Lightning woke to Fang's soothing voice, the gentle intonation of those softly accented words that fit her so perfectly. She curled on Fang, naked body flush in resting, skin particularly sensitive to the feel of Fang under her. The tickles of Fang's flesh nearly drowned out all else. Lightning basked in it, ears taking a moment to distinguish the words of that lilting tongue.

"—how she loves Serah," Fang emphasized. "I mean, really loves her. Light's repeatedly given up every chance she's ever had to give Serah everything she can provide. Her goals and dreams, the crappy job she serves under self-serving Cocoon bastards. Everything she does… it's a Yun's sense of family. With even half that devotion, she'd be an incredible mother. The kinda woman you want for your children and grandchildren."

Lightning stirred, but her shoulder was already starting to burn again, so she refrained from moving around, though much of her bodily pain had faded to horrendous aches, the likes of which Lightning preferred over the mind-numbing agony.

Except for that sore between the middle of her legs, a spot that was distinctly unhappy with her. It kind of felt good too, knowing what well-endowed girl had been there. But very bad. Ugh.

Lightning's eyes squeezed tighter.

Fang's hand shifted, low on her back. "Light?"

"I'm awake," Lightning promised, gripping Fang's bare sides.

"'Bout time," a familiar drawl started, "We'd been afraid you'd gone catatonic."

Lightning's eyes popped open. Jaeger gave a friendly wave from atop the desk. "Hey, pup." Lightning blinked, then glanced down at Fang, the woman she lay nakedly on.

She blinked again and cleared her throat, "Uch…"

"Ah," Jaeger lifted her chin, "This is one of them weird things to Cocoon, ain't it?"

"Little bit," Lightning admitted, verbally grunting again to clear the windpipe, "Fang, where'd our blanket…" One fluttered atop her bare bottom butt, compliments of Anya. "Uhm… thanks, Mom…" Lightning buried her face in Fang's shoulder.

"You needn't be embarrassed, Light."

"Yeah," Jaeger agreed with her mate brashly, "You got nothing ta be ashamed of there, Darlin'."

"Not helping," Lightning mumbled. Fang adjusted the covers over her as much as possible without covering the wound on her back.

"They're not much for open displays of affection in Cocoon,"

"Ya didn't seem to mind it yesterday," Jaeger pointed out. "Reminds me, Hawke sent you flowers for it."

"Really not weird to you?" Lightning mumbled through Fang's shoulder.

Fang stroked her good shoulder under the covers and kissed her cheek.

"Why should it be weird?" Jaeger gruffed, "Fang an' you are beautiful girls. Not like we're gettin' off to it." Lightning choked. "That shit would be weird."

Anya patted her woman's knee. "We're happy you're both still active," Anya nodded, "Some women lose their sex drive when pregnant."

"It's a real shame," Jaeger shook her head. "I was worried for awhile there, with Fang's hypersensitivity. Looks like she jus' bottoms well." Jaeger lifted her chin in approval to Fang, "Good girl. Learned from your daddy nicely."

"Light," Anya redirected, drawing Lightning's attention, "Your shoulder okay? Jaeger told me you'd pulled the stitches again yesterday."

"Yeah…" Lightning admitted, remembering Fang straddled on the bar. "It's a little better."

"The salve has Regen in it. If you wash the cuts out and apply it at least once a day, Fang should be able to remove the stitches in a few days. I've given Fang a bottle to take home with you too."

"I appreciate it," Lightning answered gratefully, mentally noting to apply that later today. Regen wasn't commonly available to the populace, mostly used on soldiers in Cocoon, unless one had a prescription. The element would help healing tremendously. "Thank you."

Anya smiled kindly, "It's best that your body's energies be directed to the right place. We don't want to overtax your body more than it is already. She's your first, isn't she?" Lightning blinked.

"She is," Fang answered for her, nudging Lightning's belly for her to realize. "Light hasn't been pregnant before."

"It's incredible, isn't it?" Anya's eyes glowed with recollection much deeper. "I still remember how it was with Fang."

"So do I," Jaeger grunted, earning a light slap to the stomach. "Hey, I meant that!" Jaeger growled, "Some of the best memories I have! Anya gave the perfect pregnancy. I was still courtin' her then too. From the moment I heard her pregnant, it's all I could think 'bout. Lost all interest in other Yuns. I jus' wanted to provide for her an' the baby."

"Fang was Jaeger's first child too," Anya explained, "Surprising, but Fang takes after her in that. Kept missing the mark by a hair – I assume it's her bedmate nature, always letting the other Yuns first in her early youthful threesomes and so."

