A/N: Thank you once again for your encouragement and suggestions! My reviewers are the real MVPs! Thanks to CRISMAN4256, Reaper2908, Guests are cool, The Sorrowful Deity, AquaThunderKnight17 and Okikun!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the story.


Of Pink and Gold

VII. Complications


SERAH'S POV

Itsmeserah added OerbaYunFang, VanillaVanille, hopewithouthope, ValentineV, theZack, herhighness, Fenrir, sn000w, Yeul2, knowyourNoel, Lightning to the conversation.

Itsmeserah: Hi guys! This is the suuuuuuuuuuuuper secret chatroom.

Sn000w: Um, Serah….

Lightning: ?

Itsmeserah created a new group.

Itsmeserah added OerbaYunFang, VanillaVanille, hopewithouthope, ValentineV, theZack, herhighness, Fenrir, sn000w, Yeul2, knowyourNoel to the conversation.

ValentineV: …

Sn000w: Is this one safe?

Hopewithouthope: Yep, no Light in this room.

VanillaVanille: Lol. No light in da rooooom XD

herhighness: What's going on?

Itsmeserah: herhighness: Tifa, it's Light's birthday surprise chatroom. 3

knowyourNoel: Lol Vanille. Anyway what's the plan?

ValentineV: Invitation card wasn't helpful…

Fenrir: Yeah. When's the birthday?

Itsmeserah: 3rd November~ This weekend.

OerbaYunFang: We don't know what to do yet, so need ideas from you lovely people. ;)

VanillaVanille: We were thinking maybe going to an electronic club cuz Light loves electronic music!

knowyourNoel: I can't imagine in her a club, tho.

ValentineV: You guys can use my place if you need.

OerbaYunFang: Aww, that's so cute. Maybe we will. ;)

theZack: Less flirting more working people!

ValentineV: Who's flirting?

Fenrir: You. So shut up.

Itsmeserah: Guysssss :(

VanillaVanille: Whaddya think Serah? Is she gonna hate the club idea?

Itsmeserah: I think it'll be fine! Then how about surprising her on campus, going to the club and then throwing an after party at Vincent-senpai's place? X3

Sn000w: Sounds good!

ValentineV: Sure. Ok with me.

Herhighness: itsmeserah Is it really okay for me to come…

Itsmeserah: Omg, of course captain!

OerbaYunFang: Let's do thisssss. ;)

Hopewithouthope: Well, we can lure her out with extra fencing practice or something.

ValentineV: I'll send a message and pretend it was sent to everyone in the fencing club. Leave it to me.

OerbaYunFang: Sneaky…

VanillaVanille: Where should we go clubbing tho?

Herhighness: Oh, how about Beats? It's a realllly popular electro club, but it's in a different city.

Itsmeserah: Sounds like a great idea!

theZack: Yo Cloud, can we borrow your family's penthouse villa in the area? I think Beats is in downtown and you're on the upper side.

Fenrir: Yeah, no problem.

Itsmeserah: Woohoo! So it's settled! X3

I flipped my phone shut. The next few days will be a super hectic. I want my sister to have the best birthday in the world.


LIGHTNING'S POV

That's weird. It's awfully quiet for practice day. I glance around the empty fencing studio. Did I get the date and time wrong?

I check the text message again.

Nov 3
10 AM at the Studio
Fencing Drills
COMPULSORY!

-V.V.

It IS from Vincent and he doesn't seem to be the type that makes a mistake like this. I sigh, relieved to hear footsteps approaching the studio.

Silver hair is shining under the light coming in through the studio's large, life-size windows. Hope is staying true to his name, a huge smile plastered over his face.

I fold my arms across my chest and raise an eyebrow.

"Is this weird or what?"

Hope just shrugs and slides his hands into the pockets of his baggy jeans. "Too bad but I am not complaining. Who wants to do drills on a day like this anyway?" He chuckles.

I can't help smile back. What a carefree kid…

"Alright, let's go grab lunch or something," I sigh, placing both hands on my stomach.

"Gotcha, let's go. I know just the place~~!"

