Summary: New Gods AU. Canon Divergence! Prompto gets a blessing from Etro during their last year of high school. Before that Noctis and Prompto had bonded together through magic secretly. How long can they keep these secrets from everyone?
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy XV belongs to Square Enix.
Warning: Un-beta-ed, different sexualities, trying to tear a bond, blood, violence, evil politics, snooty nobility, angst
Authoress: Thank you to everyone who commented and left kudos (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤ Sorry this took so long! My life had imploded and well summer's almost over for me(^_^;) Some things in the story have changed from what I originally planned so I've added some tags. Please continue to give support *bows*
People are upset…and so is the crystal.
Renascentia
Pt. 3
Ignis quietly closed the door as he left Noctis and Prompto. Sometimes he swears his Prince lives to solely give him heart attacks. The Duke sighed as he left the infirmary for the night. Madam Solaris had already told the other medical staff, so he did not need to worry about secrets spilling just yet. He had to call Gladio and then report to King Regis.
Heading to his room, Ignis contemplated what this change meant for Noctis and Prompto as he rode the elevator to his floor. For the Prince to have bonded with Prompto was a sure sign he was serious about the blond being in his life. Granted, Ignis always thought Prompto was a decent and kind boy, albeit a bad influence when it came to school work with Noctis. The Duke knew of the blond through Noctis and never really interacted with him outside that. Over the years, Prompto had proved his genuine affection for the Prince and no ulterior motives, which was all Ignis needed to know. Prompto was good for Noctis. He was the friend Ignis nor Gladio could never be because of duty first. If Prompto was now permanently in their lives, then Ignis had no qualms. Adjustments would have to be made to Prompto's life and theirs. The blond would have to get Crownsguard training from Cor or Gladio, and Prompto would have to know the rest of the inner royal circle. Plus…all the etiquette lessons and royal history Ignis knew he would become in charge of teaching to Prompto. Another sigh loosed from the Advisor's chest. And Noctis had yet had the bond talk with him… He felt a sliver of jealousy but now was not the time to wallow.
The elevator dinged, signaling Ignis' arrival to Noctis' royal wing. He stepped out and nodded to a few Kingsglaive guarding the area. He stopped in front of his silver and black door encrusted with his house sigil, a golden book over red fire with two giant white snakes as guardians. Ignis stepped inside to his controlled chaos. The past few days of worrying over the Prince, being worried by Gladio and the King, plus performing his daily duties as an advisor had left little personal time for Ignis. Thinking about the Prince and Prompto had set his mind into hyper-drive while it was already running on fumes. Pulling out his phone, Ignis called Gladio as he searched his closet for presentable clean clothes. Most of his outfits were on the floor or in the dirty linen hamper.
"Hello." A gruff voice drenched in sleep answered.
"Gladio, the Prince had awakened. He's fine now." Ignis sighed as he picked a simple black dress shirt and grey vest. It would do for now.
Sounding slightly more aware, Gladio asked. "So what was all this about Iggy?"
Ignis huffed slightly as he redressed himself. It was 6AM and there was no time for sleep. "Noctis will tell us himself later today. After I report to King Regis, I know his majesty will call a private meeting."
"You sound annoyed." Gladio sleepily observed. It was two hours before he had to get up.
"Only slightly." Ignis affirms as he finished getting dressed. "The danger has passed and that is what matters. Though I'm afraid we will have new challenges."
******[Noctis' bedroom]******
It was in the afternoon that Noctis and Prompto had awaken. After Madam Solaris looked them over, they were deemed well enough to be out the infirmary but still strictly on bed rest. They had been escorted to his room not long after, gathering looks from servants, kingsglaives, and nobles. Ignis had stopped by Noctis's room, bringing a change of clothes for Prompto, and relayed that his father would like a private audience with him before dinner time. That left Noctis and Prompto three hours of free time. There was no way that he would leave Prompto out of this meeting.
