Disclaimer: not mine

So this could go one of two ways: slash of the boys all together or remain brotherly only. Opinions?

Chapter 7

Prompto lay on the floor beside Noctis, working on their homework, the tv on for background noise. Ignis was in the kitchen, cooking and Gladio was lounging on the couch, watching them work. There was two months left in the school year and as the time passed, Prompto became more and more withdrawn. None of them knew what to do about it, most teens couldn't wait to finish high school.

A knock sounded and Gladio got up to open the door to Noct's chambers, revealing Cor. He'd called the Marshal earlier, hoping he would have an insight into what was up with Prompto.

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"Good afternoon boys," Cor greeted them, instantly seeing what had them so concerned. He knelt down and reached out to ruffle bright blonde hair. "I've got a treat for you."

"Am I five?" Prompto asked, turning to look up at him and Gladio snickered.

"No. I've got the shooting hall booked, it'll just be us," Cor told him and Prompto's eyes widened, skin paling a little.

"What?" he sat up. "Cor…"

"You're learning to shoot?" Noctis asked, sitting up more slowly and Prompto looked away. "Prom?"

"I know how to shoot, I just haven't, not since coming to Insomnia. I told you, 'bout why I have the camera."

"There aren't many in the guard or glaive who use guns, it'd be good to see someone who knows how to use one. Can we watch?" Ignis suggested, thinking the support may be good.

"What?" Prompto stared at him with wide eyes, terrified, which obviously wasn't what the Adviser had been aiming for. "No! it's too dangerous."

"Prompto, I'll be there, I won't let anything happen," Cor swore, he thought he could use the support as well. He had the feeling he knew why Prompto was acting the way he was, when school ended so did the Argentum's support. If necessary, he would pay Prompto's bills himself, he would not allow him to be driven from the city.

"Promise?" he whispered, almost a whimper and Cor nodded solemnly, knowing what Prompto was asking, if he became a threat then Cor would do whatever he had to in order to protect the Prince. He didn't believe for a second that it was a promise he would need to keep. "Better grab my shoes…." He quickly left and the boys looked to Cor, worry clear in three pairs of eyes.

"Why is he so worried? It's been years, right?" Gladio asked even as he helped Noctis to his feet, letting him lean against him until he was steady.

"Prompto was in counselling for years, even once he was adopted and started school. His fear is understandable but I, and your Father, believe it is unwarranted at this stage. I won't tell you what it was like back then, what he was like, that's up to him. But…had the attack on him happened even two years earlier, he would not have been the one needing an ambulance."

That obviously stunned them and then Prompto came back, having changed clothes into a sleeveless shirt, barcode covered. Since they knew and didn't care he often took off the wrist band when in Noctis' rooms since Ignis had pointed out that skin did need to breath. "Ready," he offered, and they left, heading to a very different part of the Citadel, people occasionally staring at the group and they had shifted so that Prompto was safely in the middle and therefore mostly hidden by the taller guys. They were walking slow for Noctis' sake but Prompto obviously didn't mind taking their time.

Cor swiped his id card, unlocking the room and they went inside, all hearing Prompto suck in a breath as he looked around.

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This was where they learned to shoot? It couldn't be more different to where he'd learned and that was good, very good. It would help keep the memories where they belonged. Cor moved to one of the cabinets and opened it, removing the necessary equipment, handing out earmuffs to everyone. He then placed a gun down on a table across from a target and then stepped back. Prompto hesitated and then Noctis was gripping his shoulder, squeezing in support and he turned his head to look at him, seeing the confidence in dark blue eyes, Noct believed he could do this and a glance at the others showed the same surety.

He took a deep breath and walked over to where the gun waited, looking from Cor to the guys so he moved to be between them, if anything happened, Prompto would have to get passed the Marshal to get to them. he reached out, running his fingers over the weapon and then he couldn't help laughing slightly. "A Quicksilver?" he glanced at Cor who smirked before rolling his eyes. He'd never used one before, another good idea. He picked it up, feeling the weight and then he carefully stripped it down before putting it back together, then doing it again, fast. It felt so familiar to do it, something they had drilled in a lot. He slipped the ammo in and then raised the gun, taking aim at the target. He took a breath and then everything faded away till it was just him and the target and he fired once to test the weapon before firing until he was out of ammunition. He blinked and put it down, removing the ear protection, waiting for something…there should be….

