#noctis drabble

Don't look it in the eyes, you reminded yourself. It can not only poison you with a mere bite but it can turn you into a damn frog of all things.

There was a horrible cracking sound after a very predatory hiss that emanated from one of the Naga chasing after you. Just as you were about to turn around and find out the source of that whip like sound, the tail of the beast snapped around and snagged your ankle in a quick move that left you wide open for its other attack as you slipped and fell.

Your head was pounding. The sounds of the fire and all daemons that had overtaken Insomnia were but a mere ringing noise at this point. The sights becoming that of a blur, you felt as blood trickled from an open wound on your head as the Naga's jaws dripping with saliva inched closer to you in a ravenous want to devour you.

Before you could even think to just surrender, a blade spawned out of nowhere and stabbed the daemon in the chest, making it lurch back and scream inhumanly. The King of Lucis, Noctis, appeared shortly after to grab onto the weapon and swing it upward to cut the creature apart. The tail, which had you grappled, loosened, and you were soon free.

It didn't matter. You were a mess from that fall you were unprepared for, and it was there you slowly blacked out.

“... Ey....” A familiar voice beckoned to you later. “...Hey... Y/N...? Up... Wake up...”

Eyes fluttering open, you saw the familiar King of Lucis there beside you as he had taken you to a secured location to check on your wounds. It was an old restaurant from what you could see—appeared to be some sushi place, but it didn't look familiar to you. Not that everything had aged properly as time went on. A lot was so far in ruin that you could scarcely recall the places you once visited on a daily basis.

“N-Noctis...” you muttered as he was apparently alone. Having known him for so long, you knew he wouldn't be bothered if you only called him by his first name.

“Yeah,” he answered with a sigh of relief. “You had me worried there, y/n. I was lucky I found you and the Marshal just in time.”

“The Marshal?” You were able to sit upright with ease, a potion no doubt being used to cure your injuries. “I-Is he okay? I tried to contact him over our secure Glaive line but he wouldn't pick up.”

Noctis nodded. “The guys and I got there before the daemons could try to break through to your headquarters. The Marshal was trying to keep them at bay, so that might be why nobody picked up. They were focusing their efforts to keep the base from the encroaching daemons.” A frown of sorrow still managed to tug at the king's lips. “There were a few casualties, I am saddened to say. We saw them on the way there.”

Closing your eyes, you nasally sighed at the lives lost in this war. “You've come back for us,” you muttered in disbelief.

Noctis laughed softly at the words. “You make it sound like I never would. Insomnia is my home, and I refuse to let Ardyn have his way with my peoples' lives.”

A sigh of relief made its way past your lips. “I am just relieved you are all right. I was worried you'd end up the same as Lady Lunafreya...”

He could sense the discontent in your tone when you spoke of such things. “No, I didn't, and I don't plan on doing so.”

He was hiding something in those words but you couldn't figure out what it was. “I'm sorry about what happened to your fiancée. That was cruel.” You closed your eyes, chewing at the corner of your mouth at having to remember such a thing. The sound of what happened was worse than one being there to witness it. You felt for the poor man.

“Another reason I plan on extracting my revenge against Ardyn,” Noctis muttered as he clasped his hands together. “You don't have to continue speaking of it, you know. I can tell talking of it bothers you a bit.”

It wasn't that you felt Lunafreya was a bad choice. Far from it. You were just inwardly envious. You made yourself very clear in regards to how you felt when it came to Noctis, and that was why you thought it was better to just became part of the Kingsglaive. You could serve your king and use that passion towards something far better than use it to stew in your jealousy over what you couldn't have. Even if she was gone, it didn't feel right. He deserved to have the one being who made him happy.

“I shouldn't be so selfish. And please, don't think ill of me,” you begged. “I hate she died. I truly do. She didn't deserve it. You both deserved to be happy, and I would have continued serving you both loyally no matter what.”

Noctis clasped his hands together between his legs as he lowered his head as if to lament about something privately. “Jealousy is a strong emotion. I cannot say I am not accustomed to it.”

