#crownsguard

[he6o]

Ignis - Brotherhood & Crownsguard 🔥

The second standee I tackled, featuring various foodstuffs from that one episode of Brotherhood and from the road trip. Plus bonus carrot 🥕🧡

These 6-7” standees have been designed as a place to write notes - maybe a to-do list, or a reminder of what to cook tomorrow XD The background design was kept generic (as opposed to saying ‘notes’ or anything specific) so they can be used however you want, or just as art to display if you prefer!

Pre-orders available here

[koritea]

A Crownsguard puts all others before themself.

Some art of my oc Calor <3

[ahdenyadahling]

Final Fantasy XV - Fate & Destiny

note: mild language/trauma

Chapter Eleven, Part Two

The ground below Noctis gave way and he fell, sliding down the smooth embankment. I watched with horror and a bit of pride as Gladio went after him, as was his duty. Just in front of them, the Titan rose.

The Titan, one of the Six Gods of this world, the Star of Eos, was also one of its greatest saviors. As I said, when the Meteor was about to crash onto our Star, large enough to cause worldwide destruction, the Titan caught it on his back, holding it aloft to this day. The impact still left this crater, the Disc of Cauthess, and in places, the Meteor still burned and lava flowed at the Titan’s feet. Weary with exertion over his accomplishment, the Titan slept, the Meteor still resting on his shoulders, until he could regain his strength and do with it as he saw fit, whether that be set the Meteor down or hurl it back into space. But now, his gaze was set upon Noctis. One eye was, anyway; there was a shard of the meteor through his right eye.

From above, watching Noctis and Gladio disappear from view, I clung tightly to each of the remaining boys shoulders.

“Noct, you okay?” Prompto sounded scared.

Ignis, as usual, was more level-headed. “Is there any way back up?”

“No,” came Noct’s voice, and we each breathed a sigh of relief to hear him, “you guys just look for a safer way down.”

The three of us broke into a sweat as we made our way down turning paths, with pockets of rock which fumed heat and sometimes molten rock. It was an arduous process, and our breathing was labored, both by the workout and the excruciating heat. We met Noctis at the bottom just as he was dodging the Titan’s sweeping left hand, which was twice as large as Noct’s entire body. My heart leapt into my throat, noticing Noct fought alone.

“Where’s Gladio?” I shouted.

“On his way,” His Highness assured me, slicing at the Titan’s stony hand as it made to knock him over again.

We were also quite surprised when several Magitek Engines appeared above us, distracting the Titan and allowing us to fight. It wasn’t until Ignis ordered me to take aim at the Magitek soldiers that I realized what the Empire was really trying to accomplish: to take down the Titan themselves. With my whip, I knocked away pull lines they tried to hook into him while Noct and the others continued their fight. When the Titan fell forward and the fight appeared over, the Archaean revealed to the prince that his betrothed, the Oracle, Lunafreya Nox Fleuret, had begun to convene with the Gods. This meant she was asking for their blessing in supporting Noctis as the Chosen King. This fight was simply to prove Noct’s worth, and with the Titan’s support, he was one step closer to his title. At this point, the Titan had had enough of these Imperial Warships buzzing around his head. He smashed what ships he could reach, causing an earthquake which tore another hole in the earth. Lava began to pool around us, leaving us scrambling for higher ground as the earth under our feet melted.

And to our perturbation, one more ship appeared, with Ardyn bestowing his ‘kindness.’ We were loathe to trust this man, but this time, Ardyn properly introduced himself as Ardyn Izunia. The name meant nothing to me, but Ignis questioned, “Imperial Chancellor Izunia?”

“The same. Come aboard, I guarantee safe passage. Or die in the rubble. It’s all the same to me.”

Ignis made a fair point, saying how we couldn’t die here, we had no other option. And so we were brought aboard the Imperial Warship. We were rescued by the same man who may or may not have had a hand in the attack on Insomnia that ultimately killed Noctis and Gladio’s fathers.

