Summary: Noctis takes an extra moment in Zegnautus Keep to make sure Prompto is really okay.
(Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Established Relationship)

For Promptis Fanweek 2018 (Day 1: Reunion in Zegnautus)

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Everything's all right now."

Prompto's words sounded sincere, but there was something in his eyes that made Noctis uneasy. They were glassy, like tears were just barely being held back, and Noct wondered which of the many possible and perfectly reasonable causes had brought on such emotion. Was it remaining fear? Lingering pain? Or the fact that Noct had taken too damn long to get here, leaving Prompto to go through days of torture that Noct wasn't sure he ever wanted to know about in detail.

Prompto forced a flicker of a smile when he noticed the way his friend was staring at him, but Noct saw right through it.

"Guys, a minute?" Noctis asked, and to his surprise, Gladio just gave him a nod and guided Iggy away with him; it must have been obvious to them just how much Noct needed this moment alone with Prompto—a proper reunion. They had been travelling together long enough to know that there were things that Prompto wouldn't admit to anyone but Noctis who had, among other things, spent the most years building the bonds of trust.

Gladio and Ignis headed down the hallway of cells, giving the boys some privacy. Prompto clutched his opposite wrist, rubbing the painful-looking red marks with a woeful gaze.

"Hey, you really okay?" Noct asked, reaching for both of his injured wrists, and holding them within his own while his thumbs stroked tenderly.

"I'm fine," Prompto assured him, but the slight twinges of pain that crossed his features as Noct stroked his skin said otherwise.

"It hurts," Noct stated, not needing to be told. "How bad?"

Prompto hesitated, his gaze wandering timidly up to meet Noct's, his teeth biting nervously down on his bottom lip.

"It's just me, okay? You can be honest," Noct promised, taking a step closer, almost expecting Prompto to take one step back; he wouldn't have blamed him for it after what they had been through over the past few days, but he remained still.

Noctis' blue eyes were full of visible worry, but also so much care. The Noct that had attacked Prompto on the train was long gone, and Prompto knew in his heart that those harsh words and violent actions had never been meant for him.

"It... it stings pretty bad," Prompto whispered, and Noct's eyes widened in horror before he pulled his companion in against him. Prompto let out a weak whimper, and he had to fight hard against tears. He didn't know how many times over the past few days he had wished for this moment, how many times he had wished to be safe in Noct's arms—to confirm that he was loved by him, that he wasn't an enemy, and that he would be okay.

Noctis felt Prompto's hands fall upon his waist, returning the embrace that was so unbelievably comforting to both of them, despite the chilling atmosphere that surrounded them—the horrific device that had confined Prompto, nearly killng him, the cold grey walls and loudspeakers that could project Ardyn's voice at any time. The eeriness of it all just drove them closer. One of Noct's hands wandered into the back of Prompto's hair while the other remained on his back, holding their bodies flesh against each other.

"So, this is what it's like to be rescued by a prince, huh? Pretty lousy if you ask me," Noctis grumbled. So many times, he'd heard Prompto say that sweet line in battle after a little dose of Noct's healing, but now, Noct felt like such a failure. Princes weren't supposed to be so late in their rescue. They weren't supposed to let their loved one suffer like this before they defeated the evil. And they certainly weren't meant to cause the situation in the first place.

"It's not," Prompto promised, and he meant it. He was alive, after all. Noct had made it here, had set him free. That was all that really mattered.

"Ardyn called you my heart's desire," Noctis confessed, recalling Ardyn's echoing words over the speaker. "He knows what you mean to me. That's why he did this."

"I know," Prompto sniffled, pulling away so he could stare into blue eyes. There had been a point in time when he had figured Ardyn was going after the gang's weakest link, but after hearing Ardyn taunt him day in and day out, he realized his target was actually the one of most value to Noctis. "He said that even if you wouldn't come for the crystal, he knew you would come for me. I don't know what that thing does, but you shouldn't take it so easily, Noct. He's planning something."

"Hey, all I care about right now is you, okay? Just... tell me how I can help," Noct murmured, his eyes filled with so much concern, but also a look that filled Prompto with a sense of calm. He wasn't alone anymore. Noct would take care of him, so long as he let him.

Prompto watched as Noctis reached into his pocket and retrieved a potion. Instead of breaking it open like they usually did in battle, he popped the top off and spilled a bit of the blue-green substance onto his fingers. He looked at Prompto again, and with minimal reluctance, Prompto reached for his collar, and tugged it sideways, revealing more red marks where Ardyn had harmed him. Noct's brows twitched with sadness and anger, but he pressed forward with determination, his fingers reaching for the damaged skin and massaging the potion into the tired, aching muscles beneath the superficial injuries.

Prompto shivered at the feel of the cool liquid, but Noctis took a step closer, and held him steady with a hand on his back, hoping the little extra contact would keep him warm as well. Once he had finished with that shoulder, Prompto let go of his collar, and gave his friend another small smile, silently telling him he needn't do any more, but Noct spilled a little more of the potion onto his fingers. Prompto's eyes scrunched slightly as Noct reached for his face, his fingertips trailing green lines over red ones, brushing the potion over Prompto's bruised nose and scraped cheeks. He was so careful, so gentle, and Prompto yet again felt the urge to cry. Those tears would have been mostly from joy and relief had Prompto permitted them to fall, but still, he held back. Noctis probably felt guilty enough, and seeing his tears would only make him feel worse.

"Thank you, Noct," he whispered, as the prince let his hand fall from his face.

"No sweat."

Prompto started to courageously walk away, forgetting that his legs were still stiff and shaky after having been suspended for days. He stumbled forward, but Noctis appeared before him in a purple blur, warping to catch him before he added another injury to his list.

"Don't push yourself. We're in no rush," Noctis said, but momentarily wondered if the rush was simply to get away from him. He would have to give him a proper apology later for what happened on the train, maybe once they found a place to settle down for the night.

To his surprise, he felt Prompto fall in against him a little further, seeming to find comfort in his arms. His fingers curled into the back of Noct's coat, and he let out a shaky sigh.

"This is real, right? You're really here?"

"Yeah. I'm here," Noct breathed, hating to think about how many false images of him Prompto may have conjured up while they were apart. He couldn't imagine how lonely it must have been being held here, how terrifying.

"I'm glad. My prince," Prompto smiled weakly against his shoulder, and Noct held him tighter as they both fought sobs. Fists curled further into fabric, keeping each other as close as they could get without causing Prompto any further pain. Even forever wouldn't have been long enough to stay like this, to reassure each other that everything was going to be okay.

"I promise you, this nightmare is over," Noct swore, never realizing that another nightmare loomed just before them.