#(since ravus tells luna that there's more behind the two of them putting an end to this)

[oraculideluna]

"You are free to sever the chains of fate that bind you."

Legend of Dragoon starters - @r1trigger

For a moment, for longer than she really should have, she holds to these words, keeps them in her mind and tries to let them find respite in her heart. The very idea behind them is something she has desired since the start of it all. They welcome her, and she is ready to fall into their embrace. Free to sever the chains of fate that bind you. It is almost poetic the way he says it, beautiful in a way that’s unintentionally false. He doesn’t know he’s lying to her, wouldn’t disrespect her so.

And in light of that, she wants desperately to believe what he says. But she can’t. For a long moment, she holds onto the words, but she is sure he can feel the way her heart aches when she lets go of the wish and reins herself back into the reality of their situation. 

Even if she could just walk away, it simply isn’t even an option for her now. She’s in too deep now, has invested herself far too much to let it go. To find another to pick up what they have started; what they have come so far to achieve. Her hands aren’t bound to this quest, there are others who may volunteer to try, others in the world who call themselves Sorceress, who may be trying to live a simple life as she had once tried. Another to be called to the source of the sickness of their world and…and…

And maybe it isn’t just her that he’s talking about in this. Maybe he needs her to walk away so that he can, too, with as minimal guilty conscience as possible. It doesn’t seem likely, she knows how his mind works, knows that neither of them would be satisfied with walking away. An air of defeat already hangs around her at even the thought of giving in and going back home. 

She recalls Ravus’s voice when he told her their mother had fallen ill and wasn’t doing well. How he had implied there was more they needed to discuss, but couldn’t do it until she was home. Did that have something to do with this? The confusion of it all clouds her mind, unnerves her; Squall has never been like this towards her, and perhaps it’s selfish to want to continue when he doesn’t want to. 

It’s almost instinctual to protect herself, and though she never thought it would be against Squall, she feels herself putting up her defenses, cautiously blocking the connection between them. If he doesn’t want to do this, he can tell her. But maybe he needs it to be her that calls it off so he doesn’t feel as guilty. Selfish for him in a way that she’s not known him to be selfish, so it must be important to him. He needs this. Maybe this time, she should shoulder the guilt so he can continue on with as little doubt in his mind. 

She wonders if he can feel her resolve through the blockade she’s slowly put between them when she looks at him again, giving a soft nod. “Alright,” she says with conviction she doesn’t feel. “Then…I will accept Ravus’s train ticket and go back to Dollet.” Back home. Her heart weighs heavy, but her shoulders straighten just slightly as if preparing to carry it. “This is it, then.”

[echoes-of-the-clockwork]

Book Four: War (Gladiolus x Reader) Chapter Fourteen

After riding a gondola across Altissia, the royal retinue arrived at Maagho all thanks to Famine. They stepped off the boat and Ignis expresses his gratitude. "We do appreciate your guidance, Famine."

"It was my pleasure," she giggled. "I would've made War do it, but she's still a little cranky."

"Gee, I wonder why..." Noctis mumbled, casting his glance towards Gladio.

"So, about that personal tour," Prompto fiddled with his thumbs.

She smiled at him. "Meet me in front of the Leville once you're done here, okay?"

"Will do!"

Famine waved farewell before vanishing in a cloud of smoke. Prompto couldn't stop staring at the spot she once stood and sighed dreamily. Gladio elbowed him in the side, smirking, "You've got hearts in your eyes, loverboy."

"W-Well, I mean she's great! She actually gives me a chance and we've a lot in common! I don't care that she's some immortal being. It's kinda cool, in my opinion." Prompto crossed his arms and stared at the brute. "What about you, huh?"

"What about me?" He asked.

"You've been mopey ever since (Y/n) disappeared. You've got the hots for her!"

"What's your point here, Blondie?"

"At least I'm honest with my feelings. Maybe if you were honest with yours, (Y/n) wouldn't have stormed off." He turned his back to him.

Before Gladio could retort, Ignis intervened. "Please, gentlemen, not in front of the establishment. Wait 'til after our discussion with Weskham."

"Fine..." Prompto pouted childishly.

The group enter the bar after the small dispute between Gladio and Prompto. They noticed only one other patron present as they strolled up to the counter. The man behind the counter, who was cleaning glasses, greeted them. "Welcome to Accordo, lads. Cid mentioned you'd be dropping in. Weskham Armaugh, as you've gathered." He placed the glass down and eyed Noctis. "My word, you've grown, little Prince."

Noctis hummed in confusion, unfamiliar with the man. Hearing his faint hum, Weskham added, "Ah, but of course-you were only a babe at the time."

The raven-haired boy sat the bar and the man gave him his full attention. "So, this is your maiden visit. Enjoying it so far? You doubtless have many questions, so ask away."

Noctis was unsure of the bartender and kept on his guard. "This country is a part of the empire, isn't it?"

Weskham chuckles. "You're wary, I understand. But there's no need to jump at every shadow. Just be aware that the terms of our independence grant the empire free reign to come and go as they please."

Ignis joined Noctis at the bar. "We'll bear that in mind."

"It's admittedly a one-sided arrangement. Most everything we do requires Niflheim's permission, and they wouldn't knowingly permit the Oracle to appear before the public. How our government spun that is quite a mystery. Is there anything else?"

The prince decided to ask about the Oracle. "You really think Luna will make an address?"

"If every recent radio broadcast is to be trusted, absolutely," Weskham answered.

"Where is Lady Lunafreya?" Ignis inquired.

"In the city somewhere, but no one has caught so much as a glimpse of her. The media has been conspicuous in its silence on the matter, which speaks volumes of government intervention. That'd certainly explain the rumors of disgruntled imperial officers leaving the city."

Next, Noctis asked about the empire. "So you see lots of Niffs around here?"

"We do. Sometimes even at my place. Theirs is a familiar presence, and the citizens don't think much of it. Though, the high commander did cause a stir when he showed up the other day."

"Ravus..." the boy mumbled.

"So soon after they felled the Archaean in Lucis, his arrival fuels rumors that they will next come to Altissia. The empire's not content ruling all the land-they want the heavens as well," the bartender said. "Another thing about the high commander: people saw him walking around with a strange object when he first arrived."

The boy's eyes narrowed in puzzlement. "What object?"

"Some people claimed it was a head, but that's absurd."

Gladio was now more interested in the conversation that ever. "A head?"

"Yes. Of course, we've no proof of the accusations."

Suddenly, Gladio turned to exit Maagho. However, he was stopped by Noctis. "Where're you going?"

"Back to the hotel. I need to try and contact (Y/n)," he answered before leaving. He rode the gondola back to where the Leville was located and headed up to the room. Once there, he yanked the summoning orb out of his pocket and called War's true name numerous of times. Pacing back and forth, he waited for her for what felt like hours. Trying again, he called her name multiple times. "C'mon, dammit...!"

After an hour of trying, Gladio was tempted to toss the summoning orb out the window. Instead, he put it back into his pocket and sat on the edge of one of the beds. He trailed his hands through his hair, hanging his head with a heavy sigh.

Out of the blue, a cloud of crimson smoke manifested in the room. From it, (Y/n) emerged. She glared daggers at him, poking his exposed chest repeatedly. "Stop. Doing. That! It's getting annoying!"

Hearing her voice, Gladio lifted his head and flew to his feet. He towered over her shorter form. "You could at least spare me five minutes."

She placed a hand on her hip, her scowl growing sharper by the second. "I could, but I won't. You've got two minutes starting now. Better make it quick, Gladiolus."

"Two minutes is enough." Gladio cleared his throat and decided to make his explanation short. He told her about what Weskham said about the high commander and the possible head he had in his possession.

The redhead's eyes widen at the revelation. "The dullahan's head. How did...?" She shook her head. "That doesn't matter. What does is what that pompous ass plans on doing with it. There's only two possibilities. One is Ravus has managed to gain the dullahan's cooperation by threatening to kill it. The second is he plans on using the head to lure the dullahan out during the rite. Either way, that damned monster is going to be here soon."

War turned on her heels to leave, but she was immediately pulled back when Gladio grabbed her wrist. She nearly lost her balance when he yanked her back towards him. She tried to free herself from him without injuring him. "Let go of me," she growled.

"You didn't give me my two minutes," he declared, staring straight into her (e/c) eyes.

"Fine," she spat. "You've got one minute left. You better hurry and make it worthwhile."

"Then I better speak with action."

"Speak with action? What're you-?"

Her question was abruptly interrupted when Gladio pushed her down on to the bed. She tried to get up as fast as she could, but it was too late. He climbed on top of her, never breaking eye contact even for a second, and trapping her underneath him. She placed her hands against his chest and tried to push him off. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

Gladio didn't say a word as he leant down, closing the distance between them. He pressed his lips against hers, fervently kissing her.

(Y/n)'s eyes widen in pure shock, her struggling ceasing as she tried to comprehend what was happening. She didn't kiss back, too shocked to even lift a finger. She remained petrified under the man, losing track of time.

When Gladio pulled away, he kept her pinned to the bed in fear she'd vanish again. His expression was serious as he spoke. "Listen, I'm not the best at apologies. I'm the worst, if I'm being honest, but I want to apologize for what I said that day. I wasn't thinking."

"Great. You apologized. Now explain the damn kiss," she retorted.

"Can't a man express his feelings?" He asked with a chuckle.

"There's no way you're in love with me," she denied vehemently. "No one could love me, especially if they knew my past."

"Sorry to break it to you, sweetheart, but I know everything," he stated. "I know about all the people you killed all because of how much you trusted Gaius. You think you're a monster, but you're not. You were manipulated by that bastard every step of the way and in the end, he stabbed you in the back. You used Leviathan's power to sink all of Vanaheim so the empire couldn't get their grubby hands on the kingdom and its Crystal."

"Oh, please," she scoffed. "I told you most of that myself."

"The last person you killed was Lady Aubrey, one of the ladies of the castle during your father's rule. Before you killed her, she tried to tell you how Gaius was using you, but you didn't listen."

She couldn't believe what he said. "H-How did you know that...?"

"That morning I was acting weird was the day after the nightmare changed. I was able to change everything except for Vanaheim's fate," he confessed.

"You...manipulated the nightmare?"

"Looks that way. It had a happy ending so I guess it isn't a nightmare anymore."

"Oh, really? And how did it end?" She asked more out of curiosity than anything else.

"I'm making it a reality right now," he said before stealing another kiss.

This time, (Y/n) kissed back. As the kiss continued, she felt the sturdy walls she built around her heart come crumbling down one by one. She was able to regain control of her body and placed her hands on Gladio's cheeks, turning his head slightly to deepen the kiss.

After another minute passes, they break the kiss. Gladio leaned his forehead against hers, enjoying her gentle touch as her thumbs caressed his cheeks. "So, does this mean...?"

She smirked at his hopeful expression. "If you don't mind having a broken, bitchy immortal by your side."

"Hey, you're not as bitchy as when we first met. You still have your moments, but to be honest, who doesn't? And whatever is broken can always be fixed."

"You're the reason I've changed, Gladio," she said. "You're the only other person I've opened up to besides my sisters. Never in a million years did I believe I would ever trust another person with my past. But when you asked me that question in Lestallum, my heart broke. Nice to know that you do trust me, though."

"I was being an ass," he sighed.

"Yeah, you were."

"You still want the orb back?"

She shook her head. "You keep it. I doubt that nightmare will be an issue anymore." She traces the outline of his jaw with her fingers. "Now then, are you gonna let me up?"

"I don't think so." Gladio adjusted their position so he now laid beside the girl. He pulled her into his arms, her head resting against his chest. "As payback for spilling those cup noodles, you're gonna stay right here until I say so."

"All this for a cup of noodles?" She asked. "I mean, it's really not a punishment."

"You desecrated my favorite food."

"It was just noodles in a cup."

"They aren't just noodles in a cup," he stated. "I'll make sure you appreciate them soon enough."

Just then, the door to the room opened. Noctis, Prompto, and Ignis walked into the room, freezing in place when they saw Gladio snuggled up next to War. The blonde was the first to react and grabbed his camera. Before he could take a single picture, the shield threatened him with a glare. "Don't even think about it, Blondie."

"B-But..." Prompto whined.

"Don't you have a date, anyway?"

"Oh, that's right! See ya!" The sharpshooter dashes out of the room.

Noctis glanced at Gladio and (Y/n) with a slightly disgusted look. "You two have no shame..."

War grabbed one of the pillows and threw it at the boy. "Oh, shut it. We know you'd do the same with Lady Lunafreya. And it's not like we were doing something dirty."

Noctis blushes slightly at the mention of his wife-to-be, grabbing the same pillow the girl threw at him to throw it back. "W-Whatever..." He cleared his throat and changed the subject. "Anyway, we need to head to the first secretary's estate tomorrow. What should we do until then?"

"Prompto is preoccupied with his outing with Famine," Ignis stated. "I suggest a leisurely stroll around the city to gain our bearings before the rite."

"Sounds good to me." He raised a brow as he eyed the couple. "You two coming or not?"

"May as well," Gladio said. He freed (Y/n) and they climbed off the bed. The group left the hotel and ventured around Altissia.

<------------<<<<<

Hours passed and the sun was finally beginning to set. Ignis and Noctis returned to the Leville while Gladio and (Y/n) continued to roam the streets of Altissia. They boarded a gondola just as the sun set to enjoy the nighttime scenery the city had to offer.

War crossed her legs as she sat across from the shield. "So tell me, what else happened in the nightmare?"

"You really that interested?" He asked.

"I would like the know the "what-if" version of my past. Try not to leave any interesting details out."

Gladio smirked in amusement before divulging all the details about the nightmare. He told her how he saved her from Gaius and how they escaped the castle. When he told her about how she stabbed Gaius in the back, she laughed before allowing him to continue. He then mentioned how she was able to unite her soldiers one final time to evacuate all of Vanaheim. Finally, he got to the part where they escaped on a boat and he tried to kiss her, but he woke up before he could.

"As much as that sounds better than reality, I am happy it didn't happen that way. Except for the part where I stabbed Gaius in the back. If I could resurrect the dead, I would resurrect him and stab him in the back."

Gladio was taken aback at her words. "I thought you'd prefer that than reality."

"If it played out like the nightmare, I wouldn't be here right now. Some other soul could've been chosen as the Horseman of War instead of me."

The brute leans forward with a grin on his face. "Is that a back-handed way of saying you're happy we met?"

She twirled a stand of her hair around her finger. "If that's how you want to interpret it, go right ahead."

Gladio leaned back. "Now I know what we need to work on next for you."

"Lemme guess, you want me to be more honest about my feelings."

"Bingo."

(Y/n) thought for a few seconds before sighing. "Aren't I already honest with my feelings?"

"Only the negative ones."

She went to protest, but realized he was telling the truth. "Welp, you got me there. Well played, Gladio."

He chortled triumphantly. "'Bout damn time I won."

"Don't get used to it."

They hopped off the gondola and continued to walk around the city. When the Horseman heard Gladio's stomach grumble, she suggested heading to Maagho for a bite to eat. They traveled to the bar and the shield gladly ordered him and (Y/n) some Maagho Lasanga.

After they ate their meal, they remained at the bar for a little while. They listened to the pianist as his fingers danced across the keys and created a lovely tune.

"Hey," Gladio shattered the silence between him and the redhead. "There's something I wanted to ask you about the Vanaheim Crystal."

"What is it?" She asked.

"How are you able to use its power?"

Unconsciously, she placed a hand over her chest. She lowered her hand before hopping off the stool. "Let's head back to the hotel. It'd be easier to show you."

The two head back to the Leville, but Gladio stopped them in the lobby. He decided to buy a second room for him and her so they could have some privacy. Walking up the stairs, they walk to their room.

Gladio locked the door behind them before giving his full attention to (Y/n). However, his eyes were drawn to her chest when he noticed she was unzipping the front of her outfit. He quickly grabbed her hand before she could expose herself. "Whoa there, firecracker. Don't-"

"Hey, get your head out of the gutter," she said. "Like I said, it's easier to show you." War continued unzipping her outfit once he removed his hand. She released the zipper just as it reached the crevice of her breasts.

Gladio's eyes widened when seeing a crimson shard embedded in her chest just below her collarbone. The Horseman looked up from the shard and noticed his flabbergasted expression. "At birth, the heirs and heiresses of Vanaheim had a shard of the Crystal embedded into their flesh. From this single shard, all of Vanaheim royalty was able to wield the power of the Crystal."

Unconsciously, Gladio reached out to touch the shard but stopped halfway. His actions didn't go unnoticed by (Y/n) and she grabbed his hand before he could retract it. Gently, she placed his hand over the shard to show him he had her permission to touch her. "Whenever a king or queen perished, the shard was removed from their body and returned to the Crystal. But as you know, mine remained."

Gladio traces the shard with his fingers, admiring its beauty. "Guess a fancy ring isn't necessary when you're directly connected to the Crystal."

"It would be safer with a fancy ring, though," she sighed.

"What do you mean?"

"Because the shard is directly infused in one's body, it's more difficult to control the flow of power. Because of that, many kings and queens became ill and died young. My father was one of them. But that's not a problem for me since I'm basically a walking corpse."

She went to zip up her outfit when Gladio removed his hand from the shard, but she was interrupted when he scooped her up into his arms and placed her on the bed. Before she could even react, he wound one arm around her back and lifted her upper body off the bed. He placed his lips on the shard, causing a shiver to creep down her spine. A gasp slipped from her lips. "H-Hold on a second, Gladio...!"

"Sorry, but no can do. We have this room all to ourselves and you bet I'm not gonna let it go to waste. You better prepare yourself for a long night."

She grinned at him. "I don't need sleep like you. You'll crash before me, I bet."

"You're on, firecracker."

[glon-morski]

FF XV - the missing reconciliation post chapter 10

Alright, everyone who has ever played FFXV knows the game’s not perfect. Whether you love it or hate it, the game has some issues you can’t just pretend not to see. I personally adore the game, but that doesn’t mean I wave away its issues. Especially not the glaring ones, like the story-telling, which really could use some work at times, what with all the ‘missing scenes that should be there’, the plot holes and stuff.

One such moment of ‘atrocious story-telling’, as is widely accepted as fact by fans and haters alike, is in the second half of the game: the rather infamous chapter 10 and the chapters that follow. For context reminder, chapter 10 of FFXV’s story is right after the catastrophe that is the covenant with Leviathan in Altissia. It’s the chapter about Cartanica, the chapter where our four main characters (and friends) are at odds with each other, treating each other to stony silences unless they’re arguing, the latter being especially the case of Noctis and Gladio, with Gladio throwing a few quite vicious comments Noctis’s way. With everything that happened right before, the character dynamics in this chapter really hit hard. By the end of the chapter, Ignis has had enough and snaps, telling basically everyone off for being at each other’s throats during a time when they should be more united than ever. And after that… things pretty much go back to normal in the group. Which is all well and good, except for one thing. The arguing, and Gladio’s vicious attitude especially, may come a little out of nowhere, but it’s still understandable if one puts just a little thought into it. Noct is grieving Luna’s death and blaming himself both for the fact she died and likely also Ignis’s blindness, he’s overwhelmed by his emotions which cause him to shut himself off emotionally. Gladio is feeling guilty, too. He is Noctis’s Shield and it is his duty to protect him, with his life if he has to. But he hasn’t been there to protect him after Leviathan was dealt with and Ignis did his job for him, getting severely injured in the process. That shouldn’t have happened. In Gladio’s mind, Noctis either should have been strong enough to not need Ignis to protect him (and making him able to defend himself is Gladio’s job as well, since he’s been training Noct since he was a kid), or Gladio should have been there to protect him instead of Ignis. But he wasn’t. He had failed as a Shield and he’s reminded of that fact and the guilt that comes with it every time he looks at Ignis or Noct. And Gladio had always covered up his negative emotions, guilt included, with anger. So he lashes out. It comes a bit out of nowhere and takes some thought to understand, but it’s not something that can’t be figured out.

The sudden shift back from the end of chapter 10 to chapter 11, however, is less acceptable and as far as I know, everyone was saying how the reconciliation was poorly handled and there should have been at least a short scene where Gladio apologizes to Noct, if nothing else. A scene where they talk it out, where the argument actually gets closure and we can believe the characters move on. We don’t get any of that, though, and it’s apparently a ‘narrative nightmare’, which is likely the main reason there are so many ‘missing scene’ fanfics out there that attempt to rectify it, to write a fitting scene that could actually connect the character’s attitudes from the end of chapter 10 to chapters 11-13. And honestly, for the longest time, I agreed with that assessment, because there really should be a proper reconciliation scene.

Unless there shouldn’t be. Unless it’s not a ‘narrative issue’ this time, but something that has been done on purpose. Because what if… Please consider, what if Noctis and his crew didn’t actually properly make up before the end of chapter 13 and Noct’s ten-year-long absence?

Hear me out.

I) “Guys Don’t Talk About Feelings”

Fair point, and it does stand to reason considering what we see in the game. Noctis is the kind to clam up and he doesn’t talk easily, Gladio and Ignis pretend they don’t feel much of anything (except anger in Gladio’s case) and Prompto hides everything behind his happy-go-lucky joker mask. So yeah, a valid assumption to make. Except that it’s not true, because there are instances where the boys talk about feelings and Noct in particular is willing to have these kinds of conversations, even if he doesn’t always (or ever) initiate them. Proof in the game itself include:

- the talk with Prompto when you sleep at a motel and he ends up opening up about his insecurities. Sure, you can have Noct answer in an absolutely dickish manner and conform to the stereotype, but the game rewards you for having Noct listen to his friend, take him seriously and reassure him, which in all honesty sounds a lot more like Noct to me anyway. Sure, the guy can be a bit standoffish at times, particularly in the anime, but there’s no denying he cares and he’d never be a dick to his friends on purpose.

- post-credit scene of Episode Ignis, where Ignis is the one to open up a little (he opens the conversation with a broken ‘we have lost so much’, you can’t tell me the entire exchange isn’t driven by emotion even if part of it is Ignis testing Noct’s resolve) and offers Noctis to abandon their journey. Noctis refuses.

- post-credit scene of Episode Prompto, when Noctis properly apologizes to Prompto over what happened on the train and reconciles with him before they talk about ‘uniting all of Eos’ so no one has to suffer like Prompto has simply because they happened to be born in a different country.

So no, the boys do talk about feelings. Maybe not often and maybe not always as extensively as some would prefer, but they do talk about it when it really matters. Most of the time.

II) Chapter 11 Loading Screen

As FFXV is wont to do, instead of showing us stuff to connect chapters of the story together, we get loading screens with a short text, so more of a ‘tell not show’ approach. Which is a shame, but in this particular instance, it works to my advantage as far as analyzing stuff goes. Here’s the loading screen in question:

This is a peculiar word choice, isn’t it? ‘Ignis’s resolve forces a reconciliation’. Correct me if I’m wrong, but you can’t actually force a reconciliation. It doesn’t work that way. You can force two people to stop arguing all the time, maybe, but you can’t force them to see eye-to-eye, you can’t force them to apologize and mean it, you can’t force them to make up. Ignis’s words and resolve could and definitely did force Noctis and Gladio to see how stupid they were being, how they shouldn’t be divided at this point in time… but it can’t force them to forgive and forget. Especially if you consider Gladio’s reactions.

After Ignis’s outburst, he’s still angry. He doesn’t outwardly agree with allowing Ignis to come along, but he also doesn’t bite back at his words how it’s not up to Gladio to decide when Noctis will take up the mantle as king properly. He shuts his mouth and storms off. And that the last interaction we get before the ‘normalcy’ at the beginning of chapter 11, before Gladio and Ignis go off.

At this point in time, I’m pretty sure Gladio hasn’t actually apologized. Hell, I’m persuaded he doesn’t actually think he was out of line that much. Nothing that Ignis said would have made him realize just how much of an ass he’s been. Ignis told him off for pushing Noct for something he’s not ready for and reminded him it’s not up to Gladio to decide when he will be, whether they have the time to wait for him to be ready or not. Gladio doesn’t agree with that precisely because they don’t have the time and Noct has to act like the king he’s supposed to be. Still, Ignis’s words do make him realize the way he’s been pushing is (at least in part) the reason for the growing rift between the four of them and he agrees they can’t afford in-fighting, so he backs off. A little. He’s still a bit confrontational when they go back to the train, but doesn’t lash out quite as badly anymore. I mean, look at his response when Noct actually asks if they can make a stop in Tenebrae (for the first time actually mentioning wanting to, as far as we’re aware). Gladio’s answer is a flat ‘as long as it helps him move on.’ It’s not understanding, it’s not supporting, it’s more ‘fine, if it gets your ass in gear, we can do it’, but said in a less dickish manner. He doesn’t agree to the stop in Tenebrae because he cares for Noct’s feelings, he agrees as a means to an end – Ignis won’t get on his case again and Noctis will (hopefully) ‘pull his head out of his ass’. In short, Gladio is less confrontational, but his mindset clearly hasn’t changed much if at all. He doesn’t act like he thinks he should apologize, either, so it would be no stretch to assume that he simply doesn’t. He acts like his earlier attitude never happened instead and Noctis follows his lead on it. (Or maybe Noctis is the one who starts and Gladio follows his lead, both are likely.) In fact, the first (and only) moment where it might seem like Gladio actually realizes he may have gone too far only happens in chapter 13 Verse 2, when they find the recording of how Ravus died. Gladio remarks that Ravus ‘even called Noctis “his king”’, then lowers his head and stares at the ground for a bit. Don’t know about you, but the posture he adopts looks kind of ashamed to me. Which makes sense, because this is Ravus. The guy who has been going on and on about how Noctis is undeserving of his title as Chosen King, or the Ring, or his father’s glaive or Luna’s help, and he openly admits Noctis is ‘his king’, the Chosen King. He sees a king where Gladio hasn’t and I think that really resonated with him and made him realize just how overboard he’s gone. Because how can it be that a man who used to think Noct unworthy of his title as Chosen sees him as the King he is before even his Shield does? Gladio is supposed to be one of Noct’s closest confidants, the one he trusts most, the one to keep him upright when he can’t stand up, the one to focus when Noct can’t etc. etc. Being a Shield is a difficult duty, but it also means being extremely close to the King, it means he should know him well enough to see things others don’t, he should always be supporting and protecting him. And yet Ravus, of all people, saw what Gladio had failed to see in that instance: that Noct already is king and he is acting the part to the best of his abilities. Ravus believed in Noctis more than his own Shield did. And it’s in that instant, I think, that Gladio truly realized he’s crossed a line (or several lines) and that while he might have had a point in there somewhere, he went the entirely wrong way about making it. In that singular instant, he feels a brief moment of shame and actually realizes he might need to apologize at some point, I think. But they’re in Zegnautus Keep, in the middle of enemy territory and Noctis isn’t even with them, so a heart-to-heart obviously will have to wait for a better time.

