Chapter Text
"Is this all?" Cor asks, as if he hadn't inquired the same exact thing when they first loaded the car.
There are only the two biggest suitcases he could order online ( " You might as well take your grandmother's trunk, dear”, his father had joked at the sight) and his duffel bag with enough clothes to get by the first week, along with survival items - mainly, his gaming system and his books.
Cor has his 'constipated’ look on when Noctis mentions the rest of his clothes will be delivered to him later in the week. The man would certainly have packed the entirety of his wardrobe in a single suitcase, being the minimalist King and all.
"Do you need help to get it all up?"
"Nah," Noctis brushes the Marshal off. "Don't worry about it, I will manage. If the traffic to the embassy is as bad as it was from the hotel to here, you're going to be late already."
Cor nods, slams the car's trunk shut. When he turns back to Noctis, he only hesitates a little before hugging him tight.
Noctis leans a little into it and feels his throat closing up. Cor releases him with a pat on the back and Noctis busies himself with gathering his belongings, rapidly blinking to chase away the dampness of his eyes.
He is so not going to cry in front of Cor. He had held his head high and managed to say his goodbye to his father with a smile; if he gets emotional now, Cor will definitely rat him out when he gets back.
"Call your old man once you're settled." He casts a meaningful look over his shoulder right before climbing back into the car, "And please, let us know if you need anything."
"Sure. Now get going!"
Cor laughs and Noctis waves him goodbye until he reaches the next crossroad.
If the city of Graela farms concrete fields and high-tech-looking skyscrapers, the campus is obviously designed to incorporate the flora the rest of Nifleim is so proud of. The block is composed of a few building complexes, all separated by some patches of trees and bushes, with a small fenced garden visible from the parking lot. Despite being a city boy through and through, Nocti is used to finding small parks at every corner, or randomly spotting a thousand-year-old Lucian building every now and then while wandering the city. It will be harder to miss his home if his new place is surrounded with as much green as he is used to. Maybe they have some fishing spots around...?
Someone opens the door from the inside before he can fetch his keys.
"Thanks!" He sneaks inside, smiles at the stranger in gratitude.
"Would you like some assistance?"
The man standing in front of the door - keeping it open for him, Noctis realises - speaks with a heavy Tenebraen accent, which makes him sound a decade older than he looks.
Smart is what he looks like. Smart and elegant, with legs for miles and a posture Noctis has only witnessed at extremely fancy parties, either in members of the high nobility or fashion models.
He can't be a noble, though. Noctis would have known.
"Thanks, but it should be fine. This place has an elevator, right?"
"Certainly. By any chance," the Tenebraen guy asks, "would you happen to be moving into apartment 407C?"
"I do." Which means..." Are you living there?"
"I am. Ignis Scientia."
"Noctis." Ignis has a firm handshake.
He waits, stomach twisted in a knot, for Ignis' eyes to sparkle in recognition. Since he set foot outside of Lucis the attitude of people has made an impressive U-turn as soon as his name leaves his lips, turning perfectly normal people into he worst boot-lickers in all of fucking Eos. He cares very little for politics in general, yet suddenly that's all people want him to talk about. Even better if they can glean some information about his grandfather from him.
Thinking of the train incident brings a bitter taste to his mouth.
However all Ignis does is politely nod.
"Welcome abroad, if I dare say. Let me show you the way."
Ignis ends up helping him roll his suitcases into the living room. Old buildings don't exist in Graela, but this one isn't the most recent and he immediately appreciates how lived-in their apartment feels, despite the absence of clutter. The living space is huge, much bigger than what Noctis anticipated for a flat in the dorms, with a small island that separates the kitchen from the rest of the room.
As Ignis sits him down to establish the apartment rules, it becomes obvious no one warned him about who he is. The anxious ball in his belly lightens.
When Ignis is satisfied with everything, Noctis takes his things and settles in his room.
He unpacks all of his things in the remaining bedroom - it should be surprising how clean it’s remained, but if Ignis is as strict with chores duties than his attitude is stiff, it really isn't.
