Work Text:
The king-sized bed is cold and empty when you wake up—it’s early, and Noct’s absence feels strange. Before you even open your eyes to peek at the offending sun streaming through the black curtains, you strain your ears, hoping that your royal boyfriend is just in another part of the apartment. But, only silence lingers the longer you lie in bed; begrudgingly, you roll over and fumble for your phone, groaning and yawning as you bury deeper under the covers.
You swipe open your contacts and hit Noct’s name; the phone rings three times before going to voicemail. Slightly annoyed, you hit end ; but your phone lights up seconds later with the handsome face you fell in love with all those years ago.
“Where are you? It’s nine am.”
“Uh, sorry,” Noctis replies. “I had…Citadel stuff…to do.”
“Okay, you sound fishier than…” Your voice trails. “I don’t know where I was going with that. You know what I mean. Fishy. The fisherman is sounding fishier than usual,” you finish, laughing.
Noctis snorts at the lame save. “If you called me just to make bad puns, don’t bother. I have Prompto for that.”
Hey! rings out in the background, a familiar high-pitched scoff.
“Pfffft, no, I didn’t call to make bad puns. But where are you? It’s Christmas Eve, Noct. You didn’t say you had plans today. C’mon, even your dad’s council is off for the holidays. You’re gonna leave your beautiful girlfriend alone all day? Don’t tell me I have to make gingerbread houses and bake cookies all by myself.”
“I’m sorry,” Noctis says, and he sounds genuine. “I promise I’ll see you later, but there are some things I really had to do today.”
“Can I come hang out then? I’ll be quiet, I’ll go read or play my Switch in the library or something.”
“No!” Noctis panics, then clears his throat, slowing down. “No, uh, I mean, that’s…you’d be like, super bored. It’s dumb stuff, trust me, there’s nothing here you’d want to see. Plus it’s like, snowing outside, you’re better off indoors where it’s warm.”
Your face contorts in confusion—there has never been a time when Noct’s refused your presence at the Citadel, even if he’s holed up in meetings or tucked away in Ignis’ office, doing reports; and you’re cozied up in some side study, or the grand Citadel library, or the coffee lounge on the 56th floor—just knowing that the two of you are in the same place brings a sense of peace and comfort. Noctis will usually fling open whatever door you’re behind and grin with tired, eager eyes, whisking you back home to the apartment and lavishing you with love and affection.
Not today, apparently; and you can’t help but be slightly hurt.
“Are…are you sure? Noct, you know I can occupy myself. I can work out in the gym, or spar with Gladio, or…”
“Gladio’s busy,” comes the hurried reply. “Uh, yeah, uh, training some new city guards, y’know, drills and stuff.”
“Oh.” Okay, he’s definitely making excuses. “Um, Prompto and I could—”
“Prom’s uh, helping me,” Noctis cuts off. “I’m really sorry baby, it’s just a mess over here. No place for my wonderful girlfriend. I gotta go! Have a good day, and I’ll call you later, okay?”
“Oh…kay. I don’t know what you’re up to, but someone better be like, dying. Because it’s Christmas Eve and all I’m getting from my prince charming are excuses .”
“Sorry, I’m really sorry. I really am,” Noctis replies. “I love you. Try not to be too mad, okay?”
“I guess. Love you.” And with that, the call’s ended; and you let your arm flop to the side, phone falling to the bed. You’re not sure how to feel—you and Noctis have rarely, if ever, kept anything from each other, birthday and holiday gifts notwithstanding. He’s never acted so secretive. Feathers ruffled, you grab your phone again and shoot off a message to the group chat you have with Ignis, Gladiolus, and Prompto.
>>> okay what is going on
A minute goes by, and then;
Gladdy >>> sorry sweetheart, the princess is busy
>>> WITH WHAT
>>> he’s being really sus rn
>>> i’m sad ;-;
Ignis >>> Don’t fret, darling. His Highness simply has several personal matters that require his attention and focus.
>>> okay, but. He’s never said I couldn’t come there before, like I won’t bother him until he’s done… :(((((
Prompto >>> ;-; I’m sorry ________, Noct’s really gotta be by himself rn
>>> But how come you guys get to be there…
>>> no fair
Ignis >>> We are the only ones capable of assisting him in these matters. Worry not, love. This is not a slight against you. He’ll be home as soon as he can, I promise. Please trust him for now.
You can’t help but huff, puffing your cheeks out like a chipmunk—but if Ignis says everything is fine, then you have no choice but to wait. A second wave of fatigue hits you after you reply to Noct’s longsuffering chamberlain, and sleep overtakes you yet again.
______
Incessant vibrating lures you from unconsciousness; a sleepy glance at your phone screen tells you that it’s just after noon; and Noct’s face is yet again lighting up with another call.
“H’lo?”
“Hey, I—wait, did you fall back asleep?”
“Well, what else was I supposed to do?”
Noctis laughs brightly, and despite your earlier frustrations of being left alone on Christmas Eve morning with barely any explanation, you can’t help but smile when you hear the prince of Lucis express genuine amusement. “Well, sleepyhead. Can I ask you to get ready?”
“Ready? Get ready for what?”
“Ummmmm, can you meet me at the Citadel?”
“Oh now you want me at the Citadel.”
“I’m sorry, I really couldn’t have you here earlier! But I’m done now. I’m yours for the rest of the day, I promise.”
“I’m holding you to this, Noct.”
“Don’t worry,” Noctis breathes, dropping his voice. “Please, come see me.”
A shiver runs from your toes to the tips of your ears. It’s almost infuriating, your inability to tell him no , and your inability to stay mad at him for long.
“Okay. I’ll get up and shower now.”
“Cool. Uh…hey why don’t you wear that dress I bought you last week?”
