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"Mommy, look!" the memory was clear in your mind, the day your mother saw that you had potential.
"wow that's great, did you learn that on your own?" she walked up to the big grand piano your father often sat at, normally you would be scolded for being in his study but today was special, your fathers birthday and you had taught yourself how to play happy birthday as a surprise. You learned by ear with no formal teaching, just what your dad would explain when you asked. Very basic but considering your age and learning all on your own it was a big deal. your mother smiled, she always looked at you like that when you played after that. It was this that played in your head as you followed behind the hearse slowly carrying your mother to her final resting place. You never did get to play for your father. He never made it home and mom stopped singing. Of course, your music lessons never stopped and it made her smile watching you excel at any instrument put in your hands, just like your dad. If you weren't playing she'd sit in the study with a blank expression, just looking out the window, you were only 16 when your mother's health had gotten worse and you were left alone. You visited her in the hospital every day but she never got better. Today she said her last words to you, "I love you" and then she was gone. The casket was lowered into the ground and you tried to keep from crying but you realized that you had already seen your mother's face for the last time, you'd never be able to kiss her cheek or hold her hand as you did all that time she was in the hospital. "If she loved Me why would she not take care of herself!" You yelled to the sky after her funeral was over, she was buried next to your father. "You said you'd always be there for me!" you finally cried, no sobbed, loud and uncontrollable on your knees crying into your hands. So loud you didn't hear anyone walk up to you until a handkerchief was held out to you. you looked up to see a boy not too much older than you with glasses. He said nothing and waited for you to take the handkerchief "thank you..." you sniffed and he pushed up his glasses and said, "your welcome" you both were silent for a bit before he took the flower he had in his pocket and put it in the vase next to your mother's headstone. While you dried your tears you noticed he had attended your mother's service. "Did you know her?" you asked feeling how puffy your eyes are and wiping your runny nose. " Not personally, but who doesn't know the famous opera singer (Y/M/N). I came with my uncle, he knew her and her late husband." he didn't ask how you knew her and you were grateful for that. "Shame I couldn't meet him I can barely remember my father, I never knew any of their friends or that they even had any." you laughed bitterly and he just hummed, "I had lost my parents when I was young," he states fixing his gloves. " For a short while, I became angry. At what to this day I do not know, It's understandable to feel wronged." he knelt next to you and stared at the intricately carved stone. "But No one is to blame for what happened, and she wouldn't want you to feel that way. You're not alone, even if you think you are." he then held his hand out and said, "My name is Ignis," you look at him skeptically and take his hand "(Y/N)" and he smiled, a very slight upturn of his lips but looking into his eyes he held nothing but kindness, understanding, and slight sadness. It made you want to begin bawling again when you remembered his handkerchief that was now balled up in your fist. Before you can hand it back to him he stood up and said, "you need it more," pointing to the silky fabric and straightened his collar. "consider it a promise to meet again, I will be expecting you." Ignis smirked, waved, and turned to walk away. you watched his figure disappear over the hill and felt a little less alone, he was right you can't put blame on anyone for things out of your control. For now, you will acknowledge it will take time to really accept it, till then you will look forward to meeting Ignis again. You stood up quickly and turned to call out to him but it was too late, you didn't see him. Looking at the cloth in your hand you figured you'd have to get creative in order to find him again so you could return it. You sat back down and continued to mourn, but this time in silence, in peace, and fond memories playing in your mind. This is what she would want, it's how any mother would want her child to remember her. Instead of wallowing in sadness, you decided you would focus and pursue the one thing they both enjoyed, music. Your mother taught you that music can touch people without having to even meet, you wanted to help someone like yourself, someone that felt alone, that felt lost, or like they didn't belong. You picked up a guitar and began to practice, all alone in a big house your patents left to you, a few trusted workers kept the place maintained and guarded. You had an allowance, enough money put away by your parents to keep the workers paid and pay for bills or anything else you'd need so you could finish school without worry. Once in an empty music room, you decided to play a song your mother used to sing. The words followed without you even noticing you were singing them, "I was standing, by my window, on one cold and cloudy day. when I saw the hearse come rolling, for to carry my mother away." You also had failed to notice the two-person audience you had acquired, "...But I could not, hide my sorrow, when