This was heavily revised as of 8:18pm may 5th, i felt it was kinda sloppy. Enjoy :)
They were holding hands, standing at the head of the hall, the small church sounded quiet but everyone in town was on the other side of the wall. This was the first positive celebration anyone had had since, well since the decimation of their old home. An organ could be heard playing on the other side of the door, but right now, this was the quiet before the storm. Lightning looked at Serah, she looked magnificent. Her long flowing white dress had very little back to it, but a long train. Her hair was piled onto her head in a messy but beautiful disarray, controlled chaos. The bouquet of flowers she was carrying shook softly in her hands, from what Lightning could only guess was her nerves, but her face looked smooth and confident.
"Are you alright?" Lightning tried to make her voice soothing. Serah brought her eyes to look at her sister, a smile made her eyes crease. Lightning looked gorgeous, that pale blue dress really did fit her perfectly. Her hair was absolutely flawless, as if it had been ironed to frame her face perfectly. She'd even agreed to let Serah put some makeup on her. Her eyes really stood out, boring back into Serah's eyes, a kind aura to them. Serah looped her arm through her sisters' and smiled, just nodding. The music changed on the other side of the door, an usher that stood in front of them opened the wide double doors, they could see a beautifully decorated outside alter ahead of them. The sun threatened to fall behind the hills in the distance.
"Ready?" Lightning's voice was calm, but she held her sister closer.
"Yes.." Serah's voice was above a whisper, her face was determined.
Taking a deep breath, they started their short trip down the isle, a short trip that seemed like an eternity. Lightning kept her eyes on her sister the entire time, looking for any sign that she wanted to back out, in which case Lightning would scoop her up and kick a wall down if she had to to make their escape, but she knew those signs would never come. This is what Serah wanted, so today she was everything her little sister needed her to be. She wore perfect textbook posture as they reached the alter. Lightning's eyes landed on Snow, who still had a rather noticeable bruise around his nose. She half smiled at him, feeling terrible about hitting him now, that really would ruin the pictures..
The music stopped, everyone in attendance could be heard sitting down. The priest walked slowly around the alter, before his voice was amplified.
"Who gives this woman in marriage to this man?"
"I do," Lightning forced her voice to be assertive, garnering a small smile from Serah which she could see out of the corner of her eye. "Her sister.."
Lightning pulled Serah into a tight hug, kissing her cheek, she could hear Serah's soft whisper, "Thank you.."
"Right." Lightning breathed before she placed Serah's hand in Snow's, and found her position behind the alter. It was supposed to be a very small wedding before the whole village had been invited, Lightning was the only person in the wedding besides Snow's best man, whom she recognized as Gadot. They were to stand in front of the couple also facing the sea of strangers. Lightning didn't mind this, she was intending on watching Serah the entire time.
"If it is your intention to take each other as husband and wife, please step forward." the Priest's voice drawled.
It was really a beautiful ceremony. The alter they were at was actually overhanging a rather high cliff, the entire village of Oerba was within view from this point. Looking away from her sister to sweep over the crowd for a moment, Lightning's gaze fell upon Vanille who she didn't even realize was sitting right in the front row next to Fang. She hadn't seen her all day, they had been so busy. She wore a black strapless dress and her hair was down again, though it seemed like there was so much more volume to it today. Her green eyes looked impressed, she was pleased with Lightning's appearance today. Lightning smiled at her, and then found she could not look away from her and her thoughts immediately went to everything they'd been through together.
"And do you, Snow Villiers take Serah Farron.."
The nights on Gran Pulse when they were both hopelessly falling in love with each other, before she even knew it. That first awkward kiss they shared in Sulyya Springs... That feeling washed over her.
"Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her..."
She could barely hear the words spoken by the man right next to her.
She remembered the first night they spent together in Oerba, the overbearing passion they shared and the desperation to stay together. The whole world had been against them.
"..in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse.."
The agony washed over her, when she'd realized that Vanille was gone, that she may never hold her again, or see her smile. Her whole world had ended, she wouldn't have been able to live without Vanille.
Staring deeply into Vanille's eyes, they mirrored her intensity right now, could she be thinking about the same thing?
"..and forsaking all others keep yourself only unto her.."
But Vanille came back to her, against all odds, and it was the greatest joy in the world. She would not ever lose her again, she simply would not allow it. She wanted this feeling forever, she wanted Vanille forever..
"..so long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Lightning spoke aloud with conviction without hesitation, before she could stop herself. Vanille's eyes went wide.
No..
