"Well it kinda goes like this," he began. "I used to sneak out of the Citadel on a regular basis before I moved out. Gladio, that time your sister was being scolded for leaving the Citadel with me, she followed a cat out of the Citadel using one of the few secret exits I use." Noctis watched as Gladio's eyebrows raised slightly, his voice laced with humor, "I never knew that you were able to slip out of the Citadel undetected."
Noctis decided to ignore the comment. "So anyways, when I was about seventeen, I overheard some glaive members talking about life outside the city and their homeland. I didn't know what it was called at the time but apparently it was Galahd. It sounded so exciting the way they described home, like Insomnia only tropical and exotic. I used to slip out after most of the rotation shifts of the guards and after Ignis would leave for the day. Apparently there was a part in Insomnia that was reminiscent of Galahd."
He took a deep breath and exhaled calmly, "I used to slip into the slums of Insomnia. Sometimes, I would go to the fight clubs where you betted on the more hardened members of the city. Other nights, I would wander into the geisha houses and teahouses to spend time with the girls playing games and watching them gracefully dance. Hell, at one point I even tried to get into a few of the bars, but some guy named Nyx stopped me when he saw me one night. He recognized me instantly."
Gladio felt his jaw drop, "Nyx? Nyx fucking Ulric? Hero of Galahd, the same damn guy that Drautos would constantly bitch and moan about? My damn mentor in the glaive?" Prompto began to laugh, "It might have been. Wonder what he told Noct when he caught him."
Prompto knew the stories of Nyx. His mentor Pelna would always complain to himself and another glaive, Luche, about how reckless Nyx could be, both in life and in battle, and that the crown Prince was showing similar signs as he got older. "Sure he's still reserved and kind of anti-social but in battle he and Nyx are headstrong and reckless." He recalled Luche saying once.
"He was pissed if that makes any sense. Mind you he was the last person to try and tell me that I was in the wrong. I knew the rumors of Nyx," Noctis mused. "Anyways, instead of making a scene that he knew it was me, he let me tag around with him. His words were, can't get into trouble if you're with a glaive." The three crownsguard members felt their jaws drop all while thinking that it was bullshit. "Fucking Ulric..." Gladio swore.
Noctis held back both a smile and laugh, knowing that Nyx was always giving Gladio a hard time.
Flashback
"Gladio was complaining about your training this week," Noctis said as he took a sip of the whiskey he ordered. Final exams had come and he was stressed beyond all possible meaning. Gladio had intensified the physical training since school was going to be out for the summer. In Noctis' opinion it had to do with Nyx intensifying the training for all crownsguard and Kingsglaive, per the orders of Clarus, Gladio's father, who then passed the orders to both Cor and Drautos, respectively.
"Not surprising, the training has picked up per your father's orders. You're off for the summer. Time to pick up training and as much as Drautos doesn't want to admit it, you are sitting here with the best of the glaive. Thus you're safety is secured, as long as I am leading your shield's training." Nyx stated smoothly. Noctis smirked at the cheeky end of the explanation.
"How noble of you," the prince responded, drinking more of his drink. Nyx eyed his drink choice. "You hate vegetables and sour foods and drinks but you'll drink something hard like whiskey for your alcohol. What gives? Trying to be a hard ass and show off?" Noctis had to chuckle at the comment, "Unfortunately, being a Lucii has its setbacks. Regular drinks like beer and wine are like water to us. We stay sober no matter how much we drink. I've heard Clarus complain about dad drinking the glaive under the table at social events. And while I am a picky eater, I do know that I am not a picky drinker. I am partial to having heavier things to drink though, makes for shorter refills."
Nyx laughed at this comment. Never knew he was so relaxed outside of being baby sat all day. I kinda like this side of him.
