Blessings of Eos
Chapter 19
Disclaimer: Don't own Final Fantasy.
Noctis, Ignis, and Gladio went to the Citadel after preliminary discussions. Ignis needed to indulge in some vaguely illegal hacking to obtain the addresses of the football team. At least, that's what he told Noctis. While Noctis figured he was going to be looking up blackmail material, he didn't ask. The first lesson he learned after his words having more power than most people's? Plausible deniability was a beautiful thing.
Noctis headed to his dad's office. True, he'd probably be interrupting something important, but he figured he'd be forgiven, with the explosion at his school and all. Knocking, he waited for his dad's acknowledgment to enter.
Noctis appeared to have caught him in a lull or state of boredom, since he was blatantly doodling. "Ah hello Noct. How is young Prompto doing?" Regis asked, unfazed at being caught.
Noct slumped in the chair across from him. "Fine. Somehow we were able to keep him from breaking anything before telling Ignis and Gladio this morning. He seems more at ease with himself?" Noct scratched the back of his head. "I didn't notice it until it was gone, but there was like an underlying tension and reserve. As crazy as it is to imagine Prompto being reserved."
"I can imagine so. As he's most likely told you, he has never actually had to state the facts out loud. Dr. Argentum performed his operation upon arrival, and Mr. Argentum was informed of the details when they were discussing adopting Prompto." Regis commented. "Did he say why he was telling you?"
"Yeah. He had counted back from the date of his arrival in Insomnia figure out when he was rescued, and Friday was the eleventh anniversary. Prom said he didn't really know why it hit him this year, but given what he said, about the timing of the final transition…" Noct trailed off. "He was out of it all day, from the walk to school, through the one class we got through, all the way up to getting back to his house. I had to have kept him from running into nearly fifty things."
Noct sighed. "I don't regret learning it, but…it's hard to wrap your head around. Slowly turning people into daemons? Breeding people specifically for that? Growing up knowing that one day your sense of self would be gone? Realizing that there's a whole range of experiences that you only came to know of by a quirk of fate?"
Father and son sat quietly together. "Do you have any questions for me?" Regis asked gently.
"…I know I've seen Miss Aerith somewhere before. She had been in the dream, as Prompto's safe place, but I've seen her before then. I just can't place where." Noct admitted.
"She visited briefly, to offer Her condolences after your mother died. While I don't remember you meeting Her then, it's not outside the realm of possibility." Regis said.
"I don't think I have any questions. Prom declared open season for questions over the weekend, so I think I got most of them answered." Noct said. "Any word on if I'll still be able to attend school?"
"The final report and decision will come later in the week, but as things stand now I don't see why not. Gladiolus or Ignis may be shadowing you throughout the day for a couple weeks, however." Regis answered.
That would work out beautifully with the plan to deal with the football team. "I think I learned some new curses from Gladio, after Prompto left. And I didn't realize you could cut a cucumber that small and finely with just a knife." Noct commented, standing up. "I know black is supposed to be for the royal family and royal servants…but can I give him something in black? He's been wearing the same wristband for ages, to hide the bar code, and it's looking pretty ragged."
"As long as you don't mind the implication of romantic intent. The council may fuss over bestowing the color, but ultimately black can be bestowed on anyone the royal family deems worthy, without approval by them." Regis informed him. "They've been making noise over you attending public schooling, so this should be a good reminder that their main function is to ease the king's workload, not to dictate who can wear black and worrying about the prince being too accessible to the masses."
Noct grinned. "That's good to know. And…I don't think I'd mind, if people take it that way." As the office was technically a public venue, he bowed to his father before exiting, texting Ignis and Gladio about them shadowing him at school for a few weeks once it reopened.
The door closed gently, and Regis turned to his guest, who returned to visibility. "The explosion isn't going to be too big a hassle to explain?" He asked.
Aerith smiled. "Ultimately it will be a case of mislabeled chemicals at factory level and human distraction. The building is fine; the closure is more to reassure certain parties about the heir apparent attending a public venue. Repairs will be covered by an anonymous benefactor, along with the costs of replacing with chemistry lab chemicals with fresh ones, randomly tested to ensure something like this won't happen again."
"That's a relief." Regis twirled a pen between his fingers. "How are they taking it, really?"
"Ignis and Gladiolus may or may not be planning something in relation to certain things revealed regarding the football team. Noctis is still trying to place his first meeting with Me and Prompto's just relieved it's over." Aerith told him.
