Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 18

Prompto fumbled with his phone as it suddenly started ringing, relieved to hear that ringtone. He hit answer, putting it to his ear. "Hello?" his fought to not let his voice shake. One of the first things they'd taught him was to never say names when answering the phone just in case someone's got stolen.

"Hey Prompto," Harry answered, and Prompto leant against the wall.

"Harry," he sighed in relief, seeing Noct perk up.

"We're all okay," Harry quickly told him. "Something… unexpected happened, that's all. You all okay?"

"Just worried about you guys," Prompto told him, smiling softly. "Noct's so worried he accidently ate the veggies Ignis snuck onto his plate." He smirked at his best friend who glared at him even as Harry laughed.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Ardyn watched his sons' face as he spoke on the phone, the name giving away who he was talking to. It was hard to believe that after two thousand years his son had finally chosen someone. No wonder no one had ever caught his eye, he'd been waiting for this Prompto….a familiar name…ah, Noctis' closest friend, a commoner…what had the latest reports said of the boy? The last member of Noctis' Retinue…something about the Galahd, he hadn't bothered reading the whole thing, his interest had always been in Noctis.

Perhaps if he'd paid more attention to the other reports he would have found his son earlier. Then again, he doubted he would have handled it well given his reaction to his first sight of Harry on the landing; he would have assumed some bastard child had been given his sons' name or something.

What would happen now? It was obvious that Harry wanted a reconciliation but how could it be? Bahamut would never allow the Prophecy to be thwarted. Harry might be able to cow the daemons within him but an Astral was very different.

"They want to return to the Citadel," Harry murmured to Regis who looked to him.

Ardyn inclined his head; he would not touch the children. Regis stared at him before looking to Harry and nodding.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Regis took his seat at the conference table, the others settling into their own, Harry between Ardyn and everyone else. "It would seem that a lot has been left out of the family histories, beyond the entirety of your heritage," he glanced at Harry.

"Ah…that was Uncle Somnus' doing. Now that you know, it should show the real links," Harry shrugged slightly. He ran a hand through his hair. "Now I just have to figure out how to explain to Prom," he murmured.

Regis hid a wince, that would not be a fun conversation for his cousin. It would be difficult and Regis hoped that Prompto could accept the truth. He was having enough trouble coming to term with the idea that Harry was a lot older than he looked. Then again…he'd said time flowed differently, so maybe he wasn't? No, he'd said it'd been six years on his end so he could be the age he appeared…except Ardyn had apparently been trying to get him married... and he'd thought his family couldn't get any more complicated.

"Harry, how old are you?" he found himself asking, making everyone look at him.

"Um…thirty-four? I'm not entirely sure because I don't know how long I was on Eos before Dad found me that first time. And yes, I look a lot younger than I am because my aging is a bit messed up. Then again Dad hasn't really aged since the last time I saw him."

That made him over a decade older than Noctis and Prompto, closer to Cor in age really and yet…he'd thought Harry mature for his age, but not that mature.

"We found that mentally he seems to age the same as physically and I doubt that has changed," Ardyn clapped a hand to Harry's shoulder.

Harry just groaned, "Daaad…"

That got a snort from Clarus.

"Well, there was that time…" the man smirked, amusement dancing in golden eyes.

"No! We don't talk about that, ever," Harry growled.

Watching them, it was so obvious they were family. The man was avoiding looking at him and Regis had no issue with that if it helped him.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

"Noctis," Ignis called his name but he ignored him, walking as quickly as he could through the mostly empty halls.

He was following the feel of his Dad and Harry's magic, able to feel something else…other magic. He reached the door and yanked it open, stepping in to see his Dad, Cor, Clarus, Harry, and…a stranger. "Dad?"

Prom obviously wanted to go to Harry's side so Noctis nudged him even as Harry stood, surprising them all by drawing Prompto into his arms despite the strangers presence. "I was so worried," the blond whispered.

"I'm okay Prompto," Harry promised, gently adjusting his braids for him, tugging at the courtship one.

"Well…I assume this is my future son-in-law?" the stranger asked. "Care to introduce us dear child?"

Harry sighed, leaning against Prompto. "Dad, must you stir all the time?" he grumbled.

Wait…DAD?!

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Harry didn't let go of Prom, glancing at Regis for permission to leave. He hesitated but nodded and Harry drew Prompto away.

"Harry?"

"There's something I need to talk to you about," Harry told him softly, slipping into the room next door.

"You called him Dad?" Prom asked as Harry shut the door.

He closed his eyes, gathering strength. He had to tell his fiancé everything and it could cost him so much. Prompto had spilled his own secret and yet he had held back.

"Harry? What is it, what's wrong?" Prom asked, touching his shoulder.

