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...

"One day I'll be free, and only then will you know how much you truly meant to me." - Noxima

.*.*.

Karin walked down the streets of Insomnia. She wore her glaive uniform, but with no jacket, as per usual. The sun was going down, and she was looking in her usual spots for Prompto. She assumed that he was with the Prince, given that school was on break for a while. But she didn't want to go chasing him there, not really interested in running into Ignis or Gladiolus and their suspicious nature. In the end, she hovered around his house, waiting for him to make an appearance at home. And he was taking his sweet ass time. She wasn't usually this impatient, but she needed his help and her time over her would be shorter than usual.

Finally, she saw the flash of his bright blond head come around the corner. She took that opportunity to run towards him. She shoulder checked him and he nearly fell over. She laughed while watching him try to catch his balance, looking behind in confused, but ready for a fight. It only made her laugh harder, and he joined her once he realized she wasn't a hostile.

"Where have you been?!" she slapped him, keeping the smile on her face.

"Awe, did you miss me?" he laughed.

"Ordinarily I'd say no, but I've been stuck fighting Imperials for so long, you're actually an improvement."

"Well thanks," he rubbed the back of his head, "How long are you in town?"

"Just for the night. There something I have to show you!" her green eyes brightened with excitement as she grabbed his arm.

"This better be good," he said.

She forcefully started pulling him away from his home and towards the subway. Karin didn't have a car, so she had to use public transit. Prompto was much in the same boat, only he had friends with cars that gave him rides once in a while. She let go of his arm as the two of them descended the stairs into the subway. He had no idea where they were going, but he trusted that she did. Usually they hung around his house, and he was intrigued that she was leading him elsewhere. They got on the train, squishing in with the other people. It was a busy place.

They spoke of his current endeavors during the ride. She laughed at his tales of failed conquests with local school girls, his victories against the Prince in the arcade and his futile and stupid antics towards the Prince's sworn Shield. She was happy that he was meshing in nicely with the other men, that he wasn't so alone. She then spoke of her fight along the wall, of the troopers and the daemons at night. He was impressed, and happy that she always made it back for relief safely. They continued to talk as the train came to a stop and they go off.

He followed her back to surface level, noting that they were on the edge of town. He couldn't say he had been in this area before, always someone to stick towards the downtown area. She lead him down the streets, zig zagging a bit before they finally slipped passed some guards and came to the cement wall. She looked behind her once to make sure he was still close and that no one could see them before she opened up a door that only she seemed to be able to see. He was a little startled, but followed her inside. She led him down a set of stairs immediately after the door, turning on a flashlight.

"Where are we going?" he asked a little nervous.

"Underground," she answered simply.

"What's underground?"

"The thing I have to show you."

"I don't know if you know this, but creepy underground basements aren't really my thing."

"You'll survive."

"How did you even find this place?"

"I know a guy who knows a guy who probably knows another guy. I don't think about my good fortune, I just go with it."

"If you say so..."

Once they had come to the bottom of the stairs ("Which go on forever!"), Karin turned on the master power and an entirely large circular room burst to life. Prompto's eyes widened in amazement as he took everything in. The room was squared off, a multitude of lights flooding the ceiling to keep it properly lit. But that wasn't really what caught his attention. In the room was a red imperial dreadnaught, docked and open.

"Where did you get that?!" he asked, his eyes popping out in disbelief.

"I liberated it from an incoming attack," replied Karin proudly.

"Duuude!" he was still struck, "You stole it?!"

"I prefer liberated."

"How the fuck did you..? And how did you get it in here without anyone seeing?!"

"I told you already, I know a guy who knows a guy."

He looked at the dreadnaught and then at his friend, who was smiling smugly, "You are one crazy bitch."

"Awe, and here I thought you didn't care."

"So, what are you going to do with it?"

"I was hoping you could help me fix it up. I want to use it to infiltrate Gralea."

"Serious? That's suicide!"

"I wouldn't go alone. Just use it as a way to get in so I can have a look around. I want to take the Empire out from the inside."