Regis hadn't expected a negative reaction towards Prompto from them, but it was nice to know for sure.
He was three, just after his mother died. In the general state of confusion with the funeral and mourning, he had been able to sneak out into the garden, hiding in the shadow of the gazebo's climbing rose vine.
Noct hugged his legs to his chest. He didn't really get what was going on, but he did realize his mother was gone, and wouldn't be coming back. He cried quietly, as much from missing her as in reaction to the general mood pervading the Citadel.
A woman in pink entered the gazebo. She crouched down, peering into his hiding spot. "Are you alright?" She asked.
Her voice reminded Noct of his mother, and the tears flowed faster. "Mama's gone." He told her. "They're saying she crossed Etro's Gate, and she can't come back."
The woman crawled into the hiding spot with him. Picking him up, she placed him in her lap. "You want to know a secret?" She asked, as a light rain starting falling.
"Hm?" Noct liked hearing secrets.
Leaning in close, she said, "Etro's Gate has holes in it. The rain outside? That's her tears, flowing down out there. It's how you know she's watching, wishing she could be with you right now. So if you're lonely, just remember that she can see you. There's holes in Etro's Gate, and when the tears flow down, that's how you know she's watching over you."
The woman didn't say anything more, just humming as he cried in her lap, rubbing slow circles on his back. Noct vaguely remembered a kiss to his forehead, like how Mama would do when she tucked him into bed at night. He didn't recognize the woman, but she felt so much like Mama that he wasn't afraid.
He woke up in his bed, tucked in the way Mama had done. Even as the details faded into the mists of memory, the sense of the words remained strong.
Noctis opened his eyes. He had found his way back to the gazebo and his old hiding spot. It was tighter fit, now that he was mostly grown. He hadn't gone there with the intention of falling asleep, but he never intended to fall asleep most of the time anyway. Crawling out, he stretched, taking in the misty rain that had begun while he slept. Remembering the words, Noctis couldn't help smiling to himself. Pulling out his phone, he texted Prompto to ask if he wanted Noct to come over tomorrow, or if he preferred to bring the game and memory card to his apartment.
Prompto opted for the later. He arrived practically skipping. Jeff had said that with his suddenly free week, they could start the real world training. He planned on telling Noct that his mom had plans for Friday, so they couldn't hang out. There had been the chocolate mousse cheesecake all three Argentums loved for dessert last night, and Eleanore hadn't complained when he had a slice for breakfast. Coming in twelve slices, Prompto had already had two of his four slices.
Noct just laughed at his good mood, kissing him in greeting. "Did you get to touch the oven without supervision or something?" Remembering Prompto's words about trying to improve his cooking skills.
"Nah, something better. There's this chocolate mousse cheesecake all of us love, and Mom told Dad to get some at the store. Given the chance it would constantly be in the house, but Mom only lets us have it every three months or so. She didn't say anything about me having a piece for breakfast either." Prompto grinned, raising the video game case. "I tried looking for tips online for the fight, but everyone's saying it's mostly down to luck and timing."
Groaning, Noct none the less returned the grin as he started the game.
Somehow, they managed to get past the fight. "Isn't there supposed to be a trophy for beating a stronger version of him or something?" Noct wondered, him and Prompto curled around each other on the sofa.
"You get a crown if you beat all thirteen 'data ghosts'." Prompto answered, claiming the controller for his turn of playing. It was a single player game, so they had to take turns.
Noct reached for the nearest phone, to check the time. It turned out to be Prompto's, and the lock screen was a beautiful picture of Miss Aerith in profile, at sunrise. "Hey, this one's pretty good." He commented.
Craning his head, Prompto took a look. "When we were at Galdin Quay Miss Aerith asked the staff to take pictures of us throughout the day. So it's not one of mine."
"It hit me yesterday, where I'd seen her before. She talked to me for a bit, after my mom died. I had hidden in a gazebo out in the garden. I'm surprised we both fit, with how small the space was." Noct told him.
Admiring the picture, Noct suddenly frowned. "…this looks a lot like that watercolor of the goddess Eos, by Yoko Lucis Caelum."
Prompto just shrugged. Suspicious, Noct didn't try prodding for a definite answer. Not that he needed one. "It certainly explains things, like how the Crownsguard has records of Her going back centuries, and why no one wants to let Her pay for stuff." He simply commented.
Prompto turned his head and smiled. Noct couldn't help returning the smile, before stealing a kiss. Content with the knowledge, they returned to the game.
