Disclaimer: not mine
Chapter 4
Noctis held Prompto close, feeling his body slowly relax as he fell asleep, lulled by a stomach full of warm food and the heat of Noct's body as he rocked him slowly. Noctis hadn't been around a lot of little kids but he knew Prom was too light and small for how well he could talk. At least they were already at war, so he had a target to take his rage out on, except…now he knew where MT's came from. All those kids just like Prompto…except they hadn't been lucky enough to have Cor save them.
He carefully set Prompto back down in his sleeping bag, grimacing at the movement. Even after taking the painkillers his back was screaming.
"Noct?" Ignis called quietly from outside of the tent.
"He's asleep," he answered.
The tent flap was pulled back to reveal his worried friend, green eyes watching him closely. "You should be to," he admonished. "Lie down and get some sleep, we're splitting the watch tonight to be safe."
"How much did you hear?" he went to take off his jacket and hissed in pain.
"Here," Ignis reached out, helping him out of most of his clothing and then into his bedroll. "Cor sent whatever information you asked him for, we can look it over in the morning."
Ignis settled the blankets over him like he used to when Noctis was a lot younger, running his hand through messy black hair, getting an exhausted smile from Noctis.
"Think," Noctis paused to yawn, "he'll try to run tonight?"
"Maybe not tonight, he's rather worn out, but still better safe than sorry. Sleep Noctis, let the medication work," Ignis told him and Noctis shifted slightly, closing his eyes.
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Ignis stayed where he was, keeping up the gentle stroking of Noct's hair until his breathing deepened and he fell asleep. Good thing they would be having an easy day since the pills always left him groggy and his back would likely still be paining him to a degree.
He looked over at where Prompto was snuggled into the adult sized bedding. How could anyone harm a child? What parent could give theirs to the military? Unless the Empire was taking orphans and street children? He wanted so badly to check what the Marshal had sent but Gladio was right…and on first watch.
Ignis removed his jacket, glasses, and shoes before lying down as well, thankful that he was closest to the entry as not only would it make it harder for Prompto to slip passed but it would also mean Gladio was less likely to wake them when he came to wake Ignis for his watch.
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Gladio heard the tent go silent and hoped Iggy was actually getting some sleep. They were in for a few bad days and all needed to be at their best. Even if they woke up in the morning with Prompto back to normal, there was still the emotional trauma to deal with. Even if Prompto didn't remember being a kid…the fact that they now knew more about his childhood…well, that would be a blow.
Why hide it from them? Did he really think they would hold it against him? That they would blame him for whatever the Empire had put him through? Maybe now, since Insomnia he could see Prompto being worried…but before that? Noctis would not have cared at all, even if Prompto had been part of the Imperial army itself, because they were best friends. They may have been more wary but Prompto had been cleared by the Marshal himself and anyone who knew him, knew Prompto wasn't a good enough actor to be an undercover spy or anything.
He settled in for his watch, keeping the fire going and enjoying a cup of coffee to stay awake. They would look after Prompto and then help him once he returned to normal, because he would, they couldn't lose him. It would kill Noct to lose his best friend.
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He was warm…soft…he could hear breathing…two people? Not enough for his squad. He didn't want to wake up, he never felt so good…why wasn't he being woken for drills? As much as he hated to do it, he opened his eyes carefully, blinking in confusion. He looked around and then he remembered as he stared at the sleeping face of the hunter…Noct. He was in their weird material room. He slowly wriggled free and sat up, seeing the big one asleep across the entry.
He tensed as the flap was pulled back, the one wearing glasses in the opening. "Good morning Prompto," the man said.
Prompto…that was what Noct had said his name was…that the person in the pictures was him and had that name.
"Are you hungry? There's more soup if you are."
That he knew better than to answer because it was always a trick, besides, he'd been given sustenance the night before.
"I know that things are very different to what you are used to Prompto and that it is scary and confusing. You are our friend and we will not hurt you. It is my job to look after you which includes ensuring that you are well fed and safe. You will not be hurt or punished for telling me that you need food."