The pair lie on Noctis' king-sized bed, staring at the ceiling. They had been in silence the past thirty minutes just contemplating on life Noctis guessed. Prompto's head was in the space between Noctis' head and shoulder. "Hey, Prompto."
"Yeah?" Prompto perked up at the sound of his voice.
"Am I selfish for wanting you by my side?" Noctis asked. Doubt crept into his veins and hugged him around his shoulders. Doubt was a familiar friend. He doubted every second he breathed and every time he moved. Constantly second-guessing his choices, whether about royal politics or how he interacts with his best friend. Ignis' words about putting Prompto and himself at risk echoed in his mind. Could he never have one thing for himself? He couldn't have his father's life or attention. He could never marry anyone of his choosing. He could never physically see and talk to Luna. He could never get close to anyone without royal approval. Why is it the simplest things normal people take for granted he was barred from even considering them?
Prompto gasped as he flipped over to look Noctis in the face. "Dude, no." Thumping the Prince on his chest, the blond shook his head. "I know what you're thinking in that royal little head of yours. Even if it was selfish for you to ask, I was selfish enough to agree. We can both be selfish together. No one can blame you for wanting to stay by anyone's side!"
Noctis smiled at his friend's tantrum. "Oh really? And how do you know blondie?"
Prompto leaned in to nuzzle Noctis' nose. "Because anyone can easily say that if they've never been alone." He whispered. A moment of solemnness passed over them.
Noctis's pulled the blond's body completely over his, smirking. "I suppose an airhead can be right occasionally."
"Hey!" Prompto nipped Noctis' cheek. "Who are you calling airhead!" Their light laughter filled the room. Noctis supposes the coming hardship will be worth it to hear Prompto always laugh beside him.
******[30 minutes before dinner]******
King Regis sat in his favorite recliner with Clarus to his right. It was an old thing like him but comfortable. Its black upholstery was embroidered with silver thread; the Lucis Caelum crest of the dark skull and feathers displayed on the back. Regis waited patiently for his son to start his explanation. They were in his private sunroom. He already knew what Noctis and Prompto had. He could see it forming way before his son could even think about a magic bond. Clarus and him were the same in their youth.
Gladio, Ignis, Prompto, and Noctis sat on the black couch across from the King. Noctis was more so nervous for Prompto. He knew his father would do nothing to him, nor could any old law he didn't know about could. However, Prompto was a commoner and laws applied differently to him. The King could order their bond to break once it's been revealed about the damages to Noctis' health. His father always worried about him because of the crystal's drain and his already poor health. The real worry came from the nobles. The Royal Council could charge Prompto with some sort of treason. As the leader of Crownsguard Clarus could also charge Prompto.
The kind smile on Regis' face set some of Noctis' worries at ease. If no one else, his father's word is final. If Noctis couldn't keep the bond with Prompto at least the blond would be safe from the nobles. "Hey, dad." Noctis started off awkwardly. His father and him had a mutual understanding that they love each other but lack of interaction made it hard to communicate.
"Noctis, I'm glad to see you're feeling better." King Regis smiled wider and lightly chuckled. "Please try not give me and Ignis anymore heart attacks."
Noctis had enough shame to blush brightly. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause any harm or worry."
"The danger has passed now." Regis picked up his chamomile tea and sipped, savoring the flavor. "Tell us what has happened."
Taking a deep breath, Noctis silently wished Clarus wasn't here first. The older crownsguard could sometimes be quick to judge. Plus, Noctis had wanted a more private meeting with his father than this. "I…I made a magic bond with Prompto."
Since Ignis and Regis knew already their expressions remained passive but Clarus and Gladio's quickly turned angry. "You what?" Gladio hissed. "When?"
"I second that statement." Clarus stated calmly. "Prince Noctis, do you realize the gravity of what you've done? You have bonded with just a common boy."
Prompto flinched. He knew people weren't going to be happy. He was a commoner for Six's sake and they were royalty, but Clarus made it sound like he was the ultimate mistake Noctis has ever made. He wasn't special. He knew. He knew. But it hurt to hear someone reaffirm his insecurities aloud when no one but Noctis hasn't given a shit about him for a long time.
