If you are repeating the same mistake then did you learn anything from it? I wonder…

"I concur with your thoughts. Wish as I may, deviating from my duties, feels wrong to me as well. I guess we are at an impasse now. Can't live with each other, can't live without."

"I know being close to you is bad in a long run but I still want to keep doing it. The more I stay away from you the more I want to get close to you. Case in point last night when you got scared, I let go of all my inhibitions and came right back to you."

"Same for me. I clung onto you last night as if my life depended on it. Even though we both know how this ends we still keep coming back for more."

Upon hearing that, Squall suddenly chuckled.

"What?" She raised an eyebrow.

"I think we are addicts."

"What do you mean?"

"When someone is addicted to let's say smoking, they know that it is bad for their health but they still can't stop themselves from doing it."

"That does sound like us," she remarked, placing her hand on her head. "Yes, we are both addicts and our choice of drug is lo…" she did not finish the sentence.

"What do you think we should do?" he asked earnestly, after a brief silence.

"It's not an easy answer as I have been thinking about it for a while. In my travels as the Oracle I have learned that on their deathbed people often regret about things they didn't do rather than things they did. Today morning I asked myself a simple question: What would I regret the most? And I realized that one thing I would regret the most would be destroying one dream to chase another and to wake up someday and find out that neither of them were real."

"I don't get it," he honestly admitted.

"Being with Noctis was always my dream. Even though deep down inside I knew that it would always remain just a dream, it still never discouraged me from chasing it," her face was projecting various emotions all at once.

"Similarly, being with you feels like a dream. I was all alone in this world. No parents, brother or even my love by my side and out of nowhere a guy come into my life and becomes my guardian angel. He protects me from the wrath of Astral and an army of the entire nation. He shares my pain and suffering and bring me joy and happiness in returns and expects nothing from me. Tell me if all this does not sound like a dream."

"When you put it that way, it does," he nodded.

"I know someday when you are gone, I'll wake up from this dream. But until that day comes, I want to keep dreaming. I want to enjoy this dream for as long as I can and not wake up. I don't want to end one dream to chase another. I don't want to destroy my present to safeguard my future which I may not even have. That is what I would regret the most."

"Interesting," he said, still trying to wrap his head around it all.

"There are some dreams you never want to wake up from," Luna said looking at Leon. "How about you? What do you propose we do?"

He too had been thinking a lot about what to do next about their complex relationship. There were many things he thought he should do. However, all his thinking concluded in one sentence Luna had said to him a while back: when you love someone, their happiness is all that matters to you, not your sacrifice for it.

With that in mind he asked, "What will make you happy?"

Without a moment of hesitation Luna replied, "Our time together in Lestallum was among some of my happiest memories. We had so much fun, we goofed around, teased each other, and fought by and against each other. We were relaxed and carefree, enjoyed the world around, and taking on the world one day at a time. Those times are what I yearn for the most. Being the way, we were back then is what would give me the most joy and happiness."

"Then that's what we'll do. I'll try my best to be your Leon and not Squall," he said, looking at her with a half-smile.

'Being your Leon hurts Luna. But if my pain can bring your happiness then that's what I'll do. I'll put a smile on my face even when my heart bleeds.'

"No," she shook her head vigorously. It was a reaction that Leon did not expect. "You should only be Leon if YOU want, not because I want you to be. You should be Leon only if it gives YOU happiness. I know it's hard for you too. If you can't be Leon then I'll just learn how to lov—appreciate Squall,"

"I want to be Leon," he reassured.

"Then it's settled; we will try to be like that again," she replied, with a genuine smile.

"Just know that, try as we may, it will always be different now," Leon remarked, setting the expectation.

"Different is fine, being indifferent is what I am afraid of," she confessed.

He nodded in response. "Why must things be so complicated with us?"

"Because we make it so?" she said unsurely.

"All this thinking is hurting my head. Care if we listen to something less depressing and more upbeat, like the news?" he suggested, putting his right hand on his forehead.

