Blessings of Eos

Chapter 21

Disclaimer: Don't own Final Fantasy.

Noctis hadn't been too upset about Prompto not telling him about his training at the gun range; he was aware of how close to illegal such a thing was. Not to say that Prompto avoided all punishment; Noct had managed to tie his hands to the head board, and teased him with light kisses and caresses until Prompto was a panting, red-faced pile, reaching completion embarrassingly fast once Noct decided the 'punishment' had gone on long enough.

"If that's punishment for not telling you something, I may just have to keep something from you again." Prompto admitted, having returned the favor once his hands were free.

Noct couldn't bring himself to object to the idea.

The pledging of Gladio, Ignis, and Prompto to their King took place shortly after Noctis's seventeenth birthday. About the hardest part of the ceremony was the 'Breath of Power' part, which involved kissing the person swearing themselves to the King until the storm of crystal shards that appears around the pair disappears, even with Prompto being slightly squeamish about the 'Blood Bond' part, involving a token cut on the right palm before lining the cuts up so the blood mixes. Thankfully all parties managed to get through the ceremony without issue, although Noctis and Prompto had to be poked to get them to stop kissing. As the only people present were Regis, Noctis, Gladio, Ignis, Prompto, and Clarus in the presence of the Crystal, there was only minimal embarrassment.

Lunafreya hummed to herself as she put the finishing touches on her letter, taking more care than normal over the final details. This was not a letter to Noctis, but to Prompto. Noctis had asked her to write a letter to Prompto, as a birthday gift, and she found herself unusually nervous at the prospect. Finally reassuring herself that it was unlikely for him to notice how the folds weren't *quite* perfect, Lunafreya bundled the letter up with the one to Noctis and the notebook, securing the bundle to Pryna before bidding the dog farewell. Sending Pryna was also part of the birthday gift; for all that both dogs took to Prompto, Pryna was his favorite and vice versa.

Sighing, Lunafreya let herself flop down undignified onto a floor cushion. She was in the Oracle's Meditation Room, about the only secure place where she could be guaranteed privacy. While her bed chamber and bathroom were nominally secure, she did not trust in that. As the door would only permit the Oracle or a Messenger to enter, she knew the Meditation Room was secure. She picked up the binder where she kept all the letters Noctis had sent, especially those talking about Prompto.

Noctis had told her of the blond boy named 'Prom' that had aided him in his dream struggle to regain consciousness during their weeks together. She had a feeling Prompto was the boy, just based on the lingering impressions the handkerchief that had been used to bandage Pryna's wound held. There was a sense of warmth and brightness like the sun, albeit dimmed by loneliness and the faintest touch of blackness. There were green sparkles floating along the edge and having never encountered sparkles in any aura, Lunafreya had asked Gentiana what they meant. "The Dawn Mother has saved this one, and granted Her Blessing." Had been the answer she received.

"He must be special, for the Dawn Mother to grant him a Blessing." She commented.

"The Dawn Mother is freer with Her Blessings, compared to the Astrals." Gentiana elaborated.

That had been part of the motivation in phrasing her thank you letter to Prompto the way she had, hoping to prod him to Noctis's side. Reminiscing, Lunafreya turned to the letter Noctis sent after her thank you letter to Prompto.

How do you apologize for something you didn't mean? There's this blond boy that keeps drawing my attention, for all that he just sits quietly in the back, fiddling with his camera. He came to talk to me one day, and he tripped. When I was helping him up, I commented 'heavy' before having to run off when the bell rang. It was later that I realized he might have thought I was insulting him. I want to try and explain, but I feel like it might make things worse, and I don't want to draw attention to either of us, since anyone talking to me draws attention. I've felt eyes on me the last few days, usually at the end of the day when Ignis picks me up. I think it's him, but I don't know how to approach him.

At the time she had counseled patience, figuring it would not take long for Prompto to try speaking to Noctis again, only for the next letter to come, saying:

I haven't felt the eyes lately. I kind of miss them, but I can't blame him for not wanting to talk to me, if he thinks I'll just insult him again.

This letter had included a class photo, listing the children in order left to right by row. Picking out Prompto relatively easy, Lunafreya could understand his reluctance to come forward, but wasn't sure how to help things along, as far away as she was.

