Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 5

Cor watched as Argentum was examined carefully, lying still on the table and following every instruction. Ever since he'd taken him into custody, there had just been compliance, no argument, no sign of resentment, anger…anything that would suggest he was indignant over his treatment. He seemed utterly resigned and Cor had the feeling the boy was assuming he was to be executed. However, Cor didn't think that was Regis plan from the way the King was watching everything.

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Prompto slumped back in the chair, utterly worn out. He just wanted it to be over. He wanted so much to see Noct just one last time, but that would mean he'd been told the truth and Prompto didn't want him to be hurt that way. It was nice that at least this time they'd only cuffed his ankles, leaving his hands free, a test or them trusting him not to try and escape now?

He shifted slightly to the side, taking the pressure off his butt for a while, leaning against the armrest. The three men and doctor were across the room and while his hearing was beyond the normal human range due to genetic tampering, he couldn't make out more than the noise of their voices. He closed his eyes, resting, it wasn't like they were stopping him from sleeping at night or anything which he knew from training was an interrogation technique, but sleeping in a chair wasn't exactly comfortable.

He opened his eyes and straightened as he heard the soft tap of the King's staff approaching, the man staring at him, and it was hard not to squirm. He kept his head down and eyes respectfully lowered as he waited for what he was sure was a sentencing announcement.

"Look at me."

Prompto lifted his head, meeting stern green eyes. The King seemed to be studying him and he waited for whatever the King wanted.

"Would you die for my son?" he asked.

Prompto didn't even need to think about his answer. "Yes Sire." His life was worth nothing compared to Noct's, he was a faulty science experiment, part human and part something else. He didn't matter.

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Regis stared at the boy before him, a boy several months younger than his son and yet in some ways older. Everything he had been put through had added mental years to his age, that was easy to see. He hadn't even hesitated in claiming he would die for Noctis. Could he trust that though? Argentum hadn't uttered one word of complaint over the last days as he was interrogated and examined, despite the fact that even captured spies had certain rights which they had ignored to keep everything secret. There was something utterly hopeless in his eyes, he'd given up completely. Children should never be used in war, he'd seen that in Cor so long ago and now he was seeing it again in the enemy.

He walked away and sat at the table, taking up paper and pen, the room quiet around him. He had made his decision and could only pray he never came to regret it. He signed and sealed several documents, handing them to Cor, before approaching the boy again to hand him one.

Argentum looked down at it, a confused frown growing as he read it. "I…I don't…" he looked up, bewildered. That expression made him look even younger.

"That Oath will ensure that you cannot harm my son or any member of the family, or have someone else do so for you. It will tie you to the line of Lucis, break it and the magic will kill you immediately," Regis explained. "It is the only way for you to leave this room alive."

As much as it would pain him, he would kill Argentum if he did not take the Oath. He would ensure Noctis was given a kinder explanation, that the boy died on the road, and not tell him the truth, as Cor had said Argentum had asked for. He would not order him to break Noctis' heart by ending their relationship or friendship and not just because that would be going against his Imperial orders. Should he take the Oath, they would have to come up with a plausible excuse for the boy to not be able to make his yearly trips to 'Lestallum' because it was simply too dangerous. They had already replaced part of his brain, who knew what they would do to him next.

"Alive?" Argentum whispered and for the first time since he'd entered the room, the dullness of his eyes lifted some. He looked back down at the written Oath. "What will happen?"

"You will be taken out of the city to 'arrive' as normal. Cor shall return publicly at a different time to keep suspicions away from you both. You will return to your life but you will be approached with an offer by Cor to join the Crownsguard," he explained the plan he was still devising, watching Argentum's eyes going wider and wider.

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Clarus listened to his oldest friend explain to the boy that he was being given a chance to live and prove his loyalty. He wasn't sure he agreed, but he'd seen the Oath that Regis had devised and as far as he could tell, it left no wriggle room Argentum could use to betray Noctis, the Crown, or city in general. Inducting him into the Crownsguard would then layer another Oath on top, further cementing his ties to the Crown.

