Flowers filled the main hall, along with streamers and bits and pieces of confetti. The grand main hall had never looked so lively and full of color, not in many years at least. People were gathered along the sides, sitting patiently in their seats while various press outlets were off to the side, snapping pictures of the beautiful room. No one currently was at the top of the podium, but everyone knew that soon enough the ceremony would start, it just needed a few more minutes.
Eventually the crowd and their mutterings died down when Regis came out to walk up to the platform, with Noctis following right behind. Both were dressed in their regal black suits, covered in fancy pieces of Lucis symbolism and sashes.
Noctis had to take a deep breath as he looked over the grand hall and saw their careful plans actually come to fruition for this day. His heart rate spiked as the music began, the wide doors in the back opened, and the entire audience rose to watch Prompto enter the room, dressed in the traditional black of a Lucian bride, with Clarus guiding him regally down the aisle.
Prompto smiled as he saw Noctis, his feelings of joy overpowered all of the nervousness that Noctis had been feeling. Prompto was led up to the front, standing next to Noctis while Clarus moved to be by Regis's side.
The moment Prompto was let go, Noctis reached over to take his hand and felt calmer. He smiled at him brightly, not caring if anyone else saw it at that point. This was a great day for both of them.
The high priest of the Astrals started the ceremony, addressing those in the audience to have them grant blessings to the couple in front of them so that those would also bless the kingdom. Then, they pulled out a long black and gold ribbon to carefully wrap around their held hands while chanting prayers for the couple and to the Astrals in Old Lucian.
Prompto grinned. "So this is happening," he whispered softly only for Noctis to hear.
Noctis was too worried to be caught, but he sent a wave of love towards him and nodded at him.
The priest soon brought their still entwined hands together to come forward to light a candle together. This time he told the audience how this act symbolized their souls coming together to rule the kingdom towards the light and prosperity in their marriage and bring their marriage toward happiness and love.
Then, they were open to give their vows, Prompto waved to give his first.
"Noct, I mean Noctis, I don't even know where to begin. You've been the best friend, and boyfriend I could ever ask for. You helped me find motivation when I felt lonely and lost, and you've supported me like a good friend should. I can't ask for anything more because I have everything that I ever wanted. You've given me everything and more, and I want to give you the same. I promise I will keep on loving and supporting you, just as you do for me. I love you and I know I say it a lot, but it never feels like I say it enough. I will forever and always be ever at your side."
Noctis took a deep, shuddery breath, not caring if the audience heard how emotional he was at the moment. "Prompto, I don't know if you know how much I can truly tell you, how much your companionship with me has truly meant to me." He reached out so he could take Prompto's other hand to squeeze it tightly.
"From the day we met, even those days we pretended we didn't know each other, you never treated me as anything more than a normal person. You only saw me, as, well, me. Sometimes a lazy student, but now, a friend, a boyfriend, someone to rely on. And, though we've faced some rough times together, I know I always have someone I can depend on to help me just because you like me for who I am. Who loves me because you see me for flaws and benefits. I want you at my side through the good times and the bad times. And I want to be there for you through everything. I want to walk tall with you no matter the situation. Because I know, I have the best partner I could ever ask for right now."
Prompto smiled warmly, tearing up from Noctis's sentimental words. "Thank you."
The priest stepped forward to continue the ceremony, sending more prayers to the Astrals so they could honor the vows made in front of the entire kingdom of true emotion. As he spoke, he brought forth the candle they had lit together toward the end of the ribbon hanging off their arms.
With a flash, the ribbon burned and the ashes floated toward the top of the hall and rained around them. "Your marriage has been blessed by the Heavens. May your reign together bring forth many blessings to yourselves and the kingdom." The priest cried.
"With the blessings of the Astrals, I now pronounce you, husband and husband, you may kiss!"
Prompto reached forward, slowly wrapping his arms around Noctis. With a deep breath he leaned forward, bringing his lips to meet the man that was now his husband.
Noctis sighed happily into the kiss and melted into Prompto's arms as the crowd cheered around them. He broke the kiss far sooner than he would like as he smiled down at his now husband.
