A/B/O Promptis Ball/Teach me to dance

[starless_sky]

The newspapers and the internet alike were abuzz with the news about the red carpet gala happening at the the Citadel. It was some charity ball but the tabloids and entertainment news didn't waste a chance to gush about the celebrities who were already confirmed to be attending. The dignitaries, the CEO's, the movie stars, singers, the socialites... and of course the royal family. It was so rare that Prince Noctis showed his face at such events it was an event in and of itself to see him shined up like a new crown and MAN was he a HUNK now. Right ladies? What is he going to wear? YSL? Burberry? Take a look at this edition of Elle~

That garbage was why Noct ignored the news. He stayed offline, didn't have a twitter account, didn't post photos of himself ever. He was comfortable that way. It was just him and Prompto and he needed little else. Things were great at home. They had school and all but they worked on their studies... on Ignis' orders. And they had each other. Noctis couldn't put to words how nice it was to have someone to look forward to seeing, someone to come home to. He had his best friend and his lover all in one and he never knew how lonely he'd been until he wasn't alone anymore. He had Prompto. Not just for sex but to curl up with and to talk to and to laugh with. He was his person. 

His father was well aware of the changes in him and Noctis hadn't made it a secret that he'd taken a mate. Regis wasn't exactly thrilled with his son's choices in bonding so young wihout consulting anyone but he did not say much on the matter. It was done, unable to be undone now. And Regis did not dislike Prompto, quite the opposite. But he wished... he wished for a lot of things. That they had been older, that it had been under less dire circumstances, that they'd talked about it beforehand... but he couldn't regret the marriage. He could not, as a father, regret anything that made his son so happy. 

It was Regis' idea that they hold the charity ball and that Noctis should attend. With Prompto. Officially. It was a positive way to bring Prompto out to the public, it would be a lovely way to take control of the PR moment and stage it in a nice light... and also not allow the reporters to eat Prompto alive. It was a perfect opportunity. Noctis couldn't deny it, but that required getting Prompto Ball-Ready which.... was why he was sitting flipping through music and wondering how he could teach his mate to dance. He didn't know how to dance, he just did it on command, he didn't think about it. How could he explain it? 

He'd tried to get Ignis to teach Prompto only to be shot down. 'He is your mate, you will be the one leading him, he needs to learn how to read you, Noct, not any lead but you.' 

And so here he was trying to figure out how to start this at home. Just them with some music. He had pushed the couch to the windows, the dining table too. The floor was wide open and before he saw Prompto, Noctis just wanted to get the steps in his head. He started a waltz and began stepping across the floor, arms out for an invisible partner. Expertly he danced alone but he was trying to mind his own movements and try to find words to explain them to his mate.

Comments

[hajimetejanai]

Noctis did make a lot of very valid points. And as much as he wanted to argue that Noct might get sick too, he just didn't have much fight left in him to do so. He'd probably do the exact same thing for Noct, if the roles were reversed, though with a bit more dragging and less actual carrying.

"If you're sure..." he conceded, swallowing another small sip before setting his drink aside to let what he'd had settle.

Noct came to the same conclusion he did, at least, about them eating mostly the same stuff. And there was no way Noct's breakfast made him sick! It was well-made and the eggs had been light and fluffy with plenty of cheese and-

The memory of food turned his stomach and he gave an involuntary jerk toward the toilet bowl, head down as the bile began to rise in his throat. He managed to swallow it back, though the way his stomach did flip flops as he held it down made him wonder if it was better to just let everything out.

"I- um- I don't think so... they were fine- I mean- good, I just-" he shook his head softly, waiting for the nausea to pass and giving Noct an out to grab a bowl.

He didn't want to think about pregnancy either. He had a lot of really complicated feelings on the matter. He definitely wanted to have kids someday, but... now? No way, he couldn't be pregnant.

Prompto took the bowl when Noct returned, and held the towel loosely around him, nodding that he was ready. Laying down in their bed sounded good, warm, at least, and Noct would be closeby. The worst part of being sick was always the being alone part. Feeling miserable and having no one around? He hated it.

[starless_sky]

If he got sick then he got sick, he wasn't about to abandon his mate here in the bathroom. What kind of asshole would do that? And Prompto dragging Noctis would probably be really hilarious.

"I'm totally sure." he smiled. But then Prompto was puking again. He sighed softly. "Just let it out, no sense holding it in. You can eat more when you get better." but there was no sense in discussing it. He headed to get a bowl and set a few more sodas in the fridge so they could be cool when Prompto needed them. Maybe he'd order in for some soup, what places could he think of that just served broth... well the curry place maybe...

If Prompto was pregnant he wondered if he'd be craving strange things. Maybe he'd be sent out at strange hours to go get curry or some bizarre combination of things. He smiled faintly before he knew he was doing it. He shook his head. Away with those thoughts, he had to just be here for Prompto now. Just handle what was at hand.

Prompto was ready and he gently lifted him up, towel and all. Off they went to the bedroom. He laid his mate down, got out some clothes if he wanted them, tucked him in, and set his bowl to the side. He returned to the bathroom and came back with his drinks which also sat on the bedside table. At this point, he pulled on some boxers and an old t-shirt.

He kissed Prompto's head. "Sorry you're sick... I'm here though ok? I'm gonna be right here next to you, tell me if you need anything." and he crawled into bed at Prompto's side. No sense in being apart, the alone-ness... that wasn't Noctis' life when he was sick and he sure as hell wasn't going to let it be Prompto's life with him. He may feel like shit but he wasn't going to be lonely too.

"Try to sleep. I'll be awake if you need me."

[hajimetejanai]

Prompto still felt shaky, but it seemed like he'd got most of the sickness out with that last one, and the nausea had ebbed for the moment. Which was honestly a huge relief, since he had to get from the toilet back to bed. He took a deep breath and clung to Noct as he lifted him, feeling shaky, but a bit better after purging the contents of his stomach.

