A/N: In the Paying it Forward universe, Fang meet Celes, Lightning's new colleague at the Guardian Corps, for the first time. How will the Vector native react when she finds out that Fang and Lightning are a couple? Warnings here are language and Lightning being quite OOC. Pairings: Lightning/Fang (dating), Celes/Locke (newlyweds) and Hope/Vanille (dating)

In Their Favour

"Fang, hurry your Oerban arse up, we're going to later than Hope and Vanille at your fucking pace!" Lightning shouts, needing her girlfriend to hurry up with whatever the brunette was up to within their shared home. Since moving in together a few months back, it was nothing but constant adjustment from Lightning to everything that is attached to one Oerba Yun Fang. The older Farron loves her girlfriend to death, don't get it twisted, but Fang taking her SWEET time with getting ready was something else - by something else, annoying Lightning to near death. By Etro's miracle, Fang emerged from where she was, dressed in her best sari, ready to impress the people who work for the GC. According to Lightning she wanted Fang to meet a GC newcomer who will be at the event later on in the day. It was Fang who was hesitant about this at first but then said yes to the older Farron's invite upon finding out more of the newcomer from the pinkette herself. When seeing the brunette in her best sari, which covered up varying areas, Lightning was quite wowed by the sari Fang chose to wear for the event. Wait until Celes sees this... Lightning thought to herself in amusement a short while later.

A minute later, the couple exited their shared home and went to Lightning's spacious SUV so they can get to the event at a reasonable time. For reasons unknown, Lady Luck was in their favour as the drive to the venue was shorter than they expected, and Lightning was able to snag her spot in the parking lot, which the SUV was right next to Celes' GC issued velocycle, which has room for two passengers. Lightning was taken aback by the velocycle but quickly recalled that her usual car was taken into the shop for repairs and upgrades. Fang released a chuckle upon seeing a moogle sticker on the velocycle, recalling the moogle bumper sticker that Serah placed on the back of Lightning's SUV, which that was placed next to the Chocobo bumper sticker that Fang gifted Lightning as a joke. After Fang's giggle fest was over with, and some adjustments to her chosen sari, the brunette joined her girlfriend in entering the venue for the GC event and meet Celes.

What the couple didn't know was that Celes didn't come alone.

XXX

Hope was finishing up with sending Celes directions to the venue for the GC event when Vanille surprised him with a cup of coffee, made just the way he drinks it, plus his favourite bagel and cream cheese combo. A kiss on Vanille's cheek was the reward for that, as Hope isn't the type to rush things and wanted to show to both Vanille and Fang that he is a real gentleman with any female he dates. A happy Hope equaled a happy Vanille, plus the coffee and bagel gave the slender lad the much needed energy to get ready for the GC event. It took him about 25 minutes to get ready for it - partially because the shirt he needed was just done drying in the dryer - but Vanille had to go back to their shared room and get her outfit for the event, which took another 25 minutes to find.

Oddly enough, the drive to the venue was the usual for the newly dating pair, but at least Hope secured a good parking spot upon their arrival to the venue. Upon walking to the entrance to the venue he spotted both Lightning's SUV and Celes' GC issued velocycle next to each other. With a collective chuckle, Hope and Vanille make their way to the GC event with smiles on their faces.

Their smiles would help Celes feel at home, in time.

XXX

Celes and her new husband Locke were among the first to arrive to the venue for the Guardian Corps event. If there was something that set the Vector native apart from the rest in the GC it was that she had a thing for being early to anywhere and everywhere. Granted it drove Locke nuts but it also was a major reason why he married her in the first place. Locke had to admit that he would've been lost if it weren't for this trait as well as the directions they were given. The newlyweds opted to go light on the appetizers and drinks since Celes' severe allergy to alcohol and Locke's distain for booze (but for unknown reasons) was more than enough for the pair to be beyond picky with what to drink, so they opted for water instead as it was the only safe choice for them to make. Slowly but surely, other people started to enter the venue, and following Celes and Locke's lead by gathering food and drink to help 'break the ice' at the event. It was around 45 minutes later, or 30 minutes before the event began, that the couple spotted Lightning and Fang make their appearance at the venue. It was Celes (not Locke, although he knew about Lightning through Celes) who wasted no time and waved the pair over her direction, since the blonde felt that Lightning was her only mate/friend at the GC since the Vector native was new to the group, which the older Farron made her feel at home with the GC.

