#alty writes

[moonlight-at-dawn]

Lunoct || “A Strange Request at a Piano Bar”

For Lunoct Celebration Days @lunoctweek, fits the day 5 prompt “carnival”

Note: This story came about from a prompt writing journal. "Write the story: A strange request at a piano bar. Include the following in your story: -carnival -sprained -mask -oxidation -awkward -apple -juvenile -controversy -twirl -sassafras

Summary:  Prince Noctis adores the lovely blonde who plays piano, but it takes losing a bet to get him to approach her

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"Now's your chance," Gladiolus smirked, nudging his royal charge and pointing toward the bar. "A bet's a bet, and you lost. Get going."

Noctis frowned into his disappointingly empty glass. Yes, sure, he did very much want to speak with the beautiful blonde who had been playing piano just before. But not under these circumstances! Of course, if left to his own devices, he was unlikely to muster up the courage to do it at all.

A boot suddenly stuck itself between the legs of his chair, and when Gladio took his leg back, Noct's chair spun around with a horrendous screech. Several people turned at the sound, including the angel of gold and white. Shooting his guard a glare, Noct got up and his awkward emotions behind a well trained mask of princely pride.

Leaning an elbow on the counter, Noct spoke up to the bartender. "Apple martini," he ordered, feeling a heat rise in his face. He did like the drink, but he liked appearing cool far more. The order was part of the bet however, and he turned with a confidence he didn't feel, giving the pianist a smile. "You're beautiful. I! I mean, your music is beautiful! I mean, you are too, but, I just, I...," he trailed off at her knowing giggles, and he rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. "S-Sorry. Let me try again. I'm Noct."

"Lunafreya," she answered, holding out a hand. Her voice was as musical as the rest of her. Whatever that meant. He was damn glad he hadn't said that one out loud. Any moment nnow, he expected his ID to be double-checked, he was behaving like a juvenile.

He shook her hand, feeling her warmth only along the fingers of his sprained hand clad in a cloth brace. She smiled and he knew his time was running out. Drawing in a deep breath, he let it out in a torrent of words, his eyes fixed on the wine twirling in her glass, watching the oxidation instead of her face as he torpedoed all chances to get to know her better. "Do you take requests? Because I was wondering, there's this carnival song I love, I don't know the name, but it goes like," he paused to pound down the martini right when it was set before him. He missed the change in her expression as he did, but the snort of laughter she hid behind a sip of deep red wine was a final encouragement as he quietly sang some very embarrassing lyrics.

"Oh, lay me down low, on the hills that roll and flow, where the sassafras does grow, and the root beer is so cooold!"

He held the last note for a moment, his voice soft and heard by only her. And the bartender, Noct realized, as a snort of stunned laughter alerted him. His face burned, and the man set down a much needed double of cheap vodka, which Noct seemed to expertly tilt back. The drink made it down, but the speed was a mistake, as Noct sputtered and coughed, and dumbly repeated with the next drink set in front of him.

Holding his head as vodka and wine went straight to his brain, he shyly picked his head back up to look at the lovely musician's face. She was laughing, but somehow it didn't seem to be so much at him, as the simple antics themselves.

"I... I'm sorry," he mumbled, gaze turning down to his hands as the drink buzzed through him. "I, uh, I lost a bet. That's why, the dumb song... Please, don't play that. Play something good. Something beautiful. Like you..." He risked another peek as he mumbled, and saw a flicker of confused disappointment turn into shy amusement. Her ears were tinged pink, the only sign of the blush hidden under her makeup. Had, had all of that actually worked!? He was stunned by that thought, and his brain further shut down when Lunafreya stood up, took his hand, and raised it to brush her lips across his knuckles as though she were the prince, not him.

"If you stick around, please, see me when I'm done for the night. As long as the request was the only part that was a bet." She said it like a statement, but her eyes held question.

"It was!" he rushed to assure her, "I will!"

She smiled at him, and returned to the stage. That was the last night she performed at that particular lounge, and it was the beginning of their relationship. There came to be some controversy around the pairing, the prince and the pianist who lost her reputation because of her new penchant for performing cheesy, uninspired carnival music, no matter the venue's prestige.

