A/N: In the Paying it Forward universe, this is the extended scene from 'In Their Favour' - Fang and Celes have that phone conversation that reveals a part of Lightning's past with Jihl and Rachel and one other item. How will Celes react, and what will this mean for the friendship between Lightning and Celes? This tale is a bit more serious than usual but fits here as it honours the nothing sad aspect. Pairings: Fang/Lightning (dating) and Celes/Locke (married)
A Voice to Comfort
Fang wakes up a bit earlier than usual on the day after the Guardian Corps event. To everyone's surprise, the brunette was still distraught at the timing of Jihl and Rachel's presence at the event that caused her girlfriend to leave it so early. The Oerban native felt bad for Celes, who the event was for yesterday, since the Vector native is buddies with Lightning. Oddly enough, Fang remembered that she would call Celes to explain things about Lightning, who was already at the GC Headquarters while the blonde had the day off. For the brunette, she made sure to have a wholesome, hearty breakfast before making that call to Celes, so that she won't have to worry about saying the wrong thing due to an empty stomach, which has happened before. It took the Oerban native a good 90 minutes to not only eat the food she made herself but also gather her thoughts together to have that phone conversation with Celes Cole. To Fang, Celes was a good person who is worthy to be a big part of Lightning's Inner Circle.
In order for Fang to prepare her thoughts for this floozy of a phone call with the Vector native, the Oerban native chose to write some stuff down to help organise varying things. After all, Lightning gave her girlfriend the okay to talk about Jihl and Rachel to anyone and everyone who wants to know. For Celes, Jihl and Rachel rubbed the blonde the wrong way. If anyone rubs Celes the wrong way at first glance and/or meeting, they were on Celes' Shit List. The one list anyone WANTS to avoid getting themselves on. For those doubtful of said list went to Locke... or one Snow Villiers. The giant oaf rubbed Celes off the wrong way at first glance but was a real gentleman when they then met face to face - it turned out to be a huge reason why Lightning gave Serah her blessing to be with Snow. Ever since then, Snow goes out of his way to make sure Celes is happy and safe. Locke felt far more comfortable as a result of this - since Snow treats Celes the same way the oaf treats Serah - like a queen, then you're good in Locke's eyes.
With her notepad of notes about certain things regarding the older Farron at the ready - Fang had a habit of writing things down as a means to have concrete proof of things from Lightning herself - the brunette finally had the courage to call the Vector native, so that way the Oerban native had something to refer to in her phone call to one Celes Cole. It was after a few rings on the third try that Celes FINALLY picked up the land line phone Locke insisted they have in the house, despite Celes' constant nagging to not have one in their home. It was the Vector native's very unprofessional - but hilarious - greeting that saw Fang literally on the carpeted floor of the living room she shares with the pinkette, laughing her arse off. "It's about time you called, Snaggletooth..." came out of Celes' mouth, with Locke's background remark about how Lightning or Vanille will get back at the blonde in time allowing both Fang and Celes to stop laughing and get on with the actual conversation that was promised.
In reality, this is one conversation that was overdue.
XXX
"So... Celes, I get that you want to know more about Lightning..." Fang started, knowing that Celes had an army of questions - not only about Lightning, but how the older Farron is with the Oerban native as well - since the Vector native saw the two together at the event alongside Vanille and Hope, who were already a couple. It took Celes the speed of Lightning's namesake to get to the questions she had about them, which Fang didn't know the blonde already wrote them down on a notepad of sorts. "Who is this Jihl and Rachel, Fang? I saw you were pissed off when you saw them, shortly before Light took off early last night. What's the deal with those two? They gave me the fucking creeps at first sight..." Celes countered, putting the Oerban native at ease because even Jihl and Rachel gave Celes a VERY bad vibe at first glance, which surprised the rest in that group of six. If Jihl and Rachel creeped out those like Fang and Celes, the reason behind that was likely valid and one people should take seriously.
"Those cunts Jihl and Rachel, Celes?" Fang asked, knowing where part of this phone call would go.
"You're being too kind with that word for them, Snaggletooth..."
"You're a cheeky one, Celes. In short, Rachel and Light go WAY back - the Gran Pulsian version of grade school here in Cocoon to be exact. Light admitted that she once had feelings for Rachel, who - and I'm being kind about this - led her on for YEARS. That phase was a few years before Vanille and I moved here from Oerba, which our school system is different by the way. Light was about to ask Rachel on a date before she caught Rachel and Jihl taking part in a foursome with two blokes with them getting fucked their brains out. Light's words, not mine. This shut Light away from love altogether from that point on, until yours truly showed up. The only thing that gives both Rachel and Jihl a bad rep is that the foursome was the talk of the entire school, which some at said school still talk about it to this day. Believe it or not, I found this out from Jihl's fucking mouth herself, as that cunt brags about it all over the damn place! Vanille and Hope heard it the same way I did - with Hope making sure that Jihl gets the last of the food at the GC cafeteria each day he sees her. Vanille makes faces at Rachel every time she sees her. We have our ways to protect Light from those two cunts. I even broke a few of Jihl's bones one time - forgot when that was - and Rachel was a bit worse. No regrets, and I'd do that all over again to protect my Sunshine..." Fang finished the explanation, further pissing Celes off on the matter - yet the blonde giggled when Fang called Lightning her 'Sunshine'.
