Disclaimer: Not mine

Chapter 5

Prompto followed Ignis into the Citadel, he felt so confused and scared for Noct. He didn't know what was going on, barely noticing the grandeur of the building around him. he'd been on a public tour once, before he ever met Noctis, but that had been the public areas while Iggy had brought him up an elevator from the garage into what was obviously not the public sections. They entered another elevator but this one took them down…below the garage?

"Prompto," Ignis called and he blinked, that sounded like he'd been calling his name for a while. "Noctis has fought hard to allow you to know the secrets you will soon be told."

"I'd never betray him," Prompto told him immediately and Ignis smiled softly. He followed Ignis down a hall and then the older male was pushing open a double door and Prompto stepped in only to stare in awe. The room was mostly water with walkways cross the room. There was a section in front of them that was solid, with benches, two doors he guessed led to changing rooms and a massage table all set up. "This is…" he didn't have words for it.

"Pretty amazing?" a familiar voice offered and Prompto looked around wildly before spotting the head of wet black hair and he moved over, dropping to his knees besides where Noctis was resting on his arms, body in the water.

"Noct…" he choked out. He was okay! "You….I thought….what happened?" he reached out shakily for his best friend, fighting back tears of relief.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Noctis saw the tears in Prompto's eyes and felt utterly horrible for scaring him so badly. He'd been feeling so good that his transformation triggering had come as a total shock and he'd had no time to think. When Prompto reached out he hesitated but then lifted a hand to take him, squeezing gently and he saw his friend frown in confusion. He fought the urge to tense or pull his hand away as Prom looked down at their joined hands.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Prompto gripped Noct's hand and felt him squeeze back gently but then he looked down, frowning, something felt strange. Yeah, he was expecting his hand to be wet but… his skin was way too cold, and he felt something sharp resting against his skin. What he saw had his eyes widening in shock and he remembered Iggy's words outside…Royal Secrets…he took a shaky breath. "Noct?" he whispered as he stared at the sharp claws on Noctis' hands and were those scales?

"I was going to tell you over the holidays," Noctis whispered in return. "I… promise not to scream?" he asked and Prompto nodded, not sure if he could speak. "Scoot over," Noctis told him, releasing his hand to brace on the edge and Prompto shifted away.

He watched as Noctis pulled himself up onto the side, blinking as his mind tried to make sense of what he was seeing. Noctis had lost his shirt at some point since diving into the canal, rivulets of water running over his skin. His eyes followed the water down Noct's body to his bellybutton but then smooth skin with a scattering of dark scales became fully covered in scales, tapering into a long tail which was still partially in the water. He looked up at Noct's face, noticing now that hidden in his dark hair were pointed fin-like ears flicked slightly. He searched Noct's face, noticing something seemed different about his pupils before moving down again. He didn't just have a tail, he had fins. Seeing him looking Noct twisted slightly to let him see his back, revealing a fin that trailed down his spine, down towards the mass of scar tissue from his childhood injury.

"Breath Prompto," Ignis' calm voice reached him, and he realised he was almost hyperventilating, feeling gently but firm hands on his shoulders and he struggled to breath.

Noctis had a tail… and half remembered stories came back to him, things he'd been taught as a child, stories of the monstrous, inhuman, Lucian Royals. Mixed with those were the old myths his Mum had told him at night, reading from a children's book. Of the beautiful mercreatures who would draw sailors in and drown them.

"Prom?" Noctis called his name softly and he looked back up at his face.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Noctis didn't know what to do but stay still and let Prompto look for as long as he needed, but he saw blue eyes going to wide, his breathing speeding up until he was gasping, and he didn't know what to do. Thankfully Specs stepped in and Prompto's breathing gradually slowed. "Prom?" he called softly, scared that he wouldn't be able to accept him, to accept them. His friend lifted his head to look at him and Noctis felt his heart break as he saw pupils dilated with fear, slight tremors shaking the lanky body.

He fought back the hurt, recalling all of his lessons….fear was a normal first reaction, even if the person knew you. This was a shock for Prompto that had come with no warning. He slowly slid back into the water to give him space, resting his arms on the ledge. Ignis had shown him the kind of stories people told of their kind, of the seducers who used men, the tricky savages who drowned and ate humans… Prompto likely knew those stories too and it would make sense for him to remember them now.

