Get Jiggy With It
Part 5 – Vows -
"Why did I agree to this?" Noct mumbled, rubbing his tired eyes as he looked out into the still dark morning. The sun hadn't even risen yet. He yawned and Ignis gave a fond sigh.
"Because it means a lot to him. To the kingdom as a whole." His trusted advisor told him, a soft smile on his face. "And because he asked you to."
Noct gave another sigh, "Yeah." It wasn't like he could deny Prompto anything he asked. Even if that meant getting up in the middle of the night and dealing with a large number of people.
He went to rub the back of his head, only for his hand to be slapped away by Ignis. "Do you want to have to have it re-done?" He asked, chuckling at Noct's small grumble at the idea. "Anyway, it's almost time."
"Yeah." Noct couldn't help the smile that grew on his face. It was almost time. Suddenly, he was filled with energy, some of it nervous, some of it excited. This was the day. This was it.
He followed when Ignis lead him through the citadel, his footsteps feeling oddly light, hell, his whole body felt light.
"Are you nervous?" Ignis asked as they walked, a warm smile on his face.
"A little." Noct admitted, "But... that's normal, isn't it."
"Quite. I wonder how Prompto is faring."
– – – – – – –
"Stop pacing. Carpet's new, don't wear it out." Gladio grumbled from his place on the plush arm chair. His words were irritated, but the fond look on his face betrayed his real feelings.
"I can't help it!" Prompto exclaimed, turning to continue his impatient walk. "Isn't it time already?" He asked, stopping and looking at Gladio for a moment before returning to his pacing.
"What? You nervous?"
Prompto snorted and shook his head, "What's to be nervous about?" He asked, "I've been in love with him for fifteen years."
A small beep came from Gladio's pocket and he checked his phone before grinning at Prompto. "C'mon princess, lets get you hitched."
– – – – – – –
The throne room had been decorated as per Ignis' instructions. White fabric was draped artfully from the high ceiling, framing the landing below the throne. Flowers framed the inside of the second stairwell and overflowed from the upper balconies while petals were scattered on the floor, lining two lengths of red carpet. Lining the walls and the stairs, candles of bright white shone, adding to the artificial light above.
When Noct walked in, his breath hitched slightly in awe. It was beautiful. "Thanks Iggy." He said quietly to the man at his side. The advisor simply nodded once in acknowledgement before taking Noct's arm.
Behind him the door opened again, this time admitting Prompto and Gladio. Like Noct and Ignis, they were arm in arm, Ignis and Gladio between the two royals.
From somewhere, music began to play and bells began to chime. It was their cue and as one, the four men began to walk towards the decorated landing half way up the stairs to the throne.
Standing at the ready was one Cor Leonis, a smile on his face as the four men approached. Once they took their positions in front of him, Ignis and Gladio turned, their backs to each other as they faced Noct and Prompto. As one, they moved, fists over their chests they bowed then they stood back, taking their places on the other side of the two men.
Finally able to see Prompto, Noct couldn't help the small gasp. Standing there in front of him was the most beautiful creature that he had ever seen. Clad in a white, fitted suit, Prompto smiled at him, eyes shining with love. At Cor's prompting, he stepped forward, offering his hand. Noct took it in his own, looking down at them, seeing the black of his suit sleeve contrasting against Prompto's.
He swallowed again, lifting his head to look his beloved in the eyes.
Cor was speaking now, saying something that Noct wasn't completely paying attention to. He knew his cues, knew when he was expected to speak, what he was expecting to say. He had been preparing for this.
"-your vows." That was it, his cue.
"Prompto." Noctis said, voice probably a little more quiet than it should be. Everyone was supposed to hear him, after all. But these words... they were for Prompto.
"The day I met you, my life changed. For the first time in my life, I could see the light. From the very first smile we shared, the very first laugh, I knew that there was something special about you. Whenever I saw you, whenever I was near you, my life was always brighter. My very soul resonating with yours.
"From the very beginning, you were there for me. Ever at my side and never wavering. Through the good and the bad, through the laughter and the tears, you never once left my side.
"With these vows, I promise to show you the same devotion that you have always given me. With these vows, I promise to always be by your side, never to waver and never to leave. With these vows, I promise to love and cherish you, no matter what may come.
"Life will always bring hard times, and we will have many of those to come. But I know that with you by my side, and with me by yours, we will always make it through. Together. Today, I will take you as my husband with a promise to always uphold these vows."
There were definitely tears in his eyes now, but that was okay. Because standing before him was Prompto, who's eyes were shining equally as brightly, tears unshed. He took a breath and spoke.
"Noctis." He began, voice trembling only a little. "Prince. King. Chosen. I know you don't always like titles, but today you gain two more. Husband. Cherished.
"From the day I met you, I knew that we would be friends. I knew that we could be close. I never dreamed that I would be standing here one day, but there's nowhere else I would rather be.
"You were the first person to truly care for me, to be there for me and to hold me dear. Never in my life had I ever felt so connected to anybody else. It took me nearly a year to understand, to realise exactly what I felt for you, but it's been there ever since.
"Through our happy times and our bad ones, through our joy, our laughter, tears and sorrows, even through Iggy's lectures, my feelings for you have only grown. Never once have they wavered." Noct couldn't help but chuckle at the mention of his loyal advisor and friend. Behind him, Ignis gave a small, almost inaudible sigh.