Furthermore, there’s the bit how through ‘forcing a reconciliation’, Ignis’s resolve ‘restores harmony to the group’. Another curious choice of words there. If they had really made up properly, couldn’t it be ‘restores the bonds between the four friends’ or something like that? Something more telling that things are actually ok again, that they’ve made up and everything is well? Instead it’s just ‘restores harmony’, which doesn’t really mean much beyond ‘gets rid of the discord’, meaning Noctis and Gladio simply stop fighting. But it doesn’t mean they’ve actually made up, that they’re back to how they’ve been before Altissia. They aren’t. But for the sake of ‘harmony’, they act like they do. After all, ‘a king moves ever forward’ and his Shield is supposed to be by his side, come Hell or high water, right?

III) Game-Play-Story-Integration

Out of all the games I’ve played, Final Fantasy XV is still the one with the best and most extensive game-play-story-integration I’ve ever seen. From the fighting system to the quips between the bros to how the AI acts in combat in certain parts of the story, the attention to detail is unreal. It is especially noticeable in chapter 10, not only because of how Ignis always stays behind for obvious reasons, but also how Prompto never strays from his side or the way Gladio only goes half-way after Noct if the player goes on ahead (though not without bitching about ‘staying together’). It’s also visible in combat.

So… let’s look a bit at the game-play of chapters 11, 12 and 13, when the boys have supposedly been forced to make up, shall we?

Chapter 11 – we get a short cut-scene with Ignis and Gladio where they talk about gathering some information about the going-ons in Tenebrae and Gralea. Noctis is attentive, but still rather subdued. Gladio acts mostly like his normal, confident self. No discord in sight… but also no true unity if you ask me. Ignis and Gladio leave soon after. Noctis doesn’t try to stop them or follow them and neither of them attempt to make him. In fact, no one comments on his lackluster attitude at all and while that’s better than the fighting from before, it doesn’t actually look like a group of three friends, more just three men working together because they’re supposed to. Ignis may just be trying to give Noctis time to grieve properly, it’s what he’s been doing for the entirety of chapter 10 as well all while dealing with his own problems, but Gladio just simply pretends he doesn’t see it. He doesn’t give an indication it bothers him in any way, not in terms of making him angry or worried or anything. He just pretends not to see and lets it roll off his back.

And that’s it for Ignis and Gladio. We don’t see either of them for the rest of the chapter. We don’t see much of Prompto, either, because Ardyn decides to switch places with him. We get one little fight together with fake!Prompto but other than that, throughout the chapter and the fighting on the train, Noctis is alone.

Chapter 12 – it doesn’t actually get better. The chapter starts in Tenebrae station, which counts as an outpost and thus a safe place. You can opt to just follow the other characters and advance the story by talking with everyone you need to talk to, but you can also explore the station first to gather some items and, in the Royal Edition, to gather almanac entries. Now, in any other outpost or city in the game, while there might have been short moments where Ignis, Gladio and Prompto wandered off and behaved a bit like curious NPCs, they always followed Noct once he got a certain distance away. For the entirety of the game up until Altissia, you hardly had any moment when they didn’t follow Noct unless it was story-dictated that they didn’t. That’s not the case in Tenebrae. There’s no real reason for them to remain ‘in NPC mode’ if you decide to explore the station, but they do. They don’t follow Noctis at all. Once again, he’s alone and he remains that way even once they’re on board the train even though Ignis and Gladio are technically still part of the party (you can see their HP bars and stuff).

Once again, much like with fake!Prompto in the previous chapter, we get a fight where the three men fight together. But once it’s over? Gladio calls Noctis to ‘come and see something’, then doesn’t wait for him to follow. The next thing we know, Noct is encountering Ardyn and Shiva and once again, he is alone. At any other point in the game, no matter what was happening, Ignis and Gladio did everything they could to stand by his side – figuratively as much as literally by being physically there. But in this chapter, they don’t. Even post Shiva, when Noctis tells them to go check on the front of the train, they both do without complaint. Noctis is on his knees, half-frozen like they are and he very clearly still looks out of it, but neither of them protests being send away despite the fact that Gladio could have checked on the drivers alone and Ignis could remain with Noct without issue to make sure he’s alright (or so they could both make sure the other is alright). But that’s not what happens.

After Shiva, we get another short cut-scene as the train reaches Gralea and demons pop up while Noctis and co. realize they’re weaponless. Noctis is so shell-shocked by that discovery that he almost takes a Goblin’s claws to the chest, but Gladio pulls him back and kicks the demon away. He protects Noctis. He does his job as a Shield. Noct’s reaction? A split second of relief before he tries for a grin and briefly compliments Gladio’s blow, visibly trying to loosen up, to act normal. That split second of relief is really telling, though, because it implies he might not have expected for Gladio to act. He might have worried he wouldn’t help him. Which he has reason for as apparently, in chapter 10, if Noct happens to be caught by an enemy (you know, that button-mashing moment to get free), Gladio’s AI apparently doesn’t even try to help. I say apparently because I didn’t get the chance to test it on my new play-through, I was on NG+ and over-leveled to Hell, so the characters could one-shot-kill everything long before one stray enemy could grab on to Noct for me to test that. But assuming this little bit of game-play-story-integration is true, it would make sense considering Gladio’s general attitude in chapter 10. Still, we’re talking about chapter 12 now, where the boys have supposedly reconciled, so… why would Noct worry about whether or not Gladio would help him if he needed it? Why would he be relieved when Gladio simply did his job? If they’ve actually made up, then he has no reason to worry or be surprised and relieved about it, right?

Chapter 13 – I don’t think I need to say much about that one. Zegautus Keep. Noctis is separated from his friends for most of it and is once again alone. Nothing more needs to be said on that front. Except maybe one thing. There are two points in the chapter where Noctis has to leave his friends behind. One in the hangar towards the end, when he’s about to reach the Crystal. He hesitates then, looks back once he’s gotten through the closing door, but moves on. The other is way at the beginning of the chapter, when Noct gets separated from Ignis and Gladio by the collapsing train. Not only does he not hesitate to run and leave them behind then (understandable, as he’s surrounded by daemons and unarmed), but he also doesn’t wait for them once he’s in the Keep. That first room he’s in is huge and open and you can see there aren’t that many daemons prowling about. Noctis had locked the door behind him and since the Goblins haven’t broken it down before, there’s no reason they would now. Ignis and Gladio are still out there and Noctis should probably assume they’d try to follow him or find a different way in. So… why does he go on alone? Why doesn’t he wait? Or at least call/text them to see what their plan is so they can agree to try and regroup somehow? In fact, for the entirety of this chapter, why doesn’t Noct try to contact Ignis or Gladio once? His phone still works as far as we know even though he’s no longer in Lucis, chapter 12 proved that when Ignis called him after Noct pushed Prompto off the train. So why don’t they even attempt to communicate when, as far as we know, they have the means to?

I don’t know about you, but for a part of the game where the three of them are supposed to be tight-knit once again and have supposedly made up, the story and game-play goes way out of its way to contradict it by ensuring Noctis is alone at nearly all times, when the normal behavior of all of his friends is to stick close to him at any given time, be it for running around the wilderness, combat or even exploring a safe outpost. And when Noctis’s normal behavior is to try to stick with them, too, and yet in these chapters (and chapter 13 in particular) he goes out of his way to not do that.

IV) Friends And Retainers In One

There’s a very specific part of chapter 13 that really stuck out to me on my latest play-through. Once you reunite with Ignis and Gladio, find Prompto and finally get your weapons back, the boys have their one (ONE!) on-the-field conversation in the entire chapter. Where before Altissia they constantly quipped at each other and you had those short conversations once every couple minutes, this is basically the only piece of dialogue outside of a cut-scene you get this entire chapter (Ardyn’s taunting notwithstanding).

It starts with Prompto pointing out that Noctis is wearing (and using) the Ring of the Lucii. Noctis response is a rather bland ‘I had to. No weapons. No friends. No choice, really’ and goes on to say how he had to find and save the rest of them and for that he had to be able to fight so he had to use the ring. This entire 5-second-explanation is delivered in a low, kinda dead tone, too. There’s barely any inflection to it, let alone any sort of emotion. He just sounds tired and wrung out and completely done with it all. The one who responds is Gladio… with a comment along the lines of ‘you finally sound like a King’ with a ‘took you long enough’ heavily implied if not stated outright. Noctis doesn’t respond to that and neither does anyone else. Once again, it does not sound like an exchange between friends. It sounds more like what a Shield would say to his King.

And that’s exactly what’s going on, isn’t it? What has been going on since chapter 10, actually. In the aftermath of Altissia, Gladio pulled back from everyone, but Noctis in particular. He was no longer his friend, he was his Shield, through and through.

Now, Ignis and Gladio always had some trouble with navigating their relationship with Noct because of its duality between being his retainers and being his friends, something the game touches upon a little (though it’s way better portrayed in the Brotherhood anime). Ignis has more trouble with it, though, because in his case, the line between friend and retainer is extremely blurred and it’s easy to fall from one into another seamlessly and without noticing. From chapter 10 onward, though, while Ignis tried to keep some ‘friend’ aspects to his demeanor, he still acts more like an advisor. This is likely due as much to the fact that he wants to prove to everyone (himself included) that he isn’t a burden and can keep going with them, as it is to Noct needing a little advisory needling to stay on course and not fall back into his apathetic behavior from earlier.

In Gladio’s case, the line is a lot more cut and dry and easy to distinguish. There’s a clear difference between Gladio the Friend and Gladio the Shield. During chapter 10, Gladio is only a Shield. A retainer to his King. Not a friend. Which is part of why he’s so vicious in his comments. During chapters 11-13, he dials it back more and more, but still stays more on the side of ‘Shield’ than ‘Friend’.

The only person who doesn’t have that struggle is Prompto, because while part of the Crownsguard, he’s still Noct’s friend first and foremost. But he’s absent from chapter 11 onwards. So for most of chapters 10-13, Noct is alone. It’s a moment in time when he lost too much too quickly and he desperately needs a friend to help him, but he doesn’t get that. He can’t go to Ignis because he feels like Ignis has enough of his own problems to deal with, he doesn’t want to burden Prompto who’s already very clearly stressed by the situation in general and tries to help where he feels most useful (with Ignis) and he only has an angry Shield in Gladio, not a friend. All that game-play I pointed out earlier where Noctis is suspiciously alone? That’s a show of how he feels as much as the physical situation of it. He is alone when he’s separated from his companions and he feels alone even when they’re there. Because the ones following him now are not his friends, they’re his retainers and he’s not supposed to be Noct the Person, but Noctis the King.

Going back to that little piece of dialogue I mentioned earlier, well, it’s not part of a cut-scene, so we don’t really get much in terms of clues to interpret the characters’ feelings besides the voice acting. There’s no expression and little body language to go by. But the fact that Gladio’s comment is met with silence from Noct is already very telling. To me, it feels like he’s looking for at least a little comfort from them. He’s looking for reassurance from his friends. He’s been alone, unarmed, basically at daemons’ mercy and had no choice but to put on the ring everyone saw he could hardly bring himself to look at, much less wear. I wouldn’t be surprised if the answer he was looking to get then was something as simple as ‘you’re not alone or defenseless now, it’ll be ok, we’re here with you’ or something like that. Instead, what he gets is a comment about how ‘he finally acts like a king’ from the person who has been raving on him for not being ‘kingly’ enough the most before.  And I think that might sort of cement it for him (like it also sort of does for the player): he isn’t surrounded by friends at this moment in time, no matter how desperately he wants and needs it, even if they share some friendly banter in a cut-scene or two before that. He’s surrounded by retainers and he has to be their King, no matter how impossible it seems for him to do that.

And then, of course, the icing on the cake: getting sucked into the Crystal. Noctis is alone at that point as well, barring Ardyn. By the time Gladio and the others catch up, he’s already disappeared.

Here comes the kicker: Gladio, Ignis and Prompto proceed to attack Ardyn and try to kill him… and it’s honestly the first proper show of emotion all three of them have since chapter 11 that actually proves they care for Noct as a person, not just a king. They act like they lost not a king, but a dear friend and they’re understandably angry because of that. Which is heartbreaking because it happens at a point in time when Noctis can’t see it anymore. Just as the three of them were too late to see Noctis get sucked into the Crystal (and maybe try and fail to stop it from happening), they were too late in dropping the façade of retainer and act like Noct’s friends instead. (Again, with the exception of Prompto, because he doesn’t have that issue.)

It’s doubly heartbreaking when you consider Regis’s last order to them, too. ‘I ask not that you guide my wayward son. Merely that you remain at his side.’ Which is really just a fancy way of saying ‘I don’t want you to accompany him as his retainers, I want you to be his friends.’ No one seems to catch on to that, however, and when shit truly hits the fan, they do the exact opposite instead.

V) Reconciliation

Finally, one last point, tying somewhat to point I to finish this entire word vomit off. As we all know, there is no reconciliation scene between the four friends in the game, a fact that has been very bemoaned by fans. That’s just it, though. There’s no reconciliation scene between the four of them or at between Noct and Gladio… but there is one (even two) between Noctis and Prompto! In the main game, once you find Prompto in Zegnautus, he asks Noct if he was worried about him. Noct can respond with a choked up ‘of course I was… what kind of question is that?’ or try to tease and act like all is normal (the second one backfires slightly) but in both cases, it’s followed by an apology, which Prompto accepts and responds to with ‘everything is alright now’. It’s not perfect, but there was an apology, there was forgiveness, there was understanding and closure and actual reconciliation. If that’s not enough for you, Episode Prompto adds the post-credit scene I already mentioned above.

So, we do get a proper reconciliation between Noctis and Prompto. But not between Noctis and Gladio. Or Noctis and Ignis, considering they should have really talked about how Noct feels guilty for Ignis’s injury, too, in my opinion, even if they haven’t really fought or anything. There’s still a kind of rift there. Which means Noct reconciles on-screen with one friend out of three. You really think the developpers would make one scene and then ‘leave out’ or ‘forget’ another? I find that hard to believe.

In conclusion

As many narrative and story-telling issues as FFXV may have, I honestly don’t believe the lack of a proper reconciliation between Noctis and Gladio (or Noctis and Ignis if you think they need one) is one of them. It looks far more like it has been done on purpose, because while they both try to act like they’re good and everything is back to normal, the fact of the matter is that it’s probably not true. They’re still at odds and Gladio only really realizes he might have gone too far in Zegnautus, but at that point, he doesn’t really get a chance to talk with Noct before the latter disappears for ten years into the Crystal. Which would mean the two of them never actually made up between chapter 10 and the end of chapter 13. This fight of theirs remained unresolved until it was too late to do anything about it, something that gives Gladio even more reason to attack Ardyn as savagely as he does in the Crystal’s chamber. Because he can finally admit to himself that maybe he was a bit out of line and he probably wanted to talk it out with Noctis, maybe even wanted to apologize, but in the end, he never got the chance.

Then ten years pass during which Noctis is in Reflection and Gladio gets to live through the World of Ruin while waiting and hoping for his king to come back. Ten years is a freakishly long time to not see a dear friend of yours and bringing up a fight you never got to get closure over after that much time is just not something people do. Especially since it’s a post-apocalyptic world and they have world saving to do… and Noctis knows he’ll die. He likely doesn’t want to bring up the painful past at that point because really, what would be the point? He already has very little time left as it is. Best try to use it to have at least a semblance of happiness in what’s essentially his last moments with his friends. As for Gladio, after stewing over it for ten years, a part of him might need to talk it out, to get proper closure, but if Noctis prefers to pretend it never happened and that everything was fine, then who is Gladio to begrudge him that in what’s essentially his last moments? In that regard, I feel like Gladio’s character made a complete one-eighty in chapter 14 (and I’m obviously only looking at the original chapter 14, not the additions the Royal Edition made because those feel tacked-on and like you’re playing a mesh-up of two different time-lines, but that’s a rant for another time). Where in chapters 10-13 he was nothing but a Shield, in chapter 14, he tries to be a friend more than a Shield, though he obviously still takes his duties seriously.

TL;DR: There are many details in the game that seem to point to the conclusion that the lack of a proper reconciliation between Gladio and Noctis post chapter 10 was on purpose. That they never actually made up and that while their bond didn’t break, it suffered some serious damage, which shows clearly in later chapters. That Gladio realized he might have gone too far a little too late and that by the time he was planning on sitting Noct down and talking things out with him and apologizing once things calmed down, it was a lost cause because he lost his chance the moment Noct was sucked into the Crystal without any indication if or when he’d come back out. Which is honestly depressing and heartbreaking, but at the same time, looking at character interactions and stuff, it makes a sad amount of sense.

[bgn846]

The Niflheim Experiment Chapter 5

After five hours in the car Gladio was about to go crazy.  He needed a break, everyone had been taking power naps, but sleeping in a cramped car was not comfortable.  Ravus had not relinquished his driving seat since the episode at the abandoned farm house.  Content to stare ahead and ignore all of them, Ravus drove on.  Spacing out as the trees flew by, Gladio didn’t do much, until a small green sign caught his attention in the distance.  When they got close enough to read it he was barely able to contain his excitement.  It said one thing, Insomnia 60 MI.

“Okay time to switch.” Aranea announced.

“I will be driving through to the city.” Ravus replied sternly.

“Do you want to draw attention on purpose?” She sighed.  “Switch with Loqi.”

“Why would me driving draw attention?”

Groaning loudly Aranea leaned over the console and stared at Ravus, even though he didn’t look back.  “You have snow white hair, and you aren’t old.  You scowl at everything, and your eyes are freaky when you look directly into them.”

“There is nothing wrong with my eyes!” Ravus shot back.

“Sure,” Aranea drawled out, “care to explain why one of them seems to be a different color than the other?”

“I was born like that,” he huffed.

“Well, that’s great, but you shouldn’t be the first person someone has to talk to if we get pulled over.”

“Why exactly is Loqi better?”

“He’s blond and not whatever white witch color you’ve got going.  He also knows how to smile.” She finished leaning back into her seat.

When Ravus pulled off to the side Gladio was shocked.  Luna remained silent during the exchange; it seemed she was still pissed at her brother for his behavior earlier. Taking the opportunity to stretch Gladio carefully got out of the car.  Everyone else had the same idea and lolled about, not talking.  They could wander off unlike Gladio, who still needed something to lean on otherwise he’d fall over.    

Boots scraping across the dirt drew his attention as Gladio pondered the idea of driving the car himself.  He could operate one in his current condition, though he was a little worried he might fall asleep staring at the dashed lines on the road whizzing by.  Deciding that was a bad idea he turned to who had approached.

“I’m not sure whether to be grateful or upset,” Ravus sighed, “no one is talking to me.”

“I’ll still talk to you.” Gladio offered with a small shrug.    

Ravus hummed and took a deep breath.  “When do you think you’ll have a moment to discuss our conversation with Luna?”

Gladio faltered, he wanted to talk with Luna, only without the others listening.  “I was sorta wanting to talk to her in private.”

“I can understand that.  Anything to keep Aranea and Loqi from offering their two cents would be most beneficial.”

“Are you alright with Loqi driving?  You’re not gonna make a stink are you?” Gladio asked with worry.

Curling his lips Ravus looked put out.  “Aranea makes a valid argument as to why I shouldn’t be behind the wheel.  I’m still sitting up front though, just in case.”  He added with an air of authority.

Gladio was about to add more when Luna and Aranea walked over.  Luna hopped into the backseat and waited in the middle patiently.  “Guess that’s my cue to become one with the side of the door again.” Gladio weakly announced.  True to Ravus’ word, he did indeed sit in the front passenger seat.  Aranea had tried to make an argument about why it should be her, but one deathly glare from Ravus and she gave up.  She was obviously tired and didn’t want to deal with his antics.  

Loqi drove well and kept quiet as they inched closer to insomnia.   Luna had fallen asleep on Gladio’s shoulder and seemed peaceful enough. When the wall appeared ahead of them in the distance Loqi finally broke his silence.

“How are we going to get through this?  I mean do we need papers, are we on vacation?”

“We’re going to a friend’s wedding.” Ravus offered succinctly.

“Who’s?!” Loqi blurted.

“It’s the best explanation for our odd parings.  Brother and sister, an aunt, a bratty nephew, and a 3rd cousin simply traveling together.”

“Who’s the bratty nephew?” Aranea asked with curiosity.

“Loqi of course,” announced Ravus with little preamble.  “Gladio is the only dark haired person among us, so he can’t be directly from the family.”

Gladio had his mouth open to join in, but decided against it.  Things were already strange enough.  For once no one disagreed, and when Loqi slowed down to talk with the guard he spun a perfectly believable story.  It looked like it was working until the man turned and went back into the guard hut.  The imposing gate in front of them remained closed.

“What’s going on?” Loqi asked.

“I dunno if they’ll let us in without ID’s.” Gladio lamented.

“If you say who you are then the chances of us getting sold out by the traitor become that much greater,” huffed Aranea.

“It might be a chance we have to take; otherwise we’ll be stuck out here.”

“How long is the drive to the citadel from the gate?” Loqi pondered.

“Nearly thirty minutes, if there’s no traffic.”

“Shit, the dude’s coming back, everybody shut up!” Loqi ordered.

They all listened as the guard explained that proper ID was required to enter the city, plus verification from the person they were visiting.  Thinking fast Gladio leaned forward to try and see the man through the window.  “I’m sorry we messed up the process sir,” he began humbly, “is there any chance we can call our uncle and have you speak with him?”

The guard frowned and was clearly debating the idea.  “I still need to see ID from you all,” he announced.  “Call your uncle and let me speak with him while you gather your documents.”

Before Gladio could reply a phone was thrust in his hand. Aranea stared at him with worry and Ravus, who’s phone he was currently holding, merely looked bored.  Licking his lips he held it out briefly for Ravus to unlock so he could dial.    Praying that someone would answer Gladio let the phone ring longer than normal.  Right as he was about to give up the line connected.

“Hello?” Came the pleasant response.

Hoping he could convey enough details in a short period of time Gladio launched into his speech. “Hey Uncle Jared!  It’s your nephew Gladio.” He could hear the sudden gasp on the other end and pushed forward ignoring it. “We’re all stuck at the wall trying to get in for the wedding!  Do you think you could talk to the guard and explain the situation?  I mean I would hate to miss the opportunity to surprise Iris on her big day, just cause we couldn’t make it to the venue!”

Gladio waited with baited breath, hoping that Jared wouldn’t launch into a million and one questions. Thankfully the man simply uttered a weak affirmation and went silent.  Leaning forward once again Gladio handed the phone off to the guard.  They all watched as he ambled off a few feet away to talk.

“Do you all have ID?” Gladio asked quickly.

“Yeah I had Loqi make us all fake ones right before we left.”

“Luna too?”  Gladio queried as he watched Aranea go wide eyed for a moment and shake her head.

“I’ve got one for my sister.” Ravus interjected.

“Why the h--.”

“We can’t waste time with that right now,” Gladio hastily replied, “I don’t have an ID!”

“You don’t carry one around with you in your wallet?” Aranea frowned, “That’s weird.”

“I don’t have my wallet!” Gladio all but shouted as he warily watched the guard, who was still talking to Jared.

Aranea went to response but suddenly looked rather guilty.  “Yeah, sorry about that, you do have your wallet.  It’s been in the trunk the whole time.”  Gladio didn’t have time to respond as Aranea quickly launched into another round of discussion. “We also made you a fake ID as well; there is no point in using your real one now.  That guard will call it in immediately.”

The flurry of activity that came next left Gladio in shock.  He had no idea what Jared had told the man as the phone had been handed back, already disconnected.  Their ID’s were reviewed and the contents of the trunk were checked.  After five minutes the heavy metal gate was opened and they were waved through.

“Should I call him back?”

“His phone was probably tapped.”  Loqi supplied.  “I wouldn’t”

“Who was that anyway?” Luna piped in with curiosity.

“Jared, our housekeeper. What if he calls back, should I answer?”

“No!” Loqi interjected quickly. “Though, why did you call him of all people?”