While he had the energy, he slid into a pair of boxer-briefs and one of his loose-fitting tank tops that Noct had fished out, then lay his dizzy head back against the pillows. The warmth of the blankets helped, but having Noct close by was even better. He turned toward him, tucking himself up close to his mate's chest, head tucked up under his chin, fingers clinging to the fabric of his t-shirt. Normally he might be a little more reserved, but Noct didn't mind being close while he was sick, and all he wanted to do was bury his face in his mate and wait for the illness to go away. Hopefully Noct didn't mind that his fever-heat made him like a mini space-heater, but when the chills hit, it would be nice to have a source of warmth too.

He didn't touch the soda again, hoping his stomach would settle on its own, now that it was well and truly empty. He'd try again after resting, but for now, he'd be happy just to know his stomach wasn't angry at him anymore.

"Thanks Noct."

Prompto fell asleep surprisingly quickly this time. One moment he was blinking sleepy eyes, the next, a couple hours had passed. He relaxed his grip on Noct's shirt, shifting away enough to sit up, using the pillow as a support for his lower-back as he leaned against the head-rest and reached for the soda, taking stock of his body. He still felt achy, the nausea was less potent, which was a relief, though it was kind of hard to tell from hunger pangs, and with his tummy empty, it could be either one really. The dizziness was going to turn into a full-blown headache soon, and he'd like to take medicine for it, but was worried about keeping it all down.

He focused on taking slow sips from the straw, his free hand resting on Noct's head and idly playing with his hair. The sickness honestly reminded him a lot of how he'd felt the first time he'd had to take a morning-after pill. Stomach gross, cramping muscles, headaches and dizziness, though it was to a much lesser extent than this. This was like that stuff on steroids. But it did make it hard to dismiss the connection to his birth control. Was it just something wrong in his medication? Was this a side effect? If so, ugh. But if not, was it just... not working?

His mind was jumping all over with nervous energy. If it wasn't working, did that mean he was pregnant? No, that couldn't be right. He was just a teenager, he didn't know how to be a parent. Sure, the idea had been appealing when he was in the throes of his heat, his body wanted to carry Noct's child, but... realistically? The idea kind of terrified him. Kids with Noct felt like a far-off dream, something they'd do once they were "real" grown ups. Out of school with like, careers and goals and Noct's kingdom to run. Not... not now when he still had finals and reports, and didn't even have a driver's license yet.

Also, what was it gonna do to his body? He already had stretch-marks in places, and while he'd worked for years to minimize them and hide the scars, if he ballooned up, what if Noct didn't like him anymore? What if he couldn't get the weight off again? What if his body just wasn't the same after?

His chest felt tight and he could feel tears threatening. There were good things too, he was sure. So many good things, but everything just felt overwhelming. He needed to know, whatever this was, he had to know. Prompto rubbed the back of his hand over watery eyes and leaned in closer to his mate, brushing his hair back behind an ear and letting his fingers skim Noct's cheek.

"Noct? Hey... um... you awake? I'm just... sorry, I'm just worrying about a buncha stuff and... can I talk to you?"

[starless_sky]

Noct actually preferred that Prompto hold onto him while they slept. Something about the remaining heat in Prompto made him a bit territorial still. He liked the closeness any day but now it just made him happy to have his mate holding onto him for comfort rather than just staying on his side of the bed.

He lay awake for a while thinking about Prompto's illness and what it could mean. It was too soon, far far too soon. He would handle it regardless. They'd do this together, they'd have their baby. Abortion was... well they could do that. It would be Prompto's choice but Noctis wouldn't like it. But could he hold back his distaste for that idea enough to not let his position as Alpha interfere? He didn't want to twist Prompto's arm into this after all. It was just a sign they weren't ready for this yet but here they were.

He was in and out of light sleep, mostly just waiting around for Prompto to need him. He was trying to remain still so Prom could sleep but when he sat up Noctis expected to hear more retching. He got nothing. Then when he thought his mate would lay back down he heard the unexpected. Or was it expected? Was Prompto thinking the same thing he was?

"Yeah, just resting my eyes." he blinked them open and slowly sat up. He looked at Prompto, into his beautiful blue-purple eyes. "You look a bit better." he looked ragged but a bit better than he had in the bathroom. "What's up?"

[hajimetejanai]

Prompto took another sip from the soda, the cool feel of the can feeling nice on his too-hot fevered skin, the bubbles helping, in some small measure, to soothe his upset stomach. Just like being an Omega, there was a lot that Prompto just hadn't considered when it came to pregnancy. He knew what it felt like to be abandoned by parents who didn't want him, only to have foster parents feel the same way. He wouldn't let a kid grow up feeling that way, not ever. In that way, he promised himself, in that way he'd definitely do better than anyone who'd raised him.

But that was all... if any of this was really even... more than just an upset stomach. Right? There was no use getting so riled up if it was just a flu bug. He could put all those worries on simmer in the back of his mind til they knew for sure.

"Do I?" Prompto fidgeted, feeling like a hot mess. He felt pretty exhausted, he knew his hair was a mess, though at least the bobby pins had kept the puke out of it, and while he hadn't been crying just yet, he was sure his eyes were watery and maybe even a little red-rimmed. If he'd looked worse before, ugh, he must have been a disaster.

"Thanks, uh..." he started, eyes focused down on the cup in his hands. These heavy sorta conversations were always hard and it felt like they'd had to have a lot of them lately. He hadn't even rehearsed this one, or thought out what to say. He just... didn't want to worry alone. Was that selfish?

"I dunno, I guess I'm just worried. I... I don't get sick very much, not like this," he started slow, but the words just kept coming faster and faster, "And... I mean, I know I've been taking the suppressants and the birth control and stuff the way I'm supposed to, but this heat was really weird and- and I shouldn't even be having one and it was fun- I mean like... really fun, but what if it's something serious? And there's like, there's so much that could go wrong, they tell you all these side effects, but I mean- what else could I have done? Maybe it works better on Lucians, maybe something's wrong with me or- I dunno, I just- then with the sickness I started to think maybe like... I mean, I heard a lot of Omega get sick for a while right after they get- it's a sign that they might be... um..."

