Chapter Text
Gladio paced in his cell, the smell of Omega rising as the procession moved down the corridor.
The whimpers and screams were growing closer, and the scent of terror and pleasure was nearly overwhelming.
Muscles tense, the big Alpha glared at the occupant in the cell across from his.
Pressed up against the bars, fervently gazing down the hall, the hulking, red-headed Alpha was panting hard and methodically grinding his crotch into the iron. The musky scent of the Alpha’s desire was wafting off of him, mixing with the yearning of countless other Alphas and the fear and dread of just as many Omegas.
Gladio had never wished so hard that he could turn off his senses, and that he could drown out his instincts.
The fear and feral cries of the terrified Omegas made him sick, but the smells of arousal had him growing excited, feeling a need.
He knew that was what the caretakers of the prison wanted. That was how this system worked. Gladio had never agreed with the Arena Battles. He had thought them a cruel way of dealing with the prisoners of Tenebrae, but it was the way of Niflheim, and he alone could not change that. All he could do was fall in line with their ways and continue to serve Lady Lunafreya as best he could after Niflheim had conquered Tenebrae–for as long as he could.
Unfortunately, it hadn’t taken much for him to disbanded from his position. One refusal of a Niflheim Commander’s orders had been all they needed to label him a deserter of duty. He’d simply refused to beat an old, senile man for information, and though Lady Lunafreya argued for him, he was condemned to the Arena Prison.
As an unbonded Alpha in peak fighting condition, he knew he was an ideal candidate for the Arena. That alone was probably why he’d been so quickly accused of desertion and locked away. Chancellor Ardyn had been making rather large pushes for further funding of this entertainment and, in order to drive up attendance at the shows, it seemed as if arrests of strong, able, unbonded Alphas and attractive, unbonded Omegas had been on the rise.
The gathering of guards was nearing his cell, dragging along the throng of whimpering Omegas. At the front of the procession was Ardyn himself, holding a clipboard and smiling smugly at the red-headed Alpha imprisoned across from Gladio.
“Hendrik,” Ardyn said cheerfully, “my, but don’t you look eager for your Omega. Let’s see what we have for you.”
Scanning his list, Ardyn licked his lips and gave a little chuckle.
“Bring him 09-5A786,” the Chancellor commanded, and a short, round, male Omega with thick glasses was brought forward.
Without delay, the cell door was opened and the Omega, after seeing Hendrik, began screaming in terror. The outburst didn’t seem to faze the guards in the slightest, as 09-5A786 was flung into the cell and greedily snatched up by Hendrik.
The screams only grew then, but Gladio couldn’t stand to watch any further. Averting his eyes from the neighboring cell, he stiffened as his own cell door opened.
“I have something special for you, Gladio.” Ardyn announced. “I was saving him. I thought it would be fun to pair one of our largest Alphas with one of our smallest Omegas. Doesn’t that sound delightful?”
Gladio kept his eyes on the floor before him, glaring at his own feet. In his peripheral vision, he could see a small form being flung into his cell. He could smell the fresh scent of terror, and he could hear the small Omega scrambling for the far corner of the cell, trying to get as far from Gladio as possible.
For his part, Gladio didn’t move. He held perfectly still until Ardyn and his procession had finally gotten bored and moved on.
Only then did Gladio glance over at the Omega.
Huddled in the corner, trembling, the kid couldn’t have been older than eighteen. He was thin, arms and legs curled up so that he took up as little room as possible. The oversized pants and shirt weren’t doing anything for the guy either, probably making him look even smaller than he was.
Pale, bare toes peeked out from beneath the hem of the pants, showing that he, like many of the other Omegas, had his shoes taken from him when he'd entered the prison. Rumor was that was to make it hurt less if they kicked an Alpha in the junk.
A shock of blond hair, as golden as the sun, adorned his head, and when he finally peered up at Gladio, the Alpha was greeted with the most beautiful blue eyes he’d ever seen.
Those eyes though were brimming with tears. Tears that sparkled and glistened in the dull light of the cell, and that gently ran down pale, freckled cheeks in graceful rivulets.
Beneath the Omega’s scent of fear and despair, Gladio thought he could smell a grassy field, somewhere filled with wildflowers and warmed by the summer sun. The aroma was fresh, joyous and absolutely intoxicating.
That scent became harder to focus on though as the prison slowly filled with the stink of sex. More cries of pleasure and pain sounded.
“My name is Gladio.”
The Omega flinched at the words, but then wet his lips and swallowed hard before answering.
“I-I’m Prompto.”
They both remained silent for a while then, listening to the horrendous chaos taking place all around them. Only when the screams peaked, when a particular loud cry of pure agony sounded, did either of them move.
Clamping his hands over his ears, Prompto squeezed his eyes shut. His breath was labored, far too shallow and panicked.
“M-make i-it stop…” the little Omega whimpered, though Gladio didn’t think it was addressed to him so much as a plea to whatever Astral might have been listening.
Still, Gladio couldn’t bear to watch the suffering, and he slowly inched forward, emitting a soothing, calming scent as he went. It was hard to drive away his desires, to hold that lust out of his scent, but he did. For as much as his body was begging him to take the Omega there and then, he knew he would hate himself later for causing that sort of pain.
Carefully, he laid his hand on Prompto’s shoulder, and when the Omega didn’t pull away, Gladio slowly shifted the smaller man into his lap.
Holding him close, Gladio enveloped the Omega in his scent, drowning every other horrible smell out.
Prompto remained tense, shivering against Gladio’s chest, but slowly, the Omega settled and exhaustion seemed to overtake him as his eyes slid closed.
For a long while, Gladio simply studied the creature in his arms.
Ardyn had chosen well for him.
As soon as he was told he was being taken to the Arena Prison, Gladio had silently vowed to himself that he wouldn’t let himself be bound to an Omega. No matter what they presented him with, he would reject it.
He knew what it meant to form a connection.
His eyes trailed up to the thick leather and metal band locked on Prompto’s neck. All the Omegas would be wearing those, so that the Alphas couldn’t fully seal their bond.
They could mate to their hearts content. In fact, that was highly encouraged, so the Alphas became possessive of their Omegas. For those most unlucky Alphas, their Omegas would bite their sensitive scent glands on their necks during the peak of their mating, binding that Alpha to them.
That was what Ardyn really wanted.
He wanted Alphas who were bonded, who would fight to the death for their Omegas. That was what made for a good show in the Arena. For those unbonded Omegas would smell so good to any Alpha competitor placed in the ring with the pair.
Gladio thought back to the only Arena show he’d gone to, remembering how the Alpha and Omega pair were forced out before the crowd, how the Omega reluctantly entered the cage in the center of the ring and let the barred walls rise around her. Then, another Alpha emerged into the Arena, instantly charging at the first.
