#imperial! prompto

[sparklecryptid]

.........

hear me out

hear me out

cloud strife and zack from ff7 reborn into ffxv as nif experiments

who promptly burn everything down and come across a prompto who hasnt been rescued but still yearns for freedom and is so so so young

so they do the next logical thing

they take him with them

[meteortrails]

wish I had the motivation to write a group chat fic for ffxv that accurately captures what a roadtrip group chat looks like. like the image I have in my mind is just a bunch of insane, disjointed and mildly out of context conversations about some cool/dumb photo somebody got, grocery list texts, budget reminder texts, stupid internet shit someone found while they were in the car but didn’t feel like shoving in everyone’s faces…. like ffxv is so good at just showing that casual but extremely genuine affection and intimacy I just know their group chat would be the same way.

[chippersweetbaby]

[flowers-of-tenebrae]

How It Could've Gone

I really adore Noctis/Luna but I'd be the first to agree it could've been executed better or fleshed out more, they should've interacted in-game as adults, the players should've been allowed to build an emotional connection to Luna, etc. So here's one hc of how it could've gone:

-

Luna survives the battle at Altissia and Ardyn's stabbing but is weak and severely wounded. Instead of mourning her death, Noctis and his bros grapple with the aftermath - the response and recovery of Altissia, Ignis' blindness, Luna's convalescence, Noctis' own shortcomings in the last trial, and Noctis' realisation that it isn't too late. That he and Luna still have time.

Cue Luna joining the guys when they depart for Niflheim - to some protest, mainly out of concern for her health. But our girl isn't one to sit back when there's a world save and she has the power to help. Maybe she even tries to heal Ignis' eyesight but it's been too long since he incurred the injury. Maybe her healing powers have waned after the last trial or maybe Ignis refuses it. Either way Luna acts as their guide to Niflheim and joins as a guest party member when they alight at Cartanica.

Their trip down the mine to the royal tomb is still fraught with danger and heightened emotions, but Luna's presence eases the tension and her abilities (both as a healer and wielder of the Trident) help in picking up the slack. During this time, and earlier on the train ride, the guys and Luna get to know each other - the way they should have in-game - and discuss their respective journeys. Maybe Noctis and Luna have a private moment at a campsite where they can, for the first time in years, be just "Noctis and Luna" together - and not the chosen King of Lucis and the Oracle. The Ring of the Lucii is brought up, with Luna apologising for not delivering it sooner, and so is the fall of Insomnia and Regis' passing. Amidst the sweet sorrow and growing pains, the group retrieves the royal arm but Noctis still has yet to put on the ring.

They agree to journey to Tenebrae, both to fulfil promises unspoken and to check on its state after hearing rumours of an attack on the radio. Their impending arrival is heralded by daemons assaulting the train. Luna helps repel the daemons with her powers of light, but is left utterly spent and Prompto is lost in the onslaught.

The remaining group reaches Tenebrae only to find the rumours are true - an imperial invasion has devastated the land once again and the fight rages on. In the midst of it all, they encounter Aranea, Biggs and Wedge assisting with the evacuation. Aranea points out where the fighting is thickest and informs them of the latest news out of Gralea and Ravus' rumoured passing.

The army of MTs and daemons is being puppeteered by Ardyn, who mocks them for being down one member and running behind schedule. Their enemies are relentless in their attacks and despite Gladio and Ignis' warnings, Noctis breaks off as he charges after Ardyn. Their frenzied fight comes to a head as Noctis gains the upper hand and pins Ardyn to the ground. Ardyn's mocking laughter rings in Noctis' ears as he crows their time has finally run out. Noctis' vision clears and he finds on the end of his sword is none other than Luna.

Lying amidst the ravaged flower fields of her home, Luna reveals her true feelings and inescapable fate. Her body has been wracked by the covenants and Ardyn is right, her time was always going to be limited with her calling now fulfilled. Still, she is grateful for the time they spent together, for the chance to stand beside him and laugh again as they once did. Luna admits she was looking forward to their wedding and asks Noctis to save their star, reminding him he is not alone and Prompto can yet be saved.

Noctis, cradling her body, cries he is sorry, he won't let her down and they'll be together again someday.

Luna smiles... And the party is down to three.

-

(Happy 8th anniversary to FFXV!)

[raven-6-10]

@a-world-in-grey

Right, after some deep diving through FFXV wiki and some research into hereditary titles, inheritance laws and various historical and fictional courts, I think I have a general idea of what I want the Niflheimr court in general and the Aldercapt dynasty in particular to look like.

***

Let's start with the inheritance laws.

I settled on agnatic-cognatic (male-preference) primogeniture i.e. the throne goes to the eldest son, then his brothers by order of age, then his eldest sister and so on. And since the Aldercapts don't have Bahamut artificially pruning the family tree to one child per generation in recent centuries, there are actually people related to the Emperor with a legitimate claim to the throne.

(Side-note: some pruning is still happening as a result of children competing for the throne. Iedolas' brothers and one sister had died before he even came to the throne.)

The issue here is that Iedolas is an ambitious man - even if he's not obsessed with reviving Solheim (at the moment) - and wants to leave a legacy. Which means he wants his heir to be his child/grandchild.

You raised a valid point about Iedolas having children before that point. Which. Uhmm. Canon doesn't exactly help here. The only thing we know for certain is that he had at least one son (b. 720 ME) who died at the earliest in 748 ME (because that's the birth year for Solara Antiquum) but was definitely dead when the game kicked off in 756 ME. Considering Iedolas is from Mors' generation that's kind of late to have your first child.

So!

I'm gonna make an executive decision here.

Iedolas did have children before that with his wife. Specifically two sons and a daughter. Possibly some grandchildren even. However they all died due to combination of illnesses, accidents and deliberate action. At that point he tried for another child with his wife, which canonically ended up with her death from childbirth complications within a year. In this au, the son in question was born early - resulting in underdeveloped lungs plus host of other health issues - and died as a young teenager due to pneumonia.

