Prompto sighs as she makes her way down the hallway, past her door to her neighbors.
She spent the whole week job searching. She went to the interview Maria set up for her but she wasn't sure she got them so just in case she's right she sent her resume to a couple other local shops for backup. Of course Ignis knew she's job searching but she can see on his face his worry. She's not sure exactly what has him worried, she can just see it. And while on her down time, waiting for a call back she does her school work, catching up on the two days that she missed. Also trying to get ahead so she doesn't have to much to worry about later on.
The free babysitting is saving her life. She wouldn't know what she would be doing if Ignis wasn't so adamant about him (and Gladio) taking care of Astrum while she search for a part time job. It also helps that her landlord wasn't so snobby about next months rent. Knowing the reason she doesn't have a job at the moment, having seen the reason on national television, and being sympathetic knowing she also has a baby to care for. But still Prompto paid half of the rent because that's all she could. The same can apply for school. Her teachers weren't harping on her to finish and turn her assignment in. They extended her due date by a week. But she didn't want to procrastinate, not when she has free time in between job hunting.
Now, as she walk to pick up Astrum from her neighbors, who complained they missed the baby boy, she's feeling accomplished. It's Saturday evening, she would have let Ignis babysit but she felt bad about him babysitting on the weekend after already taking care of him over the week, so she asked Prue, who was more than happy to. While they babysat Prom went to the library, answered emails, study, do some work for school, and even sent her resumé to some stores that are hiring. She felt like she got a lot of work done for the day. That made her extremely happy and energized. She felt like she could keep going but having Astrum in her arms calms her down. Now she wants to just lay with him and watch her shows as she eats dinner. Since she now has time to make and eat dinner.
She slips her keys into the lock, unlocking the door. She opens the door, taking a step in as she reaches around to the side so she can flip the lights on. When she does she freezes, a breath escapes past her lips. She goes pale as she steps back out.
What?
Who did this?
Why her?
The whole living room is trashed. Her coffee table is broken in half, couch flipped over, cushions ripped and torn to shreds. Her tv stand and tv itself are on the floor. Even her modest kitchen wrecked. She's seen enough crime tv to know someone was looking for something but she had no clue what, she doesn't own anything valuable. Besides her cheap camera and computer, both she took with her in her messenger bag.
She feels tears stink her eyes, her breathing coming in quickly. She needs to call the police, or better yet Gladio. She fumbles trying to get her phone out with how hard her hand is shaking it's amazing she's not phasing through it, along with only able to use one hand as she held Astrum with the other. She bites her lip not wanting to cry just yet. She has to be coherent enough for Gladio to understand what is going on. And she didn't want to worry Astrum, lately he's been very sensitive to her emotions, anything she feels that's not happiness makes him upset to which brings on a circle of trying to comfort him but it not working which makes her anxiety spike which makes him cry more. It's a horrible cycle.
Gladio sits on his seat next to Noctis at the Citadel dining room. Ignis walks in satisfied with the chefs. He sits across from Gladio, Regis at the head of the table, Noct to his left while Clarus sat to his right.
"Are you sure Iris doesn't want to join us?" Regis asks Clarus for the third time already.
"I'm sure, she's been wanting to be with her friends more often." Clarus smiles at his friend. With it being late on a weekend, they can drop the formalities and talk to each other, sit at a table and enjoy a meal. Joined by more company, their own makeshift family dinner.
"She is getting that age, and soon she won't have time for that when she starts her own training right." Regis says. Clarus just nods as he drinks water from his glass cup. Noct looks at Gladio who look back, then they both look at Ignis who just pushes his glasses up his face. All three were expecting them both to start lecturing them about Prompto and Astrum. About how Ignis and Gladio should have told them, not kept it secret. How Noct should have told someone what he did. They all even prepared their own speeches to counter their argument.
But no, here they are talking about Iris. Which they have no problem with but do they really think Prom would lie? Even if they do think that, and they can't fault them for thinking that considering they don't know her like Noct, Iggy, or Gladio do but it's been a week and she hasn't asked or demanded anything from them besides free babysitting.
Are they not talking about it or are they purposely avoiding the topic?
Gladio feels his wrist and pocket vibrate. He checks his watch and see it's Prompto calling. This intrigues him because she usually calls Iggy, for anything. Plus why would she call him so late? For a ride maybe. No that doesn't sound like her. Quickly he takes his phone out of his pocket and answers.
"How can I help you?" He asks, attention now all on him.
"S-someone broke into my apartment! I don't know why! Everything is a mess!" Prom cries out loud, almost shouting. Everyone at the table can almost hear her clearly. Gladio instantly stands on his feet, chair knocked over, slamming onto the floor, echoing in the large room.
"Are you okay? How about Astrum?" Gladio asks moving around the fallen chair, already digging out his keys for his personal car.
"W-we're fine but- oh my gods, is that blood?!" she cries hysterically. He can hear Astrum begin to cry in the background.
"Blood!" Gladio shouts for himself, pausing in his tracks, what is happening? Everyone at the table is looking at him concerned, wanting answers but knows they won't be getting it.
"Gladio what do I do?" She asks now crying along with Astrum.
"I'll be right there, stay with a neighbor or something."
"Okay." She answers. Then the line cuts off ending the call.
"Who was that?" Clarus asks, worried it might have been Iris.
"What happened?" Ignis asks also worried.
"It's Prompto, someone broke into her apartment." Gladio answers putting his phone back into his pocket. Finally he runs out the room, not looking at any of their reactions, not even waiting to hear what any might have to say.
"Is Astrum okay? Prompto?" Ignis asks, running alongside him.
"Yeah."
"You said blood." Noct points outs slightly out of breath having warped to catch up.
"It seems there's blood." Gladio says but he's not too sure.
"We are coming too." Regis says, Clarus nodding besides him. The three pause for a second, didn't think they would.
"We can't all fit in the car." Noct points out.