"Prom?" Noctis called and he looked over at them, seeing Noctis' eyes widened slightly.

"Prompto!" Cor snapped and he blinked, looking at the Marshal.

"Cor?" His head ached a little, but why had Cor snapped at him? but he saw the man relax once he'd responded and then the man walked over to him and gently moved him away from the gun.

"You okay?" He asked and Prompto nodded before rubbing at his arm, no longer used to the recoil of a gun. Cor brought the target up for him to see and his eyes widened, only one shot had been slightly off, his first testing one, the rest where either through the heart or between the eyes. That was good…or wrong?

"How old were you last time you used a gun?" Gladio asked in awe and Prompto shrugged, uncomfortable and not liking the weird feeling. An arm wrapped around his waist and he sagged against Noctis before realising he wasn't having the best of days but then Gladio was there, keeping them both on their feet. He breathed in the scent of saltwater that always lingered around them, how he'd missed it with how often he and Noctis touched he didn't know.

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Cor moved in and gently grasped Prompto's chin, making eye contact with the boy, searching. He was a little off and that had him worried though the fact he had relaxed into Noctis' touch and was leaning on him and Gladio was a good sign, had some buries training kicked in then surely he wouldn't be doing that, would attack or remain stiff and awaiting orders. He looked a little confused but that wasn't too bad a reaction. "Breath with me," he coached the old lesson and Prompto easily fell into it. Cor had been involved in a lot of his early sessions in breaking the conditioning so Prompto was used to following his voice.

"Is he okay?" Noctis asked in alarm, tightening the arm around Prompto's waist. "Prompto?"

"Here," the blonde answered, turning his head to rest it against Noctis' shoulder.

"How do you feel?" Cor pushed.

"Okay…my head hurts a little."

"I think that's enough for today," Ignis offered and Cor nodded.

"There's no rush, if you want we can do this again, we'll move slowly so you don't get overwhelmed," Cor agreed.

"Sorry," Prompto whispered and Gladio squeezed his shoulder even as Cor moved in to steady him, leaving Noctis to Gladio.

"You did nothing wrong blondie," the Shield assured him as they left the room.

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Prompto jolted awake with a gasp, barely biting back the need to give his unit number as he did. He ran a shaky hand through his hair, remembering when it was once shaved close to his head and he reached for his phone with shaking hands. He hesitated, torn over which number…..he hit dial and waited.

"Prompto? Is something wrong?"

"Iggy…." He gasped for breath, "I…I can't…"

"Prompto?" Ignis sounded alarmed now, there was noise in the background. "I'm coming, just stay on the line, talk to me," he urged.

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Ignis yanked on clothing, not caring what it was and grabbed his keys, phone pressed to his ear as he ran from his apartment, heading for the garage. "Are you injured?" he asked, if he was it may be safer for Prompto to call emergency services.

"Pl…ease…."

"Try and slow your breathing down, you're going to hyperventilate," he kept his voice as calm as possible as he transferred to hands free in order to drive safely. Prompto's family home was not close to the Citadel and he worked hard to keep Prompto responding. At a red light he quickly texted Gladio, Noctis and Cor, depending on what he found he may need their help. He finally reached the small house and found it locked so he got out the spare key Prompto had given him for emergencies, rushing to Prompto's bedroom where he found him tucked into a corner, knees drawn up to his chest, blue eyes wide and glassy. "Prompto? Can you hear me?" he called softly, crouching down opposite the younger boy and he slowly looked at him, blinking dazedly. "That's it, you're safe, I'm right here," he whispered, reaching out slowly to take his phone and end the call, putting it aside before gently cupping a cool cheek. His other hand went to Prompto's shoulder, easing him forward until he slumped into Ignis' arms.

