Chapter 35 Fang's Poem

Hours later, Lightning clocked out, exhausted from her day at work. After an excellent sparring session (to clear her head from the Raines incident) with Hope and Tidus, Lightning actually felt exhausted. Checking her messages, she realized Fang just got home with Vanille.

Sending Fang a quick message that she'd be there soon, Lightning took a second and walked out towards her car. Once she arrived at her car, she looked in the trunk in her duffle bag of clean clothes, grabbing a blouse, a pair of khakis, and a nice pair of shoes; she would stop and change at the gas station on her way towards Fang's.

She needed to fill her car up, so why not dress nicely before she meets her girlfriend? Plus, she wanted out of her uniform for the day. Removing her pauldron as well as the jacket and her cape, she quickly folded the garments and shoved them into their respected duffle bag.

However, someone was watching her, as Lightning grabbed her gunblade and flicked it open to her unsuspected bystander, and sighed when she realized who it was—her gunblade inches from Hope Estheim's face.

Hope flinched and looked extremely frightened by the assault as he kept his hands raised. "I didn't scare you on purpose! It was an accident, I swear!"

Lightning let out a small groan before lowering her blade and flicking it shut.

Hope laughed nervously, "Sorry if I scared you, Light."

"What are you doing wandering around the parking lot like that, though?"

"I was trying to find you to ask you a question. You seemed extremely nervous, and even your spar today was just off. I wanted to know if you were okay."

Lightning sighed, blue eyes looking into the green. "I'm fine," she lied.

"You might be my Sergeant, but even I can tell you hesitated to answer that question. What happened today?"

"All I can tell you, Hope, is be careful around Cid Raines. He's the guy who came into the office today. I don't know, maybe I'm just overthinking, but he's not the same man I met when I was a Corporal."

Hope looked at Lightning, "You want to elaborate with that?'

"No. Just be careful, I gotta get to Fang's house, and I'm behind schedule."

"Alright, if you say so, wish you'd talk to me more about things, but you know I'm here for you."

"I know that, but right now, I don't want you worrying about me. Nothing personal, but you get home safely and tell your father I said hello."

"Alright. See you, Light. Sorry things aren't going right for you right now."

Lightning hated brushing off Hope at times, but she didn't want to involve him with Raines flirting with her, nor did she want him to worry about her (she was a tough Sergeant, after all). All that mattered to Lightning right now involved going to get her car filled, get changed out of her uniform, and getting to Fang's place in one piece so she could relax.

Halfway to Fang's, Lightning stopped at a gas station, where she got changed out of her uniform, into a nice outfit, and then filled her car. With Snow and Serah out, she'd stay with Fang, and the two would probably go out somewhere or stay in and watch a movie or figure out a fun thing to do; often, a popular activity they'd do was play games and just cuddle.

Fang made Lightning's life a lot better. Eventually, she pulled into the driveway of the Oerban house after the gate slid open. Getting out and locking her car door, Lightning went to the front door and rang the doorbell.

Fang opened the door, still dressed in her work outfit. She smiled, "Looking good, beautiful."

"Thank you, you look great in that uniform. I didn't get to tell you when you brought me lunch."

"Well, after seeing your co-workers, it was probably best you didn't."

"True," Lightning sighed. "So, what's the plan tonight? Vanille still here?"

"Nah, 'Nille went out; she didn't want to stay if we were going to go out."

"Well, what's the plan tonight?"

"I thought we could either go to the bar or well, at the bar, I was thinking open-mic night. Faris is hosting one tonight."

Lightning thinks, "You want to go to Eden tonight?"

"Yeah, it could be fun. Plus, I wanted to enter a small poem into the mix."

"After that poem for Christmas, I'd say go for it, but you sure you want to go to Eden to the bar tonight?"

"Was either that or getting you to dance," Fang grinned, "So I picked the lesser of two evils."

"Lesser of two evils? Really Fang?"

"Yeah, I'm dead serious."

"Alright, fine, let's go to the bar. We can take my car. I could drive if you want me to?"

"Could you drive tonight, Sunshine? I gotta fix a part on my motorcycle anyway. Had a bit of trouble on the way home because some part didn't sound right. "

"Yeah, I can drive tonight, just please don't get wasted tonight, Fang."

"Scout's honor Sunshine. It's not like I'm going to a bachelor party, we're going on a date, and we're going to be in public with Faris and the others. Plus, it'll be nice just to stay in, relax, enjoy some food and company, and then listen to singers and poets?"

