Noctis was in trouble. He was absolutely in trouble.

He met his retainers out in the hall and as soon as the doors closed behind them all, Noctis was hit with a barrage of angered auras and scents. The prince was bracing himself for Ignis to be the mother figure, telling him off as he always did, but Noct was not-so-pleasantly surprised to see that Gladio was the first one to speak, holding up a stern hand when Ignis went to open his mouth.

"Noctis. What the fuck did you tell that kid?"

Noctis was a little taken back. He locked eyes with the shield and it was all smoldering amber. Noctis thought he looked like a human volcano. Calm and collected as much as possible (which was barely) on the outside, but all hell ready to break loose on the inside. He could feel his alpha power, hot like lava, on his skin and it made him squirm.

"Nothing, I just- "

"You just didn't think, is what you did!" Gladio cut through his words with his own harsh tone, and even Ignis seemed shocked at the outburst. Gladio rarely ever blew up on anyone, but it was all coming out now. "You told that kid he could be a retainer?! For what?! So he could get injured? So he could get himself killed?!"

"Gods, NO, I just- I wanted to- "

"What you wanted, Noctis, is to put that poor boy in harms way on a daily basis! So that you can hang around him, and goof off all day, and throw your future out the fucking window! That's what you wanted, Noctis! And you're damn well on your way to it."

Noctis opened and closed his mouth a few times, unable to come up with words. He balled his hands into tight fists at the other alpha, and clenched his teeth together to prevent a snarl. Who the hell was Gladiolus to talk to his prince that way?

"What's that supposed to mean?!" It's all Noctis manages to say, because Gladiolus isn't done. Oh, no. Not by a long shot.

"Your twentieth birthday is in less than three months. Are you ready to take the fucking throne?! What if King Regis were to just die? Keel over- right here right now? Would you be ready, Noctis?!"

Noctis didn't answer. He knew he wasn't ready. Not nearly ready. But he didn't want to give the shield the satisfaction of hearing him say it. He just looked away from Gladiolus, not wanting to meet his gaze and trying with all his might not to have a giant tantrum.

"Of course not! You've been studying and practicing since you were a damned kid to take your father's place, and every chance you get to fucking prove yourself, you blow it off! Like the child you are!"

Ignis shook his head and cleared his throat. "Gladiolus, maybe you should tone it down a bit, Noctis- "

" -Has been coddled by you for far too long, Ignis!", the shield finished the advisor's sentence for him, and Ignis winced at the tone. "And I'll be damned if I sit back and watch him drag that poor, sweet guy into his shit! So the both of you can coddle him and baby him! Until what?! Until we go on a hunt, and Prompto gets mauled by some behemoth?! Until the Empire decides to start a war, to go after Noctis, and then Prompto gets cut open?! Shot?! Beat down into a bloody pulp on the battle field?! The boy isn't trained for that, Iggy! We've been training and practicing since we were children in order to face times like those, and Prompto just shot his first gun today!"

Noctis looked at his alpha friend and met the man's glare with one of his own, stormy and deep, and he could feel the anger rising in him. "He's not going to get hurt, okay?! I just wanted him to be able to stay! To not go back to that fucking joke of a life he had before us!"

"This is all fun and games to you, isn't it, Noctis." It wasn't a question, so much as a statement. Gladiolus ran a shaky hand through his hair. "You think that since you're the prince, you can have whatever you want. Like everything will just be handed to you! You act like that boy is some kind of property! To be owned and kept by you! Like some stuffed animal! He's his own person, Noctis!"

Noctis straight up growls at his shield, nails digging deeply into the skin of his palms as he tried to hold back an agonizing punch right in Gladio's jaw. He knew Prompto wasn't his property. It would be stupid to think that way. He just wanted a way to keep him around, keep him close. Keep him out of the elements and glaring eyes of the people in Lestallum.

"Did you tell him what it would be like?! The vigorous training, the long days, the fucking oath he would have to make?! To give his life and die for you, if that's how things go down?!"

No. Noctis had not told him that. He made it sound like some glorified bodyguard. Not a life oath.