“I can’t call my dad or anyone else at the citadel they’d be overheard talking.  I thought maybe Jared might have a little more privacy at the house.  I’m also hoping he only tells my dad I called.   That might help us when we arrive.”  

As they continued on, the wooded area near the wall gradually faded out to reveal the city.  The people and traffic increased as they neared the city center.  Unable to keep quiet for any longer Gladio blurted what was on his mind.  “How did we get through with all your weapons?”

This time it was Luna who spoke up. “They retrofitted the car before we left, to hide them in the undercarriage.  You were sleeping so you didn’t notice.”

“We may need to retrieve them before we reach the citadel,” Ravus announced. “That phone call had to have alerted someone to our presence in the city, even if this Jared only alerted your father.”

“It’ll be damn near impossible to get into the citadel if we show up visibly armed!” Gladio huffed as he leaned back into the seat.   “Shouldn’t we come up with a plan to get inside first?”

Aranea spoke up before the others could respond. “We risk the traitor moving first so we have to act now and see how far we get.”

“This is stupid, I’ll get taken away to the doctor’s and you’ll all get locked up, except Luna,” sighed Gladio in frustration.  “I thought you all had this worked out?” He fumed.

“We do have it worked out!” Ravus shouted. “We knew it would be trouble trying to gain entry so the best choice was to show up unexpected.”

“Unexpected is one thing,” Gladio snarled, “uncoordinated is quite another.”

“Can we stop fighting?” Luna begged.  “Gladio please, they’ve been trying to work things out, trust me.  You’ve been passed out for most, if not all of the conversations.”

“Didn’t you all think that it might be helpful to get an insider opinion?  Nobody believed I have anything of value to add?”

“There wasn’t time!” Ravus enthused as he briefly turned to face him.  “Gladio, time is not on our side, you must know this.  The traitor has to know what we are up to and now their suspicions have been confirmed.”

“You don’t know that!  Jared’s phone might not have been tapped.”

“Come on big guy, you know that isn’t how it works.  Think ahead.” Loqi quipped.

“So we seriously have no other choice but to go driving up to the gate?”

“The traitor will act, no matter what we do.” Ravus added solemnly.   “It’s best we make an appearance and work to shed light on the truth of the matter.”

“If we’re going into a trap I still don’t see why I can’t call my dad.”

“What if the traitor acts and makes an attempt on the king all because we called ahead.”

“You didn’t care about Regis yesterday I don’t see why you’re so concerned now.” Gladio grumbled.

Ravus growled in response and hit the side of the door with his fist.  “Pull over! We’re dropping Gladio off.  Then you can call whomever you like.”

“No!” Luna shouted.  “That’s not fair!  If you leave him I’m staying with Gladio.”

“Like hell you are!” Ravus yelled.  “I didn’t risk everything just to leave you behind on the six damned street!”

The car fell into silence after Ravus’ outburst.  Loqi even seemed startled by the turn of events, and simply drove on with his hands white knuckled on the steering wheel.  Gladio was paying attention to the route and was surprised when Loqi kept making all the correct turns to get them to the citadel.  Maybe they had planned something while he’d been recovering.

Now, all he wanted to do was get away from them all and see his family.  The tension had reached an all-time high and Gladio didn’t know what would happen when they reached the main gate.

“I want my pole arm.” Aranea firmly announced once the towers of citadel came into view.

“How are you going to hide it inside the vehicle?” Gladio asked with worry.

“It breaks down, I’ll leave it on the floor boards until I need it.”

That didn’t sound very promising.  Aranea was already planning on fighting.  Gladio couldn’t do anything to stop her; he still had no strength and was too weak to access the armiger.  Choosing to stay silent he sank further into the seat and started to fret.

No one else offered any comments or arguments so Loqi pulled over into a nearly empty parking lot after a minute.  He put the car in park and waited as Aranea removed their weapons from underneath.  Ravus got out and retrieved his sword.  It fit neatly in between the seat and center console.  Aranea true to her word dismantled her weapon and placed it on the floor boards.  Once everyone was back inside and the doors were all slammed shut Loqi drove off again.  Gladio could feel his heart hammering as they approached the citadel.  What had seemed like an impossible dream was becoming reality.  However, the outcome wasn’t guaranteed and he was getting scared that something truly horrible might happen.  

The looming shadow of the building soon engulfed the car as they got closer.  Loqi somehow knew to avoid the main gate and instead went to the service entrance.  Luna had been correct, they’d been planning ahead.  Gladio didn’t realize he was shaking until the car turned down the access road.  Soon there would be no turning back.

Loqi already had the window rolled down when he drove up.   Leaning down to catch a glimpse of the guard revealed Gladio didn’t know him.   That was either going to be a blessing or a curse.  Before Gladio could register what was happening Loqi had begun talking to the man.

“We demand an audience with the king.  We are seeking asylum from Niflheim.  Please inform his majesty that we are traveling with the prince’s shield Gladiolus Amicitia.”  Loqi moved slightly and indicated behind him in the back seat.

The guard leaned down and blinked slowly.  “ID’s please.” He croaked out after a second.

Gladio could tell from Ravus’ shocked expression that they weren’t expecting that response. Loqi cleared his throat and clumsily went to grab the stack of documents they’d already compiled from the check point at the wall.   The guard took them and disappeared into this little hut.  

“There is no way in hell they are gonna just open the gate for us.” Loqi breathed out tersely.

“What if they do? Then what?” Gladio asked.  He knew there was a second gate to get through after this one.  The security system in place included a moat of sorts around the perimeter.  Two tall fences with barbed wire atop running alongside each other.   The middle section had a single lane access road.  This was their first obstacle.    

Aranea answered after a beat, “you tell them we rescued you and not to kill us.”

“I don’t know if tha --.”

“Shut up he’s coming back!” Ravus hissed.

The guard came up and handed the documents back.  “You’ve been cleared to go through, please wait at the second gate for an escort.”   The man said nothing further and simply walked away as the heavy metal door in front of them suddenly began ratcheting open.

“Do I go in?” Loqi asked quietly.  “Once this gate closes behind us escape becomes exponentially harder.”          

“We can’t very well drive away now Loqi,” Ravus grumbled.  “The next gate is right there anyway, let’s go see if they will let us in.”

“Fine.” Loqi replied with a frown.  The car slowly crawled forward and jostled as it went over the speed bump at the gate.  “Shit, they have the traffic spikes installed under here.  I can’t go back even if I tried, the tires would pop.”

“Just drive forward and stop panicking.”  Aranea ordered.

“I’m not panicking!” Loqi hissed.  “I’m merely working to plan our escape should it be needed.  They’ve even got concrete barriers up on either side.”

“Not everywhere,” Luna offered as she pointed to a missing section on their right.”    

“Something’s wrong,” announced Ravus. “Where are the other guards, I don’t see any other people at this next gate.”

“They said there would be an escort though,” Luna commented with concern.  “Why would he lie?”

“If it was a trap.” Aranea groaned.

Loqi suddenly became very animated. “No, no, no it can’t be!” He uttered in shock.  “That can’t be true.  There is no way that asshole is him.”

“What are you going on about?” Ravus insisted as he leaned over to stare out the window at what Loqi was looking at.

“Gladio!  How far does this no man’s land between the gates stretch?!” Loqi asked hurriedly.

“Up to the main gate about 800 yards away, why?” Gladio didn’t get an answer as Loqi violently threw the car into reverse.  They were all thrown forward as he gunned the engine.  “What are you doing?!” Gladio shouted.

“I saw him!” Loqi screamed. “The other fucking bad guy, I fucking saw him!” He was frantic as he maneuvered the car away from the gate house.

“We can’t go back! The spikes will wreck the tires.”  Aranea yelled.

“I’m not going straight back!” Loqi spit out as he turned sharply to fit in between gap in the barriers Luna had noticed earlier.

Gladio was about to tell him he was crazy when movement behind the guard tower caught his attention. The hulking figure of the captain of the guard soon came into view.  “That’s captain Drautos he’s a good guy!” tried Gladio as he held onto the seat.

“He’s a captain?!” Loqi wailed, “Dear six no wonder you all didn’t notice.”

“He’s not a bad guy!” Gladio yelled again.

“That’s Glauca! He’s the ultimate bad guy!”

“Guys they have a car and are chasing us!” Aranea exclaimed with wide eyes while pointing out the window.

Loqi hadn’t noticed since he was facing the wrong way to drive.  He turned and yelled loudly.  The car jerked as he worked to maintain control.  Spinning around once more he began driving faster.  “We need to get the hell outta here, he’s gonna murder us all.”

“How do you know it’s him?!” Ravus asked as he worked his sword out from in between the seat.

“I know I saw him once talking to the emperor!” Loqi breathed out in a rush.  “It was an accident, he had his helmet off, and it didn’t click until I saw him now.  But that’s not important right now guys!  Help me get outta here!”  

Gladio was thinking fast, it’d been a long time since he’d been out on this side of the citadel.  The next gate Loqi was speedily approaching would have the same traffic spikes.  Maybe if they got into the main grounds they could get to the king before Drautos got to them. He was about to offer up the idea when a blue flash off to the side caught his attention.

It was actually two blue flashes, one slightly behind the other.   Gladio recognized the first blue blur as the slightly hunched form of his friend.  The crown prince of Lucis was currently warping like a madman towards their car.

“Aranea open your door!” Gladio demanded.

“Wha?”

“Just do it!!” He yelled.

Thankfully she wrenched the door open just in time.  The prince had managed to clear the fence and was now next to the car.  Gladio could see him struggling to keep up.  Consecutive warps were exhausting and he was surprised Noct was still able to stay with them.  Leaning back out of the way proved the right choice as a sword came whizzing by his head as second later.  

The overwhelming surge of emotion that hit Gladio next was surreal.   There, trembling in his arms and sprawled across the seat was Noct, in the flesh and blood.  Without a second thought he hugged him fiercely.   The prince wasn’t able to communicate clearly but he at least was able to hug back.

“Th--thought you were dead!” Noct managed to gasp in between breaths as he rested limply in Gladio’s arms.

“I’m okay.” He choked out. The heartfelt moment was immediately shattered when Ravus shouted a frantic warning.  Gladio barely had time to react when the car swerved violently and slammed into something.   Holding onto Noct with one arm, he reached out and hugged Luna close with the other.  Gladio was disoriented and could only do what he knew best.

Shield.    

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[rentfreecat]

Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts Fanfic Recs

so yeah I figured I should get around to making a list of some of my faves to promote them, I’ve got a big enough collection of bookmarks now. in no particular order. not all of them are necessarily complete or alive

Final Fantasy VII

The Gold Saucer’s Golden Arches by belderiver

Before he doomed the world to ash and ruin, Sephiroth wanted a burger.

note: Sephiroth + sudden hunger pang = mcgold

Meetings by Yinza

Aeris reflects on her few encounters with Sephiroth over the years since her escape from the lab.

note: Aerith having known Sephiroth before is just one of my favorite headcanons

lather, rinse, repeat by annperkinsface

She knows she shouldn't confuse this act of kindness for anything else, but it's hard, when Aerith is draping a towel over her shoulders, when Aerith is warm at her back, humming as she works a thick lather across her hands.

note: adorable Aerti. Aerith being a weirdo. Tifa blushing and being kinda horny. perfect. in case you couldn’t tell I ship it.

In Circles by Larissa

Tifa hates Midgar, and yet she stays, and she stays, and she stays.

Character study/pre-game gap-filler. Written for the Tifa Zine.

note: beautiful mood piece

the nodding golden tansy by Kieron_ODuibhir

“You think this troubles me?”

“Yes,” said Cloud, without looking up from his tea.

note: one of my fave takes on Seph and Cloud’s relationship. wonderfully quiet and melancholy.

not one before another by Kieron_ODuibhir

1) Sephiroth almost corrected the first person who called Aerith his sister, a woman they’d met before they were even out of Midgar’s slums complimenting him on taking such good care of her, while their mother shopped.

2) The other half of Project S took after their father.

3) Blue eyes contemplated him narrowly for several seconds, and then Genesis’ smirk came back, lying on his face more easily, somehow. “So brothers-in-arms to the skirmish shall we hence?”

4) It felt wrong to be relying on anybody but Mother, but Mother…only cared about Sephiroth, and it wasn’t fair. Loz sniffled. “Will she take care of Yazoo, too?”

5) “I’m glad he’ll have a big brother,” she said, as Sephiroth crossed the room. “Little ones always need someone looking out for them.”

Sephiroth nodded, and bent forward, and peered at the squashed little pink thing until it stirred, objecting probably to cool air on its face. “What’s his name?”

“Cloud."

(Five times in five worlds where Sephiroth was somebody's brother, and one where he wasn't anymore.)

note: exactly what it sounds like. personal fave is 4.

Angels Still Have Faces by Kieron_ODuibhir

On the fourth day, Sephiroth looked out a window and spotted his two friends together on one of the outdoor training fields, once again exchanging harsh words, only for Angeal to wheel around and storm off at the end.

note: fics where someone other than the main character time-travels are amazing and this is that and also outsider pov mother bear Sephiroth who doesn���t know what pizza is

Final Fantasy IX

puppet play by zalzaires

starting a drabble collection for ffix. i mostly just write about kuja so hence the name.

note: my personal fave is "curtains, bookends, stars of the show” because Kuja is such so... Kuja in there

Final Fantasy XV

ffucc the wedding by Givethemtriumphnow

Gift for Victortor, inspired by their fabulous ffucc Universe.

Noctis and Luna are the same person, one soul split into two bodies.

In a world where everyone lives and nothing hurts, the wedding is still a symbol of the peace, and the show must go on. Noct and Luna just can’t wait for what comes afterwards: the Big Reveal.

note: I just really like the one person two body trope okay? pretty entertaining read!

Poor Wayfaring Stranger by lithos_saeculum

Out on a mission, Cor Leonis finds a teenager, lost and sick and partway to becoming an MT. Against the advice of all and sundry, he brings him back to Insomnia. There's not a lot of love lost for MTs in the Citadel, but some of its inhabitants may still be young enough to put aside their prejudices.

note: also on my list of likes is MT Prompto trope, and honestly fuck canon that’s just there for inspiration. TW for implied pedophilia and stranger danger in one of the later chapters.

Will You Be There, Standing at the End of the War by Adel Mortescryche (Mortescryche)

When they're attacked by the Imperial Forces at Tenebrae, Regis wasn't prepared to be rescued alongside Noctis, Lunafreya and Ravus by the Commanding General of the enemy forces. Not after the man already cut Sylva down before them.

He was even less prepared for the face lying in wait behind the mask.

He dropped down to one knee, and rather pointedly cupped the left side of Drautos’ head, delicate, making no move to actually hide the fury raging through him.

“Talk, Titus.” Regis whispered. “Before I take this airship down from the sky.”

note: Drautos time-travels and is an absolute bastard. I like seeing his and Regis’s exchanges!

For Want of a Flan by magicgenetek

For want of some patience, Ifrit never freed Ardyn from Angelgard to rebel against the Astrals.

For want of Ardyn, Nifleheim never invented MT Troopers.

For want of MT Troopers, Lunafreya and Ravus were able to escape with Regis, and Nifleheim never cornered Lucis in their war.

For want of a kidnapping, Luna, Noctis and Prompto were able to work together to get ready for the prophecy, and Ravus is ready to suplex an Astral to make sure someone survives the prophecy.

For want of separation, the four of them go to Angelgard to figure out what secrets lay there, and accidentally adopt Ardyn into their plans to save the world.

For want of 2000 years’ prep time, Ardyn’s going to have to get up to speed on the modern world fast if he wants revenge or to fulfill his half of the prophecy.

note: has a good deal of worldbuilding and linguistics nerdery. I like that. I also like the recovery element of Ardyn’s arc.

A Little More Time by Asidian

The sun is brilliant overhead – set in a blue sky dotted with clouds that float like wisps of spun sugar through the high arc of the heavens.

It's more than lovely. It's entrancing, and Noctis takes one long, final look before he turns his gaze back earthward. His vision dances with sunspots for a moment, afterimages from the blinding light – but when it clears, Noctis sees a small black dog there, patient and watchful as always.

Umbra has been waiting.

"Alright," Noctis says. "We're ready to go back."

note: short, punchy, and absolutely chilling

Eschaton by nirejseki

Sure, it's the end of the world, but that just means someone's got to fix it.

And then the world found its somebodies.

(aka, with Noctis gone into the Crystal and no one sure when he'll be back, Ignis, Gladio, and Prompto end up saving the world one piece at a time)

note: I like worldbuilding and MTs alright? and schoolteacher Gladio will never not be funny/great

Astra Inclinant by thekindmagic

“Look,” Aranea laughs, shaking her head. “I’m not trying to shit on your destiny. But the way I see it? A lot of the time, there’s no big mystery. You either keep going, or you don’t.”

note: how could I not rec femslash? beautiful melancholy mood. I’m so sad for Luna

Starlight and Shadow by ohmyfae

While Noctis and his friends are setting up camp, Ardyn Izunia happens to accidentally stumble onto the runes of their haven. The magic of the haven pulls him into two halves; One is Ardyn, a small child with a bit of an ego and a limited knowledge of the world at large, and the other is the Scourge, shambling and groundless, determined to seek out its former host and consume the light it finds there.

note: fun read!

On the Care and Keeping of Prompto by ohmyfae

Congratulations! You have been chosen to ensure the well-being of PROMPTO, who is: 1. An absolute darling. 2. Of more intrinsic value than you, your significant other, your ancestors, and the world at large. 3. Two years and four months old 3a. This is very important to remember 4. Behind you.

note: also a very fun and fluffy read! also the fic that introduced me to the amazing crackship of Ardyn and Cor, and I say crackship but... I want more of it

Kingdom Hearts

The Price of Melodrama by LawnNinja

Xemnas never imagined that one of the hardest parts of his plan would be the stupid names.

note: deny it all you wish but you know this happened. also XULORD

(i don’t need you to) Worry for Me by Cygna_hime

In a fit of defiance and desperation, Vanitas disobeys his Master's orders and goes looking for the missing half of his heart. He finds it, and something else as well, something he never expected to find anywhere...

note: I absolutely love this I’ve read this like... 3 or 4 times? go read it now

Bleeding Heart by keelahselai

Xemnas was fundamentally a bad person. Born from the fracture of Xehanort's heart, he had only caused pain to those he banded together with under the promise of finding a way to return all their hearts. He shattered the Organization he'd founded for his own gain, and he understood this with cool indifference. But beneath everything, carefully kept folded away and hidden from Xigbar's prying eye, he was also made from the other inhabitant of Apprentice Xehanort's body. And as troubling as it could be to their plan, he kept it hidden from all.

(Or, how Terra managed to keep his head above the water for thirteen years)

note: I absolutely love the.. I don’t know what it’s called, but let’s say Terramas even though that sounds like a ship name... I absolutely love that trope. this one has such just a great mood y’know?

By Choice or Chance by Six_Piece_Chicken_McNobody

Lazy afternoons are a universal phenomenon.

note: I just love Xehaqus’s tragedy. this is nice, fluffy, and one of them is going to murder the other in his own selfish lust for power. (I know III said Xehanort had other motivations but I just love the “he’s such an utter bastard that all his relationships are going to end disastrously” interpretation)

Whatever Will Be by NanakiBH

Once I tell you the words I've been unable to say, it will be goodbye.

note: more explicitly melancholy mood than last one, still great.

[oveliagirlhaditright]

Watery Grave

Summary: Luna actually runs to Noctis’ side when she finishes her speech in Altissia. And this all leads to a chain of events, where she actually ends up surviving the Trial of Leviathan. For Noctluna Week. Rated T.

Lunafreya—surprised everyone, including herself—and ran Noctis' way, the moment she was done with her speech and found herself in her beloved's arms. And Noctis, while he was taken aback by this at first, was swift to wrap his arms around Luna’s waist and bury his face in her hair. But his initially being so frozen, almost made the Oracle giggle: when they'd been in Tenebrae for that short time—and Noctis had been nursing a crush for her even back then--he'd always made sure to seem "awkward" around her when Ravus was near. And he'd even told her in their letters to each other, that if they reunited somewhere that Ravus was also with them, he'd make sure to be respectful towards her. Well… Ravus wasn’t here, and yet Noctis had still behaved in such a way. And it made Luna believe that Noctis was actually much less suave than he wrote himself to be in their notebook. "What are you laughing at, Luna?" Noctis asked in a very good-natured way, as he tried to pull her away from the people now fanning over the engaged Oracle and Chosen King. Deciding not to tell Noctis that she'd been having teasing thoughts about him, Luna gave him another truth as she waved to the prince's friends to join them. "Just marveling at life... Earlier, I’d thought about giving up... because I know the Trial of Leviathan will be… taxing. And to prepare for that, I foolishly almost held off in coming to see you." Luna made certain to choose her words carefully here: she didn't want Noctis to know yet, was that she'd almost given up in seeing him... because she didn't want him to see her body so frail, and since she knew she’d die after the coming Contract. Why give her precious Noctis even more pain that way? "…But seeing you, Noctis, filled me with such... life, that I just had to be by your side." And it had even reminded her of why she so very much did want to live.

Noctis positively beamed at this, and even seemed to give Luna an Eskimo Kiss for reward—something that Luna didn’t understand at first. But she supposed that he was trying to do something that fit with the children they had once been together, and the lovers they now were. And so surely a kiss on the nose sufficed. And leading the way to where some artists in Altissia were now trying to draw them, Noctis said almost self-consciously, "…I'm really glad to see you happy, Luna. Even when I see you go out and heal people on TV, I see how you're always shaken before you start. This... is a nice difference from that." "You caught that, did you?" Luna found herself saying, before she'd even decided to: it just surprised her that Noctis knew her so well—she loved the public, she did, so she tried to put on a good show for them….—as the fact was, she was shy, nervous about public speaking, and hated being under Niflheim's thumb. And these were all things that Luna had never written in the Lovers’ Notebook. He had just gleaned it from her facial expressions on screen, apparently. "I did." Noctis' face was very close to Luna's now, and time seemed to stop and the world slowed down around them. Out of the corner of her eye, Luna saw streamers falling like rain—because apparently some of Altissia had stopped trying to bother them, but was now trying to celebrate the happy couple.

And even as sweet as it was, Luna now saw it as their cue to leave. Gladio, Luna thought, was tapping his foot at the happy couple impatiently, anyway.

So locking her arm with Noctis'—and how good it finally felt to be with him like this, as she had wanted—Luna followed the brothers to the Leville. ... Once at their hotel for the time being, the five friends tried to decide if Luna and Noctis’ wedding was still on. Gladiolus, Ignis, and Prompto seemed to think that it should be—as a symbol of the peace, and since both Luna and... Noct wanted it—but Luna was trying to shoo them away from the idea, since no matter what she would die on the morrow.

"Tomorrow, I commune with the Hydraean," Luna spoke firmly, looking at each person before her in turn as she did so. "And while the idea of the wedding is the best that I've ever heard... I can't be at all tired when meeting  Leviathan tomorrow." Luna thought she may have heard Gladio muttering that she should marry Noctis and have sex with him, then, so she’d be full of endorphins in that fateful moment... but she couldn't be too sure, because Ignis seemed to be trying to save him from choking now? Or was he trying to make Gladio choke?

"Whatever you want, Luna," Noctis assured—ignoring his friends with much effort, Luna thought—as he squeezed her hand in one of his and dealt Uno cards with another. “If you want our wedding to wait—maybe because you want the, a, commande- Ravus, that is, to be here—we can do that."

Gods Luna loved Noctis so much, and the thought of losing him now—after this—was too much to bear. And for that fact, Lunafreya felt a stubborn tear worrying at her eye but she willed it away. "Then it’s settled," Luna agreed.

And she cheated in Uno, to make sure the first card she played in this bonding experience of theirs was something that would make everyone happy… since she knew she'd have nothing but their pity soon. ... While Luna still wasn't sure if she was sleeping with her beloved or not—she didn't need the distraction, and didn't want to show him her disgusting body—they had retired to one hotel room together. And Noctis was reading a fishing magazine in bed, when Luna came out of the bathroom while brushing her long, damp hair. And as Luna sat at Noctis' feet and let the brush fall from her fingertips, she questioned Noctis something she'd been debating about all day: "What's something I can give Prompto for thanks in saving Pryn... err, his 'Tiny'?"

At that, Noctis laughed and brought her into his arms: Luna settled into them easily. "You should know better than anyone, Luna. How have we communicated over the years? How did you first meet Prompto?" Letters? Was that what Noctis meant? Luna supposed it made some sort of sense in a bookends kind of way, but she had planned on giving kind notes to Ignis—for so perfectly helping her to figure out the plan for Leviathan. So if she was now going to give such things to Prompto, what should she now give Ignis to differentiate between the two of them? Curling into Noctis' arms even more, and finding she wanted to be there and much more, Luna said breathlessly, "Do you really think that that's for the best, Noctis?" "Y-yeah." But he didn't sound very certain on the matter. Rather, the King's mind seemed to be a million miles away. The room was charged with electricity, for all of the unspoken things between them and then it seemed to explode. One of them kissed the other—Luna wasn't even sure who started it—and after they had frantic hands and kisses all over each other, they found themselves rolling in the sheets.

Somewhere in the back of her mind during it all, Luna found herself remembering that this was exactly the thing she’d wanted to avoid. But as happiness and pleasure consumed her, the Oracle easily found she could hide just how much her body was already dying in this one moment.