The fight was bloody and desperate, and in the end, the new Alpha won.
Gladio had been too far back to hear the screams of anguish the Omega made as she watched her Alpha fall… and then the bars were lowered around her protective cage and the victor took his spoils. Right there, before the whole world, while the Omega wept in grief and agony. It had been the most horrendous thing Gladio had ever witnessed in his life.
As he stared down at Prompto, at those faded freckles dotting his cheeks, and as he admired his golden lashes, he tried not to picture this Omega suffering like that. He tried to harden his heart, to pull himself into a cloak of apathy.
Whatever happened to the kid wasn’t his problem. He didn’t have to form any kind of bond with him.
But that wasn’t entirely true. He knew the process for new prison pairs. They would be kept together for a few weeks to a month. He would undergo a rut and Prompto would have a heat. It would be hard not to mate in all that time, and even if they could refrain…
Gladio sighed, knowing full well that he needed to protect this Omega, that he had to keep him safe – his instincts were already telling him so. He knew that he would, in the end, fight to the death to protect him.
Damn you, Ardyn…
_____________________________________
Gladio woke the next morning to the soft metal scrape of a food tray against the stone floor.
Breakfast. Again.
He didn’t bother to open his eyes, already knowing that the same bland grey gruel and slice of toast awaited him as it did every morning.
As the faint scraping of sound continued in his cell though, he slowly started to recall that he was no longer alone.
Sitting up, his gaze flickered over to the blond Omega sitting cross-legged by the cell door, munching on a small slice of bread.
Prompto didn’t glance back at him, even as Gladio shuffled forward, making sure to scuff his feet, creating plenty of sound as he moved so that he wouldn’t startle the Omega.
It wasn’t until Gladio sat next to Prompto that he realized what the young man was staring at.
Across the corridor, leaned up against the cold bars, was Hendrik’s plump Omega. Glasses gone, lip torn and bloody, left eye bruised and swollen shut, wearing only a thin, torn shirt, the little Omega was staring dully out at nothing. He looked completely broken. Behind him, lounging in his warm bed, Henrik groaned in his sleep, farted and then was silent once more.
“Why didn’t you…” Prompto whispered, his gaze never leaving the other Omega. “…why weren’t you like that?”
There was so much fear laced in his words, as if it had taken all his courage to utter them.
Gladio frowned, uncertain how to convince this Omega that he wasn’t the monster so many of these Alphas were proving to be.
“I was part of Lady Lunafreya’s Guards once upon a time,” he said at last, “I protected people…all people, and I loved doing that. Being here doesn’t change that. Being here doesn’t make me like them.” He gestured at Hendrik. “I didn’t follow my commander’s orders to harm a civilian, and I was brought here. It’s as simple as that.”
Prompto glanced back at him and cocked his head, as if he were truly seeing the Alpha for the first time.
“You were part of Lady Lunafreya’s guards?” He asked, some semblance of awe and excitement tinging his tone. “She…she is so great! She’s like the only one who has really been fighting for Omega protection laws. If those were passed…well…it would just change so much.”
“Why are you here?” Gladio asked, regretting the question as he watched the Omega slowly deflate, set down his toast and start to curl up into a ball again.
It took a moment for the Alpha to notice how the little Omega was clutching his right arm close to his chest, how he seemed to cradle the thin limb as some inner debate raged in his head.
“I escaped…” Prompto murmured at last and tentatively held his arm out, palm up, so that Gladio could see the barcode on his wrist.
A clone…
Eyes fixed on the dark markings contrasting so thoroughly with the pale skin, Gladio thought of the lab where Chancellor Ardyn created his pets. His main facility was somewhere in Niflheim, but he’d brought part of his setup with him when he came to Tenebrae.
It was well known that Niflheim had long been creating Omegas – designing them essentially, to fit the wants of their wealthy elite.
“Actually,” Prompto added, “I was rescued.” His eyes met Gladio’s then. Those wondrous blue orbs filled with sad fondness. “When I was a baby, so I didn’t grow up in the labs…I didn’t even really know what I was, but then I forgot my wristband one day and one of Ardyn’s guards saw the tattoo…and here I am.” He paused to give a sad chuckle. “My adoptive parents smuggled me all the way from Niflheim only to have the Empire follow them here. That’s pretty bad luck.”
Gladio tried to think of way to reply, but as he came up with nothing, he sighed and then started to halfheartedly eat his grey gruel.
“Are you going to…” Prompto said quietly, his words trailing with uncertainty.
Gladio glanced up, frowning as he found the Omega trembling again.
“Are you going to…you know?” The Omega asked nervously. “It’s just…I’ve never…” He paused taking in a shuddered breath, face flushing red. “…I’ve just never…you know?”
Shit.
That blush, the way the kid was fumbling with his words – that was definitely doing something for Gladio.
“Do you want to?” he asked.
Eyes wide with alarm, Prompto was quick to answer, “NO!” He frowned, “I mean, not really…not yet…I just…I’m…it’s…”
Though he felt a wave of disappointment, Gladio laughed.
“Don’t worry, kid,” he answered, “I’m not going to do anything unless you want me to.”
Prompto nodded and picked up his toast again. For a while they ate in quiet companionship. Somewhere down the corridor, the sounds of renewed mating started.
“Do you want to?” Prompto asked hoarsely, his eyes searching Gladio carefully.
Gladio shrugged. “When you do…sure.”
_____________________________________
In the following days, Gladio and Prompto settled into a comfortable routine.
They would wake in the mornings and eat together. Then, Gladio would start to exercise. The smaller Omega would do part of his workout with him, and then taper off as his energy waned. He would, however, help the Alpha keep count of his sit-ups and such.
At lunch they would talk about their pasts, hobbies they had had, and people who were important to them. Gladio had told Prompto all about his sister Iris – how much he missed her and wished that he could explain to her what had happened, that he wasn’t really a deserter. Prompto told Gladio about his adoptive parents, about how wonderful they had been, how much they had loved them, how they’d taken him to a Chocobo ranch once…and how they had been sent to the work in the prison camp mines for their part in taking him from the research labs.
Whenever the mood got too depressing during their conversations, Prompto was always quick to crack a joke and flash a dazzling grin. He had an almost magical knack for putting Gladio at ease.
After lunch, the pair would read whatever dog-eared book Gladio was able to get from the library cart that came around. Taking turns, they would read aloud, sometimes having to raise their voices over the passionate cries of the Omegas and Alphas in the cells around theirs.
In the late evening, Gladio would do another workout and Prompto would draw sketches with the notebook and crayon that Gladio had bartered for. He’d had to give up the necklace his dad had given him when he was a kid, but seeing the joy on Prompto’s face when he saw the gift…well, it was worth it.
Cuddled up together when the lights went out for the night, they would both send out as much of a comforting scent as they could, trying to overpower the stench of despair and sex coming from their neighboring cells.
