A/N: For the last day of Promptis Fanweek (Day 7): Stay with Me! I'm so sad the week is over already, but it was so much fun. If you haven't already done so, head over to tumblr to check out what other amazing Promptis stuff has come out this week!

I was going to upload something else today, then at the last moment I thought, "no, this is too sad for the last day of the fanweek" so I came up with something happier/sappier. Hope you enjoy!

Summary: (Continuation of Chapter 13: A Brighter Future) Prompto gets a glimpse of what being royalty really means.
(Comfort, Romance)

"Phew, hard day's work!" Prompto heaved a sigh as he entered the King's chambers. Noctis looked up at him as he entered, feeling the corners of his mouth perk up at the sight of Prompto's grin that never seemed to falter, even when he was this exhausted.

"Thought those diplomats would never leave," Prompto sang on, nudging the giant, white and gold doors closed behind him with his heel.

He proceeded into the spacious room where Noct was sitting quietly at his desk, nose-deep in contracts and paperwork. Prompto nearly paused just to take him in. He looked so much older than he had on their journey twelve years ago—much less scruffy than when he had come out of the crystal, of course, which helped him not look beyond his age. He was clean-shaven, his hair neatened and his bangs grown out. And there was something about his eyes ever since he had come out of his slumber; he looked wiser. Prompto supposed he just looked like a king now.

"It was a long day," Noct agreed, scooting his chair back from the desk and stretching his arms leisurely above his head. With a yawn, he set his gold-rimmed glasses down on top of the stack of papers, and waved Prompto over.

"What's this?" he asked, noticing the mug in Prompto's hand.

"Coffee. You looked like you needed it." Prompto allowed Noctis to take the drink from him, and cautiously, he took a sip from the steaming cup.

Noct smiled as the flavour reached his tongue. It was instant coffee, like they used to drink back in the good old days—days at Noct's apartment when they were studying for midterms, or when they would try to pull all-nighters, just so they could beat whatever videogame they were playing. It would have been somewhat lacking, if the taste hadn't brought back so many memories. It was the very flavour of nostalgia, and it relaxed him, just as Prompto hoped it would.

"You know, we do have kitchen staff. You didn't have to do this," Noct assured him, with a smirk and a wry glance.

"I know, but I wanted to." Prompto graced him with another smile, and Noctis gave a pat on the arm of his throne-like chair, encouraging him to sit down. Prompto did so willingly, situating himself on the soft, red velvet. His arm wandered around the backs of Noct's shoulders, where his fingers tenderly traced circles on his black robes.

"You're going to be busy for a while, huh?" he asked, eyeing the mahogany desk that was littered with Noct's countless obligations.

"Yep. But, they're trying to rebuild their people's lives, too. Insomnia, Niflheim... We're all in the same boat. We're all trying to make this world better," Noctis reminded him, but Prompto didn't need convincing. He would never forget that day in Zegnautus Keep when Noct had vowed to reunite their two nations—Prompto's place of origin and Noct's. He would also never forget his promise to stay at Noct's side, and help make that dream a reality.

"Glad Aldercapt and Ardyn are out of the way. This never would have worked with them in the picture," Prompto said, softly.

"Yeah. I'm glad, too," Noct smiled, taking a sip of his coffee, and revelling in its warmth. He reached for Prompto's knee with his free hand, caressing it gently. "You okay, though? You seem..."

"I'm fine. Just a little distracted, I guess," Prompto shrugged, shoving his hand through his hair, which he still managed to style almost identically to the way he had when they were younger. He looked so innocent in that moment, so uncertain about what the world had in store for them. Noct had seen that look before—right after the fall of Insomnia, when the royal retinue was at a loss when it came to their next move.

"Because of all of this?" Noct asked, with a nod towards the paperwork. "I know. Listening to all those terms of agreement and everything couldn't have been easy for you. I mean, they want to dispose of the remaining MTs, and I know you're not like them, but—"

"It's not about the MTs," Prompto assured him, chuckling softly to let him know he was okay. "It's all just a lot of responsibility. Guess I never realized how much King Regis had on his plate. And how much you'll have on your plate from now on."

Noctis' grip on Prompto's knee tightened, and he tilted his head to look up at his companion.

"Do you... regret it? Marrying into royalty? Being a King's consort?" There was actual, genuine worry in Noct's eyes, and Prompto could hardly believe it was there. Since the day they had first become friends, Prompto had never let Noct down when he needed him. He had never shied away when Noct needed to talk, had never denied him when he needed a place to escape, had never pushed him away when he needed to feel loved. And in return, Noct had done all those things and more.

"Are you kidding me? I got to marry my best friend! Regret isn't even in my vocabulary," Prompto grinned, nudging the King's cheek affectionately with his nose. Noct smiled at the contact, closing his eyes and simply breathing Prompto in—his smile, his laugh, the smell of his shampoo.

"Besides, I know you'll make time for me eventually."

"Always have, always will," Noct smirked, opening his eyes to admire his friend's teasing grin. "But you may have to wait a while," he added, with another nod at the papers. Prompto pouted, but at the sound of Noct's laughter pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"Stay with me? While I work on this stuff?" It was a small request for a king, a king who could have almost anything, but it meant the world to him. His quizzical blue eyes stared widely up at his consort, who was dressed in an elegant ensemble not dissimilar to Noct's. Prompto got up from his perch on the arm of the chair, and crossed the room to get his own. He pushed his seat toward the desk until its legs brushed against those of the other, then he flopped down in it, leaning in against Noct's shoulder as he got back to work.

"I'll stay with you," Prompto promised, watching Noct's hands as they skimmed across the parchment. "Now and always."