He takes the time to answer the few messages he’s received. One is from his father, inquiring if everything went well; the other from Luna, wishing him good luck. He scoffs at the joined picture: one of Pryna, sprawled in front of the huge bay window to enjoy a nap under the morning sunlight. It's weird to think she has never been closer to him than she is now. He could just… take the train and meet her.
That's food for thought, he decides. ‘But later’ . His gaze falls on his untouched luggage.
He has some unpacking to do.
He spends the day putting things away and strolling around the campus to get an idea where the buildings are; he also takes notes of a nice pizza place and a sign indicating an arcade nearby. When he comes back, he is greeted by the - undoubtedly - local gym’s star, harbouring an easy-going smile that reaches up to a pair of hazelnut eyes that make Noctis’ heartbeat go wild.
Noct’s poor heart doesn’t have time to settle, still mesmerised by the tattoos spreading from Gladio’s shoulders up to his forearms, when a cute blond pops his head out from one of the bedroom’s doors and Noctis’ attention gets distracted by a myriad of freckles.
They end up all gathered around the dinner table with the most delicious homemade ( home-made! ) burger Noctis has ever tasted in his entire life. He discreetly snaps a picture on his phone to send his dad to gloat. Or not so sneakily, if the conspiratorial wink Gladio throws his way is anything to go by. Apparently amazing cooking is Ignis' daily miracle, seven days a week, and whoever's hand touches the cookware without asking first might just lose a few fingers.
Even if Ignis throws weird looks towards Noctis’ plate - what he is looking at? There's nothing but a miserable leaf of lettuce in it - and Gladio keeps calling him 'scrawny', they appear to be decent, normal people. They must have been friends for a long time, he gathers. They're relaxed in each-other's presence, the strong personalities Noctis witnessed melting to softer tones and open emotions on their face.
Prompto is obviously the most nervous of them, trying to hide the tremors of his hands whenever he speaks to him, but luckily he is just as much of a nerd as Noctis is. As soon as he mentions 'ChocoboRacing VI', the blond is gone, and so is Noctis (Black Choky is the best playable character, and he will die on that hill, thank you.)
Noctis is not.. .good at making friends. It might have been because of his heritage. No matter how little interest the royal family raises in Lucian society, there is still this something that divides the random person in the street from the young nobles, who take extra lessons in etiquette and are compelled to ditch Saturday's slumber parties to attend a boring, grown-up party for some foreign politicians who have little care for their host's children, but would take personal offense if a single member of their family was missing in attendance.
It's why he doesn't have a lot of friends - that, and he was a very, very awkward teenage boy. The only real friends with whom he could commiserate in his teen years about their duties and family expectations. They don’t do things together anymore nowadays aside from messaging from time to time via apps. They're bound to drift apart, and if he is honest, Noctis knows soon Luna will be the only friend to text him daily.
Distance has never been an issue in their relationship. She’s had this ability to understand what's inside his head even when words fail him since they were kids. If their friendship blossomed since childhood, it's mostly her own work.
Yet, and despite the nonchalant attitude he tries for, there is something about his new roommates that urges him to befriend them, to break the ice and paddle through that terrible awkward stage of mere acquaintance.
Bless Gladio for being a smooth conversationalist and Prompto for latching onto any new subject and chatting away. They talk with the familiarity of people who have known each other for a long time, that much is obvious, even if they try hard to keep Noctis included in the conversation so he doesn't feel left out.
"So, you're a reader?"
"Gladiolus has read about half of the university's library in the last two years." He is not so sure, but it looks like Ignis' smile is teasing. "All the librarians know him by name."
"Really? What kind of stuff do you read?"
"Everything, but I like historical romance and science fiction the most. The Prompto Argentum series is my favorite, of course," he adds, with a not-so-subtle wink at Prompto.
"Wait, you're an author ?"
"He means the series, dude." Prompto stabs at his food without meeting his eyes, sounding flustered. The other guys snicker at some private joke. "It's the name of the hero, not of the author."
