Hi there. I decided the other day that I would do a fic over this famous random pairing ff fans are using while we're still waiting for ffxiii versus. I've recently added ffxiii to my videogame collection and I realized that in the whole party, there was no man that really seemed to fit with Lightning. I was mad. I had to find her someone, even if she really act as if she doesn't need anybody. And then, I thought of Noctis. As we saw them both for a long time without any story line to get us somewhere, I guess we could say that they do fit a little together. Even if they couldn't, are there really limits in crossover fics? Anyway. Here's the idea.

This fic will be long and dead serious. I'm good at romance drame. It seems I can't do anything else when I write. Anyway, the characters –well, the very little pieces of info I've got on them- really fit with this idea, even if it's only in my head. So you know right now, I'm a crazy French girl. My English is good, but not perfect. You see a mistake in the writing, you ignore it. I'm doing my best.

Oh, be warned that this fic will contain spoilers over ffxiii's game and world. It's mostly based on it since I own one copy of the game already.

As for Noctis, well, I'll make him as what I think he should be in the game still in progress. A shy, reserved man, with a power he doesn't really understand that makes him really really strong. Well, like any of the ff characters lately, he will be over powerful. But as he's shy and wise, he won't fight too much. Anyway, for now, he won't really get the chance to fight.

You see, to get this pairing working, I decided to use a simple plot. So, Lightning is Cocoon first princess and Noctis' Pulse first and only prince. A war was ravaging both worlds –well, Pulse is more like the real planet while Cocoon is a little created world hanging next to it- when Noctis ended it by destroying Cocoon's fal'cie. Cocoon could fall and be entirely destroyed if it don't come to a truce with the feared Pulse. Noctis's parents suggest an alliance that would satisfy both worlds, while irrevocably changing Lightning's life and putting Noctis in an uneasy situation. A situation that seems to be permanent, alas.

Associates till death do us part…

Unwilling vows

-Would you, Lightning Farron, want this man as your husband, love him and cherish him for the rest of your life?

She didn't even look at her future husband. She didn't ask to be there, she never wanted to get married, and she didn't even know him for god's sake! But she hadn't any choice either. It was putting up with him or finding her country, relatives and friends -well, she had some friends, even if they were as rare as the Purge survivors- lost in a never ending war.

-Yes I do.

Her voice was cold, collected. It was an arranged wedding; she was doing it for her country, for her sister, because of her rank, because Cocoon needed her to. Otherwise, she would have been miles away.

Noctis shivered. He wanted to hide. This was way too much pressure for him. Alright, he was Pulse's prince, the great conqueror of Lucis and Cocoon, a legend in the whole wide world. But he was still young and shy around strangers. As always, he tried his best to look serious and in the end, he seemed quite annoyed by this whole wedding thing. That wasn't going to help him getting through it, since it wouldn't end just with the ceremony. There was the nuptial night after… He was turning a light shade of red again at the thought. His friends had made fun of him all along. Easy for them to laugh. They weren't the one supposed to wed a total stranger.

"I should have thought twice before to destroy that stupid fal'cie."

-Well then, my prince, the monk softly continued. Will you, Noctis Lucis Caelum, take this woman as your wife and love and cherish for the rest of your life?

"If she really never smiles, it's gonna be some long and boring life, of that I'm sure."

-Yes, I do, he managed to say aloud, without stuttering.

He felt relieved, even if he was burying his own grave. He was already in love with another woman; still, he was making his vows with that one, which he didn't even know. He had barely managed to meet with her the last day before the wedding, and she was clear on one thing. As of tomorrow, be sure to always keep in mind that I'm not and will never be your wife. I'm your associate. End of the line.

He swallowed hard as he met her eyes. She was angry now. Maybe his voice had been too stern. Or was she just making him pay for the life he was stealing away from her right now? After all, it was his fault that she had to marry him instead of continuing being a soldier princess. Maybe she had already a boyfriend back in Cocoon. Though he seriously doubted that. She didn't look like the loving type. She was way too practical for love. She didn't look frail in her white dress. She looked out of place. Lost maybe, but she was still as fierce as the last time he'd seen her, in the middle of a dark hallway. So unlike his poor Stella. At least, it would make things a bit easier for him.

-Then, I hereby announce you, on this sacred day, before our late kings and fal'cies, husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.

She had grimaced at the fal'cies' mention. He was more comfortable than her on that fact, but Pulse's civilians believed in the fal'cies as if they were gods send from the sky. And after all, in each country, there was a fal'cie making sure that the balance of the world was maintain, at least in his country. Those blessed by his brand were l'cie, as in Cocoon. They had a focus to attain and if they failed, they became cie'th. Then, they were possessed by all the evil the fal'cie was fighting and turned into monster, which were killed by the great royal knights before they could turn anyone. In Pulse, being a l'cie was a blessing. As long as you were turned to crystal in the end, not into a monster that is.

