Disclaimer: not mine
Chapter 7
Ignis held Prompto close, feeling the younger man slowly relax even as Ignis rocked them slightly. He felt a hand gripping his shirt, Prompto rubbing his cheek against it, a move he'd seen with the Marshal and Noctis. He felt a slight tug on his shirt and glanced down, seeing the slight frustration on Prompto's face. "Prompto?" he called gently, and blue eyes rose to meet his. "That is my shirt, do you want it off?" he felt another small tug. "Alright, can you sit up for a second?"
He felt Prompto press closer before he reluctantly pulled back a bit. Ignis quickly unbuttoned his shirt and let it slip from his arms, leaving only his necklace there and then Prompto was pressing against him, rubbing his cheek against bare skin and Ignis fought down a shiver at the contact with Prompto's much warmer skin.
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Noctis watched quietly as Ignis removed his shirt, obviously making Prompto happier. He waited, hoping for a moment of realisation but there was nothing, no recognition. Then Prompto yanked at the shirt they'd put on him while he slept and Noctis shifted closer to help him pull it off before removing his own. It was weird considering how body shy Prompto had always been, but he would do anything he needed.
Ignis shifted to lie down and Noctis lay back down as well, pressed to Prompto's back, hand running up and down his side as he felt Prompto relax between them. His body was settled but with the bond, Noctis could feel the mental pressure Prompto was under, yet he was forcing himself to ignore it, to focus on them, but how long could he do it for? He pressed his face against smooth skin, inhaling Prompto's scent, it had changed with his Awakening, but under the change, it still lingered, the scent that meant Prompto. His skin was so warm now, how would they keep people from noticing? Could they hide this from those who would realise what it meant?
"Noct?"
"Yeah Prompto?" he smiled when Prompto twisted his neck to look at him.
"Okay?"
"Is what okay?" he slowly leant in and nuzzled at Prompto's throat, feeling him begin to tense for a second before he slowly tipped his head to give him better access. He was in awe of his friend, his memory was obviously a mess, there was a voice in his head that came and went commanding him to kill, he was dealing with who knew what instincts, but he still fought against all of that to trust him. Prompto slowly lifted a hand, reaching back to him, and Noctis stayed still until the fingers came to rest in his hair, pressing into the hesitant touch which grew surer at his encouragement.
"You're cold, not sick?" Prompto turned his head back to look at Ignis as well and the older man smiled, lifting a hand to gently stroke Prompto's cheek.
"We aren't cold Prompto, this is our normal temperature. Is it uncomfortable for you?"
What if it was? Would Prompto not want to be touched by them? That idea made him feel sick, but he didn't want Prompto to be uncomfortable. Yeah, he felt overly warm to them, but it was kind of nice.
Prompto shook his head, his other hand moving to wrap around Ignis' arm, to keep him there and Ignis smiled again.
"It's alright, I won't move," Ignis promised. "So long as you are alright."
Prompto nodded again, shifting slightly to get more comfortable. "Iggy?"
"Yes, Prompto?"
"Saved me?" he asked quietly and Noctis felt a surge of hope, was Prompto remembering?
He lifted his head from where he'd been nuzzling to get Prompto used to the move, it was a common greeting among them after all, a show of trust and affection. He heard the soft, subvocal noise Prompto made when he did and couldn't help smiling, even as Prompto's hand slipped from his air. He removed his hand from stroking Prompto's side to take the hand in his, Prompto squeezing his hand and he squeezed back. It seemed Prompto wasn't having trouble with his new strength which was good.
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"Do you remember?" Ignis asked gently. While he would be happy that Prompto remembered anything to do with him, he did not want the boy remembering the attack.
He heard the barely-there noise when Noctis stopped nuzzling and he was glad to hear it, that Prompto was not simply tolerating their touch. He had done some research on Harpies since learning of Prompto's mixed heritage, not wanting to be caught off guard should Prompto ever show any signs of their behaviours. He had not expected a full transformation, at least not without it ending in tragedy. There was a lot they did not know, and he made plans to speak with Lord Ardyn since surely, he knew more with his great age?
He knew Harpies were quite physical within their own clan, especially towards their young, but he did not know how that was expressed. He had felt Prompto beginning to tense when Noctis first nuzzled him but was that because it was not something they did, because Noct was a mer, or because they were not his clan? Prompto had leant into his touch to his face and there had been no fear or disgust in his eyes which was good. How was he fighting his new instincts so well with his memory the way it was? It would be understandable if Prompto remembered everything and could use his memories of them to fight it, but Cor and Noct had said that Prompto hadn't recognised them for a while, and he still didn't seem to know himself or Gladio.
