Refresher: "Vanille you're gonna get even more sick if you-", Lightning stopped dead in her tracks at what she saw.
The first thing catching her attention? The window was indeed wide open. Her silky cream colored curtains were blowing through the room from the wind outside. The next thing she noticed; the muscled body her wife was riding. His hands gripping tightly to her hips. His eyes shut in ecstasy. She saw her wife's long orange hair flowing down her back. Vanille was sitting straight up grinding her hips against the bright blue hair of a N.O.R.A. member; Yuj.
Everything happened in slow motion, the second the door was open Vanille let a soft moan escape from her lips, but the sound of the twisting doorknob had scared her and instantaneously she ripped her head around staring Lightning in the eyes. Yuj snapped his eyes open and flicked his head to face the soldier, immediately soaking his composure with fear. Vanille's rhythmic grinding against the boy's hardened appendage had stopped and she fell to the side, grabbing sheets to cover both their naked bodies in the process.
"Lightning!", Vanille gasped quietly, already almost in tears waiting for what her wife was going to say.
Claire did nothing but stand there. Her fists were twitching in rage. Rage centered around her stupidity, around the fact her wife had been cheating on her for who knows how long. Rage at the man she was fucking in their bed. Her eyes flickered between the two. She noticed Vanille's nipples clearly visible under the thin sheets she was using to hide them. She saw her wife's curves prominently showing as the fabric gripped to her sweaty skin. Next to her she saw the bulge between the man's legs he was trying to suppress. He himself looked like he was on the verge of tears, visibly shaken.
"Claire please say something.", Vanille was trembling, silent tears pouring from her green eyes she got up from the bed, letting the sheets slide off her body and she ran to her wife. Her arms were attempting to wrap themselves around the soldier, but to no avail. Every time Vanille moved her body close to Lightning's she woman would just push her away roughly.
The soldier walked forward quietly after a few seconds and with each step she saw Yuj try and cower down into the bed, sinking himself lower and lower. His eyes were darting around the entire room in a panic. He was cornered. By the time Lightning had positioned herself directly next to him on the bed he was shaking even harder, his face bright red. Claire quickly struck a hand around his throat and pulled his bare body out from under the sheets and slammed him against the wall. The boy began thrashing relentlessly as he felt his air passage blocked by the brute force of the women's hand.
Claire started pounding his face with crushing hits. By the time his nose was bleeding and his eyes were swollen with pain she found it nearly impossible to stop. Vanille was behind her from the instant Lightning had her fingers encased around the man's throat, ferociously tugging at her shoulders, quietly begging, crying, pleading for her to let him go. After she was satisfied with herself, she released her grip on his throat. He hit the ground with a thud that reverberated through the house, causing Serah and Fang to stir down the hall.
"Claire?", Serah's voice sounded from the end of the hall. "Is everything okay down there? The two of you are being awfully loud.", her voice was coming closer and closer.
Yuj coughed violently tearing at his throat for air as he quickly stood up in front of Lightning, and grabbed his clothes from the floor before bursting out of the hallway. He shred past Serah, who's face changed from utterly confused, to insanely worried. The boy had nearly toppled Claire's young sister over as his bloody body ducked past hers. She sprinted the rest of the way to Lightning's room and upon entering saw her older sister standing there, staring at the wall where the boy once was in front of her with blatant rage on her face. Blood was dripping from her knuckles, which worried Serah even more when she realized the blood wasn't her sisters. Behind her was a naked Vanille, sobbing and trying to pry the solider to turn around.
Serah understood the instant Yuj ran past her exactly what was going on, and she felt stupid for letting it go on right under her nose. "Vanille..", Serah gasped trying to figure out what to say.
Lighting's face looked stoic again, devoid of all emotion except anger. She turned her head down and smirked to the side before shaking her head and storming past Serah. The younger sister began grabbing Lightning's arms as she briskly walked towards the entrance to her home.
"Light. Lightning. Please, stop, wait, talk to me.", Every demand resulted in another failed attempt, Serah was becoming desperate. "Claire!", she finally screamed just as her sister's finger tips twisted the front door open.
Lightning stopped in her tracks, mid-step, half out the door, waiting for Serah to convince her to stay. "What?", she questioned emotionlessly.
"Don't run this time, please stay here and talk to me.", Serah was begging, trying her best to keep her sister from leaving again.
Lightning slammed the door shut and turned to face her younger sister. She was screaming down at her, "You want me to stay here just to have my wife lying to me?! Cheating on me while you and your new best friend just fucking stand down here and do absolutely nothing!? You let her sit up there in my god damn bed and fuck whoever the hell she wants?!", Claire was thrashing out, something that she unfortunately became too good at.