Lightning's eyebrows shot up.

"Hey," Jaeger countered her look, "Just because I'm such'a romantic now, doesn't mean I wasn't always. Needed to find the right girl first. Anya needed some more convincin' so I took 'er right up, made sure that baby was mine."

"I was younger," Anya explained, "Only fourteen when Jaeger wanted to court and mate me for life. It was flattering, and she was fantastic to bed, better than most Yuns I'd ever had— "

"Most," Jaeger scoffed. "I'd lick her clean to screaming 'bout three times a day! Before we even fucked!"

Anya offered her a smile, turning back to an eyebrowed Lightning. "But a young girl needs to experience more first. I'd always thought Jaeger would make an excellent mate— once I'd gone through my youthful bouts, had several children, and would know how to care for hers in matehood. I was ecstatic when I'd learned I was pregnant, excited and almost sure it was Jael's baby— she was a big hot shot back then, the irresistible one we'd all wanted children from."

Jaeger groused. "By that, she means the experienced thirty year old who'd fathered half the girls of our village. Bloody baby hog."

Anya pet her knee. "You can imagine how scared I was when I'd learned my persistent, commitment Yun was the father instead. I remember when I first told her; I'd been afraid she'd claim us courting to-be-mated, I knew how she loved me so."

"What happened then?" Lightning probed, curiously glancing to Jaeger. It was the weirdest progression of a story she'd ever heard, entirely unfitting Cocoon standards with the girl wanting the child and not commitment, but it fit perfectly, somehow. Lightning could imagine the whole progression. "Dad scare you away?"

Anya's eyes gleamed softly. "She quieted instantly. I could practically see the gears ticking in her head, with how much she wanted me, how happy she was… but she didn't say anything. Instead, she lifted the bottom of my shirt and stared for a long time." Anya looked to her woman, glowing. "You were trembling when you touched me. I remember, your hand shook."

"Fuck, of course it shook. Damn happiest day of my life, wasn't it? One of 'em many to follow…"

Anya stood to kiss her woman. Jaeger sucked her lips gratefully, the first to push Anya back by the shoulder. "Jes'," she turned her head the other way, clearing her throat, "Jes' tell the rest'a the story, Ayn." She sniffed in a deep breath. "Dammit."

Anya continued after a moment.

"She touched me like she could touch you, Fang. I'd never been so awe-struck than by the look in her eyes. Like touching the heavens. I felt… I knew it'd be alright after that. Jaeger never pushed me," Anya's hand curled through her short, messy hair, to her scalp. Jaeger closed her eyes at the touch, "And she never abandoned me in my first pregnancy either. Always fetched the cravings I wanted, held my hair when I was sick, held me when I cried… she provided more love and care for me and Fang than Jael ever would've been able to with her dozens of children. And I fell in love with her too, then. Just for Jaeger and nobody else, the way she wanted me."

Lightning wasn't one for sappy stories, but even her heart squished at it. Jaeger sniffed, especially affected, soothed with Anya's easy fingers to her head. Below her, Fang's breath had eased into steady pattern, lifting her gradually with every smooth breath. Lightning found deep sympathy mixed with the joy and yearning in her face. She wanted to say something too, but it was Fang's place first and foremost.

"Mom— "

"Take care of them Fang," Jaeger interrupted, voice cracking. "Fer the love of Gran Pulse, Fang. You better love 'em right." Jaeger's voice broke again. Anya's arm wrapped around her, soothing.

"She does," Lightning spoke, barely thinking for the curling guilt inside her. Knowing how much her 'pregnancy' meant to this family, good people, Anya and Jaeger who treated her as their own… Lightning felt very small inside, knowing this, very choked, squeezed with guilt.

Unable to come clean in such a situation, Lightning offered the one thing she could in her tight spot. "Fang's good to me," she assured. "Sweet, kind, always looking out… " Lightning glanced at Fang, who stared at her wide-eyed. "Incredible in bed…" Anya bit her lip, smiling, eyes almost matching Fang's on her. "Very good at heart. She'll make an incredible father when the time comes."

"Good," Jaeger choked, "Fuck, I've made it awkward. I—" She wiped at her cheek, sliding off the desk, still faced away. "I'll be downstairs. Fuck. Sorry. Jes'— shudd'yup Fang." Fang pouted. "Fuckin' A." the door slammed behind her.

Anya hovered both Fang and Lightning then. She kissed each of them. "Don't worry about Jaeger," Anya told them, mostly for Lightning's benefit. "She has trouble going soft."

