Title: Not a fairytale
Genre: Romance, humor, angst
Summary: Their marriage may have not been a fairytale, but they dared to hope. Together.
Warning: Includes so much senseless fluff you might puke sugar and rainbows by the time you're done.
Chapter 5
"Well, well. If it ain't the prince 'imself. What can I do fer ye today?"
"Heard there was a troublesome hunt mark." Noctis casually leaned against the bar counter.
"Ah, ye be talkin' 'bout the sea devil matron. She's one mean ol' lady, I tell ye. Been sinking some lighter boats an' 'ttacking them civilians on the other side o' the shore. You be doin' us all a mighty favour if ye put 'er down."
"Count on it." The prince took the wanted poster from the billboard, folded it and stuffed it in his back pocket.
"I see ye don't order any drinks anymore. Things gotten better?" The middle-aged man eyed the Lucian curiously. The prince had been somewhat of a regular customer. He would come at odd hours; in the middle of the night or early afternoon. Always alone and surrounded by a cold aloof aura. He did little to hide his identity, but he acted civil and didn't attract attention so he was mostly left alone. When the Lucian began to slay wanted beasts for him, the bartender repaid the deeds both with gil and ushering any nosy reporters out while the prince was enjoying his drink. They had developed a mutual respect.
"Yup. Lot better. I'll see you later." The bartender watched Noctis hurry off to a boat where his wife waited. She smiled warmly to her husband and patted the empty space next to her as an invitation. The prince sat down, put his arm around her and showed the poster. The boat moved out of the man's sight.
"I guess she's got something do with your improvement", he muttered to himself as he wiped a shot glass.
Noctis dismissed his Zweihander. The matron's scaly hide had proven too tough for his regular swords. He had had no other choice but to brutally smash its skull with his greatsword.
A sharp bark brought his attention to his canine companion.
"What's that, boy?" He followed the husky's line of sight and saw Pryna jogging towards them. A letter was wrapped around her foreleg. The white dog barked in greeting and offered her paw. Noctis chuckled and kneeled down to shake it before removing Luna's letter.
'I've made the arrangements for our move to Insomnia. We will depart once your companions arrive.'
A wide grin stretched his lips. It had been only little over a month since he saw Prompto, Gladio and Ignis yet he missed them terribly. He felt their absence especially during his and Luna's cold war – as he liked to refer to it to get a laugh out of his wife. He missed his father, too, even though he had come to terms with his absence a long time ago. He would return home as a new man, someone his father could be proud to call his son.
Noctis traced Luna's elegant handwriting with his thumb. Even with mobile phones available they had silently agreed to continue their age-old tradition of using dog mail. It was somehow much more intimate and personal. His phone could be bugged and his texts read without his consent, but the letters were protected by highly loyal – and should the need arise, aggressive – mail carriers. He brought the letter close to his face. He could faintly smell her perfume from it. Settling down next to the sea devil's corpse he pulled a ballpoint pen from his pocket. He had made it a habit to carry one in his pocket at all times. He turned her letter and wrote on the blank side.
'I'm sure Gentiana will feel right at home surrounded by men in black.' He wrapped the letter back to Pryna's leg. She cantered off without delay.
"Guess we gotta bring back souvenirs for the good bartender if we want to collect that bounty, eh?" Umbra wagged his tail and sat down next to the carcass while Noctis took a picture with his phone. He removed a single scale from its soft belly and headed to their boat. Umbra leapt inside and rose to his hind legs, leaning his forelegs over the edge. Noctis chuckled and pushed the boat off the shore.
"I know, boy. I can't wait to get home." He wasn't referring to Insomnia. His home was where his heart was.
He sat on the balcony swing and watched the sunset. He wasn't sure if Luna would finish reading the next book before their escort arrived, so he had bought a book from the bookstore around the corner in favour of borrowing one from the library.
His phone vibrated. Eagerly he read her coordinates and warp struck across several blocks to meet her. Once she spotted the phantom-like blue projection from his warp she smiled and waved. He grinned and returned the wave midair. Her joy morphed to horror as he plummeted towards the stone street. On the last second he warped and cartwheeled safely to his feet.
"You really must stop doing that!" she chastised him.
"You gotta admit it's pretty impressive." He nudged her side.
