Chapter Text
Poor Prince Noctis. The boy who had everything from wealth to fame, including a soon-to-be bride who was among the most sought after women on the planet. His father was strict, but fair—loving and patient even when his son was unreasonable. He was talented, and only seemed to grow stronger by the day. Better than any of that, he had the three most amazing friends imaginable.
Somehow though, he’d become a walking cliché. Everything he had wasn’t quite enough, and as he looked around the vacant campsite he’d set up with his friends, he knew exactly why.
Gladiolus, Ignis, and Prompto were all tucked away in a single tent while he was poking irritably at the fire with a stick, wondering how long it’d be before anyone thought to come check on him. Not that he needed to be babysat, but that wasn’t the point. They were on this road trip together. At the very least, one of them should’ve humored him with their company.
His Shield, his advisor, and his best friend. Hadn’t they been assembled specifically to accompany him?
And instead they’d grown increasingly fond of another.
“Something on your mind, Highness?”
Noctis’ gaze shot up, eyes widening as he saw Ignis approaching the campfire. His grip tightened around his stick, though he stopped poking at the fire. “No.”
“You look troubled,” Ignis persisted, taking a swift seat across from the prince. It was only then that Noctis could see him clearly, uncharacteristically disshelved. Even as the campfire crackled and cast shadows on his features, there was no mistaking the sweat trailing his brows. No disguising the sexed up hair, even as he raked a hand through it. “Highness?”
He averted his gaze in a hurry, realizing with a start that he’d been outright staring. “It’s just been a long day.”
“We did take down that Behemoth.”
And who’d have thought in the aftermath, Prompto’s heat would trigger? Naturally Gladiolus would have to respond as the alpha in their little relationship, and Ignis…of course he’d want to join in, too. At least for a while before the alpha and omega hormones became too frenzied for a beta’s liking.
It was a traditional relationship. One alpha, one beta, and one omega. They were said to be the most balanced matches, and hence became the most common type around. Alpha and omega pairings could be intense, and having a beta thrown in was supposedly the best way to keep things healthy for everyone involved. Betas were practical, whereas alphas and omegas could be very hormone driven.
Ignis, especially. He’d been the key to success for Gladiolus and Prompto. Before he’d humored the idea of joining their ‘relationship’, all they’d done was screw around during heats and ruts. Something was apparently missing between them when mating talks came up, but then Ignis had expressed his interest. Things had been perfect ever since, or so it seemed.
Not that Noctis would know. He was just the prickly prince sitting on the outside of their tent, destined to marry a woman he couldn’t even say he knew anymore. Sure, Luna was probably as nice as he remembered, but she was also an omega. How could it ever work between them, being an omega himself?
“What’s weighing on your mind, Highness?” Ignis tried again, raising an expectant brow.
“I’m just thinking about all this,” he shrugged, knowing his friend knew exactly what he meant. “I know it’s for the good of the kingdom, but…”
“You don’t wish to marry Lady Luna.”
Noctis nodded his head once, too aware of the growing concern in his advisor’s eyes. “You don’t have to worry. I’m going to do what needs to be done.”
“That was never my true concern. I trust you know that by now.”
He snorted, glad the sound was muffled by the sound of the fire crackling. “You’re concerned about something.”
“Did it ever occur to you your happiness would also be my concern?”
“Maybe as a distant fourth,” Noctis retorted, sure there were more important things on his advisors mind—their duties, his partners, himself…Somewhere after that, Noctis was sure his happiness registered on his friends’ radar, but it would never be the top of anyone’s list. Not even his own, which wasn’t exactly a complaint—it was a big responsibility, being prince. With that came sacrifice, and he understood that. “They’re already talking about getting us an alpha.”
“A traditional bonding, then?” Ignis assumed, curious.
Noctis gave another nod, not caring to elaborate. Clearly the beta was thinking it wasn’t such a bad idea, likely doing what everyone else did—guessing it would make for a healthier relationship for all those involved. Luna was an omega, and Noctis? As far as the world was concerned, he was the beta—betas made the best kings, afterall. Known for their cool logic, history remembered every beta king well.
The same could not be said of omega kings, which was how he’d landed in this mess in the first place. One day after presenting, he’d been put on suppressants. Only his father and a single advisor knew, and both had stressed the importance of secrecy. Not even Noctis’ closest friends were allowed to know, for the benefit of the kingdom.
“Speaking from one beta to another,” Ignis started, drawing his attention back up, “having an alpha could be good for you. For both of you.”
