Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 15

Noctis lay curled up in Prompto's arms, he remembered everything now and it was a little weird, remembering two different turnings, he definitely preferred the real one to the fake one. What he had seen of the community was incredible and gave him a lot of hope for how things could be back home one day. It was also good to know there was no surveillance within the house they had been given use of. He pressed closer to Prompto who tightened his hold, kissing the back of his neck, a hand gently stroking his arm, soothing him.

"It's okay, we're alright," Prompto murmured and Noctis rolled over to hug him back.

"They kept coming and watching me," he pressed his face against Prompto's chest, feeling his hand moved to run through his hair. It felt so good to be himself again, to be back with them.

"You are unique Noct," Prom answered gently. "They've never seen a baby vampire like you so yes, they're curious. Now that you remember, they'll likely want to talk to you, ask questions. If it's too much it's okay. You may be a few months older than they think you are, but you're still very young, and easily overwhelmed."

Noctis lifted his head and nodded, looking up at his Sire. He lifted up and pressed a chaste kiss to his lips before cuddling back in.

"Noct?"

"Thank you," he whispered, finding he was purring softly again and soon, he heard the same noise coming from Prompto, feeling himself relax totally at the sound, sleep pulling at him.

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"Your Highness," Corrin greeted the young vampire who blinked but shook his head.

"Please don't, I'm just Noct here, it's safer," he answered, sitting down in the shade, looking out at their town.

"How are you feeling?"

"Confused…it's hard to concentrate, I keep…" he shook his head and Corrin nodded.

"That is normal, it should improve over the next week or two until you've adjusted."

"Prom said that too before, I think. That's Ravatogh…no wonder it's so hot."

Corrin chuckled. "It may be hot and rather inhospitable but that very fact helps keep us safe, not many people come here."

The Prince looked at him and he bit back the instinctive reaction to such a young vampire meeting his eyes, seeing the boys confusion as he dropped his gaze.

"Meeting the gaze of another vampire can be taken as a challenge, it's instinct to avoid that, especially with someone older than you," he offered quietly.

"Oh," he whispered. "Sorry."

"It's alright, I assume you were taught to make eye contact, to never look down because of who you are." His assumption got a nod.

"Why…why did you let us stay? It's dangerous to this place, isn't it?"

"There is some danger yes, if the Empire learnt of your presence they would likely come in force. But no one here has any love for them. The fact that your Father has begun changing the laws has a lot of people thinking."

"Iggy said he called Dad, that he knows, that he talked to me but I…"

"It's normal Noct. He gave a speech, did you know?"

The Prince nodded, "Gladio showed me the paper. He…he told everyone what happened," Noct looked down at the ground.

"I've been listening to the radio, it's the most talked about news throughout the kingdom."

"Oh," he winced, seeming to fold in on himself.

Very carefully, Corrin placed a hand on his shoulder, Noct looking up, eyes wide but he didn't pull away or hiss. "The reports have been sympathetic Noct. A photo was shown in the press conference of you and Gladio, here. There has been a lot of talk about it."

"A photo?"

Corrin pulled out the latest paper which had published the photo, unlike the first one that just had the speech. He watched as blue eyes went wide as he saw it and then the article attached, of how Ignis had spoken with his Dad, that he was non-violent. The comments were a mix of sympathy, horror but with only a few calling for Noct to be destroyed, along with his Sire. He handed it back, wincing as his hand moved through a sudden beam of sunlight.

"Alright?" he asked and Noct nodded, rubbing the skin. "With how unbothered Prompto is by the sun, you'll likely build more tolerance," he assured him.

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"Gladio," Noctis nuzzled at his throat and Gladio tipped his head to the side to give him better access, his hands on Noct's bare hips.

Gladio groaned as sharp fangs sunk into the vein, clutching tighter to him, as Noctis began to drink. It felt so much better than the last time when Noctis had bitten and sucked too hard. The groan turned to a moan as Noct moved against him.

Noctis licked the wound closed and then kissed him, Gladio responded eagerly, not bothered at all by the taste of his own blood in Noctis' mouth.

He'd missed this so much, being so close to Noct and Master. Now they knew they weren't being watched, that Noct was back to himself, the feedings had gone back to normal. He moved with Noct, pleasure building, Noct nuzzling and licking his throat, biting lightly, not hard enough to draw blood and Gladio gasped, Noct's hand touching him enough to have him crying out in pleasure.

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Regis' phone rang and the room went silent, all waiting to see who was calling. The relief on Regis' face was obvious to everyone as he looked at the screen before answer. "Noctis?" he asked and everyone practically held their breath. Could it really be the Prince calling so soon? Most of them had been there for Ignis' call, had heard the very childish speech, knew that it should take months if not a year for him to recover himself.

"Dad," Noctis answered. "Dad I…I'm so sorry, I messed up."

"No Noct, Ignis explained what happened. You didn't mess up, no one could have predicted your hunt being interrupted," Regis assured him gently. "How are you?"

