XXX

Lightning whimpered as Fang nibbled, chewing the soft spot on her neck above the collar, a sweet spot of hers that turned her to goo. She could already feel the dampening of slickened folds against her, Lightning's body taut like a bow. Head strained to the pillow, she arched, flawless skin pressing to Fang's as she heaved.

Fang titillated at the scrape of Lightning's breasts. She bit down harder, sending a jolt through Lightning, who grabbed her and squeezed their bodies as one, needing her more than ever. She could barely move, it paralyzed her so. Fang laid forearms up to her shoulders and rose, fingers digging into the muscle. Lightning bucked, mewling for her strength.

Fang would service her to all of Claire's needs.

XXX

Serah listened as Fang's breath caught, arms so tight around her stomach. Her breaths came quick and Serah could feel why. She hadn't moved since she'd woken, too fascinated to break her dream. Fang made love to her in her mind. To Lightning, that was, and Serah could feel every inch of it. If she'd thought she could without waking her, she would've glanced over her shoulder to look. As it was, Serah remained still, listening to the pants hot on her ear.

She could barely help this fascination. Serah reckoned she should wake her, turn around and bring Fang back, but a part of her didn't want to. She liked the whispers warm on her lobe, Fang's small jerks, a mere pittance of what she did in those dreams. She'd stepped into a moment of Fang's intimacy and hadn't the will or apathy to break it.

"Claire…" Fang strained, so solid between her legs. Fang's bite on her collar tightened again. Serah winced, but remained still, even as teeth pierced the raw flesh. Serah's eyes fluttered at the roughing, drawing into the privacy Fang meant for no one else. Serah's lips formed the assurance Fang had sought since the start.

Fang stilled behind her, still bulging against her thighs. Slowly, the teeth released and pulled away. Her breath had gone shallow.

Freed to now without the threat of disturbing her, Serah craned her aching neck to find Fang's viridians locked on the spot instead. She tried to catch those eyes, but Fang wouldn't look. "…Fang?"

In a split, she'd been lifted as Fang raced with her. Serah didn't follow until cold sprinkled from above, and only then looked away to find them both in the shower, cold water gushing free enough to make Serah squirm. Fang shuddered, features scrunching in horrid anguish before her head dropped to Serah's chest. "I'm sorry," she squeaked meekly, almost unheard over the water. She clutched Serah so tight, trembling in her hold fingers digging in so hard. The apology came again and again, breaking Serah more with every helpless peep.

"Fang," the woman didn't even hear her, or break if she did. Serah lifted a hand to run into damp hair, yanking Fang's head up sharp. Her eyes were still wild. Serah lifted herself, free arm hoisting herself from around Fang's neck. She glued their mouths and kissed as hard as she knew how, faintly experienced with rougher forms of love.

Serah pulled away when Fang's trembling stilled, which was almost immediate. She separated to look at her, the first time Fang met her eyes. They were terrified.

"Don't," Serah rebuked firmly, seeming to make her more afraid. She loosened the arm around Fang's neck where her hand had come to the front, gripping that chin. Serah breathed out deeply and tried again. "I love you."

Fang wholly seemed to deflate, panic echoing like a wash. When she lowered her head this time, it bumped to Serah's, soft. "I'm sorry," the apology came gentle now, echoes of panic dwindled to a steady, back of the mind fear.

"Don't be," Serah finished what she originally meant to say. "Not with me." She could feel Fang's fear still there in her love. "I'm not gonna try to leave you again," Serah promised so soft, she wouldn't have been heard if Fang wasn't an incredible Yun.

Fang kept her head there, eyes closed, and breathed.

XXX

"We're stopping at Lebreau's," Vanille told them after breakfast, eyes darting to Fang too quick, then Serah. "You two wanna come?"

Serah winced. "It's been a hard morning, Vanille…"

Vanille backed off immediately. "Okay. That's okay, Serah, you guys take your time. Rest a little."

"We want to," Serah spoke quickly again before she could hurry on the excuses, "It was just a hard morning. Maybe tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow," Vanille nodded, "That sounds good. Even wait the weekend if you need."

"Ask tomorrow," Serah insisted, taking Vanille's wrist. "Really, Van. We want to."

