#ardyn voice: yeah sure why not

[sparklecryptid]

Inspired by one of @raven-6-10 latest asks:

Pre-reveal Ace gets deaged in the Citadel (visiting glaives?) and in his panic at being on the mainland in front of the king/king-adjacent people accidentally activates one of Ardyn's emergency beacons. Cue Ardyn warping in ready to Murder™ and Ace jumps at him and calls him Dad.

Several things occur in the instant between Ace seeing the King in person for the first time and making the choice to strategically retreat and one of the Glaives firing off a new spell they were testing. Ace backs away from the King and his retainers, Cor notices Ace backing away and makes a beeline for him, Ace pales and attempts to disengage from his conversation with Luche to avoid Co and then the spell the Glaive was casting misfires and hits Ace square in the chest before any of them can react.

There is a brief flash of light and when the light dims everyone is staring at a child.

Ace stares at the area he's in, the people he's in front of, and though he hides it well the growing panic on his face is obvious. Nyx and Libertus are the first to move but then-

Another flash of light and Ardyn is there. The relief on Ace's face made more apparent with how worry had worn its way into it mere seconds before.

"Dad!" Ace calls and clings to Ardyn's coat.

Libertus makes a noise like someone stabbed him.

Nyx looks like he's rewriting several pages of his future plans.

Luche suddenly has a headache the size of an imperial battleship.

Regis coughs and the attention diverts to the King.

"Chancellor." Regis is pleasant even when he doesn't want to be. "Mind telling me the reason for this intrusion?"

"You have my son." The answer is direct and Ace looks like he wants the ground to swallow him whole. "I would be remiss as a parent if i allowed anything to happen to him, isn't that right Father?"

[itsgeecheebitch]

TITLE: Until Darkness Descends

CHAPTER: 24

FANDOM: Final Fantasy XV

MAIN PAIR: Ardyn Izunia x Reader

SEC. PAIR: Gladiolus Amicitia x Reader

RATING: Explicit

       “Feeling well enough for visitors I hope.” Ardyn said, the top of his head nearly touching the ceiling. Your bottom lip found its way between your teeth. You didn’t know how to feel about seeing Ardyn in the caravan with you. Unease unfurled in your gut like a serpent rousing from its slumber, demanding that you leap out of bed and put miles between you. But a part of you wanted to hug him and relish in the company you had been missing for far too long. 

        He was a major part of your life after all, and not seeing him for the past two years had made a part of you feel empty, as though there was a piece of you that was missing. 

       “Y-yeah.” You said and he took a seat on the bed. An unbearable silence settled over the room like a torrential storm, battering your body with rain and making you shrink into yourself. You picked at your nails, you’ve never felt uncomfortable around Ardyn before. He was a comforting sight for many years, but a nagging feeling hammered the back of your skull, and made you want to run and hide. 

       “I must say you gave me quite the scare back there. I suppose your affliction hasn’t gotten any better over the years”. Ardyn said, seemingly unaware of the stifling tension in the room. 

        You shook your head, “it did but it came back.”

       “Any idea why?”

        None that you wanted to share so you said no. Silence invaded the room once more. It was so quiet you were certain you could hear the blood rushing through your ears. The relationship you and Ardyn shared was always an easy one, so why was it so hard to speak? Why did your veins shrink at the thought of being alone with him?. He did nothing to slight you and you did nothing to hurt him as far as you knew, yet there was a chasm between you. It felt like you were worlds apart. 

        You hung your head low and seized the blanket in your grasp. You let out a question you held onto for the past twenty-five months “So…why did you stop visiting me?”

        “It was business, I’m afraid.” He said. “It came at such a short notice I hadn’t the time to bid you a proper farewell. But I kept you in my thoughts, nevertheless.” The admission warmed your numbed skin. A smile crept over your face despite yourself.

      “I must say,” he began, giving you a smile of his own, “the years have treated you well, my dear. You have come a long way from the girl I knew who needed help with her calculus homework.”

       You snorted at the reminder. “I didn’t always need help.”

        “Only most of the time.” He replied. A sad sort of happiness closed the distance between you. You remembered those nights spent hunched over your desk, your table covered in a heap of calculus notes. In that very Ardyn way of his, he  appeared when you least expected him but needed him the most. He made sense of the confusing equations in front of you. His voice was soothing, coaching, and he hadn't lost his patience with you, no matter how many times he had to rephrase an explanation. 

          When you received your first ‘A’ in the class, he was the first person you ran to, not your adopted parents, not your friends, but Ardyn. You couldn’t think of anyone more important to share the news with than him.  The memory fluttered in your chest and made you mourn the old days, where your relationship with Ardyn wasn’t sullied by a nonexistent conflict.

           “Good thing I had a good tutor…I missed you, you know.” You said.

         Ardyn chuckled, “I missed you too, Aera. But I’m sure I wasn't missed too terribly, not with all the friends you’ve made. Especially that Amicitia that carried you here, is he your boyfriend?”

       Just like that a chill slammed into your chest. Adrenaline seized your muscles and made your tongue squirm with a lie. You picked at your cuticles, trying to ignore the goosebumps that raised on your arms. ‘Because you belong to me’. What would Ardyn do if you told the truth? Fearful eyes landed on his hands, your throat bobbed from the memory of how they felt around your wrists.   

       Realizing you were taking too long you gave him a shaky, “y-yeah,” before you could stop yourself. Your hands flew to your mouth, your eyes wide with the fear of what’s to come. 

       But he did something you least expected, he smiled and squeezed your knee. “Young love is a beautiful thing, isn’t it? I suppose an official meeting is in order, but of course for another time.” Flabbergasted, you rescinded your hands and suddenly felt very silly. Of course he wasn't going to react the same way he did in your dream, this was reality, you needed to learn how to separate the two.

       His eyes fell on the silver chain around your neck. “Is that the necklace I gave you?”

       You looked down at the glinting accessory and touched the chain with your fingertips. “Yeah, I started wearing it again after a while.” You said. It was a gift he gave you so many years ago and one you cherished for just as long. Once you realized Ardyn wasn’t coming back you started to wear it everyday. It was a comfort to you while he was away. You took solace in the happy memories it brought you, and hoped it would wash away the nightmare that arose in his absence. But of course It didn't.  “It goes good with all my clothes.”

        Ardyn wrapped his fingers around the tiny heart that accented the necklace. His fingers grazed over your chest, sending bolts of electricity where his skin touched yours. You weren’t sure if it was a good feeling or a bad one. 

       He rescinded his hand, a small smile still on his face. “I see, it becomes you even more than it did before.”

         Thirty minutes after Ardyn left, Gladiolus returned, announcing his arrival with heavy footsteps upon the stairs. His skin was sunkissed after spending hours beneath the tropical sun. “How’re you holding up, babe?”

          “Fine, just needed a little rest is all. Any news on the ferry?” You didn’t get a wink of sleep in fact, after Ardyn left you were wired like you drunk six shots of espresso. Never in your wildest dreams did you think you would react to Ardyn the way you did, with a mountain of distrust and fear on your shoulders. It was a mundane encounter, yet it left your good hand trembling like you were waiting for the second shoe to drop. You had no idea how the reunion would play out, you weren't even sure if he was still alive during the last two years, but you most certainly didn't expect that dream to play a role.

        Now it ruined what should've been a happy encounter between two friends, you would always hate yourself for it. Gladiolus leaned against the kitchen counter, his arms folded over his chest. "Yeah, turns out that creep was right, the docks are closed".

       "They're closed?! Bu-what are we going to do, the wedding is in six days!" In a panic your hand flew into your hair. Missing the wedding would have dire consequences, not only would it bring shame upon the crown but it could nullify the peace treaty between Lucis and the empire, that could mean the end of the kingdom as you knew it.

       "It'll be fine." He promised, not showing an ounce of the panic that bristled out of your skin. Seeing his lack of concern pacified your anxiety some. "We found a guy who could snag us a few tickets for the next ferry. We just gotta find a couple of gems for him."

      That sounded way too simple to be comfortable. "Sounds reasonable I guess, I just hope it's not too dangerous." You were 100% certain the task would be dangerous. Why else would a total stranger barter expensive ferry tickets in exchange for gems he could get himself? They were either too hard to find or too dangerous to covet, either way it meant trouble for your friends and there was nothing you could do to help. 

        Gladiolus gave you an unceremonious shrug. "If it is, we could handle it."

         "I guess." You said. "So where are the boys?"

          "Out fishing with Noct, that should give us plenty of time to ourselves." He sauntered over to where you laid on the bed and sat next to you. The cheap mattress groaned under the added weight. "Been meaning to check out that massage parlor if you’re still interested."

        "What about Noct?"

         "He'll be fine for a few hours." Gladiolus said. "If anything Ignis is with him, he'll keep those two knuckleheads outta trouble. Besides," he slid his hands over your denim clad hips , "I would rather spend my time with you than with those three mugs."

         Your smile came easier this time and you pressed your lips against his. Euphoric thrills rolled over your skin and you carded your fingers through his soft raven strands. A masculine groan whispered over your mouth as you deepened the kiss. Peaches was wrong. She was wrong about everything, there was no darkness to worry about, no betrayal in your future, only happiness because Gladiolus was your future.

         His full weight completely settled over you. You shivered as hard planes and chiseled muscles touched your soft  and smooth flesh. Gladiolus’ lips moved over yours in a synchronized dance. His fingers glided over your shoulder before cupping your cheek and pulling you in for more.

         “I love you.” You confessed against his lips.

          You could feel him smile against yours. “How much?” He asked in a teasing voice rough with desire.

           “This much.” You wrapped your good arm around his neck. His clean spicy scent only spurred the insatiable urge to feel his naked skin against yours, to be consumed by him so completely you forget your woes for all eternity. 

          His lips found its way to your jaw, pressing open mouth kisses on the unmarked skin there. Electrified need pulsed throughout your body so fervently it blotted out everything else that wasn’t Gladiolus and your need to be touched. 

         Cool air tickled your stomach as he lifted your shirt for his awaiting mouth. Your stomach muscles fluttered beneath his lips and you tugged on his hair. 

        Hooking his fingers into your denim shorts, he pulled them over your legs till you were only left in your lacy red panties. Hunger darkened his eyes and made your whole body throb, vying for a release only he could give you. 

         Gladiolus found your neck once more, kissing and sucking your pulse point till it bloomed red. Your eyes fluttered open and found a small window on the opposite side of the caravan. Your heart stopped in your chest, the bed collapsing beneath you. 

         Amber eyes glared back at you, trapping your very soul in ice. You gasped, your body flinching off the bed. “What’s wrong, is it another migraine?” Gladiolus lifted his head from the crook of your neck and searched your wide terrified orbs. 

       A cold sweat peeled away your skin as you looked back at the window, only to find nothing but a darkening world beyond it. With a mouth full of cotton you sat up. Gladiolus sat beside you and grasped your hand, the warmth from his skin bringing a calm to the storm. 

      “Yeah, it just came out of nowhere.” You lied, but it was much better than admitting to a hallucination. Your stomach roiled, the moment ruined beyond repair.

         Sighing, Gladiolus climbed out of the bed and combed his fingers through his tousled hair. “I’ll see if I can find some pain killers for you. Need anything else while I’m gone?”

         Your sense of normalcy, perhaps? A tight smile stretched over your teeth, you hoped he wouldn't see right through it. “No, thank you babe.”

[savage-rhi]

Mending Shadows // Chapter 12

Summary:

Y/N was a simple Scavenger of Lucis, until meeting a deadly blow at the hands of an infected creature. At the crossroads of death, they are found by Niflheim’s cryptic Chancellor with his own agenda. Now bonded to Ardyn Izunia, and tossed into the world of Niflheim, Y/N struggles to cope with their new life as an Imperial Icon all the while battling their feelings toward their fate and that of Ardyn’s.

Click here to read on AO3

The airship landed with a gentle thud upon a field of grassland and trees. Not long after, did Ardyn and Y/N venture out of the shuttle once the area was assessed to be safe. The afternoon sun was intense, causing Y/N to shield their eyes initially when they stepped out into the world.

Ardyn raised a brow while he made his observations. He didn’t say a word and gestured for Y/N to follow him close. It had been a few days since he made his dark pact with Y/N, and the last thing he wanted was to lose them on the eve of finding out where the Medzin base was located. From a recent kingsguard Ardyn had interrogated, he knew they were getting close. It was not a matter of if but when they would find Outpost 98.

Stepping over debris, Ardyn made note of how quiet Y/N had been as of late. The process of scourge bonding wasn’t a common occurrence among daemonic entities, but that didn’t fully account for the near lifelessness they seemed to invoke. He cleared his throat, garnering Y/N's attention.

“Did you see something?” Y/N asked.

“No,” Ardyn shook his head. “I can’t help but notice you seem…off.”

“Off?”

He nodded. “Most people in your position would be sticking their nose in where they don’t belong. I haven’t so much as heard a peep out of you since the day we met.”

“I'm sorry then?” Y/N shrugged, feeling dumbfounded. “I’m in the mentality of I’m going to die at the end of this, so what’s the point in speaking?”

Ardyn chuckled. “You’re a diamond in the rough.”

He didn’t catch onto the faint smile that graced Y/N’s mouth, nor the little blush that crept across their cheeks.

“Ardyn,”

“Hm?”

“If you want to talk about something, all you have to do is say so.” Y/N remarked.

His head tilted to the side as he gave them a scrutinizing stare. “What makes you assume I want to confide in you?”

“I don’t know for sure, but it seemed like you were trying to give me an in.”

“An in?”

Y/N nodded. “Yeah, a way into a conversation. Like you want to talk about something, but don’t know how to broach it.”

Ardyn mused on the thought for a time before responding. “Perhaps you may be right. Well, I have these faint memories of yours lurking about my head, and you can say that I’ve been rather curious about them.”

“My memories?”

“Correct,” Sensing their apprehension, Ardyn gestured between himself and Y/N for emphasis. “It’s a residual effect from scourge bonding I’m afraid. I take it your occupation was a rather dangerous one?”

The startled look on their face had Ardyn stifle, wanting to laugh at their expense.

“I'm a Scavenger, er, was,” Y/N began. “We’re like Hunters, except we seek out rare treasures for folks who don't have the strength nor can take the risk. It didn't pay all the bills, but it was fun.”

“Ah, a thrill seeker!" Ardyn mused. “I didn’t believe you were the type.”

“I like having freedom, and not having a boss telling me what to do.” Y/N corrected.

“I’d argue that’s not the case,” Ardyn laughed.

“Why’s that?”

“If you didn’t like having a boss, you most certainly wouldn’t have agreed to this little union of ours.” He smirked at Y/N when their eyes met his. The glare they shot toward him was endearing much like a dog performing a trick. “And there it is.”

“Where what is?”

“That tiny gleam of fire I saw in you when we first became acquainted. I was beginning to fear it was lost. It’s needed for the tribulations we are about to endure.”

“Speaking of enduring,” Y/N’s voice trailed off while they gathered their thoughts. Y/N had been keeping many questions bottled up for the sake of coping with their end fate. However, there was something that dug at the back of their head. They let out a gentle breath, bracing themself for anything that was to come from this.

“You said you are Adagium,”

“That I did.” Ardyn muttered bitterly. “What do you know of it?”

“I heard tall tales throughout my life. How at the base of Angelgard, there lurked a monster that had been locked away by the founder king of Lucis. If the monster was disturbed on a night of a storm under a full moon, Eos would drown in a void. I thought it was superstitious prattle. Stuff to scare the the crap out of kids to get them to sleep.”

Ardyn chortled darkly. “Unfortunately, not so much.”

“So that’s your end game?”

“More or less. I’m destined to battle the king of light, as the gods ordained. Such a showdown is to have a reckoning. In the end, both shall perish.” Ardyn felt a pull in his stomach, and was unsure about entertaining Y/N any further. “Luckily for you, after Outpost 98 is taken care of and you’ve said goodbye to your loved ones, you won’t have to bear witness to calamity.”

“So the gods do exist…” Y/N’s voice trailed off.

“Sadly, I can confirm. They are dreadful creatures, not worth bending a knee to their ilk.” Ardyn huffed. "Consider yourself blessed you don't fall within their eyes.”

“Aren’t they keeping tabs on you though?”

The fear in Y/N’s voice amused Ardyn to no end. He could tell they believed the gods would strike them down at any moment. With a smile, he put a hand on Y/N's shoulder, giving a soft squeeze before letting them go.

“There’s no need to fret,” Ardyn began. “The only one that so much as cares about prophecy is the so-called Dragon King, Bahamut. Even then, we are ants to the likes of such entities. So long as the end game comes, they don’t care how one arrives to the destination.”

“Are you scared at all?”

The question took Ardyn by surprise. “Why would I have reason to be scared?”

“Well,” Y/N paused. “You said in the end, both you and the king of light will perish. I assume you’ll die. Does that not frighten you?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” Ardyn smiled knowingly. He raised a brow and decided to change the subject. “How old are you, anyhow?”

Y/N snorted. “How is this relevant?”

“Call it curiosity.” Ardyn chuckled. “And you’re going to die soon, might as well share some secrets before making yourself acquainted with the dirt.”

As morbid as the joke was, Ardyn’s nonchalance and sarcasm made Y/N quietly laugh.

“I’m Y/A,” Y/N replied. They gazed over Ardyn’s features. “You look like you’re in your forties, but I’m assuming you gotta be a couple thousand years old given the tales.”

“Forties?!” Ardyn exclaimed. He bellowed so hard with laughter that he could feel the muscles of his abdomen pulse painfully. So caught up in his own antics, Ardyn didn’t notice how red Y/N’s face was, nor the nervous look they wore until after he settled down.

“What’s so funny?” Y/N swallowed.

“Ah,” Ardyn sighed in relief. “I didn’t realize I haven’t aged gracefully until now. I happen to be thirty three, well 2,033 for the sake of accuracy. Even then, I'm probably off by a decade or more.”

“I didn’t mean to offend--”

“No, no, no,” Ardyn interrupted. “I dare not take offense! It’s refreshing to hear I look older. Aging is not an experience I will have.”

“So…you’re immortal?”

“Hmm hmm.” Ardyn nodded. “Until the king of light makes his debut of course.”

Y/N shook their head in disbelief. “How did you even wind up like this?”

“My kindness cost me everything,” Ardyn admitted with a low murmur. He himself was surprised at how honest his answer was.

“Did the woman that I saw have anything to do with it?”

Ardyn stopped walking and froze. He watched Y/N take a few steps ahead of him, before they too halted. Y/N turned around, and their eyes met his.

There was a tense energy surrounding them both that Ardyn could feel, and the scourge inside of his body pulsed with an uneasy tempo. Sadness and rage coincided against his eyes while he attempted to remain neutral. He could tell it was a meaningless effort on his part, for Y/N’s rigid body language told him that through the scourge, they had felt his misgivings--or at the very least--had an inkling something was off.

“I overstepped,” Y/N stated, swallowing nervously as they broke their silence. “I’m sorry.”

“I think it’s best if we don’t talk anymore,” Ardyn flatly said, and proceeded. He brushed past Y/N, not giving them a second thought. His whole demeanor shifted, and he was angry at himself. Angry that he had allowed sentiment to interfere with his pursuits.

There was no rhyme or reason for it at all, the conversation Ardyn had with Y/N. It was empty small talk, but…he did enjoy it. That further aggravated Ardyn as he shot a glare toward the ground, inhaling deeply. He didn’t dare have second thoughts now about what he intended to do with Y/N at the MedZin lab, but like an intrusive parasite, the idea of sparing them came to mind. He was dead set on Y/N taking the fall for everything, and vowed he wouldn’t show weakness.

“Ardyn,”

“What?” He nearly yelled, turning his head as Y/N came into his vision. He saw them flinch before they asked a peculiar question.

“Is there another reason, for why you imprinted your scourge on me?”

His gaze was stoic while he looked upon Y/N. He coldly uttered a single word.

“No.”

Ardyn pulled himself out from the past. He tore his eyes off some forms and his gaze landed on Y/N. He observed them putting books back on the shelf from afar before taking out another to ponder at. The conversation he had with Y/N leading up to the infiltration of MedZin repeated through his mind. No doubt due to whatever guilt he had been harboring since the night in Verstael’s lab. Not wanting to linger any further, he reminded himself of what had been accomplished since then.

A faint smile fell across his lips while Ardyn reminisced the weeks that had gone by in a blink, and how Y/N quickly picked up on most subjects he had assigned to them. Catching up on Niflheim’s history was easy, same with landmarks and points of interest. Only a fool would be able to tell Y/N apart from a Lucian in that regard. The only things Ardyn found Y/N lacking was cultural knowledge and of course, formal etiquette.

While Y/N attempted to nail down the mannerisms expected of higher end imperials, Ardyn had come to realize this area wasn’t going to be their strong suit. If there was anything he worried about on their behalf, it was this piece. What eased his doubts was coming to find that Y/N had ambition and a curious mind like himself, when allowed to thrive. The more he focused on that tenderness, a flutter would rise in his chest. It was enough to appall him, and Ardyn ripped his eyes off of Y/N and went back to focusing on the mundane tasks he was assigned.

“Y/N,”

“Yeah?” They hollered back.

“Would you mind grabbing some of those files for me?” Ardyn gestured with his left hand while his right held firmly to the sheet of notes he was attempting to read. He pinched the bridge of his nose and blinked a few times. It was in a vain attempt to get his vision to focus, but the blur still faded in and out of his eyesight. Ardyn didn't realize that Y/N had been watching the little scene unfold. Much less did he notice the look of concern that crossed over their face while their eyes drifted over him.

This was the twelfth time or so that Y/N had noticed Ardyn struggle reading during the month. Their curiosity surrounding the issue had grown, but they didn't have the courage to say anything. It felt too intimate of a task.

“Sure thing,” Y/N replied softly. They traveled over to a smaller desk within the library, and picked up the files Ardyn wanted.

