Year ME 754, November

Selene looked at the door before her, she didn't want to go in. Beyond that door was a dear friend of hers, and she had betrayed that friend. She closed her eyes and breathed. 'I just need to forget it.' She thought as she looked at her shoes… She'd asked him to forget about it, and she also would forget, at least that's what she told herself. Selene took a breath in and reached for the doorknob, as she stepped in, she was tackled by a blond princess.

"Happy birthday!" Luna cheered happily as she hugged her friend.

Selene blinked, sighed and hugged her back. "My birthday was weeks ago, moonpie and you already wished me then by phone."

Luna giggled as she moved away. "Yes, by phone, not personally!" The princess rushed towards the table and grabbed a small box that she brough to her. "Your present."

The Guardian stared at the box confused. "Luna... you know how I feel about material gifts."

"Yes, yes, if you can't eat, drink, read or use it in a practical way, you don't want it." The princess smiled and pushed the box back to her. "I know you don't use it when you're on a mission, but you do use them whey you're dressed as a civilian."

Selene raised an eyebrow confused, she opened the box. Two dark earrings stood on a black sponge. If she looked closely there seemed to be some strange lines on them, she stared at them for a moment, almost entranced by it.

"Sirius found them." She explained. "He told me it's a special ore?" The princess smiled. "I thought they would look great on you."

She stared at them the black ore in the background made the strange lines, that she assumed were some sort of crystal pop out, a yellow and blue line that intertwined with each other. She reached for them and placed them on. She moved her hair away to show them to the princess.

"Well, how does it look then?"

Luna smiled. "I need to take a picture!"

"Luna!"

Sirius waited for them by the entrance. As he did Ravus approached him. "My, my commander, have you changed your mind?"

Ravus frowned but said nothing as he crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. He was dressed in casual clothes and held his hair back in a pony-tail. It was rare to see the commander this… relaxed.

Sirius laughed and leaned next to him. "You know you can just admit it you like us."

"I'm not going."

The Guardian raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"… I don't think... Lunafreya will want me there."

"She's your sister, you're her brother."

"… I know… but, things have changed… since mother died, I changed and so did she…"

Sirius stared at his friend and then he looked towards the lit street. "Then, maybe its time you make her remember you're still her brother…"

Ravus didn't answer, because in that moment Luna and Selene walked out, in casual clothes.

"Oh? Are we all going out?" Selene asked with a smirk as she saw the Commander.

"Brother?" Luna asked, the two siblings eyed each other before Ravus looked away.

"… No, I was just telling Sirius about tomorrows gathering…" He began to turn away when he stopped. "Have a nice evening…" He said and walked away.

Selene looked at Sirius who sighed and shrugged his shoulders, their gaze fell on the princess, her eyes on her brother's back before a small sigh escaped her lips and she looked at the two, with a smile, a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Shall we?"

They agreed, and followed the street until they were out of the palace and on their way to the restaurant Luna had reserved for the night…

The princess really couldn't keep her liquor… so the two Guardians continued drinking and after a while Selene sighed loudly.

"For the love of Chaos! Will you come out already!? Luna is completely KO, so stop hiding!"

"Come on, Ravus, we got you your favorite wine!" Sirius shouted towards the corner, from where the commander came out frowning.

"You weren't supposed to know I was there."

"Well, you SUCK in hiding your presence!"

The Commander raised an eyebrow and sat at the chair they had pulled for him. "I do not. The two of you are monsters."

Selene and Sirius smirked and cheered. "Hear, hear!" They laughed as Ravus rolled his eyes.

"I can never understand the two of you."

"If you did, we wouldn't have as much fun." Sirius smirked.

"If you were going to watch us like a pervert, why didn't you come?"

He sent her a glare that he hid behind the glass of wine, his gaze fell on his slumbering sister. "She wouldn't have fun with me around."

"Again, with this? You're her brother! Just get over your stupid arrogance! It's not that hard to admit that you care." Selene growled as she dunk another shot and raised her hand to the bartender. "Another round!"

Ravus scoffed. "Easy for you to say."

