Because I feel exceptionally mean to Lightning (all of a sudden) I decided that a Stella/Noctis two-shot could get rid of that feeling. Don't hate me, Yuki! We all know you hate Stella... xD

Let's get the disclaimer out of the way...

Disclaimer: Do I look like Nomura? No. Good! Glad that's cleared up.

Anyways, this story's basically just explaining how Stella fell in love with the beautiful prince we know as Noctis, and how she tries to talk him into proposing to her (using shameless hints). Don't worry Yuki, I'll only make them share one kiss. It also portrays Noctis' feelings for her... are they good? Or are they... =) Well, you'll just have to find out, won't you?

I'm also twisting Stella and Noctis' background a bit – she's going to have three sisters and one younger brother (Titus, ten years. Interested?). Her sisters, Aria, Zariana, and Torina (eighteen, fifteen and thirteen respectively) are insane about Noctis (who isn't?). Noctis is about to turn eighteen in the story while Stella is seventeen. He has two sisters, twins (called Aliana and Narcissa, fifteen), making him the sole heir for the throne.

ShotgunGuy (Laris) and ScarFace – whoops, I mean Scarman – (Marcus) are in the background. GlassesMan (Bradley) does not make an appearance in this story. Sorry to Bradley/GlassesMan fans!

Without further ado, I present to you...

~I Can Make You Love Me~

Chapter One

Slender fingers swept over her red (it's sexy) skirt as Stella Nox Fleuret waited for her father to enter and introduce to her the young koutaishi (crown prince), Noctis. Her heart fluttered in her chest – she was so excited, she was sure he would choose her to be his wife, despite the many other young, beautiful women he had rejected. But then again, she was prettier and much more beautiful than any of them. She could feel his proposal in her bones.

Her eldest sister, Aria, patted her silvery hair to make sure every strand was in place. Zariana tucked her golden hair behind her ears while Torina tugged her strapless white dress down to show a bit more of her brand new fully jutting chest. Stella scowled - her sisters wanted Noctis, too. Then, Aria took out her pink lipstick and made repairs. Stella's scowl deepened; if Noctis fell for her, she'd kill herself. Or better still, kill her sister.

Stella's mother was acting odd, too, sort of fluttery and excited. One of her daughters could be chosen by the handsome, charismatic prince whom everyone loved. She was so excited!

Someone cleared his throat outside the door. Aria immediately tucked the lipstick away as the door to the sitting room opened. They all stood up respectively as eight people walked into the room.

Lord Titus the First entered first, standing tall and straight. He headed for his wife, and they exchanged a kiss.

His Royal Majesty Sir Orien strode in neck, his black tuxedo complimenting his pale skin and yellow eyes. He had jet black hair that had raven highlights when the light hit it right.

Her Royal Highness Lady Cleotrina followed her husband, wearing a beautiful gown that made everyone feel underdressed. Stella fiddled nervously with her own dress. Lady Trina also had black hair, but hers was wavy and turned silver in the light. She had dark blue eyes as well, and she was also pale, like her husband.

Her children followed.

Stella's eyes found Prince Noctis, who strode in as if without care of the world, his dark blue eyes showing no compassion for anything other than, probably, himself. His hair was spiked at the back – obviously he wanted that style – and longish at the sides and front. He too, wore a tuxedo. He met no one's eyes as he greeted them with a flat tone he never used while giving people encouragement – Stella still found his voice enchanting.

The next two were obviously Prince Noctis' bodyguards – they had that look.

Aliana and Narcissa had their mother's hair exactly, but they kept it shorter than their beautiful mother. They also looked like their mother quite a lot, just as Noctis' face duplicated their father's. They wore silk dresses of silver and gold respectively, and they both had yellow eyes.

Stella felt extremely hideous compared to them. But she would try her best.

"Prince Noctis, may I introduce my daughters to you...?" Titus asked the young Prince. Noctis stared at him until the man grew uncomfortable.

"Noct, be nice," Aliana told her brother quietly. Stella, who was the closest them, couldn't help but overhear.

Noctis raised one eyebrow and said flatly, "I already told Mother not to arrange this."

"We know you miss her –" Narcissa started.

Who are they talking about? Stella wondered.

"–but you promised them you'll forget about it and move on."

"No one can forget her, Cissy, and I never promised to move on," Noctis answered tightly, his hand clenching into a fist. Tactfully, the adults pretended to chat with each other as Noctis debated with his sisters. Aria, Torina and Zariana moved closer to them, trying to eavesdrop.

