Thank you guys for all the reviews and alerts. I can't wait for this thing to get fully started. It may seem slow at first, but I'm trying to build the world, and to make it as realistic as possible. Also I just read the prologue script that they had written concerning what Noct was doing before he left the Citadel and noticed that there's both Crownsguard and Kingsglaive. That they're two different entities. I may used Kingsglaive as the generic term in this chapter and the next, which I just need to read over since I just finished it, but after that I'm probably gonna start differentiating between the two of them.

Let me know what you guys think! Reviews would be lovely. :)

Chapter II

Noctis had nearly taken the elevator before realizing he was still in his pajamas. He rushed to his apartment, pulled on his Prince fatigues and nearly ran to the elevator. His anger was building the closer to the ground he got. He couldn't keep all the information she had told him out of his mind. His father knew, they wanted to keep it from him, they expected him to ignore Luna even though she was right here in front of him just waiting to be with him-the elevator dinged signaling the ground floor. Once the doors opened, his own eyes widened.

He had told her that he wanted to be with her in front of her. It slipped out without him even thinking, but… Noctis shook his head and exited the elevator. He couldn't think about this right now.

Finding the concierge, he asked her to gather a car for him, and as the lady called it in, Noct wondered if she was one of his hidden guards. She told him it was coming right around as she hung up and he thanked her wordlessly and exited the apartment complex. Just like she had said, the car came right around and he entered it without even acknowledging the driver who had gotten out to open the door. The driver seemed to understand that he was in a hurry, and after Noctis asked him to take them to the Citadel, they were off.

Traffic was on his side and they got there rather easily. The guard saw his face and let them in, and Noctis hopped out of the car as soon as he was able. He took the stairs two at a time up to the door, and took all the necessary hallways and elevators until he was in the throne room. No one was in there and it made him even more furious.

"Prince Noctis!"

He turned around and saw a surprised maid. She had a broom in her right hand and her left was over her mouth. Scratching the back of his head, he asked, "Do you know where my Dad is?"

"Oh, I believe he's in his chambers," she guessed.

"Thanks." He strode off and caught her bow of respect in the corner of his eye. Damn, he hated all the formalities here.

The walk to his father's chambers was a long one. It was on the other side of the Citadel in the East building. The series of elevators and hallways that led to his personal apartment would've confused anyone, but Noctis grew up here. He knew it like the back of his hand. Hell, he hadn't even been moved out that long. He had only moved to his current apartment about eight months ago.

The sudden sound of his father's voice brought his attention back into what was currently happening and Noctis searched for him. It didn't take long; he found him in the hallway outside of his personal study. He jogged the rest of the way up to him. "Dad!"

King Regis turned around with a shocked expression on his face and soon waved away his personal butler. "Noctis. What're you doing home?"

Noctis frowned at the word 'home'. It hadn't felt like home in years. Deciding to ignore the question, Noctis crossed his arms. "We need to talk."

"What about?" The King inquired as his eyebrows raised.

"It's about Luna."

At the sound of her name, King Regis averted his eyes and frowned. "Let's go into my office," he muttered before turning around and opening the door.

Noctis followed him inside without a word, and once they were inside and with the door shut, Noctis spoke. "When were you gonna tell me about Luna?"

"I was hoping I wouldn't have to," his father stated as he hobbled across the room to shakily sit down in his office chair; his cane having made a slight noise the entire way.

Noctis felt the anger inside of him bubbling up. He refused to sit down across from his father due to the increasing emotion inside of him, and instead stared out at the wall length window behind him as he started to pace. "So you were never going to tell me?"

"Noctis, don't," his father warned sternly as he squared his gaze with him. "Now you know that is not what I said. I said I hoped I wouldn't have to because I hoped that the Empire would give up this stupid dream of their's and we could then release her back to freedom." The King then sighed and sagged a little. Noct could tell he was exhausted and the anger deflated out of him. "I'm guessing that since you're here and asking questions, Lunafreya somehow told you?"

