Chapter 7 – Dual Sided

Author's note: This chapter really explains a lot of Noctis' past. I hope it's clear. Thank you to all that review and read I hope you enjoy finally learning about Noctis' past!

The image of the young Serah spitting up blood couldn't exit his mind. It brought his own memories rushing back. The very memories that shattered his heart, tore his soul … made him how he is today. Noctis couldn't say anything.

Snow explained, "She was fine six years ago, when she and I met and became friends. But about a year after … she fell ill." His voice broke. It took him a moment to regain control. "It started with a fever. Then it grew to nausea. Light sent her to a hospital when she began spitting blood. It turns out she has a rare disease that slowly breaks down the body's immune system and attacks vital organs, especially the heart, lungs, and stomach." Noctis cringed.

"But for a while," Snow continued, "she showed no sign of her sickness worsening or getting better. After four long years of no change, we believed she was going to leave this hospital. That is, until a few months ago." He paused. "She began getting weaker and paler. By now, we understand that the infection is beginning the final stages of breaking down the tissues of her organs. So she's … slowly dying from losing such crucial parts of her body."

He would have went on a little longer, but Noctis interrupted, "I've heard enough." He left with Snow going down the hall in the opposite direction. When Noctis went around the corner, Prompto was there waiting for him. He casually leaned against the wall to his left. Noctis scowled, "Eavesdropping?"

Prompto said, "More like passing through when I heard you guys talking." Noctis didn't answer. Prompto sighed, "It must've been hard to hear. Your mom –"

Noctis shouted, "Don't even finish that!" He didn't want to be reminded when he was trying to forget. He wanted to erase it from his mind forever.

Prompto defended, "Just saying. I just though it may be tough to see it all happening again."

Noctis muttered, "Shut up."

His friend said, "And the fact that it's Light's sister must suck for you. I mean, since you love Light and all, right?"

Noctis gawked at him, too astonished to say anything. He stuttered, "Wh-who said anything about me liking her that way? We're just friends! Scratch that! We're not even there yet! We're more like acquaintances!"

Prompto smirked, "Oh, come on! Everyone but you knows you do!"

"I-I don't!"

"Admit it! You totally do!"

"No way!"

He laughed, "Then why are you freaking out and blushing?"

Noctis hadn't felt his face burning until now. Unable to find a good comeback, he tried to punch Prompto. The blonde dodged just before he hit him. He joked, "Geez, Loverboy, who knew you were so aggressive?"

Noctis kicked his shin in an attempt to have him fall on his face. This was almost successful. But at the last minute, Prompto stepped back. His balance could have been better. He stumbled and grabbed onto Noctis for support. They both ended up tumbling into another hospital room, the door loudly forced open as the fell. Noctis was beyond embarrassed and prepared to fake a sincere apology as they got up. When he looked up at the person in the white hospital bed, he froze.

Of course they had to fall into Lightning's sister's room.

Serah's blue eyes met his. They were wide in surprise. She was still pale and clearly weak form trying to walk around just a few minutes ago. Her pink hair matched Lightning's, only it was in a ponytail tied above her left ear instead of cascading down her shoulder. Noctis and Prompto stood in order to formally apologize. Before they could say anything she asked, "I'm sorry, but can I help you?" Her voice was soft, very quiet. The complete opposite of Lightning's stoic and strong tone. The two already seemed like polar opposites.

Prompto scratched the back of his head. "Uh, no. We just, um … dropped in." He tugged on Noctis' arm. "We'll just be going."

Serah said, "Wait!" Reluctantly, they stopped. She pointed to Noctis. "You're Prince Noctis, right? So you guys must know my sister, Lightning."

Noctis and Prompto shared anxious looks. How did this happen? "I am. And… we do know her."

Serah bowed her head. "It's an honor to meet you, Your Highness." She locked eyes with him again. "Do you have any idea how she is?"

They both guessed she meant Lightning's condition. Prompto shook his head, "As of the moment, we don't have many details."

She looked down. "Oh… well, thank you anyway. It's nice to know Light has friends to see her here."

Noctis just stood there while the two spoke. He really didn't know what to say. All that attitude he had built up wasn't helping him in this situation. Prompto said, "Wow, you're so polite. Are you sure you and Lightning are related?"

Serah giggled, "Yeah, we're not very alike."

Prompto bumped Noctis' arm, signaling him to say something. He pulled the first thing that came to his mind. "So, you've been here a long time, right?"

Even Prompto was mentally slapping him. Noctis felt stupid for asking a ridiculous question like that. If he wanted to make her sad that was one way to go about it.

Serah brushed some hair out of her face. "Yeah, quite a few years, actually." She suddenly perked up. "But I'll be out soon. Light has half of what she needs for the new medicine and everything!"

Prompto stopped, "Wait, what new stuff? And what do you mean she has half of what she needs?"

Serah's brow furrowed. "She didn't tell you about… well, I guess she wouldn't speak of it. She doesn't like to talk about herself."

Prompto pulled Noctis over to a small couch next to her bed. Noctis was terribly uncomfortable. Memories of his childhood would flash back every time he saw her sick face. His friend asked, "What are you saying?"

