Final Fantasy XV: Silence and Love

Warning: Child abuse, angst


Chapter 7

Prompto always wondered when people said that sometimes good things must come to an end before they could get any better.

That lesson didn't make sense to him until he was laying on a hospital bed. The sound of a heart monitor beeping and heavy breathing resonated throughout the plain, white room.

Noctis was holding onto one of Prompto's hands, sleeping from exhaustion when he refused to go home as his best friend laid unconscious for the last few days. Ignis and Gladiolus also stayed behind, with the former leaning against the latter, to watching over their young friends, waiting for the blond to wake up.

How did it get this far? That question replay over and over in their minds.


It all started about a few days ago. All four were in Noctis' room, spending time together eating the food Ignis made (Prompto helped) and looking at Prompto's latest pictures and sketches.

Prompto was wearing some of Noctis' clothes because the one he wore went through an accident in the laundry room. A simple white shirt with black pants and a long-sleeve black hoodie. They were the prince's smallest set, but the hoodie go straight down to Prompto's hips.

Prompto brought their attention back to him when he hold up his notebook up high. "Guys, I need to go home soon. I'm mostly healed up and I don't feel much pain anymore."

Of course, this was received with mixed feelings.

"Do you have to go? You can stay here longer until school starts," Noctis asked, disappointed that Prompto is leaving. They were having so much fun for the past couple of days.

The blond tried to smile reassuringly as he hold up his notebook for Noctis to read. "No can do! I can't leave my home unattended for too long. I need to catch up on the homework I missed for the last three days. Plus, my parents will get mad at me for not finishing my chores too."

He left out the part of how they will show their anger at Prompto's negligence. He shuddered at the thought of it.

Ignis, always observant, didn't missed the blond's shudder, but he kept quiet. "That's very responsible of you, Prompto. I'm sure Noctis will learn from you about being diligent about one's work ethics." There was a hint of pride in his tone when addressing to the young blond.

Prompto turned towards his older spectacled friend with a shy blushing grin. He warmed up to Ignis after spending time together in the kitchen, helping make food of all sorts for all of them to eat together. "Thanks and thank you for the food too. They were really delicious especially the vegetable stew."

"At least someone appreciates fine nutritious cuisines," Ignis said, pointedly looking at the prince.

Noctis looked the other way, pouting a bit. They can hear him muttered, "Well, they taste horrible in my opinion."

"That's not really a good reason, Noctis."

Gladio barked out a laugh, "And this is why you will grow up scrawny with sticks as arms, Noct." He turned towards Prompto asking, "Do you need a lift home, kid? I just got my license and I'm itching to try it out."

If Gladio were to be honest, he was hoping to check out Prompto's house to see if anyone, his adopted parents, were home. The nagging feeling in the back of his head keeps telling him to look out for the little blond tonight.

Prompto nervously chuckled, still weary being around the prince's future Shield. Not because the big guy was scary or anything, in fact, he is a lovable bear (something he won't let Gladio know). But his presence was a little overwhelming to be around sometimes. "That's a nice thought, but you don't have to. It's not that far from here and I already taken too much of your time here as it is."

Ignis waved his hand dismissively, "Don't concern yourself over that, we enjoyed your company here as much as Noctis has. However, in any case, it's also dangerous for you to travel at this hour especially when your house is far for you to consider walking. I think it will be beneficial for you and for our peace of mind to have someone take you home."

Gods knows what might happen to you if you were to be alone on the streets this late.

"See, even Iggy agrees with me!" Gladio said.

"I said it will give me peace of mind if Prompto were to not go alone. I never said anything about you driving."

"Ignis, you're ruining this for me."

Prompto wanted to protest, but a hand covering his own stopped him. "I'm with Specs on this one. Lots of things could happen if you're walking that far and I don't want anything to happen to you," Noctis said, slightly blushing as he rubbed behind his neck awkwardly with his other hand. Though, his blue eyes pleaded earnestly for the blond to agree.

