#otp the princess and the glaive

Brave

This LuNyx fic is requested by @meebo4life 

For something sweet, I have Modern AU in mind. Sorry if this took long. Work is just eating up my time lately. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this one. :D Also, I included the constant headcanon (mine and @fabulanova-ffxv’s) that Galahdians have bracelets instead of rings for married couples. Luna would embrace that tradition for Nyx despite not being Galahdian.

Word Count: ~1,600

—–

Luna was in line to the cashier in a small souvenir shop when she felt something buzz on her hip. She took out the phone from her small purse and saw the tiny words flashed on the screen. 

‘Found a milk tea place next to Pizza Hut. Meet up there?’

She swiped the screen with her swift thumb, logged in a password and replied ‘Sure’, adding a smiley and heart emojis before hitting the send button. And then the message bubble disappeared revealing the phone’s wallpaper, showing herself and him sitting close together, grinning in bliss, with the view of the sand and the waves behind them. Her sights lingered at the picture a little longer, letting that same grin grow on her lips as the memories of the beach resurfaced, as if it was an old memory. But the memory was neither old nor a dream. The tan lines were fresh. Her slippers still carried the sand. She still texted him with emojis for happy moods and a heart. The photo itself was taken just yesterday. 

The cashier, a lady wearing a cap that has light blue ‘Costa De Sol Airport’ printed on it, called for the next customer. The line grew shorter. Luna didn’t get much merchandise from the shelf, just a couple of keychains and refrigerator magnets. The standard small stuff. She regretted not bringing a jacket or a shawl while the store’s air conditioning blasted on the highest setting. Her eyes drifted from the traveling crowd and beyond the airplanes taking off. She could still see the ocean blue, glistening under the noon sun. Luna sighed, mentally noting that she should suggest returning here after a few years. She was sure that he would have the same idea. 

The person in front paid and left the counter, before the next customer would do the same. The line grew smaller and smaller. Eventually, it was her turn. Luna moved forward and laid out the stuff to-buy on the counter. The cashier greeted with a compulsory smile and typed on the registry. 

“That’ll be 2.99.” the cashier uttered. 

Luna’s brows rose in surprise and skimmed the price tags on the small items. The sum of the price should be about half more. 

“Are you sure?” the blonde asked. 

The cashier pointed at the poster on the right corner of the shop. It said in ‘50% Discount for Honeymooners’ in chunky bright colors.

“Oh,” Luna realized, “But how did you know?” 

The cashier gestured on the red bracelet that she wore on her right wrist - the one that people don’t usually take notice. “That’s a new marriage bracelet, right?” 

“Yes!” Luna nodded, pleasantly surprised. “Galahdian marriage bracelet.”

“I figured. My cousin married a Galahdian.” 

“I see.” Luna smiled. She paid for the items and thanked the cashier. The lady replied back a “Congrats!” before the newly Mrs. Ulric thanked her cheerfully and left the shop with a beaming smile. 

Yes. She was now, officially, Mrs. Ulric. 

The thought still gave her gut a warm fuzzy feeling that she couldn’t help but feel grow to her cheeks. The wedding was a few weeks ago and the blissful stay here in the picturesque Costa De Sol was indeed the honeymoon. It had been two weeks, two wonderful weeks with just both of them inseparably enjoying every second of it. And now she missed her husband even though they had been apart for just under an hour. 

After passing more stalls and shops, Luna arrived a few feet away from the milk tea place that was next to a small Pizza Hut joint. There were people occupying tables with drinks on their hands but no sign of her husband. She took out her phone, unlocked it and started typing with her thumbs. 

‘Done with the souvenirs?’

The reply arrived quick. ‘Almost. Had to do a last minute shop. Forgot Selena’s souvenir.’

‘I think we should’ve shopped together. It’s faster that way.’ she replied back.

'I think you just miss me.’ he added a silly face emoji.

Luna laughed. 'Of course. And do you miss me?' 

'Absolutely. How can I not miss my wife?' 

She felt the warmth again and a realization dawned on her that marriage has made them into sappy teenageRs on smartphones. How quaint. Those cheesy romantic movies weren’t so far off after all. 

‘If you miss me so much, why are you taking so long?’ Luna texted back.

“Traffic in crowds and I think I might be a little lost.’

He’s a Marine Sergeant. He would never get lost. ‘Ha ha.’ she replied with a silly face emoji at the end. 

Luna entered the milk tea shop, took a seat and quickly informed the attending waitress that she would order later. The waitress left to concentrate on other customers and Luna watched the airport crowds. They mill about in every direction. Luggage dragged, carried and pushed. People rushing while checking time in their wristwatch. Vacationers with newly suntanned skin waiting on benches for their flight announcement. Families with eating take-outs together even in the middle of the busyness. And an elderly couple in an embrace after the man had gifted flowers to his beloved. 

This was life and she imagined that it’ll be like this in the future. 

She was once scared of the future. Just once. When she had first admitted her feelings to him. The man she fell in love with is a soldier and will always be, a man who might come back from his duties only to be buried six feet under. But at that moment, she also had hope that it won’t happen that way. So she bravely loved him as he loved her. She was brave in the sense that she would let her imagination take flight into the possibilities despite the fears lurking just slightly. After all, people had always said that bravery isn’t without the presence of fear. It is choosing to do what you want or what you must despite the fear. 

She absentmindedly traced the weaves of the bracelet she proudly wore. She wondered if he still had fears. No soldier enters the battle without any slight tremor. He himself admitted that. Life may not be as intense but she couldn’t help but wonder what he thought right now. 

A man entered, with two hard-shelled luggage behind him and a shopping bag full of souvenirs. His braids swayed as he turned to spot his wife. 

Nyx made a lopsided smile as he approached the table. Luna stood up a little and greeted him happily with a quick kiss on the lips when he was close enough. 

“You hate milk tea.” she said as if to remind him while she helped him place the bags under the table. 