"Fine, I yield. It is impressive. Know what else is impressive? The rate at which you're giving me grey hairs." She frowned.
"I think you'd look good in grey. Would fit the monochromatic theme of Insomnia."
She giggled. Noctis offered her his arm and she accepted it without hesitation. 'Mr. Bucket head' was nowhere to be seen. He noted the tracker was absent from her Oracle's trident.
"I placed the tracker on the storeroom's door. It thinks I'm right next to it", she said as if reading his mind. "I won't be needing any Imperial protection when the Crownsguard arrive."
"Got that right."
When they arrived to their bedroom Noctis went to retrieve the book he had left on the balcony swing. Luna removed her heels and lifted her long hem to avoid stumbling as she made her way behind the screen.
"Wait."
She halted and glanced curiously at the prince. "What is it?"
He set the book on the bed and hesitantly moved to stand beside her. "I just wanted to tell you that you look really good in that dress."
She demurely lowered her gaze, her left hand clasping her right arm. "Thank you."
"I think the crescent necklace looked good with it. I haven't seen you wear it since you held the speech. Why's that?"
"I didn't realize you liked it so much", she murmured. "I did not wish to wear it because it reminded me of Nyx. He gave it to me. It felt somehow wrong, like I was cheating on you."
His brows shot up in surprise. "So you've fought your feelings for him all this time?" She bit her lower lip and nodded. He crossed his arms and pursed his lips in thought. "What if I regifted it to you? Would you consider wearing it?"
Her eyes finally rose to meet his. "Only if you put it on for me. No-one else is allowed to take it off or put it on me."
His hands gently took her hands in his. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
She retrieved the necklace from her jewelry box and handed it to him with a smile. A pleasant shiver ran through her as his fingers danced lightly on her neck. After fastening it he placed a tender kiss on the bare skin visible between the collar and bodice of her dress. She coyly glanced at him over her shoulder and took a step back to let her back rest against his chest. His arms lifted around her waist almost as if on their own accord. Her arms followed and settled over his. She gently swayed to an unheard melody. His feet followed. They slow-danced to their own private tune with only the crescent moon above as their witness.
"Luna?"
"Hm?" She tied sylleblossoms into a bracelet. It was their last day in Altissia. She would have a servant remain with her letter and bracelet to let Ravus know she had gone to join her husband's family. He would most likely arrive the next week to a political meeting held in Altissia and stop by to check on her. She would do her all to keep the two princes from crossing paths.
"Remember our wedding day?"
That seemed to come out of nowhere. "Of course. How could I forget?"
He sat down next to her on the couch and rested his chin on her shoulder. "Do you remember that letter you sent me via Umbra?"
She tilted her head, but couldn't recall anything concerning letters.
"You wrote 'I've waited for this day'. I've been wondering for a while now what you meant by it. I know I got the message completely wrong." He pulled a familiar condom from his coat's breast pocket.
"I can't believe you still carry that thing around with you." She crinkled her nose, but to her surprise she could feel a steady heat building inside her.
"Hey, you never know. It was a wedding gift from Prompto. Wouldn't wanna hurt his feelings by throwing it away." He pocketed it and buried his face in her neck. She carefully pulled away from him and snatched his arm to try the unfinished bracelet on it.
"I simply meant that I had waited to meet you. I actually wrote that letter the day before. Umbra located you a little late since you were already onboard by the time I sent him. When he got around delivering it to you, I was so exhausted I couldn't think of anything besides a soft feather pillow." She removed the bracelet from his wrist and continued to work. "I'm truly sorry for being so insensitive that day. No-one deserves such behavior on their wedding day, least of all you."
"I forgave you a long time ago", he assured her. She finished the bracelet and placed it next to her letter addressed to Ravus. The heat still remained. Sitting back beside her husband she patted her lap invitingly. Noctis eyed her in confusion. She gently pulled him to lie down, letting his head rest in her lap.
"This is new", he commented as her fingers combed through his dark locks.
"Good kind of new, I hope."
"Very good", he hummed. His lashes fluttered shut as she massaged his scalp. He greedily inhaled her scent and searched for her free hand. He brought it to his lips and held it there, imitating her other hand's motion by stroking the back of her hand with his thumb.
"Do you wanna ride with me back to Insomnia? Got room for one more on the Regalia."
