A/N: Thank you for your reviews: Reaper2908, AquaThunderKnight17, CRISMAN4256 and Okikun! It feels nice to hear your comments and opinions annnnnd your suggestions always help me improve a lot! Thank you for your time for reading and reviewing. This next chapter is for you!

Disclaimer: No. I don't. I DON'T OWN FINAL FANTASY. /flails around pathetically


Of Pink and Gold

VII. Lies


PREVIOUSLY

Now it was just me and Tifa.

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


CLOUD'S POV

Her voice cut through my silence like a knife. There were times I could have run away. But not this time. Neither of us dared to move. My eyes were locked with the fire in front of us.

The fire reminded me… of that fire.

The fire, the ashes, the screams of those who had burnt… and the silence of those who had remained behind, forlorn by even the dead.

I remembered the promise I had made to my child hood friend. My first and my best friend. The remnants of that promise were instilled so deeply in me… it was as if the promise ran through my veins instead of blood.

I reached for her hand and grabbed it. It was trembling. I didn't have to look to know. The sobs were heartbreaking.

I pulled her into an embrace.

"I am really sorry, Tifa."

"For liking her?" She snapped at me through sobs as she drowned my chest in tears.

"I don't." I insisted, combing her hair with my fingers.

"Don't lie to me." She kept on crying. It was difficult to comfort people, most of all Tifa.

"Then what should I say? Say that I like her?" I tried. She punched my chest. It really hurt. I took a sharp breath in.

"No… no you idiot!" She shouted at full volume. I was taken aback by the sudden violence as she pounded my chest with punches.

"Say you like me! Not Aerith! And not Lightning!" She growled, continuing to unleash her rage on me.

I let her hit me to her heart's content, keeping my mouth shut, not letting even a breath of pain escape.

"Me…" She finally stopped, grabbing my shirt with both hands and locking her deep brown eyes with mine, now red and puffy.

"But you can't say that right? Because you don't love me at all…"

"I do." I lied. Sure, I loved her plenty. But as a friend. She had been my first love. But as the years passed, that childish first love had blossomed into the friendship that was like air to me. I needed Tifa. Needed her so much more than I needed anyone else.

"Then make love to me."


TIFA'S POV

It was so selfish.

It was so, completely selfish of me to ask him to do the one thing he has been avoiding lately. I knew his feelings so clearly. But even so, I couldn't stop the words from coming out of my mouth.

"Then make love to me." I said in a low voice. Cloud heard me loud and clear. He stood up without a word, bending down to retrieve me as he carried me bridal style to his room. We entered his rom and he snapped his fingers and the lights went off as he slowly slid my shirt off of me.

His movements were so gentle, so guarded. I could tell that nowhere inside him there was the passion burning that was inside of me. But I couldn't stop myself. Even if it was for one last time, I wanted to feel him inside me. I wanted me, and me alone, to take up every single thought in that complex mind of his.

Our lips brushed against each other as he lowered me further onto the bed. I had already tossed aside his shirt, so I could feel his muscular torso pressing against my skin. Everywhere he touched, I went insane. He extracted moans out of me without trying.

Undoing my bra and tossing it to the floor, Cloud trapped me underneath him. He kissed me, a kiss so hot that I almost forgot to breathe. I eagerly probed his lips until he allowed me in and we kissed for the longest time.

In the darkness and stillness, my moans and his silence, we made love all night.


The Next Day

When I woke up, he was nowhere in sight.

I lazily made my way out of bed and ran the hot water. Stepping underneath the shower, I basked in the glow of my happiness. It was something that would always be with me. Even if Cloud wasn't.

When I was dressed and ready, I stepped out only to find him sitting by the huge glass window, staring into the sky. He was wearing his trademark black wireless headphones with a wolf on them.

When he noticed me, he looked my way and smiled.

"Hey." I smiled back as I walked over to him. "What are you listening to?"

"Travis." He said casually.

"I love him!" I lied. Cloud only chuckled in response.