“Well, it’s what you might be in the mood for.” he replied while he finished up tidying up their things and took a seat opposite her.

The blonde let out a small giggle. “I’m glad my hubby knows me well.”  

The waitress approached again with a pad and a pen. She ordered the blueberry milk tea for herself and coffee for him. 

“And I’m glad my wifey knows me well.” he said, bringing back the smile. The waitress left with their order on paper and he held her hand on the table. The beads on his marriage bracelet made a subtle tap on the wooden surface. 

“I think I’m not feeling the hubby-wifey nickname.” 

Luna laughed. “Me neither.” 

“How about ‘sweetheart’?”

“Too old fashioned.” 

“‘Babe’?”

She shook her head in amusement. “You know I hate that nickname.” 

He just sighed like he was exhausted. “Maybe we just stick to ‘Nyx and Lu’.” 

She had always just called him Nyx and he had always affectionately called her ‘Lu’. It had always been that way from the start. 

Luna nodded to agree. “Let’s just stick to what feels right.” 

“Yeah.” he breathed while his thumb rubbed on the back of her hand. 

He looked at the crowd as she had earlier. She watched him, his eyes, the traces of a smile, the tattoos.  She assumed he saw the life that she imagined. She remembered the deployment schedule that was sent to him by email. It’s a month from now. Remembering how little he had talked about it made her realize that he feared too.

She squeezed his hand gently. His sights turned back to her. “Something bothering you?” he asked. 

She shook her head. “I’m just thinking about the future.” 

“Do you worry about it?” 

“Sometimes.” She paused. “Do you?” 

“Of course.” 

She couldn’t help but ask. “How do you keep those worries away?” 

He looked at the crowd of travelers again. “I just choose to look at what’s next.” 

“And what’s next?” 

He looked at her again, the same way he had looked at her when he was reciting his vows. “Building a home, having kids, growing old together… That kind of stuff.”

A smile crept up on her face. “Those are good things to look forward to.” she said. 

And somehow she felt braver with his words in mind, even though they have to fly back soon, to where life continues to get unexpected. It was better this way: being brave with him than being brave alone. 

The drinks arrived and their talks went back to the silliness and affection. He surprised her with a sparkly hairpin, revealing that he was taking long on purpose because he was buying her the gift. She kissed him for it and she wore the hairpin right there.

And then the conversation drifted to talks about their small apartment and how they’re going to place the furniture without making it seem cluttered with just both of their stuff mushed into it. He finally talked about prepping for his deployment and the ways to communicate online. She mentally took note of the care packages she would have to send him. The talks eventually faded. Drinks were consumed and the airport announced their nearing flight. They were going home. 

Luna saw the elderly couple with the flowers again and she let herself imagine the future once more. 

“Solemn Promises”

A LuNyx fanfic set in me and @fabulanova-ffxv‘s Crown AU in which Ravus became the king of Tenebrae but was assassinated a few years after Luna and Nyx married. After the king’s tragic death, Luna is crowned queen and Nyx becomes her prince consort - making their lives a lot more complicated than what they had anticipated.

This is set before the other Crown AU fics, namely, “Lament”, “Liege” (written by @fabulanova-ffxv), "An Inbetween” and “Queen and Mother”. In short, Luna isn’t queen yet and Ravus is still alive.

You can search fanart of this AU on my main (@annaoi)

Special thanks to @fabulanova-ffxv for the awesome beta read!

Summary: Nyx must pay the price and Luna wishes it was her instead.

Word Count: 3,100+

Author’s notes: If you saw the fanart I made on this AU and wondered something about Nyx, this fic might answer it :).

Nyx sat down on the velvet couch trying to distract himself by figuring out if the man in the painting in front of him was a past king or just a prince or just a noble person of some sort. He considered asking the secretary but chose to refrain instead because she seemed immensely engrossed in typing a document onto her computer. He looked around, trying to spot another painting from a plethora of decorations in the spacious office. Nothing caught his attention though. Well, except for how grand this office was.

It was what he imagined the king’s office to be. But no, this was just the secretary’s. His Majesty’s workplace must be a lot more sophisticated. More kinglythan this, he assumed

“Care for a drink? Tea? Lemonade perhaps?” The secretary offered, making a split second glance at the former glaive before her fingers tapped a series of keys once more.

Nyx politely waved off. “Uh, no, thanks.”

She didn’t react to that.

Some of the staff were like this when he entered the hallways of the palace. Always a glance that was a second too long and then they avert their eyes as though they were truly ignoring his presence. But he could hear the occasional whispers and feel their eyes stare back again when the coast was clear.

Nyx had only been staying in Tenebrae for a few days and him just being here already sparked discussion. At least just within the palace population, since his stay was in one of the largest guest rooms as insisted by Luna and her brother. It all felt like Insomnia’s west end where the rich people lived, and that wasn’t due to the luxuries and the pristine furniture. It was the way people stared at him. They looked in disbelief that their revered monarch had allowed a person like him to take space in their turf. Having spent twelve years living the crown city of Lucis, the Galahdian had learned to treat the immigrant unwelcoming as trifling background noise. Seeing it here in the palace shouldn’t be a big deal, right?

Right.

The only differences were the palace, the country and its king. But still, it felt different being in here. The attention he received was magnified because, maybe, they saw him being close with their Princess Oracle.

Nyx didn’t mind it though. He was tired of hiding it as much as she was.

They had to keep it as a secret when he was still a glaive on active duty and she was betrothed to the Lucian prince. Her engagement to the Lucian king’s son was more of a political move than a choice and, as far as Nyx knew, the prince didn’t want to marry her either. Luna was free to love someone else. Someone of her choice. Eventually, the political engagement fell apart which it added more to their freedom to be together.

For two years they hid it. Two years of secret dates and rendezvous. Two years of protecting each other and making it a personal choice than just part of duty. Two years of growth from a love affair and into something deeper and unconditional.

