A/N: Thank you all for your reviews and favorites again! I was having a bad day when I posted the previous chapter and they helped me feel a lot better :)

Let's get our boys on the road now, shall we? I hope you'll like this chapter as well!

More thanks to voxiferous and hyperstorms for their help with this story!


Chapter 7 - To feel like we did before

"Alright, you're all set. This one ain't as pretty as your Regalia was, but she'll do fine," Cindy said as she showed Noctis and Prompto their new ride. She had driven them to Hammerhead as she was towing some more vehicles in from Insomnia, and had finished repairing one of the Citadel's cars for them to use on their trip.

"Thanks Cin, it'll be perfect!" Prompto said, smiling at her and taking his place in the passenger's seat.

"Isn't letting your King drive a breach of protocol or something?" she asked with a chuckle.

"Well, the last time I was in a car when Prompto was driving, it broke down," Noctis replied teasingly.

"Oh, well, don't worry your Highness, loverboy here hasn't broken anything these past few years," Cindy said, winking at Prompto.

"Really? Then maybe when I'm tired I'll let… loverboy drive," Noctis said with a smirk.

"Just… stop calling me that," Prompto groaned, his face in his hands, while Cindy and Noctis laughed.

"Anyway," Noctis started, "we should get going. Thanks a lot, Cindy."

"Anytime. Have a safe trip!" She followed the car, waving at them as they were pulling out of Hammerhead. "And Princess, make sure to stop for dinner when you come back around!" Cindy yelled while they were still within earshot.

Prompto just choked and Noctis started laughing. "Princess?"

"Don't… even…" Prompto tried, his face redder than usual.

"You two seem close," Noctis simply said once he was done laughing.

"I've stayed in Hammerhead for like… six, seven years? We've become pretty good friends."

"Talcott told me you were still trying to impress her."

"Pfft, Talcott is just a kid, and he spends way too much time with the other hunters. But yeah, I guess that's how it must have looked from the outside."

"I wouldn't mind, you know? I mean… Ten years is a long time, and it's not like we were together anyway," Noctis said carefully, keeping his eyes on the road.

"You just cut right to the chase, right?" Prompto replied with a somewhat uncomfortable laugh.

"Well, I did say I wanted to know the new you. That includes what went on in your life when I wasn't here."

Prompto sighed and stared at the moving landscape. "Like I said, we're just friends. There was some light flirting involved but really it was more a joke than anything else. Besides… I don't know, the world back then… it wasn't exactly a place where I'd imagine myself carrying on a real relationship. It's hard to build something when you don't know whether or not there'll be a future."

"Right," Noctis breathed out. Prompto knew that his friend was still feeling guilty about having been gone so long, even though he had had no control over it. "Well, Specs and Aranea didn't seem to mind," Noctis continued, most likely trying to lighten the mood.

"Oh Gods, don't even get me started on them. I was so freaked out when I found out."

"What, they didn't tell you?"

"I was living in Hammerhead when they got together, and apparently some people thought it would be more fun if I just happened to walk in on them being all lovey-dovey in the kitchen when I came by to visit."

"I… can't even imagine," Noctis laughed.

"Right? Apparently my face must have been priceless because Gladio and Iris couldn't stop laughing."

"How did it even happen?"

"I don't know… I guess they just got closer over time, planning hunts and everything. It's funny, I would never have imagined them together, but they actually fit pretty well."

"It's still a bit weird to me. I mean, Aranea was a big help in Tenebrae, but she was kinda scary."

"Well, she still is. But Iggy isn't fazed by it at all, it's actually pretty funny when she gets all worked up about something and he answers her in his usual super calm way."

"I'm gonna need to see that," Noctis said with a chuckle. "Can you imagine if they have kids though? They would be super cute."

Prompto gasped in a jokingly horrified way. "Don't even speak about it, dude! If she ever gets pregnant I'm moving away, I'd be too scared!"


Longwythe wasn't too far from Hammerhead, so when they arrived they still had almost a whole afternoon to spend there. The motel and diner were still being rehabilitated, but people could already sleep and eat there as long as they didn't expect much.

