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jcmorrigan · 3 years

Note

001 - Kingdom Hearts

Favorite character: On the villain side: VEXEN IS BEST ORGANIZATION XIII MEMBER. Shoulda stayed evil, though. I like it when he complains and screams about everything and hates everyone. He's one of my favorite villains, just, like...in general. So fun to write. Also attached to Demyx, but I actually liked him more in III than II because it reminded me of my rawr lolspeek weeb days when I f/o'd him without knowing what f/o'ing was and then transitioned this to shipping VexDem like heck. On the hero side: MY GIRL KAIRI! But honorable mentions go to Sora, Riku, Aqua, Ven, Terra, Xion, Roxas, Lea, Ienzo, any Disney character I loved beforehand (this is way too fuckin many to list), Merlin (OKAY I WILL SINGLE HIM OUT), Yen Sid (I'LL SINGLE HIM OUT TOO), you know what let's also single out the Mickey+Donald+Goofy power trio...just...any KH hero who isn't part of the Yozora stuff or the KHUX stuff. ...Except I also LOVE Strelitzia, and she is the only KHUX-exclusive kiddo I care about but I care about her MANY. (Oh, and there's a least fave I have who's a "hero" but that's a debatable label). I would go on about why I love all of them but...that's too many characters to elaborate on

Least Favorite character: See, I think the real answer is Yozora, but the thing is I just tend to forget about him or not care (unless I'm doing a weird AU where he's Noctis' bratty Nobody, don't ask). He kinda represents the Shark Jump and I don't like watching that scene where he literally petrifies Sora for not being strong enough. But again, I can just kinda forget about him if he's not fed to me through a social-media unit. The one I LOVE TO HATE is Master Eraqus. The man actually triggered me back in the day. He is purity culture. He is the overbearing parent who will not accept you unless you are perfect. He is by and large the reason VAT didn't communicate with each other properly. He was the one who taught Aqua to think in absolutes. He lied to Ventus for years and then insisted to kill him was the only option, and then, when Terra tried to defend his brother figure/friend without knowing WHY Eraqus was doing such a thing, Eraqus didn't offer an explanation and instead switched targets to Terra citing that the problem was Terra's lack of OBEDIENCE. Eraqus is just very "my way or the highway" and uses his moral high horse to justify doing things that utterly lack compassion in any regard, which is something that GETS to me on a deep level, and let me tell you, I hated him for so long until I realized he was actually a super fuckin fun guy to imagine as a Bigger Bad in AUs that either have the KH protags teaming up or have villain protags needing a "greater good lawful evil" figure. And I just have found too many good memes about him cheating at chess and killing children. I have to laugh. Making fun of him is fun. He's a ridiculous character. That said, this recent trend of "erase everything bad he ever did and paint him as the ultimate hero of the saga" makes me raise eyebrows for SEVERAL reasons

5 Favorite ships (canon or non-canon): VexDem, SoRiku, Kairi x Jaune Arc (RWBY), Aqua x Rosalina (Super Mario Galaxy) x Bayonetta, IsaLea, Ventus x Papyrus (Undertale), that was six but they all needed to be mentioned

Character I find most attractive: Ienzo. HOO BABY he is adorable. I saw someone make a Valentine's Day gifset of KH and FF characters shortly after III dropped and seeing his smiling face paired with a romance quote made my heart FLUTTER

Character I would marry: Probably Ienzo, see above. He's also a very kind guy. Favorite redemption in the modern era.

Character I would be best friends with: I hope the Destiny Trio would adopt me into their friend circle the way they've tended to do with every other inter-world denizen they've come across. I would love to have them as my positivity squad. Or, y'know, two positivities and one "it's okay to screw up" guy. Just. I would love to hang out with them. I often worry that I'm unlikable to my faves, but even though I would usually prefer to hang with the villains, I can pretty much guarantee these three would be open-minded about me. (Do I kiiiiinda wanna be friends with Vexen though? Of course I do. He'd hate me but maaaayyyyybe he would see me as one of his pet idiots who makes him look smarter, and we could bond over our fragile egos?)

a random thought: You ever think about that one NPC lady in Traverse Town who refused to tell you where she was from because it was none of her business? You ever wonder where she WAS from? What her world was like? How she ended up being the survivor of the Ansem Apocalypse when it hit her? All I know is that when I read her lines out loud (I used to read KH speech balloons out loud all the time), I gave her a Southern accent for no discernible reason and I stand by it. That woman has a twang.

An unpopular opinion: I don't want KHUX to be canon because I feel it's smaller-scale and takes a lot of mystery out of the worldbuilding. I always assume that the KHverse just includes ALL worlds in fiction, and that includes their thousand-year histories, meaning the Age of Fairy Tales should've happened long long long LONG LONG LONG ago and not five generations. And whatever screwed up the world should've been more than just five people having a fight, and whatever saved it should've been more than just five people getting along, and Daybreak Town really suffers from having to stick to mobile-friendly graphics and therefore is the least aesthetically attractive KH town ever, and I don't like that Lauriam and Elrena used to be such selfless people. I do still love Strelitzia because she's shy and relatable and quirky (sitting on the roof) and she questions authority and if you go with shipping subtext she's probably bi (or pan?), but I don't like the "Lauriam's dead sister for his arc's drama" bit. I liked when Marluxia was angry because he wanted to run Organization XIII but it was in the hands of an idiot who wasn't him. And more than anything I just like imagining that the Age of Fairy Tales was something bigger, further in the past, and more mysterious than something designed for a mobile game. Scala ad Caelum, however, I like a lot better because there IS a lot of mystery there and also it's a very pretty town with an amazing design.

my canon OTP: I really only count the Disney couples as the "canon" ones, so this is a question of picking my favorite Disney couple that shows up onscreen. I hope I'm not forgetting an important one, but I think the title has to go to Aladdin/Jasmine, which is always perfect in everything. (This would be an ENTIRELY DIFFERENT STORY if KH had ever adapted Treasure Planet, and if it ever gets the mind to adapt Treasure Planet then even if I don't care about that game I will immediately declare that Amelia/Doppler takes the KH canon OTP crown. *taps watch* Get on it Squenix)

Non-canon OTP: SoRiku, which I counted as "basically canon" after DDD until III decided it wasn't sure. But I'm just a sucker for how DDD is the two of them all "HE'S GOT MY BACK AND I'VE GOT HIS AND I'D DO ANYTHING FOR HIM SO LONG AS HE'S HAPPY." It's just the best kind of Friends-to-Lovers, except when you take all canon into account it's Friends-to-Rivals-to-Enemies-to-Friends-to-Lovers and that's a very juicy dynamic. BUT ALSO: VexDem, which is a nostalgia ship SO STRONG I had to accept that it eclipsed my former Vexen ships by a mile and I wanted to go back to my roots. That one, I have a much longer essay about that I'll just have you refer to so I don't repeat myself for pages. To make a long story short, their scene in III was JUST DELICIOUS.

most badass character: OOF THEY'RE ALL BADASS but in the end it's between Sora and Aqua, because Sora gets the widest RANGE of abilities across the series that he masters while Aqua gets the most POWERFUL abilities due to her Mastery (Command Styles seem like they'd be the most OP things ever in-universe and I'm here for it because flashy battle moves make brain go brr).

pairing I am not a fan of: SOKAI, Xehaqus, RikuNami, Vanitas/anyone not evil

character I feel the writers screwed up (in one way or another): OH BOY. KAIRI THE MOST. YOU ALL KNOW WHY: lack of screen time, Fridging for drama, forced romance to invite death flags (they really wanted to milk that death to get people talking didn't they?), giving Alyson Stoner ZERO direction to actually follow up on Hayden Panettiere's performance. But then I remember that they made Vexen redeem and lose his entire personality and I just...uuugghhhh. I can't believe he died twice in this series. And then Demyx is FUN but also I know he's flipped sides as well, which means he won't be fun much longer! Xehanort seems to switch motivations to whatever makes him the biggest threat (and several of Eraqus' old flaws seem to be mysteriously glued onto him), Sora isn't a motormouth anymore, Riku just doesn't get anyone who cares about him anymore because everyone's distracted by Sora and Kairi, IS ANYBODY GOING TO ADDRESS THE ACTUAL ISSUES THAT DROVE THE WAYFINDER TRIO APART, oh God Marluxia and Larxene you're good guys now what have they done to you

favourite friendship: I really like each of the trios. But you know what's even BETTER than the trios? If you put...all of the trios together...meaning Sora, Riku, Kairi, Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Aqua, Terra, Ven, Roxas, Xion, Lea, Hayner, Pence, Olette...and then you added Isa back in there...and you gave them Ienzo...and you brought back Naminé...and you say that Subject X is Strelitzia and you have her turn back up so she can have justice done...AND YOU HAVE AN ULTRA KEYBLADE GROUP OF FRIENDS. As for Vexen, any purely platonic relationship I have for him is a crossover but trust me I have many crossover pals for he

character I want to adopt or be adopted by: See everyone I listed above in the friendship question. They can either mentor me or let me be their big sis/mom. But also, I will GLADLY be Merlin or Yen Sid's daughter. (But also would I kiiiiinda wanna be a VexDem daughter? This is the worst idea. Still wanna try)

#kingdom hearts

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story-time-with-rei · 4 years

Text

How I discovered I was a Monster Fucker ™

M!monster under the bed x f!reader

I lay there in the sweltering heat of the summer night as I listen to the rain. Suddenly, I feel the familiar bump under my bed and I smile to myself as I drop my arm off the edge of the bed. My fingers interlace with the long and sharp talons of my oldest and dearest friend, Dax.

"You've grown so much, little one..." Comes his low rumbling voice. The statement makes me laugh as I remember back to the first time I had met Dax. It had been one of those summer nights when both my parents had to work, and my baby sitter was too preoccupied with her friends to realize how terrified I was of the raging storm. While they watched some cheesy horror movie, I hid in a ball under my bed.

At first this was just a spot to hide from the storm but as the storm raged I felt something small, about the size of a bunny, snuggle up against my side and begin trembling. When ever I looked there was nothing there but the sweet innocent voice of a child would tell me to stop trying to see him. Instead, I reached to blindly hug at the being. He had been just as scared of the storm as I had been, and his presence was a welcome comfort even if I wasn't allowed to see him.

As the years went on, I would squeeze my growing frame under whatever bed I had, any time there was a storm, and eventually, any time I was bored. The child's voice had introduced himself as Daxum Noctis and explained that he had been assigned to be my monster. At the time I thought that meant he went through some company or something, but in time -once I was old enough to understand the meaning- he explained it was more like soulmates, for monsters.

I'm snapped out of my thoughts by the sounds of his claws scraping on the hardwood floor under my bed. The sounds left no trace other than the goose bumps formed on my bare flesh. I was no child anymore, and my thoughts of my friend had begun to shift in my late teen years, around the time of his voice change and final growth. The way he shook my bed when he came into my world, the way his voice reverberated in my head and chest when he spoke so sweetly to me, it began to excite me differently.

"Little one you are awfully quiet today, is something wrong?" Dax asks after I've fallen silent in my thoughts. I set up and look over the edge of the bed before quietly asking a question I've asked a thousand times, knowing I'll get the same answer.

"Dax...why won't you let me see you?"

"Why do you ask again, little one? You would fear me and I value your love more than your fear." He calmly explains, earning a huff from me. I roll over in bed and face my wall, where my bed sets in a corner.

"Do you really have THAT little faith in me Dax...you're my closest friend...and maybe I kinda like you." I mumble grumpily. I was not prepared for the feeling of my bed shifting as Dax pulled himself up onto the bed from underneath.

I stayed still, eyes wide as I watched his shadow on the wall beside me. I stayed looking ahead as he wrapped his arms around my bare stomach and I closed them when I felt him nuzzle my neck, tusks or fangs or something hard drawing across the skin lightly. I flinched slightly as I felt a long thick snake like tail coliling around my legs and holding me flush against him.

"You are quite stubborn aren't you little one?" He rumbles against my back. "You are also still very childish, seriously "maybe I kinda like you"" he mocks playfully, earning a laugh and an elbow jab from me as I try to sqwirm a little. "You are also quite beautiful and....currently quite naked. Why didnt you say something before I came up here?"

"I didn't know you were coming up you dork!" I laugh again, settling comfortably in his arms and playing idly with the feathers on the back of his large hand. He sighs contently when I stop struggling, and hugs me a little tighter, drawing a gasp from me as his hand cups my breast.

"Little one, you know I have loved you for quite some time now, right?" He rumbles against my neck, showing that sweet venerability that he always tries to hide. I nod against his jaw where he's moved it to rest on the side of my face.

"And I've loved you, I just...can't go any further without seeing you. You see me all the time I just...want to see who I love. Gods, when I say it out loud it sounds so selfish I'm sorry Dax." I say, awkwardly laughing since focus isn't something I'm good at when rough fingers are idly pinching and tugging at my sensitive nipple.

"If I show you, will you promise to still love me...?" He asks after a few moments of idly torturing me. I eagerly nod and gasp out a breathy yes, as I press back against him, his ministrations having worked me up quite badly.

I whine as he stops, arms and tail slowly untangling from me as his weight causes the bed to creak a bit. I pout and hug myself before I hear the words I never expected to hear from him.

"You can look at me, little one." His voice is softer, almost afraid. It breaks my heart and sets it aflutter at the same time. I carefully set up and turn to face where his voice had come from, before slowly opening my eyes and looking towards the man I had grown up with. I gasped softly, not out of fear but out of realization that I was clearly what people on the internet called a monster fucker.

Before stood an all black figure. Torso was generally human shaped save for the long claws on his fingers. He was strong and covered in inky black feathers save for around his eyes and mouth. His eyes were a brilliant gold that showed even in the dim light of the street lamps outside. He had long black hair that cascaded down his back to his waist where his torso melted into a thick and shiny snake tail. Each black scale was akin to the night sky on a clear day, lights reflecting off his tail gave the illusion of stars sparkling all over his lower half.

I reach my arms out to him and smile with genuine love and affection in my voice as I laugh softly "you're such a dork, get over here and finish what you started!" He grins, sharp and surely deadly fangs glistening in the sudden flash of lightning. In the same flash, he was on me, and I knew storms would no longer frighten either of us as my best friend became my lover.

#monster boyfriend #suggestive

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quirklessbunny · 5 years

Note

it is nocts birthday if you want to do something with that.

This is so hecking late, I’m sorry Noct and I’m sorry anon. Happy late birthday though, Noct! Lots of love for our king!

Some content warnings: canon typical violence, some cussing, major character death, 10 years of darkness

pairings: polyship roadtrip with Promptis as the main focus

Edit: i don’t know what the hell happened to the formatting but I’m gonna try to fix it. Its also available on my ao3, starofinsomnia

I hope you enjoy!

Noise. Yelling? Sobbing? No, he's not sure, just a cacophony of echoing noise bouncing off the walls nearby. He shifts, whimpering softly when it just causes pain to spike through his back. He peels his eyes open finally, staring up at the destroyed ceiling of the Citadel. Whathappened here? His father is going to be pissed if he somehow caused the destruction of the damn castle. He sighs softly and closes hiseyes again, hoping that Ignis or Gladio gets here soon and explains something, becausehe has no idea why his back and knee hurt this bad, or what happened to him to make his head pound. All he knows is he feels old and hewants to lay in a proper bed.

Minutes pass and nothing seems to happen. Noctis wonders where Ignis is, there's no way he wouldn't come to check on Noctis unless something was stopping him. He slowly sits up, a soft cry falling from his lips. Agony laces through his body. When he looks down at himself, there's blood on his clothes and his shirt is ripped, but there seems to a relatively small wound on his chest. A little vibrant featherfalls to the ground beside him, and seemingly stray sparks of light glitter around him.

A phoenix down, his brain supplies. Why did someone need to use a phoenix down on him? Last he remembers, they were nearly to thecrystal, they had just gotten Prompto back- Prompto. Where's Prompto now? His best friend would never leave his side if he had just gotten down'd, the man acts like he really died regardless of his reassurances, and usually takes a few days to calm down. So where ishe in the minutes after a successful revive?

Noctisslowly heaves himself to his feet, choking on a cough. His bodyabsolutely does not want him to walk, when did his knees get sofucked? But here he is, going on anyway. He never was good atlistening to his body and treating it properly, at least, accordingto Ignis. He heads towards the source of the noises, even though itcauses his head to ache worse. He pauses by the door, pressing hisforehead against the splintering wood. The pressure does nothing toease it, and he wonders if Ignis will have any advil on him.Probably. If not, Gladio definitely has some in his dumb campingfirst aid kit.

Hefinally forces himself out of the door, listening to the noise alittle more carefully. Fighting, it definitely sounds like fighting.The crash of blades and grunting gives it away. He uses the wall tohold himself up, hand scraping over the cold stone. He rounds thecorner and finds the fight almost directly in front of him. The men look like Ignis and Gladio. But older, as if theyears haven't been kind to them. Ignis is moving a lot better than hewas last time Noctis remembers seeing him. He's glad, though he cantell Ignis never recovered his sight, with the way he's moving. Morecautious than usual, mostly using magic.

Howmuch time has passed? He doesn't remember much of anything, butclearly time has gone by. He feels it in his bones, he sees it in theother two, sees it in the state of the Citadel. He reaches up,fingers brushing over his jaw. Facial hair, he wasn't able to growthat before. When the fight ends, he stumbles from the shadows, tearswelling into his eyes. The other two jolt towards the sound, butGladio visibly relaxes right away.

“Yourmajesty,” Gladio says, deep voice rumbling and full of thickemotion. Noctis finds that he had missed it. He lets the tears falloff his cheeks and jolts forward, throwing himself into the arms ofhis shield, his love. He has no idea how long it's been since he'sbeen able to touch someone like this, but he feels in his skin thatit's been years. He can't believe how painful it is to be touchstarved and not remember why he feels that way. He leans up a littlebit, clumsily, hitting their mouths together in a slight rush.

“Where'sPrompto?” he asks when their separate, voice trembling. He leansheavily against him, unable to hold himself up on his own now. Hislegs aren't prepared to hold his weight. “Why can't I...rememberanything?”

“Promptois headed to Hammerhead, your majesty. He went ahead to clear as muchof a path as he could, though it wasn't without us forcing him out.He wanted to stay with you, like always. I promise to you, though, toour knowledge he's fine and well. Let's go, now. I want to make surewe get to a safe zone,” Ignis says. He walks forward, hand comingout and feeling along Gladio's body until his fingers bury in Noctis'grimy hair. “Carry him, would you Gladio?” he asks. “Thepheonix down couldn't fix everything, and you were down long enoughthat you could have gaps in your memory. It's a documented phenomena.Sometimes it comes back, sometimes it doesn't. Like amnesia.”

Noctisnods slightly. “The last thing I remember is almost getting to theCrystal. But I also remember very little about what happened beforethen too.” He sighs softly. He's relieved when Gladio picks him up,he wasn't sure how much longer he could have stayed upright. It'slike the last of his strength is finally being sapped now that he'ssafe with his lovers.

Noctisslides in and out of consciousness on the ride back to Hammerhead,his face pressed into Ignis' thigh as he snores. He's never had anytrouble sleeping before, and now is not any different. The exhaustionand pain weighing heavily on his body help him along. When the carstops, he feels like he's being blinded by the sun, but his mindtells him that can't be right. 10 years of darkness, he thinks aftera few moments. But wasn't something supposed to fix that? He feelslike it was important to him, like it was job orsomething. A prophecy he doesn't remember the words to.

Heslowly climbs from the car, looking around. Just bright floodlights,he realizes. To keep the demons off. This feels familiar, walking upto Hammerhead in this setting. He looks up, and when he seesPrompto's face his legs give out. Gods above, he missed him. He looksridiculous with that stupid facial hair, but its so absolutelyPrompto that it makes him weak.