Hours later when they were done, Luna did write a million messages to Prompto.And she took off her seal of Tenebrae and gave it to Ignis, with the words "Please protect Noctis" on it. Given how much he cared for his charge, Luna thought he'd appreciate that more than anything else she could give him. For Gladio, she left him nothing... somewhat to Lunafreya's shame. But she thought if she somehow survived this, and she got pregnant from her and Noctis' actions the previous night, she might name their child after him. Perhaps.

To Noctis... she sadly left nothing behind. And most certainly not the truth. ... Luna, Noctis, and the brothers faced Leviathan… but it all very quickly went to hell. The goddess did not like the idea of helping the Chosen King as much as she should have. And even while she attacked Luna, Luna tried to convince her otherwise. …Altissia was leveled by all of the monster's attacks, and Luna didn't think that the citizens—or Noctis and their friends—could be evacuated from there soon enough: she absolutely cringed when she saw her betrothed fall from the sky and injure himself even more than he already was from his fighting, in nearly breaking his back. Luna tried to get to him... but then the Chancellor she didn't trust, and so had to keep an eye on, ruined everything by fatally stabbing her. The pain was unbearable—even worse than how her weakening body made her feel—but Luna couldn't focus on that now! She needed to rise Noctis up, and to have him finish this fight and receive the Blessing... and she did. And healed an unconscious Noctis and did her best to shield him from towering waves as she bled bled bled on the pavement. ... Luna knew she was some sort of dream-esque, afterlife moment with Noctis… And she tried her best to explain everything to him and give him a heartfelt goodbye... But when she started to sink beneath the water, some of Noctis’ sadness turned to incredulity as he crossed his arms and regarded her. "Luna... you're too ho-hum about this. You- you knew before this, didn't you?! That if nothing else killed you, the Contract with Leviathan would. And you didn't tell me?!" Noctis was furious now, and he had every right to be. Luna had messed up badly... and perhaps he would already move on here, and let her fall. Wasn’t it even what she deserved? But at the last second, almost spurred on by his anger, Noctis got an increase of speed and swam down to where she was in the Trench and tightly grabbed onto her hand. Everything went black then... Luna thought it was the end, so she tried to take the memory of Noctis’ hand in hers now—and he love he'd shown her last night—into the afterlife with her. But then she awoke—awoke!—to light, and her new friends, and the pair of smiling blue eyes that she loved so much. And thinking three times must have been the charm, Luna took Noctis’ hand in hers and leaned into his arm. And Noctis hunched down beside her hospital bed and held Luna as her head rested on his shoulder—both perfectly content.

[autumn-maple13]

Lost to Time - Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Confessions

They were all worried, that much was clear, but the way Ignis had yet to let go of Amara's unconscious form, the way he kept murmuring to her things that made no sense to them, that worried them far more under the current circumstances.

"Ignis," Noctis finally managed to get his advisor to look at him and decided that for once he wasn't going to let his friend get out of things. "We need to talk. Now."

"Noctis-"

"Now," Noctis commanded, glaring at the man. "Ignis Scientia."

"Yes, sir." Ignis knew from his tone that it was the King speaking to him now, and not his friend. Carefully laying Amara fully on the floor of the tent, he took only a few moments to make sure she seemed comfortable before emerging from the tent and closing it behind him. The man walked over to his friends and sat in one of the chairs after a look from Noctis. The younger man was sitting straight in his own chair, ankle crossed over his knee as he fixed his advisor in a questioning glance. He was taking his time to figure out just what words to say, trying to figure out how to get what he needed this time.

"Ignis, first and foremost, what is your real relationship with Amara?"

"I don't know, and I have yet to try and discuss anything with her."

"If the two of you aren't together, why do you keep running after her? And don't try to tell me it's because of the Arms. She hasn't had a bad reaction to them in a while now."

"Yes, she has, more than you know, but that's not for me to speak about." Ignis shook his head and stood again. "I'm sorry Noctis, but this line of questioning you want to take isn't one you need to subject me to. Amara is the only one who can give you the answers you want."

"But you know something!" Noctis was on his feet now as well, and the glare had returned. "Damn it Ignis I need to know what!"

"I can't say."

"That's a lie and you know it."

"No, it's not," the others gasped and looked over at Amara, watching as she struggled to come out of the tent under her own strength. Ignis was at her side in an instant, wrapping an arm around her and supporting her as she walked over to the King. "I ordered him to not say a word."

"And who are you to order him to do anything?"

The woman sighed, closing her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, they were a blazing red. The others were left to stare at her in when she snapped closed her connection to Noctis, leaving the guys reeling in shock from the force she put behind it. Gently pushing Ignis aside, the redhead stood straighter and stared Noctis in the eyes as she summoned the Royal Arms to her side.

"I am Amara Lucis Caelum, born 2000 years ago - before the ascension of King Somnus Lucis Caelum to the throne - to his brother and the first oracle Aera Mils Fleuret. Cast through time by my mother during the spread of the Star scourge, I was brought into this time by Bahamut to aid you in completing his prophecy, Chosen King." Amara allowed the arms to continue to float around her for another moment. Her friends looked like they had been struck by lightning, and though even Ignis also looked incredulous, he was the first to speak.

"Okay, that I didn't know."

"I didn't either. Every time another arm is gained, a bit more of my original memories are brought back. The Pious granted me a bit more as well." She admitted, still looking at Noctis. "If you don't believe me, reach out to the old Kings and ask them yourself. I'm sure Uncle Somnus would be more than happy to talk to you about it. Or, you could wait until we get to Altissia and ask Luna – she knows about me from my mother – the ghost woman you helped find me."

"You… wait what?" any trace of his Kingly self was gone as he gaped at his friend. "You're a Lucis Caelum?!"

"And a Fleuret, yeah." She allowed herself a shrug. "The reason the Arms were taking so much out of me though, is because my father was infected with the Star scourge when I was conceived. As a result, I was partially infected, but since my mother was the Oracle, it was prevented from spreading and was instead contained. The Scourge is a daemonic plague though, so the Arms, being weapons of light, were slowly clearing it away. My collapse today, and the magic I showed are a result of the plague being fully cleared from my system by the new Arm."

"And you knew about this?" Gladio looked more than a little peeved as he looked over at Ignis, who suddenly went on the defensive. "You knew she was sneaking around getting the Arms and… And doing this to herself?!"

"I knew she was also gathering the arms, yes," Ignis nodded, placing a gentle hand on Amara's shoulder. "And I knew part of the reason why, though the fact that it was the Scourge was not yet known, nor was her heritage. As you heard from her – even she didn't know."

The redhead nodded. "All I knew is that the day King Regis connected me to his Armiger as a Glaive, the old kings found me. Uncle Somnus knew who I was immediately and attempted to eradicate the Scourge – which is why I was in so much pain, and why I took to the magic so easily. But because I was unable to contain the amount of magic actually needed to heal me, not even gonna talk about the memory part 'cause I mean damn those aren't even fully back yet, I didn't know what was going on and fought him."

The advisor looked to their friends, then directly at Noctis. "She told me about some of it on her birthday, but since she hadn't unlocked her enough of her memories, she was scared to talk to you about it. I believe that had she not collapsed so spectacularly today-"

"I would have brought it up tonight, and let you figure out how to handle it," she confirmed. "But I'm not gonna stand by and let you interrogate my boyfriend when he can't answer your questions."

"Boyfriend?"

"You're not running off after Lestallum, Scientia, don't even think it's an option. Noctis, I can't answer all of your questions yet, but I'm willing to try and answer what I can now."

Noctis nodded slowly, taking a moment to look over her still drained stature. She hadn't even regained the color in her face, but the blue that was taking over the amber of her eyes and pull of familiar magic were more than enough to make him sigh.

"Fine but take a seat first. You look like you're gonna fall over."

And so, it began. For three hours Amara sat in a chair and told her friends the truth about everything, from the memories she had of her past, to how she was cast through time and how it had been Ardyn that placed the first blow in her need to find the Arms, as well as her suspicions that he was also a plague victim. There was only one issue that she was staying clear of for the moment, and when asked directly about it, she admitted her own concerns.

"What about your father, Amara? He was a Lucis Caelum, right?" it was Prompto who brought up the subject she was trying so carefully to avoid, and it made her hang her head in shame.

"I know who he is, but it's not something I'm ready to admit even to myself. He may be a Lucis Caelum, but he didn't keep himself on a good path," she paused, then looked up at her King. "He's caused a lot of problems that span even into this time."

"Did he travel through time as well?"

"Not quite. My father, well, he's so deeply infected by the Scourge, so much a part of it, that it's made him basically immortal, a monster." She listened to their gasps. "Noctis is the only one who can end him and the problems that follow him, but it's not going to be easy and it's not going to happen anytime soon."

"Amara, I know you said you didn't want to admit it, but…" Noctis looked unsure for a moment, glancing at Gladiolus in particular before he leaned over to rest a hand on Amara's. "Ardyn?"

The woman began to shake, digging her nails into her thighs until they thought she would make herself bleed. "Not quite. Ardyn," she paused for a moment and swallowed hard. "Ardyn Lucis Caelum, he is my father. But, Ardyn Izunia on the other hand… Izunia is what's left of him after the plague destroyed his mind and corrupted his body. He's nothing more than a puppet to the plague at this point, not my father. And I'll be damned if I let him get away with everything he's caused."

The King buried his face in his hands for a few minutes, trying to process everything that she had told him. It was quite the revelation, and one he had never expected. "What does that mean for… for us?"

"I'm sorry Noctis, but I really don't know what it will end up meaning," she sighed, and couldn't help but give him a shrug when he looked at her again. "Now that I am free of the plague, I will likely be able to wield the Arms properly, as you can, and I doubt that Izunia's spies will fail to let him know. Unfortunately, he's a smart man, so he'll know what that means, probably even before we really do."

"So, all we can do is stay on guard," Gladio growled, still clearly unhappy with what was going on.

"Wait-wait hang on a second guys!" Prompto was on his feet like he had suddenly thought of something. "Amara, you said you're half-Fleuret?"

"Yes."

"And Lady Lunafreya knows that?"

"Yes, where are you going with this?"

"Is it possible that Ravus guy knows too?"

The redhead started to reply but paused – thinking back over the way Ravus had treated her when she was being held on the Niff base, the way they had interacted, though their encounters were brief. "He… He might. And if he does, that would explain why Izunia left him in charge of me while I was unconscious. There's no way Ravus would harm a fellow Fleuret, even if it was only the first time we had met. The Fleuret bloodline wouldn't allow internal strife without repercussions."

"Neither would Ramuh," Noctis nodded slowly, looking at his friends. "Just like Bahamut is the Patron of the Lucis Caelum line, Ramuh has been seen as Patron to the Nox Fleuret. He's… not really a fan of feuds."

Amara nodded, thinking about the way, even now, that the god's power was interacting with her own. It felt oddly familiar like it was supposed to have been there. "But I don't think that's something to think about right now. We have to finish gathering the Arms before we take off for Altissia, and that's not going to be easy."

Iris seemed hesitant to speak in light of what was going on, but when she locked eyes with the redhead, she gulped down her doubts. "So, you guys really need to plan everything as carefully as you can, but you said it was Ar- eh, Izunia that gave you the map to the Arms. Isn't it possible he placed a trap at least one of them?"

"Unlikely. The magic barriers repelling the Daemon may have weakened for him to be able to approach them, but as far as Izunia is concerned I'm gathering the Arms as a part of his plan. If he wants me to gather them, he's not going to make the job any harder than it already is. What we should be worried about is whether or not he was aware that the Arms would be actively healing me. If he went out of his way to teach me how to unlock powers similar to his, I don't think he knows – and if he doesn't know, that could mean he wanted the Scourge to eat away at my mother's powers to make me more like him."

"That's a concern all its own," Ignis agreed, though he didn't look too hopeful about whatever was on his mind. "But I agree with Iris – we need to plan everything extremely carefully."

Gladiolus nodded but wouldn't look at them. Something outside the realm of their conversation was clearly on his mind, but with everything she had just divulged, Amara didn't feel quite right asking him. Instead, she focused on Prompto and Noctis, both of whom were eyeing her with varying levels of their own concern as Ignis put out the map of the Arms in front of them.

Everything else would have to wait a little longer.

[multi-fandomfanfics]

The Next Queen Of Lucis CH4

It took me a lot to write this I don't know why I had practically all the chapter!! :'v

Afita is a side character I made too with her own story too, history which will be included here.

Ch1  Ch2  Ch3 

______________

Chapter 4: Kings, Queens, and Kingslaives

Even though I heard it from Cor, I didn't want to believe it... My father was dead... The King of Insomnia Perished and as his daughter, I had become Queen without asking for it. It was planned for me to marry Ravus Nox Fleuret and making Insomnia and Niflheim an only country... And yet... They lied and killed my father and so many people from Insomnia... How can they?... HOW COULD THEY? They wanted to fight... And fight they will get. "Aria" I look up to see Ignis Worried... Or kind of worried, he had his serious face. He put his hand on my shoulder to calm me "everything will be alright, you understand? you can't lose concentration now" and he was right... This cave contains a sword used for one of the thirteen Kings of Yore my ancestors to have it on my weaponry always we have to get them from their tombs. I need to concentrate... And at least... He's with mom now... But it hurts me, our families hurt or dead... If my dad is dead then Gladio's too, and ignis's uncle too probably... Prompto's adoptive parents... My friends

The only good thing about all this is...

"Hey Cor... Realizing now that Niflheim attacks us... Does that mean the wedding is called off?" he looked at me with a frown "you really don't want to marry him" "is that so obvious?" "I'll say yes the wedding is called off, but take in consideration that he helped Insomnia for you and not Niflheim, he saved some Glaives, and he must have the ring of Lucii, that's the last time I heard of him"

"Well, shit..." "close but not enough" Prompto laughed "shut up" then something hard fall to the floor and all of us stop "... Did you hear that?"

"I think we all heard that Prompto the question is what it was?" We all looked around and Cor got his katana To then block a leg... A spider leg, instantly we all got our weapons and another bigger spider tried to attack me so I jumped back then run fastly at it to slash it, it screamed in pain, while Prompto and Noctis Helped Cor, Ignis, Gladio and me killed the other one. "huf... I knew I didn't like this cave!" Noctis says angrily "at least they're dead now..." Prompto said worried less.

"let's go" Cor says while walking to a white door with some symbols on them, then gets a key out and show it to me "this opens all of the doors containing the swords of the other kings of Lucis"  then put it on the keyhole and move it so the doors open when he get it out, inside was a Body of stone with a Sword on it, he then gives me the key so I keep it in a pocket. And we get closer to it another tomb another sword and another soul... I touched the sword and it became white to then shiny and get through me with the other swords. Now two swords... Only eleven more...

"time to get back," Cor said while going to the door. We all followed him, at the end we got out of the cave. Cor came with us and led us to a Caem little base where some Kingslaves where, and I Could see Monica on the distance, we stopped and got out of the car.

"Monica! Is good to see you alright"

"is good to see you alright too princess" then looked at the guys "you too prince Noctis, guys"

"P-PRINCEEEEEEESS!!!!"

I looked around and got hugged strongly and fastly. Almost without air.

"oof"

"Princess I'm so glad you're okay I was worried sick! , withtheattackat thecitadeltherewasnocommunicationthereforewecouldn'tcontactyounorprinceNoctisandwedidn'tknowwetheryouwereokayornotand I WAS SO WORRIED"

"let her breath Afita" Cor say sternly.

She let me go with tears on her eyes.

"I'm... I'm sorry, I got emotional..." I smiled, she always worried about me so much, from all the people who protect me she's the only one who expresses her worry so strongly. Even though she's my maid she learned how to fight for my sake, that's what Cor told me at least. And she has been with me since I can remember.

"it's okay don't worry about it"

"P-Princess..."   "I'm also glad you're okay" she cried again Ignis took out a Napkin and gave it to her, she took it gladly and clean on it. "when Cor told me he was going for you I got so happy! Niflheim attacked Insomnia and the news were telling you and Prince Noctis died and you didn't answer your phone and and and..." she keep crying while I smiled and put a hand over her shoulder. "we're all here now, so don't cry anymore please" she sniffed and cleaned one last time "O-okay..." I turned around to see Cor. "something else you have to tell me?" "there's a Nif base close from here, we got some map and found a back entrance we could go and turn it off" a way to attack them "that sounds good we should start tomorrow" I look at the Dawn "it's late and we should rest" Cor nods "then we'll prepare for everything" i look at the guys "we'll do too"

.

..

...

"you know when you said an Adventure outside of Insomnia I thought we'll meet new people, live adventures, fight monsters... And we have just fight some Wolf like things... And spiders"  "I told you I was going with Aria to Protect her in her travel from Insomnia to Altissia" Noctis leaned at Gladio and Prompto's talk "and besides I did tell you they were escorting her to Altissia" Prompto sighed or at least that was what I heard out of the Tent. "So this Nyx Ulric was the one to save Luna and Ravus?" I asked at Cor we both seat on different rocks.

"he did, he risked his life and helped Ravus to get the ring" "I see" maybe he knows if my father... "is he here?" "he's with the kingsglaive who's leg is broken" "mhm. I'll pay a visit to him, I believe I have to thank him..." I got up and clean my jeans "Thanks Cor" "is nothing Aria" I smile at him and start walking, from the few places where kingsglaives where sleeping I remembered the one of that man with a broken leg, he fight in that state and that's very honored from him. I got close to the half-destroyed house. "did you see the Princess? She was talking with the marshall" I heard a man talk surprised "Queen you asshat she's the Queen now" and a woman got offended. "I saw her before her departure remember? I took her together with Mr. Scientia and the Prince to her apartment" "how is she?" the woman asked "very Humble, she thanked me for using my time to take her at her apartment"

I think I better knock now... They all stay on silence and a chair move. Then the door opened revealing a Woman with black hair. "yes? Oh... Your majesty!" she bows at me, still so strange... "hi, I'm searching for a man his name is Nyx Ulric" she looked inside then move "Nyx!" he gets up and goes to the door

"Your Majesty" he bows at me, that must be him "you're Nyx Ulric aren't you?" he got up "I am, it's an honor that you know my name" damn... So many formalities...

"ah...it's okay you can leave the formality I feel strange being called your majesty I know I'm the queen but I don't feel ready yet to have that surname so by meantime call me Aria or Princess if you want that's what I'm accustomed" "if you say so. Princess" the Woman got inside next to her friend the man with a broken leg. "that's more like it, now changing the subject" I got outside and motion him to come, "Cor told me you saved Lunafreya and...um...my betrothed... Prince Ravus" he follow me and closed the door "well I'll say it was more the other way around, Prince Ravus saved me from the death a few times out there in Insomnia" "that's good, but Cor said that you fight with General Glauca which was the one who killed my father" "that's... Correct" "I see... Did... Did my father suffer?" they keep on silence while he looked away and then back " I would say that the only thing he did suffer about was not being with his family at the moment, General Glauca got a sword through him... It wasn't a little sword...." "I see..." he must have felt so much pain... Yet he stands up like any king... Dad... "Thank you Nyx for all you have done" "is nothing Princess..." he hesitates he wanted to say something... "can I say something else?" I nod "of course no need to ask" "is something without importance but... Had we known in the time it would have been very valuable" "what was it?" ".... General Glauca he... He was Titus Drautos" what?! "What?!" "while we fought his helmet got destroyed and I could see his face" "he..." He killed dad...

~

"take care of my father for me"

he bowed "will do your highness"

~

I... I trust him... And he fooled me... Dad... Dad and all of us who trusted him...

"Princess?" I finally look back "i... Thank you for your honesty... I... I'll go now... It was a pleasure to meet you Nyx Ulric" "me too princess" I go around and go to the Regalia, it wasn't too far away but...

"Aria?" I look behind me, Iggy was there with a bag of supplies probably for tomorrow's breakfast, but he leaves it on the floor and goes to me. "what happened, why are you crying?" when he gets in front of me I let more tears go off and hug him. "Aria?" he finally hugs me back "... I want him back Ignis..." I feel him move his head and give a kiss to my hair "we all lose someone who we want back..." "that... Doesn't make me feel better" "if I were to lose you I would give everything to avoid so"..... Iggy... "don't, you should do that with the person you love, or your child, not your... Queen" he keeps silent while I got away. "but thanks for the intention Ignis" I go and kiss his cheek. "always so helpful" he smiles "what can I say?"

That's what friends are for...

To be continued...

[thechocobros]

“SEE LUNA SAFE TO ALTISSIA” - EPILOGUE

Pair: Nyx Ulric / Lunafreya Nox Fleuret

Words: 2617

@nyxulricweek , Day #7:  “As long as I have strength in my body…”

Rating: Mature (not NSFW though)

Plot: Luna and Nyx didn’t fell in the Empire’s trap, Nyx didn’t had to use the ring and he survived. What would have happened if Nyx really had the chance to ‘see Luna safe to Altissia’, like he promised to Regis?

Personal Comment: This is it. This is the end. What can I say? Just ... Thank you. One year long journey on this fic. Thank you. Thank you really :”) and thanks to @loveiscosmicsin, my editor in all this <3

Sometimes Nyx wondered how he managed to survive when so many of his loved ones didn’t. Selena, Crowe, Pelna, comrades in arms in the Kingsglaive, and countless civilians… They all deserved life, even more than him, and yet, they were not alive when the fog of the battle dissipated. He was. He shouldn’t have. He challenged fate so many times it was mathematically unbelievable that he emerged unscathed. 

For what, anyway? Maybe there was no specific reason. Good people were rise to shine in the spotlight and good people burn out like candles when it’s their time. After all, it’s just the circle of life. For now, it was not his time to join them.

And yet… He wanted to believe there was a reason he’s still here. If everything he had done was worth it in the end. The victory of survival rang hollow when he could do nothing to honor the memory of those who led him there. What came next would be entirely up to him. A purpose, drive, meaning, anything to clutch and lean toward until he found answers. He knew just the person for that.

Nyx searched for them in Luna’s pretty eyes, now so meditative and relaxed, gaze settled on his figure. Usually so blue, they were shining with the colors of the sunset across the distance. They look also a bit sad, distant, even, it did strike a chord of alarm within him and reasonably so. She was seated on the grass, casually caressing the marks on his neck left by the fight in Altissia. Was she contemplating over how she was still alive, too? If she did, Nyx hoped to be her reason to live, as she was his. 

 "We should head back, my captain. Ravus must be looking for us," she whispered, sweetly as warmth glowed her cheeks. Like the beautiful paradox she was, she didn’t even rush to stop the caress, nor made no movement that matched her words. She just kept sweeping her fingers through his hair, lingering on his braids, and thoughtfully tracing them. 

“My captain,” he repeated, taken back by the title she chose to address him with. Well, what he attained. After all, he was gained the title of captain in Tenebrae’s Army, cooperating strictly with Cor Leonis, the captain of Insomnia’s Royal Guards and Kingsglaive, or what was left of it. In fact, these two captains had been preoccupied with the combined powers of Tenebrae and Lucis. Somehow, they ran across soldiers from the more distant corners of Eos. Being granted the rank in recognition of the valor and sacrifices he’s demonstrated looked pretty on paper, but the reason behind his unforeseeable promotion was simply…

“I’m a Captain just because I’m your husband. Damn, didn’t see that there were perks to our marriage besides seeing you, beautiful.”

“Don’t pretend you don’t like to be called like that. It suits you, hero.”

She was calm and serene saying it now, but when she assigned him the position at the beginning, she had her doubts. Firstly, she didn’t intend to place such a burden on his shoulders only because they impulsively wedded back when they thought they had no future. Secondly, because administrating Eos’ armies after all what happened would have kept him so busy. And yes, she missed him every time they were apart. During their long and epic journey from Insomnia to Altissia, she got so used in having him at her very side all along that now, waking up without him felt like being deprived of an arm or leg.

But this temporary aversion aside, Nyx had been amazing so far: he had managed to come back to her almost every day, even if exhausted, he always found time for her. No matter the world’s crisis, he wouldn’t ever have renounced to those special moments with her. 

“Then I’ll call you ‘my queen’." 

"Technically, you couldn’t, since Ravus is the King, which puts me as your humble princess." 

"Why can everyone call you ‘Queen’ but me?” Nyx groused, pretending to be outraged.

Luna giggled in response, leaning on him a bit. “Masses don’t care for logic, they just need new deities to worship now that the Astrals are gone. They also have in mind my mother’s example, and they want to give me the same title of Queen Oracle. You’re not like that, my darling. You do understand the difference, don’t you?”

“I do… Princess. It’s just a waste. You’d look amazing as a queen.” Nyx sighed, acknowledging one more time how Luna was good with words, kind of manipulating him to do whatever she wanted him to. Even over small things.

So that was what they were now. 

He was the captain of a bigger army than he could handle, she was the guiding liberator, the light and the balance in a post-apocalyptic world swallowed by chaos. 

After Noctis’ disappearance inside the Crystal, the small group of people who was aware of what really happened reacted with spontaneity and an organized intelligence. To face the emergency, Ravus and Aranea—the only two heroes who were part of the imperial army already—dominated control of the dying Empire. The emperor made deceased somehow by the hand of Izunia anyway, so it was enough to occupy the vacant throne, to proclaim themselves rulers and to command the remaining troops to surrender to the new government and the ‘coup d'etat’ was done. The evil Empire had fallen, its twisted games were overthrown. To be honest, neither of them thought that taking over the world would have been so easy. 

