Title: Trip

Section: Part 2 of 2

Draft: 1.5 (revised 10/5/10)

Rating: T (language, sexual situations)

Warnings: Spoilers for Final Fantasy XIII. Same-sex romance.

Summary: Fang has to change her approach to win the soldier's heart. Fang/Lightning. Two-shot. (Slight AU: Pulse is populated with its native people. Serah is rescued before the return to Eden.)

Disclaimer: Square-Enix owns Final Fantasy XIII and its characters.

A/N: Edited just a little to de-mush a few parts.

Steam rises from the hot springs. I lean on my spear and scan the cliffs.

"Are you keeping watch?" your sis asks. Her eyesight still ain't back from being pulled early out o' the crystal. Questions are her way o' lookin' around for now.

"Yeah. I won't let anything near ya. Don't worry."

She sweeps her arms idly in the healing pool. It's what I brought her for. She turns her head towards my voice from where she sits, soaking. "I'm not afraid. I kind of wish you'd relax. This is a spa; you should enjoy it, too. Snow and Light should come and massage our heads and shoulders."

I grin. "I'm enjoyin' keeping you safe."

Our voices echo softly in the rock basin. Minerals caught in the fog smell like an exotic tea. I glance around. No sign of ingmar or yeti. "Eyes any better?"

"I think so. I see a blur of shapes instead of a blur of blurs." Serah slips her head underwater. She comes up and starts to swim.

"Careful." I step closer. "I don't want my head knocked off for letting ya scratch your knee, princess."

Serah laughs and lays back to float. "By Lightning? That's all bluff. She doesn't hit anyone."

I try not to choke out loud. "She does when you're in trouble."

"Really?"

"Yeah, Snow never said? We Cured his nose every day. I learned to dodge." I rub my cheek without thinkin'.

She sighs. Her body floats in a lazy spin. "I thought the Guardian Corps broke her of that. It may have gotten her through high school, but it doesn't solve problems."

I chuckle. "Soldier's little sis is a pacifist? Engaged to a bare-knuckle brawler?"

"Well...it may not solve problems, but...it's still kinda hot."

"Heh, yeah—I mean, no." Uh-oh. "I mean...did you hear that?"

Serah giggles. She rolls over and swims back towards my voice. "When I first met Snow, I called him a 'pugilist,' and he said, 'No, I can't play music, but I throw a knockout uppercut!'"

I laugh, hopin' I'm right that 'pugilist' is a smarty-pants word for boxer.

Her hand reaches for the edge of the pool, testing. She finds it and holds herself there. "How did you two meet?"

I sit down on a not-too-sharp rock. My lance hangs loose in my fingers. "He was tryin' to cut you free o' the crystal lake—"

"No, you and Lightning, silly." Her smile reminds me o' you when you forget to worry.

"Ah, Light. She tried to run off alone in Palumpolum, and I chased after her. One woman versus an army seemed like bad odds."

"But two women—no problem."

"The two of us." I can't help smilin'. We're invincible side-by-side. "I'd'a been Bahamut's lunch if not for her. We Launched him, you know. Launched a dragon together. It's never been done!" I'm almost glad she can't see the star-struck look on my face. "Then he started flyin' and spat a comet at us—but we still did it. He was so impressed that he helps us now. I still don't think she knows just how impossible that should'a been."

I check the cliffs. Still nothin'. Serah's floating with her eyes closed. Wrapped in that wool cloak you handed me. You tilted your eyebrow in warning, and I winked. So easy to get under your skin. Under you clothes, on the other hand... I sigh. Never been on such a long daydream diet.

"Sorry, you're tryin' to meditate," I say. "I could make soft ocean noises?" I cup a hand by my lips. "kwhhh... kwhhh..."

She giggles. Definitely the young sister. "No, it's okay. What else happened?"

"Um..." You let me take your shirt half off within minutes o' knowin' me? No. I spent two nights in the Archylte rain before accepting the 'no spooning!' rule? Pro'ly not. "She called the legend of these healing springs a lot o' superstitious—"

"—mumbo-jumbo," she says with me. "That's our Light."

"What was she like before all this?"

Serah laughs.

"Oh, she was funny?"

"No, it's just cute. She talks about you all the time, too."

I perk up. "Like what?" I lean forward on my rock. "My epic fightin' skills? My knee-meltin' good looks?"