"It's a band…" he sighed, but his eyes were warm as he looked at me.

"See…." I smiled as wide as I could, trying not to tear up. "I have known you my whole life but I can't get into that mind of yours… I don't even know what kind of broody music you like."

Cloud laughed lightly as he put his arms around me. "It's not really broody…" He lent me his earphones so I could listen to the song he was listening to.

"That's really broody," I teased and he let out a little 'tch'. After what seemed ages, he finally spoke.

"I am sorry Tifa."

"For what?" I croaked, unable to keep the tears back. For what, Cloud? For never having really loved me? For dating me all this time because it's what I wanted? My thoughts were spiraling downwards into depression and fast.

"For everything…" He said as he touched my cheek with his thumb.

I mentally readied myself. I needed to break up with Cloud. It wasn't fair to him… he had not been happy in this relationship from the start. I had pursued him like crazy. And now he liked someone so much that he didn't deny it, even though he's denying his love for Aerith TO THIS DAY.

I stole a glance at his hypnotic blue eyes. I always thought that if we had kids I'd want them to have his eyes…

"I need to talk to you about something."

"Sure, anything." He brushed a strand of hair from my face. This Cloud was so gentle, so different from his usual self. It hurt so much. I didn't want to let him go.

"Just a second," he looked up, a little distracted as a butler waved to him. "It's from your mother, sir." The old man said in a stern tone.

"Be right back." Cloud sulked as he patted my shoulder twice before disappearing into a room next to the lobby.

I sighed, waiting for him to return. At least we can stay friends after we break up…

Oh right… where did the others go?

I dialed Serah.

"Captian?" She squeaked on the other side of the phone.

"Serah!" I smiled as I heard her voice. "Where is everyone?"

"Umm, all of us kinda left early this morning. I am sorry for leaving you behind! Did you work things out with Cloud-senpai?"

"Yeah!" I lied. Why was I lying? I could just tell her we are this close to breaking up…

I heard the same song Cloud had been listening to in the background.

"Oi, change this goddamn song!" I heard Snow roar in the background. "Shut up!" Lightning fought back.

"Captain? I can't hear you. Lightning's playing her stupid broody music again! Let me call you back when we make a stop!"

By the time she hung up, Cloud had returned to my side.

"What did you want to talk about?"

"I'm…" No… don't lie Tifa… Don't do it… It's stupid. It was just a song, not a sign! They aren't connected or anything.

I gulped and braced myself for it. Gazing into his deep blue I eyes, I said something I hadn't meant.

"…pregnant."


LIGHTNING'S POV

We were exhausted when we got back to the dorms. I had insisted that we leave early after that unfortunate event so we all didn't get much sleep.

Everyone was zombie walking to their rooms. Reluctantly, I waved goodbye to Serah.

"See you later."

When I was back in the room, the room I shared with Tifa, I went over to her side of the room for the first time. Pictures of her and Cloud were scattered all over the wall, along with pictures of some of their friends I recognized and some I had never met.

I sighed, feeling shitty over last night. I hadn't asked him to kiss me. But he did… and now if they broke up I can go to hell with the guilt.

I was about to head back to my side when one of the pictures really stood out to me. Spiky was full on smiling, baring his teeth. He must have been five or six years old. I chuckled a bit as I saw how happy he looked. His hair was defying gravity even then…

God damn it Lightning snap out of it!

I growled at myself and jumped into my bed, face first. Whatever happens I'll deal with it later.

Later That Day

The door closed pretty softly, but I had been lying awake in bed for a few minutes already. I sat up at a speed that alarmed Tifa, who took a few steps back.

"W-woah! You scared me!"

"Sorry…" I said sheepishly. I didn't want to waste a second so I burst into what I thought was an apology.

"About last night-

But Tifa had cut me off already. "Please don't apologize… it'll make me feel worse. Besides, Cloud already said he was drunk and it was all a big mistake."