Y/N could never have foreseen themself being this civil with Ardyn, but much had changed since they first set foot in Niflheim. After Ardyn had made his announcement of them to the imperial council, Y/N had been thrust into learning about the ins and outs of the empire. There was no time for either party to feed off mutual resentments, not when it dawned on Y/N that they needed to learn a lot within a short window. For several hours each day, Y/N had been assigned books to read and videos to watch. In the afternoons, when Ardyn was free of his responsibilities, did he spend time teaching Y/N one on one lessons. Each lesson consisted of formalities, the art of conversation, and mimicking cultural habits most imperials demonstrated like it was second nature.

Y/N recalled initially dreading the meet ups with Ardyn. The first week was the worst, for his mood was foul after attempting to catch up on all the things he missed while in Lucis. Y/N admitted they didn’t necessarily help with his disposition either. Between feeling angered at Ardyn for delaying his promise, and frustrated at themself for not picking up imperial etiquette, Y/N knew they had given Ardyn a run for his gil. So much that there had been many shouting matches. The only consolation to their arguing was that it scared off the Imperial Help that had overstayed welcome.

Y/N clutched onto the files while their mind traveled to the day their dynamic with Ardyn began to shift.

It started with Y/N noticing themself having mood swings, but nothing within the realm of normal. These emotions crept upon them like a snake emerging from it’s hide, only to slither back into the darkness. It reminded Y/N of when the miasma from the Goblin latched onto their body, except this didn’t feel ominous but familiar. Soon after, Ardyn began to behave irregularly. Each time Y/N endured a scourge flare, he looked uncomfortable no matter how hard he tried to hide it. Ardyn then came home one night after meeting with Verstael, and Y/N remembered the enraged look he wore when he announced that he wouldn't be feeding off of them; unless it was an emergency. He slammed the doors to his chambers in Y/N's face, and didn't utter a single word for days.

The confusion of it all swam through Y/N’s mind while the scourge kept them trapped in bed days later. They were unable to muster the strength to move even with the medicine Verstael had prescribed. It felt as if their bones had been caught in a vice, tightened to the point of fracture while a burn throbbed through delicate tissue. It was a jarring series of sensations, considering the outer part of Y/N’s body felt cold and stiff. Y/N had a morbid thought that this was what it was like to experience rigor mortis, although being very much alive during the process.

Y/N gazed around their room, trying to fixate on an object or something to distract their thoughts. They found themself frustrated at their lack of resilience. It was humiliating, to feel so weak all the time, especially when they had led an active life prior to infection. Sleep problems and memory issues were other constants. Y/N was surprised at Ardyn's patience with them due to mishaps regarding recollection. They wondered when the compassion would run dry. It was one thing to have tolerance for someone with a broken leg, but another ordeal entirely when it came to long-term chronic pain.

Y/N’s body flinched upon hearing the door open. They remained still, not wanting to amplify the current flare and it’s hold. They picked up on Ardyn’s heavy steps making their way over. It was a surprise to see him, considering he made it clear he wouldn’t return to his residence until nightfall.

“You’re back early,” Y/N remarked.

“So I am,” Ardyn sighed. He calmly approached the bed, sitting beside Y/N’s body, minding to not bump into them. In his left hand, he had a small bowl which he placed near Y/N’s feet.

“I’m amazed the emperor let you off the hook so soon.” Y/N teased, trying to play off their current misery and his as well.

“Only because of my good behavior,” Ardyn frowned while carefully brushing away a few strands of hair out of Y/N’s face, catching onto the scourge veins that climbed up their neck and collarbone. “You feel cold. Do you need assistance covering up?”

“No,” Y/N quietly murmured. They shuddered at the thought of anything touching them right now. “I don’t think the weight will help me. If you need to feed, it’ll have to be another time. I can’t do this right now.”

“That wasn’t my intention to begin with,” Ardyn said as a matter of fact. He gently touched Y/N’s skin where a large scourge vein was popping up and retreated his hand. “I can elaborate later. Right now, it’s not good for either of us to continue with feeds.”

Y/N was surprised at Ardyn’s response, finally getting somewhat of an answer for the change in their arrangement.

“So, if that’s not the case, then why are you here right now?” Y/N asked.

“You’re being quite interrogative I must say.” Ardyn smirked. “Can’t I enjoy being back within the confines of my own dwelling, after dealing with less-than-stellar men?”

“I know you. There’s always a catch. Even to your kindness.” Y/N stated bluntly.

“How observant of you.”

For a moment, Y/N thought he sounded hurt by the comment. It was enough to get them to feel a twinge of guilt.

“Really, why did you bail on your meeting?”

Y/N turned their head a little to look at Ardyn more carefully. There was contention in his eyes while he averted his gaze from them. He looked as if he was trying to solve a debate. Something was at odds himself.

“Unfortunately,” Ardyn let out a sigh and rubbed the back of his neck, still looking elsewhere. “Your personal agonies have had quite an effect on me today. I could sense your pain all throughout the summons. It was an irritable distraction. So much so that I took care of the necessaries, and excused myself.”

“So that’s why you’ve been so tense and grouchy.” Y/N whispered. Ardyn’s silence after the fact confirmed the answer. If Y/N had the strength to laugh, they would’ve. However, they merely smiled for a brief moment, laying their head back on its side while their right arm dangled towards the edge of the bed. “And here I thought you were concerned about my well-being.”

“On the contrary, I was worried about you.” Ardyn admitted.

“You’re not just pulling my leg?”

“Truly,” Ardyn gave a nod. “I’ve lived with the scourge for over two thousand years. I’ve had time to acclimate to its misery and strength. Our peculiar circumstance trudged up sensations I thought I was long incapable of. I forgot what it was like to feel such pain at a constant.”

“You’re welcome for the gentle reminder,” Y/N said sarcastically, smirking some. They were surprised to see Ardyn grin. He seemed genuinely amused by the comment.

“Your irritable charming sense of humor remains intact as ever.” Ardyn’s smile dwindled after witnessing scourge veins move further up Y/N’s face, covering their flesh in an intricate pattern that looked like a lightning strike. That’s when he caught the dam breaking in Y/N, seeing their eyes well up with tears.

“How long did it take before the scourge broke you in?" Y/N sobbed.

Ardyn was contemplative for a few seconds. His features became stoic, not wanting to sugarcoat the bitter truth despite a part of himself wanting to deliver the blow gently.

“Do you want my truth?”

“Yeah,” Y/N nodded against the pillow. “I do.”

“Very well,” Ardyn resigned himself to Y/N’s answer and began reminiscing about his containment at Angelgard. For a moment, he felt angered but it quickly subsided.

“I told you on the airship before we arrived in Niflheim, that it took eight hundred years. By then, my bodily sensations began to fade. When the first millennium had arrived, the pain of the scourge wasn’t necessarily gone, but compartmentalized. You see, being locked away in darkness alone for so long, trivial matters like physical awareness begin to not hold so strongly in the mind. Pain and physical needs became an afterthought, until I was reawakened at least. Even so, I feel numb most days.”

“I’ll never be rid of it, the pain, will I?” Y/N softly replied, feeling the weight of Ardyn’s words sink.

“No, no you won’t,” Ardyn murmured. “At best you’ll live alongside it, until your soul gives in.”

Y/N let out a deep breath they had been holding back. It wasn’t the answer they were hoping for, but they were appreciative Ardyn was upfront. There would be no mercy in their short lifetime. The scourge would forever play out its tortuous hold until death would come either through Ardyn’s hand, their own, or something else.

Ardyn gently cupped their cheek. Y/N's throat bobbed, feeling him stroke away at some of the damp spots on their face.

“How do you live with this?” Y/N asked.

The sincerity of the question had Ardyn freeze. He had never been asked something so personal before. Not even Verstael or the researchers who had poked and prodded him all those years ago brushed against such a topic. Like earlier, there was no easy way to answer Y/N. Not unless they were immortal themself and had been through his trials and strife.

“Little things, simple pleasures,” Ardyn said softly. His thumb continued to wipe away at their cheek, minding not to put too much pressure on their skin. “I keep telling myself there will be peace when I finish what I've set out to do.”

Ardyn could see through Y/N’s sadness that a light of curiosity was beginning to dwell in their tired eyes. Before giving them a chance to ask further questions, he cleared his throat and turned his attention to the bowl he had brought in. Carefully Ardyn picked it up and showed the contents to Y/N.

“What is this stuff?” Y/N made a face and sniffled. There were pieces of gauze in a milky green paste. The texture was grainy and it smelled pungently bitter.

“An ancient medicine from my time. It’s made from the stems of a flower called Renaya,” Ardyn mused. “It helps with scourge inflammation.”

“I’m not eating that,” Y/N said bluntly. “Or putting it anywhere near my mouth.”

Ardyn snorted. “I assure you, I wouldn’t be so cruel. It’s a salve. You apply it to the skin and let it dry.”

Y/N smiled faintly then braced themself. They knew they would have to move around for Ardyn, and the thought was just as painful as the sinking feeling their entire body felt.

“Where does it hurt the most?” Ardyn asked.

“My sides and my back,” Y/N admitted. “I don’t know if I can budge. Not without breaking down like an idiot.”

“You’re only an idiot for saying such things. Even then at best, I’d call you a moron.” Ardyn teased. He smiled hearing Y/N chortle from his comment. His expression faltered after Y/N winced. He gestured with his free hand in a 'come here' motion to encourage them.

“I don’t think I can--”

“You will,” Ardyn assured. “Lean up for me, I’ll meet you in the middle.”

There was no point in arguing with him. Not when Ardyn sounded determined as he was. Y/N let out a sigh in defeat, giving a nod and slowly started to rise. The tingling in their hands and feet increased as did the muscle spasms. Y/N gasped aloud with heavy breath. There were no words that could be formed, only agonized moans.

Ardyn placed the bowl back down on the bed and quickly brought his arms around Y/N’s body. He pulled them close to his chest in a light embrace.

“Do I have permission to pull up your shirt--?” Ardyn was cut off by the rapid succession of nods Y/N gave. He wasted no time or effort in lifting Y/N’s arms up after carefully pushing them back. Ardyn tugged their shirt off, casting the article of clothing to the side. He averted his eyes to the left so as to respect Y/N’s modesty, and then turned their body around so that they faced away from him. His arms carefully guided Y/N back against the mattress.

“You’re doing well,” Ardyn commented, making sure Y/N was lying on their stomach before proceeding to grab the bowl. He glanced over Y/N’s bare skin. There was an endless highway of scourge marks that reminded him very much of his own; a lurid network of black lines that looked like spilled ink.

“Ardyn, it hurts--”

“I know,” Ardyn himself tensed as he suddenly felt a pinching sensation in his lower back. The feeling mimicked the movement of Y/N’s scourge veins that were contracting. Ardyn likened it to an itch that couldn’t be scratched on his end, but he knew very well, no, could feel how it tormented Y/N. He leaned forward, brushing back some of Y/N's hair so he could see their face.

“After I’m finished, I can see about getting it to settle down. Would you be opposed to that?”

“N-no. I wouldn't be.”

Ardyn hummed in response. He dipped his right hand into the salve and coated a generous amount of the mix onto his fingers. Carefully he selected a few test spots on Y/N’s back to see if they would have an allergic reaction. The care and thought behind his actions reminded Ardyn very much of his healer days. How this protocol remained second nature despite his rage tampering out most reason was beyond his understanding.

Y/N shuddered and let out a hiss from how freezing the salve felt. If they could compare it to anything, the feeling reminded Y/N of fresh mint being chopped. How the proteins in the plant released a cold sensation in one’s mouth upon eating it raw. They closed their eyes, sniffling while a soothing wave began to take root at where Ardyn had placed the solution. It wasn’t enough to make the scourge disappear, but the medicine numbed the nerves.

“You may feel some pressure from my fingers. I promise I don’t intend on harming you.” Ardyn spoke softly. After making note that he didn’t see any red bumps or other cause for concern, he started applying more. His hand carefully pressed into Y/N’s back with the gauze pieces and he rubbed circles into Y/N’s flesh, ensuring the oils from the salve would soak into their pores. The scourge jittered from the contact but stayed put while he carried out his ministrations.

“Have you…ever done this before?”

Y/N’s weak words caught Ardyn off guard as he momentarily paused then proceeded to pick up another gauze piece from the bowl.

“Many times,” Ardyn said as a matter of fact. “I was, shall we say, a medical professional in the past. A healer. I learned all that I could about medicine when I was a boy.”

Y/N blinked while glancing toward a shelf of books. Much of Ardyn’s life had been a mystery to Y/N minus knowing he was the legendary Adagium. It was strange to hear him sound nostalgic.

“I can’t imagine how difficult learning was 2,000 years ago. Especially with the lack of technology. You must’ve struggled, trying to gain all you could.”

“It wasn’t so bad,” Ardyn shrugged while his thumb carded over some of Y/N’s scourge veins along their upper back. “Being of noble blood, I had access to all the knowledge available at the time. Scrolls and books were a commodity I could easily trade for. If I had been born in a lower caste, it would’ve been another story. I admit I had privilege where others lacked.”

“You were a noble?” Y/N furrowed their brows.

“A future king, to be precise.” Ardyn smiled sadly. He made a face, wondering if he should proceed further and then decided to test the waters. “My brother and I were both destined to rule. You may know of him as Somnus, the founder king of Lucis. Today I’m known as Izunia, but long ago, I was known as Ardyn Lucis Caelum. Your king and his forebearers are my descendants.”

Y/N’s eyes widened from the revelation. “So that’s what you meant, when you said you were once a citizen of Lucis.”

Ardyn didn’t say another word, letting his divulgement sink into the depths of Y/N’s psyche.

Suddenly, the tidbits that Ardyn had sprinkled throughout various conversations began to merge, creating a larger puzzle that Y/N didn’t believe to be possible. Never did they thought Ardyn would be so forthcoming about a burden such as this. While Y/N didn’t have the whole story, they knew something terrible must’ve happened between Ardyn and Somnus. Their brain was rampaging with theories, contrasting with how miserable their body felt. To say Y/N was overwhelmed was an understatement.

“That’s incredible,” Y/N tiredly remarked. They sensed that this was a sore spot for Ardyn after he didn't reply, and decided to change the topic. They could always ask questions later. “A lot of men in Eos don’t have a passion for healing. Someone must’ve inspired you.”

“My mother actually,” Ardyn admitted. He decided to follow Y/N's direction, thankful he wouldn't be pulled into an elaborate discussion he wasn't in the mood for. His throat bobbed at the memory of his parent. He couldn't recall the last time he had spoke of her, and was astonished at how much he still remembered. "She came from a long line of healers. Some dated back to the first humans of Eos. Traditionally, medicine secrets were passed from mother to daughter. Since my brother and I were sons, the teachings should've died with her."

“How come?”

“Her side of the family had a superstition that such knowledge didn’t belong in the hands of men. Somnus didn’t find the subject interesting, but I did. My mother broke protocol to teach me. It infuriated many of her relatives and was quite the scandal. They went so far as to proclaim she had cursed all of Eos by handing down the secrets to my hands."

“Was there any truth to that?” Y/N mused, but shortly had an epiphany the jest was in poor taste.

“They were right I suppose. I ended up becoming the accursed Adagium. Perhaps my fate had been sealed even that far back.” Ardyn sighed.

“I’m sorry, that was a shitty thing for me to say.”

“I’m not offended,” Ardyn calmly stated then smirked. “I find it rather comedic in a morbid sort of way.”

Y/N smiled weakly. “What became of your mom?”

“She died young,” There was a bitterness in Ardyn’s tone as he proceeded. “A third child was to be had, but the infant perished within her and she alongside it. My father shortly passed from grief. That is what Somnus and I were told, anyhow. I believe he was assassinated. Tensions were high between my father and other noblemen at the time. I wouldn't call it a mere coincidence, but I played along for the sake of keeping the peace."

Y/N felt a heaviness in their heart. There was a weight to Ardyn's words that conveyed he had lost more than just his loved ones. He had lost his innocence.

“How old were you?”

“Sixteen,” Ardyn replied. “Somnus was thirteen. My father’s shield Gilgamesh helped in raising us. Being the eldest, I took care of my brother as if he had been of my own making.”

“That’s a lot of responsibility to put on a kid,” Y/N said while letting out a sigh of relief, feeling the medicinal effects of the salve rooting into them. “Is that why you’re Niflheim’s Chancellor, because you’re used to that kind of hardship?”

“Raising Somnus and learning to rule a country wasn't a burden. I was quite honored at the time.” Ardyn said genuinely. He frowned, yet again debating with himself if he should share more with Y/N regarding how he arrived to this position of power. Whether it was due to the scourge bond he shared with Y/N, or his own pitiful loneliness that he denied, Ardyn couldn’t stop his mouth from moving while he applied another strip of gauze to Y/N’s back.

“This current role--being Chancellor--was forced upon me,” Ardyn paused while his shoulders tensed. “I wanted for nothing.”

“Then what did you want?” Y/N asked.

“Pardon?”

“I mean…why did you comply with being Chancellor if it's not what you wanted? I may not know everything about you, but I know you're powerful. More than you let on. You could do anything you want and no one would stop you."

“Let’s just say the ends justify the means,” Ardyn admitted. That much he would allow himself to reveal for now. “I desire rest. An old thing like me doesn’t belong in your time.”

Y/N's heart began to sink on his behalf. The sorrow in his voice was genuine, and triggered a deeper reaction. Tongues of daemonic entities cried through Y/N's ears in hushed whispers. Y/N's hands gripped the mattress to stabilize themself. They feared if they closed their eyes, they'd disappear into the thick of it. The scourge was agonizing, but this unresolved desolation that combed through their blood took it to another level. It was as if they could sense how Ardyn felt just now; that he truly didn't feel that he belonged in this world or any hereafter.

Y/N's eyes welled up with another round of tears. Perhaps they had been wrong about him in many ways. He understood exactly where Y/N was coming from, wanting to fade away. This scared them a great deal.

“For what it’s worth,” Y/N forced themself to say through the experience. “I’m glad you’re here.”

Ardyn had stopped rubbing the salve into Y/N’s back. He had half a mind to accuse Y/N of being dishonest. Even the entities that dwelled within Ardyn’s psyche tried to encourage him to feed off Y/N for making him have a moment of weakness. The voices grew louder until he had to get up from the bed and set the bowl somewhere else.

Y/N couldn’t see where Ardyn had ventured off to in the room, but the steps of his boots gave them a rough idea. Y/N sensed his presence on the other side of the bed, then felt a weight shift on the mattress. The sound of his shoes being discarded along with his vest shuffled in Y/N’s ears. The mattress dipped again and Y/N felt Ardyn scoot close to them as if to cuddle. His chin dug into the top of their head while he lay on his side. The touch of his calloused fingertips caressed against Y/N's back, and they let out an involuntary groan while sensing Ardyn's scourge call out to theirs. Y/N could feel him draining the darkness out from every nook and cranny their body felt to the point of contact. They felt him shudder, and heard him muffle a discomforting grunt.

"You okay?"

“You’re quite the naïve fool,” He responded indignantly, ignoring Y/N’s question. His features softened and he sighed in defeat. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Does it matter?” Ardyn asked, genuinely curious.

“I guess not. Not all things need to have an answer.”

Y/N could feel the heat of Ardyn's mellow breath hit their scalp. Goosebumps raised along their flesh.

“I called you a burden before, a dead weight.” Ardyn whispered. “You have my apology.”

Y/N smiled a little, furrowing their brows while recalling their past fight. As the flare began to tamper down from a forest fire to little embers, Y/N felt their eyes succumbing to rest. Their breathing stabilized and it wasn’t long until they began to drift away, surrendering to sleep.

“I forgive you.”

“Y/N,”

“Hm?”

“The files, dear. I need them.”

Ardyn’s somewhat irate tone in the present caught Y/N off guard. They suddenly realized they had been staring off into space for a while. Letting out a huff, Y/N ventured over to the couch where he was sitting, and handed the files off to him.

“Your majesty,” Y/N quipped, giving a performative half bow.

“Imbecile,” Ardyn rolled his eyes. He countered with a playful scoff. “By the way, if you curtsey like that in front of the imperial councilmen, I’ll have you hanged.”

“Please, don’t threaten me with a good time.” Y/N laughed, watching Ardyn return to his task.

There’s no way in six hells we would’ve been doing this a month ago… Y/N said to themself. There was still much about Ardyn that Y/N didn’t know and vice versa, but it seemed he was becoming more or less comfortable around them.

Before Y/N forgot, they took out the bottle of suppressants from the pocket of their pants, and downed two pills; thankful they made enough saliva that didn’t warrant them needing a drink. While the scourge hurt, it wasn’t unbearable at this time.

Y/N studied Ardyn afterward, observing him once more squint while reading. Y/N had come to find that when Ardyn was passionate about an assignment, he was quite the chatterbox. It was strange seeing him so quiet and focused. The way Ardyn had spoken of his job in passing, Y/N assumed he wasn’t one to take it seriously. That despite essentially being the second in command to the emperor, he could care less. What he was demonstrating now would suggest otherwise.

“Would it be dangerous to ask what you’re reading?”

“In most circumstances, yes. Especially with you being a Lucian.” Ardyn sighed and put the papers down, deciding to give himself a break. “I suppose I could enlighten you. What exactly do you wish to know?”

Y/N hadn’t thought that far ahead and stumbled mentally. It didn’t help that Ardyn didn’t look amused as time went on.

“If its a matter of national security, you don’t have to speak up. You seemed tense and I wanted to know why. I was just--”

“Bored of the homework I have given you?”

“No,” Y/N was quick to interject. “Why would you assume that?”

“Because I'm feeling rather bored and miserable myself. “ Ardyn chuckled while he slouched more into his seat, relaxing his spine. He contemplated while staring at Y/N. “You see, I’m trying to decide where to allocate resources regarding Niflheim’s war with Lucis. I unfortunately took this upon myself the night I announced you to the council. This task has been quite a messy affair. I need to figure out who gets a hefty sum from the treasury by the end of the week. Unlike other matters I can put off, this one needs tending to.”

“That sounds like hell,” Y/N said bluntly, furrowing their brows while imagining themself in Ardyn’s shoes. “You don’t have anyone else helping you with this stuff?”

“Nope,” Ardyn said as a matter of fact. “That's the business of being Chancellor, everyone looks to you for guidance and not the other way around. Comes with the territory I’m afraid.”

