This chapter is short and I really wished it covered more, but I got stuck and I have buzzing from one story to the next while maintaining 3 jobs outside of trying to get my thesis somewhere at the same time. Top it with psychological harassment and massive stress and… I'll keep this author comment short. I'm scattered in pretty much every aspect of my life at the moment, which explains my need to write shorter chapters until things settle down. Otherwise I start feeling bad about the length of time in between updates and it has been a while for this story. I hope that the action can kick off with chapter 88. Since it's Lunoct week this week, it seems like a good occasion to post a very fluffy chapter that is quite Lunoct-centric. Have some raviris along the way and some small crowdio and ignea at the end of it. I hope you'll enjoy!
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Unexpected
Chapter 86 – Off into the sunset
"Today is a big day for Lucis," the radio claimed, "even though I want to talk about déjà vu for the announcement we're about to make. But let's jump right to it instead! It's going to be in every newspaper by a matter of hours, but our young King is finally tying the knot. Lady Lunafreya, our dear, sweet, beautiful Oracle will be walking down the aisle in Altissia in just about one week!"
Otto-2 looked up from the gun he was cleaning, the pearls and feathers gone from his hair but still hanging around his neck. He couldn't let go of the little things that reminded him someone had once thought of him as an actual human being. And he couldn't process the news he'd just heard fast enough. The King was getting married? Would he be able to walk down the aisle too with everything Ardyn had done to him?
"The royal retinue is headed for Accordo as we speak, and we will be sure to have entire coverage of the event as it goes. From the calls and texts we're getting at the station, his highness already had some sort of bachelor's party with his closest friends a few weeks ago."
"May I remind you the importance of this alliance?" a woman asked the announcer.
"You most certainly can, lady Elshett. Please enlighten our audience."
Monica explained that this wedding was the first step in unifying the people of Eos around a common goal. The chosen King and his bride, the Oracle, would purify their star from the blight.
"If you pardon my bluntness, will the Tidemother be part of the celebration?"
"She's not invited to the actual wedding, but you have a point, Leviathan will be reached in a covenant, like the King has already done with numerous Astrals."
"Our King is really giving it his all. Any words from Accordo regarding the treaty that will be signed for…"
The radio shut down with a violent crackling, Otto jumping as he saw the look on Ardyn's face. He had tried to avoid the man, to no avail. The chancellor loved his company apparently.
"Were you on the edge of your seat?" Izunia asked the clone.
Otto shrugged in answer, his eyes trained to the ground. He was so tired of running from one captor to the next.
"I think the royals should get a nice gift, what do you say, Two?"
Otto bit his tongue, drawing blood as Ardyn clapped him on the back.
"Ask me what we're going to give them."
"What are we getting them?" the blond obediently asked.
Ardyn smiled.
"I was thinking of a new puppy. And a few nails."
Otto knew it was bad before to hear the man's answer, but now he wanted to run away even more than he did before. The problem was, he couldn't. No matter how far he went, Ardyn seemed to have him on a radar. The creep kept finding him and the last correction had been quite enlightening as to why it was better not to run. But the chancellor loved for his pets to voice an opinion every now and then. Right now, the purple haired man was looking at him expectantly.
"I am against animal cruelty," Otto-2 whispered.
"Oh, rest assured, no puppy will be harmed. As long as they know how to swim."
There was no laugh to punctuate that sentence and Otto knew a bad sign when he saw one.
"We're going to need a boat," Ardyn stated, counting on his finger as he enumerated what he wanted. "Knives. Dressy clothes. And more guns. Hurry along now, Two, gather me what I need."
The clap on his back was rough enough to send him down on all fours, but Otto-2 hurried along like he was told.
…
The ride to Altissia would last for about 2 days since the repairs done to Regis's boat hadn't been optimal. They were a little crammed on the ship, being ten people and a dog. Cindy had tagged along after the longest talk on the phone with her grandfather and Prompto was happy taking pictures of everything and everyone.
Noctis enjoyed the sun, seeing as fishing would delay them and they made a discovery after the first four hours on the boat. Luna was seasick. Like, horribly sick. Crowe had excepted to feel bad, but her stomach had settled with the first step onboard and it just stayed that way.
