Radiance

Based on Lightning's Theme in Lightning Returns OST.

Ages: Serah - 15 ; Noct & Light - 18.

Setting: Brotherhood Timeline; Insomnia

Tumblr prompt by pikachugirl1996: For the Lightis Drabble "Noctis meeting Serah for the first?"

AN: I'm sorry for disappearing for ~2 months. Life happens, problems arise, adulting, you know all that bullshit. Anyways, this prompt evolved from a drabble hahaha I needed to do it justice, so hope y'all enjoy it and thank you so so much pikachugirl1996! (Sorry for the oh so late fic, there are also other prompts I haven't forgotten).

Eager that school was finally over, the Prince picked up his things and walked out to the school entrance where Ignis always picks him up. With the Regalia and his royal adviser in sight, all he needed to do was cross the courtyard to meet him. However, from the corner of his eye, he spotted a familiar shade of pink, sitting in one of the benches, head down with a book in hand.

Purely by instinct, he approached her and called her name almost too excitedly. She was back. "Lightni-." When the person lifted her head, he realized it wasn't her.

"Uh, s-sorry, I thought you were someone else."

If it weren't for his moment of tunnel vision, he would have clearly seen that it wasn't her. This young girl wore a different uniform, a familiar one as it was the female uniform of the junior high school he attended. Aside from the pink hair, he couldn't deny other similarities, such as her facial features and eyes, reminding him that this person was no doubt related to Lightning.

"Prince Noctis! I'm actually here to see you." She immediately closed her book, stuffing it into her bag and stood up, apparently unfazed by his mistake. "I'm her sister, Serah."

"Sister?" He blurted out in surprise, but quickly apologized for his rudeness. "Ah, sorry. I had no idea Light had one."

Serah smiled, again seemingly unperturbed. However, she smiled due to him calling her sister's shortened name. She even gave a tinkling laugh. "Oh, it's alright." She waved her hand. "I'm sure she had her reasons."

"Right. So, what brings you here today?" He asked awkwardly.

"Oh, well." Serah's cheeks brightened. "I just wanted to look at the school since I'll be attending here next year." Then with a shy smile, she continued meekly. "But, I was also hoping to run into you. Now's a good time than ever, since Light's on a mission, and she rather gets overprotective…"

Ah, she wants to talk…

And, as always, Ignis is there to save the day.

"Your Highness. May I suggest a detour of afternoon tea?"

After a rather awkward car drive to one of the cafes in Downtown Insomnia, the two finally settled in comfortably, drinks and snacks in hand.

"Oh, I'd much rather pay for mine." Serah scrambled as the Prince paid, getting two slices each of Kupoberry Cheesecake and Golden Chocobo Tart and some iced tea.

"No, no, I dragged you here, this is my treat."

Serah sighed. "Thank you, Prince Noctis. I'll repay you someday, I promise."

He knew she would make do with her promise, no doubt. She was Lightning's sister after all. Always keeping promises, and can be adorably stubborn at times.

"Enough of that prince stuff, please." He groaned and waved his hand as they sat down on a table situated in a cozy corner, near the windows by the busy streets. "Just call me Noct."

"Noct it is then." She fiddled with her fingers. "Hm, where to start… I didn't plan this far ahead, all I really wanted to do was meet you in person."

"Well, why did you want to?"

"I guess… I wanted to see the person my sister talks so much about."

Now if eyebrows could fly off of one's face, Noctis' would have been halfway to Tenebrae. "She talks about me? Like a lot?"

Serah laughed. "Well, relatively speaking, this is Light we're talking about. She mentions you quite frequently."

His heart stammered. "About what?"

"Oh, she has a ton of nicknames for you. Let's see… 'Pompous Prince,' 'Chocobo Turd,' 'Sleeping Beauty,' oh the list goes on."

He groaned again. "That was not what I was expecting."

"Well, I take it as a good sign."

Oh, he was sure she was teasing him. "How?!"

"It's one of her ways of showing affection. Don't worry, you're not alone, she calls Snow an idiot all the time." Serah's blue eyes twinkled mischievously.

