Chapter Text
“Ready for this?” Ignis asked Noctis as they faced each other, the wedding bands on their fingers glistening in the sunlight filtering through the stained glass windows. He fastened Noctis’s gold chain around his chest, ensuring that his regal black cape would not fall off. He was dressed in his formal robes, looking divinely regal with golden ornamentation, as ready as he could ever be for the occasion. Ignis wore similar robes, only his cape was red and gold as the king consort where Noctis’s were black and gold.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Noctis replied honestly. He felt like he was too young for this, but it wasn’t his choice anymore. Cor was tired of being the king regent, and he deserved a break. Quite frankly, neither of them had wanted to ascend to leadership like this, but it was Noctis’s birthright. He had studied and prepared for this. There was no point in waiting anymore. He had graduated college, and Cor ruled long enough.
Noctis and Ignis had been married during Noctis’s senior year of college, preferring to have a quiet elopement instead of something grand. Prompto and Gladio had been there, of course, as well as those closest to them. It was particularly beautiful, and Noctis was all too excited to be married to Ignis at last. Of course he felt like having his father there would have made things better, but he listened to the others when they said that Regis was there with them. It was little solace, but nevertheless he admired them for it.
Now, though, there was no more time to wait. Noctis was going to become king, and Ignis was to be his king consort. They had a future ahead of them as leaders of the country, as husbands, and as companions. Noctis really couldn’t fathom being with anyone else, let alone married to someone he was forced to be with. It was just them, and while he knew he had Prompto and Gladio as his best friends, Ignis would always take precedence. He always did, after all.
“I’m really not looking forward to parading through the streets for this,” Noctis groaned as he looked at his too-hot outfit. He was at least grateful that Cor managed to hold out until the fall. Luckily, the citizens of Lucis were content with having Cor rule until Noctis took over. They worked in tandem, cultivating peace and prosperity for the citizens of Lucis, and most of the citizens were looking forward to Noctis’s rule. There had already been sweeping reforms that were scheduled to pass, including the healthcare bill that Noctis had to fight with the council on since its original inception.
“I’ll be by your side for it all,” Ignis promised him. They were words spoken in their vows, something that Ignis reminded him through it all. From the moment they first met as children to now as husbands about to ascend the throne, they were always together. Ignis always stood by Noctis, and Noctis was always there for Ignis. They would never be apart, not when it really mattered.
“Thank you, Ignis,” Noctis said as he took Ignis’s hands in his. They faced each other, a soft smile blossoming on their lips. Tenderly, they kissed each other for a long moment. It had a different weight now that they were married, as if it was more important than ever before. “I love you so much. Having you by my side is everything to me.”
“I will always be here for you, your majesty,” Ignis replied, a wry smile on his lips. His smile softened to something gentle, a passionate and yet kind expression that made Noctis’s heart beat in a joyful ache. “And I will always love you, Noctis.”
They kissed for a longer moment before there was a knock on the door. Gladio peaked his head in, dressed in his Shield’s robes, looking fantastically handsome now that his hair had gotten even longer. “You two ready? Everyone’s waiting.”
“Let’s do it, then,” Noctis replied. “Prompto’s here?”
“Waiting in the front row at the Citadel,” Gladio promised him. He smiled with near giddiness. “He flew in this morning from Niflheim with Ravus and Loqi. Apparently this is a good enough excuse for Dino to let them pause their tour.”
“Dino can shove it,” Noctis said, knowing that the agent often tried to get Prompto to do things he didn’t want to do.
“That’s what Prompto said,” Gladio laughed. “Alright. I’ll see you out there.”
He closed the door, leaving Ignis and Noctis alone once more. They would parade through the streets of Insomnia, a welcoming introduction to their new kings, and then ascend the throne. Noctis would be the first to be coronated, and then he would coronate Ignis. As much as Noctis knew he could do this on his own, having Ignis by his side and Gladio and Prompto there meant the world to him. It was a reminder that he was never alone.
