#without solace

Rating: Not Rated Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Category: F/M Fandom: Final Fantasy XV Relationship: Aera Mirus Fleuret/Ardyn Izunia Characters: Aera Mirus Fleuret, Ardyn Izunia Additional Tags: Alternative Universe - Canon Divergence, Pre-Canon, Established Relationship Written For: @divergenceffxvzine

»»————-　⚜　————-««

“I worry for Somnus.”

Bent over one of the bushes lining the path, Aera speaks more to the roses than to her lover. The tapping of his cane on the paving stones—a new sound, another thing for her to become accustomed to in this dawning era of peace—pauses. She does not need to look at him to know that his brow is creased or that his lips have pulled into a frown; his emotions lay thick and clear in the air between them, the soul-deep bond between Oracle and King layering his thoughts like ghosts under her own.

“He has been more withdrawn lately,” she continues, “and his temper has worsened.”

“That’s to be expected, isn’t it?” Ardyn muses. The rhythmic knocking starts up again, and now she does look over her shoulder. The toll of cleansing Eos of the Scourge shows clearly in the streaks of gray in his hair and the new wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, but his face is as full of good humor as it can be, given the circumstances. “He believed that I would fail. To have the throne made inaccessible when it is all he has ever wanted . . . I imagine it leaves a sting.”

“I only hope that he will not act on that anger,” Aera replies, keeping her voice soft. “If he turns against the Astrals, they will—”

Ardyn gives her a peculiar sort of smile. “He won’t, my dear. Think of this as nothing more than the younger brother once more envious of the elder, seeing only the glory and not the cost of attaining it.”