His phone beeped with incoming messages and he glanced down, seeing one from Cor and one from Gladio, likely Noctis had slept through his. Both said the same thing, bring Prompto back to the Citadel. He stood up, pulling the pliant boy with him, worried by how limp he was, having to take his full weight. Good thing being a mer gave greater strength, then again Prompto was rather skinny anyway. He lifted him up and set him on the bed before moving to pack a bag, taking it down to the car and returning for Prompto. He whimpered and clung to Ignis' shirt when he bent to lift him. "It's alright, I'm taking you to the Citadel," he promised, carrying him from the house. He settled him in the car and texted them back that he had him and would take him to Noctis' rooms since they were the largest and Noctis would want to be woken for this. They shouldn't have let him go home, not after his reaction to using the gun. He drove with one hand, keeping the other wrapped around Prompto's wrist. "Come on Prompto, talk to me," he urged gently and Prompto blinked at him.

"Iggy?" his voice was soft, lost but he sounded a bit more coherent.

"I'm here, you're alright," he pulled back into the garage and saw Gladio waiting. He got out and nodded at the Shield. "Give me a hand?"

"Of course," he moved in, kneeling down to see Prompto, undoing his seatbelt and lifting him from the car, feeling him limp in his hold, breathing too fast, eyes a little glassy but then a hand came up to clutch his shirt, that was good, right? "Hey blondie, I've got you," he whispered, carrying him towards the elevator as Ignis followed with Prompto's bag. They headed up in silence and walked to Noctis' suite, Ignis opening the door for him. they went straight through to the main bedroom where Noctis was buried in the blankets. Ignis pulled back the covers and Noctis whined but his eyes slowly opened.

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"Specs?" he mumbled.

"It's Prompto, I need you to wake up Highness," he answered and that had Noctis waking up, pushing himself up as he saw Prompto in Gladio's arms.

He held his own out and Gladio gently settled the blonde into Noctis' arms. Noctis looked him over for injuries but there was nothing and he held him close to his chest, rocking gently. He ran a hand through sweat darkened hair, trying to offer comfort. "It's okay Prom, we're all here," he whispered as Prompto shifted to cling to him.

"Not dead," Prompto whispered and Noctis tightened his grip and Ignis and Gladio got into the bed as well, surrounding them.

"All very much alive," Noctis promised. "It was just a dream." He heard a soft knock and the Cor was in the doorway, frowning in concern.

"Is he alright?" Cor asked, walking over to rest on the edge of the large bed. Prompto whimpered and clung tighter to Noctis, as if afraid Cor would take him away.

"It seems he had a nightmare of at least Noctis being dead," Ignis answered, gently running his hand through Prompto's hair.

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Cor reached out and gently tapped Prompto's cheek, getting the teen to look at him, seeing that he wasn't quite with them and he felt a flash of guilt. This was his fault; he shouldn't have pushed Prompto to try shooting. He should never have allowed Prompto to go home alone with how rattled he'd been. "Hey kid," he called.

"Cor?" Prompto asked. "I killed them…why didn't you stop me?" a tear trailed down his cheek and Noctis pressed his cheek against Prompto's, soft noises coming from his throat, trying to comfort him like another mer.

"It was just a dream Prompto, nothing happened. They are right here, with you," Cor assured him, but he shook his head. Cor frowned at that. "We need something to shock him out of this."

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"The pools, the cold water and my other form are something very real and not linked to the training room," Noctis offered and Cor nodded, reaching out to scoop Prompto up, feeling the kid burrow into his chest. Noctis threw back the covers and got to his feet, wavering, but he forced himself to move, one leg dragging and Gladio took his arm. they moved quickly and quietly through the Citadel, down to the pools and Noctis immediately dove in, Gladio following him. Ignis went to the change room and opened Prompto's locker, removing his swimming trunks and Cor quickly changed him, something he had helped Prompto with before during both of his rehabilitations. He then lowered him into the cool water and Noctis took him even as he gasped at the temperature change. Gladio covered his nose and mouth and then they dunked him fully under, surfacing quickly. Noctis was relieved to feel Prompto gripping his shoulder more firmly.

Prompto coughed and shook his head, eyes clearer, more alert, even as he shivered form the sudden temperature change. "Nnnoct?" he gasped, clinging tightly and Noctis smiled, flashing sharp teeth.

"Welcome back," he pressed their cheeks together again, clicking softly.

"Back?" Prompto looked around in confusion.

"You had a nightmare, thankfully you managed to call me for help, and I brought you back here," Ignis spoke up, kneeling at the side with Cor.