Prompto shook his head. "No…. just…know you saved me." His eyes were wide with awe and…. trust, he trusted Ignis based on that feeling, whatever the bond was letting him feel from them, and likely Noctis' words.
Ignis smiled at him and then slowly lowered his head to nuzzle at Prompto's throat before lifting his head again. "You were hurt, and I found you, brought you here for help," he offered the very basics.
"Oh…." Prompto chewed on his bottom lip and Ignis lifted his hand to gently stop him, not wanting him to hurt himself. "Met then or before?"
Ignis saw the concern in Noctis' eyes and he shared it, was it the missing memories that were affecting Prompto's speech? Or something else? No…harpies could speak, many of the Empires highest officials were harpies after all, was it due to the unknown DNA or even something in the MT process that Prompto had been old enough to go through?
"We have known you for over a year now Prompto, you are a dear friend," Ignis assured him. "Finding you injured like that scared me a lot and it was a relief to be able to help you." How much of what he said did Prompto even understand? A horrible though hit him then, had it been the forming of the bond that had caused the damage?
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"We love you Prompto," Noctis murmured, nuzzling again.
"But…"
"No buts," Noctis denied, squeezing the hand still wrapped in his. "No matter what, human, harpy or anything else," he swore.
"Don't understand," Prompto's voice was almost a whine in his distress.
"We know," Ignis spoke up again, lifting both hands to cup his face between them. "We are here to help you, even if you never remember everything, we will not abandon you. I understand how confusing it can be, to find yourself so changed."
"How?" Prompto sounded curious now, no longer distressed and Noctis was relieved, the last thing they wanted, or Prompto needed, was to shift forms out of stress.
"I was not born a mer, I gained my form when Noctis created the bond with me."
"Bond is cold?"
"Yes Prom, that's my magic you're feeling," Noctis answered, gently tugging it and Prompto shivered but twisted to look at him, eyes wide in wonder. "We'll always be able to feel each other."
Prompto frowned, obviously struggling with something. "Burning…hurt, cold made it better."
Noctis managed a smile at that, glad Prompto remembered the bond helping him. With Prompto facing him he leant in and rubbed noses, getting a surprised laugh from the blond. He was so…innocent, almost childlike and while it was amazing to see, he wanted his best friend back, horrible sense of humour, video game skills, loyalty and all.
Prompto shifted closer to him, rubbing his face against his bare chest and Noct shivered slightly at the sensation moving his hand to rub Prompto's back. Prom tried to press even closer, rubbing his whole body against his and he swallowed. His body definitely liked that, a lot, and as much as he didn't want to stop him, not wanting to upset him, letting him keep moving like that probably wasn't a good idea either.
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Cor looked at the door, hearing laughter, feeling relieved to hear it. That had to be a good sign. He had not been impressed with Noctis denying them all access while Prompto slept, it had been a dangerous move, but he had also had a point on overwhelming Prompto which was why he had stayed in the living room with Ignis and Gladio. He did not have a bond with Noctis and so he had been relying on the boys to gauge how things were, until Ignis hand stood and gone into the bedroom.
He glanced at Gladio who smiled slightly. "I can feel Prompto," the Shield promised. "He feels hot in the magic. He's…. confused, lost…. there's been a flash or two of brief fear…I can feel it," Gladio shuddered slightly.
"Feel what?" Cor pushed and Gladio's eyes showed only misery.
"The instincts he's fighting, they're screaming at him, to defend himself, to attack…and he's not. I thought he was strong, for surviving everything he has but this is…" he shook his head.
"What?" Cor pushed. The boy's insights into Prompto's thoughts and emotions would be the best way to judge how Prompto was dealing with things.
"I don't know if I could fight something that strong," Gladio admitted, surprising Cor.
"They are that strong?" he demanded and Gladio nodded.
"They're lying on the bed, Noct at his back, Iggy at his front and he's just lying there. He barely tensed for a second when Noctis nuzzled his throat. He let Noct at one of his most vulnerable spots, Iggy too a bit later," Gladio explained.
Cor nodded, not liking that Noctis had risked doing that when not sure how Prompto would react. They were physically at their weakest on land, Prompto was at his strongest, if he gave into those instincts for even a split second…. He hated having those thoughts about the boy he had saved so many times. He knew Prompto would never harm them willingly but with his memory affected…. a split second was all it would take for an instinctive reaction he would later regret.
