(AN – Yeah yeah, I know. In before the "Oh SHIT I need to read this from the beginning to remember what the hell it's about!" in the comments section)

Lightning sat in the seat at the bridal store in Academia, looking increasingly uncomfortable. Fang fidgeted next to her and felt out of place with the opulent surroundings. Serah had told them this was formerly the best boutique in Eden, and had re-established themselves at the base of the pillar after the Fall. Still, while neither thought they could afford anything in here, the owner was practically falling over herself offering whatever she could for the saviours of Eden.

"What do you think of this one, Claire?" Serah asked as a hologram of an elegant white dress covered in crystal appeared in front of them. Lightning grimaced and Fang stifled a sneer.

"That's a bit... On the nose, don't you think?" Fang commented, scratching at her neck awkwardly. Lightning nodded with a hum and folded her arms, trying to press herself as far back into the couch as she could.

"I know what you're trying to get at, but maybe it's not the most... appropriate concept?" Lightning offered more diplomatically. The designer tilted her head in confusion and Lightning sighed. "Given that Fang spent the first five hundred years in crystal stasis, and then I waited another almost four after the Fall for her to wake up with Vanille, I don't think either of us would want to be reminded of that on a wedding day."

The designer paled and her hand shot to her mouth, mortified. "Oh my god I didn't even think. I am so sorry. Let me go through the catalogues and find something else." She hurried off to the desk to start flipping through files while Serah pinched the bridge of her nose in exasperation.

"Honestly the two of you couldn't be making this process more difficult if you tried."

Fang gave the younger Farron a glare and pulled Lightning into her arms on the couch in an almost defensive gesture. "We aren't trying to be offensive with our choice of outfit by saying hey you've spent half a millennium in crystal, what's one more day matter?"

Serah glanced at her sister to see if she would chime in to calm Fang down before she turned into Ragnarok and laid waste to the dresses. Lightning shrugged and toyed with her nails, snuggling into Fang's side. "Sorry, Serah. I'm not exactly the type to go for... extravagance. I don't know if I even want to do all... This."

Fang shot her a panicked look, the distress clearly evident. "Y-you don't?" She asked with a pout. Lightning leant up and cupped her face, kissing her gently in a rare display of public affection.

"I meant this kind of affair. I still very much want to marry you, Oerba Yun Fang."

Beaming happily, Fang nuzzled against Lightning's neck, keeping the soldier as a shield between Serah and herself. She realised the designer was watching them and sat up a little straighter as she approached. The woman paced back and forth, looking like she was about to ask a question, but was obviously hesitant given the unintentional offence earlier. "Out with it, miss. You're making me nervous just looking at you flittering about." Fang drawled, flinching as Lightning smacked her on the stomach.

"It's... Well. I apologise. I have been going about this all wrong. If I may ask, Miss Yun, Miss Farron, what do you both have planned for the actual ceremony?"

Serah snorted and rolled her eyes, leaning back on the seat. "Good luck. If they cant decide on a dress.."

"Well that's my point," the designer replied, adjusting her glasses as she took a seat across from them. "If you don't know what sort of ceremony you want to have, you couldn't possibly pick anything to wear for it. A beach wedding? Need something that wont trail in the sand. Up on the bluffs? It can get windy so nothing that will have you constantly adjusting. In one of the old temples? You'll likely want something more conservative. Though given it's likely the first wedding of its kind, I would gather you would both want to amalgamate the known wedding traditions with something more Pulsian in origin."

Fang's eyebrows rose and she glanced at Lightning, whose confused expression likely mirrored her own. "That's... Surprisingly insightful."

"Yes well I am the best for a reason, when I'm not being unintentionally offensive of course."

"Fair point." Fang relented, scratching nervously at her neck. "We uh, haven't really discussed it." She admitted reluctantly.

The planner sat down and pulled out a datapad to start taking notes. "Tell me of your marriage rituals, Miss Yun."

Fang rubbed at her neck and looked around the shop. "Well it's certainly not as... showy. Joining rites are generally private, maybe a few family, maybe. They're held on sacred sites, that hold meaning to the clan. Traditional clan wear, maybe slightly more adorned and formal than what I run around in. There is a hunt together, if one party is injured the other must be wounded in the same place."

The designer fidgeted with her hands and nodded. "Hm yes it sounds very... romantic. And visceral." She answered carefully. Lightning hummed and put her arms around Fang's neck, kissing her softly.

"It sounds perfect, my love."

Fang's expression brightened and she gave a hopeful smile. The warm hues from the hologram illuminated Lightning's face, and she imagined what it would be like to be sitting by the fire, newly joined. "R..really? You mean it?" She asked quietly, getting a soft nod in response. The pair ignored the designer and Serah a moment, Lightning brushing her thumbs over the back of Fang's knuckles.

"Really. I want you, I want our happy family. We fought the world and won. Nothing would make me happier than to hunt with you for our joining. E hiera ra."

A soft gasp came from Fang's lips and she teared up. "You've... been practicing." She whispered.