Prompto was weirdly calm on Friday, as Jeff drove out to Hammerhead. He wasn't sure why. "Ya nervous?" Jeff asked, passing the last/first checkpoint.
"Strangely…no, I'm not. I'd be vibrating if I was. Don't get why. I wasn't nervous the first time at the range either." Prompto admitted.
"Just means your nerves are good. Far better to stay calm and steady, then to let nerves get to ya." Jeff assured him.
It didn't take long to reach Hammerhead. Not at the speeds Jeff drove at. Cid was waiting near the chocobo rental kiosk for them. "Prompto, this is Cid Sophiar. Best we got as a marksman." Jeff introduced Cid to Prompto.
Squinting at Prompto's face, Cid asked, "Didn't ya pass through here with Missy Aerith, ten or so years ago?"
Prompto blinked. "Yeah I did. I didn't think you remembered…?"
"Hard to forget anyone in the company of Missy Aerith." Cid said, climbing into the back of the Jeep. "Head out to the Three Valleys parking spot, boy. Been some complaints about varmints down there."
"Yessir." Jeff said, putting the Jeep into gear.
Dust kicked up as Prompto's boots hit the ground. He was still weirdly calm, yet he couldn't bring himself to get worked up over it. Jeff retrieved the handguns from the back while Cid conjured a pair of revolvers in a flash of crystal shards. "Traveled with ol' Reggie, during the war. Been years since I've seen 'im, but once sworn to the King the only thing that can break it is Death." Cid explained, taking in Prompto's expression. "Stick with the Prince long enough, you'll get to do it too."
"This is kinda on the down low, so I don't know when Noct'll find out." Prompto admitted, strapping on the handgun he usually used at the range. "How'd you know I'm friends with Noct?"
Cid just gave a meaningful look at his right wrist, where his brand new leather bracelet sat. Black, it was multiple strands of leather braided together, edged with a hint of gold thread. The clasp had a gold charm hanging from it, in the shape of a sun. Following his gaze, Prompto just blushed. Noct hadn't said much when he gave it to him yesterday evening, Prompto over for dinner. His parents had declared a date night, and Prompto didn't really want to be around until later that night, when he was sure they'd be in the master bedroom. "Don't worry about it being black; Dad said that who gets to wear it is up to us in the end, and no one can complain about it." Was all Noct had said, before putting it on himself. Prompto could almost still feel the kiss Noct had placed on the bar code.
"Thinkin' it's a bit more than friends, but what do I know? Might be the new friendship thing to do now, these days." Cid simply commented.
Cid and Jeff shared a look as Prompto nearly tripped over a small rock, still blushing.
The trio crouched behind a large boulder, a pack of three sabertooths on the other side. "Now, this is all your show. You can ask for help at any time, or either one of us will step in if we feel you're being overrun. As always, start only you're ready." Jeff told him.
"I'll watchin' with the Sight, to see how you're doing in terms of that." Cid informed him.
Prompto nodded. Taking a deep breath, he crept from behind the boulder to take cover behind a nearby smaller one. He eyed the three sabertooths, considering. It had been a long time, since he had really thought about the kill shots on live targets. He spent most of his time ignoring them. After another deep breath, Prompto lined up the first shot.
Three gun reports later, Jeff and Cid were examining the carcasses. "Been awhile, since I've seen anyone hit kill shots that good." Cid had to admit, eyeing the placement.
Prompto had gone through the right eyes on all of them. Looking at how there was scarcely any mark from the bullet outside the eye, Cid was nearly ready to give the kid the expert marksman rating then and there. Almost.
Prompto didn't say anything. Jeff, considering, said, "How about's we try somethin' more along the lines of a live fire fight?"
Prompto gulped slightly, but didn't object.
It was harder, hitting the kill shots when something was actively attacking you. Prompto still wasn't nervous though, and it didn't take much more effort, compared to sniping.
"Few more times with this and we'll make a marksman outta ya yet." Cid said, after observing three such encounters. He had started to draw at one point, when it seemed like the kid was close to being surrounded, but Prompto had quickly turned and dealt with the one trying to get behind him.
Prompto just nodded, still half expecting the nerves to catch up with him. It was like She had said; it wasn't a conscious acknowledgement of it bothering him, but there was a vague uneasiness. Maybe it would have be greater, had they been humanoid. Or MTs.
"What he said was high praise, comin' from Cid." Jeff told him on the ride back, after dropping Cid back off at Hammerhead. "Ya doin' alright?"