they laid her in the grave." you strummed the guitar a bit louder and your voice steadily growing stronger, "...By and by lord, by and by..." a tear escaped your eye when a crash from the drum set being knocked over startled you. you stood up so fast you knocked over the chair you were sitting in and dropped the guitar in your lap, "shit." you cursed picking up the delicate instrument as a dark-haired boy helped his blonde friend up from the mess he made, "jeez Prompto you really need to learn how to more quite." he scolded and the blonde just laughed, " I just wanted to enjoy the song from somewhere other than the doorway like some creep." he dusted himself off and the dark-haired one shook his head, "And how is sneaking in any better?" the blonde hung his head in defeat and you cleared your throat blushing. "If you two are finished would you care to explain why you were spying on me?" They both scratched the backs of their heads and looked around avoiding your glare. Prompto was the first to speak "it wasn't spying!" he said in a panic and waved his hands around, "we just heard the music and wanted to know where it was coming from..." he trailed off going back to looking sheepish. "we're so-" he started but the other boy cut him off, "What was that song?" Prompto looked at him surprised his friend wasn't acting shy like he usually does around new people. You narrowed your eyes and crossed your arms, "I don't know... my mother used to sing it." you looked him up and down, don't you know him from somewhere... "I really liked it, it reminded me of..." he trailed off and Prompto could tell he receded back into his shell. It was a bit awkward and Prompto noticed your tear-stained cheek, "are you okay?" he asked and you quickly wiped your cheek, "just dust..." He grinned and wrapped his arm around the other boy's shoulder and said, "Hey you know what cheers me up! after school ice-cream." he was beaming in your direction and you were confused before he nudged the other boy but quickly realized he was not going to help. "Sooo lets all go get some!" he grabbed your wrist and pulled bother you and his friend out the door, "I'm Prompto and this is Noctis by the way!" he introduced while pulling you both along and down the hall, "hello..." you said and Noctis just waved shyly. "I can tell this is the start of a lovely friendship," Prompto said dramatically and wiping away fake tears. After that day the two would find you in the music room after school and drag you to places like arcades and local hangout spots. It had been a while since you had friends, and you had quickly begun to smile more with them around. You still wonder who your song reminded Noctis of but knew that if he wanted to say he would've and never asked. Still, you hope you could play more songs for him and reach him in a way that could strengthen your growing friendship. The same thing goes for Prompto and any other friends you make along the way. After all, your parents wouldn't want you to be alone forever.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Coming home to an empty house had its perks, lonely as it may be at least no one knew or cared for that matter how late you had been out. With your sizeable allowance, you got every month it wasn't hard to obtain a fake ID to give you access to insomnia's best clubs and bars. It helped again that you had more money than you knew what to even do with coming in every month, Had you kept up on bills? Who cares, you always had more than enough now that you were selling that big mansion your father had built when he married your mother. It was a waste of money and you didn't need all the space, you already looked into an apartment near your school. Small, but enough, you didn't need much. you sat against a wall where the corner had a small futon set up for you to sleep, the furniture and other household objects were either in storage or already sold. You had even given your father's instruments away charity and donated all your mother's expensive performance dresses and name brand clothing to any place that would take them. Most of her iconic outfits had gone to a museum dedicated to famous singers and songwriters to be displayed along with unfished or released works by your father. All you needed was your uniform, a few casual outfits, and a few party outfits. Honestly, you feel like a weight was lifted off you when you reduced yourself to the bare minimum. you kept one family photo out of storage. Picking up the frame you touched the happy faces of what was once your family before setting it back down and laying on the futon facing the wall. You didn't even bother to change out of your dress or even get under the thin blanket. Even your shoes remained on your feet as you diffed to a restless sleep not thinking about anything and only seeing darkness. "-ya know what I mean?" Prompto said looking at his two friends for confirmation. "Not really." Noctis said with a small smile when they both looked at you, "hm?" you said finally noticing they were talking to you. Prompto sighed and leaned over the railing dramatically. The three of you were having lunch on some stairs in the H building and you had been zoned out the entire time Prompto had been talking, "Sorry," you said sheepishly. "I was miles away." you chuckled and scratched the side of your head. "you've been spacing out a lot lately." Noctis stated and Prompto nodded his head frantically, "Yeah and you look really tired too!" He said pointing at you and you smirked. "WoW Prompto, that helps my self-esteem." you