Prompto gazed into the fire as it crackled, popped, and danced in front of his unseeing eyes. His trembling fingers clutched his knees tightly as another blood-curdling wail from their king sounded from behind him, overpowering the cascade of idle chirping from the crickets and frogs in the distance.
Noctis was in the tent, doing his best to lie still as Ignis stitched up the remnants of his wounds with nothing to lessen the pain or dull the senses. Prompto could hear Ignis, distantly, as he tried to detach himself from Noctis' anguished cries, latching onto any other movement or noise around their camp. Tried to fight the urge to rush in there and hold Noctis and sooth him and tell him that everything would be okay. The older advisor was whispering hushed praises and apologies. His voice was rough and choked sounding, like he was on the cusp of tears. Prompto's fingers felt numb from how hard he was grasping his legs, physically willing himself not to just outright bolt. It was killing him. He couldn't just sit and listen. To wait, like an obedient dog. He wanted to move. To be useful. But, as it was, Ignis was the only one of them with any real sewing skills so the stitching job was his and his alone. He and Gladiolus would just be in the way so they'd just have to wait…
"…Hey…" Startled by the sudden deep voice coming from his side, the blonde jumped from where he sat, blue-lavender eyes snapping up and meeting warm amber. It was Gladiolus, staring at him with a mixture of sullen emotions he couldn't entirely sort out and quite frankly was too strung-out to even try. Another scream from the tent and the shield visibly cringed through it was evident he tried not to, wringing his large hands where they sat in his lap. He was nervous and unsettled. Prompto had forgotten Gladiolus was even there, being lost in his thoughts and worry.
'What if Noctis doesn't heal easily? What if his arm won't be strong enough to hold a sword or a bow anymore? What will we do to rid Eos of the Niflheim influence then?'
Prompto remained silent for a long while, studying the tight line of the shield's mouth while waiting for Ignis' soothing words to win over his charge's cries as the needle repeatedly weaved through bloodied skin. When it was relatively silent once more he whispered back a meek, "…Hey…"
Gladiolus seemed to relax a bit now, slumping further into his battered and worn camping chair. "…How are you holding up?"
Prompto frowned, shimmering eyes glaring into the flames. What kind of a question was that? Why was Gladiolus worrying about him instead of his king? It made no sense. The gunner felt tired of constantly being worried over and babied. He was a man too, wasn't he? "What does it matter how I am?! Noct is the one in pain… Gods, listen to him, Gladio! He's hurting!" Prompto turned his head to look up at the larger main, his face a mirror of pain and guilt and worry. And just beneath the surface, so, so much love. "And it's all my fucking fault…"
Gladiolus' brows furrowed. "You're fault…? How is it your fault?"
Why was the shield torturing him? It was obvious, wasn't it? If Prompto wasn't there, he'd never had been dragged off. They never would have had to fight the Naga. Noctis wouldn't have been bitten. "I shouldn't have hesitated back there. With the gun. I-!"
The sentence was not able to be completed, cut in half by the bellow of a deep baritone. "Don't you dare talk about yourself like that." Prompto paused, taken aback by the solid words that flew at him like stones. Gladiolus' stare was boring into him, the resolve in his eyes as hot as the forgotten flame before them. "Don't you ever talk about yourself like that, Prompto. Do you hear me?" They stared at one another in tense silence. "What happened today- that Naga- it couldn't be helped. You did nothing to bring that on."
Prompto swallowed, blinking back the pain in his eyes. Gladiolus was lying. Lying in order to make him feel batter. To placate him. He fucked up back there, and he knew it. He was scared. Scared of hitting Noctis. Of killing the one person he has ever loved. And it almost caused him to almost lose him still. "But- I-"
Gladiolus raised a hand, successfully shutting the gunner up once more. The man shifted in his chair, turning to face the younger man more directly and leaning with his elbows resting on his knees. "We fought. We all fought to save you, and then to save Noctis when it came down to it. It was you who took the Naga down, Prompto. Not me, not Iggy, not even Noctis. You. You're the one who saved Noctis. Without you, if you weren't there, Noctis would have been dead and then Ignis and I would have been next. You're a Gods-damned hero, Prompto."
The gunner turned in his chair to meet the other man as well, staring up at him with wide eyes and quivering lips. Him? A hero? He couldn't fathom it. "But- I'm not as sure of myself like you guys are! I- I almost couldn't do it! I almost couldn't pull the fucking trigger!" Tears made their way down freckled cheeks before being wiped away by a gloved hand.
Gladiolus snorted a hollow, bitter, scorning laugh. "You think any of us are sure of ourselves?!" The question came out of left-field, leaving the younger boy frozen. There was a raw, open fear in the shield's eyes that simultaneously worried Prompto and took his breath away. Right now, Gladiolus didn't look like himself. It was like looking into a mirror.
"…" Prompto hesitated. For as long as he knew, all of them had always been confident. Strong. Unbreakable and inseparable. As if anything in the world could happen and they'd still be standing tall, as if it was nothing more than a mere mosquito bite. Sure, they had a few rough times that threatened to break them… But the wanderlust and awe-struck adoration Prompto remembered feeling for the trio as a child never left him. He carried it. Always. So to hear even a hint of the opposite was jarring, leaving him suddenly unsure. Did he really know them all…? Were they really the people he thought he understood? "…Well… Yeah… Aren't you? …You have to be…"
Gladiolus shook his head. "Of course we have to be… Ignis, Noctis, and I have been trained for a long time now for war and attacks and what to do if Niflheim ever attacked Insomnia... But we weren't trained for this... We didn't expect to be trapped outside of Insomnia with no help and no clue about what we are going to do next... We weren't trained to roam the country sides of Eos for months without end, forced to run ourselves rampant just to afford a decent bite to eat and a warm bed to lie in every once in a while… Forced to hide our identities from the locals so as not to be discovered and sold out, attracting the soldiers… And we especially weren't trained to do it all with a civilian who had no previous training until recently..." Prompto inwardly flinched at that, eyes treading downcast to stare at his lap. Gladiolus sighed, turning his face to stare back into the fire. "You know what I mean. Please don't take that the wrong way, Prompto. You aren't like that anymore…" The blonde nodded. He understood. He would become exasperated and paranoid as well.
"…We may be strong, Prompto… but we are all just as lost and worried as you are… No one can predict the future or how this will all turn out… All we can do is try and hope for the best." Their eyes met once more, and this time the shield offered up a small, sincere smile. "…But, personally, I think you're stronger than any of us here, Prom... You're keeping up and defending your own just like a true Glaive when you had the choice not to. When you could have just stayed in Insomnia and lived a normal life, Or- well- at least you would have, if the Niffs didn't attack… For that, along with saving us back there, you're a Gods-damned hero… At least to me. And I'm as fucking proud as I'll ever be to say you're my friend and ally."
Tears prickled the blonde's eyes again and he rubbed at them with his knuckles. A dull fluttering appeared in his heart. The man's genuine and honest words touched him, bringing warmth. Prompto still didn't want to believe it. He didn't want to admit to having any power of any significance just yet. It still seemed too unreal, too out of reach and ludacris for someone like him. But even still, he accepted the compliment with a small smile and nod of his own. "Thank you, Gladiolus… Truly. I… I think I needed that…" He sniffled away the remnants of his concerns as Gladiolus rolled his eyes fondly and that smile turned into an all-out grin.
The shield gave a shrug of his broad shoulders. "No problem, Pipsqueak… Any time. You're our friend, after all."
With the new line of conversation that had come and gone, neither man had realized how quiet their king had gone behind them. Through the following silence, the ruffling of the tent flap sounded and the next second Ignis was there, dress shirt stained with blood and shaky hands that moved to clean his glasses more out of habit than any real need to clean them. Without the protective lenses the other men could see how red and puffy his seafoam eyes were. The light of the fire made the wet trails that lined his cheekbones glisten as well.
"…How is the Princess?", Gladiolus chanced, voice gruff with concern and weary from the day's events.
Ignis placed the wiry frames back in place and Prompto was both unnerved and impressed with how passive he managed to look as he gave each of them a lasting look. He sighed. "…Noct is asleep right now… Passed out from the pain… I have stitched him up the best I could. All that's left is for him to heal…" They nodded in understanding. The advisor shook his head and rubbed at his temples. "…We have a bit of spare coin left… shall we make a quick run to Lestallum? I'd like to try and restock our potion supply. Or at least get something to help our king heal more easily and lessen the pain…"
"Sounds like a good idea to me."
"I apologize… Soup will have to wait, I suppose…"
"Don't stress it, Iggy. I don't think it would sit well right now, anyways…" Prompto nodded absently, pulling his knees closer to his chest. How could anyone eat with what Noctis was suffering through? "How long do you think Noct will be out?"
Ignis shook is head. "It's anyone's guess…"
Gladiolus stood up then, stretching and scratching his scalp. His hair was knotted in places and greasy. The blonde didn't even want to know what his own hair looked like. "Well then we'd better make it a quick trip… Prom, you comin'?"
Prompto shook his head. "I'm good. You guys go… I'll be here in case Noct needs anything."
Ignis nodded. "Alright. You have our numbers. Call us if anything happens."
Prompto smiled. "Will do, buddy…"
He watched them through the whisping smoke of the fire as they made their way up the hill and towards the Regalia.
…
The inside of the tent was dark, the buzz of the insects muted and the warmth of the fire unreaching, shivers and goosebumps down the blonde's spine but Prompto didn't care. He sat on the floor of the tent, shivering in the corner next to his king and watching silently as he slept; peacefully, for the most part. Every so often Noctis would groan or writhe and Prompto would hop to his knees and lean over the man, brushing strands of sweat-matter hair out of a pale face and shooshing him, soft and soothingly, until his features evened back out and his breathing became deep and gentle once more.
From beneath the heavy pelts and layers of blankets that covered Noctis Prompto could vaguely see the injured arm that was peeking out. The stitches looked uniform and precise as the wound shown pink from half-cleaned blood and irritated. Carefully, he took Noctis' wrist and moved the arm back under the blankets before tucking him in and sitting back in his corner.
"…You having a nightmare, dude…?", he whispered fondly and snorted a small laugh when Noctis grunted and moved to curl into the warmth of the makeshift bed. "…Or are you still having those headaches…?" He sighed, leaning back into the wall of the tent when naturally no answer came. The cold of the night was getting the better of him, but Noctis needed the blankets more. "It's okay… It's all okay…", he whispered, watching him sleep for a long while as he let his thoughts run wild.
It wasn't okay, though. And anyone who said it was, including himself, was a damned liar.
Why only Noctis? Why just him?
"…It's that damned crystal's fault..." It had to be. All of it. If it wasn't for that crystal Noctis' father wouldn't have been so weak at the time of the attack, burdened for years and having his strength zapped just to keep up the shield that protected his nation. If it wasn't for the crystal, Noctis wouldn't be fighting to get it back from Niflheim's hold, constantly on the run and grieving his fallen people and family. He wouldn't be trapped in a stupid war. He could have been free, unpicked by a benevolent rock that decided his fate at birth. But no. He was here. Suffering. Prompto silently cursed, balling his hands into fists at his sides. "…You don't deserve this, Noct…" But he wasn't helping Noctis' situation in the slightest, was he?
No.
Prompto bit his lip. Even through all of this shit happening- the world crumbling and going to hell all around them as they scattered and ran to pick up the pieces- Noctis was strong and brave, accepting his fate. He fought; selflessly and for his people. All Prompto had done was wallow in his own pity at the unfair hand life had dealt him by bringing someone as wonderful and perfect as Noctis into his life, only to have him snatched away by his king's promise to love another. He'd been angry and bitter. Lashing out at Noctis, even though his friend had done nothing wrong. He was driving a wedge between them, slowly but surely, with his spiteful comments and double-edged admittance of love. He regretted how he acted up until now. He regretted the person he had become when they were in that cave, clinging to each other in the cold. He wasn't fit to be by Noctis' side. He didn't deserve him.
"…I'm sorry, Noctis…" With a long sigh, Prompto closed his eyes. They were tired. His whole body ached and he was tired of the cold being the only sensation on his skin after dragging his body through that icy hell the past half a day.
"…Mm…P-prom…?"
It came so quietly, weak, and groggily that Prompto almost didn't catch it. But when he looked over and saw a pair of deep blues squinting up at him through the darkness he didn't hesitate to scoot closer and run a hand through black bangs, same as he secretly had for the past hour. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm here buddy… Are you alright…? Do you need anything?"
Noctis groaned and took in a hiss of pained breath when he tried to move his arm. "I… I don't know… my head and arm are fucking killing me… Do we have any water?"
The gunner moved towards the corner of the tent where all of their bags were piled. Sure enough, Ignis had a few bottles stashed away. He returned, handing it to his king. "Here ya go, buddy." Noctis took the bottle and unscrewed it with his good hand. With Prompto's help he sat up a bit so that he could drink from it more easily. Prompto frowned as Noctis flinched and moved his good hand to hold his forehead. "…Are you still having those headaches?" He capped the bottle once Noctis was finished and helped him to lye back down.
The king nodded. "Yeah… But… It's not just the headaches. I keep seeing these… visions…? Dreams…? Who knows…" He was quiet for a while, eyes darting to random parts of the tent as if searching for something that was lost. Prompto let him be, choosing to sit quietly and let him work out what he wanted to say next. "It's… strange… I had this dream… I was in an endless field of sylleblossoms… Sleeping…"
Prompto smiled softly, resting his chin on his drawn-up knees. "Wow… You're lazier than I thought. Even in your sleep you're dreaming of sleeping… Haha…" There was no echo of laughter from Noctis. Just that small, troubled frown and crease in his brows. "… Anything else happen in this dream?"
"…No… That's what was so weird about it… I just… slept." Noctis sighed, turning his head to look up at his friend better. "…Where's Ignis and Gladio?"
"They went out to buy a few things… Want me to call them?"
He shook his head. "No… Just wondering…" It was silent for a long while. "…Hey… Prom…?"
"…Yeah?"
"…Are you alright…?"
Prompto forced himself not to roll his eyes like an annoyed, petulant child. Though he succeeded in that regard, there was no hiding the rough edge of irritation in his voice as he replied, "What's with you guys?! You're the hurt one. I should be asking you that, stupid…" Did they really intend to coddle him this much?! He was over being coddled.
Noctis shook his head, cautious to the blonde's abrupt attitude change. "No- Not that… Earlier?"
'The cave. The fight.' Prompto's eyes widened and his heart began hammering in his chest. In an instant, he was reduced to an insecure, stuttering mess, afraid of what his king thought of him. Of what his best friend wanted to bring up. "O-oh. T-that! Psh… Yeah!"
Noctis had promised back then that they'd talk about it. He just didn't expect it to be so soon after an injury like this. He foolishly thought it would get postponed. Hell- maybe even forgotten about entirely (he hoped)! He wasn't mentally prepared. The words 'Settle' began ringing in his ears. Over and over. In an instant- with a mere softly-spoken sentence filled with intrigue and genuine concern- Prompto was torn in half all over again. His skin wanted to deflect the topic. Rip itself from his bones and fluttering organs to float on the breeze to some place safe from this double-edged sword of a topic. From this pit of unluckiness and despair that was his life. But while his skin itched to leave, his bones felt like pure lead. Rooting him to the floor and demanding closure to this fucked-up marathon of running away from his problems Prompto had forced it through all these years. For an end to it all.
