Disclaimer: Not mine

Chapter 6

Noctis sat on the shelf, feeling utterly content to have Prompto almost curled against him, his arms around the blonde. He'd really thought for a few moments that he was going to lose his best friend and then to hear the truth about his past… he needed to give Cor something really nice as a thank you for rescuing Prom and brining him to the city. Hearing how he'd nearly died several times hurt and he did wonder what else they had done to him. if he hadn't been born…then who were his 'parents', did he get the harpy DNA off them or was that added in the lab with the 'unknown'? Should he tell Prompto what they had found in his tests or was it too soon?"

"Hey Noct?"

"Yeah?"

"If I don't move soon I'm gonna freeze, water's a little too cool for me to sit too long."

"Oh, right, guess that means you want to get out," he started pulling back, knowing he was stuck awhile longer unless Specs got his chair and the blanket.

"I said I need to move to keep warm," Prompto offered quietly and Noctis sat up fully, looking at him as he realised what he was saying.

"You mean it?" he asked shakily, this was more than he could have hoped for so soon.

Prompto grinned slightly. "Well I'm already in here, might as well, been a while since I last swam though."

"I won't let anything happen," Noctis promised solemnly. He slowly slipped off the shelf and then offered his hand to Prompto who took it even as he pushed off the shelf as well, legs kicking to keep his head above the surface.

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

Ignis watched in happy surprise as Prompto took Noctis' hand and moved to tread water, the water was a fine temperature for them, but it was a bit cool for a human, especially when just sitting. Those in the Glaive who did not have a mer form still had enough of the magic to not be bothered and so he had forgotten about that.

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

Prompto grinned at Noctis and then flipped onto his back to float a little, getting used to the buoyancy of the water before he dunked his head under and then surfaced, shaking his hair out. He didn't say anything about Noct holding his hand the whole time as he got used to being in the water again.

"Trust me?" Noctis asked.

He could hear the slight hesitancy, hating that he'd put it there but unable to have helped his reactions. Everything he'd been taught as a child screamed to say no, the same part of him that longed for a gun, but he'd gotten good at deflecting that part of him, first through a camera and now he would do the opposite of what it wanted. "Yeah," he squeezed Noctis' hand. It wasn't like he'd been any safer sitting on the shelf than he would be in the open water after all.

"Take a deep breath," Noctis told him, so he did and then Noctis was gently tugging him under the surface before they were moving through the water, Noct pulling him along at speeds he would never be able to reach himself.

After a while he tugged at Noct's hand and then they were ascending and he gulped in the air as they surfaced, unable to stop grinning. "That was awesome!"

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

Noctis was careful not to swim full speed as he pulled Prompto through the water, until he felt him tug at his hand, so he quickly surfaced, watching as Prompto gasped in air…he was grinning!

"That was awesome!"

His words had Noctis laughing, relieved that he wasn't scared by the speed or the risk of drowning if Noctis didn't let go.

"You're fast."

"That wasn't even full speed," he boasted, unable to help grinning back at his best friend.

"Wow," was all Prompto managed to say. "You're incredible," and then he blushed and Noctis felt his own cheeks flush a little at the compliment.

"I'm not the one who looked past all the legends to get in the water with a mer."

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

Ignis shook his head in amusement at the boys. He did wonder how Prompto would take Gladio and his owns forms as they were far more alien than Noctis'. They would have to work up to that, while Gladio's was the more predatory, it may be the best to reveal next. They would also need to begin easing him into the parts of their lives they had hidden from him before. he would need to be taught about the true history of the Lucis Caelum line and the war with Niflheim…and the truth of his own mixed heritage. How were they meant to tell him that he carried the blood of one of their worst enemies? What would they do if that DNA ever became active? Would they be able to fight past thousands of years of instinct if it did? Would Prompto be able to hold on to who he was if it did? Harpy's…well their name was rather indicative of what they were like, they were vicious, cruel and violent. And he didn't think that just because they were at war, they acted the same to the humans within the Empire as well.

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

Prompto followed Ignis through the halls, paying a lot more attention now that he was sure Noctis was okay. The Citadel was truly amazing, it felt old but not cold. His hair was damp from the long swim and he felt a little chilly, but it was nothing a hot shower wouldn't take care of. He could have showered in the dressing room, but a group of Glaive had been coming in and it had made him self-conscious so Ignis had bundled him out of there quickly with the promise of a shower in the room he'd be sleeping in. he blinked as they entered an opulent hallway and then Iggy was unlocking a door and ushering him inside what looked like a multi-room apartment. It hit him then where they were. "This is Noct's."

