AN- TWO THINGS. ONE. I caved to peer pressure and made a . Early releases, unpublished releases including a shitload of smut, and higher quality renders than what you'll find on the tumblr (see the recent post on Tumblr for an example of the difference) /hoorayimuseful after the usual .com because this won't external link for shit. SECOND THING. I made a discord server for all things shit-talking, fangrai etc on discord. gg / pxy9Mjx. Come join us in talking all things Fangrai and bullshit, make friends with a bunch of introverted nerds, etc. ONWARDS.
A few days in the hospital to get the hang of things and the all clear, they finally released Lightning to come home. She was still tired and aching, and contrary to her fussing before going into labour, she was more than happy to let Fang dote on her. The Pulsian had spent every waking moment by her side in hospital, and that wasn't going to change now that they were home. She gingerly climbed into bed and sighed loudly.
"Good to be home, sweetheart?" Fang called out, carrying the baby into the room. "Let me go make you a tea and something small to eat." She gave Lightning an affectionate pat on the legs as the pinkette settled in and got comfy.
"Fang, I'm still on that many drugs I can barely feel that."
Giving her a curious look, Fang ran her fingers along Lightning's legs with an expression of concern. "That normal?" She asked, glancing up at her. Lightning gave an indifferent shrug and began to unravel the wraps to give those tiny limbs some wiggle room.
"Zora put up a fight. She kicked mommy's ass. Didn't you, sweetie?"
Fang grinned and kissed Lightning on the temple, reaching down to give their daughter's belly a little tickle. "Well would you look at that. Not even a week into the world and already picking fights! Did you try to kick your way out of your mama?"
"Yes. Yes she did." Lightning groaned, lying down next to their baby. Fang chuckled as she left the room to go make the promised sustenance, leaving Lightning along with the baby. Quickly making her way into the kitchen, Fang quietly made a small sandwich and a fruit tea for Lightning, fixing something for herself as well. She had to take a moment as she put the ingredients away, leaning against the counter with a shuddering breath. Tears had escaped her eyes without her realising, and she wiped them away with a sniff.
Fang wanted so badly to have been there with Lightning, especially given what the doctor had told her about the ten hour ordeal. She had nearly decked the woman when she had been informed that the baby hadn't been sitting right, and they had to assist in the birth. Had almost considered going down the path of what the doctor had called an abdominal delivery, which after a quick explanation she realised it was a similar procedure done on Gran Pulse for struggling mothers. Regardless, it was certainly nothing Fang wanted Lightning subjected to by far.
It was important for the… Well, in most cases the "father" of the child to be present for the birth, and she fit the bill for that despite the lack of equipment. The fact that she was forced out of the room due to complications… Well. Fang was grateful that the doctors were able to help deliver their child safely, and Lightning making it through of course. But it still didn't change the fact that it unsettled her, and Khosrow lectured her ear off about it when she'd gone for a coffee break back at the hospital enough. She sighed, clearing her mind of the depressing thoughts. There were more important things to focus on, like her partner needing food, and to spend more time with their beautiful newborn.
Zora. What a wonderful name Lightning had found in the archives at Oerba. Yun Zora was an old huntress of legend, who had saved a great many people at the start of the War of Transgressions. She stood up to the viper invaders and her strength and unwillingness to back down. She saved the city of Nyssa to the west, and her name was enshrined in history. Yun Zora's story was told throughout the ages, as a point of transition and change, to not give up hope. When Lightning found it while perusing the archives, it was perfect. Fang had secretly hoped for a daughter, to be able to give her such a poignant name. Lady Luck must have had them in mind when Zora was conceived.
Fang made her way back into the bedroom and almost dropped the tea and plate of sandwiches at the sight. Lightning was curled up on the bed, holding Zora against her chest as she laid on her side. Carefully placing the plate and tea on the bedside table next to Lightning, Fang snuck around to the other side of the bed and carefully slid onto the mattress. She rest her head on one hand while she ran the other along Lightning's arm, just in silent awe of her new family. A soft smile appeared on Lightning's features while she slept, Fang just content to watch her. The pinkette cupped the back of Zora's tiny head and Fang marvelled at how small their daughter was. She had made a lot of mistakes in her life, but if they led to this moment, she was ok with that. At least something went right.
