Disclaimer: Not mine

Chapter 10

They spent three days at the chocobo outpost, learning how to ride and care for the birds and even racing for fun. Despite never having seen one before, Harry picked up riding very fast. There were enough similarities in how to ride one between the birds and Hippogriffs that he was able to work it out quickly. Once he did, he won every race. Ignis was the next best after him and despite his love for the birds, Prompto came last every time. His excitement transferred to his bird, making it jumpy and harder to control, not that the blonde minded.

Noctis was relieved when Harry shook off his reaction to the way he'd killed Deadeye, but he got it. Harry had been told since he was eleven that that spell was evil. Despite knowing he could use it without any worry of harming his soul or being consumed by the desire to kill, it would be hard to rework that mindset. Prompto was the only one of the guys to understand, to Iggy and Gladio it was just more of his different magic being used.

Once they left they turned towards Lestallum, Gladio eager to see his sister again. It was still a three day drive to reach the biggest city in Lucis now that Insomnia had fallen. Though according to the radio, Imperial 'recovery' efforts meant that people were still living there, in the areas least affected by the fighting. Whether or not they were staying willingly, they had no way of knowing.

At night they camped at Havens, not even bothering with the guys tent, why would they when Harry's was fully equipped with beds and indoor plumbing? Ignis had decided to just accept that Noctis and Harry shared a bed, so long as Noctis was safe it was not his place to argue. And Harry had proved he would defend their King. It was nice to share cooking duties with someone too. Though he was watching Prompto carefully, relieved to find that Noctis and Harry were aware of his lingering uncertainty and that they did all they could to assure the blonde that he was still needed and wanted.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Nyx stared at the blockade, mentally swearing. If he still had magic it would be no problem getting passed them, without it would take a lot more work. He was healed now but it had been years since he had no magic at all to fall back on in a fight. Plus, Lunafreya was not a soldier. She could defend herself, but she would not make it through a drawn out fight. They needed to get access to the Disc without being captured, looked like they had a lot of climbing ahead of them. He missed warping so much! He would have to talk to her about meeting up with the Prin…King, see if anything could be done to give him access to magic again.

He didn't know what waking the Astral up would take but he doubted it would be easy which meant he needed plans for getting them out of there even if she was unconscious.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Prompto woke, breathing heavily, sweating, as he trembled. He sat up and looked around, seeing Ignis and Gladio in their own beds, still asleep. He pushed the blankets away and got up, stumbling out of the bedroom. He fumbled with the bathroom door and then it opened to reveal a sleepy Harry who blinked at him before waking up all the way.

"Prompto?" he asked in alarm and then there was an arm around his waist, guiding him into the bathroom to sit on the closed toilet. "What is it? Are you sick?" Harry asked and he felt the warm tingle that was Harry's magic even as a damp cloth gently wiped over his face.

"S…sorry," he mumbled.

"Hey," his head was gently tipped up and he blinked up at Harry, seeing the concern in his eyes. "You've got nothing to be sorry for," the wizard told him. he turned away and then he was pressing a glass to Prompto's lips and he obediently sipped at the cool water. "Nightmare?"

Prompto managed a shaky nod, looking away in shame. He wasn't a kid anymore. Ever since making that stupid file, seeing the one Cor had sent in return….of the man he could see some of his own features in…the nightmares had come back just like when he'd first been rescued.

"Come on," Harry gently pulled him up and led him to the room he shared with Noct.

"What?" he tried to pull back.

"You don't need to deal with this alone," Harry answered, leading him to the bed. He felt magic over him again and he was clean and dry feeling, even as Harry pulled the blankets down.

"Hmmm….Harry?" Noctis mumbled at the sudden change in temperature, rolling over to blink blearily up at them. he frowned in confusion and then began pushing himself up. "Prom? What's wrong?" he shook his head, trying to wake up more, reaching out for his best friend, seeing Harry gently nudge the blonde down onto the bed before getting in behind him.

Prompto quickly found himself cocooned between them, Noct's arms around his waist, one of Harry's hands gently resting on his hip, his body not as close but still warm behind him. he felt tears leaking out even as he gave in and buried his head in the crook of Noctis' neck.

"It's okay, we've got you, you're safe," Noctis promised, unsure what else to do.

"He...I…."