I bit my lower lip. So he drunk kissed me without any meaning to it? Wait. Did I want him to kiss me with meaning? What the fuck?!

"Light?"

"Yeah, sorry." I gave her a little smile. "Well, then it's all good. Glad you guys made up."

"Wait!" She called out to me as I got out of bed.

"Hmm?" I turned to face her one more time.

"Can you lend me some of your CDs?"

I raised an eyebrow as I walked over to my shelf. Odd request, I thought. It was 5 percent books and 95 percent CDs. "What kind are you into?" I asked her casually as I flipped through my collection.

"Um…. Broody stuff."

I snorted. "Lockhart, last time I checked 'broody' wasn't a genre."

"Alright… how about something like Travis then?" She said in a bubbly voice that resembled Serah's.

"You know Travis?" I turned around in shock.

"Yeah, why?" She asked me innocently with those honey brown eyes.

"I don't know. Just thought it wouldn't be your scene." I answered honestly. "Then… do you know Beirut? Or Bon Iver? Noah and the Whale?"

She seemed confused for a few seconds. Then she shook her head. "No, none of those. Can you lend them to me?"

"Yeah, sure. Here." I tossed the CDs over to her. "I am gonna hit the showers." I announced as she smiled at me and did a wave.

After I had showered, I headed to the café we were all meeting at for late lunch. Serah tackled me into a hug, a habit she had picked up from Vanille.

"Sisterrrrr!"

"What do you want?" I grunted.

"How did you know I wanted something?" She looked genuinely surprised. Oh Serah.

"You've been emotionally blackmailing me since you were born," I retorted. "Don't do the cute eyes and just ask."

"Can I go on a d-d-date?" She slapped her hands together in some sort of ancient begging ritual…

"Serah what did I say about—

"I know. Just this once. PLEASE. I'll never ask for anything again. Except maybe another date if this one works." She winked at me.

Fang chuckled in the background. "Come on Light, she's a grown up."

"Fine…" I mumbled reluctantly. Serah let out the biggest scream ever and glomped me again with such force that I almost fell.

"When will it be?"

"Day after tomorrow!" Serah beamed. It was nice to see her happy for a change. I smiled.

"Light, you smiled." Hope had joined us with the others. Yeul had dropped her ice cream spoon on the floor. Noel looked like he had seen a ghost. Zack Fair had clicked a picture with his camera.

"Huh?" I had no idea what they were talking about.

"Hurry up guys I am starving!" Vanille complained as the rest of the guys pulled up chairs with our group. I heard Spiky's voice and it irritated me to no end.

"Hey." He said to no one in particular but everyone greeted him back.

I rose promptly from my seat. "I am not hungry. See you later, Serah." I tried to make my exit as fast as possible.

Much to my dismay, Spiky had decided to follow me.

"Lightning, wait." He caught up with my fast strides easily.

"Why? So you can attack me again in your drunken reverie?" I said sarcastically to the blonde.

"I did not attack you, though I was way out of line." Spiky growled. "I want to apologize. Please listen." He grabbed my wrist and spun me around.

"Look. You were drunk. You made a mistake. I get it. Tifa already explained everything to me. So just back off, will you?"

"Huh?" He raised an eyebrow. His forehead had deep lines, as if someone had drawn them there. His eyebrows were pulled together in frustration and his blue eyes had that strange glow to them again.

"What are you talking about? I never said it was a mistake!"

I was taken a bit aback by this. Spiky didn't seem the type to lie but neither did Tifa.

"Anyway, it doesn't matter, right? So let's just forget it."

"No. I am not going to forget it." He insisted. I bit down on my lower lip and balled my hands into fists. Can I just break his nose?

"Let's be friends." He said in a soft voice – the softest I had ever heard from him. But there was an incredible tinge of sadness in those words. Maybe it's just my imagination. His words really came out of nowhere. I relaxed my fists.

"You want to be friends?" It was my turn to furrow my brows together.

"Yeah. I just have this feeling we'll be good friends. I am not going to try anything." He said genuinely as he stared me down.

