Disclaimer: still not mine

Chapter 3

The Beast unclasped his formal coat and let it fall to the ground, not caring that it got dirty, as Ignis entered, eager for news.

"Well, Master, I'll admit that I had my doubts about this, but everything is moving like clockwork. True love really does conquer all!" he was smiling, happier than he had been since the curse.

"I let him go," Beast whispered.

"You... WHAT?!" he couldn't believe what he was hearing, maybe his clockworks were affecting his hearing? Gladio and Cindy entered behind Ignis, followed by Luna.

"Master... why?" Gladio didn't want to believe what he was hearing either, not when they were so close.

"I had to," was all Beast could say, it hurt!

"But why?" Ignis asked shakily.

The Beast couldn't answer, so Lunafreya did for him. "Because he's in love with Prompto."

"Then why aren't we human again?" Gladio asked in confusion, the spell should have broken, right?

"Because Prompto doesn't love him!" Ignis snapped angrily at his own love, terrified because soon…soon they would be gone forever. "And now it's too late," he whispered.

"But he could still come back –" Cindy tried.

"No, I freed him to return to his family. I'm just sorry I couldn't do the same for all of you." He turned away, unable to face them. He had condemned them all to death and there was nothing he could do to save them now. "Now go, spend your remaining time together," he whispered, they should spend their remaining time with those they loved, not him. He did not deserve them; he knew that now. He walked to the stairs and headed to the very top of the tower, staring out at the bridge, just able to make out the shine of gold that was Ravus' feathers and Prompto's finery as they faded from view. "Goodbye, Prompto."

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Ravus sensed his urgency, running faster than ever to reach home, this time without being attacked. In no time at all they left the forest behind for the desert, the sudden change almost a shock after however long he had been in staying in the Castle. Ravus knew the way home which was good because Prompto's mind and heart were in too much turmoil to focus.

When they reached home a few hours later he dismounted and rushed into the cottage, not noticing the villager who had been watching the farm. Prompto bolted up the stairs to enter his Father's bedroom, finding him lying in bed, ill. Just like the mirror had shown. He quickly stoked the fire and then wet a cloth to set on his forehead.

"Prompto?" Cor murmured, and he smiled.

"Shh. It's all right, Father, I'm here," he promised, taking his hand. "I'm home."

"I thought…I was so worried about you," he pushed himself up in bed and Prompto helped.

"I missed you so much," he poured some tea and helped his Father drink it.

"But the beast…how did you escape?" Cor demanded before coughing.

"I didn't escape, Father. He had this magic mirror and he let me use it to see you. When we saw that you were sick he…he let me go," he explained gently.

"That horrible beast?"

"He's not horrible Father, not anymore. He's changed, he even gave me a library," he really had changed, so much. Prompto…he would miss him; he would miss all of them. He looked over at where he'd dumped his bag, hearing a noise. The flap opened and the mirror fell out, with Iris rolling to a stop on it.

"Hi!" She chirped happily.

Prompto smiled and laughed. "Look Father, a stowaway."

"Hello little one. I Didn't think I'd ever see you again," Cor managed a tired smile as Iris hopped onto Prompto's offered hand.

Iris turned to Prompto with a questioning look on her face. "Prompto, why'd you leave? Don't you like us anymore? Didn't you like the party?"

Prompto chewed his bottom lip, feeling horrible for not explaining before running off. "Oh, Iris. Of course I still like you all, it's just," a knock downstairs cut him off and Prompto frowned. "I better see who it is, Iris stay out of sight please."

"Prompto," Cor called after his son, he had to warn him about Titus, but he was already heading downstairs.

Prompto opened the door to find a stranger there. "May I help you?"

"I've come to collect your father," Caligo Ulldor announced and Prompto frowned.

"My Father?" Prom asked warily.

"Don't worry." He stepped aside to show the Asylum wagon behind him. "We'll take good care of him."

"My Father's not crazy," Prompto stated coldly, seeing the crowd for the first time. He stepped onto the porch, forcing Caligo to back up and the villagers gasped and whispered as they got a look at the very expensive, formal, clothing Prompto was wearing.

"He was raving like a lunatic. We all heard him Prompto," Luche called, he was relieved Cor had survived, but not enough to go against Titus.

"Yeah!" they yelled back, and bright blue eyes narrowed.

