Noctis had been scolded for fidgeting multiple times to no avail. He didn't even seem to be aware that he was doing it. One moment he'd be tapping his foot against polished tile, the next he'd be tugging at his tie. He'd stop when it was commented on, for a moment, before moving on to something else. Then the cycle would repeat.

He hadn't been happy with the arrangement. Hadn't even been told about it until after it had been agreed upon. Though perhaps 'agreed upon' was too generous a term. His father had little choice in the matter if he wanted the fighting to stop. If he wanted the bloodshed to end.

So he was to be wed to King Barnabas of Waloed. A man he had only ever seen when primed as his Eikon.

The Prince ceased his fidgeting the moment the King's arrival was announced and he was led into the room. He suddenly straightened at his father's side, doing his very best to look indifferent. As if this whole situation was boring to him. Still, he found his gaze meeting the man's for the briefest of moments before looking away. The King was actually quite attractive.

That only seemed to sour his mood.

"Your Majesty," He greeted, his voice just about managing to sound respectful. "You're smaller without the horse."

Noctis had every reason to dislike the man – their kingdoms had been at war for years – but in that moment his reasons were much more petty. Last time they had met, Barnabas had kicked his ass with such ease it had been humiliating. Even more so that he had spared him.

There was nothing that could ever exceed the excitement of finally getting to meet the human one was to protect. Lucifer, being the youngest angel in Bahamut’s army, had been desperate to be assigned a human, he had wanted to be useful, to go to earth and fulfil his purpose of being a guardian. It was the first time he would be allowed to go to earth, which was the goal of every angel, only that it turned out to be completely different from what he had imagined.

Lucifer felt affection for Nyx basically from the moment he first laid eyes upon him, but what he had not expected was how difficult it would be to watch over him. The angel had never heard of a man that was as suicidal as this one, though Nyx seemed to confuse suicidal behavior with heroic behavior and the angel had his hands full trying to keep the man alive. He would watch over him during training lessons despite being completely inexperienced in wielding any weapon, and he would remain close during battles outside of Insomnia, serving more than a shield to Nyx than anything else.

This battle in particular had been rather rough on all the Glaives, so Lucifer was happy when Nyx opened his home to the angel for the first time, and in his desire to be closer to the Glaive at all times he had not declined. It was a small apartment, barely decorated, only furnished with the most necessary of items; it was so very different from the home Lucifer lived in in heaven and it almost hurt him to know Nyx spent his days and nights in such a cold-appearing place.

It had been a bit of a surprise when Nyx offered his bed to Lucifer, he had not asked for it and would have been more than okay with taking the couch as he was only a guest, but even once he had insisted on being allowed to sleep on the couch, Nyx had insisted for it to be the other way around. And therefore Lucifer couldn’t argue.

Under the sheets Lucifer lay awake, tossing and turning, not being able to fall asleep. He was so cold, and so lonely. He was used to sharing a home with someone else, he was used to cuddling up with other angels, fingers threading through hair, his cheeks being kissed. All he had was solitude ever since he came to earth. It was almost on instinct when Lucifer rose to his feet, the blanket wrapped around his shoulders like a cloak, and with that he climbed onto the couch to join Nyx.

The couch was small, it was barely enough for Nyx to stretch out on it, and still Lucifer joined him there. He flopped down, half on the couch, half on Nyx, the blanket now covering both their bodies. And immediately.. it was warm. And he was calm.

Not saying anything he carefully rested his head on Nyx’s chest, ear pressed against his ribs, and from there he could hear the calm but powerful sound of the Glaive’s heartbeat. To Lucifer, it was the most beautiful sound in the world. The sound of Nyx’s life. And he knew, as long as this heart was beating the world would be okay.

Laying there the minutes passed and he wondered if Nyx had fallen asleep again. He wished it to be so. He did not want the human to be bothered by his presence and this proximity, instead he hoped Nyx could find comfort in it, just the way Lucifer did in this very moment. Here on earth, pressed against Nyx’s warm body, it felt like he was finally where he was supposed to be.

Gav was genuinely surprised at how easily Nyx kissed him. It helped greatly that he was attractive - there were many people to wanted the attention of the Hero of the Glaive, and Gav didn't blame them one bit.

