#the best part is noct never seems to mind either

[lunarlegend]

when you like your best friend so much you decide the best way to get his attention is to try pulling his pants down

[gingerel]

Noctis never really expected to graduate high school and judging from the huge deal everyone else in his life makes about it — neither did anyone else.

They throw a party at the Citadel, annoyingly big so it’s more people Noctis doesn’t like than does, but Prompto’s number one on the guest list so Noctis has almost no complaints in the long run. He wondered if Prompto would be able to come at all, if his parents might make an unusual appearance for the event and whisk him away again. They had come but vanished again before Noctis could even say hello.

Prom looks nervous though, which is understandable. He’s never been to the Citadel before and this is a baptism of fire, so to speak. He looks adorable, tried to dress up by putting a new — Noct is sure it’s new — navy sweater over a button up that may or may not be one of his old uniform shirts.

Noctis tries not to stare.

Friends don’t stare at each other the way Noctis does Prompto, Ignis tells him whenever he’s lost in thoughts and fantasies he hasn’t been able to shake since they started.

Gladio flicks the back of his head and Noctis drags his eyes away from Prompto, talking with Ignis and Iris, scowling now.

“You’re doing it again,” he grumbles, ducking low so at least no one else can hear them.

 “Shut up,” Noct hisses, annoyed by the way his face flushes. A waiter walks by with a tray of drinks and Gladio stops him, grabs two of the little flutes after a whispered conversation.

Gladio turns back, shoving one in his direction.

“Dad said I shouldn’t —”

“It’s just apple juice with bubbles in it,” Gladio assures him. “Take it.”

Noct rolls his eyes but does, frowning when Gladio tries to give him the second glass too.

“What are —”

“It’s for Prompto,” Gladio sighs. “Dumbass.”

“Oh,” Noct says. “Right, yeah — I’m gonna go…get him.”

“Atta boy,” Gladio teases.

“Not like that,” Noctis gets out from between his teeth, stalking off before he can get embarrassed again.

Ignis spots him, which alerts Prompto, and Noct manages to draw him away with just a single jerk of his head.

“Sorry,” Noct apologises instinctively, offering Prompto his drink.

He takes it, stares at it for a few seconds then sets it down on a nearby table. Noct watches him square his shoulders, steel himself with a deep breath and finally meet Noctis’ eye.  

“Do we have to stay here?” Prompto asks.

“At the party?” Noctis wonders., “I kinda have to, yeah.”

“Oh,” Prompto says, deflating. “Never mind.”

“What is it?” Noctis urges.

“I just — wanted to talk to you about something,” Prompto mumbles. “But it’s — fine.”

“You can tell me anything,” Noct says. He starts leaning forward but catches himself, tries to lessen his intensity while Prompto seems so nervous.

Prompto laughs, but it doesn’t seem happy.

“Not here,” he mumbles. “It’s, I don’t know, don’t worry about it.”

He looks so sad all of a sudden, ducking his head so his eyes fall mostly into shadow, looking almost violet without the light to pick up the truest blue parts.

Noct grabs his wrist, so he has to follow when he starts walking, slipping behind the table holding Prompto’s drink, but unable to unclench his hand enough to put his own down. Noct knows the escape ways from this room like the back of his hand, has been using them since he was about six years old.

They slip through the door unnoticed, Noct thinks, automatic lights coming on and startling Prompto who almost trips over his own feet.

“There,” Noctis breathes, turning to face Prompto. He realises he’s still holding Prompto’s wrist and tries not to be too obvious about the way he lets go.

“Right,” Prompto says. He doesn’t look any more at ease.

“Prom —”

“If I don’t do this today, I’ll never get the nerve,” Prompto blurts. “Because I was thinking — today is a big day, right? Things ending, things beginning. No matter what happens, nothing will ever be exactly the same. And so, I was like, today is the best day for this because it will either start something or end it — except hopefully it won’t end anything because if this doesn’t go the way I want, then I hope we can still be friends at least.”

Prompto takes a deep breath. Noctis tries to make sense of anything he just said.

“We’ll always be friends,” Noctis murmurs. That at least, he can reassure him about.

Prompto nods and then —

Then he’s cupping Noct’s face in his hands and stepping into his space, pressing his trembling mouth tentatively against Noct’s. Prompto’s hands are soft on his face, one slipping back so his fingertips are buried in his hair. Noct finds he can’t really do anything but stand there and try not to spook Prompto into stopping.

It’s cold when Prompto pulls away.

In desperate need of something to do, Noctis raises the glass of juice still in his hand and drains half down in one swallow. Prompto watches him with wide, fearful eyes, chewing on his bottom lip.

“I really like you,” Noctis blurts. “A lot.”

“Oh,” Prompto says. He exhales and after a moment’s pause snatches the glass from Noct’s hand and drains the rest. His expression switches to confusion. “I thought this was wine,” he mumbles.

“No, it’s just —”

“Like a friend?” Prompto asks. “You like me like a friend.”

“Yeah,” Noctis says — Prompto expression falls all the way down to rock bottom and Noctis rushes on. “But also, more than that. It’s — you’re everything, Prom.”

Noctis leans in and their mouths meet more urgently. Prompto is still holding the glass so this time it’s Noct with empty hands and he gets to cup Prompto’s face, to thumb over freckled cheeks he’s been mooning over for years. He hears the glass hit the floor, shattering into pieces, but all Noct really cares about is Prompto’s hands on his waist, and the first breathy little sigh he gets to taste with his tongue.

They probably only have a few minutes before people notice Noct is gone, but he doesn’t care. They can come find him if they want him, Noctis has better things to be focusing on.

[berrydoodleoo]

spring is in the world

Title from ‘since feeling is first’. Chosen with Luna in mind, who in this AU has defied her fate and is no longer confined to parentheses. Read more about the art here, or have a short fic instead:

In hindsight, she shouldn’t have assumed things were going as well as they seemed. She had no great experience in taking lovers, after all, having devoted most of her thirty-odd years to fighting the Scourge in one form or another. She had lost so much time, first to her injuries after Altissa and the coma that had swallowed her for years, and then to the terrible fear and lethargy that gripped her once Ardyn was dead and her purpose in life (seemingly) fulfilled.

Not to mention that Noctis and Prompto were Lucian, whose upper-classes still ascribed to all sorts of prescriptive rules about romance and marriage. She should have been more vigilant -- Prompto in particular still regarded Noct and the sunlit world with nervousness bordering on dread, as if they might be ripped away from him at any moment. So what if she had danced with Noctis and Prompto at the ball held for the New Dawn’s first anniversary last week? So what if she had kissed Noctis outside her room, when he very courteously escorted her to her quarters? So what if Prompto had given her a gift of watercolor paints and cold-pressed paper at breakfast, asking with a flirty smirk if she had a model for her newest painting?

And most of all -- so what if they had made plans to celebrate Noctis’ birthday with a trip outside the city, where they would sleep (hopefully together) beneath the stars (her first test of her new resolve to walk in the dark without fear). So what? They hadn’t said anything out loud, hadn’t made any promises. She shouldn’t have assumed. She should never assume. It was such a terrible risk, forgetting to be afraid. She should have known….

It’s when she lays her hand over his, resting on Noctis’ chest, that she realizes they’ve been having two separate conversations. “He’s here to stay, Prompto,” she says, pressing gently. “I promise.”

“I know, I know.” Prompto clears his throat, forces a rough little laugh. “It’s not that.” He sniffs.

It gives her an ugly jolt to see him so distressed. They’d only been watching Noct sleep, praising his handsome features and planning how best to tease him when he awoke. Umbra is snoring cutely at Noctis’ side and Pryna is probably still in the field, chasing butterflies. Everything had seemed perfect.

Prompto glances skittishly at her frown and then begins to babble. “I just, uh -- got used to checking, you know? Making sure he hadn’t stopped breathing or started bleeding inside or something. It’ll, uh.” He shakes his head, tries to pull his hand away. “It’ll be weird not being able to check, you know, but I won’t -- I mean, I know you two -- I won’t get in the way, I won’t make things difficult, I promise--”

“Prompto,” Luna interrupts gently, struggling to follow. “I don’t understand what you’re--”

Prompto rakes his free hand over his eyes, smearing the hint of tears around. “You guys are gonna be great, you know?” He smiles bravely, props his head on his fist like they’re still chatting idly and he isn’t weeping openly. “You’ve waited for each other for so long. I guess destiny can be kind after all.” He tries to smile.

But he can’t keep the bleakness out of his eyes, and it’s clear that Prompto doesn’t believe any of this kindness has been reserved for him. “Prompto,” Luna bursts out, fumbling, confused, “are you -- breaking up with Noctis? Through me?”

Prompto recoils, or tries to; she still won’t let him get away. “O-of course not,” he stammers, “we weren’t -- I mean -- not really, we haven’t, not since -- he wouldn’t lie to you like that--”

Luna untangles this with some effort. “Do you mean you two aren’t together?” Confused, she reviews their interactions from the past few days, and then from the last time she saw them, after the final battle. “You haven’t been -- Prompto Argentum, you two haven’t been refraining because of me, have you?”

Prompto gapes at her. She gapes back.

“You have!” Astonished, Luna leans back to peer at the sky. “Why in the -- Prompto. Dear, dearest Prompto.” She checks on Noctis, in case their spirited conversation has woken him, but he sleeps on obliviously. She’ll have words with him later.

Prompto tries to sit up, retreat again, and this time Luna tugs him quite firmly back into place. “Don’t you dare,” she orders, and he freezes. “Prompto, you and Noctis love each other. You’ve been part of each other’s lives for so long, have supported and believed in one another through the worst of--” She finds she can’t find the words to continue, and tries again. “I would never, will never, seek to separate the two of you.”

Prompto’s lower lip is trembling. Luna starts to shift forward, cup his cheek, and then realizes such a gesture might be unwelcome. Dear gods, she has misread this. Such a fool she is. She’d thought--

“Quite the opposite,” she finally continues, quietly, despite the cold terror creeping through her veins. “So long as the two of you have one another, I may have peace in my heart, for I know that one good, true thing prevails.”

She blinks back a sudden flood of tears. Perhaps they don’t want her. Perhaps she doesn’t have a place with them after all. She wants her room, suddenly, her safe, prison-like room, where nothing joyful grows but nothing can hurt her, either.

“But you guys have been -- oh.” Prompto blinks rapidly, and then starts to redden. “Oh. Is this a, uh, Tenebrean thing? Like the triad thing? Oh man, is this what Iggy was trying to -- oh, man.”

Luna can’t help it; she bursts into damp, semi-hysterical giggles, despite the icy shake in her guts. Prompto smiles up at her blurrily, and then starts to laugh as well.

“Man,” he says again, suddenly beaming, eyes still tear-reddened. “He is gonna give me so much crap about this. I am literally never gonna live it down. Wow.” He takes a deep breath and squeezes her hand tenderly, overwhelmed. “Is this really -- you might have to -- I am really oblivious sometimes, but uh, I guess you know that now.” He laughs again, edged, at himself.

Luna starts to nod, changes to shaking her head, and then feels hot, wet tears dripping down her face. She’ll feel foolish later. Prompto sits up, and this time she lets him, because he’s moving to lean closer, cup her face and wipe her tears away.

“Luna,” he murmurs. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I misunderstood.” She presses his rough, large hands to her cheeks and feels herself crumple a little more. “No,” he continues. “No, please don’t cry. I can’t -- I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Luna takes a deep breath. She isn’t been rejected. You aren’t being rejected, she reminds herself. “No, no,” she says wetly, “I shouldn’t have assumed--”

She stops herself. She’s making an effort to reprimand herself less these days. She is trying so hard to be better. And in a fight for blame, she suspects she and Prompto could go round and round until the sun went down and never came up again, but that isn’t what she wants. For either of them.

Luna takes a deep breath. She refuses to start their relationship in a spiral of apologies and self-blame. She doesn’t want that anymore. She wants to open the door to a rolling world of yellow suns and indigo skies and, eventually, gentle nights that fill her with wonder and comfort instead of fear. She wants to let go of the fear and her desperate need for control -- she wants to be free, a part of the world for the first time in her life.

So instead of berating herself, she grips his hands in hers and lets their combined grip rest against their (still sleeping, seriously, Noct?) king’s chest. Umbra is watching them with interest, she notes. And then she takes another breath.

“Prompto,” she says, falling back on an old, formal proposal from a romantic show she used to watch, as a teenager confined within Fenestala Manor. “Will you grant me the honor of your affection and presence, and keep a place for me in your heart?”

Prompto’s lovely eyes widen, full of hope and delight. Pure sunlight. He’s grinning and she’s breathless. All further words fly from her mind.

His fingers squeeze hers as he leans forward for a kiss, and then another, tentative turning into playful, his smile slotting sweetly against hers again and again. Blindly, her hands work themselves free to touch his cheeks, his throat, the rasp of his short beard. He retreats for a quick breath, tracing her lips with hot, hooded eyes, and then devours her mouth in a kiss that raises her onto her knees, toes curled and body tingling. Oh, oh, oh--

“Hey,” Noctis grumbles, exactly like a grumpy cat awoken from a nap. “Uh, did I miss something? I thought we were waiting till my birthday.”

Prompto gasps, wrenching away. “That’s what that’s all about?” he demands shrilly, and Luna bursts into giggles. “The camping trip? Oh my gods, Gladio’s gonna kill me--”

Noctis pushes himself up his elbows, squinting and scowling with the sun in his eyes. “What? You seriously didn’t know?” He sits up, absently guiding Luna to sit at his side in a way that makes her heart warm. “Thought you were kidding about that.”

“--never gonna hear the end of this, crap--”

Noctis looks to Luna, about to ask something -- probably ‘what on Eos is happening right now, I was only asleep for thirty minutes’ -- but then his expression changes and he makes a wise choice of priorities. “Uh, Luna? Pryna’s after the cheese again.”

Luna yelps and Pryna yips, betrayed, and the dog knocks the picnic basket over in her haste to escape her mistress, wedge of cheese clamped firmly in her jaws. Prompto dives to catch her -- “I’ve got her!” -- but he doesn’t. Noct fails to catch him and he lands on their legs, trapping them. Umbra runs in circles and barks for the sheer, chaotic joy of it. Pryna devours her stolen prize. And in the sunlit field, with her loves bickering and playing at her side, Lunafreya laughs until she cries for the first time in her life.

[tentimesthecourage]

My Links

Okay, so while I use Rhythm for LU, I also use him to just be my version of CoH Link

In turn with that, I’ve also made Links for the other games too

There’s only a little bit of info for each of them, but I wanted to share anyway

Game: Breath of the Wild Nickname: Luminous - All about stealth and quiet - Favorite gear is Sheikah Armor - Best at making stealth potions - Prefers the Great Plateau over all other settlements in game - Actually doesn't mind company, just minds noise

Game: Ocarina of Time/Majora's Mask Nickname: History/Mystery (biological twins) - Both can answer any question about either journey - Both can use the weapons from either journey - The only ones who can tell them apart are the Kokiri - Mystery is older by five minutes but neither of them know that

Game: Four Swords Nickname: Bundle (shortened to Bun) - Not much into adventures - Only went on his adventure to save Zelda (Ribbon) - Working with his color brothers to make his adventure into a story - Prefers writing and painting to sword fighting - Is five people (Link, Blue, Red, Green, Vio) - Red came up with their/his nickname

Game: Twilight Princess Nickname: Nocte - Loves books - Still a ranch hand - Strong as fuck but no one knows why - Favorite books are Mystery and Horror but has a secret love for sappy slice of life romance - Cook of the group

Game: Wind Waker/Phantom Hourglass Nickname: Tide - Likes sailing but prefers deep sea diving - Friendly with Tetra and her crew after adventure - Not really into the pirate life - Constantly accidentally jump scared by Rhythm because he’s quiet

Game: Skyward Sword Nickname: Soaring (shortened to Soar) - Afraid of harming tiny birds (seems like he's afraid of the birds) - Fascinated by everything on the surface, documenting it - Loftwing’s name is Crim - Plays the lyre during down time

Game: Oracle of Ages/Seasons Nickname: Daybreak/Winter (Time Twins) - Got split into two during OoA (this is why we don't fuck with time!) - Daybreak is passive, Winter is aggressive - Winter is considered older - Both are extremely protective over each other - Winter is more emotionally sensitive, easily hurt - If Winter gets hurt (physically or emotionally) Daybreak can and will rage, it's scary

Game: Cadence of Hyrule Nickname: Rhythm - We know this precious boy already - Stims with his apple necklace and happy flaps - Signs when overwhelmed - Has to constantly move - Anxious and shy - Can still fight, no one is allowed to underestimate him except his enemies, then they regret it

Game: Link's Awakening Nickname: Nightlight (teasingly called 'Nightmare', allows it) - Insomniac - Cuddler, anyone who lets him, he'll cling to them - Abandonment issues - Soft boy - History and Mystery are particularly attached to him

Game: Minish Cap Nickname: Mico (combo of Minish and Picori) - Spends most of his time in Minish form, it's a comfort to him - Utterly petrified of cats, even at Hylian size - Loves dogs, finds them very helpful (nod to the manga) - Understands and can talk to animals (another nod to manga)

Game: Zelda 1 & 2 Nickname: Mystic - Part fae, mother was a fairy, doesn't know his father - Partial to water magic - Not ashamed of his heritage, but only shares it with those he trusts - Does his best to warn those he cares about of the rules - Hates when his friends are in debt to him

Game: TriForce Heroes Nickname: Meadow, Ember, Mist (Triplets) - Mist is oldest, Ember is the middle, Meadow's the youngest - Their nicknames don't match their colors (Mist is green, Ember is blue, Meadow is red) - Ember's favorite outfit is the Legendary Dress, Mist's favorite is Torrent Robe, Meadow's favorite is the Kokiri Clothes

Game: A Link to the Past Nickname: Mel - Quiet, seems standoff-ish - Very lonely but doesn't want to bother others for company - Afraid of Bun (see Palace of the Four Sword /Note: That's not the Bun he's around, different timelines/) tries not to show it - Nightmares about his Uncle's death - Give him a hug please - A huge form of trust is letting people hold him when he’s in Dark World form - Currently the people allowed to do so are Steam, Rhythm, Bun, Mico, and Mystic

Game: Spirit Tracks Nickname: Steam - Local tired engineer - Will sucker punch anyone who talks badly of his friends - Super protective over Mel - Can solve a rubix cube in under 20 seconds

Game: A Link Between Worlds Nickname: Starlight - Twinsies with Zelda - Loves baking - Will never acknowledge his royal status (it embarrasses him) - First time he ran into Ravio in his house, he decked him on accident, ended up bawling apologies thus flustering the rabbit man into calming him down

Game: Hyrule Warriors Nickname: Orion - Retired from captaincy after the war - Doesn't trust anyone touching him unless they have a strong bond - Doesn't trust love/afraid of love - Place is on fire "This is fine"

[ff15trashgoldenslumbers]

Hello, could I request Prompto reacting to finding out someone has a major crush on him and they confess to him? Thank you v much (◕ᴗ◕✿)