After two years, he held her hands, got down on one knee and asked the most important question in his life.

Will you marry me?

Yes!

"Mr. Ulric, The king has arrived. I can take you to him now.”

Nyx turned, suddenly remembering why he was here.

“Please follow me,” the secretary said was about to leave her desk.

And Nyx stood up and did as she asked. He followed through the double mahogany door and into to corridor that only a privileged few had the permission to enter.

It was the first time Nyx had gone through this hall. He took notice of the change of paintings that neatly lined up on the white walls. They seemed more significant that the ones he had already observed in most parts of the palace. Portraits of queens and photographs of what he can only assume as the Tenebraean Council. Events and places that seemed more foreign to him. Images of people went through over the centuries. The walk was a gist of the country’s history.

The hall finally ended at an identical double door. The secretary knocked two times.

"Come in.” a voice muffled.

Nyx blew air before she turned the knobs.

The opened door revealed a large space with more gold and white in the walls, columns, and furniture. Red drapes with rich embroidery embellished the tall windows. A chandelier hung at the very center with its crystals dangling motionlessly and reflecting sunlight in delicate sparkles. A wall was covered by shelves of leather-bound books. A desk of gray wood with gold plated edges was situated at the far center. The chair of matching design was empty.

Ravus Nox Fleuret, the reigning king of Tenebrae, sat by a windowsill while he read from the open book on hand. He closed it as soon as Nyx’s arrived. The king stood with impeccable posture and spotted him with those piercing silvery irises. One would mistake it as coldness but the former glaive knew enough to know that Luna’s brother wasn’t without kindness. He wore gray slacks and a vest over the white, full sleeved, collared shirt - fresh from a public appearance.

“Your Majesty.” Nyx bowed his head.

“No need for courtesy, Nyx.” the king approached. Then he nodded to his secretary. “Thank you, Sofia.”

The secretary bowed and made a beeline to her exit, leaving them behind closed doors.

The visitor lifted his sights and jammed his hands into his pants pockets. “Sorry, a soldier’s habit, with you being king and all.”

Ravus gave a slight smirk. “I get too much formality and, as a matter of fact, I’m tired of it.”

Nyx made a quiet laugh. “I can only imagine.”

“Only Lunafreya dared to call me by my name in this palace.”

Nyx could see the mirth growing into the king’s face at the very mention of his sister. He knew the feeling. He, too, was an older brother.

Then, Ravus’ steel eyes returned. “I assume you are here about the Council’s ruling. About the engagement.”

Nyx nodded, feeling the gravity of this visit.

Them being subjected to law was the last thing on his mind when he asked Luna to be his wife. All he cared was that they would spend the rest of their lives together, create a family and just live a simple, happy, life. To both of them, they were just two people who loved each other. But to the Tenebraean court, she was their princess and he was an immigrant soldier from Lucis who went beyond the limits of his duty. To avoid the more controversy after the proposal, he resigned from the Kingsglaive and she had planned to abdicate as Tenebrae’s princess and Oracle.

However, there’s always a catch in these things: a person of royal birth wasn’t allowed to marry someone who isn’t Tenebraean, unless that person possesses a royal title. She may marry this foreigner of no titles only if she abdicates, but it will result in a lifetime of exile.

In other words, if Luna would relinquish her royalty and her titles, she would never see Tenebrae ever again. She wouldn’t be free to see Ravus and her friends. She would forever be barred to set foot into her homeland even if she begged. Even if she was once their beloved Oracle.

“Have you both come to decision?” his fiancee’s brother asked.

“Yes.” Nyx replied.

Ravus waited, crossing his arms as he leaned at the font of his desk.

“She plans to abdicate.”

Ravus seemed to start to react but he beat the king to it on his next set of words.

“But I’m saving her from all that trouble. I’m giving up my Galahdian citizenship and become a Tenebraean.”

The king wore the shock and hesitation. “Are you sure about this?”

The question sounded more measuring than of uncertainty. For days, Nyx himself was anxious while mulling over about this choice. He admitted it on a call to his mother who still lived in his childhood home in Galahd.

Are you sure that you love her this much?

Yes.

Then why are you fretting?

It’s just that… My heritage… Do you think it’s the right thing to do?

Nyx, being Galahdian isn’t determined by some official document or the tattoos and braids. It’s in the heart. Isn’t that why you shout that oath out loud as a glaive? For Hearth and Home?… So, I’ll ask you again… Do you love her this much?

The Galahdian knew what it was like to be away from home for a decade and more. If it was an exile, it would’ve shattered his soul. Being with Luna in her home, seeing her tearful when she embraced her brother, witnessing how she cherished telling stories of her childhood, it all made the choice crystal clear for him.

Nyx, a man must put his wife first before himself.

With determination in his heart, Nyx faced the king. “Yes. I’m sure.”

Ravus’ brows remained furrowed. “Lunafreya told me about how Galahdians put more value in their home and in their identity. I’m sure making a decision like this had shaken you…”

Then his eyes turn apologetic.

“… I did try my best to convince the Council to make an exception but, even when I wore the crown, my words held of little value to them. They care about laws than what the heart tells, unfortunately… I wish the circumstances were different. I never desired to have this burden on you.”

“I want to marry her the right way, Your Majesty. If this is the price, I’ll pay for it.” Nyx replied.

“What about your heritage?”

Nyx echoed his mother’s words.  "A man must put his wife first before himself. Ravus stared in quiet, Nyx continued. “If I can’t do that now, might as well call it off.”

The king nodded in thought, bringing the smirk up again. “She loves you this much too. I can see that with how she is with you. She won’t hesitate to convince me to have a talk you out of it.” he crossed his arms again. “Hence, I find it odd that she’s not here rambling to me as we speak.

Nyx nodded, frowned a bit and shrugged. "She doesn’t know I’m here. If I told her, you already know what she’d do.”