Serah shivered beneath her. "Claire I'm sorry. I-… I didn't know. Please don't go anywhere we're figure it out, we'll make it okay. You guys can-… oh.. Claire I don't know, go to counseling, work things out. Please? Don't run away again.", Serah was gripping her sister's arms again, afraid that too much would cause her to leave again, but she was begging with all she had.
Lightning stood there before her sister, contemplating what she should do. She dropped her head down and began shaking it again, repeatedly side to side, determining the course of events.
"No.", She said sternly. After all this, no tears had managed to slip from the stoic soldier's eyes. She was solid again. Unbreakable. She lifted her head up again and glanced to her right down the long hallway leading to her bedroom. Vanille standing there naked, trembling still, tears pouring from her eyes. She couldn't stand the sight. Claire turned her attention back to her younger sister, and slipped her metallic ring off her finger and plopped it into Serah's open hands. "Give that to Vanille. Help her pack her shit.", Lightning said unemotionally, leaving no room for question. Her mind had definitely been made up, and there wasn't a damn thing her sister, or ex-wife could do to change it.
Claire did a quick turn on her heel and slammed the door behind her as she exited her house. After she was gone Serah stood there completely baffled holding her wife's wedding ring in her hands still. She slowly turned around and looked at Vanille, who had collapsed on the floor and was openly sobbing now. Then her gaze shifted to Fang standing in the center of the doorway leading to the kitchen. Her face was awestruck as her eyes zeroed in on Vanille.
"Hey, c'mon Vanille. Let's get you some clothes.", Fang rushed over to the young girl and picked her up with a struggle, then led her back to her room.
-Lightning-
Maybe taking a trip to see Lebreau tonight wouldn't hurt. Lightning was thinking to herself, subconsciously walking towards the woman's bar. It was a late night, her shift ending precisely half an hour before 11, but after the incident with Vanille, time was inching on towards 12. The streets of New Bodhum were dark, barely lit by the shitty lights strategically placed throughout the city. They were all put up in a rush after the fall of Cocoon. With the never ending tragedy, everyone was busy with deaths, arrests, rescues, and the well-being of the new citizens of Pulse. No one had time to tend to the lights.
Claire saw Lebreau's bar in front of her and heard the loud sound of base reverberating outside. The place looked busy, but as long as Snow wasn't anywhere near her, she was positive she didn't give a shit. She walked in and scanned the bar for Lebreau. The bartender was wearing a white blouse, and black skinny jeans, her hair curled beautifully on both sides. The pink-haired woman didn't bother wasting her time admiring the brunette's looks. Beautiful or not, she's the one with the liquor. Lightning reminded herself.
"Lebreau, got any clothes I can change into?", Claire asked leaning both of her hands on the counter, rudely squeezing herself between two people.
"Hey there Claire.", Lebreau was now accustomed to using Lightning's real name, as she greeted the pink-haired woman walking in for the first time in a week. "Haven't seen your face too much lately, everything good?", The brunette asked, completely ignoring Claire's request and setting a full shot glass down for the blond woman Claire was standing next to.
"Better. Please answer my question?", Clare replied, immediately taking the focus away from herself.
"Geeze, you're in a rush today huh? I got some shorts and a shirt that should fit you in my bottom drawer. Come on.", Lebreau answered, allowing Lightning behind the bar.
"I owe you.", Claire announced thankfully as she walked into Lebreau's room. She blindly felt around the wall for a switch and flicked it on once her hand found it. She searched the room for Lebreau's dresser and opened the bottom drawer. She managed to find a grey v-neck that looked about her size, and a perfect pair of white shorts to match it. She stripped off her work clothes, examining her body in the small mirror Lebreau had positioned adjacently to her dresser. She saw the long scar on her stomach where Snow had stabbed her. She traced the raised surface with her fingers, remembering how it happened. Claire snatched her hand back, and quickly put Lebreau's shirt on to prevent herself from looking anymore. However, the incident repeated itself when she was putting on her shorts. She looked at both her thighs, which had healed perfectly, but still held the presence of infinitesimal scratches. Claire snapped her eyes shut. Get it together. There's nothing there anymore. You're fine. She tried to convince herself, and finished getting dressed with her eyes closed.