“I’d like to think that I might have had a crush on Prompto back when High School Crushes was a thing for me. I’d never act on it cause all through High School I was more focused on myself and how much I had a hatred for being awake at 5am.

~~~~~

“Really, for me?” 

Prompto was super confused when he stepped into Noctis’s apartment and found that he had mail. There were times that he would have packages delivered to Noctis’s apartment rather than his own house due to worry of it being left in the rain or picked up by someone other. But even in those times, he used the alias that Noctis would use when having mail delivered. So to find an envelope actually addressed to himself, his first and last name was kind of strange.

“Had to stop, Specs from opening it,” Noctis stated looking to the man holding the envelope towards the blonde.

“I had to ensure that it wouldn’t put you in danger Noct.” 

Prompto took the letter, it didn’t look any different than normal mail. Standard envelope, it didn’t have a return address, nor did it have a stamp. Shrugging it off he placed down his bag, before opening it.

The first thing he realized was that it was super cute! The stationary was that of a Moogle riding a Chocobo with cute little flowers all over a pale yellow background. His eyes scan the letter first, picking up the words: “Sorry” “Amazing” and “Sunshine.” The message wasn’t long and the handwriting was rather cute.

“So what is it?” Gladiolus asked.

Prompto stared at the letter again, reading it twice, and by the third time his face had become bright red.

“Prompto is everything all right?” Ignis inquired.

Prompto turned towards the others his voice a soft squeak, “It’s a love letter.”

“A love letter? Let me see.” Gladiolus called holding out his hand, only to have the blonde snatch it away.

“No!” Prompto called a little louder than he had liked. 

The others were used to getting love letters and fan mail. Hell on Valentine’s Day he nearly fell over all the letters in Noctis apartment to the Prince alone. Add Gladiolus, Ignis, and himself to the mix and he had enough candy to last him until the following Valentine’s Day.

“…to…Ompto…”

“Here let me. Hey Chocobo-butt!”

“My hair does not look like a Chocobo-butt!” Prompto called automatically, only to find the others staring at him. “What?”

“You gonna let us see?” Noctis chuckled.

Prompto looked to the letter in hand, then back to the others, “No, it’s kind of personal.”

“Personal, why they send pictures?” Gladiolus smirked.

Ignis sighed adjusting his glasses, “Only you receive those.”

“I don’t ask for them.”

Prompto stopped paying attention as he looked to the letter again, he normally didn’t have any trouble sharing these kinds of things as they all got them, but this felt so personal. Most of the ones he read were very generic, mostly store-bought. Being the Prince’s friend for so long he became quickly aware of the ones that were attempting to use him to get in good with the Prince or Royal family. This one was so thought out and personal as if this person really did know him.

He looked to the bottom of the page, “I wanted to tell you everything face to face, I’ll be waiting until 5:15 near the Chocobo topiary in the park until it’s final race.”

He blinked, topiary? Only for the flash of the large plant in the shape of the bird flashed across his mind. He jogged by it every morning for the past week when they put it up for the Flower Festival each year which lasted about two weeks.

“Hey, how long has the Flower Festival going on?”  He suddenly asked.

Ignis turned from the conversation with Gladiolus, “I believe we are in the second week, why?”

Pulling out his phone, Prompto found the time of 4:58 staring at him, it normally took about 20 minutes from Noctis’s place to get there, if he ran he’d just might make it. Without a second thought, he dashed out the apartment ignoring the calls from the others the letter clenched tightly in his hand.

He figured running through the park might have been easier, but wasn’t expecting all the people to be there. But considering that it was one of the more popular festivals. He apologized to all the shoulders he had bumped into and tried to take the more empty walkways but people just wouldn’t get out the way. If he could get to the garden where the topiaries were then maybe it would be a little more empty seeing that most people seemed to be going after the food and merchandise than actually looking at the works of art.

He had just rounded the corner, his bangs sticking to his face. He knew that his face must have gotten the annoying red that happened when he pushed himself too hard, and he was sweating. But still, he refused to give his legs a moment to rest, no matter how much they felt like jelly.

He bypassed the large flower behemoth, the smaller white moogles made some white flowers, around the cataurs of ivy. He was used to seeing the Chocobo f when he jogged, but seeing that he came from the other end of the park he founded himself a little lost.

Still, he clenched the letter tight and sprinted forwards. He got lost a few times but eventually, the large bird came into view.  He slowed into a jog, looking around for anyone, but the few people that were there were either older, or couples and they were quickly making there way back to the other parts of the Festival. He stopped underneath the bird, figuring that this might be the best place for the person to find him, but no matter which way he turned he found himself growing further and further alone.

He pulled out his phone from his pocket, 5:29. He was late, way too late. Hunching over he placed his hands to his knees giving a heavy wheeze, trying to tell himself that the tears in his eyes were from exhaustion and not frustration 

He would just head home.

He managed to catch his breath, lifting his head as he wiped his face with the palm of his hands. Hopefully, people figured that his red face was more from his run rather than his crying. He turned to head back to Noctis’s when he heard it, it was so soft that almost completely missed it.

Turning he found someone standing there. Eyes met, as a small smile came across her face only to quickly looked away embarrassed before looking back towards the blonde from beyond eyelashes.

“You…you came.”

Prompto swallowed, his mouth dry as he gave a soft nod.  Even if he could speak he wasn’t certain of what he would say he was speechless. His knees felt so weak, and the butterflies in his stomach were going nonstop. He took a step forward only to find his knees given out.

“Oh my!” 

He looked up finding her bracing himself, moving his over to a bench to sit. So lost for words, she was so beautiful up close, and her perfume smelled more wonderful that any of the flowers. Soft fingers touched his bare arms as she got him situated on the bench before dashing off.

He was certain of how long he sat there waiting for the beauty to return, only to look up as he heard heels against the cobblestone that made up the path. Find her racing back holding two bottles of water. Kneeling down before him as she unscrewed the cap before holding it towards him.

“Here.”

A shaking hand took it, his fingers lingering just a moment longer than need be just to feel that soft skin again. Before pulling the bottle to his lips.

“Are you all right?”

Prompto found himself staring as she spoke again. There was no way someone this pretty, nice, and pure had a crush on him. Would even think to write him a love note! He had to have passed out from running and this was a dream.

“Beautiful.”

He watched as she let out an embarrassed gasp, he wasn’t even aware that he had said anything until she let out that adorable squeal.

“I…I waited a little longer today, something told me to.”  She muttered weakly, as she sat down beside him on the bench. “I didn’t think that you would come, I mean why would you?”

Prompto held up the letter that had gotten a little wrinkled from how hard he had gripped it. “I got your letter.” He replied, realizing how silly he sounded the moment it came from his lips. “I just didn’t want you to feel like I was ignoring you.”

She shook her head stilling looking down at her shoes, “No, I figured I’d get lost in the sea of mail you must  get.”

Prompto chuckled, unable to stop the embarrassing words from coming out, “Your’s meant more.”

She giggled turning her head to hide her embarrassment, “I find that hard to believe.” 

“No, really.” He replied, wanting to quickly stop the strange silence that came between them. “Did I have you wait long?”

“I’ve been coming every day.” She replied, “I figured giving myself a timeframe, and then maybe I could get over it.”

“Get over what?”

She clenched her dress between her fingers, as she whispered softly, but Prompto swore he heard the word ‘Crush’.

“So there was something you wanted to tell me face to face?” He asked, only to watch as she jumped, her face flush. He immediately wished that he could have taken the words back, Ignis always said he had no tack. “I mean if…”

She stood up quickly turning to face him, “I like you! Like a lot! More than a lot!” She called, before quickly turning around her back to him, “I know it’s strange to say that to a stranger, but I’ve seen you, and your smart and handsome and I want to get to know you, the real you and not just this crush in my head or the words in a magazine. I want to know the real Prompto if you’d let me.”

Prompto stood up reached out taking her hand, before he realized what he himself was doing, “I’d like that too.”

A huge smile bloomed over her face as she opened her mouth to retort only instead they both heard a call of Prompto’s name. 

The both of them turned as they saw Noctis, Ignis, and Gladiolus running up to them. She when to pull her hand away, yet Prompto held it firm.

“There you are, what the hell was that about?” Noctis asked, a hat on his head supposedly hiding his identity. 

Ignis was the first to notice the person holding Prompto’s hand, hiding slightly behind the blonde.

“Gonna introduce us to your new friend?” Gladiolus chuckled. “Considering that you had us run after you.”

Prompto glanced over his shoulder as he gave a soft smile, watching as she shuffled around to the side of the blonde, “It’s fine.” He whispered with a soft squeeze of the hand, despite the fact that he wasn’t sure how to exactly answer that you were the one that had written his first love letter. “This is…”

“Y/N.” She offered, “My name is, Y/N.”

[katerleegrand]

FFXV Headcanon: Returning Home

FFXV Headcanon: What would it be like for the Bros to return to their old homes after the end of the game?

Gladio:

He would more than likely be the first to return

He and Iris would go together 

Unfortunately, they would likely find the Amicitia Manor in ruins, just like many other buildings in the city

Walls crumbling, ceilings caved in, gardens in ruin, everything within either damaged or destroyed

Iris would venture into the ruble first, looking for old family mementos and keepsakes, but Gladio  would be rooted in place out in front, feet like concrete

He would really have a difficult time processing what he sees

I mean, he knew that this was how it was going to be, but to see with his own two eyes the place where he grew up like this 

Only when he hears Iris call out for him does he snap out of his trance and go to find her

In what used to be the living room, he sees Iris kneeling on the floor with something in her hand

An old picture frame; Gladio couldn’t have been more than 10 in that photo, with Noctis standing next to him, Regis behind him, and his dad holding a young Iris, all of them smiling 

He doesn’t even realize he’s crying until Iris brings him into a bear hug; the two of them standing there for what seems like forever in the embrace with tears running down their cheeks

They’ll wander the grounds a bit more after-which, finding a few things to take with them, mostly photographs, and by the time they leave, they’re both emotionally exhausted

Prompto:

It would take some time for Prompto to work up the courage to return to his old house

But once he does, he insists on going alone, not wanting the others to see his vulnerability. Ignis and Gladio are a little hesitant with this, knowing that he may not handle it well, but they respect his wishes

Being on the outer parts of the city, his home was spared the initial destruction when Niflheim attacked Insomnia, but there is still some wear and tear. 

Everything is, well, exactly how he left it when he left 10 years ago, just with thick layer of dust

He figured his parents hadn’t returned...well, he wasn’t even sure if they were alive anymore

He tries not to dwell on that fact, brushing past what few pictures lined the walls of him and them in his days as a kid

Only when he gets to his bedroom, his own little haven, does the waves of emotions crash over him, making him collapse to the carpet and burst into tears

He and Noct spent so much time in here, hanging out, studying (well, sort of), playing video games, just enjoying each other’s company. His first real friend

Old photos of the two of them that were once taped to the wall in a beautiful but chaotic collage were now scattered across the floor; faded, but still telling of a much happier, lighter time

He tries to pull himself together, but every time he opens his eyes, he catches sight of a memory that brings on a new wave of tears

He eventually forces himself to leave, as being there is like rubbing salt into an open wound

Maybe someday he’ll go back, but probably not for a long time 

Ignis:

Honestly, the thought doesn’t even cross his mind initially

He really wouldn’t have a reason to go back, regardless that he’s without sight; he didn’t really have many things left there of personal value

Still, once he hears that the cleanup and rebuilding crews are headed for his old apartment complex, he can’t help himself to take one last visit

Prompto opts to come along, ‘just to be there for ya,’ he says, to which Ignis accepts

He was sure he would have to help Ignis navigate, especially inside, but to his surprise the man found his way instantly, just through memory

Much like Prompto’s house, everything is exactly how he left it, just with dust covering it

It takes him a few moments to get his bearings with unsure steps and bumping into a few objects, but Prompto is right there to help him

He feels out for things, each linked to memories from 10 years ago

The cold countertops bring back the smells of different dishes, the echo of Noctis’s voice as he compliments on whatever culinary masterpiece Ignis was making

The hard wood surface of the dinner table has a bittersweet smile ghosting his lips as he remembers guiding Noctis through council reports

The soft fabric of the sofa almost has him crying at the memory of Noctis trying to coach him to play video games, and then pouting when he has Ignis beating him round after round

He decides to leave before getting too overwhelmed, but he doesn’t bother to have Prompto bring anything with them, feeling it would be best to leave the past behind, but he knows he truly never will

[ragewerthers]

Those Soulless Black Eyes

Summary: Gladio is awoken by a sleepless Ignis who is suffering from something he didn't think possible... a nightmare.

What could be so terrible that the ever practical and rational Advisor can't sleep?

A/n: Hello there!

This is another fun F3S for my friend bgn846! She gave me the prompt:

'One of the bros’ getting coddled after either something truly terrible nightmare maybe? or just a stubbed toe. Just want hugs and comfort'

It takes place during Verse 2 so everyone lives!!!

You can also read on AO3 at: https://archiveofourown.org/works/29955156

Enjoy! :D

Word Count: 2674

---------------------------

Blinking his eyes open, Gladio squinted at the sliver of light peeking into the bedroom from the hallway.  A little turn of his head the other way toward the bedroom window showed that the world outside was still wrapped in darkness and the tug of exhaustion at his eyelids told him that there was no way it was anywhere near dawn.

Turning back he squinted a little harder at the alarm clock on his nightstand, ignoring the voice in his head that said he may need glasses soon.  A voice that sounded suspiciously like a certain bespectacled man that he had married and who was currently missing from the warmth of their bed.  But said teasing voice was ignored for the moment as he got a good look at the time.

3:42 a.m.

Why in the name of all that was good and holy was he awake?

No.

Looking back over to the door that was only just left ajar, the real question was… why was Ignis awake?

There was no way that he had to be up for a meeting now.  If Ignis had early morning meetings he would always take particular precautions the night before.

Clothes pressed and laundered would be hung on the armoire.  Lunch would be pre-packed and ready to go.  And most importantly, Gladio would’ve known that there was a meeting to begin with.

The mistake to not tell him had only happened once and had ended with Gladio thinking there was an early morning intruder instead of Ignis getting ready to leave.

One ripped pair of boxers, two broken coffee mugs and one very disgruntled Adviser later, an agreement was reached that this sort of thing would never happen again.

So, if that was the case then the question still remained.  What was Ignis doing up at this unholy hour?

With a quiet groan and a little bit of heartache at having to leave the warmth of their bed, Gladio sat up and rolled his shoulders before standing.

Quietly he opened the bedroom door the rest of the way, letting in more light from the hallway and trying his best not to look like some sort of mole person as he hobbled his way toward the kitchen.

The closer he got the more he could hear the movement of his partner.  Ignis was stealth incarnate so to hear things bumping, clinking and sloshing, regardless of how quiet, was still slightly unsettling to him.

As he finally made it into the living room he turned to look into the small attached kitchen, Ignis’s back greeting him where he stood by the stove.  The man seemed to be in his own little world as he reached for the cupboard and pulled out a box of what looked like cocoa. That immediately sent a wave of worry though Gladio.  Ignis was a creature of habit and that included his drinks.

Coffee was usually there for Ignis when he needed to wake up or de-stress.

Tea was always at hand when he needed to think.

Cocoa… that was reserved for comfort.  A childish creature comfort that Ignis had told him about years ago.  When things would get to be a little too much he would gravitate toward a small prepackaged mix of cocoa and milk to try and quell whatever was troubling him.

So to see Ignis standing there in the dead of night, shoulders tense and a little packet of cocoa in hand, Gladio knew that something was definitely wrong.

“It’s impolite to stare, Gladio,” Ignis’s voice murmured, making the Shield startle slightly from his spot near the kitchen’s peninsula.

“Oh uh… I didn’t… I mean… I wasn’t…,” he fumbled a bit, his sleep addled and concerned mind trying desperately to figure out what exactly he wanted to say or what he was supposed to say.

“You did.  You were.  It’s okay,” Ignis said with a small smile as he turned to regard Gladio over his shoulder, the smile not quite reaching his eyes and his features looking so tired and tense before he turned back to the small saucepan of milk he was heating.

Gladio felt his chest ache at the sight and he moved closer, carefully wrapping his arms around Ignis’s middle and cuddling his head onto the man’s shoulder.

“Okay.  You got me.  But I mean… can you blame me?  I know you’re an early riser but this is a new record, Iggy,” Gladio murmured softly, his thumb lightly soothing over the side of Ignis’s stomach, feeling the softness of the old t-shirt he was wearing.  One he would never be caught dead in outside of the safety of their apartment.

Ignis gave a little huff of laughter as he stirred the milk heating up in the saucepan.  “I must admit that waking you wasn’t part of the plan,” he murmured as he adjusted the temperature of the stove burner before going back to gently whisk at the milk.  “I just… it’s… nothing.  Not really.”

Gladio quirked an eyebrow at that and shook his head, his arms hugging Ignis a little closer around his middle.  “Nuh uh.  You know we don’t play the ‘stoic’ game anymore,” he reminded gently.  His expression softened once more and he gently nudged the side of his partner’s head with his own.  “Talk to me?  What’s got you reaching for the hard stuff this evening?”

That definitely got a laugh out of Ignis as they both glanced at the packet of cocoa powder on the counter.  “Fine.  You’ve caught me,” Ignis said, giving a little sigh as he finally turned off the burner.  “I um… I had a nightmare.”

Now that was something Gladio really hadn’t been expecting.  Apparently his silence voiced his thoughts a bit too easily.

“Surprised to find out your husband suffers nightmares, love?” Ignis asked, though there was no malice or embarrassment in his voice.  In fact, a small smile was even on his lips as he spoke and Gladio couldn’t help returning it.

“Yeah, a bit.  I guess I thought with you having such a rational mind that… nightmares really weren’t something you suffered from.  Not like Prompto… or Noct even after he plays those alien space invader games.”

“Mm yes… though you’d think the ruler of a kingdom who is in his near thirties would be able to handle a little gaming,” Ignis chuckled as he reached to grab a second mug out of the side cupboard along with another cocoa packet.  Gladio smiled as he pressed a soft kiss to the side of Ignis’s neck causing the man’s smile to grow.  “Come now.  Like I wouldn’t offer you some of my cocoa,” Ignis chided though a soft blush appeared on his cheeks.

“Still wanted to show my appreciation,” Gladio murmured fondly.  “But… did you want to talk about it?  The nightmare?  You’ve always listened to mine when I’ve had trouble sleeping.  Seems only fair that I return the favor.”

Ignis stiffened slightly at the question, carefully pouring the packets of powder into the empty mugs before reaching for the saucepan of heated milk.  “It’s… ridiculous.  I don’t know why it bothered me.  Really nothing to talk about,” he said quietly.

“Hey… if it’s enough to wake you and rattle you to the point of needing cocoa, I think it definitely fits the bill for something to talk about,” Gladio prompted, pressing another kiss to the side of Ignis’s neck before letting go of the man so he wouldn’t be jostled as he poured the milk into their cups.

Ignis seemed to be warring with himself for a moment and Gladio could see that he was measuring and weighing the pros and cons of telling him, but eventually, as the milk was poured and the two cups stirred, Ignis finally seemed to come to a decision.

“Okay,” he murmured, picking up both mugs and passing one to Gladio.  “Lets go settle on the sofa first.  Then you can be comfortable as you judge me.”

Gladio, who had been blowing over his hot cocoa, paused at that particular statement.  “Judge you?” he said as Ignis moved past him and toward the living room.  “You should know me better than that.”

Sitting down on the sofa, Ignis ran a hand through his slightly disheveled hair and nodded.  “I do.  But I also know how you are going to react when you hear this particular nightmare,” he said with a furrowed brow.

Gladio huffed as he sat down beside the man, setting his cup of cocoa on the coffee table before wrapping an arm around Ignis and drawing him close to his side.

“Iggy, I swear on my honor as Shield that I won’t judge you,” Gladio murmured before giving a little smile.  “And I swear on my vows as your husband that I will always listen to what troubles you no matter what it may be.”

Those words seemed to do the trick as Gladio soon felt Ignis relaxing against him, a soft smile playing over the man’s lips.  “What did I do to deserve you?” Ignis murmured, resting his head on Gladio’s shoulder as he let the warmth of the hot cocoa seep into his hands from the mug and the warmth of his husband settle some of the chill in his bones.

“Oh… you were definitely born under a lucky star to get me,” Gladio replied cheekily, getting a snort out of Ignis who gently nudged his foot with his own.

“Ridiculous,” the advisor teased, earning himself a soft kiss to his slightly messy hair for his trouble.

“And you love it.”

“Astrals help me, I do,” Ignis chuckled before letting out a little sigh.  “But… if you do happen to judge me even against your best intentions, I hold nothing against you.”

Gladio shook his head, gently nuzzling against Ignis’s soft hair.  “Why don’t you tell me and then we’ll see,” he prompted softly.

After a moment Ignis found his same resolve from earlier and gave a little nod before clearing his throat.  “As you already know, it was a nightmare, but it’s one that reoccurs constantly.  It has to do with… something that happened on our travels to Altissia all those years ago.”

Gladio felt his brow furrow at that, his chest aching to think of what it could be.  So many things had happened to them on that trip and some of them well worth being considered nightmare material and beyond.

“Ignis... ,” he began, but the man held up his hand.

“It’s… not what you’re thinking.  It… gods, this is so silly,” he said with a little chuckle and Gladio noticed his cheeks starting to go a little pink.  “It starts the same.  We are all somewhere picturesque, something truly worthy of one of Prompto’s impromptu photo ops.  And then… he appears….”

The venom that appeared in Ignis’s voice sent a chill down Gladio’s spine and he felt his arm tighten slightly around his poor partner.  His mind instantly went to an ancient king with eyes of black.

He was horribly mistaken.

“... that gods damned Chocobo that took my glasses.  And he’s just… just standing there, Gladio!  Staring at me with those soulless black eyes!”

Gladio’s entire line of thought immediately halted as he heard the reason for his husband’s nightmares.  For a moment he actually thought this was a joke until he glanced down to see the absolute intensity in Ignis’s gaze.

“And then… then as I continue staring at him my eyes start to get blurry until finally I’m squinting at this… this abomination of a bird and do you know why I’m squinting, Gladiolus?�� Because that spawn of Ifrit is wearing my glasses!  Snatching them away from me like some sort of sorcerer of evil!”

The more Ignis spoke, the more Gladio’s mind had a chance to play catch up with what was being told to him… and oh… oh he was well past judging the man now.

He was looking at judgemental in the rearview mirror as he quickly sped toward what was going to be the Eos’s most ugly and hysterical laughing fit this world had ever seen.

But he tried, damn it.

Astrals help him he really did try and when historians would look back on this day, the fact that Gladio lasted even this small monologue without cracking up would be seen as a miracle.

“Do you think he still thinks of me too, Gladio?”

That did it.

Gladio’s laughter was absolutely unstoppable.  He was laughing so hard that for a brief moment he actually went silent, having to bend forward and wrap his arms around his stomach for fear something was going to sprain.  He may have heard a rib or two creak under the force of his laughter.

“OHOHOH M-MY GAHAHAHADS!” Gladio howled, tears of mirth on his cheeks as he continued to work his way through his laughing fit.  At some point he felt Ignis’s hand soothing over his back as he covered his face with his own hands to try and bring back some good and kind husband decorum that he had promised the man.

And he almost got to it too.

Until…

“I bet he does still think of me… sadistic little bastard.”

And just like that, any ground Gladio had gained in calming himself was tossed out the window.

“WHYHEHEHE?!” he wheezed through his laughter.

Ignis chuckled beside him and he felt his partners hand still trying to soothe his back.  “I’m sorry, love.  Honestly, seeing you laugh over this is making me feel better about the whole thing,” he answered honestly, and if Gladio wasn’t caught up in trying to stop himself from snorting and waking up the whole apartment complex he would’ve felt a little proud to have been able to help in some way.

Eventually, though, the laughter did subside into a few hiccuped giggles, making it damn near impossible to drink his now lukewarm cocoa as Ignis cuddle up against his side.

“O-oh… oh astrals sahahave me,” Gladio wheezed, breathless from laughter as he wiped away his tears with the palms of his hands, feeling Ignis chuckle beside him.

“I told you, you would judge me,” Ignis murmured, though the sleepy smile he gave the man held no contempt.

“To be fair… I didn’t judge.  I just laughed so hard I think I bruised a few internal organs,” Gladio said, sitting back against the sofa and finally getting in some lungful’s of much needed air.

“You have me there,” Ignis murmured, nuzzling into Gladio’s shoulder and closing his eyes.  “I will say though… your reaction, while surprising… does make me feel a little better about the whole thing.”

“Glad I could help… even though I really, really didn’t intend to um…,” Gladio said honestly.

“Laugh so hard you cried?” Ignis supplied for him and Gladio felt his cheeks flush even as he chuckled, wincing at the burn in his muscles.

“Yeah… sorry, Iggy,” he murmured, feeling the weight of the Advisor slowly grow more and more heavy against his side.

“S’okay.  Made it seem… not so scary a’tall…,” Ignis mumbled as a little yawn escaped him. Gladio’s smile softened as he watched Ignis not even trying to battle the sleep that was slowly starting to claim him.

Reaching to the side he grabbed the little throw blanket they kept on the end of the sofa and brought it over to wrap around them, carefully shifting so they could lay down with Ignis cradled over his chest.

“Anything to help, Iggy,” Gladio murmured softly, soothing his hand over the man’s back as he felt Ignis’s breaths evening out.

He may not have been as stoic, understanding and empathetic as he had hoped to be when he heard Ignis’s troublesome dreams.  But to see Ignis looking so relaxed and worry free in his sleep, he thought perhaps he really had helped him in some small way.

But astrals above was his stomach going to hurt tomorrow morning.

Another win for that god’s damned chocobo.

Sadistic little bastard.

[your-1up-girl]

Working on Weapons (Cindy Aurum x Fem!Reader)

Author’s Note: I love Cindy. This is my first time writing smut. I hate it. Please enjoy :)

Word Count: 4756

Link to AO3

Ever since you and the guys first showed up at the garage and you saw her walk towards the car with a smile that seemed to taunt you and a sway in her hips that spoke a language of their own, you knew that you stood no chance against this woman’s spell.

Every so often when you had to make a visit for supplies or do a task for her, you would do your best to turn on the charm. You weren’t bad at flirting, hell one time when you were at a bar, you and Gladio made a bet to see who could get the most numbers by the end of the night. Long story short, you had him beat and had an amazing night with one of those numbers. 

The problem with flirting with Cindy was that she just seemed so used to it that it felt like nothing you did even phased her. Much to your dismay (and Gladio’s utmost entertainment) all of your subtle and not so subtle advances had no effect on her. The winks, cute nicknames that you reserved only for her, lingering touches, soft eyes and smiles that seemed to convey both innocence and hidden suggestive messages. Absolutely nothing. It was driving you crazy. It was at the point that even poor Prompto was rooting for you (“I have to live vicariously through you so you better make this happen,” It was a joke, one followed by a playful shove and a wink).

Just when you were at that point of giving up, it finally happened one afternoon. You all were returning from picking up headlights from that Gods forsaken sewer system. The whole party was exhausted and you wanted nothing more than to take a shower in the caravan. 

“Hey Cin!” You called out catching her attention from another hunter who, from the look of dejection, struck out with her. “We got it.” 

Cindy took the headlights from you but not before giving you elevator eyes, your appearance was intoxicating to her. Perfectly disheveled hair, a tank top that clung deliciously against your chest and hips, small bruises perfectly stamping your skin (some, she made note of, appeared to be about the size of her mouth), and a light sheen of sweat on your skin. If she hadn’t known why you were gone, she may have just gotten other ideas in her head about your look. Not that you noticed of course, Gladio convinced the others to take a hunt that was also in that sewer system. It took far too long to find and kill; with the exhaustion setting in you hadn’t noticed how the tables were turned and the woman of your dreams was now unapologetically checking you out.

“Didn’t realize these little ol’ things would be such trouble.” You smiled at her, combing your hair back with your fingers causing Cindy to flush ever so slightly.

“Don’t worry about it, we’re back and no one got too hurt other than Noct’s pride. But I’m letting you know now, if you want us to go back there for anything else, I’m gonna have to tell you to go fuck yourself.” Cindy laughed. It was a joke and she knew it, the smirk on your beautiful lips and the playful glint in your eye told her that.

“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind darlin’,” Turing, she saw that Ignis had put the car in her garage to prepare for the lights modification. “Looks like I got to get back to the ol’ girl. She’s gon be shinin’ so bright that the stars’ll wanna take notes.”

“If they wanna learn so badly they should just look into your eyes.” Gods that was corny even her face scrunched up on that one, but she still had that sweet, weak-in-the-knees smile so you assumed she somewhat enjoyed it? Thought it was cute at least?

“Anyways, to save myself from further embarrassment, I'm gonna go. Got a nice cold shower and a hot meal with my name on it.” You turned on your heel thinking the conversation would just end at that but what Cindy said next would forever stay in your mind.

“I thought I was the only hot meal you wanted to eat baby girl?”

...

Did you just hear that correctly? You tripped on your own two feet and barely had the nerve to turn around to see the beautiful mechanic giving you a small smile with slightly parted lips and half lidded eyes. She looked you up and down once more and licked her lips with a subtly that almost went missed by you. You knew that she was practically undressing you with her eyes because you had done the same on many occasions. Wondering if she was thinking about the same lewd thoughts made you unconsciously rub your thighs together. Opening and closing your mouth trying to think of something to say, Cindy just shook her head smiling at the ground before leaving you with, “Have a nice cold shower hun.”

Later in the evening, after you and the boys had cleaned up, and Ignis was making something in the caravan because no matter how late it was Ignis always wanted to make sure everyone was fed. You sat outside reading with Gladio, Noctis and Prompto as they played rounds of King’s Knight. But couldn’t care less about whatever they were doing or about what you were doing for that matter. You read the same page about 20 times now, but you just couldn’t get that interaction out of your head. Had all your flirting finally worked? Or was she just playing you? 

“How y’all doing?” Speak of the gorgeous devil. All heads turned as Cindy approached the caravan. She wore black skin tight leggings, a loose gray crop top that hung off her left shoulder, and of course her signature cowgirl boots. It was nice to see her in casual clothes. The domestic look was one that suited her nicely you thought. You loved it when she wore her work attire but seeing her so relaxed, it made you imagine a possible future with her.

“You look comfortable Cindy. Done for the day? Thought you never close up shop.” Gladio asked. 

“Yeah just about wanted to finish early today; the Regalia looks real nice now that she’s got new lights on ‘er. And you don’t gotta worry about those damn daemons either.” 

Prompto gave out a happy shout at both the no more daemons news and for winning the match. 

“What would we do without you Cindy.” Noctis relayed the gratitude with a slight pout.

“Aw don’t give me too much credit now. I just connect some wires and do some modifications. Speaking of, (Y/N).” Your head snapped so quickly to her she giggled making you blush, “My reason for closin’ early was so I would use you as my guinea pig.” She paused on purpose, wanting to get your reaction at her choice of words. She approached you to where you were, sitting on the table with a tilt of her head and a sly smile she continued. “Well, your weapons that is. See, with Paw-Paw modin’ things for the Prince, figured why not throw my hat in the ring too. If everything goes well, I could fix up equipment for other hunters as well.” Cindy crossed one leg over the other bouncing the top leg lightly as she spoke giving you an eye full of her calves. And dammit, you could not help yourself as your eyes wandered up to her thighs to the curve of her ass. Up her hips and exposed waist and to where the shirt peaked from her breasts, the soft skin of her neck just waiting to be bitten and finally to her face where a knowing smirk and lecherous eyes watched you take in her appearance. 

She had you now more than ever. To think, you had been flirting with her on every occasion you could. All of a sudden she struts over here and says the right words, acts a certain way and you become putty in her hands. “So (Y/N) what’d ya say?” Prompto had to kick you lightly under the table to get you out of your shocked state. 

Stuttering you gave an answer, “I yeah-yes, of course you can use me—My weapons! You can use- fix them if you want to.” Gods just kill me now! Face beat read you could hear Gladio and Noctis containing their snickers at you making an utter fool of yourself in front of Cindy. She didn’t seem to mind however, just turned that smirk into a smile and hopped off the table and began to walk towards the garage. She was about half way there and you were still glued to your seat like an idiot when someone spoke from the door of the caravan.

“I don’t think you should keep her waiting (Y/N).” Ignis took a sip of Ebony.

“Wha-? Weren’t you cooking-? How long have you been-”

“Long enough to know that you won’t be joining us for dinner. Now, you have much better things to attend to than staying here with me and The Three Stooges.” He was right, you got up from your seat already noting how you felt a bit of slickness at your core as you began to walk over to the garage. “Oh and (Y/N),” Turning to Iggy you saw the smirk as he took another sip of coffee, “Have fun.” 

You didn’t say anything and just made your way to the garage. Taking the back entrance seeing that the large main door was closed early for the afternoon. Once inside you saw Cindy working on something at the workbench biting her bottom lip in concentration. She looked up at you when she heard the door shut, “Hey doll come ‘er.” You approached her as she told you to place your weapons off to the far right of the bench. Doing as you're told, you summoned your short sword and placed it on the bench. You turned around but as you did Cindy came up to you and kissed you. She had her arms on either side of you, effectively trapping. The kiss was one with a fever that you made your whole body tense and heat go straight to your core. That feeling bubbled so pleasantly within you.

However, you were in such a state of shock because Cindy Aurum was basically making out with you that you had yet to return the kiss. Cindy stopped to look at you with a hint of fear in her eyes.

“Have I overstepped my boundaries? I’m so sorry hun’ I just, you were always flirtin’ with me, so I took that as an opportunity to- You can leave if I made ya uncomfort-”

“No.” It was soft, you didn’t want to scare her any more that she clearly was. “It’s just that-” You dragged your hands across the exposed sink of her waist and brought her closer to you. Taking your time to feel just how soft it was. Your left hand played with the shirt hem and your right drew small infinity signs on the small of her back. “In all the ways I’ve had this dream play out, that’s all it ever was. A dream.”

It looked like that relaxed Cindy because next thing you knew she placed her lips on yours once more and pulled you close as well. Thank the Gods that your brain returned to a functional state as you kissed her back. Making sure to match the force and passion behind it. 

“Let me tell you baby girl, I am very,” Cindy grabbed your hand, “Much.” Open palm she allowed it to ghost over her breast. “Real.” A quick glance down and a nod was all you need to knead the soft flesh in your hand. The sigh that fell from her lips sent shivers throughout your entire body. 

“You're not wearing a bra?” 

“Oh? I guess I ain’t.” She bit her bottom lip and laughed. “Honestly (Y/N), I’m surprised you just noticed. Just so you know, I ain’t wearing a thong either darlin’.” A whine escaped you and you leaned forward to kiss her again moving in tandem with her as you gave the other breast some attention as well. Her arms found their way around your waist and down to your ass, giving it a squeeze. Every moment that passed you expected one of the boys to shake you awake but the way Cindy felt, her breasts and hands, her dangerously addicting mouth, it all felt too real to be anything but reality. And thank the Astrals for that.

With caution, you allowed your fingers to graze over the nipple, already, it began to harden under the shirt at your touch. The kiss broke only for a moment as Cindy whispered in your ear, “Pinch it darlin’.” 

And that is exactly what you did. Tweaking and twisting the small bud between your index finger and thumb. The action rewarded you the most intoxicating sound as Cindy moaned softly in your ear. In a bold move on her part, she brought one leg in between yours. The moan was one so sinful you didn’t even realize that you were capable of making such a noise. 

That noise gave fuel to Cindy as she applied more pressure to your core with her leg. More sounds escaped both your mouths and you grinned into her thigh, mentally wishing you wore something much thinner than skinny jeans.

“Want to take this somewhere more private?” The infatuation in both hers and your eyes were apparent and Cindy laughed.

“We have a whole garage to ourselves, that not enough privacy for you?” 

“Well, as hot as it would be to eat you out on the hood of the Regalia, I feel that if Noctis found out then he would literally behead us.” 

Cindy smiled at you, with a peck on the lips and said, “I don’t think he’ll mind. What he don’t know won’t kill him, right? But, a bed is always good.” With your hand in yours, she led you to a side upstairs part of the garage. Opening up the door at the top of the side staircase revealed a quaint, rustic studio apartment of sorts. One central open area that had a small kitchen and dining area. There were some built in bookshelves that contained various books and pictures. A small love-seat with two pink pillows located near a door which you assumed was the bathroom. And on a more raised part of the room was a small dresser and her full sized mattress, adorned with pillows and a gray, chunky knit throw blanket. 

On said mattress was the woman of your dreams. Seated on her haunches, leaning forward ever so slightly to accentuate her breasts and hair tousled from your hands moments before, she beckoned you to the bed. Wasting no time, you all but ran to her, crashing your lips against her and laid her gently against the soft duvet covers. Her hands were on your hips again, fingers finding their way to the button of your jeans. You smiled into the kiss and helped her out undoing it yourself and shimmying out of the article. 

“What were you thinking about over there when you came in hun'?” The small circles being rubbed on your clit made it differently to answer but you did.

"Ahhh, just thinking that you got a real nice place. I guess it kind of surprised me." Deciding to return the favor and give an eye for an eye, you lifted her shirt off and tossed it. Taking in her beautiful upper body; chest of full display and nipples harden from when you played with them. Further grinding into her fingers you took one nipple into your mouth and began to suck and flick your tongue across the skin. Cindy arched her back at the sudden stimulation and momentarily stopped the rubbing.

"Oh God's (Y/N) that feels…"  She couldn't finish as you moved to the next breast but still played with the other with your expert hands. "Ah! Based on how much attention you give my boobs, I take it that you're a tit girl then?"

You released from her with a pop, “When it comes to you, I just adore everything.” and began to attack her neck and collar bone. Kissing and nipping at the sun-kissed skin. She held you close running fingers desperately through your hair and leaving scratches along you back, your shirt discarded a long time ago. 

"Keep doing that and I'll have to wear an actual shirt tomorrow hun'." The smirk on her lips was evident that she would do nothing of the sort. The thought of her working tomorrow with the bruises, bites and hickeys exposed for all the world to see made the fire in your core burn even hotter.

"Something tells me you'll be fine. And if you can still form sentences then I'm clearly not doing a good enough job." You started at the valley of her breasts and left a trail of kisses and worked your way down to where her leggings laid just above her pelvic bone. 

"My my my, aren't you all worked up." The comment acknowledged the prominent wet spot on her leggings. You looked Cindy dead in the eyes, hers were a bit furrowed.

"Oh please darlin', don't act all high and mighty like you aren't as wet as- AH!" You rubbed your fingers on that mark and Cindy moaned so beautifully that it grew a smirk on your face. 

You positioned yourself between her legs and licked your tongue across her sex. Cindy threw her head back against the pillows and begged you to do that again. Her thighs found homes on your shoulders and your hands on her abdomen to pin her down. 

You licked her through her leggings knowing that the fabric both gave a good feeling but also was a frustrating barrier. Sucking on her clit one more time, it was time that you took off her leggings. She got the queue and lifted her hips to help you and threw them off the bed. 

Just to even the playing field, you took off your panties and unhooked your bra. Your boobs bounced out of the lacey prison and Cindy didn't even try to hide how she stared. 

Legs spread wide, her clit wet from her own arousal and your mouth you added one finger and watched as she arched up from the bed. The perfect arch of her back made her look like a sculpture at the Citadel. Along with a gorgeous "O" forming on her mouth. 

Your finger moved back and forth. Cindy's grip on the messed up duvet below her tightened. You took this as an opportunity to add not only a second finger but also your mouth to the party. Your other unoccupied hand found and held hers as you continued. 

Some instructions were given, A little to the... Yeah there. Curl your fingers (Y/N). No, that’s more like scratchin’. Oh! That’s perfect. Now, if ya can… go deeper. Ah. Ahh! AH! Yes darlin' right there!

You devoured not only her but every moan, gasp, shudder, and sigh that left her mouth. You sent your fingers deeper, down to your knuckles and Cindy screamed out. “AH! YES! YES! YES! Oh sweet ASTRALS baby girl! Keep going! AH!!” Hands took desperate hold of your hair pushing your face further into her wanton sex. You could feel her walls tighten around your fingers; it encouraged you to go faster but then Cindy called out.

“WAit… wait (Y/N).” There was a hard tug on your hair that lifted you from her slick center. You took a deep breath mouth wet from her arousal and took your fingers out of her.

“Did I do something wrong?” It took a moment for Cindy to respond. It was obvious that she missed your feeling already, what with her flushed face, blown out pupils and the sheen of sweat on her body.

“Naw baby girl… you didn’t do anything wrong.” 

“Then?” 

“It ain’t fair for me to be the one getting all the attention.” The mechanic found strength to give you some attention, her hand rubbing against your sex, she took your moan to memory and held nothing back as she gave you much needed friction to your core. Cindy was more rough with you. Even when she took one nipple in her mouth, she sucked and flicked the bud with force. Teeth were used to lightly tug and twist, her ultimate goal was to bring the soft bud to peak. 

Breaths began to shudder at the stimulation you were receiving. Cindy turned you around so you could lay against some pillows at the head of the bed. Her fingers entered you with ease, you slick with arousal as you held her close. Minimal assistance was given on your part, what with your brain practically shutdown from her actions but Cindy knew how to read you. Noticed little movements, subtle gasps or even when your face scrunched slightly telling her to try a different spot. The ragged breaths that came from both your bodies and the squelching noises that were produced from her working your mercilessly were the only things heard in the studio room. She worked her way up from your breasts and to your neck, leaving the same, if not more marks against your skin that would be a bitch to cover in the morning. 

She gave you a heated kiss and you could feel the smile on her lips as she danced with you. Your bottom lip earned a small bite when you snaked your arms up her back and clawed your way down. When she released your lips, the smile was more present than ever and Cindy licked her own.

“You never told me that I tasted so good darlin’.” A small peck on the lips. “You wanna find out how you taste?” Her fingers left your core and you whined at the emptiness but it was cut short when she put her two fingers in your mouth. You sucked them letting your tongue rub against the pads of her digits. When pulled out she laughed at the face you made.

“Kinda bitter, but I’m not surprised. Noct has been taking more hunts at night and coffee is the only thing keeping me awake.”   

She hummed and you barely caught the whisper of, “Mind if I try?” Before she put her two fingers back in and massaged you. Fingers curled in just the right way, the slow pumps along with her thumb rubbing your clit. Not breaking her gaze at you as your head fell back against the wall with a soft thud at the languid pace she kept. The blonde woman placed a small pillow behind your head to keep you from hurting yourself. 

“Gods! Cindy! Please!” Fingers were removed and placed into her mouth, self-satisfied smile at the flush ever present on your face. Legs on either side of you in a straddle, she put her fingers back in you, catching your neck with her mouth as you bucked at the insertion. “I think you taste divine baby girl.” Whispered against sensitive skin, it formed goosebumps all along your body. 

Finally, you put your fingers back into her. Your breaths mixed beautifully with her moans against your skin. Cindy took your nipple in her mouth again. Deft fingers worked you so well that when you finally climaxed, you stopped working Cindy for just a moment. The way you called out her name as your orgasm washed over you was music to her ears. “AH! CI-CINDY! Don’t stop! AH-AHH! OH GODS!” How she was able to get you so loud, you would never know. Normally, you were a quiet love maker but with Cindy it seemed she could turn you into a pornstar. Giving you one last pump she took in her work. Your chest was heaving, mouth slightly parted, pupils dilated and hair an absolute mess; you looked like sin in your post orgasm state. 

Cindy didn’t blame you for being so worn out but she was impressed when you still pumped your fingers into her. She took mercy on you and began to ride your fingers but not before removing hers from you and placing them back in her mouth lapping up the release you left on her. Her bundle of nerves got stimulation from your thumb. You just enjoyed the sights and sounds of her breasts bouncing, whimpers from sucking her own fingers clean of you, and the soft wet slaps of her grinding, as she took her own release on your fingers.

One final desperate shout escaped her as she fell forward against your equally exhausted body. Both parties laid on the bed and tried to catch their breaths. Cindy sat up against and kissed you, this time it was soft, meaningful and somewhat fleeting. 

“I think we ruined your duvet…”

“Aw don’t worry ‘bout it darlin.’ Nothin’ a quick wash won’t fix. How ‘bout you get this off the bed and I’ll get us a warm towel to clean us off.” You nodded and she hopped off you and to the kitchen to wet a towel with warm water as you made quick work of the duvet and throw pillows. Cindy came back, pulled the sheets back and motioned for you to get into bed with her. Gently you cleaned each other up and placed the towel on the nightstand near her bed once finished. That was also when you noticed that it was so late into the night and you hadn’t eaten anything. Stomach catching up with your mind it made a loud rumbling noise that you both laughed at. 

“I totally forgot that I skipped dinner.”

“It was worth it though right?”

You caressed her chin and guided her to a small kiss. “Oh absolutely. But Ignis’ll flip if he finds out I didn’t eat.”

“Well (Y/N) you kinda did eat.” Cindy sat on her haunches with her legs just barely spread. “I’d say you had yourself a full course meal.” A playful tackle to the bed wiped that smirk off her face as laughter filled the room. You blew against her stomach and she tried, in vain, to push you off. “Okay okay! How ‘bout this: You get yourself to the bathroom if you need to I’ll leave you a shirt of mine and get started on makin’ us something proper to eat? May not be like the Prince’s Advisor, but I consider myself a good cook at times.”

“Sounds like a plan.” To the bathroom you went and did what you had to do there, and true to her word, Cindy left you one of her shirts. The soft fabric was gentle on your skin, it was much larger than you expected it to be, just going past the curve of your butt, and it had the smell of Jasmine, vanilla, and motor oil. When you met Cindy at the stove she already began to warm up what appeared to be a breakfast like dish. She asked you to watch the food as she went to the bathroom herself.

Maybe five minutes passed. You hummed a tune as you cooked the food. Cindy wrapped her arms around your waist, she too wearing an over-sized shirt.

“You look nice like this.” It was whispered against soft fabric and love-bitten skin.

“Like how? In one of your shirts?”

“That, and here with me.” One kiss was barely pressed on your shoulder. “I could get used to late night or, I should say early mornin’, meals with you. Waking up with you. Being able to call you my girl.” The food sizzled on the stove as Cindy all but confessed to you. “That is… if you’ll want to. Don’t wanna force you or anything but, having you here with me has made me more happy than you could now.”

You turned and kissed her. The answer to the request, your hands grazing up and down her back while hers gripped tightly to the shirt you wore. Both of you were smiling before, during and after the kiss. Your foreheads rested against one another as you happily whispered, “Cindy, nothing would make me happier.” 

[noctisfishing]

What Do You Treasure?

Day 6 - Treasure

#noct writes taiora week 2020 [ 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 ]

@taioraweek for more Taiora love! @noctisfishing for Taiora/Digimon writings and more. :)

Setting: Digimon Adventure tri.: timeframe / Canon Divergence

Tags: Fluff, Humor

Other Characters: 01 Chosen Children and Digimon Partners

Notes: My challenge for this was to separate this prompt theme from a multi-chapter fic that I’m still working on. ;) Like a few of my other fics, I pictured everyone in high school in this one.

Basically, everyone has their own answers. ;D

~*~*~*~*~*~

“What do you treasure?”

Sora arrived home after school one afternoon with that question lingering on her mind. The teacher had posed the question to the class during a discussion about a novel in which the students were assigned to read.

“Is it an item that has some meaning to you? A place you’ve been? A friend, or a loved one? There is no wrong answer.”

When she met Piyomon in the living room and asked her, she responded right away.

“It’s you, Sora!” Piyomon leapt into Sora’s arms and nuzzled her beak against her. “Meeting you and becoming partners is the greatest treasure I could ever want.”

“Oh, Piyomon…”

Sora smiled and held her partner tightly, knowing that she felt the same way. 

She thought about calling Taichi to ask how he would respond. She already knew what she would tell him. 

But she also couldn’t help but wonder what her friends would say.

~*~*~*~*~

The moment Taichi arrived home and asked Agumon the same question, he responded without any thought.

“Hamburgers!”

“Hamburgers?” Taichi repeated.

“Can we go get some later?”

“We just had some with Sora and Piyomon the other day!”

“They’re so delicious, I could have them every day!”

Taichi laughed, shaking his head. “You sure never get tired of them.”

He went into his room to set down his school back on his desk chair, and he noticed the picture frame on his desk with his friends and their Digimon partners. Sora was standing next to him, and he remembered that the two of them were laughing together at the time the picture was taken.

He wondered if the answer was that easy to tell.

~*~*~*~*~*~

“Who do you treasure, Yamato?”

Sora with Piyomon sat on Yamato’s couch as she asked him the question. Gabumon sat in front of her, lifting his paw toward her and laughing playfully as she gently waved his paw up and down.

“Are you thinking about sensei’s question, too?” Yamato asked quietly while he tuned his bass guitar.

“Yamato might not tell you,” Gabumon added. “But you could probably make some really good guesses.”

“I’d rather you not.”

“He’ll tell us if he wants to,” Sora replied with a smile. She didn’t want to push Yamato into talking about something he was uncomfortable with.

She saw that Gabumon was eager to talk, but he kept quiet as he beamed at Yamato fiddling with warm up chords. She didn’t have to ask to know that Gabumon and music were his treasures.

Yamato paused his playing and looked as though he had just remembered something. “I was supposed to call Takeru today to help him with something.”

Both Sora and Gabumon both knew that Takeru was another one.

~*~*~*~*~*~

“I can’t just choose one pair of shoes!”

Taichi had caught Mimi on her way home as he and Agumon went for a walk.

“So, you treasure your shoes?” Taichi asked.

“My whole closet, actually. I do have a favorite dress and cute boots - oh, and just paired with the right necklace and earrings? Ah! It’s an outfit that I cannot live without!”

“Then, your treasure is something you can wear. Something, not someone.”

Mimi looked at him from the corner of her eyes in suspicion. “Why? Do you treasure someone, Taichi?”

“Well, uh…”

Taichi went red in the face the longer Mimi stared him down. He could tell that she was reading his mind.

“I don’t have to answer that!” he stammered.

“I’m sure you’ll admit it when the moment’s right,” she said with a wink. But then, she let out a giggle that sounded less mischievous. “It’s Palmon for me. And you, and all of my friends. The Digital World, too. It would be hard to deny that for any of us.”

Taichi smiled back. “That’s true.”

~*~*~*~*~*~

“Peace and quiet.”

Sora smiled with hesitation the moment Jou responded harshly to her question at his front door. “I’m sorry, Jou,” she said. “We must be bothering you.”

“Relax, Jou!” Gomamon added, jumping onto his arms. “Sora never comes here to make any trouble.”

Jou sighed, suddenly looking remorseful. “You’re right. I’m sorry, Sora. I’ve just been stressed.”

“It’s okay. Entrance exams are sure to be stressful.”

“Don’t worry,” Gomamon said with a cheerful smile. “I’ve been here to root for him when he needs it!”

“I’m sure you have been!”

“I should make you some tea! I already have the kettle going for Jou!”

Gomamon jumped off from Jou and disappeared from the door, leaving Jou to chuckle timidly. “Don’t feel like you’re intruding,” Jou told her. “Please, stay for tea. Gomamon will whine if you leave now.”

As Sora sat down at the table with Jou and waited for Gomamon, Jou had decided to answer her question.

“I don’t know where I’d be without Gomamon,” he said. “He truly is my best cheerleader.”

“I see,” replied Sora. “But I imagine ‘peace and quiet’ is still a true answer?”

“Yeah… Taichi and Agumon can test me on that. They showed up earlier and asked me the same question.”

“Oh…” Sora held her hand to her mouth to try to stop herself from laughing. “I’ll be sure to talk to him about it later.”

~*~*~*~*~*~

“My treasure?” Koushiro asked Taichi, his eyes transfixed on his computer screen as they both sat in his room.

“You know, something, or someone… that could have a special meaning to you.”

“Well, I think that’s an easy answer for me.” After clicking a few times on his computer mouse, Koushiro pushed himself away from the keyboard on his desk. “Tentomon, for one.”

“Koushiro-han…!” Tentomon replied on the side, and Taichi could swear his face was glowing redder than the shell on his body.

“And… my parents, too.”

Koushiro sat in his chair as though deep in thought.

“That makes sense, Koushiro,” Taichi assured him with a smile.

Koushiro remained quiet, but Taichi heard Tentomon clear his throat loudly and shift himself next to Agumon.

“Just try to stay away from his harddrive,” Tentomon whispered to Agumon. “He almost imploded when I nearly dropped one of it parts as he was building it…”

“Ooh, gotcha!” Agumon whispered back.

~*~*~*~

“Patamon… and Yamato, of course!” Takeru replied with a cheerful smile to Sora.

“I figured you would say that,” Sora said, giggling.

“He probably would tell me he’d never talk to me again if I told him.”

“But he would still talk to you again a minute later!” Patamon said chiming in, sitting on top of Takeru’s head.

“You must be really interested in everyone’s answers,” Takeru added.

“It’s nice to know what can make someone’s eyes light up,” replied Sora.

Patamon made a squeak, and Sora noticed that Takeru had been looking above her for a few moments.

“Has anyone asked what it is that you treasure, Sora?”

“Not yet.”

At that moment, Sora realized where Takeru and Patamon had been staring, and Sora moved her hand up to her hair, lightly running her fingers through her locks.

“Think he’ll figure it out?”

Sora laughed. “I’m sure he will.”