"Huh?"
"Seriously, you never read 'Prompto Argentum and the Raiders of the Lost Ark' ?"
Gladio's smile shows too many teeth, as if he and his condescendence could eat him whole. Noctis feels his own temper rising at the jab.
"So...you're named after the hero of a book?" He turns back to Prompto. Ignis snorts behind his napkin - whether mocking Gladio for being ignored or him for his lack of knowledge, Noctis doesn't know.
"My parents thought it would be ‘nice’," the blond whines. "Like, seriously?"
What follows is a long complaint about how the hospitals should not allow parents to name their kids after pop culture characters; from the sound of it, Prompto's namesake is a very popular series.
"You really never heard of it?" This time Gladio's voice has lost its mocking tune, his face openly curious.
"Nope. We usually get some Classical Tenebraen poem when we have to study a foreign author in literature class," he half-lies.
No doubt the first volume of the series is buried in dust and many other volumes written by Niflheim authors Noctis was given to read to expand his general knowledge. Maybe his tutor was right to say it would help him someday.
Nevertheless, Noctis had never touched the pile.
"I'm so jealous!" Prompto whines some more, smacking away Gladio's hand poking at him. "Gladio is named after a flower; Ignis' name means 'Fire' in Old Tenebraen, and I bet yours has a super fancy meaning in Old Lucian, too!"
For all he pouts, even Noctis, who met him a few hours ago, can tell he is not truly upset.
"I believe Lucians also favour naming their children in reference to cosmology."
"Hum… yeah." Noctis confirms, feeling the conversation drifting towards dangerous territory. "Especially my family. They're big on stars and stuff."
"Right." A pause, Ignis frowns, pensive. "Isn't your surname also a constellation? "
They don't know… right?
None of them had breathed a word about him being a royal. At first he had thought the faculty hadn't said anything so he could keep a low profile and divulge this information himself, but...
Had he been wrong? Had the faculty informed his new roommates about who he was and instructed them not to pry?
"Yep. Caelum," he throws the name out, tests the ground.
"So cool!" Prompto wishfully whistles.
There is no recognition in Ignis' sharp stare. No hint of a sudden revelation, no cloud of suspicion.
Neither Prompto nor Gladio's behaviours change. They chat, fight over whose turn it is to wash the dishes until Ignis reminds them he had prepared a new table for the chores - already stuck on the fridge, thank you for noticing - and just like that, the conversation flies away.
They don't know.
Exhilaration inflates like a balloon in his ribcage, too big for him to suppress, slipping through his teeth in snickers. If the guys notice, they don’t say a word and most likely attribute it to their own antics.
They don't know .
It's only a matter of days before one of them finds out. His bet is on Ignis, who sounds as smart as he looks (and he looks so smart for someone wearing suspenders, they're kind of hot.)
He buries the manic glee deep inside.
It's going to be so hilarious when they figure it out.
***
It takes five different alarms with several snoozes each to get him moving.
He pats around the room to fetch a hoodie and pants - apparently, only Gladio can break the 'pants-on' rule and wander half-naked around the apartment - before he drifts towards the living room.
It's silent. He's been here for three days and it's the very first time he doesn't wake to find one of the guys eating breakfast or getting ready. It's too early, his brain supplies. Why did he register for an 8 am class again?
Oh, yeah. Didn't have a choice. Stupid prerequisites with no other slots available.
He is munching on some kind of bland crackers when he hears the sound of the front door creaking open and being shut gently. He glances at his phone and… wait, what ...7:08?
"Oh!"
Noctis blinks and feels his jaw drop.
Prompto hovers in the doorway, visibly surprised to find him there which is… fair, considering Noctis had only been emerging from his room fifteen minutes before rushing to his classes every morning since he got there. He had never had time to share breakfast with the guys yet.
"Hey, man!" Prompto chirps, his voice low enough to not awake the others across the corridor. "What's up?"
"Not my brain. Mornings suck."