"I give you, the husbands Lucis Caelum!" The priest shouted over the crowd.
"Prompto Lucis Caelum," Prompto muttered. "Has a nice ring to it."
"I like it a lot too." Noctis breathed as he tried to get in another kiss.
The attempt was stopped by the priest stepping forward. "Now we shall crown our new Prince to the kingdom. Please, follow me to the throne room so we might coronate him to the line properly."
The priest stepped forward down the aisle, making Noctis take Prompto's arm to start leading him in the appropriate distance behind him as dictated. He knew Gladiolus and Ignis were following them as they were instructed for the coronation of a new royal family member. His father, Clarus, and Cor soon followed his friends, which then allowed the in-person audience to follow the royal procession to the throne room.
In the throne room sat two thrones where usually only sat one since the death of the previous queen. Noctis felt his throat tighten for a moment at the memory of the mother he never got to know and the pressure assuming those steps would really mean to his life.
Prompto laced his fingers with Noctis, giving him a squeeze. "Come on. We got this."
"We do. You ready to be an official prince?" Noctis teased. "You'll get to deal with the Council with me."
"I'm ready," Prompto nodded.
Noctis smiled and tried to reply, but the sound of the throne room opening stopped him. They were soon ushered up to the two thrones to sit side by side, but allowed to hold hands through the ceremony.
The priest brought forth the two halves of the branched crown of Lucis. The first, and main half was easily settled on Noctis's head as he was declared the birth prince of the land, and the crowd cheered for him.
The second half was soon handed over to his father with a small chant, requesting the blessing of the current ruler to grant the rule of the kingdom to be broken between two again, instead of one as is the birthright of the Lucis Caelum. Regis easily looked Prompto in his eyes and replied he had no problem breaking the rule into two. The priest bowed and took back the crown to march over to Prompto.
Another long series of prayers and chants were given to the Astrals and to the kingdom, to give blessings to both, and to request that they honor the power given to their new ruler with this crown. Finally, the second half of the crown was placed on Prompto's blond hair to create a full crown between the two thrones.
The crowd cheered happily as Prompto's fingers gently ran over the crown. "So now I am really a prince?"
"Now you really are a prince. You're bound to the kingdom just like I am." Noctis replied.
The pair was gestured to stand and approach the audience amidst the cheers. Soon they were guided over to the large ballroom which hosted the reception and then a small antechamber to take a moment of privacy to relax from the ceremonies.
"Wow, I still can't believe it," Prompto said. "That all went way faster than I expected."
Noctis laughed at that and pulled Prompto in for a kiss. "Thought it would be a day full of boring ceremonies?"
"Well I had learned all about the ceremonies back in school. So I was prepared but I didn't think it would go so fast. Or maybe it was because I was excited?" Prompto laughed after they pulled back from the kiss.
"I think excitement helped. I know it felt like it flew by. Now we get to celebrate with everyone together."
"A real regal princely celebration," Prompto said as he hooked arms with Noctis. "With my husband right by my side."
Noctis smiled and brushed his thumb over the wedding band. "That's not going to get old. Come on, we have the procession through the city to get to."
"Who would have thought we would get a parade just for getting married!"
"Well I figured I'd get one when I got married, but it's a bit of a tradition." Noctis teased. He guided them through the citadel to the grand front steps where the motorcade was waiting for them.
"Alright, let's do this and probably get rice and streamers in our hair for weeks!"
"You should not be so excited about that." He laughed. Though, true to Prompto's word, there were plenty of streamers and confetti pouring down on them from the crowds while they traveled slowly through the streets of Insomnia.
"Do we have time for a nap in the schedule?" Noctis asked quietly.
"I don't know, haven't looked yet. But," Prompto rested his head on Noctis's shoulder. "I'm sure we can find sometime."
Noctis wrapped his arm around to pull Prompto in close. "You holding up alright? Or do you need a nap too?"
"I'll nap whenever you nap," Prompto whispered. "I'm sure we will both be tired after today."