"Prom," he called again, and his friend looked at him again.

"N…Noct?" Prompto stammered and Noctis winced, how much worse would it be if he saw Noctis' teeth?

He slowly offered his hand again. He licked his lips but knew he had to talk to him, just hoping he didn't run at seeing his sharp teeth. "Please Prom, I'd never hurt you," he swore. "I didn't want you to find out like this. I was going to tell you over vacation and then show you. I know I look scary," he swallowed hard. He started as he felt warm fingers hesitantly brush his, but he kept totally still. "You're my best friend Prompto. I know what the stories say but I've never drowned someone. Never eaten anyone either."

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Prompto watched Noctis slip back into the water, glad for the space, fighting the urge to run. How far would he get when he didn't know the Citadel? Noctis called his name again and he forced himself to make eye contact, seeing something…fear? Why would he be afraid? Prompto was the one outnumbered and on the edge of the water. He could swim, he'd done hydrotherapy as part of his recovery, but that water looked a lot deeper than any therapy pool and in the water he would be at a massive disadvantage. He hated that he stammered on Noctis' name and then a cool hand was offered to him again even as Noctis spoke and he struggled to listen as he promised he would never hurt Prompto. So this was the secret he had been planning to share over vacation. Hearing Noct admit he knew he looked scary, hearing something in his voice he slowly reached out, brushing cold fingers with his own, feeling them shake but unable to stop it. He felt Noct freeze in place at his touch even as he rushed to assure him he'd never drowned or eaten anyone.

Could he believe him? He glanced down at their hands, resting there but barely touching and then he forced himself to meet Noctis' eyes again. He really was afraid…of Prompto's reaction? He forced his hand to move further, to really hold Noctis' hand. He could feel small scales scattered over the skin, the claws and…webbing between the fingers but the rest of the skin felt normal, other than the temperature. He ran his fingers carefully over the scales and webbing, touching the claws that had replaced the blunt human nails he usually saw. He forced himself to think rationally and if he did then the claws and teeth made sense. If Noct was…was a merman or something…then he likely was adapted for the sea which had a lot of bigger fish and predators. You couldn't cook food under water either which meant catching and eating fish raw.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Once Prompto had his breathing under control, Ignis remained silent, observing the two. He could feel Noctis' fear and he shared it. He had come to care for the blonde and he knew Gladio had as well, which made sense if Prompto was meant to be their fourth. The thought of him rejecting them…it would hurt. He listened as Noctis bungled his way through an explanation that didn't actually tell Prompto much and he found himself holding his breath when Noctis offered his hand and then Prompto reached back to at least touch his. He felt a surge of hope as Prompto slowly and gently explored Noctis' hand, seeing the slight tremble in pale fingers. It had to be a good sign right? If he was utterly disgusted surely he would draw back, not explore.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Noctis stared at his hand as Prompto ever so gently touched the various parts that were hidden when he was in human form, or the spelled blanket was over his 'legs'. He lifted his arm a bit as fingers moved down to his wrist, letting Prompto explore as much as he wished, staying silent because he didn't know what to say. Prompto's skin felt hot, even though he knew he wasn't, but it didn't hurt, it felt kind of nice. He lifted up a little as Prompto's hand moved down his arm to his neck, skimming over his currently closed gills and then up to trace over his left cheek and then back to his ear which flicked at his touch, and Noctis shivered slightly. Prompto immediately pulled his hand back, brow furrowed in concern and Noctis smiled with his mouth closed. "Can't really control them," he admitted softly.

"Sorry," Prompto whispered and it was a relief to hear him say something.

Noctis slowly reached his hand out and up and Prompto froze, eyes locked on his fingers, but he didn't try to pull away. So he rested his hand against Prompto's face, ever so careful of his claws. "It didn't hurt," he promised.

"Is this real?" Prompto asked. "Or a really weird dream?" he licked his lips, obviously nervous and Noctis laughed shakily.

"Real," he assured him.

"You can breathe?"