Letters over the next couple years would contain brief mentions of Noctis looking for him at the start of the new school term, becoming harder to spot, until ninth grade:

The blond boy I've told you about has turned into a social butterfly, and seems to be friends with everyone. Well, everyone but me, but as I've said before, it's hard to blame him for it. Thinking back to the day he tried talking to me, and comparing then-him to now, I can't help thinking of that one story, where an ugly baby bird grows up to be a beautiful swan.

That brightness and warmth practically leapt out at her from the ninth grade class photo, but she hadn't been sure how to direct Noctis as to how to approach Prompto.

She had still been debating this question when the first letter after Noctis's entrance to high school arrived. The longest letter up to that point, and containing photos of Prompto and Noctis together, along with shots of landmarks in Insomnia.

He talked to me! And he's Prom! I was kind of surprised, the first day of high school, when he came up to me and introduced himself. I don't think anyone's ever been that casual greeting me. When I asked if we hadn't already met, he blinked at me like he never expected me to remember that time in sixth grade. But if he was willing to forget that, so was I.

It was on the walk home from school (a novel experience, for all the times that he's probably done it) the charms on his school bag caught my eye: a chocobo with Carbuncle. When I asked if he had ever dreamed of Carbuncle as a kid, he just looked at me and grinned, just like Prom had. When he called me 'Noct' I just knew. I asked him why he hadn't tried talking to me before now, after that one time. He said that he realized that he'd fallen into a rut, and that when he realized that, he also realized he didn't like the him in the mirror that much, and so decided to change what was in the mirror, until he could walk next to me. I told him I'd have had him at my side regardless of how he looked, but he was adamant that he had to get himself straight first. Prompto figured that if he didn't approach me at the start of high school, then he never would. He's still clumsy though.

He looked surprised, when I suggested meeting up the next morning to walk to school together. Not sure why; that's what friends do, right?

That letter went on about the arcade visits and how easy it was falling into a routine with him, and how Noctis felt closer to Prompto then he did to people he'd known his whole life. Taking in the pictures that accompanied the letter, Lunafreya was nearly overwhelmed by the warmth that had spread to Noctis as well. That loneliness was gone too, but now there was a tinge of fear. Had she been less experienced she would have missed it, although the cause escaped her.

Flipping through the letters, sections popped out.

Ignis met Prompto last week. He was spending the night (is it weird that I was excited about a sleep-over?) and had brought those Yamato horror movies he likes, with the creepy kids meowing and stuff. I dared him to watch them with all the lights out and the curtains drawn, since he usually watches them with the lights on. Ignis startled us when he came. Prom won major points with Ignis by actually enjoying vegetables. He says that they make the plate more colorful; I just say he's distracted by bright colors.

Gladio properly met Prompto the other day. For some reason, he decided the best way to break the ice with him was to start a brawl with him over whether chocobos or moogles are better. Not sure why, or how it worked; just glad it worked, since Prompto practically vibrates when he's nervous, and that means he breaks things.

Crownsguard gave me his file to read. I can't believe it! Not that there's one on him, but that there's something in his past that I need to know that he won't tell me! He's a terrible liar, and never fails to answer a direct question. Prompto was shocked when I told him I hadn't read it, and didn't want to. His parents know, being Crownsguard (which I didn't know) and it doesn't put his life in danger as far as he knows, so he can tell me when he's ready. And if he never tells me, then it's not the big deal it's being made out to be. Found out he knew Pryna; he helped her when she got hurt when we were in sixth grade. He could have stood in for the stop sign when I suggested he write to you. He seemed to think you wouldn't remember something like that, but you never forget anything regarding Umbra and Pryna. Said he couldn't think of what to say without it sounding dumb, but there's a picture he took of the Citadel at dawn specifically for you, so that's something. It was his birthday last week, and I never knew there existed a person from whom their birthday wasn't a big deal. Ignis, Gladio and I wound up having a little party for him Monday after school. Iris came too; when she learned what all we were doing for Prompto's birthday she decided he had to be special, and Gladio had the choice of either bringing her with him or chancing her finding her own way to the apartment. Woke up sick the next day, and Ignis is sure it's because we were out in the cold burning his file, since Prom's sick too. I didn't want temptation hanging around, and there's nothing I could burn it in or with at the apartment. Sorry Pryna's late coming back, between asking her to stick around to spend time with Prompto Monday (his parents are allergic to pet dandruff, or I'd have sent her home with him to visit) and being sick, I know my reply's later than normal.