"Of course, where else would you stay?" he smiled. "Guestroom is here, I'll begin dinner, take all the time you wish," he showed Prompto into a room bigger than the one his parents used when home. "The bathroom is fully stocked with anything you made need."

"Thanks Iggy," he slipped inside and put his bag down on the bench at the foot of the bed. He dug out some clean clothing but left his toiletries in it, going to see what was already in the bathroom, all way better brands than he could ever afford.

He turned the water on as hot as he could stand and stripped off to get in, letting it soak into aching muscles. He was definitely unused to swimming anymore. He closed his eyes and let his mind wander, still trying to get his head around everything. Merpeople were real and his best friend was one of them. how had it been kept from the general populace? Then again, everyone but Noct only transformed in water, that daemon attack had really messed things up for him. Did knowing all of this change anything? He leant against the wall, staring up at the tiled wall. The Empire obviously knew because they wouldn't be telling the MT kids bedtime stories. He wondered if that meant the war extended underwater somehow.

He sighed and began scrubbing down, removing the salt from his skin. He hated the Empire and he would not let his childhood training influence his life. No…Noctis, Iggy, even Gladio, they were his friends, human or not. He would not let knowing about their other nature affect that. he did remember Ignis saying he hadn't been born a mer which was interesting, and he wondered if he'd be willing to explain more. Skin beginning to go red, he got out and dried off before dressing and then heading out to find Iggy in the kitchen, cooking, and he grinned at seeing Noctis sprawled on the couch.

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

Noctis looked up at Prompto left the spare room, unable to keep from grinning back at him. He'd been nervous about how he'd react now that he'd had time alone to think but now he felt bad for doubting him. "Did you try to cook yourself?" he asked, seeing the red tint to his skin and Prompto rolled his eyes, obviously unsure where he was allowed and Noctis patted the couch he was already sprawled on. He'd managed to change back, though his legs were pretty useless at the moment. Prompto lifted his legs and slid under them, as if they were at the blondes, fingers automatically digging into weak muscles, working out any knots in them and just helping keep them from tightening up. Noctis sighed and relaxed, feeling utterly content.

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

Ignis glanced over from the kitchen and smiled softly at the sight of the two on the couch. It was a good sign and he was happy to see them so relaxed after the stressful day they'd had. He was making Prompto's favourite green curry, figuring he deserved the treat after today.

Once sure the boys were fine he slipped away to report to the King in person on what had happened. King Regis' concern for both teens was obvious, as was his relief at how well Prompto had taken it.

Prompto ended up staying the whole weekend at the Citadel before returning home after school on Monday.

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

Prompto got up and groaned, feeling his whole body ache. Great, just what he needed. With the temperature dropping he had been expecting it though. He staggered into the bathroom and turned the shower on hot, getting in to let the water pound into his spine. He glanced at his bed, so tempted to just crawl back in but he forced himself to dress and grab his bag, having a quick breakfast, with painkillers, before leaving, walking slower than usual.

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

Noctis grinned in relief when he spotted Prompto, he'd been starting to wonder if he was coming today, usually he beat Noctis to school. But then he frowned when he saw how the blonde was almost shuffling, back hunched a bit. He quickly wheeled himself closer. "Are you okay?" he asked in alarm, grabbing Prompto's bag before he could argue.

He managed a slightly pained grin. "I'll be okay. It's just the cold."

Noctis frowned before realising what he meant, pulling out his phone to text Specs.

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

Ignis glanced down and frowned at the message.

"What's up Iggy?"

"Message from Noctis, asking to be picked up with Prompto."

"Now?" Gladio shook his head as Ignis pocketed his phone.

"Now," he agreed, beginning to walk towards the garage.

"Don't they have class?"

"Of course they do, however today is the first really cold day of the season."

Gladio frowned at him in confusion, what did the weather have to do with them wanting to skip and why was Ignis going along with it? "I don't get it?"

"One of the very few side effects from Prompto's attack is triggered by cold weather."