“Do you want a second opinion?”

Ardyn allowed himself a moment to process what was said and eyed Y/N with curiosity and amusement.

“Why would you help me with something so trivial? And last I heard, I believe what you’re offering would be considered high treason in Lucis. Conspiring with the enemy? That very well could get you killed!” Ardyn quipped, letting out a dark laugh.

Y/N made a face, knowing he was being sarcastic yet the mischievousness of his tone rubbed them the wrong way.

“We both know I’m not going home because I’ll be dead by your hand,” Y/N countered. “And maybe I’m tired of seeing you look miserable for hours on end while you hallucinate worst-case scenarios.”

They got me there…Ardyn thought to himself and leaned up from the couch. “I suppose I can’t argue with you there. Why don’t you read the top page, and tell me who should get first priority.”

Y/N watched Ardyn scoot the documents across the small table in front of the couch to them. They let out a breath, and carefully picked up the stack.

Y/N could feel Ardyn’s eyes on them the entire time they read through the document. There was something nerving about it, but Y/N didn’t comment on the matter, too focused on what they needed to read. There were paragraphs of text pertaining to soldiers, weaponry, and food storage. The way things were worded made Y/N realize how much different Niflheim was compared to Lucis in terms of grammar and format. Some parts might as well have been in a different language.

After giving the page a thorough look, Y/N peered up and met Ardyn’s eyes. He gestured with his right hand for them to speak up.

“Do you want my honesty?” Y/N asked.

“But of course!” Ardyn gave a small bow with his head and smiled.

“I’d give most of the funding to ground troops. The rest I’d split between the Research Department, and the local economy.”

Ardyn hummed and leaned forward to reach for the paper that Y/N had read. Once they handed it to him, he glanced through the text. "What's your reasoning?"

“Well,” Y/N bit the inside of their mouth before looking at a piece of paper in the stack that had more of Niflheim’s financial information and began pointing out some of the expenditures.

“From what this says, the commanders of the units don’t anticipate a shortage of magitek soldiers for another year. There’s no point in overfunding that. If I were a political figure, I wouldn’t want to piss off the everyman on the battlefield. It says the losses are beginning to stack up. The people should be given a boost in aid while they fight, otherwise, what’s to stop them from switching sides especially if they see Lucian soldiers being well taken care of? Technology is important, but if you're not taking care of the people behind it, good luck swaying anyone else to give a darn. The Research Department has enough funding as is, and Niflheim’s economy is strong, but there’s so much going to the war effort that citizens aren’t enjoying themselves. If the people at home aren’t happy, it’s not going to bode well trying to convince other countries that Niflheim is in the right.”

Ardyn quietly contemplated. He looked up from the paper after running through all the scenarios he could think of then smiled, almost as if he had been put in check during a game of chess.

“I’ll need to have the accountants work out the math, but I’ll consider this affair case closed.”

“So,” Y/N was dumbfounded. “You’re going through with my opinions?”

“Well, why not?” Ardyn shrugged. There was genuine sincerity in his eyes as he looked at Y/N fondly. “I was initially opposed, however, you brought up a valid point with public morale. I’ve received a handful of complaints from Commodore Araena regarding civilian unrest, and our Deputy Commander has made numerous disputes about his men not receiving enough aid. They both can't be making these situations up especially when a third party--you--have more or less arrived at the same conclusion."

“Wow,” Y/N murmured in surprise.

“You’re astonished?”

“I just can’t believe I helped with something huge like that. I’ve always been neutral with politics cause I want to avoid conflict, and I don’t want to sound like an idiot in front of others.”

“I assure you, you’re not an idiot. A bit naïve, but none too foolish,” Ardyn’s lips quirked into a half smile. “Your insight into one’s psyche has been most useful. It may sound monstrous, but I tend to not think of the basics that men need to survive and thrive. You gave me a gentle reminder .”

Gentle reminder…Y/N repeated the words back to themself. He said it with the same playful tone as Y/N did when Ardyn applied the medicine to their back that day. If they didn’t know better, he did it on purpose much like how he was staring at them right now with contentment. Y/N felt their pulse skip a beat as Ardyn rose from the couch, and took a step toward them.

“Chancellor Izunia! Chancellor Izunia!”

Tuti’s loud pitched squeak of a holler had Ardyn stop in his tracks and he grimaced. He sighed and rubbed his face, focusing his attention onto the bubbly Imperial Helper as she came barreling into the library. Words couldn’t express how much he wanted to assign the woman elsewhere, but he knew Y/N would be none too happy with that arrangement. He had the urge to shove the woman into a dumpster and be rid of her childlike antics.

“Yes, Tuti?” Ardyn asked point blank, pulling himself away from temptation.

“A pardon to you both!” Tuti glanced between Y/N and Ardyn before giving two bows. “The Deputy Commander, Chief Besithia, and an envoy from Accordo wish to have an audience with you before the gala tonight.”

“Seriously, on the eve of the empire’s founding day?” Ardyn irately raised a brow in suspicion. “Did they specify what for?”

“N-no sir,” Tuti shook her head. “Um, they weren’t specific b-but they said it was matters concerning security for tonight.”

Ardyn sighed. “Very well. A favor then while I’m gone?”

“A-absolutely!” Tuti exclaimed.

Ardyn looked at Y/N. He smiled at them as if he knew something they didn’t and savored watching the awe of suspicion fall across their face before addressing Tuti.

“Take Y/N to the Freyr district. There’s a shop called the Vanir. I want you to help them pick out an attire for the night on my gil. I’m sure your insight will be most useful.”

Y/N began to protest. “What if I pick something that’ll make me stand out too much, or what if I end up looking like a clown?”

“Then you’ll make a decent clown, now won’t you?” Ardyn laughed at their expense.

“What if I get sick in the middle of shopping, or I lose my way?”

“Hence, why Tuti is accommodating you.” Ardyn answered with a chuckle. “This is not an affair I wish to be a part of anyhow. I don’t particularly enjoy dictating what people choose for dress.”

“Ardyn, I don’t think I can--” Y/N gasped when Ardyn stepped forth and gently grabbed both of their hands into his, clasping them tightly. Y/N stared at where their palms met before meeting his amber eyes.

“You will.” Ardyn reassured. He leaned forward just a tad, and squeezed their fingers before he whispered. “You’re ready.”

Y/N swallowed back whatever words wanted to spill from their tongue.

“I’ll see you tonight.” The determination in Ardyn’s features along with the sly smile curbed the anxiety Y/N felt in the pit of their stomach, yet the bubbling in their chest didn’t cease. It didn’t stop not even when Ardyn withdrew his hold, and gave his final pleasantries before leaving.

Y/N stared at the entrance to the hallway, watching until Ardyn’s form had fully disappeared from view. Their pulse rose, and the scourge slithered against their veins in a hum that dare say felt pleasant.

“S-so,” Tuti’s giggled stutter pulled Y/N out of the odd sensation. “If I didn’t know better, those were heart eyes!”

“Oh shut up!” Y/N begrudgingly exclaimed. Tuti flinched, and covered her mouth to stifle the rest of her laugh.

“I only speak in jest!” Tuti said in her defense. “But, really, I think Chancellor Izunia has quite the confidence in you! It’s amazing. You’re going to be meeting so many important people within the empire!”

Y/N furrowed their brows, hearing the morose sigh that left Tuti after her proclamation. “Are you not attending?”

“Heavens to Betsy, no!” Tuti shook her head. Her peppy persona took a step down as she glanced about the library. Y/N had come to find this was a nervous tic of Tuti’s when she felt uncomfortable with a topic. The same could be said for her little jest.

“I’m an Imperial Help and my duties are to keep the palace orderly. So while I will be “around”, I won’t be seen on the main floor with the guests. D-do you think you could do me a favor?”

“Sure,” Y/N nodded. They were beside themself, not knowing how to comfort her.

“Please tell me everything you can about the gala when it’s all said and done!” Tuti smiled warmly. “I always love events like this, but, y’know, lower caste and all…if this isn’t too much trouble?”

“It wouldn’t be a problem at all,” Y/N smiled, not before furrowing their brows when they had an epiphany. “Honestly, having a task like that in the back of my head might save me from making a fool out of myself.”

“Oh you poor dear,” Tuti frowned, and offered a half smile as she gave Y/N’s right shoulder a gentle pat. “Are you feeling nervous?”

“Terrified,” Y/N scoffed and chuckled nervously. “I’m scared of fumbling, and if someone finds out I have--”

“The scourge…”

“Yeah,” Y/N breathed. “I don’t know how to save myself from that outcome.”

Tuti nodded. Her eyes once more scattered around the library, making mental notes of spots she needed to clean at a later time. She then warmly smiled at Y/N.

“After everything I’ve heard you been through, why with running away from Lucis after what those soldiers had done, braving a storm to find sanctuary while sick with the starscourge--and through that suffering--find the strength to be a bridge between Lucis and Niflheim, I think the higher imperials would be idiots to treat you less than. N-not that I want everybody to find out you’re sick--I hope my words aren’t coming across as such.”

Y/N felt a wave of guilt in their body at how sincere Tuti was on their behalf. A part of them wanted to tell Tuti the full truth, that their story was a huge lie that Ardyn concocted to hide both their sins. Y/N had recounted the tall tale so many times to the Imperial Help that came in and out of the residency, that they were beginning to believe it themself. They had to for the sake of this elaborate act.

That’s all it is… Y/N said to themself. It’s just a big play. Perform your role, and then the curtains will come down…it’ll be over soon.

“Y/N,”

“Hm?”

“A pardon for interrupting your thoughts,” Tuti laughed. “But I think we should get going! I’m dying to show you some of the other shops in the area! You’ve got to see the Infernium Theater too! C’mon!”

And with that, Tuti was on the run to get ready. She nearly left Y/N behind in the dust while the latter stood in the now empty library. Y/N glanced at the couch where Ardyn had been seated. The faint hum returned within the scourge, like the tingling sensation one would get if their foot fell asleep. It reminded Y/N of how their body reacted when Ardyn grabbed their hands, and they couldn’t help but wonder if he felt strange too.

[houdinicorbini]

Hum so…ardyn with a s/o who’s always quiet cause they have phonophobia? Ignore if this make you uncomfortable…and sorry for the others thing i send 😭-

No need to apologize for that! It honestly made me laugh because I had just gotten done reading the request when I saw I had another message saying it was incomplete haha

Now this one I needed to do some research on, so I apologize if I end up getting something wrong or if it's not accurate to the phobia, and if I portray wrong, please let me know so I can take it down and possibly redo it

I will also be doing this in the form of a short scenario since I don't want to mess it up.

I'm actually proud of this one because I suffer from a mental illness that can be very damaging and I do have something that can make me very sensitive to certain sounds, so I thank you for giving me the opportunity to write this!

I will say that there is a bit more angst than romance because I didn't want to romanticize a topic like this, so I hope you like the results!

Tw: Mentions of reader having a traumatic experience in the past, angst with a happy end

You've been quiet for a long time now, ever since you were a kid in fact. That's just how you were, but it wasn't because you were shy and didn't want to socialize.

There were times when you were rather envious of those who could freely talk and go out in public without have a cloud of anxiousness always having to hovering over them.

Now you did talk, but you just used your hands instead of your voice, it was a lot easier on you that way. Even your own voice could give you anxiety, so hearing others speak basically gave the same reaction.

You felt rather lonely because of this and not many people seemed to understand you or your phobia. But there's a reason as to why you're like this, the same reason as to why you can't hear the ringing of a bell anymore.

One day you were able to find someone who didn't judge you for this. Yeah, he was confused when you seemed scared of his voice, but he was curious as to why.

Over time the two of you grew closer, and you even had gotten somewhat used to hearing his voice. Ardyn even began to learn sign language since he wanted you to be comfortable around him, which meant a lot to you.

It took some time, but you began to finally trust him enough to want to be in a relationship together, and the way he asked is a moment that you'll never forget. Still makes you smile too.

He asked you in the form of sign language while surprising you with multiple bouquets of your favorite flowers. It was just a rather cheesy and simple way of asking to be his, but it still makes your heart flutter.

You've already been in a relationship for a five months and things had been going great, until recently, when your phobia took a turn for the worst.

You began to hide yourself away from any and everything, even from Ardyn. It's not like you wanted to though, it's just that things were becoming incredibly hard to deal with. You couldn't take it anymore.

He's been trying to give you your space, but he was getting increasingly worried about you. He's seen you have times when you've needed to be away from everyone, but this is the worst he's ever seen you get.

Ardyn knocked on the door, nearly cursing himself out of fear that the knocking sound would have set you off. He wasn't thinking since right now he's more focused on making sure you're alright.

Once the door was opened and he was now inside the room, he noticed a very you shaped lump under the blanket. Ardyn didn't want to jump to conclusions, but if he had to guess, he would check to see if you were under that blanket first.

When he got close enough, Ardyn took his hand and softly patted the foot of the bed letting you know how close he was, and that he wanted to talk with you.

It took a moment because you were fighting with your head on whether or not you should talk to him, but you eventually uncovered yourself and sat up so you two could talk.

You rested your back on the headrest while you waited for him to say what he needed to. There was this anxious feeling just resting in your chest that felt too heavy to deal with right now.

"Dear, I've been trying to give you your space, but I'm starting to get worried." He was mouthing the words as he was signing out all that needed to be said.

Anyone with eyes could see that you were not doing well. That you were just endlessly suffering, and he didn't want that for you. Ardyn wanted to help you grow so that you were no longer hurting.

There was a time where you tried to get help, but sometimes it's easier to stay the way you are, because it's all you've ever known, and you're quite scared of not knowing what's next.

"I know, and I will get help, I just need-"

"I've seen this cycle before, you're just going to keep hurting yourself if you continue it."

Ardyn was completely right, and you knew it. He was only trying to help you be happy because he knew that you could overcome this. He knew you had the strength to do it, you just needed a little push.

"I may not know what happened to cause this, or how long it's been tormenting you, but I see the toll it's had on you. And it doesn't look like you can take it much longer."

You could see the sincerity in his eyes, and you could feel the tears coming from yours. You really couldn't take much more of this, it was tearing you down from the inside out.

It was truly destroying you and Ardyn could see that. He honestly regrets not confronting you about it sooner. That he watched you suffer for so long, and that's something that will haunt him for a long time, but he wants to make up for that now.

You didn't even fight him, you were so worn out and drained that the only thing you could do was cry. Cry that you let so much of your life be controlled by this monster that was wreaking havoc on your mind, your everything.

Ardyn was by your side in seconds, making sure you knew that he would always be by your side through this, and that if you did get help, he was going to make sure you stuck with it.

He nuzzled his way into bed with you, holding you so that you felt safe and secure, but not too tight in case you got overwhelmed and needed the space.

There was one sound that you could stand, and that was the sound of his heartbeat. It was one of the only sounds that didn't bring you to the brink of madness.

After that day, you started to really think about what Ardyn said. You were tired of this constant loop you were in, and you just wanted out of it.

So, you told him how you were finally ready to put an end to it and seek out help. So that you could be happy, to which he was already looking up ways to do that before you even finished signing your sentence.

Ardyn had been a huge help in your recovery process. He wasn't joking around when he said he'd be there every single step of the way. He meant it.

While you were going to therapy to defeat the thing that's been haunting you since you were but a child, you started to realize and regret some things.

You started to realize the pain and stress you put Ardyn through when you could have gotten help, and the regret of stopping when you had the chance.

There was one day where you broke down to him.

"I'm sorry." You were able to croak out. You had gotten to the point where you could finally talk again.

You still had a long way to go, but you were making decent progress.

The random apology caught him off guard. "My dear, whatever are you apologizing for?" Did you do something while he had gone to the store for groceries?

"I should've done something sooner about this, but I didn't, and you suffered because of my actions." Your voice was seconds away from cracking, but you didn't care, you had to say this.

"Darling," Ardyn set down the bags since he did just get home. He walked over to you, resting his hand on your shoulder.

"You doing something about it now means more to me than you realize, you don't need to apologize for you past actions." He gently squeezed your shoulder as he looked into your tear filled eyes.

"There were times when it was hard and it did put stress on me, but I wanted to see you happy and better, I didn't want to leave."

"Are you not angry at me?" You seemed surprised at his calm expression and at the fact that there were no traces of anger nor ressentiment in his eyes

"Everything is now in the past, what's there to be angry about?" He gave you smile that never failed to wash away whatever worries you had. A smile that was incredibly contagious.

"I don't think I can ever thank you enough for being there for me when I needed you the most."

"Maybe helping me put up the groceries would be a nice start." His endearing smile turned into one of cheekiness, which only made you laugh even more.

"I think I can manage that." You said after giving him a quick peck on the lips.

It felt like the two of you had grown even closer after that day, and he continued you to help, even when it seemed like it was easier to just stop.

He was there to let you know that'd you never have to be alone through this ever again.

[goddessofroyalty]

Oof, imagine Cloud coming from his universe to the XV one while pregnant with Prompto? And it carries Sephiroth's soul there, too. But without the Jenova influence he decides to sit back and only talk to his son if the kid needs him. Maybe he even subtly talks sometimes, but it's small things, and Prompto doesn't think anything of it. Maybe it isn't until the train that Sephiroth actually starts talking, trying to help his son survive. Pointing out the bullshit being said to him and telling what he knows of his actual conception. Not much better than being a clone, but he's definitely Cloud's kid.

And then Prompto having to explain it to Cloud when he sees him again, that the man his mom was afraid of is in his head, but isn't trying to get him to take over the world, or even revive him. That he was one of the reasons he managed to survive in Niflheim. Just Cloud worried as hell, probably making Prompto promise to tell him if he starts even just talking manipulatively.

I mean in that situation Sephiroth kind of has to take a bit of a back seat especially at first - he needs to figure out how this world works and exactly how much influence he can have on it. So even when he does start talking to Prompto at first it is small stuff as Sephiroth figures out what Prompto will respond to and other bits of information about the world and Prompto's place in it.

I feel like generally once the trip starts Sephiroth starts more and more talking to Prompto, especially as it gets clearly more and more dangerous. Just a lot of the early stuff is very just-advice with no statement's of reality in them (you know stuff like "remember your current opponent is bigger than you, they are used to their pure size giving them victory - exploit that"). Stuff that Prompto has likely been told by others who have trained him (including Cloud) so can almost pretend it's just his subconscious giving him a reminder.

It's only when Prompto starts doubting his reality and becomes a more singled-out target of Ardyn's that Sephiroth starts really talking to him. And yeah honestly I think one of the first things he says is "why do you doubt if Cloud is your parent - you take so much after him" because Sephiroth isn't going to tolerate Prompto being misled that easily. Also - you know, Sephiroth himself found out the 'truth' of his conception in a weird lab in an icy landscape. He gets it and also like... will point out a) how badly that went for him ("Cloud killed him after I burned his birth-village") and b) how to spot the tells of it not being true ("Records can be forged. Could my voice be forged? Could Cloud's magic be forged?"). Like Prompto still has to read between the lines to figure out how his actual conception worked (Sephiroth is... probably somewhat IDK not glamorising but trying to make it seem like a thing that was inevitable to happen).

So yeah when Prompto finds Cloud again he gets to explain that Sephiroth is in his head probably because he asks something about his conception that clues Cloud in he's learned about it from somewhere else and there's only really one possibility for how. So it’s a bit of a difficult conversation for them both and while Prompto gets why Cloud is worried about Sephiroth’s possible goals for now at least he helped Prompto survive and not believe the Empire’s lies about where he came from. And, yeah, they settle on Prompto just being aware Sephiroth can’t always be trusted and promising that he’ll always make sure to double-check anything Sephiroth claims with Cloud and mentioning if it feels like Sephiroth is trying to lead him to evil and not just... telling Prompto how to defeat basically every enemy he comes up to now. 

[echoes-of-the-clockwork]

Book One: Gold (Prompto x Reader) Chapter V

Once back in Lestallum, the group reported to Talcott and Jared about their finds. As they were about to leave the Leville, Noctis experiences another headache. In order to dissect the source of his headaches, they decided to take a closer look at the Disc of Cauthess from the outlook. When they arrived, they ran into two familiar faces.

"What a coincidence," the auburn-haired man smiled eerily at the group.

Gladio crosses his arms. "I'm not so sure it is."

The man strolled up to them, leaving his spiky-haired companion behind. He came to a stop in front of (Y/n). "Oh, my. You must be the lovely maiden my dear companion spoke of. A pleasure to meet your acquaintance, my dear." He bowed politely before trying to reach out and grab her hand. However, Prompto reached out and pulled the girl away from him before the man could touch her.

"You know this guy?" The spirit whispered to the blonde.

"We kinda had a run-in with him in Galdin Quay," Prompto answered.

The auburn-haired man was unfazed by the marksman's reaction and decided to back away, changing the subject in the process. "Aren't nursery rhymes curious things? Like this one: "From the deep, the Archaean calls... Yet on deaf ears, the gods' tongue falls, The King made to kneel, in pain, he crawls.""

Prompto, who now stood in front of (Y/n), asked, "So how do we keep him on his feet?"

"You need only heed the call. Visit the Archaean and hear his plea." He spun around to face them, his smile never wavering. "We can take you."

Prompto looked around at his friends. "We in?"

Noctis was unsure of the men and didn't trust either of them. "I don't know."

"We take a ride..." The sharpshooter began.

"...but watch our backs," Gladio finished.

"Fair enough," Ignis said.

Noctis agreed with his friends. "Let's do it."

(Y/n) hadn't been paying attention to their conversation. Her golden eyes were focused on the familiar spiky-haired man who she had met yesterday. She never got his name, but there's no way she could forget his appearance. She was torn from her thoughts when Prompto shook her shoulder. Looking away from the emerald-eyed man, she stared into the blonde's cerulean eyes. "Huh?"

"You okay?" Prompto asked. He glanced at the man who had yet to speak, then back at the girl. "Isn't that the guy from yesterday?"

"It is..." She was even more suspicious of him than the auburn-haired man. She didn't trust either of them, but respected the boys' decision to allow them to be their escort for a short time.

