A/N
I would like to think the reviewers and everyone would followed/faved this story. I appreciate everyone sticking with me on this story, I know you didn't think Light would be with Mark, trust me, neither did I. I actually didn't plan to make him a main character until I decided on my plot, which is just now starting. Please stick with me for just a bit longer, I promise everything will make sense. Now, enjoy the first chapter NOT typed on my phone :)
Silence filled the air. Almost everyone around the room wore the same expression on their face, Surprise. Snow had a face of realization, while Mark, Fang, and Lightning's expression were neutral. No one could imagine the solider in a relationship with anyone other than the huntress, seeing how the two acted on their L'cie journey. Although they were like fire and ice, they always just clicked. Out of all of them, the two people who were most surprised was Serah and Vanille. The two younger girls were around their sisters more than anyone, numerous times have they caught the two in a compromising position. Fang asked the question that was on everyone's mind, though no one would have voiced it like she did.
"And how long have you two been together?" Fang asked with hatred and venom. Anyone who knew Fang, could tell how hurt she was. Since she's been awake, it's just been her and Lightning, no one could blame the woman for being angry and upset. It was like they were at a tennis match, heads moving from one side of the court to the other. Light bowed her head, regret emitting off of her. They all held their breath, waiting for the answer.
"Seven months."
"What?" Hope, Serah, and Vanille said in unison. How could a seven month relationship go completely unnoticed, was beyond them.
Serah couldn't believe her ears. Claire had hidden something like this from her for seven months, only mentioning that the man fancied her. She was heartbroken that Claire told Fang first instead of her, though she was equally mad at Fang for trying to use it against her sister. She just couldn't wrap the idea around her head, Light being with someone. Serah felt no one would be good enough, would deserve Claire. She only recently thought otherwise when she met Fang. The huntress waited on her sister hand and foot, gave her everything the soldier could ask for. If Claire asked Fang to jump, she'd ask how high. Even though her sister was too busy to realize all the things she did, Serah knew that she appreciated the woman. "I need a drink." She muttered before briskly walking to the kitchen, Lightning not far behind her.
Vanille was shocked. After seeing the women bond over the time since Fang and herself woke from stasis, she just assumed they were hiding their relationship. Not at all did it cross her mind that, in fact, Light was the one hiding a relationship of her own. She couldn't imagine how her sister felt, having Light treat her as if they were lovers, caring for her and protecting her. It must have killed her knowing she was turning to Mark the same day. The rivalry between the two made perfect sense when the prize was the woman you love, Mark taunting Fang while her sister picked on the man. Vanille just didn't understand why she would keep something like this from her, or why she would put herself in a situation like this at all.
Hope was surprised. It's been a few years since he thought of Lightning as anything more than his mentor, though he still admired the woman. He had seen a glimpse of the pain she harbored when Fang turned into crystal, the countless nights spent trying to wake them. He knew she cared for the woman, even if she hadn't said much about her. He figured that they would pick up where they left off once Fang woke up. He never would have thought it would come down to this.
Sazh was split between happiness and sympathy. He was happy for the soldier. He always treated her like the daughter he never had the chance of trying for. She had come along way, from barely talking to having family dinners at her house; but he also knew Fang's pain well. Sazh knew how much Fang loved the stoic soldier, though she never openly admitted her feelings. He figured they had decided to wait for any physical relationship since emotions clouded anyone's judgement. He could imagine how long it took Light to move on from the warrior. Although Lightning was excited to have the two Gran Pulsians move in with her, he felt better knowing that the huntress would be at his house for a few weeks.
Snow was relieved. When he overheard Lightning and Fang talking, he figured it had to be pretty bad for Light not to tell Serah. He knew how close the two were and knew secrets weren't hidden between them. He figured he'd wait for Light to tell her, since she sounded like it was really bothering her. Now that he knew what it was about, he felt better knowing it was all out in the open. He would have never guessed his soon to be sister-in-law could get along with anyone else, but he was happy for her nonetheless.
Fang couldn't look at the empty seat across from her, knowing that Light once sat there. She instead turned her face and met Mark's smug face, smiling like he won. The look made a chill run down her spine. At that moment, Fang forgot she was injured, she attempted to stand, to wipe that stupid look of the man's face. She never got more than two feet from her chair before Hope and Snow attached themselves to her arms, pulling her back down.
