Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 9

Regis could feel Cor's eyes boring into him every time his friend glanced his way. Cor and Clarus were both angry with his stubborn refusal to listen to them but he didn't care, he couldn't wait any longer. He watched the view as they drove, having swapped cars in the same lot Ignis had used months earlier it was a rather bumpy ride. He kept the cap down over his eyes, shadowing his features and he was dressed in casual clothes, the one set he had. He'd considered shaving but then questions may be asked why he had done so once they returned. It had been a very long time since he had left Insomnia, not since that horrendous trip that had ended with his son nearly dying. Now his son was technically dead, and he was going to see him.

He'd heard from King Nyx, one of his men had been giving them supplies and Regis had freely reimbursed them for it, giving Nyx a card to pass on to his man to use for future shopping. Thankfully he had also been able to tell him how they were doing, that Noctis seemed to be gaining more sun resistance, that he would talk with the wolf and his Sire allowed it happily.

He felt tension rising as they pulled into a small valley and but there was no sign of anyone as Cor stopped the car. Cor got out and looked around and Regis gasped as a figure suddenly appeared a few feet away, crouched slightly like they had just landed a jump. He sat, frozen, as his son smiled at Cor before obviously trying to see who was in the passenger seat. He forced himself to move, opening the door and getting out into the warm evening air.

He heard a gasp and then a soft voice called, "Dad?"

He stared at his son, dressed in dark jeans and a red top under a dark blue hooded jacket, so different to his normal clothing. "Noctis," he choked out and then he was warping the few feet between them and Noctis startled, taking half a step back, eyes wide. Regis reached out to him and Noctis hesitated for a second before he was suddenly in his arms and Regis held him close. Instead of the warmth he was used to, cold soon soaked through, the coldness of a dead body but he ignored it to focus on the feel of Noctis in his arms again. He shifted a hand to gently cradle the back of Noctis' head, feeling the fine strands of his hair on his fingers. He could feel Noctis' hands clenched in the back of his jacket, the way he rubbed his cheek against Regis' chest, the feeling of moisture soaking through, and he felt tears slip down his own face in return. He felt Noct's body move with deep breaths and realised he was taking in his scent, memorising it, Noctis would be able to track him across Insomnia, maybe even further.

"Dad what are you doing here? It's not safe for you out of the city," Noctis whispered, shaking slightly in his arms and Regis kissed the top of his head. His son was living out in the middle of nowhere, unable to return, and he was more worried about Regis' safety than his own.

"I can look after myself Noctis, I did once travel all of Lucis," he pulled back enough to smile tearily down at his son who looked up at him, pinkish trails of tears smeared across his cheeks. He didn't even hesitate in meeting Noctis' eyes, he was King, protected by the Crystal's power, especially from such a young vampire. "I couldn't wait any longer to see for myself that you're alright," he gently wiped away the tears, ignoring the fact they had blood in them, feeling Noctis press into his touch so he gently cupped a cold cheek with a hand.

"How…how can you touch me?" Noctis whispered and Regis swallowed.

"Because you are my son and I love you, human or vampire. Cold skin is not a bother or something to recoil from," Regis promised, ignoring the pain from his weak leg but Noctis frowned and then slipped under his arm, wrapping his own around Regis' waist.

"Where's your cane?" he demanded, gently pulling him along back to the car where Cor still stood, watching them and the scenery.

"I left it at home, it's rather recognisable. I'm alright Noctis."

"You're in pain," his son countered, pushing him down onto the seat and Regis saw Cor smother a smile.

He sat sideways and Noctis knelt in front of him, looking up at him, love and awe in his eyes and Regis reached out to run his fingers through his hair. "Your hairs longer."

"Woke up this way, the guys said I look different too but there's no mirrors," he shrugged, and Regis reached for the side mirror, turning it and Noctis glanced at him nervously before moving up to look, eyes widening as he took in his reflection. "Oh."

"It's nothing worrying Noct, I'd say the transformation simply finished refining your looks to those you would have had in a few years."

Noctis looked back over at him and Regis smiled, shifting back on the seat and holding his hand out. Noctis hesitated, eyes searching his face, before he moved in and Regis wrapped his arms around him again, basically holding him in his lap as he hadn't done in years.

"Is this too much for you?" Regis asked gently and Noctis shook his head against his chest.

"You smell good, like home," he whispered, pressing his nose against Regis' throat but he refused to flinch from his son, choosing to trust that he would hold back. He felt a cool tongue against his skin, felt his heartrate pick up a bit, unable to control it, but he didn't pull away, moving a hand to gently rub circles on Noctis' back and Noctis shifted a little to lay his head over Regis' heart, listening. "Used to fall asleep listening to your heartbeat, it made me feel safe."

"I remember," Regis smiled down at him. "What do you think of the wolf who's been bring supplies?"

"I like Pelna, he's got cool stories and he always puts something extra in. He's not scared of us either, not anymore. We make a game of trying to sneak up on him while he tries to spot us."

