Chapter 10: End of an Era

Morning rose over the rocky Cape Caem, blessing the land with bright rays of sunshine—a welcome change from the downpour the night before. Noctis awoke first, only because of the sun coming in through the rounded window. He blinked heavily, feeling like he'd slept for a year. His body felt tender all over, but of course, yesterday hadn't been easy on him. Getting attacked and knocked to the ground, throwing back a few too many shots, and then… Oh yeah, Noct smiled to himself, glancing to his right.

Prompto lay with his back to him, his shoulder rising and falling as he breathed sleep-heavy breaths. Noctis rolled onto his side and moved his naked body in against Prompto's, resuming the position they'd been in when they'd fallen asleep the night before. Noctis' arm hung around Prompto's waist, and he nestled his nose into the back of the boy's blond hair. Inhaling deeply, he breathed in the mixed scent of rain, sweat, and shampoo.

Last night had been incredible. A little awkward at first, trying to figure out who would go where, and how they would do things, but once they'd gotten started, everything had felt amazing. Prompto had been adorably shy at the beginning, letting out those little chuckles of his and making jokes to lighten the mood, and Noctis was touched by how considerate he was when things did progress—making sure Noct was comfortable, making sure Noct felt good. Noctis hoped he'd done well in reciprocating those actions.

"Hey. Wake up, sleeping beauty," he said gently, raising his head to press a few kisses to Prompto's ear. Prompto groaned slightly as he stirred, and as his mind came back from dreamland, he smiled at the feel of Noctis' kisses.

"And what are you doing awake?" Prompto smirked, finding Noct's hand which was still resting on his waist, and warming his fingers with his own.

"The sun woke me," Noctis said, in a sing-song voice, his kisses travelling down onto Prompto's bare shoulder.

"The sun woke you. You sure you aren't just looking for another roll in the hay?" Prompto tested, laughing as Noctis' hair tickled his neck.

"Well, I'm definitely not opposed to it," Noctis smirked in return. Prompto nudged Noctis backwards so he could roll onto his back. He stared up at his dark-haired prince in adoration before reaching for his face and pulling their lips together. Both smiled as they broke apart.

"You were pretty amazing last night."

"We were," Noctis corrected, with a sultry smile.

"Y-yeah?" Prompto grinned, beaming at the praise. "You really think I did okay?"

"Did you hear me last night?" Noctis asked, his eyes wide and full of amusement. It made Prompto give a high-pitched laugh.

"I did, actually," he grinned.

"Then you know the answer to your question," Noctis simpered, nuzzling Prompto's cheek affectionately. He lay back down beside his partner, and they held each other close, staring up at the ceiling above them.

The bedroom, as they discovered in the daylight, was much bigger than they'd realized. Three other beds lined the same wall as theirs, and a bright yellow couch and matching stools rested across from them. A long brown coffee table sat in the middle of the furniture, and a dartboard hung above the couch.

To the right rested a wooden reclining chair, a desk, and a few pictures hanging on the wall above. To the left of Noctis and Prompto's bed was a large dresser that was undoubtedly big enough to hold all the clothing they'd brought along. It was a beautiful and spacious safe-house, indeed, and was much nicer on the inside than the outside had led them to believe.

It was a little big for the two of them, and they hadn't really explored the downstairs yet, but if Noctis wanted to hide out here for a the next few days, Prompto would be fine with making this their new home away from home. Although, after last night, Prompto just wanted to find a home with Noctis and never leave it.

"Mm, wish we could stay here all morning, but… I made a promise to you, didn't I?" Noctis yawned. Prompto frowned, and twisted his lips to the side, looking pensive. Then he remembered: Noct had agreed that he would call Ignis. He hadn't expected Noct would act so soon, and now that the moment was here, Prompto really didn't want him to. To his relief, that wasn't what Noct had on his mind.

"Breakfast in bed," Noctis reminded him.

"Oh, right," Prompto laughed, recalling that silly decision that Noctis had made at whatever ridiculously early hour of the morning they had finally gone to sleep. Noctis gave him another quick peck before rolling out of bed, and reaching for his clothes.

