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Chapter 44: Catching Up

"A lot to take in huh buddy?" Noctis knew Prompto could sense the tiny envy of the young Argentum family, but it could not compare to the level of excitement in being reunited with everyone again. Noctis felt his chest swell in seeing that his three companions had survived the roughs of the darkness in his absence. He only wished he had great news to tell him, whereas he didn't.

"You're not gonna start crying on us are ya?" Gladio teased, nudging Noctis' shoulder.

"Nah. Just getting used to seeing you guys with facial hair and ponytails," Noctis threw back earning chuckles from the other three. "It's like only Ignis needs to change up the routine,"

Ignis scoffed. "I'm going to assume that is meant to be a compliment,"

"Maybe?" Prompto laughed, wriggling his eyebrows. "Then again, seeing Noct with a beard is what's got me thinking we may have an imposter here,"

"Didn't think you were my high school best friend either with that goatee bud," Noctis shot back whilst the other two men chortled.

"Hey! My wife thinks it looks cool okay!"

"Heh," Noctis began, "Never thought I'd hear you refer to Elena as your wife,"

"The proposal took him long enough. Elena was beginning to think she'd have to do it instead," Gladio shared.

"No! I was definitely going to propose!" Prompto pouted. "I just had to do something first,"

"Like what?" Noctis asked curiously.

"Receive a blessing from Hale and Matias I'd imagine?" Ignis suggested.

"Matias would be a piece of cake. Elena has him as whipped as Prompto," Gladio was enjoying recounting the lead up to Prompto's proposal at the poor cameraman's expense.

"That would be true. If anything, I believe Matias was the one who buttered up Hale to the idea," Ignis was always impeccable with his timing.

"Wish you coulda been there at the wedding though," Prompto was looking at Noctis with puppy eyes. "We originally wanted to wait till you got back but..."

"It's okay. I understand. Mind you, seeing miniatures of yourselves is just as good as being there at your wedding,"

Prompto blushed at Noctis' comment. "Thanks, buddy. We also wanted to wait till it was safer, but well Elena wanted them sooner than later,"

"At least they are old enough to know to stay put while their parents are in battle," Elena's voice chimed in. She casually placed her hands on either side of Prompto's waist, planting a quick kiss on his cheek before hugging him tightly.

"Missed you sweetie," Prompto sighed tenderly, turning his head a little to plant a kiss on her head. Noctis exchanged glances with the others who grinned at the sickening sweet gestures.

"I haven't seen my husband in two weeks so I can do whatever I want thank you gentleman!" Elena grumbled, rolling her eyes at Gladio who snickered at Prompto's blushing face.

"Just don't go giving the two a new sibling in the process of 'catching up' okay?" Gladio teased, earning a groan from Elena in response.

"Can't promise that big guy," Prompto sighed, pretending to scuff his nails on his shirt, "She's missed me so..." He didn't finish his sentence; his loving wife elbowed him in the back.

"I guess anything more than a 'Goodnight kiss' is out of the question," Gladio laughed making Prompto groan.

"So what have you been doing all these years Noct?" Elena asked, redirecting everyone's attention back to the returning King of Lucis.