Disclaimer: not mine
Chapter 22
Prompto lay half curled in his lap, Noctis stroking his hair as they watched the movie. They'd dragged in a bunch of stuff from both the apartment and Prom's home in order to cover up the smells of the secure room. In order to prove to his Dad and the others that everything was fine, they were having to go through this, to show them what happened when Prompto shifted. They all knew they were being watched but were trying to ignore it, not wanting Prompto to be wary with night falling soon. He could feel the small muscles tremors wracking Prom's body already, his eyes half way to gold the last time Noctis had gotten a look.
He moved his hand when Prompto pushed up to his hands and knees, crawling over to Gladio, rubbing his body against him, Gladio running a hand up and down his back. "Okay blondie?" Gladio asked, and he hummed softly in answer.
They'd all gotten pretty used to Prompto's need for contact around the full moon, ensuring he was covered in their scent to keep accidents from happening and…well, Noct figured he just liked the contact.
Prom then moved on to Iggy, running his nose up his throat, and Ignis tipped his head back to let him, a hand lifting to run through his hair. Noctis glanced at Gladio, both wondering if those watching would notice the difference in how they interacted. He mouthed at the scar on Ignis' shoulder and Ignis went limp, eyes closed. Yeah, no way his Dad wasn't going to notice that!
Noctis watched as Prompto ripped himself away from Ignis, moving to his pillow, pulling at his clothes, whimpering softly. He moved over and carefully helped Prompto strip, Iggy had asked in advance, but Prompto had no issues over being naked in front of people so he didn't care that others would see, it was better than destroying his clothes apparently.
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Regis watched through the one way glass as his son helped the young wolf strip off. Seeing his interactions with them over the last day, it was hard to see him as dangerous. Noctis moved away and Argentum curled in on himself, panting, body shaking badly.
"It's okay Prom, we're here, you're doing great," Noctis praised, and the boy whined softly in response.
Regis glanced at Cor and Clarus to see their reactions. Clarus looked like he was in a council meeting for all of the expression he was showing. Cor looked almost as normal, except for a little tension around the eyes and his increased heartrate. Sympathy for the boy or fear for Noctis and the others?
Regis fought back a flinch as the speakers sounded with the sound of breaking bones. He'd never actually seen a werewolf shift in person before, he'd seen pictures of the process but never live. He tried to imagine Noctis in his place and felt sick. It felt like an eternity before the boy went still, no longer human. He got to his feet and Regis fought down the urge to break through the glass to get between the wolf and his son.
Noctis didn't even flinch, kneeling down in front of the beast, talking softly as if he could understand him. Of course, if Prompto saw him as his alpha then Noctis could not show any weakness.
His size was something of. Shock, considering how scrawny the boy was in human form. His colouring was lighter than most, those he'd seen were usually brown or black, maybe a reddish brown. He had never seen one that was such a light golden-brown before.
"Look at the size of him," Clarus muttered.
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"Come here Prom," he called, firm but gentle, as Prompto got to his feet.
He shook himself off and looked around, growling softly.
"Prompto," he called again, and he turned his head to meet his eyes before dropping his gaze and moving closer.
Noctis buried his hands in the thicker fur protecting the back of Prompto's neck and the wolf dropped to the ground, head on Noctis' legs, rolling to give his belly. Noctis laughed but began running his hands through his fur, Prompto relaxing totally, wriggling happily.
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Clarus watched the three boys and wolf as they played. Seeing his son wrestle with a creature that could rip his head off with one swipe of its paw was not doing his health any good. And yet Gladio showed no fear at all, mock fighting with the massive animal. He wondered just how aware Argentum was, he knew it varied wolf to wolf.
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Ignis rested against Prompto's heaving sides, they'd worn him out very nicely, worn him out too honestly. He only hoped it was enough for the King to see that Prompto was no threat to them, that as his pack they could keep him under control. Prompto turned his head, rough tongue sliding down his cheek. "Thank you Prompto," he sighed, even as Noctis snorted, trying not to laugh.
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Cor bit back a smirk at the look on Ignis' face when Prompto licked him. Watching the four of them playing together was a real eye opener. The kid had shown no signs of aggression at all, immediately obeying Noctis' very simple commands and hand gestures. That explained the search on dog training he'd glimpsed once on Ignis' tablet. If things worked out, maybe they could train him to follow battle commands, hand or spoken, when I canine form. That could be a handy advantage in the future.