Selene said nothing, but Sirius noticed how for a brief second her expression changed, slightly, but it had, and he'd noticed…

They didn't stay for long, after a few more drinks the two Guardian's gave the princess to her brother, and while he took her home, they walked alone trough the streets. After a while Sirius stopped her.

"What happened?" Sirius asked.

"What do you mean?"

"'It's not hard to admit you care' When Ravus retorted, you looked angry."

"I did not."

Sirius held her arm as she tried to move on. "Selene," Their gazes locked. "I know you better than that, so I'll ask again. What. Happened?"

It wasn't fair that he was right, out of everyone one else that knew her, Sirius was probably the only one who was closest to her and knew her better than anyone else… the same could be said for her, she knew him better than anyone… Selene looked away from him and held herself. "Noctis and I… we kissed."

His eyes widened for a moment, he pondered on what to say and then he risked it. "By accident? Or… did you want to?"

Selene bit her lower lip, she still recalled every moment. The touch, the fear, the hesitation, and then the happiness… and guilt. "I… don't know! Maybe, it was an accident! We were drinking!"

"Selene."

"And it was his first time! So, he was definitely drunk!"

"Selene."

"I mean… it was a mistake, right? I-I told him to forget about it! To blame it on the alcohol."

Sirius reached for her and gave her a hug. "Oh, princess… you don't need to do this… Selene, you don't need to blame yourself, or feel guilty over your feelings."

"It's wrong!"

"No, Selene, it's not… you like him and he likes you. You don't need to hold back" He pushed her to arm's length and cleared the small droplets that gathered in her eyes. "You can be together, you don't have to hold yourself back."

"Luna loves him!" She shouted, and it hurt to say it out loud. "She's the Oracle! He's the Chosen King! The people want them to be together!"

"No!" He cut her off. "It has nothing to do with that! It's because we're Ariadust! And you're afraid he'll hate you for it!"

She glared at him. "I'm not wrong, am I?! He, Luna, EVERYONE! They were taught WE are the ENEMY! It's not just legend Sirius! It's HISTORY! They teach it at school! WE are EVIL! WE aren't to be trusted! We're a SIN!"

He clenched his jaw and lowered his gaze. 'History is written by the winners…' He thought with a sour taste in his mouth. Still… He raised his gaze. "But not everyone is like that, Selene. Not everyone believes in 'History' there are people out there who won't hate you just because of your family." Sirius held her shoulders. "Do you really think the time you spent with Noctis, Luna and everyone whom you've met until now, will just be erased? Just because find out what your true name is?!"

"YES!" She lashed out. "It happened to YOU!" The minute she said it, she regretted it… the hurt she saw in his expression made her feel worse, Selene took a step back and lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry…"

He didn't know what to say, the accusation was so spot on, that it had surprised him… yet somehow, he couldn't help the yellow smile that graced his lips… 'Yeah… she's right, it happened to me… and… I'm seeing the after-effects of my choice…' Sirius sighed and looked at the sky. To his surprise something fluttered down, slowly and gently in the wind as he reached to catch it, he noticed it was a snowflake.

It had been cold lately but he never guessed it was that cold… he sighed and saw his breath dissipate. "You're right… it happened to me, and that's why I'm here now…" He whispered to the sky, but he knew she had heard him… "But, that doesn't mean you should follow in my path, kid…" He looked down and smiled when their eyes locked. "I told you before, Selene… I'm here by choice. I'm following this path, by choice, MY choice… you don't need to follow the same path…"

She stared at him, now and then, his words were honest and he truly believed that she should be free… but… there were things Sirius didn't know… She looked at the snow that slowly fell on the floor. In the morning she was certain they would pile up and form a white mantle that covered the earth… She also reached to hold a flock. "… I'm not following in your path, Sirius." She looked at him, eyes shining slight, he noticed. "I'm doing what I think is the best choice, to follow…"

Sirius sighed and relaxed his shoulders. "Ah, alright, but don't forget you have the right to be happy Selene."

"Hm… I know…"

"Come on. It's getting cold, and I don't want to freeze in the snow." He said as he rushed with his hands inside his pocket.

She smiled as she watched him got, she followed after him. When they reached the palace the snow had already piled on the floor and building. Luna waited for them at the gate, with a mantle over her shoulders and Ravus holding the umbrella.

