Get Jiggy With It

"Are you sure this is wise?" Ignis asked Noct quietly as he strode beside him, his eyes brushing over the destruction of the citadel. They were, after all, surveying the area to find where the most damage was done.

"What do you mean?" Noct asked in a careful tone. He knew what Ignis was asking, but he also knew that Ignis needed to be allowed to voice his concerns. It wasn't all that long ago to him that he would have just brushed his advisor's concern away, but something had happened to him in the crystal. Maybe he really had matured. Now, instead of telling Ignis to shove it, he was at least willing to listen to the man.

"Your relationship with Prompto."

Really, it should have been a surprise that Ignis already knew. It was only the night before when Prompto and Noctis finally acknowledged the feelings they had been sitting on for years. They hadn't even been seen together after their conversation on the balcony. Yet Ignis already knew that something had happened, like he always seemed to know everything about Noct.

"No." Noctis admitted. "It's probably not." He turned his head to give his oldest friend a smile and a shrug, "But the best things in life rarely are."

He was rewarded with a small smile and a shake of his head from his advisor. "There are still some concerns." He told his king, "Prompto's social standing being one. Along with his inability to provide you with an heir."

Ignoring the flush that grew on his cheeks, Noct shook his head, "That doesn't matter." He told Ignis, mustering as much confidence as he could. "In Zegnautus Keep, I made a decision. The social class system of old is archaic, the circumstances of ones birth shouldn't hinder the potential of their life. I intend to do away with it. Where you were born, or who you were born to matters less than what you do with your life. Look at Prompto. He's one of my most trusted Glaves, yet he was born in Nifelheim and raised as a commoner in Insomnia." He stopped their stroll to turn to his friend, making sure that he was being listened to.

"It will look like you're changing centuries of tradition, simply so that you can take him on as a lover." Ignis pointed out, coming to a stop a pace ahead of Noctis and turning to face him. As always, his expression was difficult to read, but not impossible. He was concerned, that was obvious, but Noct couldn't find a single shred of judgement. He wasn't against the idea, but he had a duty to point these things out.

Knowing that Ignis was on his side brought another smile to Noct's face. "Let them think that." He shrugged, "In the end, people will think what they want to, there's not much I can do about that. But we're rebuilding, Ig," He gestured around, "Not just the city, but the world too. Why would we simply replace what we had, when we can build something better? Take this as an opportunity to move on from stagnation and push forward into a new age."

"That may address the first issue," Ignis said with a soft sigh, pushing his glasses further onto his face. "But the problem of lineage still remains. Regardless of how fanciful your notions of a new era are, Prompto will still be unable to bear you children."

That was something that people would be upset about, Noct supposed, but he shook his head. "A new era, Ignis." He reminded him, "I think it's about time to replace the monarchy, don't you?"

That caused Ignis to start, he looked at Noctis for a moment before regaining his composure. "You intend on abdicating?" He asked, seemingly unsure.

"Not right away." Noct started strolling again, Ignis falling into step. "But the crystal is gone. There's really no need for my line to continue. I'm the first in my bloodline to truly have a choice in the matter." And it was true. Because of the crystal's influence, its protection, his line had to continue in order to protect his nation. But now that the crystal's power was gone, used in the final battle with the accursed, there was no need for him to produce a child of blood.

"And who do you propose leads us," Ignis asked, "when you decide to step down?"

Noctis had actually thought about this. There was little else to do while in the crystal than to think, and this was one of the many subjects his brain had festered on. "That would be for the people to choose." He announced. "I don't intend on stepping down until Insomnia is back on its feet. I want to make sure that the people have safe places to live and thrive. After that... we hold an election." He grinned at Ignis, "I would probably vote for you."

"Hardily." Ignis waved the comment off and shook his head. "Though your idea does have some merit. A new era indeed."

– – – – – – – – –

"So... Iggy cornered me today." Prompto joined Noct on his walk, an arm flung over his shoulder.

The sun was setting again, and Noctis had decided to check on the state of the gardens. That small area of the citadel had always made him feel more at ease as a child, and it still seemed to have that power. It was overgrown in places, plants having thrived with nobody to prune them back. In other places, it was all but dead, some plants having not survived with nobody to tend to them.

There was a lot of work to go, and it was unfortunate that this area would probably be one of the lowest priorities. Still, it was nice to be back.

"Oh?" Noct asked, hesitating only a moment before sliding his arm around Prompto's waist and leaning in to him.

"Yep." The blond quipped, his voice energetic and enthusiastic as per normal. There was a small amount of nervousness there, but there were a lot of things to be nervous about these days.