Noctis' stare, even and with a determinated glare of deep blue, held firm and Prompto's breath began to shorten. "Bullshit." The king's tone had just as much bite as Prompto's had earlier. There would be no deflecting this time. "Cut the shit, Prom. This is affecting you, isn't it? More than you're letting on."
Prompto swallowed but it didn't help open his airways at all. An excuse. He needed an excuse. Any excuse. "I don't know what you're talking about, Noct. I was just grumpy! I-"
Noctis stopped those words by reaching over and grasping the gunner's tank top in his fist, "Come on, Prom… Talk to me. You said that I didn't 'get it'… What did you mean by that?"
The gunner found it increasingly hard to hold eye contact so instead he looked elsewhere. He had been a horrible friend. He was still a horrible friend; fawning and caressing his friend as he slept. Indulging him fantasy even though Noctis' heart belonged to another and this reality could never be anything more than what it was. "Y-you…! I…!" The words were getting lost in the numerous things that wanted to come out all at once. Here did he even start? What should even be said? What should be left out? Was it too late to create another lie? The tent seemed to be spinning around him. He took a steadying breath before closing his eyes and centering himself.
The grip no Prompto's tank top tightened and tugged, trying to draw him closer. "Prom…?"
"I-I'm sorry. I haven't- been a very good friend to you- at all."
To Prompto's surprise, Noctis chuckled. "You?! …In case you hadn't noticed, neither have I… The first time you went with Gladiolus and I on that hunt all I did was yell and berate you for getting in the way and getting injured until the big guy told me to stop…" His smile dropped off, though. Because of course it did. This talk was supposed to be a serious one. "…I ignored everyone and stayed in my own head after Insomnia fell, leaving you to take care of me even though you shouldn't have had to… And worst of all, I-" Even in the darkness, Prompto could make out the pink flush that crept onto Noctis' cheeks and the king shuffled further under the blankets to try and hide it. "…I kissed you out of nowhere and without your permission… I was such an asshole, Prom! I asked you to be with me and not to mention it to anyone... And then I stopped it out of nowhere just as quickly as I started it…! So… I'm sorry... You have every right to be mad at me."
"Noct- no. Don't say shit like that. Stop." Noctis looked like he was going to say something more, but Prompto shook his head before raking a hand through blonde fringe. "It was all me. I'm the scum of Eos!"
Wait. Was he really coming out with it now?
"Prom-"
Fuck. He was really going to come out with it now.
He screwed his eyes shut. So hard that he was seeing white just to overpower the creeping nausea as his stomach twisted into knots. He could feel himself beginning to tremble in Noctis' clutch. This was it. This was when he'd lose his best friend. The only person he'd ever loved. His reason for living up until now. "Ever since I met you, that day in front of the school, I've- for fuck's sake, Noct- I've loved you!"
Noctis opened and shut his mouth abruptly as he stared up at Prompto, who refused to look at him still. Shock was written all over his face and his eyes were large and disbelieving. "Prom, why didn't you-"
All the oxygen in the tent didn't feel like enough at all suddenly. It was entirely too hot, yet he was shaking as if it was freezing. "Fuck, Noct, I- I didn't even realize it until it was staring me in the fucking face so hard that I thought I would go blind! But that's what it was! Love-! I think- fuck if I know!"
Another tug. This one more insistent. "Prom. You aren't-"
Funny enough, once the floodgates were opened, there was no stopping it. Noctis couldn't fit in another word. The gunner tore himself from that grasp, turning his body away from the man in the bedroll. "I couldn't get you out of my head! Every single day- I wanted to talk to you but I was so scared to. I was afraid that you wouldn't want to be my friend and you'd find me disgusting and pathetic. That you'd ignore me, just like you ignored everyone else. Hell, in the beginning you actually did!"
He took a breath and ran shaking hands through his hair and down his face. Part of him wondered what Noctis thought. Another part of him didn't want to know. There was no more tugging. Noctis was silent. Listening. "But then- it was like a fucking miracle. You took me to the infirmary when I passed out that day and-" He licked his lips. "It only grew from there, Noct! I wanted to be with you… To kiss you and hold you and call you mine… I had wanted it for so, so long, you have no fucking idea!"
"So when you kissed me that day on the roof I wanted to do everything I could to keep you. To have your eyes never stray from me. To have your heart..." His breathing was coming out panicked and shallow. He didn't know if he could live with the uncertainty anymore so he turned and chanced a look at his love. Noctis was still staring up at him with large eyes and not saying a gods damned thing, finally resigned to just listening. Although he looked like Noctis was ready to open his mouth and say something at the next chance he got. So Prompto kept going. He didn't need Noctis to berate him. He knew what he had done was wrong. He could berate himself.
"I'm scum, Noct! The lowest of the low! The entire time we were friends I was secretly lusting after you! I had ulterior motives the whole time! I wanted to be so much more than your friend and you didn't know a damned thing about it! Fuck! I fucking- jerked off on a near nightly basis, just imagining you kissing me!" He had to laugh at his own stupid, virgin-addled mind. He probably sounded like a pervert. Maybe he was a pervert. "But I was okay, you know? It was okay. It was all just a fantasy back then- a dream. It was easy to keep it a dream. After all, you loved Luna all this time and didn't look at me like a lover at all. But Gods- I didn't fucking deserve you. I still don't. Not after what I've done and… who I am!"
Beneath the slew of confessions, Prompto's mind jumped to the barcode on his wrist. The thing that signified him to be inhuman. A Nif monster, just like the ones that destroyed everything his friends held dear. The enemy. His nails scratched at the inked skin until it began feeling raw and painful. He couldn't confess to him or the others about this. Not yet. Maybe he would lose Noctis after this, but he wanted to salvage what he could from all of this. He didn't want three people hating him all at once. It would be too much for him to handle.
"Prom. Hey. Lis-"
"You loved Luna. You still love Luna. But I couldn't respect that! Fuck, Noct- I was borderline happy when I thought she had died! Fuck, I don't even know her like you do! And there I was, sleeping next to the guy that was supposed to be her Gods damned husband! Kissing- and touching- and- and-" He swallowed. He didn't want to think of the rest. He couldn't think of the rest. "She doesn't fucking deserve that, Noct! She still doesn't!" Out of the darkness, a clammy hand grasped Prompto's wrist, prying the nails away from his tattooed skin that was beginning to leak blood and drawing him out of his madness with a firm tone.
"Prom. Stop- Breathe!" The gunner did so, struggling, fingers trembling as Noctis rubbed a thumb over them gently until the blonde had calmed down moderately enough for the king to get some words out. "It's okay. I understand. I didn't before, but I do now… What we did was much, much more important to you than I had realized…" Noctis paused for a moment, unsure if his guess was right but hoping that it was. "…Right?"
Prompto felt the lump in his throat begin to grow and tighten and he nodded, attempting to swallow it down futilely. The warm, calloused skin of Noctis' hand felt so nice even though he felt like he was sitting inside of an incinerator. He wanted to grasp that hand back. To hold it tightly and never let it go. But he held himself back. Just because he had confessed, it didn't mean anything. Not really. It was throwing him inside of a hurricane of chaos and anxiety, but the predicament still remained the same. They still weren't lovers. They probably wouldn't even be friends anymore. The other shoe was going to drop, he just knew it. The tears burned his cheeks as they fell, filled with the shame of his actions up until now. Noctis' fingers were distracting and confusing. If he was going to yell and kick Prompto out of the tent and out of his life, why was he acting so gentle? It made no sense. He should just go ahead and get it over with already.
"Prompto… Why didn't you just- tell me? Right from the start?"
"How could I, Noct?!" The gunner's wide, frantic eyes stared down into his king's equally wide and concerned ones. He pulled his hand away from that comforting embrace. "Is that even a question?!"
Noctis frowned. "Yes. It is."
He scoffed. "Yeah, great idea! 'Hey, Noct, I love you! Never mind that I'm a guy. Or that I don't have a single cent to my name and I'll never be anything anyone can compare to you. Or that I'm of no royalty or nobility whatsoever!'", he mocked, throwing his hands up in frustration. "Oh, yeah. I'm sure that would have gone over well with your dad."
"It doesn't matter what you are or aren't, Prom. I-"
"You what, Noct?! Huh?! Well, go on!" He stared hard at the frustrated and frazzled look on his love's face at being interrupted over and over again. "Tell me how fucking well it would have went! Tell me about how happy your dad would have been to find out you were with a nobody. How all of Insomnia would have celebrated your marriage to some foreign Nif bastard- someone from the sole enemy of the nation. Tell me about all of the lovely children I would have fucking birthed for you!"
Noctis scowled at that. "I'm not a fucking idiot, Prom. I know that nothing could have come from it!" He watched as Prompto sat in stubborn silence, arms crossed and eyes focused on something on the ground that wasn't him. "I know that, okay?! But didn't you think that I had the right to know?!" He did. He had every right. "For fuck's sake, Prom- I could have at least helped you!"
Another scoff. "And how would you have done-"
"I could have let you down before it got this bad!" Noctis blinked back his own tears and tried to keep his words steady as they began to waver. "I could have helped you to get over it all! To help you find someone who would be better for you! To treat you the way you deserve to be treated and not just tossed aside like I inadvertedly fucking did to you!" Prompto choked on more tears as he looked down at his king's pained, watery eyes. Once again, that hand found his own freckled one and held on tightly. "I could have helped you to be happy!"
"Noct… I-"
"You deserve to be happy too, Prompto. You deserve it so fucking much and it kills me that I'm not able to give it to you." The look of anguish and helplessness in Noctis' eyes utterly broke Prompto's heart. The words broke it even further. But nothing can be repaired if it wasn't broken in the first place. "I like you, Prompto. I do. We've been through so much… When I kissed you that night, up on that rooftop, it was wonderful. And everything we did after that was even better. Not because it was sexual and fun and- fuck- amazing. But because it was you." He couldn't stop the tears that fell on his hand as it gripped his friend's tightly. He couldn't stop Prompto's broken sobs and stilted breathing. He could barely move from his spot on the bedroll without assistance. "You aren't 'nothing', Prom. You aren't scum, and you sure as hell aren't some 'Nif bastard'… You're amazing! You're bright and funny and quirky and so, so fucking vibrant…"
Prompto shook his head as the world spun around him through the bleary wetness around his burning eyes. It wasn't true. He wouldn't accept it.
He had to accept it.
"…I'm sorry, Prompto… For all of this- the whole situation… You're my best friend. And I care for you now just as I did when I had you in my arms... I'm sorry that I couldn't see your feelings before… And I'm sorry that I can't return them now…"
Prompto wished he could just stop crying. He knew Noctis was too, but he couldn't see it. He was almost blind with them. He sniffled and tried to hide his face as they fell, one by one, to land on the tarp of the tent floor and on Noctis' vice grip. Maybe he was just as scared to let go as Prompto wanted him to be.
Maybe he should stop wanting these things.
"Noct, I-" He could barely get anything out through his sobs and hiccups. "I love you. So much, Noct... I love you…!" It was out. It was finally out. He wanted to say it. Over and over again, it was the only thing running through his mind.
Noctis tried to reach up and wipe the tears from Prompto's eyes, but once his injured arm got more than a few inches off the ground, he whimpered in pain, flinching beneath the blankets. He wanted to comfort his friend. To finally stop the tears that continued to fall like a steady rain. "Prom- hey- shhh… Hey, hey… Come here… I can't reach you…"
Without any words, Prompto fell onto his king's chest, sobbing into the pelts as Noctis ran the fingers of his good hand through silky blonde locks and hugged him close.
…
"…I understand… if… if you don't want to be around me anymore, Noct…" Despite those words that assured the exact opposite, Prompto held Noctis' midsection tighter from above the blankets, burying his face into the soft fur of the pelts. He closed his eyes, tired and sore from crying for what felt like hours and focused on the sound of Noctis' heart beating, slow and rhythmically. It felt strange, being so calm and quiet after admitting almost everything. Maybe this was what coming clean felt like. What peace felt like. Still, Prompto couldn't shake off the worry that clung to him like a second skin. He doubted that it would ever leave him. Perhaps this was just the calm before the storm and the real fight was had yet to begin. "…And… If you want me to leave, I-"
"Shut up, Dork. I don't want you to leave. You're my best friend." Noctis gave a soft, lopsided, lazy smile as vibrant blue eyes jumped up to look into his own. They were still broken. The pieces were still being picked up and arranged. But, somehow, things were beginning to feel just a bit brighter... maybe. He still had a place with his king. He was still wanted, despite his past and his feelings. His secrets and doubts. "But… Are you sure that you still want to be around me after all the bad shit I put you through…? I was kind of being an ass… And towards the end there I kind of ignored you, even though I promised that nothing would change…"
There was no hesitation. All of it was forgiven. It was forgiven the moment the Naga attacked and Prompto realized what worse things there were that could happen than a disagreement and a sour breakup between long-time friends.
"Yes. Absolutely. I'd die for you if I needed to, Noctis. Same as Ignis and Gladiolus would." The smile the blonde received and the way Noctis hugged him tighter with his good arm made butterflies and warmth spread through Prompto's stomach. Even still, every silver lining had a cloud. And nothing good lasts forever. It was time to end the circle of torment, no matter how desperately Prompto wanted to hold on to it. He sighed, taking the time to choose his words carefully. "…But…"
The king frowned. "…But?"
"…I think I need some time for myself. Just for a little while… while you're healing, I- I need to learn to do a few things on my own... To not be so dependent on you and the others…" He sighed again. "…To give my heart some time to heal… and… to give you your space and allow you to love Luna without anything holding you back…"
"Prompto, you're not-" One pleading look, begging for his king's cooperation had Noctis shutting up in an instant, and he gave in to that pleading request. Noctis solemnly nodded before turning his eyes to stare up at the ceiling of the tent. "Yeah. That sounds like a good idea, Prom…"
They laid there for a while longer in silence, just platonically hugging each other and listening to the creatures singing in the night and the crackling of the fire whose warmth didn't reach them. Distantly, the hum of the Regalia's motor cut through the nature and Prompto groaned as voices began drawing nearer. He would have to get up and separate himself. For good.
"…Guess I'd better get up… Iggy's gonna need help with the soup."
Noctis chuckled as yet again, the blonde's actions proved contradictory to his words. The gunner was still pressed close to his chest and running gentle fingers up and down his hurt arm, careful to avoid the healing wound. It felt nice. Comforting. It almost got rid of the constant aching in his skull. "…Fuck 'em. Gladiolus can help Specs with the soup. You should sleep. I'm not the only one who's had a rough time recently."
Prompto allowed his eyes to drift shut, enjoying the way Noctis' laugh jostled his body and vibrated through his ear and his chest. Just this one, last time… he'd indulge himself. Even though it was stupid. If Ignis or Gladiolus said anything about their close proximity they could just blame it all on the cold. Yeah. That could work. They always used to share a blanket while gaming in Noctis' old apartment anyways. Not to mention the countless times they had shared a bed before all of this mess.
"…Yeah… You're right. Fuck 'em."
…
The sun was only just creeping above the horizon when Prompto awoke, groggy yet better than he could remember feeling in a long, long time. The crisp yet humid morning air filled his lungs as he stretched and inhaled deeply, looking out from the camp and at the endless hills and roads before him. He sat along the flat rock of the haven and spread his legs before stretching his arms until his fingertips touched his toes.
It was incredibly odd being the first person awake. Normally, Ignis was up well before sunrise. But at the same time it was understandable. Ignis was more than likely the last person to sleep the previous night and the near-death experience in that frozen cavern was enough to wipe out even the most hardened warrior. For now, he was alone.