Pregnant.

He couldn't even get the word out, it was like opening a flood gate of possibility that he wasn't sure he was ready for, and he finally let his gaze flick from his white-knuckled hold on the soda cup toward Noctis, trying to gauge his reaction. Would he be upset? Noct would take more heat for something like this than he would, and Noct's reputation was about a million times more important than his. What if they had to be separated? What if he wasn't allowed to see Noct because it might cause a scandal? So many maybes, the low simmer of worry was quickly becoming a dangerous rolling boil.

[starless_sky]

Noct hadn't thought long and hard about what sort of father he wanted to be. He liked his own father he just wanted to see more of him. Maybe that's what he could do differently. Just be there more. He hated how lonely he felt in his own family, granted that was made worse by the fact his mother died. Their kid would at least have Prompto... but then again would it be too hard to be a decent father when he was King? Maybe best not to think about that...

"You look like you feel better is all." he wasn't aware Prompto was taking it as a statement against his looks. It wasn't meant that way, he just was trying to make him feel better actually... maybe that was a bad way to do it.

But Prompto seemed so pitiful. It was hard to tell at this angle with the dim lighting but was he crying? Had he been tearing up? Was he just sick? It sounded like the former when he spoke. He sounded anxious and on the verge of tears. Noctis sat closer to him while he worked out what they were both thinking. So they were of the same mind on this one. He had thought about it. If they were pregnant, they'd had to have conceived about a month ago, right? But they'd been having irresponsible unprotected sex since before then so he couldn't say anything about it. It was certainly possible even if they had taken every precaution.

"You've got more on your mind... come on, talk to me." he put an arm around Prompto. "I'll go get tests tomorrow, you can take them here and that'll ease your mind." because in his mind they were all going to be negative. Surely.

"There's more behind that iron grip now... what's eating you?" he wouldn't be upset, he is the one who made this mess really. It's his fault, he will take responsibility. If he has to hide it until it's too late then he will do that. He won't let Prompto be taken away.

[hajimetejanai]

Sure, Prompto had day-dreamed about their future. If he'd be a good dad, what their kids might look like, what he wanted to do with his life. He loved photography, but it was hard to make a living. If he wasn't potential-future-royalty, he probably would have tried for the Kingsglaive, just to be close to Noct and give him excuses to see his friend. He could take his photography anywhere really, and wanted to, there was so much to see in Eos and if his lens could capture even a fraction of it, he'd be happy. And the thought that it might someday capture their family? As they grew through the years, all the smiles and selfies and dumb things they'd get up to? That sounded pretty damn awesome.

But they hadn't really talked about it. Maybe there were rules, maybe Noct only wanted one, maybe he wanted half a dozen, maybe he'd be banished for having a bastard child out of wedlock, who knew?

"Y-yeah, I mean. I do, a little. I'm not gonna be wrangling chocobos anytime soon, but I don't feel like I'm about to go running for the bathroom, so I'll take it," he said with a faint laugh.

He took a breath, listening and nodding. Tomorrow? It felt like forever to sit in wait, wondering, but there was no use in pushing the issue. That was the soonest, unless they made a late-night run to the pharmacy and that was exactly the sort of thing that would get them scandalous media attention.

The arm around him helped, and he leaned into it, still focused down at his cup.

"Yeah, I mean... I don't know how you're so calm about this," he swallowed, looking up to search Noct's dark blue eyes for a moment before glancing down again. He didn't seem upset by the possibility, was taking everything so logically.

"We haven't really uh... talked about it, I guess, and it's such a big thing to think about. I don't know if I'm ready and... I don't want things to change. I don't want us to change. But... if if it has to, I just... wanna know we'll face it together, y'know?" he hoped it made sense, that Noct didn't think he was just babbling crazily. The idea of an abortion, that was... complicated. But this was the Prompto that tended to strays on the street, that helped lost animals, he wasn't sure he could go through with it. Even if it meant major changes.

"What, um... What do you want, Noct? Maybe I'm a shitty Omega for not knowing, but... tell me? And... and we can figure stuff out from there?"

[starless_sky]

Unlike Prompto, Noctis never daydreamed about a career. His was already decided. He'd probably be a game developer or better yet a fishermen if not for his station. But alas he knew exactly where he'd be in the future. That delightful mystery wasn't one of his many privileges. The only thing he got to fantasize about was who might be at his side in the future and who might his heir be. He knew Prompto was the one... Now maybe he could imagine the latter.

Maybe Prompto should consider the life expectancy of anyone who tried to separate Noctis from his pregnant mate. Noctis was a peaceful man but a dangerous one when need be.

"Good. I'm glad. Maybe we can go chocobo wrangling when you feel better." he chuckled too. Then he pulled Prompto close. Both arms around him now.

"Being tired helps but we'll be ok." he thought they'd be negative. Not really expecting the impossible to be reality. They'd have to wait to find out since Prompto was right. Midnight CVS runs made for great tabloid journalism.

"Well... It's gonna change. A baby is gonna change us. There's no way around it. But I think we'll stay strong together. I want us to get closer, not father apart." something about nighttime made their bedroom seem so closed in and private. Something made it so Noctis could say anything even things he wouldn't say at daytime.

"My dad couldn't spend a lot of time with me growing up. I want to be different with our kids. Or kid... Either one. I want to be there as much as I can... We're not ready for this but we'll get ready..." he stroked the hair at the nape of Prompto's neck.

"You're a great Omega. Give yourself more credit than that. We never talked about it... But... I mean I want kids eventually. I always pictured us being married first. I don't really care about having a baby out of wedlock, I just know that a lot of people will. Life will be harder for our baby even if we suddenly got married. I want to avoid that but we got ourselves here so we need to deal with it." which brings him to the idea that raising a child isn't the only option.

"This is all you though. It's your body, you're the one doing all the work. It's your decision and I'll support what you want. If you want to... If you're needing to abort... I'm with you. No matter what choice you make." but he looked pained.