But if getting on top of Eos had been unexpectedly quick and simple, taking care of it challenged them further. 

Claustra, as Accordo’s First Secretary, stepped forward to the powers afforded with her office and mandated that all the world’s survivors seek refuge at safe havens. Ravus and Aranea agreed this was a priority since everyone started to realize that Izunia was still alive, Darkness would fall upon them soon.

Now was not the time to rebuild Eos. Not yet. They got to be prepared for the worse was yet to come. 

So, they asked Luna to have an inspirational speech as soon as possible, to inform everyone about what was about to happen. She did as she was requested for Eos’s sake. There, they announced that Lestallum would be the only haven. Following their beloved Oracle’s behest, masses started to flood the city. To aid their journey to the bustling haven and as her mother did before her, Luna enchanted the glowing havens positioned along the way where many offered words of gratitude for the Oracle’s steadfast guidance and wishes for their safety.

Lodgings and the seemingly vast perimeters in Lestallum shrink with passing day.

Libertus was with them. After all that happened, his chubby face was a call from a very distant memory. A bittersweet memory made of the scattered images of their home in Galahd, then Niflheim’s attack, their survival, and then the cruel fights in the Kingsglaive, street life in the slums of Insomnia …. Seeing him again was better than anything Nyx could’ve wished for. Such was the joy that the new Tenebrae Captain delayed all his appointments to spend a night in a bar of Lestallum with his friend, drinking beer and eating cup noodles. He had a lot to tell and six hours were barely enough for them to catch up on each other’s adventures. They both agreed that even if their lives changed so drastically, they would have kept their dreams alive. They promised to return back to Galahd one day and rebuild it from the ground up. When the King set all things right again, they would have had the time and the disposition for doing so.

However, if going back and forth from Lestallum to Tenebrae meant for Nyx at least some moments of happiness in seeing the old friend, for Luna it was not the same. The idea of leaving her homeland for an unspecified time distressed her a lot more than expected. It was not easy to accept that running away was their only option especially after all they done to grant the light. She knew it was temporary and that the King would have come back… And yet, she couldn’t help but watching the news with sad eyes and heavy heart. 

And now… Now it was her turn. She was the next one to get ready to leave her own homeland. 

"How’re you feeling?” Nyx took Lunafreya’s hand, stopping her caresses. He kissed her fingers with his dry lips. “You ready?" Luna hesitated at the question. She didn’t want to lie so she just waited for his intuition to pick up the cue. "I’m sorry, Lunafreya." 

Luna forced herself to take her eyes off him and contemplate the view around them. It was somewhat painful. She just didn’t want to believe that there was another farewell to her homeland. The sylleblossoms field they were resting on smelled like grass, earth, and flowers, and it was soft. Being the perfect picture frame for the buildings in the distance, it impressed an indelible memory in her head. It was the perfect place to have some rest, glowing like that at the last rays of the sunset… yes, the sunset. It was just 1 AM. The days were growing shorter and shorter. 

 "I will be fine.” Her voice tried to be strong, but Nyx understood the sadness beyond it, as expected. 

“I’m sorry, Lunafreya. I know you don’t want to leave but we have no other choice” he repeated, sitting next to her and pulling her close, driven by the sudden need to comfort her. She initially tried to avoid it, like she wanted to deny her actual distress. But when Nyx insisted, she just let herself go, and literally melt in his embrace. She didn’t cry though. She was tired of crying. “I lost you once and I can’t risk letting it happen again. Daemons get closer to the palace every passing day and we can’t push them away anymore." 

“…Noctis will settle this.”

"He will. But in the meantime, it’s my job to protect you. For as long as I have strength in my body. Like it has always been. Like it will always be." 

Nyx kissed her eyes, pressing her breasts against his chest. They stayed like that for a couple of minutes, protected by each other’s warmth from the breeze, and in the meantime Luna’s eyes wondered on the landscape. In that moment of calm, when she felt of belonging to that position, Luna let herself get lost in the memories of their incredible journey. 

They went through so much …

“Remember the first night we talked at the ceremony’s eve, next to the aquarium?” she asked. He smiled.

“How could I forget the first time you dragged me into troubles and almost got me fired?” 

“Just appreciate the prize you won taking that risk.”

Nyx couldn’t argue with that: because of her, he stepped into an insane journey made of horrifying revelations and difficult trials, but also made of laughter, electric emotions, and soft complicity. From the very first time their eyes met, Nyx and Luna got involved into a crazy spiral of events that brought them closer and closer. Now, their existences were entwined. He really couldn’t complain about it.

What a joke of destiny their entire life seemed right now, Nyx thought. No, no destiny. It had been their choice, from the beginning to the end. If he had the chance to go back in time, he would have done it all over again, exactly in the same way. 

"You’re right.” Nyx smirked, deciding in that very moment to warm things up a bit. He raised his eyebrows and moved the hands from her shoulders to her legs, grabbing them tight. “Who would have thought I would have been able to put my hands on such a princess?” he whispered, trying to get as seductive as he could. He wondered what effect he would have sorted and didn’t need to wait to find out. Luna immediately blushed hard and gasped. After months of marriage, she still wasn’t used to him getting sensual and this constantly caused Nyx to laugh. He thought it was funny - and irresistible - the way she looked like an untouched maiden every time he got closer. That was one of her best lies, of course, because she was everything but innocent and pure and Nyx had many chances to notice.

“Nyx, you should wait until–” Nyx cut her words by kissing her lips, soft and roughly at the same time, pulling her in for the make out session he was always starving for. With her hands exploring his chest and his neck, he felt like healing. And maybe it was true. She was really healing him, on so many levels.

He moaned, letting her hands taking care of the marks of the Ring on his skin. He felt light sneaking in his veins, replacing the darkness that the ring branded him with. They would have had this forever, probably. His own light had been the price for using a power that was not his to have. But Luna had enough light to share and it would have kept him alive for a very long time.

So, forgetting the past, all that Nyx thought of now was tasting her with his lips. Her jaw, her soft neck, her delicate shoulder. Teasing her was so pleasant. He pulled her closer, in the attempt to wear her like a second skin.

“I’m not good at waiting,” he justified himself, inhaling her sweet perfume.

Luna leaned back, trying to catch a breath and say something but Nyx reclaimed her lips back immediately, making hard for her to think straight. The girl could only settle herself against his body, gently cupping his cheeks.

“Wrong. You’re good at everything.”

“Flattery gets you anywhere.” He replied trying to kiss her again, but Luna was ready to prove him wrong. She pulled back with more decision, standing on her feet and smirking. Nyx sighed, in sign of surrender. He never had a chance against her anyway. She was a princess, used to being in command, stubborn enough to not changing her mind after she decided something.

“Okay, fine. Let’s go back to the castle” he snapped his tongue. He was about to add “for the last night” and even if he didn’t, Luna seemed to sense the unspoken words in the air. 

Her face immediately turned from cheeky to sad again. So, Nyx stood up and lifted her chin.

“I know. Not the happy ending you expected." 

Luna shook her head, holding to his hand. 

"It is happy, in a sense. Bittersweet would best describe it, but far from… an ending.”

Nyx looked for something appropriate to say and settled with, “Maybe it’s better that way. I don’t like endings anyway. I like life. I like the journey. And we’ll keep having ours together.” Luna seemed puzzled by his words for a moment, then smiled. Nyx’s eyes sweetened in watching her. “As long as I have strength in my body… I’ll fight for the future, ours, and the entire world’s. So, we’re gonna have a happy ending, Lunafreya. But not for now. Now we can enjoy our happy journey.”

Luna’s smile enlarged in his hand caressing her. Suddenly, Nyx was certain he never saw something brighter. 

Putting her arms around his neck and standing on the tips of her toes, she whispered, “Yes.”

And they headed back to the palace, ready to face whatever it was about to come.

[breakfastteatime]

Bonus Luna story anyone?

I realised I’d never written Luna before :O

Just a little something when Noct is with her in Tenebrae.

The day dawned bright and warm. Excited to spend it with Prince Noctis, Lunafreya could hardly keep herself still as her handmaiden dressed her. With Pryna and Umbra at her side, Lunafreya slipped into dining room to find only her mother and a few servants present. Ravus wasn’t in his usual seat. Lunafreya realised he must still be running through his morning exercises. He seemed to have taken to it with extra zeal since their visitors had arrived, as though he expected King Regis to bring his war along with him.

“Good morning, Lunafreya,” Mother said.

Lunafreya took her seat and a servant quickly brought her breakfast over. “Good morning, Mother,” she said. “Am I early?”

“No. I’m afraid I have some bad news for you this morning,” Mother said. “As you know, Prince Noctis had his first healing session yesterday. It was very hard on him. I suggest you allow him to rest for today.”

“But I was going to read to Prince Noctis,” Lunafreya said. “And he loves playing with Pryna and Umbra. I think they help take his mind off of everything.”

“I know, but I think all of that may be too much for him today. Tomorrow, Lunafreya. He’ll be stronger by then.”

“Yes, Mother,” Lunafreya said, bowing her head respectfully. Her heart clenched in her chest at the thought of her new friend’s pain. “And are you alright?” Healing, she knew, could be taxing. She’d already begun her training, learning all about the horrors of the Starscourge and the damage it dealt the human body.

“Yes, my love. I am well. But the young prince’s wounds run deep. There is a great deal of healing left for him to do. I can only undo some of the damage dealt by the daemon.” Mother sighed. “Poor child.”

“I really can’t see him today?” Lunafreya asked. “Perhaps I could help him. Distract him from his pain.”

Mother reached out, placing her hand atop Lunafreya’s head. “Such a good girl,” she said. “You make me very proud. I know you care for him, but for today, he needs to rest.”

Lunafreya smiled, leaning into her mother’s touch.

“Now, tell me how your history lessons are going. Madam Lillia tells me you’ve developed quite the fascination with the Astral War.” Mother laughed. “I thought that would be more to Ravus’ tastes.”

Lunafreya explained her fascination as they finished breakfast. Mother listened closely until a servant slipped in, reminding her of a meeting with King Regis.

“Be good today,” Mother said. “I’ll see you at dinner.”

Lunafreya finished her breakfast, then went to find her Madam Lillia in the library. Pryna and Umbra waited outside while Lunafreya slipped in. She greeted Madam Lillia and took her usual seat at a long table piled high with books and papers. However, it was very hard to concentrate today. Madam Lillia corrected her behaviour on no less than five occasions, and by the end of their morning session, Lunafreya realised she’d completed very little of her work.

“Perhaps you should see to this source of concern,” Madam Lillia suggested. The woman had a note of impatience in her voice, but it was softened by understanding. “I’m sure a few moments won’t hurt.”

“Mother forbade it,” Lunafreya said.

Her Madam Lillia picked up a book, opened it, and studied whatever it had to say intently. “A few minutes,” she repeated. “And perhaps you should stop by your gardens on the way. The sylleblossoms are quite beautiful this time of the year.”

Lunafreya leapt out of her seat. “I shan’t be long.”

She dashed out of the library. Two barks greeted her, and she saw Umbra and Pryna waiting for her. Smiling to them, she raced off to the gardens, knowing the pair would follow. Once there, she gathered a small handful of sylleblossoms. Hurrying upstairs, she briefly stopped in her bedroom to find a vase to put them in. Pouring some water in from her bathroom tap, Lunafreya carried on to the guest bedrooms.

Nobody was in sight, and she couldn’t hear a single voice coming from within. She edged up to Prince Noctis’ door, straining for any sounds. Nothing.

She knocked lightly on his door. Still nothing. She hesitated. Maybe she shouldn’t go in. Mother was right about these things.

A furry head nudged her legs. She looked down and saw Pryna pushing her onwards.

“Alright,” Lunafreya whispered. “But only because you made me.”

Pryna’s tongue lolled. Lunafreya giggled and let herself into Prince Noctis’ room. Her companions waited at the door.

“I’ll be back,” she said, closing it.

The curtains were pulled, coating the room in shadows. Lunafreya’s nose twitched at the faint smell of something foul. Whatever it was, someone had tried to wash it away. Tiptoeing across the room, she found Noctis resting on his stomach, fast asleep. He had a strange look on his face, as though being asleep took a lot of concentration. She frowned at the sight of dried tear tracks on his cheeks. She could see fresh bandages peeking out from beneath his pyjamas.

“I’m just going to leave these here,” she said, placing the flowers on the bedside cabinet beside him. She saw a small figurine there, recognising Carbuncle from various mythology books she’d read. She smiled, resting a finger atop the tiny creature’s head. “Please, give him good dreams.”

A quiet chirp whispered through Lunafreya’s mind.

Smiling, she gave the figurine’s head a little scratch behind the ears. “Thank you.”

A soft sigh came from the bed. Lunafreya looked and saw Prince Noctis relaxing. He no longer looked like being asleep was hard work. Happy now, she tiptoed back out of the room. Opening the door, Umbra dashed in.

“Oh, Umbra, no, you can’t stay!” Lunafreya said.

Umbra, however, leapt onto the foot of the bed and curled up there. Head on paws, he closed his eyes.

Lunafreya shook her head. “Alright then, but you’d best behave.”

Umbra yawned in response.

Shaking her head at her loyal dog’s antics, Lunafreya slipped out of the room. With Pryna at her side, Lunafreya skipped back to the library. Madam Lillia was there, although she had somehow acquired a pot of tea in the interim.

“Better?” she asked, looking up from her book.

“Yes, thank you.” Lunafreya bowed respectfully.

Madam Lillia smiled. “Come along then, let’s take another look at these texts.”

Sitting back at the table, Lunafreya applied herself to her work with her usual dedication. It was a lot easier to now, knowing Prince Noctis was in very good hands.

No, not hands. Lunafreya giggled to herself. Paws.

[moomookittyfluff]

The Chosen and The Cursed

It took a while to write this chapter but I’m pretty happy with it. I hope you enjoy!

Tagging: @jojopitcher  @thesilencebeforeastorm  @ellybear76  @yuafukuda  @thatanonymouschocolate  @atarostarling  @aficaria

Warnings: blood, death

Chapter 5

“We require but a singular compliance. Save your grand Insomnia here, Lucis must forfeit all territories to Niflheim rule. Ah, Insomnia, the jewel in the crown of the Lucian Kingdom. How foolish of me to forget. There is just one more trivial thing, it concerns your children. The fetching Prince Noctis of Lucis and the fair Princess Lunafreya of Tenebrae, as well as the beautiful Princess Y/N and the young King Ravus, are to be wed.”

‘That man… I've seen him before. I know I have. He's not human. No one has this much darkness surrounding them. Why does he need us to get married? Does he truly mean peace? Ravus… we haven't spoken in so long. Pryna returns without letters from him. Luna rarely mentions him. Having Lunafreya as a sister-in-law would be great! But marrying Ravus? What's going on?’  

So many questions and thoughts ran through your head. You couldn't pay attention to Crowe scolding you for hiding in the throne room.

“Y/N, are you even listening? You could've gotten in a lot of trouble.” She stood in front of you, arms crossed and tapping her right foot.

“Huh? Oh, yeah. Crowe, I'm sorry, but I just felt weird. Something kept telling me I had to be there. I knew dad wouldn't allow it, so I had to hide.” You sat at the side of the large training field, rubbing your stomach after failing to block an attack from Luche. The Chancellor's words played in your head like a broken record. Luche was happy about hitting you, but the others noticed something was wrong. Of course Crowe would be there first one to pull you away from the fight and make you confess.

She sighed and shook her head. “Well, I'm glad you didn't get caught. But, wow, you and the prince having to marry the princess and king of Tenebrae. That's crazy! How do you feel?”

“I'm not sure. I love Lunafreya and the idea of her and Noct being together, but I don't know about Ravus. Although I can't help but feel that there's something else to this ‘peace signing’. It's the Empire after all. What if they have other plans?”

“Ah, Y/N, always questioning everything. Though I agree on that. We shouldn't trust the Empire so easily.” Nyx walked up and sat next to you.

“Libertus isn't pretty happy about it either. I hope he'll be okay…”

“He'll be fine. We'll deal with him.” Crowe smiled and winked, but a concerned look took over. “What are you going to do, Y/N? Are you going to Altissia with Noctis?”

“No. I'll be staying here. According to the Chancellor, my wedding with Ravus will take place in the Citadel. It's strange though. I know the Empire invaded Tenebrae, but why isn't their wedding still there? Why Altissia? Or, why isn't theirs here since Noctis would be king? I'm so confused.” You let out a long sigh and checked the time on your phone. “It's getting late, I should go. I'll have to ask my dad these questions.”

Crowe helped you up and pulled you into a tight hug. “Hopefully I can finish this secret mission and make it back soon. I'll miss you though and I want you to know that it'll all be okay.”

Nyx hugged the two of you tighter and pretended to cry. “I'll miss you both! You've grown up so fast!”

“Awww look at the cute little family.” Luche says as he walks by “Heh. Good luck at your wedding, Princess.”

You glared at him as he continued walking away. 'I know he's an ass, but he's been acting worse lately. There's something going on. I know it.’  The three of you sighed, smiled and hugged again before each going different ways. ‘I'll miss them a lot. Hopefully when Crowe returns, we can have a fun night out before the Emperor arrives.’

As you walked into your room and shut the door behind you, Pryna lifted her head and wagged her tail happily. “I see you've had a nice nap, but please tell me you didn't leave so much fur on my blanket.” Pryna stood up and stretched before running to you and setting a letter of the floor. You got down on one knee and hugged the fluffy white dog before picking up the letter and walking to your bed as she followed close. You gasped as you saw who the letter was from. ‘Ravus… it's been two years...’ Fear, happiness, anxiety, sadness, so many feeling rushed through you at once, unsure of what the letter says. You opened it with shaking hands and felt extremely uneasy at its contents. “Leave Insomnia at once.”

‘Leave Insomnia? Why?’ “Pryna, what's going on?”

She whimpered as she walked to the door and began scratching it. “You want me to leave too?” She barked louder than usually and wagged her tail. “I should tell dad about this. It just doesn't make any sense.”

“You must go to Altissia with the Prince. Your destiny shall be revealed soon.” You heard the Messenger’s voice behind you and felt the room grow cold.

“Gentiana, what do you mean? What's going on? Please tell me.”

“The Chosen will need you by his side in the final battle. The prophecy has been rewritten. You must stand by him.” You looked down at the letter in your hands and back up but Gentiana and Pryna were gone.

“What the hell is going on? Ravus, why do you want me to leave? I need to tell dad about this. I need answers.” You stared at the letter as tears fell from your eyes, then ran toward the King’s bedroom. As you approached his room, you saw two guards standing outside. ‘That's… strange. It's already 10:30. He never has them guarding this late.’  

“I'm sorry, Princess. The King does not want anyone to disturb him tonight.”  The guards bowed as one of them spoke.

“I really need to speak with him. It's very important. Please.” Anger started taking over you as the guards kept began asking you to leave. ‘Why am I so angry? Maybe he's just tired. He's been so stressed out lately, especially with signing coming up.’ Without noticing, you walked forward but the guards blocked the door with their swords and that was all needed. The guards panicked as the ground began to shake and the lights flickered.

“Her eyes! They changed! Princess, we're sorry!” One guard yelled and put his sword down, the other raised his weapon and aimed it at you.

You raised your arm out slowly and the guard aiming at you began levitating. “Was that really a smart idea? I told you to let me in, didn't I?” You put your arm down at your side but the guard was still in the air. The other man fell to his knees and cried as you laughed at them and smirked. “Now I'm going to talk with my father, and you will leave, understood?” Both men nodded and apologized constantly. “Good.” You winked at the guard that was up in the air and he fell to the ground. “Leave.” You shook your head and chuckled as they stood and quickly ran away. The shaking and flickering stopped as you let out a long sigh and felt yourself gaining control. ‘What the fuck was that, Y/N? Why did you do that? Why did I do that…? I've trained to keep it under control, and I let this happen?’ You took a deep breath as tears ran down your cheeks and you slowly opened your father's bedroom door. “Dad? I know it's late and I'm sorry but-” You froze when you noticed he wasn't in bed. “Dad?” The room was dark as you searched for him but he was not there. His bed was still made and there were no signs of him being there. “What? Why were they guarding an empty room? Where is he?”

After an hour of searching the Citadel, you arrived at the last corridor. At the end was a door that led to a secret room. ‘The Crystal…’ You slowly made your way to the door before you heard a voice behind you. “Princess, what are you doing here?”

“Clarus! Sir. I, um, I was just… where is my dad?” You quickly wiped away your tears and smiled.

“His Majesty is busy with preparations for the peace signing and your wedding to King Ravus, as well as the Prince’s departure in the morning.”

“I need to speak with him. It's very important, Sir. Please, tell me where he is.” You put your hands behind your back and balled your hands into tight fists as you struggled to keep control from the anger rising.

Clarus sighed and nodded. “Very well. He is in the Crystal room. Please be careful, Princess. The King is under a lot of pressure.”

“Of course. Thank you so much.” You bowed to Clarus as your father taught you and continued on your way to the Crystal room. Once you entered the room, you noticed the secret door to the Crystal was open and the King sat facing it. He stared at the huge glowing rock with a look of pure hate and sorrow.

“Dad?” You slowly approached him and placed your hand on his shoulder.

“Y/N, why are you up so late? Is everything alright?” Regis held your hand and stood up to close the Crystal's door.

‘He looks so weak and tired. I can't leave. If the Empire is planning anything, I need to stay. I won’t worry him with this. I can join Noct after the ceremony.’  

“I just... wanted to see if you needed help with anything. I know that the whole signing ceremony must be very stressful.”

“I am alright, dear. I'm only tired but I was going to bed soon. You should go rest as well.”

“I will. I'm sorry for stepping in like this. Goodnight, dad.” You hugged him tight and smiled.

“Goodnight, Y/N. I love you.” He said quietly as you walked away.

~

“I'll miss you guys. I hate that I can't be at your wedding, Noct.” Noctis groaned and sighed as you giggled and pulled everyone into a group hug.

“Sucks that we can't be at your wedding too, Y/N. I don't even know what that Ravus guy is like, but I'll kick his ass if he's not good to you.”

“Gladio’s right. If he's even a little mean, we'll come right back.”

“Thanks Gladdy. Thanks Prom. I really appreciate it.”

“Hey, Iggy. Why are you so quiet? Isn't there something you wanna tell Y/N?” Ignis’s face turned red and he cleared his throat as Noctis nudged his arm.

“I, um, I wish to congratulate you on your coming marriage, Princess.”

You tilted your head in confusion while the others sighed and groaned in frustration.

“Thank you, Ignis.” You smiled hugged everyone again before they left to talk to the King. ‘That was weird. Ignis never calls me Princess. Maybe he's just nervous about leaving. I wish he didn't have to…’  You checked your phone and ran to meet up with Crowe at the time she was meant to return as Ignis watched you secretly before following the others into the Citadel.

After a few hours of waiting, you received a message from Nyx asking you to get to the barracks immediately. You arrived as Nyx did and both both found Libertus struggling with the doctor. “Nyx, Y/N, these guys won't let me see Crowe. They rushed her in as soon as she got here.”  Nyx held Libertus back as you ran into the room and found Crowe’s pale body in an open body bag. Her eyes were wide open and it looked like a strange black liquid had poured out of them. You froze and gasped, tears beginning to fall from your eyes as Libertus limped to her and Nyx pulled you close and held you tight.

“No… no! How? It was only an escort mission! How did this happen?! Your father killed her, Y/N! He killed Crowe!” He glared at you with so much anger and hate, it felt as if his eyes were daggers stabbing into you. 

“Libertus, stop it! King Regis did no such thing! Don't yell at her for this!”

As much as you walked to say something, no words could come out. You felt paralyzed, only being able to stare at your best friend's corpse. Captain Drautos walked in and dragged you out of the room without saying a word. Nyx tried following you but the Captain told him to stay with Libertus, saying you needed to rest for the next day.

“Captain, what happened? What kind of mission did you send her on?” Your voice was low but still enough to be heard.

“It must've been an accident. I'm sorry, Princess. I know how close the two of you were, but accidents happen. You're Glaives. Now, you must rest. The signing ceremony and your wedding are tomorrow.”

You didn't notice you had already arrived to your bedroom. He waited until you settled in to your bed to leave.

‘Crowe, I'm sorry… I'm so sorry. I should have been there with you. Why didn't you call? I… I need you. You promised you'd be at the wedding… I miss you.’

You felt your heart aching as you memories of Crowe played in your head, but dark clouds replaced the wonderful memories as a familiar voice spoke. “Poor Princess. I know you loved your friend, but now, she won't have to witness what's to come. I can't wait to see you tomorrow.” The last thing you remember is hearing its low, threatening laugh fading away in the darkness.

“Princess. Princess, wake up. His Majesty wishes to speak with you before the guests arrive.” Captain Drautos was knocking on the door, calling out to you. You rubbed your eyes and opened them, slowly getting out of bed and stretching.

“I’ll be there soon. Thank you, Capt-” You froze as you remembered the day before. ‘Crowe… she’s gone. Noct isn’t here. The other guys left with him to Altissia. Nyx will be very busy today. Libertus... My father didn’t kill her. Ravus… What’s going on?... Something isn’t right.’

“Princess? Are you alright?” You were pulled out of your thoughts by a strange feeling. There was something about the Captain that didn’t feel quite right, but what is it?

