Together Forever
A/N: Kind of a different take on Lightning Returns ending. Bittersweet with the fact that everyone she knew is long dead at some point. Happy because she found love and a new family but never forgetting her old ones.
/
Together Forever
/
She hates her new life – kind of... Maybe?
Hope's here and he's the best partner and lover she can ask for. He's attentive, kind, and knows how to calm her. And by Cosmogenesis he's an Angel – Pun intended.
He kisses the top of her head, his lips divine and soothing. She hears a distinct 'Uno' a few feet away. And she's back in the nightmare... Ugh...! She can see hundreds of Yeul's gathered in her apartment – the inside bigger than the outside she calls it not knowing if she's made it up or heard it somewhere.
Shaking her head minutely she sees six-seven Yeul's gathered around a coffee table playing cards. She sees a few of them watching Television (Technically a mirror connecting to the New World.) and they are addicted to Telenovelas? Whatever that is... She spies the Yeulettes a K-pop group dancing on the second floor to music.
There's a Yeul sitting infront of a canvas painting an Imp, the poor creature looking scared if nothing else. A Yeul playing on a Handheld Game Console she materialized. She snorts in delight (The reason why she tolerates all of this) seeing a bunch of Yeul's put makeup on Caius.
The poor Bodyguard looks annoyed if anything else as she waves at him. A cruel and utterly sickening smile on her face. They've become acquaintances of sort.
They still weren't on the best of terms... She still would've preferred him to not be here but Yeul did have a convincing puppy pout. Ignoring Caius' glare, she turns back to the kitchen where Hope's wearing an apron and his students taking notes as he teaches them how to cook. The scene is hilarious as the Yeul's are dressed head to toe in chef outfits (Even the hats) all diligently listening to the once leader of Humanity making mac and cheese.
-/-
"Sorry..."
She hears him mutter as he sits upright in their bed; he's sitting on the edge of the bed his hands clasped together as he tries to calm his nerves.
She grits her teeth in frustration – She's a goddamn Goddess and there's nothing she can do... She's tried to suppress his memories the best she can, but it always ends up resurfacing. One night while lying in bed she hears Hope hypothesize that those 169 years... is a mark Bhunivelze burned into him...
It's a brand that he doubts will ever go away.
Her hands entwine around him while her lips kiss the back of his neck. Her tough is warm – soothing even. They say nothing as Light pulls him back unto their bed and begins her nightly ritual of worshipping him.
He hates it...!
Hates himself for enjoying it...!
Hates that he doesn't stop it...!
He doesn't even know if it's him or a piece of Bhunivelze that relishes in it...
"I don't care Hope." Her lips trail his cheek, eyes full of love locked on his own, "We're partners right? If you're suffering I wanna help." Trailing further down her lips stops at his chest, more specifically a stab mark.
"Does it hurt?" She asks, kissing it gently. It's the mark she gave him when she stabbed Bhunivelze.
"Only when I think about it..."
"...Sorry... If I hadn't left you all alone you never would've suffered like this."
"Stop that, Light." His hand cups her cheek as she leans into it, "You had to keep Serah's soul safe. We all had stuff we needed to do so don't blame yourself."
He smiles at her and she wonders how she's ever gotten so lucky to have met him. Regardless of his words she still admonishes herself. She pushes him back against the mattress as her buttoned-up shirt disappears in particles of Chaos. It's not long before the two of them drown in a wave of animalistic urges and utter bliss.
They have no idea how much time has passed the only thing they know is that their cravings for one another is insatiable. Its not long after that they end up in their shower. There Hope shoves her up against the shower door as his lips attack her own; their breaths a cacophony of moans and worship of each other.
her body is hot and tingling as she orgasms against his mouth. Contentment washes over her as he releases inside her. Their chests move rhythmically as they regain their composure. She wraps her arms around him as well as her legs and asks if he can carry her to the bed on account of her legs feeling numb. Smiling against her skin he nods as he steps out the shower as a towel materializes on his lower body.
He keeps forgetting that she's a Goddess and that everything around her is Chaos in and of itself.
She's already asleep and he's left with a conundrum – how to dislodge himself from her without waking her up.
-/-
Hope is behind her, arms wrapped around her as another one is buried... Not because something went wrong but because life always needs to end.
