Refresher: "Fine.", she agreed through gritted her teeth as clenched her fist tightly. "We'll wait until Claire comes home."
-The Guardian Corps Hangar Bay-
"Would you like to see a medic Sergeant-"
"No, I'm fine.", Claire replied quietly without bothering to give the young man a glance as she stormed off their frozen aircraft. The ice was slowly melting away from the exterior in the summer heat of New Bodhum, and maker was she glad to finally get off that ship. A few surprise monster attacks had cut her up rather badly, but Claire was in no mood to be looked after as the deafening hum of the engines slowly died down behind her. She had been gone for a month. An entire month spent barely surviving in the below freezing weather, looking for people she was convinced didn't exist. Now, she was blindly walking through the hanger. Not exactly sure where to go first, Claire found herself uncharacteristically walking around as though she were lost. Every so often she would get a slap on the back and a 'job well done' thrown her way. She winced at the touches and nodded vaguely at the congratulatory words. After weaving her way through supplies, men, women, and vehicles she spotted a head of bright orange hair
Is that..
She began to subconsciously quicken her pace as her eyes honed in on the curly head of familiar hair.
Just a few more yards.
She craved the feeling of her wife now more than anything. When she was gone she had realized she had to fix things, she couldn't just let her go.
bam
"Agh shit!", Claire sighed as she rubbed her head. Her eyes glanced away from the woman for a moment to stare at the police officer in front of her.
"I'm sorry miss.", The young man apologized.
Claire was half listening as she saw the woman turn around, and felt her heart drop as she realized it was not her wife. The woman had a large smile on her face as she ran into the arms of one of the soldiers who had been deployed.
"It's no problem.", she cleared her throat and refocused her attention. The officer looked as though he was searching for someone as well.
Konst…?
"You look a little lost. Is there anything I can help you with?", Claire asked quietly.
"I sure hope so. I was informed that an airship just arrived with people who were rescued from the Vile Peaks?", He questioned.
"Yes sir. They're just over there, receiving medical attention.", she replied gesturing towards a small tent in the other direction. "I'm actually looking for the soldier who led the company on the mission. A uh-", He pulled a note from his pocket. "Sergeant Farron?"
"That's… uh me sir. Is there something wrong?", she questioned as she crossed her arms.
"I'm sorry to spring this on you, just after getting home and all. I'm sure you've had a stressful time already, but there was an incident while you were gone.", He informed her, gently tucking the note back into his pocket.
Serah..
"What happened?", Claire asked hesitantly.
"Your sister Serah was attacked while you were away.", The officer explained.
"Where is she? Is she ok?"
"She is fine Mrs. Farron.", he placed a calm hand up to silence her. "However, the man has been apprehended, and you as well as your sister, wife, and roommate are required at a court hearing." He explained.
Claire couldn't focus. Her eyebrows were scrunched together furiously.
"I… uh.", She was stuttering in irritation.
"You have time to go home and relax, but now that you're home the court is going to be setting a date. You'll be notified of the date as soon as I am. It's just part of my job to inform you." The officer explained.
Claire just sighed and nodded her head. "Thank you.", she quickly brushed past the officer and began quickly running home.
Upon arriving she burst through the door and found Fang asleep on the couch.
"Shit.", the Pulsian jumped awake and reached for a gun that was sitting on the table, quickly pointing it at the soldier.
Claire didn't even bother to pay the woman any attention as she ran to the kitchen. She looked around, seeing nothing out of place. The room smelled as though it had just been cleaned. The counters were wiped down, and the sink was entirely empty.
"Light?" Fang questioned leaning over the side of the couch with the gun still firmly grasped in her hand.
"Where the fuck is Serah?", Claire questioned, furiously exiting the kitchen and striding down the hall.
Fang dropped the gun back down on the table and stood up following the woman down the hallway. She heard a door swing open, and Claire's heavy boots thudding on the hardwood floors.
"She's out at the store getting groceries.", she yelled after the soldier. "You know I just mopped, you could've at least taken your filthy boots off."
Claire appeared from outside of her sister's room and quickly strode over to Fang and grabbed her shirt collar, then pressed her tightly up against the hallway wall.
"Where the fuck were you?! You were supposed to be taking care of her while I was gone!", She pressed her forearm against Fang's neck tightly.
"Easy soldier.", Fang struggled against the woman's grip as she coughed quietly. They stood like this for a few moments. Claire's dark eyes were glaring fiercely into Fang's as she attempted to control her anger. She calmed herself and loosened the pressure she was applying to the Pulsian's neck. "Answer me."
"I was out looking for Vanille. I know I should've been here watching her.", Fang explained with a raspy voice.
Claire dropped her arms to her side at the mention of her wife's name.
"Everything is all right though. She's okay.", Fang tried to add seeing the look on Claire's voice. She cursed herself silently for revealing that she even had to look for the ginger.
"Wait… Vanille..? She.. She's missing?", Claire asked, with a dazed expression on her face.
Fang's mouth hung open as she stuttered to answer.
"Hey Fang!", Serah called as she opened the front door. "Fang, can you help me get the groceries out of the car?"
Claire walked out of the hallway as her sister turned around in the midst of fixing her jacket. "Serah..", She whispered, taking note of the small light bruises strewn across her sister's face. They were only a week old, but still quite noticeable.
Serah immediately dropped her bag on the floor and ran into her sister's arms. "Oh, Claire you're back.", she smiled into the older woman's shoulder. "I missed you so much! Did everything go well?", she pulled away glancing at a pair gloomy dark blue eyes, and the smile on her face slowly fell away.
"I'm going to start getting the groceries in.", Fang said quietly as she slid past the two sisters and walked out the front door.
"Serah.", Claire repeated, after a tension filled silence, pulling the younger woman back into a tight embrace. "What happened? Are you all right?"