"You should cheer her up, Mom." Fang volunteered, "She'll be hurting for you again."

"She will," Anya agreed, lightly brushing aside a few strands of Lightning's hair. "We're lifted by you girls. Jaeger and I love you both."

Lightning's heart thudded in her chest. She turned her face to bury it in Fang's shoulder.

"Love you too, Mom," Lightning barely heard Fang bid.

Anya's fingers combed through her hair, caressing her head gently, then she took her leave too, more quietly shutting the door behind her.

A long moment passed where both stayed deathly still. Even Fang's fingers had paused on her back. In the quiet of the room, guilt rolled like a cloud of turmoil, already downpouring on their poor heads.

Then, "She reminds me of Mom," Lightning admitted softly. Fang glanced down. Lightning watched the wall studiously. "My Mom," Lightning clarified unnecessarily, "She was sweet like that. And Jaeger. Dad had a sense of humor too. Not as caustic, but… "

Fang gave her gentle squeeze. "Are you ok?"

"I should ask you that." Lightning corrected, tone level. "I've put you through the Void."

Fang had no assurance that'd come off entirely true. Her heart crushed for every beat of building guilt.

"Words are cheap," Lightning stated, laying there flush to Fang.

"Light…" Fang swallowed, throat almost too closed to speak. She wanted Lightning to keep talking, but her own voice seemed to fail her.

Lightning stayed quiet a long time. When she finally spoke again, she wouldn't look at Fang. Her voice had taken on a level, even tone. "They were my fault too," Fang searched her face imploringly, but Lightning wouldn't look her way. "My parents." Lightning confessed, "They died because of me."

Fang watched her, silent.

The long-held confession poured through guilty lips.

FLASHBACK

"You're doing great, Claire." Raina encouraged, warm hand on Lightning's stiff shoulder. She soothed that concentrated tension that seeped from her eldest, very alert, eyes on the road.

"She's a natural," Cyrus bragged, easing out in the backseat. "Takes after her eagle-eyed Hawke of a father behind the wheel, don'tcha Claire?"

"The clutch is tricky," Lightning muttered, keeping an even speed along the highway, "Cars shouldn't have three pedals."

Cyrus chuckled, "All in the process of learning before we get to the fliers. Those are the ones you'll really like."

Lightning's face drew a hard, concentrated line. She checked her mirror left and flicked the blinker, starting to merge left.

The left lane accelerated, a car catching straight up. Lightning straightened to her own lane again with a little jerk.

"Hey, jerk!" Cyrus rolled down his window. "Student driver here!"

The other driver flicked them off.

"Men," Cyrus shook his head. "Remind me, what rhymes with guys, Claire?"

"Dad…"

"That's not it! Try again!"

Raina smiled softly, brilliant blues gleaming like crystals. "Humor your father."

Lightning sighed. "Swines."

"Ding, ding, ding!" Cyrus cheered, "We have a winner! You make sure you remember that, Claire."

Raina's hand moved to her hair. She stroked her hair back behind Lightning's ear, combing her fingers through the precious, champagne locks, a beautiful mix Lightning had inherited between her auburn and Cyrus' blonde. Lightning relaxed at the motherly touch.

A flaming car crashed from the sky.

Lightning swerved right on instinct, barely avoiding the thundering hunk that split the gravel. Another driver smacked into passenger's side from the lane she'd invaded and Lightning jerked, fast cutting left, she slammed on the breaks, completely forgetting to adjust the gear in her haste.

The car squealed, shooting too fast, too far.

Lightning hit the guardrail at fifty.

They flipped, car skidding in a long, showering screech of sparks and glass.

When the car finally came to a stop again, Lightning breathed hard in panic.

"Mom?" Raina released a pained, harsh breath. The door had crunched in, crushing into her back that had her arched at an inclined angle. Lightning spotted a sharp metal end jabbing into Raina's side. "Mom!" Lightning scrambled for her seatbelt.

"Claire!" Cyrus called out, "Raina, stay still!"

Lightning hit the ceiling with a thump.

"Cyrus," Raina gasped, breathless. "The hydraulics— " she inhaled again sharply, teeth clamping against the pain.

"Mom!" Lightning scrambled across the ceiling to her. Something screeched at Cyrus' kick, three times before the door popped.

"Claire, come here!"

Lightning reached out for her mother's side where the metal struck, wedged in deep. Raina's face, a mask of pain. She touched Lightning's chin, frail. Watery blues met with a calm certainty that zipped through her like fire.

"I love you."

Lightning's eyes widened in horror. "No!"