For nearly a week, they kept to this schedule, but it couldn’t last…
A Beta sauntered down the corridor one morning, announcing they were all to have physicals that day. Pair by pair, they would be brought to the medical bay and examined.
It was explained that Alphas would remain with their Omegas at all times, but if any Alpha lashed out or was violent with the guards, then their Omega would be taken away and given to a new Alpha.
After hearing this, Prompto was a nervous wreck, pacing and trembling as they waited. He refused to eat any breakfast. Then, as they were one of the last cells in the block and hadn’t been called yet, he refused to eat his lunch as well.
Gladio thought about trying to force food on the Omega, but judging by how pale and clammy Prompto was, the Alpha actually had to wonder if the kid would be able to keep the food down.
“It’s your turn,” The tall Beta opening their cell door announced. “Come on. I don’t have all day.”
With a grunt, Gladio got to his feet and started to follow the Beta. He wasn’t surprised in the least to find five Alpha guards waiting outside the cell to escort them as well.
He was, however, a bit surprised to feel Prompto push up close to him.
Eyes downcast, the little Omega was practically stepping on Gladio’s heels as he trailed behind the Alpha. Finally, taking pity on the kid, Gladio reached back and drew him in close to his side. For his part, Prompto leaned in, closed his eyes and let Gladio guide him.
Perhaps it shouldn’t have come as that big of a shock though. As they moved down the corridor, most of the cells they passed didn’t house anything more than debauchery, with leering Alphas and despondent, broken Omegas.
The Omegas’ vacant stares followed Gladio and Prompto. Silently, they watched, those broken people…no, those claimed things. They appeared so empty and sad.
By the time they reached the medical bay, even Gladio could no longer keep his eyes up and had instead chosen to stare at the ground directly in front of his feet.
“Gladio Amicitia and Prompto Argentum,” the dark-haired Beta Doctor said, her voice lilted and bored. “I’m going to do a quick physical. This should take no more than 15 minutes. Do you understand?”
Both Alpha and Omega nodded.
“Have you mated?” She asked.
Gladio was quick to answer, so that Prompto wouldn’t have to. “No.”
She frowned and flipped through the papers on her clipboard. Her gaze turned to Gladio. “Is he not to your liking? Do we need to find you another Omega?”
“No,” he growled. “He’s fine.”
The Beta glared back at him and then turned her attention to Prompto. Without a word, she leaned forward and studied his leather collar and then sniffed it.
“No bite marks, no heavy pheromones from the Omega scent gland. No reason to replace the collar.” She jotted down a few quick notes. “You obviously have not even tried to mate.” After flipping her papers down and setting her clipboard aside, she shrugged. “Here’s the deal, I’ve scheduled you for another checkup in two days. If I don’t see mating bites on that collar and if it isn’t absolutely saturated in Omega pheromones, I’m going to have to report you as a non-mating pair, and you will be separated and paired with others. When you come back, I’ll give Prompto a full exam, to ensure a full mating took place.”
She turned to the guards then, “Take them back to their cells. We’re done here.”
The walk back to the cell felt longer somehow, but maybe that was due to the fact that Prompto hadn’t pressed himself close to Gladio this time. Instead, he walked three paces behind the Alpha, as if he were afraid to touch him.
When they were finally back in their cell, with the door securely closed and the guards gone, Gladio was able to find his voice.
“I’ll do whatever you want…but…” He paused, not knowing how to say that he didn’t want to be taken away from Prompto, that he couldn’t bear the thought of the Omega being given over to some other Alpha who would misuse him and hurt him.
“Tonight,” Prompto huffed quietly, “after the guards make their first round…we’ll have some time…without anyone around to see. I’d rather…it would be better without people watching…I don’t think I’d like people watching.”
The strange swell of emotions encasing Gladio left the Alpha confused and unable to respond.
He felt relieved and excited, but then, as he watched Prompto quietly pad over to their shared bed and curl up in the blankets, he felt an overpowering sense of guilt and grief.
It made sense the Omega didn’t want the guards around. Too often they’d seen Henrik pushing his Omega up against the bars as he mated him. The Alpha would let the guards come by and caress his Omega, fondle him and tease him as Hendrik took him from behind. In the end, Henrik would get some extra goodies with his meals. A slice of cake or candy bar would appear on his tray, so long as he let the guards have a little fun.
Yeah, the guards were a little too eager for a show. Calling out to their fellow guards the minute they found some particular interesting mating taking place, and they had shown a lot of interest in Gladio and Prompto.
Apparently, their size difference was something that had the guards near giddy with anticipation. Gladio had even heard there was a pool going around on how much damage he’d do to the little Omega when he finally mated him.
He wouldn’t though. He knew that. He was experienced enough to know how to handle himself, how to care for his partner. He may not have been bonded, but he’d mated enough to know what he was doing.
Still, he couldn’t help but feel a bit worried as he glanced back over that the lump of blankets that was Prompto. He was sure he heard a muffled sob, but he found that he couldn’t force himself forward to check on the Omega.
He just needs some time.
_____________________________________
Their routine had been fully disturbed for the day.
Prompto remained hidden within the blankets, not even emerging to eat or use the lavatory bucket in the corner.
Gladio, for his part, couldn’t find it in himself to read or workout. Instead, he sat, just staring at the bed, waiting for Prompto to stir.
Finally, when the lights dimmed, leaving only the faint blue, sickly glow of the overnight emergency lights, Gladio realized he’d have to be the one to take action.
Slowly, he trudged to the bed and lifted the blankets.
Prompto laid there, eyes wide, staring up at the Alpha, but he didn’t dare move. Instead, Gladio eased himself onto the bed and lowered the blanket back down.
They were both still fully clothed, the same as they had been every night going to sleep, but the tension hanging over them was quite new.
“Have the guards gone by,” Prompto asked quietly.
Gladio nodded. “A few minutes ago. We should have at least half an hour.”
Even as he confirmed it, they still made no move.
Finally, Prompto spoke. “I..I don’t know what to do. Y-you need to tell me…or do something…”
“It’s okay? You’re okay with this?”
“Yes,” Prompto answered, the tremor gone from his voice. “I’m sure. I don’t want to be taken away from you.”
Even so, Gladio had to be sure the Omega knew where he stood on the matter. “If you say stop, I stop. If you need a minute, you tell me and we put everything on hold for a bit, okay? If something hurts, you tell me.”
“O-okay…” Prompto answered, that uncertainty returning to his tone. “I will.”
Gladio didn’t start moving right away, he wanted to give the kid a moment, just a moment to relax, to breathe.
“I’m gonna take my clothes off.” Gladio said at last. “You do the same, okay?”
He didn’t get an answer, but after a few seconds, he could feel Prompto, still under the blankets, shifting beside him.