"Shh… take your time," that was Harry whispering in his ear, his other hand coming up to run up and down Prompto's arm.

Prompto sagged between them, accepting the offered comfort and support. He never even noticed when he fell into a dreamless sleep, the two holding him through the night.

Harry remained awake even as Noctis joined Prompto in sleep, watching over them. He was very glad he'd woken up and needed the loo, if he hadn't they likely wouldn't have known about this. Harry could guess at what had caused it, having to tell him about his past, sending Leonis everything he remembered, the invasion…all of it was the perfect food for nightmares. If they kept up he'd have to break out his cauldron and potions books. Dreamless sleep was okay in the short term, but it could be addictive.

When the sun rose harry slipped out of bed and into the kitchen, finding Ignis there, looking concerned.

"Have you seen Prompto this morning?"

"He's in with us," Harry answered, putting on what he needed for hot chocolate.

"Oh?" Ignis blinked.

Harry hesitated but then sighed. "Nightmares," he admitted softly and Ignis grimaced.

"I see. I suppose that is not unexpected."

"For all of you," Harry agreed. He poured the drinks and slipped back into the bedroom, knowing the rich chocolate smell would rouse them. Sure enough, Noctis began to twitch, sleepy blue eyes fluttering open and then he was lethargically pushing up to take a mug, glancing down at Prompto who began to stir as well. Soon they were all sitting up and drinking.

"Prom?" Noctis asked when done and Prompto glanced nervously at him so he reached out and took his hand. "Hey, it's okay."

"I disturbed you," Prompto muttered.

"You think I care? That Harry does?" Noctis pushed and Prompto shrugged slightly Noctis sighed and then pulled him into a hug. "You're my best friend and if you need me I'm going to be there," he swore.

"Noct's right, if you need either of us or both, we'll be there. I feel like I've known you just as long as Noctis had, he used to tell me so much about you. I think we're friends and I always look out for my friends," Harry promised, hand on his shoulder. "Even at night, you can sleep with us."

"But…"

"Prom, it's not like we're…doing something every night. We're just sleeping the majority of the time; hunting is exhausting work even with all of us working together. If you need us, then you come here."

Prompto stared at Noctis and then twisted his head to look at Harry, seeing the same concern and honesty in him as Noctis was showing. "Cor…he sent me a file. Research Chief Verstael Besithia, head of the MT project…he looks…"

"You think he's your genetic donor?" Noctis asked, putting it together and Prompto nodded. "Who cares? Doesn't change a thing," he promised. He pulled back and took Prompto's face in his hands, making sure he was looking at him. "You could have the genes of the Emperor himself and it wouldn't matter. You are Prompto Argentum, Crown Citizen, and that is my decree as King," Noctis stated firmly. It could be the first law he made, that it didn't matter whose genes anyone carried, they would be judged on their own actions and he knew Prompto was totally loyal to him.

"I've got some pretty nasty people through my family tree," Harry offered, he was technically related to the Malfoy's, Black's…and even Riddle himself. He wasn't sure where they fell on the evil scale compared to Prompto's, but evil was evil. "Doesn't mean you have to claim him or be anything like him."

Prompto slowly relaxed between them, accepting the comfort. He wanted so badly to believe them. Two years of Noct telling him he was human had helped some but sometimes it was so hard to believe. He shivered as Noct pressed a kiss to his forehead before pulling back to look him in the eye and Prompto nodded shakily. He'd heard him and maybe one day he would be able to always believe him. He felt Harry squeeze his shoulder before moving away.

"Ignis is making breakfast," Harry told them before leaving with the empty mugs.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

They drove into a tunnel and Harry grabbed the back of Prompto's belt as the blonde leaned out with his camera.

"It's like we're warping into another dimension!"

Noctis chuckled and shook his head but grinned. "Wonder where we'll end up?" he asked even as Harry yanked Prompto down.

"Wow!" Prompto stared around as they came out of the tunnel and onto the main road for Lestallum.

"Nice," Gladio agreed from up front as Ignis drove down a ramp and into a parking lot, finding a spot by the stairs.

"This place is pretty big," Noctis agreed, it was big, nowhere near Insomnia's side but many times bigger than anywhere else they'd seen.

"It feels weird being in a city again," Harry admitted as he followed Noctis out of the car. The last city he'd been in was Tokyo, he didn't really count Insomnia since the place had been a warzone at the time.

