AN: Riku: Time again for a new chapter! And this time a little bit longer as things progress along! What's up today for the boys? Let's see!

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In Noctis's room, Prompto had his head in Noctis's lap. They were taking a short break from their game, and Prompto smiled up at Noctis again. He hadn't stopped smiling since they had gotten time alone with each other.

Noctis smiled down at Prompto while his hand found its way into the blond hair to start combing it gently. "Would it be alright if we got you a new phone? I know they took our old ones." He asked softly.

"Oh yeah, sounds like a good plan. And..." Prompto glanced down to his wrist. "Probably need to go home and get my other wristband."

"Want me to come with you, or would you rather go on your own for that?"

"I don't know... I don't know what to expect when I go home," Prompto curled up against Noctis, shuddering slightly.

Noctis wrapped his arms around Prompto to pull him in close. "You don't have to go back if you don't want to. We can take care of you here."

"I'd rather have that. But, I still wanna cover it up. The barcode."

"I bet I have some bandanas or something we could wrap around your wrist until we get a better idea to cover it up."

"Hmm, I guess that could work," Prompto said as he sat up.

Noctis moved to get off the bed so he could start digging through some of his drawers. He gave a little cry of happiness as he pulled out an old neckerchief to fling at Prompto. "Try that! Anything else you're missing I can try and scrounge up?"

Prompto held the neckerchief close to his chest, smiling warmly. He then looked over at the drawer. "Well that depends, is there anything else in that magical drawer of yours?"

"Oh, well, it's mostly the one drawer of nonsense Iggy lets me have here, so we could explore together?"

"Nonsense? Oh do tell," Prompto laughed.

"Doesn't everyone have a drawer of nonsense? Ignis says that I'm ridiculous, but I just - they're fun odds and ends," He laughed while waving Prompto over.

Prompto moved closer, peering into the drawer. "Dude, is that the show ticket to that theater show we saw last year?"

"Uh, maybe? Is that weird?" Noctis asked as he picked up the ticket stub to look at it better. "I didn't want to throw it away."

"Nah, I think it's cool. Keeping tickets to all the shows you've been to. Keeps the memories that way."

"I thought the same thing. That was the first concert I went to, and I wanted to remember it with you."

Prompto blushed. "Our first unofficial 'before date', right?

Noctis gave a weak laugh at that. "I think you might be right. But, no, we cannot have like four anniversaries, right? Or should we? I'd like a reason to give you gifts."

"I don't really need to be overly showered in gifts," Prompto lowered his head. "I don't think I'm ready for that much praise."

"Okay, not that much praise then." Noctis agreed.

"Also, you think you could help me tie this on?" He held up the neckerchief. "Little harder than just a sweatband."

Noctis came over so he could wrap the neckerchief around his wrist before tying it in a knot on top of the tattoo. "There, it looks good."

Prompto smiled graciously. "Thanks Noct. It looks great!"

"Yeah, feeling better now?" He asked while he moved to just hold Prompto's hand loosely.

"Much better," Prompto said before giving a small kiss to Noctis's cheek.

"Come on, let's go play our game," Noctis said as he twined their fingers together so they could pile on the couch together.

Prompto smiled as the two of them headed back to the couch. "So, is this all we do now? Play games and watch movies? Just like before, but call it dating?"

"Would you like to do the normal date activities? We can do the whole dinner and a movie or such, if you'd like."

"Yeah, I'd like that," Prompto said, snuggling closely to Noctis.

Noctis smiled at that. "Then when we are allowed to go out, we'll do some proper dates.

"Sounds like a deal."

When the following day came, Ignis and Gladio entered Noctis's room. They found Noctis and Prompto snuggled up on Noctis's bed. Thankfully both of them were decent, both in loose t-shirts and boxers. Looking at them for the moment, they looked more peaceful than they ever had been since being brought back.

But they couldn't wait forever. "We should wake them soon," Gladio whispered. "Can't let them sleep the day away."

"Let me start seeing if I can light this place up, let them wake up naturally so we don't startle them," Ignis suggested as he moved quietly around the apartment to open up all of the blinds to flood the place with light.