The auburn-haired man smiles and begins walking toward the car park with his companion by his side. "I'm not one to stand on ceremony, but such an occasion calls for an introduction. Please, call me "Ardyn." And this..." He gestures to the man beside him. "Is Callyx. He's a dear old friend of mine. Come with us to the car park. That's where I left my automobile. She's a dear old thing. Pales next to your Regalia, but she's never let me down. So we take two vehicles-a convoy of sorts. Shall we?"

When arriving at Ardyn's car, the auburn-haired man turned to face the group. "All set?"

"Let's get this over with," Noctis sighed.

"Allow me to do the honor of assigning your driver... I choose you!" Ardyn pointed at the raven-haired boy.

"Fine by me."

"I do have one final request," Callyx spoke up with his smooth voice. His emerald eyes focused on (Y/n). "Your car will be cramped with five people. The lady should ride with us."

"No way!" Prompto shouted. "(Y/n)'s staying with us."

"Yeah. We're not gonna let her go with you two," Noctis replied.

"I only wish to speak with her on our drive over to the Disc." Callyx lifted his t-shirt up a little ways to reveal the jade gemstone embedded in his abdomen.

The spirit gasped at the sight. "You're a guardian, too?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

"But your eyes..."

He smirked. "Contacts."

"Oh..."

He took a step closer to her, alerting the royal retinue. Prompto went to pull the girl back when Noctis moved to stand between the two spirits. Callyx noticed how tense the four boys were and raised his hands in surrender. "I'm not going to hurt her. There's something important I have to discuss with her."

"Then do it here and now," Gladio said with a faint growl.

(Y/n) broke free from Prompto's hold and stepped around Noctis to stand directly in front of Callyx. "What's so important that they can't hear it but your friend can?"

"Because I trust him and not your friends. If you don't ride with us, you'll never learn the truth about what the empire is planning."

Her mouth opened and closed. She wanted to say something, but she couldn't think of anything. If the information is important and the only cost was riding in their car, she would do it. "Fine. I'll ride with you."

"What?" Prompto gasped.

She casted a reassuring smile towards the blonde. "I'll be fine, Prom. If we can learn what the empire is doing, I'll ride with them."

"Are you certain of your decision, (Y/n)?" Ignis asked.

"Yes."

"B-But..." Prompto began.

Ardyn, however, interrupted him. "You drive your car, I drive mine, and the maiden comes with Callyx and I. With that decided, let us be off."

Prompto stared in shock, watching (Y/n) climb into the backseat of the red car alongside Callyx. He bit his tongue, deciding to hold himself back after seeing her resolve. Reluctantly, he got into the Regalia with his friends. Like a child, he pouted as he watched the red car leave the parking lot.

Outside of Lestallum, the two automobiles sat side by side. Ardyn glanced toward the boys inside the Regalia. "Just to be clear, this isn't a race, it is a chase. You're not to pass me. Lose sight of me, and you'll lose your way. And no tailgating. An accident would spoil the trip."

Noctis, who was behind the wheel, groaned. "All right, all right. Let's hit the road already."

"As you wish. Drive safely, now."

(Y/n) casted Prompto one last smile before they took off. After being a few minutes on the road, she looked over at her fellow spirit. "So, Callyx, what did you wanna tell me?"

The emerald-eyed man glanced at Ardyn for a split second before sighing. "How familiar are you with the conduit?"

"The first time I heard about it was from Noctis. Besides that, I know nothing about it."

"Well then, I guess an explanation is in order." Callyx combed a hand through his spiky black hair. "Centuries ago, there used to be seven Astrals. But all that changed when the seventh god disappeared. No one knows why and most of Eos has forgotten about him. The mighty Brahma, the creator of the universe, vanished without a trace. However, the conduit is rumored to be the only person who can hear and speak to Brahma. They are also the person the Astral has chosen to embody his power and act as his vessel in order to aid the True King."

"And what does this have to do with the empire?" (Y/n) inquired.

"The only beings possible of being the conduit are spirits. Humans are frail and unable to embody the power of an Astral. Our people are being targeted by the empire. They're slaughtering guardians left and right to prevent Brahma's return. I'm only telling you this because you need to know how much danger you are in. If you want to protect yourself, you need to find a safe place to hide. Leave those men and find a place to-"

"Oh, I don't think so," (Y/n) interrupted him. "Have you forgotten? Guardians are meant to protect those that gave them life. There's no way I'm going to leave Prompto to save my own skin. I care too much about him to leave him behind."

"You wouldn't be the first spirit to latch on to a human..." Callyx crossed his legs. "Then again, by the look on that boy's face, you mean a lot to him. Guess I'm kind of jealous."

"Is that all you wanted to tell me?" She sighed.

"Yeah..."

The conversation died. (Y/n) rested her arm on the door, cupping her chin with her palm. She glanced out at the passing scenery, admiring it to distract her from the two men in the car with her. She prayed to the Astrals this road trip would end soon.

A little ways behind the red vehicle was the Regalia. Noctis kept a good distance between them and Ardyn's car to prevent an accident. While the prince, Gladio, and Ignis were chatting away about the two mysterious men, Prompto stared at the car in front of them. His fingers tapped against his knee repeatedly, his leg shaking up and down. His right arm rested on top of the car door with his hand clenched in a fist and resting against his cheek.

When Gladio noticed the blonde's lengthy silence, he glanced at him. Seeing the sharpshooter's gaze locked on the car in front of them, he chuckled. "You that worried, blondie?"

"Of course I am!" Prompto yelled. "(Y/n)'s in a car with two weirdos! Not to mention, one of those weirdos tried to hit on her yesterday!"

"You're freaking out over nothing."

"Wha-no!"

"By the way (Y/n) carried herself in the grotto, I do believe she is quite capable of handling anything or anyone who dares cross her path," Ignis stated.

"I know she's strong, but that doesn't stop me from worrying about her..." Prompto muttered. He managed to look away from the car they were following and pulled out his camera. He scrolled through the various pictures he's taken of (Y/n) so far, admiring her beauty from every angle.

After spending 15 minutes scrolling through pictures, Prompto lifted his head and realized they were pulling over. He glanced around in confusion as they pulled into the Cauthess Coernix Station.

Noctis pulled the Regalia up beside Ardyn's car just as the man got out and asked, "What say we call it a day here?"

""What say" we continue on to Cauthess?" Gladio retorted as he and the other boys climbed out of the Regalia.

"The Archaean's not going anywhere."

"Neither are we, under your stewardship," Ignis replied.

"So we make camp...with Ardyn," Prompto groaned.

"Hell no," Noctis quipped.

"Might as well get the tent up," Gladio said.

Oh, I'm afraid Callyx and I have never really been ones for the outdoors. We shall foot the bill, so let us stay at the caravan over yonder," Ardyn stated.

(Y/n) turned her head towards the male spirit standing beside her. "You're a hunter. Don't you camp out a lot?"

"Yeah, but it doesn't mean I enjoy it," Callyx explained.

"That's... Okay, yeah. Good point."

"Will all of us even fit in the caravan?" Noctis asked.

"Only one way to find out," Ardyn smirked before walking off with his friend.

Once Ardyn and Callyx were gone, (Y/n) sauntered over to the boys. She placed a hand on her hip with a frown. "Can we talk somewhere in private?"

"Oh, no," Prompto gasped. He rushed over to the (h/c)-haired girl and grabbed her arms, shaking her back and forth. "What did they do to you?! Tell me, (Y/n)!"

"H-Hey, take it easy, Prom. They didn't do anything to me." She grabbed his arms to stop him from shaking her. "I just wanted to share with you all what Callyx had to say."

"Then shall we make for the caravan?" Ignis suggested.

"That'd be good."

They entered the caravan. Noctis and Prompto sat on the small wooden bench while Gladio and Ignis decided to stand. (Y/n) closed the door behind them and leaned against it. Wishing not to beat around the bush, she jumped straight to the point. "The empire's hunting down spirits and killing them."

"What?" Ignis gaped in shock.

"What do they hope to gain from that?" Gladio inquired.

"This conduit you heard about from the marshal... It can only be a guardian. Whoever this conduit is has the ability to hear and speak to the forgotten Astral and act as his vessel," she said. "By killing spirits, the empire hopes to stop Brahma from returning."

"Hold up," Noctis spoke up. "There's another Astral?"

"Brahma, the creator of the universe. He's known as the forgotten Astral. Not many know about him, but apparently the empire does."

"Can we really trust this information?" Gladio questioned.

"I...I'm not sure," she confessed. "I don't trust Callyx, but he genuinely looked worried about it when he spoke to me."

"If he is telling the truth, does that mean...?" Prompto gazed at the girl, worried for her safety. "Does that mean the empire will try to kill you?"

"Well..."

Noctis stood up. "Let them come. They're already crawling up our asses anyway."

"What more could they possibly do?" Ignis asked.

"We'll deal with any imperial bastards that cross our path just like we always do," Gladio claimed.

"Yeah!" Prompto cheered. "All of us are a team."

"Team?" (Y/n) parroted.

"Unless you wish not to be," Ignis stated.

"No, it's just..." She rubbed a hand up and down her arm. "I never expected you three to accept me so easily."

"We were all skeptical at first, but you proved yourself in the cave. I thought our whole groove would've been messed up with you around, but you proved me wrong." Gladio patted her on the shoulder. "You fit right in, short stuff."

"Sh-Short stuff...?" She glanced around at the boys before examining her appearance. "Am I really that short?"

"Well... Yeah," Prompto answered. "B-But that's okay!"

She looked away, unamused. "Ugh..."

(Y/n) excused herself and left the caravan. She wandered towards the rear of the convenience store before setting her gaze on the Celestial Crescent. She tilted her head in curiosity when hearing a faint mumbling.

...ui...

She blinked in shock when she could make out a portion of what the voice was saying. "I'm going crazy..."

"What're you talking about?"

(Y/n) tore her gaze away from the darkening sky and looked at Callyx, deciding to lie. "It's nothing, really. I thought the colors of the Celestial Crescent were changing for a second, but my mind was playing tricks on me." She didn't trust him even after he shared information about the empire.

Callyx took a quick glance at the sky before looking at the (h/c)-haired girl, his hands hidden behind his back. "Do you ever hear voices whenever you gaze upon the Celestial Crescent?"

"If you mean the voices in my head, then yes."

Callyx chortled. "That's not what I meant."

She put on a friendly façade. "I know. I'm just messing with you. To answer your question-no, I don't hear voices. Am I supposed to?"

He shook his head. "Not unless you're the conduit. Brahma's consciousness resides within those cluster of stars. He searches for the perfect vessel to regain his physical body, only speaking to the spirit he deems worthy."

"Do we have any idea what'll happen to the conduit once Brahma takes control of their body?"

"Who knows? Maybe they become an empty shell, maybe there are no side effects whatsoever." Callyx suddenly outstretched one of his hands to touch her shoulder, but he stopped mid-way when a familiar bubbly blonde came bounding over calling the girl's name. "Guess I'll give you two some time alone."

Prompto eyed Callyx suspiciously as he walked past him. When he was out of sight, he walked up to (Y/n). "I was kinda getting worried when you didn't come back. Everything okay, (Y/n)?"

"Mhmm," she hummed with a smile. "Everything's peachy."

"I thought you might've been worried about this whole conduit thing. I mean, it is kinda scary the empire is going around and just killing spirits. Are you sure you're doing okay?"

"Really, I'm fine. No need to worry, Prom."

Suddenly, Prompto wound his arms around her and hugged her tightly. He pressed his cheek against her (h/c) hair, frowning sorrowfully. "Y'know, you might be a better liar than me, but I can tell when you're really worried about something, (Y/n). You scrunch up your nose and furrow your brows. I find it kinda...cute."

She sighed, burying her face into his chest. She wound her arms around his torso and mumbled, "I am scared. Scared for my people, scared for me. There aren't many of us, which makes it even more frightening. I'm also scared I'm putting you and the others in even more danger."

Prompto hugged her smaller frame as tight as he could without hurting her. "Hey, don't worry 'bout us. We can handle ourselves. There's no way the empire could defeat us! And..." He nuzzled his nose in her hair, inhaling her gentle scent. "I-We won't let anything happen to you. I know you're supposed to be the one protecting me, but I wanna protect you too. If you were to vanish, I...I wouldn't know what to do."

A warm, gentle smile blossomed on the spirit's face. "I'll never disappear, Prom. Whenever you need me, I'll be there. Even when you don't need me, I'll be by your side. You're stuck with me forever."

Prompto smiled widely. "I wouldn't have it any other way." He fell silent for a moment before clearing his throat, arms remaining tightly wound around (Y/n). "Hey, u-um... After we're done with this Disc business, there's something really important I wanna tell you."

"You can't tell me now?" She inquired.

"Of course not! It's, uh...really important, but I still need a day to...come up with the right words. Think you can wait?"

"Do I really have any other choice?"

"Nope."

Previous Chapter || Next Chapter || Masterlist

[the-blind-geisha]

for the love sentence starters (if requests are still open), “I never stopped loving you.” - for Noctis, SFW

A/N: Sure thing~ I'll be happy to! ♥

Word Count: 1,628

Rated: SFW

Working to cull the daemon threat in Insomnia felt like trying to put out fire with a lit match. Being part of the Glaive that worked behind the city's ruined walls, you did your all to make sure that the city would at least be in some form of good condition when the king was to return. But how was this going to be possible? Ardyn was sitting on the throne and the daemons spawned continuously with no end in sight.

The worst of it was when you lost contact with the base where Cor and the others were. What happened? Did the daemons manage to make it down there as well? It couldn't have been possible. The Kingsglaive was unstoppable in your mind.

Running from two Nagas, you did your all to try and contact someone at the base once more. “Marshal, please respond! Marshal, it's me—y/n—are you there!” Nobody answered. There was only white noise to greet you. “Dammit!” you swore, jumping out of the way of one of the incoming jaws of the mighty creature behind you.

Don't look it in the eyes, you reminded yourself. It can not only poison you with a mere bite but it can turn you into a damn frog of all things.

There was a horrible cracking sound after a very predatory hiss that emanated from one of the Naga chasing after you. Just as you were about to turn around and find out the source of that whip like sound, the tail of the beast snapped around and snagged your ankle in a quick move that left you wide open for its other attack as you slipped and fell.

Your head was pounding. The sounds of the fire and all daemons that had overtaken Insomnia were but a mere ringing noise at this point. The sights becoming that of a blur, you felt as blood trickled from an open wound on your head as the Naga's jaws dripping with saliva inched closer to you in a ravenous want to devour you.

Before you could even think to just surrender, a blade spawned out of nowhere and stabbed the daemon in the chest, making it lurch back and scream inhumanly. The King of Lucis, Noctis, appeared shortly after to grab onto the weapon and swing it upward to cut the creature apart. The tail, which had you grappled, loosened, and you were soon free.

It didn't matter. You were a mess from that fall you were unprepared for, and it was there you slowly blacked out.

“... Ey....” A familiar voice beckoned to you later. “...Hey... Y/N...? Up... Wake up...”

Eyes fluttering open, you saw the familiar King of Lucis there beside you as he had taken you to a secured location to check on your wounds. It was an old restaurant from what you could see—appeared to be some sushi place, but it didn't look familiar to you. Not that everything had aged properly as time went on. A lot was so far in ruin that you could scarcely recall the places you once visited on a daily basis.

“N-Noctis...” you muttered as he was apparently alone. Having known him for so long, you knew he wouldn't be bothered if you only called him by his first name.

“Yeah,” he answered with a sigh of relief. “You had me worried there, y/n. I was lucky I found you and the Marshal just in time.”

“The Marshal?” You were able to sit upright with ease, a potion no doubt being used to cure your injuries. “I-Is he okay? I tried to contact him over our secure Glaive line but he wouldn't pick up.”

Noctis nodded. “The guys and I got there before the daemons could try to break through to your headquarters. The Marshal was trying to keep them at bay, so that might be why nobody picked up. They were focusing their efforts to keep the base from the encroaching daemons.” A frown of sorrow still managed to tug at the king's lips. “There were a few casualties, I am saddened to say. We saw them on the way there.”

Closing your eyes, you nasally sighed at the lives lost in this war. “You've come back for us,” you muttered in disbelief.

Noctis laughed softly at the words. “You make it sound like I never would. Insomnia is my home, and I refuse to let Ardyn have his way with my peoples' lives.”

A sigh of relief made its way past your lips. “I am just relieved you are all right. I was worried you'd end up the same as Lady Lunafreya...”

He could sense the discontent in your tone when you spoke of such things. “No, I didn't, and I don't plan on doing so.”

He was hiding something in those words but you couldn't figure out what it was. “I'm sorry about what happened to your fiancée. That was cruel.” You closed your eyes, chewing at the corner of your mouth at having to remember such a thing. The sound of what happened was worse than one being there to witness it. You felt for the poor man.

“Another reason I plan on extracting my revenge against Ardyn,” Noctis muttered as he clasped his hands together. “You don't have to continue speaking of it, you know. I can tell talking of it bothers you a bit.”

It wasn't that you felt Lunafreya was a bad choice. Far from it. You were just inwardly envious. You made yourself very clear in regards to how you felt when it came to Noctis, and that was why you thought it was better to just became part of the Kingsglaive. You could serve your king and use that passion towards something far better than use it to stew in your jealousy over what you couldn't have. Even if she was gone, it didn't feel right. He deserved to have the one being who made him happy.

“I shouldn't be so selfish. And please, don't think ill of me,” you begged. “I hate she died. I truly do. She didn't deserve it. You both deserved to be happy, and I would have continued serving you both loyally no matter what.”

Noctis clasped his hands together between his legs as he lowered his head as if to lament about something privately. “Jealousy is a strong emotion. I cannot say I am not accustomed to it.”

Your head tilted to the side. “Since when?” To you, it felt like he had it all. He had the perfect wife to be and the most amazing support net when it came to his friends. What was he lacking?

“Since you started dating your last boyfriend some odd years ago,” Noctis answered with a weary sounding laugh to disguise the jealousy that still wanted to be vile.

“Ah. Him.” You glanced away with a nasally breath. “I have to admit that it didn't last long. My emotions went more towards work anyways. I just kind of liked being around you, and I think he could see that.”

“Really?” Noctis straightened up in his chair he was sitting in, interested by that. “After all this time?”

A laborious laugh resonated from your chest. “I never stopped loving you, Noctis. The gods could demand it so, but I would ignore them.”

“Even when I was engaged and on my way to be married?”

“Even then.” You shrugged your shoulders, resting your hand on the part of your body that was previously wounded only to find it had easily healed over with the magic of the potion used. “Yeah, I'm sure it's unhealthy as fuck, but I would have served you both loyally. I swear it.”

Noctis tapped his fingertips together, bowing his head as if to ponder on what to say or do. “Understand, y/n, that I cannot take your feelings into consideration right now. It's been ten years, yeah... but... to me it still feels like just yesterday ever since I got back from being trapped in the Crystal.”

“I don't expect you to.” You nodded at nothing in particular, eyes drifting over the ruins of what was. “Look around you, Noct. It's not just me that needs you but your people. Tend to them first, and then we'll talk down the line.”

“Even if it has to be years from now?”

“Even then,” you said with a smile. “Other things are far more important as of current. Your emotional healing being one of them as well as the safety of others.”

He nodded, recalling the gravity of the situation. “You're right. You're right...” he repeated as if to affirm it himself. It was then he got up and offered his hand for you to take. Your fingers slipping into his grasp, he aided you in standing. “The Marshal was worried about you. It was why and how we found you. You might want to head back to HQ or something.”

“I'll contact him.” Digging into your pocket, you pulled out your phone to show Noctis. “Technology still kind of works if you have the electricity to make it do so. Besides, I'd rather be out here on the front line—helping you.”

He stifled a laugh behind his lips. “Sounds like a plan. I'll meet you outside when you're done.”

You watched as Noctis was about to leave the building. “Hey, Noct?” you called, causing the king to stop and turn to look back at you. Your right hand turned into a fist as you brought it across your chest before bowing. “It's great to have you back, my King.”

[eroticcannibal]

Okay, so, I don't think you go here, but there is some FANTASTIC gorey porn in the FFXV fandom involving the unkillable villain, Ardyn. He's a gorgeous middle-aged redhead with a Shakespearian theater voice, buckets of snark, and negative 100 fucks to give.

One of the best fics is on AO3 titled "why are you like this" and written by jonphaedrus. Even if you have zero interest in the source material, I recommend giving it a read, because it is Very fucked up and also Extremely Hot.

I am like 90% sure that is the fandom that that one infamous ex tumblr user (who is blind with the blind cat) writes for so. Yeah there is gonna be some gore over there!

[xylune]

FFXV Ardyn fanfic

I’ve been replaying Final Fantasy XV since things have settled down and I’ve had the chance to get all the additions and episodes. An idea for a canonverse AU hit me last night and I started working on it this morning, but for some reason, I just had to start writing a scene that won’t happen until later in the story...if I maintain the inspiration enough to keep at it.

Quick explanation: This story will build off the “Dawn of the Future” book addition, taking place after those events. Ardyn is unwillingly revived and supremely unhappy about it. Noctis and company are left with little choice but to try and manage him, as he’s become virtually un-killable. Unfortunately, Ardyn is desperate to die and the choices are to either deliver further torment on the man or try and help him find a purpose in his endless existence.

Beneath the cut (provided it works as it should) is a sample of a scene in which Gladiolus and Prompto are trying to babysit Ardyn, and the situation is made worse when he believes he’s seen a ghost from his past.

"Hmm, first time here. Let's see what's on the menu."

Ardyn checked a sigh of impatience. His flat still awaited, but it was a good ways further into Lestallum and they had been driving all day without a bite to eat. Even he, who could not die, still suffered the pangs of hunger and thirst. Cruel twist, that. What purpose did it serve for an immortal to still require food and drink? It wasn't as though he could starve to death; he'd already tried that. Going without did make him sick and weak, though.

Ever polite even when killing someone, the former Chancellor gave an elegant shrug and flourished a wave of his hand. "By all means, after you."

Gladiolus waited for his smaller companion Prompto to pass through the door first, and then the big, tattooed warrior followed behind. Ardyn held the door open for them both, and then he joined them inside the building.