Raina's fingers dropped slow, gleaming light fading from her eyes. She stilled, limp.

"Claire!" Cyrus arm wrapped around her stomach, pulling her back.

"No!" Lightning screamed, irrationally fighting him.

"Claire!" Cyrus struggled to keep ahold of her, pulling her out of the car. "I'll get her! I'll get her!" It barely registered. Cyrus hauled her out and stumbled. Lightning fought him all the way.

"Mom!"

"I'll get her!" Cyrus tried to tell his distraught daughter. "I'll get her!" Cyrus ran with her and passed her off to a suited Corps member. "Take her," Cyrus ordered. The stronger man picked her up over his shoulder and turned to take her to the ambulance.

Cyrus doubled back for Raina.

Lightning screamed and bit him, scrambling enough to escape his grasp. She started after Cyrus.

The car exploded as Cyrus crawled in.

Arms crossed around her again. Lightning collapsed.

XXX

"Mine wasn't the only family that died that day," Lightning went on, voice unnaturally level for this confession. "The one I originally swerved into lost a son. They tried to press charges. I would've went to the juvenile detention center, but…"

"Serah," Fang whispered, connecting every dot at once.

"I couldn't let her go to foster care services. It's not like families here." Lightning swallowed a hard lump. "They ruled accidental vehicular homicide. The judge took pity on me, sentenced as a juvenile crime instead of adult. But it took almost all our money. I dropped out of school to work, but without education and a criminal record for murder… getting hired by PSICOM saved us. I'd have had to give Serah up without."

"It's why you stayed," Fang breathed, understanding. "Light… when?"

"Five years ago." Lightning echoed, chin lowered in shame. "It's been awhile."

"Light…"

"Don't," Lightning almost pleaded, rare waver of true injury in her voice. "I didn't tell you to… I don't know why I told you." Lightning squeezed her eyes shut. "Your parents just… remind me." Her stomach fluttered, "Made me think of them."

"Does it hurt?"

"You're lucky to have them," Lightning evaded.

Fang quieted a moment, struggling with how to phrase it. She ended up blurting anyway, "They're yours," Fang corrected on second thought, "When you want, I mean. They think of you like… you are."

"You're sweet, Fang." Lightning rested her head on Fang's collar. "Someone's going to be lucky to mate you."

Fang watched her, pleading.

The door burst open suddenly. "You know the problem with soundproof rooms? You can't hear the kno— ooo," Serah groaned, turning around, "Not again! I'm scarred againn. Ohhh." She turned around, eyes closed, and walked promptly into the wall.

"Serah," Lightning called out.

"Nooo,"

Lightning's brow furrowed. "Again?"

"Can you get off her?" Serah groaned, head buried in the wall. "If you're not having sex, get off her. If you are, ohmyGod. Stop talking."

"Serah— "

"I saw you last night, okay?" Serah finally squeaked, freezing Lightning to her spot on Fang. "I saw you rutting! It wasn't on purpose, but Fang on you…" Serah winced, "And now you're on Fang…"

"Fuck," Lightning groaned, lifting herself off Fang.

"Please don't." Serah begged, still feeling blindly for the door handle, "Agh, I can't get it out of my head."

"We're not having sex," Fang offered helplessly.

"Are you about to?"

"Serah…"

"Answer the question first!"

"We're not," Fang promised, "Did you wanna talk about something, Serah?"

"Gah, so casual," Serah grimaced. "I forgot what I was gonna say."

"How's Gran Pulse been for you, Serah?"

"Not helping," Serah moaned, "Let's… let's talk over lunch. After you both shower. Separately." Serah's fingers found the knob. "I'm just gonna borrow Fang's spear, stab out my eyes… ohmygod, worse visual. Okay, I'm leaving."

"See you downstairs," Fang bid, then looked to Lightning.

Lightning groaned into her pillow.

"We should wash up," Fang hesitated. "Do you want me to…"

"I can walk," Lightning clarified, "…I think." She sat up slowly and braced to stand, a chore not without the threat of falling. Lightning's legs wobbled a bit, weak. She straightened as best she could with as much dignity as she always held. Grabbing up some clothes from the dresser, she started slowly for the door. "Are you coming?"

XXX

Lightning breathed a sigh of relief, hot water soothing as it prickled her skin, sinking into her pores and easing sore body. Especially her core; Eden. "Are you sore?" Lightning murmured, wanting to groan with the water's hot relief. At least Fang made a comfortable cushion, warm and surprisingly soft. Lightning rested reclined upon her, nuzzled between Fang's legs, which crossed on top of hers for lack of full room.