"You sure Luna isn't pregnant, Noct?" Aranea couldn't help but ask on the second day.
"Get off my back!" he pleaded, since his friends had all already asked him the same question.
"If you have to know, I'm currently bleeding and emptying my stomach," Luna cut in at one point, her usual shyness gone from how awful she felt. "So we are not pregnant at all."
Sheepish faces offered her apologetic smiles, while Noctis was running out of cures for seasickness. Ignis had already told him of everything he knew for it, to no avail.
"I'll prepare more Pedialyte," the advisor offered.
"Thank you," Luna sighed.
She was so green and pale, her friends were starting to feel bad for basking in the sun and relaxing while she was so sick, but the princess asked that they didn't mind her. The only person as miserable as her was Ravus. There was barely any shade for him to hide from the sun and his pale skin burned at the lightest provocation.
"I wanted to see you in a bathing suit!" Iris protested as she found him sitting in a corner, Pryna whining lightly next to him if he stopped stroking her head.
The man was wearing a large white shirt and khakis pants and no shows, which was surreal already, but it was apparently the best she'd get.
"Unless you want me to turn redder than a lobster and shed my skin all over you, I'm staying like this," the Tenebrean prince declared.
"Threats, always threats with you," Iris teased him, to which he lifted one hand to his heart.
"Ouch. Sorry for having to look after my porcelain skin."
"You're starting to scare me, Ravus," she laughed despite how hard she tried to keep a straight face.
"You say that, but somehow, I don't trust your words."
Normally, this would be the point where he'd tugged on her waist to have her plopping down in his lap, but something was clearly holding him back. His metal hand rose and fell back by his side almost instantly. Iris shot a glance over her shoulder, noticing Ignis fast asleep on one of the couches, Gladio doing push-ups with Crowe playfully pushing against his back to have him struggle a little more, Aranea playing cards with Cindy and Prompto, while Noctis was rubbing circles on Luna's back.
"Are we still self-aware?" Iris asked him.
"No, we're being sensitive," he corrected
"Rave, you sound like you're sulking," she teased him.
"You, flower, are playing with fire."
She bit on her lower lip in that slow way she knew drove him crazy. Ravus kept a straight face through it, knowing his ears were turning red and that it was most certainly reaching his throat. His Adam's apple moved up and down and Iris crouched in front of him, her hands finding his, their fingers intertwining instantly.
"I don't want to miss your arms because the others are always around."
"You can still respect my preference for privacy."
Iris nodded, leaning forward to plant a kiss on his cheek.
"I'm going to need help picking my dress for the wedding," she whispered.
Gods, the blush had to be all over his face now and yet he smiled at her.
"I hate shopping," he warned.
"Even if it means picking clothes for me and see them before anyone else?"
Ravus decided he'd had enough of seeing her from this close without moving. He cupped her face with his metal hand, his touch gentle as he pulled her in. No whistle came, the kiss lasting a good thirty seconds, leaving her breathless and even more riled up than before. Iris knew it was a giant step for Ravus, seeing how close everyone was. When she gestured to come back for more, he held her where she was, shaking his head with a cocky smirk.
"Be patient, flower. You can expect a lot more when I have you alone with me," he promised.
Iris couldn't help the flutter in her heart or the flush on her face. It felt like they were both vying for control and switching places whenever the other gathered more confidence.
"I can be patient," she managed with a smile, still catching her breath.
Ravus chuckled, holding back a comment on how pushy she was with him lately. He liked the attention too much to hold it against her.
…
Luna was the first down the ship, Noctis hurrying after her. They had warned her that she might not feel better just from stepping off the boat, but she looked much more alive as soon as her feet touched the ground.
"I guess the sea hates me," Luna sighed as they crossed the passport check and stepped into the actual city of water for the first time.
Bridges and canals connecting every place, the sun reaching seemingly everywhere on the clear stones used to make up towers, houses and what looked like temples had them gawking for a bit, with the exception of Ravus and Luna who had already visited Altissia while travelling with the empire.
"We should check in at the Leville," Ignis suggested.
Luna exchanged a brief look with Noctis, who understood and wrapped one arm around her.
"How about you guys check in for us? We'll have a small tour of the city before we need to go on all the meetings with lady Camilia."
