Fang tore out of the lab like her ass was on fire, where she ran headlong for a good minute until she hit upon bustling crowd of chocobos outside. She blinked, doubting herself momentarily at the flood of birds present, wondering if she may have died in the bunker after all.
"Fang!" Snow approached like a thundering Behemoth through the chocobos, who scattered at the big man's nearing like little chickens from the fox. "Fang! We thought you were— " Snow pulled up short, coughing in the back of his throat to clear it as he quickly averted his eyes. "Uhh, you got Lightning there? We should— "
"She needs help!" Fang urged, surging past him to a cluster of birds. "I need to get her to the castle. Is Rafford still there?" Fang pulled up to a chocobo and urged it from the herd, seeming at a momentary loss as the cape slipped.
Snow came up behind her, modestly looking away as he offered up his jacket and held out his arms for Lightning. "Here," Snow offered, giving Fang something to cover up with besides the cape. Reluctant to let go of her, Fang handed over Lightning and picked up the fallen cape, which she now draped around her waist for a little coverage. Taking Snow's offered trenchcoat, she fit that on as well and swam in it, the material dragging to the ground under her feet. Fang hopped on the chocobo, pulling the trench closed around her and held out her arms for Lightning, whom Snow offered up. "Did Rygdea come out with you?"
Fang shook her head.
As if in answer to his question, a terrific roar shook the ground then, breaking the air like a cacophonous thunderbolt. Fire and heat lit up the sky as the top layer of the base exploded with a burst of molten metal. The chocobos went crazy, including Fang's, who only just managed to stay atop his bird when Snow threw himself at the animal and gripped him about the middle, arms so wide they could nearly wrap around the whole bird as the quake shook them, followed by three other consecutive explosions that rocked even Snow's strength of hold and balance.
When the earth had stopped rumbling enough to gain footing, Snow released the panicked animal, who almost bucked them right off again. Fang frantically clung to Lightning and settled the beast, then looked to Snow almost angry in her fear for letting the beast go too soon.
Snow's expression changed her attitude right off, though. Snow gaped as the billowing pillar of dark smoke rising, mouth agape in horror. "Rygdea…" Fang's throat caught, where she, too, gazed back at the steaming pit. A deep heaviness settled in her gut.
"Come'on, you louts. No time for stargazing; Lightning looks like she'll stop breathing any minute! And I still haven't managed to wake Ciddy. Hurry up!"
Fang and Snow both startled at his voice, turning to find Rygdea only a little ways in the trees behind them, waving them back furiously. "Let's go," Rygdea urged, "Gadot's starting to act funny. Bloke took four darts. Really can't be good for you."
"Rygdea!" Snow gasped, tromping over to the man, whom he took up in his arms and squeezed. Rygdea squeaked. Fang looked to Snow once, clutching Lightning, and took off.
"You'll be okay, Claire." Fang whispered, hugging her tight against the jounce of the chocobo's step. "Please be okay."
XXX
Fang gripped her limp fingers, eyes wide and staring for the tiniest of changes. When she'd brought Lightning home, Rafford had taken the both of them to Fang's room and laid Lightning down. Vanille had assisted Fang, who's right wrist had inflamed dangerously with a torn ligament from her struggles. Contusions speckled over both wrists and ankles, but Fang proved to be a poor, stubborn patient Vanille had to half slap into releasing Lightning go to work. Serah cringingly helped Rafford, much queasier about her job, which included setting Lightning's knee back for healthy growth, an effort that almost had her puking, and the slightly easier, but no less disturbing chore of icing her sister's neck, where bruises had blossomed like daisies on a sunny day.
Serah had left first, meekly, unable to stomach her sister's condition much longer. Vanille finished the stinted wrap around Fang's wrist around the same time Lightning's parents had arrived. She excused herself politely to go chase after Serah. Fang reluctantly had separated then to let Lightning's parents help Rafford, but Raina had gone straight to her and hugged Fang, near tears as she quietly thanked and blessed Fang for bringing Lightning back. When Fang tried to apologize for Lightning's injuries in coming after her, Raina quieted her and held her all the tighter. Cyrus passed off that they'd hear the story later and stood beside Lightning, hand lifting to her forehead with the delicacy of a flower. Fang could see the pain in his eyes, clear as day, coupling with her guilt when Raina took in Lightning's injuries.
I let him get away, Fang thought, guilt-stricken. She took stock of Lightning's injuries, heavy stomach only tightening. Skelts was dead, but Asael went on and lived only because Lightning had seen the horror in her eyes at the prospect of killing him. She'd spared the heart of their torment in order to spare Fang more. Fang was aghast at the tortures Lightning had endured for her. If only she could spare her pain, steal away her inflictions somehow, Fang would do it in a heartbeat. She felt useless all over again, only able to hold her hand while Raina tried and failed to keep it together surveying Lightning. Cyrus had gone to his wife then and held her while she cried.