Luna would argue and try to undo his decision. She would too take the sacrifice from him with stubbornness. It would be a longer discussion but either way, he would always make the same decision.

“So its either you or her.” Ravus mulled. “To be honest, I’d hate to have to exile my own sister.”

“Like I said, Your Majesty, I must put her first.”

The king put a hand on his shoulder. “Very well then.”

Then the monarch went behind his desk and pulled a drawer. From it, he revealed a small red box. He handed it to Nyx. The former glaive opened it and instantly saw a glimmering jewel with a hue resembling petals of syllablossoms. It rested on a rose gold ring that was embellished by smaller diamonds.

It was a ring fit for royalty but, at the same time, it seemed personal. A piece of jewelry more closely chosen by someone.

“It was my mother’s.” the king informed. “She gave it to me for a future wife.” He paused as if to reminisce a personal experience. “Since I am still in search, I think this is better suited for Lunafreya.”

The late queen mother’s ring rested heavily on Nyx’s palm. Luna would’ve wanted to wear it.

“I was surprised when she told me about the engagement. To tell you the truth, it concerned me deeply. However… I have witnessed her with you and now I’m glad it was you she chose to be with.” Ravus told him with sincerity.

Nyx nodded in deep gratitude. He closed the box and held it protectively and imagined her happiness when he would show it to her.

.

.

.

He was surrounded by men of elite stature. All of them, members of the Council, gazed at him with stern faces. King Ravus in full uniform held a ceremonial sword with his gloved hand.

Nyx spoke his words while he kneeled in front of him.

“I, Nyx Ulric, support the sovereignty of Tenebrae and entirely renounce all allegiance and fidelity to a foreign land, state or monarchy in which I have been a subject or citizen…”

He read through it with much thought and firmness and the utterance had felt familiar. He had made a number of verbal pledges. As a Galahdian warrior, as Kingsglaive, as a man who wished to be with his love. This was just another solemn promise, but it had cost so much.

When the man finished with his declaration, the king aptly placed the blade of the sword on top of his right shoulder and returned it to his side after the short while. Ravus ordered him to stand up. The oath taker obeyed.

“Nyx Ulric,” the king uttered for everyone to hear. “The seal is now in your hands.”

Nyx turned to a table next to him where a small blade had rested on top of it. He took it by the hand and paused.

It’s in the heart, he told himself

He reached for the first of his braids and sliced it off with the blade.

.

.

.

She couldn’t sit down as she waited in the comforts of her quarters. She paced along the carpet, not bothering looking at pictures and flowers on her desk to distract herself. She watched the window every so often, waiting for him to arrive with the reality of the news.

No matter how much she tried, no amount of wandering would ever keep her thoughts from what her fiance had done.

Luna had been too late. She only received the word regarding Nyx’s citizenship when he was already in the middle of his oath at the Council’s Court. She would have barged in and begged for his heritage if she could. She would put into case of his sacrifices, all of the burdens that he took upon for people and for her. At least, they would know how much this would cost him. But the Court is too far and, by the time she arrived, he would’ve been finished.

Ultimately, there was nothing she could do. This was his choice, another selfless act for the sake of love and life. And she wasn’t surprised because this was who Nyx was, and always will be.

So the princess of Tenebrae waited, going over the things she would say to him when he arrives. She mentally fumed towards her brother who had let this happen and, soon, she reminded herself that even a king couldn’t sway the courts on some occasions. The was also irk towards her fiance’s impulse. But, then again, he had only acted on logic.

If she made the sacrifice, she would lose Tenebrae, her home. If she did it instead, Galahd would remain within his reach. He could still visit his home freely even if he had given up his heritage - the freedom she envied. If only she was born a commoner. The law would have been powerless. She would’ve been free to keep her home while he would have the right to his identity.

She spotted a vehicle arriving at the palace gates. She knew it was him being escorted back. The princess rushed to out of her room and into the hallways. She went downstairs, seeing that the car had stopped at the front entrance. She saw him get out of his ride, her fiance, dressed in a formal suit.

Nyx sported a shorter cut and his braids were nowhere to be found.

The blonde ran to him, met him halfway and embraced him.

“You shouldn’t have done that!” she cried out to him. “I was alright giving up my home.”

She could feel him shake his head. “You’re not alright with it. You can’t fool me.”

He was right. Deciding to let her brother exile her would have left her broken. Still, she could heal. She could live in a new land, with new memories to create. He didn’t deserve to resort to giving up who he was.

Luna released herself from the embrace but her hands remained on him. She inspected his face and recognized that he hid something from the calmness. It was the same face he wore after those laborious battles he barely survived, as though this was another bout that had taken more from him than it should have.

Yet, the former Galahdian gifted her a smile, telling her that he will be alright as always.

The princess’ palm touched his cheek and eventually, her fingers reached the back of his neck where his braids had been. He looked away to hide what his ocean eyes had told. But she knew anyway. Not being able to feel the weaves and beads of his locks had placed a share of his loss in her heart. Those were the braids his mother had given him and taught him to do. The largest bead from the largest braid was his father’s. The metallic bead on the second braid was a gift from his sister. Cutting them off surely had a part of him die.

With soft eyes that searched of where she should soothe, she uttered to him “You can’t always make the sacrifices.”

His thumb brushed the arch of her cheek. “If I didn’t, then I would’ve lied about loving you.”

And out from his pocket, the fiance showed a small red box. He kneeled on one knee and gently lifted the lid.

The sight of him in this act was familiar, yet, it moved her. Especially that she recognized the content of the box. The blue of the syllablossons and the sparkling rose gold… She hadn’t expected to see it again.

“But… I already said ‘Yes’” she reminded.

His spontaneous proposal in the privacy of his small apartment back in Insomnia was perfect enough. She wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I know.” the man nodded.  “But I couldn’t give you a ring and you only deserve more.” he paused as if it was the first time and then…  

“Marry me, princess.”