"I hope you like instant pancakes. It's about the only thing I can make, and the only food we had left in our cupboards," Noctis said, pulling on his sweatpants and black t-shirt.

"Yeah, that's 'cause you eat everything in sight, dude," Prompto grinned, staring at Noctis admiringly from his position on his back. Noctis shook his head, hands on his hips.

"Not your vegetables. They're perfectly safe… back in Lestallum," he smirked, and let out a genuine burst of laughter when Prompto threw his pillow at him. Noctis blocked it with his hands.

"Nooooct! Greens are expensive!" Prompto whined.

"And disgusting. I did you a favour," Noctis chuckled. "So, are pancakes okay?" he asked, leaning over the bed.

"Pre-mixed batter and the simple instructions of just adding water? Hmm… Yep, I think you can handle that without screwing it up," Prompto smiled, after pretending to think hard about it.

"I meant, would you like to eat them?" Noctis asked, eyes half-lidded. Prompto gave up the joke, and sat up to give him a kiss.

"I'd love them."

"What are you doing?" Noctis chuckled, his back turned and his eyes on the stove. He'd heard someone sneaking around behind him, but he wouldn't dare look away from his pancakes at the moment. They were almost cooked to a perfect golden brown, and he wasn't about to ruin them.

"You know the point of breakfast in bed is that you get to stay in bed, right?" he asked.

"Noct?" It wasn't Prompto who answered. Noctis spun around to see Ignis standing behind him, just to the right of the small kitchenette.

"What?" he demanded, slamming a hand down, only to have it land on the edge of the hot frying pan. "Dammit," he cursed, holding his palm ruefully, and rushing toward the sink. He pulled up on the tap to turn the water on, and let his hand run under the cold stream. He could already see the painful, red line across his hand.

"What are you doing here, Ignis?" he asked, trying his best not to holler, but wasn't much quieter.

"I believe I told you not to run," Ignis said, simply. He looked disappointed, but there was also a look of sympathy in his eyes; too bad Noct couldn't see his expression with his gaze on his burned hand.

"How'd you find us so quick?" Noctis barked.

"You thought we wouldn't have our doubts about you when you're a known flight risk? We made some calls to the Outposts nearby," came Gladio's voice from the doorway, and Noctis glanced back at him just to give him a roll of his eyes. "Old Lestallum, Coernix Station in Cauthess… Told them to watch for the Regalia in case you made any stops. Which you did," Gladio added, strolling in to take his place beside Ignis.

"I told him not to stop for anything," Noctis muttered under his breath. Now that he thought about it, he could vaguely remember Prompto stopping to fill up the tank, but Noct had been drifting in and out of sleep for pretty much the whole drive.

"Noct, the King's orders were to—"

"Get me to Altissia, right? Tell me somethin' I don't know," Noctis cut Ignis off. He slammed down the water tap and reached into one of the kitchen drawers to find himself a dish towel. Tenderly, he wrapped his hand in it and turned to face his Crownsguard. Gladio and Ignis were staring at him firmly, but not unkindly.

"Look, we're not your enemies here," Gladio assured him.

"Sure feels like it," Noctis grumbled. He scrunched his nose when he smelled something burning. "Grrr, are you kidding me?" He hurried back to the stove, and one-handedly yanked the frying pan containing two very burnt pancakes off the burner. The towel that was wrapped around his injured hand fell to the floor in the process.

Calmly, Ignis proceeded forward, and turned off the burner before kneeling down to pick up the towel. Noctis refused to thank him, despite his kind actions. Ignis gently took the young prince's hand and analyzed the injury.

"A bit longer under the cold water should help. Wait until the redness has almost disappeared completely," the advisor told him. His voice was soft and teacher-like, as it had been all those years growing up in the palace. Ignis had always been on his side, and it would have been out of character for him to change that now; at least, Noct wanted to believe that were so.

"Prompto upstairs?" Gladio interrupted, and Noctis managed a small nod. "I'mma go get 'im."

He started up the creaky, wooden steps, and Noctis just prayed that Prompto had put some clothes on by now.