After stretching, Prompto sat there a while, just staring at the sunrise. Even with the early hour he could already feel the heat beating down on his pale skin; a prelude to the inescapable sauna that the moggy rainforests were sure to become in any hour. He sighed before pushing himself to his feet. He felt slow. Groggy. For the first time in a long while since they departed from Insomnia, it was time for a run. And maybe afterwards, a dip in the lake for a little bath. He wanted to wash off the Prompto from before and start fresh. And this was the first step towards that.
"You're up already, huh?" Prompto turned and smiled a toothy grin as he watched Gladiolus crawl out of the tent and stand. His hair looked to be an absolute mess, more so than usual. "Mornin'."
"Morning, Big Guy. And yeah. I felt like running today. Is that cool?" It wasn't as if Prompto needed permission. He was a grown man, after all. But it wouldn't hurt to double-check. After all, they were in a situation where anything could happen. Best to let someone know where he would be before heading out. It was safer that way.
Gladiolus shrugged, looking towards the roads with one hand shielding his eyes from the rising sun. "You'll have to watch out for speeding cars…" But, as always, the roads were looking very clear and deserted. Not many people travelled along them since the capitol fell and the Nifs roamed the skies in search of the missing prince everyone assumed was dead. The world was almost deemed too dangerous for regular civilians. "…But it should be fine."
Prompto nodded, moving to grab his camera from next to his camping chair. "Thanks." It had been a while since he'd taken photos as well. Maybe it would help to distract him.
"Mind if I join you?"
Prompto turned, staring at him with mild surprise. Gladiolus? Wanting to come along? It was almost a shock. The only times they'd been alone together usually tended to only be due to negative things that had to be discussed. Like the bullies that gave him that bloodied lip. Or the news of Luna's return. Or, more recently, the Naga attack. In the back of Prompto's mind, he wondered if the older man was coming along just to give him another lecture about something or check on his mental health. If not anything else, Gladiolus was protective. Like the older brother he clearly was.
After a second, Prompto blinked away the surprise and responded. "…Really? You wanna come along?"
The shield smiled. "Are you kidding me? I've been trying to get Princess to go running with me for forever! He never seemed interested, so I just gave up and over time just sort of… stopped. It would be nice to get back into the swing of it, you know?" He rummaged through one of the bags before pulling out two new bottles of water. He threw one to Prompto, who only fumbled it a little before finally grasping it properly. "Would be even nicer to do it with a partner. Someone to help push the limits."
Prompto laughed. Gladiolus looked so excited and puppy-like, how could he say no? And maybe it would give him the opportunity to learn more about Gladiolus and get to know him better. Recently, the blonde had come to realize just how much he didn't know Noctis' advisor and shield. They were Prompto's friends and he hardly knew anything about them other than the obvious. If he was going to break away from Noctis for a while, it would be a good idea to focus on other people and other things.
"Suits me just fine. But I'll warn you- I've been running for years now. Don't think I'll let you win so easily." He winked, flexing the muscle that was still only just barely noticeable.
Gladiolus laughed, long and loudly, until he remembered that the others were still asleep and stifled it with a hand over his mouth. When he was sure he hadn't accidentally woken anyone up, he spoke in a quiet tone. "Oh, so this is a competition now? What happened to a friendly run?"
Prompto smirked. "Friendly runs don't push you now, do they? Let's go, Buddy." They began the trek up the hill and onto the road with vigor and excitement. "First one to stop running is a rotten Flan!"
…
"Water?" Prompto took the offered half-empty bottle of water gratefully, downing it in only a few seconds. His own was laying empty on the asphalt of the road, long-since drained and abandoned. They were tired and sweaty, their tank tops practically soaked through and clinging to their skin. The thought of taking a dip in one of the lakes was seeming more and more like a great idea. "Whoa, whoa! Pace yourself, Prom. You're gonna end up choking if you go at it like that."
Prompto peered up at the larger man from where he was bent over, hands grasping at his knees and breaths coming out deep and harsh. Maybe it had been longer than he though since he last ran. Or maybe it was the lack of food recently that had zapped him of his energy. He made a mental reminder to try and eat something. "Yeah- sorry. Guess I should have- paced myself more."
The shield shrugged with a laugh after wiping down his face with the front of his shirt. He hardly looked affected at all, apart from the sweat. He didn't even finish his water. As if the whole four miles they just breezed through was child's play. Well, it probably was. He had been athletic for far, far longer than Prompto. The differences shown well. "You're the one who wanted to race. And I got to admit, you look even more like a chocobo when you run with everything you got."
"Hey!" The blonde pouted, straightening back up and pushing his bangs out of his face. Funnily enough, they stayed in place. He probably looked like a wreck. Or like Ignis. Or like a wrecked Ignis. "I don't look like a chocobo!"
Amber eyes crinkled at the corners with his sly smile. "Do too."
"Do not!"
Gladiolus began laughing again as the blonde only pouted further. Eventually, even Prompto began laughing. He felt good, friendly jabs aside. It was quiet and clear out here and he felt secluded without the afterthought of feeling alone as well. He felt… different, right now. Foreign, but in a good way. Like he was building something inside of him to be bigger than what it was before, even though nothing in particular was happening. It was a good feeling, and he found himself feeding off of it, climbing it higher. It was nice to have a clear, easy conversation again. To not be continuously stifled by the looming fog of doubt and unsureness that seemed to follow the foursome wherever they went nowadays. The skies were clear and there didn't seem to be a single airship or predatory animal in sight. If Prompto cared to, he could almost close his eyes and believe that he was in a different world entirely.
"Hey… Want to take a picture with me?" Prompto smiled at the look of confusion that shown through amber eyes and the way the larger man raised a thick eyebrow and placed his hands on his hips.
"Sure, but where did this come from? You just got done running yourself to the brink of exhaustion! I thought maybe you'd want to rest for a bit?"
"Nah. I'm good. I bounce back pretty well, normally." The gunner shrugged and grabbed his camera from his camo pants, looking left and right for a good spot to take the shot. "I just- I dunno- I kinda thought that I don't have a lot of pictures of us, you know? I took one with Iggy the other day. Guess it's your turn now." He grinned up at Gladiolus, who returned it in kind.
"Hmm… We don't do we? Better change that then."
"Yup!" He felt like the very sun itself as he stood next to Gladiolus and turned the camera around for a selfie, capturing the Disc of Cauthess and the rocky cliffs behind them under a vibrant blue sky. Once captured, the blonde looked the photo over in his hands.
"I thought you only wanted to take pictures of Noctis?"
Prompto froze in place for a moment. He swallowed, eyes darting between the photo and the shield as his heartrate sped up. Was he found out? Maybe he shouldn't have slept so close to Noctis last night after all. Fuck. "…Haha- why?" He hoped he didn't sound as panicked as he felt.
The shield shrugged before leaning over him to admire the gunner's handiwork as well. "I dunno… Your camera was always pointing towards him most of the time."
'Casual, Prompto. Casual. You're jumping the gun on this. He doesn't know. He didn't know. And there's no reason to know anymore. It's over. Put it behind you. Move on. You got this. You can do this.'
Prompto cleared his throat and put the camera back into one of his pockets as his brain scrambled to come up with a reason that resembled normal. "Well I came up with this whole picture thing as a gift to Luna for her and Noct's wedding day, remember? Figured she'd want to see her hubby's face instead of our ugly mugs, ya know?" It wasn't a lie, not entirely. That was the plan… originally. Noctis had just been so damned handsome and photogenic. Guess he hadn't paid attention to just how much of his camera roll was actually occupied by their king. He needed to change that as soon as possible.
Gladiolus merely nodded and stretched. "That makes sense. But hey- and I may be biased here- but I don't have an ugly mug." And just like that, the dread and paranoia lifted from the smaller man's shoulders and he found himself smiling and laughing again.
The secret lived to die another day.
Gladiolus began walking down the road back the way they came and Prompto was quick to catch up and walk alongside him. "Fair enough, Big Guy." The scenery around them didn't change much. Long, open roads with only one or two cars to get out of the way of. Large, open fields and gigantic clusters of rain forest. Roaming herbivores, moving in packs and eating the brush. Still, Prompto took pictures of it. All of it. Until suddenly they were only halfway back to camp and his camera's memory was already full. "…Hey… Gladiolus?"
The man who had been walking along in comfortable silence until now turned to look at his friend with a small smile. "Yeah, Squirt?"
He flushed, remembering the kind and surprisingly honest words that were said to him around the fire the previous night. He could still scarcely believe that it happened. He wasn't used to knowing that someone looked up to him and admired anything that he did. "I just wanted to say thank you again… for what you said last night. It… It- it really helped me…"
"Don't thank me for speaking the truth, Prompto."
"I was wondering- I mean. If it's okay? I was thinking that- maybe… you could… give me a bit more training…?"
Gladiolus furrowed his brows a bit, confused. "I don't know if there's much more to teach you right now, Prom. You handle that gun like a pro. Don't get me wrong, you could still use a bit more practice on your aim, sure! Hell, even Noctis could use a little refresher. But-"
"No. Not… Not that." He watched meekly as the tattooed man opened and then closed his mouth, patiently awaiting Prompto's next words. "I want to learn how to handle other weapons. I want to be more useful to you guys. And to myself as well, I guess… If-if that's… okay?"
Gladiolus levelled him with a look. "…You sure, Prom? Because we aren't asking you to do more than you can han-"
"I can handle it. I promise."
The shield smiled after a while and placed a hand on Prompto's shoulder. "Absolutely. We can get started on it today, actually. It'll actually work out pretty well for the time being. Noctis is out of commission, which frees up my time. I have plenty of time to train you more often now. At least for a little while. We can drive to the nearest weapons dealer after breakfast and-" The shield groaned, long and drawn-out, interrupting his pleased rant. "Wait… forgot… Ignis spent the last of our money on ingredients and potions… Sorry, Prompto. It's going to take a few hunts to afford a new weapon for you to choose from… Unless you want to practice with one of Noct's weapons? I'm sure he wouldn't mind you borrowing them for a bit. It's not like he'll need them right now anyways."
Prompto shook his head, undeterred. "No, no! That's fine! No rush. Maybe we can just stick to hand-to-hand combat until then? I'm kind of useless without my gun anyways… It would be a good opportunity to switch it up a bit. In case I ever run out of mana again and can't summon it from the Armiger."
Gladiolus smiled. "I can do that. We'll also keep doing this. The running. It'll help build your stamina. We'll do it every morning now, okay? But from now on, you're going to pace yourself. No more running four miles straight with no water or breaks. I'll throw together a workout plan for you and tell Iggy to change your diet a bit."
A feeling the gunner hadn't felt in a long time suddenly reared its ugly head and Prompto found himself grasping the fat along his side with two fingers before forcing himself to stop, shoving the hand in his pocket.
'Stop it, Prompto. That's not what he meant… You're fine. You're not… like that anymore.'
"…Sounds great. Thanks, Big Guy." They let the conversation lull into an amiable silence once more for a few minutes. They were almost at the campsite now. Prompto could see the Regalia shining under the sun's rays. He could also just make out a lazy, wispy trail of smoke rising up into the clouds. Ignis must have started breakfast already. He almost didn't want the trip to be over yet. He was enjoying talking about nothing. "You know… I don't really mind people saying I look like a chocobo… I wasn't really mad at you earlier, when you were teasing me."
"I know you weren't upset. If you actually got upset, I wouldn't have teased you about it."
"I actually get kinda happy when someone tells me that… Chocobos are my favorite animal. Always have been, for as long as I can remember!"
Gladiolus perked up, smiling down at him with intrigue as his eyes gleamed with humor. "Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah! They're so vibrant and cute and fast and free... Well- the wild ones are, anyways. Haha… I always wanted to ride one, but my parents were always too busy to take me to the ranch…"
"So you've never ridden one before? Ever?"
"Nope! I wouldn't even know the first thing about how to ride one... Haha."
"I was the one who taught Iris how to ride chocobos." Gladiolus chuckled at the surprised look his friend gave him; practically gawking with his mouth wide open and hands drawn up to his chest in excitement. "Yeah. It's true. We were visiting our grandparents when they lived out here in the country. Pretty close to Wiz's, actually… Well. She was pouting and crying all day long, begging to ride one. But as soon as I placed her on top of one, she started freaking out! She kicked me and hit me and screamed at me to take her off of it."
"Woah, that's crazy! Haha. How did you get her to stop?"
"It was simple. I just sat on the bird with her and kept her in my lap. I let her hold the reins along with me. I was the one who was really steering it, but she didn't seem to notice. After a while, she calmed down and actually began to like it. Next thing I knew, she was commanding me to hop off and let her do it herself."
Prompto laughed. "Oh, wow! You were such a great big brother, Gladio."
"I sure was."
"Well. Maybe one day you can teach me to ride someday too!"
The gleaming smile Prompto offered made Gladiolus beam brightly. "I'd be happy to."
…
"Ah! There you are. I was wondering where the two of you went. I was just talking to Noctis about whether or not I should start a search party…" Ignis smiled up at the two men though his eyes were sharp as the duo trudged down the hill and into the haven looking like they had just run a marathon. "…Running off without telling anyone where you went, I see?"
"Ha, ha… Very funny." Gladiolus brushed the strategist off with a simple wave of his hand, plopping down heavily into his camp chair and kicking off his shoes before going for another bottle of water nearby. "Come on, Ignis. If you were really worried, you would have called us or something. As it stands, my inbox is as dry as the Leide desert." The three boys snickered a small laugh as Ignis rolled his eyes at them, stirring the heating leftovers from the night before on his portable stovetop.
"Oh, Iggy… Always such a worrywart.", Prompto playfully punched the man on a shoulder before crossing the haven and plopping into his own seat. On his way, he met eyes with Noctis. The man looked tired, as he always did in the mornings. Prompto could see the freshly changed bandages covering his king's wound. He was happy to see that the injury didn't look as bad as he thought it would. Perhaps he'd heal faster than they anticipated. He hoped so. When their eyes locked, Prompto looked away quickly. His heart hammered in his chest and his cheeks heated as he recalled his messy and horrible confession. Noctis knew he loved him now. It was strange, but the warmth that threatened to take over his body needed to be stamped down. He couldn't keep doing this to himself.
He needed more distractions.
"I have the right to worry, you know.", Ignis chided before passing a bottle of pain pills and a glass of water to his charge with a whisper to take his medicine.
"Yeah, you just don't have the reason.", Noctis supplied, grinning up at his advisor's chastising gaze before grimacing at the command to take his medicine. "Gladiolus is super strong and Prompto slayed a Naga. I think they can handle themselves, don't you?"
"…I suppose you're correct, Highness…" Ignis conceded with a weary sigh. Once everyone had a bowl of leftover soup in hand, he sat down himself and dug in with the others. "So, what was it that the two of you were up to?"
Gladiolus looked up over his soup bowl to meet his Ignis' keen eyes. Try as though he might, everyone could see through his attempt at feigning impassiveness. His eyes shown with curiosity and the worry of a mother. "Just a run."
Noctis slumped in his chair with a disgusted scoff. "Ew… Yeah. Leave me out of that. I'm good…"
"I wouldn't allow you to indulge even if you wanted to." Ignis smirked into his bite of food. "You're not so much as taking one step out of this haven until you're rested up and completely healed." He pointedly ignored the groan of annoyance Noctis gave as the others giggled at his despair. "And then after that, you'll have to go through the necessary rehab to get yourself used to combat again. Only then will we continue the search for the Royal Arms and take back Insomnia."
"And Luna.", the king added.