The boys stirred slightly, with Prompto wrapping his arms around Noctis a little tighter than before.

The shifting in position and the increase of light made Noctis start to stir awake. He startled a little bit when he saw Ignis moving around the room, but otherwise started to shake Prompto awake.

"Dude, we're going to miss breakfast if you don't wake up."

"Huh? Hmm..." Prompto hummed softly before opening his eyes. "Oh, breakfast sounds nice."

"C'mon, Specs already has breakfast ready for us," Noctis said softly, once he noticed who was in the room with a sharp glance. "We just have to head to it."

"Before you guys get ready, you may want to know what the breakfast plan is," Gladio interrupted.

Noctis paused from getting out of bed with those words. "There's a plan?" He asked softly. "Not just breakfast?"

"Things may get a bit complicated," Ignis replied. "Please listen though before casting your judgement."

"Ignis, what are you planning?" Noctis asked, stress leaching into his words as he looked around quickly.

"It's nothing too serious, Noct," Ignis tried to advise.

"But what is it then?" Prompto asked warily.

Ignis took a breath to steady himself, especially watching the two of them hold each other closely. "We wish to enjoy our morning meals in different rooms, with each of you." He explained.

"Would you let me steal Noct away for a bit while you have breakfast with Specs?" Gladio offered.

Prompto's face paled slightly. "You want to separate us?"

"We could keep the door open between the rooms if that would help you feel more comfortable for the time being?" Ignis offered. "But I know Gladiolus, as Noct's Shield, would like to see Noctis and how he's doing." He hated using guilt as a motivator, but he knew they needed to eventually have their own lives apart from each other.

Prompto still didn't look convinced. He scooted a little closer to Noctis, glancing at him for advice.

Noctis had his brow furrowed at the explanation. "I just- you're sure? Just Gladio? and the door open?" He asked carefully. "No surprises, right? You'll both take good care of him?"

"No intended surprises, and a fully open door for both of you. Just some nice conversations between the four of us," Ignis tried to assure Noctis.

"I guess that doesn't sound so bad," Prompto answered softly.

"There ya go blondie, you see? We're all friends here," Gladio said. "So let's get to it."

Noctis looked over at Ignis to assess his honesty before sliding out of bed with a sigh. Ignis caught his arm when he started to stumble because of his balance. "No worries Noct, we're here for you, no matter what." Ignis assured him.

Those words brought a smile to the Prince's lips as he let his Shield lead him to the large sitting room for breakfast. Many times he made sure the connecting door between them was wide open in case Prompto needed him.

Soon enough when the food came out, Ignis left the room to head where Prompto was eating. Gladio came in and took his seat across from Noctis.

"So," he said as he bit into his food. "How're you feeling?"

Noctis made sure to take up his portion of the food before he looked up at Gladiolus with a narrowed eyed expression for a long moment. Then, he gave a sigh and made himself take a drink of the coffee prepared his favorite way.

"My back is killing me," He said softly. A small peace offering in this strange unbalance for him. He would find a way to get Prompto back.

"Guess we better start with some stretching exercises soon then, huh?"

Excuses immediately filled his mouth. "I tried- I walked- I didn't know what to do." Noctis finally settled on, feeling guilt flooding him for adding more work to his Shield's job after everything.

"You're just a bit rusty. But you know I'll get you back into shape. It's my job after all," Gladio chuckled.

"I just, Prompto needs protecting." He said softly. "Can you help with that?"

"I can help train him if that's what you mean. Kid could use some more muscles anyway."

Noctis looked back to the open door leading to where Prompto was. "Yeah, that might be good."

Gladio grumbled. "Are you even paying attention to what I'm saying?"

The grumbles made Noctis jerk some and look at Gladio. "You're offering to train Prom," He said softly.

"Yeah, okay your focus is here, but your eyes seem to be someplace else," Gladio said observantly. "Blondie still on your mind?"

Noctis twisted his fingers into his shirt while he looked Gladio over. "Yes. I want to make sure he's safe." The words were quiet and careful.

"He's with Ignis, isn't that enough?"