"Okay," Vanille took a deep breath, finally seeming to see her sincere. "Okay. Maybe we'll go tomorrow." Serah almost smiled, features tying between sad and the attempt, but Vanille seemed to comfort from the look. "Okay…guys," Vanille repeated again, "We're taking off."

"We'll be here," Serah promised, glancing to her support again, who carried over the empty tray from breakfast to the sink. "Might try to clean."

Vanille nodded, "If you go out, give us a phone call."

"We will."

Goodbyes exchanged again, Serah waited for the door to shut before she turned around and hugged Fang again, as she'd made a point to do it as much as she could since this morning. She wanted Fang content again, and Fang most felt like she was when they were touching.

She held several long seconds before turning her head up to Fang. "You wanna try to clean some, or are you tired?"

"We can clean," Fang reassured. "If you feel ok to."

"I feel ok."

"Okay."

Serah gave her one last squeeze. "Kitchen first."

They busied themselves with the dishes at the start, putting away everything to rightful spot from the drying rack. Fang wiped out the microwave and Serah washed down the stove and counters, finishing up with a fresh bubbly mess to the sink that Serah poked Fang with. They proceeded to the living room and cleaned up their bed with a few leftover cups that'd been left around. Serah turned on the television and dusted while Fang vacuumed up well, both of them ending tiredly on the couch, not really watching, but flicking through the channels regardless just to have something to do.

Serah leaned on Fang, curled under her arm, and hoped she felt better from the scare this morning. Fang had been doing well, but Serah knew she still had that fear, born from Serah's desperate actions in her time of panicking after sex. She wanted to get rid of it so Fang could be at ease, the same ease Fang helped her feel through it all. Serah shouldn't be the only one, and Fang's fears were born from her. If only she could do something to show Fang she didn't have to be afraid…

"Tired?" Serah asked, because she wanted to hear her voice, because she wanted to know if Fang still felt afraid.

"A little," Fang confessed.

"Do you want to rest?"

"I am resting." An evasion. Damn it, Serah knew it. She wondered, letting her mind wander to the recesses, what Claire would do to ease this burden from her. What made Fang so very comfortable as this? Serah searched her mind of recent for something Fang took comfort from so easy.

Or maybe a place Fang liked most best. The thought hit Serah, who hesitated. Could she be ready for this? But Fang, injured, needed something to soothe. This wasn't about her, Serah had been the one to make her scared in the first place. She could tough this out for Fang. She'd be strong, like Claire, and help Fang through this too.

"Fang," Serah let the words come before her own doubts could grip her. Fang would take comfort from this, and that was enough. "Can we go to our room to rest?"

Fang searched her with eyes frightened and scared, but Serah could still see it, that deep hope within. Grateful Fang was so easy to read, she pushed before the Pulse woman could even ask. "Please?"

"Yeah," Fang put down the remote, "We could do that, Claire. If you want."

"I do," Serah claimed, and she almost kind of did. If it'd soothe Fang anymore, it'd be entirely worth it. She'd feel good too, with Fang feeling better.

They made the trek up the stairs where Serah willed herself strong, thinking of Claire and what she'd do and how she'd do this being strong, how she'd never frighten Fang, just like Serah wanted. If she could be that rock for Fang, maybe Fang would get better, at the very least, not so scared.

So Serah steeled it as best she could, refusing to hesitate outside their door, even as Fang stopped for a moment if she'd need. Ignoring the stain of a horrible memory in the corner, Serah pushed through the door and re-entered Claire's room.

It was immaculate, of course, Claire being very clean and spartan. A few pictures on the dresser marked ones of Lightning and Fang in happier times. On the nightstand by the bed, she found one of herself too, one that'd caught her and Claire in Sulyya at the springs. The picture flicked to one of Fang tackling Claire in a playful wrestle, and that one made her smile again.

She would try to be that strong, mighty enough to play-fight with a Yun, just as she would play Claire to help. Serah could assist her in this way.

She turned to Fang, who waited in the middle, nervous. Serah backed to the bed and she followed along. When she told Fang, "Hold me," it didn't hurt so much or feel wrong like she might've feared on Claire's bed. Serah snuggled in facing her and felt Fang relaxed too. She'd been right, thankfully. The room itself helped Fang.

