Chapter Text
Luna sat on the steps of the citadel, her long wedding dress still flowing down the steps of the throne room. It was almost in the same position they had found her in before leaving the Citadel. By the time everyone had returned from their trip, however, she was not alone. In fact, as the boys entered the throne room, Lady Lunafreya was deep in the midst of a conversation with, of all people in Eos, Ardyn.
He, unlike Luna, was dressed in simple peasants attire and seemed entirely unlike himself. At least the self that they had known. Luna smiled, and that same smile was mirrored upon Ardyn’s face at everyone’s return. “Welcome home.”
"Luna?" While the other three stayed still Noctis moved forward. He was wary of Ardyn, of course, but his need to make sure Luna was all right outweighed any potential danger the man posed.
"The other presence was Ardyn?" Though posed as a question, Ignis cut the words free as though he'd been slighted by them.
“Yes. He has a very interesting story to tell, if any of you would like to hear it. Perhaps if you would lower your guard and let him explain?” The smile on Luna’s face never wavered, while Ardyn seemed to look ashamed, eyes cast downward towards his feet.
Gladio shook his head, moving to the front of the group, standing next to Noctis as his Shield. “He has a lot of explaining to do, especially after everything he put us through. Especially Noct.”
"There's a lot we need to talk about. All of us…" Noctis let his eyes drift back to Luna as he came to kneel on the steps. "And we all have things to confess. It was easy to hide or run when we were like ghosts, but...the things we did in our lives, the best we can do is come clean."
"I am not unknowing to your decisions, Noctis. I am the Oracle, if not the last of my line as you are. When we made our agreement in death, we did so to save Eos. I have always thought kindly of you, and the gods made it known that a child from our Union would not be necessary. I shall, however, allow you to explain if you wish." Luna shifted so she was able to place her hand on his cheek. "My dear Noctis..."
"But if you wanted to that's fine. I'm going to do right by you no matter what that means. I made a vow. I've done so much wrong, I'm not messing this up, too. You mean too much to me." Noctis let out a long sigh, his lungs finally reacting the way they were supposed to. He looked back at the three men he knew better than anyone and smiled. They'd all be together, one way or another. He wasn't losing anyone after they'd all worked so hard and gone through so much. "Whether we all go in together… keep it separate or just stay friends. As long as I have all of you in my life, I'll be happy. Though you and I need to talk later." The finger was directed toward Ardyn.
"Noctis." Luna smiled as she looked deep into the stormy blue eyes. "Many people in this world have done wrong, Ardyn here acknowledges he has acted abhorrently. You, sweet Noctis, are not among them."
Luna stood, grabbing Ardyn and Noctis's hands to finish descending the stairs. "Your entire life had been stolen from you at the age of five. You disappeared into meditation for ten long years. I am not offended by your three boyfriends, in fact, I find the lot of them charming.
"My King." Luna grabbed his face gently and pulled into him. "I believe we all will be just fine."
"Alright." Noctis smiled, one arm wrapped around Luna. "But if there's ever anything more you want, or if you'd like a change all you gotta do is ask." He promised. "That goes for all you guys. For one, I vote we kill the whole King thing..."
“Noctis.” Lunafreya let a soft sigh fall from her lips, her hand falling from his face to grab Noctis’s hand once more. “I believe that as the last of both our lines,” Luna paused, glancing back at Ardyn, who had yet to move from his spot on the steps. “Well, almost the last of our lines, we should perhaps think this through. What do the people want? Before there was little singlehanded ruling, if my understanding is correct.”
“There is time for that, Noct.” Prompto stepped forward, not at all feeling comfortable being the center of attention like the other two, knowing that behind him was Cor and many other Glaives.
“It’s nice that that’s actually true.” Ignis pointed out, clear green eyes focused on the three before them for the first time in many years. “No reason we have to figure out everything all at once.”
“I think our first step must include informing the masses that we are not gone.” Luna brought her hand to her stomach, the spot where she had been stabbed back in Altissia by the man standing behind her. “Everything else can be taken in stride. We have all the time in Eos. We should take the second life we are given in stride. What do you say, Noctis?”
Noctis nodded, not wanting to think about things like death for a little while. “All right. One step at a time.”