When he was finally undressed and he reached for the Omega, Gladio felt nothing but warm skin.
Prompto gave a little gasp, but didn’t pull away as Gladio’s callused hands explored his waist, traveled up his chest, and caressed every inch of his upper body.
“Your skin is so soft…feels nice,” Gladio hummed, but when Prompto didn’t answer, when he only tensed under the touch, Gladio remembered himself. “Sorry, from this point on, I’m gonna tell you everything I’m gonna do before I do it, okay? And if you don’t want me to do it, you tell me, okay?”
Prompto let out a low whimper followed by a reluctant, “yeah.”
“I’m gonna kiss you and let my hands roam a bit, like I did just now – on your upper body only.” Gladio said. “It’s…it’s important to get you excited about what’s going to happen…we need your body to make some slick, to make things move easier. Do you understand?”
Another whimper and a rising scent of embarrassment before the answer of a low, “yes.”
Gladio started by kissing and licking near Prompto’s left ear. Normally, to get the mood going, he would have done this to his partner’s scent gland, but with the collar in the way, he had to make due.
Prompto squirmed slightly and then leaned into the kiss.
Good. That’s a good sign.
After grazing teeth over the Omega’s earlobe and panting lustful, warm breaths into the kid’s ear, Gladio shifted slightly to press his lips against Prompto’s.
He let the kiss start off slow, almost innocent and then, as the Omega relaxed, he slipped his tongue into Prompto’s mouth, exploring and tasting the blond as he pressed their bodies closer together. The contact of skin on skin was electrifying.
Gladio’s arousal was already pressing firmly into the Omega’s thigh, and, much to the Alpha’s relief, Prompto’s arousal was swelling as well.
Though he didn’t want to, he pulled his lips from Prompto’s and, after a few gasps for breath, he said, “I’m gonna have to get you ready…I’m gonna put a finger in you…and I’m going to keep putting fingers in until I think you’re stretched enough. It’s important that you’re ready, okay?”
“Yes…” The reply was breathy, and, if Gladio hadn’t been hard already, that answer along with the sudden release of more of Prompto’s pheromones – the scent of wildflowers in a summer field – would have done it.
His hand slowly roamed down the Omega’s body, halting as it came to Prompto’s slick coated entrance, and he easily slid a finger in. The Omega gave a startled moan at the intrusion.
Gladio hesitated. “You okay?”
A low hum and nod was all he got, and though he would have liked more of an answer, he started to slowly move the lone finger around.
Another moan and low gasp and Prompto snuggled closer to Gladio.
“I’m gonna add a second one…” Gladio started, but Prompto’s low huff of ‘yes’ came before he could finish.
The second finger was more difficult to get in than the first, and the Omega’s groan fizzled into a whimper tinged with pain.
Shit. The kid was tight.
“Just relax a little. I’ll slow down…just keep breathing. You’re doing great.”
Painfully slowly, Gladio eased the second finger fully in and then waited for Prompto to calm.
Only after he felt the little Omega let out a soft, content sigh, did Gladio start moving, scissoring his fingers slowly and stretching the warm walls around them.
Though a few moans escaped the Omega, he stayed fairly silent. If a guard walked by now, only the sweet smell of the Omega’s arousal would give them away.
By that point, Prompto was a writhing mess, sweaty and whimpering, holding back moans in shuddered, muffled breaths.
Gladio withdrew his fingers and Prompto slumped beneath him.
“I think you’re ready…if you want to stop now, just say so.”
A few panted breaths and then the answer came. “Keep going.”
That was all Gladio needed to hear. Lining himself up, he carefully pushed in just his tip and then stilled. Already Prompto was gasping, sucking in sharp intakes of air as his body adjusted.
“I’m gonna go slow…you tell me if you need me to stop,” Gladio whispered into his Omega’s ear.
“Okay…” was the huffed reply.
Gladio lowered himself in a little more and then paused, listening to the Omega beneath him carefully, trying hard to hear any sound of pain or discomfort that might be made.
The Omega’s hands weakly latched onto Gladio’s biceps, caressing his warm skin with graceful fingertips. The sensation was…encouraging.
Gladio pushed in further, stopping when the grip on his biceps tightened. Only when he felt the grasp relax again did he proceed.
When he paused once again to give Prompto time to adjust, Gladio leaned down; his lips searching out the Omega’s–greedily taking in that honeysuckle taste that soft mouth had to offer.
Then, he lowered himself a bit further into Prompto.
After what felt like an eternity, Gladio was finally fully encased within his Omega. Honestly, he hadn’t been sure if the smaller man was going to be able to handle his full length, and that would have been fine. Few in the past were able to.
For a long while, Gladio didn’t move.
A part of him was almost afraid to start. He’d promised the Omega he could tell him to stop at any point, but once he started thrusting, he wasn’t sure if he trusted himself with maintaining that promise any longer. Prompto just felt so damn good.
“Are you going to knot me?” The question was so innocent, so quiet, that Gladio didn’t know how to respond.
I’ll try not to?
How hollow and cheap would that sound?
“I want to.” Gladio answered honestly.
Then, there was silence.
Shit.
Engulfed to the hilt in Prompto, wanting to move so badly and yet knowing he would have a hell of a time stopping, or not knotting the Omega, Gladio wasn’t sure what to do.
“Okay,” Prompto answered, “Do it.”
And for as much as Gladio’s brain was screaming at him to think this all over, his body started moving. Instinct took over. His thrusts started out slow, and, beneath him, Prompto moaned and started emitting the most arousing scent Gladio had ever encountered.
Nerves on fire as those warm, moist walls gave him the greatest sensation of friction and ecstasy, Gladio’s thrusts quickened. His heart thrummed chaotically in his chest with each strained movement of force he planted into the Omega.
Prompto’s muffled moans only furthered his desire, as he felt the Omega writhe and claw at him, his scent begging for more contact, for more stimulation, for more…Gladio.
Never had the Alpha felt so dominate, so sure that this was his mate – his Omega.
Still thrusting into Prompto, Gladio leaned forward, his teeth finding the leather collar around the Omega’s neck.
Rage filled him as he bit into the stiff material, frustrated that he couldn’t get to the scent gland below, that he couldn’t mark this Omega as his. He wanted, more than anything to bond Prompto, to make this mating complete.
He could feel his knot growing, and Prompto gave only the softest squeak as it was finally thrust inside him. Held in place, Gladio’s movements became constricted, but not halted.
Again and again, he bit at the collar, his frustration mounting.
Then, he felt Prompto’s wet tongue trail over his scent gland and he stilled. A small part of him warned that something about that was wrong – was dangerous, but it felt so good.
He started moving again, so close to climax as Prompto licked and sucked at his neck. Finally, as the Omega’s teeth sank into his scent gland, and Prompto’s release came and his warmth constricted around Gladio, did the Alpha also get his release.