We have been walking for some time now.

"Estheim…"

"Almost there!" He chimes. His whistling is carried into the distance by the wind. It echoes in the complete silence of the corridor. Finally, we arrive at the auditorium.

"We're eating lunch at the auditorium?" I smirk, extracting one from Hope in response.

"Didn't you know? Lunch here is the best!" His eyes widened in mockery before he pushed the heavy, rounded doors open with both his hands.

Inside the dark auditorium, the lights went on. The sudden brightness shocked me more than what was to follow. I probably looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Damn it Serah—

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!"

Three rounds of the song were done. The first one failed cause' Serah and Snow started too early. The second one failed because they forgot to cue in the music.

Finally, the third was a success.

Satisfied, Serah jumped off the stage and ran into my wide open arms.


VINCENT'S POV

Wow. What a touching scene. It actuallyis… cute.

I mean, Farron's cheeks are all flushed and she is grunting, while stroking little Farron's hair in an almost motherly way.

I couldn't help laugh along with the others.

We went to extend our congratulations to Farron together.

"Happy birthday, Farron," I chuckled as she glared at me with a half-smirk.

"I have to compliment your deception skills…" she grunted and we all laughed once more.

"Yeah if we were in an RPG, I'd never ever ever trust this guy!" Zack spewed as he elbowed me.

"Come on guys… don't make him out to be the bad guy," Cloud pitched in.

"Good looking out, bro," I sighed to which the others laughed again.

"We are actually getting some food right?" Farron asked, blinking somewhat innocently.

"Yeah yeah! Come on, let's get out of this campus. I know a good place!" The Estheim boy chirped.

"I am not falling for that twice," she narrowed her eyes in a semi-threatening way. The boy snickered.

"I am serious this time!" He replied and we all made our way to the parking lot.

I saw Cloud hesitate. One person could ride on the back of his Fenrir and both Tifa and Farron were walking together with the little Farron, engaged in some kind of discussion. Girls and… 'girl talk' I assumed. Farron was the only one who looked out of place.

"Can I ride with you?" I heard her sharp, mature voice so close to my ear it made me jump.

I nodded, turning my face away to hide my embarrassment. This woman, Fang, like her name was sharp and ruthless. Not to mention totally unpredictable.

"Come on guys, whoever can fit in my truck is welcome!" Snow Villiers' happy-go-lucky nature shone through even in the dimmest of places, like this parking lot.

"I have space for three more," I added in a low voice, but it was heard by everyone.

"Take me, Vincent!" Zack cooed in a high pitched voice as he flipped his hair to the side and asked me in the most dramatic way possible.

"Wow, so Zack and Vincent are the new couple…" I heard Vanille muse.

"Aha! That's where the rumor started!" Zack declared, quite proud of his investigation skills. "But I still love Cloud… Vincent is a one night stand…"

"Shut up, please." I sighed. These idiots…

I saw Cloud raise the keys to Fenrir, looking – no, staring at Farron and about to open his mouth before she walked over to him in a flash and stomped on his foot with her boot.

"Ouch—

"You guys ride together!" Farron called out to Tifa.

Tifa happily skipped over to Cloud as Farron prepared to skin him alive with her eyes.

"Space for one more?" She sighed as she looked at me with those icy orbs. Who could refuse?

"Hop on." I shuddered as I opened the doors to my Ferrari.

"Oiii! Wait for me! I want in on the BL love!" Vanille shrieked as she hopped on and we were, much to my irritation and the others' ridicule, on our way to lunch.


TIFA'S POV

Lunch was fun. And really long! We all ordered drinks: smoothies and lattes and iced teas after our meal. The little restaurant was so crowded you could barely walk. I really envy the tall guys like Cloud, Vincent and Hope. I mean, Serah and I were struggling. And the struggle was real.

"So how long have you guys been together?" Serah asked with so much enthusiasm that it made me blush.

"Pretty much our whole lives," Cloud answered. I nodded happily.