"They've even got a cable car!" Prompto pointed excitedly.

"I'd like to see where it leads," Ignis suggested.

They headed up the stairs and then crossed the road, fighting not to get separated in the bustle.

"One hell of a crowd," Noctis grimaced as he was knocked, and Harry pulled him out of the way of some running children.

"This must be the main thoroughfare," Ignis offered, looking around.

Gladio pulled his phone out as it rang. "Iris?"

"Gladdy!"

"We just rolled into town. Where are you?"

"At the Leville. It's a hotel by the—"

"'Kay, thanks. Bye," he cut her off and hung up. "She's at the Leville. Let's go," he told them, plunging into the crowded street and they all followed, not wanting to be separated.

They finally made it into the courtyard where the Leville was, right as an earthquake struck. Prompto yelped and staggered and Harry found himself once again grabbing his belt, this time to keep him upright. "Whoa, do you feel that?" blue eyes were wide in shock.

"You mean the earthquake?" Gladio asked as he looked up for any sign of something coming loose and falling on them.

Noct grabbed his head and winced; his vision blurring until he couldn't see the courtyard. He saw Titan, the meteor on his back, eyes staring right at him but after a moment, the visions abated and Noctis shook the experience off, not seeing the concerned glance Harry gave him.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked as Prompto steadied himself, turning to see what Harry had.

"My head just started throbbing," he admitted since he would never lie to Harry…he'd seen the toll his visions had taken on him.

"You alright?" Prompto asked and he managed to nod.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he promised, the pain was already fading. Maybe it was nothing? Deciding to ignore it for now he led the way into the lobby.

"Gladdy!" A voice called from the stairs and they turned to see her hurrying down, even as Ignis booked two rooms for the group.

"Iris," Gladio greeted his sister in relief, it was different, seeing her, than just hearing her on the phone. He swept her up into a hug and she clung to him for a minute before moving back to smile at the group.

"Look at you guys, holding your own out there."

"What can I say? You look good," Prompto offered and she shrugged slightly.

"All things considered. You guys are staying here, right?" She asked as Ignis joined them from the check-in counter.

"We are," he passed out room keys.

"When you have time, we have catching up to do," Gladio told her and she nodded.

"Sure," she led them upstairs to her room.

"Jared and Talcott! Is it good to see you," Gladio greeted the old man and the boy in relief.

"Prince Noctis! Iris is safe with me!" The boy declared and the group smothered smiles at his cuteness.

"Please excuse my grandson. He has yet to learn his manners," Jared offered formally but Noctis waved off the apology.

"I like it."

"Your Highness is very kind, but we shan't impose. A very good night to you, Your Highness," Jared bowed and ushered the boy from the room, Iris closing the door behind them as the group spread out around her room.

"So Iris, what was it like inside the Crown City?" Noctis asked, Harry had told him what he'd seen, but he'd come into it late.

"Not pretty," she admitted, bunching her skirt between her fingers as she stared at the floor. "The Citadel took a beating. But a lot of outlying neighbourhoods made it through in one piece."

"The empire had tactical targets in mind," Ignis frowned, in a way that was good because it likely had somewhat limited the casualties to a degree.

"You know if there's anything else, you can ask me," she offered.

"Yeah, uh, thanks," Noctis shifted uncomfortably and Harry squeezed his hand.

"Oh, hi," Iris said as she noticed, looking at the guy she didn't recognise, though she recognised how he was dressed.

"Harry Potter," he introduced himself.

She smiled at him, glad that Gladio had more people to help him keep Noctis safe. "So…about Lady Lunafreya. I keep hearing she was in town. Apparently she left right away, but at least it means she's okay," she told them, figuring Noctis would want to know about his fiancé.

"Good to hear. Thanks," and he still didn't know what was happening with that.

"We should let you sleep," Ignis stood and the others followed his lead. They split up between the two rooms, Prompto hesitating until Noctis rolled his eyes and pulled him into their room.

The spent the next day sightseeing, until Talcott told them the legend of the sword in the waterfall and then they were off to see if it was a Royal Tomb or not. Noctis had another bout of pain and none of them liked that so it was a good time to see if distance would help. Harry and Ignis began planning how to gain access to the Astral without getting caught by the Empire. Harry's plans involved more explosions and less sneaking.

TBC…