Summary: When Prompto is injured, Noctis pulls out all the stops to make sure he's comfortable.
(Physical Hurt/Comfort, Established Relationship)
The sounds that filled the small cavern would have been music to Noct's ears, had he not known that Prompto was in so much pain. Sadly, every gasp, whimper, and moan was caused by his broken knee, rather than any source of pleasure. So many times, Noct went over the last battle in his head. If he'd just planned a little better, he could have distracted the Iron Giant long enough to keep him from going after Prompto—it would have given the boy enough time to unleash one of his potent techniques.
Instead, the great beast had gotten bored with Noct, and followed the source of the irritating bullets that were pounding pretty much harmlessly into its skin. Prompto was on his back, shooting up at the thing, and Noct had pursued it, but it had only swiped its giant blade at him while its mighty fist slammed down on Prompto's leg.
Ignis had urged Noct to take Prompto and flee while they finished the thing off, but now, Noct wished they hadn't separated at all. They'd stumbled a good distance away through the pouring rain, and while Noct knew it would keep them safe from the ongoing battle, it might also be difficult for the other men to find them again. And cell service... well, it wasn't the best in these heavily wooded areas.
Another noise from Prompto brought Noct back to the situation before him. Prompto was sprawled out on the rocky floor of the cavern, and even in the dim light, Noct could make out the dark circle of blood that soaked his pant-leg, just around his right knee. His knee was probably shattered. Bone was probably sticking through skin somewhere under his clothes, causing the bleeding. At the moment, Noct knew he couldn't stomach tending to any of that. He already felt ill at the mere idea of Prompto being in this much pain.
Noctis reached into his pocket for the third time in ten minutes, withdrawing—with much dismay—the last potion he had in stock. Prompto was going through them like candy, but if he needed them to lessen the ache, then of course, Noct was going to let him have them. With a sigh, Noctis held the potion forward.
"This is the last one until the others find us. Don't use it yet unless you need it," he instructed, holding the potion up, expecting Prompto would take it from him and crush it in his hand like he had the last few. His pale, scrunched up face and damp brow certainly indicated that he needed the painkiller now, but when his hand reached Noct's this time, his fingers slipped into the spaces between the prince's.
"No, don't!" Noct went to protest, but Prompto had already pressed their palms together with a weak whimper, crushing the bottle between their palms. Noct felt the healing magic spread up his arm and settle in his shoulder where a Voretooth had left a nasty-looking bite earlier. Prompto probably hadn't realized that it looked worse than it felt. Or more likely, knowing Prompto, he'd been planning to do this regardless.
"Prompto, you were supposed to keep it for yourself," Noctis scolded, brows narrowing. Prompto had split the healing in half, but he'd really needed a full dose to keep him even remotely comfortable. Prompto's mouth twitched upward into a weak smile, but as Noct gave him a gentle pat on the thigh, the smile was whisked away just as quickly as it had come by another jolt of pain. His eyes shut tightly as his back arched, and he let out a desperate cry. Noct bolted forward when he moved, hands at the ready to help in whatever way he could.
"Prompto! I'm so sorry! What should I do?" The prince was scrambling to get the words out fast enough, and the color was quickly draining from his own face at the realization that even the small bit of contact had caused his friend this much agony. He was at a loss when it came to keeping him comfortable now. There were no curatives, and no Ignis to tell him what to do. He, himself, had to make things okay.
Prompto settled back down now that the jolt was over, and he lay on his back staring up at the ceiling of the cave when tears started to blur his vision.
"Noct..." he managed, feebly. It was one of the few words he'd managed to get out since he'd been injured, and it went straight to Noctis' heart. The prince reached for the boy's forehead and tenderly brushed his bangs aside with the backs of his fingers. Prompto's skin was extremely warm despite how pale he was, but Noctis decided to be comforted by it. At least he wasn't cold, as violent shivering would only lead to more discomfort.
"You're going to be fine," Noct promised, softly, as he continued to stroke his forehead. "You remember what I told you when you became a Crownsguard?"
Prompto's startled blue eyes stared up at his companion, and he shook his head weakly. He was tearing up again, his chin trembling at the regret of not remembering the incident. Noctis shifted himself from his kneeling position and carefully lowered himself to lie next to Prompto. The strong scent of blood and rain filled his nose now that he was closer to his friend, but he propped himself up on his elbow and kept his attention on Prompto's face.
"You said that you were now sworn to protect me, and I told you I'd protect you, too," Noct reminded his friend, and Prompto nodded, his features ceasing their tearful twitching. "I failed you back there in that battle, but I promise, I'm getting you out of here in one piece," Noct assured him, leaning in to press a kiss to his cheek and being terribly careful not to bump his leg as he did.
