Homecoming

Based on Chapter 14 of FFXV. Slight spoiler.

Stepping down of Talcott's truck as it arrived in Hammerhead, Noctis gave a grunt that made him sound like an old man, which in a way, he was. Lifting his hand into a wave, he greeted his friends in an almost lackadaisical manner. "Hey."

"'Hey?'" Gladio scoffed, crossing his arms. "That's all you have to say for yourself – after all this time?"

"Noct, it's you!" Prompto, now sporting a goatee, exclaimed in disbelief as he tugged on Ignis' arm. "It's really you!"

"Is it?" The Prince shrugged, keeping casual to try to hold himself together as he reunited with his closest friends. "I hadn't realized."

"Well, well." His advisor chided, a bit teasing. "You kept us waiting."

"Not like I wanted to." Noctis gripped his shoulder, noting the glazed glasses he wore as a result of his injury during the battle in Altissia. "Let's head inside. We've got catching up to do."

As he led the way to Takka's diner, Prompto scurried to his side in panic. "Uh, Noct, wait! Nobody's told her yet since she literally arrived a minute before you did but you might wanna know-"

If Prompto tried to warn him, Noctis decided he didn't try hard enough. In front of him was a strong, familiar back with a head of disheveled pink hair. It seemed she was attending a fellow comrade's injuries, judging by the half naked man sitting with bandages around his arm.

Her name slipped from his lips before he could even think.

"Claire."

Her feminine back stiffened for a moment, then whirled around as fast as her namesake. Her blue eyes were wide and clear like the morning sky. Her hair was in disarray and her face smudged with a bit of dirt, but in his mind she never looked more beautiful.

"Noctis."

She said his name as if her breath was knocked out of her, like she was punched in the gut.

Before he could even say his piece, she took two quick strides and did something he never expected her to.

A crisp sound echoed throughout the diner. Akin to a thunderclap, the people present paused whatever routine they were in the midst of doing. While Gladio and Prompto winced, Ignis did not need his eyes to know what had just happened. The three men behind the Prince gasped through gritted teeth, as if they were the ones stung by Lightning's palm.

The pain was so astounding that the King of Kings was left speechless, not even an utter of distress or pain. For a brief moment, he wondered how his head was still attached to the rest of his body. He could feel his left cheek immediately throb. His beard provided only the slightest cushioning of the blow.

Of course, the pain he was feeling now was nothing compared to what he put her through.

"You bastard." Lightning uttered with raw emotion as her hand turned into a fist. He was sure she was going to knock the living daylights out of him.

"I know." He refused to lift his palm and soothe the ache of his cheek. This was a pain he deserved. And by the way it throbbed, he was positive it was on the verge of glowing red. "I'm sorry it took a while."

"Sorry doesn't cut it." She snapped, her eyes showing the slightest of tears. "You've hurt a lot of people." She took another step, a smaller one, and engulfed him in her arms, taking him in a tight embrace to which he was eager to return. "But I understand. I'm glad you're back."

"Me too." He said against her shoulder, pulling her as tight as he can and he never wanted to let go. "I'm home."

AN: I too wanted to slap him lol. The Royal DLC changed Chapter 14 a bit, so I might make another version of this. Heads up, it's crunch time in University so I'll only be able to post a drabble every Saturday. Hope y'all enjoyed this short one~