Disclaimer: not mine

Started playing Comrades again since losing everything. Forgot how repetitive it is to get the meteor shards to get more missions, which I am then too low a level for. Either they need more low level ones or for your character to level up quicker. Unless the online multiplayer mode is faster, and they assume everyone has PlayStation Plus membership?

Chapter 18

Prompto paused and looked up towards Noct's apartment, this was crazy. He should turn around and go home, lock himself in the basement. Knowing and seeing were too very different things. Iggy and Gladio had seem him but it hadn't been a full moon shift. He should turn around, go home, but… he chewed on his bottom lip.

He'd decided to come to the apartment because he was worried about having them in his den when they weren't marked as Pack. He'd never marked his parents, but it was their house, their scents all through it. if he didn't clean so often the guys scents would probably be obvious too by now.

He took a deep breath and headed in, hitching his bag higher, nodding to the Crownsguard security who smiled slightly and called the elevator for him. He forced himself not to fidget on the way up, relieved to reach Noct's floor. He'd barely knocked before the door was being pulled open and Gladio grinned at him….relieved?

Prompto followed him in, seeing Noct sprawled on the couch, trying to act relaxed but he looked up as soon as Prompto was there, actually relaxing once he confirmed he was there. Prompto shifted nervously and Noctis got up, moving to him at vampire speed, reaching for his arm and Prompto bit back a growl at the sudden movement.

"Easy Noct," Gladio called and Noctis froze, eyes searching Prompto's.

"Prom?"

"Sorry," he looked away, taking a half step back.

"I'm sorry," Noctis told him and he looked up. "Didn't mean to startle you," he offered a small smile and Prompto smiled back. Noct held his hand out. "Please stay."

Prompto nodded and took his hand, letting Noctis tug him over to the couch. He sat beside Noctis, slowly leaning into him and Noct shifted, pulling him closer, fingers moving to run through his hair and Prompto sighed, relaxing fully, breathing in the scent that said Pack.

Ignis was soon placing snacks on the table, reaching out to gently ruffle his hair. "How do you feel? Do you need anything?"

He shook his head, pressing into their touch.

"Alright, let us know if you do," Ignis smiled and took a seat, Gladio putting a movie on. By the end of it, Noctis was sprawled on the couch, Prompto laying half on him and half beside, Noctis absently petting him.

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Ignis looked over at the couch and smiled at the sight of the two younger males. He had been wondering if Prompto would really come for the weekend and was glad he had. He always stayed away even the day before the full moon and according to his research wolves could be quite volatile due to the increasing hormones in preparation for the next night. He'd seen Prompto bite back the growl so they would need to remain calm for his sake.

He prepared a very meat heavy meal for dinner and then hesitated. "Prompto?" he called, and the blond looked over at him.

"Yeah?" he stretched and sat up.

"Would you prefer your meat rawer or even raw? The information I've read isn't clear."

Prompto blinked at him, stunned. Had he thought Ignis wouldn't do his research in order to better help him? Prompto glanced at Gladio who kept his eyes on the screen, body relaxed. He then glanced at Noctis who just smiled gently.

"Whatever you need Prom," the Prince whispered.

"Not raw but…a bit bloody still?"

"Very well, dinner will be ready soon," he told them, getting back to work.

Soon enough he was serving the meal at the table and they all sat to eat, Prompto obviously struggling to remain civilised.

"Prom," Noctis touched his hand and Prompto jerked, a low rumbled in his throat before he looked down. "Shhh, it's okay. Whatever you need, remember?" He nudged aside the cutlery.

Prompto glanced at them all and Ignis nodded, knowing it was his own usual insistence on proper table manners that was holding Prompto back. He then went back to speaking with Gladio as if it were any other day, not wanting Prompto to feel like he was on display.

When the meal was done Prompto slipped away down the hall to clean up and Gladio helped him clear the table, Noctis staring down the hall.

"Don't crowd him Noct," Gladio warned and Noctis nodded, going back to the couch, putting in another movie.

Prompto emerged after a while, freshly showered and in very soft clothing. He looked at Noctis who lifted an arm, and he curled into Noctis' side.

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Noctis wrapped his arm around Prompto and then frowned. "You feel hot," he murmured.

"Normal," Prom mumbled, pressing his nose to Noct's throat and he turned his head a little to make it easier.

A rough tongue ran over his skin and he laughed. "That tickles!" he looked down at Prompto to find him grinning, but something in his eyes…hesitance. Noct leant in, resting his forehead to Prompto's. "What is it?" he asked gently, and Prom whined softly. Noct looked closer, able to see flecks of gold in normally blue eyes. He turned, wrapping his arms around him to pull him closer, feeling Prom go limp, rubbing his face against him. He lifted a hand to run through still damp blond hair and if Prom were a cat he'd be purring.