She nodded with tears almost spilling over. “Yes. Of course!”

He stood and placed the ring onto her finger before sharing a kiss. They held each other as their lips moved, as though they spoke with every bit of their tender affection and selflessness. In the midst of the outpouring of love, she made an internal oath of her own.

To take away the burdens that pained him. To cherish the days with him. To protect his happiness.

To love him endlessly.

To love him, in a way that would bring back what the world had stolen from him.

Queen and Mother

A LuNyx fanfic set in me and @fabulanova-ffxv ‘s Crown AU in which Ravus became the king of Tenebrae but was assassinated a few years after Luna and Nyx married. After the king’s tragic death, Luna is crowned queen and Nyx becomes her prince consort - making their lives a lot more complicated than what they had anticipated.

Requested by @1piecegirl who wanted LuNyx with their kids moments in this AU.

Other Crown AU fics include the following when you search in this blog: 

• “An Inbetween”
  
• “Lament”
  
• “Liege” (by @fabulanova-ffxv)
  

You can search for fanart of this AU on my main (@annaoi)

Summary: Luna faces the harsh reality of being the sovereign of Tenebrae while being the mother to her children. 

Word Count ~1,700

Author’s Note: This took too long to finish because, while I was sick in the holidays, I went through 3 different plots before I finally was able to write this one. I intended to mix fluff with angst and I think I was able to do it. I hope you like it :)

From the window came a faint shriek of laughter, breaking Luna’s concentration for a second.

“Can you repeat that again, counselor?” she asked an old man with a white mustache as her hands linked on the table top. The blonde royal sat on the queen’s chair yet again as the sovereign who dealt with national matters in discussion. Five men of Tenebrae’s esteemed council, all of them wearing the seriousness of the situation on their faces, were seated as participators of this urgent meeting. The seasoned legislators formed a small semi-circle and faced her attentively. It was somewhat difficult to read them behind their stern guise.

She hoped they didn’t think of anything of that momentary lapse.

The old man, the one who had spoken before the distraction, brushed his mustache with his fingers before he began to repeat his words.

“As I have suggested, my Queen, the trade laws should be put in review if it meant to regain the ties with the Altissian government. And if we are to act upon the urgencies of the West Region’s export, we should have the whole council be included in this discussion”

The queen sighed placing the linked hands onto her lips, deep in thought with the facts laid out to her. She eyed the red classified stamp on the documents that had bulked on the desk. It meant more headaches and late night calls to ambassadors. More paperwork, travels and appearances to aid in the country’s political field. A mess of schedules and ruined sleep. The rougher side of royal duties.

Then, she heard the children counting from outside. Their father’s baritone voice joined, teaching them the order of numbers. Hide and seek must be a new favorite game of theirs.

Luna sighed harshly this time, to keep her mind from drifting. “We’ll have to schedule that for next week.”

“But Your Majesty,” objected another old man in an expensive suit, “the Western Region’s demands are of high priority. If we have it wait any longer Tenebrae’s major trades with Altissia will be put to a grave halt.”

Seeing the sound logic from his counter, Luna nodded to concede. “Very well then. Have the announcement for a meeting at the Oracle’s Hall at the most immediate opportune. I’ll have my secretary rearrange my schedule.”

The men bowed in unison. “As you wish, Your Majesty.” And they left in a quiet line.

Only when the last of them was gone did Luna let her shoulders slouch. She nursed her head bracing for the stress’ pain. More of the work was next on her plate. Papers to read and sign, more discussions with politicians, appearances for the public. Maybe the newspapers tomorrow would point out how her Majesty’s eye bags had doubled in size. To not waste any more time, she grabbed the first of the thick documents to read for the pending signature and stood up to stretch her legs. The first paragraph, unfortunately, was already draining to the sight that she automatically let her feet travel to the window and let herself be distracted for once.

She spotted the grassy grounds of the palace below, with trees creating shadowy spots under the late morning. Her children, the five year old boy and girl twins, ran in uneven circles. Her husband, their father, chased them with slowed steps to keep the illusion that they were getting away from him.

Celeste, the dark haired girl showed baby teeth as she skipped and ran with giggles. Alexis, the blond boy, was also in a fit of laughter but already giving up and facing their father’s grasp. Nyx, with his grin so wide and child-like, picked the boy up with one arm and carried him into the air as he proceeded to chase his daughter in play.

“The boogeyman got me! Run, Lest! Run” Alexis warned in glee as he hugged his father’s neck.

“Noooo not the boogeyman!” Celeste screamed in between the laughs.

Their father was able to capture his daughter with the other hand but his foot slipped into the grass. He segued the fall into a slide, twisting his body so he’d land on his back and the kids he carried would never touch the ground. The twins cheered and grabbed on as they safely fell into the grass. The children and their father laughed so hard that their joyous voices echoed clearly.

Luna’s heart melted on the contagious laughter and uttered her own behind the glass window. This was her family in a perfect picture, bringing the old days back somehow. She itched to go downstairs, join them in the grass and give them her tickles and kisses. Just like the times before she was made queen, when her royal status as a princess was in dormancy and she lived the blissful commoner life. But today, it was a doing she must put on hold as the bulk of work buried the family pictures that decorated her desk.

As he rested on the grass on his back, Nyx’s eyes spotted her from afar and smiled. He nudged the two children who lied down on the grass with him and pointed. They waved at her. In their tiny five-year-old voices, they called. “Hey Moooooom!”

She released a palm from the document she carried and waved back with a brighter smile. She half expected for them to shout at her to and urge her to come down with them but it seemed they spotted the work she held. They knew she couldn’t join them and the thought of that made the somberness more pronounced in her soul.

Next, Nyx blew her a kiss. The children copied the act in their own way. She smiled and let herself do the same for her family, kissing the palm and planting it on their image on the glass. She lingered her palm on the window, as though to hold her love, pride, and joy.