He looked thoughtful, walking up towards the ship and stepping inside. It didn't appear to have any damage done to it. She followed him, hopping aboard and shadowing him as he looked around. It wasn't anything special, but it was definitely something. She followed him outside of the ship and underneath. He opened the bottom and had a look at what he was working with. He then moved towards the front, hopping up on the ledge and opening that compartment for the engine. She craned her neck to look up at him while he observed that he was working with.

"I think we can work with it," he said happily, jumping down to stand in front of her.

"I was hoping you'd say that," she smiled at him.

He turned away from her, but she grabbed his wrist, about to tell him to wait a second. But she had caught his wristband, moving it and revealing a bar code on the back of his wrist. She frowned as she looked at it, Prompto looking on in horror. He tried wrest himself free of her grasp, but her grip only tightened as she studied the tattoo on him. She pulled him closer, observing it better, and then looked at him in shock. She let him go, his head looking down in shame. He waited for her to say something, but she remained silent. His hands balled into fists at his side, not even bothering to fix the band.

"So... now you know..." he said, his voice low and almost full of tears.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked.

"I couldn't... I haven't told anyone... I can't..."

"Why?"

"How can I?" he looked up at her, his eyes brimming with tears he refused to let fall, "How can I tell people that I... That I'm the enemy..."

"Enemy? What are you talking about?"

"You know this code, it's the same one the troopers carry."

"Yeah I know, I kill them by the dozens," she said matter of factly. She put a hand on his shoulder, "But you're not one of them. They're soulless, incubated into something not even human. You're not like that."

He stared at her in disbelief, not expecting to be so openly accepted by her. He put his hand on her wrist, trying to smile a little, "You really mean that?"

"Well sure," she shrugged.

He smiled, wiping his eyes, "Thanks."

"Yeah man. And I won't tell anyone, so don't worry about it. Now, let's get to work," she waved off the emotional time.

"Right," he nodded at her, leading her towards the engine.

.*.*.

Lestallum's heat wave hadn't improved any. Ignis was still unaffected by it, seeing as he didn't really feel all that warm. But other people were, and the irritable people continued to lash out at others. It wasn't long before a bigger enforcement was in place to keep the locals from killing each other. There was no more need for bloodshed while there were daemons about. Sighing after putting out yet another fire between neighbours, he was happy to retreat to his home where no one would bother him. As was his routine, he fed Cid and then retired to his room to be alone.

He laid on the bed, exhaling heavily. He held his arm over his eyes, submerging himself into his own darkness. He had no such luck trying to filter through Nox's memories, but was getting better at calling them to him. He had spent an entire day last week swimming around in various aspects of her life. He didn't realize how vividly she remembered everything until he relived it for himself. But he still had no clue on when she started writing that book. Lifting his arm and rising from bed, he walked over towards the desk.

He looked at Noxima's book, but didn't bother to really try and pry any information from it. He needed to escape, to go out into the world and recharge himself. He was becoming restless just sitting around. And it was with relief that Cor had walked into the house, looking for something to eat. Ignis happily helped the Marshal out, having something quick always ready for times like these.

"How are you holding up?" asked Cor, sitting down.

Ignis regarded the man. He was starting to sprout grey hairs, lines in his face more defined than they used to be. He was getting older, as was everyone else. There was a scar on his face that he didn't remember. Probably a trophy from the extensive daemon hunting the man was doing.

"As well as can be," answered Ignis a little hesitantly.

"Gladio told me what's going on with you," he spoke, not even looking at him as he ate his food.

"In confidence I hope, as it were, you nor anyone else was to be aware of my situation."

Cor shrugged, "Who am I going to tell?"

"You don't seem the type for gossip. It poses the question as to why you have arrived?"

"Crowns guard or not, you're still one of mine, and I take care of my people," said Cor, looking at him with his stern face.

Ignis nodded at the man, "Understood. With the weather I'm most occupied ceasing neighbourhood brawls more often than not. I could do away with the city for a while."

"Perfect. We'll leave in the morning. Could use a bed to sleep on."

"Thank you."

...

The next day about mid morning the two men set out in Cor's vehicle. Ignis didn't mind, seeing as he probably shouldn't be driving with his current condition. They headed towards the Disc, which was a strange place to be going. But Ignis didn't question it, knowing that the Marshal usually had some sort of reason for doing anything. He was mostly just happy to be out of Lestallum for a bit. He noted that the daemon spawns were becoming more frequent, but the two largely ignored them as the passed by.

