This chapter has some heavy imagery in it. The Teen rating still totally applies. And we do have fluff, although it's not between Noctis and Luna. Our four guys will each have their own archs in the story. Gladiolus might be left out a bit, but I'm still going to get on his case. As you might remember, I've listed two potential pairings in this fic. NoctxLuna is the main one, and we will have some Ignis x Aranea before the end. But Cindy x Prompto… Well, I don't want to spoil it yet, but there are good reasons why Ignis and Gladio were a lot more unsure of this whole matchmaking deal than Noctis or Luna. As for Gladio, I kinda ship him with Holly in my head, although she's much older than him. I know they all should end up with someone. (In fact, after just rewatching Kingsglaive, I know exactly who Gladiolus will end up with. But I'm not telling! ) We'll wait to see how things go for Prompto with his mechanic for the moment. ;)
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Unexpected
Chapter 11 – She never actually said yes
Gladio suggested they sat down and they gathered at one table inside the Leville, soon joined by Jared and Talcott, his grandson. Luna was the surprise of the day for everyone.
"It's great to see you're fine, your Highness," the boy started.
"No need for formality," she smiled.
"As long as you stay polite, Talcott," Jared reminded him.
"Sure, sure, grandpa."
Talcott was a well-raised kid, already polite, but still as excitable as any boy his age. They quickly reported what had happened on either side. Iris was a bit subdued, able to see how comfortable Noctis was next to Luna. Barely no girl had a right to sit this close to him and there was a complicity between them that made her stomach turn despite her best intention. It might be the fact Noctis looked so much darker and harder than his usual. He had clearly suffered and grown since the last time she'd seen him.
"There's an entire camp of refugees in Leide," he told them. "They're hiding in a secret mine. We'll have to find some time to pulverize the daemons lurking inside and any vermin that could hinder them. Cor has organized what was left of my father's army. Soon, we'll be able to take on the imperial bases and clear them out of Lucis, one region at a time."
Jared nodded, giving his new king the information he had. Ignis led the discussion, sometimes asking Luna for information, since she had better knowledge of the empire's army. Gladiolus felt proud of Noctis, but soon realized how left out Iris was. The poor girl was staring down at her cup of tea as the men settled into more tactics and planning. Luna was watching her closely, understanding something was wrong. She rose from her chair, pretending she needed to clear her head and asked Iris if she could show her around.
Gladio didn't like the idea, but his sister jumped to her feet, happy to have a chance of feeling useful. Noctis had listened to what she had to say about the refugees being slipped into Duscae, but he'd clearly voiced concerns. Iris was starting to wonder if there was anything she could do. Lucis was her country too.
She led Luna outside, discovering she didn't have to force her smile around the princess. The blonde had a motherly expression that made her feel at peace despite the whole situation. She tried to hold on to some part of her jealousy. That woman might have been writing to Noctis for years, but she was a stranger and from the empire. She looked harmless, but maybe was it only to hide her real goal. The empire had been extending one hand while sharpening a blade behind its back after all.
"You can call me Luna, Iris. And I feel as though you have a great deal on your mind. Would you mind sharing it with me?"
"I don't want to waste your time," Iris answered her genuinely.
"Don't say things like that. You're a friend of Noctis and I can tell how much you care for his well-being. I've always wanted him to be surrounded by people who looked after him, and not only because he was someone important."
Iris bit her lower lip, feeling that doubting this woman would prove futile. Although the newspaper kept badmouthing her and branding her all kinds of names, she knew the papers were under Nifs' jurisdiction. She couldn't trust what she read, but she had always been able to trust in what she felt.
"I'd like to be more useful with all that has been going on lately," Iris admitted. "It feels as though all I've done lately was running."
"But you did rescue people on the way, even helping some getting here. Each life you saved counts."
The brunette widened her eyes, shaking her head.
"But there is still so much to get done. Noctis always had his head in the clouds and now…"
Luna heaved a sigh.
"I know. He's pushing himself, doing all he can to move forward. But it's been working so far. And he still needs all the support he can get."