Gladio looked up after a while, startled and then he was smothering a laugh. "Poor Noct," he chuckled.
"What?" Cor asked and Gladio smirked.
"You know how Prom was rubbing his face against you guys?" he asked and Cor nodded. "Well he's rubbing a bit more at the moment and Noct's not quite sure what to do about it, without upsetting him," he snickered. "It doesn't seem like Prom realises the uh, issue he's causing."
Okay, he didn't need to know about what the boys got up to alone. Though if Prompto didn't understand at the moment then they better stop. He knew Noct wouldn't take advantage of Prompto though.
They fell silent, Gladio leaning back against the wall, but then he straightened, staring at the door. A strange noise came from the bedroom, a call and they both knew it was Prompto, even if they had never heard the noise before. "My turn," he stood and stretched before slouching to make himself look as small as he could.
Cor watched him go, with Gladio there he felt better.
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Prompto lay quietly between them, eyes closed, focusing on their touch and soft words. He didn't understand why Noct had shifted their positions around but as long as they were holding him it didn't matter.
It was still there, in the back of his mind, the scary, cold, voice demanding he kill. It wasn't cold in the way the bond was cold, it was very different, and he didn't like it. He curled further into them, clinging to them and he felt the cold rush of the bond surge through him. He clung to it, not really knowing how to, but with it he could feel them.
"It's alright, we're here, we have you," Noctis whispered in his ear, hand curled around his hip, lips pressed to the skin behind his ear. He wanted to feel more but they'd stopped him taking off the stuff covering his legs.
"You're stronger than any voice Prompto," Iggy promised as he gently stroked his side, the cool skin on his felt nice.
"Hurts," he whimpered, rubbing his cheek against him. He wanted it to stop! They loved him! They were his clan! He would not let anything hurt them. Incomplete…he heard himself call out for the missing member.
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Noctis closed his eyes in pain at Prompto's whimpered admission of pain. He could feel it, echoing in the bond, whoever it was, they weren't giving up. Then again, neither was Prompto. He could feel Prompto's determination to protect them, the whisper of clan through the bond, even as a strange call came from his throat and Noctis reached for Gladio, knowing that was who Prompto was calling for, even if the blond didn't.
He knew what clan meant to harpies; their whole lives centred on their clan. They knew little of how they were structured though, how they functioned. In return harpies knew very little of how mers formed their bonds and groups, but it would make helping Prompto harder because they didn't know enough.
The door opened and Gladio slowly walked in, hunching down to appear smaller. "Room for one more?" he asked and Prompto's head jerked up, wide blue eyes focusing on him. "Hey blondie, can I come over?" he asked and Prompto stared at him.
Noctis and Ignis remained quiet, wanting to see how Prompto would react to the most physically threatening of them. They kept the bond wide open, Prompto didn't know how to use it, not yet, but he could still feel their support and love. Then Gladio opened his end and Prompto gasped, eyes even wider.
He scrambled free of them and they let go as he crawled to the edge of the bed, both wondering at that, Prompto hadn't walked since his transformation. He'd still been struggling to walk without help but he could, he'd regained his strength though so why wasn't he wanting to walk? Then to all of their relief, he got off the bed, stumbling, staggering towards Gladio who moved, catching him gently with an arm around his waist.
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"Easy Prom, I've got you," Gladio soothed, relieved that Prompto wasn't scared of him, he could feel the instinctive need to attack but the kid was pushing past it, relying on what he could feel through the bond. Gladio drew him closer, hugging him, feeling him rub his face against his chest. He looked over to find the other two shirtless as they sat on the bed, good thing he never wore a shirt then, his jacket open, allowing Prompto the contact he obviously needed. "I'm here," he promised. This was a fresh start with him, in a way, he knew Prompto had held back at first because he had intimidated him, because he'd been standoffish, protecting Noct until sure the blond wasn't a threat, that Noct was right in believing Prom was their Fourth. This time, if Prompto didn't remember him, he'd know him as a protector from the start.
He looked down and found Prompto staring up at him, blue eyes wide, so he freed one hand and slowly let it rest on blond hair, ruffling it gently and he grinned when Prompto laughed, pressing up into his touch.
"Gladio?" he asked, seeking confirmation and Gladio nodded.
"That's me," he grinned, belatedly realising he'd shown his teeth, feeling a flicker of fear, but then it faded and Prompto pressed closer to him.