Everything ugly and wrong all around him melted away in that moment. There was only happiness and bliss. There was only him and Prompto.
Muscles twitching, but still locked in place within his Omega, Gladio carefully lowered himself, turning Prompto carefully so they could lay side-by-side.
The blond nuzzled close, his gentle, warm breath tickling Gladio’s bare chest.
“That was good,” Prompto sighed. “I think I’d like to do it again sometime...if you would…that is.”
Gladio chuckled at that. “Blondie, I’d do that million times over if you let me. That was more than just good. That was amazing.”
_____________________________________
When they made their return visit to the medical bay, the Beta once again examined Prompto’s collar, but this time she removed it, put a salve on his neck and then placed a new leather collar on him.
“These teeth marks are quite impressive,” she stated. “Perhaps it is better for this Omega that he was wearing a collar.”
Gladio said nothing, just glared at his feet, knowing full well that he had only bit the leather as hard as he did because he was trying to chew through it to get to Prompto’s neck. He would have never done that sort of damage to his Omega.
“And,” the Beta added cheerfully to Gladio, “I see that he managed to mark you. That will surely keep you motivated once you are in the Arena. I can’t wait to see your first match. It should be good!”
Prompto seemed to shrink as the comment was made, and he became even quieter as the Beta had him undress and crawl up onto a table so that she could examine him further.
Thankfully, no guards or other Alphas were permitted into the room for the examination. They had to wait in the hall, making sure that Gladio knew if he tried anything at all, they would come in during the procedure and drag them both away, and that Prompto and Gladio would never see each other again.
Prompto whimpered and squirmed during the examination, but Gladio held still, doing nothing to ease his Omega’s discomfort.
After it was over, and Prompto was dressed, Gladio held the Omega close as the guards re-entered the room.
“So, how bad was it?” A blond Alpha sneered, “Is he shredded down there, or what?”
The Beta doctor signed and shook her head, “I’ll never understand this crass need to want to know what Omegas are being mistreated, but, for your information, this prisoner is in perfect health. No damage.”
A few guards cursed and glared at Gladio, as if, somehow, he had failed them. The action made the big Alpha sick to his stomach, and he was more than a little relieved when Prompto and he finally were safe and alone back in their cell.
But then Prompto's scent suddenly reeked of embarrassment and fear.
Holding the Omega close, Gladio offered words of comfort, but he only fully realized the cause of Prompto’s distress when he noticed their bed was gone and only a heap of straw was left in the corner.
“I think my heat is starting soon,” Prompto whispered, his gaze adverting suddenly to the ground. “The guards…they’ll see us.”
“So? What do we care if they do?” Gladio growled, pulling Prompto closer to his chest. “Besides, I’ll keep you near the back wall…all they will see is my hairy asshole. I hope they have fun with that image.”
Prompto gave a low snort of laughter and nuzzled into the crook of Gladio’s neck.
“I’m sorry I marked you,” the Omega said softly, “It’s what they wanted…it made things worse.”
“It’s what I wanted, and, for me, it made things better,” Gladio replied, pulling Prompto away from him so that they could look each other in the eyes. “I’m glad you did it. I only wish I could mark you as well.”
Prompto blushed and bit his lower lip. Finally, he answered, “Yeah, me too.”
_____________________________________
Prompto’s heat started a few hours later, and a day later, Gladio’s rut started as well, but, true to his word, the Alpha kept his Omega out of view of the guards as much as possible.
No matter how overpowering his lust felt, and how much he wanted to get on top of his Omega, he held that desire at bay.
It was rather awkward and uncomfortable trying to thrust into the smaller body while lying on his side, knowing a few lingering guards were standing by, watching his ass swing back and forth, but Gladio had given his word.
After four days of nearly non-stop sex (save for few times they relented to eat, drink or use the latrine bucket) Gladio’s joints felt achy and sore from the unconventionally position they had adhered to.
Having successfully navigated a heat and rut, their reward was another trip to the medical bay, and then the news that, in three days’ time, they would be entered in their first Arena Match.
When they arrived back at their cell, no amount of cuddling or soft words were able to reassure the distressed Omega.
“What if you die,” Prompto said at last. “What if I have to watch you die…and then another Alpha will just…they’ll just…” he broke down in tears, crumbling to his knees and trembling. “I can’t…Gladio…I can’t make it through that. I’ll be broken like the others.”
Gladio was quick to scoop the Omega into his arms, to whisper more words of comfort into his ear, to sound brave and sure and invincible, but…
He wasn’t invincible.
He knew what Prompto said was true. It was a possibility, and if Gladio lost, if he was killed in the heat of the fight, the little Omega would slowly, painfully, over serval days or months, perish as well.
_____________________________________
It had been difficult to get Prompto to eat anything or sleep much over the course of the next couple of days.
By the time they’d entered the Arena floor, the little Omega needed Gladio’s help to make it to the Omega enclosure at the center of the open area.
“It’ll be okay,” Gladio said with a smile. “I got this, babe, okay?”
Prompto nodded and flinched as the metal bars rose all around him, separating him from Gladio and the battle that was about to take place.
Gladio was quick to find a blunted sword that had been amongst the weapons strewn on the ground. Nothing would be of high caliber, but any weapon was better than no weapon.
A fierce yell had him turning to the south, looking at the lean Alpha storming onto the Arena floor with a rusted spear in hand. The gangly man paused only a moment to glance at Prompto in the cage. He raised his nose in the air as if he were trying to catch the scent of the Omega and then smirked to himself.
Then, his attention turned back to Gladio and he charged.
Truthfully, the fight was practically over before it had begun. This Alpha was too hopped up on adrenaline and hormones to think straight, and, as he ran forward, so focused on attack, he failed to consider his own defense.
Gladio easily sidestepped the attack and swung the blunted sword hard to the side, jamming the weapon directly through the other Alpha’s neck.
Blood trickled down the man’s throat as he gave a strangled cry and fell to his knees, sword still embedded in his neck. He flopped to his side then and gurgled something – something that would have been his final words if not for the blood and metal impeding his windpipe.
As the man lay dying, Gladio made his way back to Prompto. The iron bars lowered and the crowd, filling the grandstands, was roaring with approval. On the big screens hung high over the fields, close ups of Prompto, Gladio and the dying man kept flashing.
When he reached his Omega, he offered the blond a hand and hefted him to his feet, and the mood of the crowd shifted.
The cheers turned to hisses and boos, and Prompto, obviously uncertain of what was happening, drew close to his Alpha.
“Are they mad at us? Why?” The Omega asked, his scent nervous, frightened even.
It made sense that he Omega didn’t know. He’d probably never been to the Area to watch a battle. Free Omega’s didn’t like to even hear about what took place within these grounds.
“Most Alphas mate their Omegas after the battle.” Gladio answered, steering them quickly toward the exit.