“Noct!”Prompto shouts, voice confused and scared. He rushes forward,kneeling in front of Noctis and looking him over. “Good?” he askssoftly, hands moving to his cheeks. “Gods Noct, that wasn't fair.You don't get to scare me twice like that.” He hugs him tightly,sliding his hands over his back. He clutches him closer, leans theirforeheads together. “Fuck, I thought that phoenix down wasn't gonnabe enough, and I was so scared but I'm so glad you're here now. Imissed you.”

Noctislets out a soft sob and hugs him back. He clutches Prompto's clothes,pulling on them pretty hard in an effort to get closer to him. “Imissed you,” he mumbles. He moves his hands up and grips Prompto'scheeks, yanking him into a deep kiss. “Don't leave me,” hewhispers, voice desperate, choked, broken. He can't live with thethought that he might be alone again.

“Iwon't. I would never leave you,” Prompto responds. He slowly standsup, pulling Noctis close to lean on him. “Let's go inside, I have asurprise all set up for you.” He kisses his cheek, smiling at him.The smile is tired, Prompto is exhausted. Exhausted from thefighting, exhausted from the darkness. But he'd always smile for hisbest friend and the love of his life. “And then we can all sleepfor a little bit. Because we deserve it and earned it. Plus I doubt10 years of sleeping would put a dent in your sleep pattern.”Prompto gives him a teasing smile, and Noctis can't help but snort.

“Shutup. Not all of us have the energy of a golden retriever,” heresponds, voice playful. Noctis sighs softly, leaning harder into himwhen Prompto reaches out to open the door to the restaurant. Insideis dark and quiet for a few moments, before the lights flick on andthe entire room is filled with shouts of 'surprise!' Noctis startsfor a moment, looking around in confusion. Everyone is so much olderthan he remembers, but also what is the surprise for? He looks arounduntil his eyes meet the crude banner hung above the counter.

“Birthday?It's my birthday?” he asks.

Promptosmiles and shrugs. “I mean, it was a few days ago, but I figured itcouldn't hurt to celebrate.” He rubs his fingers against Noctis'hip. “And we have a lot to celebrate. I gotta ask, though, Noct.Will you stay up long enough to watch the sun rise with us?” heasks, eyes soft.

Noctisfeels a new round of tears well into his eyes. “Yes,” he chokesout, holding onto his hand tightly. “Yeah, I'd really like that.”He looks around. “Thank you all. I hope we can move into a new eraof prosperity together,” he announces, smiling even as tears falldown his cheeks.

Hecan't remember much, but he's pretty sure this is a damn goodbirthday.

#hbd noctis #gosh this is so lateeeeeee #noctis #ffxv #bunny writes #promptis #fluff #polyship roadtrip #ffxv noctis #ffxv prompto #ffxv gladio #ffxv ignis #long post #read more please work this time i'm begging you #fanfic #ffxv fanfiction #ffxv promptis #Anonymous

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cakelanguage · 4 years

Text

Merry Christmas @aceflorins! I’m your FFXV Secret Santa ( ffxvsecretsanta on twitter) and I’m here to bring you a gift~ <3 Now, sit back and relax as you read the tale of Ignis and Iris going Christmas shopping together.

You can also read this on AO3

It was a crisp winter morning, one that Ignis would generally spend indoors attending meetings or making sure Noctis unearthed himself from the confines of his sheets to do whatever he needed to do that day. Today however, Ignis had made special plans with Iris to go Christmas shopping of all things. He wasn’t sure what sparked Iris’s interest in going shopping with him, but who was he to argue with the strong-willed young lady.

He tugged his scarf tighter around his throat and checked his watch again. Iris still had a few minutes left to get there before she’d officially be late. But he needn’t have checked given that Iris was jogging towards him, a wide grin on her face.

“Hey Ignis, sorry for the delay,” Iris greeted, adjusting the strap of her bag.

“Good morning, Iris,” Ignis said, stepping away from his spot against the wall. “How are you doing?”

“Well I’m great now that I have you here to help with my shopping.” Iris swayed her body playfully. “You boys are always so difficult to shop for.”

Ignis raised a brow with a smile. “Even me?”

She pondered on her answer before shaking her head. “Okay, you’re easier to shop for Ignis, but you always insist you don’t need anything.” She waggled her finger at him with a firm look. “And I’m not just getting you a gift card so you can get Ebony again.”

“I quite liked that gift.”

“Yeah but anyone can give a gift card, Ignis,” Iris insisted. “I wanna give everyone a gift that shows them I was thinking of them.”

Ignis couldn’t argue with that logic. Despite having plenty of money set aside that Ignis could spend on gifts for his friends, he’d always chosen make them special treats to enjoy. Because he knew that the time and effort he put into them. He’d started out this unofficial tradition when he’d made moogle macarons, then an elegant orange cake, then milk tarts, all the way to last year’s dessert of cherry blossom petit fours. Gladio might have laughed at the tiny dessert, but Ignis knew he’d eaten at least five of them.

“I suppose I can lend you any insight I have on your selection of gifts.”

Iris snorted and shook her head. “A simple yes would have been fine, Iggy.”

Ignis rolled his eyes and motioned his hand for Iris to follow him. “Now what would the fun in that be?” They began their trek through the crowded streets of one of Insomnia’s more popular street markets. “But first, we need something to warm us up.”

Iris giggled. “We haven’t even started our shopping yet and you’re already ready for a coffee break.”

“Ah, not a break, coffee fuel.”

Iris’s eyes widened before she burst into full peals of laughter, Ignis’s own laughter joining hers.

With a warm cup of coffee and hot chocolate in Ignis and Iris’s respective hands, they were ready to start their search for the “perfect” gifts.

“Did you have anywhere you wanted to look first?” Ignis asked, looking around at the multitude of shops that lined the street.

Iris shrugged her shoulders with a sheepish grin. “Not really?” She answered. “I mean, I figured the bookstore might be a good place to go for Gladdy’s present, but other than that I’m pretty much lost.”

Ignis nodded and gestured to the street. “Lead the way, my lady.”

Iris laughed and grabbed Ignis’s arm. “To the bookstore!”

They walked at a leisurely pace, maneuvering their way through the crowds to the warmth of the bookstore. Iris let out a sigh of relief, putting down her hot chocolate on a display table so she could take off her gloves. She shoved them in her pocket and picked up her hot chocolate before giving Ignis another smile.

“So, I don’t know if you know this, but Gladdy has a thing for those trashy romance novels you can pick up at the grocery store,” Iris said, dragging Ignis further into the store. “I’m hoping we can pick up one that’s at least somewhat more cultured than one of those.”

Ignis’s brows climbed towards his hairline. “From what I’ve seen, he reads an awful lot of history and things like ‘The Art of War,’” Ignis said.

Iris snorted inelegantly, her grin turning sly. “Gladio takes book jackets from our library at home and puts them over his books so no one can tease him.”

“Hm, that’ll have to change now, won’t it?”

Iris’s jaw dropped a little before she recovered. “Iggy, you really are full of surprises.”

“I live to surprise,” Ignis said with a mock bow.

“Oh, I’m sure you do.” She nudged her elbow into his ribs before she started perusing the shelves.

Ignis mindlessly began scanning the titles, covering up his laughter as best he could at some titles. Some titles were so over the top and dramatic that Ignis could very well see them amongst the slew of dime store novels in the super markets. He wondered if the authors were all being serious with their naming when he came across names such as ‘Warrior and the Wanderer.’

“Oh my Astrals, Ignis this one is perfect!” Iris squealed, holding a book up to show him the cover. It was bright yellow with flowers and tiny hearts, and what looked to be an oddly colored Zu in the corner. “It’s like an enemies-to-lovers storyline and I’ve read some reviews about it and people seem to like it a lot. What do you think, Iggy?”

“I can’t say I’m well-versed when it comes to romance novels, but it certainly looks enjoyable.”

Iris smiled. “Maybe you need to find some time to squeeze in some romance reading, never know when you’ll need that kind of insight.”

He put a hand to his chest with a mocking look of surprise. “Are you implying I don’t know romance?”

“Well, do you?”

Ignis took a slow sip of his coffee, his eyes giving her a look. “I’m plenty romantic.”

Iris held her hands up in surrender. “Whatever you say.”

Ignis wasn’t really annoyed or bothered by Iris’s teasing, but he liked that Iris didn’t back down or seem effected by his joking back. “So, that’s Gladio down, who are we shopping for next?”

The girls face scrunched up in thought. “I think… Prompto should be next. He’s been really into experimenting with his photography lately, so I figured we could check out the electronic store.”

“He has been trying new things, particularly with his filters and angles. He’s also been trying to take pictures during his training sessions,” Ignis sighed, “he’s going to end up breaking that camera if he doesn’t start being more careful.”

Iris snapped her fingers and pointed at Ignis. “That’s it! Maybe I can get him some camera safety equipment and like a new memory card.” She looked hesitantly away. “Is that lame to give him?”

He shook his head. “I think it shows Prompto that you’re noticing his love of photography and that you want to give him something that he can use to keep one of his precious things safe.” He clapped a hand on her head, smoothing the back of her hair down. “’It’s the thought that counts,’ isn’t just a kind phrase to make someone feel better, but true as well! I told you before but I’ll tell you again, whatever gift you give the others, they’ll love.”

He wasn’t sure if she fully believed his statement, but the soft look he was getting from her spoke of her gratitude.

The electronic store was as busy as he thought it’d be, but Iris seemed to be right at home in the bustle. Luckily Ignis’s height was his own advantage as he was able to follow Iris fairly easily to the camera section. But he could see the very moment that Iris became overwhelmed by the selection of products in front of her.

“Is it a good time to mention I know nothing about cameras?” Iris asked.

“If it makes you feel better, I know nothing about them either,” Ignis conceded. He knows the basics from Prompto, but any further than that and he’s lost.

Iris gave him a look he’d seen her give Gladio, and there was a small part of him that felt somewhat honored to be on the receiving end of it. “Not much better, but I guess we can be lost together.” She picked up one of the lenses on display. “So do you know what makes this lens different from the other ones?”

Ignis picked up another one and turned it around in his hands. “Well besides the difference in size and the varying numbers along the rim?” He placed the lens back on the counter and nodded his head at Iris. “Haven’t a clue.”

The sigh Iris let out flowed through her whole being. “Maybe it’d be easier to just get him a gift card…”

“I thought you didn’t want to do that,” Ignis reminded, plucking the lens from Iris’s hands and putting it back on the display. “I’m sure we can get Prompto something even without knowing such about cameras. Besides, we could always just ask one of the salespeople for help.”

Iris made a noncommittal noise. “We could ask…”

“I’m sensing a but.”

She sighed. “It’s a pride thing, I’ll get over it.”

“Ah, the Amicitia pride, Gladio’s the same way.” Ignis gave her a reassuring smile and continued looking at the camera display. “Fear not, I’ll be the one asking so you can hang onto that pride of yours.” He quickly held up his hand to halt her protests. “While I’ll tell you there’s no shame in asking for help, I’m not going to make you do something you obviously don’t want to do.”

“Y’know Iggy, you really know how to treat a girl.”

Ignis just smiled at her. “You’re welcome.”

He made his way towards the closest sales rep. “Excuse me, sir,” Ignis said.

The sales rep, Marcus looked haggard but put on a smile. “How can I help you?”

“I’m looking for a gift for a photographer and was wondering if you had any recommendations.”

Marcus’s shoulders sagged with relief. “Oh thank god,” he muttered before a renewed pep seemed to flow through him. “I thought you were another customer asking about the latest phone upgrades or why our computers cost so much.”

“I take it you’ve dealt with quite a few irate customers today?”

Marcus shrugged. “More like the feel entitled. But,” he clapped his hands, “gift recommendations for a photographer! Alright well my first suggestion would be a memory card, those things are more useful than you know.”

Ignis and Marcus walked back to the camera section, Ignis making note of the suggestions that the sales rep was giving him. Ignis winked at Iris when he saw her and Iris held a hand over her mouth to prevent herself from laughing at the action.

“Typically, I don’t recommend picking up lenses for photographers unless you’re familiar with what they’ve already got but if you do wanna go that route it’s best to stick with a gift card.”

He chuckled and shot a look at Iris. “I’ve been informed that a gift card is not an option.”

Marcus quirked a brow, but just shrugged his shoulders. “Well, then I’d lean towards other camera accessories then. Maybe a camera bag?”

Iris punched her fist in her head. “That’s it!” She exclaimed, startling Marcus. “Do you guys have anything that’s good for taking your camera somewhere dangerous?”

Marcus stared at her wide-eyed. “H-How dangerous?”

“Like some hiking, fighting monsters, that sort of thing.”

“O-oh, well if that’s the case we have a really nice sport camera strap and it includes a safety tether.”

Iris’s eyes were positively gleaming. “That’s the one I gotta get.”

Ignis nodded approvingly. “Two gifts down.”

With Iris’s two purchases safely stored in her shopping bag the two set off again, strolling lazily down the street.

“Any ideas for…” Ignis asked, waiting for Iris to fill in the gap.

“Noct’s next on my list,” Iris confirmed with a little sigh. “It’s just I really don’t know what to get him.”

“No ideas at all?”

Iris shrugged, her shoulders drooping. “I want to get Noct something special, something he’ll really like.”

He nodded, pushing his glasses up. “Well you know Noct likes fishing.”

His statement at least got a laugh out of Iris. “Yeah, Noct would much rather pick out his own tackle than have me pick something out. I would just get him a cute one.”

“Noct doesn’t dislike cute things,” Ignis pointed out, “He adores cats.”

“But he’s basically cat kin.”

“Cat kin?”

Iris shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. Okay besides fishing Noct likes… to sleep?”

He wasn’t able to contain his snort of laughter. “I’m sure Noct would sleep all the time if we let him, don’t you think?”

“I mean, he’d wake up to eat your food at the very least.”

“Truly a high honor.” Ignis sighed. “Now if only I could get him to eat more vegetables.”

Iris giggled. “I mean we can always pray for a Christmas miracle.”

“Even Saint Nicolas himself would struggle to make that kind of miracle happen.” The two dissolved into peals of laughter, Iris falling into Ignis’s side.

They eventually managed to get their laughter under control. “You’re always so serious, Iggy. It’s nice to see you relaxing a little.”

He didn’t quite know what to say about that. He knew he was more serious than the others and that was just the way he was, but he had to admit it was nice to relax a little while shopping with Iris. “So, any thoughts on your gift for Noct?”

Iris hummed, her brows furrowing in thought. “What do you think about a self-care kit?” Iris asked.

Ignis made a noncommittal noise. “When it comes to taking care of himself, Noct does need all the help he can get,” Ignis said. “What sort of things would be in this kit?”

“Well, a soft blanket for one thing.”

“Make it a weighted one, or a blanket that’s a little heavier. Noct won’t ever say it out loud, but he often gets anxious and the added weight on his blankets calms him down when his anxiety acts up.”

Iris looked at him in surprise. “I never knew that.”

He gave her a rueful smile. “Noctis works very hard to make sure people don’t know about it, so I’m telling you this in confidence.”

She pretended to zip her mouth closed and gave him a thumbs up. “Noct’s secret is safe with me.” She walked forward a couple of steps before turning around to face him again. “The next thing I’d put in his kit was a silk pillowcase, it’s great for the skin and your hair.”

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say that one sounds like a gift for you,” Ignis teased.

She gave him a mock indignant look. “I’ll have you know I’m only thinking of Noct,” she grinned and sent him a wink, “But I have been very good this year.”

“Of that, I have no doubt.” He shook his head. “I’m sure Noct will appreciate you thinking about his hair, Astral knows how long he spends getting it to look ‘just right.’”

Iris’s grin turned sly. “I don’t know Iggy, I’ve seen you staring plenty at Noct; you must appreciate some of his grooming efforts.”

Ignis felt his cheeks grow warm and he cleared his throat. “So, blanket and pillowcase, anything else?”

“Hm, well does Noctis like taking baths?”

“Baths?”

“Yes, baths! He seems like the kind of guy who’d like them, but you’re the Noct expert.”

He nodded. “When he has the time, he does enjoy a good soak. I typically add Epsom salt and a few drops or rosehip and lavender oil, it’s a particularly good combination for relieving his aches and pains as well as soothing the scar on his back.”

Iris sighed wistfully. “I wish someone would pamper me like you do with Noct.”

The blush on Ignis’s face must have spread to his ears, but he maintained his decorum. “There is no doubt in my mind that you will find someone who treats you as the wonderful woman you are.”

Iris’s own face flushed red. “Ignis you really know exactly what to say.”

Iris had filled the basket on her arm full of little things for Noctis’s self-care kit and had wondered her way towards the cash registers when she spotted Ignis already checking out. She hadn’t even realized that Ignis was also shopping for something. In fact, it looked like Ignis had been gathering items throughout the day and had been hiding them in his pockets until he’d bought enough items to warrant a bag.

Iris quickly paid for her things and joined Ignis by the door. “I didn’t even notice you were buying things,” she commented.

Ignis raised an eyebrow. “Did you really think I had gone to all these stores with you without picking up anything?” he asked.

Thinking about it now, Iris felt a little silly for thinking Iggy really wasn’t buying anything throughout the day. “I just thought you were waiting until we went to one of the specialty stores for your fancy ingredients.”

“Well, at least I don’t have to worry about you knowing what your gift is.”

Iris stared at him and tilted her head. “M-my gift?”

Ignis nodded and adjusted the bag on his arm. “I thought it’d be a prudent idea, just something a little extra for all of you.”

Iris gave him a warm smile, blinking away the water that had gathered in her eyes. “Ignis, has anyone told you that you are the sweetest?”

Ignis hummed and shook his head. “It could stand to be mentioned more often.”

She laughed and shook her head. “Well, that’s everyone’s gift except the one for you Iggy.”

The man quirked a brow at her. “Any thoughts on that gift?”

Iris huffed and threw her hands up. “Well maybe if you’d actually give me something to work with I’d have an idea.” She crossed her arms and waited for Ignis’s response.

Unfortunately, Ignis didn’t seem to catch on to what she was trying to get him to say, not that she really expected him to. “As I’ve told you twice now-“

“I know, I know, the gift comes from the heart or whatever, but come on, not even gonna point me in a possible direction?”

“You’ll think of something, Iris.”

Iris rolled her eyes and prayed to the Astrals she’d figure out something.

The shop Ignis had taken her into was brimming with the scent of spices, warm cinnamon and vanilla the two strongest scents Iris could pick up on. The lighting was soft and she felt like she’d walked into a home kitchen, if she was being honest.

No wonder Ignis liked coming here.

Iris trailed after Ignis’s sure steps towards the back of the store. “Do you know what you’re making?” Iris asked.

Ignis made a noncommittal noise. “Well, I was hoping you’d help me make the final decision,” Ignis said, holding up three fingers. “I’ve narrowed it down to three desserts, but I felt like you should help me decide.”

Iris let a mischievous smile form on her face. “And if I want to taste test all three before deciding?”

Ignis’s eyebrows shot up and he gave her a look. “I’ll make them all,” he held up a finger when Iris opened her mouth to speak, “eventually. But you’ll help me decide which one to make first.”

She pouted and tried to give Ignis the best puppy eyes she could, but years of being subjected to Noctis’s puppy dog eyes must have made him immune because he didn’t react at all.

“You won’t faze me,” Ignis said confidently, pushing his glasses up, “I’ve become immune at this point.”

“Not to Noct,” Iris whined, “I’ve seen you give in to him before.”

Ignis’s cheeks turned pink as he avoided eye contact. “That’s less to do with being immune and more to wanting to see him happy.”