[nicolex-love]

Calming Hands

Everything was eerily quiet in the dark clinic. Alex found it impossible to get any rest as she sat by Nicolas' bedside. She looked at him without seeing, her mind elsewhere. So much was happening and she felt so helpless to do anything for those who had given her back her life. Even in the quiet of the night, with everyone else at rest, there was a heavy air that made it hard for her to breathe.

Movement on the bed brought her back to herself, and she frowned as Nicolas seemed to once more be in the fits of withdrawal. Or perhaps a bad reaction to something. She didn't know what it was, but she slipped her bruised hand into his grip and didn't even wince as he gripped tight. Wetting her lips, she leaned over him into the faint orange light. His eyes were unfocused as he looked up at her, and she mouthed her words to him, "Do you want me to get Theo or Nina?" He shook his head, and she frowned slightly, "Are you sure?"

He nodded, though his grip on her fingers tightened. Looking him over, she nodded and moved closer, her knee coming up onto the bed. He watched her, trying desperately to focus his gaze, and she flashed him a gentle smile. Moving his pillow, she took its place, cradling him between her legs and settling his head back against her chest. She was far from comfortable the way she sat, her back arched and waist twisted as she made sure he rested comfortably against the softest parts of her figure.

His hand still gripped her fingers and he grunted softly, not quite understanding why she was doing such a thing. Then her free hand skimmed soft fingertips across his brow, a simple action that had a far stronger calming effect than he ever could have thought. Running fingers through his hair, she made sure to keep her breath deep and even, and unconsciously his own shifted to match it.

With his grip still flexing and his body tensing, she knew that things weren't settled so easily for him. Her fingers moved calmly over across his scalp, seeking out his too-rapid pulse. Wherever she felt that press under the sensitive pads of her fingers, she rubbed cautiously firm circles for several seconds before moving on to the next.

She wasn't sure how long they were like that before it was that his hold slackened and his pulse returned to a strong and steady tempo. He had fallen asleep, she realized, and she found her lips turned up in a soft smile. In keeping him calm, she realized she had helped herself as well, and that her body felt heavy with exhaustion. Closing her eyes, she let out a breath and joined him in a relaxed sleep that was nothing short of miraculous in that heavy night.

[moonlight-at-dawn]

ALL MY PROMPTS I INTEND TO WRITE

I finally gathered them all up and put them into a single document!

Here!

There’s 44 all told. And just because there’s a whole bunch doesn’t mean you can’t keep submitting. I’m looking for new inspiration to get me going, so I really don’t mind!

If a prompt was sent to my personal blog ( @nicolas-benedetto ), then I’ve lost it... I have over 300 messages, so I didn’t go combing through it.

And @askfullmetalpanic somehow had its inbox cleared out by accident a few months ago, so I lost anything that was in there, too.

And if there’s anything missing, let me know!!

[nicolex-love]

Alex helping Nicolas pick out a gift for Nina's upcoming birthday.

Alex clutched that paper bag of groceries close to her chest, looking on in confusion as Nic stared at a shop window. On display were slim necklaces, ribbons, and hair accessories of patterned cloth tied into ribbons and draped with with small jewels and pearls. It was odd to see him interested in shopping at all, and even odder to see what he was looking at. She walked up beside him and leaned forward to look at his face. She saw him glance aside, that he was looking at her reflection in the glass, and she smiled as she spoke, “Are you looking for something, Nicolas?”

He grunted faintly and nodded, his expression a pout of resignation and embarrassment. “Nina,” he spoke, and then he signed, [gift. Birthday.]

Alex recognized gift easy enough, but it took her a moment before she remembered ‘birthday.’ “Oh, that’s coming up?” He nodded again, and she looked at the displays in the window and brightened up. Shifting the bag to hold it in one arm, she grabbed the cuff of his sleeve and tugged, “Let’s go take a look inside. These accessories are cute, I’m sure we can find something! Maybe we could buy her a new dress, too, and you can take her to watch me sing?”

He actually seemed to brighten at that idea. His eyes widened slightly and his shoulders relaxed, and he followed her inside to pick out something cute for Nina.

[nicolex-love]

Prompt: Hunter!Nicolas and Twilight!Alex meeting for the first time.

"Here we are, Aly. My roommate is usually home at this time, so we should be able to get you introduced."

"...He does know I'm moving in, right?"