"No, I won't let you," he stated firmly, reaching back for the sword his Father had placed by the door at some point, dropping his coat as he did. He then shut the door, making it clear that to get to Cor, they'd have to go through him. That had some shifting nervously, most villagers had never seen a sword let alone used one but Prompto's stance clearly said he had. "My Father isn't crazy."

Dino nervously shifted closer. "It's true Prompto. He's been raving about a beast in a castle and it having you locked in a dungeon or something…"

"I've just come from the castle and there is a Beast, going to call me crazy?" Prompto told him.

"We all admire your devotion to your father, but you'd say anything to keep him free. Your word is hardly proof, I'm sorry to say," Titus answered smoothly, and Prompto glared coldly at him, making Titus wonder ever so briefly if this wasn't the best plan.

"And what explanation do you have for my absence, for these clothes?" the blond asked, indicating the finery he wore. "Admit it Titus, you would stoop to any low to get what you want, with no care for who you harm. I will never marry you; I would die first. You are a foul, loathsome daemon," his words caused varied reactions in the crowd. "You want proof?" He moved quickly inside, rushing upstairs for the mirror and then back out before Cor could say a word. He held the mirror up facing them. "SHOW ME THE BEAST!" he commanded and the image shifted.

In the mirror, the Beast sat slumped against a turret wall. The villagers gasped in shock and horror at the image. Titus' face registered astonishment as he was forced to accept that Cor hadn't been raving or crazy. He didn't even know how the man had escaped the ropes and made it home alive, he was meant to have died out there!

"There's your proof!" Prompto stared at him, mirror in one hand and sword in the other, looking more like an otherworldly Prince than a peasant boy.

"This is sorcery!" Titus lunged to snatch the mirror from Prompto only to find the boy dancing back, sword raised between them threateningly. Titus glared at him but then looked around at the crowd, pointing to the mirror. "Look at that beast. Look at his fangs, his claws," he called, and then froze as Prompto's blade came to rest at his throat. The villagers recoiled in fright from the image and the angry Prompto, they were all beginning to realise there was more to him than a quiet, book loving, farm boy.

"No, don't be afraid. He isn't a monster," Prompto told them, if they went looking for the castle how many would die in the woods between the cold and Coeurls?

"The monster has put him under a spell! If I didn't know better, I'd say he even cared for it," he sneered despite the cold steel at his throat.

"He's not a monster, Titus. You are," he snarled angrily before looking at the villagers, beseeching them to listen. "The Beast would never hurt anyone."

"I've heard of dark magic and how it can affect people, but I've never seen it with my own eyes before! This creature is a threat to our very lives!"

Raucous cries of "Titus, Titus, Titus!" rose at his words.

"We can't have him running off to warn the beast. Lock him up," he ordered, and Prompto was forced to move away from Titus to keep out of reach of the villagers, keeping the sword levelled at them

"Put it down boy, we'll kill it and free you."

"My Father was a Marshal in the army, do you really think he didn't teach me to fight?" Prompto taunted back, and they exchanged nervous looks, taking in his firm stance and steady grip on the blade.

One lunged and Prompto danced aside, slamming the hilt into his head, putting him down, he didn't want to kill or maim anyone! He caught sight of Axis trying to get behind him and spun, lightly cutting the man's arm but in doing so lost sight of Tredd. He gasped as strong arms wrapped around him, pinning his arms down so he slammed his head back, causing Tredd to cry out and stumble, grip loosening, but it was too late and Axis forced the sword from his hand. Sonitus helped restrain him, the men tossing him into the wagon.

"This isn't over Titus, you'll see!" Prompto yelled, even as they rushed inside and came out with his Father who struggled but had obviously been caught half dressed.

"Titus, with all due respect-" Luche stared nervously at the seriously angry young man in the wagon as Cor was forced in with his son, obviously ill from exposure.

"Do you want to join them?" Titus snarled, and Luche backed down. "Fetch my Chocobo."

All father and son could do was watch as the villagers went mad and set off to find the castle. "I have to warn the Beast," Prompto rattled the bars. "This is all my fault," Prompto whispered, and Cor wrapped an arm around him.

"We'll think of something," he promised, Caligo had been left behind to watch them, but he was only one man, if they could get the door unlocked.

