Lightning absentmindedly ran her tongue over the scabs on her lower lip. The metallic taste of what blood still remained distracted her from her fierce humiliation about that afternoon's events. She walked ahead of the rest of the party, as usual. Her sharp eyes scanned the landscape for approaching danger, but she wasn't really focused.
Her mind kept unwillingly reverting back to what it wanted least and yet most to think of: him. She could still feel the moist heat of Snow's shirtless body under hers, still smell the soft yet familiar scent of Bodhum's sea air rising off of him. He had been so concerned about her after the awkward squabble, but she had rudely brushed him off in embarrassment and determination to prevent further contact. Not that she didn't want it. Oh did she want it… but, Serah. Everything traced back to Serah. She was an l'Cie because she had come looking to help Serah. Snow wanted to save Cocoon because Serah wished it. The man she loved wore an engagement necklace because Serah wore its twin.
She closed her eyes slowly, one silent tear escaping from the left one and leaving a wet trail down her pale face. Unrequited love really is a bitch, Lightning thought angrily. How had she come to be so weakened by a man?
Night had fallen hours ago. She turned and looked to her rear, seeing a very tired and disgruntled looking group glaring angrily her way. Of course they're all tired, she grumbled to herself. "We can camp here for the night," she said dryly, noticing that they were actually in a somewhat secluded area, a safe place to stop, off the beaten path. She put down her sword and pack, removed her cape, and turned to face them all. Forcing a smile, "Who's hungry?"
After a bland dinner of dried meat and berries, they were all now sitting around the crackling campfire, passing around a jug of ale procured from the last town. Lightning savored the slight burn of it, first as it passed over her ruined lips and then as it went down her dry and dusty throat. I could really use a bath, she thought to herself as she examined her hands, her fingernails full of grit, her skin darkened by dried blood and dirt. She stood and excused herself quietly into the forest, no one would mind. The group was laughing happily as they all exchanged stories of their lives before the Purge.
Lightning had heard the merry sound of a stream running somewhere in the distance, she just hoped it wouldn't take her too long to find it. After about a 5 minute walk through the eerily silent trees, the stream came into view. The water was clear and almost seemed to glow blue in the evening's lack of light.
She began unbuckling the many straps fastening her travelling boots, removing her top and gloves and sliding easily into the cool water.
Snow tried to listen to what the others were saying, but was distracted. He kept thinking about earlier. Was Lightning really that broken up over losing to him? It was just a sparring match after all. She was Serah's sister and although she was a little rough around the edges, he knew that she was an amazing person. She was the one holding everyone together. Under the rough exterior, he knew that Lightning had a heart of gold. For all these reasons, her distress unnerved him.
He decided to go and speak to her. He knew she liked her alone time, but he felt like she probably needed someone to talk to every now and then just like the next person. Walking through the darkened forest, he looked for any signs that might lead him to Lightning's position. He saw a few slight footprints in the soft earth, and decided to follow them.
When at last he saw her, he momentarily forgot the purpose of his trek into the woods. Forgotten were his plans to start a conversation with the woman before him. Forgotten was the fact that it was wrong to stare because this was his fiancé's sister. All he could do was gawk at her from his hopefully unseen position in the trees.
Lightning was bathing in the stream, her long and careless rose-colored hair trailing behind her, carried by the iridescent water. Droplets clung to the snowy skin of her perfect face, hung in her eyelashes like icicles from the petals of the most delicate flower. Unaware of Snow's presence, she was humming absently as she bathed. Her long and dexterous fingers lingering over her full breasts as she washed away the cares of the day in the pure water. She tossed her head back and sighed in relaxation as she massaged her tiny nipples.
Snow realized he needed to get away from there. Immediately, yet he could not look away. He stared hungrily as her right hand dipped into the water and found its way between her thighs. Snow could feel his face flushing now. Lightning was obviously pleasuring herself, her breathing accelerated, body trembling. Small moans could be heard above the rush of the water, and… something else?
