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starless_skyTime seemed to be zooming by. It was going so fast for Noctis, his life had never gone so quickly. Perhaps because so many things were happening but honestly he'd chalk it up to being happy. He'd never been so at peace before either. With Prompto everything was right with the world. His days were fun, even when they were awkwardly trying to dance together in preparation for this ball. Even when they had homework and Iggy made them study. He was stupidly happy, life was a big game now and he found himself wondering how it was already spring time.
How it was already exam season for his advanced courses. While it was not close to graduation, it was something he needed to complete if he was going to have a shot at graduating at the top of his class. Such a rank didn't matter to Noctis but it was something his father wanted and it was expected of a prince and basically he had to. Against his will, he'd add. He just had a few extra sessions of testing away from everyone else. It was normal enough, a group of students did it every year, it was known he was one of these kids attempting the exams since first year. He'd studied for it for weeks and today was the day it would finally be over. He was so looking forward to just going home with Prompto, getting sushi to go on the way, and watching anime on the couch. And napping. And maybe doing it.
As it stood he was quiet on the way to school. Just ready for this test to be over. Before they entered the building he squeezed Prompto's hand. He was careful not to have any PDA at school. Prompto would be in a difficult position if people thought they could use him to get to the prince.
"I'll be all morning probably, but I'll see you around lunch." Ignis had made them both a hearty meal for the day, one Noctis was already looking forward to in their hiding spot behind the school. "Meet me in the back, ok?" he leaned in quickly to kiss his cheek before they were in view of anyone else entering school. Noctis made a brief entrance at home room before he and the other students were dismissed to testing. School went on as normal without those kids. The same subjects. The same breaks.
With one exception.
Their language arts teacher was out sick and the sub replacing her was quite distractable, enough so that they basically had a free hour. Students made excuses and just came and went as they pleased. A few came in from other classes to hang out with friends. Some even stopped near Prompto. Several bigger guys.
"Hey Argentum... you're into photos, right? Can you come look at something for us? We need an artistic eye."
How it was already exam season for his advanced courses. While it was not close to graduation, it was something he needed to complete if he was going to have a shot at graduating at the top of his class. Such a rank didn't matter to Noctis but it was something his father wanted and it was expected of a prince and basically he had to. Against his will, he'd add. He just had a few extra sessions of testing away from everyone else. It was normal enough, a group of students did it every year, it was known he was one of these kids attempting the exams since first year. He'd studied for it for weeks and today was the day it would finally be over. He was so looking forward to just going home with Prompto, getting sushi to go on the way, and watching anime on the couch. And napping. And maybe doing it.
As it stood he was quiet on the way to school. Just ready for this test to be over. Before they entered the building he squeezed Prompto's hand. He was careful not to have any PDA at school. Prompto would be in a difficult position if people thought they could use him to get to the prince.
"I'll be all morning probably, but I'll see you around lunch." Ignis had made them both a hearty meal for the day, one Noctis was already looking forward to in their hiding spot behind the school. "Meet me in the back, ok?" he leaned in quickly to kiss his cheek before they were in view of anyone else entering school. Noctis made a brief entrance at home room before he and the other students were dismissed to testing. School went on as normal without those kids. The same subjects. The same breaks.
With one exception.
Their language arts teacher was out sick and the sub replacing her was quite distractable, enough so that they basically had a free hour. Students made excuses and just came and went as they pleased. A few came in from other classes to hang out with friends. Some even stopped near Prompto. Several bigger guys.
"Hey Argentum... you're into photos, right? Can you come look at something for us? We need an artistic eye."
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Date: 2019-06-16 07:26 am (UTC)Noctis wasn't privy to just how stressed Prompto looked behind the closed door but it was no secret he was frazzled. He wished he could fix it but he knew he just had to roll with the punches so to speak. He felt guilty asking him to do anything else, it seemed like he was burdening him.
But Prompto was strong as usual and he didn't let that stop him. Half-dressed he took the phone and Noctis stepped away to give them space.
