Disclaimer: I don't own FFXIII.
Chapter Two
A Night of Friendship
The second night of Fang's week of long hours began to draw to a close. Just as it had happened the night before, the bar was almost empty. In fact, there were less people tonight than the last.
Fang waited patiently for Lightning to come. She said that she'd be back, and Fang believed her.
Unless she really was drunk when she said that.
"Stay positive, Fang," she chided herself.
The minutes crawled by, and Fang couldn't help checking the clock every other minute.
An hour to closing…
Fang couldn't figure out why she was so eager to see Lightning again. After all, she'd only known the woman for twenty four hours.
Forty minutes to closing…
Was Fang just simply in need of company? Or was it something more?
Twenty minutes to closing…
The tall woman sighed as the last man left the bar. It seemed like Lightning stood her up, in the nonromantic sense.
Fang flipped the switch behind the counter that shut off the neon OPEN sign on the window. But just as she was about to lock the door, there was a light knock on the glass.
The black haired woman opened the door to see Lightning standing there with her aloof expression.
"Think you can stay open a bit longer for a friend?" Lightning asked stoically.
"Come on in!" Fang grinned, the sadness she had had earlier instantly vanishing. As Lightning walked in, Fang closed and locked the door.
"Sorry I didn't come earlier," Lightning apologized as she took the same seat she had occupied the night before. "There was a big monster of some sort getting a bit too close to Bodhum."
"What kind of monster was it?" Fang asked.
"Something with claws," Lightning shrugged. "It was dark. But I tore it apart."
"I've probably hunted one before, whatever it was," Fang said.
"Hunted?"
"It's just a hobby of mine, I'm no slouch with a spear," Fang grinned. "Now, do you want anything to drink?"
"What I had last night," Lightning said. "It made sleeping easier."
"I bet the hangover was a bitch," Fang laughed as she fetched another bottle from behind the counter.
"Not really," Lightning said. "But I have a feeling this one will be."
"Ha!" Fang exclaimed as she slid the bottle to the roseate. "You really can hold your liquor, Light. …Can I call you that, Light?"
"I don't care," Lightning muttered. "And I'm very good at drinking contests, by the way."
"Oh really? I bet I could beat you," Fang challenged.
Lightning let out a small chuckle, "Yeah, right."
"Doubt me?"
"I'd settle this right now, but I think you'll need to wake up tomorrow," Lightning said before taking a drink.
Fang wore an expression of mock hurt. Though it was probably true.
The two talked about nothing and everything for the next half hour while Lightning worked her way through the bottle of booze. Then Fang's phone began to ring.
Awful timing.
Fang regretfully pulled it out and saw that her sister, Vanille, was calling. Probably about the fact that Fang wasn't home yet and Vanille was a worrier. The bartender let it ring out and then quickly sent a reply text.
"Who was that?" Lightning asked, not sounding too particularly interested.
"My sister. She's probably wondering where I am," Fang said.
"Should I go?" Lightning asked, making eye contact.
"No!" Fang exclaimed. When she realized that Lightning was giving her a strange look, Fang ran a hand through her hair and said, "I just meant, don't feel pressured to go."
"Okay," was the roseate's only reply.
"Do you have any family?" Fang asked, hoping to get out of the incoming awkward silence.
Lightning's expression turned darker as she frowned. "I have…a sister."
Fang picked up on the woman's demeanor, but pressed on just the same, "What's her name?"
"Serah," Lightning whispered.
"Are you okay?" Fang asked. She'd noticed how pale Lightning was turning, and it worried the bartender.
"…I need to go," Lightning mumbled quickly. She abruptly stood up and headed for the door.
"Light! Wait, was it something I said? If so, I'm sorry!" Fang said as she jumped over the bar counter.
"No…I just need some time to myself," Lightning said quietly. Fang was downcast until the woman continued on with, "I'll see you tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be here earlier."
Fang's eyes widened, "You've got some late hours, Light."
Lightning let a shaky laugh escape her lips before saying, "I started liking to work late recently. I spend less time thinking." And with that, she left through the door.
Fang locked the door and sighed. Something was up with Lightning and her sister. If she could help, Fang swore that she'd help for Light's sake.
Author Notes: I love this fandom. You guys are so good about reviewing/favoriting/following. Most of my fanfics for Fire Emblem are the kinds of stories that are unique and therefore unpopular, so this is a refreshing change of pace :D
If you're liking this story at all, go check out my other FLight fics!