We sat on the floor of the Imperial machine, quietly discussing our options for when we landed. Where was he even going to let us out? It turned out, not too far from my home in the forest of Duscae. But we had a bigger problem- the Regalia was missing. The Empire had clearly ‘taken it for safe keeping’ during the Titan fight, but it was not returned to a specified location.

Under the authority of the High Commander, the Imperial War Strategist, most of the road blockades had returned ‘for public safety.’ Ignis suspected it was a tactic to keep us under surveillance, or at least keep us locked down to this region. In the meantime, Noctis had called Cindy, asking her to keep an ear out for the car, and of course, to my annoyance, Prompto was bouncing over his shoulder just to hear her voice.

Without the car, I made a suggestion. “If we kill Deadeye, we could start using Chocobos to travel.”

“Oh dude!” Prompto grabbed onto my shoulders and kicked his feet in the air, “I do love the way you think!”

“I suppose you do make a convincing argument,” Ignis acknowledged, his gloved fist on his chin.

We walked up the winding road toward Wiz’s Chocobo Races, a road I knew by heart, and although I was excited to see Wiz, my pace slowed. Gladio put an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close.

“Worried about your mom?” he asked.

I nodded, and he smiled down at me, promising, “I’ll talk to Noct. See if we can stop by between missions, alright?” He kissed my cheek and encouraged me to jog alongside him. We passed by the others, running faster than them, and found that although the race track was closed, there were still people milling around the premises. A few rows of Chocobos were out in their pens, enjoying the sunlight, and Prompto was the first one over to pet them. While he took pictures of and with them, Noctis, Ignis and I spoke with Wiz Forlane, the owner of the racetrack and issuer of the Deadeye bounty. I had known Wiz for many years, and he was like an uncle to me. He was proud to see my Crownsguard uniform and that I had taken up the hunt like my father. I could see he was apprehensive about my fighting abilities, but when Gladio approached and set a strong arm around my waist, saying he’d watch out for me, Wiz nodded and gave us directions on where Deadeye was last seen. My heart was pounding in my ears, but like every other matter in my life, there was no turning back.

[legendaryglaives]

The Crownsguard paratrooper uniform somewhat resembles an MT trooper in silhouette.

Just a thought.

[littlenimart]

honeyspot soufflé crisis

(or, when you’re a paladin at a gala and the pastry chef goes missing, you’re going to roll up your gauntlets and lend some citizens a hand)

[smallest-turtle]

17-year-old recently emancipated minor and legal guardian of his younger sister Cor Leonis is now sitting at a parent teacher conference with his own former 7th grade teacher who knows he just disappeared from the school system 4 years ago. Wish him luck.

[mollymauktealeef]

i must have missed this my first watch cause asdfghjkl- TALIESIN!

[lbulldesigns]

BREAKING NEWS: NOXIAN ATTACK WITHIN DEMACIA!

An attack at Demacias Grand Plaza Station took place at 11:30 AM this morning, the main culprits are a Noxian Fire Mage estimated to be around six years of age, and an unknown assailant who at this point in time is suspected to also be a Noxian agent, the second attacker is unidentifiable at this time what is known about them is that they are a presumed young woman, with long orange hair tied up in a single braid. She is a skilled hand-to-hand combatant and is armed with explosives and a firearm; both suspects are at large and presumed highly dangerous.

Captain Garen Crownsguard is leading the search for the attackers and has asked that civilians stay indoors and call the Mageseekers and City Guard if they see anyone suspicious, he also asks that if anyone comes across anyone fitting the assailants' descriptions to stay away and await assistance; the Mageseekers have also implored civilians to not be swayed by the fire mages young appearance, she is confirmed to be out of control of her magic and is suspected to have a contract with a Shadow Bear (a Noxian borne demon).

With the presence of a Noxian mage here in Demacia, the Vanguard are being issued to secure Demacias borders from any further infiltration from Noxius, King Jarvan IV has promised that all threats, internal and external, will be dealt with and has vowed to keep the people of Demacia safe and that the attackers today will be dealt with swiftly.

[pocketgalaxies]

"extra five gold to make sure you actually give a fuck about this job. seriously, don't fuck this up. i will fucking kill you if you fuck it up."

