Disclaimer: not mine

Changed pairing to be definite NoctisPrompto.

Chapter 24

Noctis sat up against the pillows and held his hand out to Prompto who took is shakily. "It's going to be okay," he promised, meeting blue/gold eyes steadily.

"Sure?" Prompto whispered, and Noctis nodded.

He didn't bother with any Oaths, he knew Prompto, knew he would never betray him. he closed his eyes, calling up his magic, feeling it gather as he took Prompto's other hand as well. "Breath," he warned, and then the magic flowed from him into Prom.

He gasped, eyes going wide, hands tightening convulsively on Noct's own. The magic flared between them, rushing through Prompto who trembled, eyes completely gold now. Prompto whined softly even as the link formed between them, tying Prom to his magic. As the magic settled Prompto slumped forward and Noctis wrapped his arms around him, drawing him in to rest against him.

"It's okay, you're okay," he whispered, feeling trembling hands come up to cling to him. He gently stroked Prom's back, letting him take his time.

Finally, Prompto looked up at him and Noctis was horrified to see tears in his eyes. Had it hurt him? "I…I can feel you," Prompto whispered and Noct realised it wasn't pain, it was…awe.

"It doesn't hurt?" he asked to be sure, and Prompto shook his head much to his relief. "Good," he nuzzled at Prompto's throat. "I can feel you too," he murmured. He could, Prom felt hot, even compared to Ignis, but it was a good heat, warming him from the inside. "Not too cold?"

"Like ice cream on a hot day," Prompto answered with a small, content, smile. He cuddled into him and Noctis wrapped his arm back around his waist. Seriously, Prom would make a better werecat than he did a wolf, pity there was no such thing.

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Ignis lowered his pen, staring blankly out the window before he smiled as a rush of heat surged through his link to Noctis. Prompto… that was a relief, he'd thought the young wolf would hold out forever, the one thing he said no to when Noctis asked. He could understand his hesitancy, admired him for it even, but he was also glad he had given in. There was no way Prompto's status could remain secret forever, being bound so thoroughly to Noctis should help when it came to light.

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Prompto lay in the bed, basking in the cool sensation that was Noctis, his Prince, his Pack Leader. Noct was wrapped around him, breathing softly, fast asleep. Why had he ever said no to this? No, he knew why, and he was still worried about the next full moon. It was bad enough that they saw him shift, he never wanted them to be able to feel it too. He shivered as cool lips pressed to the back of his neck, Noct tightening his hold, hand slipping under his top as he did. The coolness of his skin didn't bother Prompto at all, he thought it felt nice. It didn't mean anything, Noct was asleep and why would he ever want more from him? But then another soft kiss was left against his skin and he swallowed, was Noctis really asleep?

"Noct?" he whispered shakily.

Noctis tensed slightly but then fangs dragged gently over his skin and Prompto bit back a moan. Was he hungry? He tipped his head to the side in offering and Noctis latched on but he didn't bite, just teasing at the skin.

"Noct," he moaned, feeling Noctis' fingers stroking his stomach.

"Mine," Noctis growled, half possessive, half question, and Prompto whimpered.

"Yes," he forced the word out, knowing Noctis would need to hear an actual answer.

Prompto grabbed his shirt and yanked it off, Noctis moving enough to let him before latching back on. He went utterly limp as fangs sank into his throat, not fighting his body's reaction at all. He whined in need and Noct's hand moved lower, slipping into his pants.

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Noctis sipped at Prompto's blood, savouring the flavour even as he slipped his hand into Prompto's pants. It felt different to just helping Prom deal with his body's reactions after feeding. No, it was better. And he didn't feel bad at all at pressing his body firmly against Prompto's back, knowing he'd feel that Noctis was enjoying it too.

He'd wanted it for ages but hadn't been able to ask, he didn't think Prompto wanted him the same way. And then he'd felt Prom through the link to his magic and realised just how deep things went. He removed his fangs, lapping gently at the wound, as he kept stroking Prompto, hearing the soft noises of pleasure he was making. Prompto shifted, pushing back against him, and Noctis muffled a moan in his shoulder, pressing soft kisses to the bare skin, taking the hint to move against him.