After a short speech - Ignis had insisted Noctis maintained at least some protocol - Prompto and Noctis helped with the repairs until evening. Prompto could sense how people acted more relaxed now that the daemons were truly gone. Watching Noctis talk to some of the hunters that were in the diner, Prompto felt his heart soar with affection. Noctis had done so much more for everyone than just bring back the light.

They ended up in a small motel room, after reassuring everyone working there that no, they didn't mind, and even though Noctis was technically the King he was also able to understand that the rebuilding would take time.

"So, how did you like your first day on the road?" Noctis asked Prompto as they lay next to each other on the bed.

"It's nice, seeing these places in daylight again. And everyone looks so much better."

"Really, you think so?"

"I know so. I've hunted with most of the people who were here today, and I'm telling you… There's something different about them. They're less… tired. Less glum."

"I'm glad, then," Noctis said, and he turned his head to look at Prompto for a moment.

"What?" Prompto asked when he noticed his friend staring.

"You look better too," Noctis simply replied.

"Uh?"

"When we met again in Hammerhead, you looked so tired. I had never seen you like that, even when we'd stay up all weekend to play video games."

"Oh yeah, those were the days…" Prompto trailed off, a nostalgic smile on his lips. "I guess I've been sleeping better."

"Good. You looked like hell."

"Hey!" Prompto shot back, jokingly offended.

Noctis just laughed.


"Prompto. Prompto, wake up."

Prompto opened his eyes to the oddly familiar ceiling of a motel room. His heart was racing, and when he saw Noctis' worried face staring at him there was a fleeting moment when he wondered if he was dreaming about the past again. Then he took in Noctis' older features and beard and realized this was the present.

"What's going on?" Prompto croaked, his voice still asleep.

"You were struggling in your sleep… I thought you were having a nightmare."

"I… Maybe. I don't remember," Prompto said while sitting up on the bed, his heart still beating way too fast.

"You're shaking," Noctis stated, his voice heavy with concern.

"Right. Must be this place…" Prompto trailed off, staring at the blanket.

"What do you mean?" Noctis asked, his brow furrowed.

Prompto took a deep breath and said nothing for a while. This was just another memory he had tried to push down, something else he had learned to live with. Just like the nightmares, which he used to have quite often during the past ten years - nothing uncommon when you witness so much death. Still, while they were in Insomnia he had been able to sleep peacefully for the first time in years. Maybe being back outside of the city had made the memories come back.

Prompto felt Noctis' hand on his arm. "You don't have to tell me," his friend said softly.

"No, it's ok." Prompto replied. "I don't mind." He took another deep breath before going on. "I was there, when this place had to be abandoned. It was only the second year after you disappeared, and it was supposed to be just another hunt, but then those red giants showed up and started marching towards the outpost. We tried to stop them, but the other hunters weren't experienced enough and they… Well, they didn't make it. I ended up running back here as fast as I could, yelling at everyone to get into their trucks and drive the hell away. Most of us escaped, but still, we lost so many people that day…" Prompto stopped to try to swallow the lump forming in his throat. He then bit his lower lip as his mind was assaulted by the memories.

"I'm sorry," Noctis whispered, his hold on Prompto's arm tightening.

"Not your fault. You'd think you'd get used to it after a while but… even years later, when someone got hurt or worse… It sticks with you," Prompto said, still looking down.

Noctis didn't say anything but moved his free hand to Prompto's back, rubbing gently through the fabric of his t-shirt.

"I mean, the four of us already went through some pretty rough stuff back then, but… surviving in this world, that was…" Prompto's voice broke slightly and he hugged his knees. "You know me… I was never cut out for this. Never mind what I was born to become, I'm not a warrior or anything…"

"You're still too hard on yourself," Noctis said quietly, and Prompto lifted his head to meet his gaze. "You've survived all this time. And the guys told me you'd lead expeditions, that you were one of the most respected hunters."

Prompto sighed and lowered his eyes again. "I'm a good fighter, sure, I had some of the best training after all, but, mentally… The hunters we lost… I still remember all of their faces. When we got back from Gralea, all the people who were taken by the daemons… I can still hear their screams sometimes. Even if I kept trying to joke around, lighten the mood… It's been hell."

"I told you already, didn't I? How I think that's impressive, the way you care for the people around you," Noctis said, and Prompto could hear the sincerity in his friend's voice.