[hajimetejanai]

"Hey, I'd settle for just seeing one for real, up close," Prompto smiled a little more honestly at the thought. Seeing them in pictures and movies just wasn't the same. Someday though, for sure, he'd get to see a real one.

"Yeah," his voice was a little more somber at Noct's reply. They'd be okay, yeah. He'd do anything he could to make sure that, at least, never changed. Any thoughts he'd had about kids had always been positive, but he'd also never imagined they'd been teenage parents.

"I want it to make us closer too."

Noct didn't talk much about his own life growing up. Where Prompto probably over-shared. But he found himself relaxing slightly in his mate's arms, glad that some of their thoughts did align and that Noct had thought about it too. He still worried his lip, but he nodded in agreement. Getting ready for a someday, now that, he could get behind, even get excited for.

The rest, though, it's hard. Maybe too hard to think about. He can feel his body stiffen at hearing it, the pain in Noct's voice and his own emotions start to overwhelm him as he shakes his head. That sort of decision, the hardest part is knowing there's a list both good and bad, in favor and opposition. He'd hate to put a child through a difficult life just because they'd been born early, but was early better than not at all? Something in him seemed to rebel at that, he'd been unwanted, had a hard life maybe, but he was still glad he had it. And carrying a child, it was what his body was made for, what his heat-fever mind begged for. Protecting it, real or not, felt almost instinctive.

"I don't know, Noct. I don't... want our baby to be something we deal with, I want us to be happy, I want them to know every day how much we care," he said finally, voice breaking over the last words as tears started to spill over. "I don't know, I don't want to think about it yet... I... can we wait, at least until we know for sure?"

[starless_sky]

"Well maybe your boyfriend can make that happen for you if you ask real nice." he's been wanting to do that for Prompto's birthday. As a surprise. There's one chocobo track in the crown city and it's not huge but Noctis would like to take Prompto there. It was better than asking to leave the city to see the larger ranches. His father would never approve.

He hadn't imagined being teenage parents either but at the same time... They're been rolling the dice. He can already hear Ignis lecturing him about responsibility and choices and all that. It was a possibility.

"I think it will." because truly nothing could separate them in Noct's eyes.

But as he talked he felt Prompto stiffen. He... Was already doing it wasn't he? Moving Prompto in the direction he wanted, steering him toward the choice he wanted. It was not yet real and he wouldn't know how he'd feel until it was. He corks speculate all day and right now an abortion seemed cruel and heartbreaking to him. But it was Prompto's choice. Unless it was wrong to make it all his decision?

He didn't want to kill their baby just because of bad timing. Public opinion be damned. But Prompto's quality of life was different. Maybe it was worth making sure they weren't parents so soon. Maybe it would be up to him to vocalize that choice in a way that Prompto could feel safe making it. Even if it broke his heart, it would be the right thing to do if that's what his mate needed.

"I didn't mean it like that. I just meant that we'll be a team and we'll do what we need to prepare for a baby. I want us to be happy too. I would be happy. Any baby you have I'll be happy." because they'd be theirs. Their little brats with blue-purple eyes, messy dark hair, and freckles. Noctis couldn't help the smile that warmed his face. He hadn't imagined their kids before but he could get into that image.

But... He couldn't deny this was a really bad time for kids. They were still kids themselves practically. He certainly was. He knew if Prompto had a baby that Ignis would step in and cover for whatever skills he lacked. Or maybe they'd get a nanny. Maybe they'd have to move into the citadel... His father would probably insist on it.

He hasn't really thought about how much autonomy they'd lose doing this. But still, if they were already pregnant they had little choice. But Prompto was cracking under the stress of it all.

"It's alright. You don't have to think about it. Whatever happens we have each other. Just try to sleep. I'll go get you some soup in the morning." and a few tests. He's wired enough he fish think he'll sleep tonight.

In fact as soon as Prompto is asleep and dawn comes Noctis will slip out of the bed and go to get some breakfast and the pregnancy tests. He goes to a place that has self service checkout and stops on the way home to get some hot soup for Prompto. Once he's back he'll check on his mate and maybe crawl back into the bed with him.

[hajimetejanai]

The smile Prompto managed in return was thin, but he tried, the thought of visiting chocobo together a pleasant one, something he'd been dying to do, really. And it was so sweet for Noct to try to cheer him up like this, but he just couldn't get his smile to stay, not with everything else.

If Noct believed it would help them grow closer, he'd believe it too. He'd fight for it, if he had to.

"I know, I know you didn't," Prompto insisted, "I'm sorry, I'm just..."

He shook his head, trying and failing to not feel overwhelmed. He was making things worse and they didn't even know if they were really having a kid or not. But it felt better to hear Noct his child could make him happy. He let his hands rest gently over Noct's, leaning into him and sniffling a few times, but nodding.

"I didn't mean to freak out. It just felt like so much... everything all at once and... I'm really glad you were here and... I know you'd be a good dad, and we'd be happy. It's just such a big change, it's hard not to be scared, y'know?"

Sleep was hard to come by, but with Noct's arms around him, held tight and comforting, it was like his body remembered how exhausted it was and he finally let go. The symptoms seemed to come and go, but for the moment, he was able to get some rest. He didn't wake until he heard the sound of Noct returning, the door closing, the sound of him moving around the apartment, and the cool place on the mattress where he'd been.

"Noct?" he called, pulling the blanket closer around him, if only to remind him of his mate's scent. "That you?"

[starless_sky]

Maybe he was trying too hard to make Prompto feel better. He'd just better let him have his anxiety and not try to snuff it out. He shook his head when Prompto was trying to placate himself.

"No, it's normal to be anxious. I think I'm scared too but I know we will be together either way and nothing is impossible as long as I have you. Sorry I can't tell you anything more definitive than that. But we can just try to live through it until we can get an answer. Do you think you can sleep or do you want a nyquil to help?" it's all he could offer for the time being, it was the waiting that was killing him.