They began the circular descent towards the old blockade long forgotten among the fighting and darkness. Cor parked the car and the two of them exited. The Marshal walked down the ruins, Ignis keeping his sense about him. He didn't want to press his luck with Nox's memories at bay. He gave into them so much lately that they had backed off of him a bit. But it was no guarantee that he wouldn't be struck with one at any moment.

"I must say I'm a bit shocked you are so accepting of my predicament," said Ignis.

"I know Nox. I trained her to, was there when she first found out she could mimic. No one gave me as much trouble as she did, but I learned the hard way that there was always a method to her madness," explained Cor as they continued their trek.

"I'm starting to see the correlation," agreed Ignis, "Just unsure of why she chose me."

"For a smart guy, you're pretty stupid sometimes," said Cor bluntly, "Any idiot could see the connection between the two of you. Something happened when you were kids, she cured your blindness. Ever since then the two of you gravitated towards each other. Only made sense that something more would grow out of it."

"I had previously thought she only enjoyed making my life complicated."

"Well you were wrong. And we all could see it being an issue while we were in the war. We had to keep you focused, so we separated you before it could go any further. Sorry about that."

"I understand."

"She was sent to Gralea a little too early for my liking. But there was no other way to put a distance between you. She's stubborn."

"Quite."

Cor stopped then, keeping his back towards the other man, "If I could do it over again, I would have kept her at the Citadel and let her be Noxima."

.*.*.

Ignis walked on one side of the Prince, with Gladiolus on the other. Prompto was awkwardly fitting in there somehow as they walked down the corridors towards the royal apartments. Noctis would spend the night in his room as opposed to his apartment. It just made everyone's lives easier. Prompto was likely to spend the night with him, but Ignis and Gladiolus had a duty first before they were relieved for the night. As they entered the room, Ignis was happy that it was all cleaned up from his previous visit earlier.

"Dibs on the bed!" Prompto shouted, running towards it and rolling over it.

"Nice try," Noctis laughed, taking a look around. It had been a few years since he was in here. Nothing had changed.

"Will that be all?" asked Ignis, not really stepping far from the door.

"Desperate to get back to that girl?" teased Prompto, looking over in his direction.

"What girl?" asked Noctis, looking at his friend in shock.

"Real hottie dude, surprised you missed it. She just showed up and Ignis was gone."

"I didn't even notice," Noctis was baffled.

"Then you should probably pay more attention to your surroundings," said Gladiolus with a smile on his face.

"You saw her to?" asked Noctis in disbelief.

"Dude, how could you have missed her?" asked Prompto, offended it seemed like.

"What did she look like?"

"If you're both quite finished, I bid you, good night," said Ignis, turning to leave before they could question him further.

Gladiolus closed the door behind him, giving his friend a knowing look as he stood outside the door, "Hey Iggy," he called out to his retreating back. Ignis turned to look at him curiously, "Don't waste a moment," he said grinning.

Ignis left without saying anything, not really sure on the meaning of the words. Gladiolus was a strange man with the ability to be cryptic at the most appropriate times. But he could also give you everything cut and dry, no nonsense in between. It was at this particular time that Ignis preferred the no nonsense Gladiolus instead. Nevertheless, he walked back towards the ballroom, hoping that Noxima hadn't left just yet.

As he approached the room he stood in the doorway, scanning the sea of people as the music continued to play songs of old. He couldn't see her, not just yet. He looked over towards the refreshments, and she wasn't there either. He sighed, he must have missed her. He was about to leave, but then the shine of hair caught his attention. He made sure he was looking again, and there in the middle of the dance floor she was dancing with King Regis. How fitting, as the song playing was ancient, created for the first King of Lucis. And it appeared that both of them knew their steps with precision.

He made his way towards them, though he wouldn't interrupt. Noxima hadn't noticed him, so he stood on the sidelines, observing. They appeared to be having a pleasant conversation, a smile on her face as they danced. Her dress flared out with her movement, but clung to her at the same time. The King was an expert dancer, probably been dancing his whole life. Ignis wondered where Noxima learned how, and it was clearly evident from watching the two of them. The music came to an end, and the two stopped with it. The King bowed politely at her, and she curtsied expertly. He walked with his cane back towards his seat, as Noxima looked around the room. Ignis took that opportunity to swoop in before someone else could.