"Yeah…" Fang's arms rested limp around her belly, idly stroking the skin around her piercing. "It's been awhile since I've done that."

"Sex?" Lightning affirmed, earning a tired confirmation. "Me too. Never quite like that before, though… probably the best lays I've ever had, even with the shoulder." Lightning smiled softly, eyes closed as she rested. "Guess it's really true, huh? Yun prowess and all… "

"We would say so," Fang confirmed, relaxed heart speeding with the direction of their conversation. "You were good too. I can usually hold out longer…"

"That's hard to imagine, but I suppose we're both out of practice."

"I enjoyed it," Fang claimed softly.

"Me too. With all that's been going on, we both needed it, I think."

"Yeah," Fang agreed, tentative. "We've been getting close…"

"With circumstance pulling us together," Lightning agreed, "It almost feels like it was bound to happen in the midst of all this stress. You're the one good part of all this mess, knowing and all…" Lightning breathed a beat, "This… feels weird because it's different in our culture than yours, but… if you want to do this again sometime, I really enjoyed this. You're an incredible lover, Fang." Something hard lifted against Lightning, poking her insistently. Lightning laughed. "Is that a yes?"

"You want to have sex with me," Fang clarified, voice a little strained. Lightning could sympathize with how sore Fang must be.

"As friends," Lightning confirmed, making Fang's heart patter. "It's something normal among Yuns, right? We call it friends-with-benefits in Cocoon; it's got a slightly different connotation to it, but… your culture seems to thrive well on it. I think it'd help ease us a little."

"Are you still asking?" Fang asked incredulously, provoking Lightning's smile. She kissed Fang's neck lightly, sleepily content with that.

"Good. I actually wanted to talk to you about our… circumstance. Maybe we should extend it a bit." Fang blinked, shifting as she looked down at her, "Just for a week or so." Lightning explained, "I don't want any of your clan to feel like they had something to do with the miscarriage when we announce it. Only a week after visiting Gran Pulse after taking hits… "

"Oh," Fang processed, "Makes sense."

"I wondered how you'd feel about that," Lightning admitted, "If Serah and I keep you around the extra bit for it."

"Sounds alright…"

"We're out of Gran Pulse tomorrow," Lightning gently reminded, "But if you don't want to, would rather be done with it real quick— "

"No," Fang shook her head, "You make a good point. I don't want anyone here feeling responsible either. That would kill my parents…"

"Okay," Lightning softly agreed, "A week, you think? Week and a half to be sure?"

"Yeah," Fang agreed, "Something like that." She quieted, then rubbed up Lightning's arm. "Thanks for thinking of that."

"Mmm," Lightning agreed softly, "It's the least I owe…"

Fang kissed her cheek softly, quiet behind her. The water stirred at Lightning's touch at its surface. Thoughts concentrated, they turned back to Fang's current. She slowed to remind Fang again, but Fang hadn't said anything about it since… "Fang." Fang's arms tightened around her belly as if she already knew. Lightning rested against her, remaining as relaxed as possible in a subtle effort to soothe Fang too. She didn't plough straight to it for her. "Have you visited Scar?"

"Not yet," Fang squeezed, "I wanted to go this morning, but… she's still unconscious. Dad advised to give it a day, see her tomorrow…" Lightning could hear the slight tremor in her voice. Fang's forehead went to her shoulder to hide her face.

"It's only as bad because you're so strong," Lightning offered, "If you were a weakling, Scar wouldn't have been hurt at all."

"That doesn't— "

"It doesn't," Lightning confirmed before she could say, "But it does give some insight to your problem, Fang. It's just your control; you've trouble stopping your initial instinct when someone's hurt."

Lightning went on, voice steadying a little softer for Fang, but still firm. "Vanille told me about what happened. About when you broke up, how you got that way and why… how you pull close to people you care about." Lightning turned her head, glancing back to the stricken give hiding her face there. "It's not a fault so much as a minor tick— you only need that help curbing your temper."

"I've tried," Fang still wouldn't face her, "It boils in me. I can't even think." Fang exhaled hard, breath hot and ragged on her shoulder. "I never wanted you to see that in me."

"It's a flaw. Nobody's without them." Lightning's fingers grazed her knee. "I don't see you any less."

Fang choked, incredulous. Lightning's fingers soothed her tense, voice softer even yet. "I mean it," she insisted, trying to get through that scraggled, thick head. "You're stronger than you think you are, and I don't mean physically."

Fang squeezed her tighter around the stomach, wondering how soon Lightning would change her mind.