oh i forgot to mention in the last chapter, noctis' kingdom is named Lucis

and guys, i recently found out that Lightning's original name was Averia.

II.

"Yes Serah, I am eating enough... Yes, I am getting enough sleep... Yes, I have all the clothes I need. I didn't need to bring the whole dresser... Serah, I have plenty of clothes, and if I have too, I'll go out and buy more," Lightning sighed as she leaned against the wall, balancing the phone between her neck and shoulder. Serah just called and was probing her with every question a worried sister could ask. Most were pretty ridiculous.

Lightning scoffed quietly to herself as she half listened to Serah. It really made her wonder who really ended being the mom. They both had their gentle sides, though Serah's was seen more than Lightning's. It was rare seeing her sister so clingy, especially now. Serah was at her side all the time when their mother passed. Lightning didn't mind then, she also desired the company of her sister and the last of her family. But as the years went on, they got better and could stand being apart from one another. To a point Lightning regrets to say that they got too separate.

She escaped in her work and Serah with NORA and Snow. Then, Serah was ready to go and start her own life while Lightning was still struggling to grasp the idea.

And now, she found it to be quite ironic how Serah was reacting to their sudden physical distance. Maybe it was the fact that she wasn't down the street or in the neighborhood anymore. She was in a whole new world, a world that would be a good day flight over too. This time it seems Serah was still struggling to grasp the idea herself. Lightning has always been close after all or at least in the area. They couldn't meet up like they used too, or as much.

"No, I'm not lonely, I'm busy enough not to notice," Lightning eased naturally when Serah asked her. "Yes, I do miss you," Lightning insisted, then growled out, "No, I don't miss Snow... Yes, give Hope a hug for me. No! Keep Snow out of my room! Just because I let both of you live there occasionally doesn't mean he has a right to all the rooms... Serah, that is my house. I work and pay the bills, I clean and cook occasionally. So, it's my house. Working with NORA doesn't count as a job."

Lightning groaned as the argument started to bubble on the other line, rubbing her temples.

It was always the topic of her brother-in-law that led to petty arguments. Lightning still doesn't think that they're marriage will last while Serah strongly believes that it will. Just as Lightning opened her mouth to continue the argument, there was a knock at her door, drawing her attention away from her phone.

Lightning stared at the door, puzzled. She couldn't think of anyone that she'd know to be there, much less someone at work. She hardly know any of the people there.

When Serah's curious voice tickled out of the phone, Lightning snapped out of it. "I'll call you later," she said quickly, her eyes glued to the door. "Love you."

Phone clicked off and set down; Lightning slipped towards the door and peeked out.

She blinked in surprise when she recognizes the man that she bumped into on day one. What was his name...?

"Hey?" he bid pleasantly, beaming brightly as she blinked up at him. Quickly he explained, "Thought I'd drop by and see how you settled in."

Ah.

It's been about a week now since that day. "I've settled in," Lightning said awkwardly, unsure whether to send him away or not. After all, she wasn't expecting anyone today and didn't have any plans.

"No problems?"

"None so far."

"That's good."

Lightning shifted warily. This probably one of the most awkward conversations she's ever had, next to giving Serah the talk about the chocobos and the bees. Licking her lips, she offered, "Would you like something...?" She did consider saying goodbye and closing the door, especially when she had something going on; but she had nothing to do at the moment and it didn't feel right closing the door on him.

Maybe the loneliness was catching up to her, despite what she told Serah. It was only the moment where she didn't have work did solitude caught up with her.

The man smiled. "Yeah."

She should have just said goodbye and closed the door. This was even worse.

Lightning stood stiffly behind the counter as the man slowly wandered around her apartment, eyeing the changes she made and taking in the details; while he did this, she eyed the bottles of wine that she had stashed away. Though those were saved for special occasions, or when she really, really needed to relieve some stress...

Maybe now would be a good time to break open one of those bottles.

"You like Yellow Tail?" Lightning asked, grabbing a bottle and showing him the yellow chocobo outlined drink, though its tail was highlighted yellow.

"I'd love some," he said distantly, turning round as his eyes scoped about. "I like what you did with the place," he finally admitted.

"Really?" Lightning wondered pouring them two glasses. "A lot of people complain that it's too simple."

"Sometimes it's nice to be simple," the man eased, a fond gentle smile on his face as he turned to her, grasping one of the glasses.

"Now that's something you don't hear every single day," Lightning mused, sipping her wine and sighing contently as she felt the alcohol in her system calmed her down. This is what she needed. "No one likes simple."

"There's just as much charm in being simple as there is in being complex, thus has not being overwhelmed by all the charisma," the man said lightly.

"What is your name again?" Lightning asked bluntly.

"I'm Noctis," he said evenly. It has been a week after all and she was occupied then with settling into the apartment. Despite how many days passed them, he had yet to forget hers. Noctis hid a suave smile by taking a sip.

truthfully, and all my past readers probably know, but i don't like Snow, and i do disprove of his and Serah's engagement. in FF13, Serah is 18 and Snow is 21, from what i have seen, and i have seen it a lot, even with my cousin who married around 20 and is now divorced not even a few months into it; getting married about this age really is the worst choice for anyone to make.

at this age, people are changing and shaping into themselves; a lot of lovers from high school break apart at this time because they literally grow apart and change too much. i can see Serah and Snow being close, but as lover at this age and time? no, i wouldn't expect their marriage too last, especially by how immature and naive he can be, not saying that he is all the time, but usually, he is pretty naive and childish.

probably in my late twenties and above would i start considering marriage, even then, i want to have dated my lover for a long time and live alone with him for a good couple of years to see if it really would work out.

sometimes, it happens and works out, but that's usually very very rare. from what i've seen, your future lover will be found during and after college, by then, you know who you are and where you are in life.

and so concludes my rant on marriage.