Fang continued to watch Lightning rest a while, reaching out to brush the hair from her face. Lightning's eyes fluttered open at the contact, and Fang winced. "Sorry, sweetheart. Didn't mean to wake you." She whispered, careful not to disturb the baby any more than she had done her partner. Lightning gave a small stretch and glanced behind her at the food. Her stomach rumbled at the sight of it and she slowly sat up, still holding Zora. Fang shifted on the bed and looked uncertain, wanting to hold Zora but feeling unsure of how to ask.
Lightning caught the conflict in Fang's eyes and smiled encouragingly. "She's your daughter too, you know. Here. Hold her while I eat." Lightning urged gently, placing the baby in Fang's arms. She pulled the plate over and rest it on her still swollen belly, quietly munching on the sandwich while watching Fang look equal parts lost and overwhelmed. "I'm sorry that you weren't there for the birth. I know that was important to you."
"O-Oh. No it's… I understand. It wasn't the ideal situation from that perspective but… Traditions be damned. I wanted you and Zora safe and healthy. I'd never have forgiven myself if I'd stayed and caused further complications if I was getting in the way of that."
Smiling and feeding Fang a sandwich while she had her hands full, Lightning thought on Fang's words, and her reluctance to ask to hold their child. She wondered if it had anything to do with her missing presence at the birth. "You won't miss any more moments with our child, Fang. I promise."
After finishing the food, Fang smiled and leant forward to kiss her gently before her attention was stolen by the squirming child again. "Hey there, mehn hiera, welcome to your new home." She cooed gently, cradling Zora's head with a gentle stroke of her hand. Lightning watched on as she continued to build her reserves, filled with exhaustion but wanting to stay awake as long as possible to watch Fang talk to their daughter and imprint the moment in her mind.
Fang walked past the door to their bedroom to find Lightning staring at herself in the mirror after a shower, looking displeased with the reflection. She crept inside and closed the door over, careful not to shut out any potential noise from Zora while their child napped. Leaning against the dresser, Fang gave her partner a once-over and felt her usual surges of desire run through her body. Not that she had expected her want to diminish; if anything, having a family with the pinkette only made Fang want her so much more.
"You know, when the doctor gives you the all-clear, I'm having Serah look after Zora and you and I aren't leaving this room until we need to go pick her back up."
"Fang!" Lightning jumped with a start, immediately reaching for a towel to cover up. Fang clicked her tongue and wandered over, taking the towel from her and helping her dry off. There was still a small swell of the pinkette's abdomen present, slowly decreasing in size after the birth of their child. It was also something that Lightning was obviously trying to hide.
"Hey. Look at me, sweetheart." Fang urged gently, tilting her jaw up. Lightning averted her gaze, a light blush colouring her cheeks.
"Sorry I… I'm not used to looking and feeling so… Weak."
"Sweetheart. You brought our baby into the world. That's hardly weak. You don't have to hide yourself from me, Light. If you're still into me even when I'm big blue and angry, why would I not love every inch of your body just because you've given birth to our child?"
Lightning conceded the point, knowing she really didn't have much ground to stand on. It was a fact, in the end, that she'd still kiss Fang on the cheek good morning regardless of whether she was having a normal day or a… more beastly one. So if she could look past that, of course Fang was going to look past this. "I know. I just… I pride myself on my fitness, and it's frustrating that I've been off for so long already, and that I haven't gotten clearance to get back to my routines."
"It'll come, you just have to give yourself a chance to rest. Something I know you could take on Orphan single-handed before you could bring yourself to do."
Giving Fang a scowl, Lightning huffed and rolled her eyes. "That's easy for you to say Miss I-don't-want-to-wreck-all-this." She muttered, still feeling self-conscious.
"Oh, come here my angel." Fang sighed, bundling the pinkette in her arms in a tight embrace. "That's just me being an arsehole. Given half the chance, I'd happily have carried to spare you the pain."
"I'll keep that in mind if we ever want to give Zora a sibling..." Lightning teased, relaxing in Fang's arms. She smiled and burrowed her head against the Pulsian's shoulder with a sigh. It was hard to feel self-conscious around Fang, near impossible with the way she doted on her.
"You're still young, Light. It means you'll bounce back quickly once you get the all clear to start your usual gruelling fitness routines. But you gotta give yourself the chance to rest first. Sooner you rest, sooner you recover. You know the rules."