laugh letting him know its all in good fun and you were not hurt by it at all, "I was just recalling what a good time I had last night." you said leaning into your palm and the boys shared a concerned look, "You went out again?" Noctis asked sipping from a milk carton threw a straw and Prompto added, "That's like what, four nights in a row?" he crossed his arms not looking very happy with you and just laid back on the steps and stretched. "yeah, so what? Not like anyone can tell me No. I have an ID and money to blow anyway, why not have some fun while I'm still young." you shrug. "True." Noctis let it go thinking It would be nice to be able to do what he wants without caring but Prompto wasn't letting you off the hook. " Yeah but that ID is fake! My parents would kill me if I did that, or if they even found out I had a fake ID." He looked around realizing if the wrong person heard you could all be in trouble. Once he decided the coast was clear he continued, "Besides, It's not safe going out alone like that." You sat up with an idea, "Prompto, if you're so worried why don't you come with me?" then you looked at Noctis, "You too Noct, you're always saying you want some freedom. I can get you both IDs at the same place I got mine." You were excited to share a fun experience with people you like, "I can show you how much fun it is and you guys won't have to worry about me." They both looked skeptical so you offered something else, "Okay how bout this, If you guys have fun no more nagging me about my party habits but If things get dicey then I promise I won't go out again unless it is legal and I'm not alone deal?" you said on the edge of the step you were seated on while the two pondered your offer. "I'd have to sneak out." Noctis said looking at Prompto who just held his head feeling pressured, "Uhhmm, Well I guess my parents are going to be gone for a while again.." he said rubbing his hands together in nervousness before gulping and looking determined, "Okay! I'm in." and you jumped up excitedly, "Great! I know just where to go. meet me out front and we'll go get your pictures taken." you packed up your stuff and waved to the boys to head for class just as the bell rang before they could change their minds. "Are we really going?" Noctis asked and Prompto turned to him quickly saying, "wait I only said yes because I thought you were okay with it!" he started to get nervous again. "To be fair I was just gonna go with whatever you said." Noctis shrugged and Prompto sighed, "Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"After school just as you said you took them to a shady part of town and they got their pictures taken. It took a few weeks before the IDs were ready for pick up but when they were you came to school the next day and handed the cards to the boys. "You two are so photogenic." you said letting them take them to get a good look, "I can't believe I let you talk me into this." Prompto looked like he was going to pass out. "I think they look good," Noctis chuckled "so where we going (Y/N)?" Prompto was also interested in what you had planned but you just waved your finger at them. "We meet at Prompto's to get ready, his parent's aren't home and I have a feeling he's going to need help picking an outfit." Noctis laughed, "True." and Prompto yelled, "Hey!" but sighed and said, "Fiiine, my place." When the time did come you were right, Prompto had no idea what club attire was. "You both really couldn't decide on something until I got here?" you said with your hands on your hips as you walked into Prompto's room to see it looked like a tornado hit it. "He won't listen to me." Noctis said from his seat spinning in Prompto's swivel chair "How did you get in!" Prompto yelled throwing his shirt that he was about to put on at your face so you couldn't see him. Knowing he had some body issues you turned around and threw the shirt behind you to him. "watch the make-up Prompto I spent an hour on this cut-crease." you waited while he huffed about the door being locked and to knock before you enter til he said, "Okay you can turn around." You gave him a once over before shaking your head and opening his drawer. "HEY! don't jus-" he started but you pulled out a pair of jeans you thought he looked good in when he wore them. Happy that you were able to find them you tossed them to him, "And try on that vest you got, you really pull it off." you said leaving the room but not before giving Noctis a glance who was still spinning in the chair. You decided he looked fine and closed the door yelling, "I'm calling the cab so use this time to gussy up girls." You heard Noctis ask "Girls?" before Prompto answered, "She has been acting really weird lately." When you three finally made it to Your club of choice there was a long line to get in, "Oh well guess that means tonight was a bust!" Prompto said relieved but you just walked forward and said, "follow me." you walked right up to the bouncer and showed your ID. He raised an eyebrow at the two boys behind you and flipped your hair saying "they're with me," you twirled your hair around your finger and looked up at him through your lashes. The bouncer's expression didn't change but he stepped aside and lifted the rope closing off the entrance. Smirking you walked in swaying your hips and the boys walked stiffly behind you. They both couldn't help but notice how much of a show you put into something as simple as walking, your whole demeanor was different from usual. When you stopped to look around it was like you were posing for