“Yeah, sorry. I’m getting dressed. I’ll be down to see my father soon.” You dressed in your usual dark, casual clothes-black leather pants, a gray tank top with a black loose cardigan over it, and your glaive uniform boots- while you waited for him to leave. You went to check your phone but the battery had died since you didn’t put it to charge last night. “I’ll leave it charging here while I go see dad. Maybe I can find Nyx before the ceremony. I hope they’re okay.”

The elevator took longer than normal to arrive. You walked in and pressed the button to the floor of the Throne Room. As you waited for the doors to close, the lights in the hall began to flicker and each one starting from the farthest stopped working, but as each light shut off, a tall, dark figure seemed to emerge from the darkness. Your heart began racing and you pressed the button to the close the doors repeatedly, but nothing would happen. When the figure was close enough, you noticed it’s glowing amber eyes staring directly at you in a way as if it was smirking. You quickly summoned your daggers and stood ready to fight. The figure stopped just a few feet away from you and bowed before disappearing, the lights all turned on and the elevator doors finally closed. With a flash of white your daggers vanished and you let out a long sigh of relief. ‘I haven’t seen that thing in years. Something is definitely wrong.’

You arrived at the Throne Room and walked in, bowing in front of your father before speaking. “Good morning, Your Majesty. You wanted to see me?”

“Good morning, Y/N. I’m sure you are aware of the events taking place today. Our guests from Niflheim will arrive in a few hours and after the signing ceremony, you will be marrying King Ravus. I’m sorry things have to happen this way, I know you as well as some of the other Glaives are upset about this, but this was the only way to achieve peace for the people.” Regis looked exhausted and anxious. The Crystal was taking too much of his energy and he clearly hadn’t slept.

“I’m aware. But, dad, can we truly trust the Empire? Will there really be peace? You shouldn’t need to surrender territories for that. I feel they have ulterior motives for coming here.”

“I understand it’s difficult to trust them, but we must try. We are prepared for an attack if it does come to happen. I have given strict orders to the Glaives and Crownsguard for anything. Please do not worry about those things. A famous designer has brought in different dresses she created just for you. She is waiting for you in the dressing room above us. You will spend the day trying different dresses on and deciding which one you will wear.” You felt your heart drop as he said that. ‘Crowe was going to help me choose a dress…’

Regis noticed the change in you and frowned. “I am sorry about your friend, and I know it’s difficult, but I need you to focus on your duties for today.”

“Right. Of course. I’ll go meet the designer. Thank you, dad.” With a sigh and a bow, you made your way to the elevator and the the dressing room. You loved being in the dressing room when you were little. Different designers from around Eos would do anything to come to the Citadel to bring dresses made especially for you, possibly to promote themselves, but you loved the new outfits. As soon as you walked in, the designer dragged you in and quickly took your measurements before handing you three different dresses and altering others while waiting for you to change. Your mouth hung open and you groaned when you noticed about twenty or thirty other dresses on the other side of the room. ‘This is going to be a loooong day…’

After a few hours of rejecting many dresses, you settled on a ball gown style dress with a sweetheart neckline, strapless bodice decorated in many tiny crystals. The skirt had three layers and was floor length with a long train on the back. You were given a crown similar to the King’s, only smaller and a darker color. The dress was paired with white crystal t-strapped high heeled sandals, a choker with the Insomnia symbol and a necklace with a crystal sylleblossom. You sighed while looking at your reflection in the large mirror and began to cry.

“Princess? What’s wrong? Do you not like any of the dresses? I have more in the other room if you’d like.” Poor old lady was shaking.  

You smiled and wiped away your tears. “That’s not it. I love this dress. I love everything. This just isn’t how I imagined my wedding. It’s all just happening so quickly and… different, I guess. Thank you for everything. I truly appreciate all of this.”

“I understand, Princess. The Empire is cruel and insensitive. However, I pray that King Ravus will treat you like the treasure that you are. You are the jewel of Insomnia, no, of Lucis.”

“Thank you, madam.” She bowed and gasped as you hugged her, but she smiled and hugged you back. She never revealed her name as she didn’t want it to seem like she made all this for selfish desires. The old lady had made Queen Aulea’s dress when she married Regis, so she was very happy when she learned she would be making yours as well. She set up the dress with the accessories on a mannequin and left to prepare for the ceremony.

You sighed in relief as this was finally over and made your way to the elevator and your bedroom, you needed to grab your phone to try to find Nyx before everything. The phone had charged fully so you switched it on and checked for notifications. There was only a “good morning” text from Noctis and his friends and a message from Nyx asking how you were. You decided to reply to Noctis first and he told you how they had to stop in Hammerhead since the Regalia broke down. After making fun of them and wishing them the best, you moved on to replying to Nyx. “Hey, I’m alright. Well, as alright as I can be. What about you? Have you spoken to Libertus? Where are you? I was hoping we could talk before the ceremony.” You frowned after waiting for a half hour and still no reply from him. You walked out to your balcony and looked down to see the Emperor and his people arriving. You were going to warp down to a lower balcony to get a better view of the guests but your phone began to ring, you looked down at the screen that read “dad”.

“Y/N, I need you to come down, now.” His voice sounded rushed, as if he were very worried.

“Alright. I’m on my way.” You quickly made your way back down to the Throne Room.

As you exited the elevator, you met face to face with the Emperor himself.

“What a wonderful surprise. The beautiful Princess Y/N Lucis Caelum. How rude of me. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Iedolas Aldercapt, the Emperor of Niflheim. It is a pleasure to meet you.” He bowed and held out his hand.

“Welcome to Insomnia, Emperor Aldercapt. It is nice to meet you as well.” You placed your hand in his and felt the need to vomit as he placed a kiss on it. “I do not mean to be rude but I’m in a hurry. I hope you enjoy your stay in Insomnia.”

“I have enjoyed it so far. It’s been wonderful.”

“That’s great to hear. I’ll see you at the ceremony, Emperor.”

“Of course, Princess. I can’t wait.”

You continued on your way to the Throne Room but Clarus found you. “Princess, your father is waiting for you in the Council room.”

“Oh, thank you, Sir Amicitia.” ‘What did the Emperor mean by that? Didn’t they just arrive?’

The Council room was empty aside from your father. He looked very concerned. “Dad, what’s wrong?”

“Y/N, there has been some changes. You must leave now and make your way to Altissia.”

“Wait, why? Didn’t the Emperor just arrive?”

“They have been here since yesterday. The Emperor has informed me that your wedding will be held in Altissia too. So you must leave now.”

“I… alright.”

“I’m sorry for the sudden change, but I have sent the Captain to prepare your car. It is waiting for you outside. Please be careful out there.”

“Of course, dad. I’ll miss you.”

“I will miss you too. Remember, the line of Lucis goes not only with Noctis, but with you as well.”

You felt shocked and confused when Regis bowed to you and gave you a tight hug. You hugged him back and he quickly led you out and smiled, but you could tell something was wrong. That wasn’t normal. ‘Why say that the line of Lucis goes with me too? That’s strange to say if I’ll just be gone for a few weeks.’

“Princess, you car is ready. I suggest taking the highway instead of the city streets. Too many people on the streets because of the ceremony.”

“Thanks for the tip, Captain.”

“I’ll take care of your father for you.” Drautos said as you drove off. ‘Take care of him for me? Weird but okay.’

You entered the highway and drove at a higher speed to hopefully reach Noctis before they get to a ship. The sun was beginning to set and the cold breeze helped you feel a bit calm. Luckily the highway was completely empty, so you didn’t have to worry about having to slow down. You looked at the Citadel through the rearview mirror, your heart suddenly sinking and a feeling of fear and dread taking over as you see your home set aflame as the barrier protecting Insomnia begins to fall. You slam on the breaks but the car does not stop, instead it skids across the lanes and hits the middle divider, flipping over into a spiral of metal and sparks. You open your eyes, feeling blood dripping from your bottom lip and forehead, seeing many Imperial ships flying in and landing near your home. Struggling with the seat belt, you summon a dagger to cut it off as you begin to smell gasoline and see flames near you. You manage to climb out of the burning car and you start to run before you hear a beeping sound coming from your Audi and it suddenly explodes, the blast sending you and debris flying. “Fuck!” You yell as you land on the hard ground and pieces of metal and concrete hit you, leaving you with many cuts and bruises. You stand up slowly and look at the wreckage. ‘This was planned. Everything was. It was all a fucking trap. Dad!’ You turned to witness the destruction of your home. Anger began taking over as tears threatened to fall from your glowing red eyes. “I have to stop them. I have to save Insomnia. I have to save my father and my friends.” You wiped away the blood and began running toward the Citadel.

“How will you save them, my dear? How will you save those that are already dead?”

[loveiscosmicsin]

Home Cooking

To @dancingfox on Tumblr, as part of the IgNoct White Day Gift Exchange @ignoctgiftexchange, I offer you a fic (it was a struggle because I was debating with five ideas at once and suffering from writer’s block and then life got really crazy that I didn’t post until way past the dates). I’m not sure what you like since you gave me “Anything, truly :)”, but I can safely assure you that there’s nothing about non-cons or excessive violent themes in this, just lots of fluff and I hope that’s okay! Though this fic can be read on its own, it’s branched off an Fateswap AU where Noctis is the Oracle and Lunafreya is the King of Light and Ignis is her advisor titled “Radiance”. Happy White Day and Happy Gift Exchange, I hope you like this. Sorry for being super late to you and the mod behind the event. I feel massively guilty but I wasn’t going to abandon this. - Title: Home Cooking Rating: G Warnings: None Summary: Courtship is such an antiquated tradition to Noctis, but he’s willing to push the aversion aside and show how he cares with a thoughtful gesture while Ignis is staying in the Crown City. - “Well,” Luna began, crossing her ankles and folding her hands in her lap. Unbridled excitement coursed through her, almost similar to the feeling she relished harvesting raw elemental energy from touch alone, as the King of Light and her trustworthy retainer passed the first landmark. “Our second time in Insomnia swiftly approaches.” “Indeed.” Ignis replied, eyes closed in contentment as he sipped from a can of Ebony, flipping through the magazine, his steady gaze was fixated across the pages. “You must be absolutely delighted that we are to see dear Noctis once more. These last months must have been torturous for you.” “Of course, my lady.”

Luna let the next couple minutes of silence sink in, save for the sounds of the train in motion, before narrowing her eyes and a slight twitch at the corner of her frown took form. “So... pray tell what is so intriguing in this issue’s quarterly that you deign to provide me a proper answer?” “I’m rather absorbed in this soufflé recipe,” Ignis answered without looking up and nothing more. He raised the Ebony again as to solidify the answer he had chosen and end the discussion there. Dissatisfied with the poorly made apology and in one swift motion, Luna pressed her palm firmly on the can and snatched the magazine out of Ignis’ hands. “Why,” Luna’s blue eyes widened before she grinned knowingly as her suspicions were indeed correct. Her advisor had artfully concealed a magazine behind a cooking one. “Ignis, consider yourself caught in the act. You’re reading a fishing magazine!” The woman turned to the can in her hand and shook it. “And not once have you requested a replacement for your beverage. It is empty.” Ignis sighed, color high on his cheeks as he plucked magazine back and set it on the table between them. "I suppose saying merely looking at a recently discovered fish had my mind swimming with recipe ideas wouldn't suffice as an answer?" The advisor tried, Luna sent him a look and he grimaced before admitting,  “Noctis informed me that he enjoys fishing..." Luna smiled. "It's his favorite past time, I'm told. You may find this hard to believe considering my brother’s animosity towards him, but Ravus taught him how.” "It seems very... time-consuming." He tried for a delicate term but the way Luna hid her mouth behind her hand told him he had failed. “He wished to take me fishing at one of his favorite places.” "He will be thrilled to know you've suddenly taken an interest in it." She laughed, earning her a tired stare. "Do not worry, Ignis, for when he sees you, fishing will be the furthest thing on his mind." To see Ignis and Noctis have gained such familiarity and fondness in such little time warmed the heiress’s heart in full. It was unexpected, certainly for her advisor who was quick to assume that the Oracle of Futurity was no more than a voracious beast. Fortunately, his opinion changed overnight when Noctis restored his vision and the two became well acquainted. Luna couldn’t help but feel wholly obligated to cheer and tease Ignis whenever she pleased, much to her advisor’s chagrin. Ignis nodded in appreciation for the reassurance, but the conversation wasn’t over. He gingerly caressed the worn and curling corners of the magazines, conflicted. “Actually, there’s something that I must address with you, Luna. It’s urgent, but we can discuss it later if you prefer.” Luna blinked, her mouth slightly agape. Ignis can be stern and alarmingly taciturn at times, even as a young child, he groomed himself this way so to prove himself worthy of Luna’s retainer despite the disability. He was looking at her now with the same intensity he did then, the scars from the burns could never smother the radiance from the soft sky blue and puffs of white. There was a storm cloud hovering above him. “Do not say that when I have not heard what it could be about first.” Luna regained her composure albeit she stammered when she said this, taking his hand in hers. “Let us discuss this now or I fear we could not enjoy the rest of our journey comfortably.” Ignis was inclined to agree. The lump in his throat bobbed slightly as he avoided looking directly at Luna’s worried expression. “If I could now, I would bend the knee for you, Lady Lunafreya. At your word, my counsel and my blades are yours, always. You will always be my princess and Tenebrae’s True Queen.“ “Ignis,” Luna pulled her hand away, feeling the blades of Ignis’ carefully placed words piercing her heart. “Are you... leaving me?” Her eyes stung, hurt, reminding herself that she was royalty and mustn’t cause a scene in public. If it was her closest friend’s requests, she must grant him leave in a dignified fashion. At that, the advisor’s eyebrows were raised as if offended, no, appalled by the inquiry. That reaction was unwarranted for the princess wanted to berate him for thinking that she would handle this delicately when he knew her much better than that. “No, I believe you’re mistaken by what I’m trying to get across,” Ignis reached out to loosen his collar and cleared his throat, embarrassed but the princess didn’t know by which, the misunderstanding or the topic on the tip of his tongue. “I merely wish... to ask for your permission to initiate a formal courtship with Noctis.” “Oh.” Luna’s cheeks glowed hot not long after the request was spoken. “Oh,” she repeated, pressing her mouth against her palm. “Then why must you waffle on when you could speak plainly? I... I thought you asking for a dismissal.” “My apologies,” Ignis amended, offering the woman a handkerchief. “I underestimated how quick you are in jumping to conclusions, Highness.” Luna sent him an icy glare to which Ignis added, “But I cannot fathom how you would be without your Hand.” Luna dabbed at her eyes. She cannot imagine herself without Ignis either and can undoubtedly forgive him here. “Now, does Noctis know of this? Is that why you’ve come to me?” “I have not consulted him on this, no.” The advisor paused, knowing that he had to explain himself. “It is customary for subjects to the Crown to ask his liege before pursuing a romantic partner.” “From an antiquated tradition that has not been in practice for years? On Eos?” Despite being two years his senior, it still came as a shock to Luna that Ignis was terribly old-fashioned and a secret romantic, Noctis was fortunate indeed. In all the time they had together and cherished, Luna never thought she would see the day when Ignis would consider dating. Her advisor was quite popular among the young ladies at balls and such though he didn’t seem to notice or care of their affections. Luna decided that she will continue to support the two in any way she can. - Noctis took a step back, wiping at his brow as he did so to admire his work. He consulted the cookbook propped on a stand before glancing at the final results. “Not bad after a couple tries,” Noctis commended himself, putting his hands at his hips. “Chef Noct’s got a nice ring to it. If I wanna have a career change.” He may have gone overboard with the quantity of the ingredients and he’s surrounded by an abundance of tofu cartons and potatoes than he ever had in his life, but a pat on the back was in order. The Oracle of Futurity and Crown Prince of Lucis may have been renowned for performing miracles before the age of twenty and now, he can cross off making his boyfriend lunch on the list. Though debatable of how high of an accomplishment this was, it was major. He wouldn’t cook for just anyone. He wouldn’t have asked Gentiana to gather texts of cookbooks or dragged Prompto along to the grocery store for the ingredients for just anyone. Baked tofu skewers and potato salad on a bed of sprouts, a common comfort dish in Tenebrae though the sprouts there served for bedding and to secure the food together in the plastic lunch box. A-not-so novel pairing, but the Prince Oracle thought a meal would ease whatever homesickness the Tenebraean Crown Advisor may experience and it was simple to make. He had let the thoughts ruminate constantly through extravagant recipes far beyond his skill level and wanted to present a meal in good faith while not wanting to show that he didn’t spend more time than necessary to prepare. And from what he glossed over, he found that he was really good at slicing and dicing. The Oracle turned his attention rectangular tin box emblazoned with Lucis’ allied province’s emblem featured by the male King of Light and female Oracle from the Cosmology watercolor illustrations he read as a child. The current bearer of the title and childhood friend, the King of Light, gave it to him. ‘Not yet,” Luna chided with a airy giggle when she stopped Noctis from opening it. ‘When you see Ignis, share these with him.’ Though it was a gentle smile, there was an underlying threat that if she did find out that Noctis didn’t abide with the instruction, he wouldn’t keep his hand. His phone alarm erupted with the iconic King’s Knight victory fanfare. Time to see Ignis. “Unescorted?” Ignis inquired, raising an eyebrow in amusement when Noctis waiting in the reception room alone. “My apologies. Were we to meet today?” One of the guidelines of courtship dictated that the two people involved must always be escorted by designated officers on dates. At times, even Luna joined them and others, Prompto and Gladiolus or Gentiana. For all his life, Noctis had the world’s eyes on him and for once, he would just like just Ignis’ when it was just the two of them. Noctis didn’t have knowledge of Ignis’ intentions to court him until the advisor was granted a private audience with King Regis. Apparently, everyone knew but Noctis. And something in him sang for his own validation, emboldening him. ‘Ask me,’ the Oracle challenged breathlessly when he pulled the advisor to the side, away from prying eyes. Despite wanting the whole world to recognize their relationship, something must be made clear now. ‘Not Luna. Not Dad. Me.’ Ignis won’t be dating the Crown or the Prince Oracle, not even the playboy persona he built up in their first meeting, but Noctis, as he is, no gimmicks. Noctis only wanted Ignis. To his defense, at the time, Noctis thought he and Ignis were dating already, sharing an interest in each other’s hobbies, exchanging letters when they were apart, all but without putting a label on it. He wanted to make it official then and still do. Ignis did ask and Noctis accepted without a moment’s hesitation. “Nope, but you got me anyway. No objections allowed.” Noctis braced himself for Ignis to protest, had a counter in mind that he can’t send him back because an attendant wasn’t in their company. Thankfully, there was none. “Your spontaneity never ceases to amaze me. I find that very refreshing about you.” Surprising him was a good call after all. “But I got something for you,” Noctis announced, holding out the stacked lunch boxes wrapped in a plaid cloth. “Hope you brought your appetite.” The two retired to the courtyard with the lovely view of the garden and greenhouse across from them. “Baked tofu and potato salad,” Ignis studied the dish, approving the vibrant colors. “You made this for me?” “With a dash of sagefire,” Noctis took an imaginary pitch of spice and with a flick of his wrist whisked it into an imaginary dish. “Bam.” As he said it, he felt a case of embarrassment overwhelm him. “How thoughtful,” Ignis reached over to give Noctis’ hand a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll savor every bite.” Ignis eagerly bit into one of the skewers and thoughtfully chewed. Enthusiasm and curiosity then turned to a furrowed brow and a slight grimace. It was gone as instantly as it appeared, but Noctis was attentive enough to not let it pass. “Does it taste bad?” Ignis shook his head, taking another bite. “It’s delicious. The... condiment has a distinctive taste.” Noctis frowned. It was just barbecue sauce. Couldn’t he tell? He snatched a free skewer and dug in before spitting the tofu block right back out. Salt. He mistook for what he thought was sugar for salt and Ignis was still eating it. “Uh, Ignis, you really don’t...” “I’m a man of my word, Noct.” After some time of verbal gymnastics and Noctis trying to retrieve the lunch box only to be thwarted at every turn, Ignis closed the box and sighed happily, “That was delicious.” Noctis completely doubted that, but the potato salad was the only thing that wasn’t ruined. He handed a can of Ebony to him. “Yeah, sure.” “I meant what I said,” Ignis sipped the can. “Because you made it for me. I look forward to the next lunch you’ll bring me.” Well, at least that wasn’t a complete failure. “Hey, Luna gave me this,” Noctis presented the decorated tin box. “Wouldn’t let me open it until I see you. Pretty serious about it, too. Dunno what that’s about.” “Oh?” Ignis tilted his head, quizzically. “Lunafreya’s hardly grave about—“ Cookies, shaped like the rare minted Oracle Ascension Coins commemorating every anointed savior in office, greeted the two men. Instead of edible replicas of the currency, they were edible versions of Noctis and Ignis’ faces with... a distinguished choice of design. No doubt that Luna was going for cute and it took her a great amount of time to design. “Ah, this is certainly her doing. No question about it.” Ignis sighed, picking up a cookie with his face on it. “She knows that I don’t fancy sweets.” He said, putting it close to his parted lips. “Wait!” Ignis looked at him. “Isn’t it...” Noctis averted his gaze. “Isn’t it weird that you going to eat your face?” Ignis smirked. “Would you prefer that I eat yours?” “I...” How was the Oracle supposed to answer that seeing the mischievous gleam in the advisor’s eyes? - Lunch passed by quickly, and Ignis offered to take Noctis back to the Citadel to which the latter accepted wholeheartedly. “May I, Your Highness?” Ignis held out his hand, and Noctis knew what it meant. “You may...” Ignis lowered his head, intending to brush the knuckles with a chaste kiss, the only permitted contact in formal courtship, but Noctis dove in first and met his lips with his own, sealing a first kiss. If there were any doubts that this Prince Oracle wasn’t proactive, those doubts should be dispelled at this point. The advisor was beside himself, his cheeks tinted red and stuttering as he adjusted his glasses. “N-Noct...” “So...” Noctis was grinning until his cheeks hurt, so over the moon that his tongue boldly ran wild with revelation and a growing desire to kiss Ignis again. “Was that your first or...?” “It certainly was not!” It was.

[bgn846]

FFXV Fic - Blue Skies

Nyx finds out how enlightening it can be going on a picnic with his girlfriend's uptight brother.

A fic I did for the Final Fantasy XV White Day Exchange      

Here is the link for AO3 if you prefer. 

Luna looked practically divine stretched out on the blanket that was spread on the grass.  The wind picked up for a brief moment moving her hair in a gentle sweeping motion causing Nyx to smile.   He loved that she was finally relaxing after a long day.

Not everyone was comfortable taking naps in front of other people.  Granted it was just him and Ravus but Luna still looked amazing.  Unlike a certain someone they both knew who would nap away with their face smashed into a pillow complete with a line of drool.  Noctis would always deny he did this but they’d all seen it at one point or another. The royal had a penchant for taking naps and it didn’t matter where he was either.

Saving the world saps your energy for sure, Nyx had seen as much with Luna.  It’d been nearly a year since all the daemons and Ardyn had been cast away.  Peace was finally the only thing rampant throughout the world instead of the scourge.   Enjoying a picnic a year earlier would have seemed like a ludicrous idea but here they were soaking up the sun and being lazy.

Even Umbra and Pryna were flaked out beside Luna.  Umbra was on his back with all four legs up in the air.  Nyx assumed running around a giant field chasing them earlier had done the trick.  Pryna looked a little more dignified and was snoring lightly.

Nyx was seriously debating about lying down next to Luna but he could already hear Ravus whining in the back of his head.  He needed to loosen up, they’d been dating nearly two years but that didn’t stop her big brother from being a total bummer sometimes.  

“Oh just do it already.” Ravus sighed from the corner of the blanket he was sitting cross legged on.

“Why so you can gripe about it in the background.  No thanks, I’ll keep my cuddling efforts private.” Nyx huffed.

“That’s not what I was talking about.”

Nyx was confused now, what the heck was he going on about. “You’ll have to elaborate there for me I’m not following.”

“I know you have a ring for her, I’ve seen the box.  Why haven’t you asked yet?  You’ve had that box for nearly two months now.” Ravus asked with a serious face.  “Do you not think my sister will make you happy?”

Nyx was stunned, the last thing he was expecting was for Ravus to be questioning him about his future plans with Luna.  Finally his thoughts ordered themselves in some semblance and he responded.  “Ravus I love Luna with all my heart and she’s already made me the happiest man alive.  Honestly I haven’t asked her yet because I couldn’t figure out how to get your permission first.  You can be a bit of a tool sometimes.” He finished with a smug look.

“Hmmphff, I hadn’t considered that.” He huffed.  “Well then ask me.”

“What so you can say no!” Nyx whined.  

“So If I honestly told you no you would stop dating my sister?” Ravus asked with a look of shock.

“Um – not quite but it would seriously put a damper on my future plans.”

“I repeat again, ask me.”

Taking a deep breath Nyx sat up a little straighter from where he was sprawled on the blanket.  “Ravus, I would very much like to marry your sister and take care of her for as long as I live.  I would be eternally grateful if you were to give your blessing to our union.”  The glaive finished with a somewhat shy look.  Ravus was correct and if he said no Nyx would still be with Luna but it would change the vibe, that wasn’t something he wanted to have happen.

Ravus took nearly a minute to respond he was clearly enjoying torturing Nyx with the delay.  “I’ll have you know that if you ever make my sister unhappy I will personally come find you and destroy you.”  Pausing for effect more than anything he finally continued.  “I will however grant you my blessing.  Though I am loath to admit it I believe Luna truly does love you.”