She busted out in laughter, "You find news to be uplifting?"

"Yes. News is just compilation of things which other people messed up. They talk about topics like war, oppression, daemons and such, you know, less depressing stuff compared to feelings and emotions."

"You can be so weird sometimes. There is a war going on out there and you find that less depressing than this?" she said with a facepalm.

"Think about it. War, oppression, and such are very logical and tangible in nature. You can find a cause and its effect in most cases easily. Feelings and emotions, on the other hand, are intangible and often illogical. That is why I hate them. For instance, both of us know the logical course of action in our situation yet we choose to reconcile because of feelings."

"Point taken," she said in agreement and proceeded to switch the radio station to news bring solace to Leon.

"I guess I'll take a nap. My head hurts too from all this," she said, reclining her seat back and making herself comfortable.

She quickly fell asleep as new cast gave company to Leon on this drive.

The newscaster announced: And now for the weather. There is not a cloud in sight. The temperature would hover around 70 and would fall at night. But, be sure to stay up late tonight. Today we are expecting one of the biggest meteor storms in our recorded history. Our planet would pass through Leonid stream which would produce a staggering rate of approximate 40 meteors per second (144,000 m/hour). It was over a century ago that the we had experienced such a cosmic event. Expect the meteor shower to start at 1 a.m. and last until 1:45 a.m.

"Hmm," he said, registering the time mentally.

The newscaster: Next we will air a special segment on the history and science behind such meteor storm.

Eventually, they arrived at Cape caem. Leon pulled over and quietly exited the car as Luna was still asleep. He left the car running so AC and air circulation was not a problem while he was gone to finish his errands.

He returned after half an hour and immediately entered panic mode when he did not see Luna in the car. An irrational fear set in as he looked around the car for any foul play. His eyes scanned the area looking for Luna.

He asked the locals if they had seen Luna. While chatting with one of the locals, his eyes caught a glimpse of Luna walking towards him.

Once she was close enough, he said, "You scared me."

"I didn't even do anything," she said, being confused by the sudden accusation.

"When I came back you were gone," he said leaning against the car, "and I panicked."

"Sorry, I didn't know you would get scared so easily," she said with a smile as her heart danced with joy seeing how much he still cares for her. "I just went to for a walk."

He sighed and shook his head. It was unlike him to overreact like this, but here he was.

"There is an abandoned hideout over there. There is someone I'd like you to meet."

"Who is it?"

"I meet a couple of Crownsguard on my stroll. Let's see what they have to say." She said walking towards the lighthouse.

"Do they know who you are?" He asked, following her.

"I don't believe so. I told them we are Hunters deployed by Hunter HQ."

"Good."

Once they entered the hideout, they were greeted by a middle-aged woman with short gray hair. She wore a black blouse over a white shirt, and a necklace around her neck.

"Hello, I am Monica Elshett," she said looking at him.

"Leon," he introduced himself.

It seemed like Luna and Monica already knew each other from their earlier encounter.

"Thank you for bringing processed mithril all the way from Lestallum."

As they were chatting, a middle-aged man with balding black hair entered the house. He was wearing a black vest over a white shirt, a wristwatch and glasses.

"Dustin, these are the hunters who brought us the processed mithril."

"Hello, I am Dustin Ackers. Nice to meet you."

"Pleasure is all mine. I am Stella and he is my partner Leon." She said giving quick introduction.

Leon recalled seeing him by the docks when he went to deliver the processed mithril to the mechanics.

"May I ask what the Crownsguards are doing all the way out here?" Luna inquired.

Monica and Dustin looked at each other. They seemed hesitant to share that information.

"These are dark times. The Hunters and the Crownguards needs to stand united, else the Empire would consume us all. Don't you agree?" Luna urged. Her words seemed to put Monica and Dustin at ease.

"Yes, Marshal Cor Leonis has similar vision," Monica agreed. "Marshal had ordered us reconnaissance this area. We are assessing if this would serve as a feasible base for our operations."