Your head tilted to the side. “Since when?” To you, it felt like he had it all. He had the perfect wife to be and the most amazing support net when it came to his friends. What was he lacking?

“Since you started dating your last boyfriend some odd years ago,” Noctis answered with a weary sounding laugh to disguise the jealousy that still wanted to be vile.

“Ah. Him.” You glanced away with a nasally breath. “I have to admit that it didn't last long. My emotions went more towards work anyways. I just kind of liked being around you, and I think he could see that.”

“Really?” Noctis straightened up in his chair he was sitting in, interested by that. “After all this time?”

A laborious laugh resonated from your chest. “I never stopped loving you, Noctis. The gods could demand it so, but I would ignore them.”

“Even when I was engaged and on my way to be married?”

“Even then.” You shrugged your shoulders, resting your hand on the part of your body that was previously wounded only to find it had easily healed over with the magic of the potion used. “Yeah, I'm sure it's unhealthy as fuck, but I would have served you both loyally. I swear it.”

Noctis tapped his fingertips together, bowing his head as if to ponder on what to say or do. “Understand, y/n, that I cannot take your feelings into consideration right now. It's been ten years, yeah... but... to me it still feels like just yesterday ever since I got back from being trapped in the Crystal.”

“I don't expect you to.” You nodded at nothing in particular, eyes drifting over the ruins of what was. “Look around you, Noct. It's not just me that needs you but your people. Tend to them first, and then we'll talk down the line.”

“Even if it has to be years from now?”

“Even then,” you said with a smile. “Other things are far more important as of current. Your emotional healing being one of them as well as the safety of others.”

He nodded, recalling the gravity of the situation. “You're right. You're right...” he repeated as if to affirm it himself. It was then he got up and offered his hand for you to take. Your fingers slipping into his grasp, he aided you in standing. “The Marshal was worried about you. It was why and how we found you. You might want to head back to HQ or something.”

“I'll contact him.” Digging into your pocket, you pulled out your phone to show Noctis. “Technology still kind of works if you have the electricity to make it do so. Besides, I'd rather be out here on the front line—helping you.”

He stifled a laugh behind his lips. “Sounds like a plan. I'll meet you outside when you're done.”

—I think Noctis is a little beyond, behind those rocks, almost reaching the lake… —Ignis looked at the horizon.

—I don’t think he’s fishing, or yes? —Prompto asked.

—He hasn’t bought any new fishing line, so he can’t do much—Ignis said, who always knew about King of Insomnia and his activities.

—He’ll be ok? —You asked, wrinkling your bottom lip, watching how the boy seemed beyond, with some distance.

—He already said how he felt after the death about King Regis… —Gladio said, lighting the lamps carefully, one by one.

—Should I prepare some chips? —Ignis asked.

—You should stop spoiling him—Gladio said, almost like a father.

—I want chips—Prompto agreed, nodding.

—I’ve noticed… Noctis is been weird—You mumbled, to which Ignis listened to your comment.

—Do you think he behaves differently? —The cook asked, arranging his glasses.

—It seemed like…. —Without wanting s slight pink was installed on your cheeks—I- I don’t say that is something important…

—Maybe he wants to talk to someone who looks like a mother—Ignis said.

—Are you telling me to go? —You looked at Ignis nervously, waiting for him to say no.

—Well., sometimes… women have a gift for reaching people-s hearts—the tactician of the group declared, staring at you—You don-t lose anything by trying.

—Okay…—And releasing a sigh you proceeded to stretch your body and arms—I’ll ask him to do some exercise.

—Tell him you just want to talk, the food will be in about thirty minutes and I won’t tend to sweaty people in my restaurant—Ignis warned, giving you a small smile.

—All right, wish me luck Iggy —And doing a neck stretch you saw where the King of Insomnia was.

—Remember, you only have about thirty minutes! —Ignis raised his voice as soon as he saw you go in the direction of the new king.