We had a stare down competition and I finally gave in. His blue orbs were unrelenting, as if he was really giving it his all.

"Fine." I said as I turned my back to him and started walking in the opposite direction. For some reason, I felt irritated.


SERAH'S POV

It was finally D day. Since so many of my friends were going with me, I didn't feel as nervous as I would if I had to go alone. I was trying to curl my hair tips perfectly but couldn't really get it right.

"Gaaaah!" I groaned in frustration. I heard my sister, who was reading her stupid existentialist stuff again sprawled on my bed, chuckle cold heartedly. "SOMEONE HELP!" I pleaded – more like cried out in total desperation.

Fang came to my aid. With a rounded brush in hand, she expertly curled the ends of my hair.

"Fannnngg!" Vanille pouted. "Help me straighten out this part."

Fang effortlessly worked her magic on both of us.

"Fang is our savior!" We squealed in unison.

I wore a short leather skirt with a cute pink full sleeved satin top. I wore my hair to one side in a loose ponytail. Fang wore shorts and a tank, finished with a silver jacket. Her hair was messy and sexy as always. Lastly, Vanille wore a really cute short dress that matched her hair color. She let her hair down and paired the outfit up with cute accessories.

When we were all ready to head out, Lightning narrowed her eyes and looked at me like I was a fugitive planning a great escape. I did a mock salute and was ready to note down her instructions.

Surprisingly, she didn't say much. "Just be safe." She growled reluctantly. "And if anything happens, I am on speed dial."

"We aren't going to war, Light." Vanille stuck her tongue out at my annoyed sister teasingly. "See ya when we see ya!"

We all left the campus and went to meet our dates. Fang had excused herself so early on that we didn't even see who she was on a date with. It's a pity because all of us are dying to be introduced to her secret boyfriend.

Noel, of course, had brought Yeul. Vanille had invited out Sazh, the basketball team captain. And for me? I was with the soccer team captain, Snow Villiers the stud. We had split so we were at different tables, but we all decided to stay the same restaurant.

The restaurant was right in the heart of the city and it was pretty hard to get reservations. It had a well-deserved rep, because the food was amazingly delish. And as for dessert? Well, Snow was doting on me the whole night. No really, he was so attentive that a boring person like me could take pride in her life stories.

"And then Lightning realized the gingerbread men were still in the oven, so she ran into the kitchen and brought back these gingerbread men from walking dead or something!"

Snow burst into laughter. He daringly took a hold of my hand over the table. I blushed, leaning a bit closer to him.

"Your stories are so funny." He smiled brightly at me – a smile warmer than sunshine. He was so warm and good. Not to mention so handsome. Tall, well built, blonde… gah. I really wanted him to kiss me. After all, I had been dropping hints all night. Like that one time I 'slipped' and he caught me and I looked up at him innocently and batted my eyelashes three times. Yes. THREE. But he still didn't kiss me.

"Hey Serah…" He leaned in closer (finally!) and I smiled at him, once again batting my eyelashes as naturally as I could.

"When you were drunk that night, I actually…"

Oh boy. Did I do something stupid? Serah you stupid alcoholic! I reprimanded myself.

"I actually asked you to be my girlfriend…" he said sheepishly.

"Ehhhh?!" I sort of shouted. People at the other tables turned to look at us. I bowed my head in apology to several members of our new audience before turning back to him.

"Well, yeah…" he added in a whisper. "But," he spoke a little louder again. "You didn't answer me. So can you tell me now?" He pressed.

OF COURSE.

"B-but if you're not ready it's totally fine. I can wait." He added so quickly that I couldn't understand him the first time and he had to repeat himself.

"No, I am ready now. It's a yes, so can you pleaseeee kiss me?" I begged as cutely as I could.

As we blushed, both of us shared our first official kiss, at the best restaurant in town. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. His girl.

The boys insisted to drop us off home, but we wanted to have some girl fun. The night was still young and exams would start in a few weeks. This was the perfect opportunity and I was already out, away from parental supervision.