"Claire please relax I'm fine.", Serah smiled again as she pulled away from the rough grip of her sister. Fang walked back into the house carrying as many bags as her arms could hold.
"I got a bunch of stuff at the store, so now we can celebrate! You're home and after you get in the shower I can cook some of the steak or something. You know that's your favorite!", Serah smiled widely as she walked out to the car to help Fang carry in the rest of the bags.
Claire followed her actions in helping to the put groceries away. After everything had been cleared up and Serah had started cooking she noticed Fang walking to the backyard by herself. Without a thought to the idea she followed the woman outside. Fang didn't protest the company, and the two were alone as Claire considered how to restart their previous conversation.
"What happened to Vanille?", She began quietly, although her voice could not be heard over the booming television inside the kitchen.
"There's a lot to that story Farron and I-"
"If you want me to leave you alone, you're going to tell me what happened to her, or where I can find her.", Claire interrupted. She figured a persistent attitude was the way to go.
Fang let out a deep sigh, knowing she wouldn't be able to handle the truth. She fought endlessly with herself about how to approach her answer. She was just about to reply when Claire spoke yet again.
"I need to take a shower. I do expect an answer when I get back though." She stood up and walked inside, leaving Fang alone to ponder on whether or not she should tell her the truth.
-Lebreau's Bar-
Lights; Flashing in a kaleidoscope of colors.
Bass; Reverberating through her entire body.
Heroin; Flowing through her veins.
Sex.
Oh fuck I'm so out of it right now. Maybe I took too much..?
Another shot. Somebody brushed against her arm, stealing her attention.
Oh shit that woman was beautiful. No, definitely not too much.
A blurred glance at a pair of slender legs. A wink. Those same legs confidently striding back towards her. A curious pair of hands sliding down her back. Lips sucking roughly at her neck. Desperate moans in her ear.
"Take me somewhere.", her husky voice pleaded in a hot breath as she gently nipped at Vanille's ear.
Fuck.
She picked the woman up and led her back to her bedroom as her lips trailed down her neck. Her eyes were having trouble focusing on the events playing out. She threw the woman roughly on the bed, causing her to emit a throaty moan.
"Mmm come here baby.", she gestured her forward with a simple motion of her finger. Vanille's eyes were dark with lust as she crawled on top of the other woman and ghosted her lips with a kiss. Her mouth traveled to her cheek and up to her ear.
"Not yet.", she whispered with a hoarse voice into the blonde's ear, eliciting yet another moan.
Vanille slid herself off the woman slowly, trailing wet kisses down her chest and stomach as she did so. She winked suggestively at the blonde as she walked towards the speaker system next to the door. After filtering the music from the bar to blast into the bedroom, she locked the door and turned around to face the young woman in her bed.
She repeated the same sensual walk back towards the blonde, and began rhythmically dancing to the blasting music. She spun in slow circles, twirling her hips with her body. The blonde propped herself up on her elbows and stared with lust filled eyes at the woman dancing in front of her. After a full rotation Vanille smiled at the young woman and let out an intoxicated laugh as she bit her finger.
Instantly the nameless woman scooted herself to the edge of the bed and grabbed Vanille, pulling her onto her lap, and began to kissing her skin hungrily. Vanille let out another quiet chuckle as she ground her hips heavily against the other woman's body.
Her hands traveled up Vanille's body from underneath her shirt. Just as soon as the rough eager touch of her fingers was felt Vanille quickly grabbed her hands and pushed them down against the bed.
"Mmmm not yet sweetie.", She teased as she continued grinding. A moan of disapproval was voiced loudly yet again.
Vanille smiled suggestively as she unbuttoned her shirt slowly and wrapped her arms around the girl's neck. Her lips met sweaty skin with hot kisses and rough bites. The blonde moaned loudly as her hands slipped the shirt off the woman in front of her. Vanille followed her actions as she threw her shirt to the floor.
"Unff - I want you to fuck me." The woman moaned into Vanille's ear as she was forced back against the bed.
Vanille complied to every wish the woman uttered. Kiss me here. Bite me now. Lick me there. Take my clothes off. Everything she could possibly want, Vanille complied to. As her kisses descended from her ear lobe, to her collar bone, down the canyon of her newly exposed breasts, to her stomach, to her hips, to her thighs. Tease me.
-Lebreau's Bar-
-The Bar Counter-
Claire walked into the familiar scene of the Lebreau's bar. Her heart felt heavy in her chest as she recalled the events that played out the last time she was here.
Lebreau's body heaving under hers. Heavy sharp breaths.
"Mfff ohm fuck Claire. Shit."
Nails digging down her back as she came.
Claire accidentally bumped into a large man as she lost herself in the memory.
"Sorry.", she apologized distractedly. Her eyes glanced over towards the bar as she saw the familiar shape of the brunette working. Lebreau.
"Hey 'Breau.", Claire chimed quietly.
"Light.", The bartender replied coldly, keeping her eyes averted as she wiped the counter down yet again. Unable to muster a reply to the unexpected impoliteness, Claire continued sitting there watching Lebreau work as the bass thumped in the background. Lebreau made no attempt to talk to her as she hustled around taking orders and mixing drinks.
She's pissed at me.
Blue orbs were searching the bar for familiar faces. The young soldier was doing her best to distract herself from the angry bartender behind her when she spotted a familiar head of electric blue hair.
Yuj.
She turned around quickly, ducking her head and pressing it tightly against the bar counter.
"You know, it really isn't that hard to give someone a goodbye before you disappear for a month.", Lebreau finally broke the horrid silence.
"You knew I was leaving.", Claire mumbled through the crook of her arm, keeping her head buried.
"Don't pull that shit Lightning. I understand it was a meaningless one night stand, but a goodbye wouldn't have fucking killed you.", Lebreau spat under her breath, walking away and continuing to serve drinks as she did so. She spoke quietly enough for only Claire to hear.
