Disclaimer: not mine

I have finished the Insomnia side quests. It's taken me almost 100hrs, but I have done every side quest I can, except that second sea god one cause I could never find the second flock of seagulls. It's been good seeing how the scenes fit in the game play since I've relied on them and the script for the later parts in my stories. And I just got Noct to level 88!

Chapter 10

Cor couldn't help glancing over at the young vampire, hearing the quiet from the tent. He found the young man looking at him, quickly dropping his eyes when Cor looked at him. he then got up and slipped out of the cave and Cor hesitated but followed him, finding he'd climbed up on a rock to look out over Leide. He joined him, flicking on his light as he did, seeing Prompto didn't carry one.

"Daemons don't like vampires and our eyes are designed for night vision," Prompto offered quietly. "Even the small enough Gladio and Ignis carry is enough to keep them away."

Well, that was something new he hadn't known before. "Clarus would like to see his son," he offered.

Prompto nodded, "Figured he would. I don't have a problem with it, as long as he doesn't upset Gladio."

It was interesting and very different to see someone so protective of Gladio, but it was also good. Gladio deserved to have people who would protect him just as much as he had been raised to protect Noctis. "I have questions," he wasn't sure how to ask without offending him.

"About?"

"Your past."

That got a sigh and knees being drawn up to his chest as he rested his arms on them. "Figured someone would eventually. Noct knows already." So he began to speak, and Cor listened, horror growing as he learnt the true depths of depravity the Empire had fallen to.

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Regis woke slowly, feeling cool, and it took a second to realise why. He opened his eyes to find Noctis curled into him, head over his heart, body utterly still and silent. It really drove home what his son had become, appearing no more than a corpse as he slept. He lifted a hand slowly and gently ran his fingers through fine hair, Noctis shifting in his sleep to press into the light touch. He glanced over to see Ignis and Gladio were also still asleep, Ignis having moved to sprawl half over Gladio, making him wish for a camera. He blinked as he heard a noise coming from Noctis…was his son purring? It was close enough and he smiled at the sound even as a cold cheek rubbed against his chest before sleepy blue eyes slowly fluttered open. "Good morning," he greeted quietly and Noctis' eyes widened as he pushed himself up partially.

"Dad?" it was easy to hear the disbelief in his voice as he shook off the last of his sleep.

"I'm here," he promised, reaching up to cup his sons cheek in his hand, smiling at him.

"Thought it was a dream," Noct admitted shakily.

"No dream son, I'm here." At that, Noctis dropped back down and Regis wrapped his arms around him as Noctis shook. He hugged him tight, cursing the Emperor for daring to order this done to his son. Not because it meant an end to his line, that was already likely, but for the pain it was putting Noctis through. "I love you Noctis, no matter what," he murmured, moving a hand to gently rub his back, not seeking to calm him down but to simply reassure him that he wasn't alone.

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He was crying again, and it was stupid, but he couldn't help it. He'd woken up thinking it had all been a dream, that his Dad was safe in the city, but he wasn't, he was with him in camp. It had been one thing, talking over the phone, they could both pretend nothing had really changed, that he was still human. For his Dad to come see him, to willingly touch him, treat him like he was still his son when most would call him a monster…no better than a daemon…it was more than he'd let himself hope for. That he'd trusted him so close in his sleep was either utterly amazing or crazy, he wasn't sure which. Maybe he could blame the emotional stuff on being a baby vampire? "Sorry," he muttered, lifting up enough to wipe at his eyes. Good thing his Dad was wearing black, his shirt would be stained with blood tinged tears.

"For what? Tears?" His Dad asked, hand still rubbing his back and Noctis loved the warmth of his touch. He managed a shaky nod and then his Dad was gently nudging his face up to look him in the eye. "You've been so brave Noctis, but these last months have been very traumatic for you. I would rather you cry on me than try to bottle everything up. There is no shame in crying."

Noctis nodded, laying his ear over his Dad's heart again, finding the strong, steady, beat soothing. There was no scent of fear, no acceleration in pulse, nothing. He had memorised his scent, knew he could track him with it if necessary, and even that didn't scare his Dad. Even if the laws changed, would anyone else be able to accept him now? Would he spend forever in a city where no one was brave enough to meet his eyes? Who feared he would attack them for their blood.

Then there was the whole Chosen King thing, would the Astrals still want him? That he still had his magic said yes, he wasn't the first Royal to ever be turned but all others had lost their magic and then soon after been killed in various ways. He still didn't even know what being the Chosen, True King was meant to mean.

He shifted as the flap to the tent was raised to reveal an apologetic Cor.

"Sorry," he whispered to let the others sleep. "We need to leave soon Regis; you have that meeting this afternoon."

He felt his Dad nod and Cor withdrew. The hand on his back moved to his hair again and he pressed into his hand. "This is not goodbye," he whispered. "I will see you again soon."

Noctis looked up at him again. "It's too dangerous Dad. If anything happened to you…" he couldn't be the reason his Dad got hurt.

"I will be careful."