"Would I spring that kind of surprise on someone?"

"Yes."

"Ouch. Don't even know each other that long, and already so cruel."

"And you've already given me a nickname, so I thought we were past the point of casual politeness."

Worick smirked at her and waved her to the staircase leading up to the entrance, "You're right. I hate that part, it's so fake."

She gave him a look without turning her head, then she stepped forward and followed him upstairs. Her tags bounced with her steps and she carried a backpack slung over one shoulder. Worick walked in without a word, then turned to her with a grin, "By the way, can't remember if I told you... We only started living here together about a month ago ourselves, and we haven't known each other long. But it beats being alone."

That made her frown thoughtfully, and she nodded, walking in after him, "Where should I put my stuff?"

"On the couch is fine for now. We don't have much furniture... There's a storage room downstairs we can put you in when we get you a bed, but there's no door on it."

"That's fine..."

"Oh, good. Sorry, I need the room with the door, for my work."

"Work?"

He winked and pressed a finger to his lips, and she let out an annoyed sigh. She wasn't actually as put off as she seemed, though, and it frustrated her that he could read her well enough already to see that. "Anyways, I'm gonna go see if Nic is downstairs and drag his happy ass up here."

"Alright..." She watched him go down the stairs, and it struck her just how badly laid out this building seemed to be. Well, whatever, she would get used to it. He wasn't joking when he said they didn't have much, but the couch at least looked comfortable. That was good, if she was going to be sleeping on it until she could afford a bed.

Sitting down, she dropped her backpack at her feet and leaned her head back, staring up at the ceiling. Something in the air wasn't sitting right with her, and as Worick came up the stairs with someone behind him, the smell grew stronger and put her nerves on edge. She knew what it meant when someone smelled like that. Standing up, she was ready to run or fight, and Worick put his hands up when he saw her, "Woah, what's gotten into you, Aly?"

She looked past him to the man that had followed him up, glaring at him and his bored expression. "...Hunter..."

"Huh? Oh! Yeah... Well, not anymore, y'know. ...I was hoping we wouldn't have to have such an awkward conversation on the first day. How can you tell?"

She was about to answer, but the man who had her attention waved at him, moving his hand in some kind of sign. Worick nodded in understanding and turned back to her with a grin, "Sorry. Forgot what kind of noses you Taggeds got. Yeah, yeah Nic here used to be a Hunter, but he's not anymore."

"...In my experience, Hunters aren't the kind of people who change their minds."

"Well, you'd be surprised. ...Not often, but it happens. We haven't talked much about it so I don't know why he stopped. He only told me he used to be one after he kicked ass in a fight and I questioned him about being an unmarked Twilight."

She frowned, still on edge, but she let her shoulders loosen a little. Things still weren't making much sense, though, and she still was watching him warily, "...Why aren't you answering for yourself?"

He just turned that bored expression on her and flapped his hand with a scowl before turning away and walking back downstairs. Worick called after him and Alex couldn't see, but she imagined he was communicating silently since the blond was still staring intently down the stairs before nodding and waving him off. Turning to face her, Worick grinned and shrugged, sticking a cigarette between his lips and lighting it before speaking, "Nic's actually deaf, so speaking is a pain for him. He can read lips really well, so that's why it's hard for some people to notice at first."

"Oh...," she mumbled dumbly, feeling a bit ashamed for being so confrontational to him. Then again, she hadn't ever considered that there would be a Hunter with some kind of handicap, so it hadn't occured to her. Though, she didn't know if he were born deaf, developed it over time, or if it was due to illness or injury. She wasn't about to ask, either.

Worick laughed at her expression and walked over to the desk, picking up a book that had been left on it, "Here. Study up, if you want to be able to communicate with him. He doesn't speak for pleasantries, so this is the only way to chat with him."

"Right... You're already, really good at it, huh? Or did you know it before meeting him?"

"Ah, I'm just a really fast learner. Got a great memory. Comes in handy at times like this."

"Okay..."

"And if you ever want to practice, I wouldn't mind seeing those pretty hands of yours at work."