"She's my next door neighbor and is in my class. How was I not gonna notice?"

"I didn't recognize her with all the changes they did to her appearance. I thought you might not either."

Noct rolled his eyes and finally conceded defeat and sat down in the chair across from his father, his huge wooden desk being the only thing between them now. "It's Luna. Of course I'd recognize her."

King Regis seemed to figure out the message behind his words and gave a lopsided smile. It didn't take long for that smile to fade. "I wanted to tell you, but I didn't want to put Lunafreya into danger. Cor thought that was wise as well."

Cor's name reminded him of something else Luna had told him, and he sat forward in his seat with his elbows resting on his knees. "How long has my apartment been a safe house? The bulletproof walls and everything?"

"Remember when I asked you to wait a week before moving?" Noctis nodded. "I knew there was no way to talk you out of it so I had them install it as well as the keycard feature on the elevator. After Tenebrae… if you didn't want to live in the Citadel, I knew I had to somehow make you safe."

"Which is why I also have hidden guards."

It was King Regis' turn to nod. "There's only five of them. I won't divulge their identities, especially now that they're watching Lunafreya as well, but just know they're only there to keep you safe and nothing else."

Any of the frustration or annoyance that was left over after the King's explanations seemed to dissipate after Noctis took a good look at his father.

More wrinkles had set in and his hair was greying fast. The cane he had recently gotten was being used, and Noct noticed the dependence he had on it. Seeing him now, it reminded him of the argument he had with Ignis a few weeks ago concerning the probability of his father dying soon. At that thought, Noctis swallowed thickly and stared at the floor.

King Regis watched him and knew that he was lost in thought, and he instantly regretted all the secrecy he was still holding back and would have to continue hiding. He didn't like lying to his son. He wanted to be a father, not a King. Not when his son was destined to… Clearing his throat, Regis spoke after he had Noctis' attention. "I want to protect you both. There's a lot that is going on right now that I can't tell you about, but just know everything I do is to keep the both of you safe."

Noctis gave a curt nod, feeling the slight awkwardness in the room and hating it immensely. "If Luna's here…" Noct attempted. "Then I wanna be able to be with her-to be her friend. I can't just let her be near me and ignore her."

"I know," his father answered. "I don't expect you to, nor do I want you to ignore her. I know you two have a deep bond, one that I'm thankful for. I just ask that you don't do anything to bring attention to her. Don't go anywhere alone with her, don't get too friendly with her at school, and definitely do not call her by her true name or mention anything about the past."

Noct gave another nod and stood, wanting to now put this conversation to an end. "I understand, but Dad?" His father raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. "I can protect her if need be. Gladio's been training me, and I won't start slacking off in training anymore. I want to keep her safe after everything she told me, just like you do. I'm not just gonna stand idly by if anything happens."

Giving out a short defeated chuckle, his father stood as well, and Noct fully saw just how dependent he was on the cane. It made him sad. "I wouldn't expect anything else."

With that, Noctis gave his father a parting, low-spirited smile and left the room. He failed to see all the stress his father was under take over his features, and instead started to exit the Citadel.

It took him twenty minutes to get home, but when he got to his floor, Noctis knocked on Luna's door and waited for a reply. It came swiftly in the form of who he guessed was Luna's personal body guard/pretend Mother, because it was an older woman who opened the door. Her face had started out in a glare before she realized it was him but it soon turned tired. "Prince Noctis. What're you doing here?"

"I wanna speak with Luna."

"I'm afraid that's not going to happen. You're not even supposed to know she's here."

"I just talked to my dad and he said it was okay for her and I to interact. Can I please talk to her?"

The older woman looked skeptical but allowed him to step inside. "I'll let you speak to her as I call it in."

Noctis muttered a thanks, and started to search for Luna as the retired Kingsglaive started her call. He found her sitting on the couch watching something on TV with Umbra laying on the cushions as well with his head in her lap. She seemed surprised when she saw him and a blush illuminated her cheeks.