"True. Let me at least move my gunblade and work stuff into the garage, and then we'll head out."

Lightning went outside and opened the garage.

Fang helped her carry some things out of her car into the garage.

Only taking her trusty survival knife (just in case), the two got in the car, and Lightning started to drive once they were out the gate.

Fang switched some jazz music, as Lightning focused on driving. Though it was a long drive, it made up for the long day both had. Fang started telling stories about patrons at the bar, while Lightning would laugh and tell Fang about her spar against Hope and Tidus.

"And then this girl just stumbled into Yuj, causing him to drop an entire tray of plates! Lebreau was not happy, and that girl is working for her to compensate, but it's nice having an extra pair of hands around the bar, though."

"So, Serah and Snow had a successful meeting at counseling. I got the message from Serah while I was finishing my shift, so that's actually good. He wants to do better for her, something no one was certain he'd do."

"That's actually really good. I need to talk to Snow actually about something."

"You do?"

"Yep. It's just an important thing that Snow and I talked about before, but I don't know."

"You want to elaborate, Fang?"

"It's nothing to concern yourself with Sunshine. Just a thing I need him for, nothing major."

"Oh. Well, you know you can talk to me about anything, though. Right, Fang?"

"I know that, Sunshine, but if I asked you, then I'd have to erase your memory or something; don't trouble yourself there."

Lightning shrugged, "Alright if you say so."

Eventually, the two made it to the Pirate's Treasure, where Lightning parked in the lot. Fang was out of the car and went to her side and opened the door for Lightning. She extended a hand for the soldier once she was out of her car seat.

Walking together through the lot, Lightning and Fang noticed the bikers relaxing in their usual spot next to the wall, couples walking in holding hands, and Locke exiting carrying bags full of trash.

As Locke finished tossing the trash bags, he noticed the couple, "Hey lassies! Nice to see both of ye; Lightning, Fang, both looking sharp if I may. Both looking extremely beautiful, so I'm guessing you both are on a date night?"

"You're right!" Lightning responded.

Fang chuckled, "And to check out open mic night tonight. We're gonna try and get this one doing something," Fang held Lightning's hand up with hers.

"Yeah, right, Fang, you won't get me to perform. Plus, I don't like performing in front of crowds."

"Even if I was up there with you?"

"Even then."

"You're no fun. Come on, please, Sunshine?"

Locke listened to the two banter and chuckled, "Well, guess who's in tonight who wasn't here the last visit?"

"Lenna's here?!"

"Yes, the lass is here tonight with her boyfriend Bartz," Locke said, pulling out a box of cigarettes and lit one, "I'll be in there soon. Just taking a smoke break."

"Alright, we'll see you later, Locke. We need to go say hello to Lenna."

As the two entered the bar, Lightning and Fang took a seat as Celes was first to greet the two.

Farris quickly passed with a tray of drinks.

A girl and boy sat together. The girl was dressed in a loose-fitting orange traveling dress, a scarf hanging from her belt, with fringy blonde hair pulled up with gold clips. The weapon she had on her back was a bow. However, the boy was wearing a blue tunic, white shirt, and trousers, with a red cape. He had a red sword, at his hip in its sheath, and ran a hand through his pale brown hair as he laughed at some joke the girl told him. However, the girl pointed towards Lightning and Fang. Lightning gave a look of confusion, and before she could say something to Fang, the Oerban was up and walked towards the couple.

"LENNA!"

"Oh my god, Fang! Long time no see! Faris told me you were here when I was sick! It's not to see you! Saw you come in with someone."

"Yeah, that's my girlfriend, Sunshine come over here!"

Lightning stood up and went towards Fang and the girl known as Lenna. Fang placed an arm around her shoulder, "Sunshine, this is Lenna and her boyfriend, Bartz. These two are pretty epic, and I really hope you end up liking them too."

Lightning smiled, "Nice to meet you. I'm Fang's girlfriend Lightning, Farron."

"Heard about you. Your father was that famous war hero Caspian Farron. Sorry for your losses," Lenna said apologetically, while Bartz looked down; he reminded her of Hope, sort of shy, goofy almost (at least it was her first impression).

"Pleased to meet you, Lightning. I'm Bartz."

"Nice to meet you too, Bartz. Sorry, I'm still getting used to the people my girlfriend hung out with before my time."