Noctis looked up from his drink to see a blonde across the bar smiling at him as she drank a vodka martini. She appeared to be his age with long blonde hair, her bangs shaping her face. She wore a strapless black dress with gold bracelets on each wrist. He swallowed the sudden saliva build up in his mouth and blinked a few times, making sure she was not a drunken illusion.
She waved at him, winking as she paid her bill and got up to leave. Not wanting to miss a chance to talk to her, he told Nyx he was heading to the bathroom which was right near the exit. She got outside before he finally caught up with her, grabbing her wrist gently, "Excuse me." He stated calmly.
She turned to face him, mild surprise could be seen in her violet eyes. Damn she is cuter up close. Noctis thought to himself. He let go of her, "I'm sorry for grabbing you." His hand rubbed the back of his neck. She smiled at him, "The cutie from across the bar. I was watching you but you seemed more interested in the conversation with your friend. I just assumed that you swung that way." Noctis blushed at her statement.
"N-no no. I was just hanging with a friend of mine. It's not what it seems like, he's more of an older brother kind of person to me. I just didn't want to miss the chance to talk you. Y-you k-kinda caught my eye and I couldn't help noticing you came alone."
She smiled again, stepping closer to him, "Well I find you to be very handsome but I am not the kind of girl to just go home with a random stranger. So let's start off with names, shall we? I'm Stella. And you are?"
Shit, Nyx and I never discussed aliases. "My name is Noct. It's a pleasure to meet you." He smiled at her hoping she didn't piece together who he was by his nickname alone. "Well Noct, it's nice to meet you. How about I give you my number and we get to know each other? I have to get going right now, promised to meet some girlfriends at a club nearby so maybe we can meet up another time?"
He nodded at her request, taking out his cell phone, passing it to her. She input her number then pressed the call button, making sure he saw that her number was correct. She returned his phone to him smiling, "There. Shoot me a text sometime gorgeous. I would love to get to know you." Noctis smiled, "Is it because I'm your type?" His voice held a hint of tease, this time it was Stella's turn to blush, "Y-yes it is. Look don't tease me. I've never had the courage to ask a guy for his number." He smiled at her blush, leaning in, he kissed her cheek, making her blush more. "Guess that makes two of us." He grabbed her hand and kissed it before pulling away, "Be careful on your way. And I will definitely text you. Good night beautiful," he let go and headed back into the bar only to see Nyx standing near the men's room. "She is definitely your type. Did you get her number?"
The young Lucian prince nodded, a smirk crossing his face, "As a matter of fact I did. And I got her name." Nyx whistled his eye brows raising at the confidence of the prince. "Nice, now what's your alias?" "I gotta admit I froze." "You didn't give her your real name did you? Or my name?" Nyx looked a bit concerned. "No, I gave her my nick name, so I guess you could call me Noct." "Well Noct, you better pray to the Six that she doesn't figure out that you're the crown prince." Gotta say I agree there, Nyx.
Back in the Present
"And that's all I am telling you guys tonight. I am going to bed." Noctis got up from his seat and made his way to the door, much to the disappointment of Prompto and annoyance of Gladio. "Noct!" The shield shouted. "You can't just not tell the whole story." Prompto voiced his complains as well, "Who's Stella? She sounds pretty hot. WHY are we only finding out about her now?" Ignis remained quiet during the whole story, he knew parts of the story but never heard Noct talk about it himself. Any information he had learned came from Nyx and even then the glaive was reluctant to share any specifics of the prince's time outside the Citadel. Almost like it was secret.
"We have all week, I'll make a bedtime story for you three, since Specs only knows vague details and no way to piece them together unless I fill in the blanks," Noctis responded playfully. It was already nine and he had no idea when Luna was going to come to his room. He wanted to be there before the time came. "How's that for a compromise?"
He eyed his crownsguard wondering if that would be enough for them to leave him alone for the night. Prompto nodded in agreeance. Gladio let out a deep breath and Ignis nodded curtly, "I expect to get the whole story Noct. So do Gladio and Prompto. This week, no more secrets about the past." Noctis nodded thanking the Six that he didn't say after tonight no more secrets period. He'd die if he had to share that the Oracle made regular visits to his hotel room.