"Noctis, what're you….?"

"I spoke to my father."

Luna bit her lip and moved her focus to Umbra. "Oh?"

The fact that she seemed so nervous startled him, and he remembered how annoyed he had been when he left. What he had said when he left. Wincing, Noct walked towards her and sat on the end of the couch where Umbra wasn't taking up space. "He said we could interact, that we could even be friends in school. We can't be too obvious that we know each other and I can't call you Luna, but at least you won't be alone now."

She smiled prettily despite the fear that still flickered in her eyes. "That's great news."

"Starting tomorrow I guess Prompto and I will 'introduce' ourselves, although for Prompto it really will be an introduction."

"I'm so glad you have friends here, Noctis. I know you were lonely for a long time."

Noctis felt heat rising in his cheeks and leaned back into the cushions. He saw the older woman come into the living room and watch them for a few seconds before turning into a bedroom. She must've gotten the okay. "Yeah, well… now I can add you to the list of school friends."

Luna smiled. "I can't wait."

The next morning was rather strange.

When his alarm went off, he actually woke up and didn't hit the snooze button. He brushed his teeth, got ready for school, and even ate something a good twenty minutes before he normally would. By the time he was leaving his apartment and walking towards Luna's, the older woman who he had found out to be named Irene, was opening the door with Luna stepping out.

Just like he had seen her at the end of the school week last week, her shorter hair was styled around her face and she had the colored contacts in. Her freckles seemed to have moved, and he was gonna have to ask her about that later, but this time her uniform appeared to actually fit her.

"I thought we could ride the elevator together even though we can't ride in the same car," Noctis offered as he slung his book bag over his shoulder.

She seemed to like that because she smiled softly and walked with him. "I'd love that."

The trip down the elevator was nice. They chatted, and Noctis found out that every single morning she had to have an hour of make up done just to look that natural with fake freckles after he asked her about them, and he balked at her answer. He also found out that she was having to do weekly spray tans to keep up the appearance of sun-kissed skin, as well as weekly hair dying so she'd never show her blonde roots. The more he saw her with the brown hair and green eyes, the more he missed her true looks. She was beautiful either way but she still wasn't his Luna.

Blushing at the thought of calling her 'his', Noctis allowed her to exit the elevator before him and tried to look casual. He wasn't sure if everyone in the lobby was a guard or not, so he had to make it seem like they weren't too close. Even then, what about the elevator camera? He'd have to ask Irene later on.

Noctis caught her attention as she walked out of the building and waved goodbye. He started to walk towards his school when he noticed Ignis waiting for him down the street. "I didn't know you were picking me up today," he exclaimed once he was close enough.

Ignis opened the passenger car door for him and let him in before closing it and going around to the driver's seat. Once he was settled, Ignis started the car. "I was told to keep a close eye on you, which means I shall be driving you from now on."

"Why?" Noctis asked as he got comfortable in his seat.

"If you are to get close to Lady Lunafreya, you must have an escort any time you're walking to and from your house."

"What?" Noctis nearly shouted as he turned to watch Ignis who merely pushed up his glasses as he drove. "What the hell do you mean I need an escort? Also how in the hell do you know about Luna?"

"I knew about the Lady before you did, and you needing an escort are my orders."

"Doesn't it look more suspicious that I suddenly get driven to school everyday after she gets here though? That's so stupid."

"I don't know. Just following orders."

"Yeah, yeah," sighed Noctis as he sat back in his seat and crossed his arms. Just when he thought this entire situation was looking up, he ended up getting pushed back. He didn't ignore the revelation that Ignis knew about Luna before he did either. He had suspected as much but had hoped the suspicions were wrong the night before when he was running over all the information he had been told between Luna and his father. The fact that his own retainer and probably Gladio and others knew about it made his blood boil. Everyone but him.

He really needed to calm down. There was nothing he could do to change any of this now. While he could, he needed to enjoy Luna's company and train as hard as he could so he could protect her when the time came. He didn't want other people to protect her. He wanted to protect her.

