Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 6

Gladio blinked awake as the lantern light flooded the tent, lifting a hand to protect his eyes. "Ignis?" he called softly,, pushing himself up on his elbows only to see Ignis leaving the tent.

"Go back to sleep," Ignis murmured, "just helping Prompto."

Gladio flopped back at that, relieved the kid wasn't trying to escape again. He closed his eyes but decided to stay awake until they returned, just to be safe.

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Ignis supported Prompto, ignoring his nakedness, helping him to where they had marked out the spot near the Haven for night time needs. Prompto seemed rather disorientated but Ignis supposed that was understandable considering what he'd been through. He didn't seem to remember it, at least not yet, and he wouldn't push for him to. He was just relieved to have their Prompto back again.

They would have to discuss everything eventually, but there was no need to do so in the middle of the night. He did not doubt their friendship or Prompto's loyalty to Noctis, but he would still like to hear his side of everything.

Prompto stumbled, and Ignis tightened his grip slightly as they moved down the slope. He made sure to look away while Prompto dealt with things, before helping him back to camp.

"Iggy? 'M I naked?" Prompto asked dazedly.

"Shh, we'll talk in the morning," he promised.

Prompto lifted a hand to rub at his face and then froze, becoming more alert as he stared at his own wrist. The sound he made broke Ignis heart and then Prompto was yanking away, scrambling to get clear of him, blue eyes impossibly wide in the firelight. He staggered back towards the edge of the Haven and Ignis reached for him, if he ran…

"Prompto," he called, but the blond didn't respond, chest heaving as he gasped for air. "Prompto," he tried again, voice firmer and louder.

He heard noise from the tent. "Ignis?" Gladio asked softly.

"Wake Noct, it's Prompto," Ignis answered, hoping that Noctis would be able to calm Prompto.

He'd obviously realised that they had seen his wrist and the barcode there. He'd kept he secret all his life, the idea they'd found out obviously terrified him, and Ignis didn't blame him. He heard Gladio moving about in the tent and then the sound of people emerging.

"Specs, wha… Prom?" Noctis called, sounding more awake with every word.

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Noctis staggered from the tent, barely awake, but worried. It took a few seconds for him to realise what he was seeing and the relief was immense as he took in the lanky form across the fire. Prompto was back! And…naked. Oops. Looked like the kids cloths hadn't survived the change back to his normal self. Even in the fire light, Prompto looked confused and…terrified, but why?

"Prompto? What's wrong?" he asked, taking a step towards him, but Prompto stumbled back, closer to the edge, and Noctis froze, hand outstretched towards him. "Easy, it's okay, it's just us Prom. No one is going to hurt you. Please…" he whispered.

He could warp over but the idea of throwing a weapon in even his general direction when Prompto was already scared made him feel sick. But if Prompto ran off into the night, naked… he could hear the daemons all around them, they might not get to him in time.

He took a half step forward, keeping his hand out as Prompto stared at him. "It's okay, I know you're confused. Everything's going to be okay, please let me come over."

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Gladio remained still and quiet, ready to try and cut Prompto off if he bolted, he was hardly dressed for a run through the trees after all, though that would thankfully slow him down. If anyone could get through his panic and talk him down, it'd be Noct. They were best friends after all, Noctis knew him better than anyone…except Cor as it turned out.

It had been hard for Noct to deal with the fact that he hadn't known as much about Prompto as he thought. It was obvious he'd been struggling to deal with it all and he was proud of the maturity Noctis had shown since Prompto had been de-aged.

Gladio wanted to help but he also knew that he was the most physically intimidating of the group and Prompto seemed a bit disorientated as it was. He could wait until the kid had calmed down to assure him that they were okay.

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His head was spinning, he was cold, naked…why was he naked? He was so confused but…they'd seen…they knew… he had to run, to get away… he couldn't breathe, couldn't hear over the pounding of his heart even as he stared at Noctis' outstretched hand. He wanted to go to him, but how could he? He'd lied to him for years, made them all think he was human when he was one of the monsters that had destroyed their home.

He saw Noct's lips moving but his vision was getting spotty, he felt light headed, stumbling. He staggered and then there was an arm around him, holding him up, pulling him in. a hand went to the back of his head, guiding it down to rest on a black clad shoulder, lips resting right against his hear.

"It's okay, breathe with me Prompto," the voice was barely audible but he knew it, trusted it.

He took in a gasp of air and then another, trembling. He felt a hand rubbing his bare back even as he struggled to breath.