"Don't say that." Noctis growled and stood up. He could feel Prompto's miserable emotions through the bond. His best friend was looking at his feet and had a slight slouch to his form beside Noctis on the couch. The Prince wouldn't let Clarus get away with that statement. "He's Prompto Argentum, my best friend and partner!"
"Prince, please." Ignis stood up to calm his highness down, placing hands on his shoulders. "Remember your decorum."
Clarus straightened his back at the Prince's outburst. He replies with a steely edge, bordering on disrespectful. "So you say, your highness. What merits does this boy have to offer you?"
"Sir Clarus—" Ignis tries to stop the fire rampaging.
"And what merits does he not have?" Noctis snarls over his advisor. "Just because he's a commoner doesn't mean he can't be useful. Most of the Kingsglaive are commoners and immigrants. Some of the Crownsguard too!"
"Those Kingsglaive have proven themselves worthy when they passed the King's magic trials." Clarus counters. "The Crownsguard have very few commoners for a reason. They must have a strong magic affinity."
"Why you—" Noctis starts.
"Enough." King Regis' gentle voice cuts through the tension like a sword. "Clarus that was unnecessary and rude. Sit down everyone."
Noctis glared at Clarus as he retook his seat alongside Ignis. The older crownsguard took a seat on the ottoman next to Regis.
"Prompto." King Regis addressed the blond directly. "Did Noctis explain all the consequences of bonding with him?"
Prompto flinched at the King's voice, expecting for everyone to just ignore him like they've been doing. Looking up, he answered nervously. "Y-yes, your majesty. This is for life and I will become part of the crownsguard. There are many new things I have to learn about magic and fighting."
"Very well." Regis said in acknowledgement and sipped his tea again. "Clarus you cannot judge this boy for you do not know him. If Noctis has chosen to bond with him, knowing the gravity of forming and breaking a magic bond, then it is his choice. You did not favor when I bonded with Cid at first, did you not?"
Clarus crossed his arms. "I understand, your highness. But, even Cid had combat abilities and his knowledge of mechanics."
"He can learn!" Noctis snapped, tired of Clarus speaking about Prompto in that manner. "We all had to learn the basics of combat and magic at one point. I'm still learning. Prompto is strong and intelligent, especially good with technology. Not that you knew that!"
"I do not have a problem with this bond." Regis interrupts another argument stewing between his brother-in-arms and son. "Prompto has proven to be a great friend to you Noctis. He is always so kind and polite." Regis nods at the pale-looking blond.
"However," Regis stared his son down in seriousness, wrinkles tightening around his mouth in a frown. "you should have come to me instead of performing the bond in secret though. If Ignis had not figured out what ailed you with Madam Solaris, by the Six if this had turned out differently and I had lost you both." Regis shook his head to clear his anger. "Even if Prompto and you had come to an understanding about being in a magic bond, you had yet learned everything nor did you consider how rapidly it would change both of your lives. As punishment, you and Prompto will come to live in the Citadel starting today. Prompto will start his lessons in combat, magic, and royal behavior after the bed rest period. Noctis you will help learn by teaching him with Ignis and Gladiolus. Once you both finish the remainder of your schooling, Prompto will go through the Crownsguard trial and be inducted formally. The magic bond will remain a secret until after graduation."
"Dad—" Noctis protests.
"No Buts." King Regis stands up, leaving his empty tea cup on the black coffee table. "These are my final words on the matter. I shall see you all for dinner." With a sweep of his elegant cape, the King makes his way out the sunroom with his cane; Crownsguard quickly came to their king's side.
Clarus, Gladio, Ignis, Noctis, and Prompto stand up as well in silence. "My Prince." Clarus is the first to leave with a bow in Noctis' direction, leaving to catch up with Regis. For an old man walking with a cane Regis was fast.
Noctis shook with quiet anger.