  Leaving the guys behind in the camp, you made your way over the acres of grass further on, the surroundings of Alstor Lake were huge, quiet when the daemons didn’t attack and perfect to sit and watch the lake where the Catoblepas were busy touring the waters from one side to another.

—Those things over there are giant…—Your eyes looked at those two huge figures that were in the lake, causing you chills.

 Then you saw the King of Insomnia, he was looking straight at the lake, very focused on his thoughts to feel or notice that you were approaching.

—Your majesty! —Then you exclaimed, after reaching him.

 From your point you could see that the boy reacted something slow to your call, but finally turned his head to see you.

—What’s with that name? —Noctis answered raising an eyebrow, his chin rested in the palm of hand.

—Are you very busy? —Eventually, he was doing anything, but who knows, maybe he was thinking about the things that nerdy kings who love knight’s games tend to think.

—Mh… A little bit—Noctis said, his gaze returned now to the lake.

You waited for him to say something else.

Again you were waiting.

And then the prince gave a loud laugh.

—You weren’t doing anything important! —You claimed, hitting his shoulder and he just grunted with a smile.

—Hey! That hurts —And the prince surrounded your neck with his arm, giving you a bump, returning the blow you gave him, making you whimper for a while.

—Let me go, your majesty! —You asked whining, making a scene with him.

—No, plebeian, until you ask for forgiveness—Noctis said, with a smile; he was enjoying it.

—…Ok, ok, but let me go for ask it correctly—You said, feeling like the prince left you free of his grip.

—And then? I’m all ears—Noctis looked at you with crossed arms, with a defiant smile.

—… What were you doing here, alone? — You asked finally, noticing that the expression on Noct face had changed.

—I was thinking…—He answered.

—About Insomnia? —By your question the boy just nodded his head—And… What else? —You asked, looking attentive.

—It’s something complicated, ___________—The king said your name, bringing a hand to his nick and leaving it there.

—Very complicated? —And you leaned in, trying to see the face of the dark haired boy.

—Not so complicated as to leave it aside for a moment and pay attention to the request of a plebeian—Noct changed the subject radically.

—Hey. I don’t like when you evade conversations—You said with a serious face, looking at the boy and he sighed.

—…Well, you see… —Noct started yo say, then he bit his lip and he let out a snarl of despair, but a slight desperation only—Really, you wouldn’t understand…

—Okay, then…—You turned to see the lake in front of you again, and as if you were not aware of the king you kept quiet for a while, awakening the restlessness in him.

—Please, don’t bother with me…—Noctis murmured, turning to you.

—Tag! You’re it! —You screamed with a smile, using all your strength to give a push to the boy who only fell sideways on the lawn.

—W-What kind of girl pushes someone like that? —Noct asked with a smile, getting up from the lawn—I deserve an apology.

—Do you really think I should? —You interfered with the king who once again grabbed you in his arms to give a second round of knuckles in your head.

—Noct, Noct…! Enough, it hurts —You implored as the boy stopped making you suffer, although the smile on his face was drawn from ear to ear.

—Ask me for forgiveness, ___________—Noct said, showing his knuckles in a menacing way.

—… Never! —You announced getting up from the lawn quickly and the running.

—Hey! Come here! — Noct shouted, who didn’t hesitate to run after you.

  As you saw Noctis running after you, you could feel relaxed again, because if he really was mad at you; he wouldn’t talk to you, it’s that simple. However, something seemed different in its way of treating you. As a friend and as guardian of the crown.

—Gotcha! —said the dark haired boy, he was only inches away from you—I will punish you!

—Noct…! Be careful! —When you turned you saw how the King of Insomnia fell café down to the ground, literally.

  A stone, better said… A stone very well located.

  You knew you shouldn’t laugh, the other kids were too far away to see it, then it would be a memory only for you and Noctis. You really wanted to laugh with all your strength as you got closer, you knew that he wouldn’t hurt with something so small.

—Don’t even think about laughing…—Noct said threateningly, getting up with the help of his arms—Am I very dirty?

—Mh, I think I don’t see any hint of dignity in your face, your majesty— You answered and the prince frowned—Ok, ok… That’s it, no more jokes.