Noctis didn't want to impose, but it took a least a complete minute for Lightning to turn entirely to face him and she looked at him with so much disdain he was sure that he wouldn't live through the whole day.

"He's not really going to kiss me, is he? That can't be my first kiss! Not with a stranger, worse, with a man from Pulse! This wedding is just a big joke that's supposed to keep the citizen of Cocoon alive. Why? Why should I have to go through this?" she thought.

In fact, Lightning was scared as hell. She had never known any man in any kind of relationships like the one she was forced into. And she was supposed to play the pretty, nice and lovely bride now? That just wasn't her. Noctis was looking in her eyes for consent; he wouldn't make her mad even if it meant making the whole people watching them madder. Time went by and the couple kept on their silent exchange, not making a single move. The monk cleared his throat as everyone in the assembly held their breath.

-I said, that you can kiss the bride, he repeated.

-I've heard you, Noctis replied. We'll just skip this part, for now, he said in a lower voice.

His bride was the only one to hear it, if you forget the monk and the first row of guests. Lightning felt relieved and angry at the same time when she heard the word escape his lips. She didn't understand completely what was wrong with her, but she felt sad, as if he depreciated her, by refusing to kiss her. Was she that much repulsive? Alright, she was glaring at him and that must be disturbing, but still, would he already began to shake up the peace they were trying to get by refusing to end the ceremony in the most known way?

She knew how people –mostly newspeople and politicians- were stuck on formalities like this one. They were pretending, but at least, they should put on a good show. She almost snapped at herself when she realized she wanted him to kiss her, just so that her "wedding" would be as it should be for this part. She had one hand on his wrist and her fingers tightened their grip.

He looked surprise, returning his attention to her. She still seemed angry, but at the same time, she was desperately trying to tell him something. Her thoughts were so strong that he heard them in his mind. "Don't screw it all, you moron!"

Mere seconds had passed since the monk had repeated his words and Lightning hurriedly removed her veil. Bewildered, Noctis finally caught on and dared to take her in his arms as she softly wrapped her arms around his torso. He brought her closer to him slowly, trying to find her limits and his owns. It was hard for him when the vivid memory of Stella was still dancing in his mind. "She's dead now. She would understand."

He put a warm hand behind her neck, bringing her even closer. She bent her head and their lips met in a sweet and pure kiss. She found herself stupid. But after enduring this horrid dress (guess what, Lightning hates dresses) , this whole ceremony, she owed a little extra. And after all, if she was supposed to spend the rest of her days with this man, she should try to enjoy herself a bit. Rest assure, readers, Lightning wasn't planning anything else than a first kiss at this time. She had to practice her pretending.

Her lips were soft, just as his. Her hair was too. He suddenly realized how he was missing Stella. And to know that she wasn't her, that he already was kissing another girl made him feel dirty. It was nothing but a play, but he still was human. He pulled apart as soon as he could and tried his best to control the expression of his feelings.

-Well, it's settled then. Let's the celebration begin, one of Noctis' friends shouted.

Lightning tried to get back to herself after being entranced by the mix of softness and strength she'd just felt from her husband. Was that what it felt like to be kissed? Now, she understood a bit more why her sister was head over heel for a moron like Snow. But still, it wasn't really something. She was even scared, because she felt as if she'd just surrendered to him while he was holding her. She hoped he wouldn't think anything weird because of this. She didn't want to be a helpless and weak wife. Hell, she didn't even want to be his wife, but she already was!

"It must be the stress, Lightning. You don't even know him. That's why there's butterfly in my chest, isn't it? I won't feel sympathy for him. He destroyed Serah's chance to get a normal life. He stole my own existence for the sake of Cocoon. He killed a fal'cie. But why is it I sensed that he was vulnerable just then, when he…"

She shoved the thought back in her mind. This wouldn't happen ever again. He had barely touched her more than a few seconds and she was already way past confusion.

Everyone got up in the room and began to talk. The sun was shining through the high windows. The black onyx polished walls sent shivers through Lightning's heart. This place felt so dark, even for her.

-What was that just now, Noctis asked her.

-What what?

He tightened his grip over her wrist, just like she had.

-Well, I thought we should maintain the tradition, even if it's just for pretending, she replied, removing her arm from him and making sure not to look at him.

-I heard you talking in my head, he added.

-You what?

-So, it's not supposed to happen, even on Cocoon. Guess my weird powers haven't reached their limit yet.

-What exactly did you…

He smiled at her anger and she shut up, getting even angrier. Then, she found another way to reply.

