The One Who Stayed
-He follows Noctis wherever he goes. "I'm not leaving, you know." Noctis doesn't reply. Prompto is thankful.-
xXx
The details of their plan were simple, but sure; sneak into Insomnia, crash the party, and take down Ardyn. Put into those three simple steps, it seemed like nothing but a far-off game to Prompto, nothing more than a game of King's Knight.
But this was no game, and Noctis was not a pawn to be sacrificed.
"We're getting in, killing Ardyn, and getting out," Gladio rumbled, pushing his chair away from the table. "That's all there is to it."
"Let's hope that's all there is," Ignis responded coolly. "There's more than just the dear old Chancellor behind those walls."
"As long as we're all safe," Prompto added in, hasty, nervousness evident. The other two nodded solemnly before standing up and dispersing, happy to wait until Noctis was ready.
Prompto watched them go, shivering in their wake. The two men walking away from them had always been Prompto's mentors, his guides, his role models- and yet, now that the end was finally near, it was as if they didn't have any words or affiliation with each other if Noctis wasn't there.
Had their bonds been so weak that they had crumpled completely without Noctis?
Noctis was slower to respond to Prompto's assertion. The royal, after cleaning himself up a bit, looked much fresher, much more like what Prompto had expected his best friend to grow up to be. However, his thick brows were furrowed, fists gripping his trousers tightly. The uncertainty was evident in his eyes.
Prompto leaned down, looking up into Noctis' face. "Hey… you heard me, right? We're all gonna be safe."
The other broke out of his thoughts, nodding. "Yeah. I'll make sure you're all okay."
Prompto shivered, fear growing in his already terrified heart. And we'll protect you… won't we, Noct?
He didn't know.
Noctis stood, slow and steady- still a little unused to this newer, yet older body moving around in the realm of mortals. Prompto was immediately at his side, hand on his elbow and back, supporting him.
Noctis laughed hoarsely. "I'm not broken, Prompto, just sore. It's fine."
"Yeah, but still-" Prompto continued, not letting go of his friend.
After a few steps, Noctis spun on his heel to face him, frustration emanating from every pore. "I'd like to take a weapons inventory, Prompto," he said simply, not hiding his annoyance at Prompto's trailing steps. "You can let go of me now-"
"I'm not leaving your side, Noctis," Prompto murmured, keeping his tone light, but straining to let his eyes convey the sheer depth of fear in his heart. He tightened his grip on Noctis' elbow, just a little- just enough. "Give me this, at least."
Noctis stared into his eyes, and after a moment, found what he was looking for. The gaze left Prompto weak in the knees.
"Okay."
They walked slowly over to the armoury truck, sorting through the best weapons to take which wouldn't interfere with the summoning of the Armiger. Prompto's hand, sweaty, clammy, tense, never parted with Noctis' elbow. Noctis didn't comment on it, and neither did the sellers, for they knew Prompto, and they knew what this moment meant to him.
It was like everyone was pitying him. Prompto didn't allow himself to acknowledge why.
