The Council

Based on the Lucian Council in FFXV.

AN: Yay, I'm back. Laptop is fixed, finals are over. Let's get crackin'

Timeskip!Noctis, so they're both ~30 years old. Noctis and Lightning are to be wed. Two certain people are not pleased...

The news of the engagement between the King of Lucis and Captain of the Kingsglaive spread like Ifrit's flames throughout the Citadel and the city of Insomnia itself. None could be more pleased than the former King. And none could be more displeased than his two councilmembers, who were also his two closest colleagues, that sat on each of his side.

While breakfast was usually a quiet and calm event, Regis could almost taste the tangible tension in the air. He recalled his son jokingly dubbed their group as the Breakfast Club, which consisted of himself, Noctis, Gladiolus, Ignis, both of their fathers, and Cor. Prompto had been added after his initiation into the Crownsguard. And from now on, Lightning will be a permanent fixture in their breakfast gatherings.

Noctis and Lightning entered the dining hall, both looking mature in a black button down and a gray chiffon dress, respectively. Gone was his son's previous hairstyle that was akin to a chocobo's head. Now, he resembled his father's former, younger self and he noted his son's cleanly shaved jaw. The woman beside him stood tall, wearing a floor length dress and her usual hair was swept up into a low, elegant bun with a few strands framing her face. Regis smiled to himself, the two of them have grown well.

"Dad." He greeted his father by placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Noctis." His smile grew at the sight of his son.

"Your Highness." Lightning bowed, ever respectful. "Thank you for inviting me."

"Enough of that nonsense, Lightning. We are to be family now. I prefer you call me Regis." He ushered her to sit down and poured her coffee. "Addressing me as your father is also preferable."

"Daaaad." Noctis groaned, while the stoic Glaive blushed lightly and responded. "It's an honour. Perhaps, after we're married."

"Now, that everyone is present." Regis clapped his hands once. "Let us eat."

After a few moments of silence, Gladio's father spoke up. "That is a lovely dress you're wearing, Captain." Clarus complimented as he passed a plate of pastries across to her.

Lightning felt her heart stammer. The night before she expressed to Noctis that while she felt uncomfortable wearing a dress, she knew there would be times where it was required of her. "Thank you, Sir Clarus."

The former Shield eyed the ring from her hand when she took the plate. "It's such a shame, really." Clarus commented with a forlorn sigh. "No woman has matched Gladio in terms of valor and strength." At the mention of his name, the current Shield made an uncharacteristic clang of his fork on his plate. His father continued on, dismissing the sound. "I would rather have a daughter-in-law who can keep my son on his toes."

An unsettling atmosphere engulfed the hall. Prompto chewed on his bacon, eager to see the drama unfold. Cor cleared his throat and fidgeted in his seat. Noctis gave his father an incredulous look that could only be translated to what-the-fuck, while Regis sipped on his coffee, unperturbed.

And aside from the former King, nobody expected a new challenger to enter the scene.

"Ignis has high admiration for Captain Farron." The current head of the Scientia family commended, clear and strong. At the same time, the King's royal advisor spluttered around his mug of Ebony coffee, some splattering on his glasses. "He even said so himself that you are his intellectual equal, whether in regards of politics or battle strategies."

Prompto sat up in his seat, wishing for a bowl of popcorn because this was just too good. Lightning couldn't meet anyone's eye and settled on staring at her plate of food. Noctis glared at his father, eyes pleading him to stop this nonsense. But as his father continued to sip his coffee in a smug manner, Noctis knew he would feed fuel to the fire.

"And you, Cor?" Regis asked lightly, ignoring the sound of the Immortal's loud gulp. "Have you given thoughts of settling down?"

"N-no, Your Highness." Cor responded stiffly. "I have devoted my life to serving you and King Noctis."

"And you will extend this service to your Queen, I'm sure." Regis deliberately chose his words and took great delight at the stiffness of his two colleagues.

"Of course." Ever dutifully bound, the Crownsguard Commander replied swiftly. "Although, she may not need my service as Lightning is more than capable of defending herself." He looked at the woman in question, who seemed to want to bury herself in a hole. He couldn't blame her. "She is Captain of the Kingsglaive not only by mere title, but it is proven through prowess."

Noctis knew what his father was doing. Everyone knew Lightning's reputation as a strong, confident, and extraordinary woman and that didn't need saying. His father looked too much like a cat that got the cream, like a victor who received all the spoils.

The former King of Lucis was showing his friends' fathers that Lightning was already taken as his daughter-in-law.

With an exasperated sigh, Noctis stood up abruptly to gain their attention. Enough was enough. "Alright, this is ridiculous. I'm not gonna sit here and eat while the three of you squabble over my wife-to-be." He took Lightning's arm and she stood up eagerly.

He gestured to one of the servants. "We'll be having breakfast in our room. Please see to it, thank you." Then he turned to the table and addressed the three fathers. "We won't be coming back until you settle this pettiness. I will see you later at the meeting." With the final word, the couple exited the dining hall with quick strides.

As soon as the doors closed, Prompto bursted into cackles and tears while Gladio and Ignis sighed, looking at their respective fathers and shook their heads.

AN: HAHAHA I couldn't help it, I'm sorry (not really). Noctis is bae for protecting his bae. Lightning deserves much love and is adorable when embarrassed. Prompto loves the drama. Cor is a nervous sweet potato. Gladio and Ignis are just like "stahp Dad, I can't even." Regis is "I don't give a fuck, Imma have good looking babies." The two dads are like "she's perf and ships them with their sons."