"Yeah," he tipped his head to show the closed gills better. "They close or open depending on if I'm under the surface. Question were good, right?

"Noct…what…."

"The popular term is merman," Ignis spoke up quietly to keep from startling Prompto.

Prompto turned slightly to see him. "Are you?"

Ignis nodded. "Yes, as is Gladio. Although I gained my form from my connection to Noctis while Gladio was born as one."

"Why are you telling me this?" Prompto asked and Noctis shifted to grip the ledge, ready to push himself up and out again.

"Noct," Ignis chided.

"I'm fine Ignis," he argued and Prompto looked between them.

"What?"

"Breathing above water is fine, leaving it when he cannot shift back is not a good idea for more than a minute or two at a time," Ignis answered before Noctis could insist it was fine.

"What?" Prompto's eyes widened. "Noct stay in."

Noctis felt a flash of relief at the concern in Prompto's voice. He sighed, almost pouting, he wanted to be out with them. He knew why Iggy was staying out, his form would be even more startling than Noctis'. Gladio would be no better, his form even more predatory looking. Better Prompto only see him until he could get used to such things. He offered his hand again and smiled when Prompto took it. Prompto was pretty physical, slinging an arm around his shoulders when on the couch, lying side by side in the grass, he hoped he could accept that mers preferred even more contact. It wasn't sexual or anything, they just thrived off being able to touch each other. A lack of physical contact could have detrimental effects after too long. "I'll be fine," he tried to argue but Ignis glared.

"You've been pushing yourself too much Noctis."

"What do you mean?" Prompto demanded and Ignis adjusted his glasses.

"The injury to Noctis' back did not just physically harm him, it damaged his magic. It has left him unable to control his transformation. His control has improved, which is why he has been allowed to attend school this year. The blanket he uses has powerful magic in it that hides the changes when he transforms while also keeping her mer form supported despite being on land."

"The pain attacks?" Prompto asked and Ignis nodded. "Noct stay in the water."

"Shall I come in with you?" Ignis offered and Noctis glanced at Prompto. "Ah, yes…."

"What?"

"Mer forms are all different, although they do tend to run in families. My form may be…even more shocking for you to see," Ignis admitted and Noct could hear the discomfort he was trying to hide.

"I just wanted Prom to be able to look and touch," he admitted softly.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Prompto blinked at that, he had been willing to hurt himself just so Prompto could try and come to terms with this? What did Iggy look like if they thought it'd freak him out more? Did he want to know? Listening and talking…he still acted like the Noctis he'd come to know. Maybe all those stories were wrong…and he knew better than to believe anything the Empire had taught him. He slipped his free hand down to feel cool water, it felt different to the therapy pools, so he guessed it was saltwater which made sense. "I was meant to be an MT," the words were out before he realised and they both looked at him, obviously confused.

"Prompto?" Noctis pulled himself higher up.

"I wasn't born, I was made in a lab." He removed the wristband and bared his barcode to them before pulling off the bandana around his arm. he reached for Noct's hand and he gave it immediately, dark blue eyes still showing confusion. He pressed Noct's hand to the skin, feeling it give way, to reveal cold metal and Noct's eyes went wide in shock. "I take photos because it keep me from reaching for a gun I don't have. They…they gave us a number, not a name, trained us every day, failure meant termination. They'd strap us to tables and inject this black sludge…the Scourge…and it burned so much. My eyes were purple when I first came to Insomnia….Cor saved me. He was investigating the facility and I was slated for decommissioning. If he hadn't taken me I would have died. Technically I pretty much died a few times in the Citadel medical facilities. Without the treatments my body was rejecting what they'd done to me. I don't remember much, just flashes till eventually I woke up with a tube down my throat and wires everywhere. I had no control of my body, couldn't even breath without help. But I got better and the Argentum's adopted me after a while. All that's left is the port and barcode. I was in therapy for a long time, I didn't know how to act around actual people, how to be a person," he stopped talking, not looking at either of them but then Noctis was pulling and pushing himself up even higher, wet arms wrapping around Prompto, soaking hair resting against his heart, and he froze in shock. Didn't Noct get it? He was less of a person than any merperson. He heard odd noises coming from Noct and he realised they would probably carry well under water. He felt a firm, dry hand grip his shoulder, Ignis' body pressing against his back.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