Hence, the order for Besithia to create an heir for him.

***

Situation at the Imperial court is surprisingly stable at the moment.

Just because the Emperor has no children doesn't mean he has no heirs*. The current heir presumptive is his younger sister but since she's rather elderly, the throne is actually probably going to be inherited by his great-niece. The woman in question is from a high-ranking house, married to a man from similarly titled house, has a range of useful political and military connections and a daughter of her own at the time of Prompto's birth.

(Iedolas had been planning to betroth Prompto to his great-great-niece and name the mother a regent just in case he dies before his son is an adult.)

So most of the politicking is currently about getting into the good graces of the imperial heiress and discrediting the rivals. The most opposition is from warmongers (Ulldor) as she's much less militant than the current emperor, so will likely focus on consolidating the imperial gains in Tenebrae and addressing social issues instead of continuing the conquest.

***

As for where that would leave Prompto (or whatever Iedolas would rename him)?

I'm headcanoning that Niflheimr royals don't introduce their kids to public until they are at least 10. Before that there might be rumours, especially if the Empress is obviously pregnant, but nobody will confirm anything outright.

There's a bunch of historical reasons behind that, but mostly it's very useful if you need to, erm, adjust the family tree.

And right now it means that Aldercapt still has time to get his kid back instead of writing him off as a lost cause and trying again or just formally declaring a new heir from among his relatives. Because nobody will bat an eyelash on the boy not being seen before his formal introduction.

If the Nifs actually recover him, he will be raised in a secluded estate on the outskirts of Gralea with staff being responsible for his upbringing and Iedolas visiting often to check on him.

***

*I was inspired by the House Arryn. Somebody once joked that even if you are five generations removed from lordship, you can still end up being the Heir Arryn. A peasant sneezes in the Vale and they've lost half their house members.

[queenoffishingandcookies]

Currently thinking of AU’s where Prompto is a Prince of Niflheim. And technically of Lucis. But doesn’t know.

Iedolas’ wife died after giving birth to her son. He never remarried (and arguably, it’s at this most vulnerable point in his life that everything regarding Niflheim takes a downward spiral).

So, obviously there’s going to be sole concern over what would happen if the Only Heir to the throne tragically died or never got married, or had children of his own, etc etc.

(In Dawn of the Future, he had Solara - but I’m pretty sure the Prince was never mentioned in-game?)

And then there’s Besithia. With his cloning tech and research over transporting his consciousness into machinery all Otto Apocalypse style.

Honestly my two thoughts are of Prompto being a clone of Niflheim’s unnamed prince, or literally being said prince’s twin or something being put in a stasis tube [in case of emergencies].

Naturally, this gets spliced with additional DNA of a certain ‘man of no consequence’ in a bid to create a ‘perfect’ heir - one that could even bring Lucis to heel.

Fight fire with fire and all that.

All similarities to Besithia end up because Besithia is somewhat related (close or distantly, who knows) to Iedolas’ late wife. Part of the reason he has Imperial Favor in all his unethical shady experiments.

I have so many plot bunnies about this au.

Maybe the late Empress was related to the Fleuret’s somewhat distantly and this is part of the reason they had a somewhat low level of autonomy (up until the burning’s), so technically he gets Fleuret powers too - and, in a really really really far out and distant way, Prompto is technically the son of Aera and Ardyn.

Or, on the other hand, No Prophecy AU where someone sees Prompto with Noctis on some of the few pieces of news that leave Insomnia - or maybe a spy, who knows? And this makes its way to Niflheim because, hey - we could use this kid against Lucis, he’s a friend to the Prince

And it’s just. Iedolas’ son. Or Ardyn’s, depending on the route you want to take.

There was also the thought of Prompto resembling the late Empress while the imperial suite is there in talks of peace and the emperor sees him, like he looks quite similar to - wait, wait a moment.

I HAVE BRAINROT I CANT PUT INTO WORDS.

This would, of course, make the kidnapping of Baby Prompto from Niflheim a far bigger deal (in very secret, confidential circles) than it seemed to be in canon.

And deal with a fleshing out of Iedolas’ character that we never really got canon-wise, because…by the time of canon, he’s gone nuts. Under the sway of Ardyn and the scourge - because we see just how badly Ardyn can fuck with people’s heads - Etc.

Plus, Ardyn’s character because - how does he see Prompto, provided he did give his DNA to be used (or if, you know, Besithia just took it) in cases of Prompto being a clone using a myriad of dna samples?

Then there’s Regis. The Father.

Prompto is Noctis’ best friend, his brother (or boyfriend, because they do make a very cute couple, I will Fight for that). Who spends a lot of time around Noctis.

This boy is pretty much Regis’ second son already, whether he’s dating Noctis or not, in my head. There’s also Cor, who baby-snatched him.

Imagine the ensuing custody battles.

[krisssssssy]

Hit me with more FFXV astrology headcanons 💯

Alright so Ignis is my third fave, he is an Aquarius, born February 7th with the same birthday as Aerith Gainsborough from FF7. Ignis definitely radiates Aquarius vibes, which is Saturn-ruled, and tho Ignis is younger than Gladio, he definitely gives dad energy, and is 100% the Dad (or mom?? Parent I guess) of the group.

Aquarius Sun would give a Pisces, Aquarius, or Capricorn Mercury. I think Ignis is a lot more sensitive than we give him credit for, so I think Pisces is possible, but his method behind things is very Saturnian, meaning he’s methodical, hard working, serious - I mean, look at his outfit! That can’t be easy to run around in, but he’s gotta look business profesh at all times. So I think he’s got some Cap placements (or Aquarius, since both cap and Aquarius are Saturn ruled).

