AUTHORESS'S NOTE

Following information from a reviewer, I have amended the previous chapter. As always, if anyone spots errors of any kind, do let me know and I will correct them.

~Grace

Final Fantasy XIII

Grace Barton

A Wish Come True

"When I couldn't see a future, and I was afraid…

…When the future was clear, and it hurt to see…

…I'd just close my eyes, and lose myself in happier days."

The night of the fireworks display was a special night in the town of Bodhum. It was the night all of Cocoon looked forward to and always succeeded in drawing hundreds of tourists to the seaside town every year. There were celebrations, festivals, and the whole city was filled with joy and laughter. It was a night when Bodhum was at its best, and people were at their happiest.

No one could ever have imagined how their lives would change in just one night.

But for now the town was at peace, and the people of Bodhum were happily enjoying the traditional fireworks display. The customary dome was set up just off the coast. The dome flashed with colour as dozens of fireworks were set off inside, lighting it up with a brilliant luminance. No sparks penetrated the dome's energy-based shell, ensuring that every wondrous moment was captured and held inside.

Already the beach was filled with people, both tourists and regular citizens. Few people could resist coming to watch these fireworks. There was something mystical about them, they said, that drew people to come and watch them. Even those who had seen the fireworks many times before could not keep themselves away.

This was a busy time of year for the shopkeepers of Bodhum, but perhaps none more-so than Lebreau's café. The café was situated on the shores directly opposite the dome, giving spectators a perfect view of the display. This meant that dozens of customers flocked through her doors, ordering drinks and plates of Lebreau's special dish. Lebreau served each customer with a smile. Though it was busy, she was thoroughly enjoying herself.

This year seemed exceptionally busy, and Lebreau had been run off her feet all afternoon. There must be something in the air, she had wondered, to draw so many people to Bodhum now of all times. She was the only one who felt the enthusiasm, however. Her friends, Maqui especially, had complained nonstop.

Now the crowds were thinning, the service in the café was returning to its usual level. Lebreau dismissed her friends, and Maqui did not bother to hide his relief. Finally finding time to breathe, Lebreau was able to slow down and pay more attention to her customers.

Right then she was serving a woman she had never seen before in Bodhum. The woman had said she was from out of town, and Lebreau could believe it. She had never seen such unusual clothes before, and the woman had an exotic, almost wild look to her.

She was just fixing up a drink for this particular woman when the café doors opened. Looking up, Lebreau smiled as she saw Snow stumble in, almost knocking over two young girls in the process.

"Whoa! Excuse me!" Snow said, squeezing past them.

The girls smiled and went on their way. Lebreau heard them muttering excitedly as they left and smiled. The tall leader of NORA was always very popular with the ladies, but she knew their dreams were fruitless. Snow's heart already belonged to someone else.

"Oh, you just missed her," she called to Snow, who was casting his eyes around the café. "She said she'd be at the 'usual' place."

Snow laughed, aware that his cheeks were flushing. "Thanks," he said, and headed back out the door.

Lebreau, still smiling, turned back to the customer she was serving. "Sorry about that," she said to the woman. Finishing up the cocktail the woman had ordered, Lebreau pushed the glass towards her. "Now, who'd you say you were looking for?"

The woman did not respond right away. With a swipe of her hand she brushed her thick, dark hair from her face, lifted the glass to her lips, and sipped it gently.

As the café doors swung shut behind him, Snow jumped off the steps and landed on the beach. It would normally have seemed odd for buildings to be built right up against the beach, but the fal'Cie, who controlled everything, even down to the weather, always made sure that the wind never blew strong enough to send the sand up against the buildings.

Instead of heading off, Snow took a moment to look up at the fireworks. There was a legend in Bodhum, saying that the fireworks set off this night had the power to grant wishes. It was an old legend, and no one really took it seriously. Yet it did not stop people from coming to Bodhum every year and wishing upon the fireworks in the hope that their wish might be granted.

Snow was among these people. He had made wishes on the fireworks every year for as long as he could remember. Most of the time they were silly, selfish wishes, and of course not one of them was granted. It did not stop him from hoping, though, that this year might just be the year when his wish came true.

This was one of those years. For the first time in his life, he had a serious wish to make of the wish-granting fireworks. It was one that mattered a great deal to him. He didn't know what he would do if it did not come true.

Closing his eyes, Snow made his wish. Though the fireworks did not change, he would have sworn he felt them respond. Opening his eyes again, he sucked in a breath and smacked his fists together.

"Here goes!" he said, and he set off across the beach.

It did not take him long to find her. Despite what Lebreau said, Serah had several 'usual' spots. Her most favourite of these was the pier that stood opposite NORA house. She could sit there for ages, just watching the ocean go by. But on nights like this, when the beach was crowded and noisy, she preferred to go to a much quieter place.

He soon spotted Serah on the promenade running close to the beach. As he expected there was no one else around, and Serah stood alone. Her eyes were closed, and she had her hands clasped over her heart.