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Cor heard Prompto laugh again, the door having not fully closed behind Gladio. That was good, it was a happy, innocent laugh, nothing cruel or cold in it. He shifted to see through the gap in the door, finding Gladio hunched over…holding Prompto in his arms, he could see Prompto's arms wrapping around Gladio's waist. It was a good sign.
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Gladio carefully scoped Prompto up, carrying him back to the bed, getting them settled on it, Ignis and Noctis pressing in close.
"Prom?" Noctis asked and Prompto looked at him. "We're going to try and stop the voice, alright?" he asked and Prompto's eyes widened.
"You can?" he asked hopefully.
"I don't know, but we're going to try, if you want us to," he promised. "It could hurt…it could do nothing…it…it could destroy all of your memories…maybe even…kill you, we have no way of knowing," Noctis choked out and Prompto pressed closer to him. "My Uncle Ardyn, he's the oldest person alive, we can ask him."
Prompto looked lost and Ignis sat up a little. He gently ran his fingers through soft blond hair and Prompto relaxed into the touch. If he could purr he would be, looking utterly content, despite what they could all feel through the bond.
"Prompto, may I ask some questions. It's alright if you don't know the answers, I would just like to see what you remember," Ignis told him gently and Prompto nodded hesitantly. "There's no pressure, if you can't remember just say so and we'll move on."
"Kay," Prompto whispered.
"Can you tell me your whole name?" Ignis asked and Gladio shifted his hold on Prompto, ensuring he wouldn't feel trapped. Noctis held his hand gently, stroking the skin gently to help keep him calm.
"Prompto…." He frowned in confusion and it was obvious he knew there was more. "I…I don't…" he shook his head, closing his eyes and they remained quietly supportive. "Ar… Arg… it's there!" he shook his head, a tear slipping free and Ignis gently wiped it away.
"Shh, it's alright, don't try and force it," Ignis soothed, pressing their foreheads together.
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In the living room Cor closed his eyes, reaching for his King, letting him know what Noctis wished to know from the eldest Lucis Caelum, feeling Regis' agreement to speak with him immediately.
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He knew it, he did! He had another name, it was important. He wanted to remember so badly. He could feel their sadness that he didn't, and he didn't want them to be sad. Why couldn't he remember? What was wrong with him?
'Nothing…my son, my soldier. Kill them….do what you were made to do…'
Prompto cried out in fear as the voice surged back louder than ever and then the cold water flooded through him, pushing it back and he clung to the feeling of water, the love radiating from all three of them. They wrapped themselves around him, he could feel them, in his mind, around his body. They were his clan and he would not listen! He couldn't remember the voice, but he knew he was scared of it, he wasn't scared of them, he knew they would never hurt him. He chose them.
"We're here Prom," Noctis whispered in his ear.
The voice retreated and Prompto sagged between them, panting. He clicked in his throat in upset as someone left but then he was back, a cool, damp cloth gently wiping across Prompto's face. He forced his eyes open to find Iggy leaning over him, washing his face and Iggy smiled softly at him.
"Better?" Iggy asked and Prompto managed a tired nod. "Try and get some sleep, we'll be here."
"Promise?" he mumbled.
"Promise," Gladio spoke up. "We won't let anything happen to you."
"Just rest," Noctis nuzzled his throat and Prompto let his head flop to the side, giving him better access even as his eyes drifted shut.
They would look after him, he could sleep.
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Noctis looked up as the door opened and his Uncle entered the room.
"Don't you boys look cosy," he teased but his eyes were serious. "How is he?"
"Still fighting," Noctis answered, pride obvious. He nuzzled at Prompto's throat and he sighed in his sleep, shifting slightly to be more comfortable, one hand curled around Noctis' waist.
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Ardyn smiled at that, the trust the boy was giving to them. "Can you do that with him awake?"
"Yeah, he started to tense the first time but he then he accepted it, wanted it. It's still there, the voice, it comes and goes, and he's doing great at ignoring it and the instincts. He…I heard him, in the bond, calling us his Clan."
"Good," Ardyn nodded, moving silently to the bedside. He was amazed the boy had been able to do that, he had never heard of such a thing happening. Especially since he knew who the head of his Clan was, he had met the harpy scientist twice and he deeply regrated not killing him when he'd had the chance, then again, if he had, young Prompto would never had existed.
"You know something," Noctis stared at him and Ardyn nodded.