Noctis realized that, then. Maybe Gladiolus was right. Maybe Prompto wouldn't be able to handle it all. Maybe he wouldn't want to commit his whole life to an alpha he met only two days ago. Maybe Noctis was treating him like something he could own. Maybe Noctis didn't think any of this through.

Ignis felt some of the realization hit the prince. Felt the tone shift from anger to sadness and regret. Gladio was still angry, but he had calmed down a bit from his outburst. He watched some of the tension leave Noctis' arms and his hands uncurl. He took the time to talk to the prince, trying to be as level and soothing as possible, but still firm. After all, he was on Gladiolus' side in this.

"Noctis… have you talked to your father about any of this?"

Noctis huffed and looked to his advisor. "Of course not… I only ever even discussed it with Prompto last night…"

"You need to talk to your father. See what he says on the matter. You may be a prince, and we may be your retainers, but no matter what you want, or who you want as your third retainer, your father has the final say. You know that."

Ignis, unfortunately, was right. Noctis was not looking forward to seeing his father so soon after his scolding. "I guess…"

"But first, you need to talk to Prompto. Let him know what he'd be getting himself into. Let him know what that would entail. And then make sure it's something he wants for himself, once and for all. Not just because you don't want him to leave."

"…Yeah…"

Gladio threw up his hands in frustration. "Ignis. You're allowing this fucked up plan to go on?! Prompto doesn't need any of this! He- "

" -Can make his own choices, just as you and I did, Gladiolus." Ignis finished the man's sentence and Gladiolus huffed in frustration when Ignis shot him a look that conveyed that the conversation was pointedly over.

The shield muttered a "Whatever… His funeral…" before shoving the doors to the training grounds open and bursting through them. Before the doors shut again, the two men could hear, "This doesn't mean training is over. Get your ass in here and pick up this axe."

The last few hours of training were rough, after that. Ignis had to break up quite a few no-so-practice-like fights.

…

Prompto let his clothes pool at the floor around his feet as he undressed and then stepped into the tub. The water was practically scalding, but to Prompto, it was just the right temperature. He sank down to the neck, enjoying the way his muscles instantly relaxed beneath the bubbly water. Noctis' tub felt like heaven, with the calming scent of bubble bath and the steady sound of the jets against his skin.

He surveyed the assortment of shampoos before choosing one at random and pouring the liquid into his hands and lathering his hair.

"I hope Noctis is okay… Ignis and Gladio looked so… I don't know… against the idea?" Prompto talked to himself quietly, but his voice still echoed off the walls and back into his own ears. He wasn't really surprised with the way things changed after Noctis had let it slip that they were making plans on Prompto to become a retainer. After all, it was a very quick decision that neither of them put much thought into. Prompto almost felt guilty by it all.

"Maybe if I didn't pressure Noct into trying to find a way for me to stay…" He knew he didn't really pressure the prince. It was just a wishful comment that he let slide that night. It was Noctis' idea in the end. And, let's face it, Prompto was down for anything that meant he could stay in the castle.

But was it only for the life of luxury? No. At least Prompto liked to believe it wasn't. He liked Noctis. And he liked Ignis and Gladiolus, too. He liked the feeling of being accepted. The men didn't care about where he came from or his past. They liked him for him, joked with him, took care of him, even. Maybe Prompto was getting ahead of himself, but it felt like they were all friends. It felt like they could all get along fine together. It seemed like a lovely dream.

Prompto rinsed his hair out and put some conditioner in next.

"Some dream. All I'm doing is getting Noct in trouble…" He sighed and sat in silence after that, for a good long while, just thinking over the events of the past few days up until his bath. Then he rinsed his hair a final time and drained the water from the bath.

He grabbed one of the plush towels out of the towel hutch and inwardly marveled for a moment at how plush and soft and absorbent they were. Then he wrapped one loosely around his waist and gathered his clothes back up to put back on later. He wished he brought another set of clothes. But, hey, who knew he was going to be kidnapped?

After getting dressed, Prompto tried to preoccupy himself while Noctis finished his training by turning on the flat screen tv and surfing through the various channels the palace had. And, damn, they must have had over a thousand. He finally settled on some soap opera about two omegas in a love triangle with one another and also an alpha. It was funny and gripping at the same time. It was right in the middle of the season, and the plot wasn't making much sense, but Prompto could care less. It was something to watch.

