Why does seeing someone else in pain hurt you? I wonder…

"We don't know much detail, but I got an SOS from her on our secure channel. We traced her signal, and her last location was in Zegnautus Keep, Gralea. The Empire will execute her if we don't rescue her soon," he pleaded.

"Okay, I'll meet you at the airship," he ran back in his room and washed his face with cold water. He grabbed his jacket, potions, and a variety of bullets for his gunblade. Once prepared, he made a mad dash towards the airship.

By the time he got there, the magictek engine was roaring, and the airship was ready to liftoff. He jumped into the open hanger and closed the hangar door behind. The airship immediately took to the sky.

"What are you doing here?" asked a familiar voice from the back.

"Luna? What are you doing here?" he asked, not expecting her to be on this airship.

"Wedge informed me that Aranea was captured and I am going with the crew to rescue her," she explained.

"Biggs came to tell me the same, that's why I am here."

"I hope she is okay," she stated with deep concern.

"That idiot. How could she be so careless," he said with a facepalm.

They both sat on the bench on opposite sides as there was no one in the hanger beside them. For a few minutes, neither of them said anything.

"Is everything okay with you?" Squall asked, finally gathering courage.

"Mhm."

"Urgh. Stop it already. Don't tell me that everything is okay when both know it's not. Ever since Fociaugh Hollow something has changed. You are going out of your way to avoid me and I can see that."

"No, I am not," she deflected, averting her gaze.

"Ever since we got to Tenebrae you have not spoken to me properly even once," he pointed.

"T-that's because I was busy," she defended.

"When you care for someone, you make time for them."

"It's not that simple, Squall," she fought back the water welling up in her eyes.

"Luna, I feel like we are drifting away and I don't even know why. I can't read your mind; you have to tell me what you are thinking of else I won't understand. All I know is that it hurts to see us like this," he pleaded softly.

"Then get used to it," she replied sharply.

"I will. Just tell me why?" he urged.

"Because this is what's best for both of us." She quickly wiped off a stubborn tear that escaped her eyes, hoping Squall wouldn't see it.

Squall got up from his seat and walked towards her. He kneeled in front of her and asked, "If it is for the best, then why are you crying?"

"I-I don't know," she covered her face with her hands as tears poured out from her eyes.

"Luna, tell me what's wrong? What is bothering you? Why are you avoiding me?" he pleaded.

"What am I supposed to say, Squall? That I am sorry for abandoning you in a fight against Ramuh? I am sorry that I was willing to sacrifice you so that I can fulfill my destiny by stepping on your corpse? Sorry that I was ungrateful after everything you have done for me? Sorry that I was so selfish that I did not care about your well-being? What am I supposed to tell you, Squall? The choice was your death, or my destiny and I choose my destiny. I made a conscious choice to let you die. The truth is that no matter how many times I apologize to you, it should never be enough. There is no coming back from what I've done," she screamed through her tears.

He got up and hugged her. Sometimes actions are better than words. He stroked the back of her head gently to console her.

"I have forgiven you; I hope you can forgive yourself too."

"That is the problem, Squall. I can't forgive myself after what I have done. Seeing you is a constant reminder of what kind of monster I am," she said, still clutching him tightly in an embrace.

"You are not a monster. Sometimes life can be cruel. It does not give you many choices. Given the circumstance, you made the right choice," he reassured.

"Was it? What would you have done in my place?" she asked, breaking the hug and looking into his eyes.

"I would have fought against Ramuh," he said in a heartbeat.

"I am sorry," she said as regret filled her heart once again.

"Don't be. It just means that you are stronger than I am."

"What?" she asked with a surprise.

"I would have sacrificed many to save the one. You had a tough choice to make, and you made the right choice. That makes you stronger than I am."

"B-but-" she was about to say something when he put a finger on her lips.

"Stop beating yourself up about it. The way I felt about you before the events at Fociaugh Hollow and the way I feel about you now hasn't changed."

"How could you still love me after all this?"

"W-What? Who said anything about love?" averting his gaze.

"I know how you feel about me," she said after placing a gentle hand on his right cheek.

"H-How?"