~~~~

“My stupid, adorable Onii-chan, of course.”

“Staaahhp,” Taichi said, pushing Hikari away from trying to pinch his cheeks. He had returned home, where she sat in the living room with Tailmon.

“This one, too.” Once Hikari stopped, she picked up Tailmon and nuzzled the top of her head.

“Is it really that easy?” Taichi asked. “Everyone responded with answers that seemed to roll off of their tongues.”

“It’s not too hard to figure out, Taichi. Even if you are afraid to say it out loud, the answer just comes to you.”

Taichi grimaced. “I didn’t say anything about being afraid.”

The doorbell rang. Hikari looked at Tailmon, and Taichi looked toward Agumon. They weren’t expecting any guests, and their parents weren’t going to arrive home until later.

Sora was at the door when Taichi answered, with Piyomon standing at her side.

“Hey, Sora,” Taichi said, finding himself happy to see her. “What brings you here?”

“Oh, well…” Sora had met eyes with him, but suddenly looked to the side with a shy smile. “I’ve been going around asking everyone a question, and I think it’s your turn.”

Taichi was taken aback. He had returned home after getting hungry, but he had planned to call Sora right after he had dinner.

He wondered if it was the same question he had been asking all afternoon. He watched her bring her hand to her hair, tucking a lock behind her ear, and then, he noticed it; a red shiny gem clipped in her hair on the side.

It was the hair clip he had given her for her birthday one year. He didn’t realize that she would keep it for so long.

He realized that that must have been something she treasured, just like how...

“I treasure you, Sora,” he said aloud. Somehow, his realization at that moment urged him to say it, and it seemed to tumble out of his mouth.

With a nervous laugh, she turned to face him again with a wider smile.

“I treasure you, too, Taichi,” she replied.

Even with the sizzle on his cheeks, he couldn’t have been happier. 

They stood face to face, suddenly laughing at each other. He knew that she had been nervous to say it, too, but he found relief knowing that saying it aloud wasn’t as hard as either of them thought, after all. 

.

.

.

.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Bonus:

Taiora brought their Digimon to a burger place and Taichi ordered the avocado burger that Mimi had told him about earlier. Mimi found out later and got upset that they went without her.

[concealeddarkness13]

A New Dawn Part 17

In which the gang goes to Neo Dallas to meet Lily, Ivy, and Craw, and she experiences social anxiety and bad dreams. Tagging: @ratracechronicler and @merigreenleaf! Here is the post with links to the other parts!

No dreams overnight. I hadn’t had a dream about my past since we left Farsia. And I still didn’t know who that boy was in my previous dream. But everything was fine. I was with my new found family. I just had to not think about aliens. Everything was going to be fine.

Breakfast was amazing, as usual, and Rat complained again that I ate more than her, as if it was a competition. I still didn’t understand that. Afterwards, there was a call for Rex, so he went into another room to take the call. I just eyed the video game console while Rat, Eli, and I waited for him to return.

Noct was barking at the console as if she wanted to play too when Rex returned. He opened the hatch and stepped into the doorway, his forehead wrinkled. “So, uh…news. That was my gran who called. She wants me over by hers, stat. That usually means I get sucked up into some project—er—I can’t explain. It’s important, though.”

“Is she okay?” Rat asked.

“Yeah, yeah—it’s a good thing! Well, except it’s a sticky thing, see, cuz I can’t drag you along and we can’t stay around here for too long.” He sounded tough, but he looked nervous. This didn’t sound good, no matter what he said. What did he mean by “we” anyway?

“That’s okay—as long as it’s not an emergency or anything,” Eli said. “I’d like to meet her someday, maybe. You’ve got a nice family, Rex.” Rex snorted and shrugged at that. “We were planning on getting going soon, anyway.” We were?

“We’ll just have to hang out again some other time,” Rat added. Rex brightened, and he smiled. “We haven’t even gotten through half of your game collection, and I’ve got a big need to know what I missed throughout my childhood. All of us did, in fact.”

“Thin mash!” Rex grinned, but I frowned. What did that even mean? “You lot gotta catch up! It’s an important life skill you’re lacking, it is. You’d come back? Really?”

Eli nodded. “Absolutely.”

I looked at the console one last time. There went my hope to play more. But then I looked back at Rex with a smile. He was awesome. “It was great to meet you. Thanks for letting me play games with you.” Noct barked at him, as if she was thanking him too.

He leaned down to pet Noct as he spoke. “Thanks for joinin’, P2!”

I sighed in relief when Rex turned on the console, and we all played Galoshlimb one last time. I almost won once. It was good to get my mind off of the aliens. At least we didn’t have to leave yet.

*

While we were saying goodbye to Rex’s family, they kept dumping more and more food into my arms. I didn’t mind (actually their food was really good, so it was awesome), but I couldn’t see after they were done. Rat and Eli laughed and helped me stuff the food in the trunk, with some food going in the backseat for a snack. We all got in, Rat revved up the car, and we sped off to our next destination.

I immediately started munching on food. “Where are we going next?”

“Northwest-ish towards Neo Dallas, I think,” Eli said, looking through a street map. “That’s where the other twins are.”

Rat nodded. “My dearly beloathed nemeses,” she said pleasantly. “Lily and Ivy. We’ve tried so hard to kill each other. Failing that, we wound up joining forces. Lily’s more bark and Ivy’s more bite when it comes to strangers. No matter how sweet or innocent or sad she looks, it’s probably best not to trust Ivy. I still don’t. Not a millimeter. Not as far as I could throw her. Into the ocean. Affectionately, of course.”

I snorted. More nemeses. “At least, for once, we’ll be meeting your nemeses and not mine. Should I expect a fight?” My hand brushed over my knife concealed in my pocket.

“In Neo Dallas? Probably.” Rat winced. “Probably not from the sisters, though. I think. Uh. You any good with guns? Just in case.”

I shook my head. “Nah. Never used one. Maybe I could figure it out with my machine?”

“Knock yourself out, but you probably can’t learn it that fast. And I realize I don’t have any, anyway. We’ll have to wing it.”

Brilliant. I gripped my knife instead. She was being awfully non-expositiony as we got closer to the city we were headed to. “Any of your customary info dumps for this Neo Dallas?”

“My what?”

I rolled my eyes. She always had a lot to say about a city, but now she was being quiet? Eli spoke up, however. “I don’t think either of us have been there, and I haven’t heard much of anything about it except some bits of the accent when Lily lets herself use it.”