Lightning grumbled and kissed Fang's collarbone as a response, still not willing to admit defeat. The Pulsian gave her hair a gentle stroke and slowly pulled her into bed. Frowning at the way the pinkette keeps trying to cover the light stretch marks, Fang gave her a look and kissed her slowly and gently. "Light, sweetheart. You have nothing to be self-conscious about. You're absolutely gorgeous. Every day I find something new to fall in love with you over, and that hasn't changed."
"But I-" A kiss. "Fang-" Another kiss. "Listen-" Another kiss, a little more heated. Fang propped herself up on her elbows to look at Lightning, her hair falling over her shoulders.
"Claire Farron. If you have been denying me the ability to absolutely worship every inch of your perfect body because you've been self-conscious about the marks our child gave you, I am going to be very disappointed."
"I-"
Fang kissed her again, trailing her fingers along the bare skin. Lightning had been hiding from her since the birth of their daughter, and she wouldn't have a bar of it. "You do remember the Yun clan traditions, right? We have a fondness for scars. You fought the battle to bring our perfect child into this world and survived. Many in my time did not. You fought, you survived, and so did she. You're alive, and here with me while our beautiful daughter sleeps in the other room. Your scars are testament to that."
"... Oh." Lightning whispered quietly, a light blush colouring her features. Fang leant down and began to kiss a trail of fire along the pinkette's neck.
"And I love them. Every inch of them. Every inch of you." Fang purred, taking her hand and kissing the knuckles. "Hm. This is one of my favourites." She paused at the scar across her forearm, eyeing it thoughtfully.
"O-oh?" Light's breath hitched, Fang kissing the tip of her wrist and ran her tongue along the pale line across her skin. The forearm cut where they had argued in Palumpolum, and Lightning wanted to keep it as a reminder. Her heart grew a small amount that day, and continued to grow for Lightning every day since.
"Our first."
"O-oh."
Fang got to the faint stretch marks and hummed, trailing a finger along them. She both felt and heard the immediate sharp inhale, and the tension in Light's body. "There's a few lines there. I might allocate each one with a memory."
"W-what?" Lightning asked, exhaling sharply through her nose. One of her fears was certainly being assuaged in that moment, that she wouldn't be desired or feel desirable after having their child. That she wouldn't be capable of feeling this way. Fang was seeing to it that she was reminded.
"One for each thing we did together that in retrospect, you did while already pregnant with Zora."
Fang kissed one, peppering the skin from top to bottom, making Lightning squirm.
"Fang.."
"This one, we managed to escape through an island jungle before we got our arses branded by that spidery Fal'cie."
"Hnn..."
"This one, you sparred with the leader of the last clans of Pulsians and won her favour."
Lightning arched, a soft sigh leaving her lips. She felt like she was already burning up and needed Fang closer. The Pulsian smiled against her skin and hummed. "Oh this one here? You slept with a fucking knife under your pillow and subdued a would-be assassin. ALL while I was still asleep on your shoulder. That one was particularly hot. I'm surprised we didn't wake Khosrow up after they left."
Lightning laughed, remembering how ravenous the brunette was after they had moved rooms. Fang had pinned her to the closed door and gone to town, enamoured with how she had quickly dispatched the intruder and saved their lives. "We probably did, and Khosrow is just saving it to use as blackmail later."
"Probably. Now this scar... This one. Hm. You went off on your bloody own and took on a Fal'cie by yourself." Fang growled, slipping her hand up to cup Lightning's face, looking into her eyes. "I was terrified to hear you had gone off alone. But when I found you I was relieved. And so, so proud. My beautiful solider. My warrior. My love. Mehn almi."
Lightning whimpered and she reached out for something, anything to hold. Fang's free hand took hers and she smiled. Fang touched her forehead against her's with a smile, closing her eyes a moment. "You got nothing to worry about, angel. I'm still every bit into you. I just love you more because you're mine. You're gorgeous. You take my breath away every morning. That I get a second chance at life with you gives me meaning. Waking up next to you, seeing how beautiful you are... This is what we fought the world and won for."
"I never thought...I'd-that I'd have something like this. Someone like you."
"We both had Lady Luck deliver for us then."
Lightning glanced up at the cafe and took a breath. This was the first time she had really been out of the house since she got the all clear from the doctors. She had stopped feeling the aches and pains long enough to rest and recover, and even get back into some basic stretching and carefully monitored exercise from an overprotective Fang.
"Come on, sweetheart. Everyone is excited to see you and the bab. We've had plenty of visitors over the last while but this gives you a chance to let someone else dote on the kid while you have a cold drink."