Harry turned back to him, reaching out to gently touch his cheek and Prompto leant into his touch. "I love you," he whispered. He leant in for what might be their last kiss, Prompto happily kissing back, arms wrapping around his waist.

"I love you too," Prompto smiled at him when they separated. He resettled Harry's braids for him and Harry let him. "So he's really your Dad?"

"Adoptive," Harry admitted. "He thought I was dead and I thought he was." He took a deep breath and led Prompto to the chairs, sitting down. He supposed that was a good a place to begin as any.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Ardyn watched Harry lead the blond boy to another room. That…was very interesting and possibly going to end badly. He now knew where the boy came from, he remembered the report made at the time. Prompto was the stolen MT clone from so long ago and he was honestly shocked the boy had survived to grow up considering how far he'd been into the process. And yet he sensed no trace of the Scourge within him. Did he remember what he was? Did Harry know?

It was harder, without Harry in the room, to keep the daemons and rage at bay. Noctis' presence didn't make it any easier either. He looked so much like Somnus… he closed his eyes, forcing himself to focus, Harry was just next door. Any action taken could endanger his son and that could not be allowed.

"Dad what's going on?" Noctis asked, his tone wary. Hmm, his voice was very different to Somnus' which was good.

"Noctis, this is Ardyn Lucis Caelum, our many times great-Uncle…and Harry's father," Regis introduced him. Ardyn was quite pleased by the boys reactions to that.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Prompto stared at his fiancé, mind spinning, unable to think. He… was he…were they…part of the lie? Harry was older, why would he want to be with him? Harry was ancient royalty and he was just…

He looked down as his hand was squeezed. "Prom?" Harry whispered.

"Why?" the word was out before he could stop himself, he wanted to pull away, to run from the answer, but Harry's grip tightened, green eyes full of some emption he couldn't identify at the moment.

"I was going to tell you," Harry promised, but could he believe him? "Dad showing up just made it at all happen now. But I swear, I was going to tell you soon. I just…I've never had to tell someone everything before. Regis knew I was from another World but he didn't know about Dad or my having been here so long ago." Harry gently tugged on his courting braid again, like he so often did. "I love you Prompto, I've never felt like this about anyone before you."

"I…" he bit his lip, he felt so lost and confused…and…angry.

"You have every right to hate me," Harry murmured. "You told me your deepest secret and I…I couldn't. You're braver than me, Prom."

He was? He'd never thought he was all that brave. Sure, he didn't have panic attacks or anything anymore but still, brave? He blinked as Harry took his hands and he was shocked when he felt magic…it felt like when he'd given his Oath and been linked to Noct's magic but a little different. Golden crystalline light shone around their hands, Harry's eyes glowing slightly. And then his eyes went wide as it was Harry who spoke an Oath, the magic surging between them.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Ardyn's head snapped towards the side room as he felt Harry's magic surge in…an Oath? He noticed Regis and Noctis had noticed as well, both staring at the door.

"Prom?" the Prince murmured.

"Noctis?" the skinnier of his Retainers asked.

"An Oath…but it's not Prompto giving it," he answered distractedly.

"No," Ardyn agreed, tipping his hat forward. "It's Harry." And he could take a wild guess why. If his son had not told his intended everything previously… well, he doubted the boy would take it well. But to swear an Oath? He hoped Harry had been very careful about what he swore. He wondered if his son was the first Royal to ever swear to a commoner rather than the other way around?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

The magic faded but Prompto's eyes remained wide as he stared up at him. He didn't regret it; he meant every word of what he'd sworn.

"Harry…" it was obvious Prompto was shocked.

"I meant it Prompt."

"But…you're Lucis Caelum, we give Oaths to your line not the other way around," he was shaking his head, bewildered, but Harry could see the linger anger. At least he wasn't stammering anymore.

"And I was a reckless Gryffindor long before I was Lucis Caelum," he managed an attempt at a grin before letting it fade. "There's no rule saying I can't do that anyway and even if there was, well…I probably pre-date that."

And there was a subtle flinch.

"Prom…I haven't lived two thousand years. When I found out how long I'd been gone…I thought I'd lost everything but then I came here and I found I still had a family, that I could have new friends…and you." Harry freed a hand to gently stroke his cheek. "I thought… because… because of how different I am, that I'd never have love."

"Would you…would you have done it, that night, if…if you'd found something in me?"

"If you were a threat to Noctis? Yes," he admitted.

"Good," Prompto whispered. "I've always…"

"Been scared there's something in you that will put them in danger," Harry sighed and then reached to stroke behind his ear. "There's something here," he admitted, "it can receive and transmit." He felt Prompto go utterly still and tense, terror in his eyes. "I've used my magic to shield it, the port in your arm, and your barcode to keep everyone safe."

