#highkey daughter of the blood daemon | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

ficswithrimi · 5 years ago

Text

Mine (Chapter 11)

Title: Mine

Pairing: Noctis Lucis Caelum x Reader

Genre: Angst, Romance

Trigger Warning: Mentions of blood, violence, depression, suicide attempt, and minor sexual content

Synopsis: Daughter of a Niflheim soldier, you were sent out to Tenebrae to spy on the Nox Fleuret family and their involvement with the Lucis Caelum family. However, after learning the truth about Niflheim, you betray them. Your journey of revenge begins after learning of the death of your adoptive sister, Lunafreya, and your childhood friend Noctis Lucis Caelum.

First Chapter

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

A/N: Wow, this highkey took several months and I sincerely APOLOGIZE! I was stuck on so many scenes and I hated everything and I sTILL HATE EVERYTHING! But I can get the story back rolling along after this chapter so I’m relieved for that! Uh... so I’m thinking chapter 13 or 14? Yall might need some tissues cuz that’s gonna be Altissia, probably, hohoho. Anyways, try to enjoy! ALSO! The next chapter may take longer to come out because I’m moving to South Korea next month and uh, I’ma be busy! But I’ll hopefully find time to write! Enjoy~

_________

Lunafreya’s POV

It was gorgeous – Altissia was. The bright blue ocean surrounded the city with vast waterfalls around almost every corner. When the oracle entered the city a couple of days ago, it felt as if she was transcending into a new world. It looked so peaceful here. More so than her home of Tenebrae or anywhere else she’s visited. Immediately, she had been greeted by waterfalls and castle-like structures. Inside the city, citizens and visitors from other countries roamed the streets carefree – both day and night. The fear of nightly daemon attacks didn’t exist here, and it felt like a haven to the blonde woman. Gondolas were around every corner as it was the way of travel in the city surrounded by water. Lunafreya stared in awe as couples and families excitedly rode the wooden boats to their destinations. It was truly a dream-like city. If she were to die soon, she’d want it to happen here. Tenebrae and Lucis brought her pain and she wanted to die someplace where she wasn’t reminded of her mother being murdered before her very eyes or the reminder of seeing King Regis fall dead to the floor while she escaped. Though Altissia was under Imperial rule, it still retained its own government and by that, to Lunafreya, it didn’t feel as if she was constantly being watched. In fact, she was immediately taken into the care of Altissia’s current representative, Camelia Claustra. Though the Empire was close by, she felt slightly at ease.

Lunafreya was still reportedly dead to the world so exploring the city was something she couldn’t do. She did, however, visit the church where she was to wed Noctis. Her blue eyes had widened in amazement at the place. The inside was completely white with a giant window at the end that displayed three overflowing waterfalls. The stained glass that made up for the other windows was decorated with pictures of the history of Altissia, even down to where it was part of Solheim and under the rule of the Gods. The church was the oldest building in the city. Besides the white interior, gold hues filled out the rest of the venue. The cushioned seats were a golden color, as well as, gold specks sparkled on the white marble floors. A gold grand piano stood near the priest’s podium and Lunafreya imagined hearing “Here Comes the Bride” being played on it as she walked towards the love of her life. What amazed Lunafreya the most about the altar, however, was the giant portraits of her and Noctis that hung down from the ceilings. Noctis’s portrait, which showcased him in his formal prince attire – something Lunafreya had never witnessed in person – hung on the side where Lunafreya would have stood while her portrait hung on Noctis’s side. It had brought tears to the oracle’s eyes as her heart wept in both happiness and sadness. Happiness because the city and others did so much to prepare for the royal wedding between two old friends. Happiness because it confirmed that she was supposed to marry the man she’s been in love with for the past couple of years. She was so close to being reunited with Noctis. She was so close to being with him – even if just for a little while. And that’s where her sadness came in.

Again, the Empire found a way to separate her from the ones she loved. Lunafreya knew that Noctis’s true calling was upon them, but she had hoped to live blissfully with him for a bit – before the summoning of the Gods took the final toll on her. Her, Y/N, and Noctis… reunited. Though her sister despised the man for unknown reasons, she knows Y/N would’ve eventually lived happily with Noctis and her. Besides, Lunafreya knew Y/N didn’t actually despise Noctis. It was just a façade the younger woman put on for reasons to Lunafreya unknown.

“How is the oracle feeling today?” The voice of Gentiana caused Lunafreya’s ears to perk up. The blonde woman, who had been gazing out at the city from her room in Claustra’s presidential-like house, pushed herself off the window and faced the divine messenger.

“The same as yesterday. I’m weak and I don’t know if I’ll have the strength to summon the Leviathan.”

Gentiana’s expression was emotionless as she took in Lunafreya’s words. Though her expression didn’t say how she felt, Lunafreya knew she was worried deep down.