They are standing in a family bedroom – her sister's bedroom... Both Hope and herself are swathed in Chaos; their forms looking out of touch from the rest of reality.
"How are you holding up...?" She hears her husband's voice, as his arms tighten around her.
She squeezes his palm as she looks at the old woman on the bed infront of her. Around them, she can hear voices of unknown people most with blonde hair and rosette colors. She can hear the children outside and she spots the newest addition to the family a girl eight years old running with balloons.
"Claire, get over here young lady!"
She smiles sadly as she feels Chaos swirling around the bed. And she can see the exact moment the person on the bed sees her... Time has stopped because she's willed it and because they are at the brink of Death – her domain.
"Claire..."
"Hey," She smiles as she kneels beside the bed, "I... I was always watching." She takes the woman on the bed's hand in hers. Behind her, Hope smiles sadly waving at the person on the bed.
"Thanks for watching over us."
Tears are threatening to spill until she feels a hand on her shoulder. And looking back he simply nods a sad smile on his face. And then, she's breaking down squeezing the hand in her hold gently but with emotion. The last time she's broken down like this was when her mother and father died in that car crash all those thousands and thousands of years ago.
"Snow told me he was happy..." She sniffles, looking at her younger sister with tears and snot, "Before he died, he told me you made him so happy. Made him the luckiest man alive."
"Also, he told us that we had to give you this." Hope chimes in, smiling as he places the locket in her hands, "It's so he can find you again in the next life."
"...Thank you..." And then she sees the rings on both Hope and Claire's hands, "Are you two married?"
"Yeah... The Yeul's went overboard with the planning. We had over a hundred flower girls and bridesmaids." He said, scratching his chin, "Poor Caius was adorned in flowers and makeup."
Laughter, gentle and serene laughter fills the timeless space. Taking Claire's hand, she tells her big sister that she's happy Claire found happiness.
"I'm so happy..." Her eyes close shut as a smile paints her features. Lightning knows she's gone, can already feel her distinct Chaos heading back to the Unseen Realm.
"Bye Serah..."
Time returns to normal as she sees the people around her break into a panic. She can see a few of them crying and holding each other as grief fills the room. She stands up as people run through her some shivering as they are suddenly overcome with a chill.
She embraces Hope letting out all her tears as she imagines that this is how he felt when his parents died in that plane crash. He holds her close as he rubs her back and offers her kisses on her forehead to calm her down.
She takes a few minutes, and they vanish in a wisp of Chaos.
-/-
"You really going?"
"The Yeul's have decided to venture to other Universes." Caius answers, grumbling to himself as a cheerful Yeul hangs from his arm, "As their Guardian I have to accompany them."
"Are you all sure you wanna go?" Hope asks, smiling as he ruffles a Yeul's hair, "You'll all be travelling with Mister Grumpy."
Some of them try and fail to hide their giggles. Caius not so subtly trying to hide his killing intent. Raising his hands in an apologetic manner Hope feels a tug on his leg. Looking down Hope comes face-to-face with his daughter; Emerald-green eyes and locks of pink with a nervous smile. Kneeling down he picks her up as some of the Yeul's coo as they smile at her.
She giggles as the Yeul's poke her cheeks and falls inlove with her cuteness all over again. Smiling as the Yeul's fawned over Faith he still couldn't believe theat this was his and Light's daughter.
It's one morning when Light runs to the bathroom and empties out her stomach. Only to realize a few days later that she's pregnant. The two of them are both excited and nervous at the prospect.
And then she's born a cute, pudgy baby girl that wails as Yeul hands her over to Lightning. Hope leans down as Lightning marvels at the sight of their daughter – Faith Farron Estheim. The first Demigod to be born in Chaos.
And that's because she's Half-human and the daughter of The Goddess of Death she grows up perfectly normal. Her growth is abnormal for a human but that probably has to do with her Divinity. Most importantly she's unaffected by the Chaos' nature of erasing time, which means the house nestled in the Unseen Realm sees forward to birthdays every year.
Her hair turns a shade white as her eyes adopt her mother's ocean blue. And she's her mother to a tee; serious and wholly overprotective.
"Faith, I still need to braid your hair."
"I dun wanna!"