The minute they spotted them the other two gathered snow in their hands and threw them at the Commander and Princess. Somehow, they were able to convince the great Commander to have a snowball fight.

They weren't aware of the eyes that stared at them with a warm gaze… He lifted the hot beverage to his lips and delighted himself with the sweetness, before looking back at the four friends who played like children. "Everyone must choose their own path… even though we are afraid of the future…" His smile grew somber as he watched them. "Even… if that path leads to destruction."

Year ME 755 Noctis 20th Birthday Party

She fixed the hem of her dress and frowned as she looked at her image in the mirror.

"Do I have to wear a dress?" She asked out loud, to the other side of the door where she knew they were waiting.

"The king's orders were explicit, Selene." Ignis voice reached her from the other side.

"But it's not MY birthday, besides I run better in trousers."

"There'll be no need to run either. Now, are you done? We still need to get Noctis."

Selene froze at his words, ever since that day... she'd avoided him, she needed to avoid him, seeing his gaze shift towards her filled with longing and sadness, it made her feel worse about what happened... 'I shoulnd't have allowed it...' She thought, before a sigh escaped her lips and she reached for the hair tie and pulled it out. "Wasn't Gladio supposed to bring him?"

"He has to take Iris, his father can't take her because he needs to be there early and she got delayed."

She hummed as she looked herself in the mirror, she looked fine, her hair was a bit of a mess and she had no make-up, but it really didn't matter, since she was going to cover her face anyway... Selene scratched her scalp and walked towards the entrance.

"Okay, let's get this over with..." She complained as she stepped through the door she met Ignis green eyes that looked at her shocked.

"What's this!?"

"... you gestured to all of me, what do you mean?"

"Absolutely not!"

"What? I put on the dress you gave me." She said annoyed as she looked down at the red dress. It was a long-sleeved, low shoulder, backless dress, it settled just below her collarbones and it exposed in a half-moon just above her cleavage. The dress adhered to her curves and opened in a mermaid tail as it passed her knees. Needless to say, she almost couldn't walk in it...

"You're not wearing that and going like THAT, to the Prince's birthday party." The 'that' which Ignis so eloquently pointed at was her uncombed hair that stood up in all the wrong places. He also was referring to her face which had no ounce of makeup on.

"Ignis its fine, I'm placing my mask on, I'm on duty today, remember?"

The spectacle man shook his head and reached for his phone, he quickly hit quick-dial and brought the phone to his ear.

"Who are you calling?" Selene asked as she stared at him confused.

"Ah? Gladio? Change of plan's can you get Noctis and Prompto?" He listened to the answer on the other side. "No, everything is fine, I just need to make sure Selene doesn't go as a complete mess." There was a strange shriek on the other side and Ignis smiled as he recognized the voice. "Hello, Iris, no, the dress fits perfectly, it's the hair and no makeup that is making me cringe."

"OI!" She complained as she tried to reach for the phone, only to have Ignis move away. 'Damn dress!'

Ignis smile widened as he listened to the words from the other side of the line, he nodded. "Of course, that works even better, I'll see you in a minute."

As he turned off the call he looked at Selene who stared at him with a glare.

"You damn bastard. Iris is coming here, isn't she?"

"Yes." He simply confirmed as he began to send a message with the change of plans, to Noctis and other persons.

"She's going to make me wear makeup, isn't she?"

Ignis raised his gaze towards her and gave her the most gentleman and annoying smile. "Yes."

Selene glared at the man before her and returned to the room, as she closed the door she said. "I hate you."

When the younger girl arrived, Selene felt a shiver go down her spine. Iris marched in there with a box, not a bag, a BOX filled with makeup and hair products.

She was like a General, she sent the boys away and ordered Selene to take off the dress, so it wouldn't get dirty.

Feeling embarrassed the woman complained but one look from Iris made her conceded. And very quickly the younger girl worked her magic... A little shadow in her eyes, a blush on her cheeks, a dark red on her lips and her hair was combed and styled with soft waves. Iris stepped aside to admire her piece of work, the young girl blushed at the sight before her. "Wow... Selene, you look beautiful!"