Also, he’s the only one even mildly aware of who tf Imperial Chancellor Izunia is lmao, when Ardyn decides to introduce himself while Titan is having a rampage, and Noctis is like “huh” so Ignis really is the only one who knows what is even going on at any given time lol. This just speaks to his maturity, he also absorbs a lot of knowledge easily - perhaps having a Virgo placement somewhere, or Gemini (both Mercury ruled). Like seriously imagine Noctis just flailing around WITHOUT Ignis or Gladio or Prompto lmaooo. He’d be a mess. But yeah Saturn gives people like “old soul” vibes or like, seeming way more mature for their age.

I FORGOT in my discussion of Prompto, but I’m going to insert it here lol. Every one of them is sus of Ardyn, EXCEPT PROMPTO LMAO, and he is like “maybe we can ask Ardyn for help” at some point, and it always makes me laugh. That blind trust feels very Libran (also Piscean, but I digress) and Libras CAN be more naive and try to see the good in everyone bc they are so instinctively drawn to partnering with people and building relationships. Poor Prompto 😭

I do think with Ignis’ cooking skills he has some Cancer placements. He isn’t cooking for himself, he’s cooking solely for his friends to increase their strength and skills. This is so Cancerian and speaks again to his being the dad of the group. So maybe he’s got a Cancer moon, or something.

I have a friend who is a Capricorn rising, with Cancer Sun, and Aquarius moon, and he’s SO like Ignis, and so I think Ignis would have some mix of Aquarius, Capricorn, and some Cancer. POSSIBLY Virgo from how fancy and proper he is (altho that could be the Capricorn influence).

I do want to talk about both Noctis and Lunafreya being Virgos, which feels like a weird choice, but I’ve rambled long enough lol.

[ichilemonwritruoo]

Some of My Hurt Noctis Fics 👀

Prince Like Despair: Noctis has a mini freak accident when he bangs his right side into the hotel's bathroom sink and somehow he believes it causes the start of something much worse. Or: Noctis is an idiot and hides his condition until he ends up in the hospital because bathroom sinks do not cause appendicitis

Support Pillars (2023 Revisions)- Noctis, Ignis, Gladio, and Prompto a.k.a the crown prince and his entourage run into a lot of trouble when the epileptic prince and his anxiety disorder suffering best friend both run out of their prescription medication at the same time. That usually wouldn't be a problem….but the funds are already tight. With Noctis suffering from seizures and Prompto dealing with increased stomach aches, the gravity of the situation finally begins to set in. Someone is going to have to take one for the team.

Wishy-Washy Bubble Sniping- On the way out in the road, the Chocobros get chased and attacked mid ride by one of the Empire's Imperial Dropships. Prompto, Ignis, and Gladio have to break a few driving laws to defend their Prince and get him to safety as quickly as possible and help him recover during the aftermath. Maybe things wouldn't have been as serious if Noctis didn't suffer with severe motion sickness and had to suffer through it the entire time.

[savage-rhi]

Foreheads pressed together, a silent way to say “I’m here” with ignis and gladio

Coming up!

The cackle of the fire nearby Gladio's feet did little to tamper down his feelings. He glared while using a knife to carve into a slab of wood, wanting to take his frustrations out on something that wasn't a face.

Every so often tears threatened to pool from the corner of his eyes, for Gladio was reminded of his father. How Clarus taught him to carve whenever he lost his temper. The sentimentality of it all had Gladio's mind spiral. He thought of the crown city, and everyone in it being subjugated to imperial rule. The faces of his comrades, of his sister Iris, all came and went in fire and ash.

Gladio snarled, almost cutting himself with the blade by accident before he angrily tossed the wood piece into the fire and his knife into the dark. He hit the ground a few times. Words couldn't describe how enraged he was at Niflheim, and also at himself.

For days since the attack, Gladio had kept the brunt of his feelings in check. He had to be strong. He had to be strong for Noctis especially. The future king needed a tough hand to guide him through the dark, and Gladio upheld his oath. Now that he had time to himself, away from the guys, everything he had bottled up unleashed itself.

He cried for gods knew how long, letting his agonizing bellows and weeps echo throughout camp and beyond. He punched the earth until his knuckles bled and were numb.

By the time Ignis arrived on site, Gladio had been reduced to a shuddering mess.

The small gasp from Ignis had Gladio jolt. He wiped away at his eyes quickly, and shook his head in dismissal.

"Are Prompto and Noct not far behind?"

"Gladio..."

"It's nothing," Gladio attempted to wave Ignis off as the latter approached, but it did no good. Soon, Ignis was sitting at his side in front of the fire and he carefully took hold of Gladio's right hand and inspected the damage he had done to himself.

"Prompto and Noct decided to take a detour. They wanted to get some photographs of the Anak herd." Ignis furrowed his brows. "These wounds need to be washed. You could get an infection."

"Serves me right," Gladio bitterly said. He ignored Ignis's previous remark about Noctis and Prompto, and began to dwell in his misery. "I should've been there, with the king and with my father. Not some...bachelor party gone to shit. I'm a shield! I--damn it!"

"Gladio," Ignis softly murmured. "There's nothing you could've done. Niflheim had the advantage. If we're being realistic, with how brutal the onslaught was, you would've been a casualty."

"At least I would've died with honor," Gladio huffed.

"And there is no honor in traveling with us?" Ignis countered.

Ignis's words had Gladio pause in his anger. He was about to say something, but the words wouldn't come. Guilt began to pave way while he swallowed and took a deep breath.

"I didn't mean it like that," Gladio sadly remarked. "Noct's the new king. I know he needs me. I just---Iggy, I'm tired of having to be the strong one all the time."

Ignis knew no other words of encouragement would get through to him. Not with how Gladio was so detached and upset. So he did the one thing a friend could do during a time like this.

Ignis gently took hold of Gladio's face, turning his head and then pressed his forehead to Gladio's. His hands slid to Gladio's shoulders, giving a gentle squeeze while he nodded against him. It was the only way he knew how to say "I'm here" without speaking.

"Hmm hmm," Gladio sniffled, nodding his head in turn. His eyes shut and he once more began to cry. "They're all gone..."

