Title: Motel
Genre: Angst, humor, friendship
Summary: Continuation for Sleeping arrangements.

Chapter 3: Motel

They had been driving for hours, only stopping by at Hammerhead for a quick snack and refuel – or as quick as Gladiolus would allow them. He still seemed adamant on sweet talking to the head mechanic. Poor guy. Cindy didn't seem to get the hint or was deliberately ignoring his advances.

The night was approaching fast. It was still several kilometers till the next motel. Noctis was sure his companions would agree that a night at the motel would be more appreciated than another night stuffed in a tent. As if reading his thoughts Ignis suggested past the next 'motel nearby'-sign: "We ought to rent a room for tonight. As comfortable as Lady Lunafreya must feel squashed between the two of you, she ought to have a chance to wash away your sweaty odour."

"In fewer words: Ignis wants to have a bath and groom himself", Prompto quipped helpfully.

"To be fair, we all could use a shower. It has been trying couple of days." Luna, ever the diplomat, Noctis mused. Might as well support the cause.

"Think I still have sabertusk guts in my hair."

Ignis hummed approvingly. "It is settled, then."

It was past midnight when the five travel worn companions stumbled into their assigned room. Prompto was ready to pass out then and there, so Ignis reluctantly allowed him to shower first. He had hoped to grant that privilege to Lunafreya, but she insisted on letting the young commoner have the first turn.

"Better he smells freshly showered instead of dry blood and sweat by the time we retire for the night. I am sure the owner of this fine establishment would not be pleased with dirty sheets after our stay."

She had a valid point. There were only so many days of battle odour Ignis could handle without a break.

The rest of them had begun to dine by the time the door leading to the corridor opened. In came Prompto with his long blonde hair sticking to his face. The freckle faced youth managed two steps inside before stumbling and barely caught himself from falling face first onto the floor.

"I believe it is your turn to get refreshed, Lady Lunafreya", Ignis suggested between hauling Prompto to his feet and leading him to his seat without missing a beat.

"Very well", she rose from her seat with well-trained elegance that clashed with her wind-blown hair and dirt covered face. Ignis returned his attention to the food and conversing with Gladiolus once Prompto was securely slouched in his chair. They were so absorbed in their discussion about different chocobo breeds – which instantly perked Prompto from his sleepy haze – that the trio completely missed their prince slipping out of the room to follow Luna.

Noctis stood in front of the bathroom door, listening to the steady beat of water hitting the tile floor. What was he doing here? His companions would highly disapprove of him stepping over the fine line of privacy.

But he couldn't simply get the pleasant memory of her travel clothed body barely pressed against his side, her sleeping features just centimeters away from his. Her hands were soft like any female's of noble birth, but they still retained a sort of firmness and strength that came from wielding a rapier. Just feeling the warmth radiating from her still figure as she shared the tent with him made him wish to hold her and feel the battle hardened skin underneath the many layers – too many, he mused – of travel clothing.

Noctis let out a mute sigh and rested his forehead against the door. There had been so much going on lately that he hadn't had the time to ponder over his and is bride-to-be's relationship. He was barely acknowledging the yearning he felt for her. They had been friends since childhood, not close like he and his companions, but the two did share a connection. They were more than just mere acquaintances, no question about it. But could he label them as friends?

She had this independency about her: as if she wanted to keep her companions at an arm's length – politely, of course. She might have acted warm and welcoming to his merry band of brothers, but she always kept a certain distance. Almost as if she didn't wish to get burnt and felt the need to keep her guard up at all times. She even slept like a watch dog; always up at the smallest of sounds and was usually the first one to wake up. Not that Noctis was ever there to witness it, but he knew Ignis wouldn't make up stories for him – unless he needed to be bailed out of trouble from the guards, that is.

Unconsciously his hand went to the bathroom door's handle. He held his breath as he turned it without a sound.

Lunafreya felt the hair in the back of her neck stand up in a subconscious warning. She instantly took heed and turned to face the door. She turned off the running water and inhaled slowly. Stepping out of the shower booth soap still glimmering between her locks, she quickly checked if the door had a lock mechanism she had missed on her way in, but found none.

I suppose privacy has always been a luxury I could never afford.

The door handle turned downwards, slowly and silently. Her heartbeat quickened in silent panic; she was naked and unarmed. Memories of her time in Tenebrae after the invasion flashed in her mind's eye: soldiers entering her chambers unbidden. She shook her head to clear her mind. She had to think of a plan. She might be unarmed, but she was not helpless. Perhaps if she switched off the lights and tackled the intruder…

The door never opened. The handle slowly rose back to its original resting place. She heard a quiet shuddering intake of breath from the other side of the door followed by retreating footsteps.

Cooling water dripped down to the small of her back, making her shiver. She placed a hand over her heart, attempting to calm her frantic heartbeat and frayed nerves. She pressed her ear against the door and listened for a minute for any sounds. Once she was certain the danger had passed, she re-entered the shower booth and finished scrubbing the blood and dirt out of her hair.

What was that all about?

Noctis had returned to the rented motel room and was casually sipping coffee when Lunafreya entered. Her long hair was wrapped in a towel and she wore a bath robe that was provided by the motel staff. He met her gaze evenly and consciously forced himself to keep his eyes on hers a few seconds before letting his gaze to wander back to his friends. He couldn't allow himself to act flustered or she would put two and two together and know he had been up to something. He had a feeling he would be forced to sleep on the couch if he was caught red handed.

Then again, maybe that would do him some good. Noctis was sure Ignis would have suggested that in the first place, had he known 'His Highness' was stalking his semi-girlfriend.

Things would get better once they hit the road again, he assured himself. All he needed was a good fight to clear his head.

A sweet scent entered his nostrils. Luna had sat down next to him and took dainty bites of her previously unfinished supper. It would be hard to keep his hands to himself if he still insisted on sharing the tent with her. Could he maybe fake sleep while holding her? He doubted she would believe it for a second, but he couldn't help but wonder if she would still allow him to go through with it. Did she feel any attraction to him, at all? So far she seemed to regard each of them in similar manner. Although she most likely turned to him a tiny bit more, if only for the fact that she had known him longer than the other three.

What a comforting thought. He grimaced into his coffee mug. Such a silly thing to have your ego hurt over.

"Your turn."

"Hm?" He turned to face Luna, brows knitted together in confusion.

"To shower, Highness", Ignis filled in for her.

"Ah."

He finished his coffee, put the mug in the sink and lazily sauntered outside. He felt a tug on his sleeve and turned around.

"I know it was you."

Noctis froze, his mind drawing a blank. How could he explain himself? She knew as well as he did that him skulking outside the door was not an accident.

"When you said you would get back at me, I expected something more tactful, Noctis."

"I recall you mentioning you'd look forward to it", he couldn't help his snarky remark. Her gaze fell. She let go of his sleeve and turned around to head back to their shared room.

"You stink. Go wash those guts out of your hair." And she was gone.

He really needed to work on his pickup lines.