AN: Here's chapter 17 finally. Took me forever to finish this with all the university stuff going on ... Hope you enjoy it!
Chapter Seventeen
Months later...
I love you. And I really miss you... Fang smiled as she read the statement again, leaning back on her couch with a sigh. I miss ya too, love, echoed the response through her mind, and she placed her fingers back on the keyboard, writing them effortlessly.
She moved to hit the enter key to send them when a sound announced another new message from Vanille: ...all of you.
Fang's smile grew slightly devilish at the implication, and she was quick now in deleting her almost sent message, replacing it with a new, more appropriate one. Sweetheart... There are so many things I'd wanna do to you right now ... guess we'll have to make up for the lost opportunities once I'm home. Day and night. She smirked, hitting the enter button.
It didn't take her love long to reply. Sounds tempting ... I just wonder what these 'things' could be...
A chuckle left the brunette's mouth as she stared at the screen of her laptop. It wasn't the first time their chat wandered to adult-only topics, and the woman certainly had no problem with that. Not at all. Her fingers landed back on the black keyboard, Oh, today I don't really feel like goin' about it all slow and romantic ... I'd love to press ya up against the wall, tear off your clothes, taste your sweet lips and touch all of you before spreadin' your sexy legs and f-"
Knock, knock. Fang stopped typing, turning her head towards the hotel room door. She sighed, feeling utterly interrupted as she got up and opened the door, revealing a smiling Sazh in a thick winter coat.
"Hey Fang ... you sure you don't wanna join us outside? We're havin' lots of fun with the snow, buildin' snowmen and all", he suggested happily as the woman invited him in and sat back down with her laptop.
"Maybe tomorrow, Sazh. Today I feel like I need some alone time, ya know?"
The older man nodded. "Alright, was just askin'". He pointed at the minicomputer on the brunette's lap. "Seems your 'alone time' consists of chattin', huh?", he winked.
Fang chuckled softly. "Yeah, with Vanille. Really missin' her... can't wait for Christmas, when we're back in Bodhum"
Sazh let out a small laugh as he nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that's always the downside to tourin', right? Missin' your loved ones and all that.". He glanced at the laptop again, and more coincidentally his eyes picked up the last sentences the two had exchanged... -so many things I'd wanna to do to you... spreadin' your sexy legs...
He went pale, looking away uncomfortably and far more abruptly than he wanted to, making Fang arch an eyebrow. "Something wrong?"
"Oh, uhm ... nothing! I've just, uhm ... what was I sayin'?", he stammered, trying to rid his mind of the images it had produced out of its own accord at the pieces of conversation he'd seen.
And suddenly, the brunette broke into laughter as she understood, quickly turning the laptop out of eyesight from him to avoid more embarrassment. "Oh ... sorry, Sazh. Guess I got ya traumatised for good now, eh?"
Hesitantly, but recovering, the man nodded. "Yeah, guess so ... really didn't need to see that"
"Then you shouldn't have looked". Fang winked amusedly.
"Hey, I didn't do that on purpose, ya hear, girl?", Sazh defended himself, acting more scandalised than he really felt, though it was accompanied by a little smile, letting Fang know he wasn't really serious at all.
"Yeah, whatever ya say"
"Anyway!", Sazh looked around, trying to change the uncomfortable topic about the things he wished he'd never read. His gaze fell on the folded newspaper on the coffee table in front of him. He took it, immediately surprised as his eyes took in the front-page article.
"Ya haven't read it yet, right?", he turned his head towards Fang, who shook her head in slight confusion, unsure what the man was getting at.
"Well, then have a look at this", he handed the newspaper over to her, nodding. Rock-diva Jihl Nabaat arrested for ties to crime, the headline read.
"Famous rockstar Jihl Nabaat has been arrested by local police in her hometown Eden this morning for suspected ties to criminal groups and activities. According to police, who remain even quieter than usual, there is strong evidence backing up the accusation against the 27-year old woman.", Fang read out aloud before putting the newspaper down for a moment, meeting gazes with Sazh.
"That's surprising. Can't say I feel much for her, though. After all, she hated us for no goddamn reason", she shrugged, glancing at the big photo on the page showing Jihl's arrest by police. It reminded Fang so much of her own arrest months ago when the band was falsely accused of having possessed drugs.
