The only thing more agonizing for Noctis than waiting for the call, saying Axel and the others were on their way was waiting for them at SOLDIER's base in the hospital wing.
Noctis and Prompto sat hospital waiting room while Ignis and Gladiolus went out to get coffee. It was now three in the morning, and the group had been on high alert since Noctis spoke to Ventus earlier that evening. And while they were told that Axel was bringing them back, it wasn't clear as to what condition everyone was in.
"I know it sounds bad, but Axel said he's on his way," Prompto said cautiously.
The prince, who was a strange combination of tense and exhausted, stood with his arms crossed over his chest with a solemn expression on his face.
"Yeah, but we know the mission didn't go well," Noctis stated plainly. "Ventus said a whole district was literally on fire. And we don't know how many of them made it back. All we know is that Axel got Jasmine - that's it."
Prompto sighed and took a seat near Noctis.
Having been friends for many years, Prompto was familiar with Noctis and his behaviors. When he got riled up like this (which was very rare), there was no easing his anxiety. Unfortunately, they'd have to be patient and wait until everyone arrived in the hospital wing for things to calm down. Until then, there would be no consoling Noctis.
"Miss Valentine is fine," Prompto stressed. The blond's eyes darted around the room. He wanted to make sure no one was in earshot for this next part. Prompto rose to his feet and stood right next to the prince. "At the very least," he said in a hushed tone, "we know that Ventus wouldn't let anything happen to her."
Noctis shut his eyes and exhaled. "That's what I'm counting on."
Prompto then continued. "I still can't believe he admitted he has feelings for Miss Valentine."
"I can," Noctis said, irritation dripping from every word. "That's why I never bought it when he said they were just friends."
Prompto sighed. While he had to admit that he saw signs of something more between Ventus and Miss Valentine, he never thought that this could be an actual situation. What was more troubling were the questions that Prompto asked himself. And now that Ventus and the others were on their way back home, there were now new obstacles in the way of unifying Noctis and Miss Valentine.
"Keep in mind, Your Highness, Ventus, and Miss Valentine weren't on good terms when they left," he reminded Noctis. "I wouldn't worry about it too much."
Just as Noctis opened his mouth to reply, he was cut off by the thundering sound of doors slamming.
Prompto and Noctis, both startled by the noise, gave each other puzzled glances.
They looked to the window of the waiting room. Prompto and Noctis saw several doctors and nurses sprinting past them in the direction of the side entrance where patients were supposed to arrive.
After a very long, heavy few seconds, Axel appeared in the window with his back to the waiting room, speaking to an unknown person. Following Noctis' lead, Prompto approached the window and stopped when they were about five feet away but still able to see everything that was going on. Axel handed Tseng a familiar backpack and had a deep frown etched on his face. Upon further examination, though Axel was still in good shape, he had a few visible injuries on his body, which worried Noctis and Prompto.
"That looks like Jasmine's bag," Noctis stated, having seen her take the backpack with her on several of her missions.
"Yeah," Prompto stared at the backpack before turning to Noctis. "But where's Miss Valentine?"
From the boys' view, they could see Axel sighing heavily with a worried look in his eye. He nodded his head to the left, and Tseng looked past the redhead. Noctis stepped forward to get a better look at what Axel was making a move toward. His heart dropped when he saw two gurneys down the hall with a swarm of doctors and nurses crowding around the individuals laying on them.
As if he could feel their eyes on him, Axel turned around and looked first to Prompto and then to the prince with that same sullen look on his face. After exchanging a few words with Tseng, he nodded and disappeared down the hall's opposite direction. Axel could be seen taking in a deep breath and, after pausing for a brief second, met Prompto and the prince in the waiting room.
"Axel, are you alright?" Prompto asked sincerely, taking note of the many scrapes the redhead had on his arms and hands.
Axel, who appeared to have seen better days, sighed heavily but mustered a smile.
"I've been better," he said simply. "I'm more than sure we'll have an All Call about what happened, so you guys should get ready for that."
Ever eager, Noctis stepped forward with a slew of questions for Axel.
"Where's Jasmine? Is she still on the helicopter? Where's Ven and the others?"
Axel stared blankly at the prince, keeping his expression as neutral as possible.
"Ventus and Terra didn't make it back," he announced.
Prompto and Noctis' faces turned stark white.
It was as if neither of them wanted to believe what the redhead said.
And even though Ventus and Noctis weren't on the best of terms (especially after their last conversation), it didn't mean that he wasn't concerned for the blond.
"What do you mean they didn't make it back?" Noctis asked cautiously, worried about what answer Axel would come up with.