"I know," Ignis whispered. "But we still stand, and the empire will pay for their trespass."

"Don't tell Noct or Prompto," Gladio shuddered. "I can't let them see me like this..."

"They won't know," Ignis reassured. "It'll be our secret."

If you like my work and feel generous, feel free to donate to my ko-fi account or my cash app account!

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[starshcwer]

( let me have this moment | @lucisking )

careful fingers yearn to thread through curtain - like strands that drape so elegantly 'pon her back , & his hand twitches 'fore being met with silent resistance . a shyness creeps from his stomach to his chest to his cheeks & he's quiet as he commits her beauty to his memory . he knows he's looked to her a moment too long when he notices her shift in movements & his vision darts from her capture . his face is flushed pink , & before he can evade their shared vulnerability entirely , he commits to a false confidence he wishes he could hold at all times . his hands stretch to caress her jaw & he leans closer to her , mere inches between them now . getting this close has proven a painfully slow process ( every few minutes , a few centimeters closer ) , but he's here now , & he breaks the tension with a half - whisper , implications obvious in his careful words , ' can i . . . ? ' kiss you ?

their arrival in cape caem felt like a rush of fresh air in tifa's lungs. for the first time since the first imperial banner caught her eye in lestallum, there was no weight on her shoulders–––– no feeling as though she had to turn her head to watch their backs every chance she got. & she knew she wasn't the only one. the skip in iris' step had returned. prompto's pictures felt full of fun & wonder again. gladio had taken to waking up early again for drills & sparring.

even talcott's smile was far less rare than it had been just a few days ago–––– which was, undoubtedly, the greatest relief.

despite their imminent departure to altissia looming over them, the days it would take for the vessels repair provided a break sorely needed. tifa herself took to spending the sudden abundance of free time outside, perusing novels by the flowers or dipping her toes into the water when the sun was at it's highest in the day. this time around, she had gathered her courage to climb to the highest viewing area that the lighthouse offered, leaning on the railing just in time for the sunset to send rays of pink & orange cascading across the ocean.

the sound of footsteps climbing the ladder only a few moments behind her wasn't surprising, not when noctis' eyes had been on her throughout the day. she'd been waiting for his approach, to find out what sort of message he'd been attempting to send through his gaze alone, & her smile was inviting as he requested to join her. as if she would have ever denied him.

though he started out more than an arm's length away, he began shifting as he spoke. short, quick steps while he thought her attention captivated by the view that she might not have noticed if she wasn't so attuned to him–––– his motions, his expressions, his words, though it may have seemed that the sunset was her focus, he was the sole commander of her attention.

the shifting stopped when they were shoulder to shoulder–––– had her attention wavered, she surely would have noticed now–––– & there was his gaze again. lingering & filled with a sentiment she dared not name. she had no way of knowing if it was hesitation that stalled him, or if he had lost his confidence entirely, but she refused to let the moment pass.

she turned, shifting from shoulder to shoulder to face to face just in time to watch him avert his gaze. the pink on his cheeks was almost hidden by the setting sun, but the contrast was just different enough for her to notice. there was a tease on her lips, but their intention left her in a sudden breath as his hands brushed against her jaw.

his approach was unhurried, almost leisurely in the way he always seemed to be. but she knew, much like his movements in battle, that every bit of movement was deliberate. she needed no such dilly––––dallying, & she sought to make that clear, raising up on her toes to bring them closer just that much faster, but his height ensured that he would need to be the one to bridge the gap between them, however small it was.

she couldn't tell if the drumming reverberating through her was her heart in her ears, or his that she could hear, matching the thundering beat of her own?

tifa's breath shuddered in anticipation at his question, & she knew he was close enough to feel it. it was silent. just for a moment. just long enough for her to take in every detail of the look on his face & the feeling of his hands on her skin. to truly know that he wanted this as much as she did.

❛ yes. ❜

hardly had the word been uttered before his lips were on her own. she anchored herself with her hands on his arm, so filled with something so wonderful she could only describe it as elation that she suddenly felt as though the world had tilted on it's axis. the smile against his lips was entirely involuntary, but it was the closest she could come in the moment to sharing the warmth in her heart with him.

there was no helping the grin on her face as they separated, nor the laugh that bubbled from her in her exhilaration. hardly had it died down to giggles before it was her turn for her hands to cup his face & guide him into another kiss.

there would need to be a conversation, she would ensure that there was one, but that was a concern for later, after the sun had finished setting & they'd had their fill of first, second, third, fourth–––– kisses for long enough that they could talk. when her heart no longer felt as though it could beat from her chest & fly away.

until then, she would take the opportunity she had been given to savor every detail of their moment together.

[promptisgiftexchange]

Here is the wrap-up of our fourth week of posting for the Promptis Gift Exchange. Individual works are listed below.

The entire collection can be found here: https://archiveofourown.org/collections/Promptis_Gift_Exchange_2023/works

Please be sure to give our creators some love on Ao3!  

Weekly Wrap-up #4

Title: The Cat Should Have Gotten Your Tongue-(Art)

Gift For: Ember_Lace

Rated: General Audiences (please mind the tags on Ao3)

Summary: Noct's (first) attempt to get chattin with the cute local dog walker~

https://archiveofourown.org/works/46839520

Title: Arrangements, Secrets & Promises -(Fic)

Gift For: Bramblepelt

Rated: Explicit (please mind the tags on Ao3)

Summary: When Prompto is stabbed during Noctis' wedding, it sets off a series of events that upend not only Prompto's life, but also change the entire political landscape of Eos in the process

https://archiveofourown.org/works/46871824/chapters/118066669

Title: Not The Hair!-(Fic)

Gift For: jam_calamity

Rated: General Audiences (please mind the tags on Ao3)

Summary: Prompto spent AGES trying to get his hair to look good!

https://archiveofourown.org/collections/Promptis_Gift_Exchange_2023/works/46909558

Title: you’re all i want (to love, to hold) -(Fic)

Gift For: FireHeartAW

Rated: General Audiences (please mind the tags on Ao3)

Summary: Noctis is just barely shy of nineteen when he meets his fiancé, Prompto Argentum Aldercapt; First Imperial Prince of the Niflheim Empire, as many an article proclaims.

