Lightning's Thoughts
On Serah and Snow
Lighting had disliked Snow for a very long time. Serah knew that, hearing all of her older sister's stories about the man for years. Still, she often defended the man from her criticisms even before she started dating him behind her sister's back.
The truth was that Lighting was too hard on him, but his code, his way of living, frustrated her. He and the rest of NORA could just join the Guardian Corps and do the same thing legally, instead they did it without the military, illegally and called themselves heroes. It bugged her because, in the basic sense, she did that same things as them, but she was a soldier and not a hero.
She wondered how the two of them even met. It was probably Yuj, who was a mutual friend. Even though Yuj knew how much she wanted to keep Snow away from her sister, she wouldn't put it past the young boy. He had made a good call, they really did seem good for each other, despite how much she didn't want to admit it. That was the real reason she tried to keep the blonde away from Serah, because she knew the two would hit it off.
He's too old for her anyway, she would tell herself. Serah would worry about him all the time as he was always off getting into one mess or another. No, she would not let him meet her sister, ever.
"Where have you been off to lately?" Lighting asked. It was the beginning of Serah's senior year and she expected that she would be busier than her other years, but she had rarely seen her in a couple weeks. She didn't realize that her question would lead her to the understanding that the two had finally met.
"Planning for homecoming started," Serah started, but it was obvious that there was more to tell. Lightning could tell by the way she was paying more attention to her plate of food rather than speaking. "and I have a calculus class, and anatomy, college prep writing is a bit exhausting too," Serah rambled on.
Lightning didn't know the first thing about any of the classes and didn't know if they were really that difficult, of if Serah was just using them as an excuse. Her knowledge of high school subjects dropped off at the tenth grade when she dropped out to join the military instead. She just nodded and listened.
Serah was silent for a while, picking at her fish. "Then," She muttered, "there's this guy."
"Guy?" She raised an eyebrow. It wasn't as if Serah hadn't been on dates or anything, but she rarely sounded so bashful about it. Whoever this guy was, he was someone special in her sister's eyes.
"Yeah," Serah spoke quickly, with and air of finality to her words, "just hanging out a bit, nothing serious or anything."
Normally, Lightning wouldn't press a subject, but the way Serah was talking made her suspicious. "Does the kid have a name?"
Serah finished drinking her milk and wiped her mouth. "Really, Light," she stood up as she spoke, taking her dishes over to the sink, "it's not important, we're not really dating or anything."
"Okay," Lighting muttered, surprised at the dismisal. Serah was adamant about not discussing it. Maybe the guy wasn't that important at all. She shrugged and finished up her supper. Or maybe Serah just didn't want her to know who see was hanging out with, like it was someone like Snow or something.
Lightning shook that thought out of her mind. Serah knew to stay away from Snow, that probably wasn't it. Yet, that thought hung in the pit of her stomach like a rock for days to come.
That feeling of dread only grew as time passed. Serah seemed to be spending more and more time with this guy. That in itself was enough for Lighting to find whoever it was untrustworthy. If he was trying to dominate all of her time, he was probably controlling or self-centered. Though, it wasn't until she started referring to him as her boyfriend that Lightning saw this man as a threat.
Lightning slouched into her spot on the couch, relaxing after a long day of work. From the corner of her eye she spotted Serah darting across the hall, towards the front door. "Where are you going?" She asked, leaning forward.
"Just to the movies," Serah spoke quickly, stopping in the entryway to get her shoes on, "with my boyfriend."
"Wait, since when did you have a boyfriend?" Lighting sat up straight, surprised she hadn't heard about this earlier.
"Since, like, a week or two." Serah had her hand on the door. "Can we talk about this later? I'm going to be late."
She was speechless. Shouldn't Serah had let her known that bit of information when it happened? "Uh, well," she suddenly felt very distant from her sister and she didn't like it, "just make sure to be back by eleven."
Serah looked a little surprised. Lightning had never given her a curfew before, but she had never felt she had to until now. "Uh, okay," the younger sister replied before heading out the door.
That was…really awkward.
There was definitely a distance between them. She couldn't relax, not after hearing that. Why wouldn't she have told her? It had to be, but then, it couldn't be Snow. That thought kept flying through her mind.
She sighed. Serah had said they would talk about it later, and she would deal with it then.
The problem was, there never was a later. And, whenever Lightning asked, Serah would slip out of saying anything. She was at a loss. Serah was always busy and rarely there and when she was, she wouldn't talk to her if she brought the subject up.
Eventually, Lightning stopped asking questions. Even though she felt like she knew it had to be Snow or someone else she would disapprove of, she didn't want it to come between them. Serah would tell her eventually and she was more likely to on her own terms.
Winter came and went, the sisters getting closer again. They had a few arguments here and there about her mystery boyfriend, but for the most part things were peaceful between them. Still, Lightning was suspicious every time she went away on longer missions. She was certain something was going on, despite however many times Serah denied it.