“Okay…I get that, and I’m down for that when we get back to the cell, but why…”
“On the field, in front of the crowd,” Gladio added and he could feel Prompto stiffen in his hold. “But, we aren’t going to do that. It isn’t a rule that we have to.”
As they exited the Arena, the crowd was in a mad frenzy. The thunderous disapproval followed Gladio and Prompto further into the compound than the larger man had thought possible.
When they got back to their cell, they didn’t mate. Instead, Prompto snuggled close to Gladio asking if the Alpha would just hold him for a while, and Gladio was happy to oblige.
_____________________________________
Every three days, they were entered into a new Arena Battle, and the opponents kept getting progressively stronger. Meanwhile, Gladio felt his body starting to strain beneath the constant use. Wounds never properly had enough time to heal. His joints ached terribly and Prompto…
The Omega was barely eating or sleeping.
Gladio could see it in the man’s eyes. The thought that this was never going to stop, that there was no end in sight – that the only fate they could be sure of was that, eventually, Gladio would lose.
Prompto tried to keep a brave face on. He tried to smile and joke, but despair always seemed to linger somewhere in those lovely blue eyes.
Adding to the stress was the fact that they had somehow become both loved and hated by the Arena crowds.
Gladio’s fighting skills and Prompto’s charm had enraptured the masses, but their unwillingness to mate in the Arena was still drawing ire.
Chancellor Ardyn himself had even paid them a visit, kindly suggesting they get over any shyness and give the crowds a good show.
However, Gladio stuck to his guns and refused to expose his Omega in such a way, knowing full well that Prompto would be more than a little traumatized by the action.
Almost a week after Ardyn’s first visit, the Chancellor showed up again.
Laid up with a fever, Prompto remained motionless on their straw bed as the Chancellor addressed them.
“I guess you didn’t take my advice to heart last time,” Ardyn mused, “but I guess there really wasn’t a lot in that deal for you, so what say we sweeten the pot?”
There was something too friendly, too amused about Ardyn’s tone. It had Gladio instantly on edge.
“For the next fight,” the Chancellor continued, “we are going to remove Prompto’s collar! So, whoever wins can claim him fully! Doesn’t that sound like fun, my dears?”
Behind him, Gladio could hear Prompto shift and let out a low sigh.
“Oh, and of course,” Ardyn added, “the catch is that his collar will be put back on the very second he is taken off the Arena floor. So, if he isn’t claimed in front of the crowd, he remains unmarked.”
Gladio growled. It was low and throaty but threatening enough that two of the guards took a step back.
“What happens if I claim him?” Gladio asked, knowing full well that Prompto’s scent would become less enticing to other Alphas. Their desire for him would weaken and few would be willing to fight for a bonded Omega.
Ardyn quirked a brow, “Well, I guess he’d be yours? I dare say that your days in the Arena would come to an end, as sad as that is… but you would have earned it.”
“What will you do with us then?” Gladio knew this man well enough to know he wouldn’t simply let them be. There had to be something he had planned, some way he had strategized to gain off this turn of events.
“Oh my, dear Gladio…not very trusting are you?” Ardyn paused, his smile faltering for just a second before returning. “I have a few clients interested in hiring a bodyguard. They want someone strong and well-trained, someone experienced and level-headed in a fight. They want you.”
“And Prompto?” Gladio asked.
Ardyn shrugged. “Goes with you…if you win and mate him in the Arena.”
Gladio glanced back, wanting to see Prompto’s reaction, but the Omega’s eyes were shut, his face flushed with fever. His steady, rhythmic breathing hinted that he was already deep in slumber.
“Think it over,” Ardyn said as he started to stroll away. “You have twenty-four hours to make up your mind before you enter the Arena grounds once again.”
Gladio watched the Chancellor leave. Not moving until the man was completely out of sight.
Then, the Alpha quietly made his way over to his Omega and settled down beside him.
In the end, Gladio knew it wasn’t really a choice. He wouldn’t be able to keep up this pace for much longer. If he didn’t win this next fight and mate Prompto in front of everyone, they wouldn’t have much time left together.
“Prompto?” he asked, his voice hoarse and pitiful. “I think we have to do it this time. I’m sorry…”
Gladio was more than a little startled when Prompto shifted onto his side and opened his bloodshot eyes.
“Shit…” Gladio hissed, “I thought you were asleep.”
Prompto’s laugh, though weak, sounded like music to the Alpha’s ears.
“It’s okay,” the Omega said at last through a smile. “I trust you…I want to stay with you. If we have to…in front of everyone…well, yeah, that sucks, but if it means staying together…I say we do it.”
Gladio brought a hand up to gently stroke his Omega’s fevered brow. “I love you,” he whispered and watched Prompto’s face light up, his smile grow.
Eyelids slowly drooping, the little Omega let loose a scent of contentment and comfort. “I love you too, Gladio,” he whispered back.
_____________________________________
Though they’d been given medicines, Prompto’s fever still hadn’t broken by the day of their next Arena match.
In part, it was almost a blessing, as the little Omega spent most of his time sleeping or, if awake, in a state of blissful confusion.
Gladio requested a loincloth for himself for the Arena and a long tunic for Prompto. The clothing choice was calculated, something that would allow them to mate without flashing their privates to everyone in attendance.
A half hour before they were to be taken to the field, Gladio stripped away his Omega’s underwear and set to work preparing him. Briefly, Gladio wondered if he was so carefully, painstakingly preparing and stretching the blond for himself or for another Alpha. That thought nearly crushed him.
As the Alpha worked his fingers inside his Omega, Prompto woke, eyelids fluttering open as he gave a low sigh and smiled up at Gladio. Slowly, that smile faded.
“What’s wrong?” The Omega’s voice was gravelly, sickly.
Gladio tried to force a smile, but he knew it was strained and ugly.
“I’m getting you ready,” he answered, “for the Arena …they are going to take your collar off this time, remember?”
Prompto blinked and stared rather vacantly up at the ceiling. “Yeah,” he answered at last, “yeah…you are going to bond me!”
If we’re lucky…
Gladio didn’t answer though, he couldn’t bring himself to. The kid sounded happy just clinging to that lone thought – not dwelling on the public setting or the fact that Gladio could be killed and then he, in turn, raped before everyone’s eyes…for mere entertainment.
Astrals, Gladio hated this place. He hated Niflheim and Chancellor Ardyn. He hated everything about this blasted…
“I love you,” Prompto huffed, his eyes closed, his body relaxed, as he slumped once again into a fevered slumber.
Hate forgotten, Gladio stared down at the Omega, letting his love for the man overtake him, letting it blot out the pain and struggle of their life, letting him just enjoy this moment.
He leaned down, planting a soft kiss on the Omega’s brow. “I love you too, babe.”