That reassured Iris a bit. She knew a lot of things were going to change. She had been trying to clear up her head and her heart as she'd heard from the wedding, but with the attack, the running, her brother gone, and most of her friends lost or dead overnight… She had kept her feelings for Noctis, her last line of defense against what was happening around her. Surely, as long as their prince was fine, there could be hope.
"I hope the guys haven't been giving you a hard time," Iris voiced concerns.
"No, not at all. So, should we walk around, or would you rather I fix your arm right now?"
Iris turned away, gazing at the streets. She didn't want to need her help, but she also didn't want to be childish about it.
"I'll show you my favorite place around here first. How about you tell me where Prompto's gone to?"
Luna obliged, understanding she needed to break the ice a bit more before the younger Amicitia let her check her wound.
…
Prompto had slept in a hammock hanging to the garage's ceiling. He smelled of oil as he woke up, but since it was all that surrounded Cindy, he guessed it was just as well. The girl had her own room in the garage, as did Cid. Their kitchen was Takka's restaurant and the gunman ate some bacon and eggs to get ready for his day. The Regalia had been stripped down to a mere skeleton of metal. The body had to be redone and Cid hadn't sworn as much in years.
"We're going to need some metal from the mines. They've been abandoned for years, so I hope your arms can excavate some orichalcum ore."
"You mean to tell me the king used blade's metal for his car?"
"Nuh-uh, paw-paw did," Cindy explained, sending a glare at her grandfather. "And I really wish he hadn't. Can you call some chocobos? It will be easier to get to the mine that way."
Prompto rented two birds for the next three days, hoping they wouldn't need that long. Anything they needed to carry couldn't go into Noctis's infinite storage. Cindy refused to pack any camping stuff. She preferred travelling lightly, and didn't want to be out past dark. Prompto didn't wish for them to camp, he would certainly die just from the anxiety of sleeping alone with the woman at a campground, but he stored a few more essentials with his ammunitions and snacks, just in case. Once finally set up, they jumped on two birds and crossed Leide's empty lands, going around rocks and evading monsters. Cindy had a crowbar to defend herself against beasts, but she was far better at running than destroying living things. Prompto knew taking anything bigger than the Sabertusks on his own would be foolish. He used his guns to keep the wild life away from them, only when they seemed ready to attack.
They made good time, reaching the mines in three hours, top. Venturing inside was a whole another thing. Cindy was shocked when they found a can of wax lying by the side of the elevator, but they still lacked the ore.
"I guess we're goin' down down." She said in a sing-song voice.
Prompto didn't ask if she was sure of herself. She sounded strong and confident as always. He might doubt himself, but he wouldn't doubt her. When they reached the lowest floor, he sensed something foul in the air.
"Better not stay too long in here," he sighed.
"Well said, city boy. Let's hurry up and find a mining spot."
She turned her flash light on, soon zipping up her tight jacket, the humid cold slipping through her bones. Prompto kept one gun ready, leading the way despite being terrified deep inside. He could hear things crawling and hissing. That orichalcum had better be here. They walked in careful silent, exchanging glances whenever the path split before them. Cindy would normally shrug her shoulders and let him decide. Since they kept updating the map on their phones, there was no reason to get lost or start walking in rounds.
The walls on either side of them were void of stone or any mining spot. Prompto was starting to wonder if they shouldn't have brought some explosives. He remembered a dozen ways of mining stuff. Like the kids forced to use their bare hands against unforgiving stone if they broke the equipment. He took a deep breath, pushing the bad thoughts away.
"You wouldn't have an orichalcum detector with you?" he asked, trying to sound playful.
"Nope! But we'll find a vein."
She tapped his shoulder encouragingly. They wouldn't give up before they'd tried all the way. Squaring his shoulders, he trudged on, trying to walk like Noctis would do when he led them straight to danger. If he could have warped-shot monsters in the face, he would have felt a lot stronger.