Their friends gave them knowing looks and while Ravus wanted to argue his sister needed rest and proper food since she had finally stopped throwing up, he could tell the chance to be alone with Noctis would do her some good. The guy had made tremendous efforts to make up for how badly he'd treated her, and even the Tenebraen prince could see it. Luna agreeing to the wedding seemed a little premature given the circumstance, but Iris had observed that if it was his decision, he might never let his sister marry just to keep the impression she was the girl he remembered looking after.
"I'll bring her back in one piece," Noctis told them, noticing the stares and pointing fingers from a few passerbys. Their little gang wasn't going to make it out of here unnoticed unless they got a move-on and with all the newspapers going on about the royal wedding, staying incognito for even a little while would be hard.
"Just get to the Leville before dusk," Gladio teased them.
Two waves and a few nods later, the pair was parting their ways from the rest of the group, Luna keeping an arm around Noctis and leaning her head against his shoulder for support.
"You look like you need a boost to make it through the day."
"It's like you're reading my mind…" Luna mused.
Noctis instantly looked through his pockets, finding an ether that she took in a few gulps, holding one hand against her mouth in fear she would throw it up, but her stomach had finally settled. The drink brought color back to her face, Luna pinching her cheeks in the hope it would make the green go away.
"Don't do that," Noctis whispered.
"Careful where you're going," Luna smiled, noticing how he only had eyes for her. It wasn't new, but somehow, it felt… fresh.
Noctis turned his attention back to the front and halted as he realized his feet had taken him all across this stone platform. Either they tried their luck up a case of stairs or tried to grab a gondola.
"I'm under a weird impression, Luna," he declared, taking a conspiratory tone. "You don't want to go on the water, do you?"
She paled, worrying her lower lip before shaking her head.
"Oh, I'd rather not. I guess I just don't have sea legs."
"I shall keep you safe on dry, unmoving land," Noctis offered, squeezing her waist and loving the way she melted in his embrace.
"Is that lady Lunafreya?" a young girl asked.
Numerous heads turned and Noctis couldn't help a pang of annoyance at the idea he couldn't keep his fiancée to himself even now. People knew what she looked like on Lucis, but hadn't made a big case of seeing her walking in the streets. Although she was wearing one of her iconic white dresses right now. Luna motioned to look around, but Noctis was whispering an idea in her ear, his eyes already looking for a way out.
"I want you all to myself for today. Indulge me?"
"What are you offering to buy me off?" she teased back.
Maybe it was the exhilaration of making it through a full sentence without throwing up, but Luna couldn't help herself.
"Absolute delight?"
The question in his voice made the little scene all the more endearing and she voiced her acquiescence, gasping as his arms pulled her off her feet, his legs darting to the left, a blurry weapon making it off to the distance until the magic wrapped around them. And then they were blurring and zipping through the air, Noctis stopping only to make sure her head didn't turn too much, making his way across rooftops a few more times until the pointed gazes turned back to the ground, Luna laughing despite the very light fright in her heart.
"Should you be doing something like this?!"
"My powers work fine," he reminded her. "And I needed to move around, all this sitting around the boat made me nervous."
"Getting wedding jitters?"
"Like you aren't," Noctis shot back with a poke to her ribs, smiling at the way she jumped at the small touch.
"I speak to crowds all the time!"
"To tell them you love me?" he insisted.
They both blushed, equally intimidated by the prospect of that ceremony. Almost a year ago, it had been a big deal already, but they had a lot fewer worries on their mind. Or well, Noctis had less to worry about. He had been wondering when Ardyn would resurface and whether the monster would crash the ceremony. Noctis couldn't picture his reaction to seeing the man. He would either blow up or crumble on the inside. Since they were standing face to face, Luna noticed the darkening in his features and shook her head at him.
"I was promised absolute delight," she reminded him.
Her playfulness was quite refreshing, and he couldn't help the urge to tease her back.
"Is that the ether effect on you? I'm sure I took something with little sugar as the base material for it."
"I'm feeling quite like myself. More myself than I've been in a while actually," she confessed, squeezing his hands with hers.
Her eyes shone, telling him it was a good different. Noctis had to taste her smile, diving in so fast, he might have been warping forward. He laughed as her grin widened, her teeth meeting his lips before adjusting to his embrace. They had been spending every waking moment together lately, but the kisses they exchanged would be the last ones out of wedlock. And it felt like nothing was enough.
