Wild Rose

A New Horizon

It was literally like a dream. They still couldn't believe the rose was back in their hands after everything that had happened. Now, back where it had all began, Firion and Lightning sat next to each other reflecting on what they'd been through - the rose lying between them as they stared off into the sky.

Whether Lightning felt the same way, Firion couldn't say – but, personally…he had come to see the Prima Vista as his and Lightning's special place: all the events that had occurred between them here from the moment he'd reacquired the rose from Lightning to the moment he'd realized he'd lost it. Looking back, even the latter didn't seem so bad anymore. They had accomplished what they'd set out to do and neither of them could express exactly how grateful they were to have the wild rose back where it belonged.

Lightning breathed a sigh of great relief as she spoke – still staring into the sky.

"Well…it all paid off."

Firion could only nod at her words.

"Yes. That it did."

He glanced down at the rose - still in a bit of amazement at the whole ordeal. He had to be sure just one last time…just to make sure this moment really was what it seemed. He reached for the rose and the feel of its perfectly shaped, crafted petals was more than enough to let him know it wasn't an illusion. It had really happened – which meant this moment was also real, too. He smiled at the thought of that as he took a quick look at Lightning. She still had her eyes set on the sky. He could only wonder what she might be thinking about – though the obvious came to mind first.

He looked down for a moment, but this time not in discomfort of any kind. He was truly relieved – the wild rose, Lightning's happiness…this moment together. It was exactly as he'd hoped from the beginning and recalled the time he was so sure he'd never see it. But, it was a brief recollection, as he quickly cut off the thought almost immediately. Why reflect on the negative now? No. Everything was just as he'd wanted and he wouldn't have had it any other way.

He looked at Lightning again. He owed her so much he didn't even know where to start. Whether she had any idea or not, she had been a big part of why he hadn't given up.

"Lightning…thank you." he said, shyly, as he looked down.

She looked at him in question.

"What? What for?" she asked, completely confused by his words.

Firion took a deep breath before speaking again. He figured he'd have to explain it to her, but this time…he didn't really mind. For once, the words came easily – a fact that left him rather surprised, really.

"If it weren't for you…I never would have kept looking for the wild rose. There were so many times when I wanted to give up, but you – your words kept me going. You helped me get through it all. I just wanted to let you know." he admitted.

She looked at him speechlessly. She couldn't believe what he had just said. Could she really have done all of that? Or, was he just trying to make the moment even better than it was? She thought for a second. No. That couldn't be true. She knew Firion even better than before now, and if there was one thing she could be certain of…it was that he would never lie – especially about something like this. Every word out of his mouth, the tone in his voice of no exception, had sounded so honest. It really hit her as she thought about them for a moment.

She relaxed again, sitting in her original position – one hand on her leg, both of which crossed at the knees, as she spoke again.

"To tell you the truth…you helped me, too."

Firion looked at Lightning upon hearing her words. He couldn't possibly imagine how that could be true. For most, if not all of their search, he'd been the one to constantly worry and despair. How was it that he could have possibly done anything to help her? He thought she was just being kind…until she continued speaking.

"…I was scared, to be honest: all of that searching and nothing for the longest time. It drove me crazy – and eventually…that turned into fear. There were times when I had no idea what to do, what to say…or what to think. I was so convinced that we may never find the rose. And, come that moment with Cecil at Crystal Tower…it just seemed so certain. I don't know what I'd have done; where we'd be right now if we hadn't found it." she said, softly.

She turned her head a little and closed her eyes as she thought about that moment.

"...If it hadn't been for Vaan." she said, quietly.

At those last words, Firion looked down again. She wasn't thanking him. She was thanking Vaan.

"Right. Vaan…" he mumbled.

He sighed. Why wouldn't she thank Vaan? He had been the one to give it back to them. If he hadn't shown up, he had to agree with Lightning…where would they be right now?

He stared down at his lap in silence as Lightning looked at him. Seeing his face, it was rather obvious, even to her, what he was thinking.

"Firion."

He slowly lifted his head towards her again – a bit of a sad expression on his face, though he tried to hide it.