He hears Prompto laughing from far, far away as the blond suddenly bends over to undo the laces of his shoes. Running shoes, he notices, still deeply cushioned in the fog of sleep. He's wearing a long-sleeved t-shirt, and leggings enticingly underline the shape of his very long, muscled legs. Definitely a runner and - whoa! - Noctis sure feels more awake now.
He had noticed how cute Prompto was on his first day - to be honest, all of his roommates were incredibly hot men - but in his running attire, face still flu$
shed from the effort? Prompto was sexy.
He chugs down his coffee to give himself some sort of composure and forces himself to tear his eyes away from the sight.
Fortunately Prompto hasn't noticed him ogling.
"I figured you weren't a morning person."
"Damn right," he mumbles behind his mug. "You run?"
Stupid, of course he runs.
"Yup! Not every day, but a few times a week, I guess?"
"In the morning?!"
"I like it!" Prompto defends. "It's quiet outside at this hour."
"You savage," he blurts out before his brain can catch up with his mouth. Luckily Prompto doesn't take offense and giggles. Astrals, that's cute.
"You got classes?" Pompto asks.
He does, actually , his mind reminds him. He taps on his phone to wake the screen. 7:16. Still time to finish his breakfast and run a quick shower before he has to leave.
"8 AM," he answers, digging for another cracker, "Advanced Calculus with Seymoor."
"Yeah? Me too!" Prompto chirps with a sunny smile. "Wanna walk there together?"
"Sure."
"Great! Let me grab a shower real quick."
Noctis took Advanced Calculus as an extra class outside his own curriculum, so it's pretty far away from the building where his usual classes took place, but it's apparently where Prompto attends his own most of the time. He is studying to be an engineer, or at least Noctis thinks the blond said so during the first night.
According to his self-proclaimed tour guide, there is a shortcut through the park of the campus to reach their destination. In their case, it might have been the scenic route. They have to stop for Prompto to take pictures when they spot squirrels in one of the pine trees and Noctis cannot resist petting the grey stray cat lazily lounging on a worn-out bench. It's fun though, and Prompto is way too smitten with the cat to tease Noctis for wanting to pet it.
The amphitheatre is near empty when they arrive. They sit somewhere around the middle of the rows and mess around on King's Knight - thank the Astrals, now he has someone to play with! - before the lecture starts.
Prompto rummages around in his rucksack mid-lecture to fetch a pair of glasses, mumbling gibberish under his breath and squinting at the faraway white board. Noctis fails at hiding his smile, which earns him a half-hearted kick in the arm, and if Prompto looks regretful for a moment, it fades away when Noctis has to stifle his laugh behind his elbow.
His mood plummets when they have to go their separate ways. Fortunately, Prompto's promise to meet for lunch helps him to endure until then.
He kind of wishes he hadn't taken Advanced Calculus. It had seemed like such a great idea at the time - more maths to deal with statistics and to enable him to use economic models - something that would be useful if he had to step up as a regent, yet something that he could use in another job if he chose to abdicate, like his uncle had done.
When lunchtime comes around, Prompto eagerly shows him all the good places around the campus, cheerfully chattering away as Noctis takes it all in.
Prompto finally brings them to a burger joint. As soon as Noctis steps in, he's hit by the heavy smell of grease and frying oil. There is no printed menu to choose from, nor any kind of machine to order from, just a battered white board with the menu written in a loopy handwriting, like in old movies.
They order the greasiest fries Noctis has ever seen in his entire life. The most delicious he’s ever had the chance to taste. Ever.
That, and the guy managing the front didn't even blink an eye at Noctis ordering 'just a patty between two pieces of bread'.
"This," he says, gesturing at their tray trashed with empty wrappings, “is the best meal I’ve ever had in my freaking life."
Prompto snorts, fails at repressing a belch behind his fist in time, and promptly turns red from embarrassment. Noctis can't help but snicker, and chugs down more of that weird-tasting cherry soda. He manages a decent sound considering his mouth is closed, and while it’s barely audible to other patrons thanks to the loud music, it's enough to send the both of them into hysterics.
