Gladio seems to decide that he didn't like my answers. He drags me through the hallway into a small room with a chair, table and one light bulb.
As if this old trick could scare me. I've been in rooms like these so many times, it's practically relaxing. The bulb is barely bright enough to make my eyes sting. The thing that does scare me is Gladio. I don't try to struggle against him, instead I give him my best puppy dog eyes. He doesn't seem to be falling for it. He pushes me down into a cold metal chair. I rub my hands together to try and warm them while Gladio takes a seat opposite me.
"So, tell me everything that happened." Gladio growls.
"I, well, I mean he had just given me something to wear and he was going to go shower. I pulled on his clothes when I heard a splash and a grunt. When I called out to him he didn't respond. I tried pushing the door down, but I wasn't strong enough, so I shot the lock and went in. That's when I found him on the floor, his head bleeding." I say. None of that is a lie, but I know I'm going to have to get creative soon.
Gladio nods his head. "Ok, why do you have a gun?" I swallow and recall my cover story. He better come through, because they will definitely try to look into my past.
"I'm a hunter. I kill monsters for money. Since I'm not physically strong I use firearms. I kind of freak out without it, it's like I'm not safe." I say. I'm not necessarily lying. I am a hunter and I do do it for money.
"Really? Well, there are no monsters here so why are you here?
"I was visiting. I missed this place, it was always like home to me. Before I lived here I didn't really have a home." I say. I look down and fidget with the hem of my shirt.
"I see. Where were you born then?" Gladio asks.
"I don't know, I was adopted." Again, not really lying.
"By who?"
"He never told me his name. I always called him Dad. He never corrected me. He was always out of town, but I'm not sure what he does or did." Now that is a huge lie. I don't think I can ever forget his name, or face. I shudder at the thought. I always hated calling him 'dad'. It never seemed right. He wasn't my father, and never would be. I look up and Gladio looks shocked, and possibly sad.
"How do you live on your own?" He pushes.
"Like I said, I'm a hunter. I get money for that. Normally when I'm hunting I camp or stay at a hotel, but when I'm here I go to my old house. My dad bought it for me so I don't have to worry about living." I explain.
"Do you have any other family?" I pause at the question. I must have a mother, and a father. Who are my parents? Did I have siblings? My 'adoptive dad' never told me about any of that. He only pushed me, pushed me to be better, to fight better. When I wasn't good enough, which was often, he would punish me. To say the least these rooms are too familiar.
"Doesn't everyone? I don't know of anyone else, if that's what you're asking. Dad never brought girls to the house, but he did bring friends over, most were male though. He never adopted anyone else either, it was always just him and I." I say. He did bring people over, but not to be friendly. Normally he would be trying to get information out of them, and if they didn't talk he would have me 'practice' on them. It has horrible, but it taught me how to cover my feelings.
"Don't be a smart ass. Now, why is your wrist always covered?" Gladio continues. My stomach drops. Normally no one notices. Thankfully the door swings open and Ignis sticks his head in.
"Sorry to interrupt, but Noctis is awake and he wants to see both of you." Ignis says. I jump up. He's ok! I smile and wait for Ignis to inform Gladio about how Noctis is doing, then I run out of the room. I rush down the corridors taking turns as fast as possible. I had already memorized how to get there. I push open the doors and look around for Noctis. I see him in the back laying down flat on the bed. I smile and dash over. His head is wrapped and he looks irked.
"Oh my gosh, Noct! Thank goodness you're ok! How are you feeling?" I ask. Of course I'm doing this just to get closer to him, not because I really care. He groans and rubs his face.
"I'm fine! You don't need to worry about me. How are you? Ignis told me Gladio dragged you away." Noctis says. Just then Gladio and Ignis walks in.
"Get away from him!" Gladio storms over, yanking me back. He grabs onto my collar so tight I can barely get a breath out. I start to cough and my vision goes blurry.
"Gladiolus!" Noctis calls out. Gladio lets go of me and looks at Noctis shocked. "He has done nothing wrong! I slipped and fell, ok! If he didn't rush in there or called for help I could have had something worse than this concussion. Now, apologize. He is my friend, which he is not obligated to be, but he chose to anyway and you will respect him." Noctis commands. My mouth drops open.
"Your Highness, I understand that you're attached to this young man, but you've only just met him. You can not be sure of his motives."
"Prompto's not like the others. You know he hasn't asked me one question about how big the royal estate is, or when I'm going to inherit it? I've never met anyone like him. And he saved me. If he wanted to hurt me, that was his chance, but he saved my life. He's my friend and I won't allow you to scare him away" Noctis says. I didn't know he had it in him. Maybe he is fit to be a ruler. Is that why they want him dead?