_____________________________________
Gladio entered the Arena surrounded by Alpha guards. Behind him, the Beta doctor trailed. She wore a sexy black dress and had layered on her makeup. She seemed to be enjoying her brief stint in the limelight as she waved and smiled at the crowd.
In Gladio’s arms, Prompto lay, wearing only his long tunic. The Alpha had been careful to keep the material pulled down, covering his Omega as much as possible.
The crowd, upon seeing the large Alpha in the loincloth, went ballistic. Camera flashes continuously went off, and the large overhead screens showed close ups of Gladio, of his rippling muscles and intricate tattoo.
Then, there were a few close up of Prompto’s flushed face, of his hooded eyes and soft, longing expressions as he pressed in close to his Alpha.
Gladio tuned out the announcements as he stepped up to the Omega platform and set Prompto down.
“This is just going to take a little bit, okay?” Gladio said softly as he ran a hand through the smaller man’s downy soft hair. “I’ll be right back.”
Prompto nodded and offered a crooked grin, but the tears streaming down his cheeks and the scent of distress wafting off of him betrayed him.
“Step back, please,” the Beta doctor commanded, and Gladio reluctantly did so.
After producing a key from the little clutch dangling from her wrist, the Beta leaned down and carefully unlocked Prompto’s collar, unbuckled it, and then pulled it free.
She stood and triumphantly held the leather collar up, sending the crowd into another tizzy of cheers.
As she stepped back and the bars around Prompto were raised, Gladio couldn’t help but stare at the Omega’s bare neck, at that scent gland he had so long been craving to mark.
Prompto raised a shaky hand, tentatively touching his neck before his gaze drifted back to Gladio.
Shit…I cannot lose this match…
The guards and doctor slowly made their way off the field. The whole way the Beta kept holding up the leather collar, presenting it to the masses as if it had been some sort of trophy. Finally, when they had exited and the door behind them fully sealed shut, Gladio’s opponents entered the Arena.
There were three Alphas, each entering the field from three different doors. All had broadswords, but not the flimsy, rusted, broken things scattered around the field. Gladio could see that the blades were new, sharp, and deadly. His heart sank. Ardyn had stacked the deck against him.
He cast a glance back at Prompto, finding him curled up in a small ball in the center of the Omega enclosure. Tears and snot were streaming freely down his face as his gaze shifted between the three opponents that had emerged to challenge Gladio.
Whatever hope the Omega had been clinging to looked as if it was being currently trampled by this new turn of events.
Knowing he had to act, that he couldn’t be wasting his time, Gladio started moving. He picked up a rusted shortsword that had been nearby and took three strides towards the largest Alpha challenging him.
The grey-haired man, covered in scars, looked to be an absolute beast. His stance, his presence, even his scent screamed that he was well-trained and confident in his skills.
Carefully, Gladio proceeded, and soon they were locked in swordplay.
Gladio’s hand ached as the faulty metal of his weapon vibrated in his grasp with each strike, but he held firm, matching the other man’s actions, defending and attacking when he could.
It was the sharp yelp from the Omega enclosure that distracted him.
He turned back to see one of the other Alphas reaching through the bars, trying futilely to grab Prompto. The Omega, seated at the center of the enclosure, was safe though, merely startled.
Still, the action managed to cause damage, as Gladio felt the swipe of steel cutting into his side. It was bad, but not so much that it would stop him…not yet, at least.
Lurching back, he managed to raise his defenses, halting the next strike aimed at his head.
It was then that the third Alpha, who must have held back until that point, joined in the fray. Gladio barely sidestepped the dark-skinned Alpha’s attack, her sword grazing his shoulder, leaving the faintest streak of red.
But she kept her momentum going, charging past Gladio and engaging the grey-haired Alpha. Their swords met, the clatter ringing sharply, and as those two Alphas focused on each other, Gladio was quick to move, to circle around the side of the Omega enclosure, catching the bald Alpha completely unaware as he kept grasping toward Prompto, cooing to the Omega, trying to coax him to the bars.
Gladio dropped his sword and grabbed the Alpha by the head. He could feel the man tense, try to pull away, but it was too late.
Using the full force of his strength, Gladio snapped the man’s neck, let go and watched him crumple to the ground. Then, he claimed the man’s broadsword as his own and turned back to see how the fight between the other two Alphas was going.
Both were injured, but the female Alpha seemed to have taken the worst of it.
Her right hand was slick with blood, and at least two fingers were missing. She’d moved her sword into her left hand, but with a deep, ugly wound on her right shoulder, it was clear she wasn’t able to raise the weapon very high.
The grey-haired Alpha had taken damage to his right thigh, and he limped heavily as he circled his opponent, but, even as the blood oozed down his leg, his expression gave no hint that he felt any pain.
One last attack was all it took for the grey-haired Alpha to fell his rival. She went down silently, a twisted smile on her face as she stared back at the man who’d run her through the gut with his sword. He withdrew it slowly, and blood and bile trickled out of the wound.
She collapsed then, falling gracefully, eyes darting to the Omega enclosure, as if she only wished for the last thing she saw to be something other than another Alpha. A thin smile spread across her face as her gaze settled on Prompto. Then she stilled, and her unblinking eyes went completely vacant.
And the crowd cheered.
There was no time to dwell on the turn of events though, as Gladio soon found himself locked in swordplay with the grey-haired Alpha once again.
It didn’t take Gladio long to notice how the other Alpha was slowing, how the wound on this leg wasn’t relenting with the bleeding. Fortunately, the wound on Gladio’s side hadn’t been as deep as he first thought it was, and it was already starting to clot.
To win, all he had to do was outlast the older man. In the end, it was clear the leg wound would be fatal. Perhaps an artery had been nicked, whatever the case, without proper treatment soon, the man would die.
And they both seemed to know this, but, for whatever reason, the grey-haired Alpha wouldn’t relent. He would not admit defeat. While it was irritating, Gladio had to admire it somewhat as well.
Eventually, the grey-haired man stumbled, fell to his knees and lost hold of his sword.
Gladio stepped forward, holding his sword up, ready to strike, ready to take this hollow victory over a wounded man, but his honor held him still.
“They will not lower the bars until I am dead,” the Alpha quipped, “and I am very tired of this life.” He smiled, though there was no joy in it. “I fought a guard…and they took my Omega…my sweet Lucy. They gave her to another Alpha.” He was crying then, face contorted in agony as he peered up at Gladio. “Please…kill me.”
The request chilled Gladio, sent a new panic through him, left his stomach twisted with the pain of empathy and the need to show mercy.
He struck then, driving his sword deep into the grey-haired Alpha’s chest – into his heart.
“Thank…” was all the Alpha could utter before he slumped over, a pool of blood quickly coating the ground around him.
Gladio stood there, stunned, watching the crimson slowly stain the floor, and then he heard the gentle whirl of the Omega enclosure opening and he turned, eager to see his prize.
