Title: Not a fairytale
Genre: Humor, angst
Summary: Noctis knows a wedding is not a happy ending to a fairytale. He also knows endings mark new beginnings.

Chapter 1

"Noct, we're almost there. Wakey-wakey."

The prince in question grunted and slapped the badgering hand away from his face. His eyes remained stubbornly shut.

"We must appear presentable, Highness. The press is surely waiting by the docks."

With a sigh Noctis reluctantly opened his eyes and stretched his stiff muscles. It hadn't taken long for the gentle lapping of waves to lull him asleep as their boat followed the long canal to Altissia. He stood up and peered towards the grand city. Surely enough he could make out several reporters and cameramen waiting impatiently. They looked like they had been camping there since the crack of dawn. Slowly their boat made its way past other sea traffic.

Noctis rubbed remaining sleep from his eyes. Within twelve hours he would be married and his life would turn upside down. By all standards he was considered a fully grown adult yet he didn't feel like he was ready for such a great change in his life. Alas he had little to say on the matter.

The boat docked and the four companions stepped for the first time in the famed floating capital of Accordo. Cameras flashed and reporters rushed to greet the Lucians with microphones shoved to their faces. Noctis itched to warp strike away from the intruding crowd. He really didn't like such large concentrations of people within small space, especially when said space was his personal space.

Tactfully Ignis interfered: "We truly mustn't delay and make the Lady Lunafreya wait. Further interviews can wait after the wedding." Gently his advisor guided him past the horde. Noctis made sure to grace the Altissians with an occasional 'royal wave' – like Prompto liked to call it – as they passed by.

He scanned the masses for any familiar faces, but as expected there were none. As unlikely as it was he had secretly hoped to catch a glimpse of his bride before the actual ceremony.

Another camera flashed. Noctis stretched his public smile. He had been practicing it with Ignis and Prompto for the last couple of days. While Ignis was quick to give instructions, he wasn't one to give suitable examples. That was where Prompto came into the picture; he had several dozen different smiles to choose from.

"Doing great, buddy", Prompto's encouraging stage-whisper assured him. Noctis saw both locals and tourists alike stopping what they were doing to fumble with their camera-phones. He was fairly certain he'd find all of the recordings the next day on the international video service.

Fighting against the impulse to hurry out of the public's eye the prince steeled himself and found himself repeating a sentence over and over in his head like a mantra: this'll be over in twelve hours.

"You look good", Gladio complimented.

"Thanks, man." Prompto straightened his tie and flashed a winning smile.

"Wasn't talking to you."

The blond's smile fell to a pout. "That's harsh." He smoothed his hair which had been styled to fit the formal occasion. Back in Caem Noctis had promised to honour the freckled man with the title of Best man. His joy had been short-lived when Ignis informed them the wedding was to be a traditional Accordian one which meant the clergy held the rings.

"Swear this thing will crush my Adam's apple", the groom muttered, tugging at the tight collar grimly.

Ignis ignored him. He had heard several variations of the same complaints the past hour; the suit was uncomfortable, his styled back hair made him look silly, how was he supposed to impress anyone in these get ups et cetera, et cetera.

"You're fine", he assured the prince for the hundredth time without looking up. He removed what little textile dust had latched on to the traditional Lucian royalty's black suit. Golden skull shaped buttons gleamed in the early afternoon light. Surrounded by cheery colours and white buildings Noctis stuck out like a sore thumb in his suit. Altissia was so unlike the urban gloom of the Crown City. The prince didn't know it, but he was a spitting image of his father when he was the same age. Ignis knew, he had seen a photo of the King during his younger days in one of the archives. The advisor adjusted his friend's tie and gave a final look over. Presentable.

The four well-dressed men made their way to the chapel. Just before the last turn Prompto pulled his best friend aside. He glanced left and right to make sure the corridor was empty.

"Here." He placed something plastic in his hand.

"What–?"

"For the wedding night!"

Noctis made a face and stared at the offending item. "Are you serious?"

