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

"If you're a good boy and go to sleep." Prom wanted Noct to be comfortable. He just didn't want to mess up any of the wires and tubes. He cuddled up to Noct, stroking his hair as his omega drifted to sleep. He pumped out more of his scent to keep his omega calm.

He was almost asleep himself when Regis' door opened. Prom knew the King probably wouldn't hold it against him if he napped for awhile. But he felt like he had already been keeping him waiting long enough. Prom didn't want to make the King wait any longer.

Forcing himself out of bed, he pressed a kiss to Noct's head, and scented him, hoping it would be enough to keep his omega asleep and calm until he returned. He yawned and rubbed at his eyes. He didn't look the most presentable - barefoot, bruised and bandaged, but he hoped the King would understand.

Prom made his way to the door and rapped his knuckles against it lightly. "Your Majesty," he greeted, bowing respectfully.

From:

starless_sky

Noct was sleeping quite soundly and the added scent would tide him over. He was a calm omega and a secure one.

What might surprise Prompto is that the king was in more or less the same manner of undress.

He'd long since removed his cape and pauldron, his crown, his blazer, the cowl... He was sitting in his suit, no vest, no belt, with a robe on.

Looking he hadn't slept in days.

"Enter." he was nursing a coffee. Inside the room was a large table with plush chairs. Piles of records and multiple screens on the wall with news, security footage, and Noct's vitals. This was Regis' war room.

A kitchenette was on the back wall and the counter had both a tea kettle and a coffee maker.

"I'm glad you've come... Would you care for a drink?"

From:

real_life_rpg

Prompto shook his head as he looked around the room. "No thank you, your Majesty." Coffee did sound good, but he was already pretty jittery and on edge without the addition of caffeine. It was a shock to see the King in such a dishevelled way, but Prompto supposed it understandable - Regis' son had been kidnapped. One of his most trusted men had turned out to be a rat. A lot had happened. A lot was still happening.

His attention fell to the piles of records on the table. Everyone kept telling him what a great job he had done, but he felt like all he had done was create work for everyone else.

"Noctis is awake. He ate vegetables," Prom said, not sure if Regis had already been filled in - although he imagined he had been.

"Sir... I apologise for the trouble I've caused. And I realise now is probably the worst time to ask this but I feel like if I don't ask now then I'll regret it forever... Your Majesty... I am in love with your son. I have been in love with him since the moment I met him. I... I wish to ask for your permission to be with him - properly. To bond with him, to marry him, to love him for the rest of my life..."

From:

starless_sky

Regis hadn't really left this room. He was Noct's next of kin, he had to make medical decisions while his son was asleep and remain so he could get updates on his condition.

It was easier to secure this position given his own people were possible traitors. He was informed of everything and he stayed put. Clarus, Cor, and the others were working on it. Soon even Wheskham would come home, if he wished.

He listened to Prompto, let him say his peace but the king wouldn't be moved either way. He'd already made his choice before the boy even woke up downstairs. The fact that Regis even met with the kid in this cheng state of undress said it all.

"To what trouble do you refer?" he slowly sipped his drink. He'd seen Prompto look at the stacks of files.

"It's always that large. A bit of paperwork doesn't constitute trouble to me. Is there something you want to tell me about this adventure of yours? Is there something else I don't know?"

"Apart from the fact that you've toppled an empire and taken hundreds of lives all for the sake of my son?"

From:

real_life_rpg

Prompto shook his head. "Uh, no Sir. That about sums it up. Well, apart from the fact that I disobeyed the Marshal's orders and went against all my training and protocols. For that I'm sorry. But I don't regret my actions, Sir. Noct... uh, that is, I mean... Prince Noctis... he's important to me. He's my best friend. My soulmate. He was in trouble. I did everything I did to ensure his safe return."

He paused, scuffing a bare toe against the floor. "I'd do it all over again if it meant keeping Noct safe." He meant it too. He would topple the Empire a thousand times over for his omega.

"I'm sorry about Drautos too. I shouldn't have killed him. I should have let the Marshal or Lord Amicitia bring him in for questioning but... he threatened Noct... I just... I needed to keep him safe."

From:

starless_sky

He listened. Prompto wasn't sorry at all. He regretted the repercussions of his actions should they be unfavorable. That's how it looked to Regis. He seemed aware that it put a lot on him and his people to handle this but he couldn't fault the kid.