"What are you so smug about, huh? Maybe if she were so close to you, she wouldn't turn to me every fucking day, maybe she'd actually let you hold her at night. Maybe you could actually get in her pants!" Fang yelled across the table, making everyone turn their heads to see the Gran Pulsian provoke the male, as if she went into sentinel. Apparently, Lightning didn't explain to Mark how possessive the woman was, or how protective she could get. The sound of the dinning room chair scratching across the floor made everyone on edge, which only amplified once Mark let out a chuckle.
"Please, she only does that because she feels sorry for you. You're a nobody, a low life. The great Fang Yun, can't even handle a simple behemoth without almost dying. You can't honestly expect Light to have any feelings for a pulse bitch, do you? Especially when she's in my bed everyday."
The knife twisted in Fang's heart. The pain hit her eyes, pouring down her cheek. Not only was she hurt, she was pissed. The guy knew nothing about her, and yet, here he was, insulting her heritage. He didn't know anything about her relationship with Light, and if he ever was with her every night, She'd smell him. Fang doubted Lightning felt that way, but the fact that the soldier had a enough nerve to tell her that, was more than she could handle. She struggled against her restraints, easily knocking Hope back a few feet. She swung at Snow, making contact with his nose, causing him loosen his grip enough for her to push him. She stood, towering over the man before she was pulled into a bear hug with her arms pinned. The person was strong enough to stop her from releasing hell on the idiot. "Let me go." She hissed, trying to get out of the hold around her waist. She stopped instantly when the person keeping her back spoke, their tone firm and stern, Like the leader they were,
"Enough."
Lightning commanded, halting all of Fang's motives. Her body to Fang's back, making Fang warm to the core. She closed her eyes and calmed down from the hot breath on her neck. She was in pure bliss, Mark laughed again, causing Lightning to tense against her. She watched him, waiting for his move in the game of chess. "That's right, that's a good girl. Be the loyal mutt you are and listen to your owner."
Before Fang could react, Lightning's grip on her tightened, she struggled but the burst of energy was gone, in its place was pain. She was surprised the soldier didn't let her handle the situation , but she smirked when she heard the Cocoonian speak for the second time after entering the heated conversation,
"Get out."
Mark looked shocked. Fang's smirk grew when the Sargent's head snapped towards his Lieutenant,"What?"
"I don't care who you are. No one will disrespect my family. Get the hell off my property."
Her tone was flat but threatening. She didn't flinch nor did she have a lapse of confidence, just like old times. Fang let out a hearty laugh. That might not have been what she expected but she'd take it. She heard rather than saw the front door slam shut indicating the bastard left.
Now that the situation was defused, the other guests were finally able to relax. Vanille was the first to break the silence, "Well, that was...unexpected." She said while bringing Fang her wheelchair. Serah tended to Snow's injury while Sazh offered his hand to Hope. Lightning helped Fang into her chair. When she took a step back she made eye contact with Fang. "Why do you always do this shit?" She asked, not expecting an answer, she continued, "The moment I think you can actually behave like an adult, you prove me wrong by acting like a child. Again." She said, the disappointment was clear.
Fang took a second to think over what Light just said. How did she expect her to act? Happy, ecstatic, bringing the man she loathed into their home? It wasn't going to be a celebration if that was what she was looking for. The things the guy said were just uncalled for, though she didn't expect her to understand, snce she wasn't an outsider. "What did you think was gonna happen? I don't like him, sunshine. Did you even hear what he said?"
"I don't care if you like him or not, he's my boyfriend and I would have thought you had my best interests at heart, Fang, considering." She said, completely ignoring her sister pulling on her arm, begging for her attention.
Disgust was the only thing on Fang's mind, she honestly didn't know what she saw in that bastard, he couldn't even stand up to her. Although, for the first time, she felt threatened, replaced. She was starting to forget what her and Light had. Where was that unbreakable bond, that unspoken desire? Was she really willing to throw it all away for some Sargent in the military? "I do, I just think you deserve better than that"
"And what do I deserve, Fang? You? We were never dating. I would never be with such an immature, hot-headed, quick-tempered child." Serah tugged on her sister's arm harder while Sazh put a hand on Fang's shoulder. The two women finally remembered the others in the room, both breathing heavily.
"I think it's time we called it a night. Thank you for having us over soldier girl." Sazh said, he directed Fang's chair towards the door, asking Hope to grab the woman's things. "You didn't hear the things he said, Lightning. He was trying to provoke her.." Vanille stated before going outside where her sister was. Snow left the two sisters alone, opting to put their things into the car, seeing how everyone else left the house. "What was that just now?" Serah asked Claire, who acted as if nothing happened, "What was what?"
