starless_sky | Locked to Real_life

Things had been going well in Noct's life ever since he got a boyfriend. It wasn't what most people thought of when that word was used. He was still a virgin and while that was a bitter pill, it was better than being a virgin with no prospects. He had Prompto and they had a promise. Now they waited his father out. Eventually his dad would hand over the throne to him and retire, or worse, pass away. He didn't want to think about that but... it was how his family had worked since the beginning of the nation. Regis was a stubborn old alpha to boot.

Noct had been working more in the citadel, attending more meetings, talking to more people, doing his own Working Royal stuff which he had previously shrugged off with the excuse that he was in school. It got Ignis' attention as well as his father's which hopefully would work in his favor in the future.

He had to get the public, the advisors, and the counsel on his side, or at the very least he had to get to where they couldn't oppose him when he took the throne. That meant he was building alliances now so years in the future, whenever he took the throne, he will have built a place for Prompto by his side. A nest of sorts. If that isn't the most omega way to think about it... a nest.

It's what brought him to work most days. Today he was at a public garden maintained by the royal family. He was meeting with some of his citizens, many of them social workers and outreach professionals for the poor and underprivileged. A perfectly banal sort of day.

It wouldn't stay that way. He was trusted enough to handle this on his own so he was attending with his civilians with minimal security. He was within a stone's throw of the citadel after all. It's what the Nifs were counting on.

Some time later there was a great boom and then a siren sounded in the training yard. A voice pinged each glaive and crownsgaurd with earpieces, delivering several codes, each referring to a scenario. This event had several codes; Active shooters, fire, multiple casualties, and a note that Rosebud was not secure. Rosebud was among hostiles.

Rosebud was Noctis' security code the crownsguard and glaives used. Not that he knew that.

Things went to shit real quick and to help it along, there had been a small camera crew playing Noct's talk with the social workers he was with. One channel was broadcasting it from the nearby jumbotron and the chaos unfolded. Noct was talking, suddenly there was an explosion, screaming, fire, gunfire could be heard. Nif soldiers appeared on screen. In seconds it was happening. Other screens around Insomnia began showing the footage.

One could hear the explosions and guns in real time, not from the screen but from the park itself a block over.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

real_life_rpg

Prompto wished he had been sat here the whole time. If he'd had his own way he would have done. He'd gladly had ignored his own injuries to stay by Noct's side.

"Drink first," Prom said, reaching to pour a glass of water from the jug and popped a straw in it. It wasn't quite a command, but his tone suggested he wasn't going to budge until Noct had had a least a little water.

"Small sips, baby. Just to wet your mouth." He wasn't a medical professional. He didn't really know if Noct was supposed to be drinking actual water, but he sounded so hoarse, his throat needed liquid.

Once he had safely set the glass aside so it wasn't in danger of spilling, he pulled ack the sheet so he could crawl into bed with Noct. He still had Drautos' blood on him. Regis was in the next room. He probably wasn't even supposed to be touching Noctis, but he couldn't help but climb in next to him, shifting to get comfortable, so his weight wasn't resting on the worst of his injuries.

"Better?" He asked, letting more of his scent fill the room.

From:

starless_sky

Noct would have an interesting day when he learned all that had happened since he was asleep. For now, they were alone. Regis would be in the meeting room all day and we'll into the night. They had plenty of alone time.

Noct did as he was told, obediently sipping his water until the dry sound was gone from his mouth. It felt amazing, just drinking. When Prompto got in the bed Noct snuggled close.

"Better." his blood pressure and pulse went down just breathing in Prompto's scent.

"Sorry about before... I didn't mean to cause a scene..." it was embarrassing to remember but even now he felt an existential need to be with his alpha.

"Is it over? What about you? Are you OK?" under the sheet, Noct held Prompto's hand.

From:

real_life_rpg

"Noct, baby... you have nothing to apologise for. Nothing at all. I'm just sorry I couldn't go with you." Prompto nuzzled against him lightly, scenting him more. It seemed to be helping Noct, which in turn helped Prompto. They really were much stronger together than they were apart.

