lavozdegente

[mmmairon]

ffxvi trailer is tearing me apart. frankly i’m afraid i cannot survive until june to play it

[oveliagirlhaditright]

I don’t know if I can properly do a review for Neo the World Ends With You. I can talk about the bullet points about the plot and how it’s the perfect sequel to TWEWY there, but other than that... I feel like it’s just going to me being like, “It’s good. It’s good. It’s so good” and gushing about my favorite parts. But you know what? Here I’m going to try it, anyway:

So, I saw someone complaining about how the artwork for Neo wasn’t original, because if you put it beside TWEWY (the Switch version), if you didn’t know any better, you might think you had two copies of the same game... And that’s because the creators tried to make this “TWEWY 2″ in every way possible, even with the box arts being so similar. And I just- I love that so much! 

I feel like Neo is almost moreso now an act two to TWEWY--the final act--than a sequel, per se.

But, like, a lot of us were theorizing from the beginning that Rindo’s mask thing might be tied to him not speaking up, like Neku’s headphones were tied to how he shut people out. And this was true. And, ahh. What a beautiful thing this was. To have such protagonists for the two games and to see them grow. And while I expected Rindo’s character arc, it was honestly a lot better than I was expecting. I grew to like him a lot more than I thought I would. And I loved him making the decisions to go back and try to save his friends, even though he knew it might make things worse, when before he could rarely make a decision on his own. I really felt his struggle here, and it was executed well and this was pay-off after everything that came before it.

TWEWY gave us Taboo Noise and Neo gave us Plague Noise. At first, this kind of bothered me. Because I thought if one could make Plague Noise, surely someone like Sho or Mr. H would have tried that in the first game, when they were trying to become Composer and save Shibuya, respectively. But now that I get what they were going for with it, I’m all for it. And TheDeliveryGod points out that they might be a reference to Covid with the “Plague” name and with Rindo wearing a “mask”, which I hadn’t thought about. I know they started coming up with some of this before that, but maybe. Edit: This all ties into Neku and Rindo’s character arcs, too. Originally, Neku didn’t want anyone to force their values on him and probably would have been happy if they all thought like him. But in the end, everyone IS thinking alike and it’s not what he wanted at all. In Neo, Rindo has a problem of speaking up and making decisions. And in Neo, this leads to people not being able to think at all.

Anyway, TWEWY had everyone brainwashed by the end and Neo had it so they couldn’t think at all. And oh my gosh, I did not think that Nagi and Fret’s psychs would come in to save the day (and Neku and Tsugumi’s as well), but this is another amazing payoff and I could watch this segment again and again. Eep! It was such a beautiful text bubble scene and cutscene!

And when I was first playing the game, I was starting to worry if they’d delve deep into the characters... and really explain everything, make me care about everyone and everything and add replay value. But they did. They really did. I never thought they’d make me care about the Shinjuku Reapers, but here we are. I feel so bad for that tragic family now. And ahh! Knowing that Shoka is Swallow now has so much replay value! ...And makes her and Rindo even more shippable, of course. I’ve gone back and played a few chapters and I can see it now. Ahh. And of course, the character development is spot-on. Which is what TWEWY is all about. I never should have doubted. I really loved all the flashbacks with our girl Shoka, too, and seeing her and Ayano’s relationship, and what she was like before she found herself with Gatto Nero.

Rindo gets pulled back into the RG similarly to Neku’s ending! And at first, you think that’s his happy ending, too! But all is not right, of course. But because Neku’s struggles (him finally letting people in) got the attention (a change of heart) of another higher being (the Composer, Joshua, and he gave Neku and the gang their happy ending), it does the same thing with the angel Haz. And can I just say... there’s something about this whole segment that is just sublime? I want to watch it over and over and over again. It oddly might be my favorite part of all of TWEWY now, and that is really saying something. But Neku’s story was about letting people in and he did that, so story out. But Rindo’s was about making decisions... and he has one more important decision to make--the biggest one--before he can get his happy ending, and Haz leads him to it, subtly. Sort of like how I think Joshua was subtly trying to get Neku to change his mind about destroying Shibuya in TWEWY.

Oh. And you finish off the big bad by doing a Fusion with your whole party again, and you all sort of land/flash on the ground afterwards like you did in TWEWY, too!

And I’ve rambled enough about the new NeShiki scene in my NeShiki posts since Neo. But that essentially being a continuation of their scene from TWEWY: MMM. My heart! It almost makes not seeing Shiki’s face all these years worth it for that moment. Almost.

And then the title changing to “The World Begins With You” again, but with Neo this time... is just the most beautiful and awe-inspiring thing they could have done and I can’t thank them enough for it.

And the sheer joy I felt when I realized that this game had Another Day, too.

There are other smaller things, too. Like I’m pretty sure shark Noise start appearing on the day they did in the original (the day Rhyme got erased). And how Transformation--a song that plays as boss battle music against Sho--plays when you first meet him in TWEWY.

Neo really is TWEWY2 through and through, even though the developers didn’t want to call it that (so newcomers knew they could play it without knowing the first game), and I can’t thank them enough for that. What a wonderful world this was. ^_^

Oh! And the ending scene with Rindo and Shoka playing FanGo was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen--the perfect ending, really--and felt like it came straight out of a Disney movie.

It makes me wish I could rewatch all of this in one-go... except I can’t. Haha.

Oh, and of course I love that we get a new menu art, ala what FFXV did, where the darkness is gone and we have Neku in the art, too:)

...

And now onto a few tidbits of some of my million favorite scenes: 

I love that Beat calls Nagi Pinny. LOL. I love everything about Beat in this game. Speaking of:

That one quest where that one guys becomes possessed with Noise and is fretting about his sister and you fix him up, and Beat says, “I love a guy who cares about his little sis.” :)

And when you’re exploring the urban legends (that is very Twilight Town KHII, I must say. Side note: Stealth Sneak from KH, I can’t believe you made it here, too), and you’re doing the stair ones, and Nagi falls down them and Beat’s like, “Yo, Pinny. You, ai’ight?!”:D:D:D

I think this was another part of the urban legend day, but when that guy imprinted on that girl to just end her friendship with all her friends, since she was stressing about friends growing further apart, so he decided to just cut her losses. And Beat was like, “How about I imprint you to stick your hand up where the sun don’t shine, yo?”

Or in Another Day, when Beat says to Neku, “We’re not getting much screen time,” and Neku replies, “Let’s let the kids have it. That gives us more time to...” Beat: “That’s right: Tin Pin Slammer!” Nagi: “Those two sure seem to have gotten themselves into something exciting over there.” Shoka (I think it was Shoka): “Oh, they’re playing that game that was super popular three years ago.” Hahaha. I also loved the reference to Reaper Creeper with Rhyme and Coco, and Nagi and Fret being like WTF is that?

All of the character interactions are wonderful, and you know I’ll be making posts upon posts about them. But I love that we passed the Bechdel Test with some sweet Shoka and Nagi moments.

That whole scene where Joshua helps Shoka and Rindo is just the greatest. I keep watching it over and over. I love that he helps her in such an asshole-y way. Everything’s a game to him (though you know what? Maybe it’s also a reference to Rindo and Shoka meeting and bonding through FanGo) Oh, Josh. But maybe that was the only way he could do it. The Neku and Josh scene is also wonderful (he tried to help Neku after Coco shot him. He did... even if it was to lock Neku in Shinjuku for three years, because he didn’t trust him to blab that Josh was the Composer? I’m kind of with Neku on that one, “Oh, brother”. But it all worked out in the end, and the following moment with Neku and Josh is really special).

Though I really am wondering why he didn’t help more, and why no one thought to get the Composer for help... probably because he couldn’t interfere. Got to get those secret reports to explain everything, I’m sure. You know what? I’m sure he was actually pulling some strings behind the scenes.

Adore all the stuff with Rhyme. I’ve gushed about that in other posts. She’s so cute now! Always was. And I’ve so proud of my hacker daughter!

Shutting up now. And expect a million more Neo posts in the future. What a game. What a series! So glad I can say that about TWEWY now.

Edit: And I’m so glad that angels were in here, and that that plot got expanded on from the original!

[bearpillowmonster]

Top 15 Pokémon

I made a post a while back where I went back into my old Pokémon Platinum save file and listed all my Pokémon names, and I said I might come up with an updated list as to what I name my favorite Pokémon. Why not start by doing my Top 15. No order, as usual. I'll add the rule that each Pokémon I list, represents that line so if I say "Pikachu", I also mean Pichu and Raichu had that name as well.

Raichu - SunnyD. When I was a kid, my bio dad would take me to his girlfriends house and she bought me this purple Pikachu ball

Pretty sure it's this one. I searched all over the internet for it but this is the only picture I could find, or else I probably would've bought it again. But that was also the first place I ever had Sunny-D so I put two and two together. Also, you know how they'll have MLG Pikachu with glasses, a blunt and Mtn. Dew. Instead of all that, I made one with just glasses and Sunny-D for my profile pic at one point. It stuck.

Charizard - Fury. When GoAnimate was a thing, I made a series called "The Party" where Jak left Daxter home alone to go on a date with Keira so Daxter throws a party and invites Charizard among the guests. I was trying to get him to do a horse whistle and it ended up coming out like "Furrrrreeeeee" so I just named him Fury out of convenience.

Shellder - Ike. One time I went to my friends house to play Halo and we met a kid named Isaac on Xbox Live but he told us to call him Ike. This was kind of in honor of him because he was probably the least toxic kid we talked to on there.

Skarmory - Mercury. A decent amount of these names can go both ways, with this one, if it's a boy, Merc, if it's a girl, Mercury. I feel like this one is pretty simple and doesn't really need an explanation.

Monferno - Lazlo. This one is hard because he's my top favorite ever and I've had various names for him over time and I'm not sure there will ever be a definitive one but this is the current one. I went to either BK or McD's to get one of those Pokémon cards, it happened to be Monferno. I believe in chance. You know what other toy I got from there once? A Lazlo pencil topper, another orange monkey.

Treecko - Grover. Because Grovyle sounds like Grover and I just like the idea of him being a muppet. Before Monferno, I had one of those Wendy's "toys", which is where I started liking him. (Ok, maybe I believe in chance A LOT. But not as much as my dad)

Poliwhirl - Clue. I started Pokémon as a young kid but I fell out of it until I was around 9 because of divorce stuff, Yada Yada, but I still had a few toys. A Pikachu Party VHS, Pokémon Colosseum (which I never learned how to play), PKMN The First Movie VHS (which magically went missing and my mom told me my bio dad lost it and my bio dad told me my mom lost it), a mini Geodude and a mini Poliwhirl (stuff you'd get out of a capsule machine). That has nothing to do with the name, I just wanted to state my connection to him. So, I used to have a bullfrog named "Nion", why? When I looked up Starkiller's name from The Force Unleashed, it said his name was 'Nion', and it is...his son's middle name. Starkiller is a clone of Galen Marek, still with me? CLOne. Clo looked a bit weird so I took that and make it Clue. Whether you want to play with that and say it was because of CLU in Tron or the board game or Blue's Clues since he's blue(-ish) then be my guest if that makes it simpler, welcome to my thought process.

Smeargle - Bradley. I was on a site called "PokeHeroes" where you collect various Pokémon then trade them, breed them or sell them and use the money to buy a rare egg. Well, I asked what to name him on my status and someone said "Bradley". Probably the most normal on this list.

Umbreon - Noctis. I said I had Pokémon Colosseum so this should come as no surprise. But yeah, I name all the Eevees different FFXV refs. (I do like shiny Umbry more though) also Noctis' dog is named Umbra so...

Totodile - LaCroc. (Or LaCroix). One of the funny things my dad says is "I'm gonna shove a croc up your ass." when he's peeved, so I guess I made good on that threat. It sounds better in French. "I'm finna shove a la Croc up your de cul." Not an official translation mind you.

Togepi - StarChild. It's kind of just been a staple for me because that's what I named him/her as a kid and is one of the only names I kept consistent just for the sheer novelty of it.

Electivire - Trench. I gotta be honest...I've only ever got an Electivire through Showdown, mods and Action Replay for the simple reason that I'm a loner therefore don't trade Pokémon, which unfortunately is required for this one. But if I ever did get him, I'd name him Trench after the TOP album. (colors man, colors) but otherwise I used to name Elekid Duracell.

Turtwig - Guacamole. What need I say, colors. But even if Monferno is on here, that doesn't mean that I didn't pick Turtwig first. He was my first after I got back into Pokémon so I didn't even know what any of the second or third forms looked like yet, I basically went into Diamond blind. So I don't think I even realized you could name them yet. I also thought of Turtilla which could be short for Tortilla, Gozilla, Turt-Killa.

Ivysaur - Sierra. Because when she sprays her sleep powder and stuff, it's like a mist. Sierra Mist. And I like that name in general.

Blastoise - Sucker. Slang for lollipop. I couldn't not have the other Kanto starter on here. When I was a kid, I had this fantasy of Blastpiss, I mean Blastoise, shooting piss, I mean lollipops out of his cannons. Maybe I was sucking on a lollipop when I watched the first movie, I don't know but whenever I saw him, I'd think "Sucker!"

Just know that this was a tough list to make. There are so many Pokémon and so many more that I wanted to put on here. But yeah, I think in the end, these are my favorites., for now anyways...

[bgn846]

I Got It Covered, Trust Me - FFXV FIC

 Summary:            

Gladio decides Iris' new boyfriend has to go, he's an idiot. Iris doesn't agree. Gladio takes matters into his own hands and invites them both over for dinner, and a little chat. What could possibly go wrong?

Notes:    

I had a great time doing a little collab with Blackchocomuffin for this piece. Please, go check out their awesome art of Gladio being a good overprotective brother.    ART,

TW: For animal blood on an apron.

Work Text:          

The one thing Gladio didn’t take into account was Prompto freaking out. He was covered in blood, so he shouldn’t have been too surprised by the reaction. However, what Gladio didn’t foresee was having to explain everything to Ignis, since he couldn’t see what Prompto was going on about.

“What do you mean he’s bleeding?” Ignis exclaimed rushing forward to try and touch him.

“I’m fine Iggy, babe trust me it’s not even my blood.”

Prompto decided now would be a good time to tell Ignis, in great detail, what he looked like. This did not go well. Namely, because Gladio had decided that Iris’ latest boyfriend needed to go, and his bloodied appearance was directly linked to that.

“First off he’s wearing an apron?” Prompto questioned as he announced it to Ignis like that would instantly explain things. “And it’s covered in blood and what is with the knife big guy? It looks like you murdered someone!” Prompto asked with concern.

“Will someone please tell me what the hell is going on? Do I need to fetch a medic?” Ignis asked, his voice rising higher and higher by the second.

Gladio wanted to pull his partner into a hug, but being covered in blood prevented that action. Guess he’d have to fess up. Gladio was doing so well on his little mini-mission and then Prompto had to swing by unexpectedly.

“Listen, the both of you, just let me explain. I’m uninjured; this is leftover blood from the recent kill at the hunter’s guild.” Gladio paused for a moment when Ignis’ handsome face adopted a very bizarre expression. When the man didn’t say anything Gladio continued. “I’m going to, to, um,” and this is when the sheer stupidness of his idea hit Gladio. He was trying to scare his little sister’s boyfriend so he’d go away. Gods, he was an asshole.  “Er, uh, shit, you’re both gonna say I’m a total jerk, but this is to scare off Todd.”

“Oh,” was all Prompto uttered.

“Todd, as in Iris’ new boyfriend, Todd?” Ignis clarified.

“Yep, that’s the one.”

“Why may I ask, have you decided that Todd must go?” Ignis queried.

“Okay, in Gladio’s defense Todd is an idiot.” Prompto chimed in with a thoughtful look. “He thinks corn and flour tortillas are the same thing. That’s weird.”

Surprised to hear Prompto throw Todd under the bus, Gladio had renewed hope in his plan. “Iggy, all I wanna do is have Todd see me like this so he’ll get freaked and leave Iris alone.”

“What if your plan doesn’t work? What then? I’m not sure Todd seeing you,” Ignis paused and waved his hand around nondescriptly. “As Prompto described you will do anything.”  

“Yeah, well, I’ll just have to tie him up and put him in my trunk for a night. He’ll get lost after that for sure.”

“Prompto I can’t tell, is he joking? I fear he’s being serious,” Ignis sighed trying to remain calm.

“Why the apron?” Prompto asked instead.

“Oh! Well, Iris wanted me to officially meet Todd so I told her to bring him over for dinner tonight. The thing is Iggy wasn’t going to know what I looked like, so he could remain innocent when Iris yells at me later.”

“Oh damn, did I screw things up by swinging by?” Prompto queried.

“Aside from destroying Iggy’s alibi, it’s not a big deal Prom.”

“Wait, I’m still lost over here, you are wearing an apron that has been covered in blood? Correct?”

“Yeah, and I’ve got some on my face too to match.”

“Six save me, that’s why you didn’t give me a kiss when you got back earlier. You were trying to spare me from getting dirty.”

“Right, so are we all on board for scaring the shit outta Todd?”

“I can’t imagine this young man is so bad. Though, I’ve never personally met him.”

“He’s not the brightest bulb in the box Iggy,” Prompto admitted. “Did I mention that his brother is a flat eoser? I mean come on that’s terrible enough.”

“Excuse me, he’s a what?”