"Makes sense. This was used as a hideout by King Regis before he became king. The lighthouse was used as cover as a watchtower and as a communication tool sending light signals when the maritime route to Accordo was at its peak."

"You are very knowledgeable, Stella," Dustin added.

"My parents were born in Insomnia so I grew up hearing the tales of the Lucian kings," she said.

Leon was amazed at her ability to conjure such a perfect lie instantly.

"This can potentially be a great strategic outpost for us," said Monica.

"Indeed. However, the repairs required to the lighthouse and boat are beyond our expertise. We will need someone with more expertise, like Cid." Dustin chimed in.

"I will relay it to the Marshal," Monica walking towards the kitchen. "Would you like to join us for lunch?"

'Last time we joined someone for a lunch, it did not go well,' Leon recalled.

"Only if I can help," Luna offered.

'Not again,' Leon complained internally.

"It's fine, you sit back and relax. I am used to making food for the whole team."

"But I insist."

"Fine. Let's get started then."

While Monica and Luna were busy cooking, Leon indulged Dustin.

"What kinds of mission do you guys do?"

"Mainly escorting and reconnaissance. We were in charge of escorting survivors of Insomnia to Lestallum. Once our refugees were assimilated at Lestallum, we came here. However, there are some troubling news from Lestallum."

"What happened?" Leon asked. He often wondered what happened in Lestallum after they left.

"The Empire came to Lestallum in the search for the Oracle, but they did not find her there. Unfortunately, there were few casualties. They left Lestallum the next day. Our sources tell us that Prince Noctis is in Lestallum now so the Empire will return there to intercept him. We are to move out of here by the nightfall to go to Lestallum. We are to monitor the situation there and assist the Prince should the need arise."

Squall found that Dustin was quite chatty if the subject interests him. They ended up talking about various means of reconnaissance until the food was ready.

Monica's food was better than any of the restaurants in the Lestallum. They enjoyed their delicious meal over idle chit-chat.

Luna taught Monica how to grow Tenebraen oak properly as this plant was not indigenous to this part of the Eos. They exchange pleasantries before saying their goodbyes.

"I am glad that the Crownsguard are moving back to Lestallum tonight. With them around, Iris and others would have better chance against the Empire."

"It would give Prince Noctis some support as well," Luna added.

On the way back to their car, Leon said, "One last delivery and we are done."

"Does that mean we have to return the car?" she said nearing the car.

"Unfortunately, yes,"

"Aww but this car is like my second home," she complained.

"Any further travels would have to be on foot or chocobo," he said unlocking the car.

"I am sure going to miss it," she said fondly looking at the car.

Leon was about to sit in the driver seat when he suddenly stopped and looked at her, "Do you want to drive?"

Her eyes lit up with unsaid joy, "Yes! Yes! Yes! I do." Her excitement brought a smile to his face.

"Come on," he said motioning her towards the driving side.

She ran around the car barely able to contain her excitement. She sat in the driver seat and adjusted the mirror while Leon buckled up in the passenger seat.

"Back out slowly," he instructed.

Even before he could finish his sentence she slammed on the gas paddle and car rocketed in reverse. Once the car was sufficiently out of the parking space, she slammed the brake causing their bodies to lean forward only to be held by the seatbelt. He felt like all his internal organs had been rearranged.

"For someone so calm and collected you sure drive like a maniac," said Leon already regretting his decision.

"Relax, there was no one behind us," she said brushing aside his criticism, "Besides, didn't you say that I was a good driver? And now I am a maniac all of a sudden?"

"I might have been wrong back then," he said nervously, keeping his eyes glued to the road.

Once the car was on the main road, see no traffic in sight, she floored the gas paddle attaining car's top speed in matter of seconds. She retracted the roof of the car as a gush of wind blew on their face.

"Enjoying the ride so far?" she said loudly as it was hard to hear because of the noise wind made due to their high speed.