"Karaoke?" I asked Vanille. Yeul had already returned home thanks to her over protective brother and law and my history professor, Caius, who I was not going to argue with even if I had John Cena on my side.

Caius is legit scary.

"Let's call Fang and let her know where we are so she can join us!" Vanille suggested.

After we had called Fang, we dialed Tifa. Her phone rang and rang, but she didn't answer. When we called a second time, I was surprised by a male voice on the other side of the line.

"Cloud-senpai?" I began nervously.

"Yeah, little Farron. Tifa's in the shower. What's up?"

In the shower? Daammmmmn son. I thought as I whistled mentally.

"Well Vanille and I are out in town. We are at this place called Club 666. It has some great drinks and karaoke, so I was wondering if Tifa wanted to join. I'd call you but it is girls' night only!" I added the last part with a giggle.

"Sure, I'll let her know, but she won't be able to drink with you guys."

"Hmm? Why? Is she sick?" I asked but there was no reply from his side. He just went quiet. "H-hello?"

"Sorry. Anyway I'll let her know."

"Thank you!" I replied quickly and turned to Vanille.

"Let's get druuuunkkk!"


CLOUD'S POV

Tifa skipped out of the shower, looking happy.

"What's on your mind?" She asked as I turned the pages of the book I was reading. It's a question she always asks and I never know how to answer.

"Nothing, just reading to kill time." I replied as she climbed into my lap.

"Hold me, Cloud." She commanded and I obeyed. Any hesitation on my part would make her feel like I didn't respect her choice to have this child. Or that I was unhappy in anyway.

She nuzzled my neck, closing her eyes. We stayed like that for a while.

"I'll get changed." Tifa placed a kiss on my cheek and I nodded, returning to my book. She rushed back into the bathroom.

After she had changed, we lay in bed talking for a while.

"Hey, I want you to listen to this band I really like!" She grinned as she poked my bicep.

"Hmm?" This was the first time she was talking to me about music and we had known each other our whole lives.

"Here!" She handed me a CD.

"I love this band. Beirut. Have you been listening to them long?"

"Mmhmm! I just love them!" She looked so happy if you saw her you'd think she won a lottery. Wow. So she likes this music that much?

"Thanks for lending me the CD. I'll return it to you tomorrow." I slipped it into the front pocket of my bag.

We didn't talk much that night and Tifa fell asleep pretty early. I went outside to take in the winter air. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply, drowning out all other sounds. It was so peaceful to just… be. Whatever that meant.

I wish I had life all figured out. But then it wouldn't even be life.

I pulled the CD Tifa lent me out of my bag. I opened the case and a note slipped out of it. I picked it up from the ground near my feet and unfolded the little slip of yellowed, aged paper. It had been torn from a notebook and read, in impeccable handwriting: 'For Serah.'

For… Serah?

My phone snapped me out of my thoughts. It was a number I had never seen before.

"C-Cloud senpai!"

"Serah?" Wow. I had just read her name here…

"Ah, I forgot." I realized and added quickly. "Sorry but I totally forgot to tell Tifa and she fell asleep already so—

Loud sounds interrupted me. They weren't just loud, they were bad.

"HELP!"

The call ended so abruptly I couldn't even process the simplest of thoughts. I redialed but the number appeared to be powered off. My mind was a blank slate and I stood there for a while, paralyzed. My feet sprang into action faster than the rest of my body – my mind was trying hard to catch up with the rest of my body which felt like it was on adrenaline.

The last thing I remembered was being told they were at a place called Club 666.

Fenrir roared to life and cut through the air, leaving no trail behind except a thunderous sound, fading as we sped together. Navigation was leading me to a place pretty far from campus.

"Come on buddy…" I bit my lower lip as I pushed on the accelerator with all my might.

When I reached the 'club', there was no time to breathe. I rushed in through the mostly young and energetic crowd, pushing the hoard of people to squeeze in through. I had made my way to the far end but I still couldn't spot any pink.