He sat back, relaxed, a far cry from Prompto's nervousness.

"When Noctis was a toddler... He used to cry over the smallest things. A loud noise that startled him, someone speaking too loudly. He would come to me for comfort. I knew then that he was an omega.

"I've devoted my life to making a safe environment for him to grow up in. To become a strong man yet protect him from the atrocities that befall so many of his gender.

"His entire life I've considered very carefully who would be a suitable partner for him. I want my son to have a normal life. I want him to have love but his life demands something specific. Noctis does not know that I have a list of qualities I look for.

"An alpha who is strong enough to live in the public eye. Who can adhere to the strict rules and demands of royal life. Who can physically defend my son. All these are simple. Most any suitor would meet such requirements...

"However I am looking for an alpha who respects his autonomy. Who does not wish for power or the throne. Who would not use his position to influence Noct... That is the most critical quality and it is the rarest.

"When my son was taken I assumed the worst. You are not yet a father, I do not expect you to understand that pain. Before this happened I was already aware of you, Prompto Argentum. I knew you had a special place in my son's heart. I knew you desired to stand by his side...

"I know that my son is a virgin. You went to such lengths for an omega you love but will not touch... I admit I was not that strong when I was a young unbonded alpha.

"I appreciate you asking me first. I will ask you a question in return. Given all I have described. The alpha I'm looking for. Is he before me?"

From:

real_life_rpg

"I believe all omegas - be they rich or poor, nobles or commonfolk should be free to live in a world where they are safe from harm and able to make decisions about their lives and their bodies. I realise, unfortunately, that that is not the reality most omegas face. Yet as an alpha, I will do everything in my power to keep the omegas around me safe and protected." He meant it too. More times than he could count he had scented a fellow student's clothing or escorted them home from campus to avoid the attention of asshole alphas.

Prompto felt exposed. Like the King could see every single thought and feeling he had. "I don't care about power or position - of course, if I were to marry Noctis I would fulfill my royal duties to the best of my ability. But I love Noct in spite of his position as Prince, not because of it. I would love him just the same if he were poor. I love him, Sir. Not his title, not his secondary gender."

Despite his nerves, Prompto forced himself to meet the King's eyes. "I am in love with your son and would give my life for his. I would do whatever was in my power to keep him safe and happy. You ask if I am the alpha you seek? I say yes."

From:

starless_sky

Regis was already decided on Prompto before he even woke up but he wanted to hear that the kid would say. He smiled.

"I agree. You also saved me the trouble of asking you what you want for destroying the enemies of Lucis." he sipped his coffee.

"Believe it or not you are not the first alpha who has asked for Noctis' hand in marriage. You are, however, the first I will say yes to. You have my blessing... you may propose to my son at your leisure." and Prompto has no idea how many alphas would kill to be in this position, to be sitting with the king in casual PJs and talking as equals.

"Truth be told there was no way I could have refused you. Not because of what you did in Niflheim or with Drautos... I saw you two... on the drop ship when you returned. I saw how Noct reacted." how he panicked, how Prompto comforted him. "He wept the moment you were out of his sight until he was sedated. It was the first time in his life that my scent did not comfort him. I could not keep him from his chosen alpha unless you were a truly reprehensible man but... Noctis would not have chosen an evil person."

From:

real_life_rpg

Prompto wasn't dumb. He knew there were plenty of alphas who wanted a piece of Noct. He was a beautiful omega and a powerful omega. Alphas all over Eos would fall over themselves to try and claim a piece of him. And Prom knew there had probably been those who had sought Noct's hand. But to hear the proof of it, ignited that protective, jealous streak in Prompto, souring his scent. He did his best not to let it show. After all, none of those alphas had the one - actually, two - things Prom had - Noct's love and the King's blessing.

Six. That sounded crazy. He had the King's blessing to marry Noct. Part of him wondered if he had actually died and this was some kind of Heaven. Maybe Drautos had been successful in murdering him and this was his afterlife. That made more sense.

"I will not let you down, your Majesty. I will love, cherish and protect Noctis with my mind, body and soul until the day that I die. I shall stand at his side and help him prepare for the day he becomes King - I shall support him every step of the way. We will continue the line of Lucis and no matter whether our children are alpha or omega we will love and nurture them, bring them up to be strong, independent, kind future kings or queens. Everything I do shall be for Noctis."