"Wow. That's what true love looks like!" She squealed, grabbing her sister's hand. "I want a love like –"

"No." Lightning answered flatly and I literally saw Serah's hopes and dreams disappear like an inflated balloon blasting away. I chuckled.

"Lightning's right. There's a lot of assholes out there you know. Gotta watch out cause' you're so pretty!" I patted Serah's hair. She was so cute. Like a little bunny!

I saw my roommate surprised at my agreement. She threw a small smile my way. It actually made my heart beat faster! Wow. What an attractive woman.

Now that I looked at her closely, she had this… air about her. Even her features carried that dignity. Sharp, hawk-like eyes with an unusually beautiful pale aqua color. Thin, very firm, but incredibly soft looking lips! And her hair looked spiky and messy but I imagine it'd be pretty soft, like Cloud's.

"Somebody call 911! We have a girl crush alert!" Vanille shrieked and I snapped out of my thoughts, blushing red as a tomato.

"Sorry!"

She chuckled and said nothing. Serah whispered something in her ear and she grunted. "One more strawberry smoothie please."

"You're going to get diabetes one day."

"I am NOT!" Serah defended herself heatedly and I guess even Lightning couldn't fight that off.

She's a lot like Cloud. Isn't she?

I suddenly thought of an experiment.

"Cloud! Please get me another drink!" I poked his arm. He sighed, before grunting, in the same way as Lightning had!

"Hey, one more chocolate milkshake!"

"You're going to get fat." He teased, but I couldn't really laugh. It was so creepy how alike they were. They even did these sarcastic one liners.

We lined up at the Beats entrance. I was still distracted with my thoughts (and successful experiment) when the bouncer announced he wouldn't let us in without a reservation.

His big palm waved in my face twice.

"Sorry what?"

"I said, you can't get in without a reservation."

"Oh!" I glared at him angrily and crossed my arms across my chest. "I see. Then could you check our last names? They should always be on the list."

"Look miss, I don't know if you're some bigshot—"

"Well, I'm a Lockhart! And he's a Valentine! And that blondie is Cloud Strife. Now, you can either let us in or we'll have to call our parents. Your choice."

"I am extremely sorry for my rudeness, miss. Please go ahead."

"That was amazing." Serah clapped her hands slowly in awe.

"It was nothing!" I raised my head up high. Only times like these our useless dysfunctional families were worth something. "Anyway it's Lightning's birthday so, let's have a great time. First round is on me!"


LIGHTNING'S POV

One of two things is true.

The first is… Tifa might be wearing a mask. A mask of friendliness. Underneath, deception runs so deep and is so utterly rooted and mastered that she can mold it into any shape she wants and manipulate people to the max.

The second… I was wrong about her.

I had a preconceived notion of who she is and she has been shattering it all day.

I downed the first shot of vodka, still a little lost in my thoughts.

"Next round's mine," I heard the Vice Captain's composed voice a little louder than usual.

"Slow down, guys!" I heard Vanille's complaint addressed to all these messiah's of free alcohol. "I wanna flirt with the bartender but he's too busy because of you guys!"

"Oi, what happened to recording every hot moment of our BL?" Zack teased.

"Oh that's just divine!" Vanille turned around 360 degrees and we all laughed out loud.

"A single mix whiskey for me, please." I put the menu aside.

The bartender smirked at me. "I didn't know girls could drink whiskey. Maybe you should think of something a little lighter."

"Maybe you should think. No seriously, try it before you open your mouth."

He narrowed his eyes angrily at me and I scoffed, turning to the person suddenly obstructing my view from that sexist asshole.

"Savage." Spiky chuckled. I calmed down after my whiskey came. Taking a sip, I finally got annoyed enough to ask him.

"What's your deal?"

He was taken aback by sudden accusatory tone.

"Huh?"

"This whole, I'm brooding thing. What's that about?"

"I don't know. I didn't know I was doing the 'brooding thing' until you mentioned it." He replied honestly. This irritated me even more. I said nothing and took a big gulp from my glass.

"What about you? You're always doing the 'I don't need anybody thing'."

