Summary: A celebration takes place at the Citadel one year after the light has returned to Lucis, reminding Noctis and Prompto of how lucky they are.
(Happy, Sweet, Established Relationship)

For Promptis Fanweek 2018 (Day 3: "I've been dreaming about you coming back and suddenly you're really here. It still feels like a dream.")

It had been far too long since the ballroom's cracked walls had heard such elegant waltzes, and far too long since Noctis had heard them as well. As a child, he'd never fancied the sound of the violin music and its piano accompaniment, but now those sounds meant he was home, and he welcomed them. He strolled up the hallway leading to the ballroom, where Ignis and Gladio stood guard at the door. They turned their heads as he approached.

"A little late, don't you think?" Gladio hummed, his voice more amused than scolding.

"Better late than never. I had some work to do," Noct shrugged, peering past them into the ballroom. It was packed with people: ordinary citizens of Lucis, hunters and glaives who had worked together to bring back the light, and Niffs, Ghaladians, and others who had abandoned their home or gotten caught in the crossfire. Noct had invited everyone to share in this occasion—the grand reopening of the Citadel.

Of course, Noctis would have liked to join in the festivities sooner, but running a kingdom—one that was just getting back on its feet, at that—came with its fair share of work. Eventually, he decided the stack of papers on his desk would still be waiting for him when he got back. Tonight was special, after all, and there were people who would definitely be waiting for him to make an appearance. This would work out well, really. Royalty were allowed, or even expected, to be fashionably late.

"A wonderful turnout, it seems," Ignis stated with a soft smile. He didn't need his vision to know the guests were having a nice time. The hall was filled with chatter and laughter, as well as some audibly clumsy footwork on the dance floor, not that anyone was going to judge that tonight.

"Good. I'm glad people are enjoying it," Noctis smiled. "They've all been through enough. They deserve some good cheer."

"Speaking of spreading cheer, your fiancé's been doing pretty well out there meeting and welcoming your guests. I'd get in there, if I were you. He's been chatting up Cindy for a while now," Gladio teased, abandoning his stiff, guarding posture long enough to nudge Noct with his elbow. Noct chuckled, and rubbed the abused spot.

"I don't think I've got anything to worry about," he smirked. Just to be sure he looked his best, he gave his suit a light dusting with his hands, and then proceeded into the ballroom.

"Enjoy yourself, Majesty," Ignis said, as he passed.

Noctis found Prompto with a wine glass in hand as he enthusiastically told stories to Cindy and Holly, who were seated at one of the round tables they had set up for guests. The girls' eyes lit up as the King approached, and Prompto put a halt to his tale.

"Hey, yer Highness! Was wonderin' when you were gonna show up," Cindy greeted.

"Hey, Cindy. Holly," Noctis greeted back, his hand wandering around Prompto's waist, which brought a smile to Prompto's lips. Prompto turned his head to take in the sight of his King, all clean-shaven and dressed in his dark, pin-striped suit—a nice contrast to his own all-white ensemble.

"Thanks for having us, your Majesty. This is quite the party," Holly smiled.

"Glad you could make it," the King nodded, then turned his head toward Prompto, lowering his eyes in a gentle, but enticing manner. "Could I interrupt you long enough for a dance?"

"Longer, if you want," Prompto grinned, eagerly, setting his drink down on the table, and giving the girls a nod to dismiss himself. He followed as Noctis took his hand and led him to the dance floor, receiving gentle smiles from citizens as they passed through the crowd. The music quieted to a slower, more delicate waltz, and they took their places, hands falling upon waist, shoulder, and opposite hands.

They began to dance, Prompto counting softly under his breath, trying to keep up with the footwork Noct had taught him. It didn't take him long to get into the rhythm, and his mouth remained closed, his attention focusing on Noct's blue eyes rather than the patterns of their feet.

"Something wrong?" Noct asked, after a while of Prompto's deep and pensive stare.

"Nothing," Prompto shook his head, sheepishly. "Total opposite, really."

"What do you mean?"

"Everything's the way it should be. It's so perfect, and yet... so hard to believe."

"I know. I get that," Noct agreed, leaning his head in against Prompto's. He felt Prompto take in a long breath and let it out, like he was gathering his words, or maybe just his courage.

"But what you probably don't get is just... how long I've been dreaming of this. How many times I dreamed you were back. Now you're really here, and it's so overwhelmingly good. Sometimes I'm afraid I might still be dreaming," Prompto admitted, eyes still serious and locked with the King's. Noct couldn't help but smile at how Prompto's eloquence had grown ever so slightly over the past decade—his way with words was better than ever, in the way he could take Noct's breath away with his honesty.

"You're not dreaming," Noctis assured him, pressing a kiss to his nose, then to his lips, which Prompto reciprocated eagerly, but as he pulled away, there was a joy in Prompto's eyes that he hadn't seen in a long time—not since they were young, since before they had ever left Insomnia. All the fear and pain and worry that he had seen cross Prompto's features during their journey seemed a distant memory now; despite the wrinkles that had appeared because of those memories, the light that was in Prompto's eyes now made him look so carefree, so genuinely happy.

"After everything, we deserved a happy ending, right?"

"Hell, yeah, we did," Noct practically spat out, then his eyes darted side-to-side to make sure no one had heard the King utter such a thing. Once he confirmed they hadn't, they chuckled softly, foreheads falling together again.

"Just didn't think we'd actually get it. How did everything work out, Noct?" Prompto asked, brows slanting in a mix of emotions.

"Luck? And the best Crownsguard any prince could ask for," Noct smiled.

"Don't forget the amazing prince himself," Prompto added, grinning softly. Noctis said nothing; he merely continued to smile, and removed his hand from Prompto's waist to tousle the blond hair at the back of his neck.

"This is real. And we deserve this, okay?" he said again, just to reassure his partner.

"Yeah. Okay," Prompto breathed, leaning back in for another kiss as the song ended. The crowd applauded, and the boys didn't realize the cheer was for them until they pulled away and opened their eyes to see people's gazes on them. Prompto flushed, and Noct nervously waved his hand in thanks as he led Prompto back over to the hallway entryway, where Gladio and Ignis still stood proudly.

"You looked good out there. Both of you," Gladio said, his deep voice full of sincere emotion. It reminded Noctis of his father, and he knew this was Gladio's way of saying he would have been proud of them—for rebuilding this kingdom, for uniting the two nations, and for following their hearts.

"Thanks," Prompto said, rubbing the back of his head.

"Wish you could see 'em, Iggy. Our boys have really grown up," Gladio went on, and Ignis smiled tenderly.

"I can imagine them perfectly. And I'm sure they will make this kingdom very proud."

Noctis and Prompto exchanged timid smiles, and Noct squeezed his fiancé's hand. They had made it this far because they were meant to. They were a symbol of peace that the world had been looking for back when Lady Lunafreya was alive, with Prompto's origins bringing the last lingering feelings of distrust towards Niflheim to an end. The ten years of darkness had lessened those tensions as everyone had worked together, but this would surely help to give the surviving Niffs—give all citizens—a more peaceful life in Lucis.

Prompto squeezed Noctis' hand in return, their smiles never faltering. They would make Lucis proud. They would make sure of it.