Author's note: I couldn't help it- I had to introduce a FFVII cameo! Plus, I wanted to add to Luna's family history and took some creative liberties. You'll see what I mean at the end of the chapter... Given that this is fanfiction, the fic obviously won't stick completely to canon, but the main ideas and things will still be present. Hopefully that doesn't put people off too much. I'm just terrible at sticking to canon- like what's the point of writing fanfiction if you're not going to take some creative liberties? (This is just me making excuses now LOL- I wish I could write in line with canon- I'd feel so legit).
Warning: This chapter is mostly fluff. This whole fic seems like it will be mostly fluff- I'm gonna go ahead and admit that this whole thing is just self-made fan service LOL.
Enjoy the chapter! Leave me a line if you enjoyed it- and thanks to all who reviewed! *hugs*
Chapter Six: Back on the Road
It had taken some convincing, but after completing a few hunts and ridding the surrounding desert area of wandering varmints, Cindy Aurum had graciously fitted a child's carrier in the spacious back seat of the Regalia. Gladiolus and Noctis had initially complained about the lack of leg room, but had gotten used to their new seating arrangement in the week that had spent together on the road.
As per usual, Ignis was designated driver whilst Lunafreya had replaced Prompto in the front passenger seat. Prompto, Noctis and Gladiolus were squished into the back seat, with Noctis' shins almost pressing against Karina's newly installed seat. Prompto and Noctis took turns sitting in the centre behind the newly installed seat- Gladiolus exempt from the rotations due to his sheer size. It would be cruel to shove the giant man into that small space.
Noctis sighed and reached out to ruffle Karina's windswept hair. Luna had braided the girl's slightly wavy brown locks earlier in the morning before they had left their camping ground. Still, the girl's locks were blown out of its neat position almost as soon as the car had begun to move. Karina was not bothered by her stray locks however, as she hummed quietly to herself, her warm hazel eyes darting here and there following the passing scenery.
"You okay kiddo?" the prince asked, his voice light and attentive. Karina turned slightly in her seat, restrained by the seatbelt Luna, Ignis and Gladiolus had insisted upon.
"Yup! I saw two of the things with the horn!" Karina announced proudly. Prompto snorted and held a fist to the girl.
"Good eye, short stuff! We'll make a sharp shooter out of you yet!" Karina giggled and bumped her small fist to Prompto's calloused one, not aware of the pointed look her father was shooting her from the rear view mirror.
"Karina, what did I tell you about twisting in your seat?"
The little girl pouted, her eyes down cast.
"It's dangerous."
"Good, you remember. Now put that piece of knowledge to practice. Eyes forward." Karina frowned, her eyes watering slightly at Ignis' berating tone. However she obediently turned in her seat and sat quietly, her eyes fixated on her knees. Ignis sighed and turned his attention back to the road, trying not to glance in the rear view mirror to check on Karina. He hadn't meant to bring the girl down, but he was driving quite fast, and the road contained a lot of bends and curves.
The Tenebrae native beside him noticed his discomfort.
"You're doing well with her, Ignis. Sometimes parents need to be a little firm, especially when children are acting in a way that could bring them harm." Ignis glanced at Luna, nodding in acknowledgment.
"I am… trying to do my best with what little knowledge I have about rearing kids. Still, it's daunting to know that this child is largely my responsibility. I'm afraid I can do everything to ensure her safety, but her happiness is another matter," Ignis smiled sadly, glancing at Karina through the rear view mirror, finding that the girl was sadly staring at her hands in her lap. Luna turned her head slightly and offered Karina a smile.
"Kari, sweet heart, if you ask Gladio nicely at the next stop, I think he'll give you some delicious snacks," Luna spoke, her voice gentle. Karina perked up at the suggestion and offered a small smile to her magic lady.
"Really?" Karina's hopeful voice rang through the open car. Luna shot a meaningful glance at Ignis, silently insisting he answer.
"I suppose you've been a good girl so far, and we have travelled for quite some time. I believe Longwythe Rest Area is a half hour drive away from our current position- we can stop there." Ignis witnessed Karina's small, pink lips form a large happy smile. His heart soared at the happiness displayed on the little girl's face. Luna smiled from her spot beside the driver.
"She may not say it, but your praise means a lot to her. You're her father- just being with her brings her happiness."
Ignis allowed himself a small smile in the wake of the Oracle's words.
"I suppose you have a point, Lady Lunafreya." Luna frowned at Ignis' address.
"Please- I won't say it again: Ignis Scientia, you will call me Luna." Luna demanded, her voice playful but firm. She heard Gladio, Noctis and Prompto laugh from the back seat, summoning are smile of her own onto her lightly glossed lips.
The royal advisor nodded, ignoring the jesting taunts coming from the back of the car.