Selene stared at the girl with seriousness, she sighed and slouched forward. "Aah... I feel like a doll..."

"No! Don't slouch like that! Not after all the work I had! You look like a famous model everyone will look at you. Wait until the guys see you." Iris said proudly.

The woman couldn't help but smile as she flipped the younger girl's forehead. "Everyone should look at the Prince, not me."

Iris pouted and in an amused voice, she said. "Noctis doesn't look half as good as you in a dress."

Selene blinked and she imagined it and crossed her arms as a smirk appeared on her lips. "That's actually not a bad idea. I wonder if I can force him to wear a dress."

"Who are you putting in a dress?"

She felt a shiver travel down her spine as she heard his voice.

"Noct!" Iris shouted happily as she saw the prince, she bowed her head slightly and smiled. "Happy birthday!"

Noctis smiled at Iris and patted her head, like a big brother would do to his little sister. "Thank's Iris." His gaze then shifted towards the person who remained with her bact turned, he frowned and walked towards her, heart drumming in his chest. "Selene?"

Selene couldn't help but flinch at his voice, couldn't help but feel her heart drum loudly in her chest as she felt his presence... a sigh escaped her lips, and she turned. "Hey, Noct... Happy birthday." She said calmly, at least she hopped she appeared calm.

At the sight of Selene, the prince was momentarily speechless. His eyes widened and his jaw fell open as he stared, from her hair, to her shoulders, to her figure, to her breast... and only after receiving a hit from Gladio and a cough from Ignis did he react.

"Eh? Ah! Yeah, thanks'." Noctis looked away from Selene, and as he felt his face growing hotter he brough his hand up to cover it. "You... you look good..."

"You look, HOT Selene!" Prompto butted in with a cheeky smile, that eased the tension.

"Thanks' Prompto." She replied with a smile.

After a moment Ignis checked his watch and clapped his hands. "Now, now, time to go." They all responded like obedient children and walked to to their respective cars. Ignis, Noctis and Selene in one and Gladios, Iris and Prompto in the other.

The entire journey to the Citadel was excruciating. For both Selene and Noctis...

Selene could feel the Prince's gaze on the back of her head, this action made her overly aware of the last time they had been together... The night she turned 19, she closed her eyes and erased the memory that surged in her mind. Luckily Selene was dispatched to a mission the next morning and she didn't have the chance to talk to Noctis about it... although she left a message.

Neither the prince nor Selene spoke about it, the night had become taboo among the two. But after that, it became impossible to deny her emotions, as well as Noct's...

Ignis parked the car and before they exited, he turned around and handed a mask to Selene, which he had 'confiscated' from her until Iris got to them.

"Before I hand it to you, I have to say what a waste it is, but these were his majesty's orders..."

She smiled and took the mask from his hands. Luckily the King still remembered her position as a Guardian.

She placed the mask over her face and instantly the magic that bonded her to the object activated. The mask shinned a golden light and secured itself to her skin, binding her hair upwards.

She smiled at them and prepared to leave the car when Noctis held her hand, she stopped and looked at him for a moment confused. Noctis bit his lower lip, before pulling her in gently, and leaning into her ear. "We need to talk..."

Her eyes widened as she felt his lips brush against her cheek as he retreated back into the car, she didn't even have time to answer back as he closed the door and the car drove away...

Selene stood frozen for a moment, her finger grazing at the spot his lips had been, she could feel her skin growing hot there... she repressed blush and sighed as she turned towards the building. As she handed her identification to some of the Crownsguards a few familiar faces smiled at her and complimented her on her attire, before telling her where the King was. She followed the corridors with confidence and stood in the shadow as she waited for both Prince and King to make their entrance. She leaned agaisnt the wall, with aprehension, feeling that this 'talk' that Noctis wanted to do would most likely mention 'that' night...

Ignis looked at his friend through the mirror.

"Are you going to tell her?" The prince didn't answer and merely looked outside the window. "You know Selene will say, no. She believes you should be with Lady Lunafreya."

"Luna is a good person, and I like her... but not like that..."

"I know you two had something so I won't stop you, but you should consider her position as well..."