"You know where he comes from?" Scientia…Ignis asked. "Prompto explained, that he was meant to be an MT, that he was 'made' in a lab, but Cor rescued him," he offered and Ardyn nodded.
"The head of the project is Verstael Besithia. He is a rather vain man," would they realise from that?
Ignis straightened up slightly. "Are you saying, Prompto is related to him?"
"The only way to provide the numbers necessary for the program was using cloning. Every MT is made from his genetics. And yes, he is a Harpy, an old and powerful one at that. That young Prompto can fight him at all is amazing."
"Prompto's strong," Noctis stated firmly.
"So I see. You want to try and break the bond to his genetic clan or at least shift it?"
"Can we?"
"I doubt anyone has ever tried."
"You've known people before...that later Awakened."
"Yes, I have. But what happened to them was nothing like this. The transformation was quick, violent, and left nothing of the person I knew behind." He still mourned for Gilgamesh, they had been good friends, even before he had served as Somnus' Shield.
He had been one of the first Harpies, though Ardyn still did not understand how he had become one. Why had the Astrals cursed him so when he had loyally served their family? Somnus had died without ever knowing why and even Ardyn had been unable to gain an answer in the last two thousand years. Could they have saved Gilgamesh by bonding with him? His had been the only Awakening he had personally witnessed, until Prompto, and he never wished to again. Neither of them had been able to bring themselves to end his life and Gilgamesh had vanished, he did sometimes wonder what had become of him and he hoped none of the current clans were descended from him.
"He can't fight forever, can he?" the young Shield asked and Ardyn sighed.
"It is not likely. The mind can only take so much."
"Then we have to try," Noctis whispered.
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Ardyn left to see if he could find anything in the library and they all dozed off as Prompto slept, saving their strength for the fight to come. Several hours later Noctis was woken as Prompto began to stir.
"We're here Prom," he promised softly, and slowly bright blue eyes opened to stare up at him blearily.
"Noct," he mumbled sleepily, and Noctis smiled.
"Hey, how do you feel?"
Prompto yawned and stretched before pressing his ear over Noctis' heart and he moved a hand to run through wild blond locks. "Okay."
Noctis decided not to tell him that he knew he wasn't due to the bond. Prompto always insisted he was okay, so it was good to hear him say it, even if technically it wasn't true.
"Sorry."
"For what?" he asked, knowing the others were awake and listening.
"All messed up in here," Prompto pressed a hand to his head.
"It's not your fault Prom. You'll get better with time but even if you don't we won't leave you. We promised, remember?" he asked, hoping he did, it would be bad if he was having issues with his short-term memory as well, but Prompto nodded.
"Noctis' right Prompto," Gladio murmured and Prompto didn't jump so he'd likely realised they were awake.
"Don't wanna be broken," he whimpered.
"Never say that. You aren't broken Prompto," Ignis denied and Prompto turned his head to stare at him with tears in his eyes. Ignis stroked his cheek, gently wiping the tears away, Prompto pressing into his touch.
The door opened and Prompto hissed in alarm, pressing back into Noctis who tightened his grip as Cor slipped into the room and Prompto froze before relaxing. "Cor," he practically chirped, and Cor smiled gruffly as Prompto reached for him. He walked over to the bed and reached out to ruffle his hair.
"Alright?" he asked and Prompto nodded.
"Any word from Uncle Ardyn?"
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"He's terrorising the library staff," Cor admitted. He was being a bit scary in his frenzy to find something to help the blond. That got a snicker from Gladio as he sat up to stretch. "You boys hungry?" that got nods and a puzzled look from Prompto before he nodded as well. "I'll have something brought up so don't even think of cooking Ignis."
He knelt to be eye level with the boys, especially Prompto. It was much easier to read blue eyes than black, and it was a relief to see nothing he would have expected from a harpy. He reached out and ruffled his hair again, getting a happy laugh from the younger male even as he pressed up into his hand. "Anything specific you want to eat Sunshine?" he asked and Prompto chewed at his lip before shrugging. He'd have to double check what harpies ate compared to mers, just in case there was anything they reacted badly to. "Okay, you let them take care of you." He stood and left the room to arrange meals to be sent up to the room.
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Ignis watched as Prompto ate with his hands, wanting to correct him, to get him to use the cutlery, but he held back. He didn't want to push him, and it wasn't like there was anyone else in the room. Noctis looked from Prompto to Ignis and grinned before putting his own cutlery aside to use his hands too. Gladio chuckled, shrugged when Ignis looked at him, and then joined in. Ignis sighed and then carefully put his own down and carefully lifted a piece of fish to his mouth.