"Missed me that much?" she asked, clicking her tongue without meaning to.
She was in a daze and Noctis had to admit, he would have been lost if it wasn't for her arms around his waist, her hands pressing against his back.
"I would have kissed you despite the puke," he said with an exaggerated pout, "but you kept denying me."
"You say that now, but wait until I'm pregnant and in the same state as Crowe, boat or no boat."
He blinked, looking her up and down, drawing her closer to him, until their hips were flush, his lips brushing against her left eyebrow as he spoke.
"That sounds awfully tempting. My kingdom needs an heir after all."
She motioned to step back, discovering his arms were tightly locked around her and all she could do was bend backward, fighting against a laugh. Aranea really had been a bad influence on her!
"Noct!"
"I apologize. Our kingdom needs an heir…"
Luna gasped, glaring at him for half a second before to slap him. Or try to at the very least. Noctis caught her wrist in his hand, planting a kiss on the side of her hand before to pepper the inside of her palm with playful nibbles.
"That's not… fair!" she complained, fighting against a fresh blush and the content moan that wanted to escape her lips. "It's still not the time for babies," she reminded him.
He squeezed her hand, the sparks of lust still clear in his eyes.
"Well, don't paint me a picture of you pregnant. It would be the best incentive to have me saving the world as fast as I can," he insisted, raising his brows at her suggestively.
"You're being less and less charming," the Oracle warned.
Biting his lower lip sheepishly, he took a step back, giving her a genuine reverence before looking around the rooftop to find a spot where they could talk more comfortably. He was glad for the isolation, but his back was burning from all the warping around and he'd rather not let Luna know his insinuations might not hold ground.
"You still want a family with this uncharming King, don't you?"
"I might consider it. It all depends on your arguments."
The joke was clear in her tone and he looked so much like a little kid as he smiled at her. The boy she'd met years ago was still hidden under there, despite all the hurt and the aching.
"Sit with me as I plead my case," he asked her.
Luna frowned as she looked for their destination, hoping he didn't intend to warp them around again. There was a flat parapet lining the walls and Noctis was in such a playful mood, he jumped on it and took a few steps backward to lead her toward the little square of cement that used to be a chimney at the center of the roof. Luna felt a pang of worry, but kept it to herself. Noctis hadn't jumped or run around since he'd regained his ability to walk at the fullest, so she wasn't going to take the joy away from him with concerns. Her hands were tightly holding on to his dark coat and she gasped as he lost his footing, pulling him back to her level to stop his fall, his shoulder colliding with her and cutting off her breath.
"Careful there," she managed, ruffling his hair.
He struggled to right himself, seeing the dozen ways this could have turned out. He could have dragged her down with him and while he could always warp, a miscalculation and…
"Damn. I'm sorry, that was stupid."
"Maybe a little, but I get to hold you without hearing that snarky tone of voice," Luna teased him, her arms squeezing him close.
With a self-derisive sigh, Noctis held her back, wondering if he'd ever be back to at least ninety-five percent of his capabilities.
"Still sorry, Luna."
"Don't be. I'm expecting convincing arguments from you."
He chuckled against her hair, looking up into her eyes.
"I love you," Noctis whispered, his voice shifting with an emotion that surprised them both. "I want everything with you. Everything you want. And it's cheesy and it might sound wrong, but if you were pregnant with my child, I would have an excuse to spoil you."
In a desperate attempt to hide her blush, Luna shook her head at him, raising one hand in front of her face.
"You need an excuse?"
"To spoil you rotten until you're begging for me to worry about someone else? I believe I do."
"Well, I would love to be spoiled… right about now," she declared coyly.
"Get over here then," he motioned for her to step back into his arms, raising her chin, nestling the back of her head in his hand.
The first kiss was breathtaking, Noctis holding her to him with a sense of urgency that left her wanting more of his touch. Her lips demanded and stole his air, giving back with every stroke and touch, her hands gripping to his shirt beneath his coat.
"We are both nervous, aren't we?" she laughed as they parted for air, holding on each other as though their life depended on it.
