A/N: In the sequel to 'Belated Birthday Bash' (Paying it Forward universe), Lasswell and Celes wants to repay Seven and Sice the kindness from the belated birthday party. Are they alone in their ordeal, or will a younger student provide an unexpected helping hand, and will this also reveal something from Lightning's past? Relm, Locke and Strago from FF VI make an appearance. Pairings: Seven/Sice (dating), Lightning/Fang (married) and Celes/Locke (married)

An Unorthodox Prom

"Hey there, Lasswell! Your parents asked to pick you up from school today if you're wondering... Relm's with you, I see... all birds taken care of at once..." Celes reveals to both Lasswell and Relm, both of whom the blonde is driving home from school on a Friday. For some, it was odd to see someone not related to the younger Yun-Farron drive him home from school, and with another student Celes isn't related to in the same car. However, due to Lightning being stuck at home due to a surprise bout of the flu (Serah and Vanille both taking care of her) and Fang being out of the area for an expedition with Hope (Snow was force to tag along due to Lightning being sick), Celes Cole was on the emergency list to pick up Seven, Lasswell and Relm from school. Speaking of Seven, Lid carpooled the silver haired teen alongside Sice, making the current situation less dire than some think. For this particular ride home from school, Relm and Celes picked up on Lasswell's saddened state almost as quick as Lightning's namesake. How that came to be, however, is an unknown. It was about 20 minutes into the ride that the younger Yun-Farron finally spoke up, bringing up the real reason why he was feeling quite sad, shocking both Celes and Relm for the rarity of the matter.

"Seven and Sice both want to go to prom, but the fees are due quite soon. With Mama being sick and Mum being away, there might not be any money for them to go to prom..." was all Lasswell said, breaking Celes' heart but also pissing Relm off due to the nature of the situation. For Relm, the Sebusai couple was thought of as an adorable pair in school, with Seven being the more liked of the duo. To Lasswell, Seven is just his older sister. Celes, however, recalled Seven being the mastermind of the belated birthday party for herself and Lasswell not too long ago. The fact that Lightning and Fang were going through some financial issues for reasons beyond their control was frustrating enough. What got to Celes about that matter, however, was that the blonde suspected Lightning was getting short changed in her pay for the past few years, something very few people were aware of to some extent. For the remainder of the car ride to the Yun-Farron household, Celes remained quiet as she drove Lasswell home from school, since Relm lived closer to the blonde than Lasswell did. Relm took one good look at the Vector native and immediately felt that Celes was thinking of something, but couldn't place a finger on just what.

Once Lasswell was dropped off at home, Relm switched seats, but only in a matter where she could have a meaningful chat with the Vector native, as the artist-in-training (according to Sice) wanted to say something but wanted to wait until Lasswell was out of the car and couldn't hear a single word. Once the coast was completely clear, Relm finally spoke up. "I want to pay the fees for prom!" Relm started, which froze Celes on the spot. How does a 12-year-old kid make that type of statement... Celes thought to herself, giving her a few minutes to gather her thoughts on the Relm's 'demand'. "How are you going to be able to pay for their prom when you don't have a job, missy..." Celes started with her counter, before Relm put the Vector native 'in her place' with a response Celes didn't see coming.

"My paintings!"

"Your paintings, Relm? How do you make any money off of those...?"

"Grandpa's been selling my paintings, you dorky sack of bones! The money's being saved for your information!"

"Oh dear... Strago. Should have thought of that. He HAS been raising you since you were a baby, it'd make sense for him to show your talent for the right reasons, though. I don't know if you'll have enough to fund their prom..."

"That old sack of bones knows certain things you don't, 'missy'!"

"Like what...?"

"You'll see, you dorky sack of bones!"

With that, Celes and Relm had a good laugh in the car before the Vector native drove Relm home, where Relm and Strago lived on the same street as Celes, Locke and their family. It gave the older blonde something to think about when she returned home: a talk with Locke, and then Strago, about the conversation she had with Relm on a surprising topic. I can only hope that Strago's right about Relm's paintings... Celes mused to herself upon leaving her car once it was parked in the driveway to the Cole household. Once she made her grand entrance, both Locke and Strago were already there, with an odd look on their faces, matching the one Relm sported.

Celes was about to be floored with what was coming next.