“Do me a favor?” Noctis asked, eyes meeting Ignis’ and waiting for the expected of course. “We both know you came out here to get Prompt some food, so why don’t you just do that?”
For a moment he regretted his blunt words, watching the hurt blossom on Ignis’ features. It was gone as soon as it came though, his advisor giving him a curt nod before rising to his feet. No more than a minute later he had the necessary supplies in hand—and not a minute too soon, judging by the desperate cries coming from Prompto. They only seemed to get louder, and Ignis’ name had definitely been one of the words that escaped his needy mouth.
“Sleep well, Highness.”
Noctis grunted in response, not bothering to watch as his friend made his way back into the tent.
XX
Post-heats were almost as bad as the heats themselves. Instead of hearing the occasional moan or grunt from a distance, Noctis was subjected to seeing all sorts of things. Prompto tended to be particularly needy for a few days, and both his partners always indulged him with endless affection.
There was a time when he thought it was adorable, but the closer they got to their destination, the more he was sure it was actually obnoxious. Didn’t they realize he was about to go into a mating he had no interest in? Surely they could’ve saved some of the perfect relationship displays until they were alone.
“Did you even know our camp was attacked last night?” Noctis wondered, surprised anyone even bothered to spare him a glance. Sure enough though, three sets of eyes were on him even as two sets of arms were around Prompto. He folded his arms across his chest, feeling a bit defensive under their scrutiny. “I had to take care of it myself.”
“It’s not like you can’t handle it,” Gladio told him, less than impressed.
“You’re my Shield!”
“If you’d needed me, I would’ve been there. A single bandersnatch—”
Noctis’ eyes narrowed. “You heard it attacking, didn’t you?”
“You had it under control. You were the one who told me not to treat you like a child anymore.”
“Right, because that’s what it was about. It had nothing to do with the fact you were too busy fucking—”
“Why’re you such an ass lately?” Prompto interjected, raising both brows. “You know how my heats are, and it’s not like we didn’t ask if you were okay with all this. You said yes!”
“It’s not about not being okay with you guys, it’s about you promising it wouldn’t take you away from your duties.” He let out a disgruntled sigh, knowing he wasn’t winning this debate—not judging by the looks on their faces. Luckily he knew something they didn’t. When words failed, actions always succeeded. He pulled off his glove, revealing the deep bite mark he’d taken on his forearm. “You’re right; it was nothing I couldn’t handle alone. Doesn’t mean I couldn’t have used some help anyway.”
“Highness,” Ignis said, regret laced in his voice. He was already pulling out his supplies, stepping forward without hesitation. “May I take a look?”
“I’m fine,” Noctis insisted, tugging his arm back. “I know how to treat my own wounds.”
“You should have never been harmed to begin with.”
Noctis snorted, not really caring either way. It wasn’t like the bite was deadly—it was more of a nuisance. One that never would’ve happened if he hadn’t been so damn distracted, too. Gladiolus was right to think he should’ve been fine on his own, without risk of injury. Things just weren’t so simple lately.
The look his Shield gave him was heavy, but he forced himself to meet it head on. “If you guys don’t want to be here with me, maybe you should go home. I can make it on my own.”
“Can you?” Gladiolus countered, brows furrowed. “I might’ve thought so yesterday, but a bandersnatch?”
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but fighting isn’t exactly my top priority right now.”
“Right, I’ve heard. Poor Noctis, off to marry the Oracle. I hate to break it to you, kid, but that’s not exactly a death sentence.”
“Fuck off, Gladio,” he grumbled, sliding his glove back on.
“Highness, at least allow me to bandage your arm. You risk infection covering it like that!” Ignis insisted, a gentle hand on Noctis’ shoulder.
“I’m fine,” Noctis repeated firmly. “The point I’m getting at is, if you guys don’t wanna be here, don’t be. I don’t need you pretending to have my back.”
“Pretending?” Gladio all but growled, now looming over him in what could only be considered a very alpha way. It was enough to send a shiver up Noctis’ spine, suppressants or not, very nearly ready to bare his neck in submission. “Is that what you called it every time I’ve saved your ass on this trip? Every time Ignis took a hit for you, or Prompto fought till he was ready to drop?”
His heart was pounding in his chest as he chanced a glance up, fists curled so tightly his finger nails were digging into his palms. “I didn’t mean—”
“Yes, you did. You’ve got your head shoved so far up your ass that you don’t even realize what we’ve all sacrificed to be here. What we’re willing to sacrifice for you.”
