Hey Readers, The chapters from here on out go forward in time, and there will be three more after this, following the boys as they become teenagers and then adults :) Hope you enjoy!

Ignis held the framed Polaroid of him and Prompto and smiled. That had been...wow, eight years ago. It was unbelievable how quickly the time had passed —too quickly. If Ignis had his way, he would live it all over again—the school plays and elementary school graduations, the family vacations, all of it.

If he was being honest, maybe he was looking at the photo for clues, to remember how Prompto used to be, to be assured that he could return to that joyful spirit that remained at his core.

It wasn't like puberty had been easy on Noctis either. He'd grown more quiet and withdrawn, but he'd at least had Cindy and Nyx, who he'd met in middle school. The three of them were nearly inseparable, their bond solidified by the fact that they'd all grown up without their birth parents. Cindy had her grandfather, and Nyx was a refugee, adopted by an American family at the age of 8 and recently relocated to Florida.

Ignis had always assumed that Prompto would have no difficulty finding friends either. Throughout his time in elementary school, Prompto had been a favorite amongst his classmates. Ignis had once had the thankless task of choosing which play dates to decline so he could spend quality time alone with his younger son.

As soon as Prompto started 7th grade, Ignis had started to notice a change. Prompto had become quiet and subdued, his usually brightness slowly dimming. At least he'd had Noctis attending the same school. Cindy and Nyx saw Prompto as a little brother, and while he wasn't invited to all of their social engagements, he at least had someone to eat lunch with every day after his falling out with Ravus.

Ravus had earned a spot on the basketball team, not entirely surprising considering that he was exceptionally tall for his age, and his father insisted that every young boy should play a sport.

By pestering Noctis, Ignis had learned that the members of the basketball team were among the most popular at school, and it appeared Ravus had come to prefer his sports friends to Prompto. Ignis did notice a change in the way they acted around each other when their paths inevitably crossed around their neighborhood. An awkward wave, followed by nervous glances at their parents to indicate how desperately they were to be separated.

Ignis had asked Prompto about it, of course, but Prompto had remained tight-lipped on the subject, insisting Ravus simply had new friends. Naturally, Ignis had asked about Prompto's friends, and he'd said he had a few, naming off some people in his art class who Ignis never once saw him with. Indeed, Prompto was always sitting alone when Ignis came to pick him up at the end of the school day, and he'd be lying if he said it didn't hurt him to see, especially because he knew Prompto wasn't one to deny the company of anyone who showed an interest in him. He'd always been extroverted and fascinated by strangers, sometimes to a fault.

One night, when the boys were spending the evening at Cindy's house, Ignis and Gladio cracked open a bottle of wine and sat at the kitchen table to discuss their youngest son. Sprinkles, never one to miss an important meeting, politely looked at Ignis from her place by his chair leg until Ignis lifted her into his lap.

"What do you think's going on?" Gladio asked. "You think he's being bullied?"

"I'll admit I've worried about that myself... He always seems lonely, and-and so incredibly sad," Ignis choked, and Gladio reached for his hand.

"I know. You're right," Gladio sighed. "He's so different from how he used to be, and I'm concerned about his weight too."

"I swear, I haven't changed what I pack for his lunches."

"I know, Iggy. I think he eats when we aren't looking, like a coping mechanism. Remember when I found him poking around the kitchen in the middle of the night? I just...I'm not sure what to do about it."

"I looked up some articles, and one of the simpler suggestions was to find him a new hobby."

"I wish he was still interested in photography. Remember how he used to be? Couldn't get the camera out of his hands," Gladio chuckled.

Ignis smiled at the memory of a tiny Prompto with a camera bigger than his head taking photos in the most mundane places—the waiting room at the dentist's office, car rides to the grocery store, during ordinary family meals.

"Perhaps we should get him a new camera? I'm sure there's better technology available now. Maybe that would reinvigorate his interest?"

"Yeah, I think that's a good idea. Worth a shot. But what about friends? That's gotta be even more important. You think he has any?"

"He says he does, when I've specifically asked, but I fear he's saying it just to spare my feelings."