"Yes, and Lady Lunafreya."
"So… Where do you think she is?" Gladiolus set his empty bowl down on the haven floor and leaned back in his chair, folding his arms behind his head.
"It's just a hunch but… I think… she might be at the meteor…"
"Why the meteor?" Prompto asked around a mouth full of bread. He quirked his head. "There's no place to stay and sleep there... No shelters or havens… Right?"
"Not only that, but it seems as though The Empire has built a large wall around the area, keeping out all civilians…", Ignis added solemnly, I overheard a couple in Lestallum talking about it in passing. Not just them, either… Quite a few workers and stall runners were gossiping about it as well… It seems to be more than just a wild rumor…"
Noctis shook his head. "I… I don't know… Back at the cave entrance, I had that vision… And just recently, when I woke up, I saw the meteor in my head again."
Gladiolus frowned, levelling his king with a hard, concerned look. "I don't like these visions."
"I dare say, I don't either…", Ignis conceded. "Noctis- have you seen anything else during these headaches? Any other clue as to why you're suddenly seeing these visions?"
Noctis thought on it for a while before setting his half-eaten bowl aside. It seemed he had lost his appetite. "Yeah, actually…. There's this… guy- thing? Creature? No- God. Yeah… Yeah, I'm sure about that... It's an Astral." His eyes began to dart around the camp, as if searching for that vision once more.
"A God?" Prompto swallowed down his bite and shared an incredulous look with the others. "How do you know that?"
"It- he? Yeah. I think- he… He was huge. Bigger than the meteor, even… At first, I thought that he was a rock, but… there were these… eyes. Red ones- like lava- staring at me… I could hear him in my head. As if he was right in front of me, but- I… I can't understand it at all…"
Gladiolus furrowed his brows further. "That sounds like Titan."
"Titan?", Prompto asked.
The Astrals were never really his specialty. He hardly knew a single thing about them, not even their supposed looks or forms. They didn't exactly teach anything about them in school; separation of education and religion, naturally. His parents certainly hadn't been around much to preach to him about them.
Prompto never took the time to consider the probability that they could be real. A childhood spent in a lonesome hell, along with the realization of his origins, was enough to drive any thought of a God or Goddess right out of the metaphorical window… What deity would just sit back and watch as anyone suffered? As he suffered? As he was beaten by his classmates? As he was ignored almost to the point of negligent abuse by his parents?
No… Prompto preferred not to believe in any of that.
But now, seeing for himself the magic that ran through Noctis' veins, gifted to him by the crystal... well… he didn't know what to think anymore...
Ignis nodded before gathering everyone's bowls to wash. "That sounds about right. The legends do say that Titan was the one that stopped the meteor from destroying Eos, blocking it with his own body… It seems that all people see when they visit the meteor is nothing but a large mountainous structure of sorts… And if you're suddenly getting visions of this God, it would only make sense that Lady Lunafreya would have something to do with it."
"Yeah! Can't your girlfriend speak to the Gods?", came Gladiolus' deep voice.
Noctis blushed furiously at his shield's blunt calling of he and Lunafreya's 'romantic' status. He scowled at him like an embarrassed child. "S-She's not my girlfriend, idiot!" The larger man merely laughed at his charge's frustration with no hint at remorse. Prompto fought the urge to scowl at the romantic title, worrying his lips as he struggled to keep the jealousy at bay. Noctis cleared his throat pointedly before continuing. "And yeah... She can."
"From what I'm gathering out of this, it seems as though Lady Lunafreya is using Titan to communicate with you, in hopes that you will come. Perhaps she is waiting for you there, Noctis."
Prompto pursed his lips. "I dunno… I mean… There of all places? Why not use the Astrals to tell Noct to meet her at someplace fun? Like an arcade?" He squirmed away from the exasperated stare Noctis gave him afterwards, with Ignis' own not far behind. He shrugged it off. "I mean… You just said it. The Empire have locked the whole place down- no way in or out. Why on Eos would Luna go somewhere like that after finally escaping The Empire's hold? She was free, right? …If I was a prisoner, I'd never want to go anywhere near my captors ever again…"
Once again, Ignis was the point of reason and logic, supplying the supposed answers everyone was searching for. "I believe Titan is the sole reason that she would even consider chancing it. He must have an important role in Noctis' future and the retaking of our nation. I believe Noctis is to confront Titan and receive his blessing. If Noctis has the blessing of an Astral, he would become much more powerful than his current state. That could be what the Oracle is thinking… Of course, that's just my speculation." The advisor adjusted his glasses as the others regarded him silently.
"Well, no matter what the reason, I'm going. As soon as I'm healed and back to fighting like normal, we're going." The group smiled towards their king and his bravery.
"Well, naturally. She is your beloved after all."
"Go get 'er, Stud."
"…Duh, Dude."
Noctis smiled back, grateful for their friendship and support.
Prompto tampered down how his heart soared at the sight of it.
He needed more distractions. Fast.
…
"Hey, Iggy What's on the menu for lunch today?"
Prompto rose from his camp chair, peering uneasily up at the face of the advisor who just mere minutes ago had just come back from a rather difficult hunt along with Gladiolus, looking to be rather scratched and bloodied. The older man had tried to put it off, acting as if he was fine, but the blonde could see right through it. His blue-lavender eyes noted the limp in his step from a twisted ankle and the way one eye was closed more than the other, the skin around it puffy and tender. He just knew a bruise would appear on the surface of the skin around it any minute now. The potions did their job of repairing the scrapes but there was no hiding the wrecked state of his dress attire nor the dried blood that was spattered through it.
"Nothing too extravagant. Just some seasoned Chikatrice breasts on rice with a side of greens. I thought I'd enact some form of revenge on our previous hunt." The advisor smirked mischievously at his makeshift kitchen where he had the raw meat sitting on a cutting board and the proper pots and pans set aside for use.
"Oh no you don't!" Prompto stopped him before he could get any further, grasping the taller man by his shoulders and steering him in the direction of his chair instead. He ignored the curious looks from the other two men; Gladiolus looking up from his latest novel and Noctis looking up from his mobile game. Ignis and Gladiolus had begun charging it whenever they could, allowing their king a form of entertainment as he was forced to sit around all day and do nothing. "You're not doing anything on that twisted ankle."
Ignis opened and closed his mouth like a dumbfounded fish a few times, flushing up at blue-lavender orbs with a mild embarrassment at being found out. He thought he had hid his discomfort well, but he underestimated how perceptive their youngest friend was. "I-I assure you, Prompto, I'm fine. My ankle hardly hurts at- AH!" He had to stop mid-sentence with a yelp of pain as Prompto grasped his ankle, moving it to rest in the seat of his own camping chair. When the gunner looked at him with a proud and gloating grin on his face, he knew it was over. "…Fine… You've bested me. But I'd like to know exactly what you expect to be done about dinner then?" Gladiolus perked up and seemed to be ready to make a suggestion, but Ignis shot him down in an instant, foreseeing his thoughts before they formulated. "And it will not be cupped noodles."
The shield slumped back into his chair, raising the book to shield his face from view with a pout. "…Spoilsport." Noctis chuckled. The sound was lovely.
Distractions.
Distractions.
Cooking.
Cooking could be a great distraction.
Prompto straightened before putting his hands on his hips and puffing out his chest. "I'm gonna cook for you guys." To this, he had everyone's attention once again; looks of uncertainty and dread passed around him like a hot potato. He vaguely felt like he should be offended.
Ignis cleared his throat "Um- that… Well.." He couldn't seem to turn the blonde down, staring up into hopeful puppydog eyes. He sighed. "Alright.,, But do allow me to help you, please."
"Yes!" He didn't wait any longer to take Ignis' place at the makeshift kitchen counter, staring down at the raw meat and ingredients with excitement. His hands danced in the air, unsure of what to do first. "Hey-help me through this?"
Ignis sighed, but it was all for show. He couldn't mask the fondness in his eyes nor the smile that tugged at the corners of his lips. It warmed his heart and pleased him to see one of his friends expressed an interest in cooking. Even if it was much belated.
Better late than never.
"First, put the water to a boil. You'll need it to cook your rice. While that's boiling, work on cutting the Chikatrice breasts into strips. They will cook much faster that way…"
…
"…Hey..."
He found himself at the haven once more, silently overlooking the pictures he had taken from his routinely morning run, but looked up at the voice of his king. It had now been a few days since the injury. Gladiolus and Ignis were gone, like they normally were at this time of afternoon nowadays, off to track a particularly grueling yet rewarding hunt. It was the perfect time of day for it. The sun setting, turning day into dusk, so that by the time the two older men reached their destination it would be nightfall and the daemons would finally be prowling. With the other two men at the haven with them, everything was easy. He had his running and now he had his daily cooking lessons. But whenever they left, it never failed to leave him and Noctis trapped. Locked in silence and sitting through the 'space' they were trying to give one another.
It was awkward. Prompto and Noctis hadn't spoken to each other alone since the night of the confession. It was easier for the both of them that way. That's what he told himself, anyways. If they didn't talk, they couldn't accidentally say something that would only inadvertedly tug on their heartstrings. So it came as a surprise when he looked up to find Noctis staring at him, slumped down in his chair and very obviously trying not to fidget. He seemed worried over something, slowly gnawing at his plump, perfect bottom lip and-
Prompto shook those thoughts from his head before they could take a life of their own and drag him in another direction. Noctis' lips were none of his business anymore. "…Yeah?"
"Um- well… How's the- um- you know…?"
Prompto licked his lips just to give himself something extra to do and looked back at his camera. "Oh… It's… going."
"Oh…"
"...Yeah…"
"That's… good." There was a silence, for a time, and certainly not the most comfortable one he'd ever sat through. Noctis was still looking at him and Prompto tried his best to focus on his hobby, but all he could think about was what Noctis must be thinking about while looking at him. The many images in front of him faded into the background as every inch of his body was tuned to the man across the camp. "…Hey… Can I… talk to you..?"
Again, Prompto looked up to meet deep blue. His king seemed even more unsure now, and he began to pick at his clean bandages. "Stop picking at your bandages. Iggy will be pissed… But, um, yeah. Sure." He set down his camera and turned in his chair to better face Noctis and give him his full attention. "What's up?"
Noctis frowned and looked away for a moment, forcing himself to keep still. "I'm worried."
Prompto snorted a laugh. "Yeah, I can tell at least that much… What are you worried about? Your healing?" The king shook his head. A negative. "The visions?" Another definite no.
"No. The dream."
"What dream?"
Noctis gave a frustrated sigh. "You know. The one I had about a week ago…? Where I was sleeping."
Prompto blinked. He remembered, finally. "Oh. That one." He thought for a bit. Why was Noctis bringing it up now? "You're still having it?"
"…Sometimes…"
"Aaaand…?" Getting Noctis to talk when he was unsure or doubtful was like pulling teeth, even when he was the one that brought it up.
Noctis just sat there for a while before meeting his gaze. "…It's still always the same. It's always just me- but not the me I am now- me as a kid again… sleeping in that field."
Prompto shrugged. "What's wrong with that? You're just sleeping. And it's only just a dream, right?" He wished Noctis would hurry up and get out with it. The more he talked, the more he was beginning to love every sound and the way that velvety (albeit irritated and upset) voice washed over him and made him feel special. Especially when they were alone. Like nothing else but them mattered and all they had was each other. The purple and pink hues of the falling sun highlighted his friend's features, lighting him up like a fallen Astral. It reminded Prompto of the day he realized he was hopelessly in love and the memories were threatening to kick his heart into overdrive and send him spiraling back into that darkness he was trying so hard to rise from.
"It's- I don't know- It's… unsettling. People don't normally have those dreams… right?"
Again, Prompto shrugged. "I dunno? I haven't, but maybe Iggy or Gladdy have? …Have you told them about your dreams, Noct?"
Noctis shook his head. "…No…"
"How come?"
"…I don't want them to worry. You know how Ignis can be… And Gladio is hardly the 'dream interpreter' type."
Prompto gave him a kind, reassuring look, trying his best not to look his best friend directly in the eye. "You should tell them. It's not good to hold it all in, you know? If something is bothering you, you need to tell us… We can't help you if you don't."
Noctis sighed. "…Yeah… you're right... Sorry."
Prompto smiled before turning back into his chair and picking up his camera once more. "No problem, buddy. Besides. Maybe this is nothing. It's probably just nerves and stress."
"Probably…" Noctis went back to playing King's Knight. They remained in each other's silent company until the other half of their party returned.
…
"Hey, Iggy? Where did you learn to cook?"
Ignis' eyes widened from behind wiry frames. He paused midway to take the freshly washed and rinsed dish out of Prompto's hands, staring at the blonde rather dumbly until he was able to kick himself back into gear, earning him a soft chuckle. "W-Well, this is certainly coming out of nowhere... Why do you want to know?"
Prompto shrugged as the plate was finally taken from his grasp and he quickly set to work on another. It was quiet that night, with only the firelight to keep them company. Noctis had clocked out much earlier than normal, seeming to be asleep seventy percent of the day now. At first, Prompto was worried. But then Ignis reminded him of how much he was asleep during his own healing process and then he felt better. Not to mention he was also plagued with those odd dreams and near constant headaches and visions. It was enough to make anyone catch up on any sleep they could. As for Gladiolus, he was out on an easy solo hunt. Nothing he had to be out too late to accomplish. After all, they began their one-on-one training beginning tomorrow.
"I dunno. Just curious…" He handed his current plate to the advisor. "I kind of realized that I don't know a lot about you even though we're friends…"
Ignis smiled. "I see." Finally, the dishes were clean and dried. "Let's move to the fire, shall we?" They sat. "As you already know, I'm not originally from Insomnia. I'm from Tenebrae." Prompto nodded, leaning forward in his chair and resting his head in his hands as his elbows rested on his knees. "My parents were nobles there. They were often times quite busy, more often than not… It left me with a lot of free time after my after-school lessons as well."
"What types of lessons?"
"Oh, just the normal things... Ballroom dancing, etiquette, piano. Those such things that nobles need to know, but don't get offered in normal school." Prompto nodded. "Luckily, there was a young boy a little older than me that lived next door. We became friends by chance one day while I was on my way to one of my lessons. He also happened to be the child of a very successful line of restaurant owners and bakers. Some that had even worked for royalty in the past. I showed an interest for the art and so he took me under his wing and taught me what he knew about the wonderful art of cooking."
Prompto's eyes widened, sparkling with wonder. "Oh, wow! That sounds so neat! How old were you when you met him and started cooking?"
"Let's see… I would have been around five."
"Five?!" When Prompto was five, all he knew was an empty house and not a soul to talk to. With nothing but a barcode on his wrist and childish imaginings of what it was or what it could mean. Ignis was very blessed to have found a wonderful and cool friend like that at such a young age. To have something to look forward to even though his parents were hardly around. They had led entirely different lives.
"How old was he?"
"Oh… perhaps… fifteen? If I'm remembering correctly, that is. Of course, I didn't start cooking on my own until after Noctis was in my care. It would have been far too dangerous. Though… the thought of doing so anyways was always in the back of my mind." He laughed as he remembered his past self, so full of wonder and life yet ever still the incarnation of rules and regulation. "Until then I'd only ever watched him and took notes. I got to taste every dish once it was done, too. That was the best part."
Prompto did his best to smile. It wasn't entirely too hard. After all, Prompto was happy for Ignis. He'd never be upset at Ignis for his childhood. But it was becoming increasingly difficult to tamper down the jealousy and anger he felt towards his own adoptive parents and every child that cornered him and tormented him. It didn't have to be like that.