Exploding in his own anger, Gladio stomps over in front of Noctis and grabs the collar of his black shirt, lifting him from the floor. "How could you do something so reckless?"
"Please don't—" Prompto pleads.
"Shut-up!" Gladio barked at Prompto. "Answer me Noct!"
"Gladio let him go now!" It was rare for Ignis to raise his voice. He was one of a quiet disposition even when distressed. "If this is his highness' decision then we should stand by it. There is no need to get angry over this."
"I regret nothing." Noctis's cool voice washes over them. The Prince stared into Gladio's angry face without hesitation. He didn't know where all this confidence was coming from today but who was he to question it. "It wasn't reckless or stupid despite what you may think. I could have handled the situation better but I didn't and I have paid for it."
Gladio growls, letting Noctis drop to the floor. "Waiting until it's too late is not how a king handles things." With that the shield leaves the group, heading towards the dining hall.
Ignis sighs heavily. Emotions were high for everyone involved and the best he could do was damage control. If he felt a sliver of jealously earlier, he could only imagine what Gladiolus felt. "Highness, I will handle Gladio." Placing a hand on both Noctis and Prompto he gives them a small smile. "We will do the best we can these coming months. Prompto, welcome to the Citadel." The advisor follows Gladio out the door.
"Prom…I…" Noctis turns to Prompto. His bond-mate was lost in hysterical thoughts. "Prom! Snap out of it!" Their fledgling bond was a chaotic storm in their minds.
The blond was absolutely scared shitless. He was almost as pale as the hospital sheets they were lying on not too long ago and he bit his bottom lip so hard that it turned white. Royalty and nobility were scary, and granted Regis and Noctis were not the typical royals so that didn't make him feel better. Nobility made up most of the court, right? If that was how Clarus felt, who's to say everybody else doesn't think worse? Was that how they felt all these years he's visited Noctis at the citadel? What did Ignis and Gladio think privately? Prompto could still feel Gladio's heated glare on his skin and he shivered. He knew it was going to get rough and this was only the beginning.
You aren't good enough!
You don't belong here foreigner!
Immigrant swine! Get out of my shop!
You fat pig! Go buy your own food!
How do expect to play with us when you're such a loser?
Haha the fat blond kid fell!
He's just a common boy.
Prompto hadn't realized he had fallen to his knees until Noctis visage focused in front of him. "Prompto! Breathe!" The sunny blond had started hyperventilating. Gasping like a fish out of water, Prompto tried to focus on Noctis' frantic assurances of "Breathe!" until he could feel his lungs no longer burning and he could focus on Noct's hands on his shoulders.
The future crownsguardsman laughed weakly. "Sorry Noct. I think I got overwhelmed." Their magic bond stopped wailing in tandem with Prompto and smoothed to a medium-sized storm instead.
"That's alright." Noctis kisses his forehead tenderly. "Let's go to my room. There's no way we're having dinner like this."
Prompto frowned. "I'm sorry Noct. I didn't know my presence would cause such a stir."
"Shush, you." Noctis pulled the blond to his feet. Thankfully the Kingsglaive left them alone. "Since when has my Prompto not caused a stir?"
Prompto cracked a dry smile. "Since when has my Noctis been such a dork?"
Hitting his shoulder playfully, Noctis rebutted. "Says the one who throws peace signs in every selfie."
"Hey!" Prompto's indignant cries were cut off as Noctis stole a quick kiss. Prompto wasn't letting Noctis get away so easily. He pulled the Prince back for a second and third kiss.
"Oi," Noctis paused after the fourth kiss. "I'm actually hungry you know."
"One more." Prompto said as he kissed Noctis more deeply. The bond sighed with happiness between them. Since they've shared hundreds of kisses by now, Prompto didn't feel ashamed to kiss Noctis in the slightly more public sunroom. The Kingsglaive were sworn to secrecy unless royal lives were in danger anyway.
Noctis hummed as they pulled a part. "We can order dinner to my room, okay?"