She kept imagining Snow in her house, using her silverware, eating her food, using her bathroom and…the thought made her shudder, using her bed. While the last one would have been so much of a problem if the sisters didn't share a bed, it still repulsed her.
It wasn't as if she knew for sure that it was Snow either. Lightning was about ninety-five percent certain that Serah's boyfriend was Snow, all she needed was proof. She was certain she had it too, when she saw him at Serah's graduation ceremony. Then she remembered that Yuj was also graduating.
She felt like a detective from the crime shows that played on television. She was always searching the house for clues. Serah noticed, but for the most part ignored it. Confronting the situation would only bring light to the truth.
What Lightning would do once she knew, she didn't know. She knew that it didn't matter what she said or what she did, Serah and Snow would most likely stay together regardless. Lightning hated that thought, even though it was true. It didn't change anything, she still had to know, she still had to do something. That man could not have her sister.
She couldn't have some stupid delinquent as a boyfriend or husband or father of her children. Not her sister.
"I'll be gone two days," Lighting spoke, packing a light bag, "maybe sooner, it shouldn't take very long."
"Be careful!" Serah called as the older sister headed out.
"Don't worry, I'm not even going need this," Lighting placed a hand on the hilt of her gun blade. "It's just formal, diplomacy stuff." In fact, she probably wasn't even needed there. She almost was tempted to not go and hide out in wait for Serah's boyfriend to come over as she knew he would.
It was just her luck that the meeting hadn't lasted long and her duties as escort ended before midnight. Lighting could feel a cocky smile growing on her lips. She could just imagine the look on Serah's face when she'd come home. Her boyfriend was sure to be there and she'd finally get the chance to give that guy a piece of her mind.
When she came to her house, she saw that all the lights were off. Were they already asleep, or not back yet? "Serah?" Lightning called as she came through the front door, touching a panel on the wall to turn on the lights. Her shoes weren't in the entryway.
It was only five past twelve and it was a Friday night. They probably wouldn't be back until another hour or two. Really though, who knew when they would be back or even if they were coming back there. For all she knew, Serah was staying at his place for the night…Or dead. This is why I give her a curfew!
She knew that she wouldn't be able to sleep until Serah came back so she turned on the television. Lightning tried to brush off the feeling of dread she felt. It was that feeling she had for so long, that somehow she was losing her and losing her to him.
As time wore on, she began going over what she would say once Serah got back. The hours passed and she became more and more worried, upset and angry. Lightning was about ready to grab her gunblade and storm over to NORA's base of operations but if Serah actually was there, what would she do?
Beat the shit out of Snow. Scream at Serah for being stupid and going behind her back about Snow. Beat the shit out of Snow. And maybe beat him up a third time.
Lightning started pacing through the kitchen, both debating what to do and trying to calm herself down at the same time.
And why, why did Serah have to ignore her warnings about him! Snow was a violent man who spent most of his days beating up monsters with his bare fists for the hell of it. He didn't understand common sense, he was rash and crude and never thought ahead. He rejected his obligations as a citizen of Cocoon, so who's to think that he'd feel "obligated" to a committed relationship? She doubted he could even spell "obligated!"
He was your standard, grade-A street thug and nothing more. Serah deserved far better.
But no, she wouldn't listen to Lightning. Serah had to deliberately decide to throw anything her sister had to say out the window as if she knew nothing. It was almost as if she did it just to prove Lightning wrong. "He could be a good guy," Serah had said anytime Lightning brought up Snow. She didn't give a fuck if he was a good guy, he was a criminal and that was all that mattered!
It was six in the morning. Exhausted from worry, Lighting sat down, running her hands through her hair. She felt as if she could throw up. She couldn't take just sitting there, not being able to do anything.
She kept imagining his hands on her. If Lighting found out he had so much as touched her sister, she would castrate him on the spot.
Finally, a little after seven thirty, she heard someone coming up the steps.
The door opened a crack. "Light…?" Serah's voice was cautious, equally wary of the thoughts that someone had broken in or her sister had returned.
Lightning was at the door in seconds, pulling it the rest of the way open. "Where have you been!" Serah's eyes widened and she glanced behind her. Lightning followed her gaze, understanding. "Hey, big-shot! Show yourself!"
"Light!" Serah whispered, gaze switching from the group of trees just outside their house to her sister and back again.
"Hmph," Lightning folded her arms, not seeing any movement, "your boyfriend's a wimp." She knew that if her predictions were correct, he would fall for her trap.
"I am not!" Although his voice was a bit hoarse, she recognized it instantly.
Serah face-palmed. "You idiot," she groaned.
Lightning was already down the steps as Snow stepped out from his hiding spot. "Hey Light-"
"I told you to stay away from my sister!" Lightning shouted, decking him right in the face. She barely heard Serah faintly shout her name as she watched him fall on his ass. She grabbed him roughly by the collar, her voice dangerously low, "so you go and fucking have sex with her!" Letting go of his collar, she shoved him back down.
