The Citadel

Based on the hybrid castle-skyscraper where the Royal Family and the Crystal resides.

Tumblr Prompt Request: I wouldn't change a thing about you.

AN: Timeline will take place pre-FFXV story, basically during Brotherhood. Enjoy~

Open Citadel Day.

An annual event where parts of the Citadel, mainly the large courtyard, are opened to the public. This festive event hosts various kinds of entertainments, merchandise, and food. Due to the amount of people flooding in, the issue of public safety was of utmost importance during yesterday's discussion within the council, thus it's business as usual for the Kingsglaive.

While the Glaives were assigned a portion in the security grid, it didn't stop them from looking around or trying out the various foods available. The Glaives stood out like sore thumbs, making their presence known in an all black attire and frock coats. With a confident stride, Lightning patrolled her area. A small smile etched on her face as she watched families and children enjoy the event.

The atmosphere felt great. The faint sound of music, laughters from the crowd, colorful confetti falling everywhere, the weather bright, sunny, and perfect, and the smell of food permeated her nose. Everything was going well and she was determined to let it stay that way.

Suddenly, she felt a breeze past the back of her neck. However, she knew that particular brush of wind from anywhere and she called out a name before even turning around to look. "Noct?"

"Hey, Light." The Prince greeted cheerily. He wore a casual outfit that consisted of a jacket, jeans, and a black cap. The cap usually indicated he was hiding from the public due to his noticeable hair. "You on duty?"

She nodded, slowing down her stride to walk beside him, then asked curiously. "How'd you know I was here?" She hadn't told any of the guys where she was stationed and the Citadel was rather large.

Noctis rubbed a hand at his neck. "A little birdie told me."

She sighed, knowing only one person who would d know her exact location. "Nyx." She said the name with a flat tone. She was going to have a nice long chat with the Glaive about disclosing sensitive and classified information. But for now, it can wait.

"Have you explored the grounds yet?" She asked as they walked pass vendors and food stalls.

"Mm, not yet." He replied, mildly distracted by the array of street food.

"You haven't eaten." Lightning stated, knowing from his stance and the way he stared at the food. And knowing him, he probably didn't have money on him. Resisting the urge to roll her eyes at the spoiled prince, she stopped at a certain stall and paid the vendor for three Semur skewers and an accompanying frothy drink. "Here." She handed Noctis two of the skewers and grabbed two straws.

"Thanks." He said gratefully, forgetting his manners and talked with his mouth full. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Starve." She gave him an amused smile before biting into her skewer and taking a sip of the drink. Feeling quite thirsty from having his first bite of food for the day, Noctis also took a sip of the cool Galahdian drink.

Almost spluttering the drink, he felt a bulky arm wrap around his shoulders and nearly groaned. "Great. You found me. Thanks, you guys." In response to his sarcastic tone, the muscular arm tightened around the Prince's neck.

"Are we interrupting something?" Gladio asked suggestively, mocking without sympathy. "So sorry."

"Lightning!" Prompto sang, while taking a bite out of her skewer.

"Noct, you can't wander off." Ignis warned, crossing his arms. "A reminder: even though the public areas of the Citadel are limited, you still need to be careful where you go."

"Yeah, yeah." He waved it off dismissively. "Excuse me for wanting to stroll solo."

"Iggy was getting pretty worried about you." Prompto said as he tried to steal another bite, to which Lightning sighed and allowed the blonde to eat the rest.

"Prompto, we agreed to keep that between us."

The Prince sighed and asked his adviser. "Do I still have time?"

"Yes, but not much."

"Great. The four of us will accompany Light in her patrol while looking around the grounds." Noctis turned to the Glaive. "Is that alright with you?"

"Yeah. I don't see why not." She shrugged. "I could use the company."

"It's settled then." The Prince smiled. His neck found relief as Gladio's arm no longer rested on him. The large man was found at a nearby stall and rumbled appreciatively. "Woah, nice. They've got booze, too."

"Now's not the time for drinking, Gladio." Ignis said, although he went over and inspected the variety of bottles.

For the next few minutes, they walked around, inspecting the stalls, food, and small shows being performed. Prompto had his camera out, taking pictures of literally everything. Ignis perused over the food, collecting information as he jotted notes on a pad. Gladio looked at all the merchandise and flirted with a couple women here and there. While Noctis and Lightning tried out some games and everything else. The Prince made sure that she was having fun, but not too much since she was still on duty.

