Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 14

"Iggy!" Noctis reached out to him and Ignis sat down, gently pulling the shorter male into his arms where Noctis cuddled in happily.

Several of the locals had peered in at them over the last few days, word of Noct's childlike innocence spreading through the settlement, shocking them all. Noct had to be kept distracted from them when they did appear because the strangers scared him.

Noct nuzzled his throat, lapping at the skin and Iggy let his head fall back, feeling sharp fangs sink into his skin, the pull of Noctis sucking his blood. He petted black hair as Noctis fed from him, the pain dulled but not gone like normal since they never knew when someone would knock and no one could know they were bonded to Master.

It would be good when Master could end the blocks on Noct's mind fully and he was back with them. They could leave this place then, continue to search out the Tombs, until the King recalled them to the city.

Ignis gently pressed on Noct's jaw and he whined but began lapping the wound to seal it, he was a little light headed but nothing dangerous. Noct just settled in and fell asleep in his lap so he relaxed and closed his eyes to doze.

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Prompto grinned, clapping, as Gladio won another match. He'd caught him watching the others train and had asked if training was something he had enjoyed. When he'd said yes, Prompto had told him he was allowed to work with the locals. They weren't professional hunters but they took care of the local hunts to keep the professionals away as much as possible. Gladio was definitely the most skilled fighter of anyone there.

They all needed to keep their skills sharp since they didn't plan to remain in the town. By the time they left the people would know of him, of Noctis being a vampire, and things would be a lot more dangerous for them.

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Antony watched as Prompto gently coaxed Noct out of the house to where a solid chair had been placed by Gladio earlier. The elder vampire then sat, pulling the younger down into his lap where the Prince burrowed in against him, trembling obvious even from where Antony was standing. Prompto gently rubbed his back, speaking softly to him. It took some time but eventually Noct was watching the people go about their lives, blue eyes wide as he took everything in, one hand buried in Prompto's shirt, his Sire holding his other hand.

For such a young vampire it was amazing progress, he shouldn't be able to handle it for months yet.

"He's breaking every accepted milestone," Corrin murmured as he joined him.

"You're positive Prompto isn't forcing this?"

"Positive," the vampire answered. "I think the Retainers are right, something about him being Royal is speeding his recovery. Though the way Prompto treats him may be helping. Those with understanding, kind Sire's do tend to 'grow up' quicker."

"Even with a turning as traumatic as his?" Antony asked, he had heard that could slow the young vampires acclimation and recovery of self.

Corrin shrugged. "We may never know."

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Ignis stared at his phone, the call was necessary. He had sent the photo of Noct and Gladio the week before, but he had to speak with the King. If the King was keeping to his normal schedule than the call would occur during a meeting, ensuring others would hear. Prompto sat beside him, their fingers tangled together, out of sight of any possible surveillance.

He almost shivered in pleasure at the feeling of Prompto gently soothing him within his very mind. It had been over a week since his Master had fed from him or touched him and his body craved those sensations.

He picked up the phone and tapped the screen, making the call.

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Regis looked at his phone as it rang, seeing everyone freeze. There had been no word since Ignis had sent the photo and everyone was waiting. He looked around at them and then put it on speaker. "Ignis?"

"Your Majesty," the familiar voice answered. "I apologise for the silence but repairing our phones has been difficult."

"Of course," he took a deep breath. "My son?" he heard the almost silent steps of Cor stepping closer, staring down those in the room, keeping them silent.

"Recovering. He has begun to speak, although it is limited and rather childlike. He has begun showing some awareness of the world as well. He is completely non-violent which has stunned everyone. All he wants is affection and attention," Ignis explained quickly.

"A non-violent vampire? Impossible."

Cor wasn't the only one glaring now and the intelligence officer quailed under their combined glares.

"Noctis has not attempted to harm anyone. If scared, yes, he will hiss and snarl, but he has not seriously attempted to attack anyone."

"And how are you keeping i…him fed?"

Regis' hands balled into fists out of sight under the table at even the hint that his son was now an 'it'. "Have a care how you address the Crown Prince," he warned, settling his folded hands on the top of the table, knowing flames were flickering over his fingers.

"A combination of bagged blood as well as I and Gladio donate. He has never harmed us, even the first time he was allowed to bite. He was a little…sloppy I suppose you could call it, and yes there was some bruising from him sucking too hard, but no actual damage. He is quite content to spend the day tossing a balled up piece of paper back and forth with one of us." Ignis' explanation was a bit frosty but he had always been very protective of Noctis. It was strange, listening to him sounding as he used to, knowing that Prompto had to be gently pushing him into sounding so confident and assertive.

"And his…Sire?" one of his older officers asked, ah Atticus. If anyone would be wary of a vampire it would be a man who had spent much of his early career undercover within the Empire.