As always, seeing Serah made Snow's heart race inside his chest. He had never been in love before. At least, not true love. But now he understood what people were talking about. Being with Serah made him feel more alive than he had done in all his life. It did not matter whether they walked or talked, laughed or argued, or even just sat in silence. All that mattered was being together. Snow just wanted to be by Serah's side, from now until the end of time itself.

Finally plucking up the courage, Snow walked up to her. "Making a wish?" he asked her.

Serah jumped, but relaxed as she saw Snow. "Maybe I was," she laughed.

She stepped aside, inviting Snow to come and join her by the rail. Snow took her up on the offer and stood beside her. The two were silent for a moment. Serah's fingers drummed the railing, and she leant back.

"I was hoping that tomorrow I could tell my sister," she admitted. "She'll be so mad, knowing I hid it from her."

"Don't worry," Snow assured her. "I'll take the blame for you."

Serah had no doubt that he would. He was like that. Even though it was not his fault at all, he would take the blame if it meant she would not get into trouble. It made her feel guilty to think that he would go so far for her. A look of pain crossed her face, and she turned her head away.

Snow did not seem to notice. "You know, you should ask for something bigger," he told her. "These are wish-granting fireworks, like in the stories."

"Stories, huh?" she whispered. Her hand strayed to her arm. A bandage had been wrapped around her bicep, but there was no injury to protect. At least, not an injury of the usual kind. Clutching the bandage, she clenched her fingers.

Offshore, the fireworks continued to light up the night sky. But their beauty was marred by the sense of pain and rising unease coming from the young woman. Serah rubbed her shoulders, fighting off the sudden chill that gripped her. Taking a breath, she let it out slowly.

"L'Cie who fulfil their Focus," she began, "they become crystal and gain eternal life."

Snow leant against the rail, watching the fireworks. "Would help if they gave you some clue about what you're supposed to do."

Serah did not answer. Snow looked over at her. Her slight body was trembling, and she hugged her body tight. Seeing her suffering like this, Snow felt a surge of anger at the Pulse fal'Cie who had cursed her. It was bad enough that the fal'Cie had branded her, but it had also failed to give her any clues as to what task it wanted her to complete. How could she complete her Focus when she did not even know what it was?

He pushed himself off the railing. Taking her by her thin shoulders, which seemed much thinner in his larger hands, he turned her around to face him.

"We'll figure this thing out," he promised. "You will never be one of those monsters."

Serah did not look comforted. Pushing his hands off, she turned away again. "So what will I be?" she asked him, her voice bitter. "A crystal?" Tears welled in her eyes. She tried to hold them back but failed, and they fell down her cheeks.

Snow heard her sobs. His lips pressed into a line, and he delved into his pocket. "Yesterday at the store, I got us something," he said. "I don't know much about jewellery, but… I hope you like it."

Serah turned back. Snow held out his hand. Two necklaces dangled from his fingers. They were a pair, an identical set. The necklaces were made of polished silver and made to resemble Cocoon's great shell. The shell was even 'broken' to show the scars from the War of Transgression and, in the cores, there were glittering crystals. Both spheres had coiled spirals running around them, tapering off into points. They were almost like spiralling pillars holding Cocoon aloft. Serah gasped. They were beautiful.

When he saw the look in her eyes, Snow knew he had made the right choice. Up until this moment he had been so worried that he had messed up. He had never bought jewellery for a woman before. It was also not the most conventional gift for what he had in mind.

He nodded to Serah. She obligingly turned around and held her hair up as Snow placed one of the chains around her neck. The crystal globe was cold against her skin. Closing the clasp, he let it fall against her. Serah looked down at it. Her fingers brushed the delicate spiral.

She turned back to Snow. He had just finished putting on the other necklace. Now they both wore the matching necklaces. She started to thank him but, seeing the serious look in his eyes, her words faded away.

Snow stepped forward. "I will stand by you," he said, "no matter what happens. I'm yours forever." He stepped closer. "Serah. My one. My only."

All of a sudden he dropped onto his knees. Serah took a step back in surprise. Putting his hand on his heart, Snow lowered his head.

"Will you marry me?" he asked.

Serah's eyes widened. She felt her heart leap into her throat. Her face lit up and she smiled, clasping her hands over her heart. "Yes," she said.

Snow's head snapped up. The same joy filled his own face as he then jumped into the air, his fists raised to the sky.

"She said 'yes'!" he cried.

Laughing jubilantly, he gathered Serah into his arms. She threw her own arms around him, also laughing as he spun her around. The tears and the worries were forgotten in this moment of happiness, as the two lovers made their promise beneath the light of the fireworks.

Some time later, when the excitement of the moment had passed, Snow took Serah onto his air-cycle and drove it across the ocean. The fireworks were still going, continuing to light up the night sky. Eden, Cocoon's skyward capital, shone down on them from above, but none paid attention to the city this night. All eyes were on the fireworks, including those on the air-cycle.