"It's too bad he doesn't still have Ravus. They used to be so cute together. Remember the forts they'd build? I mean, those things were impressive, even by adult standards."

"I believe they would've preferred the term 'castles," Ignis teased. "Remember how they'd wear those princess dresses all day?"

"And they'd try to sneak around the house, but you could always hear them coming because of those plastic princess heels?"

"And because of the giggling."

"Man, I miss those days. Not that things were all good then or all bad now, but...I think it was easier to feel like a good parent then, because I figured anything was better than foster care, but now...I just...I worry we're failing them, Prompto especially."

"I know. Me too. The older they get, the more difficult it all feels."

Later, when Cid dropped off the boys, he pulled Ignis and Gladio to the side.

"While the kids were over, I got to thinking...Cindy's takin' dance classes, just at the community center—nothin' fancy—on a count of she's tryin' to make the cheerleading squad. She was teaching Prompto some of the steps, and the kid seems like a natural. Haven't seen him smile so much in a long while...All I'm sayin' is, if you wanted me to pick up Prompto on my way to Cindy's class, I'd be more than happy to."

Ignis and Gladio shared a look of instantaneous agreement, and the following week, Ignis was waiting by the door with a very anxious Prompto.

"I'm not sure if I should go after all."

"Why ever not?" Ignis asked.

"Mmm, just not sure if I'll be any good. I don't know a lot about dancing…"

"Well, that's alright! They'll teach you how," Ignis encouraged with a pat to the back. "And Cindy will be there with you the whole time. Besides, Cid told me you were a natural talent."

"Really?"

"Yes, he saw you practicing with Cindy."

"But if I don't like it, do I have to go again?"

"I'd recommend you at least give it a few classes before you throw in the towel, but no, you don't have to go back."

"Okay," Prompto said, seeming reassured, just as they saw the headlights of Cid's pick-up truck in the driveway.

Ignis pulled him into a hug and made sure Prompto was looking him in the eye when he said, "I'm very proud of you for taking a chance on this new class, and I hope you know I love you very much."

If Ignis had said the same thing to Noctis, he was sure he would've received an eye roll, but Prompto offered a little, self-satisfied grin and said, "Thanks, dad. Love you too."

He gave Prompto a squeeze on the shoulders before walking him to the car.

Gladio was home by the time the first lesson was finished, and they both waited in the living room, books in hand, while Noctis did his homework in the kitchen.

The second the doorbell rang, they stood as though frightened.

Gladio laughed. "We should probably at least try to play it cool, huh?"

"Yes," Ignis nodded. "I don't want him to feel pressured. I'm sure we're putting too much weight into a simple dance class."

They opened the door to a grinning Cid with Cindy and Prompto chattering excitedly behind him.

"Well, how did it go?" Ignis asked.

"It was, um, fun," Prompto said mildly, though Ignis was sure he was downplaying it judging from the sparkle in his eyes.

"Prompto's real good at dancin'," Cindy said. "Should we show 'em what we learned?"

Prompto blushed, uncharacteristically ignoring Sprinkles as she pawed at his leg, no doubt hoping Prompto would carry her around with him, as he did most evenings. "Ehhmmm…"

"C'mon," Cindy encouraged. "It's like the teacher said, can't get better if ya don't practice."

"Mmm, okay," Prompto agreed, though Ignis could sense his hesitance as they all gathered in the living room.

"Noct!" Cindy called.

"Yeah?" he yelled from the kitchen.

"Get yer scrawny butt in here. Prompto's about to put on his first performance."

Ignis could practically hear Prompto protesting his brother's presence judging just by the look on his face. Despite the relatively friendly nature of their relationship, Prompto and Noctis liked to tease one another, and Ignis was sure any jokes from Noctis under the present circumstances might quash Prompto's spirit for dancing for good.

Ignis tried to give Noctis a meaningful look, but Noctis didn't pay him any mind as he took a casual seat on the arm of the couch. Prompto gave him one nervous look and blushed as Cid pulled up the song they'd been practicing on his phone. Ignis recognized this one, "S.O.S."by ABBA.

