It's All in the Wrists
Chapter 4: Mercury Chasms
Prompto slowly was roused from sleep. Though he didn't want to, not if that meant he would have to move. Noctis was sleeping on him, and the king was rather clingy in his sleep as that mop of dark hair was resting on his chest. Prompto smiled a little despite himself as he realized where the king's hand had gone, pushed under the waistband of his pants to grip him, as if palming him in his sleep would make it so he would never leave.
"You're a very spoiled king," He whispered to his sleeping lover, well...almost lover. He shifted into his warmth, smiling at the way Noctis also shifted to get closer to him. He peaked up towards the top of his head, smiling at the baby chocobo sleeping there. Life was perfect. Had life ever been this perfect? How was it that he had never realized that they could really be a thing? Noctis had said he had always had feelings for him, so why had he been so afraid? Why hadn't he just told Noctis the way he felt?
"Not time to wake up yet…" Noctis whispered, refusing to be roused as he snuggled closer into his neck, and Prompto felt his heart do that odd thing in his chest again that he related to happiness.
"We have to catch some chocobos, remember?" Prompto asked, and he turned into those warm arms seeking for a slow morning kiss, their lips barely sliding together. He adored this man beyond reason. All he wanted in the entire world was to stay in this moment, in Noctis' arms.
"Mmm...we caught a chocobo...he's nuzzled in my hair right now," Noctis tried for one more sleepy kiss, and ended up catching just his lower lip. He bit it slightly, before mouthing his way down his chin, lips resting on his pulse.
"Well technically we hatched him...small diff…." Prompto's voice cut off in a full scale gasp as Noct's hand began to move, pumping him as slow as his open mouthed kisses along his neck, sucking his sensitive skin and leaving welts. His legs tightened around that hand to still it, his own gripping the king's. "Wait…" He'd never been touched before. Noctis' hand was the first besides his to ever grip him there, and well...he was nervous.
Those fierce blue eyes were more awake now as he sat up to stare down at him, hand gripped tight around his burgeoning erection. Whatever he saw in his face seemed to change his plans, because that hand withdrew from his waistband.
"Don't be afraid of me, okay?" Noctis asked, thumb tracing over his lip. "I would never hurt you...I know I got rough with you last night, but we can take it as slow as you want." Noct's finger tasted salty as a bead of precum spread over his lower lip. He pressed that thumb into his mouth, and Prompto did his best to clean it, tongue sliding over the digit as he gave a little suck. "So eager to use your mouth, aren't you?" He growled softly with arousal, and then kissed him fully for the first time that morning.
Prompto was panting by the end of it, and his stomach was clenched so tight he could hardly breathe. His hands had come up, fisting in Noct's hair, panting as he rocked up against the body above him. They traveled down, raking down the king's back, drawing the black t-shirt up to get to flesh, nails digging into skin.
Noctis moaned into his mouth and pulled back. "I can't be patient if you keep doing that."
Prompto rose an eyebrow. "You can be patient? Since when?" He smiled as Noctis did, and hugged the king to him as he once more laid on his chest.
"I was going to tell you about the dream I had last night before you woke up looking so delectable," Noctis murmured into his neck, and Prompto noticed how Preen waddled over to once more burrow in his hair.
"I've been sleeping on a dirty cave floor all night...I don't think I'm that delectable," Prompto murmured, rolling his eyes. "Preen seems to like you...motherhood suits you."
Noctis' mouth fell open in mock outrage, hands sliding up Prompto's sides and pushing up his shirt. "Oh, I'm the mother?" He asked, and Prompto had to bite his lip to stop his stupid grin as he nodded. "Very soon my darling brat, I'll make you pay for that statement."
"Such things you promise me," Prompto mocked, rolling his eyes. "So, you were going to tell me about this dream you had?" He asked his king, playing idly with those dark spikes as he shifted under Noctis, frustrated the other wasn't touching him anymore.
If Noctis noticed, he certainly didn't seem to care, for he just continued to lay on his chest, head right above his heart. "I dreamt I talked to a guardian," He finally said, his voice strangely quiet. "He wasn't one that I've seen in any books, and I've never heard Luna talk about him. He rode a gigantic steed...it was dark as night with haunting red eyes...he had red eyes too. His name was Alexander, and he told me that my fate was to die."
"Noct it was only a…"
"It wasn't. It was real," Noctis argued, sitting up and Prompto saw the fear on his face. "The Guardians' plan is for me to die for Lucis...The King must sacrifice for his people, and as such I have no other choice to obey. However, he told me that there was another way. He said there was a power I could be granted."
"Yeah Noct...the ring," Prompto tried.