He laced their fingers together and for the first time since Noct had been taken, Prom felt a proper sense of calm. That maybe things were going to be okay. Sure, the Citadel was currently in turmoil, locked down and trying to flush out the remaining rats. But here, in their little bubble, things seemed okay.

"I'm okay, baby. I'm always okay." That was a lie. But Prom didn't want his omega to worry about him. His omega didn't need to know about his injuries, or that he'd almost just been assassinated by a traitor. All Noct needed to focus on was recovering.

"This is nice," Prom purred as he cuddled closer, eyes closed, but not asleep.

From:

starless_sky

Noct was getting much better. His medicine would be more effective now that he had Prompto nearby. He started to puff his scent out too, scenting Prompto. He sounded tired.

"Have you gotten any sleep at all?" he knew the answer already. "Take a break. It's ok." meaning please take a nap.

Did Prompto want to deal with the fallout when Noctis learned what happened? He'd be mad if he had to hear it from someone else.

From:

real_life_rpg

Prompto breathed in Noct's scent, letting it flood his senses for a moment, grounding him to the present. He toyed with Noct's fingers, never wanting to let go of his hand ever again. "Co--the Marshal made me take a nap. I'm okay. I don't want to sleep and miss a minute of being with you."

Prom pressed a tiny kiss to Noct's shoulder. "It's okay if you wanna sleep though, baby. I don't mind. You need your rest. And I'll be right here."

He fell quiet for a long moment, just listening to the sound of Noct's breathing and the gentle beeping of the machinery. He wondered for a long moment if Noct had gone back to sleep.

"Hey Noct? You know the guy who attacked you in Tenebrae when you were a kid? He um... he... he can't hurt you ever again..."

From:

starless_sky

This was peace too. Just laying here together in the bloom of their combined scent. He could sleep better than ever like this but beside that, it was curing his panic from before. He needed a few hours or a few days like this and he'd be right as rain.

Things seemed like they were all over and he could focus on the future when Prompto started talking.

Noct wasn't sleep, his eyes opened, alert.

"What do you mean? He was here? General Glauca?" his heart beat... Just barely quickened.

From:

real_life_rpg

They smell good together. It was just another way that they fit together perfectly.

Prompto took a deep breath. He focused on not letting his scent sour, needed to keep it sweet in order to keep Noct calm. His grip on Noct's hand tightened ever so slightly and he inched impossibly closer to his mate.

"So... turns out that he was under our noses this whole time. General Glauca is... was Captain Drautos... He, um... he's dead..."

From:

starless_sky

This scent would be his new calming smell, his new safe space, his new smell of home. It used to just be Prompto's scent but he likes them together.

Noct tried to keep himself calm too. He didn't hear anything that involved Prompto leaving the bed or leaving him so he was okay. And Glauca was dead so he could focus on the rest of what he heard.

"What... no... no.... who... how did he die? Did he hurt anyone? What about my dad?" he went slowly, talked slowly, tried not to panic. He held Prompto's hand tight.

From:

real_life_rpg

Prompto swallowed hard as he tried to find the right words. "I um... I killed him. He poisoned me. And said he was going to kill you so... I attacked him. I killed him." Killing people who threatened Noct seemed to be becoming a bit of a habit.

He drew small circles against Noct's hand with his thumb. "The King is safe. He's with the Marshal in the other room. The Citadel is in lockdown. But your Dad is okay." Physically, at least. Having one of his most trusted men turn out to be one of their most feared enemies probably hadn't done a whole lot for Regis' mental health - discovering the man who had killed Queen Sylva and had tried to kill Noctis had been under his nose the whole damn time. Talk about a punch to the gut and the feels.

"Gladio's watching the door. And I'm here. The King is safe and you are safe."

From:

starless_sky

Prompto was saying a lot of things but his voice sort of blurred out. Noct's eyes were wide.

"He poisoned you!? What do you mean?? Are you okay? Give me that water, I'll make an antidote--" he was suddenly active, trying to sit up, ignoring any pain or any tightness in his body. His alpha was in trouble, he'd move mountains.

From:

real_life_rpg

"Woah, woah... Easy baby, easy..." Prom hooked an arm around his omega and tried to get him to lay back. He didn't want Noctis to agitate any of his injuries and lengthen his recovery time. He tried to ease Noctis with his scent. "I'm okay. I'm okay. The Marshal and Nyx already gave me an antidote. I'm gonna be just fine."