"Dude!" Prompto is dabbing around his eyes with a stained napkin, all traces of shame gone. "And here I thought you Insomnian people were all fancy and proper!"
"Can't let a bro go unanswered, that's rude."
"Guess you really can't, huh?"
***
His first weekend proves to be an educational one.
Thanks to Prompto’s pointers, he knows where to look for student jobs and wastes no time in applying for the first position he finds at the local animal shelter. His dad and the Crown might have him covered,but he will feel better if he can provide for his video game needs by himself.
Also: cats. And dogs.
No amount of poop to be cleaned could outweigh the joy he will get from petting pets all day.
It will be a nice change of pace from the sushi place he used to work at back home.
Gladio is apparently a big dog lover. As soon as Noctis mentions his application, he recieves explicit instructions to 'send cute pics', the big man’s brown eyes shining with interest.
Since Ignis has some kind of appointment Friday night, grocery shopping is rescheduled for Saturday morning, and they all had to go all together, as per the rules.
He's convinced Ignis brings them along only so he can have more hands to carry the bags anyway, which is totally unfair since Gladio could probably do it all on his own and not even count it as a workout. Ignis is even dressed nice , with a tight button-up and slacks. He’s written a list, like old people do, and sends them to fetch things here and there, the cart being shoved in a corner where they can return to dump their stuff.
Honestly, it's no surprise people do a double-take when they go past them. Specs looks like a fancy hotel manager with his retinue of lackeys on the floor to answer the demands of some celebrity, not like a third year college student.
Even his addiction for pun-crafting holds some elegance. Ignis whips out wordplay like his grandfather spouts life advice, eliciting groans of despair from Gladio ten minutes into their shopping trip. That being said, no wordplay can entice Noctis to eat zucchini - or eggplant of all things! Ignis will find a worthy opponent in him when it comes to safeguarding one’s diet.
"I'm a werewolf," he deadpans, when the bespectacled man submits another green leaf for his evaluation.
Ignis stares through him, looking slightly sick, and then dejectly sighs.
"Allow me to reiterate: A carnivorous diet is not a proper diet. Surely there are some vegetables you appreciate."
"Potatoes?"
Prompto is cackling behind a stand of tomato soup cans, delighted.
"We already have a caveman in this group, we cannot afford another one. Please give me something to work with."
Noctis really would like to no piss Ignis off, but he can rummage through his brain all he wants, he can't find any veggie that he ever truly enjoyed. His metabolism handles calories like a champion, so he’s never had to worry about his weight. Besides, his father had become lenient about that side of his education after the accident and ignored how Noctis always pushed the gruesome greens to the side of his plate.
"Cup Noodles...?" He tentatively proposes.
"That's my man!" Gladio quips. They high-five over the cart to Ignis' obvious dismay.
"Listen, just don't worry about it, ok? I promise I will try anything you cook before ruling it out. Except for carrots,” he adds as an afterthought. "Those should only be served in Hell."
"Someone’s been spoiled," Prompto singsongs.
"Royally," Noctis counters.
The absence of reaction is thrilling. He wonders how long he can get away with dropping hints before one of them gets it.
While Prompto is distracted by the microphone coming to life for some sales announcement, Noctis swerves around Gladio to pinch the blond’s side, eliciting the most hilarious mouse-squeaky sound he’s ever heard from a human. Gladio pretends to push him back, though it's obvious he is amused by their antics and not truly mad. Gladio being large as he is, Noctis wouldn't stand a chance.
Noctis swears you can see his muscles move even under the thick layer of his jean jacket.
"If you have the energy for such a chase, may I offer you three a contest?" Ignis challenges.
"A competition?" Uh-oh, the big man's eyes are sparkling.
"We have a few remaining items to complete our list. Let's divide it into three - whoever gathers all the items on his list first can choose what we are eating tonight. Junk food included," Ignis emphasizes.
Now Noctis has to win .
Ignis shoos them away, each with a small list of three items of different aisles to ensure the competition remains fair to everyone. They scatter like birds, leaving a smirking Ignis behind.