“The Chosen one and thy sister shall arrive soon. Then the summoning shall take place…”

“How… soon? Will I have a chance to see them before the summoning? If not Noctis… can I at least see Y/N? She’s been so worried about me and I want to properly-“ Lunafreya suddenly stopped speaking as a lump formed in her throat. Tears formed in her eyes as she thought about the words she was going to say. “Properly… say goodbye…”

Gentiana bowed her head as she crossed her hands in front of her. Lunafreya stared silently at the woman as a tear escaped her eye. “Within a week’s time shall they be here. From Umbra’s report, there are still things to be done in Lucis…”

“Will I see Y/N when they arrive? Will I be able to hug my sister for one last time?” Lunafreya swallowed hard to push back the lump. Instead of giving her an answer, Gentiana bowed to the oracle to dismiss herself. Lunafreya’s eyes widened in shock as the messenger vanished in front of her. Unable to control her tears any longer, Lunafreya let out a loud wail as she dropped to her knees.

“Noctis… Y/N�� I’m so sorry…”

~!~

Your POV (Eight years ago)

“When the light fades from this world, I’ll no longer be by your side,” Lunafreya smiled sadly at the sky above her as a 13-year-old you rolled your eyes at your sister’s words for the umpteenth time. There she goes, spewing nonsense about whatever it was – the end of the world? – that she read from that fairytale book she’s obsessed with. You both were out in the field of sylleblossoms, lazily watching the clouds float by. It was the first time you had spent time with your sister since she was sworn in as the new oracle. Immediately after the coronation, she had to travel to begin healing people from the scourge and reassuring people about the world. With her gone, that left you alone with Imperial soldiers who didn’t give you the time of day. You were lucky if they fed you. When Lunafreya started her travels, the ones you considered family went with her – Umbra, Pryna, and Gentiana. Ravus, of course, was now affiliated with the Empire. He stopped visiting as often after Lunafreya became the oracle. You had asked to be allowed to travel with your sister, however, the Empire didn’t trust you outside of the manor in fear you were plotting something against them. They weren’t wrong. If it wasn’t for Lunafreya, everything would’ve been up in flames by now.

“Is this what they teach you when you travel? That when the sun sets or whatever, you’re gonna just… poof, disappear?” You propped yourself up on your elbow to look at her. The 16-year-old let out a heavy sigh as she closed her eyes, a frown now present on her face.

“It is predestined by the Gods…”

“Well tell the Gods that as long as I’m here, you’re not going anywhere! I vow to protect you with my entire being!” Lunafreya’s eyes widened in sudden shock as you quickly jumped up and grinned smugly towards the sky. “We’ll always be together, no matter what the dumb Gods say.”

“Y/N, you can’t call them du-“

“And,” You looked down at the blonde teenager as she stared up at you, her blue eyes glistening with tears. “I’ll make sure to always put your happiness before mine. Besides, if it wasn’t for you… I wouldn’t be alive right now. I owe you everything, Lunafreya.”

Lunafreya let out a small chuckle as a tear rolled down her cheek. Hopping up, she immediately engulfed you in a hug. “Being my sister is enough.”

Closing your eyes, you returned her embrace. However, you immediately opened them as your eyes landed on the Imperial soldiers that stood guard from a far distance. You vowed to get Lunafreya out of here, whether you escaped with her or not. It was your fault that she was in this mess, so you would be the one to get her out. Lunafreya’s happiness was all you wanted for her and you wanted to be the one to give it to her.

~!~

Gladiolus’s POV

Usually Gladiolus and Ignis were the first ones to awaken among the four men – Noctis being last, of course. The muscular man would go off to a clear field not too far from the camp or motel while Ignis would be on a search for breakfast. Since Y/N joined the group, sometimes she would assist Ignis with the cooking – though the woman obviously had no idea as to what she was doing. Gladiolus would tease her about how it was because she came from royalty. That usually resulted in Y/N shooting daggers in his directions.

This morning was a little different, however. Ignis was uncharacteristically still asleep. Gladiolus assumed he was trying to gather as much sleep as possible to prepare for the long drive to Cape Caem. He didn’t understand why the 22-year-old didn’t just ask Noctis to assist in driving. The prince had held a license since he was 16, after all. Carefully making his way to the front of the room, Gladiolus glanced over at Prompto and Noctis who were dead to the world. He frowned slightly as his eyes focused in on Noctis. The prince was almost hopeless. Sure, he was strong, and his scrawny muscles got him by most days when fighting imperials and daemons, but his mentality was what Gladiolus feared the most. Was the prince aware of what was happening? Did he realize he ruled over Lucis now? More importantly, was Gladiolus fitted to protect the nonchalant prince? There were days the royal guard felt he could never live up to his father’s name or the past royal guards of the Lucis Caelum family. Hell, he felt even worse he couldn’t protect Jared or be there for Iris in her time of need. Was he fitted to guard someone so important to the world?

Shaking these thoughts from his head, he quietly slipped out of the room, shutting the door behind him. The motel they were staying in had a barren field behind it. Gladiolus had peeped out the place when they first arrived and instantly thought it was perfect for training. As he walked down the hall, his eyes glanced towards the door where Iris and Y/N slept. He thought about asking Y/N to train with him but knowing Iris, she would beg to come train as well. Gladiolus didn’t want his only remaining family member anywhere near danger. He was so relieved when they arrived at Lestallum and saw Iris wasn’t hurt.

