More than a Myth

Happy?

Lightning rolled her eyes. Her friends were bickering. It started out as usual; Snow and Fang fought about something stupid, the others would pick a side, and Serah or Vanille would try to settle everyone down. Fang normally won hers and Snow's disputes quickly, since he was a little afraid of her and her aggressive nature. This dispute, however, was taking a long time to end. Lightning didn't bother listening. She knew it was pointless.
She stared at the castle gates, praying they would open soon. They all had gathered to welcome Noctis and his friends back from Tenebrae. She had missed him while he was gone. Only she still felt strange.
Yesterday her gut suddenly told her something was wrong. The off feeling hadn't dissipated since. Lightning was worried that something may have happened to him. She touched her necklace. She cursed Noctis for not getting here faster and setting her heart at ease.

There was a loud click. The castle gates opened. The group stopped arguing. Two black cars were pulling up. Prompto and Gladiolus shouted greeting as Ignis climbed out. Solis came from another car, probably his private vehicle. Lightning's attitude brightened when Noctis stepped out. Then she became bemused when a blonde woman followed him.
Fang called over to Noctis, "Hey, Noct?"
The prince turned his attention to the crowd. "What do you think, Pretty Boy? Are chocobos cuter than moogles?"
His brow furrowed. "Why?"
Snow explained, "Because Fang thinks chocobos are cuter than moogles." He faced Fang. "Which is untrue."
"Of course it is, you Nudnik!"
As expected, Prompto exclaimed, "No way! Chocobos!"
Fang gloated, "See? He knows what he's talking about."
Gladiolus disagreed, "But Prompto's not the sharpest tool in the shed." Prompto gave him an offended look. "Moogles are cuter." Snow high-fived Gladiolus.
Fang shouted, "Hell no!"
Gladiolus countered, "How can you not adore how they say 'kupo' all the time?"
Prompto pointed out, "But chocobos kweh, which is not as annoying as hearing the word 'kupo' every five frigging minutes! What does that even mean anyway?"
Snow looked to Ignis. "Chocobos or moogles?"
Ignis pushed up his glasses. "I'll be neutral."
Fang glared at Noctis to answer. The prince said, "Ditto."
Snow turned to the blonde girl. "What do you..." He paused. "Wait a minute. I don't know you..." She stared at him awkwardly. Snow threw his hands up. "Ah, what the hell. Moogles or chocobos?"
She giggled. "Moogles."
Fang slapped her forehead. Vanille came up to them. "Is this a friend, Noctis?" Stella wondered why she addressed him so informally. Even she, who was a royal as well, called him lord.
He nodded. Gesturing to her, Noctis introduced, "This is Princess Stella Nox Fleuret, of Tenebrae."
Snow was wide eyed. "Oops. Was I supposed to bow or something?"
This time Noctis slapped his forehead.
Stella laughed, "Oh, don't worry. It's not necessary, Mr...."
"Snow. Snow Villiers."
Stella shook hands with Snow. "Pleased to meet you, Snow."

Noctis plainly went down the line, telling Stella his friends' names. She understood why they weren't formal with him. She guessed they were close.
Noctis didn't see Lightning. He knew she must have been off on the sidelines somewhere. A part of him was glad, since he wanted to see her. But it would hurt.
Snow said, "Wait, you haven't seen Light." Noctis just about punched him in the face to keep him quiet. Those two meeting would result in disaster.
Serah said, "Yeah, that's right." She turned around and waved her over. "Sis! Come on!"
Time seemed to slow as she walked over to Noctis. He had the urge to hug and kiss her hello. But he couldn't. Not after what had happened in Tenebrae.
Noctis muttered, "Uh, hey, Light..."
She just nodded.

"Stella, this is Lightning."
Stella held out her hand to shake. Lightning did nothing until Stella let her arm fall back to her side. "Oh, well, I'm happy to meet you, Lightning."
"Right."
Fang laughed in the background, "Sorry, she doesn't talk much."
Solis finally spoke. "Let's all go inside. It's rather warm out here."

As they went in, Fang confronted Noctis. She had noticed he seemed sadder. Almost depressed. "What's up with you, Pretty Boy?"
Irritated by her nickname, the one she refused to let go of, he responded, "I don't know what you mean."
"Yeah, you do. I can tell you're upset about something. So spill it before I beat it out of you."
Noctis hesitated. "You'll see later."
"Tell me now."
"I can't."
Fang pushed, "Why not?"
"...It hurts."
Fang grabbed his shoulder. The others walked forward as she questioned, "Wait, what do you mean it hurts?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Noctis, tell me now!"
He opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted. Stella ran over, saying, "Come on! King Caelum is going to announce it now!"
She grabbed his arm and pulled him away, leaving Fang's questions unanswered.