He didn't particularly like ensuring loyalty in such a way, it could breed resentment eventually. Still, there was no other way to guarantee that Argentum was being truthful about being loyal to Noctis without risking the Prince's life and that was something they couldn't do. Noctis was the prophesised Chosen King, he had to live, even if everyone else perished.

The Oath would not give Argentum access to the Lucis Caelum magic in any way which would make it easy to hide that he was bound to the Crown. Adding him on as a Crownsguard trainee under Cor meant that Cor could watch him and would be easily explained away since with school done they all expected Noctis to ask about adding the boy to his Retinue. Starting training so much later than the others, Cor would make a good choice as trainer and hopefully the Empire would be happy to have an agent so close to the Marshal. The intense training and taking on of duties would also give a reason for the boy to remain in the city.

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Prompto was in shock, he was going to be allowed to live? To stay with Noctis? He couldn't believe it, looking back down at the Oath that would decide his fate. He didn't know a lot about the Oaths and how they worked, he knew Ignis and Gladio were bound to Noctis' magic through their own but not what they were.

The idea that it could and would kill him if he did the wrong thing was kind of scary but also comforting. If the Empire did more to him, took more of his brain and used implants to control him, then in theory he should just die before he could follow any orders that would harm Noct or the King or from the look of it the city in general. That was the comforting part of it, he didn't want to be used by his creators against them.

Joining the Crownsguard was nerve-racking but understandable, he could be better watched without anyone being told simply by being around members of the Guard. Would his handlers accept it as a reason to not leave the city though? What would happen if they still demanded his presence? There was so much unknown but…

"How do I do this?" he asked. He would take the Oath.

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Regis nodded to Cor who released Argentum from the chains, steadying him as he got him to his feet. The boy knelt before him, head bowed, and then Regis extended his hand, the Ring already beginning to glow with magic. His hand rested in lank blond hair, the magic washing over the boy, testing him, and he heard him gasp in a shaky breath before beginning to recited the Oath.

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Prompto waited for the Marshal to give the all clear before getting out of the car, dressed in his travelling clothes again, his bag on his back, dirtied up a bit to look like he'd been walking for days. "Thank you Sir," he offered and Leonis nodded.

"I'll be shadowing you at a distance in case you run into trouble," and to make sure he didn't try anything but that went unsaid.

Prompto nodded and settled his bag more comfortably before turning towards Hammerhead since he could usually find a lift to the city from there. He walked steadily along the side of the road, keeping watch for danger even as his mind wandered. He didn't know if it was his imagination or not, but he could feel the cold tingle of the King's magic in his chest, wrapped around his heart like bands of ice. Hopefully that would go away, he didn't need the constant reminder. At least his vision had settled and he was getting a lot more used to the massive increase of information. He'd still have preferred to have his natural eyes but he could deal with the new ones.

He was happy to see the familiar Haven as the sun began to set, settling in for the night, wrapped in a blanket beside the low burning fire. He was up with the sun the next morning, trudging along until he reached Hammerhead, waving at Cindy when she looked his way before collapsing into a booth at Takka's, hearing the man laugh, but a few seconds later a glass of water was set before him. A while later a bowl of soup was set down as well and he dug out the necessary Gil to pay for his normal meal.

"Okay kid?" the man asked in concern, and Prompto nodded.

"Just want to get home."

Understandable," Takka nodded. "There's a family heading in, I'll see if they can fit you in the car."

"Thanks."

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Ignis watched Noctis go through the motions, checking his phone every chance he got. Not that he blamed him, Prompto was due back any day now and they were all eager to see him home, safe and sound. The whole time he was gone, they all worried about him, travelling alone through Lucis with no vehicle or weapon was incredibly dangerous. The fact that he had nearly died during his first trip was proof enough of that.

"Hey Specs?"

"Yes Noctis?" he looked back at his Prince to see him fiddling with his phone.

"I want to ask Prom to take the last spot in my Retinue," he rushed out.

Ignis blinked, he'd assumed Noctis would get around to asking eventually but he did have concerns. Not only was Prompto a commoner (not something any of them personally cared about) but he was of mixed heritage and had no combat or etiquette training. Still, Noctis would be moving back to the Citadel soon and without school to allow them to see each other every day or the freedom of the apartment then it would be very difficult for them to find time for each other.