Fang chuckled, "Well, I'm doing a thing for the open-mic night tonight."

"Nice Fang. Cannot wait to see what you do. Don't forget to do the sign-up sheet for it; you're free to sit with us if you guys want to." Lenna said.

Eventually, the two groups stopped talking as Faris made her way towards Fang and Lightning, "Fang, Lightning, welcome back. You're both finely dressed, so I'm guessing this is a date. Can I get you two started with anything?"

"I'll take a Golden Chocobo, Sunshine, and you?"

"I'll take a Besaid Island (white rum, watermelon liqueur, and lime) tonight. Can we get an order of crab cakes and the order of shrimp too?"

"Yeah, I'll get those put in for both of you. Just sit back and relax. Also, any sign-ups for the open-mic?"

"Gimme that list, Faris," Fang smirked.

Lightning sighed, watching as Fang scribbled her name down.

"I was going to ask Sunshine to do something, but I don't want her to get even shyer than she already is when it comes to doing new things. Not that she's boring, but I think she could perform tonight too. She's just choosing not to."

Lightning rolled her eyes slightly at Fang's banter. "I'm not humoring you if you keep acting like that."

Fang started to laugh, "Yeah, but you love me when I do the unexpected. Plus, I'm a sweetheart when it comes to you. I bring you lunches, I humor you, and I give you all the love, and you think I'm going to do something foolish by signing up for a spot. If you're so dry, why don't you humor me and sign up yourself, Sunshine?"

Lightning sighed, "I refuse, now please stop trying to get me to do it."

Faris grinned, "I think you should humor her lass; you'd be surprised how many couples enjoy doing open-mic night together."

Lightning looked into hurt emerald eyes, "Alright, give me the damned pen. I can do a poem."

"A poem? I'd love to see Sunshine. Good on you for humoring me."

The soldier girl grumbled slightly as Faris chuckled, "You two are too cute, honestly. Brings a tear to my eye. Lenna, you need anything else?"

"Uh, can you get us another order of pirate's bounty? We're really enjoying the fresh catch of the day, the fried oyster and eels, with the calamari."

"Yeah, I can get another order placed for you guys."

The four sat and talked until Faris took a stand on the stage in the center of the bar,

"Alright, lass and lassies, we're about to get this show started. Several of ye have signed up, and several of ye are performing tonight! We're excited for the 5th annual open-mic night, and we're excited to see what ye can do. Impress us, make us laugh, make us cry, the stage is yours, and we're ready for what you can do."

The group to perform was a group of SeeDs that Lightning recognized from Squall. The group was Selphie, Quistis, Irvine, and Zell performing an Irish Jig before the group played a song called Eyes on Me, which surprisingly caused Lightning to think of Squall and Rinoa as Fang noticed her smiling.

The two enjoyed some of their food and drinks as groups and different people performed. Poetry dedicated to lovers, and poems for friends and people who wanted love, there were many nice words during the night.

However, when it came to Fang's turn, Lightning watched as the Oerban got on stage with such confidence.

Fang took a breath, "This poem is for the love of my life, she's in attendance tonight, and I hope she enjoys this poem. She's been with me for many months, and I'm delighted with where I am in my life because every day she makes life better."

Lightning felt color creep along her cheeks.

Fang took a seat on a stood, where she took a breath. Faris, Celes, Locke, and even Lenna noticed Lightning blush as the Oerban smiled; people watched Fang wondering what she'd say. However, Lightning was surprised to hear a poem from Fang.

"You are always on my mind, your love makes me blind, you are my eternal sunshine. I hope you'll forever be mine. Without our love combined, everything is in reach. Seeing the sun go under at the beach, words cannot express what I felt when you said 'yes.' Being with you makes everything so futile; I cannot resist your beautiful smile. You are my sweetheart day by day; I hope you never go away. This gift is for you; I hope you will like it, hoping to capture your heart, bit by bit; I look forward to our next moment together, with you, life cannot become any better."

Lightning blushed deeper as people applauded, as Fang looked at Lightning as she moved closer, "Come up here, Sunshine."

The soldier eventually was up on stage as Fang wrapped her arms around her and hugged Lightning tight as the tears started to drip down her face, lips slowly pecked her forehead and then her lips gently earning a round of applause from the audience. "I love you, Sunshine."

"Love you too."

Faris smiled, "Alright, your turn, lass. You were right after Fang."