He frowned but said nothing... he was aware of Selene's sense of justice how, although she complained, she was a responsible person who did what her sense of duty required of her. He leaned his head against the glass and sighed. 'I know, she's done it before after all... but...'

That night, the night of her 19th birthday... that had been the night he took a chance. He had always admired her, as a child he enjoyed spending time with her... but as they grew, his feelings changed... That night, HE was the one to kiss her. After that small date to the park, he kept thinking about it. About what it would be like to date her, to hold hands, to kiss her… to be with her… that's why, since they had been drinking and playing, Noctis took a chance. It was something he needed to know, before he tried to ruin their friendship, and if he knew, if he was certain Selene didn't feel that way, he would apologise and move on... but Selene returned the kiss.

He could still feel the taste of her skin, the warmth and softness under his hands... her voice in his ears... Noctis closed his eyes and breathed through his nose, trying to calm himself. The next day Selene had returned to her missions. The next time they met, she pretended nothing happened... But he couldn't leave things like that, he had to tell her, he needed to know, he needed to be sure of Selene's feelings...

Noct stared at the people who came to celebrate his 20th anniversary. He nodded and shook their hands, but his head was somewhere else...

His gaze shifted to the red-dressed woman who was currently surrounded by many men. He clenched his fists and resisted the urge to warp towards them. The woman, even though masked, was an allure to all the men that attended the party.

Noctis tried to ignore them because he knew the person in question was annoyed by the constant flattering. And like he assumed after a while, it seemed she had enough, Selene took a wine glass from a passing waiter and walked away from all the men, who looked disappointed when she didn't give them a second look.

He watched as she walked to the top floor and how she turned towards the balcony. Noctis excused himself and followed after her.

The wind was colder than usual, he stared at the balcony, but she wasn't there. As he searched further, he found a glass of wine by the railing. Noctis raised an eybrow and looked around but he couldn't find her until... "Shouldn't the host be inside?"

He looked behind him and found Selene sitting above the ledge of the door. He smiled. "My dad's the host."

"Oh? Then shouldn't the birthday prince be beside the king?"

Noctis shrugged and extended his hand, a sword morphed from thin air, and he quickly threw it towards her.

Selene didn't blink as the prince disappeared, not even when the sword came straight at her. Noct warped right in front of her. His arms next to her head. They stared at each other.

"That's dangerous, I could have gotten hurt."

"Only if you moved, I knew you wouldn't..." He answered back. He heard her humming and he reached for her mask, removing it. Her dark locks fell over her back and shoulders and Noctis breath got caught in his throat as he stared at her...

"Beautiful..." He whispered, his thumb caressing her cheek, he began leaning in when he was stopped.

"Don't..." She said in a soft voice.

"Why? We've kissed before..." He asked as he stared into those golden eyes.

"You know why. That was the alcohol's fault."

He frowned at her words. "I've seen you drink ten times more, what we drunk and still be rational, that wasn't the alcohol... it was us, Selene."

"It doesn't matter Noctis. I'm a soldier, an orphan, a commoner!" She said as she gently pushed him away, he resisted for a bit but took a step back, and looked at her with those wonderful blue eyes of his.

"So?"

"Do you have to ask!?"

"I don't value a person's background, I value them for them! You know that, and you know how I feel, you've known for a while, haven't you?"

She bit her lower lip and looked away from him. Of course, she knew... she was trained to read people. She had been aware of Noct's gazes, of every excuse he used to touch her, of the way he behaved around her... she'd been aware, but she ignored it...

He reached for her chin and forced her to stare back at him.

"I'm also aware of your feelings."

"I have no feelings!" She denied.

"Yeah?! Why did you kiss me like that!? Because I'm your friend!?"

"I was drunk!"

"Liar!" He crashed his lips onto hers and Selene tensed, she tried to fight him, but Noctis persisted, he held her with more strength until finally, she gave into him...

When they parted, he held her face and joined their foreheads as he stared into her eyes. "See..."

She glared at him, her hands clutching onto his lapel jacket and pushing him away. "You're a jerk! How can you kiss a girl like that!?" Tears fell down her cheek surprising him. "I c-can't..." She whispered as she leaned against his chest. "I swore to protect the royal family! If I didn't make it the alcohol's fault, what should I do!? Everything was fine, as long as I ignored these... emotions, everything was FINE!" She hit him, over and over while she complained. "You idiot! How am I going to face Luna? She LOVES YOU!"