Noctis let his advisor lead him over to the kitchen sink again, and Ignis gently guided his hand back under the running tap. Noctis lowered his head, staring intently at the water as it splashed over the stinging injury. Sure, it hurt, but it was nothing compared to the pain in his heart. What would become of him and Prompto now? If only there was as simple a cure for that, and the emotional ache that accompanied it.

"Noct, may I ask you something?" Ignis politely inquired. Noctis scoffed.

"If it's whether or not I'll go through with this wedding..."

"No, I simply wish to start with why you fled Insomnia. Was it because your father was ill? Or because you hoped you could change your fate by departing with Prompto?"

Noctis was silent for a long moment, and he found himself needing to dig deeper than expected to find the answer to that question. It had been so long—or at least, it felt like it—since he had left Insomnia, he didn't know which factor had mostly driven him to do it.

"Both of those, but… even more than that," he said, and Ignis glanced at him with patient eyes. Noct met them for a moment, breathed in, and continued to speak.

"For years, I saw what maintaining the wall and protecting the crystal did to my father. It weakened him, made him older, and part of me really feared what would happen to me once I took on his role as king. I didn't want his future for myself, and the wedding would only bring me to that future sooner," Noctis explained.

"Understandable," Ignis acknowledged. "No one wishes for burdens such as that, especially at such a young age. And Prompto?"

"Right. Prompto," Noctis nodded, blankly. It took him a minute before he found himself a starting point. "I'd felt something for him… since high school. I guess, when I found out I would never get to pursue those feelings, I panicked."

"Yes?" Ignis encouraged. He kept his vision focused on the prince's hand, not wanting to make the poor lad feel pressured to speak. He brought the hand out from under the water to give it a quick check before guiding it back under. "Just a moment longer," he promised. To his relief, Noctis continued to speak without being prodded.

"I don't think I ever believed I could change my fate by running away with him. I just knew I could delay it. That tiny window of time—between my father telling me about the marriage, and me going through with the marriage—was my only opportunity to live my life. Not the Prince of Lucis' life, but Noctis'. The guy who exists outside of the palace," Noct finished, letting out a shaky breath.

It had been a long time since he'd confided that much in Ignis, especially since Prompto had arrived on the scene, but it felt good to let it out. On some level, he knew it was his father he wished he could have confessed these words to, but Ignis and Gladio were the next best thing. They were his brothers, and somewhere along the way, he'd forgotten that, and had turned his anger towards them. He saw everything differently now. He realized they weren't here to yell at him—he couldn't even hear Gladio yelling at Prompto upstairs. That part of their reunion was over. Now, they were just trying to make the best of a bad situation; that was all any of them could do.

"I appreciate you telling me all this, Noct. I understand this past while hasn't been easy on you," Ignis said. He brought Noct's hand out of the water to analyze it again, and gave a nod when he didn't see any lingering red spots. Gently, he turned off the tap, and wrapped the green, checkered towel around Noct's hand again.

"I shouldn't have dragged Prompto into this," Noctis shook his head, looking emotional now. His gaze was downcast, his vision blurring.

"Nonsense. He wouldn't have accompanied you if he hadn't wanted to."

"That's the problem, isn't it?" Noctis looked so solemn. For the first time, the knowledge that Prompto would follow him anywhere was more saddening than comforting. He had been hurting him this whole time, and would continue to do so if Prompto followed him to Altissia.

"Well, I've seen you two together the past few years. You're both quite content when you're together," Ignis smiled, fondly, and Noct appreciated it, but it wasn't enough to soothe him at the moment.

"I only made things worse because now I know what's going to happen. A king can't put his happiness before his kingdom, which means Prompto and I can't—" Noctis cut off, voice cracking, and he slammed his good fist down on the counter beside him. Ignis finished tying the cloth around his other hand, and brushed a thumb over it, gently.
"Noct, you should know that your father left you some advice," Ignis said, and Noct looked up in tearful surprise.

