Disclaimer: not mine
Chapter 13
They left the school, both grinning. Freedom! They had survived their first year of high school and now summer vacation beckoned. They headed towards the car, seeing Ignis and Gladio waiting but then Prompto hesitated.
"Prom?" he followed his friends eyeline to see a small car.
"Dad?" Prompto called and then Noctis noticed the human standing beside the car. His hair was a darker blond than Prompto's, maybe more brown than blind, but he had blue eyes a similar enough shade. The man grinned and Prompto hurried over, quickly being engulfed in a hug and Noctis found himself smiling even as he fidgeted nervously. He'd never actually met Prompto's parents before.
Ignis and Gladio joined him and then Prompto was grinning at them, motioning them over.
"Guys, this is my Dad, David Argentum. Dad, this is Noctis, Ignis and Gladio, my friends?" they all picked up the slightly hopeful note, like he wasn't sure entirely and Gladio grinned, reaching out to ruffle his hair, making him squawk in outrage.
"Your Highness," the man awkwardly bowed and Noctis offered his hand instead, after all, in clearing Prom his parents had also been cleared. Blue eyes widened but he accepted the hand and shook.
"It's nice to meet you Mr Argentum," he offered with a smile. He knew he made the human nervous and he understood why. They must have been terrified to find out he was in Prompto's class and then that they had become friends. Their closeness was a massive threat to the family's safety, but he hoped one day to be the reason they were safe. He couldn't do anything now, but once he was King, he would make sure Prompto knew he was safe. He'd move all three to the Citadel if necessary. "We were going to have dinner at my apartment to celebrate but we can put that off till tomorrow."
Prompto looked torn and he smiled at him. "Spend time with your Dad, Prom." He understood not getting enough time with his parents. Sometimes it felt like he saw his Dad even less often then Prompto did his.
"Agreed, we can celebrate later," Ignis nodded at them and Prompto nodded.
"Okay."
His Dad nodded in thanks and then drew Prompto to their car, it was easy to see the protective nature of the arm around the other teens shoulders. Yeah, he was definitely wary of their place in Prompto's life.
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Prompto ducked upstairs to change out of his uniform before going back downstairs. "How long are you home for?" he asked, moving to help his Dad with prepping dinner for themselves.
"Two weeks," he answered and Prompto grinned.
"That's great, Mom?"
"Will be home two days before I leave," he groaned and Prompto shook his head. At least they sometimes ended up at the same place or they'd see each other less than they saw him! "Sure you don't want to come to Altissia?"
"You'll be there for the full moon Dad, too risky." Accordo may be as close to neutral as was possible, but it was still technically under imperial control. There was too much chance of someone detecting his code and grabbing him.
"Alright, I'll send you lots of photos."
Prompto nodded and they put the meat aside to soak up the marinade, collapsing on the couch side by side. They put a movie on and just enjoyed doing nothing for the night.
"Sorry to mess up your plans," he offered as they headed to bed and Prompto shook his head.
"If anyone knows what it's like, it's Noct. We've cancelled stuff a few times because his Dad has managed to wrangle some free time to see him. Being King's a very busy job," he shrugged. His Dad nodded and Prompto could smell the slight uneasiness. "I'm very careful Dad, promise. None of them suspect a thing." He didn't need to know about the near miss with Gladio.
"We worry about you," he admitted, pulling Prompto into a hug. "Get some sleep kiddo."
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Noctis sprawled on the couch, controller in hand, Prompto's head showing over the top of the couch level with his stomach. They hadn't gotten to see a lot of each other in the last few weeks, Prom's parents had been home at different times and with no school his training schedule had intensified, not just physical and magical training but learning what he needed to as Prince. He'd be sixteen in a few months, the age all heirs were expected to begin stepping up their involvement in the government. He was not looking forward to it at all.
He glanced down at Prompto again, wishing Prom could be part of that aspect of his life but it wasn't possible, not until he was King anyway. He couldn't risk going to his Dad, what if he just saw a werewolf too close to Noctis? He could lose his best friend; he couldn't endanger him like that. He reached out with his free hand to ruffle blond hair and Prompto tipped his head back to see him, curious, but he just grinned and Prom rolled his eyes.
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Gladio knocked on the door and then waited, knowing it might take a while. Sure enough, it was almost five minutes before the door opened and he bit back his shock at seeing the kids condition.
Prompto stared vaguely at him, blinking tiredly. "Gladio?" he mumbled and Gladio moved in, lifting him into his arms.
