious Serah's slider. She closes the house and checks that nothing has been missed. She reaches out her hand for her gunblade but only manages to enclose some air in her hands.
- Wait a second...! .Lightning expresses slight dismay when she does not feel her Blazefire. She wanted to take her mechanical mate, but for obvious reasons of the day, she was forbidden to wear it. That sense of absence made her feel naked for a few seconds.
- Forget it, you will not take your weapon with you!. We will go to my wedding, not a Pulse forest!.
- You do not know what we could run into ... Maybe Snow will become one. Lightning responds with ballistic quickness using her classic sarcasm and forgetting who she was talking to.
- You will not ... carry ... your ... sword ... Is that clear?. Serah responds by letting her see her annoyance...
- Fine!. Lightning exhales slowly her frustration at the scolding of her sister, who apparently would achieve what she wanted, no matter what.
Claire enters the slider to take the wheel. And after she turns it on, she takes control of the machine and shows her innate control, taking defiant speed the road, surrounded by some clouds, while she drains the vulnerability of it due to the absence of Blazefire. In a matter of minutes, the sisters arrive at the church, where the important ceremony will take place.
- Wait wait!. The sisters had not yet reached the entrance to the church, and Serah urged Claire to stop, while Serah patted her back.
- Now what?. Claire asks with slight annoyance and impatience as she looks for a place to park.
- Stay in the back ... remember that the fiance should not see the bride before the ceremony ... it's bad luck. Serah responds with a tender smile.
- All right!. Claire rolls her eyes and shakes her head quickly. -Are you serious...?.- Claire thinks.
Claire lands the slider quietly, near the back entrance. After she made sure that her sister was not seen by any of the attendants, especially Snow, she walked through the front door to the main room. Preparations are ready within the church, the guests have arrived, and for a long time. Many faces are present, and all eyes are on Claire, who watches closely and concludes that the vast majority of those faces are complete strangers to her. Claire can hear the breeze bring the whispers of the guests to her ears. The details of Claire's dress, the delay of the bride, among other things of no importance to Claire. But she could not help listening to those comments that slowly made her mind and shoulders begin to feel pressure, her ears warm as she tried not to show with her face, her thoughts of wanting to answer in her way, to those strangers ... No ... Claire Farron had to live up to the ceremony, to fulfill her duty at that moment, to be there for her sister. For a moment, Claire felt at peace, confident, as she thought to comply with Serah, just as she did before her men in the command center. Claire is still immersed in her peace when a voice interrupts her.
- You arrived!. That's good. A silver-haired young man, almost as tall as Lightning, and dressed elegantly in a ceremony suit, is the person responsible for the irruption of Claire's thoughts.
- Oh ... Hello Hope. Lightning responds simply to the young man's greeting.
- Hey ... Claire ... You look beautiful. Says Hope, while he admires in awe the beauty that Claire represented when she wore the dress. His compliments came out of his mouth as if they were a timid drizzle, so maybe he would observe a beautiful but brief smile of Claire.
- Please, I am only the maid of honor!. It's not like I'm the bride. Lightning as she crosses her arms and focuses her gaze on the other bridesmaids, she fires her classic "scare-people" response, forgetting that she is talking to her young friend.
Hope laughs as he realizes that his attempt failed after perceiving Claire's classic response to a situation that is uncomfortable for her.
- Yes ... You are the maid of honor, but you are the sister of the bride... Which means, you're just as important... So take advantage of your minutes of fame outside the military stage ... Interrupts a man with a dark complexion, with a big afro and dressed in a tuxedo. Something very difficult to ignore for Lightning, who recognizes the voice.
- Sazh!. Good to see you. Lightning only turns her gaze from her to the altar.
- Oh! You have not changed ... Always alert and paranoid no matter where you are. Remember that you are not surrounded by monsters or somewhere strange. Sazh adds with a smile. Despite her effort to get the lady's attention, Lightning remains focused elsewhere.
- Yeah... whatever... Lightning responds briefly to Sazh.
Since Claire arrived at the church, she has only been giving glimpses to different places of the altar ... some guests, the decorations of the place ..., for some reason she does not want to delve into what the guests say, or to be amazed by what Happens around.
- Sis! You've arrived! I knew you wouldn't let me down! Finally, there it was ... The voice Lightning hoped to not hear, especially THAT day. It was Snow Villiers, the only person in the universe, or at least in her universe, with a natural ability to get Lightning Farron out of the way.
- Stop calling me that! I'm not your sis!. Lightning fires her response with authority, and glances briefly and severely at Snow, as if he were an arch-enemy. It has been countless times that this pair has gone through the same routine of nicknames, and yet ...
- Oh, come on!. It's a special day ... You should be happy for your sister's wedding! A smile covers Snow's face ... If he was happy to have Serah as his fiancée, now Snow's happiness was impossible to hide.