She continued standing there after she was dressed looking out the window behind Lebreau's desk. Her mind reverted back to her wife. She envisioned her on top of Yuj again. Tugging at his hair and moaning his name. She saw his hands traversing her wife's soft skin. His lips at her neck slowly wandering lower. The silent pecks at her prominent collar bones. More moans as he traveled to her breasts.
Claire clenched her fist and banged her head against the window. Stop. She demanded herself.
-Snow-
Snow was standing over at the pool tables as usual with Gadot and Maqui. The three men were drinking beers and conversing right when Lightning walked in. This time, Snow noticed her. The girl still turned him on, even though she had tried to kill him.
She was so sexy that night. So.. Tight.
The large man was lost in staring at his wife's sister, paying attention to the way her hips swayed when she walked. He saw her lean over the counter and ask Lebreau something, and when she did the muscles in her arms flexed beautifully. Her long layered pink hair flowed down past one of her shoulders. The muscular legs hidden under her tight pants flexed with each step she took. For a brief moment he managed to see her electric blue eyes glisten under the changing lights of the bar.
"Hey, ya big oaf! It's your turn!", Gadot's loud voice broke Snow's stare. He continued playing pool, but out of the corner of his eye he saw Lightning disappear into Lebreau's room.
"Yuj back yet?", Snow asked with a smirk plastered on his face.
"It's only been an hour, you think he'd wanna stop fucking her?", Maqui smirked as he took a gulp of his beer. Gadot and Snow both laughed at his joke.
"Vanille's needed some comforted don't ya think?", Snow added trying to make it sound innocent.
"It was definitely time for her to get some real lovin'.", Gadot winked over at Maqui, and they all sneered again.
Just then Yuj ran into the bar, shirtless with his pants barely on. Blood was streaking out of his nose and mouth, and his left eye was almost entirely swollen shut. He immediately ran to the pool tables, attracting the attention of more than just his friends.
"Holy shit, Yuj what happened?", Maqui quickly ran over to him and took a look at his face. The young boy's nose had been contorted into an uncomfortable angle, and there was blood dripping slowly out of his mouth. Yuj's blue hair was mixing with the crimson color of his blood as it stuck to his face.
Before Maqui could get a word out, Lebreau strode over to them with her hands on her hips. "Ahem.", She coughed. "Yuj, just because you live here doesn't mean you can barge in with no clothes on. You know the rules. You guys can talk in private.", She glared at him then directed the distasteful look to the other three men.
She waited there with her arms crossed until the four men made their way to the door at the very back of the bar next to the stage that lead to their rooms. Then she returned to her spot, apologizing sincerely to all of her patrons. She gave a weary look to the door as she continued taking drinks.
-N.O.R.A. Bedroom-
"Damn, that bitch needs to get herself laid.", Snow complained, shutting the door behind him.
"Yuj, what happened?", Gadot had his big hands on the small boy's shoulders, looking directly at him intensely.
"Did Fang do this?", Maqui asked, thinking Fang would be pretty upset seeing her younger sister cheating on her wife.
"No..", Yuj replied weakly, with a shaky voice.
"Who was it then?", Snow interjected himself into the conversation, already having a good idea who the culprit was. The four of them stood there for quite some time waiting for Yuj to reveal the truth. He was still shaking, probably from the shock as well as the long run to Lebreau's bar.
"It was..", Yuj began.
"Lightning?", Snow finished the thought for him, with his best guess. Yuj shot his direction from the ground directly towards Snow's face.
"How did.. How did you know?", He stuttered.
"Lucky guess.", Snow scoffed clenching his fists.
-Lebreau's Bar-
Lightning exited Lebreau's room and awkwardly walked back in front of the bar. She lightly smiled at Lebreau and took an empty seat in front of the woman.
"How's business?" Claire asked, picking up an empty shot glass and raising it beckoning for liquor.
"Same ol'. Been getting a lot of officers in here lately looking for Serah though.", Lebreau tried to make the conversation seem conspicuous, even though she knew where Serah's true location had been for the past two weeks. "How's she?", She added in an almost inaudible whisper.
Lightning only nodded at her and gave her a half smile, winking simultaneously. "Got anything good tonight?", She asked with the smirk still lingering on her face.
Lebreau smiled at the soldier, in awe at her metamorphosis from only two weeks ago. Changing from crippled figure to mighty statue, Lightning was quick to make up a good appearance. "Well, we have… the lovely Pulsian Vodka back in stock again.", She joked with a huge smile. Lightning felt her stomach churning at the memories.
"Maker, never again. No plans to get wasted tonight bartender, just something subtle to dull the senses would be nice.", Lightning tried to give Lebreau an idea of what she wanted.