"No. Not the ring...the ring was killing my father long before he was murdered," Noctis explain, running his fingers gingerly across Prompto's cheek bone. "It drains the life from you. That will only kill me faster." The blond arched as Noctis leaned in, mouth latching on his pulse as he bit hard. "I'm not afraid of dying Prompt...but I don't want to die yet. Not when I just got you."
Prompto let that sink in, not able to do anything but breathe underneath the other. It couldn't be true. The fates couldn't possibly be so cruel as to take him away. Not when things had finally come together. Not when he knew a little of what happiness could be in this accursed life. "What did Alexander say to do?" They would do it...if it went against this mission and Lucis itself they would still do it, because he wouldn't lose Noct to anyone...even the gods.
"I dunno…" He murmured his reply, sitting up fully this time as he grabbed for his jacket. "I woke up before he could say. I'm sure he'll come back...we're still a long ways from being to the point of no return. It'll all be fine."
"How do you know that?" Prompto snapped at him, and it came out rougher than he was used to talking to his king. He didn't care though. Noctis couldn't just tell him something like that, and then act so nonchalant with their lives.
"Hey…" Noctis tilt his chin up, leaning down to kiss unresponsive lips. Prompto grit his teeth as he glared at him as he tried. The stubborn idiot didn't relent until he gave in, parting his lips slightly and sighing as Noctis truly kissed him. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
Prompto rolled his eyes at that, shoving Noctis back as he sat up himself. "People only say that when they know it's hopeless. You can keep your kisses to yourself from now on."
"What?" Noctis asked, and then tried to grab for him as Prompto stood up. "Are you serious? Prompto…" Prompto pulled on his shoes, stepping back out of the grab. "Prompto!"
The blond shook his head as Noctis called after him, in no mood to deal with that mess. He didn't know how he had let a dumb dream ruin his happy morning, but any good warm fuzzy feelings were officially trampled. Now he hurt from sleeping on a cave ground, was worried to death about Noctis, and he was in severe need of a bath. The only one he could do anything about now was the third, and so that's what he was focused on.
He froze, however, when he got to the car, realizing his day was about to get a whole lot worse. His stomach tightened with nerves, protesting from the stress and lack of food as his eyes wondered over Ardyn sitting in the Regalia. He turned to warn Noct, but the other was already approaching him with Preen in his arms. He didn't need to ask if he had seen Ardyn too, because Noctis' face had taken on a cold demeanor that he reserved for all the Nifs. ...Himself excluded he supposed.
Prompto moved in front of Noctis, as if to block him from the shitshow that was about to happen. He didn't know what Ardyn's game plan was, but he knew enough about him to know he couldn't be trusted. He had been around for as long as he could remember. That didn't make sense of course, but what made even less sense was why he was helping a king from Lucis. They were getting played, only they weren't smart enough yet to figure out why.
"We could just pretend we didn't see him?" Prompto suggested, frowning as Noctis handed Preen over to him. "What do you think he wants?"
Noctis shrugged. "Nothing good...We will be talking as soon as we get rid of him," The king bit out under his breath as he walked the rest of the way to the car. Ardyn seemed to be lounged back in the Regalia with his boots propped up on the dash. Ignis was going to kill him. "Ardyn," Noct greeted. "I would say it was nice to see you, but it isn't, and my father always told me it was wrong to lie."
"Oh?" Arydn asked. "Is that before or after he got a sword through the chest?" He asked with amusement. "I want to say before, but you never know with you Lucian Kings...weird hokey powers and the like."
Prompto noticed the way Noct's hand began to glow. It was obvious it was taking everything in him to stop from summoning his weapon. "I repeat….what are you doing here this time, Ardyn?" Prompto had come to discover long ago that his brat of a king's temper was nothing to be trifled with. With what had just happened in the cave, he would definitely say he was in a bit of a mood.
Ardyn stretched dramatically, before getting out of the car and coming to stand in front of the pair. He grinned knowingly. "So...you finally admitted your feelings. I'm proud of you Noct." He mocked. "Beautiful choice." Noctis' hand glowed even more, and Prompto could see the vein in his neck straining. "Given what he is."
Prompto felt his heart stop, vomit welling up in his throat. Preen kwekked in protest as he squeezed him a little too tight, black spots dancing in his vision. He couldn't know...nobody knew.
"What he is?" Noctis growled, voice shaking with barely repressed anger. "What are you talking about?"
"His upbringing of course," He winked at them. "Someone has been setting their sights high." He teased, and then turned to Prompto. "My...you're all grown up, aren't you?"
"What are you talking about?" Prompto asked, feeling self-conscious. He didn't need to worry long, however, because soon it was Noctis standing in front of him.