Though in Jihl's case, she somehow had a hard time believing the woman suffered the same fate. It just suited the mischievous blonde a bit too well to be involved in criminal activities.
Sazh licked his lip. "Yeah, I agree. And it's kinda funny, ya know. The whole thing reminds me so much of us as we were in the same situation, though I bet in her case no one set her up"
Fang nodded as Sazh voiced her own thoughts exactly. And she blinked when a not so far-fetched idea crossed her mind. "Ya know, I was just thinkin' ... maybe this is complete bullshit, but what if the whole thing we went through was actually Jihl's doing? I mean, ties to criminal activities, the fact she always hated us and the contest she probably only won because we were out and in jail..."
Sazh scratched his chin, slowly nodding as he processed the suspicion in his mind. "Yeah, yeah ... you have a point actually, could be very possible, girl. It surely suits her well to get rid of unwanted competitors this way, especially when ya see that we were - and still are - one of her biggest and most dangerous rivals...", he pointed out.
"Yeah, that's what I was thinkin'!". Fang nodded, finding this theory all too interesting.
Sazh found himself chuckling after a second. "But in any event ... I guess we'll never find out, right? I mean, although she's arrested now and police is looking for evidence for her criminal activities, we both know the woman isn't stupid. So I doubt they'll find anything 'bout our case if it was really her doing"
"Yep, she most likely took care that no links to her can be found later. But we'll see. Apparently, she didn't manage to make all evidence disappear, otherwise she wouldn't have been arrested now, would she?", the brunette remarked with a slight smirk, tilting her head.
"You're right. Let's just wait and see. I still doubt they'll find anything, but think it doesn't really matter that much anymore, right? I mean, nothing's happened since that one big thing, so I guess it was probably just a onetime thing. We feel safe again, and I really believe we are safe and no one will try and fuck with us again.", he smiled softly now, resting his still gloved hands in his lap.
"And that's all that matters, right? Havin' some faith in life and stuff", he turned his head back to Fang, arching his brows.
"Yeah, guess so.", Fang replied before turning the laptop, quickly finishing the last words of her message and sending it to Vanille to not keep her waiting any longer.
Sazh chuckled as he saw. "Well, I better leave you alone now for some more ... uhm, 'alone time' with Vanille, huh?", he winked as he got up and looked down to her.
"Oh, alright. Then see ya later Sazh, I won't be chattin' with her all day"
And with that, the man left her alone with her redheaded lover for now for the two to resume their chat.
Weeks later, at Christmas...
"Alright", Lightning said half-loud to get her guests' attention. When everyone stopped talking and looked at her, she continued.
"First of all, let me tell you again that this is really something special, this year's Christmas. To be honest, I wasn't so sure about this at first, but now I think it wasn't such a bad idea at all to listen to Serah and invite you all over here. Thanks for coming", she began, and even though she appeared as controlled and disciplined as ever, you could see she was slightly nervous to be talking to her guests like that.
Lightning had never been particularly good at holding speeches, no matter how big or small the audience, she knew that. But as she was the host of this Christmas dinner, she didn't really have a choice.
She looked around, meeting eyes with every guest; there were Serah and Vanille, of course, and naturally that meant Snow and Fang were also there.
But Serah had had this idea to go and ask Fang's band colleagues if they wanted to join their dinner too, and at first Lightning had been inclined to say no right away since she didn't really know them. But as it was with Serah, she only had had to pout long enough until Lightning had given in.
So now here they were at Farron's for Christmas dinner, and so far Lightning had gotten a pretty good impression of the guys, so she couldn't really complain.
She cleared her throat before continuing her dreaded 'speech', coming to the part she hated most, though she'd used the last days to accustom herself to it. "Before we start with the dinner you came here for, I think there is something Snow wants to say"
She nodded to him, receiving the same gesture in return. The big man then got up from his chair beside Serah only to kneel right before her, taking her small hand in his paw-like one.
"Serah ...", he began, trying to keep his voice steady but failing slightly. You could already see the younger Farron's face changing rapidly from confusion to a mix of excitement and nervousness as she gulped and seemed to realise what was going. There was a dead silence in the room, everyone's gazes fixed on the couple.