He chewed his bottom lip and then froze, flinching and waiting to be corrected for the behaviour but the man, Iggy, did nothing.
"Iggy?" the big man mumbled.
"It's alright Gladio, go back to sleep."
He shifted nervously at the foreign language, what were they saying?
"It's okay Prompto," Iggy held out his hands to him and it was obvious what he wanted.
He hesitated but punishment for disobedience would be worse, right? He carefully crawled across the soft and uneven floor and then there were hands on his waist, lifting him up and over the big man.
"There we go." Iggy stood up, taking him with him and he found himself settled against his hip, clinging on to his jacket immediately.
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Ignis carried Prompto over to his cooking station, not liking how light he was at all. He knew it would take time for him to believe Ignis' words about being safe and that he wanted to know when he needed something. He felt small hands cling to his jacket and just hummed softly under his breath as he moved to get together some breakfast for the two of them. He carried the tray carefully in one hand, keeping Prompto balanced with the other, taking his chair before the fire, glad that he had thought to set up the small table they used for card games. He placed the tray on that and got Prompto settled in his lap.
"There we go." He gently rubbed the tense back, smiling slightly when Prompto relaxed a little. "You aren't used to eating what we do, so I made you something easier for your stomach. This is porridge with some toasted bread as well as some orange juice," he explained gently, pointing out each object. He was having porridge as well, although he had added fruit to his own and he saw Prompto glance between the two.
"I have added fruit to mine, if you handle this well then we can try you with some fruit tonight or tomorrow," he told him. "Do you know how to use a spoon?" he asked, pointing at it and while Prompto didn't answer, he could see the confusion. He picked up the spoon and then Prompto's hand, showing him how to hold it and then scoop up the porridge.
Prompto's eyes went wide at the first taste, obviously in awe at the taste. It hurt, to see him in such wonder of plain porridge.
"Remember to eat slowly," he warned and the boy finally responded, nodding. Prompto gradually relaxed as they ate together in peace. He eventually saw Prompto struggling and gently took the partially eaten piece of toast from him. "Don't eat more than is comfortable or you could throw up, the same with eating too fast. Understand?"
"Yes sir," the answer was quiet but immediate.
"My name is Ignis, you can call me Iggy like Noct does if you like. You don't need to call any of us sir."
"Yes si…" he trailed off, shooting a nervous glance at him, but Ignis just smiled slightly at him. "Iggy," he whispered, tensing, but Ignis just ran his hand down his back in a soothing motion.
"There you go. Prompto, can you tell me how old you are?"
"Old?" he looked genuinely confused and Ignis wondered just what he had been taught.
"How many years have you been alive?" he tried, and he saw Prompto thinking.
"This unit was produced in M.E. 735," he offered, which didn't really help. "Seven years?"
"Very good," Ignis praised. Seven was older than he looked but not by as much as Gladio had feared, thankfully.
"Ig…gy?" a slurred voice called from the tent and Prompto looked over at it, tensing slightly.
"It's okay, it's just Noct." He stood, holding Prom easily as he made his way over to the tent. He set the boy on his own feet just inside and Prompto stood there, looking between them.
Gladio was sitting up, looking groggy still, and Ignis waved him down when Prompto tensed. "Ignis?"
"I've got this," he glanced at Prom and Gladio looked over before nodding and dropping back down. " he shuffled closer to Noctis who was struggling to keep his eyes open. "Easy Noct, I'm here." He called a water bottle from the Armiger and gently helped Noct lift his head enough to sip some. He could tell speaking Lucian was making Prompto nervous, but he wasn't sure if Noctis was with it enough to speak Gralean.
"Prom?" he mumbled, trying to look around and Ignis saw the boy take a half step closer.
"He's here, he's safe," Ignis soothed. "Sleep Noct."
"N…Noct is hurt?" Prompto asked hesitantly, and Ignis reached a hand out to him, motioning him closer. He hesitated but then obeyed and Noctis' groggy gaze immediately locked on him, Noct managing a small smile.
"Noct was hurt when he was little, a little older than you are now. Sometimes, that injury hurts even now." He wasn't sure how else to explain it.