"Bartender!", Claire shouted, beckoning Lebreau's attention. The woman angrily walked towards the voice.
"What can I get you?", She questioned bitterly.
"My usual.", Claire's voice rang out monotonously, and unemotionally.
A sarcastic smirk formed on Lebreau's face as she turned around and began pouring the woman's drink. "Here.", she slammed the drink on the counter in front of the woman, causing a small splatter of the liquor. Just as she was about to release the glass she felt a soft pair of fingers firmly grip her wrist.
Claire's hands grazed over the surface of Lebreau's ribcage. They traced all over her body. They matched the softness of her lips. Harmonized with the heat of the kisses. The warmth of her breath. Those glorious hands of hers slid up from Lebreau's waist, to her breasts and up her arms until they had a secure hold on the woman's wrist. She gripped them with rough, yet somehow gentle hands. She held on tightly as her lips followed the pattern previously drawn by her fingertips. Lebreau was pinned to the bed. Sighing in pleasure into the soldier's ears as her body responded to the touches.
"I need to talk to you.", Claire's rough voice brought her back to the bar. The feel of the blankets around her body disappeared, as well as the heat of the kisses.
"About what?", Lebreau answered, her voice sounding far away and very much less bitter.
"Vanille.", that same rough voice sounded again.
Lebreau felt her heart burst as she heard the woman's name. Of course you're here for her. The jealousy hit.
"What about her.", Lebreau asked with the harsh tone resurfacing. She finally snatched her hand away from Claire and began pouring more drinks as she faced away from the woman.
"I talked to Fang.", Claire said still hurt by the other woman's coldness.
Fang? Fuck. She wasn't supposed to tell you. You of all fucking people.
"Oh?", Lebreau tried to play off her worry. A quick glance around revealed that Gadot and Maqui had everybody covered. She sighed realizing she had no choice but to sit and talk to the woman.
"What do you know?", Claire questioned, crossing her arms on the counter top.
"I thought you talked to Fang.", Lebreau countered her still sarcastic attitude. She pulled a barstool from behind her and sat in front of the soldier mimicking her crossed arms.
"She didn't tell me shit. Please don't be like this Lebreau. She's still my wife, and I still care for her.", Claire frowned at the bartender as she begged for information.
Lebreau continued to sit there as she propped her head up with her arm and stared at the soldier in front of her. She recalled watching Vanille drag yet another woman into the back room only a few minutes ago. For the past month she's sat silently behind the counter and witnessed the young ginger deteriorate. She was skin and bones. She never slept. She was always having sex with Yuj or other women.
"I don't know where she is sweetheart.", she sighed, frowning at the woman yet again.
Claire angrily shook her head. She was fiercely glaring into Lebreau's dark brown eyes.
"Cut the bullshit. I know you're lying to me."
Lebreau noticed her jaw clenching and unclenching repeatedly. She saw the woman's tense muscles flexing.
What the fuck do I say now…?
-The Back Room-
"Ohhh, yes that feel so good!", the woman exclaimed as she entwined her fingers in Vanille's hair. Vanille's tongue was sucking gently on her clit as her fingers furiously pounded into her wet folds. There were beads of sweat forming all over her body as her fingers continued their assault. She could tell the other woman was close as she felt her nails digging roughly into her back. The sound of her skin tearing only fueled her to go faster. Fuck.
After she felt the woman's touch slip from her back to curled her fingers inside her and gave one final flick of her tongue on the blonde's nub. Screams of pleasure filled Vanille's ears as she continued thrusting and suckling. She heard her flesh ripping again as the woman scratched her nails up her back again. The thrusts slowed down as the nameless blonde rode out her high. Vanille slowly pulled her fingers out of her core and kissed the stranger's lips one more time.
"Mmmm.", She moaned dreamily as she wrapped her arms around the ginger's neck. "That was fantastic.", she smiled as she started kissing Vanille's neck lightly. "Now it's your turn.", she whispered as she nibbled at the ginger's ear.
"No.", Vanille grumbled pushing herself off the woman. As she stood up she felt a strange liquid pouring down her back. She snatched her shirt from the floor and ran to the bathroom.
"Excuse me?", the blonde questioned in a surprised tone from the bed. She didn't bother following the red head to the bathroom.
"Fuck.", Vanille whispered in the other room. She had scratches profusely bleeding down her back.
"Do you not want to get laid?", the blonde spoke from her spot on the bed still. "It's worth it.", she chimed in a sing song voice.
Vanille cursed herself as she realized how difficult it would be to get the woman to leave. She hastily threw her shirt on and winced as it brushed against the newly formed scars. The ginger broke into a quick stride as she entered her bedroom and nearly ran the woman over.
"Shit.", the blonde jumped. "You scared me. You were just taking a while so I was going to check that you didn't die in there. Come back to bed.", she begged with a smile on her lips as she grabbed Vanille's hand and began leading her back to the bed.
"How many times do I have to say no?", Vanille snatched her hand away as she walked to the bed and began grabbing the woman's clothes. As she bent over to pick them up she felt the fabric of her shirt fiercely clinging to her back. Shit, gotta hurry.
"Get dressed and leave.", she ordered, throwing the clothes at the woman.
"What's wrong? Did you not have a good time?", the blonde asked sadly.
"Please, can you just fucking leave!?", Vanille shouted at her as she pushed her back.
"Shit. Okay, sorry.", the woman apologized as she messily threw her clothes on and walked out of the bedroom without a backwards glance.
Okay. Problem solved. Fuck what do I do now?
Vanille was furiously thinking to herself as she frantically walked back into the bathroom. Upon flicking the light on and turning around she noticed her shirt was soaked with blood. She quickly ripped it off and threw it in the sink then turned back around to examine her back again. Pieces of skin were hanging off haphazardly and blood was oozing slowly from them.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Okay, maybe a shower.