Lightning and Fang, at the speed of Lightning's namesake, saw Celes wave at them and headed to her direction within the venue. Oddly enough, Lightning and Fang also opted for water as well, as Lightning drove herself and Fang to the venue with the brunette driving them back home. Once the dating couple got to where Celes and Locke's location, Fang had to catch her breath so that she would make at least a decent impression on Celes, who was laughing her arse off because the 'mighty' Oerba Yun Fang couldn't keep up with Lightning at running a short distance. It would be Lightning who would make the introductions. Locke and Celes Cole, this is Oerba Yun Fang. She's the 'heiress' to the Yun Clan in Oerba on Gran Pulse proper. You can call her Snaggletooth if it tickles your fancy..." Lightning started the introductions, only to get a 'Hey!' from the brunette over the nickname. This would only cause Locke to laugh his arse off, and Celes to laugh even harder at the scene, simply because this was showing that Lightning was one MAJOR smartarse, in and out of the GC. "Oerba Yun Fang, this is Locke and Celes Cole. Celes is the 'rookie' for the GC, who happens to be a bad arse singer as well..." the older Farron finished the introductions, which this finally stopped Celes' laughing as the blonde turned bright red at the compliment of her singing abilities. Locke and Celes chose to give Fang a hug after the brunette held out her hand; why that was the case for Fang to hold out her hand here, Lightning won't know for a long time.

A few minutes pass, that saw the Coles get to know Fang better, and vice versa, which saw the small group take note of Hope and Vanille's entrance to the venue. The way they walked in had Fang smiling at the scene - Hope was showing to more people that he's a gentleman who treats Vanille like a goddess, the best man for the redhead. Oddly enough, Celes waved them over her way too. This time around, Fang introduced Vanille and Hope to the newlywed couple, who also gave them a hug. The only thing Lightning could do here was scratch her head at the scene. In an odd twist of fate, Lightning was feeling uneasy whenever Fang was being handsy with her, as Celes doesn't know of the older Farron's sexuality as Lightning and Fang are an item and the last thing the older Farron wanted was to have one less mate/friend because of this.

Lightning would be in for a shock about Celes in due time.

XXX

The group of 6 were cracking jokes and having a fun time while they were getting to know each other. They all had water or juice for one reason or another, which made Celes feel more comfortable about her allergy to alcohol, that there are people who would do what they can to support the blonde on this for a reason beyond her control. For Locke, he couldn't stop smiling at his new mates, those who he can hang out and do some seriously friendly trash talk with, for they all wanted to make Celes feel welcome at the GC. If anything, he had a feeling that Lightning and Fang are dating but wisely chose to not say a word on it, upon seeing Lightning's state of being so uneasy whenever anyone looked at her with Fang. Celes, on the other hand, was cracking odd jokes that had Fang laughing her arse off and Vanille literally rolling on the floor with laughter. Who knew that Celes had a sense of humour? Lightning got a good one for a new mate, one she and I can call a friend, Fang happily mused to herself after the interaction went into a slightly serious turn, as Hope brought up the Pride Parade that was coming up later on in June, which Celes seemed to be on board with. "Light and Fang go to every Pride Parade ever since Snaggletooth here moved here, and I think Light's been going to them since she and her sister Serah were kids if memory serves me right..." Hope chimed in, which Celes and Locke both wanted to go to the Pride Parade, since they were forced to miss the last one in Vector due to the timing of Celes landing the GC job clashed with that parade.

Upon hearing the info from Hope, and he was right about Lightning going to those for years, it prompted the older Farron to take a leave from the venue for the night, for reasons unknown to the rest of the group, shocking Fang of all people since it was a few minutes before the festivities were to begin. Celes was saddened by this, but didn't know why Lightning abruptly left the venue for the night. It would be Vanille who helped Celes get through the event on a good note, which Fang made a mental note to talk to her girlfriend when they got home. Hope made sure that Fang would have a way home, since Celes' car was in the repair shop. Interestingly enough, they all found out that the event was for Celes as she won a few key awards for her first year being part of the GC. The blonde would make a mental note to talk to Fang about personal matters regarding Lightning, hoping to see what prompted the older Farron to suddenly leave the way she did. It was the eye contact Fang made with the Vector native that had the duo on the same level regarding the pinkette, although the brunette had an odd feeling that Jihl Nabaat's timing to show up to the event with that whore (according to the GC) Rachel was what probably made Lightning leave like that. That fucking cunt Nabaat...you try to ruin something like this again and I'll shove my lance so far up your arse crack you'll be wanting a real dick in it instead... Fang angrily mused to herself upon seeing the duo make their presence known.

Celes was worried upon seeing Fang's face when the brunette saw the duo in question, but it took one look at said duo to have things click as quick as Lightning's namesake for the blonde to figure it all out. It was probably for the best that Light left... I want to punch that whore Rachel's lights out... Celes angrily mused to herself, knowing that Locke won't do a damn thing because he's a male. After getting all of her awards, the event was over with a short time after. Hope and Vanille opted to fit the awards in their car and then follow Locke and Celes to their home, before dropping Fang off at her and Lightning's home. The remainder of the group were able to make the most of the night at the event without Lightning, but Celes had some other questions for the brunette she wanted to ask at another time and space, which when they arrived at Locke and Celes' home a while later, Fang provided her number as she wanted to have a proper chat with Celes Cole, which Locke agreed to for the current circumstances. The rest of the ride to Lightning and Fang's home was of quiet talk, because Fang wanted to get her thoughts together on what happened, plus was somewhat tired from everything. Upon Fang getting to their shared home, it took one quick look from Fang to see Lightning, her Sunshine, on the sofa - crying. Why did Jihl and Rachel do this to my Sunshine? Those cunts will fucking pay... Fang, once again, angrily mused to herself as she comforted her girlfriend. Knowing that Celes felt the same way about Jihl and Rachel, Fang wasn't alone, and was set to make Lightning see that she had more support on this than she thought.