[a-world-in-grey]

Do Prompto's parents know about her health issues? Or did she manage to hide it from them?

Oh, Prompto's parents are fully aware of her health issues. The issues don't develop until at least a few years after she discovers her magic, so probably when she's ten or eleven, but even with how often her parents aren't around it's just not possible to hide that from them. Partially because her babysitters notice and tell her parents, but also because before she's taken to various doctors her health issues are obvious enough that her parents would have to be blind and dumb not to notice them.

Prompto's parents, of course, are really fucking concerned about Prompto's sudden health issues. They take her to doctor after doctor, but no one can figure out exactly what's causing the issues or how to fix them, which just leaves mitigation and coping strategies. Unknown to Prompto, Prompto's parents figure that her health issues are inherited from her biological parents and debate asking Cor or the King for more information. I haven't decided if Prompto's parents know she's a clone or not, but Regis and Cor, who do know, probably figure Prompto's health issues are a result of the cloning process when they hear about Prompto's health problems.

Meanwhile, Prompto - and by extension Noctis, Ignis, and Gladio - never really think too hard on the cause of Prompto's health problems. Her health is what it is, they don't really put much thought into it beyond helping her cope. Which, they probably should, what with Prompto's health noticeably improving after they start training her magic, but dumb teenagers will be dumb teenagers and they're more focused on hiding Prompto's magic from anyone that might report it back to Regis. (Might even have Prompto's doctor put her on a new drug around this time, so Prompto's improvement gets attributed to that instead.)

[one-winged-dreams]

Fucking struggling to compose myself thinking about how Gladio and Lux were probably each other's first relationship/kiss/what have you

[ahdenyadahling]

Final Fantasy XV - Fate & Destiny

Chapter Eleven, Part One

note: mild language

Chapter Eleven: Ardyn & Titan

We traveled back to Lestallum in the morning to inform Talcott that his information was invaluable. However, as we reached the hotel, another headache sent Noct to his knees. Ignis had him lie down on the sofa in the hotel foyer while Gladio checked in with Iris, and the four of them stayed behind to talk out the next plan while I wandered outside, heading for the outlook.

Seeing the Disc of Cauthess from this angle was amazing. It was like lightning had struck the earth, sending rocks jutting sky-high, then flash-freezing them into thin pillars that glowed with crystalline energy. It was beautiful and terrifying at once. I stepped toward the scope for a closer view, nodding politely to the man who had just finished using it. He tipped his hat to me and took a step away, only to turn back to me, his eyes wide in either surprise or confusion.

“Excuse me, my dear,” he began, taking his hat off and placing it over his chest, “May I again gaze upon your visage?”

Uncomfortably, I obliged, seeing no harm in simply looking at someone, and I in turn scrutinized him.

This man appeared to be in his late forties, and was dressed very strangely. He wore a long, black leather trench coat and thick boots, though neither had the Crownsguard symbol. He wore an ascot with a dark floral motif. His shirt had a high-collared frill with another red scarf around that. I had never seen anyone dressed so flamboyantly, especially in a place as warm as Lestallum. Another thing that was strange was this man had my exact eye color, a crisp olive green with hints of hazel when in the light, and my same exact hair color, so auburn that it was almost magenta in the sun.

“In all my years,” he said, his raspy voice tinged with wonder, “I’d never seen another—” He smiled, and though he meant it to be sincere, I found it sort of creepy, “Forgive me, my dear, you must think me an awful lout. I was reminiscing, you see. You have her eyes. My mother’s. It’s been so long, so very long since—” he lowered his gaze and cut his words short. “I should like to know more about you. Where are you from?” The man extended one arm in an attempt to put it around my shoulder, but I backed away, slamming my elbow into the scope.

“Ey!” a voice called gruffly, and I was relieved to see Gladio appear behind the man’s shoulder. “This guy bothering you, Den?”

I opened my mouth, not knowing how to answer as I began to rub feeling back into my arm, but as the older man turned to face Gladio, each of them had different reactions to being recognized.

