Chapter Text
It was... over.
Noctis should feel happiness, excitement when he saw the scene before his eyes - the Power of Kings and Astrals destroying the Usurper in the Beyond, bringing the people that stayed alive in the new Lucis hope. His destiny was fulfilled, he could finally rest, right? It will take only a moment before his soul will dissolve here, just to find place in Afterlife, where Luna and his father were waiting.
Then why he was still reaching out with his hand, as if to grasp something. Why there was only stinging pain in his chest, bitterness in his mouth and feeling of strange emptiness in the core of his very own soul? He saw his own fingers to tremble, felt his eyes to burn. Was this something they called regret?
But why?
He closed his eyes.
He almost wished that he didn’t have to do this. That he could take it back, screw the destiny and the Gods that were always playing with them. How do they say it? That light can’t exist without darkness? He just wanted that it -
“Are those tears, my King?”
That voice.
He felt a gentle squeeze on his hand as his eyes snapped open.
He wouldn’t mistake that face for anyone else - nor the crimson locks framing it and the sharp golden eyes always watching him.
But still - there was something different about Ardyn Izunia now, something unusual.
Maybe the softness in his voice and unexpected gentleness lining his features.
He looked…. Tired. But happy.
Small lights were flickering around him – and even Noctis felt strange tingling on back of his neck.
There wasn’t much time left for them. Ardyn pulled Noct’s hand closer, placing it on his chest. Raven’s eyes widened in surprise.
Back then, when he touched other man, he could only feel raging darkness inside of him, eating away redhead’s insides like the Plague. Sadness, bitterness. Daemons.
But now…
He could feel other’s soft heartbeat. The inner darkness of older man was gone. He was… Free - without the poisonous voices always whispering to his ear. Daemons disappeared...
…thanks to Noctis fulfilling his destiny?
Even if it hurt, the other one could find a peace. No, they could both find it.
Young King’s blue eyes found those of older man and he could almost swear that for a second he could see Insomnia. The sun raising above the land as the promise of new beginning. Suddenly, Noctis remembered how they’d said it.
After the darkness, there always comes light.
Not only for the Kingdom of Lucis. For both of them. Now he understood.
And Ardyn? He just nodded slowly, still with the same expression on his face. No words - no love confessions, no crying - That wasn’t meant for them anyway, was it? - as he slowly disappeared in the mass of shining lights. Just silent agreement, maybe a thank you.
Noctis couldn’t help but smile as same light enveloped him, his vision turning white.
That heartbeat. That heartbeat alone was a promise.
We will meet again.