I turned around three times, doing 360 degree circles. My eyes were searching madly for any hint. In the dimly lit place, it was my ears that found her before she came into my vision.

"Li-lightning!" I heard a muffled scream and my feet lead me there naturally. I punched a man in the nose who was blocking the backdoor, refusing me entry. My fist was bloody as I made my way further into the dark hole, till I came across a karaoke room. Kicking the door open, I saw a truly horrific sight.

The last thing I knew was that my rage took over me.

Forty Minutes Later

Little Pinky— no, Serah was clutching onto one arm and Vanille the other. I waited outside the place with Fenrir parked behind me. Passerbys gave me strange looks but I didn't care.

Finally, within ten minutes, Vincent was there. Surprisingly, Fang ran out of his Ferrari with him rushing behind her to keep up.

"Vanille! Serah!" She shouted as she skidded to a stop in front of me. The two girls crashed into her, hugging her and crying.

"I am so sorry! I should have come when you called me over. I am so sorry!" She repeated endlessly as she hugged the two trembling girls.

"Let's get you home. Serah, your sister is on the way, can you wait a little bit more?" Fang asked gently as Serah nodded through tears.

"Vanille, you can stay in my room tonight. Let's go." She still had her arm wrapped protectively around the orange haired girl as she turned to me and smiled, though her eyes were red and appeared to be holding back tears.

"Thank you, Cloud. I really appreciate what you did."

"Don't worry about it." I waved at her, waving at Vincent next. "Drive safely," I patted his shoulder.

"About the men?" He asked me in a voice so unforgiving that even I was taken aback.

"Already dealt with." I replied coolly and he nodded before disappearing with the two girls.

Within minutes of their departure, I heard frantic footsteps. I almost snapped my neck with the intensity with which I turned my head to the source of the found. Lightning was running towards us. Her hair was no longer neatly draped over her shoulder as always, but wet and disheveled. She was in a pair of sleeping shorts and a boat neck sweatshirt. She wore slippers of two different colors. It seemed as if she had just rushed out of the shower.

"SERAH!" She screamed and the younger Farron just stood next to me, her head bowed down in shame.

I removed her grip from my arm and gently nudged her. "You didn't do anything wrong."

Tears pouring out of her eyes like waterfall, I witnessed the touching scene with a sigh of relief. Serah was crying into her taller sister's chest as Lightning continued to pat her head, whispering something to her. After what seemed ages, they parted. Serah had considerably calmed down.

Lightning looked at me with unreadable, cold, pale aqua eyes. Defensively, I spoke.

"I am sorry. I know I should have called you. But I had to find them first." I said clumsily, my heart beating as I tried to make excuses for myself. Now that we had agreed on being friends, I didn't want her to hate me.

Lightning surprised me, walking up straight to me and throwing her arms around me in a hug.

I felt her shivering body, both cold and emotionally shaken I assumed, hugging me with a warmth I had never experienced. I was too shocked to move, let alone respond.

"Thank you, Strife. For saving my sister." She stayed like that for a few seconds and I took the opportunity to reluctantly hug her back. "Of course." I said in almost a whisper.

She parted from my arms way more quickly than I would have wanted, but I would have done the same if my friends were involved in something like this.

I took off my blazer (my jacket was already with Serah) and lent it to her. She accepted it gratefully.

"I can't drive both of you on Fenrir. Should I call a cab?"

Serah surprised me next. She spoke for the first time after that event.

"C-can we not go back there?" She asked in a shaky voice. Lightning looked at a loss.

"Let's hail a cab to my apartment. You guys can stay there, if you want." I offered. Honestly I didn't think they would accept, but Lightning replied softly, "If you don't mind. Just for tonight."