"Prompto has been very good with him. He is gentle in how he treats him but firm when needed. He has never raised a hand to him or even his voice. He nearly died defending Noctis before he ever knew who he was."

"That you know of Scientia," Atticus spoke up again. "How do we know it is really you speaking? If the four of you have been together this whole time it is highly unlikely you have never even accidentally made eye contact. You could be nothing more than a puppet without even knowing it."

Regis kept his face still, not flinching, despite Atticus being correct. Ignis was blood bonded to Prompto, unable to disobey him, just like Gladio was. Once they returned to the city, there would be no way to hide that forever.

"We have been under observation since we arrived here, by humans, werewolves and older vampires. They would know if that were the case."

And he didn't know how they hadn't picked up on it when Ulric had been so certain he would be able to smell such things in Cor's scent. "Enough," Regis cut them both off. "Is Noctis there?"

"In the next room, shall I take the phone through? I do not know if he will recognise your voice yet," Ignis cautioned.

"I understand."

They heard movement and then Ignis' voice, though a bit further away. "Noct? Can you say hello?"

"Iggy!" there was silence as they all heard Noctis' voice, very few having ever heard such happiness from him.

"Come here Noct," Ignis murmured and there was rustling. "It's a phone Noct, your Father is on the other end."

Regis took a deep breath. "Noct?" he called gently. "Do you know me?"

"Careful Noct," Ignis murmured. "Gentle, it's breakable."

"Da…?" it was hesitant, unsure but Regis smiled.

"Noctis," he whispered. It was a shock to hear his son sound so young, Noctis had been past this stage before they had contacted him.

"Daddy!" Noctis called excitedly. "Daddy where?"

He glanced up, seeing the uncomfortable looks on their faces, sympathy on others. "I'm here Noctis. It's alright son. I love you."

"Daddy love."

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Prompto slipped inside, just because he could withstand the sun didn't mean he liked it. the low lights in the house were perfect for sensitive eyes. They were all on edge, knowing the King would be announcing Noct's condition any day. But he finally had confirmation, there was no surveillance within the house. He grinned when he spotted Iggy and Gladio on the floor with Noct who immediately looked up and smiled at him, scrambling to his feet and then into Prompto's arms. "Having fun playing?" he asked and Noctis nodded.

He licked his lips, concentrating. "Go home to Dad soon?" he asked and then grinned proudly. He was almost there, Prompto could almost fully let of his mind. Another day or two and Noctis would 'wake up'.

"Hopefully," he answered him, he ran his fingers through fine black hair and Noctis leant into him, utterly relaxed, pressing into the petting. He kissed his forehead and then nudged him back over to Gladio. "Have fun." Noctis pouted but then flopped against Gladio who pulled out a book to read with him, helping him remember how.

Prompto held his hand out to Ignis who rose and walked over to him, taking his hand. He smiled as Iggy suddenly relaxed, blinking almost dazedly as the forced formal behaviour vanished. "Master?"

Prompto pulled him closer, kissing him gently. "It's okay, there's no surveillance," he said loud enough for Gladio to hear as well even as he released the rigid control over him as well. He led Iggy from the room to the bedroom he shared with Noct. "Been too long," he whispered, nuzzling Iggy's throat and he sighed in pleasure, head tipping to the side, hands clutching Prompto's shoulders for balance.

Prompto slipped his hands under Iggy's shirt, pushing it up and Iggy quickly stripped it off and then the rest of his clothing at Prompto's urging, laying down on the bed to watch as Prompto stripped as well. He lay down on the bed beside Iggy, reaching out to caress warm skin. He smiled as green eyes fell half shut even as he whimpered.

"I'm sorry Iggy, I know this has been so hard on you," he murmured, kissing his throat and then down his body. "I'm so proud of you, Noct will be too. You've done so well," he praised between kisses. By the time he sank his fangs into his throat, Iggy was a writhing, incoherent mess.

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Regis stepped up to the microphone, looking out over the crowds. The Crownsguard and Glaive were out in force, although most could not see the Glaive as they were posted on rooftops and ledges, ready to warp into the crowd if needed. The people were nervous and he understood that, things were changing after centuries and it would take time for them to accept those changes, to see that they could be for the good of the entire country.

Cor and Clarus flanked him, neither liking that he was so exposed but he had to be the one to do this. The photo Ignis had sent was ready to be projected for the people to see. There was nothing in the image that could be used to work out where they were and it was a clear message that Noctis had not become a monster with his turning.

At a nod from Cor who subtly tapped his ear piece, Regis began to speak.