"We've been together for quite a while now, and in all this time, you've made me the happiest man in all of Bodhum, in all of Cocoon. No matter what, we stuck together. Good times, bad times, it didn't matter - we stuck together", he paused briefly, glancing over to Lightning, but the woman only stared blankly at them. When she caught his gaze, though, she gave the man a nod so slight he almost missed it.
"I cannot imagine my life without you at my side anymore, ever. It would be incomplete, empty. No, I want to share the rest of my life with you, make you happy each and every day we have each other". He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small black box and opening it.
"So will you marry me, Serah?"
The woman in question nodded several times as tears of joy came to her eyes. "Y-yes. Yes, I will", she replied, her voice almost breaking. And that was all that was needed for the others to start applauding happily as Snow smiled and put the ring on her finger before sitting up and hugging her tightly.
When they broke apart, he glanced back over to Lightning, who despite herself had a soft smile on her lips as well. "Thank you, Light", he nodded to her in sincere appreciation, knowing how much it meant to receive permission to propose to Serah from her protective older sister.
He was grateful the woman had allowed this to happen. He hadn't been so sure as he'd gone and asked her personally, had actually expected to take a few hits from the tough policewoman as had happened at other occasions.
"You're welcome. But mark my words, Snow: You hurt her, I'll hurt you. Badly". Lightning reminded him seriously, though not harshly. "I won't disappoint you", was his reply as he sat back down beside his fiancée and placed a quick peck on her lips.
Everyone applauded again, and you could feel the light-hearted atmosphere that filled the room. Fang found herself smiling for a long while, and not just because she was happy for Serah and Snow.
No, his touching proposal to her reminded her of just how much she too did love Vanille. And it made her realise that after months of being together, it was about time to finally ask her to move in with her. She'd been thinking about it for a while, but had never actually asked her girlfriend, feeling it wasn't the right time yet.
But when their gazes had met during Snow's proposal, and Vanille had shot her a smile that had practically screamed 'I love you', she'd finally gotten it. She'd finally understood the time was more than right to ask the girl to move in with her. And she'd do just that once dinner was over.
It was hours later when everyone said their goodbyes and slowly left Farron's until only Lightning, Vanille and Fang were still there. Serah had left with Snow, the two had already moved in together about two months ago.
"Will you guys stay here or go to Fang's place?", Lightning inquired as she placed the last two plates in the dishwasher.
"We'll go to Fang's if you don't mind", Vanille answered happily, leaning against Fang's arm.
The policewoman chuckled, "Why would I? You can do whatever you like. You know my trust in Fang has grown enough to know you're safe and well-treated there"
She closed the dishwasher, leaning against it as her gaze shifted between Vanille and Fang. "Besides, it's not the first time you're sleeping at her place, is it? You're almost living there, in fact. Maybe you two should move in together, would make it less complicated", Lightning suggested with a shrug and a faint smile, and Fang didn't know if she wanted to thank the woman for bringing 'her' topic up or momentarily hate her for it.
But first of all, Fang's gaze wandered to her girlfriend, who seemed rather dumbstruck for the moment, just standing there, staring at the floor.
The brunette decided not to wait any longer. She had to use the situation and go for it. "Well, actually, that's just what I've been wantin' to ask you all night, Vanille"
The girl tilted her head, emerald meeting jade, her expression still blank. But only for a moment before her face almost suddenly lightened up, making itself apparent in her growing smile and that happy, upbeat spark in her eyes Fang loved so much.
"Y-you ... want to move in with me? For real?"
Fang found herself smiling broadly, too. "Yeah, I'd love to. I'd really love to ... I mean, if this is okay with you as well, of course.", was the older woman's spontaneous response. "And with Lightning", she quickly added, glancing to the pink-haired woman, a slightly quizzical expression adorning her features.
"Sure, you have my blessing. If I can live with Serah moving in and now being engaged with that simpleton Snow, I can as well accept Vanille moving in with you. I see no harm in it, you two seem to be getting along quite well.", Lightning responded matter-of-factly, "Actually, for me this is easier to accept than when Snow and Serah moved in together", she added, remembering all too well how much of a problem it had been at first when Serah had brought the topic up.