She paused tending to his scalp. "If you're certain. I don't wish to intrude."
He turned his head to place a kiss on her stomach. "I know for a fact Prompto would like to talk with you. Besides it'd be the perfect opportunity for you to get to know them better. You'll be seeing them a lot."
She smiled warmly as she pushed his bangs from his eyes. "I'd like that."
Gentiana knocked on the door and entered the sitting room. Neither of them bothered trying to hide their intimate position.
"It is time, Highnesses. Our escort has arrived."
"... And there's this arcade me and Noct visited every day after class. Is it true that you actually played JMF? I read the online news and tabloids of Accordo in case they'd have an article about you two. There was a picture, but it only showed Noct playing while the headline made it sound you were both playing", Prompto chattered excitedly. A small fond grin tugged at Noctis' lips. He had missed his best friend, but even he found Prompto's verbal diarrhea amusing. The energetic blond could hardly close his mouth.
"JMF?" Luna hesitantly asked.
"Justice Monsters Five, of course!"
"Oh, that. Yes, yes I did."
"Did you win?"
She slyly glanced at her husband before offering her most sincere doe-eyes to the younger man. "Of course."
"In what reality?" Noctis butted in. "You didn't even come close."
"Don't mind him, Luna. Noct's not one to admit defeat, particularly when it comes to games and high scores." Gladio grinned.
Noctis huffed and rolled his eyes. "Betrayed by my own bodyguard."
"Now you know what it feels like." Luna kept her voice carefully neutral, but Noctis recognized the humorous glint in her eye. It was her cue for a joke. "I was betrayed by both of my most loyal servants; my dog and attendant. Why, I had to constantly worry when I'd be assaulted next."
"A cruel fate, indeed", Ignis commented.
"It certainly is. And now I'm kidnapped and taken to a foreign country."
"Without the 'kid'", Noctis corrected.
Prompto sagely nodded. "You'll have to deal with a lot of napping in the Crown City. Noct's notorious for that."
Luna had quickly learnt the quartet couldn't get through a day without a pun or two. Even when they had stopped to rescue a lone traveller who did not have the sense to stay indoors after nightfall, she had heard at least three puns as the men fought against an iron giant. Her personal favourite had been Prompto's "Oh, the irony!" when Gladio had disarmed the daemon and lifted its giant sword with Noctis to penetrate its armoured skin. She could've sent the daemon back whence it came on her own, but she had recognized Noctis' eagerness to show his combat prowess and stepped aside to let the men handle it. It had been quite the sight to see the four men work so seamlessly together as if they were of the same mind. She had seen Nyx demonstrate his warping abilities, but as she now compared the two it felt like a pale imitation of the full potential that only one of Lucian royalty could achieve.
"By the way, Luna." Prompto turned around casually in his seat to mischievously grin at the prince. "Did you know Noct has a special collection that you'd find interesting?"
"Prompto", Noctis warned.
"Oh?"
Her husband jumped forward to clamp his hand over the freckled youth's blabbering mouth.
"What he means to say is that we also have a garden within the palace and would happily help you grow sylleblossoms for your consolation bracelets!" he exclaimed over Prompto's muffled protests. He glared at his best friend and pinched the blond's lips when he cheekily attempted his once proven tongue-trick.
"Ow! No fair." He rubbed his smarting lips after Noctis released his hold.
"I wonder if sylleblossoms can grow in this climate." Luna absently eyed the passing desert scenery of Leide.
"Most certainly", Ignis assured. "The green house has many exotic flora from across Eos. If it can grow in Accordo then I don't see why they wouldn't thrive within Insomnia."
"It's nothing like this within the Wall. Leide's wasteland is mostly a result from bombings. Magitek missiles ain't exactly nature friendly." Gladio crossed his tattooed arms.
"Hopefully this peace gives us a chance to rebuild and plant new seeds for future generations." Luna's eyes were wistful, her tone solemn.
Noctis' gaze involuntarily dropped to his coat's pocket where Prompto's wedding gift still waited. Future generations, she said. He wondered if one day he would have children. It was expected, even required of him as the sole heir to the throne. He only wished his wife wouldn't be pressured to perform her wifely duties. He already felt guilty for what had transpired between them in Altissia. He was hopeful, however. She had promised to stay true to her feelings. Instead of withdrawing from his touch completely, she had tentatively accepted his affections, even encouraged them.