“No, not him, his brother. You know a flat esoer, someone who thinks the eos is flat.”

Ignis licked his lips and opened his mouth to speak but gave up after a moment.

“So yeah I’ve got maybe twenty more minutes to get real dinner started so I’m a believable cook when they get here,” Gladio supplied quickly.

“Are you not going to explain anything when they arrive?” Prompto asked with a small smile. “How do you see this going?”

“I’m hoping Todd will give me a look that says he’s scared for his life and then I’ll probably make some sorta comment about Iris’ last boyfriend being a troublemaker, and that I took care of em’.”

“And you both claim Todd is an idiot,” Ignis grumbled as he shuffled away to find the couch and sit down.

“Seriously he is! That is why I’m doing this.”

“Do be careful Gladio, she may try and date his brother in retaliation.”

“Nah, Iris wouldn’t do that, she’s too smart for that.”

“At least one of the Amicitia siblings has their parent’s wits.”

Prompto barked out a laugh before Gladio could respond. “Guess I should head out so you can get prepared.  I want to hear all the little details. Ignis, let me know how hard Iris hits Gladio. I know you’ll be able to tell based on the sound.”

Ignis gave Prompto a nod signaling he’d heard and went back to using his phone, listening to the daily reports from the marshal. As quickly as Prompto had arrived he was gone, off to find some of the glaive to relax for the night. They’d all had a busy day and it was time to unwind. Unless as in Gladio’s case, he was attempting to not alienate his litter sister or upset his own boyfriend. It was a fine line he was treading.

--

Time flew after Prompto left, and Gladio soon found that he was not only covered in blood but cooking stains as well. At least they’d have a good dinner, or Ignis would if Iris killed him before they ate. The tall tale sound of footsteps approaching meant the moment of truth had arrived. Grabbing his large carving knife complete with dried blood covering every inch, he waited to hear a knock before he answered.

However, when he shuffled out of their tiny kitchen towards the door Ignis was already standing and waving him back. “Allow me, your reveal will be better from the kitchen,” he whispered while waiting near the door.

Unable to keep the grin from his face Gladio leaned forward and gave Ignis a quick kiss on the lips. “Thanks, babe, you’re the best!” he offered in a hushed tone before retreating back to his spot by the stove.

Ignis merely shook his head and put on his best ‘I know nothing’ face when someone knocked. Iris’ voice rang out a second later announcing their arrival, his little sister was always mindful of Ignis not being able to use the peephole in the door. Forced to turn away from the door Gladio took a deep breath and waited.

“Lovely to hear you again Iris,” Ignis offered easily to which the younger Amicitia laughed brightly. “Ah yes, this must be who we are here to meet, Todd correct?”

A low voice answered, but not loud enough for Gladio to hear well.

“Do come in and make yourself at home, Gladio’s been busy in the kitchen all evening,” Ignis supplied before closing the door.

Thinking of how his dad might have reacted to meeting one of Iris’ boyfriends, Gladio put on his best impression of their late father and spun around to meet Iris and Todd. “So this is the young man you’ve been so enamored with, huh?” Gladio stated before frowning. “I do hope you treat my sister well, she’s a very special lady.”

  Nothing but silence filled the room when he finished talking. Iris was looking at him like she wanted to throttle him and Todd; well Todd was just not paying attention. The little shit. The moment he fully turned around to see the rest of the apartment behind him Iris stepped forward and punched Gladio in the arm, hard. Training with Cor was paying off; Iris had a mean right hook.

“Uh, do you need help with anything?” Todd asked with a blank look when he focused again. “I didn’t realize you got so into cooking, you’re like covered, in, um, lots of stuff.”

“Blood, Todd, I’m covered in blood,” Gladio deadpanned in a moment of anger.

“Are we having meat? Oh, I thought Iris told you, I’m a vegan.”  

“What?” Gladio asked in confusion. How the hell had this kid not noticed that this was an overly excessive amount of blood to be covered in. Even for cooking.

“You know like someone who doesn’t eat meat or dairy products. Plant-based only.”

“How?” This was bad, this was very bad. Gladio was so thrown off he couldn’t even speak full sentences anymore.

“Oh, uh, I grow a lot of my own food but it’s like really hard and sometimes I don’t eat enough. I mean it’s so dark out all the time, and it’s hard to gro--.”

Gladio had already tuned Todd out, this little brat didn’t even know what it was like to eat meat, let alone butcher it. That, he hadn’t taken into account. This didn’t mean Todd was dumb though, just massively out of the loop. Still, he thought he’d managed to at least look like a horror movie villain. Maybe Todd didn’t watch scary movies either?

“—like that’s how I usually do it, but it’s hard to find tofu sometimes, but I can make fake chicken with flour and that’s not bad. Uh, when are we eating, I have to stick to a strict schedule otherwise my body gets out of whack,” Todd finished with an expectant look.

Sweet shiva, Gladio was starting to seriously consider his options for actually doing away with Todd. Fine, he doesn’t eat meat, but he could at least not be an asshole about it! “Dinner should be ready soon, why don’t you go help Ignis with the wine.”

“I only drink wines that haven’t been aged in wood; do you have anything like that?”

Gladio couldn’t even form words; this guy was a piece of work. Thankfully, Ignis was ready to field that request. His partner guided Todd away towards their modest wine rack to select something. Gladio already knew they didn’t have what Todd wanted. They had nothing Todd wanted. His garula steak pasta sauce paired with egg pasta wasn’t vegan. The bread rolls with cheese baked in most definitely weren’t. Though, why did he care, the little shit could starve, he wasn’t here to make Todd happy! He was trying to make him go away.

The second Todd stepped away with Ignis, Iris got close and promptly kicked him in the shin. Biting back a yell Gladio limped back into the kitchen space. “He’s an idiot!” Gladio hissed under his breath.

“He’s my idiot!” Iris whisper shouted back.

“Can’t you select a different one? He’s sorta rude.”

“I can’t believe you, trying to scare him like this.”

“Well, it didn’t work! See, he’s an idiot!” Gladio huffed excitedly.

“No, he’s not,” Iris growled lowly.

“I look like I mur—Did you two find a good wine?” Gladio asked cheerily when Todd came back over holding a bottle.

“Not sure, the label on this one is too faded for me to tell if it’s been aged in wood barrels or not. I won’t drink it because it’s like cruelty against trees and all. Ignis said there might be a magnifying glass over here for me to try and read the label better?”

“Excuse me? What about trees?” Gladio was well out of his element with this kid, he wasn’t an idiot he was just plain weird. “I don’t think they fe--.”

“I know where there is one!” Iris interjected, “One sec baby let me grab it for you.”

Baby!? Dear lord his little sister was calling this tool bag baby. The world had officially ended. Gladio nearly threw up in his mouth when Todd repeated the name back to Iris. He almost didn’t catch the barely concealed snort from Ignis across the room. Damn him, at least he was having fun.

--

Dinner was a disaster. The more Gladio worked to fluster Todd, the more Iris would fawn over him. Figures, she’d act that way, she was doing this out of spite, he was sure of it. Ignis on the other hand was having the time of his life. When Todd started talking about conspiracy theories, Ignis, who knew every little thing there is to know, easily debunked each and every one.

As the night crawled on, Gladio realized Todd was getting drunk. The kid had only been able to eat the small salad they’d made. He’d declined the dressing since that wasn’t the right way to eat greens. Something about being respectful to their natural state and covering them in oil and vinegar was a huge mistake. This of course made Gladio smother his salad in dressing, just to see if he could elicit a reaction out of the tool bag.

It didn’t work.

Nothing was working, Todd was terrible, but Iris wasn’t going to dump him, he’d failed his mission. However, right when Gladio thought all hope was lost, Todd opened his mouth and proceeded to stick his foot in it. Guess getting drunk had made him a little loose-lipped.

“Gladio,” Todd announced seriously, “You should tell Iris to be careful when she fights. I keep telling her that she won’t look good with battle scars.”

“Sometimes you have no choice but to take up arms buddy, it’s the way things are nowadays,” Gladio answered meaningfully. “We’ve sworn an oath to protect the people and that may come at a cost.”

“Yeah, yeah, but like for Iris specifically, she shouldn’t fight, it’s not right.”

“What?” Gladio and Iris asked in unison.

“Baby, hear me out, I like you and all but like you can’t keep fighting, what if you get scars like your brother? You won’t be pretty anymore.”

The deathly silence that followed Todd’s proclamation was the best thing Gladio had heard all night. Maybe things were turning around after all. Todd wasn’t an idiot. He was a duche bag. Even better!

--

Iris had cried a few times since Ignis had asked Todd to leave after his comment. Something about having an angry blind man remove his visor, and pointedly stare at you left little room for argument. Ignis’ bold move had done more than Gladio’s bloodied apron had even come close to achieving. Todd’s utter look of fear at being singled out was a thing of pure joy to behold. Gladio didn’t like that it came at the expense of his sister's feelings, but Todd needed to go.

“Is he blind?! Sorry Ignis but I’m still in shock,” Iris lamented. “I mean you both clearly have visible scars, why would he say something so, so rude.”

“He’s a douche bag, that’s why!” Gladio cut in.

“It’s alright, that wine he drank had been aged in an oak barrel for at least fifteen years. He had to go on my word that it hadn’t been,” Ignis added calmly.

“You lied to him?” Gladio asked with a smile.

“I may have fibbed; I can’t be expected to keep all my wine bottles straight. I’m unable to read any of the labels personally so I can’t really be blamed.”

“Who doesn’t use dressing on salad, that’s stupid,” Iris mumbled a second later.

“I knew you’d come around! Come on let us find you a nice normal boy to date. Iggy and I will invite them over for a nice din--.”

“NO! No, no, no I’m fine. Gladio you stay outta my business,” Iris cut in, though she was smiling a little.

Laughing loudly Gladio pulled Iris over, nearly toppling her chair, for a proper hug. “Okay truce, I won’t go actively hunting for a boyfriend for you, but can you at least trust us when we tell you they might be an idiot?”

“Maybe, just don’t do the bloodied apron knife thing again, that was awful.”

“What did he look like? I’ve had Prompto describe his look but I’d like to hear it from you, if I may.”

Iris happily obliged and described all of Gladio’s elaborate planning, down to the black trash bags on the counter with a sticky label on them that read ‘Todd’. Prompto hadn’t noticed those.

By the time she’d finished and they’d cleaned up everything Gladio decided he could break out dessert. No reason to waste his efforts. Iris merely rolled her eyes when he took out a plate of simple sugar cookies that he’d decorated with little radioactive symbols. “What?! It was a backup plan in case Todd hadn’t figured out things.”

“Ignis, he’s made cookies with the hazardous symbol all over them. Do you think we are safe to eat them?”

“Oh that’s what you were doing,” Ignis exclaimed with a smile. “Yes, they should be palatable. I helped with those. I didn’t realize what Gladio intended to use them for. He added the decoration afterward, I believe.”

“You are such a dork Gladio. Thanks for looking out for me though.”

“Anytime Iris, Iggy, and I are here for ya no matter what.”

Iris leaned over and gave him another hug. “Sounds good, but there is one thing I gotta know,” pausing she pulled away. “Where the hell did you get all that blood?!”

[secret-engima]

Daywan has spent her whole life knowing she was going to be a Second. It was rare, but they happened sometimes, a Second soulmate after the first died, or if something fundamental changed about a person. (The Glaive had a lot of Second Words.) What else could her Words indicate? "Thank you for taking care of my son, but why didn't you say he was here?" She'd fought against those Words for years, they'd been the center of her teen angst. Daywan had avoided children and childcare like the plague.1

Anonymous said: 2 And then came the Nifs came. They'd been in a little town, straddling the border of Lucis and Tenebrae, neutral for centuries, but the Empire hadn't cared. She'd snatched a baby out of a dying woman's arms and never looked back. As she'd begun the terrifying march that would ultimately take her to Insomnia, she'd collected children and dragged them with her. She'd bitterly regretted her adamant ignorance of childcare, but she could no more leave them to die than she could stop walking.

Anonymous said: 3 "Thank you" was waiting for her. Somehow, arguing with the guards at the gates of Insomnia with her gaggle of children clinging to her legs, climbing her back to tug on her hair, (trying to put braids in with stubborn tenacity) it didn't seem so bad now, to be Second. Not after what she'd seen. She had someone who was waiting for her, maybe he'd be the father of one of her kids. It just made sense when she found a job as a childcare worker, a little less when it turned out to be in the Citadel

Anonymous said: 4 And then there was the sweetest little boy in the daycare, probably a smuggled in relative. She got more then most, given her willingness to look the other way. And then the King came into her room, as the last straggler of the day, the new boy helping her wipe the table down as she talked about some fun foods she'd eaten (trekking cross country with demons and Nifs hunting you cut down on your food prejudices) and then, "Thank you for looking after my son, but what is he doing here?”

Anonymous said: 5 Daywan isn't even sure what she stutters in response. The warmth in her Words let her know exactly who the King was to her. Hopefully something suitably innocuous, she needed to get home and have a breakdown as she dealt with this revelation.

Anonymous said: Actually, let me change my suggested name for the daycare worker to Daywren. It flows better I think, Daywren Silverblade.

Me: This is SO stupidly adorable I love it. Gonna expand on this backstory but I really like this idea (especially of her being non-Galahdian but totally adopted because of all the kiddos she kept rescuing). Ummmm, don’t think that name will work? FFXV has it’s Naming Theme and all. Think I’m gonna call her .... Lucina. The kiddos just call her Nina because it’s easier to say.

And just-

Lucina has always been an odd child, avoiding childcare and kids like the plague after learning what the swooping scrawl on her forearm MEANT, always more willing to learn to fight and hunt and fish than most little girls her age. Always more stealthy than she should be, always more precise in action than she needed to be. The other townsfolk nod sagely to themselves and say that she’ll be sent off to the city academy once she’s old enough, become a career woman for sure. Possibly even a military woman. Lucina doesn’t mind the thought of it. Can’t get much farther from childcare than being a soldier.

But then Niflheim comes. Niflheim comes and there is a child screaming in the arms of the woman who just got shot at least a dozen times and there is no saving the woman, but she holds out her child with crazed eyes as Lucina runs by and she takes without thinking. And then she is alone in the wilderness. With a baby.

Oh no.

She picks up more of them as she goes on, other children of various ages, some small, some less small, all of them lost and scared and in need of someone to care. She steals or trades for milk to feed the littlest ones, thanks the one bit of forethought she had in taking her bow and arrows with her when she ran as she hunts down food for the ones that are too old for milk.

She isn’t quite sure HOW she makes it to Lucis without losing any of the five children she picked up, just that she did.

And then she learns of Galahd’s sudden, dramatic fall. Finds out when she stumbles on a tight-knit trio of children with ratty braids in their hair and wild eyes and she can’t help but take them too.

She picks up a Galahdian pre-teen somewhere in between the toddlers and adolescents she keeps stumbling on and she could cry from relief in having help minding, caring, and feeding.

By the time she makes it to the gates of Insomnia at age 25, exhausted and underweight and triumphant, she has fifty whole kids and three pre-teens straggling along behind her. She is NOT in the mood for the gate guard’s pomp and circumstance, and the gate guard is not prepared for Lucina’s near feral protective instincts of the kids clinging to her legs and crawling on her back adding braids to her hair (she has so many Clan braids without knowing what they are it isn’t even funny). She gets let in and Little Galahd hears about her somehow so by the time she’s finally in the gates, there’s a hoard of excited, tearful Galahdians ready to reclaim their kiddos and then claim the new kiddos AND their keeper because this woman just returned like- 40+ of their missing kids. There are literal brawls (later and in private) to determine who gets to formally adopt her into their Clan.

Lucina is too tired for the first two weeks to care. Barely bats an eye when a man approaches and introduces himself as Sonitus and asks if he can take out all but one of the braids in her hair. She tells him that if he’s willing to face the screaming hoard of kiddos that will descend upon his soul, then by all means.

It’s only later someone thinks to sit her down and explain Galahdian adoption, but she has no family now so ... being the adopted sister of a Bellum is alright she guesses. Better than being alone and homeless.

Lucina ends up getting a job in childcare. Despite never having wanted to do things with children before and not having any professional schooling in the caring of kids, apparently everyone has heard of her fifty kid entourage and assumed she was some kind of childcare person who lost her papers. Since nothing is as terrifying as keeping fifty kids (several of whom are infants) alive in the wilderness, when she is offered a daycare job by one of the Galahdians who Knows Somebody With An Opening, she takes it.

She did not expect the Knows Somebody would actually be “the guy who hires Citadel people owes me a major favor” and the Opening to be the CITADEL DAYCARE.

Okay fine whatever. Better than being jobless and at least the kids in there are healthy, well fed little scamps and food is just a microwave or oven away rather than a mile into the wilderness and ready to run if it catches her scent.

For all Lucina claims to not have a way with kids, she is Good With Kids. She had no idea why kids seem magnetically attracted to her but they are and the other workers quickly learn to yeet the problem children her way.

Which is why when she finds a newcomer smuggled in on the day she is alone in her shift (the other worker meant to work the shift with her called in sick) she doesn’t bat an eyelash and is just grateful he’s such a sweetheart. He calls her Nina without hesitation (the nickname the other daycare kiddos gave her, apparently Lucina is hard to pronounce for tiny tongues) and trundles after her in all his five year old glory, trying dutifully to help her with things so she doesn’t force him to go interact with the other kids (she does not force him, what’s the point of forcing a shy child into a situation where they don’t feel safe? It will only end in tears, let him get used to watching the others before encouraging interaction).