Rather than scolding her daughter, she joins her husband as she coos at the bundle of joy in her arms. A group of Yeul's gather around Lightning as they squeal over the baby; Lightning and Hope's second child – Clarissa.
"Won't you all stay a bit longer?" She asks, as a few Yeul's hug her and offers her goodbyes.
"We have decided on this long-ago Lightning. We will never forget your kindness and the time we spent with you and Hope. Neither will we forget Faith and Serah."
"For so long we've lived as the Seeress now it's time we find our own way. We hope you understand."
"Of course, I do." Light answers, smiling minutely, "I'll keep the Chaos here with us so go and live freely."
"Warrior Goddess." Caius said, walking up to Lightning, "It was an honor to have shared a battlefield with you."
"You really are one awkward Human being." Hope muttered, smiling, "Make sure you girls find him a wife, kay?"
"Hell yeah!" An excited Yeul exclaimed gleefully, high-fiving Hope.
"We'll find him a real looker!"
"Don't worry we'll get him, someone."
Caius looked mortified as the Yeul's gossiped amongst each other. Their conversations up to the imagination. Hope and the Yeul that high-fived him burst into laughter as Caius turned a deep shade of red.
"Time for us to depart!" Caius hastily yelled as they all hugged one last time. Lifting up her hand Lightning made a fissure between the Chaos and soon they were waving each other goodbye. When Lightning confirmed they were out of the reach of Chaos she closed the fissure.
"Daddy, where did they go?"
"On an adventure, honey. Don't worry we'll see them again."
"Can you take Clarissa? I still need to fix up Faith's hair."
"Anytime, Honey."
-/-
"Don't you hate me?"
She asks him one day, bodies intertwined as their clothes are scattered on the ground. He cups her cheek all while kissing her. Their lips untangle with a line of saliva as he pulls her closer.
"What's bothering you Light?"
Kissing her forehead, he threads his fingers with her own as he can see her deep in thought. He can clearly tell that she's worried about what's on her mind. He smiles kissing her brow assuaging her turmoil of thoughts.
"You're trapped here with me... Faith and Clarissa the both of them aren't tied by the rules of the Unseen Realm like me." Her hands clasp his own as she stares at the ground, "I'm happy for them, truly I am but what about you? You're staying here for me to keep me company for an eternity."
"Is that what's got you so stressed this past few days?"
She nods, looking like a scared kid.
"You're an idiot." He flicks her forehead, "What if I want to stay? Light, you make me happy, and I love being here with you." He pecks her nose with his lips as she jolts from the kiss, "So, stop being an idiot, and let's go have breakfast."
She smiles to herself as Hope pulls her by hand to the kitchen. She's naked and Hope's wearing boxers. And that's how they walk in with Faith and Clarissa lounging on the couch spitting out their sodas.
"I'm blind! Aaaaah!" Faith yelled, covering her eyes.
"Mom, dad get dressed!" Clarissa demands, turning away from the kitchen.
Clarissa yells as she covers her eyes while her cheeks turn the same shade as her hair. Her glasses are pushed up as her Emerald-eyes stare at the ceiling. Clothing materializes on both Hope and Lightning as she takes note of Clarissa's increasing resemblance to Lumina.
Humming to herself she sees Hope walk past her, not before kissing the top of her head and joining the girls on the couch. And as they fall into a comfortable silence, she all for a second imagines Serah hugging her from behind like they used to do after their parents' death.
"You see, you're not alone, not anymore."
She smiles at her sister's words and hums to herself as she sees her two daughters fighting over the remote. Hope is in the crossfire as they try to win him over to their side.
Its not long before she joins them and teleports the remote in her hands telling them they are watching what she's gonna watch. Hope snickers beside her as Faith and Clarissa glared at their mother.
Lying with her head on Hope's shoulder she's oddly content as she fails to notice a group of souls gathered in the kitchen watching over them. Then they disappear in a swirl of Chaos going to be reborn in the New World.
/
Largely inspired by Eternal Guilt written by GuiltyKingOumaShu – a literal God in writing and captivating audiences. He's not as active as much but he will still be a legend in the Guilty Crown Fandom.
This story went all over the place and someone could've written it far better than me, but I digress. I really hope you all enjoy this fluff and sad bomb.
-Darcest_Light-