“You’re that guy—” Gladio began and immediately took a protective step toward Noct, who was just joining us. Still feeling uneasy, I placed myself behind Ignis, holding onto the crook of his arm a little tighter than I should have. He didn’t seem to mind, as his focus was on this stranger.

The older man’s demeanor completely changed upon recognizing the group, his tone light. “What a coincidence.”

Gladio nearly snarled, “I’m not so sure it is.”

“A curious thing, nursery rhymes,” the man began, unphased, turning toward Noct as he spoke.

I whispered to Ignis, “You’ve met him before?”

“Yes,” he kept his voice low, answering me while still listening to the man, never taking his eyes from him, “In Galdin Quay, just before… before the King fell.”

I began to understand Gladio’s sentiment. This appeared too convenient for a coincidence, and this man, while seemingly polite to me, was not one to be trusted. Engrossed in my thoughts, I lost track of their conversation, but it appeared we were suddenly accompanying him to the Archaean, the Titan in the Disc. It was surreal. Noctis needed to speak directly with one of the Six Gods of our world in order for his headaches to cease.

The man introduced himself as Ardyn, and my throat clenched. Surely his name being so close to mine was another coincidence- Ardyn and Ardenia, and Ignis glanced at me, also taking notice of the similarity and gauging my reaction. I was dumbfounded. Who was this man, and why was he helping us? We followed him to his car, a red and white Vixen convertible, where we split into two groups. Noctis drove the guys in the Regalia while I was given to Ardyn.

I sat in the back seat, not wanting to be too close to this stranger as he pulled his car onto the highway, leading the way for Noct.

“I never got your name, my dear.”

“It’s Ardenia.”

He swerved slightly, just as surprised as I was. “You don’t say. Well, this world is full of wonders, is it not?” He smiled over his shoulder and continued, “Tell me, my dear Ardenia, have you done much fighting alongside these boys?”

I was wary; it was an odd question. “I’ve done my share.”

“Have you yet encountered a monster, or a person, perhaps, which upon death or near death, emits a purple substance, a starry, lavender miasma?” His mouth turned in a half-grin, and I wasn’t sure whether to enjoy the way the worded death so beautifully or terrified that he knew something like that could happen. I answered with hesitation, yet truthfully, “Once.”

“Well, if it happens again, stretch your hand toward it. Be not afraid. When next we meet, tell me of your experience.”

I was silent, unsure of what to make of this ominous-sounding advice. Why was he so confident that we would meet again? I glanced over my shoulder to be sure that Noctis was keeping up in the Regalia.

Ardyn glanced at me from the rear-view mirror. “Someone you can’t take your eyes from?”

Heat rose in my cheeks. “Something like that. I’m… bound to one of them through old magic.”

He continued to grin, “Ah, but that’s not the one you were eyeing.”

My silence was his confirmation.

“Be that as it may, I don’t care much for Destiny or the Will of the Gods these days. Some advice from an old man, my dear Ardenia,” the grin dropped and his eyes darkened, “Do what you need to ensure your own happiness. People are fickle, resentful beings. Don’t try to please anyone but yourself.”

I nodded, but was that really sound advice?

Ardyn pulled us over to a gas station near Cauthess to spend the night. Although it was only mid-afternoon, even he didn’t want to be caught on the road at night. We spent an awkward evening sitting outside the RV, listening to Ardyn's ramblings of tales of old. Now with six of us trying to sleep in this camper, there was little debate as to who had to share a sleeping space with Ardyn, and that was Ignis. Noct and Prompto had already hidden away. Gladio took the pullout bed underneath. I squished into the dining seat, and Ignis closed the curtain behind him. When all we heard were soft snores, Gladio motioned me over, and I hesitated before I headed into his waiting arms.

He held me tight as we lay on our sides, facing each other. He began to whisper, “I hope you’re not mad at me for skipping out on you the other night. We haven’t had a good opportunity to talk until now.”

“No, I wasn’t mad. A little lonely. But we knew what we were getting into, right?”

“Yeah, I guess so. I didn’t… disappoint you, did I?”

“No,” I shifted to look up at him, and he sat up on one elbow, propping his head. I began to blush in the dark as I admitted, “It was incredible. I just… keep replaying it in my mind.”