“Let’s get this over with,” Noctis said with a deep breath. “We’ll be kings by the end of the day.”
“And then Gladio gets to go on vacation,” Ignis replied with a nod. They had planned this for a while. Gladio was overdue for a vacation, and he was planning a surprise for Prompto with it as well. Clarus would act as their temporary Shield in the meantime then go off to enjoy his retirement now that Cor was going back to his role as the Lord Marshal. It was much deserved, and Clarus needed the time to finally grieve for Regis. “Ready, my love?”
“With you by my side?” Noctis said as he took Ignis’s hand in his. “Always.”
They stepped out of the temple on the other side of Insomnia and into the cheering crowd, ready to face the future as the leaders of Lucis. As much as Noctis hadn’t wanted to be the king of Lucis, he was ready for it now. After all, with Ignis as his husband, Gladio and Prompto as his best friends, and a plan for a better future, Noctis knew he was going to be a better king than his forefathers. The future was bright, and they would find joy within it together.
***
Prompto took a deep breath as he stepped off the yacht and onto the dock of Altissia, the city rebuilt after the earthquakes. The band had done a lot of campaigning and fundraising over the years for causes all over Eos. One of which was throwing several charity benefits for Altissia, and with the Crowns’ support from both Niflheim and Lucis, they were able to raise a lot of money for the city on the water. Now, though, he was arriving at the city per a request from Noctis, although he didn’t elaborate about the purpose of his visit.
When Prompto stepped off the dock and made his way through customs, he was shocked but excited to see Gladio waiting for him, looking as gorgeous as he ever did. His hair had gotten longer, the sides no longer shaved, and he was dressed in a beautiful black suit. Prompto was surprised that Gladio was there, dressed in a suit, and alone. Where were Noctis and Ignis? Were they at the hotel?
“Gladio?” Prompto asked in surprise, excited to see him. He hugged his boyfriend tightly, so happy to have him there. They had worked hard at their relationship over the past few years, nurturing it and each other as their lives took them through the highs and lows.
“Surprise,” Gladio said after giving Prompto a long kiss. “I’m on vacation. Noctis figured this would be the best way to get you here without Dino fighting it too much.”
“Dino can suck it,” Prompto agreed, his excitement growing. Dino was a great agent, but he expected every moment of the day to be devoted to the music. Prompto had a much more balanced view of his life, and he had devoted equal time to both his music and to his family and friends, Gladio included. “The tour just ended in Niflheim so we were supposed to be on our way home anyway. Except now I’m here instead.”
“So you’re home as long as you’re with me,” Gladio pointed out. Prompto agreed then let out a shriek of delight as Gladio picked him up around his legs and hoisted him over his shoulder, carrying him to wherever they were supposed to be. Noctis had said that everything would be taken care of once he landed, so he didn’t even have to worry about his luggage. “C’mon, Prom. What’s the hold up?”
“Gladio!” Prompto shrieked in delight as he was carried through the crowd. Of course they noticed them both. It wasn’t everyday that the Shield to the new king and the lead singer of the most famous band in Eos were caught together on vacation without the others nearby. While it was public knowledge that they were dating, they were rarely seen together in such a fashion. Neither of them cared. “Where are we going?”
“To the hotel so you can get changed,” Gladio elaborated. Prompto wondered what he was getting changed for, but Gladio failed to explain when he asked him. It was clear that it was meant to be a surprise, as Gladio often did when they were reunited after time apart.
Since they had gotten back together, Gladio had been the symbol of a perfect boyfriend to Prompto. Sure, they had their disagreements, but it wasn’t anything like it used to be. There was clear and concise communication, and when they were angry with each other they would take time to calm down before they could talk. When they were apart, there was no question of infidelity, especially since they would talk as much as possible whenever the opportunity struck.
Things had really changed since that moment, but both of them considered the separation to ultimately be a good thing. They both had time to work on themselves and what they wanted in a relationship, and it came as no surprise to either of them when they both had the same basic desires. Since they had both decided to just see where things went, all while knowing they weren’t ever going to be with anyone else, they had just opted to date and not worry about marriage for a while. Nevertheless, Prompto was eagerly waiting for the day that they could finally marry.
