A Man Of No Consequence (Ardyn x Reader)

Into the Dark

The snow crunches under your boots as you walk up the steep hill towards a large wooden cabin in the outskirts of the Citadel, the pale ground providing some light amidst the darkness. You push yourself tighter against the tall, warm body you're sharing the long jacket with. Ardyn wraps his arm around your waist tighter, pulling you up lightly, guiding your steps. The hefty, calmly falling flakes of snow stick to your eyelashes, and you close your eyes briefly, knowing that you don't need to see where you're going, only follow.

Your arm firmly around him, your cold fingers look for shelter inside his trouser pocket. He lets out a gentle chuckle and you lift your gaze, meeting the softly smirking amber.

I had no idea, back then...

An elderly man dressed in a suit opens the heavy looking door.

"Welcome, sir, miss. Weren't expecting you so soon."

He takes the coat and gives it a shake outside, before hanging it up and pushing the door shut.

"The missus is making the bed upstairs, but everything else is ready. I've made a nice fire that'll warm you up. Is there anything you'd like right now?" He looks at you: "A nice warm drink perhaps?"

Smiling, you nod. "Thank you." The man gives you a little bow and makes his way to the kitchen.

You take a look at the cabin, a vast room with huge rugs laid across the floor, several big armchairs, and a large fireplace at the back, a staircase that leads to what you guess to be the bedroom, and an open kitchen underneath.

"Little perks of working for the Empire," Ardyn grins. "I hope this will suffice?"

"Of course..." you sigh. "For how long?"

"For now," he responds, taking your hand. "Come by the fire. I can tell you're exhausted, you poor thing. All those things you've wanted to know, I'll share with you now."

You take a seat opposite the fire, proceeding to take off your boots. Ardyn offers you a blanket that you gladly accept, tugging your knees in and wrapping yourself in the large, soft cover. The smell of hot cocoa drifts from the kitchen, and soon the elderly man brings over a warm cup of chocolatey comfort. You thank him asking for his name.

"It's Robert, miss. Me and the missus will be looking after you while you're here."

Wrapping your fingers around the mug, you breathe in the pleasant scent.

"Just like when we were little," you smile to yourself.

"Tell me," you look up to see Ardyn observing you with a gentle gaze, sitting in the armchair opposite. "Tell me about that time, about your youth."

His request perplexes you. You've spent so much time playing cat and mouse with this man, you didn't even consider that he barely knows anything about you. Why now?

"Umm..." you start, trying to think about something worthwhile to recount to him. "What would you like to know?"

"Anything." The fire reflects in his eyes, making you feel like he sees right through you. "Talk to me about yourself."

"Well..." you chuckle, taking a sip of the cocoa. Hesitantly, you tell him about how you used to fight with your cousin over who got to clean the pot when your grandma made you hot chocolate. Of course, cleaning meant using your finger to wipe up any remaining chocolate and then licking it off.

He smirks at the story, seemingly pleased. "Tell me more."

It takes you a moment to feel comfortable talking about yourself to him, but after a few silly anecdotes, you find you're telling him everything; where you lived as a child, where you studied and what you wanted to be when you grow up. You tell him of your first love, slightly embarrassed, but he finds everything fascinating, only rarely interjecting with little questions to keep your narrative going. You tell him about the Kingsglaive entry examinations you took part in, and how badly you did.