Leon just glared back and she laughed it off in response.

"Where did you learn to drive?" Leon asked almost rhetorically.

She slowed down as the road curved giving ease to Leon's pounding heart.

"Learned it during my travels."

She significantly slowed down once she noticed the traffic up head. They were now driving at a pace Leon would normally drive at. The forceful wind felt gentle now.

She took out the ribbon holding her hair back. Free from its confinement her hair flew with the wind. Leon looked at her and his heart and mind paused for a second. Luna's image of her hair flowing in the wind would be etched in his memory forever. An image he would never get tired of seeing. He was besotted with her.

She saw him looking at her fondly and she suddenly became very self-conscious.

"Take the next right," he said, coming out of his trance and suddenly realizing their surroundings. She nodded and proceeded to do that.

"Music?" she suggested after a while.

"No," was his instant response. "News?"

"Absolutely no," she said.

"What do you want to do?" he asked.

"I want to talk with you," she said with zeal.

"Okay, go ahead. I am listening," he said, reclining back on his seat.

"How about you talk and I'll listen for a change?" she asked, looking at him briefly.

"Nope. Talking is among my top 10 least favorite things to do," he stated.

"What are the other nine things?" she inquired.

"I don't want to talk about it," he said folding his arms. "I know you are tricking me into talking about it. I am not going to fall for it."

She facepalmed like Leon always does. "I swear, sometimes I feel like I am talking to a kid."

"Whatever," he said looking away.

She was getting bored without music or talking so she decided to force the issue. "Leon, open that compartment and take out my book."

He did as he was told.

"In the book I have a paper cut out of those 36 questions, can you pass me that?" she requested.

Unsure of what she was planning to do with it, he passed the paper cutout to her.

She took off one hand from the steering wheel and started reading it, "Set 2: Question 13. If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?"

"What are you doing? Keep your eyes on the road," he said frantically.

"You are not talking so I will read this and talk to myself," she revealed her plans.

"Give me that," he said snatching the paper from her hand. "You can be so reckless sometimes."

She just smiled and winked playfully in response.

"Question 13. If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?" he read and then proceeded to respond, "I would like to know what happened to me after I defeated Ultimecia and before I came here."

"I would like to know if there is a way to change the future," she added, after thinking for few seconds.

"Change your actions, change your future," he responded. "Every action you take now shapes your future."

"Let me correct myself, I would like to know if there is a way to change the fate," she corrected herself.

"Wouldn't it be the same?" he argued.

"I don't know. Fate and destiny, have a mysterious way of leading you back to it no matter what actions you take."

Not wanting to debate over a theoretical question, he moved on to the next question, "Question 14. Is there something that you've dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven't you done it?"

Leon answered first, "Yes, I have a list of people whom I would like to punch in their face. The reason I have not done it is because it is not normal to go and punch someone."

"What a weird and specific dream. Even your wish list is full of violent things," she expressed her disappointment. Leon just shrugged in response.

"For me, ever since you told me your story, I want to go in outer space. But there is no way to go in outer space. I guess I would have to wait till you take me to your world."

"Take you back to my world? Now that's an interesting idea," he said, tapping his index finger on his cheek.

"Do you think it is possible?" she asked hopefully.

"I don't know. Would you come with me if it were?" he asked.

"Maybe. I don't know," she said getting flustered.

He asked the next question to break the silence, "15. What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?"

"Defeating Ultimecia," he said in an instance.

"Healing people," she said without hesitation. "Wow! We are so opposite. I like to heal people and you like to defeat them."

"Only if they hurt someone I care about," he said in his defense. "16. What do you value most in a friendship?"

"Trust," they both said at the same time.

"That was easy," Luna said, giving a thumbs up.

"Yup. If you don't have trust in your friends then what's the point of such friendship?"

"Indeed," she nodded.

"Next question, number 17, what is your most treasured memory?" Leon asked.

"Oh, that's a lot to choose from," he said, recollecting many of their treasured memories.