He frowned and held her close, surprising her. "I don't love Luna..."

"Shut up! Idiot! Shut up!" She held onto him and forbade him from saying anything else, she wouldn't allow it.

His grip grew stronger, as he buried his face in her hair "I'm sorry, for kissing you..."

Selene clenched his jacket and held him closer. "I don't want you to apologize..."

"Then what do you want, Selene?"

"Just, shut up..." She cried and Noctis said nothing as he held her. They weren't sure for how long they remained like that, but after a while, Ignis voice reached their ears...

When his adviser called for him, Selene released herself from him, he was reluctant to let her go but he did...

She looked up to meed his gaze, again there was longing and sadness in them. Selene bit her lower lip and looked away, certain her own eyes reflected the same things.

She reached for her mask, her hair falling over her shoulders as she did. Noct placed his hand above hers and stared into her eyes with a pleading look.

"Let me?" She removed her hand, he took that as her silent answer. The prince held the mask and gently pushed her dark locks away from her face, he took his time, by combing her hair away, his touch lingered on her skin for a moment before it released. Noct placed the mask against her face and watched as the object magically adhered to her skin...

When he was done he allowed his hands to descend, from her face to her shoulders and finally her hands...

Selene stared as he held her hands in his. They were so big and filled with callouses... years of training with swords, like her hands… she closed her eyes and pressed her lips into a thin line.

"Noctis?!" The voice of Ignis sounded louder.

She let him go, as the pain appeared in his eyes Selene couldn't help herself as she gently held his face and placed a kiss on his cheek.

The gesture lasted but a second as Selene quickly got away and jumped down, she took the secondary stairs that led to the lower balcony and disappeared from his sight.

Noctis sighed, as he touched the place she kissed. He held his face in his hands and fought the emotions in his heart.

"Noct?" He looked towards the floor and saw Ignis staring at him, with a worried expression. He warped down next to him but said nothing.

His adviser examined him and without saying a word he placed his hand on his shoulder.

Noctis remained quiet... he didn't have to say anything for Ignis to understand who he was with, what they had discussed and how it had ended...

As she reached the lower floor she silently found a corner, unnoticed by no one. Selene held her ground until she entered the corner, her eyes filled with tears and she had to cover her mouth to avoid anyone from hearing her.

Her heart ached as she suppressed the sobs that came. She had done everything to keep her feelings in check. She ignored the anticipation, the joy, every time she saw him or whenever he called her name. Each skip of her heart, each flutter in her stomach, each tingle every time they touched.

She ignored them all! She couldn't be with him, no matter how cliché it sounded Noctis and she belonged in different worlds!

And yet she still fell... and it hurt. Even more, because she knew how he felt.

She remained in that dark corner for a while. Until her tears had dried, until the pain and those emotions were buried, once again in her heart.

Her phone vibrated, it took her a moment to check and she scoffed at the contents. Ironicly she gave thanks to the gods. She had a new mission... It was risky, dangerous and only a lunatic would go on its own, but that was exactly what she needed, to forget all this...

The next day there was no sign of Selene anywhere... after their talk, she had disappeared from the party. Ignis told him she had reported to his majesty and excused herself.

Again, she had ran from him… and again he couldn't tell her his feelings...

AN: Ah! This... was LOOONG and complicated to write... at first I wanted it to be a fun party, with the gang enjoying themselves but since I had written that little kiss, things weren't that easy... I mean, I could just have played it off as 'it never happened' but didn't sound right. Also, the part with Luna and Ravus, yeah, that wasn't part of the original plan (^^') but I kept thinking 'how can Selene just go back to Luna, like it's nothing?' I mean she's good at hidding her emotions, but I'm sure it was eating her, and Sirius noticed. Not to mention I also wanted to show the friendship the four of them hold.

Well, that is it for this part, I'll be making one more part (well, its almost finished, but I want to add in another scene before publishing it). After I'm done, we'll enter the Game story!

Well, hope you enjoyed reading it! See you in the next part!