She shot him a glare for the bad attempt at flirting, and he chuckled and sat back in the chair, taking a long drag, "Well. Let's see, everything up here is pretty much free game. All the books, the phone, the radio... It's not much, but we don't spend a lot of time at home, either. My room's behind me. Downstairs, under the steps, you'll find a chair, and everything on that area rug is Nic's. That's his space. The bathroom and kitchen are down there, as well as that storage room I told you we can clean up for you. We don't use the garage, either, so we can move what little stuff we got in the room over there."

She nodded at all of his explanations, but until she went downstairs and saw it for herself, it wasn't going to quite sink in. "Alright. I'm gonna go downstairs and use the bathroom, then."

"Don't let me stop you."

"I won't. I'm afraid you'd be too amused."

"I'm into a lot of things, Aly, but that ain't one."

"Good to know," she couldn't help but to grin as she shook her head and went downstairs. Living with a Hunter was going to take a little getting used to. She had come to recognize that scent as something to fear, to run from. She had been young, the last time Hunters were around, but she remembered the danger all too clearly. Her hands came up to grasp her Tags, wondering if she should work harder to get stronger. Reasonably, she knew she wasn't in any danger from Nic. She knew that much, logically, and she got no sense of bloodlust towards her from him. But the reminder of those times got her thinking, that it would do well to hone her strengths.

[nicolex-love]

OlderAlexAU prompt: Alex treating Nicolas's wounds, he tries to lightly resist at first, stating that he took care of it, but gives in. In that moment, realizes that he loves her touch.

Nic sat on the floor, leaning against the side of a massive bookcase. He was looking out the window, his katana tucked comfortingly against his side. He hurt, but that was nothing new. It seemed like he always hurt, at least until he was sent in to do some real fighting, and was given a large dose of his medication.

That was the only time nothing hurt.

His side ached, and he had a bootprint bruise on his arm. His cheek was swollen, and even if he liked to talk, he would find it difficult just then with the sharp pain in his jaw. That would make eating difficult later if it was anything more solid than soup with rice.

He was watching a bird poking around in a tree, and watched it turn his way before taking flight. He looked over his shoulder and saw his Master walking in, talking with the new maid girl who carried a tray, a medical kit hanging under it from her fingers. She set the tray down on the edge of the table then slid it further on before setting down the kit. She made sure to serve up Wallace's lunch and tea, and then she looked his way, motioning to one of the seats.

He hesitated, but then Wallace turned as well, and he read on his lips to come take a seat. "Act normal," was what he said. This was his normal. "Act like a Normal" would have been a better way of saying it.

But that was an argument he'd never voice. He was hardly allowed to have a voice, and he was only just now bothering to try talking at all because his Master asked him to.

Getting up, he walked over and perched in the chair, his katana resting beside him. The girl set out a small dish for him as well, apologizing for not being able to bring him much. The bowl of thin soup with small pieces of shredded chicken and a scoop of rice was more than he had eaten all day, though, and he took to it gratefully, holding the spoon in a shaky fist, his hand wrapped up and sore.

She opened up the medical kit then and took a look at his face before she started pulling out a few things. She leaned over so he could see her face while he ate, and she smiled to him, "Master Wallace told me you were hurt, so we grabbed the medical kit on the way. I'll take care of those."

He frowned slightly and shook his head. It wasn't that he didn't want the care for it, but he always did it himself. He wasn't used to anyone caring for any of his injuries, even the bad ones. She still smiled at him even as he made a soft sound of protest, and she slowly moved her hands towards him, making sure he could see her movements, "It's okay, Nicolas. My baby brother used to get scraped up all the time, or in fights with the neighborhood kids... I'm good at this, so let me help. It will feel better when I'm through, I promise."

He was still frowned, but her cool fingers brushed over his hurting jaw, and he no longer wanted to protest. Her touch felt good, and she dipped her hand in a tin that smelled of flowers he couldn't name, but he knew the sight of them. Bright orange with dozens of thin petals. She spread the cool ointment over his jaw and cheek, then down to his arm. She backed off to let it absorb and he missed the touch of her hands which surprised him. But then, he couldn't really recall the last time he had been touched that didn't involve giving him new bruises and cuts.

It wasn't until he had finished eating that her touch returned. She cleaned off his skin and covered what needed it, then applied another thin film of the ointment. She wiped her fingers off on her apron and smiled to him, "How is it feeling? Any better?"