When Noctis pondered on his future spouse, he knew it would be an arranged marriage. It was a rare occasion when nobility married for love. Nonetheless, he had accepted the fact that he would share the rest of his life with a spouse he had little care for and could only hope he would grow to love them and vice versa.

He did not, however, expect his future spouse to be the prince of Niflheim.

https://archiveofourown.org/collections/Promptis_Gift_Exchange_2023/works/46917529

Title: Iridescence -(Fic)

Gift For: SalamanderSocks

Rated: Explicit (please mind the tags on Ao3)

Summary: Trapped outside of themselves in the most confusing week of their lives, they have to find a way to fix it while pretending to be each other. A week that will remain with them for many years to come.

https://archiveofourown.org/collections/Promptis_Gift_Exchange_2023/works/46942417

Title:  Closer -(Fic)

Gift For: treya_barton

Rated: Teen (please mind the tags on Ao3)

Summary: “I’m not an official Crownsguard yet though. I don’t know, I feel like I’d make a fool of myself. I’ve never done anything formal in my life. I mean, you guys were raised for this, I just don’t see how I’d fit in.”

Noctis kicked his chair leg. “Maybe I like that you don’t fit in. If you’re worried about the correct etiquette and stuff, we can teach you, but no one’s going to banish you for using the wrong fork.”

Prompto laughed. “Dude, don’t underestimate how bad I could mess this up.”

For the first time, Noctis was allowed to invite Prompto to attend one of the Citadel's biggest events. Despite being completely unprepared, Prompto agrees to go, if only for the chance to spend an evening with Noctis. There's a few problems though. One, he has nothing to wear. Two, he has no idea how to act in such a formal setting. Three...he was hopelessly in love with Noctis.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/46973491/chapters/118333174

[chippersweetbaby]

[saratogaroadwrites]

Toxic (1/3)

Toxic | saratogaroad rating: G+ wordcount: 2366 characters: Noctis Lucis Caelum, Gladiolus Amicitia, Ignis Scientia, Prompto Argentum relationships: background Promptis other tags: background relationships, Canon-Typical Violence warnings: Canon Typical Violence chapter: 1/3

-

Already hurting, Noctis takes Gladio's words to heart and makes a reckless decision, learning something of the nature of grief along the way. Gladio learns that his words can be just as deadly, if not more so, than the sword he carries.

"I was doing my job," Noctis says coolly. Prompto can feel the tension in his back, the fine tremors wracking his thin form, "isn't that what you wanted?"

Gladio pales, like someone pulled all the color clean out of him, leaving nothing but dark leather on white skin.

-

Prompt; background (one-sided? :3) Promptis included because it wrote itself in. Prom, you're hopeless.

=

"Have either of you seen or heard from Noct recently?" Ignis asks, breaking the relative silence of the Cartanica platform. Sitting beside him on a bench, the setting sun turning everything molten gold, Prompto looks up from his phone. The sounds of Kings Knight jingle from the speaker.

"Not since we got here. He said he was going back for something in the sleeping car."

"That was two hours ago," Ignis sighs in exasperation, "and neither of you has gone to check on him?"

"His Royal Highness probably fell asleep," Gladio growls as he pushes himself to stand properly instead of leaning against a light pole. "Royal pain in my ass, more like."

Ignis' shoulders go tense. Gladio is gone before he can do more than open his mouth and then he sighs, hands tightening around the head of his cane. Prompto looks back to his phone, but Kings Knight blurs as his eyes water. He swipes at them, feeling like the worlds worst best friend. Gladio and Noct have been fighting since the train left Altissia, and the atmosphere is so thick he can't stand it anymore. He's tried to step up, tried to step in, but neither has listened. He sniffles.

"Iggy?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think..." he swallows around the lump in his throat, "do you think the four of us will still be friends when all of this is over?"

Ignis is silent for far too long, and when he does speak, his voice is too soft, too tired.

"I truly don't know, Prompto. I truly don't know."

A couple of tears roll down Promptos cheeks. He swipes angrily at them, leaving streaks of heat across his face. This whole trip has been a shitshow. First Insomnia, then Jared, then Lady Lunafreya, and now the bond between the four of them? What else do they have to lose before this is over?

"Noct's not on the train."

Six, no!

Prompto whirls around to sit on his knees, to see Gladio storming back from the train with storm clouds in his eyes and fists clenched tight. Beside him, Ignis has gone tense.

"Gladio?"

"I checked our bunk, the dining car, the Regalia--he's not on the train. Nobody's seen a scrawny kid on black since we got here, either."

The rest of his words turn to static in Prompto's ears as he looks out over the platform. There are no obvious Imperials here, no MTs just waiting to shock-and-snatch at their unwary prince, and the platform is full. Many of their fellow passengers have disembarked here to stretch out their legs or get some fresh air, but even among all those heads he can't see Noctis' familiar spikes anywhere. He stands, spins in a circle to look at the entire platform, only to stop and stare as his eyes turn to the lift down to the mine. The gates are closed, waiting for someone to call it up. In the rapidly darkening light, it looks almost haunted.

"You don't think he..." he can hear the others look at him, "went down to the Mine by himself, do you?"

"If he did," Gladio snarls, "I'll kick his ass."

He moves to storm past the bench, but Ignis snaps out an arm and catches him at the middle. It doesn't even knock the wind out of him.

"You'll do no such thing. We will discuss this rationally and calmly, make a plan of action, and then decide what to do."

"Iggy," Prompto wavers, "What if he is down there, though?"