“I just know there’s tons of guns out there,” Rat said. “Lily and Ivy are smugglers, by the way, mostly for weapons. Well, Lily’s trying to be a surgeon, which’s just creative use of knives, anyway, and I don’t know what Ivy wants to be except maybe the last survivor of a zombie apocalypse or something. Eli, can you look up some interesting factaroonies on that screen thing?”

“I can check.” He paused as he looked at the map screen. “Huh. There are some skyscrapers, I guess. Not as cool as Fre Jac-Mac’s though.”

She laughed. “Filthy easterner. Alright, pals. Looks like we’re going in for a cold open. Brace yourselves.”

I shook my head and stared out the window, waiting to see the city. “Oh boy.”

It was certainly different from the other cities I had seen. Not as impressive or big as the others. There were even farms around the city! And it was dusty, not a lot of shade. It all looked older than the rest of the cities. It looked awesome!

While I was staring at the city, Eli took out his beacon and called Lily, by the look of the reflection of the screen on the window that I could totally read. She picked up and spoke. “Oh, check it, it’s the punk. Thought we shook your dust off our boots, we did. What do you want, eh?”

Eli was taken aback, and I had to stifle a laugh. I liked her already. “It’s Eli. And Rat, actually, but she’s driving. And—well, regardless of where we all stand about the extermination, I wanted to let you know we’re in Neo Dallas and wanted to ask whether you had any advice on the area for us. If you don’t want to help, I understand…”

After a pause, she snorted, but then a completely different, smoother voice spoke up. “Okay, you got me, officer. I can talk like her, but I don’t know thing one about this city, yet, either. I just got here a couple days ago—sounds like I’m not the only one who got bored of solo cruising!”

“I haven’t really tried it,” Eli replied, not seeming fazed at all. “Rat and I have been toge—you know, road tripping since the extermination and—”

“My eyebrows are dancing in a way that begs to question the suggestiveness of this—”

“—AND, we also have a new friend with us, and we’re all exploring the country together,” Eli interrupted back, and they kept interrupting each other for a little bit. I could just imagine Eli’s blush, and I couldn’t help but smirk that I wasn’t the only one who thought they should be a couple.

Craw tsked. “Well, I think it’s fantastic that you already figured out that we were supposed to stick together, plus I think we’re illegally obligated to welcome you to the posse. The sisters are out right now, though—please assume I’m guarding my dearly beloved’s beacon and that I haven’t stolen it for any purpose. You folks inbound off of Rue 8? Stay on that and you should come right upon the Westwind where we’re at. Hundredth floor. You’re welcome to join us if you’re loaded enough.”

Rat grinned. “We got the money. Luxury hotel time! I like the sound of this! Road trip’s about to get stylish!” My mind wandered to the things I could steal at a luxury hotel.

“And what’ve you been up to all this time?” Eli asked.

“Oh, crime,” he, she, they (?) answered pleasantly. “The usual. Causing civil unrest, fomenting rebellion, conspiring. Bit of theft here and there to keep things interesting.”

“Ah,” Eli sounded like he didn’t know what to say. “Good.”

“So much for that big, fancy, expensive reform exercise we had to go through,” Rat snickered.

“See you soon?” the person on the other side of the beacon said.

“Right,” Eli replied. “Take care.” He pocketed the beacon and looked back at me. “That’s our friend Craw. That’s his…”

“Guy voice,” Rat explained. “So his pronouns’re he—him and stuff right now. He’s genderfluid and outside of that he holds an identity like most of us can hold a wet bar of soap. Better at taking names than wallets, so you should be fine, but he will flirt with anyone vaguely humanoid, so be ready for that. So cool that he’s here too! Anyway, you got all that?”

I nodded. “He sounds cool.” I mean, if that intro was anything to go by. But I wouldn’t really be able to brace for flirting. It would just confuse me anyway. Oh well.

*

People stared as Rat drove through town, and I grinned as I looked around. This felt like home. Dusty, sunny, weapons that weren’t concealed. We stopped at a tall building, and Rat parked and ushered us in. She checked in, and we took the elevator up to the hundredth floor. I had to shove my hands in my pockets to keep from stealing something right away. It was just so…fancy. I had only seen something this fancy when I was pretending to be a rich person to steal from other rich people. Even Taeo’s apartment wasn’t this fancy.

We checked into our room, which actually had two rooms, so I had a room to myself, and while we were getting settled, there was a knock on our door.

I poked my head out of my room as Rat walked toward the door, but before she could open it, the person on the other side opened, and a person with dark, curly hair that went a little past his shoulders and tired eyes that I didn’t know the color of walked in. He was wearing baggy clothes that weren’t flashy, except for a black scarf around his neck. “You made it!” he gushed, and he hugged Rat, so he must have been their friend Craw.

“Intruder alert!” She pushed him away with a grin, and he moved on to shake Eli’s hand. Eli looked like he had been going for a hug, but he awkwardly shook Craw’s hand instead.

“Glad to see you all in one piece.” Craw smiled crookedly, but then his eyes flicked toward me, and he leaned against the doorframe. “And you must be the new friend. One I don’t recognize. Rat, how far did you have to go to find a gem like this before I’ve had the pleasure of making her acquaintance?”

Gem? Pleasure? Rat was right about him. And I still wasn’t prepared. I tried to introduce myself, but the words wouldn’t come out right. So, I just kind of fumbled and fell silent, not looking him in the eyes. He was intimidating.

“You can make her acquaintance from two meters away, smoothie.” Rat tugged at the back of his coat. I silently thanked her. “She doesn’t go in for fire. Cut the cute stuff.”

“It’s just how I talk,” he protested with a smile. “I’ll do my best. Narry a wink, even. I’ll even reign in the charming dimples.” He rolled his eyes and leaned against the wall, angled away from me a little more. He looked over at me, still a little intimidating. “Can I have your name?”

“None of that fae shit, either!”

He laughed and buried his face in his jacket lapels. “You got her breaking out the old language! For saints’ sakes. Does the newcomer have a tag I can know? Do I have to get all of my information through her lawyer here?”

Rat looked over at me, and I ducked my head, fiddling with my hands. “I’m—I’m Kai. I’m not from around here…”

“Enchantée. Surely, these two have gossiped all about me by now. But yeah, I’m not from around here either.” He glanced over at Rat. “My, my. Is this getting too personal? Too saucy for your taste?”

“What’re you doing here, anyway? I thought you lived out east,” Rat said.

He shrugged. “Teaching some local geezers some pidgin. Standard revolution stuff.” He looked back at me, and I stiffened. “Can’t quite catch your dialect, by the way.”

“Classified,” Rat said haughtily.

“Guys! Someone left us snacks!” Eli called from another room.

Snacks? Awesome and a good excuse. I took a step toward Eli. I didn’t know how much Rat wanted to disclose anyway, but I might as well explain a little. “But I’m not really from around here. Tersatellus in general.” I walked over to Eli but still stayed in sight just in case they started discussing something important.

He held up a basket of vegetables with a grin. “I think I haven’t eaten, like, half of these…”

I smiled back but didn’t take anything just in case I chose one he hadn’t tried. “Craw’s intimidating.”

Eli looked thoughtful. “I can see how you’d feel that way. You haven’t even heard him imitate your voice yet.” That was cool but surprising. “That’s always startling, too. He’s very talented…” He looked up suddenly. “Do you think I’m intimidating at all?”

I shook my head immediately. He was always so kind and considerate. “No. You’re awesome.”

He relaxed. “Alright. Do you need us to do anything about Craw?”

I frowned. “I think Rat has it covered. Would he really back off if I told him I was aromantic and asexual?”

“Oh, yeah. I’m sure. Notice how he doesn’t try it on me.” Eli messed with the basket wrapping. “I’m…new to a lot of this, but as far as I understand it, well—it’s different from most of the rest of the world, too, but the vast majority of us—Tersatellans—are asexual. Including him, I think. He, uh, just goes in real big for the romance. A lot of cutouts do. Again, though, I’m not exactly an expert or anything.” He was blushing.

I nodded and relaxed. I didn’t need to be intimidated by him. He would back off if I could just find the words to explain myself.

*

We waited in the commons area of the hotel room, just talking, waiting for Lily and Ivy to arrive. I mostly didn’t talk because I still felt a little intimidated by Craw, but he was a cool guy. I just wasn’t the best at interacting with people.

There was a knock on the door, and Rat jumped up with Craw to open it, and Eli followed a little slower. I just poked my head out of the room to watch. I didn’t want to be too intimidated again like I was with Craw.

Craw opened the door, and two women who looked similar were standing there. One of them had long, dark gray hair and violet eyes, and she was a little taller than the other one. They had said that would be Lily. The other woman had shorter more silver hair, and lavender eyes, and I had an ominous feeling about her. So, this was Ivy.

Both Rat and Lily stiffened and frowned when they saw each other, and I frowned too. Weren’t they supposed to be kind of friends?

“Look what the cat dragged in. What kind of cheap tar here’s polluting our good streets?” Lily said.

Rat snarled back. “If these streets were ever good, your feet’d burn.”

Lily snorted and then laughed, full and happy. Oh. So they were acting. “You just come up with this on the fly, eh?” she whooped and walked inside. “Hope you don’t mind me breaking and entering.” Ivy walked in after Lily and closed the door behind her and just hovered in the doorway. That was a mood.

Lily’s eyes landed on Eli. “And you’re here. That’s fine.” She sounded a little awkward. Eli mumbled something as Lily’s eyes landed on me. She frowned. “Uh…”

I sucked in a breath and shuffled into the hallway, fully into view. I wasn’t going to sound as nervous as I had around Craw. “I’m Kai. And—and I’m not from around here. Rat and Eli picked me up and took me along on their roadtrip.”

“Oh, huh.” She looked a little baffled. “That’s jazz for you, isn’t it? You do any crime or what?”

I stuffed my hands in my pockets. “I’m a thief.”

“Oh, good.” Lily sighed. “Well, in case you haven’t heard, I’m Lily, and that’s my sister Ivy.” She gestured behind her where Ivy was still hovering near the door. “We’re mostly into smuggling, but if you need a fence, we can figure things out.”

I nodded as a smile tugged at my lips. Cool. “Thanks. I’ll let you know if I do.”

Lily hopped on the couch and sat with her boots up. She glanced over at Eli, who looked shocked. “You fishes look lost. Dirt gets around out here. First rule: feet stay anonymous.”

I wasn’t really sure what that meant, but I wasn’t going to ask. “She’s got a bunch of knowledge of the area,” Craw said appreciatively and sat down beside her. She made a face at him and snatched her beacon back.

“I hope the second rule’s got to do with food,” Rat said as she took off her boots and socks. I agreed with the food part. I was already hungry even after I ate some snacks.

“You are a vile little snake and I appreciate it,” Lily sneered. Rat made a heart with her hands back. This was an interesting relationship. “So you’ve really just been road tripping, huh? That innocent?”

“I’m a rehabilitated lady,” Rat said sweetly. I snorted.

Lily seemed to have the same opinion of Rat’s statement that I did. “My tail,” she scoffed.

“I think she’s at least committing a little less crime lately,” Eli pointed out. “But that might just be because of me. Or because we have less time.”

“There’s always time for crime,” Rat said. “I’ve just been doing too much partying instead. It’s the new year! Live it up! And I’m seeing as many of you ungrateful jacks as I can.” Lily pretended to be stabbed at that last sentence. “Yeah, yeah. I kind of imagined we’d all go buy a castle with our winnings and live together. I couldn’t believe you all had independent goals and dreams. Like—med school? Did Craw say that right?”

“I never misspeak.” Craw sounded offended.

“Yeah, but you gossip and lie.”

“Got me there, officer.”

“I said that’s what I’d be doing.” Lily paused. “…Did some camping and soul-searching awhile first. Got lost in a weird swamp. Fought off gritty creeps. Real good young adult experience.”

“Oh…good,” Rat said, and then she looked over at Ivy. “Hey, and how’re you, Ivy?”

“Fine.”

“………Well, fabulous.” They fell into an awkward silence, and I didn’t really know what to say to help out.

And after a few uncomfortable minutes, Noct decided to bark and trot in as if she knew how to break the silence. And everything slowed down as Lily pulled out a gun. I instinctively rushed forward and scooped Noct up in my hands before turning around and biting my lip. “Don’t shoot. I made her a few days ago.”

Lily lowered her gun, staring at me with a shocked expression. “That’s a…dog?”

I nodded, and I hunched down as I felt everyone’s eyes on me. Great. “Yeah. I made her from scraps at Steele’s house…”

“Oh? Oh! Are you his, uh, apprentice or something?”

I glanced over at Rat and Eli. Did he even have apprentices? “No? I just met him for a few days when we went to Farsia.”

“She’s just real smart and knows how to make stuff, too. Bit of a tinkerer,” Rat said. Eli smiled and nodded. I just flushed at the praise and sat back down.

Lily scoffed. “Pah, we got enough o’ you ought here. Wicked good on you for stealing from Steele, though. Knock that one down a peg.” She nodded at Rat, and I frowned at both of them. What, did she think I stole from him? That would be scary to actually try. “Decent dog, I’ll admit. On a thieving tour, are you?”

Pause. Rat responded. “No, we’re just kinda sightseeing—”

“Okay, this ducky ain’t much for conversation.” Lily sighed. And I just frowned. Ducky? “I got it. You and Ivy, you two’re gonna get along just fine.” She turned to Rat. “Want some grub?”

“Is that a date?” Rat raised an eyebrow.

Lily shrugged. “Figure you, me and Craw can be fun, hit the streets, knock some dust off some shelves while the shut-ins sit in their corners and entertain themselves.” She smiled a radiant smile, and her voice got all sweet like syrup on top of sugar. “Heaven knows I love nothing more than splitting us up into sides.”

“I’m fun,” Eli protested. “And so is Kai. You’re just confusing her. And she didn’t steal anything from my brother. We just visited. For fun. It was a good time.”

“Oh, for sure. Enough fun to knock the stains off the walls, I bet.” Lily stood up. “Anyone actually interested in gambling or grub? It’s getting dark, and I sleep from 4:00 to noon, no sooner. Who’s in?”

“I’ll check out the scene,” Rat said. She stood up and locked an arm around Lily’s with a dark smile. And Lily’s smile faltered. “And I’ll keep you in check.”

“There’s food here,” Eli said, eying both me and Rat. “I’ll stay with Kai.”

I smiled over at Eli and nodded, resisting the urge to eye Lily’s pockets. She had been rude to Eli, so I was going to be petty. “Sounds fun.”

“It’s a nice hotel—I think you’ll like it here,” Craw said as he joined the others.

“Babysit Ivy for me,” Lily added.

Rat glanced over at Ivy. “Hurt either of them and I eat your mainframe.”

“You are the sweetest monster I have ever met,” Ivy said faintly, a ghost of a smile on her lips. She slid onto the couch Lily left. Eli glared at her.

“If anyone asks, I was here all night,” Rat told Eli, holding up her beacon. “And if you ask, I’ll be back in minutes.” They smiled at each other before she turned to me. “And don’t go hunting without a buddy, sis.”

The aliens. I smirked back at her. I had learned my lesson by now. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

They headed out, and I leaned toward Eli. “Do you know what room Lily and Ivy are staying in?” I had decided against trying to steal directly from Lily’s pockets, so instead I was going to steal something unimportant from her room.

Eli shrugged, and Ivy looked over at us and tilted her head. “You’re going to steal from her, aren’t you?” Crap. She figured me out. After a pause, she pointed. “1017. Five doors to the right. She hides her special bag behind the curtains in the washroom.”

I grinned over at her and gave her a thumbs up before I ran out of the room while Eli stared after me with a bewildered expression. Lily had insulted both Eli and me. I wasn’t about to let that happen without payback.

I put on gloves (since I didn’t know if Lily somehow had fingerprint identification abilities) before I picked the lock to 1017, and I slipped in and found the bag right where Ivy said it would be. I shuffled through various wristwatches (she sure had a lot) and picked out a nice digital one that I could work on so that it would say a dumb message.

I put everything back where it was and slipped out of the room and back to ours. I ran back into the commons area and sat backwards in a chair as I started tinkering. Ivy was staring off into the distance while her eyes glowed, and Eli was playing fetch with Noct, using a paperclip as a stick.

I looked over at him, frowning. “I’m sorry that you stayed behind because of me.”

He looked up at me. “Oh. That’s alright.” He smiled. “It’s something I chose to do, so that makes it good, right?” He grimaced. “Well, that was vague. Sorry—I don’t always have the best words for things…”

I shrugged, thinking back on meeting Craw and Lily. “Me neither. But thanks for playing with Noct. I know she appreciates it.”

He smiled, and I looked back down at the wristwatch as I got into the wiring. I was getting close to changing the message that would show up when she turned it on. I had decided to make an inside joke. It would say “Alien malware detected”.

When Eli didn’t say anything, I looked back up, and the smile was still frozen on his face, but it wasn’t reaching his eyes. I frowned. “Did I say something wrong?”

“Nononono,” he said quickly, blinking and raking a hand through his hair. “It’s fine. You’re fine.” He gestured at Noct. “It’s just…interesting…to…think about…Never mind.”

“Great. You’ve got him questioning him humanity,” Ivy sighed. I frowned deeper. Crap. I didn’t mean to make him feel bad.

“I am not. I’m just…waxing philosophical. Which is a perfectly fine and normal thing to do.”

Ivy shot him a doubtful look as her eyes stopped glowing. “You’ve got enough liquid lightning in your body to power this skyscraper for days. Nothing you do is normal.” She shrugged as his fists clenched, and I tensed. She seemed to say things that made the others unhappy so casually. “But yes, that’s still fine. It’s the perfectly normal people you have to be suspicious of, anyway.”

I decided to ignore her comment, since it had upset Eli. I set down the wristwatch and clasped my hands so that I wouldn’t fiddle with them as I turned completely toward him. “I’m sorry. If it makes you feel better, I didn’t program these emotions. She developed them all on her own.”

He raised his eyebrows. “You’re welcome.” He paused and nodded to himself. “I’m not entirely sure what opinion to attach to that fact, but I think it’s a good one. And I’m really impressed.” He smiled. “Just don’t tell my brother. Or my sister-in-law.” His smile fell. “Or Vastate. I wonder if you’ll meet him.”

“Why does it seem like Rat has free tickets to visit that freak show any time she wants?” Ivy frowned.

“Rat’s sneaky enough that it’s like she has free tickets to visit anywhere whenever she wants,” Eli said loudly.

“Are you burying something, punk?”

“It’s Eli. And are you digging for something?”

She stared blankly at him for a little bit before standing up. “That was me tactfully electing not to make a very cruel joke. I’ve spent the last of my social energy. Rat’s teaching you how to win conversations. I’m really impressed.” She glanced at me, and I frowned back. She seemed a little unnerving. “Nice meeting you.” A ghost of a smile crossed her lips before she walked off back to her own room.”

Eli watched her go then turned to me. “That went well, I think.”

I shrugged. “I guess. I’m…not sure about her.”

“That’s an appropriate judgment.”

We were mostly quiet the rest of the night as I finished up the wristwatch and waited for Rat to come back. She came back still full of energy and loud, and she told us about her time with a grin on her lips. But then she crashed quickly, and Eli and I went to our separate rooms, with Eli bringing Rat along to his room.

I fell asleep almost instantly, and of course, I had to have another dream.

“My dear, come with me.” Tila smiled and gestured for me to follow her, and of course I had to. I just followed at a distance so I wouldn’t have to feel the emotion dampening.

She led me to one of the rooms where they held their tests on us, and I froze. He was there. I couldn’t recall his name still, but that didn’t stop the rush of emotion. He was crumpled on the ground, bleeding from multiple cuts from their knives. There were already bruises forming on his face too.

I ran up to him, tears streaking down my cheeks. I was supposed to protect everyone. But I couldn’t. And the aliens knew it and loved it.

I looked him up and down when I reached him and searched his pockets for bandages I could use to wrap his wounds. I had to stop the blood flow. As I found them, Tila walked up behind me, but not close enough to affect my emotions.

“My dear, you should know by now that you are alone. They can’t save you, and you can’t save them. All that will happen is that they will get hurt because of you. You aren’t able to protect them. You are alone. Embrace it.”

I sucked in a breath and clenched my fists. “You don’t know anything! I won’t listen to you. They’re the closest I have to family.”

“They aren’t your family, and they never will be. They’re happy you’re taking all of the punishment for them. They might pretend that they feel bad, but they’re relieved they don’t have to get hurt. They aren’t appreciative. They’d rather you be hurt.”

The tears fell faster, and I probably tied one of his bandages too tight. “You’re—you’re wrong…”

“You’re alone, Kaira. And you always will be. We’re the only ones who will stay. The others would leave you in a heartbeat.”

A sob escaped my lips. I didn’t know what to believe. They would all be hurt because of me. It would be better if they left me and I was alone. I turned away from him, but he grabbed my hand and squeezed it tight.

“Kai. We’re here for you. Don’t believe her.” He smiled weakly up at me, but Tila stomped up, close enough to affect my emotions. I sighed, and the tears stopped falling, but there was still a dull ache.

“Shut up,” she snarled and kicked him in the ribs. I flinched as he cried out in pain. “You’ve gotten too used to my powers anyway. You should be punished.” Her knife flashed, but I instinctively moved between him and her, and she caught me in the arm. I screamed, and she laughed.

I snapped awake, sitting up immediately as I tried to slow my breathing. Tears streaked down my cheeks, and my pillow was soaked from them. Alone. I had always been alone, at least from what I could remember. If these dreams were real, I had friends in the past. But I had left them, forgotten them. They probably hated me now. I was alone…

I shot up and opened the door of my room. I didn’t want to bother Rat and Eli, but I needed to see them. The thoughts and fragmented memories were weighing down on me too much.

I probably should have knocked on the door just in case they wanted some privacy, but I didn’t. I just slipped in. I didn’t want to wake them, just in case.

They were already awake though, and they both looked up when I slipped in. I sucked in a breath and clasped my hands. “Is it okay if I stay with you for a while?”

Rat nodded, her eyebrows raised, and Eli spoke quickly. “Yeah—please.”

I hated intruding, but… I slinked over to the bed and perched on the edge near them, but not too close. I kept trying to keep my breathing sounding normal, but it was still too heavy. I didn’t want to worry them. “Just a bad dream. I didn’t want to be alone…” I mumbled. Eli nodded, and Rat looked between us like she wanted to say something. I frowned. “I hope I’m not intruding on anything. Why were you two up?”

“Can’t sleep,” Eli whispered. Oh. Eli also needed someone right now.

“I’m still buzzing from my spin on town,” Rat said.

Eli hugged his knees tighter against his chest. “You don’t have to lie for me.” He fell quiet, and Rat put a hand on his arm. His hand trailed along his elbow, where I could barely see, through the machinery, a dark red glow through his skin. Also what looked like a scar. “Did we tell you why I’m…like this?” he murmured.

I frowned. Something about being dead? “I think so, if you don’t want to talk about it.” I didn’t want to talk about my dream yet, so I understood.

He nodded. “When I was…asleep…” His voice caught on the word. “It was dark. It was so dark all the time, and I couldn’t—I had to stay hidden. And it’s been months. But every time I try to sleep—every time I can’t see light—it feels like going back. To not breathing. It’s been months, but I still…” He looked around the darkened corners of the room, and he shivered and buried his face in his hands. Rat put an arm around his shoulders. “I understand the bad dreams. I understand not being alone.”

“And you’re not,” Rat said quietly.

My heart ached, and I moved over to the other side of Eli and half hugged him tentatively just in case he didn’t want to be hugged. “We’re family.” He gingerly returned the hug but didn’t say anything. Hopefully, that helped. I bit my lip. I didn’t want to make it about myself, but if he was willing to share, I should share too. “I’ve been having dreams about my past, most likely. And it seems that the aliens pursuing me have always been trying to convince me that I’m alone. And they were pretty successful in this last dream.” I flinched at the memory and hugged Eli tighter. They were wrong. I had a family, even on a different world.

“Since we’re right here, I’m guessing it’s the kind of alone that’s got nothing to do with who’s physically around but—the kind of alone in here?” Rat put a hand over her heart. “Feels like you can’t really be safe with anyone, can’t know them, can’t get known? Too dangerous, too risky, too hard and futile because there’s always something that’ll come between you? And it’s like…glass walls. Between you and the rest of the world, and you can watch and people can never really know or be there. That kind of alone?”

I nodded. “They said that anyone close to me would get hurt because of me.”

“That’s the worst.” Rat sounded genuinely sad. “I’m sorry, Kai.” She reached across Eli, her hand outstretched toward me.

I took her hand and closed my eyes. I actually felt safe. “Thank you for not leaving me alone.”

We just sat in silence like that for a while, and I leaned against Eli. I fell asleep next to them.

[echoes-of-the-clockwork]

Book Three: Pestilence (Ignis x Reader) Chapter Thirteen

The next morning, the three boys woke up. (Y/n) was busying herself with packing up the campsite so they could depart for Lestallum. While her body was doing one thing, her mind was on cloud nine. Her mind kept racing to the intimate kiss she shared with Ignis the night prior. She mentally confessed to herself it was distracting her, but she refused to show it in her actions.

When Noctis and Prompto were departing for the Regalia, her eyes locked with Ignis'. Neither of them looked away, but (Y/n) was the first to shatter the silence. "You must tell me what happened in the nightmare, Ignis. That kiss...it was prompted by the nightmare, yes?"

Ignis turned his gaze away from hers for a split second before reconnecting it. He didn't want to lie to her and nodded. "Yes," he simply replied. Although he admitted the truth, he wasn't ready to tell her what all transpired in his nightmare. He went to turn on his heels and head to the car, but he stopped in his tracks when a hand curled into the fabric of his leopard print dress shirt. He rotated his head, his body unmoving as he gazed down at the shorter girl.

(Y/n) arched a brow, pulling slightly on his shirt. When she managed to get his entire body to face her, she maneuvered her hands up to his cheeks and cupped them gently. She pulled his face down a little ways so she could stare deeper into his eyes without having to stand on her tippy toes. "Please, Ignis, I beg you. What changed?"

Unable to break away from her cool, gentle touch, the advisor spilled the details of his nightmare. As he reached the part where he was able to physically touch her and save her from plummeting to her death, her eyes gradually widened. They darted between the ground and his face as she slowly released him and took a few steps back. "How is this even possible? Could your close proximity with the orb created a bond and allowed you to manipulate the events of the nightmare? It sounds inane, but the orb contains an immense amount of power. After all, it is the catalyst of the nightmare."