Serah watched her sister look so happy, so at peace, and it gave her an idea. "Claire, do you trust me?" she asked quietly, prepared for Fang's constant rebuttals. But the look she was given from both of them held a surprising amount of trust. When Lightning nodded, and went back to focusing on Fang, Serah turned and regarded the designer. "I'll need to make a call, but I think we can find something that will work perfectly."

Lightning let out a grunt as she rolled out of the way of the clawed foot, narrowly avoiding being gored. She whipped her blade around to startle the monstrous Rakshasa, if only to put some distance between them. "So, let me... Get this straight." She panted, watching as Fang rushed in and swung at the large bird with her lance. "We... wear Pulsian attire, go and find the... biggest.. nastiest thing on the steppe... and try not to die... in the process... as part of a wedding rite?"

"Pretty much!" Fang answered, pulling Lightning to her feet and giving her a concerned look. "Why? Not having a good time, sweetheart?" She gave a startled yelp when Lightning grabbed her by the sari and pulled her in for a quick but passionate kiss.

"No. I'm having the best time." The pinkette answered, feeling the familiar strain of abused muscles from the heat of battle. She was very much out of practice, so was leaving much of the heavy lifting to Fang, so to speak, but with the adrenaline pumping through her system it was very hard to ignore the thrill. Of course, try as she might, seeing her soon-to-be wife in her prime, in her element, was very much something that stirred more than a thrill within her. Perhaps it was a good thing that she would become a Pulsian by way of a technicality. Local Cocoonians would be positively aghast at the battle lust they both displayed.

They worked in perfect tandem, as they always had, to bring the Rakshasa to its end, with a final blow from Fang's lance signalling their victory. Lightning almost collapsed from relief and exhaustion, but found Fang's strong hands -albeit trembling slightly from the exertion- pulling her in for another heated kiss.

"Feel like blowing off the rest of the proceedings and finding somewhere private?" Fang purred in her ear, kissing down her neck. Lightning ran her hands through the wild dark hair and laughed, grimacing as her hands came away slick with sweat.

"Not until a shower at least, thank you. You smell."

"So do you." Fang didn't stop with her attention, opting to pull her in closer. A shrill whistle from across the steppe didn't deter her, even when Lightning reminded her they were being watched. "Let them watch. I know how to give the audience a show…"

"Fang.." Lightning warned a little more firmly, finally breaking away. The earnest pout was almost enough to break her resolve but she held firm. "I don't want to do this again any time soon, I'm out of practice. So should we.. oh I don't know… Continue the whole reason we're out here in the first place?"

Sighing dramatically, Fang picked up her lance and gave Lightning a wink as she folded it up. The sun was setting over the mountain range in the distance, and it gave Lightning's hair a fiery glow that Fang always adored. She looked like a goddess to be reckoned with, and Fang was completely fine with that. She could love a goddess. She could marry a goddess. Today, watching the way they fought together, looking at her0-now… There was no 'could' about it. She was marrying a goddess.

Offering up her arm with a smile, Fang gave one final kiss to Lightning's forehead and nodded in the direction of their spectators. "Destiny awaits, my love." She uttered quietly, trying to ignore the sudden onslaught of nerves taking root in her stomach. Lightning took her arm with a smile and together they headed back in the direction of the awaiting vehicle to take them to Oerba.

"Serah and Vanille have been gone for two weeks, what do you think they've been doing up here?" Lightning asked. For the most part, Oerba had been left alone as promised, but Fang and Vanille had allowed it to be used as a joint outpost for the Guardian Corps and the hunting clans from Cal'Mah. They had promised to clear out for the affair, which made them both a little more comfortable. Far be it for either of them to have to tolerate gawkers.

Fang snorted and rolled her eyes, glancing towards the waving excitable demons in question as they approached the vehicle. "With those two working together, who bloody knows." She drawled, returning a lazy wave of her own. "You'll be happy to note that a shower is very much on the list of proceedings when we get to Oerba, but it'll be in separate areas. I'll get the family home, you'll end up in one of the hab units that's been rebuilt."

"Ah, at least some traditions carry over." Lightning hummed, giving her sister a smile. "So no seeing the bride before the wedding, huh?"

"Wow I know I shouldn't be saying but… I've missed seeing the two of you in action." Vanille called out, jogging over and taking their weapons from them. "I'll get these cleaned for you, into the transport you go thanks! Busy day ahead."

"No rest for the wicked, huh?" Fang eased into the car with a groan and sagged into the seat. "I'm beginning to worry that I'm getting too old for this shit."

"Oh fuck off, you're younger than me by a technicality." Lightning smacked her as she climbed in beside her. "Twenty-three is ancient by Pulsian standards?"

"If you count the five centuries on the back of that." Vanille chimed in as she sat in the driver's seat. "Come on, buckle up, Ge'mma."

"Did you just call me-"

Lightning wearily put her seatbelt on and then tugged at Fang's for her while the two Pulsians bickered. She wondered where Zora was, if the family was all here. Probably having the time of her life with her uncle Snow back at the village or getting doted on by whoever else had come along to this event.