"That's it Prom, you're okay, I've got you," Noctis murmured. "No one is going to hurt you."

He wanted desperately to believe him, but how could that be true? Unless….they hadn't realised what the code on his wrist meant? Was his secret still safe?

"Come on, let's get you back to bed," Noctis urged, moving slightly, and Prompto slumped against him, legs shaking too much to walk, but then another arm was around him as well, helping to hold him up.

He saw Gladio holding the tent flap up and realised it was Ignis helping them. Then they were in the tent and Noct was shuffling some stuff around before digging through Prompto's bag for some clothing. He tried to dress himself but his limbs just wouldn't cooperate. Soon he was tucked into his sleeping bag, Noct pressed to his back, an arm thrown over his waist and Ignis was in front of him. Everything felt foggy and he was still shaking, he couldn't stop.

"It's alright Prompto, this will help you sleep," Ignis promised, and then he felt the cool rush of a potion over him, everything fading away.

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Ignis watched as Prompto's eyes closed, body going limp as he fell into a deep sleep, his shaking finally stopping even as his breathing deepened, becoming regular. He reached out and gently brushed wild blond hair back from the now peaceful face, seeing Noctis press his face into Prompto's neck. He hated having to put him to sleep, but Prompto had been working himself towards passing out, overstressing his body after the shock of the magic wearing off and returning him to his true age. Better he sleep off the shock and remaining magic.

"He'll be okay, right?" Noctis asked quietly.

Ignis wished he could promise that he would be fine, but how could he?

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Noctis carefully crushed a remedy over Prompto, the tent lit by the morning light, Ignis outside making breakfast while Gladio went for his morning run. Within a few moments, Prompto was beginning to stir, Noctis remaining curled around him, lifting his hand to entwine their fingers, hoping the contact would help keep him calm and prove that everything would be okay.

"Mmm…" Prompto shifted, and Noctis squeezed his hand.

"Morning Prom," he whispered.

"Nnnoct?" he slurred. He felt Prompto move to try and sit up, only to flop back because of his hold and the lingering effects of the potion.

"I'm here," he promised. He carefully moved to sit up, gently tugging Prompto with him, keeping the blond resting against him.

Sleepy blue eyes blinked up at him but the confusion was slowly fading and Prompto frowned, looking around. "What? What's…" he trailed off, looking down at the hand Noct was holding….and the bare wrist.

"Easy," he murmured, squeezing his fingers again.

"Band? Where," he looked around wildly.

"Here," Noctis got them from where Ignis had left the thick leather band out, carefully slipping it over his hand, doing up the buckle for him, feeling Prompto utterly rigid against him. He then hugged the blond with his free arm. "It's okay," he promised. "Prom, what's the last thing you remember?"

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Ignis heard Noctis' voice, Prompto must have woken then. Breakfast was almost done but he removed the food from the heat to keep it from overcooking, wanting to give them time to talk before interrupting.

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"I…." the last thing he remembered?

Something must have happened, but what? He vaguely remembered waking, being naked, Iggy helping him…. Had…had the thing he feared the most happened? Had he…had he attacked them? But shouldn't he have been tied up then? He tried to remember, everything foggy.

"Take your time," Noct whispered, squeezing his hand again.

Surely if he'd done something bad, turned on them, the others wouldn't let Noct near him, let alone being alone in the tent together. So what could have happened? "We…were…a base?" he asked, trying to remember more.

"Yeah, an Imperial base."

Okay, so they'd been in an Imperial base. Had he been hurt maybe? Bad enough that potions couldn't deal with it immediately? But then wouldn't they be at a hospital? His head hurt but he ignored it. "Split up?" he groaned, shifting, and Noct held a water bottle to his lips which he gratefully drank. "A weird machine…fighting…then…something glowing?"

"They were study some old Solheim tech, it...it activated while I was trying to translate things and you…you pushed me out of the way. When the light faded, you were…gone."

"Gone?" Prompto asked in confusion.

"Well, it was you, just not this you."

"Noct," Prompto almost whined, frustrated.

"It…it turned you back into a little kid Prom. Your clothes were massive, pooling around you and you…" Noct hesitated, and Prompto tensed again. "You were aiming one of your guns at me," he finished.

"Noct…"

"It's okay Prompto, you didn't shoot. You were scared and confused."

He wanted to believe Noct's words, he really did. How young had he become? Obviously after he'd started weapons training…when they all thought he'd been raised a civilian. How could he explain that.