Before (Y/n) could try and debunk the situation further, Ignis stepped toward her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Such trifling matters must be deciphered at a later date. For now, we head for Lestallum."

The Horseman nodded. "Yes, you're right. Let's go."

<——————<<<<<<

Arriving in Lestallum, the group learned of the trouble the power plant was experiencing. They rendezvoused with Cindy's friend, Holly, and learned what the issue was. Seeing as the engineer was in need of a helping hand, the four offered her what she desperately needed.

A few hours later, it was nearly noon by the time Noctis had suited up in a safety suit, courtesy of Holly. Prompto snickered as he stared at his best friend from behind the bridge gate. "Lovin' that outfit, Noct!"

"Why don't you wear one?" Noctis grumbled, glaring at his best friend from under the head piece.

"Well, that's the only one. And if anyone stands a fighting chance in there, it's you. Forget about fashion and go," Ignis commanded the younger boy.

While Holly was distracted with Noctis, (Y/n) stood next to Ignis and leaned closer to him. "Should I join him for cautionary reasons?"

"With a hunter already assisting in this endeavor, your help will not be required," he responded.

Prompto glances between the two when he could only hear their incoherent whispering. He stood a few feet from them and analyzed them. The first thing he noticed was how close they were standing to each other, which they had never done so casually before. Second, he saw how Ignis would brush his hand against hers every few seconds. He wasn't sure if it was voluntary or a complete accident due to their close proximity. Lastly, the aura radiating from both of them was completely different. He wasn't sure what had happened, but he was determined to get to the bottom of it. He cleared his throat, which grabbed Ignis' and (Y/n)'s attention. "So...What's happening, you guys? Did I miss something?"

Pestilence cocked her head to the side in pure bewilderment. "What do you mean?"

"You and Iggy..." He cleared his throat one last time when it accidentally cracked from nervousness. "Did I miss something?" He reiterated.

(Y/n) and Ignis exchange glances. When the ivory-haired girl went to speak, the strategist beat her to it. "Our lips are sealed."

The Horseman's jaw unhinged at hearing those words come from Ignis. She thought he would tell Prompto of what ensued last night to clear up the signs he was detecting, but she was shocked to find out she was wrong.

Prompto saw the baffled expression on her face and decided to see if he could get the answer out of her. "Oh, c'mon! You guys can't keep me in the dark! Please, (Y/n), tell me!"

"Well, um..." Her voice trailed off. Her eyes darted over to Ignis before refocusing on the blonde. She was speechless and unaware of how to respond. She fumbled through a few starter sentences in her head, but none of them sounded good. She crossed her arms behind her back and leaned forward slightly. "While you and Noctis were asleep, Ignis and I decided to exchange banter." She felt horrible for lying to the sweet boy, but she wasn't prepared to announce their minuscule make-out session they had while Noctis and Prompto were sleeping only a few feet away.

There was a part of Prompto that believed her, but there was another piece that didn't. He sighed in defeat, knowing both individuals were stubborn. "Okay..." He was still suspicious of the two, but he knew he wouldn't be able to break either of them.

By the time Noctis and the mysterious hunter finished slaying the daemons in the power plant and were making their way across the bridge, (Y/n)'s head shot up as she felt a chill creep down her spine. She unconsciously took a few steps in the direction of the parking lot, but she stopped when Ignis simply called out her name. "(Y/n)."

"Um, you okay?" Prompto added, noticing her sudden change in demeanor.

Pestilence blinked a few times before nodding when the chilling presence vanished. "Yes. I thought I...never mind."

"What is it, (Y/n)?" The royal advisor pried, knowing her strange behavior was caused by something.

"I felt a familiar, eerie presence. It could've been—"

"Great work in there!" Holly suddenly cheered. The three turned to see Noctis and the hunter had safely returned. "As promised, here's your mythril. And thank you for your hard work."

"Sure," the hunter replied before removing the suit alongside Noctis.

"Hey, big guy!" Prompto chanted when he recognized who was inside the suit.

Ignis eyed the shield. "So the "hunter" who went on ahead—"

Gladio grinned from ear to ear. "The one and only. How ya been, fellas?" His eyes trailed over to (Y/n). "And lady, of course."

"Not bad," the sharpshooter replied before gasping as he took in Gladio's appearance, noticing the new scars. "Whoa...someone did a number on you, though."

"You should see the other guy," Gladio responds. "Anyway, I'm back and better than ever."

"It's good to see you're safe," (Y/n) smiled. "While you were on your own adventure, we had a quite adventurous one, as well."

Gladio crosses his arms, his smirk widening. "Tell me all about it. And while you're at it, tell me what happened between you and Iggy."

"I knew it!" Prompto cried out. "Something did happen!"

Pestilence looked away with a bored expression. "Ignis, we may as well..."

"It seems so." Ignis adjusts his glasses. "Their eagerness will never cease."

Noctis was utterly confused, but he remained silent as he listened to his advisor explain what happened between him and (Y/n) last night. When he heard about the kiss, he acted like a child and muttered a small, "Gross..."

"What are you, a five-year-old?" Gladio scoffed. "You'll be in the same boat soon enough. You won't be able to keep your hands off Lady Lunafreya once you're married. I'm surprised Iggy's been able to keep his hands to himself for this long."

(Y/n)'s eyebrows scrunched up in puzzlement. "What are you talking about, Gladio?"

The shield pointed at Ignis with his thumb. "He's been crushin' on you for quite some time. You really didn't notice?"

Ignis refused to comment, knowing the shield was trying to egg him on, and kept his lips sealed as he listened to (Y/n) and Gladio. "No," she confesses truthfully. "You are aware of my past. I...haven't thought about relationships in nearly an entire century."

"But you're okay with Iggy?" Gladio arches a brow in curiosity.

The Horseman glanced at said boy. "Yes. It's been a while since I've been in a formal relationship. I'm hoping my past won't be a hindrance if Ignis will truly have me by his side."

Before the others could respond to her seemingly saddened tone, they were interrupted by Iris and Dustin. "Noct? Gladdy!? I can't believe it!"

"Hey," the brute greeted the duo. "Thanks for looking after her, Dustin."

"So, Gladdy, did you apologize to Noct for storming off like that?" Iris questioned with a scolding gaze.

"He made it up to me in there," Noctis replied, gesturing to the large structure behind them.

"The power plant? Oh, so you got your hands on some mythril! In that case, I'll go deliver it to Cid." The ravenette handed the mythril to Iris and held it tightly. "Come and meet me in Caem when you're ready!" Iris, alongside Dustin, walked away.

The five watched as they disappeared into the streets of Lestallum. "Shall we depart for Caem right away?" (Y/n) asked once Iris and Dustin were out of sight.

"Might as well," Noctis sighed, his and the other's memories erased of the previous topic.

They departed from the power plant and headed to the parking lot. As they climbed into the car, (Y/n) being in the front seat courtesy of Prompto, she felt the sinister presence again. She looked around the practically vacant parking lot, but she was unable to find the source of such a bone-chilling aura.

"(Y/n)," Ignis called out her name with a hint of worry. "Are you alright?"

She swallowed the lump in her throat and turned her head toward him when, once again, the presence vanished. "Y-Yes. My mind is quite occupied with ridiculous thoughts." She felt terrible for lying, but she didn't want to worry him or the others. She gazed into his emerald eyes and saw he knew she was lying, but she was grateful he didn't pry.

Ignis started the car and drove out of Lestallum, heading toward Cape Caem.

<—————<<<<<

(Y/n) listened to the three boys in the backseat as they exchanged cheerful, funny banter. It brought a smile to her face, but it was soon shattered when Ignis suddenly slammed on brakes. She was glad to have had her seatbelt on as she felt it dig into her body at the sudden screeching halt. She looked in front of them and noticed a group of familiar black cars blocking the road. Myriads of men in strange masks stood in front of the sable vehicles.

Pestilence quickly removed her seatbelt and hopped out of the car, ignoring Ignis' protests. Her bare feet created no noise as she walked across the asphalt toward the group of masked men. She glared at the one man standing in the middle. "How insulting, Silas."

The man in the middle took a few steps forward as he peeled off the skeletal plague doctor mask. "Not insulting, flattering." He sauntered up to her and took her hand in his as he kneeled down on a single knee. "Pestilence, the pale rider and the Horseman of plague, I beg of you to grant me your power."

"How many times must I convey the same response to such a ridiculous request?" She growled, yanking her hand out of Silas'. "Or maybe my mistake has been allowing you to wander around without dealing with you properly."

"This game of cat and mouse will end once I've achieved what I desire," the highwayman hissed, eyes narrowed in a sharp glare.

"I will never grant you my power or the ability to control me," (Y/n) snapped back.

Suddenly, a blade emerged from thin air and embedded into the ground beside the Horseman. She looked to her right and saw Noctis' body materialize as he grabbed the hilt of his engine blade. Gladio, Prompto, and Ignis were close behind as they stood with their weapons drawn.

Silas chuckled at the sight of the four boys. "You four don't even possess the strength or will to kill humans. What makes you think you can stand against us?" His hand dipped into his pocket and emerged with a strange, spherical object. He tossed it against the ground and it exploded.

A heavy smoke shrouded the royal retinue. They coughed as their eyes watered from the smoke. The boys couldn't see or hear anything. Unconsciously, Ignis searched the fog for his companions. He called out their names, only receiving three out of four responses. "(Y/n)!" He shouted. He covered his mouth to keep from inhaling the smoke any further and continued to search for the Horseman.

After seconds ticked by, Ignis heard three loud 'thumps.' He tried to find the source of the noise, but his vision became unsteady and his body suddenly felt as if the life was sucked from his being. He fell to his knees and hands, forced to listen to Silas' maniacal laughter as he lost consciousness.

<—————<<<<<<

"C'mon, Specs. Wake up!" A voice shouted.

When Ignis heard Noctis yelling, his eyes slowly opened and a painful groan slipped from his lips. He realized he was laying down on a cold, cement floor and pushed himself onto his feet. As his vision cleared, he spotted Noctis, Prompto, and Gladio. His head ached with a small throb as he examined their surroundings. "Where are we?"

"Astrals only know," Prompto sighed, reclining his head against the wall and staring up at the ceiling.

"That damn highwayman and his cronies knocked us out with that smoke and dragged us somewhere. We've no idea how long we've been out," Gladio said.

"Who knows?" A voice cackled. The boys look toward the cell door and saw Silas on the other side of the bars. "Maybe you're still in Lucis or maybe somewhere in Accordo."

Noctis summoned his sword and swung it at the bars, but the metal wasn't even scratched after his attack. His eyes widened in surprise. "What the hell...?"

Another sinister chuckle escaped Silas. "This cell was built to hold Pestilence, not the prince and his crew. The cell is meant to keep a powerful immortal at bay. Your attacks are meaningless and a waste of energy. I suggest you get comfortable as much as possible. Once Pestilence abides by my terms, you four will be on your merry way."

[moonwaif]

FFXV Halloween Week 2020: Day 7

@ffxvhalloweenweeknsfw

Monster of the day: Witches

Theme: Spells/Potions

Scenario: Halloween Party (games, pumpkin carving, etc)

Mod’s choice: Black Cats/Familiars

NSFW: Costume play 

Pairings: Gladnis

Rating: M

Tags: Sex Magic, No actual sex, Awkward Conversations, Getting Together, Paranormal Investigators AU, Enthusiastic Consent 

(Also on Ao3)

---

As an official member of the C.D.D.S. (a.k.a. Chocobro Daemon Destroyers Squad, as dubbed by Prompto), Gladio has a pretty flexible relationship with the word “normal.” However, even he has to admit that nothing about the current investigation is anywhere near the realm of normal.

First there’d been that weird purple envelope with the heavy wax seal. Inside was a letter from one Ardyn Izunia, written in flowing script and kindly soliciting their services at Zegnautus Keep—an old castle, located somewhere in the distant mountains of Niflheim. This was also weird. Sure, the C.D.D.S. may have been well-known exorcists in Lucis, but they weren’t exactly world-renowned. On top of that, Izunia claimed to be an acquaintance of Lord Regis, yet Noct didn’t know him. Gladio didn’t know him. Neither did Ignis, or any of Lord Regis’s old acquaintances. And when Prompto did a websearch, it came up empty.

That probably should have been a sign, Gladio thinks, striding through the castle halls. He glances at the giant portrait of Izunia smirking down at him, framed by cobwebs and moldering tapestries. Its eyes seem to follow Gladio as he passes, its smile shriveling in the shadows. The real Izunia had been just as disconcerting when they’d met him. But Noct had been in a slump since his father’s death. Noct had been depressed. That meant Ignis and Prompto were depressed too, and this seemed like a good chance to get away from it all. Besides, Noct was curious. He wanted to know more about this mysterious acquaintance of his father. So they stuck around, and when they were unexpectedly joined by the Nox Fleuret siblings, who Izunia had also commissioned—well, they figured the more the merrier and tried to be on guard.

 What catchy name will Prompto give this particular case, Gladio wonders? Something about hubris, maybe. Something about old gods. Before anything specific can crystallize, Gladio is already at the set of massive, iron-laid doors. They groan as he yanks them open and steps into the castle library.

 Ignis is still exactly where Gladio left him—hunched over a desk, hidden behind a stack of books. “How are they?” he asks, not even bothering to look up.

 “Stable,” Gladio answers, “at least for now. The curse on Ravus is spreading. Luna still isn’t responding. Cindy’s looking after them.”

 “And still no sign from Noctis?”

 “The planchette hasn’t moved in the last half hour.”

 “Dammit!” Ignis slams the book closed and tosses it aside. He makes a steeple with his hands, pinching the bridge of his nose. “We should never have come here.”

 Gladio draws up behind Ignis’s chair. In the dim light, he can see loose papers full of obscure runes, time-weathered pages penned in tightly-scrawled ink. If this were a normal gig, they’d have wrapped everything up by now. They’d have subdued the spirit, and if that wasn’t possible, exorcised it. The client would be shoving fistfuls of money at them and weeping tears of joy. Ignis would have food on the grill. Gladio would be setting up camp for the night. Prompto would be complaining about EMF detectors and other technical jargon while uploading the latest footage to their blog. And Noct would have been loafing around, watching all of them with a contented smile, asking when dinner would be ready.

 Gladio gives Ignis’s shoulder a squeeze. “What’s done is done—no use beating ourselves up over it. We’ve gotta keep our heads clear if we're gonna help Noct.”

 Ignis sighs heavily. “You’re right. I’m sorry, Gladio. I lost myself for a moment.”

 “Don’t sweat it. Now are you sure you haven't found anything?”

 Ignis drops his hands to leaf through a book. “Nothing about those marks on Ravus’s arm, or what could be strong enough to entrap the most powerful medium in Tenebrae.”

 “What about the portal?”

 “No definitive answers, but nothing that contradicts our initial theories, either. Noct and Prompto are most likely caught between the two realms.”

“Which means Luna’s still our best shot at reaching them. Damn.”

“About that . . .” Ignis shifts in his seat, turning to face Gladio fully. “There is one thing—an old tome, written in Solheim runes.”

Gladio perks up. “You think there’s something in there that could help us get to Noct?”

“Possibly. There is . . . a spell.” Ignis removes a book from the stack. It’s dark and fat. Any markings on the cover have been completely worn away. “A ritual, to be precise. It enables the caster to send spiritual energy to a soul trapped between Eos and the spirit realm.”

“All right! I knew we could count on you, Iggy.”

Gladio claps him on the shoulder. Ignis slumps under the weight. “I’m afraid it’s not that simple.”

There’s something about Ignis’s expression that Gladio can’t put his finger on, but he doesn’t have time to parse it. "Which components are we missing? Anything we can substitute?"

"We have all the necessary items. It’s just, this spell—well, it requires two people."

Gladio nods. "Cool, so we'll tag team it out."

Ignis winces. "I really wouldn't be so quick to say that if I were you."

"Why? Does it require a sacrifice?"

"Of sorts.”

Gladio raises a brow. Ignis closes his eyes. When he opens them, it’s with steely resolution.

“It's a book of sex magic, Gladio."

 ---

It takes less than five minutes to move all the furniture, less than ten to finish drawing the array around the bed. After all, Ignis isn’t the high witch of the Lucis Caelum clan for nothing. He lights the candles with a snap of his fingers while Gladio sets out the bowls of sylleblossom petals and animal fat—six in total, one for each of the Astrals. Then both of them step into the array.

Gladio removes his jacket. He suppresses a shiver as Ignis draws his thumb along his chest and abdomen, leaving behind a maroon sigil. He stays very still as Ignis unbuttons his own shirt, and when it’s his turn to copy the sigil, he tries very hard not to stare at Ignis’s pecs, or the freckles on his stomach.

Ignis clears his throat. His entire face is red, from his neck to the roots of his hair. “Next we present the offerings. If you don’t mind, I can go first.”

“Be my guest.”

Ignis reaches into the pocket of his trousers. “This pendant was given to me by Lord Regis when I was still a child, in honor of my appointment as the high witch’s apprentice. I have since kept it with me out of respect for the Lucis Caelum line as well as for good fortune. I offer it today as a token of gratitude and good will to the Astrals and to the elements, that they may grant Lord Noctis their aid.”

He sets the pendant in one of the bowls of sylleblossoms (Gladio definitely does not admire the muscles in his shoulders and back when he bends over).

Gladio reaches into their satchel of supplies to remove his own offering. “I brought cup noodles.”

Ignis stares at him.

“Um.” Gladio shifts uneasily. “These delicious noodles are for the Astrals, so that—”

“Just put it down,” Ignis snaps. “In one of the bowls.” He waits until Gladio is finished. When he speaks again, his voice is somewhat softer. “Gladio, before we go any further, are you sure about this?”

Gladio squares his shoulders. "You said it should be the two people closest to the target of the spell. Out of all those conscious and present, that's you and me."

"I know, but you shouldn’t feel obligated. There may be other ways. I could keep looking. I could—”

"Ignis. I want to do this."

Ignis exhales deeply, with a sort of resignation. "Very well."

"What about you?” Gladio asks. “Are you good? If not, me and Cindy are pretty tight. She hasn't known Noct for that long, but maybe if I talk to her, she and I could—"

"No.”

The response is forceful—loud, even. Ignis pauses to adjust his glasses.

“The principal caster should be an experienced magic user,” he continues calmly, “which is me. And if it has to be anyone, I'd rather it be the two of us."

Gladio decides not to read too much into that last statement, but he does feel a little smug.

"So," he asks, "what next?"

"Eager, are we?" Ignis remarks dryly. "Just stand there, for now. And follow my lead."

He turns to retrieve two goblets from the bedside table and hands one to Gladio. The liquid is fragrant with cloves and other herbs. Next, Ignis links their arms together, so that they're each holding the goblet before the other's lips.

"Repeat after me," Ignis says. "Ic bescence þe mīn ferþ . . ."

Gladio repeats, understanding only every other word. But he trusts Ignis, so when the goblet tilts toward his lips, he drinks until it's drained.

"Now then." Ignis's entire torso is flushed now, and Gladio is sure it has little to do with the wine. "I suppose this is the part where we go to bed."

"If that's what the spell says," Gladio concedes.

The mattress creaks as they both take a seat on the edge. Ignis perches very stiffly, arms and legs drawn close to his body.

"So." Gladio leans back on one hand, stretches his legs—pretends to be much more relaxed than he really feels. "How specific are the details of this spell?"

"Any act of intimacy will suffice," Ignis says quietly. "So long as the fertile essences are spilled by both parties."

Well then, Gladio thinks. It shouldn't hurt to look, right? He is, after all, an expert in looking at Ignis—though mostly through stolen glances, or carefully neutral gazes. Now he lets his eyes roam freely. Ignis is slender without his shirt—his shoulders broad and sinewy, his waist narrow. Myriad freckles and moles pattern his skin. Gladio wants to reach out and run his hands over every single one. Instead, his eyes snap up to Ignis's face. Ignis stares back, expression inscrutable. He leans forward, and Gladio inches toward him, arm raising instinctively as he prepares to—

"I've never done this before," Ignis blurts.

Gladio falls back. He blinks, then scratches his head with a chuckle. "Yeah, this is my first occult sex ritual, too."

"No, I mean, I've never done this with anyone, ever—being intimate."

Oh.

"Is that a problem?" Ignis presses.

"Of course not," Gladio says. "I'm just . . ."

Ignis's lips curve in a rueful smile. "Surprised? The role of the supreme high witch doesn't allow much time for romantic escapades. Unfortunately, I'm not very experienced. I hope it won't be too unenjoyable for you."

He says this with his typical flat, sarcastic affect, but there's something tender underneath. Something dark and edgy.

"I'm sure I'll enjoy it," Gladio assures him. "You're perfect, Iggy. Everything you do is perfect. But are you really okay with this? Kind of an intense first time."

"I'm okay with it. Actually, I . . ."

He pauses, gaze darting to the floor. Gladio waits with entirely feigned patience. By the time Ignis looks back up, his entire body feels like it's on fire.

"I've always wanted it to be you," Ignis says.

A raspy, trembling breath escapes Gladio's lips. With it goes the last few tattered shreds of his composure. "Iggy. Fuck, I—I'm gonna take such good care of you. I want to make you feel good, Iggy."

Ignis takes Gladio's hands and guides them to his waist. "I know," he says. "I trust you."

[bgn846]

Worthy Chapter 6: Trapped FFXV A/B/O Promnis

<Previous Chapter 5

A faint buzzing noise drifted in and out of Noct’s dream. His brain finally latched onto what it meant and woke him up.  His phone was vibrating with an incoming call, and it was three in the morning. A quick glance indicated it was Prompto, and Noct scrambled to pick up the phone.

 “Hey! Are you alright? What happened? I’ve been trying to call you all night,” the prince admitted.

 “Um – I might have to hide in my room for the rest of my life,” Prompto admitted in a small voice.

 “What the hell happened?” he asked, concerned.

 “That lady, um – Saeva. She tried to get me.”

 “What do you mean get you?  Are you hurt?” Noct asked, sitting upright in his bed with alarm.

 “She cornered me, and she had a knife.”

 “I’m waking Ignis up, and we are coming to get you right now!”

 “I can’t leave my mum, Noct. She doesn’t think anything’s wrong.”

 “Did you tell her snaky threatened your fucking life?!” Noct yelled into the phone.  “That’s gotta mean something.”

 “Hey, calm down, buddy. I can’t tell her. She wouldn’t believe me, anyway,” Prompto lamented.  “I can hide at home for a little while, but I’ll have to eventually leave the house. I don’t know what to do!”

 “So what do we need to do to get your mother to leave?”

 “I don’t know that either!” he wailed.

 “It’s okay, we are going to figure this out.  I gotta talk to Ignis, though, and see what he can do.  We need to get you outta there, like, yesterday.”

 Noct listened as Prompto recounted his whole ordeal.  It sounded terrible, and thank the six something had distracted her when they were alone together.  It took some convincing, but Noct finally agreed to not come and get him right then and there. The omega wasn’t going to leave his mother, so Noct needed to figure that out first.   Unfortunately, he had no time if this nasty woman was after him.

 After forty minutes, Noct could barely stay awake, and Prompto kept yawning.  He made the omega promise to call him when he woke up the next morning. He needed to be sure his friend was safe.

 Sleep was fitful at best, but morning finally came, and Noct exchanged text messages with Prompto.  He was still in his room with the door locked. Good. He was safe for the day, hopefully. Now to get Ignis updated and on the case.

    --

   “Are you sure he’s up for the task, dearest? I mean he’s not exactly – bright,” Saeva pondered in a hushed tone from behind a large column.

 “I’m telling you he’s perfect. Besides, I can’t really ask Alban, now can I?” Otho frowned.  He really was desperate to make the dark-haired woman happy. She’d unexpectedly visited Otho last night, and he was still feeling the effects of their activities.  A very small part of his brain recognized his actions as a betrayal to his older brother Alban. However, this opportunity was too good to pass up.

 Saeva had begged his help in a certain matter regarding his omegan step brother Prompto.  Turns out the little stinker was trying to work his way to the top of the line. Otho rarely spoke with Prompto, but according to Saeva he was plotting something nasty.

 Apparently, Prompto’s whole painfully shy routine was a façade. Saeva recounted how the blond had cornered her at the banquet and threatened her life.  The little bastard wanted her to leave and drop the engagement.

 Saeva had stopped several times during the retelling of the incident to cry.  Otho had made sure he was nearby to provide a shoulder to cry on. The most shocking part of the story was Alban’s reaction.   His older brother had supposedly dismissed the whole thing and claimed she was drunk. Then, to add insult to injury, he’d tried to force himself on her, but Saeva had managed to get away.  It was amazing that even as a rare alpha female, she still had trouble with this sort of thing.

 This beautifully delicate woman was in fear for her life, and Otho was determined to save her.  Otho had consoled her most of the night, offering to help in any way he could. Saeva had tearfully admitted the only way she would feel truly safe was if both Prompto and Alban were gone.   Without hesitation, Otho had pledged his assistance. He had to save her. His first task was to get Prompto out of the way; the wiry blond seemed like an easy target. Alban was another matter.

 Currently, they were both hiding behind a column waiting for Amet, one of his other brothers.  Otho knew he would be a perfect match for the job he had in mind. As Saeva had so pointedly noticed, Amet wasn’t the brightest.  However, his lack of basic life skills was essential if he got caught. Amet would most likely forget all important details pertaining to his given task.

 “Wait here, dove. I’ll be right back.” Otho offered as he slipped out to speak with Amet.  Saeva nodded and stayed out of sight.

 Sauntering over, Otho greeted his brother.  “Amet, I appreciate you meeting me away from the palace.”

 “Anytime, brother. You seemed stressed over the phone.”

 “Oh, very. Some information has come to light that indicates Alban’s life may be in danger.”

 Amet blinked stupidly for a few seconds before he could answer.  “How?”

 “This will sound crazy, but it appears our step-brother may be plotting against us all.”

 “Who?” he asked with an equally dazed expression.

 Sighing through his nose, Otho worked to control his temper.   Dealing with Amet came with certain challenges. “Our step brother, the omega,” he tried again, unwilling to actually say Prompto’s name.

 “Huh, which one?”  

 Otho was working hard to not yell.  “Not our half-brothers, Amet. Our step-brother.”