Normally, she never swore that much. With the lack of sleep, the hours of worry and frustration, and her outright hatred for Snow, Lighting had snapped.
"It's not like that, I swear!" Snow exclaimed, holding his hands up in surrender. "We haven't done anything!"
She could hear Serah's footsteps hurry towards them. "You can't just attack him like that!" The younger sister hurried to Snow's side but Lightning held out her right arm to block her. "Light!"
Lightning was torn, she hated having her sister angry with her but she also wanted to give Snow a piece of her mind. Not only that but she was upset with both of them for making her go crazy with worry. "Then why are you out so late?" She demanded, her question directed at Snow. "I should have your head for keeping her out so long!"
"We got stuck downtown!" Snow started quickly, glancing up at Serah before turning his gaze on Lightning. "We took the bus downtown but there was some sort of incident down there and it stopped us from being able to get to the last bus in time."
"Why didn't you take your bike?" She pressed on, sniffing out any chance that it was a ruse. Now that she thought about it, she didn't want Serah on his bike anyway, it was too dangerous. She glanced back at Serah. "Not that you should be riding it."
Serah rolled her eyes. "Light it's just a-":
"A motorized vehicle whose crashes end in more deaths than any other!" Lighting snapped. "Well?" She rounded back on Snow.
"Gadot needed it, the other one was in the shop. And don't worry Lightning," Snow flashed her a smile, "I'm a great driver!"
"I find that hard to believe." Lightning reluctantly let down her arm, placing her hands on her hips. "And just what were you doing downtown?"
"We went to the midnight showing of Nightmare Dollhouse," Serah answered this time.
"How romantic." Lightning muttered dryly. "Then why didn't you just call one of your NORA lackeys to pick you up?"
"I lost my phone, Serah doesn't have one, and we were all out of change," Snow was obviously getting bored with the interrogation. It wasn't like he hadn't been interrogated by her before and this time she had to be plenty more pleasant because or Serah's presence.
She didn't bother asking why they were able to take the first morning bus back if they didn't have any change because both she and Serah had bus passes. While Lightning really just wanted another excuse to hit Snow, she was exhausted and didn't want to deal with him anymore. "Fine," she sighed, "just get out of here." More sternly, she added, "I better not see you hanging around her again."
"Light!" Serah protested, glancing angrily up at her sister. She turned back to Snow and held out a hand to help him up. "I'll see you later."
"Yeah, later." Snow smiled, gingerly rubbing his blackened eye. "Bye Serah, Lightning."
Lighting glared at him until he was out of sight, then she stormed back towards the house. Serah hurried after her. "What was that all about?" Serah asked, an interrogation of her own starting.
Once they got inside the house, Lightning rounded on her. "Why didn't you tell me it was Snow?"
"Because I knew you were going to act like this," Serah turned away from her, shutting the front door, "but I didn't think you would actually hit him!"
When Serah turned away, Lightning spotted something on her neck almost covered up by her shirt. "What is that?"
Serah gave her a weird look before starting to walk past her towards their bedroom. "What is what?"
She stopped her, lightly grabbing her shoulder. There was one on the side of her neck and another where her neck and collar bone met. Serah, probably realizing why her sister was staring at her neck, blushed and shirked away.
"Hickeys. I thought you said you didn't do anything."
"Well, we didn't do that, is what we meant." Serah muttered, covering the spots with her hand.
That consoled her by only the slightest amount. She tightened her fists, muttering. "I should've hit him twice."
Lightning hadn't realized how long she had been shaking until Serah placed her hand on her shoulder, easing it down. "I'm sorry for worrying you," Serah said softly, probably just realizing it herself despite that Lighting had been shaking since before she even came home.
The older sister let out a sigh of relief and rested her forehead on Serah's right shoulder. "I'm just glad your alright." She raised her head again, pointing a finger. "But I'm not sorry for hitting him."
Serah stared blankly at her until she finally shook her head. "You're crazy, you know that, right?"
Lightning smiled patting Serah's cheek, squeezing it between her finger and her thumb. "Just figuring that out now, huh?" Serah feigned a glare and they both laughed. The scariest moment in Lightning's life to date had passed with the two in a better spot than before.
Still, as she laid down with Serah's back against hers, that distance was still there. Snow had wormed his way in, making part of her sister's life, for the first time, inaccessible.
It wasn't as if he had stolen part of Serah away from her. He had created a new part, a part that she would never know. It was strange knowing that, stranger still that it was because of that thick-headed moron.
"He wants to formally meet you, you know." Serah whispered in the darkness of their room. Lightning could feel the reverberations of her voice through their backs. "Do you think Tuesday would work?"
"I guess," Lightning mumbled.
"And don't forget to take your birthday off, you have to put in for a day off by Sunday or you might not get it."
"I know."
"Love you."
"Love you too, Serah."
One thing was for sure, if Snow really was going to continue dating her sister then he was going to be put through hell. She would make sure of it.
A/N: Thanks for reading, i know this one is kinda like the "losing Serah" chapter, sorry.