cold bones, yeah that's my love (closed)

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cold bones, yeah that's my love (closed)

Who: Lunafreya Nox Fleuret & Noctis Lucis Caelum.
What: Noct and Luna have A Talk. It's like an episode of Intervention, but with more dead people and awful coping mechanisms.
Where: The FFXV cast residence.
When: During the sharknado event.
Warnings: Angst and suffering. Lots of tears. Will update accordingly. Also contains spoilers for Final Fantasy XV.

[ Lunafreya's concern for Noctis had begun to grow almost as soon as she had become cognizant during the treatment of her injuries; something about him had been off since their arrival, leaving her uneasy. His general demeanor had been more harrowed, almost crazed, tinged with paranoia and an unwillingness to carry on his duties as the King of Lucis. Even with Regis here, in Hadriel, the burden of such a title still lays heavy on Noctis' shoulders, regardless of whether he wants it or not.

She'd spoken to Regis about this, but part of her knows it isn't fair to burden the former king with such a task. Part of her wants to speak to Noctis herself, besides, and it's because of this that she awaits him in their shared bedroom, seated upon the bed with her knees to her chest. Noctis had stepped out for the day, and she'd seen from the network that he'd made contact with none other than Gladiolus Amicitia. His presence buoys her slightly, knowing that there likely isn't anyone more qualified to speak sense into Noctis than he, but...

When she hears the front door open, she shifts to the edge of the bed, placing her feet upon the floor. Taking a deep breath, she calls, gently: ] Noctis?

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[ How he had gotten home is rather blurry. The most Noctis remembers is being happy to see Gladio, then quickly not too pleased when he made his first choice of hounding him for their reunion. Long story short: it ended in a violent altercation. The adrenaline kept him going, but his body had lost much of its strength in his complacency. When Noctis comes into the room, the first to be easily seen is how bruised and battered he is.]

[ He limps into the room, sighing with exhaustion, stress, and irritation as he collapses on the bed. With a soft, yet pained grunt, he lands and places his hand on his face. The prince rubs at his busted lip and bloody nose, smearing it along his face unintentionally. It's clear that he isn't ignoring Lunafreya's call when he simply rolls over in a heap and presses his forehead into her side. An affectionate, yet tired gesture. ]

[ It's clear that there is a heavy cloud looming over him, but he's in enough pain to not address it just yet. ]

[ Lunafreya is alarmed as he crosses the room, crumbling into a heap onto the bed beside her. She sees the blood and the bruises, and she immediately shifts to face him, taking his head into her lap. The blood from his injuries blooms onto the fabric of her white sundress, and her brow furrows in concern. Acting quickly, she examines him and ascertains that his life is not in jeopardy before she begins to heal him, leaning forward to press her brow to his as she calls upon the minimal reserves of astral energy that she possesses. ]

What's happened to you? [ Guilt twists her gut as she asks, already having a semblance of an idea. Gladiolus is not known to be a gentle soul, but he also isn't known to thrash about someone like this without good reason. Her own concerns take a backseat to the sorry state of the man in her lap, and she quietly shelves her concerns until she learns the full story of his injuries. ]

[ In her quick act, Noctis adjusts in her lap, body flat against the bed as his head rests upon her legs. Noctis doesn't protest when she begins to call upon the small reserve of astral energy. It manages to soothe some of his soreness, clotting the blood that has gathered at his lip and leaving an early scab. While the bleeding from his nose has stopped, what has been smeared about remains. The prince's face remains visibly damaged, coupled with a black eye that is easily revealed at the shift of his bangs. ]

[ Noctis closes his eyes, reveling in the slightest relief despite the way he moans in discomfort. While Gladio has basically made something like this feel like it's wrong or something to shy away from, Noctis can't help but immediately cling to Luna. She understands, doesn't she? She won't give him the same amount of flack that Gladio essentially punched into him. At her question, his lip briefly snarls, brow twitching. ]

Gladio.

[ He slightly adjusts in her lap, resting one arm at his abdomen while the other rubs delicately at his eye. ]

Couldn't wait five minutes before making assumptions. It's nothing.