They had kissed during their stay in Galdin Quay. It had been so different from their first kiss – he didn't count the wedding kiss for obvious reasons. Somehow it had felt mutual and not just like emotionless movement of lips against his. Her lips had been warm and he could've sworn they had curved into a shy smile.
When they had parted for air, he had jokingly asked her if it had felt like kissing a brother.
"No", she had answered. His heart had skipped a beat when she opened her dark blue eyes, her pupils dilated from need and want. "I could do with another."
He had never been one to follow orders, but in that instant he obeyed so fast he knocked them both off their seats. Needless to say, business was as usual; his eagerness led to embarrassment and a bruised ego. The latter had been easily mended with a muffled giggle while the former hadn't mattered once he realized she was just as nervous as he was.
Noctis jumped and awoke from his musings when he felt Luna's head lean against his shoulder. She softly yawned and wrapped both of her arms around his.
"Seems like she's had lessons from you, Noct." Prompto grinned. The prince merely lifted the index finger of his free hand to his lips to signal silence and followed her example.
King Regis was waiting along with Cor by the steps of the Citadel when they arrived. Ignis parked the Regalia. Noctis helped his wife out of the car and held her arm as he guided her to his father.
"Welcome to Insomnia, Lunafreya. It is good to see you", the elderly man smiled warmly.
"It has been a long time, Your Majesty." She politely curtsied.
Cor remained completely still as he stood behind his liege. His permanent scowl couldn't be outmatched even by Ignis. As the rest of the entourage stepped out of the cars, the grim Marshal budged. The almost unnoticeable movement attracted Noctis' attention. The older man's eyes were firmly set on one of Lunafreya's servants. The prince turned around and followed Cor's gaze. Gentiana stood serenely among the servants. Her eyes were glued to the old man's in return. Some sort of understanding seemed to pass between the two, but the moment was over within seconds. They didn't acknowledge the other's presence for the rest of the day. Noctis could only speculate how the two knew each other and what their relationship might've been.
They were ushered inside and offered a chance to wash up and change clothes before the small welcoming feast. Noctis really didn't deem it necessary, especially when it meant wearing that damned suit again, but he understood the need to acknowledge the arrival of another royalty. He saw Gentiana walk with Luna to the guest chamber to get ready. The blonde smiled as he caught her eye. He pouted pitifully while she contained her titter.
Ignis cleared his throat. "Ready, Highness?"
"Ready as I'll ever be. Let's do this", he muttered. "And don't touch the hair."
He had seen his wife in many different outfits; casual, formal, dresses, skirts, tunics. One thing they all had in common was the colour white. He wasn't prepared when Luna emerged from the chamber dressed in traditional Lucian black. The black dress was the complete opposite of her form-fitting, pure white Oracle's dress that left little to his overactive imagination. The black dress had long wide sleeves that hung past her fingertips and a long hem that dragged on the floor even as she wore high heels. It hid almost all of her shapely figure, but at the same time it was more alluring than even her white summer dress that he had purposely drenched with Umbra's help. A cloth belt with the Reaper's symbols was wrapped around her waist. Her long blond hair had been gathered up to a loose bun with dishevelled tresses hanging from it to frame her face. The crescent moon pendant was absent from her slender neck.
His breath hitched as she stepped closer, heels clicking against the marble floor. She extended her arm, the long sleeve revealing her slim wrist and closed hand. "Here." She placed the necklace in his palm and turned her back to him. He noted she was faintly smiling as he fastened the lock.
"Do I look like a Mrs. Caelum now?" She did a little twirl, her sleeves and hem glided around her like a dancer's ribbon.
"Might need a few more skull buttons, but that'll have to do for now." She good-naturedly smacked his arm. He grinned and offered his gloved hand. She placed hers on top of his and followed him to the dining room.
Everything was fairly pleasant; the company was slightly stuffy, though it was nowhere near as bad as his wedding party, and the food was good and most of all familiar. He didn't need to play the guessing game of 'to be or not to be picky'. When the Council members couldn't keep politics from the dinner conversations, he could withdraw to a private conversation with Gladio or Ignis. Mostly Gladio, since Ignis was actually interested in what the Council had to say. Prompto unfortunately was not allowed to attend due to his low status as a commoner. Luna kept her attention to the main conversation and added her insight wherever she could.