She turned the water on quickly and as the temperature of the water rose she began soaking her shirt in the sink. After the shirt was covered in water she sighed and stepped into the shower. She nearly bit a hole in her lip in an attempt to suppress the loud moan of pain threatening to escape her lips. When she opened her eyes she noticed the bright red water flowing down the drain and her heart rate sped up.
Fuck. That's a lot of a blood. Fuck. What the fuck do I do now?
She panicked as she continued standing there and watched the water going down the drain. After a few minutes of insanely hot water she decided to drastically turn the temperature down and sighed as the cold water hit her. Several more minutes past before she decided the water was running clear enough for her to get out. She quickly shut the water off and hopped out of the shower and ran to the mirror. She wiped the condensation off with her forearm and turned around to examine her back yet again. Blood was still seeping from the cuts, and the area around them was bright red, but they looked slightly better.
Without even bothering to dry off Vanille walked out of the bathroom and threw on another shirt, darker this time to hide the blood stains, and a pair of shorts. She quickly ran to the door and walked out into the bar.
Okay, relax Vanille, you're fine. Just ask Lebreau if she-
Her eyes bulged open as she stared across the room through the immense crowd of people to the bar. She saw the familiar pink hair and her heart dropped. The grey shirt. The black shorts.
Claire's back.
Vanille would be lying to herself if she didn't admit that she had missed her wife immensely whilst she was gone. It had been an entire month since she saw her. Yet there she was just a few yards away. Lebreau was sitting directly in front of her with an annoyed look on her face. Vanille could see her shaking her head as their conversation continued. Lebreau turned her head to the side and made eye contact with Vanille, her eyes expanding in surprise. Vanille felt her heart race, she knew she wasn't supposed to be there, so close to the woman. She was supposed to be a shadow. She wasn't supposed to exist. To her right she saw Yuj though dancing with a woman and she quickly ran out of Lebreau's line of sight just as Claire turned her head to see what had caught the woman's attention.
"Yuj. I need your help, please come to the bedroom?", Vanille begged tugging at the man's arm.
Without even bothering to take his lips away from the woman in front of him he shoved Vanille to the side causing her to bump into another dancing man.
"Sorry.", she apologized in a quiet voice as she approached Yuj again. "Seriously. Please Yuj, I need your help. Something happened wi-", Yuj slapped his hand up quickly hitting Vanille in the face.
"I'm fucking busy, go somewhere.", he pushed her away again and this time she refused to come near him again. She felt tears rising in her eyes as she realized she had forced herself to depend on this man. Who couldn't give her the time of day unless he needed a place to keep his dick for the night. She fought hard with herself to keep the tears under control as she walked back into Lebreau's sight. As Claire chugged down the rest of her drink Lebreau glanced towards Vanille.
Please come here. She mouthed gesturing the words with her hands as she made eye contact with the bartender. Lebreau gave her a quick nod and returned her attention to Claire. Vanille's body began shaking as she headed back towards the back room. She sat at the edge of her bed and furiously tapped her legs to keep calm.
Breathe. Just relax. Breathe.
-The Bar Counter-
"Uh. Can you hold on just a minute.", Lebreau asked standing up from her seat in front of Lightning.
"Where do you have to be? I'm not done here. You haven't answered me yet.", Claire said with a slur in her voice.
"Just hold on Light. I have something I need to take care of. It'll just be a second.", The bartender walked over toward Gadot. "I have to do something really quick. Can you cover me for a few minutes?", she asked him quietly.
"Sure thing boss.", Gadot conformed with a simple head nod.
Lebreau nodded back and held up a finger to Lightning, silently telling her she'd be back in a minute. She crossed through the bar and headed towards the back room. Without even bothering to knock she burst through the door and slammed it shut behind her. Upon turning around she was met with a flash of hair.
"I'm sorry Lebreau. I'm sorry I just need your help please?", Vanille sobbed as she clutched the bartender tightly.
"Shh, it's all right.", Lebreau wrapped an arm around the woman gently and immediately snatched it away as she felt a cold wet substance soaking the woman's shirt. "What is that?", she asked as she pulled away from the ginger and examined her arm. The room was so dark she couldn't see the color of the liquid.
"That's why I need your help. Please? I'm begging you.", Vanille cried.
"Stop, stop, stop. Tell me what happened.", Lebreau ordered, gently grabbing Vanille's hand and leading her to the bathroom.
"I had sex with this girl, and I guess she got really into it and she cut my back open.", Vanille explained in between sniffles.
Lebreau gasped as they entered the bathroom and saw the sink full of bloody water and a t-shirt. Vanille didn't bother giving her any more explanation as she ripped her shirt off and revealed still bleeding scratches trailing down her back. Although her top half was entirely nude, Lebreau did not avert her eyes.
"Vanille..", Lebreau sighed. "You really need to go to the hospital.", she finished gently touching the scars on the woman's back. The ginger spun around to face her with a tear streaked face.
"No. No, I can't go there. Don't make me go there, please just fix it please.", she begged as salty tears continued sliding down her face.
"I'm not a medic Vanille, you are. I can't fix that.", Lebreau argued.
"I can't fix it myself either, please Lebreau.", Vanille tightly grabbed the bartender's hands as she begged her.
Lebreau continued standing in the small bathroom staring at Vanille's scars through the mirror.
"Do you guys have a medical kit in here?", She asked quietly. Vanille shook her head in response.
"I'm gonna go grab mine, and I'll be right back okay? Just take a seat, and hold tight and breathe.", Lebreau gave the ginger a weak smile as she exited the bathroom and unlocked the door. Just as she opened the door, Yuj and the woman he was dancing with barged in, their lips still fully attached. Lebreau let them pass with a disgusted look on her face and heard Vanille shut the bathroom door behind her.
She exited the bedroom and walked back towards the bar just as Claire was downing another shot.