"Yeah, today- no, this week is gonna be a long week. But so very worth it."
"Okay let me try that again! After this week we'll be tired."
"We will. But I'm not regretting any of it."
"Me neither. Best start to an amazing week ever."
"And it'll be hard for us to ever forget our anniversary." He laughed.
"Oh em gee! You're right! It's going to be famous! We're famous!" Prompto shouted.
Noctis twisted so he could kiss Prompto properly. "I love how much you forget that. You just- we're just us and not royalty." He laughed.
"Of course, cause that's what's important. Who we are on the inside, not our social classes. Though to be fair, glad you made time for a now former pleb."
"It was easy to do. Oh, looks like we've made it to our first party of the week. Want me to try and remove some of the streamers from your hair? Or leave it for fashion?"
"You know me, I'm the fashion master! I make it look good," Prompto grinned.
Noctis smiled at that and nodded. "You do. Come on, let's go enjoy our dance." He got out of the car and guided Prompto into the large party.
Inside the party music was already loud as expected and people were already there ready to cheer on the newlyweds. Prompto stuck right by Noctis's side until they were able to make their way to the dance floor.
"You okay?" Noctis asked as quietly as he could when they started the first proper dance for the party.
"Yeah, I just didn't expect so many people to be here."
"Don't worry, I'll be with you as much as possible."
"Then Mr. Lucis Caelum, may I have the first dance?" Prompto asked as he held out his hand.
"Of course, Mr. Lucis Caelum. Or should I say, Your Highness?"
Prompto laughed lightly. "I don't know if I'll ever get used to that."
Noctis smiled as the dance started between the two of them. "Well, I can help you get used to it. I like calling you that, a lot."
Prompto blushed. "So what can I call you?"
"Call me whatever you'd like. I've always liked what you've called me in the past."
"So just plain old Noct?" Prompto said as he leaned closer to Noctis's ear. "Or do you want Nocty?"
Noctis huffed a little laugh at Prompto. "I like any name you call me. Anything that reminds me that I'm just. . . I'm just a person." He said honestly.
"Well I'm always here to remind you that you are always Noctis, my best friend and husband. That's what is important."
Noctis sighed heavily, happily, in response to that. "I'm so glad I have that from you. I want to be able to do the same for you. I'll always be at your side, Prom. You're so important to me."
Prompto cupped Noctis's face and smiled. "We promised each other we would be, and that's what I plan to do. Or do I need to get my catchphrase framed for you?"
A loud laugh barked from Noctis over the music. "No, no, you don't need to do that. I believe you."
"You sure? I bet it would be great for merchandising. Imagine it. You have a mug that says 'ever at your side' or even a sweater! Maybe just keep the merch for the two of us though."
"You don't have to do it for merch. I don't need it for the public, I want it. . . I want it just for me. I need to know someone loves me for who I am."
"Then I'll make you a special present with the words on it. For our anniversary one day," Prompto chuckled.
Noctis laughed at that. "I look forward to one of our anniversaries. To see what you plan."
"But we have the honeymoon first! We need to figure that out!"
"I thought that would just be a week of us hiding away in the apartment with no one to bother us." Noctis cackled.
"Hey if it works we can totally do that. Video games all day every day."
"Dude, we should not, I mean, probably? We shouldn't? use our name to get early releases to games." Noctis laughed.
"That would be amazing! Would we be allowed to do that?"
"I honestly don't know, but I could ask Ignis. He would know. The games I get have honestly been gifts."
"Wait! You mean every time you got a game early it was because they gifted it to you? I thought you just paid for early copies."
Noctis sighted heavily. "Sadly, I wish. No, it was because they wanted crown approval. I've never given it."
"Why haven't you?"
"Because I don't wish to abuse the title." He confessed.
"Ah yeah, totally makes sense that way. But hey we'll figure out what to do! I'll be happy either way if I'm with you."
"I'm glad you're so easy to please." Noctis laughed.
"I'm a simple guy! What can I say!"
"You say a lot, but I like it all. Come on, let's get something to eat."
"Right, let's go."