"Hmm. We have some Whiskey? Straight from Eden?", Lebreau suggested, pulling the brown bottle of liquor out from under her cabinet.
Eden, being the former capital of Cocoon, had been warned fairly early of the imminent destruction of the glorious planet. The large floating city managed to propel itself to the most distinguishable part of Pulse, and had retained it's title as capital. They were famous for their liquor.
"Hit me.", Lightning declared slamming her shot glass gently on the table.
"Well, well, well. Finally come out of hiding I see?", A rough voice questioned behind Lightning, instantly making her half smile disappear into an unsatisfied smirk. How the hell did I not see him? She scolded herself. The woman twirled her rotating stool around to face the large blond-haired man before her. "Hey Light. Funny of you to finally show your face.", Snow scoffed.
"What do you want Snow?", Lightning rolled her eyes turning her body back around to face Lebreau again, trying not to make a scene in such a public place. The bartender had a worried look in her eyes as she finished pouring Lightning's liquid courage.
"Wanna tell me what happened to Yuj?", Snow questioned, hinting that he already knew the answer to his question.
Lightning gripped the shot tightly in her hand, and downed it in an instant. She gave Lebreau a glance before spinning herself around again, indicating she had to keep the shots coming every time her glass was empty. "You mean the asshole you guys got to fuck my wife?", She retorted, leaning herself back against the counter on her elbows. "Why don't you tell me what you think happened to him?", Claire smirked.
"I think you and I need to talk.", Snow suggested, he wouldn't let her win the fight that easy. Regardless of his calm tone Claire could see him clenching his fists underneath his black gloves. The tight leather was threatening to rip any second.
"There's nothing to talk about.", Claire replied coolly, with an overconfident smirk on her face. She was about to give into everything she swore she wouldn't. Keep your control. She had to continuously remind herself.
"You're not even worried about Vanille? You think this has been going on for just tonight? You're pathetic Lightning, drinking away all your problems like this.", Snow accused her. That'll get under that thick skin of hers. He grinned to himself.
Just then the muscular woman rose from her stool and looked up to face the man. Her short size put her chin just above his chest, but her intimidation factor put her far ahead of the game. "Why don't you tell everybody what really happened to Serah, Snow?", Lightning whispered quietly, pushing herself against him threateningly. Men and women all around the bar began staring at their argument.
"Hey guys, easy. I'd hate to be having the cops come in here again, same with that news reporter that loves following you around Snow. The two of you need to calm down.", Lebreau barked from behind her mahogany bar.
Claire remained positioned in front of Snow, refusing to back down, holding her ground. Her deep blue eyes were piercing into him. Snow merely chuckled and took a step back from her.
"Watch yourself then Light. We wouldn't want another missing woman in New Bodhum now would we?", Snows threat was sound. He smirked again. Lightning could see the muscles under his blue v-neck threateningly flexing. His white teeth remained glistening at her and he walked back to the pool table where Gadot, who had played witness to the entire scene, was standing alone. Claire remained standing in her position and watched the two of them talk suspiciously gesturing in her direction.
"I'm considering putting a ban on your drinking.", Lebreau admitted, filling Claire's shot again.
"Wouldn't be half a bad idea.", Lightning replied, turning around then gripping tightly to the glass. All she could do at this point was stare at the liquid. Her body tensed, You think this has been going on for just tonight? His words were stinging in her ears as her grip on the small shot glass became tighter and tighter. The woman's knuckles began turning white and suddenly the glass shattered in her hand, spilling liquor everywhere and inserting shards of glass into her palm.
"Whoa there!", Lebreau exclaimed, nearly dropping the glass she was cleaning in her hands. "Claire are you ok? Here, open your hand I'll clean it up.", Lebreau tried to play medic as she unclenched Claire's fingertips, then cleaned the dripping blood off the palm of her hands with a new rag she revealed from under the counter.
Lightning didn't want to be babied tonight. She snatched her hand away and grabbed the full liquor bottle Lebreau left of the counter. The small woman took enough gulps to get her drunk fairly quickly and spun around to face Snow.
"Hey asshole, come here.", Lightning was standing proudly, her white-jeans shorts had tiny droplets of blood on them. "Maybe we should have that talk after all.", she took a swig of her drink and quickly strode across the floor to the pool tables.
A/N: long chapter. Lots of cccrrrrazy things going on. Tell me your thoughts? Don't hate me for what I did. Things will play out I promise3 ENJOY! I apologize for this being slightly late.