A/N: I'm back in this collection (work, health issues and writer's block) after a while - this is the 3-part sequel and conclusion to ATSHS and TttE from Fang and Lightning's perspective. Most of the surviving characters will show up here at some point...but I will also say that details of Setzer and Winter's wedding will be in the other collection tied to varying things I left out in ATSHS, as this is to be focused on Fang and Lightning. Parts 2 AND 3 will have time skips!
Army of Yun-Farron, Part 1
"Liiiiiggggghhhhhtttttniiiiing! You're going to be late to your own wedding, Claire "Dork" Farron!" Lenna joked to the older Farron from the Yun-Farron household, being as loud as she can be from the spacious living room. While waiting for the pinkette to wow the younger Tycoon native with the wedding dress Celes made herself with Lebreau's help, it's the coral haired woman who takes a look at the pictures placed just above the fireplace. It didn't take Lenna long at all to smile widely at the photos she's seen: one of the soon-to-be married couple from their first date at the carnival with Bahamut, another of the pair with Faris back at Bodhum High, a third of the trio with Lightning's parents at the older Farron's ceremony, that is when she graduated from the GC Boot Camp, yet another of the pair but with Faris and Vanille (plus Hope and Lenna) when the redhead gave birth to healthy baby boy which they named Alexander, Faris and Lenna's father...and the last one making Lenna smile her best smile: it was Lightning playing with Lenna and Hope's kids, with Fang seated to her left. The younger Tycoon sister clearly remembered what was going on in that photo: the kids LOVED their Auntie Light because the smiles the kids had in the photo were ones with such happiness and joy; Faris had the idea to take this photo with Lenna's camera, as Hope and Lenna were in the Estheim kitchen making dinner, and Vanille was in the house but in a different room. It took Lightning's eventual entrance to the living room that snapped the coral haired woman back to reality, and Lenna's jaw slammed to the floor upon seeing the dress, to the point where Lenna couldn't say a single word. The only thing Lightning could do in retaliation for the 'dork' term was laugh.
Upon getting to Lenna's car, the duo took great care of the dress, so that Celes, Lenna and Vanille can do their magic with Lightning's hair and makeup at the venue, which Leia Organa has agreed to officiate not only Lightning and Fang's ceremony but also Setzer and Winter's ceremony. Oddly enough, Setzer paid the doctor to officiate both ceremonies in full as soon as he heard about Fang's cute and original marriage proposal to the older Farron - the early bird gets the worm as they say. The only downside in the past 18 months since Lightning and Fang got engaged was Lightning's medical yet honourable discharge from the GC a year later, but even Lightning took the news well. She couldn't do something she loved anymore for medical reasons but still got paid as a result for her years of service, a huge relief. For the older Farron, she was able to take care of varying but important things in her and Fang's lives (including the needed house repairs Fang couldn't get to when she was living with just Vanille), and was often caught taking naps with Buttercup, with Fang posting a few pictures of the pair on her Instagram account. Being a stay-at-home individual was something that Lightning had to get used to for the past six months, but it was that six months which helped the pinkette start her own business only last month, with Lenna and Vanille's guidance on the matter. Despite Lightning taking the discharge well, Lenna's heart went out to Lightning ever since that day. In fact, it was the younger Tycoon sister who wound up spending time with the pinkette whenever Fang was on an expedition and Hope, Faris and/or Vanille were busy with whatever. Buttercup was instantly smitten with the coral haired woman each time she visited the Yun-Farron household.
The car ride was one that would finally close the door to Lightning's past life.