"Did he try to warn you off me?" Noct joked. He knew that Ignis wouldn't do such a thing, but it the words fell from him as an easy banter.

"Nah." Prompto reassured Noct with a shake of his head, "I think he wants us to have kids." He added, "I was all like 'hey dude, a little soon for that kinda talk, don'chya think?'." He chuckled, "But then, he said we've practically been together for like, fifteen years."

"Sounds about right." Noct agreed, "I mean, not much has changed between us." He pointed out. Sure, it had only been a day, but their relationship hadn't actually made any drastic changes. "You were always all over me," He said, ignoring Prompto's embarrassed spluttering, "Pretty sure I still have hand prints on my ass from the number of times you've smacked it over the years." Again, Prompto made an embarrassed sound that Noct all but ignored, "We eat together. Share a bed. Play games together, go for walks. Really, aside from adding a few more... intimate... details, what's changed?"

"Intimate details? Way to make sex sound unsexy." Prompto grumbled, his face a dark shade of crimson, but he seemed to be thinking about what Noct had said. Or at least, Noct hoped he was thinking. He had a look on his face that reminded Noct of their study nights before exams. His brow was furrowed and his lips were moving from side to side over his teeth.

"Prompto?" He verbally nudged his best friend, wanting to know what was going on inside his head.

"Well. I mean... We can't. Not naturally anyway. But I'm pretty sure that there'll be more than a few volunteers to help out." Prompto said, letting the filter between his brain and voice disappear. Unfortunately, it didn't quite help Noct understand what was going on.

"Huh?"

"Surrogates." Prompto said with a shrug, "I mean... Having kids is kinda important to your family, right? And adoption probably wouldn't work, because, you know, they need to be related to you. And even if there were some way for us to make a kid together, that'd probably involve labs and stuff and there's no way I'm gonna let that happen."

Noct stared at Prompto for a moment, his mind rushing through thoughts before he could fully comprehend them. It wasn't until the last sentence that he finally, fully, clicked. "Hey," He interrupted, "On of my best friends was made in a lab." He teased. He wasn't quite sure if it would upset Prompto, to joke about something like that, but it felt so natural for it to fall into their banter, that he didn't think about it until after he said it.

Fortunately, Prompto just snorted and shook his head, "Wouldn't wish it on anyone." He was smiling, so that seemed like a good sign. "Besides, I'm not even sure if I can pass on my DNA." He added, "I mean, it's kinda all screwed up, who knows how that'd affect a kid. Nah. Best stick with yours."

Prompto was still thinking out loud, still contemplating things and Noctis paused. An earlier part of Prompto's ramblings flung itself to the forefront of his brain. 'having kids is kinda important to your family'.

"Prompto." Noct pulled away from Prompto's arm and turned to face him completely. "This planning is all well and good but..." He took his friend's hands in his own and looked into his face, "Do you even want kids?"

"Huh?" The blond looked at him for a moment, as if he hadn't thought of that question. "I dunno." He admitted, "I've been in love with you for fifteen years." He pointed out, and Noct couldn't help but grin at those words. He didn't think he would ever get used to hearing them said so casually. "I never really thought that we could end up together, but that didn't stop me dreaming." Prompto continued, a happy smile on his own face, "And you know, it was always just one of those things that would happen. Part of the package, I guess."

"So you never really thought about having children of your own?" Noct asked, "More like... it was a price to pay?"

Prompto blinked at him for a moment, actually thinking on those words. "Well... I wouldn't put it like that." He admitted, looking a little uncomfortable at the idea of a child being a price. "But dude, if you think I wouldn't adore the shit out of your kids, you'd be sorely mistaken. I always planned on spoiling them so rotten that even Ignis would have trouble cleaning up after them."

Once again, Noct was staring at Prompto. Even knowing how he felt, Prompto had still planned on being there, helping him with his children. It hadn't even occurred to Prompto that it might never happen. What if he and Luna had decided to stay in Tenebrae to raise their children, would Prompto have moved in with them? Probably not. Knowing Prompto, he would've probably rented an apartment nearby.

The devotion that this man had for him almost brought Noct to tears. Knowing what he had done for him, what he would have been willing to do for him, was something that was still difficult for Noct to believe.

Something must have been showing on his face, because Prompto had fallen silent, looking at him in concern. "Noct?" The hands that Noct still held squeezed his for a moment and Noct gave a small nod.

"Prompto... you do realise that the crystal shattered, right?" He asked quietly, watching Prompto's face for understanding.