"Let's go." I nodded as I hailed a cab. When we were at the apartment complex, which wasn't too far from campus, I could tell that the sisters were uncomfortable. It was a penthouse apartment that my 'mother' had bought for me when I had told her I wanted to move out. Everything about it was nauseatingly 'luxurious'. I would have much rather preferred crashing on Zack's couch. This place couldn't ever be a 'home' for anyone. It was a just another 7 star hotel.

We made our way to the elevator of the 'residence'. When we arrived in front of my apartment, which was on the top floor, I pressed my palm into the scanner and it allowed me access in.

"Make yourself at home. Please feel free to use the guest room."

Lightning nodded in thanks. Serah was looking around curiously. I was glad that she seemed a little better.

"Can I take a shower?" She asked.

"Yeah, sure. Tifa leaves her clothes here so feel free to use anything if you want to get changed." I added. The girl smiled at me a little and quietly disappeared into the shower room.

Once inside, I took out my fencing hoodie from the wardrobe and tossed it to Farron.

"Care for coffee?"

"Yes please..." she replied as she sunk into the couch. With two cups of hot coffee in hand, I went over and passed her cup to her. I occupied the single seater next to the couch she was on.

"You okay?" I asked cautiously, testing the waters. Knowing how much we were alike, I doubted she'd want to talk.

She quietly took a few sips of the steaming liquid. "I just got out of the shower and saw 20 missed calls from Fang. Heard the news. Bolted right out the door. No bus so it took so long." She told me as if she was giving me a report of the events.

"Wait… you ran till there?!" I asked in a voice that was not my own.

"Yeah…" she added in a voice still softer.

"Sorry. I really should have contacted you before."

"It's my fault." She said plainly. I shook my head as if to disagree. Searching my mind for comforting words, Tifa's voice came to mind. So I told her what I had always been told.

"Stop blaming yourself. There's nothing you could have done. You already did your best."

I reached out to awkwardly pat her shoulder. She didn't turn away from my touch.

"Thanks." She said absentmindedly.

Serah had returned from her shower. She was awfully quiet in Tifa's pyjamas as she settled on the rug. She kept her head down and refused to look at either of us.

"Serah," I addressed her, using her name for the first time properly.

She looked up at me, though she was avoiding my eyes.

"Sleepy?"

She shook her head as a 'no' to my question.

"Want to talk? I could use some company." I forced myself as I cleared my throat awkwardly.

Lightning seemed genuinely surprised. My eyes met hers. "You can take a nap if you want. I'll stay with her." I promised.

"Thank you," she said softly before going over to her sister. "Should I stay?"

She shook her head again. "It's okay… you need to rest, Light."

"Gotcha." She smiled as she ruffled her sister's hair. "Goodnight Serah."

"Strife." She turned to me and I nodded at her.

"What did you want to talk about?" The younger sister asked me.

"Anything." I smiled. Her eyes widened and I moved down to the rug, sitting in front of her. With the stars shining brightly in the sky, in my usually empty apartment, there were two amazing sounds. One, was the sound of Lightning breathing when I went to check up on her later. Her usually stern face looked serene as her chest was rising and falling evenly.

Two, the sound of Serah laughing as I told her a story about Zack and I being mistaken for a couple and then being sent to a gay bar. It was amazing because the girl who had always been laughing had been so drained of life till this point that I had been missing her laughter. If I had a sister, I thought, I'd have felt this way about her.

Before we knew, it was already morning.

Somehow, all of us had become a little better than we were.

A little more equipped to handle the pain, guilt and loneliness.

A little more experienced with scary things that knock the ground away from under our feet.

And a little bit closer. Believing that we all had at least someone who'd be there.


NEXT

He knows… "I…" I began but no words came out. What kind of apology could I give Cloud who never questioned me and sincerely believed all my lies?

"Let's break up."


A/N: GAAHHH! It was a long chapter. T_T I got a free day out of nowhere (my workplace was closed today oddly) so I managed to finish chapter eight! Woot woot~! Looking forward to hearing from you guys so pleaseeee (pretty please!) press the review button when you're done! Thanks a lot for always making my day with your warm and kind reviews!

Until next time!