 You bent your knees to face him, Noct was attentive to your actions, waiting for you to laugh in his face, but it wasn’t like that.

  With your sleeve covering part of your thumb, you put your hand towards the face of the blue eyed boy. Noctis opened his eyes wide.

—Did it hurt…? —you asked while the fabric of your sleeve first cleaned one cheek, then the other followed and finally the nose.

—Are you going to laugh…? —Noctis asked, letting see a little blush on his face.

   You shook your head.

—Just a little, I didn’t see that rock there—Noct said, looking down in embarrassment.

—Well, I thought you were stronger, Noct—You said with a little laugh, moving your hand away from his face, covering your mouth, you didn’t want to laugh, but it really made you laugh.

 Noct was a boy who always seemed proud of himself, however, he was shy when it came to people watching him act or do something wrong.

—Hey! I told you to don’t laugh… —Noctis muttered, a little sad.

—You never said it, you just asked me —You answered with a smile on your face, going back to your job of cleaning the king’s face.

     But what you didn’t notice about the king’s face was his look, because you were trying not to laugh out loud; not because it was very funny, but because you didn’t want things to be tense again between you and him, you didn’t want there to be distance again like a few days ago. But… What you didn’t notice, was how those eyes were staring at you, as they were watching your face with adoration, with affection and a great feeling of protection. Noctis was absorbed in your natural beauty, your loyalty, your care for him and your laughter… That laughter that came from that mouth that he was looking right now.

    And he did it.

    He removed your hand from his cheek, taking advantage of that action to pull your hand and draw you to him, to his face, to his lips. Those lips that made a slight pressure on your, didn’t want to be dominant or you’ll get away, but to make it clear now those lips were part of one of the king’s treasures. Even the lightning bugs around you made it more magic.  

    Something inside you began to pump hard, you were going to respond after being frozen, but the King of Insomnia broke the kiss, moving away and letting you go completely.

    And it created a feeling of emptiness in you. An uncomfortable need to feel him close again.

—Noct…—You whispered, looking at him totally incredulous.

—I told you, you were going to have a punishment for disturbing the King of Insomnia—Noctis murmured, still watching your eyes.

   And he came close again, but this time he didn’t kiss you, but he wanted to…

—But y-you…—You didn’t know where to start, if you talk about Lunafreya or about his feelings.

—What’s wrong with me? —He asked, totally unconcerned.

—I… I like you? —You asked finally, but the boy stopped paying attention to you.

—Come on, Ignis is calling us… —And those were his last words before he turned and walked towards the tent.

  It wasn’t an illusion, you saw his cheeks flushed, in the same way that your cheeks were also flushed.

  The King of Insomnia had claimed your lips as his own.

---------------------------------------

The time is ours to take, so we should take it.

Warmth spread across my face in a lazy haze. It trickled across my skin and sank into my eyelids. Once the brightness reached my closed eyes, fireworks crackled in the darkness. They tossed around spots of blue and red, causing me to clench my eyes tighter and conjure up purple specks along with the orbs of light. With my eyes creating a luminescent showcase, it was impossible to return to my slumber.

Reluctantly, I gave up and grimaced at the sun rays beaming through the curtains. The light was so obtrusive it burst through the drapery and reflected off the satin sheets. My legs were buried underneath the mess of the wrinkled comforter and tossed covers. My neck strained to give me a better view of my favorite pillow slumped at the foot of the bed.

Needles pricked at my arm tucked behind my head when I attempted to move. I shook my head lazily and plopped down onto the mattress, continuing to use my arm to support the back of my head. Just then, a breeze from the somber fan turning above chilled my exposed skin. I used my free hand to claw the sheets over my nakedness.

I pulled the material to my chest and stopped when it caught onto something. The shifting in the space next to me gave me an idea of what occurred. I looked to you, watching dreamily as you turned to face me in your sleep. You were tucked in comfortably, avoiding the Sun’s obnoxious wake-up call. Still, your attempt was futile and you were squinting through the brightness moments later.