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"I knew it, I knew it was silly to get our hopes up," Ignis shook his head, leaning against Gladio as best he could, enjoying the heat of the fireplace.

"At least he finally learned to love," Gladio really was a romantic at heart.

"A lot of good that does us if Prompto doesn't love him in return which obviously he doesn't or else we'd be human," Ignis snapped, more hurt than angry at Prompto. He hadn't even said goodbye to them, he had thought the boy had liked them, cared for them. They had cared for him and now they would never see him again.

"No, this is the first time I've had any real hope he could learn," Luna admitted.

"Did you hear that?" Cindy called suddenly. "Is it Prompto?" Cindy rushed to the window.

"Is he coming back?" Gladio asked hopefully.

The staff and Umbra jumped up, excited, and moved to the window, only to see torches in the distance.

"it could be…?" Gladio asked hopefully but through the frost distorted glass the mob soon became visible, as he warmed the glass to clear it. "Invaders," he whispered in horror.

"Well, there you go," Ignis murmured in shock, it was one thing for Prompto to have left them, but to betray them like this? How could he? "Man the barricades and hold fast! Warn the Master. If they want a fight, we'll give them one to remember," Ignis ordered and they all rushed off to prepare.

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"Excuse me, Master," Lunafreya approached his hunched form where he sat near the Rose.

"Leave me alone," he commanded brokenly.

"But sir, the castle is under attack! What do you want us to do?"

"It doesn't matter now, just let them come," he whispered sadly, better death than forever alone.

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"This isn't working!" Gladio pointed out as their barricade shook with every blow from the battering ram, it wouldn't hold for long.

"We have to do something!" Cindy yelled from where she was adding her miniscule weight.

"Wait! I know!" Gladio grinned.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Prompto glared at Caligo where the man was lounging against the front of their home. "I have to get back to the castle, I have to warn them," he whispered. If anything happened to any of them…to Beast…he'd never forgive himself.

"Prompto, are you sure?" Cor asked, and his son nodded. "Alright then, first thing first, we need to get out of this rather badly made wagon," he coughed, but began examining not just the lock, but every joint. It seemed like some of the wood was beginning to rot due to too much moisture.

"Would the key help?" Iris asked cheekily as she hopped up, the key in her handle, and Cor laughed.

"That'll do very nicely, thank you," he agreed even as Prompto scooped the teacup up to keep her safe.

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The castle staff had vanished, their barricade dismantled. A series of bolts on the door slid open one by one, top to bottom, the door seemingly unlocking itself.

The battering ram smashed the door one last time, "Kill the Beast!" the men chanted as they rushed the door which swung open easily and the mob tumbled inside only to find an empty yet grand entrance hall. They cautiously entered, the door barely hanging on its hinges. The villagers held up torches, the flickering light revealing furniture scattered about.

"Aren't you worried that this place might be haunted or something?" Luche asked as they moved further inside.

"Don't lose your nerve, Luche," Titus scoffed.

They looked around as they walked through the eerie room towards the stairs, Titus heading for the ones to the west wing.

"Well it's not all fancy stuff, looks like a cheap tea set," Luche muttered, inspecting a teapot on a nearby tray.

"Cheap? ATTACK!" Lunafreya yelled angrily, and Luche jumped back, eyes wide.

All hell broke loose as the furniture came alive. Chairs kicked the shins of several villagers. Cindy feathered villagers' faces furiously, causing them to have sneezing fits. As other villagers funnelled in, the "Lend-a-Hand" lights outside the door bonked several of them on the head.

Weskham spun Titus around and was about to land a blow when Titus grabbed Luche and put him in the line of fire. Luche became a human punching bag as Aranea approached from the landing above. Her shadow fell across Titus, who dove out of the way, leaving Luche exposed.

"Titus!" he cried out for help Aranea came crashing down on him, squashing him flat. Titus stared down at him, not moving to help. "Titus... help..." the plea was weak and muffled.

Titus looked from Luche to the enchanted mirror he had taken off of Prompto, then to the grand staircase. "Sorry, old friend. I've got a Beast to slay and a village to save," he rushed up the stairs as Luche passed out.

"Oh, ouch," Aranea commented before moving on.

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Caligo paced in front of the cottage, when he noticed the door to the asylum wagon was ajar. He ran to the wagon and flung open the doors, only to find it empty. Caligo slammed the doors shut and there was Cor, smiling beside him.