He turned and nudged the door shut, carrying Prompto to the couch where he set him down and wrapped him in the throw there. He felt his forehead, finding him a bit warmer than normal but not alarmingly so. "You don't look so hot blondie," he muttered and Prompto groaned, burrowing into the warmth of the couch. "Have you eaten?" it was almost lunch time so hopefully he had, then again, he didn't know how late Prompto slept once he shifted back to human. Gladio understood now why Ignis and Noct had insisted he come today, to see for himself just what the full moon did to him.
"Shake," he mumbled.
"Okay, I'll get you something more solid." He patted his hair, hearing the soft whine as he pressed into his touch but pretending he didn't. He went into the kitchen, chuckling when he found a pre-made stew with a note from Iggy. He heated it in a bowl and then carried it into the loungeroom, finding Prom dozing. He got him mostly awake and sitting up, though he was leaning heavily against him. He wrapped his arm around Prompto's shoulders to keep him steady, holding the bowl with his other hand as Prompto very slowly ate the stew, struggling with the spoon. In the end he gave up on the spoon and just tipped the bowl to his lips.
How did werewolves function and survive if the full moon did this to them? He settled on the couch, Prompto's head in his lap, watching the tv on low volume while the kid slept, waking him occasionally to eat or drink. After dinner he got Prompto settled into his bed before heading to Noct's so he could scrub down, spending the night in Iggy's apartment to ensure the scent was fully gone before heading home.
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Cor watched the four boys as they slowly walked through the park close to the Argentum home. Their human friend stood out with his bright blond hair and colourful clothing, blue jeans and a red shirt. He was keeping out of sight and sensory range of the kids, wanting to get a look at the boy.
It was a bit odd that Noctis hadn't sought clearance for the Citadel for Argentum, hadn't wanted to introduce him to any of them. Had the boy not asked? If that was true then…it was probably a good sign that the friendship was genuine and would last. He was making no attempt to integrate himself into the Royal life, he never asked for favours or gifts, he did nothing that would point to him using Noctis. According to Ignis and Gladio the boy was shocked when they would show up to check on him when he was ill.
If he wasn't ill, Cor would be nudging them towards sounding him out about the Crownsguard. There were humans and even a handful of Fey or half Fey in the Guard so he would be alright there. Though his mixed nationality would have given him a few issues, despite his Mother having originally come from Insomnia. Still, he could have been trained and added to Noctis' Retinue. He'd heard the kid was amazing at first person shooting games, maybe they could train him to use a gun? A light weight one but still, any kind of weapon would give him a fighting chance if caught up in an assassination attempt. Sooner or later, it would happen if he stayed close to Noctis and at the moment he wasn't just vulnerable, he was a liability.
He nodded when Gladio spotted him and then slipped away. While there seemed no reason for concern, there were holes in the boys background that he worried about, it was his job after all.
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"Another year of school, fun," Prompto muttered and Ignis chuckled.
"Come now, it won't be that bad. You'll have some different teachers too," he told him, he had worked his own magic on the school, ensuring they would remain in the same class and also getting them away from a certain teacher. It was not right when a teacher singled out a student as Prompto had been last year, it would not happen again.
"I just hope we're in the same class," Prompto admitted softly and he smiled but didn't tell him, let it be a pleasant surprise on the day. He set the plates on the table and looked around.
"Relax Prompto, everything is fine. Noctis will love it," he placed the food out.
"You really think so?"
"Of course. Every year he is forced to attend lavish parties for his birthday when all he ever wants is something small. This year he will have both." Without the clearance needed to visit the Citadel, Prompto hadn't been invited the Prince's birthday but he'd asked Ignis about throwing a small party for Noct after and Ignis had instantly agreed. Something with just the four of them sounded perfect.
Sure enough, the look on Noct's face when Gladio brought him to the house was one of happy surprise. The party was a success and Noctis loved the small gifts they had gotten for him.
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"Hey Dad."
Regis looked up and smiled at his son as he joined him at the table. Noctis accepted a glass of blood but waved away the food. "Good morning son. Looking forward to school tomorrow?"
"I guess? Not school itself."
"But the break from growing responsibilities here and time with your friends?" Regis offered and Noct nodded. "Speaking of, am I ever going to be introduced to Prompto?"