-You really worship yourself, don't you?

-I've never said that. Just wanted to check if you did talk to my mind on purpose.

-I'm just your typical everyday human girl, she acidly retorted.

-You look more like a snake to me. Or a wolf.

-Good then, cause you look like a puppy and I wouldn't want my people left with an incompetent as their ruler.

-What…?!

-Wow, Noct, you're already getting along, that's so cute, his friends teased him, after making their way through the crowd.

-Glad you're having fun, guys, he hissed.

Lightning took this opportunity to hide in the crowd and look out for her sister. She didn't had to go too far, as Serah almost jumped in her face and gave her a long hug, smiling and crying at the same time.

-Serah, why are you crying again?

-It's the first time I saw you in such a cute picture. I thought you were angry with him but when you let him kiss you, I was glad, cause now I think you're gonna be happy even thought this wedding was arranged and all.

-What are you saying? Are you nuts?!

-No, I just mean that he looked so gentle. I'm sure that you've found the right man, even if you didn't have the change to choose him!

-Serah…

-You're so strong Lightning. I wouldn't be able to pull off something like that.

-I…

"I'm so glad you're not in my place, Serah, I wouldn't want you to go through this. It's nerve-wrecking, even for me. But if it meant I could help you, I would take your place, you can be sure of that…"

-Serah! There you are, baby. Oh, Lightning, congrat…

-Not you again.

Snow Valliers lowered his ton when he saw his to be sister-in-law's expression.

-Well, never thought I'd see you getting married, he said with one of his stupid smiles.

-Snow! , Serah tried to hide her smile while punching him in the chest.

He feigned pain to make her laugh and Lightning shook her head. "Are all man really that stupid?"

-Did you tell her yet? Snow asked when Serah stopped laughing.

-Oh, that's right. Light, we'll be going now. Because of… you know what, I can't stay very much longer.

-Oh.

Lightning tried to hide it, but no one could be blind. She really liked her sister –maybe she was the only person she did like on the whole earth- and was pained to hear she would be going right now. Because that from the next day and on, she wouldn't be just Cocoon's princess, but Cocoon's and Pulse's queen. That wasn't very convenient to see someone living on Cocoon often, even if that someone was her sister.

-This is only goodbye, Serah whispered. So don't worry and enjoy yourself as much as you can while becoming a queen, alright?

-You're crazy.

Serah just smiled and hugged her sister one more time. With that, they parted, hoping to meet again soon. If only they'd known it was the last time before what would feel like an eternity.

Lightning wanted to at least accompany her sister to the door, but the people recognized her and dragged her back to her husband, since the ceremony wasn't entirely completed.

-You haven't danced yet! , said Noctis' mother.

-And as long as you won't dance, you're poor mother won't have the chance to force me to the dance floor, added the king of Pulse.

-But…

Lightning trailed off as the attention of every guest –there was over hundreds of them- turned to her. That was a bit too much. Did the population realize they had just stopped a war? Now they wanted them to dance?! "What will they ask next?"

-Dear mother, we're still in the church. There's no room to dance, intervened Noctis.

He wanted this whole masquerade to end just as much as she did. She realized just how tensed he was and asked herself of what he could still be nervous about.

-Exactly, we should go to the banquet already! ,replied the queen.

-This should take us an hour or two just for all the people to move.

-This day's never going to end, Lightning said in the same low tone that he used.

She gave a quick glance at herself. Her white dress was showing off her curves without revealing too much skin, her skirt was long and full, and her long silky gloves were making her look like a princess in the little kids book. She hated the whole outfit, but it was a tradition on Pulse.

-Feeling uneasy?

-Oh, I hate those kinds of dress. I'm gonna stumble and fall…

Suddenly, she blushed, realizing how she was acting all familiar with him all of a sudden. Why was she even saying this aloud? And to him, of all people?

-I'm sure you won't. And even if you do, you'll be graceful enough that no one would remind of it in a bad way. You're a princess after all.

-What's the meaning of that?

"I guess he didn't like being compared to a puppy…"

-Forget it, let's go and eat.

To be continued…

What, yes, the ending was so-so, but I thought that the chapter was long enough. Remember I'm French. It took me like… four hours. Aww, all that time for eight pages. Alright, so this is a glimpse of what my fic is going to be. How will the newlyweds are going to get along with the responsibilities they'll have as husband and wife, but moreover as king and queen!

If you want another chapter, please review.

Any criticism is welcome. I know, Serah was kinda out of character, but, well, I've only play nine hours at ffxiii and since I get to play with Hope as the leader for the second time –and for a longer time- I kinda trained too much just to fight as Hope. He's just too cute!

Cough, sorry about that. Well, review please!