"Just say the first memory that came to your mind. It must be very special if that was the first one you remembered," she suggested, trying to help.

"Hmm." The first memory which came to his mind was waking up today to find Luna peacefully sleeping in his arms. He thought that might not be the most appropriate memory to share so he lied and picked the second memory which came to his mind. "The first one that came to mind was making our escape from the Disc of Catheruss by hanging on to the airship."

"Yes, that indeed was special. It was daring escaped as I clung onto you with my dear life," a natural smile graced her lips as that memory resurfaced.

"Yup, it was quite crazy now that I think about it," he too had a smile on his face unknowingly. "What is your most treasured memory?"

"All of them," she said looking at him with a bright smile.

"That's cheating. You have to pick one."

"But seriously, all my memories with you are my most treasured ones," she tried to convince him as a blush crept on his cheeks. "But if I absolutely had to pick one then it would be us protecting that tiny little flame during our dinner at Lestallum."

"Interesting choice," he said recalling those moments. "Eating ice cream after that was fun too."

"Yes, that was special too. See, I told you, every memory is special in its own way."

He nodded and moved on to the next question. "18. What is your most terrible memory?"

"Even there we have a lot to choose from. I don't know about you, but last couple of days have been pretty bad," Leon said. "But if I had to choose one then it would be the first time I saw you cry. Even though you were crying I felt like I was getting hurt." His honesty with Luna sometimes surprises even him.

It was a bitter-sweet moment for Luna as he revealed how much he cared for her. Luna took a deep breath and started, "Oh God, for me, it has to be that nightmare where I saw you getting stabbed with ice crystal. I was so freaked out and scared out of my mind. I don't even want to think about it." She said shaking her head.

"19. If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living? Why?" he read.

"Skip," Luna said as soon as he finished his sentence. Once again, he noticed that she was avoiding this topic. Not wanting to drag this conversation any further he said, "I can't think of anything on top of my head so I'll pass too."

"20. What does friendship mean to you?" he said hoping this question would change the somber mood.

"Friendship to me means acceptance of someone just the way they are," she replied, tucking few strands of her hair behind her ears.

"Friendship to me means reliance. Ability to count of each other in time of your need," he responded with a conviction.

He read the next question on the list, "21. What roles do love and affection play in your life?"

"Love and affection, isn't that what we all live for? A life without love is like a body without soul. I think it's the ability to love which fundamentally makes us human. Inability to give love is like being a tree without leaves which provides shade or comfort to no one," she said sounding more like an Oracle than Luna. She looked at Leon suggesting he should answer next.

"Love and affection feel great to have it, it's hard to maintain it and it's impossible to keep it," he said curtly, a typical Leon response. She just shook her head wondering how this man can summarize love and affection in one sentence.

"22. Alternate sharing something you consider a positive characteristic of your partner. Share a total of five items," he read and said, "I'll start. One positive characteristic of yours is your altruism."

"Your loyalty," she responded.

"Your devotion," he replied

"Your bravery."

"Your beauty," he said, which made her blush.

"Your handsomeness," she said, returning the compliment.

"Your charming personality," he stated.

"Your mysterious personality," she replied.

"I think you are extremely pious," he said sincerely.

"I think you are extremely honorable."

"Should I keep going?" he asked as if he had a whole list of it ready.

"No, I think that was five."

"23. How close and warm is your family? Do you feel your childhood was happier than most other people's?" he read. It was another pain point they did not like to talk about, but in a way, it also brought them closer.

Luna was the first one to reply, "I think our family was somewhat close. As for my childhood, it was divided into two halves, very happy and very sad. On an average I think I might fall under the unhappy childhood category."

"Had no family and childhood sucked. When kids my age played with toys I used to play with weapons," Leon stated bluntly.

"24. How do you feel about your relationship with your mother?" he asked.

"I miss her so much," was Luna's immediate respond.