"That's great to hear, Light. Thanks! Just hope you won't feel too alone with the house all for yourself", Fang answered, smiling. But Lightning shook her head with a smile of her own, "No, I'll be fine. It's not like Serah and Vanille don't exist anymore when they live somewhere else, right?"
"Yeah, you're absolutely right", the tanned woman responded before addressing Vanille again, a smirk playing around her lips. "So, what about you, love? You wanna live with me? Haven't got a reply from you yet whether you want this"
To everyone knowing Fang and seeing the utterly happy expression on Vanille's face it was clear as crystal the brunette only asked this highly unnecessary question because she could, and because she loved teasing. But Vanille, as so often, decided to deal with it in a creative, unexpected manner, and so she suddenly leaned forward and stood on her tiptoes so as to reach Fang's lips and place a quick, yet passionate peck on them.
It had its desired effect, with Fang all startled for a moment, blinking in irritation. Vanille could only giggle, oh how she loved catching the older woman off guard. "I guess that was a pretty clear yes, Fang", Lightning commented amusedly before going over to the fridge to fetch herself a water bottle.
"Guess so..", the brunette commented, placing her hands on Vanille's shoulders as a smile found its way on her lips.
"I'll leave you alone and go to bed now. Merry Christmas, guys", Lightning said before yawning and making to leave the room. The couple wished her a good night and finally left for Fang's apartment.
They spent another one or two hours talking, mainly about them moving together soon before finally going to bed as well. It was quite late by then, and Vanille fell asleep quickly as she lay in Fang's arms. The brunette, however, found herself staring at her sleeping form for a while longer, thinking about the evening and everything that had happened.
She smiled, realising once more how happy she currently felt with Vanille, with their decision to move in together, with everything. She placed a soft kiss on the girl's shoulder, inhaling her sweet scent, and sighed in content.
Not so long ago, she would've laughed at anyone mentioning love to her, as she just didn't know the feeling of truly loving someone like she did with Vanille now. Had someone told her maybe a year back she would end up with a girlfriend at her side she'd love more than anything else, she would've laughed again at that person, not believing a word of it.
Still, now here she lay with her love, soon to be moving in with her. And hell, who knew, maybe one day she would propose to her just like Snow did to Serah today?
Her heart jumped at the idea as images of them marrying in white flooded her mind - hell, she didn't even know she was such a romantic before Vanille entered her life. Still, as tempting as the idea of proposing to her girlfriend sounded, as much as she felt this was right and she wanted this, she did know it was definitely too early for that. Something like marriage needed time, time they hadn't yet spent with one another.
But as she pulled Vanille even closer to her and closed her eyes to sleep, Fang knew one thing for a fact: They would stay together to see the day when the right time arrived for them to marry one another, making the sacred life-long promise to stay together, no matter what.
And had Fang been able to read minds, she would've seen her love hadn't really fallen asleep but had actually been dwelling on the exact same thoughts, feeling just as certain as Fang they'd one day end up calling each other their wife.
They soon drifted off, both optimistic about their shared future together, feeling, no, knowing they'd found someone special in one another. Someone it just worked with. Someone they wanted to spend their lives and grow old with.
AN: Alright, so this chapter marks the end of Rockstar! I put a lot of thought into it, trying to come up with a satisfying ending. I hope I managed to do that and you like the ending and feel good about it :) I for one like it, though I wonder if I would've written it differently if I hadn't had so much stress that made it harder to relax and go into creative-mode.
Anyway. Now that this story is complete, I'd like to thank all of my readers again, as well as the people who took the time to leave a review for me. It helped a lot! This was my first multi-chaptered story ever and I'm glad it turned out alright and you guys enjoyed it - I know it was probably not perfect, but I have a feeling I improved while writing this and listening to your feedback.
Finally, something about future stories/projects: As you saw, I'm currently very busy with my studies, so I can't really promise anything, as it's hard to estimate how much time there'll be for writing in the upcoming weeks, but I can tell you I do plan on writing more Fanille stuff, maybe some FLight too. I just can't say when exactly. Hope this helps :)
Thank you and hope you liked the story!