XXX
At the venue, Celes and Vanille were 'dolling' up Buttercup to be the most adorable Flower Cat she could be. Although Celes was wary of cats, it was something about Buttercup and her character had the blonde from Vector falling in love with her, just like everyone else. Vanille was even worried that Bahamut would hurt her - only for the pit bull to catch on to Buttercup's playful yet protective nature and the two became best mates since. There was one occasion where Bahamut was caught protecting Buttercup from a rival dog, melting Vanille and Faris' hearts. It was the tone from Celes' phone - which the tone was tied to Lenna Charlotte Estheim - that alerted her and Vanille of Lenna and Lightning's arrival to the secret part of the venue reserved for them. Vanille played with Buttercup while Celes got to the car to help escort the pair to the room designated for the bride-to-be: due to the nature of Lightning's permanent leg injury, the reason for the medical discharge six months ago, Celes was the only person between herself and Vanille who can help Lightning through varying things due to Celes and Lightning being the same height. Lightning herself couldn't say the words of gratitude to the blonde she wanted to say yet the blonde could feel those words from Lightning's heart and that was more than enough. It was Celes who was the most heartbroken upon finding out that Lightning can't be a part of the GC anymore, and worked relentlessly to make sure that Fang and Lightning would financially be okay.
Once the trio got themselves in the room, Lenna and Celes got Lightning to a chair that was marked "Bride-to-be Only", which was a special chair that one Blake Belladonna had made just for the event and for Lightning so that things don't make the leg hurt as much, which Ruby paid for in full, assisting the older Farron in the matter. As time was not on their side, Lenna, Vanille and Celes got straight to work on making Claire 'Lightning' Farron look and feel like a million gil. Buttercup made herself comfortable on Lightning's lap, to further help the leg issue so little to no problems come up when she walks down the aisle. 'You did good with snagging this wonderful kitteh when you did, Fang...' Lenna and Celes thought to themselves, proud of the brunette for taking action with the cat when she did that fateful day, and how Buttercup has impacted their lives in such a positive way ever since they came home. Fortunately, the makeup and hair took a shorter amount of time than they anticipated, buying the small group a few minutes to themselves, mainly to help calm Lightning down on her big day - the day that Lightning becomes Claire 'Lightning' Yun-Farron at the end of it. Buttercup was rewarded with extra cat treats for her efforts in the prep for Lightning and Fang's wedding from Celes of all people. Without any further delay, Lenna and Vanille left the room to go to yet another room, one reserved for the bridal party, which would be the same for both weddings. Celes goes to a room that only Leia was in, to help prepare her voice to sing four songs: two for Setzer and Winter's ceremony, the other two, one of them in Gran Pulsian, for Fang and Lightning's ceremony.
The excitement for all now builds...
XXX
Fang being FLOORED by seeing Faris as part of the 'Groomsmen' is an understatement, as she and Setzer had a group talk with the groomsmen that was filled with laughs and smiles. "Everyone - you especially, Pirate - Snaggles and I cannot thank you enough for wanting to be a part of our ceremony. Winter and Claire both thank you for doing this for us from the bottom of their hearts. Me personally, I thank you for helping us make this day one that we shall remember for lifetimes to come. Anything you want to add here, Fang-a-rang?" Setzer said, causing EVERYONE in the room, Fang especially, to laugh their arses off to the point where Hope was literally rolling on the floor laughing his arse off, causing a hilarious scene. After a few moments, Fang finally was ready to say something. "A part of me was convinced that I would never get my happy ending with anyone, not even with Light, forever my Sunshine..." the brunette starts, causing the least likely person in the room to get misty eyed: Locke. The lad was touched by the Oerban native's tale, recalling how long it took for her and Lightning to be a couple and the troubles they went through. "Needless to say, I prayed to Lady Luck, fought my arse off and persevered in the end of it all, as Claire and I are moments away from being Fang and Lightning Yun-Farron as the result of the efforts that I put into our relationship, our love. For you lot to stick by my side in all of this means the world to me. I'm sure that Setzer will agree. I cannot thank you lot for everything after all these years..." Fang continued before Noel shouted "Group Hug!", and everyone in the room had the most heartwarming group hug Fang and Setzer felt.
