#and the fact they couldn't meaningfully comfort each other for years?

[rosvyy]

brotherly love

[nothing-but-dreamy]

FOREVER

Pairing: FFXV!NYX ULRIC x FEM!READER

Words: 2.331

Warnings: fluff, hurt-comfort

"Having a new girlfriend there?", Libertus teased what earned him a slap against his arm from Crowe.

"No, guys. That's Yn. She's ... She arrived here in Insomnia yesterday.", Yamachang introduced the small woman next to his side, "Please, be nice to her."

Yn felt nervous as the group of friends stared at her. Five pairs of eyes were looking expectant as if she had to tell a big story about herself. Just one pair of eyes was different. The eyes of the guy with the name Nyx made her speechless. It was their intensity that caught her attention. The handsomeness of the man kept her in his unspoken spell.

"Where do you come from, Yn?", Crowe asked softly as she saw how nervous the young woman seemed to be in front of a bunch of strangers.

Yn smiled softly, thankful to get distracted, "Galahd. I'm from Galahd."

***

It didn't need much time til Yn was a big part of the group of friends. Pelna, Libertus, Crowe and Luche included her immediately. Making her feel welcomed. Nyx did the same with the difference that, within a very short time, Yn was far more for him than just a friend. She was home.

Whenever he saw her, Nyx' heart made a little jump because, in a bitter-sweet, beautiful way, she reminded him of what he had lost. It was as if she had taken everything from the island to store it inside of her. Piece by piece, she released parts of it. Her voice was like the wind in the trees. Her laugh was like the singing of the birds. Her smile was as bright as the endless sky. And her eyes were sparkling like the open sea on a fresh summer day.

Every day, after his shift with the Glaives, Nyx was eager to go to Yamachang's with the hope to meet Yn again. Just to be in her presence gave him comfort because her character was so light and easy to have around. And that was everything Nyx allowed to himself: to have her around him with the others because he was far away from being the right man for her.

Every evening, when the Glaives came, Yn looked out for Nyx and smiled shyly at him when he passed her. But one evening was different. The others were already there but Nyx was nowhere to be seen.

"Nyx comes a bit later.", Crowe said low, stepping next to Yn as she saw her searching glance, "He... He works at the gate watch at the moment."

"Oh, why?", Yn asked, frowning why he did this unusual job. Every refugee learnt quickly how the gate watch was thinking of outsiders.

"Well... as punishment. During our last fight at the wall, he ignored our Captain's orders. If he wouldn't have done that, some of us would be dead now.", Crowe explained before she went back to Pelna to ask him something.

Yn dwelled on what Crowe had told her and as Nyx showed up finally, her heart made a jump as her eyes landed on the hero.

"Nyx the gatekeeper. Tell me, how's the new post treat you.", Pelna asked even if he knew the answer already.

"The gate watch are real sweethearts. You would love it.", Nyx said sarcastically and brought Yn back to reality from her day dreaming.

"Yeah, everyone knows that they hate us outsiders.", Pelna said and thanked Yn with a smile as she gave him a new drink.

Yn turned over to Nyx and looked at him. She smiled beautifully as their eyes met. And he smiled back softly like always, taking the drink from her she offered him. But he did nothing more. It wouldn't be fair to drag her into his chaotic life. No matter how much he wanted someone next to him. To have someone just for himself. Who would care for him more than just as a friend. Someone who would be there for him. But he couldn't demand from Yn to live a life of pain and uncertainty just so he wouldn't be lonely. Even when she represented everything he was searching for.

***

Then, one evening, a few days later, Yn waited til the night that Nyx would show up at Yamachang's but he stayed away. Pelna told her not to worry too much. Nyx was still working at the gate and maybe he had a rough day. But Yn worried because she liked the greyish haired Glaive so much. So, she asked Yamachang for a bunch of meat skewers, wrapped them and as the friends were gone, she made her way through the underground to reach his place.

It wasn't far away but with each step, Yn noticed how her hands became sweaty and she became nervous. It was the first time to visit him and as she knocked, Yn already considered what she was doing but then, there was no turning back as she heard footsteps behind the door.

As Nyx opened the door, he expected Libertus or Crowe. But the last he expected were the bright eyes and wide smile he loved to see so much, "Yn? What are you doing here?", Nyx asked surprised.