He still had to bite back the instinct to summon his sword and go through the glass when they got a bit boisterous, especially when Noctis was involved directly. But eventually they settled down, Prompto and Ignis worn out.
He glanced at the clock as Prompto whimpered, sunrise. Seeing the transformation in reverse was no better, finally leaving a naked teenager lying on the floor, barely conscious. Noctis gathered him close even as Gladio went and got him a glass of water, coaxing him to drink, Ignis getting up to gather his clothing, Gladio carrying him through to the attached bedroom to clean up he assumed.
"Thoughts?" Regis asked.
"He didn't act anything like any werewolf I've seen," Clarus admitted grudgingly.
"He's a lot bigger than I expected," Cor admitted. "Despite that, he's fully in control of his movements which suggests the wolf is in control. After only a few months, I'd assume the human mind would still be learning to control such a foreign form. Obviously he can learn since he's reacting to Noctis' commands, that could be useful."
"You really think this can work?" Clarus looked at him.
"It's not the craziest thing we've ever done," he shrugged.
"Please remember that my son is in the middle of this plan."
"I do," Cor told him. "With his firearms skills, if he wanted to harm or kill Noctis, he would have done it, which leaves only animal instinct, which from what we've seen tonight, sees Noctis as his alpha. Train the kid to use his new abilities, which I am guessing Gladio has already begun, and he could be a very good addition to Noctis' retinue. So long as he keeps hiding his scent, he'll be a surprise to any assassin."
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Regis listened to Cor, he could see his point. No one would ever expect a werewolf to be close to Noctis. With his scent hidden, any attacker would be shocked to find he wasn't just a human. Cor was right, they had already trained the boy to be deadly…it was everyone's instincts that were the biggest worry, especially in a stressful situation.
After the school attack, nothing would be said should he chose to have Noctis home schooled for the remainder of the time, or if his only friend, who missed so much due to illness, joined him. That would get Prompto away from the general public for much of the time while they were still in school, lowering the risks. It would also let them decide what to do once they graduated.
If they swore Noctis' medical staff to silence, they could even make it seem like Prompto was being seen by the Royal medics for his illness while allowing them access to what he assumed would be a willing subject. Nothing more than he would go through if he was truly sick; blood tests, scans, observations.
If anything went wrong though… the consequences could be catastrophic. Even if no one died, harbouring a werewolf in his own House could turn the people of Insomnia against him, against Noctis since it was his friend. And yet if he turned the boy away, he would lose his son. It was not an easy decision to make.
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Prompto still ached a little as he sat before the King, knowing the man could hear his heart pounding away. He believed Noct when he said that he wouldn't be executed or locked up, he did, btu the thought of exile terrified him. He'd barely managed to survive as a child, to survive out there now when he needed more food and water to sustain him, when he was used to city living…and would be torn from his pack, well he didn't like those odds.
And he was scared he'd say or do something that would reveal the lie the others had told to protect him. What would the King do if he knew they had lied right to his face about Prompto being infected in the school attack?
"We have something of a dilemma, Mr Argentum. By law, we both know what should happen. However, the idea of turning any child out of the city is not something I like, that you are my sons friend just adds to that," the King spoke, and Prompto nodded, acknowledging his statements.
Not being exiled was good…so what was he going to do with him instead? He didn't think he'd be locked away in a lab for study, he'd never heard of Lucis doing something like that, well other than from vague memories of horror stories in the lab but he didn't believe anything he'd been taught there.
"I have decided that Noctis will not be returning to school when it re-opens but will be home schooled."
Prompto's heart sank at that, was he going to be forbidden contact with his alpha? With his best friend? He couldn't help the soft whine of distress, staring at the desk, so he missed the look on the King's face at the noise, nearly jumping when a cool hand covered his, head jerking up.
"Due to your health and friendship, it would make sense for you to join him," the King smiled slightly, and Prompto's eyes went wide.
"Really?" he whispered.
The King patted his hand and sat back. "Really. I understand your parents are rarely home, are they aware of your condition?"
Prompto tried not to do anything to give it away. If he'd been infected in the attack…if anyone checked the records they would know his Dad was in Insomnia that full moon, though there was no proof he was home. Still… He nodded shakily, looking away.
"Considering who was involved in covering things up, I believe we can let that slide."
That was a relief, the last thing he'd ever wanted was for them to get in trouble for saving him. "Thank you."
"The biggest issue is exposure to civilians," the King said, and Prompto hid a wince, he'd been living safely among them for years, but he didn't know that.
"I've been considering two option. The first is moving Noctis back into the Citadel and bringing you with him for 'medical' reasons. I am sure we both know how well Noctis would take to that."