Flashes of Gladiolus jumping in at the last second filled his mind, unable to even count the number of times his shield had quite literally shielded him with his own body—always without hesitation. “You’re right,” he muttered, lowering his head. “I’m sorry.”
There was a pregnant pause, only broken when large hands landed on his shoulder’s demanding he look back up. To his relief, the stern look was starting to dwindle. “So am I,” Gladiolus relented, one hand sliding down his arm until it settled on his forearm. He had to bite back a wince. “This will never happen again. On my life.”
“Sweet as that is, you’re kinda making it worse,” Noctis told him, laughing through the pain as Gladiolus promptly released his arm. That bite was a lot deeper than he cared to admit.
“Let Ignis take a damn look,” the alpha demanded, his look telling them all it wasn’t open for discussion.
Ignis seemed pleased by that, removing Noctis’ glove without further resistance. The beta tucked the glove away, refusing to give it back even after the wound was properly cleaned and dressed. “You’ll dirty the wrapping. I won’t have you getting an infection on my watch.”
He rolled his eyes, unable to suppress the fondness in his chest as he eyed his friend. “Yeah, whatever.”
XX
“So are you excited?” Prompto asked, hands folded under his head as they laid out under the night sky.
Noctis was in the same position, feeling content for the first time in as long as he could remember. It was just the two of them for a change, Ignis and Gladiolus a short distance away. They were gathering some supplies, just close enough to rush back should their omega or prince need anything.
Neither had any intention of calling them back anytime soon. There was something so relaxing about these moments—the rare times he could have a candid conversation with his oldest friend.
“Excited about what?”
“The wedding!”
“Prompt…” He let out a quiet sigh, shaking his head. “You know I’m not.”
“Just because you’re not excited about marrying her doesn’t mean you can’t be excited about the wedding. It’s gonna be one big party!”
“One big party celebrating the fact I’m marrying someone I barely even know.”
Prompto frowned. “You always said nice things about her growing up.”
“I still think nice things about her. We had some good times together—doesn’t mean we should get married. That’s not what this is about though, so it is what it is.”
He’d get the job done. Smile through the ceremony and do what his people needed him to do. Be the beta they needed him to be. Luna had already been informed about his true status, and would likely play her part as well. How did she feel about all this, he wondered? From what he remembered, she had always understood her duties as well.
Some things were just more important than individual desires.
“You’re really not into it, are you?” the blond asked, like he was realizing it for the first time. Noctis side eyed him, not quite sure why it was so surprising. “I knew you weren’t dying to get married so soon, but I thought for sure you had some say in it. Your dad wants you to be happy.”
“My dad wants me to have an heir,” Noctis responded, rolling his eyes at the thought. Hence the alpha that was being considered as an addition to the mating. Two omegas would never be able to reproduce with one another. “Luna just came with the best connections.”
“Yeah, but he knew you and her went way back! That musta been factored in.”
“I guess,” he conceded with a shrug. It wasn’t like his dad wanted him to be miserable. The king probably thought what all his friends thought—that Noctis would learn to love her in time, even if it wasn’t immediate. “What about you?”
“What about me?” Prompto responded curiously.
“Are you excited?” Noctis pressed, knowing his friend knew what he meant. His friends had been planning to make their bonding official soon, too. They just wanted to make sure things went well with Noctis’ wedding first. “Mating’s a big step.”
“I still can’t believe it,” the blond admitted, letting out a strained breath. “I used to think Gladio hated me, you know? And I was so sure Ignis thought I was annoying.”
“He did for a while,” Noctis confirmed with a chuckle. “I think he feels that way about most people at first.”
“Not you. He’s always adored you.”
“Pretty sure he’s obligated to put up with me.”
“It’s more than that,” Prompto insisted. “He told me himself—says it’s always been different with you.”
It was different with Ignis, Noctis silently agreed. It was different with tall three of them. Sure, they gave each other crap and had their moments, but when it came down to it, there was no one else he’d rather have with him on this trip. No one else he’d want by his side.
The thought alone had his inner omega in shambles, a low whine threatening to escape his lips. Years of practice held it back as he asked, “You ever wish things were different? That you hadn’t gotten stuck being the prince’s best friend?”
“Not for a second,” Prompto answered easily. “That’d mean I wouldn’t be your best friend, and you’re not someone I’d give up, Noct.”
“Even when I’m being a complete asshole?”