"Oh yeah?" he asked skeptically, swiping viciously at his tears with his good arm. "And what's that?"
"King Regis had little faith in the Empire's reliability. He had his doubts that the wedding would ever come to pass, though I don't think he ever anticipated things to escalate to the degree they did at the treaty-signing," Ignis said, and Noctis flinched at the mention of it.

"He did, however, ask me to leave you with this if, by some chance, the wedding still had the potential to take place. He said that you may let your heart decide your path," Ignis explained, slowly and patiently, waiting for Noct to grasp it.

"What the hell does that mean?" he asked, gruffly.

"Well," Ignis said, letting go of Noct's hand and pushing his glasses a little further up his nose. "I took it to mean that you may choose not to marry Lady Lunafreya. The King had a feeling that Prompto played an important role in your life, so if that is where your heart lies..."

"Hmm..." Noctis pondered, staring down at his bandaged hand, and closing it into a loose fist. "My father really said that?"

"I assure you he did."

"Not quite sure what to do with that," Noctis said, trying to suppress a sigh as his thoughts wandered.

"Food for thought," Ignis agreed.

"Can I come in?" Gladio's low voice rumbled.

"Oh, uh, Gladio? Sure, come on in!" Prompto called from the other side of the door, and Gladio swung it open to see Prompto sitting on the edge of the nearest bed. Prompto was dressed and ready for the day, camera already in hand. His eyes were pointed down, focused on the screen. He had one knee up on the mattress, and the other leg dangled over the side, swinging casually—or maybe even nervously.

"What's up?" Gladio asked, sauntering in and taking in the sight of the giant room. Prompto glanced up at him timidly, wanting to avoid getting on the big guy's bad side again today. The fact that he was here couldn't mean anything good—for Noct, at the very least.

"Nothin' much. Just trying to pick out a good shot for Noct. I took a bunch on our trip, but I wanna get one printed for him. A nice big one to hang on the wall," Prompto shyly explained, looking up to give Gladio what he hoped was a warm grin.

"Sounds nice," Gladio smiled back, surprising Prompto a little, but he took this as his chance to try and win the guy over.

"Here, which one do you think?" Prompto asked, inviting him over by raising his camera, and Gladio strolled over behind him. He gazed down at the small screen, which showed a picture of Prompto and Noctis in a convenience store, heads pressed together as they smiled.

"I can't decide between that one or this one," Prompto said, clicking the button to go to the next photo. The boys were in a similar pose to the first picture, but this one looked to be taken from some sort of balcony at nightfall. Tall buildings and palm trees painted the background.

"This taken in Lestallum?" Gladio asked, tilting his head to get a better look.

"Yep. It was our first night in our apartment. Ahh, good times," Prompto sighed.

Gladio stared down at the young man, at the way his soft gaze lingered on the camera screen. He hoped he hadn't been too hard on Prompto the night before. Now that he knew the whole story, he felt sorry for him. As Noct had once told him, Prompto wasn't among the most fortunate of folk—was put up for adoption at a young age, rarely saw his parents, and now, he was probably going to lose Noct, too. That was enough to make Gladio's big heart ache for him.

"Go with this one," Gladio said, tapping the screen with a giant finger. "I think it means more to you."

"Huh? Uh, w-why do you think that?" Prompto asked, realizing he might have given too much away. He guessed the endearment in his voice made it obvious how much moving in with Noctis had meant to him.

"Don't worry, kid. Ignis filled me in about you and Noct. You don't need to hide," Gladio said, gently, and Prompto looked up at him with timid owl-like eyes.

"R-really?"

"Yeah," Gladio said, wandering over to one of the stools by the coffee table and sitting down to face Prompto. He rested his arms on his knees, and folded his hands together. "Must be tough for you."

"Right now, I'm just trying not to think about it," Prompto admitted, shutting off his camera, his tone soft and his face sullen. "But you should know, I would never try and stop Noct from doing what he needs to."

"I appreciate that," Gladio smiled. "But I know it can't be easy for you to let him go."

"I-it's not," Prompto agreed, letting out a soft chuckle, one that was filled with much pain. "But this trip did last longer than I thought it would, so I'm grateful."