"M'okay," Noctis managed in Gralea. "Tired from meds." He then looked at Ignis. "Need the restroom," he was slurring a little but more alert than he often was so soon after the pills.
"Of course," Ignis nodded and then looked at Prompto. "Prompto, I need to help Noctis see to some personal needs. Can you stay here with Gladio? I know he looks big and scary, but he won't hurt you."
Prompto looked from Ignis to Gladio with wide eyes.
"Ignis?" Gladio called.
"Noctis needs to relieve himself, can you watch Prompto?"
"I'll help the Princess, you can stay with blondie."
Ignis considered it but shook his head. "If this is going to last, then Prompto needs to get used to you and accept that you won't hurt him."
"Okay." Gladio sat up slowly and offered Prompto a smile. "Hey kiddo," he patted the space beside him.
"Go on Prompto," he gently urged him forward, and Prompto carefully sat beside Gladio, watching him warily.
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Gladio could feel the tension radiating from the tiny form beside him and wished he could do something but with the language barrier between them it would be hard, if not impossible. He slowly reached for his pack and dug through it, feeling Prompto staring the whole time. He grinned when he came up with a note pad and pencil, putting them down between them, getting a blank look. Right, child soldiers probably weren't encouraged to participate in arts and crafts but Iris had enjoyed drawing at that age.
He picked up the pencil and drew a circle and then handed it over. Prompto took it, holding it awkwardly, and Gladio very carefully took his hands, adjusting his grip. "There ya go little guy," he whispered. Prompto glanced at him and he nodded encouragingly, so Prompto carefully put the pencil to the paper, copying his circle. "Not bad."
He held his hand out and Prompto gave him the pencil back. He turned to a clean page and drew gradually more complex shapes, Prompto copying him, relaxing with every bit of praise he gave, he may not understand the words but he could the tone. Then, Prompto made a mistake and went rigid in fear. Gladio just gently took the pencil and erased the error before giving it back.
The tent flap was pulled back and Ignis carefully guided the barely awake Noctis back in. Gladio put a hand on Prompto's back as he tensed, rubbing it, but then he moved to take Noct, helping him back to bed as Ignis went to Prompto.
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Ignis smiled at Prompto and looked down, seeing where he'd been drawing with Gladio. "Did you have fun?" he asked.
"Fun?" Prompto asked in confusion.
"It's alright," Ignis carefully ruffled his hair.
"Is Noct alright?" Prompto asked softly, and Ignis smiled.
"Just tired, he'll be better when he wakes up again," Ignis assured him. "Now then, let's see about getting you cleaned up and into something a little warmer."
He went to Prompto's bag and began looking through it for something he could alter for the boy. He found a t-shirt that would serve as a dress of sorts, plus some clean boxers which with some quick work on the elastic in the waist would be able to stay up. Prompto watched him work quietly, Noctis asleep again, and Gladio outside having his own breakfast.
"You don't have shoes so I'll carry you. I need you to stay by my side at all times, understand? This area is not entirely safe and I don't want you to get hut or lost."
"Yes Iggy," Prompto answered immediately and Ignis gathered what he'd need before picking Prompto up.
"Have fun," Gladio called from where he was lounging in his chair, offering a wave to Prompto who hesitantly copied the gesture.
Ignis carried Prompto to the river and set him down in the grass. "The water will be cold but it's the best we can do for now," he explained.
He took off his jacket, shirt, shoes, socks, and then trousers, leaving himself in only his undergarments. Normally when camping they would bathe naked around each other…although Prompto never removed his bracelets. However, given his current age, Ignis did not feel comfortable stripping fully around him. Prompto just watched him with wide eyes, trembling slightly.
"It's alright Prompto, I won't let you go under." He held his hands out and Prompto was obviously torn between trusting him to keep his word and something he didn't want to consider. "I won't hurt you Prompto," he swore gently. He really hoped trust would win, he didn't want to have to chase him, but then Prompto shifted closer.