Yn, who was always a bit nervous around Nyx, gnawed on her lower lip, "Y-you weren't at Yamachang's tonight.", she said low, casting her eyes to the ground.

Nyx scratched the back of his neck. To stay away had been a hard decision but he noticed how he started to fall for the young woman, so he wanted to keep some distance from her, "Yeah... I... I wasn't in the best mood. I just wanted to be alone.", he lied and felt bad as he saw that she believed him.

Yn's eyes grew a bit bigger as she realized that she had done the wrong thing, "Oh... Oh... Uhm... I- I'm ... Okay, then I will leave you alone again. Sorry for bothering you.", she stammered and noticed her cheeks turning pink. Understanding that the idea had been stupid after all, Yn turned over to leave.

Nyx knew he should let her go, it would be the easiest way, but as he saw her sad, disappointed expression, he couldn't watch her walk away like this, "No! Please, wait. You're not bothering me. I was just surprised... I have just don't expect you here.", he said with a soft smile as he saw her stopping.

Yn looked down at the small package in her hand, "Yeah, about that... I brought you some food. I thought you might be hungry.", she said and looked carefully at him.

Nyx was taken aback about the fact that she cared so much about him, "That's so nice from you.", he said and watched amazed how a beautiful smile spread on her lips and before Nyx could stop himself he spoke again, bubbling out the question he had in mind, "You... Do you wanna come in?"

Yn was surprised about his invitation but she agreed. Happily, she watched how Nyx seemed to devour the food in one go as if he hadn't eaten in years. Nyx had placed Yn into his comfortable arm chair, the only neat place he could find for her before he sat on his bed to eat.

While letting him eat, Yn looked through the room. Her eyes landed on the pictures of his family and felt sadness for his loss. She knew how he felt, being in the same position as him as she had come to Insomnia. She also had lost her family, her home and was alone. Yn was thankful for Yamachang and that he had introduced her to his friends. But as she watched Nyx, the feeling of being more than just friends with him increased even more.

So, as it became late and she was about to leave Nyx' place to go home, Yn took all her courage to try her luck, "Nyx, I... I- I like you.", she said softly, stopping at the door where Nyx wanted to say goodnight.

"I like you, too.", Nyx said casually, not thinking about what she really meant.

Once again, Yn became nervous as she looked up at him, "N-no, I-I- I mean I like you.", she said more meaningfully.

"But, I.... Oh...", Nyx breathed as he realized. She had said what he wanted to hear and yet, it was the last thing he should hear from her considering the fact that he didn't see himself as worthy of her.

"Yeah...", Yn said low and looked away from his intense glance.

There were the things Nyx wanted to say desperately and then, there were the things he should say, "Yn...", he sighed, annoyed more about himself, "You shouldn't like me that way.", he said low.

Yn looked up, "Why not?", she asked impulsively before she realized what Nyx meant, "Oh, I see... You don't feel the same. I... Uhm... Okay.", she said crestfallen and just wanted to leave, getting away from Nyx and his handsome face.

As Nyx saw her like this, his heart dropped and even if it would be the best to let her go, he couldn't do it like this, "Yn, wait. It's not because of you.", he said softly.

"Sure. What a cliché.", Yn said low, not looking at him.

Nyx took a breath, "No, just wait. Yn, you're wonderful, beautiful, lovely... you're gorgeous but ... I'm a Glaive. This life is nothing you would deserve. Not after everything you went through. Nothing would be certain with me. You would fear for my life whenever I wear this uniform. You would have sleepless nights because you don't know if I'm still alive or not during a battle. We would fight often because you ask me to quit the job and I would say no. I would feel bad for making you sad because I couldn't change it. And even if no one else sees it, I'm broken. I have nightmares and flashbacks at random times. Why would you want to deal with a guy like me?"

"Because I think you're worth it.", Yn said, seeing that her words hit the man in front of her.

Insecurity was written in Nyx' eyes but there was also hope. Hope that she really meant what she just said.

