Chapter 23 Winter Holiday Special part 2
Lightning, Fang, Squall, and Rinoa laughed as Squall and Lightning told tales of their childhood for their partners.
"So, let me get this straight; Sunshine punched a boy in kindergarten because didn't like her dress? Oh my god, wow, Sunshine. Sounds just like you. I've seen you punched Snow, and I even saw you clock Gadot pretty good too. You weren't lying when you said men don't like you, and you don't like them." Fang said.
"And then she looked at me and said, "boys are icky. However, you seem pretty cool." And somehow, that was how we became friends." Squall laughed, noticing the color creep on Lightning's face as she averted everyone's gaze.
"You all suck, you know that?" Lightning asked
"Yeah, but I can embarrass you once more." Squall grinned.
Lightning punched him in the padding of his jacket. "I remember Dad's disappointment whenever he found out his perfect daughter was hanging out with Squall Leonheart in kindergarten, but somehow our friendship worked. We were thick as thieves, and I'm surprised Dad let me hang out with you, to be honest." Lightning noticed her voice broke as Serah stood up to make an announcement.
Vanille had been tipsy from hot chocolate that someone had spiked with red wine, and Lightning wasn't sure, but hearing the Oerban girl giggle made her and Fang chuckle.
That was until Serah made her announcement.
"Alright, guys, those who wanted in for the Christmas gift exchange, you guys are free to do so. We still have plenty of food, and I'm also thankful for everyone in this room; you guys are all awesome and are invited to my wedding!" Serah shouted.
The NORA boys chanted as Snow picked Serah up.
Lightning rolled her eyes, but part of her was getting slightly bitter.
Fang took notice as did Squall.
"You okay, Sunshine?"
Lightning picked herself up and walked towards the stairs and went up to her room, passing Cid Highwind on the way.
The retired Sergeant decided to go check on her, as Fang went as well.
Squall and Rinoa looked at each other confused. "I feel that was one bit of news she wasn't ready for," Rinoa said as Squall nodded in agreement.
"Heard about what happened when those two first met from Serah. Lightning's tough, but that news is a hard pill to swallow since those two are extremely sudden in their plans." Squall said as he took a sip of his drink.
"Should we go check on her?" Rinoa asked.
"Fang and Highwind went to check on her. I feel more people will start to cause Light to shut down, so we'll stay put, Rin." He said, putting his arm around Rinoa.
Quite some time passed from the full swing of the party, and now the stragglers were left.
The party crowd started to thin out as several of Lightning's troop dispersed and the NORA group with Tifa and Lebreau as well as Sazh and his son Dajh.
The remaining ones included Vanille and Hope, Squall and Rinoa, and the three who were upstairs.
"So, you guys are welcome to stay if you don't feel you can drive tonight," Serah suggested as Squall nodded his head.
"Thank you for your kindness Serah. It's a nice little drive, and with the snow coming down, I don't think I should be driving my bike tonight." Squall said as he noticed Rinoa had cuddled into his shoulder, half asleep.
"I'm just glad you two made up," Rinoa said sleepily.
Up the stairs, Lightning stayed in her room, keeping to herself. Clearly, things felt a bit overwhelming at the time and noticed someone had knocked on her door.
"What do you want?" came the defensive answer.
"Is that a way to talk, your cool uncle Cid? Also, someone else is here too; she says she's a bit worried about you," Cid's voice was clear as Lightning sighed, went to her door, and unlocked it.
Noticing Cid sit at her desk and Fang on her bed, Lightning took a seat next to Fang. "Say what you will. I sort of dread the fact that I can't get over my sister is marrying that guy…" Lightning sighed.
"Well, you've done well enough so far, Sunshine," Fang admits putting an arm around Lightning's midsection, pulling her close.
"And I know you've been keeping me in the loop on that. Don't think Serah didn't tell me about your little accident. Light, I understand you're worried, but Serah has to make that choice, and you have to stand by her on that. Six years ago, you decided to take care of her, and I helped you all I could before retiring. I think it's great that she has such a nice charming young lad. Sort of like your lass there. You're hurt because Serah is grown up, and you feel you missed those years." Cid admits.
"Yes…" Lightning said weakly.
"Lightning, even if Serah is getting married, doesn't mean that your sister isn't your sister. It means that your family will grow, and the Farron family will rebuild. Someday, you'll probably be an aunt, but if you can't be happy for Serah, will she even want you to be a guardian to her children?" came the honest question.
