*This chapter was so much fun to write. Not too much smut this one though. I'll get to it. I promise.

**The "Dark Ages" is what I refer to as the 6 months Noctis was in the crystal and it was completely night in this AU timeline.

SHED SOME LIGHT ON THINGS

CHAPTER 9

"Are you sure you can handle it?" Noctis asked The Immortal as he reviewed his calendar. As the leader of the City Guard and senior advisor in his Royal Council, Cor Leonis was the most apt at the moment to keep an eye on the city in his place. Especially if he was planning on being gone for several days.

Cor's stern expression never faltered. "It would not be the first time I've filled in temporarily. Although your father was usually out on official business. I can't really recall him ever taking a vacation since he became king."

"To be fair," said Noctis, "I haven't had one since my coronation either. Longer if you include the Dark Ages." He found a lineup of six days next week he could free up. "Did my father give you a title for when you stood by for him?"

"None that I can recall."

Noctis thought for a moment. "What do you think of 'Hand of the King'?"

Cor showed a whisper of a smile. "That has a nice ring to it."

Noctis crossed out the days on the calendar next week. "Well I can't take credit for it. It's from a series of books Ignis gave me last year."

The Immortal's brow furrowed. "You, finished a series of books?"

"Only the first five. Still waiting on the next one. Do you want the title or not?" Noctis said, taking none of Cor's sass.

The Immortal nodded. "As you wish, your Grace."

Noctis stopped what he was writing. "Was that a joke?" Cor chuckled. Noctis circled the day on his calendar several times. His voice echoed through the oversized office, "Let it be known throughout Lucis, that on this day Cor 'The Immortal' Leonis cracked a joke! Praise the Six, I'm declaring it a holiday."

Now Cor really did laugh. "You're in high spirits as of late. I don't suppose this has anything to do with a certain blonde I caught you with?" Noctis noticed Cor intentionally didn't say names. There were ears all over the Citadel.

"It might," said the King.

"About that…" said Cor, "While it is not uncommon for a member of the royal family to have a retainer or six, the topic of an heir will come up again. Tenebrae is rather persistent, and even if you don't choose one of their ladies, you will most likely have to choose a lucky young woman to give you an offspring or two. We don't want the Lucis bloodline fizzling out, if I may be so bold."

Noctis thought for a moment. "Would this have to be a woman of excellent physical health, of child bearing age, gorgeous, and well known throughout the kingdom?"

"That sounds like a good start."

Noctis leaned back in his chair and chewed on his pen. "I wonder if Aranea Highwind would be up for it."

Ignis was sweating profusely as he finished his kata.

He'd made every attempt to maintain a fitness regimen despite his busy schedule and it was paying off. Every day he was a tiny bit more confident in his actions and he was better able to predict the movement of others and sense the chinks in the armor of his rivals. It had become in particular use against the few beasts he'd fought since he lost his sight. He was determined to never hear the sound of pity in someone's voice again.

"Mr. Scientia?" said Quistis, entering the open floor plan of the workout space. "I apologize for interrupting you, but you've received an official letter. It has the royal seal on it."

Ignis hid his smirk, he already suspected what it would say. Looked like Prompto pulled through. He finished his kata and wiped his face and neck off with his towel. "Read it to me, will you?" he said.

He heard the snap of the wax seal and the rustling of thick velum. Quistis cleared her throat. "Sir Ignis Scientia, your presence is required to accompany King Noctis Lucis Caelum on a six day expedition to Ravatogh. Be prepared for departure by week's end." There was a pause. "Attached is a list of items to bring and date specifics."

"Thank you Quistis. Please reschedule my appointments accordingly and contact Chef Denzel to handle the retirement ceremony next Thursday."

"Very well, Sir. Shall I pack extra curatives? Ravatogh is notoriously hazardous."

"You might as well."

He heard her depart and smiled to himself. He wasn't sure why Noctis had chosen the dormant volcano for a vacation spot, but he was sure he would soon find out.

"Are you sure I can drive?" asked Prompto as they approached the Regalia II. "I did crash the old one."

"I think we'll survive. Just pay attention to the road," said Noctis, tossing Prompto the keys.

With so many eyes on the four of them within the walls of Insomnia they had to act formal. They wore the semi-regal Crown's Guard uniforms, similar to the ones they donned over five years ago. The three of them greeted the King as he descended the main steps of the Citadel, especially with the paparazzi floating around as they always did.