Speaking of those two, they had to get the groomsmen escorted to the room with the bridesmaids so the bridal party can be sorted - Mercury and Krile agreed to be Best Man and Matron of Honour respectively. Setzer and Fang, after they were left alone, to have a very quick but private chat. The words exchanged between the two were those of hope, congratulations, joy and every other positive trait one can think of. "Keep making her happy..." was the one phrase they exchanged to each other, as Fang wants Setzer to keep making Winter the happiest lass Setzer's ever been with. In like kind, Setzer wants Fang to keep making Lightning the happiest she has ever been, taking note of the recent medical discharge the older Farron was given from the Guardian Corps and everything those two had ever been through over the years, both as friends and later on as a couple. A part of Fang wants to ask the pilot about the secret to how Lightning was still getting paid from the GC despite the recent turn of events, but the look in his eyes clearly said that conversation will be for another place and day in time. Knowing that, the brunette went back to focusing on one matter: her and Lightning finally exchanging vows and words of 'love' and 'forever'. Oerba Yun Fang waited too long to make Claire 'Lightning' Farron hers and also in the right way, and now, she didn't want to wait any longer to make the older Farron her one and only wife at last. "Let's get on with it..." Fang happily said to herself, finally ready to face what's to come.
Fang's smile was wide, and didn't stop smiling.
XXX
Setzer and Winter's wedding was very them, according to the Xiao Long family, which Ruby Belladonna agreed with. Blake silently cheered upon seeing Faris as part of the groomsmen, while Weiss was surprised to see Mercury, Serah's ex-boyfriend from years ago, as Best Man...and even more surprised to see Krile, one of the paramedics who helped save Lightning's life on that day years ago, as the Matron of Honour. In hindsight, Ruby felt that Lebreau wanting to be a bridesmaid instead of Matron of Honour was a shocker, although it saved people from fighting each other for the title. Yang felt that Krile being the Matron of Honour should have been the first move, but for reasons unknown outside her gut telling her so. With Celes singing the songs in the best way she knew how, everyone was cheering but had to wait until Winter and Setzer were given the okay to kiss as a married before they can actually applaud at her stellar (as always, according to Setzer) singing. It reminded Weiss of what she gave up to be with Yang Xiao Long - an 'evil' that was necessary to be at peace with herself and live out her happy ending with Yang. When given the okay to kiss by Leia, the kiss Winter and Setzer shared wasn't sloppy, fueled with lust like some of the guests originally predicted, but one filled with love, joy, happiness and a promise to protect each other until death do they part. Winter's tears of happiness were wiped away by her new husband, as they embraced each other in a loving hug for several moments, putting EVERYONE in awe of how a gentleman Setzer Gabbiani really was, even with a woman like Winter. The newly married pair signed the documents to make it legal, with Winter joining Setzer to help Lightning walk down the aisle.
The bridal party during Fang and Lightning's ceremony became...well, themselves. Being yourself was the theme of Fang and Lightning's ceremony, and Faris did NOT disappoint when she and Vanille were walking down the aisle, making everyone and their mothers laugh their arses off. How did they pull it off? By walking down the aisle in pirate gear, making pirate like sounds, complete with a fake parrot on Vanille's shoulder and Faris getting EVERYONE to make the most common pirate sounds they know of. Watching from her spot, Celes nearly fell on the floor with laughter from laughing so hard. Fortunately for the Vector native, she quickly recovered and was able to do a touch up on her make up so that no one could tell what happened. Even Mercury and Krile, Best Man and Matron of Honour, did something similar like Noel and Yeul did moments before, but neither pair simply couldn't top Faris and Vanille's pirate antics. Buttercup the Flower Cat - just how she was able to do this well for a cat is anyone's guess, even to this day - trotted down the aisle, spreading flower petals while being the sassy yet sweet and lovable cat she's know for being, before finally landing on Leia's shoulder. During Setzer and Winter's ceremony, Buttercup was the same way all ceremony long, and Leia snuck in a kiss on the cat's cheek for her efforts, and was Buttercup HAPPY about that!
A few moments passed before the music changed...the song of choice was an original that Weiss Xiao Long herself started to write several years ago, but didn't have the courage to finish - until hearing the news about Fang and Lightning getting engaged, which Yang encouraged her wife at that point to finish writing the song. Upon hearing it, Lightning begged the former heiress to use it for the ceremony, which was okayed almost right away. Everyone stood from their chairs as one, making Noel and Yeul, another part of the bridal party smile with pride. The pair came in with traditional Yun clothing, since they are from Oerba like Vanille and Fang originally are. Fortunately for Leia, Noel and Yeul helped the doctor get accustomed to Yun wedding traditions, which Leia decided to have Fang and Lightning's ceremony be a mix of the couple's ways, as Fang is originally from the Yun clan but her clan's wedding customs greatly differ than what Lightning's parents did when they got married all those years ago. Winter and Setzer, who was on either side of Lightning thanks to that permanent leg injury, slowly walked her down the aisle. Since the older Farron couldn't walk on one leg as well as she could in the past, Setzer took the side of the injured leg. Since Lightning and Setzer are friends, Light is an automatic friend of Winter's. Words of encouragement from the newly married pair to Lightning became a great help in the pinkette completing a task like this, making Fang smile at her bride-to-be, her green eyes becoming watery all the same.
