AN: Riku: Hello everyone and welcome to the second part of the Journey Together series! We hope you are all excited to see where we go with the story next!
In the last part, Prompto and Noctis were finally rescued from their captors and are being brought back to Insomnia. Let's see what happens.
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The trip back to the Citadel went smoothly, the medics carefully made sure nothing changed in Noctis's condition, but there was still plenty to take care of. Prompto and Noctis still had been through a harrowing experience.
It hadn't even been an hour since the boys were rescued, but Regis was already trying to do whatever he could to help Prompto. He could see how shaken his eyes were, completely terrified and far from relaxed. Regis was thankful that he at least got Prompto to drink some water as they made their way back to the Citadel. It was a small step, but hopefully would be good progress.
When they arrived at the Citadel, they were quickly escorted to the medical ward. The medics then split the pair apart to do fuller exams, especially since Noctis was in much more severe condition. They also did this to help clean them, and to tuck them away in separate, cozy rooms once everything else was finished.
It wasn't long before one of the nurses went to find Regis. He had quickly asked for him to be the contact person for Prompto for the time being. "Your Majesty, we may need your help. Mr. Argentum has gone unresponsive, and we're hoping you can help us."
Regis was brought back to the room where Prompto was. He was sitting up in the bed with his arms wrapped around himself and had been sitting in the bed the entire time since being placed there. The nurse informed Regis that Prompto barely even moved when they examined him, basically as loose as a rag doll.
His eyes were fixated on the floor, zoning out completely. The look in his eyes was one of loneliness but also fear. Something had upset him, but he wasn't answering anyone's questions.
"We don't know what happened. He follows directions, but won't respond." The nurse explained quietly while wringing her hand. "We'd like to get an IV for fluids in, but I'm worried it would make things work."
Regis approached the boy slowly. "Prompto? Can you hear me?"
Prompto nodded gently.
"Can you tell me what the matter is?"
Prompto frowned. "I'm waiting..." he murmured softly that it was almost missed.
"Waiting...?" Regis asked softly before he realized what might be the problem. "I believe we should let Prompto stay with Noctis for the time being."
"Your Majesty?" The nurse asked curiously.
"Just do it, we can work on separating them later," Regis said as held up a hand. "Prompto, would you like to join me with Noctis?"
Prompto lifted his head at Noctis's name. His eyes looked so delicate, like words themselves could break him. He nodded and quickly moved out of the bed to follow alongside Regis.
He kept his head tucked in though, staring at the floor as he walked. His arms remained still at his side too, as if he were practically frozen. He stayed a little ways away from Regis as well, eyeing everything around him carefully.
Just as they approached Noctis's room, they heard loud screaming coming from it. The screams made Regis's heart sink, worried they had missed one of Drusus's men. Every worst possible idea filled his head as he hurried forward to see what was happening.
"Where's Prompto? I need- is he okay? Where did you take him?" Noctis was yelling as he tried to get out of the bed to start searching. He had already dislodged the IV in his fight, and his face was manic in his attempts to leave.
"Noct!" Prompto screamed, running forward to the bed. "I'm here! I'm okay!"
The moment he was able to see Prompto, Noctis moved to him to wrap his arms around the blond and pull him close. "You're okay, thank the Six, you're okay." He whispered into his hair.
Prompto held him back tightly. "I was more worried about you! You were the one that got shot!"
"I'm alright. I'm a bit sore, but better now that I know you're alright," Noctis said as he started to sag. The adrenaline was leaving his system, letting him know how sore and tired he really was.
Prompto held him gently. "I got you. We're finally safe, and we're together. We made it."
"We really made it? I can't believe it." He said softly, eyes starting to drift. "Stay close, please? I don't- I can't lose you again."
"I'll stay right beside you," Prompto said as he sat on the bed. "Not leaving anytime soon."
"Thanks. Oh, is that Dad behind you?" Noctis asked as he finally realized other people were in the room.
Regis moved forward without a word and threw his arms around Noctis, pulling him in closely. "Oh Noct, my son. You're once more safe within my arms."
"Dad- you found us. I knew that you would." Noctis said softly. "I tried to walk tall and make you proud."
Regis stroked Noctis's hair, not carrying how greasy or dirty it was. "You walked very talk, I'm very proud of you. But you can rest easy now, take all the rest you need."
He sagged into the hold. "Can Prompto stay? I can't- I can't lose him again. Please don't make him go." He begged softly.
"Of course he can stay. Anything for my little Night Light."
"Your highness," the nurse said softly as she approached the trio around the bed, "since we need to reset the IV, this would be a good time to get you showered from your ordeal. We can have both of you share the bathroom if you would like."
Noctis looked over at Prompto with wide eyes. "Do you want to try?"
Prompto stared, his cheeks growing red. "Y-You mean like, uh, t-together?"
"No, just, you can sit on the counter while I shower, and I can do the same." Noctis offered. "I just- don't leave the room yet, please?"
With Regis letting go and backing away, Prompto moved forward again, picking up Noctis's hands. "I won't leave, I promise. I'll just do that yeah. That doesn't sound so bad."
"Come on, let's- let's take a shower. That sounds so strange now." Noctis said as he carefully got to his feet.
Prompto slipped his arm around Noctis's, linking their arms. "Yeah, but it's going to feel so nice. Shower time here we come!"
"Then you can have the first shower. No need to make you keep waiting." Noctis said with a little laugh. He walked with him easily to the bathroom. He hopped up on the counter when they got in there, twisting around so he didn't have to watch the shower stall to not watch him strip.
Prompto finally took off the ragged clothing that Drusus had given him. He felt more relieved than ever before when he dropped them to the floor. Now he moved forward and started up the shower, letting the water grow hot so the steam filled the room.
"Okay," he said aloud without looking back. "I'm going to shower now."
"Okay, I'm still here. Did- are you okay? What happened after- after Dad showed up in the room?" Noctis asked, trying to keep a friendly conversation between them.
Now in the shower, with the curtain drawn around the shower, Prompto could relax a little as he let the warm water wash over him. "Y-You mean... back at the... place?"
"Yeah? If you don't want to talk about it, that's okay. I'm just. . . trying to figure out what I missed, but I can wait for someone else to fill me in." Noctis said easily.
"Well nothing bad happened after, but does that mean..." Prompto paused. "You remember before that?"
"I remember Drusus threatening you, and I refused to let him do that. And that he had a gun before I got shot. Then, everything gets fuzzy." Noctis confessed. "Did he hurt you? Or was Dad there in time? I kind of remember his voice."
"I wasn't sure, can't say the same for Drusus though," Prompto muttered bitterly. "Your dad made it in time, and geez, I never saw the king so mad before. I was actually a little scared."
"He's protective when he wants to be. I guess you're one of the protected ones now." Noctis laughed. "Prepare for terrible dad jokes."
"Aww no!" Prompto laughed. "The dreaded dad jokes from a dad!"
"Just wait! You laugh now until you experience one of them! He loves them." Noctis moaned while covering his face with a groan.
"I never would have guessed the king, I mean your dad, could be so goofy."
"He hides it well. Usually I suffer when we have dinner alone, or if Ignis is in the room to enjoy a good pun." Noctis sighed.
"I guess I better prepare then!" Prompto laughed. "Cause I'll be staying here a while, right?"
The prince smiled and gave a little laugh at that. "If I have my way, then yes, you'll be here for a bit. I'm not letting go of you anytime soon."
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AN: GG: They're finally going to get the help and love and care they deserve. Also Regis is never going to let his son go. This will always haunt him.