"They're doin' a tribute to ABBA this season," Cid explained. "Ain't that funny? Just when you think a band is gone fer good…"

Ignis pulled Sprinkles into his lap so she wouldn't interrupt as the first chords of the song began. Ignis watched with bated breath as Prompto floundered for just a moment, a strong contrast to Cindy's unwavering confidence. However, as soon as the vocals came in, he brightened up and slowly gained his resolve.

Ignis could only equate it to watching the sun come up after a long night—the shy smile on his face as he threw his hands in the air and artfully swooshed out his leg. Cid was right about him having a natural grace and rhythm, but that didn't matter as much as the joy written on his features, the satisfied grin on his face as the part of the song they'd learned came to an end.

To Ignis's surprise, Noctis spoke first. "When were you gonna tell us you were so good at dancing?"

Prompto blushed. "I'm not that good."

"Better than me," Noctis shrugged.

"You can say that again," Cindy said.

"Shut up," Noctis teased. "Just because that one time—"

"It was the Macarena! Everyone can do the Macarena," Cindy said, crossing her arms and smirking at him.

Noctis playfully rolled his eyes before announcing he was going back to his homework.

When their guests had departed, Ignis and Gladio sat on the couch with Prompto, who now had a happy Sprinkles lounging in his lap.

"So what did you think of the class?" Ignis asked.

"I really liked it," Prompto admitted.

"So you'll go back for a second one?" Gladio asked hopefully.

Prompto nodded.

"Hey," Gladio said, "We were talking about getting you another camera, since your other one's probably getting old."

"Oh really?" Prompto perked up. "That would be awesome, 'cause my other one," he stopped to scratch the back of his neck, a tell-tale sign he was nervous, "my other one kinda broke…"

"When did that happen?"

"Mmm," Prompto fidgeted. "It was a while ago. Some kids at school…"

He didn't finish the sentence, but Ignis could guess, and Gladio could too, judging by the horrified look on his face that he quickly masked.

"You can tell us when that stuff happens," Gladio said. "We...So we can help..."

"There's something else I should tell you," Prompto began.

Ignis felt his breath hitch, preparing himself for a revelation much worse than what they'd just heard.

"So, I'm...I think I'm...like, bisexual?" Prompto said, his face coloring again. Ignis could hardly understand his distress, considering he had two gay men for parents, but it was clear Prompto felt this was a big admission for him to make.

"Well, we're proud of you. Thanks for telling us," Gladio said.

"I know you probably think I should be proud of it, like you guys are, and I try to be, but the kids at school aren't nice about it."

Ignis felt his heart drop. There were so many admissions to process, so many ways Ignis felt he'd failed Prompto. They knew it might not always be easy to have gay parents in a town with its share of conservatively-minded people, much like the Nox Fleurets, but thus far, Ignis and Gladio had been impressed by how accepting their teachers and classmates seemed to be.

"The other kids make fun of you?" Gladio asked gently, and Ignis could hear the remorse in his voice.

"Just a few kids, on the basketball team…"

"Ravus?" Ignis asked, fearing a jolt of panic at the idea.

"No!" Prompto was quick to add. "Not Ravus. Please don't tell him I told you that."

"We won't," Ignis assured him. "But it seems to me someone should know."

"I probably shouldn't have said anything," Prompto said, fingernails digging into his palm. Ignis took his hand, easing it open and giving it a squeeze.

"You can always share what's going on in your life with us, darling," Ignis said. "We prefer it that way."

"Yeah," Gladio agreed. "We're always here for you."

"Can I...Can I go to my room now?" Prompto asked.

Once Prompto departed, Ignis and Gladio made their way upstairs to talk privately in their bedroom.

"Do you think it's time we send Prompto to therapy?" Ignis asked. "And Noctis too? It's always something we've talked about. I think now might be the right time."

"Yeah," Gladio nodded, hugging Ignis tightly. "I think now's a good time...Do you think we should go check on Prompto though? Just to be sure he's okay?"