The hotel that they were staying at was beautiful, grand, and definitely paid for by the Crown. As much as Prompto could afford it now, and as well paid as Gladio was, both of them tried to be sensible in their expenditures. It was Noctis, almost certainly, who had opted to pay for the hotel. Prompto wondered why Noctis had decided to go out of the way for them, but he wasn’t going to deny the beautiful suite they were in.
Gladio set Prompto down on the bed, and after a long moment of them making out, he handed Prompto a beautiful black suit to put on. Prompto had several questions, but he just figured he would go with the flow and be happy to be with the love of his life. He got changed and walked with Gladio until they took a gondola to a beautiful restaurant on the water. There, Prompto caught Gladio up on band life, how Ravus and Nyx were annoyingly cute now that they were married, how Cor and Ardyn were taking a month long break in Galdin Quay now that Noctis was king.
Ultimately, they opted to wander around the cobblestone streets, looking out on the water as the moonlight cascaded downward, making the otherwise dark horizon look like shimmering diamonds. At one point they opted just to stop and listen to the waves, both of them leaning against the railing in a meditative peace. Gladio had a week there before he had to go back to work, and Prompto was luckily off for the next couple of months before festival season started up again. It truly was a perfect evening.
“Hey Prom,” Gladio said as Prompto looked out on the water. He turned and looked at his boyfriend in surprise. Why was he on one knee? Why was there a small, black velvet box in his hands? Facing Gladio, Prompto felt his voice catch in his throat. “I love you. I’ve loved you since the moment that I met you. We’ve been through it all, and I won’t pretend I had my part to play in the bad stuff that happened. But I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and I think it’s time. I love you, Prompto. Will you marry me?”
Prompto opened his mouth to say something, to tell him he loved him, to let him know that he admired every aspect of Gladio. But nothing escaped his lips for the first time in so many years. Then again, this was the first time Prompto had been surprised enough to lose his voice. So instead, he looked at Gladio and signed his response, an emphatic yes, an enthusiastic I love you too.
With trembling hands, Gladio slipped the beautiful rose gold ring on Prompto’s finger, the shimmering fire opal dancing in the moonlight. The moment Gladio stood up, Prompto jumped into his arms and kissed him, savoring the feel of Gladio’s arms around his torso, holding him in the air. They kissed each other for a long time, lost in each other's arms, blessed and grateful that they had each other since high school. Even when they were apart, their hearts belonged to each other.
“I love you,” Prompto gasped the moment they stopped kissing, Gladio still holding him in his arms. “I love you, and I can’t wait to marry you.”
“Good because I was thinking we could get married before you went back on tour,” Gladio offered. “How about it?”
“Yes!” Prompto cheered. “Yes! I do! Whatever I have to say, let’s do it!”
Gladio laughed then kissed Prompto again, his heart alight with joy. “Come on. I have a fun night planned for us.”
Prompto walked with Gladio, hand in hand, back to the hotel, consumed with a sense of joy and excitement. “What do you have in mind?”
“I’m not allowed to talk about it in public,” Gladio said with a cheeky laugh. “You know, I think that’s the first time in a long time that you lost your voice.”
Prompto nodded in agreement. “What can I say? You took my breath away.”
“Dork,” Gladio teased while Prompto laughed. He leaned his head against Gladio’s arm, grateful to have his fiance in his life.
“I love you, Gladio,” Prompto said with a smile. “I can’t wait to marry you.”
“Me too, Prom,” Gladio replied. He leaned over and kissed Prompto on the forehead. “I love you too.”
They got in the gondola to head back to the hotel. Prompto sat in Gladio’s lap the entire time, lost in his eyes or his lips. Nothing could have been better. After going through so much, they were finally getting married. He couldn’t be happier. And from the way Gladio held him, he knew that he couldn’t be more thrilled either.
Life was perfect. And within a few short months, their life together would be complete.