"Do…do people know I'm missing?" Noctis asked as he slowly sat up to let his Dad up. They crept from the tent without waking the others to find Cor heating something at the stove.

"Thankfully, due to your dislike of public appearances, word has yet to spread beyond the Guard and Glaive who searched the city for you. Though I doubt that will last much longer considering your birthday is approaching."

"Yeah….what will you say?" Noctis leant back as an arm wrapped around his waist, leaning against his Sire as the two humans began to eat.

"The truth, you are on pilgrimage to claim the power of our ancestors," his Dad smirked.

"But what if I can't?" there was no guarantee the Kings of Old would give him their power just because the Crystal had accepted him. The Ring could also reject him when the time came. Prompto squeezed gently, hugging him and he leant back more into him. He felt Prompto nuzzle at his throat and relaxed in his hold, tilting his head slightly.

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Regis watched the two boys interact so naturally. He knew how much control a vampire had over those they turned but there was no sign of that in how they acted with each other. Seeing Noctis look at Prompto, he had the feeling he would have a son-in-law one day. They touched a lot although…there was nothing sexual in it, just comfort. Maybe he was reading too much into his son's expression?

He hated hearing the defeat in Noctis' voice as he seemed to think everyone would soon know what had happened to him, that their ancestors would not accept him. Regis knew they would, they had waited too long for his birth to turn their backs on him now, especially since the Crystal had not withdrawn its support from him. He was concerned over Prompto though, should the truth of Noctis' change come to light, the young man would be vilified by their people, they would call for his death, despite how that could harm Noctis. He would never do so, but it would make things very difficult.

"I have no doubts you will succeed in claiming the weapons of our ancestors. Just be careful in getting to those first two, avoid the outpost by as far as you can," he stared into Noctis' eyes, letting him see his belief and his son nodded slowly, relaxing in his Sire's hold. They all glanced over as Gladio and Ignis emerged from the tent, sleep ruffled but dressed for the day, surprised to find a hot breakfast waiting on them. "I do have a concern though," he admitted, and everyone immediately focused on him. "Should the people learn the circumstances behind your turning the outcry against young Prompto would be horrendous."

"Not like we can hide it Dad."

"That he is your Sire? No. I am suggesting we lie about how and when it happened."

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Prompto was shocked to find the King willing to lie to protect him from the people of Insomnia. "What do you suggest?"

"That you found Noctis almost dead and turned him to save his life, perhaps without realising who he was until after."

He could see the sense in the lie, it would definitely be kinder on hm than if they knew the truth. "And if the Empire decides to admit the truth?" he wouldn't put it passed the Chancellor.

"It would be our word against theirs and you have paperwork showing you are a citizen of Lucis," the Marshal spoke up. "Regis is right, if the people knew how this truly happened, they wouldn't care that you had no choice. It also means that we can appear to have begun looking at the laws before Noctis was turned."

"What about the search for us?" Ignis asked. "Surely those involved will work out the truth."

"I'll handle that," the King swore, obviously considering things. "Give me two weeks, and then you'll need to be seen from a distance as you leave the tombs near Keycatrich, so word can spread you're on Pilgrimage. In the wilds of Lucis with only two retainers a lot can happen. Just don't get close enough for anyone to realise you have already been turned."

"And I stay totally out of sight," Prompto frowned, he didn't like it, what if someone realised? But it seemed the best option. It would be better if people thought Regis was changing the laws without them impacting Noctis. There were a lot of holes but also a lot of flexibility in such a plan.

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Noctis didn't like having to deceive everyone but he would to keep Prompto safe, to keep people from saying the laws were only changing because of him, even if they were. He knew his Dad had been thinking about such things for a few years now, hopefully some others did too to help with the charade. "So what, do we just wander into a town one day with me as a vampire and let word spread? Do I call you panicking?"

"Perhaps Gladio or I should be seen purchasing 'supplies' and appearing wounded as the only way for Noctis to be near death would be for us to be unable to protect him. Then a few days later a call to the Citadel," Ignis offered, suddenly relaxing after speaking and Noctis knew Prompto had encouraged him to speak up.

Noctis watched as his Dad called a bag from the Armiger and then took it. He opened it and drew out four Crownsguard issue phones, handing them out before sending the curatives within into his Armiger.

"Does Prompto have access?"

"Yeah, I had no trouble adding him," he smiled, and his Dad nodded.

"Good," he stood and pulled Noctis into a hug. "Stay safe and walk tall," he whispered before gently ruffling Noctis' hair one last time, moving on to the others to say goodbye.

Noctis approached Cor who held out his arm and Noctis curled into his Uncle. "Try and keep Dad from doing anything too crazy?"

Cor chuckled. "I'll try. Stay safe."

Noctis watched them leave, Prompto going with them to ensure they made it back to the main road safely.

"Are you alright Noct?" Ignis asked, moving closer and he nodded.

"Yeah…I am."

TBC…

Short, but it felt a good spot to stop. I finished the trials of Gilgamesh, I was expecting, something more? I don't know.