The sun was just starting to rise, burning the remaining lurking daemons with its rays. Gladiolus was kind of glad that sun took out the pests as he didn’t feel like risking his life during training to fight them today. Usually he didn’t mind, but his mind just wasn’t there. As he climbed over the fence that separated the small outpost from the field, he squinted his eyes as he saw a flash of blue go off in the distance followed by the screams of a saberclaw. That was weird, he thought as he slowly trudged towards where the light came from. He was pretty sure he left everyone still asleep at the motel.

As he got closer, he noticed a female figure take shape before him. Soon, he was able to make out her appearance; her neck-length hair was pulled into a low ponytail as she adorned a simple white tank top and black leggings. Gladiolus already knew who it was but the armlet that adorned her right arm to symbolize her affiliation with Tenebrae gave it away the most.

“I thought princesses slept in to get their beauty sleep?” Gladiolus smirked as he approached her.

“Shit!” The woman jumped in fear as she whipped around to come face to face with the older man. “What the hell, Gladio, you scared me.”

“My bad, princess,” Gladiolus let out a hearty laugh only to stop as he examined Y/N’s face. The hair that escaped from her ponytail clung to her face from the beads of sweat present. Grabbing the edge of her tank, she wiped it off, flashing her bare stomach briefly. Gladiolus cleared his throat as he shifted his eyes elsewhere. “So, what brings you out here at the ass crack of dawn?”

“What’s it look like? I’m training,” She shrugged as she turned her attention back towards another saberclaw.

“Training involves more than just throwing daggers at some saberclaws,” Gladiolus chuckled. “How about I help you out-“

“I believe I’ve told you this before but I’m well trained thanks to my brother,” Y/N threw a glance over her shoulder at Gladiolus.

“The same brother who easily blocked your attack and pushed you down when we ran into him?” Gladiolus smirked as he saw the woman tense up briefly. “Or have you acquired a new brother since then?”

Lowering her daggers, Y/N turned around slowly while rolling her eyes at the older man. “Okay, Gladiolus, let’s train.”

Gladiolus’s already present smirk widened at her words. “My pleasure, princess.”

~!~

Your POV

“Put away your daggers. It’s not all about weapons,” Gladiolus said as he began to remove the black tank he wore. Your eyes widened as he revealed his muscular physique, taking notice of the tattoo that extended from one arm to another. On the left of his chest, the image of a squawking bird’s head connected to the rest of the tattoo. You gulped nervously before quickly shifting your eyes away from the man, face turning red in the process.

“What? Never seen a body quite as sexy as mine, before?” Gladiolus obnoxiously asked, causing you to snap your head back at him in annoyance. Avoiding looking at his body, you forced yourself to look him into his eyes.

“Are we gonna train or what?” You frowned at him. He let out a chuckle as he got into a battle stance, fists blocking his face.

“Of course. Try aiming for my face,” He said as he watch you get into your own stance. He nodded at you to go as you took off running towards him, preparing to aim for his stomach – abs – that would cause him to move his hands down there, leaving his face open. However, as you began to execute your punch, his arms immediately grabbed onto yours and twisted them around.

“Ow, what the hell?!” Your grimaced as he held tightly onto you.

“Too easy. Your eyes glanced at my stomach and I knew you would aim there first. The eyes will always be a dead giveaway to where the opponent will attack first,” He explained as he let go of your arms. Shaking the pain out of them, you regained your stance and frowned at him. “Try again.”

You and Gladiolus spent the next 30 minutes or so training – mostly you attempting to attack and Gladiolus immediately blocking it. It frustrated you at how easy it was for the prince’s shield to block your attacks that once worked on Ravus. After training with him for years, you were positive you could handle any attack given. Hell, it wasn’t even that long ago you took on a train of Imperials. What had happened since then? Had you somehow weakened? You couldn’t even fight off Ravus that time you guys met up with him just as Gladiolus had said. How were you going to get your revenge on the Empire and protect Lunafreya like this? Your mind wandered as you tried to land another surprise attack on Gladiolus by swinging your leg in the air to push him backwards with your foot. However, Gladiolus caught your foot before it made contact and pulled you towards him by it. Losing your balance immediately, you fell into the man’s sweaty chest just as he released your foot. His hands rested on your waist as he steadied you up.

“What’s on your mind?” Gladiolus asked as he looked down at you. “You’re not focused on this.”

“H-huh?” You blinked at him before shrugging his hands off you. “I’m not thinking about anything besides how to successfully kick your ass.”

“Well that’s not gonna happen if you’re not focused,” Gladiolus shrugged as he backed away from you and plopped himself on the ground. “What’s on your mind? I know I’m not Prompto but hopefully you can talk to me as well. We’re all friends here.”

You bit your bottom lip nervously as you stared at the man. He was nonchalantly looking towards the sky. He wasn’t going to pressure you into telling him what was wrong, but you knew if you didn’t, his feelings would be slightly hurt. You wanted to tell him, of course, but you couldn’t tell him everything. You could mention your worry about Lunafreya or how you just wanted to hurry up and be reunited with her. You could tell him about how her happiness meant the world to you and you wanted to see her smile brightly again as she once did when she was 12 – before the Empire attacked. You wanted to tell him how there was one person that you knew could make her happy like that again but… that person happened to be the same person who made you happy. Though you didn’t show it often, there was no denying he made your heart flutter and wish that it was you he loved and not your sister. That it was you who was meant to stand by his side. How Iris’s words from the previous night had been ringing in your ears since last night and that’s why you had been out training since the first rays of the sun had risen.