"I really can't believe we're finally here. You were supposed to become my wife so long ago and…"
Luna couldn't help the warm wave of emotion welling up inside her at his words.
"It still feel unreal. So much more considering everything we've been through lately. But you still want me by your side…"
She made it sound like a question and Noctis stole her lips, pouring all his need for her into this embrace, Luna leaning into him as they parted.
"You okay?"
"My legs feel weak. My King is doing a good job, turning me to mush."
"That's because you don't know what you do to me, mushy queen."
She winced at the strange nickname, Noctis surprising her by lifting her in his arms once more, carrying her to a square of white tar where they took a seat, snuggling as best as they could under the blue, blue sky.
"In a little less than six days, two "I do"s will be the only thing keeping us apart."
Luna smiled at him, her eyes warm.
"Outside of that bachelorette party Crowe has been insisting on, I hope we won't stay apart much."
"I'm glad you can't get enough of me," Noctis teased her, lifting her hand to his lips as she seemed ready to take offense at the flirtatious look he gave her.
"It only seems fair."
He clearly wanted more of her.
"I wish all that attention my hand is receiving would be focused elsewhere," she dramatically sighed.
Noctis played along, simply happy to see her self-doubts gone.
"Any particular spot in mind?"
Little to say, the pair might have scandalized a few people if anyone had been capable of seeing them.
…
Crowe and Aranea hadn't lost any time in getting prepared, making a quick sweep of Altissia and a few reservations. They shocked Gladio and made Ignis laugh as they talked about their plans for the bachelorette party in the common room they were all sharing. Noctis had booked a five bedroom suite for their group, with their own living room and lounge, even their own kitchen. Luna had voiced concerns, but since reclaiming the capital, the king had reclaimed his father's fortune. Most of it was spent on rebuilding Lucis, Monica doing most of the decisions, with Cor staying as uninvolved as possible.
It went without saying that Noctis had no reason to worry about money anymore and while he wasn't one for extravagance, he wanted Luna to remember her wedding fondly and enjoy all the luxury she deserved. It was a nice change of pace, even though they had all started to feel pretty at home in Cape Caem.
"Naked men are mandatory on a bachelorette party," Aranea observed. "We won't ask any of you four to do it, since it would be weird. And it's not like you boys have never been to a strip club."
"I'm not trying to be some hypocrite, I just don't see the princess or my sister fitting in in there," the Shield defended himself.
Crowe noticed the way he was wringing his fingers together, and gave him a light poke in the ribs after walking up to him.
"What's bothering you so much?"
"My brand-new wife rushing off to the go-go boys has a bitter ring to it," he confessed with a sheepish look on his face.
"Oh come on, I can still look at pretty boys! And when I'll get back all horny and desperately sober, you can give me my own private show?" she suggested, running her hands along his abs.
A spark showed in his eyes, Crowe humming in approval as his arms pulled her even closer to him.
"That mean I can get a private show of my own?"
"If your performance impresses me enough," she warned.
Aranea exchanged a look with Ignis, raising one brow at him.
"Not going to patronize me with your male ego?"
"Want me to?" he chuckled. "I don't feel the need, you'd trust me in such a situation and I have absolute faith in you."
"Now that's what I like to hear. Get over here."
He still felt the ring's influence on him and wasn't quite confident in his steps, but still bent over her sitting form, her kiss fiery enough to warm his blood, the pair only reluctantly parting as they heard Luna's voice in the corridor.
Crowe, Cindy and Aranea had all agreed that if they were getting Luna hammered, it was going to happen on her first night in Altissia. Looking worse for wear on her first meeting with the first lady of the city of water would pass more easily than in the middle of the week.
"Let's hurry before she retires for the night with her prince charming," Aranea exclaimed.
"You'll be careful?" Gladio insisted.
"Gladiolus," Ignis chided him, "you must let her breathe a little."
"I sound that bad?"
"Indeed, since you sound worse than me when Noctis went on his first night out."
They shared a laugh, remembering quite well how that had turned out. Hopefully, Lady Lunafreya would be coming back home on her own two feet and not slumped over one of the women's shoulder.
To be continued…
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In next chapter, we get to see the girls partying, lady Camilla and hopefully the wedding can fit in there so I can finally reach the one part of this story I've been dying to write. We're almost there!