"Hey," Gladio spoke up, voice sincere as he locked eyes with Prompto. "I'm sorry about last night. I didn't fully know what was going on, and I didn't mean to come down so hard on you."

"It's okay. I get why you did," Prompto nodded, giving Gladio a small smile. Gladio really did understand now what Noctis saw in Prompto—kindhearted Prompto. The way he took everything in stride, no matter how hard it might be, was admirable. He really would be a fine addition to the Crownsguard.

"Look, we've got something for you downstairs. I'll run grab it for you. Pretty confident you'll like it," Gladio smiled, getting up from his seat and strolling over to the door. Prompto watched him go, and was blanketed with a feeling of satisfaction. No matter what happened next, at least he wasn't on the Crownsguard's bad side. That, he could live with.

"Hey, Prompt— Whoa, look at you!" Noctis marvelled, entering the bathroom with a prowling eye and seductive smirk. "Where'd you get the new digs?"

Prompto adjusted his black, denim vest, scrutinizing himself in the mirror. Noctis didn't think he could remember Prompto ever wearing jeans that tight, and he certainly wasn't about to complain. He slipped into the room and pressed the door quietly shut behind him.

"Oh, uh, these? Gladio gave 'em to me. A Crownsguard uniform from… King Regis," Prompto announced, and was a little thankful when that news didn't send Noct into a fit of emotion. Noctis looked surprised at first, then content, like his heart had warmed a little.

"Not sure I like the drab, old black," Prompto admitted, scrunching his nose a little and turning to the side to view the outfit from another angle. "Think I might pick up some patches or something for it. Dress it up a bit? What do you think?"

"Whatever you like," Noctis agreed, and when Prompto turned to face the mirror front-on again, Noctis came to stand behind him. Arms snaked around Prompto's middle, and the boy breathed in deeply as Noctis pressed his lips to his neck.

"Noct, aren't the other guys still here?" Prompto asked, chuckling nervously, as he watched Noct do his work in the mirror.

"Downstairs. Ignis took over the pancake-making since he made me burn the first ones," Noctis said, between kisses.

"You burn your hand, too?" Prompto quizzed, catching sight of his bandaged hand, not expecting the answer to be yes. When it was, Prompto tenderly draped a hand over it.

"Aww, ho-ney, that's the beauty of fruits and vegetables. No stove required," Prompto teased.

"Hey, you wanna turn me off, here? Keep talking about vegetables," Noct warned, looking up from Prompto's neck to gaze at the beautiful couple in the mirror.

"Nah, I'm good," Prompto smirked.

"Good," Noctis chuckled, softly, his good hand pressing down Prompto's collar to allow himself more access, and Prompto whimpered blissfully.

"Noct, breakfast is served!" Ignis called from the floor below, and Noctis let out an irritated groan as he pulled his lips away from perfect, pale skin. They stared at their reflection for another silent moment or two, absolutely hating the uncertainty that hung in the air. What would happen after today? Would they ever be together like this again? Only time would tell.

"In a minute!" Noctis shouted, unable to completely mask the frustration in his voice. He let go of Prompto's waist, and Prompto headed for the door with a sigh, but Noct caught his hand in his own. Prompto looked back at him, curiously, and with a gentle tug, Noctis turned his new knight back towards him.

"Prompto?" The dire, unsettled look in Noctis' eyes was worrisome to Prompto, and he took another step closer to his companion, reaching for his damaged hand as well.

"What's wrong, Noct?" Those blue eyes were so wide and gentle.

"I just want you to know that… I don't know what I'll choose when I get to Altissia. If I do go through with the wedding, it's not because I love Luna, okay? Because you're the only one I've ever..."

"I know," Prompto nodded. "It's because you have a duty to your people. I know you'll do whatever's right for you, Noct."

"I hope so," Noctis said, looking perplexed. "I hope I know what the right thing is when I get there." His brows were scrunched into a frown, his eyes downcast, and Prompto did his best to ease his worry. He reached a hand up to brush Noctis' long black bangs out of the way, and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead.

"I know it'll become clear," Prompto promised.