He stared at her and slowly blinked, and then he nodded twice and made a soft sound that made her smile even more brightly. "I'm glad!"

[nicolex-love]

YoungBenriyaTrio: "It's okay, I'm fine" she hated when they said that to her. Wallace, no, Worick, when she saw the bruises from his clients. Nic, when she saw the new injuries from the Normals. But she understands that did the same thing.

Alex's fingers clutched at her skirts, pulling the hem up above her knee as she stared down at the two boys. She had been fortunate enough to find someone who could pay for an extra set of much-needed hands that day, but it had meant leaving Nic alone. She shouldn't have been surprised that he had become a target, but she was. It hurt, that he couldn't defend himself. If she had been there, she could have been in danger as well, and then he would have been allowed to fight.

The rules weren't fair at all. And they said the rules were there to help? Yeah right... If the rules were really there to help, her quiet friend wouldn't be staring up at her with one eye swollen shut, his jaw badly bruised, and more bruises and scrapes down his arm. She could see dirty footprints over over his ribcage and on the side of his leg, showing her he must have simply curled up as he took the abuse.

To top it off, he was moving his fist across his chest. Like hell he was fine.

And Wallace...

No, he went by Worick now. Wallace Arcangelo was too famous, and even though he only changed his first name, it was enough that people didn't question it, even if they all knew.

Worick, she couldn't help, but she wished she could. They needed the money he could earn too badly though. It wasn't right, that people were so eager to pay a boy his age for sex, and the people that would were sick individuals. He had bruises on his throat and his wrists, and his hand kept going up to his eyepatch. It made her wonder, what she might see if she lifted it. Did his customer target it? It disgusted her, but it didin't surprise her, and that just disgusted her even further.

To make matters worse, he was grinning up at her and laughing, rubbing the back of his head, "I'm fine, Aly, don't look at me that way."

"Like hell you are...," she mumbled under her breath. He couldn't hear her and he leaned forward for her to repeat herself, but she didn't. Her head was bowed, she knew Nic couldn't have read her lips either. Her hands clenched her skirts tightly as she fought back tears.

Idiots, all three of them were. None of them were fine.

She slowly let go of her skirts, and lifted up the plastic bag she held with a few items she had gotten from the shopkeep she had helped. She forced a smile and both of her friends immediately looked concerned. "Right. I'm fine, too," she spoke oddly confidently, managing to keep a tremor from her voice. She said it as she thought of that day, helping an old woman and her grandson stocking their shop. The grandson cornering her in a room and commenting on her situation, offering her some extra money if she got down on her knees before him.

And she had done it.

And it wasn't the first time.

And it wouldn't be the last.

Worick's shoulders slumped at that, reading between the lines, and his lips pressed in a tight frown, "Aly..."

"I got some sodas as a treat from the old lady I helped today! Here!"

[nicolex-love]

Blind date AU! Prompt. After a few dates, Alex ask if Nicolas comfort taking their relationship to the next level, which she learns sad secrets about Nicolas. Knowing this will she stay or leave?

Alex turned to Nic with a smile as they approached her apartment building. She tucked her small purse under her arm so she could clumsily sign as she spoke, "Would you like to come up for a little while?"

He looked at her, considering it a moment, and then nodded. Her smile broadened, and she led the way into the building and the elevator, hitting the button for the fifth floor. She looked aside at him, glad that she finally had the opportunity to invite him to her place. Tonight was their sixth date since their first, and she liked to think they were getting close. Things moved a bit slowly between their schedules and her needing to learn sign language to communicate better with him, but she was determined and a good student, and Nic was willing to help her practice.

She let them into her apartment and switched on the lights. Slipping out of her heels, she turned to him with a smile and asked, "Would you mind leaving your shoes by the door?" He simply nodded and kicked his shoes off, bending down to set them aside before he walked into her place. It was fairly small and decorated simply, a few pictures on the island counter. It was obvious she didn't keep much company in her home, but everything was tidy and clean.

Waving to get his attention from behind the kitchen counter, Alex smiled when he turned her way, "Would you like something to drink?"

[Water.]

"Sure thing." She grabbed a pair of glasses from the cabinet, filling them with ice then water from her filtered tap. Coming back around, she handed him his glass and motioned to the loveseat and arm chair she had, "You can get comfortable, you know."

