Summary: Noctis has his concerns when he and the group are forced to share a caravan with Ardyn.
(Protectiveness Towards Loved Ones, Hurt/Comfort, Established Relationship)
Noctis always considered caravans to be cramped quarters, but he'd never imagined he and the boys would be forced into sharing one with a man they hardly knew—and could hardly trust. Brushing his teeth, he pulled back the curtain of the bathroom slightly to peer at the auburn-haired chancellor of Niflheim, who was sitting casually at the table. He had one leg draped over the other, hands resting atop them as he chatted with Ignis, who cleaned the remaining crumbs of their dinner off the stove.
Noctis rolled his eyes and glared at the man, despite the fact that Ardyn's gaze was nowhere near his own. Noctis had been wary of him to begin with, but after seeing the way he had leaned in so close to Prompto when they had been gathered around the table outside, and the way his fingers had reached out to graze Prompto's chin—and probably would have if Prompto hadn't pulled away—he had absolutely no trust for this man with the wily grin.
"What's wrong?" Prompto asked, popping into Noct's line of view, startling him. Noct's mouth twitched and relaxed into a smile.
"Nothing," he whispered. Prompto gave him a half-smile, knowing he was hiding something, but figuring he could still get to the root of it.
"Mind if I come in and brush my teeth, too?" Prompto queried.
Noctis pulled the curtain open a little wider for him, allowing him to enter. They stood side-by-side, shoulder-to-shoulder in the tiny washroom, the square mirror before then just barely big enough to reflect the two of them.
"You don't trust Ardyn, huh?" Prompto asked, softly, as he turned the tap on, wetting his toothbrush before he stuck it into his mouth and started brushing. Noctis rid himself of the toothpaste in his mouth and washed out the sink with a cupful of water.
"Do you?" Noct tested.
"No," Prompto said, a sad sort of honesty in his voice. "But he hasn't exactly given us reason not to trust him, either. Other than being from Niflheim."
In the mirror, Noctis caught the sight of Prompto's eyes flickering downward, and he followed them, turning to gaze at the leather band covering Prompto's wrist. As the only one in their group who knew Prompto's secret, he felt the need to assure him that that mark didn't change anything. Gently, Noctis draped a hand over Prompto's where it rested on the sink, earning him a curious glance. Violet eyes stared at him in question, and Noctis gave him a look that was serious, but full of deep care.
"It's not because he's from Niflheim," he promised, letting his thumb brush over the wristband, soothing Prompto's frayed nerves and settling those fears that made him feel so apart from his prince. Prompto smiled, and spit out his toothpaste, turning on the sink to rinse it out. As he went to turn the water off again, Noctis reached for his hand.
"Leave it on. So we can talk," Noct instructed, and he linked their fingers as he brought his arm around Prompto's waist. He stood behind him now, admiring how they looked in the mirror—dark hair contrasting with blond, pale skin against light freckles. The sound of rushing water helped to drown out their words as they continued their conversation.
"I just... don't like the way he looks at you," Noct admitted, startling Prompto with how truly frightened he looked. Prompto frowned worriedly, unable to meet Noct's gaze in the mirror as Noct rested his head on his shoulder; the prince's gaze was too low to make eye contact.
"I feel like... like he knows there's something between us. And what if he is an enemy? Does that mean you're in danger, too?" Noctis went on, voice not much more than a nervous murmur.
"Noct..." Prompto reached for the back of the young man's neck, ruffling the hair there. "You worry too much."
"You're one to talk," Noct grimaced, though he still tilted his head to press kisses into the crook of Prompto's neck.
"Yeah, I guess," Prompto chuckled, half-heartedly. "Maybe we're both a little paranoid."
"When it comes to you... I can't help it," came the prince's confession. Prompto's lips parted slightly in surprise, knowing that as difficult as those words had been for Noctis to say aloud, they had come from a place of love.
He moved slightly against Noct's hold, making the prince loosen his grip enough for him to spin in his arms. With a tender gratitude in his eyes, Prompto reached for the sides of Noctis' face, while Noctis stared at him almost timidly. He knew Prompto wouldn't tease him for being so protective, but he still felt vulnerable displaying this frightened side of himself, this side that showed how deeply he cared.
"I know the feeling," Prompto whispered. He went to lean in, with every intention of kissing Noctis breathless, but Ardyn's voice rang out through the caravan, making Noctis jump back like something had bitten him on the ankle.
"Certainly taking their time in there, aren't they? I would like to freshen up myself at some point."
Noctis took another small step back, making Prompto's hands fall from his face. The prince appeared shy and scared, but mostly apologetic.
"We'd better not make him too suspicious," Noct said, voice quiet before slipping out of the bathroom. Prompto sighed and moved to the sink to turn the tap off, not quite sure how to feel about being Noctis' weak spot.
Once everyone had gotten their turn in the bathroom, they settled into their bunks—Gladio and Ignis stuffed into the upper one and Prompto and Noctis in the lower, while Ardyn opted for the cushioned bench as his bed instead. Ignis switched off the lamp on the nearby wall, leaving the trailer in darkness, and all that could be heard was each other's soft breaths as they prepared for sleep. For once, sleep had a hard time finding Noctis, and after a good half hour of restlessness, he felt an arm slip over his waist, and Prompto rolled in close against his back.
"It's okay, Noct," he whispered.
Noctis kept his eyes on the wall straight ahead, feeling inclined to be especially uneasy now that both their backs were to the chancellor. It was quite possible the man could shove a dagger through either one of them, but they both had good instincts, and good reflexes. Noct would just have to hope they would detect any incoming attacks, even if sleep took them.
Noct let out a sigh, the warmth of Prompto's embrace enough to make him feel more tired already. Giving in to the comfort, he laced his fingers with Prompto's where they rested around his waist, and closed his eyes, letting a small burst of purple magics swirl at his fingertips, assuring himself he would be ready for any danger.
He and Prompto fell asleep soon after that, and when the sounds of their breathing changed so that it was slow and heavy, Ardyn got up from his reclined position on the bench and drifted over to the couple in the lower bunk. Summoning a faint white glow in the palm of his hand to light the area, he sneered at the sight of them—of the blond boy's arm draped protectively over the prince's waist, their fingers entwined like it was second nature to them.
Pleased with his discovery, Ardyn returned to the bench, quietly humming a familiar victory tune. It seemed he'd found his next target. He could still take out the Oracle, as it would inevitably cause Noctis great pain, but then he could use the true love of the prince's life as leverage for whatever he needed. Bait, perhaps? Yes, things were turning out even better than expected.
A/N: I know the world is in upheaval right now, but I hope these two chapters I uploaded today will be a little light in these dark times. Thank you to all readers for your continued support, and I hope you all stay safe and healthy. Take care!