"Yeah," Prompto breathed out and smiled at the fond memory of their heart-to-heart years ago. "Yeah, you did."

"I can't… erase what you've been through. I hate that I wasn't there for you, for everyone," Noctis continued, clearly trying not to let the frustration take over. "I just… I'm here now, so… I don't know, just… Let me be there?"

"I've managed so far, I'll be fine," Prompto said, and upon seeing the hurt look on Noctis' face he realized that the words had come out a little harsher than he intended. "I mean… You probably have your own stuff to deal with."

"Right, sleeping for 10 years, that was really hard," Noctis retorted, his hands leaving Prompto's body so that his arms would rest on his knees.

Prompto felt the loss of contact more than he had thought he would. "Come on, man, don't act like you've been through nothing. If your last memories are from the Keep in the Empire, then you've definitely seen better days. Not counting the whole sacrificing yourself thing, and the fact that you've lost ten years."

"Well, according to everyone, those ten years weren't the most fun to live through," Noctis said bitterly.

Prompto sighed softly and lowered his head. "True, but… I don't know, I can't imagine how it must feel to wake up one day and have missed so much."

"Mostly I'm just… angry. I just don't get why they took so long to bring me back… So many people had to die, for what?" Noctis sighed, and rested his chin on his folded arms. "And if I'm being selfish, I'm also angry I missed so much of you guys' lives. And you… I mean I had just found you again, I barely even got to tell you how sorry I was. You've always been there for me, and the last things I did to you were pushing you off a train and leaving you alone for ten years."

"Stop, just- Stop," Prompto interrupted, putting one of his hands on Noctis' shoulder. "You can't beat yourself up over this. I've never blamed you for any of those things."

Noctis turned his head slightly and his eyes met Prompto's. "Remember how easy it used to be between us? I'd always know when you had something on your mind, and I'd get you to get it off your chest."

"Yeah, and when you had something on your mind I knew you'd rather not talk and do something entirely different to get your mind off it," Prompto added with a smile. "We were almost always together, it just became natural, I guess."

"I'd like that back," Noctis breathed out, lowering his head slightly.

"I don't see why not."

"I guess I just realize how long it's been for you. How I don't really know you anymore," Noctis said in a small voice.

"I haven't changed that much, you know," Prompto said, smiling encouragingly. "We just need to find our dynamic again. And I'm sure this trip will help."

"So my idea wasn't that stupid?" Noctis asked coyly.

Prompto chuckled and gently punched Noctis' shoulder, but replied honestly. "It was a great idea."

Noctis smiled and stifled a yawn. "Maybe we should get back to sleep?"

Prompto chuckled again. "Didn't you just say you slept for ten years?"

Noctis plopped back onto his pillow. "You know me, never enough sleep," he said, raising an eyebrow at Prompto.

Still laughing, Prompto lay down next to Noctis, not breaking eye contact. He could feel his heart racing again as his hand reached for Noctis' underneath the covers. "Hey," Prompto said quietly, the amusement in his voice being replaced by a gentle affection. "Come closer," he continued, tugging gently at Noctis' hand.

Noctis silently obliged, his hand leaving Prompto's so that his arm could settle around his friend's waist, Prompto mirroring the gesture. As Noctis' head nuzzled against his chest, Prompto let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding.

"Freaking out?" Noctis asked sleepily, voice muffled by Prompto's shirt.

"Just go to sleep," Prompto whispered in Noctis' hair. A quiet hum came from Noctis' direction, and Prompto closed his eyes, feeling his heartbeat settle down as he finally let himself relax in Noctis' embrace.


They made their way towards Galdin Quay the following morning. Prompto knew that Noctis had arrived through there so he already had an idea of the damage that had been done to the place. But while places can be rebuilt, the people who had been around when the darkness came had been given no chance. This had been the first place to fall. It was only a hotel, a place where people went on vacation, and there had been no hunters around at that time.

"No one knows what happened?" Noctis asked, staring into the distance as they were both standing on the dock.

"There were no survivors… It took us a long time to come back here and when we arrived the place was already destroyed. Some people talked about clothing lying around… So it's likely that at least a few of them turned into daemons." Noctis winced but said nothing, so Prompto went on. "Ignis must have told you...The outposts only held out for so long thanks to the hunters, but eventually the daemons were too much to handle."