"Yeah..." The understanding wasn't there yet.

"And that the reason that my family line had to remain unbroken was because of the crystal's blessing..." He added, speaking slowly, hoping that Prompto would understand.

No luck. "Okay..." Prompto was being a little slow today, it seemed.

"I no longer have the crystal's blessing." Noct pointed out, "Which means that my kids wont either."

"So your kids wont be magic. Big deal, I wasn't, and I survived, didn't I?"

Noct closed his eyes and gave a small sigh, "Prompto. I don't have to have kids." He said finally, "And even if I did, there's no reason that they have to be blood related."

"Well, when you put it that way..." Prompto still seemed a little confused, "But you still need to... y'know... produce the next king, right?" He asked, "Or queen!" He added hastily, as if that was the reason that Noctis was giving him an irritated look.

"No. I don't." He said, "When everything's settled, I'm going to step down as king." He told Prompto, "Hold an election for the next leader, let the people decide."

Again, Prompto fell quiet. Noct had forgotten how much he hated it when Prompto was quiet, but he didn't say anything, didn't interrupt his friend's thoughts. Eventually, Prompto spoke again, "Does that mean you don't want kids?" He asked, voice sounding a little vulnerable.

"It means I don't know." Noct admitted, "It was always something that was expected to have to happen, but now..." He shook his head, "Now there's a choice. But Prom..." He made sure he had his partner's attention before saying the next part. "It isn't only my choice. You need to think about it too."

Prompto's eyes widened as realisation finally dawned on him. It was quite amusing to watch, but Noct kept his smile to himself. Now was not the time for teasing. Now was the time for seriousness.

"Noct..." Prompto's voice was quiet, almost timid, "Are we seriously talking about having kids?" He asked, as if the last ten minutes hadn't happened.

"Yeah..." A little confused, and slightly concerned, Noct watched Prompto think.

"Holy shit" The blond breathed out after a moment, "This is real."

"Uh..." Had Prompto snapped? Had this been too much for him? "Yeah..." Noct watched his friend, worry growing as Prompto took a few deep breaths and pulled on of his hands from Noct's grasp to wipe over his face.

"Dude." Prompto muttered, "Bro." He seemed stuck, but Noct wasn't quite sure how to help him, so he just stayed silent, watching his friend and partner freak out, just a little. "Noct. Buddy. You're by best friend. I love you, dearly. But bro. We've been together all of twenty-four hours, and we're talking about having kids."

Noct frowned, willing his heart to slow down to its normal pace. For a moment there, he'd been worried that it was too much for Prompto and that he was about to tell him that he was out. But... He shook his head, chuckling a little, "So you're telling me, that when it was just expected to happen, it was all fine. But now that you have a choice, you're freaking out?"

"Yeah!" Prompto admitted, managing a small chuckle. "Going along with things that's expected, that's easy. You just do what you're supposed to do and everything's fine. But now. Dude, what if I choose wrong!?"

"Choose..." Noct stared at Prompto for a moment, "There's... not really a right or wrong answer here." He pointed out, "You need to do what's good for you..."

Prompto snickered, "That's what she said," He muttered and Noct rolled his eyes with a laugh. "But for reals," Prompto continued, recovering from his immature moment, and stepping away to start pacing. "This is kinda big. Like, life chaining big. Like, what happens if I say I want kids and then screw them up!?"

"Prom-" Noct tried to interrupt, but Prompto just kept talking and pacing.

"I don't exactly have the best role models when it comes to parents. But then, what if I say I don't want kids, and then regret it later? And what happens if I don't want kids and you do, or the other way around?"

"Prom-" Again, Noct tried to interrupt, but Prompto spoke over him, his anxieties pushing him to just keep talking. Noct hadn't seen him like this since they were still in high school, and it was somewhat amusing.

"The world isn't exactly a great place right now, I mean, sure, the daemons are gone and the sun isn't going away again, but there isn't even anywhere for us to properly live yet! There's so much that we need to do, we can't bring a kid up like this, not until-"

Finally, Noctis caught Prompto's shoulders in his hands, stopping his movements and finally gaining his attention. "Prompto." He smiled at the man, moving his hand to gently cup Prompto's cheek. "You don't need to decide now." He assured him. "We can talk it through later." He brushed his thumb over Prompto's cheek. "Lets just... be together for now."

After a beat, the stress and worry on Prompto's face faded. "Yeah..." He said in an awe filled voice. "Yeah... We can do that..." The small smile on his face grew to a big grin.

– – – – – – – – –