Prompto wrapped his arms around Noctis and tried his hardest to breathe slowly. There were so many things that still raced in his mind and heart. But he tried thinking warm thoughts. Happy thoughts between him and Noctis, using those feelings to guide their way over to Noctis.

Noctis struggled with the swarm of terrible ideas in their world. Of the prophecy and the idea of Niflheim claiming Prompto, and the other secrets his father was keeping, all of them threatened to keep him from resting or eating at the moment. Everything felt on edge.

Still, after being moved to another place and dealing with a few other deals of being prince, Noctis relaxed in the overly comfortable chairs his father offered in his office while he and his husband recovered from their vision journey

"If you wish, I can bring you two some tea," Regis offered.

"Tea sounds nice," Prompto said.

Noctis leaned more into Prompto to enjoy his placement. "Tea sounds great. Do you want any help?"

Regis shook his head. "I shall be able to handle it." He looked over to Clarus who had been guarding the room the entire time. "Claurs will be helping me."

"Dad, please, stop trying to protect us. We can handle it. Whatever plans you have, we want to be part of it." Noctis pleaded.

Regis smiled. "We'll talk plans when I return with tea, how does that sound?"

"Does that give us a week to think about everything that happened?" Noctis hissed as he held Prompto close.

"If you wish to soak it in first, we can do that. But first tea."

"Prom, agree with me, does Dad just. . . use tea as a medicine?"

"Tea is a good medicine," Prompto nodded. "Soothes the heart."

Noctis sighed and nodded. "I guess it does. Tea, then plans, one step at a time I suppose."

Regis and Clarus left the room, leaving the two boys to cuddle close to one another. Prompto sighed deeply as he rested his head on Noctis's shoulder.

"This officially sucks." Noctis said softly as he hugged Prompto tightly.

"I know... everything feels like it's gone to shit."

"Yeah. I want to be so mad at dad for keeping all those secrets. And I'm scared of what else he's hiding."

"He was trying to protect you. I guess he thought he was doing what was right?"

"I guess. He's always said being king is a hard job with many burdens."

"And that includes secrets?"

"All the secrets. At least I have you to help with this."

"Yeah. No secrets between us anymore," Prompto said as he kissed Noctis.

"I'm sadly glad you were here when he told me. Otherwise, I don't know how I would have managed telling you." Noctis said softly. "I don't want to believe it."

"The stuff about the prophecy? But why would the Astrals do that to you? I still don't get it..."

"Why do the Astrals do anything?" He asked bitterly. "I don't think they care how much this is going to hurt."

"They don't understand humans anymore I guess..." Prompto sighed. "Otherwise they could understand that it's wrong..."

"Too bad they're all asleep so I can't yell at them."

"But your dad talks to Bahamut? Can't you do the same?"

"I- I don't know? I know it has to do with the Crystal when he does that." Noctis confessed.

"Like the actual crystal?"

Noctis nodded. "I don't know how he does it, but I know it's involved.

"Maybe we can ask him? Then you can argue that this is wrong?"

Tilting his head some, Noctis considered it. "I suppose it couldn't hurt. And at least we have a chance at making a change."

Regis and Clarus came back to the room shortly after. They set up the table and placed the teacups down.

Regis sighed as he sat down in his chair. "So... what shall we talk about? I am here to give you answers."

Noctis looked at Prompto to gather his strength, then looked at his father with a mostly clear face. "I want to talk to Bahamut."

Regis's face straightened up, his somber expression becoming more concerned. "You wish to speak to the Draconian?"

"Yes, one of the Astrals deserves to see the person they're condemning face to face, try to remember they're a real person. Not a figment of prophecy." Noctis felt the words come out of his mouth in a harsh rush of hurt.

"Noct... I don't know if Bahamut would listen. He didn't listen to me when I begged to trade for me to be the one."

Noctis flinched at that as he stared at his father. "You did what?"

"I would have gladly taken your place in the prophecy if it meant you would live," Regis nodded.

"But why does anyone have to die?"

Regis shook his head. "It is what the Astrals deem must be done. Their reasons are beyond our comprehension."

"But like why?" Prompto replied. "They said Noct has to die but they didn't say the reason other than that it supposedly will get rid of the Starscourge?"

"I can't even use my magic fully, so it doesn't make much sense that I'm the chosen one."

Prompto gave a quick side glance to Noctis before going to drink from his tea.

"The Astrals... I don't know the reason behind their choice. Perhaps they didn't expect that daemon accident to occur." Regis sighed again. Clarus reached over and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Then all the more reason to talk to Bahamut and convince him he's either got the wrong guy, or the prophecy has to change."

Humming Clarus looked at the boys and then at Regis. "There's no harm in trying, is there Regis?"

Regis let out his sigh slowly through his nose. "I suppose there isn't. We can go in a little bit. Any other questions?"

Prompto tried to think of something, but in the end he shook his head. "No... I got nothing."

