Disclaimer: not mine
Chapter 14
Prompto grinned when Harry tugged at the lengthening strands of blond hair. He'd been nervous about growing it out to actually use the beads he'd been given and it'd take a while to get long enough to actually braid, but even Cor and Iggy had encouraged him so long as it was something he wanted. And…he did, the lessons and sense of community, the people had accepted him and the idea of fitting in somewhere was something he'd always wanted. Nyx had even dragged him to the Glaive training grounds to work with him after finding out that Harry and the guys did the same.
"Nyx wear you out?" Harry asked, flopping down on the couch beside him, and Prompto groaned.
"He's worse then you," he mumbled, and Harry laughed, an arm going around his shoulders.
Prompto leant against him, he'd been spending even more time with Harry since his 'adoption' months ago. He'd been shocked when Harry had shown up at the school after Prompto had been called in over his wearing the bead necklace and then when his hair had begun showing the increasing length, the principal had not been impressed, then again the guy had never liked his attending the school. Having the Immortal's cousin show up had shocked the man, although why he didn't know considering everyone knew that Prompto and Noct were best friends. Both Harry and Nyx had made up formal paperwork stating that he was now Galahdan and therefore they couldn't punish him for traditional jewellery or hair style, that was one of the few concessions they had managed to get from the government. He was so glad Graduation was coming up.
Spending so much time with Harry did have a downside though, it was doing nothing to get him over his crush! It sucked. He didn't even know if the older teen liked guys, girls, or both. It was stupid, even if he liked guys, there was no way he would be interested in Prompto. He just had to get over it, like he'd gotten over Noct and Iggy. Though he'd gotten over those crushes quicker.
He felt fingers play with his hair and sighed, it felt really good. Hair was a big thing in Galahd culture and he'd never realised how much he liked others messing with his until they'd started.
"Prom?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you…like me?"
He froze, terrified of the question. What had he done to give it away? Would Harry not want to be his friend anymore? Kick him out of the Peverell clan?
"Prompto?" a gentle hand nudged him up, and he sat up, shifting to sit in the corner of the ratty old, yet very comfortable, couch. "Come on Prom, look at me."
He risked a look at Harry and there was no anger or disgust or anything. "Hey, it's okay."
"I…I…" he could feel his face burning. And then his mind went blank as lips pressed against his. He blinked in shock, staring at Harry, had he just? He had. Oh.
"You're not eighteen yet Prompto and I'm almost nineteen," Harry said, and Prompto frowned slightly.
Oh, right. Harry was legal and he wasn't not for another few months anyway. So that meant…Harry liked him too! "And…after my birthday?"
"If you want to go on a date, then I'd agree."
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Harry waved as he walked down the street, returning the greetings offered to him. It was hard to believe he'd been in Insomnia for almost year now. He headed up to his apartment and got out of his uniform before starting on dinner. He'd decided, he was going to tell Regis the truth about Earth, although not his true identity or age. He'd told Prompto that if he asked once he was eighteen he'd date him but…was it right to do that with so many secrets? Maybe he'd bring that up with Regis as well, if he took the revelation well anyway.
Things would be changing now Noct was eighteen and done with school. Graduation and his birthday had been a nightmare and everyone had been glad when it was over. Prompto Ulric-Peverell would be joining the Crownsguard, his paperwork was all filled out and just needed Cor to sign off on it. He knew Nyx had been happy to give Prom his name, not like the Argentum's deserved it, and Harry had agreed when Nyx had offered it. It made sense, he was part of their clans after all.
Harry was kind of amazed that they'd managed to keep his connection to Regis a secret. He didn't mind missing the big birthday celebrations at all! Could he really keep his Royal ancestry a secret for the years to come, or would it somehow be revealed. He'd claimed all of the Royal Arms that they knew of within Lucis, except the one they suspected had been taken to Costlemark because no one would agree to let him go in without a full team and that couldn't be spared. Harry knew he could handle it alone but there was no way to explain that. Cor had made enquires with the Hunters to be on the lookout for more Tombs on the understanding that it was for Noctis' future pilgrimage, leaving Harry out of it. Surely more must survive given how many rulers there had been since Uncle Somnus.
The war was still pretty much at a standstill, but it had been even before he arrived. They just didn't have the numbers to match the endless waves of MT's. One Glaive was worth a hundred MT's at least, but when their numbers never seemed to decrease it didn't really matter. They could make more faster than they could recruit and train fighters. Knowing what making more MT's meant made him sick and he could see it in Regis, Cor, and Clarus, they had at least some idea because of Prompto.
Harry sighed and got up to wash his dishes. He knew he could make a big difference on the frontlines, any Royal could, btu especially him with Earth magics. He hated not being able to do more but something told him that it would not be smart, not at the moment anyway. The Lucii had accepted him but would the Crystal…would the Astrals? Aera had spoken of them often, she had been the first Oracle, but the stories she told and the Crystal she had prayed to left him feeling cold. Did they know the Lucis Caelum carried the blood of another world? Of the way to travel between the two?
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Regis stared at his cousin who would not look at him, instead looking out the window at the city. Another world…it sounded insane, then again so did the Lucii and prophecy to anyone other than a Lucis Caelum or those close to the Throne. What could he say? People knew Harry though, from childhood, how could that be? "Harry…"
"Their memories are false, implanted. I needed to fit in so when I heard about the refugees I joined them. I thought I'd just fade into the background, even if I joined the Glaive. I didn't know the blood tests would give me away as a descendant of Gryffindor," he answered without Regis having to finish the question. "Technically, the Peverell name faded away centuries ago when the last descendant, a daughter, married into the Potter family. But it fit in better then Potter so I chose to use it. My birth name is Harry James Potter, James after my Father."