He tugged Noct against him and nuzzled him. "All I need to feel better is right here. Just you. That's all I need. As long as I have you everything else is fine."

From:

starless_sky

Noct was still sensitive. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes. He leaned in close, letting Prompto's scent wash over him and letting himself be soothed.

"You promise you're okay?" he whimpered. "I am not going to be okay if you aren't okay." he buried his face in Prompto's shirt. "Please be okay..."

From:

real_life_rpg

"I promise," Prompto said, cradling Noct in his arms. "I'm here, I'm breathing, and I'm healing." He wasn't 100%. Probably wouldn't be for awhile. But he was okay. Noct's health was the bigger concern. He needed his omega to heal and recover.

He carefully uncurled Noct from his chest. "Let's get you laid back down properly, okay baby? I don't want your doctor to kick me out for hindering your healing."

Prompto climbed out of the bed, but only so he could get Noct tucked back in properly. He fully intended to crawl back into his space in a moment. "Need anything while I'm up?"

From:

starless_sky

Noct whined when Prompto left the bed and then again as he straightened him out. His back would feel better but Noctis still hissed. "I liked how I was." a thorough pout was launched at Prompto. "I'll just curl up again anyway." he needed to help his alpha and the best way to help an alpha heal was to smother them in your scent and snuggle up to them and maybe coo in that submissive instinctive way that helped soothe them.

"I need you back here now." he crossed his arms. "...hungry..."

From:

real_life_rpg

"Don't be a brat," Prom said, although there was no harshness to his voice, just good-humoured teasing. He gave Noct's pout a poke with his finger. And then he took a moment to just look at Noct. He was here. He was safe. He was pouting. Everything would be okay.

Prom climbed back onto the bed and wriggled his way in beside Noct, tucking them both up in the blanket. "What exactly are you hungry for?"

From:

starless_sky

"Hmph." he tried to keep frowning even when he was poked. How dare Prompto poke his frown? How dare he not be susceptible to it! His frown disappeared and he looked neutral, though his eyes were pleading. He was fine but he could easily return to the omega who cried for his alpha in the drop ship when they were separated.

Once Prompto was back, Noct pressed himself against him, ankles to shoulders. He laid flat, didn't want to be separated again if Prompto thought he needed to be re-arranged.

"...kinda want breakfast... but I might even eat Iggy's vegetables at this point. Where is Iggy? Is he okay? Or Gladio?"

From:

real_life_rpg

Prompto nuzzled against Noct's side, draping an arm across his waist. He pressed a few chaste kisses to Noct's scent gland, breathing in his omega's sweet smell.

"You'd eat vegetables? Willingly? Holy shit! You're dying! Are you dying? Do I need to get the doctor?" Prom asked, resting the back of his hand on Noct's forehead.

He pressed a kiss on his cheek right after. "Actually, I have no idea where Iggy is. I figured he'd be with you. Gladio's watching the door. I could go ask him about Igs, or try texting Iggy." Both suggestions meant moving which Prom didn't want to do, but he couldn't have his omega starve to death.

From:

starless_sky

Attention to his scent gland helped. He was soothed and he wouldn't get upset if Prompto got up so long as it was short.

"I don't think I'm dying... Go ask but come back right after?" he would be good and ask rather than make demands of his alpha. "If we're locked down then he's here somewhere."

Prompto would find that Ignis is right outside with Gladio. That he was listening in to the situation with Drautos and came upstairs to watch Noct's room.

... Of course... Nobody had come and if the prince was willing to eat vegetables...

From:

real_life_rpg

Prompto rubbed his own scent on Noct before he got up and padded through the overly luxurious medical wing towards the door. He pulled it open ready to ask Gladio where Ignis was. But then he saw him and whatever brave face he'd been putting on in front of Cor and definitely in front of Noct crumbled as he rushed Ignis for a hug.

The man took one look at him before just holding him, letting Prom take the comfort he needed. He stroked Prompto's back, soothingly.

Eventually Prom pulled back and wiped tears from his eyes. "Sorry..."

"No need for apologies, Prompto."