"How about this...you keep your fucking eyes off him and how grown up he's become. Freak." Noctis hissed, summoning his blade. "For the last time, what do you want?" He questioned. "If I have to ask again it will be with a weapon."
"Feisty!" Ardyn exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "I do love that about you, Noct." He tilt his head, hat hiding part of his face. "I have a mission for you. Interested?"
"Not even slightly," Noctis snapped back, crossing his arms stubbornly.
"Oh, Noctis. Don't be so hasty," He clucked his tongue, wagging a finger. "You haven't heard the details. The devil is in the details you know. Have you ever heard that saying?"
"I have far too many demons in my life to care about one devil," Noctis countered with. "But if it will get you to go away sooner you can tell me the details."
Arydn grinned triumphantly, clapping Noctis on the shoulder. "That's the spirit! I knew you would listen to reason. "Now get in the both of you. I'll give you directions."
Noctis frowned, making no move to get in the car. "You haven't told us what it is yet."
Ardyn rolled his eyes. "What does it matter, Noctis...you've hunted frogs for missions before, are you really telling me that that intrigue of yours isn't at least curious as to what I might have come all the way out here to show you. Honestly, chocobos?" He asked, raising an eyebrow at Prompto. "So uncivilized."
He couldn't help but feel like Ardyn was focused mainly on him, eyes raking over his dirty form. It made him feel filthy in a way that had nothing to do with not having a bath. He stepped closer to Noct, pressing slightly against his back. "We don't have to go."
Noctis looked back at him, lips pressing to his cheek. "Yeah we do...let's just get it over with. Maybe he will give us some gil for it and I can actually buy you dinner tonight." Prompto turned his face away, and he saw Noctis frown. "Really? You're going to act like this because of a dream?"
Prompto frowned at him. "Oh? I thought it wasn't just a dream?" He challenged, going towards the car. He stared at Ardyn. "You have to sit with Preen...deal with it." He grumbled, making sure Preen was secured in the seat belt. Preen let out a wark to let him know he was comfortable. He crawled into the front seat as Noctis got in as well.
Ardyn leaned up towards him, and Prompto felt a whole body shudder go through him as a hand slid up the back of his bnck, a mouth at his ear. "Do you think I don't know who you are?" He whispered, pulling back at Noct's glare.
"Sit back and keep your hands to yourself," Noctis growled, starting the car. "Where are we going?" He shifted into gear, pulling out onto the road as the tires spun out.
Prompto gripped the side of the car, not sure if he was more afraid of the psycho in the back seat, or the maniac driving. 'I know who you are' That's what he had said. Not...I know what you are. They were two completely separate problems, and if Ardyn knew about them, well how long until Noctis did? How long before this entire thing burned around him? He felt sick, bile rising up his throat as he couldn't seem to breathe. He didn't argue when Noctis reached out and grabbed his hand, and he couldn't find a reason to pull it back again.
Ardyn whistled at the ballsy move as Noctis sped down the road. "Out in the open, eh? What if I were to tell Lady Lunafreya? What then?"
Noct glared at him through the rearview mirror. "If you could get your hands on Luna, I very much think you would have already done so. But you haven't. Or is that yet another one of your games?"
"You seem to find me a very treacherous person," Ardyn responded with.
"Well I'm not blind," Noctis retorted, and Prompto felt him squeeze harder. "Take for instance this...It's because Gladio and Ignis aren't with us, isn't it? Waiting for us to be alone."
"Waiting for somebody to be alone," Ardyn agreed. "You seem to think you're awfully important. You're not the first King of Lucius."
"No," Noctis agreed with him. "Just the only one left alive. Should I think that's a coincidence given you knowing so much about my family?"
Ardyn laughed. "Are you accusing me of having something to do with the death of your father?" He whistled. "My my my...you do have delusions of grandeur. Tell me Noct, why would I go through so much trouble to ruin your life and then help you every step of the way?"
"Are you helping me?" Noctis asked, speeding up. "Is that what all this bullshit is, because I would call it yanking my chain."
"Maybe I'm just trying to lead you to the truth?" Ardyn suggested, and Prompto flinched as their eyes met in the mirror. He looked away, staring out at the road.
"The truth about what?" Noctis growled, obviously frustrated with this conversation, hardly making the turn as Ardyn pointed it out. Prompto saw that they were climbing up a mountain trail, wanting to ask where they were going, but not trusting himself to speak to the sociopath behind him.
Ardyn sighed, leaning up between them. "What do you really know about Nifelheim and it's inhabitants, Noct?"
Prompto stared down at the floorboards, face pale and skin clammy as he gripped the fabric of his jeans. This was it. This was the moment when it all went to hell.