“Especially when you’re being an asshole. It’s not like I get to stand up to Gladio much these days. He’s too damn distracting now that I’ve seen him naked.”
Noctis snorted, trying his damndest not to conjure up that image in his mind. “You still do. You’re just reasonable when you do it.”
“And you’re not?”
“Not always,” he admitted quietly. “It’s not that I want to be an asshole, you know? It’s just that you guys…”
“What?” Prompto pressed, his voice gentle.
“You’re the only ones I can be this way around. I don’t have to watch what I say as much when it’s just the four of us.”
“As much? Noct, you don’t hafta watch what you say at all. You know that.”
If only. His eyes scanned the night sky, the endless stars above him making him feel like maybe his problems weren’t that big of a deal. “Sometimes I wish I could be myself just once before the wedding.”
“Noct…” A few moments passed without a respond, and much to his surprise, Prompto practically jumped on him, straddling his waist as he stared down at the prince intently. “You can always be yourself with me. I don’t give a damn about you being prince or king or any of it—you know that.”
“I’m not talking about that, Prompto.”
“What is it then?” he asked, hands on Noctis’ chest as he stared down persistently. It wasn’t like he could answer truthfully, so he chose not to say anything. “C’mon. It’s not like I don’t already know, so you may as well just come out and say it.”
His eyes went wide at that, heart racing in his chest. No doubt Prompto could feel under his hands, and for once, the big grin on his friend’s face was anything but comforting. “You already know?”
“Of course I do. I know you better than anyone, Noct.”
“But…how?” he asked, shaking his head in disbelief. There was just no possible way.
“I’m an omega, Noct. Alphas might be better at seeing things, but I’m better at feeling them. I know you’ve been feeling left out since everything started with me and the others.”
Oh. That was it then—what Prompto ‘knew’. Noctis felt himself relaxing a bit under his friend’s touch, a wave of mild disappointment washing over him. Of course Prompto didn’t really know. He had this beta thing down to an art at this point, and the suppressants he was on? They were high quality. Only the best for royalty, after all.
“We used to share a tent,” Noctis supplied, frowning a bit. It sounded even pettier out loud than it did in his head. “We’d stay up together talking around the campfire. Now you guys just go off and do your own thing every time we stop.” Prompto practically winced, but didn’t deny a word. Noctis continued, “It’s not like we’ll ever have this chance again either. I won’t be taking trips like this—not without a full escort and official transportation. The whole works.”
“I’ll talk to them. We can spend more time as a group.”
“You already do so much for me—you don’t owe me anything.”
“Did it ever occur to you we might miss you just as much?”
Between the loud moans and grunts, it really hadn’t. No need to say that though—not when Prompto was clearly feeling guilty. Instead he covered his friends hands with his own, giving them a gentle tug until his friend willingly toppled forward on him, grinning right in his face.
“You really miss me, huh?” Prompto joked, laughing when Noctis rolled his eyes. It definitely took him back—having Prompto so close like this. They’d always been affectionate, but there had also been a time when it was more than that. A time when they’d shared their first kiss, and a time when several other firsts quickly followed. The way Prompto’s eyes were dancing told him he wasn’t the only one thinking about those days, and how easy it had been between them. “I wish it could’ve lasted.”
“Yeah. Me too.”
“You just had to go and be prince, huh?”
“You say it like it’s what I wanted,” Noctis scoffed. “Not all of us get to choose our mates.”
“But if you coulda, you woulda chosen me, wouldn’t you?”
Somehow the teasing in Prompto’s voice did nothing to cut through the seriousness of the question—nor the serious of Noctis’ answer, “You know I would’ve.”
Because if he was going to be paired with an omega, it would be the one currently on top of him.
XX
It didn't go unnoticed when his friends started hanging around the campfire more, and always for more than just mealtime. Every time Noctis expected them to up and call it a night, he’d catch the group’s omega staring at him, and smile back at the wink he received.
Prompto definitely had those two wrapped around his finger.
“So I was thinking,” Prompto announced, easily drawing everyone’s full attention. “We should have our own party before we get there. A bachelor party!”
Noctis was already rolling his eyes before he noticed Gladiolus and Ignis exchanging a look like they were seriously considering it themselves. “You can’t be serious.”
“Why not?” Gladio countered with a shrug.
“We know you better than most, Highness,” Ignis added, studying him carefully.
“Then you know I’ve already got everything I want right now,” Noctis replied, staring blankly into the fire. Almost everything, at least. “Unless you have a cake up your sleeve?”