“You’re telling me you don’t feel anything when you’re with him?”

Of course, you felt something when you were with him. You always did. And that scared you. That’s why you pushed him and your feelings away. You couldn’t hurt Lunafreya again and knowing that you were… in love with him would kill her.

“I… I’m in love with him…” You finally said as you lowered your eyes away from Gladiolus and to the ground. “But… I can’t… have him…”

“Why not?” Gladiolus immediately said. “Cindy isn’t interested in Prompto, I can guarantee you that. You have a chance. Though, I’d have to say, never thought he’d be your type.”

You let out a low chuckle. You couldn’t tell if Gladiolus was being serious or not. “My life would be so much easier if my feelings were for Prompto…”

Silence fell between you two and the only thing that could be heard was the low howl of the wind and the feet of saberclaws running in the distance. Gladiolus stood up from the ground and made his way over to you. Placing a hand on your shoulder, you looked up at him with tears forming in your eyes.

“The prince, no, king makes the final call, right? About who he wants to be with? Don’t doubt yourself so much, kid. Noctis cares for you a lot more than you may think. As for your relationship with your sister… how do you expect to make Lady Lunafreya happy when you’re not happy yourself? She won’t be happy if you’re not. You’ve risked your life for your sister’s happiness. To me, that’s the most selfless act. Be selfish for once, Y/N,” Gladiolus squeezed your shoulder as a tear fell from your eye and onto his arm. He didn’t understand. He didn’t know the full story like Prompto did. You couldn’t have Noctis because of Lunafreya and because of your affiliation with Niflheim. He wouldn’t accept you. Your feelings for him would never be reciprocated, no matter how much Noctis cared for you. He was your brother-in-law. That was all.

“Hey, what are you guys doing?” The voice of Iris could be heard from the near distance. Gladiolus and you turned your heads towards the sound of her voice. Everyone was apparently awake and ready to hit the road as Ignis was signaling for you two to come over there. Prompto was on his phone while Iris was shouting at Gladiolus to put a shirt on and stop flirting with you. Your eyes landed on Noctis who’s arms were crossed. He seemed to be glaring at the scene in front of him, but he was too far away for you to see well.

Removing yourself from Gladiolus’s grip, you pushed away your previous emotions and waved back at Iris. “We’re coming!” Turning back to Gladiolus, you frowned slightly at him, “Thanks for this talk… but… I just… can’t hurt her like that.”

“Hmph,” was all Gladiolus said as he reached for his shirt to place over his head. He watched as you ran towards the group. As you neared Noctis, you must’ve said something to the prince because his body posture suddenly became stiff and his gloved hand went immediately to his face as if to hide something. You smiled gently at him before throwing an arm around Prompto’s neck, distracting him from his phone, and walking towards the Regalia. Noctis turned briefly to watch the scene before glancing back at Gladiolus who smirked at the prince. He didn’t seem to acknowledge it, however, as he began to follow the others to the car.

“He definitely loves her…”

~!~

“Are we there yet?” Prompto whined as the Regalia sped down the roads of Cleigne. You guys had been traveling for about two hours now with Cape Caem still nowhere in sight. Ignis said that everyone would know they were near when they began to see the vast ocean, however, no oceans had appeared as of yet.

“Prompto, if you ask that one more damn time,” Noctis grumbled under his breath.

The seating arrangement for the Regalia was more favorable for you today than it was yesterday. Gladiolus decided to sit in front with Ignis leaving Prompto to the back. Because Prompto was small in figure, everyone was able to fit in the backseat without having to sit on anyone’s lap. You were especially grateful for that. After last night with Iris and this morning with Gladiolus, you didn’t want to be too close to Noctis. Prompto picked up on this as he requested you sit closest to him in the back instead of Iris. Of course, Iris didn’t have a problem with this. Noctis threw you and Prompto glances every now and then whenever he would show you something on his phone or you’d use his bony shoulder as a pillow.

“We probably won’t make it again today…” Ignis said as he eyed the four of you in the back.

“Seriously? Why’d your dad pick such a faraway hideout, Noct?” Prompto complained.

“I don’t know, let me ask him,” Noctis frowned at the blond.

“Yikes, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed,” Prompto let out a nervous chuckle. Noctis ignored his comment and repositioned himself the best he could in the cramped backseat to sleep comfortably.

“You can sleep on me, Noctis!” Iris suddenly said as she sat up straight and patted her shoulder. Hearing this caused you to lift your head from Prompto’s shoulder and glance at the girl. Your eyes shifted to the front where Gladiolus sat, waiting for him to intervene at any given moment. However, the older man was fast asleep.

“Uh,” Noctis said uncomfortably as he also glanced to Gladiolus for help. Noticing he was asleep as well, he turned and his cerulean eyes met with your hazel ones. Your eyes widened slightly before you pretended to be still half-asleep and dropped your head to Iris’s shoulder that faced you.