"If that is what you want, Luna."
"I didn't realise half an hour meant an hour and a half," Noctis drawled, reaching down to massage his legs after he clambered out of the Regalia. Ignis ignored the prince's menial complaints and lifted Karina out of her seat. Setting her down onto the ground, he kneeled down to address her.
"It's almost sun down, so don't wander off by yourself. If you need to use the bathroom, ask me. If I am not available, ask Gladio or Prompto… and on the rare occasion where the three of us are engaged, you may ask Luna or Noct. Do you understand?" Karina nodded, her wide eyes gazing intently into her father's green irises.
"Okay Papa. Can I get my snack from Uncle Gladio now?" the girl asked politely.
"May I get my snack from Uncle Gladio?" Ignis quickly corrected his daughter.
"May I get my snack from Uncle Gladio now?" Karina repeated, her eyes hopeful. Ignis' mind wandered to the words Luna had spoken to him earlier in the Regalia. He allowed himself to gently pat Karina's messy hair, a warm smile on his face.
"Of course you may. Just have something small- I don't want you to spoil your dinner." Karina nodded, her eyes glistening happily from her father's praise. Ignis smiled fondly as he watched the small girl turn and quickly walk towards the prince's shield, who was not too far away. Ignis' eyes narrowed slightly as his eyes landed on the prince and sharpshooter. "Karina, one more thing!" the royal advisor called out. Karina stopped and turned around, a confused look on her face.
"Hmm?" Ignis fought the urge to smile at his daughter's cute voice. He was loathe to admit he was absolutely smitten for his daughter, despite his earlier reservations about having her along on the journey.
"Do make sure Prince Noctis and Uncle Prompto do not gorge themselves with snacks before dinner either." Karina puffed out her cheeks at her father before relenting.
"Okay Papa. I'll do my best!"
Ignis smiled fondly yet again.
"Good girl."
Lunafreya frowned as she carefully observed the limited array of clothing on offer in Longwythe's mini-mart. She glanced at her tattered attire that remained on her person under Noctis' spare hoodie and sighed forlornly. Clutching the clothes she had managed to find that were in her size from the rack, she dragged herself into the change room, a light blush rising to her cheeks. She had never worn such dark, clingy clothes in her life- yet she had no choice now. She was on a journey and the need for practicality outweighed the need to maintain her appearance as a religious figure. With a small groan of embarrassment, Luna quickly flung herself into the change room and shut the door behind her.
She only hoped that Noctis and the others wouldn't make too big a deal out of her new appearance.
After slipping out of her tattered clothes and quickly pulling on her new dark ensemble, Luna turned to the stall's mirror and watched herself blush darker as she took in her own appearance. She looked rather provocative, with the black cotton halter top exposing a modest amount of her cleavage and milky, soft midriff. The faux leather pants she wore clung to her thighs and buttocks like they had a bad case of separation anxiety. Luna reached down and fastened her brown lace-up boots and stood up straight. With yet another small groan of embarrassment, Luna gathered her silky blonde locks into a high pony tail and fastened it with a black hair tie.
As she stepped out of the stall, Luna realised that there was no way that the others would down play her massive transformation. She could only hope she wouldn't resemble a Lucian tomato by the end of their jests and comments.
Bravely, Luna walked out of the mini-mart. She ignored the owner's gawks and hurriedly made her way towards Noctis, secretly afraid that he wouldn't like her new look. Luckily for her, Noctis was facing away from her. Unluckily for her, Prompto wasn't.
"Yeah, so Cindy bent over to pick up my lens cap and… holy shit, it's Luna!" Prompto diverted from his story about Cindy and exclaimed enthusiastically as he took in the Oracle's new attire. Luna averted her eyes and continued to walk towards her comrades, feeling awkward as she drew closer. Noctis turned around slowly, his eyes widening as he took in his supposed fiancé's new look.
"Wow," was all Noctis could manage as he shyly examined Luna's new look. Luna smiled in turn and spread her arms out to her sides.
"Should I change?"
"No!" Noctis blurted out, his face flushing. Prompto smirked at the exchange between the two royals.
"You look really good Luna, black suits ya!"
"You really think so?" Luna asked, looking down to observe her outfit. "I've always been donned in white since my ascension to Oracle. I've always been told I looked a little washed out in white…"
"Yeah, but now you're hot- ow!" Prompto complained, shooting Noctis a glare as he hopped on one foot. Noctis sighed and turned his attention back to Luna.
"You always look good, Luna." Luna blushed at the compliment.
"You're too kind, Noctis." Noctis averted his gaze and shrugged.