"I'm glad," Regis smiled. "You've been safe?"

"Yeah, we're well hidden in a nice cave with access to fresh water for the guys."

"How are they? Clarus is concerned for Gladio."

Noctis nodded slowly. "Iggy does all the cooking. Gladio's teaching Prompto how to fight, he was only really trained with firearms and a little hand to hand. He can't afford to just rely on vampire speed and strength if we're found. They… you can guess what Prom did, can't you?"

Regis frowned and then swallowed. "He bonded them somehow."

"Blood bond, it's permanent. They both remember everything and we're very careful to try and not order them to do anything. They have to do as Prom says and it sort of flows over to me since he turned me."

"I see…"

"Dad, I… I understand why he did it, he'd just changed me, and then his Sire died. There was no extraction plan, the Empire sent him on a suicide mission and then he was stuck with a dead and turning Prince, and at the time two unconscious humans. He did what he had to, to get us out of the city to safety. He needed them to get away so he took the best option he could see to ensure they cooperated. I hate what it's done to them, but I can't hate him."

"Shh Noctis, it's alright," Regis soothed, rocking them slightly. The thought of having to tell Clarus exactly what had been done to his son… but he deserved to know. Looking at things clinically, he could understand this Prompto's actions once the bond had snapped, he'd been trying to survive and keep Noctis safe, how could he blame him for that? And Cor had said he was only a few years old as a vampire, turned as a teenager, that would have also affected his decision making. "I would like to meet him."

Noctis looked up at him, searching his expression, before he nodded, closing his eyes and Regis knew he was reaching out to the older vampire. There was the sound of a stone being kicked and Regis looked over to see a blonde young man nearby, watching them curiously but with something else….sadness, longing. Noctis had told him the very basics of the boys past and to see him with Noctis must be painful.

He gently dislodged his son and stood up, walking towards Prompto who shifted nervously. The nerves were understandable, Regis was considered a one-man army when he took to the field due to his magic, taking down far older vampires than the boy before him. He stopped and held out his hand in offering, watching as blue eyes went wide in shock. It was understandable, this was the creature that had stolen his son from him, Prompto was right to be wary, but he had also given him his son back by ensuring a way for them to remain in contact, by going against everything he'd been raised to believe by abandoning his mission and caring for Noctis, keeping him safe. Part of him wanted to hate the boy, but he couldn't, not when he'd had no choice in his actions. The young vampire hesitated before slowly reaching out to take his hand, making sure to telegraph his movements as Cor watched on. His skin was just as cold as Noctis', though even paler, not surprising with his colouring, he had likely been rather pale as a human. "Thank you Prompto," he offered, and the boy blinked at him.

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"Your Majesty?" he couldn't have heard that right, could he?

"You could have abandoned my son once you were free and I doubt any would blame you for that. Instead you have protected him, cared for him when I cannot."

"I did this to him though," he looked away, ashamed. Facing the Father of the person whose life he had stolen was harder than he'd imagined, and he was thanking him! a warm hand grasped his chin, tipping his head back up and he met warm green eyes, almost shivering as he felt the man's magic, no wonder he wasn't worried about making eye contact!

"The Empire did this to my son, you were merely used as a tool to do so." He reached into his jacket and pulled out an envelope, offering it and Prompto cautiously took it. "Legally, you cannot be a citizen of Insomnia, however you can be registered as a citizen of Lucis and no one needs to know you weren't one before being turned. It should help when you go to the friendlier areas."

Prompto accepted the envelop in shock, opening it to find all of the papers needed to show he was a citizen of Lucis. "I don't know what to say…." He looked up at the King and then he felt Noct's hand slip into his, squeezing gently.

"Thanks Dad," Noct answered for him and Prompto nodded.

"Cor?" Regis called and the Marshal approached, pulling a chain from around his neck to pass to Noctis.

"Dad?" he took it and Prompto saw a key on the end.

"You are still connected to the Crystal, but that is not the only element to our magic," Regis stated and Prompto looked between the two, confused.

"The Royal Arms…" Noctis whispered, staring at the key before looking up at his Dad who nodded.

"I had planned to send you later this year to collect them but with this, now seems a good time. There are two tombs up past the Prairie Outpost, in the ruins of Keycatrich. I don't know if they will react to you but best you find out. They won't harm you if it doesn't work," he explained, handing over a marked map of Lucis. "Those are all the tombs I know of."

"It's getting dark, we'll have to stay at Hammerhead," Cor warned, and Regis nodded, obviously not wanting to leave.

Prompto hesitated, torn, but then glanced at Noctis who looked at him, confused by what he was sensing from him. "You can stay with us for the night, the camp is set up to be human friendly," he offered, seeing their surprise and Noctis' happiness.

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Regis could hear the wariness in the offer and glanced at Cor who frowned. He raised an eyebrow, was there really any reason to say no? Was it really any more dangerous than right then? Cor finally nodded in acceptance and Regis saw the hope in Noctis' eyes. "Is it far?"