“I do too,” he leaned over and kissed me for a long time, and I assumed that because he was continuing this affection, we were a couple. Was that how it worked? Yet when I stopped his hand from moving anywhere than my waist, he mentioned we should probably sleep. There was no telling what we were in store for tomorrow.

Like any other old man, Ardyn was up at the crack of dawn, waiting for all of us at the table where I was supposed to be sleeping.

With his arm still around me, I felt Gladio jolt as Noctis slapped at his leg.

“Let’s go, loverboy.”

“Very funny.”

As Noct, Prompto and Ignis exited, Ardyn grinned at the two of us as Gladio sat up.

“Oh, how very wonderful to have a romance blossoming in our very midst.”

Gladio grumbled, “It’s no concern of yours.”

Ardyn spread his hands pleadingly. “But I only wish the young lady good will. She is obviously burdened with other difficulties, and you, oh, Shield of the King, are an insufferable fool for encumbering her poor heart.”

Gladio got to his feet, pointing angrily, “Shut your mouth, old man. We have an understanding, you don’t know anything—”

Ardyn seemed indifferent to Gladio’s threat and ridiculed, “Oh, please, do enlighten me to this understanding. Whatever will you do when those first throes of jealousy hit?”

Gladio stormed out, and I went to grab his hand, but he slapped it back at me. I don’t know why, but Ardyn seemed to be mocking Gladio while protecting me. And how did he know Gladio was a Shield? Who was this man, really?

Despite the awkwardness, we filled up the gas tanks and were back on the road by eight. The next stop: the Disc of Cauthess. Just shy of three hours later, we arrived at the gate, which for some reason was under Imperial control, fully barricaded and lined with Magitek soldiers.

Ardyn drove up to the gate and raised his voice to a sing-song shout, “Yoo-hoo, it’s me! Be so kind as to open the door?”

The cast-iron gates pulled aside with no hesitation, and I could hear Prompto in the car behind us exclaim, “Woah, that worked?”

That was where we parted ways with Ardyn. We still had no idea why or how he was helping us enter enemy territory unimpeded, but it allowed Noctis to continue his mission. I returned to my seat in the Regalia, and we drove for as long as we could, down winding stone and dirt paths. For miles, we were on a downward slant heading into the crater, before we found a crevasse too small for the car to fit through. We continued on foot.

“These ruins...” Ignis began, adjusting his glasses in wonderment.

To me, these ruins looked like some sort of stone ribcage of a gargantuan beast that was weather-worn and broken away in chunks over time. We rounded a corner, pausing when our eyes met an unexpected sight.

“Is that what I think it is?” Prompto questioned.

“Never expected to find a Royal Tomb here.”

Noctis nodded, “Let’s grab it and go,” He ran forward, calling forth another of the Royal Arms, and as soon as it was in his hands, another earthquake knocked us all to our feet, all but Noct, who was already bent over in pain.

“Get away! Quickly!” I had never heard Ignis’s voice so gruff as when he shouted that warning.

[halchron]

❛ you were like puppets. and you could do things you normally can't do. you were like, what's that movie... raccaccoonie? ❜ - Prompto

everything everywhere all at once // accepting

❝ it's ratatouille, not raccaccoonie. ❞

prompto couldn't help but laugh, something much needed after a long few hours of crownsguard training. sora's description wasn't too far off though, to be fair. he never thought he'd actually be training to be one of the elite group of guards tasked with guarding the royal family, training and learning how to take a life it ever came down to that. prompto the crownsguard recruit and prompto the regular, average, citizen of insomnia seemed to be growing a part with each passing day.

❝ can we just talk about something else now ? i don't wanna think about the hell cor put me through anymore today. ❞

[lunarlegend]

....oh my gosh

i should draw ace!Ignis for Pride Month

i could just accentuate the ace flag colors in his Crownsguard Fatigues so it's really obvious

yes good this sounds like fun

[smallest-turtle]

I think the most fun thing about having Cor grow up in a low income apartment building is making up his neighbors. Like the old man across the hall who plays dominoes outside with the other retirees in the middle of the day, a guy who was a Hunter until his wife who works at a bakery begged him to do something less dangerous and closer to home, who then got a factory job and promptly lost two of his fingers due to safety code negligence. His name might be Gio. Or at least that's what people call him.