"There you are. Can you please explain to me where-"
"I'm not done yet Claire. Please just a few more minutes.", Lebreau quickly interrupted her before she could be barraged with more questions. Claire remained quiet as she played with her empty shot glass and watched Lebreau head towards her bedroom. Once inside she headed straight for her bathroom and picked up the medical kit. Without wasting another breath she headed back out into the bar and shuffled past Claire awkwardly as she attempted to hide the kit. After dancing her way through the crowd of people in the bar she finally made it to the bedroom door. She walked in quickly and slammed the door shut yet again. Upon turning around she heard obnoxiously loud moans from the woman underneath Yuj. Lebreau shook her head disgustedly and strode towards the bathroom as she tried to ignore the sounds coming from across the room.
Upon entering the bathroom Lebreau found Vanille sitting on the toilet with the same bloody shirt on, a tourniquet wrapped around her arm, and a needle in her vein. The ginger jumped as soon as she heard the door open.
"Vanille…", Lebreau sighed angrily.
"Please don't give me shit right now. Please. I know I fucked up. I'm fucked up. I-"
"Stop.", Lebreau held up her hand as she shut the bathroom door and placed the medical kit on the counter. "I'm not gonna give you the speech again. You're old enough. Now take your shirt off.", she finished as she looked through the medical kit for the hydrogen peroxide.
Vanille sniffled quietly as she complied. First she took the, now empty, needle out of her arm. Then she untied the tourniquet. However as she was about to pull her shirt off she felt Lebreau's hands already pulling it off for her.
"Turn around.", she ordered. "We're going to have to do this old school, so I imagine it's not going to feel very pleasant.", Lebreau informed her as she soaked a cloth in hydrogen peroxide.
"Okay.", Vanille replied in a shaky voice.
Lebreau gently wiped the soaked cloth down Vanille's back causing the scars to immediately bubble as the liquid began disinfecting. She continued wiping the scars as loud moans were heard next door. Vanille remained silent throughout the entire process, neither wincing nor moaning. The blood stopped flowing after Lebreau went over the scars for a second time with a clean wipe.
"You're lucky I've stocked up on skin closures.", Lebreau stated as she pulled the small bandages out, along with organic anti-bacterial cream. She used all the bandages she had closing the small wounds, and applied the cream everywhere possible.
"This is supposed to prevent them from getting infected. I'll leave it here. I can come by and change them for the next few days if you want?", Lebreau asked as the finished applying the last bandage. She double checked them all too make sure they were adhering to the ginger's skin.
Vanille didn't respond to her, and continued standing there in a catatonic fashion.
"Sweetheart?", Lebreau asked. She knew the woman was slipping away.
"Hmm.", Vanille asked distractedly with another sniffle.
"Are you all right?", Lebreau questioned.
"Look, I know you don't really like me that much.. But… do you think I could stay in your room tonight?", Vanille asked as she turned around.
"Can I ask why?", Lebreau began packing away the medical kit and throwing away all the trash from the bandages.
"I don't want to stay here with Yuj. I don't want to be back here with them anymore." Vanille answered quietly. In the silence that followed, they could still hear moans coming from the adjacent room.
"Are you gonna use anymore tonight?", Lebreau asked.
"What?"
"The heroin. Are you going to use anymore?", she repeated the question. Vanille continued standing there half naked, considering her answer. "Because if you are then the answer is no."
"Then no, I won't. I'm fine.", Vanille answered immediately.
"You know she's still here?", Lebreau asked. She had almost forgotten about the ginger's wife still waiting for her in the other room.
"I know…", Vanille replied uncomfortably. Lebreau stocked the medical kit under the sink in the bathroom and grabbed the t-shirt out of the sink.
"I'll come get you when she's gone, and wash this for you all right?", Lebreau offered. "That's the best I can do right now."
"That's fine. I'll.. Get dressed.", Vanille sighed.
At this point Lebreau was unsure of what she should say to the woman. She gave the ginger a weak smile and walked out of the bathroom. In the bedroom she had the misfortune of seeing a young brunette girl sucking Yuj's cock. The young man looked up when he heard the bathroom door open.
"Whoa.", he quickly grabbed the sheets and covered himself and the woman. "What the hell are you doing back here 'Breau?", He asked angrily.
"Nothing. Checking on Vanille.", Lebreau answered him angrily. She didn't bother sticking around for the end of the conversation and walked out of the door without another word. Time had passed at an unnaturally fast rate when she was in the bathroom with Vanille. As she exited the bedroom she found the bar nearly empty. The men and women who were furiously dancing not too long ago had mysteriously disappeared, and the counter was also almost entirely void of all people. The young soldier with the pink hair was leaning her head on top of the counter. There were several empty shots sitting next to her, and she appeared to be sleeping.
"Sweetheart?", Lebreau approached the young woman and gently placed a hand on her back as she spoke to her.
Claire jumped at the touch and nearly fell out of the bar stool. "Shit. What?", she asked confused.
"It's late, I think you should go home Light.", Lebreau stated in a sweet tone as she began cleaning up the empty glasses.
"You were gone for so long.", Claire mumbled to herself as she grabbed the last shot glass that still contained liquor and downed it.
"Whoa there, you don't need anymore of that." Lebreau stated, quickly walking towards the young woman and taking the glass from her hand.
"You never answered me.", Claire continued in her drunken slur.
"I don't know where Vanille is Lightning." The bartender reiterated as she placed the glasses in the sink behind her, which was nearly full.
"Fang told me you-"
"I don't care what Fang told you. I'm sorry.", Lebreau apologized as she grabbed her cloth from under the table and wiped the counter down yet again.
Claire sighed as she slumped her shoulders. "Can I have one more drink for the road?", she asked in a sad voice.
"No Lightning. You've had enough. I can call a cab for you if you'd like?", Lebreau offered, as the guilt washed over her.