"My Lady?" he tapped her bare shoulder, offering his hand politely as another song began to play.

She smiled, and it was infectious as he could only smile back at her. She took his hand and he immediately spun her on the spot. He knew the song, and began to lead her. She had no need to follow his movements. She knew the steps, and guiding her was simple as they moved in a liquid motion. He turned her so that her back was towards him, and then lead her steps as the music suggested. He turned her back towards him and dipped her, pulling her back and then continued to move with her. They both spun then, back to back without breaking the contact of their hands. Their arms placed together in front of them, layers of hands, they did a step around the other, each mirroring the other. And then he spun her again, pulling her close. She bit her lip in almost a nervous manner, as the heat rose to his cheeks. But they continued their dance.

At some point, Noxima caught the gaze of the King looking at them. He was smiling sagely, though even a little concerned at what he was seeing. She didn't think much of it, as the song began to end and their movements ceased. They moved apart a fair distance, keeping their hands together, but their eyes were locked onto each other. He looked at her lovingly, and it made a blush creep over her face. The music started again, another song, and he lead her into the familiar steps. This song was slower, with fewer complications. Most of the dance had held closely to one another, and neither of them seemed to mind. With her heels on she was nearly his height, and her forehead was pressed against his as they moved. His breath brought goosebumps along her skin, but he didn't notice with her so close to him.

As the music came to a close, they slowly parted ways, Ignis bringing one of her hands to press against his lips. He kissed her softly, their connection never breaking in the slightest, his gaze holding hers. She felt her breath catch in her throat, her stamina from the night finally dropping. She bit her lip again, she jerked her head towards the exit. He nodded, letting go of only one of her hands and began to lead her away from the dance floor. They walked into the elevator, taking it up to the highest floor, their hands still intertwined with one another. They walked out onto the terrace, the cool night air blowing over them. There were others about, but the two of them made their way towards the railing, looking out over the city.

She spent a lot of time here, sometimes by herself, sometimes with a colleague or a friend. But it was definitely the only place it the Citadel she liked to be. This was the most free of her place. Often when he was looking for her as children, this was one of the first places he always checked. It had been a long time since they were both up here at the same time. She was always so busy lately, that he hardly had any time to see her. Once in a while he would come here by himself, just to feel the familiarity of her. But he would never tell her that.

Her features in the moonlight were as elegant as they were inside. The magic of the night seemed to capture them, and he was swept away in the feelings for her he forcefully repressed at all times. But tonight was different, a special occasion. They didn't speak, there was no need. But his gaze caught her eye once more, and she was brought back to the spell of him. He placed a hand gently on her cheek, and gave into his own desire, pulling her in for a tentative, yet, chaste kiss. It wasn't awkward like the first one they shared years ago in Altissia. It was elegant, sweet, meaningful, and breathtaking. And it was with regret that they pulled away, though it was slow and not very far.

"Happy birthday, Nox," he whispered gently in her ear.

The sound of his voice and his breath on her skin made her body tingle. But she smiled at him, keeping her amethyst eyes trained on him. She slowly edged her way back, his lips ghosting on her own. But the moment was shattered as soon as they heard someone pointedly clear their throat. They jumped away from each other, making it look like nothing had happened, Ignis pushing up his glasses, Nox putting her hands behind her back. Ignis looked a little ashamed that his uncle had caught him being inappropriate with Nox, and found it hard to look at the man. Nox, however, showed no shame on her face as she looked at the man expectantly.

"Lady Charlotte," he nodded his head briefly, "His Majesty requests and audience with you in his room."

"Thank you," she smiled pleasantly at him.

He bowed his head slightly at her, turning and walking away from the two of them. She looked over at Ignis, and smiled at him sadly. He looked a bit sullen at her sudden orders. But he had forgotten himself tonight. Duty was of the utmost importance, and he should never have let himself take things this far. He bowed to her once more, and she curtsied a last time, before looking at him with longing. And then she turned her back, walking away and leaving him on the terrace alone, the taste of her lingering on his lips.

.*.*.

...

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