Ignis carefully removed the top Noctis had dressed Prompto in the night before, feeling him shaking slightly as he picked him up, wading into the cold water. Thankfully, the riverbed was sand and not rock and he slowly knelt down, bringing Prompto down into the water, feeling him cling even tighter.
"There, there, it's okay. It's just water Prompto," he murmured.
"Water comes from the hole in the wall," the boy whimpered.
"In a building, yes," Ignis agreed. "But outside it comes from lots of places."
He shifted to sit properly, the water hitting him at mid-chest, using his free hand to awkwardly soap up the washcloth he had brought. He got Prompto to lift an arm and gently ran the cloth over it, cleaning away the dirt from the base.
"There we go, you'll feel better once you're clean."
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He sat in Iggy's lap, letting himself be moved around as Iggy cleaned him. It was unlike any cleaning he had ever undergone. Where was the freezing cold, the hard hitting water, the armed guards, the weird stares at their bodies? It was cold, but not as cold as usual. Iggy was touching him, but not like the guards touched some of them, not him though. He was…gentle but not weird.
"Okay, I'm going to tip you back just enough to wet your hair, I've got my hand under your neck, you won't go under," Iggy told him, gently leaning him backwards and he bit his lip, scrunching his eyes shut. He felt the water on his head, but it didn't go over his face, once he was sitting up again the cloth was gently wiped over his face.
"All done," Iggy smiled at him and then stood, carrying him out of the water, drying him off just as carefully before helping him into the clothing.
He was right, he did feel better.
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Noctis staggered out of the tent, covering his eyes as the sun hit him, and then he felt Gladio take his arm. "Prom?"
"Still midgetised, Iggy's got him at the river to have a bath. Think you can eat? We've got porridge."
Noctis grimaced but nodded, limping over to his chair, taking the bowl when it was offered. He was starving actually but still feeling lethargic which made using a bowl and spoon fun but he managed. He was just finishing when the sound of someone approaching reached him. He looked up and smiled at the sight of the tiny Prompto in Ignis' arms, watching the world with wide eyes.
"Hey Prom," he called out, and Prompto looked at him, a flicker of relief going across his face. "You look a lot better."
Ignis gently set Prompto down and Noctis held his hand out to him. Prompto looked between them, his gaze drifting to the trees as well and they all tensed slightly, readying to move if he ran. Thankfully, Prompto walked towards him, taking his hand. Noctis carefully lifted him up and set him on his lap, feeling Prompto stiffen slightly before relaxing, leaning into him. Noctis wrapped his arm around his waist to keep him steady.
"Do you still hurt?" Prompto asked, and Noct grinned at him, carefully ruffling the way to short hair.
"Just a little ache, but it's okay." It was hard to remember what Cor had said, that Prompto wasn't a civilian child, that they couldn't just trust what he said and how he acted. He could be trying to get them to lower their guard so that he could escape.
Once Prompto was occupied with something or the next time he was asleep, he needed to read what Cor had sent.
"What are you going to do with me?" Prompto asked suddenly and Noctis glanced at Ignis.
"We're going to look after you, Prompto. The magic will wear off eventually and then you'll be back to normal."
"What if it doesn't?" he asked.
"Then you will have to grow up all over again and we will make sure you have a safe place to live," he promised. "I know it's confusing and scary, Prompto but you'll be okay."
"I want to go back to my unit," he whispered.
"Prom…" Noctis looked up at Ignis for help.
"Your unit would all be Noct's age now," Ignis told him gently.
Noctis wasn't sure whether or not Prompto believed them, that he was meant to be grown up. Prompto was an adorable kid, but he wanted his Prompto back! Prom's unit wouldn't be his age, they wouldn't be human anymore, they may have all been destroyed by now. that could have so easily been Prompto's fate.
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Nothing made sense, it seemed a weird lie to give, but how could it be true? They hadn't asked him any of the things they had been warned about, hadn't hurt him, nothing he had expected. He knew his duty, he had to escape and find the nearest base. He had to obey orders or else he would be decommissioned. But what if it wasn't a lie? If he was meant to be the same age as Noct? Then his unit would have been fully converted. What should he do?
TBC….