- Believe me, I'm happy for my sister ...!. The breeze, coupled with the response that drives Claire out of her red lips, cheeks and ears, shows a little of the tension her body feels at that moment. Lightning's mood is in constant swing. Her skin bristles as it is contained by the feeble beauty of the dress she wore. Her face doesn't want to see Snow, her gaze tries to focus on other things, she seeks some of that peace she achieved when she woke in the morning, when she gazed privately at the magnificent scene that was her sister dressed as a bride, Claire looks for something of that ..., but she can't help feeling the stubborn attitude of Snow who, drunk with happiness tries to approach Lightning. She can't decide whether to hit him and ruin that stupid smile he has, or play along and be an ordinary girl who is happy for her sister.
- Hey ... There's something I'd like to ask you... Snow seeks Claire's attention in a soft tone of voice and approaches to her cautiously, as if she were a very sensitive trap.
- Now what do you want?. Lightning, still with her arms crossed, and with her alert senses pushes her question harshly, while carefully observing the language that Snow speaks through his body ... His hands constantly together, rubbing his fingers, sometimes dodging his gaze to Claire ... -Why are you nervous Snow ...!-, Lightning had not seen this kind of attitude of Snow ... Not even in the moment of facing Orphan ... When it was very probable the possibility of dying ... it is strange that for a few seconds Snow is not smiling. That sort of thing was annoying and alarming to Claire. Lightning could feel a great pressure accompanied by tiny stings along her skin... -What's going on…?-. Lightning hates that feeling of uncertainty ... that feeling that danger makes fun of her, that the danger is hidden in plain sight. That she knows it, but can't do something about it.
-Well…!?. Lightning insists raising her voice, she is looking for Snow to say something stupid ... she waits for that classic signal from Snow to stamp her impatient fist on the face of the fiancé ... wants to get rid of that uncertainty, to face it ... anything, but she wants to do something ...
- Ok ... Snow laughs, not caring that Lightning was watching him. -How did she look like?-. And there it is again, the gigantic smile of Snow, reflected in his face.
- Who?. Lightning, with the incredulity embodied in her face, for a moment she thinks Snow talks about someone else...
- Who do you think ...?. Serah!. Snow responds with some surprise.
- Did you do all that dramatic pause to ask me that question!?-. Lightning suddenly exhales some of her anger at the realization that she focused much of her attention on a false alarm. It was something she wanted to avoid above all else, and especially if Snow Villiers was around her.
- That's why you were nervous!? Lightning's gaze focuses on the floor ... the bridesmaid's breathing becomes more leisurely and deep. She uses much of her rusty prudence to maintain her composure. Her chest and her head burn, that pressure from her seeks to come out... The fist in her left hand is ready to go, it just needs Lightning to say the word...
- Well… yes!. I'm getting married. It's not something I'll do every day. Besides ... I haven't seen Serah since she was looking for you. Snow brushes the back of his head as he looks curiously at a blushing Lightning. The intuition of him may feel that something bad is coming ... But, since he rarely pays attention to it ...
- I'm not going to tell you!. Find it out by yourself. Lightning responds.
- Oh, come on Claire! Do not be like that!. Be good to your brother... Please?.
- If you want to screw up your marriage right now ... it's your problem. Lightning replies. Lightning can perceive Snow's impotence as he listens to her reckless and dry response. She wants to continue torturing Snow a little more. She feels a slight tickle at the corners of her lips that make her smile lightly. She is fascinated to torture Snow, as long her sister doesn't know. -Maybe I should get used to this from now on!-. The maid of honor is happy... she is beginning to enjoy the wedding.
- Hey Lightning... stop torturing your brother!. He just wants to know what his fiancé looks like. Apparently, he can't live 2 seconds without her-. Sazh cut the tension with a cool, calculated joke to Snow, hoping that the titanic wave of rage that Lightning was trying to contain would not hit the clueless Snow.
-You'll see Serah on your honeymoon, Snow!. Besides, shouldn't you be at the altar waiting for your future wife?. Hope, always on time, ends the tense situation by reminding everyone what to do.
Lightning looks at Hope using the corners of her eyes. She tries to find out when Hope became so focused, determined, full of vigor in his soul. She searches in her thoughts when she loses sight of those important moments, while she gives brief glances to the young Hope who wears a suit to the measure.
-Hmm!. He has good taste!. Lightning changes the object of her attention after several seconds. Claire's furtive glances are full of precision, each one of them are a pleasant dessert for Claire's timid imagination. She sees with another perspective the beauty that surrounds her, begins to understand the importance of that day, the voices of her friends and wedding attendants become light blows from the wind to Claire; Her heart is no longer agitated with anger or being covered in uncertainty. Her heart and soul are filled with calm when she sees her friends talking, joking and even guessing what the future may bring. It's a luxury that Claire Farron discarded years ago by bringing Lightning to life. It only mattered to witness the now... and that now, for Claire, was Serah.