"If it hadn't been for you…I never would have believed this moment could happen. Your talk about never giving up and always fighting no matter what the odds – it really hit me." she explained.

"Huh?" he asked, looking at her in surprise.

She folded her arms as she looked away again for a moment – a bit embarrassed by what she was about to say.

"You were right. Until that moment, I had never given up on anything before. It went against everything I'd ever said, done, and believed to even think such a thing. Looking back now…I still can't imagine what I let come over me then."

She shook her head at those last words as she looked at Firion again.

"It was those words – your words, which clung to me for the rest of our search. If you'd never given me that speech…I would never had anything compelling me forward. Though it may have seemed like the rose was my motivation, truth be told…" she said.

She looked at him closely.

"...It was you – what you'd said to me. I can't thank you enough for that. So…thank you."

She went silent for a moment and Firion stared at her in shock. He couldn't believe everything he'd just heard. He never would have imagined he'd played such a vital role in any part of Lightning's life. It was an odd feeling, to say the least, but a comfortable one at that.

He thought about what she said for a moment as he looked back down at his lap in astonishment.

"…Anytime." he said, as he smiled to himself.

The were both quiet a moment as a light breeze blew past them – again, reminding them of all they'd faced just to get the rose back in their hands. They'd done it together – and because of each other. It was something that would never be easily forgotten, for sure. But, admitting it or not…neither of them wanted nor intended to.

As Firion thought to himself, he heard Lightning speak again – only this time, her words left him rather uncomfortable.

"So…about our talk."

Firion didn't respond in any way. Had this moment really just come up? After everything they just got done saying to each other? He should have known it had all been too simple.

He took a deep breath. Really, he couldn't imagine why he was reacting this way. This had been what he'd been waiting for a while now. Why had it been so surprising to him that it would come up again? Maybe it was just that Lightning had brought it up, which he hadn't intended. He had been hoping to tell her at the just right moment – not when she had wanted.

He looked down shyly again.

"…Oh. Right." he mumbled.

He was silent and Lightning looked at him in concern – afraid she had said something that upset him…somehow.

"Firion…?" she asked.

She began to rethink ever having brought it up. She hadn't meant to put him on the spot like that. She had just happened to recall it at that moment.

As she was about to drop the subject completely, she heard him speak.

"I suppose…it's only fair."

He struggled with his words yet again as she turned her head back in his direction. He wanted to tell her – he really did. He just…hadn't been prepared to do it at that particular moment. A million thoughts came flooding to his mind – and none of which encouraged him in the least.

He looked at Lightning, sitting there waiting for him to speak. He'd never seen her so relaxed or patient before. A while back, she'd have just walked away by now. Yet, here she still was…and not even the slightest hint of aggravation or impatience showed on her face. This was it. The moment he'd been thinking of and almost had a few times…was finally, truly here. He couldn't hesitate. He couldn't let it pass him by yet again. Lightning was there – she was ready: she was listening. All he had to do now was say it.

He took a deep breath as he began – the words starting off slow with his shy tone.

"Lightning…"

This wasn't as easy as he'd originally thought. Maybe it was just how it had come into play? It hadn't quite been as he'd envisioned it. She had caught him off-guard. He hadn't had any time to really think this through.

He fought to bring his next words out of his mouth.

"I think…I…" he mumbled.

He went quiet again and Lightning looked at him in anticipation of more.

"…Yes?" she asked, tipping her head lightly as she looked at him.

He sighed as he realized how ridiculous he was being. This was stupid. To have waited all this time just to fight to bring it out, was something he found humiliating, aggravating…and disappointing in himself. She was waiting for him to say it: waiting for him to spill out how he felt about her, whether she knew that was what this was about or not. Now, the moment had finally come and he was afraid to say anything. Why did this have to happen? For the first time, he was annoyed with himself. He couldn't stand to play this game any longer.

He slowly turned his head towards her and his eyes met hers. It reminded him of that time at The Rift – after the Onion Knight had shared his news with them. He couldn't stand to disappoint her anymore. It was now…or never.

"I guess there's something you should know…" he said.

Lightning's curiosity rose as she seemed to perk up a bit at his words. This made his heart race a little, but he didn't let anything stand in the way this time.