The movie ended and Noctis wasn't sure what had happened, more focused on Prompto. how did he endure the many full moons when he was alone? Wolves lived in packs and Prom didn't have that…except them. He glanced up at Ignis who nodded in understanding and Gladio shifted but nodded. They would do everything they could to give Prompto the pack he needed.

"Time for bed Prom," Noctis whispered and Prompto slowly pulled away, getting to his feet and stretching. Noctis got off the couch and Prom ducked his head, watching him from beneath the hair that hung down over his hair after having been allowed to dry without styling. There was something very much animal in that gaze. Noct smiled, not showing his teeth and held his hand out to him. Prompto took it and let him tug him down the hall, the others following.

"Would you prefer to sleep alone or with company?" Ignis asked as they reached the guestroom.

Noct could hear the unasked question, would it be safe for all of them if he shared? He never reacted badly the day after the full moon, but the day of it? Prompto hesitated, looking between them all. "Whatever you need," he promised again, and he felt Prompto's hand tighten in his. "Prom?"

"Stay?"

"Okay, sleepover in my room," he grinned and Prompto relaxed.

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Gladio woke to the sensation of shaking and opened his eyes to find Prompto curled between him and Noct, asleep but shivering. He reached a hand out and hissed in alarm at the sheer heat radiating from his skin. He shifted and reached down for the quilt, pulling it up to tuck around him, their low body temperatures wouldn't be helping him if he felt cold. He knew a werewolf's body temperature would become very high before the full moon, and it felt even hotter to him because he was naturally colder but…

The bed shifted slightly and then Iggy was ducking into the ensuite, re-emerging with a glass of water. "Get him up, we need to keep him hydrated."

"Prompto? Time to wake up," Gladio called, sitting up and tugging him with him, chuckling when the kid whined and swatted at him. "You're burning up, you need to drink." He shook his shoulder, surprised when that got a growl.

He wasn't threatened, Prompto hadn't attacked them even during a fight, he didn't think the kid would in a far calmer setting. It was just wolfy posturing. Ignis wasn't the only one who'd done their research, there were ranks in a pack and while Noct was leader, the rest of them likely still needed placement in Prompto's mind. He'd noticed Prompto pushing and testing them a bit since the school attack, even though the blond didn't really seem aware he was doing it. He wasn't going to let Prompto walk over him, but he also didn't want him to shove himself to the bottom of the pack either.

"Come on, wake up," he shook him again and finally blue eyes opened to annoyed slits. "There you go," he grinned.

Ignis returned and handed over the water glass, Prompto grumpily sitting up to drink it. Ignis gently pressed a hand to his forehead, eyes widening in alarm at just how hot he was. "Is this normal?" he asked in concern. "I know your body temperature rises but this is very high."

Prompto nodded, pulling a blanket up. "Normal."

"I'll start on breakfast," Ignis gently ruffled sleep messed hair and Prompto leant into his touch. "You two can wake Noct." He left and Gladio smirked at Prompto who watched him curiously.

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Noctis shrieked as Gladio tickled him, eyes glowing, and fangs extended as he fell off the bed and came up in a crouch only to blink at them in confusion even as Prompto growled at Gladio. Noctis scrambled to his feet as Prompto shifted position on the bed, coming up into a crouch. "Easy Prom, it's okay," he called out, waking up fast thanks to Gladio's tickling but also realising things could go very wrong. "Come on, just calm down," he got back on the bed, reaching out slowly for his friend.

Prompto was still growling and Gladio obviously realised he'd messed up, not reacting to the growl except to relax, present himself as not a threat.

Noctis touched a tense shoulder, gently urging him back towards him, out of the crouch. "He was just playing," he nuzzled at Prompto's throat, pulling him back into his arms, the blond still growling lowly. "Come on, just relax," he murmured, letting his voice drop into the hypnotic tone. "Everyone's safe, there's no danger, just relax," he felt the tension drain out of Prompto's body, the growl tapering off into a soft whine. Noct gently urged him to turn his head, seeing the slight glassy look in blue/gold eyes, the gold fading now as he relaxed. "It's okay," he let the tone fade and Prompto blinked dazedly at him. He ran his fingers through messy blond hair to keep him calm.

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He blinked, feeling strange…Noct was holding him, supporting him, his limbs felt heavy. He whined, trying to move, but then slumped as cool fingers began running through his hair.

"With me?" Noctis asked and he turned his head, pressing into his throat, inhaling the comforting scent that screamed pack now, even unmarked. Noct kept up the gently petting and he let his eyes close, soaking up the contact. "Prom?"

"Mmmm." He licked Noct before rubbing his face against him.