"We're here."

Blinking, Noctis came back to the current moment and turned to Ignis. He noticed that they were parked outside the school, and he had somehow been thinking to himself for the past twenty odd minutes. Grabbing his back pack, Noctis opened the door, only for Ignis to reach over him and shut it from the driver's seat. "Ignis, what're you-"

"Don't be careless."

Noct studied Ignis' face for a few seconds, trying to determine his meaning, or at least, trying to play dumb. Ignis looked more serious than he had ever seen him. Had this been a few weeks ago during their little spat over his father and his future of being King, he probably would've ignored him, but they were just starting to be something along the line as good friends after several years, and he knew Ignis knew him better than that. He could read the fake look of confusion on Noct's face easily.

Knowing he wasn't getting away with anything, Noct didn't do or say anything as he opened the car door and left. He'd probably hear about it from him later, but right now he didn't care.

Not too long after he had gotten out of the car he saw Prompto leaning against the entrance to the school grounds. He acknowledged him as he walked up in a friendly but monotone manner and Prompto seemed happy at the broken silence.

"So I'm guessing you figured out whatever you needed to if you're talking again?" Prompto joked as he moved off of the wall and walked with Noctis across the courtyard.

"Yeah, you could say that."

"You ever gonna tell me whats going on?"

That was something Noctis hadn't decided on yet. "If I can, then yeah."

"So," his blond companion started as he opened the school door for them. "It's something serious then."

"Definitely."

"Well, I guess I can wait until you're ready. You know I was thinking about talking to that new girl, Diana."

Noctis stopped in the middle of the hallway, ignoring all the mean looks he was getting for doing so from other students. He gave Prompto a curious look and his friend seemed to notice something was up, because he stopped and stared right back.

"What?" Prompto asked.

Noct chose his words carefully as he slowly started walking again, this time moving towards the stairs so they could get to class. "Talk to her how?"

"Like saying hi?" Prompto guessed as he lagged a bit behind the Prince. "Why? Do you want to talk to her? 'Cause lets face it, I can't beat a Prince. Every girl wants one of those."

Noctis continued on up the stairs and turned the corner once they reached their floor. "I just mean, are you gonna try and ask her out? You don't even know her yet." His deflecting was bad. He could see the wheels turning in Prompto's head and it made him nervous.

"I don't know…" Prompto trailed off as they walked into class. "I hadn't decided yet."

The suspicion in his voice put Noctis on edge. There was no way he was gonna hide this for long, not that he even wanted to. He had known Prompto for a couple years now. Could he even be trusted with something like this? Prompto didn't even know anything about Luna, about their relationship. Would he be able to keep it all hidden?

Sitting down at his seat, Noct got all the things he'd need for class out and he saw Prompto do the same. He glanced in Luna's direction and noticed that she had everything out and ready to go too. She didn't look his way at all and looked ever the diligent student. When Mr. Cassius strolled in and started class, Noct even thought he witnessed a little smile on her face.

Two hours later, and two different subjects done, it was now lunch time. This was what Luna and him had decided as 'the meeting' since they had a good hour to make it happen.

The night before they had spent a decent amount of time discussing how they were gonna handle all this, and how they were gonna meet. Both of them decided lunch would be the right time and that Noct would ask to sit with her in the cafeteria. It seemed like a simple plan, and Noct still planned on doing it, but now he had the added curiosity of Prompto from their conversation earlier. He'll just have to deal with that later.

Prompto and Noct stood from their seats and made their way to the school cafe, chatting all the while.

Their school was public, and any school in Insomnia, whether private or public, received enough funding to give every kid a nice cooked meal. Noct had to be wary of some of the meals they had because they tried to sneak vegetables in, but it was still good. It was better than anything he could cook anyways.

Grabbing their food, Noct quickly scanned the cafeteria in search of Luna. It took a second to find her, her brown hair blended in so well with everyone else, and without a word to Prompto, he made his way over towards her. When they got there, he moved in front of Luna on the other side of the table and pointed to the seat, his tray of food in his other hand. "Is anyone sitting here?"

