Title: Guilt
Genre: Hurt/comfort, friendship, romance
Summary: Lunafreya learns to forgive herself after years of self-remorse.

Chapter 7: Guilt

It was a pleasantly cool night. The stars and the crescent moon shone brightly, unhidden by the clouds. A lone figure huddled next to the merrily crackling campfire Noctis and his companions had set up for the night. Luna had volunteered to take the first watch; she was confident she would have no trouble staying alert after taking a long nap on the road.

She had been travelling with the four men for three months searching for the missing King Regis and evading imperial forces. Noctis grew more agitated over time, jumping at every false lead or rumor like a lifeline. Luna could sympathize; if it were her parents, she would have given her all to reunite with them.

However, there were perks to all this travelling; being so far away from civilization and cluttered residential areas had significantly eased her mind. It had been days since she had witnessed the 'light' that signified death's looming presence. In a way it was a comforting bliss to not witness the opening of Etro's Gate, yet at the same time it felt almost like something was wrong. As if you could no longer see the end of the tunnel even if you took solace in its welcoming darkness and shelter.

A twig snapped nearby, alerting of an unannounced presence. Luna was on her feet, rapier drawn before she registered the source as Noctis returning from his evening stroll. He sat down next to her and leaned forward, she followed his example. No words needed to be exchanged. They basked in the warmth of the fire and in each other's presence.

Luna felt closeness towards this silent man, closeness that she didn't recall feeling even with her own parents or dearest handmaidens. It was born from otherworldly experiences that they had shared since they were children. Years had separated them, but their time together after reuniting in Altissia had closed the gap between them. He understood her in a way no living being could; he saw the light and suffered from the same nightmares she did. They rarely discussed their shared power or their experiences concerning the light, but they understood each other and accepted the need for silence and for the simple reminder of what was real. Usually just a simple touch in passing to make sure the other really was there was all that was needed to get past the most recent vision.

Noctis shifted and turned to face her.

"I can take over, you go get some sleep."

Pulling her knees to her chin, she shook her head, "Thank you, but I do not wish to rest yet. I need time to think", she glanced at her companion before settling her gaze to the dance of flames, "about things."

"Ah."

They sat in silence for a moment longer before Noctis got up to cast a log into the fire. The wood crackled, a steady stream of smoke rising above treetops. They could hear a lone cry of a sabertusk followed by bloodthirsty squeals of goblins somewhere in the distance.

"Wanna talk about it?" Two months ago her answer would have been a resounding 'no', but things had changed. They had changed. Luna trusted Noctis. She didn't flinch or drum her fingers in anxiety when he sat back down next to her and put a reassuring arm around her slight form. "Might help you think things through faster."

Encouraged, Luna admitted to her immature fear, "I cannot help but wonder if I would have been able to prevent my parents' death had I had the ability to predict it sooner." She felt more than heard the sigh against her cheek.

"They died during the invasion, right?"

Luna nodded mutely in confirmation. She wasn't sure if she had leaned against him or if he had pulled her closer, but she found that she didn't care. It felt right.

"What could you do at that age? Demand them to barricade themselves or double their guard? To run and hide? I doubt they would've listened. Etro, I wouldn't listen if a squirt the size of a fire extinguisher claimed to know better."

Noctis tilted his head to see Luna's face, but she refused to meet his gaze and stubbornly kept her eyes fixed on the rocky ground. He gently brushed her tangled hair aside with his free hand, but halted in alarm at the sight of fresh tears on her cheeks. Ashamed, she quickly turned her head and wiped the evidence away. Noctis frowned and tried to recall the times his father had comforted him. All he could remember was the safe loving embrace that enclosed him. Wrapping his free arm around the upset woman had no immediate effect, but it didn't take long for the valves of her self-control to burst open. She turned and buried her tear stained face into the crook of his neck and wrapped her arms around his middle, quietly weeping all the while. Noctis didn't know what to do, so he stroked her back in – what he hoped was – comforting circles.

Eventually her shaking subsided. She hesitantly removed her arms around him and let her hands rest against his chest, her cheeks burning from embarrassment and her gaze glued to his collarbone, reluctant to meet his inquiring eyes.

"I apologize. I made a mess of your shirt", was all she managed to mumble.

Not willing to let go of her just yet after witnessing such a personal moment, Noctis shrugged and replied lightly with a sly smile: "If you're willing to wash it afterwards you can make as big a mess as you like." He was rewarded with a strangled laugh that could have easily been a sob. "Hey now, just because your parents are gone doesn't mean they don't live within you and influence your everyday life. I bet they're proud of you."

Finally she lifted her downcast eyes and gave him a watery smile. "You truly believe that?"

"Of course. Agreeing to marry someone as amazing as I–", he trailed off as she playfully pushed him away. "Truth can be hard to handle, it seems", he drawled as she made a face at him.

"The only amazing quality about you is your ego", she huffed, but he saw the corner of her lips twitch with a suppressed smile.

"So I'm told."

They stood in silence, listening to the dying cracks and pops of dry twigs. He went to toss another log into the fire and took his previous spot to gaze at the clear night sky.

"Thank you, Noct."

He turned to face her and stuffed his hands deep in his pockets. She clasped her hands together, a sincere smile adorning her slightly flushed face.

"You helped me put the past behind", she elaborated. "No matter how much I told myself that my parents' death was never my fault, the helpless child in me always convinced me otherwise", she took a shuddering breath, fighting to keep her tone even, her eyes glazing over as she spoke, "hearing a second opinion – it really helps." She finally met his gaze, no longer troubled, guilty or sad.

"Better get used to it. Once we're married, you'll hear plenty of 'second opinions'", he sounded very sure of himself as if he had no doubts that one day the two of them would be wed and they would share each other's everyday lives.

She took in his relaxed stance, hands still in his pockets like a bashful school boy's, but the intense mature focus in his eyes betrayed his true personality. He could act like a lazy slob, but he had this permanent aura of authority surrounding him that demanded respect. He was a fascinating character.

"I take it back; your snark is equally amazing to your ego."

"Wasn't being snarky", he replied sourly.

"Well, then. I believe my watch is up. Better hop to it, Highness", she singsonged, all traces of tears and guilt long gone.

"Why is it that my own companions and subjects use my title as an insult? Does no-one respect royalty anymore?" He had no idea how much her respect for him had grown that night. Maybe best he never would lest his head grew too big.

But suppose a small token of thanks would not hurt anybody.

Feeling bold, she walked up to him, stood on her tiptoes and pecked him on the cheek.

"Goodnight."

Noctis smiled faintly in return, "I could get used to that."

With a final parting glance she crawled to their shared tent and got ready for the night.

So could I, Noct, so could I.

That night her sleep was devoid of nightmares.

A/N: I realize all of the characters are more or less out of character. We don't really know much about them, especially about Luna, and I'm afraid my imagination+writing skills are very limited. I've tried to write Luna as a traumatized but strongwilled lady, while Noctis is insecure but hides it by acting cool or snarky. I probably failed on that attempt, but I'll try to better myself in the future.

I'd also like to thank everyone for their kind reviews. I wasn't going to write this chapter, but after reading them, I got motivated to give it another go. :)