Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 20

Noctis stared at the book in front of him before shutting it and moving to the window, looking out over the grounds towards the city. Part of him wanted to leave the Citadel and wander his old haunts, but the rest of him was terrified of leaving the safety of home. He knew he would have to leave the Citadel eventually but was he ready? Could he face people without the ability to speak?

Everyone in the Citadel had accepted the new him, or at least they had to his face. The papers he'd seen had been full of pity, something he didn't want. He was just glad the truth hadn't come out yet, how would they react if…when they found out what had been done to him?

He didn't jump when a hand came to rest on his shoulder, having detected the familiar scent and heartbeat. Instead he shifted back to lean into the taller form, relaxing when an arm wrapped around his waist.

"We can go out into the city if you want," Ignis murmured.

Noctis twisted to face him, they could?

"Oh Noct, you're not on lockdown," he smiled softly at him, and Noct offered an uncertain smile in return, closing his eyes when Ignis kissed him tenderly. "If you wish to go out then we shall."

Noct hesitated, torn over what to do.

"We could show Prompto the city, he's never been here after all. It can even be a driving tour, you won't have to leave the car at all," Ignis suggested, and Noctis relaxed, nodding in agreement, he could do that.

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"Could it be done?" Regis asked.

The gathered doctors and scientists glanced at each other. They had never considered anything like it before the King had begun asking questions.

"It may be possible Sire, but there could be no guarantee. If it was just the original work, the chance of success would be higher. The extra missing organs have complicated matters, his body may not be able to regenerate everything in time. At this point in time, with the portable dampener working and the boy healthy…it may be best to let things lie. If his health deteriorates or something happens then we could make the attempt, with his permission."

Regis nodded, it was about what he'd expected and he would need to speak with Prompto, to see if he would agree to the attempt being made should he begin to deteriorate.

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Prompto held Noct's hand as the car wove through the city streets, looking around with wide eyes. It was so different to Gralea. It was so bright, the streets packed with people of all species, the vampires easiest to pick since they stuck to the more shaded parts of the sidewalks.

Noctis was typing with his other hand, pointing out his favourite places like pizza parlours and arcades, even the high school he'd attended and the apartment building he'd lived in during school. He wished they could have gone to school together, but at least he was getting the chance for education now, and Ignis was a good tutor when he got stuck, he never made Prompto feel dumb or anything for not knowing things anyone his age should.

They'd taken an unmarked car so no one paid any attention, the windows dark enough to conceal who was within. He wasn't ready to face people, especially so many, and he knew Noct wasn't either. If they knew who was in the car, they'd be swamped with people wanting to see their Prince, hopefully well-wishers but you never knew who would be in a crowd.

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Gladio woke, finding a warm body cuddled up against him, opening his eyes and smiling when he saw Prompto sleeping peacefully with an arm over his stomach. He looked so peaceful, love bites visible on his pale skin and Gladio could pick out the ones he'd left. He hadn't wanted to rush the kid but finally being included had been great. He understood that it was easier for Prompto to feel comfortable with Iggy than him, but he'd still wanted to be accepted by the blond fully. It wasn't like he'd been left out, he'd spent time with Noct and Ignis, alone and together, since Noct was released from the isolation room, but now all four of them were together and it was even better. Thanks to Prompto's enhancements he didn't have to be anywhere near as careful as he would have if the kid was a normal human either.

Bright blue eyes opened slowly and Prompto smiled sleepily at him, snuggling closer, Noct grumbling at the shift behind him. "Morning," he mumbled.

"Good morning," Gladio leant in for a morning kiss that Prompto happily returned.

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Aranea studied the photo in the paper. She didn't know how it was possible but that was definitely the Prince standing beside the King, no sign of the collar she knew should be there and just behind him…the MT that had been so determined to save him. She guessed he had, somehow. The Emperor had gone ballistic and the Chancellor had vanished, meaning it was well passed time they left too. Time to get back to their mercenary roots. She wouldn't work for Lucis but they could work for the people, like the hunters but with a lot more investigation when it came to non-humans. She wouldn't let her people become indiscriminate killers.

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Cor watched as Noctis was put through his paces, glad the young Prince was finally back to his normal weight and energy. He watched him warp only to be intercepted, the two tumbling to the ground, Noctis working to through the larger male off. Part of him hated putting Noct through the training but the report of how he'd met Prompto and then the trap they'd fallen into all showed he needed more training on how to deal with a large group of enemies. Hence the Glaive being pulled in to play the role of the enemy and Noct's retainers standing around the edge of the room looking ready to have a fit or tear limbs off.

Prompto was actually the calmest of the three, blue eyes tracking everything, and Cor kind of wanted to see first-hand just how good the kid was rather than just having the jumpy footage. Since only Nyx's team knew the truth about him, it was a very good thing that he was only watching, but Cor knew if Noctis really got in trouble or panicked…hopefully Gladio would hold him back rather than join in.

He knew of their excursion into the city the other week and he approved, if Noctis was allowed to shut himself away then he may never be able to get up the nerve to leave the Citadel again. True they hadn't left the car but it was a good first step and a way to help introduce Prompto to his new home as well.

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"Are you sure Prompto?" Ignis asked carefully, not allowing himself to close the distance between them.