"Real classy, Strife." I tried to push past his arm, but realized how strong he was for the first time. He gripped my wrist tightly.

"No, seriously. I saved your life."

"I didn't ask you to!" I growled. "Why did you even jump into that hell hole? I was trying to get Serah out alive. And your girlfriend was so worried." I unleashed all my anger at him in one go.

His lips quivered as a little growl escaped. He wasn't going to back down.

"We had a better chance. Two of us. To save your sister." He defended in a low, but unyielding voice.

I opened my mouth to say something but I couldn't. I swallowed the thick air that seemed so suffocating at this point. I cast my eyes away from his piercing blue ones. They had a glow in them whenever he got worked up.

"Thanks." I admitted. I didn't dare look at his face. Gulping what was left of my whiskey I moved over to the table with Noel and Yeul.


CLOUD'S POV

"What's got your panties in a knot?" Vincent asked, putting his long arm around my shoulders. Most of the others were on the dancefloor now.

"Farron. She's impossible."

"Yeah, imagine how we feel about you." He smirked. I only growled in response.

He turned to face the bar. "Let's buy another drink. On me. What do you want?"

"No, I'll get this round." I insisted. "Two Irish car bombs please."

I half turned to face Vincent. "I am—"

A part of me wanted to confide in him about my feelings for Farron. I didn't even know what kind of feelings I had for Farron! So I stayed silent and reflected on the potential stupidity I was about to say.

"Now you're brooding again." Vincent's comment irritated me even more than Farron's had.

"Everyone's gotta stop saying that…" I protested. Vincent just sighed and looked at me with his serious, dark eyes.

"Look buddy, we have had your back for a while. And even if you do some stupid shit, Zack and I will always be there for you. But you've gotta deal with this. Don't run away."

We downed our drinks. Whatever I wanted to say drowned in the loud music and we all spent a good time at the club, forgetting about most things.

The hostility between Tifa and Farron has somehow dissipated. If you could see them right now, you'd think they are even somewhat friendly. Tifa and little Farron were dancing enthusiastically and even Lightning was moving to the music. Her sister was right. She doesactually like electronic music a lot.

Somewhat wasted, we made our way out of the club. Some of us had to be carried out: Vanille and Serah.

We obediently handed over our car keys to the chauffeurs dressed in jet black suits. The cars had our company's logo up in the front. I clicked my tongue in disgust but we had no choice.

Once we arrived at the penthouse, we decided to take a break: rest, shower, watch TV, whatever we like and reconnect on the roof. There was a hot tub and even pool to shoot up there. The girls said they needed time to 'get ready' and even the boys were exhausted.

"Sounds good! Let's meet at the roof at 11!" Estheim suggested and we all nodded in agreement.


SERAH'S POV

When I woke up, the clock read 9.30. I clutched my head into my hands. "Ow… It hurts…"

"You might become a raging alcoholic instead of a diabetes patient one day…"Lightning sighed. She brought over a shady looking glass over to me.

"Drink. It'll help with the headache."

"It looks nasty…"

"Should I inject it into you?"

"I'll drink…" I saluted the dictator called my sister and gulped down the nasty thing obediently. I think my taste buds died. In slow motion. All of them. Like one, big, simultaneous death. The after taste made me want to throw up.

When I had showered, I watched the Captain getting ready while drying my hair with a towel. Her makeup was flawless. I leaned close to the mirror, admiring her. "What lip shade is that? I want!"

"It's 006. Cherry red. You can have it!" She handed it to me like it was no big deal.

"No, no! It's fine. Is it okay if I use it just now?"

"Of course!" She smiled warmly at me. I dabbed some onto my lips with my index finger. Lightning was sprawled on the bed in her pajamas, reading some depressing novel by a dead French dude called Sartre.

"Get up and get ready!" I commanded to no avail. Lightning just grunted and turned another page.

"Yeah it's your birthday. Just for today!" The Captain sided with me. Yay!

Even Fang chimed in. "Come on, just for today."

Lightning finally wormed out of bed and we made her try a dozen outfits, until we finally decided on skinny jeans and an off shoulder boat neck black top.