Axel shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned against the waiting room door, still propping the other one up with his foot.
"SHINRA took Ventus and Terra. I highly doubt they're gonna kill them, but I don't think they're in a good spot either."
"What do you mean they took them?" a familiar male voice asked.
Noctis and Prompto whirled around to see Gladiolus and Ignis enter the room.
Axel gave another exasperated sigh and greeted the older SOLDIER members.
He hated being the bearer of bad news.
"They were kidnapped," Axel reiterated to the group. "The whole thing was probably a trap."
Noctis' blood ran cold. "And where's Jasmine?"
"And Aqua," Prompto added, not wanting to leave the blue-haired SOLDIER member out of the conversation.
Axel's expression became more somber. "I think we should wait for Tifa and the others to get here," he said distantly. "They're on their way now."
Noctis's jaw clenched. "Where's Jasmine?" He repeated darkly.
"Look, she's here," Axel revealed. "Both her and Aqua made it back. But…"
Prompto studied Axel's face carefully.
Something wasn't obviously gravely wrong, and it was clear that Axel didn't want to be the one to reveal the truth.
"Is Miss Valentine okay?" Prompto asked slowly, almost too afraid to hear the answer.
Axel broke eye contact and looked off to the side. "We don't know. Aqua has a concussion, and Jasmine is unconscious. She won't wake up."
Noctis, unable to hear any more, barreled past Axel against the wishes of his team and the redhead.
The prince bulldozed past Axel and entered the hallway where Aqua and Jasmine were.
The first gurney he stopped at was Aqua's, as it was the closest and had the least amount of people huddled around her. She, much like Axel, seemed to suffer a few minor injuries. She had a few scratches here, a few scrapes there, but also had a large amount of dried blood trailing down her neck and a small wound behind her ear.
Cursing, he tried to make his way to the second gurney but was stopped by Axel and Gladiolus and held back.
"Your Highness," Axel started, struggling against the prince's strength. "Let the doctors do their jobs."
"He's right," Gladiolus chimed in, forcing the prince back and holding him to the wall. "You need to calm down."
The doctors and nurses at the second gurney crowded around the figure as if they were protecting it. But Noctis was still able to see past both Axel and Gladiolus and immediately recognized the woman. He struggled against the pair as Jasmine was wheeled away down the hall past him, but when she was more in view, and he got a good look at her, he froze.
Unlike Aqua, who only suffered mild injuries (at least from her initial appearance), Jasmine was much worse for wear. She was covered entirely from head to toe with cuts, bruises, and bloodstains. Jasmine was unconscious, but her breathing seemed strained and unusual.
Noctis stared at Jasmine's near-lifeless body as the doctors and nurses anxiously chatted among themselves while they wheeled her away. His struggling came to a complete halt as fear overcame him. Once she was gone (no doubt to a private operating room), the prince stood still, and his eyes drifted to the floor, stunned and shocked at how…gone Jasmine seemed to be.
"Why is she so much worse off than Aqua?" Noctis asked Axel distantly, desperately trying to compose himself.
Axel, being the only person who could answer this question, released the prince from his grip.
"She was in the Third District when everything happened," Axel began as he looked to the group. "The district was set on fire with a gas I've never seen before. My guess is that she inhaled more of it than we did on top of whatever injuries she got from fighting."
"So, what happened then?" Gladiolus asked, still in shock himself from seeing how hurt Jasmine was.
Axel sighed. He really hated being the bearer of bad news.
"Aqua got a concussion when a SHINRA agent came after her," he explained. "No doubt when Jasmine was trying to get out, she ran into Yazoo, Loz, and Kadaj, and the townspeople, which would explain the other injuries. But she was inhaling smoke and fumes and fighting longer than the rest of us. I'm genuinely surprised she lasted as long as she did."
"Wait…" This wasn't the first time Prompto had heard those names. "Why do they familiar?"
"They were the ones who killed Jasmine's parents," Axel replied, earning looks of shock from the four Lucian men. "When Jasmine went down, they went after her, but Ven killed one of them - that's how I was able to pull her out."
Noctis gave an exasperated sigh.
He'd never experienced this strange combination of emotions before.
Relieved that Jasmine was back home.
Angry that a whole district was destroyed.
Torn because he was still frustrated with Ventus but upset that he'd been kidnapped along with Terra.
Frustrated because he couldn't protect Jasmine.
Worried because Jasmine was still severely injured.
"Well," Noctis cleared his throat and looked to Axel, "I still want to thank you for bringing Jasmine back to us."