[garbria]

CorNyx 💛?

< 3

reunion kiss / relief 

Cor sighed, absentmindedly tracing the swirls on his arm. The light brown lines of his transfer mark next to light pink of his own healed soulmark scar reassured him. Nyx was alive, and hopefully in the group of refugees a few days out from Insomnia. It burned at him that he wasn’t able to go to Galahd after the attack, couldn’t even establish communication with the survivors in the chaos. He couldn’t have made another choice, not with his oaths to the Crown, but it still ate at him, that his soulmate’s home had been attacked and he couldn’t do anything about it.

He couldn’t even go look for Nyx. He hadn’t heard about the attack on Galahd until it was well over, with the clusterfuck that was trying to secure Regis and Noctis’ safety on the way back from Tenebrae. The Empire’s move on Galahd so soon after their attack on Regis and Tenebrae had caught everyone by surprise. Cor was the most senior member of the Regis’ retinue in Insomnia, so he’d been holding things down while Regis took Noctis for healing. When Clarus called about the attack on Tenebrae, Cor had scrambled to call in every available Crownsguard and Glaive to secure Regis and Noctis’ safe return. Not to mention having to deal with the unrest in the city once the news of the death of the Oracle and threat on Regis got out.

It reminded Cor why he hated politics and politicians as much as he did. He dealt much better with problems he could stab.

At least his connection with Nyx reassured him that Nyx was alive, despite the reports of the devastation of Galahd. 

He never expected to find his soulmate in a teenager on a diplomatic trip with Regis. Though with how they found out - Nyx nearly getting himself killed protecting Regis - neither Regis nor Clarus were particularly surprised he and Nyx were a match.

Despite their dramatic first meeting, Cor had tried to keep his distance over the years, keeping in touch with letters and the occasional phone call. Nyx was only sixteen when they met, and Cor couldn’t involve a teenager in the mess that was his life. Nyx needed to have his own life, with his family and friends. He wouldn’t let the wolves of the Council, or worse, the press, get wind of Nyx’s existence. He could protect Nyx better than that.

They had agreed when Nyx reached his majority according to both Galahd and Lucis, they would create their matching soulmarks to formalize their bond. Cor had managed a few weeks off around Nyx’s 18th birthday, and they completed the ceremony together under the stars. Cor had been pleasantly surprised to see how much Nyx had grown into himself, and the focused look in his eyes as he drew his kukri over the trace of their design to mark Cor and himself made Cor’s breath catch. The phone calls became more frequent after that.

Until Noctis was attacked and Cor’s world became consumed with protecting the royal family and the kingdom. He hadn’t talked to Nyx since a few weeks before the Marilith attack, except for a quick return text to let Nyx know he was safe in Insomnia. Once his agents in the field reported the attack on Galahd, Cor had stolen a few moments to call Nyx, but it hadn’t gone through. He hadn’t had time to try again, not with everything falling apart around him. 

His people told him that a group of refugees from Galahd were on their way to Insomnia. If Nyx wasn’t among them, then he would leave the rest of this clusterfuck in Clarus’ hands and go find him. Regis and Noctis had been back for a few days, but security concerns were still high, worried that the Empire would continue its advance. Clarus could deal with all that without him for a few days if he didn’t get word on Nyx soon.

His phone rang, and he pulled himself out of his thoughts as he answered it. “Leonis.”

“Marshal, I’ve word that the Galahdan refugees are at the gate. Apparently, one of them is asking for you.” Monica’s voice was a calm anchor as Cor’s emotions threatened to wash over him.

They were supposed to be a few days out. How had they gotten here without him knowing? Was Nyx there?

“I’ll be right there.” Cor hung up without waiting for Monica’s response. He grabbed his jacket and strode down the hallway just short of a run only because running would cause panic that would further delay him.

