A/N: I'll just apologize now for the depressing-ness that is this chapter. I promise, nothing will ever stand in the way of their love again!
Summary: Noctis wants to know his father's thoughts involving Prompto.
(Sad, Angst, Established Relationship)
The dining hall was abnormally quiet this evening, aside from the usual clattering and scraping of silverware, though Noctis was trying his best to stick to Ignis' etiquette lesson. It was somewhat unusual for Noctis to have his father all to himself during dinner. Normally, they had other guests of nobility, or sometimes they would invite members of the Crownsguard to dine with them if there were new situations to discuss. Tonight, however, Noctis was thankful for the peace and quiet, and the chance to speak with his father alone. The only problem was, he couldn't find the words.
Noctis took a bite of his steak, and chewed slowly, his mind travelling back to the events of the afternoon. It had been his best friend's first visit to the palace, and his first chance to meet King Regis for himself. Noctis had told Prompto much about him, and had always spoke highly of him, so he supposed Prompto's extreme nervousness had been expected. And on top of that, there was that... other matter.
"You did good," Noctis promised Prompto, as he stood on the front steps, waiting for Cor to pick him up and drive him home. Prompto lowered his head with a timid smile, hands clasped tightly behind his back as he swayed from side-to-side.
"You think so? I was so nervous, I thought I was going to wet myself," he chuckled.
"Well, your manners were good, you remembered to bow... I think you made a good impression," Noctis assured him. Prompto nodded, the corner of his mouth perking into a satisfied smile.
"I hope so."
He felt Noctis lean in, and his eyes darted up in a quick questioning glance before they drifted closed. Their lips never got the chance to meet, as the car horn honked loudly from the bottom of the steps. They both stumbled backwards, hearts lurching painfully at the possibility that they'd been seen, but a quick glance at Cor, and they confirmed that they were safe. Cor was sitting with his head down in the driver's seat, preoccupied with his phone.
Noctis reached for Prompto's hand instead, and tugged it out from behind his back. They would have to settle for this small affectionate gesture. Noctis gave Prompto's hand a squeeze, and their eyes met in a meaningful glance.
"Drive safe," Noctis said, though those words were far from what his heart wanted to say. Unfortunately, the words that were in his heart often had trouble making their way to his mouth.
"Thanks," Prompto smiled, softly—maybe even a little sadly—before pulling away and trotting down the stoney steps.
Noctis blinked and refocused on his supper, as well as the task at hand. He reached for his knife and began cutting off a section of his steak as a distraction before he began to speak.
"So, what did you think of our visitor today?" To Noct's surprise, the King let out a warm chuckle.
"Mr. Argentum is certainly an energetic young man," he said, meeting Noctis' eyes with an amused gleam in his own. The prince stabbed the piece of steak that was now cut free of the slab, and tapped it nervously against the side of his plate.
"Yeah. That, he is."
His father eyed him seriously now, and Noct thought the King had picked up on the forced joviality in his tone, but then he clued in. He ceased the repetitive motion of his fork.
"Manners. Right. Sorry." He lowered his head and popped the piece of steak into his mouth while he formulated his next sentence. "Father, you and Mother... You were happily married, weren't you?"
Regis frowned slightly, wondering where the question had come from, but he was willing to answer it nonetheless.
"We were. She was my childhood friend, and I chose to marry her. I sincerely loved her," the King replied. Noctis felt his hand shaking, but he tried his best to steady it. He pressed his forearm against the edge of the table, hoping it might keep his arm still as his fork hovered over his uneaten food.
"You were able to choose... your friend," Noctis stated, slowly. King Regis nodded, swallowing a mouthful of his dinner, still watching his son carefully. He knew this conversation was going somewhere, he just wasn't quite sure where.
"Father, it's just really important to me that you approve of Prompto."
The words had come out quicker than intended, but Noctis' gaze was slow and cautious as it approached his father's. Regis' heart ached in that moment, for he now understood. He understood by Noctis' hunched posture, by his low head and timid eyes, eyes that clearly feared his reaction. He understood why Noctis had repeatedly requested an opportunity for his friend and his father to meet. He understood, and yet, could do nothing.
"Noctis, you do not wish to marry Lady Lunafreya," Regis stated, and Noctis shyly shook his head, his eyes still on his father, as if waiting to be scolded for agreeing with the statement, but the king was too kind to ever scold him for such a thing.
"No, I don't."
"My dear son..." Regis breathed in deeply, and set his silverware down in the resting position, his knife and fork set at the four and eight o'clock positions. Noctis had at least paid enough attention to Ignis' teachings to notice that.
"As your father, I would love to tell you to be with the person of your choosing. You are, however, aware of your duties as future king, and your marriage to Lady Lunafreya is one of those duties. Therefore, I'm afraid the most I can do is tell you not to set yourself up for a broken heart," the king announced, his mouth twisted downward in sadness, his irises glowing with sympathy. Noctis' gaze fell back towards his plate, where he stared blurry-eyed at his disgusting carrots and broccoli. His stomach felt like it was turned inside out, and he hadn't even eaten the vile things yet.
"Y-yeah. Of course," he solemnly replied. One blink had tears escaping him, and he rubbed at them viciously with his forearm.
"May I be excused?" he asked, but he was already on his feet and on his way out the door when Regis gave him an affirmative reply.
Noctis rushed for the elevator, desperately hoping he wouldn't run into anyone on his way back to his room. He wasn't mad at Luna, and he didn't blame his father for his pain. In this moment, he was simply numb with the knowledge that he couldn't have what he wanted—that he could never have what he wanted. He didn't want to pick up his phone, didn't want to go to school or see Prompto because he didn't know how to tell him it was over. All he could do was hate himself for not going to his father sooner; he had already set himself up for a broken heart, and sadly, it was probably too late to save Prompto's from that same pain.