Prompto cheerfully flung his lanky arm around the stiff prince. "Very! I mean, it's been awhile since you were face to face. You might wanna talk it over before you go and knock her up." His expression took a sly turn. "But once you two get some lone time you might forget about talking, if you catch my drift." He snatched the condom from his frozen friend's gloved hands and stuffed it in his suit's breast pocket. "But no worries, I always got your back!" Noctis didn't have time to fully process what had just happened as the blond shoved him to the hallway where Ignis and Gladiolus patiently waited by the double doors.

"It's time."

The whole ceremony was a complete blur as his frantic brain still tried to grasp the concept of the coming wedding night and everything it implied. Before he knew it, he was standing by the altar, hand in hand with his bride. He couldn't ignore the warmth of her hands even through her light blue laced gloves and his own black nylon ones. His hands were clammy. He couldn't make out her face through the heavy light blue veil, but he could feel her eyes on his in an intense stare. He prayed to the Reaper that she didn't notice the slight tremble of his hands or how he struggled to keep his breathing normal. All of his focus went on not making a fool of himself in front of the one woman he admired and looked up to – or the rest of the world for that matter. In his daze he did not even register the priest's droning coming to a stop. A firm squeeze on his right hand snapped him out of his stupor.

He helplessly glanced at the priest who politely motioned to him while another clergyman walked beside them with a pillow on which rested the wedding bands. With a heavy swallow he managed an 'I do'. He was pleased to note his voice didn't crack nor did he stutter. His left hand was ungloved as his bride placed a ring on his finger. Their hands once again found each other in a loose hold. The priest repeated the question to his bride. Her voice was as resolute and solemn as when he had heard her speak of their engagement on the radio.

"I do."

He gingerly placed a matching band on her slim finger. The audience murmured approvingly. He dared not risk a look to see what sort of expressions – whether they were sympathetic or mocking – followed and judged his every move. He focused on trying to see through the many layers of silk tulle veil to keep himself from having a nervous breakdown.

"You may kiss the bride."

His heart rate sped up and anxiety gnawed at him. He removed his shaking hands from his bride's and lifted the heavy veil to reveal a familiar face. Familiar yet foreign. He had seen her on the television and read every possible news article concerning the youngest Oracle. Yet this was somehow so different, so otherworldly and dreamlike to finally see her actual face, feel her body heat and smell her perfume after relying on his imagination for a decade.

She did not smile. Her cool gaze was fixed on his. It didn't beckon him to claim his prize nor did it dare him to try his luck. Her face was an unreadable mask. His heart thudded painfully against his ribcage. All he could hear was the blood gushing in his ears as he leaned down to seal their union with a kiss.

His aim and force were way off. Painfully their teeth collided together. She swallowed her pained yelp and resisted the urge to cover her hurting mouth. Horrified, Noctis averted his gaze, shame colouring the tips of his ears a flaming red. Fortunately the audience seemed oblivious and politely clapped as they pulled apart. A piercing whistle broke the stuffy formality. Noctis didn't need to turn around to know it was Prompto. He could already see Ignis' disapproving frown in his mind's eye.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife."

Organs began to play. His wife cleared her throat and lifted one dainty hand expectantly. He hastily placed his hand under hers and led them down the aisle. Hundreds of eyes followed the pair, thousands, maybe millions more through the TV screens. He was certain his father was watching the broadcast. He could only hope he had made him proud.

Church bells chimed as they descended the stairs. Rice and flowers flew over them and excited cheers of women and children filled the air. A white boat decorated in black dahlias, blue sylleblossoms and white roses waited for the newlyweds. The boatman bowed respectfully to the pair and helped them onboard. As they sat down he turned to face the crowd and waved with a regal smile like Ignis had instructed. He saw his three companions standing further away from the crowd. Ignis raised his hand in acknowledgement while Gladio slowly waved and gave a thumbs up. Prompto had climbed on a lamp post and shouted his well-wishes over the chatter and cheering. Noctis' smile grew fond as he watched his closest friends. Once they had disappeared around the corner he let out a small sigh.