“Ugh, Y/N! What are you doing?” Iris frowned as she tried to shrug you off her. However, you just pretended to be asleep and didn’t budge. You had to give it to the young girl, even though she seemed aware of the situation between Noctis, you and Lunafreya, she was still persistent on making him fall for her.

“Mh, you’re more comfortable than Prompto…” You mumbled quietly.

“Hey! Well sleep on her for the rest of the trip then!” Prompto frowned as he scooted closer to the door to create space between you two.

Iris turned her head in disbelief to Noctis who was smirking down at you. However, you didn’t notice as you pretended to be asleep. “Sorry, Iris. Looks like my sis-in-law got to you first. Thanks for the offer, though.”

“Sis-in-law my ass,” You heard Iris mumble under her breath. In response, you shoved your knee into the teenager’s leg, causing her to jump slightly.

The car was silent for awhile as mostly everyone had fallen asleep. The only ones who lay awake were Noctis – surprisingly – Iris, and Ignis, of course. Even you had tricked your brain into falling asleep after all the pretending. However, you could still hear everything that was going on.

“So Noct,” Iris spoke up. Noctis, who was on his phone playing King’s Knight, arched his brow to acknowledge her. “What does she look like? Lady Lunafreya, that is.”

“H-huh?” Noctis stuttered from Iris’s sudden question. The teen only blinked her brown eyes at him as she waited for a response. “Uh… well, I haven’t seen her since I was 8. She had medium-ish blonde hair with bangs? And icy blue eyes? She was taller than me and uh, she was thin?”

“So, you don’t know what she looks like now?”

“No idea… but I’ll know it’s her when I see her. Besides, I’m sure Y/N will point her out to me,” Noctis chuckled slightly as his eyes landed on you.

“What did Y/N look like when she was younger?”

“Y-Y/N?”

“Yeah! Was she always beautiful? You can say if she was or not. She’s like dead asleep,” Iris laughed. She knew you weren’t fully asleep because after asking her question about Lunafreya, you pushed your knee into her leg again.

“Uh,” Noctis glanced at you again to make sure you were asleep. “She was… always beautiful. Her hair was longer when she was younger. It went to the middle of her back but because she was a princess, she kept it in some fancy bun with braids around it. She was much shorter than Luna and probably an inch shorter than me. She’s been short her whole life,” Noctis laughed as he said this. “She didn’t talk to me a lot when I was in Tenebrae but when she did, I remember it making me really happy, even if she was sort of rude.”

“… Why are you not marrying Y-“

“Wake up, everyone! We’ve come near the ocean!” Ignis suddenly said, cutting off Iris. Everyone who was asleep groggily woke up, but their eyes widened when they saw the view of the ocean.

“Whoa! This is beautiful!” Prompto exclaimed as he quickly focused his camera on the ocean before him. The sun was setting, and the orange hue reflected off the calm waters. “Y/N, do you see this?”

You just nodded as you focused on the blue waters. They reminded you of Noctis’s own breathtaking blue eyes. Your cheeks colored themselves in a pink tint as the thought crossed your mind. However, you weren’t just blushing from your thoughts. You were also blushing from what Noctis had said to Iris about you.

“We’re gonna camp near the beach tonight. Is everyone okay with that? The sun is setting and I don’t want to put Ms. Iris in danger,” Ignis said as he pulled the Regalia to the side of a bridge.

“Fine with me. I need to stretch, anyway,” Gladiolus said as he immediately hopped out the car. “The tent isn’t gonna fit all of us, so I volunteer to sleep outside so Iris can get the tent.”

“It’s fine, Gladdy. I can sleep outside,” Iris offered as she exited the backseat of the car.

“No, it’s dangerous. It may be a haven, but I don’t trust it 100 percent.”

“I’ll sleep outside,” Noctis shrugged. “The tent is a cramped when it’s all of in there, anyway.”

“Well, I’m not going to argue with you. I’m gonna go ahead and set up camp,” Gladiolus said as he removed the items he needed from the trunk of the car and made his ways to the stairs attached to the bridge.

“I’m so excited! My first camping trip with you guys!” Iris grinned at you and Noctis.

“It’s not all that it’s cracked up to be,” You mumbled as you pushed past her and began to follow the others who had already started walking. Shrugging, Iris ran to catch up with you as Noctis strolled lazily behind.

~!~

Aranea’s POV

“Were you able to recruit her?” The smooth voice of Ardyn filled the woman’s ears. She rolled her eyes as she leaned against one of the rails overlooking the city of Altissia. Pushing herself off it, she casually strolled past Ardyn and several of the imperial soldiers behind him.

“Is she here now?” Aranea sarcastically asked as she pretended to look around the area for Y/N. “Because I don’t see her anywhere.”

“We don’t pay you to fail missions-“

“Ha!” Aranea let out a loud, breathy laugh. “Pay me? You guys barely pay me. I go out of my way for the Empire only to barely afford to feed myself half the time. I don’t do this for the money, buddy. I do this to serve my country.”