"I don't want to push her away." Lightning said, eyes watering, as Fang's other arm wrapped around her.
"Hey, plus, you got me, and you got 'Nille. Plus, I love you, Sunshine. It might seem hard now, but we're both here for you, so is Squall, and Rinoa and Hope. You're an incredible woman, and you continue to do amazing things for Bodhum. I'm proud of you, Sunshine." Fang said, leaning to Lightning and kissed her gently as the Sergeant sniffled lightly.
"Thank you both." Lightning admits, the wine in her system had sort of made her a bit more emotional than she had anticipated, and the soldier girl had been slightly embarrassed, but having her girlfriend and awesome honorary uncle in the same room made her feel safe.
"I love you both. I just feel like a fool…" Lightning said weakly before Cid placed a hand on her shoulder.
"And you're not. You're just worried. Plus, you got this great knucklehead to take care of you. So why not live for yourself. Serah matters, but so does Fang. I can see how you look at each other that you two have been through quite a bit together. Keep up that great dynamic." Cid grinned.
"Believe me, I took care of Sunshine the moment she needed a favor, and have been with her ever since. The best thing that ever happened to me." Fang said happily.
"I'm glad you're taking care of her. Lightning, here's a great girl Fang. Also, I'm apparently staying in the guest room tonight, and I'm starting to become exhausted. It might be older, but it is getting late. Serah doesn't want me driving this late either, so I'll be around. You two should probably get some sleep soon too." Cid said, looking from Lightning to Fang.
"I think we're gonna exchange gifts." Fang smiled.
"That'll be nice. I guess I'll be downstairs if you need me. Gonna go grab me something to eat and a nice drink, think the guys were going to watch Blitz." Cid said.
Lightning glanced at her clock, "It's only 8:30 p.m. Who's the guys?" Lightning asked.
"Serah said that Vanille and Hope are staying on one pull out bed, Squall and Rinoa are staying in the other, and I got the guest bedroom. But, I'm watching the game with Snow and Squall as Hope and Vanille are both tuckered out. Apparently, the younger Oerban had a little too much." Cid chuckled as Fang facepalmed.
"Poor 'Nille's gonna feel that tomorrow," Fang sighed.
"Oh boy, is she ever." Lightning sighed.
"Well, you two girls have a good gift exchange. Or come down and watch the game with us. It'll be fun." Cid offered.
"Maybe. You go have fun with the guys."
Lightning watched Cid leave before reaching into her closet for the three wrapped gifts for Fang, only for the other to place three gifts down herself.
Handing Fang one, while Fang gave her one, the two opened their gifts. Fang noticed it was a new jazz record from the jazz artist they always listened to.
"Awesome, can't wait to listen to this one." Fang grinned.
Lightning was looking at the gift she had unwrapped and noticed it was a nice warm blanket.
"I love the blanket. Very soft." Lightning said happily, feeling the wool.
"That material comes from the Gran Pulse's native wild sheep taken care of by the nomad colonies of Archylte Steppe. I thought it was a special blanket, but the fluffy wool is only available whenever it rains there. I got that blanket delivered here just in time for Christmas for you because I wanted you to enjoy a piece of the plains." Fang said happily as Lightning hugged her tightly.
"Well, I love it." Lightning admits, "Next gift, though." Lightning said, placing a box in Fang's hand.
"And this is for you," Fang said, sliding a box into Lightning's arms.
The box was smaller, but Lightning didn't care. It was their first Christmas together after all. Opening the box, she noticed two pieces of paper inside. One had a poem, and the other was a note from Fang, "I'm taking you to get a tattoo and paying for it." Lightning read the one out loud.
"You said to me that you wanted a cool tattoo like I have. So, it's only fair, Sunshine. Just pick a design and tell me when." Fang smiled as Lightning looked, noticing that she had been given a beautiful poem that was framed, written in the Pulsian script. Lightning was just glad she could read it.
Beautiful Mystery, Glorious Sunshine
By: Oerba Yun Fang
I admit I was afraid of love.
However, I welcomed it with time.
Beautiful and radiant like the sun
Mysterious and bright like the moon
She holds herself with the confidence
But holds me close in a sweet embrace
I can't express the words I feel,
But each day I hear her angelic voice
I'm at peace
To look into eyes as blue as the ocean,
I know I found an oasis and paradise so pure
We met and became friends
And I slid you a rose, and you were mine
Together we are a light that shines brightest in the dark
You hold on tight, to which makes me feel strong
When we are sad and low,
Part of me knows how to make you smile
I don't know what'd I'd do without you, but know this
You taught me how to smile once again
And I taught you the same
Together we are happy
And together, you are the wonderful Sunshine of my life.