"Yeah…" Prompto just took in the scenery whirling past. "I guess…I expected it to bother me more. I'm kinda uneasy, but…"
"Lemme ask you this: if that'd been people, knowin' nothing else, would ya have been able to do it?" Jeff asked.
It was the wrong question, and he said as much. "Before…it was people. And nonparticipation was not an option…it was harder, trying to miss." Prompto said quietly.
"That was then, when you were a kid. Don't know much as a kid. I'm talking about now. If you didn't have that hangin' in the back, and all else being equal, could you pull the trigger?" Jeff elaborated.
"If they were attacking me, or Noct, or someone else, then yeah. Sniping…maybe if it was a criminal? And the safest way to deal with him was sniping him?" Prompto said tentatively. "There's a couple people, from Before, that I wouldn't turn down the chance at, but I wouldn't actively look for them."
Jeff pulled over. Putting the Jeep in park, Jeff turned in his seat to look at Prompto. "You'll be fine, then." He said, a kind look on his face.
Looking him in the eye, and not feeling any falsehood, Prompto just nodded. "Word's been you like the spicy stuff? Ever had Tenebrae barbeque before?" Jeff asked, shifting gears.
"Nope. Isn't it supposed to be so spicy you need a gallon of water after every bite?" Prompto asked.
"Nah, just need a half gallon. My treat, before I take you home." Jeff told him, passing through the first checkpoint with merely a wave from the guard.
The Tenebrae barbeque was as spicy as it claimed, and Prompto loved every bite.
Somehow, Michael and Eleanore kept their mouths shut upon seeing Prompto's new bracelet. They knew something had shifted over that weekend, in Noctis's and Prompto's relationship, but they were storing up the comments for when they had confirmation.
Ignis merely quirked an eyebrow when he received the request from Noctis on Monday. It hadn't been hard to find a craftsman to do the work quickly, however it had been a huge timesaver that Noctis had a clear idea of what he wanted the bracelet to look like. The eyebrow quirked again on Saturday, seeing it on Prompto's wrist in place of his old wrist band as the two worked on homework. Gladio had cackled when he learned of it, and was eager to see if it would have an impact on their plans.
Shadowing Noct at school was the perfect cover for the plan. Ignis had been observing the football team members throughout the week; he was reasonably sure that the comments were being generated from a trio of boys who seemed to be the leaders within the team. It would take observation at the school itself to determine the accuracy of the impression. Crownsguard had outfitted the whole school building with cameras and microphones, and hacking into the signal would not be hard, even with only a microphone in the bathrooms and locker room. Gladio had also done some observation, but most of his attention was focused on how to create the biggest impression on the target trio. Both had agreed with Ignis would be the talker, with Gladio there to provide the muscle and demonstrate the seriousness of the matter. "Is it me, or has something changed between the two of them?" Gladio asked Ignis after leaving the apartment Saturday evening, Prompto spending the night as usual for a Saturday.
"I've had that impression as well. The first thing that struck me upon watching the two the day I met Prompto was how close they already seemed, as if I was watching two old friends. That impression has not changed. I would have called them boyfriends, were it not for the blushes Prompto has when discovering Noct had claimed him as a pillow." Ignis commented.
"The kid seems more touchy-feely with Noct now and vice versa. Something's changed, but I doubt we'll know exactly what until we find them neckin' on the sofa." Gladio said.
Ignis just hummed in agreement. "I trust that any public indecency is still a remote possibility for now. Speaking of public indecency…" Ignis hit the button to drop the blinds over the windows of his bedroom. "I do believe there was something you left unfinished earlier in the gym."
Grinning, Gladio began working his hands on Ignis's shirt buttons, while his mouth encountered Ignis's in a kiss that was less about romance and more about need.
Noct still had a lot to learn about exact wording. The Shield and Advisor had never sworn they were straight, merely that they had no time to consider dating.
To be honest, they had skipped dating and gone straight to married life with children, as much trouble Noct and Prompto could get into. While Gladio and Ignis both knew marriage would be a specter in the future, if only to continue their lines, it was still a distant image, compared to the here and now.
Not quite sure how far I can push the ratings, but….
Gah, with the boys deciding to get together I've gotten writer's block, trying to decide how much to show and what. Think I'll stick with fluff for Promptis, with the implication of steamy make-out sessions when we're not looking (grins). Not sure I could do smut properly, having little experience in the matter. Implications of off-scene steamy-ness for Gladio/Ignis as well.