Summary: After rescuing Prompto, Noctis is upset to find he was hiding something from him.
(Hurt/Comfort, Injury, Established Relationship)

"Hey, Prompt, Ignis said dinner's just about ready so—" Noctis halted where he stood, two hands gripping the edge of the door where he'd pushed it open. His feet were planted firmly on the dingy motel carpet, but his legs seemed to be turning to jelly from the ankles up. He could feel the blood leaving his lower limbs and travelling to his face instead.

Across the room stood Prompto, shirt held up to his chest as he eyed himself in the mirror; of course, this was partly to blame for Noctis' reddening cheeks. The remaining blame was placed on rage as it flushed his face with pure disdain, for Prompto had been regarding a series of bruises along his bare side—bruises that he'd not said a word about to the rest of the group.

Prompto shoved his shirt back down and stuffed his hands in his pockets, casually shifting from one foot to the other; it wasn't a movement that was entirely out of the ordinary for him, but right now, Noctis knew it was forced. Prompto was hoping Noct didn't notice the bruises, or wouldn't say anything about them—one or the other. His hopes were dashed in a second.

"What's up, Noct?" came his jovial tone.

"No. No, you don't get to do that. Just pretend everything's okay?" Noctis barked, and Prompto couldn't decide whether anger or fear was the dominating emotion in his voice. Noctis shook his head and found the power to move his frozen legs, striding into the room like a man on a mission. Prompto backed up a few steps, eyes widening as Noctis approached him. He mustered a weak chuckle.

"Wish you were always so eager to undress me," he joked as Noctis reached for the hem of his shirt. He yanked it up, and Prompto's smile fell at the mere sight of Noctis' expression. He wasn't quite sure how to describe it. Apologetic? Hurt? No, it was so much more complicated than that.

He knew in that moment that he'd destroyed a part of his best friend, just by keeping this secret from him, but he hadn't wanted to tell. He didn't want to talk about how it had happened, or how much it hurt. He'd simply been hoping it wouldn't impact his combat abilities, and that the damage would heal without the boys ever knowing about it.

Noctis let out a heavy, rembling breath, his forehead falling in against Prompto's, but his eyes still on the line of bruises along his rib cage, the splatters of red, blue, and purple giving away the location of every bone that lay beneath tarnished skin.

"Was it Ardyn?" Noctis dared to ask, voice shaking.

"Yeah." Prompto felt Noctis' fist curl around the material of his shirt, before he let go entirely, charging for the door.

"Noct!"

"He needs to pay," Noctis growled, fists clenched at his sides.

"Wait! Nrrr..." The noise of pain that emerged from Prompto's throat was enough to turn Noctis' legs to ice again, and he froze on the spot before rushing back to his friend.

Prompto was practically doubled over, one hand clutching his side while the other was still outstretched and reaching for his dark-haired prince. Noctis' fingers slipped into the spaces between Prompto's while his other arm fell around Prompto's back. Slowly and gently, he guided him until he was upright. Eyes met—Prompto's soft and sorry, Noctis' burning with determination.

"He needs to pay," Noctis repeated.

"And he will, but please, don't go after him right now. We've been through enough for one night," Prompto pleaded.

They had only escaped the Keep a mere few hours ago. It wasn't even long enough for Prompto's wrists and ankles to stop stinging from the restraints he'd been held in. The last thing he wanted was for any of them to risk going back to that horrible place, for fear that they might not be lucky enough to escape the second time around.

Prompto glanced down; the back of Noctis' hand was grazing the fabric covering his injuries. He tried not to flinch, but even the slightest contact made his eyes want to close in discomfort. It didn't take long for Noct to notice this, and he instead moved his hand around to the small of the blond's back, circling gently.

"Did he... throw you, or something?" Noctis' eyes were on the concealed injury again. The gleam that was usually in his blue eyes was so dull, as if seeing Prompto harmed had taken the light right out of them. Prompto pressed his head to Noct's again, and squeezed their still linked hands.

"Y-yeah. Into one of those metal shelving units that was in my cell," Prompto divulged, though he wasn't quite sure if he should; who knew how Noctis would react. Thankfully, the worst of his reaction was when he shivered at the word cell. He just didn't like to think of Prompto stuck in there alone, not knowing if his friends would ever be able to find him, or if they were even coming for him at all.

"Prompto," the prince murmured, momentarily forgetting how sore his friend was as he pulled him in against him. Prompto made another pained noise. Noctis replied with a surprised sound of his own before accompanying it with a quiet apology.

"You might have broken a rib or something. We should have Ignis take a look at it," he went on.

"No." Prompto shook his head quickly. Noctis frowned, eyeing him with dire concern. "N-not yet. Right now, I just want to... stay here. I want to convince myself that I'm really here with you."

Noctis' eyes softened as their gazes met, and as Prompto's head fell forward, Noctis pressed his lips to his cheek and nose, which were also painted with purple and red streaks. Prompto closed his eyes tightly to prevent tears as he tried to block out all the pain he'd endured from Ardyn, and was overwhelmed by the feeling of safety that he only ever felt when he was with Noctis. His dear Noctis who had showed him that he mattered, and cared for him more than anyone else ever had.

"After being in Ardyn's presence for so long, you start to doubt what's real, and what's just an illusion," Prompto continued, feeling like he should further explain himself, but he didn't need to. Noctis understood on his own. He'd had his own turn falling for Ardyn's schemes.

"You're really here with me," the prince promised, holding Prompto close enough that he felt safe, but loosely so that he wouldn't feel any pain. Prompto seemed appreciative of his efforts as he caught Noctis' lips in a tearful kiss. "And I'm not letting you go."