For once, he doesn't feel too childish to be caught up in the competition. Not with Prompto and Gladio looking as interested as he is in choosing their dinner menu.
It shouldn't surprise him to spot Gladio already back at Ignis' side, their cart a little fuller but he can't help the spark of disappointment. At least Gladio is a meat guy. Unlike Prompto, he is less likely to choose a vegetable dish.
Gladio is leaning towards Ignis, expression somber for someone that just won a race, albeit a childish one. Noctis slows his pace - takes in the way Ignis's lips are pinched and how he slowly shakes his head.
Curiosity piqued, Noctis diverts his trajectory to the parallel aisle, stopping a few feet away from the corner. Since Ignis is parked by the kitchen tools, the section is mostly empty and thus silent, apart from the ambient music playing in the store.
"...sure he meant it that way?"
That's Gladio.
"Trust me, he left no room for misunderstanding."
"Fuck. I didn't think they would care!"
"I certainly didn't expect him to know at all," Ignis spits bitterly.
"That's freaking rich from him. And what does he want? For us to keep the gayness to ourselves?"
Oh.
"Gladio..."
"Think it's about the new guy?"
"Don't," Ignis warns dangerously. "Clashing with the building manager will bring us nowhere. Besides", he adds more calmly, "I suspect the faculty is just worried about Noctis' integration. Lucian students are still rare. Let's just keep a low profile and see how it unfolds. Noctis looks like a decent fellow, don't you think?"
Whatever Gladio's about to respond with is lost when Prompto barges in.
They spend a nice evening eating lasagna and watching that thriller TV series Ignis fancies.
Noctis forces himself to act naturally. Ignis and Gladiolus show no signs of being upset, and Noctis genuinely wouldn't have guessed they had had that tense conversation if he hadn't overheard it.
He had assumed the level of tolerance of same-gender relationships was higher here in Gralea. The Empire was a new country compared to the millenia-old history of Lucis and Tenebrae. Their laws reflected it, allowing for people to bond officially no matter their gender. His teacher in Economics even rambled about his two wives and no one had batted an eye at the revelation.
Polyamory bonds were common in Lucis too, especially in Leide. Insomnia, though?
Insomnia stood steadfast in its nobility and old-fashioned heritage, like an island within its own borders.
Free from their obligations, they all spend more time together during the rest of the weekend. Then, it's impossible to miss all the telltale details that should have jumped out at him from the very beginning.
Clues pile up over the span of two days: Ignis, calling out 'Darling' when he can't find the key of his car and looking bashful as soon as the pet name slips past his lips. Gladio's hand nestling on Ignis' lower back whenever they stand side to side. The looks they share are so gentle, so tender. Someone left his keychain in the small bowl on the fridge with a tiny rainbow flag attached to it.
Guilt nags at him. Technically, it's not his fault that they decided to hide that part of themselves. They don't have to, shouldn’t have to , and Noctis would gladly tell them himself if they had been upfront about it.
'But can they?' his mind whispers.
‘The faculty is just worried about Noctis's integration.’
It hurts to think he trampled over the safe cocoon his three roommates had obviously built over the last year. They're cool people who Noctis truly believes he could be friends with.
But most of all, he feels angry.
He shouldn't feel so strongly about it, yet he can't help being offended on their behalf for being threatened in their own home. Talking to them would probably be enough, yet all he wants is to chase after the asshole who dared to summon Ignis and give him a piece of his mind.
Which… wasn't such a bad idea.
Monday mornings are free, so he takes his chance and shows up at the building manager office in his best attire and with his most princely attitude. His smile would make the PR team so proud. The twenty minutes of non-stop praise on how he appreciates how the faculty didn't treat him differently - how he values their discretion and their fair treatment of every student - would make his father even prouder. He is channeling uncle Ardyn, hard .
He takes the guy's blanching face and stiff smile as a good thing.
And proceeds to send a text to Luna to boast about his first diplomatic victory when he leaves the office.