The Dawn of the Future

Based on inspiration of the novel title, Final Fantasy XV: The Dawn of the Future. A tribute to Mother's Day.

Disclaimer: None of the content here is related to the novel (I have not read the novel either.) I was only drawn to the title and my insistent need to use official Final Fantasy terminology as the title of my fics.

Timeline: Post XV (Yes, they all live). 31 year old Noctis and Lightning.

Can be seen as a sequel to my other fic Maagho (Chapter 20 in Animus).

Also, Happy Mother's Day. And to all the Mommas out there, whether you have a child or you instill motherly qualities or just nurturing lessons about life and important values - thank you and know you are very much loved.

With soldier instincts, Lightning felt a pair of eyes watching her from afar, following her every move. Ignoring it, she continued her routine of filing and signing mission reports in the archive section of the Citadel library.

There's only so much she could take. So she confronted the owner of said wandering eyes, with arms crossed over her chest, she stood in front of the desk imposingly.

"What?" Lightning snapped at the King of Lucis, who simply stared at her with a goofy little smile.

"Hm?" Noctis replied languidly, snapping out from his daze and the pen twirling his hand dropped on his papers.

"What is it?" Her fingers twitched impatiently, wanting to sock him all the way to Altissia if he didn't fess up soon. "Did you need something?"

"Oh, no." Noctis grinned, wide and happy, resting his chin on his hand. His eyes were soft and tender, as if he were daydreaming. "I just noticed... You're showing."

Lightning's mouth opened a little in surprise. Understanding what he referred to, she looked down at her stomach. Clothed in a simple white tank and a cardigan, her belly was noticeably larger than it was 3 months ago.

However, what caused the flush to her cheeks was not embarrassment of having a larger body, but the overwhelming sensation of warmth and love coming from her husband.

"I- yeah. I guess I am." She answered lamely, not really knowing what to say at all. Her hands went to her stomach, rubbing and feeling the bulge.

"You should take a break." Noctis pointed out. "You've been up and about since early this morning."

Lightning scowled, hearing a slight disapproving tone from his voice. "I'm not fragile." Ever since the pregnancy, he became way too overprotective. She had taken herself off of active Kingsglaive duty the moment she learnt of her pregnancy and took action before Noctis could. But that didn't mean she couldn't be productive.

"I know you're not. Remember, the doctor said-"

"Not to put unnecessary stress on the baby." Lightning repeated it for the umpteenth time, then slumped temperamentally on the chaise lounge.

He sighed and stood up from his desk. He understood his wife's frustrations. All her life she fought tirelessly, always working and striving.

"I'm sorry." Lightning said softly as soon as he sat beside her. "I know I shouldn't act this way - hey!"

Noctis had surprised her by wrapping his arms and dragging her so they were laying down on the lounge with her head on his chest. "There's nothing to apologize for, Claire. I know you don't like feeling useless."

She nodded, her fingers fiddling with the lapels of his garb. "But that doesn't give me a right to hold a tantrum. It's not just me now. Another living being is inside me, growing. I should be more careful."

He kissed the crown of her head. It was so surreal. To think a year ago, darkness shrouded the world. To get to this point in their lives, to finally achieve such happiness. They will be having a child. Male or female, they don't know, nor does it matter. A future King or Queen of Lucis.

"I want our child to have your hair." He murmured against her forehead, closing his eyes and picturing the rose-tint he had come to love. He couldn't believe she could become more beautiful everyday. Pregnancy glow, the doctor said.

"And your eyes." He added, adoring the aqua blue color.

Lightning scoffed softly, a rumble he felt on his body. "You want a little look-alike running around?"

"I've always loved your hair." He admitted, running fingers through her rosy locks. "I loved it even more when we saw the first gleams of sunrise after the prolonged darkness. The medium of the sky between the infant rays of sunlight and the somber clouds… Pink. I'll never forget that color. The dawn of the future…"

He was met with silence after his monologue. The faint sounds in the room were their harmonious breathing and the soft rustle of silk curtains near the open balcony.

"What?" He asked, almost embarrassed. He felt the high points of his face heat up when he realized how cheesy he may have sound.

"Nothing." She looked up and smiled, her cheeks a little flushed and glowing. "Since when have you become so philosophical?"

AN: *cries* The happy ending they deserve.

I didn't want to put out names or genders of what their child would be in the fic. But I do think they would name their child after "Dawn." Literally used google translate of English to latin: probably something like "Aurora" for a girl or "Diluculum" for a boy, who's nickname would be Luc (pronounced Luke).

Also, it'd be nice to get some comments/reviews :D A simple comment will do just fine. I want to know if my fics are making you squeal as much as I am writing them.

Das it. Thanks for reading folks. Happy Mommas Day.