"Because I am not blind and also, I saw your memories," she said the last part in a hurry hoping he would not catch it.

"What? What was that about seeing my memories?" he inquired as he glared at her.

"When I woke up at Fociaugh Hollow I found you unconscious. I did not know what had happened to you. Aranea came to the rescue, and we decided to bring you to Terebrae for further treatment. It was on the train ride that I remembered how you once dived into someone's memories to figure out what was wrong with them. Using Umbra's powers, I did the same, and I saw some of your memories since you came here. I saw the love you harbor for me. I saw your pain and sacrifice for me. A-and and it hurts so much."

He wanted to say something, but the words dried in his mouth.

"It hurts that I cannot reciprocate those feeling to you."

"Loving you was my choice. You have no obligations to love me back."

"But I want to, yet I can't."

He stayed quiet as no coherent thought formed in his head.

"I-I am scared of you, Leon," she confessed.

"Me?"

"Yes. I am scared that if I stay close to you and then I'll just end up falling for you if I haven't already. That is why I have been avoiding you. Not because I wanted to, but because I couldn't dare to. Because I don't trust myself to hold back anymore," she poured her heart out.

"After all that we've been through I couldn't jeopardize the fate of this whole planet for the sake of my happiness. I am supposed to love Noctis and only him," she continued.

'You don't love someone because you are supposed to. You love someone because you want to. How could she not see that?' He thought.

"Do you love him?" he asked.

"I don't know. I do care for him deeply, but my devotion towards him and my affection towards you is very different. And I don't know which one of them is love."

"Oh, for the love of God, just shut up and kiss already!" screamed a frustrated voice on the intercom. "You guys are utter morons."

"Aranea?" they both said simultaneously, recognizing the voice.

She opened the connecting cabin door and walked into the hanger holding a candy bar in her hand.

"What the-" Squall said.

"You are here!" said Luna upon seeing her. "Weren't you captured by the Empire?"

"No, it was a ruse to get both of you morons to get into a room and talk it out. I was tired of seeing both of you sulking and moping around all day. I was tired of both of your whining. I was tired of babysitting both of you. And above all else, I was tired of seeing both of you sad. So, I brought you here to sort it out like adults," she stated and then proceeded to take a bite out of her candy.

"You!" Luna said, glaring at her.

"I can't believe I fell for it," Squall said with a facepalm.

"You can yell at me now, but I know you will thank me later," she waved them to get out of her way as she sat on the bench like a queen with her legs crossed. "Go on," she said with a gesture.

"What?" he asked

"Aren't you guys going to kiss now?" she said, taking another bite of her chocolate.

Both of them glared at her. If looks could kill, she would be dead by now.

"Oh! I get it. You guys don't want to do it in front of me. I'll leave to give you some privacy."

"Shut up," they both yelled in unison.

Ignoring her snickering, Luna turned to Squall and said, "Squall, I am sorry I looked at your memories without your permission."

"It's okay. You did what you had to do to save me."

"Hey Luna, just a tip, if I am every unconscious like him. DO NOT dive into my memories. Trust me, you do not want to see things," she said with a mischievous wink.

"Eww," Luna said making a face that prompted laughter from Aranea.

"You know, your relationship is like this chocolate. You know it's bad for your health but you still can't resist it," she said, taking the final bite of the chocolate.

"Ha-ha, true," said Luna with a small smile. Aranea could annoy her one minute and make her smile in another.

"Alright, I'll take my leave and leave you two lovebirds alone," she remarked getting up from the bench.

On her way to the door, she paused by Squall and whispered in his ear, "Just so you know, I am always on #TeamLeon."

Squall just facepalmed, and she went away laughing.

It was Luna and Leon again, alone together after what felt like an eternity. Luna sat on the floor, leaning against the bench. Squall did the same.

She turned towards him and looked at him intently. He felt like he was being scanned.

"What?" he asked after a while.

"Nothing. It just feels like I have not seen you in a long time."

"That is because you have not. You kept avoiding me."

"I had to for the sake of my sanity,"

"You have lost so much weight,"

"Yeah, stress and self-loathing can do that to you," she admitted.

"Do you know what was the most hurtful part for me in all this?" he asked.