Iris awed and bumped her shoulder against Ignis’s side. “You big sap.”

“Mum’s the word,” he said without hesitation. “I can’t have Noct knowing I’ll give into him if I know it’s something he really wants.”

“Won’t tell a soul.” Yes she would. She was definitely going to tell Noctis about this. She couldn’t wait to see the prince’s reaction to the bit of info. “Now, give me the dessert ideas!”

With a flourish of his hand, Ignis had his recipe book out. “The first idea was an ulwaat berry and white chocolate mini cake. The second idea also uses ulwaat berries, but is an ulwaat linzer mousse cake.”

Iris furrowed her brow. “What’s linzer?”

“A jam-packed cookie, they’re quite popular during Valentine’s day as the window to see the jam inside can be shaped like a heart.”

She licked her lips. “That sounds delicious, what kind of mousse?”

Ignis read over his recipe again. “I was thinking of a light hazelnut mousse dome that would encase a fresh ulwaat berry compote.”

Her mouth was salivating at the thought of the combination of flavors. “That one.”

The man stared at her and then back at his recipe book. “But I haven’t told you my last idea yet.”

She shook her head. “I don’t need to, this one sounds too good to pass up.”

He had the audacity to look exasperated. “I already said I’d make all of them eventually.”

“The less I have to wait for this one, the better.”

Ignis chuckled and closed his recipe book. “Well, I can’t exactly argue with that kind of conviction.”

With an experienced hand, Ignis quickly started gathering the ingredients he’d need. He grabbed a plastic bag and walked over to the bulk bins and started scooping out the berries he’d need.

Iris was almost mesmerized by Ignis going into “the zone,” but she needed to use this time to find Ignis a gift while he was distracted. She looked around at the cooking utensils, but knew that was a silly choice since Ignis already had all the utensils he needed. It had to be something unique. Something that he’d like and hopefully find funny.

And then she saw it.

It was stupid and she knew Ignis would never buy it for himself, but Astrals it was the perfect gift. She quickly swiped the blue apron from the hanger and all but ran to the register. She couldn’t let Ignis see it, it had to be a surprise. He was either going to hate it or get a laugh out of it.

Honestly, either would be fine in her opinion.

As soon as the cashier handed her the receipt, she quickly hid it one of the other bags. Just in time too as Ignis was making his way over to the registers.

Ignis placed the heavy bag of ulwaat berries on the counter beside the hazelnuts and white chocolate. “I trust you found something, Iris?” He asked off-handedly, as the cashier rang him up.

Iris put a finger to her lips. “It’s a secret for a certain someone,” she mock-whispered. She knew that he knew it was a gift for him, but he continued to play along.

“Well, I’ve no doubt they will love what you picked out.”

She struggled to hold back the laugh that threatened to tumble out of her. “I wouldn’t be so sure of that just yet.”

When the gang gathered for their mini holiday get together, Iris got to see not only Ignis’s reaction to her gift, but the other guys’ too. Prompto kept looking from the gift in Ignis’s hands and then back to her, switching between laughing and nervous chattering.

“O-oh wow, Ignis you- I mean, aprons are always good to have especially since you cook,” Prompto said, before his eyes got wide and he held up his hands. “N-not that you’re messy, I mean, I’m the messy bitch of this group, definitely not you but I mean… that’s some apron, buddy.”

Gladio however, seemed to have busted a gut from laughing so hard at the other man’s expense. It was nice to know that Gladio still teased the guys in the same way he teased her. Her brother tried to control his laughter and say something but as soon as he looked back over at Ignis he was laughing again.

Noctis’s shy laugh seemed to fill the room with a warmth she didn’t know it was missing. Noctis so rarely actually laughed that when he did, it was something to cherish. Noctis leaned into Ignis’s space and straightened the fabric in Ignis’s hands so he could read it again.

“You know you could always just ask for a kiss, right Ignis?” Noctis teased.

Ignis huffed softly and turned his sharp eyes to Iris. “You were right,” he said calmly, but the smile tuck into the corner of his mouth reassured Iris that Ignis didn’t actually hate his gift, it just wasn’t something he would willingly buy.

Ever.

Iris shook her head. “Nah, I think it’s a perfect gift Ignis, now we all know how to say thank you for your cooking.”

Ignis’s gaze swept over them all, his eyes lingering on Noctis for a few moments before returning to look at Iris. “There’s no reason to go that far. A thank you will suffice.”

Gladio snorted. “Aw, Iggy if I didn’t know better I’d say our kisses weren’t good enough for you,” Gladio said, crossing his arms.

“Not exactly-“

Prompto seemed to have broken out of his perpetual cycle of laughter and shock because he bounded up to Ignis, bumping his shoulder into the other man’s. “Yeah Ignis, we can definitely pay you back in kisses,” Prompto said, before dissolving into another giggling fit.

Ignis rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to respond when two arms circle around his chest followed by a pair of lips pressing against the corner of his mouth. He sputtered inelegantly and turned his now wide-eyes to look at Noctis, who was once more just smiling at him. “N-Noct-“

“What can I say Iggy,” Noctis said, shrugging his shoulders, “I’ve got to kiss the cook.”

Gladio and Prompto fell apart into another fit, but all of Ignis’s attention was on Noctis. Ignis looked entirely lost and smitten at the same time. Without conscious thought, he turned just enough to make eye-contact with her.

She waved her arm at him before giving him a pointed look and nudging her head in Noctis’s direction and shot him a thumbs up.

Ignis cleared his throat, his face turning red once more. “Well then,” Ignis said, turning his gaze back to Noctis. “If that’s how you feel, you can give all the thank you’s for the group.”

The prince laughed and shook his head. “Yeah that sounds fair.”

The two seemed to get lost in each other’s eyes, and their staring was only broken by Iris’s giggling. The two men looked at Iris with raised brows.

“But you gotta remember Noct,” Iris said in the most serious voice she could manage. “You can’t touch the buns.”

Noctis threw his head back and began laughing once more, Ignis joining him soon after.

And Iris? She’s happy that her crush was so happy. If she had to lose Noctis’s love to someone else, she was happy it was to Ignis.

The dessert Ignis makes

Ignis’ gift from Iris

#ffxvss2019 #ignis scientia #iris amicitia #brotp #ignoct #background ignoct #iris amicitia is a gift #as is Ignis #ffxv #ffxv fic #XV.#final fantasy xv #fanfic #My fic

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tarotdeckshuffle · 5 years

Note

I have seen that you were making requests for fics. I am wondering if I can request an angst Noctis x reader story with a happy ending? The story could have a background of how they grew up with each other and fell deeply in love, but both have to struggle with the news of Noctis and Lunafreya's engagement. S/o tries to be strong and understanding during their journey. You can decide if by some miracle they get back together or not. I know this is a mess but I am in a tragic romance mood 😅

Thank you for the request! Sorry for the wait, full fics take awhile to get out. I hope you enjoy!

Taglist: @idiotflowerex

Paper Planes

Your smile was one of the constants in Prince Noctis’s life. It had always been there for him.

The two of you met when you were both quite young. Noctis had run away to the Royal Gardens, crying, trying to hide from the other royal children who were making fun of him. Life wasn’t easy being a prince; it didn’t help that no one understood that.

As he sat huddled, crying under the leaves of a tropical plant, he felt something bump his head. He looked down to see a paper airplane on the ground next to him, the point crumpled from hitting him.

The paper had some sort of drawing on it. Curiosity overtook the small child and he unfolded the airplane. On the paper, drawn in crayon, was a smiling sun.

As the young prince pondered over the paper, another one hit him in the head. A pout crossed his face as he looked up to try to find his visitor. He couldn’t see anyone, but heard shuffles.

On the inside of this plane was a strange drawing, Noct thought. It was a smiling little rain cloud with blue and purple flowers under it.

Soon after, a third paper hit him. The frustrated prince stood to his feet. “Come out!” he yelled. Like a dream remembered, your young self crept from your cover in a nearby flowering bush. The two of you just stood and stared at each other for a moment. You gestured at the paper plane Noct was holding.

He frowned but unfolded the paper. On it was two children, holding hands. Noct recognized the one with messy black hair. The other was an image of the person before him. He looked up, stunned and confused.

“Wanna be my friend?” you asked the future king.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

From that moment on, the two of you kept each other company. As children, you didn’t understand the differences in class between you, nor the different destinies you would face. All you knew was that you enjoyed each other’s company.

You became the best of friends. Many royals complained about a servant’s child running around with the Prince, but Regis would have none of it. You made his son happier than he could imagine.

The two you had games you’d get the whole castle involved in. You taught the Prince how to make paper airplanes and paper cranes. You’d leave colorful cranes all around the castle for various servants and attendants to find, bringing smiles to everyone.

You’d have contests launching planes from different places. Ignis would typically win if he played with you.

The Prince was the light in your young life. Over time, butterflies grew in your stomach at the mere sight of him. It was embarrassing to fall in love with you childhood friend, but you couldn’t imagine life without him.

Your playdates came less often, as the Prince became increasingly busy with age. If you spent time together, it was likely sitting somewhere and listening to music together.

Fearing he was growing distant from you, your teenage self cornered the Prince in the halls and invited him to “hang out.” He accepted with a flustered tone. The two of you made your way to the castle roof, one of your secret spots.

You had a pile of papers waiting on you. The two of you spent much of the time, folding the papers into planes and tossing them from the roof, rarely speaking. Many of the little planes were caught in the downdraft of the great building and plummeted to the ground.

Not being able to stand the silence, anymore, you started making small talk as you threw planes. Noct barely answered. Your tone grew softer with defeat.

Finally, one plane escaped the building’s winds. You watched as the small plane set off towards a setting sun. Noct came up beside you, to watch in awe as it departed.

In that moment, you took the Prince’s hand in yours. He was surprised and flustered, turning red in the face. You apologized and pulled away, fearing you had just ruined your friendship. He cried, “No!” and snatched your hand back.

You stared at each other, shock reflecting back. He hastily pulled you close. On the rooftop of the palace, as your paper plane took flight, you shared your first kiss.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Time went on. The two of you grew closer each day, sharing secret smiles, brushing of hands in the halls, and running off to steal kisses in forgotten rooms.

Your friends became Noct’s friends, and his friends became yours. You met Lady Lunafreya and grew close, writing letters to each other and occasionally spending a holiday in Tenebrae.

You worked to stay by your Prince’s side, learning to fight, to strategize, to heal, and everything that needed to be done. Ignis and Noctis “recommended” you to be Ignis’s assistant, Noct’s second advisor. King Regis laughed and allowed the position. Your rendezvous were not as secret as you would like.

But destiny is a cruel storm, appearing unexpectedly and sinking the sturdiest of ships.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Peace Treaty was written without the consultation or consent of the Prince.

He invited you to the gardens one day. You were happy to oblige. Dreams of a future with your king dancing in your heart.

You found your prince as you looked over the gardens from a balcony in the castle, staring off on a bench below. Keeping your games alive, you threw a special paper airplane at him. It bumped him in the head. Startled, he looked up to your overlook and smiled, a sorrowful love in his eyes.

You hurried down to meet him, wondering what this was about. You had heard rumors of the Peace Treaty and hoped the fighting would soon end.

“[Y/N]…” Is all the Prince said as you approached. It was so rare for him to use your name…you heart started to weigh you down.

“Sit…”He led you to the seat beside him, holding onto your hands. He took a deep breath, before revealing the details of the treaty.

Your very world rushed away from you, numbness filling your body. Your Prince, your love, your Noctis was going to be wed, to someone else?! Your future was being torn from your very grasp.

Why was this happening?!

Who’s cruel idea was this?!?

You sat there, staring at nothing in particular, Noctis holding on to you before you drifted away from him.

“[Y/N]?” the Prince whispered to you. “Talk to me, please…”

“Why…” is all you could manage, the shock giving way to tears spilling from your eyes.

“I…don’t know.” The young Prince took you into his arms.

“What’s…going to happen?” You plead, wanting some certainty for the future.

“I’m going to leave for Altissa…” He began, not looking you in the eyes.

“I KNOW THAT! I MEANT ABOUT US!” You yelled at your thick skulled love. You knew the plan already, he was going to go to Altissa with his Retina to be wed. After the festivities died down, he’d return to Insomnia to rule.

“I…don’t know…” He admitted.

Ideas swirled through your mind, each one tearing a piece of your heart away. You could be his secret lover, or his guard. You could stay by his side as a friend…but, could you really do any of these?

You knew Noctis had a certain fondness for Luna, everyone did. It wouldn’t be fair to her if you were his lover…but how could your friend do this to you?!

“Just…come with me. To Altissa,” Noct began. He was procrastinating, as he always did. The Prince simply wanted more time with you.

But was that right? The car was already going to be full. Could you keep up? Could you handle being at the wedding of your love?

But he needed you…didn’t he? Wouldn’t you just slow him down? Make this harder on him? He had a destiny to face, a kingdom to rule, darkness to banish. What did he truly need with you?

Oh, but you wanted to stay with him, to be close, to not give the territory of your heart…

Your heart and your mind playing tug-of-war with your decision, you stood.

“Love?” Noctis plead. “I’ll…think about it.” Is all you could say as you walked away, leaving your prince sitting next to a paper airplane with a lipstick kiss on it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You spent the next few days avoiding Noct. He sent for you many times, sending Ignis to find you. Each time, Ignis returned, saying you could not leave your duties.

You had made your decision.

On the day of their departure, Noctis waited for you at the Castle steps, but you never came. All of the men were worried, but Ignis knew you had chosen to leave. You watched as the future king drove away from a position high above.

No goodbyes were spoken, for fear you would lose your nerve. You had written him countless letters, but none of them were quite right.

As Noctis got into the Regalia to leave Insomnia, he found on paper plane. It simply read, “Good luck. My heart goes with you, always.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Your royal duties did not subside, even without your Prince. A mask of indifference graced your features as you carried on.

You saw to Luna, when she arrived with the Empire. While emotions swirled inside you, you knew this wasn’t her fault. Still, your every fiber wanted to lash out! To scream and cry, to let the God’s know this wasn’t fair. But you knew better.

On your desk one day, you found a folded paper crane with a note that said, “Meet me in the courtyard.”

You obliged, as you knew the note to be from Luna and it was your duty to see to her. Perhaps, you through, this would bring you closure. Or maybe she’d tell you she wasn’t going to go through with the wedding. Your heart held only a glimmer of hope as cruel logic rang in your mind.

You found the fair Oracle, an image of radiance and beauty, alone in the courtyard.

“This is the will of the gods themselves…I have no part in this play.” You thought as you approached, preparing yourself for what was to come.

“[Y/N]!” Luna said, smiling to greet you. “How long has it been?”

You couldn’t remember. Months, years since the two of you spoke together as friends. Everything felt like a lifetime ago.

Your body tensed, straining to hold back your emotions. “May I assist you, my lady?” You politely asked, taking a bow. You didn’t want to snap at your friend, she didn’t deserve it. So it was best if…if you weren’t her friend for that moment.

Luna’s face took on an expression of pain. She knew of your love for Noctis, you personally had told her many years ago. These were wounds she could not heal.

“Know that I did not choose this arrangement, my friend.” She said. Her words were carried to you on the winds of a coming storm.

“I know…” You said as tears started to rain from your eyes.

“He loves you…” Luna looked to the ground, ashamed of everything. Part of you knew she wasn’t completely upset by the arrangement.

“But…it is for all of Eos that we go on…” You knew she wouldn’t back down. Luna was too devoted to her people, and to Noctis, to ever run away.

You sighed.

“His love for me is that of a boy’s. His love for you will be that of a man’s.” You exclaimed, turning to walk away. Your words rang true in your heart. The time you spent with your Prince was over, he would soon be a King.

As an oncoming storm cannot be stopped, neither can pain.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Insomnia fell.

You helped Luna escape the burning city. You watched your friends fall. You saw the body of the King.

In the fray, many of your possessions were lost. Your phone was broken as an MT tried to stab you, your room lit aflame. You escaped with a single photo of you and Noct as children.

Rumors reached you that both Lady Lunafreya and the Prince were dead. You knew better as to Luna’s fate, but your heart shattered at the news of Noct. You openly wept when the rumors were proven false.

You volunteered your services to helping refugees and joining the Hunters, discovering some of your friends lived. The small joys of life kept you going for the dark years ahead.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Darkness covered the land.

You looked up the last time the sun even attempted to rise. “Noct…where are you?” You whispered.

The world’s innocence stripped away, the fight for humanity began.

You joined the Hunters almost exclusively, escorting refugees to lit outposts.

“[Y/N]!!” You heard one day after bringing another group to Lestallum. You turned around to see the King’s shield running towards you.

“Gladio?!” You shouted. Two more figures turned around: Ignis and Prompto. You rushed to each other and were engulfed in a great hug by all of them.

Pulling away from the tangle of arms, a question that had plaguing your heart arose: “Where’s Noct?” The three men had to gather themselves before regaling you with their exploits.

Luna was…gone? Noct was…asleep? Was this fate? Had you failed them both?

Why had you been so selfish?! A child only concerned with their own heart? When others needed you?!? What had you done?!

Ignis helped you to a seat as you almost fell. Everything was gone.

“He’ll come back…” Prompto said, looking up at the darkness. “He has to.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The four of you stayed friends for the next few years. Hammerhead became your home. You promised yourself that when Noct returned, humanity would greet him.

Finally, he did.

He rushed to greet his brothers after stepping out of Talcott’s truck. You stayed back, watching. The world had taken its toll from your heart. Your joy at seeing him was muffled below years of regrets and pain.

You saw Prompto point in your direction while speaking to the King. He turned, meeting your eyes with shock. “[Y/N]!” escaped his lips. In an instant he was embracing you, having practically warped the distance between you.

Feeling his arms around you after so very long. It felt as though a fog was lifted from your skin, you could feel him. He was here.

Tears welled as you embraced him. You never wanted to let him go, again. Never.

You both cried, whispering each other’s names.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…” Is all you could say. He was your first love, your heart, and your hope.

“You have nothing to apologize for…” He said.

The two of you spent the night close. The romance you once had would take time to rekindle, if it ever did. But you had your King, now.

As the hours slipped away, you prepared to enter Insomnia. You weren’t going to leave him again.

Upon reaching the gates of the pale city, Noct held out his hand to you. “Let’s go home.”

You nodded and took his hand, walking into the darkness together.

#reader x noctis #noctis x reader #ffxv #final fantasy #final fantasy xv #fanfic #angst #paper planes

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ertrunkenerwassergeist · 4 years

Text

Dreams of Our Past - Chapter 27

*flails around* The chapter is done! It’s the second longest so far and the second half was fighting me until the end. But I prevailed! Here’s the Link to AO3.

In which Gladio invites Ignis to dinner and he finds a dearly missed person because of Iris.

Featuring: Ignis' brand of awkwardness, the starscourge, the tempers of Gladio and Hiemi, Noctis being so very close to a mental breakdown and Somnus and Bahamut being dicks through history

Warning: vomiting, mentioned child murder

Gladio IV

8.5.755 ME

Insomnia, Ghetto

Kingdom of Lucis

The days since their meeting at the Black Saffron had been nerve wrecking and uneventful. It grated on him like nothing else. He had thought, after they had all finally decided – more or less, he was aware enough to admit – on a course of action, things would start to move again. They hadn't. And Gladio didn't like it. At all.

He stood near the door to the pitiful office of Camp No. 5 and watched the people mingling about. More specifically was he watching Prompto, who sat grinning like a loon on a camping bed, a laptop in his lap and... did something while a group of people watched over his shoulder. Gladio really hoped the blond didn't play some kind of game. He was supposed to search through the pictures he had taken over the last few days and upload them on a dummy account by the end of the day.