Lightning sighed, still staying close to Fang, "Stay up here with me, please?"

"Alright, Sunshine."

Lightning felt her heart thudding hard in her chest as people watched the couple.

"Come on, get on with it!" someone yelled.

Lightning felt her lip tremble slightly as Fang looked into her dazzling blue eyes. "I'm right here, Sunshine. Breath in, breath out, you're gonna be fine."

Taking Fang's advice, Lightning took a breath.

"This poem is for Fang. I don't usually do stuff like this, but I hope she likes it…"

Taking another breath, Lightning struggled with her first word, "I f-felt."

"Sunshine, eyes on me if you need to. It's alright."

Keeping her eyes focused on the emerald hues, with another breath escaping her throat, Lightning nodded.

"I felt the urge to put my feelings in writing because when I met you, I was struck by lightning. Fang, my dear sweetheart, I felt like my life did just start. Fang, you are unbelievably beautiful; not having met you earlier makes me feel like a fool. The moment I saw you, my heart was sold; I felt energized as if struck by one thousand volt. Fang, you mean so much to me; with you, I really feel free, my love is so strong it makes me fly, I love you immensely that I cannot deny. All of you is what I need; together, we will succeed; I look forward to our next moment together; with you, life cannot become any better."

Fang wrapped her arms around Lightning tighter and kissed her, "I knew you had it in you. No need to be fearful because it was a good poem. I love you, I loved the poem, and I'm happy you're in my life too, Sunshine."

There were applauds as the two took their seats once more, "Wow, look at both of you writing lovey dovely poetry for each other. That was amazing. You both had great poems. I'm surprised ye lasses did amazing." Faris smiled.

"Thank you," Lightning and Fang both responded.

Enjoying a few more drinks and the rest of their food, Lightning and Fang enjoyed the rest of the open-mic night and was surprised by several performances. However, they just wanted the rest of their night until they had to go home after saying goodbye to Celes, Faris, Lenna, Locke, and Bartz.

Driving them home, Fang focused on the road, "I'm surprised you could write such a nice poem, Sunshine."

"Well, after hearing your poetry, I picked up a few pointers along the way. I loved your poem, Fang."

"And I loved yours, just as much as I love you too, Sunshine."

As Fang drove the two to her house, it felt like a newfound attraction as the two got into the house. After removing their shoes at the door, Lightning found herself against the wall with Fang kissing her passionately; it felt slightly heavier than usual. With their lips locked in a passionate kiss, Lightning found herself trying to pull away from a breath as Fang took the hint.

Though it was a step further than she had liked, Fang pulled away as both breathed. "You okay, Sunshine?"

There was a sudden shyness for the soldier, but she nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine. Just caught off guard."

Fang took it as a second to continue kissing Lightning, only to notice that the pinkette was slowly starting to go off into the danger zone as she stayed against the wall, unwavering to the Oerban.

Lightning found herself starting to lose herself in the other's kisses. However, there was a feeling of anxiety, starting to slowly form.

Fang smiled as she kissed the pulse point of Lightning's throat, which only caused the soldier to falter slightly, her hands threading into Fang's wavy hair.

However, to keep from losing control, Lightning slowly pushed Fang off her.

Fang noticed the nervousness in the blue eyes looking into hers, "I'm sorry if I made you nervous."

"It's fine, Fang. Just if you kept that up, I was more afraid of going into the point of no return. I sort of like froze up."

"I felt you go tense before you pushed me away. I should've got the hint, but sorry, Sunshine."

Lightning took a second, as she put a hand to Fang's face, "It's alright. I love you. I'm sorry I cannot do that yet because I want our time to be special."

"And it will, if you aren't ready now, I'll wait longer. I'll wait until you say. I can also tell you're hesitating because you're getting tired."

"After a long day of work, my nerves are shot. I do need some sleep."

"Can I carry you?"

"Please."

Fang smiled carefully, picking Lightning up bridal style carrying her up the stairs to the bedroom, as the soldier took a second, going into Fang's closet and grabbing a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. Lightning took a second, went into the restroom, and changed as Fang changed in her own room.

When they were changed, Lightning closed the curtains over the windows before getting in her side of the bed. She had turned the lamp on for Fang.

Fang took a second, turning off all the lights and making sure the house was locked. Eventually, she found herself in bed next to Lightning and pulled the pink-haired soldier closer to her. The two shared a kiss before the lamp turned off, and the two got much-needed sleep.