She shook her head slightly.

"You had no choice in whatever happened at Fociaugh Hollow, but you had a choice when we got to Tenebrae. Every time circumstances pushed us apart, but this time it was you," he gulped as his mouth went dry.

"It wasn't circumstance, it was you who pushed me away and that hurt me the most," he repeated slowly. "Every day I kept myself beating up, trying to figure out what did I do wrong? What did I do to deserve this? I am not worthy enough for at least an explanation for this?"

"I am sorry. I couldn't bring myself to look into your eyes, let alone talk to you," she confessed.

"What now?" he asked, without looking at her.

"I don't know," she admitted.

"It's ironic that the one who knows so much about the world knows so little about herself."

"The truth is, I do know what I want. But I also know that I shouldn't want what I want."

"Then we are at an impasse. Again," he concluded.

"This is your captain speaking. We are about the enter the Gralea's airspace. The view of the metropolitan is spectacular from the top. I will be opening the hanger for your viewing pleasure. Please put on the safety harness so you don't fall to your untimely death," Aranea announced over the intercom.

Once they both strapped in their safety harness, the hanger opened, letting in the cold air.

They both ambled towards the edge of the hanger to get a better view of the city below. Luna stopped a few feet away from the edge, but Leon kept going.

He turned around and extended his hand towards Luna, "Come on."

"No, this is far enough."

"Are you scared?"

"Mhm."

"We have a safety harness, there is nothing to be afraid of."

She tried to take a couple of steps, but immediately backed away. "No, I am too scared to go any further."

"I am here. I won't let you fall. Trust me," he assured her.

He walked back to her and placed his left arm around her, "You will be fine, trust me."

Luna took baby steps as Leon patiently accompanied her.

"Sit down," he suggested, after sitting on the edge of the open hanger first. His legs dangling freely in the air.

"No, this is too reckless," she complained.

"Just shut up and sit," yelled Aranea from the intercom which startled Luna.

"Stop yelling at me," Luna screamed back.

"Biggs, can you believe that? Here I am giving them a romantic tour of Gralea but she yells at me. Insufferable fool," grumbled Aranea on the intercom.

"I'll sit here on one condition. You sit on that corner edge holding that bar in one hand and I'll sit next to you, so you can hold on to me if I fall."

Without arguing, Leon got up and move to the corner of the hanger and sat down, "Happy?"

She nodded and joined him of this insane adventure. Leon held on to the railing bar with one hand and Luna in another.

The bird-eye view from the top was breathtaking. The many skyscrapers stood tall as if touching the sky itself, showing off the architectural achievements of mankind. A ginormous bridge, an architectural marvel in its own rights, ran across the center of the city. The road offshoot from the bridge connected the whole city. From this height, cars looked like toys. Trains ran along transporting thousands of people at different locations. The birds in the sky were replaced by the many airships which populated the Gralean airspace. Oddly enough, even some demons flew along with the airships.

"We are in the Ueltham region of the Niflheim, home to the Imperial Capital, Gralea. The big structure in the center is the crowning jewel of the Empire, Zegnautus Keep," the ever-helpful captain announced on the intercom.

"This flying mega fortress is the height of imperial might. It serves as a magitek laboratory and Niflheim military installation. This colossal flying structure that is usually docked at the central elevator in Gralea. The Empire conducts research on magitek and daemons here, and its premise is used for programming magitek troopers. The emperor's throne room is located in the heart of the Keep," the tour guide announced.

'A floating fortress which is home to military, sound familiar.' He wondered

"Wow, this mega fortress is like a flying city," Luna said with awe. "All this looks like a work of science fiction."

As far as the eyes could see, the entire city was filled with towering buildings. It looked as if the divine has played Tetris and made this city.

"This is so much different from Insomnia," Luna noted.

"How so?" he asked.

"In Insomnia there are statues of old kings and Astrals whom the people worship. Here it feels like people have replaced the Maker with technology. The very idea of attacking an Astral would be blasphemy in Lucis but Niflheim proudly attacks Astrals so they can display their might."

"I guess they don't care much about the Oracle then," he surmised.