"Why don't you let your hair down…" Fang whined as Lightning tried to put it up in a bun. Tifa smacked my sister's hands away and picked up a brush.

"Let's tame this spiky mess!" She joked and we all laughed along.

"Wow! It's actually really soft! Just like I thought!"

Both Fang and I raised an eyebrow and she blushed deeply. "Sorry! I just thought it'd be really soft!"

Lightning also chuckled.

We combed and straightened her hair. I waved the ends into pretty curls.

"All done!" I jumped up and down in excitement. This was going to be the best!

"It's already 11. Can we go already?" Lightning whined, trying to escape the 'torture' we the female species was collectively inflicting on her.

"It's okay. We can be fashionably late," Fang called out, who was still busy painting her toenails.

We arrived at 11.20. The boys had already started drinking around a bonfire. "Serah!" Snow stood up so fast that he collided with the beer peg being passed onto Noel above his head. The bottles all fell down and he clutched his head, blushing.

That's gotta hurt! "Are you okay?!" I rushed over to his side. Lightning rolled her eyes and sat opposite us. Cloud-senpai was sitting next to her and Tifa next to him.

I touched Snow's hair and felt my heart race. "Are you sure you're okay…?"

He leaned close to my face and Lightning faked a cough.

"Okay okayyyyyy~!" I pouted as I settled next to Snow. Thank god the bottles didn't break or we'd have crazy cleaning to do.

"Hey Vincent, Zack! Stop shooting pool and come play this game with us!" Tifa called out. She picked up an empty beer bottle.

Now Vincent-senpai took a place next to Fang, who was next to Tifa. Yeul was leaning on Noel's shoulder, who sat next to me. Hope sat on the other side of Lightning.

"Truth or dareeeeee!" The Captain called out and I raised my hands up in the air. "Yay! Good idea!" I nodded enthusiastically. It'd be fun.

Snow passed me a chilled can of beer and I took a sip.

Tifa spun the bottle.

"Oooh! It's me and Noel!"

"Yep! Truth or dare?" Noel smirked.

"Truth please!"

"Tell us something you don't really talk to people about."

Tifa thought hard. Then I saw her blushing. Blushing pretty hard at that! Woah… what kind of secret is that.

"I am a…"

Snow gulped in the excruciating silence.

"M-m-m-m-m-" She stuttered.

"Mom?" Cloud-senpai teased.

"Martian?" Next was Vincent-senpai's turn.

"Madonna?" Vanille laughed along.

"MARTIAL ARTIST!"

Wow… okay… sorry… what?!

"Vincent, Cloud and Zack already know…" she said sheepishly. "I am actually trained in several kinds of martial arts…"

"You're a cheerleader…" Fang's eyes were about to pop out of her eye sockets.

"Yeah, that's because I like pompoms!" She smiled warmly. I couldn't believe this… she throws around nunchucks and likes pompoms?!

"Okay… that's… awesome." Noel responded genuinely. "Yeah, you're even cooler now!" I added. Tifa was so nice and supportive of others, she deserved to be happy.

Even my sister spoke up.

"I think that's pretty cool."

"O-o-okay I am spinning the bottle again!" She said shyly.

"Oooh! Snow and Lightning!"

"Truth or dare?"

"Dare."

She's not very honest, is she… I sighed as Snow continued.

"Okay, then kiss a girl."

Wow omg. What kind of a dare is that? I elbowed Snow in the stomach.

"Ow- ow! I am joking. It's not like she'll actually do it or something—"

"Any volunteers?" Lightning sighed. "Except Serah please."

We all laughed.

"MARK ME!" Vanille shouted as she sprung to her feet but Fang pulled her back down.

"I swear I am a girl." Hope teased.

"Move a sec, Spiky."

OMG SHE'S NOT GOING TO –

Annnnnd it's done. Tifa was too shocked to respond so she was frozen the whole time. Lightning made it quick with a peck on the lips as Cloud was pushed behind. He was supporting his weight on both his hands and this…scene unfolded in front of him.