Ignis’ smile grew. “Not presently, but I’m sure that can be arranged. Tomorrow, perhaps?”
“I’ll bring the booze!” Prompto declared, earning a less than impressed look from his alpha. “What? I didn’t say I’d drink it all myself.”
“You’ll be lucky if I let you have one drink after last time,” Gladio replied, shaking his head firmly.
It was a well-known fact omegas couldn’t handle as much alcohol as betas or alphas, but that never really stopped Prompto from trying. Noctis either, though he tended to be more cautious—he only trusted himself around these three, knowing any regrettable behavior wouldn’t ruin his reputation in their eyes.
“You, too,” the alpha decided, catching Noctis’ eyes. “Don’t think I forgot about last time.”
“You weren’t planning to mate him back then!” Noctis said defensively, looking to Prompto for some help. Maybe they’d both gone overboard, winding up in a relatively provocative position right in front of their two friends. It was just, they were reminiscing, and the next thing he knew, he had a very possessive Gladiolus glaring at him from across the room. If the man weren’t his Shield, he probably would’ve taken a punch to the face that night. “I’m pretty sure you were the one who started it.”
“Me?” Prompto replied, looking downright incredulous. “You were whispering all those things in my ear. What’d you think I was gonna do? Smile and walk away?”
“What things?” Ignis asked curiously, glancing between them.
“What, you think that was the first time Noct and I winded up sharing a bed?” the omega retorted, laughing at the scandalized look on his beta’s face. “Serious, Iggy? How could you not know?”
“I suspected there was more to your history than you let on, but I never realized it was serious.”
“Uh, who said it was serious?” Noctis responded, raising a brow. “I’ve been promised to Luna since I presented. Prompto and I just…”
He looked at the omega for some help again, this time receiving a beaming smile in return. “We had fun together. We always have fun together.”
“Well, you won’t be having fun together this time,” Gladiolus decided, unaffected by the pout his omega responded with. “You’re ours now. You don’t have fun like that unless we’re all involved.”
“I’m on board with that,” Prompto replied, a shit eating grin forming on his face as he eyed Noctis. “We don’t even need the booze—what do you say, Highness?”
“I don’t believe that’s what Gladio was implying, Prompto,” Ignis warned, looking to the alpha. The alpha who was staring at the prince, like he was actually considering it. Noctis’ face lit up as he realized it, shrinking back into his chair. “Gladio?”
“I’m up for it if everyone else is,” he responded with a shrug. The way he spoke was like it was so simple, yet the way he was still eyeing Noctis was anything but. “What do you say, Iggy?”
Ignis practically choked on the air. “I’m not certain that’s appropriate under the circumstances.”
“C’mon, Ig! One last hoorah for our prince here before he’s married off. It’s the least we can do!” Prompto insisted, far too enthusiastically.
“Do I get a vote?” Noctis wondered, stifling a laugh when Prompto gave him a knowing look. Of course his fellow omega knew he was interested, even if he wasn’t quite ready to admit it. “I don’t need a pity fuck.”
“That’s not what this is! If you think these two haven’t wanted to get in your pants for years now, you haven’t been paying attention,” Prompto insisted, ignoring the looks his intended mates shot him for it. “And you know me. I’m always up for anything with you, Noct.”
Noctis snorted, but knew damn well that much was true at least. Unless he was mistaken, the unrelenting look Gladiolus was sending his way definitely confirmed his interest, too. Alphas weren’t exactly known for being subtle about these things. And Ignis—the intrigue on his face was enough to bring the heat back to Noctis’ cheeks, wondering exactly what his advisor was thinking.
“You really want to do this?” Noctis wondered, resolve dwindling.
“If you’re willing,” Gladiolus responded simply.
“There’s no pressure, Highness. We wouldn’t want to coerce you, or make you uncomfortable.”
He swallowed thickly, heart racing. “As long as you’re actually into it…yeah.”
“Fuck. Can we start now?” Prompto asked, hopping to his feet eagerly. It wasn’t until he was reaching for Noctis’ hands that the prince realized it wasn’t actually open for debate, the omega tugging him to his feet without protest. Noctis glanced around the campfire at his friends, suddenly feeling like he was in way over his head. “Hey. Focus on me for now, okay?”
His gaze shifted back to Prompto, a familiarity settling in between them as his friend leaned in close. Yeah, he thought, eyes fluttering closed instinctively as their lips touched for the first time in ages. Even after so long, it still felt like home.