"She's hot, man. There's nothin' to be ashamed about in that!"

"Nothing." Rygdea reiterated, eyes trained on Fang's pants. "Lightning is truly blessed."

"So?" Gadot prompted. "How often do you bone around her?"

Fang choked mid-step and almost tripped. Snow caught his arm and steadied him. "That much, huh?"

Rygdea took his other arm to keep him stable and treaded his fingers lightly across Fang's skin.

"Girls like it." Gadot stressed to their hesitant little friend. "It's a total turn on to them too. Gotta keep 'em reminded what we can do to them! Gotta keep your game on track, man."

"Flattery." Cid nodded. "At the point you're at with Lightning, that's what it is for her to find you stiff."

"But… " Fang hesitated. "Does it… is it the same for you guys too? That often, I mean?"

"I'm hard right now if it helps, mate."

Fang gently tugged his arm out of the man's grip.

"A woman's like hot sauce, Fang." Gadot explained knowingly. "We've got the meat. She's the topping, ready and willing to get on us, just waiting for us to milk it outta her."

Fang's eyes widened.

"It works that way with men too." Rygdea contributed, returning his hand to his lover's forearm. "You just need to squeeze the right way and pop! Like a cherry."

"Amen to that, brother!"

Fang looked searchingly to Snow, who held up his hands. "I plead the fifth."

Gadot backhanded him in the stomach. "Stop being such a puss, man. Lightning's never gonna let you go with Serah, no matter how nice-guy you are around them." Snow sighed. Gadot shook his head. "You need to get back on the women, man. We should head to Lebreau's; I'll slam you a few drinks, get you right outta this rut."

"Why does Fang get to go hard for just one girl and I get the third degree when I do?"

Fang's eyebrows went up. "You get hard for Serah?"

Snow stiffened. "Don't…uhh. Don't tell Lightning you heard that."

"He gets hard for any little thing in a skirt. Snow likes them small." Gadot laughed. "Makes him feel bigger." Snow punched his arm. Gadot grinned. "You definitely need a lay, man."

"So Fang," Rygdea abstracted from their conversation, nudging Fang. "How big is she?"

How big is she? "…Lightning?"

"What're we talking 'bout?" Gadot rejoined their conversation at mention of a pretty woman. "Lightning's goods?"

Fang shot Gadot a warning look.

"ss'at cooking," Gadot finished lamely. "…and ass kicking!"

Rygdea chortled. "Lightning having a size of her own. There's a thought."

Snow blanched. "A disturbing one."

Cid looked concerned too. "Honey…"

"Okay, okay, just ruin my bubble won't you?" Rygdea winked at Fang and bit.

"So…" Snow glanced at him, then checked his lap. "What isyour size, Fang?"

"I'm fi- " Oh. Fang halted with realization. They don't mean my height. "Uhh…"

"Five inches?" Snow relaxed. Phew.

"Wha- No!" Fang protested before he realized it, then quieted. Is this something I should be talking about with them? Guys…do this?

"It's okay, dude." Snow put a hand to his shoulder. "Five's a fair enough size for a guy your size. You just gotta be a little buffer to get the extra height."

"Excuse me?" Rygdea interrupted. "Speak for yourself, buffalo. Ciddy can testify against that; he loves all six and a half inches of me."

Snow's eyebrows went up. …Still smaller, at least.

Cid gave a hapless shrug. "Rygdea is considerably more blessed than me."

"And I'll be damned if Fang's only five inches," Rygdea added. "I would know, too. I'm an expert at measuring men through their jeans. If that baby's not eight inches at the very least, I'll renounce my title of the Measuring Man right here and now!"

Fang coughed.

"Come on, then." Snow nodded encouragingly. "Gadot's 6.68 You got him beat or don't you?"

"A little shorter now, bro." Gadot mumbled. "Steroids ain't good for it..."

Fang hesitated. Rygdea swung an arm around his shoulders and nodded. "Let's hear it, Fang! You're eight, aren't you?"

"I'm eight," Fang admitted.

Rygdea cheered. Cid smiled at his lover. Gadot nodded impressively. Snow breathed a sigh of relief. Hah!