If Prompto's memories failed to return it appeared he would have a lot to learn. He obviously wouldn't be able to live alone, in his apartment or even in the Citadel, until he relearnt several things. It would be best he remain with them anyway, where they could help him and ensure he was safe.
His link back to his clan was also a worry, what would happen if they couldn't shift or break it? How long could Prompto fight it and his new instincts? Fighting both would eventually exhaust him and he would lose. Ignis was aware of the fact no one would want to risk killing Prompto, not with how it would hurt them…which meant there was a plan in place to keep him contained and hidden if necessary. That was no way for anyone to live. If their plan to try and help him failed they would have to find another way, he could note bare to think of Prompto lost to them forever.
Ignis felt Gladio's hand brush against his lower back and he forced himself to relax and think of more pleasant things, not wanting Prompto to pick up on his concern.
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Gladio could feel the worry pouring off of Ignis as they ate, and he gently touched him to knock him out of his own head before Prompto picked up on it and became stressed. The longer he stayed in human form the better, his instincts would be stronger and harder to ignore in harpy form. He'd rather not have to try to restrain the blond if that happened, he was strong, even in human form, but stronger than a harpy? No, not without a weapon or shield in hand and he couldn't risk that with Prom. If he hurt Prompto he'd never forgive himself.
As if sensing his thoughts the blond looked up at him, blue eyes wide, and he forced himself to focus his thoughts on happier things, smiling at Prompto who smiled back before climbing over Ignis to sit in his lap, bringing his meal with him and Gladio wrapped an arm around his waist, leaning in to nuzzle his throat in greeting.
It was kind of nice, to see Prompto so…carefree? He was always worried about doing the wrong thing, not fitting in, he always watched them to get an idea how to act in the Citadel but here he was happily tearing into raw fish. It was good that they shared some dietary needs. He was so innocent like this, no memory of the horrors visited on him by the Empire, the attacks he'd suffered in Insomnia…but he wanted their Prompto back, mental and emotional scars and all.
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Regis entered the library to find his Uncle feverishly going over everything he could find on harpies. "Have you slept?" he asked and Ardyn glanced up at him briefly. "Well?"
"I am capable of going months without sleep, as you well know Regis. This is far more important. The boy will not be able to resist forever."
"Have you found anything?" Regis knew Ardyn was their best hope for an answer.
"No…two thousand years and all we can do is trust Noctis and his friends can save him," he sighed and closed the book.
"If he was not Noctis' fourth, would you be trying so hard?" Regis asked, curious and Ardyn stared at him blandly. "Uncle?" he pushed.
"It is due to my inaction that the boy exists at all. I had the chance to kill Besithia many years ago and I did not take it. It would have been better for our world if I had, yet in doing so I would have denied your son his final companion."
"I see…"
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Prompto lay curled in Gladio's arms, letting the sound of quiet talking wash over him. His stomach was full, and he felt warm and safe. He knew he was hurting them, and he hated it, he wanted to remember, to be who they remembered. It was hard, to think and talk, to do anything really.
"Prom?" That was Noct, so he opened his eyes and turned his head enough to see him, smiling for him and Noct smiled back, reaching out to run cool fingers through his hair. "Feeling any better?"
"Full," he grinned and Noct chuckled.
"That's good," Noctis leant in, pressing his forehead to Prompto's and it felt good. He lifted a hand to curl around a pale shoulder, unable to hold back the soft, pleased, cooing noise that came from deep in his throat. He could see the corners of Noct's mouth tug up in a soft smile and he pushed up to press his lips to Noct's because it felt right, nice. When he dropped back he saw Noct was smiling even bigger. "Uncle Ardyn can't find anything to help you," Noctis whispered seriously and Prompto just stared up at him, what was Uncle? "We can still try to get rid of the voice, if you want."
"Please…" he begged. He wanted it gone, no matter what it took, wanted it to stop hurting, telling him to hurt them.
"Alright, we'll try," Noct promised and Prompto smiled trustingly at him.
"Will we be doing this here?" Iggy asked and Noct shook his head.
"No, the Crystal room."
Prompto wondered what that meant but he would do whatever Noct told him to. He trusted him more than anyone else, he wouldn't hurt him, no matter what the voice said.
"Prom? I'm going to carry you, okay?" Gladio asked and Prompto nodded, curling closer to his chest, feeling his arms steady him there before they were moving.