Axel scoffed and gave a half-smile. "You're welcome. Although..." His vivid green eyes darted from Ignis, Prompto, and Gladiolus. "I'd like to borrow His Highness if that's okay with all of you. I'm sure Tifa and the others will be here any second, and I'm sure they'd appreciate it if you could loop them in on what's going on."
Ignis lifted an eyebrow and stared at Axel curiously. "I'm sure that whatever you tell the prince, you can say in front of all of us."
Noctis ignored his advisor. "Don't worry. I'm more than sure I can handle myself."
Axel snickered at the look of disgust on Ignis' face and started off down the hall with the prince in tow behind him. He knew that whatever he said to Noctis, the others would indeed find out. But for now, this was a conversation that needed to be had...
For Ventus' sake...
Once the two were out of earshot of Ignis and the others, Axel stopped. He led the prince to another waiting room near the hospital pharmacy and took a set in one of the nearby benches. The redhead ran a hand through his messy spikes and sighed heavily, locking his eyes on the prince once he'd gathered his thoughts.
"I overheard part of the phone call you had with Ven," Axel announced, the cheer from his voice now completely gone.
Noctis narrowed his eyes and took a seat across from Axel. The prince looked over his shoulder to make sure that no one was around. Once he was sure they were alone, save for the pharmacists in the back, he turned his attention back to Axel.
"What conversation are we talking about?" Noctis asked quizzically.
Axel rolled his eyes. "Cut the crap. I know Ven told you how he felt about Jasmine. You owe him one – BIG time."
Noctis' eyes narrowed. He knew that Axel was on the mission too, but he had no idea that Axel had been privy to the conversation he'd had with the now-missing blond.
"I'm not responsible for Ven not being here," Noctis said gruffly. "I'm sorry he was taken, but I didn't have anything to do with that."
"Listen," Axel cut Noctis off before the prince could go on a rant, "I really don't wanna get in the middle of this pissing contest between you and Ven. All I know is Ven would've made sure Jasmine was safe REGARDLESS of you threatening him or not."
"So, you know he has feelings for Jasmine?"
Axel laughed dryly, catching Noctis off guard. "Duh. In actuality, I know way more than you do about that situation. But it doesn't matter."
Noctis' ears burned. Just what else did Axel know? Was there something else about Jasmine and Ventus' friendship that he wasn't telling him?
"We both know you want her to be your queen," Axel elaborated. "And just so you know, I gave her the heads up. Ven did too."
Noctis felt his irritation rising. He was much too tired and much too anxious to be dancing around this subject. "And? I've already gotten Tifa's blessing. It's up to Jasmine."
"Bottom line," Axel cleared his throat, "we knew we all weren't getting out of there. You can thank Ven for her getting home."
"I thought you were the one who pulled her out?" Noctis asked suspiciously.
"As I said earlier, Ventus was the one who killed Loz. If he didn't, I don't think I could've pulled Jasmine out, and they'd both be who knows where." Axels looked the prince straight in the eye, recalling the last thing Ven told him before he disappeared.
"I see her," Ven shouted as he readied himself for the fight, his eyes locked onto Jasmine, who was busy fighting off a townsperson.
The pair had spotted Jasmine from the rooftops. And even though they knew it was dangerous to go into the smoke, they were prepared to do what they needed to rescue their comrade. However, just as Axel was ready to go down the steps leading into the plaza, Ventus held out his arm to stop him.
"Jasmine is the priority," Ventus said sternly. "If it comes down to it, you need to save her and leave me behind."
Axel reeled back in shock. "Are you kidding? I'm not leaving you."
"I'll be fine," Ventus insisted. "You know I can handle whatever they do to me. But we can't afford to lose Jasmine. After all, she's going to be a Queen's Candidate."
"Ven, she's not into him like that," Axel groaned, annoyed that they were somehow back on this topic.
"Doesn't matter," Ven said distantly. "It's gonna happen. I just know it. But I need you to do something for me if we both can't get out of here."
Axel opened his mouth to speak, but he held his tongue.
Instead, he chose to listen to whatever demands Ventus had.
"I want you to get Jasmine to say yes to Noctis. If I'm not around, I know Noctis will take care of her. He's clueless, but I think he'll figure it out eventually. I know that if I'm gone, and if they can work it out between the two of them, he'll give her a good life."
Axel couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Was Ventus actually giving up on Jasmine?
"Second, I want you to watch out for her. I don't think this will end here. If you and maybe Reno and the others can keep an eye on her, I'd really appreciate that."