Lightning read the poem aloud and found tears starting to slide down her face as Fang held her close. "I mean every word. I know I'm not perfect, but just know I'm happy being here with you and just being a part of your life Sunshine." Fang said softly, sliding a hand to the sergeant's face using her thumb to gently wipe a tear that had fallen from the blue eyes looking into her green.
"And I love you being here, Fang." Lightning said before the two shared a kiss, only for Lightning to gently press her chin into Fang's shoulder as Fang held her close. "And I'm not going anywhere. That I can promise you, Sunshine." Fang muttered softly.
"We got two gifts left," Fang said softly. "And those are the bigger gifts." Lightning muttered softly.
"We do. You can't look at the last one," Fang said as she placed the box in Lightning's hand. "Open it, but don't look inside," Fang said gently.
Lightning opened the box but closed her eyes. Fang slid the box out of her hand and opened it, and gently slid something around Lightning's neck as she felt the clasp close.
"Okay, you can open them," Fang said softly as she held a mirror for Lightning.
The sergeant noticed a double heart necklace. The chain was silver, with a small diamond between the two hearts.
"Oh, my gods, it's beautiful." Lightning said.
"I wanted to do something special for you. Call it a foolish romantic gesture," Fang said softly.
"Well, if that's a foolish romantic gesture, you need to see mine." Lightning said, resting against Fang as she slid Fang's box towards herself and opened it and clasped the locket around the other's neck.
"And that one's for you." Lightning said as Fang admired the new locket around her neck.
"A picture of us and the date when we started dating. Very thoughtful, Sunshine." Fang said as the two kissed deeply.
"I had a good Christmas. Thank you, Fang," Lightning rested her eyes against the other.
"And I'm glad you did. I love the gifts you got me, and I hope you like the ones I got you too." Fang said.
"I have been thinking of a tattoo. I'm thinking and leaning toward a rose." Lightning admits.
"Where would you put it anyways? I don't think you'd show it off to people." Fang chuckles.
"Back of my shoulder probably or my wrist, don't think people would care much about a wrist tattoo." Lightning admits, hearing Fang make a noise of pain.
"Back of shoulder is painful, but if anyone can put up with it, I'm sure you could," Fang said, laying back as she heard the guys yelling at the game downstairs.
"Clearly, we aren't missing much." Lightning said as Fang slid her arms around her waist.
"You know, I think today went smoothly, minus my small panic attack." Lightning sighed.
"Well, you're in good company, Sunshine. Just know that I'm happy you are actually growing. Yes, there's gonna be some hard moments, especially when dealing with family, but it's the people who care about you that bring you in. You have me, you have your friend Squall now, you have Serah even if you don't think you do, you have Old Man Highwind, and we won't let you fall. Plus, you know what's the best thing?" Fang said, gently threading her fingers into the pink locks of hair.
"What Fang?" came the curious question.
"That I get to claim you as my own, and that you're my beautiful girlfriend," Fang admits.
"Flattery won't get you bonus points." Lightning grumbled before chuckling.
"You wound me with your words, Farron," Fang said dramatically as Lightning leaned up and pressed her forehead to Fang's.
"Fang, you know I'm joking, right? You get bonus points every day that you make me smile after a long day of work, the fact that you are always here, and the fact that no matter if we're apart, you always seem to reel at the moment and make sure that my day is better. That's above and beyond. If I'm the sun, you're my moon, mysterious, beautiful, and bright." Lightning said, keeping her arms around Fang.
"The two hopeless romantics and their togetherness." Lightning said softly, running a hand along the Oerban's side.
"And how they spent their first Christmas together." Fang completed her sentence.
"Shut up, Fang." Lightning mumbled as Fang chuckled.
"Will you join me for the Guardian Corps/PSICOM ball as my date?" Lightning asked.
"I'd be honored to." Fang smiled happily.
The two just relaxed listening to the jazz record that Lightning had gotten Fang, both cuddled underneath the blanket Fang got Lightning.
The moment felt perfect.
The two were together, and Lightning was just grateful that the Oerban was in her life. Christmas had been one of the loneliest times for the Sergeant, but this year was special.
"Merry Christmas, Fang." Lightning smiled.
"Merry Christmas, Sunshine." Fang smiled back.