Here was to hoping the whole crazy plan was going to work. It was a shame Pelna wasn't here right now, but he had finally found the time to talk to his contacts, and had gone to get the ball rolling on that whole facial recognition thing.

It wasn't that things weren't being done, really, it was just that they were moving along so slowly.

Gladio felt like he was treading on the spot, not moving forward no matter how much he wished to. It was frustrating beyond belief.

Before he realized what he was doing, he had fished his phone out of he pocket and weighted it in his hand. It couldn't hurt to call Ignis, making sure the man didn't overwork himself like he was prone to do. Maybe he had managed to find something that would help Gladio figure out what he could be doing in this stinking mess. Not that is was very likely, but a man could hope.

The phone rang once, twice, then a click sounded and a cultured voice drifted through the speaker: “Good morning Gladio. Was there something you needed?”

“Barely morning anymore, Ignis”, the older snorted.

A non-committal hum could be heard. The former advisor could be very peculiar about his greetings. A voice sounded in the background on Ignis' side. It was decidedly feminine, even if Gladio couldn't make out any words.

“Oh no, it's perfectly alright, Miss Aster. I am talking to a friend. Thank you for your wonderful help”, Ignis said.

Gladio couldn't help the grin blooming on his face. “Should I call you later, lover boy?”

Ignis gave an undignified snort. “I am at work, Gladio”, he said, stressing the word work like that was the important part. “Miss Aster is a secretary within the Ministry for Civic Affairs and Immigration. I met her yesterday, when I was looking into how far along they are with evaluating the houses in the Immigration District for damages. Apparently there seems to be a filing issue of some sort. Miss Aster has been looking into it since it came to her attention. She says it goes against her pride to have messy paperwork.”

“Tampering?” Gladio couldn't help but ask.

“Very likely.”

“Damn.”

“Whoever did it was very careful. The papers are listed as filed, they obviously went over all the right desks, but they aren't where they should be. I have never seen this amount of misfiling in my entire life.” Ignis' obvious indignation would be funny, if the situation wasn't so serious. “Mrs. Custodela cannot help us with this. She has her hands already full trying to keep abreast with the camps she is looking over. After this, would you please call Camp 7 for me? Mrs. Custodela has found a plumber who is free and can take a look at their showers.”

Something in the pipes in the showers of Camp 7 had broken and now the water there had turned a muddy brown. It couldn't be very healthy.

“That's good. I'll do that. Anything else?”

“Make sure to note down who is using the vehicles you got provided with, and where they drove and how long it took to get there. Certain people have been making noise about rationing petrol. Records of the use of the vans you have at your disposal would go a long way to work against this”, said Ignis after a few moments of consideration.

Gladio jerked in disbelief. “Rationing petrol? That's bullshit! The oil production in Leide is still under Insomnian control.”

“I know, Gladio. Believe me, I know.”

“Fuck, this whole situation is a stinking mess”, he complained and carded a hand through his hair.

I need a shower, he thought with a grimace. Ignis didn't answer. He didn't need to. Somewhere in the hall a baby started to cry, followed shortly by a second. Gladio sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose. He needed to get out of here. At least for an evening. Breath some air that didn't smell of exhaust fumes or like too many sweaty people cramped into a place too small.

“How... how is Iris doing?” Ignis sounded like he wasn't sure at all, if he should even ask.

“She's not doing worse for now”, he choked out, his stomach plummeting like it was suddenly filled with lead.

“Gladio. I am- I'm so sorry.”

That sentence sounded heavy. Full of hidden meanings and implications and Gladio didn't want to hear any of it.

“Don't you dare talk like she's dead already! Because she's still very much alive”, he snapped.

A tightly controlled intake of breath sounded over the speaker. Gladio couldn't muster the will to feel bad about it. Iris wasn't dead and she wouldn't die. He was her older brother and he would protect her, damn it!She was barely fourteen, for Bahamut's sake.

“You are right, Gladio. I apologize”, Ignis said after a maybe too long pause.

“It's alright”, he sighed and deflated.

No, it wasn't alright, not at all. But Ignis was a friend – or had been a friend once – and he didn't deserve this. Pitioss, Iris didn't deserve this most of all. Why ever were the Gods punishing her like that? It had to stop.

He cleared his throat and asked awkwardly: “I'm going back home for the night to spend some time with her. Do you want to come over for dinner? Iris would love to see you again.”

“If you are sure.”

Ignis sounded so high-strung that Gladio just knew he was feeling as awkward as he himself was.

“Don't worry. I wouldn't ask, if I wasn't.”

“Then I will gladly come. Which time would be most convenient?”

“We normally eat around six since Iris gets tired early”, Gladio shrugged.

Ignis hummed in thought. “Five thirty then.”

“Fine by me”, he answered after mentally running through his to-do list again. “Just... be gentle with her, alright?”

“Of course, Gladio”, agreed Ignis. “I need to go back to work.”

“Ah, yes. Yes, of course. I'll see you later.”

“Until later.”

The call disconnected. Gladio listened to the silence of his phone for a few seconds before he sighed and lowered it from his ear to stare at it. Social graces and impulse control. He needed to work on his temper more. But for now he had a few calls to make. First Camp 7 about that plumber and then Jared to tell him that he and Ignis would be there for dinner. He had been trying to come every evening since the earthquake happened, but he hadn't always managed it.

On his first call he managed to reach Libertus who sounded just as grouchy as he had expected the man to be. Gladio had to bite the inside of his cheek as to not snap back. Instead he managed to make his way through the conversation with all the grace of a garula in a china store. Luckily Libertus didn't seem to notice. Something about two feuding Clans in one room, he had heard Crowe and Pelna say.

His second call went a bit better. He could practically hear the retainer smile as he announced his and Ignis' presence for dinner.

Now he could go outside and see how far along Tredd and Crowe were with checking over the newest delivery. Then there would be another round of phone calls between Centres 4 through 8 to see who was lacking what and to pool their resources. After lunch he would write out new timetables for those who had volunteered for various duties around here. And he would need to find someone who had experience with the whole giving birth thing, since one of the women here looked just about ready to pop.

Dinner could have been definitely worse. It had been decidedly awkward, but between Ignis practically doting on Iris within the first few minutes of his arrival and Jared's efforts to keep the conversation flowing, it had been a very pleasant meal. Everything had been fine, Iris had been laughing and moving around more than she had in weeks and Ignis had been sharing recipes with Jared.

He should have known that this wasn't going to last. Nothing good had for a long time now.

The screaming woke Gladio in the middle of the night. It took his sleep addled brain long precious seconds to realize that they were coming from his sister's room. He practically leapt out of bed and ran into her room that thankfully was right next to his. Light spilled into the dark room and for a moment his sister's shadow seemed to froth and seethe, but Gladio ignored it in search of any attackers that he could painfully eviscerate.

No one was there. No one but Iris and him.

Her screaming stopped once she saw him.

“Gladdy”, she whimpered and reached out towards him.

The sleeves of her pyjama slid back and exposed dark splotched on her skin that hadn't been there during dinner. A thin line of blood trickled down from the corner of her mouth. It was black.

“Iris!” he cried and lunged towards her, cradling her small form carefully against his muscled chest.

“Gladdy, it hurts. It hurts so much.”

She grasped weakly at his arms, sobbing. Then she went limp, her breath coming in nothing but weak bursts that ghosted over the naked skin above his collar bone.

“No”, he breathed. Desperation roared in his chest like a wild beast and stole his breath. “No, no, no, no, no.”

What should he do? No doctor or hospital they had visited since she had first gotten sick, had been able to help. There was no one here that could help her.

Oh, by the Gods, she was going to die.

The realization hit him like a slap in the face. His little sister would die before morning came, because there was no one in this damned city that...

Gladio's breath stuttered in his chest when he remembered what the innkeeper of the Black Saffron had said about his son and the woman that had come by during the meeting, when he remembered what that prostitute had told him last week.

Without stopping to consider what a colossally stupid idea this was – he could not afford to think about it, not now when his little sister was dying – he wrapped her blanket tightly around her frail body and lifted her up in his arms. She was so light he barely noticed her weight.

Why was it getting so much worse? Why now, of all times? She had been fine! Or at last not worse than the last time he had taken her to a doctor.

He didn't even stop to get dressed in something other than his sleeping trousers or to put on some shoes, and instead ran right out of the door, into the dark streets of Insomnia. In the privacy of her bed, the prostitute had described to him how he could get to this Healer, if he ever needed to.

Sweat ran down his face and back the further he ran, his breath burned in his lungs, but he didn't dare to stop. He didn't dare to do so as he ran past buildings the earthquake had destroyed, deeper and deeper into the city, through neighbourhoods that were getting more and more run down.

Iris began to shiver, despite the warm summer night. Gladio only tightened his grip and hastened his steps.

Despite the growing lack of functioning street lamps, he could see the great, broken pillar. It rose out of the shadows like a great, stony needle as he hurried past it and then turned left into a narrow alleyway. It didn't take long to reach the other side. It was nearly pitch black now. Only a few weakly glowing lanterns showed him the way, forcing him to slow down, lest he stumble and fall. He found the staircase Viti had talked about through sheer luck. There weren't any handrails, so he had to be extra careful. He did not dare hurry since some of the metal stairs creaked ominously.

Follow the lights, Viti had said, and so he started to run again towards the nearest light he could see. It was a single lantern glowing like a lonely star at the first house on the right. It hung from the ceiling in a room that was entirely open on one side and illuminated a group of chairs, metal drawers and a long table. In a corner there was a part of the wall that looked like it could possibly be a door. He just about kicked it in.

“Hello! I need help!” he bellowed into the darkness of the house, honestly not caring who he might wake.

Not a second later hasty footsteps sounded to his left. It was a teenager, his skin paler than he had ever seen a human being be, with big blue eyes so light they looked white near the pupil. In his hand he carried a lantern, its light cast a cheerful glow on everything it touched.

The teenagers eyes grew even larger when he saw the bundle in Gladio's arms, then his eyes dropped to his feet and back up again.

“My sister needs help”, Gladio repeated, pleading.

That seemed to do the trick, as the teenager gestured towards a staircase with a hasty “Follow me!” and practically leapt up the stairs.

“Healer! Healer wake up! There's an emergency. Quick!”

Gladio followed the teen down the hallway to his right until they came to the last door. Behind it was a small room with a rickety bed, a bedside table, a stool and a chest of drawers. Another lantern, it had been hanging from a hook next to the door, was lit and the teenager motioned for Gladio to lay his sister on the bed before he vanished down the hallway again, calling for Healer.

Now here, where he could finally focus on something other than running, running, running, he noticed he was trembling like a leaf in the wind. His heart beat like a fast paced drum and his breath shuddered with each intake of air.

His gaze settled on Iris. Her skin was a pasty, unhealthy white and the dark splotches had spread up her neck and onto her cheeks. Each laboured breath sounded wet and rattled within her chest. Carefully, as to not hurt her any further, he settled her down on the lumpy mattress of the bed. The frame gave a high pitched sound as her weight was added.

From outside the room he could hear doors opening and closing, sleepy voices were asking questions and hasty steps were making their way towards them. A young man appeared in the doorway. He had clearly just woken up, his startling violet eyes squinting against the light of the lantern and his long black hair a mess that hung in his face.

When the man – he couldn't be older than 20 – saw him he froze. His eyes grew large in surprise and fear, his mouth opened and closed like he was a fish on land. Gladio glowered. If he had only come to stare, he was going to beat him within an inch of his life.

“Help her!” he bellowed.

The man jerked. His gaze fell on Iris and all expression vanished from his face. One moment he stood by the door and the next he was next to the bed, leaning over his sister and looking intently at her gaunt face.

“Casto, get me a bucket and take the bedsheets for winter out of the closet. Go to Hiemi and tell her I need some of her purging tea, and bring me a bowl of hot water and a washrag”, he said with an air that made it clear he was used to be listened to and obeyed.

Not bothering to turn around and see if the teenager was listening – which he did; he ran out of the room like the Infernian himself was after him – the young man started to gently unwrap the blanket. She had grown even paler and the black splotches covered large parts of her visible skin.

Gladio would love to ask who this guy even was and what he was doing as he released a hissing breath and started cussing quite creatively, but his voice refused to work. Each new gulp of air took more effort than the last and slowly he began to realize that everything hurt. From his muscles to his feet. Especially his feet. They felt like two big, raw lumps of meat that did nothing but hurt. He ignored it as best as he could for now.

A thin hand with long, elegant fingers was lain on Iris' forehead, golden-violet sparks danced across the digits and over her skin.

Wait, this was the famous Healer?

“For how long has she been sick?”

Gladio's tired mind barely registered the question. “What?” he managed to utter after his second attempt at articulating.

“How long, Gladio”, Healer barked.

How...? That wasn't important right now.

“Nearly two months”, he managed to say around the lump in his throat.

“Shit. Shit, shit, shit. By all the sulphurous fires of Ifrit's den. By all rights, she should be dead by now.”

That made Gladio's tired brain pay attention again. “Excuse me?”

Healer shook his head and reached for the bucket a huffing and puffing Casto held out towards him, bedsheets under his other arm.

“No time for that.”

He gently sat her upright, her weight lying awkwardly in his arms, and sent a wave of softly glowing magic through her. The golden and violet light washed over her like water. Without warning her upper body jerked forward and she vomited her dinner mixed with black blood into the bucket. It stank sickeningly.

Iris took big, heaving breaths, occasionally dispelling mouthfuls of junky black sludge. After nothing new came up, Healer set the bucket down beside the bed. He didn't seem to care for the splatters that had hit the naked skin of his arms and torso. They slowly turned into wispy smoke and then vanished entirely. Her eyes fluttered feverishly without seeming to notice her surroundings.

“Yeah, that's it. Everything's alright now. In and out, in and out. Yah're doing great, Iris. Everything's gonna be alright.”

While Healer was gently coaxing his barely lucid sister into regaining her breath and Casto put a garish monstrosity of a pillow beneath her head, Gladio leaned against the wall to ease the pain in his feet and to regain some kind of equilibrium. Because this Healer knew his sister's name. Gladio knew he hadn't told him and he had known his name, too, without needing an introduction. Just who was he?

“Tata?”

All eyes turned towards the door. There stood a girl. She looked to be around seven with wild, sleep mussed red hair and honey coloured eyes that gleamed golden. She looked drowsily at them and yawned.

“Solaris? What're yah doing out of bed?” asked Healer without taking his glowing hand from Iris' forehead even once.

“It's loud”, the girl complained.

Gladio's gaze wandered from one to the other and he wondered.

Healer nodded. “Ah know, little sun, but Iris needs mah help for now. If yah can't sleep anymore, could yah go down and ask yahr mati for a big glass of water? Casto, could yah look after Astra, please? Ah don't wanna've him running 'round alone and in the dark.”

Both nodded and left the room, the girl taking the teenager's hand. Gladio stared after them. He had heard this accent before, he knew he had. If he could just place where. He felt like he was missing some very crucial things right about now. Sleep. What he needed now was sleep and for Iris to not die.

His gaze settled back on her. A flittering net of golden-violet magic covered her from head to toe. It looked more like mist than a tangible thread. How was such a thing possible? Only the royal family should be the one harbouring powerful magic in this city, even the whole continent. And now here was this Healer, whose magic prickled against his skin like a Lucis Caelum's did. It would probably be more upsetting, if he was fully awake.

“What does she have?” he asked instead of all the other questions burning on his tongue.

Healer blinked at him, as if he had forgotten that Gladio was also in the room. He made a passable impression of a bowstring drawn tight. In an obvious nervous tick, Healer tugged at his hair and wet his lips.

“She's scourge sick”, he said at last, his voice barely more than a quiet whisper.

“Scourge sick”, Gladio repeated tonelessly. “You mean the black plague, curse of the Gods, the starscourge? That kind of scourge sick?”

“Yes”, came the careful confirmation.

Gladio felt his fingers flex like they wanted to hit something, if he had just a bit more energy left. “That's a load of chocobo shit”, he rasped. “The starscourge does not reach within the Wall. Everybody knows that.”

Near glowing, violet eyes shot him a deadpan stare that felt achingly familiar. He suppressed a shudder creeping up his spine. Damn, those eyes were eerie.

“Two months ago yah said? Has she been anywhere near the old crypts at tha' time?”

The broken shield opened his mouth to instinctively deny the question, but he hesitated. “I... I don't know”, he admitted at last. He tried to remember, but his head started to feel like it was packed in wool.

“Doesn't matter anymore. It's good that yah came now, but yah were cuttin' it very close. She wouldn't 'a' made it through the night. Ah can barely believe tha' she made it this long.”

With a shuddering breath Gladio leaned more of his weight against the wall. The rough plaster dug uncomfortably into his shoulders.

Steps sounded from the hallway and shortly thereafter the girl was back, two cups in her hands. One was steaming and emanated a strong smell that made him wrinkle his nose. She gave the one with the foul smelling liquid Healer, the other one she cradled between her hands.

“Thank yah, little sun”, the young man smiled. “Now, yah remember what ah taught yah? Reach for the power resting in yahr bones. No more than a spark. Take it and guide it, it knows what it's got tah do.”

The girl's face scrunched up in concentration, in a way Gladio had seen a hundred times before, in the way Noctis had looked when he had wanted something to go exactly right. What Gladio hadn't seen before was the reddish glow of her hands.

“Not so much, little sun”, corrected Healer gently.

Solaris' brow furrowed even more and after a few seconds the glow dimmed until there was only the barest sheen of it left. It seeped into the cup and the liquid it contained, until it glowed, too.

“Very good”, praised the young man and Solaris beamed. “Would yah be a dear and give it tah Gladio over there?”

“Yes, tata”s she said dutifully and held the cup out to him, standing as far away as she could manage while doing so. She was clearly skittish around strangers.

“No, thank you”, he said while looking at the glowing cup in healthy scepticism. As long as he had no idea what it was he wouldn't drink it. He swallowed, and that made his parched throat just more noticeable.

Healer clucked his tongue in disapproval. “It's jus' water with a bit of healin' magic. Sit down and drink tha'. Yah look like yahr abou' tah keel over. 'Specially with yahr feet.”

Gladio made a face, but in the end he took the cup from the girl. The liquid in it looked like plain water hit by sunlight during noon. It was kind of fascinating, he had to admit. The little girl scampered off towards the bucket and glanced into it, curiosity clear on her face. She clamped her hands over her nose and mouth with a disgusted sound. Gladio frowned. A child as young as her shouldn't see these kind of things. Healer seemed to be of a similar mindset.

“Solaris, would yah please go and get Ardyn? And after tha' ah need yah tah do somethin' very important. Can yah do tha' for me?” Healer looked at her with serious eyes. The girl nodded, face solemn. “Yah need tah go tah the other patients and tell them tha' everything's alrigh'. They don't need tah worry.”

“Ah will, tata”, she said and carefully stepped closer to give Healer a kiss on the cheek before she left the room.

“What happens now?” asked Gladio and took a tiny sip of the mystery water, as he had dubbed it in his mind.

At once he could feel some of his exhaustion leave and the soreness of his muscles easing off just a bit. He blinked in surprise. This was a bit like the potions he knew, just far more gentle in the way the soothed things. Potions and ethers made by Lucis Caelum magic were always accompanied by an unpleasant burn.

Healer answered while he carefully, drop by drop, made Iris drink that foul smelling tea. “Now ah'll start tah heal her. The scourge has been burrowed in her body for too long for me tah heal it all at once, but ah can do it. Yah needn't worry.”

“You can really heal her? How long will it take? There is supposed to be only one person who is able to heal the starscourge, and I kind of doubt that you are the Oracle in disguise.”

The deeply buried seeds of hope started to grow into a warm feeling pooling in his stomach. Or maybe that was just the mystery water.