From:

starless_sky

Regis nodded, accepting the mini speech.

"I believe you will. But live for yourself as well... That is what I needed to discuss. Other than thanking you. I was unsure how to do it other than a knighthood and a medal but I think... Making you a prince ought to do it.

"Go to Noctis. I will not tell him what we discussed. It is up to you to ask him yourself. You have access to the resources of the citadel to have a ring made if you wish. You may also access the vault to choose one of our heirloom pieces. The choice is yours."

He smiled

"I'm glad it's you."

From:

real_life_rpg

Prince. It sounded even crazier out loud. Prompto had always known that if he married Noctis he would be marrying into royalty. But to hear the word 'prince' out loud and by the King ... wow, it just brought how real it all was home with terrifying clarity.

"I'm glad it's me too," Prom said with a hint of a smile.

He bowed then. "Thank you, your Majesty."

Prompto felt giddy as he left Regis' room. He had permission to marry Noctis! He could propose. They could officially be together. He wanted to propose right away. Oh. But he couldn't. He needed a ring first. He needed to do it right.

Six.

He made his way back to Noct's room so he could crawl back into bed with his guy. His.

Shiva's tits. He was going to marry that man!

From:

starless_sky

Noctis was starting to wake up. Prompto's scent was wearing off.

He snuggled close to him, eyes opening briefly.

"Did you get up?" he put an arm around him. "Don't leave..." he pouted.

"You think we can go home soon?"

From:

real_life_rpg

Prompto snuggled up to Noctis, nuzzling his cheek with his own. "Sorry baby. I just had to leave for a few minutes. But I'm back now. You've got me all to yourself."

He traced his thumb over Noct's bottom lip before leaning in to kiss him softly. "I wish I could say, Noct. I hope so. But the doctors will probably want to keep you here awhile longer yet, I'm afraid. You've been through a lot. And the doctors will know how to treat you best. But I promise that I will stay with you until they physically kick me out."

Prom slipped a hand under the sheet, to rest on Noct's hip, dipping under his bedclothes to rest on bare skin.

From:

starless_sky

"I'll hold you to that." and he did. He was a good patient so long as Prompto was around. He did well in the hospital. Well enough that they let him go home.

He was still supposed to stay home and rest. He was sent home with several medications he needed to take regularly. They both were.

Once they were there, Noct curled up with Prompto for days. He didn't want to go anywhere, didn't want to see anyone, he napped a lot. The medicine put him to sleep mostly.

Prompto was approached via text message about a ring. There's a royal jeweler who wants to get his idea for what he wants.

Noct has no idea of course. He's busy sleeping in Prompto's hoodie and sweatpants. A true sign he was sick. He wasn't even showing his ass off to be ogled.

It was nearly time for his next round of pills too. He wasn't going to wake up.

From:

real_life_rpg

Prompto was sure he had never slept as much as he had since being discharged from the hospital with Noctis. Sleeping seemed to be the main thing he and Noctis had done since they got home. But it was good. Both of them needed it. Their bodies needed time to heal.

He seemed to be healing well. Movement in his shoulder still wasn't back to the point it had been before he was shot, but it was better than it was, and at least the wounds had healed so they didn't crack open and bleed every time he moved. His superficial injuries were all but healed. All in all, Prom was making a good recovery.

Noct's recovery was slower, but that was to be expected with everything the poor omega had been through. Prom did what he could to nurse his man back to health. Fed him, bathed him, scented him, ensured he took his meds.

He nudged Noct's shoulder to try and rouse him from his sleep, as he set a glass of water and Noct's meds by the bed. "Baby. Time for your meds. Hey, listen. I gotta take a video call with the Marshal. Crwnsguard stuff," he lied, not wanting to tell Noctis about the jeweller. He pressed a kiss to Noct's temple before scenting him. "I'll only be in the next room. Meds, water, then back to sleep. Okay?"

Prom made his way into the lounge, settled on the couch and pulled out his phone so he could Facetime the jeweller. He knew such an important discussion should probably take place in person, but he wasn't ready to leave the apartment or Noctis yet, even with additional round-the-clock guards posted by the entrance of the apartment block.