"Then we will follow at first light, and no sooner." He sighs heavily when Prompto whines in the back of his throat, "The mines are twisted into a local swamp, Prompto. I am as concerned as you are, but we can't help Noct if we pursue him straight into danger."

"Not to mention he's put you into enough danger already," Gladio says. Then he chokes and steps back as, blind or not, Ignis levels him with a look cold enough to freeze fire. It is a softer look that he turns back to Prompto a moment later.

"Try to call him," he says, "though there may not be any signal down below."

Prompto exits so fast out of Kings Knight that he doesn't bother to save his progress. He hits speed-dial one, calls Noctis, but it immediately goes to voicemail. He tries again, face falling and stomach cramping, only to get the same result. The third time is not the charm and he looks up at them, at Gladio ready to kill someone and Ignis ready to snap.

"He--" Prompto can't speak around the lump in his throat. He clears it, tries again, manages to whisper, "He's not answering. I'm just getting voicemail."

Gladio snarls, "He turned it off."

"Or it is broken," Ignis counters, but his voice is no longer quite so calm. "Prompto, send him a text. See if he answers that."

"Y-yeah."

He sends something off quickly, something like 'where are you? Call me!' But with a lot of spelling errors because his fingers won't stop shaking. It sends with a ping, interrupting their last conversation about if Noctis wanted anything from some caravanside diner to go with his painkillers--Six, that was before Altissia--but there is no read receipt.

There is none, even as the minutes begin to drag. Prompto's knee bounces up and down in a stacatto rhythmn, bouncing his elbow and thus his phone held so tight in both hands the case creaks. Gladio begins to pace in front of the bench, military straight marching five steps one way, turn, five steps the other way. Ignis sits still as a statue, hands on the head of his cane and back on the bench, posture rigid. Prompto worries the inside of his lip until it burns, stomach churning.

Where is he?

Five minutes. No reply. No receipt.

Did the Empire come in plainsclothes? Do they have him? Is he waiting for a rescue they don't think he needs?

Ten minutes. Prompto looks up. Gladio is still pacing. Ignis hasn't twitched. He looks back at his phone, the text boxes blurring as his eyes keep watering.

Thirty minutes.

An hour. Gladio has stopped pacing. He stands there, unmoving as a lamp post. Prompto's phone chimes low battery at him, the screen dimming automatically to conserve itself. He shuts off all his background apps to buy every second rather than leave to get his chargepack. Ignis is so still someone might mistake him for a statue.

An hour and a half. Prompto's going to be sick. Bile, acrid and sharp, burns at the back of his throat. He starts praying to the Six, to Shiva, to Bahamut, to any one who'll listen. He begs the spirits of King Regis and Lady Lunafreya to bring Noctis back to them, to not take him just yet because Prompto still needs him, isn't ready to lose him yet and probably never will be.

Two hours. His phone shuts off with a buzz and sad little noise. He chokes on a sob and bends over the dead little device like that'll give it life again. Two strides away Gladio shifts stiffly.

"I'm going after him. If I have to drag his scrawny ass back here--"

"Enough, Gladio." Ignis says. His voice rasps from disuse. About to cry, Prompto looks at them. "This fighting has to stop."

"Who's fighting?" Gladio snorts, crossing his arms over his chest. There's something in his eyes, something Prompto isn't sure how to name. He isn't sure he wants to as Gladio continues, "He's done something else stupid and now we have to go save his scrawny ass. Like always."

"Not like always!" Prompto's chest heats up; Noctis isn't defenseless. Sure the Nifs had targetted him above the others but--he draws back as Gladio turns an unimpressed look on him, hands clenching tight around his phone.

"Yeah, like always," He repeats. He snorts hard and harsh. "We're trying to keep him safe and all he does is charge ahead--"

"Do you really think Noctis would have gone off on his own if he felt safe with you still?" Ignis looks up at Gladio, who looks suddenly as if someone's stuffed a monochrome filter over him, pale skin and dark leather. Prompto clutches his dead phone to his chest and looks between them as Ignis continues, "He is many things, Gladiolus, but stupid is not one of them. He knows very well where and when he is not wanted."

"And maybe that's for good reason!" Gladio explodes. Prompto jumps, plasters himself to the back of the bench. Ignis startles against his arm as Gladio continues, "Your uncle is dead! Prompto's parents are dead! My dad--" Gladio clenches his fists tight. Prompto's heart flips in his chest.

"That's not Noct's fault--" Prompto says, only to flinch back and hunch his shoulders as Gladio turns that look on him; it's not hared, Prompto doesn't think, but anger. Hurt. They're all hurting. Gladio's just broken first. Prompto trembles as he shakes his head, "It's not...Gladio it's not..."

"He hasn't done a damn thing to fix it, either--"

"That's quite enough!" Ignis turns his gaze to Gladio, narrowing his sightless eyes. "Arguing about this isn't going to solve or help anyone."

"But he--"

"Noctis has lost his father, his kingdom, and now a dear friend in the span of less than a month." He stands stiffly, then begins to walk forward to where Gladio stands. "He needs time, and when he is ready he will move forward."

"We can't wait for him to be ready!" Gladio counters, "We waited around for him and look what happened! Lady Lunafreya's dead, you're blind, and he still--"

"He is still our King!" Ignis shouts, taking a step towards Gladio. Prompto makes a noise behind them, unused to Ignis yelling when they're out of battle, but Ignis presses forward. "And before that he has been our friend." He reaches out, grabs a handful of leather, and pulls himself up until he probably can feel Gladio's breath across his face, standing as close as he dares. "We have all lost, Gladio. Your mourning for your father is no less important than Noctis mourning for his, or for Lady Lunafreya. This fighting must end."

Gladio is silent. Prompto is silent. Heart pounding he counts the seconds, fifteen, twenty, thirty...then Ignis sighs and lets go.

"I do not blame Noctis for my injury," he says quietly, "and I will survive losing my sight. But losing any of you..." He sighs, and Prompto gathers enough courage to walk over and rest a hand on Ignis' shoulder. "Do not ask this of me, Gladio. Please."