"Ah," and Noctis hated seeing those he cared about in pain. He got in the car as well, if the kid was in that much pain they may need help. He hadn't spent as much time with the blonde as the others but Noctis was insistent he was the fourth which meant he really did need to make more of an effort. for the most part he liked what he'd seen, the kid had not had an easy life and was working on top of school. He'd taken the truth about them pretty well too, despite Noct scaring him half to death with his leap into the canals.

They arrived at the school to find the two younger males waiting for them, Prompto leaning awkwardly against a wall, his schoolbag hanging from Noct's chair with his own. They both got out and approached, Gladio moving to the blonde's side. "How bad?" he asked gently, he knew the kid found him intimidating and yeah, he hadn't been sure of him at the beginning, but the kid had proven himself in how protective he was of Noctis, how much he helped him.

"I'm fine," was the muttered answer.

"Yeah, I hear that a lot," Gladio snorted. He decided to save time and placed a bracing hand against where he knew the old wound was and then slid the other under Prompto's knees, lifting him easily. "You are way too skinny," he muttered even as the kid squawked and tried to argue. He caught Noctis smothering a laugh as they made their way to the car.

Gladio slid Prompto into the backseat and Noctis quickly joined him, reaching over to squeeze Prompto's hand. "Let Gladio carry you Prom."

"Have you taken anything Prompto?" Ignis asked as drove.

"With breakfast," he answered.

"Shall I call one of the Citadel on-call therapists?"

"I'm okay," he tried to argue, shifting slightly on the seat.

They pulled into the garage and Prompto rolled his eyes, almost sulking but he didn't try to get away as Gladio lifted him from the car, Ignis pushing Noctis for te extra speed. They didn't want to embarrass Prompto by having too many people see him. if Noctis was having a good day they could have simply let Prompto use the chair.

"What has happened?"

Prompto groaned and buried his face against Gladio's shirt as the King, Lord Amicitia and Cor approached down the hall.

"It's okay Dad," Noctis answered.

"Bad day kid?" Cor asked, moving to ruffle blonde locks and Prompto looked up, the three men seeing the signs of pain. He reached out and took Prompto from Gladio, gently rubbing his back with one hand. "Gym pool is heated; the hot water will help. Regis?"

"Go," Regis smiled at the boy. "I hope you feel better soon Prompto." With that the two men were gone.

Cor carried Prompto to the gym, the others following. He helped Prompto into a pair of swimming shorts and then into the heated pool.

Prompto hissed in pain but then slowly relaxed. He looked up to find all four watching as he let the heat soak in and begin relieving the pain caused by the cold. "What?" he looked up at them, feeling sleepy thanks to the meds and his body starting to relax.

"How can you stand that?" Gladio asked and Cor chuckled.

"Mers don't like hot water," he admitted and Prompto blinked.

"It's nicely warm, not hot," he clarified and then his eyes widened as he stared at Cor who nodded. "Oh…so are you…"

"Yes, or I'd be in there helping you," Cor promised.

"I will set up the massage table for once you're out," Ignis told him, going to get what he would need even as Noctis shifted from his chair to sit beside the standard swimming pool, though it was also saltwater rather than chlorine.

"Just don't fall asleep in there and drown," Gladio warned. "I don't want to have to dive in that after you." An hour later he was helping Prompto out where he dried off and then lay out in the table and Ignis went to work, being careful of the still tense muscles around the scars.

Once Ignis was done Cor got Prompto down on a mat to do his stretches and exercises to keep from cramping up, before Prompto fell asleep.

"Is it always that bad?" Noctis asked from where he'd moved to sit by Prompto, running his fingers through still slightly damp hair.

"That's the worst I've seen it since he came off the walking stick," Cor admitted softly. "He used to love winter before."

"Guess I'm lucky I don't get pain like that from the cold."

"I'll call him out sick from school for tomorrow at least," Cor told them. "Let him soak as much as he wants but makes sure he stays hydrated and eats at some point."

Ignis nodded, hydration was no issue for them when in water, but he remembered when he had been human, that staying in water for a long time, especially warm water, would cause him to need water.