"You're so beautiful, Claire...my Sunshine..." was all Fang could say to her best friend. Although Winter returned to the seating area to take the empty chair which was near Blake, Setzer remained by Lightning's side. Fang could only smile at that for the obvious reason of Light's situation. Without delay, Leia started the ceremony in the traditional Pulsian language, before translating to the common tongue. Faris couldn't help but smile at this point, for she had to hear this when she and Vanille said 'I do' and was able to translate this without Vanille's help. Once that was out of the way, the Cocoonian aspect of the ceremony kicked in, with Lightning surprisingly going first with the vow exchange, with speaking in Pulsian the first time around before switching to the common tongue to translate the vow. Not only were Fang, Vanille, Faris, Noel and Yeul impressed by Lightning's sudden decision, they also were floored by how well Lightning spoke the words that came out of her mouth, from her heart. Fang was smiling and crying happy tears at the same time - the fact that the older Farron went above and beyond for their big day convinced the brunette that Lightning forever is her soul mate, her best friend and world. In response, Lightning took a small piece of cloth from out of nowhere just to gently wipe Fang's happy tears away. Everyone was touched by the gesture.
Fang's vows were of the traditional kind for those who are Yun. The dress that the brunette wore was a Sari that covered up varying places which the Sari Fang usually wore whenever she is out and about was more revealing. Black trousers underneath the green and blue outer outfit, which the outer outfit was a symbol of the eye colours of the marrying pair, with open toed shoes fit for a Yun, Oerba Yun Fang wowed everyone with not only her outfit but her vows to her Sunshine - first in Pulsian, then the common tongue translation - which had EVERYONE getting at least misty eyed, outside Celes who was preparing to sing the first song of their ceremony in a different room. Lightning smiled with her eyes as well as the gentle, soft smile Fang fell in love with came to light, which Fang ended her vows before reiterating just how beautiful her Claire 'Lightning' Farron is to herself and to the world, which FINALLY got the former GC soldier to get misty eyed. The brunette DID NOT hesitate to dry the tears, with Buttercup now getting off of Leia's shoulder to loosen up her legs just for the sake of being Buttercup. Moments later, Celes emerges to sing the first song of the second ceremony - third song for the day - which the song had the guests swooning and swaying for it was that good.
Leia motioned for the rings immediately after the first song was done, which Bahamut, Vanille and Faris' beloved pit pull, alongside their son Alexander produced for the couple. It was something Fang had to hide from everyone, especially Lightning - the rings were crafted with the diamonds from Farron Jewelers, alongside Blake and Setzer's care, with the diamonds being gifted to Fang for her eventual wedding ceremony. Lightning and Fang exchanged matching wedding bands, and they couldn't stop smiling at each other for who knows how long. It was after Fang placed the ring on Lightning's finger that the Yun aspect of the ceremony (each clan had a differing aspect of their wedding ceremonies, with the Dia clan having a different aspect to theirs than the Yun), with Fang quite literally having to tweak a certain aspect of it due to Lightning's leg. The guests were pleasantly shocked that Lightning didn't back out of it because of her injury, even with this part being tweaked because of her. After the Yun wedding dance was done, the pair took a seat and drank varying types of tea, yet another Yun custom. Once done sampling the tea, Celes came out and sang the final song of the ceremony, which was completely in Pulsian. Lightning understood some of the lyrics but not all of them. Fang happily sang the translation of the song to Lightning's ear, which Leia was quick to catch and smiled at the gesture. As the song came to an end, the pair stood up - with Setzer's help of course - so that Leia can say those words at last.
