Belong.

Several days had passed since the tragedy with Jared. The empire showed up and tried to force him to tell them everything he knew. He was refused, and was killed by Sergei Dragunov, one of the empire's coldest and deadliest operatives. The fact he would kill a old man in front of his grandson with no care at all shows a heart of dark ice. Noctis leans on the rail of the balcony outside their hotel room, still feeling bad that Iris Talcott had to go through something so horrible while Noctis and his friends were busy chasing after a storm.

Gladio approaches him "I can't let her go it alone after everything that went down. It'll be a squeeze in the car, but just for a while".

"It's all right, Gladio. It's the least we can do. Where is Asuka?" Noctis asked.

"She didn't want to leave Iris alone. They are both waiting by the car" Gladio answers.

"Then let's not keep them waiting" Noctis said.

With a nod from Gladio they gather the rest of the guys and began heading for the car. Meanwhile, Asuka and Iris were waiting next to Regalia after Iris finished filling it up. Asuka hadn't said much since they got there, something that didn't go unnoticed by her sister.

"You are really quiet. Are you ok?" Iris asked.

Asuka sighs "Sorry, been busy thinking of ways to make the Empire pay for what they did. Was wondering if I should break all their bones and leave them to die, or beat their skulls until it's nothing but a bloody mess on the ground".

"Ok, gross" Iris said, feeling like she was starting to turn green, but stopped when she understood something "You are blaming yourself... for what happened".

"We should've been there... I should've been there... Sure Noct needs help with his quest, but I'm sure the guys would've been more than enough to help him. When you needed me the most, I wasn't there... and a innocent child lost his grandfather" Asuka said as she clenched her fists.

Iris took Asuka's hands to calm her down "Asuka, you had no way of knowing this was going to happen. No one expected the Empire to just show up out of nowhere. And you're wrong, the guys did need you. I mean, how long do you think Prompto could last without you?".

Asuka smiled a little at that "I guess... thank you sis".

Iris smiled before she noticed the guys approaching them "Filled 'er up for ya!".

Gladio smiled at her "Thanks".

"Ready to roll?" Iris asked.

"Yes" Noctis confirmed.

"Let's get this show on the road!" Iris said as they pile in to the car, Ignis was driving, Noct, Prompto, Gladio and Asuka took their usual seats, and Iris had to sit in Asuka's lap as there was no more seats "Who's ready to kick some ass?".

"I am always ready for that" Asuka said "Ow! Carfully where you place that tiny ass of yours, Iris, my legs are still sore from all the work outs I've had".

"Oh don't be a baby" Iris waved of, earning some laughs from the guys as Ignis drives the Regalia down the highway outside Lestallum "Looking at the Regalia really reminds me of home".

"It sure doesn't look like any of the cars you see around here" Prompto agreed.

"And it's a lot roomier, too! I can't imagine trying to cram six people, including Gladdy, into one of those things. Have you ever ridden in one?" Iris asked.

"Can't say we have" Noctis said.

"There was barely enough room for our luggage! Thank goodness you guys could give me a lift, and Asuka's lap feels a lot better than any old car seat" Iris said.

"Don't move around so much" Asuka growled but was ignored.

"Think the others made it to Caem alright?" Gladio asked.

"I suppose we'll find out when we get there" Ignis answered.

They drive for a while until Iris suddenly leans forward making Asuka grunt "Whoa, check it out! See that? That's the Rock of Ravatogh. I'm, like, ninety percent sure".

"Not a hundred?" Gladio asked.

"You almost know your stuff!" Prompto said with a smile.

"All thanks to Jared. Oh! And that's-OW!" Iris yelps as she flet a hard pinch.

"I swear Iris! I you don't sit still I will stuff you in the back of the car!" Asuka warned, making Iris gulp and the guys laughed.

They continue to make their way down the highway toward Cape Caem. Iris finally decided to hold still before Asuka could consider throwing her out of the car. They took sometime to enjoy the calming car ride and admire the views.

"I got some bad news, guys" Prompto suddenly said as An enormous winged ship flies overhead.

"Oh, great. Another flying fortress" Gladio said with a glare.

"Let's pull over" Ignis said.

"Noct…" Iris aske din concern.

"Relax. We've got this" Noctis assured.

They soon comes upon Old Lestallum; Ignis pulls over and parks the Regalia in front of the motel. All of them itching for some payback.

"Taking matters into hand?" Ignis asked.

"Delivering justice for Jared" Noctis answered.

"And for Talcott, too" Prompto added.

"Iris, I'll need you to wait here" Gladio instructed.

"Alright" Iris said.

"Careful, Noct, only fools rush in. I suggest we review our intelligence and devise a plan" Igni said.


They decided to discuss some ideas tonight and plan their next move in the morning. Later that night, Noctis was sitting on top of the Motel. He wasn't alone for long until Prompto showed up.

"So, whatcha doing?" Prompto asked.

"Nothin' much. Just chillin'" Noctis answere simply.

"Hmm. Cool" Prompto said as he takes a seat next to Noctis.

"That was one hell of a day, huh?" Noctis asked, being unsure of what else to say.