After the feast he'd be on his own. He was fairly certain he would be overrun by politicians, royalty and media alike and not have a chance to exchange words with his friends or even catch up with his wife.

Nervously he glanced at the leg pressed against his. Her hands were clasped in her lap, her posture as straight as one would expect from a woman of her standing. His gloved hands twitched as he toyed with the idea of taking one of her dainty lace-covered hands in his, but his hands remained firmly glued within his own personal space.

She wasn't even looking at him.

Just when he thought he would have to do some drastic to gain her attention, one of her hands lifted from her light blue-clad lap. His heart skipped a beat. He was hyper aware of her every movement. He wasn't sure if he liked this newfound sixth sense. To his disappointment her hand merely covered her painted mouth as she softly yawned. He wasn't sure what he had expected. She continued to apathetically stare at the scenery in front of her, not really seeing anything. Her mind was far away somewhere he couldn't reach.

Why was she purposely ignoring him? Was he expected to make the first move? Was she upset with him for the failed kiss? Frowning, he opted to follow her example and take in the sights and sounds Altissia had to offer him.

The feast had been as he had expected; formal, stuffy and full of ass licking. He had briefly caught a glimpse of Gladio's high pony-tail above the crowd accompanied by Ignis' up-styled hair, but hadn't managed to catch much else of them for the rest of the evening. Sometimes he thought he recognized Prompto's excited chatter amidst hundreds of foreign voices. He wished he could've invited his friends to his table, but it was reserved for Important People Only. His eyes involuntarily rolled at the thought.

He had managed to get through the obligatory dance without stepping on his wife's heeled feet or without stumbling. He considered it a blessing from the Reaper for he was certain he would somehow end up humiliating himself yet again. First time he'd been lucky Lunafreya hadn't made a scene and had coolly played it off. He wasn't so sure she'd save his backside for a second time.

Midway to the party Lunafreya daintily wiped her mouth and excused herself. Noctis' gaze followed her until she disappeared into the colourful crowd. Awkwardly he continued the forced small talk with a Tenebraean ambassador while eyeing the light pink lip mark on his wife's abandoned napkin.

After a slowly painful hour Lunafreya's attendant, Gentiana, came to him and inquired if he would like to retire for the night. Eagerly he accepted and followed the dark-clad woman outside where a boat waited. He sat across the attendant. Her face could only be described as serene. Her faint pleasant smile was a clear contrast to his wife's distant neutral expression. After several minutes of sitting and staring, a curious tapping broke the silence. Belatedly he realized he was making it. His foot must've had a mind of its own. Gentiana's smile never wavered nor did she show any signs of annoyance towards the continuous rhythmic tapping.

"Nervous, Highness?" she inquired, amusement glinting within her moss green eyes.

"What gave me away?" He chuckled awkwardly.

"Just a hunch." Her smile grew wider. "It is alright. This is all new to you."

"Yeah, it is." He agreed and folded his hands. "So", he cleared his throat. "Anything I should know?"

"Concerning…?" she prompted. He squirmed a little in his seat.

"Tonight." He discreetly crossed his legs to hide the uncomfortable evidence of his more basic needs pressing against the black dress slacks. Just the mere thought of what was to come made his anxiety and excitement increase tenfold.

"Ah. Not to worry; I will escort you to your and Lady Lunafreya's shared chamber. Sleeping wear is waiting next to the folding screen and all hygienic needs are covered in the bathroom connected to the chamber. I have your key here." She took it from one of the many small pouches hanging from her belt. "Should you require assistance, there is a summoning bell by the door. A servant is available around the clock."

Noctis could only nod dumbly and accept the key. He didn't dare to elaborate his meaning. Especially not when he could see the boatman doing his best not to eavesdrop too obviously.

So much for that.

Gentiana had offered to escort him straight to the sleeping chamber, but he didn't feel he was quite ready to face his wife. Not after the clumsy kiss. He walked to the sitting room and eyed at the impressive shelves filled with various books and tomes. He took one randomly and settled down on a plush armchair. It was a collection of important historic events in Accordo's history. Hardly something he considered engaging, but he stubbornly kept eyeing the words without really reading any of it.