Prompto bit back a snicker and nodded. "Yes Sir."
"The other is he remains in the apartment for now, and we move you into the building as well. I've added to the security there since the school attack and the secure basement is there if you needed somewhere to get away. Also, most of those living there are connected to the Citadel in some manner, so strictly speaking aren't civilians. While keeping your status a secret would be ideal, we both know that eventually, it will come out. The best we can do is minimise the potential for backlash by showing how much has been done to ensure everyone's safety, yours included."
"Even if no one notices….I won't get sicker and die or age for ages. I'd have to leave the city before it was noticeable to keep it secret forever," Prompto admitted softly. He had been planning to leave eventually after all.
"True, however with information to combat the horror stories, hopefully attitudes will be improved by then."
"Information?" he asked warily. No, this was Lucis, not Niflheim, the wouldn't…would they?
"Noctis has a personal physician, for everyone's ongoing safety, he will be informed of your condition. I would like him to give you a physical, to ensure you are in good health and that nothing lingers from your illness, nothing invasive. If you agree, then we would like to take some blood and full body scans. To be truthful, our knowledge of werewolves is lacking due to the war and laws."
"You think the laws could change?" he asked, and was shocked when the King nodded.
"In time, yes. You are proof that our kind do not need to be enemies."
"No blood test but everything else…I guess." He wasn't sure if his blood could show something that would link him to MT's, if they had any blood from them. He knew they altered them and that was most likely to show up in his blood.
"Very well, I shall brief Dr Wilton and have him contact Ignis about arranging an appointment."
That made Prompto smile slightly, ignis had taken to organising his life but he liked having someone else around to ensure he remembered things. He could be a bit disorganised at times.
"I will also speak with Noctis about living arrangements going forward."
Hearing the dismissal, Prompto stood and bowed. "Thank you, for everything."
That got a gentle smile from the King. "My son and his Retainers trust you Prompto," he used his first name which was a surprise. "I hope you are always worthy of their belief in you."
And there was the veiled warning he had been expecting. Prompto nodded. "Yes Sire." He was very glad to leave, finding the guys waiting for him, more than ready to head home.
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Thaddeus Wilton was not all that surprised to be summoned by the King. In the months since the school attack they had met several times, the King understandably still concerned for his sons' health after the surgery and poison. While Noctis was long passed his childhood injuries, they would always be a concern due to the lingering weakness they had left.
So finding secrecy contracts waiting for him was a surprise, but he trusted his King and signed them.
"What would you say if I told you a werewolf was living in Insomnia?" the King asked and he honestly didn't know what to say.
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Noctis lounged on the couch, Prompto curled into his side, as they watched a movie. He was glad his friend was beginning to relax again, to accept that no one was going to force him from the city, or worse. He'd talked with his Dad about the options going forward and there was no way they were moving into the Citadel, not yet. He knew he'd have to at some point but he liked his apartment. So Prompto was being moved into a vacant one the floor down next week. The guards on the building had been increased again but that didn't really bother them, they didn't go down into the training basement or into the apartments so they still had their privacy.
The investigation into the attack was still ongoing, they took time, but he was worried. They still didn't know how the MT's had breached city security.
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Prompto set the gun down and turned, he'd smelt the older man enter earlier but had kept going when nothing had been said. "Marshal," he greeted, watching him warily, unable to help it.
The man nodded him towards the mats and Prompto moved over, wondering what he wanted. He was shocked when he stepped onto the mat and shifted into a defensive position, what? "Let's see what you've learned," he finally spoke.
Prompto just stared at him, was he serious? He was the Immortal! He'd been killing MT's since before Prompto was made. If anyone was going to work out that lie, it was him. And he wanted Prompto to fight him?
"Worried you'll hurt the human?"
"No sir," he shook his head.
"Then show me what you can do."
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Cor watched the boy, no, he didn't think he could beat Cor just because he was a werewolf. If anything the kid seemed wary, almost scared. Nice to see his reputation preceded him. Still, he wanted to get an idea of how Prompto's training was progressing.
Given his presence in Noctis' life, he would normally be overseeing his training personally but under the circumstances that wasn't possible. He still needed to check and make sure he wasn't picking up bad habits or relying too strongly on the gifts being a wolf gave him. He wouldn't always be stronger and faster than his opponent.
You could learn a lot about someone in a fight and while he was willing to give Prompto a chance, he had to be sure that he would never turn on Noctis.
TBC…
