More than a Myth

Murderer

Noctis was really pissing Lightning off. Just a few days ago he had gone out of his way to comfort her. He held her as if they were old friends. But now he had completely changed. Ever since the night they cuddled together, Noctis barely spoke to Lightning. He didn't come to see her as much. He often left whenever she would enter the room he was in. What the hell was wrong with him?
He played with her emotions; that was what Lightning concluded. Normally, Lightning wouldn't care about a situation like this one. She would have ignored it. But she liked being with him. And having him just cut off all contact with her was infuriating, especially because he was the only one who could answer most of her questions.
Lightning stomped down the corridors. She wasn't sure where she was going. She didn't care. She just wanted to think. As she marched, she heard someone calling her name. "Wait up, Light!" Gladiolus was jogging up to her. She stopped to let him catch up. "Where've you been? You haven't talked much today." Lightning continued walking once he reached her. He followed.
"I've been going where I want to go."
"I see that. But you are obviously really pissed off."
"No, I'm not."
"I'm pretty sure you are."
Now he was pissing her off. She stopped to kick his shin. "Ow! Damn it!" The scarred man yelled, hopping on one foot while holding his leg. Lightning left him behind. He didn't find it worthwhile to go after her. He didn't want her to hurt him again either.
Lightning continued to wander. She couldn't quit thinking about how angry she was at Noctis. She heard another voice shouting for her. "Yo! Lightning!" She turned and saw a blonde Prompto coming out of a room she passed. "What's up?"
She neglected him and kept walking. "Hold up! What's the rush?" He ran up to her and blocked her path. Every time she tried to get past him he would step in front of her again. "Whoa, whoa! Everything alright?"
Lightning had had enough of his stupid friends interrupting her. "Why don't you go ask your dumbass friend?" She growled. Prompto let her get away that time. He was shocked by her question. Did she mean Noctis? What did he do?
Lightning wanted to find somewhere quiet: a place where she couldn't be disturbed. She headed for the library. But Lighting was wrong when she assumed no one would bug her there. Just before she opened the doors, Ignis exited the library. He looked up from a few books he held. "Oh, Lightning. Good afternoon."
Lightning nodded. She had more respect for Ignis than the other guys. He was intellectual, calm, and not a total idiot. "You okay?" He asked.
Not him, too. Ignis wasn't one to meddle in others' business like the Prompto or Gladiolus. "I'm fine."
Ignis didn't seem convinced. Even so, he said, "Alright then." He walked off. Lightning was glad a least one of them would leave her be.
Lightning entered the library. She was relieved to be in a safe, peaceful haven away from the other guys. They didn't come here often, besides Ignis, who stepped in every once in a while. Lightning headed for one of the couches on the far end of the room. Her advance was ruined by a figure bumping into her while coming out of an aisle created by two bookcases. Of course, it had to be Noctis.
He stared blankly at her for a few moments before apologizing. Lightning didn't say anything. She turned and left.
Noctis was torn. His feelings were conflicted. And now Lightning hated him again. Although, Noctis knew he would act the same way if it were him in her position. With the way things played out, it appeared as if he lead her on just to crush her later.
He intended no such thing. He cherished those moments when he held her a few nights ago. But now that he realized who she looked just like, he couldn't look at her without having a flashback: the blood, the cries of fear from around him, one of the guards covering his eyes, telling him not to look. Those memories scarred his heart. It pained him to relive those memories whenever he saw Lightning.
But he couldn't bear staying away from her. Every time she came near him, he tried to force the memories away, but it wasn't easy. He would end up leaving before coming into contact with her. He was a coward. He knew he shouldn't let his mind get the better of him. She was not his mother; therefore, she wasn't to be treated as if she was. Noctis had always feared that his mother would never forgive him for what happened.
He had to find her. She just turned away from him without a word. That hurt too much. He burst out of the library. He saw her walking down the corridor, her hips swaying as they usually did when she moved. "Lightning!" He begged. She ignored him. He dashed up to her and seized her shoulder. She threw his hand off before slapping him. It wasn't as hard as the others she gave him, but it still sent him stumbling back.
"Don't touch me!" She ordered.
"I just want to talk." Noctis answered, holding his stinging cheek.
"So now you do? Yeah, right." She countered.
Noctis knew she was too angry to speak with him. "Just let me explain."
"Okay, out with it!" She commanded, crossing her arms.
He looked her dead in the eyes, "You remind me of someone. I realized it a few days ago."
She gave him an unsatisfied look, "And?"
He let his hand fall from his face. He didn't want to continue. "I... did something terrible to that person."
"How does that give you a right to ignore me?" She snarled.
Noctis looked away. He hated talking about what had happened all those years ago.
Lightning uncrossed her arms. "Right." She started to leave. Noctis didn't follow this time.
After Lightning turned down another hallway, she leaned against a wall, waiting for Noctis' footsteps to completely fade. He stood there for a little bit, but soon left. She didn't get his reasoning. It made no sense. She was upset. She was ready to pound Noctis to a pulp.