Yn stepped forward by the sight of his emotion-filled eyes, "I can't heal your wounds and I can't stop your nightmares but I can comfort you. I can be there for you when you need someone to cling to. I could be there for you when you need someone to bring you back from your flashbacks. Of course, I would worry for you when you're out there because I want you to come back into my arms. I would try to get you away from the Glaives even if I know I would never be successful. And that's okay. That's how you are. But I wouldn't stop trying. I wouldn't stop fighting. You know why I would do all this? Because I don't see any flaws in you. For me, you're the nicest, most handsome and most perfect guy I have ever seen. Your eyes are the bluest and wildest, matching the deepest ocean. When you talk, I could listen to you for hours. Your lips are the ones I'm craving for to taste, at least just once. I would admire every single scar on your body because they're the signs of your endless strength, devotion and determination. You might not see yourself as perfect. But you don't have to. Because I see you like this.", she stopped her speech with a pounding heart. While still looking into his eyes, she gnawed on her lower lip before she added, "Let me love you, Nyx. You don't have to be alone. Let me in your life and I promise I will try to make it easier for you.", she whispered and waited for his reaction. She had said everything on her mind. Everything she always thought when she saw him. Now, it was his turn to react.

A single tear slipped from Nyx' eyes and rolled along his cheek. Yn raised her hand slowly to brush it away with her thumb. Just this small touch kindled a roaring fire inside of him. Still overwhelmed that someone thought about him like this, he stepped forward, cupping her face softly in fear she could break under his hands before he connected their lips for a desperate kiss.

Yn's fingers found their way into his shirt to get hold as Nyx' reaction took her by surprise. The hero kissed her with such a force that her breath hitched in her throat but she didn't even care. The only thing she wanted was to have the man even closer. Slowly, she stroked from his chest down to his hips and over them to his back to slip her hands underneath the fabric of his shirt to feel his skin.

As Nyx felt Yn's nails digging softly into his skin, he backed away for some air. Panting, he leant his forehead against hers with closed eyes while his heart was racing in his chest, "Can you stay? Forever?", he whispered shakily.

"Actually, my plan was to bring you food so you wouldn't be starving but yeah, I think I can manage to stay forever as well.", she whispered and was happy to hear a soft chuckle escaping his lips.

"I was already starving and then you came along, making me happy just with your being.", Nyx whispered, looking her into the eyes, "And now, you turn into the reason why I always want to come back home. Obviously, now, I have to be a bit more cautious.", he whispered before he embraced her, burying his nose into the crook of Yn's neck to inhale her scent and to bring her even closer.

Bursting with joy, Yn flung her arms around the hero's chest, snuggling against him with the promise to never let him go.

[skywrestledabearonce]

I'm tired of age barriers and people saying that age gals are wrong and gross, so let me rant now. For my entire life relationships were nonexistent for me. Not because I was bad at them or ugly or whatever but because I have a hard time finding honest people to spill my soul to and still be accepted.

I grew up with boys older than me and they never seemed to be more mature..man children. I went through relationships with girls and women alike, both more mature in general but still not what I was looking for. Girls were always too needy and women were always too caddy. I didnt find love there but I sure dove down the rabbit hole of passion. I went back and forth between male and female relationships in my age group for a long time and didnt get anywhere past meaningless sex.

I started to feel lost in my age, my experiences, and my lack of. It wasnt until I felt condemned to loneliness did I start to really consider something alternative and frowned upon. I started seeing older people. Now I'm not talking 65 year olds, no graverobbing for me, but older can also mean 25 if you are a 15yr old, so it's all relative. And that's the thought that captured my imagination. The fact that age is relative, a through the looking glass kind of lifestyle.

I started fast, I went to my local dive bar, had a few drinks, and played darts until some hot milf stumbled my way and called me cute. I'd usually go home with her. Eventually my place quickened and I'd snag older women and men, 2 at a time some times, from the bar to go eat eachother in the next door outdoor hotel hottub afterhours. This was thrilling for me, feeling praised just for my innocence and lack of crows feet! That soon faded to shame as I realized how desperate I must have been coming off. Waiting at the bar every night like a lost puppy dog waiting on its master.

I took some time off from the bar scene after that, settled into my job. At this point my job was kind of up in the air as well, I was working at festivals as hired security in my time off to try and get a foot in the production. I shrunk back into my own head with psychedelic experiences and tried not to push my sexual agenda on the world. That was awesome and a great learning experience but it still made me feel lonely. Only after I had let go of sexual expectation entirely did I happen to meet the man I stand with today. I didnt know it then of course.