The bespectacled blond couldn't reject with those eyes looking at him like that. Sometimes, it isn't fair, but he can't help but give into what the prince wants.

Prompto sighed though smiled at Noctis all the same, nodding to the prince's request.

With that, Gladio stood up, stretching his muscles until he heard a satisfy pop. "Let's go kid before it gets too late for our liking."

Ignis followed suit, grabbing Prompto's bag on the way. Noctis and Prompto quickly followed the other two, hands still linked together. All four headed towards the garage where all royal issued vehicles are placed. They all stopped at a black muscle car, which was a present for Gladio's sixteenth birthday from his father, Clarus.

Gladio immediately went to the driver seat, excited to finally drive his car. Ignis shook his head fondly at his friend's antics as he deposited the blond's bag on the backseat. He then left it open for Prompto to climb in.

Noctis gave Prompto one last hug. "See you at school," he whispered.

Prompto squeezed back before climbing onto the backseat. He waved to both Ignis and Noctis as the car drove away from the Citadel.

The ride was fairly quiet with the occasional of Gladio asking Prompto which to turn next. After thirty minutes, Gladio stopped in front of an apartment complex. All of the lights were out, judging by the darken, curtained windows and everything was absolutely silent.

It almost gave off an ominous aura.

Gladio frowned, not liking the feeling at the pit of his stomach. He couldn't tell if there's anyone even living in that building.

Maybe, we should have persuade the kid to stay longer with us.

His thought was broken by a gentle tapped on his shoulder. Looking back, Prompto gave him a nervous yet concerned look, asking if he was alright.

Gladio gave a half-grin, "I'm fine kid. You better hurry up and finish that homework because Astrals knows how much Prince Charmless complained about them every single day."

Prompto giggled behind his hand at the older boy's jab to the prince. The blond exited the car and scurry off to his apartment. He looked back to see Gladio still there so Prompto waved him off goodbye. The car drove off until Prompto couldn't see the vehicle anymore.

The blond entered his home, locking the door before he forgets. He sighed, leaning against the door, somewhat already tired and wanting to go to bed.

It was fun being there, surrounded by people who actually care for him. It may had been for a few days, but Prompto felt like he knew them for a long time. Granted, they had a rough, unexpected start, but they all tried to make sure he was welcome and comfortable.

What's more amazing was that he never have any of his usual night terrors or nightmares. Sleeping contently inside of Noctis' embrace given him a sense of safety and warmth.

I can't wait to see them again.

Prompto sighed contently, moving his feet towards his bedroom. He only took a few steps before a familiar smell burned his nose. He froze stiffly, dropping his bag with a heavy thud. He couldn't move an inch like his feet were permanently glued to the floor. He heard slow approaching footsteps coming towards him.

Please no...

Before Prompto could even do anything, a rough hand shot out and grabbed his hoodie. His back smacked against the wall next to him and the smell of alcohol reeks in the air. His glasses fallen off in the process. Blue-violet eyes looked up, terrified at the man before him.

His adopted father.

"Where have you been, boy?" the man's voice was low and slow, anger dripped at every word. "I came back here to check on things and I find something missing."

Prompto trembled, fearing what this man would do to him.

"And this something finally returned with no ounce of regret whatsoever. Are you trying to test me, boy? Do you have any gratitude of what we did so you can live under our roof and eat our food? Do you have any idea how much trouble we go through just so no one would know what you are?"

Each question was spatted out with rising fury. The hand around Prompto's neck tightened with every question. The blond could barely breathe as tears started to leaked from his fearful eyes. The man held a dark, sadistic glint in his eyes like he was enjoying inflicting pain to the boy in front of him.

Please stop...

"It seems like I need to teach you another lesson. I hope this one would let you, a soulless monster, understand."

With that, the man threw Prompto to the ground with a heavy thud. The blond whimpered at the pain. Then suddenly, he was roughly kicked on his side before he was pulled up once again. The oncoming punch send Prompto flying backwards and he landed against the wall. The back of his head smack against the wall, making him immediately see black dots.