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"Maybe?" Noctis shrugged, trying not to panic. What reason could he give that wouldn't make someone look bad or wreck things. "He's been even more isolated than me Dad. He's okay with us now but…first time he saw me he freaked out a little. Shocked me when he then said hi, I figured I'd have to ask for a new seating arrangement, I thought he was scared of me. He just…he's not used to being around anyone but his parents so he tends to panic at first, worried about doing or saying something weird or wrong. He's getting better but he's nowhere near ready for the Citadel. Gladio suggested a private tour because he was sick for the excursion last year but…" he shrugged, hoping that was enough for his Dad.
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Regis felt sorry for the boy, isolated by his illness and then bullies at school. He was glad Noctis had chosen to stay by him, despite all of the obstacles, proud of his often reserved son for reaching out to the other teen. Hopefully, this year there would not be so much trouble and they would find a new target or grow up and move on to more worthwhile pursuits. "I spoke with Cor yesterday. He would like to see Prompto trained in how to handle a gun. Something small and lightweight, easily concealed. So far, you have been very fortunate. I know you noticed the increased guard when you started at the school. Sooner or later, someone will make a move and when that happens," he paused and Noctis grimaced.
"Prompto's the weak link," his son finished. "I'll tell the guys and we'll come up with some way to talk him into it. Where would he practice though?"
That was an issue if the boy was too overwhelmed to come to the Citadel. Though, Noctis' building did have that empty lower basement… "Leave that to me. Think you can handle the beginning training or should one of the guard?"
"I think he'll be more relaxed if we do it, I can shoot," Noctis shrugged and he nodded. "He knows most of the theory part from games."
"Then I'll have it arranged."
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Prompto stood in the elevator beside Noctis, a bit confused. He had a surprise, in the garage? Noctis had been acting weird all day, good thing it was the weekend so no school. Then Noctis flipped a panel in the wall and inserted something, a new light coming on…taking them under the garage of the apartment building? "Noct?" he felt his heartrate pick up and then a cool hand took his, squeezing gently.
"It's okay Prom, it's a good surprise, at least, I think you'll like it. Took two months for it to get done, I thought it'd take longer though." The elevator stopped and he tugged Prompto out into a massive room that had to run the entire length and width of the building.
"What?" he stared around with wide eyes. A training centre? Why show him? He'd love to give it a go but he couldn't.
"Cor and Dad talked and they're worried," Noctis admitted softly, leading him across the room.
"About…me?" he asked shakily, was this it? Was he about to lose the only friends he'd ever had?
"Hey, it's okay," Noctis promised, sitting on a bench and Prompto slumped down beside him. "No one is going to suddenly say we can't be friends; I wouldn't listen anyway. It was about you but…about your safety. I'm heir to the Throne, Prompto. That comes with certain dangers…like assassination attempts. There haven't been many but they do happen. That's how Gladio got that scar on his face. They're worried about you when the next one happens."
He'd never really thought about it. Other than the near death experience when Noct was eight, little was ever said to the public about any assassination attempts. "How many?" he couldn't help asking.
"Other than when we were eight? Two serious ones, including the one Gladio was hurt in. A handful of attempts that were pretty pathetic and not really dangerous, those tend to be people who aren't happy with Dad's policies, one or two refugees mad about losing their homes, things like that."
"Oh," he whispered in shock. If a serious one happened and he was there…would he be able to stop himself from reacting? Or would he end up destroying his own life to save Noct's?
"The normal method would be to ask you to join the Crownsguard and eventually become one of my Retainers. Not an option though," Noctis winced and Prompto nodded, it was a nice dream. Noctis got up and grabbed a case, returning with it, holding it out to him.
Prompto glanced up at him before taking it, setting it on the bench to open, eyes going wide. "Noct?"
"Want to see how game skills compare to real life?" he asked with a nervous grin that Prompto didn't see, his own eyes locked on the guns inside the case.
"I….guns?"
"Specially modified to be as light as possible for you," Noctis told him. "You need a way to defend yourself, even if it's only buying time till someone can help. Dad had this set up so you can learn away from the Citadel, then he went overboard and turned it into a training area for all four of us, saves on travel time I guess."
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There was also his Dad' last suggestion…that what the Council didn't know, they couldn't complain about. He wasn't sure, he didn't think anyone had ever tried sharing magic with a werewolf before. He'd love to do it; he was just worried it would hurt Prompto or something. Iggy was trying to look into it without rousing suspicion but it wasn't easy. "So?" he asked, pointing at the area set up for target practice and Prompto looked between it and him before slowly nodding.
"Okay."
TBC…