He told me. Only because I caught him at the right time. It's his story to tell but…it's bad. Bad enough that he was sure I wouldn't stay friends with him. I can kind of get why Crownsguard gave me his file, after learning of it. I don't think, if I'd been in his position, that I'd be able to laugh and smile the way he does. He was saved as a kid, and the day he told me was the eleventh anniversary. Prom couldn't say why it hit him hard this year, only that it did. I had to keep him from walking into things, and he didn't really snap out of it until we got back to his house far earlier than normal (someone was an idiot and blew up the chemistry lab, so class was canceled; his mom was making that lasagna he loves so much so I asked if I could come to his house for dinner for a change). Dad already knew; he said the lady who saved Prompto had brought the information regarding Prompto to him personally, when she told him how the bomb inside him would be neutralized by the Wall in a way that was safe for the City but bad for Prompto. Who the hell thinks it's a good idea to put a bomb inside a little kid?! Dad let me off the hook for meetings and training that weekend. Ignis and Gladio didn't have a much better reaction compared to mine when Prompto told them Monday (school was closed the whole week). The football team's thinking Prompto's trading sex to be my friend, and they've started asking him what 'services' he offers, and if they'd have an in with me by 'sampling'; Iggy and Gladio are dealing with that. After he told me…it's like there was a piece of himself that he'd been holding back, and I didn't know about it until he stopped holding back.

That tinge of fear was gone off the latest photo, and as impossible as it seemed, that warmth and brightness was even stronger. Her eyes had been drawn to the black leather bracelet on Prompto's wrist in the photo.

I realized I'm in love with Prompto. He realized he's in love with me. I figure we've actually been dating already; we just didn't realize that's what we were doing, if it's possible. What do you think about this? And I mean what Luna thinks, not Lady Lunafreya. Most people think we're going to get married one day, despite the fact that the Oracle has never married the Crystal-Chosen King and all the other issues regarding such a union. I mean…how do I say this? I love you, but I'm not in love with you? I'd totally want to see if I could fall in love with you, but not if met giving up Prompto. In the perfect world I'd have both of you. I know Prompto has a massive crush on you (thankfully he'll never see this or I'll be in trouble for spilling the beans), but…

Luna could readily believe that it was possible for the two of them to having been dating without realizing it. And if she was going to be honest with herself, in a world where she wasn't the Oracle, and Noctis wasn't the King of Light, where they were just ordinary people…

She'd want to see if all three of them together could work, no matter how unconventional such an arrangement was. While she hadn't spent time with Noctis since they were children, her feelings towards him were much along the lines of his regarding hers, and she was drawn to Prompto in a way that she would not be averse to exploring.

If she was going for complete honesty, here in the one place she was guaranteed privacy…it was an appealing image, both boys together.

If only destiny didn't condemn such a chance to idle fantasy. Knowing how Noctis would have to one day sacrifice himself to return the Dawn…while Lady Lunafreya vaguely worried how this relationship would impact things, Luna couldn't help wishing both boys her best, with an impossible prayer for idle fantasy to become real.

Lunafreya dreamed of the Dawn Mother that night, in an infinite field of Eos blooms and endless mist. The details escaped her after she awoke the next day, but she awoke with a feeling that an impossible prayer may not be as impossible has it seemed.

Prompto was out in the desert of Leide with the guys and Jeff, the Marshal along for the ride as well. Prompto felt a different sort of nervous today. To be honest, it was closer to fear than to nerves. This was the first time all of them had gone out to training together, to see how they worked together in a real world combat situation. In the controlled environment of the gym, it hadn't been hard to figure out how to work together, but that was as much fighting amongst themselves as working together.

The pack of ten sabertooths in front of them was not helping much. Noct squeezed his hand, and Prompto squeezed back before the four boys engaged the pack.

His unspoken fears about aiming for the guys' kill shots instead of the sabertooths were for naught. It was like there was a filter in his vision; he Saw the kill shots on the other three as clearly as ever, but instead of screaming 'hit me', there was a call of 'protect me' that meant he was aware if a sabertooth got too close to hitting one of them.

"Prompto you're up!" Noct called.

Prompto turned his focus to the target in question. "Hi there, opening…" He muttered to himself as he fired, not at a kill shot, but one of the vulnerable points, sending spikes flying. He couldn't help whistling a tune in the aftermath.

Cor and Jeff examined the carcasses. Finished with the inspection, Cor nodded to Jeff, who said, "Congratulations Prompto, you've been ranked at 'expert marksman'."