[ Luna had thought as much, though she didn't make it a habit to assume. While she empathizes with Noctis, she can't say she sympathizes. Not completely. She knows Gladiolus (or of him) well enough to know that he has the prince's best interests at heart, and she finds that she has to hold herself back from clicking her tongue. Gently, she smooths his bangs away from his injured eye, her powers not strong enough in Hadriel to fully heal his injuries. ]

It does not look like nothing, Noctis. [ Her tone is stern, but gentle; her hand gently caresses the curve of his cheek, dancing along the surface of the bruises that her powers were able to fade but not expunge. ] The fact that he is here is as heartening to us as it is troubling for Eos. Is he coming to stay here with us? What is it that he was making assumptions about? [ She treads lightly, knowing that this situation is delicate. The last thing she wants is to alienate Noctis, even if she knows he's milking the situation in his own way. ]

I don't care where he stays.

[ That response comes out fast, and part of him immediately regrets it. But he's still angry, still exhausted, and it slips. Noctis sighs, wincing slightly when his chest starts to throb from the hard strike it suffered. Everything is sore, but significantly less brutal with Lunafreya's care. ]

[ Noctis sighs. He doesn't really want to talk about it, but he's hopeful that Lunafreya will understand his position on this. She always has been understanding, supportive. While his eyes stay closed, he continues for her sake. ]

He thinks I should have all the answers by now. About the Door, about how to get back. As if I haven't even taken a shot at it. I'm not a miracle worker, for crying out loud.

[ But he is the King. And with that comes the requirement of working fast and creatively; something he hasn't done at all since arriving here. But Noctis doesn't see it that way right now. All of this has been so overwhelming and harsh, and it's honestly becoming too much for him. His voice remains soft and calm, while the rest of him wills to catch up to that feeling. As Lunafreya caresses his face, his hand reaches up to grasp it, taking it towards his chest when her fingers touch the bruised skin around his eye. ]

Called me a whiny pissbaby, provoked me like he does, so we fought. It's not like I don't get what he's trying to do, but he's wrong.

[ Lunafreya can't help it; she clicks her tongue at his petulance, giving a slight shake of her head. She knows he doesn't mean it, that his emotions are dictating his words, but she doesn't baby him by saying so. She shifts slightly so that she can get a better view of his body, searching for more injuries. ]

I somehow doubt that he thinks you should have all the answers. He knows your limits and what you are capable of. [ Luna maintains her stern tone, her voice soft as she studies his face. ] He knows what you must do as do you, and it begs the question... What have you done to get back?

[ She poses the question gently, knowing full well that she hasn't made any headway in finding a way home either. She and Regis have spoken of petitioning Hadriel's gods, at the very least, but she is no hypocrite. ] I am here for you in all ways, Noctis, and I know that this has been difficult for all of us... But in times like these, people will look to their king. Do you not think that there is an ounce of truth in Gladio's words?

[ When he places her hand to her chest, Lunafreya steels herself. She flattens her palm along the plane of it, turning her gaze from his face and toward where her fingers splay out. ] I fear that you are growing too used to this. To our being here.

[ Though her expression is even, it hurts, saying that. ] Or am I wrong?

[ In the presence of Lunafreya, he feels a sort of calm that he's naturally become drawn to. Like a security blanket in the face of what makes him comfortable. It's almost childish in a way, but in lieu of his grieving, it's become his norm. But the warmth he naturally feels underneath her touch is very quickly made to feel foreign and uncomfortable coupled with her words. Noctis' eyes abruptly open, eyes dilating fast enough to make his head pang with a brief sting. He can't help but look at Luna as if she's grown a second head. ]

[ "What have you done?" The question itself should be simple to answer, but when he can't find it? He starts to feel that anger boil again. It had already remained from Gladio, only barely coming to a simmer until it becomes clear that something with Lunafreya is... Matching. She essentially calls him out in her next set of words, and Noctis begins to slowly sit up and scoot away from her. ]

[ So now she's giving him the third degree? As if he doesn't remember that he's King? What he has to do back home? Noctis almost completely ignores that he hasn't done a damn thing and leans towards feeling attacked and questioned instead. His brow furrows, which hurts when he realizes he's bruised along there too. ]

So, what, you're on his side now? Just gonna assume I'm the only one capable of resolving all of this?