"I shall ensure we have a clear path," Iggy spoke from across the room and he felt Noct's hand on his shoulder. He buried his face against Gladio, unable to help the nervous chittering at all the strangeness around him.
"It's okay Prom, you're safe," Noct soothed as they moved.
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Regis dismissed the guards from around the Crystal room, Ardyn at his side. It was risky, bringing Prompto here, but they understood Noctis' reasoning. They would need all the power they could get to free the boy from his clan without killing him.
"I believe I should make a quick trip to Niflheim," Ardyn commented, smirking slightly.
"Oh?"
"We wouldn't want dear Besithia able to bring his full power and that of his clan to bear on the boys, would we?"
"Be careful Uncle."
That got a laugh. "Dear boy, I am immortal."
"And I would prefer not to have to use the army to break you out of captivity," Regis warned, the Empire feared Ardyn and with good reason. He had no doubt they would capture and contain the immortal being if they could.
"As you wish," he bowed with a flourish before vanishing as the boys came around the corner. Regis quickly ushered them inside and Noctis went immediately to the pool beneath the Crystal, slipping into the water.
Gladio approached the pool, Prompto curled against his chest and Regis smiled sadly at the sight, able to hear the soft noises of nervousness coming from the boy. Prompto lifted his head as he was lowered to the ground and their eyes met. He had met Prompto several times since he had befriended his son, he did not count their meetings when Prompto was a child since the boy remembered very little from those times, and yet there was no recognition in his eyes, just nervousness and confusion, even a little fear. Regis smiled gently at him and the fear slowly faded, the boy offering a shy smile before cocking his head to the side, studying him, obviously seeing the similarities between himself and Noctis.
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He stared at the man, he didn't know him, did he? There was something…Noct! He looked a bit like Noct. Where was Noct? He heard a splash and turned his head, a shriek of terror tearing from his throat as he scrambled back from the water, eyes wide as every instinct in his body screamed danger. Gladio's arms wrapped around him, holding him still even as he struggled, wanting to get away but he didn't want to hurt Gladio. Then Iggy was there, kneeling in front of his, holding his hands.
"Hush Prompto, hush. Just look at me," Iggy called, and he forced himself to look at him, shaking uncontrollably. "That's it, very good," he praised and Prompto struggled to keep looking at him.
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Ignis held tightly to Prompto's hands, holding eye contact as soon as Prompto looked at him, seeing the black spilling into the blue of his eyes. They had all known that it was likely he would shift at some point during this, but it would be better the longer it could be held off. "You're safe Prompto. We won't let anyone hurt you," he swore and Prompto swallowed, chittering softly. "Take nice deep breaths with me," he urged, freeing one hand to gently run through blond hair that had begun to change but not fully.
He felt Prompto's breathing begin to slow and smiled gently at him. He leant in, pressing foreheads, before carefully brushing his lips against Prom's. He knew the action felt good to Prompto, even if he didn't fully understand what it meant. "That's it, it's okay," he soothed.
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Gladio held on as Prompto fought his hold, aware that even terrified the kid was holding back to not hurt him, obviously having recognised who was holding. He kept his grip as Ignis talked Prompto down from his mindless panic, feeling him relaxing a little but he didn't dare loosen his hold just yet. Not until they could get Prompto to look at Noctis and really see him. "It's okay kid, we've got you," he added his own promise.
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"Are you still with us Prompto?" Ignis asked gently, Prompto hadn't spoken since panicking and with his transformation begun, if halted, he wasn't sure the other was still capable of human speech.
He hissed softly through his teeth but then swallowed. "I…Igg…Iggy," he stammered and Ignis smiled, gently stroking his cheek.
"Good, that's good," he praised. "You're doing so well. You need to stay calm; can you do that for me?"
"Th…there's…" his free hand pointed behind Ignis at the water, showing nails that were a little longer than normal but not yet actual claws.
"It's okay Prompto. Do you remember when Noctis goes in water and looks different? He'd take you swimming with him," Ignis offered but there was no recognition in Prompto's eyes. Did he not understand or was it a lack of memory? Did he even understand what had happened to him? "I know he looks different, but it's Noct in the water," that got him a confused look. "I promise, it's him and he would never hurt you." Ignis glanced back to see Noctis holding onto the edge with white knuckles, trying not to let Prompto's reaction hurt.
"N..N..oc…t?"
"Prom," Noctis whispered.
"Noct?"
"It's me, I'm sorry I scared you," the Prince called softly.