"Charming little place," he mused, casting a look around. "There, by the window. A perfect spot for us."

The pair looked, and Gladio nodded. "Yeah. Backs to the wall and we can see who comes in and out. Good call."

"Paranoid sort, aren't you?" Ardyn smirked at the black-haired kings guard. "I chose it for the aesthetic position, but you see—"

"I see what I've been trained to see for all these years," interrupted Gladiolus in a low, serious voice. "Don't act so surprised. You're a big part of the reason we all learned to do everything strategically, learned to treat every place we went as a potential ambush spot."

"Guys," interjected Prompto before Ardyn could respond, "who cares about that? We're here to feed our faces and get something hot and nice to drink. Come on, I'm fading fast, here."

Gladiolus kept his hard brown gaze locked with Ardyn's for a moment, and then he nodded. "Right. A meal, then Ardyn's old place, then a place to sleep for the night."

"That's a top plan," agreed Ardyn amicably. "I would offer my flat for the night, but the utilities, I'm sure, have been cut off by now. Not to mention, the place hasn't been given a proper cleaning since I was last there. Dust mites, you know."

"How do you even know it's still available?" asked Prompto as they claimed their table and sat down. "You've been gone for a really long time. They might have cleared it out and rented it to someone else by now."

Ardyn shook his head, removed his fedora and plucked up the menu sitting on the table before him. "I'm paid up for the better part of two years on rent. You see, I can be forgetful about some things, and while it's easy enough to get utilities turned back on if I'm away for too long, personal effects can be a bother to replace. The flat is mine until the end of the year."

"Huh." Gladiolus examined his own menu. "Why not just buy the place, if you had that kind of money?"

Ardyn's usual flair with speech dropped, leaving his tone flat and level. "Because I didn't intend to be here for longer than that."

The younger two men paused, and they exchanged a look with one another over the tops of their menus.

"Oh dear, have I made you uncomfortable?" Ardyn's smirk came back, though it lacked humor. "How tactless of me. Still, you asked."

"Enough talk of suicide and death," insisted Gladiolus.

"I don't believe either of those two words were—"

"Or insinuations of the subject," interrupted the black-haired man, his squared jaw tightening. "We've talked about this. Remember the agreement."

"Yes of course, but the point remains that I was asked a question, to which I merely answered with honesty." Ardyn turned to the freckled blond seated beside him. "True, Prompto?"

"Well, yeah. That's a pretty valid point."

"All right, whatever," huffed Gladiolus. "Let's just drop it and get on with the eating. I'm starving and we're burning what's left of our daylight."

Ardyn could have ordinarily thought up a few snappy quips in response to that, but the inadvertent turn of the subject matter, however brief, reminded him again of his misery. His thoughts twisted back into the same dismal questions he'd been asking himself since the day of his unwilling return to the flesh.

How was he to maintain what little he had left of his sanity, knowing he had endless days and nights ahead of him with no end or purpose in sight?

"Hmph. No rest for the wicked," he mumbled under his breath.

"What was that?"

Ardyn glanced sidelong over the top of his menu at Gladiolus, and then he pointedly focused on the text again. "Just thinking aloud, friend. Hmm, the Nebula Salmon Melt looks rather appetizing. I think I'll try that. What say you?"

Gladiolus scowled—not at Ardyn this time, but at the menu. "Everything looks pretentious to me. Iggy would love it."

"No meat and potato sub, then?"

"No cup o' noodles, either," added Prompto glibly.

Bless the speckled pistol specialist. Even though he clearly shared an understandable grudge and mistrust against Ardyn, Prompto's sociable nature compelled him to join in on some good-natured ribbing. Ardyn rather liked the lad for that.

"Knock it off," warned the big man. "Don't poke the bear when he's hungry, got it? I'm not in the mood."

"Yes, Prompto," Ardyn nudged the blond beside him with an elbow. "Do be careful. Now, Gladio—"

"I've told you not to call me that," reminded the kings guard with a frown. "Only friends and family are authorized to use the short version. You're neither. In fact, you're still at the top of my shit list, so cut the familiarity crap."

"Of course, Gladiolus," revised Ardyn politely. "I forget myself at times. Now, as I was saying, have you noticed the menu items on the other side? They have several items of a meatier variety."

Gladiolus flipped his menu over and looked. "Huh, you're right." He peered at the menu for a moment, and then he frowned, and he looked at Prompto. "What's 'prosciutto'?"

"Beats me, dude." The blond spread his hands helplessly. "I bet Noct or Specs would know, but I'm just as uncultured as you are. Ardyn, do you know?"

He did, but the older man's patience was quietly wearing thinner, and Gladiolus' rudeness wasn't helping. "It's meat."

Gladiolus' tiny smirk suggested that he was picking up on Ardyn's veiled frustration. "What kind of meat?"

"From a dead animal."

"No shit. What kind of animal? What part? Must be pretty special for such a fancy name."

Now Ardyn could feel his precious control slipping, and the daemons within him were trying to push to the surface. He spoke through his teeth, with a smile. "Why, the most delectable of both. A human ass."

Prompto sputtered, coughed and put his camera away. "Okay guys, time out. Let's just ask a waitress before you two eat each other. Hey, I see one over there. She's cute, too! Not as cute as Cindy, but real pretty. Uh, actually, I'll just go straight to her and ask. Don't kill each other, okay?"

For a moment, gold-amber eyes remained locked with dusky brown ones. Gladiolus was the first to look away, and he covered up whatever disquiet he felt by turning his attention to their companion, who had left the table to speak with a server.

"Him and the blondes. He's got a real thing for them. She is cute, though."

Inwardly glad for the distraction from his own annoyance, Ardyn followed Gladiolas' gaze across the room, to the bar area. Prompto was chatting with a fetching young woman wearing a uniform apron over her clothes. No matter the horrors he'd seen or the darkness he lived in, Ardyn could still appreciate beauty in all its forms. Women were certainly no exception, so he examined her with as much interest as his companions.

She had her back turned to him at first, but he noted that she had a pleasing form with delicate curves. Small of build, of average height, she had her hair gathered into a ponytail at the base of her neck.

The color of her hair caught his attention the most, provoking a little pang of nostalgia within him. It was certainly blonde, as Gladiolus said, but it wasn't a yellow tone like Prompto's or a platinum shade like the queen's. Most would consider it an unremarkable color blonde, almost a neutral tone between white and yellow, pale and with just enough highlights to lend a faint touch of gold.

Ardyn knew this particular hair color well, for he'd run his fingers through strands of it just like that, many times in the distant past. He'd always compared it to pale wheat, and he'd always found it to be the most interesting variation of that hair shade. Even the density of the waitress's hair was the same, though the length was greater than the hair he'd once touched.

She then turned, and Ardyn Izunia was treated to the interesting experience of feeling his body go hot and cold all at once. He couldn't say it was a pleasant thing. He couldn't move, and his breath halted in his lungs, lodging somewhere in his throat on its way out.

Her face, sweetly, softly rounding a bit where the cheekbones met the jaw, softening her features there before tapering down to a gently curving chin.

Her brow, pale and fine like the hair on her head.

Her nose. Her lovely, pert and perfect nose.

Her lips, pouty with a slight upward curve at the corners, sweet and generous with both kisses and smiles.

Her eyes. Colors of blue and green, forest and sea harmonizing together, creating a beautiful, soulful color made even more expressive by the downward tilt of the outer eye corners. There was wisdom in those eyes, made ancient by an abiding love and devotion to the gods, and to the light. There was compassion there as well, and laughter.

A collection of words describing his dead betrothed kept spinning in Ardyn's head, and a part of him realized he had reduced this poor girl before him to a collection of body parts, comparing them to his lost love's bit by bit, because he simply could not believe what he was seeing.

Everything about her, every part of her, was an exact copy of the woman he would have married, had fate been more kind. Down to every detail, as far as he could tell from this distance. He had eyes like a hawk though, and he could even see that she had the exact same faint little freckles on her cheeks and nose, in the exact places he remembered them. He used to kiss them lovingly when they spent afternoons together, so he'd memorized them all.

Gladiolus was talking to him, in his rough voice. Ardyn could hear him, but it was faint as if coming from far away. There was a ringing in his ears, and it drowned out his companion's questions. For a moment, Ardyn wondered if he'd gone deaf, but then he heard the waitress's voice. Even that was identical to the one he remembered. She even had the same accent.

Every other voice and every other sound in the cafe faded into the background as the fallen healer focused on the sound of her voice.

"—cured ham," she was saying to Prompto, smiling. "It's quite popular. You can assure your friend that it doesn't come from a human's ass."

Prompto then pointed at the table they'd claimed, and Ardyn was overwhelmed with a sudden, immediate rush of panic as the waitress's gaze flicked to him. He quickly looked away, turning his head so hard that his neck popped in the process. He closed his eyes, willing himself to calmness.

He was imagining things. Seeing things that weren't there. It wouldn't be the first time. His beloved Aera couldn't possibly be there, serving sandwiches and coffee in a cafe. She was dead. Not only that, she was lost to him forever. When he'd let go after the defeat of Bahamut, thinking he could finally rest, he thought he was going to be with her. She wasn't there, though. There was only darkness, and then...he found himself in the flesh again, in pain, in Noctis' throne room.

He only got to see his beloved for a moment, and she wasn't there waiting for him like he'd thought. Perhaps he'd only hallucinated her after all, and they couldn't be together in any form because of the sins he'd committed.

She wasn't really here, in this establishment, offering sandwich advice. It wasn't possible.

"Hey, what's with you?"

For once, Gladiolus's aggressive barking was received with gratitude, because it startled Ardyn enough to anchor him back to reality...somewhat.

"So sorry," he managed to verbalize, "but I need fresh air. Be right back."

She was coming. He could feel her presence, hear her dainty steps like the thunder of an approaching storm. Ardyn Izunia abandoned all pretense of grace and manners, snatched up the fedora he'd set on the windowsill, crammed it on his head and made his egress as quickly as he could without using his warping abilities and causing a scene.

"What the hell did you say to him?" Prompto looked from Gladio to the door Ardyn had just vanished through.

"Nothing. He just spaced out all the sudden." Gladio was frowning, appearing just as lost as Prompto. "He looked like he saw a ghost or something, if you ask me. You went over there to talk to the waitress, and then he went still as a statue and turned about five shades whiter. All I did was ask if he was okay."

Prompto scratched his head, looking through the window and leaning a little to get a better view. "I see him. He's by the street lamp. He's just standing there with his hands in his coat pockets and his head down."

"Prompt, I swear I didn't do anything. We watched you talking to the waitress, and then he flipped."

Prompto combed his fingers through his spiky hair—or as much as he could before the stiffening product in his locks stopped him. "Damn. Well, who knows with him? Why was I the peacekeeper here, anyway? Ignis is better at this than me."

"Because Noct is stressed as hell and right now, he needs Ignis at his side as his advisor and his hand."

"I know, I know," sighed Prompto. "This is kind of a vacation from babysitting for him and Luna. I...I guess I'll go out and talk to him, see if I can figure out what's up before he blows a gasket. She's gonna come bring us some water in a sec, but if we're not back inside would you order the drinks?"

"Fine. What do you want?"

The blond shrugged his slim, bare shoulders. "Just the usual green soda. I don't know what Ardyn wants."

"He needs a tall glass of calm the fuck down," grumbled Gladio.

"I don't think they serve that here," Prompto answered dryly. "He said something about coffee earlier."

"The last thing that guy needs right now is caffeine."

Prompto threw his hands up. "Well, I don't know! Tea or something? He likes tea, right?"

"Guess it couldn't hurt. Go on; I'll hold the fort."

Ardyn had calmed himself enough to risk another look inside, but Prompto came out and tapped him on the shoulder just as he was about to try and confirm what he thought he'd seen. To his chagrin, the older man jumped a bit, and he turned to face Prompto with a frown.

"You, boy, should avoid sneaking up on me that way."

Truthfully, Prompto was no "boy" anymore. He and his friends were now nearly of an age with Ardyn. At least physically. He couldn't help but still think of them all as youths though, for compared to himself, virtually everyone alive on Eos was just a babe.

"Sorry, I was worried about you."

The casually and honestly worded response gave Ardyn pause. He knew the core of Prompto's concern was rooted in Noctis' expectations of him, naturally. Prompto's concern was more in letting his friend and king down than any true care for Ardyn's well-being, but it was nice to hear someone say that without hesitation, all the same.

"You saw her too, didn't you?" He was hardly aware of what he was saying. The words spilled out without conscious thought, but Ardyn realized that he did need confirmation from someone.

"Saw who?"

"The girl."

Prompto blinked, and there was a rumble of thunder overhead. He glanced up at the sky briefly, then flinched when a drop of rain landed on his nose. "There were a few girls in there, man. Can you be more specific?"

Growing more agitated, Ardyn grabbed Pronto by the shoulders. "The girl. The one you were speaking to."

Prompto's hand inched toward the holster where he kept his gun, but he didn't draw it. He regarded the ancient warily, his fair brows hedging with alarm. "Whoa, slow down. Do you mean the waitress?"

Aware that he'd just inadvertently made Prompto feel threatened, Ardyn relaxed his hold, though he didn't release it. "Aye, the waitress. Blonde, fair of skin, eyes like the color of a lagoon. Voice like bells."

"Um...okay. Your speech has ah...really gone old school all the sudden. And that's a pretty intense description..."

"Just answer me!"

Prompto nodded convulsively. "Yeah, yeah! Of course I saw her, dude. I was the one that pointed her out in the first place!"

"So...she's real. She's really here."

The smaller man's eyes were almost bugging out now. "Well I sure as shit hope so, because otherwise I was standing there talking to thin air about human ass sandwiches."

If he weren't so bewildered, Ardyn would have laughed uproariously over that. Under current circumstances though, his sense of humor was crippled. Nonetheless, he tried to at least put on a facade of calm for the sake of his companion. He removed his hands from Prompto's shoulders, taking a step back to give the other man space.

"Ah, well. Begging your pardon, friend. I was merely...startled. She looks very much like someone I once knew, and well...this is rather embarrassing, but I feared for a moment that I was hallucinating. Hence my asking you those odd questions."

Prompto's "fight or flight" stance relaxed a bit, and he shifted from foot to foot. "Oh. Yeah, I can see where you're coming from. I mean, after what you've...well, it's okay."

Prompto gave the taller man an awkward pat on the shoulder. "She's real, you're not seeing things and the rain is starting to come down. Let's go back inside for some chow, okay?"

"Splendid. Do let's. After you."

Ardyn tugged his hat brim down a little lower, waited for his companion to go back in, and then peeked through the window furtively. The rain was coming down faster now, streaking the glass and spoiling his view. He couldn't see the waitress, but she was in there.

"Pull it together," he whispered to himself.

The girl was real, and she definitely shared some traits with his lost love, but surely his mind had tricked him earlier. He saw through the eyes of a grieving heart, and he was clinically insane. He could make it through a quick meal without going completely off hinge...he hoped.

[a-world-in-grey]

A Year and a Day

@secret-engima Six curse it all WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME-

(Fusion with the new Mer AU because I ALSO have no self-control, ffs. Also, because I’m going off of the one posted story and a single ramble, I have absolutely NO IDEA how much of this actually fits in your Mer AU so like, yeah? See the end/tags for more.)

.

-It’s been a year since those horrible two weeks after Libertus lost Nyx in a storm (a year since Libertus nearly lost her forever) and a year since the realization that mythical merfolk aren’t quite as extinct as everyone thought.

-At first it was just Nox and his Uncle, but after that it seemed like the floodgates opened, because one particularly rough day - not quite a storm thank Ramuh - on the waves saw another merman with the fins of a Lionfish but in red and liquid silver clawing his way on deck and screeching at Nyx and Tredd and it wasn’t until Libertus’ heart stopping trying to beat out of his chest that he realized the merman was scolding the two idiots-

-Captain was the only merman to stick around near constantly, even more than Ardyn and Nox (to Nyx’s disappointment) but occasionally other mer would pop by to talk with Captain in that strange language the rest of the crew was slowly but surely beginning to pick up. 

-It’s been a year since that fateful storm. No, a year and a day, and Libertus is maybe a bit on edge because if there’s something Libertus has figured out, it’s that Fate loves her Significant Numbers.

-(A year and a day. A decade. A century. A millennia.)

-A year and a day. If anything is going to happen. If anything is going to happen, it’s going to be today.

-And to top it off, it’s storming. Again.

-Nox is with them this time. Libertus isn’t sure he should be relieved by the merman’s presence or worried that a powerful mythical being shares his worries.

-The Flotilla is facing off against another Niflheim Fleet. Not Tummelt this time, though Tummelt had survived the storm that nearly claimed Nyx’s life. No, this time it’s led by the Aureus, captained by Caligo Ulldor and that’s the only reason they’re facing off in such a storm at all.

-(No matter the risk, they cannot let Ulldor reach land. Every Galahdian would give themselves to the Stormsender’s Wrath then allow the atrocities Ulldor would inflict upon their people.)

-But Ulldor isn’t the young and reckless captain Tummelt is, surviving by daring and wits. Ulldor, for all that no Galahdian would ever admit it to his face, is a match of skill for any Furia captain, and a crew equally sea-worthy. The Aureus keeps up with the Stormheart, even with Captain at the helm, even as the rest of the Niflheim fleet falls to Nox and the Flotilla.

-Until a note splits the thunder-struck sky, not so much a Song as a shriek, high and shrill and inhuman and panic-desperation-betrayal-runrunRUN hitting all of them like a rogue wave.

-And the scream cuts off with terrible suddenness and Captain roars, hate and fury blanketing the ship as he shouts for them to brace for impact, just in time for a ship - Tummelt - to somehow appear from nowhere and ram them from the port side.

-Libertus manages to grab Nyx and the rigging, wrapping one arm around her waist because he refuses to lose her a second time-

-It doesn’t matter, as the Stormheart splits, sending them into the waves and the last thing Libertus hears is Nox’s furious scream.

-(A year and a day.)

.

-He wakes.

-Libertus wakes with sunshine on his face, in his soul and lungs, hands helping him turn and vomit up sea water as his own clench in the sand beneath him-

-Heaving for air, reveling in the pain because Shiva’s tits it hurts but pain means he’s alive, how-?

-Nyx’s worried blue eyes, checking him over, helping him sit up before wrapping arms around his neck and sobbing. Libertus returning the hug because his brain still can’t comprehend anything his eyes are seeing.

-The crew of the Stormheart, laid out on the beach. Most of them awake and sitting up, being tended to one of the many red-haired Furia that must be from one of the local villages, given the children and Elders among them, handing out food and water and bandages.

-Nox and Ardyn - and when did the other merman arrive? - seeing to the worst of the wounded, blue and gold magic shimmering through the air. And Captain, beside him and Nyx, grim faced but guarding the-

-Libertus’ heart skips a beat, and he wonders if he’s actually dead.

-Nyx lets out a wet snarl and smacks his shoulder. Did he say that out loud?

-“Y-you were.” Nyx hiccups, hands clenching in his shirt.

-Libertus wants to disbelieve it. Coming back from the dead isn’t possible. Only, he can’t, because the Koi mermaid with red and gold scales in the tones of a summer sunset, trailing up arms and from sea-blue eyes, hair the same red-violet as Ardyn, bends over a horribly pale and still Tredd, pressing lips to his and breathes.

-And in a shimmer of gold, Tredd sputters, coughing up seawater as Luche and Axis help Tredd turn over.

-“Breath of Life.” Captain tells him, eyes dark. “A rare gift. And not one without consequences.”

-Consequences? What consequences-

-Sunshine on his face. But the sky is clouded over and Libertus can still feel a warmth in his soul, like the hearthfire of his childhood home, like the summer sun as he and Nyx played in the Galahd River.

-Breath of Life. Nox and Nyx mated with a kiss, “We didn’t just get married, did we?” He squeaks.

-Libertus might be panicking. The least Nyx could do is not laugh at him, thank you very much.

-The Captain’s chuckles are much more reassuring. Mostly because he wouldn’t laugh if it were serious. “No. Mating requires consent.” Captain shoots a wry look in Nyx’s direction. “If not informed consent. Of either party.”

-Nyx just snorts, a year of teasing on the subject inuring her to any embarrassment. Nox on the other hand still turns as red as Ardyn’s hair whenever someone brings it up.

-Libertus is relieved. Not that he’d necessarily mind being married to the mermaid who - on top of being very pretty - saved his life and the lives of most of the crew it looks like, but Libertus doesn’t fancy suddenly becoming part of a harem no matter how pretty said mermaid is.

-“So what happened, then?” Libertus asks, because if he’s not married, he’d like to know what Captain means when he says consequences.

-“A gift of magic.” Captain says bluntly. “Most merfolk aren’t capable of it, but most merfolk aren’t the Draconian’s either, and dragons have always been possessive of their Claimed.”

-What did dragons have to do with merfolk- wait. Libertus’ head whips around to stare at the fire-haired mermaid. At the Koi mermaid, and suddenly Libertus remembers the tales of koi fish climbing the mountain rivers to reach the Sky and become Dragons. “I thought- those are myths.”

-The Captain raises a wry brow. “So are merfolk.”

-And as Libertus sputters at the fact he’s been Claimed by a Princess, Nyx gives up and cries with laughter.

.

More notes on this so I hopefully don’t go any further down this rabbit hole-

-Sola was captured by Niflheim, and experimented on by Besithia who learned how to harness and shape her magic - and the magic of other mer - essentially turning Sola into a magical battery. She and other magically powerful mer are brought into battle to give them a magical edge against their enemies.

-Sola was most commonly brought aboard Caligo’s ship and used to hide the presence of other ships so Caligo could crush his enemies in flanking and pincer maneuvers. 

-Sola sensed the presence of other mer, sensed Titus’ presence and fought back, if only by screaming a warning because she refused to be the reason another of her people were captured and used. She’d die first.

-She thought she would, when Caligo slit her throat and dumped her overboard. But Ardyn found her and healed her, and then he and Nox destroyed the Niflheim fleet and Sola helped rescue and heal the Galahdians.