"Hello. I believe these are yours," Cor casually handed the wagon's padlock and key to Caligo, just as Prompto rode past on Ravus, sword tucked into his belt. Caligo then hit the ground hard and Cor rubbed his knuckles before looking up at where Prompto was heading down the road. "Be safe," he whispered before heading inside to rug up, drink more tea, and then unhitch one of Caligo's birds to make his own way to the castle.

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"How do you take your tea?! Piping hot?! Or boiling?" Luna was kind of enjoying herself as she swung from the chandelier, dousing the villagers with boiling water. They dared attack her home and family? These were the same people who dared call Prompto weird!

She knew Prompto would never have willingly given up the Mirror or their location which meant they had done something horrible to the kind boy. That could not be forgiven! She just hoped Prompto was alright, that they hadn't done the unthinkable.

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Prompto leapt from the saddle, pushing past the fleeing villagers. Seeing his friends, he put Iris down out of the way so she could get to them and then ran for the stairs, hand wrapped around the hilt of his Father's sword, he had to stop Titus. If he killed Beast…no, he wouldn't let that happen.

"Prompto!" Ignis called, but he didn't stop, he couldn't stop.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Ignis stared after the boy, seeing the dishevelled state of his clothes…the same clothing he had left in. He hadn't missed the sword on his hip either and the sight of it terrified him, did Prompto know how to use that? And if he did…who was he there to fight?

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Titus stepped slowly out onto the Beast's turret. The Beast sensed his presence, turned, locking eyes. Titus cocked his pistol. "Hello Beast, I am Titus. Prompto sent me," he smirked.

With no hope left, the Beast turned away from Titus, whose finger tightened on the trigger.

"Were you in love with him? Did you really think he could ever want something like you?" He fired.

The beast dropped over the edge. On the turret below, his claws dug into the slanted rooftop and broke his fall. He hugged the rooftop, heaving in pain.

Titus looked down over the edge of the turret. He pulled his crossbow and reached back over his shoulder to draw an arrow from his quiver, but there was nothing there. Titus spun to see Prompto with his arrows gripped in his hands. "Prompto?" he was genuinely shocked by his presence.

"Where is he?" the blond demanded, snapping the arrows over his knee before drawing his sword and levelling it at Titus.

"When we return to the village, you will stop this ridiculous behaviour and marry me. The beast's head will hang on our wall as a warning to any creature that dares threaten these lands!" Titus snarled at him.

"NEVER." He swung the sword down hard on the pistol, knocking it from Titus' hand and sending him reeling, dropping off the side of the turret.

Titus' reflexes were quick, he grabbed a gargoyle and swung himself down through a window of the turret, landing on the spiral staircase. Titus's pistol, in the meantime, clattered down, coming to rest on the landing of a stone footbridge below.

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Wounded, the Beast climbed around the lower turret. All around him, turrets quavered and cracked, the castle was imploding.

"I'm coming for you, beast!" Titus screamed, continuing down until he reached the bottom of the spiral staircase. He dropped to a window box below and jumped sideways onto another.

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Having heard his scream, Prompto leant over, looking around for sight of either combatant while holding on tightly.

The Beast made a second leap, onto another parapet. Tiles slid away beneath him as he scrambled to hang on.

Prompto reached the landing at the bottom of the spiral staircase and leapt down onto another adjacent landing. He looked out, trying to see the Beast through the turrets.

The Beast swung around a third parapet and leapt onto another, as far as he could get from Titus.

Finally, Prompto reached a point where he could see Beast on the faraway turret. He screamed out as he saw his grip slip. "NO!"

The Beast's head turned at the sound of his voice, shocked. "Prompto?" And then he spotted him. "PROMPTO!" he couldn't believe his eyes. "You…you came," he whispered. Even from where he was, he could see the mess of Prompto's clothing, the dirt and tears.

"I tried to stop them!" he swore, looking for a way across.

"Stay there! I'm coming to you!" It was too dangerous for Prompto to attempt such jumps.

,,,,,,,,,,

Titus dropped onto the walkway lined with gargoyles, landing directly between the beast and Prompto. He sneered; the upper hand was still his. His eyes searched for a weapon ad he grabbed a stone spire, breaking it off.

