Disclaimer: Not mine

Chapter 16

Noctis watched as Prompto took a deep breath and pulled his shirt over his head and Noctis was surprised to notice something different. Prompto was a bit scrawny, though muscle had been developing from training with them in the water, before he was attacked again and lost the progress while bed bound before starting therapy. Now though, the muscles down his abdomen were well defined, elsewhere too. Thinking back, he had felt the slight and seen changes since his Awakening but hadn't paid any attention. It definitely hadn't been so noticeable last time he'd seen him without his shirt a few days ago.

He watched as wings burst from Prom's back, his hair taking on the feathery appearance, feathers spreading over his body, hands becoming claws and then his feet changed as well. He couldn't see the black eyes because Prompto was staring at the ground, wings shifting, nervous?

"Prom," he called out and black eyes flicked up to look at him so he grinned. He took a step towards him and Prompto remained still so he kept walking until he could touch his cheek and Prompto chirped, leaning into his touch. "Can you speak?"

Prompto licked his lips nervously, mouth opening and closing several times. "NNN…ccc.." it was a garbled hiss more than anything but those two letters were recognisable. Prompto flinched, looking away again.

"Hey, it's okay," he soothed, stroking his cheek. He nudged the bond gently and Prompto looked up at him. He slowly leant in and nuzzled at his throat, feeling feathers and Prom cooed in response, a clawed hand coming up to rest on his shoulder. "You've been learning some of our language, we can learn some of yours too."

"Noct is right, there's plenty of time of us all to learn," Ignis spoke up and Prom looked towards him and Gladio, wings shifting forward as if trying to cover his body. "May we come closer?" he asked and Prompto looked between them before nodding hesitantly. Ignis and Gladio approached slowly but there was nothing in the bond that said he was scared or agitated, more uncomfortable and….ashamed. Ignis reached out and took Prompto's free hand in his, showing no fear of deadly claws, squeezing gently. "You have nothing to be ashamed of," he chided gently, obviously having picked up on it as well.

"Iggy's right," Gladio told him. "You are one good looking harpy," he said and that got what sounded like a squawk of outrage. "I'm serious!" he held his hands up in surrender. "I've seen others Prom; you kept your looks." He grinned and Prompto looked between them, uncertain.

Ignis sighed and pushed his glasses up. "While Gladio's delivery may be lacking, he is correct. We can show you pictures later. For now, we should work on why we came here."

Prompto nodded and stepped back, away from them, spreading out his wings fully, twisting his head to see them.

"If you like, I shall procure a mirror so that you can have a good look?" Ignis offered and Prompto hesitated but shook his head, making an odd noise. "Does that mean no?" he asked and Prompto blinked but nodded. "Very well."

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He stretched his wings out and it felt good. He wasn't ready to see himself like this, not yet. He closed his eyes, forcing himself to stop thinking about anything except flying. He should know how instinctively, shouldn't he? He could feel the air brushing over and through his feathers, the air moving…air conditioning since there were no windows. He tilted his wings slightly in reaction without even thinking about it.

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Ignis fought the urge to hold his breath as Prompto stood with his wings extended, seeing the subtle shifts as he closed his eyes. He was reading the air currents in the room. They watched quietly as he stood there and then his wings began to move, slowly at first and then faster, beating the air strongly. They watched in awe as his feet left the ground, hovering before dropping and Prompto panted.

"That was great!" Noctis praised.

Prompto shook his head, looking disappointed, wings trembling.

"Your wings use new muscles Prompto, it is unsurprising they tire quickly. You will need to work on them to gain strength and stamina. That was very well done for a first attempt," Ignis offered.

Gladio waved Prompto over and he stepped up to him. "Turn around?" he asked and Prompto did. "Just relax," he murmured before pressing his hand between the wings, making Prompto start.

Noctis moved to stand in front of him. "Lean on me," he urged, using a hand to tug Prompto in, wrapping an arm around Prompto's waist.

Gladio began pressing down on the muscles around his wings, working on them, relieving the pressure. They were obviously a bit tight and as Gladio worked Prompto began relaxing. In the end he relaxed fully, shifting back to human.

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Prompto put his pen down as the time ran out and Ardyn collected the papers. He was nervous, unsure of how well he'd done. Some of the questions had stumped him and that made him scared, maybe he hadn't remembered everything? Like he'd said in the King's study, how would he know? That was why they had decided on some written tests to check his memory, school tests. It hadn't been too long since graduation, he should still know it all….but he'd had to leave blanks.

"I believe the boys are waiting for you," Ardyn smiled at him, waving at him to leave so he did.

He knew what the man had done, killed his genetic donor, and for that he owed him a lot but…something about him made him feel a little uncomfortable, though he wasn't sure what or why. He was Noct's family and Noct was clan, so it wasn't that. He spent two hours messing around playing video games before being called back and they went with him for support.

"One would think you're attending an execution dear boy," Ardyn teased once he saw his face. He placed the test papers on the table.

"Uncle Ardyn stop teasing," Noctis crossed his arms, glaring at his ancestor.