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Finding out there was something in his head that could transmit or receive terrified him. who knew what the Empire could have learnt from him? Had…had it made him do anything? But…Harry said he'd shielded it all and as mad as he was at the lies…he didn't think this was one. He didn't know how to handle everything he'd been told. He loved the Harry he knew…was that Harry real?

He'd sworn an Oath, he couldn't believe he'd done that, but an Oath like that was binding. Why would he do that unless…unless it was real?

"Tell me…"

"Tell you what Prom?" Harry whispered.

"It's real," he choked out.

Harry's eyes went wide and then Prompto was being held close, a hand cradling the back of his head even as Harry's heartbeat sounded in his ear where it was pressed to his chest. "It's real. I love you Prompto Ulric-Peverell, I've never felt like this for anyone before. Not even with all the dances Dad and Uncle Somnus used to throw to marry me off," he whispered.

Prompto pulled back enough to look up at him and then he lifted his arms to wrap around his shoulders, pulling him into a kiss. He felt Harry relax, wrapping his arms around him. "I love you," he whispered. "I'm still mad and…"

"I know," Harry's smile was a little sad, tired. How hard had it been for him to hide so much for years? "We haven't set a date yet; you can take all the time you want or need to think. If…if you want," his fingers went to the courting braid, and Prompto shook his head, knowing what he was offering.

"I don't want that," he was sure of that now.

He wanted to be with Harry, he could feel the cold of the magic between them now, not as cold as Noct's, similar but different. Harry loved him, he could have had anyone, he was a Prince after all, but he'd chosen Prompto. He just needed time to adjust and think about everything he'd learned.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Noctis didn't know what was going on, but he was very worried about his cousin and Prompto. There hadn't been any sound or further magic that he could pick up on. His Dad and the others weren't saying anything either, obviously waiting for Harry to come back and just as obviously uncomfortable around Harry's Dad. There was something about the man that…unsettled him. No…it unsettled his magic and he'd never felt anything like that before.

Ardyn Lucis Caelum…how could they have never heard of him before? And why had he abandoned Harry? Or maybe he hadn't known his Mother was pregnant when he left Galahd? Then where had he been? If he'd known about Harry and abandoned him…

How long did it take to tell Prom that this man was his Dad which had been said before Harry had pulled him aside?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Harry held Prompto close, so happy he didn't want his courting braid removed, to end things. He pressed a kiss against styled blond hair, content to just stand there together forever. He knew there'd be more questions, probably yelling and tears, to come but for now there was peace. There hadn't been time to tell him everything but he'd hit what he thought were the main highlights, but what if something he'd left out would be the straw that broke the camel's back? No…he wouldn't go looking for trouble, he'd take things as they came and just hope Prompto would stay with him.

Eventually, he forced himself to let go. "We should get back out there before Dad starts a war," and he probably would just for his own amusement. Harry didn't want him to have to deal with his literal daemons alone when around Regis and Noctis.

Prompto stepped back, nodding. "Do they all know?"

"The Lucii, well Uncle Somnus, stepped in earlier so they know some, Regis the most beside Dad."

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Cor eyed the two boys as the emerged, seeing the lingering signs of distress in Prompto but he was staying close to Harry's side. He cared for both of those boys…except Harry wasn't really a boy, was he? It was hard to believe he was the Founder King's nephew, by adoption or not. Two thousand years… how was it possible? And why would the Mystic's brother be working with the Empire?

The two moved towards the table, Harry sitting between Ardyn and everyone else once again, the boys settle into chairs as well, thankfully with Noctis the furthest from the Chancellor. He'd personally prefer him to be on the other side of the city but knew he'd refuse to leave now.

"Can someone please tell me what's going on now?" Noctis looked between them all, worried and confused. He definitely wouldn't agree to leave.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Ignis was more than a little concerned and he could see Gladio was as well. He could see the signs of strain in both Prompto and Harry, something he'd never seen between them. They'd never really fought or anything, oh they had disagreements, but never anything serious. So what could have caused Prompto to withdraw? Surely it wasn't simply the presence of Harry's Father?

He could tell Noctis was dying to ask his cousin or friend questions but the King shifted, gaining everyone's attention even as he focused on the Chancellor and Harry.

All Ignis could do was listen in shock as secrets were revealed. Harry was the nephew of the Mystic! The Chancellor was his elder brother?! How… his hands curled into fists as the Prophecy was explained, seeing Harry's eyes widen and then narrow in anger. Well, it seemed he would have an ally in finding a way around that. He was not going to sit back and let Noctis die.

TBC…

Prompto's reaction to Harry's story gave me sooo much trouble. In the end, he's angry but he loves Harry so he's staying with him, so long as he doesn't keep secrets like that again. Bit of a filler.