"I now declare you two wives. You may kiss." Leia happily announced to the pair, which Fang and Lightning shared what some thought was the most gentle kiss they've seen by two people. The kiss lacked lust, desire and anything considered morally wrong. What the kiss was full of, however, the happy ending Fang and Lightning wanted for themselves and each other, filled with a true love that was meant to be and supported by the promise to be together to the end. The now married couple held each other for a few minutes - Lebreau got an excellent photo of this alongside everything from the other ceremony and this one - before they had to leave for a bit to sign the official paperwork. On the inside of the wedding bands was something that was very Fang and Lightning personality wise... for Fang, hers read 'Property of Lightning', while Lightning's said 'Property of Fang', plus the date they became a couple in both. Once the paperwork was signed as Fang Yun-Farron and Claire Yun-Farron, photos were taken: not only by the photographer of the event, Lebreau, but also personal and candid photos by those who were able to later on. Mercury even got a selfie of himself, Fang, Lightning, Faris, Vanille, Noel and Yeul plus Bahamut and Buttercup (who was on Lightning's shoulder) to post on his Instagram account. Everyone was able to exchange in happy, friendly mingle before heading off to a secret location for the reception.
Fang and Lightning are truly at peace with everything.
XXX
"A reception meant for us..." Lightning started before Fang cut her off with a quick peck on the lips, which amused Setzer and Winter. Having arrived to the secret location of the reception - the banquet hall at the GC, of all places - this was what the older Farron is surprised about the most. A piece of Lightning's life she was convinced that she would never see again, the pinkette was crying happy tears, for she got to see the GC one last time. The food had a piece of everyone's culture - a request Winter and Fang both wanted, which Lebreau, the Wonder Woman here, was able to provide with a little help from Yang Xiao Long and Celes Cole. No alcohol was at the venue for varying reasons, which Setzer was happy to hear about. The happy mingling and chatter from the ceremony continued to the reception, with speeches and cheering were all around. It was time for the First Dance which both couples took at the same time, which was the best decision they made, in Lebreau's opinion. Foregoing the flower and garter tosses (Winter doesn't like that sort of thing), the two couples went te.o cut the cake. Oddly enough, everyone was laughing so hard. Not only did Setzer and Winter surprise everyone by planting the cake on each other's faces, but Fang and Lightning had a mini food fight with their piece of cake. If Lenna wasn't on the floor laughing her arse off during the ceremony she definitely was at the reception. Gifts were given to the two couples - more for Fang and Lightning due to Setzer and Winter's request - plus dancing and private words of congratulations were given, making the two newlywed couples the happiest people alive at that moment.
It was a picture that Leia took of Fang and Lightning - Lightning rested her cheek on Fang's head after the brunette rested her cheek on Light's shoulder, with Fang kissing the backside of Lightning's hand, admiring the wedding band the older Farron now sports with love in her eyes - that she IMMEDIATELY posted on her Instagram account, with a reminder that love conquers all, sharing Fang and Lightning's past story, with their permission of course, and how they were able to prove that love will win over hate each and every day. "Let love win forever, ladies..." Leia happily said to herself, with this reminding her to always keep love and kindness alive and also in her heart.
Fang and Lightning's love for each other will expand and grow in many ways over time - alongside the new adventures to come for them. Upon returning from their big day and reception - Lebreau, Lenna and Hope all helped Fang and Lightning by transporting their wedding gifts home ahead of the newly married couple (something Lenna insisted on) - Lightning and Fang went straight to bed to get some sleep. Looking at her bride, Fang's heart, her life is at peace, complete with her true love by her side, in the same bed now asleep with the best smile of content she could have. Lightning's smile when asleep is the icing to the Yun-Farron cake. As for Lightning herself, marrying Fang will forever be her happy ending. The wait was and still is beyond worth it for the older Farron.
Buttercup stayed by the windowsill, protecting her humans as they slept in peace and happiness.
In time, new adventures will come for the trio.
To Be Continued...
A/N #2: Part 2 will have a one year time skip (to welcome their son), Part 3 two years after the end of Part 2 (to welcome their daughter and shock Faris).