“Yeah, but like ah said, it'll take me some time. A week at least. Ah don't just need tah rid her of the scourge, but also repair the damage it caused and tha's the truly tricky part.”

Gladio became light headed in relief. If he hadn't been sitting on the floor already, he would certainly do so now. But he couldn't help but wonder how it was even possible. The Fleurets had been blessed by the Astrals with the power to cleanse the scourge from its victims. There were no others.

“My, my, nephew. You have all of the clinic in a right tizzy.”

A man stood in the doorway with wild reddish hair that had an odd violet sheen and golden eyes. He leaned on a cane the same way King Regis did, and Gladio didn't know why, but he found that quite disturbing. Despite the stuffy and hot air he wore a long pair of trousers and a high collared tunic with sleeves that fell down over his wrists.

“She is scourge sick”, the man stated. His eyes bore a strange glint that Gladio didn't like.

Healer nodded. “Yes”, he affirmed and motioned towards the bucket sitting at the end of the bed. “Could yah get rid of tha'? Ah made her drink some of Hiemi's purging tea, so she'll need tha' bucket 'gain soon.”

“Of course, dear nephew. But if you don't mind, I would like to see how you handle this one. It's the first time I see you treat someone afflicted with starscourge, after all. Not to worry, I'll keep myself well out of the way.”

Healer's answering shrug clearly said suit yourself.

Gladio watched as the man – who was most likely this Ardyn the little girl had gone to fetch – gathered the bucket, keeping a straight face at the sickening smell, and retreated back towards the door.

“I'm ready”, the man announced with a grin.

Healer huffed, but he turned his full attention back to Iris who now looked like she had gone back to sleep. He gently rested his free hand on her stomach, right over her navel, the other still being on her forehead, and closed his eyes, his brows furrowed in obvious concentration. For a moment there was absolute silence. Then the glittering net over his sister's body retreated, leaving the room strangely dim. Not a moment later however, Healer's whole body started to glow in a golden light. It looked like a sun was trapped under his skin.

The black lines on his skin, that Gladio had thought were tattoos, started to crack open and released a burning violet light. It looked utterly otherworldly. Suddenly Gladio could believe every story Viti had told him about Healer. That he was a fallen star or an Astral, forgotten by humanity and time. There was so much power. It made his skin prickle and the fine hairs on his arms stand on end. And it seemed like Healer himself could barely contain it, he looked like his human shell was going to shatter at any moment.

Magic pulsed in time of an invisible heart, lapping over Iris and through the air like it was water breaking on a shore. The light seeped into Iris' skin, concentrating where the black splotches marred her, and with each new wave that washed over her they grew a tiny bit smaller. A fine black mist rose and dissipated within seconds.

Gladio couldn't do anything other than stare at the spectacle in front of him, even as it made his eyes burn to look directly into the pulsing light. He didn't even look away when he heard a violent hiss from where the red haired man was watching.

An especially large wave made the air shudder, caressed his skin like the softest silk and eased the pain in his bloody feet. There were quite a few cuts and a broken toe nail. He hadn't even felt it as he had been running to get his sister the help she needed. He couldn't help the sigh of relief that escaped him. The magic teased over him like a long lost friend. It made something in him that had been sleeping for a long time, suddenly sit up and pay attention. He knew the feeling of this magic, had felt it quite often when Noctis had been made to practice his elemancy, even if he had never been connected to it like a proper Shield should be...

He jerked upwards. By now the magic had turned into a bright supernova with the young man and his sister at its centre. It couldn't be.

“Noctis”, he breathed, stunned.

He stood there, frozen and having no idea what he should do. This couldn't be possible. He had searched for his prince high and low and the Crownsguard and the Kingsglaive both had searched outside of Insomnia. If Noctis was still in the city and not dead they should have heard something by now. Shouldn't they?

On the other hand there clearly were people down here. Gladio hadn't even known that this place existed, and it was part of his job to know about the city's layout. It would also explain how Healer had magic. But why hadn't he recognized him then? He knew what the prince looked like! Then again, Healer had long hair and what he had thought were tattoos covering a large part of his body, including his face. And even if it turned out that Healer wasn't Noctis – which became more and more likely the longer he thought about it – this was a place he could potentially be, because no one had ever thought to look.

Had Noctis hidden here this whole time?

Why?

As if he had been heard, Healer opened his eyes. Even in the bright light of the magic they glowed like a pair of newborn stars. Gladio had to look away. White spots danced in front of his eyes. A high pitched whine sounded from where the door was located.

Slowly, oh so slowly, the pulsing light became weaker, the pressure of powerful magic in the air grew lighter. With each new wave it retreated further and further, like the changing of the tides until it was mostly gone.

The black splotches on Iris' skin had turned into mere shadows beneath skin still pale from sickness. There was a bit of colour in her cheeks now.

Healer's hands retreated and the last of the glow died, leaving the room in a strange half light until Gladio's eyes had adjusted again. Only the black lines on Healer's skin still gave off a dim iridescence, and Gladio swore there was a new one slashing across his cheek close to the nose. It made the impression that the man's humanity was nothing but a thin veil that could be ripped away to show what really lay beneath at any time. And wasn't that disconcerting?

Reluctantly, like he needed to remind himself how to move his limbs, he stood up and carelessly let the blanket Gladio had carried Iris in, fall to the floor, before taking up the one the teenager had brought in and spread it over Iris' still sleeping form. His breath came in quick bursts and he was covered in sweat like he had just completed a taxing workout. With a quiet groan he stood up straight. Finally the shimmer beneath his skin was completely gone.

“Fuck. Ah think ah overdid it”, he mumbled barely loud enough for Gladio to hear.

“You can say that again, my dear nephew. Please warn an old man the next time you want to set off the magical equivalent to a Nifasi firebomb. It would be much appreciated. You can never be sure of the consequences otherwise”, stated the red haired man before Gladio could even think to open his mouth.

There was a caution in Healer's gaze as he nodded, that set Gladio's teeth on edge and made him want to punch something. Or someone. Preferably the guy who used a cane exactly the same way his King did but moved like a was an actor playing out a drama.

“Now, go downstairs to your wife, eat something and drink some of her truly amazing tea. You look like someone who dearly needs a break and some extra energy. I dare say, it's too early already to go back to sleep again. I will look after the girl for the time being. Do not worry, I have some experience in looking after the scourge sick and know what I'm doing”, he continued as if he hadn't seen Gladio's glower.

Which he clearly had.

Healer – who was quite possibly Noctis and Gladio wasn't really sure if he wanted him to be or not – just rolled his eyes, but he took a step towards the door before he stopped and turned towards him, a guarded look on his face.

“Come”, he mumbled. “We need tah talk, and best do it now.”

Gladio didn't say anything as he followed Healer through the still mostly dark house. To be honest, he had no idea what to say. For all the questions tumbling through his mind in a never ending whirlwind since he had first seen the young man.

He wanted to scream.

He wanted to rage.

He wanted to shake the answers out of the man leading him down dark stairs.

But he didn't. If this whole mess had taught him one thing, it was that raging at it all didn't help a thing. So he swallowed the anger hissing in his mind down and sat in the chair in the warmly lit kitchen he had been indicated to.

The kitchen was a large room that was clearly well lived in and cared for with a loving hand, if cluttered to a point where there was nearly no free space left. Despite the warm summer night there was a new fire burning in the hearth that was old enough to belong in a museum. It made the air near uncomfortable hot.

Most of the kitchen appliances looked like they belonged into the 5th century ME at least. Well, there was an electric tea kettle and a few other bibs and bobs that clearly belonged into the modern age of electricity. How could anybody live like that?

As he examined the kitchen he noticed the woman standing at the counter. She wasn't very tall with a thin face and very pale skin that contrasted heavily with her long black hair. Her big eyes were of a green that reminded him of shadowy forests outside Insomnia. The long and thin tunic she wore was of a russet colour and looked more like a nightgown to his eyes.

He knew her. It was the woman that he had met at the Black Saffron the day before yesterday. Well, three days ago by now, he supposed. What was her name again? Hiemi? Wait, so the little girl had been...

She came over towards the table with a tray in her hands upon which were three cups and a large pot that wouldn't be out of place in one of the historical romances he liked to read sometimes. Now that she stood next to Healer, who had been awkwardly hovering next to an empty chair, Gladio could see that she was a few centimetres taller than him. The woman gave Healer a chiding glance that lost its bite with the fondly exasperated tilt of her smile.

“Yah overdid it”, she stated.

“Ah know”, he murmured and gave her a chaste kiss on the mouth. “Ah'm sorry.”

“No, yah're not. Now sit down and introduce me so tha' we can have this talk b'fore we've gotta go t' work.”

And Healer did just that.

He gave her hip a gentle squeeze and sat down on the chair across from Gladio while the woman served the tea and then sat down herself. There were a few beats of awkward silence before Healer cleared his throat and introduced the woman next to him.

“Gladio, may ah introduce to yah Hiemi, Dame of this household and mah wife. Hiemi, this's Gladio.” He hesitated, as if he wasn't quite sure how to continue.

Before he could make up his mind about it, Gladio interrupted him: “What in the name of Pitioss' cursed depths were you thinking, Noctis?!”

The young man flinched, his fingers dug into the wooed tabletop until his knuckles turned white and his mouth fell open with no sound escaping him.

In the warm light of the kitchen it had become very clear to Gladio that this Healer was in fact Noctis, despite all the changes. The facial structure practically screamed Lucis Caelum. There was also the magic – magic he had never seen or heard of before – and the fact that he knew his and Iris' name.

“Where the fuck have you been? Do you know how worried your father was? Still is, to this day? Do you know how the nobles are hounding him to produce another heir? He keeps refusing out of love for you and the late Queen and you sit here, healthy and alive, and play house! The King still hopes that you're alive and well, that you're coming home one day. Do you know what your actions did to Ignis? To Iris? To me? Do you-”

By the end he had been nearly screaming, ready to lunge across the table and beat some sense into his prince. If he even deserved that title anymore. But suddenly he was frozen in place. The words tumbling out of his mouth, halted on his tongue and his muscles refused to move. It was like time around him had been halted but everywhere else it moved forward like it always did. He couldn't even blink as he looked at the two people across from him.

Noctis had grown even paler than he already was, hunching his shoulders and shrinking into himself. Hiemi, the woman he had introduced as his wife – and wasn't that a whole other can of worms – was another story. Her eyes were blazing in fury as she rose from her chair, one arm held out in his direction. Around her wrist and along her forearm danced smoky grey chains. Sparks of green and yellow jumped between the individual links.

“Don't yah dare.” She hissed, her face contorted into a sneer. “Don't yah think he knows tha'? Mah husband knows the consequences of his actions quite well, knave Gladiolus. Yah bet there's a damn good reason for it, do yah understand me?”

“Hiemi”, Noctis said in a tone that was barely more than a whisper. At once her attention was on him. “Let him go, please. It's fine.”

“It damn well isn't, and yah know it! Shield or not, friend or not, he can't jus' walk in here and treat yah like this. Healer. Noctis. It's not yahr fault. Yah couldn't 've done anything different. Not with Him watching.”

Gladio listened with growing concern. What was she talking about? Who was this Him? The way he said it he couldn't be a nice guy. Noctis made a keening noise so full of old hurt and fear and guilt that Galdio would have recoiled, if he were able. The prince pressed his face into her abdomen, his hands grasped at the cloth of her tunic and his shoulders shook as if he was crying. She didn't say anything but carded her hands through his long, tangled hair with a tender expression on her face. Gladio dearly wanted to look away, shaken to his core at the scene before him.

“Ssshhhh”, made Hiemi and continued to pet Noctis' hair until he pulled away.

The prince's eyes were thankfully dry and he didn't look quite as much as an anak caught in the headlights anymore. His wife pressed his cup of tea into his hands and he took a sip. And then another, the action calming him down further.

“Now”, she said, her tone brooking no argument, “we're all going tah sit down and talk like the adults we all are. Am ah clear?”

Here she looked sternly at Gladio who still couldn't move. He wished he could point that out to her.

“Mah life, yah need tah take off the spell first”, Noctis reminded her with an amused twitch at the corner of his mouth.

Due to her pale skin, the redness in her cheeks was very noticeable as she cancelled whatever she had done with one last warning look towards him. The chains around her forearm vanished. He carefully flexed his fingers and shifted his weight, to see if everything was back in working order, but he wisely kept his mouth shut and waited for either of the two to speak first. Their short exchange had made it clear that there was more going on than he had thought – than anyone had thought – and he wanted to know what it was.

It was Noctis who started the conversation again.

“Tha' night in tha' alleyway ah was scared shitless, Gladio, and it wasn't because of tha' old drunk with the broken bottle.”

“What in the name of Bahamut's blades happened to you?” asked Gladio and watched uncomprehending, as both of them flinched slightly.

“Please, don't say His name. Down here, He can't see me”, Noctis pleaded.

“What do you mean, down here He can't see you? Wait, the He you were referring to is-?”

Gladio swallowed down the name Bahamut, but the other two knew exactly who he meant. They nodded in unison.

“But why?”

He didn't understand this at all.

“The Bladed One's still one of the Six, one of the Astrals, but His standing, from what ah understand of what Healer told me, is more tha' of the Infernian up there”, answered Hiemi and motioned towards the ceiling.

Ignis would love this.

The sudden thought made Gladio realize that he needed to get the advisor in on this. Gladio himself was in over his head. But that was for later. Now...

“So Ba- the Bladed One is some kind of traitor, a malevolent deity? What does that have to do with why you're hiding in this dump?”

Both of them bristled at his words and Hiemi opened her mouth, clearly prepared to argue, but Noctis' hand on her shoulder held her back. She leaned backwards, still glaring at Gladio like he had insulted her personally.

“It's got everything tah do with it”, said Noctis. “Do yah know the stories of the Lucis Caelums tha' had a magic different from wha' was expected of them?”

Gladio hesitated. He tried to think of the old stories Noctis had liked to read in the archives, when he had been allowed down there, but none came to mind. It was strange, since this was the main reason he had started to like reading historical romance. Try as he might, he couldn't remember a single of those stories the young prince had liked to ramble about on occasion.

“I... cannot say I do, no”, he admitted, feeling strangely ashamed of it.

Noctis just sighed. “Tha's alrigh'. They've always ended violently, with the death of the Lucis Caelum in question, and more often than not with innocent bystanders dead. There're records of Kings killing their own children tah minimize the inevitable damage they'd cause if left tah live. Dad told me the last one left to live died when he collapsed a house on top of him, also killing the people within the building and most of the bystanders. Ah managed tah find records from the Founder's time, where King Somnus decreed in the Bladed One's name tha' every child not of black magic was Bad Faith.”

Gladio gave a quiet curse. He remembered now, the sordid stories Noctis had told and had given him a sour taste in his mouth every single time. The prince seemed to have noticed his discomfort at his retellings and had stopped them after some time. It hadn't stopped him from going into the archives, however.

All of a sudden he had a very bad feeling about this.

“Please tell me you aren't one of those cases, Noctis”, he all but begged, already knowing the answer to this.

Ruefully, the prince in hiding shook his head. “If he finds me it's only a question of time before something happens. Do yah understand? Ah can't go Up because for some reason we can't figure out, He can't find me here. As long as ah'm here nothing'll happen.”

“And what of the rest of Lucis? Should it fall into chaos, conquered by Nifelheim, because you were too much of a coward?”

Noctis pressed his lips into a thin line in displeasure. “And what would you have me do, Gladio? Wait for the dragon to kill me? I've wanted to just march up to the Citadel so many times, I've lost count. You have no idea how much it hurt to stay away from all of you.”

In his ire he was starting to lose that damn accent that had been starting to grate on Gladio.

“Stop!” thundered Hiemi before the argument could escalate any further, her presence backed up by the feeling of powerful magic. “We've been talking abou' contacting His Royal Majesty for some time now. 'Specially in the last few days. The children've been excited ever since they heard we've been considering it. Healer, ah think it's abou' time we finally did it.”

“I... yes”, he relented after a few moments of silence. “It's abou' time.”

#ffxv #dreams of our past #gladiolus amicitia #hiemi is an overprotective fury #two hard headed people meeting each other #well #this could have gone better #cat's out of the bag now #gladio finally finds noctis #he could have handled that better #but also so much worse #iris has the staarscourge #and because of *plot* she's getting treatment #ardyn is having a hard time believing what just happened #he needs to sit down for a minute #my fics #the spirit writes

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tomiyeee · 5 years

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Luna/Aranea or Cindy for the ask thing!

lady time~♫

under cut cuz it’s kinda long (but sorry if mobile fucks it up)

Luna (i haven’t watched kingsglaive so i might be missing some things. this is p much only based off the main game)

Fav thing about them: i really liked that one cut scene after her death with her and noctis because got that one was really pretty. also that one scene in altissia where the imperial soldiers barge in and point guns at her and she just stands up, brushes the gun aside, and walks away like “fucking shoot me, i dare you” like damn u go bitch ♥

Least fav thing about them: this has probably been said a million times before but honestly she doesn’t even feel like a character, but more of a plot device. if noct is gonna be forced to leave his 3 whole ass boyfriends behind to take a nap with her forever, at least give us some reason to even remotely like her as a character. give her a few lines that sound like something a real human person would say. give her realistic, personal relationships with someone. gentiana or ravus would have been perfect considering she was so close with gentiana and ravus is her fucking brother. i don’t care about how artsy and poetic her and noctis’s sacrifices were, give us something to demonstrates how close they were personally and how they genuinely enjoyed each other’s company as friends rather than tragic lovers. give her something that wasn’t solely related to the plot and developed her character in some way. luna deserved better :(

Fav line: "when you find yourself alone, amid a lightless place, look to the distance. know that i am there and that i watch over you always.” honestly it’s hard to pick one since every one of her lines is some cryptic bullshit to do with the gods

OTP: *vibrates* luna/shiva/ifrit. also her/gentiana

brOTP: her + gentiana!!

nOTP: her + noct >:( also not a big fan of her/cindy just cuz i don’t particularly like either of them kind of for the same reasons. it is kinda cute tho!

Random headcanon: she would look really nice in casual/modern clothing instead of long formal dresses that she always wears in canon. also she would be a really good fighter if given the chance like noctis and the gang were throughout the game.

Unpopular opinion: probably not unpopular but all her outfits fucking ugly (except for kingsglaive). also can’t stand her voice.

Song I associate with them: “saturn” by sleeping at last? not sure if the lyrics fit her perfectly but idk i feel like she’d do well with star-themed songs, plus it just sounds nice

Favorite picture of them:

either this gifset

or this art of her and gentiana! ♥

Aranea

Fav thing about them: she’s like. the only likeable female character in the game. i mean shiva. bby i would die for u, but i gotta admit. aranea’s the only one who feels like she has a personality outside of furthering the plot. also the fact that she shares both her english and japanese voice actors with celty from durarara is super cool bc 1) drrr is my fav anime and 2) both of their personalities are really similar and i think it fits them really well!

Least fav thing about them: i wish we could have gotten her dlc!! the female characters in this game needed all the character development they could get and square enix did them dirty >:( ep aranea sounded like it would’ve been so interesting and i would have loved to see more aranea stuff

Fav line: she called noctis “prince charming” once and i cried (i think it was if you loose to her in training at the camps?)

OTP: hmmnnn…?

brOTP: her and prompto, her/biggs/wedge :3

nOTP: her/ignis, her/prompto

Random headcanon: she’s ace!! everyone in ffxv is ace!! but her especially!!

Unpopular opinion: she’s not my type :/ as cool as she is, i can’t really like her all that much just cuz badass lady characters aren’t my thing.

Song I associate with them:

Favorite picture of them: this one mermaid design of her!!