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With superhuman agility, the Beast made a giant leap from the far parapet back toward the central turrets, back toward Prompto.

Prompto rushed down the stairs, finally reaching the Beast's room, sprinting onto the balcony.

The Beast landed on the gargoyle walk and Titus jumped out, bringing his club cracking down on the beast's back. The Beast roared in pain but he pushed past Titus. With Titus landing blow after blow on the Beast's back, the Beast staggered down a set of stairs onto the landing of a stone footbridge.

"Stop! Titus, no!" Prompto watched the Beast lumbered across the footbridge, which crumbled under each mighty footfall.

The Beast reached the cupola on the far side, directly parallel to the balcony. One giant leap stood between him and Prompto...

Titus lifted the club to deliver the death blow, when the Beast snatched it. He yanked the club away and hurled it against a far wall. With a snarl, the Beast's paw was around Titus's throat. He lifted Titus and swung him out over the edge of the landing.

"No. Don't drop me, please. I'll do anything, just don't hurt me!"

"I AM NOT A BEAST," he growled in his face before setting Titus down. "Go. Leave."

Titus scrambled to his feet, and the beast lunged, chasing him away down the outer staircase of the cupola.

Prompto gazed proudly into the Beast's eyes, across the final chasm that separated them. The beast had just enough distance for a head start to leap across to the balcony. "No! Beast don't risk it! No one could make that jump!"

But the Beast had already gotten down on all fours. His hind claws dug into the stone, and then he was off, gaining speed as he ran on all legs. Prompto gasped and the Beast leapt. He was airborne, flying over the chasm and he just made it to the balcony, landing on all fours! He rose, and smiled, unable to believe that Prompto was really there.

BOOM! The Beast roared in agony. Past him, across the chasm, Prompto spotted Titus on the crumbling walkway, pistol back in hand. He grinned as he reloaded for the kill shot as Prompto watched, horrified. Prompto's eyes went to the sword he'd put back in his belt. Titus took aim again and fired, right as Prompto hurled his Father's sword with all his strength, the blade flying true. The Beast dropped just as the sword impaled Titus' shoulder, pinning him to the rail of the walkway which then collapsed, sending him plummeting with no hope of getting free.

Prompto dropped to his knees and cradled the Beast's head in his lap, anguished. Beast lay there, breathing heavily. Softly, the Beast rested his paw on Prompto's hand.

He stared up at him, eyes filled with wonder. "You…you're really…here."

"Of course I am and I'm not going anywhere," he swore, tears blurring his vision. "I'm staying with you."

"Sorry…it's my turn…to leave."

Prompto shook his head in denial, throat tight. "We're together now. You're going to be alright, you'll see," he ran his fingers through rain-soaked fur.

"At least I got to see you…again." His hand dropped from Prompto's, eyes falling shut.

"No... please, no..." Prompto gasped, burying his face in wet fur.

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As villagers staggered away in defeat, Gladio turned to Ignis, extinguishing his candles to embrace him.

"Oh!"

They turned at Cindy's cry only to see her collapsing to the ground, catching her. "No…" Ignis gasped, Cindy was now a true feather duster.

Lunafreya frantically approached Ignis and Gladio. "Have you seen Iris!? She ran off!" she called to them in a panic.

To their horror, Lunafreya's face disappeared into the painted ornamentation of the tea pot as they watched. It was over…their time was up.

"Gladdy! Luna!" Iris called out rushing towards them, leaping off the top of the stairs.

Gladio turned to Ignis, panicked that Iris would see what'd happened to Luna.

"Oh no," Ignis stared in horror and Gladio spun back to his sister.

"No!" he cried out in denial as his sister faded away, leaving a normal cup as gravity took over. The saucer plummeted, shattering.

Thankfully, Weskham caught Iris in mid-air and lovingly placed her, inanimate, onto the trolley cart beside Lunafreya. Weskham straightened himself nobly and then froze in place, becoming an ordinary coat rack. All around Ignis and Gladio, the staff went still.

"Gladio... I... can't... speak..." Ignis sounded terrified, eyes locked on him, trying to reach for him.

"It's all right, Ignis," he brushed against his side, watching with a breaking heart, as his best friend and lover essentially died right in front of him and there was nothing he could do to help him, he could feel his own limbs becoming ever stiffer every second.