Gav had spent years honing his training, and when he joined the Kingsglaive, he knew he had to work hard in order to keep up with everyone else, but especially Nyx Ulric. He always felt so small when standing next to the hero, wishing he could be just as cool and brave. Sure, Gav had a knack of being able to slip behind enemy lines undetected, but when it came to actual combat he was constantly worried with being left behind.

All of those worries seemed to disappear as he met Nyx's gaze, heat going straight to his cheeks. A small laugh escaped him.

"Oh, really? Well...lucky me, then!"

Granted, he had never heard of this so-called "Glaive Appreciation Day" before. Either this was fairly new, or something entirely made-up. Gav didn't particularly mind either way.

Ignis wouldn't say he was close with too many people. There were the well known three people in his life that took priority over most others, of course. Noctis, Gladio, Prompto. Bonds he had built over time well spent with them. A connection he was positive he may never find anywhere else int he time he had on this earth. Nyx Ulric was a wild card thrown in that mix. A Jack pulled out of the deck during a magic trick that left you mildly surprised and a little skeptical of the slight of hand at play. Close would not be a word Ignis may use — but unacquainted would be a lie as well. No matter how he looked at it, it was still quite the shocker to be rescued like a princess from a bloody tower. One falter and Ignis had been out of place, mis-stepped, nearly tumbled. It wouldn't have ended in more than a minor injury, surely, yet there Nyx was, ever the hero.

One that seemed privy to invading personal space without much a care. Seemed amused at Ignis' gafwah of sorts and replied to said reaction with warm lips to a suddenly blazing cheek. Still being held like he would crumble if Nyx were to set him free. Almost like a silent ' might wanna be careful there, Advisor '. Right. Well. . . " I was unaware you Kingsglaive were so — carefree. . . "

@fatumimpera continued from here.

"I know, right? Sometimes I think I'm in the wrong line of work. I'm a performer at heart."

You could take the boy out of the circus but not the circus out of the boy, after all. Dick Grayson would always be a performer. Drautos would probably have dismissed him for his theatrics if not for the fact that he was damn good at his job. There weren't many people who could beat him in a fight.

Didn't stop him putting him on gate duty though. With Nyx Ulric, of all people. Had the Captain lost his mind? That was just asking for trouble.

Leaning back against the wall behind him, Dick offered a bright grin. Nyx's presence had certainly made the punishment more enjoyable for him. Petra didn't look like he was enjoying himself. He was never one to engage in conversation with Dick – not polite conversation, anyway – but right now he looked like he wanted to kill them both.

"An hour is an awfully long time. I say, why wait? I'm sure Fortis won't mind. Hell, maybe he'd even like to join in?"

Dick burst out laughing at the man's expression, quickly holding up his hands in surrender to show that he was joking.

Aerith frowns. She hates when Cloud is acting like this, when he's pretending he's the strongest man alive and doesn't need anyone to help him and support him. He needs to learn that vulnerability is alright. He's injured. Maybe it's not that bad, but it doesn't mean she can stay at his side just in case. Aerith lost too many people in her life to just not care of a friend in need. She doesn't move. Even if he argues.

The thugs could be forgiven their trespass as they learned the hard way that Silco's rules were in place for a reason; the reason was just as much to keep peace and to protect them as it was to protect others. Unfortunately, they'd now learned the hard way.

They would not be mourned. They knew what the consequences were. Yet sometimes, Silco knew, that it could be hard to resist the temptation to flex.

He had been tipped off early enough to watch by his right-hand, Sevika, who had even suggested intervening. Instead, he'd witnessed, then sent her away. Lessons must be learned, and lessons were learned.

His gaze moved, once addressed, to the corpses as he stepped forward to fully expose himself. There were no weapons on his person, aside from a knife tucked into his belt, but he was also not alone. He was a man who was never alone. It was safer that way to be surrounded by his thugs who kept themselves to the background of his affairs.

"They were," he confirmed, approaching the bodies. He crouched next to one of them to roll it over a little, enough to take stock of the damage done. It was interesting, as interesting as the mako eyes were when he looked up to the stranger.