"Come on, time to get up," Noctis told him, loosening his hold but Prompto didn't move. "You don't want to miss Iggy's cooking." He wriggled them across the bed and then off the edge and Prompto barely got his legs under himself before he could hit the ground, Noctis' arms still around him. "There we go."

He huffed slightly in irritation; he'd been comfortable! Noct laughed and gently pushed him towards the bathroom, so he stumbled in and cleaned up. He staggered down the hall, following his nose to slump down at the table.

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Gladio felt guilty as he watched Prompto flop down to wait for breakfast. He'd just been messing around; he hadn't meant to set the kid off. Noct had never had to use his powers on him before and he hoped that wouldn't cause trouble once Prompto realised what had happened.

He knew werewolves were more aggressive and protective of pack on the days surrounding the full moon, but he hadn't realised he'd take his actions as an attack on Noctis. Maybe it was a good thing he had that meeting and then training today.

He watched Noct get Prompto settled on the couch with a movie once breakfast was done. He'd never seen Prom eat so much in one sitting, but it made sense, his body needed fuel for what was coming.

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"I've got a thing with Dad and then training, but Specs will stay with you," Noctis knelt by the couch and Prompto nodded. "You'll be okay?"

"Fine," Prompto rolled his eyes. "I'm used to this, go be a Prince."

Noctis chuckled but nodded and straightened up, reaching out to ruffle his hair. He then went to the bedroom to dress and make sure he didn't smell like Prom, hearing Gladio in the shower scrubbing down too. "Well see you later, have fun," Noctis offered before leaving with Gladio.

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Looking after Prompto for the day wasn't too difficult. Ignis spent most of the time reading while the younger male lay on the couch watching movies or napping. He made sure to keep him hydrated with how high his body temperature had risen as well as ensuring there were calorie heavy snacks within reach.

He was moody though, he'd snapped at Ignis once but seconds later he'd been apologising as fast as he could get the words out. Ignis knew that mood swings were to be expected thanks to all the changes the blonds body was prepping for, but it had still been something of a shock. The more time passed the more awake Prompto became, eventually getting up to pace. It was distracting but he wasn't going to say anything when he could see the growing flecks of gold in the blue of his eyes.

"Iggy?"

"Yes?" he put his book down to look at Prompto.

"Did…did Noct…this morning…" he licked dry lips, obviously uncomfortable and a little confused but Ignis knew what he was asking.

"He calmed you down, yes," Ignis got up and walked over to join him on the couch and rested a gentle hand over Prompto's fidgeting one. "You were growling at Gladio and crouching, he was just trying to defuse the situation. He did nothing else and he has never done it to you before, I promise." He felt Prompto turn his hand, linking their fingers, and he smiled at him. He shifted in offering and Prompto curled into him, one hand gripping his shirt. "It was Gladio's fault, not yours," he whispered, not wanting Prompto to blame himself, Gladio should have known better.

"He's not mad at me?"

"No, he's upset with himself."

"Oh." Prompto shifted, pressing his face against Ignis' throat and he could feel and hear him breathing deeply. He felt teeth press against his skin and realised they were sharper than normal.

"Prompto?" he whispered, making himself stay calm, his heart as slow as ever. This close, Prompto would be able to easily hear it or smell fear in his scent and that was not something he wanted to have happen with him so close to shifting. He wasn't scared of Prompto.

"Mmm?"

"What are you doing?" he asked calmly, reaching out to run his fingers through blond hair, relieve when teeth moved away from his skin.

"Making sure your scents on me." He rubbed his face against Ignis' shoulder, more cat like than canine.

"Okay," he agreed. "How about we move to the couch?" he offered and when Prompto didn't say no he manoeuvred over to it, sitting with him, and putting a new movie in. When Noctis and Gladio returned they piled onto the couch as soon as they had changed and Prompto burrowed between the three of them, Gladio relieved when Prompto accepted his presence without any issue.

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Noctis watched as more and more gold overtook the blue of Prompto's eyes the later it got. He was fidgety, moody, and seeking more contact than normal. He gently ran his fingers through blond hair with Prompto pressing into him, breathing deeply. "Okay?" he asked softly, feeling Prom nod against him. He kept up the gentle petting, Ignis running a hand up and down the legs that lay across his lap, trying to soothe tense muscles. Prompto was trembling slightly now and they all assumed it would be soon.

Sure enough, Prompto soon pushed himself out of their laps, moving into the clear space closer to the windows, to collapse on the large pillow he had carted over squashed up into his bag. He was panting slightly, eyes fully gold, and then he groaned in pain, wrapping his arms around his middle.

"Prom?" Noctis stood, taking a step towards him but Prompto lifted a hand.

"No…" he moaned, obviously in pain. He was sweating heavily now, limbs trembling. He scrambled to pull his shirt off and then paused at his pants.