 “Oh right, Cirus.  He seemed fine when I saw him yeste--.”

 “Prompto!” Otho hissed, cutting his younger brother off.  “Our fucking step-brother, you nitwit!”

 “Oh, right, that one. I get them all confused.  Do you need me to deliver a message or something?” Amet asked innocently.  

 “What do you mean that one?” Otho sputtered. “We only have the one step-brother! Astrals, never mind. I need you to hire someone to make him leave the city.”

 “Cirus?”

 “No.” Otho growled, “Prompto.”

 “Oh, yeah. Right, the omega.”

 “Yes. Now can you handle that?”

 “Yeah, for sure. I can deliver a message to Cirus, no problem.”  Amet smiled.

 “No. Not Cirus. Please forget you ever mentioned his name.”

 “Of course, brother. Now what did you want again?”

 Otho balled his fits up and took a deep breath. He tried to control his scent. The last thing he needed was to set off Amet’s alpha rage inadvertently.   “I need you to hire someone to make Prompto leave the city.”

 “Who?”

 “Preferably someone that knows how to use force.”      

 “Right, that makes sense.  You know I could do it myself. I work out.” Amet beamed as he flexed his right arm.

 “I know you do, but hire someone.  I need Prompto to be gone by the end of the week.”

 “Consider it done, I’ll make Cir — I mean Prompto — leave right away.”

 “Good. Be sure to use the private account if you need to pay the person you hire.”

 “Uh, how do I find this person, anyway -  the one I need to hire?” Amet questioned with a furrowed brow.

 “Go to the shitty part of town with some cash and start asking people to help you get rid of someone.  They’ll want a name and money.”

 “Huh – that easy, eh.  Great, I’ll go get some money now.  Do you want to do dinner later?” Amet asked eagerly.

 “Forgive me, brother, but I’m otherwise engaged. Perhaps another time,” Otho offered as he backed away.  Amet waved goodbye and smiled as he turned to leave the empty corridor. Phase one had been set in motion.  Otho knew Amet would draw far too much attention during his mission, and once things were said and done, he’d probably go to prison for his role.  However, that would mean there was one less person to threaten his claim to the throne.

 Saeva was still waiting for him behind the column.  “Dear heart, I must go run an errand. Will you be free for dinner?”

 “Where are you going? What if Alban sees you?”

 “I’ll be alright; this is something I must attend to privately.  Women’s matters. You understand, don’t you?” She crooned.

 “Of course, dove. I’ll be waiting.”  Otho smiled. He watched as his dark-haired beauty quietly slipped away into the shadows.  Things had been set in motion. Now he just had to sit back and wait.

    --

     Ignis had been on edge all morning.  The prince had actually called him before Ignis had left his apartment.

 That never happened.

 Ever.

 Noct had been in a panic about Lady Saeva and how she was out to get Prompto.  The advisor listened dutifully and tried to calm his charge, but Noct was truly fearful over what might happen if they didn’t intervene.

 Thankfully, Ignis had enough foresight to send Nyx back to keep tabs on Saeva and Prince Prompto.  His nervousness at the moment stemmed from not having received a check in from Nyx. The soldier had arrived in Niflheim sometime in the middle of the night. Aside from a short text indicating he’d landed, Ignis had heard nothing else.  He knew he was riding a fine line sending a glaive into another kingdom to spy, but someone’s life was in danger.

 The person who      had     managed to clog his inbox was Noct. The prince had been texting him nearly every fifteen minutes wanting an update.  Ignis almost regretted telling him that he’d sent Nyx. However, the advisor knew if he hadn’t said anything, Noct would have been a total wreck.  This was a lesser of two evils.

 Finally, at around one thirty in the afternoon, Ignis received a text that wasn’t from Noct.

Nyx Ulric 1:32pm: This shit is real… o-o  sunshine still beaming, snaky is scary af.  Got job interview to go to now.

 Ignis stared at his phone. What in Titan’s name was Nyx up to in Niflheim?  Opting to keep it simple, he replied      good luck     and pocketed his phone.  He knew they couldn’t text exact details, but Nyx definitely had a way with words - or the lack thereof, Ignis wasn’t sure.

 Taking a deep breath, he continued on in his day, clinging to the small bit of Nyx’s text that read,      sunshine still beaming    .  Prompto was safe for now.  That’s what mattered.

     --

     Nyx had been following Amet Clavus, the third in line to the Niflheim throne, for an hour.  He’d been trailing Saeva Pravus all morning after she’d left Otho Calvus quarters. Nyx was too far away to hear what had transpired between Otho and Amet during their meeting, but he was sure it was important.

 Hoping his hunch was correct; Nyx chose to follow Amet for the afternoon.   His efforts were about to pay off big time. The hulking form of the alpha strolled ahead at a leisurely pace in the most disgusting part of town Nyx had ever seen.  If it weren’t for the fact that the man was clearly a body-builder and stood damn near close to Gladio’s height, he would have been robbed ages ago.

 Finally, Nyx was able to overhear what Amet had been asking people.  He needed a hired gun to run someone out of town. Putting on his best smile, Nyx wandered up to Amet and slapped him on the arm.   “Oi, I hear you’re in the market for some hired muscle. Can’t imagine why, though. You’ve got plenty to go around.”

 Amet stared at him for a moment and then smiled back.  “I do work out quite a bit. Every day, in fact,” he announced proudly. A burst of pheromones soon followed, confirming his happiness regarding the topic.

 “That’s excellent, gotta keep those muscles in peak condition.  So, I hear you need help with something?” Nyx tried again.

 “Oh!  Yes, I need someone to leave town by the end of the week.”

  “Uh – sure, I can help out with that,” Nyx replied, suddenly realizing that Amet was a few players short of a full team.

 “Great!” Amet breathed in relief.  “I really want to get back so I can work out again, and it was taking too long to find someone.”

 “Right, well, I’m your man.” Nyx grinned as he smoothed out his black denim jacket.  Ignis had instructed him to go undercover and not wear anything that could tie him back to the crown.

 “Ok, then, if you could swing by later and let me know when you’re done, that’d be great. I have to tell my brother.”

 “I can do that, no problem.” Nyx answered slowly even though the large alpha hadn’t given him a location.  Amet made to walk away, and Nyx scooted around in front of him again. “I just need a name and a deposit.”

 “Yeah! So it’s my half – no wait!” Amet paused dramatically holding his hands out. “It’s my step-brother, Cirus! Oh no, that’s not right, either!”  The man sighed and furrowed his brow clearly deep in thought.

 “Would it help if I tired guessing?” Nyx offered dryly.

 “It’s on the tip of my brain.”

 Nyx figured a lot of things were on the tip of Amet’s brain, but they’d been ignored for so long they’d turned to dust ages ago.  The glaive was about to start throwing letters out to help when Amet sprang back to life.

 “The omega!  His name begins with a P.  That’s all I remember.”

 “Where does this omega live?” Nyx questioned further.

 “With me.”

 “Oh – like, um, in the same house?”

 “No, a different one.”

 Nyx decided to take a different direction even though he knew who Amet was talking about and where Prompto lived. “So where do you live?” he asked gleefully.

 “Under the old keep. You know, in the government compound where the royals live,” Amet whispered as if it mattered.

 “Gotcha, I know where that is.  So I just need a deposit, and I’ll be on my merry way.”

 “Perfect. I really gotta go,” agreed Amet as he dug around in his pocket and handed over a wad of cash.

 Nyx nearly busted a blood vessel when Amet gave it to him.  The glaive pocketed it as fast as he could and hoped no one would come after him for it next.  

 “Bye!” Amet cheered as he turned and left.

 Nyx literally ran back to the airfield where he’d been hiding out.  The shed Prompto had hid his clothes in proved to be a perfect base of operations. Thankfully, no one followed him, and he hid the money after wiping off his prints.   Now to find out what Saeva was up to. But before he left again, Nyx texted Ignis once more.

 Nyx Ulric 3:48pm:          Got the job but it's night shift, boss doesn’t mind if it’s dark all day long.  I might have to take my work home with me if it gets difficult.  

     --

   Prompto flinched when his phone chimed.  He’d been on edge all day wondering if Saeva would try something again.  Prompto wouldn’t put it past her to visit his house; she truly was a snake.  Grabbing his phone revealed a message from Ignis.

Ignis Scientia 3:55pm: Are you doing alright?

 The blond blinked a few times.  Ignis was checking on him, but why?  He knew the advisor was aware of his predicament, but he didn’t think he’d text him directly.

Prompto Argentum 3:58pm: I’m okay, just nervous about seeing Saeva again.

 Ignis Scientia 4:00pm      :          I would advise you to stay in your room for as long as you can.  Do you still have Nyx’s phone number?  

 He thought about the nice beta soldier that they’d stationed outside Noct’s suite in Insomnia.  He still had the number, but he’d never used it.

Prompto Argentum 4:02pm: Yeah I still have it.

 Ignis Scientia 4:03pm:          Excellent. Keep it and call or text that number if you need immediate assistance.  Is that understood?  

 Prompto stared at his phone. Did that mean that soldier was here?  Was Nyx in Niflheim? That meant he could leave, if he had an escort.  However, he remembered he still had to convince his mother to leave.    

 Prompto Argentum 4:05pm:          Ok I will.  Thanks for checking on me.  

Ignis Scientia 4:05pm: Of course, anything to help.

 Waiting a few minutes produced no more messages, and Prompto focused on taking deep breaths.  He was going to survive this. He had people who wanted to help and who wanted to be friends with him.

    --

     Checking her phone once more, Saeva looked up and smiled sweetly at Alban.  The dolt was clueless about everything. He’d already completely forgotten about her issue with Prompto.  He was prattling on about the latest model car that had been released in Altissia and showed no signs of stopping.  “Darling, I feel a headache coming on. I’m going to retire to my rooms for a nap.”

 This comment seemed to shut Alban up.  “Oh, can I come?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.  

 Working to hide her disdain, Saeva smiled again. “Oh, I would love to have you, but I fear my headache is too great.  Rain check?”

 The slightly balding alpha seemed upset, but he backed off.  “Of course. Perhaps we could do dinner together?”

 “Wasn’t this lovely lunch enough? Besides, I fear I may still be sleeping later. Tomorrow?”

 Alban agreed, and Saeva finally stood to leave the stuffy room they’d been confined to for over an hour.  She had her own meeting to attend. Smiling, she quickly left the suites and went outside the royal compound.

 Things were going well.  The groundwork had been laid linking Otho and Amet with the plot to harm Prompto.  However, she still needed to arrange his actual death. She didn’t trust either of them to accomplish the task.  Amet was a good looking lump of muscle and nothing more. Otho was blinded by her kisses and promises. He didn’t stand a chance.  Now when the lowly boy turned up dead, they would go down for his murder.

  Alban, on the other hand, was moldable; she could work with that later.

 Meeting with an assassin for hire in the late afternoon wasn’t normal, but nothing Saeva did followed the rules.  Ducking into a side street, she huddled into her fur lined coat and waited.

 “I didn’t think you’d show up,” a sultry voice nearby called out.

 “I have a tight schedule to keep, so this was my only availability,” Saeva replied.

 “Hmmm, I see.  Details please?” the voice asked as the figure came out from an overhang.

 Saeva pulled a small envelope out of her inside coat pocket and handed it over to the woman approaching.  She was wearing a long fitted trench coat and military grade boots. After pocketing the item, the light haired woman smiled ever so slightly and stared at Saeva.  She made no move to say anything else, and appeared to be studying her.

 Taking a deep breath Saeva nodded curtly.  She was done with this transaction and needed to return to the government compound.   Suddenly, the other woman shifted and was directly in front of her. Saeva was unable to fight back when the assassin roughly shoved her into the wall.

 “Something about you doesn’t sit well with me,” she offered in a hushed tone.

 Saeva went to push her away, but something sharp poked her in the side.  This fucking bitch had pulled a knife on her. “If you want the rest of your fucking money, whore, I suggest you back off,” Saeva spit.

 “Oh no, how scary --” The woman drawled coolly.  “Listen up, gold digger. If you want to stay pretty, I suggest you keep your end of the bargain.  Also, my price just went up for your brass assumption regarding my sexual habits. Now, off you go. Run back to your big, strong, stupid alphas and play with them.”

 The anger bubbling up in Saeva’s veins was causing her to shake.  How dare this woman talk to her in such a manner. “Fuck off!” she hissed.

 The woman shrugged slightly and tilted her head. “If that’s what you want.”

 Biting back a yelp, Saeva felt the woman get      even     closer, as she leaned in with her full weight.  What in Shiva’s name was happening? The knife was a steady presence in her side, so she couldn’t move away.

 Saeva then felt a pair of sharp teeth near her neck.  “Stop it. I’ll pay the extra,” she relented unhappily.  She couldn’t risk getting bitten. The other woman was an alpha and knew what she was doing.  If Saeva had gotten marked, then she couldn’t marry the king. This fucking bitch was such a hassle.  She hoped that when she found Prompto, she’d make him hurt. The blade went away, and Saeva finally pushed the woman away and walked out of the alley. 

>Next Chapter 7 

[thechocoboos]

Coffee Shop Au: Prompto’s Ending

Catch the first part here (Note: this strays very much from the coffee au beginning)

Catch Noctis’ ending here

You elected to stay with Prompto. He was a kind, passionate young man who you were having genuine fun with.

Noctis was your best friend, but you were starting to develop genuine feelings for Prompto, and you quietly knew that Noct was trying to give you the chance to act on them. 

As you saw Noctis leave the pizza joint, you turned back to Prompto, greeting his bright smile with one of your own. In the dim lighting of the pizza place, you could just barely make out a light blush on his cheeks, although you weren’t sure if it was for the same reasons as you.

There was a slightly awkward silence now that Noctis was gone, and you found yourself just a bit unsure of what to say now that it was you two alone. Prompto seemed a little flustered as well, but he was quick to try and talk to you.

“Oh, earlier you mentioned you like games other than King’s Knight, right?” Prompto asked, turning his body to face you in the booth. He seemed so much closer than before, especially now that there was nowhere else to divert your attention to.

You flashed him a smile despite your growing blush, “Yeah, it’s kind of hard not to, especially being friends with Noct.” You told him, suddenly having a hard time looking him in the eyes.

Prompto beamed, “Well, I know a good 24 hour arcade that’s only a few minutes from here if you wanna hang out there?” He asked, doing his best to sound nonchalant. “I heard they just added a few new games, too!”

You hummed slightly, a small smile growing across your cheeks. “... Sure. I haven’t been to one in ages.”

Prompto’s smile grew as he eagerly climbed out of the booth. He smiled at you, extending a hand to help you out, “Let’s go, then,” He said, his cheeks flushed with excitement and his voice positively bubbling.

You smiled right back at him when you took his hand, and the awkwardness faded as you both grew excited. As you two left the building, you realized with a start that he never dropped your hand.

Prompto glanced at you curiously at your moment of silence and followed your gaze, catching sight of your interlocked hands. He jumped slightly, his eyes big and cheeks flushing as he dropped your hand, “Shit--sorry! I hadn’t realized, uh, sorry…” He managed, stuttering left and right as he scratched the back of his neck. “Sorry, I uh, don’t usually do things like that…” He let out an awkward little chuckle, looking at you nervously.

You felt your own cheeks heating up, but you managed a small smile. “That’s alright, I didn’t mind.” You said with a shrug, meeting his eyes.

Prompto jolted again, caught offguard. He was quick to recover, smiling at you as you both headed down the sidewalk and launching into another conversation. Neither of you said anything when his pinky brushed against yours and you gently slid your hand into his. Your cheeks flushed a bright red as he gently squeezed your hand, smiling away while he talked despite his own flushed cheeks.

The arcade was all colors and blinking lights, full of aged game themes and decade old carpeting. It felt perfect, capturing the full arcade feeling from your youth, as though you were standing in a piece from a time capsule. 

You looked up at Prompto, your hands still clasped with his as your smiled. “Should we try Pac-Man, first?”

His responding smile and the twinkle in his eyes were bright enough to light up the entire arcade. “Let’s do it.”

The two of you bounced from machine to machine, falling over each other and laughing away as you both either failed horribly or feigned competitions. Sometimes you would reach over and nudge his joystick or block his view just to try and win, and he would always gasp as if it were a surprise and try to push you away with a massive smile spread across his flushed cheeks.

Eventually, you two found your way to the claw machines. You were pointing to a cute chocobo plush through the glass, smiling at it and gushing about how adorable it was. 

Prompto took one look at it, agreeing wholeheartedly. “I’m gonna win that--just for you!” He announced, getting that same determined glint in his eye from earlier. 

You smiled brightly at him, your cheeks heating up again as he pushed a few coins into the machine. Prompto was incredibly focused on trying to win that chocobo, his brows furrowed and his tongue sticking out of his mouth. You found yourself watching him more than the machine, wondering if it would be too weird to take a picture.

“Damn! I missed it…” He huffed, frowning. He paused. “I’m gonna try again.”

Prompto ended up trying three more times, losing each and every single time. You ended up dragging him away from the claw machine as he whined about that stupidly cursed game. You hoped that he would forget about it, but when you stopped to visit the restroom, you came out to find that Prompto had used up another three games-worth of tokens trying to win you a chocobo. 

This walk away from the claw machine was much more shameful than the last, although you managed to distract him with a surprising kiss on the cheek, blushing away. “You’re sweet, Prom. I can’t say anyone else has tried to do something like that for me, especially not that many times,” You said the last bit with amusement, although you were sure that the kiss on his cheek overshadowed anything else.

Prompto was blushing, too. “I can’t see why they wouldn’t.” He said softly, looking at you with his own sheepish expression. “Though it would be a bit better if I actually won.” He said, looking sadly back towards the claw machines.

You smiled up at him. He didn’t need to win you anything at all, just the effort and attempt was way more than enough for you. It was such a sweet thing to do, and the more you thought about it, the more you wanted repay the favor somehow. There was only one way to do so. 

When it was his turn to run to the restroom (saying something about a tiny bladder and too much soda), you were quick to run to the claw machines. You saw the tiny chocobo that he had been trying to get, but you wanted to go bigger.

And then you saw the unreasonably large, absolutely ridiculous sized plush toys in the largest of the claw machines. And there was a chocobo. It was easily the size of your torso, but you had never seen such a perfect stuffed animal for Prompto.

And unlike him, the Claw Machine Gods were in your favor. By the time he found where you were, you had a massive grin on your face and the world’s largest, plushest chocobo in your arms. And--it only took one game to win!

“Hey, Prom.” You beamed, “I got you something.”

He looked like he was going to cry. There were genuine tears in his eyes as he gently took the massive chocobo from you, giving it a massive hug and smiling as though it was the best thing to ever happen to him. The sight of his cute smile, the flush on his cheeks, and his glistening, cornflower blue eyes made your own smile stretch so wide that it hurt. “It’s so… fricken… CUTE!” He exclaimed, his grip on it tightening. And then, his arms were around you, giving you a bone crushing hug. “Thank. You. So. Much! This is--the best thing ever, oh my gosh!” 

You were blushing like crazy, your own smile bright as he let go. The hug had caught you off guard, but you craved even more of it the second his arms left you. “No problem, I’ve always been pretty good at those things,” You smiled awkwardly, feeling rather sheepish. “I would always win stuff for me and Noct when we were kids, it’s nice to see that I haven’t lost my touch.” You tried to brush it off like it was no big deal, but even your lackluster acting couldn’t keep down the butterflies in your stomach.

Prompto looked like he was about to say something else--something big, judging by that determined look in his eyes and the blush on his cheeks, but you were too shy to dwell on the subject. 

“Uhm, come on, I think there’s a ski-ball game calling our names!” You managed to say, grabbing his hand and tugging him away as you blushed furiously. He went along with you, dropping whatever it was he was going to say. You weren’t sure if you felt better or worse for it, but within a few more games, the thought was out of your mind.

By the end of the night, you were both leaning on each other, smiling away as you ate slightly stale arcade nachos, dipped in equally questionable queso dip. It was a mediocre snack at best, but it was the kind of mediocrity that helped make the moment so special.

“You know,” Prom began, “I always have fun at these arcades, but I don’t think I’ve ever had this much fun.” He threw a smile towards you, grabbing another stale chip.

His statement brought a light blush to your cheeks yet again. “Me, too,” You said, looking at him. “I love these places, but I dunno, I guess tonight was a little different?” You leaned back a little bit on the floor, your hand a few inches away from his. 

You almost jumped when you felt his hand against yours again. Prompto’s smile was more gentle as he looked at you. “Yeah, I guess it was. You know, no one’s ever won me something before. Let alone a big, puffy chocobo.” His gaze slid to the third member of your apparent trio: the overstuffed chocobo that seemed to be precariously perched next to the cheese dip. It seemed to be remarkably indifferent to the mood of the situation.

“Well,” You said, throwing a smile at him, “I promise to win you all the chocobos, Prom.” You told him decisively, grinning.

He groaned, “But now I feel bad! I should at least win you something to remember tonight by!” He exclaimed, pouting.

You laughed a little, admiring the way his lips curled under his pout. Even now, you couldn’t help but gaze at him as though he were the most beautiful thing in the world. Although, you could easily argue that he was. 

"It’s okay, I think the memories themselves are good enough for me,” You told him, grinning. “That and… stale, questionable nachos.” You added, taking a massive bite of a chip.

Prompto smiled, but he gazed at you thoughtfully, humming slightly. 

“What?” You asked, laughing slightly as you swallowed. 

“You know? I think I do have something for you!”

“Oh, yeah?” You asked, playfully nudging him. 

“Yeah, although technically you did win it--”

“Oh my gods, I am not accepting that chocobo--”

“It’s not the chocobo!” He laughed, “Just, close your eyes. Trust me.”

As you looked at him, your own eyes meeting his blue ones, he looked serious. Far more serious than he had earlier. “Alright,” You began, closing your eyes with a smile on your face, “But if it’s that chocobo or those nachos--”

You were cut off by a pair of lips capturing your own. They were soft and slightly chapped, but you easily leaned into the kiss. It was slow and gentle, but a muffled sense of excitement followed it: the excitement of a new love and the energizing delinquency that accompanied an arcade late at night.

You two parted with reddened cheeks and wide eyes, foreheads still touching.

You only barely managed to stutter out a response, “I--thought you said that it was something I won?” You asked, stumbling over your words.

He managed a cheesy smile, “Maybe you won… my heart.”

There was a beat of silence as you stared at him, silent. Even the stuffed chocobo’s permanent gaze of gleeful ignorance showed its disappointment at his joke. And then, you cracked, a dumb smile appearing on your face.

“Oh my gods, you’re an idiot.” You managed, despite your massive grin. He was an idiot, but now he was your idiot.

[ficswithrimi]

Mine (Chapter 10)

Title: Mine

Pairing: Noctis Lucis Caelum x Reader

Genre: Angst, Romance

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

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

First Chapter

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

A/N: Happy 2019! This the first time this story is getting updated for the new year! This would’ve been up in January but I was DESPERATELY WAITING FOR KINGDOM HEARTS 3! And then I got super sick for the majority of February BUT ALAS! I’m well now and here’s the next part! I rewrote the ending to this chapter like 500 times but I’m satisfied with this! Anyways, please enjoy and leave feedback! Comments really make my day and encourage me to get the next chapter out sooner! Okay! Enjoy!

Noctis’s POV

           Noctis was not the jealous type. Rarely anything bothered the young prince turned king. For example, when he crushed on the pretty, quiet girl in high school, he wasn’t bothered when he found out she was already dating someone. Instead of being upset or jealous about it, he shrugged it off and went on about his day. Or the time when Tenebrae held a ball for Luna becoming the oracle and she told him how she had to dance with several of the male attendees of the party. Noctis did feel slightly irritated by that fact but it was gone by the next day. Noctis never felt like he had the right to feel jealousy. He was a prince after all. Since birth, he was given almost everything. Even with his father trying to make his life as normal as possible, there was no denying the fact he was a prince. How many “normal” kids have personal advisors following them around everywhere? Not many.

           Though there were many thoughts rushing through the young king’s mind since the news of Jared’s death – one thought stuck to him the most. When did Y/N and Prompto become the best of friends? It had been a couple of days since they arrived in Lestallum after Iris’s distress call and news of the death of Jared. The group were planning ways of how to safely escort Iris to Cape Caem. Talcott had left with Monica the next day after Jared’s death. Iris, however, said she would feel safer if she went with the guys. So, they were spending a few extra days in the city to gather necessities for the lengthy travel, as well as, trying to figure out where Iris would sit in the Regalia. With Y/N traveling with them, there was no room in the car only fit for five people.

           However, in the few short days they’ve been there, Noctis noticed how Y/N was hanging out a lot with Prompto. It seemed to start the very next day after their first night in the city. Y/N had immediately volunteered to go with Prompto to the market to get Ignis some ingredients that he’d need for cooking when camping. Even when Ignis was giving them the list of items to get, Noctis noticed how Y/N’s eyes flickered over to Prompto’s and the blond would return the look with a slight smile. That was the first time Noctis really felt a surge of anger towards his best friend. He didn’t even feel this way towards Y/N and Gladiolus, who anyone with eyes could tell flirted with each other often. However, that didn’t bother Noctis because Gladiolus was a natural, harmless flirt and Y/N had a playful attitude whenever she wasn’t being depressing. Noctis was even surprised as the usually frowning woman cracked a smile at Prompto after he said some joke – that wasn’t even that funny - at breakfast. Today, for instance, Y/N gladly agreed to take a picture with Prompto in front of the fountain by the hotel they stayed at before taking off for Cape Caem.

           He didn’t know when they became so close, but it bothered him. After finally realizing his feelings for the woman, for the first time, he didn’t want anyone else to have her. Of course, he didn’t care if she was friends with his. He wanted her to get along with everyone. However, developing romantic feelings for them, something he couldn’t prevent, was something he didn’t want to happen. He wanted to talk to Gladiolus about it, but he knew he’d toss jokes at the prince about being jealous. Prompto wasn’t an option, obviously. He could ask Ignis, but he’d more than likely bring up Luna. That left the prince with one option…

           “Aren’t you… engaged?” Iris arched a brow at Noctis as she finished packing her things for the trip to Caem.

           “What does me asking if you’ve noticed Prompto and Y/N getting along lately have to do with me being engaged?” Noctis asked as he pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance. He knew Iris was a hopeless romantic and would’ve noticed if something was going on between the two. However, he didn’t think she’d be like Ignis and relate it back to Luna.