"I have known the dark days without you," Prompto continued, "the many nights of praying for your return. And now that you're back, I know that I will never let you go again. In this room, I nearly lost you for good, so it is in this room that I make these vows, forever thankful that you are still here.
"With these vows, I promise to be ever at your side. With these vows, I promise that my love for you will not waver. With these vows, I promise that-" His voice broke slightly and he cleared his throat, reaching up with his free hand to wipe away the tears, with a soft, embarrassed chuckle. "With these vows, I promise that I will stand by you through the best, and the worst. With these vows, I promise to love you, and to cherish you, for always.
"Today, I will take you as my husband with a promise to always uphold these vows."
Again, Prompto cleared his throat and wiped at his eyes. If it wasn't for the grin on his face and the look of absolute adoration he was giving Noct, he would have been worried. But he knew that the tears on Prompto's face were just as happy as the ones on his own.
"Today the two of you stand before the Six, and the kingdom of Lucis." Cor said, his voice louder than the others had been. He was addressing not only Noct and Prompto, but also the crowd of their friends that were gathered. "Today you consent to your fates being forever intertwined. Today you agree to take on a shared responsibility, not only to each other, but to Lucis. Today you vow to never hinder, and to always help, as king and... uh... king."
There were a few chuckles at that. The traditional vows of the line of Lucis hadn't been written for two men after all.
"You have made your vows to each other," Cor recovered quickly, continuing with the vows. "And now, you must make your vows to your kingdom."
This bit had been rehearsed incessantly, Ignis insisting that it had to be done perfectly. Together, both Prompto and Noctis spoke, their voices melding into one.
"Today I vow to protect the people of Lucis and to put the kingdom before myself, to always strive for peace and prosperity for the kingdom and her people. Today, I vow that my love for my betrothed will only help in this and never hinder."
"Today," Prompto spoke, "I stand before the six and join the line of Lucis and vow to uphold the laws and traditions."
"Today," Noct said, "I stand before the six and welcome my beloved into my line. I vow to make the world a better place with him at my side."
There was quiet for a moment, Noct having deviated from the traditional vows. It had taken a lot of considering for him to decide to do that, but he couldn't make a vow that he wasn't intending on keeping. Many of the laws and traditions of the line of Lucis were going to change, and he was going to be the one to change them.
Instead, he spoke of a promise that he had made to Prompto so many years ago. To break down the borders, to make the world a better place. To do it with Prompto by his side.
"Today," Cor spoke again, once again recovering quickly, "I present you to the six and to the kingdom in matrimony. From this moment, you are to stand together and lead us into a new era. Prompto Argentum, do you consent to this man, from now until eternity, to be your wedded husband?"
"I do." Prompto's voice was almost a whisper, but it was heard, at least by those who needed to hear it.
"Who stands as witness for Prompto Argentum?" Cor asked, and Gladio stepped forward.
"I, Gladiolus Amicitia, of House Amicitia." Gladio said in a sure voice. "Stand forward to witness."
"To your knowledge, has Prompto Argentum been coerced or forced in any way?"
"No. He is here of his own will." Gladio's voice was proud and Noct couldn't help but smile at him over Prompto's shoulder.
"Noctis Lucis Caelum, do you consent to this man, from now until eternity, to be your wedded husband?" Cor asked, it was his turn.
Noct couldn't help the grin on his face, "I do." He said, his own voice now cracking, but loud and strong. The voice of a king.
"Who stands as witness for Noctis Lucis Caelum?" Cor repeated his earlier question.
"I, Ignis Scientia of House Scientia, stand forward to witness." Ignis spoke from behind Noct, and he wished that he could turn around to see the look on his face.
"To your knowledge, has Noctis Lucis Caelum been coerced or forced in any way?"
"No. He is here of his own will." Just like Gladio, Ignis' voice was thick with pride.
"Then with the power invested in me by the kings of Lucis," Cor said to the two men in the middle. "I pronounce you wed." Even Cor was smiling brightly now.
There was a moment of quiet before Ignis leaned forward to speak in Noct's ear, "I do believe you're supposed to kiss him now." He muttered, causing a small flutter of laughter in the room.
Noct flushed deeply, but even that minor embarrassment couldn't take the smile from his face as he stepped closer to Prompto. "I love you." He said quietly, his voice a whisper for only Prompto to hear.
"I love you." Prompto replied, tears still flowing.
Now that he was allowed to move, Noct reached up and brushed them away. He left his hand on Prompto's cheek and leaned in, gently placing his lips against his beloveds.
When they pulled back, Cor spoke again. "Witnesses, please lead your king forward."
Once again, Ignis took Noct's arm, turning him around to walk up the final set of stairs. Noct knew that Gladio was doing the same with Prompto and the four of them made their way up to the throne.
As they stood together in front of the throne, hand in hand and facing the crowd, the orange light of sunrise began to fill the room and bells tolled across the city, bringing in a new day in a new era.
Hand in hand, Noctis and Prompto Lucis Caelum leaned forward, bowing to the people witnessing the binding of their love. Behind them, and to their sides, their loyal retainers joined the action in silent solidarity with their kings.