They made their way quietly down the hall towards Prompto's bedroom door and smiled at each other when they heard ABBA playing, accompanied by the sound of dancing feet.

It was the weekend before the boys' winter break was to begin when Ignis and Noctis arrived to pick up Clarus from the airport. They would be taking him directly to the community center where Gladio had saved them seats.

"What are your hobbies?" Clarus asked Noctis on the drive.

"Uhhh, playing video games?" Noctis replied.

"He can also draw exceptionally well," Ignis added. "You should show him some of your artwork when we arrive back home."

Noctis blushed from the back seat and scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah, maybe," he mumbled.

As soon as they got out of the car, Clarus took his time fussing over how tall Noctis had grown in the six months since he'd last seen him. It was sweet how Noctis, almost perpetually embarrassed by Ignis and Gladio, allowed his grandpa to dote on him. Ignis watched as Clarus pulled a Snickers bar, Noctis's favorite, out of his coat pocket and placed it in Noctis's palm before tousling his hair and putting an arm around him so they could make their way inside.

When they were seated, Ignis noticed Noctis's face go pale as he looked towards the end of the aisle. Ignis recognized that look, and sure enough, he turned to find Luna waving with a bright smile as she made her way down the row of seats

"I didn't realize you'd invited Luna," Ignis said, trying steadfastly not to look at his husband who no doubt would want to communicate his feelings on the subject to Ignis. After all, Noctis was just a freshman in high school, and Luna had just finished her first semester of college. It was wholly inappropriate to think of their relationship romantically, though it was undeniable that Noctis's crush had only grown during the past eight years.

"I mentioned it to her, but she didn't know her final exam schedule," Noctis said. "I didn't know if she'd actually make it."

Ignis did think it was sweet how they communicated through a notebook they mailed back and forth to each other, including stories and pictures from their lives, even little souvenirs like movie tickets and travel pamphlets. Ignis knew he could count on Luna to keep their relationship appropriate. It was clear she saw him as friend, or possibly a younger brother.

She took a seat right next to him and squeezed her arms around his shoulders. Ignis felt Gladio pinch his thigh and indulged his husband with a knowing grin and shake of his head.

Soon the lights dimmed, and "Dancing Queen" played over the cheap, overhead speakers. Ignis recognized Cindy and Prompto amongst the couples right away. Ignis knew a couple of the dances tonight were partner dances since Noctis had been Prompto's (often begrudging) dance partner for the past couple months.

Ignis's heart was fit to burst with pride as he watched Prompto lead Cindy across the stage.

Between the therapy and dance lessons, Prompto had made vast improvements in the past couple months. Ignis was more likely to see him in the yard tossing a ball to Sprinkles than holed away in his room, and he'd been losing his extra weight too.

Ignis was even happier to discover Prompto had found a ragtag group of friends, who Ignis discovered were part of his school's LGBTQIA Alliance. Ignis had seen a few of them here tonight, though he didn't know them well enough to say hi, having only seen them from afar when he picked Prompto up after class.

When the show was done, Prompto and Cindy came bounding up to them. Gladio offered each of them the bouquets of flowers he'd insisted on picking up.

"You were incredible," Clarus said, hugging Prompto tightly before pulling away to observe his face. "My, I can't believe how tall you've grown! Almost as tall as your brother now! Is that makeup? My goodness, did you do that?"

"Cindy," Prompto said.

"Well, she did a nice job," Clarus said, patting him on the cheek.

Ignis and Gladio were permitted affectionate hugs before Prompto's new friends arrived, shyly hanging back with the exception of a tall red-head who threw his arm around Prompto with a wide smile.

"Hey, I'm Axel," He said, reaching out his hand to shake Ignis's.

"Oh hey!" Prompto said. "These are my friends—that's Riku, Sora, Roxas, Namine, and Axel, of course," he said, his face positively radiant.

Ignis turned to Gladio in amazement at this happy development. Gladio looked emotional, like he might be about to cry.

"I can't take you anywhere," Ignis teased.

"I'm just...I'm really proud of him."

"Me too," Ignis said, taking Gladio's hand. "Extremely proud."