But come the next morning he was ready for answers. He just had to remember to be patient for Prompto's sake.

"It's me. Just got back." he knocked softly on the bedroom door before stepping in. "I got you some soup if you're hungry. I can bring it to you, do you want some?"

[hajimetejanai]

Prompto would worry regardless. It was something ingrained in him, feeling like he had to apologize for the space he took up, constantly sensitive to changes in the behavior of those around him because before, nothing he did had ever been enough to make them stay. Noct was different, and he'd proven that in every way. Prompto didn't know what he'd do without his best friend, lover, and mate. It was just that they'd been thrown one of life's biggest curves and at an age when he felt far from responsible enough to think it through properly.

"N-no, it's good, I- I needed to hear it and-" he sniffled, trying to get control of himself, telling himself that there was nothing but truth in Noct's words. Together either way. As long as they had eachother. Besides, they didn't even know anything for certain, this was just- just an epic fail in his medication and they were taking the responsible next steps to follow up and figure things out. Right?

"I... I'll take something, yeah," he almost refused, worried it would upset his stomach, but if he stayed up without it, he would almost certainly just remain awake and troubled.

He took the offered medicine and welcomed the heavy, weighted feeling as his body promised sleep.

Waking meant it took a bit to shake off the dregs of the medicine, but he was pushing himself up by the time Noct stepped in, hugging one of Noct's pillows to his chest, obscuring half his face with it as he looked up at Noct.

"Welcome back," he said softly, his blue eyes flicking down over the sheets. He'd had a major meltdown and Noct was here, steady as always, offering him comfort.

"Can't tell if I'm hungry or nauseous," he said honestly. He hoped it was the first, and not the second, but eating something simple, like soup, would probably be a good step, either way.

"I... um- I'd like to try it though, thanks Noct."

He fidgeted a little, pushing the pillow aside and opening his arms, clearly hoping for Noct to come closer, so he could put his arms around him.

"I'm sorry for... freaking out on you like that. Are we... we're okay, right?"

[starless_sky]

That's what happens when you are treated like a burden your whole life by your parents. You apologize just for existing. Noctis hoped to break Prompto of that habit, at least around him. But it was slow going and might not ever fully work. He might be asking too much of Prompto, might be asking him to change when people really didn't do that.

"It's alright... just take it slow. It's alright to be upset but be upset at me not yourself. It's my fault." literally. He kissed Prompto on the forehead then got up to fetch him some medicine to help him sleep. The rest of the night he laid awake thinking about the possibilities. How would they handle a baby? They probably couldn't stay here in the apartment anymore, a baby would be too much of a security risk. Noctis already knew he'd lose that fight if he tried to insist to his father that they remain in the apartment. He'd have to just convince Prompto it was for the best. But that was a lot to ask of him, a lot of change to expect. Not just a baby but a whole new way of life.

He had hoped to ease Prompto into life with servants and wealth. He had hoped to make it slow and comfortable but if they were pregnant they'd have to be thrust into this life with so much changing at once it would make anyone's head spin. Being his prince was not a small ask, and Prompto would have plenty of reasons to regret his choice in Alpha. By the time dawn came Noct was just praying that Prompto didn't leave him from the stress of it all.

So in the morning he was very aware of his tone, trying to be meticulous in his gentleness, trying to be the model partner. Someone Prompto would still want to live with even if their fears were realized. He looked so cute hugging the pillow to him that he didn't have to try though, he smiled warmly at him.

"Well, let me get it, all you can do is try." he disappeared for a short time and returned with the soup, some crackers, and some water on a bed tray. He laid it over Prompto's lap and gently sat next to him on his side of the bed. He reached over and felt Prompto's face.

"...You're warm but I can't tell if it's fever or heat." why he'd even tried to feel his face was suddenly a really stupid point. What had he expected to feel? He knew Prompto would be warm either way. He's not a doctor who could tell the difference.

"Sorry? What are you sorry for, I'm sorry. I..." he doesn't want to say it, that he fears Prompto may need to step away from him, saying that out loud seems insulting. Like he doubts Prompto's dedication. "We're okay, we're more than okay, you have nothing to apologize for." he sat with Prompto until he either finished most of the soup or decided he couldn't stomach it. After that point he'd make mention of his other purchase.

"When I was out I got three ah..." why was this word suddenly hard to say? "Tests." coward, he couldn't even say it. "If you want to use them." 'If' right. Like that question wasn't burning a hole in both of them right now.

[hajimetejanai]

Prompto tried to relax and nodded at Noct's encouragement, smiling softly when he leaned in to kiss Prompto's forehead. As if he could be upset with Noct in the first place. If anything, they had equal share in the blame, but if he could help it, he didn't want to focus only on the negative points. Easier said than done, of course.

He was glad for the medicine to help him sleep or he'd probably be awake thinking through just as many scenarios and wondering how things might affect their lives, all because of a simple oversight. But an oversight was also how they'd finally crossed the bridge from friends to lovers in the first place. And look at how much good had come from it.

Prompto might never get used to the idea of living an extravagant, wealthy lifestyle, but he'd do his best for Noct, and even more, for their future. Whether that meant children right away or not. Whatever the media or public thought of him, Prompto would make sure their future family was loved and happy, but he couldn't regret being with Noct. Noct was the best thing that ever happened to him. Even his worst day with Noct couldn't compare to how lonely he'd felt growing up.

It seemed they were both in better spirits when the morning came. Noct was even smiling, soft as it might be, and Prompto felt his heart squeeze tighter in his chest just seeing his partner's sweet face.

"Thanks love," he smiled and accepted the soup, crumbling some crackers in the bowl, then balancing it on his lap, taking a couple bites before pausing to make sure his stomach wouldn't rebel. It was hard to tell with the bad timing of the sickness, but he did feel marginally better, more rested, at least. His limbs not quite so heavy and aching.

"I think resting helped some. I dunno what it is, but damn..." he sighed. The dizziness felt a bit less overbearing too, at least when he sat still. He'd start to worry if couldn't keep something down soon, especially with the lingering effects of his heat telling him how good Noct smelled.