Gladio gives a small nod to Noctis, "Yes your Highness. Prompto, you have my sincerest apologies for any discomfort I have cause." For some reason I still feel like he doesn't fully trust me.
"Good. Now Ignis, is there any way you can get them to let me go so we can eat?" Noct practically whines.
"No. You will stay here until they say you may leave. We can take no chances, like I said before." Ignis says. I frown. I was looking forward to eating out.
"Ah! Come on Specs. Could you at least pick something up for me?" Noctis pleads. He gives Ignis his best puppy eyes, which look way cuter and sweeter than mine ever could. I don't know how anyone could resist that.
"Fine. What do you want?" Iggy concedes.
"Hmm, a hamburger with no lettuce or tomato or any vegetables for that matter. Also a chocolate milkshake and fries. How 'bout you Prom? What do you want?" Noct asks.
"Well, I um, a hamburger would be ok, I'm fine with veggies though." I say. Prom? He gave me a nickname? I mean, I give nicknames out, but does that mean he likes me?
"That's it? Do you want some fries or something?" Noct questions.
"Nah, I'm good, though could I have a diet soda, any would work." I decide. I don't want Ignis to have to spend too much money on me. I don't want him to think I'm only friends with Noct for the fortune and fame.
"That works. Gladio, is there anything you would like?" Ignis says.
Gladio shakes his head. "I'll come with you"
"Alright. Let's go before Noctis works himself into a fit." Ignis says, pulling Gladio away. Before he is out of earshot, I hear him tell a guard to keep an eye on me. Noctis must have heard because his frown deepens.
"It's okay. I'd be suspicious of me too." I settle into the chair next to Noctis. "So why did you slip and fall?" I ask.
"I was, um, I was distracted." Noctis stutters.
"Ohh! Got a girl on your mind? Come on, spill." I tease.
"Not really. I mean, I was thinking of a person, but not a female. Oh Gods this is sounding bad!" Noct whines. He covers his blushing face with his hands. I laugh and pull his hands down. Noctis blushes harder and looks down at our hands.
"It's fine, honestly. We all get distracted sometimes." I say.
"Thanks, by the way. You know, for helping me." Noctis says. I smile. Really, killing him is going to be tough, he is so easy to get along with!
"Of course. Anything for my new pal!"
After that we sit and talk about little things like our favorite colors, the people who we have had crushes on. I wasn't surprised when Noct accidentally talked about a boy. He got so red and started worrying, but I assured him it didn't matter to me. I told him about a guy I liked, but that was a lie. I've never had the chance to date anyone. The only people I know are either all dead now or killing other people.
Once Gladio and Ignis came back we all sat around Noctis and ate our food. It was strange how quiet it was, and thankfully Ignis broke the silence.
"Prompto, I decided to run a background check on you. I wanted you to know, since Prince Noctis thinks so highly of you, this is not because of what happened today. It is merely a precaution we must take." I swallowed. I really hope 'Dad' made sure all my background information was correct. If not, this will end very badly.
"It's fine. Thanks for telling me. So when are we going to start working out Gladio?" I ask. I really hope that offer still stands. I need to watch Noctis fight so I can find his weaknesses.
"Whenever you want. Once the docs give the all clear Princess can join us, though that might take awhile." Gladio says. Noctis rolls his eyes at the jab.
"Cool! Do you want to go and work for a little? I need to make sure that burger gets worked off." I look up at Gladio. Hopefully he won't try to kill me during practice.
"Sure. Iggy watch over Prince Charmless here. We'll be back soon." Gladio says. He looks rather annoyed, like he wants to punch something and I have a funny feeling that that something is me.
Noctis nods at me encouragingly. I smile and give him a thumbs up. Gladio and I walk out of the infirmary and through corridors until he reach a door that leads to the outside. I squint as he opens the door. I really, really hope he doesn't try to kill me.
A/N: Hiya! so this fic will be ten chapters long. It was first posted on Archives of Our Own. Please do not repost anywhere without my permission (which I will most likely alwyas give) and without credit. I really hope you enjoy reading this, sense I enjoy writing it. I have a fabulous beta reader, and if there are any mistakes they are mine. English is my first language, but it's still really fricken hard. I'm pretty sure I have the right ratings, if not please let me know. Thanks!!Disclaimer: I do not own anything. I came up with the plot though. But I'm broke, so I honestly don't won anything unless you count some really cheap food.