Lightning's body went rigid, she scanned the crowd for any evidence that they'd heard her, but with an odd look from Serah, it appeared the only two people who had noticed were Serah and Vanille. Apparently Snow had yelled his answer at the exact same time, but the damage was done. Vanille's mouth was hanging open, her eyes were gigantic. Looking beside her she could see Fang's eyebrows high on her forehead, Lightning could feel herself burn crimson, she was completely mortified. Of course Fang saw too..
"By the power vested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife." he turned to the people now. "And now it is my happy privilege to introduce to you, Snow and Serah Villiers. May your lives together be blessed, you may now kiss the bride."
As they kissed, the room filled with a ruckus applause. Everyone rose to their feet as the newlyweds passed by them. Lightning followed close behind, she thought she could hear Vanille calling for her but she ignored it, she was far too embarrassed right now to look at her. She had to clear her head and come up with some sort of an explanation. She couldn't believe she practically screamed her intentions at Vanille.
She made her way as quickly as she could to the reception that was being held nearby. It was a beautiful night sky by now. The dimly lit patio they were having the reception on was rather expansive. Candles could be found of all shapes and sizes all over the place, lights were hung from trees surrounding the area. A band was playing a slow melody that was being lost in the various murmurs the large crowd was casting. The atmosphere felt rapturous..
Vanille sighed, Lightning had been avoiding her all night. She picked nervously at the table cloth while Fang took a long toss from her wine glass.
"What do you suppose that meant, Fang..?" the girls voice was low.
Fang grinned and leaned in closer to Vanille, "Well, if you ask me, it looked like Farron forgot exactly who's wedding she was at."
"What do you mean..?" Vanille had the same suspicion, but she had to hear it out loud. She needed to know she wasn't just imagining things.
"Well, she spoke her 'I do' directly to you, didn't she."
Vanille bit her lip. Fang's eyes found the soldier dancing slowly with her sister across the room.
"That was really cute, Claire.." Serah giggled.
"I'm so stupid.." Lightning mumbled.
"Did she see?" They spun slowly on the spot, this was the dance Serah was supposed to be sharing with her father.
"She was looking right at me, I probably scared the hell out of her." Lightning didn't even know she was looking down until she felt Serah bring their hands up to her chin.
"You should go dance with her, Claire.."
"I can't even look at her.."
"Oh, shut up. You can't avoid her all night." Serah shoved her sister lightly before she glanced over Lightning's shoulder and bit her lip. "But um. I need to get back to Snow." She let go and backed away a little smiling, "It'll work out, Claire!" she called before turning her back on her big sister.
Lightning stood, watching Serah's figure retreating when she felt a hand fall on her shoulder roughly.
"Can I get you a drink, Farron?" Fang's voice came from behind her.
Lightning turned to meet the slightly taller form of Fang, feeling mild relief when she saw the smile on her face. "I don't drink."
"Oh come on, its a special occasion, besides you look like you could use one."
Lightning sighed in defeat. "One." she muttered before they started walking side by side to the bar, Fang called ahead for two glasses of wine. Lightning took a seat on one of the stools crossing her legs while Fang simply leaned upon the bar. Lightning noted this as Fang keeping a dominant stance over her.
"Nice wedding, hey?" Fang didn't take her eyes off of Lightning as she sipped from her wine slowly. Lightning found she couldn't look Fang in the face.
"Yeah it was great." Lightning commented casually, she could feel Fang just staring at her. What does she want from me?
An awkward moment of silence passed, Fang staring and Lightning diverting her eyes. She was growing frustrated with this situation.
"You know, I thought soldiers were supposed to have backbone." Fang said curtly finally looking away.
Lightning closed her eyes, she hated being talked down to especially by Fang. It was always like Fang could see right through her, through her defenses that she spent years perfecting. She thought they were full proof until she met Vanille, but even then that had at least been a positive intrusion. The worst part was, she knew Fang was right. She was being weak right now, and she was growing very sick of being intimidated by Fang all the time. Her eyes narrowed and she decided she wouldn't stand for it anymore.
Shaking her head, Lightning threw caution to the wind. She swallowed her entire glass of wine in one swift movement placing the empty glass on the bar before rising to her feet. She was standing rather close to Fang, the taller woman shrunk back a little in surprise as Lightning met eyes with Fang, not in a hostile way, but her face was determined, professional.
"I guess I need to ask for your permission, Fang." Lightning saw Fang's eyes grow larger, just an infinitesimal amount, and she couldn't help the smirk that grew on her own face.
Finally caught the bitch off guard.
Fang had no response, she just stared at Lightning flabbergasted. Lightning took this time to pull her mother's ring off of her finger and hold it up in front of Fang's face.
