tenebraecious | continuations

[Since she isn't immediately aware that she has a package and then has to spend an hour or two in a flurry of activity once she opens it, Noctis doesn't receive a call until a little later on.]

[He knows he could have waited until Solstice, but he'd been impatient with the flurry of Christmas celebrations going around after that game. He'll let the surprise be that he has a matching ring.

When she calls him, he answers.]

Hey. What's up?

[He hopes that she got her present by now.]

[Oh, she should have planned for what hearing his voice would do to her. Give her a second.]

. . . Where are you?

Outside. I stopped at one of the convenience stores for some food.

[Cup ramen, of course.]

Want me to come meet you?

It would be faster if I came to you. Do not venture too far.

That's fine. I'll be here.

I will see you shortly.

[So, finish up the noods! She doesn't actually come to her usual abrupt stop from light speed, instead walking over calmly after a few minutes with a package in her hand (and having snuck a peek at him to get over her flutters since she learned from the phone call).]

We were going to have a celebration for Solstice.

[His face lights up when he sees her. It takes everything in him not to immediately pull her into a kiss.]

Yeah, I know. I couldn't wait.

[He's a little proud of himself for his present. He also couldn't wait to see her wearing it.]

[Oh, yes, she's wearing it! Also, she has more of a blush than usual, because there were tears naturally, but she cleaned herself up.]

How uncharacteristic of you. Perhaps, I should also not wait then?

That's up to you.

[He closes the distance between them finally, reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.]

I kind of couldn't wait to see you wearing it.

Yet you did not deliver it in person.

[She hesitates before holding up a wrapped present for him.]

It is yours.

I guess I should have.

[His expression softens when he sees the present in her hands.]

Oh. Thank you.

[He takes the present from her. She may even notice he is also wearing a ring, practically identical to hers.]

Should I open it now?

[She does, and she can't help ducking her head a little bit.]

It is your choice . . .

[Should he open it, there is a leather journal with decorative flourishes around the edges. Two birds in flight beneath a crescent moon are embossed upon the cover. There is a dry wood sorrel flower pressed into the first page . . . Well, it might be the second page? There is a clean line where the first page was carefully removed, leaving only a sliver of it behind. The next page pokes up a bit because there is a recently cut red rose set under it. The opposite page has a signature neat, cursive scrawl that reads:

I have always felt uneasy with regards to our engagement. It was a trick of the empire. Yet I also did not wish to keep you from living freely, following whatever path you set yourself upon. I knew the course of my destiny, so I could not bind you in such a way when I was not long for our star.

Before now, I could not find the strength to tell you the truth: I have once again set my course to follow that same destiny. With as much as I have learned, I could still not break from it. It is not wholly my choice, but I cannot abandon my duty, either. So, to break such a promise with you of my own will, it would have have broken my heart. I could not speak of it . . .

However, I do wish to marry you, Noctis. I want to live with you! To free our star and especially ourselves is my most fervent wish, and I know together we can find a way to realize it. Please, always be with me, for wherever I go, you will forever go as well, held fast in my deepest thoughts and prayers.]

[He does open it. Just the sight of the journal stirs something in his chest. It was a tight feeling, one he was familiar with. They used to write to one another, he remembers that. He remembers the longing, wishing that he could see her - save her from the Empire. He had written to her with that hope and longing in mind. The journal had been theirs to share and no one else's. It was welcome, to have another journal in his hands.

He looks at the first page, tracing his fingers lightly over the sorrel flower pressed onto the paper. The rose is treated with the same care. As he reads, that tight feeling in his chest lessens.]

Another journal.

[He smiles a bit, and there's something in his eyes - as if he's holding back the emotion that is making his chest feel so tight. It threatened to overwhelm him. She wanted to marry him. He'd thought about it, of course. Thorn had even told him to do it, more or less. He'd been apprehensive this whole time, worrying that she wouldn't want to be engaged to him now that they were free from the Empire.]

Do you really want to be married? To me?

[It might be a silly question, considering she'd written it there for him to see. He closes the journal for now, tucking it under his arm. The look he gives her is vulnerable, as if he doubted how well he could be a match for her, despite their feelings for one another.]

Edited 2020-12-22 06:46 (UTC)

[With the hand that she's wearing her ring on, she reaches out to take his hand.]

I would have no other.

[He squeezes her fingers gently, looking down at their hands. He had meant the rings to be a promise. In a way the looked like they were already married instead. He looks back at her.]

Then... let’s be married. I want to marry you.

[He leans in then, kissing her softly.]

[Wait, you can do that? That's legal?!]

[That is, she is immediately flustered with a growing blush, but she is still reaching up to kiss him, heart about to come out of her chest.]

[Unless someone tells them no? He's doing it. If Cobalt and Thorn can get married, so can they. He's King he makes the rules. ♥]

[If her heart is about to come out of her chest, then his definitely is. Being able to hold her hand or kiss her... since learning of her death and not knowing where they stood on the engagement, he never thought it would end up this way. Maybe it was a little spontaneous, but if there was anything he learned it was to not waste time.

After a moment, he pulls back just a bit - not too far that he can't rest his forehead against hers. He found that he liked being able to see the blush coloring her cheeks. It made him want to reach up and trace his thumb over her cheekbone.]

So... I take it you agree?

Edited 2020-12-22 21:38 (UTC)

[Between proposing and being proposed to, deciding to live, and being in Noctis' general proximity, there is a lot flying through this girl's head. Still, she has her hand on his chest as she starts tearing up, giving a short nod.]

Yes! —I agree!

[Carefully, he wipes away any tears that might have escaped. This part of her is endearing too. He almost felt like tearing up himself, but managed to keep it in somehow.]

I'm glad. [He gives her a quick kiss on the forehead.]

Not that I thought you would say 'no'.

[There is the smallest shake of her head, absolutely could not and would not say no, but the hiccup that gets caught on a sob clearly shows why she can't talk. So, she leans her head against him, hugging.]

[Resting his chin on top of her head, he just rubs her back and smiles to himself.]

I'm happy too. I love you, Luna.

[Pressing a kiss to her head. It's hard not to feel like the luckiest person in the world, to get to have this chance with her. He hates that Ardyn took that from them, but they could have that happiness here.]

[After a few moments and false starts, she pulls away enough to wipe at the corner of her eyes before looking up at him. It is all still frightening, but she is beaming.]

I love you too.

[Oh no she's so cute.]

I'm kind of glad we talked about it finally. The engagement. I was worried... that maybe it bothered you, because it was something the Empire decided.

Edited 2020-12-23 03:30 (UTC)

It did. I could not know your thoughts, and I knew it was a trick of the empire. My fate was difficult as well, but . . . No, I was never bothered by imagining you as my husband.

(no subject)

runawayprince - 2020-12-23 04:28 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

tenebraecious - 2020-12-23 05:57 (UTC) - Expand