a runway and when you located what you were looking for the two realized you went straight to the bar. The boys looked nervous as you ordered drinks for all of you and handed one to each of them. "don't worry it's mostly sugar with like a shot of alcohol." You said taking a big swig of the pink liquid and encourage them to have a taste too. Prompto and Noctis both share a look before taking a big gulp. "Huh, that was actually... good." Prompto says with a small smile that Noctis returns, "yeah." he agrees and you silently cheer in your head. The rest of the night you kept buying them all kinds of drinks till you all lost track of time and even got Noctis to loosen up and dance with you and Prompto. Prompto was even bold enough to get a little handsy with you because you didn't mind the attention and dance with another girl without being shy. Soon you went back for another round of drinks but before you could take them back to the table you guys had decided to rest at an arm blocked your path, "hey baby you come out here alone?" You did nothing to hide that you wanted nothing to with him. "No, but now I am going back to my friends." but he stopped you again. "What those two twigs you were dancing with?" He scoffs, "I bet I'm way bigger than both of them combined." he smirked like that would get you interested. "Ew gross," you laughed, "good luck playing with your 'Huge'," you did air quotes and looked down and saw him cross his legs a bit before looking back up and saying, "by yourself tonight." you let out a loud laugh trying to leave again but he grabs your arm making you drop the glasses and they shattered across the floor. The people around backed up from the mess and watched as the guy grabbed you by both your arms and practically shook you in the air. "How dare you talk to me like that you ugly bitch!" He looked like he was going to hit you but Noctis and Prompto stepped in, Noctis pulling the guy off you and Prompto getting you a safe distance away. Things got out of hand when some bouncers came and threw the guy and Noctis out you and Prompto Running out and helping Noctis off the ground, "You okay Noctis?" you asked holding his face and looking at his eyes to see if his pupils had been dilated after he got punched by that guy. "Noctis?" The guy from the bar said and walked right up to your group and Prompto stood in the way, "You're the prince!" he said with realization, "Yeah, It's you alright, No wonder she's all over you." he scoffed and spat at your feet. "Probably just after your money or something, must come with perks to date a prince." He acted like he was disgusted. "Bet you'd hop on me if I turned out to royalty." None of you said anything to this random drunk stranger and you gasped when he pulled a knife out of his pocket. "Let's see if she stays after I fuck up your face pretty boy." Noctis pushed you behind him and Prompto backed up understandably Unervered. He charged at Noctis and by now the bouncers are trying to break through the crowd that formed but they couldn't before the man slashed his knife toward Noctis but he didn't feel a sting of pain. He opened his eyes and saw someone had stepped in front of him. you covered your mouth and the man with the knife was tackled to the ground by the bouncers. "Gladio!?" Prompto yelled over the commotion and Noctis just stood there shocked and you were just as confused. 'Who's Gladio?' but you realized he took the hit for Noctis and walked up to see if he was okay when you saw blood run down the side of his face, "Holy Six! He needs medical attention!" you yelled but no one did a thing. Shakily you tried to dial emergency services when the newcomer said, "Don't bother, I'm fine. Just doing my job." you doubted he was okay and looked to Prompto for help but he just looked away. "Why?" Noctis said his voice shaking, "why did you let him cut you?! You could have easily taken him down!" Noctis wasn't mad at Gladio, he was angry Gladio was hurt because of him. Gladio shook his head and said, "I am your sworn shield, but I don't only protect you. I protect Insomnia and her citizens, I would never raise my hand or sword to any of them, good or bad?" Gladio explained and wiped the blood out of his eye. You took a tissue out of your purse and he smirked leaning down so you could clean his cut up, "how did you know we were here?" Prompto asked a bit ashamed they were caught doing something they shouldn't have. "Questions later we need to get this taken care of." You said holding the tissue against his face and Gladio smirked, "And you are? I didn't know these two had such a cute friend, do those legs go all the way up?" He said referring to your less than modest hemline. "Not the time to be flirting big guy, we've caused enough of a scene, where's you truck?" Gladio took the tissue from you and held it to his wound gesturing you guys to follow him to his pickup truck and you did.The ride was quite with Noctis behind the wheel and Gladio next to you in the back. Every so often you'd hand him a clean tissue when the last was soaked threw. "Ignis went to your apartment Noct, He was really worried you weren't there, I figured you'd be at Prompto's." You perked up at the name Ignis and subconsciously thought of the handkerchief folded under a fake backing in your pencil case that you keep in your school bag. It couldn't be the same one, you shook your head tuning back in. " Been tailin ya and keeping an eye on you. Your lucky Ignis didn't find you first, he would've put a stop to this little outing." Gladio chuckled a