"It will take a lot of commitment on his part and there will be those who do not agree," he warned, and Noct nodded.

"I know, but no one can actually stop it. That final spot is for whoever I choose and I want Prompto."

"Not just because of your relationship?" he asked to clarify, because such a position was a massive commitment and there was the possibility of their relationship ending, leaving them stuck with each other unless Prompto resigned.

"No," he shook his head.

"Very well, I shall get the paperwork together for when you ask."

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Prompto was relieved to pass the last checkpoint, heading straight for the train station. His stop came and he stayed on the train, unable to stomach his apartment at the moment, no, he needed to see Noct, to have proof that he could still be in his life. He got off the train and made his way to the building, catching the worried looks from the mostly hidden security and he guessed it was due to his appearance. He got in the elevator, unable to keep his hands from trembling slightly. Finally, he was knocking on the door, reminded of the visit that started their relationship.

The door opened to reveal Ignis whose eyes widened in concern behind his glasses. "Prompto? Come in," he reached out and pulled him inside. "Noctis!" he called even as he got Prom out of his shoes, took his bag, and pushed him down on the couch before moving to the kitchen.

"What is…Prom!" Noctis grinned as he saw him, moving to the couch. He frowned in concern and sat down, taking Prompto's hand. "Hey, you okay?" he asked gently, reaching out to touch his cheek, and Prompto leant into the touch.

"Tired," he admitted, and then Noctis was pulling him in to rest against his side. "Specs is cooking something, want to rest or grab a shower?"

He just wanted to sleep but he probably didn't smell the best so he forced himself to his feet, swaying slightly.

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"We're going to shower," Noctis called, and then he led Prompto to his bedroom to get to the ensuite. He kept his arm firmly around the blonds waist, feeling him leaning against him. Once in the bathroom, he stripped Prom off before taking his own clothes off, not trusting him to stay on his feet without help.

Prompto just stood still, letting Noct do whatever he wanted, so he went to work gently washing him down before moving on to his hair, massaging the shampoo into his scalp, hearing the soft groan as Prompto finally relaxed. He leant in and kissed him, utterly happy and relieved to have him home finally.

"I've missed you," he whispered, and then Prom's arms were around him, holding him close, kissing him.

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Cor looked at the file that had been sent to him by Scientia, not surprised to find it the paperwork for Argentum to begin training in the Guard to be the final member of Noctis' Retinue. He signed off on it and then sent a message to Regis to let him know. The boy had only officially been back in the city for four days but apparently Noctis had been impatient. At least it meant he didn't have to approach Argentum about it.

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Prompto lowered the gun, breathing a little harder than normal as he stared at the target. He was alone with the Marshal who had wanted a fully honest assessment of his skills. He removed the earmuffs and went to sit down, drinking some water while Leonis inspected his work.

"You're good," the man said, and Prompto looked up at him.

"The new eyes help," he admitted with a grimace.

"I'm guessing you were good even before them."

Prom nodded. "The one skill I was good at," he shrugged slightly, resting his head against the wall.

"Any of the boys suspicious?"

Prompto shook his head. "No, just happy I made it back safe and in one piece." He absently rubbed near his eye. Part of him wondered how they would react to the truth, would Noct be able to accept him? To accept that he'd had no choice but that when he could, he had chosen Noctis? The thought of Noct looking at him in hatred and disgust made him feel sick. It made him glad the King had decided not to tell them but something told him that one day it would come out and he would lose everything.

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Drautos read the paperwork he technically shouldn't have and smirked. Seemed the MT had done well. As part of the Prince's Retinue it would be even more useful than before. He doubted the scientists would like the fact they couldn't get their hands on it for more upgrades for the next few years. When the city eventually fell though they'd have all the time in the world to experiment with what they could do to it.

Although he did wonder if it would be able to take the Oath to Noctis and gain access to the magic in any way since it wasn't strictly human. An issue for another day. It didn't know his identity so even if it was discovered his own position was safe.

TBC…