"Noct, it's time to get going." Ignis said as Noctis finished a shooting game. He sighed as he looked at the score, the highest record being Lightning's while Prompto was, to the gunman's dismay, one point behind.

"Do I have to?" He asked, almost in a childish whine, not really wanting to go.

"You skipped out the last few years." Ignis pointed out. "His Majesty wants you to be there this time."

"Alright." He sighed again and turned to Lightning. "I'll see you later."

She looked at him in confusion, wondering where he was going but decided not to question it. "Okay." With a wave, he left with Ignis and Gladio in tow until they disappeared into the crowd.

"Iggy said he's gotta greet the crowd with the King." Prompto appeared behind her, answering her unsaid question with a cotton candy in hand. "Wanna watch him?"

"Yeah, sure."

Prompto found a spot a far ways from the Citadel entrance but they could still clearly see the large balcony just above it. They stood in the sea of people who also gathered to look at the King and Prince. As the clock struck at twelve noon, the crowd cheered as two dark, prominent figures appeared on the balcony.

"King Regis!"

"Prince Noctis!"

"The Prince is so handsome!"

"We love you, Prince Noctis!"

"Prince Noctis has become a very dignified young man."

However, the chants and cries from the people felt muffled as they entered Lightning's ear.

"Woah." Prompto commented, a bit breathless, beside her after taking a picture. "It's like he's a whole different person"

Lightning looked up to Noctis in awe. The Prince stood tall and an authoritative aura emanated from him. He wore an all black suit, looking very dignified, as one man said, and handsome. Everything was sharp and refined, all tailor made for the Prince. He held a small smile, like his father, and waved at the crowd.

She silently agreed with Prompto. There he stood at the balcony, wearing a dashing suit that fit him perfectly and kingly. Far from the lazy, sleepy Noctis they know. He was a fit for royalty.

With this revelation, she became more aware of her position on the ground, squeezed in between people while Noctis stood at a higher ground, a higher place she can never reach. The space between them suddenly seemed large and a gap impossible to close.

She felt a bit queasy at the thought, overwhelmed by the large distance between their standings, literally and figuratively. Noctis was a Prince, and eventually he would become a King who would rule over Insomnia and guide its people filled with hopes and dreams. She thought about the future and wondered if she would still be able to remain at his side.

What she didn't notice was Prompto staring intently at her. From the look of it, he knew what she was thinking, but he didn't press in on the issue. He knew because he felt the same way. He was a mere commoner without royal blood, just like Lightning. It was different with Ignis and Gladio since their families have served the Lucis Caelum blood for generations. From amongst their group, he related to Lightning the most.

As the ceremony ended, the crowds dispersed once more and stayed to enjoy the festivities. Lightning and Prompto walked back to her station in silence, with the air a bit tense between them.

"Hey, Light. I've got a question." Prompto started with hesitance. "Do you sometimes wish Noct wasn't a prince?"

She remained silent, continuing to walk and Prompto wasn't sure if she heard him. So he opened his mouth, about to ask again, but he was cut off by her voice, her tone equivalent to a winter in Insomnia.

"Ask me that question again and I'll rip your tongue out."

The question wasn't an easy yes or no. However, Lightning thought Prompto deserved an answer. After all, they were both the same. So she stopped walking and turned to look at the Citadel, the large tower served as a reminder of their status.

"No matter how much time we spend with him, the truth will never change. We'll always be far away from Noctis." She gave him the harsh truth. After a pause, she shifted to look at Prompto, who stared at her with wide eyes from her admission. "But even so, I wouldn't change a thing about him." She allowed herself a small smile. "Because in the end, he's worth it."

AN: A bit sad we can't explore Insomnia / Citadel in the game. We have a little mention of Nyx and the recipeh that was available in the Assassin's Festival DLC. Though I don't know the name of that frothy drink. The casual outfit is the as in the game except without that hideous vest. The suit Noctis is wearing is what he wears endgame. It's the same one he wears in the versus ffxiii somnus scene. (He's so fine, how can you not?) And I love love love exploring and exploiting the dynamics between commoner / royalty. For sure going to explore this relationship more with Lightis. Also, we got a bit of Lightning x Prompto at the end. And I tweaked the prompt a bit hahaha.

And to the Guest who reviewed that they read my Camping drabble somewhere before, you might have seen it in tumblr? I posted it a day or two there before here at ffnet. But I should be consistent in posting from now on after this. My current tumblr is blazefire-engine. So if you have a tumblr and want to follow, please go ahead!

Hope y'all enjoyed reading this one. I had fun writing it.