"I want to be hers forever, do I have your blessing?" Lightning said this rather smugly without intending to. She actually considered bending her knees and getting in a better defensive position. What were the possibilities that Fang would actually hit her?
But a smile grew across Fang's face. She had underestimated Lightning, mistaking her nervousness for indecisiveness.
"Yes, you have my blessing." Fang's voice was softer now.
This brought Lightning up short, she hadn't expected it to be this easy. Without breaking eye contact with Fang she slipped the ring back on her finger and sat back down.
"She's a really sweet girl, Light, I really couldn't have hoped for anyone to treat her as good as you do." Fang's expression was tender, her eyes fell to her hand, which was running along the brim of her wine glass. Lightning just stared at her. She'd never seen this woman soften up so much. She came to the conclusion that Vanille had the ability to bring giant's to their knees with her charming personality alone, and then something occurred to her.
"Fang," Lightnings voice fell low, "I have a question.." Fang's eyes rose to met hers saying nothing.
"Were you and Vanille.. ever.. more than you are now..?"
Fang laughed once without volume, "No. Vanille never showed any interest for anyone until she met you"
"And you?"
Fang smirked, "A long time ago, Light. Nothing was mutual, and nothing was acted upon. In fact, its very possible she had no idea. Now, shes my sister, and she's in love with you. I have no lingering feelings for her, but I will always be there to protect her."
So that was it, Fang was once in love with Vanille too. It explained a lot. "Is that why you don't like me?" Lightning's voice was professional again.
"Don't like you?" Fang rolled her eyes, "Light if I didn't like you, do you think I'd give you my blessing? As long as you keep her happy I'm going to like you... "
There was a long silence.
"You should really go to see her, Light, she's kind of nervous with the way you've been avoiding her all night."
Lightning stood wordlessly and took a few steps away before she stopped and turned around, "Fang. Serah's moving out, if you need somewhere to stay until you find a place.."
Fang just nodded at her, smiling broadly.
Lightning made her way across the patio to the tables, her eyes searching for Vanille. She finally felt adequate about Fang, but there was still something off about the way she looked at her. Fang's eyes seemed to speak volumes, she wasn't sure if it was a bad intuition she was having but she could swear that Fang was trying to flirt with her at times. Lightning shrugged it off though, having little experience in the art of seduction she let it go. Maybe it was just the wine.
Sitting alone at the table Vanille was obviously distraught. It didn't feel right being apart from Lightning for so long, even though it had been less than twenty four hours. She felt a void forming. Fear was crawling through her, had she done something wrong? Had she upset Lightning? She watched Snow and Serah dancing slowly in the distance before she closed her eyes. In her head, she could see the look on Lightning's face during the wedding ceremony, the two words that fell out of her mouth so naturally. She was close enough to even hear how they sounded. Thinking about Lightning's beautiful voice Vanille was suddenly smiling, she couldn't help it.
"Can I have this dance..?" Lightning spoke lowly, smirking inwardly at how sappy it sounded, maybe she was a little buzzed.
Vanille's eyes shot open to find Lightning bent over her beside her chair, a hand outstretched. Seeing Lightning up close with makeup on for the first time was staggering. Her face looked perfect tonight, her eyes had a smokey effect to them, it was disorienting to Vanille. She struggled to keep herself from swooning. They shared a smile as Vanille took her hand walking slowly onto the dance floor. Lightning took Vanille's hips as Vanille brought her arms around Lightning's neck. The held eachother very close moving slowly together to the idyllic tune the band played in the background.
Lightning had learned how to dance in the Guardian Corps, she had to. At any particular special events they held she would have to dance with her superiors. She was good at it too, they had molded her into the epitome of grace while making her a lethal weapon. They spun slowly, staring into each other's eyes. Lightning noted that Vanille must be wearing heels, she didn't have to crane her neck down as much. She smiled wider at the gesture. Lightning had chosen flats for this very reason as well.
"I missed you today.."
"I missed you more." Vanille crooned as she laid her head onto Lightning's shoulder. Like that, everything was better. It was astounding how her presence alone could immediately take away any ounce of anxiety that hung over Vanille's shoulders, but that's all she's grown to expect from Lightning. She was her hero.
The patio began thinning, people were heading home and the party was drawing near an end, but still they were there, in each others arms. Time stood still for them, so when Lightning noticed that things were drawing to an end at the reception hall, she only smiled to herself. There were still many things she wanted to accomplish before the night was over..
Sigh every time i think i'm gonna end it.. it just doesn't happen lol This last chapter was going to be huge, i'm breaking it up, and debating after some feedback maybe taking it a little bit further than i intended.. Please review, it gives me a nice little smile, and it might convince me to keep going :)