Fang felt like she was intruding, but when she rose to leave them with Lightning, Cyrus waved her down, nodding sideways to his daughter, with the indication to stay. Fang settled back, adjusting the ice packs on Lightning's neck and knee, then soothed up her arm, trying to keep her warm.
Fang wished she'd wake up or at least respond in some way, but Lightning remained still but for a flick behind closed eyes.
Fang touched her cheek gently, fond fingers grazing under her chin.
"Fang," Fang glanced over to see Raina drying her eyes with Cyrus waving her over with a hand. Abet reluctant to leave Lightning, Fang followed nonetheless to just outside the door, which Cyrus closed softly before putting a gentle hand on Fang's shoulder. "Tell me what happened." Cyrus urged.
Fang had. It was remarkably easier to relay what'd happened on her dad's side, but became increasingly more difficult when she started telling of Lightning and the fight she'd only heard. Cyrus took it in evenly, composure remarkable, something Fang wasn't able to sustain as she told of the turn in battle, and how Lightning had jumped over her to take the needle strike.
She was in Cyrus' arms by the end, securely enveloped in a warm embrace like that of which Fang hadn't been treated to growing up. "You brought her back," Cyrus whispered, the smallest tremor in his voice. "My baby girl," Cyrus squeezed her between strong arms. "Brought her home."
It'd blurred a little from there, between the captain of house guard reporting in the others, Rygdea, Cid, Gadot and Snow, along with those guards who'd been stationed at the base to attack them, Cyrus, Raina, and Rafford had left to help the many injured. Cyrus told Fang to stay with Lightning, and she wouldn't have left either way.
Which now left her alone with her girl, fingers twined and interlocked, desperately leaning over with her fingers on Lightning's cheek. "Claire," Fang whispered, full voice too shaky,
Which now left her alone with her girl, fingers twined and interlocked, desperately leaning over with her fingers on Lightning's cheek. "Claire," Fang whispered, full voice too shaky, "You gotta wake up. We… we're home now. Dad and the lab are gone now, the rescue worked. You just… you gotta come back now. Please." Lightning didn't respond. Fang rested her forehead against her girl's, wet droplet gently rolling down her cheek. "I need you."
Lightning remained still. Fang didn't even know if she were simply unconscious or comatose, Rafford hadn't told her. She could just hold Lightning and hope.
"Fang?"
Fang blinked awake at the voice and took a moment to realize she was still with Lightning. She pulled back from the resting girl to check over her shoulder, where the younger Farron stood meekly at the door. "Serah,"
"How's she doing?" Serah asked, crossing into the room at Fang's bed.
Fang turned back to Lightning, where a red mark had appeared where her head had been resting on her girl. She wondered if she had one as well. "The same, I think. I fell asleep."
Serah sat in the chair Rafford had brought when testing Lightning with his Cocoon tools and machinery. "I'm glad some of us can get some. You needed it." Looking to Serah, Fang saw the deep red rims with bruised bags around her eyes, welts that must've come from rubbing at the too much.
"I tried," Serah answered the unspoken question. "I had nightmares… I used to crawl in bed with Claire when I got them."
Fang lowered her head guilty, hand quivering in Lightning's. "I'm sorry, Serah. I didn't want this. I didn't mean for her to come after me and— "
"Shhh, Fang," Serah's brow furrowed, looking to Lightning, hesitating to touch her. "No one blames you for what happened. Claire would slap you for trying to take it."
"I just…" Fang swallowed, "If she… "
"She'll come out of it," Serah said resolutely, gingerly touching Lightning's hand, then softer. "She promised me…"
They sat in quiet silence for a long while, just watching, sitting, praying for a miracle maybe. Serah's brow furrowed at one point, glancing down at her hand. "Claire?" Lightning thumbed a small circle at the back of her hand. Fang perked, leaning over to see, question joining Serah's.
"Is she— " Lightning groaned, cutting off the question with a rush of excitement from the both of them.
"Fang," Lightning moaned, voice cracked though a dry throat. "I deserve a kiss for that." Yanking Serah's hand, Lightning lifted from the bed only enough to pull her down, where she kissed the squeaking girl once passionately on the lips. Her strength failed quickly though, where Lightning released her grip and fell back against the pillows.
Serah looked up at Fang in helpless mortification. "Why is it always me?"
Fang motioned her quickly. Serah wiped at her mouth and sped around the bed where Fang flipped over Lightning to the side the girl'd just been.