"I know enough," Noctis replied. "I know that they destroyed my city, killed my people, and broke apart the only family I had left." He took another sharp turn. "I don't need to hear your lies to know beyond that."
Ardyn laughed, leaning back and petting Preen. "So stuck in your ways...I get it...But one day you'll want to know the truth. I'll be here to help you out on that part."
"Can't wait," Noctis said sarcastically, and Prompto could feel him glance over. "Are you okay? Car sick?"
Prompto inhaled, trying to stop his heart from panting. "A little," He lied. "Maybe it's the altitude"
"Don't like high places?" Ardyn asked, amused. "Must bring up bad memories or something."
Prompto growled, turning to look at the asshole. "What is your problem!? Why are you dragging us all the way up this stupid mountain!?" He poked Ardyn hard in the chest. "Riddles...insinuating...fuck off. How about that?"
"Oh?" Arydn asked him, obviously amused by the anger. "Will you help me in that regard?" Prompto didn't know what came over him, but he punched that smug bastard as hard as he could in the nose.
Blood sprayed as Noctis swerved in surprise, almost sending them careening off the side of the mountain as the car spun, doing a full 180 as Noct got it stopped just in time. Prompto banged his nose hard on the seat, tasting the acrid flavor as he realized him and Ardyn probably had matching bloody noses. He gripped his and looked over to check on Preen, glaring at Arydn as that stupid smug bastard wiped at his own nose. Served him right.
Noctis was breathing heavy in the seat next to him, reaching over to make sure they were both alright. "Well...we're here I guess." He told them both, getting out and stretching like he hadn't nearly killed them all. "Gee, I wonder if we're going to have to go into this foreboding cave." He mocked, summoning his weapon.
Prompto got out as well, pulling out his gun as he came over to him. "Could you try a little harder to not kill us next time you drive? I'm not asking for miracles, just not to almost go off the side of a mountain."
Noctis rose an eyebrow at him, his free arm grabbing his waist and pulling him close. "You're pushy."
"Forgive my strong sense of self preservation," Prompto mocked with an eyeroll. He looked back as Ardyn got out of the car as well. "Where are we Ardyn? What kind of mission is at the top of a mountain?"
"Correction," Arydyn told him, holding up a finger. "A volcano...or at least it soon will be." He led the way into the dark, not even looking behind to see if they would follow. "There's a sister mountain in Nifelheim. However, with one knawingly obvious exception. The volcano there is active."
Prompto rose an eyebrow at that, turning their lights on as they stepped to the ever growing wonder of the cave. It seemed to be made of ice. His fingers reached out, tracing over the frozen walls. "How is this possible? It must be 80 degrees outside."
"Magic, my dear Prompto. Magic." Ardyn said, patting his nose. "I told you this was exactly like its sister cave in Nifelheim. It was beautiful like this once too." They came to a chasm, and Prompto felt his nerves quake a little as he stared down into the chasm to what looked like a shimmering pool of mercury beneath them. "The soldiers found that if they swam in the pool deep in the mountain it would give them wondrous abilities. Ones written about in fairytales. You see it was a mutation in their blood that did it." He explained as they continued to climb closer.
Prompto was only half listening though, eyes almost glowing as he took in the silver liquid beneath him, almost drawn to it. It was like it called to him. He leaned down as he watched his reflection in the depths, and saw it wink back at him.
"Do you have any idea what the mountain in Nifelheim is called now?" Ardyn asked the pair, but he was staring at Noctis.
"Why would we?" Noctis pointed out, watching him carefully.
"Valid point. Why would you?" Arydn mocked. "They call it the mouth of hell. The cool metallic liquid turned to fire as a poison spread through the city. Some called it a disease...others evolution. No matter. It spawned from that damned mountain. A plague."
"Must not have been that big of a deal," Noctis interjected. "I've never heard of it, and I've studied plenty of your history."
Arydn laughed at him. "Oh clearly you're very well informed of the going ons around you." He gave a mock bow in apology. "The mountain claimed many lives, and set in part a series of events that one could deem most unfortunate. Another perhaps would say it was needed to bring this world into a new beginning."
"Didn't Prompto warn you about your riddles?" Noctis asked, gripping his weapon.
Ardyn shrugged with a smile. "Alas, dear king, I suppose he did." And without even a word of warning kicked Prompto's back as hard as he could, sending him flying into the chasm, the only sound the splash below as hit the liquid which seemed to be reaching for him, pulling him down. He struggled to keep upright, and thought he heard a mocked apology of, "Whoops…" Before he sank below the murky depths.
,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.
A.N Allll the plot! Sorry for the cliffie. I will let you sort through all those clues and consider just what is going to happen to poor Prompto. ;)
