Chocolate and Vanilla

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy XIII. Prompts are from 64damn_prompts on LiveJournal Community.

A/N: Enjoy? Yes? No?

Prompt 04. Lost Scene

Summary: Home. Fang and Vanille were finally back home after five-hundred years. But there was just one thing; everything they once knew was no more.

…

"It's been so long..."

Vanille picked up an old photograph on the table. It was dusty and brown with age, but Fang and herself could still be discerned to be the ones in it. She set it back down and circled the inside of the house. Picking up every other object that wasn't worn and perished by time, memories—fond memories—came back to her one by one.

The old pot the caretaker of the orphanage used to feed them, the jewelry box once owned by a girl she knew, the stuffed chocobo she constantly mended for one of the younger orphans, the old burlap sacks filled with gardening tools the older girls often used...

Everything was gone now. Everyone was gone now. She never realized how lost and alone she felt until she set foot back in her home. The realization wrenched at her insides. It twisted into intangible knots and made her sick. Her green eyes stung, a burning heat eating them away. Tears gathered at the rims, giving her pained eyes a gloss that would have been beautiful, if not for the reason they were being shed. Vanille sat down on the lower bunk bed—her old bunk bed—before the feelings would overwhelm her senses.

"Just like home, sweet home."

Vanille gasped, surprised, but used it as a way to discreetly hide her sob. That voice, she knew who it belonged to anytime, anywhere. She didn't want Fang to see her while she was in such a wreck. Even though she had already seen her like this before, Vanille still didn't like the sad look Fang always had in her eyes every time she saw her cry. Fang would always, of course, let on that her tears didn't bother her and tease her for being such a crybaby.

With Fang's added weight, the worn mattress shifted to accommodate the both of them. Secure, loving arms made their way around Vanille's small body and held her close. She felt safe and closed her eyes, taking in everything that was Fang. The silky feel of her sari, the musky, alluring scent she possessed, the way her body seemed to naturally fit with Fang's when they held each other like how they were now...

She brushed back Vanille's hair with her hand, a soothing gesture that Vanille loved. Fang lowered her head to her ear, barely whispering, the warm breath teasing her.

"Vanille..."

That was all that had to be said. Just that one word—her name—revealed to Vanille everything Fang felt and wanted to say to her. She wanted to help her, to take away the pain, to stop her tears, to apologize. Vanille could sense the remorse in her tone, as she knew Fang blamed herself for Oerba's destruction. But it wasn't her fault, any of it.

"I—"

Vanille kissed her. She grabbed Fang's sari in her fists and pulled her down, both women collapsing onto the bed, the sheets now unkempt and rippled about them. The intimacy was what comforted them and distracted them from reality. She could tell Fang was surprised at first, but there was no struggle as Vanille took charge. Normally, it would have been Fang doing this. But Vanille knew Fang needed the comfort and reassurance more than her. She was going to do the consoling this time. Oerba wasn't just her home; it was Fang's as well.

Hands roamed, fingers trailed, limbs entangled, lips preoccupied. Vanille was losing herself to it all, and hopefully, so was Fang. She understood why Fang always seemed torn when she found her crying. It just hurt too much to see the person you love in any form of despair. It was just a small distraction, but she wanted to help Fang as much as she could. Just like how Fang repeatedly did for her every time she cried in the past.

Vanille slowly pulled away, opening her eyes to see the grief in Fang's—the grief that she tried so hard to keep hidden away from everyone. Fang was too proud to show tears or signs of sadness. She knew Fang always felt like it was her responsibility to be the stronger one for the both of them.

"You're hurting, aren't you Fang."

It wasn't a question. It didn't need to be a question because even if it was, they both knew the blatant answer no matter how much Fang didn't want to admit it. Vanille, all traces of her tears gone, waited for Fang to respond. And she could wait all day and night for it.

"Not anymore."

Fang pulled Vanille close and embraced her. So warm and tender, it was like a silent thank you. Vanille accepted it and returned the embrace, holding Fang tightly, never wanting to let the moment go. It felt right, normal almost. Even with their home in ruins and crystalized dust, it was still home for them. Nothing really changed.

Fang chuckled. "Feels just like five-hundred years ago, except the roles are a little reversed this time."

Vanille smiled contently and laughed along. Their abandoned home, once dreary and lifeless, filled with mirth and life. Even if they had a Focus to complete, even if Lightning and the others were out waiting for them, even if Cie'th were crawling about the ruins, none of that mattered. Right now, they were just back home.

She had been wrong to assume so quickly. Not everything was gone. Not everyone was gone either. The Oerba they knew might have been, but that wasn't what was most important; she would always have Fang, and Fang would always have her.

…

A/N: Anyone ever notice during the cutscene when they get to Oerba, Fang's just staring off into the distance all downtrodden-like? That's where this idea came from. Hope you liked this one and will drop a review!