"Never knew her," he said with a shrug. "And that concluded set two of these questions." He folded the paper and tucked it away in her book.

"Wow, time sure flies when we are talking," she said looking at the clock.

"Yes," he said, as he opened the glove compartment of the car to put the book inside. His eyes fell on a metal can bury behind all other items. Curious to know what it was, he took it out. "Ebony?"

"Sure, I'd like that," she said, looking at the can in his hand.

They shared coffee and make occasional small talks as they continued towards their destination.

Luna pulled the car in the parking lot of the Taelpar Rest Area. Leon grabbed few things he had to deliver from the trunk and disappeared from sight while Luna filled up the gas.

After a few minutes, Leon returned to the car with two ice creams. He saw that Luna was talking to a street vendor so he waved towards her to get her attention. She saw him and quickly came towards the car. She kept few things she had bought in the trunk and joined him on the hood of the car.

Leon handed her a soft serve chocolate vanilla ice cream once she was situated next to him.

"Ice cream? What's the occasion?"

"This is to celebrate finishing all our deliveries," he said, doing a cheers with their ice cream cones.

"I was expecting a bigger celebration than this," she said, tasting the ice cream.

"Perhaps we can have it at another time. For now, this would have to suffice," Leon said, tasting his ice cream.

"What flavor is that?" she said looking at his green colored ice cream.

"Pistachio," he said, licking his ice cream.

"Let me try that," she said, extending her hand.

"Sure. Let me try your chocolate vanilla," he said, swapping their ice creams.

"This is so much better than mine," she said, after tasting pistachio ice cream. "You keep that one."

"Cheater," Leon just laughed and shook his head.

They sat on the hood of the car and ate their ice cream in silence enjoying a beautiful sunset in front of them.

"Leon?"

"Yes?"

"You know what I was thinking," she started enthusiastically. Before she could say anything further, she felt stabbing pain in her chest. "Urrghh," she clutched her chest and coiled in pain.

Leon placed his arm around her shoulder to support her, "Are you okay? What's going on?" His heart raced skipped a beat upon see her in sudden pain. He noticed that suddenly the atmosphere around them got very chilly.

The pain quickly subsided as she leaned back against the windshield, "I am okay now." She reassured breathing heavily, but Leon wasn't convinced. Before he could ask anything, he heard a familiar voice, "I bear good news."

"Gentiana," he recognized her voice coming from behind them. She gracefully walked, with her eyes closed, from back of the car to the front where they were sitting. She went past the hood of the car and turned around to face them.

"Rejoice. The king has subdued the Archaen. Titan has agreed to give his blessing to the king."

"That is a joyous news indeed," Luna said, pushing herself off the windshield. "The pain I felt must be because of my link with Archaen."

Gentiana nodded in affirmation with her eyes still closed. "Now Ramuh's trial awaits you and your knight."

"We will succeed," Leon said with conviction.

"Of that I have little doubt. But, be cautious, the Empire is aware of you activates and they are on the move."

"Thank you, for your warning, we shall be careful," Luna acknowledged.

Gentiana turns around and took a couple of steps and started to leave. "Gentiana," Luna called for her.

"Yes, Lady Luna."

"How is Prince Noctis doing?" Luna asked with concern.

"His friends serve him well. He is well protected and cared of. He too yearns to see you," she said, without any fluctuation in her voice.

"Thank you, Gentiana. Your words give me great joy," Luna said, with a slight bow.

Leon, who was just observing this conversation, felt an unfamiliar pain in his heart. He tried to convince himself over and over again that it was not jealousy, yet he failed.

Gentiana opened her eyes and looked straight at Leon and address to him directly, "Cherish every moment you have. A great tragedy awaits you both." Before either of them could react to what she had just said, Gentiana disappeared from their sight leaving behind dancing ice particles in air.

Author's notes:

Things between Leon and Luna are healing for now. However, a great tragedy awaits them both... any guess what that could be?

Please leave a comment if you've enjoyed the story so far. Thanks :)