           Iris chuckled. “You seem like you’d be irritated with the answer I’d give you.”

           Noctis’s eyes widened at this as he watched the teenager turn back around and close her suitcase. “So, you’ve noticed as well, huh?”

           “I mean,” Iris drew out the ‘n’ as she turned back around to face the prince. “I don’t really know Y/N or Prompto that well, but, I can tell when two people are comfortable around one another. I think they’re… comfortable around each other.”

           “Comfortable… as in they possibly like each other,” Noctis frowned.

           “Again, aren’t you engaged, Prince Noctis?” Iris giggled as she watched the prince become flustered.

           “There’s not going to be a wedding,” Noctis said as he turned towards the door to exit the room. “We’ll be leaving in another 15 minutes.”

           “There will be a wedding! It’ll just be for Y/N and Prompto!” Iris playfully shouted as Noctis slammed the door behind him. However, the smile present on Iris’s face while Noctis was in the room slid off her face. Letting out a heavy sigh, she plopped down on her bed. Just when she thought she had a chance again with the prince, another Nox Fleuret woman stole his heart before she could get the chance. “I guess the family of oracles really are meant for the Lucian family…”

~!~

           Your POV

           “These pictures suck, Prom,” You frowned as you swiped through his camera to look at the plethora of pictures you both had just taken.

           “What? We look great in all of these shots!” Prompto said as he tried to snatch his camera back from your grasp. However, you shifted your body away from him, causing the blond to almost fall into the fountain.

           “I look great. However, you?” You turned your head to look at the appalled male. Letting out a giggle, you looked towards the hotel doors where you saw the rest of the gang walking out. The smile on your face faded as your eyes met Noctis’s staring azure ones. A small blush began to creep on your face as you quickly shifted them back down to appear as if you were going through the pictures.

           “We’re about to leave. Are you two finished goofing off,” Gladiolus smirked at you and Prompto.

           “As soon as Y/N gives me back my camera,” Prompto shot a glare at you. Suddenly feeling uncomfortable with the others around, you shoved the camera back to Prompto and stood up.

           “We’re ready,” You said as you stood up and began to walk off in the direction of the car.

           “Didn’t mean to kill the mood, princess,” Gladiolus shouted towards you. You responded by giving him your middle finger.

           After packing up the car with everyone’s things – mostly Iris’s – you all stood around the car to try to figure out the seating arrangements. You weren’t opposed to sitting on the hood of the car, but everyone immediately shot down that idea. Iris and you weren’t big in structure but with Gladiolus already taking up half of the backseat, it would be an extremely tight, uncomfortable squeeze for you both to sit in the middle. You both wouldn’t be able to survive the long drive to Cape Caem.

           “What if Y/N or Iris sits in between the driver and passenger seat?” Prompto suggested.

           “No good,” Ignis said as he pushed up his glasses, “There’s no form of safety for them if I happen to slam the brakes or make sharp turns-“

           “That could be prevented if you knew how to drive,” You frowned at the man who immediately shot you a look.

           “How about Iris sit in the middle and Y/N can sit on Noctis’s lap,” Gladiolus smirked at his suggestion as both you and Noctis’s face immediately reddened.

           Iris shifted her eyes towards the two of you before looking over at Gladiolus. “Y/N can sit in the middle and I can sit with Noct!”

           “No,” Gladiolus and Noctis immediately said.

           “I’d rather sit on the hood of the car,” You mumbled, “Or Prompto? I could use him as a seat!”

           “No!” Noctis said abruptly, causing everyone to shift their eyes to the normally chill prince. His face reddened more as he moved his arm to scratch the back of his neck nervously. “I-I mean Prompto usually takes pictures while on the road and you’d be in his way…?”

           “He has a point. No offense, buddy,” Prompto gave you a fake sincere look. You frowned at the blond male as he gave you a knowing smile in return.

           “Fine. But keep your hands to yourself or I’m going to injure you,” You frowned at the prince who held his hands up in defense.

           “No problem, sis-in-law,” Noctis smirked at you. You felt your stomach do a flip at his smirk, but your heart slightly saddened at what he called you. You didn’t know why you felt this way as it was true. Noctis was going to be your brother-in-law… but to hear him accept the fact saddened you. Shaking it off, you just nodded at him and made your way to his side of the car.

           “Alright, then! Next stop is Cape Caem!” Ignis said as everyone began to climb into the car. After Noctis got in, you observed just how you were going to position yourself in the car. No matter which way you sat, it was going to either be uncomfortable or awkward. Deciding you’d settle for uncomfortable, you carefully climbed in the car and sat down on Noctis’s lap and swung your legs to the inside, so your body was facing towards Iris and Gladiolus. You didn’t mind this as now you could freely talk to them and Prompto without having to shift your body too much. Nor did you block Noctis’s view of his surroundings. “Everything in order? Seatbelts on?”

           “Yep!” Everyone said except you. You jumped slightly as you felt arms snake around your waist in a somewhat tight grip. Looking down to see Noctis protectively holding you, you swallowed the sudden lump in your throat and looked at the blushing prince, who was looking at everything but you.

           “I don’t want you to fall out of the car…” He mumbled. You just nodded at him slightly before focusing your attention on something else. Iris sadly glanced at the scene beside her before letting out a quiet sigh. This was going to be a long journey for everyone.

~!~

           The ride to Cape Caem, so far, was mostly peaceful. Iris was amazed with the scenery she took in while Prompto took the occasional picture. Gladiolus was reading some book, as usual. Even you seemed to relax into Noctis’s arms as the Regalia zipped down the road. In fact, you became so comfortable and felt at home with his arms around you, that you felt the heaviness of sleep come over you.

           “Bump ahead,” Ignis glanced in the rearview mirror at you two. Being halfway asleep, you just sleepily nodded your head – not really paying attention to whatever he had said. However, Noctis heard clearly as he had been wide awake since you guys departed from Lestallum. As the bump approached, he tightened his arms around your waist. Your body jolted awake as the car went over the bump, causing you to unconsciously wrap your arms around the man’s neck and hold onto him to prevent yourself from flying out the car. You thought he pulled you in even closer to him, but you could’ve imagined that.

           “You two… you sure you’re just in-laws?” Gladiolus smirked as him and Iris watched as you and Noctis gripped onto each other. Immediately you threw yourself off Noctis and shifted his arms, so they weren’t so tight around you.

           “You want me to go flying out the car, Gladio?” You frowned at the older man. He just let out a chuckle and returned to his book as Iris let out a strained smile.

           “I’m sure Noct wouldn’t let that happen,” Gladiolus teased, causing you to blink cluelessly and Noctis to shoot Gladiolus a glare.

           “Hey, guys! It’s an Imperial ship!” Prompto interrupted the backseat conversation to point out the giant ship flying overhead.

           “Those are the same ships that invaded Lestallum when they took…” Iris stopped talking as memories of the day Jared’s life was taken from him filled her mind.

           “Let’s make a stop…” Gladiolus said as he glared at the ship that was heading to, most likely, an Imperial base.

           “Noct…” Iris looked over at the two of you. She looked down to your lap where one of Noctis’s hand was balled into fist, shaking slightly in anger. She felt her worried expression falter slightly as she noticed your hand placed ever so gently over his other hand that was still holding onto you. You were trying to calm the angry prince down the subtlest way. However, when Iris looked up to your facial expression, she noticed you were looking up at the ship with anger and slight… fear? This caused Iris to wonder what you – who she viewed as a woman who wasn’t afraid of practically anything – were scared about?

           “Relax… we got this…” Noctis, though obviously angry at the sight of Imperials, reassured Iris. Iris nodded hesitantly before turning back to face the front. Ignis pulled into the parking lot of Old Lestallum.

           “Taking matters into hand?” Ignis said as he stopped the car, and everyone began to climb out.

           “Delivering justice for Jared,” Noctis snarled under his breath.

           “And for Talcott, too,” Prompto said as images of the crying child flashed through everyone’s minds.

           “Iris, I’ll need you to wait here. Y/N, stay with her,” Gladiolus said.

           “No way. You think I don’t want revenge on the Empire as well?” You exclaimed.

           “I don’t think it’s safe for Iris to be alone…”

           “I’ll be fine! The Empire has hurt Y/N as much as they’ve hurt us! Besides, you guys probably need the girl power,” Iris tried to lighten the mood of the conversation. Gladiolus eyed her wearily before agreeing.

           “We’ll be right back,” Gladiolus said as everyone, but Iris, began to re-enter the car.

~!~

           ??? POV

           “Did we really have to kill that old man…?” A silver-haired woman asked as she lounged on top of one of the high-rises inside of the Imperial Base.

           “It’s been several days, and you’re still worried about that? As a commodore, I wouldn’t think you’d be concerned for that man’s death. He was a fool for not giving us the information we simply asked for,” The short, brown-haired man, Caligo, said as he observed the soldiers working around the base.

           “Yeah… but… that kid…” the woman let out a heavy sigh as she clearly remembered the kid’s face of horror when they delivered the elderly man’s body to them. He had let out a horrid scream before dashing off, leaving only the young girl and some other Insomnians staring in disbelief at the body.

           “It was his fault. If he would’ve kept his mouth shut then maybe his gramps would’ve still been alive,” Caligo let out a chuckle. “He can’t blame us for his doing.”

           “That’s enough, Caligo. He was just a child,” the woman frowned as she hopped down from the high-rise to stand before the man. He just smirked as he looked up at the woman.

           “I remember you saying the same thing when we sent that traitor to Tenebrae so many years ago… how she was just a child. Even her father laughed at you…”

           “You entrusted a child to seek out information only an adult could do. I don’t see how Ideolas or Glauca thought that was a good idea…”

           “Well, you know what happened the last time we sent an adult. Ugh,” The man frowned his face as the thought of the woman they originally sent crossed his mind. “We should’ve known better than sending that traitor’s daughter. Betrayal must run in their veins. Only her father has been reliable to us.”

           The silver-haired woman let out an impatient sigh. “Speaking of Y/N-“

           “Don’t speak of that disgraced name!” Caligo shouted out the woman who, in return, slit her eyes at him.

           “Speaking of Y/N,” She started again, this time putting emphasis on the young woman’s name to show she wasn’t scared of what Caligo might do or say to her. “Isn’t she traveling with the prince? Should I finish the Empire’s failed plan of killing her off for you guys? If I do, add it to the list of things you guys owe me for.”

           Caligo rolled his eyes at the woman. “Do as you wish. The death of that traitor will mean nothing to us such as her mother’s.”

           The silver-haired woman shrugged as she began to examine her nails. It wouldn’t be the first time she’s dirtied them with the blood of those who betrayed her country. However, it did bother her slightly that the woman she would be getting rid of was tied to Lady Lunafreya, the oracle. Would the blonde woman still fulfill her oracle duties with the knowledge that the Empire took the life of someone dear to her again? She was already on edge after learning about the high commander, her brother, Ravus, betraying their so-called sister. Then again, if the oracle refused to perform her duties, then everyone would suffer, and she wouldn’t want that.

           The woman ran her fingers through her hair as she looked up into the starry night sky. However, her ears perked up as she sensed something was off within the base. Looking back down at Caligo, who was still awaiting her response, she frowned at the man. “Go gather your men…”

           “What? I’m the commander for this base. You’re just a guest here-“

           “Go. Get. Your. Men. Now.” The woman said through clenched teeth as she suddenly pulled out her spear and began climbing up one of the high rises.

           Caligo watched as the woman stealthy climbed the high rise with a glare in his eye. Letting out a quiet grunt he motioned two of his soldiers to accompany him to the entrance of the base.

           “I don’t trust that Aranea…” Caligo said to himself as he turned away from the woman and walked away.

~!~

           Your POV

           “Why couldn’t I have gone with Prompto and Gladiolus?” You whispered as Noctis, Ignis, and you quietly hid behind one of the cargo tanks inside the base. Ignis came up with a plan for the group to go different areas of the base that way if one got caught, the other group could still successfully shutdown the base. Gladiolus and Prompto were grouped together while you were forced to join Noctis and Ignis. You wanted to go with the other two but Noctis had intervened and said he wanted you to go with him. Unfortunately, you couldn’t hide the blush that crept up your face when he said this and all the boys – including Noctis – immediately noticed. Trying to ignore your reddened face and trying to prove to yourself – and the boys – that you weren’t blushing because of Noctis, you two broke out into a small quarrel about why you had to go with them. Eventually, Gladiolus broke up the quarrel by jokingly calling you two lovebirds and explaining that it was only a temporary split.

           “What’s done is done, now be quiet. I see someone coming,” Ignis hushed you. You rolled your eyes as you peeked your head from behind the tank to get a look at who was coming in case you recognized them. A short, pudgy man walked with his head held cockily in the air as two soldiers followed beside him. You didn’t recognize him but by the badges and sashes on his own armor, you knew he was a commander.

           “The insolence of that up-jumped mercenary and there is still no word. This cannot be borne. Such behavior besmirches His Radiance’s good name,” The commander spat as he walked past the tank the guys and you hid behind without noticing your presence.

           “That’s our target. Let’s follow him,” Ignis said as he began to lead the way. “Seize him on my signal, stay hidden until then.”

           “Why does Noctis get to do all the killing?” You frowned as you took cover behind another tank.

           “We’re not here to kill the commander, Y/N,” Noctis glanced over at you.

           “That’s why I’m here…” You mumbled under your breath. Now you had found the person responsible for the death of Jared, you wanted to see him suffer as he probably did to the elder. Sighing, you followed Noctis and Ignis as the three of you stealthily moved throughout the base, following the commander and trying not to get caught by the guarding imperials. Occasionally, the commander would make snide comments about Ardyn, your brother, or someone named Highwind. The name sounded vaguely familiar to you, but you brushed it off as unimportant.

           As the three were close to seizing the man, Ignis drew out his arm to stop Noctis and you from going any farther. It appeared as if the man had briefly stopped.

           “That old man had it coming. He would still be here if he gave the information we asked for. You should’ve seen the way he begged for us not to hurt the kid. We should’ve gone after him instead,” The man laughed. At hearing those words, you felt your blood begin to boil in anger. This lowlife of a human being would kill an innocent child just to get information about Noctis? And you? It didn’t surprise you, however. They did almost kill you off in attempts to get to the Nox Fleuret and Lucis Caelum families. Letting your thoughts consume you, you summoned your daggers and instantly dashed towards the trio.

           “Y/N! Wait!” Ignis called out, his arm outstretched in a failed attempt to grab onto you before you dashed off. He immediately turned to Noctis but shielded his eyes as a flash of blue went off in front of him. Turning around, he saw you instantly take down one of the soldiers that tried to grab onto you to prevent you from attacking the commander. Stabbing the soldier, killing him instantly, you directed your other dagger to the other one. Just as it made contact with the other solider, Noctis flashed before you. You hadn’t noticed the commander removing his own weapon and aiming towards you. However, Noctis immediately knocked the man out and finished off his other accompanying soldier. Getting up and retrieving your weapons, Noctis breathed heavily as he turned to you.

           “What part of on Ignis’s signal did you not understand?” He huffed at you as he tried to regain his breath. You ignored him as you walked towards the unconscious man on the ground. Summoning back your daggers, you positioned yourself to plunge it directly through his head. An immediate kill. He’d be one of your first victims of your revenge. As thoughts of all the shit you’ve been through up to now because of these people and the things they’ve put innocent people through, death was the only answer to appeasing it all. Flashes of Jared smiling at you and the boys as he bid you guys a final farewell and Talcott crying because of his death flooded your mind. Raising your arm, you went to begin your first act of revenge on the Empire.

           However, before you could plunge it into the man, a flash a blue light went off in front of you and a pair of arms was wrapped around your waist. You blinked as you tried to process the situation only to realize you were now a couple feet away from the commander, facing Noctis instead. Ignis was suddenly by his side, attempting to drag his body away. Fire engulfed your eyes as you saw him drag away your target.

           “Y/N!” Noctis yelled at you as he struggled against you as you tried to escape his arms. “Y/N! Look at me! Y/N!”

           His grip tightening around you, you growled as you shot your eyes to stare into his azure ones. You frantically searched them as they begged you to calm down while holding slight fear within them. Seeing this, you inhaled deeply before exhaling, allowing your body to calm. Noctis’s grip on you loosened slightly as he felt you become less tense.

           “What’s gotten into yo-“ Before Noctis could finish his sentence, a loud explosion was heard from where the base was receiving its power.

           “The others have must’ve succeeded in their part. Go to them while I get the commander out of here,” Ignis shouted. Noctis nodded as he let go of you. You blinked as all your senses came rushing back to you. The plan was to get revenge on the empire by wiping them out one by one, but the way your anger consumed you to the point you were blinded by it, that wasn’t the way you wanted to go about it. And to see Noctis and Ignis see you like that? It wasn’t safe. For all they knew, the anger you felt was only from Jared’s death and rumors of Lunafreya’s death. They didn’t know your history behind it all. The anger you felt was unjustified to them. Your eyes widened as you realized this and whipped your head to Noctis who only stared at you worriedly.

           “C’mon,” Was all he said as he held his hand out for you. Blinking, you cautiously grabbed onto his hand and ran in the direction of the explosion.

           “Guys! Over here!” Prompto waved at you both as they came into sight. Letting go of Noctis’s hand, you looked up towards the night sky as you stopped running. Something felt off about the situation as it was too quiet for your liking. Having just destroyed the base, there should be flocks of imperials attacking right about now just like last time when you guys saved the Regalia. Your eyes immediately widened as you saw a spear spiraling from the sky towards Noctis. Without thinking, you turned to the prince only to see him summon his sword and block the attack. Instantly, a woman with silver hair jumped down from a high rise and take claim of, what you assumed, her spear.

           “Hey, pretty boy. Let’s see what you can do,” She said as she pushed against Noctis, causing him to stumble backwards slightly. Jumping away, she turned towards you and gasped slightly before smirking. “My, have you grown, Y/N. Or are you going by Lady Y/N now?”

           “Excuse me?” You said through gritted teeth as you called for your daggers to appear. Who was this woman? How did she know you? However, before you could run to attack, Noctis instantly warped to attack the woman who was caught off guard by his attack. However, this didn’t phase her for long as she high jumped into the air, much to everyone’s surprise.

           “What the hell?” Gladiolus shouted. However, his attention was averted elsewhere as swarms of imperials came rushing to the battlefield.

           “Ah, I knew they would appear sooner or later,” Prompto sighed as he pulled out his guns and began aiming. Looking from them and to Noctis who had warped to where the woman was in the air, you decided to help him with her instead. Spotting the nearest high rise, you dashed towards it and up the stairs. You looked up again only to spot Noctis suddenly hurtling towards the ground, the woman’s spear closely following him. Gasping, you aimed the dagger for her midsection and threw it towards her. However, you watched as the woman blocked the attack as she followed her spear that chased Noctis to the ground. Noctis warped out of the way before crashing into another high rise. The spear crashed into the high rise, causing it to crumble to the ground. Laughing, the woman easily retrieved it before running to attack Noctis again. Summoning your other dagger back to you, you hastily made your way down the stairs to assist Noctis who seemed to only get a few hits in on the woman.

           “Nice of you to join us, Y/N,” You didn’t like the way she said your name. It was like she was mocking you.

           “How…” You said as you ran up to her and attempted to slash at her, only for her to block it. “Do you know me?”

           “You were such a cute kid… what happened? I heard about that nasty scar you received from us.” She smiled innocently at you before knocking Noctis down and turning her attention to you. “Show me what your big brother taught you.”

           Your eyes widened at this woman’s knowledge of your past. Before you could process anything, she came hurling towards you, throwing attack after attack. You struggled to block her as she executed each attack rapidly. While blocking, you tried to get a good look at her face to see if you remembered anything about her from your past, but the muzzle-like mask she wore blocked her face.

           “Ah!” You screamed in pain as her spear connected with your forearm, causing your hand to immediately drop the dagger it held. Taking the advantage, she grabbed you by your throat and jumped into the air. Your eyes searched frantically as Noctis tried to quickly run towards you, however, he was a bit slower than the woman. The wind harshly slapped you in the face as she soared towards the sky, holding you tightly by your neck. You kicked your legs as you tried to pry her fingers from your neck. Air was quickly escaping your body.

           “Y/N Nox Fleuret or Y/N Y/L/N? Which do you prefer? Doesn’t matter to me. You’re a traitor just like your mother. Too bad you’re going to meet the same fate as he-“

           The silver-haired woman couldn’t finish her sentence as a sword came flying out of nowhere, contacting her left side. You flinched as you heard the hard metal slam against her body, knocking the wind out of her. Her grasp around your neck dropped as both you and she began to fall towards the ground below. Trying to regain your breath and prepare yourself for the oncoming impact, you tried to position your body, so it wouldn’t do too much damage. However, a blue light soared in front of you, and you felt Noctis’s arms under you as he warped you safely to the ground. He set you down as he immediately searched the area for the other woman. However, to everyone’s surprise, she was sitting on the walls of the base, smirking down at everyone.

           “Aw, is it that time already?” She said as fake disappointment filled her voice.

           “What time?” Noctis asked confusedly.

           “Quittin’ time!” She said. “Sorry, but this girl doesn’t work after hours. I could but there wouldn’t be a single gil in it for me. We should play again sometime, pretty boy. Oh, and Y/N, we should catch up.”

           You glared at her as she bid you guys a farewell and jumped off into the sky. Wanting to run after her, Noctis held out his arm to stop you. Prompto let out a heavy sigh of relief as he turned to face the group. However, his eyes landed on you.

           “Are you okay, Y/N? That fall would’ve been a nasty one if it wasn’t for Noct playing Prince Charming,” Prompto tried to joke to lighten up the mood. However, you ignored his comments as you glared into the night sky. Who was that woman? Her presence felt familiar, but you couldn’t place your finger on it. And on top of that, she seemed to have known you when you were a child as well as your mother. Granted, she could’ve just been taught about you while working for the Empire, but something told you that she personally knew you.

           “Who the hell was she?” Noctis said as he also looked in the direction where the woman jumped off to.

           “I don’t know, but we better get back to Iris,” Gladiolus said as everyone nodded with him in agreement.

~!~

           “Ah, roomies again, huh?” Iris smiled at you as you came inside the motel room you both would be sharing for the night before continuing the journey to Cape Caem in the morning. After meeting up with Ignis with the Regalia, you learned that the commander, now known as Caligo, had managed to escape when Ignis was distracted by the midair fight between, you, the mysterious woman, and Noctis. Everyone was a little pissed but too tired to say anything vocally to the adviser. Upon returning to Old Lestallum, Iris had ordered everyone dinner at the diner across the street where you guys informed her of the events that took place. However, you were silent as thoughts about what Caligo and the woman had said during the infiltration filled your mind. You even picked at your dinner, something both Noctis and Prompto picked up on. Prompto, who you sat beside, nudged your arm when he noticed you weren’t eating. You brushed him off with a small smile and took a bite of a fry. Of course, you would tell him later about what the woman said to you during the battle. What worried you now, however, was what Noctis heard during the battle. He was right beside you, attacking the woman for most of the fight, and she wasn’t secretive with the minor facts she slipped. The prince had to start becoming suspicious of you sooner later. If he hasn’t already, that is. And if he was, he was really good at hiding it.

           You had hoped to speak to Prompto after dinner, but Ignis urged everyone to retire early as there was still a long drive ahead of everyone and you’d all be leaving as soon as the sun peeped over the horizon. Sighing, you went to wash up before being assigned your room. You somewhat knew you’d be rooming with Iris, but you had hoped to be with the boys to secretly talk to Prompto while everyone slept. Usually, the blond male was the last to doze off.

           “Ah, yeah,” You let out a strained laugh. However, you turned your attention to the center of the room where only one queen-sized bed lay. This caused you to immediately arch a brow.

           “Uh, the guys took the last room with the double beds. I hope you don’t mind sharing. I don’t snore or do anything wild in my sleep,” Iris sheepishly said as she rubbed the back of her neck. You shrugged as you climbed into bed.

           “So, uh, we could treat this as a sleepover, kinda!” Iris said as she flipped the switch, darkness engulfing the room instantly.

           “… A sleepover?” You let out a yawn.

           “Y-yeah! Like where we can talk about girl things such as our feelings and hair and makeup and such? You ever do that with Lady Lunafreya?” Iris asked as she climbed in on the other side of the bed.

           “Uh…” You closed your eyes to think back to your time with Lunafreya. The only talk about feelings was her to you about Noctis and your occasional teasing of her. Or how she felt about you disliking the Gods and her oracle duties. As for hair and makeup, both of those weren’t an interest to neither of you as both of you were constantly held under Imperial orders. If hair and makeup were talked about, it was when Tenebraen stylists would visit the castle to prepare Lunafreya for her daily oracle tours. “No. Not really.”

           “Oh… well, I’ll start!”

           “What if I wanted to start?” You turned to face the girl, your eyes adjusting to the dark so you could see her better.

           “I-I mean you can if you want,” a light blush appeared on her face. Laughing gently, you told her she could start. “Well… I have a question.”

           “Shoot.”

           “Have you ever been in love?” The teenager immediately asked. She had shifted her body to face the ceiling and away from you as she asked this.

           “Uh…” You blinked at her as the question took you off guard.

           “Or really really liked someone to the point you’d do anything for them? Like, I don’t know, give them your last French fry though you wanted it or something like that?”

           “I’d do that for my sister,” You shrugged.

           “No,” Iris huffed as she turned to face you again, propping her head with her hand. “That’s love like familial love. Kinda like how I love Gladdy. I’m talking about being in love-“

           “Kinda like how you’re in love with Noctis?” You gave her a straight-face as you said this, but on the inside, you were dying of laughter at the teen’s facial expression.

           “T-this isn’t about Prince Noctis and me-“

           “Okay,” You laughed.

           “This is about Prince Noctis and you!” Immediately, your laughter stopped as her words rang through your ears. “Of course, I like Noct. He’s been there for me since… forever. But after a day’s worth of riding in a cramped backseat with you two, I couldn’t help but notice the chemistry. You’re telling me you don’t feel anything when you’re with him?”

           “Noctis is engaged to my sister,” You said to, hopefully, end the conversation. Just her saying that you two had chemistry caused your stomach to knot in nerves.