Noctis folded his arms and put one hand over his face, taking a deep breath. Prompto moved closer and gently put his hand on Noctis' shoulder. He couldn't imagine what his friend was going through - when he disappeared into the Crystal, Noctis was still dealing with his father's and Luna's passing, but now… There were so many more people to mourn.

Prompto had mourned them too, sure, and just like he had told Noctis he would never forget the faces of those who were lost. But at least he hadn't been slapped in the face with everything at once.

"It's not your fault," Prompto whispered, knowing very well that this thought must have been going through Noctis' mind. For all their awkwardness around each other, he also knew that Noctis didn't need him to say anything else. It probably wouldn't convince him either, but at least Noctis would know that there was someone who didn't blame him.

They remained silent for a while longer, until Noctis took another deep breath and raised his head. Prompto was looking at him carefully, waiting for Noctis to talk first. When their eyes met, Prompto could see that Noctis' eyes were a little watery, although he hadn't been crying. "Alright, let's get moving," Noctis said, trying to muster a small smile.


They still shared a lunch with the people working on rebuilding the place before leaving, and Prompto could see how Noctis relaxed a little as they were driving away. Their next stop was the Chocobo Post, so Prompto was confident that it would lift Noctis' spirits a little. He was a bit excited too; he only got to see the chocobos whenever he was in Lestallum and he was still a big fan of the birds. Getting to see them back in their home really was making him happy.

Wiz welcomed them with open arms; the place hadn't suffered too much damage and looked almost as it used to be. They spent the afternoon helping take care of the chocobos, Noctis sort of taken aback by the majestic black bird Prompto introduced as the chick they had rescued together.

"Well, what did you expect?" Prompto asked, laughing.

"I… Yeah, well, in my mind her egg hatched less than three months ago so excuse me for being confused for a second," Noctis replied, smiling as he reached out to stroke the bird's dark feathers.

"Man, seeing Talcott must have been so weird for you when he found you."

"I think my brain was in complete freaking-out mode at that point, I had no idea what was going on. And now I've seen him a few more times, so I'm used to it. Kinda like this," Noctis said, pointing to Prompto's goatee.

"Damnit, not you as well," Prompto whined, placing one hand on his chin protectively.

"I don't mind it," Noctis said, laughing. "I just didn't expect it. Since when can you grow facial hair anyway?"

"Ok, first of all, you're one to talk, mister 'I-look-like-a-King-escaped-from-a-fantasy-movie-with-my-sexy-unkempt-beard', and secondly, if you really want to know, it started with a lost bet and then I kinda liked it?"

Noctis smirked. "So, you think I look sexy, uh?"

Prompto felt the heat rise to his cheeks and scratched the back of his head. "Well, um… First of all, I was talking about the beard," he started, but Noctis wouldn't stop smirking. "Oh come on, don't look so proud," he continued, rolling his eyes. "At this point it shouldn't exactly surprise you."

"Hmmmm, I guess," his friend replied teasingly, his attention returning to the chocobo. "Is that why you kept slapping my butt back then?" Noctis added in a light tone, like this was the most natural thing to ask.

Prompto choked a little. "Yeah, well, it's a nice butt, it deserves some loving," he said defensively, his eyes on the chocobo as well.

When Noctis didn't say anything back, Prompto hesitantly looked at him and then the double meaning of his words hit him when he saw that Noctis was trying really hard not to laugh. "Wait, um, I…" Prompto stammered, his face turning a darker shade of red.

Noctis suddenly burst into uncontrollable laughter, hiding his face into the chocobo's neck. "Hey!" Prompto interjected, smacking Noctis' shoulder.

"Come on, loverboy," Noctis said after he regained his breath, insisting on the nickname just enough to make Prompto cringe. "Let's go get dinner," he added with a wink as he started walking away.

"I hate you," Prompto retorted, patting the unfazed chocobo's side before following Noctis.

"No you don't," Noctis shot back with a warm smile.

Prompto shook his head in fake dismay before returning Noctis' smile.


A/N: I'm sorry but I love older Noctis & his beard, he looks like Aragorn, and Aragorn looks damn good.

Also I threw in some Highspecs because this ship amuses me a lot, so here you go.

Next chapter gets even fluffier, be prepared^^