"Yes, they believe science and technology is the answer to everything. They do not seek spiritual solace. Technology can give comfort, but not peace. I believe one needs a refuge of the Maker to find everlasting peace."

"What is peace for those who are not seeking it? They find their thrill in the conquest of others."

"Their thrill only lasts until someone more powerful conquers them."

"Such is the world we live in. Survival of the fittest and finest."

"Survival of the fittest and finest and compassion for none, is that the world we want to live in? Isn't our ability to be compassionate towards the plight of others what makes us inherently humans?"

"You have to be alive to be compassionate, no?"

"Urgh! Shut up or my fist will compassionately touch your face. You guys are so boring as hell. Do you guys know anything about romance at all? Who goes on a romantic date and talks about moral and ethical philosophy? This is so hopeless," said frustrated Aranea over the intercom.

"Stop listening to us," Leon yelled back.

"And watching us," Luna added.

"We will be docking at Zegnautus Keep shortly, so get away from the hangar. I have to take care of an errand. Do not dare to step outside of this ship as in this Garlea both of you are wanted. While I am gone enjoy this song which I have selected, especially for you."

The song 'We Found Love in a hopeless place (Rihanna)' started blaring through the overhead speakers. Squall couldn't help but facepalm hearing the lyrics.

Aranea dropped off Solara, and their ship took to the sky again.

"Leon, I cannot apologize enough for hurting you at Fociaugh Hollow and thereafter. I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I—"

"Luna, stop. As I said before, I have forgiven you now you should too."

Luna nodded and went silent.

After lots of contemplating, Luna finally spoke up, "Leon, whatever limited time I have, I want to spend it happily with you, if you would allow me to."

"I would like nothing more," he replied with a rare smile. Hearing that, she replied with a radiant smile.

"See, was it so hard? Just talk it out like adults. Everyone could see that you guys love each other, except you two morons. You may thank me now," blared Aranea from the overhead speakers.

"Whatever," said Leon.

"Never," said Luna.

"Love is not a crime; you don't need to be ashamed of it or hide it. You are adults, you are allowed to display your affection for each other. Squall, you may kiss your girlfriend. You have my permission."

Luna's cheeks turned beet red with embarrassment.

Squall, however, stood up from his seat and marched towards the control cabin.

"Oh no, he is coming here. Lock the door, Biggs," ordered Aranea.

Once everything calmed down again, Aranea joined Squall and Luna. They playfully attacked Aranea for her role in all this. All three of them sat together and talked animatedly. Smiles and laughter filled the room once again. The broken hearts seemed to heal thanks to Aranea.

None of them noticed when their airship descended in Tenebrae. They all said their goodbyes and departed. Luna was the first one to go, followed by Squall.

"Squall," Araneae called him out just as he was about to exit the airship.

"Yes?"

"Squall, this is probably the last time we are seeing each other," Aranea announced dreadfully.

"Why?" he asked with surprise.

"I am deployed to Fort Valluerey. Our Intel tracks Noctis in that area. I am leaving tomorrow morning. By the time I get back, you would already be on your way to Altissia."

"I-I will miss you," he admitted in a rare moment of honesty.

"Me too, scar-face," she replied with a smile.

"You are my best friend and I appreciate everything you have done for me. I don't know where our fates would lead, but I hope we meet again. Somehow. Somewhere."

"Yes, let's meet up again. Somehow. Somewhere," she trailed off.

"Take care of Luna and yourself."

He nodded in response.

"Squall, I have known Luna for over a decade. No matter what she says or does, I know her heart bleeds for you. Don't give up on her."

"I won't," he said confidently.

"And never forget that I am always #TeamLeon," she said with a wink.

In a rather unexpected move, he hugged Aranea.

"Thank you for everything," he said, letting go of her.

"Goodbye Arae," he said and jumped off from the ship hovering a few feet above the ground.

"Goodbye Squall," she waved as the airship ascended to the sky. She quickly turned around and walked into the ship before her eyes could tear up. Deep down inside she knew this was the last time she would see him.

Author's notes: So, what do you think about this chapter? Let me know in your comments below. If you don't have much to say then at least say 'Hi' so I know someone is reading this. It would really brighten my day. Thanks :)