She doesn’t notice the Citadel’s slow descent into madness or the way two of the five Crownsguard that lurk on the outskirts of the daycare are repurposed for some other task. Well. She does notice. It’s just that she doesn’t care. As long as nothing tries to enter the daycare unauthorized it’s not her problem (and if something DOES, well, she’s got about five freshly sharpened knives hidden on her person where kiddos can’t reach and adults can’t see and the long looped cord holding back her ponytail has a steel center just GREAT for strangling someone who tries something. These kids are in her care, she’s not going to just leave it up to Crownsguard to protect them if someone so much as lays a finger on them with ill intent).

The servants and the spouses of the Crownsguard, who are apparently all working overtime today for some reason, come to pick up their kids and Lucina herds everyone into neat lines for retrieval while keeping an eye out for imposter adults or strangers (it’s happened before, she ruined her favorite top putting a stop to it before a Crownsguard managed to take care of the issue). One of the maids who works on the royal levels spots Lucina’s tiny shadow (he calls himself Noct, it’s clearly short for something but Lucina thinks it’s cute) and her eyes grow to the size of plates, “That’s-!”

Lucina blinks and idly pets the boy’s hair when he hides behind her leg, “Oh, you know him? He says his dad works upstairs. I know something is going on today but can you call his dad down here? The daycare is closing in an hour.”

The woman nods dumbly, looking shocked for reasons Lucina doesn’t get and wanders off with her own child, who is the last one other than Noct to be picked up. Lucina and Noct hang out for the next ten minutes or so as the father steadily does not come by, and Lucina is hiding her worry well over what to do with Noct as the boy busily helps her clean off the table and put away the last of the toys when the doors to the daycare slam open.

Lucina puts herself in front of Noct on instinct, hands dropping to the knife sheathed in the small of her back and ready to fight before she registers.

The Shield of the King is standing in the daycare.

The King of Lucis is standing in the daycare.

“Dad!” Chirps Noct as he buzzes past her and flings himself into the arms of the monarchy who has that distinctly crazed, frazzled look that only comes from being worried sick over one’s child.

Oh.

Oh dear.

Noct’s dad “works upstairs”.

Noct. Noctis

Oh dear.

Lucina tries to discreetly lower her hands away from the (still sheathed thank goodness) knife but is pretty sure the Shield knows exactly what she was doing. The king is still busy fussing over his son, half-lecturing until Noct starts going on about “Nina” and how much fun he had with her down here.

The King looks up, “Thank you,” he rumbles, “for looking after my son. But why did you not tell anyone he was here?”

The words on her forearm, hidden under a soulmate sleeve, burn like liquid fire and her heart stops.

She thinks- she thinks she says something in return, but her mind is screaming because-

This is her soulmate.

28 years old and she has finally met her soulmate.

And it’s REGIS LUCIS CAELUM. KING OF LUCIS.

From the shocked expression on the king’s face and the way one hand suddenly clamps on his right ribcage, she’s pretty sure he just realized it too.

[mandakatt]

FFXV Fic - Anamnesis - Cor Leonis & Prompto Argentum

A/N: I am excited to share this one with you guys! This, is the piece that I got to write for the @thelionsigil​ - a Cor Leonis Zine. (My first Zine! *vibrates again*)

The team of mods was absolutely awesome to work with, and there’s so much amazing talent in one spot that I fangirled pretty hard. Not gonna lie. =p

So, now that the Zine has shipped, I can finally post this here. And when I got to write some Papa Cor I was excited to say the least!

Characters: Cor Leonis & Prompto Argentum Warnings: None Word Count: 1518 Summary: Cor sits with Prompto in Lestallum during a moment of respite from their hunts, and he comes to reflect over things in his past.

Things that maybe he could have done differently, especially where Prompto is concerned...

It wasn’t often that memories came flooding back to him like this, but he supposed it was the present company he was keeping. Cor sighed quietly through his nose, knowing all too well that the reason the young man sitting next to him doubted himself so much was because of him.

Cor was positive it was his choices that had set the ball rolling with Prompto’s self doubt.

"This is my fault.."

Cor looked down at the small child that was swaddled underneath his thick coat. He could feel Clarus’ eyes on him as he moved his arms to press the small child more firmly against his chest at its soft whine. 

“Your fault or not, I am assuming you know what must be done?” Clarus asked softly. 

Cor had said, repeatedly, that he was not good with children, and yet the child only seemed to stop crying when he’d swaddled him up and tucked him in close to his chest. He was confused at the amused smiles the others gave him when he’d try to pass the child to someone else, the boy would let off the loudest, wailing cry he’d ever heard.

“I will not allow the child to die,” He lifted his eyes to look at Clarus, “I will take responsibility.” 

“You?” Clarus seemed surprised by that answer, but the smile on his face said otherwise.

Looking down again as the child let off another soft whine, Cor gently reached into his coat to run his fingers slowly across the top of the baby's head. Slowly, the baby’s fussing gave way to a soft, burbling noise instead.

The child smelled like frost to him, almost like the promise of winter to come. Yet there was the distinct metallic tang of blood that went with it, and that made him wonder what was in store for the child in the future. 

Suddenly, the child let out a loud, whine-filled cry. 

“Ah, that’s a sound I am familiar with,” Regis’s voice gently pulled Cor from his thoughts as he lifted his eyes, “If you are to take responsibility, then you must make sure that they are well fed and cared for. Is that something that you think you can do?”

“If I feel that I am incapable, I will find someone who is.”

He wasn’t incapable. But with his duty to the crown it would be unfair for the child to be alone all the time.

“H-hey Cor? You alright?”

“I’m fine.”

“We’ll find the best family for the child. They will be well taken care of.”

Cor felt himself hesitate as Prompto nuzzled against him, giving off a soft sleepy noise. “He. Prompto. Call him by his name.” 

“F-fine,” The representative from child services fidgeted a bit on their feet, “H-His foster parents may change it, just so you are aware.”

With a nod Cor stepped closer. “Will I be able to visit him?”

“Yes. I do not see that as a problem.”

“Good.” 

Cor gently passed Prompto over to the representative, making sure they held him the way he’d been taught by Regis last week. He hesitated again when Prompto had started to cry. 

This was for the best. Yet he wondered why he was trying so hard to convince himself...

“You sure?”

Cor hummed softly, “Cross my heart and hope to die.”

“Wh...W-What?”  

Turning his head to look over at Prompto, he couldn’t help but smirk as Prompto’s eyes widened as his face lit up with a smile that outshined the lights around the city.

“Oh gods,” Prompto laughed a little as he started to fidget with a bracelet on his wrist. “I-I mean, that was—I remember asking you to pinky swear as a kid with that saying.”

Cor’s eyes drifted down to Prompto’s wrist only to feel his breath slightly hitch.

“Cor! You came!”

With a bit of a grunt Cor laughed quietly as Prompto flung himself at him and wrapped his small arms about his waist. He gently ruffled the young boy’s hair. “Sorry I’m late…”  When he glanced about the house, he frowned at how quiet and dark it was.

“They—uh—had to run and get s-some things! B-But they’ll be back!”

Cor placed his hand on Prompto’s shoulder and gave it a light squeeze, knowing that Prompto had been alone most of the day. Again. He lowered himself down to one knee to be eye-level with him, and gently held out a long thin box. 

“...Happy Birthday, Prompto.”

Prompto’s face lit up into the brightest smile Cor had ever seen as he quickly took the box and ripped off the wrapping. For a moment, Cor feared that Prompto wouldn’t like his gift. But then the boy's arms were flung about his neck.  

“Cor!! Th-Thank you! So much!”

Cor nodded, “I promise to never miss one of your birthdays.”

“You do?”

“Yes.”

“Pinky swear!” 

“ 'Pinky swear' ?”

“Yes!” Prompto stepped back and held up his little finger, “Wrap your pinky ‘round mine and say ‘cross my heart and hope to die.’ It means you can never break your promise!”

Snorting out a little laugh at the serious look Prompto was giving him, Cor gently wrapped his pinky around the boy’s and gave him a smile. “Alright then. I promise. Cross my heart and hope to die...”

“I’m surprised you still have that.” Cor glanced at the bracelet around Prompto’s wrist.

“Even if it fell apart, I’d keep it,” Prompto said softly as he ran his finger between the strap of leather that wrapped twice around his wrist, “I mean, it was the best birthday present I’d ever gotten as a kid. There’s no way I’d lose it.”

Cor looked away, out towards the darkness again; not that there was anything to really look at beyond the lights that kept the daemons at bay, but he felt he couldn’t look at Prompto after hearing that. 

If that thin bit of leather was the best thing he’d ever gotten—then he’d failed. 

He’d failed Prompto worse than he’d failed his kings.

“It’s—it’s been my lucky charm ever since you gave it to me.”

“Oh?” 

“Yeah! ‘Cause…well, shortly after you gave this to me, I found Tiny—I mean Pryna-and got to know Noctis and the rest of the guys. I-I don’t think it would’ve happened if you hadn’t given this to me.” 

Cor’s brows furrowed as he wondered if he’d raised Prompto, would Prompto be as bright and friendly? Or would he have become more stoic and methodical like he himself was. It was a strange thought, and for some reason it caused a snort of laughter to pass his lips.

“Even if that bracelet brought you luck, it was you that got yourself where you are,” He felt himself smile as he turned his head to look at the young man. “You know I’m proud of you, right?”

Prompto’s face shifted through several emotions before he quickly looked back at his bracelet and spun it slowly around his wrist. Sighing, Cor looked back out into the darkness.

“Whoa! I just got praised.. By the Immortal!”

“Don’t take that as leave to slack off. You’re only as good as your last battle.”

“Er...yes, Sir! I’ll keep at it, Sir!”

“I’m proud of you not only because of how far you’ve come, and what you’ve achieved, but because of who you are. He’ll come back, and when he does, he’s going to want you at his side.”

“I know,” came Prompto’s soft reply as Cor turned his head to look at him. “Thanks. Y’know? For just—for being here. For being there for me when I was younger. W-when you could...”

I wasn’t there enough for you. Much like I wasn’t there enough for them. I should have— 

“I mean—this is kinda—Ok so...thank you. For—For being a Dad.”

Cor found himself at a loss for words, before he managed a soft “...What?”

“Even though you were busy you made time for me. Like on my birthdays. You always—you never treated me like I wasn’t human. You’ve never treated me like I wasn’t worth something...and I’m positive that saved my life.”

Each word hit him harder than the last, and Cor found he couldn’t look away from Prompto. He didn’t deserve that praise. He—

“I mean it. It’s...why I’ve always kinda looked up to you. Wanted to be like you. ‘Cause you don’t give up. No matter what. No matter how hard it gets. And you kinda...gave me that courage, I-I guess.”

“I...see…”

“I-I mean, I don’t w-want to call you ‘D-Dad’ and stuff, I just mean—”

“I wouldn’t mind that.”

“Wh-What?”

“I...I wouldn’t mind if you did.”

“O-Oh…Oh.”

Cor felt himself smile again and looked out into the darkness once more, his chest starting to swell with an emotion he couldn’t really place his finger on. It wasn’t pride, it was something else. Something more. 

And it empowered him.

Now, I understand entirely why you did those things for Noctis, Regis. 

I swear… I will protect them all.

[amarabliss]

Oaths and Hearts - 18 (Ignis Scientia/Reader)

So this is a crossover between FFXV and Dragon Age Inquisition.

You fell through a rift into the fade fighting the demons you swore to protect your world from. When you popped out you were no longer in the lands of Ferelden instead trapped in Insomnia. The gracious king allowed you to say recognizing power when he saw it. One thing led to another and now you were part of the procession of the prince to his wedding years later. Before the final battle, after years of fighting, losses, and love…your friend…your king…Noctis has asked you to change it all…

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11  Part 12  Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16  Part 17

Ignis yawned as he walked onto the site of construction. He took in a deep breath before raising his coffee up for a drink. His peace was broken by Gladio giving his two cents, “Duel wielding is illegal in some countries.”

Ignis turned giving him an exasperated look, “I know for a fact that duel wielding is completely legal in Insomnia, but I suppose you’re referring to my coffee and thermos.”

“Rough night still?” Gladio looked at him with concern.

“Her contractions are getting more frequent.” Ignis brought the cup up again, “She nearly said it was time last night.”

“She did?” Gladio’s eyes widened before he smiled, “Wow…It’s hard to believe you’re going to be a dad soon.”

“Did it happen? Are we uncles!?” Prompto ran up to him.

“Do you really think he’d be here if Y/N had the baby?” Noctis walked over wearing a safety hat on smirking, “Better get used to sleepless nights buddy.”

“So, I have been reminded daily.” Ignis sighed before setting his thermos on a bench, “Enough about me, where are we in the project?”

“Iggy…” Noct stepped close to him, “we do have a handle on this. You can go and get some rest.”

Ignis smiled at him, “I appreciate the concern, but I am getting enough rest. Y/N assures me we still have a couple of weeks…”

He looked at them all staring at him. Gladio was the first to speak, “Did you…read that in a book?”

“I…no…she just…I trust her.” Ignis set his empty cup down, “She is a woman after all…”

“Ignis, babies aren’t like calendars…” Gladio sighed shaking his head, “I can’t even remember the amount of false alarms my mom and dad had with Iris…and she was early…like three weeks early.”

Ignis stared at him a moment before shaking his head a little, “This is different.”

“You’re delusional!” Prompto rolled his eyes before smiling, “Regardless…I have the camera close by so we can get all the pictures we need when our little man arrives.”

“Our?” Ignis watched him and Gladio walking toward the contractor.

“Yeah…” Noctis smiled at him, “You’re the first of us to have a kid. We’re excited and knowing your baby is a little man…expect many gifts and a spoiled rotten kid. At least for a little while…”

Ignis looked at him, “You are Luna have talked then…”

“More then that.” Noct blushed a little, “She has her duties and I have mine, but…we can’t help wanting more then just our kingdoms and responsibilities.”

“Well…in time, you’ll get your wish.” Ignis put a hand on his shoulder, “You’re both young yet…”

“You say that as if you’re so much older then I am.” Noct laughed as they both walked to catch up with the others.

“In terms of maturity, until recently…” Ignis smirked chuckling as Noct glared at him a little.

The work was hard and honest. Rebuilding took manpower they didn’t have and everyone had begun to wear thin. But hope was in the future.

Luna had convinced Altissia to send aid sooner than later. The boys capture of the crystal had made a significant impact in how the world viewed Insomnia's young king. Not to mention the flocks of Insomnian citizens returning home. Everyone wanted to help.

It was the beginning of a new world view. Status barely mattered, just assisting your fellow man was enough.

Ignis looked up at the bright blue sky wiping is brow. Noctis had decided that rebuilding the hospital and other public venues needed to be priority one. The people rallied behind and progress was good despite the lack of supplies and people.

“Ignis!” The alarmed cry from below Drew is attention away from a flock of flying birds. It was Libertus and Tor running up to the work crews.

“Right here…what’s wrong?” He pushed through the crowd to get to them.

“Its time.” The both told him breathless, “She…Y/N…she’s…”

“What?” Ignis felt his hair practically stand on end as he shook his head, “No…no we’re supposed to have more time…we…”

“Iggy…” He looked at Gladio who stepped up next to him with Prompto, “it’s time…”

“But…nothing’s ready. I was supposed…I…we don’t even have a crib…” Ignis frowned putting a hand to his forehead.

“Hey hey!” Prompto waved his hands at him, “You only have one thing to worry about right now and that’s getting to Y/N and helping her. That’s your job right now.”

Ignis looked at him finding a strange comfort from his words before he nodded, “Right…yes, of course.”

“So, let’s get you there as fast as we can.” Noctis stepped up next to him putting his arm around Ignis’ shoulders, “Hold on.”

Ignis had warped before in short spurts when he and Noct performed maneuvers in battle. Galdio and Prompto both said that it made them sick afterwards. Ignis didn’t find he had that problem until now as his nerves fell into overdrive.

“Breathe Specs.” Noct reminded him as they landed already halfway to their destination.

Ignis looked at him seeing sweat drip down his friend’s face, “Noct, I can manage the rest.”

“Nonsense…” Noct shook his head warping to the next spot taking in a deep breath, “I can get you a bit closer.”

“Noct…” Ignis gently pushed him away toward a bench, “Sit…call Gladio and Prompto to come pick you up…”

As he turned away he heard Noct speak, “You’re gonna be great…just…breathe.”

Ignis looked back at him giving him a sturdy nod before turning back and taking off in a run. Every single step felt like fire began coursing through him. He didn’t know how to be a father…his was taken from him when he was young.

Not that his father hadn’t done well…but he remembered Roderick. His father was kind and gentle, but always seeking the truth and never giving up to find it. Brief images of riding his shoulders through their home, a proud smile, dancing in the kitchen…

He burst into the Citadel rushing to the stairs feeling his legs beginning to burn. As he pushed the door open, he heard a loud wail and he felt his stomach drop. He walked forward pushing through people standing in the hall. Nurses, doctors, patients…

“Y/N…” He heard Dr. Reed speaking, “Y/N you have to calm down…”

“What’s going on?” Ignis pushed forward and a nurse intercepted him as Dr. Reed turned around, “Dr. Reed…”

“Mr. Scientia…” Dr. Reed stepped close to him, “There’s been a…complication…”

“Complication…” Ignis eyes jumped to the open door as something crashed inside and you let out another groan, “Y/N!?”