This time instead, Serah rubbed her back, fingers easing up the light t-shirt she wore to stroke and grip corded muscles so strong, even with recent weight loss, Fang's strength clearly showed. Serah could feel it in the tendons she soothed, the relaxed muscle eager fingers went to press. It was something she'd done for Snow often before, but never quite like this, with a body pressed to her front. Fang released the most beautiful noises, whimpers, or half a groan on the sweet spots. Serah worked her way up, jittery herself with this need to please. Her hands reached so far, fascinated with how small Fang felt and her might. How could so much power be packed so tight?

When she reached as high as she could, Serah dipped back down to a couple lower reaches she hadn't touched before, dipping slightly into pants to memorize every area by the feel of her hands.

Fang wiggled unexpectedly, "Claire," she started to pull away. "I have to— "

Serah felt it before she'd finished her request for the bathroom. When she did, she pulled Fang back of instinct. The bulge pressed to her stomach, not an unfamiliar feel. "Fang," Serah didn't know what at first, just that she shouldn't go. Serah didn't want to see her go, especially not alone to take care of something so natural, so easy to attain from a lover's simple press. Serah didn't want her ashamed of something so pure. Not here, in her own room, with Claire easy on her mind. It wasn't right for her to go.

And then Fang looked scared again, and Serah's resolve tripled. Fang had a right to be aroused by her. She was Claire and Fang, saddened and scared already, shouldn't be. Only was because of her and how she'd reacted then. Serah wouldn't let that fly.

Maybe it was the press of Fang, something that warmed her anyway, or maybe it was her pleading eyes, pleading to escape, rather than stay, but Serah resolved then and there, she would fix the damage she'd done. Fang associated her arousal with Serah's near-death, not a friendly reminder for anyone, let alone the woman she loved. And there was only one way she'd erase it and rid Fang's fear for good.

Serah would create a new memory for Fang.

A part of her was selfish born, a part Serah admitted to not fearing this at all, the part of her that had her warm and damp by the thought, but wouldn't let that part of her overcome. This had to be for Fang, as it should be.

When Serah ordered her down, mimicking a firm manner in sis she'd believe she'd have in the bedroom, Fang'd hardly been able to move. When she'd stripped her pants, boxers and all in one move, she'd paralyzed with that fear. Serah would obliterate that in her.

"Claire?"

Serah lifted close to her face. "I love you, Fang." Serah told her again, absolutely resolute. "I want this, you. Will you let me?"

Fang breathed hard. By the dazed look she had mixed with the fear, she could probably smell Serah too. "Are you…"

"Do I look like I'm unsure?"

Fang closed her eyes, lips moving wordlessly until, "Claire," broke free.

Serah dropped on her.

Fang emitted an unnaturally high squeak that had her twitching and reaching down at once. "Claire—!"

Serah took the whole head in to stop Fang from jerking her back. She tongued Fang around the tip and clamped her mouth to suckle, hand fisting over the hilt to squeeze Fang below. Fang's hand fisted in her hair, but the energy and clear restraint only fed Serah's lust that demanded she satisfy. Serah's lips parted to move down that sweet size, taking in more of Fang. She rubbed up that wooden length, but she hadn't slicked far enough for it yet.

Serah's free hand dipped into panties. She pinched herself and gasped at a rush of heat, making Fang whimper without her. Serah quickly fixed back on. Slicking her fingers, Serah reluctantly pulled them free from between clenching legs. Fang gasped when that heat touched her, making it well worth it. Serah sucked again, hard, rewarded with the tightening of the hold in her hair. Her fingers, newly wet, went to work on Fang's hilt, dragging up the length with newfound ease that had Fang gripping the metal bedpost too.

It made Serah smile. Gazing up her body, she wished she'd removed her shirt, if only to see the breaths heaving Fang's breasts. Her face alone excited in thrills, slicking Serah enough to impulsively clench. Fang groaned with her, mouth tighter on her body.

"Claiiire,"

Serah loved the sound of her whine.

It rose with every suckle.

Quickening the pace of her rub, pushing Fang to the back of her throat. An unwary gag caught her at the dual touch of Fang with her own body's rise. Fingers jerked, lifting her head, but Serah would have none of that. Descending again, Fang touched her throat and soared, doubly thrashing when Serah gave another suck. She barely noticed her hand, which squeezed now instead of rubbed. Fang stretched, yelping now, something that sounded so sweet like her name before Serah sucked again and she broke, hot spill gushing down the back of Serah's opened throat. Even with an expectant welcome, Serah startled at so much and coughed, the last of Fang spilling to cover her.