…
Luna barely registered the configuration of the city as Iris walked with purpose, aiming for the small ledge that gave a view of the Meteor. Insomnia had felt like a maze, and Lestallum, though smaller, was just as imposing for Lunafreya. She'd been brought to many cities and villages among the empire, but had never gotten the chance to explore or understand the architecture of their roads.
Iris leant on the stone rail, gazing out at the horizon.
"Although it's been burning for days, I can't help but still find it beautiful."
Luna nodded in approval. If she could look at that site without the eyes of an oracle, she might think it beautiful too. But she dreaded to hear it call her again. She hated the idea Noctis was ready to get hurt further when he should have been leaving that up to her. She didn't need saving. She was supposed to be supporting him. Pushing away the dark thoughts, she asked Iris how her healing was going.
"I don't… really know what's wrong with it." The girl started. "It was broken, but we used a few potions and even one elixir. The bone and muscles are all fixed. There's no visible infection, no swelling… I just can't… move it without hurting."
"How would you describe the pain?"
"I'll talk if you don't tell Gladio about it. He's already been far too worried about me for his own good."
"I understand. It will stay between us," Luna promised.
Iris tried raising her hand, just to ascertain it was still no good. The shudder that ran through her was almost painful to watch.
"It's as though my bones were about to pierce through my skin," she described, wiping her eyes off with her good hand.
Luna frowned. That sounded awfully painful and something she didn't encounter that often.
"How did you get hurt? You had to fight back MTs?"
"Yeah, but a man showed up. Real tall, human, white hair, an arm of red metal. I couldn't hold him back, I raised my arm in self-defence and after he'd struck, he suddenly ordered his men to pull away."
The oracle kept a straight face, thanks to years of training, but the news of her brother carrying this kind of power shook her up to her soul.
"What was his weapon?"
"A dark blade. I couldn't tell if it was metal or not. It didn't cut, simply bruised and broke. Light couldn't reflect over it."
Iris could tell that Luna knew something she wasn't telling her, but she saw something else than recognition in her clear blue eyes. A will to right every wrong she could. The oracle needed to know as much as possible and if it helped her, she would give her every detail she could remember.
"Can I touch your arm? I just need to make sure…"
"Of course," Iris answered.
Luna's fingers brushed over the sling, recoiling almost instantly.
"No surprise you're hurting so bad. That man infected you with the blight."
And not any brand of blight. It was among the strongest Luna had met. How could Ravus even accept to enforce such evil? Was he still on her side?!
"What?!"
"It's okay, Iris," Luna comforted her. "I'll heal you with my magic. We should go back to your hotel room."
The girl accepted, feeling as though her world was turned upside down. How could it be the blight scourging the planet affecting her arm? She had no dark mark on her skin. And what did Luna know of this mysterious white-haired man that was on the empire side? She wanted to trust the Oracle, but suddenly, all her doubts were back.
…
When the goblin jumped at them, Cindy's scream was about as high as Prompto's. Thankfully, his hands reacted just as fast as his mouth. He fired an entire charger, backing away and pushing Cindy against a wall. The goblin jumped and snarled, shadowy blood erupting from its wounds. Prompto emptied his other gun on the thing, charging the first one in a matter of seconds. The movements had been imprinted in his mind. He could have disassembled and reassemble it in his sleep. Sometimes, he still woke up with the gun clutched in his hands, as though they could be coming for him. The daemon fell to ashes and silence came back in the mines, barely interrupted by the sound of the two young adults looking for their breath.
"That… was just so sudden. I wasn't scared." She told him, still flushed against the stone wall.
Prompto looked at her, his smile a bit unsure, but somehow giving her courage. That guy had a boyish charm. He took a step away from her, not sure where his arm had brushed or touched. The thought barely intimidated him. Keeping her alive was his priority right now. Cindy took her crowbar out and they went on. A check to his watch warned him that the night had fallen outside. Their stomachs were rumbling, but the mechanic didn't want to stop and eat. She wanted to get out and was too stubborn to give up yet.