A love scene started and Prompto flushed deeply. The naughty bits of body parts were always out of view of the camera, because hey, public television, but the moans and the implied gyrating and grinding were still there, along with the open-mouthed kissing and whispered words of love and affection. Prompto curled into himself on the couch and watched with an unwavering stare.

"Damn, this scene is intense…" Prompto's heart beat wildly in his chest and he could feel the embarrassment and arousal flush his face. He could feel his dick twitching and hardening slightly inside his pants. "Gods, how much of a virgin am I?" He judged himself for getting so worked up so quickly over something as stupid as a soap opera love scene. He looked at Noct's bedroom door, as if he expected the prince to bolt inside at any moment, and of course a minute went by and nothing happened. Prompto gulped thickly and began to reach a hand down between his legs.

"AH-!"

His hand didn't get very far. Out of nowhere, his abdomen cramped. Badly. Painful enough that Prompto fell to his side, clutching his stomach in pain and crying out. A surge of white-hot heat surged through him. Just for a moment, But before Prompto could even process what was happening or what could be wrong with him, the pain was gone. Leaving just as quickly as it came.

"Prompto..?"

Noctis entered the room. He was sweaty, his bangs were matted to his face, and he looked very tired and very frustrated. He looked to his friend, who was curled up on the couch, a love scene playing kind of loudly on the tv.

How the hell were they still going at it?

Noctis stopped walking and flushed a little, looking away. "Oh. Am I interrupting something?"

Prompto flushed. Badly. And moved to quickly sit up straight and with his hands in his lap, pointedly away from his crotch region, momentarily forgetting the strange cramp. After all, he was going to try and play with himself moments ago. He was probably lucky for the cramp. It would have saved him from a very different scene for the prince to walk in on.

"No, dude. Nothing! I was asleep, actually. Til just now. I swear."

Noctis shot him a playfully skeptical look. "Suuuuree…. Uh-huh. I totally believe you."

Prompto turned redder, if possible. 'Stupid Noctis.'

A beat of silence, and then, "You hungry? Iggy's got brunch cooking. Figured I'd take a bath and then we'd go eat. Is that cool?"

"Yeah", the blonde replied, and he watched his friend disappear into the bathroom. The love scene was still going on. The blonde went for the remote and turned the tv off.

…

Prompto figured he'd be taken to some grand dining hall with fancy silverware and long tables, but he was pleasantly surprised to be taken to Ignis' room instead. And the rooms, as it turned out, weren't rooms so much as they were apartments.

Ignis' place was nice. Clean. Organized. Almost looked like no one lived there, except for the many cookbooks along shelves and the slight clutter of paperwork and mail in one corner of the kitchen counter. The smell of coffee filled the room, mixed with Ignis' scent of cinnamon and vanilla, and Prompto felt very at home. If Noctis' smell made Prompto feel sleepy, Ignis' smell made him feel so… at home. It was a welcoming and reassuring and it made Prompto's soul smile.

"Do excuse the mess. I haven't tidied up in a while." Ignis commented as he let the two of them inside and retreated into the kitchen to continue cooking.

Prompto scoffed. "Your place is anything but messy. It's way cleaner than what I'm used to, that's for sure!"

Ignis smiled and Noctis looked around the room, noticing one of their party members were missing. "Where's Gladio?"

The advisor hesitated for a moment. "He… isn't hungry."

"Mmm..." Noctis just grumbled and shrugged. He figured the man wouldn't want to see him for a while. Not so soon after their argument, anyways.

"Although, he wanted me to let Prompto know that he's welcome to train with us any time he pleases. He says you were quite good." The advisor gave Prompto a fond look and it made the boy smile.

"Thanks. That sounds good."

Brunch was served on the balcony adjoining the living area, the warmth of the sun and the breeze on their skin. Everyone took their seat at a patio table with an overhead umbrella and Ignis set plate of food in front of them. Ham sandwiches on toasted honey wheat with lettuce and tomatoes, diced fruits in a bowl on the side, and a light side salad. Water or coffee were the drink selections. It was very simple and light and healthy, and just so Ignis.