He took a slow, calming breath, hoping the advisor wouldn't read into it too much. "T-that's… so cool, Iggy!" It's ok. They were dead now. And if they weren't, at least they'd assume that he was and would no longer be looking for him around every corner. And the relief that washed over him at that thought was like bitter medicine. Only a temporary heal, but satisfactory as it worked its way through him.
Ignis smirked. "'Cool', indeed… I missed him dearly when I first moved to Insomnia in order to start my new life as Noctis' advisor…"
"Do you ever hear from him…?"
"…Not since Insomnia's fall… I believe he thinks of me as dead, like most others from the Citadel… But we used to send each other letters. He's in Altissia now. Has a quaint little restaurant and bar somewhere near the canal channels… 'Maahgo', I believe it's called."
"'Maahgo?" Prompto quirked his head.
"Yes. In Old Tenabraean it means 'Paradise'."
Prompto smiled wistfully. He loved hearing about Altissia. It sounded so beautiful and fun. He could only imagine what sort of place this restaurant was with an exquisite and unique name such as that. He could imagine the water, the lights, the flowers that were said to grow up the sides of the buildings and the immaculate architecture that his school's history and geography books did a poor job at showing. But remembering that Altissia was no longer in their plans like it had been during the beginning of their journey wiped the smile from his face on Ignis' behalf. "I guess… with everything that's happening right now, you won't get the opportunity to see it anytime soon…"
Ignis' smile was sad, but he managed to sound hopeful. "I wouldn't say that, Prompto. You'll never know what the future has in store. And who knows? We're looking for Lady Lunafreya... Perhaps, once we've found her, Noctis will want to put the marriage plans back in action."
Prompto laughed, but inside his heart tightened. "Yeah! I'll be looking forward to it!" Like a toothache. "Thanks for telling me all of this, Ignis… It was nice."
"It was a pleasure, Prompto."
…
"Prom?"
Prompto was almost asleep. Almost. But Noctis' soft voice, gruff from sleep and from the remnants of another headache, was more potent than that first cup of morning coffee, and even though his eyes were heavy and his body fatigued from the day's activities, his soul answered for him. It was like his very heart was smiling. Singing. He remembered many a morning back in high school after late-night gaming sessions where they had fallen asleep on the couch in the middle of a match. Noctis was always so adorably groggy and disoriented in the mornings and the look on Ignis' face as the advisor had to practically peel him from his living room furniture was to die for. The lecture that came afterwards, not so much.
But Prompto didn't move. He laid still, trying to keep his breathing in a semblance of slow and even, giving off the illusion of sleep. He trampled down those butterflies. Noctis would be fine. He would be fine. He just had to keep distancing himself, he was sure. The feelings would go away eventually.
After a long while, between Gladiolus' deep snores and Ignis' soft exhales, he heard Noctis' sigh of resignation and the shuffling of blankets as the king settled into bed reluctantly. "…Night."
He didn't answer, but the words were mouthed back. 'Goodnight, Noctis. Sweet dreams, Buddy.'
He didn't remember sleeping afterwards, but when he awoke, he felt like he hadn't slept at all. He didn't know if Noctis' dreams were good or not because he didn't ask. And frustratingly, he still didn't feel any further away from his feelings. It just left him feeling guilty and empty.
Breakfast came and went, and Prompto tried not to acknowledge the eyes that bore into him. He didn't say anything to Noctis and in turn, Noctis didn't try to say anything to him other than a hesitant "Good morning."
..
Prompto's heart was pounding in his chest as his legs hit the pavement in a rapid, steady movement. Sweat dripped from his hair line down into his eyes and he had to wipe them away with his arm. The wind did little to nothing to cool him as his lungs burned with every sharp, deep intake of breath.
"Don't give up now, Prom! We're almost there! You're doing great!" A few feet ahead of him, Gladiolus was running at just the same pace. Frustratingly, like always, the man seemed to hardly be breaking a sweat at all. Like it was all so easy to him.
"Like hell I am!", Prompto shot back. He was beginning to regret the 'clever' idea he had to race the older man. Stupidly, he felt like he'd be able to win. Guess he needed more practice. "I'm sweating bullets over here, man!"
Gladiolus laughed between bursts of breath. His hair, tied into a ponytail, swayed with his steps. "Sucks to be you, I guess!" The comment was made in jest, and the blonde smiled despite the feeling that his lungs were going to burst like a balloon and his legs were going to fall clean off his body. In actuality, he was pretty proud of himself. Every day they ran a little farther from the camp. Today they were going for ten straight miles with no break in between.
"Story of my life!" He could practically feel Gladiolus grinning triumphantly at his discontent, even though his couldn't see the man's face. His steps had almost a little skip in them now, light and playful. It delighted and overjoyed Prompto just as much as it frustrated him to see Gladiolus this carefree and lighthearted. He had decided to forgo his usual t-shirt or tank top this morning. Prompto's eyes were drawn to Gladiolus' back. He watched the wings of the hawk etched into his tanned skin move as he did and for a moment it was almost as if the man was flying.
Maybe it was the lack of clothes and modesty that made him so aerodynamic? Prompto inwardly laughed at the thought. It was worth a shot, wasn't it?
With a loud cry, Prompto went to work pulling his own shirt up and over his head before holding it in his fist as he ran. The shout caught the shield by surprise, causing him to stumble and almost trip. And when he looked back at the gunner with an expression that teetered between scared to death and confused, he actually did trip.
"Gladio!" Prompto watched him tumble and roll across the road until finally coming to a creeping halt. He slowed to a jog and made his way over. "Hey- you okay?!" He seemed a little scraped up, but otherwise okay. Still, the blonde couldn't help but to fret over him, falling to his knees and looking him over. His hands hovered over tanned skin, unsure of where to touch or if he should touch, considering he didn't even know if Gladiolus was in pain or not. For all he knew, the man could have a broken rib or a broken arm.
The small burst of laughter Gladiolus let out was like a physical blanket of relief and it settled over Prompto's shoulders like an old friend. He watched Prompto continue to fret for only a moment longer before pushing his hair out of his face. "That was a dirty trick you pulled there, Squirt." Gladiolus peered up at Prompto through squinted, playfully distrusting eyes that shone with mirth.
Prompto laughed, voice still laced with the remnants of panic, as he stood up to look down at the heap of muscle that was Gladiolus, sprawled out on the road like roadkill. It was dangerous to be here like this; a car could come around the corner and hit the two of them head-on, but neither of them could find it in them to care at that moment. He raked the hand that wasn't still holding his discarded shirt through his hair, pulling it out of his own face. Breathlessly, he replied, "It wasn't a trick, but I'm glad to see that you fell for it- literally." Prompto extended that hand, offering it to Gladiolus.
Gladiolus hesitated. His brows furrowed contemplatively as his eyes roamed over Prompto's exposed upper body. "Just… Didn't expect you to take your shirt off, is all."
"Oh." Prompto's eyes widened for a second and he looked himself over as well, suddenly self-conscious. He lowered his head and bit at his lips as his two sets of eyes looked over uneven tan lines, clusters of freckles, and jagged vein-like lines that travelled across the skin just above his hips. Tentatively, he ran the pads of his fingers over them as if he was following a map.
What must Gladiolus think of it? These little imperfections. Nobody else in Lucis from what he had seen had freckles. The kids used to tease him about them. They called him horrible names. One particularly bothersome girl once had a few of her friends drag him into the girl's bathroom and proclaim that they were all specs of dirt that needed scrubbing off. They had held his arm under the tap, setting it as hot as it could go, until his skin turned flushed and angry at the treatment and he was a mess of tears. That was a particularly bad memory. One of the first that he could remember of his school life, actually. Dating back to primary school.
Sometimes, more often than he'd like to admit to himself, he still took those words to heart. He was dirty. He must be. Tainted from birth.
A split second later, as if sensing the thoughts bunching Prompto's gut into knots, he sat up with enough speed to draw the blonde's attention back to the present. "Not- that I meant anything by it. It's fine! You look fine. Better than fine, actually. You're uh- you're shaping up pretty nicely! Must be from my amazing training, huh? Haha." He put on a smile, uncertainly, as Prompto stared at him for a long time. "…Sorry. I just- didn't want to say the wrong thing… I guess." He scratched at the back of his neck. "…It's, uh… the first time you've taken it off like this... And hey- I'm sorry about a few months back- at the motel. I should have knocked before just barging in like that. I should have-"
Prompto shook his head and raised his hands, silencing the shield. "No. It's cool. I'm… I'm okay now."
Gladiolus' brows furrowed. "…Yeah?"
Prompto nodded and gave a small shrug. "Yeah… I mean- don't get me wrong. I still don't… like it… But… It's me, you know? And I can't change that, so… best to get over it… Right?"
Gladiolus merely nodded at the smile and false look of confidence Prompto tried on. He still wasn't entirely convinced; the blonde could tell. But in the next instant the shield was smiling widely. "Right."
Prompto smiled back. "Welp. We'd better get out of the middle of the road.'
"Oh- yeah- probably, huh?" Gladiolus pushed himself up and Prompto raised shortly after and they both wiped the dirt from their pants. "Let's call it a day then. You did good! Sorry I kinda cut the run short today. But hey- we almost made it to ten whole miles straight!"
"Next time, I'm going to cream you."
"You wish, Pipsqueak."
Prompto kept his shirt off the entire way back to camp.
He brushed off the compliments of his defining muscle from Ignis.
He pretended not to notice Noctis' gaze of surprise from across the camp.
…
"Hey, Prom. How's-"
Sorry, Buddy. Gotta go. I'm late for training!"
"…Uh- yeah. Sorry. I'll still be here… when you get back?"
"Yeah- yeah, that sounds great. See ya then!"
…
"AH-!" Prompto startled awake, blinking the sleep away and looking around the tent frantically as his eyes attempted to adjust.
"W-what's… going on?!"
As his eyes adjusted to the darkness and the bright, glaring lights from a cellphone, he could make out Noctis, hunched over in pain, grasping his head in his hands and gritting his teeth. Ignis was at his side, running a soothing hand up and down his back and frowning. He wasn't wearing his glasses, seafoam eyes squinting to see what he was doing. The need to be by Noctis' side won over the need to see clearly. Gladiolus was sat up as well, rummaging through one of the bags in search for pain medicine. He was using the light his phone gave off to aid him.
"Noct…", Ignis called, trying to coax his charge into sitting up straight. The king growled, weakly swatting the older man away with his good arm. "You need to take your pain medicine, Noct. Sit up. It'll help."
Noctis hissed in a breath, huddling further into his lap. "It doesn't help, Ignis. Just- just stop looking, Gladio. It's pointless. Fuck- this hurts."
This was the third night this week that Noctis' headaches had woken them all up. Prompto frowned, worried for his friend. Tentatively, he placed a hand on a trembling shoulder. This one seemed to be one of the worst ones their king had experienced yet. "…Any visions this time?"
"Yes… It's that Titan guy again- fuck! I need to get better. I need to go to the meteor so that I can stop all of this."
Gladiolus clicked his tongue, crossing his arms. "Nothing we can do to help that along, Princess… It's going to take as long as it takes. We just have to be patient. You're doing well so far. Just keep relaxing and don't bust those stitches. They'll be out soon enough."
Noctis growled again, becoming increasingly irritable from the pain. "I know that! I'm not stupid."
"Noct…", Ignis fretted, wanting to lecture his charge about his temper but also understanding in his unstoppable pain. He settled for a weary look and a sigh. "Prompto, I apologize that you've been woken up by this again… Try to go back to sleep…"
Prompto gave Noctis' shoulder one final squeeze before lying back down. It was a long time before finally Noctis was able to lye back down as well. Prompto didn't sleep until then. Instead, he stayed still and listened to Noctis' telling of another of his dreams.
"I had that same dream again, Specs… Before the headaches and visions woke me up again…"
"…The Sylleblossoms?"
"…Yeah…"
"You still sleepin' in 'em?"
"…Yeah…"
"It sounds like nothing, Noctis. Probably just a fever dream… I wouldn't look too much into it."
"…I guess…"
"Just go back to sleep, Princess. It's just a dream. Keep your mind on the real world."
"…R-right…"
…
"Hey- How much salt do I put in this?"
"One teaspoon, if I'm remembering correctly."
"Thanks, Iggy!"
…
"Your stealth is terrible, Chocobutt. I can hear you coming from a mile away."
Prompto scoffed from his crouched position behind Gladiolus. The shield was a few feet in front of him, back turned, awaiting the inevitable strike that he wasn't supposed to hear coming. "What?! Uuugh!" With a dramatic flop, the blonde fell to the marshy ground in defeat. "This is hopeless!"
Gladiolus turned around to face the gunner with a deep laugh. "It's only hopeless because you think t's hopeless."
"Don't try to reverse-psychologize me, you brute!" Prompto pouted as all he received in return was more laughter. "I'm serious! I'm being as quiet as I can! IT's not working!"
"That's what you think." The shield sat next to his friend in the dirt, looking down at him as he laid there in his childlike frustration. He was more than used to it. He had done it when he was learning and Noctis had done it more times than he'd ever seen anyone do it. Being frustrated and upset was a natural part of overcoming and growing in anything that you do. Prompto would get over it in due time. "First of all, your steps are clumsy."
"Clumsy?! How?! I know exactly where I want to go!"
"Yes, of course you know exactly where to go. It's your feet that don't. When you walk, it's messy. You don't realize that you slide your feet when you sneak, Chocobutt. You have to pick them up off the ground. The higher you step, the less likely you are to drag them and be heard."
The blonde nodded, taking it all in with a grain of salt. "Okayyy… Anything else?"
"Yeah, actually. Your technique when you take me down."
Another pout, this one accompanied by a roll of lavender eyes. "But I haven't taken you down yet… I haven't even gotten close…"
"I know.", Gladiolus responded with a smug smile and a vibrant gleam in his amber eyes that the blonde couldn't help but chuckle at. "You aren't quite there yet, but you're getting better. It's only a matter of time before you do get to me and go for the take-down…" The shield's expression turned serious then. "Listen… It's been a few weeks since that time you had to fight real people and not just monsters and animals… how do you feel?"
Prompto looked up at the canopy and watched the birds fly through the branches above their heads and pretended to think about it for a second. The people weren't the problem, although that's what everyone thought. It was the MTs. Those inhuman creatures that stared him in the face with those glowing, emotionless red eyes. Whose limbs moved like machine parts and whose blood came our putrid and black. What he should have become. What he truly was inside. An outsider. A Nif creation born out of hatred.
"…I think… I'm a little more… okay… with fighting them."
"And the thought of killing them?"
He couldn't answer right away. He remembered how terrified he was of them. How ineffective his shooting had been at taking them down until the very last second and how he very easily almost died. Their armor was too strong. They didn't think like regular human beings. It was as if they were puppets; told what to do and executing it flawlessly while someone in the background pulled the strings. They didn't seem to make mistakes like Prompto did. They weren't afraid of anything like Prompto was.
It was strange. He should hate them, like everyone else seemed to. He should be disgusted by them. But all he could seem to think of is how scared he was of them, of becoming one of them, and how empathetic he was towards them, towards what- who- they really were. He shouldn't be, but he was. How could he be mad at people who were created and dissected upon against their will? Who were contained and brought up like lab rats? People who, if given a choice, would have chosen to run far, far away and never look back? If anything, he felt the incredible urge to save them all. Though he knew that wouldn't be possible. Prompto was lucky to have been saved by chance.