One more turn, one more dead-end, they walked back to the last crossing they'd made, taking the other way. They had managed to steer clear from most monsters, but Prompto needed a breath of fresh air. They were both cold, drenched and tired. A glint in the dark had him raising his gun once again, but upon looking closer, they saw it. A mining spot.
"Finally!" Cindy swore under her breath, taking out the pick she had been carrying.
Prompto handed her one of his guns, taking the pick from her hand. He hadn't mined in years. He hadn't dug since he managed to get away. The first hit dove far deeper than expected. He hadn't been as strong back then. He still wasn't a force to reckon with like Gladio, but all the weight lifting and training had paid off. Cindy had set one of their portable lights on one side of the tunnel, standing guard on the other one while he worked. She forced him to switch with her after the first 20 minutes. She wasn't getting as good results as him, but she also didn't want him to be dead-tired when they'd get out. The tick-tock of the pick on the stones echoed around the cave. They tried talking at first, to feel less insecure, but it seemed worse. Anything living – or existing - here knew where they were. When Prompto shot at the goblin that materialized in front of him, Cindy gasped, closing her eyes. Heard a snarling on her right and felt like collapsing in a heap on the molt-covered ground. Instead, she raised the pick again and dug.
"Don't lean back," he told her.
Prompto took out his second gun, shooting on both sides of the tunnel. He was glad for having a second pair of guns on him, letting go of the empty ones to switch for his spares. It went on like the weirdest music they ever heard.
Clank! Bang! Clunk! Bang! Clank! A snarl, a bang, a clank, another bang and suddenly she couldn't hold the pick up anymore.
When the last gunshot was done echoing and jumping off the walls, Cindy kneeled and pushed her face against the cold wall, her shoulders shaking slightly. Prompto recharged the four guns and suggested switching places again. A shuddering breath came out of her and he could tell she was doing all she could not to panic. So he gave up the tough guy act.
"I'm scared too, you know. But it's going to be okay. I'm not getting hunt down by your gramps if I can help it."
Her smirk flashed brightly in the dark. They switched places and the mining started again. Prompto remembered the blood on the ground. His shoulders were burning, his whole back begged for mercy while his mind messed with him. But he kept the pick coming down. Tried to picture his father's face instead of the rock. With a final clunk, the piece of orichalcum came off the wall. They had been here for a full hour.
"Tell me it's going to be enough," he begged her.
"Believe me, it will," she pushed the gun back into his hand, turned off the light and they got running.
…
"There's something you're not telling me," Iris whispered, sitting on her bed, slipping the sling off her arm.
She held her fractured limb in place with one hand, trying to see something on her skin, any sign that would prove Luna's deduction right.
"I've seen what the empire does to people. I've had to treat their citizens and wounded soldiers. Sometimes, they even asked me to treat test subjects they'd... Please, just believe me. You don't want me telling you everything I could."
Iris trembled at the suffering she saw in Luna's eyes.
"Can you really heal it?"
"Have faith," the oracle answered, closing her eyes and leaning until their forehead touched. Iris wanted to back off from her, but the light and the warmth gathering around her felt too comforting to push the woman away. When Luna sat back, she looked more tired, but she was smiling.
"Try moving it."
Iris obliged her and couldn't hold back an exclamation of surprise. The awful pain was gone. She flexed her fingers, bend her arm, turned it around, tried giving a punch in the air.
"That's incredible," she marvelled
"I'm glad you think so," Luna smiled
"But where was the blight if I couldn't see it?"
"It was inside… At least I think so…"
Luna felt a wave of dizziness hitting her and Iris saw how she paled suddenly.
"Maybe you should lie down."
"No, I'm alright. I might just need something to eat."
They regrouped with the guys, who had already ordered meals from the Leville's kitchen. Noctis almost instantly noticed something was wrong with Luna.
"I'm okay, don't worry," she minimized her state. "I'm just starving."