“Morning…” You croaked.

My laugh was breathy, “…Morning.” I answered.

“What time is it?”

I read the clock hanging at the far side of the room, “5 PM.”

“Wanna grab breakfast?”

I reached to stroke the skin along your cheek, “…Perfect way to start the day…But it’s still so early.”

A whispered sigh escaped you as you moved yourself uprightin bed to rest against the headboard of the wooden frame. “I know, I know, butI just wish that I could…be closer to you…” Not like your feelings or yourrelationship with him was much of a secret to either of you but it felt hardtrying to be expressive over technology. Why couldn’t you do it moreface-to-face?

You knew why Noctis kept it a secret—the last thing hewanted for you were the reporters getting in your personal life and making itmore a living hell.

Noctis seemed to go quiet on the other line, but you couldhear him move about on his own bed he was apparently just lying upon. “Issomething wrong, Y/N? Is there something you want to tell me?”

“Gods, Noct, there are so many things I want to tell you butnot over the phone,” you confessed, bending your legs into a more crossedposition. “If you were here, I’d feel more…” The words got caught in yourthroat, making you unsure of how to even finish your sentence. “Are we evergoing to be able to hold one another or anything like other couples get to do?”

The Prince seemed to go quiet though you could hear an eversubtle hum of thought pick up from his side of the line. “Just…” He paused, hiswords going quieter the next time he spoke. “…Just give me a second, okay? I’llsee if I cannot get out tonight.”

You hushed your second sigh, nodding to yourself. A part ofyou knew this would be impossible. Everything he tried he was eitheraccompanied by his advisor and it made the scene weird or he was caught anddragged back to the palace and grounded for a time. “Alright, Noct. I’llhopefully see you in a bit then.” You tried to sound optimistic but you’re sureyour doubtful tone shined through your words.

“I gotta go, Y/N. I’ll see you later. Bye,” he spokequickly, hanging up the phone as if worried he’d be caught by someone there inthe palace.

When the line went quiet you slowly pulled it away from yourear only to move it closer to your mouth once more as if he was truly stillthere on the other line. “I love you, Noct,” you murmured, knowing he wouldn’thear that but it was heartbreakingly satisfying to say nonetheless.

As midnight approached, you found yourself bundling up in awarm blanket with something to drink as you usually spent a few more eveninghours working on a few things or playing games—honestly, whatever grabbed yourinterest first. Just as you were going to relax into that thought you heardsomething tapping at your front door.

“Mmm? Who could that be…?” It made you a little nervous asyou took to your feet and made your way towards the kitchen and dining area tothe front door. You opened it just a crack just in case it was someone tryingto start trouble but upon doing so, you recognized the piercing blue eyesstaring back at you and you gasped, opening it further. “N-Noct…!”

The last you spoke was three hours ago. You thought for surehe wouldn’t even make it given how long it had been. He gave a crooked yetexhausted grin as it seemed like he ran for miles just to get to you.

“Hey, Y/N. I told you I’d get here,” he spoke with a bitmore confidence in himself as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

“That stuffy advisor isn’t with you, is he?” you asked a bitnervously as the man was good at making the atmosphere a bit rigid whenever hewas around.

Noctis laughed to himself. “Ignis? No, he’s back at theCitadel.” The cocky grin seemed to cling to his lips like a bad habit. “Didn’teven know I left, so I am alone.”

A blush warmed your cheeks at having him to yourself.Finally. It felt like an eternity since you last got a chance to even be in thesame room as him without anybody nearby to bother you both. Even online yourtogether moments could be interrupted accidentally by Prompto or Gladiolus asyou all shared the same chat room and even played the same games.

Wrapping your arms around Noctis tightly, you buried yourface in the nook of his neck seeming to catch the young Prince off guard as henearly stumbled backwards. “I’m so glad you’re here…!” You breathed out yourrelief, finding a renewed excitement at just feeling him in your arms, thewarmth of his body against yours and the ever gentle beating of his heartagainst your chest.