He leaned into Noct's side, tapping his spoon and stirring the soup absently.

"For getting so worked up, I dunno... I freaked out and... I should have trusted you more, I know you won't let anything bad happen to me, to us, I just... got scared," he explained, hoping it was enough. Noct was right though, they were okay, and whatever life threw at them, they'd be okay together.

He took a few more bites, his stomach uneasy, but holding. Bed was probably a good idea, at least for a little while longer. It took a bit, but he got about halfway through the bowl before the nausea started to return, smaller, and weaker than before, but enough to keep him from finishing the meal. He handed it to Noct with a brief word of gratitude.

It took a moment for Prompto to grasp what Noct was talking about, but his brows shot up when he understood. Pregnancy tests. Astrals, yeah, he wanted to know for sure. To get this thing hanging over their heads over with and at least give them some direction, a real answer.

"Oh!" he started, "Y-yeah! Yeah, of course, I- Um- Yeah, let's figure this out."

[starless_sky]

Noctis was just glad Prompto was eating and talking to him. He'd worked himself up to humility and fear overnight. While he didn't think Prompto would leave him, it was hard to approach their pregnancy dilemma with the same clueless bravado he had before. This was a huge change, and one he'd gladly undertake but he knew enough to know he was severely underestimating just how significant a change it would be.

Prompto's gentleness and the little pet name helped remind him they were alright but his anxiety the night before served to remind Noctis that Prompto needed a gentle transition into his lifestyle. This... Might be a cannonball of those tests were positive.

"Can't go wrong with sleep. I kinda want to nap too." he couldn't though. Not until he knew. He wouldn't sleep until they had an answer either way.

"It's alright to say negative things to me. I'm not going to be angry if you think you're saying things that don't flatter me or us. Or aren't what I want to hear. Just say the truth."

And then he bungled explaining how he bought pregnancy tests. Poor Prompto was feverish and having to decipher Noctis being too damn shy to talk properly.

"No need to rush. The answer isn't going to change. If you want to nap first that's fine. I got several different ones just... I dunno. For confirmation." which was stupid, he knew they'd need a doctor to confirm any positive test. But several positive tests from different brands would certainly convince him in the meantime...

Noct took the soup bowl away and kissed Prompto softly on the lips. "I'll take this away and I'll bring you a potion ok?" since they were out of the heat now. Prompto needed after care.

[hajimetejanai]

Poor Noct, Prompto swallowed, worrying the corner of his lip. Had he slept at all since Prompto had spoken with him? He knew he'd been a mess, at least until the medication helped ease him to sleep, but Noct? He'd barely even noticed his mate was missing from his side until he woke; how long had Noct been mentally beating himself up or worrying or stressing? He'd seemed to handle things so calmly, but Prompto was sure it must be wearing thin.

"Yes. Naptime for sure. I'm gonna cuddle you so fuckin' hard," he promised, giving Noct a playful nudge. It was no lie, either. As soon as they had the results, things would be much clearer and whatever happened, they could plan, instead of being stuck in limbo.

"I know, I'll try to do better. I really... I am honest with you, I guess maybe I sugarcoat things sometimes, but..." he sighed, not sure how to respond. He was a pretty positive person, usually, and maybe he played it up a little, or a lot, at times if he wasn't feeling it, but he never blamed Noct. His mind immediately came up with a billion shortcomings of his own that were to blame instead. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been well and truly angry with Noctis. "I don't think I've ever seen you really pissed. Possessive sometimes maybe, but angry? Nah."

When Noct mentioned he could wait for the tests, Prompto shook his head so fast he saw little black spots dance in his vision for a moment.

"N-no way, I wanna know like, as soon as possible," he held out a hand for the pregnancy tests, eager to know the results himself. "How do these things work? Eh- I'll figure it out, instructions on the box, right?"

He smiled a little into the kiss, and though it was brief, it was nice, comforting. "You're the best, Noct."

[starless_sky]

Noctis was calm on the outside, it was a skill he learned young. Don't let anyone see your weakness. So many people who loved their leaders were also ready to gut them like an animal art a moment's notice. He also didn't trust a lot of people to accept his shows of weakness. He certainly trusted Prompto but the relationship was different. He was the Alpha and he had to be strong for them both at this moment. Prompto needed an anchor, Noctis couldn't afford to be outwardly distressed, it might compromise Prompto's anxiety.

But he had to grin at that offer. "Aww... I want to be cuddled. Pretty please?" he smiled so wide, unabashedly relieved. If Prompto was offering that then he really must be feeling better. It was enough for Noctis right then to know that his mate was just okay.

"I know... I just want you to know that now, you may not... always be happy with me in the future. And... I know that my rank might make people think they can't be honest with me... but you can. I want you to. No matter what, okay?" Noctis had shortcomings too. Pretty glaring ones that he knew were plenty easy to fix. Just stop being lazy, start getting up on time, actually put in a fucking effort. He knew that those were his known weaknesses. The real scary things were the weaknesses he wasn't aware of yet... but he had Ignis for that.

"You haven't seen me pissed because I don't get pissed very often. It takes a lot to make me really mad." he lets it slide time and time again until finally, he will just take matters into his own hands. But Noctis was both insulated from a lot of negative consequences and he had the power to change his situation more than the average person. That helped a lot to avoid anger and frustration.

He nodded in agreement. "I kinda hoped you'd say that. Here." he got up and went to fetch the tests from the bathroom counter. He'd left them there for whenever Prompto was ready for them. They were all different, all male omega tests, one had a plus sign indicator, one had a line indicator, one just said pregnant/not pregnant.

"I ah... think you need to pee on them. Might be easier to use a cup and dip them in, I think you can do that." he sits on the bed, legs crossed facing Prompto. He opens one of the boxes and starts reading the folded instructions.

"Yeah, it says here you can use a cup... actually this one needs to sit for 30 seconds..." he looks at his mate. "You want me to bring you water?"