"As you wish. You did very well," he motioned for Prompto to take a look.

"But…" Prompto was surprised to see little correction.

"Ah yes, the harder questions. I admit, I added those out of curiosity given your 'Father'. You did very well, you have a knack for science and math. I understand you had begun university to study mechanics, mathematics, and photography?"

Prompto nodded, staring down at the papers.

"I see no reason you can't continue those classes, from here for now, but eventually you should be able to return to attending in person."

He looked from Ardyn to the guys to find them all grinning at them. "I…thanks," he whispered and Ardyn nodded.

"When you are ready we will contact the university, as far as they know you are still recovering from the attack," Ignis offered.

The idea of going back to class was shocking, part of him had thought he'd never live a normal life again, not with what he was. He had thought he'd spend the rest of his life in the Citadel, but maybe that wasn't the case?

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Gladio kept a steadying hand on Prompto's shoulder as they headed down to the pool room, the first time Prom had been down there since his Awakening. None of them were sure how he'd react so Gladio was ready to grab him if needed, not that he'd reacted badly since his death and removal of his clan head. The aim for the day was just to see how he handled being close to the water and seeing Noct in his mer-form again, maybe Ignis as well.

They weren't sure what Shiva had done to him so they were going to wait before trying to get him back in the water, if he'd even go near it. Ignis opened the door, Noct wheeling himself inside.

He'd been putting too much stress on his body since the attack on Prompto and then his Awakening and his back and magic had finally said enough was enough, leaving him in the chair for the left several days. Prompto was already feeling guilty over that so he had been helping as much as he could, harpy strength meant he could now lift and carry Noctis if needed.

Noctis wheeled himself to the pool, Ignis beside him. Gladio hung back with Prompto who was staring at the water as if confused. At least he wasn't freaking out, yet. Noctis looked back over at them. "Okay?" he asked and Prompto nodded slowly. "I'm going to get in, okay?"

"Yeah," Prompto agreed, moving slowly forward, Gladio moving with him. Prompto watched as Noctis slipped from his chair into the water, clothing vanishing in a blue flash of magic. He surfaced quickly, leaning on the edge, watching them. Prompto stopped, staring at Noctis who held still, but then he kept walking. Gladio was surprised and pleased when Prompto made it to the edge before kneeling down.

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Mimicking the first time, Noctis held his hand out to Prompto, relieved when he reached back, their fingers tangling together. Prom's skin felt even hotter than it used to which made sense. His body ran hotter now, though not as hot as it had during the period between his Awakening and death. How much colder must he feel to Prompto now? He didn't flinch though which was good.

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Prompto held Noctis' hand without hesitating, feeling the icy coolness of his skin, colder than he remembered. With his other hand he reached down to the water, feeling odd. Part of him wanted to get away, as far as possible from the water while another part begged to just jump right on in and it was confusing.

"Prom?" Gladio asked from behind him.

"I'm okay," he answered. He looked up at Noctis and smiled, squeezing his hand, careful of his claws. He could feel Noctis' concern and tried to reassure him, he was still learning how to use the bond. He splashed Noct with the hand in the water, getting a laugh and then Noctis was shaking his head, the water in his hair hitting Prompto in the face, making him laugh.

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Cor watched as Prompto calmly aimed and fired, there was no hesitation but there was also no blanking out like there had been glimmers of when he first began training. Cor had been worried there may be a resurgence of that now but thankfully there was no sign of anything wrong. He finished and put the gun down, removing his ear protection. "How was that?" Cor asked and Prompto looked at him.

"Good, it feels…easier though, the recoil isn't even noticeable."

"You're physically stronger Prom, you might want to work with a heavier weapon now," he explained and Prompto nodded.

"I can carry Noct now, don't know why I didn't think it'd affect my shooting."

"You've had a lot to adjust to," Cor ruffled his hair and Prompto grinned at him. "Gladio said you went down to the pools?"

"Yeah, Noct went in. we wanted to see what would happen."

"And?" he asked as they cleaned up. He wasn't worried about anyone overhearing them, Prompto was being kept away from everyone outside of the group for his own safety. Sooner or later, those in the Citadel would find out, but they all wanted Prompto to be used to the changes he had gone through and well settled in the bond before that happened.

"It was…weird? Not Noct, but the water."

"Harpies are known to dislike large bodies of water though they will hunt on the surface," Cor offered and Prompto nodded.

"Part of me wanted to run but…I also wanted to jump in, it's weird."

"Sounds like whatever Shiva did to you is helping you overcome the fear."

"I guess. Not quite ready to try swimming again," he admitted and Cor nodded, no one would push him.

"Want to try a new weapon today?" he offered instead and Prompto considered it before nodding. Cor went to the cabinet and looked over the options before getting two guns out and setting them down for Prompto to look over.

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Ardyn watched the boys as they chattered and laughed together. Seeing them hurt…reminding him of happy times so long ago. He felt guilty too, had there been something they could have done for Gilgamesh? If one or both of them had bonded with him, could they have helped him retain some sense of who he was, allowed him to recognise them?