"No, more like you tried to undress her in the streets of Palumpolum—"

"—I was checking her brand—"

"—She made you sleep in a rainstorm until you admitted it wasn't cold in your tent..."

I dive behind a wide wood pillar. Terralyth's claws rip the air behind me and hack open the floor. "It'll kill us, Light!" I sprint past his flank while you blind the demon with a flurry of bullets. "We need the others!"

"We can't let it free!" You race across the dojo floor and dive into the tear while Terralyth swipes at his face. He stabs a claw into his lizard skull. An eyeball rolls to the puncture from within and sweeps a bloody gaze in search of us. You climb out the hole in the floor by me and peer through the same bamboo screen. "Mayareet is just down the mountain."

"Should'a thought o' that before breaking in." Our only luck yet is the demon seems deaf. Maybe he'll stab an ear into his freakish head...

"You broke in." You shoot me a glare.

"Yeah, well—" Terralyth screams, and the rafters shake. Dust falls on us like rain. He stomps around the dojo chopping every screen and weapon rack down. Not much time. "Our weapons are useless. Whadda you wanna do? Spit on him?"

"We'll crush it."

Another weapon rack crashes apart.

"With what? Our scorn for it's dinner invitations?"

"That only works on you..." You look up as the dust clears. "And yes."

We duck quick into the open floor. Terralyth smashes our hiding screen above and screeches. The whole dojo quakes. "Yes?"

"Yes, I'll have dinner with you."

I look back as you crawl after me. Happiness and mortal fear swirl in my gut. "No sisters? Just you and me and whatever I catch that day fryin' in a pan?"

"Yes." We stop near the 'exit.' I try to peek through the floor. "If we live."

You yank me hard by the belt as a poison claw shatters the boards above me. My heart hammers. You help me sit up. The beast smashes another hole further away. Still searching.

"If not..." Our eyes lock in the shadows. I see your thought a heartbeat before your lips hit mine. I curl my hand behind your neck, holdin' on. Your free arm pulls us together. An urgent first kiss stolen in battle. You mouth is hot and soft. I feel light-headed. Kissed on a battlefield...what a woman.

You pull away and quick jump out the spot you saved me from. I dash after.

A pillar splinters and cracks from your Thundara blast. Before I can say 'you missed,' you blast another. A rafter splits apart. The stone roof bows and creaks. You grab my sleeve and run. We circle the decimated dojo as you take out supports. "And they say I'm crazy."

Terralyth spins on us when flying shrapnel clatters off his back. He wails in fury. The final rafters snap. Granite slabs collapse into the dojo. I realize too late we'll never make it out.

Suddenly a wall of wind throws me. Window glass shatters in a blizzard of crystal. I look at you as I fly out. White curls of Aerora spiral from your hand. Terralyth's claws rake down on you is my last sight.

I slam to the ground and smack my head on the dirt. The roar of rocks crushing skeletons of wood and bone fills my ears.

I scramble unsteady to my feet. My chest feels like I been hit with Demi. I run into a cloud of earth and dust. "Lightning!"

Stone and board and the demon are piled where you were. I race across the rubble to a crater in the dojo floor. "Light!"

"I'm here..." Your voice is weak. The best and worst sound I ever heard.

"Gods in hell." I crawl through the remnants o' the underfloor, heedless of nails and rocks. You limp crawl to meet me.

Your left leg drags. Your face is dirty as a miner. I'd kiss you again if I wasn't so pissed. "Next time you drop a building on your head, you do it with me." I cradle your head and pull a flask o' Potion from your belt. I twist it open and put it to your lips with one hand. "Think you can get outta dinner by dyin' heroically..."

A slow wave swings my fishing boat. Beside me Vanille gapes at the hidden compartment stuffed with feathers. Lucky me, the old girl had a 'loose' board. A pry bar made sure of it.

"How many?"

"Nine hundred and ninety-nine or so." I pull hooks and thread from a leather case. We're a few miles out. Far enough I can tell her my secret without losin' it. I hope. "...one more so."

"Raiden's Cape of a Thousand Blood Feathers?"

"Only half a cape. It's gotta match hers." The beginin's lie in my lap. Four o' forty rows done.

The morning sun shines bright behind my shocked friend. I squint. Her green eyes are wide as gui hooves. "Stars and sheep, Fang!"

"I just wanna give her somethin' nice. Something Oerban."

"People will think she's a chieftain!"

"Are you gonna help me or wake a leviathan?"