Axel's heart sank.
It was so obvious the depths of Ventus' feelings for Jasmine.
And yet, there was also now the genuine possibility that one of them wouldn't make it. Ventus seemed like he was willing to let it all go just to let Jasmine have a shot at happiness…with another man at that.
"Last thing: don't tell her about any of the conversations we've had. I don't want to make any more trouble for her. Just make sure she ends up with Noctis…or at the very least Riku if I don't make it out." Ventus smiled ruefully. "I know it sounds dramatic, but we're in SOLDIER. We're always putting ourselves at risk, and there's always the off chance we could get killed out here. I wanna make sure she's happy. I know she'd do the same for me."
Axel put the memory in the back of his mind and instead focused on honoring Ventus' wishes.
"Ven said that if he didn't make it out of there, that he wanted me to make sure Jasmine said yes to you," Axel deadpanned.
The prince's eyes widened, stunned from what he'd just been told.
"But Ventus isn't dead," Noctis stated. "You and I know they're probably just being held hostage."
"I'm sure of that," Axel replied. "But that's what he wanted. And right now, Ven isn't here. When we rescue Ventus and Terra, then you can deal with that problem. So, even though it goes against everything my gut is telling me, I'm gonna help you."
"What's in it for you?" Noctis asked suspiciously.
"Not a damn thing," Axel replied simply as he stretched his arms and yawned. "But I made promises to Ven, and I've never broken a promise."
Noctis studied Axel carefully. Though he found it hard to believe that the usually cryptic redhead helped him, he knew that Axel wasn't one to joke about serious matters. So, instead of being combative, he listened to him with a more open mind.
"Oh…and I won't tell Jasmine about the conversation the two of you had," Axel added. "She's going to be devastated when she wakes up, but if Jasmine thinks you might've influenced Ven in any way to sacrifice himself for her...at your request, she's not gonna be happy with you. "
"… Does Jasmine have feelings for Ven? Is that what you're telling me?" Noctis hesitated, not knowing how he'd react if he got an answer he didn't like.
Axel shrugged his shoulders. "That's not what I'm saying at all. Jasmine would sacrifice herself for Terra if it came down to it. She cares about her friends, and there's nothing she wouldn't do to protect them. You should know your partner by now."
Noctis had so many questions for Axel. But he had so many, he didn't know where to start.
The redhead rose to his feet and cracked his neck loudly, causing Noctis to wince.
"I'm tired," Axel said, stifling a yawn. "I still need to get checked out, and I need a nap."
"I still have questions," Noctis said, jumping to his feet.
"I'll be around," Axel called as he headed back. "But as I said, I'll get Jasmine on board. Just don't let it slip that I told you all that. But I'll be watching you."
Noctis took offense to Axel's thinly veiled warning.
"You don't need to worry about me," he commented flatly.
"No, I do," he argued. Axel paused and turned around to face the prince. "I've known her for a few years. My idiot brother used to guard her and her parents for years. And even though you're an okay guy, I know how your kingdom operates."
Noctis drew his lips into a frown.
He knew Axel was worldly, but he didn't expect the redhead to be so well informed about Lucis. And while (for the most part), there was nothing that would cause anyone to bat an eye at his home, the inner workings of the kingdom here far from what most royals would consider normal. Still, this wasn't something that Noctis wanted to be broadcasted for everyone to know.
At least not now…
"Fair enough," Noctis conceded.
"You'll have that talk with the kid soon enough I'm sure." Axel went back on his way. "But don't forget, I'm still watching you regardless."
Author's Note: I hope everyone is safe and well out there! I hope you liked the new chapter. I usually get pretty long-winded in these author's notes but I wanna keep it short(er) today because I'm also working on the next chapter. But I did want to say how much I appreciate all the support I still get from everyone!
Hopefuldreamer1991: It's good that they got that. But you will see Terra and Ventus in the near future. That much I can promise you! Thanks for the review and thank you for all the support! I hope you liked this chapter. I hope you're doing well!
Rawrrbreee: Aww thank you! I've been reading a lot about the different kinds of love and found it interesting and I wanted everyone to represent something. If I'm being truly honest, part of me roots for Ven/Jasmine over all the other pairings we've had up to this point. But I also knew that I had to give them some closure because it's necessary for the future. But like I told hopefuldreamer1991, this isn't the last we'll see of Terra or Ven. Once again thank you for all the support and I hope you're well!
Like I said I'm gonna keep this note short but hopefully, I'll have the new chapter up soon! Let me know what you guys think and I'll see you guys soon. Take care!