He sighed, there was no point in what if's, he was the only one left. Somnus had been killed at barely four hundred years of age, killed by an Isonade. His retribution had been swift and now he wondered if those long-ago actions had been the beginning of the empire?

There were days when he wondered if Gil was still out there somewhere but surely he would have seen some sign of him if he was. He had been alone, with no clan to back him up. The odds were, he hadn't survived more than a handful of years on his own.

He would be leaving in the morning to seek out young Lunafreya for answers on Shiva's intervention. He would also offer his aid; he had known many Oracle's over the centuries and without her Mother to finish teaching her she may need help. She was twenty-two, an adult by human measurement but still rather young for an Anthousai.

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Prompto sat on the exam table, trying not to fidget or simply jump out the window, he could manage a safe glide to the ground…and be shot or stabbed by freaked out members of the Guard or Glaive. A hand rested on his bouncing knee and he forced himself to still as an arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him back against Noct.

"Relax, we won't let anyone hurt you," his best friend swore.

Prompto managed a shaky nod. The medical staff had been concerned that he had missed his last several check-ups and had gone to Cor over it. Considering everything he had gone through; a check-up was smart. Cor had screened every member of the medical staff to find the best option for being the person to deal with him now. Prompto knew some would be unable to deal with what he was and who knew what they'd do.

The door opened to admit a woman he vaguely recognised so she'd probably been one of those around after he woke from surgery post the last attack. "Good afternoon Mr Argentum. I am Doctor Lorne, I was one of your surgeons," she smiled and he managed a shaky one in return. "I understand you've missed your last several check-ups?"

"There has been a complication," Ignis offered, obviously seeing Prompto didn't know what to say.

"Prom's our fourth," Noctis spoke up, and Prompto relaxed further when his throat was nuzzled.

The doctor smiled at them. "That is wonderful news, Your Highness. I assume the bond is stable? Has he undergone his first transformation yet?" She asked.

"The Marshal screened the staff and you were chosen to be the one who will deal with Prompto's medical needs from now on. What you learn must not be spoken of to anyone," Ignis stared at her and Prompto just knew Gladio was glowering threateningly at her too.

"For what reason?" She asked and Ignis glanced over at him. Prompto couldn't help clinging to the arm around his waist but he finally nodded. Ignis pulled out the file Cor had handed over and handed it to her.

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Anna Lorne had seen many things in her years working in the Citadel, she had been working there for barely three days when the young Prince had been rushed in after the daemon attack. She wasn't sure why the group was so serious but she accepted the file from Scientia, opening it to find the standard DNA testing forms at the front, the first page was perfectly normal. It was only years of practise allowing her to hide her shock as she read the second page. He carried not only harpy DNA but some that was unknown.

She had known he was born in Niflheim, the reason behind both attacks he had suffered had become known to the staff treating him after the last one. One nurse had been removed from the case due to comments on him deserving it. It was one thing to hate those in power in the Empire but Argentum had been raised in Insomnia since he was a child, to take that anger out on him or any refugee was disgusting.

Of course, that wasn't the last shock as she turned the page to find records that began when he was seven. He had been brought in by the Marshal…rescued from a Magitek facility. She felt sick as she read the file, most of those involved in his treatment were no longer working at the Citadel, there was nothing sinister in that, many had been close to retirement and a smaller number had joined combat units…because of what they had learned in treating him? How could anyone put a child through such things, let alone hundreds, thousands, of them?

She looked up to see Argentum was pale, staring down, even as the Prince held him against his chest, dark blue eyes locked on her, holding a very clear warning. She managed a wane smile and nodded at him. She added the recent records to the file and then closed it, putting a blank piece of paper on top, getting out her pen.

"Mr Argentum? I need to ask you some questions before I give you an examination, alright?" she asked gently and he slowly looked up at her, eyes wary. "Are you still experiencing any pain from the surgery site?" the question seemed to surprise him, obviously he'd expected questions on his heritage and while there were some she'd have to ask, she would ease into them.

"No, no pain."

"How is your therapy going?"

He winced slightly. "Um…it hasn't?" he looked over at Scientia, obviously wanting help.

"Since a bit after the bond was initiated, he's had no problem walking. His strength's returned and he has returned to firearms training," Amicitia answered.

That was surprising, she hadn't heard of a bond able to do that. She noticed the Prince, tighten his hold briefly, looking at Argentum who turned his head to see him, using the bond to communicate.

"I didn't plan to initiate the bond until Prompto had recovered but we had no choice," the Prince told her, eyes deadly serious and she had a sinking feeling she didn't want to know why. "Prompto was pushed into his Awakening by his genetic donor back in the Empire. I initiated the bond to try and stop it."

She couldn't help her eyes widening slightly but Argentum saw and flinched back into the Prince who nuzzled him again. "Obviously it worked."

Argentum shook his head, looking miserable. "I…I'm a harpy," he whispered and all she could do was stare. She was in a locked room with a harpy and three of the most powerful mers in the Kingdom….and no bloodshed?

TBC…