"Why do you want to get us out of Insomnia?" Noctis asked. "And so soon?"

"I have fears that not is all as it seems. If something is afoot I want you to be as far away from danger as possible."

"But we could help you, help protect the city."

"No. It's too risky. I can't risk you or Prompto getting hurt."

"But what about you? And Clarus? I don't want anything to happen to either of you!"

"Yeah!" Prompto interjected. "You're both our dads! We won't leave you behind!"

"But it's our job to keep you safe. So this is part of it. I know it's not great, but it's needed. As your fathers."

"Yes this is why I want you two to go to Altissia. If I can have my way this also may free Luna and her brother," Regis added.

"Ravus? But, he works for the Empire."

"The Empire has oppressed them for years now, I am sure he has no choice in the matter," Regis replied.

Noctis frowned a little bit at that before giving a little nod. "I guess it wouldn't be bad to have him on our side."

"We shall see in time when the peace treaty signing takes place. But for now I advise you two to prepare for the possibility of heading out."

"We can do that. What are you going to tell Ignis and Gladio? Or are they not coming on this trip?"

"They are a part of your retinue. They would accompany you of course," Regis replied.

Noctis nodded at that. "I bet Gladio will be happy for an excuse to drag us out camping. He's been threatening it for years."

"Camping sounds pretty peaceful actually," Prompto said. "Getting to see more of Eos too."

"That doesn't sound too bad. I like getting to know people around Insomnia." He shrugged.

"Oh wait! Who will watch Void and Ziggy when we're gone?" Prompto asked. "We probably can't take them on the trip." He then looked to Clarus. "Do you think Iris could watch over them?"

Clarus smiled and nodded. "I think she'd be delighted to watch over them. Make sure to go over their care with both her and Jared."

"I will!" Prompto nodded.

"We will be sure to keep you up to date with how soon we might have you four leave the city." Regis offered.

"And how the negotiations are going?" Noctis countered.

"We will be having a meeting within the hour with the Chancellor of Niflheim. Before the Emperor or anyone else can come to the city, we must come to an agreement still."

"Do you wish for us to be part of those discussions? Or stay out of the way?"

"For now I will delay it on my own."

Noctis turned to look at Clarus. "Watch after him, please."

Clarus nodded solemnly at that in agreement. "Of course, Your Highness."

"Noct," his father said as he started to stand. "If you wish to seek an audience with Bahamut, please wait until after my meeting. Understood?"

"I understand. Then, until then, I'll be good and go through the reports Specs has no doubt put on my desk to look over."

With a small smile Regis moved over to Noctis, leaned over to give him a small hug. "Never forget that I've always loved you my son."

Noctis couldn't help but lean into the hug for a short moment to let himself cling onto his father. "Yeah, I won't forget. Love you too, Dad." He said softly.

While Noctis did that, Prompto got up quickly and moved over to hug Clarus before the man could reach him. He grinned warmly. "Might as well join the dad hugs."

Clarus let a small laugh rumble in his chest as he returned the hug. "Very well, time to enjoy dad hugs."

When the fathers let go of their sons, they headed out of the room. With it just being Prompto and Noctis, the two moved back to the couch to finish off their tea.

"So if you go and see Bahamut later, do I come along?" Prompto asked.

"I'm not keeping you from coming, but I don't know what it'll be like."

Prompto squeezed Noctis's hand. "I'll be there to support you, okay? I'm not letting you face a god alone."

Noctis smiled at that. "Best husband I could ask for. Thank you, for staying with me, despite, well, all of this."

"I keep telling you, I'm never going to leave you alone to face this. We're together. I should be thanking you though. I find out I got some messed up past and you still love me."

"Of course I still love you. I don't care where you're from. You're Prom, and I love Prom."

"The one and only right?" Prompto smiled.

"And I will love only you the way I love you." Noctis said confidently. "Want to help me with paperwork?"

"Yeah, might as well get a start on it before Iggy scolds us again."

He laughed and grabbed Prompto's hand. "Come on then, let's be good princes to the kingdom and get that paperwork done."

"To the dreaded paperwork!" Prompto laughed as they headed out of the room.

Noctis wheezed out a little laugh as he linked arms with his husband while they walked to his large office. He had no issue being seen walking close and intimate with Prompto, since everyone knew how much he loved him at this point. They were such a common cornerstone of the Citadel at this point.

Eventually, they installed themselves into Noctis's office to curl up together in the same large chair to start working through reports together to start making ideas and comments for them.

By the time they were nearly finished, Regis stepped into the room, looking a little more exhausted than before. "If you wish to have an audience with Bahamut, now would be the time."

"I do want to do this. I need to know the Astrals are willing to stare a human down and send them to death." Noctis replied flatly.

Regis curtly nodded before he motioned for the two to follow. They headed all the way through the Citadel until they reached the secure chamber that housed the crystal. They were just outside the chamber doors when Regis turned to face them. "I cannot guarantee that Bahamut will speak. For the king of the gods he is the hardest to reach."