"So, um... Noct is awake and he's hungry for vegetables..."

From:

starless_sky

Noct would wait mostly patiently. He listened for whatever Prompto was doing.

Ignis had a lot swimming in his head. Drautos as a traitor. Multiple glaives had already been apprehended downstairs. There was an all out purge happening. Through interrogation and inspection of the crew in the citadel.

Ignis had nothing to fear for himself but the audacity of it all shocked him. He was glad to see a friendly face, even if he was traumatized.

"Is that so?" vegetables. Had Noctis had another change in personality after his coma? "I'll go see him."

Gladio opened the door, Ignis moved quickly, a man on a mission.

He's seen Noct already but he stiffened at the sight of his black eye all over again. A short conversation later and he returned to the hallway.

"I will return... Have you gentlemen eaten?" he wouldn't even wait for the reply. He knew they hadn't. "I'll bring the lot." Iggy was motivated now. Noctis would easy vegetables? His body must be crying out for nutrition.

Gladio sighed. "At least he's motivated. A bored Iggy is a destructive Iggy..." he patted Prompto on the back. "Go back inside. You look like shit."

From:

real_life_rpg

"Gee, thanks Big Guy. Way to make a guy feel good about himself," Prom half-joked. He knew he looked awful, but all things considered he could look a lot worse. Not many people could say they wiped out half of the Imperial Army and survived an assassination attack within the space of a few days.

He patted Gladio on the arm before heading back to Noct.

"See? Told ya I wouldn't be gone long," he said, climbing back into his space in the bed beside Noct. He was claiming this spot as his official spot. He would fight anyone who tried to move him.

From:

starless_sky

Gladio expressed his love by ribbing, protecting, and holding people accountable. But rarely... Once in a while... He was gentle.

"Hey, c'mere." he pulled Prompto in with one arm, hugging him.

"I'm as scared as you are OK... But you did fucking amazing. I'm proud of you. Don't let anybody talk shit after what you did for Lucis and for Noct."

A pause.

"OK really, go sleep. Iggy'll wake you both up when he's done cooking."

Noct was waiting. He pushed against his alpha once he was back. He laid flat like a good kid. He held Prompto's hand.

"I think Iggy's really upset... He won't tell me how bad it is. He's upset about you too... You're not leaving here right?"

From:

real_life_rpg

So head pats from Cor and hugs from Gladio and Ignis? Yeah, Prom was definitely a very special guy. He was lucky to be surrounded by such great people. His parents might not have been there for him as much as they should, but it didn't matter because he had carved out his own little patchwork blanket of a family right here in the Citadel.

Prompto gave Noct's hand a gentle squeeze. "It's been a tough time for everyone. But Iggy'll be okay. We all will. Promise." It would take time. Drautos' betrayal ran deep. A lot of people were feeling the hurt. But Lucis would rebuild and be stronger for it.

He nuzzled against Noct, letting his scent wash over him. "The only way I'm leaving here is if the King and the Marshal physically drag me out."

From:

starless_sky

They needed Prompto too. Ignis didn't have much in the way of loving family. He had parents who wanted him to climb socially, they weren't much in the way of affectionate. Cor had the citadel people and basically no one else. Gladio had a family but they were entrenched in the citadel. Noct... This was his world. They need Prompto as much as he needed them.

Noct relaxed then, let the scent wash over him. He was safe. His alpha wouldn't leave. He was secure.

"If they do I'll fight. I'm tired of being away from you. I can't take any more right now..." he was quiet for a moment. "I meant what I said before. I want you to stay with me while we get through this. Don't leave... Please?"

From:

real_life_rpg

Prompto stroked Noct's hair lovingly as he curled up beside his omega. This was where he belonged, beside Noct, beside his omega. "You're stuck with me, baby."

Literally.

The only way Noctis would get rid of him would be for the King to kick him out or for Noctis himself to tell Prom to leave. As much as it would break his heart, he would respect his omega's decision.

He hoped that Noct wouldn't kick him out though.

He continued to toy with Noctis' hair, spidering his fingertips through the dark locks. They both desperately needed a long, hot bath. Both of them were feeling pretty grimy and gross.

"I love you, NOct. I love you so much."