A/N: In the Paying it Forward universe, Fang and Lightning (dating) go into the New Year in a relaxing but private matter. Short length wise, with the little to no dialogue here being intentional. If you like my works and want to send a tip my way consider my Ko-fi (same username)!

(Going Into the) New Year in Love

Fang and Lightning get themselves settled in Lightning's open and spacious back yard, in preparations of the New Year's Fireworks display on the nearby beach in Neo Oerba. This very decision was mutual as Lightning had a rare day off from the Guardian Corps, and Fang not having an expedition until April, giving the brunette time to work as security for Lebreau's new bar, which is set to open in late January. The new couple being beyond happy to have a date like this, Lightning didn't want the attention being drawn to herself at the event over Fang, her (new) girlfriend. Speaking of Fang, it was the brunette who insisted on a picnic with traditional Yun and Dia cuisine (it took quite a bit of convincing from Vanille to have Lightning try out some stuff from her clan, which Serah went along with) alongside varying Farron recipes from one Serah Farron for the brunette to try out (Lightning cannot cook to save her life). The look from the older Farron had Fang's heart soaring to levels she never thought was possible, for the peace and content from said look was a reason why Fang had to ask her out when she did where Lightning immediately said yes to being Fang's girlfriend. In typical Fang fashion, the Oerban native couldn't resist and tucked a stray strand of pink hair behind Lightning's ear in the gentle way of hers that Lightning herself couldn't resist.

The pair had quiet conversation with the food provided. Thankfully, Vanille's cooking had Lightning smiling while consuming the Dia cuisine provided, and refused to talk whenever eating the Yun dishes. Fang was the same way with the Farron recipes that Serah cooked for their date. Even though their sisters can be a royal thorn to their side, Fang and Lightning had to admit that Serah and Vanille are fantastic cooks, although Fang's cooking was excellent in her own right. The picnic turned out to be the best thing for Lightning, due an anxiety attack the older Farron had a few days beforehand, which worried the brunette as Fang's original plan was to have Lightning accompany her to the fireworks display in person. When Amodar found out about the anxiety attack, and on his own no less, he gave the pinkette a few weeks off with pay, knowing that something - or someone, as some idiotic bitch called Rachel turned up to the Guardian Corps location Lightning works at random to give the the older Farron hell for a speeding ticket - was the root cause, not taking chances to make things worse. Although Fang was saddened and also angered by the news, she was grateful to have more time with her girlfriend, knowing that Lightning can benefit from someone who will truly keep her safe. If she had to be honest, Fang wanted to give this 'Rachel' person a piece of her mind for messing with the older Farron the way she did.

Minutes later, the fireworks display would begin.

XXX

In the distance, the fireworks start with the annual announcement with the legal lingo that all in attendance had to get used to, although Lightning was wording it verbatim from her own, making Fang laugh her arse off at the scene. The brunette could tell that the older Farron would get annoyed whenever she heard it just by the facial expressions Lightning made at varying parts. By surprise, Fang managed to get behind the pinkette as the brunette wanted more than anything at the moment to just hold her new girlfriend in her strong, secure arms - the very same arms filled with love and promise. Taken aback by Fang's gesture, Lightning molded herself into Fang's embrace, finding out that the comfort Fang wanted to provide was also warm, considering Fang's body heat being more than enough for the two to enjoy the fireworks from Lightning's home. It was midway through the display that Fang stole a glance at the older Farron and caught a gentle smile on Lightning's face, clearly seeing that the pinkette was very happy to see the fireworks display from her house for once, not having to work another New Year's Eve at the beach where the display was at (Amodar clearly let Jihl have it this year). With the smile from Lightning making Fang smile, the Oerban native returned to watching the fireworks with her girlfriend.

For Lightning, she fed Fang some of Vanille's cooking by hand, causing the pair to look at each other in the eyes. In Fang's vision she saw two children in Lightning's eyes: one of them being a girl with silver hair and the kindest violet eyes, with the other being a boy with wild and unruly dark hair, also sporting blue eyes. In an interesting twist of fate, Lightning saw the same two children in Fang's eyes, taking note that the girl was older than the boy but shorter in height. The smiles they shared to one another was a gentle smile, the one that meant 'now and forever', the one that keeps Fang and Lightning together as a couple to the end. It was several minutes later, at the stroke of midnight, that Lightning fell asleep in Fang's warm, strong and secure arms, with an ear to Fang's chest, just to hear the brunette's heart beat just for her. Fang couldn't stop smiling at the sight of the older Farron soundly sleeping in her arms, and held her pink haired girlfriend tighter in her arms, as a vow to never let her go. The brunette would finish watching the fireworks for the new couple, content to have Lightning in her life. Fang made a silent promise to stay true to her words to Serah, to always keep making Lightning the happiest lass in all of Neo Oerba.

With a quiet "I love you, Sunshine" whisper into Lightning's ear, Fang stayed up until the sun rose to the sky, going into the new year very happily in love with one Claire "Lightning" Farron. The brunette was too happy to care about being caught in the state she was in.

For she knew that Lightning was very happily in love with her as well.

As they forever would be.

FIN

A/N #2: Next piece will be in the Paying it Forward universe where two cats and two horses claim the Yun-Farron family as their humans.