Serah looked away. "It's sort of a long story."

"We've got time." Noctis glared at Prompto. He didn't want to hear this.

Serah began, "Well, as you can see, I'm not in good shape. I haven't been for years. But… Light and I don't have any parents. So with hospital bills and all, we were in some trouble. Lightning decided to take responsibility and work for it. She became a soldier for the high pay to cover all the bills. I've been okay with the treatment I get now. Or at least until recently." She paused to let it all sink in. "My condition is worsening.

"But not all hope is lost," She said. "There's a new treatment. It's got advanced medicine, newer forms of care, and a series of operations and surgeries. Light planned to switch me to that, but there's one problem; it's new. Therefore, expensive, far beyond what Light made. In order to get enough money for it, Lightning took a new job, one with better pay. It's been difficult for her, but she hasn't given up. That very job can really help us. Do you know what job I'm talking about?"

Noctis realized, "Teaching me how to fight."

Serah nodded, "Exactly."

Noctis sighed, "I'll just give you the money then."

"No."

"Why? It'd be easier for both of us."

She hesitated, but answered, "Because… I made a promise."

Noctis remembered her saying that clearly. The conversation was so long ago, way back from when they first met. But he recalled his puzzlement. "Lightning told me she took the job to fulfill a promise."

"That's actually a little ambiguous. She promised me she would get me out of here soon. But I think she also made a promise to herself. Maybe something like keeping our small family together?" Noctis hated this sense of déjà vu.

Prompto sensed his uneasiness. He stood, hoping to make an excuse to take both of them out of the room so Noctis could calm down. Just as he was about to say something, a funky ringtone came from his pocket. Slightly embarrassed and red faced, he went for the door while saying, "Sorry, I gotta take this."

Noctis' fists were clenched. Serah noticed his distress and asked, "Are you alright?"

He didn't answer. He simply stood and stormed out. He made his way down the hall. He stumbled mindlessly into a storage closet, slamming the door behind him. Noctis leaned against the door. He slid into a sitting position, his back never leaving the cool wood. He pulled his knees up to his chest.

"You're much stronger than I am."

Noctis remembered him saying that to Lightning during the attack. In a storage closet, quite ironically. It's true. She's dealing with this much better than I did. There's no question why I can't see Serah. After all…

…My mother died from the very disease Serah has…

999

I was only eight. My mother became ill. Being the young and naïve boy I was there was no doubt in my mind that she could be better soon. But then a month passed.

Then two months.

Then six months.

Then a year.

Then three years.

When I was eleven, the disease began to overthrow her health. I wasn't sure what I would do if she left me. I was just a poor kid who loved his mother.

One day, I sat at her bedside and asked, "When will you get better, mom?"

She just smiled. "Soon, I promise."

But she broke that promise. She never got better. She only got worse… until the illness took her life. Seeing Serah just reminds me of her death. Sitting by her bedside, listening to what's wrong… I did that all twelve years ago. That's why I was so uncomfortable. I didn't want to do this again. I couldn't do this again.

I was lost, just a boy who missed his mother. But I saw it as a betrayal. She broke her promise. I know it was out of her hands, but it still hurt… to be lied to like that. I was young. There's no wonder why she said that even though she knew it was a lie.

That's why I hate liars. Nothing but hurt comes from lies.

But then I thought of something else. That pain I felt when she left me… I never want to feel it again. Meaning, I may never grow close to anyone again.

With that thought in mind, I became… cold, harsh, sometimes cruel. I lived only for me. No one else mattered. I know I'm an asshole. I even make an effort to be one sometimes. I need to push people away. That way I will never feel that pain of losing a close friend again.

That all changed… when she came.

She's beautiful. Of course, I've met too many bitch princesses that are pretty, so looks aren't important to me. But she was different. Unlike anyone else, she didn't swoon at me. She yelled. She didn't go out of her way to be nice to me. She pushed me around. She never ignored my rude behavior like other women. She retaliated. She made my life hell when I did something she didn't approve of.

Lightning… just sparks my curiosity.

Maybe that's why I couldn't define my feelings. She's so… unique and new to me. So new that I didn't know how to react. And I like that. Not just unique, actually. She's strong, reliable, loyal, independent, kind at times… and she's giving up her life for her sister's.

While I stood back and wallowed in my sadness over my mother's death, she set forth to stop her sister's. Why didn't I do that? I was too weak. Maybe I do need a bodyguard…or at least someone to show me what strength really is.

I can't push her away. I don't know why yet, but I know I want her near me. And that's a problem. I'll just lose her… won't I? Hard to say. Should I give it a chance? No, it'll end in hurt. But… why do I feel like I can trust that she won't leave me?

Maybe what my mother told me all those years ago wasn't just from some fairy tale. When Etro does want two people together, she makes them feel this way… should I accept it…or reject it…?

999

Noctis eventually came out of the closet. He still contemplated about how he felt, but stopped when he saw something. Snow was inside a room, talking to the patient. He hoped to just walk in and find out where Ignis was so he could drive him home. Too bad that would be too easy. He took one step inside and was greeted by a punch to his arm. He flinched and yelled, "What the hell?"