"Thank you for reaching out to me. I know what I want. I just don't know if it's possible. Like, the emblem of Lucis is skulls, right? So. I want a skull ring with black gems. I've done some rough sketches of the kind of thing I'm after. But, please keep in mind I'm no artist."

From:

starless_sky

Noct was a good omega the whole time. So long as he had his alpha he was good and obedient. He was used to being woken up for medicine. He didn't think anything of it. He mumbled something like "come back when you finish." as he was drinking his water to swallow his pills. Good luck understanding that, Prom.

The kiss and the scent helped. Noct was healing much better with his alpha around. He slept and ate without a fuss and he was getting stronger every day. Noct would be out once he laid back down. Prom had no reason to worry he would get caught.

On the facetime call the jeweler grinned. He was an enthusiastic young man named Dino. "Show me what you drew and I can tell you if I have something like that already. I can come up with most anything you can dream up." and upon seeing the sketches he smiled. "Yep, I can do that. I have some other designs too if you want to look through them. You have access to the crown jewels at the citadel. The royal family has a lot of veeeery exceptional loose gemstones that are still waiting to be set. Like black diamonds, straight from the disc of Cauthus. Just keep in mind, true black diamonds aren't jet black, they're more a smokey grey but anyone who knows gems is gonna know it's real. If you are married to the idea of a darker than black stone, we could do obsidian."

"Maybe black titanium metal. or gold? Up to you. I can carve up some models and send them to you. If you like one I'll cast it. Shouldn't take a week."

From:

real_life_rpg

"So, here's what I'm thinking, Dino. I'm thinking either a silver or platinum band with either obsidian or even onyx stones set into it for the engagement. Then for the wedding I'm picturing something thinner, more sleek - still skull-themed, but in gold with a single black diamond - a big one." That's assuming that Noctis says yes when he proposes, of course.

Prompto still couldn't believe that the King had given his blessing, and he definitely couldn't believe he had been given access to the crown jewels in order to get a ring made - it was mindblowing to him. A pleb like him, allowed to just take whatever shiny stone took his fancy. It felt like it should be illegal. "I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with."

There was still an impatient part of Prompto that wanted to skip the whole ring thing and just ask Noct right now. But he had to do this properly. Noct deserved a proper proposal.

From:

starless_sky

Does Prompto really think Noct is going to say anything other than yes? Does he really truly think that is possible?

Dino took notes and he was nodded energetically. "Yeah yeah, I got it. I'll let you know what I got." and the guy worked fast. He had images sent to Prompto in a matter of hours. He had the loose stones photographed but he had 3d renders of the rings Prompto mentioned, several designs in all mocked up in 3d to look like the finished product with said loose stones in place.

If you like one tell me which and I will get started.

Noct wasn't in a position to be proposed to anyway. He was sleeping a lot and he'd be better once the weekend came around. That's when he would be finished with his medicine anyway.

From:

real_life_rpg

There was always a possibility Noctis could turn him down. Unlikely, but not impossible.

Prompto checked on Noct, took his own meds and tidied the apartment. He hadn't expected Dino to get back to him so soon. He looked through the 3D renders. Dino's work was top-notch. All of the designs looked absolutely incredible.

But eventually he responded to Dino, sending back two of the renders.

Dude! Those look awesome! I didn't expect to hear back from you so soon! Here are m picks

Prom also attached Noct's ring size.

Once he replied, he returned to bed and crawled in next to Noctis, cuddling up to him fully intending to take a nap.

From:

starless_sky

Less than unlikely. Impossible. Noct wanted to be bonded, he wanted to be married, he wanted Prompto. Epecially after being rescued, escpecially after their heats together. Who could possibly stand in Prompto's place?

I work fast when I'm inspired! I'll be done in no time!

Dino also stood to make a lot of money from this commission so he wanted to get it done right and quickly.

Noct, oblivious to all of this, slept in the comfort of his bed and his alpha.

Prompto might get a barage of texts from school friends asking if he was okay and congratulating him on his epic beatdown of the Nifs. Also what the fuck, he never said he was dating the prince????

Whenever he wakes up though, whenever Prompto wakes up, Noct is not in the bed. He is watching the news in the lounge. They were the top story. He was in Prompto's tshirt again, his bruises were fading, he was looking normal once more. Noct had his laptop out, he'd watched all the footage, all the hours of Prompto murdering Nifs and then his own part of it. He needed to see it.