The agony was unbearable no matter how many times Prompto goes through this abuse. He slided down the wall, vision blurry and wet and his breathing somewhat shallow. He was roughly manhandled to the kitchen and his body stayed limp on the table.

Before his conscious drifts away, he sees a glint from the man's hand.

"I might as well carve my words into you if that's what it takes to make you understand."

Agony and torment was all Prompto could feel before slipping into darkness once again.

Noctis...


Noctis was fidgeting. He can't stop moving around which was surprisingly mind-boggling because the Prince of Laziness have a deep relationship with his body not moving.

He couldn't help it. Something about Prompto leaving leaves a bad taste in his mouth. He knows he was being clingy, but he can't stop this nagging feeling in his stomach.

It's like it was telling him Prompto might not come back. And that what terrified him the most.

Even though both he and Prompto only officially met a few days ago, it's like they have been best friends for years. Their time together was one of the most happiest times he ever had in his life. He wouldn't change that for the universe!

Noctis sighed, flopping down on his couch with Ignis sitting on the opposite couch reading.

"Your Highness, Prompto only been gone for almost an hour, when are you going to stop that?" Ignis asked, pinching the bridge of his nose.

The prince pouted into the cushion, "Stop what?"

"You know what I mean, Noctis."

Before the raven could reply, his phone chimed. Noctis opened up the app to see what Carbuncle wants.

"Noct, Prompto needs help immediately! Koko and Kiki said he needs to get to the hospital ASAP! His life is on the line!"

"Is something wrong?" Ignis asked, worried at the prince's sudden quietness. He would've ask again when the phone was shoved into his face.

"Of all the-" his words were cut off as he read the message. A moment passed by before Ignis quickly call Gladio.

He heard the phone picked up on the first ring. "What's up-"

"Get Prompto out of his home now and get him admitted into the nearest hospital. Call us when you do and we will meet you there," Ignis said, steady but with underlying steel and worry.

"I'm already there." Gladio hung up the phone and Ignis turned back to Noctis, who looked dangerously pale and minutes away from hyperventilating.

The future Advisor placed his hands firmly on the prince's shoulders, "Noctis, I need you to calm down and listen to me. Gladio is already there and will call me when Prompto is admitted to a hospital. We need to go to His Majesty to explain to him what is happening and get yourself permission to leave. Do you understand?"

Noctis nodded, a bit unfocused but knew what to do. Ignis nodded as well before escorting the prince to his father's study chamber. Swiftly as their feet can take them, Noctis immediately barged into the room.

King Regis looked up, opening his mouth to reprimand his son's manners. The pale, desperate look in Noctis' face, however, stopped the king immediately. "What wrong, my son? Are you hurt?" he asked, already standing up and walking briskly as he could with a cane.

Noctis could barely get any words out so Ignis took over. "We have a situation, Your Majesty. And Noctis needs to be there. His friend's life might be at stake."

Regis narrowed his eyes at Ignis' words before turning back to his son. "Is this true?"

Noctis firmly nodded. He needed to go to Prompto's side now!

Regis would said more, but a phone rang cutting him off. Ignis, in his haste, accidentally turned on the speaker.

"Ignis! I got the kid into the hospital and-" A rough sigh echoed. "It looks bad, Iggy. Like really bad."

The only sound left was Gladio telling them which hospital he was at and Noctis choking back his tears.

Prompto…


Author's Note: I am at my corner crying because I can't believe I wrote this. How could I even do this to our Sunshine? Why?! I feel like killing the douche even though I wrote this myself!

BLANK: It's hard for any of us to write anything that would inflict pain to our favorite boys, but it needs to be done. The angst won't stop just yet, but the fluff after it would heal our wounds.

I know people want to see Gladio's POV when he rescued Prompto; don't worry, it will be in the next chapter. It won't be much detail, but it's something. And why was Carbuncle the one who told Noctis and the others about Prompto? It will be explain later on.

BLANK: There's going to be a lot of explanations later so hold on tight.

The next chapter is being written as we speak! Thank you for the love and support you guys give us!