"Just telling the truth, I guess." Noctis shrugged. "Anyway, Gladio and Kari are getting started on the choco-bo crackers without us. Let's go." Luna smiled at the younger prince's retreating back, feeling more comfortable in her new attire. If Noctis liked it, that's all that mattered. Luna glanced at Prompto, who was still trying to observe her subtlety. Unfortunately, off the battle field, subtlety was not the young man's forte.
"Yes?" Luna prodded, startling the sharpshooter from his thoughts.
"Oh, uh… nothing! I'm glad you're here Luna. Noct's so much better for it, you know? With everything that's happened so far, I don't know if Noct would have been as alright as he is now- you know?" Luna's gaze softened at Prompto's sincere words.
"I'm glad I can provide comfort to Noctis in such a difficult time. Though, you shouldn't discount yourself Prompto- you've forged a very deep friendship with Noct. For that, I thank you sincerely." Luna placed a hand on the blond man's shoulder, earning her a violent blush from the young man.
"Wow- um… I didn't think you'd remember that…" Prompto trailed off, embarrassedly scratching the back of his neck. Luna laughed quietly, finding the young man's behaviour very sweet.
"Of course I'd remember Pryna's knight in shining armour. I have many things to be thankful for when it comes to you, but most of all, your loyalty to Noctis leaves me in the greatest debt. Really, I thank you from the bottom of my heart." Prompto shook his head at Luna's deeply sincere words.
"I have my fair share of stuff I'm grateful to you about too, but I have choco-bo crackers that are begging to see the inside of my stomach. Come on, let's go join the others," Prompto offered a small, genuine smile. Luna smiled back, following behind Noctis' friend as he led the way to the animated figures of Gladio and Karina.
For all the jesting and laughter Prompto hid himself behind, Luna felt like there was so much more to their chocobo loving sharp shooter. Still, Luna shrugged the thought off and joined the motely group with a cheery smile of her own.
"I can't give you any more, kid. Your father will kill me." Gladio spoke as he handed a pouting Karina one last choco-bo cracker. The girl stuffed the entire chocolate covered biscuit into her mouth and chewed on it, her cheeks puffed out in the most adorable manner. Luna giggled and sidled up to the child, placing her hands gently on the girl's cheeks.
"Those look delicious! Where can I get one?" Luna asked kindly. Karina grinned, chocolate coating her teeth as she swallowed her mouthful.
"Uncle Gladdy has the packet," her smile turned into a pout almost instantaneously. "I can't have any more though because Papa will kill Uncle Gladdy if I do."
Luna shot an unimpressed look at Gladio, who merely shrugged in return.
"You know it's true. Remember that last time at camp when Noct filled up on potato chips before dinner?" Luna's eyes widened as she recalled the scathing lecture Noctis got about prioritisation and the value of good health. Luna gulped and nodded and Gladio in understanding- she did not want a repeat of that again. She especially didn't want the little girl amongst their party, who had finally started to break out of her shell, to be subject to that lecture. The bond between father and child was fragile already.
"You're a wise man Gladiolus."
"Yeah," Prompto chimed in, his mouth full of crackers, "who would have thought there was a brain under all that brawn?" Noctis choked on his crackers as Gladio grumbled expletives at Prompto under his breath. Karina merely shrugged and attached herself to Luna's leather-clad legs.
"What's Papa going to make for dinner?" the girl asked, staring up at Luna.
"I don't think your Papa will be cooking tonight. We will probably get something from the diner." Luna replied. At this, Karina screwed up her face in discontent.
"But the diner food is icky!" Luna brushed away some stray locks from Karina's face and let out a small sigh.
"I have to admit, the flavouring is a little too strong." Luna smiled down at the frowning girl. "But we must still be grateful- the cooks put in a lot of effort to make us a nice meal." Karina pouted.
"Okay… but I still like Papa's food better!" Luna felt her heart warm at Karina's words. The girl was steadily growing to appreciate her father more and more as the days they spent together grew in number. For that, Luna was eternally grateful. Luna tilted her head up to the now dark sky and smiled. She hoped that Celia could see the heartening bond growing stronger between Ignis and Karina.
If only Celia had made it out alive from that attack… if only she could have been quicker… maybe Celia could have been present, sharing the small comforts and happiness Ignis and Karina were beginning to indulge in.
At this thought, Luna's heart sunk- regret overwhelming the former princess of Tenebrae.
It just wasn't fair.
Noctis leisurely removed his vegetables from his own plate and placed them on Ignis'. On the other side of Ignis, Karina carefully placing her own vegetables onto her father's plate with strict concentration- much to Gladiolus' and Prompto's amusement. Ignis frowned at the growing number of vegetables on his plate, sending a look of disappointment at both Noctis and Karina.
"Stop. You two will finish everything that remains on your plate or I will order an extra salad for each of you." Karina pouted at her father's chiding words and shoved the fork full of mushrooms into her mouth with distaste. Mouth still full, she turned to her father.