[ Lunafreya expects it when he moves from her, but it doesn't hurt any less. Still, she keeps her composure, squaring her shoulders and straightening. She shuts her eyes and breathes in, further steeling herself for what she knows is going to be an argument. She'd known this much going in, and thus far, he's reacting exactly how she'd predicted. ]

That is not what I said. [ She states evenly. When she opens her eyes, she meets his evenly, his expression enough to make her resolve quell ever-so-slightly. Still. She persists. ] His Majesty and I have spoken. I have agreed to petition Hadriel's gods, should it come to pass that that much is necessary. I vowed to return you to Eos, but it's becoming quite clear that you possess no such desire to do so.

[ And she can't blame him. Part of her desperately wants him to remain, for all of them to remain, whole and safe. Together, in ways they hadn't been permitted to be in Eos. But she knows that Noctis is meant for something greater than all of them, and if anyone needs to return to their star, it's him. ]

If you carry on as you are, you will remain here. And to remain here would be akin to living with ghosts. This is not your destiny, nor is it the destiny of Eos.

[ Oh, fantastic, Dad is in on this too. Noctis can't help the way his gut churns and tightens in the face of what he's been failing at. Noctis starts to feel claustrophobic, as if the walls are closing in on him when Lunafreya so bluntly accuses him of being complacent. ]

It's clear that I don't--

I insisted on taking the reigns for calling the gods out! What else am I supposed to do?

[ He grits his teeth. Noctis was so sure that he had been doing all he could, even if it had taken him time. But it's not that Lunafreya is wrong in what she's saying. That much is clear, and Noctis quickly puts distance between himself and Luna when he realizes that. His defensiveness plagues him, threatens to swallow him whole, and he's too deep into this to admit fault now. ]

I expected this kind of bull-crap from Gladio, but--

[ He's about to accuse Lunafreya, but those words get caught in his throat. No, no he doesn't have that kind of audacity. Not after what she's been through, and not after what they've been through together. He's angry at her, disappointed, but voicing it is just as difficult as admitting his hand in all of this. Instead, he grits his teeth, scoffing as he swings his arms up in the air to suggest he's done. ]

Forget it.

[ Noctis goes for the dresser, abruptly yanking a drawer open to grab a hoodie. With his face still battered, bloody, and dirty, he pulls the clean garment over his head, then slams the drawer shut. ]

[ It's pretty clear he intends to leave. ]

[ Lunafreya moves with a swiftness even she hadn't thought herself capable of as he moves to the dresser. To say that the way she grips his arm is forceful would be inaccurate, but there's a certain degree of effort present as her fingers curl about his wrist, her brow furrowed. She sidles behind him, expression hard even as she places her brow against the nape of his neck, selfish in her desire to be close to him even when her words seem to push him away. ]

But what?

[ Her voice is quiet and sharp, and a familiar heat pricks the back of her eyes as she slowly returns to herself, releasing her grip on his wrist. Luna remains with her forehead resting against his back, struggling to keep her breathing even, swallowing hard against the lump that tightens her throat. ]

I will not stop you from leaving, Noctis, but you will need to face this eventually. It is not pleasant, it is painful, and I understand that. I died for it.

[ She lets the words hang, hating the way they sound as soon as they burst from her lips. It's almost cruel to bring it up again, but Lunafreya needs him to know the depth of her understanding. ] I would gladly do so again. For Eos. For you. Surely you know that much.

[ Lunafreya wants to hold him, desperately, but she perishes the thought as quickly as it occurs to her. ] I dare not speak for His Highness, but I did not do that so you could live a half-life in a cave while the rest of Eos is consumed by darkness.

[ He almost frantically tries to get himself dressed to leave and stay gone. But Lunafreya works faster than he'd anticipated, and he's forced to stop when she grasps his wrist. And it's as if his feet are rooted to the ground when he feels her brow press against his back. Noctis stares to the door, eyes hot and burning, the rest of him in absolute agony for more reasons than just Gladio's effect on him. Lunafreya should be able to feel how heavily he's breathing, how fast his heart is beating. ]

[ Any words he might have are stuck in his throat, and he's left silent. But there's a physically felt flinch when she reminds him that she'd died for his sake. For the sake of Eos, and without intending to suggest it, she essentially confirms that he's only letting her death fall in vein being settled here. Tying in his father's demise is salt coating the knife that wounds him. ]

[ For a moment, he simply stands there, staring off into space. As if he might try to turn around and stay but instead? He walks away from her, storming off from the bedroom and slamming the door behind him. Lunafreya will be able to hear his footsteps stomping into the ground until he reaches the front door of the apartment, which he also promptly slams. ]

[ Lunafreya had spent a few solid minutes standing where Noctis had left her, eyes focused on the space he had previously occupied. She hadn't cried, even if the impulse had been there, and something akin to anger had begun to smolder and churn deep in her gut the longer she dwelled. She knew that there was no place for such things, however, and after a few moments, she had resigned herself to take a walk, if only to ease her troubled mind.