"Okay, so we're agreeing to just tonight being the prologue of the story?" Noctis asked, somewhat impatient. They all nodded, sensing his irritation starting to form. He opened the door, bidding them good night before closing it gently and making his way back up to the royal suite of the Altissian hotel. As he got up to the top of the stairs, he saw a hooded figure standing next to both Umbra and Pryna, next to his door. Taking out the room key from his pocket, he quickly unlocked the door and let the three guests in before stepping inside, closing and locking the door behind him. He took a deep breath as he saw the two canines lay at the foot of the bed, cuddled together watching him and his guest carefully.
"What's with the hooded garb?" Noctis felt himself asking curiously. He watched as the hood was removed, revealing Luna, her smile clear on her face. She looked at him, removing the hooded cloak completely, showing off a sky blue dress that was sleeveless like her white dress but went to her knees instead of being excessively long. Noctis felt body tense at the sight of her in any form of blue, feeling a bizarre sensation in his gut.
He recognized the emotion but pushed it out of his head before he could acknowledge the feelings of lust starting to form. He smiled and walked up to her, taking the cloak and hanging it before motioning her to sit on the small loveseat in his room. She sat quietly, observing his slight tension and the obvious internal battle he was having play out on his face.
"How was your day?" She asked, figuring it would distract him from his internal battle. He smiled at her, "I've had a rather eventful day. Went to explore the city with the guys. We even went to that monster arena for the later half of the evening." "So that's why you were late," Luna teased. He felt his ears heat up at the teasing tone before responding, "Technically, I was downstairs with the guys in their room going through a story time of sorts. I wasn't expecting you till at least ten, after all, you came around that time last night." This time she blushed, "I wanted to see you. I had a rough day." Noctis sat down next to her, taking her hands into his own, squeezing gently, "Your brother? Was it me?" Her eyes left his, the mention of her brother causing her eyes to water.
Flashback
"Where did you go last night? I came to check on you and Gentiana wouldn't let me pass. I finally get past her in the late early hours of the night to find your bed empty and the Umbra gone." She tensed as he stepped closer to her, trapping her against the bedroom wall. Ravus was furious, his eyes with a dangerous glint in them. Lunafreya felt herself quiver in fear. Do I tell him the truth or do I lie?
She swallowed thickly, afraid to answer his line of questioning. "Lunafreya, where were you?" She shook her head in refusal, not wanting to tell him that she finally followed her heart last night. That she finally gathered the courage to see Noctis. About the precious kisses they exchanged. His request for a date on the town with her. She wanted all of the previous night's events to be hers alone. The slamming of his metallic arm on the wall to the side of her head scared her out of her thoughts. His eyes were cold and callous, demanding an answer.
"I went out to explore the city. I've never been able to explore the city before and I really couldn't stand being here. I am not a prisoner Ravus, I am the Oracle and I have wants too!" His face was twisted into a frown, the disapproval clear on his face. "Yes," he began. "You are the Oracle, so ACT LIKE IT! ACT LIKE A PROPER LADY! What would you have done if Izunia caught you out of bed instead of me? He would tell the Emporer and then you'd be surrounded by MTs twenty four seven. Is that what you want?" Luna felt her hands ball into fists, the anger clear, she was tired of him dictating terms and conditions because the chancellor or the emporer was commanding it so. She was not their property. She was a princess, but she was also a human with a heart and unfortunately for the entire empire, her heart belonged to the one person none of them wanted her to give it to, the crown Prince of Insomnia, Noctis Lucis Caelem.