She taps a finger to her lips and frowns at the sea all dramatic. One o' her adorable habits that I still haven't figured out is real or put on. Either way, people underestimate her 'til the first Blizzaga.

"Help." She nods. "Because I think she likes you, too." She smiles, and I actually blush. You've made that pretty clear lately. "Otherwise a gift worth more than a dowry would be creepy, and I'd have to shove you into the arms of every cute blond we meet until you get over her."

"That's another thing." I grin slow. "We're together."

"What? Yay!" Her arms fly around me and squeeze tight. The air bursts from my lungs. "You got her! When? How? No, not how. But still when. And—" She peeks over her shoulders. Like the clouds are gonna spy. "—did you find out?" she whispers.

I tilt my head and frown. An old conversation flashes. 'A natural pink...' I pinch my lips. "She don't wanna rush that part." I grab a feather. Focus on sewing it in.

"Four months is hardly a rush."

"That's what I said!"

Vanille gasps. "Oh no!" A hand flies to her cheek. Her bottom lip juts in a pout.

"What? What is it?"

"Do I still get to fish? I brought all my rods!"

I roll my eyes and smile. "Of course." The boat rocks gently, and I relax. "Gotta keep our cover story."

I wait for you on your bed. The airship engines hum behind white, gloss walls. Your cabin is small and neat. Not one sock on the floor.

I sit up when you come in. Damp pink hair and rosy skin from a shower. You freeze when you see me. For a heartbeat it's the old you lookin' out. Your eyes drop, and you say nothin'.

A dark cloud fills me, and I remember why I'm here. "Why are you avoidin' me?"

You turn to close the door with a soft click. Stand there facin' it.

I sigh. My throat is sore from not cryin'. "Look, you can take it back...I miss you. You thought I was gonna die, and—"

"Fang, I don't want to take it back." You turn again. Your eyes bluer than Shiva's hearts. "I love you."

I take a sharp breath. "Then why...?"

Your face tightens. I haven't seen you this bothered since before we saved Serah. "Ragnarok... When you're transformed, Fira fills your mind. It burns your thoughts away, leaving only one helpless part of you to watch the rest destroy the world. It's why Anima chose us. He knew one of us would fall off that mental edge sooner or later. He's counting on it."

My heart chills. You're not just bein' poetic. "You felt it."

You nod. "When I thought you were gone."

"Lightnin'..." I stand and walk to you. My right hand cups your cheek. I brush my thumb on your ivory skin. "Feel that? I'm alive." Your eyes shine. I slip my left arm behind your back and pull you close. My forehead tips to yours. "Don't try livin' without me while I'm right here in your arms."

I drop my lips that last inch. Kiss you softly.

"I can't lose you."

"I'm not goin' anywhere without a fight, Claire."

You kiss me again. Your skin hot as a fever. Mouth hungry. You press your soft curves into mine. My lips part for your tongue. Your hand slips between us to squeeze my breast while the other claws down my back. I moan into your mouth.

"Are you fully healed?"

"Yes." Bloody close enough.

Your mouth is a torch against my neck, dropping kisses and nips. My knees shake, and you push me back to fall on your bed. Your leg swings over to straddle my abs, and I groan when the heat from your core burns me through your shorts.

"Fuck, Light..."

Wet hair falls on my cheek as you lean close. Your warm weight presses me into the matress. Our breaths mingle. The smell of cherry-blossom shampoo fills my mind. Your new devil smirk is my only warnin'.

.

I wake first. Sunlight glows behind pale curtains, filling the bedroom. My body complains in places silent far too long. You stir, a warm angel next to me. I reach up and comb long fingers through your hair. You breathe slowly, still half in a dream.

A sharp knock breaks the peace. You startle. Then grumble into the pillow, "Kill them so we can go back to sleep..."

"It's your room, love. Sure you don't want me to hide?"

I keep stroking my fingers through your hair. You hum a sleepy sigh. "They're going to find out sooner or later."

"What if it's Hope."

"Then kill him gently..."

I smile into your shoulder. Pull you close in my arms. "I love you."

You shift onto your back and smile up at me. "I remember." We kiss lightly, lips still tender from last night.

Another knock. My head turns to glare at the door. A growl rumbles in my throat. If that's Snow... You run a soothing hand on my arm. "Gently..."

A/N: Yes, I cut away from the sex scene. Boo. That's the 'one scene' that started this fic. If I want to motivate myself to write a companion piece from Light's POV, I need to tease myself along with something, right?