Serah sat in Snow's lap, her legs draped over the side of the cycle. She had no fears about falling, for Snow was there to catch her. Every now and then she touched the necklace to make sure it was still there, and to reassure herself that this moment was not a dream, but reality.

Snow drove the air-cycle close to the base of the sphere. He then slowed it until the vehicle lightly scraped the top of the water.

"Got to love these fireworks," he said to Serah. "They granted my wish."

"Your wish?"

Snow nodded. "Before I asked you to marry me. I wished that you would say 'yes'."

Serah smiled. She should have known that Snow would have wished for something like that. He didn't need to. She would have said yes, either way. Lowering her gaze, she peered down into the water. The ocean churned as the cycle moved over it, causing their reflections to ripple and break.

"Then maybe they'll grant mine too," she said in a low voice.

"What's that?"

Serah looked up. "To have the courage to tell Lightning that I've become a l'Cie."

Putting his arm around her shoulder, Snow pulled her close. "Hey, our engagement is way bigger news!" he scolded her with a smile. He chuckled. "Oh man, I can't wait to see her face," he added, remembering the disapproving look in Lightning's eyes on the day they met. He smiled at the memory, but then his eyes widened as a thought struck him. "She'll be my new sister," he realised.

Serah laughed and nodded. "Yeah."

Snow laughed as well. Lightning was not going to be happy when she realised this; that she would have Snow as a brother. In fact the very first and only time they met, Lightning had warned him to stay away from her sister. He had not told Serah about their meeting, and since she had not brought it up he guessed Lightning hadn't either.

It was probably a good thing. It was obvious that Lightning did not like him, even before she remembered that she had seen him with Serah before. That knowledge only reinforced her opinion of him; that he was a wastrel who should be cast aside quickly. Despite his efforts he had been unable to impress her. So news of his engagement to Serah was not going to go down well.

He had wanted to tell Serah everything that happened, but found that he couldn't. Serah had enough worries already; being a l'Cie was just one of them.

Feeling restless, Snow revved the engine and sent the air-cycle flying towards the dome. Serah clutched Snow's coat as the vehicle collided with it. The sphere rippled as the cycle passed through, and then they were inside.

A firework exploded right in front of them. Blue sparks showered over them, flickering like starlight.

"Whoa!" exclaimed Snow.

He drove the cycle to the heart of the display. Serah leant forward and peered up as more fireworks exploded overhead. Coloured rain filled the dome, shining for brief moments before flickering out of existence. Her breath caught in her throat. She thought the fireworks looked magical before, but they looked even better up close. Turning her head around she took in every sight, her eyes filled with awe.

Her gaze turned, eventually, onto Snow. Seeing him up close as he was made her own heart swell and rise until she felt it would explode. Until she met Snow, she had thought all the stories about love were just fiction. Now she knew otherwise. She loved him; loved him more than anything else in the world.

"Hey, Snow?"

Snow, who had been watching the fireworks, turned to face her. "Yeah?" he asked.

She leant forward. Snow did the same. But before they could meet, a firework exploded right beneath them. It caused the air-cycle to jerk upwards and tilt dangerously to one side. Serah shrieked, clutching at Snow.

"What the—!" he cried.

Grasping the controls, Snow pulled the vehicle into a steep climb. The air-cycle shot up through the display until it exited through the top of the sphere. Once they were clear Snow levelled it off. "That was close," he said, peering down.

Serah began to laugh. Snow grinned, and then he was laughing with her. Adrenalin and love made them forget the dangers they had put themselves in. Instead they relished in the moment they had shared together.

Eventually the laughter faded. Serah sobered and turned her eyes back to the fireworks. "Gorgeous," she whispered. "Our own private heaven."

"All we need—just you and me," said Snow.

Serah turned to him. Her eyes filled with hope—and love. The same love was in Snow's eyes as he looked back at her. Before he could say anything, Serah leant in close and kissed him softly. Snow stiffened in surprise but then relaxed, enjoying the moment.

Serah pulled away and gazed into his eyes. Snow reached up to touch her face. She pressed her cheek against his fingers. Snow then pulled her to him and kissed her again. They remained together longer this time, trying to keep hold of this one moment when they were together, as one.

But like all moments, they had to come to an end. When the kiss ended Serah lowered her head. Tears welled in her eyes and began to fall down her cheeks. Her shoulders shook as she began to cry. Snow, his heart aching, pulled her close.

For Serah was a l'Cie. He could not change her fate. But he vowed to do everything he could to protect her, and he would be by her side until the end. He would not allow her to become a Cie'th. Even if he had to kill the fal'Cie to save her, he would do it. He would protect her, always.

As though hearing his unspoken thoughts, Serah clutched him. She closed her eyes, her soft voice cutting through the blast of the fireworks below.

"Thank you, Snow."

Coming Next:

Part Three: Branded