He nodded and took a seat in the arm chair, sipping at his water and looking around a moment for a coaster before he set the glass down on the end table. She sat across from him on the love seat, folding her legs under her and tucking hair behind her ear. "Hey, Nicolas... Could I ask you something?"

His eyes watched her lips carefully, and he slowly nodded to answer her question. There wasn't much to wonder about what she would ask. After so long, and being invited in, it seemed fairly obvious what she would ask. Though he wanted to have a simple answer for her, he readied himself for a far more difficult conversation.

"I've been really enjoying the time we've spent together. I'd like this, to be more. Do you want that, too, Nicolas...?"

He leaned forward, a thoughtful frown on his face. Not that he was one to smile much, his expression still confused her, and she tilted her head curiously as he looked at her seriously, [I'm sick.] He started there, knowing her sign language wasn't very far yet. She seemed very confused for a moment, since he showed no signs of having a cold, and then it dawned on her and her eyes widened. He nodded when she seemed to understand, and continued slowly, [I probably have less than ten years.]

Her hands were set in her lap, fingers playing nervously with the hem of her dress. Lips pressed together in a tight frown, she wasn't sure what to make of it. Of course, she was glad he told her, but part of her wished he had said something sooner. Then again, she knew that wasn't reasonable, and it wasn't going to change how she felt about him. In a way, though, it was already too late. She was attached to him, and she didn't think she could just walk away. It was sudden, she hadn't ever anticipated to be met with such news about him, but she worked it over in her mind as he watched her closely.

It felt like a long time went by as she thought it over, but barely a few minutes passed. She liked him. She cared about him. There was no reason in her mind to consider the news as something to end this. Of course there would come the time where it would be hard on her. She couldn't look forward to a long life with him. But she could look forward to years, to building something with him. No one ever really thought about whether someone would die early on them, but that possibility always existed. Just because she knew it would happen, that shouldn't stop her from making the most of the time they would have.

Maybe it was a bit early to be thinking of things quite that seriously, but it was better to do so now. She hadn't asked him if he wanted to take their dating to the next level just for fun. She wanted a real relationship with him, so she had to think of it seriously.

She looked up and saw him still watching her intently, and she managed a smile, though there was a hint of sadness to it. He seemed to prepare himself to rejection, and she shifted to set her feet on the floor, "I still want to try."

That surprised him, and his brow furrowed as he asked, [Are you sure?]

"Yeah. I'm sure."

[Do you want more time to think it over?]

She smiled and got up, walking over to kneel in front of him, setting her hands over his knees, "I just want more time with you, Nicolas. It's sad to know that we won't be able to grow old together, but it's okay. I still want to be able to enjoy all the time with you that I can. Do you want me there?"

It was obvious that he was surprised by her answers. He stared down at her, his lips parted, and after a long moment, he nodded slowly, [I do. I didn't think you would want to.]

"Why not?"

[No one wants to stay with someone they know will die first.]

She smiled at that and shrugged, "Who knows? Accidents happen all the time. But that aside, I look at it this way. We won't take our time for granted. We know it's limited, so... We can make the most of it. Right?"

Staring at her a moment longer, he finally smiled, closing his eyes and covering her hands with his own. He had questioned his friend when the man had set him up on that first date with this woman. His attitude usually put people off, and when that didn't, he knew no one wanted to stay with someone that was going to die young. They usually tried, but they didn't have this same kind of outlook that Alex had. They always seemed like they were doing to make themselves feel better. But Alex...

She was genuine.

He had been fine with the idea of living his life without a romantic partner. He had resigned himself to it. But he was glad that Alex wanted to be there with him. Far more glad than he thought he would be, but then, he hadn't allowed himself to hope, even though all signs pointed that she wouldn't let something like that stop her.

He could feel her shift and he opened his eyes to stare directly into her bright blue gaze. She smiled warmly and he could feel her breath as she leaned in close. His eyes closed again when her lips brushed across his, and his fingers tightened around her hands, his thumb smoothing over her knuckles. He could feel her smile against his lips, and when she pulled back, he opened his eyes to look at her once more. She nodded to him, and he let go of her hands, letting her settle on his lap, and he wrapped his arms around her when she kissed him once more.