The squeal that erupted from behind Nyx caused him to flinch and yell out loud.  Luna shot straight up from where she had supposedly been napping with the biggest smile Nyx had ever seen on her shining face.

“Do you mean it Ravus?” She asked while waving her hands around like a little girl.  “You have to walk me down the aisle and I will want to dance with you as well.  Oh please tell me you are being serious!” Luna pleaded.

Umbra was up and barking since Luna was so excited.   Pryna lifted her head and after licking her chops decided that napping would be a better choice and promptly returned to that activity.

“I wouldn’t joke about something like that Luna.  I want you to be happy as well.” Ravus added with a frown.  “If this glaive makes you feel that way then I will of course be more than willing to do as you ask.”

“Eeeee I’m getting married!” Luna breathed excitedly.

Nyx felt a little out of the loop as he sat and watched them discuss his proposal that hadn’t even happened yet.  Surprisingly it was Ravus who held his hand up and motioned to Nyx. “I believe you may be getting ahead yourself Luna.  I think Nyx has to ask you something first.”

Luna closed her mouth so quickly her teeth clicked.  Nyx would swear later when he retold the story to all his friends that Luna was actually vibrating in place with anticipation. Taking a deep breath he dug into his pants pocket and pulled out a small blue velvet covered box.  It only took a moment to reposition himself on one knee in front of the oracle.  She was wide eyed and shaking slightly.  “Luna, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?  Will you marry me?” He asked with a calm voice.        

“Yes!  Of course I accept!” Luna squealed as Nyx took her hand and placed the ring on her finger.  The second the ring was in place Luna threw her arms around his neck and started kissing his face.  “I can’t believe this is happening to me right now.” She breathed in between kisses.

“Get a room.” Ravus added dryly but his smile betrayed his true feelings.  “Perhaps when you are both done sucking face we could eat the food we brought.  This was supposed to be a picnic wasn’t it?”

“I might need a nap first!” Nyx exclaimed. “You two and your antics wore me out!”  For the first time in the history of Eos Nyx witnessed Ravus and Luna laughing at the same time.  They both honest to gods giggled and it was almost too much to bear.  

Ravus took pity on him and stopped teasing them.  He instead began setting up the food as they came down off their high.   Soon enough the three were silently munching away on cute sandwiches and chips.  Luna perked up after a few minutes with a devious look in her eyes.  “I think I know who would make the perfect ring bearer.”

“No.” Ravus cut in.  “That is silly.”

“What is? What are you two talking about?” Nyx asked trying to catch up.

“Oh come on it would be so cute.” Luna trilled.

“Who are you talking about?” Nyx asked again.

“Umbra obviously.” Luna offered like it was the most normal thing on the planet.

“What if he decides to time hop while walking down the aisle?” Nyx asked horrified.

“Don’t be such a stick in the mud babe; Umbra wouldn’t do that to us.  Right?” She asked while looking at the dog in question.  Umbra simply barked and wagged his tail.

“Ravus help me.” Nyx pleaded with a small smile.  “Isn’t that what brother in laws do?”

Ravus to his credit did try and talk his sister out the idea but in the end Luna had only added Pryna to the mix.  Claiming two dogs were better than one so both men gave up and decided to take a nap instead.

Lying on the blanket and staring at the clouds going by Nyx couldn’t wait until the big day.  He was so happy that Ravus had given them their blessing and that Luna had said yes!   Now the only thing left to ponder was whether their magical ring bearing dogs would be coming on the honeymoon.  

[g0ldpainted]

Ravus cheating on S/O

Heya! This is the final boi that had yet to be released. I did some touch-ups because I wasn’t happy with it - aah y’know what I mean. I hope you enjoy it! :)

Noctis cheating 1 ; 2 ; 3 // Gladio cheating 1 ; 2 ; 3 // Prompto cheating 1 ; 2 ; 3 // Ignis cheating 1 ; 2   

Words: 5140+

Genre: Angst, heartbreak, “happy end”, alternative game route

Spoilers: Yes! It plays during the game. 

Trigger Warnings: Explicit sexual act depicted briefly, cheating

Being in a long distance relationship means commitment, honesty and tons of trust but most of all, patience - at least for Ravus and his S/O. Their love started at the Niflheim army. While Ravus was forced to join, his S/O joined on their own because they wanted to take revenge for their parents. They were killed by Lucians. His S/O was fairly shy yet incredibly talented, they immediately caught Ravus' eye. Their mysteriousness attracted the blonde - Ravus was determined to get to know them. It was their aura, they were different from everyone else. Before he knew it, he was head over heels in love with them. They weren't easy to crack, had a pretty hard shell and high walls built around them, but every minute of lowering their walls, opening their shell was worth it. Ravus himself wasn't the most sociable guy. To say it was easy for him would be a lie. Both of them had to learn how to open up to one another and in the process, they fell for each other. 

Once the ice melted, it didn't take long before they were dating. His S/O was the one who initiated their first kiss and after their first kiss came many, many more. Sooner or later Ravus was at their mercy, completely and deeply in love with them. His S/O felt the same way so they decided to give it a shot and date - but chose to keep it a secret from all other cadets for the sake of rumors. They were inseparable and on top of that, each other's firsts in any- and everything related to love. During missions, they complemented each other perfectly; what one couldn't pull off, the other did with ease. And that was exactly why people suspected that they were in a relationship. 

It was one unfortunate evening they spent cuddling that revealed it all - they were caught as another drunk cadet broke into Ravus' room. In result, they had to make their relationship public.

If that one cadet hadn't told everyone about what he saw that night, perhaps nothing would've caused their love to be put through a hard trial: they were parted, not allowed to go on missions together any longer.

Full of worry for each other, both became clumsy, inattentive. While Ravus learned to deal with it, learned to appreciate being able to embrace them in the evenings after a long mission, his S/O started having slip-ups. They eventually ended up getting wounded fatally. It was thanks to urgent first aid that they survived. While the Niflheim army paid for their healing process, they immediately broke their contract, threw them out. That one slip up almost cost them their life, but most certainly their job - they were excluded from the army. 

And that's how their long distance relationship began. After 2 years of dating at the army, they had to get used to some distance separating them. Ravus invited them to live at Fenestala Manor, the place he grew up in with his family. While they happily accepted his offer, seeing it as him proving his love, they were still divided. Ravus wasn't home for the majority of the time, was busy working for the army, so his S/O was left alone with his sister Lunafreya, the oracle. It was pure luck that Luna and them got along so well they became friends. Luna even tried to heal their wounds and broken bones.

Whenever Ravus was off for a day and he dropped by for a visit, they spent time alone. For the first time since they got together, they could hold each other, kiss or make love without the constant fear of someone interrupting. Their relationship was going great. The first few weeks of them staying at his Manor, while they were still wounded, Ravus continuously sent herbs, tea, special ointments - anything that'd help soothe their pain. And when he was around, he was their own personal butler - the actual prince of Tenebrae loved pampering his S/O. Once they got better, they even had dates outside of someone's room! They enjoyed the beautiful nature, especially the fields of flowers, together. Needlessly to say, they were both head over heels in love; fantasizing about their future, talking about having a family, exchanging innocent pecks, writing love letters when they were separated,.. - It was going incredibly good for them, although they were torn apart by distance and each time he left their hearts ached. But that all changed when Ravus was promoted to deputy high commander years later.

They knew he had worked hard to reach a high level, were with him all along, so they didn't want to complain about him being even busier than he used to be.. But with each visit, they seemed to be growing apart. Something about him was different, more determined and stubborn. They often argued - which was something they hardly ever did in the past years.

Finally, when Niflheim attacked Lucis and Ravus was wounded severely due to what seemed to be his own greed, their relationship began to crack. His S/O was infuriated, their boyfriend was going through immense pain but they couldn't be around. What worried them, even more, was that Luna left their mansion, too. She was on her way to get married to Noctis, the prince of Insomnia. Therefore, Ravus' S/O was all on their own. Until some Niflheim troops came to pick them up. Ravus demanded to see them while he was off duty to heal. 

But when they met, all they felt was heartache. 

A magitek prosthetic replaced their boyfriends left arm. But along with that, his eye color changed, he suddenly had heterochromia eyes. And most importantly, his character adjusted. All that was on his mind was his sister - which was a good thing considering she was in a dangerous situation - and war. He continuously babbled on about plans and couldn't find a minute to calm down or focus on his S/O. The only thing that took his mind off was sex. The rough, reckless and painful-if-not-done-correctly type - not the one that was rough and nice. Unfortunately, that sex was also the only reason he flew his S/O in. When they declined his advances, told him to stop, he began raging. Not only did it scare them, it also made them feel like an object. In those 48 hours they were given before they'd be flown back to Tenebrae, they slept with him just once. One time that made their body feel like it was about to break in two. He hurt them, couldn't quite control his new power.. But he didn't care, ignored their pleas to stop. Perhaps if they hadn't been in tremendous pain, they wouldn't have declined the quickie he demanded before they left.

Their goodbye wasn't heartfelt. Ravus seemed to be bitter, unsatisfied, upset with his S/O for not delivering some kind of duty that they apparently had as his lover. Still, he didn't show concern for their aching body, didn't even apologize. Eventually, his S/O was sent back to Tenebrae, violated, in pain and devastated by their boyfriends actions.

For months, they barely had any contact. While they still wrote love letters to him, telling him how much they love them, he didn't seem to appreciate it. They were lucky if he replied. The flowers he usually sent them? Nope, he stopped doing that, too. He didn't visit them either. Ravus changed. They were all alone in the huge Nox Fleuret Manor. The only person occasionally checking on them was Maria. 

She was the one that delivered the horrible news of Luna's passing and that their beloved boyfriend was now aiming to deliver King Regis' blade to Noctis. Followed by the delivering of that news, daemons started attacking Tenebrae. Ravus' S/O barely fled from them and the fires spreading through the grass. They spent multiple hours trying to reach their boyfriend, trying to find out what was going on. Somehow, they accidentally ended up calling some other commander which sent troops to pick them up. They didn't know that it was Niflheim that made those daemons attack, otherwise, they wouldn’t have called them for help. At this point, they considered themselves lucky for having reached anyone that was willing to help.

However, unlike before, they were suddenly treated like a criminal, pushed around with a gun pointing at their head until they arrived at the base they knew so well. The base it all started at.

Knowing they'd soon be in the arms of their lover, someone that was sure to need them after the passing of his sister, they felt at ease even though they were handled roughly by the troops. They were clinging onto the Ravus they got to know, the Ravus they loved.. And sincerely hoped he'd shine through now that something so terrible happened. Little did they know that nothing could've ever prepared them for what they were about to witness.

"It'll all be okay soon" they continuously reminded themselves.

"His room is over there, walk on your own!" one of the troopers ordered them, pushing them forward with their rifle.

Stumbling towards what seemed to be their boyfriend's new room, they rolled their eyes. Just like anyone else, they certainly didn't like this kind of treatment. What really threw them off were their chuckles. They started making fun of them.

"I'd appreciate if you'd leave me alone," they informed them, glancing over their shoulder with a frown.

"Shut up and knock!" one of them shouted.

Sighing, they stepped forward and finally knocked. The whispers and laughs behind them were confusing but once they knocked a little harder and the door opened lightly, they knew why. Soft moans and grunts rang through to their ears - it was undoubtedly Ravus' voice.. But not only his'. As a female moaned fairly loud, their heart started racing.

"This can't be.." they thought to themselves as the laugher behind them grew louder.

Although Ravus had hurt them before, they didn't want to throw their 9 year long relationship away. They still loved him dearly and believed that it was just one slip up, that he would apologize when they confront him about it, that he never actually meant to hurt them but underestimated his desire and new powers. They were convinced he still loved them. But now that they stood in front of his room.. And heard those unpleasant noises, they were beginning to doubt it, even felt naïve for believing in his good side.

Ignoring the noises behind them, they slowly stepped inside the room, trying hard not to make too much noise. To ensure no one would follow, they closed and locked the door.. Then slowly walked into the room. Their stomach dropped as they saw their boyfriend on top of some busty, dirty-blonde haired woman in his bed. They were having sex. Her legs were wrapped around their boyfriend's waist, pulling him closer.

"Ravus' ugh.. Harder, please" the female begged, scratching his back as he followed their command.

Judging by how hard the bed rattled, he was once again practicing rough sex. But at least this woman seemed to enjoy it.. Unlike his S/O.

"Ngh, you feel incredible" he groaned while he continuously thrust into them. 

Watching their boyfriend screw some other lady made them feel sick to the bones. Their heart broke with every second of them going at it but instead of feeling the pain, they immediately began to feel numb. Eventually, he flipped the woman over and roughly tugged on her hair. When they saw how bruised parts of her body were, full of hickeys, bites.. And perhaps even slaps, they started fighting their tears. 

"Is he.. Really into something.. So rough?" they wondered, shaking their head in disbelief, "Is he really cheating on me..?"

Fearing he'd get angry at them for interrupting, they decided to keep quiet. Usually, they were rather proud, would walk right out of a situation that upset them.. But this was different. Ravus was their first boyfriend, they had never been cheated on before.. They didn't know how to react, couldn't tear their eyes off of the scene, couldn't stop watching their boyfriend have sex with some female. His S/O was frozen in place. Nine years of pure love thrown out of the window. A terrible emptiness started spreading inside of them.

"Aaah! Ravus, it feels so good - k-keep going" the female ordered him, holding herself up on all fours.

As the prince of Tenebrae slapped the females butt repeatedly, his S/O flinched. The way he caressed it once his imprint was showing sickened them. When he took time between his thrusts, even slipped out of them just to place a delicate kiss on the bruised buttock, they were dangerously close to throwing up.

"You know I love that ass of yours" he proclaimed, following by biting it.

Hearing him use vulgar language was rare. If he ever brought up swears or something of that sort, he didn't hesitate to apologize. No matter how many times his partner told him it was okay. 

"Then how about you claim it?" she playfully suggested, glancing over her shoulder to look at him. 

"I will" he informed her before leaving another imprint of his teeth on her butt.

Without any warning, he entered her again, making her lose her balance and moan loudly. Pulling her up against his body, Ravus thrust away inside of her.  

"Oh baby, your dick is amazing" she moaned into his ear.

In return, he started nibbling on her neck. At this point, tears were already running down his S/O's cheeks. The way they felt was indescribable, a mixture between empty, disappointed, frustrated, upset and plain sad. These walls that Ravus tried so hard to lower, the shell he cracked so carefully.. It both stared rising back up. They began to shield themselves, erase him out of their comfort zone. His betrayal was too much.

"Fuck, I love this" he proclaimed, slowly climbing out of the bed, tugging her along the entire time, never breaking their connection.

Right when he was turning around with the female in his arms, ready to press her against some nearby wall, he saw his S/O. His eyes immediately widened and he let go of the female in front of him. It was then that his S/O saw the ropes tied around her chest area and limbs. Her front was severely bruised, too. Not just from hickeys or bites. The ropes seemed to be too tight, hurt her body - but she enjoyed it.

"Ravus.." they spoke softly, quickly wiping their tears away while they were being watched by two pairs of eyes.

"Is that your.." the female quietly asked.

"How did you..- I.." he stuttered, grabbing a blanket to cover himself and a robe to cover the female in front of him. 

In return, they just shook their head, unable to speak. To avoid looking at him and the tied up female, they covered their eyes. It was also a nice way to hide their never-ending tears. They couldn't stop themselves from sobbing, though. 

"This is…- (Y/N).. I..- It's not what it looks like.. Let me explain," he begged, stepping closer to them.

When he tried to touch their shoulders, they pushed his hands off. They were filthy, perhaps full of some other woman's fluids.

"It's just the deed" the female added, "We're only having sex."

"Only having sex" his S/O mimicked and mocked.

"It's.. It's true. I couldn't-.. You weren't-.. " he stumbled upon words, not finding the right ones.

"Ravus, we've been dating for nine fucking years! Nine years!" his S/O suddenly shouted, revealing their bloodshot red eyes to him, "Until you got that stupid prosthetic, we were doing just fine!"

Gulping, he stared right at them. 

"Odelia.. Please, leave" he commanded the female behind him, only turning around to undo her ropes real quick.  

Unable to process this whole ordeal, his S/O sat down on a small couch, putting their head in their hands. Once all ropes were gone, the woman quickly threw on her clothes and left. Meanwhile, Ravus just watched his S/O struggle - he wanted to wait until Odelia was gone before he'd say anything else.

"(Y/N).. I promise, I only love you" he finally stepped closer and sat down beside them so they'd be on the same level.

"How am I supposed to believe this when I just saw you screwing another woman?!" they snapped, moving away from him.

"I.. I figured I hurt you last time we had intercourse - I couldn't risk doing that again" he defended himself. 

"Oh, and so you thought you could just fuck anyone without even contemplating to ask me first?!" they argued, biting their lip hard, "I thought we were exclusive and certainly not in some kind of open relationship."

"I assumed it'd only cause damage to our re-"

"What do you think this just did? I witnessed my boyfriend's weird kinks that he apparently likes to enjoy with strange women," they continued to snap at him, not holding back anymore now that they saw he wasn't feeling angry today.

"I'd love to do this with you - it's just I.. I know it hurts you," he explained, biting his lip hard, knowing he was at fault for having cheated. 

"Ravus stop this bullshit! Not once did you apologize to me or say anything regards the bruises you left on my body - I believed you'd feel bad about it and apparently I was right - but don't play like you were just trying to be the kind guy not wanting to damage his lover," they returned, growing colder by second.

"I have to admit, this new arm does things to me. It was hard to control at first.. And it took me quite a while to figure things out but-"

"I don't care! I was patiently waiting for you to visit me, I was waiting for you to reply to me, I was waiting for any kind of sign that you still love me. Hell, you didn't even pick up your phone most of the time even though we promised to each other we'd have a phone call every day unless it's impossible," they threw more arguments in his direction.

Sighing, he nodded: "I made a mistake. I shouldn't have abandoned you. I-"

"Do you love her? Is that why we're falling apart?" they asked him, staring right into his heterochromia eyes. 

"No, I don't" he firmly replied, telling the truth, "I only love you."

"But if you love me, how can you just.. cheat on me so easily?" they quietly said before sobbing, feeling their frustration pass to sadness, "I'm aware we're lacking intimacy - it's because of the distance - but so far we always found ways to.. Still exchange some form of intimacy. Is it because we're lacking sex?"

"Ugh.. No. I-I was hoping.. You wouldn't consider it that" he admitted, "It's complicated to explain.. but ever since I got treated, received my prosthetic, I've had different urges and needs. It seems to have changed a part of me. For the sake of your safety, I decided to explore it on my own. Magiteks can be unpredictable, I feared this arm could be too. That day I caused harm to you, I figured I'd have to learn how to handle it properly. I couldn't let myself get carried away again and cause even greater damage to you."

"So you admit this prosthetic shit changed you?" they gulped, "Because I very much noticed that, too." 

"It did. It still affects me. For the longest time, I felt a lot angrier.. Which is why we fought so much. And I took my anger out on you.. In bed. Don't you think I heard your cries that night? I didn't ever want to do that again. So… ever since you left, I've had arranged intercourse with Ophelia. She is into.. Harder, rougher stuff.. So I can explore that part with her - without causing you harm" he went on to explain.

"Ever since I left!?" they exclaimed, "Ravus, it's been ages since I last saw you. We didn't even spend our anniversary together. All I got was a fucking 5-minute phone call. You said you were in a rush - in a rush to fuck her maybe?.. This just sounds like a stupid excuse for you to cheat on me. I've spent months waiting for you, wishing you were with me and you just selfishly cheated on me."

"I.. I know. Please believe me when I say that I never intended to hurt you.." he spoke softly, carefully reaching out for their hand, "And no, I was indeed busy participating in meetings on our anniversary. Our next mission started the morning after."

"You could've called me in the evening. Say.. While you're taking a bath or something. Instead, you called me between meetings. This was our 9 year anniversary, not just some bullshit first-month celebration.. It actually holds meaning.. At least to me.." they returned, not having his words.

"It does mean a lot to me, too" he replied, watching them intently, "I just.. I honestly didn't think of calling you while getting ready for bed.. I'm sorry."

"You, out of all the people, should know how important communication in a long distance relationship is.. We've been in one for years. Around 7 to be exact. I always thought we were exclusive. But apparently we're not - since you think you have a free pass to fuck whoever you want" they groaned, "Patience.. Trust.. Honesty.. Commitment - you weren't honest with me, weren't committed to me, betrayed my trust and took advantage of my patience. How is this supposed to go on? When did you want to share your little cheat-time stories with me?"

Ravus nodded slowly, agreed to him having failed them. He didn't deserve them and he was well aware of it. But he needed them and he was willing to fight for them. 

"I should've told you from the start. Should've played with open cards. Your opinion should be something that matters most to me - especially in cases such as this. However, I knew you would disagree. Anyone would. But I needed to find a way to figure those urges out and to satisfy these needs.. They were unbea-"

"Alright, then I'll just cheat on you whenever I feel an itch, too" they raised their hands up in surrender, wiping more tears away right after, "Is that really what you're trying to tell me? That you were feeling especially horny and decided it'd be a good idea to fuck a stranger..? Couldn't you just work out harder to get rid of your extra anger?"

Both sighed in sync. 

"It's not just.. An itch, working out doesn't fix it. Don't you think I've tried that, too? But it's distracting, making it harder to focus..-"

"You could've flown me in!"

"But then I would've hurt you again. There was no winning this situation."

Finding no words to say, they just shook their head in reply. To them, he wanted to play the victim card on him. He wanted to say that he had this evil prosthetic that ended up making him cheat, that it was something he had to do to not hurt them. They couldn’t just believe that.

"How do you expect this to go on?" they murmured, "I can't trust you anymore."

"I.. I'm hoping to be able to prove my love to you. I don't want to lose you" he announced, gulping as he watched them. 

"I just caught you cheating.. I-.. I really don't want to be in a relationship with you right now.. Hell, I don't even want to be here.." they whispered, turning their head away, "You have someone else that's dear to you anyway, why would it matter if I'd just disappear again."

"That's lies. Ophelia is not dear to me. We're - at most - friends -"

"Friends with benefits" his S/O threw in.

"Then.. We're that, okay. But I don't consider her someone precious to me - unlike you. You're the most precious to me. I love you - only you," he explained, trying hard to sound convincing - while he wasn't lying, he knew they'd have a hard time believing him. 

"Ravus, then why do you think it's okay to betray me like that? You've been sleeping with someone - behind my back. I've never even thought about having sex with anyone aside from you. I've never gotten the 'taste' of another man - because I stay true to you," they pointed out while they began to lose their will to continue fighting, it was too exhausting.  

"If that's what you want, I'll -.. You can go ahead and sleep with someone else" he gave in, unsure of what else to say. 

"Oh c'mon, what kind of relationship would that be if we both just continuously cheat on each other?!" his S/O complained, glaring at him, "I, unlike you, prefer to stay loyal to the one I love."

Again, both sighed. 

"I.. Don't know if we can go on. You cheated on me for months.." his S/O quietly admitted, folding their hands in their lap as more tears ran down their cheek, "I.. I always wanted a future with you. Getting married, starting a family, growing old.. - but..-"

"Please, I'm begging you, (Y/N), give me a chance to prove my intentions to you. I.. I won't ever neglect you again, I'll do everything you want me to - but please don't leave me" he begged, actually going on his knees in front of them, cupping their hands in his.  

That slight touch was enough to send shivers down their spine. That tiny touch made their heart skip a beat when it already felt so dead. As disgusting as this situation was, they still loved him, they wanted to believe him, they wanted to spend their future with him. And they loved his touches, secretly longed for them. That's what made all these past months so unbearable for them and this betrayal even worse: they desired his touch but he didn't desire theirs. 

"Fine.." they quietly accepted his proposal, not having enough power to fight any longer - it hurt too much, "But.. The only reason why I'm staying is that I need a new home. The Nifs destroyed your hometown.."

Again, Ravus' eyes widened in shock - he hadn't known about this - but he refrained from switching the subject. First, he had to make up for his mistakes, then consider asking for more details on the actions that took place behind his back.

"You can live here - we won't have to deal with the distance anymore and we could be with each other the entire time" he suggested, sounding hopeful, "I promise, I won't take this for granted."

The idea of being with him, sleeping next to him, being held by him, warmed them from within. It's what they always dreamed off. It was unfortunate that it had to be under these circumstances. 

"No.. I.. We need to take it incredibly slow now.." they informed him, feeling their walls just continuously rising.

They had on other choice, anyway. Where would they go if the place they lived at was destroyed? Maybe their home? They don't have an actual home anymore aside from the Fleuret House.

"That's fine by me. We.. We'll take it slow and work things out. I'm grateful for anything" he said, squeezing their hands softly.

"Okay.. and now put on some clothes.." they commanded him, slowly pulling their hands out of his.

In the end, they decided to temporarily start over. 

His S/O, unfortunately, experienced first hand how ugly his urges were and how unappealing his new needs were to them. For a while, they still pushed him off, told him there wasn't going to be any physical intimacy. To them, it had always been special, it held meaning.. But now that it didn't seem to hold meaning to him anymore, they were hard to convince to cuddle or even have sex. It took months before they eventually gave in. By that time, Ravus was so pleasure-deprived, he completely let himself go. For the sake of wanting to stay with him and wanting him to be loyal to them, his S/O let him go all out on them. And they immediately regretted it. They had to beg him to stop - thank the almighty astrals that he heard it and actually stopped this time. Their body shook with unpleasant pain before it even really began. That's when they knew their future wasn't looking bright.