"You call Lightning 'Sunshine', of all things? I'd be really pissed off at the both of you if you two aren't dating by now..."
"Lightning and I are an couple, Celes. We're dating, and very happily in love too, don't you forget that!"
"Why am I not surprised by that? I had a feeling that Light is a lesbian and dating you when I saw you two being all cozy with each other at the GC event last night..."
"Light never told you that she's a lesbian, Celes?"
"She never brought it up, and I also never asked. It's none of my fucking business when it comes to who Lightning - or even you for that matter - love, or even have sex with. I have my own bullshit to deal with, as do you two and your own bullshit on a regular basis. Who the fuck am I to judge you two on who you love or how you pray to whatever? It's none of my damn business. I have a female relative who's a lesbian herself, plus an old mate - or buddy, however you want to call it - of both Locke and I... Sabin Rene Figaro is his name, and he's gay as fuck (his words, not mine), so you and Light being happy lesbians in love is more than okay with Locke and I. One of my closer mates from the orphanage I was growing up in Vector - Terra Branford is her name - she's a lesbian too. The only thing we give a shit about is that you two are happy. You two being happy makes me happy, that's what matters the most, above all else that we know. Love is love all day, every day."
"Light will lose her shit once she finds out that you're supportive of us. Serah - Lightning's younger sister if you forgot - is one of our biggest cheerleaders..."
"You can now add both Locke and I on that list too, Fang. I cannot thank you enough for your insight on everything. It means the world to me that you're willing to provide stuff like that to me. One last question: what flavour of soda is Lightning's favourite, if you don't mind me asking..."
"Strawberry Dr. Mog. Sunshine told me of your allergy to alcohol."
"If there's a nearby diner after the upcoming Pride Parade, would she freak out if I ordered one?"
"Light will shrug off soon after being startled by it, Celes. I don't see a problem with that."
"I'll get going for now - Locke is nearly done with making lunch. See you at the Pride Parade, Fang. Bye!"
"Likewise, Celes. Later!"
With that, both parties felt much more at ease. Celes was told of Lightning's past from Fang - Lightning gave her the okay to reveal such information to Celes - which made the looks Fang gives to both Jihl and Rachel more valid in the eyes of the Vector native, while Fang feels better knowing that she and the older Farron have the Coles as additional support because they're happy lesbians in love.
Fang and Lightning's happiness was also Locke and Celes' happiness too.
Love is love.
Several Years Later
"Celes, I know that you and Locke are heading to Oerba in Gran Pulse... can you please do me a big favour...?" Lightning began asking the Vector native before the blonde held an open hand out, wanting whatever Lightning was going to loan her. A few minutes pass and Celes begins to cry happy tears at what she saw... genuine, blood free Oerban diamonds. Celes knew that the only way to get those very diamonds if one got the blessing from Oerba Yun Lucien and Enya, Fang's parents. Lightning loved her parents, and they saw Lightning as Fang's wife and soul mate. "I have the perfect band for those diamonds, Light. I'll make sure that you will have the best engagement ring to ask Snaggletooth the big question. No questions asked..." Celes replied, knowing that a task like that won't be easy, but the Vector native is more than willing to help her colleague and mate out with something this important. Lightning and Fang have proven to be the truest allies Locke and Celes ever had outside Sabin and Terra - and vice versa with the Coles and their friendship with Lightning and Fang; Terra and Sabin would love them if they met in person.
Two days before Locke and Celes leave for their vacation in Oerba on Gran Pulse, Locke gets a surprise visit from one Oerba Yun Fang... who happened to have the same exact genuine blood free diamonds from Oerba and wanting to ask Lightning for her hand in marriage. Fang got Serah's blessing as Lightning and Serah's parents died when they were younger, plus the younger Farron is the only living family member Lightning had left. Like Celes, Locke had the perfect band to fit those diamonds. What Fang doesn't know was that Lightning beat Fang to the punch in getting the engagement ring made to ask that question about getting married - and wanted to see Fang and Lightning to say 'I Do' in front of the people who love and care about them. After all, Locke knew that Celes would be a part of their ceremony when that day comes as he knew them well enough to make an assumption like that about the trio: his wife and his two allies. To Locke, it was all meant to be.
Having a voice to comfort their allies. For love and support.
As Lightning and Fang's shield.
FIN
A/N #2: Some stuff here I tend to say in real life, so a friendly heads up there. Also, I want to reveal that I have a medical condition known as Sciatica, which is tied to the lower back and my ability to walk correctly. Fortunately, I'm in the midst of a treatment plan and will do my best to provide updates when I have them. No promises though, and I also am back to working five days a week!
A/N #3: Next story is in the Second Time Around universe, when Seven gleefully finds out from Sice that Leon and Minfilia are an item - plus she meets two people, one of them hailing from Vector. How will Lightning and her circle react to the newcomers?