"Huh? I didn't realize I was even being tested…?" Prompto asked, looking at the other three, who looked as shocked as he felt.

"Part of the test is not knowing it's a test. 'Expert marksman' in Crownsguard means demonstrating a certain level of skill, regardless of whether you are being observed. As Cid Sophiar has been ready to give you the ranking for some time, all that was left was a final observation by me in a fight with your comrades." Cor explained.

"Cid Sophiar?" Noct blinked. "Didn't he travel with Dad in the war?"

"He did. Despite no longer being active, he remains the most experienced expert marksman we have, and thus the only one who could accurately say if Mr. Argentum deserved the ranking." Cor answered.

"Woah…" Prompto felt dazed at the news, even as Ignis gave an approving nod, Gladio slapped him on his back gently (what passed as 'gentle' for him anyway) and Noct gave him a quick peck on the lips.

"I've come up with a new recipe that I think will be to your looking Prompto. I was saving it for your birthday dinner, but in light of this news it seems to be an adequate gift." Ignis said once they had returned to the City, as they walked the short distance from the range to Noct's apartment. "With your birthday in a couple days anyway, it's not like I'm revealing it too early."

"Sweet!" Prompto cried, pumping a fist in the air.

Pryna was waiting outside the apartment building for them, running to Prompto as they got close. "You're a little early." Noct told her, scratching an ear. "I asked Luna to write to you for your birthday."

Prompto flushed red as the other three laughed and Pryna yipped. "Now you have to write her; can't let her letter go unanswered, right?" Noct said with a smirk.

Dear Prompto,

Happy regards for your seventeenth birthday. I've read much about you in Noctis's letters over the years, from your first encounter. I apologize if my words led to discomfort on your part; I had a suspicion you were 'Prom' from his dream battle, and had only hoped to encourage you to take your place at his side.

I was happy to learn of the growth in the relationship between both of you. Forgive me for any presumption on my part, but with as much as Noctis has written about you to me, along with your amazing photographs, I already regard you as a friend, and hope you see me as such.

Noctis has told me of your love of spicy foods. Have you had Tenebrae barbeque? If you have not, I think it would be to your liking. It's among my favorite foods, for all my brother maintains that it's an undignified food for me to consume, given the lack of utensils.

I hope to see more of your photographs in the future. The ones Noctis has sent me have left me with the impression I was in the moment with you, no matter how familiar the image is to me. The Citadel at dawn is one of my top three, if it's possible to impose rankings on things of equal excellence. I do have to admit, I had not expected a friend or partner of Noctis's to be an early riser. At times his love of sleeping reminds me of a cat; even more so when I add in his love of fishing.

Have you given much thought to what you will do after high school? I know you're sworn to Noctis, and receive a stipend for it, but I am curious to learn of your own plans. Should you decide to turn your photography into a career, you would certainly be among my first choice as photographer for any official photo shot.

Once again, best wishes for your birthday. I hope you will be amenable to exchanging letters in the future, as I would certainly love to hear from you directly.

Luna

Dear Luna (I can call you that, right?),

Uhh…thank you? I don't really have a lot of reason to write letters normally, so hopefully this isn't an epic disaster. Don't worry about apologizing for what you said/wrote; it was all worth it in the end, since it helped me get out of my rut. No pain no gain, right? There was a lot of pain involved, at least until I got used to running and my mom looked up stuff on how to make it easier (she's a pediatric surgeon, so she had plenty of colleagues to ask advice from).

I'm glad you were happy for us…? Not to sound epically rude or ungrateful, but given all the speculation about things between you and Noct, I wasn't sure how'd you take it. No matter how unlikely you two marrying would be. Friends with a Prince and Princess? Someone pinch me, I must be dreaming! I totally consider you a friend, if you'll have me as one.

Jeff, the gun range guy (okay, Master of the Range), introduced me to Tenebrae barbeque and I loved it! Neither of my parents care for spicy stuff beyond a mild taco, and Noct just stares at me when I manage to take multiple bites between gulps of water. With the mess it causes, I can see why he'd say it's undignified; Noct's told me what a stick in the mud he is (if I'm allowed to say that about him). I imagine a lot of bleach must be used afterwards, even with one of those body bib things. Or can you wear colors other than white? I know Noct can spend most of his time out of black, but he has a lot less in the way of official duties compared to you.