Dr. Reed put his hands on Ignis’ chest with the nurse, “I can’t let you in there.”

“Ignis…” Your voice sounded weak and scared.

“Get out the way.” Ignis began pushing through them but was held back, “Move!”

“It’s too dangerous!” Dr. Reed raised his voice, “If I let you in there, there is a chance you will not walk out.”

“I don’t care, my wife needs me. Now move.” Ignis voice was low as he glared at the doctor feeling their hands move off him. He adjusted his shirt before stepping into the room.

His eyes widened as the scorch marks on the walls and floor. All the medical equipment was strewn about away from you. You were standing gripping onto the bed railing shaking.

“Y/N…” He began to step forward, but you raised you hand toward him.

“Stay back…” You turned shaking your hair from your sweating face, “…you…you have to leave.”

He stood still staring at you, “Y/N…I will not leave you. Not now…not ever…”

“I-I can’t control it…” You cringed putting you hand to your stomach letting out a painful groan. He took your distracted state to his advantage stepping right over to you. Your eyes opened and you started shaking your head, “No…No Ignis…”

“Shh…” He took your hand tightly in his as his other reached up pushing your hair away from your eyes, “We knew this might happen…”

Your face contorted as tears slipped down your face, “It’s so much worse…it’s so…”

“Shh…” He kissed your forehead, “We’re going to do this together…people with magic have been having babies for thousands of years from your land, you said so yourself.”

You let out another loud guttural groan as contractions came upon you, with it came an uncontrolled spell of chained lighting. It erupted through the floor around them. It was as he expected, his proximity to you protected him from the spell.

“Dr. Reed…” Ignis looked over at the door, “Be ready with everything you need for the baby…we’re doing this alone until we need you…assist with advisements only, do not enter unless I tell you.”

Dr. Reed confirmed as Ignis began turning you toward him have you hold onto his shoulders for support. You hands dug into his shoulders painfully, “I shouldn’t have….done this…mages shouldn’t…there’s too much chaos…I could hurt someone…you…our baby…”

“None of that…you are exactly as you should be…now look at me…” He brushed your hair away from your face, “You’re strong…”

“No…” You shut your eyes hanging your head again.

He lifted your chin looking into your eyes, “Yes. The strongest person I know. You fell through worlds, lost everyone and everything you ever knew, adjusted to an insane new lifestyle…with insane new people.”

“Y/N…you don’t remember but you traveled in time itself to save your family…the one we’re starting here and now…” He pressed his forehead against yours and smiled, “For a daughter we will one day have…so believe me when I say, you can do this.”

“Ignis…ooo….” You balled up his shirt in your hands as another contraction overtook you.

“It’s time.” Dr. Reed spoke from the doorway, “You’re going to have to push…I…I suggest laying down…”

“No…” You shook your head, “No…I…”

“It’s alright…we can stand…” He looked around the room before helping you toward a chair, “Brace yourself on this…I’ll need to be below to catch him.”

You nodded as you took in a deep shuddered breath grabbing onto the chair with one hand, “If…”

“I won’t let it come to that.” He took your other hand pressing it to his lips shutting his eyes. You wanted him to put you under if it came to it. You had researched c-sections, and even Dr. Reed had considered it but felt your concerns weren’t merited.

He could see Dr. Reed was reconsidering his position as he looked back as he reached for some gloves, “Doctor?”

“Ignis, you’ll need to reach up and check her cervix…based on her contractions…I’m positive she’s ready, but to be sure… insert two fingers…” He walked Ignis through what he was and wasn’t supposed to feel. Based on what was described back to him Dr. Reed confirmed full dilation, “The next time you feel a contraction you need to bear down…deep breath…and push…Ignis you’re going to see the head first…and gravity will probably work quickly.”

Ignis looked up at you as begin letting out quick short breaths trying you best to remain in control, “Darling…we do it now…just let go and think of Ulric.”

You nodded as you adjusted as the contraction wracked your body. He saw the immense strain you began to put on yourself as you pushed letting out a warrior’s scream. He could indeed see you taking down hordes of demons and dragons for those you loved in that moment. The moment you were becoming a mother, the joining a league of strongest forces the universe could create. His focus shifted quickly from your face to the small life beginning to join them in this world.

The process repeated. He hardly acknowledged the lights shattering above them as the storm you let loose raged everywhere around them. His heartbeat was so loud as he couldn’t hear his voice as he instructed you for one final push.

Then everything happened so fast…he was holding his crying son in his hands. Tears flooded into his eyes as he spoke, “He’s here…he’s here…”

“He…Ig…Ignis…” You looked back at them both.

Ignis saw your small smile before your legs started to give out. With precision reflexes he was up catching you with his one arm, “Y/N…”

“Go, go!” He heard behind him as he set your tired form into the chair. Nurses and Dr. Reed rushed into the room around them.

One nurse made eye contact with him taking his son from him to be examined. His eyes went back to you as they carefully lifted you to the bed. Dr. Reed confirmed everything had gone well as you began to come back eyes cracking back open when Ulric began to cry.

“…mm…my baby…” You reached up weakly and Ignis took your hand.

“He’s right here…just one more moment.” He whispered moving in to kiss your forehead, “You did so well my love.”

“Here we go…” A smiling nurse came back holding Ulric in a clean blanket as he cried, “meet your momma…”

Tears flooded his Ignis’ eyes again as you were handed him. Instantly his son’s cries disappeared as you pressed your cheek against his head, and the most miraculous sight occurred. A spell he’d only ever seen you use once to save everyone in battle rushed over everyone in the room.

Every nerve that had been set afire calmed in his body as tingling warmth replaced it. He felt energy being restored, as did everyone else who had their anxiety shooting through the roof. A knight’s resurgence…a revival.

You looked up at him as the calm feeling fell over everyone in the room, “Ignis…he’s wonderful…”

“He is…” A nurse handed him some towels to clean up before he leaned back to his family touching and kissing them both, “You both are…”

After sometime everyone shuffled around before taking Ulric back to be put in the nursery to give you time to be tended to. Before you were wheeled away you grabbed his arm, “Don’t leave him…”

There was such fear in your eyes, he could not refuse you. He followed the nurse down the hall looking in the bassinet at his perfect creation. Having no traditional facilities yet, they had converted a small office into the nursery.

“Would you like to hold him again, dad?” The nurse smiled at Ignis as she finished reswaddling him.

“I…” He wasn’t really given the option as she placed the boy back in his arms. He choked up looking at him, “I love you…I love you so much.”

Ulric fussed a little as he brought him up kissing his little hands. Staring at him made all time seem to stop that he didn’t notice three onlookers standing in the doorway until he heard the sound of a shutter. He looked up seeing Prompto snapping photos grinning just as big as the other two.

“How long have you been there?” Ignis walked over to them.

Noctis beamed up at him, “Oh…just fifteen minutes or so…”

“You should have said something.” Ignis bobbed his arms up and down as Ulric began to move a little, “But that’s beside the point…everyone…meet Ulric.”

“Wow…” Gladio whispered reaching over touching Ignis’ arm gently, “You did good.”

“I’ll say…hey little dude!” Prompto whispered, “I’m your Uncle Prompto…and I’m gonna be your favorite!”

“Nah…his uncle the king will be.” Noct nudged the blonde a little getting everyone to chuckle.

“We got him something.” Gladio stepped out into the hall before coming back inside holding a bag.

Ignis watched as the boys smirked at him before pulling out a book, “Oh…well it’s a little early…”

“Well in time he’s gonna want to know about everything…this is just a fun way to do it.” Gladio stepped in opening the book to show Ignis, “It’s yours and Y/N’s story minus some parts, plus others…see…”

Ignis looked at a beautifully illustrated child’s book showing how you met them all including Nyx, but everyone was drawn in a cartoonish way. Gladio flipped through it and it showed you both going on a date in Altissia, then fighting side by side to save Noct all the way leading up to being brought home.

“It’s wonderful…thank you…” He looked at them all before turning to Noctis who had nonstop been staring at the small child in his arms since he walked over, “Would you like to hold him?”

“Oh I…” Noct began to shake his head.

“There is no one I would trust more with son.” Ignis told him gently handing him over, “Support his head…”

Noct looked at Ulric and smiled before looking at Ignis, “So how’s it feel? We heard it was a special type of delivery.”

Ignis sat down looking up at them, “I never anticipated delivering him myself…but I can’t imagine doing it any other way…When I held him…it was…it was like everything inside me began to reset and reform…there’s really no words…except that I love him. I love him and I would do anything for him.”

He lifted his glasses off his face wiping the sudden tears away as the boys crowded around him in support. Everything was finally right in the world. Everything was just as it should be…

[devil-kindred]

Get to Know Me - raisinghellinotherworlds

Saw @pd3 do this and though I’d give it a go!

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1. Name : Siren (it’s a pseudonym!)

2. Nationality: American

3. Age: 27

4. Birthday: January 29th

5. Zodiac sign (or your primal zodiac sign): Aquarius

6. Gender: Female

7. Sexuality: Heterosexual

More below the cut

[[MORE]]

8. Your looks (add a picture or describe yourself)

For the record this is the only recent picture of myself I like and this is about as much of my face as you’ll ever see bc I know my angles.

9. What do you/did you study?: I went to school for a Bachelors in Arts with and emphasis on Sciences but never finished it bc 1) college is expensive and 2) I don’t know what I want to do career-wise so there’s not a point in going back anymore.

10. What’s your current job like?/What job would you like to have?: I’m a service desk associate at a department store. Something where I could deal with less people bc boy does this job push my patience sometimes.

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11. What is your birth order?: Firstborn/Oldest.

12. How many siblings do you have?: Technically four, but only two living.

13. Do you have good relations with your family?: My immediate family. My siblings are closer to each other (but they’re only two years apart) but we get along. I also have a good relationship with my parents though I’m not as close to my mom as I could be it’s hard to forget the not nice things your parent say to you as a kid.

14. How many friends do you have?: Lots though only a few I see/talk to on a regular basis.

15. Your relationship status: Single.

16. What do you look for in a SO?: Intelligent, kind, has a sense of humor.

17. Do you have a crush?: I guess.

18. When was your first kiss?: WHY *sighs* I was... 25.

19. Do you prefer serious and meaningful relationships or casual dating/one night stands?: I’ve... never been in an actual relationship? I’d like to say serious.

20. What are your deal breakers? Being rude, cheating, and treating me like a child/you know what’s best for me/someone in need of saving (new flash, i am not your princess peach/some damsel in distress. If you need to rescue someone I am not your girl).

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21. How was your day?: It’s still early into the day and I go to work in about an hour and a half and I get to close so we’ll see!

22. Favourite food & drink: French Fries. Or anything with potatoes. I’m a fiend. And Dr. Pepper or Coffee.

23. What position do you sleep in?: On my side/stomach on the part of the bed that’s against the wall.

24. What was your last dream about?: It was... highly NSFT and no, I will not go into detail.

25. Your fears: I’m not a fan of spiders or bugs of any kind really, I hate clowns, and I don’t like thunderstorms. Or tornados.

26. Your dreams: Move, either out of state or out of the country.

27. Your goals: See above.

28. Any pets?: A bird, Momo.

29. What are your hobbies?: Writing, playing video games, and reading (fanfic or books)

30. Any cool places in your area?: I’m sure there are but I live in a town surrounded by corn and other farmland so... it’s anyone’s best guess.

31. What was your last awkward situation?: The other day when a customer stared at me for a solid three minutes when I explained that due to the pandemic we’re no longer offering one of our services in an effort to reduce contact.

32. What is your last regret?: That I didn’t realize the true nature of some people who I no longer speak to sooner.

33. Language/s you can speak: English, Spanish (I’m so rusty though), a little bit of French, and a teeny tiny bit of Japanese.

34. Do you believe in astrological stuff? (Zodiac, tarot, etc.): I believe in my many things so yes.

35. Have any quirks?: Uh... I mess with my hair when I’m nervous? & the more nervous I get my (already high) voice gets higher and will go up several octaves the more nervous I get?

36. Your pet peeves: People in my apartment building slamming the front door all the damn time.

37. Ideal vacation: Somewhere with nice scenery and where it’s calm.

38. Any scars?: Quite a few small ones on my head from a car accident when I was just a baby (I went through a window- got a few scrapes but other than that was unharmed) and one on my hand (it’s on both sides of my hand too) from when I was toddler and got bit by a dog.

39. What does your last text message say?: “I’ll let you know when I get some gameplay posted!” I have a sideblog for casual TS4 gameplay. Was telling a friend that I was going to post new stuff soon.

40. Last 5 things from your search history: No thanks! It’s all just checking if a word is really a word and spelling anyways.

41. What’s your [Device] background?: Lockscreen is a wallpaper from FFXV ft. The Chocobros; Hope Screen is Sam & Evie.

42. What do you daydream about?: Writing mostly.

43. Describe your dream home: Decent amount of space, a library room to hold all my books... good lighting, comfy.... preferably NOT in the middle of nowhere.

44. What’s your religion/Your thought about religion: I am not a fan. Particularly of Christianity but everyone has their own beliefs and in that regard, to each their own. Just don’t try to convert me bc the answer is f*ck no.

45. Your personality type: INFP.

46. The most dangerous thing you’ve done?: Climbed onto the roof of the shed when I was little because I got something stuck up there.

47. Are you happy with your current life?: For the most part!

48. Some things you’ve tried in your life: Gymnastics, Ballet, etc.

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49. What does your wardrobe consist of?: Lots of t-shirts, jeans, shorts, flats, boots, etc.

50. Favourite colour to wear?: Black or Blue.

51. How would you describe your style?: Extremely casual.

52. Are you happy with your current looks?: Kinda? I really need to cut my hair because it’s gotten so long it’s annoying. But I can put up with it until it’s safe again bc pandemic. My hair is not that important I assure you.

53. If you could change/add something to your appearance - impossible or not - what would it be?: Oh God, could I be taller? Like at least 5’3��? Which is still teeny but better than my 4’9” ass.

Do you have any piercings or tattoos?: I have 3 piercings and three tattoos (two finished, one in progress)

55. Do you get complimented often?: Maybe? I’m oblivious to the point that you could have a flashing neon sign with the compliment written on it and it would probably still go over my head.

56. Favourite aesthetic?: Biker Chic!

57. A popular trend that you dislike: Neon.

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58. Songs you’re currently obsessed with?: Blessed Be - Spiritbox.

59. Song you normally wouldn’t admit you like: If I like a song, I like it. But if I have to pick one, I know everyone hates Despacitio. I know, ok but I really like the original version bc I like the sound. Latin music always has a fun groove to it.

60. Favourite genre?: Rock & Metal.

61. Favourite artist/band/genre?: Type O Negative, Pallbearer, Ice Nine Kills. Give me all the goth rock/metal and just fun metal in general.

62. Hated popular songs/artists?: Oh boy... don’t hate me but I um... don’t care too much for T Swift? And I’m not a fan of country.

63. Put your music on shuffle and list first 5: Devil’s // Door - VCTMS, Karasu - The GazettE, Path - Apocalyptica, I Walk the Line - Halsey, Drumming Song - Florence + the Machine

64. Can you sing or play any instruments?: I can kinda play bass but I’m still learning so it’s just like... the very bare basics.

65. Do you like karaoke?: I’m very self-conscious so no.

66. Own any albums?: Yes, though majority are digital.

67. Do you listen to radio? What stations?: Yes. I have it on for background noise in my room in which case I don’t pay attention to it, but I have XM radio in my car where I listen to Octane/Liquid Metal/Turbo.

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68. Favourite movie/series?: The Dark Knight trilogy or Hellraiser or Nightbreed.

69. Favourite genre of movies/books/etc: Horror, Sci-fi, and fantasy.

70. Your fictional crush/es: Too many. Look at my OCs and their SO’s and you’ll find a bunch of them.

71. Which fictional character is you?: My friends would say Mira Jane from Fairy Tail. My bestie says Mercedes from Fire Emblem Three Houses (minus the devout part bc... I do not have nice feelings re-religion. You do you though!).

72. Are you a shipper? List your otps, if so: Yes, and once again you’ll be reading for eternity. So I’ll sum it up as too many to list.

73. Favourite greek god?: Apollo.

74. A legend from where you live that you like: It’s said that before big disasters happen in the town I live in + the surrounding areas, that you’ll see a panther. Supposedly one has been seen before at least 4 different bad things that have happened over the years. I’m in the midwest though so take that as you will.

75. Do you like art?: I do but I don’t really have a favorite. ... I am kinda partial to Van Gogh though.

76. Can you share your other social media?: I have a Pinterest but since my other social media has my name (which I also share with an OC whoops. That’s what I get for being indecisive and going the first name the name generator gave me) I’d rather not. If you ask and we’re friends I’ll probably give it to you but...

77. Favourite youtubers?: I don’t really watch too many anymore but I’ve been watching a lot of jacksepticeye’s gameplay. Aside that I tend to just watch channels like PlayStation Access or Outsidexbox.