-Like Titus, Sola has a lot of scars. The worst is the scar across her throat, the scar over her chest and back from someone running her through - the Kings of Yore, multiple times from when Niflheim pushed her magic too far - and the scar across her back from when they first captured her. The rest are from torture, experimentation, and being forced to heal her captors.

-Sola once had a beautiful singing voice. But now, despite Ardyn’s healing, Sola’s voice is a raspy croak and she can’t speak much before the pain gets too be too much, so typically sticks to sign language anyway. Sola doesn’t mind the loss, but Titus and a lot of the other Galahdians feel guilty because she lost it - and almost her life - because she warned them.

-Everyone Sola saves with the Breath of Life ends up getting the gift of her magic. Similar but lesser in scale to the gift of magic Nyx has from her mating with Nox. It also means that Sola becomes very possessive of the Galahdians she saved, because they are Hers.

-The day Sola decides to start Courting Libertus is the start of many Shenanigans and much hilarity for everyone on the Stormheart II. Because Sola’s picked up just enough of Galahdian Courting to know generally what to do (bring gifts/kills to show Ability to provide, bring dead enemies to show Ability to protect home, etc), but she’s a mer so like, not all of it comes across.

-Though, the day Sola presents Libertus with a beautifully made sash of woven sea-silk (that the Lazarus weep over) dyed in shimmering blue and black is the day Libertus finally gets a clue and everyone gets to see Libertus choke and turn bright red. Sola just laughs and kisses Libertus on the cheek.

-Sola and Libertus are very affectionate with each other, though they carefully never kiss on the lips. But forehead kisses, cheek kisses, hand kisses (the first time Libertus does this to Sola, she turns as red as her scales), and lots of cuddling is very common to see.

-Sola crafts a marriage bead out of a golden pearl that she gifts to Libertus. Libertus waits for Sola to braid it into her hair, then braids the Ostium braids into her hair, before he seals their marriage with a kiss. (And, if it applies in this AU, Sola gives up her mer form and most of her magic for the form of a human, and gets to learn how to walk on human legs.)

-(By the time they marry though, Libertus has met the entirety of the royal family including Regis and Aulea and has decided that Aulea is by far the scariest of his in-laws. Nox and Ardyn included.)

.

Fun Fact: in Japanese (and Chinese?) myth, koi swam up river to try to climb the mountains. If they succeeded in reaching the sky, they transformed into dragons.

[itsgeecheebitch]

TITLE: Until Darkness Descends

CHAPTER: 21

RATING: Explicit

FANDOM: Final Fantasy XV

MAIN PAIRING: Ardyn Izunia x Reader

SEC. PAIRING: Gladiolus Amicitia x Reader

           Intertwining your fingers, you placed them over your brows to shield your eyes from the glaring sun. Heat battered your shoulders and rippled in the air like invisible waves. You stood outside the motel, your useless arm in a sling, courtesy of Gladiolus, before he and the boys departed on their latest hunt, leaving you alone with your festering thoughts.  

         Last night’s events unfurled its wings and beat against the inside of your brain. Just thinking about the dark water, the creature that pulled you down, and the dark clouds, agonized your stomach in a series of knots and twists. 

        With nothing else to do you decided to traverse the tiny town. It was far smaller than Hammerhead,  consisting of a smattering of one story homes, a convenience store, gas station, motel, and a moderate sided Crow’s Nest. The gravel crunched underneath your feet. You could feel the sizzling heat from the pavement lick the soles of your shoes. 

        All the while the dream raced through your mind like an endless movie reel. You don't know why you were still fretting over that dream. It was just a silly nightmare, but you couldn’t explain why it rattled you so much. There was something unnerving about the expanding darkness that clabbered your stomach to butter. 

         The crunch of pebbles ceased and you found yourself in front of a bookstore. Your eyes traced over the assembly of greened planks that made up the building’s architecture. The wood was eaten away in some places, and it clearly looked very old, but that didn’t stop you from ascending the rickety steps and opening the flimsy screen door. 

          A cacophony of groans creaked from underneath your feet and the pungent odor of musty old books assaulted your senses. Dust particles glittered in the air where the sun reached through the windows. The entire place was devoid of life except for a girl that stood behind the front desk. She turned, her brown face beaming with a smile.

         “Welcome to Longmythe bookstore, what can I help ya with?” The woman said as you approached the desk. Her soft voice sporting an Old Lestallum twang. 

           “Uh, yeah. Do you by any chance have books on dreams?” You asked

           “We sure do, just follow me, ma’am.” Shuffling from behind the mahogany desk, she led you through a few aisles of books. Her manicured nail skated across the broken spines of books lining the dusty shelves until she found the editions she was looking for. You wiggled your nose as the books coughed up a cloud of stale air when she removed them from their perches. 

            Visiting another aisle, she collected a fourth book and handed her findings to you. “These are a few of my recommendations. Lemme know if you need anything else, hun.” She said as she went back to the front of the store. 

             You offered your thanks and ushered towards the empty tables in the back. A light coating of dust covered the maple wood. Brushing some of it off, you sat down your assortment of books before taking a seat in the chair. Titles about dreams stared back at you. You opened one of the books to find the brittle pages stained yellow with age. 

             Hunching over, your eyes combed every sentence, your hands turned the pages but nothing jumped out at you. This particular book covered symbols in dreams and you immediately turned the fragile pages until you found the section covering the meaning of water. This section had everything, the symbolic meaning of muddy water, crystal clear water, rain, and even storms, but it all meant nothing to you.  Sure your dream sported dark muddy water, but you found no solace in the answers stored with the pages, not even a moment of pause.

           You opened the next book and found the case to remain the same. Hours must’ve passed by while you were glued to your seat. You could feel the passing seconds rake down your spine and lock your muscles. A myriad of dancing pins and needles spiraled down your right leg.

             Sighing, you closed the book and slumped in your chair. This was silly. You’ve spent hours chasing after meaning for something far too nonsensical to have any meaning at all. It was just a nightmare, a product of stress from the previous day. There was nothing fantastical or prophetic to be found in these pages, nor in the horrid images that liquefied your gut. 

           Stacking the books on top of one another, you were about to place them back on the bookshelf when a woman walked by your table. Her steps slowed to a halt, her sapphire eyes glued onto the books in your hands. 

            “Hmm…’Decoding Dreams’.” She read the book title out loud. Her vibrant eyes met yours. “Havin’ sleep troubles, sweetie?” She asked, the crow’s feet at the side of her eyes crinkled as she smiled. 

            You gave the woman a wary look, your city life sensibilities kicking into gear. “I guess.” You said.

             The woman chuckled, tilting her head and causing the brunette ringlets kissing her cheeks to shift. “There’s no need to be shy.” You were, by no means, a shy person. But you did find it peculiar that people outside of the city would strike up a conversation with just anyone. You were used to it at one point, growing up on the road exposed you to a myriad of different people, and it never vexed you when a random person approached you for small talk. However, that wasn’t your life anymore and your sensibilities changed. 

             Despite your standoffish demeanor, the woman continued to smile. “I can tell you ain’t from ‘round here.” she noted, flashing you two perfect rows of pearly whites. “My name’s Susan, but you can call me Peaches. I operate that little shop ‘cross the street.” She pointed towards the window at a quaint red brick shop with the name, ‘Mystic Arts’ painted in bold red letters above an ebony door. “So what’s yer name?”

            “It’s Aera.” You replied.

              “Oh how lovely.” She sunk into the seat across from yours. Subtle notes of warm vanilla tickled your nose. “You must have all the boys’ eyes back home. So what brings you to our humble town? Just passin’ through?”

               “You could say that.” The words felt dry even to you, but giving detailed answers, to a stranger no less, not only made you uncomfortable but also placed the prince's safety in jeopardy. Anyone could be a threat to his life, even someone as friendly and unassuming as the woman sitting before you. The less details you give, the less likely people would find out who you are and who Noctis is. 

           Instead of losing interest, like you hoped, the woman folded her hands on the table and leaned forward. “So tell me more about yer dream troubles if you don’t mind me pryin’”.

          Looked like she wasn’t going to go away that easily. “It's nothing, just a stupid dream.” You hoped that would appease her, but also signal your disinterest in further discussion.

           “Dreams are nothin’ to snort at, hun. They’re messages from the most high. It’s best to heed them when they come knockin’.” Dipping pink polished nails into her ivory purse, she produced a tiny white card and slid it over the table to you. “Here’s my card. You can stop by anytime you like”. 

            Your shoulders relaxed when she finally left. You supposed this was why she was so insistent on talking to you. ‘Mystic Arts: Fortune Telling Services’ scorched the surface of the card in red letters. Graphics of tarot cards and a crystal sat above the mention of a five gil service fee. So she was a fortune teller and thought she found easy prey in you? 

           Scoffing, you tore the card into ribbons, the remains cascaded onto the dusted table like snowy confetti. Fortune telling was a sham, it wasn’t a real magic art and only required cunning to sell the story. Rising from your seat, you left the heap of ripped up card pieces and made your way back to your motel room.

            Musty dry air met you at the door when you arrived. Plopping yourself onto the bed, your eyes zeroed in on the chipped ceiling above you. You wondered how long the boys would be gone for. The space around you was as silent as the arid wilderness at night. The grating ticking of a clock resonated through your skull like a bad memory. 

           You wished you were out there with them instead of being stuck in here with a paralyzed limb. You would much rather do something as mundane, but also rewarding, as collecting tags of the fallen than having a staring contest with an object that would never blink first. 

           The red bricked shop sprouted in your mind like a tree taking root. It wouldn’t hurt to go. You had nothing else to do. Enduring fanciful vague answers from a fortune teller sounded much more enticing than laying on a lumpy mattress till the boys arrived. Besides, it would be nice to have someone to talk to about your dream, even if that person was a con artist bent on selling you a hyper expensive “cure” for your nightly ails. Against any rational thought, you rose from the flat lumpy mattress and made your way out the door.

[savage-rhi]

Immortal Shield Chapter 40: Allies

**DM or comment if you want to be tagged in updates on tumblr

**To read previous chapters, hit this link

Tagging: @seradyn

“Are you insane?!” Gladio exclaimed.

“Could you not yell at me point blank?” Noctis countered with a heavy sigh. He shook his head, taking a seat at the end of the dining table within his and Luna’s chambers. The queen herself reached out for Noctis’s left hand that was laying against the tables surface. He welcomed the warmth of her touch as Luna sat beside him, briefly making eye contact with her before casting his gaze onto his retainers.

“I know this plan is a stretch, but--”

“Noct, if I may be blunt, this is more than a stretch. This could outright cause the destabilization between our kingdom and that of the other countries.” Ignis interrupted. He did his best to remain composed, but like Gladio, shared the same concern: that Noctis had lost his marbles. He didn’t have the heart to say the actual words.

“Guys,” Prompto interjected. He felt everyone’s eyes staring through him and knitted his brows. “I don’t think it’s so bad. I mean, as long as everything remains between us in this room, we got no problem!”

“You’re being way to optimistic about us risking our heads and kingdom to rescue some assholes warlord girlfriend.” Gladio said bitterly.

“Hey, Cae isn’t just some girlfriend to an adversary. She’s not that bad of a person either.” Prompto said in his defense.  

“Oh yeah? And I suppose you can vouch for that personally? What, did you and Cindy have a fall out and Caelan was the rebound?” Gladio scoffed.

“Okay, now you’re just being an ass!” Prompto raised his voice. He rose up from his seat as did Gladio. The two men stared each other down until Prompto blinked a few times, casting his gaze away. He shook his head, then gestured out with his hand to call for peace.

“Regarding Cindy, her and I--we bumped into Cae and Ardyn, at The Solstice. The night we went to see the Vote Abandon concert--”

“What?!” Everyone in unison shouted, interrupting Prompto. He visibly flinched, making a face as Ignis zeroed in on him.

“And you neglected to notify us you saw Ardyn, several days before he showed up at the public forum?”

“W-well, I didn’t know if it was him for sure! The night club was so dark, I drank a lot, and--I chased them! Cae is a client of Cindy’s. She worked on Cae's car, the Scepter. I talked to Cae about it while she was waiting for Ardyn. I guess they were on a date? I don't quite remember. I think they were.”

“That’s irrelevant.” Ignis sighed.

“Prompto,” Noctis spoke up, silencing the mess of the conversation happening and furrowed his brows. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

Noctis didn’t have to say a word to convey his disappointment. It was visibly felt from his dark blue eyes. Enough for Prompto to feel the first waves of guilt hit him for not reacting as he should’ve. As a retainer and personal friend of the king, Prompto knew he screwed up his duties in more ways than one.

“I didn’t see the point in wasting resources on something I could’ve drunkenly imagined. With how sick you were Noct, I didn’t want to add more gasoline onto the fire. Everyone was on edge and so pissed off all the time, I--I didn’t want to cause trouble. I didn’t want to burden you. I thought I could handle it myself.” Prompto offered an apologetic shrug. The remorse in his voice lingered as he continued.

"I was scared. If that was Ardyn, I know I'd freeze up. I needed to confront him on my own terms. I don't expect you guys to understand, and I'm owning up to my mistake."

There were several disappointed sighs and disgruntled huffs, yet Gladio ventured over to Prompto’s side. He gave Prompto a few firm pats on the back with Ignis following suit. Ignis offered a caring smile to his friend as an apology for his earlier behavior, then let him go.

“Don’t be stupid next time. We all have each other’s backs, no matter what storms we are in. I’m sorry for what I said, about you and Cindy. That was out of line.” Gladio gently said, then stepped away.

“I know…and it’s okay.” Prompto murmured, giving a nod.

“Let’s move forward.” Noctis let out a breath, and gave a reassuring smile to Prompto. The kings retainers nodded and they all decided to sit down for the rest of the meeting. They took their place at the kings side, all of them processing the plan Noctis laid out. The uncertainty was like a heavy storm cloud, and it lingered over each of the men.

“You guys are my best friends first before retainers,” Noctis began. He gestured out to everyone for emphasis. “What else would you have me do regarding Ardyn? He can’t just remain here under house arrest until the end of his days. If we are successful, this would give him purpose. Something to focus on so he doesn’t go off the deep end.”

“Can you risk the possibility of war, or at minimum, sanctions?” Ignis asked aloud. “There is much danger with the plan you shared with us today, Noct. The repercussions, I don’t want to even grasp. Especially with our current economical standing between both Accordo and Niflheim.”

“Yes, there is risk and with it may come consequences. Guys, I can’t think of a better way we all walk off the board once and for all. Whatever Ardyn chooses to do afterward, that’s on him. We won’t be held responsible. It'll be in the hands of Niflheim.” Noctis said in defense of his idea.

“Even though I think I’m the only one here that agrees with you bud, I gotta say Iggy has a point.” Prompto began. “This plan has chips in it. If something fell through the cracks, we’re all screwed. Even the people we are trying to save.”

“If it were me,” Gladio began. “I’d throw him in prison. Send Ardyn back to Angelgard or whatever. He’s hurt too many, Noct. There’s already calls among the people to have him in shackles. Why not just kill him? He's mortal now as you've said. It would save us all the trouble, and his girlfriend is going to die anyway. I could get the glaive to handle it.”

“That man saved the lives of my wife and unborn son. He saved all of you from me. Bahamut would’ve used me to destroy Eos if Ardyn hadn't shown up when he did.” Noctis’s unyielding tone sent the whole room into silence. He looked each of his retainers in the eye, casting daggers into Gladio’s. Enough to where the shield glanced off to the side, not able to keep meeting the kings hardened stare.

“Now I don’t like him either--far from it--but we are not killing Ardyn. If he is to perish, it won't be at my hand nor any I command. I will not continue to allow generational trauma to fester in my line anymore than it has. Sending Ardyn to his death, is off the table.”

“If I may interrupt, I’d like to offer a different way of looking at things.” Lunafreya piped up, grabbing the attention of everyone in the room to her presence. She gave Noctis’s hand a gentle squeeze which he returned.

“I fear you're all searching too far ahead, scared of what schemes Ardyn may or may not perform in the future. You're not focused in the present.  Ardyn isn’t the same man we faced years ago. When the Astrals sent me signs that someone was coming to help Noctis, I was given visions as to the persons character. Initially when I discovered so late that it was Ardyn, I was upset but---I can’t describe it. You must take me at my word as Oracle when I say, I don’t believe Ardyn’s going to pose much of a problem for us, so long as we don’t cast the first stone. He may not act it, but Ardyn's more vulnerable than you could possibly imagine. He's alone and he's terrified.”

Lunafreya offered a small smile towards her husband who looked upon her with so much adoration that she had to look away or else be smitten. She let out a deep breath, reaching with her left hand to pat her abdomen upon feeling the baby kick, rubbing smooth circles into her clothing to soothe both herself and the infant.

“Noctis shared the plan with me before he confided in you all today,” Lunafreya said sincerely. She doubted she could ease the tension in the room, but felt compelled to give it a try. “I believe it’s the right thing to do.”

“As do I!” Prompto chimed in, giving the table top a few strong pats for emphasis that he was game for it.

All eyes fell to Gladio and Ignis. The two men were beside themselves. Alas, Ignis was the first to let out an exhausted sigh and nodded in agreement.

“I can argue with the king all day, but not a queen all night.” Ignis gestured to Gladio that he was the only one left that had the floor. To which the shield didn’t seem to keen about. A growl left Gladio as he resigned himself to fate.

“I guess I’m stuck with you bleeding hearts,” Gladio shook his head in disbelief. He made a face, furrowing his brows as he cast his amber eyes towards the group as a whole. “So, which one of us is going to break the news to Ardyn?”

“Not it!” Prompto exclaimed, flinching at the thought of incurring the wrath of the man who psychologically tortured him years ago. As much as Prompto was game for helping others, there was still much to unpack regarding how he felt towards Ardyn.

“Why don’t we all go together to see him?” Noctis suggested.

“Good thinking.” Ignis nodded with a sigh. “We’re safer in numbers.”

Ardyn squinted his eyes while he attempted to read from an old book he found at random within the chambers. He was able to get through a couple paragraphs until the strain caught up to him. Ardyn's right thumb went to the corners of his eyes, giving both his eyelids a soft rub before trying his hand again at reading.

“Do you need glasses?” Seraphii asked curiously, observing the struggle.

“Hm? Oh no my dear. I’m simply tired.” Ardyn let out a frustrated sigh, deciding to give up for the time being. Not to mention he didn’t want to consider the possibility he needed such a tool to help him see text. It was a minor struggle in the grand scheme of things. One Ardyn could deal with for now. He sat the book down beside him, turning his focus to the child who had been coloring and drawing from afar.

“You see, when you get older you’re more prone to exhaustion from simple tasks.”

“That sounds---boring.” Seraphii’s bluntness had Ardyn chortle.

“It’s a fact of life I’m afraid. One you’ll get to experience yourself when you grow up.” Ardyn mused. He shuddered a little, scooting closer to the hearth. The blanket that had been wrapped around his body adjusted, and Ardyn grasped it tighter to himself. It felt good to be up and about more. He was thankful the IVs were no longer of use to him. Dragging them around was an extra chore his mortal form didn’t need to contend with. He didn't like how unnatural it felt having needles in his arms either. They reminded Ardyn too much of his imprisonment at Angelgard.

Ardyn's eyes stared at the flames and their orange red hues for a time, thinking about the news Ignis had brought earlier. His mind danced around the possibilities of what had become of Caelan. He felt aggravated the retainer didn’t give any more information other than notify that the king would pop in later. Ardyn hoped Noctis had a good excuse for providing so little.

“Whatcha thinking about?” Seraphii’s little voice pulled Ardyn out of the more darker recesses of his mind. He offered a smile, then rubbed the back of his neck.

“A friend of mine who I miss very much.” Ardyn said simply. “Do you have many friends?”

“Nope.” Seraphii shook her head. “Just my uncles and…I think you now?”

“I’d consider it an honor.” Ardyn chuckled. “Though, I don’t suppose your parents would appreciate that.”

“I don’t care!” Seraphii exclaimed. “You pay attention to me. I like you!”

The little one's stubborn attitude reminded Ardyn a lot of Somnus when his brother was around the girls age. No cares in the world but his own ambitions. It seemed that element never bothered to skip a generation. Mors, Regis’s father, retained that trait and then some all the way up to his death. Ardyn didn’t miss the late king one bit, and luckily didn’t have the pleasure of bumping into that descendant in person. There’s no way Ardyn could’ve kept his composure around him. Regis and Noctis were rather tame in comparison to both their father and grandfather respectively.

“I finished it!” Seraphii exclaimed. She got up from the couch and brought the small stack of drawing paper she had along with a pencil. The five year old presented her drawings to Ardyn at the hearth, eagerly awaiting his feedback.

“Well, you certainly have talent!” Ardyn chuckled. His eyes cast downward at Seraphii’s pieces, admiring the scribbles and shapes. He was quick to find a crude portrait of himself among the pile, impressed that she nailed down his unkempt hair and moody expression. For a kid, she was able to grasp the basic foundations of art quite well.

“That’s you!” Seraphii pointed to the one closest to Ardyn. Her small brows knitted. Her excitement faltered when she noticed a mistake in the drawing she made of him. “Eyes are so hard to draw…”

“Hmm, you don’t say?” Ardyn debated with himself, then beckoned Seraphii to approach and hand him the pencil. He smiled at her when she handed it off. After adjusting on the floor and leaning forward, Ardyn grabbed one of the blank pieces of paper Seraphii laid out and started to sketch.

With fascination, Seraphii watched as mere shapes began to take form into something else. It became evident Ardyn had been drawing for years. Maybe at one point in his life, he was a professional himself.

“Whoa, you draw too?”

The awe in her squeaky voice had Ardyn smile.

“Yes, I used to draw quite often when I was younger. A favorite past time.”

“How come you don’t anymore?” Seraphii inquired, tilting her head as she kept her big eyes focused on what Ardyn was doodling.

“Hard to say,” Ardyn made a face, his head canted some while he observed his own work. Occasionally, he’d glance to Seraphii then back to the paper. “I suppose given how busy I am, I simply don’t have time for such things.”