Noctis gave a soft scoff at that. "I'm still going to try. He should answer for the stuff he's forcing all of us to do."

Regis stepped aside. "I will be out here if you need me."

"Alright, I'm taking Prom with me as moral support," Noctis said as he gripped Prompto's hand tightly and headed into the Crystal's room.

He paused in front of the large Crystal and the contraption surrounding it all. He had to take a deep breath, and squeeze his husband's hand to steady his breathing and nerves. They stepped forward together so he could press a pale hand onto the dark crystal.

Before the prince could start to form a question, a loud voice boomed through his head. "You are here too soon. You need to form the covenants first."

Prompto tensed up, also hearing the loud voice echoing in his mind. He stayed right by Noctis's side, gripping him a little tighter.

"I have a few words I want to say to you, Bahamut," Noctis replied.

"And what would the untested Chosen King have to say to the Draconian?" The voice boomed.

"I want to talk to you about the prophecy," Noctis said, trying to keep his voice as stern as possible.

"The prophecy has stood for millennia. There is no need to question it."

"I have a right to question it! It's technically my prophecy! So I think I have some right to know!"

"You are not to question this. You need to go out and collect the covenants of the others now." Bahamut replied.

"N-Now?" Prompto asked suddenly. "You mean he has to go right away?"

"The prophecy must begin soon. The Starscourge grows in strength each day. We cannot allow it to consume Eos."

"Then why does it require I have to die?!" Noctis asked, no longer being able to hold back his anger.

"As many have given their lives for the king, so must the king give himself to save his people." Bahamut replied.

"So you mean I need to be a selfless saint to please the masses all because they are willing to die for someone who rules for them? And I don't get a say in the matter?!"

"The Prophecy has stood in place for many millennia. The Chosen King will accept his role after fulfilling the covenants and obtaining the Royal Arms."

"Yeah, yeah, you already said that, but why? Why does it have to be this way?"

"There is no other way to free the soul of the Accursed but to follow the prophesy. And the Starscourge cannot be banished until the Accursed is defeated."

"Free the soul? The Accursed? So it's not just defeating the Starscourge, it's killing someone?" Noctis gasped.

A long, heavy pause stretched between Noctis and the Crystal. "Yes, from the death of the Chosen King, will the Accursed be able to die finally. The Accursed has been the host for the Starscourge and will not vanish till the pestilence has been purged from our world."

"Wait, how long has the Accursed been alive?" Prompto asked as his mind tracked the words quickly.

"Since the time of the Founder King."

"Holy..." Noctis muttered softly. "And you guys seriously couldn't do a thing? If an Astral can't do it, how can I?"

"Once the Chosen King has collected the Arms and the Covenants and the blessing of the Crystal, they will contain more power than an Astral."

"I'm... You're trying to make me more powerful... than yourself?" Noctis said with staggered breaths.

"One must hold immense power for a short amount of time to defeat the Starscorge. But that amount of power could not be allowed to remain on this world for long." Bahamut explained. "So the Chosen King shall rise above all, before giving themselves to the world."

Noctis shuddered at Bahamut's words. He felt like he was going to be sick. Any moment he was surely going to throw up onto the crystal. A weak thought inside of him chuckled at that concept. Maybe if he was disrespectful to Bahamut, he would change the prophecy, but he knew the god probably wouldn't care.

"Do not come back until you have fulfilled the covenants, and collecting your Arms. I have no need of you until then," Bahamut said easily as his presence lifted from Noctis and Prompto.

Noctis nearly dropped to his knees, but he was caught quickly by Prompto. "Whoa hey, you okay?"

Noctis shook his head briefly. "No, no I'm not." He said softly as he buried his face into Prompto's chest.

Prompto held him firmly, letting him cry out any of the feelings he had been holding back. "Hey, it's okay, Noct. I'm here."

"I can't believe I let myself hope I could change his mind."

Prompto's arms began to tremble. "I know... I hoped too."

Noctis held onto Prompto tightly. "You can be sad too." He said softly. "We're both a mess."

Prompto rubbed his face against Noctis, letting his own tears spill. "Come on, let's get out of here. I don't want to be in an Astral's presence when I start crying."

"Okay, let's go." Noctis agreed, helping him to stand up carefully. He held onto Prompto close while they walked out of the room.

Regis was waiting for them when they excited the chamber. He moved closer to the booths and offered his own hug to the two.

Noctis couldn't help but let out a shudder as he leaned into his father. "Thank you for letting me try."

"Of course my son," he pressed a kiss to the top of Noctis's head. "How about you two take the rest of the day off? We can discuss plans for the trip tomorrow."

"Yeah, that sounds good. Don't let the Chancellor drive you too crazy." Noctis replied softly.

"I won't. Now you two go and relax," Regis advised before they headed on their way.