The voice on the other end was kindly and gentle. "Prompto? Thank you for giving me a moment of your time. I wished to hear your voice and to know how you are doing. I am terribly sorry for what happened today, none of that was your fault. Please, don't wast a thought thinking otherwise." he knows Prompto will need time. Already the king is preparing support for Prompto. Counselors, he's putting gag orders on the media, and he's getting special security for the ball coming up. Whether or not Prompto still wished to attend.
"My only wish was to see you and Noctis in person, without the pressure or security of the citadel, in the comfort of your own space." that apartment is plenty secure for the prince to live in, it's fine for him to visit. "I do see that was invasive, I beg your forgiveness, my intention was not to pressure you into an audience. My main concern is that you get all the support you need. In that effort I would like to present some options to you... not necessarily today but perhaps soon. If and when you are ready."
Noctis was standing with his back to the wall a ways down from the bedroom. He was trying not to listen but he was standing far enough away he couldn't eavesdrop. Still... he hoped above all that his father was kind to Prompto.
"I want you to know, Prompto, that I am overjoyed you and Noctis found each other. I couldn't be more proud of him or of you and nothing will change that. We have not spoken as much as I would like and this isn't the circumstance I imagined telling you this but it needs to be said now. I think of you as my son. I hope you will forgive me if I treat you as much in the future. I am thrilled you have joined my family. Noctis could not have found a better match and I am at ease knowing you will have each other even when I am gone. No matter what happens, Prompto... you will always have a place in my family."
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Date: 2019-06-16 07:48 am (UTC)"Oh- it's fine, I-" he managed all the same. He wasn't prepared to hear condolences and wasn't at all sure how to take them, but Regis was the king and that meant to be appreciative and humble toward any gesture, even if it felt like going through the motions.
The king had wanted to see him too? Not just Noct? Why? And he was apologizing?
"You don't have to- I mean- there's nothing to apologize for, really, I-"
Had Noct told him Prompto didn't want to go? Or that he wouldn't want him to come over? It was true, but- but he would have gone, he would have forced himself to get through it. Shouldn't he have?
The last hit the hardest. In the past, he hadn't exchanged much conversation with Regis, Prompto still had a hard time seeing him as anything but the most important man in all of Lucis, and not just Noct's dad. But the sentiment was so personal, so heartfelt, Prompto could feel his knees tremble and give out beneath him and he sank to the floor, cradling the phone to his ear. He tried to open his mouth to speak, but his throat was tight with emotion. It was overwhelming and he finally broke, started sobbing, covering his mouth with one hand.
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Date: 2019-06-16 08:08 am (UTC)Regis wasn't surprised when Prompto began to cry. He knew the boy had a solitary life, his parents had left him to raise himself, he was from Niflheim originally, these things weren't secrets to the king. Still, he expected Prompto hadn't had a lot of love in his life and with all that happened today... he needed the support. If nothing else he needed to know he mattered to someone and not just as an extension of Noctis. How he wished he could be present to hug Prompto then if he'd welcome such a gesture. He was overdue for a hug with his natural son too.
Noctis was in the room as soon as he heard tears. He got on his knees too and hugged Prompto to him.
"Hey it's okay... it's okay... you don't have to cry. What happened?" Noctis' voice was tight. What had his father said? Why was Prompto sobbing?
Gently he took the phone and his father began to talk. Noctis nodded to no one but his face twisted a bit and he started to spring tears too.
"I... we will... thanks... Dad..." and he hung up. He held Prompto to his chest and buried his nose in his hair. He sobbed with him, he couldn't stop it now. He had a huge cry in him after today, he needed to get it out, they both did. Everything that happened, the attack, the despair of being unable to save Prompto, the agony of his now traumatized life... he couldn't hold it back. Hot tears streamed down his cheeks, he was gasping for air as he could but it needed to come out, there was no stopping it until it was all out and he was drained. But he needed this, Prompto must have too.
Maybe they needed to do it together.