Prompto lay on his side, eyes closed, chest gently rising and falling. He looked almost peaceful, but the sudden stillness of the Omega instantly had Gladio worried.
The roar of the crowd increased as he drew nearer to Prompto. The anticipation of what was to come had the masses screaming, stomping, and clapping. The noise was horrendous, overpowering and frustrating.
As soon as he crouched down beside Prompto, Gladio slipped a hand beneath his head, raising him up as he let his other hand stroke his sweat laden golden locks.
“Hey, babe, you with me?”
The rhythmic breathing faltered, and Prompto licked his chapped lips before his eyes slowly cracked open.
“Yeah…” he whispered, “…knew you could win.”
Astrals, the kid sounded tired. It made Gladio’s heart ache to think he had to mate him now when he was so weak.
“It’s time…” Gladio muttered, “I’m gonna start, okay?”
Prompto nodded and smiled, but said nothing else.
Carefully, Gladio laid the Omega down and moved so that he was positioned between his legs.
He kept the tunic pulled low, still covering Prompto, as he leaned down and settled the top flap of his loincloth over the Omega as well. It would provide them a bit of privacy at least.
Reaching beneath the cloth, he freed his already hardening length and then moved in closer to his Omega. It took a lot of adjusting to arrange the tunic and his loincloth in such a way that shielded their movements from prying eyes, but, when Gladio was finally satisfied, he slowly started to ease into the Omega.
Prompto gave a breathy moan, but it was all pleasure, no pain, so Gladio kept moving.
Face flushed, the little Omega was breathing hard, biting his lower lip, keeping near silent as he writhed beneath the Alpha. The lust, the pleasure seeping through his expression was breathtaking. Gladio wanted to soak it in, keep that image in his mind forever.
Then he glanced up.
There on all the big screens was Prompto…blushing, eyes closed, absolutely lost in ecstasy.
Gladio stilled.
Rage mounting, he growled protectively, angry that he had to share this moment, that others were watching, were taking in the sight of his Omega in pleasure. That wasn’t theirs. None of this was theirs.
But Prompto’s scent drew him back in, begged him to continue, to finally claim him fully.
Gladio pressed in all the way and leaned down to start nipping at his Omega’s neck. The mere taste of Prompto’s scent gland had the Alpha moving, rocking rhythmically into the feverish body below him.
Prompto had felt warm and pleasant before, but now, his inner walls felt like fire. The sensation was different, not better or worse than their usually mating sessions, but odd.
Gladio kept thrusting, ignoring the growing cheers of the Arena patrons. The only thing he was focused on was his Omega.
When his swollen knot entered the Omega, Prompto gave a low cry, his blue eyes opening wide as he repeatedly panted out Gladio’s name.
It was then, locked within the warmth of his mate, that Gladio finally set his teeth over Prompto’s scent gland. He could feel the Omega quiver beneath him in anticipation.
And then he bit down.
Prompto cried out as he convulsed beneath Gladio. The Omega’s scent of arousal and lust overpowered everything else as the gland was burst.
Gladio thrust three more times before he released into his mate. The orgasm was intense, sending tidal waves of ecstasy though the Alpha’s body, before leaving him feeling utterly drained.
More than anything, he wanted to collapse, to lie beside his Omega and cuddle, but the roar of the crowd reminded him of their current location.
Prompto blinked up at him, seemingly more coherent than he had been all day.
“I’m yours now,” the Omega whispered, a soft smile playing at his lips.
Gladio grinned and nuzzled at the fresh bite mark on Prompto’s neck. He licked at it, delighted to feel the Omega squirm and chuckle at the sensation, but as he drew back, Prompto was no longer smiling.
He followed Prompto’s gaze to one of the overhead screens and found it replaying the images of the Omega’s face as they mated. Every blush, every twitch, every hint of pleasure was there on display.
When Gladio turned back to Prompto, he found the Omega trembling, his lip quivering and eyes watering over.
“Sorry…” Prompto muttered, “It’s stupid to be embarrassed…yeah?”
Gladio shifted, trying to shield his Omega even more from the outside world. “No,” he answered, “it’s not stupid.” He paused to plant a quick kiss on Prompto’s forehead. “My knot will go down soon, then we can get out of here, okay?”
“Yeah,” Prompto answered softly.
More than anything, the Alpha prayed that his Omega would drift off to sleep again, that he wouldn’t have to witness any more of their mating on display, but that didn’t happen.
Prompto remained awake, tensing when Gladio was finally able to pull himself free. Tear filled eyes darting to the screens overhead as his Alpha scooped him up and carried him toward the Arena exit.
Ardyn was there to greet them as soon as they were off the field.
“Now that was quite the show,” the Chancellor beamed. “Really, was it that difficult? I don’t think so.”
Prompto merely closed his eyes and gave a soft whimper, and, even for as much as he wanted to react, to punch Ardyn in this stupid, creep-ass face, Gladio just kept walking.
“Oh, and just so you know, you are scheduled to leave on the next ship out of the port,” Ardyn called, “I believe Lady Lunafreya will have Nyx Ulric guide you to your boat. She has been instrumental in arranging this deal with our mystery buyer. I will miss you dearly, but all good things must come to an end, yes?” He paused to laugh. “Ulric should be waiting for you at your cell. Ta-ta.”
The news that they would be so quickly departing Tenebrae was surprising, but not unwelcomed. Honestly, Gladio would be more than a little happy to sail far away from this place and never return.
By the time Gladio reached their cell, Prompto was asleep in his arms.
Nyx offered a silent wave and then eyed the Omega with concern.
“I’ve packed what I could find in your cell and I raided the medical bay for supplies, both to treat your wounds and to care for Prompto,” Nyx said quietly, “I’m afraid we haven’t time to waste. Your ship leaves soon, and missing it might prove…unfortunate.”
Gladio nodded. He liked Nyx – always had. The man was honest and trustworthy. He was glad to be leaving Lady Lunafreya with at least one loyal guard.
“Who’s the buyer?” Gladio asked.
Nyx grinned. “Someone that Ardyn would have never agreed to had he known their identity.”
That didn’t exactly answer the question.
“Who?”
“Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum.”
Shit!
Gladio laughed. Of course Lady Lunafreya would’ve managed something as crazy at that. Who else would’ve contacted one of Niflheim’s greatest enemies just to find a safe haven for a lowly prison Alpha and his Omega?
“You keep her safe,” Gladio replied, “okay?”
Nyx nodded. “I’d lay down my life for her, in a heartbeat. Now, we need to get moving. Your freedom in Lucis awaits you!”
Holding his Omega close, Gladio followed behind Ulric. Though there was still so much uncertainty before them, he could feel a renewed hope. No one could separate him from Prompto now, and that alone had him happier than he’d ever been.