Noctis cast them a cold glance that had them moving away as fast as they could. Then, he turned around and started to exit the room when one of the bodyguards caught his shoulder.

"Noct, man, stay here."

Noctis shrugged off his hand and gave him a wry half smile. "You don't order people around, Laris – that's my job."

He then started to take a step out the door, but his father's voice rang out.

"Noctis! I order you to stay here and socialize."

Noctis looked at his father over his shoulder, and Stella was struck by the pain in his deep blue eyes. When he said nothing, Orien stepped forward and opened his arms in a gesture of peace. "We know how hard her death was on you," Orien said gently, and Noctis noticeably flinched. "But you have to let her go, Night."

Noctis flinched again. "You can't make me stay," he said in a low voice, looking sideways now.

"I can and I will!" Orien snapped.

Noctis cast his father a sarcastic smile, and raised one eyebrow. "You'll have to catch me first." His voice held mischief and memories as a smirk spread across his face. Narcissa, Aliana and Cleotrina gasped at his words – clearly it meant something to them – and Noctis disappeared in a blur.

--

Orien sat down on his chair, massaging his temple. His son, his only son. What has become of the child who charmed everyone?

"Forgive us, Lord Fleuret, Lady Fleuret, for our son's behaviour," Trina was saying to them. "He's just upset."

"Why, may we ask, my Lady?" Titus asked the Queen.

Narcissa, Aliana, Marcus and Laris had all gone to look for him, but the efforts were futile because he was born special – his senses were more enhanced than any Caelum that had ever been born.

Trina looked at her husband pleadingly; Orien nodded his assent. She turned back to the Lord and Lady, and started as thus:

"Noctis was only seven when he met a young runaway whom he called 'Light' – it sort of made sense because she was like the light of his life – dragging him into all her childish schemes and helping him laugh and become more and more open. We didn't encourage their friendship because she was a daughter of none – no one knew who her parents were, and no one recognized her. We took her in, however, out of pure pity and christened her Larielle, our native language for 'Light'. They grew closer over the years, and I don't doubt it when I say that they may have been a little attracted to each other, maybe more than we knew.

"When she turned fourteen, she became a Crystal Guardian to show her respect and loyalty to us – something we deemed necessary instead she was asked to spy on us as a child. She wanted to prove to us that she was trustworthy, and despite Noctis' objections, she agreed, and she was branded with the mark of the Crystal, and signed a contract with her blood on her most precious things and her life.

"She underwent training for a whole year; Noctis was separated from her for a whole year, and he slowly began to retreat into himself while she was gone. We, Orien and I, had bad feelings about her being a Guardian, and tried to stop her when she returned, but she was adamant, and assured us that she would prove her loyalty to us this way.

"Then, two years later, our enemy from Cocoon paid her a visit, and tortured her mercilessly, blasting her into ashes and immediately after destroyed the Crystal."

There were collective gasps from her audience. Stella was surprised to find that she was one of them.

Trina paused. "Until today, he still hasn't gotten over her. She left such a deep impression in him that he can't seem to forget her, and move on. We believe that his reluctance in choosing a bride is due to the fact that he still loves her."

Aria looked up. "But milady, why don't you hire someone who can make him forget her? Someone to help him get through this," she asked sweetly. Stella glared at her. She was trying to suck up to them, that's all.

Trina smiled at her wearily. "We did, but evidently, she's the only one who can help him get through this. Always has, always will. That's one thing that hasn't changed about him."

The door flew open, and Laris and Narcissa blew in.

"What's wrong?" Orien demanded, fear in his eyes. Stella knew he truly cared for his son. Everyone stood up as they panted for breath.

"Noctis," Narcissa got out.

"What has my idiot of a son done now?" Orien snapped. "Surely he hasn't run away? That's doesn't call for you to dash all the way here, does it, Cissy? He can take care of himself, Prince or not."

"Didn't run," the blond man gasped. "Tried to – to–"

"Noctis tried to kill himself!" Narcissa blurted out.

It's a two-shot everyone... Or did I already mention that?

Anyways, yeah, it's connected to Eclipse in a way. (those of you who have read Eclipse, well, you know Noctis' reaction now, don't you?)

Review please!

Inspired by ...

Soundtrack(s): Kiss From A Rose - Adam Lambert version

My brain.

Noctis and Lightning.

My sudden emo-ness. Yes, I get mood swings frequently. Got a problem with that, punk?