It was definitely a lot to take in. He could understand why Harry hadn't just told them all that day in his office, they would have thought him insane. But Regis had seen insanity and he knew Harry was sane. What proof could be given though.
Harry glanced at him, lips twitching slightly in an attempt at a smile and then silver light filled the room, coalescing into an animal he'd never seen before. It seemed to look around for something before approaching Harry who held his hand out to it, the creature fading before he could touch it. Regis had never seen magic like that before. "A Patronus is the only defence against Dementors, dark creatures that can literally suck out your soul. It can also be used as a messenger."
"What kind of animal was that?"
"A stag, my Dad's Animagus form."
"Animagus?" he rolled the unfamiliar word around but couldn't work it out.
Harry laughed but began to explain.
Later that evening, Regis lay in bed, still unable to stop thinking about everything Harry had told him. It was incredible and terrible all at the same time. A world where so many people had magic and such diverse magic at that! Thankfully it didn't sound like they had armies or anything, otherwise they could cause a lot of trouble should they ever come to Lucis in great numbers. He'd set a day and time with Harry for another spar, this one with Harry using the magic of Earth as well, he wanted to really see what his cousin could do.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Noctis grinned as Prompto sat down, looking between them and obviously understanding that something big was going on. He'd seen Prompto kiss Harry the night before at his party and he was happy for them both, he just hoped today's announcement didn't ruin things. They were telling Prompto alone because of that, he needed to know before fully committing to things with Harry, Gladio and Ignis would be told later. He understood why Harry hadn't wanted to tell them at first but now that they had been friends for a while his cousin was hoping things wouldn't change. Harry wasn't the heir after all, he was far enough removed from the main line that normally he wouldn't be in line for the Throne at all, but since Noct was the only other heir then it did put Harry into the line of succession, the Lucii accepting him had also helped that.
"Noct? Harry?" Prompto shifted nervously, fiddling with his bead necklace. A few more months and he'd have enough hair for his first braid and Noct knew he was looking forward to it.
Harry reached out and took his hand, squeezing gently. "It's nothing bad," he told the blond. "Just…well…we lied, in my files."
Prompto frowned in confusion. "Huh?"
"I'm not related to Cor," he admitted.
"Okay…then why say it?"
"It's a cover, to hide who I'm really related to."
And Prompto proved his was smart as his eyes went wide in shock, looking from Harry to him and back. "You…Lucis Caelum?" he asked shakily, and Harry nodded.
"It isn't a close relation," Noctis spoke up. "One of Harry's ancestors married one of mine before we were Royalty. Harry's magic is his own, that's why it's a different colour. And…" he glanced at Harry who nodded. "If anything ever happened to me, then he'd be Heir. The Lucii accepted him."
"Cor's taken me all over Lucis to claim the Royal Arms, that's why we keep leaving, not family bonding."
"Oh," Prompto whispered.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
His mind was spinning as he stared at his best friend and the guy he really liked….Harry was a Prince. That's what they meant when they said he could be King. And there was no way a Prince would be allowed to date someone like him. Why had Harry kissed him then?
"Prom?" Harry whispered, and he looked back at him, biting his lip, feeling tears in his eyes. He saw Harry's eyes go wide and then he was sitting beside him, tugging him into his arms. "I can date whoever I want," he said firmly. "The only people who know are Regis, Lord Amicitia, and Cor. They know I never want to be known as a relative because people would try and curtail my freedom. As Cor's cousin I can pretty much do what I want. And I don't care what anyone says, any relationship is my choice."
Harry would really go against the King, the Council when they found out, to date him?
"Harry's right, Prompto. No one else knows, though were going to tell Specs and Gladio later today as well. There's no reason for anyone to try and get involved and even if they did, you know how stubborn Harry is," Noctis grinned at them and Prompto could practically feel Harry rolling his eyes.
"If anyone thinks I'll make a political match or that they can tell me who to be with, they'll soon learn otherwise."
Prompto felt…guilty, there they were telling him a massive state secret, and he was keeping the truth of what he was from them. He found himself fiddling with his wristband. Would Harry even want to be with him if he found out?
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Ignis put his book aside, unable to focus on what he was reading. Harry…Harry was a Lucian Prince, related to the King and Noctis, not Cor. It had been a shock to hear and yet, it explained a lot. Honestly, he looked a lot more like the King then he did Cor. It explained why they had worked to find a cover to pull him form the Glaive, the people would have a collective fit if they learned a Prince was fighting on the front lines.
He could understand Harry's reasoning in not telling them, he had wanted them to know him before finding out, to be his friends first. It would be difficult to not treat him like the Royal he was, it would have been even harder before they knew him. He did not like the idea of him living in Little Galahd, he'd seen his apartment there and it was not at all suitable, plus it was far too far from the Citadel in case of emergency. Noctis' apartment building had been secure and well-guarded, that was not possible at Harry's. Although, most of the other residents were Glaive so he did have some backup.
Even his Citadel apartment was not suitable for a Prince, it was much closer to his own than the Royal apartments. He understood it was to maintain the deception that he was Cor's cousin but still, it was not the kind of place a Prince should be living. Harry however didn't seem to care and he guessed growing up isolated in Galahd was the reason for that. His living conditions were likely far better now than they had been in the Imperial occupied territory.
While he was happy for them, he was concerned about the developing relationship between Harry and Prompto. Would Prompto be able to handle the backlash and pressure that would come from dating a Prince when the truth came out?
TBC…
Something of a filler. Time skip ahead.