warm sound from deep in his chest but you couldn't help the tears beginning to fill your eyes, "I'm so sorry." you sniffed and when Gladio noticed you were crying he said, "Hey no, I chose to let you guys stay it's not your fault." he looked to Prompto for help because Noctis was driving but he was just as lost, you never cried. "He's right (Y/N), You didn't make that guy attack Noct. Besides we came with you of our own free will." Prompto reasoned but you shook your head. "I wanted to prove I wasn't in danger whenever I went out and pressured you to come and I'm a bad friend for doing that!" you said sobbing a bit louder. It made matters worse that you had been drinking so once you started crying it just got worse, "I was so careless a Stranger got hurt." you wiped your nose on your sleeve and sniffed a bit before looking Prompto in the eyes tearing up some more, "I promise I won't go out like that anymore. You were right, this is my fault!" you brought your knees up when the car stopped. "We're here," Noctis said parking at some fancy looking apartments in a part of the city you didn't recognize. "Prompto already told Iggy the situation, he'll fix you up big guy." Noctis and Prompto lead the way walking in like Gladio wasn't holding five bloody tissues and another about to meet the same fate against his wound. "Let's get you fixed up Gladio." a posh accent said telling him to sit while he put on gloves from a first aid kit and began to get the necessary items to clean his wound. At this point, you were exhausted and crashed on the armchair next to the couch Noctis and Prompto were on. "Well, I think that was enough excitement for a lifetime." Noctis sighed and Prompto agreed, "Never again right (Y/N)?" and you nodded. "Cross my heart, I hope you all can forgive me." Gladio scoffed while Ignis cleaned up the wound carefully and said, "I'm more worried about you guys, that guy was a grade-A creep, thinking he can be grabbing a girl like that, Only wish I'd pushed through the crowd sooner." he looked like he was really ashamed he didn't get there faster. "All done, though It looks like it will scar," Ignis said putting things away and disposing of it properly. "Scars are badass." Gladio smirked, "Not when you almost lose an eye." Noctis argued and Prompto lamely said, "Yeah, what he said."The three fell into a lighthearted banter and you felt like you didn't belong. Soon a mug was handed to you, it was warm and smelled nice. You looked up to see Ignis was handing you a mug of tea, "For your nerves." you took it and said, "thank you" quietly taking a sip, "I was told what happened, you are not to blame for the actions of one fool." he said with a small smile, "I'm still open to talking about it if you'd like. although the subject will be different this time." he said pushing up his glasses and you opened and closed your mouth like a fish out of water. "It's good to see you (Y/N)," he said smile growing wider. He was the same Ignis, his presence made you feel better already, just like before. "I said I'd give your handkerchief back..." you mumbled and by now the other three in the room noticed your exchange. "well then I guess we have to promise to see each other another time don't we?" Ignis said with a mischievous smirk and you turned red looking down into your mug. "I'd like that," you say with a smile and red cheeks."Since when has Ignis had a better game than me?" Gladio had not so quietly asked the prince and his best friend making your face burn more and Ignis clear his throat. In embarrassment, you launched and end pillow toward all three of them hitting Prompto in the face. "Hey, I didn't say anything!" he yelled throwing back at you but hitting Ignis. Straightening his glasses Ignis picked up the pillow, "Every man for himself!" Gladio yelled and picked up another pillow and throwing it at Noctis. "Shouldn't you be taking it easy?!" Noctis huffed throwing it back and the place broke out into a pillow war with Noctis running into his bedroom to get more ammo. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Prompto yelled as Ignis loomed over him with revenge on his mind. Soon you were all tired and it was late. "I should get going, thanks for not being mad Gladio" you had gotten to know the big guy a little bit more during your short game and he was a big sweetheart. Chivalry was not dead as long as he walked the earth. "I'm afraid I won't allow anyone to be driving home tonight." Ignis said matter of factly, "can't risk anyone falling asleep behind the wheel and most of you have been under the influence and that is not out of your system enough to ensure safe driving habits." everyone agreed but you couldn't possibly stay in a roomful of boys. "that being said like a gentleman I'm sure Noct will agree that (Y/N) gets the bedroom while the rest of us sleep out here," Ignis said it like a suggestion but worded it to leave no argument but Noctis didn't even think of protesting calling. "I get the couch!" and jumping up to lay on it and leave no space for anyone else. "I call the recliner!" Prompto yells and Gladio argues "Nuh uh, I'm injured. I get dibs." "aww" Prompto pouts and Ignis ushers you into the bedroom, "She's borrowing your clothes Noct!" Ignis calls and Noctis answers an uncaring, "Whatever," and waves you away. Although you're upset you put your friends in danger tonight it had a really good end and this time when you shut your eyes you dreamed of the four boys camped out in the main room. The bonds you started to make tonight and a field of sunflowers.