“Maybe when you see your friend again, you could draw them over and over until you want to draw everyday!”

“You're just full of ideas, aren’t you?” Ardyn shook his head. He had to admit, perhaps the little one was onto something. It was definitely a talent Ardyn had yet to share with Caelan. He felt his eyes growing weary and his heart dropped. He missed Caelan so damn much it hurt to even think of enjoying a simple pleasure like this with her company.

“I believe this will help you in the future with your eye problem.” Ardyn blew away some of the leftover eraser he used at the end of the pencil, and handed Seraphii what he finished. There was a portrait sketch of her in the corner, and a five step guide on drawing eyes. The guide wasn’t super detailed compared to the portrait, but it clearly would help her with the shapes.

“Thank you! This is nice!”

“No, thank you for drawing me so well.” Ardyn said sincerely. His right fingertips carefully reached out for Seraphii’s artwork on the floor, and he pulled the piece of paper towards himself.  “I’ll be sure to cherish it always.”

“You better!” Seraphii laughed.

“Already making threats are we?” Ardyn raised a brow. He smiled hearing her giggle at the playfulness of his tone. The two looked up upon the door opening. Noctis came through, stopping in his tracks the moment he saw Seraphii was in the chambers.

Before Ardyn could say a word, the king had raised his voice for his daughter to approach him. As much as he wanted to interject, Ardyn decided to let it play out and give space. He got up from the ground in front of the fire place with the drawing Seraphii made, and ventured back to the bed. Ardyn placed the drawing down on the mattress. He made a face, looking out towards the window nearby while he eavesdropped.

“What did I tell you about coming in here and bothering our guest?” Noctis was crouched down, facing his daughter. The intense gaze in his eyes had her shirk back some.

“I wanted to show Ardyn I could draw. Mama said I could see him.” Seraphii murmured.

“You’re not to be alone with him, do you understand me?”

Seraphii nodded.

“I’ll speak with your mother regarding coming here. Now leave us.” Though he was firm, Noctis made certain his tone was gentle. Regardless, Seraphii sniffled and took off running. He furrowed his brows, watching her small legs work hard to get her far away from him. She nearly bumped into Ignis, Gladio and Prompto while the three were on their way to catch up with Noctis.

Sighing, Noctis shook his head and gestured for his retainers to wait outside the chambers. Gladio, Ignis and Prompto nodded and went to their respective spots outside the door. They braced themselves for what was to come.

Ardyn heard the doors shut and the sound of Noctis’s footsteps draw closer. He finally turned his head to face him, furrowing his brows out of concern towards his smaller guest.

“Must she be punished? The fault was mine. I initiated with a kind hello.”

Noctis growled a little, but relented from allowing his emotions to get the best of him. He knew well from his earlier conversation with Ardyn that he wouldn’t harm Seraphii. It didn’t help his nerves nevertheless. Her safety was of the upmost importance, and Ardyn still remained a risk.

“She needs to learn boundaries. She certainly won’t succeed in that if she keeps visiting you.”

“Or visiting a creepy criminal for that matter.” Ardyn playfully jabbed. He nearly snorted seeing the questionable look Noctis threw at him. “Don’t play coy, highness. Everyone in the room is thinking it. I'm aware of how you all perceive me.”

“We should get to the point of why I’m here.” Noctis began, steering the conversation his way. He wasn’t in the mood to correct Ardyn that he wasn't considered such a thing. “It’s about Cahl, and--”

“Has she been harmed?” Ardyn quickly interrupted. His features softened. The concern he had desperately tried to keep under lock and key came forth through his expressions. Ardyn felt his pulse rise, his pupils dilating. These past few days with no word about her had nearly driven him crazy. He was tired of waiting.

“Not exactly. You might want to sit down for this.”

“Please, don’t prevaricate. Tell me. What’s become of her?”

Ten minutes had come and gone between Ardyn and Noctis. Outside of the room, Ignis, Gladio and Prompto were somewhat growing bored. Minus the kings shield, the other two checked their phones. Ignis took this time to catch the palace workers up to speed on certain hospitality tasks via text while Prompto checked his player status on Kings Knight. Gladio yawned, stretching his arms before crossing them along with his legs while his back rested against the wall next to the doors. The three were suddenly snapped out of their relaxed states when they heard a bellowing yell followed by the doors to the chamber opening with a violent crash.

“I’m going to kill them all!” Ardyn’s angered call echoed down hall as he marched away the red phantom limbs of his armiger out and poised to attack as they encircled him.

“Hey, where do you think you’re going?” Gladio called out.

“I’m going to Accordo! I’m going to stop Cahl’s execution if it’s the last thing I do!”

“Oh yeah, you and what army tough guy?” Gladio scoffed.

“I’m plenty! Fuck off!”

Gladio’s eyes widened. He couldn’t recall ever hearing Ardyn curse before in the past. It seemed almost out of character for the kind of person he was, being haughty and conniving. Gladio had nothing clever to say. He started to begin his chase to stop Ardyn from continuing further, until Noctis appeared at the entryway and beckoned Gladio to halt.

“Wait! Wait! Don’t attack!”

“Are you hurt, Noct?” Ignis called out while Prompto ventured to Noctis’s side to assess for damage. There was not a scratch on him.

“I’m fine. Ardyn’s...a little upset.”

“A little?” Gladio huffed. “I can’t just let him go on a rampage because he’s pissed his girlfriend got arrest---!”

Before Gladio could finish his sentence, all of them stared towards the end of the hall upon hearing a loud thud. Ardyn collapsed. The red pink hues of the royal arms fizzled in and out of reality before they completely disappeared into star dust, going back to the realm from whence they came. Ardyn’s shallow breaths could be heard throughout the corridors.

"Damn it! Damn it, you listen to me!" Ardyn exclaimed. He righted himself, getting onto his knees and tensed his body up to draw in power. Ardyn gestured out his arms, summoning the blades again. The ghost like forms of the swords slowly circled around his body, and like before their bright light crackled with a low buzz that reverberated throughout the surrounding area. The blades of the forefathers were as weak as their master, not able to draw enough of Ardyn's life force out to power themselves in full. Ardyn once again fell forward and the weapons faded.

"I had a feeling this was going to happen." Noctis let out a sigh. There was a part of the king that felt sorry for Ardyn in this moment, watching him struggle because he so desperately wanted to save someone he cared about. Noctis never thought in a million years he'd witness Ardyn perform such a feat. He gestured to his retainers.

“Prompto, Ignis, will you two go help him up?”

“Right away!” Prompto nodded. He didn’t bother to wait for Ignis, running up ahead to check on Ardyn. The closer he got to him though, Prompto could feel his hesitation begin to eat away at his mind. He forced himself down on his knees, and carefully coaxed Ardyn onto his right side, and began to hoist up the upper half of his body.

"Don't touch me!" Ardyn snarled. The harsh reaction was enough to get Prompto to back off. Ardyn watched as the blond nearly fell over himself.

"Do you talk to Cae like that when she helps you?" Prompto scoffed, shooting a disgruntled stare towards his former adversary.

"Shut up you little ingrate," Ardyn seethed still trying to catch his breath as he remained on the floor. "You talked with her once. Don't pretend you know her as well as I."

"I do know one thing about her. She sees something good in your sorry ass. Enough to get Noct into letting you keep living against better judgement." Prompto countered. The glare Ardyn tossed his way could smite the soul out of a chocobo, but Prompto held his ground. Nervously he swallowed, forcing himself to continue.

"You're not going to save Cae with that attitude. Nor are you going to make it to the palace gates much less Accordo if you keep letting those damn swords suck you dry when you don't have a leg to stand on. I know you have a lot of pride, but c'mon, would it kill you to let me help?"

"Why bother?" Ardyn growled. "You have every reason to hate me for what I've done to you. How do I know this isn't a trick?"

Prompto made a face, letting out a disappointed sigh. He offered a shrug as consolation prize. "I could make a big speech about trust, but it would waste both our times. I'll make something clear, I don't like you. Not one bit. However, I'm not gonna let that stop me from being a good person. I see a need, and I'm trying to fill it and right now, you're hurt. It's your call, Ardyn."

Ardyn let out a bitter exhale. He closed his eyes, mentally debating with himself. Prompto's little speech greatly reminded him of the long winded conversations he used to have with the boys biological father, Verstael. Yet it amazed Ardyn, how different they were as people. Even the little nuances didn't match quite solidly. He attempted to rise, but fell just as quick. With surrender and a wounded pride, Ardyn glanced up at Prompto and gestured with his head for the boy to approach.

“C’mon! You got this!” Prompto was mostly saying the words to encourage himself to be brave, but it also worked with offering compassion towards the man he was deathly afraid of. Prompto was surprised when Ardyn muttered a few 'thank yous' in between tired breaths while he helped Ardyn rise the upper half of his body up.

“Give me some space. I can take it from here.” Ardyn waved his right hand towards Prompto, beckoning the blond to stop trying to help him up. Once the retainer was out of the way, Ardyn winced and began to slowly rise to his feet. His balance was off, but he caught himself. Prompto was ready to catch his fall as well. Ardyn brought his arms up around his chest, suddenly feeling cold to the bone. The temperature felt like it dropped to zero in a matter of seconds. He couldn’t remember feeling anything like this before when he had used the royal arms. Not since he was a youth 2,000 years ago and learning the ropes on how to use the weapons without killing himself.

Ignis arrived on scene, having grabbed a blanket from the chambers and presented it to Ardyn. The latter glanced between the material and Ignis. A part of Ardyn’s mind couldn’t help but wonder if this was some ploy. He knew everyone here didn’t much care for him. The cold feeling grew worse, and Ardyn found himself throwing caution to the wind and taking the blanket, throwing it over his shoulders and bundling up much like he had done at the hearth.

“Thank you.” Ardyn muttered.

“You shouldn’t try using the armiger right now,” Noctis said as he and Gladio came into view. “Given that you’re mortal, it's going to cut into your life span. More than what you’re probably used to.”

“I’ll alert the media.” Ardyn said sarcastically. He shook his head, feeling beside himself and angry. Angry at how weak he had become. His grip on the blanket tightened. He wanted nothing more than to punch something, but relented.

“How am I to protect her when I can’t even--” Ardyn was nearly in tears, unable to help it.

“I was going to tell you we have a plan. You stormed off before I could begin.” Noctis said as a matter of fact. He watched Ardyn’s interest pique, and for a brief moment, his sadness seemed to dissipate.

“You have me intrigued. Go on.”

“Let’s first get you back into the chambers. You’ll want to get comfortable.” Noctis calmly explained. He was surprised to see Ardyn nod a few times, and walk back to the room with compliance. It was strange seeing his former enemy in such a precarious state. The king for the first time had a true sense that Ardyn didn’t want to cause trouble. For now, at least. There was still much to be said for later on after the plan was laid out.

This whole thing is a mess... That was the first thought that ran through Ardyn’s mind after Noctis and the boys spent a good hour and a half discussing the plan and its many pros and cons. Blinking in disbelief, Ardyn bowed his head and rubbed the back of his his scalp. It was in a vain attempt to settle down his stress. Sighing soon after, Ardyn lifted his head back up and met everyone’s uncertain gazes.

“What do you expect of me, to leap with joy at this grand proposal?” Ardyn huffed. There was a slight sneer in his words.

“A little thank you for bothering would be a start.” Gladio said as he crossed his arms.

"I'd rather be tempted to thank mosquitos for their services before I compliment your good nature." Ardyn replied bitterly. He heard Gladio growl, and observed Ignis firmly grasp the brute's right shoulder, keeping the kings shield from charging. Ardyn smirked for a brief time before going neutral.

“Even if all doesn’t fail,” Ardyn began. He let out a breath and took his time to look every man in the eye. His brows formed into a glare. “How do you expect me to tell the person I love that we can’t be together once the dust settles? Forgive me when I say this so-called rescue mission feels like a handful of salt to a festering wound.”

“We know how much this displeases you,” Ignis cleared his throat. “However, it doesn't mitigate the facts. There are people in the world who want you dead for the things you've done, Ardyn. You'll need protection. Protection we cannot afford to give without risk to Lucis. Think of this not just in terms of yourself, but for her too. Separation won't be forever, Ardyn. Not if you still wish to remain at her side."

Ardyn shook his head. His fingers began to comb through his hair out of frustration, trying to self soothe and offer a minor distraction to the conflict he had brewing inside himself.

“Everyone wins,” Prompto piped up. “The people get justice, you get to go back to Niflheim, and Cae remains in Lucis until you can figure something out to come back and retrieve her. After her trial is done of course.”

“That, that right there is my biggest concern.” Ardyn shook his right index finger towards them. To say he was pissed was an understatement. “You want me to sit back and allow Cahl to potentially rot in a Lucian prison. Do you see how screwed up that is? I rescue her, only to toss her into another cage. No, no, I won’t do it!”

“Ardyn,” Noctis’s voice was firm. As soon as he made eye contact with his ancestor, he softened his face yet remained grounded. “Even if Caelan is absolved of her past doings, she still must be judged for the crownsguard she slain the day of the public forum. I’m doing everything in my power to appease all parties and the people of Lucis. This is the best I can do for her.”

“It’s not enough.” Ardyn shook his head. “It’s just not.”

“And it never will be.” Noctis admitted. He nodded in agreement and sighed. “I know if Luna was--”

“Don’t you dare,” Ardyn interrupted. His voice became low and steady, like that of an animal weighing out its options before going in with a killing blow. “Don’t you dare make comparisons, boy. If this was your precious Lunafreya, you’d never have the heart to sacrifice Eos on her behalf. Not like I would for my beloved. So don’t even try to appease me in a domain you could never fathom. You don't have the grit."

There was a foreboding silence that filled the room soon after, and a subconscious acknowledgement that Ardyn was right. Noctis knew he was right about that. This is where they both differed as people when it came to core values. Noctis, much like his forebearer Somnus before him, put the collective above all else. And despite 2,000 years having long passed, Ardyn still believed in the value of individual life having a chance to thrive. Both men knew even without saying it aloud, that these were lines not to be crossed. Nonetheless, Noctis knew they needed to meet in the middle.

“The offer is final and absolute. I will not yield to anything dangerous that could cost more life than what has been taken.” Noctis let out a deep breath through his nostrils he had been holding in, and beckoned towards Ardyn. “Tell us, what’s it going to be?”

Ardyn rubbed his eyes and forehead. He sniffled, trying not to give into the weight of his emotions. He had no cards to deal out. No alternatives to offer. He hated being trapped. The only light at the end of this tunnel, was ensuring Caelan wouldn’t die at the hand of strangers. He would see her again. And whatever time was allowed, Ardyn knew he’d cherish it above all else.

Gods above, he had words for the Glacial. So much for peace in returning to life...Ardyn thought to himself then sighed.

“Are you absolutely certain the Niflheim council agrees to this?” Ardyn broke the quiet that began to permeate. He could see the boys and their mixed expressions running amok. Noctis cleared his throat.

“I haven’t spoken with them directly, but I have no doubt they will be open to our offer. At the Summit they were keen on taking you back.”

“This will surely fracture your relationship with Accordo and Tenebrae if they catch wind of our plot.” Ardyn said bluntly.

“So we keep our lips zipped. Nothing leaves this room.” Gladio shrugged. “Even if Niflheim tell us to go kick rocks, they’re not in a position to go off tattling to the other leaders of what we’re up to. It would be like shooting themselves in the foot.”

“Gladio is right.” Prompto chimed in. “And once everybody is back on Lucian soil, Accordo won’t have a leg to stand on.”

“And what do the people of Lucis know about my standing?” Ardyn asked.

“You’re in a secure facility until the king has time to take testimonies to decide your fate.” Ignis replied. “For all everyone knows, we are adhering to the laws. No one will know the wiser you’re staying here and gathering your strength.”

Ardyn nodded to the remarks he received, then got up from the bed. He stumbled at first, still trying to collect his bearings from using the armiger. He waved off Ignis, observing the man was getting ready to come to his aid. That was the last thing Ardyn needed. As much as it was kind of Noctis’s little friends to assist him, Ardyn knew if this-- for lack of better word--shitshow of a plan was to be successful, he couldn’t rely on everyone. He had to be strong enough to carry the weight.

“If it’s all the same to you four, I’d like to be left alone.” Ardyn muttered. He ventured towards the large window within the dwelling, peering out into the city. Insomnia’s night life was beginning to rise as the sun settled down. Ever thankful for hearing the shuffling of feet growing dim by the second, Ardyn allowed the quiet to sink in. He had three weeks to prepare. Fighting Bahamut was hard, but this coup felt much more grievous. Ardyn had a lot to lose this time around.

He prayed Caelan would forgive him.

[secret-engima]

*snicker* Sorry, I just - had the mental image of the Nox!taur 'verse combined with your soulmates 'verse. And I just - had the mental image of Cor and secret!female!Ardyn switching places on Switch day - long before they actually *meet* in person. So here is Cor, utterly flabbergasted because he's long thought he was one of the few /without/ a soulmate, suddenly blinking awake on Switch day in an entirely different place and body and - are those wings. Are those scales. (cont)

hamelin-born said: (cont) He has a soulmate, and his soulmate is an /unknown dragon-taur?!/ His soulmate is a *Lucis Caelum?!* Meanwhile, Ardyn is - actually flawlessly pretending to be Cor and /getting away with it because 1) She actually learned about Switch Day and the existence of soulmates in time to anticipate this, and 2) Ardyn used to use illusions to assume other's identities for /fun/ (and blackmail purposes), she's /used/ to tricking others into believing she's someone else. (cont)

hamelin-born said: (cont) Ardyn's main worry is for her darling nibling - but they made all the preparations they could, just in case, and she knows that Nox can take care of himself. (Nox is. Currently being fed Good Food by Libertus, who immediately recognized that the person in Nyx's body Was Not Nyx, and is both welcoming him to the family and gently interrogating him. Meanwhile, Nyx is - literally in the middle of the wilderness, miles from everyone else, FREAKING OUT at the dragon-taur body she's in.)

hamelin-born said: Cont: It's later assumed by EVERYONE that a mixture of Lucis Caelum Magic, Niflheimr Magitek Science, and Astral Bleepery are to blame for the soulmates never switching until they were all well over 15.

Me: Can I just say I love this idea with every fiber of my being? Like- hgfdhgf. Not going to make it part of Nox!Taur canon but this is HYSTERICAL. Imma ramble on this because this is great.

Do you know what would make it BETTER? If neither of them had any clue it was going to happen. Ardyn just- woke up in the wrong body, looked around, and decided she had no idea what was going on but she was gonna ROLL WITH IT and is flawlessly pulling it off because she’s he master at addlibing. She picks up from some of the things mentioned as she goes about Cor’s day that 1. Apparently the switching thing is normal? 2. Apparently no one expects Cor to be switched because he never has and people assume that means his “soulmate” is dead or never existed. 3. That soulmates are a thing. Interesting.

Wait how is her darling nephew going to deal with this? Also this means Cor the Immortal is in HER body right now. Oh dear.

Cor meanwhile is Not A Happy Camper. He just- where is he. What’s going on. He SWITCHED? He has A SOULMATE AT HIS AGE (remember, switches only happen when the youngest member turns fifteen so Cor at first thinks his soulmate must be. Devastatingly young). Then he gets a good look at his soulmate’s body and internally Freaks Out. He has a dragon for a soulmate, there is ANOTHER LUCIS CAELUM RUNNING AROUND. Further, the caelum is STARVING TO DEATH. Cor can barely stand to haul this body to Hammerhead from the hunger pangs and dizziness and by the astrals what has his soulmate been doing to get into this state? (Answer: nothing, this is Ardyn’s normal state, she just literally doesn’t notice because compared to sharing a suit with thousands of screaming daemons the pain of hunger doesn’t even register as pain). Cor is further alarmed when he hauls the body to Hammerhead and Cid GREETS what he clearly thinks is the owner of the body, (ARDYN??? HIS SOULMATE IS ARDYN? IT BETTER NOT BE THE ARDYN HE’S THINKING OF) And Cor kinda gives the game away by yelling “YOU KNOW WHO OWNS THIS BODY?” And Cid blinks and goes “You’re her soulmate?” Then he squints because clearly Ardyn’s soulmate knows Cid too, takes in the posture and the scowl and goes “COR?”

In the middle of a private meeting between Regis, Clarus, Titus, and “Cor”, Regis’s phone rings. A quick check proves it to be Cid’s number and he answers because Cid never calls without very good reason. Listens with slowly widening eyes to whatever is being said, then lowers the phone to stare sternly at “Cor”, “I believe,” Regis says slowly as he turns the phone to speaker, “It’s for you.”

Ardyn is highly amused to hear her own voice trying to screech deeply as Cor yells at his soulmate over being half starved and also his soulmate and if you are causing his king any grief, soulmate or NOT he’s going to kill you.

Regis, Clarus, and Titus watch in minor horror as the person they were sure was just a slightly broodier Cor (which is normal considering what day it is) relaxes and smirks, body posture loose and totally different, “Me? My dear Cor,” purrs the person in Cor’s frame, “I’ve been causing no trouble at all! I even filed all your paperwork for you. No one has been inconvenienced in the slightest, have you, Your Majesty?” A bright smile that is eerie on Cor’s face and Regis stiffens. Then Ardyn flicks her soulmate’s lion tail and muses aloud, “I will admit to being confused over all of this however, this has never happened to me before.”

“Ah blame Mors,” Cid says over the line after shushing an irate Cor, “an’ the Nifs. They probably screwed with the soul bond or something.”

“Fair assumption,” muses Cor’s soulmate before smiling and bowing to Regis and Clarus with a dramatic, “Well, since Cor has given the game away, I suppose I should introduce myself. Ardyn Izunia, honored to make your acquantence.”

Dead. Horrified. Silence. Then over the line Cor starts swearing a blue streak.

Titus feels his Doom™ approaching. His boss is not only apparently FEMALE, she is COR’S SOULMATE. HIS SECRET BOSS AND THE MARSHAL ARE SOULMATES. HE’S DOOMED.