While he was a bit surprised by the reaction, Noctis’ armsembraced you tightly in return to let you feel the slight flex of his musclesagainst your back as he did so. “Sorry it took me so long. I had to kind of runall the way here as taking the Regalia would have gotten me caught.”

A small laugh shook your body. “It is fine,” you confessed,pulling from the hug just a bit to look at him with a relaxed smile. “I forgiveyou.” Knowing it had been forever since you got to do more than just type‘kiss’ to him online, you moved forward without hesitation to act out the realthing.

Noctis didn’t freeze this time. One hand cradled the back ofyour head as the other gripped your back in such a way you felt your shirttighten upon your body as he tilted his head to make the kiss easier for youboth. Your hands on either side of his face, you kept the sensation buddingwithin you going a bit longer as just the feel of his lips pressed againstyours was enough to bring a tear or two from your eyes, which were closed todrink in the powerful union.

The Prince’s lower lip ushered the salty drop to his tongueaccidentally, making him pull just a bit back at the all too familiar taste.His eyes widened for a moment at the wet stain that marred your features.“Y/N…?” he questioned in confusion, looking at you as though he did somethingwrong.

You shook your head quickly with a smile that quivered fromthe rush of emotions as you kept your fingers upon his cheeks. “I just…I feellike I can’t breathe when I’m around you, and that’s a good thing at times,”you confessed with a lighthearted chuckle. Your touch migrated its way to hischest in time making you seemingly frown at the events that kept you away fromone another. “In the same city but I feel like we’re oceans apart…” Lookinginto his eyes you could tell he wasn’t sure what to say right away but yourwords seemed to make him feel guilty. “I know it’s not your fault, Noct,” youreminded him, brushing his black hair away from his face a bit. “I just loveyou so much, and I hate this is how it has to be most of the time.”

His hands found your wrists, bringing you closer to hisembrace once more. “Well, why don’t we take the time to enjoy this night then?You said you wanted to do more things together in private and in the same room,so—that’s why I’m here.”

“You’re right,” you spoke at a whisper, guiding him back toyour bedroom. “And for one night, I’d like to be spoiled and have you all tomyself.”

While the evening was filled with pleasant conversation, youfound just tender and enjoyable talks to one another of a more sensual matterblooming in your bedroom and giving rise to curiosities. Mere words turned toburied confessions of your lips upon Noctis’ bare chest as you had removed hisshirt to intimately express yourself upon his flesh with your touch in kindcaressing upon a year’s old wound on his back followed by a kiss or two therebefore traveling up to his shoulder and near his neck. Your palm from time totime would feel the ever rhythmic beating of his heart against it as you spokeyour wishes, desires, and love of him.

Eventually, Noctis’ hand found yours and he turned to lookat you curiously there in the dim lighting of the room. “Will I get a chance totell you how I feel, Y/N?” he questioned, prompting you to release your holdupon your Prince and only find salvation there in the hand that held yours.

When you didn’t seem to fight the idea, Noctis spared yourlips a kiss before grabbing onto the hem of your shirt to move it up and overyour head to expose your torso as that was basically your evening clothes. Yourpajama pants still in place, you attempted to embrace your upper body only tohave Noctis delicately grab at your wrists to usher your embarrassed act awayand kiss the open palm of your hand with a heavy breath of excitement as hisblue eyes looked upon you not in judgment but in worship.

“Even I can only be as strong as the woman who stands besideme, Y/N,” Noctis whispered as a reminder, planting a more sensual kiss uponyour chest where your heart beat ever feverishly. “With a goddess like you atmy side…I could take on the world and never fail.”

You sighed, body falling into a defeated slump, but youdidn’t feel comfortable talking about such a thing so out in the open;especially not in front of the Prince of Lucis himself. “I’m fine,” you liedterribly, hitting your push to talk key. “Let’s just…get through this quest,and then I have to turn in for the day.”

“Turn in?” Prompto’s voice asked curiously. “It’s only eightin the evening!”