He took another breath as he spoke again. He couldn't believe he was actually about to say it, but it felt so right – so good, nonetheless.

"Lightning, I'm-"

"There you are!" a voice shouted.

Lightning looked past Firion to see Bartz running towards them.

"Bartz?" she asked.

"Sorry, but Cosmos called us back to Sanctuary again. Everyone's wondering where you two have gone." he explained.

He looked from Lightning to Firion and saw their faces – more so how Firion's head dropped upon his arrival.

"Of course." he thought.

He was completely upset by this twisted turn of events. It only made sense this would happen. He was finally about to tell Lightning how he felt – it would be the perfect time for interruption.

Still…as distraught as he was, he couldn't blame anyone but himself. It wasn't like Cosmos had done it on intention. He'd had so many chances to tell her and passed on each one. It was rather fitting. Maybe it was a sign that things really weren't meant to be between them. He could only wonder – as much as it hurt not to know for sure.

Lightning looked from Firion to Bartz – seeing the former's expression.

"…We'll be right there." she said.

Bartz nodded in response.

"Alright. Try not to take too long though. Later!"

He waved as he hurried off back towards Sanctuary.

Lightning slowly stood up – looking at Firion's head as she rose to her feet. He didn't move. He didn't even make a sound at all. The rose still lay next to him as Lightning closed her eyes – she too, wishing he'd gotten to say what was on his mind.

"Come on, Firion." she said, regrettably, as she looked away from him.

Firion sighed again as he stood up next to her – the rose clutched tightly in his hand.

They stood in awkward silence for a moment – both wishing so badly that they could change what had just happened. Bartz had no idea what he'd just ruined, but they also knew it wasn't his fault. The moment just wasn't what they'd thought it had been. Hard as it was…they'd have to accept that.

Lightning started walking past Firion when she heard him speak one last time.

"Lightning. For what it's worth - the time we've spent together…I'll never forget it." he said, as he shook his head lightly.

He looked at the ground as Lightning stopped dead in her tracks – his words having left her unable to even move. She was completely shocked by what he'd said. She had been right all along. From that first instance on the Phantom Train, something had told her what she'd chosen to deny – and it had been spot on. She felt relief spread over her. Though he hadn't said it in those words, he'd nevertheless made it apparent.

She cupped her hand over her heart again as her head dropped and eyes closed – a smile forming on her face as she went over his words again in her head.

Firion, feeling it really was over now, started walking past her – only to be stopped by Lightning as she touched his hand quickly.

"Firion."

"Huh?" he asked, looking down at her hand.

He looked at her closely as she stared back at him – a clear look of hesitation in her eyes as she thought on her words for a moment.

"…I won't forget it either. My time spent with you…it was all worth it. Every moment was better than the last."

She looked at him as another smile crossed her face.

"I just wanted you to know that."

He couldn't believe it had actually happened: his greatest hope had come true. Not only had he finally told her, kind of...but, she'd revealed she felt the same way. Though neither had expressed their feelings straightforward, they had still said it nonetheless. He was overcome with emotion – comfort and happiness rising above them all as he smiled back at her.

"Thank you…Lightning." he said, gently.

Lightning didn't reply as she just kept smiling, slowly removing her hand from his as she stepped past him.

"One last walk?" she asked, looking back at him as she motioned toward Sanctuary.

Firion laughed lightly to himself as he nodded, stepping up next to her.

"Do you think we could...take this one slower?" he asked, shyly.

To his delight, Lightning just nodded as they started walking, both smiling at each other one last time. It had all been perfect after all, playing out exactly as he'd imagined – albeit, with a few extras added in. His fears had all been for naught and he couldn't even truly begin to express how he felt on what had happened – from how it had all started to how it had all just ended. And, learning Lightning had indeed felt the same way about him…had made all they'd endured in their tireless search so much more worth it.

*Author's Note* - Apologies for making Firion seem annoying in this story. That wasn't my intention whatsoever - especially since he's one of my favorite characters in Dissidia. Give him, and I, a break though. He was lovestruck. It's common for one to find it hard to voice such feelings. Besides, it was Lightning. She's not the easiest person to talk to after all.