Just like they had rehearsed it, Luna looked up and looked shy, almost as if she actually was. She shook her head, and muttered out a, "No…" before Noct sat down across from her.

Noct turned to look at Prompto who was eyeing him as if he was trying to read his mind, and after a few seconds, Prompto sat down beside him. Noctis picked up his fork and stabbed at the marinated chickatrice meat that lay over a bed of rice. He popped it in his mouth without a word, but he could feel Prompto's eyes on him.

Swallowing his food, Noct pointed at Luna with his fork before picking up another piece. "You're the new girl, Diana, right?" This was going to be so weird.

Luna nodded, making sure she didn't look at him for too long in fear of spooking the suspicious Prompto further who was currently sipping away at his water as his eyes darted between the two of them. Luna could tell he was trying to figure something out. "Yes, I mean, yeah. That's me."

"Oh? Where you from?" Noctis paused for effect. "I don't recognize your accent."

"I'm from Tenebrae, actually. I lived a few hours south of the capital."

"You're from Tenebrae?" Prompto excitedly interjected. Noctis had wondered how long it'd take for him to join in, but he certainly wasn't expecting that much from him.

Luna gave Prompto a dazzling smile. "I am."

"Did you ever meet the Oracle? Lady Lunafreya?"

Noctis watched as her eyes widened ever so slightly, and she immediately took an interest in her vegetable stew. Prompto's own salad was forgotten by this point.

"I haven't, sadly," Luna said after a few moments. "I've heard she's a great person though."

"Yeah," Prompto sighed. "You know, she wrote me once."

It was Noctis' turn to interrupt, and this time he did so by practically choking on his mouthful of rice. Prompto and Luna watched on in worry as he attempted to swallow some of his water to help it down. After it seemed he could easily breathe and speak again, Noct sent Luna a questioning glance, one that she eagerly ignored. "She did what now?" He asked roughly as he turned his gaze to Prompto.

The redness on his cheeks gave Noctis the impression he hadn't meant to give that information away.

"Well," Prompto started as he scratched the back of his head. "You see… a few years ago in middle school I found a hurt dog on the way home. I took her to my house, nursed her, and then she disappeared after she was healed. I named her Tiny."

"And?"

"And… a few weeks later I got a letter in the mail from a Lady Lunafreya Nox Fleuret thanking me for saving her dog and also for being a good friend to you. We didn't know each other at the time, but after that I kind of made it my mission to become your friend."

"You mean stalk me."

"I didn't stalk you!"

"Prompto, you would hide behind things and watch me. You did it for years."

Prompto huffed. "I was working through some things, and in any case, I only stayed away for a while after you called me heavy!"

"What?"

Noctis and Prompto turned to Luna and saw a shocked expression on her features. All of their food was practically cool at this point.

"What?" Noctis mirrored.

"You called him heavy?" Scolded Luna.

Frowning, Noctis leaned away from the table a bit and nearly dropped his fork. "I didn't mean to! He came over during break and was about to introduce himself to me. Before he did, he tripped and I went to help him up. I didn't mean to call him heavy!"

Noct felt the heat in Luna's scold. Prompto was practically reveling in it. Knowing he wasn't going to win no matter what he said, Noctis rolled his eyes, muttered something under his breath, and took a huge bite of chickatrice. He didn't even care it was cold.

"Anywho," Prompto started in an effort to change the subject after it got quiet between the three of them. "My name's Prompto. It's good to meet you, Diana. Do you want to have lunch with us tomorrow too? You see, Noct and I are a comedy duo. We'll be sure to make it fun…"

The Prince hesitated in watching Luna, wondering how she was gonna play it. When she nodded with a smile, Noctis had a feeling they had fully and effectively reeled Prompto in.

"I would love to."

I hope you guys enjoyed it! Reviews would be amazing. :D