Fang sat on the white bed with bandages all over her. She cringed from the pain her punch brought. "That's for not staying put with the Captain when we were fighting that Petram Rex!"

Noctis defended, "Why was that a bad thing? I was helping, bitch!"

Fang countered, "No, you could have gotten yourself killed! That would reflect on us and our whole unit badly!"

Noctis concluded, "I don't care! Lightning could have been killed!"

Fang had no response to that. Snow headed for the door. "I'm not getting involved. A fight with Fang normally ends with me in a neck brace or something."

Noctis said, "Wait, do – "

"You've got it bad, don't you?" Fang shook her head as Snow left.

Noctis turned back to her. "Why do you keep saying that? I don't have anything."

Fang sighed, "You've got it bad and you don't even know it."

"I don't get it! Why don't you quit being a vague bitch and say something that makes some damn sense?"

"Oh, quit the act!" Noctis was taken aback.

"What act!"

Fang crossed her arms. "That whole badass act. You're just pretending to be an asshole."

Noctis denied, "You're lying."

Fang shook her head. "Nope. I mean, we all have more than one side to our personality, don't we?"

Noctis said, "I don't get what this has to do with me."

Fang explained, "Remember when I first came to the castle? I was all cocky and laid back. Then when I spoke about my past I was sentimental. But you've seen how I can be harsh too. It's human nature to have many emotions that trigger different sides to our personality. You're no different."

She smirked. "One side of you says to put yourself above others, show you're the best. You want to push people below you to make yourself feel higher. You push people away. But there's another side of you; a side that wants to come out, but your pride won't let it. That side contains the emotions you truly want let out."

Noctis growled, "And what do you think those emotions are?"

"The ones that want love and attention." Noctis stared at her as she continued. "You want to be all high and mighty. Don't we all at times? But you also want the comfort of another person. You want to be loved by others. That's why Light's grown on you. She doesn't give a damn about you, and that makes the softer side of you want her. Isn't that right?"

Noctis shouted, "That's not true!" When in reality, a voice in the back of his head was saying she was right. Did he really want to be loved by others? No, he had abandoned those thoughts when his mother died. Or had he?

"You're reacting this way because I'm right, huh? You just can't accept it. You're pathetic." Fang was really enjoying this, no matter how cruel she sounded. This guy had caused her a lot of trouble. She had to have a little fun with her revenge.

Noctis grabbed the door handle to leave. Fang called after him, "Don't you want to know Light's room number? She's awake, you know."

The Prince froze. He didn't know where her room was. "Why do you care if I go see her?"

She smiled. "I don't. I just wanted to see if you would really stop. Since you did, you pretty much confirmed my theory."

Noctis swung the door open. Fang bellowed to him, "Room 103 if you're interested!"

He stormed out with his thoughts in turmoil. He couldn't shake that she was right. In fact, she was spot on. And he hated how she could read him like and open book. What did this all mean? He really was developing a softer side for Lightning. He just wasn't sure if he should take this challenge life has thrown at him. Should he stay with his old ways and continue his life alone and sour, or let go of his harsh nature and open up to Light if she'll forgive his past acts and give him a chance? It would require some time, but Noctis knew he had to come to a decision.

Still pondering, Noctis passed a few rooms before he prepared to turn a corner, but stopped. He saw something that jogged his memory. A room number to his left. Room number 103. Noctis reached for the door knob. He paused." She doesn't give a damn about you, and that makes the softer side of you want her. Isn't that right?"

Was she really right? Did Lightning not even care for him as a friend? He wasn't sure if he wanted to find out. He just about walked away when the door opened, startling both him and the woman walking out. Her hair was a pale blonde and she had green eyes. She bowed and said, "I'm sorry, Your Highness. I was just leaving." She turned around. "Come on, Hon!"

"Okay, Mom!" Noctis could have sworn the other voice said, "See ya, Light." A boy stepped out from behind her. He looked about fourteen, had silver hair and eyes that were similar to his mother's. The woman called back, "It looks like you have another guest, Lightning." Noctis wanted to run, but thanks to this woman he had no choice but to go. The two strangers left as he entered.

Lightning sat up straight in her bed. She gave him a questioning look when he came in. She was pale with wires connected to her arms. Noctis couldn't help but feel bad for this. She was the one protecting him when she was injured. "What are you doing here?"

Noctis shrugged. He asked, "Who were they?"

"Nora and Hope Esteim. They've been my neighbors for years. We're pretty close."

Noctis hummed a response. They stood in silence for a moment. Noctis finally said, "Oh, yeah, you left this a couple of days ago." He pulled out the knife she had shown him earlier.

She took it back with a look of surprise. "That's right… thanks for holding onto it."

Noctis nodded shyly, feeling his face flush. "Forget it."

"And Fang?"

"What?"

"I meant how was she for a teacher."

Noctis smiled. "I think I'd actually prefer you."

She laughed softly. Noctis did too. Maybe… I should give it a chance…