"Okay I guess. It's…there's so much to get used to. Everyone here is nice and really helpful. Ignis had to give up the hair gel, the smell… never knew it even had a scent. Sorry…I…they said it'll take a bit longer for me to focus on things better."

"But you're alright?" Regis asked again.

"I'm okay Dad," Noctis' voice was soft, almost shy. "Dad, I…do you…" his breathing hitched slightly and Regis took it off speaker, putting the phone to his ear.

"Shh, Noctis, I'm here son," he murmured and some of those in the room shifted uncomfortably at hearing even one side of what should be a private conversation. "No Noctis, never. You are my son, no matter what, and I love you." He fell silent listening. "I know, I can feel the Crystal's link to you too," he assured him. "You want….alright." He put the phone back down and back onto speaker.

"Uncle Clarus?"

"I'm here Noctis," he confirmed. "Are you sure you're alright?"

That got a small laugh. "As fine as I can be considering," he admitted. "Gladio's out having fun beating some of the locals at sparing. Should I tell him to call you? He's been so busy keeping me occupied, Ignis too."

"Occupied?"

"I…uh…apparently I've been basically a little kid? I don't remember a lot of it. I kind of remember playing ball…Ignis telling stories…and um…"

"Noctis?" Regis asked as he trailed off.

"Iggy letting…letting me bite him," he admitted softly. "Most of the time it's bagged but…everyone insisted I need to know how to without hurting someone and Ignis insisted it be him, with Sire and Gladio standing by in case I couldn't stop. I did though, I did stop when Ignis told me to. He just pressed on my jaw and I stopped."

"Hush Noctis, calm down," Regis soothed, a glare ensuring everyone else kept their thoughts to themselves. "I'm not upset, it is best that you know how to…drink without hurting someone. Of course Ignis would volunteer and I am proud you were able to do so without harming him. I doubt many new vampires could do as well," he praised.

"Really?" Noctis' question was barely audible.

"Really," he promised.

"I…I saw an article, everyone knows? Are you okay?"

"There have been no attempts at violence, I promise. I believe the people are still in shock over what has happened to react very much to your change. As much I want you home right now,"

"It's not safe," Noctis finished for him. "I know. But…I can come home, one day?" They could all hear the fear and hope in his voice and even the most ardent vampire haters in the room, couldn't help feeling sad.

"Yes, as soon as possible. I will need to get the law for vampires re-written before then to make everything legal and above board. You are my son Noctis, heir to the Throne by the Crystal's choice or else it would have abandoned you. For now, you take your time adjusting. If everything isn't ready by the time you feel up to leaving wherever you are, then you should continue collecting the Royal Arms, the more proof the people can have that the Astrals and Lucii are with you, the better. And I expect regular calls," Regis told him firmly.

"Okay, we'll work something out. I can use a blanket in the backseat or something till I get more sun resistant. Sire can be out and they think that means I'll be okay with time too. He can even take midday sun as long as he covers up."

"Just be safe. I love you Noct."

"I love you too Dad. I'll tell Gladio to call his Dad…bye." With that the call ended and Regis slumped back in his chair, Cor gently gripping his shoulder.

"If you have any comments then say them now or else remain silent forever," he warned, looking up, and they could all see the redness of supressed tears in his eyes.

"Your Majesty…this could all be an elaborate ruse. I do not doubt that was the Prince on the phone, but we are all aware of how much control his Sire will have over him," it was Atticus who once again spoke up. "This could be an attempt on your life. If his Sire commands, the Prince would attack you to kill you, he would be unable to disobey. He could be told you are the enemy and he would believe it, no matter how much he has always loved you." No one doubted the young Prince loved his father…or had when human.

"Are you suggesting that Noctis could overpower the King?"

"Normally? No. And normally one vampire, even two if his Sire was with him, would be no threat," Titus spoke up. "But the Prince…pardon me Sire, but you are emotionally compromised when it comes to him. All it would take would be a second of lowering your guard."

"What if we killed his Sire, that would free the Prince, would it not?"

"Not without causing possibly fatal damage to Noctis," Cor spoke up. "He's too young, it takes decades before a vampire can survive the breaking of the bond without injury. We have an alliance with the Wolves of Galahd now and they are immune to vampire powers, we could see if King Nyx would be willing to assign some of his people to protect the King and watch the Prince and his Sire until we are sure," he suggested. That caused some expected bristling but it was a good suggestion.

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"Well, isn't that interesting," Ardyn smirked as he read the article. He hadn't had much faith in the plan form the start and then the failed MT's Sire's blood had been destroyed in the lab accident and well… he had assumed, as had the others, that the young vampire was either dead or badly mentally compromised. The Prince's Sire was unnamed but what were the odds? No, it smelt of a coverup to him.

The unit must have gotten to the Prince, turned him, before the bond broke. Then what had happened, had he been caught and kept alive for the Prince's sake? Had he escaped the city with his prize and his Retainers? The picture was a surprise, how heavily was the unit…ah, Prompto, that was the name they had given it, having to control the Prince for him to be like a child as his Shield tickled him of all things.