Then, she withdrew and turned to her nagging duties. Work would have her occupied for more time than she had hoped. Yet she still hoped that maybe she would finally join in the laughter later.

.

.

.

She was too late again.

Luna leaned on the door frame and watched them breathe. The twins on separate beds slumbered peacefully with the dimmed lighting of the lamp. As she gently snored, Celeste held a cardboard version of her father’s kukri. No doubt, Nyx had told his battle stories again for bedtime. In the same state, Alexis hugged a Malboro stuffed toy like a security blanket. Clearly, her son still hadn’t surrendered it for a replacement despite it having patches and unmatching stitches from repairs. Their eyes fluttered every now and then, indicating that they spent this hour in dreams.

As any mother would, the queen prayed in her mind that they were good dreams.

A pair of arms she recognized and welcomed gently wrapped her middle from behind. She felt his chin rest on her shoulder. She leaned to the side of his face and her fingers rubbed his calloused knuckles.

“How was work?” Nyx whispered.

“Same old.” she said simply, avoiding a complaint on the stress while still watching their children. “I thought you were asleep.”

“I was but you arriving back woke me up.”

Luna smiled for a bit. “I’m sorry.”

She can feel him shake his head. “Nah, I miss you anyway.” Then, he placed his lips on her cheek, making her feel the warmth all over. His much-needed embrace eased her mind’s gloom as always.

“How were they today?” she asked him.

“Lest had fun times with nannies. They told me she put a lizard into their lunch.”

Luna laughed softly and felt him smile.

“Before you ask,” he continued, “I already gave her a talk about it.

Hard-headed and having more of her father’s genes, the little princess’ antics quickly gained attention throughout the palace. It was Lest being Lest.

“Lexi is on his third book.” her husband said next. “He’s into reading about animals and told me he wanted to come back to the zoo sometime.”

The little prince, undoubtedly, was the well-behaved of the two. Shy and curious at the same time, he took after his mother’s bookworm hobby early on. Luna suddenly remembered the times when he was a toddler and he sat on her lap while she played the piano.

“I hope we can all go back.” the queen muttered. She meant the zoo but it might’ve sounded to have a different context. Maybe it was.

Nyx was silent, clearly sharing her quest to quench the nostalgia. She felt him bury his face into her hair and rubbed her belly with his thumb. It reminded her of the times when her babies were still growing inside of her womb. She enjoyed her husband’s protectiveness while she whispered her hopes and dreams for them. The mother told her unborn twins that she looked forward to seeing them grow.

The more she wore the crown, the more she felt robbed of the time with them. She had come to fear that, before her eyes would witness her children progressing lives, they have already grown up to venture off without her. How ironic that the most powerful woman in Tenebrae couldn’t even arrive in time to say her goodnight while they were still awake. It was always at the dead of night could she watch them and talk to them as they were deaf to her words and blind to her presence.

As the night continued into its stillness, Luna walked towards Celeste’s bedside and sat on its empty space. The mother gingerly set the cardboard kukri aside from the little’s girl’s hold, brushed her bangs and kissed her forehead. Afterwards, she moved on to Alexis who mirrored his sister’s serene face. She brushed away the blond curls and kissed his forehead as well. She looked at Nyx and sighed. His own fatigued eyes shared her somber gaze but eventually told of love and hope.

“There’s always tomorrow.” he said.

He offered his hand so they could go to bed finally. She took it and walked with him to leave their dreaming children be.

Tomorrow, she said to herself, tomorrow should be different.

The Season of Joy

A LuNyx fanfic set in my Kingsglaive AU where Nyx works as a bodyguard for Luna regularly unless ordered to battle. Requested by @ulric-nyx through IM. 

Summary: It’s Christmas date for the glaive the princess. It’s Nyx’s first time to skate and Luna’s first time to witness Insomnia’s tree lighting.

Word Count ~2,050

Author’s Note: I was supposed to finish this right in time for Christmas but, as I have posted previously, I got sick and couldn’t concentrate on writing. Only now as I’m staying up after New Year’s do I get the time to write this LOL. Way to start 2019 xD. Anyway, I hope you enjoy. And I’ll try to get the other requests done soon.

Snow trickled from the starless night and slowly made its way down onto the colorful lights and onto the laughter. As though the whole world was inside a snow globe, safe and encased with merriment that will remain in memories of the young and old. The chill took no hold on the smiles behind scarves nor did it prevent the city’s residents from arriving where the lake had turned into ice. This was how they welcome the early winter and festivities - with full hearts and open hands.

In the middle of the frozen lake where people in skates danced and form swirls, the princess herself welcomed a snowflake on her gloved palm. She closed it with her fingers and smiled back to the sky as a silent thanks for its gift.

“They’ll light up that big tree at the city center, but there’s gonna be a parade first.” her glaive uttered.

Luna turned in a full semi-circle with the blades on her soles sliding effortlessly on the ice. She saw Nyx at the spot just a few feet from where they took off, standing with a silent effort not to fumble. His scarf was thicker and he wore an extra coat. He was always a little more vulnerable to the cold but wouldn’t admit it out loud. 

“I assume you have a view for us to see it all.” The princess replied.

He smirked behind the scarf. “Maybe.”

She skated closer. “Am I spoiling your surprise?”

“Well…” He looked up as if to search for an answer from the cold air. “…It’s not that big of a surprise.”

She giggled and proceeded to complete her circle around him with her arms stretch out to have complete her form.

“But since we have a lot of time to kill, I’ll watch you show off your figure skating moves.”

She slowed on her third circle. “Watch? You won’t show off yours?”

“My moves ain’t exactly for this kind of sport.”

She halted with the toepick digging into the ice. “And yet you invited me for a night here and still wore skates.”

“As you can see, I didn’t exactly think this through.” He admitted.

