Prompto look from the corner of her eye the king still sitting at the table with her. Astrum in her lap as Gladio, Ignis and Noct have left her alone to defend for herself. Astrum happily sat in her lap as she slowly ate. She felt very uncomfortable, if she ate to fast she worried she will give herself a stomach ache.
They sat in silence.
And when she finally finished she continue to sit in her spot, deciding to finish her drink before she gets up. When she finish her juice she gathers the plate with the cup on top, standing up with Astrum in one arm while the other hand holds the plate. She walks to the sink, slowly and carefully she washed the dishes. When she put the dishes away to dry she turned to Regis sitting there staring at her. She turned to the digital clock.
It's so early. To early for Astrum to be put to a nap, but he doesn't need to eat, Ignis must have already feed him, looks like the only option is to play. But should she be hospitable to the king? How does she do that? It feels wrong because this isn't even her place so she tries not to touch too much, only what she needs to.
She flinches when Regis stands up and turns to Clarus. "Why don't you wait outside?" He asks but his tone made it an order. Clarus nods and walks outside. Regis walks to the couch. The coffee table angled wrong to let space for Astrum to lay around and try to start crawling. Regis sits down and looks around to Prompto standing there like an idiot. "Come sit with me." He says tapping to the seat next to him, a warm smile on his face. It was suppose to welcoming but it did not calm down her nerves, if anything that face made it worse. He's the king, so she knows he's use to hiding his true feelings. Was this some sort of trick?
She didn't think to much about it as she was concentrating on not falling or embarrassing herself more than she has already, she sat on the couch, two feet away, close to the armrest. She held Astrum close to her chest, like an emotional support animal.
"Miss Prompto," Regis starts staring at her, she lets out a squeak and turns to him.
"J-just Prompto, your highness." She tells him before he continue.
"Alright." He nods, "may I know why you kept your pregnancy hidden from us, from Noctis, Ignis and Gladio. I have seen how you all interact, you are all very close so why hide it?" Regis asks. Prompto looks at Astrum then at the king. In order for him to understand he'll have to tell him what Prompto haven't and can't tell the others.
"I couldn't face them at first. When I first learned that I was pregnant I was a wreck, I didn't know what to do, what I should do so I went online and searched and abortion was a very popular one. So I went to see about it. And I couldn't go through with it. It felt wrong, I don't know why but it felt really wrong and I couldn't. I knew I was being selfish, but I made my choice, and I don't regret it." Prompto smiles as she rubs her cheek against the top of Astrums hair. She loves her baby so much she doesn't regret not going through with the abortion. "I was scared about how Noctis and Ignis would react, I didn't want them to be mad at me, and what would Ignis do? Would he force me to do the abortion? I also didn't want Noct to be in trouble for a choice I made, the plan was for him to be married to Luna, if they all knew there would have been a lot of drama. I didn't want to deal with that so I kept it hidden." Prompto answers.
Regis stare for a long time after. He would like to know how the baby was even conceived in the first place, what happened? He's sure Ignis would be watching him like a hawk, if not the advisor then the shield. What are their feelings? But that would be asking too much.
And it's clear that she cares for them very much. It's also very obvious that the three boys care for her as well. And everyone cares for the baby in her arms.
"I'm sorry, Prompto." the blonde looks at him curiously, why is he apologizing? "I wasn't the kindest during our first meeting and I thought the worst of you." Prompto smiles at him.
"It's fine. Ignis also acted the same way. Noctis kept glaring at Ignis before Ignis finally stopped." Prompto smiles at Regis, her smile is so bright and infectious that he starts to smile himself.
"You care for Noct, Ignis and Gladio." Regis says, he knows but he would like to hear it from her own mouth. Prompto smile turned fond. Regis knew from watching that the young blonde that she's very expressive, she doesn't know how to hide her feelings, if she does she doesn't do it. He can see why everyone cares for her. She's so true. And Iris is right being around her is so freeing.
"I love them. I was always alone at home so having Noct to talk to, to have Ignis cooking, or Gladio in the living room reading it feels like home. Like a family. I love that feeling." she tells him. She sets Astrum down, he was squirming. Astrum lifts his head, turning around to look at them. Prompt smiles at him. He smiles back at them, turning back around to slowly start crawling towards one of his toys.
"Your parents weren't around?" He asks shocked and sad for her. Then he remember her reaction to her last name. He's shocked to hear that someone's parents would leave their child alone, on purpose.
"No, they were always busy." Prompto gives him a small smile, but their was sadness in her eyes. He decided to not pester her about it, he can't say much when he was much the same towards Noctis.
Regis decides to change the subject, talk about something else. "I heard you declined going to Lunafreya engagement party." he says.
"Yes. I would love to go but..." Prompto looks over to Astrum, she gives him a smile.
"You don't want to leave Astrum?"
"Yeah," Prompto nods. "I've never been away from him. I don't know if I could." she says.
"I can take care of him." Regis tells her. Prom looks at him shocked. "It's nice that you care for him but I think you should separate yourself from him this once. Experience life, go on a trip." Prom bites her lips thinking, that does sound good. And he's right. Astrum is young enough so she can go with Noct and have fun. Can she? She would like to. "I know Luna would love to see you." Regis says. Prompto narrows her eyes at him. Why is he trying to send her away?
"It's sound like you are trying to kick me out. Why are you trying to kick me out?" she asks. Regis laughs, a deep laugh that came from the pit of his stomach. Prompto blushes, hopefully she doesn't get into trouble for being so honest and forward with him. She never thought she would be sitting on a couch with the king talking casually.
"Then I'll be honest, I would like to spend time with my grandson." Regis says to her. Prompto smiles at him.
"If you want to be around Astrum just ask. Though you should be warned, Ignis hogs him." the blonde tells him causing the king to let out a chuckle. Prompto lets out a chuckle herself. "I'll take you up on your offer." she tells the king.
"Are you sure?" He asks.
Prompto nods, "Noct and I had a promise. I was supposed to go to the same school as him but that didn't taken. And I told him that I wanted to go on a trip before school so he said we should go on a trip together before university started but that didn't happen. I canceled many plans during my pregnancy with Astrum. I'd like to explore while I'm given the chance." who knows if she's going to get a second chance. She'd be a fool not to take it.
Regis smiles at her. He really hopes she enjoys herself on the trip. While he's going to spend time with his grandson. He's a grandfather. Since there is no drama between Luna and Noctis, Regis finds himself very happy about about having a grandson around. Of course he knows there are still problems around the corner, up a head so for now he's going to enjoy the moment.
