Dusk bid goodnight in the horizon, leaving behind a trail of orange and purple. As nightfall shrouded the earth, ebony painted the edges of the heavens. Upon hallowed grounds they find their refuge; their little party surrounding the warm glow of the billowing campfire. Like gears in a timepiece, the boys coordinate and work together to set up camp–not a single task was forgotten or performed out of sync. Noctis’ bride was spared from such tasks, for her body was still soiled with injuries from their most recent tribulation. And thus he offers her a seat and drapes his warm jacket across her slender shoulders.
Laughter and the aroma of grilled meat soon fills the chilly air. Occasionally, Noctis would glance at his beloved and for a moment, any prior conversation falls upon deaf ears. He is captivated by her, like a moth drawn to the flame. Even so, the young Prince would turn his gaze away shyly. It’d be a nightmare if Gladio witnessed his smitten look.
This time, however his gaze lingers upon her peaceful countenance. They dare not shift from her as he quietly admires her tranquility. Her eyes were closed but not a crease is written upon her forehead. Her rosy lips were coloured with a gentle smile; one that reminded him of blossoms in early spring. With an elbow resting against his knee, he props his chin on his palm and watches his beloved until his heart swells with love.
And so he stands, only to settle right beside her. Not once does his gaze stray as he watches lips part to offer their greeting. Her beauty was… contagious, and now his own lips, too mirrored her gorgeous smile. Her voice was so melodious; clearer than a bell and sweeter than a nightingale’s song. And the nickname she reserved for him; even the strongest-willed man wouldn’t be able to resist fluster. Any conversation shared with his brothers now fade into the background, for nothing quite compares to her. With slight hesitation woven into his motions, Noctis reaches forward and lightly caresses her cheek with the back of his fingers.
❝ Well… Nightskies are nothing without the beautiful moon… ❞ He comments shyly, cheeks growing rosy from the uttered words. ❝ W-What are you thinking about~? ❞
Delicate laughter fill the air -- Slight pain is felt across her backside from it, but she cares not. To be able to still laugh at his side... It does her heart good. Which to her is more important
His smile... She knows it’s caught from her own, but seeing his rare, gorgeous smile keeps her lips curved up. His touch... So gentle, so soothing, so HIM. Rose tinted cheeks are present now, as she leans into him, a tiny content sigh coming from her lips.
At first she says simply, leaning forward to so softly press their lips together, just for a breath of a second, before she pulls back to softly nuzzle against back of princely digits.
“I am the moon to your sky, I suppose, darling. I’m just happy to be alive, happy to continue this journey with you. Hoping I can aid in seeing us restore this world to a happier place... Then perhaps we can have our happily ever after... I want nothing more than to have a storybook ending with you.”
Her words are softly spoken, gaze not wavering from his. She had grown bolder in expressing her affection for him. All the time they had spent apart... All the time taken from them, confined only to marks of ink upon snow white sheets. Oh, how her love for him had only grown, manifesting itself into a single known thought:
She wanted him above all else.
“I suppose I’m just a foolish girl, however. Fairy tales aren’t real, but every time I’m with you, I feel like the pages in our own book is turning slowly, revealing our bonds more and more everyday.”