"Snow," she breathed quietly. At first, he thought that she had seen him, found him out in the impossible act of watching her, but her eyes were closed. Her back was to him now and still she was groaning out his name as if nothing so beautiful had ever crossed her lips.
Snow could hardly believe it. Lightning, the proud, beautiful woman who he had always admired from afar was barely four yards away, two fingers deep and craving his touch. The combination of his natural drives and far too much of that flagon of ale gave Snow a little push in what he assumed was the wrong direction. His big overcoat, button down shirt, and equipment were all back at the campfire. He wore only his battered pants, boots, and trusty headgear, but he was about to take those off. He was ready for a little bath of his own.
Lightning was nearing climax, her eyes shut tight, the cool water rushing past her heated skin, an image of Snow in her mind. "Lightning," the precious image murmured her name. That sounded almost real, she thought to herself with a smirk. As if. "Lightning," the voice said again. This time it was louder, closer, insistent. Her eyes snapped open and she brought her hands out of the water, crossing her arms over her chest to shield herself, her right hand sticky with her arousal. "Wh-who's there?" she called out in a choked voice, no longer able to believe that the voice was imaginary. Someone was here. Never in her life had she been so embarrassed.
She turned around and was face to face with none other than Snow. He stood shirtless, waist deep in the stream, arms hanging by his sides. A dazed look held his frosty blue eyes, she could smell the alcohol on his breath. "You… you saw… everything?" she asked in astonishment.
"You bet I did," he said with a chuckle. How the fuck was he so nonchalant about this?! I guess he really is that drunk, she thought with alarm.
"Well what are you doing here? You don't just walk in on a woman bathing!" she exclaimed angrily, backing away against the current, looking around wildly for her clothes. Snow was quicker, however. His hand shot out and grabbed her roughly by the wrist, pulling her to him in the swiftest of movements. Lightning jerked forward, her arms flying from their protective stance, her breasts exposed. Snow held her pressed firmly to his body. She could feel her nipples hardening against his skin in a mix of cold, nervousness, and excitement.
"Well it sure as hell sounded like you wanted me here," he replied smugly. Lightning freed her arm and slapped him in the face as hard as she could.
"You filthy little-" but Snow had cut her off, crushing his face to hers in an unexpected kiss. Lightning's eyes widened in shock. At first, she meant to pull away, but his grip was too tight. She gave in moments later, shutting her eyes and wrapping her arms around his neck, opening her mouth and deepening the kiss. Her skin had erupted in goose bumps but she hardly noticed. How long had she wanted this? How long had she needed this man's touch? It was exactly as she had imagined it a thousand times, only better. His mouth all over her, kissing her with heated urgency. Snow's hands had moved from restraining her to grabbing her ass roughly, pulling her hips against his own.
Lightning could feel his obvious erection against thigh. With unsteady hands, she moved to unfasten Snow's belt and ended up breaking the clasp in her hurry. She threw it onto the bank of the stream and began unzipping his pants. When at last she had freed his cock, she wasted no time in stroking its hard surface. It felt massive and almost intimidating in her tiny hands. She wanted to feel it elsewhere, immediately. Snow meanwhile was resting his head against hers, breathing in gasps, enjoying Lightning's touch too much to reciprocate it.
"Light," he said quietly in her ear, his voice cracking with gratification. Something about the way that he said her name so tenderly, not Serah's, the way that his hand was moving quickly between her slick thighs set off alarms in the back of Lightning's mind. She could feel that damned necklace pressing against her chest as well. This is so, so wrong, she thought. What do I think I'm doing? My sister is off who knows where, encased in crystal, facing an unknown fate. What am I doing? I'm about to make love to her boyfriend.
"I have to go," she somehow managed to utter, wrenching herself away from him with tears in her eyes. Without further explanation Lightning sprang lithely out of the water and onto the bank. She refused to look back at the man that she was leaving behind in the water, gathering her clothes and jogging away from him into the forest.
To be continued… please review!