"Good morning," he greeted the crowd and those watching or listening. "As you all know Prince Noctis has left the city for the traditional pilgrimage to gain the power of the Lucii. He has successfully claimed the first two Royal Arms," that brought some cheers but not a lot, likely due to his own serious expression.

"Following tradition, the Prince and his Retainers have been working as hunters to earn funds while travelling. Almost two weeks ago they took on a behemoth hunt, a creature well within their abilities to handle." There was dead silence now, people shifting nervously, sensing the sombre mood. "While fighting, a pack of Coeurl attacked them."

Horrified gasps could be heard even from where he stood, good so far. "All of this information was given to us first by a hunter, and then later confirmed by Ignis Scientia." The dropping of his name caused some relief and hope, Ignis had been at Noctis' side since they were children. "Fighting against the pack as well, they became somewhat separated. One of the pack got through Noctis' guard and began…" he took a deep breath, it was strange, he knew this hadn't happened and yet it so easily could have happened this way. For all their training, they were just boys. "It ripped into his body even as his screams alerted his Retainers. However, they were unable to reach him, wounded themselves and still fighting. Gladio Amicitia, was only semi-conscious by this point, although still fighting."

Regis paused again, giving the people time to react and accept what he had said so far. Even at a distance he saw a few people move to the side, to alleys, occasionally a Guard following, reappearing supporting them, especially women and the elderly. He had no doubt that some at least were being sick. Despite how cold and calculating they could all appear, some of those in the Advisory Council had also had to be excused when the story had been related to them.

"Before it could finish the job, it was killed. A young man had heard the fight and rushed to help. He stood over Noctis, defending him at great risk to his own life, becoming badly injured in the process. As soon as the threat was ended he began attempting to help Noctis but the damage and blood loss was too severe and he began…" they did not need to know the grizzly details that had been supplied. "So this young man, not realising who Noctis was, did the only thing he could to give him a chance." There was dead silence as Regis stared out at the crowd, knowing his next words could cause a riot, seeing the Guard and Glaive prepare to move. "He bit him, draining him, before giving his own blood in return. My son was turned into a vampire almost three weeks ago," as he spoke the words, the picture of an obviously vampiric Noctis flashed up on screens, blue eyes wide as he laughed, Gladio smiling gently as he tickled him.

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"Ignis?" Noctis' groggy question caught everyone's attention, even as the young vampire blinked dazedly at his Adviser.

"Noctis?" Ignis asked gently.

"What's…I…." he grimaced, rubbing at his head even as he pushed himself up, looking around in confusion. Then blue eyes went wide in shock, his breathing accelerating even as shaking hands went to his shirt, looking for wounds.

"Easy Noct, breath with me," Ignis coached, not making eye contact. Noctis followed him, used to it from pre-speech jitters. "You're alright, we're safe."

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Corrin watched in shock, was it possible the Prince's memory had fully returned already? Obviously, this was not the first time Ignis had helped him with his breathing which made sense, even if they only ever had the audio, they had heard the handful of public addresses the Prince had given over the years and his nervousness had been obvious to anyone with good enough hearing.

"That's it," Ignis soothed him easily.

Noctis then looked around, seeing him, and his confusion was obvious. Then his eyes locked onto Prompto, widening as he stared at his Sire, even if he didn't consciously realise it yet. The Prince shakily got to his feet, walking towards the older vampire, even as his gaze dropped, unable to hold it any longer. Corrin was impressed that Prompto had been able to allow him to hold his gaze without the slightest hiss, he knew of older vampires who would have reacted, even to one they had turned.

"I…I know you," Noctis whispered. "What did you…I…"

Prompto slowly lifted his arm, cupping Noctis' cheek in his hand and they all saw the Prince press into his touch. "It's okay, I won't hurt you, I could never hurt you," he swore and then Noctis was pressed against him, clinging, and Prompto held him.

"Sire," the Prince whispered in shock and awe.

Prompto smiled at him. "Prompto or Prom, I know you're confused but it'll be okay. I'll help you adjust. And you've got Ignis and Gladio to help too."

That drew his attention to them and he looked then over, frowning slightly. "You're….not hurt? But we were…" he shivered, pressing back against Prompto again, eyes wide and Corrin nearly winced as he realised the poor boy was beginning to really remember his last minutes as a human. "Hunting a behemoth but….Coeurl?"

"Don't push yourself Noctis, the memories will come with time," Prompto ran his hands up and down his arms, working to sooth him.

"Vampire…I'm a vampire?" Noctis asked and then he saw Corrin again. "You are too? Who are you?"

"Corrin Morse, your Highness. You have a lot to discuss, I'll see to getting you more supplies," he nodded and then left. There were likely things that needed to be said that were classified, whether or not the Prince was able to focus enough yet. He really was an amazing young vampire.

TBC…