The Crownsguard saluted as he drove up. He asked for the officer in charge as he walked up to the gate post. He could see a large group of people milling outside, but his view was mostly blocked by the Crownsguard holding them back.

“What’s going on here, Lieutenant?” Cor demanded.

“Sir, these people are demanding entry, but they have no immigration papers.” The lieutenant fidgeted nervously, not making eye contact with Cor.

“Your orders are to direct refugees to Refugee Resettlement, are they not?” Cor asked, his voice flat with disapproval. He knew there was anti-refugee sentiment on the rise in Insomnia, but he was not happy to see it in the ranks of the Crownsguard.

“But Sir…,” the lieutenant finally made eye contact.

“Are those not your orders?” Cor snapped. “Get these people moving.”

The lieutenant snapped to attention. “Yes, sir.” He turned and shouted orders at the other Crownsguard. Cor was gratified to see the crowd start to move slowly through the gate.

“What is it, Lieutenant?” Cor asked as the lieutenant turned back to him.

“Sir, there were some troublemakers in the group who tried to push their way through. We have a one of them in custody.” The lieutenant looked towards a closed door. “They thought to use your name to get through the checkpoint.”

Cor narrowed his eyes at the soon to be private. “And you didn’t inform me?”

“I didn’t think you’d want to be troubled by people trying to take advantage,” the lieutenant said, eyes widening.

“Stand aside.” Cor stalked over to the closed door, opening it to find Nyx glaring daggers at him.

Nyx blinked in surprise as Cor stepped in and closed the door behind him.

“Cor?” Nyx sounded unsure.

“Nyx,” Cor reached out to touch him, then reconsidered. “Are you hurt?”

“Cor!” Nyx practically threw himself at Cor, burying his face in his shoulder.

Cor’s arms tightened around Nyx, and Cor felt a weight lift off his chest. Nyx was here, in his arms, in more or less one piece. “I’ve got you, you’re safe now.”

Cor could feel Nyx’s shoulders shake in his embrace as Nyx cried. He rubbed Nyx’s back with one hand, and ran the other one over Nyx’s hair.

“Cor, Mother, she-” Nyx broke off and clutched Cor tighter. 

Cor could only hold on, murmuring reassurances and berating himself for not being there to help.

Eventually, Nyx’s breathing evened out and he pulled back, but Cor didn’t let him go far. Nyx looked up at him through red-rimmed eyes. Cor used a thumb to brush the tears from Nyx’s cheek, noting the new tattoo as he did so.

Cor only had the split second warning of Nyx’s eyes dropping down to Cor’s lips before Nyx was kissing him. Cor cradled Nyx’s face as he pushed into the kiss, tasting salt and something smoky. Nyx tried to deepen it but Cor pulled back to rest their foreheads together.

He hadn’t expected their first kiss to be in the holding area of a gate post, but that was Nyx, always surprising him.

“You’re safe now, Nyx. I’ll make sure of it. You’re my soulmate and that gives you rights here.” His thumb was still absently brushing Nyx’s cheek.

Nyx grimaced. “They shoved me, threw me in here, told me there was no way trash like me would know you.”

Cor went rigid with anger. “They will pay for that, I promise.”

Nyx shook his head. “Selena tried to get involved but Lib pulled her back. They’re out there waiting for me.”

“We should go find them, then.” Cor didn’t move, enjoying the feel of Nyx in his arms.

Nyx didn’t move either. “What now?”

Cor leaned forward for one more kiss, before stepping back. “You and Selena are more than welcome to stay with me. Or I will help you find a place, if you prefer. You’re my soulmate. That makes you and Selena family. I’ll make sure you have what you need.”

Nyx shook his head, but didn’t say anything. Instead, he reached out and brushed his fingers over where he knew Cor’s soulmark was.

Cor smiled. “You’ll always have a home with me.”

Nyx’s smile was tinged with sadness, but no less genuine for it. 

“Come on, let’s go find your sister and get you settled in.” He led Nyx out, ignoring the lieutenant and reminding himself to have Monica delete the securty footage. As well as rearrange his schedule for the day. Nyx had been through a lot, Cor was going to be there for him now.