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

Gladio walked into the pool area, grinning as he watched Prompto trying to dodge the splashing Noctis, the blonde spluttering at the salt water. He nodded at where Ignis was lounging, keeping an eye on the boys. It was good to see no signs of pain on the kids face as they played. None of them liked his reaction to the cold so Ignis had bought him an electric blanket and Noctis had managed to sneakily pay his heating bills, ensuring he could keep his house at a warmer temperature. Gladio had begun running with him when he could, helping him with his exercises as well, he did the same for Noctis, so it was no trouble. In fact, they had both boys working together when they could to save time. Now it was time for him to be introduced to another mer, and yes, they had asked Prompto this time and he had agreed. He caught the blonde's eye as he approached, bare foot and chested already. "Having fun?" he smirked and Prompto clung to the edge, looking half drowned.

"Water fights with Noctis suck!"

"Well what do you expect?" he laughed and Noctis pouted.

"Hey, you're worse," the Prince argued. He swam over to be beside Prompto, a steadying presence and ready to push Prompto out of the water if he freaked or anything.

"Ready for me?" Gladio asked and Prompto nodded, watching curiously. He grinned and then dove in, pants vanishing at the last second as he hit the water.

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

Prompto watched Gladio dive in, amazed by the way his clothing vanished magically, literally. He was a bit nervous since he remembered being told that Gladio and Ignis were more predatory and stranger than Noctis', but that didn't change who they were. He knew Gladio and he wouldn't hurt him, in either form. Gladio surfaced, keeping his distance and Prompto looked him over. The first thing he noticed was that Gladio's ears still looked normal, then he spotted the closed gills. He didn't have scales like Noct did but…his skin was tinted blue. He let his eyes look below the water line, seeing an elongated tail and the end of it…was flipped sideways compared to Noctis'… caudal fin. He'd started looking at pictures of marine animals, learning what everything was. There were two fins at the top of the tail area, one either side of his body, two sets of much smaller ones further down his body, one set close to the caudal. The two higher ones were pectoral fins, the lower… pelvic fins and…so he had some more studying to go. Gladio turned to let him see everything, showing of the brilliant blue colour of the top side of his tail and spreading up over his back, and he had a dorsal fin…a very familiar shape from a lot of movies… "Shark?" he asked and Gladio smirked.

"You're learning."

"Well that fin shape's kinda distinctive."

"And you have a thing for scary movies," Noctis added for him.

Gladio laughed at that, revealing rows of razor sharp teeth. "Scared blondie?" he asked, teasing and Prompto found himself grinning back.

"I'd taste horrible," he offered and Gladio laughed again.

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

Gladio swam closer, happy to see the kid didn't tense or show any sign of fear, though Noctis stuck by his side, just in case. Humans had an instinctual fear of sharks after all, not that he blamed them, he knew the damage he could do, how much a full shark could do. "Now starts the fun."

"Fun?" Prompto frowned at his tone.

"Training. By the time I'm done with you, you'll be as at home in the water as on land."

"What? Why?"

"Because you're our friend and you've been seen with Noctis in public a lot, even if not officially. If something happens while you are with us, you need to be able to get to safety."

Prompto grimaced but nodded slowly. "Okay, what do I do?"

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

Noctis swam over to where Ignis was lounging, both watching as Gladio spoke with Prompto before beginning to work with him. "He didn't even flinch," he offered, proud of how far Prompto had come.

"Indeed, he is adapting very well to everything," Ignis offered a small smile.

"But you're still worried he'll freak over seeing you," Noctis pulled himself up and out of the water, changing back, pants appearing for Prompto's sake if he looked over. Casual nudity wasn't an issue for them, but he knew Prompto was body shy, it showed how much he trusted them that he didn't wear a shirt in the water and would strip down to underwear for Ignis to work on.

"We need to begin teaching him about the different social norms and behaviours, though he has noticed us all being more physical with him and has accepted it."

"Yeah…he doesn't just accept it Specs."

"He wants it. Have you met his parents yet?" he asked as if changing the subject and Noctis shook his head.

"I don't think they've been home once since the beginning of the school year," he admitted softly. "You think he's…touch starved?" It took him a second to think up the right term and Ignis nodded. Humans needed contact, not as much as them, but they still needed it and it looked like Prom might only be getting it from them. "I'm worried," he whispered and Ignis looked at him.

"Why?"

"His test results and that stupid unknown that showed up. What if the magic doesn't take…or worse?"

"There is nothing we can do Noctis, but believe that he will be strong enough when the time comes," Ignis offered and he nodded.

TBC…