XXX

The dinner at the Cole household, complete with Strago and Relm as guests, was one where conversation was alive and well, with Relm and Celes and Locke's kids contributing to it at times, shocking Strago to no end. Topic wise, the upcoming prom was the main one for those at the table, something that Relm hinted at during the drive. "Since you kind of were doubtful about Relm's paintings being sold, I have been saving up the money from those for a 'rainy day' as you Vector folks would coin it. This smart ass has been pestering me about paying up Seven and Sice's prom, which she thinks that the GC - that's Guardian Corps, right - has been short changing Light over the last five years or so, forcing Fang to take up more expeditions to cover the shortage. Now that the older pinky... er, Lightning, has the flu and Snaggletooth won't be coming back until the day BEFORE the damn prom, it'll be too late for Seven and Sice to pay the reduced amount in time. They'll be forced to pay the full amount and there's NO way Lightning and Fang can swing the fees then, you dorky sack of bones!" Strago announced, effectively shutting Celes' mouth on the topic, but also confirming Relm right about the paintings as well as the current situation with Lightning and Fang. With Locke, he was perplexed about Lightning and Fang's situation since he first heard about it through both Celes and Vanille. In an odd turn of events, Locke spoke up.

"Here's the deal. I've been told about what's going with Light and Fang from Celes and Van. For the past few years, the GC has been pissing me off, plus Fang to a lesser extent. We all know that Seven was the mastermind for Celes having a birthday party of sorts, which is the closest to Lasswell's. It was a month or two after that party where Celes wanted to repay Seven that very kindness, which Lasswell was the first person she revealed what I'm about to say here: Celes and I will pay for Seven and Sice's prom, plus made a special arrangement where Relm can go to prom as well, with Lasswell as her date. Relm is paying her and Lasswell's way to prom as well, which Strago fully knows about. The Yun-Farron family helped Celes and I way too many times, Seven as well. It's about time we repaid them the kindness they've shown us by us helping them out. Prom might be a luxury of sorts, but there's a chance that some won't ever get to experience something like prom night. Lightning and Fang are people who deserve our help, and that's what we'll do in this time of need...help." Locke announced to those at the table, making Celes smile her best smile since the belated birthday bash. Seven... thank you so much for the birthday bash. I hope this will help you and Sice… Celes happily mused to herself while taking in the great news.

What wasn't expected after that announcement, however, was something from Celes, but on a different but similar matter: something from Lightning's past - more specifically, the fact that the older Farron never went to prom. No one but the pinkette herself knows the real reason why Light never went to prom, but Celes would plan something in secret to where Lightning can have a second chance at going to a prom - even if it's one where both Seven and Lasswell will be at.

The secret plan Celes has involved Fang.

XXX

Two weeks after Celes helping Lightning with picking up Lasswell from school, it was the day that the reduced fees for prom were due. Seven and Sice were beyond dreading this, because they had no way to pay for it. Although Lightning has since recovered from the flu, Light alone couldn't pay the reduced fees without Fang's support, with the brunette still on the expedition. It was during the class that the Sebusai pair had together after lunch that their teacher - the arsehole (to Sice, who Seven didn't like) known as Jihl Nabaat, had a slip of paper for the teenage couple, which was given to Seven after class was over with. When Seven went to her next class, which Sice didn't share with her, the silver haired teen read the note to herself, crying happy tears due to its contents:

Hey Sevsky!
Dorky sack of bones and I want to extend our gratitude for the birthday party for the billionth time. Admittedly, I can't stop talking about the damn thing... which does annoy Locke somewhat, but as long as he knows the deal! Anyway, if you're wondering why Sice's arsehole of a teacher Nabaat gave you this note, Locke and I paid for you and Sice to enjoy prom... which Miss Royal Smart Arse Artist in Training herself paying for Lasswell and her to come with you two to prom. Yes, that's Relm… the same Relm who insisted that I write this note, of all things and of all people. The receipt for proof is with Pinky... er, your Mama. I made sure that she got the proof. Thanks again for removing a certain complex from Celes, MUCH APPRECIATED! Now you and Sice enjoy the prom, okay? Peace!

Be safe,
Locke and Celes Cole

P.S. Don't tell Mama that we're surprising her with a second chance to go to a prom. That's from Dorky sack of bones herself (who wrote this note, because the weirdo that is my husband has handwriting worse that Fang's, which says a lot)
P.P.S. The idea came from Lasswell too. Thank your younger brother when you have a moment.

"Celes and Locke paid for prom? But why...? I don't know, but I shouldn't dwell on it either. Sice is gonna lose her shit when she finds out..." Seven happily says to herself after the revelation of the Coles paying for prom. What surprised the silver haired teen more was that both Relm and Lasswell, as friends, would join the Sebusai pair to prom. What Seven would think about the entire time, however, was that Lightning was mentioned. During her talk with Sice on the matter later on in the day at school, Sice felt that there was a chance that Lightning was never asked to be anyone's prom date, a possible reason why the older Farron had a certain attitude around Fang when they first met, something that Seven never placed any thought on in the past but something that could make sense in the present.