All was well until Noctis spotted Nyx Ulric standing guard by the door. It didn't take long for his wife's gaze to be pulled to him as if by a magnet. She glanced at Noctis uncertainly. He trusted her, so he nodded his consent. Luna stood up, curtsied, thanked the host and excused herself. She went to the glaive and requested to talk with him in private. He complied. Noctis didn't miss the small smirk tugging at the jaunty glaive's lips or the desire dancing in his eyes. The prince clenched his gloved fists, but remained put. Luna had made an oath, he trusted her with all his being. Yet he had to do his all to not let jealousy cloud his better judgment.
"Didn't expect to see you so soon, Highness", the Galahdan commented. "Guess you missed me." His thumbs rested in his belt loops, his strides were confident. His whole being was a stark contrast to Noctis who acted cool to hide his shyness and vulnerability. She had fallen in love with the glaive's boldness. She had felt he was a match for her; someone who could challenge her and excite her. But it wasn't excitement or raw masculinity that she cared about anymore. It was the tender feather-light touches of her husband's lips, the awkward fumbling of his hands and the pure unadulterated love that shone in his eyes when he said her name.
As soon as she entered the guest room he closed and locked the door behind him. The glaive let his gaze unashamedly roam over her body. "You look gorgeous in black, by the way." His voice was husky from desire. "Nice little touch with the necklace I gave you." To him it was as if she had declared herself as his with her attire. Nyx walked to Luna and lifted his half-gloved hand to caress her cheek. She gently pried his hand off. His smugness turned to confusion. "What is it? Worried that we'll be found out?"
"Nyx, I am married. I belong to Noctis now." She lifted her left hand to show her wedding ring.
"That didn't stop you before. Or is being engaged a completely different matter to you?"
Luna steadily held his gaze, her voice resolute. "I've made my vows and I intend to stand by them. What we had was a fling. Nothing more."
"I don't believe you." The glaive lifted his hand to her jaw and trailed it down her throat. She trembled under his touch. "See? You're still affected by that. You still want me." His other hand went to her hip and pulled her against him. She softly gasped as she felt his excitement pressing against her. "You don't have to pretend with me, remember?"
She opened her mouth to protest, but words died on her lips when his hand lifted the long hem of her dress and caressed her bare inner thigh. Shuddering she turned her head and exposed her neck to him. He didn't hesitate tasting her vulnerable flesh, feeling her pulse rapidly pounding against his hot lips.
It wasn't supposed to go like this. She was too weak.
His free hand went to her hand and tried to pry her wedding band off. With a strangled cry she shoved him away from her. "D-do not touch me", she panted. "I am not yours to have. I will not betray Noctis' trust. Not now, not tomorrow, not ever." Her voice grew more confident with each word. "I requested you here because I have come to end our affair. I ask that you never seek private audience with me again. It is over, Nyx."
The glaive scowled at her darkly. "There's no going back if you end it now. I won't be there to warm your bed when the princeling fails to satisfy you."
He spoke out of line, but she knew him better than that. He didn't mean the harsh words or deem the prince lesser man than him; he was merely venting his frustration. Nyx Ulric had never taken rejection well. It was another quality that separated her husband from her lover. While Noctis moped and took his anger out on beasts, Nyx aimed his ire at the people around him.
"That is your future King you are speaking of. I would hold my tongue if I were you." She stood straight, her hands regally clasped in front of her. Even if she understood what he was going through she couldn't give an inch or he would devour her whole.
"My apologies, Highness." Nyx bowed stiffly. "If there is nothing else, I take my leave." He hurried off, his braids bouncing with each angry stride. Luna took a shuddering breath and tugged the hem of her dress down to hide her exposed leg.
"It is done", she whispered to herself.
She had done the right thing. Why was it then that she felt so empty? Perhaps the glaive still owned a part of her heart which she had lost when he stormed off.
With a sigh she exited the guest chamber.
Luna hadn't had the chance to familiarize herself with the palace, so it took her a while to locate Noctis' room where the prince was pacing anxiously. He stopped when she announced her presence and closed the door behind her.
"Nyx Ulric won't be around me anymore unless it is by the King's order. I told him to stop seeing me in private."