Prompto did that, stepping into his space, looking up at him. "I'm sure," he promised, and while he did sound a little nervous, there was no reluctance or fear. "This isn't any different to letting Noct or Gladio drink from me."

"Except there's no ongoing effects from that," Ignis pointed out gently. "Noctis and even Gladio…they crave it after too long, I don't know how it'll affect you."

Prompto kissed him, arms wrapping around his waist, and it was good that he had become so much more confident in showing affection, that he was comfortable with them. Noctis had admitted to them that Prompto hadn't known anything about the physical side of a relationship, and he did feel for Noct having to be the one to explain.

"I know about incubi, Iggy. You won't hurt me," Prompto whispered, a hand slipping under his shirt.

Right…the Empire taught MT's about all the 'monsters' in Lucis. So hopefully Prompto really did know what he could be getting into. He tenderly kissed the other blond, holding him close. They'd been together before but he'd never fed from him during those times and despite his hunger he wanted to take things slow.

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Prompto touched the mark on his neck, closing his eyes at the flash of pleasure. Yeah…that was going to take some getting used to. He'd been working on sharing what he'd been taught about other species but he hadn't realised Iggy knew basically nothing at all about his own kind. His memory of exactly what had happened was fuzzy but it had felt incredible. He would happily do it again.

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Ardyn watched the bustle of the city from the window, not wishing to brave the sunlight at the moment. He was impressed with young Noctis, against his wishes, for having the courage to go before his people and have his disability known. It was interesting to find that it was possible to recover after being collared…so long as the collar was removed. Although, there was no way to know without meeting him just how mentally recovered he truly was. Being mute could help conceal much.

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"I...Ig…"

He spun, nearly dropping the cup he'd been washing to stare with wide eyes at Noctis. He looked frustrated and Ignis understood but still, he'd made noise, an attempt at his name. "Noct," he whispered before setting the cup aside and moving to take his hands. It had been months since the last time he spoke and it was hard to hold onto hope. He kissed him softly, feeling Noctis relax a bit in response.

Noct licked his lips, and Ignis almost held his breath, please. "Ig...g…" he took a deep breath. "Iggy."

Ignis laughed and swept Noctis up, spinning around with him. "You did it!" he kissed him and could hear very faintly a breathy laugh from Noct. "I'm so proud of you." It was a very good sign and with time, Noctis would regain his voice, he would.

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Noctis ran his fingers through Prom's hair as they lay on the couch watching a movie. Iggy was in the kitchenette putting food together for himself and Prompto, Gladio on the comfy armchair watching the movie with them. Every night they could, they watched movies to fill in Prompto's general knowledge.

It felt so good to just all be together relaxing. On the road…he'd started to think it'd never happen, that he'd never make it home. Even if he had, once he'd known the truth, he'd stopped dreaming of Prompto being with them. He pressed a kiss to his cheek and Prom lifted his head to smile softly at him.

'Love you,' he mouthed.

Prompto kissed him. "Love you too," he murmured before laying back down.

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Prompto stared at Cor across the mats, forcing himself to breath normally. The vampire wasn't what he'd been taught, he wouldn't hurt him. He glanced over at where Noct and the others were sitting, watching, ready to intervene if necessary. It wouldn't be, he was going to be fine, he could do this. He had to get over the terror Cor caused, they lived in the same building! Granted, it was a massive building and so technically they could avoid each other, but Cor was like an Uncle to Noct so he was around a lot.

Cor readied his practise sword and Prompto shifted his grip on his knife. Practicing with guns would just be too dangerous, even without real bullets and Prompto didn't have sword training so he had fallen back on knives. He'd been promised sword lessons and he'd had one but…he wasn't sure he liked it.

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Cor watched the boys gather around Prompto as they finished. He'd done a very good job. He was fast, strong, and surprisingly flexible given the metal inside his body. There was room for improvement but he was young. Still, it had been a better match then he'd have expected from someone so young, even a hunter.

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Iedolas stared at the pictures of Prince Noctis in anger. The brat was meant to have been neutralised. Besithia was angry on losing out on two specimens as well. No collar had ever been successfully removed without leaving the wearer a mindless husk of themselves, so how could the boy be up and obviously conscious? Removing the Crown Prince from the equation would have been a good step forward in the war, forcing Regis to father another and with how the Crystal had worn on him there was no guarantee he could anymore.

It would have been demoralising for the Kingdom to see their beloved if reclusive Prince kneeling at his feet, being an Imperial plaything. They could release what footage there was, but would it be worth it? then again, it would also reveal the blond for what it was and that could sow some dissent with how close it was to the Prince.

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Regis smiled as he found the boys in the garden, Noctis and Gladio mock wrestling while the other two watched, Prompto cheering Noct on. It was good to see them so relaxed and just having fun. And then his heart leapt into his throat as he heard something he thought he never would again…his son's laughter. It was scratchy and barely audible, but it was a laugh. He continued to defy the odds and recover from his captivity. He wished Aulea could see just how strong their son was.

TBC…

Bit of a filler

I go in for my knee surgery on Monday (finally), so not sure how that'll affect updates. Not much warning so I guess someone cancelled and I get their slot. Fingers crossed they send me home after due to Covid rather than keep me in overnight like normal, I hate spending the night in hospital and I don't know anyone else whose had to after ACL replacement.