Castles they may crumble

[berriedmemories]

WHO:XV Cast
WHAT: General catchall
WHERE: Probably mostly at the XV cottage
WHEN: spring/summer 2025
WARNINGS: blanket CW for depression (Noctis), suicidal ideation (Ardyn, Cor, Ravus), and general PTSD from a bunch of men that've been through hell. See subject lines for specifics

Comments

Hold me like I never did anything to hurt you (Ravus)

[berriedmemories]

Part of the delay had been the sheer complication of their draconic changes. Between Ignis and Gladio both being stubborn fools about their wings, Prompto's uncertainty about all his changes and it becoming increasingly difficult for Noctis to wear clothing of any kind with all his fur no one has been terribly capable of simply going out. Add in the horrible weather and hibernation seems to be the order of the day.

Except that Noctis doesn't mind the weather at all. He's rather made for this sort of climate and despite how easy it might be to simply curl up in bed and accept the excuse to not move at all he has a few things that need to be done. Arranging something sweet and romantic for Ravus is at the top of that list.

Not that it gives him many ideas in the first place. There's a thousand things they could do back home. Here? There's so little to work with.

The idea comes to him while complaining about the lack of ideas to Prompto and by the end of the week he has The Plan. Has messaged Ravus a few times to figure out a time that works best, is grateful all over again that blue dragons are not quite as opposed to the cold as, say, brass. (It's only Gladio's stubborn determination that keeps him up and going in this shit.)

Which is what finds them, finally, in Hast; Noct shrugging a little awkwardly but nodding toward a nearby building. "Okay so it's not like... traditional date sort of thing but... I thought you'd like it." As much as he would love to do the gentlemanly thing that he suspects Ravus would love there's no way for him to really offer his arm to the silver, not with the way his wings are structured. So Ravus will have to deal with Noct taking his hand, threading clawed fingers together and tugging him along down the street.

[errant_knight]

Hast has been an interesting foray for someone like Ravus. It's the sort of place he's only really heard about at the edges of mineral mining reports that filtered through his office in Niflheim. So experiencing it first-hand does make him skeptical of dates here, but, well, all new experiences seem to be surprising him. It's been going well enough so far.

Noctis takes his hand, and Ravus blinks down at their twined claws. His heart does a little flip beneath his ribs, and he glances off briefly when he feels the edges of his lips curl into the faintest smile. Gingerly, he squeezes the younger prince's hand, and obediently follows after.

"Perhaps not, but this is not a traditional situation we do find ourselves in." Which is to say, he's not opposed, nor does he seem to mind. If anything, Ravus already seems content. "What exactly did you have in mind then?"

[berriedmemories]

Noct does his best to match Ravus' pace, trying to maintain that soft, warm contentment that he always seems to find with the other man. An instinctive sort of safety that only one other person inspires in him. But his relationship with Gladio has always been more about challenging each other and with Ravus... well, he'd been that safety net during one of the most painful times in his life. A shelter in the storm.

He has to slow his pace, too used to rushing ahead of Ignis and Gladio, goofing around with Prompto ahead of them while they move at a more leisurely pace. It's nice sometimes, though, slowing down and just enjoying the journey. Of course with the length of Ravus' stride he's really not slowing down that much.

Noct keeps their fingers entwined up until the moment he has to reach for the shop door which he opens with a flourish and gestures for Ravus to go in first. The reason is clear immediately. The shelves are filled with books, some scrolls and maps here and there, a painting or two. The shop is small, they're in an age where books are relatively rare, after all. Noct steps in right behind Ravus, reaching down to squeeze his hand gently but not threading their fingers together so the older man can go look around.

"I know it's nothing compared to-" Fenestala though he leaves that unspoken there on the air. "What you're used to but... I thought you'd like to start collecting again?"

[errant_knight]

There’s no hurry to his pace, but his legs are rather long, and he’s quite used to adjusting for the weight of his arm now. So while there’s no rush, he does still cover ground quickly. Or maybe it only seems to pass so swiftly, enjoying the warmth against his palm, and Noctis’ stride keeping pace alongside him. Something about time flying when you’re enjoying yourself and all that.

When they come upon the shop, Ravus is beaten to holding the door by the other prince. Ravus tilts his head, confused to have his usual role reversed on him, but does step inside when bidden.

He doesn’t need Noctis to finish the sentence to feel the familiar pain of loss deep in his chest. Vast swaths of Fenestala were burned to the ground the day Niflheim came, including much of his mother’s personal library, and in turn, a large portion of his and Lunafreya’s childhood went up in cinders too. Precious memories and stories they shared, little trinkets of flowers and feathers stashed between pages. Gone as quickly as the blade that killed poor Sylva ran her through. What remained, Ravus never truly saw again.

But that’s not here, not now. The gesture Noctis makes means more than Ravus can properly parse in the moment, but he looks back to him with a soft sort of uncertainty. Not one that doubts the other prince’s sincerity, but wonders what he’s done to deserve such a gift. Truth be told, it’s a struggle to find the right words. The ones that express his gratitude properly, how much it means to be given back the chance at old treasures, simply being allowed to have things as precious and delicate as fine paper and delicate fabric spines again. Joys he never knew he took for granted until all that remained to him was the cold steel of Niflheim’s walls.

“I’d like that, yes,” he finally says, voice and expression softening as he looks at Noctis. If there is someone left that truly understands what this means to him, it would be Noctis, wouldn’t it? So he takes the hand that squeezes his own, and gently tugs him near to press a soft kiss amidst the dark crown of his hair. Quietly, just between the pair, he muses on an old memory they share.

“I doubt they'll have an exact copy of ’St. Viviana and the Sea Dogs,’ but we ought to look for something similar. It would be a treasured start to a collection, wouldn't it?”

[berriedmemories]

Noctis' smile wavers as he watches the subtle shifts in Ravus' expression. There's a lot there, a lot for him to process. Noct knew there would be of course but there's still some part of him that wonders if it's too much. Too soon. If Ravus is still too raw from so much loss for the reminders not to hurt more than the gesture to start anew might soothe.

Then he's pulled in close and feels the gentle press of that kiss to his hair and he releases a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Relief enough that he has to press his face into Ravus' chest for a moment to stifle a snort of disbelieving amusement. It's been so many years and so very much has happened he's somehow surprised that Ravus recalls the name of that silly book.

The look Noctis flashes up at him is mischeivous, though. Warm and relieved as he nudges Ravus lightly, nodding towards the shelves encouragingly. "I dunno that they could handle Captain V but you'll never know if you don't look~"

[errant_knight]

"I believe the point was no one could," Ravus says as he follows the guiding nudge toward the shelves. He doesn't part from Noctis' side, even as he sweeps his gaze over the shelves, looking for a tell as to how the titles are organized. He gets some semblance of an idea based on both the tome's purpose, and then its contents. Spellbooks and guides, namely, aren't categorized by things like romance or action.

Once he's found, more-or-less, what they're looking for, Ravus slides his finger over the spine of a curious looking book. He tips it out from the shelf, turning it over in his hands. There's a brief epigraph on the back, and Ravus reads it aloud.

"'The Shark of the Tall Sea tells the tale of a fierce widow set upon vengence for her late husband. Laurentina, alone in the world and against all odds, must navigate both the stormy seas and her own tide-swept heart as she battles pirates and privateers in this action-filled adventure based on a true story.'"

His gaze flicks up from the navy blue binding to gauge Noctis' reaction. There's an amused sort of brightness in his eyes too, before he adds, "will you make me do the voices for this one as well?"