"Ig, I..."

"What's everyone yelling about?"

Ignis goes stiff beneath Prompto's hands. Gladio looks up and stares with wide eyes. Prompto turns around, tears already blurring his vision.

"Noct!"

Noctis looks terrible. His jacket is missing, his shirt and pants are torn and covered in equal measure mud and monster guts, his hair is mussed beyond what even sleep could do, and his face is covered in a mix of sweat, mud, and blood from a cut just above his eyes. Even at this distance, Prompto can tell he doesn't smell very good.

He doesn't care. Staring at Noctis in the golden light of a lamp, he's never seen a sight as beautiful as this.

"Noct!" He shouts again, throwing himself at his best friend with arms outstretched. Noctis jumps but catches Prompto anyway--he really does stink--and they both laugh as the momentum spins them around. Noctis' back bends and Prompto leans back, takes his friend's weight, and revels in the fact that he is breathing, even if he's stinky and fever warm beneath his fingers. "You're okay!"

"Of course I am," Noctis smiles, and Prompto's stomach does a flip for a whole other reason. "What, were you worried?"

Prompto chokes, gets out a breathless dude, but then Ignis speaks over him.

"Are you unharmed?" Ignis asks. Noctis grimaces, turns his head and spits. In the dim light Prompto can't tell if that was blood or something else, but when he turns back Noctis' teeth are stained both red and black.

"...I wouldn't turn down a potion." His back tenses. Prompto's stomach roils in sympathy because that's the same way his back does when his guts are trying to eat him alive. "Or an antidote. Malboros suck." Gladio and Ignis both choke. Prompto stares.

"You--" he looks up and down his best friend, and when he takes more of Noctis' weight the prince does not hesitate to lean on him. "You took on a Malboro? By yourself?!"

"It was blocking the way into the tomb." Noctis shrugs like he's talking about watering a houseplant, "and it had nothing on Ardyn."

Gladio stumbles back, nearly crashes into the bench. He's pale when Prompto turns to give him a wide-eyed look of alarm. Ardyn was here and they didn't--he could have killed Noct and they wouldn't have--the thoughts seem to strike something in Gladio because he reaches back to grasp the bench, suddenly unsteady.

"You took on Ardyn by yourself?" He asks in an uncharacteristically small voice, "What were you thinking?"

"I was doing my job," Noctis says coolly, with none of that warmth he just gave to Prompto, and somehow that's worse than if he yelled. Prompto can feel the tension in his back, the fine tremors wracking Noctis' thin frame, see the ashen edge sinking in to his complexion. He's already digging into his pockets for a potion as Noctis finishes, "that's what you wanted, isn't it?"

Gladio rears back as if struck, all the color leeched out of his skin. Noctis breathes in deep, nostrils flaring, and then looks at Ignis.

"When does the train leave?"

"At dawn," He says quietly, almost lost in thought, as he stands. "We had best get aboard. Our supplies are still with our things, and you could doubtlessly benefit from rest."

Prompto helps Noctis hobble towards the train, looking back at Gladio following in their footsteps, pale as a ghost. Now his stomach really roils; the yelling may have stopped, but this is just so much worse.

[ao3feed-noctluna]

Fallen Stars of the Kingdom

by LadyLilaBlue

Noctis Lucis Caelum is the Kingdom of Insomina's beloved Oracle. It is his destiny to heal the people and ail Lunafreya in her quest to collect the royal arms and breathe light into the world. The public sees the determined Oracle as he attends to his duties, but behind closed doors his three companions see the sick and frail Oracle that is suffering complications for living up to his pre-destined duty. Which is unfortunate because Noctis wants nothing more than to live a normal life, unconfined by castle walls and Imperial Forces.

Words: 5011, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Series: Part 2 of Noct might need a hospital visit

Fandoms: Final Fantasy XV

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M

Characters: Noctis Lucis Caelum, Prompto Argentum, Ignis Scientia, Gladiolus Amicitia, Lunafreya Nox Fleuret

Relationships: Background Lunafreya Nox Fleuret/Noctis Lucis Caelum, Gladiolus Amicitia & Prompto Argentum & Noctis Lucis Caelum & Ignis Scientia, Prompto Argentum & Noctis Lucis Caelum, Noctis Lucis Caelum & Ignis Scientia

Additional Tags: Oracle Noctis Lucis Caelum, Role Reversal, Roleswap AU, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Sick Character, Family Bonding, FFXV with my unique spin, Exhaustion, Terminal Illnesses, Background romantic relationship, Mainly focusing on Ignis and Noctis, And Noct and Prompto, Prompto is still a plebe but now he serves the oracle :), Fainting, Queen Lunafreya Nox Fleuret, The Bro group and the Lady group are present, Minor Aranea Highwind, Minor Gentiana, Minor Iris Amicitia, Best Friends, Domestic Fluff, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Angst and Feels, Reminiscing, headcanon heavy, Dialogue Heavy, Hurt Noctis Lucis Caelum, Whump, Want a fic where Noctis is the oracle and suffers a lot?, You came to the right place homie, Author Is Sleep Deprived, The Author Regrets Nothing, Prompto is clumsy but he is doing is best for Noct, Ignis is attached to Noct pls dont separate them

source https://archiveofourown.org/works/45605932

[ahdenyadahling]

Final Fantasy XV - Fate & Destiny

note: mild language/trauma

Chapter Eleven, Part Two

The ground below Noctis gave way and he fell, sliding down the smooth embankment. I watched with horror and a bit of pride as Gladio went after him, as was his duty. Just in front of them, the Titan rose.