78. Favourite platform?: Instagram

79. How much time do you spend on the internet?: More than I should, I’m sure.

80. What video games have you played? Which one’s your favourite? Uh, if I had to list them all you’d literally be reading this for eternity. To sum it up, I mostly play RPGs/JRPGs, open-world, survival horror (my fave), and a few (emphasis on few) FPS. Favorites are (once again with a limit): Bioshock, Dragon Age, Mass Effect, Until Dawn, Silent Hill 2, and Fatal Frame.

81. Your favourite books (manga also counts): do you know how f*cking hard this question is as someone who’s a bookworm? Ok, ok um... Gotta have a limit or I’ll never shut up... um... Three favorites: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, Horns by Joe Hill, and American Gods by Neil Gaiman.

82. Do you play board/card games?: On occasion! They’re best with bigger groups but alas, my apartment is rather small and I don’t have a lot of space for multiple people so I don’t play them often.

83. Have you ever been to a night marathon in cinema? No, but it sounds fun.

84. Favourite holiday: Halloween!

85. Are you into dramas?: As in, tv dramas? Kinda? I have a friend on lived in SK for a time and got into K-dramas so I watch them with her from time-to-time when she visits.

Would you use a Death Note if you had one?: No.

87. What changes would you make in the world, no matter how impossible, if you had the power to?: Oh boy... make everyone get along, ensure everyone could live their life to the best possible, etc.

88. Could you survive a zombie apocalypse?: Possibly.

89. If you had to be turned into a paranormal being, what would it be?: I’m going with mythical instead of strictly paranormal but... a vampire!

90. What would you want to happen to you after your death?: As in to my body? Cremate me. To my stuff, give my books to a good home and take care of my bird.

91. If you had to change your name, what would be your pick?: Most people call me by my middle name already since I got tired of people calling me the wrong name (& I like my middle name better) and insisting my first name was actually a nickname (it’s not, it’s the same as the musician I’m named after) so if I were to eventually be bothered enough, I’d have it legally changed to my middle name.

92. Who would you switch your life with for a week?: I don’t know to be honest. I’m fairly happy with my life so I think I’d just not switch.

93. Pick an emoji to be your tattoo: 🌊

94. Write 3 things about yourself - only one of them must be true: I took karate classes for several years, I’ve never dyed my hair, I’ve had two jobs thus far.

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95. Cold or hot?: Cold I guess? If we’re talking in reference to seasons give me cool (aka Fall).

96. Be a hero or be a villain?: Hero because being a villain would mean I’d have to be mean to people and I can’t even pick the mean options in video games without feeling guilty so...

97. Sing everything you want to say or rhyme?: um... no? I’m not quite certain what this means but I’m going to go with no?

98. Shapeshifting or controlling time?: Shapeshifting!

99. Be immortal or be immune to everything aside from natural death?: Immortal.

[kitsoa]

The Edge of Imagination Pt.2

A Fated Encounter

Part 1: The Final World as proof of an Author figure

In the previous part, I used the Final World and the parallels seen in the two realities to suggest that there is a common Creator between Sora and Yozora. This is the foundation for the premise of the 2nd part which seeks to understand why they were designed to meet and to what end. 

Life and Death of Fiction

If the Final World is the Creator’s imagination, then that must mean the difference between life and death in a fictional state has to do with... publication? Well, more like-- the connection of stories through various mediums. Stories aren’t meant to stay inside your imagination. They don’t exist unless they are shared, no matter if its through a book, an animated movie, or a jrpg video game.

So consider, when those stories end, what happens to the characters? Nothing. They have a metaphorical death. It’s the reason endings hurt so much. But for some characters, they leave such an impact that they stay with us, in our hearts, in our imagination. We keep them alive there. So when Light Expired and Darkness Prevailed, KH3 the story technically ended. And Sora persisted beyond death in the Final World (though Kairi kept his body from perishing). He existed in the imagination alone. He then exploits the power of waking and breaks away from that state of being. His story continued and it continued to be shared.

It makes you wonder if that process could be interrupted or corrupted. What happens when that story is stolen, or the Creator is unable to finish it? Does it even exist? Where do those characters and bonds exist?

Stolen Heart

“They took my name-- everything about me.”

The Nameless Star, a sibling creation to Sora, has somehow seen the end of her life. The end of her existence in the fictional realm of her origin. She exists only in her creator’s head.

Well geez, that reminds me of another character that never saw the light of day.

People are making the obvious connection to Stella Nox Fleuret but I’m not sure the exact parallels of what’s happened to both of these characters are being taken literally enough.

Stella Nox Fleuret was a cut character from the FFv13 overhaul. She was created by Nomura, given a personality, a role, a purpose, and bonds with other characters. But they stole that role, they stole her name, they took everything from her. Stella only exists in Nomura’s imagination.

Who is they? The reality is a lot more complex in the creative decisions but it’s a vague “Square did”. When the overhaul happened, that was the decision made. She ceased to exist.

So if we take the parallels with the Nameless Star and apply them to Verum Rex, then clearly... the same thing that happened to FFv13 happened to Verum Rex.

The Nameless Star was cut from her story.

The involvement of Verum Rex, therefore, isn’t the revenge of a story that never saw the light of day-- it’s the story of its demise.

“He’s been changed beyond recognition-- his heart replaced with another’s”

Isn’t that what happened to Noctis in the rebranding? He was adjusted and changed, he wasn’t the same person. His heart was replaced with another’s. Yozora isn’t possessed or corrupted, he’s just the result of corporate meddling. (or other matters, we can be vague in the details)

A Tale of Two Yozora’s

Okay so..... this is where it gets really complicated. Because, The Yozora from the Secret Episode...can’t be the same Yozora from the Toy Box commercial. We know this because the Toy Box commercial depicts the Nameless Star, the character dwelling ‘dead’ in the Final World. The character who was cut from her story who mourns the overhaul that happened to Yozora. The Verum Rex we see at this time truly does appear to be the FFv13 knock off Nomura was sore to create.

But that Yozora exists in some capacity as a fictional construct in the KH universe, behind an interior 4th wall. He’s not real. So how?-- well, simple, the Creator wrote the ideal Verum Rex into the KH universe. (In the exact same way Nomura is writing “FFv13″ into KH)

But the one Sora was fated to meet in the Secret Episode wasn’t the ideal Yozora. It was the overhauled Yozora-- the “FFXV” Yozora. The one who does not remember his stolen love. Who’s heart was replaced by another’s. And in KH fashion we are shown the exception before the rule.

An Adapted Appearance

Which might be... why Yozora said this:

If you consider that... What we are seeing is through Sora’s perspective and... oh meta alert: he’s appearing in Sora’s medium (the actual physical story of KH). Yozora probably... looks a little more like:

(a little on the nose...)

Instead, he appears as Toy Box (ideal) Verum Rex Yozora because he’s on Sora’s metaphysical turf-- he’s in Sora’s game. He has somehow, through the interface of his dreams-- through his Creator’s imagination (i.e. The Final World), adapted physically to this synonymous identity.

“How did you recognize me as Yozora?”

That’s his question. He understands that this kid shouldn’t be able to call him by his name because he does not look like himself. Furthermore, he questions Sora’s identity in the same breath, as though Sora’s the one that’s not appearing as he should.

Reversed/Rebirth

Yozora insists on flipping this on Sora, so let’s flip the situation on these two characters.

From this line, I am convinced that Sora is the same to Yozora as Yozora is to Sora. Sora is a work of fiction. He is fictional in whatever universe this Yozora comes from. He very casually says “I’ve heard of you”-- which would not really work if the sole moment he heard Sora’s name was when he was given the quest to ‘save’ him.

“You’re Sora?”

A line that can be read incredulously. But you can also read a sense of disbelief. Yozora doesn’t believe that he’s who he says at first because maybe he believes Sora to have a different appearance.

Making this a big leap but... what if Sora from Yozora’s perspective, is a fictional character whose heart was replaced by another’s? What if, according to Yozora, Sora was the character whose story was overhauled and changed? I mean It’s not like Sora would know this.

Who even told Yozora to “Save Sora?” Because strike me paranoid, but in a way the Nameless Star was tasking Sora to “Save Yozora” from his changed fate. Why can’t the same be said on the other end? Is there some cut character from KH development hanging out in the Final World telling Yozora that the same thing the Nameless Star told Sora?

Maybe that’s why his defeat ends in this crystallization. Without knowing enough of the inspired lore, we can see that Yozora believes that by defeating and crystallizing ‘Sora’ he is saving him. If he believes Sora to be changed on the same level as the Nameless Star believes Yozora to be, then it makes sense why he would attack him.

“If you are who you say, and it was fate that brought us here, then... my path is clear.”

In this quote, he’s understanding that this is the ‘changed’ Sora. He is understanding that he needs to do something to this violated heart in order to save him. He is motivated by a very strong #oath to do so.

Which explains his sadness when he’s defeated he concludes that his ‘powers aren’t needed yet.” There are many ways to interpret this attitude but if the goal was to crystallize Sora on the basis that he’s been “overhauled”, then the defeat at his hands suggests that this version of Sora is sufficient. Which doesn’t really remove him from the rescue attempt, it just postpones it until he is no longer capable. (Therefore suggesting another element to the motive that I can’t fathom but would probably have to do with the strength and aptitude of Sora-- like say the defense of a greater threat). 

And this reversal is why there are two different endings. Why they conclude in perfect parallels, as though looping the loser’s story to the beginning of their tale and continuing the victor’s story in the Final World.

We are left witnessing a waking Yozora, living out his story, confused. Sora is in the Final World-- shaken by this petrifying sense that nothing is as it seems.

Conclusion:

This speculation is driven by the idea that the Final World is a truly neutral ground and that due to the nature of the connection presented, the denizens within this graveyard share a fictional status and a common author. The fated meeting between these two protagonists is a resulting clash of the Creator’s imagination, a trial to determine what will become the truth. It’s meta, and there are probably discrepancies in the meta-lens that can’t be explained but the gist is there. Kingdom Hearts has always been a story, about stories. But for now, that story rests in a special, beautiful limbo. A graveyard of stars holding a creator’s dearest creations. Held hostage at the edge of his imagination.

Part 1: The Final World as proof of an Author figure

[prowlingthunder]

WIP Meme 10/20/2020

Tagged by: @mandakatt

Look at what you've done. How dare you. I'm not even sure this is all of them. I think some are hidden in gdocs yet. Argh.

Tagging: @egodominustuus @thelostknee @linwyrms-lair @gracethescribbler @skywalking-across-the-galaxy @khantoelessar @zpansven

Read the list under the cut.

1: A Child of Blood

2: Eileen - Birds of a Feather

3: BtVS - Lupercalia - Xander - Wolfthreat - WIP

4: BtVS - PT Alexander Harris Auroresbrother - Denguards - LUPERCALIA - WIP

5: Buffy the Witcher

6: SynthSil - Ascendent Ab Inferis (Lux Aeterna AU)

7: Boys in Blue

8: Butterfingers the Deathclaw

9: Piper - (Lupercalia)

10: Sil/Jack

11: CM - Lupercalia WIP - Red

12: CM - Lupercalia WIP -

13: AC/FFXV - Des and Noct swap places - ffxv Halloween bang

14: Trigun x Outlaw Star

15: Gargoyles x Ronin Warriors

16: Power Rangers x Ronin Warriors

17: Ronin Warriors x Outlaw Star

18: Rurouni Kenshin x Yu Yu Hakusho

19: Dragons Breath -- DAO&RW

20: Farcry 5 / What Became of Edith Finch - Eddie

21: Farcry 5 / What Became of Edith Finch - Jake

22: Gundam Wing - With Daemons WIP

23: GW Pacific Rim

24: GW&IA&FFX - Auron - Roulette - Unlikely

25: Hobbit/RW - Bilbo -

26: House Ronin Warriors

27: RK-Xmen = Dragon Teeth

28: RW-PJ

29: RWSG1

30: SG1/JOS - Third - In a God's Bedroom

31: ST/RW

32: SW/GW - Brothers and Sisters [clonefic]

33: Thor-x-Ronin Warriors

34: Noctis (Final Fantasy XV) / Levi (Attack on Titan) - Hunting [Noctis in AoT]

35: Hiei (Yu Yu Hakusho) / Prowls (Exalted) - Stars [Prowls adopts Fire Demon baby]

36: Noctis (Final Fantasy XV) / Ezio (Assassin’s Creed) - Family [Assassins in FFXV]

37: Kuwabara (Yu Yu Hakusho) / Anakin Skywalker (Star Wars) - Honor [Kuwabara unfucks SW]

38: Kuwabara (Yu Yu Hakusho) / Dex-Star - Love [Kuwabara adopts a Red Lantern Cat]

39: Voltron/Escaflowne

40: When the Night Comes/Arcana crossover

41: YYH/Naruto - Kurama - Foxkids

42: CSI NY - Lupercalia WIP -

43: Dark Matter - Hiro - [Lupercalia] - WIP

44: Every Warden Ever - WIP -

45: Nelaros and F!Tabris as wardens

46: Salazar - Crowbar Fic

47: Carslile/Sil - Highschool

48: Joan rambles

49: Junior - (Best laid plans)

50: Junior - Outsider

51: Junior - The G.O.A.T.

52: Junior rambles

53: MacCready - Big Town Blues

54: MacCready - Radstorm

55: Nora - Line-dried Laundry (Lupercalia)

56: Pandora -

57: Pandora - Lupercalia Fic - [Inside Pandora's Box]

58: Pandora rambles

59: Russian Roulette - Silas deathfic

60: Sil/X6 rambles

61: Silas - Demon Summoner AU - A Leaf in the Wind

62: Silas King - Snow Angels (Papawolf!Renigald)

63: Silas King - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (Operation: Rescue Quinn kidfic)

64: Silas rambles

65: Winter Animals (papa!Artem)

66: Y7 - All the Things I Didn't Say

67: Ambulo

68: Contritum Coronam

69: to abstain from doing harm

70: A General Gift

71: ABO nicias&caleb/nicola

72: An Army - Prompto & Ignis - Blood and Water

73: Andali misc

74: Ardyn - (Triplets verse)

75: Cathedral of You fanfiction

76: Cor -

77: Cor - Dawnfire - WIP

78: Dave - [Scourgeverse]

79: FFXV Glaive Lupercalia

80: FFXV Prompto Lupercalia

81: Galahdian Noctis au

82: give a brother wings

83: Halloween '19 d2

84: Halloween '19 d3

85: Halloween '19 d4

86: Halloween '19 d5

87: Halloween '19 d7

88: Noct raises Ardyn

89: Nyx -

90: Prompto - Terrible Things

91: Sealions - Cor - The Dance

92: snowchild (Lupercalia wolfProm fic)

93: The Feral Coeurl of Galahd (Galahdian!Cor fic)

94: Transplant Fic Box

95: Vipers Victim

96: what fire burns

97: IA - Kasmir!Oliver Briggs - WIP

98: IA - Nebrija x Arzu - Family - WIP

99: David and kids

100: David and Bridget, Combat Skills

101: David vs Simon Fight

102: Bridget tending David

103: Music *http://youtu.be/G2ZKKXCuaYc?t=9m46s

104: Seduction

105: Wish

106: Destiny

107: xerxes

108: Giayl - Wolflords (Lupercalia)

109: LotRO - Aegliraan - Caran Dagra - WIP

110: Lupercalia - Shepard - Star-light, Star-bright

111: ME - OC - Blood And Water

112: Black Cats and Broken Mirrors Chapter 5

113: Itachi - Step Two

114: The Hardest Part - Chapter One - Alone

115: 100+ Words list

116: Bioshock - Big Daddy - ABO verse

117: Character Roulette 2

118: Life of Redemption

119: A lover's homecoming

120: The Dreaming Cord

121: Logan - (This is what it's like) - WIP

122: Outlander - Kainan - (wolf fur and dragon teeth)

123: SPCH - drabble

124: Thor - All The Little Children [Lupercalia]

125: Thor - Lupercalia WIP - Frigga -

126: WoW - Livieva - Puppy At Heart

127: Haruko - Genji lives path

128: McHanzo Timetravel Shenanigans

129: Overwatch - Yuuma - Nest of Vipers - Big Bang

130: Stan/Haruko

131: Stanfic

132: Taijo Aitai tinyfic

133: Yuuma Op

134: Mia - Lupercalia fic - The Chosen Ones ch2

135: RW - Lupercalia - Arago & Hariel - Blood and Ashes - WIP

136: Ryou - Coal Dust - GIFT - WIP

137: Seiji - Kagome, Kagome

138: Seiji & Cale - Quadrature Pt2 - GIFT - WIP

139: Yulie WIP

140: Dinner

141: Bamboo

142: Travel

143: Sting

144: City

145: Noise

146: Titan

147: Oddyseus

148: Hera

149: Archangel

150: Centaur

151: Gorgon

152: Rainforest

153: Music

154: Groot

155: Plagues

156: Courage

157: Rage

158: Belief

159: Joy

160: Horoscope

161: Family

162: Obligation

163: Friend

164: Loneliness

165: Anakin - - timetravel fic tcw/ep7

166: Anakin / Rey - A Pocket Full of Sand (Reincarnation Fic)

167: Eurynome - Monsters in the Dark

168: Eurynome - Supernova?