Before Serah could linger to admire, the hand in her hair settled to her arm with the other, hoisting Serah up in the midst of Fang's gasps. Serah settled against her heaving body and crossed her legs. Fang was still so hard down there. Repositioning a little, she lowered and gasped when her damp panties rubbed. Fang groaned in her ecstasy, urging Serah to do so again, which knotted her insides so beautifully tight. Serah closed her eyes scraped again, enough poking through wet cloth to rough Serah into twisting. Fang rough bumped against her hips, erection jarring so soundly, her panties ripped.

Serah came on a squeal as Fang slid like soap. Serah twitched four times before she could gasp her next breath, even then only a dire panting for some air.

Fang's arms encompassed her, smothering Serah in that warmth that made her so hot, one Serah loved and welcomed, lowering a huffing head to her chest. Gods, Fang felt so good. She could cream herself again just thinking about it. Serah closed her eyes against the squeeze between her legs that demanded she do just that, despite exhaustion running through her heart. Gods—oh shit, she needed to stop. Stop before her heart revolted right out of her chest. She dripped, so freaking wet on Fang.

Fang's fingers seemed to idly brush her back, light enough to be a paintstroke. Or maybe that was her rising unconscious. Serah felt sleepy and heavy on Fang. She always felt sleepy after good sex though, no real surprise. Fang's boobs provided such a nice cushion too. Mmm, she could get used to this.

Fang faintly called her, but Serah's eyes drifted with her, bringing the blissful background of black. Serah didn't try to stop it as the tingle fell over her eyes. Fang would be here when she awoke, for sure. They'd talk then.

With the pull gently tugging her away, Serah drifted to the abyss.

XXX

Fang stroked her lover's smooth back, lazy hand dawdling semi tucked under her shirt. Watching her for hours now, Fang started to drift again, so tired… She caught herself as usual and forced her eyes awake again. She wouldn't let them close till dawn, if she had to.

Not until Light woke up.

The last memory painfully fresh, Fang wouldn't let her be alone again. Not upon waking if another low hit hard. Lightning had promised, but Fang knew her loss cut deep. She wouldn't let Lightning feel guilty again. Not this time.

So Fang lay, comforting weight of Light so tempting, but unpermitted to sleep with her. Not yet.

Fang's mind breezed through possibilities with a small side of chastising to ease the cake of it all. She shouldn't have slept with Lightning again. Not so soon, when the last time she'd almost…

It won't come to that. Fang repeated the words in her head, struggling to believe them amidst cold fear. The sight of Lightning holding gunblade to head, the lucky empty that shouldn't have been, the incredible turn that brought Lightning back, Fang couldn't keep pushing her luck like this. Lady Luck had never favored her before, why would she now? She risked too much.

Lightning inhaled differently, apart from her sleepy breaths. Fang righted fully and watched her eyes, tired lids blinking open to reveal steely centers. An offset of her usually brightened blue eyes, Lightning's color had faded a pinch in her sadness now. Fang would bring her full back, in time.

"Claire," Abandoning the small rub, Fang's arms tightened around her just in case. "How're you feeling?"

Lightning blinked again once. When she turned her chin up, her features remained smooth. Lightning had never been easy to read, but not of late. Fang eased, feeling her move in against. "Good," Lightning rested her head to Fang's shoulder. "I'm good, Fang."

Fang combed fingers through her hair, longer now as she hadn't been minding the length. "Good," Fang echoed, stroking through her there. The relief in her lack of reaction reverberated through her chest like a hammerstroke. Lightning hadn't twitched, hadn't looked away fearful or terrified or… distressed upon her. Fang could hear her heart beat, even sounding beneath her breast.

"Fang," Softspoken, so very meek, Lightning asked her quietly, "You've been up?"

"Yeah," Fang wouldn't lie to her, would never lie to Lightning. She just felt exalted, holding Lightning.

"Are you tired?" Lightning prodded.

"Mmm…" Fang breathed, the admission hanging longer. Lightning tilted her head down, eyes flashing sad before they went. Fang's heart quickened a beat. "Claire?" Her eyes returned at the note in her voice.