The news was talking about how the empire was on its last leg, how Prompto was a hero, how he'd saved their prince and the nation from war. Noct looked openly proud.

From:

real_life_rpg

Ah yes. Money. A perfect motivator. Whatever reason Dino had, Prom was just glad the rings would be made quickly and he would be one step closer to forever with Noctis.

Prompto slept through all the text notifications - a sign of just how much he needed the sleep. Normally he would be woken by the first text - instinct and Crownsguard training - after all, any message could be a message to say the Prince or the King were in trouble. He was also usually a light sleeper. But right now his body needed the rest, so he slept through every notification.

When he eventually stirred he reached for Noctis only to be greeted by an empty space - a cold, empty space, suggesting that Noctis had left the bed some time ago. "Noct?" He murmured, forcing himself to wake up more.

Reaching for his phone to check on the time, Prom saw the influx of messages. Oh. He read through them and responded to some, momentarily distracted from his task of finding his omega. Once he had responded back to a handful, he resumed his quest.

He froze when he reached the lounge. He wasn't a hero. He had done what any alpha in love would have done. The things he did haunted him. "Noct? You... you didn't watch it, did you?"

From:

starless_sky

Well, it was more than that... he wanted to make a name for himself too. He wanted to be a jeweler and this was his hit piece, really. He'd be in serious business after this. Surely.

The texts could wait. Though his friends and professors were happy to hear back from him. The ones who got a reply would tell the others he was still alive just busy. They were supportive if a little shellshocked.

Noct was relaxed on the couch, legs crossed, arm over the back of the chair, other hand at his mouth. Just watching, taking in the news.

"It's every channel. It's all they talk about..." he had taken a few hours to accept that his story was out there and he didn't get to decide how it was told. In a way that was pressure off of him, it was done. In a way it sucked because he would rather keep that to himself.

"The newspapers..." he raised his phone up, newspapers that he read online were nothing but this incident. it made sense, it was the biggest political event in a hundred years.

"Didn't watch what, the news?" he finally looked to Prompto, followed where his eyes were. "Oh... yeah. Why, was I not suppoed to?" he sounded nonchalant as ever, like it wasn't a big deal. It wasn't a big deal, he just... hadn't seen an alpha rip someone's throat out before. Much less do it more than once.

"Was there something you didn't want me to see?"

From:

real_life_rpg

The life of an omega prince. Noct's whole life had been in the public eye. Every little detail was scrutinised by his people. He had no privacy and little autonomy and now his latest torture and attempted breeding had been blasted for the world to hear. It made Prom want to kill Caligo and Loqi all over again and get his hands on whoever leaked the footage.

It was easy to forget about real-world consequences when they were shut away in the apartment, but the news was just a reminder that the world knew, the world had seen, and the world was judging. Eventually, Prom and Noct would have to leave the sanctity of their apartment cocoon and face the real world once more.

Prompto moved closer to the couch, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth so much that he was splitting the skin. "It's not a side of me I ever wanted you to see." Prom knew Noct had seen some of the fallout back at the Keep as they made their escape, but seeing the aftermath wasn't the same as seeing the actual attack. Prom had been feral. No one in the Keep stood a chance.

From:

starless_sky

Noct looked at Prompto, such a stark contrast to who he was when they escaped. To who he was on the security footage. He tilted his head slightly.

"You feel ashamed of it... why?" he looked him up and down, reaching out to brush his fingers along Prompto's lip. Quit chewing it. He would have to make up a potion to heal that poor lip when this was over, when Prompto wasn't taking his anxiety out on it.

"...Why... did you know you had that side of you? Did you keep it from me?" he was genuinely curious. "What if I like this side of you? What if it makes me feel more secure?"

From:

real_life_rpg

"All alphas have a feral side. Some are just better at controlling it than others." Some alphas would lose their absolute shit over the most seemingly trivial of things and full-out alpha rage over nothing, whereas there were others - like Prompto - who for the most part were calm and docile to the point people would question whether they were even alphas - until something or someone threatened someone close to them.

"I'd never lost control of my inner alpha like that before." There had been times when he had gotten frustrated or felt his inner alpha bristle, even to the point that he would rumble or posture - usually when other alphas got in Noct's space. But what happened in Niflheim... he had never alpha raged like that before.

"Doesn't it scare you?"