"It's okay, we're here, you'll be okay," he whispered, hating seeing him in pain and unable to help. A potion couldn't cure this. "We've all guys here, take them off if you want," he offered, Gladio and Ignis had seen it all after the school attack too, and Prompto slowly pulled his pant off and pushed the clothes towards Noctis, who took them and set them on the arm of the couch.

Prompto whimpered, falling forward onto his hands, head down. His body was shaking, almost convulsing at times, and then they all winced at the first crack of bone. Prompto whimpered again in pain and lifted his head, tears on his face, and all Noctis wanted to do was comfort him but he couldn't go near him.

He knelt where he was, making eye contact. "We're here Prom, you'll be okay. Just let it happen, you won't hurt us."

"N…No…No..ct…" he forced out through a jaw that was beginning to change shape.

"I'm here," he promised.

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Ignis felt sick as he watched, this was very different to the last time he had seen Prompto shift. Then, it had been immediate, seamless; one second human and the next wolf. This was torture.

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Prompto cried out in pain as more bones cracked, reshaping, fur beginning to erupt from his skin. But he did his best to keep his head up, eyes locked on Noctis, even as he collapsed to lie on the floor. Noctis found he didn't want to look away, to see what was happening to his body as he shifted. The golden eyes change shape slightly, thick fur surrounding them as his mouth and nose changed into a muzzle, the change speeding up until he was staring into the eyes of a panting wolf. He stayed quiet and still, waiting to see what Prompto would do now.

The light golden-brown wolf pushed to its feet, shaking itself off and Noctis could smell Prompto's blood from the shift. The wolf looked around, taking in the scents and he growled, revealing wicked teeth and Noctis remained still, waiting for him to recognise his scent. Proms hackles were up as he growled and snarled but it was all a threat, he made no move to attack.

"It's okay Prom," Noctis whispered and the wolf focused fully on him. "You know me Prompto. I won't hurt you and you won't hurt me."

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He growled and snarled, ready to pounce at any sign of danger. He was confused, unsure what to do. Instinct screamed danger, enemy…but the scents said safe, pack. One of them was on the ground nearby and there was noise, soft, gentle. He sniffed and hesitated, pack, not marked…he whined and then shifted closer, pack leader…?

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"That's it, I won't hurt you," Noctis whispered, not dropping his gaze. If Prompto saw him as Pack Leader then he had to act like it, Prompto would be the one to show submission, not him. He was obviously confused, probably because they smelt like pack and the enemy but slowly, Prompto moved closed, tail down, body low to the ground. Once he was close enough, Noct held his hand out slowly, ready to move in an instant if he went for him.

He was bigger than Noct had expected, even knowing he was originally part of the MT program. Prompto the human wasn't overly large, he was the shortest of them, muscle wiry. As a wolf he was big, bigger than the ones he'd seen in pictures but not as big as an MT, because of his age or leaving before whatever they were doing was finished? He had to be close seven feet from nose to tail, about five feet tall at the shoulder and he didn't think he could guess his weight. He was bulky but it was pure muscle under the fur. No wonder he was worried about hurting them. Prompto probably had at least one more growth spurt to come, did that mean his wolf form would get even bigger too?

He kept talking, about nothing, just making sure to keep his tone calm and gentle, glad that as a vampire he didn't need to worry about his mouth and throat drying out from talking. The longer he kept going, the more Prompto settled until the wolf slowly slunk closer, a cold, wet, nose pressing into his palm. A second later he was scrambling back, growling, as Gladio's phone went off, his Shield quickly pulling it out to silence.

"Easy Prom, it's okay. Just focus on me," he let a little of the hypnotic tone slip into his voice and Prompto turned back to him, growls softening a bit. "That's it, I'm here, you're safe." Noctis slowly lifted his arm again, holding his hand out, palm out. Prompto stretched his nose out, sniffing, and then Noctis stayed still as his nose pressed into his palm again. "Your nose is cold for a guy who was burning up earlier," he told him and Prompto whined softly, moving closer. "Good Prompto, so good," he praised, shifting his hand to run along his muzzle and back to his ears, scratching them and Prompto groaned in pleasure, sitting down. "Such a good boy," he couldn't help smiling as Prompto melted under his touch.

There was no sign of true recognition, only animal intelligence, but according to Ignis, Prompto had recognised him after the fight. So what had caused that and why hadn't it lasted? Had it been the pressure of the fight and Noctis being so badly injured? It didn't really matter as long as Prompto recognised them in some way.

Noctis laughed as Prompto flopped down, rolling to show his belly. He reached out and ran his hands through the thick fur. The next step would be to see if he'd let Ignis and Gladio close too.

TBC…