Eating never really helped. She forced herself to sit straighter, to bear the most normal and natural expression she could muster, but what she'd learned over Ravus's deeds combined with taking that stronger branch of blight off Iris had shattered her strengths. She needed light, pure air and time and maybe even a blood transfusion. She felt feverish and dizzy. But she didn't want Noctis to know. She had put him through enough anguish lately. The words of Iris rang in her mind. It feels as though all I've done lately was running.
Wasn't that what she was doing right now? Pretending she could have this life? People were suffering outside. Her brother was letting an evil into this world, only because he was hurt and angry. She was silent for most of the meal, answering questions when they were directly asked to her, smiling at Talcott, but she felt like a fake. Noctis's hand gripped hers, giving it a squeeze. She was alive for that brief instance. Alive and herself. But a happy Lunafreya wasn't what this world needed, a small voice told her from the back of her mind.
…
Prompto led the way back out, Cindy right on his heels. He had a gun in one hand, Cindy's hand in the other. She was so tired, she tried to keep up, but the flow of adrenaline was kicking down. They were afraid of splitting up by mistake and had silently agreed to keep this small contact not to lose each other. He hadn't managed to marvel at how this whole ordeal had made them closer yet. He just wanted to get out into the fresh air. The night was well advanced and getting back to Hammerhead sounded impossible. He still whistled for their chocobos to rush back to them.
Cindy's teeth were chattering together. He helped her onto her bird with weak arms and swung himself onto his mount, apologizing for pulling on feathers.
"So we're camping, huh?" Cindy asked.
"A fire would do you good."
He felt ready to collapse, but after reaching the campground, he still needed to get stuff done. He missed the guys, especially Gladio's skills for raising a tent in seconds. Cindy started the fire while he gathered all the survival material he'd brought. Enveloping themselves in safety sheets, they ate a few cups of noodles, the warm salty broth bringing sensation back into their body. Cindy had taken off her cap, staring at the fire, snuggled against her chocobo. Her dirty blond hair seemed to mix with the feathers. Prompto wished he'd dare snapping her picture, but restrained himself. His memories would have to do this time.
"Well, I hope the other parts won't be as hard to get," he told her.
She rolled her eyes.
"You bet I chose the worst one first. Although I hadn't expected losing my cool… Sorry about that."
"It's fine… I…"
"Nuh-uh, Prompto, there's nothin' fine about this. Normally, I'd go on those errands myself."
"In mines?" he insisted, taking note that this was the first time she'd called him by his name.
"Not in mines…" Cindy admitted. "But I guess I panicked with all the daemons lurkin'. Usually, I got my truck's lights to keep 'em away."
She swallowed and wiped her nose, clearly shaken by the idea of being out at night without her truck.
"But you still went. You're pretty amazing, you know," Prompto remarked.
She smiled at the compliment, not blushing yet, sniffling a bit.
"I'm freaking cold, city boy. Get your butt over here."
If she'd told him the same thing the previous day, he might have panicked and fumbled and refused entirely to move. But right now, he simply wanted to get warmer himself. They snuggled together between chocobo's feathers, Cindy sitting between his legs to be encased in more warmth. She was covered in goosebumps. She told him he smelled, to which he answered she smelled too. They laughed, too tired to mind the "harsh" words. Their mount simply pushed them closer to the fire, kweeing lazily. When the mechanic finally settled between his arms, her hair pressed against his face, Prompto wondered why he didn't feel excited or nervous. Panic surged when she toyed with his wristband, but she fell asleep before to pull it off and he thanked the gods for it. The stars above his head twinkled and he prayed for it to be a good sign. Halfway through, he fell asleep, his arms growing numb. He needed some peace of mind for once.
…
When dinner was done, Ignis retired for a well-earned shower he had forgone the last day in favor of laundry. Gladiolus had some catching up to do with his hunter's contacts and went outside, dialing on his phone. Noctis exchanged a look with Luna, who looked away almost instantly.
"I think I need some time alone. Praying and resourcing my powers," she told him.
Iris thought she understood and suggested showing him around the city.
"It will take your mind off things a bit."
"I guess it could help," he admitted.