Turning to Nyx:

Nyx is … Nyx is not handling this well. She was expecting her Switch day to happen sometime soon, because there’s an average age range for soulmates and she’s creeping toward the longer end but not that badly. She was expecting a switch … she was NOT expecting to wake up alone, in the middle of nowhere, hungry and ACHING in her lower back where her taur half started, like a fire pounding in time to her heartbeat and making it exhausting just to stand up. Six, Six her soulmate must have just turned fifteen, a fifteen year old was out in the wildness, clearly INJURED and hungry-. She twists around to look at the injury, praying that doesn’t make it worse, and comes face to face with WINGS. Twitching, blue-scaled dragon wings.

Her soulmate is a dragontaur. Her soulmate is an injured, fifteen year old dragontaur in the middle of who knows where with no help or guardian in SIGHT-.

Six. Six this was bad. Who did she have to kill for this when she got back-.

“Nox? You okay?” Nyx whirls at the approach of the familiar voice, stumbles then rights herself clumsily (note to self, dragontaurs did NOT move the same way coeurltaurs did) and is both relieved and angry to see Axis cautiously trotting over.

“You KNOW who this is?” Nyx demands angrily, “Curse it, Axis, why didn’t you TELL anyone there was another Lucis Caelum running around?”

Axis freezes, several expressions cross his face, “Oh. I guess Nox turned fifteen recently,” he says aloud slowly, “You are?”

“Nyx. And the moment I’m back I am TELLING Luche and Tredd about this.”

Axis blanches, then sighs, “Yeah, I probably deserve that, come on, let’s get you to a Haven to figure this out.”

Nyx pauses, “I’m not sure I should be walking, he’s hurt.”

Axis whirls around in alarm, but after hearing Nyx’s description of the pain and a quick check under the shirt, Axis just shakes his head and looks … grim, “I knew he was always downplaying it.”

“…Axis?”

“You’re not feeling a wound. Those are just Nox’s scars. He kept saying they didn’t hurt anymore, but I always thought he was just acclimated to the pain.”

Nyx gapes for several seconds, already feeling fury building in her frame, wings mantling out without her control before she hisses, “Axis. Axis I literally feel like I’ve been mauled by a coeurl within the last week, HOW IS ANYONE ACCLIMATED TO THAT?”

Axis’s unhappy, protective look grows deeper, “By being stuck with it since childhood without proper medication or help. Now come on, you can’t fight in that body.”

Nyx follows, and suddenly doesn’t think the sick, twisting feeling in this body’s stomach is just hunger.

Turning to Nox!

Nox doesn’t realize the switch for a WHILE.

Mostly because he is dead to the world asleep.

He got switched to a body that doesn’t have anywhere near the level of aches and pains his has what did you expect but for him to conk out from relief?

It is that prolonged sleep that clues Libertus in that Nyx has finally had her first Switch, because yeah Nyx sleeps in sometimes, who doesn’t, but sleeping in until noon with no signs of stirring? Nyx hasn’t even done that when in the hospital unless she was drugged six ways from Sunday. So Libertus and Crowe carefully unlock Nyx’s apartment and scoot inside to wait anxiously in the living room/kitchenette of the tiny apartment. If Nyx IS just sleeping in somehow, she won’t care, and if it’s the new soulmate … Libertus is protective. He knows soulmates are supposed to be your ultimate match and partner, but he’s seen enough to know that sometimes … things just don’t work out. He isn’t going to let Nyx’s body get hurt because some stranger woke up and reacted badly to being a soulmate to a Kingsglaive.

When Nox finally wakes up, he registers his strange surroundings and FREAKS. Promptly falls over because coeurl legs rather than the dragon limbs he’s finally used to. Crowe and Libertus run in just in time to witness Nox having a panic attack. Libertus thinks that’s … an overreaction until after calming Nox down and listening to his confused, freaked out questions, they realize that whoever this is, he is SOMEHOW totally oblivious to how soulmates work.

Nox gets bundled into the living area with Crowe sitting on not-his-back while Libertus feeds him All the Good Food and explains the soulmate thing.

Soulmate.

This is a soulmate world. A taur soulmate world where soulmates find each other by SWAPPING BODIES for two days of the year.

Bahamut. Bahamut where are you Nox waNtS a ReFUnD-

Libertus asks some gentle questions and yeah it becomes immediately clear that Nyx’s soulmate was … not taken care of as a child. Or possibly ever.

Libertus wants to kill someone.

The soulmate, who’s name is Nox apparently, admits to having an- a relative he calls “Uncle”, and when Libertus and Crowe gently tell Nox that his soulmate is a Kingsglaive named Nyx … Nox bursts into tears. He can’t help it, he’s freaked out and stressed and this isn’t his body so his control is shot and that name is the name of the person who saw his father DIE in the other timeline-.

Crowe and Lib exchange looks, dreading having to tell Nyx her soulmate is an anti-refugee or something, when Nox struggles his tears under control and wobbly asks to borrow a phone. Libertus cautiously hands him one and Nox dials a number, but instead of the mysterious “Uncle”, Nox holds the phone to his ear and when the other end picks up asks with a cracking voice, “Axis? This is … this is Nox. Um … I don’t suppose you found … my body? Because apparently I’m not in it for the day? You did? Oh…. Okay. Okay good. …No. No I’m not … I’m just … this is a shock. No. No one told me about this, Uncle never said a word and it’s not like-. Yeah. Umm… yeah hang on,” Nox holds out the phone to Libertus (who is currently wondering what the odds are that the “Axis” Nox just called isn’t one Axis Arra who is about to be in so much trouble) and Libertus takes it.

On the phone is a teen voice, male, not Axis, “Lib, tell me my soulmate is okay.”

“Nyx. He’s … okay. This entire thing freaked him out pretty bad. You with someone right now?”

“Yeah. Axis Arra. Turns out SOMEONE didn’t feel the need to inform the Clans he’d adopted a DRAGONTAUR last year.”

Libertus rears back, stomping his hooves in shock, “A WHAT.”

“You heard me the first time.”

“By the Six.”

Nyx takes a deep breath on the line and Libertus settles immediately, “What. What else is there. Nyx, talk to me.”

Nyx’s tone, even in a foreign body, is the most fragile and angry he’s heard it in a long time, “I am in … a lot of pain right now Lib. Like-. Would willingly check myself into a hospital for the good painkillers level of pain. And according to Axis? This is NORMAL.”

And Libertus thinks of how his first clue to the Switch was Nox sleeping half the Switch day away. Thinks of how exhausting it is to suddenly not be in pain anymore. Thinks of a lone dragontaur with only a mysterious “Uncle” to care for him yet not tell him about soulmates, of a stray that Axis would feel wasn’t SAFE to be known as an Arra or introduced to the Clans-.

He takes a deep breath to keep from snarling. As it is, his rear hoof stomps with a sharp sound that makes Crowe look worried, “You and Axis haul your tails back here as fast as you can. We can … talk about this when you get back.”

“Right. But for the record? I’m never letting my soulmate out of Little Galahd without an escort again. And I’m going to be cashing in my med insurance BIG time.”

Libertus stares down at the body of his best friend, currently inhabited by one frazzled, shaking, probably abused dragontaur teen, and exhales slowly, “Once this gets out? You’re gonna have the entire Glaive pitching in. And the Ostium Clan.”

“Thanks, Big Guy.” Nyx hangs up and Libertus pockets the phone, only telling a nervous Nox that Nyx and Axis are going to make their way to Insomnia, because the only way to stop the switches is to meet face to face. Nox looks relieved and scared all in one and Libertus shares a look with Crowe.

Yeah. They’re never letting Nyx’s soulmate out of their sight again.

[chocobroness]

Hey buds and buddies. I wanted to do a super silly one-shot today but well...my life got super complicated and I barely had time to even think, let alone write.

But I managed to do some silly dialogue! I hope even though I didn’t do the one shot, you guys like this!

So here’s Prompto being cute and adorable!

—

Prompto: Hey Noct

Noctis: Yeah?

Prompto: Whenever I grab a dandelion seed and give it to you. It’s because the one I managed to get is the one the dandelion thought was beautiful enough for you to have.

Noctis: ...!!

Prompto: :)

Noctis:

Prompto: ... .....!!! Wait, Dude! Watch where you’re touching! We’re in public!!

—

Prompto: Hey Iggy! Hold still.

Ignis: Hm?

Ignis: ...!

Prompto: There we go!

Ignis, confused: ...Pardon? Why did you put makeup on my face?

Prompto, grinning: Heehee...

Ignis: ??

Prompto: *cute smile* I made you blush!

Ignis: ...!?

Prompto, blinking: Huh...I was sure I didn’t make the blush that red...

—-

Prompto; I love all of you Your Majesty.

Regis: Hm?

Prompto: Yeah. You know. How you have King Regis Lucis Caelum and then you have just plain old Regis who’s also my best friends dad and fellow selfie enthusiasts. There’s also Reggie, and a bunch of others that’s used to keep you afloat in this world. I love all of them. Cause they all make you. And you’re perfect just the way you are.

Regis:

Regis, taking out phone: Noctis? Hello? I just wanted to tell you to get used to calling your friend ‘brother’. *looks at Prompto hopefully* unless he’s willing to accept being called ‘mother’.

Prompto: ......?!?!!!!!!!

Noctis, through the phone: WHAT?!!!

—-

Prompto, finger guns: Flirtation~?

Drautos:

Drautos: I’ll allow it.

Prompto: :D

Libertus, in the distance: What?

Nyx: I’m so fucking jealous.

Noctis annoyed: What about me?

Drautos, no hesitation: Die.

—

Cor & Monica: -in office and writing reports-

Prompto, coming into the office: Cor can I leave my flower here?

Cor, looking up: Pardon?

Prompto, holding up a flowerpot: It needs some sun and this is the best place right now.

Cor: Odd request but alright.

Prompto: Thanks! -places pot on table and moves it until it faces Cor-

Cor: ??

Prompto, grinning cheekily: Well flowers prefer showing their beauty to the sun more than anything else. -skips off-

Cor:

Cor: Honestly that boy...

Monica: Are you blushing?

Cor: I want to say no.

Monica:

Cor: I want to.

Monic: -amused smile-

Cor, embarrassed: But I won’t.

—

Prompto: You know. You’re such a embodiment of grace and sophistication, poets use you for inspiration.

Ravus: How dare you make me feel things.

—-

Prompto: What do you get when you mix good looks beautiful heart, and great taste for literature?

Gladiolus: ...?

Prompto: You.

Gladiolus:

Gladiolus: Just for that, I’m gonna take you on a date.

Prompto: Don’t threaten me with a good time.

—

Prompto: No surprise the gods don’t like you.

Ardyn: Oh?

Prompto: Sexy voice, sexy face, and those muscles.

Prompto: They ain’t you so they hate you.

Ardyn:

Ardyn, murmuring: Aera would never forgive me if I didn’t steal you away.

Prompto: Hm?

Ardyn: I said I’m kidnapping you.

Prompto: Let me see the chocobos or no deal.

—

Happy love day folks!

[gunmyth]

                                                   @spelldagger​​

𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘤 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴:   𝙰𝙲𝙲𝙴𝙿𝚃𝙸𝙽𝙶

 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝐈𝐓   [...]   𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝐈𝐓!     𝐒𝐇𝐔𝐓 𝐔𝐏,    be quiet,   please,   it hurts.   why does it hurt so much?                  

kindness,   prompto finds in this moment,   𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙬𝙨 & 𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙝,  𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙡 & 𝙗𝙪𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙,   for it’s inflictions are always deepest-  seeking to pierce & crack the foundations of walls that took years to construct in only just a single, burning, night.   like the trojan horse posed at the gates of troy,  ignis stands there and unveils his truth unaware of the impact each word has upon his unsteady frame,  unseeing of how it wobbles,  blinded to the way prompto inaudibly gasps for air   𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚘𝚠𝚗.   how is he not a machine,  if that’s what he was made to be?   how can he look at his wrist and not see a man,   but something created by men instead.   he was meant to hurt them,   noctis,   𝖎𝖌𝖓𝖎𝖘,   gladio.   so how?  pray tell, how then can the king of lucii’s advisor,  stand there so solemnly so and proclaim such things to a boy who was never supposed to be just that,  a boy.  

       monster.  machine.  failure.

“  iggy—  “   𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆,  desperate to keep his tone quiet as to not wake gladio & noctis where they sleep two bunks over.   “  it’s fine–  i’m fine,  see?  “  he speaks his words with a grin,  though this grin fails to reflect in his voice,  𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙗𝙞𝙧𝙙 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙠 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙡𝙚𝙛𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙.   “  let’s worry about you, yeah?  lemme see you,  i bet gladio has been doing a shit job at cleaning your wounds–  i mean, sure, they’re basically almost healed now, b-but you can’t take that shit for granted!  “  

fingers shake,  for where they had once been steadfast   𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚙𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚎𝚍 𝚙𝚑𝚘𝚝𝚘𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚙𝚑𝚎𝚛’𝚜 𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚖 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚘𝚕𝚟𝚎,   they now tremble like those belonging to a child lost in a foreign world.   yet still, he reaches carefully for the brim of ignis’ tinted glasses despite the tremors,  the younger man choosing not to wait for ignis’ response–  not to wait for him to start to notice where  𝖈𝖗𝖆𝖈𝖐𝖘  have begun to grow in prompto’s voice and touch,  where ardyn’s dirty work had turned the boy’s thoughts sour,  and verstael’s horror show had shown him a living nightmare that he finds paralyzing the mind at all hours.   even know.   𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙬 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙭𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣.

[nightowlfandom]

Ardyn Izunia- A Soft Spot For You

Daily Reminder that’d I’d fight Ardyn! Dab.

Leggo!

....

He was mad again. No, he was livid. No...even worse.

You could hear him yelling at whoever was unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of his fury. His opponent would either be brutally maimed right in the ego, or end up without a limb when this was over. Either one was horrible.  

You hugged your knees as you hid in the closet, hoping you wouldn’t be unlucky enough to see his angry face. Angry Ardyn was Murderous Ardyn in any world. Long story short, it was bad. You were scared, mostly because you’ve seen Ardyn angry before. You were unfortunate enough to see a man burned alive at his hand, for whatever reason, but that was another story. You were used to it, him being grumpy. But even though you’ve seen him angry before, it never failed to terrify you.

Just how much longer is he going to be-

You heard the door be thrown open followed by more loud cursing.

“FIX IT OR I’LL DO WORSE THAN THAT! DON’T MAKE ME HAVE TO CLEAN UP ANOTHER MESS.” Ardyn shouted before slamming the door shut. Another frustrated growl erupted from his throat. He glared around the room, seemingly ready to set a flame to the first thing he saw. Of course everything had to have gone wrong in this hour. Throwing his bloody dagger on the floor, he rid himself of his multiple layers, leaving his torso completely shirtless. Another low growl ripped through Ardyn’s throat, before a defeated sigh left his lips. No use in being irritated now. He went to walk into the bathroom when he realized something. Where were you?

You weren’t on the bed like he had left you hours before, not in the bathroom...not anywhere.

“Y/N?” he asked gruffly, annoyance still laced in his voice. He didn’t recall seeing you leave the room. His office was right next to the bedroom, he would have seen you walk by.

Your eyes widened. He wasn’t mad because of you was he?! Was it too late to run? You put a hand over your mouth to keep from breathing too hard. Oh gee.

“Y/N!” he said again, this time more aggressive . At least it sounded that way His tone of voice caused a gasp to escape your lips. You had wished you hadn’t because you heard loud footsteps nearing the closet. You braced yourself for the worst.

Ardyn yanked the closet door open seemingly glaring down at you. All you could do was stare back, completely powerless. You crawled backwards, further away from your red-faced lover. You turned your head away in fear as he glared. Oh no, here it came. You could hear his heavy breaths from his outburst earlier.

“....My dear...what’s the matter?” when you had looked up again, Ardyn’s face had completely softened. “Why so sad? and....why are you in here?”

“You’re upset.” you stammered, turning your head away. Now, Ardyn had never done anything to hurt you, but there were many times were you had almost been caught in a crossfire. Almost getting your clothes set aflame wasn’t your idea of the perfect date night.

“What? Upset?  Y/N I-” he was cut off by you sniffling. You didn’t want to look at him when he ended up turning his anger towards you. “Y/N my love, why are you crying?” Ardyn was genuinely concerned, he knelt down until he was at eye level with you. Yes, he was agitated but he could never take out his anger on you! You probably looked like a child sitting there.

“Because you’re mad.” you still didn’t look at him.

 “My dear I’m not angry at you. My intentions are not to take my anger out on you.”

“...You’re not?” you looked up to meet his golden eyes. “B-but I heard you-”

“My dear, “ the man began chuckling. “Allow me to explain.” he spoke. Well that part you knew. Ardyn was pretty much unstable when angry, it was better to stay out of his way. “That outburst you heard...there was a traitor on the council and I simply couldn’t stand by and tolerate it any longer. I had to make an example of him and they dared questioned my logic. He had dared to threaten me.” His eyes almost flickered white for a second there. “I refused to stand by and allow them to disrespect my authority...it was a mess that needed cleaning.” you could see him seething with rage.

You shyly wiped your eyes on a coat that had been hanging. That didn’t really answer your question. In fact that bought you right back to the beginning.

“Am I that terrifying? Do you have to hide yourself in a closet just to avoid my wrath?” Ardyn asked. When you nodded, you saw a slight smile grace his lips. “You truly are silly, my dear.”

“Ardyn, I’m serious! You’re really scary when you’re angry.” You said as Adryn raised his hand to touch the side of your face. “I didn’t want to see your face when you walked in.” You looked down. “ I didn’t-”

“Ah but do you not understand, my dear. Seeing your face puts my foul mood at ease.” he raised his hand to wipe another tear that had run down your cheek. “I came up here hoping we could relax and unwind together after such a long bothersome day.”

You sat up on your knees, wiping your eyes again. “Really?”

“Come...” He opened his arms wind. Still sniffling, you crawled out towards Ardyn. His arms wrapped tightly around you as he moved to sit cross-legged so you could sit on his lap. “I could never be angry at you, my darling Y/N. You don’t have to hide from me.”

“I don’t?” You asked looking up at him.

“Of course not, silly girl.” he chuckled at your surprise. “Look at me, darling.” you looked up at your lover. You leaned against his broad and bare chest, feeling his lips meet your forehead. “I’m sorry. I should have readied myself before coming in. If I had known you were scared.” you felt his arm hug you tighter. You trailed your fingers down his bare chest. “You’re shaking almost.”

“I’m sorr-”

“No, my sweet. Don’t even say it.” Ardyn chuckled. “I’ll be sure to check my emotions at the door next time.” he assured. “Maybe then I won’t have to find you hidden in a closet.”

Ardyn wouldn’t admit it to anyone else, not a soul, but he had a soft spot for you. For you to think he’d ever come for you, it hurt him. Well of course he had to make a point to others, however in knowing that you were scared of that side of him, he’d have to take extra precaution to assure you.

“Yeah, not one of my proudest moments.” you said shyly. It beat you hiding under a desk in his study once after punching some girl in the face who was making googly eyes at him. 

Hell no, that was your man. You had to show that hoe!

“I think it’s simply adorable.” He pecked your lips. “Now then, shall we have a bath together?”

You were still a bit shy about confronting Ardyn about such a predicament, so a wordless nod sufficed. He helped you to your feet. He grabbed your hand and led you to the bathroom, his hands massaging your shoulders.

“Scared? Of me?” Ardyn chuckled at the thought. “Hm, what illusions of me has your innocent mind fabricated?” he kissed your temple.

“I watched you set someone on fire....twice.” you mumbled in reply. “And I watched you choke someone with a tentacle in broad daylight, and I watched you push a man off a cliff only to revive him several times....so you could do it again.”

“Amusing is it not?” he laughed gleefully.

“Well, our versions of amusement are on total opposite ends of the spectrum” you crossed your arms, leaning into his touch. How did you two ever end up together?

“Why don’t I run the bath?” he left your side to turn on the faucet.

You stared at his back as he turned away from you. You leaned against the bathroom counter, just observing. Ardyn walked back towards you, a content look on his face. “Arms up.”

“Ardyn, I’m fully capable of undressing myself.” you raised an eyebrow. Just what was your lover planning now?

“I’m aware. I just don’t think I asked you that, darling. Arms up.” he repeated again.

You did as he said, raising your arms over your head to allow him to ease your shirt off your body. Your watched his fingers slowly undo your belt buckle before letting it drop to the floor, taking your skirt with it. Before you had the chance to dwell on any insecurity, Ardyn had caught you by surprise, hoisting you off your feet towards the abnormally large bathtub.

“You know I can walk right?” you giggled aloud at his mannerisms. Always the type to get a point across.

“This is more fun don’t you think?” he mused, sitting you at the edge of the tub. “Now you get in, and I’ll be right back.” 

He turned his back and walked out of the bathroom. You dipped your toe in the hot water. Perfect. You eased yourself into the water, suddenly feeling a wash of relaxation wash over you. Just as you turned back around, Ardyn was closing the bathroom door, now free of his pants and completely exposed. You quickly looked at something, anything else in an attempt to make it seem like you weren’t staring at his...

You heard the water splash around slightly before feeling a presence close to you. You turned back around and saw Ardyn sitting right in front of you, arms stretched out, eyes closed, with his head leaning against the wall. He looked so relaxed this way. 

“Do you intend on just watching me, darling Y/N?” Ardyn asked, chuckling without even looking up. You slowly moved towards Ardyn, getting comfortable and you leaned against his chest. He looked down at you as your mind wandered, glaring off into space. You finally realized he was watching you and looked up to meet his eyes. 

“...Sup.” you said stupidly, not knowing what else to say.

“Hello.” he replied, a snide smile on his face. “Shall I wash your back? Turn around.” he grabbed a washcloth, dunking it in the water. You turned your back towards him. You rested your head on your knees as you felt the warm washcloth touch your back. You closed your eyes, reveling in the relaxation that washed over you.  “Hm, face me.”

You slowly turned your head around before maneuvering the rest of your body to face Ardyn. You didn’t have time to say anything before you were straddling his lap. 

“Feeling better?” he asked, wrapping his arms around your body. 

“A little.” you replied shyly. 

“Good,why don’t we finish up. Then you and me can relax in...other ways?”