"I... can't... TICK... Glad…my love... TOCK... it was..." The only sound Ignis made was `tick tock, tick tock', his face fading away and Gladio just stared, left alone.

"Goodbye love," he whispered, wishing he could cry, before he twirled and stiffened, becoming nothing more than a candelabra.

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The final rose petal dropped as Prompto cried. "Don't leave me, please, don't go. I don't want you to go." His lips touched the Beasts forehead in a kiss. "I love you."

In the shadows a crimson clad figure sighed and glanced at the rose before shaking his head. "Oh, why not," he whispered, waving a hand at the rose, the final petal floating back up to r-join the flower.

A golden light began to emanate from the Rose, shattering the glass covering, spreading out to encircle the Beast and he began to rise into the air. Prompto scrambled to his feet, watching with wide eyes as the Beast was lifted and enveloped by the swirling aurora, shielding his eyes even as he stared.

The light began to fade and a body was lowered to the ground where it slumped. Prompto stood, frozen, was it... Slowly, the person pushed up to their feet, staring down at their hands, arms, chest. He turned and saw Prompto watching with wide eyes and smiled at him. "Prompto..." Slowly he stepped towards him, and Prompto stared at him, taking in the very human features. A hand was held towards him and Prompto stumbled forward a step in shock before the Beast…the other young man, rushed to catch him, holding him close.

In silent disbelief, Prompto ran his fingers through fine black hair, staring into dark blue eyes….it really was him. Tears of grief turned to tears of joy as they lent in for their first kiss, the Prince holding him gently even as Prompto clutched at the ragged shirt.

"it's you, it's really you," Prompto choked out.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Magic exploded outwards and with it, the dawn broke. The castle transformed under a wave of golden light, the magic spreading across the balcony as the sun rose on the terrace, traveling down the castle façade, creepy stone gargoyles turn into noble statuary.

As the light passed over an upside-down Umbra he transformed back into a black dog, basking in the sun. He leapt up and chased his tail, still a tassel, then trotted over to Weskham and relieved himself on his leg, which changed into a human foot. Weskham transformed back into a doorman and shooed the dog away with his walking stick. As the dog weaved through his legs, the valet lost his balance and bumped into the trolley cart holding Lunafreya and Iris. It started to roll towards the stairs. He backed into Aranea, who stumbled backwards, nearly tripping over her own feet and Umbra who happily jumped into her arms.

Ignis, whose back was bathed in sunlight, began to stretch and thin out, growing taller, until where there had been a clock, stood a slender, distinguished blond young man with glasses, dressed impeccably in a suite. He blinked and stared down at his hands in shock before spinning around, eyes searching. "Gladio!" he called desperately and then the other man was before him, grinning.

"Ignis, we beat the clock!"

Ignis, for once, threw decorum aside and flung himself into Gladio's arms, kissing him without a care for who saw. They blinked as a feather floated by, looking over to see a pile of feathers so they reached down and pulled the young woman up from them, Cindy smiling.

They all turned as they heard the trolley squeaking as it neared the steps, about to crash down. Lunafreya and Iris rattled on a tray, which suddenly jerked to a stop on the precipice. The doorman had hooked the cart with his walking stick, but Lunafreya and Iris slid down the incline, shooting off the tray...

"Iris!" Gladio screamed for his sister.

A woman and a young girl slid down the stairs on the tray, the girl laughing happily even as Gladio ran down and scooped her up. "Gladdy!" Iris hugged him back happily as Ignis helped Luna to her feet.

"Look!" Cindy yelled above the cacophony of the staff reuniting now they were all human again.

"Oh, my Prince!" Ignis gasped, bowing, as the Prince and Prompto emerged, hand in hand.

He rushed to Ignis and hugged him. "Hello Iggy," he whispered happily.

Ignis was taken aback by the warm embrace, but he couldn't help smiling, hugging him back. "Welcome back…Noctis," he murmured, returning the hug briefly.

"It's so good to see you!" Gladio grinned and bowed.

Prompto and the Prince were quickly surrounded by the staff. Cindy curtsied to Prompto. "You saved us all," she told him, clasping his hand in hers and he blushed, embarrassed.

Iris ran up and hugs him tight. "Prompto, do you recognise me?" She asked and he picked her up, spinning her around.