Again, you grumbled to yourself wondering if there truly wasa way to escape the online game when you weren’t feeling emotionally well toparticipate in anything with other people. “I just…need to get in bed earliertoday and drown in some self pity ice-cream or something. I just need to selfindulge maybe.”

Everyone was quiet for a moment, leading you to swear atyourself as you knew they were aware something was wrong with you. That thoughtbecame apparent when Noctis typed to your character in a private message:

Noctis:

Care to meet me in aprivate chat room for a moment, (Y/N)?

Knowing that he wascatching onto your attitude (and the others probably were as well), you blewyour heavy sigh upward out of the corner of your mouth not even sure what tosay at first. In moments like this, you just wanted to be alone because itwasn’t like he could come over and hug you or anything. Noctis had royal dutiesto maintain.

(Y/N):

Alright…just preparefor me to sound like a squawking chocobo…

Moving your names to a more private voice chat server, youhesitated on the idea of speaking first, but it seemed Noctis had that coveredfor you.

“It’s alright. I happen to like squawking chocobos,” Noctislightly teased, his voice turning more to business afterwards. “So, what’swrong, (Y/N)? You usually play this game for hours with us. Sometimes you evenstay up past your bedtime.”

Your pinky struck your push to talk button to respond, anexasperated sigh escaping you. “Just was a rough day at work, Noct…It’s nothingyou can help me with right now.”

“I can try,” he responded rather quickly. “Since when have Ifailed you before anyways, (Y/N)?”

He sounded a bit offended, and you couldn’t help but cringeat thinking you may have harmed his feelings any. “It’s just stupid work stuff,Noct. Boss just yelled at me for not doing something correctly, and I’ve beenworking my ass off lately with deadlines we have to meet, and I just…” Yourealized you were starting to ‘squawk’ as you warned earlier; your voice wasshaking uncontrollably with how the incident really upset you. “God dammit,it’s nothing…”

“Sounds like it’s something, (Y/N).” Noctis paused, perhapsto think on what else to add before chiming in again. “Look, I know you thinkyour day to day problems are petty, and you don’t want to share them with me,but why not? I thought we were…we were friends…?”

Hearing him say that, you blinked back your tears and triedto get your breathing under control as you answered back, “Why was thatstatement a question?”

“I dunno, I guess…I guess I was just—eh, don’t worry aboutit right now, (Y/N). I suppose I just wish right now I was there to hold you.”

You could hear the awkward rise and fall in his tone when heconfessed such a thing making you smile for once at his honesty. “Noct, I don’tneed a Prince Charming saving me; at least not all the time.”

“That’s what Princes do in stories, don’t they?” You couldhear a sort of sigh lingering in his words when he confessed such a thing overthe computer. “They always help the Princess because she’s worth it.”

Moving your lower lip inward to ingest those words, youfound your spirits slowly lifting. “The warrior that takes all of the incomingdamage when it comes to my squishy healer. How subtle of a prince and princessreference you made in this game, now that I think about it.”

Noctis’ small bit of a playful scoff resonated over themicrophone. “I protect you in game, and I will do it out of game too, if you’lllet me.”

Reclining back in your seat, you rubbed your upper arms onlyto feel embraced by loneliness for now when you looked about the four walls inyour bedroom. “What would be nice right now is just a hug, and you can’t dothat from all the way in the palace.”

Again, the Prince went quiet for a bit to perhaps formulatea plan. “How about I just tell the guys that we need to log off for a bit?Maybe the both of us could log on instant message and do a face and voice chatwhile streaming a movie? Would that help?”

You smiled to yourself, appreciating the effort as not manybothered with such an act. “You’re so close, yet so far to where I cannot eventouch you sometimes,” you whispered to yourself still inwardly wishing he couldjust leave the palace and come to your home, but in the end, Noctis was doingeverything he could to make the gap between you be smaller, and the gesture wasvery kind. Once more, you struck your push to talk key, “Sure, or I can watchyou play a game or something. I just need to spend time with you for a bitmore, if that’s okay.”

“Sounds like a plan, (Y/N). I’ll tell the others real fast.”