It was no secret to the other three how much Prompto hated the paparazzi. If anyone was taking photos of them, it would be him. It took all the fortitude he had to not shoot them a dirty look as he started up the luxury car and drove out of Insomnia.

Besides, they were going on vacation! Even if it was under false pretenses and apparently at a volcano. But vacation was vacation.

No sooner had they gotten outside the city limits did they pull over to the first rest stop they could find and change into civilian clothes. Northern Lucis still got quite cold during the winter, especially so soon after the Solstice, but the four of them were itching to wear something casual.

Every now and then while he drove, the reason for this trip would seep into the forefront of Prompto's thoughts. Ignis' kiss and Gladio's gaze was enough to set him on fire, so it was probably a good thing he had to pay attention to what was outside of the car rather than what was within it.

Still, the spot on Prompto's neck would tingle whenever he met Gladio's gaze. And the shield seemed to know it.

Noctis had been playing with his phone since they left, seemingly to fall back into his old ways of napping or playing King's Knight as they drove. They were about to turn west toward their destination when Noctis said, "Hey, let's stop at Hammerhead for a minute. I need to stock up on fishing gear."

"You sure?" said Prompto. "There's plenty of better places to buy lures and line on the way."

"Someone nervous to see an old flame?" said Ignis.

"Maybe," said Prompto. There was no lying to these three.

"It'll just be for a minute," said Noctis. "In and out. Promise."

Prompto shrugged, trying not to make it a big deal. "Okay," he said, turning toward Hammerhead. It wasn't like he didn't want to see Cindy. It's just that given the present company and all that had happened over the past few weeks, he didn't want to have to explain anything if she brought up what happened six years ago. He felt his ears grow hot just thinking about it.

They pulled up to the repair shop and they all got out of the car to stretch their legs. Everything still looked the same but for the string of Solstice lights that wrapped around the fuel pumps festively. Prompto looked around and didn't see any familiar faces. Taking the moments away from the wheel he pulled out his phone and browsed his social media.

"Hey, Prompto," said Gladio. "There's a kid over there that looks like you."

Prompto shrugged. "Ha, ha, Gladio. Very funny."

Suddenly he felt Gladio's enormous hand on the back of his head as his view was manually tilted his view toward the young blonde boy running at the car. Cindy was standing a few paces behind him, wearing long pants and a full-coverage jacket instead of her usual attire.

Every ounce of blood in Prompto's body went cold.

"Wow, nice car," said the boy enthusiastically. "Regalia model, right?"

Prompto couldn't help notice the freckles when the boy got close. His heart hammered in his ears.

"Howdy, y'all," said Cindy in her usual perky drawl. "Oh, Maxi don't touch. You haven't been given permission." She walked up and playfully bumped her hip into Prompto. "How have you been? Haven't seen y'all around these parts in a while."

Prompto was still looking at the boy. He has blue eyes. Why did he have to have blue eyes? He thought, panicked. "H-Hey Cindy," Prompto managed to choke out. "Cute kid, how old is he?" He smiled nervously. Please say four years old or less!

"He turned five last month."

FUCK! Prompto couldn't keep a straight face anymore.

Cindy must have seen the distress in his features because she leaned in and gave him a peck on the cheek. "He's my cousin's son. I'm babysitting. Adorable, aint he?"

The speed in which the stress left Prompto's body nearly made him pass out. "Oh…yeah. So cute," he squeaked. Clearing his throat he looked at Gladio, who was barely containing his amusement.

Fuck. You. Prompto mouthed silently at the shield.

Later. Gladio mouthed back.

"Alright, got the lures. Oh, hey Cindy, how's Cid been doing?"

"Oh he's doing just fine. He's off in Lestallum getting some parts. Maybe you can stop by on the rebound and say hello?"

"I'd like that," Noctis kissed her cheek and gave her a hug. "We gotta run, take care. You too, Maxi."

"Bye," called the boy and waived as they drove away.

Prompto's knuckles were white on the steering wheel for at least a mile before he turned to the King. "You didn't really need fishing gear, did you?"

The three of them burst out laughing. Even Ignis couldn't contain himself.

"Fuck you guys."

X~X~X

Another SUPER fun chapter to write. No smut, but fun none the less. More chapters on the way soon. :)