"You didn't have to do that," Fang said as Snow slid a cup of coffee across the table as she sat down. The coffee shop was still pretty quiet in the morning, the traffic of the day still waking up.

"Don't worry about it. I got you non-caffeinated so you can still sleep." Snow smiled.

Snow didn't envy the bags under Fang's eyes. She'd had the night shift and probably wanted to go home and sleep.

"That's the plan after this." Fang slouched in her chair, giving her coffee time to cool. "You said you had something to tell me?"

"Yeah," Snow said through a sip of his coffee, buying him time to think. He didn't want to betray what Lightning had said to him, but he knew Fang deserved some answers. "I heard Lightning had a tough time yesterday."

Fang's expression drooped. "Yeah, I've never seen her like that. She's been sad after therapy when I pick her up, but never like that."

Snow's eyes shifted around the shop. No one had tables near them. Perfect. "She talked to me about it. Something gave her a panic attack."

"Something?" Fang asked.

The big man shook his head. "That's her story to tell. I think she needs to be the one to tell people these things. It's good to say it aloud."

She leaned forward in the chair, taking a long sip from her coffee. "Sure, but I'm guessing I shouldn't pry."

Snow nodded. "She just needs support. Sometimes that's a shoulder to cry on, sometimes that's someone to hold her."

"I just want to help Light," Fang said, running a hand through her hair. "Do you know how painful it is to see someone you love struggling?"

"Yes," Snow simply said.

"Like, I just want to wave a magic wand and make her feel better." Fang waved a hand theatrically.

Snow chuckled. "If only that would work." He paused for a moment, beginning to twist the ring on his finger. "Everyone handles these things differently. What has worked for me might not work for her. She told me that being around people helps her."

Fang nodded quickly. "I can do that. Anything else she said?"

Snow shook his head. "Not really. Just ask her in the moment what you can do. Maybe just talking about something else would help. It's pretty in the moment with these things."

"You're a lot more knowledgeable with this stuff than I thought you'd be," Fang remarked. "Sorry if it's prying, but have you done this before?"

Snow laughed. "No, I've just done my research," he lied. "She's my sister and I care about her. If you have questions, just ask me. I might have an answer."

Fang tipped her coffee back and down the rest of it. "Etro, that burns. Anything else you wanted to say? I'm fading fast here and I still gotta drive."

"One thing, actually. I know you're in love with her, and I know you'd never do anything to hurt her, but…just don't rush her on anything. She cares about you a lot and if she feels like you're anything like that bitch," Snow's mouth soured at the thought of Jihl, "it'll crush her."

"I never would," Fang said, looking offended.

Snow nodded. "I know, Fang, I just wanted to reiterate it. She's struggling and I worry about her. I think the best thing for her is to let her go at her own pace."

Fang's face slowly went from peeved to understanding. "We all worry about her, Snow. I want to help in any way that I can."

"Good," Snow said, "I just wanted to make sure you heard all this from me in person. I'll let you go rest up. You look like you need it."

Fang laughed. "Oh honey, you wouldn't believe the night I had. I'll text you about it after I sleep. There was a guy who tried to bring his wolf cub into Lebreau's."

"He did what?"

She was already standing up, a smirk adorning her face. "I'll tell you about it later. I need to go collapse."

Lightning blinked open bleary eyes as she looked at her clock. She'd slept nearly twelve hours. The sun hadn't even set when she fell asleep and now it had just peeked over the horizon.

She hadn't had a nightmare.

It took a moment for it to occur to her. Usually she woke up scared or angry or something. Now she just felt calm, like she'd finally gotten a full night's sleep.

Lightning listened to the house. It was quiet, Snow and Serah no doubt already off to work for the day. She was alone.

Fang had worked a night shift so she'd be asleep. Lightning could bother her to do something later. Or maybe she wouldn't. Fang would have questions about yesterday.

Maybe she'd still feel good enough later to answer them. She hoped she would. Seeing Fang usually was the best part of a day.

With energy she hadn't felt in a long time, Lightning went about getting ready for the day. Not that she had anywhere to go or do, but it felt good to shower and pretend like she had people to see, places to be.

When she finally made it downstairs, dressed in little more than a t-shirt and shorts, the house was indeed empty.

It was peaceful, hearing the muffled cry of birds through the windows. Lightning usually wasn't awake this early in the morning, she didn't get to enjoy the day beginning.

Lightning went about cleaning the house, working out with Snow's weights and just about anything else she found that she could do around the house to keep her busy.

And the whole time, one person was on her mind: Fang.

It was finally around noon that her resolve crumbled and she picked up her phone and fired off a text to the Pulsian.

L: Wanna do something today?

She got a reply a couple minutes later.

F: You read my mind. Anything in particular you want to do?

Lightning looked out the window. The sun, shining from its apex, brought out the vibrant greens and browns of nature. The neighborhood was quiet, most people at work and kids not yet home from school.

L: Go for a run with me?

F: Sure. Give me 30min

Lightning set down the phone and smiled.

Author Notes: Hope you're enjoying this! Most of this chapter was brought to you by being single on valentine's day! Woo hoo!

Question about formatting. Do you like how I've chosen to format texting? I debated a bunch with myself on how to do it. This feels a little obtuse and not conducive to flow.