           “I know. Everyone knows that, but, wasn’t it an arranged marriage? What if Noctis doesn’t love-“

           “Of course, Noctis loves Lunafreya. What are you saying, Iris? He’s looking forward to being reunited with his true love as I am with my sister,” You said, your voice raising slightly.

           “I’m not saying that he’s not looking forward to seeing Lady Lunafreya again, but maybe he doesn’t love her as much-“

           “Then why is he desperately trying to reach her?”

           “Well for one, she’s in danger. And two… he wants to see the person he may have feelings for be reunited with he-“

           “Good night,” You cut the teen off and turned your body away from her.

           “Y/N!” She said as she lifted herself up more to look at you. “Y/N, listen-“

           “I said good night,” You took your pillow and placed it over your head as you crossed your arms over your chest. Iris let out a frustrated sigh as you felt the bed shift, letting you know that the girl had turned to face away from you as well. Meanwhile, your heart was leaping in your chest. Noctis couldn’t have feelings for you nor could you him. Him and Lunafreya were fated for one another. You were never supposed to fit in their equation, anyway. Whatever chemistry Iris saw between the two of you was stemmed from her being a hopeless romantic. You didn’t have the right to have feelings for him. You’d never be able to call him yours. And just by thinking that, you felt your floating heart begin to sulk.

~!~

Noctis’s POV

           Noctis tapped away at his phone as he lay on back in his shared bed with Prompto, playing King’s Knight. He was battling against Prompto who was more animated with his moves as he struggled to win against the nonchalant prince. Though Noctis was calm on the outside, he was purposefully making sure Prompto wouldn’t win the game on the inside. The prince was always competitive when it came to the cellular game, however, Noctis felt like he was battling for more than first place against his blond best friend. Iris’s words from earlier in the day had been running in his mind almost the entire day. Did Prompto and Y/N have feelings for each other? What had happened in the past couple of days that made them become closer to one another? Even at dinner, when something was clearly bothering the woman, she seemed to only respond to Prompto when he tried to see what was wrong.

           Noctis thought he was breaking through her barriers that she put up around herself. He thought he’d be the first one to break through and see what her innermost thoughts were. After opening to her about King Regis that one night, he was almost certain she would b do the same with him soon. She had looked as if she wanted to tell him everything right then and there, but something was holding her back. Why wasn’t she holding back with Prompto – someone who previously seemed to annoy her? Granted, all the guys seemed to annoy her to a certain extent but Noctis was under the impression they were closer than everyone else.

           “Give me a break, Noct!” Prompto loudly exclaimed as Noctis took down his knight again.

           “Prompto!” Ignis, who shared the other bed with Gladiolus and was asleep, said harshly for the umpteenth time.

           “Sorry, Iggy!” Prompto laughed nervously. “It won’t happen again! I promise, this time!”

           Ignis let out an irritated huff before repositioning himself in the bed. The nervous smile on Prompto’s face fail as he turned to his side to look at the prince next to him. “What’s your problem tonight, dude?”

           “There’s no problem. One last round?” Noctis ignored him as he pressed the ‘replay’ button on his phone and began equipping his character.

           “There is! You’re not usually this aggressive on me. What’s going on?”

           “Nothing’s going on. Just want to play the game is all,” Noctis shrugged.

           “Noct, you’re not even paying attention to me. Are you mad? Did I do something? I can fix it.”

           “You didn’t do anything.”

           Prompto let out a frustrated sigh as he sat up to place his phone on the nightstand beside him. This caused Noctis to peel his eyes away from his phone screen and over to the male beside him. “You’re not playing?”

           “Nah, because I feel like by you kicking my ass through the game is your way of taking your anger out on me for something I’m clearly unaware of that I did.”

           “Ever considered you just suck at the game?” Noctis tried to lighten the mood a little. He didn’t want Prompto to be upset with him nor to know he was using the game to compete with him. Not receiving a response from him, Noctis let out a distressed sigh as he turned his phone off and put it away. Prompto shifted in the bed to lay on his side, away from Noctis, while the prince lay on his back, staring at the dark ceiling. How could he ask Prompto about Y/N without revealing his growing feelings for the older woman? He wanted to know how she and Prompto grew so close. When did he suddenly become the one she turned to and not him?

           “Are you asleep…?” Noctis asked after not hearing anything for a couple of minutes coming from the man beside him. He waited a few seconds before deciding that he had fallen asleep. “I’m sorry about the game. Though you do suck… you were right. I was competing with you… not over first place… but something else…”

           “Y/N?” Noctis’s azure eyes widened as he heard Prompto whisper the name of the former princess. Noctis immediately turned to look at the male only to see him still turned to his side.

           “How’d-“

           Sighing, Prompto turned to face Noctis with a smirk on his face. “C’mon Noct, we’re best friends. I could tell you were into her the first day we ran into her at Hammerhead. I was talking to you and immediately you floated over to her. It was like you were drawn to her.”

           Noctis felt his face heat up as he focused his attention back to the ceiling, trying to cover his red face with his hand. Though it was dark and Prompto probably couldn’t see his face, he still felt embarrassed. Prompto let out a chuckle at his friend’s reaction.

           “Y/N, she… has a lot of things bottled up inside of her. I can’t tell you what those are… it’s something she has to do herself when she’s ready. She only told me because… well we have our reasons…” As Prompto spoke, Noctis slowly withdrew his hand from his face as he let the man’s words sink in. What was Y/N going through that she couldn’t tell him?

           “She wants to tell you, Noct, trust me. But she’s scared… because, though she may deny it to all our faces, your opinion of her matters the most. I don’t want to speak on how she feels because I’m only basing this off what I’ve noticed and what she’s said…”

 Lestallum (The day after Y/N and Prompto’s reveal)

           Y/N and Prompto sat at one of the café’s in the city of Lestallum. The others were still asleep – well Noctis was, anyway. Gladiolus and Ignis were out trying to find out more information on Jared and how to safely escort Iris and Talcott to Caem. Prompto and Y/N decided to take a break to get some food, but more importantly, get to know each other more and their connection with Niflheim. They couldn’t talk much last night in fear of others listening. Talcott could be heard wandering the halls of the hotel and they didn’t want the kid to overhear them.

           “Are you gonna tell Noct?”

           “If you’re scared to tell him then what makes you think I will?” Y/N frowned at the blond. Prompto just shrugged.

           “I just figured since you guys are childhood friends-“

           “We weren’t friends,” Y/N immediately cut him off. “We can’t be friends… for this reason.”

           “I get where you’re coming from, but I think he’d be understanding-“

           “If that’s the case then why can’t you tell him about you?” Y/N arched her brow.

           Prompto shook his head a little as he let out a chuckle. “He’d be more understanding just for you.”

           Prompto smiled a little as the woman’s face immediately turned red and she nervously shifted her hazel eyes away from him. Clearing her throat, she looked back up at him. “I want to tell Noctis. I don’t think it’s fair he’s opened up to me, but I haven’t to him. But… to know there’s a possibility that he’ll hate me after finding out… I don’t want that. Besides, I’m still trying to figure everything out myself.”

           “Trust me…” Prompto gave a knowing smile at the woman. “Noctis can’t hate you.”

           “H-huh?” Her face flushed red again as she looked up at him.

           “I-I mean he can’t hate you because… uh… in-laws, right? Lady Lunafreya wouldn’t want her husband to hate her sister!”

           Prompto watched as the woman sulked a little in her chair at his words. Her head dropped as she stared at the table. She didn’t respond for awhile and that was all Prompto needed to see to confirm things.

           “Yeah… my brother-in-law…” She finally said, breaking the brief silence. Her words sounded as if it pained her to say. Prompto just watched as the woman seemed to lose herself in her thoughts. Though Y/N gave off a tough exterior, she was clearly broken and hurting on the inside because of her past. She was a kind woman who would – and has – risk her life for others. Though she could be an asshole at times and a jokester, she truly cared for those around her. Inside her still lay that 9-year-old who was led to believe she couldn’t trust anyone and that… she would forever be a traitor – whether it be to Niflheim, the Lucis Caelum family, or the Nox Fleurets.

 Present

           “Just give her some time, okay? Until she’s ready, just be there for her,” Prompto said before turning back to face away from Noctis. “Whelp, I’m going to sleep now. See you in the AM!”

           “Yeah… night…” Noctis’s voice trailed off as Prompto’s words were still fresh in his head. What secrets did Y/N hold that would lead to the prince hating her? Of course, Prompto was right. Noctis could never hate Y/N. He was in love with her. But with Y/N being afraid of how Noctis viewed her… could that mean she…?

           Noctis shook his head. She clearly worried because they were going to eventually be family. He was still engaged to Luna. Y/N simply didn’t want any problems within the family. Hell, it wasn’t like Ravus didn’t already hate the man. Still, how could Noctis reassure Y/N that he was always going to be there for her – no matter how big her secret? Making sure Prompto was asleep, Noctis quietly snuck out of his bed and out the hotel room. He reached the room next door where he lightly knocked on it, hoping to wake up Y/N and not Iris. After a while of waiting and a couple more knocks, he heard feet shuffling on the other side of the door. Praying to the Gods that it was Y/N, he closed his eyes as the door opened.

           “Hey, what’s wrong?” The sweet voice of Y/N filled his ears. Immediately Noctis opened his eyes and looked down at the shorter woman. Her hair was down and covering her scar per usual. She wore a loose white t-shirt and black shorts that hugged the curve of her hips slightly. Though she was dressed so simply in her sleeping clothes, Noctis couldn’t help but still see her as beautiful. “Do you need something, Noctis?”

           Blinking back to reality and remembering the words from Prompto earlier. Noctis reached out and pulled the woman into a hug by her arm. Startled, he felt her freeze in his arms.

           “Noct-“

           “I won’t hate you,” was all he said as he tightened his grip around her. Noctis stood there for a while, hugging Y/N, until he felt her arms hesitantly wrap around his waist and her head further bury in his chest. She didn’t say anything as she returned his hug but Noctis knew that, even if just a tiny bit, Y/N believed that he could never hate her.

[ardaviswritesstuff]

Gone Fishin’

This was for the FFXV Rarepare Zine. I loved contributing. I hope you all enjoy this story. I only added one niggling line that bothered me after I submitted. =)

Gone Fishin’

 It was the first summer where the sun was finally out. The weather was nice – not too warm – as if the world was still trying to get back to normal. The waves gently lapped against the sides of the Royal Vessel, and gulls were crying out as they hovered over the boat. Aranea thought about maybe going for a swim. It had been ten years since she’d been able to do so safely. She wondered if she even remembered how. Maybe swimming was like riding a bike – something you never forget.

 Only a year ago, the ocean was littered with dead bodies.

 That was something that was hard to forget, too.

 She shivered and had to look away for a moment. She took a breath and reminded herself that time was over. A voice beside her startled her back to the present before she drifted too far into the past.

 “Ready to go fishing?”

 Aranea glanced over at Ignis, nearly forgetting he was here with her. He was fully dressed, even in this weather, and he was awkwardly holding both fishing poles in one hand. Aranea felt a familiar blush of embarrassment in her cheeks and quickly looked away again.

 “I’d rather try catching the fish with my bare hands,” she said. “I’m sure I’ll be just as successful.”

 He chuckled and moved toward the end of the boat and started setting everything up. Aranea was glad he couldn’t see her reaction. She blew out a long breath towards her bangs, took another moment to herself, and then finally moved to join him.

 She made sure he took his seat first before taking hers. Just in case. She should have known better considering she was the one who trained him during all those years in the darkness. Still . . . better safe than sorry. Aranea busied herself putting the bait on the hook, feeling the silence hovering between them like a heavy fog. Addressing it was the last thing she wanted to do.

 “Noct was good at this,” Ignis said suddenly, grabbing her attention again. This was the first time she’d heard him say his name since . . . Well, since the prince didn’t come back.

 King, she reminded herself. He had been king. The world was still trying to figure out what to do about the loss of the royal family. In more ways than one. Aranea detected no sadness in Ignis’ tone. Still, just seeing the way his jaw had clenched after he’d said it told her everything she needed to know.

 “He never bothered to teach you?” Aranea asked, casting her line out. Waiting was the hard part. We waited ten years for his sorry ass to come back, and then he just ups and dies. She was trying her damndest not to be bitter. Just like it seemed Ignis was trying his damndest not to be sad.

 “I never bothered to learn,” he responded. “My job was to cook the fish, not catch them. I never thought I’d have to.”

 He cast his line out. There was silence between them again. What did he expect Aranea to say? She wasn’t good at the whole comforting thing.

 Still, she wanted to try.

 “I never thought I’d have to do this, either,” she said. “Never thought I’d have to do a lot of the shit I did. But we’re still here. Somehow.”

 “Because of him,” Ignis replied.

 That got under her skin real bad. Aranea flinched. Words bubbled up her throat but she swallowed them down. “If that’s what you think.”

 “It’s what I know.”

 “You don’t know a goddamn . . .” She snapped. Bit back the rest of what she wanted to say. Released a very tense breath. “Never mind. I’m not going to get into this again.”

 “Why are you so against -- ?”

 “Why do you want to keep bringing this up? Furthermore, why did you even decide to come with me? Like, why are you even here? Our partnership was done the moment he came back, so why are we even continuing this charade?” Stop. That’s enough.

 “I simply wanted to help,” he said calmly.

 Aranea scoffed. “Yeah? Well, I don’t need your help. OK? I don’t need you. For anything.”

 “I’m well aware of that.”

 “And yet, you still persist.”

 “You used to say that was one of my best traits.” He even smiled as he said that. The bastard.

 “I’m starting to regret everything.” Once again, Aranea was grateful he couldn’t see her. He couldn’t see the wounds in her expression. Couldn’t see her eyes welling with stupid tears she blinked away.

 At least he wasn’t smiling anymore.

 He rested one of his hands on his knee. “Ara, about that night–”

 She held up her pointer finger like a weapon. She spoke through her teeth. “Don’t. Even. And don’t call me that. Don’t you ever call me that.”

 She wasn’t starting to regret everything. She already did. Especially the night she’d learned he had just left her behind. One more event to haunt her before she slept. Though this one wasn’t nearly as traumatic, it hurt just as badly. She really should have known better. But she was often told she was a glutton for punishment.

 “Apologies,” Ignis murmured.

 Aranea ignored it. He was only saying that because she was upset. He could care less otherwise. This knowledge irritated her even further. She restlessly tapped her foot on the deck, feeling years of resentment, fear, and despair curling tightly into a fist inside her gut.

 This summer was going to suck.

 “Could you please not do that?” Ignis asked after a while of her ceaseless tapping.

 “I guess I could,” Aranea replied and continued to do it anyway. She got a childish sense of satisfaction when she heard him sigh in exasperation. She didn’t realize she could be so petty until she’d started training with Ignis. He always seemed to bring this irrational anger out of her, one that she’d thought she’d buried deep, but was always ready to bite the second he started talking. Maybe it was that “I’m-too-good-for-this” attitude he carried around with him everywhere he went. Or maybe it was that sense of self-righteousness.

 She used to like these qualities about him.

 Aranea flinched, feeling as though a needle had pricked her heart. She glanced over at Ignis, who seemed to be sitting there so calmly and collectively, like nothing bad had ever happened. She almost felt sick.

 “I think we should go back,” she announced suddenly.

 He turned his head in her direction. “What?”

 “I know you’re not deaf. I said we should go back. We’ve barely caught anything. Most of the fish are still probably dead. And this isn’t exactly the best thing for either of us.” She fiddled with the fishing line. “We should go back,” she repeated, softer this time.

 It was deadly quiet for a long time. Even the gulls had stopped calling, as if they, too, were waiting for Ignis’ response.

 “No,” he said at last.

 Aranea sighed. “What’s the point?”

 “Are you really so ready to give up?”

 “I’m ready to face facts. That’s the difference between you and me.”

 “You and I.”

 “Screw you. You’re the worst. I should have never allowed you to come with me on this trip. I should have never . . .” She had to stop because she couldn’t fight back her tears and spew out her words at the same time. And she’d be damned if he found out she was crying. Especially over him of all people.

 “Aranea,” he said gently and she hated him for it. She hated him and she –

 No.

 She wasn’t going to do this to herself again.

 “What?” she snapped.

 “I’m sorry.”

 Her breath hitched. She hadn’t expected that. Not from Mr. Impossibly Perfect over there. She didn’t doubt his sincerity; she just didn’t want to accept it. Nobody ever said she was easy to deal with.

 “Yeah, well you can take your apology and shove it,” she said.

 “Why did you agree to let me come with you, especially if all you’re going to be is antagonistic towards me?”

 “Like I don’t have a reason to be.”

 “I wasn’t saying you didn’t. I was merely –”

 “I felt sorry for you,” Aranea snapped. “Same reason why I agreed to train you. I pitied you.”

 It was quiet for a long time. She knew that had to sting a little. From what Aranea knew, Ignis hadn’t spent much time with Blondie and the meathead. She supposed some things would never be the same. Some facts were hard to accept. Some things were hard to admit. Aranea almost took back what she said, but why should she? It wasn’t like he ever stopped to consider that he wasn’t the only one hurting.

 “You don’t mean that,” Ignis said softly, as if he was trying to convince himself.

 “Pfft. Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

 It got quiet again. Uncomfortably so.  When Aranea looked over at Ignis, she could see his jaw was clenched and it made her sigh impatiently.

 “So then you really are giving up,” Ignis suddenly said.

 Aranea stood up, done with this whole conversation and this stupid trip. How could she have ever thought she could just get away from it all? “I’m driving us back to shore,” she announced as she began to walk away.

 Aranea heard Ignis’ footsteps hurrying after her. Aranea thought she was already far enough away, but within seconds she felt Ignis’ hand around her wrist.

 “Let me go,” she snarled.

 “No. Not until I’ve had my say. And then you can do whatever you wish. You can take us back. You can never speak to me again if that’s what you really want.”

 Aranea studied his face for a moment, wanting to deny him, but she couldn’t force the words out, no matter how hard she tried. Instead, she sighed and then said, “Fine.”

 Surprisingly, he let her go, and turned towards the sea, almost as if he was looking beyond the waters. Aranea didn’t need to see his hands to know he was holding the railing with an iron grip. It took Ignis so long to say something that she almost walked away, but after clearing his throat, he finally began.

 “I knew he was going to die,” he said. Aranea didn’t have to ask who he was referring to. “I knew the whole time we spent fighting in the darkness. I knew when he returned, it would be for the last time.”

 “I’m sorry,” Aranea said softly. Because what else could you say to something like that? The king had been Ignis’ whole life, and now he was desperately trying to find a new one. She could tell Ignis was still struggling with it. The darkness hadn’t left them entirely. There were still remnants lingering in places that were hard to ignore. She wondered if they could ever truly be free from it. What would their life be like then?

 It was hard to imagine. And that, quite frankly, made her terribly sad.

 “No, don’t apologize,” Ignis continued. “That’s not why I told you. While I knew Noct’s fate, I didn’t know the fate of myself or anyone else.” His voice faltered slightly. Aranea refrained from reaching out to touch him. He was no longer her pupil, after all. Besides, when had she ever allowed herself to be soft on him? “I already had to live with the knowledge that I’d end up losing someone I deeply cared for. I couldn’t risk losing you, too.”

 “Oh,” Aranea said. Because, really, what else was there to say? Ignis was always one to keep his emotions closely guarded. Still . . . “Why didn’t you just tell me all this that night?”

 “Because you would have fought back, and in the end I would have relented because I had no real right to tell you what you could or could not do. It wasn’t exactly an easy choice for me to make, however. But it was something I had to do. I’m sorry.”

 Aranea was still slightly flabbergasted. His hand was right there, just in her reach.

 He wouldn’t feel her hand, though. Not with his gloves on.

 “I don’t want to be your next pet project,” she said.

 “I wasn’t implying anything of the sort,” Ignis insisted. “I only wished to explain why I left you behind. It was one of the reasons why I insisted on joining you.”

 “Was the other reason loneliness?”

 “Not exactly.”

 “What was it, then?”

 Ignis suddenly had a strange expression on his face that unnerved Aranea slightly. “Did you hear that?” he asked after a moment.

 “Uh, hear what exactly?” She felt a surge of adrenaline in her arms. Her lance was in the second bedroom. Would there be time to grab it if there was a fight?

 “The line,” Ignis said and rushed back towards the fishing poles they’d left behind. Still bewildered from, frankly, everything, Aranea chased after him.

 As she approached, she could hear what had alerted Ignis: her fishing line was rapidly unspooling.

 “Holy crap, we actually caught something?” she asked.

 “Not yet,” Ignis replied as he grabbed her fishing rod, “we still have to get it aboard.”

 He started reeling the fish in, but she could tell he was struggling a bit. He hadn’t been lying when he said he never bothered to learn. She immediately moved over to help him, placing her hands over his. She could feel how tightly he was holding onto the rod. The bastard fish was strong; the line was pulled so taught she feared it would snap.

 “What are you doing?” Ignis asked.

 “Helping. I think,” Aranea said, her heart beating fast from adrenaline and something else.

 “Turn the rod toward the fish.”

 “What the hell does that even mean?”

 “It was something I used to tell Noct.”

 “Yeah, well, I’m not him, remember?”

 “Just hold steady.”

 “What does it look like I’m doing?” Aranea asked through her teeth as she braced herself. Her back was pressed against him. She could feel his heartbeat, and she tried not to think about it, but it was right there being all insistent. Making her lose focus.

 “Unfortunately, I couldn’t tell you,” Ignis replied. “I think we’ve got him, just hold on.”

 “Yeah, yeah.”

 They struggled reeling for what felt like an eternity. Inch by maddening inch they pulled that bastard fish in. Strangely enough, it reminded Aranea of when they would fight side by side during the years in darkness. Both of them working in sync like they could read each other’s mind. Both of them knowing how to complement each other without saying a word. They were certainly deadly when they were on their own. Together? They were pretty much unstoppable.

Eventually, Aranea saw a frantic splashing on the surface, drawing closer to the boat. Her heartbeat sped up, and she thought she could feel his doing the same. She knew they were going to succeed. They always did. Together.

 Aranea had a flash to that moment where they’d fought against a Red Giant. Ignis had launched her into the air, and when she spiraled down, she pierced its heart. It was a thing of beauty. She felt that same sense of awe when the fish was finally pulled out of the water. It thrashed wildly, scales glinting in the sunlight. She didn’t know what kind of fish it was. It didn’t much matter, though.

 They’d done it.

 Wordlessly, she helped Ignis free the fish from the hook and placed it in a bucket of water. The fish swam in endless circles.

 Aranea burst out laughing. She didn’t know why. She couldn’t stop it.

 “What’s so funny?” Ignis asked.

 She was laughing so hard she couldn’t speak. Suddenly, Ignis was joining her. She wished it would never end.

 There were tears in her eyes. She quickly wiped them away. The laughter faded and soon there was only silence.

 Aranea started to say something. “I –”

 Ignis pulled her in and kissed her.

 It was a little clumsy. Awkward, even. His lips were soft. And despite the fact that he had pulled her in, his arm around her was gentle. It told her she could pull away if she wanted to.  But she sure as hell wasn’t going to. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in even closer to her. She wanted to feel everything.

 She could feel all the tension and heartache and sorrow between them. But beneath that, slowly rising to the surface, she could feel a warm happiness.

 She didn’t think she’d ever feel such a thing again. Yet here it was, dipping in her stomach and spreading out everywhere.

 And then she felt his tongue.

 Great Astrals above.

 He may not want her to die, but she was pretty sure he was going to kill her before the day was done.

 They both pulled back slowly, allowing the kiss to linger. There was just enough space for them to do it again without much effort.

 “What was that for?” Aranea asked in a whisper, worried that any noise above that level would surely ruin everything.

 “The other reason why I wanted to come with you,” Ignis replied, his voice just as soft. “You deserve to know everything. So here I am telling you that I’ve missed you. And I love you. And even though most things in this world are only temporary, I want us to try to be the exception to that rule.”

 The sigh Aranea released felt like she was letting go of all the burdens she’d been carrying. At least for now. “So you decided to tell me now?”

 “I couldn’t think of a better time.”

 She shook her head. “Anyone ever tell you that you think too much?”

 “It used to be all the time. Until recently.”

 “Well, I’m telling you again.”

 “I’d rather you tell me if you want the same thing I do.”

 Aranea pretended to think. “Hm. I don’t know. It’s hard to answer on an empty stomach. What are you planning on making with our singular fish? I hope it’s sushi. I’ve been craving it for the past ten years.”

 Ignis chuckled. “Actually, about that . . .” He stepped towards the bucket and picked it up. Aranea was about to ask him what he planned on doing with that when he stepped towards the edge of the boat –

 --and threw the fish overboard.

 Aranea gaped. That was all she could do for a few seconds. “What?” was the only question she could coherently ask.

 “Before you get angry –”

 “What?”

 “Before you get angry,” Ignis said slowly, “let me explain.”

 “This better be good.”

 “I let it go because in spite of everything that has happened to this place for the past decade, in spite of all the daemons and all the hopelessness that covered this world . . . it’s still alive. And so are we. You said so yourself.”

 Damn. He got to her again. He was good at that. She would have told him if she didn’t think he’d end up using it against her one day. “You know,” she said, moving closer to him, “you could have made your point without throwing our lunch overboard.”

 “And miss your priceless reaction?” he scoffed.

 “Not like you could have seen it.”

 He chuckled. “I remember what you look like.”

 “If you say ‘beautiful’ or something stupid like that, I’m going to push you into the water.”

 “I’d never tell such a lie.”

 She lightly punched his arm and he laughed again. She started thinking that maybe they would be OK. Maybe this could work. He was right: in spite of everything, they were standing here. Joking and laughing and kissing. They were planning an unsteady future. Scary, but they had been through worse.

 Aranea leaned against him and he supported her. “Hey, Four-Eyes?”

 “Yes?”

 “I love you, too. As much as I can. You deserve to know that.”

 “I already did.”

 Aranea rolled her eyes. “Because you’re just that smart?”

 “I wouldn’t be here if you didn’t.”

 She sighed in exasperation. “Gods, you talk too much. Shut up and kiss me again.”

 He did and it was just as good as the first time.

 She had been wrong again.

 This summer was going to be as good as it could be. Maybe it would even merge into fall and then winter. Maybe it would go on and on for as long as they were alive.

 She certainly hoped so.

@mikia87 @stopmopingstarthoping @highspecs @highwindhq @lunar-magnolia @amicitonia =) Feel free to tag other people you think may like this.