Later on, Fang and Lightning had their chat as the brunette promised, which confirmed to both Fang and Celes about why Lightning left that abruptly. Lightning smiled when the brunette brought up that both Locke and Celes want to come to the upcoming Pride Parade, which prompted the older Farron to text message the Vector native with an apology for leaving so early, but laughed when the reply was 'See you at the Pride Parade', with a specific request for the couples to meet up.

A request that Lightning honoured.

Neo Oerba/New Paddra Pride Parade

Celes, Locke, Fang, Lightning, Hope and Vanille, by Etro's Miracle, were able to snag a great spot for the annual Pride Parade. If Celes doesn't know Fang and Light are a couple by now, I don't know if she'll ever find out... Vanille had mused to herself, worried because some who know Fang and Lightning very well were all able to tell right away. With Celes and Locke in the equation, and also from another country, they were a different story as the redhead isn't aware of Vector laws on marriage equality, although she knew that the couple have attended the Vector Pride Parade for some time. For this parade it was no different for the Coles. They had a sign that was as Pro-LGBTQ+ as possible (which was surprising to some considering they're a heterosexual couple) and cheered all parade long. Celes released a giggle when Fang kissed Lightning thrice: once at the temple, second time on the cheek and the last one a quick peck on the lips, taking the older Farron by surprise. All Locke could do was smile at Fang's antics, for his gut feeling told him that Fang and Lightning are a couple. Lady Luck was REALLY in their favour when no sign of either Jihl or Rachel were spotted in the crowd, making things better for Lightning.

What was even better is that the group of 6 snagged some really nice items that were thrown their way, plus Celes cheered louder than most upon seeing Sabin taking part in the parade alongside Serah and Snow, making things so much better for the group. Once the parade was over with the group agreed to get something to eat at a popular diner nearby, since they were all famished to put it kindly. Getting in their velocycles as they didn't bring much with the swag they all got were able to fit in the spare compartments, the group made their way to the diner for some real food. Fortunately for them the drive didn't take as long as Hope feared, and they all landed great parking spots. The soda Fang ordered came with two straws - causing Celes to laugh so hard to the point where she nearly spat out the water she was drinking - which saw both Fang and Lightning share what was actually Lightning's favourite flavor of soda: Strawberry Dr. Mog. Hope and Vanille ordered separate sodas alongside Locke, but Celes ordered a Strawberry Dr. Mog as well. Why is Celes ordering the same soda Fang did...might as well not worry about it... Lightning mused to herself in wonder, choosing to just enjoy the post pride parade meal with people she cares about.

It was after dessert that Celes took Lightning's hands, as the Vector native had something she wanted to say to the older Farron. Initially startled by Celes' touch, it was Fang's look of reassurance that put the pinkette at ease. "Lightning... I know that you're a lesbian, and that you are dating Snaggletooth here. If there's one thing you need to know, just be happy with who you love, whether it be Fang or some other lass if you two don't work out for whatever reason. You have my eternal support and I'm more than happy that you and Fang are in Locke's life as well as mine. I'm beyond grateful that you helped me get adjusted to the GC. With those cunts who are Jihl and Rachel, I'll kill them both if I have to - Fang brings you the kind of joy those two never could. I cannot thank you enough for accepting us as who we are, we strive to do the same in return. For the pride parades we attended in Vector in the past, Sabin, the lad who took part in the parade today, is gay. I know his boyfriend very well. I'd go to hell and back for him, and I would do the same for you and Fang as well. You have my word on this, Lightning. You're Fang's Sunshine, you make her happy... she makes you happy. If anything keep making each other happy, that's all I ask..." Celes revealed to Lightning at the restaurant.

"How did you know that I was...?" Lightning asked the Vector native.

"Sunshine, Celes and I had a phone call chat the day after the GC event, where those cunts ruined your night. I told her myself. What she's saying about Sabin is true, plus she and Locke both knew that we're dating just by seeing how we interacted with each other around them. Locke just kept his mouth shut. One of Celes' relatives is a lesbian. She wants us both to be happy, that's all. When Celes saw me order the Strawberry Dr. Mog, it was her way to show us her support for us being happy lesbians in love." Fang answered for Celes, following it with a gentle kiss on Lightning's cheek, causing the rest there to smile, knowing that Locke and Celes only wanted happiness for those they care about.

Lady Luck was truly in their favour with Celes Cole, their mate/friend for life.

The one thing Lightning really wanted.

FIN

A/N #2: Next story will be back to the Second Time Around universe, where this will focus on the double wedding of Seven/Sice and Maria/Firion.