"Nothing alcoholic, Fang. At least until I've stopped breastfeeding."
"Obviously."
They entered the cafe to a round of gushes and cheers from their extended family along with a few regulars at the village. Fang waved as Serah and Vanille came over with broad smiles, cooing over the baby. Serah allowed Vanille to hold her first, in order to get dibs on her sister. "Hi, Lightning." The younger Farron greeted, hugging her tightly.
"Hi, Serah. Good to be out of the house for once." Lightning replied, pressing into the embrace. It was moments like this that she was immensely grateful for, that they had reclaimed their time and gotten to be closer for it. "Thanks for helping organise today."
Serah looked over at Vanille making faces at her niece and smiled, guiding Lightning over to their large table outside. "It was no trouble at all, sis. We wanted to have a family get together anyway, it's been long overdue."
Hope and his father entered the cafe with a happy wave, the silver-haired youth now quickly approaching his twenties. Fang still ruffled his hair regardless, a running joke between the two of them despite his height almost equalling hers now. "Etro it's getting harder to reach every time I bloody see you, kiddo." Fang drawled, ushering them inside.
"Next time I'll bring a step ladder then." Hope replied with a wry grin. He gave Lightning a hug and was surprised when the pinkette held on. "You alright?"
"I am," Lightning answered with a warm smile, leaning back to hold onto Hope's shoulders. "I'm just very happy to see you. Fang's right. You grow every time I see you." Glancing over at where Zora was at, she found Vanille had relinquished her to Sazh.
She sat down as Fang moved over to Sazh, watching the two talk while doting on their daughter. In this moment, surrounded by love, Lightning couldn't be happier. There was an easy comfort in the way that Fang moved about their friends and family.
They moved over to the table, Sazh gazing at Zora with absolute affection. "She's gorgeous, Lightning. You and Fang have been looking after her, and each other? She been fussy lately?" he asked. Lightning nodded with a thoughtful hum.
"She has, actually."
Sazh nodded. "I thought she may have been. Growing pains. She'll get them every few months as she grows. Warm baths and heat packs, give her legs a massage and she'll be right."
"Thank you for the advice, Sazh. It's much appreciated." Lightning replied, carefully taking Zora back in her arms. She held her gently and made sure she was all tucked into the Pulsian shawl Khosrow had sewn as a gift. Her daughter fussed and got her arms free, wrenching at her top with an angry cry. Lightning barely managed to catch the tiny hand before Zora had unwittingly exposed her to the room, scowling at the baby with an annoyed look. "You know you could just ask you know," she sighed, ignoring Fang's fit of laughter in the corner.
Zora babbled angrily, fussing in her arms. Lightning rolled her eyes and excused herself. "Fine, fine. I'll be back, guys." She moved towards the back where Lebreau had made a space in the storeroom for her, giving the bartender a nod of thanks as she passed. Fang watched her go with a warm, tender smile on her face before she glanced at Vanille. The redhead had her elbows on the table, resting her head on her hands as she stared at her with a starry-eyed smile.
"What's that look for, 'Nille? You're wigging me out a bit there."
"Oh, nothing. It's just nice to see you so happy. After everything I've seen you go through, seen Lightning go through… It's really beautiful to see how much you love her, and your daughter."
Fang sighed and kissed the top of Vanille's head, before pushing one of her elbows off the table. "That was so sweet I don't think I need to have any sugar in my coffee. Jeez."
"Fang! That was rude." Vanille complained, folding her arms and glaring at Serah from across the table. "But I get dibs on Zora when they come back."
Serah gave a slight shrug and a cheeky grin, slipping out from the booth. "That's the beauty about family, Van. I don't have to wait." She said with a wink, wandering off to the back of the café while ignoring all of the redhead's protests. Slowing up as she approached the storeroom, Serah carefully poked her head in the doorway and held a hand to her mouth to stifle the squeak.
Lightning was sat against a crate, holding Zora as the baby happily fed, with a soft smile on her face. She was gently rocking, humming quietly to keep her daughter calm. The sight was beautiful for Serah, who had rarely seen these moments of calm, patient love from her sister since well before their parents had died.
"You are so beautiful, my little miracle." Serah heard Lightning murmur. The elder Farron stroked her daughter's head and began to sing as Zora continued to feed. "On the day you were born I felt my heart grow a little bigger, on the day you were born I felt it swell, on the day you were born I heard the angels did sing, and I knew that this world was a better place."