Lightning turned her head, pained, scrunched eyes attempting to loosen a bit. She held out a hand, reaching for her. "Fang?"
Fang took the hand firmly, where Lightning relaxed at her touch. "I'm here,"
Lightning blinked a few times, adjusting her eyes, which fell first and foremost on Fang. The effort looked painful, but she managed a small smile. "Fanng."
"Claire!" Serah yelped, throwing herself across Lightning for a quick, choking hug that knocked astray all her ice packs. "You're such an overdramatic jerk! No one appreciated that!"
"Ufff," Lightning wheezed. Serah pulled back before an alarmed Fang could assist her to.
"Such a jerk." Serah crossed her arms stubbornly and glared.
Lightning rubbed her chest soothingly, getting back her air. "I came back, didn't I?"
Fang was tender, taking Lightning's wrist gently. "How do you feel, Claire?
"Like a Behemoth just fell on me," Serah stuck her tongue out childishly. Lightning rubbed a spot under her neck. "And… hungry."
"Hungry?"
"Starving," Lightning corrected, wincing as she flex her leg.
Fang started to stand, "I can go make— "
"No," Lightning shook her head, tugging Fang's hand back. "Not like that." Lightning's brow crinkled in strain, breath coming harder. "Fangg…"
"What, Claire?" Fang asked concernedly, worry spiking. "What is it?"
Her eyes squeezed shut, Lightning grimaced. "I'm really wet."
Fang's eyes popped. Serah froze. Lightning reached up and grabbed the lapels of Fang's jacket in a bunch, yanking her down with a surprising burst of strength.
"Oh God," Serah groaned, turning away, "For the love of Eden, Claire!" she buried her face in her hands to block out the kissing. "Is something wrong with her, Fang?"
"Mnm," Lightning practically ravished her with those lips, leaving no time to respond to the question. Had Serah asked a question? Lightning's fingers were on her then, with the cape barely unwrapped. Lightning moaned as her leg jostled, pulling Fang to the bed.
"Serah, watch the door," Lightning mumbled, words blurring into her next kiss. Nothing else seemed important next to this. She only knew to have Fang. Immediately. Her body ached for it, that heat between her legs so intense.
"You gotta be kidding me!" Serah bemoaned, then turned in attempt to turn them off. "You kissed me, you know! That wasn't Fang waking up!"
Lightning guided Fang's wrist. "Touch me."
"Claire,"
"Ahh!" Serah squawked, "Not listening! I'm not listening! I'm— " Serah froze upon turning to the door. "Mom! Dad!" she glanced back at the two, where Fang was rubbing low on her stomach, Lightning having pulled her into bed beside her. Completely oblivious. Serah gulped. "Uhh… Claire's up!"
"Fang!" Cyrus barked, startling the Yun right off the edge of the bed. Lightning mewled, reaching for her. Scrambling on the floor, Fang was suddenly glad for the dwarfing trenchcoat, careful to keep the bottom end closed.
"S- sir," Fang stuttered, terrified.
Raina hit Cyrus' chest on the backswing of her gasp. "Claire!" Rushing over, Fang backed up so Raina could see her daughter with Cyrus following after, who gave her a last look before turning to Lightning. The cape loosely strung around Fang's waist fell. Serah, the only apparent one to see it, smacked herself as Fang kicked the garment back. Rafford grinned, shaking his head from the door.
"Mom," Lightning whimpered, caught in her embrace. "I'm so hot."
Raina touched her forehead gently, features creasing in concern. "You feel feverish." Serah snorted. "Rafford!"
Everyone bustled about then, situated around Lightning while Rafford pulled out some advanced Cocoon techs and doctored Lightning. Lightning struggled against her craving, enjoying the warm affections of her family and friends as Vanille popped in shortly after, discreetly taking Serah's hand. Through a series of questions, Lightning eventually gave in to retell everything that'd happened, much to Serah's distress, who remained more sensitive to her sister's plight and graphic depiction. When Rafford started reading off the known diagnosis, she left again with Vanille, not wanting the specifics of how Lightning's knee had split three ways into shards that'd cracked and tore into the muscle ligaments of her leg. She missed the fever diagnosis and Rafford's curiosity about a sample he'd drawn of Lightning's blood.
Rafford said he'd know more when he could get results back on some bloodwork. Until then, he had no answers for what Lightning had been injected with.
Lightning lasted awhile, but it was getting to the point that her sidelong glances at Fang lasted so long, Fang was sure they'd smell the lust on her. In fact, she wondered how they hadn't already, her scent was so strong. If this went on much longer, Lightning might... might what? Fang didn't know, but it was frightening to think about, if Lightning jumped him in front of Cyrus...