They decided to stay together, though. 

The longer Ravus dealt with his prosthetic, the easier it was to control it all. So now, when he was with his S/O, he could enjoy their fairly innocent love again. But every once in a while, he still had those urges that his S/O refused to satisfy. Just so he wouldn't go insane, they let him cheat. They let him have an affair with that woman - but only for when his "urges" were bad.

As much as it hurt them to know he enjoyed something so intimate with someone else, they believed it was the right thing to do. However, they set up rules for him. Rules to better their relationship. And with the help of those, they managed to pull through. It was difficult, very difficult. Especially when his S/O was forced to leave him again, live somewhere else. But it didn't stop their love - only made it harder again. They were used to distance, though, it wasn't hard for them to master this.

Ravus visited them at least twice a month and each time, he brought little souvenirs, something to show them how much he appreciated them. It was also him who announced no longer wanting to meet up with Ophelia. He was convinced he could control his prosthetic well enough, that he wouldn't hurt them anymore. And aside from that, he was tired of seeing his lover put on a façade whenever he mentioned seeing her - it was one of their rules that he'd inform them about it. 

Much to his S/O's surprise, he worked hard to rebuild their trust, make them open up entirely again. And he did it. He made them forgive him. It was a long and very hard way until they could fully trust him again but eventually, they got engaged in celebration of their 10 year anniversary. They both believed in their future and decided to give it another shot.

Masterlist ;  Noctis cheating 1 ; 2 ; 3 // Gladio cheating 1 ; 2 ; 3 // Prompto cheating 1 ; 2 ; 3 // Ignis cheating 1 ; 2  

[oveliagirlhaditright]

Happy Travels - A Noctella and Noctluna Story

Summary: AU. A story that's a mix of Final Fantasy XV and some Versus elements, that tries to make fans of both happy. For instance, this story will be half Noctella and half Noctluna. Half Noctella until Stella eventually dies (and yes, I'm warning you now that that will eventually happen), and then it's half Noctis and Luna after that (and Stella, in the grave, would be happy for them). And there's no love triangle. While Luna does have a crush on Noctis when he's with Stella, Noctis and Stella don't know it's more than that and Luna doesn't press the issue because she wants them both to be happy. And it's in mourning Stella so much--a pain that really only the other understands--that sort of brings Noctis and Luna together.

As ridiculous as it was to be focusing on such trivial things right now, Stella stared down at the brown dress she was wearing and wondered if it was the best idea to be presenting herself to Prince Noctis in it... As a summer, she wasn’t exactly sure that chocolate was her color at all. But what could she say? She was tired of wearing white around him—and didn't want him to think she was still so naive and innocent... but black was too much for her, because she wasn't a dark-spirited person at all… She also very much didn’t want to be accused of being a harlot by wearing pure red, so perhaps she'd found a happy medium between ebony and crimson. But Stella could only hope that that was the case. Stella was welcomed into King Regis’ throne room by Ignis (though they were here for Noct and not Regis)—who bowed and was polite as always, if not a little flustered given the enormous situation. "It's good to see you, Lady Stella," Ignis whispered, as he took the blonde's arm in his own and led her to a secret passage behind the throne, which was where Noctis was now hiding. "And I trust that Prince Ravus and Princess Lunafreya are doing well?" "Luna," Stella urgently but kindly corrected Ignis, as she patted his hand. "My little sister goes by 'Luna'. I have no idea why our mother, Sylva, gifted her with such a mouthful of a name, when Ravus and I were both coined something simple. But all of us hate Luna being the outlier there—so ‘'Luna', it is. “But I, of course, didn’t expect you to know any of this, Sir Ignis! You'd no way of doing so, since you've never met my little sister personally and since the media refers to her as ‘Lunafreya’." Ignis slightly giggled and smiled at Stella after her tirade, and she could only guess that it was done so in approval—since Noct himself didn't speak so normally, even though Stella had heard that Ignis wanted him to. "And how I very much wish to meet Lunaf—Luna—in person one day, my lady. The world only has great things to say about the Oracle—as does Noct, from the little bit he seems to know of her. And your sister seems very... sweet, if you don't mind my saying, with how she apparently loves stickers so much, that all of Eos knows it. No doubt she bonds strongly with the children she heals that way." This was all very true, and Luna to a T. It was why Stella and their family loved the youngest Nox Fleuret so much, since she had a child’s soul and it was clear for the public to see, too. And Stella would have told Ignis all of this, if they hadn’t finally made it to wear Noctis was in the passage. And Ignis must have noticed the looks that Stella was giving Noctis and him her, because he very quietly and gracefully departed. And the moment he did, Stella was in his arms. The pair did not kiss. Rather, Noctis ran a soothing hand through Stella’s hair as she cried into his chest. "Noctis," the rapier-wielder sobbed, "I'm so sorry. I had no idea that the prophecy had that in store for you. We must fight it!" Which was what they were doing now, somewhat, with Noctis hiding away in his own home until he could eventually escape his father. But Stella feared that it wasn't enough. "Shh," Noctis replied, almost seeming to be somewhat chuckling while he did it—something that made Stella so mad, she could've punched him and nearly did. "It's fine, Stell. Look: I'm not going to lie and say this all isn’t a nightmare, but I'm pretty strong… I should be fine." And there was that arrogance he'd displayed right after he'd thought King Regis had been murdered and wanted to avenge him--before they'd all learned what a slithering snake the man was—and Stella might have been impressed by it, if she wasn't also so scared for it. "So, what's your plan to get out of here, then?" Stella asked incredulously, with an eyebrow raised. "Your father has the whole city looking for you. And while he hasn't found this secret passage yet, when Insomnia shows no sign of you… he might come back here and see you escaping. I'm also genuinely baffled that he hasn’t found out that Ignis is on your side." Thankfully, Regis still thought Stella was against Noctis—because of the time that she had been—since most of the countries hated Lucis for having the only crystal left… Not understanding that that meant Noctis had to die in using his crystal to end the Starscourge: something Stella would stop him from doing, if it killed her. Noctis winked at Stella, as he leaned his face so close to hers that she thought he might kiss her. "Fortunately, there's a pretty girl here who I kind of look like. And if I dress like her when I leave, the media may just think I'm Stella Nox Fleuret, doing my sworn duty to end the prince." Stella sighed. And not for the first time, she regretted that Noctis had recently dyed his hair to be like hers. But as she really had no other plan to get her love out of Insomnia and to Galdin Quay, like they needed to go, Stella summoned her rapier to hand—still wondering how she was even able to do that, when she wasn’t of the line of Lucis—and gave it to Noct… And she selfishly prayed that as he did this, he didn’t make “her” look fat on camera. … A few days later, Stella, Noctis, and Ignis made it to Galdin Quay without too much preamble. Annoyingly, Noctis' plan had gone off without a hitch, and now all Stella had to do was convince this dodgy Dino character to help them and not alert to the world that he'd just seen the crown prince of Lucis. But Stella had this. She, after all, was the Nox Fleuret that no one had known what to do with, and thus had been sent to journalism school and she prepared to make full use of that fact now. "You won't say anything, Dino," Stella said, as she leaned towards where Dino was sitting on his bench and looked at him threateningly… something that Noctis seemed to approve of, as he wolf-whistled. "If you do, it'll cause a war and you know it. And you wouldn't want that. If a war starts, no one will be able to buy your newspapers." "And if you let me rot in jail, Miss Fleuret—because I don't think you're going to let me walk away like you say you are—you won't be able to get all of the pretty jewels that you love so much. And I’m responsible for their existence in these parts, don't you know?" The three friends collectively sighed, but Stella could tell it was Ignis who was the most perturbed. This had all started when Dino had recently tried blackmailed them into finding gems for them, and now they were just going around in circles. And ugh! The nerve of this jerk, in insinuating that she was materialistic just because she was a princess and loved fashion!- Stella was so angry, that she was about to pick Dino up by his collar and slam him into something—already forgetting that it was partly because he thought they'd be violent towards him that he was now acting the way he was—but thankfully, Noctis seemed to guess what she was about to do and put a reassuring hand on Stella's shoulder to halt her. "Bribery isn't a thing we've tried here? Right, Stell? Right, Iggy? Anyway, I see you eyeing the Ring of the Lucii here, Dino... What do you think about me letting you borrow it?” Stella and Ignis blanched at Noctis’ words. And while Stella had thought that Noctis had had some street smarts to him in the past, now she reallyhad to wonder. "Noct!" Ignis protested, seeming like he was about to steal said Ring from his prince's careless hands if he wasn’t careful. "Having the Ring may be the only way to undo your hideous fate. Why would you ever give it up?” But apparently Noctis had sized the situation up better than the other two had. Sighing, as he ran a hand over his face, Noct answered: "Because I saw the glint in Dino's eyes here when he first noted the Ring. My guess is that he at least wants to try and copy it right now. So if I go so far as to lend it to him, he won't stab me in the back or not give it back. Will you, Dino? Not when I’m letting you make a copy of the Ring, to do with what you will. Right?" "No, boss," said Dino, as he gleefully scratched his nose now—something that Stella rolled her eyes at, as he seemed to be trying to be a cool anime character—"I have no reason to betray you at all, do I ?" And before neither Stella or Ignis could say anything to still try and cautious Noctis, he was giving away his precious cargo and securing them passage for the next day... Though even if there being two Rings of the Lucii would mean that Noctis could fight back against his eventual fate, she still thought he too easily gave away a possible bargaining chip for other parts of his journey. ... There was electricity in the air, as Noctis and Stella stood in a room in Galdin Quay’s leville together. And while there was a large part of Stella that wanted to jump Noctis’ bones—she wouldn’t deny it—she didn’t, for right now they needed to talk about things like responsible adults. "Noct… I do get what you did with the Ring, but what are we going to do when we get back to Tenebrae now? As Oracle, Luna could’ve looked at the Ring and found a way to free you of its curse, but now-“ "…It was our only chance, Stella, and you know it. You too heard the footsteps of Niflheim soldiers coming up behind us, didn’t you? Soldiers and MTs that would have been too happy to deposit me back on my father’s doorstep. Only my putting the Ring in Dino’s hands that exact moment, allowed him to put us in his ship that circled us around Galdin Quay until they disappeared." Noctis had a hand on Stella’s cheek now, and it made her feel so loved. She got the sense that he was saying that—even though he didn’t want it—he’d made peace with the idea of his death… and it was mostly her that he didn’t want to see die, which was why he’d acted as he had. "Also, Stella… not that I doubt Luna. You know I don’t,” Noctis said with his lips so close to Stella’s now, that it was positively sinful that he didn’t just give in and stop torturing her. “But isn’t her duty as Oracle to fight against the Plague of the Stars no matter what? So why would she help me if I’m doubting my own role in that all now?” Despite the electrical current that had been passing between Stella and Noctis so readily here, she felt it give away some—and the old “enemies walls come back up—when Noct began doubting her little sister’s heart some. "…Because you know what a humanitarian Luna is, Noctis... And even of her crush on you, don’t you? So of course, she wouldn't want you to die to save the world and would rather look to find another way." Outside, it began snowing of all things—something that never happened in Galdin Quay, or so Stella was told—and it fit perfectly what Noctis said much, that restored the mood. “I guess… I guess I shouldn’t doubt her, huh? When I was trying to convince your family that you weren’t crazy for coming over to my side again, I bought Luna a white puppy to go along with her black one. And I know how much she loves Pryna…” But it wasn’t only Luna who loved Pryna. Pryna had been a blessing in Stella’s life, too, and she reached up on her tiptoes to kiss the man who had brought so much good to her life, honestly, and that who hopefully the gods would not take away from her. “Thank you for that, Noctis,” Stella whispered as she leaned in and kissed the back of Noctis’ neck now, with tears in her eyes. ... The next day—as the trio prepared to go to Altissia and then Tenebrae—Stella expected a bomb to go off… or something worse, since she couldn’t help feeling that they were getting off too easily lately. But no such thing happened. Instead, she found herself enjoying the breeze as she stood on Dino’s ship, but wishing she had a hat to wear to keep her hair from flying all over the place. And eventually—surely after he’d woken up more—Noctis stood behind Stella with his arms wrapped around her waist and his head buried in her hair, as they both stood there solemnly. It was clear to Stella that Noctis had feared last night that he’d also somehow lose her—as Stella had worried for him—and that feeling hadn’t disappeared yet. But halting the young adults’ depressing thoughts, was Ignis. He stepped towards where they were at in the center of the boat and cleared his throat. "Not to intrude on your moment, Highnesses, but we need to talk about who we can trust." This made Stella grimace: She knew well how Gladio’s recent betrayal had cut Noctis to the quick… and now everyone was unsure of Prompto since he was from Niflheim (that was why he wasn’t here now). And while Stella of course understood why Ignis was bringing this all up now—because they needed a game plan—there was a part of her unfairly mad at him for bringing about all this pain for Noctis again, when he was already feeling down. "…We can trust Vyv… Well as much as we can trust Dino, anyway. He’ll help us if we promise him good pictures of us to put in his articles" Stella muttered, surprising even herself that she was saying this and not mentioning her own siblings first. But that was obvious, so Stella had then chosen the only other person she could think of. “And wouldn’t you know that he’s also going to Altissia for some photography?” Ignis seemed like he had a lot to question about this, if Stella was reading his face right, but he didn't press the issue right away. Instead, he went over to the captain and told him to head back to Galdin Quay?! Stella couldn’t make sense of this, even though she didn’t doubt Ignis at all, when this was perhaps saying she should. What had he thought that she was wrong, and that Vyv was still in Lestallum? Right away, the captain seemed to try and follow Ignis’ request. But since he’d already been pulling the ship away from the port, he had to force it into a rough halt to try and getting going back the way they’d come. And this sent saltwater upon saltwater spraying into the ship, that poured into the captain’s bloodied hands and had him hissing in pain. And seeing this as the bad omen it surely was, Stella rushed over to the man’s side and ripped part of her shirt off so she could bandage his hands and apologized profusely. “I’m so sorry about what just happened here, Sir. I think- I think my friend was confused. We’re going to Altissia. And I’ll help you spin the wheel to get us there, if you’d like. I’ll also compensate you for your injuries.” And Stella made sure to show him her royal seal, just so he knew who he was dealing with and could believe her words. “I- I’m so sorry,” Ignis spoke brokenly, as he came to the captain himself now and rubbed the man’s back to try and make him feel better thatway. “I have no idea what came over me to tell you to go back to Galdin Quay. I’ve heard of daemons being able to confuse their targets before, but I-“ “It’s alright, Ignis. Don’t worry about it. The way you’ve taken care of me my entire life—and had to remember so much—… well, anyone would be tired from that.” This was Noctis, of course, saying what Stella felt… but she wasn’t entirely sure she believed it, either. Could it have been that Ignis was secretly keeping up correspondence with King Regis to throw him off, and was now getting confused? Or worse… could he have been on Regis’ side himself? Summoning her rapier to hand again, but trying to be discreet about it, Stella promised herself that she was going to work to strengthen whatever magic it was that allowed her to do this. … Stella saw the ocean city of Altissia beginning to show up before her very eyes seven hours later, and it was a sight to behold. It only came second to Tenebrae in her opinion, since she preferred floating plants to water in the sky, but it was still gorgeous. Once they were getting out of the ship, and showing their passes to some Altissian figureheads—Stella found herself asking Noctis something she really should have from the get-go: "I assume you set up a secret P.O. Box here, and that's where Dino's sending the Ring to when he’s eventually done with it?" "...Y-yeah. That was the plan," Noctis said in an almost embarrassed manner, with his hands in his pockets and a blush staining his cheeks as the three friends walked on the dock into the city. "Then I suggest we find it now, and whisper even quieter about it," Ignis quipped, with a hand on both Stella and Noctis’ shoulders both as he looked at them as though he was scolding children. So they took off to do exactly that.: after a near hour of trying to figure out the map and the streams, the trio found themselves in a gondola—ending up at the basement of a restaurant with a pinball machine in it, that Stella knew both Noct and Ignis were itching to get to. But in the back of the basement was a secret passage that led to the storage locker, rather than a P.O. box, where the Ring was. Noctis twisted the tumbler to the storage locker in an agitated manner, but it opened with a loud CREAK and there the Ring was: proven by the fact that Stella thought she could already see Noctis aging the moment he put it on. "Noctis," Stella said, kissing his cheek as she spoke, so he would know the love she felt for him when she said these next words. "Now that you know it's truly the Ring of the Lucii, and that Dino didn't pull a fast one on you... take it off. None of us want you to start dying." Noctis didn't have to be told twice. He had a faraway look on his face, as though he was remembering the Ring stealing his father's life force away, back when he cared, and then he ripped it off--putting it into the pocket of his jeans. "”Good, then,” Ignis smiled now: clearly as eager for Noctis to be rid of wearing the Ring as she is. “Things are actually going swimmingly right now, I think. Now all we need is to meet Vyv, like Lady Stella suggested, and head fo-“ But Ignis didn't get to finish that sentence, for at that exact moment a sentinel stabbed him through the shoulder with a flag. As brothers who had fought together so long, Noct was by Ignis’ side at once—stuffing a potion down his throat, that brought some color to his cheeks again—before using his arminger attack to send numerous of his weapons at the MTs. And while Stella wasn’t quite as skilled as Noctis, she tried to be fast and fluent—so that her blade was leaving sparks in many enemies’, too, and causing them to fall—but what actually did make them fall in the end, was the leader of Accordo, Camelia, coming their way with her lover Weskham hot on her heels. And she looked at Noctis as though she wanted him to prove to her that he wasn’t like his father… and yet the MTs obeyed her every command, because she was clearly in bed with Niflheim the way that even King Regis was now. “Camelia, speaking as someone who was once hoodwinked from Niflheim… how could you eve-“ But she wasn’t listening to Stella at all, and instead telling Noctis, “As petty as it is, my dear Weskham wants revenge on King Regis for being a terrible friend. So tell me your plight, oh prince of Lucis, and I may be willing to help in your cause.”

[lhugbereth]

Ah hi i was that anon that send u the iceskaterau and omg thank u!(u might have noticed, but i usually send prompts ending with 3 pervyemojis(ﾟωﾟ)srry if i spam u sometimes and thank you for answering every one!)（╹◡╹）and i got a lot more ideas! They invite eachother to watch their contests. Some people foundout about them, they made it to the headlines: love on ice. Gladio getting jealous of Prompto skating partner.Gladio teaching Prompto hockey but he somehow made it look elegant while doing it

Pervyemoji Anon, I love all of your sweet ideas! Thank you for starting this whole hockey/skater AU idea

Cheesy Cheese under the cut!! v v v

- Gladio isn’t really sure what he should call Prompto. He thinks they’re “seeing each other,” which to him means they sleep over at each other’s places a lot, have a lot of really, really good sex, and watch each other’s games/competitions when they can. Yet he also knows there’s more to it than that. There’s the texting, late at night and early in the morning. The smiles and the meaningful glances, the lightness he feels in his chest when they kiss. Not to mention going out for coffee, movies-and-chill nights (which actually sometimes involve just chilling together), and all the little things in between that make him wonder how he ended up falling so hard, so fast.

- He’s hesitant to use the word “love.” That word only ever gets people in trouble.

- But when he walks into the rink one day to see Prompto already on the ice, his hands around the waist of a beautiful young woman as they skate together in perfect unison, Gladio doesn’t know how else to explain the sudden and overwhelming pang of jealousy. It’s all he can do to keep from rushing into the rink and pulling them apart.

- Instead, he settles for skating out toward them with his hands in his pocket and his mouth set in a frown. “Hey,” he says flatly, looking from the girl to Prompto and back again.

- The pair skate to a stop. Prompto flashes him an oblivious smile. “Gladdy! You were late this morning, so Luna and I got started without you.”

- Luna?

- The young woman smiles as she holds out her hand to him. “Lunafreya Nox Fleuret. You must be the special friend Prom keeps telling me stories about.” From the way she’s smiling at him, lips curved at the corners in amusement, it’s clear that Prompto’s been telling her a lot more than just stories.

- “I’m Gladio, yeah. Did I miss something here?”

- “Oh, Luna’s in town to watch the competition this week. Her brother’s back in the men’s solo cup this season since he got banned from...pair skate….” Prompto flushes, glancing quickly at Luna as if worried he’s said too much. But she’s still busy appraising Gladio and doesn’t seem too bothered by it. “We were doing some warm ups while we waited for you.”

- Gladio grunts. He’s still caught up in the shock of having walked in on them, of having seen Prom’s hands on someone else, and even though he knows it’s stupid, he can’t shake the feeling of jealousy.

- Luckily for him, Luna seems to read his tight frown. She excuses herself, skating to the other end of the rink to practice jumps while giving the two men some privacy. Prompto quickly takes over, his eyes and smile bright as he draws up Gladio’s hands in his and begins to pull him across the ice. “Luna’s probably the best skater in Tenebrae,” he explains while they move together, starting with their footwork routine. “She and her brother won gold in the pair skate Gran Prix last year, but…. Ravus got in trouble.”

- From what Gladio knows of Tenebraens (which comes from his games against their hockey team, the Oracles), that surprises him. Despite a little elitism, they’re usually known for their exceptionally good sportsmanship. “What’d he do?”

- Prompto flushes again, but his smirk speaks volumes. “He fucked one of the judges during the finals.”

- Gladio snorts. As they skate together, hand in hand and with Prompto’s smile on him, his mood gradually improves. They do some drills, some speed runs, and Gladio shows off just how much better he’s gotten at graceful stops. Prompto smiles and praises him, catches up behind him and wraps his arms around his solid waist in the same manner he'd been holding Luna when he arrived. "I'd love to really skate with you one day," he says against his neck.

- Gladio feels it again, that lightness in his chest, and despite Prompto being a good head shorter, he leans back against his frame. "If you've got the patience to teach me."

- Lips against the rough-shaven line of his jaw finally bring out his smile. "Only if you've got the time to learn."

- Gladio thinks that yeah, he's got all the time in the world for Prom.

- A sudden flash of light and the rapid click of a camera shutter startle them both out of the moment. They turn in time to see two figures, one tall and lean, the other short and portly, making a run for the exit. Luna is already shouting after them, her skates flying off at the edge of the rink as she starts to give chase.

- "Gladio, who was -- ?!"

- He doesn't hear the rest. Putting all his years of endurance and stamina training to the test, Gladio hops the side of the rink and goes barreling after the cameramen. His skates are going to be ruined, he can hear the metal scraping on the concrete floor as each foot comes down, but in the end it's all for nothing. He and Luna lose sight of the men in the parking lot out back.

- Prompto comes racing out a moment later. Gladio is sitting on the ground, swearing darkly as he tugs his skates off his feet, and Luna looks like she's going to cry. "Who the fuck were they?"

- "I'm so sorry, Prompto," Luna says softly. She reaches for him, catches sight of Gladio’s feral glare, and shrinks back. "Ever since the thing with Ravus… They've been following us. I didn’t imagine they'd be here in Insomnia, too, but…."

- Paparazzi. Gladio knows all about them. About how they once hounded his father after another player had been snubbed for the Hall of Fame in favor of Clarus. There had been heated tension among the NHL community for months. The dirty journalists had thrived on it.

- And how they had gotten a shot of him and Prompto on the ice. It was only a matter of time before that bomb dropped and their...relationship made public. What would happen then? Clarus had barely managed to hold onto his career in the midst of the rumors, even with Regis Caelum at his side. Gladio’s name might save him, but Prompto…?

- "What are we gonna do, Gladdy? What if that picture gets out?" Chewing his lip, Prompto looks frantically between him and Luna. His eyes are round, red, scared. He's holding back tears. He thinks that maybe they can deny it, claim the photo was shopped, but Gladio is well aware that there’s no quelling the rumors once they start. They really have only one option at this point - to beat the paparazzi at their own game. But they've got to act fast.

- And as soon as they're done, Gladio swears he’s going to find those assholes and rip them limb from limb.

- The photo does indeed get printed on the front page of the next morning’s sports tabloids. "Amicitia and Argentum heating things up on the ice!" reads the headline, but by then it's already old news. Between the three of them (mostly Luna), every social media site on the web had blown up overnight. A single selfie, much clearer than any paparazzi shot, showed Gladio’s smile pressed to Prompto’s ear and their hands curled together in a heart at the bottom of the frame. The hashtag #boyfriendsonice (also Luna’s idea) was trending in a matter of hours. Prompto (who had already come out publicly) wrote a touching message to his fans, thanking them for their support as he explored this new, wonderful relationship with his hunky hockey player.  

- Gladio, who was less active online, got his teammates to help spread the word. The homepage for the Insomnia Kings hosted the selfie, too, with the caption, “Love is love, no matter what team you skate for!” (This one earned Gladio a call in the middle of the night from Clarus, of course, but that was still preferable over the alternatives).

- In the end, the show of support was overwhelming. They were still getting heartfelt letters and gifts from fans days later, and tickets to Gladio’s game that weekend ended up selling out. He had to pull some strings to get rinkside seats for Luna and Prompto. But amidst all the cheering and the limelight, he was grateful to know they were there. Luna had quickly proven herself a true friend, and Prompto….

- Well, Gladio no longer had any doubts about what he felt for his brave, beautiful boyfriend. And he was certainly done with hiding it.