Her walk had led her to Desire's bar, unwittingly, where she'd met Gladio. They'd shared a drink and spoken some, and though Lunafreya had imbibed wine before, it hadn't quite been like what she'd drank in Hadriel. It sent her blood thrumming merrily in her veins, making her quicker to laugh; by the the time she decided to return home, however, its effects had long since worn off, leaving her back to her thoughts.

Entering the darkened apartment, Lunafreya's eyes move to the door of the bedroom she shares with Noctis, and she hesitates. As she shuts and locks the front door behind her, she opts instead to sit at the small table in the kitchen, lest her bedmate is present... or worse, absent. She never thought she'd see the day when she'd actively avoid being in Noctis' presence, but here she is.

In the darkness of the kitchen, Lunafreya rests her elbows on the table, bringing her hands to her face in order to press the heels of her palms against her eyes. A shower is likely in order, but she's far too tired to move immediately. ]

[ Lunafreya needn't worry about whether or not Noctis is home, because she finds an empty apartment upon return. Noctis had spent the entirety of his outing harshly destroying the land. Exhausting himself to the bring of losing consciousness, sitting in the wreckage until Prompto had essentially pulled him out of it. ]

[ It's the first time since high school that he had been able to simply sit and talk with his best friend. And the first time in a long time that someone had simply spoken to him like an equal, not as the future king. Honestly, it was all he wanted. And Noctis hadn't quite realized that until his perspective had come back to where it belonged. Where Noctis could face his duty with understanding and responsibility, even if it isn't what he wants. ]

[ In the conversation, the long walk home... Noctis had realized his harshness. The further his steps took him, the more he could hear how he had raised his voice to Luna. To Regis. And the more the guilt had started to overcome him and plague him. He was such an ass to Gladio... ]

[ Even if he's mortified in the face of his future, it's a future he can't run away from. And those he holds dear only wish to see his success. After all, it's what Lunafreya and Regis died for. Noctis had opted to take some time to himself after arriving back to the apartment building, separating from Prompto for only a few minutes to gather himself. In his privacy, he mulls over the mistakes he's made. The cruelty he had placed upon Lunafreya, and the guilt is almost heavier than the crown itself. ]

[ For a while, he debates finding some other place to spend the night. To allow his family to be without him when he feels that he doesn't deserve them. But his steps still take him up the stairs and to his temporary home nonetheless. He's hesitant before unlocking the door, and he slowly opens it in hopes that the home is empty. But he can see Lunafreya seated at the table almost immediately. ]

[ The prince slowly closes the door behind him, walking inside as his eyes gaze upon her. And while the guilt is horrific and strong, he's relieved to see her. He stands in place for but a moment before he settles with the fact that another discussion is necessary, that she's here for a reason, and so his steps take him towards her. ]

[ Noctis silently approaches her, hand reaching for her shoulder which he gently squeezes. He smells like dirt and foliage, and he's covered in it. And should she look at him? She'll see just how disgusting he really looks right now. ]

[ Lunafreya feels almost as if she could doze off even though she knows she's being ridiculous, tiredness settling over her bones as she attempts to muster the strength needed for her to get up and get to the bathroom. The sound of the front door opening makes her decision for her, however, and she drops her hands from her face in time to see Noctis enter, looking somehow worse than he had before.

She knows not where he came from, but when he approaches, she turns her gaze to his face. Stray twigs and leaves are in his hair, and dirt is smudged all over his still-bruised face. Her brow furrows out of concern more than anything else, and though she's hesitant to speak again, Luna pushes through. ]

What on earth happened to you? [ She murmurs, her voice hoarse. It didn't look like Gladio's handiwork. ]

[ Noctis is fully aware that he looks worse than he had before, and the desire to shower is very much there. He's sticky, disgusting, and feels it. But the matter at hand here is far more important. All he can focus on is the mistake he made, and how badly he wants to make things better for Lunafreya. With what little time they might have together, it's important that he make this right with her... so they might enjoy what they have left. ]

[ So, instead of verbally responding? Noctis cups Luna's face, leaning down as he ushers her chin to tilt upward so he might consume her lips in a gentle, apologetic kiss. ]

[ Lunafreya's expression is impassive when his hands come up to cradle her face, and she allows the kiss more than returns it; her eyes flutter shut as her stomach does a familiar flip when his lips find hers, and the hand she has placed on the table balls into a fist. To say she feels conflicted would be a disservice to her emotions; her lips part slightly against his and her body threatens to melt into it, but she stands strong, her resolve unshakable.