"Alright," Rafford concluded, "She needs bedrest. Someone needs to stay here as well, watch her, monitor any needs, and keep her hydrated."
"I'll do it," Cyrus volunteered. Raina smacked him in the stomach.
"Faang." Lightning bemoaned, "I want Fang."
"I'm still here, Claire." Fang assured, gripping her hand.
Cyrus sighed.
"Claire," Raina bent to kiss her brow, "Get some rest, sweetie. Your father and I are only a shout away."
"Yeah," Cyrus looked to Fang specifically as Lightning insistently tugged her to settle on the bed beside her. "Only a shout."
Fang gulped.
Raina tugged Cyrus arm as Rafford began to clean up his medical accoutrements. "Come, honey." Cyrus sighed, but followed on after faithfully.
As soon as they'd disappeared around the bend, Lightning grabbed Fang and wrenched her over hungrily.
"Wait!" Rafford took Fang's shoulder and kept her from falling entirely to Light. Lightning's expression borderlined murderous. Rafford ignored her, turning instead to the moment-conscious one. "Fang; Lightning's suffered a libido spike."
"So what?" Lightning wrenched Fang over anyway, who yipped in surprise and awkwardly, only just avoided crashing into her leg with hers. Lightning ripped open the front of her jacket and started kissing her collar feverishly.
Fang winced, eyes lifting to Rafford, who'd politely looked away. "What?"
"She's not feverish," Rafford explained, "Her sex drive has just taken an unexplained hike. It may have something to do with what she's been injected with."
"She doesn't really want this?" Fang silently gasped as Lightning lowered under her, sliding between Fang on all fours, something hot and wet enclosed her breast.
"It's not that. She's only become extremely sensitive to her desires; she could control herself if she wanted to— " Lightning moaned under Fang, "I merely wish to caution you," Rafford explained, "There may've been other effects of the injection. I don't know how long side effects will last either— but you need to be careful if you proceed. Lightning's leg needs to rest, any jarring or movement to it could cause the bone to shift again. It could cripple the limb for life."
"What?" Fang's eyes, which had been fluttering, popped in alarm. Lightning suckled her. "Fuck! Rafforrrd."
"Sorry, Fang," Rafford apologized, picking up the rest of his stuff, "Take it easy. She'll heal just fine as long as the limb's not stressed." Rafford took off without a backwards glance. "Be careful, Fang."
Fang whimpered. "Claire," Lightning didn't respond but to bite. "Noo," Fang whined, at a loss. But Lightning's limb was at stake her. With her arm, Fang gently pressured her down. Lightning tried to surge back for her, but Fang kept her down resolutely. Lightning squirmed. "Claire, please," Fang begged, low on willpower to stop her girl.
Tiny beads of sweat rolled back into her hair. Lightning gazed up at Fang, wounded. "Fang," she whimpered, "I really want you."
"I really want you too," Fang smiled softly, braced on her arms over Lightning. "As I think is evident. Fang brushed a stray lock from her face. "But I can't let you get hurt anymore. Not on behalf of me again. I won't."
Lightning breathed heavily a few times, lusty eyes darting down Fang's body, then struggling back up again. "Why isn't there a part of you that's not turning me on?"
Fang smiled kindly. "Rafford says your libido's through the roof. A side effect, maybe, of the injection."
"Okay," Lightning closed her eyes, fighting to relax. "Okay. Maybe it'll help if you get off me."
"Oh, right," Fang shifted carefully to the side, utterly cautious not to disturb Lightning's fragile leg. She slid to her good side and curled as close as she could to keep a hand on Lightning's shoulder. "Better?"
Lightning's eyes peered open where she looked over at Fang and yearned. "Not really, but I'll stab you with my broken knee if you suggest leaving me."
"I'm not going to leave you," Fang assured, fingers curling over her shoulder. She rested her cheek there. "How do you feel, Claire?"
"Other than a mind-numbing urge to fuck you off the bed?" Lightning blinked, eyes turning up to the ceiling. "My knee hurts."
Fang lowered her eyes. "Dad smashed it pretty bad… Claire— "
"Don't apologize," Lightning interrupted, casting another glance her way. She inhaled deeply and returned to ceiling watch. "Asael was sick with his obsession of strengthening you, but he's your father… I know he meant the world to you." Lightning played with the comforter idly, wishing she could provide the solace. "I'll help you through it, Fang. I'm here for you."
Fang's fingers slid against hers, probing Lightning to look her way again. Fang cupped her cheek with one gentle hand. "You're my world, Claire. I can heal… if it's you."
-Fin-