2 years of festival work and I finally got myself a position on the roof building crew, my boss was firm, build strong,and at times, very aggressive. He really wasnt my type. He was older, 36 to my mere 21, but he seemed light at heart. We worked alongside eachother for 2 days, me subtly building up my interest and the confidence to flirt. I didnt know where my interest had spawned, he didnt even have any tattoos! But alas I couldn't shake my feelings and I wanted to make a move but couldnt. I had done so much selfloating recently that I couldn't find myself attractive and thus could not project sexuality of any sort toward this person I was developing feelings for.

The other 2 gentleman that had been on the crew for years saw a bit of my struggle and out of their own self interests, invited me out to go dancing that night. I of course, pregamed with a half a bottle of tequila and half drunkenly guilt tripped the boss into heading out with us. He did, and I proceeded to very drunkenly at this point, dance all over him in a bikini and a fur coat until 3am.

By the end of the night our coworkers had realized who I had eyes for and did an Irish goodbye before I could follow them back to camp. My boss offered I stay in his tent since mine was a mile or so walk back and given my outfit, I obliged. That night, he didnt take me as a begging little girl or a drunk horny women. He looked me in my eyes and very meaningfully asked me if he could kiss me.

It was the most amazing feeling, to not judge them for being themselves and to not be judged in return. I'm sure that night I came off trashy and needy but he asked my permission as if I had a crown atop my head and a flawless track record. At the time I didnt know his age, not he mine. It was a moment shared between two people who met somewhere they both enjoy, they went dancing, and the made whoopy under the stars.

The next day he woke up and left early to get me flowers and a drink. When I woke up I thought he was gone, he found me walking down the hill back to my camp. He dragged me to his favorite hammock spot and we watched the sunrise together, swinging in the wind. Somewhere in all of it I started feeling inexperienced in comforts like this is and I tried to tell him my age, trying to shorthand myself before I even knew it. He said he knew already and that I had seemed an old soul when we met, he didnt care. He tried to explain away his age, as if he knew it would ruin it for me. It didnt. We were just two people, of any age, of no age, that met and fell in love because of our similar interests.

It took me another 2 years to come to terms with telling my family and friends that I was seeing an older man. Some of my friends called me golddigger and never spoke to me again. Some chose to speak about me behind my back and sour my reputation around my hometown. My family did the same. He was also abandoned by his friends and family, some of whom left us voicemails detailing what a "homewrecking whore" I was and telling me to go back to daycare. We felt so alienated by the people in our age groups, our friends, the ones that were supposed to get us and have our backs. The only time I felt listened to was with this older man and finally I just gave up.

I said "fuck em". My prince charming and I got a house together, share a dog, and a life and I finally made new friends that let me be me. I look back on days where I felt so lost in the social context of love and relationships and I'm sad I was too wrapped up in "socially acceptable" to get it.

Age is relative, I know that now. It's not about finding someone your age you can get along with and have kids with. Its finding that one soul out there in earth that gets you and likes you anyway. World experience can come to a person quickly because of troubled pasts, like mine, or slowely because of a sheltered upbringing.

Age doesn't make you wise, it's the experience gained in that time, the acknowledgment of one own successes and failures over time and time again. That means that people mature at different rates, grow faster than others, discover areas of themselves years before or after others even dream of trying.

Now I'm 25 and I have been with the same man for 5 years and counting. It's amazing.

We are 14 years and 5 months apart in age but we understand and love eachother deeply. That's all that counts. We have each others backs.

For anyone that took the time to read this, I hope yall gleamed the point here, being

DONT LET "SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE" OR "POLITICALLY CORRECT" DISUADE YOU FROM TRYING NEW THINGS OR BEIN WITH THE PERSON YOU WANT TO BE WITH.

FIND LOVE WHEREVER IT FINDS YOU AND DONT LOOK BACK AT THE HATERTOTS.

THERE IS NO SHAME IN BREAKING THE MOLD, THE ONLY SHAME IS IN BEING MOLDED.

Have a nice day, I feel better now. Time for cake.