"Point six."

"What?"

"I told you!" Rygdea hooted. "I told you he was bigger than eight! I knew it! The Measuring Man strikes again!"

"Damn, man." Gadot nodded. "You're fucking huge."

Even Cid quirked his head.

"Even bigger than Snow," Gadot mused.

"No!" Snow squawked. "It can't be!" Before Fang knew it, his feet had left the ground. He squirmed. "It's not true! You're lying!"

"Snooow," Gadot put a hand on his shoulder. "Put Fang down now, it's not the end of the world. Fang's half-Yun, remember? Of course he's going to be big."

Un-consoled, Snow grudgingly put Fang back down and pouted, half-glaring. Gadot patted him, glancing over the others. "He's sensitive when someone bigger nudges in."

"It's how you use it, in addition to how big you are." Snow snuffed. "And I use it better."

"Not of late, you don't." Gadot reminded him.

"I think we should crown Fang the Size King!" Rygdea cheered. "Maker, I'd love to see that."

XXX

"And his muscles," Serah swooned. "He's so big and strong, just how I always imagined my future husband would be. All mighty and protective and handsome…" Serah sighed, gazing longingly into the mirror. "He doesn't use steroids either. Not like Gadot. He's just naturally that strong. And his eyes…"

"Oh for Eden's sake," Lightning tossed up her hands helplessly. "Music can't even blot out the sound of your infatuation with him."

"Hey!" Serah objected, coming out of her delirium to glare at Lightning. "You're not allowed to complain, slave!"

"Like hell," Lightning tossed down her computer to the bed. "I'm getting something to eat. Don't come find me."

"Hmph." Serah crossed her arms as she left and yelled after her. "Just wait till I kiss him! Maybe he'll be hypersensitive too, like Fang!" Serah ducked as a boot flew at her from the door, then was hit in the shoulder by the second. She glared after Lightning, turning to Vanille indignantly. "Can you believe her? Sure, it's fine for herrr to experiment all over the place and even fondle Fang, but when I just want a hug, ohh noo." Serah grumbled. "He's been so nice to me. Claire's never going to give him a chance, just because he's a guy and sometimes drinks a little and likes girls like any other man. Just 'cuz he doesn't have a vagina."

Serah sighed, eyes misting again at the thought of her husky Snow. "He's so perfect, Vanille. And so cute…" Serah glanced over to Vanille, who was still on the bed, resting back. "Van,"

"Hmm?"

"Should I… is it okay to talk about Snow around you? I know you, uhh…"

"It's okay, Serah." Vanille told her, sitting up on the bed. "I talked to you about my girl issues."

"Yeah, but…"

"Really," Vanille assured. "Don't worry about it. I know you like him and I'm your friend, so it's okay if you want to talk about him. That's what friends are for, right?" Vanille gave a half-hearted smile. "Go on."

Serah stood from her vanity and crossed the room to Vanille. "It's just… I really like him, Vanille." Serah sighed. "I know he's not what Claire wants for me, but he's seriously everything I imagined my husband would be. He's sweet, pretty, likes me… I just don't know why she won't look past any of his flaws to see what a great guy he is!"

"She probably just wants to protect you." Vanille offered.

"She doesn't just protect me, she shelters me. I'd say she's like a Mom, but even Mom doesn't do that!"

"What would you think your mom would say?" Vanille asked. "If she knew you liked Snow?"

"She already knows! And she doesn't care; not like Claire." Serah paused. "Oh- and I kinda had to fib to Mom by the way… I told her we got in a fight about Snow so I could cover for Fang. I'll tell her we made up, but just if she says anything…"

"Right, okay." Vanille paused. "Your mom was alright with it? With...uhh, the age gap between you?"

"I didn't tell her that yet." Serah shook her head. "But she would be! Mom knows age has nothing to do with anything when it comes to falling for someone."

"Oh..."

