A/N: It's been a month in-story since the last chapter. I couldn't find a good place to insert that bit of information.
The sky above steadily grew darker with heavy rain clouds as Lightning and Fang walked down the worn sidewalk path. The clouds threatened to pour, but held their moisture for now.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Fang asked, looking over to Lightning as they walked, her eyes cold and her face downcast. Lightning looked up, nodding.
"We're here," Lightning breathed, stopping in front of the large cast iron gate with 'East Bodhum Cemetery' wrought into the top of banner. Clenching her jaw, steeling her aching heart, she and Fang walked onward.
Lightning fell to her knees in the soft grass before the gravestone. Clenching the flowers in her hands tightly, she could feel the hot, sticky tears fighting to escape from her eyes. Lightning wiped them away as Fang knelt beside her.
Fang had learned shortly after they had met that Lightning and Serah's parents were deceased, but she did not know much about everything that happened. The dark-haired girl thought it best not to pry on such a delicate topic. Looking at Lightning, she could see the pain in her eyes as she stared at the names on the smooth granite.
Lightning clutched the flowers to her chest tightly before placing them as gently as possible against the grave. Resting her hand on the top of the stone, the tears finally fell. Lightning felt a warm arm drape around her body. She tensed, but Fang's warmth let her relax.
"It's been six years since my mother died. Four since my father's death," Lightnng said, her voice quivering. "Mom… she had cancer. She fought and fought for years, always pretending like the pain wasn't there. I could see it in her eyes everyday. I could see how it tore her down every day. Then one day she was just gone. She couldn't fight anymore and it took her." Lightning paused as another small tear trickled down her face as she went back to day when she was a child, constantly asking her father if her mother was going to be okay.
"Dad… there was a bad storm two years after my mother died. He was coming home from work early because he had a surprise for my birthday," Lightning swallowed hard as she spoke. "He hydroplaned on the way home, just a few miles from the house, and flipped. His car rolled into the other lane, right into an oncoming car. They said the impact killed him instantly so he didn't suffer."
"Oh, Light, I am so, so very sorry…" Fang said quietly, her chest aching as the other girl told her story. She wrapped her other arm around Lightning's body, hugging her tightly. Lightning leaned in closer, letting Fang hold her close.
"I had to be strong for Serah… in the four years we were under the care of the government, we were separated twice. When I got her back, I told myself I'd never let anything happen to her."
"I never knew my parents," Fang started after a few minutes of silence, "I grew up in foster care. Home to home. I met Vanille when I was about six. Same thing. We were in the same home for a while and we became inseparable. We told our foster parents that we were a package deal and if either one of us got sent to another home, the other was coming with us. We were so stubborn and obstinate, we eventually got our way," Fang said with a sad chuckle.
"It was lonely, though, growing up. Everyone you got close to, they eventually got ripped away, went somewhere else. But it was always okay, because someone new always took their place. It made it easy to make new friends." Fang let go of her grasp of Lightning, grabbing her hand to pull her to her feet.
Suddenly, droplets of rain began to slowly drop from the sky. All at once, the rain poured. Fang and Lightning stood in the rain for a moment, before taking off back down the sidewalk, their clothes already soaked completely through. By the time they made it back to Lightning's car, the lightning and thundered had begun.
Fang and Lightning sat in the car, dripping wet as they watched the rain pound incessantly on the windshield.
"I'm glad you came with me," Lightning said, looking at Fang with blue eyes that were no longer clouded with the pain of the past.
"Any time, Light," Fang said softly, giving her a small smile.
The drive back to Lightning's house was a quiet one, only the dull buzz of the radio and patter of rain pervading the silence. When they arrived back at Lightning's house, the rain was still pouring.
"You can't drive back in the rain," Lightning stated as they pulled into the garage, glancing over at Fang's bike that was parked beside the interior wall.
"And what I am I to do the rain stops?" Fang ask curiously.
"Come inside and get out of those wet clothes."
Fang smiled as she followed the pink-haired girl inside, up the stairs to Lightning's room. A moment later, Lightning chunked a towel, a t-shirt, and a pair of baggy sweatpants at her. "Sorry, that's all I've got that will fit you," Lightning said, frowning at Fang's taller stature.
"S'fine," Fang said, walking out the the door and heading for the bathroom. When Fang returned, she found Lightning sitting on her bed, legs folded up to her chest, her light hair wrapped in a messy bun that was still dripping from the rain. Her dark clothing had been replaced by the usual tank top and shorts. She had a mug in her hand and another on her night stand. Lightning glanced as over, motioning at it while she sipped on the hot liquid.
Fang picked up the blue mug, sniffing the cup. It smelled of a warm tea with cinnamon and other spices; the scent was relaxing. She sat on the edge of Lightning's bed and began sipping on the tea.
There was a knock at the door. Serah popped out behind the door as she opened it, her hair messy and bedraggled. Her eyes were red and she sniffled frequently. "Hey, you're back," Serah said, her voice clogged and nasally.
Lightning nodded, "How are you feeling?"
Serah frowned, "I'm good. How are Mom and Dad?"
"They're doing good. They said hi and hope you feel better so you can come visit them next time," Lightning said softly to her sister as she sat down on the bed on the other side of Fang. Lightning wrapped her arms around her sister for a moment, but recoiled when she felt the heat radiating off the girl. Lightning lifted the back of her hand to Serah's forehead. It was very hot.
"It's fine, I just took some more medicine before you got here," Serah said, her blue eyes tired.
"Alright, well, go get some more rest." Serah nodded and left the room, closing the door quietly.
"Poor kid," Fang said, still sipping on her tea, enjoying the warmth in her hands.
The sun was starting to peep through the clouds and Fang walked down the front steps of Lightning's house. Lightning was standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame as she waved goodbye. Fang hesitated as she got the last step. She looked back at Lightning who gave her a confused look.
"Forget something?" She asked. Fang shook her head, walking back up the stairs.
"I had a question, Light," Fang said apprehensively.
"Yeah?"
"I was wondering if you'd like to go on a date with me?" Fang looked down as she asked.
"What?"
"Wait, no, I'm sorry. It was a stupid question," Fang quickly backed down the stairs, "I'll be going now."
"Fang, wait!" Lightning called, stepping out of the door. "I didn't mean- I mean, yes, I'd like to go on a date with you." She smiled faintly at the dark-haired girl. She had been taken by surprise by the question, but a pleasant surprise at that.
"Really? Okay, well, how about Friday at 6?" Fang smiled broadly. Her heart was pounding from the hesitation to excitement. Lightning wanted to go on a date with her.
"Alright, it's a date."
As Lightning shut the door, she leaned against it, smiling inwardly. Suddenly, there was a creak at the top of the stairs. Serah was leaning against the rail in her pajamas, just grinning.
"I knew it," Serah said, a sly grin plastered to her face.
"Shut it, kid," Lightning threatened, still smiling a little even as her sister teased it.
Author's Note: It's out, it's out! Fang finally asked and neither of them could be happier! It only took Fang three and a half months from the time she met Fang. She's definitely a procrastinator.
Sorry the graveyard scene was so short. It was really hard to write since it was a really emotional scene. I hope it was okay, though.
Thanks for reading! I hope you are enjoying the story and, as always, reviews and comments are greatly appreciated! To all that have left reviews, I really appreciate all of the wonderful things you all have to say. It actually helps me write the chapters.