[hajimetejanai]

Seeing Noct smile like that felt like sunshine breaking through the clouds and Prompto wasted no time in throwing his arms around Noct's waist, landing awkwardly part-way in his lap, but not bothering to move. Instead, he buried his face in Noct's shirt, giving a contented sigh.

"How could I say no to that?" he laughed, giving him another squeeze.

It wasn't Noct's rank that he found intimidating. Maybe at first, okay, definitely at first, but it didn't last long. Noct was his friend and love, everything else came secondary. His biggest worry wasn't losing Noct, the crown prince, it was losing Noct, his best friend, Noct, his only love, Noct, his whole world.

"Did you just give me free reign to give you as much shit as I want?" he smirked, fingers traveling to tickle at Noct's sides. "I'm not gonna forget that."

As for Noct getting mad, he was honestly glad he hadn't seen it. It was hard to imagine a scenario where Noct would really lose his cool, and he'd hate to see his mate so stressed or pushed to the point of anger.

"Well, I'm glad. When you're calm, it helps me be calm too," Prompto assured, only moving from his spot when Noct got up to get the pregnancy tests.

The not-knowing still stressed him out, scared him a little, if he was honest, and he blushed a little as Noct explained how the tests worked. Kinda gross, but okay, he kind of expected that. He was just relieved it wasn't blood or needles. Though peeing on demand might be kinda... well, he was nervous, okay?

"Oh, uh- right, yeah, I knew that," he flushed, holding out a hand for the tests. "I think um- I think I got it. Managed to drink some soda earlier."

Once he had them in hand, he tried to get up from the bed, wobbling only slightly. The nausea returned, though not with the full-force it'd had before, and he could will his way through it for this. There was no way they could wait another minute. He made it to the bathroom, grabbing a disposable cup from under the sink, leaving the door open just a crack since Noct would probably wanna come in while they waited, once he was done.

After a nervous pause, he finally managed to fill the cup, at least partially, enough to tag each of the sensors before wiping them down and setting them on the counter to wait and emptying the cup and tossing it.

"Noct?" he called, setting the lid down so he could sit on the toilet seat, anxiously tapping his foot while the seconds ticked by. "Will you wait with me?"

[starless_sky]

Damn when Prompto held him like that he didn't want to get up. Why had he left the pregnancy tests in the other room??? He laughed with his mate, hugged him back, and pet his hair idly as he talked. This was one of those happy moments that came so easily he knew Prompto was The One.

Why ever would Prompto lose him? Prompto was his whole world too. The most valuable part of it, the one that mattered the most. His beloved, his precious mate, the future mother of his children. Or. Maybe the current mother...

"Guess so. You gonna yell at me now? I should add that I only take complaints every fourth Wednesday in November." he snorted a bit at how ridiculous that sounded. "And all criticisms need to be filed in triplicate."

One day he'd surely see it. Noctis wasn't kind in anger. In fact he was quite willing to take lives once he got to that point, though never an innocent one. He had long since decided he wasn't going to be the kind of person who could suffer an evil person to live. Cruel as that may be for a prince to believe.

"I'll try my best to stay calm. Ah... You want any help?" but Prompto was up and off to the bathroom. Noctis wondered if he was about to puke, he looked a touch green for a second there and the prince got up to follow him.

But then Prompto went in to the toilet and Noctis gave him privacy. He didn't really need to listen to him pee. He wandered into the kitchen and put Prompto's soup in the fridge and grabbed a cracker for himself. He was nearly finished crunching it when Prompto called out.

"Yeah." he walked to the bathroom and stepped inside. Prompto looked scared. Maybe it was that brief moment away from him but it wasn't nervousness that hit Noctis first. His mate looked frightened. He had reason to... Suddenly he really hoped the tests were negative. Noctis looked over the bathroom, suddenly unsure where to sit. He ought to sit, that looked more relaxed but he wasn't relaxed. He wanted to know. He opted to sit on the side of the tub and hold Prompto's hand. The branded one. He turned his wrist left and right looking at it. It was... Really cleanly done. It had to be a machine that did it, no human was that precise. That just made him angrier admit it somehow.

He rubbed his thumb over the hand and smiled at it mate. "Do you want me to look at them first or do you?" he realized it as soon as he said it though. A different way to do this. "Actually...how about you take one and I take one."

[hajimetejanai]

Prompto loved it when Noct played with his hair, or pet him, there was something so soothing in the gesture, and he melted against his mate, smiling softly. It would be so easy to just rest his eyes and fall asleep, but...

"Oooh, how formal, your highness. Guess I'll have to save it for special occasions then," he laughed, giving Noct another playful shove. "Besides, the only time I wanna be yelling your name is when..."

He trailed off, blushing faintly before he could finish the thought. Prompto just wasn't the sort that got upset easily either. Noct would have to be pretty insensitive to garner that sort of reaction from him. As far as he was concerned, Noct hung the stars in the sky, and okay, maybe he put him up on a pedestal just a little, but Noct made him happy, and that was all that mattered.

As for the rest, well, the results of the test were definitely hanging over him, but he didn't have to put much thought into it, not yet. Not til they knew for sure. And when Noct followed him into the bathroom a couple minutes later, he squeezed it tightly, feeling small and uncertain, but better together. He watched with some curiosity at Noct as he analyzed the mark on his wrist, feeling a little self-conscious, but looking fondly at the bites Noct had left behind, a clear reminder that Prompto wasn't bound by whatever might have marked his past, but the future they would build together.

"Yeah, together," Prompto nodded once, squeezing his mate's hand one more time before letting go to reach for the nearest one. He took a deep breath, waiting for Noct to take one before turning his own over.

A plus sign.

It felt like his heart was in his throat as tears welled up and rolled down his cheeks. It was scary, no doubt, but part of him was really... surprisingly happy about it. He looked to Noct, offering a tiny smile before throwing his arms around his neck, holding on as tight as he could.

