kingdoms_of_auradon | And I Wish That It Would Never End

And I Wish That It Would Never End

I wish, my wish

The snow had finally been cleared from the room, the window fixed. And the snow outside was slowly following suit. It was still almost painfully cold outside, but the snow was no longer actively falling, and the more adventurous could find ways outside through upper floor windows. There was no way to get to the shore or anything, but there were odd glittering things in the perfect fairytale snow. The first time someone would touch one, it would grow brighter and brighter until the light exploded outward. The shards of light flew into the school mostly, but some went elsewhere, over and past the tangles of stuff.

When the light resolved, it and the other glittering things - both in the snow and now in the school - would prove to be small magic lamps. Each would have the name of one of the Missrecalled currently in Auradon, and a colour scheme that suits that person. It might be the one who picked it up, or someone else. When the person for whom the tiny jewelry sized lamp was for holds the lamp and makes a wish, that wish might come true. For a short time.

The wishes would only last the weekend, but What a glorious and bittersweet weekend that would be.

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There were no such things as Genies on Eos, so when Prompto found the little lamp with his name on it he didn’t know what to make of it. It was weird that it had his name, sure, but he was getting used to weird.

He’d found it lying in a hallway on one of his walks and snapped a pic of it. A sunbeam coming in a nearby window hit the metal just so and made it almost seem to glitter. He checked the shot and then picked up the little thing. He examined it, confused and a bit unsettled. Yeah. Weird. He rubbed a thumb over the letters of his name. It seemed harmless enough though.

He shook his head and slipped it into the pocket of his new jacket. Maybe somebody had meant it for him and misplaced it in all the holiday chaos. He’d ask around. He scrolled back through the pictures on his camera. There were shots of random objects around the school, like the little lamp, of the scenery. There were lots he’d taken of the frost in the tree branches and the sun glinting off the snow. Even a few candid shots of people he’d met here. He took them mostly out of habit, and as a way to relax. He’d be lying if he said they weren’t also just a bit to show the guys whenever he finally managed to get back.

He chewed at his lip and kept scrolling, far enough back to find his pictures of Leide, of sabertusks and most importantly, of the guys. He paused, thumb hovering over the keypad, at a shot from camp. It was one taken from before the chaos of the last week or so he’d still been on Eos. In the forefront of the picture were Noct and Gladio. The bigger man was grinning, holding what Prompto was pretty sure was Noct’s phone high above his head with one hand, the other pulling on the prince’s collar. For his part, Noct looked miffed. He didn’t have the room to get off the ground, and was tugging at Gladio’s grip with one hand as the other pressed into Gladio’s cheek. Prompto had managed to just catch Ignis in the back, mid eye roll from his place at the camp stove.

He stared a bit too long, letting the Missing fill his chest and crush his lungs, his heart. Being apart from his friends- his flock- it hurt like being separated from his own limb. The phantom pain kept him awake some nights. The not knowing when he’d see them again. If he’d see them again. If they’d be the same, or if he would. How much time might have passed for either of them? It was a selfish thought, but sometimes he wished they were at least here with him, so he wouldn’t have to be alone. He knew he didn’t deserve such a selfish desire. His make believe human life was always going to end, it might as well be like this. They’d wonder what happened to him for a while, and then move on. It was honestly better this way. Still… he’d give anything to see them again.

“Prom?” He whirled at the familiar voice, eyes wide and hope a bloody wound in his chest. It couldn’t be. But standing just down the hall were three familiar figures. He didn’t have time to wonder before he found himself cocooned in dark feathers. Noct’s arms a sturdy pressure around his shoulders. He pressed himself into the hug, every part of him relaxing. Safe. He sighed out the first full breath he’d taken in what seemed like forever.

Eventually he managed to pull himself away. Not breaking contact, but enough to breathe. Gladio’s hand landed firm on his shoulder, and he could see Ignis hovering just behind Noct. There was something off about the three of them. They certainly felt real, but their forms didn’t look totally solid.

“You had us worried Blondie.” Gladio shifted, ruffling Prompto’s hair.

“The next time you decide to run off, do give us a word or warning, would you?” Ignis smiled over Noct’s shoulder, though Prompto had enough practice reading the advisor to catch the tension around his eyes and held in his wings. He was already worrying about where they were, how they’d gotten there, if Noct would be safe.

“Seriously dude, I thought you were dead.” Noct punched his shoulder weakly, wings fluttering unhappily.

Prompto dropped his head. “Sorry, really, I didn’t mean to.”

“Hey,” Gladio chided.

Ignis sighed. “We’re just glad you’re alright.”

Prompto smiled, a bit wobbly. “I missed you guys.”

“Yeah, I had no one to crush on King’s Knight.” Noct slung an arm around Prompto’s shoulders, his wings still hovering over them both, protective. “We should play a few rounds, but first, food. I’m starved.”