He glanced back at Luna, who nodded her approval. She watched them leave and counted to ten before walking out herself. Gladiolus was staring at the direction his sister and prince had left in.
"Worried about what he'll do?" she teased him, noticing his phone was off. Had he been pretending?
The giant shrugged his shoulders.
"You're a lot more perceptive than Noct. I just hope Iris can accept what's right before her eyes."
"I'm glad she loves him," Luna whispered.
"What?"
"If he couldn't catch a few hearts, he wouldn't be a prince. And he needs so much love."
"I'm not sure I'm following," Gladiolus frowned at her. "You love him too, right? Aren't you jealous? Even a bit?"
It was her turn to shrug.
"I've spent all my life trying to be selfless. And although I can't do it when it comes to him… I'm happy that he could be loved by other girls, even though he might not have noticed."
"You're too kind for your own good. If you're not clear with the kid…"
"I know," she sighed, pausing for a long time. And just when the silence was about to feel awkward, she added: "I need some fresh air."
"I'm coming with you."
"No, it's fine. Try to relax. You still have a slight concussion. I won't be long."
At first, she simply wanted to clear her mind. But maybe was there some dark magic at work in the air? She followed the path Iris had walked with her earlier, crossing the main street and walking down both pairs of stairs. Her boots made little to no noise against the pavement. The meteor site was still burning. She could almost feel the flames trying to ensnare her heart. And right when she was making up her mind, a voice rolled over her shoulders, sending her years back in time.
"If it isn't Lady Lunafreya Nox Fleuret, in the flesh. How's the flesh doing?"
Ardyn! She didn't answer, gathering all the calm she could muster.
"I thought your brother was supposed to get you back to our emperor. Aldercapt isn't doing too well, you know."
His voice was like a violin's cords being rattled by the wind. A sound that wanted to remain melodious but hit all the wrong notes.
"Why are you here?" she asked him, keeping a stern expression as he stood next to her, leaning on the rail with a smug look on his face.
"I'm here for you, of course, pretty girl. Unless you want your dear brother to lose another limb. I wonder if he would get back on his feet as fast with a mechanic leg."
She closed her eyes, shivering despite all her efforts. Ravus hadn't suffered enough yet? Was it the reason why he planted the blight in Iris? She needed to know. She needed to see him. She needed access to Titan to get the covenant under way and she needed answers that she wouldn't get if she kept running from her duty.
The chancellor's hand covered her shoulder, his breath reaching her ear. He smelled like rotten meat.
"What will it be? If you come willingly, Ravus will be free to go on as he please."
She looked into his eyes, her anger showing, but didn't push him away.
"I'll come. But it's not for my brother."
"I know. You're all about duty. That's a real' good girl if I ever saw one," he chirped, giving her a playful tap on the head, as though she was a child.
She grimaced, but followed him, praying that Noctis could understand her reasons.
…
L.F. I love you more than I can say, Noctis.
To be continued…
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So here it is. A real cliffhanger. Next chapter is mostly written up, but needs some refining. Prompto's love life is taking over this fic, but I need to get over it for the guys to regroup and shit to get fixed. And I need to keep some advance on you, since school is going to start over. I'm still in my family, enjoying my brand new superfast computer. :D Since I had a lot of questions about it, there will be soft to serious smut in the story. My fluff can get borderline smutty. I just didn't want to write an M story, so I'll keep it soft. Or just very close to the line. XD Do you think Prompto has chances with Cindy?
How is her portrayal? I want her to be a strong woman, a bit childish but also hard-headed. I see her as someone who's really comfortable with her body, not an easy girl, but more like a young woman who's proud of her looks and assuming herself boldly. She's got the backbone to back it up and put any guy too interested back in his place. I don't want to jump in a debate over how she should have been dressed and stuff. I might deepen her character in the future, but I have a lot of trouble with her accent. I try my best until I just give up. I think I should rewrite every of her lines normally instead of trying. Any pointers to rephrase her lines would be welcome. I don't know where to cut the words to make it sound right.
Please review to keep me psyched up!