"I'm just really upset about it." Serah sighed again. "Snow and I are that close to kissing, and Claire still hates him flirting with me. I want her to be on board with me. I want to talk to her about this stuff too, y'know? Not by far, but Claire's more experienced than me and knows how to cope better. I'm nervous and excited and panicking all at once, and every time he leans in, I think he might kiss me, and it's terrifying and thrilling, but I don't know how to kiss or anything and I think about how bad I could be at it. Snow likes girls, he would know about my inexperience. I'd want my first with him to be special, not just some sloppy half-mistake y'know? And Claire knows about all this, and she could talk to me and instruct me, help me. But she's so pissed at Snow for even liking me; like no guy should have the right to do that or something… and what a hypocrite! She likes Fang! Who's half-male, at least. Why's she gotta get so hard on me about it when she's feeling the exact same things for her boyfriend?"

"She probably thinks Snow's not good enough for you, Serah."

"Well he is!"

"He's still a lot older than you though..." Vanille added. "Light probably doesn't like that you're crushing on someone seven years older than you when you're only fourteen..."

Serah bemoaned. "I need her help with this stuff; her bias against him is just gonna make me mess up something important."

"She's probably going to think that about every guy you like." Vanille paused. "…Serah, I have experience… more encounters than Light, even."

"You do?"

"Yeah," Vanille nodded cautiously. "With guys, even. I could help you…"

"Well good! Vanille, tell me how to kiss. It sounds stupid, but I just wanna talk about it… like when he leans into me, how do I know which way to tilt my head to touch his lips? What if he tilts the same way as me? I keep trying to picture it and reassure myself, but it keeps coming off so awkward, even in my head. I want it to be smooth and nice, like how fluid and together Fang is when he kisses Claire…"

"Well… I could show you… if you wanted." Vanille offered. Serah blinked. Vanille quickly followed up. "It'd be easier than trying to tell you how it works. And I could guide you… with my lips… what you should do."

Serah bit her bottom lip. "Umm, Van…"

"Sorry." Vanille was just as quick to apologize. "It was just a suggestion if you wanted to try. I don't want to perve on you Serah, I didn't mean it like- "

"Vanille," Serah interrupted. "It's not that. I'm not weirded out. I just… I don't want to be unfair to you." Serah admitted. "I could use practice, I'm not wholeheartedly against that, but knowing how you feel about me… how you like me… I don't want to use that… to use you, just to make me better for someone else."

Vanille mumbled. "I wouldn't mind…"

Serah understood and reached out to her shoulder gently.

Vanille bit her bottom lip. "Really, Serah. I… I know you like Snow, and you're not going to like me. You're straight and you don't think the same stuff 'bout me as I do to you, but… it doesn't have to be bad, if you want to practice, try it out with me. You want to be good for Snow, and I… I really like you, so it wouldn't be anything hard on me. Like… like a first and last right? If I could… if you let me show you… I would like that. Like, even though you won't feel for me that way, it would be nice for me, knowing that I showed you how first, even without… the other stuff." Serah bit her bottom lip too. "I could… I'll stop flirting with you and stuff. It'd be enough, just to know…"

"Vanille…"

"Please, Serah?" Vanille asked, swallowing hard. "I really want to… if you let me show you, I'll stop. And I'll have it to remember…"

"Vanille…" Serah's eyes searched hers. I've been torturing her enough. Serah did want to learn how to kiss, but Vanille's plea was for something a little more than that. She was asking Serah permission to give her a last touch before she let go. The poor girl had crushed on her from the instant Serah'd seen her, and she'd been nice about it. She wasn't pushy and didn't try to shove Serah into situations, she was just her friend. And now her friend was asking for one last connection before she could break it off. For both their sakes, that was best. Serah didn't want to continue hurting her, and it was bad for Vanille to continue pining when it wasn't going to change. I can let her have this.

"Are you sure?" Serah asked gently. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt Vanille further by pressing this, but Vanille knew what was going on. If this was what she wanted before she could snap off, Serah would acquiesce. Besides, it's not like she can't show you something. Vanille's kissed guys and girls before, she'd know how to do it well.

"Yeah," Vanille mumbled, heart thudding heavily in her chest as she pulled closer to Serah. She's going to kiss me. Vanille almost felt lightheaded. Serah's going to kiss me. I'll be her first and only girl kiss.