This was another trait of the heroic Nyx Ulric. He was a man of impulse at certain times, acting on gut feeling and instinct. Though it might not be a wise habit to keep for a king’s soldier, his unplanned decisions had proven to be of good judgment. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be dubbed as the hero of the glaives. Luna saw it as the confidence to clash his own hesitance. The very same hesitance that somehow kept surfacing at some level and the one that would keep him on the same spot in the whole duration of the skating.

On the other hand, him having thought of taking her skating showcased another trait: his good memory. She knew she mentioned her liking of ice skating sometime ago in one of the many conversations they had. The exact moment she had already forgotten and she knew it was just a mention and nothing more, yet he remembered somehow.

She started to move in graceful circles again.  “Nothing similar in the glaive training curriculum?”  

He shook his head. “Maybe I’ll put it a word on it to the Captain.”

The princess let out a laugh before she stopping again at the end of the swirl, but this time she stopped by his side.

“Take my hand.” she told him.

He looked at her unsurprised. “Maybe I should’ve asked you out for dinner instead.”

“Don’t be silly. I’ll catch you when you fall.”

“For a change?”

She laughed. “Maybe.”

He hinted a worry on his look. “You should know that this is my first time ever to skate and I’m pretty heavy.”

“Still,” she shrugged, “it’s the perfect time to try it.”

Nyx shook his head in surrender and took both of her open hands. “Just one foot after the other” Luna suggested. He did what she said but in baby steps. As he continued to face him in movement, she pulled with her gentle tug and both began to coast along the ice slowly. He was stiff with eyes focused on his feet.

“You really haven’t done this before, have you?” she asked.

He didn’t even look up. “I wasn’t joking back there, princess. No skating rinks back in Galahd.”

No joke indeed. The man wasn’t skating. It was as if he was walking on a tightrope, barely making a foot with the tiny and unforceful steps on his own. She pulled him again some more in attempt to have him copy her rhythm, going slowly and avoiding the other people occupying the ice. And when she saw his legs making the right push, she upped the speed a notch, causing him to grab onto her hands tighter. They simply moved along into large circles until she could feel him letting go slightly. Confidence finally winning against hesitance for tonight.

At a safe speed, he let go and began to move along without her help. Legs were sturdier and movements became more fluid. His combat agility came in more handy than expected. She cheered him on as he tried to move faster and his smile stretched wider.

“This isn’t so hard at all!” he exclaimed.

“I never told it was going to be too difficult.” the princess replied.

She made a single spin as she passed through some slow-moving skaters. He tried to do the same on the same spot but abruptly stumbled on one foot. She saw him some more afterward and went back for the rescue but he was moving too fast that he went straight to the edge’s railings and hit it with his hands grabbing for it in desperation. She caught up, slowed to a stop and could help but laughed.

“We should probably take it slow.” she suggested as she held out her hand. He sighed and took her help but then his weight had caused an unbalanced that by the time he was up, he was almost stumbling again. She pulled him close to make his uncontrolled movements to stop.

“Caught you as promised.” she said with an amused grin.

He matched the mirth with his voice. “On a second fall, yeah.”

And they both laughed, spinning slowly and close together until they were able to skate again side by side. This time he kept his hand on hers for safety and let her take the lead.

“So, how do you celebrate the winter holidays in Galahd?” she inquired.

“Dinner, handmade gifts, songs into the night, dancing, sometimes drinking too much when the party gets a little too much” he smiled at the last part, probably remembering a funny memory.

“How about here in Insomnia?”

His voice held a bit of somberness which she could relate. “Mostly the same except it’s a quick dinner with friends, sing karaoke, get drunk maybe if we’re up for it, less dancing and more of watching the parade…” then he paused and peeked at his wristwatch under the sleeve, “…which brings me to the next part of this night. We better head out there now before we miss it entirely”

He turned to glance at the city center at a distance and sure enough, she could hear the music and the growing crowd.

Hand in hand they left the frozen lake, took off their skates and hurried into the pillowy snowy and onto the streets. Others were doing the same, rushing into the already crowded parts of the city. While most had gone to the major roads, the glaive pulled her into a narrower street where they found the dark and ignored alleys.

“Is this a shortcut?” she asked.

“Something better.” he said.

They stopped under a winding fire escape of the wrong side of a brick building. Quickly he jumped up to grab the first rung of the ladder and pulled it to make the rest of it go down. He went up first and aided her when she followed. The stairs were next and he took the lead again. The princess excitedly went up to follow his steps, already hearing the the thumping of band louder and louder. She had heard about the parades and the large Christmas tree in the city. A grand spectacle, famous in all around Lucis and even in Tenebrae.

Tonight would be the first time that she would witness it in person. This was definitely Nyx’s planned part of the date.

At the last part of the staircase, he helped her up with a hand and saw the wide space of an empty rooftop that wasn’t as high up as in the other buildings’ but high enough to see everything down at the street. Her focus quickly shifted to the first glimpse of the large animal-shaped balloons shining over the lights with their bright colors with their best-decorated features. Even if she saw this surprise coming she was still in awe. Like a child who witnessed magic for the first time.

Nyx led her to a pair of unfolded chairs at edge’s railings and, as they grew closer, more of the parade is revealed below. Even the famous giant tree at the end of the road was in full view. It was still unlit and nestled beside the citadels twin towers, covering most of the facade as high as ten stories. The band surrounded its base as they played the loud merry tune that she was hearing since leaving the rink. For the meantime, it was the floats below the balloons and the costumed dancers moving at the slow pace. The crowd on the streets clapped cheered at their favorite sight.

The glaive offered a chair and she gladly sat before he took the seat beside her. Her eyes still feast on the parade and the oncoming tree lighting

“This is wonderful!” she said to him with an earnest smile.

He grinned back. “It gets better when the parade reaches the tree. Every year they change the design so it’ll be a surprise.”

“I only ever saw it on the television when I was little.” she said as she returned her sights onto it.