No. If he had to kill them, he didn't want to spend time messing around and hoping to shoot the right spot, messing up and causing pain until he eventually got it right. He wanted to give them an easy death; as quick and as painless as possible.
"…You see, that's what I thought."
"Huh?" Prompto pulled himself from his thoughts and blinked up at the tattooed man. How long had he been silent?
"You aren't ready to kill one yet."
"…No. I'm not… I'm sorry."
Gladiolus shrugged before helping to pull the gunner into a sitting position. "Don't be sorry. It's fine. Everyone goes at their own pace. In any case, this was what I was going to talk to you about. Your technique after you are finally able to approach me from behind without being noticed. I'm going to teach you a way to incapacitate people without having to kill them. I'm not sure if it will work on MTs, but… it's at least a start."
Prompto smiled. "Yeah? And how do you do that?"
Gladiolus pushed up and onto his feet, tugging the smaller man up with him. "I'll tell you once you can actually get to me, Squirt." He grinned. "Back into position. Again."
…
"Hey, Prom."
Prompto paused his search for his camera upon seeing his king approaching. His arm looked a lot better. That was good. The stitches were finally ready to come out. Ignis would be seeing to that once night came. He looked up from his king's arm to his eyes. When was the last time they had spoken alone? Prompto couldn't rightly remember. But what he did notice was the way his heart almost failed to flutter at the handsome man before him. Where a storm of butterflies used to take residence in his chest, a strange, almost calm took its place with the exception of a fond warmth. Noctis looked handsome. He sounded dashing. He always did. But this time he was… less so? That was… good. It should be good. "Oh. Hey, Noct. What's up?"
Noctis kicked his boot against the smooth, rocky ground and shrugged, lamely. "Nothing much… Just thought it would be cool to catch up? You've seemed so crazy busy lately for some reason. We haven't really gotten to talk in a while, so I-"
"Prompto!" The two men looked to the distance where Ignis was busy loading up the trunk with bags of supplies. "Don't dawdle. We'll lose sunlight!", the advisor warned firmly, shaking his head at the younger man's lack of hustle and time management.
"C-Coming, Iggy!" Prompto quickly located his camera before zipping the bag back up and standing to face Noctis.
The smooth indifference of Noctis' face fell and the corners of his mouth tipped downward into a clear frown of disappointment. "Oh… I didn't know you were going somewhere."
Prompto shrugged, shifting his weight between his feet. This was awkward. Why was this so awkward? "Oh- yeah- sorry, Buddy... Iggy is letting me go on a hunt with him. Gladio says I'm doing really well in my training and they think I can handle a little more now than I used to." His voice conveyed a calmness that simply wasn't truly there. Prompto was happy to be able to help more. He was proud to be called better than he was a mere two weeks ago. On the inside, he was itching to get out there and give it all he had. But he saw the upset and the distress in those eyes, so he toned it all down. "They say that if this goes well, they'll begin taking me on even more hunts while you're out of commission." It was exactly what he wanted. More things to help as a distraction from the man that tried to invade his thoughts near daily.
Noctis frowned further. "…Oh."
The sound of Ignis blowing the Regalia's horn startled the two boys, and Prompto turned on his heel. "Sorry, Noct. I gotta go... Maybe later?"
Noctis watched him leave, waving at Prompto's back as he became smaller and smaller in the distance. "…Yeah… Maybe later."
…
Prompto nearly jumped out of his seat, startled by the object that fell from seemingly nowhere and directly into his lap. Gladiolus bellowed out a laugh as he watched the blonde have a mini heart attack.
"Gladiolus! You scared the shit out of me!", Prompto whined, but quickly settled back into his chair when he deemed that what had fallen into his lap was not a large insect out for his blood. "…What's this?"
Gladiolus smiled fondly before shrugging. "I saw that in a shop the last time Ignis and I made a run to Lestallum. Though you'd like it."
Prompto sat up in his seat and beamed down at the gift. It was a book. Brand new and with crisp pages and a hard cover. He read over the title and brushed over it with the pads of his fingers, ignoring the stares of intrigue he was receiving from Ignis and Noctis. "Loveless…?" He hugged the book to his chest and quirked his head.
"Yeah. Just came out recently. Don't let the name of the book fool you. It's a story of friendship and love, circled around a murder mystery. Where words have power and everyone has an alias. Supposed to be really good. The shop owner was raving on and on about how great it was. Supposed to be a best-seller already, from what I've heard… Thought maybe you'd like it."
Prompto tightened his hold on his present and smiled softly, loving the way just this simple trinket alone made his heart soar and the whole day ahead of him seem a whole lot brighter. "Like it? I love it already!"
Gladiolus smiled from ear to ear, his cheeks tinting with a curious yet beautiful flush of pink. For the briefest of moments, his amber eyes flickered to the ground before meeting Prompto's with a small nod. "Good to hear."
Prompto blushed himself. "Thank, Big Guy… Truly."
"Any time."
Noctis pouted with nothing short of a scowl from his chair. "Hey- what's the big idea? You've never given me a present before!"
"You'd want a book, Noctis?", Ignis asked.
At this, the king seemed to deflate a bit. "Well… No, but-"
"Aw, hush up, Princess. It's nothing. Really."
Noctis didn't seem convinced. He practically glared at Prompto through squinted eyes. "…Whatever."
…
"Prompto, would you mind accompanying me this evening? The Regalia needs more petrol and I was hoping to also attend the sale happening at the marketplace today… if that's quite alright? …Gladiolus is off on that hunt and I wouldn't want to push Noctis to carry the ingredients before his rehab begins tomorrow."
Prompto looked up at Ignis from where he was nose-deep in his new book. He had received it only a few days ago and he had somehow already made it more than halfway through, finding time to read it in between trainings and hunts and even staying up far later than he ought to. "You bet!", he replied with a smile.
Ignis sighed in relief. "Thank goodness. I thought I'd have to make two trips."
Noctis tried to protest, exiting the tent where everyone had assumed he was taking a small nap. "Specs, I'm probably good to carry a few ingredients. I'm-"
Ignis raised a hand and shook his head, silencing his charge. "Sorry, Noctis. I simply don't want to push you."
The king groaned. "You aren't pushing me, I can-"
Prompto frowned. "Don't worry, Noct. We won't be gone long."
Noctis scowled at the two of them. "…Whatever. Go." He disappeared back into the tent a second later, leaving a tense silence behind him. Prompto stared after it with a frown.
Ignis cleared his throat. "Let's go… shall we?"
Prompto nodded and set down his book as the advisor grabbed up the car keys. "…Yeah."
…
The road between their haven and Lestallum looked the same as it always did whenever the group made trips back and forth for hunts and shopping yet, even still, Prompto found himself getting lost in the beautiful scenery that swept by the two of them, settling into his normal pose of laying his hard on his crossed arms on top of the door next to his seat. He smiled as the cool breeze jostled his hair and cooled his skin.
"We'll park at the patrol station just outside of Lestallum. Two birds with one stone, and all that. The marketplace would just be a quick walk away.", the advisor offered, never taking his eyes from the winding road as the car climbed steadily along the rocky cliffs.
"Sounds great."
There rode in silence until they arrived at their destination. Once at the gas station, they both exited the vehicle. Prompto happily looked around the small shop as Ignis filled the tank. Afterwards, they both made their way into the small city. It was still just as cluttered and thriving as it always was. People, both residents, patrons, and passerbys alike were walking along the crowded alleys, making Ignis and Prompto's short journey a much longer one.
"Ugh… What's drawing in the crowds?" The blonde crinkled his nose in distaste when someone wasn't watching where they were going and ran into him. Now he was nursing an aching shoulder. "…Asshole…"
Ignis merely frowned at the foul choice of language, but he knew that any chastising he had in him would most likely be shrugged off, so he bit his tongue. The farther they ventured, the more people seemed to appear, like weeds in a thriving garden. He clicked his tongue, distastefully. "There are so many people here… We could easily become separated." Casually, Ignis grabbed Prompto's hand, directing it to grasp onto the inside of his elbow, like how a Lord would escort his Lady.
Prompto didn't realize what had happened until it had already been done. One second he was staring and smiling at a pair twins giggling and splashing each other with water from the fountain until their mother caught on to what they were doing, and the next second he was clinging to Ignis' arm and leaning into his warmth. But when his brain finally did catch up to the action, he tripped over his own feet, causing even Ignis to stumble, and blushed horribly; both at the almost intimate way they had suddenly began walking and at the strange feeling like suddenly everyone was watching them. Ignis took the little slip-up in stride though, recovering from his stumble and holding firm so that the blonde next to him would not fall entirely. As an extra measure, he placed his gloved hand atop Prompto's own gloveless fingers.
"I-Iggy-!" The distraught and embarrassed squeak in Prompto's voice made him want to die.
He stumbled again as he walked, distracted and overwhelmed by seemingly anything and everything. He just couldn't get himself together. Ignis' hand, though trapped in his favorite gloves, was warm atop his own. The advisor wasn't wearing his suit jacket today so his silk dress shirt was soft and nice and the arm beneath the fabric was strong. Prompto could feel the muscles that helped to keep them both from falling on their faces from Prompto's terrible case of sudden jelly legs. He hardly got the opportunity to be this close to Ignis, nor any real reason to until now. But now that they were so close that their shoulders and arms brushed as they walked, Prompto could take in his cologne. A soft, flowery fragrance. Something he couldn't quite put his finger on. It wasn't anything he'd ever smelled before, but it was nice. As a matter of fact, the longer he stayed close, the more he discovered that he rather liked being like that with Ignis.
Maybe he was touch-starved.
And who wouldn't be? Years of being around Noctis like a conjoined twin at every opportunity he had up until they left Insomnia had him spoiled. The 'relationship' he and Noctis shared only worsened it. He craved to be held, to be touched for any time longer than just a high five or a simple hug. To simply be wanted. Years of closeness with the one he longed for after years of nothing but loneliness as a child was a blessing. And now, to force himself to stop altogether, to separate himself from the one man that occupied his thoughts for so long was… difficult. Far more difficult than he thought it would be. Even with the full schedule Prompto loaded himself up with- the runs, the training, the cooking lessons, the hunts- Noctis was at the edge of his mind. Hovering. Waiting for the slightest opening to rush in and consume him.
Ignis looked back at the gunner, smirking at the silly flush that flooded Prompto's freckled face. "Hold on tight." Prompto nodded, dumbly, mouth hanging open slightly as he stared up and wiry frames, perfectly styled hair, and high cheek bones.
As they began to weave their way through the crowds once more, the journey at once became easier. People turned their heads to glance at the two men as they walked past. Prompto tried not to pay them any attention, but it was almost impossible. Ignis and he looked like a couple to them, he was sure of it.
The gunner scooted a little closer to the older man, close enough to whisper in his ear. "I-Iggy…! Isn't this seeming a little… I dunno… intimate?", he pouted, blushing even more as a stall vendor that they passed gave him a congratulatory wink and nod.
Ignis spared him a quick glance and a chuckle. "People can think what they want." The smile faded as fast as it had appeared though, leaving a serious expression in its wake. "…Speaking of people thinking things…"
Prompto swallowed. The mood had definitely just changed. He held Ignis' arm a little tighter, hoping it appeared more so due to the fear of getting separated rather than the anxiety that was taking him over and the fear of being let go. "…Y-yeah?"
"You've certainly been keeping yourself rather busy as of late." They turned down a smaller alley, this one far less crowded. It allowed them to stand a little further apart, but the narrowness still kept them trapped. Ignis chanced another look at his friend, noting the way the blonde had begun to gnaw at his bottom lip. "You also haven't spent a lot of time with Noctis as of late… Usually, the two of you are joined at the hip... Sometimes rather literally." Keen seafoam eyes tried to infiltrate lavender-blues, but Prompto wasn't looking at him. Instead, ahead of him. Stubbornly and nervously. "…Nothing has happened between the two of you, has it…?"
"O-of course not, Igster! Haha..." The laugh was rough and stilted, and Prompto inwardly cringed at how fake it sounded, even to himself. He should be better than this. He used to be better at this. He had to try harder. "I just- you know- wanted to give him some time to heal and rest up! Not to mention, I could use a little training. We both know that. And I've gotten a lot better!"
Ignis hummed a pleasant tone in acknowledgement, but the thin line of his lips and the crease in his brow told otherwise. They took another turn down another alley. At last, there was no one in this one. It was wide and spacious and Prompto took the out as soon as he could, letting go of the advisor's arm and shoving his hands in his pockets as they separated.
"That may be true, but…"
"Don't worry, Iggy. When Noctis heals all up, we will be just as frustrating and grating to you as we always were." Prompto smiled, trying his best so that the man would take his word for it and drop the discussion. It only seemed to work a little.
"Don't I know it…" Ignis sighed. "I suppose I'm just worried that you're going to burn yourself out… Your runs last longer and longer each morning, sometimes lasting well into the afternoon… You push yourself during your training… You insist on helping me with every meal now. Sometimes you even make them all yourself. Don't get me wrong- I enjoy the help and it has even been a pleasant surprise now and again to be able to sit back and relax instead of cooking for all of you… I just get the distinct feeling that there's something you're running from…"
Prompto swallowed. Hard. He almost forgot how to breathe. "Nah- nothing like that. Just- improving myself in any way that I can!"
Ignis nodded. "Just… do me a personal favor and spend a bit more time with Noctis? He has nothing to do all day, and I'm afraid he's rather frustrated with it… He isn't used to not being able to do anything he likes. And he certainly isn't used to being separated from you for so long…"
Prompto frowned. "Yeah… Sure, Specs."
"Thank you."
In the next minute, they were finally at the market. The upbeat music that played on the speakers and the way the stall venders were shouting, trying to draw attention to their wares did an excellent job of quelling the conversation for the time being. Ignis shopped and bartered for the various ingredients he had come for, and he was right in bringing someone. By the time they were done shopping and walking back to the Regalia, both of their arms were stuffed, carrying large brown paper bags. They popped the trunk and put the items away before taking their seats inside the vehicle. Ingis started up the engine.
"Prompto." He should have thought better than to assume that the conversation would end there. The idiot.
"…Yeah?"
"…You do remember our conversation at Galdin Quay, don't you…?"
How could he forget? The way the stars had twinkled like diamonds, how low he had felt sitting under them, how warm Ignis was and the way his tears had stained the older man's shirt until there were no more left to spill. "Of course. I'll never forget it…"
The smile that graced the advisor's face was sad. "…It still stands, you know…" He pulled off onto the road and began their journey home. "…I do wait for the day where you feel like you can talk to us and let us know what is going on inside that head of yours…"
They wouldn't want to know. They just didn't know that yet.
Prompto frowned and chose to look out at the rolling hills instead of towards the man that seemed to somehow know far more than he rightfully should. "…Idiot… There's nothing to tell."
Ignis smiled a small, hopeless smile. "Ah. My apologies, then. I will drop the subject." Prompto almost began to sigh in relief, but then Ignis continued on, "…He's not the same without you, you know."
Prompto scoffed under his breath. He knew how Noctis used to be, back before they became friends. He knew how dull and lifeless the boy had been. How cold. Stoic. Never talking to anyone other than the two whom remained by his side to this day. The memory came with a bitter taste, but he was loathing to believe any of what Noctis was now was in any part due to him. It could have been anyone. Prompto just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Nothing else to it.
He rolled his eyes dramatically and sighed. "Iggy. We're fine! I swear. Listen. I promise to spend the whole day with him tomorrow. Okay?"
To this, Ignis nodded and his shoulders visibly relaxed. "Thank you, Prompto."