Serah watched Vanille scoot up, starting to come closer to her. "Which… which way should I go?"

"Shh," Vanille quieted. "Close your eyes, Serah." Serah watched her for a moment, then obeyed. Vanille moved closer, hardly able to breathe with Serah only inches from her. Her eyes flickered over Serah's face, memorizing all. She lifted a hand to Serah's chin, thumb gently pressing into the girl's cheek. Serah inhaled breathily. Heart racing, Vanille closed her eyes. She pressed in.

Vanille's lips brushed Serah's. The inexperienced girl inhaled back, but Vanille's hand on her cheek kept her from going too far. Glazing over Serah's mouth, Vanille kissed her, adding pressure against her lips as the Pulse-born's gently scraped over her own, caressing her lips in a warm cradle as Vanille's thumb ran lightly over her cheek.

Serah gasped quietly as Vanille's mouth took hers, insistent, but soft and loving, savoring her with every caress. Like she was precious, valued, and cherished beyond all. Serah didn't know how to kiss, but they moved of their own accord against Vanille's, brushing and tasting her.

Serah felt a warm tickle through her and lifted her own hand to Vanille's chin for more leverage. She tugged the girl closer while leaning in further, anxious to investigate this curious new feeling, that of kissing someone so intimately. Vanille was summoning up sensations in her that were new, foreign, and thrilling to her inexperience. Serah felt so wanted and valued, she could feel her heart racing in this new rush.

She kissed Vanille and suckled her taste, savoring that sweetness. She was dizzy and numbed, but so alive and fulfilled, she couldn't believe she'd been missing out on this for so long. Her other hand lifted to the back of Vanille's neck. She was kissing and it felt right, soright, natural and pure. Serah kissed those lips for all she was worth, warm and shivering with goosebumps. She was gonna- gonna-

Vanille pulled away before Serah could bite her and hovered a few inches away. Serah breathed raggedly, head hanging. She took a full minute before opening her eyes, then lifted her face to Vanille, who was watching her, inches away. Vanille caught her eyes and Serah found such pain there, it broke her heart. "Thank you." Vanille grabbed her and pulled her close; she hugged Serah around the shoulders to her body. "You did amazing. I…" Vanille's voice cracked. "I felt wanted. Kiss him like that, Serah."

Vanille bowed her head and kissed Serah's.

Serah's heart pumped rapidly in her chest.

XXX

"Amodar wants to test you for Commander's rank, Claire." Lightning looked up from her soup to Raina. "He's heard about your fights in the tournament with Fang." Raina continued, cutting a slice of Behemoth Parmesan. "He registered you for testing after he'd heard of your victory with Fang, and placement in the solo tournaments. He was very impressed with your work."

"Commanding troops?" Lightning asked. "Rank above other soldiers?"

Raina nodded. "He thinks you're ready, yes. Fang's already passed his."

Lightning knew this. "When he beat Asael," Lightning nodded. "He's already passed all other Gran Pulse customs for leadership. I know."

"I think you should as well," Raina agreed. "Now that Fang's passed his."

"When did Amodar get me scheduled for?"

"Tomorrow."

Lightning choked on her stew. "Tomorrow? When were you going to tell me? I can't go tomorrow!"

Raina lifted an eyebrow.

"It's a two day test!" Lightning protested. "Fang needs me here! I can't just up and leave him! Especially not now! He's- I- "

"Claaire…"

"Mom!" Lightning pleaded. "You can't ask him to reschedule it? In like two weeks or something? We're royalty; they have to make exception schedules for us."

Raina frowned.

"Please?" Lightning begged. "Just this once? Come on, Mom, we never use the perks of royalty like that, we're allowed an exception every now and again."

"Amodar personally scheduled you, Claire." Raina returned to her meal. "If you want to push back a hard-to-get test appointment and use your title to get another on your trainer of ten years to tell him you need more days with your boyfriend… you may call him to tell him so."

Lightning's head thunked upon the table. "Mooom."

"It's your choice, Claire."

"Dammit!" Lightning groaned.