“Buddy is no way to refer to your chancellor,” Caligo suddenly spoke up. At the sound of his voice, Aranea whipped her head to the short, pudgy man and gave him an incredulous look.

“I don’t think you have the right to speak to me since you’ve been demoted. Y/N almost ended you and you barely escaped,” Aranea hissed. “If I were her, I would’ve finished you off whether the prince intervened or not.”

“You bit-“

“Alright, alright, settle down. You both failed your missions, however, you both have the opportunity to regain yourselves-“

“I’m really not up for kicking their asses again, “Aranea groaned. “She’s not going to join us, anyway. She’s too much in love with her prince to betray him now. Anyone with eyes can tell she loves him. They came into the arena holding hands.”

“She really is a traitor. How could she love a Lucian – more specifically – the prin-“

“Shut up, Caligo,” Ardyn said sharply, causing the man to stiffen. A smirk played on Ardyn’s face as Aranea’s information registered in his mind. “So… both of the Nox Fleuret sisters are in love with the prince, huh? This could… actually work.”

“What are you planning, Ardyn?” Aranea arched a brow as the red-haired man began to pace back and forth.

“Do you happen to know which sister the prince has feelings for?” Ardyn asked, ignoring Aranea’s question.

“The one he was supposed to marry, I suppose, but he and Y/N have chemistry… why?”

“It’d be a shame if… one of them just… died in an attack or something…”

“Why do you want to kill the sisters? What have they done to you? I agreed to recruit Y/N and fuck around with the prince’s head a for a bit, not kill anyone,” Aranea immediately said.

“This could work in my favor…” Ardyn smirked to himself as a new set of plans began to roam his mind. Noticing Aranea and Caligo were still staring at him in a confused way, he replaced his smirk with a grin and snapped his fingers. “New plan! Aranea, you and I will be headed back to Lucis to assist the prince with the next royal arm he has to receive.”

“I said I’m not-“

“We’re not fighting them. We’re assisting them. Redeem yourself with the prince and his entourage.”

“And what about me?” Caligo spoke up. Ardyn turned his head over his shoulder and threw a smirk at him.

“You stay here and train. I have a feeling… a world-changing even will be going down soon. You need to prepare yourself, Caligo. And as for you…” Ardyn looked towards a soldier who stood upright, shotgun pressed tightly into their chest. “Step forward.”

“Sir!” The soldier immediately responded as he took a step forward. Aranea arched her brow again as the soldier’s voice rang through her ears. She’s heard that voice before. It was stern and emotionless. It’s been a while since she’s heard it since she’d moved up in the ranks, so she couldn’t quite put her finger on who the voice belonged to.

“Are you ready to meet your daughter again?” Ardyn smirked at the soldier. Aranea’s eyes immediately widened at Ardyn’s words. This soldier was…

“Maybe you’d be able to convince Y/N that she should be assisting us. You are her father after all. Do whatever you deem as necessary,” Ardyn’s eyes darkened as the man nodded his head in confirmation and returned to his spot beside the other Imperials.

“What… is he planning?” Aranea quietly asked herself as she stared in shock at the man known as Y/N’s dad. Whatever Ardyn had up his sleeve, she knew it meant danger for the prince, the oracle, and Y/N. She had to find a way to let them know or even stop it before it was too late.

“Okay, so when do we leave for Lucis?” Aranea asked.

Ardyn just threw another smirk at her. “Tonight. We must prepare the temple, after all!”

~!~

Your POV

You lay awake in the tent, staring into the darkness that surrounded you as the others slept. The flames from the still burning fire pranced its shadows on the tent’s walls from the outside. Dinner was hours ago as it was about 2 in the morning. Noctis was sleeping outside so you guessed he kept awakening to add more wood to keep the fire alive. Though it was the middle summer, the beach that you guys camped on was a bit chilly without the sun’s warmth around. Even inside the tent, you were shivering from the cold. Prompto and Iris slept the closest to you while Gladiolus and Ignis occupied the other corner of the tent. You worried about Noctis who was outside alone. Though he claimed he wanted to sleep outside, you couldn’t help but think he felt a bit lonely. As far as you know, ever since the boys started traveling together, no one was left to sleep alone. You decided that you should check up on him. Besides, if he was awake, which you doubted, you wanted to ask him about what he meant by his words from the previous night – that he could never hate. It’s been nagging you in the back of your mind since he said it, but you didn’t want to make the situation awkward between you both with the others noticing. Maybe it didn’t mean anything. Maybe he just really cared for you as Gladiolus said. Maybe…

You quietly got up from your spot, careful not to wake up the others, and made your way out of the tent. To your surprise, Noctis was sitting in his chair, a blanket draped over his shoulders, staring at the fire before him. Quietly, you walked towards the prince. He must’ve heard the crunching sand underneath your feet as he whipped his head in your direction. A blush creeped up your face from being caught as you shyly waved at him before continuing to walk towards him.

“Are you okay?” Noctis asked as you neared him. You just nodded your head as you plopped down in the chair beside him. A small shiver coursed through your body as the heat from the fire and the coolness from the night air collided with one another. “Do you want to use my blanket?”