A head tilt, then; “But…why?”
“I want to see you in it.”
Heat rises to your face. “Well, okay Noct, if that’s what you want. I thought you were coming home, though?”
“Change of plans. I want you, in that dress, here at the Citadel, as soon as humanly possible.”
You swallow hard, nodding. “Yeah, okay. I’m going. But you should know that my emotions are on a rollercoaster right now.”
“I promise you’ll understand when you get here.”
“Are we going out to lunch? I haven’t eaten yet.”
“Eat a snack on the way. I’ll send Nyx over with a car, text me when you’re ready. I love you.”
“I love you too,” you reply, fully saying the phrase now instead of the half-hearted declaration you’d given him earlier that morning in a fit of annoyance. Hanging up, you plug your phone back on the charger and strip, hurrying into the shower to get ready to meet your suspicious boyfriend.
_______
“Thanks for picking me up, Nyx.”
The glaive shoots you a warm grin, nodding as you open the back door of Noct’s sports car. “Anytime, Ms. _________.”
You climb out to the curb, watching with slight anxiety as Nyx Ulric rounds the Citadel to park Noct’s car back behind the palace. Your stomach turns as you slowly ascend the front staircase, and the Crownsguard nods once she sees the badge that’s hanging around your neck. Pushing open the door, your padded ballet flats echo softly on the black marble as you wander the halls, headed for the largest ballroom on the first floor.
Hushed voices drift from beyond the solid painted black doors; and with trembling hands, you turn the knob, pushing inward.
The ballroom is decorated in black and gold, Lucian crests and silk banners adorning the walls, crystal chandeliers sparkling as the hang overhead. A string quartet plays instrumental holiday tunes in the far corner, and there are Christmas trees in every corner of the room. Your eyes widen as you scan the faces of Ignis, Prompto, Gladiolus, Iris and Clarus Amicitia, Regis, several council members—and finally, Noctis Lucis Caelum himself, dressed to the nines in his royal raiment. He stands stock still as you slip through the door and walk forward on hesitant legs, hands gripping your silk clutch purse.
“Hi,” Noctis breathes, once you’re mere feet away from him.
You glance around to all of the guests—they’re barely moving, waiting , almost as though they’re holding their breath…but for what? “Um…hi,” you reply, shifting nervously as you approach closer. “Noct, what…what’s all this for?”
“Uh, so,” Noctis starts, clearing his throat. “This is kinda what I was doing all day.”
“Oh. So…this is why I couldn’t come? And why you were being all…”
“Fishy,” Noctis finishes, blushing. “Yeah. I’m sorry. I know you were probably pretty mad.”
“Mmmmm, for a while, yes. But…I guess I’m not now. Not mad, anyway. More like…confused.” You cock an eyebrow. “You didn’t answer my question. What’s it for ?”
Noctis stays silent in return—he keeps his eyes on you as he sinks to the ground, and oxygen drains from your lungs as he positions himself on one knee, drawing a Tiffany-blue clamshell box from the pocket of his coat.
“Um,” Noctis says, voice shaking as his cheeks redden. “So I had this big speech planned and all, the guys must have heard it a dozen times. But looking at you, here and now…I can’t remember a fuckin’ word.” Noct sniffs, and a few tears trickle from his brilliant blue eyes. “Just—I love you so much, __________. You…I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You’re my missing half, and I barely have words for the things you make me feel. Will you…will you marry me?”
Noctis is nervous.
Noctis Lucis Caelum is asking me to marry him, and he’s nervous.
Hands fly to your face as you choke out sobs, falling to the floor on your own knees to embrace him. Crying into his shoulder— yes yes, oh gods, yes .
Cheers and shouts and muffled cries ring out from Noct’s friends and family— your friends and family—but here, in this moment, the world falls away. All you hear is Noct’s strong heartbeat firm and fast against your own, chest to chest; all you feel are his strong arms encircling you, the odd shape of the ring box pressed into your back as he hugs you tightly, half-laughing, half-crying, and all joy.
“Let me put this on you,” Noctis whispers finally.
You pull back, making a futile attempt to wipe your eyes as you hold out your left hand. Noctis takes your small, chubby fingers in his own and kisses the top of your hand; he lets go for only a moment to draw out the enormous diamond ring, and then he’s touching you again, sliding the ring onto the proper finger, holding your hand in his own.
“Yeah, this looks right,” Noctis says, smiling shyly. “What do you think?”
Blinking through tears as you gaze at the dramatic, glittering ring; and then back up at your prince—your fiancé . “ You look right, Noct.”
“You make me so happy,” Noctis continues, wiping his own face, and then reaching to thumb away your tears as well. “Come on. Everyone is waiting for you.” Noctis fluidly stands, and then easily helps to your feet.
Ignis, Prompto, and Gladiolus embrace you first, squeezing you and kissing you on the cheek and on the head, whispering tearful congratulations.
But it’s Regis—the king himself—who really warms you to the core: “This was my dear Aulea’s ring,” Regis coos, holding both of your hands in his own. “And it looks just as right on you as it did on her. She would have loved you, you know.”
“Regis,” you blubber, forgoing your future father-in-law’s title.
The king laughs as he embraces you, squeezing your plump frame as he kisses your cheek. “My girl,” he says. “I cannot wait for you and Noctis to be wed.”
You pull back, smiling as you gaze at the royal heirloom on your finger, all of a sudden feeling the weight of responsibility; but a warm hand on your shoulder pulls you out of your head.
“Come on,” Noctis says gently, kissing your shoulder. “I want to eat dinner and dance with my beautiful fiancée. My princess.”
The prince flashes a brilliant smile at you; and, lovestruck, you can only follow him across the ballroom floor.