Chapter Text
- You’re one of the many retainers for the Lucis family and your family prides itself with being the best butlers/maids/stewards, etc.. The unfortunate thing is that you are NOTORIOUS for being an absolute CLUTZ. Think Felicia from Fire Emblem Fates, cause she’s the inspiration for this and you’ll see why later on too *wink wonk*
- Broken dishes, laundry taking a mysteriously long time to get washed even with the top-notch washing machines and dryers in the Citadel, pots being burnt, it’s just
- It’s mind-boggling to your family and so they’re about to pull you out of working for the royal family but whaaat Prince Noctis wants you to be his personal retainer??? Your Highness, are you sure about that?
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Yes, John Cena, I am
- When you were younger, you took a break from training and had a moment where the expectations your family had for you plus being painfully aware just how bad you were at your job just PUNCHED you right in the gut to leave you in tears
- Noctis just happened to pass by when he saw you crying and did what he could to comfort you. Poor kid didn't know what to do and so he took you to the gardens so you can cry in private while he awkwardly rubbed your back. After talking it out (with Noctis sharing a few things about his own doubts on himself) the two of you ended up becoming really close friends
- Your family didn’t want to soil their name with you being the prince’s personal retainer, more so since no one in the family’s been in that high of a place. Hell, you didn’t want to be his retainer because you didn’t want to cause him any trouble but this is Noct we’re talking about folks. He always finds a way.
- And so you ended up in the position you were in. Expect some jealously from your fellow servants, especially with how familiar you are with the prince. The only one who didn't feel this way is Ignis, but even he has very heavy doubts on how capable you were.
- Not only is he the most neutral, but he is surprisingly the most vocal about his thoughts and gives you a lot of lectures for your clumsiness and it just sounds so brutal at times that there are days where you end up in tears again. Just like before.
- You don’t know that he doesn’t say these things to make you quit or anything like that. He just forgets that he’s not speaking to a fellow staff officer. Staff officers and retainers are not exactly the same job, but being chosen by the prince himself to stay by his side meant you had new expectations now and he wasn’t about to let Noctis rely on someone who can’t even help themselves.
- Learning how to fight is one of those new expectations. It’s daunting at first as it’s something you didn’t have you learn because your family was content with only being attendants to the royals, but you knew how important this was for Noctis’ safety so you power through it.
- You happen to be fantastic with a sniper rifle and decent with a lance, but people thought that you being good with a gun was useless when protecting Noctis. Gladio tells you to ignore those nay-sayers and keep working with what you do best (expect a bear hug from him as well cause Six knows you needed one. Or two...)
- Ignis, well, he tells you to keep it up. (He’s somewhat impressed with the records you set in the shooting range. ... SOMEWHAT)
- It was great for arcade and festival games “
Hey (Y/N), can you get me that chocobo hat” “
Of course, Noct! As long as you let Propmto take a picture of you wearing it”
- You and Prompto get along soooo well and bond over your friendship with Noctis as well as the insecurities you have. You become each other’s hype man when you’re feeling down
“I broke another set of dishes today...”
“Aw c’mon (Y/N)! They were probably ugly anyway!”
“... They actually were omg shit son u right”
- Years pass and it took time but being around Ignis wasn't as bad as it was before. The lectures were not as frequent thanks to Noctis, but that doesn’t mean his words didn’t stick. They’ve been your source of motivation and, harsh as they were, you appreciated the push.
- You decided that your life goal would not be just keeping the Crown prince safe, but to gain his future advisor’s trust as well.
“(Y/N), it’s okay. You don’t need to work yourself too hard about it.”
“No way, Noct! I have to be a better retainer for you!”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it.” “
I... I have to be better... than this.”This makes Noct and Prompto very sad for you - Road trip time and booooy howdy were you so happy for Noctis and the boys and- what? He wants you to come along? Are you sure about that??
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Again, John Cena, I am. Can we go now?
- Gladio and Prompto are more than happy that you’re coming along, and Noctis wants one of his closest friends to be there when he gets married. Ignis is... very reluctant for various reasons. Majority rules are enacted and you tag along this obviously straightforward car ride to Altissia
- Get ready for the most dangerous and stress-filled road trip of you life. This is going to get bumpy.