"I'm under the protection of the Altissian people until after the rite at the end of the week. Go tell the Emporer or the chancellor, I KNOW I am safe from their guards and wrath till after the rite. Since you're so determined to stop Noctis from receiving the blessings of the six, even though it is against everything our bloodline has ever stood for. He's the Chosen King and we have a duty to serve him. Instead, you're playing lackey to them. Our mother's killers," the last line held venom in it. It pissed her off to know that no matter what she said to him, it never changed his mind on the subject of their duty as ddescendants of the first Oracle. Not yet. Seeing Noctis is my precious secret. Between the two of us.
"Say whatever you want Lunafreya," he began calmly. "But Noctis is a failure of king. He will fail you, so give up that ridiculous notion that he will fullfill his destiny. He doesn't even know what the details are for anything of the Chosen King and Oracle. I love you far too much to allow that naive little boy think he's a worthy king to your powers. Hell, he would probably fail as a husband as well so get the thought out of your head. He's a worthless boy and he will never answer his calling willingly. Nothing more than a pathetic and weak excuse for a king."
Lunafreya felt her eyes begin to water, tears clouding her vision but refusing to let them fall before her brother. "You're wrong! He's going to answer his calling! He already has! You know nothing of what he will grow to become." The tears had finally reached the point of falling, her next words stabbing her brother harshly, "I know he will be a better king than you ever will be! At least he isn't some puppet to a group of killers!" It was those words that sent Ravus over the edge, slapping her with the non-magetik hand. She hid her eyes but continued to sob silently as he backed away and left her there to cry, not even bothering to apologize to her for slapping her. I must see him tonight. He's all I have ever needed to continue in my life, you won't stop me either Ravus.
Back in the Present
"HE DID WHAT!?" Noctis stood from his seat, pure rage coursing through his veins. Luna had to jump up to grab his wrist pulling at him to stay with her. "Noctis," she began semi-frantically. "I'm okay! He only slapped me once and left. He never came back and he doesn't know that I am here with you. Gentiana used some kind of magic to make a clone of me, it's laying in my bed sleeping. Relax!" When he wouldn't calm she turned him around and pulled him to her, closing the gap and kissing him.
He stopped fighting the urge to kill Ravus and focused on the soft lips currently trying to calm him. Lunafreya wrapped her arms around his neck, desperately trying to get his mind off her brother. It seemed to be working as he wrapped on arm around her waist, pulling her closer and another gentle hand touched her cheek where her brother has slapped her. The need for oxygen was what pulled them apart, both panting from the lack of air.
"Stay the night," he calmly stated, placing his forehead on hers. She smiled at the offer. "Tempting as it sounds, I can't." He groaned in disapproval. Not the answer I wanted, he thought. She's the oracle before everything else. Why can't she just be Luna? "Lunafreya..." She placed her index finger on his lips, "No. I hate that name coming from you." She smiled at him to show she wasn't angry. "Luna..." he whispered gently. It gave her goosebumps. "Have you eaten dinner yet?" She shook her head, "I've hardly eaten today Noctis."
Noctis groaned again in slight annoyance. She leaned her head to the side in curiosity, wondering what could make him more upset. "Noctis?" He kissed her firmly, sliding his tongue along her bottom lip. She allowed him entry to her mouth, their tongues battling for dominance but Luna knew she would lose. They pulled apart as she moaned in disapproval and disappointment. "What was that for?" He smirked, "If I am not to call you Lunafreya, then you have to stop being so formal with me." "Oh?" She playfully responded, "Well then my dear Lucii, what do I call you?" He smiled, pulling her in for another kiss, "Noct is fine with me."
Author's Notes: By the Six I almost thought I wouldn't ever get out of my slump. I didn't want this story to die on me. So I've been listening to the soundtracks nonstop, brainstorming ideas and which direction I want to take this story. So now, we are gonna dive into his past and I loved the original idea of Stella so I had to include her, thus she is someone important to Noctis back in his past. I just hope I don't make the story too convoluted. Looking forward to seeing where the ideas will take me. Hopefully, it won't be a while before I update the next chapter. Let me know what you guys think!