Prompto grinned and dug an elbow into Noct’s ribs. “Can’t believe that’s all I’m good for. C’mon, I’ll show you guys the cafeteria. This place is huge.”

“Not as big as the Citadel I’d bet.” Gladio called.

“I’d imagine not.” Ignis pushed his glasses up his nose, and they all pointedly didn’t mention the current state of the crown city. He cleared his throat. "There are a couple things I'd like to know about this place though, if you wouldn't mind Prompto."

He nodded. "'Course, Iggy." They didn’t mention a lot of things as they began the trek through the halls, but that was okay. Prompto was glad just to have the guys around again, even if something did feel a bit off about them. They looked and felt and sounded like his friends, and for now that was enough for him.

Aqua had been walking in with Terra and Ven, her arm around Ven's waist and Terra's shoulders - not wanting to let go of them - when she heard familiar voices. She moved faster, the boys going with her, laughing.

Her face broke out into a bright smile. "Noctus! Gladio! It's wonderful to see you both again!" Then she registered the wings. Not her versions then. But probably Prompto's. She was so happy for him. "I know another reality version of the both of you. I am Aqua, and these are my brothers, Terra and Ven."

The four of them stood close, and the ease with which they navigated each other's space spoke to their familiarity. At the trio's approach the two taller figures slid seamlessly towards the front of the group, Gladio's wings puffing a bit as he did.

Prompto laid a hand on both their arms. "Guys, Master Aqua's one of the people stuck here I was telling you about. She's super nice. Terra, Ven, these are my friends Gladio, Ignis, and Noctis." He gestured to each of them in turn.

Gladio stepped back at Prompto's signal, but he still huffed out a gruff correction. "That's Prince Noctis to you three."

"A pleasure to meet you." Ignis cut in. "Highness..?"

Noct shifted at Prompto's side, taking his arm from around Prompto's shoulders, though his wings stayed perked, curving subtly into Prompto's space. "Yeah, uh, nice to meet you."

Aqua chuckled. "Oh do I ever have stories for you all. Shall we head outside for some fresh air and more space? It's cold, but open."

Prompto feared Noct would start whining at the detour from his snack quest, but the mention of open air was more enticing to him than almost anything else, and Prompto could feel his energy lighten at the prospect.

"That sounds agreeable." Ignis nodded, taking the lead as he often did in bigger groups. Prompto was glad to let him. "Noct-"

"Yeah, yeah, winter gear, I got it." Noct was already reaching into the armiger, pulling out a warmer jacket, gloves, and scarves for the four of them.

"Lead the way." This was Gladio.

Prompto had stopped paying attention though. Noct was here. He could use the armiger again. He reached for his phone, and was more than a little bit glad to feel the familiar tingle of Noct's magic, followed by the weight of his own phone in his palm. He slipped it into his back pocket and shot a grin at Noct. "Dude, you are so on for King's Knight later."

"King's Knight?" Ven asked as Aqua fell in behind Ignis.

"Maybe they'll tell us oncer we're outside and comfortable," Aqua said.

"What I want to know is if the person leading us doesn't know where he's going, would you be following without telling him, Aqua?" Terra asked.

Aqua just smiled. "As we're hading the right way, I guess you'll never know."

Prompto leaned towards Ven, dragging Noct with him since the prince was still hanging off his shoulders. "It's a mobile game. There's a story. It has a kidnapped princess and heroes set to rescue her from the evil dragon and stuff, pretty cool, but it also has a co-op mode. You can play missions together or-"

"Easy Blondie, you can get into it later, I'm sure the poor kid would have an easier time with visual context." Gladio chuckled and reached over to ruffle Prompto's hair.

Noct's grip tightened just enough so Prompto couldn't duck out of the way. "Hey!"

Meanwhile at the front of the group Ignis smiled stiffly. "Apologies, it seems I've fallen into old habit. Although fortuitous I haven't led us astray yet, perhaps it would be pertinent for you to take the helm."

Aqua chuckled at all of it. "How about we head up to the roof. Should be cleared enough by now."

"The... roof?" Ven asked.

"Aqua..." Concern from Terra.

She gave them a warm smile. "I go up there sometimes to meditate. Or I did before the snow."

Ven and Terra exchanged a concerned and very unsure look.

Prompto and Noct were oblivious to the change of moods, caught up in their little scuffle.

Ignis however, caught Terra and Ven's uncertainty. After all, what kind of advisor to his royally emotional brick wall would he be if he wasn't good at reading the room? He raised an eyebrow at Gladio over the group as he cleared the way for Aqua to take the lead.

Gladio nodded and turned a smile on Aqua. "Y'know Master Aqua, we have a saying back home; 'higher you go, clearer your head'. The idea is the higher you go the clearer the air is, which helps you think better. Sounds like a great meditation spot if you ask me."