Prompto dug right in. It was delicious. Nothing was left on his place afterwards. Noctis ate it a little slowly, making a big show if picking the tomatoes out of his sandwich and pushing the salad aside completely. Too many vegetables, for his tastes. The fruit bowl was mostly all eaten in no time, though. Ignis ate gracefully and of coursed finished it all, even the salad Noctis left behind, after some bickering. It wasn't long before the plates were cleared, and everyone was lounging in the living area.

"Man, Iggy. Brunch was great!" Prompto beamed and patted his stomach.

"Glad to hear it. I'm also glad to see that you aren't a picky eater like Noctis." The prince scoffed. Prompto was going to comment on how he kinda couldn't afford to be a picky eater, but he didn't want to change the mood and make them feel sorry for him again.

The three of them sat in a comfortable silence, watching the news for a bit. Of course, the silence couldn't go on for long. There were things that needed to be discussed.

"Prompto, Noctis wants you to become a retainer, correct?"

Noctis tensed a little from his spot beside Prompto and the blonde didn't miss it. "Um. Yeah, Iggy. He does."

"Did Noctis tell you what that would entail...?"

Prompto thought on it for a bit. "Not really. I mean. I kinda understand they have to be able to fight?"

"Precisely. But it's also a lot more than that, Prompto. A lot deeper." The blonde was silent as he waited to hear more. Noctis just looked like he wanted the conversation to end already. "Gladio and Noctis got into a heated argument earlier. We all care for your safety very much and we don't want to see you get yourself wrapped up in something you aren't absolutely mentally and physically prepared for."

"Makes sense.", the blonde supplied. "So… What would I be preparing myself for?"

Ignis took a deep breath and took a moment to gather his thoughts. "Well, to put it simply, being a retainer isn't all fun and games. We work long hours and the job can be stressful. We have to be able to push all feelings aside in order to make the best decisions for Noctis, despite how we feel about them. We have to do what's best for Insomnia and The Crown. It wouldn't be a fun and games. And we can't just let Noctis do as he pleases."

Noctis mumbled something that sounded like "That's for damned sure…", but Prompto stayed silent, nodding as he listened.

"So yes, we are his friends. And we are the closest people to him. But we are also his guides. His shields. His advisors. But, most importantly, and this is the part I worry about…" Ignis looked deep into Prompto's eyes and he was lost in emerald green and worry and concern and he spoke next. "…Above all else, you must be willing to protect Noctis with everything you have. You'd have to be willing to die for him, if need be."

Prompto's eyed widened slightly as he took it all in. "Oh… Wow… I never really thought about it like that…"

Noctis frowned and looked out the window. He could feel the regret and rejection coming. Of course Prompto wouldn't want to agree to all of that. It was too much to ask.

"But, I accept."

Noctis' head snapped back to Prompto, eyes wide and mouth agape. Ignis sat up straighter, giving Prompto a look, and trying to process what the beta had just said. "Are you sure?" He asked slowly.

Prompto smiled a little and nodded. "Yeah, of course. Noct is pretty cool, and I like being around him. I like you and Gladdy, too. I feel good when I'm around you guys. I feel- and don't make fun of me- but… I feel at home. And I know that sounds dumb. But it's true. I just have this feeling that this is what I was born to do. What I'm supposed to do… When I think about the many ways I could end up dying in my lifetime, I can't help but think that if I'm going to die, then doing it for Noctis wouldn't be so bad. Is that… bad?"

Ignis let out a long breath, and he was still giving Prompto a look, trying to figure him out, or detect and hint of hesitation, but he smiled a little and nodded. "Ok. Then Gladiolus and I will help you."

Noctis and Prompto's eyes met and Noctis looked so pleased and happy it made Prompto's stomach flop around a bit.

"I still have to ask my dad, though. It won't be set in stone without his approval."

"Okay."

"I'll ask him tomorrow."

"Cool."

The three shared smiled and reassuring scents and suddenly everything was looking a little brighter.