"Please? I'll give you the money in the morning.", Claire asked.
"It's on the house." Lebreau winked at the woman in front of her as she grabbed the phone hanging on the wall behind her and placed a call for a cab.
"Can we talk tomorrow night?"
"If you come here, yes. I have to work this whole week." She answered after quietly hanging up the phone.
After that Claire didn't say much of anything. She sat leaning her head on the counter yet again as she waited for the cab to arrive. About ten minutes had passed when there was some honking coming from outside the bar.
"I think that's you.", Lebreau said as she rubbed Claire's back again. The woman was in no mood to move. The bartender had tried to get her to walk, unsuccessfully. After a moment she gave up, and picked the woman up and slung her arm around her shoulder.
"Come on Light. This isn't like you.", Lebreau mumbled, more to herself than her drunken patron. After a small struggle and an apology towards the cab driver, she successfully had the soldier shoved into the back seat. She dug around in her pocket for the money she grabbed to pay for the ride. Lebreau thanked the driver and quickly headed back into the bar and grabbed her cell phone.
"Hello?", came the Pulsian's voice.
"You and I have to talk later, but right now I'm calling to tell you Lightning is on her way over there.
"Why are you telling me that?" "Because she's in a cab and she's so wasted I had to carry her to the car. Just keep an eye out so the poor driver doesn't have to take her in.", Lebreau finished.
"I didn't know what else to tell her 'Breau.", Fang's voice sounded after a moment.
"I said we're going to talk about it later. I've had a busy night and-", Lebreau paused in the middle of her sentence as she heard banging coming from the back room.
"And?", Fang's voice re-directed her attention.
There were shouts coming from the back room now.
"I have to go Fang. We'll talk tomorrow.", Lebreau stated as she quickly hung up the phone and walked towards the back room.
"Why the fuck was the door locked Vanille?", She could hear Yuj's voice from outside the door.
I can't get a fucking break tonight.
She swiftly opened the door and turned to see Yuj standing over Vanille tightly gripping her wrist. His fist raised over his head, ready to strike. Lebreau jumped from the door directly to him. The woman who was there with him was attempting to pull his wrist back as well, clearly upset as she furiously tugged against him.
Lebreau quickly gripped his arm and yanked him backwards. Screaming for him to let go of Vanille. When he finally did she slammed him furiously against the wall.
"Yuj, I think you need to go outside.", Lebreau suggested angrily as she stepped away from the man crossing her arms.
Yuj stared at her incredulously as he clenched his fist in a strained manner. With one last glare her way he stormed out of the bedroom. "Take your girlfriend with you.", Lebreau added irritated as she watched Yuj push past Gadot and Maqui who had gathered at the doorway. They immediately left as well after the glare Lebreau shot them.
"Vanille?", The brunette asked as she approached Vanille. She had completely collapsed on the floor and was violently sobbing. The instant Yuj released her she fell to ground. "Are you okay? Come on, give me your hand.", Lebreau offered her hand out to the young ginger. Vanille took thee brunette's hand gently and stood herself up, with tears still dripping down her face.
"Come on. Light left, you can come back to my room.", Lebreau stated as she led the girl out of the back room and towards her own. She opened the door and sat Vanille down on the bed. Upon kneeling on front of the young woman, Lebreau realized she had a small bruise forming on the side of her face.
Must've got one good hit in.
"You can sleep in my bed. I'll just take the couch, it'll be all right.", Lebreau smiled at the ginger as she pushed her down on the bed and wrapped her under the blankets.
Wasted and high. Huh. Ridiculous.
Lebreau scoffed to herself. She was sitting here taking care of Claire's heroin addicted wife. A woman she practically hated with every fiber of her being. Yet, there she was tucking the drunken woman in like she was her best friend, and lying to the woman she loved.
What the hell is going on?
-The Next Morning-
-Claire's House-
"Claire?", Serah's voice came out, muffled.
Claire felt the hair being gently pushed out of her face.
"Claire, you have to get up.", Serah's voice came out sweet, as she rubbed her hand down her sister's arm.
The soldier's only response was a groan. As she turned away from the touch and the light blaring through the window. Her head was pounding. When her eyes finally creaked open her vision was blurred.
"Want some coffee?", Serah offered, rubbing the soldier's back.
"Please.", Claire grumbled. She rubbed her eyes groggily.
"I'll get it, you can stay here.", she heard Fang's voice.
The realization that everybody was standing around her woke Claire up. She sat up quickly, realizing that she was comfortably set up in her living room on the couch.
"Hey, relax. Lay back down.", Serah placed her arm on the woman's shoulder and tried to force her back down.
"No.", Claire pushed against her and stood up. "What happened last night?", She asked realizing she was still in the same outfit from the night before.
"You came home in a cab smashed out of your mind.", Fang answered as she entered the living room and placed a cup of coffee on the small table.
"Did you talk to Lebreau?", Serah asked quietly. She was sitting at the foot of the couch with her hands neatly placed in her lap. Fang sat down on the chair next to her and crossed her legs.
"Yeah.. She didn't tell me anything.", Claire answered in an upset tone.
"We need to have a talk Farron.", Fang chimed in.
Claire continued standing there awkwardly in silence waiting for the Pulsian woman to continue.
"Officer Konst called last night while you were out.", Fang continued after realizing Claire wouldn't speak. "He gave us a date to be at the court house this weekend, and whenever he arrested Snow… he told us Vanille needed to be there."
"Well that's a problem. Nobody fucking knows where she is.", Claire threw in quickly. Fang and Serah gave each other a knowing look and both nodded at each other before the brunette redirected her attention back towards the woman standing in front of her. "Okay what am I missing?", Claire asked crossing her arms and leaning against the arm of the chair behind her.