"This was what was missing from your file, I knew what the Marshal told me was a fabrication, but I never imagined…" Ignis whispered, shocked. Everyone knew of the strange troops the Empire favoured, joked about them being empty….except apparently they weren't. They started out as babies and then were slowly stripped of their humanity in labs and training. That Prompto was seemingly normal, happy….that he could interact with people…it was a miracle and just showed how strong he was. "I cannot imagine the horrors you have gone through…and then the attack…you are one of the strongest people I know," he told him, and he felt the boy sag between them, shoulders hitching with the attempt not to cry.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Noctis rubbed his cheek against Prompto's shirt, wishing he wasn't wearing it. "Iggy's right," he agreed. He did wonder if this explained the unknown result in his tests. "It doesn't matter where you were born or why. You're Prompto Argentum, Crown Citizen and my best friend." Feeling skin give way to cold metal had been a shock and he'd been glad Prompto couldn't see his face for a few seconds since he knew that had shown, that and fear. He'd wondered just how much metal there was and was relieved it was just whatever was in his arm. he let go, sinking back down, as Prompto pulled away from them, wiping at his eyes. He hated being stuck in the water, wanting to be out there where he could really give the blonde a proper hug.

Prompto looked at him and obviously saw what he wanted. "No way dude, you are not hurting yourself for me." That got a chuckle from Ignis and Noctis rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. Prompto looked between them and then at the pool and Noctis straightened a bit…surely he wouldn't be willing so quickly? "How deep is it?"

"This bit's pretty deep. There's a shallower section across the room with a shelf for sitting," Noctis answered, working to keep the hope from his voice even as Ignis' eyes widened slightly behind his glasses.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Hearing there was a shallower section he came to a decision. Noctis had taken his secret so much better than he had the whole mer thing and he hated himself for it. Noctis couldn't come out of the water but there was no reason he couldn't go in, right?

"Prompto, no one expects you to be comfortable with this so quickly," Ignis offered and he grinned at the Adviser.

Maybe not…but he'd never forgive himself. "I didn't pack my swimsuit though."

Noctis offered a shy smile at that and pointed over to the doors. "There should be some regulation ones that'll fit you…if you're sure?"

"I can swim, hydrotherapy was part of getting use of my arms and legs back. And you wouldn't let me drown anyway."

"Never," Noctis swore seriously.

"Very well, I shall find you a pair," Ignis got up and Prompto followed him to the massive changing room. "You don't have to do this. You have been through a massive shock today."

"I know," Prompto whispered before yanking his shirt over his head, not like Ignis and Noctis hadn't seen his scars already. He caught the glance at his arm and held it out to him. "You can touch it," he offered and Ignis glanced at his eyes before reaching out to gently probe at the sight, eyes widening as the skin gave way to reveal the metal port.

"I assume it's water proof?"

"Yeah, wouldn't work if we got electrocuted or anything in the showers," he managed a small smile and Ignis nodded, handing over a pair of black shorts. Prompto stepped into a stall and quickly changed, putting his things in a locker that Ignis opened for him. He then led him to another section, and they found Noctis already there, obviously sitting on the ledge. Prompto looked down to see where it was and took a deep breath before stepping down onto it, slipping down further the sit on it.

The water was cool, but it felt nice. He glanced at Noctis and then shifted slightly so they were side by side, feeling scales against his leg, it was different but not scary. A hand brushed his and he took it, glancing over to see a small, happy smile on Noct's face. They sat like that for a while before Noctis let go and lifted his arm, moving it behind Prompto and he leant against Noctis, letting him wrap his arm around him. Yeah, there was still a little bit of his brain screaming at him that he was going to be pulled under and drowned or eaten, especially with the coolness of Noct's skin on his, but he could ignore it. He let his head rest on Noct's shoulder and felt Noctis tip his head to rest against his.

"Thank you," the words were barely audible, but he still heard them, and he reached across Noct's body to take his free hand and pull it so that Noctis wrapped him up in a hug. They settled quietly like that and Ignis retreated with a smile of relief.

TBC…