Wild Rose
Firion and Lightning stood in silence wondering what to do from here. What could they do? Every twist and turn in their seemingly hopeless search had only left them with nothing but dead ends and despair. Now, more than ever…they were certain the road had ended – and in every way but desired.
Lightning might as well have been crying. Firion could have even sworn at one point that he heard her sniffle – but, she'd never have admitted it if he'd asked. He still wanted to speak – wanted to find something to say that could maybe, somehow cheer her up. Or, at the least, let her know things would be okay somehow. Unfortunately, nothing came to mind still – and he looked from Lightning to the ground as he closed his eyes in shame.
"If only…If only someway..." he thought.
He glanced at Lightning one more time.
"Lightning. What can I do?"
At that moment, the answer came to him in the form of another friend – the latter running towards them in apparent joy as he gained speed.
Firion noticed him coming towards them and watched as he rapidly approached.
"Lightning! Firion!" he shouted.
He waved his hand to get their attention as he approached them.
Lightning turned in his direction and her eyes actually widened a little – though with joy or surprise, was anyone's guess. Could she really believe again just like that?
"Vaan." she said, nearly gasping at the sight.
They slowly walked toward him as he came to a stop – leaning forward to catch his breath for a moment.
"I've finally found you!" he said, his voice nothing short of happy.
They looked at him in question – and anticipation, though still not quite getting their hopes up this time. Until it became more evident, they weren't going set themselves up for disappointment again.
Vaan stood up and looked at them – his face clearly showing his joy at meeting them. His next words were more than enough to completely remove the dark cloud that only moments ago loomed over them.
"I have something that might be yours."
He carefully reached for his pocket and pulled something out – something that was all too familiar to them. The sight of it left them speechless and the moment, again, seemed too good to be true. The beautiful red petals, the long green stem - and even the small, prickly thorns…they couldn't believe it was actually, finally within reach – literally.
"The rose!" Firion said, gasping.
Lightning could only gasp as well at the sight as they both gently reached for it, hoping that it wasn't just a mere illusion. It looked so real. They really couldn't take anymore games.
As they touched it, they knew right then they weren't imagining it. Lightning gently took it in her hands - staring at it as she was overcome with emotion. She didn't know what to say. She held the rose to her face – just admiring its appearance – like she hadn't seen it in ages. It might as well have been that long with the way things been gone for them. She couldn't believe it was truly back in their hands – neither of them.
After a moment had passed, Lightning finally spoke – her gratitude, though not quite expressed, still more than apparent to Vaan.
"Vaan. Where did you find this?" she asked, softly.
Vaan put his hands behind his head as he looked at them – the clear emotion on their expressions enough to confuse him, but still letting him know how grateful they were.
"Actually, I didn't find it. Cecil did – somewhere around Crystal World. He didn't know whom it belonged, but I told him I'd take care of it. It looked special. I had to find the owner." he admitted.
Lightning and Firion just smiled at his words, staring at the flower once again.
"It is special. Thank you." Lightning said, closing her eyes in bliss.
"Yes. Thank you much." Firion added, nodding in appreciation.
Vaan quickly wiped his hand across his face as he looked at them again.
"No problem. I'm just glad I found you two. I've been looking all over for you. You know…this world is a lot bigger than you'd think." he said.
Firion could only laugh at his words.
"Tell me about it." he said.
Lightning held the rose to her heart as she breathed a sigh of relief: a kind she never knew she could feel – especially after all this time.
Vaan saw their faces. Knowing his task was complete, he left them with a few last words.
"Well, I'll be seeing ya'! Got to go make sure the kid's alright. Later!"
He quickly departed the scene, waving good-bye once again as he left.
Firion and Lightning just stared at the rose in astonishment. It was still so hard to believe they truly had it back in their possession. After all the wrong turns and hopeless searching, they'd somehow, finally managed to come across it again. In their deepest moment of despair, somehow…things had worked out. Both had been ready to give up only minutes ago, and surely would have…had Vaan not appeared – and carrying the rose, at that. It was all too perfect how everything had played out. So perfect, in fact…that there were no words to truly describe their emotion - or their take on the whole thing.
"I can't believe it." Lightning thought, as she again put the rose to her heart, holding it tightly.
Firion knew what she was thinking and smiled to himself at her actions. It was at this moment that he wanted to tell her what he'd promised himself he would. However, for some reason, he again found it hard to bring out.
"I don't get it. Why can't I say it?" he thought.
Though he'd thought it so before, this moment truly did seem perfect for such a thing. Why was it so difficult to still get it out? It bothered him greatly, but he had to consider something – what was there to truly be upset about? They had the rose back and Lightning was clearly happier than he'd ever seen her. For now…that was enough. Despite how much he really wanted to express his feelings to her…he resisted. However long he'd have to wait, he would – no matter how long that may be.
Lightning looked at Firion – holding her hand, and the rose, out to him.
He looked at her in surprise.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Our promise. I told you to hold onto it for us. You still need it, don't you?" she answered.
He didn't know what to say. After all their struggling and searching – and the joyful reunion they'd just had with it…he wondered how she could so easily let it go again.
"I…" he stuttered.
He sighed and slowly reached for the rose – taking it in his hand, albeit in a bit of shame. He couldn't believe he was taking it from her after everything that had just happened.
However, much to his surprise, he saw Lightning smile at him as he took it.
"Then, you keep it." she said.
Firion just stared at her in shock.
"But, Lightning…I can't. I can't do that to you." he said, handing it back over.
She looked at him in question – tipping her head a little at his words.
"Firion, I'm just holding to our promise. I'll take it back…once you're finished with it." she said, pushing his hand, and the rose, back to him gently.
He choked on his next words – struggling to bring them out. Why was she being so - kind, insistent…difficult?
"But…you just got it back. It doesn't seem fair." he argued.
"Firion, the rose belongs to both of us. It's not like I'm giving it up or anything. As long as it's in either of our hands…we can both know it's safe." she replied.
She smiled again as she said her next words.
"…I trust you."
Firion was at a loss for words once again. Lightning's face clearly backed up what she had just said and he knew for sure she'd meant it. Still though…he couldn't shake his feeling of guilt for taking the rose back.
He sighed as he put it at his side.
"Very well. I'll take good care of it. I promise…Lightning."
She nodded.
"I know you will."
She folded her arms – though this time, it was in a more relaxed manner.
"Just try not to lose it this time."
Firion could only laugh at her words.
"I promise." he said, nodding.
They smiled at each other as they headed off, the rose clutched tightly in Firion's hand.
*Author's Note* - It seems like the end, and it would be…but, every story like this always has a little something extra. The epilogue, the final chapter, will answer any questions you may have!