Noctis scowled, he didn't feel any better to be on the same level as Snow Villiers.

"Anyways, I knew you weren't really one of those things, but I wanted to see the kind of person you were, the real person behind the social media. And I'm not disappointed, just from our brief interaction, I know you're a person who values friendship, and you don't like to use your title. You want people to see the real you. I've got you all figured out." She sang the last part, taking a sip of her iced tea.

He was rather stunned. He'd met this girl not even an hour ago and she had him down like a book. She's definitely Light's sister.

"I'm glad you are Light's friend."

He somehow felt relief from what she said. To be accepted by Lightning's sister was a big deal.

"Hey, Serah. Can I ask you something, about Light?"

"I'll try to answer as best as I can."

"Light's always been… guarded, closed off. She only chooses to become close to a select few. Why is that?"

Serah sighed. "I'm sure you know how we became citizens of Insomnia?"

"I'm aware that you resided in Bodhum and had to become refugees when Niflheim invaded the region."

"Yes, that is part of it… but even before that, our life in Bodhum wasn't all that great. Our father died when I was very young, we don't know what happened, and a few years after that, our mother passed away as well. So you see, please don't blame her for being cold and unfeeling, I know you understand but people judge right away. They don't know what she's been through."

He had to admit, his first impression of Lightning was unlikable.

"Anyways, we didn't have relatives, it was only us two and she had to provide for us to survive." She looked out the window, her eyes looking distant. "I remember clearly. On the day we buried our mother, there was a tropical storm, lightning flashed before our eyes and that was the moment she changed her name."

A shocking revelation. Lightning wasn't her true name… so what was her real name? As much as he wanted to ask, he had to respect her decision of changing her name. Perhaps over time, she'll tell him… or maybe he'll never know at all. He had no right to ask, no right to know: who was he? A Prince born with a silver spoon, everything given, a life of luxury, carefree, where his greatest problem was when he could take a nap or play video games. No wonder Lightning was such a hardass to him, he knew nothing of hardship, self-determination, and independency.

The only person to give that privilege, of knowing her true name, is Lightning herself.

"I'm not… a good person."

"What do you mean, silly? Yes, you are."

"No. Light's right. I'm lazy, irresponsible, spoiled. I'm a picky eater, I take naps when I shouldn't, I go to the arcade, neglect my studies… but, I'm doing better. After meeting Lightning, I see the hard work she does everyday. Going to school and being a Glaive. She motivates me to be better."

Serah nodded and giggled. "Yup. That's it, that's the Lightning effect." She played with the straw of her drink, stirring it around. "She's grown to the name, almost as if she was born with it. It's rather fitting. The radiance of her presence just sparks something within us; whether it's determination, hope, strength… She inspires me."

She smiled, the afternoon light shining ethereally on her face, and Noctis can't help but wonder if Lightning would have that same bright, radiant smile.

Perched on one of the many leather sofas in the Citadel Lobby and having returned from his meeting with Lightning's sister, he had some things to think through.

He was rather stunned. Serah was optimistic, bright, and happy - almost a complete opposite of Lightning. And their conversations left him at perceiving Lightning… in a new light.

Now he understood why she resorted to becoming a Glaive. Not by choice, but as a means to survive. Orphaned at a young age, she and her sister became refugees. Noctis wasn't ignorant, he was aware that outsiders were shunned and discriminated. No wonder she grew a hard shell around her heart.

And with that, he reached a decision. He'll work harder, become a better Prince, a future leader.

For the second time that day, another flash of pink at the corner of his eyes. Without even a glance, Noctis came up to her and engulfed her in an embrace, grateful for her presence once more. He sighed, it felt like she was gone for three months, rather than three days.

"Uh, hey, Noct." Lightning said against his shoulder, hesitantly responding to his hug by loosely wrapping her arms around his waist. "Something wrong?"

"No. I'm just glad your home, Light."

Maybe it was his imagination, but he swore he felt her arms tighten.

"... Me too."