The ride to Oerba was quiet, with Lightning content to rest against Fang while the other two quietly schemed in the front seat. The thought crossed her mind more than once about how appropriate it would be to have a nap before the ceremony. "Going to have to up my game with an exercise routine. I'm out of practice." She said quietly, nuzzling into Fang's shoulder. When Fang didn't respond, Lightning had thought she'd already fallen asleep but looking up instead found a strange, confused expression on her face. Like a small lost child. "Fang?"

Vanille's eyes darted up in the mirror, and they were lined with tears. "I've been working around the clock to make everything perfect." She whispered quietly, pulling over on the outskirts of the village. Lightning's breath caught in her throat and she shot out of the car as fast as Fang did. Admittedly neither of them had been up this way since Lightning first came to collect Fang a few years ago, so hadn't gotten the chance to see the work done.

The crystal dust that choked the landscape had been entirely cleared away, the hills surrounding the lake village now filled with flowers. Roads repaired, buildings repainted. And with the tell-tale signs of Pulsian decorations hanging from the lamp posts, it felt like Fang had come home. Vanille slipped her hand into hers briefly, resting her head on her shoulder. "Wo'r hom, Fang. Wo mád et."

Fang could only nod, emotional, holding onto Vanille's hand like a lifeline. "Did... Did you and Serah...?"

Vanille laughed quietly, giving her shoulder a gentle headbutt. "Gods no, we're not that talented. This is the work that the clans from Cal'Mah have been doing with the Guardian Corps here. All the more reason why this place is perfect for today. They've also been helping us set up, making sure we've got everything we need. Come on. Let's get into the village and get you both ready. I love you, Fang... But you are in desperate need of a shower before anything else."

"Alright alright. I can take a hint." Fang straightened and reached for Lightning, taking her hand. "Walk with me, Mehn Hiera." She said softly, meaning every bit of it. Her heart. Her soul. Her everything. Her heart still fluttered and she felt giddy with every smile, every touch, and today was no exception. They chose to walk the rest of the way in so they could see the work done with the village, Vanille pointing out where the flower garlands and flags were hung for their wedding day.

"Wasn't this meant to be a small affair?" Lightning whispered to Fang, their eyebrows collectively rising at the tables set up in the main courtyard. Already familiar faces were milling about, helping get food prepared, ice in buckets, wood for bonfires for after the sun sets.

"The ceremony is for immediate family only, though family does take on a different meaning for us I think." Serah nodded towards a small group helping carry some boxes across the courtyard, and waved at the welcomed faces of Snow, Sazh and Hope as they pitched in to help. "Khosrow is officiating, then when it's all done we all come back up here and then really get the party started."

Lightning looked around and swallowed hard. It made it all real. She shouldn't feel nervous and yet... "So... This is where we part ways, I gather?" She asked softly, and the others nodded. Sparing a lingering look at Fang, she shivered as the love of her life leaned in and kissed her. It had been years, but the Pulsian still found ways to make her feel like it was their first kiss.

"Ill see you soon, mehn Hiera." Fang purred. Lightning had to remember herself, and that they were in polite company before she let herself get carried away by the endless supply of charm Fang had at her disposal. Allowing herself to be dragged to a nearby small unit on the other side of the courtyard, Lightning took a look over at the people present and smiled softly to herself. Her squad was there, as were familiar Pulsians from the Cal'Mah council. They must have pulled some favours to allow them all to come up here.

Entering the confines of the small unit, Lightning exhaled slowly and leant against the wall. "I'm really doing this, aren't I?" She asked, looking over toward her sister.

"Claire, if you're only coming to that conclusion now, you've probably got bigger problems." Serah snorted, pulling her away from the door. "Are you alright? You weren't injured in that fight were you?"

Lightning checked herself over and shook her head. "I'm okay. And no no, I'm... Very aware of why we're here today. I just... Never thought it'd happen to me. Never thought about it. Too busy trying to... Raise you, then... Prevent the end of the world."

"Claire..." Serah sighed softly. She took her sisters hands and pulled her in close. "I have always, always wanted the world for you. I'm not a little kid anymore, we protect each other now, okay? Give you the space to have a family, a wife, a future where you finally don't have to stress."

"You say that now, but Zora hasn't hit her terrible two's phase yet."

Serah laughed as she hugged Lightning tight. "Well I'll be right there with you, making sure we all survive it together." She paused and wrinkled her nose. "But seriously sis, get in the shower. You smell like you rolled around on that behemoth."

Lightning shrugged and gave Serah a sly grin. "Never know, Pulsians might be into tha-ow!" She ducked before she earned herself another smack. "Alright alright I'm going I'm going!"

"You two are perfect for each other, honestly."

(AN – Yes hello hello, what a fucking turbulent couple of years this has been hasn't it? A global pandemic, the world generally going to hell in a handbasket and all. Been working a job that's been sucking upwards of 18hrs a day out of my life which of course, leaves no time for living, let alone writing. But hey! I'm on leave until January and look at what happens two weeks into it when I finally get a chance to breathe? WORDS.)