Something pressed against his ankle. Noctis set down the uninteresting tome and was greeted with a sloppy dog-kiss on his cheek.

"Umbra!" he exclaimed and ruffled the canine's forehead excitedly. "Guess we're gonna be roommates from now on, eh, boy?" The dog responded with a happy wag of his tail. A cloth binding around the husky's hind leg caught his eye. "You have something for me?" The dog sat down and allowed him to remove the message.

I've waited for this day. –L

He swallowed a lump that had formed in his throat. Perhaps he had been paranoid and she had just kept calm for the sake of the millions eyes set on them. Maybe… She did want him? He glanced at the dog and gave him a parting pat.

"I'll see you later, boy."

Maybe Prompto's 'gift' had been thoughtful after all.

With renewed purpose he strode to their shared chamber's door and courteously knocked.

"Come in."

He hesitated for a second before he mustered the courage to open the door.

She sat by a vanity table removing her earrings. Her makeup had been washed away. Her skin was paler than he remembered seeing on the media. Her eyes were tired and faintly red and puffy. He didn't dare to entertain the thought she might've been crying. Her veil had been set aside and her heels had been left next to the door. She was still wearing her light blue wedding gown.

He stepped inside and closed the door behind him. He was beginning to think he could water one of Luna's sylleblossom arrangements with the amount of sweat he was producing. Feeling faint, he let his back rest against the door for support. After few seconds of silence she turned to face him.

"Rough party?"

"You could say that", he muttered.

He wasn't sure if there was a tiny hint of amusement colouring her voice or if it was merely his desperate imagination hoping to get a reaction out of her; something to confirm that she was indeed his Luna, the wonderful girl he had been exchanging letters for a decade. The girl he had admired and worshipped as an idol when he was but a child. And now the woman he had been crushing over for four years. It was near frightening to think how obsessed he had become; recording each and every news clip featuring her, gathering paper articles and saving high quality photos found on web news and savouring each small detail that had changed in her appearance over the years. Of course, he had destroyed all the evidence once he found out he was to be wed. He really didn't want his father to find all that in his now vacant room. Only Ignis had seen his collection of articles. Thankfully he had misunderstood and assured him that she was well and capable of taking care of herself and that he shouldn't fret so. Sometimes his advisor could be so oblivious when it came down to matters of the heart.

She stood up and removed her laced gloves. Shakily he removed his shoes and made his way to her. Without warning she turned around, exposing her bare upper back to him.

"Can you unzip it for me?" Dumbstruck he stared at her until she shot a curious glance over her shoulder at him. Shyly his hands lifted to unzip the gown.

The zipper got stuck. Twice.

He wished the floor would swallow him and relieve him from his misery. He fumbled with the zipper for a good minute. The room temperature seemed to spike as the gown revealed the rest of her lower back. His collar felt tighter than ever as his Adam's apple popped with each heavy gulp.

"Thank you." And with that she walked back to the vanity table and sat down to remove the many pins from her hair. He watched in fascination as her braids became undone and cascaded like blond waterfalls over her bare back. Unsure what to do with himself he remained where he was, watching and tugging at his collar occasionally.

Once she had finished brushing her hair, she stood up and walked to him. She helped him out of his tie and unfastened the first skull button of his suit. His breath hitched and his eyes widened to saucers at the unexpected show of intimacy. Something akin to panic bubbled in the pit of his stomach, but she didn't remove anything else. She walked behind the folding screen and began to undress. A lamp on her side of the screen made it impossible for him not to follow the alluring movements of her shadow.

His hand slowly rose to hover over his breast pocket where Prompto had left his 'wedding gift'. Just when he thought he might lose his mind and toss the screen aside, she emerged in a white satin nightgown with a laced high collar.

"Do you need help with anything?" she casually asked. He mutedly shook his head.