"I'm okay," Lightning assured, easing Fang with her earnest. "I just… "

"What is it?" Fang pushed, slowed, but not wanting her sad. "What's wrong?"

"I… want you to love me." Lightning shifted, seeming unsure and so small, so unlike the headstrong woman Fang knew so well. "Slow. I wanna feel you... every moment." She turned her head away, shy. "I wanna know how you love me."

A request born of insecurity in a manner so meek, Fang could barely recognize the words coming from Lightning. Her woman needed mending. Lightning still hurt. She was trying so hard to push that pain away.

She needed Fang's strength.

Fang would give as Lightning had given her since they joined.

Fang released her hold and gripped Lightning by the shoulder. Gently lowering her love to her back, Lightning watched her with saddened eyes. Fang kissed her, slow and easy, caressing Light's soft lips. She cupped Lightning in her palm and rubbed, thumb dragging back slow, stroking, massaging the woman's cheek while her lips brushed, taking a docile Lightning with such passion, Lightning stirred, quivered, and reached around her neck to lift into Fang's touch.

Fang lowered on Lightning's gasp, licking at the cream of her skin as Lightning heaved for lost breath. Descending, Fang planted kisses all down Lightning's throat with ease. Pausing when she hit the bruise, Fang couldn't resist an additional nibble to the mottled skin. Lightning inhaled again, shallow. Fang licked the broken skin, tugging the hem of Lightning's shirt.

Lightning laid her head to pillow and lifted her arms for Fang, who left her sensitive throat and carefully lifted the garment up and off. She held Lightning long enough to fiddle with her straps, then lowered her again, pulling away Lightning's bra. Lightning searched her face and Fang answered, licking the small crevasse between shrunken, malnourished breasts. A heat warmed inside her when she moved to Light's breasts. When she gasped, Fang couldn't tell if it was from her mouth or the warmth rising against her lower leg. She rubbed her anyway, suckling Lightning's little breast. Lightning arched, forcing Fang over her more as a second hand rolled her easy.

Lightning breathed, eyes closed to Fang's play. The sight of her gasping following a swallow hardened Fang between the legs to tight proportions, inflated inches solidifying, the need in Fang pulsed. With her name on Light's lips, it grew ever pressing. Her scent washed into Fang, so overwhelming to know her so wet. Fang squeezed her between her teeth. Lightning's legs quivered under her. She whined when Fang's lips lifted off her breast.

"Easy, love," Fang soothed at Lightning's plead she'd stay. Hooking into her skirt, Fang eased the garment down around her legs, which stirred her trembling self. Lightning reached for her and she answered, easing back up Lightning's body. Lightning pulled at her shirt when Fang settled in against her. Fang dragged the garment off casual, ripping seams until it released then fluttered useless to the floor. Lightning's arms circled her back, pulling at the clasp there until it came loose too. Fang pulled and rid that too.

Lightning's breath came easier again, with Fang bare to her. Fang returned attention to starved, breathless lips, and Lightning responded harder this time, more fevered with need. Fang stroked her quivering belly, missing the stud she'd removed after tragedy. She kissed her until Lightning almost creamed and rubbed her for it, raw body flush with heat as she scraped Fang's front, quivering legs wrapping around her middle so wet, she almost bled. The next "Fang," on her lips coming with absolute need. Fang reached down and tore her ruined panties, making Lightning buck as they went. She slid down Lightning's body another inch, poised above her slow.

"I love you."

Lightning practically wept. Walls parted easier than they ever had before to envelop Fang in a deepening pocket of warmth that threatened to undo her then and there. Lightning's hands fisted in sheets as Fang sunk inside every glistening last inch. When she pulled for first withdraw, Lightning bucked and squeezed inside so tight, she nearly burst. Holding with every fiber of her will, Fang only had three times to wait before Lightning gushed of heat with a screaming, pleasured cry that Fang joined with a hot release into Light that collapsed her on high.

"Fang," Fang lifted with every breath. "Thank you."

Fang kissed her hard, struggling to keep tired eyes from closing, especially not atop the small girl, but Lightning's arms warmed around her, encompassing and locking her there.

"It's okay," she whispered, feeding Fang's addiction to that silken voice. "I'm okay."

Fang fell to sleep in Lightning's arms.