169: Jeeri -

170: Shmi Skywalker - Son of Sands [Aniwolf]

171: Snowdrops

172: Star Wars AU Fics

173: StarWars - WIP

174: Trials and Shenanigans (Bits and Pieces)

175: We Shouldn't Be Friends

176: SG1 - Sam - - WIP

177: SG1 - Sam&Jack - - WIP

178: SAO - Yui - SAOFest - Marching Band

179: SAO - Yui - SAOFest - What Big Sisters Are For

180: SAO w Jaegers - Silica - WIP

181: Series: Bad Plan

182: Arrow&RW - Oliver - - WIP

183: Cye - Homecoming (Multiverse)

184: Papa!Cye

185: little shadows far reaching

186: Untitled document

187: Voltron - Keith -

188: Geralt - Witchwolves [Lupercalia]

189: Hell Hath No Fury

190: Chapter 3

191: Adventures of Maiwen Tanet

192: Art of Living

193: Asclepius

194: Bloodlines

195: Bondsiblings

196: Cats Cradle

197: Smoke Song

198: Darkness Watching

199: Desert Sands

200: Dragon's Cross

201: Dragonkin

202: Fractured

203: Hydra

204: Lyric Book

205: Poetry Book

206: Red Moon Kisses

207: Rupert's Drop

208: Feyborn

209: Superheros

210: Wonderland

211: A Mother's Love

212: Harry Potter and the Light of the Moon

213: Minor Troubles

214: Roses In Stained Glass

215: Even God Can't Save You Now

216: Mirrors Edge -

217: Our Secrets

218: Mica Sands

219: SG1/RW

220: They Call Them Ghosts

221: We All Bleed

222: In A House Of Brittle Bones

223: With A Crash of Thunder

224: Digital Shards [YGO/Digimon]

225: God Save The Queen

226: Fractured Light

227: AtlA/RW

228: NatM/YGO

229: SG1/StS

230: Van Helsing/Helsing

231: GW/Avatar

232: GW/JOH

233: Saving You

234: Firefly/Outlaw Star

235: GW/RW Reincarnation Is A Bitch

236: Escaflowne/RW

237: Mending Of Hearts Hope/Noel

238: The engines of iron Cindy/MTProm

239: Weaver's Undoing

240: A Nomad's surprise

241: A Soldier For Sale

242: Heir of Spring

243: The Ghosts of Haven

244: Master's Vengence gladio/prom d/s bdsm

245: The Unfortunate Ice Cream

246: The Perfect Hustle

247: The Adventure of Odie, the One Eyed Sock Puppet

248: Angels in the Attic

249: Mending the Sun

250: Numb to the Stars

251: Traitor of Heaven - ffx/ffvii

252: Isle of Iron

253: Irreverence

254: the empty tower

255: Bravery In Eternity

256: Changeling's Duel

257: Gilded Dispair

258: Wolfwan return of shark

259: Clonewolf O66

260: Time of the Wolf Lupercalia AU

261: Time of the Wolf Lupercalia snippets

262: Going Down (Cpt. America lupercalia)

263: wake up cpt+girls

264: Lokison

265: Uncle of Mine

266: The Things Wolfsisters Do

267: Howling

268: Shield Sisters

269: starhunter lupercalia

[enchantment1385]

My most magnificent mega must (have) mods memo.

So, I’ve been putting this off (big surprise!), but the time has come! I am going to try and provide some recommendations of my favorite mods. Mods I will not play the game without, or mods I love so much, I can’t recommend them highly enough! Hopefully some of you will find a new excuse to play one of these games again! I will split the list up into games so you skip if you don’t play a certain game. Again, these are my personal recommendations, so please don’t get all bent out of shape over this people. I also won’t be adding the very amazing utility mods (such as SkyUI or mcm or mod organizers) as I feel these are required mods. Today's installment -  

~Skyrim~

VIGILANT  +  VIGILANT Voiced - English Addon Okay, where do I start with the amazingingness of the mod? It’s massive, compelling, scary (chapter 3 holy fucking shitballs, batman!), and just absolutely perfectly executed on every level horror mod! This is not a mod you complete in a couple of hours, this you need to put aside a day or 2 and go through all 5 chapters! 1 guy made this. 1 awesome japanese dovha, alas it’s not as adored as it should be as, when originally released, the english subtitles (literally translations from Google) didn’t really translate well... or at all at some points. Hence why you need the voiced addon which makes this mod a 15+ hour, fully awesomely voiced adventure to seek out daedra, and be physically, and morally tested by the one and only Daedric Prince of domination, Molag Bal. Your choices WILL affect the outcome. This mod gives you everything you want from a mod. New weapons, new armour, new enemies, dark soul like boss battles, new places, new people, new land. With Halloween quickly approaching, this is the perfect time to give this a shot! 

Legacy of the Dragonborn

I stayed away from this mod for SO long thinking it was just a massive oversize player home to put all your crap on display. I was wrong. I was SO wrong. This mod is the ultimate scavenger hunt turned up to 11. It adds some of the best mods out there and puts them all together to make you WANT to go find that bloody staff, or helm, because A, it now looks amazing, and B, there’s a place for EVERYTHING in the museum, it must be filled! It adds old relics, new quests, a very gorgeous fair sized player home, you get to go to Elsweyr, and even get an airship you CAN use later! And trust me when I say, there is nothing that looks quite as impressive as your dovah walking around a city with your massive ass airship looming overhead. The way everything gets placed into the world is fucking flawless, and if you’re bored or just want more out of Skyrim, this is the mod that does that, and WAY more. Also a massive bonus, it has several patches for other mods that didn’t get incorporated (vigilant being among them) to add extra wings for you to display the items from other mods! 

Interesting NPCs

Another mod I stupidly avoided to begin with. So as we know, vanilla followers are... meh. But now with all these new battles and exploring you have to do, you might want someone watching your back, right? Forget vanilla, time to go interesting! This mod adds -

• 250+ Voiced NPCs • 25+ Followers with Location Based Commentary • 15+ Marriage NPCs 

This mod makes Skyrim feel inhabited, but with REAL people. People who you can, should, and will want to talk to. The voice acting is just fantastic, the characters are an absolute joy, they fit into the world so perfectly you’d never know they weren’t there all along! Well... Except for the fact they’re actually interesting, and have more than 5 things to say! It also has something called ‘Super Followers’. These followers actually comment on what’s happening in your story. Just about to go kill your first dragon? They have something to say about it. Just joined the college of mages? Have a chat to see what they think! I can not express how much this will change your game, but 151% for the fucking better! Oh! And just in case you were running short on things to do, this also adds 50+ more quests! *(footnote) Pleaaassssee go to Soljund's Sinkhole and take Rumarin with you. What he says when you clear that place out has me laughing my ass off every time.

Immersive Citizens - AI Overhaul

Are you tired of being the only one is Skyrim who actually seems to DO anything? Are you weirded out by the fact when you walk into an inn at 4am everyone is doing the same thing as they were at 2pm last week? Confused as hell by the comment ‘Do you hunt? The plains outside Whiterun are ripe with game.’ How the fuck would you know, Anoriath?! You never leave Whiterun, dude! EVER! That ends with this mod. Now people have routines. They sleep, they eat, they walk around, they don’t just stay in one place all the time! It makes the npc’s go from a static feature and changes them into actual people, or goes a long way to help! Even people like carriage drivers now have a lil tent near the carriage, and will even take shelter under cover if it starts raining. (if it’s not too far from the carriage!) Random people will now not try and fight the big dragon who is burning everything to a crisp, but instead run away and take shelter, you know, like a normal person would? Which is helpful, as I tend to hit them with a stray spell then get into shit for accidentally electrocuting the blacksmith or someone who shouldn’t have stood in the way of the MASSIVE FUCKING DRAGON IN THE FIRST PLACE! Anyway... This mod is awesome and makes all the vanilla npc’s less static and weird!  

Relationship Dialogue Overhaul - RDO

Don’t know about you but, I’m kinda bored with the dialogue in this game. The same 5 lines on repeat, over and over and OVER again. I want people who hate me to say something a bit more nasty that ‘What do YOU want?’ This mod adds over 5000 lines of dialog that was never used. Braith finally has more insults to throw at you! Which is great, because I hate that kid and now you will too! Your rivals will be rude to you. Your friends will compliment you. And your spouse will finally say more than a handful of lines to you! With this and the AI overhaul Skyrim will finally feel like it’s come alive. It seems like such a small addition, but it makes a huge impact when you hear lines that you’ve never heard before! 

PC Head Tracking and Voice Type &  Expressive Facial Animation (M)  (F)

So we’ve finally got a living breathing Skyrim, and holy shit, it’s a beautiful thing, right? Time to focus on bringing you to life. Don’t know about you, but I found it plain fucking odd that I didn’t ever look at the person who’s talking to me. Like, not even accidently. I also found it creepy the only time I ever made any sound whatsoever was when I shouted. So the first mod is going to fix that shit. You’ll finally look at the person talking to you, or at that dagger you’re just about to steal. What's more, you’ll be able to assign a voice to yourself, so you’ll greet people who talk to you. Fun doesn’t stop there! You can download voice packs such as, Ciri, Yenifer and loads of others! But... What if you know who you want them to sound like and there isn’t a pack for them? Well, make your own! The page is really good and explains how. So we’re not a clueless goon anymore, we look and talk, but that basically makes us no better than the T 800 terminator. The second mod will make you actually have emotions, instead of constant blank face. You’ll smile at friends and loved ones, and scowl at people who you hate, like you Elrindir. For the last time, I didn’t mean to steal the fucking apple pie! But I think me spending HUNDREDS of gold should have made up for that and did NOT warrant you sending a group of thugs to come kick the shit out of me!  Sorry. Just... Some unfinished business between me and that bastard bosmer. 

Enhanced Lights and FX

I have a potato as a laptop, as such a lot of these amazing ENB’s are totally off the table for me. But... We all deserve a pretty Skyrim, right? Fuck yes we do! And this is the mod that does that for me. So there are two versions of this bad boy, and you will really want to think about which one you want to go for. You’ve got standard, or hardcore. The MAIN difference is, the hardcore version will make dungeons dark. No, I mean pitch black darkness. Really think you know bleak fall barrow? Install hardcore then go run through it. It make sense that it would be dark down in these places, but fuck me dark is now really dark, which I personally love, but you might not. Install at least the main file and the weather mod and I guarantee when you boot your game back up you’ll be saying ‘wow’.  

Enhanced Character Edit  OR  RaceMenu

Okay, first off you only need one or the other NOT both. Here’s the difference. If you want to make a character that looks like they’re from FFXV or korean mmo, you’ll want to get Enhanced character edit. They’re all so damn pretty! Even the men are pretty! If you want something a little less cute looking and maybe more mature, Racemenu is character creator for you. Both give you a TON more customization when creating your new oc, down to finger and toe length and what’s not to love about that?? 

Enhanced Camera

You finally have a body in first person mode. not just hands when attacking. Which FYI Bethesda, is creepy as fuck. Next mod. 

Familiar Faces

Right, last one as we could be here forever, but I need to do more of these things for other games so let's finish with something stupid, but awesome, shall we? You know who’d make the best companion? That spellsword character you made. Or the sneaky archer. Or that tanky as fuck warrior, but they’re on that other save.. No more! When you fire up the game with this mod installed, you get a portal stone placed in your inventory. Use it and get get warped into this empty hall. Go to any of the books on the pedestals and hit yes when prompted. You, your abilities, spells, shouts, game progress and inventory has just been recorded. Load up another save and do the same in a different book, then you can go recruit... you! You can even make yourself marribale! Got that perfect otp? Create them both and have them travel around with you! Want them to use their shouts? No problem! Want them to not use shouts? That’s fine too! Isn’t that overpowered? Who gives a flying fuck?! 

Now go have fun in Tamriel, Bahlaan fahdonne!

[bowsie22]

Promptis Collection 1

Summary: 5 times Noctis hated his warping abilities and 1 time he loved them. Prompt taken from ffxv kink meme - https://ffxv-kinkmeme.dreamwidth.org/3016.html?thread=1432520#cmt1432520 

1.

It had been a quiet day, or as quiet a day that Regis could have. Being king was not easy. Being king and a father to a rambunctious three-year-old was damn hear impossible. Especially when that three-year-old couldn’t contain his warping powers. A knock on his door and one of Noctis’ minders poked her head through the door.

“He’s done it again?”

“I’m afraid so Your Majesty. He was in my arms and just warped somewhere. We’re searching the Citadel as we speak.”

Regis stood up, groaning as he did.

“I think I know where he might be.”

Leaving his office, Regis walked through the Citadel, ignoring the people calling his son’s name and searching for him. Moving upstairs, he smiled as he reached a pair of white doors, cracked open. And there he was. Prince Noctis, sitting in the middle of an indoor oasis. Regis sat beside his son, pulling the child onto his lap.

“You gave everyone quite a scare you know?”

“Sorry. Mama.”

“You were thinking of your mother again huh?”

Noctis nodded, eyes on the butterflies that fluttered around his head. Regis hugged his son, looking around the oasis his wife had so painstakingly created.

“Yeah, me too.”

2.

Noctis was bored. Maths was boring. Why did he need maths? How would it help him as king? He leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. From the corner of his eye, he saw Prompto scribbling in his book. Running his eyes over the other’s body, Noctis frowned when he realised how thin his friend was. Time for Prompto to start staying for game nights again.

“NOCTIS!”

With a shout, Noctis jerked back in his seat, trying to get away from the teacher and fell back. Landing on concrete, he rolled onto his feet, groaning when he realised where he was. On the school roof with that stupid door that never opens. Damn the Six, the fire brigade would have to be called, wouldn’t they? Again. Gladio would never let him live this down.

The next day, Noctis was on the front page of all papers in Insomnia, pictured being carried down the fire ladder, over the shoulder of a fire fighter. It joined the collection in Ignis’ office.

3.

Noctis decided to spend his training time practicing warping. He was getting better but wanted to travel further and faster. Right now, he would travel about five feet, which wasn’t great when it came to fights. Noctis wanted to travel further than that and take someone with him. It would make getting out of the Citadel with Prompto easier, but that wasn’t the only reason he was doing it. Taking a deep breath, he concentrated on the training room. It was three floors beneath him, so quite a distance. He felt the power rushing through him, his body moving.

“SHIT!”

He opened his eyes to a blade in front of his face. Ducking, Noctis groaned when he saw strands of black hair.

“Seriously?”

“What do you expect when you just appear in the middle of a fight?”

“Sorry Cor.”

He walked back to his room, wanting to see the damage done. Looking in the mirror, Noctis winced, Thank the Six he had plenty of hats.

4.

Flu season sucked. Prompto got sick, which meant no game nights or date nights. Instead he was bundled into the bed of Noctis’ guest room and spent the week coughing and sneezing, his fever knocking him out. Noctis wasn’t embarrassed to say that on his sleepless nights, he would sneak into bed with Prompto and fall asleep with his arms around the younger man. So, it was no surprise to anyone that Noctis caught the flu the next week. What was surprising was the warping. Every time he sneezed, Noctis warped. Not very far, only a foot or two, but it was still annoying to the young prince.

Prompto laughed whenever it happened, finding it hilarious that Noctis lost control this easily.

“It’s not funny.”

Prompto laughed, cuddling into Noctis’ side, arms around the other’s waist.

“I’m sorry babe. It’s just funny. You always look so surprised when it happens.”

“I hate you. ACHOO!”

Noctis swore as he landed on the kitchen counter, knocking two glasses and a bag of shopping to the ground.

“Damnit! ACHOO!”

5.

“Oh! Oh, Noct, yes, please. More.”

Noctis grunted, shaking his hair out of his eyes. Prompto gasped at another hard thrust, crying out as Noctis pulled Prompto’s leg over his shoulder, allowing the prince to go deeper than before. Looking at his boyfriend below him, Noctis swooped down, kissing the other. He pulled away, staying close enough to feel Prompto’s breath on his face. Hearing the cries from the man below him, Noctis knew Prompto was close. He sped up his thrusts, wanting Prompto to feel good.

“Yes, yes, yes! NOCTIS!”

With a final scream of the prince’s name, Prompto came, gasping for breath. He whined as Noctis kept thrusting, chasing his own release.

“Shit, Prompto!”

In a flash of blue, Noctis was gone. Prompto sat up in the bed, straining his ears, trying to hear if Noctis was still in the apartment. Another flash of blue, and his boyfriend collapsed on the bed beside Prompto. Looking over the taller man, Promptis blushed.

“Did you at least cum before you warped?”

“Yes.”

Prompto winced.

“Did you end up in your father’s office again? With him there?”

“Yes.”

Holding back a laugh, Prompto walked to the bathroom and cleaned himself. Moving back to the bed, he cleaned Noctis, tossing the cloth into the laundry basket. He rested his head on Noctis’ chest, the heartbeat beneath his ear calming him.

“It’ll be ok Noct. He’s probably used to it by now.”

+1.

Snow sucked. Noctis loved it when he was a kid but travelling in it sucked. Especially walking.

“We could have called Ignis to pick us up.”

“Where’s the fun in that Noct? Look how pretty everything is. How are you not loving this?”

Noctis had to admit, Prompto was beautiful like this. Illuminated by streetlights with snow falling around him, Prompto looked almost ethereal.

“Stop looking at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. Like I’m something precious.”

“You are precious Prompto. To me at least.”

Blushing, Prompto turned to the street, moving ahead of his boyfriend.

“Light’s green, let’s go.”

Prompto skipped, literally skipped, across the crossing. Noctis followed, grinning at his boyfriend’s adorableness. From the corner of his eye, Noctis saw headlights approach the crosswalk. The car wasn’t slowing down. And it was heading straight for Prompto! Without thinking, Noctis grabbed Prompto’s wrist and called on his magic. The two landed in the living room of Noctis’ apartment. Prompto stared at the room, gently pushing Noctis onto the couch.