Will Lightning get a second chance to go to prom?

Only time would tell.

XXX

It is the fated day - Prom. The Sebusai couple were gifted with dresses that made them a knockout by one Terra Branford, with the corsage a surprise from both Snow and Hope, on Serah and Vanille's behalf. Strago got everything for Lasswell and Relm, but the only thing on Seven's mind was Odin, the horse who claimed the silver haired teen as his human. She hadn't seen her steed all day, and worried about where he could be. Bahamut and Y'shtola did their best as cats to provide Seven comfort on this day, which is something Lasswell requested from Bahamut since he was at Strago's home with Relm. As time was ticking, the only thing Seven could do was worry, which was starting to freak out Sice, and Lightning a few minutes later. It was an odd sound from just outside the Yun-Farron household that got everyone's attention. The doorbell being rung got Lightning to open the front door, to reveal Fang and Lasswell in matching tuxedos, gesturing for Lightning and the Sebusai pair to go to their 'ride' for the prom. Seven showed her best smile when she saw a carriage that Locke and Celes were controlling, with Kain and Odin being the faithful horses for said carriage. Odin... how do you know how to make my day... I shouldn't dwell on that either. All I know is that Odin's gonna get extra carrots when this is over with... the silver haired teen happily mused to herself while entering the carriage, which had Relm patiently waiting inside.

The three pairs, with Lasswell and Relm attending as friends, had a joyful, fun conversation heading to the site of the school's prom. Lightning listened more than talked, taking in the happiness the teens and Relm were having over prom. Fang, who was able to attend prom when growing up in Oerba years ago, couldn't help but be sad for her wife, knowing that Lightning never went to prom back in Bodhum when the Farrons were growing up on Cocoon. The brunette never bothered to ask Lightning why she never went to prom, but Fang's suspicion was leaning towards the fact that no one was interested in her back then, which would shock everyone if that was the actual reason why. During their early dating years, Fang tried to teach Lightning some basic dance steps, but to no avail. Another thing the brunette never bothered to ask after the fact. Oddly enough, the cheers that they all got upon leaving the carriage were deafening, for the students were beyond happy to see Seven and Sice be in attendance. Locke and Celes used the carriage to have a quiet picnic date, complete with proper lighting to make it more romantic. Both horses made sure to be on their best behaviour while the other humans have fun at prom.

In the venue where the prom was held, the emcee for the event - which was VERY surprising for some when Snow revealed himself as the emcee - Snow had something to say this early on in the annual prom, and it was about and for his sister-in-law...

"Lightning... Sis... you're probably more surprised than everyone else that I'm the emcee for this year's prom. While Celes and Locke are having their date in the carriage with the horses, I want to let you know that despite me being a pain in your arse, I have to thank you for your blessing to allow Serah and I to get married that day long ago. It was a random conversation that Serah revealed to me you didn't have a chance to attend prom when you were younger, but to this day no one knows the reason why. I don't care about the reason but I was able to convince the staff at the school to make sure you have a chance of your own to go to prom, because it's something you of all people deserve. I might be a babbling idiot but you did what you could back then, and you're an amazing parent to Seven and Lasswell today. Light...Fang... enjoy prom!"

Everyone cheered when Snow finished his piece, which saw Fang holding her wife a bit tighter, knowing that Snow's words having nothing but truth to them: if there is a person who deserved a second chance to go to prom it clearly is Lightning. Alongside Seven and Sice, Lightning can now say that she went to prom, although her date is her wife, Fang Yun-Farron. Thank you everyone... Snow, Serah, Terra, Strago, Locke… even you, Celes… Lightning mused to herself while enjoying prom with her family, the people who mattered the most to the older Farron. The pinkette couldn't help but be happy when seeing Lasswell being a real gentleman to Relm as well as a surprising moment later on when Seven and Sice were announced as Prom Queens, a first in the school's history. "Why didn't you go to prom when you were younger, Sunshine?" Fang finally asked, taking the Bodhum native by surprise. Of all people, Fang was the first person to finally ask that question to Claire 'Lightning' Yun-Farron… why did she not go to prom when she was younger?

"No one asked."

With that surprising answer, Fang couldn't help but laugh. When everyone got home from prom - both horses included - Fang revealed that the prom she went to in Oerba sucked, and that this prom with her family was much better. It was an unorthodox prom, given the circumstances, but it worked.

Because the Yun-Farron family were together, and had a great time.

Like a family.

FIN

A/N #2: Next tale is another in the Paying it Forward universe but one with Lightning and Fang in their dating days, and meeting Celes for the first time.