[starless_sky]

Well, they could just do that later on, Noctis did want to take a nap regardless. He could pet Prompto until they fell asleep. He liked to be pet too but he liked doing it to his partner, it was nice to see Prompto relax and melt into the bed.

"Only the most special of occasions. For infractions of the highest order. Also complaining that I fish too much isn't allowed." he chuckled as Prompto moved on to... that. "Agreed. Lucky for us that's the only time you do."

And he was far from perfect but he knew Prompto thought the world of him. He had to be told that by Ignis a couple times but he knew. Noctis had assumed beforehand that Prompto saw him as he really was, flaws and all. It hadn't occurred to him that he was some nearly perfect person in his eyes, that was just a bit scary but he chose not to think about it much. He thought Prompto was the stronger of the two of them anyway, he bloomed where he was planted and he had a compassionate kind heart despite having absentee parents.

Prompto's hand was much better, though some might find it a bit strange that it was bitten so many times and on the back of the hand rather than elsewhere. It wasn't a very popular place to mark one's partner. Noctis thought he could do a better job of covering that up actually, there were still pieces of the bars showing very slightly through, It was unrecognizable. Only he and Prompto knew how it used to look, and presumably Prompto's parents but they barely counted. Maybe next heat he could bite it just one more time and cover that little tiny bit of black...

Time to look. Noctis reached for his, looking at Prompto before his own test. He saw tears... was that... bad? He glanced at the test in his hand, it had two lines, what did that... oh. It said next to the window. Two lines. Pregnant. One line, not pregnant. They had two strong lines. So... this was it huh.

Noctis looked up to his mate just in time for Promoto to throw himself into his arms. Noctis wasn't ready for it. He caught his breath, tried to steady himself on the edge of the tub but it was no use, he fell backward into it and dragged Prompto with him.

"Ah-- woah. You okay?" he started laughing. Maybe this would be part of the story they tell their kid later on. "Guess you're not mad at me then?"

[hajimetejanai]

"I suppose I'll have to limit my complaints to high treason and blanket hogging," Prompto snickered, rolling in his lap to look up at his mate. He knew he should rest, but it was hard not to feel amorous like this. Still, it was nice just being so close to Noct and sharing some smiles and laughs. It was almost a shame to change the mood of it with their more serious issue of the pregnancy tests.

Prompto was a lot less worried about the mark on his wrist after that first heat. He still kept it covered, of course, alpha bites could be just as dangerous to show off as weird tattoos, but he liked the pattern much better now. Instead of numbers and barcode, the mark left behind dotted his wrist like a bracelet, covering him with memories of their first time together and how Noct had accepted him, not just the part he'd played, but everything about him, down to his core.

Noct seemed almost stunned by the result, Prompto wasn't certain what to make of his reaction, but as they tumbled haphazardly into the tub, laughing, Prompto could hear the smile in his voice and somehow, that made it all okay. He didn't let go, holding fast as he started laughing too, sniffling a little. Mad at Noct? He might feel a lot of things over the next several months, but not mad. It was unconventional sure, but it was the start of a lot of new things in their future. It might be bumpy and crazy because of this, but they'd get through it, like everything else.

"I'm okay," he nodded, pulling back enough to look into Noct's eyes, gazing at him just inches apart.

"Better than okay. This is... I love you... so much."

[starless_sky]

He chuckled at that. "Blanket hogging is a capital offense, the people will call for my head on a pike." he loved it when they rolled around like this too. They'd have to get back to this position once the tests were complete and they could nap. Maybe they'd get happy news they could lay in this position and talk about.

Noctis wasn't worried about the mark period. But Prompto cared deeply about it, it upset him for obvious reasons but Noctis was glad to have been a part of recreating the brand into something nice. Something kinder. It was a fond memory for him too, their first heat. The beginning of their lives together, he ought to have the date inscribed. As if Noctis could ever forget it. It was their anniversary as far as Noctis was concerned.

Noctis was stunned, he didn't know what to think. Should he panic? Was Prompto tearing up in fear? Was this a bad thing? This was bad... this wasn't something they were ready for. But Prompto was happy, joyous even. That smile and the tight squeeze let him know Prompto needed support in his enthusiasm. Anything less might come off as rejection.

He couldn't help it when Prompto smiled at him and then looking into his eyes, they looked like galaxies, he could get lost in them so easily.

"Love you too... this is a good thing." he kissed Prompto softly and let his hand wander over his belly, flat as it was now. He imagined it getting bigger, imagined at some point someone would be kicking back against his hand.

"I suppose that means you want to... keep it?" he looked hopeful but cautious. "Is it too soon to ask?"

[hajimetejanai]

"Nope, since I'm the only injured party, I suppose I'll show leniency and only ask for your head on my lap," Prompto said matter-of-factly, though he was quite enjoying sitting like this himself. "Pikes are way too messy."

Their lives had changed so drastically when he'd had his first heat, and Prompto, for one, couldn't imagine ever going back to the way it had been before. He'd never have taken that step otherwise, just continued to quietly nurse a secret crush on his best friend who was way out of his league. But that change had brought amazing things, the beginning of a new and exciting change in their relationship. And though a lot was still uncertain with this new change, Prompto felt a lot more secure knowing they'd be facing it together.

Prompto smiled into the kiss, placing a hand over Noct's. Some changes would definitely be harder to reconcile than others. Prompto already had issues with his body and pregnancy would probably mean a lot of work to stay fit afterward. He was proud of his flat tummy, though if his hips filled out a little, that might not be too bad, he considered.

He shoved those thoughts aside; the most important would be making sure their child was healthy and strong, and the rest he could think about later. Prompto certainly hadn't considered he might be a parent so young, but... there was something about knowing for sure now. It might not be the smartest decision for their future, but Prompto had always trusted his heart more than his head. And his heart? Told him that this was something worth protecting.

"I mean, I definitely didn't think we'd... have to make a decision like this so soon," Prompto leaned close, resting his head on Noct's chest and curling up close.

"But... as long as it's with you... it feels right, y'know?"