Cindy

Fav thing about them: i guess i like her enthusiasm to her work and the fact that despite prompto’s crush on her, she didn’t end up being just another love interest in a pointless straight relationship. we’ve got enough of those already.

Least fav thing about them: she makes me uncomfortable…for obvious reasons i think…like game, was that really necessary?? did u really have to do her like that??? did u really have to do her dirty in front of her (grand) dad????

Fav line: “now, which one’s the prince?” *cue noctis popping up from behind the regalia with his lil miqote cat ears n tail* she doesn’t have a lot of good lines since they’re mostly about fixing cars n stuff

OTP: nuthin romantically!

brOTP: her and prompto! i feel like they would have made a great sibling/sibling-like relationship and i think it’s really cute that their last names mean gold and silver :3

nOTP: her/prompto romantically

Random headcanon: dunno if i have any that i would stand by too strongly but i do like the idea that she’d have some muscle, especially in her arms! i mean she’s a mechanic so it’d make sense, right? maybe at least a little beefier than prompto. she could probably carry him bridal style.

Unpopular opinion: she…. lowkey scares me :(

Song I associate with them:

Favorite picture of them: i don’t see a lot of art/pics of her but i really like this one cindy recolor mod! the black and blue look really nice :D

#ask #long post #sorry if a lot of this might be kinda negative but square enix did em dirty >:(#all the girls in this game deserved better #ask game

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thedarklordmegatron · 5 years

Text

Sliding in at the last minute with my piece for @tsukibeamfics as part of the @ffxvexchange!

Title: Across the Ages Ship: Promptis Prompto: Reunion Rating: T

Also on AO3!

Warnings for implied child abuse and death in the ‘second lives’ portion!

Their first lives ended in tragedy.

Bar the reclamation of Insomnia and the ending of the Starscourge, the future was something they had never really discussed. Not because Noctis hadn’t wanted to, no, on more than one occasion he had tried to start a conversation with him, but his anxiety had gotten the best of him each time and it hadn’t taken much for Prompto to steer him in another direction. He was well aware that once Noctis took on more duties, once he became King, that his own role in the other’s life would be drastically reduced if he was even allowed to remain that was. Not that Noctis or the others had ever done anything to enforce that idea. Far from it. When he’d stupidly mentioned it to Ignis in passing, the trio had taken it upon themselves to make it very clear that no matter what, he was apart of their little family and would remain as such.

Then everything went to shit. Because of course it did.

Between the fall of Insomnia, and bye extension Lucis, there had been little time to discuss anything except how they were going to feed themselves, stay off the Empire’s radar and somehow retake Lucis. Their future together hadn’t exactly been high on the list of priorities.

When Noctis and the others finally came to Gralea for him, freeing him from Ardyn’s little hell-hole, he’d long since decided that should he live through that particularly horrific portion of his life, he’d finally tell Noct just how much he loved him, how he would always be by his side, as his husband/lover or friend, it really didn’t matter; so long as he was there. Between the exhaustion and relief, it’d taken everything he had to just stay awake and keep moving, having a full in-depth conversation about their future together was never going to happen. And as with everything in his life, a curve-ball collided with his face and his whole world was thrown off kilter.

First, Noctis was quite literally absorbed into the Crystal, and Six did that image haunt him for the rest of his admittedly far too short life. Second, the Sun vanished behind a miasma of darkness, most definitely Ardyn’s work, and with it the fauna and flora, bringing about an apocalyptic scenario that no one had thought they could survive. And thirdly, just because the Astrals were the ultimate assholes, when Noctis did finally return, after ten years of hell, they were forced to accept the fact that one last night was all they would have. That come the ‘morning’, Ignis, Gladiolus and himself would have to stand outside of the Citadel and let their King, their brother, go to his death alone.

So really, considering all he’d survived, all he’d accomplished as a hunter and Crownsguard, it shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise when only moments before the sun rose Gladio shouted his name and a claw burst through his chest. Of course, it did. Perish the thought he’d be able to have some form of a happy life.

Then again, what life could he possibly have without Noctis?

On the steps of the Citadel, cradled in the arms of two men he considered his brothers, Prompto Argentum, Crownsguard and best friend to the one-hundred and fourteenth King of Lucis, dies as the sun rises for the first time in a decade.

Their second lives ends in cruelty.

Noctis had known from a very early age that he was not a normal boy. That much had become clear to him when a blue lady with white hair, Shiva his six-year-old mind supplied, appeared to him in his dreams and told him that he was not long for the world, but that he shouldn’t be afraid because this was only the beginning.

Despite her words, he had still gone screaming to his parents in the middle of the night, thrown himself in their arms and sobbed into his mother’s chest. A god may have told him not to be afraid, but he was a child, and as with all children, being told that something scary was waiting for them, something that would take him away from his mama and daddy, was an immensely terrifying thought.

He was eight when her words came true.

“You must never let go of my hand when we’re outside,” His mama had said firmly, kneeling down in front of him and brushing his hair aside “There are mean people out there who would take you away from me and daddy.”

“I won’t mama!” He said with all the confidence of a child who thought they knew everything.

Letting go of his mama’s hand hadn’t been intentional, it was just that he’d seen a cute little kitty that looked like it needed a hug, and before he knew it, he was being swept away in the crowd, his mama’s screams of ‘Noctis!’ forever etched into his memory.

Noctis doesn’t quite know how it happened, but at some point after losing his mama, he’s swept off his feet by a tall man and bundled into the back of a white van. It’s dark, noisy and very scary, so he does as all children do and screams as loudly as he can until someone shuffles around and a little hand grabs his arms and pulls him into a hug. He tries to fight them off but soon realises that the arms belong to a boy the same age as him with the prettiest blue eyes and hair the same colour as his cousin, Luna’s.

They cry quietly together, clinging onto one another in pure desperation, determined to hold onto the only other thing that isn’t as scary as the darkness. Eventually, after what feels like forever, the van stops and the doors are thrown open. The man doesn’t even spare them a second glance as he tears them apart, throwing the other boy to an even bigger and even scarier man before carrying Noctis away himself.

They scream for each other, reaching out in desperation as they’re dragged off in separate directions, but all it does is earn them a beating and no food.

Two years later, curled up in a ball under a tiny scrap of cloth he had claimed as a blanket, Noctis Venitus, formerly Noctis Lucis Caelum dies in his sleep from starvation.

A continent away, a six-year-old blonde boy suffers the same cruel fate.

Their third lives end suddenly.

No one had seen it coming. The group of teenagers had bundled onto the coach that morning, waving goodbye to their parents as they went off on their first skiing adventure, chattering away to themselves and cracking jokes at the expense of their visibly nervous teachers.

The coach doesn’t even make it to the Gralean border.

And so it continues.

It is on their seventy-sixth lives that both boys finally survive past the age of ten.

Their seventy-sixth lives see them reunited.

For two people who have lived through the worst life has to offer, their current lives are rather unremarkable.

Prompto Faustus grows up peacefully in the suburbs of Insomnia with his twin brother, Loqi, and his parents. He has everything a twenty-three-year-old could want. A family who loves him, friends who include him and make sure he enjoys life, financial security, and boy if that isn’t a big one, but he still can’t help but feel as though something is missing, as though a very large piece of the jigsaw that is his life has hidden itself so far under the couch that he can’t quite reach it.

It’s during his first lecture at University that he finds that elusive piece, because there, tucked away in the back corner of the lecture theatre, fast asleep is a face he has seen in his dreams every night since he was twelve.

At first he pauses, considers his options and wonders if maybe it would be too creepy to just casually stroll up to the guy and sit down beside him while he’s sleeping, but then Noctis, and it has to be Noctis, stretches in a way that is so familiar that his feet are moving before his brain catches up with them. He silently slips into the seat beside the sleeping student and rummages through his bag for his book and pens. It’s only when the lecturer starts talking that he wonders why he is even attending a photography lecture anyway, there’s a small part of his brain that tells him this isn’t normal, that this guy wasn’t all that into photography, but who’s he to question someone elses motives when he literally chose his seat because of some random dreams?

The lecturer is midway through explaining how a photographer achieved a certain composition when he moves. There’s no over the top reaction, no sudden scream of ‘Prompto!’ like his subconscious had hoped, which leaves him feeling a little deflated, but he does at least feel the guy’s eyes on him for the rest of the hour.

When it is finally over, he’s almost too scared to look at him. However, he’s lucky in that Noctis decides to make the first move.

“Name’s Noctis,” He says casually, with a smile that makes Prompto’s heart skip a beat “Noctis Lucis Caelum.” Suddenly he remembers, as though he’d finally grabbed that puzzle piece and forced it into place. He remembers easy smiles, late nights gaming and joking at the expense of one another. He remembers pushing a car through the blistering heat, singing trashy pop songs at the top of his lungs along with Noctis and Gladiolus in an attempt to make Ignis laugh. He remembers those warm hugs, the body curled around his during the cold night and lips that pressed kisses along his shoulder blades and neck.

Without warning, Prompto throws himself at the other, not at all concerned with the looks the other students send their way. After all, it’s none of their business that he’s finally found his missing boyfriend in another life nearly three hundred years after their deaths.

Noctis returns the hug with just as much enthusiasm, burying his face into Prompto’s neck and sobbing silently despite the bright smile and laugh on his lips.

There, in Noctis’ arms, it’s hard to understand how he’s survived so long without this man who is quite literally the other half of his soul. The euphoria he feels as they smile at one another following the hug is unlike anything he has ever felt in his life. His heart feels about ready to implode and he wants nothing more than to stand atop the highest point in Lucis and scream his love for Noctis, tell the world everything he was forced to keep a secret in their previous lives. However, considering that isn’t really an option, he’ll gladly accept the kiss Noctis leans in for and the numerous other ones that follow it as they flee the campus hand-in-hand, laughing all the way.

Their seventy-sixth lives are long ones, filled with happiness and love. It is also their last but it is a shared-life well spent.

#Promptis #prompto argentum #Noctis Lucis Caelum #final fantasy xv #final fantasy 15 #ffxv #vex writes #I hope you like it :D!

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hanalwayssolo · 5 years

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Somewhere Between The Music and Lyrics: Ch. 1

A/N: I’m terribly off my own schedule, as usual! So. This Prompto one-shot became a monster I did not expect so I’m splitting it into two chapters. Honestly, among the chocobros, Prompto’s the first one that came to mind when I wanted to do a band AU of sorts—because I’ve heard Robbie Daymond sing on one of their LAVA streams and it is glorious. Anyway! Song featured for this first half is Gavin DeGraw’s We Belong Together.

Tagging pals! @raspberryandechinacea @noboomoon@emmydots @bleucommelhiver @gowithme @hanatsuki89 @valkyrieofardyn @animakupo @lazarustrashpit @blindedstarlight @mp938368 @boo-dangy

Prompto had been busily sifting through The Lost Boys’ unanswered emails at the back of their tour bus when he hears his song.

Except, it’s not quite his song.

He recognizes the lyrics in an instant—and he of all people would know of course, since he had written those words as a cry for help for his hopelessly romantic soul. But the song that aches through the speakers holds none of Ignis’s electric riffs, the swell of Gladio’s drums, the steady hum of Noctis’s bass, let alone his own vocals. The one he hears is his music stripped to its rawest, the words made vulnerable by a melancholic leak of a lone acoustic guitar and an exquisitely soulful voice.

We belong together Like the open seas and shores Wedded by the planet force We’ve all been spoken for

Prompto scrambles to the front lounge to find Noctis, Gladio, and Ignis huddling by the booth over a laptop set on the table, their eyes glued to the screen in wild wonder.

Curiously, Prompto eyes them—still grinning wide in awe—and asks, “Are you guys hearing what I’m hearing now? Am I dreaming? What is happening?”

Noctis snorts a laugh. He swivels the laptop to face Prompto. “You might want to check this out, my friend.”

Prompto excitedly moves closer. Immediately, he sees the video accompanying the song entitled “we belong together (cover) by my amazingly talented roommate!!!” posted by username MasterPelnaK. He barely even notices how this video has been raking almost five hundred thousand views and likes in the last twenty-four hours as his attention zeroes in on the stranger sitting on a bean bag, equipped with nothing but the guitar and that voice.

What good is a life With no one to share The light of the moon The honour of a swear

Gods. The tone and vibrato is so on point it sends shivers down his spine. But then, Prompto begins to wonder why this person is not even looking directly at the camera. Were they even aware that they were being recorded? It seems all too candid given the angle, as if the camera had just been discreetly set up on a low-lying table. Not to mention the very personal space in the background, too: a well-lit room of white walls, a cozy looking sofa, an impressive shelf of books and vinyl records tucked between potted fiddle leaf figs. Somewhere out of sight, hushed whispers could still be heard. Was this only recorded from a mobile phone?

Anyway, not that any of these things mattered. Prompto has rarely come across other artists covering their songs, and when he does, each one he cherishes dearly. But this one—this one, for heaven’s sake—has moved him the way the winds bend the trees to its will, a tiny flint that sparks a flame. He didn’t realize that the words he had written could be afforded such lyrical heft, that the music he had created had been a delicate and honest confessional that could fit someone else’s voice so beautifully, like finding a piece of a puzzle he never knew he had been missing.

Where have you been all my life?

So Prompto watches it again. And then a couple times more. Noctis, Gladio, and Ignis gather to watch him curiously. Prompto briefly skims through the comments section and is thoroughly relieved to read overwhelmingly positive feedback. He didn’t even mind when he comes across a comment that says “this is even better than the original!” because fuck it, he shares the same sentiment.

And before Prompto could even scroll back up to replay the video, Gladio drags the laptop away from him.

Prompto sneers in protest. “Dude. Not cool at all—”

“What’s not cool is obsessing over a cover of your own fucking song,” Gladio says in jest.

“Hey, it’s a fucking cool cover, okay!” Prompto scoffs and flicks his eyes on the ceiling—almost rolls them, but not quite so. “And please, big guy. I’m not obsessing. I’m too chill to be obsessed, thank you very much.”

“I clearly remember you saying to the crowd earlier how you’re never the ‘chill’ person of sort, and my word. How quickly the tables have turned,” Ignis casually remarks as he takes a sip from his mug of coffee.

Prompto’s mouth falls open. He did say that onstage during their performance back at Leiden Fest. His immediate regret is letting Ignis triumphantly take it against him.

Meanwhile, Noctis lifts a suspicious eyebrow at Ignis. “Iggy, are you sure you’re not drinking tea? ‘Cause you just poured a scalding one right there.”

“I’m impressed—that’s a good one.” Gladio gives Noctis and Ignis a thundering high-five. They burst out in a gale of laughter.

“You guys are enjoying this, huh.” Prompto grabs a pillow and smashes it at Noctis, who only yelps in between fits of laughter. He hurls one at Gladio, too, but the big guy has reflexes of a jungle cat, so he only ends up catching the thing. Ignis, however, Prompto hesitates at the last second when he shoots him a menacing glance. “Okay, I’m not even going to bother attacking you, ‘cause I’m pretty sure you will kill me if you spill that coffee.”

Ignis gives him a smile and a nod, and returns to his drink.

“Also,” Noctis says, “now that I think about it, you’re giving off that same look and vibe the first time you were crushing on Cindy.”

“What? I do not—okay, okay—” Prompto groans, jabbing a finger at Noctis— “that is different. Cindy is our road manager, so I’m choosing not to cross the line. While this…” Prompto pauses and takes a deep breath. “This is also different. A very surreal and magical kind of different.”

“Now I’d say someone’s been bitten by a lovebug.” Ignis leans back on his seat, arms crossed, regarding Prompto with a pleasant smile.

Gladio laughs. “Tell me about it.”

“I can’t believe I’m friends with you guys,” Prompto says in a miserable groan.

But frankly, Prompto is far from miserable having Noctis, Gladio, and Ignis as friends. He considers himself quite fortunate to have found brothers in them, painfully annoying as they may be from time to time. Besides, it was through their music that helped them bond and weather the toughest of their adolescent years: they were no stranger to teenage angst, to riotous episodes of rebellion, to whirlwind romances and crazy ex-lovers, and to the turbulent journey that led them to be the band that they are today. Naming themselves The Lost Boys seemed to be a fitting tribute to the misadventures of their youth: Always lost and never found.

And yet, regardless of their highs and lows, the four of them have always had each other’s back. And that has not changed even now that they are in their thirties.

Perhaps Prompto is being overly sentimental at this point, but that’s just how it is.

Or maybe, he really has been bitten by a lovebug.

“In any case—“ Noctis firmly clasps Prompto’s shoulder— “this amazing cover of your song is breaking the Internet as we speak.”

“Well, yeah.” Prompto shrugs, though he cannot hide it in from his face how pleased he truly is. “Though I do wonder who this MasterPelnaK is.”

“Definitely not the person in the video, that’s for sure,” says Gladio.

“If I may?” Ignis reaches for the laptop from Gladio. “Let’s see here—“ the boys squeeze themselves into the seat so they could also get a look as Ignis hovers around the profile page— “this Pelna Khara happens to be a video game blogger—“

“It’s a vlogger, Iggy—get in with the times,” Prompto corrects cheerfully.

Ignis exhales an exasperated sigh. He returns his attention back on screen. “Apparently, this vlogger streams gameplays and commentaries—“

“Really?” Noctis interrupts out of a sudden rush of excitement. “Do you think he has one for Assassin's Creed—“

Prompto nudges Noctis by the arm. “Dude.”

“Right. Sorry,” Noctis says sheepishly. “Carry on.”

“Anyway.” Ignis is unfazed by the interruption as he goes on: “It appears that this is the first time this Pelna fellow uploaded this sort of material.”

“Oh and look, he’s very popular, too,” Noctis says. “Ten million subscribers? What the fuck—“

“Wouldn’t be surprised now that the video got so many hits overnight,” Gladio notes pensively. “And check it out—“ he points at the bio section— “he lives in the city. Says his hub is somewhere in Downtown Insomnia.”

As if struck by the same spectacular idea, Noctis and Gladio exchange knowing glances. Ignis, of course, is quick to catch on.

It takes a while for Prompto to understand what’s going on, and when he finally does, he shoots them all a dubious gaze. His friends are up to something, and the glint in their eyes could only spell mischief.

“Guys—” Prompto starts as calmly as he could, hands raised in an almost surrender— “whatever you guys are thinking, we don’t need to do this—”

“We don’t need to—but you do,” Gladio claps Prompto’s back. “We got ya, my guy.”

“And before you all intend to push through with this,” Ignis says, “would anyone be so kind as to ask Cindy if we can change our course and make a quick pitstop. And let Iris know, too, since… well. She’s our handler, after all.”

Gladio rises out of the booth. “On it,” he says as he makes his way to the driver’s seat.

“And allow me to send a message to this fella,” Noctis adds promptly, already typing away in front of the laptop.

Prompto sinks helplessly to the seat beside Noctis. “Why are we all friends again?” he says loudly, and the meaningful response he receives is the sound of their amused laughter.

“I want that video deleted right now.”

Pelna winces at the sharpness of your words. Crowe, on the other hand, looks like she is ready to give you everything the world has to offer. In the years you have spent sharing a flat with them, this must be the first time you have ever seen them this apologetic. Which is only fair because this is the first time they have done something quite outrageous to upset you. Yes, sure—Crowe and Pelna might think you’re overreacting right now, but you’re no video blogger or Internet celebrity like the both of them are, so that’s entirely beside the point. As they sit side by side cowering on the couch and you standing over them—hands on waist, jaws clenched, eyes seething in fury—it’s as if they have committed a crime against all of humanity that cannot be forgiven.

Except the casualty of the said crime is you, and only you.