“I don’t remember you ever warping this far before. That was at least three miles.”

“There was a car. It was going too fast and if it hit, it would probably kill you. I guess I just reacted.”

Prompto smiled, moving to sit on Noctis’ lap, straddling him. He pressed a kiss to the prince’s lips, arms wrapped around his shoulders.

“Well I for one am glad you reacted. You saved my life. Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me for saving your life. I’ll always save your life. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

A/N I finally started playing the game, because I finally found out it’s not turn based fighting! And Promptis is adorable! Feel free to leave a prompt in the comments or my ask box. Fair warning, I do not write explicit sex. And struggle with fight scenes.

[oveliagirlhaditright]

I just want to say your blog is refreshing, I feel like too many people give Kairi crap and always being surrounded by it takes a toll. So it feels nice to see your interpretation of her also I forgot Buffy existed and now need to rewatch it

Thank you so much:) The Kairi hate is weird to me, and always has been. Like, I first liked her because she did more than the Disney princesses at her time did! She was way more assertive than most of the older ones. And her actually being a part of her boy friends' plans and wanting to do the same thing they did (and even being somewhat in charge of it, as they gave the items from the raft to her)? That was pretty unheard of to me. And she actually saved her prince! Something not even someone like Jasmine, who was a better princess at the time, really did. And she wanted to do even more for Sora and Riku.

Kairi was actually sort of a role model for me growing up, because she was one of the first characters I saw who could tease Sora, for instance, and not be called mean. Or sort of give Sora and Riku (boys!) orders, like about the raft, without being seen as bossy.

Kairi started out with a lot of promise--promise she still has to this day--and I don't get why no one sees it.

Everyone made fun of her fighting in KHII--and her "girly Keyblade"--but I was blown away by her. She did pretty dang well for someone who had never fought before. And Riku was handling himself as well as Kairi was in that scene, because people forget there is gameplay and story segregation in this series. And hating her for her Keyblade is just stupid. You CAN be feminine and strong at the same time, people.

I can MAYBE get why people hate her now, because her potential has been squandered so much. And maybe if you got into the series late and see her "always suck", you may not realize the moments where she had great potential before they were wasted. But that's not her fault. And there's still hope for her. And even what she already has is still good, even if people fail to realize that.

Kairi for sure is the most interesting character in the series to me, for all she has going for her (more than a lot of the boys that the fandom loves, of course. Like Vanitas and Zexion. Or new characters who are basically nothing, like Strelitzia. And even more than Xion and Aqua, imo. Segue: nd Naminé. Everyone has always been quick to say Naminé's a better character than her, though I still would have argued it, but now I think they're pretty equal,  with Kairi probably edging her out at this point. And Kairi has the advantage of being a fighter, in this series where you sadly pretty much need a Keyblade to stay relavent). Since she, for instance, is our only main character with a heart of pure light (Ven doesn't fully count) and a Keyblade wielder. Why, oh why, do we not get to put ourselves in her shoes and play as her to see what that's like? And other characters who don't even have pure light, like Minnie and Ven (who has half a heart. And it's pure light, as opposed to Kairi's full heart of pure light) are super strong, so why the fuck isn't she? It baffles me.

And there are such interesting things in her character arc! Like when she started remembering Sora before everyone else, and the people on the Island surely thought she was crazy (given Selphie's words). That's so interesting! Why don't people think about this kind of stuff? Granted, it's because the game really doesn't delve into this stuff, as Kairi gets the Lunafreya from FFXV treatment, where you have to look for her character. But it's there. And even if you have to look for it, I think her character is way more apparent than say Skuld's. And maybe that's not a fair argument, because the KHUX kids are the new kids on the block, who haven't had enough time to let us get to know them... but I don't know if we will get to. Because in some ways, Nomura's character writing has really suffered over time.

Kairi is NOT the worst character in the series, by far. And people who think that are wrong. And I feel people say that without even thinking about if it's true or not. Because Kairi is pretty much the Twilight of the KH series somehow: let's follow the herd and hate it, even if we ourselves haven't invested too much thought into this thing. And I think people are stuck in the past, too (and to their favoritism) and don't see how things have changed. I think that's the only explanation for saying Kairi is a worse character than Strelitzia (or Naminé, when I just explained why that might not be the case anymore), who existed for five seconds and was only created to be murdered and give Lauriam man-pain. At least even Kairi's treatment hasn't been THAT bad. And I know Strelitiza will probably come back, but that doesn't change what she was really created for. Though FYI, I hate putting the KH girls against each other:( This is hurting me.

And Kairi HAS had mini-arcs and character development, even if it's through her relationships with certain characters changing. I swear I will roast this fandom.

And I just think it's sad, where we now live an age where we give the older Disney Princesses a chance now--qnd try to delve into their psyche and situation, to really understand them and the choices they made and sympathize with them--but we somehow can't for Disney princess Kairi? Who was once even more progressive than some of them, imo?

And, yes: Buffy is great. Rewatch the heck out of it:)

Edit: Upon re-reading this, I think I maybe sound too critical on the Disney princesses and some of KH’s other girls. And I swear I’m not. Anyone who knows me realize I love and defend all female characters (especially the KH ones. Just look at my blog in order to see that). But I was just trying to compare and contrast, which is what you do to make a point. People often saying Kairi is so much worse than these girls, and I was trying to show how that isn’t the case, imo. But they all also beat her in many ways, too. That’s just how it is: like how in real life, you’re better than some people in areas, but they’re better than you in others and vice versa.

[kaelinaloveslomaris]

Whumptober 4: Human Shield

FFXV again! How could I not write Gladio and Noctis for this one?

—

Gladio had been trained all his life to be Noctis’s Shield. He had known ever since he was barely old enough to understand the concept that he was destined to protect the prince at all costs, even with his life if necessary. He had surrendered to this duty with reluctance but determination as a teenager, when he still viewed Noctis as a spoiled brat undeserving of his loyalty or protection. He had thrown himself into the training for the love of the fight, the thrill of physical exertion and his dad’s praise, and his sense of honor even as he despised the child under his guard.

After Noctis had protected and taken the fall for Gladio’s sister at the cost of the king’s ire, he had earned Gladio’s grudging respect. And once Gladio had given him a chance and looked past the entitled, aloof exterior, he had seen a boy desperate to feel good enough, to appear worthy — and completely terrified of failing. He held himself apart so there were less people he cared about who he could let down.

Oh, there was no mistaking that he was still absolutely a brat, still acted selfishly, or thoughtlessly, more often than not, but when it was something that really mattered, the prince would step up. He had earned Gladio’s loyalty and become someone that Gladio would willingly die for and not regret it, not as part of his duty to the throne and the Lucian bloodline, but as a friend, as a brother. Noctis was someone he could admit, to himself if not to others, that he loved.

His training had prepared him to give his life, to serve as he was needed, to take the hits in Noctis’s place. The scar across his face was testament to his dedication to his destiny. He was prepared to be Noctis’s Shield. What he was not prepared for was for Noctis to be used as a shield against him.

As far as he could tell, it was a simple case of “wrong place, wrong time,” though how anyone could be stupid enough to rob a convenience store while the prince and his Shield were on site was beyond him. But nothing about the hostage situation seemed planned, so Gladio could rule out assassination attempt. It didn’t make the gun lodged under Noctis’s chin any less lethal.

“If anyone so much as twitches, I’m gonna blow his jaw off.” The man behind Noctis was much smaller than Gladio, short enough that Noct made a decent shield, but still strong enough that Noctis couldn’t easily break free of the arm wrapped tightly around his waist and pinning his arms to his sides. Smart, really, as that kept Noctis from being able to do much of anything even if he managed to manifest a weapon without provoking the man, though the sight made Gladio’s blood boil. If his fingers left bruises on Noctis’s arm, Gladio was going to hunt him down and kill him.

“Let him go,” Gladio growled. His hands itched for his sword, and he felt the stirring of borrowed magic as Noctis’s Armiger prepared to fulfill that desire, but he forced it down. Drawing a sword on the man would certainly count as “twitching,” and he wasn’t about to risk his prince’s life that way. He wished he had the words to convince the man to release Noctis, but diplomacy and negotiation were not things Gladio was trained for. That was all Ignis, but he had elected to stay behind at Noct’s apartment to finish up some paperwork. Of course, it was part of Noctis’s education as well, but tact was not a word often found in his vocabulary even in the best of times, and the stress of this situation would do his minimal diplomatic skills no favors.

Gladio thanked the Six that Prompto had forgotten his wallet in the car and had gone back for it just before everything went down. Neither Gladio nor Noctis needed the extra distraction right now, and he wasn’t sure that the kid wouldn’t do something stupid to try and save his friend.

“Not until I’m far enough away from here that I won’t be caught.” He tugged Noctis closer against himself, and Gladio snarled in response to the fear in Noctis’s eyes.

“Please, I can give you twice as much as you just stole from this store if you let me go,” Noctis pleaded, speaking through clenched teeth to avoid pressing his jaw any harder against the barrel of the gun.

The man laughed sharply. “I’m not falling for that.” He took a step backwards, jerking Noctis back with him. Noctis stumbled, and Gladio instinctively stepped towards him. He froze as the man’s finger tightened on the trigger.

“Call off your guard dog or I’ll shoot you right now.”

Noctis closed his eyes, breaking eye contact with Gladio for the first time since the man had grabbed him. “Stand down, Gladdy,” he whispered.

Gladio had to clamp his teeth together to prevent himself from protesting. He was sworn to protect Noctis, but he was also sworn to obey him. Of course no one would call treason if he disobeyed in order to save the prince’s life, but in this situation, backing down would probably be the safest course of action for his charge.

He nodded his assent and watched in helpless fury as the man dragged Noctis out the door with him. He tried to hold Noctis’s eyes, to communicate the need to stay calm even though Gladio couldn’t, to assure him that no matter what, he would come for him. And he would, as soon as they were out of sight. He would track them down and take the man out before he could hurt Noctis. For now, he held himself perfectly still, not wanting to give the man any reason to pull the trigger. There were phoenix downs in the Armiger, but they wouldn’t do much good for a bullet to the head, and if Noctis was dead, Gladio wouldn’t be able to access the Armiger anyways. He should get into the habit of carrying at least one physically on his person, as annoying as it would be. Ignis probably already did.

They were barely one step out the door when Noctis tensed. Gladio flexed his hands in preparation to pull his sword out of the Armiger if necessary. He knew he couldn’t move fast enough, but Astrals take him if he would allow someone to survive killing Noctis for more than a few moments.

The gunshot and the spray of blood across Noct’s face was enough to stop Gladio’s heart for the second it took him to realize that the blood wasn’t Noctis’s.

He was moving before the man even started to fall, out the door before the gasp left Noctis’s lips. He rushed forward and caught Noctis as he stumbled under the dead weight of the man’s body still clinging to him. Gladio shoved it away as he pulled Noctis into his arms, pretending he missed the prince’s flinch at the sound of the body hitting the pavement.

Gladio met Prompto’s eyes from where he stood on the other side of the car, gun still held tightly in his hands. Gladio gave him a short nod of approval before turning his attention back to Noctis.

He was shaking, leaning heavily into Gladio, and as much as he wanted to let him sit down and rest, he knew he needed to get him somewhere safe first. Gladio clutched him tighter, running a hand through his hair, heedless of the blood he was smearing through it.

“Hey, you’re okay. I’ve got you. Are you hurt?”

Noctis shook his head against Gladio’s shoulder, and he forced himself to relax as much as he could, though he knew he wouldn’t be completely calm until he had removed Noctis from the scene and he and Ignis had checked him over. He would have to contact his dad and Cor, have them look into the man to make sure this whole thing hadn’t been a well-masked assassination attempt. King Regis would probably increase security around Noctis for a while and restrict his movements outside of the Citadel, which would aggravate Noctis and make life difficult for himself and Ignis as they dealt with a grumpy prince, but that was the least of his concerns at the moment.

Deeming Noctis steady enough to walk, Gladio gently guided him towards the car. Prompto rushed to open the front passenger door for him. He hated to let go of him, Gladio liked having Noctis safely tucked under his arm where he could protect him, but Prompto still hadn’t passed his driver’s test.

As soon as he had him settled in the car, he turned to Prompto, catching his arm before he could get into the backseat. Prompto tensed.

“I didn’t know you had completed your Crownsguard training,” Gladio said.

“I haven’t.” Prompto’s face was hard, more serious than Gladio thought he had ever seen it, and entirely unapologetic. Technically what he had done was illegal, discharging a firearm within the Crown City without qualifications was a punishable offence, but Gladio was about ready to recommend him for a royal commendation and he doubted anyone would disagree with him under the circumstances. Gladio released his arm.

“Good man. I’ll put in a word with Cor for you.”

The relief was plain on Prompto’s face. “Thanks, Gladio.”

Gladio nodded in response. It was as close to gratitude he was going to get. It stung, admitting to himself that Prompto had done some of Gladio’s job today. Things might have turned out quite differently had Prompto not been with them. It was not something he was prepared to say out loud, and openly thanking Prompto would require just that.

“You, uh, gonna put that away?” Gladio changed the subject, nodding at the gun Prompto was still clutching. The kid looked down at it in surprise.

“Oh! Yeah, sorry.” He flushed as he dismissed it back to the Armiger with the sound of shattering crystal. “I forgot I was still holding it.”

Noctis must have felt Prompto remove the gun from the Armiger the moment he had been dragged outside. That was most likely the cause of the tension Gladio had reacted to. Noctis’s sensitivity to people drawing on his magic was improving. Gladio made a mental note to test it during their next training session.

“Alright, we should get out of here before the press shows up. I don’t want pictures of Noct shaking and bloody all over the internet. Call Ignis on the way and have him contact the Crownsguard to get a squad down here for damage control.”

The drive back to the apartment was quiet. Gladio kept an eye on Noctis the whole way back, only half listening to Prompto explaining the basics of the situation to Ignis; Gladio would have to fill him in on the details later. Noctis still looked shaken, slumped down in the seat, but his eyes were clear and focused, even if he was just staring intently at the dashboard. True to his word, he didn’t appear to be injured aside from the darkening marks on his arm, and the sight of those made Gladio almost envy Prompto his kill.

He knew it hadn’t hit Prompto yet, that he had killed a man. It was part of Gladio and Ignis’s jobs. They had both killed in defense of Noctis before and they would again, but this was a first for Prompto, and it shouldn’t have happened until after he was an official member of the Crownsguard. Gladio remembered the first time he had killed and the numbness that had followed. The shock and horror hadn’t come until hours later. His dad had been waiting for it, watching him carefully the entire evening, ready to talk him through it once it hit. It was not something he would have wanted to deal with alone.

Gladio thought it might be a good idea to have them all stay the night in Noctis’s apartment.

[bgn846]

Renewed Hope A FFXV Fanfic ft: Promnis

Fic link in the comments if you want to read on ao3 instead.

It all happened in an instant, the daemon he was fighting simply dissolved into a cloud of black miasma. Prompto knew what that meant; Noct had done what he’d promised. He’d saved the Eos from eternal darkness. The other indication that things had shifted was his gun he couldn’t dismiss into the armiger anymore.

However, at that exact moment, Prompto didn’t know for certain whether or not Noct had survived his battle against Ardyn.  Their plan to stick together until the end hadn’t worked out. Ardyn had easily separated them and left Gladio, Ignis, and him to fight a daemon army alone. The onslaught had been so great that Prompto had lost track of his friends.

In a panic, he began to run around looking for signs of life. He knew where they’d all head to, they’d check on Noct first. Ignis had figured out how Noct could beat Ardyn without having to die in the process, but that didn’t mean it had played out that way.

It was in his frantic run up the battered steps to the citadel that he spotted Gladio limping towards him. “Do you think he made it?” Prompto asked with worry.

“Dunno blondie, we gotta get there first to check. Where’s Iggy?” he huffed in obvious discomfort.

Prompto scanned the area but saw no sign of the advisor. The urge to look for him was overwhelming but he also needed to see Noct. Forcing the thoughts away that suggested death and loss he forged ahead. Gladio refused aid when they were near enough; he practically shoved him away and up the steps.

“Don’t wait for me, we need to find Noct and Iggy.”

“On it!” Prompto replied as he sprinted up the stairs. Gladio’s grunts of pain sounded out behind him as he ran towards the throne room.  That was the last place they’d seen them. Noct and Ardyn.

Ripping open the door Prompto’s breath caught in his throat. There in the middle of the room was Noct, lying on the floor.  Yelling out loud in a gut reaction Prompto raced forward and fell to his knees next to his friend.  Unsure of what to do he gently placed his hands on Noct’s shoulders and gave them a squeeze. The prince, no, their king groaned and scrunched his face up in discomfort.

Letting out an undignified squeal at the sight Prompto couldn’t help but smile and promptly start crying. They’d done it, Noct was alive and Ardyn was gone. Noct seemed to finally have enough energy to open his eyes to take in his friend losing it.

“Prom, I’m alright,” he said weakly.

“Prompto! What – thank the gods,” Gladio exclaimed as he steadied his body against the door frame. “Don’t scare me like that!” he hollered.

Noct didn’t attempt to get up but managed to roll his head to the side. “Gladio, you made it. Where’s Ignis? Is he alright?”