"Okay." Prompto nodded as the Prince hooked arms with him. He could feel Noctis was worried and curious about his episode through the bond but chose to talk about it tomorrow. That was fine with Prompto. All the blond wanted to do now was eat and cuddle the night away.
******[Ignis and Gladiolus]******
"Gladio!" Ignis called the umpteenth time to the storming shield down the hallway. "Gladiolus Amicitia do not walk away from me!"
"What Iggy!" Gladio seethed to the Royal Advisor. "Is it wrong for me to be angry?!"
"No." Ignis stopped short of crashing into the shield. They were in the hallway by the Rose Garden. Ignis figured that none of them would show up to dinner with the King and the other nobles. Gladio had been so pissed off that he stomped his way to the other side of the Citadel in a matter of minutes, leaving Ignis shy of running after him. "I merely ask you listen to me."
Gladio growls. "I know its irrational Ignis but I can't help the way I feel."
"You're jealous." Ignis stated.
"Iggy don't—" Gladio started.
"I am too." Ignis stepped closer to Gladio and stared up into the burning amber eyes. "You think I wouldn't be? I'm not heartless just poised." He slid his hands over Gladio's shoulders gently massaging them. "I'm not saying you should not be angry. I'm not saying you should not feel jealously like I do. All I am saying is for you to give our Prince more time. Control your anger until then and do not take it out Prompto."
Gladio huffs but slowly relaxes into Ignis' ministrations. Besides Ignis, only his family was brave enough to face the shield's wrath. "It's…it's just not fair Iggy. I—I thought me and him made progress over the years."
Cupping Gladio's face, Ignis brought their foreheads together. "I do not know what goes through Noctis' head all the time. No one but Prompto and the crystal has an inkling now I suppose." The advisor chuckles. "However, it does not mean he does not want to bond with us. We have not failed. Noctis loves us in his own way and as long as we support him we too can show our love. We must have patience."
Gladio sighed sadly. He knew Ignis was right. Being the oldest out of the them, he shouldn't let his emotions cloud his judgement. By law Noctis would have to bond with them when he ascends the throne, but if there is not enough trust and love between the bonding parties then it is Gladio and Ignis who have failed in their duties as Shield and Advisor. Gladio encircles Ignis' waist with his arms. The two were close because they were the same age and had to start learning their duties before Noctis. That and Gladio can admit Ignis is a very handsome man who is caring and kind. "I'll apologize tomorrow. Fair enough?"
"Fair enough." Ignis concedes.
******[3AM-Witching Hour]******
It was the dead of night. Except for the night detail of Kingsglaives, everyone in the palace was asleep. Until Noctis awoke to a piercing scream in his head.
HOWCOULDYOUHOWCOULDYOUHOWCOULDYOUHOWCOULDYOU
Vaguely aware of Prompto snapping awake beside him. Noctis gritted his teeth, trying to understand the message the angry crystal relayed to him through heated buzzing energy.
WHEREISHEWHEREISHEWHEREISHEWHEREISHE
WHERE IS HE
The confused bond told Prompto that his bond-mate was in pain. He heard a loud scream in his head a moment before Noctis jumped up in the bed. Prompto was slowed from sleep and fought to keep his eyes open. "Noc…tis?"
The Prince had grabbed his head with both hands trying to block out the crystal's wailing. Because Prompto was not connected with the crystal like Noctis, he could not understand the crystal's words. He could hear the screaming though and he grabbed his bond-mate in fear when Noctis did not answer. "Noct!"
"I'm—I'm fine." Noctis heaved. "They crystal…it wants…something… a male…"
BRINGHIMTOMEBRINGHIMTOMEBRINGHIMTOMEBRINGHIMTOMEBRINGHIMTOME
WHO YOU STUPID CRYSTAL!?
PROMPTO ARGENTUM
Noctis gasped as he heard the name. "It wants you." He turned to his best friend, eye blown wide. "For some reason it wants to meet you."