"You'll need the car, there's a place to hide it from sight," Prompto answered.

"Let's get going then," Regis opened the backseat and got in and Noctis scrambled in after him, Prompto getting in up front to give directions. As soon as Regis was secure, Noctis was pressed into his side and he wrapped an arm around him, watching as his son dozed off against him. He caught Prompto looking back with a soft smile at the sight Noctis made.

"He's not too cold?" Prompto asked softly and Regis shook his head, he could easily use magic to insult himself if necessary.

Regis watched as they pulled onto a dirt road and then another, hidden turn. It was bumpy and that jolted Noctis awake and then soon Cor was parking beside another vehicle, well hidden in the rocks. They got out and Noctis took his hand, leading him along a ledge and then into a hole in the rockface which quickly widened out into a large cave, with a fire in the middle and a tent set up. The two Retainers quickly stood from the fireside, eyes widening as they saw their guests, both bowing to Regis who waved them up. "Hello boys," he greeted, eyes scanning them, seeing that they looked healthy which was good.

"Your Majesty! Is everything alright?" Ignis asked, eyes wide, glasses missing as he looked from the King to Prompto.

"Everything is fine Ignis, it was just too late to risk the drive back to the city and Prompto offered us a place to stay for the night," Regis assured him. He had never seen Ignis so dressed down, hair un-styled, no glasses – he looked a lot younger. Noctis squeezed his hand again and then left his side to go to Ignis and his Adviser leant into him, seeking comfort which Noctis gave. It warmed his heart to see, Noctis had always been so withdrawn, ever since the attack when he was a child and then the years of being unable to make friends as a teen. Even with his Retainers there had been a barrier and now it was gone. It hurt that it took all of this for Noctis to finally reach out that last bit to them.

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Cor had remained quietly in the background, observing everything, ready to defend his King and friend if necessary but things couldn't have gone any better. He had seen the way Noctis had leant into his throat, seen him lick the skin there and he knew, the Prince had been testing his Father, perhaps even subconsciously, to see if he really did accept him still. They had done a good job with setting up the camp in the cave, they had easy access to fresh water, the cave was well ventilated and there was a latrine area set up well away from anything else. Around the fire were chairs and a cooking station which was obviously Ignis' domain. He had never seen Scientia so casual in his appearance, even as a child, was that Prompto's influence? Or just the need to remain incognito should he be seen?

He followed them to the fireside and accepted the offered seat while Regis took another, Noctis immediately sitting on the ground, leaning against his legs, head on his knee and Regis' hand came to rest in his hair, running through the dark strands and Noctis closed his eyes, relaxing completely. He hadn't seen Noctis relax like that since he was a young child.

"Does anyone have any preferences for the meal?" Ignis asked, glancing at him and Regis.

"No preferences Ignis, whatever you wish to make will be wonderful," Regis smiled at him and Ignis ducked his head slightly, turning to the station only to hesitate. Prompto moved behind him, resting a hand on his waist and Ignis leant into him even as they spoke quietly and then Ignis began gathering ingredients.

Cor looked at Noctis who had opened his eyes and was watching, before realising Cor was looking at him. The Prince shrugged slightly, leaning over to whisper. "The bond,…Iggy can make a choice between options but…they don't want anything for themselves. Prompto was just suggesting some meals he knows they've enjoyed and have the ingredients for so that Iggy could pick one to make. It can be awkward but we're both really careful of how we phrase things to make sure they can choose," he explained quietly. "There's no way to break it," he said before they could ask.

Soon the meal was served, delicious despite the limited cooking station when compared to a kitchen. Cor ate hungrily, catching Noctis watching him and Regis as they ate, a look of longing on his face. Noctis had always loved Ignis' cooking and he would never taste it again. Then Prompto passed Noctis a flask, another he kept for himself and they drank from them, so it was obvious what the contents had to be, blood. The drank quickly, careful not to spill any and then it was obvious Noctis was running his tongue across his teeth to ensure they were clean before he opened his mouth.

"Tents not big enough for everyone," Gladio pointed out after a while.

Noctis looked torn, glancing at his Dad and then Sire, it was obvious he wanted to sleep with Regis, something he hadn't done since he was about six. Cor wasn't sure about that, though they obviously shared a tent with Gladio and Ignis with no trouble.

"I will sleep here," Cor offered, he would sit watch.

"Do you mind the company?" Prompto offered and Cor nodded in agreement.

"Guess that means I get to join the kids," Regis smirked and Noctis groaned.

"Dad," he hung his head and they all knew if he could, Noctis would be blushing at being called a kid.

They remained at the fire for a while longer, talking softly before getting up to settle in for the night. Regis took the place at the back of the tent, Noctis next to him, burrowing close and the King held his son close, Ignis beside Noctis with Gladio guarding the entrance.

TBC…