Did Regis really think anyone would accept the boy as King? No one would stand for a King not backed by the Ring and Crystal and that would have ended the instant his heart fell forever still. The question was, what to do with the information?

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"Are you sure you should leave so soon?" Antony asked as they packed up the car.

"We need to get back to Noctis' pilgrimage, we shall have to move slower and more cautiously now and so it will take longer."

"Well, if you need a place to stay, you will be welcome here. You won't tell…"

"We won't tell anyone you're here, you have my word," Noctis told him firmly, head up, looking every inch the Prince he was.

"Thank you."

"I hope one day you won't need to hide this place," Noctis told him, offering his hand and Antony surprised him by kissing the back, bowing.

"Your Highness," he farewelled formally before leaving them to it.

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That was a shock but….well it was nice to know some people supported him as Heir. He found himself looking towards the volcano again.

"Noct?" Prompto called, wrapping an arm around his waist and he leant into him.

"I…I don't know, I think, there's something up there, on the volcano."

"A Tomb?" he asked almost silently and Noctis shrugged slightly.

"Maybe."

"Might as well check it out while we're here then, if you want?" Prompto was quick to ask for his okay and he nodded.

It made sense, he glanced over at Ignis and Gladio as they packed up the supplies they'd been given. "Will we be okay up there?"

"Just don't try swimming in lava," Prompto offered and he snickered.

"Don't plan to," he glanced at the humans again. "We'd be quicker alone, wouldn't we?"

"We would, we can climb the sheerer sides, stay off the few paths, I've listened to the 'hunter's here, there's a Haven near the top. So someone's been up there in the past."

"They won't like that," Noct sighed but then nodded, it was safer for everyone.

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Iggy watched Master and Noct vanish into the rocks, one of the local were's leading them to a good spot to begin the ascent from, well out of sight of anyone else on the road or at the human outpost. He knew he would have fought tooth and nail against them going alone before and he wanted to be with them, but he also knew they were right, they could move faster without them. He felt Gladio's hand rest on his shoulder and leant into the grounding touch. He didn't understand how he could be so calm about being left behind, why being bonded had affected them both differently.

"They'll be fine," Gladio offered and he nodded absently.

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Noctis scrambled up another rock, leaping higher than he could have before without warping, landing in a crouch, grinning. He hadn't really had the chance to try out all the new abilities he had as a vampire since they had trained in a cave. It felt…exhilarating, freeing to just let his body act and react. He could see handholds in the rocks he never would have been able to before, knew just how far he could push himself without risking a fall, and none of it hurt! He had lived with some form of pain ever since he was eight but now it was all gone.

They looked down and stared in awe at the massive bird below…and the nest it guarded. "A Zu," he breathed in wonder. "Never thought I'd actually see one."

"Yeah, let's not disturb it," Prompto whispered back and he nodded. "Hey, look there!" he pointed and Noctis looked over, seeing what his Sire had, a narrow path on the outer edge. They scrambled down and then across until they reached it, following it higher until they reached a familiar set of doors. "So which of your ancestors was nutty enough to want to be buried on an active volcano?"

"Let's find out," he put the key in the lock, opening the doors and they slipped into the somehow cool interior. He stared at the sarcophagus and the weapon on it. "The Mace of the Fierce," he murmured, holding his hand over it, accepting the weapon as it joined the first two. "Tonitrus Lucis Caelum, reigned about a thousand years ago. Known as utterly fierce in battle but a loving king off the battlefield," he explained.

"Sounds like an interesting guy," Prompto smiled.

"Yeah, let's get out of here. I don't like this heat," he admitted and Prompto took his hand, the two running down the almost vertical slope of the volcano.

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They made camp well off the road where no one would come across them, surrounded on three sides by rock. They got the camp set up and everyone fed before crawling into the tent together, sharing sleeping bags for comfort after being split up in different bedrooms, even if they had begun switching around once sure there was no surveillance. Noctis curled around Iggy while Gladio swamped Prompto's slighter form.

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Regis tiredly rubbed his eyes; he would need glasses soon the way things were going. "Well?"

Cor put his copy down and then Clarus finished and did the same. "I don't see any big loopholes to be used by anyone," Cor shrugged slightly.

"It looks pretty straightforward. Vampires are allowed so long as they follow the laws of the city. If they feed from a human they must be willing, without vampiric coercion. No turning or bonding anyone unwilling. If needed a trustworthy wolf will be called in to help determine the truth or…you're willing to be called on for judgement?" Clarus looked at Regis.

"As King I am immune to vampire powers," if only Noctis had been that thoroughly protected… "I will use magic and sit in judgement if necessary, it is only fair."

"Well then, it looks good to me," Clarus admitted and Regis signed it for sending off for the professional lawyers to look over as well. Once they sent it back with suggested rewording and revisions, Regis would write and sign the final version, putting it into law.

Prompto would be safe from the law, even if it ever came out that Noctis was turned in the city, it was before the law came into effect. As people believed Noctis was turned outside of the city, the law did not matter.

TBC…