"So, who's that guy again? The one who's running the ship?" Noctis asked. He and Ignis were sitting on one of the long, sofa-type seats on the giant motorboat. Gladio stood off to the side, leaning against the side of the boat, listening in on the conversation with interest.

"Cid Sophiar, master mechanic in Hammerhead and former ally to your father," Ignis replied, pushing his glasses further up the bridge of his nose.

"Really?" Noct asked, with a glance toward the bridge, where the grey-haired man sat steering the vessel. He was curious to know more about him, but at the moment, he figured he'd better not risk getting sentimental. He was already on the brink of being a basket case as it was. The closer they got to their destination, the worse it became.

"Heard they made quite the team back in the day. Your old man and mine, Cid, and Weskham, who you'll meet once we get to Altissia," Gladio said, nodding across the ocean.

"Can't wait," Noct answered, but his tone was flat. He dared a glance behind him. Prompto was near the back of the ship with his camera out. He would gaze at the landmasses across the water, then raise the camera gracefully to his eye for a few pics. He looked like a natural out there, and Noctis was glad that Prompto had something in his life that brought him so much joy. He hoped it would help him through whatever was to follow.

"Noct?" Ignis spoke up, and Noctis snapped back to reality, facing his advisor to find a pair of gentle eyes on him.

"Sorry. What did you say?" he asked.

"You may go to his side," Ignis offered, with an encouraging smile.

"Yeah, enjoy the trip, Noct. We've still got a ways to go before we reach Altissia," Gladio joined in, stepping forward to give the prince a playful punch in the shoulder. Noctis rubbed the abused area, even though it had hardly hurt, and got to his feet.

"Thanks. Don't want him to sulk if I leave him alone too long," Noctis said, pushing forth a smile, but it was visibly forced. Gladio and Ignis exchanged a woeful glance, both wondering how this journey would change the prince they knew so well.

"Hey, you get any good shots?" Noctis asked, sneaking up behind Prompto. Prompto looked back at him with a look of contented surprise. He smiled as Noct came to peer over his shoulder at his camera.

"Mostly just ocean," Prompto shrugged. "But a few good ones."

"That's a nice one," Noctis pointed out, as Prompto clicked to one of the sun's bright reflection on the surface of the water.

"Yeah, I liked it, too. And this... Noct?" Prompto asked, turning his head slightly when Noctis made a pained noise.

"I'm fine. I—" This time, Noct was cut off by a sharp gasp, and he fell to his knees behind Prompto.

"Noct!" the boy shouted, pocketing his camera and dropping to his knees beside him.

Noctis was curled inward, hands clutching his head tightly as it was pierced with a stabbing pain. He was blind for a moment, unable to see the floor of the ship, his limbs rapidly numbing. Images that he didn't recognize filled his vision instead—visions of an enormous, serpent-like creature rising out of the ocean, visions of young Luna reaching out a hand to him and summoning him towards a city with streets of water. The images were gone as quickly as they had come, and he blinked, letting out a loud, agonized cry as his vision came back.

"Noct! Are you alright?"

"What the hell happened?!" Gladio and Ignis' voices were much too loud at the moment.

"I don't know. He just dropped!" Prompto panicked. Noctis blinked again, finding himself staring up into Prompto's terrified eyes, his head resting on his companion's lap.

"Noct?" Ignis asked again, appearing in the corners of Noctis' vision along with Gladio.

"Leviathan," Noctis simply replied, breathing heavily.

"Huh? What's that?" Prompto asked, raising a hand to Noct's hair. He combed through it tenderly with his slender fingers, eyes darting up to the prince's allies for an explanation.

"Leviathan of the Astrals?" Ignis questioned.

"What about him?" came Gladio's inquiry.

Noctis groaned, and tried to sit up, but Prompto had to aid him with an arm behind his back. Even once Noct was sitting, Prompto's hand lingered there, rubbing in what he hoped was a comforting motion. He confirmed it was when Noctis leaned into his touch.

"It seemed like Luna was calling me to him," the prince informed the group, though he didn't know how they would respond. Ignis and Gladio stood up straight, and stepped back to give Noctis some space to catch his breath.