Prompto was about to comment that they still hadn’t found the advisor when a scraping noise nearby caused him to look up.  There in another doorway stood Ignis, he was hunched over holding his side. The sheer relief at seeing him alive made Prompto shout loudly, again.  His emotions were threatening to overtake him.  Everything was happening too fast but not fast enough.

Gladio was still working to get over to them when Ignis appeared. The shield's excitement at seeing him was just as animated. He tried to hobble over to help Ignis but ended up falling over halfway there. What a sorry looking lot they all were, beat and battered from battle.  “Can you make it alright?” Gladio asked as he panted heavily from where he’d crumpled on the floor.

Ignis didn’t answer verbally but continued to shuffle slowly towards them. He seemed to be afraid until he spotted Noct looking up at him. Their small moment of relief lasted a few brief seconds, but it was enough to set Ignis at ease.  Prompto watched as Ignis’ shoulders sagged, he’d been unsure of the outcome, just like them.

He didn’t say anything as he carefully walked closer, his eyes still locked with Noct’s. “It’s done, you did it,” he breathed reverently.

“We did it,” Noct corrected from his position sprawled across the broken marble floor.

A small bubble of laughter spilled from Ignis’ lips right before he began to fall sideways. Without pause Prompto shot up and caught the man, guiding him down slowly so he wouldn’t hit the floor. Looking quickly to see if Ignis was hiding any severe injuries Prompto could only see surface bumps and bruises. “Iggy, don’t die or anything, what’s wrong?” Prompto asked in a rush.

“Got in a fight,” was all he offered with a small smirk.

“Look! Oh my gods, look!” Gladio blurted suddenly.

Glancing up, Prompto noted what Gladio was getting so excited about. There was sunlight, real honest to astrals sunlight beginning to pour in through the windows of the throne room.

“No one can call me lazy ever again,” Noct sighed with a smile.

“I wouldn’t dream of it princess,” Gladio said happily.

“Iggy, can you see it?” Prompto checked as he tried to hoist the advisor upright a little more.

Ignis blinked a few times, his green eyes catching the first rays of light and making his eyes water. “it’s lovely,” he uttered softly.  Then without any warning, Ignis grabbed him by the neck and pulled him down into a kiss.

Unable to process what exactly was happening Prompto sat frozen in place. Ignis pulled away just as quickly and smiled up at him. “Wha – what?”  However, Prompto didn’t get an answer as Ignis promptly passed out in his arms.

“Guys, guys! What just happened!? Ignis kissed me and now he’s unconscious--- help,” Prompto whined.

“Huh? What are you talking about? Specs kissed you? Like he’s happy we’re alive and thanks for helping kinda smooch or different?” Noct asked quickly, his penchant for distracted rambling coming to the surface despite their serious setting.

“It was on the lips,” Prompto offered still in shock at the turn of events.

“Wait, you mean he just kissed you?” Gladio checked as he dragged himself closer. “He’s breathing okay, right? You’re freaking me out again Prompto.”

“Yes and yes, you both missed it, but he grabbed me and kissed me, on the lips.”

“Huh, I guess he wasn’t kidding.”

“Kidding about what, explain!” Prompto ordered though it was hard to focus on everything that had just happened. They’d survived Ardyn, Noct was alive, and the sun was shining for the first time in ten years. Prompto was slightly overwhelmed.

--

Prompto couldn’t seem to tear his eyes away from the window. He’d been sitting and staring out at the sun-drenched landscape all day. A makeshift hospital had been set up in one of the less damaged areas of the citadel. This meant his current view overlooked what used to be gardens. The area was torn up from 10 years of war and darkness, but that didn’t change the fact that it was being blessed by light again.

Things that used to glitter in the sun were allowed to regain their life once more. Turning away for a moment Prompto peered across the room to check on his friends. Of all of them, he’d been lucky enough to escape serious injury. Gladio had a few busted ribs and a sprained ankle.  Ignis appeared to have a bruised rib along with a bump to the back of his head.  Noct was alive and simply beat making him a total pile of mush.

The three of them were resting peacefully; even in the tiny crownsguard issued cots they’d been provided. The arsenal of old and new recruits that had stormed the place after the final battle had been startling. Cor had led the small crew and was taking charge of organizing their next moves. Everyone was tired, but Prompto figured Noct deserved a break. He’d beat a cranky two-thousand-year-old immortal relative. That act alone should merit some downtime.

The four of them had been ushered into the space as soon as it had been cleared and readied. Cor seemed to understand that they needed some alone time. This was how Prompto found himself sitting on a cot staring out the window and pondering the future.

The only noise to be heard in the small room was Gladio and Noct snoring, a true sign of their utter exhaustion.  They were safe and that’s all that mattered at the moment. Though, when Prompto had decided that he wanted to sit on the cot nearest to Ignis no one challenged him.  Now that the frenzy was over Prompto had time to think. He could go back and analyze the way Ignis interacted with him. The advisor had always been kind but maybe there had been something more, and Prompto had missed it somehow.  Glancing over at to the man in question, Prompto was happy to see he was resting comfortably.  Covered in blankets up to his chin, Prompto watched the steady rise and fall of his chest as Ignis slept.

Was there any possibility that the kiss had been purely friendly in nature? They had just finished saving the world so maybe Ignis had been really, really happy about it. Or without his glasses, he thought Prompto was Noct. Shaking his head at the thought Prompto debated about what to do when Ignis woke up again.  He might not even remember the incident, though Gladio had indicated it wasn’t as spontaneous as Prompto thought.

Ignis had told Gladio one night years ago that if he ever saw the sun again he’d act on his feelings.  Whatever those feelings might have been no one knew except the man sleeping in the cot next to him. Unfortunately, Ignis hadn’t told Gladio anything more after that. Prompto would have to figure out the real meaning behind the kiss on his own.

Thankfully, he didn’t have to ruminate for much longer, when Ignis let out a long breath and moved slightly. Hopping off his cot, Prompto dropped down on his knees next to Ignis. “Hey, how you are feeling?” he asked quickly hoping to dispel any lingering fears as Ignis woke.

The first sound that tumbled past the advisor's lips didn’t sound like words, but he did manage to open his eyes.  “Mhnnn, m’not dreaming am I?”

“No! It’s really over, we won.”

“Good, I don’t think I can get up, I need to sleep for another week,” Ignis sighed.

Laughing at how uncharacteristic the comment was Prompto couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah, I think Noct is gonna win that game.”

Ignis turned to look around and huffed out a small breath. “He’s always been excellent at taking naps. He’s not injured is he?” he checked quickly, the thought seeming to have just come to mind.

“Not that we can tell, he was grumbling about being sore, but he’s alright otherwise.”

“Good, and Gladio?”

“Same, he’s a little more beat up than the rest of us but he’s fine too.”

“And you? You seem in good spirits.”

“I’m fine, still sorta shell shocked that this is all real. I’ve been staring out the window looking at the sunlight, gods Iggy we did it!”

“That we did,” Ignis smiled and held his gaze. Vibrant green eyes roamed his face but never looked away. “I hope you didn’t mind my display earlier.”

Perking up at the subject Prompto shuffled a little closer. “You mean when you kissed me?”

“Yes, that. I’d promised myself a little something self-indulgent if we ever managed to see the sun again. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable, I simply couldn’t deny myself any longer.”

“I wasn’t uncomfortable, um – just surprised,” Prompto offered quietly. “I didn’t know you liked me that way.”

Ignis laughed softly and worked his arm out from under the covers. “I���ve liked you that way for a few years,” he said while reaching out his arm to grab a fist full of Prompto’s shirt. “I assumed I’d be forgiven given the circumstances. If you weren’t interested, that is.”

“Uh – but I don’t want to forgive you.”

“Oh, for what reason exactly?” Ignis asked puzzled.

Prompto was sure the grip on his shirt had gotten incrementally tighter. Ignis was still looking at him, though he appeared to be nervous if his slightly furrowed brow was anything to go on. Taking a deep breath Prompto said what he felt was right. “I don’t think people have to forgive someone if they aren’t upset.”

Unable to brace himself, Prompto fell on the cot when Ignis pulled him forward. Their noses were only a few inches apart now and Prompto could see every beauty mark on Ignis’ face in stunning detail.

The advisor swallowed hard and took a steadying breath, “Might I be correct in assuming I’ll be given another free pass should I act so brazenly in the future?”

Prompto could only nod his head and wait. This was all so new, but he would be lying to himself if he said he didn’t like the idea. Ignis had been one of his best friends for over a decade. The chance to explore something more with him was exciting.

Without realizing it, the gap between them had shrunk. Ignis had maintained his grip and didn’t appear to be letting go anytime soon. Deciding to just go for it, Prompto leaned in the rest of the way. The kiss was soft and delicate. Nothing at all like Prompto was expecting. The brief taste he’d had earlier was nothing like this.

The moment Ignis released his hold; Prompto surged up and held Ignis’ face in between his hands. The advisor's arms were twined around his waist and pulling him close. Not wanting to crush the man Prompto had to break apart to brace himself on the cot. “Careful there,” he rasped, “I don’t want to crush you.”

“I’m sturdier than I look,” was the husky reply he received.

“I know you are, but maybe you should rest some more?”

“Only if you join me, I simply can’t let you slip away, not after,” Ignis paused and licked his lips, “not after that.”

Prompto didn’t have to be asked twice, grinning like an idiot he quickly shucked off his shoes and gingerly crawled under the covers. “Tell me if I hurt you at all, kay?”

“You could never hurt me.”

“I’m serious!” Prompto huffed as he worked to situate his legs comfortably.

“You’re doing splendid, don’t worry about it.”

Snorting at Ignis’ attitude, Prompto finally came to rest with his arm across the advisors’ waist. His injury was further up and Prompto was being extra careful not to jostle the man.  “I still can’t believe this is happening.”

“What, the light coming back, Noct surviving, or us kissing?”

“Oh em gee, all of it!” Prompto yelped but not loud enough to wake the others.

“It appears the dawn has brought with it renewed hope,” Ignis uttered right before his eyes slipped shut.

Prompto knew he had to be tired, he’d only been able to rest for a few hours. Ignis most likely needed a few days to sleep and recoup his energy. Smiling at the idea that they would get to repeat their previous activities, Prompto snuggled closer and allowed his body to shut down. They had more to talk about and more to do but it could wait. Life was going to get better, it already was better.

[secret-engima]

Snippet of Everything Ends (Then Begins Again)

(This is a time-travel AU I started after finishing FFXV and then dropped for a bit, but I’ve started watching Episode Ardyn Walkthroughs and was Inspired™ so I picked it up again instead of, you know, working on my already posted WIPs like a responsible person. Basic premise is that Noctis saves the world ala game end, but in the moments after defeating Ardyn in the other realm he decides to just ... yeet fate and fix things properly. One breaking of the laws of time-space using all his Astral/Crystal/Ancestral-given magic later, he and several others including Nyx and Luna wake up in their younger bodies. Libertus is not a time-traveller and, as such, is the perfect Outsider POV for me to play with at the moment).

The first time they saw Prince Noctis was in the aftermath of the Wave, when the king finally decided to let them off their leashes and take back what had been stolen from them. Oh, they had seen the prince in the news before. A few of them had even seen the little boy flitting about the palace halls, cheerful and pampered and oblivious to the blood being spilled to keep his home safe when so many others had already lost theirs.

     But the first time they saw him, looked in his eyes and really heard his voice, was about six months after the Wave, only a few weeks after the strict silence about the prince’s health and recovery had been lifted. A mere four days since anyone had seen the prince ghosting through the halls again, far quieter and being waited on hand and foot by two of their own that had only just come back from their latest long-term secret mission —and didn’t that just light Libertus and the others off, all those servants and guards and the prince had to demand two pet glaives of his own—.

     It was in the glaive’s medical bay. The one deep in the bowels of the Old Citadel, nearest the underground garage that all the medical trucks went to after a nasty battle left comrades either dead or gasping from blood loss and missing limbs and magical exhaustion. The latest push to reclaim territory from the Nifs had been met with more resistance than anticipated. Crippled the main military force might have been, but there were still human soldiers and officers in the imperial army. And there was still tech that could be used by those humans if they were desperate enough —which they were, like cornered rats clinging to their stolen scraps—. The Nifs in the area had lashed out with cunning instead of brute force for the first time in years and many of the glaives had suffered from the unexpected turn of tactics.

     Libertus was one of the ones sent back. Not because of an injury, thankfully, but because King Regis had the glaives on a constant rotation of who was at the front and who was on “light duty” at the Citadel to “recuperate”. Besides, someone needed to be there to guard their injured brothers and sisters, keep them calm when the doctors pumped them full of chemicals instead of potions and the nightmares of the war clawed like daemons beneath uncaring medical lights.

     He was trying to browbeat one of newer, snobbier doctors to stop being such a miser and use a hi-potion on one of Libertus’s screaming comrades when a useless nurse by the door squawked, “Hey, this is a restricted area, you can’t-! I-! You’re Majesty, don’t-!”

     Nyx’s familiar, sarcastic drawl drew Libertus’s eye to the door like a magnet, “Stand aside, sweetheart. His Majesty wants in.”

     The nurse was waving a clipboard helplessly at Nyx’s dangerous coeurl-like smile. She protested loudly even as she let Nyx nudge her aside to let someone else into the room, “But-but- this is no place for a child-! Why did you bring him here-.”

     “I told him to.” The quiet lilt of a child was so at odds with Libertus’s surroundings it felt like a slap to the face. The general hubbub of the medical bay was fading save for the groans and whimpers of those too out of it to care. Doctors, nurses, and glaives alike stared in disbelief at the tiny figure who had entered at Nyx’s heels. The last person anyone would expect to see in this place that stank of blood and pain and chemical cleaner and nightmares.

     The eight year old prince stood in the middle of what must have looked to a child like the set of a horror movie. Blue eyes flitted back and forth over it, slowly widening as childish, pampered innocence clashed with the marks of war. Libertus shoved his way over to Nyx and hissed in his friend’s ear even as he waited for the terrified screaming to start, “Why’d you bring him here?”

     Nyx glanced at him, that weird, distant cant to his gaze that he’d had ever since the Wave made him fail a warp and hit the ground from several stories up, “He asked.”

     Libertus fumed, —“no brain damage incurred” his right foot—, “You could have distracted him! He’s gonna start bawlin’ any minute an’ that’s the last thing we need right now-!”

     The prince unfroze and, instead of screaming and running away, walked deeper into the ward. He came to a stop by one of the corner cots —a comrade already abandoned by the doctors, marked off as unsalvageable even though an elixir could buy him enough time, even though a megalixir would fix him—, and stared into the pain-glazed eyes of the man draped on it, “This man needs help.”

     No. Really? Libertus bit back the sarcasm and gave Nyx —and Crowe, who had just slipped inside— a dark look. Another nurse tried to tug the prince away by his shoulder, “Please leave, Your Majesty, this is no place for someone of your status and age-.”

     The brat prince forced the hand off his shoulder with mulish slap, “He needs help. Why aren’t you helping him?”

     “We’re doing all we can, but we have to take care of the more urgent cases first-.”

     “Shattered legs and internal organ damage isn’t urgent?” There was anger in the young tone now, a slight lilt toward a tantrum and even though it was technically in the glaives’ favor, Libertus nudged Nyx hard and tried to silently make his friend intervene before the prince distracted all the doctors and got more of their comrades killed —it wouldn’t occur to him until later to wonder how the prince had known what was wrong with the glaive, how he’d known what that kind of trauma looked like at a glance—.

     “Your Majesty, the surgeons are already busy-!”

     “Then just give him an elixir or something!” Libertus nearly saw red —of course it was easy to say that when you were royalty that could afford everything and didn’t have to worry about the miser doctors rationing out potions and elixirs like water in the desert— and he could hear Crowe breathe sharply through her teeth.

     “Your Majesty-!”

     Nyx interrupted at last, but not the way Libertus wanted him to, “There are rationing regulations in place for all magical medicines above the level of basic potions. They won’t use elixirs on a patient unless the patient’s officer level or crownsguard. He’s neither, so he’s been marked as a hopeless case. They’ll get to him when they have time, but that probably won’t be for hours yet.”

     Blue eyes snapped over the prince’s shoulder, staring at Nyx with something Libertus couldn’t understand —something too dark and dangerous and old, something his mind shied away from because no child could look like that—. Libertus wondered if the sudden drop in temperature was his imagination, but the other conscious glaives were all shivering and panting beneath the sudden pressure of an incoming storm too. It occurred to Libertus that royals were connected to the Crystal at birth, so if the kid threw a tantrum here, there was every chance of triggering a magical blowout.

     Nyx had essentially let a magical bomb into the same room as their comrades with a child holding the detonator.

     Panic swelled in his mind as blue eyes narrowed and burned red for a heart-stopping second.

     Then faltered when the boy whipped around, ducked under the nurse’s grasp, and grabbed the limp hand of the glaive on the cot. Armiger magic chimed and green lit the cot like a strobe light as the prince shoved something into the limp hand and forced bloody fingers to squeeze tight. The glaive on the cot gasped, eyes snapping clear as the man who shouldn’t have been able to move from his injuries sat up sharply.

     The prince was already turning away, red eyes boring into the nurse and command lining the childish tones with unexpected venom, “Show me the rest of your ‘hopeless cases’. Now.”