It takes her a few moments too long in order to pull away, and when she does, she looks up at him, her expression unreadable. After a few moments of dragging silence, she speaks. ]

What are you trying to accomplish, Noctis?

[ Her tone is light and almost breathy, but nonetheless sincere. Lunafreya is confused and exhausted, and no small part of her is still angry with the way he left her like he had. She knows that this is painful for him, knows that this is difficult, but the fact that he'd left her standing there--

She perishes that train of thought, looking up at him through the dim half-light of the room. ]

Are you looking to distract me?

[ While Lunafreya returns the gesture, there's a lack of passion and participation in it that he manages to catch. It's quite different from the ones they have already shared, and knowing that much breaks his heart. He's likely ruined this, which is just as difficult to accept as his duty entirely. The kiss itself loses its luster before it can truly flourish into anything. ]

[ So when Luna breaks away, he pulls back. Noctis' gaze flits to his feet, and his hand retracts so it might hide behind his neck. ]

No, no that's not--

[ He clears his throat. ]

I wasn't trying to accomplish anything.

[ Maybe he should have just... Slept somewhere else tonight. ]

[ Lunafreya isn't doing this to torture Noctis; she can feel the hurt radiating off of him when the kiss breaks, and it makes her own heart ache. She knows she's being selfish by being angry at him, that her own anger isn't the point of this exercise. Her gaze softens as she reminds herself of that with no small degree of shame. It would seem that Noctis isn't the only one growing complacent here in Hadriel. ]

No. I know you weren't.

[ Her voice takes on the same quiet, sharp tone that it had earlier, and she stands, straightening her clothing. Leaning forward, she gently takes his hand in hers, for once struggling to find the right words to say. Had he been anyone but Noctis, she likely would have had no issue, but... ]

It was not my place to say the things I did. For that, I am sorry. [ Her words are stilted, but sincere. ] I fear I let my emotions get the best of me, also. You are not beholden to me in any sense. I was... upset. When you left.

[ Luna's tone turns thick, and she doesn't meet his gaze. ] I should not have been. I could have handled this situation with much more grace and poise, but I elected not to.

[ His eyes flit back to her, expression glazed over with the pure exhaustion of everything. But he hears her nonetheless. The fact that Luna is apologizing makes his heart break, because she has no fault in any of this. The words are stuck in his throat, twisting and threatening to destroy him as he sighs and sits down. ]

Luna.

[ His voice sounds so very tired and hoarse, and he's fairly certain he's getting sick from the lack of sleep and the fact that he's been out in the dirt and cold all day. As she holds his hand, he lets his fingers tightly clutch around hers. ]

You're only doing what you have to. I'm the one avoiding things, playing dumb. I came back because I know I screwed up, and I'm the one who should be apologizing.

[ He sighs. ]

Honestly, you're... Perfectly in the right to be pissed at me.

[ She sees the exhaustion in his face, and she doesn't have the heart to be angry with him anymore. Tenderness washes over her as he says her name, and she leans forward again, gently brushing his bangs from his face. His voice cracks as he talks, hoarse as her own, and she feels her gaze soften.

Still. She isn't about to let him get off that easy. ]

That well may be, but there is no honor in being angry when you look like you have been put through the wringer.

[ Lunafreya's voice is tender, teasing. Nothing has been resolved between them, not in the least, but she feels better now that they're actually talking. ] You are not infallible, Noctis. Kings rarely are. But the fact that you returned speaks volumes... And it's all I can ask for.

[ Lunafreya smiles tiredly down at him, and she gestures for him to stand again. ] Come. You must be seconds from falling asleep, considering how tired you look. [ Gently, she tangles her fingers with his and begins to lead him towards the bathroom, turning on the lights as she goes. ]

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cold bones, yeah that's my love (closed)

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