"There is a god…" Zack snapped a picture as he nodded in appreciation. (A/N: I love Zack XD)

"Okay, one m-more time please!" I spun the bottle this time. No more kisses please…

"Oh! It's Vanille and Zack-senpai!"

"Truth!"

Vanille smiled and clicked her tongue. She was cooking up some mischief. "Well! We all know you have a girlfriend! What's she like?"

He seemed to glance at Cloud-senpai. My eyes followed his. It seems that he was uncomfortable.

"Sorry I have to pass on that one, Vanille." The usual energetic and funny Zack-senpai was now so serious. Vanille let it go.

"Let's make it a bit more difficult!" She suggested when the silence got too much to bear. "I'll pass on these cards to you guys. Each of them has a number. And then we can dare in turns. No more truths!"

Everyone more or less seemed to agree to avoid any more serious questions.


CLOUD'S POV

We passed around the numbers. I grabbed onto mine, finishing my sixth beer. I was starting to get a little tipsy.

"Okay, let's start with Yeul!"

"I dare… Number 2… to…"

We all waited for her to finish.

"Twerk."

Wow… what a devil. We all smirked at the misfortune of Snow who had to twerk for us. Who knew Yeul could be so…

"Next is mine." Vincent sighed. "I dare Number 9 to take his shirt off and give us a show." He looked at Zack.

Zack seemed confused. "I am Number 6 though…"

He turned his placard upside down.

"Well, I don't mind at all!" The tan girl with the husky voice, Fang, slipped out of her top. Luckily she was wearing a bra inside. Tifa's hands covered my eyes and I chuckled.

"WOAH FANG!" I heard the little Farron applaud. Vincent must be dying right about now. I heard Farron chuckle next to me.

"Okay let's keep it PG 13…" Vincent passed the baton onto Tifa.

"I dare Number 13 to sing Milkshake!"

"What's Milkshake?" I heard Pinky ask.

"Lightning cannot sing that…" I heard little Pinky plead with my girlfriend. I would love to see that though.

After passing her iPhone so Pinky could listen to the song and read the lyrics on the screen, we all awaited the sacred moment. Zack more than me, cause' he even had his phone out.

"My milkshake brings… all the boys… to the yard…"

Oh god.

I was clutching my sides and so was Tifa. Please… no.

"Okay, okay, Lightining. It's fine!" She managed to say through hysterical laughs.

The mood was really light. We drank beer and laughed along each other's selfish requests.

It was Fang's turn next.

"Number 7, whoever that is, kiss the most beautiful girl in the room," the bronze skinned girl dared mischievously.

I raised the little slip of paper so the others could see I was the doomed number, sighing heavily as laughter and 'ooohs' erupted in the room.

"This one is so easy!" Zack laughed, adding to the fun and easy going atmosphere before I did something that would ruin everything.

My body moved involuntarily like it had a will of its own, detached from my mind. I turned to my right and my lips touched Farron's.

A growl escaped from her and she pushed me back. My weight fell on my elbows.

She stood up so fast I couldn't even react. She stormed out, the silver haired boy following her. Little Pinky had also gotten up. She gave me a look of pity before following them.

Soon, one by one all of them went downstairs. Even Vincent and Zack decided to leave. They didn't want to be caught up in what was about to follow.

Now it was just me and Tifa.

"What was that…? She was the first one to break the ice.


A/N: Tadaaa! Another chapter done! This chapter has a lot of dialogue so I am sorry if it was annoyingly long T_T I had a lot of fun writing it! Let me just say two things real quick:

I do not hate Tifa. On the contrary I really like her! The POVs are not mine, they are the characters'. As the characters interact with each other more, their opinions of each other change. So more of one character's personality can come out through another character's POV.

Secondly, Cloud may seem a bit pursuing type here so I apologize if you hate it! There's a reason for all this. So just give me some time to develop the character relationships more!

I don't know if anyone is still reading this, but if I see reviews for this I'll definitely update one more chapter in this week. It's half done!

Have a fun week guys and don't forget to review!