Seeing the relief on his face, it was as if a huge burden was lifted from her shoulders.
"I guess he didn't take it too well?" He knew he wouldn't have if their roles had been reversed.
"No. He attempted to talk me over." She lowered her gaze and smoothed her dress, the feeling of his hand sensually stroking her bare leg still haunting her. "He even tried to seduce me."
Noctis tensed, his cool blue eyes were stormy. "I better not see him even looking your way or I will have him cast out, Father's favoured glaive or not."
Luna stepped close to him and tentatively wrapped her arms around him. Without hesitation he returned the gesture. "Noctis?" He pulled back enough to see her face. Her cerulean eyes glimmered with tears. "I'm so sorry. I wasn't assertive enough. I didn't turn down his advances right away. I should have, but I didn't." Her tone was brittle. "Please forgive me."
His gloved hand rose to wipe away her guilty tears. How could he be angry at her? She was honest and admitted her mistake. "You got it done eventually. That's all that matters to me. I won't let him get between us. Once was enough." His tone was warm as he caressed her teary cheeks with his thumbs. "I don't know about you but I prefer concentrating on our future instead of our past mishaps."
She sniffled and offered him a watery smile. He pulled her closer and gently rocked her to calm her down.
"Can I stay here tonight?"
Noctis pulled away, his gloved hands trailing down her arms until his fingers found the ends of her wide sleeves. "You don't want your own room?"
She shook her head. "I don't think I can sleep very well without you. I'm too used to your presence."
He played with her hidden fingertips and thoughtfully tilted his head. "Father would probably prefer having us both move to a bigger room together, but you can stay here until then. Might get a little cramped on the bed, though. It's nothing like the one we had in Altissia." He playfully trailed a finger against the insides of her wrists.
"I will try not to push you off in my sleep, then."
Noctis read a report and listened with one ear to Ignis lecturing him about politics. He was bored out of his mind, but he had decided to be responsible and take his training seriously. He wished his wife would be there instead of Ignis. She somehow always managed to make economics and military reports interesting.
Something scratched against the study's door. The prince and advisor exchanged curious glances before the older man went to open the door. Umbra briskly entered and walked past Ignis straight to Noctis.
"What you got there, boy?"
Ignis rubbed the bridge of his nose in exasperation. The former Tenebraean princess sometimes had inconvenient timing with her letter deliveries. The advisor remained by the door to let the prince have his privacy. His brow rose in interest as his protégé's controlled excitement melted into a sunny beam. He was positively glowing. He stood up in a hurry.
"Let's take a little break. We'll continue in an hour." He forsook all regality and dashed off. The letter fell from his hand, but he didn't pay it any mind. Ignis watched it dance in the air before it landed on the floor. He knelt to pick it up and couldn't stop himself from skimming it.
'I love you. – L'
When the prince returned to the study, his mouth was stretched into a permanent giddy grin. His hair was messier than usual, his tie was loosely hanging from his neck and his dress shirt was untucked from his trousers. Ignis could see faint lipstick marks peeking from under his collar. If he squinted he could see that the prince's face had been decorated with similar marks, but thankfully they had had the sense to hastily wipe such evidence away.
"Had a good break, Highness?" he questioned dryly.
"Yup! I'm a lot more awake now."
"Good. I hope your mind won't wander to unrelated places." The older man handed the files to the flustered prince. "Next time, ask your lovely wife to return you the way you left our study session."
Noctis smirked to himself, the memory of her delicate hands roaming his chest and her painted lips marking every inch of his skin still fresh on his mind. "Sorry, can't promise you anything, Specs."
A/N: Mommy, it's over!
About Cor and Gentiana… I think they're both immortal. I think Gentiana might be the first Oracle ever while Cor might be related to the Caelum line, which is why they're all "o hai thar, been a several thousand years, howzzit goin'?" There was some interview where it was mentioned that one of the men in Noctis' group was more than a friend to him, so that made me think Cor might be blood related to Noctis. (Sorry, I just simply couldn't resist sticking that bit in the story.)
Luna's dress is based on a concept art from Kingsglaive that was never used. It's basically a black kimono, and it's super pretty.
I hope this satisfies your noctluna needs until the game releases!
For New moon readers; savour it! They'll never get past the handholding stage in that story.