"Goodnight, then." She climbed to the king sized bed and settled down with her back facing him. He made his way to the folding screen and surely enough found black silken pajamas, just as Gentiana had promised. He changed and cracked his stiff neck. He hoped he would never have to wear that stuffy suit again. Maybe he could have another suit tailored for him; one that wasn't a disguised imperial torture gadget. His gaze settled on the tiny square shaped plastic cover peeking from his suit's pocket. Withdrawing it, he fingered the condom and idly wondered if he was expected to impregnate her or not. He was fairly certain he was expected to produce an heir sooner or later.

Best play it safe and ask questions later.

He climbed to the bed condom clutched in his hand and stared at his wife's back for a good while. Was he supposed to make the initial move? Prompto had made it very clear he was in for a passionate night. Even if he wasn't sure if he really actually wanted that.

Not really, not yet.

They still had so many years to catch up, so much to talk about.

But at the same time his body demanded him to claim what was now rightfully his. He wanted to be close to her in all sense of the word. Tentatively he crawled closer and wrapped his arms around her middle. He buried his nose in her hair and breathed in her sweet scent. Instantly she stiffened under his touch.

"What are you doing?"

"I thought", he swallowed audibly. "We were supposed to..." His voice lost what little confidence it had and trailed off.

"We have a long day ahead of us." She turned around to face him, her cerulean eyes serious. "All that can wait." He removed his arms and hastily retreated to the other side of the massive bed as if he had been burnt. He was shaken and relieved yet at the same time his male pride was near mortally wounded.

"Get some rest." She yawned and turned again to face away.

He felt humiliated and wondered if he was not good enough for her. Maybe she already had someone in her heart and had unwillingly resigned to do the Empire's bidding in the name of peace. The thought of her in someone else's arms made his stomach churn uncomfortably. Surely she would be loyal to him now that they were wed? Gentiana had even told him that her light blue wedding dress symbolized lifelong loyalty, among other things like purity and stability.

Still…

He had told her secrets and his most inner feelings through letters – letters even Prompto was not allowed to see. Had there been someone special in her life she ought to have mentioned them by now. He thought they were close, but now he wasn't sure what to think.

The bed felt too wide and the sheets too cold. There was a chill in the air even in the Altissian summer heat. Noctis tossed and turned, but for the first time in years he felt like he couldn't fall asleep. He turned to his wife. Her breathing indicated she had fallen asleep. Sighing, he got up and padded to the balcony to look at the city's night lights.

He wondered if things would get better the next day. Maybe he was being paranoid and they simply got off on the wrong foot. She did look exhausted, after all. He could only imagine what she had had to endure with the Empire breathing down her neck for years.

She had been very warm in her letters, but now that he really thought about it he was fairly certain she had been reserved as well. Mostly she spoke about general things that concerned people around her or Umbra and Pryna. Very rarely she spoke about personal things or of her own feelings. He had gathered that her relationship with her brother was strained, but she had never outright mentioned it in her letters. She had only vaguely implied it as if she was worried that she was being watched. She preferred to discuss his life and encourage him to do what he felt was right. She had been a steady support to him even through the harder times.

Maybe that was what she was doing even now? She must've been looking out for him in her own subtle way. She had sent Gentiana to retrieve him, after all. And now she made sure that he wasn't pressured to act like a newlywed. Slowly he began to feel more optimistic. Probably Prompto rubbing on him. He faintly smiled and went back to bed.

Luna had turned to her other side, her sleeping features facing him. He recalled her soft yawns and exhausted face hidden under generous amount of makeup. He would have to do his best to support her as she had supported him in the past. He was finally able to return the favour and he could do so with more than mere letters of consolation. Tomorrow he would let her know. Tomorrow he would hold her and share her burdens.

Tentatively he crawled closer and closed his eyes. He concentrated on her warm breath on his face. Sleep finally claimed him.

A/N: Should I continue? Yay or nay?

I've never written anything with so much, uh… Sexual tension. I'm more of an innocent fluff type of person.