"Yeah, sure. Whatever."
…
Ignis was right.
Prompto didn't want him to be, but gods damned it, the man was right. He had been leaving Noctis to himself far more than he should have. Even now, with the two of them alone at the haven, the silence was thick with tension and almost suffocating. Noctis was sitting slumped in his chair, playing King's Knight and ignoring Prompto. His fingers were mashing at the keys angrily and he'd growl and huff in frustration whenever he lost. All of the dungeons were harder without someone else in your party. That someone used to be Prompto.
He wiped his sweaty hands off on his filthy skinny jeans shortly after standing. After gathering his words and attempting to calm his nerves, he approached his king, slowly and quietly. "…Hey…"
Noctis didn't even look up from his phone. He just tapped away at the buttons, perhaps even more furiously than before somehow, scowling down at the screen. He acted as if he hadn't even been spoken to.
Ok.
Prompto deserved that.
He had maybe… perhaps… possibly… took this 'staying busy' charade entirely too far. As in from 'reasonable space apart' to 'I cannot allow myself to even make eye contact' level of avoidance. Possibly even to the point that they barely looked at each other anymore the past few days, even with Gladiolus and Ignis around. Surprisingly, no one had brought it up yet. Then again, Noctis in general had grown increasingly quiet the longer his headaches and visions raged on. So perhaps they had both chalked it up to that. But Prompto knew the real reason. Noctis was mad. And rightfully so.
He tried again. "Hey, Noct… What's up?"
Instead of answering, the royal merely huffed an annoyed breath. Incredulously, he actually rose from his chair, turned it so that it wasn't facing Prompto at all, and then sat back down in it.
This time it was Prompto's turn to huff in frustration. "Noct, come on- don't do this."
He sneered. "Do what?"
"…You know what, Man. Don't-"
"-Ignore you?", Noctis supplied, suddenly turning to glare up at him through thick bangs. "What, like you've been doing to me this whole time?"
Prompto's heart ached at that cold look in his eyes. "…I'm… I'm sorry for that…"
"Oh, are you?"
"Of course!"
"'Cause it seems to me like you're out having so much fun with your two new best friends that you've forgotten all about me! The person who actually your best friend!" The statement cut deep, hurting Prompto to the core and forcing his guilt to bleed out. Still, Noctis continued, spitting his words like venom. "You said you needed some time to yourself. I understand that. I get that. But this?! This has gone way past that, Prompto! It's like you the me!"
"I didn't mean to have it go this far, I just…" He exhaled, shaking his head. He felt so small, trapped in that stormy gaze. "…I was scared… I don't hate you, I swear!"
Noctis' glare let up a fraction, and he frowned. "Prompto… I miss my best friend… I miss you."
"…I miss you too… I'm sorry. It's over now. I'm… I'm good." Was he really, though? Maybe. Maybe not. It was certainly true that he didn't feel quite as attracted to Noctis as he originally had been. But the feelings were still there. But perhaps this was the best he was going to get. So he'd accept it and work with it.
He watched as Noctis' frown slowly melted away to be replaced by a hesitant hopefulness. Not entirely a smile, but something that looks way more pleasant to look at than a dejected scowl. "…Yeah?"
"Yeah. Promise… I'm all good now."
Noctis stared at this friend for a long while before finally sighing and looking away. "…Sorry… I went off the handle there."
Prompto shrugged and sat sown on the ground next to his friend, resting his head on a warm leg. He missed the physical contact. "Nah… It was justified. I was acting like a whole ass…" He pulled his phone out. "…Need some help beating that dungeon?"
"Please and thank you." They played King's Knight for hours. Until well past dinner and Gladiolus and Ignis had already retired for the night. As the hours melted from night to early morning, they concluded their gaming adventure with twin yawns. Prompto's head was still nestled against his king's leg as his eyelids began to slowly drift shut. But before sleep could try to drag him under, Noctis' voice sounded, soft and groggy and oh so content. "…I missed this…"
"Me too."
"Hey- Gladio is letting me start my rehab tomorrow. Afterwards, do you want to go fishing?"
"Will Iggy let you go?"
"I'm the king. Does it matter?"
They both laughed. "I guess not. Fishing it is."
…
Prompto laid in the grass, book held up to his face but eyes glued to inked feathers on tanned skin. Which was a shame, because he was almost finished with the book. There were only a few more pages to read, but he couldn't seem to focus on it at all. He swears, he read this same paragraph about twenty times. Gladiolus had decided to go shirtless again today and as they rested and ate lunch in the fields, Prompto had time to stare at every inch of the immaculate bird of prey that covered Gladiolus like a protective shield of ink.
"You like it?" Prompto startled, blue-lavender eyes snapping up to meet warm amber. How long had the shield been staring? How long had he known he was staring right back? Prompto's cheeks flushed in embarrassment. He was about to apologize, but Gladiolus nodded towards the book in his hands with a smile. "You're almost done reading it. That was fast!"
Oh. He was talking about the book.
Prompto set the novel aside and decided to focus on his lunch that had until now gone untouched. "Yeah! It's really, really good!" He occupied himself with a bite of the apple he had brought along, using the time chewing to contemplate all he had read so far. "I wonder if the author is going to come out with a second novel soon… From what I'm reading, I don't think there's any way the mystery can be concluded in only a few more pages."
Gladiolus followed Prompto's lead and grabbed up his sandwich, taking a rather large bite. "I dunno 'bout that. I've read stories where the final page held more information than the entire rest of the book! I think anything can happen in a fantasy like that."
Prompto's eyes widened a fraction as he thought about that. "Wow. I guess you're right."
Gladiolus smiled. "Hey- mind if I borrow it when you're done?"
He nodded. "Are you even asking that? Of course you can, Dummy! You bought it for me in the first place!" They laughed and sat in a companionable silence as they worked their way through their lunches.
Again, Prompto found himself staring at the immaculate art permanently imprinted on the shield's body. Clinging to toned arms and broad shoulders. Crossing wide pecs and falling down a muscular back. And then, seamlessly and with surprising interest, his mind began to drift beyond that.
How would those arms feel, wrapped around him like a protective wall? How different would that voice sound if it was soft and gentle, just against the shell of his ear? Had Gladiolus ever kissed anyone? Was he good at it?
Prompto's eyes widened when he realized just what it was he was beginning to think about. He didn't like Gladiolus like that… did he? Wait- who cared?! Gladiolus didn't think of him like that anyways. It would never happen.
It was time for a subject change, maybe, before the older man caught him staring again. Why was he staring so much? It wasn't anything he hadn't already seen before.
"Hey- your tattoo- when did you get it?"
Gladiolus looked up at the sky in thought. "Hm… let's see… It was as soon as I graduated high school, so- two years before you graduated? Yeah. That sounds about right."
Oh yeah. Duh. The blonde clearly had never seen Gladiolus with a tattoo while in school so of course it had to be after. He inwardly kicked himself for the dumb question. "Oh." He took a bite of his own sandwich as he continued to admire it. "…How long did it take?"
"It took four days."
Prompto almost choked. "Four days?!"
Gladiolus laughed. "Hey- don't choke!" A large hand patted him on the back a few times. Then it lingered. Then it went away. "And yeah. One day to do the outlining and then another two for the shading."
"Did… Did it hurt?"
The shield shrugged with a smile. "Of course. The shading especially. But I really wanted it, so I sat through it." He watched as Prompto nodded. Wordlessly, he held his arm out. "You can touch it if you want." Prompto's eyes sparkled as his hand hovered over the offered arm for a moment. Then he ran his fingers over the feathers, slowly and gently. "The pain may not have been a problem, but the upkeep was awful. Haha… Iris had to help me apply the ointment to it afterwards, every four hours. And then the peeling- Gods, it was the worst feeling in the world because I wasn't allowed to scratch it!"
Prompto smiled at that. He could imagine a little Iris complaining about having to help but doing so anyways because she loved her brother. "Have you been able to see her any recently?"
Gladiolus put his arm back down and stuffed the last bite of his sandwich into his mouth. "Yeah. A little. I'll stop by for a quick hug every now and then. Every time I see her I feel like she's grown so much… you know?" Prompto nodded. He didn't know. But he could imagine. "You'd look good with a tattoo."
The statement caught the gunner entirely off-guard, and he flushed, looking away with downcast eyes. He already had one. And he hated it. He wasn't keen on getting another. But… "…You think so?"
Prompto didn't look up to see what sort of face Gladiolus wore. "Yeah."
He smiled. "…What do you think I should get?"
There was silence this time, and when Prompto finally did look at Gladiolus he only blushed harder at the way the shield was looking over his body, studying him with a strange expression that he couldn't place. He felt naked in front of that gaze. And the strange part was that he didn't dislike the feeling. It was… pleasant? "Maybe… your back?"
"My back?"
"Yeah."
"Where on my back?"
"Turn around." They locked eyes for a brief moment, and something in Prompto melted at the hard gaze he as receiving. Gladiolus had that confident smirk on like always, sure, but those eyes... They were just as intense as the sun, burning him with their intensity. He didn't feel like small, jumpy, quirky, lame 'Prompto' in that moment, but something… more. Gladiolus was looking at him with intrigue and approval and pride. He didn't feel like Nif garbage. He felt… like a gem, awaiting appraisal. Somehow, his soul wanted to do anything the man requested of him. He wanted to please and be praised in return, from someone he looked up to so immensely. So, of course, Prompto followed the orders after only a moment's hesitation. Once Prompto's back was turned to the shield, Gladiolus scooted closer, until Prompto could sense him merely inches behind him. "Can I touch you?"
He laughed, pulling his knees to his chest and hugging them with his arms. "Uh- yeah- go for it, I guess?" Prompto sat, awaiting the inevitable touch, but he still couldn't help but to jump a bit when he felt warm fingers ghosting over his sides and stopped.
"Um- Can I… take this off?"
Prompto bit his lip and nodded, giving his consent. His shirt was lifted, up, over his head, and then set gently to the side. He stared out into the distance ahead of him, focusing on his breathing as suddenly his heart began to speed up. Why was he getting so worked up? Gladiolus had touched him before. This should be nothing.
This time, he was readier for the eventual touch. Four fingers, and then eight, started at his lower back and glided upwards. They left trails of warmth behind them as they roamed up and over frail shoulders and then down thin arms. The blonde tried not to shudder at the feel of them. It was nice. Eventually, he realized Gladiolus' hands weren't moving anymore. What sort of face was the shield wearing? One of disgust? One of disappointment? Did e suddenly decide that Prompto's skin wasn't worth the effort a tattoo involved? He could feel his stomach begin to drop, so he opened his mouth to move things along. "W-what would you suggest I get?"
"Wings." The answer came with no hesitation, as if it had already been thought about and determined a long time ago, and Prompto looked back over his shoulder at Gladiolus in surprise. Gladiolus, surprisingly, became quite unlike himself in that moment. He looked away, and for the second time in not even two weeks, a beautiful blush spread across his tanned cheeks. He even seemed shy, in a way, going to scratch his arm and shuffle a bit where he sat. the other hand stayed splayed across his shoulder blade, and Prompto was surprised o find that he didn't mind the continued touch. Much lie with Ignis in the market, it was… nice. Calming. He missed physical contact. He missed being looked at like he was worth something to someone. "Not to sound biased or anything, but… I think wings would look lovely on you."
Prompto felt like a freshly ripened tomato as he stared at the man who, for some reason, still couldn't look him in the eyes. "L-lovely?!"
Gladiolus started immediately, throwing his hands up defensively with wide eyes and an even redder face than before. "I meant- it would suit you! Oh, geez- I think I've been around Ignis too long. I'm sorry, Prom." It made sense. It did sound like something Ignis would say. He probably shouldn't be feeling so… confident… after that phrase. But, selfishly, he clung to it as Gladiolus rambled on. "Not like mine, of course. Mine are a bird of prey's. You're… gentler than that… Nicer…"
Their eyes met and Prompto's mouth went dry. He probably shouldn't push this conversation, but… he attention was feeling nice. It almost felt like… No. No, it was impossible. Gladiolus couldn't feel that way towards hm.
"So… What kind of wings, then?"
Again, even though Gladiolus looked about as embarrassed as the gunner had ever seen him, he replied with a straight, honest face, "Angel wings."
Prompto didn't know what to say, so he didn't say anything.
An angel? He was hardly so pure.
The moment passed, and Prompto put back on his shirt. They finished their lunch in awkward silence and then jogged back to camp. He didn't answer Noctis' questioning about why his face was so red afterwards. He tried to ignore the way his heart still refused to settle.
…
"Breakfast?" Ignis offered up a steaming hot cup of coffee. Nowhere near as potent as Ebony, but it was all the small selection at the gas station had.
Prompto smiled, but shook his head. "Sorry, Iggy. Gladdy and I have a hunt today. We're actually about to leave."
The advisor set the coffee mug down and raised an inquzitive brow. "Oh?"
Prompto blinked. "…What?"
The advisor merely smiled a knowing smile and turned to stir the oatmeal that was slowly cooking on the portable stovetop. "Oh, nothing… Have fun."
Prompto furrowed his brows as he backed away, watching Ignis. "O…kayyyy…" That was… weird. "Tell Noct I said 'good morning' for me?"
"Naturally."
"Oh! And that I'll watch him train after lunch today?"
Ignis nodded. "Of course. Stay safe out there."
…
"Hey, Prom?"
"Yeah, Buddy?"
Prompto and Noctis were sitting back-to-back as the king fished quietly and Prompto looked over the pictures on his camera from the day. They had been there all day, chatting amiably as the sun began to set behind them. The lake was reflecting the lovely oranges of the sky. He would almost miss it. Ignis had mentioned that in only a few more short days they'd be able to head to the meteor and search for Luna. For once, Prompto was excited at the prospect. He was ready to live the same ol' scenery. He was itching to test his new skills out there.
"You've uh… You've been spending a lot of time with Gladiolus…"
Instantly, Prompto perked up, squinting his eyes. What was the deal? It was nothing weird, right? "Uh. I guess? Yeah. We've been training a lot. Although- I guess it's more than training. We sort of… hang out?" If that was the word for it. All they really did was get to know one another better. They had been sharing stories, recently. Prompto got to hear a lot more about Iris. She finally didn't feel like a stranger anymore, which was nice. And Gladiolus listened to his rants about his weight or chocobos or his thoughts about mundane, boring things. "I dunno. It's dumb. We just talk about random stuff… Why?"
He could feel Noctis shrug against his back. "I dunno, you just seem… close."
"Close?" This time Prompto turned shifted and around to fully to stare at the back of Noctis' head. "I mean- I guess…? He's my friend. Same as you and Iggy."
"Yeah. Sure. Friends." Prompto could practically hear the eye roll in his king's voice.
Prompto furrowed his brows. "Hey- what's up?"
Again, Noctis shrugged lazily. He continued staring out at the lake and not at Prompto. "I dunno… You've been coming back to the camp… different."
"Different?"
"You're always blushing and stuff."
Prompto scoffed. "I do not!"
Noctis looked back and leveled his friend with a look. "Prom- you're doing it now." Prompto's hands flew to his cheeks and much to his surprise- and annoyance- Noctis was right. His face was heated and his heart was pounding. Noctis rolled his eyes and turned back around. "See? Told ya."
Prompto shoved at his friend's shoulder with a huff. "Shut up… You're crazy."
…
"Prom! Wanna go fishing again today?"
Prompto watched Noctis approach him, fishing pole already in hand and that lazy, gorgeous, lopsided smile gracing his pale face. The gunner frowned, apologetically. "Sorry, Dude… Gladdy asked me to help him with something today."