“I’m fine, thanks…” You said as you avoided his eyes that were staring at you. “So, uh, why aren’t you asleep?”

“I could ask you the same,” He smirked at you. It only lasted a second, however, as it fell. “Just… thinking about everything that’s happened lately… and how close we are to seeing-“

“Lunafreya?” You cut him off, already knowing that was the name he was about to say. He just nodded at you while your heart sunk slowly in your chest. “I’m… looking forward to seeing her, too. I just want to hold her in my arms and apologize for ever leaving her…”

Noctis’s eyes widened at your words. “Oh yeah, why did you come to Insomnia? Was it to see me?”

Noctis playfully smirked at you as he awaited your answer but was only surprised when you nodded your head in agreement. “It was my birthday… and I just wanted to see Lunafreya happy again, like she always was whenever you sent her those messages in the notebook. She would read your messages repeatedly just to feel connected to you somehow. At night, she’d sometimes cry… I didn’t know why until I overheard her talking to Gentiana about her life being unfair… how she wished she wasn’t an oracle and how she could just love and be with you. But those… assholes… the Gods, they took that all away from her. So, to reunite you guys, I went to Insomnia to find a way to tell you all this in hopes you would’ve come back with me. Now that I think about it, it wouldn’t have worked. Tenebrae is filled with Imperials ready to attack your family… I was really stupid…”

“You’re not stupid for wanting your sister to be happy…” Noctis said softly. “I want Luna to be happy as well.”

“She’ll be happy once you two are together. Maybe you can finally plan this wedding that’s been delayed which feels like for centuries,” You let out a forced laugh at your words. Noctis didn’t laugh, however, as he slightly frowned at you.

“I think… Luna will be happier once she sees you and knows with her own eyes that you’re safe. She really loves and cherishes you, you know?” Noctis said. “I promised not to tell you this but, when we were kids, she was really sad when you wouldn’t play with us…”

“Luna why are you sad?” An 8-year-old Noctis watched worriedly as the 12-year-old girl shed tears on the drawing before her. She was fine just a few seconds ago so Noctis didn’t understand why the girl was suddenly crying. The girl often looked distant whenever Noctis and her would play together, but she’d quickly cover it up with a smile.

“I-“ She sniffed, “I miss my sister. Why won’t she play with us as well? Did I do something? I ask her, and she tells me no and goes to play with our brother. Why doesn’t she like me anymore?”

Noctis’s eyes lowered as he listened to Luna’s words. He knew that it wasn’t Luna that Y/N didn’t want to play with – it was him. The boy didn’t understand why Y/N didn’t like him. However, that shouldn’t stop her from playing with her sister. The day he met the Nox Fleuret sisters, he knew that Y/N really looked up and loved Luna. He felt bad for getting in the way of that relationship.

Sighing, Noctis rolled his wheelchair over to Luna and placed a comforting hand on top of hers. “I’m sorry… Y/N doesn’t like me... so maybe she doesn’t want to play with you because of me. I can go hang with my dad if that’ll make her play with you…”

Luna let out a chuckle as she placed her other hand over Noctis’s and blinked her tears away. “There’s no need for that. I’ll be okay. I’m sure she likes you, so don’t worry, okay? Also, Noctis…”

“Hm?” The boy widened his eyes at the older girl.

“Promise not to tell Y/N I cried over her, okay? I know she isn’t doing this on purpose and it’ll probably break her to know that she upset me.”

Noctis immediately grinned at the girl. “It’s a promise!”

“She cried… because of me?” You blinked at the prince before you.

“Don’t tell her I told you – hey, Y/N, what’s wrong?” Noctis looked at you as tears ran down your face. You stared off distantly at the ocean and the moonlight that reflected off it. You’ve hurt Lunafreya before to the point that she cried? How many other times have you hurt your sister? How many times have you betrayed her? Even with being careful of every move you make and going out of your way to bring happiness to your sister, you still hurt her. You bit down on your bottom lip hard enough to break its skin and taste blood as your thoughts continued to run wild.

“Hey,” Noctis’s voice broke you from your thoughts as he was now crouched down in front of you, both of his hands caressing your own. More tears fell down your face as you looked at him. Without a second thought, his thumb came to your face and brushed away your tears. The mere touch caused another shiver to run through you. “We were kids… it’s not that big of deal, right? You know you love Luna. Luna knows you love her and would never purposefully hurt her and-“

You stared at Noctis as he tried to calm you. He was always trying to calm you and trying to get you to open up to him – even as kids. The night at the hotel in Lestallum where you got him to admit to you his true emotions about his father. Originally, he wanted you to open up to him, but you managed to flip the script. Then the other times he’s come to comfort you or even save your life. The time where he stopped you from killing Ravus and even the other night from that Imperial commander. Noctis was always there reassuring you and making sure you were okay. And… each time, you fell deeper for him. Deeper in love with the man that was meant for your sister. In love with the man that would hurt Lunafreya for life if she found out you held the same feelings for the man she confessed to you she loved so many years ago.