"Thanks for the key, Iris," he told her with a grin before setting her on her feet and turning to the Prince. "You know…I don't even know your name," Prompto whispered to his Prince as the staff went about enjoying being human again.

His Prince smiled and brushed his fingers over a smooth cheek. "Noctis Lucis Caelum," he answered before kissing him again. "You can call me Noct."

"Prompto!"

The blond pulled away, looking around wildly and then he was running down the stairs, people parting for him as he raced towards Cor, hugging him. "Sorry I lost your sword Father," he offered and Cor laughed.

,,,,,,,,,,,,

"Prompto, might I have a word?" Ignis called softly as he spotted the younger male down the hall.

Prompto turned and smiled warmly. "Of course, is something wrong?" the smile faded to concern, and Ignis motioned to the library. Prompto walked inside and sat on the window seat while Ignis stood stiffly before him. "Ignis?"

"I owe you an apology Prompto," he admitted.

"For what?"

"When the villagers arrived and had the mirror…" he hesitated.

"You thought I'd betrayed you," Prompto whispered.

"I am sorry Prompto, you did nothing to deserve such suspicion."

Prompto stood and surprised him with a hug. "You've got nothing to be sorry for Ignis. You were just trying to protect Noctis."

"Thank you," he whispered.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Prompto sat on the window seat, staring out at lush gardens and then further to the village surrounding the castle itself. All of the ice and snow was gone, revealing Insomnia, the forgotten capital of Lucis. It was no longer forgotten, people from Hammerhead and even those who had run after attacking, coming to stare and pay homage to their forgotten Prince.

He remembered hearing of Prince Noctis as a child now, of wondering what he was like. If they'd known each other back then, could he have helped Noct? Or would he simply have been caught in the curse too?

He smiled as he spotted Iris running around in the garden, Gladio chasing her, able to hear them laughing. They were all so happy now and it made him happy too.

He felt a hand come to rest on his shoulder and looked up, smiling at Noct who smiled back, caressing his cheek with his other hand. He looked amazing dressed in all black, his hair now neatly styled.

"I was wondering where you'd gotten to," Noctis murmured, sitting beside him, lifting his arm hesitantly and Prompto leant against him, letting him hold him.

It felt really nice, safe, and warm. He'd started feeling so safe with the Beast in those last days, feeling small and protected. Noctis was only an inch or so taller than him with just as slender a build, and yet his arms still made him feel safer than anywhere except his Father's arms as a child. "Sorry," he murmured, feeling Noctis press a kiss to the side of his head.

"For what?" Noctis asked, and he shrugged slightly. "Are you alright?" he asked in concern, and Prompto turned his head to look up at him, smiling at him.

"I'm happy," he promised, leaning in to kiss him briefly. "Just…a little overwhelmed I guess."

"I'm sorry," Noctis kissed him in return. "I forget how new this all is for you."

"I love you Noct," he swore, wrapping his arms around him. "I wouldn't trade being with you for anything."

"I love you too Prom," he smiled, and Prompto smiled back.

Noct was so different in many ways to the Beast he had known, but in others he was the same. he was enjoying getting to know him better, to see the person he'd begun glimpsing in those last days.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Gladio pulled back the covers on their bed, everything had been crazy since the curse had been broken. They hadn't made it to bed the last few nights as they tried to get things under control, instead they'd been catching naps here and there throughout the castle when time permitted. He was exhausted and he knew Iggy was too, so he had prepared a hot bath and was putting hot water bottles into the bed to warm the sheets. He'd put Iris to bed a few hours ago so they should be left alone.

The door opened and Ignis almost stumbled inside, hair coming free of his ponytail, clothing not quite perfect anymore. He moved to his side, wrapping an arm around his waist, removing his glasses with his other hand, setting them aside. "I've got you," he whispered, leading him to the bath, gently stripping him before taking off his own clothing. It was a snug fit but after so many years unable to just hold him, it didn't bother him at all. He gently washed Ignis, feeling him gradually relax, becoming utterly pliant.

"Too good…for me," Ignis mumbled. He turned as best he could to rest his head over Gladio's heart, listening to the comforting beat, beginning to shake.

Gladio pressed a kiss to damp hair. "Let go Ignis, it's okay, we are free now."