"Does Altissia have… streets made of water?" Noctis asked, his head falling weakly against Prompto's shoulder. The stabbing in his head had stopped, but a dull ache still lingered, making him feel a little dizzy. Prompto's hand moved to his waist, holding him close and preventing him from slumping over sideways.

"It does. You think that perhaps Lady Lunafreya has something planned for you once we reach the city?" Ignis asked, placing a hand on his chin as he pondered.

"Leave it to the Oracle to give you a cryptic message like that. Guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens when we get there," Gladio said, folding his arms.

"Wait and see? What if it's something bad?" Prompto asked, panic creeping into his voice.

"Then we deal with it. We're Crownsguard, remember?" Gladio reminded him, with a small, encouraging grin. Prompto swallowed his fear and gave Gladio a nod. He silently convinced himself that they would keep Noctis out of danger if it came down to it.

"Right," he replied, but his voice still lacked confidence.

"I think I'm alright now. Help me up?" Noctis asked, eyes wandering up towards Prompto. Prompto gave him another nod, and helped him to his feet. He guided him over to the side of the ship so he could hold on and support himself.

"How long 'til we reach Altissia?" Prompto asked, feeling the knot that had already been in his stomach tighten even further. For the first time, he was eager to reach shore. He wanted to get Noct off this ship and let him get some proper rest. He wanted to know what was in store for them, good or bad; the worst part was not knowing at all.

"It will still be a while yet. Noct, maybe you should sit down for a while," Gladio suggested, but Noctis waved him off.

"I'm fine."

"Suit yourself," Gladio sighed, heading back to his position near the front of the ship.

"I will go inform Cid that you're alright. I'm sure he heard the commotion," Ignis spoke up, slyly dismissing himself and leaving the boys alone. Noctis stared out over the water, the salty air waking up his muddled brain and the breeze relieving the pain in his head. Prompto hesitantly moved in against his side, fearing that even the smallest contact could force him to his knees again. To his relief, Noctis just leaned further into him so that they could support their weight on each other, hands gripping the side of the ship.

"Noct? You okay? The headache from last night, when we were heading for the safe-house... You think it was related?" Prompto ventured. Noctis shrugged.

"Could be."

"I guess Gladio's right. We won't know much until we get to Altissia," Prompto sighed. His eyes drifted upward when he felt Noctis' hand fall upon his own. Blue eyes locked, and Noctis' begged to be answered.

"When we get there, you'll stick by my side, won't you?" Noct queried. His eyes were nervous, maybe even unsure, and Prompto supposed he understood why. Noctis had dragged him away from his home city, had fallen in love with him when he knew they might have a tragic ending, and was now hoping he would stand by him while he went to see the woman to whom he was betrothed. Yes, Prompto would have had good reason to turn away, to run and protect his heart before Noct could break it, but he wouldn't let his dearest friend down like that. He would be by his side all the way, and would see things through to the end, no matter how they might unfold.

Prompto lifted his fingers under Noctis' grasp, and Noctis thought he was trying to break free until he felt those fingers slip into the spaces between his own. Noctis squeezed their hands together, his movement gentle and full of silent affection. And for the first time in a long time, Noctis felt like he could breathe—freely and easily—as Prompto leaned his head against his shoulder.

"Always."

A/N: And there you have it! The end of an era, indeed! This story was particularly difficult to know where to end, but this is where I imagine things line back up with the game's timeline: they would go to Altissia, and things would progress the same from there. And while I'd like to write about these boys forever, I figured it had to stop somewhere, and the part of their roadtrip where they were alone was over now anyway. Sad, but hopefully the ending was satisfactory :)

Once again, a big thank you to all readers for your great support throughout this story! I hope you enjoyed it 'til the end! If you're still craving some Promptis goodness, you can check out my other Promptis stories, and also my collection of oneshots "I Think You're Good Enough for Me", if you haven't already done so. I do plan to add more chapters as the ideas come to me! Happy reading in whatever fic you stumble across next :D