"I don't know," He confessed with wide eyes.

Gladio hummed, resting his arms on the table. "Well if you got something on your mind, say it."

"Why are you so insistent we have to split up? We've got each other's backs, we trust each other, and you know Prom is stronger than people expect. Just- let us be happy."

"You can't spend every waking second together," Gladio replied. "You aren't stuck together with glue or something. You don't see me and Iggy together every single day."

"But people don't use Ignis against you. Or hurt him to make things happen. They do that to Prompto. And I have to keep that from ever happening again."

"We're all here to make sure that never happens again, Noct. No one will hurt you or Prompto."

"But, we got hurt here before," He whispered.

Gladio's fists tightened. "I know," he said, gritting his teeth. "And I'm sorry I ever let that happen. But never again."

"I suppose, but I know I can protect him. I've done it before."

"Noct, you need to not overdo it. Protecting Prompto because you care about him is fine, but you can't let it control you."

"I'm not letting it control me. I'm perfectly fine right now."

Gladio didn't look convinced. "If you were fine you wouldn't be looking at the door every other second."

"Is that what you want? For me to not look at the door for a while?"

"Well it would help to know how you're feeling. So we can figure out what to do."

"It would make you think I'm crazy."

"Noct, I'm your sworn shield. I am here to protect and help, but I can't do that if you won't talk."

Noctis took a deep breath and looked down at his hands. "Sometimes it feels like I'm still there. And I just- I need to figure out how to make you happy so I can get back to him. Just worrying about what the others are doing to him this time."

"You can trust Iggy. You know that. And you know you can trust me."

Noctis felt disjointed at that as he took in those words. He knew both of his Retinue were trained for these situations, but it was still hard to trust them. "It's hard. The trust, after everything that happened. It's like, there are two levels. The 'I know you are trained and great at your job', and then there's the instinct level- 'where I think if I can't see Prompto he must be in danger.'" He tried to explain.

Gladio closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath. "I guess... I guess I can understand. It's my job to protect you, as your shield. When you were gone, I worried. More than I would like to admit."

"You were? But you're always so strong and steady. Both of you are."

"Well when things go to shit, things can get a bit desperate. But know this Noct, you know Prompto is safe with us. We will protect him."

Noctis watched Gladio for a long moment before giving a shaky nod. "Okay. Gladio, I wish things could be back to normal."

"That's what we're trying to do here," Gladio answered. "We'd all love for things to be normal again."

"I'm guessing Ignis has a plan for that? He plans when he worries."

"Oh you bet he's been planning. Running himself ragged like usual," Gladio smiled. "But I'm keeping an eye on him, don't worry."

"He's keeping an eye out for you too, right? Are you. . . feeling better now that we're back?" Noctis asked carefully.

Gladio nodded. "A lot better yeah. It's really good to have you back."

"It's good to be back, even if we aren't, really that normal right now."

"Yeah. What matters is your home. Everyone here missed you a lot. Oh, Iris says hello by the way. I know she wants to see you as soon as possible."

"Tell her hi for me. I'll try to come over at some point, but Dad is, well, I imagine you know how he is better than me." Noctis said with a shrug.

"He is just doing what a father should. You know that."

"But what was he like while we were gone?" Noctis pressed.

Gladio shook his head. "Not the conversation to have with me. That's something you'll have to bring up with him."

"I was afraid you were going to say that."

"Why?" Gladio scoffed. "Don't want to talk to your old man?"

"I don't want to bring up bad memories for him. He's protective enough as it is."

"Well... I can't really make you. So you do whatever you want then," Gladio shrugged. He then looked at his phone before getting up. "I guess it's been long enough, let's go see the others."

Noctis perked up at that eagerly and got to his feet quickly. "Oh good. Let me guess, we're going to be doing this more to get us used to being apart?"

"You got it. It's the way it's gotta be, Noct."

Noctis let out a long sigh but nodded. "This sucks, but okay."

-

AN: GG: Well, looks like getting them settled on their own might take a while, but everyone is determined to make it work. Just, maybe not Noct and Prom just yet.