"Lebreau and I lied to you, Light.", Fang mumbled without breaking eye contact. She waited a few moments for a response, but was just met with a stoic emotionless glare from the soldier. "We've known where Vanille is."
"Where.", Claire replied immediately as the last syllable left the woman's mouth.
"Claire you need to let us explain before you do anything stupid.", Serah finally spoke scooting closer to her sister.
"Answer me.", Claire didn't break her glare from Fang's eyes.
"After you left she started staying at Lebreau's bar with Yuj. She started doing smack with him, and-"
"Smack?", Claire interrupted. "As in heroin?", her glare didn't falter. The soldier's sister and Fang exchanged another short glance with each other.
"Yes.", Serah answered quietly. Claire stood there for a few moments soaking in the new information. Then, within a matter of seconds, she was gone. Her feet were automatically piloting her to the familiar bar.
-Lebreau's Bar-
Lebreau had woken up around 9. Her back was aching terribly from sleeping on the couch, and she was finding it impossible to sleep a minute longer. That was almost four hours ago and Vanille hadn't moved a muscle since. While she was waiting for the ginger to wake up, Lebreau cleaned the entire front section of the bar. The place had been relatively busy the previous night and the mess left behind was unbelievable.
Just as Lebreau was about to finish moping the floor next to the pool tables she saw Lightning angrily striding towards her.
Shit. She doesn't look happy.
Within seconds the soldier was on the front porch of the establishment and was furiously pounding on the locked door.
"Lebreau! Open the fucking door!", she shouted as she continued her assault on the glass doors. In fear of the woman shattering the glass Lebreau quickly unlocked the door and allowed her entry. "Where the fuck is she?", Claire demanded the instant she could get inside. Without waiting for an answer she headed towards the back room where she knew the N.O.R.A. members slept. Her rampage continued as she burst into the room without so much as a knock and began examining all the beds. Gadot, Maqui, and Yuj were all sleeping in their respective beds. Claire shut the door and turned back around to charge towards Lebreau who was still standing by the door.
"Light-"
"Where is she?", Claire repeated still angrily walking towards the woman. Lebreau quickly backed up until her back was pressed tight against the wall and Lightning was just a few inches in front of her.
"She's in my room.", her shaky voice came out as she ducked her head away from the woman's voice. The second she had her answer Claire turned on her heal and swung her body over the bar counter and ran to Lebreau's bedroom.
She opened the door quickly, but upon seeing the sleeping form of her wife the entire world around her slowed down. The soldier collapsed on her knees as she stared at the rise and fall of the young woman's chest. She could feel the blood rushing to her head, and her heart pounding stridently in her ears. Claire scooted closer to the woman laying on her side and took note of the deterioration that occurred while she was away. She saw dark circles surrounding both of her eyes, tiny little bruises dotting the woman's arms, and scabs nearly everywhere. The thing that most caught her attention was the darkened area of her right forearm. It was dotted with puncture wounds from needles entering her skin and filling her veins with poison.
There was a dark bruise forming on her left eye, and there were tiny bloody stains on Lebreau's sheets. Claire bit her lip tightly as she cupped the ginger's face with a shaky hand. She gently brushed the pad of her thumb against the woman's cheek causing her eye lids to flutter open. The soldier's heart sank as she realized her bright green eyes had now become devoid of all life. They were dull, streaked with red veins; bloodshot.
"Claire?", her voice croaked as she squinted her eyes. The woman in question couldn't harbor a response as she heard her name escape Vanille's lips in an unfamiliar rasp. Unable to speak, she simply nodded as a tear slipped down her cheek. "What are you doing here?", the young woman asked as she pushed herself away from Claire's touch.
"I-…", she stuttered as her hand slipped from Vanille's warm face to the cold bed sheets. "Vanille what happened to you?", her voice cracked midway through the sentence as she attempted to silence her tears. There it was. The question that everybody had been too afraid to ask. The question that even Vanille didn't have an answer for. There were several minutes of silence, broken only by the sound of voices just outside the bedroom as Fang and Serah entered the bar.
"Don't go in there.", Claire heard Lebreau whisper quietly as she continued staring at her wife. The remainder of the conversation was lost somewhere between the walls.
"You left.", Vanille whispered clutching her knees to her chest. She had scooted as far away from Claire as physically possible, and had her back pressed tightly against the wall.
"I know.", Claire admitted. She understood what Vanille meant. She understood that she abandoned her. "I know I did, but you didn't hav-
"Why'd you even bother coming back?", Vanille sounded again with a shaky voice, although the distinct sound of anger was apparent. Claire continued kneeling at the edge of the bed, trying to come up with an answer.
"I-"
"Did you just want to get lucky? Did you want to come back and fuck me one more time?", tears were freely flowing down the ginger's face.
Claire remained silent. After being interrupted yet again she knew what was about to come her way.
"Because that's what every body fucking wants isn't it? They just keep coming back for a quick fuck and then they disappear again!", she took a deep breath as she swiped away the tears with her forearm. Claire lingered, waiting for the ginger to continue. "You just fucking up and left. I know I fucked up with Yuj. I sit back there in that fucking room and think about it all day long Claire. I didn't think I would ever see you again. And here you are in your bright shiny armor coming to save me." she paused again to wipe her face.
"Vanille-"
"No. I don't want to hear it.", she scrambled out of the bed and faced away from the soldier. "Get out.", she ordered through sniffles. Claire's eyes swelled as she stood up and repositioned herself behind the young woman.
"Vanille please.", she begged, fighting with herself to grab the girl's hand.
"I told you to leave!" Vanille was screaming now. She turned on her heal and pushed Claire towards the bedroom door roughly. "Get out! Get out! Get out!" she repeated the words like a mantra, shoving Claire yet again each time she said them until the woman was flat against the bedroom door. Vanille pushed her to the side roughly and opened the door, giving her one final push out of the bedroom before she slammed the door in her face.