"We know Prom," Noctis whispered. "You…you were speaking Gralean. I told you we were hunters, that we hadn't known there were any survivors in the base, got you to give me the gun. When we got you back to the Haven, I rang Cor. He sent us the files Prompto. I'm so sorry, what they did to you…." To his shock, Noctis tightened his hold, hugging him tightly….or restraining him? He wouldn't run though, no matter what they planned to do. "It's been just over a week since then. You were a very cute kid, even if you did try and run off a few times. Nice to know you've always loved Chocobos," Noctis actually snickered.

"Chocobos?"

"Yeah, we're at the Haven near the Outpost. We've been staying here cause your fascination with them has helped keep you occupied during the day and worn out enough to sleep through the night."

"I…I don't understand," he whispered.

"We don't care Prompto. None of this changes anything, you're my best friend. You are one of the strongest, bravest, people I've ever met."

Prompto began trembling, overwhelmed. He…he wasn't mad? Noctis shifted around, letting go of him, and he was proud that he could now sit up on his own, unable to look up though. Knees touched his and he glanced up, finding Noct sitting in front of him, their knees pressed to each other. Serious dark blue eyes caught his, and then Noctis smiled softly.

"You aren't a threat to us Prom," he reached out and grasped his hands. "I wish you told us but I get it, you were scared. What they did to you… but it isn't your fault. You are a Crown citizen Prompto, a member of my Retinue. Nothing will change that…unless you want it to."

Did he really…mean that? How could he? But Noctis was grinning at him, and Prompto swallowed, looking away.

"You're…you're not mad at me?" he asked.

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"No," Noctis promised. "I'm just glad it finally wore off. We were having to start making plans for you being a kid and having to grow up again."

"Plans?" Prom asked warily.

"We were going to take you to Caem, between Cor, Monica, and Cid you would have had people who spoke your language until you got the hang of Lucian. It was the safest place we could think of that would also have people who knew you. I'm just glad it's not needed, Cor will be happy too, he's been very worried about you."

"He saved me," Prompto whispered, and Noctis nodded.

"He told me about the mission where he found you. I will owe him forever for that, he gave me my best friend."

They were interrupted by a hand tapping against the tent. "Apologies, but breakfast cannot be held any longer without spoiling."

"Thanks Specs," he called out. "Come on, you've got to be starving. You were so skinny and we had to teach you to eat so you've been on small meals of pretty bland food."

Sure enough, Prompto's stomach growled, and Noct laughed. He tugged his hand, pulling him from the tent, feeling him tense again. He kept a good grip on his hand, leading him over to the chairs. Ignis looked up and smiled at them, even as Gladio walked up onto the Haven, dressed only in his pants since he'd been running.

"Good ta have you back blondie," Gladio smirked at Prompto who just stared at him with wide eyes.

"Indeed, it is wonderful to see you back to yourself," Ignis agreed.

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Ignis couldn't help topping up Prompto's plate several times, he was no longer badly underweight, but Prompto had always been rather skinny. It got him a knowing yet understanding look from Gladio even as Noct did his best to keep Prompto occupied, to keep his mind off of what had happened and that they now knew the truth of his past.

When Prompto smiled and laughed softly and something Noctis had said, Ignis felt relieved. They would deal with what had happened and move on. Prompto was still Prompto, one of them, no matter where he had come from. They just had to reassure him of that.

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Gladio glanced up from the page of his book, grinning when he saw Prompto leaning over the edge of his seat to snap a photo. The kid was quieter but after another three days at the Chocobo Outpost he was recovering well. He'd been so embarrassed by the photos they'd had fun taking, but they had gone a long way to proving to the blond that they still cared, that he was still one of them.

As long as they were together, they could deal with whatever came their way. They would retake the Crystal and Insomnia, and stop the Empire…they would keep more children like Prompto from being used the way he had been. It would take planning and resources but they would do it, they had to.

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Prompto felt almost giddy with relief, nothing had changed! He still curled up at night beside Noct's sleeping bag, still had access to the Armiger, was trusted to watch their backs, none of them flinching when he'd open fire nearby in a fight. There'd been questions sure but they had been gentle, curious, not demanding or suspicious. He had to wonder if it would have been the same if he'd willingly told them earlier. Noct was right, they both owed Cor so much for saving him. He would repay him by protecting Noctis and seeing him become the great King that Prompto knew he would be.

The end.