Noctis peered at him through squinted eyes. "…'Something'? Well, what is it?"
Prompto shrugged. "I dunno. It isn't a hunt that I know of... Just said he was going to do something tonight and wanted me to come along."
Noctis rolled his eyes. "He's clearly going to ask you out, Prom…"
Prompto's eyes widened. "W-why do you say that?!"
Noctis sent his fishing pole back to the Armiger. "It's obvious, Prom. He's been fawning all over you recently… The runs together, the book, your training, and now this? Clearly, he likes you." The royal looked to the ground and found a small pebble to kick. "It's kinda gross, actually."
Prompto frowned as the words met his ears. 'Gross'? It was unfair. He wasn't 'gross' when it was Noctis fawning over him. It wasn't 'gross' when Noctis spent all his time with him. Besides, Gladiolus didn't even like him like that. They were friends.
A spark of anger burned inside of him, and he replied with an irritated rasp, "No. He doesn't, Noct. That's impossible. You're being ridiculous."
"Do you like him?"
Prompto scoffed. "What does it matter?"
Noctis just stared at him, undeterred. "Well, do you?"
He didn't know. He wasn't sure of anything anymore. But it certainly wasn't any of Noctis' business. "I don't know- yes? No? Maybe? I haven't really thought about it!"
Noctis stayed silent, just studying Prompto's face. "…Ok. That's fine, then. Just wondering."
Prompto placed his hands on his hips, squinting hard at his friend. "And what's that supposed to mean? 'That's fine'? What, like I need your permission?"
"No, you don't need my permission."
"I know I don't."
"I'm just saying, I don't think the two of you wouldn't be a good couple, is all."
That spark of anger was quickly being fed into a spreading wildfire. The blonde scoffed. "And just why not?"
Noctis smirked. "I thought you said you didn't like him like that."
The triumph that Noctis was exuding was making Prompto, for the first time ever, want to outright punch him in his smug face. He refused to be pigeon-holed like this. He wasn't going to let Noctis put words in his mouth. "I don't. But I still want to hear your answer."
Noctis groaned, annoyed, clearly wishing the conversation would end. Well, that was too bad. He shouldn't have started what he didn't intend on finishing. The gunner continued to glare expectantly with his hands on his hips until Noctis answered. "The two of you are too different. He's- like- twice your size! And he could crush you! And he's super tan and you're super pale- you'd look weird together! And he's always so sure and you're always questioning everything. Not to mention, you're fighting styles are completely different! He's a hardened warrior and you're- well- you!"
Prompto felt like knives were being thrusted into his heart at the words. None of those reasons were real reasons at all! Noctis was pulling them right out of his ass. There had to be some reason all of this was coming up. It almost sounded like…
"You sound like a jealous ex, Noct."
At this Noctis glared right back, crossing his arms over his chest. "Am not."
"Oh, yeah? You haven't named one legitimate reason. It's all hot air! Admit it."
"I won't. Because it isn't true."
"Hey, Prom. You ready?" Gladiolus appeared, cutting off anything either of them were planning on saying next. A small bag was slung over his shoulders and the keys to the Regalia in hand. He looked between the two, taking in their angry stances with a worried expression. "Everything… alright over here?"
Prompto sent one last cold look to Noctis, whose glare seemed to finally falter and let up a bit. "We're just peachy, Big Guy. No problem at all." He turned on his heel and marched over to the shield, grabbing his arm and pulling him along. "Let's go."
…
"Are you okay?" Gladiolus side-eyed Prompto as he buckled up in the driver's seat and put the keys in the ignition.
Prompto knew he was still frowning, and he tried to will away the sick, guilty feeling that was sticking to his soul like glue. He shouldn't have yelled at Noctis. He could have handled the situation a lot better- both of them could have. But, at the same time, Noctis was way out of line. He had no right to try to tell Prompto who and who not to date.
Wait- stop that. They weren't dating. Noctis was just reading into things too much.
"No, it's fine. We're cool. Noct was just being grumpy… He'll be cooled off by the time we get back." He hoped. They had only just got over their falling out last week. Having another argument this soon was concerning. The car started up, and Prompto closed his eyes, focusing on the vibrating hum of the engine.
"If he's awake by the time we get back."
"Huh?" Prompto opened his eyes and watched Gladiolus as he pulled onto the road and started them on their way. "What are we even doing tonight?" He hadn't been lying when he told Noctis that he didn't know what type of outing this was. He was equally as excited as he was nervous and apprehensive.
Gladiolus smirked and settled back in the seat, driving with one hand as the other rested along the top of the door next to him. "You'll see."
…
"Frogs." Prompto looked at his friend incredulously as he was handed a pair of gloves. "We're hunting… frogs." He didn't know what he had expected. A hunt. A late-night spice run for Iggy. A surprise dinner with Iris and Talcott. Astrals forbid, maybe even the actual date that apparently had Noctis' royal panties in a wad. Searching for frogs in a muddy pond was the very last thing he would have imagined.
Gladiolus laughed at the disappointed look on the gunner's face and he began putting on his own pair of gloves. "Yeah. It's a special task for a friend."
Resigned to his fate, Prompto sighed before moving to put on the gloves. "A friend?"
"Yeah. Sonia. She's a fantastic wildlife scientist. Used to be at the Citadel all the time until a few years ago. She wanted to move and be closer to nature. In hindsight, it was a good move on her part. After all, she didn't get obliterated..."
Prompto clipped on the small flashlight Gladiolus handed him. "I guess… Still, though. Why doesn't she go out looking for them? She's the one researching them."
Gladiolus secured his light and turned it on. "These frogs are special. They only come out at night. Seeing as Daemons tend to roam around at night, it kinda makes frog hunting difficult for your average Insomnian." Prompto rolled his eyes at the smirk he was given. "Better roll up your jeans. They're about to get muddy."
"Yaaayy…" Despite the light sarcasm, Prompto smiled as he set to work in shoving up his skinny jeans until the finally settled just above the knee. When they were properly set to go, they waded around the lake, walking slowly and listening out for the sounds of croaks and ribbits. It was actually pretty fun. Gladiolus was super serious, shooshing Prompto and staying statue-still until they heard a frog. Then they'd wade out a little in that direction and the scene would play out all over again. Finally, they seemed to be getting somewhere. The croaks and ribbits were now louder than they once were.
"Hey- wait- did you hear that, Prom?"
"I sure did!"
"Its gotta be…" The shield turned his flashlight towards a cluster of tall grass, just at the edge of the lake, and grinned when two reflective eyes stared back. "There!" In the next second, the shield was lunging toward the creature. The first attempt failed. The frog jumped away, leaving Gladiolus' hands in the muddy ground before he pushed off and tried again. Prompto laughed aloud as he watched him jump and lunge and grab at the slimy thing, trying his damnedest to catch it. "Damn you! You aint getting' away from me yet!" With one final lunge, Gladiolus hurled himself at the from, landing himself completely in the water, but he did it. He had it in his gloved hands was it croaked and struggled. "Prom, give me the bag!"
Prompto did as he was told as fast as he could as he continued to laugh until there were tears in his eyes. He pulled the bag out of the Armiger and held it open as a sopping wet and dirty Gladio all but slam-dunked the frog inside. Once properly stored, Prompto sent the bag back into the nothing. "You look- hahahaha! You look like one of the fish Noctis catches!
Gladiolus pouted as he brushed wet hair from his face. The action only smeared more dirt onto his cheek and Prompto laughed even harder. "You laugh now, but you're getting the next one!"
…
With four frogs in the bag, there was only one left to find. This one seemed particularly crafty. The men could swear that it would croak in one place, and when they got there it would croak in another entirely separate place. By this time, after spending what felt like hours chasing and jumping for frogs, Prompto was tired, wet, and muddy. They could both use a good bath.
"I wonder what Sonia needs these frogs for, anyways?", Prompto mused aloud.
Gladiolus shrugged. "Dunno. Whatever they're for, I hope she's happy with them. They're just about to drive me nuts!"
Prompto laughed. "We could always just give her four and call it a night."
Gladiolus shook his head. "Nah. We've spent all this time out here already, what's a little more, right?"
Prompto smiled back. "Right." The stayed quiet for a moment, listening for the frog and then following the sound of its noises. "You know… I really like that side of you, Gladiolus."
Gladiolus stopped. "…Yeah? …What side of me would that be?"
Prompto stopped as well and shrugged. "I dunno... You just- you're a great guy. You never give up. Even when it would be easy to, you know?"
Gladiolus smirked. "A great guy, huh? I like the sound of that."
Prompto laughed and smacked the shield's shoulder playfully. "Modest, aren't you?"
He grinned. "Modest? That's not in my vocabulary."
Prompto rolled his eyes, but his smile gave away no ire. They went bac to listening and hunting for a moment before Prompto broke the silence again. "I'm kind of jealous, actually."
"…Oh?"
Another croak, another direction change. "Yeah."
"Why?"
"The ladies love you. Whenever we go into town or stop and get gas, no one can take their eyes off you. The men want to be you and the women want to be with you. It's gotta be awesome."
Another brief silence. Another ribbit. Yes, they were getting close to it. This time, for sure.
Gladiolus shrugged. "No, you don't. I promise you that. It's more of a curse than a blessing, really."
"Really? I can't imagine why. No one had ever even given me a second glance growing up."
Gladiolus got quiet again, but this time it seemed to not just be about the frogs. He stood there for a long while, visibly debating. Prompto just left him to it. Maybe he has spoiled the light and happy mood of the night with his depressing bullshit. Maybe he was debating on whether or not to just give up the search and call it a night after all.
"It's a curse because none of those girls matter. I only want one person to look at me like that."
Prompto licked his lips as he listened. Why did he feel so put down at the prospect of Gladiolus having someone special? He pushed it back and continued. He didn't want to put him down. The night had been going so well. He would act enthused.
Wait. He had to act? Shouldn't he already be enthused?
"Well, that's dumb. But hey- I didn't even know you liked someone! Is it someone I know?" He looked up at the shield, who was glancing between him and the water. "Is it Cindy? Oh! Could it be this Sonia lady?!"
After a second, Gladiolus smiled softly. "Nah… No one like that. Those girls are a dime a dozen. Mine is special…"
"Special, huh?" Prompto though back, trying to remember anyone like that in their lives. "Is it Monica?!" Monica was strong. She had been around Gladiolus probably far longer than any of the other girls. Sure, she was a bit older… but Gladiolus could be into that kind of thing, right?
"Not even close, Chocobutt." He raised a hand, stopping Prompto as he listened. They were almost right on top of it.
"I give up. Who is it, then?"
"Well, it's-"
"There it is!" Prompto interrupted, pointing wide-eyed at the slippery little frog that was crawling its way up the shield's shirt. Without any hesitation, the gunner lunged for it, properly knocking Gladiolus over and back into the water. Prompto almost missed it, but against all odds, he managed to get his gloved fingers around its belly and hold it as he fumbled in the water, getting himself wet and dirty as well. "Gladio! Get the bag, I got it!" Gladiolus, still a little dumbfounded, did as he was told and once the frog was properly stored, they both grinned triumphantly.
"Great job, Prom!"
"Thanks!"
The shield extended a hand, helping the other man up. "Looks like I'm not the only one who could use a bath now, huh?"
Prompto rolled his eyes and let go of Gladiolus' hand once he was back on his feet. "We can take one as soon as we get back to the haven. But first, let's get these froggies to Sonia!" He started to turn and walk off in the direction of where he thought the Regalia was but was stopped by a firm yet gentle grip of a hand on his wrist. He turned back, looking up at his friend. "…Gladdy? You okay?"
Gladiolus wasn't looking at him. He glanced off somewhere else, rubbing the back of his neck. "Um- about that…"
"…Yeah?"
"There was kind of… something I wanted to ask you…"
Prompto swallowed. "…Yeah?"
"Yeah..." Gladiolus took a deep breath before locking eyes with Prompto. And for the third time, the gunner witnessed a lovely pale pink dusting tanned cheeks. "…If you liked someone, how would you let them know?"
Prompto tried not to frown. "Me? Well…" All he had to go off of was Noctis. And he hadn't even started that relationship. He had no experience with these sorts of things. "Sorry to tell you, but I'm not really an expert in those sorts of things…"
The weight in Gladiolus' stare was heavy and full of meaning. Prompto could tell that it was important, but the look was like a book written in another language. He couldn't read it. "Try. Think really hard."
Prompto blinked up at that amber stare before closing his eyes. "Okay… Well… I'm sort of a wimp… I get scared- and nervous- of acting on my impulses when it comes to people I like… I fumble my words… and I can never seem to sit still… So… I guess, in a perfect world, I'd just come right out and say it in the most obvious way possible." He opened his eyes and blinked up and Gladiolus again.
Was he standing a bit closer?
That grip on his hand was still there, firm and warm, and Prompto's heart began to stutter. "The most obvious way possible, huh?"
He swallowed, nodding slowly. "Uh- yeah."
"Define 'obvious'."
"You know. Like- in a way that couldn't be misinterpreted as normal friendship."
Again, it seemed like somehow Gladiolus had gotten closer without even realizing it. "Such as…?"
"A kiss. No one can mistake a kiss."
Gladiolus smiled a bit. "You sure about that? My special someone is pretty dense sometimes… I've been trying to give off little hints for a while now, and they haven't picked up what I've been putting down."
Prompto laughed. Awkwardly. Breathlessly. The conversation and Gladiolus' body language were confusing. They were pulling his thoughts in separate directions. The shield was a few mere inches away from him now, and with the way his wet clothes were causing him to shiver he began to want the man even closer. But at the same time, the shield had someone that he liked. It wouldn't be right to want to be so close. "Yeah… I'm sure. Absolutely."
"A kiss it is, then." Slowly, the hand that had grasped Prompto's wrist slid up his arm, over his shoulder, and up his neck until it was cupping a freckled cheek gently. Prompto's eyes widened and his heart felt like it would stop entirely when another hand joined it, cupping the other cheek. His mouth went dry as amber eyes drifted shut and Gladiolus' face bent down and leaned closer. The shield stepped forward, closing the gap between their bodies.
He couldn't believe what was happening. It all felt like a surreal dream. Everything was moving in slow motion, yet it was over in the blink of an eye.
The realization had finally downed on him as warm lips met his own. Gladiolus wasn't hesitant in the slightest. He kissed Prompto firmly and damned near perfectly, successfully erasing every thought in the blonde's mind except one.
Noctis was right.
Prompto could stop this. He had time to stop this. After the brief kiss, Gladiolus pulled away and opened his eyes, staring down into lavender-blues with uncertainty. Prompto's hands moved from their place at his sides and slowly rested them on Gladiolus' chest. All the actions leading up to now was clear. The wanting to spend time together, the gift, the gentle way he had ran his fingers over his skin, the beautiful blush on his face- all of it. This entire time, Prompto had felt just as uncertain as Gladiolus now looked.
But fuck uncertainly.
Prompto tugged on that tank top, pulling the shield closer and standing on his tip-toes to meet those lips a second time. This time, he kissed back, giving Gladiolus as much as he got. When they finally separated, both men breathing breathlessly, Gladiolus smiled. "I like you, Prompto…"
Prompto smiled back. "I like you too, Gladiolus..." He kissed him again. Soft. Chaste. "…Sorry it took me so long to find out."
Gladiolus laughed and their foreheads met in a wet, tangled, muddy mess. Either of them seemed to care how dirty they were. "Better late than never."