After a few moments, Prompto moved and Noctis stopped, worried he'd done something unwanted. But no, Prompto just rolled over so they were face to face. His eyes were a mix of blue and gold as he breathed heavily. Noctis lifted his hand to gently touch his face, Prompto pressing into his hand, and then he slowly leant in, giving him plenty of time to pull away if he wanted to, but he didn't. Their first kiss was messy and uncoordinated but it still felt great. They kissed again and again, rocking against each other, one of Noctis' legs slung over Prompto's, Prompto clutching him as close as possible.

Neither of them noticed the door begin to open and then shut again.

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Gladio was surprised to find no sign of either Noctis or Prompto. He'd felt it when Noctis shared his magic with Prom, had they gone to sleep after? He headed for the bedroom, and already had the door partially open before the scents hit him. He blinked at the sight and then quickly retreated. Well, really…should have seen that coming.

He knew it would be frowned on given Prompto's ancestry, and if anyone found out the truth about the kids' origins… the King probably wouldn't say anything if he found out about the two being together, so long as both accepted the need for an heir. Then again, he might see it as too risky with their conflicting species, despite Noctis being Prompto's pack leader. Was there any record of a vampire and werewolf anywhere in history? Were they the first?

He'd have to warn Ignis, as amusing as it'd be to let him get an eyeful too.

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Ignis sat on the bench, watching as Noctis carefully walked Prompto through summoning objects from the Armiger. It was a relief to know that Prompto would never be unarmed in case of something like the school attack. He'd have access to curatives too in case he was ever injured and needed to heal fast before anyone could smell his blood or see him healing too fast for a human.

He'd been digging ever deeper into the archives and he had found some information that pleased him. The Fierce had a sickly friend, had shared his magic…and the new Retainer had been healed. There was no mention of the cause of the sickliness or anything, but it gave them a way to buy time for Prompto before questions would be asked. And he wouldn't have to act as sick.

Knowing that the two of them had moved towards a relationship…well, he honestly wasn't entirely surprised. It may have started out as a standard packmate thing but now, he could see it clearly whenever Noct looked at Prompto and vice versa. It might not be love, not yet, but he had no doubt it would be one day. Still, they were teenagers, even if it was love they might eventually drift apart from that level of intimacy. Though he agreed with Gladio, it was not something anyone else needed to know about. They could keep an eye on things without involving anyone, especially the King.

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Prompto opened the door and grinned at the sight of his parents. In a second he was wrapped up in a hug, leaning into them both. "Missed you," he mumbled.

"Let's get inside," his Dad said and they got inside properly, Prompto locking the door.

It had been too long since they'd been home last. He knew his Dad had been terrified when Prompto called to admit the King now knew about him but they hadn't been able to get away from work till now. Soon they were settled on the couch with him in the middle, an old movie playing softly in the background as they let him reaffirm the family bonds through contact.

"You're really okay?" his Mum asked softly, and he nodded. He didn't tell them about the doctor and how badly he'd handled it, or the shift in things with Noct. It'd just worry them more and they already worried about him too much.

"I'm fine. It's nice…being so close to them," he admitted. "But this place is too big and fancy." He liked their house, it was home, like Noct's apartment. This apartment wasn't home. Maybe having them there would help, add their scents to the place.

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Noctis shifted nervously, checking to make sure he hadn't left anything weird out like a dirty sock or old plate of food. It was silly! He'd met Prompto's dad before even though only briefly. Was this how Prompto had felt meeting his Dad…no, those had been very different circumstances. At least the Argentum's weren't walking in on him feeding from their son, or more.

It'd be fine, it would.

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Sara had never imagined meeting Royalty in person and yet there she was, following her werewolf son to the vampire Princes' apartment to meet him and his Retainers. At least it wasn't the King? Yet…she knew they'd be called in for questioning by someone who knew, which was apparently the King, his Shield, and the Marshal. None of whom she'd ever thought she'd have reason to meet.

And somehow, they'd have to lie to them when they did meet. David had told her that everyone was under the assumption Prompto had been bitten during the school attack, which was the best option, yes, but involved lying to the King!

Prompto walked straight up to the apartment and opened the door, he didn't even knock! She glanced at David and then followed her son into the apartment. Standing in the main room was the Prince, though not dressed how he was when shown on tv or in the paper. His clothing was still black, but casual, and he wrapped an arm around Prompto as soon as he was in reach. The way he did it was so easy, so natural, as if they weren't natural enemies but just two normal teenagers. And it was something she'd thought Prompto would never have, close friends who knew what he was and accepted all of him.

