Chapter 5: Spaces

What will it take to fill the gaps that hold us apart?

The soft incessant beeping of Lightning's alarm clock broke the silence in the room.
Lightning stirred, her eyes gently opening to take in bit by bit the plain white ceiling of her room - plain, except for the tiny scribblings right above her.

"What are you doing?" A young Claire Farron looked up at the strange sight before her.

Rain was sitting at the top of an A-shaped ladder scribbling on her room ceiling. "So you don't forget me!" Was his reply, before leaping off the ladder and taking her into his arms. "We'll be back soon okay? So don't cry!" He said, stroking her hair.
"I'm not crying!" Claire retorted, shoving Rain back. Laughter filled the hallway.

The Kalens were taking a short trip for Dr Roth Langley Kalen's work. They also thought it would be a good idea to get young Rain acquainted with the politicians - being born a politician's son and all.

Just minutes ago, Claire and Serah were both crying because they were afraid Rain would never return.

The truth was, he almost didn't.

Three days in and news of their trip had been plastered across the the major newspapers on Cocoon. 'Son of Politician - Sole survivor of freak accident.', 'Dr Roth Kalen and Dr Irene Kalen leave behind 11-year old son'.

Lightning sighed. Now that Rain was back, those little scribbles that she had tried so hard to ignore the past 5 years suddenly had a new meaning.
She sat up in her bed and rubbed her eyes. Looking at the clock - 5am - she remembered that Amodar had given her a day off.
Lightning pushed herself off the bed and made her way across the room to freshen up. As she walked past her balcony, a lone figure sitting by a tree near the shore outside her house caught her eye. By now the sun was starting to rise, and streaks of orange started to fill the gaps between the clouds, illuminating his black hair and grey tee shirt.

Creatures of habit are we?

She thought to herself, continuing to the bathroom.

Rain sat by the shore in front of the Farron's home. With his right leg propped up, resting his right elbow on his knee, he held a book open - reading.
Noticing the slight drop in the wind, and a gradual brightening of his surroundings, Rain sighed and leaned back against the tree.

"Another night spent..." He groaned, closing his eyes.

"Is it by habit that you are up so early?"

A familiar voice came from behind.

Rain shook his head, his eyes still closed.
"Not habit Light. It's more like... A haunting. I've not had a peaceful night's rest for as long as I could remember."

"What keeps you awake?" Lightning asked, passing Rain a warm cup of coffee.

Rain gratefully accepted it. "Thanks." He took a small sip of the always-welcome caffeinated drink.

"Well?" Lightning sat in from of him, waiting for an answer.

"The face of every person whom I have known who had lost their lives - including the ones I've killed with my bare hands." Rain replied thoughtfully and closed his eyes, appreciating the scent of freshly brewed coffee.

"My teammates never had the same problem. They joined the GC by choice. I joined the GC by rite of passage - because I am the son of my father.

They haunt me every night, screaming out my name, crying out for mercy - but orders were orders. And I was foolish enough to obey them, word-for-word."

Lightning quietly nodded. Taking in the weight of the words that were just spoken.

"Ah..." Rain ruffled his hair, "Sorry, shouldn't have brought down the mood so early in the morning." He apologised, and took in a deep breath.

Smiling, he reached over and gently tugged on a tuft of Lightning's fringe. "You've got nice bed hair. It looks pretty."

"Tsk." She rolled her eyes and reached out and tugged on his. "And you have messy hair."

Rain chuckled. "Yeah, I guess I-" he stopped short, realising that Lightning had started gently rearranging his hair.

"What?" Lightning exclaimed, noticing Rain's eyes on her.

The ends of his mouth curled into a smile. He gently shook his head. "It's nothing."

"Stop moving..." She whispered, scrunching her eyebrows, focusing on his hair.

Rain reached out and gently eased out the creases between her brows with his thumb. "So serious..." He chuckled, tracing the outline of her face, down to her jaw, resting his thumb on her chin.

"You should smile more."

Lightning sighed and let her fingers slide down the side of his face. "I guess with you back, I have a little more reason to."

A frown crept back upon her face. "You should try and get some sleep. Since you're home now..."

Rain closed his eyes. "Perhaps." He whispered, leaning forward till his forehead rested on her shoulder.

She stiffened at his touch, but quickly relaxed at the familiar feeling of his head resting on her shoulder.

"I've missed you, Rain Kalen." She sighed, gently stroking his hair.

"I've missed you too... Claire." He replied, guided his hand around her waist, and pulled her close.

Lightning let out a small gasp, feeling her ears turn hot.

Damn it Light, get a hold of yourself!

They sat there in silence, and soon she noticed that Rain's breathing had slowed.

"Rain..." She whispered, not expecting an answer.