The Titan, one of the Six Gods of this world, the Star of Eos, was also one of its greatest saviors. As I said, when the Meteor was about to crash onto our Star, large enough to cause worldwide destruction, the Titan caught it on his back, holding it aloft to this day. The impact still left this crater, the Disc of Cauthess, and in places, the Meteor still burned and lava flowed at the Titan’s feet. Weary with exertion over his accomplishment, the Titan slept, the Meteor still resting on his shoulders, until he could regain his strength and do with it as he saw fit, whether that be set the Meteor down or hurl it back into space. But now, his gaze was set upon Noctis. One eye was, anyway; there was a shard of the meteor through his right eye.

From above, watching Noctis and Gladio disappear from view, I clung tightly to each of the remaining boys shoulders.

“Noct, you okay?” Prompto sounded scared.

Ignis, as usual, was more level-headed. “Is there any way back up?”

“No,” came Noct’s voice, and we each breathed a sigh of relief to hear him, “you guys just look for a safer way down.”

The three of us broke into a sweat as we made our way down turning paths, with pockets of rock which fumed heat and sometimes molten rock. It was an arduous process, and our breathing was labored, both by the workout and the excruciating heat. We met Noctis at the bottom just as he was dodging the Titan’s sweeping left hand, which was twice as large as Noct’s entire body. My heart leapt into my throat, noticing Noct fought alone.

“Where’s Gladio?” I shouted.

“On his way,” His Highness assured me, slicing at the Titan’s stony hand as it made to knock him over again.

We were also quite surprised when several Magitek Engines appeared above us, distracting the Titan and allowing us to fight. It wasn’t until Ignis ordered me to take aim at the Magitek soldiers that I realized what the Empire was really trying to accomplish: to take down the Titan themselves. With my whip, I knocked away pull lines they tried to hook into him while Noct and the others continued their fight. When the Titan fell forward and the fight appeared over, the Archaean revealed to the prince that his betrothed, the Oracle, Lunafreya Nox Fleuret, had begun to convene with the Gods. This meant she was asking for their blessing in supporting Noctis as the Chosen King. This fight was simply to prove Noct’s worth, and with the Titan’s support, he was one step closer to his title. At this point, the Titan had had enough of these Imperial Warships buzzing around his head. He smashed what ships he could reach, causing an earthquake which tore another hole in the earth. Lava began to pool around us, leaving us scrambling for higher ground as the earth under our feet melted.

And to our perturbation, one more ship appeared, with Ardyn bestowing his ‘kindness.’ We were loathe to trust this man, but this time, Ardyn properly introduced himself as Ardyn Izunia. The name meant nothing to me, but Ignis questioned, “Imperial Chancellor Izunia?”

“The same. Come aboard, I guarantee safe passage. Or die in the rubble. It’s all the same to me.”

Ignis made a fair point, saying how we couldn’t die here, we had no other option. And so we were brought aboard the Imperial Warship. We were rescued by the same man who may or may not have had a hand in the attack on Insomnia that ultimately killed Noctis and Gladio’s fathers.

We sat on the floor of the Imperial machine, quietly discussing our options for when we landed. Where was he even going to let us out? It turned out, not too far from my home in the forest of Duscae. But we had a bigger problem- the Regalia was missing. The Empire had clearly ‘taken it for safe keeping’ during the Titan fight, but it was not returned to a specified location.

Under the authority of the High Commander, the Imperial War Strategist, most of the road blockades had returned ‘for public safety.’ Ignis suspected it was a tactic to keep us under surveillance, or at least keep us locked down to this region. In the meantime, Noctis had called Cindy, asking her to keep an ear out for the car, and of course, to my annoyance, Prompto was bouncing over his shoulder just to hear her voice.

Without the car, I made a suggestion. “If we kill Deadeye, we could start using Chocobos to travel.”

“Oh dude!” Prompto grabbed onto my shoulders and kicked his feet in the air, “I do love the way you think!”

“I suppose you do make a convincing argument,” Ignis acknowledged, his gloved fist on his chin.

We walked up the winding road toward Wiz’s Chocobo Races, a road I knew by heart, and although I was excited to see Wiz, my pace slowed. Gladio put an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close.

“Worried about your mom?” he asked.

I nodded, and he smiled down at me, promising, “I’ll talk to Noct. See if we can stop by between missions, alright?” He kissed my cheek and encouraged me to jog alongside him. We passed by the others, running faster than them, and found that although the race track was closed, there were still people milling around the premises. A few rows of Chocobos were out in their pens, enjoying the sunlight, and Prompto was the first one over to pet them. While he took pictures of and with them, Noctis, Ignis and I spoke with Wiz Forlane, the owner of the racetrack and issuer of the Deadeye bounty. I had known Wiz for many years, and he was like an uncle to me. He was proud to see my Crownsguard uniform and that I had taken up the hunt like my father. I could see he was apprehensive about my fighting abilities, but when Gladio approached and set a strong arm around my waist, saying he’d watch out for me, Wiz nodded and gave us directions on where Deadeye was last seen. My heart was pounding in my ears, but like every other matter in my life, there was no turning back.

[every-lemon]

💖, 🦅, 👀

💖 What made you start writing?

Hmmmm this is a good question! I feel like I've always written, but it's ebbed and flowed at different times of my life. For fanfic in particular, I used to write it in high school, then took a decade off and picked it back up after finishing FFVII Remake and then DOVE IN after FFXV. I'd been doing more original writing, and having such great characters to play with using those skills was so fun. Also... Pandemic, ha.

🦅 Do you outline fics or fly by the seat of your pants?

Both? Both. I usually start by the seat of my pants to get a feel for where things are going, then create an outline. Sometimes it's just bullet points or notes, other times it's a more terrifying collection of story circles and post-it notes.

Usually the longer something is, the more I outline. Really short stuff I may not at all.

👀 Tell me about an up and coming wip please!

Hmmm I have a few things I'm letting percolate around, and I'm not sure which will end up actually being finished. Right now it's a toss-up between an extremely whumpy fic where all the bros get captured by a vengeful Imperial captain, and a post-game Noct Lives AU where he doesn't take the throne, focusing on his friendship with Prompto.

Thanks for the asks, Avian!! 💕