"Yeah, but it was fun. Every day's fun. Even when we almost get ourselves killed. Huh. I never imagined it'd work out like this. That I'd get to go on an adventure with you guys" Prompto said.

"Who would've thought, huh?" Noctis said.

"So, how long have we been friends now? Let's see...beginning of high school ...so that's...five years?" Prompto asked.

"Yeah, but we've known each other way longer then that. Ever since elementary school, right?" Noctis asked.

Prompto looked surprised "Huh? You still remember that?".

"Could hardly forget being gawked at" Noctis said.

Prompto chuckled "Well, you know, it isn't exactly easy being in the presence of royalty".

"And when we did meet in high school, you pretended it was the first time" Noctis said.

"Yeah, the first time I worked up the nerve to say something" Prompto said before he sighs "Feels just like yesterday".

"You should've said something sooner" Noctis said.

"Oh Noct...You just wouldn't understand" Prompto said before looking away "Back then...I was...Actually, never mind".

"Hey, you can't just stop halfway" Noctis said.

"Aha. Yeah, I know. I used to be super shy. Couldn't talk to people. No surprises, but I had no friends...at least not real ones. I was always alone. And there were times when I felt, well, worthless" Prompto said.

"That's what's been bugging you?" Noctis asked.

"I mean, when you look at me you wouldn't think that I'm anything but a fun-loving, happy-go lucky joker. But that isn't the real me. Behind all the quips and laughs, I'm a mess of hang-ups. I've always felt inferior to you guys. I'm not royalty and I'm not strong. I'm nothing, really. Unlike Gladio, I'm not good with people. The way he connects with them, he's operating on a different level. Unlike Ignis, I'm not smart and I can't cook to save myself. And unlike Asuka, I am not confidant, I mean she faces anything put in front of her with no hesitation, even when she's scared out of her mind" Prompto began to explain "But when we hang out, it's so much fun I forget what I'm not. Then reality hits me like a splash of cold water, and I remember that I don't belong. But I want to. Every moment, I'm desperate to earn my place, to prove that I'm good enough!".

"What about Asuka? You are clearly good enough for her" Noctis reminded.

"Asuka means the world to me. I met her back when I started working out. Found me nearly passed out under a tree. I can still remember the first time I saw her face... like I was looking at an angel... no, not an angel, a goddess. She was so beautiful. After that we talked and she offered to help me train. I tried to decline, but she wasn't having it, and boy, even back then she could be scary when she wanted to be" Prompto said.

Noctis smiled "No surprise there".

"After that she would help me train. She showed me how to be a good runner, and even taught me some self defense. Over the years we grew closer and became close friends... and after a while I finally built up enough courage to ask her to be my girlfriend. I expected a rejection, but she kissed me instead. And told me, it was about time. She knew I had feelings for her all along, and was waiting for me to man up and finally ask her out" Prompto said.

This time Noctis almost laughed "She always were quicker than you".

"No arguments there. Asuka was and still is my greatest source of strength. She is everything I could've asked for a more. Kind, beautiful and she can put up with me. I know I joke around and call her babe. But there are no words to describe how deeply in love I am with her. If I ever lost her... I don't know if I could go on. Which is why I need to get better, why I need to prove I am worthy of her. Of all of you" Prompto said, and his love for Asuka was clear in his voice.

"Think what you will, but I think you're good enough for me. And I am sure Asuka feels the same" Noctis said.

Prompto looked at him "So you really think I'm doing okay?".

"Yeah, I do. Anything else?" Noctis asked.

"Uh, no. Nothing at all. I'm sorry I got so real all of a sudden" Prompto said.

"You should know better by now. You think I just make time for any old loser?" Noctis asked.

"Huh? Why, you mad, bro? Seriously though, thanks for making time for this loser" Prompto said before he sighs "Huh. Feels good to get that off my chest".

"Happy to hear" Noctis said.

"Alright! I'm gonna keep on keepin' on, the only way I know how" Prompto said as he stood up.

"Yeah, you do that" Noctis said.

As Prompto was heading for the entrance of the Motel to get back to his room, he saw Asuka standing outside the door... she looked up at him... with tears in her eyes. Before Prompto could ask what was wrong, Asuka walked up and hugged him hard. Prompto was confused until he realized she must've heard his talk with Noctis... meaning she heard all the things he said about her.

"You idiot... of course you belong with us. You belong with me... do not think for a moment that I would want you out of my life. It would be incomplete without you" Asuka said "I love you! Stupid Choco Head!".

Prompto was silent before he hugged her back "I love you too... My Punch Happy Goddess".

Above them Noctis smiled at the scene... wondering if he could hold Luna like that one day.

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I know this chapter was shorter, but while going through the Final Fantasy XV game again, I got to watch the talk between Noctis and Prompto again. I needed to put that in give how important that scene is to Prompto's character. And It was the perfect time for him to explain just how much he loves Asuka. Sometimes it's easier to explain how much you love someone when you're talking to a friend, instead of the person you love, since one is often less nervous arounds friends than the love of your life.

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Tell me what you think.