Serah gasped. It was a rare occurrence to ever hear her sister sing, let alone an old song their mother used to sing to them when they were little. She wiped at her face to get the tears off her cheeks and sniffed, the sound drawing Lightning's attention. Instead of chastising Serah for prying, Lightning merely smiled and held out her hand in offering. "Oh, Light…" Serah said quietly, moving closer to get a look at her niece, and take her sister's hand.
Lightning continued to sing, her voice a little more nervous sounding now that she knew she had an audience, until Serah chimed in and helped. The two sung to the now sleepy baby, who had finally detached and looked a little drowsy after her meal. Zora slowly closed her eyes and snuggled into her mother, and Serah smiled. "She's perfect, Claire."
"I know."
They sat quietly together a while, Serah occasionally running her hand over Zora's head as she napped in her mother's arms. Lightning gave a wistful smile and a quiet laugh. "I never thought I'd be in this position. I would have thought our roles should be reversed." Lightning said softly, glancing over as Serah rested her head against her shoulder.
"Well I never thought you'd beat me to it!" Serah answered with a gentle poke in her sister's side. "Still. If there was ever anyone who was going to be able to pull this parenting thing off, it'd be you."
Lightning shook her head, looking down at her daughter's face. "I don't know, Serah. Sometimes I don't think I'm ready for this, to be capable of any of this."
Serah squeezed her hand gently and leant up to kiss her temple. "You are doing an amazing job, Light. And nobody is ever really prepared for any of this. But people find a way. You did fine raising me. You'll do even better raising Zora."
"Fang finds it hard sometimes," Lightning admitted with a sad sigh. "I think she still struggles with seeing Zora as hers, despite the fact she had a direct hand in bringing her into this world. She's got her other mother's hair, and her cheekbones. It's Fang's daughter as much as mine."
"We're here too, sis. You just have to yell out and we'll be there. We all love you guys a lot, and would do anything for you."
"About that… There is something that we need to tell you, but you have to promise to not get mad." Lightning said hesitantly, biting her lip nervously. "With everything that went on, it… got swept away with Zora plans."
"Save it for later, Claire. Let's go out and see the others now that my gorgeous little niece is settled."
Lightning handed Zora to her sister carefully while she covered up and stood. "Also Fang and I need to have words with both you and Vanille about this whole dibs battle you two have going on…" She drawled as they walked back out to the gathering of people. Serah shushed her and slid back into the booth next to her husband, watching her sister with a smile as Lightning handed over the sleeping Zora to Fang. The awe-filled gaze had yet to diminish, and Lightning hoped it never did. It was beautiful to witness.
"Did you get a chance to tell her?" Fang asked, leaning in close and keeping her voice low. Lightning shook her head and laughed, taking a sip of her water.
"Nope. Told me to save it for later."
"She's gonna get mad."
"Mhm." Lightning agreed with a shrug. "Not my problem now though." She cleared her throat and the group quietened, looking towards her expectantly. "Thank you for coming, it means a lot that you've all come out to see us out of the house for the first time in a while. But uh, there was another reason we asked you all out today."
"Don't tell us you guys are pregnant again," Gadot called out, laughter erupting from around the table at the horrified look on both of their faces. Fang shook her head with an exasperated sigh.
"Give us half a second to get used to this one first, mate."
"Seriously." Lightning agreed. "But uh, I wanted to apologise for leaving it this late. With everything that was going on we... Kind of forgot." She pulled out the beaded necklace from under her shirt, having kept it hidden to keep it out of reach from her grabby daughter. Vanille immediately gasped and held her hands to her mouth, Serah's eyes darting between the two of them.
"You didn't!" Vanille cried out, the only one in the room with tears welling in her eyes. Lightning closed her eyes and nodded with a soft smile.
"We did. We uh, sort of got engaged."
The group broke out in cheers, immediately hushing each other as Zora stirred with a grumpy cry. Serah just glared at her sister, Lightning giving her a shrug. "You did tell me to save it for later."
"I am planning. Everything. You hear me, Claire Farron? Everything." Serah said firmly, pointing a finger at Lightning threateningly. "Everything."
"That's If Van doesn't fight you for planning rights." Lightning replied, giving her a cheeky grin. Fang leant over to keep close to her partner as their respective siblings began to size each other up.
"I'm beginning to think the prospect of another kid seems less daunting than these two planning anything." She murmured, Lightning nodding with a hum.
"Agreed."