Aqua gave him a slightly odd smile. Fond and sad all at once. "It is. For a few reasons. But can I be unfair and ask you a favor?"

Gladio rose an eyebrow, easygoing but clearly intrigued. "Nothing unfair about a favour. 'Less ya aren't gonna return it that is."

"This might be one that is unfair on its own. But here it is. If something happens and I put myself in danger to save someone else," she said, softly, "Please do not put yourself in danger trying to save me." Her voice was all but a whisper.

Gladio's eyes slid to Ignis. They looked at each other a moment, before gazes flickered to where Noct was still wrapped around Prompto, then back to her. One might get the impression the two had an entire nonverbal dialogue in the short minute.

Ignis' brow was tight. Gladio crossed his arms. He was still smiling, but the set to his shoulders matched the more serious tone his voice had taken. "Sorry, but I'm not in the business of lettin' people get hurt."

"Neither am I," she said, flatly, still quiet. "Which is why the last time I spent time with a version of you, we both almost died trying to save each other from our attempts to save first someone else, and then each other. And in doing so we put the people we were trying to protect in more danger."

That managed to finally knock the big guy's smile. His eyes flickered back to Noct and Prompto, then Ignis, he carried a grim countenance when he turned back to her again. "Fine. I won't make any promises, but your 'favour' is heard, and noted."

She nodded. "That is all I can ask, thank you," she said softly.

"Don't thank me yet." He shook his head.

"Hey Specs, miss Aqua, we just about there?" That was Noct's voice calling from the back.

"For the love of-" Ignis muttered under his breath. He sighed and turned to speak over his shoulder. "Patience Noct, we've only been walking a minute."

"A minute too long- Hey!"

Prompto had elbowed the prince in the ribs. "Dude, you won't die, be nice."

"We will be there soon. And you might be grateful for the walk when we arrive. It is warmer in here than otu there by a considerable amount."

Gladio shrugged, "Eh, we'll live. Princess back there will just be happy for a chance to spread his wings."

"I heard that!" Came Noct's indignant reply.

"I suspect if I had them I would be too."

"Would wings stop you from being - " Ven started to ask. Terra cut him off, rubbing his hair a little too roughly.

"You can think about teasing Aqua when you can actually beat her at Sparring once. Without help."

"Awwww, c'mon, Terra. I was only kidding," Ven protested.

Prompto looked a bit uncomfortable, though it was obvious he was trying to hide it.

Noct, seemingly oblivious, bumped a shoulder against his. "Hey, speaking of, we still haven't gotten to fly together yet. I bet you're just as clumsy in the air as you are on the ground."

"Hey-"

"Now now. I think Prompto's wings need a bit of maintenance before you steal him away." At Ignis's words Prompto's cheeks warmed and he looked away.

Gladio ignored the awkward air of the conversation and grinned down at Ven. "I doubt I'd have you besting a master any time soon, but if you want I'll show you a thing or two. When I'm not watching over the princess here I help train the new recruits."

Ven puffed up. "Maybe I'll teach you instead. We were taught by Master Eraquis and he's the best Master ever."

Aqua gave him a small warm sad smile.

"Unfortunately," Terra said, "Our Master was never able to teach Ven to be polite."

"Hey!"

"Hey, if you think you got something to teach me I'll give it a listen. I just think I've got a little more experience under my belt than you pipsqueak." Gladio ruffled Ven's hair, an obviously familiar gesture.

"He's always that condescending, don't listen to him." Noct rolled his eyes. "Kick his Alstor bass!" Here his face slipped from smug to confused, before resigned annoyance. Prompto had filled them in on the swearing ban. It certainly ruined the impact of his statement though.

Ignis sighed long-sufferingly. "My attempt's for our young highness have proven equally fruitless I'm afraid."

"Hey!" Ven protested. "I know lotsa stuff, and besides, our Master says you can learn from anyone if you only keep your mind and Heart open."

Gladio hummed appeasingly. "Sounds like a smart man." He grinned. "Guess we'll have to let the steel decide then, huh pipsqueak?"

"Oh please, would you-" But whatever Ignis was going to say was drowned out by Prompto and Noct's chorus of "Fight! Fight! Fight!"

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I have no clue how I lost so many old tags, I am so sorry!

Re: I have no clue how I lost so many old tags, I am so sorry!

Re: I have no clue how I lost so many old tags, I am so sorry!

Re: I have no clue how I lost so many old tags, I am so sorry!

Re: I have no clue how I lost so many old tags, I am so sorry!

Re: I have no clue how I lost so many old tags, I am so sorry!

Re: I have no clue how I lost so many old tags, I am so sorry!

Re: I have no clue how I lost so many old tags, I am so sorry!