You…you really think my photos are that good? I'm completely red-faced right now. With how easily I blush, it doesn't take much. Which is a huge pain, since my parents, Noct, and Miss Aerith (She saved me as a kid) try to make that my default setting. I dig the Citadel-at-dawn shot too; Dawn always creates such interesting light effects. Yeah, Noct can't believe I can get up early without much hassle either. He says I'm like a cat too, since I pretty much purr when my head or back is rubbed, weird as it sounds.

Haven't really thought about what to do after high school. I never really did the whole 'what do you want to be when you grow up' thing. Mom and Dad aren't much help; they already knew what they wanted to be when they were my age. It would be cool to do something with machines, but my math grades are too low for that to be a serious option, for all Ignis's tips on good note-taking have helped. Dad said that like fifty years ago I could've gotten into the field without a college degree, but not now. Probably will do a photography program or something else along those lines. I do like to draw; everyone says I'm good, for all that I'm never satisfied with the results. First choice for an Oracle photo shot?! That would be epic. I'd still need some sort of qualifications to it to happen. Wouldn't pass up the chance, especially if it meant meeting you for real. Person-real, not letter-real.

…how much did Noct tell you, about what I told him? I've never really had to talk about it before. Noct caught me at the right time and my parents already knew, cuz of the adoption thing. They had to keep all the breakables away from me before I told Ignis and Gladio; I pretty much vibrate when I'm nervous, and that means breaking things. I don't think I'd *mind* telling you the whole story, but I really wouldn't want to do it by letter. They'd have to surround me in bubble wrap or foam to protect everything while I waited for the response.

Miss Aerith saved me from where I was when I was five. She could've just taken me right to Insomnia, but She took me to Cape Caem and we traveled from there. She wanted to give me happy memories; stuff that was done before I was born means I can remember things from early childhood easier than the average person, so She had been worried I wouldn't be able to live with the bad ones hanging in the background. We spent three days at the chocobo post in Duscae, and there was a detour to Galdin Quay for a beach day.

If you're open to being pen pals, then I guess I can start sending letters with Noct's whenever Umbra or Pryna comes.

Prompto

Lunefreya re-read Prompto's letter. She understood now what Noctis had meant about 'causal'. Any awe that came through seemed to be more directed towards her personally, instead of her position. She could readily sympathize about blushing easily, for all her experience in the public eye and the reverence towards her position. "'Miss Aerith'?" She asked Gentiana, who was in the Meditation Room with her today. "Is she a Messenger of the Dawn Mother?"

"As much as I am a Messenger of the Astrals." Gentiana replied.

Fully aware of Gentiana's true nature, Lunafreya said nothing. Reaching for her stationary set, she started letters to both Noctis and Prompto.

Dear Noctis,

I'm glad that receiving an open invitation from me to write has overcome Prompto's reluctance about contacting me himself. I think I may have lost my spot as Pryna's number one favorite human. She's eagerly awaiting for me to finish my letters so she can have a reason to visit Prompto. I suppose I should be jealous, but I find it hard to be in the face of her excitement and the warmth present even in his photos and letters. I understand what you mean now, about the casualness. It's rather refreshing and liberating, to not have deference clinging to every word…

Dear Prompto,

Yes you can call me Luna. Your letter was nowhere near a disaster. I don't get to wear a color other than white often, but when I have the choice I prefer wearing a blue/purple that's the same shade as sylleblossoms, or a rose-pink. I don't mind you referring to Ravus as such; unfortunately 'stick in the mud' has been his default setting for a long time now. I completely understand your reluctance over disclosing your story by letter; Noctis has told me of the damage to breakables your nerves can cause. Hopefully the chance for an in-person meeting will arise, especially one where there would be enough privacy for you to feel comfortable talking about it. Noctis mentioned in his letter you achieved the rank of expert marksman. Congratulations! I understand that an expert marksman with the Crownsguard is regarded as the best in Eos, for all Niflheim touts its proficiency in firearms. I can give you some tips about not blushing as easily, however I can't speak to their effectiveness in the face of teasing by family and friends…

Well, I did it; brought Luna into the mix. Not sure I got a good beat on her character; she gets so little screen time it's hard to see the line between Lunafreya the Oracle and Luna the person.

…and now I have no clue where to go from here. Think I'll just jump ahead to when the boys are twenty, and their reactions to the treaty. Maybe a paragraph about what the boys wind up studying in college.