"You've... never failed me," Prompto panted, giving Noct another frail smile as the prince pulled away. Eyes met in a gentle gaze. Noct gave his friend a grateful smile, and reached for Prompto's hand. Their fingers intertwined as easily as they had just moments ago, and they rested on Prompto's waist.
"Just squeeze my hand when it hurts, okay? It might help," Noct suggested, and Prompto nodded, giving his friend a thankful glance. He took Noctis up on his offer after that, clenching his hand during each burst of pain.
Meanwhile, Noct found himself focusing on the magics coursing through his veins, the ones that he'd inherited by simply being part of the Lucian royal family. His mind was fixed on the spaces between his fingers where Prompto's fit so perfectly, and little by little, he felt himself successfully create tiny pockets of magic in those narrow spaces. They were probably too small for Prompto to feel, but Noctis could feel each tiny bubble.
Creating those magical orbs was the easy part; telling them what to do was tricky. Even warping had been difficult in the beginning, but once Noctis had practiced enough, he'd figured out the correct patterns for sending that magic where he wanted it. Now, he was completely on his own, trying to figure out an entirely new pattern. If it worked, those tiny pockets between his fingers would give off a green glow, like potions did when they were consumed.
No one had ever taught Noctis about healing magics. In fact, he wasn't sure he even believed in such a thing because there were no records of anyone having continuous success with them. In battle, he and his friends relied on items and hidden recovery kits to get them through, but with his last potion gone, and Gladio and Ignis nowhere to be seen, he didn't see the harm in trying. Prompto was suffering. That was motivation enough.
Noct closed his eyes, and focused on his shoulder that had recently been healed by the potion his companion had shared with him. Summoning healing magics out of thin air would have been impossible, he figured, especially when he was flying blind like this, but if it came from a source...
Deep in concentration, Noctis imagined himself drawing the potion's soothing medicine from his shoulder, and forcing it down his arm. He pictured it travelling down through his elbow and into his wrist, into his palm and through his fingers. He felt Prompto's twitch against his own, and he opened his eyes briefly to see if his friend had felt anything. Prompto looked identical to how he had a second ago, so Noctis decided it had merely been a happy coincidence.
He closed his eyes and tried again, pushing a little further this time with his mind, hoping that the energy he had created might just make it from his hand to Prompto's. For several minutes, he repeated the same steps, picturing the potion travelling through his veins and entering those tiny magic pockets between his and his companion's skin.
"Noct?"
The prince's eyes flew open, startled by the break in silence. Prompto's smile was still faint, but it held more amusement than pain now.
"What is it?"
"You're kinda squeezing my hand now. Pretty tightly, too," Prompto said, sheepishly, glancing down at their hands. Noct loosened his grip, looking quite embarrassed as he realized he'd practically turned Prompto's fingers completely white.
"S-sorry," Noct stammered out, watching their hands as he loosened his grip, waiting until he saw some color return to Prompto's hand before he met his gaze again. "Does it feel any better?"
"Yeah, I think so. A bit." Noctis had guessed as much, since Prompto was actually able to form a few words now.
"Okay, then let me try something." Gently, Noctis tugged his hand free and Prompto let his own fall over his waist. He watched with curious and slightly nervous eyes as Noct placed a hand on his knee. Prompto tensed and made a noise of discomfort, but Noct soothed him with a soft mantra of 'it's alright, you're going to be okay.'
It took a few seconds for Noctis to figure out how to trigger the stream of magic again, and he had to close his eyes to find the concentration he needed. Prompto watched him, stunned by the dim green light that he could just make out under Noct's hand. The light was cold against his knee, but in the most pleasant way as it dulled the searing hot pain of the cuts and breaks of his skin and bones. Noctis let the healing continue for as long as he could, until he felt his energy level seriously dropping. In the interest of keeping Prompto safe from anything that might find them in the cave, he figured he'd better stop and save enough strength to fight. Reluctantly, he lifted his hand from Prompto's injury, the last of the magic bubbles popping between his fingers and vanishing from existence.
"Noct? Did you just heal me?" Prompto asked, with a confused frown. Noctis moved to lie down again, his hand finding Prompto's, which was still draped over his waist where he'd left it.
"I think so. How do you feel?"
"Better," Prompto said, staring into his prince's eyes, which were looking a little tired and puffy now. Apparently, healing magics were quite taxing, at least to those who hadn't used them before. With his free hand, Prompto reached over to stroke Noctis' face, his thumb running over the skin beneath his eyes. "Thank you, Noct," he whispered. "But you shouldn't wear yourself out."
"Haven't I ever told you?" Noct quizzed, raising a brow, and Prompto stared at him in question again, shaking his head in tiny movements. Noctis leaned in, kissing the tip of Prompto's nose before moving down to capture his lips. "You're worth the hassle," he smirked.