The water was almost cold when he lifted the barely conscious Ignis from the tub, drying them both before carrying him through to the bed, curling around him to sleep.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Luche froze, eyeing Prompto warily as the younger man approached.

"Father said you tried to get Titus to back off and several people saw you switch sides in the fight. You chose a very bad friend but in the end you did the right thing Luche. I don't hate you, no one does, but you've got a bit to prove," Prompto told him, shocking him. The blond smiled at him and then walked away.

He hadn't expected that at all. He turned and saw Luna smiling at him, smiling shyly back. Maybe he could stay?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Noctis stared at himself in the mirror, it was still a shock to see a human reflection even after two weeks. Every morning he woke, expecting everything since that night to have been a dream, to still be nothing more than a Beast. He looked different….a little older, he was twenty-one now after all, but it wasn't just that. He didn't care about filling the castle with pretty things, there was more to life than that and he now understood that. His choice of clothing for the ball reflected that change in attitude. Noct wore the traditional black but he had dropped the fancy hairstyle and made-up look that had been in fashion before the curse.

Tonight was the ball and then in two days' time, he would marry Prompto. He was nervous, maybe even a little scared, but he loved Prompto and Prompto loved him.

"You look amazing Noct, but you are going to be late."

He turned to see Gladio leaning in the doorway, looking happy and relaxed. It was good, to have them use his name again, he felt horrible over how he had treated them, pushed them away, become 'Master' to them. "Gladio…"

Gladio stepped into the room, clasping his shoulder. "Don't Noct," he smiled gently at him. "We know, it doesn't matter anymore. Ignis thinks it may have even been part of the curse, to make it harder to break. You are our Prince, our friend, no matter what. Now, get down there and tell Prompto how wonderful he looks before he panics and runs rather than having to dance in front of everyone."

"He's panicking?" Noctis asked in alarm.

"He's never been to a ball before other than that party his last night here, it's all new to him, so yes, he is a bit flustered. He won't run though; he loves you too much to even dream of leaving."

"Right," Noctis took a deep breath and left his rooms, going to the suite Prompto had been given that first day.

He knocked on the door and Aranea opened it, smirking at him, before stepping aside to reveal Prompto at the window. He swallowed, eyes roaming his body. While the jacket lacked the gold of the one he'd worn the night they first danced he still looked utterly stunning, maybe even more so. Was it because he was human again and could truly appreciate such things more now?

"Prom?" he called and the blond turned, eyes running up and down his body in return, blushing slightly. Noctis smiled and held his hand out, Prompto walking over to take it. "You will be fine," he promised, kissing him softly. "I've been looking forward to dancing with you again since the curse broke."

"Really?"

"Really," he promised, squeezing his hand. "For one thing, my sense of touch is now much better than with those claws and fur."

"Oh," Prompto blinked, letting him tuck his hand through his arm as they walked towards the main stairs. "I hadn't thought of that."

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Cor smiled as he watched his son dance with his betrothed. Prompto looked happier than he had ever seen his son. The ball was in full swing, people from all over the world present in preparation for the wedding. He could never have imagined such a life for Prompto, but all he wanted was his sons happiness. Being back in the castle, he recognised it now, he had visited once as part of a diplomatic party when he was serving in the Imperial army. He remembered the old King, even hearing of Noctis after they moved to Lestallum, the idea a curse had made him forget all of that was creepy.

He shook his head in amusement as he spotted Luche and Lunafreya dancing together, he didn't think anyone had seen that coming. Gladio and Ignis were swaying together off to the side while Cindy watched Iris, the little girl dancing on the spot, giggling happily. Dino and Coctura were dancing nearby as well, two of the few from Longwythe welcome in the castle.

"You know, no one has ever learnt their lesson in time to break one of my curses before," an unknown voice commented and he turned to see a man with odd violet-red hair and strange clothing leaning against the wall. "Your son really is amazing to have gotten through to dear Noctis in time," the man smirked. "You should be proud." He tipped his hat and vanished, and Cor swallowed hard….had that really been?

Cor looked back to his son and Prince, seeing them swirl across the dance floor, eyes locked on each other, talking quietly, and he relaxed. It seemed even the Sorcerer liked his son, scary but perhaps also comforting in that he wasn't seeking vengeance for the breaking of the curse.

The End

Hope you enjoyed! Yes, Ardyn was the Sorcerer in case that wasn't clear enough.