Lebreau, Serah, and Fang all stood at the commotion as Claire was shoved behind the bar counter. They stared at the soldier in disbelief as they heard the loud crash of the door closing. The entire event happened in slow motion. Lightning was standing motionless as she replayed the scene. Her chest still hurt where Vanille's hands had shoved her. The lower part of her back was throbbing from the doorknob hitting her as she was forced into the door.
"Shit.", Lebreau was quick to step in Lightning's way just as the soldier threw herself towards the door in an attempt to open it. "Hey, hey Farron relax.", She wrapped her arms around Lightning's body as she struggled to keep her calm.
"Let me go!", Claire's voice boomed furiously through the bar. Serah immediately wrapped her arms around her older sister from behind and pulled her away.
"Claire honey, hey look at me. Please calm down.", Lightning fell to the floor and slammed her back against the counter. Tears were quietly streaming down her face as she ran her fingers through her sweaty hair agitatedly. Serah was kneeling next to her rubbing her arms. Fang watched as the soldier in front of her broke yet again. Lebreau, unwilling to watch the unfolding scene was searching underneath the counter for a key to her bedroom. Upon finding it, she unlocked the door and headed in slamming it shut behind her.
"Leave me alone.", Vanille sounded quietly. Her body was wrapped up in a dark plaid blanket on Lebreau's bed and her body was facing the wall.
"Listen sweetheart, I know you're not happy with her-", Lebreau began.
"Then why in the hell did you tell her where I was? Why did you let her see me like this?", Vanille shot up and turned towards Lebreau angrily gesturing towards herself.
"Sweetheart, there are some things that you need to understand. Snow has a trial coming up and you need to be there for-", Lebreau tried her best to explain the situation.
"Why the hell do I have to be there for Snow's trial", Vanille questioned as she interrupted the bartender. Her voice was quiet now and came out in a croak.
"He came back to the house one night and beat Serah while Light was gone. Fang got there just in time to call the cops."
Vanille was silent after this. In the enduring stillness she heard angry sobs and shouts from the adjacent room. She sat there for a long time with her back pressed against the wall, wrapped up in Lebreau's blanket. Her eyes never wavered from the bartender's face.
"I don't know why. I'm sure Lightning has her own agenda with you, but that's another story for another day. Please Vanille, they need you. Maybe they can help you get better?", Lebreau added quietly. Vanille winced as she began to understand the meaning of her last sentence.
"Is that why you want me to go back? So I can get out of your bar and stop disturbing you with my fucked up relationship?", Vanille asked angrily.
"Don't try to turn this shit around on me Vanille. I'm not saying I want you better so you can get out of my hair. I want you better so I don't have the cops at my bar carrying your body out.", Lebreau's once angry expression softened the minute she realized what she had said. Before she could explain her temper there was a knock at the door.
"'Breau?", Fang asked with a soft voice. "Can you please open the door?", the request came out in a gentle voice. Lebreau didn't move, but instead gave the young woman in her bed a look requesting her permission, and was met with a slight nod. As Fang entered the room she locked the door behind her and climbed into the bed next to Vanille.
"Hey sunshine.", Fang greeted her with the same soft voice as before she entered the room.
"Did Snow really attack Serah again while Claire was gone?", Vanille asked, completely ignoring the Pulsian's greeting as well as the thought of her death.
"The cops just asked us some questions, and the officer who's in charge of the case requested that you come to the trial.", A quick summary was given. Vanille continued to sit quietly with her knees hugged to her chest and her chin resting on them as she considered what she was going to do.
-Lebreau's Bar-
-The Front Counter-
"She's not just going to jump back in your arms Claire.", Serah told the soldier in a light tone following her to the area behind bar counter. "Please don't eavesdrop. I don't want you to hear anything that'll upset you."
"I wasn't expecting her to come back Serah, I just wasn't expecting that to happen.", her voice was drifting off as she remembered the countenance of her young wife. "Have you seen her?", she whispered in a broken voice as she grabbed a bar stool and sat behind the counter, her sister positioned directly in front of her.
"No, I haven't."
"Serah, I can't believe I did this to her.", Claire shoved her head in her hands angrily.
"Claire-", Just as Serah was about to console her distraught sibling, Lebreau's room opened and Fang stepped back out swinging the door closed behind her.
"She's coming to the house until the court hearing is over.", the announcement was delivered quietly as the Pulsian took a seat next to Lightning. The soldier's heart stopped as she realized what that meant.
"Who is she staying with?", Claire asked.
"We'll figure that out when the time comes Farron. I wouldn't get your hopes up, but please give her the space she needs."
Again the door to Lebreau's room opened and Vanille exited followed by the bartender herself. Claire kept her head hung low as the ginger crossed the room and disappeared into the N.O.R.A headquarters.
"She's getting some of her things, she'll be right out.", Lebreau nodded as she walked to the front of counter and leaned into the conversation. Claire stood up after realizing she would have to depart with the group and decided to make herself scarce. She reached under the counter and grabbed a bottle of Archlyte Vodka. Upon digging in her pockets she thankfully found her wallet still residing in them and dumped out 30 gil to cover the expenses.
"Claire.", Serah stood up and blocked the door in protest as the soldier attempted to leave without another word. The young woman's frame was so small that Lightning could have slid past her with ease.
"Please move. Serah.", she requested without even giving her younger sister a glance. Her now darkened eyes were fixated on the outside world. In the distance she could see the glorious orange sun rising between the buildings in front of her causing the sky to turn a brilliant pink. She longed to be outside, to escape the haunting feelings that were creeping up on her once again.
"Claire look at me.", Serah grabbed her sister's face gently and turned her head down so that Lightning could not avert her eyes. "I don't care if you drink, but please sis, don't do anything stupid. Please go back to the house."
Claire snatched her head out of her sister's hands and gave her a slight nod, then brushed past her and disappeared down the street.