“Look, you have every right to be mad at me for my negligence—” Pelna nervously raises a hand, trying to look at you dead in the eye but flinches as if you are burning bright like the sun— “but I fucking swear, it wasn’t me who uploaded the thing! Okay, I admit—I’ve been tempted to record you for some time now ‘cause in case you don’t know this yet, you’re a really good singer. But trust me on this! I really have no idea how that video got out, I promise!”

“And it’s certainly not me who recorded you!” Crowe adds in their defense. “My alibi may not be perfect but I was already drunk that time! And even if I’m sober, I wouldn’t dare barge in Pelna’s room and tinker with his toys. Gods know what I’d find in there—”

“Only the good stuff, my dude,” Pelna says, suddenly pleased with himself. “Nothing but the good stuff—”

“How about we focus on the issue at hand, yes?” You pace back and forth, and in dire resignation, you finally flop on the armchair next to the couch. Fucking hell. It’s too early in the morning to have a head-splitting migraine. You wish this had been from a hangover or some other sickness, but it’s insane how this is all caused by seeing a video of yourself on the fucking Internet with no recollection of recording it at all. Sleuthing to find out the events that unfolded the night of Pelna’s birthday only seemed to make throbbing in your head even worse. As far as you could remember, most of the folks had been severely battered—which was why you had the guts to pull out your guitar and sing the blues away as everyone dozed off in their drunken stupor. But in your tight-knit circle of friends, if there’s anyone who could impressively hold their liquor the same way they could hold a knife, it could only be...

“Wait a fucking second.” Crowe narrow her eyes at Pelna, and then at you. She fishes out the phone in her pocket and hurriedly dials a number. With her phone on loudspeaker, the line rings once, twice, thrice. And then, a voice.

“What’s up, Crowe—”

“Nyx.” Crowe’s tone is already accusing that you didn’t even bother butting in. “You’re the one who uploaded the video on Pelna’s channel, weren’t you?”

A suspicious pause. Then, Nyx laughs. “Maybe.”

Pelna grabs the phone from Crowe. “I swear I will kill you when I see you, man! How dare you dishonour me—” as a knee-jerk reaction to his response, you kick Pelna in the shin that he yelps when he says— “and how dare you dishonour our friend!”

On the other line, Nyx is still laughing. “Wait, on a scale of one to ten, how angry is —”

“Not the fucking point!” Pelna snaps back. “How did you even manage to get into my account, you piece of beautiful shit?”

“Well, maybe next time you should make sure you always logout, alright?”

“Well, fuck you.”

“Thanks, but no thanks.” Nyx says breezily. Even in a phone call, his voice never fails to carry his air of arrogance. “But hey, kidding aside. You all said that we should help each other in living to the best of our potential, right? And our friend right there with you, Pelna—yes, you, I know you’re listening, too—do you even realize how fucking talented you are? You have been serenading us all our life, and this is the least I could do to share how proud I am to have a gifted friend like you. I’m sorry if it’s a jackass move, but I know if I asked for your permission, that thing would never see the light of day.”

The four of you bask in a sudden uneasy silence. You should not have been touched by Nyx’s words, but here you are, almost moved into tears. Despite his occasional display of pride and vanity, Nyx is one of the kindest human beings you have ever had the pleasure to meet. He may not seem like it, but he’s the very definition of a jerk with a heart of gold. You just hope he could completely forego being the jerk and stick with his golden heart instead.

This time, you take the phone from Pelna and say, “Treat the three of us for dinner for the next two weeks, and I’ll decide if I should forgive you.”

“Consider it done. I’m a man of my word,” Nyx says, and the sound of his relief is evident in his voice. “Now... am I out of trouble?”

“Certainly not, you dickhead. Later.”

You drop from the call and hand the phone back to Crowe. The two of them gape at you as if you have finally turned out to be the monster they have always known you to be.

“Wow. You really did that,” Crowe says, looking very impressed. “You actually shut Nyx up and made him agree to pay for two weeks worth of dinner. Aren’t you a delight.”

You manage a small smile. Pelna heaves one loud sigh of relief. “Now that we’ve finally cleared things up, are you sure you want me to take the video down? You’re really getting a lot of hype from my channel, I mean we’re close to half a million views! And—“

The shrieking sound of the doorbell cuts your conversation in an abrupt halt.

“Wait, I’ll get that,” Crowe gets up and rushes toward the door.

“So? Whaddaya say?” Pelna urges fervently. He is still invested on persuading you, and you can see it in his kind eyes. “It’s one video, I know… but you gotta believe us, you really are a fucking talent—”

“Pel, it’s not that. It’s...” You get on your feet, circling around the coffee table, as if it would help you articulate all the reasons behind your sense of trepidation. Honestly, you appreciate having Pelna and Crowe as friends for their selfless outpour of love and support for your craft. But how can you explain to them that sometimes, your own music terrifies you? Is there any logical explanation behind being scared of your own voice? So here you are, standing in front of Pelna, falling extremely inadequate to gather the words out of your mouth. Instead, you say, “I’m… just worried. What if The Lost Boys had seen it? And what if they’d hate me for it?”

Pelna offers you a weird, strained look. “Well, about that—”

“I don’t think there should be anything to worry about. We love it!”

The bell-like bounce of the voice that spoke clearly does not belong to Pelna nor Crowe, nor does it fit in the ordinariness of the space of your shared apartment.

You turn—hesitantly, too carefully—to see three of The Lost Boys standing by the doorway with Crowe. And standing in front of you is their frontman, Prompto, smilingly extending his hand to reach yours.

This horribly sunny day is getting stranger and stranger, and it’s not even noon yet.

Pleasantries have been made—and a little bit of internally slapping yourself in the face to make sure this is all happening—and now, it has all come to this. Leaning from the bar counter, you watch as the four infuriatingly beautiful men of The Lost Boys struggle to squeeze themselves in the poor thing you all call a sofa. Across from them is Crowe, sitting cross-legged on the coffee table, analyzing each of them from head to toe with the sole purpose of intimidating the shit out them. Which is no surprise, of course; Crowe rarely gets star-struck in the presence of famous people, and even if she does, she hides it effortlessly well. Meanwhile, Pelna is playing a staring game with the band’s drummer—and frighteningly the tallest and largest in the group—that you cannot help but wonder if Pelna has some sort of a death wish that he needs to get fulfilled right this instant.

“So, let me get this straight—” Crowe says, crossing her arms— “and I hope you don’t mind if we’re being cautious ‘cause, well, we don’t want our roommate to get dragged into something sketchy, but… you came all the way down here to this shabby neighbourhood after you saw the cover of your song, and now you want to collaborate on a song? Is that it?”

Prompto is the one who willingly answers with a vigorous nod. He seems unfazed with Crowe’s intention of scaring them off. He glances your way before he says, “And there’s no need to worry about the contract and all that legal stuff, ‘cause we’ll have that arranged. Right, Ignis?”

“Indeed,” says Ignis. “I know this arrangement seems completely out of sorts, seeing as we came here on such a short notice, but I can assure you that we offer nothing but the best of intentions.”

“Really?” you say as you move from behind the counter to sit together with Crowe. “But you’re all men. And you know what’s more dangerous than men? Celebrity men.” No one said a word. A moment’s silence lingers as you study each of their faces, and then: “So how do I make sure that I could trust you with… this? That this isn’t some publicity stunt you’re trying to pull—”

“It’s not like that at all,” Prompto says firmly. “And if you have any doubts with your safety, well, I’m sorry if our friend Gladio looks so menacing for our image—”

“Seriously?” Gladio scoffs, turning to Prompto. “You really hurt my feelings.”

You try to stifle your laughter. Somehow, now that you look closely at the four of them, they remind you of Nyx, Libertus, and Pelna.

And suddenly, you feel bad for putting them in a hot seat like this.

As The Lost Boys begin to discuss amongst themselves with what you assume to be a stream of their inside jokes, Pelna sidles up to you while Crowe loops her arm around yours. Whispering, she says, “I think you should do it.”

Pelna discreetly adds, “And if they ever get you into trouble, Nyx is a lawyer so he should have your back. I already texted him and he’s ready to keep an eye out for you.”

You let out a rueful sigh. You have to admit, it’s hard to stay mad at Crowe and Pelna and Nyx when this is the way they exhibit their unwavering friendship: with a flourish of genuine love and steadfast support.

Empowered by your friends’ confidence, you clear your throat and you turn your attention to the four men sitting in front of you. You fix your eyes at Prompto, and you ask, “So. When do we start this thing?”

#final fantasy xv #ffxv #ffxv fanfiction #fanfic #prompto argentum #older!prompto argentum #prompto x reader #older!prompto x reader #my writing

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oveliagirlhaditright · 5 years

Text

Watery Grave

Summary: Luna actually runs to Noctis’ side when she finishes her speech in Altissia. And this all leads to a chain of events, where she actually ends up surviving the Trial of Leviathan. For Noctluna Week. Rated T.

Lunafreya—surprised everyone, including herself—and ran Noctis' way, the moment she was done with her speech and found herself in her beloved's arms. And Noctis, while he was taken aback by this at first, was swift to wrap his arms around Luna’s waist and bury his face in her hair. But his initially being so frozen, almost made the Oracle giggle: when they'd been in Tenebrae for that short time—and Noctis had been nursing a crush for her even back then--he'd always made sure to seem "awkward" around her when Ravus was near. And he'd even told her in their letters to each other, that if they reunited somewhere that Ravus was also with them, he'd make sure to be respectful towards her. Well… Ravus wasn’t here, and yet Noctis had still behaved in such a way. And it made Luna believe that Noctis was actually much less suave than he wrote himself to be in their notebook. "What are you laughing at, Luna?" Noctis asked in a very good-natured way, as he tried to pull her away from the people now fanning over the engaged Oracle and Chosen King. Deciding not to tell Noctis that she'd been having teasing thoughts about him, Luna gave him another truth as she waved to the prince's friends to join them. "Just marveling at life... Earlier, I’d thought about giving up... because I know the Trial of Leviathan will be… taxing. And to prepare for that, I foolishly almost held off in coming to see you." Luna made certain to choose her words carefully here: she didn't want Noctis to know yet, was that she'd almost given up in seeing him... because she didn't want him to see her body so frail, and since she knew she’d die after the coming Contract. Why give her precious Noctis even more pain that way? "…But seeing you, Noctis, filled me with such... life, that I just had to be by your side." And it had even reminded her of why she so very much did want to live.

Noctis positively beamed at this, and even seemed to give Luna an Eskimo Kiss for reward—something that Luna didn’t understand at first. But she supposed that he was trying to do something that fit with the children they had once been together, and the lovers they now were. And so surely a kiss on the nose sufficed. And leading the way to where some artists in Altissia were now trying to draw them, Noctis said almost self-consciously, "…I'm really glad to see you happy, Luna. Even when I see you go out and heal people on TV, I see how you're always shaken before you start. This... is a nice difference from that." "You caught that, did you?" Luna found herself saying, before she'd even decided to: it just surprised her that Noctis knew her so well—she loved the public, she did, so she tried to put on a good show for them….—as the fact was, she was shy, nervous about public speaking, and hated being under Niflheim's thumb. And these were all things that Luna had never written in the Lovers’ Notebook. He had just gleaned it from her facial expressions on screen, apparently. "I did." Noctis' face was very close to Luna's now, and time seemed to stop and the world slowed down around them. Out of the corner of her eye, Luna saw streamers falling like rain—because apparently some of Altissia had stopped trying to bother them, but was now trying to celebrate the happy couple.

And even as sweet as it was, Luna now saw it as their cue to leave. Gladio, Luna thought, was tapping his foot at the happy couple impatiently, anyway.

So locking her arm with Noctis'—and how good it finally felt to be with him like this, as she had wanted—Luna followed the brothers to the Leville. ... Once at their hotel for the time being, the five friends tried to decide if Luna and Noctis’ wedding was still on. Gladiolus, Ignis, and Prompto seemed to think that it should be—as a symbol of the peace, and since both Luna and... Noct wanted it—but Luna was trying to shoo them away from the idea, since no matter what she would die on the morrow.

"Tomorrow, I commune with the Hydraean," Luna spoke firmly, looking at each person before her in turn as she did so. "And while the idea of the wedding is the best that I've ever heard... I can't be at all tired when meeting Leviathan tomorrow." Luna thought she may have heard Gladio muttering that she should marry Noctis and have sex with him, then, so she’d be full of endorphins in that fateful moment... but she couldn't be too sure, because Ignis seemed to be trying to save him from choking now? Or was he trying to make Gladio choke?

"Whatever you want, Luna," Noctis assured—ignoring his friends with much effort, Luna thought—as he squeezed her hand in one of his and dealt Uno cards with another. “If you want our wedding to wait—maybe because you want the, a, commande- Ravus, that is, to be here—we can do that."

Gods Luna loved Noctis so much, and the thought of losing him now—after this—was too much to bear. And for that fact, Lunafreya felt a stubborn tear worrying at her eye but she willed it away. "Then it’s settled," Luna agreed.

And she cheated in Uno, to make sure the first card she played in this bonding experience of theirs was something that would make everyone happy… since she knew she'd have nothing but their pity soon. ... While Luna still wasn't sure if she was sleeping with her beloved or not—she didn't need the distraction, and didn't want to show him her disgusting body—they had retired to one hotel room together. And Noctis was reading a fishing magazine in bed, when Luna came out of the bathroom while brushing her long, damp hair. And as Luna sat at Noctis' feet and let the brush fall from her fingertips, she questioned Noctis something she'd been debating about all day: "What's something I can give Prompto for thanks in saving Pryn... err, his 'Tiny'?"

At that, Noctis laughed and brought her into his arms: Luna settled into them easily. "You should know better than anyone, Luna. How have we communicated over the years? How did you first meet Prompto?" Letters? Was that what Noctis meant? Luna supposed it made some sort of sense in a bookends kind of way, but she had planned on giving kind notes to Ignis—for so perfectly helping her to figure out the plan for Leviathan. So if she was now going to give such things to Prompto, what should she now give Ignis to differentiate between the two of them? Curling into Noctis' arms even more, and finding she wanted to be there and much more, Luna said breathlessly, "Do you really think that that's for the best, Noctis?" "Y-yeah." But he didn't sound very certain on the matter. Rather, the King's mind seemed to be a million miles away. The room was charged with electricity, for all of the unspoken things between them and then it seemed to explode. One of them kissed the other—Luna wasn't even sure who started it—and after they had frantic hands and kisses all over each other, they found themselves rolling in the sheets.

Somewhere in the back of her mind during it all, Luna found herself remembering that this was exactly the thing she’d wanted to avoid. But as happiness and pleasure consumed her, the Oracle easily found she could hide just how much her body was already dying in this one moment.

Hours later when they were done, Luna did write a million messages to Prompto.And she took off her seal of Tenebrae and gave it to Ignis, with the words "Please protect Noctis" on it. Given how much he cared for his charge, Luna thought he'd appreciate that more than anything else she could give him. For Gladio, she left him nothing... somewhat to Lunafreya's shame. But she thought if she somehow survived this, and she got pregnant from her and Noctis' actions the previous night, she might name their child after him. Perhaps.

To Noctis... she sadly left nothing behind. And most certainly not the truth. ... Luna, Noctis, and the brothers faced Leviathan… but it all very quickly went to hell. The goddess did not like the idea of helping the Chosen King as much as she should have. And even while she attacked Luna, Luna tried to convince her otherwise. …Altissia was leveled by all of the monster's attacks, and Luna didn't think that the citizens—or Noctis and their friends—could be evacuated from there soon enough: she absolutely cringed when she saw her betrothed fall from the sky and injure himself even more than he already was from his fighting, in nearly breaking his back. Luna tried to get to him... but then the Chancellor she didn't trust, and so had to keep an eye on, ruined everything by fatally stabbing her. The pain was unbearable—even worse than how her weakening body made her feel—but Luna couldn't focus on that now! She needed to rise Noctis up, and to have him finish this fight and receive the Blessing... and she did. And healed an unconscious Noctis and did her best to shield him from towering waves as she bled bled bled on the pavement. ... Luna knew she was some sort of dream-esque, afterlife moment with Noctis… And she tried her best to explain everything to him and give him a heartfelt goodbye... But when she started to sink beneath the water, some of Noctis’ sadness turned to incredulity as he crossed his arms and regarded her. "Luna... you're too ho-hum about this. You- you knew before this, didn't you?! That if nothing else killed you, the Contract with Leviathan would. And you didn't tell me?!" Noctis was furious now, and he had every right to be. Luna had messed up badly... and perhaps he would already move on here, and let her fall. Wasn’t it even what she deserved? But at the last second, almost spurred on by his anger, Noctis got an increase of speed and swam down to where she was in the Trench and tightly grabbed onto her hand. Everything went black then... Luna thought it was the end, so she tried to take the memory of Noctis’ hand in hers now—and he love he'd shown her last night—into the afterlife with her. But then she awoke—awoke!—to light, and her new friends, and the pair of smiling blue eyes that she loved so much. And thinking three times must have been the charm, Luna took Noctis’ hand in hers and leaned into his arm. And Noctis hunched down beside her hospital bed and held Luna as her head rested on his shoulder—both perfectly content.

#noctluna #lunoct #noctuna #nokuruna #noctluna week #lunoct week #fanfiction #Shanna writes #my writing #mine #hopefully this is okay. I haven't written ffxv in a while

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thechocoboos · 6 years

Text

After Death: Chapter One

I’ve had this written for like... A long ass time lmao. Here, have fun.

ALso hey: it would mean a lot if you commented and told me what you thought! Thanks, folks, enjoy your angst!

Read the Prologue here

Warnings: vampires, focus on blood, death, swearing (is that even a warning on this website anymore?) Word Count: 2000 exactly Genre: Angst and Suffering Pairings: onesided Prom/Noct Future Pairings: Prom/Noct/Gladio/Ignis

It was still early when Prompto’s eyes snapped open, a gasp erupting from his lips as air filled his lifeless lungs. He felt so cold. His head whipped around, a dizzy spell leaving him reeling. Everything looked so sharp, so bright. Blinking furiously, he spotted a lump only a few feet away.

He leaned towards it, away from the wall behind him, and swallowed thickly. A man was laying on the cement, his skin lifeless while his eyes were glazed over, aimed at the early morning sky. Blood stained his lips, his sharp teeth protruding slightly. Prompto’s pulse seemed to quicken, his breathing becoming gasps. That man was dead.

Launching to his feet, Prompto stumbled from the alleyway, head thick and hazy, eyes flickering to everything around him. What happened? What was happening? Confusion whirled around in his head and left nausea swirling around in his stomach. He felt as though he would vomit. Lurching forward on the sidewalk, he fell to his knees for a moment, dry heaving.

Out of the corner of his eye, his phone lay on the cold ground, its notification light flickering against its cracked screen. One hand reached for it, unlocking it as he had done hundreds of times before.

13 messages and 7 missed calls. All from Noctis.

Under normal circumstances, Prompto would have been thrilled. However, these weren’t normal circumstances. Prompto felt hungover, his head pounding, eyes burning, stomach spinning... He felt worse than the time that he and Noct swiped Regis’ whiskey, got blackout drunk, and passed out in Noct’s living room.

He had to get home.

Clamouring to his feet, Prompto nearly fell over, the world spinning around him. Shaking his head, he pushed forward, stumbling through the streets and unaware of the rising sun.

He was almost home when he felt his skin burning, reminiscent of the painful sunburns he always got at the beach. A grimace slipped onto his features, as if he needed this in addition to everything else. The early morning sun practically lit his freckled skin on fire, leaving it red, cracked, and dry. Prompto sped up, his dingy apartment building just in sight.