"So icky!" she complained. Ignis shot her a reprimanding look and Karina quickly shut her mouth, her puffy cheeks and pout amusing the adults on the table. Noctis, unsurprisingly, was pouting much the same way as he shovelled some beans into his own mouth.
"I agree."
"Noct," Ignis sighed, "you have to be a good role model for Karina- she looks up to you." Gladio smirked into his plate as he skewered a piece of meat onto his fork.
"We're all still wondering why though." Noctis shot a look of resentment at his shield and shovelled more beans into his mouth. Luna sighed and shook her head in amusement.
"Your aversion to vegetables remains strong, even after all these years…" Noctis paused and had the decency to blush a little at her comment. Prompto laughed at his friend's reaction and nudged Karina gently with his elbow.
"Look, Noct's being shy!" Karina giggled and clapped in delight.
"Uncle Noct's shy! Uncle Noct's shy!" Ignis frowned at Karina's address to the prince. However, before he could correct his daughter, Noctis spoke up in a gentle tone.
"Uncle Noct… I like that." Ignis sighed and shook his head, cleanly finishing off the last of the mushrooms on his plate and checking on both Karina and Noctis' plates. After a few moments, when Ignis had deemed they had eaten enough nutritious vegetables, the young father settled his gaze on Luna.
"Given that you are now with us, there doesn't seem to be a reason to make haste to Altissia… unless your wedding is still in the books?" Ignis questioned. Luna flushed and glanced at Noctis from the corner of her eye. Noctis remained stoic, although the tell-tale reddening of the tips of his ears hinted at his shyness regarding the matter.
"I don't see why we have to… cancel it?" Noctis finally spoke after a few moments of silence, his statement coming out as a question. Luna nodded silently in agreement before speaking up.
"It would be a good sign of unity between the former states of Tenebrae and Lucis. If we marry, we can show our people that there remains hope in unity. Although we have been robbed of our nation states, we still wish to support our people… together." Luna looked up as she finished speaking, locking eyes with her prince. Noctis nodded in agreement.
"Seems like a good idea. We'll raise the morale of the people, and we'll stir up the Empire along with it. If we play our cards right, we could establish military units that could overwhelm the Empire's technology." Gladio added thoughtfully.
"Where would be obtain the resources to do so?" Ignis pragmatically reasoned. Gladio shrugged lightly.
"Work in progress- this is just a rough plan." Luna nodded at Gladio's words.
"A rough plan is better than no plan."
"We risk upsetting the Empire," Ignis said, his brow furrowing. Karina stared at her father, her eyes wide.
"It's okay Papa- Uncle Noct and Aunt Luna will fix everything. They're both loyals!" Karina exclaimed, confident in her statement. The adults chuckled at the little girl's heartening words as Ignis couldn't help but smile at his daughter's earnest words.
"I believe you mean 'royals', dear."
Karina gasped and nodded quickly.
"Royals!" Ignis chuckled and patted his daughter's head gently before turning to his comrades.
"Prompto, what do you have to say about our tentative plan?" Prompto shrugged, a small smile on his face.
"I don't really have anything to say other than 'congratulations' to the happy couple. And that the Empire's already 'upset'- how much more can we 'upset' them?" Prompto frowned slightly. "Also, I need a good suit." Gladio let out a loud laugh at the blond man's casual words.
" Good point. And yeah, don't worry- I hear Altissia's got good shopping." Luna nodded in agreement.
"I also have a family member living in Altissia- she's a little unconventional but she'll definitely tide us over with finances and lodgings while we are there." Noctis raised an eyebrow at Luna.
"You're not talking about…?" Luna's sympathetic look cut off Noctis words as he groaned in distaste. "No way! Not them!" Luna frowned at Noctis.
"They're not that bad! Sure, Uncle Cid is a little unorthodox in his expressions, but he means well!" Prompto leaned forward onto the table, his eyes wide in curiosity.
"As in old man Cid from Hammerhead?"
"No," Luna shook her head as she smiled fondly, "I'm afraid not. I'm talking about my uncle, Cid Highwind. He's my mother's estranged brother. He and my grandparents didn't get along… he's got quite the head on him though! He knows everything about airships!" Luna exclaimed, excitement clearly seeping through her explanation. Noctis groaned yet again.
"He's a human chimney and he treats his wife like a slave. And his kid's just… I can't even begin describing her." Prompto grinned at Noctis, giving him a saucy look.
"Is she hot?" Noctis shot Prompto an impartial look.
"No. She's crazy."
Prompto grinned. "Nice."
Luna sighed and shook her head at the two boys before locking her gaze with a concerned Ignis.
"I assure you- they are good people. They will help us."
Ignis nodded at the former princess.
"Alright- in that case, we make for Galdin Quay in the morning."