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Prompto paled as he remembered the dream except it had all felt so real, the feel of a gun in his hand, the sound of the shots…Noct lying in a pool of blood, dark blue eyes fixed, face locked in an expression of confusion. Gladio yelling, summoning shield and sword, lunging for him, his bullets slamming into his skull and then Iggy…. He buried his head against Noctis' throat, fighting back tears, feeling Noctis' hand in his hair.

"Shh, it's okay, it wasn't real."

But it could have been. He knew he could do it, even after all these years, he could still shoot without even trying. He disgusted himself. He was a monster, something made to kill. Even with all of the help he'd been given over the years, it wasn't enough.

"You won't hurt us," Ignis reached out to gently stroke his cheek as Noctis hauled them onto the ledge. "You are stronger than anything the Empire did to you. It was just a dream, it doesn't mean anything," he said firmly and Prompto looked over at him and Cor.

"Ignis is right, it was only a dream. I shouldn't have pushed you into it and I am sorry. You never have to shoot again," Cor promised.

Prompto felt ashamed and embarrassed, looking away but Noctis nuzzled at his throat, something that should feel threatening considering his teeth but felt comforting instead. "Sorry," he mumbled.

"You've got nothing to be sorry for," Gladio told him, wrapping an arm around his waist as he floated in front of them. "And don't go thinking you have to handle things like this alone, anything happens, and you call one of us, night or day."

Prompto looked at all the serious faces and nodded slowly, shivering and Noctis gently nudged him up to stand, Cor helping haul him out while Iggy wrapped him up in a warm fluffy towel.

"Let's get you warmed up and back to bed, good thing it's the weekend, you can sleep in," Ignis told him, pushing him towards the locker room and into a hot shower.

When Prompto got out he found clean pyjamas waiting for him, so he dressed and left the locker room to find Noctis being helped out, wobbling on shaky legs but he had shifted back. Gladio got out as well and Prompto kept his gaze averted, not comfortable with the causal nudity.

Ignis re-joined him and led him back up to Noctis' rooms, and into Noct's bedroom.

"Iggy?" he baulked and Ignis fixed up the sheets.

"You aren't sleeping alone tonight. We will all stay in here."

"I'll be fine, I don't want to be trouble," he denied and Ignis smiled at him, putting his hands on his shoulders, looking him in the eye and Prompto realised he wasn't wearing his glasses and his hair was un-styled.

"You are not trouble Prompto. We all care about you and your wellbeing. Seeing you like that…being unable to help you snap out of it, was distressing. We all want you near as much to reassure ourselves as you. So get into bed, I'll get some hot chocolate for all of us."

"Yes sir!" he mock saluted and then yawned.

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Prompto slipped away and down to where he knew Cor's office was, smiling at Monica when she looked up.

"Good morning Prompto, the Marshal's in his office," she offered, and he nodded.

"Thanks." He walked past and knocked on the door.

"Enter," Cor called and Prompto opened the door, going inside. Cor looked up and smiled at him. "Prompto, how are you feeling?"

"Better," he shrugged and sat down. "I want to try again."

"Prompto?"

"I want to try shooting again. I don't want to let them win," he told him, trying to sound firm but knowing his voice was shaking a little.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive, just…not with the guys there."

"Alright, I'll work up a schedule. But if you get worse, I'll put a stop to it," Cor warned and he nodded, he'd expected that.

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Prompto lifted the gun and took aim, firing at the target, Cor standing within sight to the side, music playing in the background. The less like his childhood training it was, the better. He'd had some nightmares but nothing like after the first session. He stopped and removed his earmuffs, seeing the proud smile on Cor's face. he was beating them, like he had as a kid with the councillors help when he learnt to be a kid. Now he was learning to fight without being what he had been made to be. He would fight to protect those he loved, not as an MT.

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Noctis laughed and tossed popcorn at Prompto who put his hands up in defence before firing back. He was just glad to see Prompto was better, he suspected he was still practising with Cor but that was okay, as long as he was okay. Final exams were approaching far too quickly but they were done studying for the night. Ever since that night, they'd managed to talk Prompto into keeping some things in the Citadel and sleeping over and he thought that had helped him as well. His bed was massive so sharing didn't bother him, and there were nights he had to spend in the pools too so Ignis would stay with Prompto those nights. He knew what they were doing but he never complained, just looked a little awed that they would want to keep him company all the time.

TBC….