The second he stepped out of the sunlight and into the chilled lobby, relief flowed through him. He could think just a little more clearly as his skin cooled down immensely and the stinging faded immediately. His footsteps quickened as he headed to the old elevator, leaning against its cold walls as it led him to the fourth floor. Before he knew it, he was home.

His place was the same as it had been the previous day with blankets drooping over his creaky couch and secondhand furniture littering the apartment. All of his little trinkets and pictures were in their usual spots and the half eaten mac and cheese from the previous day still sat on his coffee table.

Things were just as they should be. Sort of.

Dizziness and fatigue weighed heavy on Prompto’s mind as he shuffled through the tiny apartment, wincing at the sunlight pouring through his windows and burning his skin. He was hungry, although he didn’t have the heart (or the stomach) to eat. Prompto barely managed to slap aloe vera gel all over his burned skin before ripping his shirt off and falling into bed.

Prior to falling into a heavy sleep, Prompto forgot about his curtains being open; he also forgot to send a text to a very concerned Noctis. He came to regret both of these as his phone went off, filling his ears with the familiar riff of a loud guitar and rousing him from what little sleep he managed to get. Blindly, he reached for his phone only to yelp in pain. Light flooded into his room, burning his skin and his eyes, leaving his skin with a painful sting.

He fell out of bed, stumbling to the curtains and yanking them shut with shaky hands. By no means did it stop the pain completely, but it allowed Prom enough shade to stop the painful burning. Prompto was gasping for air again, chest rising and falling in rapid succession. Only when he calmed down did he reach for his phone.

Another missed call from Noct.

Prompto’s eyes were heavy again. This time, he managed to send a single text.

“Sorry. Got sick, but I’m resting now.”

He could only hope it was some kind of sickness as he fell asleep in a heap of dirty laundry.

Frantic pounding on a door. It was loud, hammering on Prompto’s eardrums and leaving his ears aching and sore. Groaning, Prompto rolled over, slipping off his dirty laundry and landing on the hard floor. Blarily, he opened his eyes.

The room was dark now. The sun had set, leaving his room chilled and dim while his alarm clock flashed blinking numbers at him. 7:38.

The pounding on his apartment door only grew louder as Prompto laid on the wooden floor, eliciting another groan from the young man as he painfully crawled to his feet and stumbled to his front door. His skin still stung, eyes aching slightly and stomach growling in hunger. He tried to ignore it, as well as the burning thirst in his throat.

He swung the door open, eyes slightly hooded as he peered at his visitor.

“Prom, what the hell?” Noctis snapped, his grey eyes glaring at his blonde friend.

Prompto blinked, mind still fuzzy. “Wha…?”

Noct sighed, pushing past Prompto and stepping into the slightly cluttered apartment before turning to look at the blond with a raised eyebrow.

“I call and text like, how many times?” Somehow, Noctis managed to still sound bored even through his concern. He glanced at Prompto’s shadowed form, “Jeez, turn on some lights. Can’t see a thing in here.” Noctis grumbled, reaching around Prompto and flicking on the bright overhead light.

Prompto was so out of it that he barely noticed his best friend and long time crush leaning around him. All he was aware of a muffled thumping, the sound of blood pumping, and the sweet scent of a syrup-like liquid that made his stomach growl and throat tighten in thirst.

“Six, what the fuck happened to you?” Noctis really had a way with words. He stared at Prom with concern in his eyes, taking in Prompto’s sunburned, slightly blistered skin and the dark circles under his eyes. Despite the sunburns, Prompto’s skin was pasty and pale underneath his freckles. “Jeez, you really are sick, aren’t you?” Noct mumbled, eyebrows raised as he watched Prompto swayed on his feet.

Sighing, Noctis ushered Prompto to the rickety couch, forcing his friend down. “I’ll grab some meds.” Noct mumbled, grimacing at the sight (and smell) of the old mac and cheese on Prompto’s coffee table.

Prompto nodded, blankly staring out the window behind the TV and peering at the city. Six, he was thirsty. He heard Noctis digging around in the kitchen cupboards, grumbling at the messy organization (Prom always swore he knew where everything was).

Before Prompto knew it, Noct’s hand was thrusting a couple of pills and a glass of water in his face, watching as Prompto swallowed the pills with a loud gulp and chugged the glass of water, raising a single eyebrow. He threw himself down next to Prompto on the couch, throwing an arm over his eyes. “You look like death.” Noctis stated with his usual tone of apathy.

“I feel like death.” Prompto croaked, frowning as he thought back to the alleyway. He wasn’t even sure what had happened.

“So where’d you get those bite marks?”

Prompto’s head whirled towards Noctis. “Bite marks?” He asked, eyes wide and voice confused.

Noctis raised his arm just enough to give a sideways glance at Prompto, pointing to his friend’s neck and right shoulder, a tiny smirk teasing his lips. “Don’t tell me those are from your secret lover or something?”

Prompto’s face flushed, barely bringing color to his cheeks. “N-No!” He exclaimed, embarrassed. His quick reply earned a chuckle from Noctis.

“Either way man, you might wanna cover those up if you go out.” Noct added, returning his arm over his eyes and yawning. “Yo, mind if I crash here?” Noctis asked not a moment later, “All this worrying has got me beat…”

Prompto hummed, giving Noctis an affirmative, although his friend was already half asleep and well on his way to dreamland. Once Noctis’ breathing evened out, soft snores escaping the young man’s mouth, Prompto openly looked at his best friend with a soft smile.

His shaky hands pulled a discarded blanket from the floor, laying it over Noctis with soft eyes. Prompto couldn’t help but stare. Only when Noctis was sleeping could Prompto ever see such a peaceful look on his face; it only ever made Prompto love him even more.

Love.

Yes, Prompto loved Noctis. He had done so for years. Did Noctis love him back? Prompto didn’t know, and he wasn’t about to risk his friendship to find out. He was happy with these soft moments, just being close to the man he loved.

Prompto smiled sleepily, resting his head on the back of the couch as he glanced back at his best friend. Yes, Prompto was perfectly content with this. The dumb, lovesick smile grew on his face as he, too, slipped into sleep.

Ba-dump.

Prompt’s eyelids snapped open, the sound of a heartbeat slamming his eardrums. Cold beads of sweat sat on his forehead, his blood (what he thought was his blood) was rushing in his ears, breathing desperate and rushed.

His throat burned. Gods, did it burn. He clamoured unsteadily to his feet, rushing towards the kitchen and shoving his mouth under the sink faucet. The water rushed down his throat, soothing it for a single moment before the thirst returned, more potent than before.

The sickly sweet stench permeated his home. It practically called Prompto to it, leading him to his sleeping friend on the couch. As Prompto approached Noctis in a haze, he became aware of the thumping and the blood rushing becoming louder.

It wasn’t his heart. It wasn’t his blood. It was Noctis’.

Each thumping heartbeat called Prompto closer, the sweet, savoring scent of blood luring him forward. Prompto was leaning forward, unaware of his normally sweet, blue eyes becoming crazed and desperate. As he leaned towards Noctis’ neck, mouth barely parted, he was unaware of the abnormally sharp canines emerging from his gums.

Noctis sighed, turning in his sleep, away from the disoriented blond.

Prompto froze, his mind stabilizing. Alarm flickered in his eyes; horror flashed across his face. What was happening to him?

His breathing was growing sporadic, eyes blinking frantically. Slowly, memories of sharp teeth on his skin and blood pouring from his jugular vein came back to him, accompanied by the hisses and gulping sounds of his attackers.

Prompto was thinking it: vampires. He felt dumb to even assume something so… childish. Something so absurd. Even in his disoriented state it sounded ridiculous, although the urge to sink his teeth into Noctis’ neck and the painful burning of his throat seemed to say otherwise.

Subconsciously, Prompto was moving back towards Noctis.

No.

He would not hurt Noctis; he could never hurt Noctis. Prompto loved him too much for that.

He forced himself to turn away. He forced himself to take steps away from the slumbering prince. The second his steps became easier, he bolted out his front door. His bare feet slapped against the dirty wooden floors of the hall, carrying him down the stairs and out the apartment doors, into the cold night.

He was gasping, although no air satisfied the burning of his throat.

He was running, although no one could tell him where he was going.

He was desperate. For air. For the burning to go away. For that whole night to have gone away.

Unfortunately, his desperation didn’t lead him to a solution when he ran into the night.

#ffxv #final fantasy xv #prompto argentum #ffxv prompto #prompto #have some fuckin fun folks lmao #guys for the love of all that is precious #please let me know what you think ojmfg

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sky-writes-daydreams · 6 years

Text

How They Met Chapter 27

A/n: Surprise!!!! another update? Yep!!!!! Hope you all enjoy it!! XD

@valkyrieofardyn @shigekihizashi @lola-mcevil13 @blackpaladinarchive @the-altissian-authors @the-wallflower-artist

It was done. Fates had been sealed and the ring was now in the hands of the young prince. The cost one of his friends paid was high but it had worked in all of our favors in the end. He would get the ring to Noctis where luna had failed. Yes… The young oracle had failed. Fallen in the line of her duty to the gods. I disembarked the dreadnought as soon as I could and started the walk home. I had something a bit more pressing to think about. I had caused a rift between skylar and I. I needed to mend that. I walked into the Palace and Verstael was there.

“Good trip Chancellor?”

“Well enough. The rite is done. Failed to kill the tide mother but a bigger blow was made.” He nodded then.

“The same could be said for your lover. Their hunt went off well. Cleared out a trouble spot for us.”

“I’m glad to hear that. She wasn’t feeling well so almost didn’t let her go.”

“That would have been a smart move seeing what happened.” I stopped mid step then past him.

“The young lady took a terrible fall it seems. Aranea had to carry her in to the medical ward.”

“What!?” I turned then before running. I knew the way easily and quickly got there to find out that she had already left. She had forgotten her prescription which they gave me willingly. Seems the cold was a bit more than she could handle on her own. I had a feeling about that but after that look she gave me, I didn’t want to push it. I headed to our room and stopped dead in the door. She was up on her feet walking around humming. She was hanging up some clothes that had been washed for us. She had a brace on her left ankle and limped as she went from the bed to the closet. I slowly walked in then and she looked up. She smiled then and moved rather quickly. Only she paid for it as the ankle gave. I caught her through as she laughed.

“Ardyn! I wasn’t expecting you back for another hour!”

“Fast ride home…. Are you ok!?” I pulled her away and looked her over. She smiled then.

“Yeah…. Fever spiked as we fought and I got dizzy. My foot hit a slick patch and down I went as I turned. Sprained my ankle. It’ll be healed soon thankfully. A potion did most of it but it’s best to let it finish on its own. Got a shot for the damn cold too so the fever would break…” She was pouting about that. I just gently moved some hair away from her face then before hugging her close. She yelped but her arms went around me.

“Ardyn….?”

“I’m sorry….” She relaxed then and I felt her arms tighten around me.

“No… I’m the one that should be sorry… I was being stubborn…. I’m not used to someone else being there…. So I got hostile… Next time I’ll listen ok?” I nodded slowly just holding her close. Everything that had happened today was sinking in and I felt oh so cold in my soul. The demons inside were laughing. My days were numbered with her. We had kickstarted something today that would only make the dark grow in power. I couldn't stand that. I didn’t want to ever lose her. Not like this.

Seemed she noticed.

“Hey… Come on. Get your shoes off and come to bed with me…. I can tell something’s bugging you… so how about you tell me about it? Hm? I need to get off this ankle anyway.” I nodded and slowly did as she asked. She helped me get the coat off and slowly rubbed the knots out in my neck and shoulders. It was killing me. How could she be this kind to a murderer? To someone like me?

He was upset. It didn’t take a magician to know this. It was all there in his eyes. He got his boots off and slowly I got him to lay back before I held him close. He was a lot bigger than me but that didn’t stop me from trying to be the big spoon right now. He didn’t argue either. He just held me close and slowly I could feel my shirt getting wet. He was breaking down. I just let my fingers go through his hair gently combing it out. This was his time. If He needed to talk, I’d let him and I’d be there for him.

“How…..? Skylar How? You know everything…. I…. I’ve killed…. I’m a murderer and a liar…. Cursed…. So How….?” It was there in his voice. All of the pain and sadness he was being weighed down with.

“You’re going to lose me….. I can’t keep fighting them…. They’re too strong… I’m barely human anymore….” I felt his fingers dig in then. It hurt but I wasn’t going to argue. I had woken up a few times now due to him having nightmares and the scourge showing on his faces and in those eyes. He thought he was losing the war.

“Hey…. No.” I gave a lock of hair a little tug then pouting. I couldn’t let him believe that.

“You’re more human than you think damn it…. Cus last I checked Demons weren’t selfish… Demons couldn’t love. They hungered for what they wanted and gave no shits about consequences…. That’s not you… So You’ve got time… You’re not dealing with them alone anymore. I’m here and I always will be. Because the past is the past….. We’ve all got skeletons in our closets… We all lie…. That doesn’t make you any less of a being… or any less worthy of my love….” I kissed his head gently then and smiled.

“What happened in the past is in the past…. Right now…. With the threat of the dark over us and everything… We can’t keep looking back. You’ve showed me that…. We need to try to live in the present and enjoy what time we do have…. Forever isn’t a long time when you’ve got someone by your side after all…” He laughed a bit then and I smiled.

“You promised me…. We’d be together forever… remember?” He nodded then and I smiled.

“Then what the hell makes you think that I’m going to let those nasty demons win? Hm? I’m a huntress for a reason ya know.” He laughed again then and I smiled. He looked up gently then and I wiped away a tear. He was so upset right now. I hated it.

“If I could take this away from you… I would. No king deserves to be in such pain inside…. But I can help if you’ll let me… I’m here to listen…” He nodded then and took a deep breath before holding me close. His face was right by my chest but I didn’t mind. I moved just a bit so I could keep playing with his hair and rub his back gently.

“Thank you….” He mumbled and I smiled.

“What else can a queen do for her king?” He nodded then and gently moved so he could kiss me. I kissed back gently smiling before he backed off.

“I love you….”

“Love you too Ardyn… Now and always.”

We stayed like that for the rest of the night. I didn’t argue. Something had happened and he wasn’t ok. After everything he had done for me and being there for me in everything… how could I abandon him? If he needed cuddles and love then I had them to spare. He told me a bit about what happened in Altissia. I knew the boys were ok but So far… No news on the Oracle. That honestly scared me. If she fell, The darkness would speed up and that meant the prophecy would happen sooner. I would lose him sooner. I didn’t want that. I kept quiet though. I didn’t want to add to his pain right now. After an hour, I talked him into a shower so he could get into more comfy clothes and I called for a light dinner to be brought to the room. I didn’t know if he would eat but It couldn’t hurt to try. I had just hung up the phone when he walked out. It was a loose shirt with Baggy sleep pants. He had the towel on his head still and soon sat down on the bed. I walked over smiling and started gently tousling his hair.

“No going to sleep with wet hair… you’ll get sick too.”

“I can’t get sick… I’ve tired.” I laughed a bit then and he looked up. I smiled before gently touching the tip of his nose with my finger.

“Boop.” he smiled a bit then and I smiled back.

“I’ve got them bringing us a light supper… Figured it couldn’t hurt. I only ate something small waiting on you to come home.”

“You’ve done better than me. I forgot.” I made a face then before covering his face.

“Bad Ardyn.” He chuckled then and pulled me close into a hug. I hugged him back then and smiled.

“You were right By the way… Without that shot, the fever never would have broken… It had really set in too deep.”

“Had a feeling. You’re a tough girl so for you to get a fever… It had to be bad.”

“Regretfully. I’m just stubborn though. Can’t let anything keep me down.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah!”

“What about a two hundred pound muscled man?”

“Wait what?” Right then he moved making me yelp. He rolled and I was suddenly on my back on the bed with him lying on top of me as dead weight. I tired to get up but it was not happening. I felt him chuckling as I struggled.

“Jesus you’re heavy!!! Help!”

“Nope. My turn to use you as a pillow.”

“Oh?”

“Yep…. God you’re comfy.” I laughed then as he got comfy. I just sighed a bit and let him.

“Well… There are worse ways to be stuck in bed.”

“Like?”

“Tied down by your big toes.” He sat up then and I got up smiling.

“Should I even ask?”

“Nope.”

“Ok.” I headed to the closet then and easily got into some pjs as well. He finished drying off his hair and closed the blinds so we didn’t have to see the snow. Dinner came as we were dimming the lights a bit. Looked like a nice soup with bread and cheese on the side with a bottle of wine or tea to drink. Dessert was next. Chocolate covered strawberries with whipped cream. I saw him eat one of the berries before helping me move things over to the small coffee table he had set up in here. With the fire going and soon, a light classical record playing in the background, it felt like a calm night in for us. Something that we honestly needed.

Over the next week, we had a few more moments like this. I got called out randomly at times for hunts. Seemed for some reason, Daemons were getting braver and trying to hit areas they weren’t needed. Finally one day I realized what happened. I was in the study with Ardyn wandering around looking for a new book to read when I saw how dark it was outside already. I had to do a double check but then I checked my phone. It was closer to four than five.

“Huh…?” I looked back out and it was the truth. The sun was already trying to set. Ardyn looked up from his papers and smiled gently.

“Just noticed it?”

“It’s getting darker…. What…?” He sighed then and leaned back.

“Word finally reached us… Lady LunaFreya… She has not been recovered. Her body is missing… but with the growing darkness… It can be assumed.”

“No….” He looked down then and I sighed.

“It was to be expected…. I saw some footage on the news yesterday… Leviathan wrecked Altissia.”

“Correct. We had issues leaving honestly due to her storm. It was causing a lot of issues.” I cringed a bit then.

“Glad I wasn’t there…” He chuckled then.

“Still not a fan of flying?”

“I’m made for ground and forests. Not the sky and water….. But if she fell….” I looked back at the books then worry for noctis creeping up. What happened to him?

“The prince is safe.” I looked up quickly and Ardyn smiled.

“He escaped us but he survived. The covenant was made as well from what we can find out.” I gave him a look and he smiled.

“I can’t tell them everything you know.” I rolled my eyes then smiling. I put my book down then and sighed.

“I’m going to head back to the room…”

“You want me to come with?”

“No it’s ok. Finish your work.” I smiled then.

“I just need to clear my head… It’s easier to do so when I’m on the move.”

“Alright… I’ve got my cell phone so call me if you need me.” I nodded and walked over giving him a kiss before leaving.

I walked the empty halls on my own just trying to think and calm down. I didn’t want him to see the panic rising up. We had discussed it if this were to happen. When the world fell to the darkness and Noctis’s fate came to light. He wanted me to stay safe no matter what… Even if it meant leaving him. I slowly twisted the ring on my finger as I walked down to our room. It was the only way I had to keep myself from completely running. I didn’t want to leave him. I was happy. Things weren’t perfect. We weren’t perfect but we made it work. We had our fights and our spats but we made up after them. If one of us was scared, the other could calm that fear. This was the only fear he never could help me get over. I didn’t trust fate. I didn’t trust the gods. I had finally found my happiness and now… It could be ripped away from me in a blink of an eye.

I got into our room and instantly went to his closet. I found my favorite sweater of his and quickly got it on over my shirt. I had taken to wearing just long sleeves shirts with jeans around here. No one ever said a thing unless some bigwig was making an appearance. I dressed up then much to ardyn’s enjoyment. He loved seeing me in a dress apparently. I didn’t care today though. I got into his sweater and got into my hunting boots instead of the dressier ones I had on. I loved them but they weren’t the comfiest things. My hunting boots were a lot better. I was in my comfiest outfit and soon curled up by the window just to watch the snow fall. I needed to calm down. It wasn’t like we were in danger straight away.

#writing #sky writes #ardyn x oc #ardyn izunia #ffxv #ffxv fanfiction

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