“I used to watch it on TV too. I only got to watch it in person once before, when king had us marching with the floats in our shiny uniforms.”

“This year the glaive isn’t part of it?”

“They usually change it up every year. Maybe next year we’ll be down there again. But who knows?”

As the floats and the show traveled further, she stood up to peer over the railings. He joined her closely. The band changed into a different song and the parade dancers had made their movements more lively to signal a nearing grand finale. The crowd was growing quieter. The glaive and the princess watched in silence as well to anticipate.

The parade halted with the giant balloons being lowered to less prominent spots to give the spotlight to the tree The dancers surrounded the band as the music grew in a grandiose climax of the song with trumpets in an announcement and the strings joining them in a unified note. The drums rumbled as a countdown happened. People all around shouted the diminishing seconds from

… Five… Four… Three… Two…

And then magic happened.

The tree was in adorned in sparkles and dancing lights that illuminated the falling snow. Rows and rows of baubles, great and small, shined like rubies and emeralds. The star on top of it glowed in white-gold. The music showcased its dignified finish. And the crowd cheered with gusto.

Both the princess and the glaive clapped to joined the rest in applause. Soon after that, she turned to embrace her glaive.

“Thank you for taking me out here.” she told him.

He hugged back warmly before placing a kiss on her forehead. “Anything for you, your highness.”

Then, She kissed him back on the lips - not the first time but surely there will be more to come.

The band played a new song and they watched more of the merriment, forgetting of the cold and keeping the smiles on their faces, feeling more of the joy that this season brought.

“Everything”

A LuNyx drabble set in Modern AU, before the events of “Holding You”, where Nyx is a marine and is experiencing married life with Luna. 

Based on the GIF above that I posted on my main blog (@annaoi).

Word count: ~470

One thing he noticed from her is that she never snored too loud. There was only a whisper of it in her breaths, like a gentle but repetitive lyric, overpowering the buzzing noise of the outside world. The stillness and the calm kept pulling him back to feel carefree as she was on him and ignoring the time’s urgencies. Instead of being pushed to do the laundry, his fingers played with her golden locks. Instead of making a list for the groceries, she snuggled deeper into the crook of his neck.

Weekend chores would have to wait and she would continue to make a pillow out of him. He, on the other hand, would have to follow.

“Mmmgo to sleep” she mumbled. He couldn’t tell if it was sleep talk or she was woken up a bit.

Being married has its surprises. One was discovering her habits. In these few months after getting back from the honeymoon, He noticed her routines. The little stuff. Her writing things down so she won’t forget or because it might be of use in the future. Her way of cooking eggs - not really what he preferred though. Her manner of waking up with drool and messy hair which he adored even though she said it might’ve scratched off some of the appeal. He found out all about these things, these mundane but special things, and never really thought about what she’d notice of him.

The one that she kept bringing up was his protective habits.

“Nyx… Sleeeeeeep” she mumbled again. In pouty lips, he imagined, and awake despite the lazy voice.

He hugged Luna closer and sighed. “I’m trying.”

She said it might’ve been the military routines ingrained in his system. Never sleep when you’re out there. Never close your eyes even if things seem peaceful. Yeah, she might’ve been right. Though he had a fair share of trouble in the snooze department, those reasons mentioned weren’t entirely the root.

Maybe he just wanted to witness everything for a change. Everything. The small apartment, all tidied up because she insisted on organizing the stuff. The laughter when he planted butterfly kisses on her tummy. The way she’d fall asleep with a tiny smile, feeling it on his cheek when there was nothing separating them.

His next deployment was scheduled next week. Time passes quickly, he had told himself. But how come it’s only true when he’s home and it goes achingly slower when he’s away? He’s thankful of the satellite phones and video chats and all but he wanted this so bad that he didn’t let sleep rob it from him.

His wife’s gentle snore was at it again, in sync with his own breathing, spreading the calm into his chest. Nothing was happening and yet everything was. He’d be a fool to miss every second of it.

“I’m not fragile.” she whispered to him.

He didn’t think she was fragile. It’s just that he tends to lose the people that he cared for.

So, he held her, afraid that history would repeat itself.

… I do understand.

Based on my headcanon.

Some travels were just too much.

He’d stop the car on the side of the road to let her rest and, at times, she’d still have to order him to get a shut eye as well because he never seem to get enough.

Resting her hand on his loose and ruffled coat, on his chest, she’d mutter. “It’s okay. I’ll protect you this time.”

Only then would he finally close his tired eyes and breathe.

fabulanova-ffxv:

Uneasy Lies The Head That Wears A Crown [LuNyx]

So this has been sitting in my files unfinished and collecting cyber dust for almost 6 months lmao. But I somehow managed to get my butt to finally finish it. 

This is a fic set in me and @annaoi​‘s Crown AU. 

Other Crown AU Fics: (*written by @annaoi on her writing blog @luna-ulric)

• Solemn Promises*
• An Inbetween*
• Lament*
• Queen and Mother*
• Liege

…

She watched as it was being taken out its leather case from where it sat nestled in a bed of blue velvet, seeing it sparkle against the sunlight as gloved hands handed the jewel over for her to hold in her own.  Surprisingly light was its weight in her palms, yet there was still an undeniable heaviness to it. Lifting it up carefully, she then placed the royal heirloom on her head, unaware that at the same time she was also holding her breath. When she glanced up at her reflection in the mirror, an unexpected sense of almost unease overcame her being from the very first glimpse. The decorated jewels and the band of precious metal glistened ever so delicately on her head, with the chains of dainty crystals hanging across to frame her face. With the coronation robes that were also cloaked over her form, she was now wearing the whole ceremonial ensemble. Lunafreya walked towards the mirror to take a closer look, carefully minding her steps as if she were balancing the crown on her head. If she had to say, she was a little taken back from seeing herself. 

It was a sight she never dared to imagine would ever be possible.

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