"That's it, it's Noct and he won't hurt you," Ignis promised. "We're right here," he kept a hold of Prompto's hand and slowly moved to reveal Noctis again.
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Regis watched as the boys worked to calm Prompto down before he changed fully, Ignis slowly talking him down from his panic. It was very impressive and showed just how much Prompto trusted them, even with much of his memory gone….or just inaccessible at the moment? A glance at his son showed he was upset at causing such a fearful reaction in his friend but that he was hoping Prompto would recognise him.
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He clung to Iggy's hand, Gladio's arms around him tightly but not painfully. Noct was…he looked towards the water, feeling terror clawing at him, shaking in fear. He stared at the creature, this couldn't be Noct, it couldn't….could it?
"Prom," the creature called, and it was Noct's voice. A clawed hand was slowly extended towards him and he pressed back into Gladio. "It's me Prom, I'd never hurt you."
He pressed his hand to his head, crying out in pain as the voice surged back, louder than ever. No! He wouldn't listen, he wouldn't!
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Regis didn't look away, knowing exactly who had entered the room and what he was carrying. Restraints designed to hold a harpy were hard to make but the Citadel held several sets. Cor was carrying one though they hoped they would be unneeded.
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"Prom look at me," he called softly and slowly Prompto did, revealing eyes that were a mix of blue and black. "I know you can do this, you're stronger than him."
"Noct?" his voice was hesitant, pained, confused, but there was no stammer.
He smiled without opening his mouth. "Yeah, it's me." He kept his hand out and ever so slowly Prompto leant towards him. He glanced at Gladio and nodded so his Shield gradually let go, everyone holding their breath as the partially transformed blond crawled inch by inch across the floor towards him in the eerie light of the Crystal above them. "It's okay, I won't hurt you. I would never hurt you," he whispered. Clawed fingers brushed against ones with forming claws and he threaded his fingers through Prompto's, seeing his eyes widen.
"Noct," he whispered and this time it wasn't a question.
Noctis gently tugged the bond and Prompto started, shivering slightly but then he smiled and gripped Noctis' hand in return. He rested on that elbow to free his other hand from the ledge and slowly reach up, gently touching a warm cheek and Prompto closed his eyes, pressing into his touch, shaking slightly. "That's it, I've got you."
"H…help me," Prompto pleaded, leaning closer, and Noctis pushed himself up higher, rubbing his wet cheek against Prom's hot one.
"Always," he promised. "Lie down," he urged and Prompto looked nervously at the water. "Trust me, please Prom," he whispered and slowly Prompto lay down on his back, head turned towards him. He looked up and nodded so Gladio and Ignis joined them, remaining on land with Prompto. He pulled himself half out of the water, leaning forward to rest his forehead against Prompto's. He felt Gladio's hand on his back, steadying him. Ignis held his shoulder and then they placed their other hands on Prompto who was struggling to remain still, eyes flickering between blue and black. "Ready?"
"Trust," Prompto whispered, echoing his words when Noctis had initiated the bond between them.
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Cor watched as Prompto fought against every instinct he had to lie down right next to the water, to a merman, the other two moving in as well. None of them knew if this would work but it was the only choice they had, the only chance Prompto had. How long could he fight against his clan head? He did not want to think of the alternative even as he was very aware of the restraints at his feet. No, this would work. He would not have to take Prompto down there, lock him away….
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Noctis reached into the bond with Prompto, using it to try and sooth him, feeling Gladio and Ignis do the same and slowly his eyes stopped flickering, settling on the bright blue of his human form. He blinked slowly, the blinks becoming longer.
"Nnnoct?" he slurred drowsily.
"It's okay Prom, just go to sleep," he whispered and Prompto yawned, body gradually relaxing, his eyes falling closed. Better he sleep through as much of this as possible, all signs of his transformation fading away.
Noctis flung open the bond, feeling it as their magic and minds merged closer than ever. He hadn't opened up this far since forging the bonds with them, not wanting them to be too influenced by it. Once that was done they turned to Prompto and his unguarded, sleeping mind. It was easy to find the head of his clan as the harpy whispered to him, to feel the bond between them. It would not be so easy to either severe it totally or transfer it over to them, but they had to do it. They could not fail.
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"Have you missed me?"
The scientist turned quickly, how had someone come into the heart of the Facility without him knowing? And then he saw the being before him and he snarled….right as he felt something attacking the bond with the child in Insomnia. No, the boy was his and would do as he commanded, he would not fail.
TBC….