"Mr and Mrs Argentum," Prince Noctis spoke up, his arm around Prompto's waist. "It's nice to meet you."

"Your Highness," David began and the Prince shook his head.

"Noctis," he smiled at them. "Prompto's my best friend…and a member of my Retinue now, though it's not officially known. You can use my name."

"Your Retinue?" She looked at her son in shock and he looked down sheepishly.

"You didn't tell them?" Noctis hissed at him, and Prompto shook his head.

"Didn't get to it yet."

"Ugh," the Prince shook his head, but he was smiling softly at Prompto. "I actually asked him ages ago but Prompto said no, he was worried I'd be able to feel him shifting. Cor convinced him somehow."

"Have you shifted since?" she asked, and Prompto shook his head.

"We only just did it last week, moon's not till next," he pointed out.

She was worried, what if the Prince did feel his pain? Seeing it was horrible enough, but to feel it as well? How would they hide that?

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Prompto collapsed on the couch, exhausted, but he still lifted his arm as Noctis dropped beside him, wrapping it around him as Noctis leant into his side.

"That went well."

Prompto snorted, shaking his head. "I can't believe you told them," he mumbled.

"I thought you would have!" Noctis pointed out.

And he was right, Prompto should have told them he was linked to Noct now. He'd been scared they'd be mad which was dumb. But he couldn't help it, even years away from the facility, upsetting people made his skin crawl from fear of punishment.

"Do you think…they like me?" Noct asked softly, and Prompto turned his head, kissing him. softly, loving the fact he could now. He didn't know when it had gone from pack helping each other to more and didn't really care, it just felt good and right.

"What's not to like?" he asked, teasing. "Not like they know what we did the other day."

Noctis actually managed a pretty impressive blush for a vampire. "Do you want them to know?"

He shook his head. "What about your Dad?"

"No," Noctis shook his head. "Not yet. Give him longer with you just as a packmate and retainer."

"Will he…"

"He won't try to separate us," Noct promised, "he can't." He stole a quick kiss. "Promise. He might be wary about risks; Iggy's been looking and there's not even a hint of a vampire and werewolf pairing before."

That wasn't surprising considering most of their kind tried to kill each other. But Prompto had never wanted to hurt Noctis at all. the war didn't help the stereotypes that both nations pushed, that they couldn't get along. But they and their little pack were proof they could.

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Cor once again stood across from Prompto on the mats. He'd talked with Gladio about the kid holding back and now it was time to see if the message had gotten through to the young wolf. "Relax," he told him, seeing how tense the younger blond was.

Prompto nodded and took some deep breaths, before nodding. Cor nodded back and then attacked. He was pleased when Prompto dodged easily, as he should be able to, twisting around to lunge at Cor in return. He could see some of Ignis and Noctis' methods in the way he was moving now, though apparently he still refused to fight with Noctis.

By the time they stopped, he was a lot happier than he had been last time. He'd still won most of the time, but he'd had to work a lot harder this time. And Prompto had even managed to pin him to the mats twice.

"You're doing good kid," he praised, seeing Prompto duck his head, smiling shyly.

"Thanks, sir."

"How are you adjusting to the magic?" he asked as he stretched to cool down.

"It's kind of weird but if feels good too, cold but not a bad cold. And having a gun at hand whenever needed is a relief."

Cor nodded, that made sense. His only other method of defence would be a partial shift for teeth and claws, something he probably wouldn't manage for a while yet and would instantly out him if he did.

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Ignis and Gladio bracketed the two as they walked down the hall of the Citadel, ignis making sure that Prompto wouldn't be exposed to anything that would out him. He didn't often come with them to the Citadel, but the King wanted Prompto to be fitted with a uniform. He might not officially be Crownsguard but it would be good for him to have the added protection of the special materials.

Ignis nodded as he spotted Captain Drautos, along with Lazarus and Ulric, getting acknowledgment in return. The three men moved to the side to allow the Prince past and that was when everything went sideways.

His back slammed into the wall and he gasped, winded, eyes wide as all their careful work was undone.

"Prom!" Noctis screamed.

TBC….