"Come on, Claire. First you spend every waking moment with Fang, even going as far as getting suspended. I know you visited mom's gave, even if you did tell Vanille to lie to me. Now I see you and you have an obivous hickey on your neck."
"It's not a hickey, it's a bruise." Light said while cleaning off the table. Serah noticed how she ignored everything she just said, well, everything but the mark. She took a second to actually pay attention to her sister.
Her body was stiff, like she was hurt or hiding something, but her breathing was off. She watched, not understanding what her sister expected to happen tonight, what she wanted to happen.
Instead of questioning the woman further, she decided to leave, but not before giving her sister a hug. Vanille had already went to bed, having ridden enough rollercoasters for the day. She was the only person up since Sazh left with Hope and Fang a few hours ago.
Lightning never went to bed though. She packed her bags, putting them by the front door, preparing for a trip of her own. She felt horrible for what Fang had went through tonight, but it was necessary for everything to work. Fang had to hate her, had to forget about her. Lightning took one last look around the house, trying to think of anything she may have forgotten. She didn't know how long she would be gone for or if she would even come back, but she knew one thing was certain.
She was going to make everything right.
xXx
The cool breeze felt nice on her skin and the twilight sky calmed her senses. she took a cleansing inhale, exhaling though her mouth. The smell of her surrounding green made her content. She was at one with her element, nature.
Fang rested on the grass in Sazh's backyard. She told the ex pilot she was going to clear her mind of the dinner when she couldn't sleep. She had lost track of time, having been in the same spot for a few hours. She was slowly forgetting the argument, the anger, the lies.
She still couldn't wrap her head around the things Lightning said at dinner. She never seen the woman filled with so many emotions. Lightning was scared, hurt, and filled with regret, but one thing she wasn't, was angry. If above all things, that was the one emotion Fang expected the woman to feel. The soldier reminded Fang of a stage performer, putting on a show for the crowd. She pretended to be so mad with Fang, but her body language spoke differently.
She wanted to apologize, wanted Fang to know how much the dinner was hurting her, as if it wasn't her idea. She wanted Fang to say something, do something, but what she didn't know.
Fang didn't know why Light stopped her from hitting the idiot. She was defending her honor, her home, their friendship. She just didn't understand how Light could be with someone like him, but then again, Light couldn't see herself with someone like Fang. She felt a pinch at the thought, knowing that piece of information.
She couldn't believe how much she misread Lightning's feelings towards her. It was obvious she chose the man over her, though she didn't know what the man was getting out of it. She remembered her conversations with the ex-L'Cie, ranging from favorite foods to the first time the woman was injured on the job. One time, Fang had asked her about former lovers, or if she had anyone waiting back home, she laughed at the memory, remembering it like it was yesterday.
xXx
"So, let me hear it." Fang asked while sitting next to Lightning, feet hanging over the cliff edge. She was curious to know if the pinkette had anyone she fancied back home, if anyone fancied her.
"I never gave it much though, guess no one met my standards." She said, watching the overcast of the moon. It was a quiet night, everyone was asleep, Light being the one to keep watch. It started to become a regular, Fang and Light sharing the duty since they stayed up talking through most of the night. "What are your standards?" Fang asked before laying back on the hard rocky surface. She glanced over at Light, watching her think of the right words to describe prince Charming.
"Someone who can handle themselves. Able to keep up with me, on and off the field. Someone loyal, trust worthy, understanding. My equal." Light shrugged her shoulders, running out of things to add. Fang let out a laugh, thinking of all the possible matches for the soldier,
"Sounds like you need a dog."
xXx
She smiled at the memory, thinking back to what Mark called her at dinner. A loyal mutt, huh? I like it.
She pulled herself back into her wheelchair, enjoying the laziness it provided. She was able to do many things on her own in Sazh's house, which worked out perfectly since the man was hardly here. She could do more than she let on, enjoying the tender, love, and care the soldier gave her since her accident.
She found her medicine in the kitchen, draining it into her neck. She went into the living room and pulled herself on the couch, choosing to lay down before the medicine kicked in. She would wake with a stiff neck if she slept in the wheelchair again.
She didn't know what was going on with Lightning, all she knew was when the soldier decided to come back to her, she'd be there, waiting.