It's time ... The guests settle into the seats; Snow stands still in his designated place, fixing his gaze on both ends of the door where his betrothed lover would appear. This was the day he had been waiting for so long, the day he had fought so hard; Snow could not ask for more; His heart beats loudly; He can feel as the force pushes his spirit, the eagerness to see Serah. He feels tickles in his callous fingers. He looks in detail at his two hands ... for a long time, they have been his best weapons. He has always known how to use them to express what he feels, his love for Serah, his concern for Claire, his anger at those who dared to hurt Serah.
Yes. Snow would not know what to do if he did not know how to express himself with his hands. He has already done it in the past, and now, on that day that he has longed for, his hands caressed Serah.
- Why am I so nervous? Is not that Serah is going to leave me standing here!-. Snow giggles for few seconds. He doesn't care if those who watch him believe that he is crazy. Maybe he is ... but he's just crazy of love for Serah Farron. He doesn't care if Claire Farron thinks he's a loser, Snow knows it's only a matter of time before Claire accepts him, because from now on he will have his beloved Serah right next to him, to achieve that goal. His mind briefly glances back into the past, in each of these glimpses is Serah's smile ... the only weakness of Snow Villiers, the hero.
He focuses on the present but he can't help but imagine Serah dressed as a bride ... He wants to see her while he arrives at the altar without her knowing, but he is not a ghost. Snow realizes ... He is absorbed, just like those earlier days when his love for Serah wanted to know if he was reciprocated. He can feel the same nerves he felt when he proposed to her, when he watched Serah walk towards him, after the end of the Fal'cie curse.
Snow can feel the energy flow freely through his arms and it rolls deep into his chest. He can feel that no matter what happens from now on, he can overcome anything, because now, Serah will be next to him.
Claire can still hear the whispers, she changes her eyesight and gives a look, with watchful eyes, to the fianceé. There's Snow again, with his ridiculous smile. As if that smile were a shield that covers him of what happens around him. The worst disaster could happen right in front of him and he simply would not pay attention.
- He really looks like an idiot without my sister!. Lightning looks away, toward a distant spot on the altar, near the door. She focuses all the forces of her soul, body and mind for this day, for her sister. It is the most important day for Serah. Claire wants to be close to her. She wants to know if her sister is nervous. Claire wants to comfort her. To tell her that everything will be fine. To tell Serah that she will marry the man she loves.
-Huh!?. Lightning shakes her head. -Where did that come from?-. Claire looks at the large wooden door that the sun's reflection shines with its furtive, soft and luminous touch; The music in the background starts the ceremony. Claire adjusts her senses while listening to the music. She prepares to see again that beautiful image of bright white and soft scraps she observed a few minutes ago before separating from her sister. The music still continues, the peak moment is close...
-Why does she take so long?. The moment has already passed ... Serah hasn't shown ... Lightning with her face calm and her gaze still in the portal, reviews the plan in her mind, is looking for an answer ... -Has she forgotten something again?-. -Isn't the time right?-. -Serah ... Say something, show yourself!-. Claire feels that her heart is being torn gently and slowly. Her hair hides the bristly skin of her neck ... again, that feeling of uncertainty.
Seconds pass ... the whispers of the guests become audible to Snow and to Claire. Snow steps forward to find out what happens, but he notices that Lightning stares at him. He can understand that look of Claire ... Stay here, I'll see what happens!. Snow inhales and exhales, to reassure himself. While Lightning hastens to step quietly out of the altar and reach the room where Serah is. It is uncomfortable for Claire to walk briskly, wearing delicate mid-heeled shoes, and into a room that is a few feet from the altar. And included to it, she is wearing a delicate dress that makes her feel even more uncomfortable. Claire finds the door and with her hand pushes the door, she finds no resistance in the door, she does not hear a voice of alarm; As she crossed the door, a whisper in her mind ...
-The door is open!?.
Claire finds her sister, her uncertainty dissipates ... but something happens around her sister, Serah can't speak, she is kneeling and her arms are still; Claire sees her sister's lips move but with difficulty, her mind reads the message that Serah with great effort tries to give.
-Help…me!?. A furtive killer breeze approaches Lightning, tries to reach her face; Lightning, by instinct, jumps back quickly and she stands in combat position. The situation is very clear for Lightning: She is no longer at a wedding, and Serah is in danger...
A/N: Ok... Here it is the first episode of my fanfic. Still a lot to come, before the entire scenario is set. Don't worry, we'll get there soon. I would like to thank you LadyA, AquaThunderKnight and wolf777 for their suggestions and advices.
I really hope you liked this episode. And now... to the second chapter.