“Are you listening to me, Y/N?” Noctis looked into your hazel eyes, causing your heart to stop as you locked your eyes with his. Love. That’s what you saw in his worried eyes as they searched your watery ones. Love. It was what Iris, Prompto, Gladiolus, and even Ignis had been hinting at all along. Noctis loved you. At this realization, your eyes filled with tears as you abruptly stood up and attempted to walk away from the campsite. However, Noctis was faster and grabbed onto your hand and pulled you into him. Your eyes widened as he held onto you for a while. “Do you know how to dance?”

“H-huh?” You hiccupped, taken aback by his sudden question. Here you were crying about your situation and he wanted to dance?

“Princesses know how to dance, right?” He asked as he pulled himself away from you slightly. You watched as Noctis grabbed your hand and placed it on his shoulder while he took the other in his own hand. He then gently placed his free hand on your waist and looked back at you with gently smile. Meanwhile you blinked confusedly at him. “As a prince, I kinda had no choice but to learn. I hate it, but I’ve been told it helps people temporarily forget their problems.”

“I-I,” Your face was red, you knew it. Hopefully, he would think it was from your crying. “I know… the basics.”

“Okay, I’ll lead,” Noctis said as he began to sway you around. You hadn’t danced ballroom style in so long. Your eyes kept glancing towards your feet to make sure you didn’t step on his as he twirled you around the fireplace. “Try not to look at your feet so much…”

You nodded as you looked up at him. He grinned at you as he spun you around, causing a small laugh to escape from you. This was a side you haven’t seen of Noctis before. Did Lunafreya know about this charming side to the prince? Did he ever tell Lunafreya that he wanted to dance with her in front of a fireplace that overlooked the ocean? That he wanted to spin her around until she got dizzy and tripped over her own feet with him catching her each time? How he’d stare lovingly at her as the moonlight reflected in her glassy blue eyes that had a few moments ago been crying? Did Lunafreya know this side of Noctis? You wanted to think she didn’t… that he was only this way with you. The shy, distant prince that people came to know disappeared into a gentle, caring one when he was comfortable with those around him.

“Why… can’t you hate me…?” You muttered as you two continued to dance around the fire. However, at your words, Noctis halted his movement and looked down at you, tilting his head slightly in confusion.

“Huh?”

“Why can’t you hate me?” You asked a bit louder this time, so he could hear. “Even if I did something horrible… or was a part of something horrible. If I were the cause for all the trouble in your and Lunafreya’s life…wouldn’t you hate me?”

“Does Lunafreya know about this horrible thing?” You nodded as Noctis chuckled. “Then if she doesn’t hate you… then why would I? I literally cannot hate you, Y/N. I will never hate you.”

At his words, you broke your hand away from his and wrapped your arms around his waist, taking him by surprise, as you buried your face in his chest. He smelled similar to how he did the day you met him again in Hammerhead. His musky cologne applied from earlier today mixed in with the smell of nature. “Why…”

“Huh?” He said as he still stood frozen.

“Why can’t you be mine?”

Your eyes widened at your words as you realized what you had just said. Immediately, you tried to pull yourself away from the prince, but was prevented from doing so when he wrapped his arms around you. Your heart was pounding so loudly you could practically hear them in your ears. Maybe he didn’t hear you? Maybe he was just returning your hug? Maybe he-

“Y/N, can I kiss you?”

You pulled yourself away from him at those words and stared up at him. His face was red as he avoided your eye contact. “I-I’m sorry. Forget I asked. I’m-“

~!~

Noctis’s POV

Why did he ask her that? She was clearly upset about hurting her sister. Her sister that was clearly in love with him. And here he was asking could he kiss her. But, he couldn’t help it. Her questioning why he couldn’t be hers? He didn’t want anything but to be hers. And to hear the woman he was in love with indirectly tell him she felt the same, how else was he supposed to react? Maybe not asking her to kiss him, however. Noctis wanted to crawl into a hole. When did he even become this bold? He was trying to cheer up the crying woman, not make her uncomfortable. She stared at him for a while as he tried to stumble out an apology.

“I’m sorry-“

“I’m sorry…” Y/N said which gave Noctis his answer. He blushed in embarrassment as he slowly dropped his arms from the woman. He knew he messed up. Ugh, how was he going to come back from this now. “Lunafreya, please forgive me…”

Noctis looked down at the former princess in confusion as she looked up at Noctis and nodded her head at him. “You can kiss me…”

Noctis let out a shaky breath as a small smile became present on his lips. Carefully, he cupped Y/N’s face and brought his face down to hers. His eyes flicked up to her already closed ones. He chuckled as he saw her awaiting his kiss. Gently, he placed his lips onto hers. At first, she didn’t react to it however, he was reassured she didn’t regret her decision when her arms snaked around his neck to bring him closer to her. He obliged as he moved his hands from her face and to her waist, deepening the kiss in the process. Was he really kissing Y/N? The woman he had been in love with for so long? It was like a dream come true.

And just like dreams, the moment abruptly as she pulled away and looked at him in horror.

“I-I’m sorry…” She said as she gazed at him for a moment for disappearing back into the tent. Noctis stood there in shock as his lips still tingled from her soft ones being on his. He glanced towards the tent where she disappeared to and let a small smile dance upon his lips.

“I’ve always been yours… Y/N…”

66 notes · View notes