Noctis was on high alert ever since Prompto arrived to homeroom. He'd already decided he would have Ignis drive him over to the blonde's place after the last bell if he didn't show up. A wave of relief washed over him when his friend had shown; but it was short lived and soon alarm took its place. Prompto's face a mask of cheer, he waved off the visible bruising on his face with a shake of his busted arm. He even had the nerve to laugh it off, and this was not the first time.
Everything was falling into place; Noctis just didn't get the full picture in time.
Noctis found Prompto after the final bell and all but dragged him out the back of the school to where Ignis waited with the car. He'd taken no argument from the other boy in regards to letting him walk. For good measure, he took the blonde's school jacket and backpack, throwing them in ahead of himself as he boarded the vehicle.
Prompto murmured a greeting to the advisor before climbing in the back as well.
They rode in near silence most of the way to Prompto's little house. That was until they pulled onto the street and the blonde's breathing picked up, hitching ever so slightly.
It got worse when they pulled into the driveway next to his parent's car. He blindly grabbed for his bag, accidentally clutching Noctis's wrist instead of the proffered strap. The prince's eyes traveled down to where the cuff of Prompto's shirt rode up, revealing thin layers of bruising crisscrossing his arm.
"Prom—" Noctis tried to talk over Prompto's apology, but his words were lost in his friend's sudden high-pitched rambling.
"Uhm, s-sorry, Noct. Thanks for the ride, Iggy! Bye, bro!" He shot them both a wavering smile and hobbled out of the car, rushing to the front door. It opened for him and Mr. Argentum stood just inside the threshold, glowering at the boy. Casting a baleful glance at the car, Mr. Argentum stood aside and ushered Prompto through, saying something to him as he passed that made the boy snap his head up and stare at his father incredulously.
Noctis swallowed hard as the door swung shut and Ignis backed down the driveway.
"Your Highness?" Ignis asked tentatively from the front seat, but at the same time Noctis was blurting out "I think Prompto's parents are hurting him!" in a rushed, rage filled tone.
Ignis caught his eyes in the rearview mirror and gave him a slight nod. "I suspect you're right." He considered his next words carefully. "What did he say about his absence and injuries when he came to school this morning?"
Noctis huffed out a bitter laugh. "Said he wasn't paying attention and got 'a little bit hit by a car' near that dog park he likes to jog in. But I don't believe him."
Ignis pulled over to the side of the road and tapped out a quick text message. "If Prompto is indeed in a dangerous situation, we need to make sure we can prove it beyond a shadow of a doubt before we bring it to the authorities." He signaled and pulled back into traffic. "Instead of going to your apartment, how about we swing by Gladio's? I think we need to have a discussion before we take any rash actions."
"Way ahead of you, Specs." Noctis murmured as he pulled out his own phone and scrolling through his contacts. He wanted to be sure that Gladiolus got theright message, loud and clear.
Noctis, Ignis and Gladiolus gathered in the shield's bedroom to discuss the situation in hushed tones. They swapped anecdotes of things that seemed innocuous at the time they occurred, but now were cast in a more sinister light. How could they not know? How could they not at least suspect? They lapsed into silence for a short eternity until Ignis's phone broke through the cloud of self-loathing permeating the room.
After reading the messages several times, the adviser cleared his throat uncomfortably. "When we left Prompto's, I sent a message to a friend to pull some data for me. "
Noctis crossed his arms and leaned against Gladiolus's closet door, exchanging glances with his shield. "Let me guess, no record of a hit-and-run at his favorite park?"
Ignis cast his charge a wry smile. "Correct. I had the footage pulled from the local security cameras as well, and as far as I can tell, Prompto never went jogging in that park over the weekend. So I did a little more digging…" he murmured to himself as he searched for the right section of texts. "When you and Prompto first started hanging around each other, we of course checked his background. Other than a few health incidents and other hospitalizations, no red flags were raised. We were aware his parents traveled, but again, there were no true causes for concern.
"Our negligence," he continued, "was in not following up and keeping track. After the initial check, we are only notified if he is the subject of an emergency service, such as an arrest or ambulance trip. If we'd…if I'd—"
Ignis sighed deeply, handing his phone over to the prince. "There have been two wellness checks by social services to his home after the school reported signs of abuse and neglect. Both cases were closed rather quickly, with notes that all members of the family had been talked to separately, and all had corroborating stories about the injuries in question. A third visit was declined by the organization."
A storm of anger rolled over Noctis's features as he read the allegations. "Why would they—"
"I'm not sure, Noctis, I'm still looking into that. If I were to guess, I would say that after two closed claims, they probably assumed the next would turn out the same. Agencies like that are overworked and understaffed, and unfortunately kids like Prompto slip through the cracks—"
"So," Noctis said the word slowly, darkly. "You're saying that the people responsible for protecting innocent kids just give up after two tries?"
"Noct—"
"Fuck that, Iggy. Princess is right, they— we've all failed him." Gladio grumbled from where he sat stiffly upon his bed.
The prince pushed himself off the closet door, setting Ignis with a fiery gaze. "Well I won't be failing him anymore. Let's go."
There had probably been an hour and a half's time between dropping Prompto off at his home and them pulling back onto that very same street.
They decided on an innocuous approach—Prompto had forgotten his jacket in the car, and they just wanted to return it to him. A totally normal thing for a friend to do. They would get Prompto outside and point blank tell him their suspicions and help him if he let them. (Gladio had mumbled something about helping him even if he didn't want it, and the other two ignored the statement)
It seemed like a pretty solid plan. But then Noctis happened, and everything went to shit.
The three got out of the car, closing the doors quietly. Ignis and Noctis made their way over to the other side where they hesitated, going over final details.
However, just as they steeled themselves to approach the door, a frail voice called to them, halting them in their tracks.
An old woman waved to them from the end of the driveway, hand full of envelopes from the mailbox she'd just checked. She ambled her way towards them, her wrinkled face folded in lines of concern. "Please tell me you're here to help that boy." She asked loudly. "I called so so many times, but they just don't care."
Ignis shot a glance over to Noctis and Gladiolus, brow furrowing. "Who doesn't care?"
The old woman shook her head, twisting her lips down in disgust. "Social services. Last time they was here, I asked them—same as I asked you—if they was gonna help that boy. They said ' the Niff '—said it just like that, too, like calling the boy what he is left a bad taste in their mouth—said that he was fine, they was fine…but I've seen them hurt that boy. Seen it a few months back when he was sleeping on the porch, sportin' a busted lip. Seen that man just the other day haul off and punch the poor kid like he was grown—"
Ignis's quickly gestured for the other two to continue without him. "Ma'am," he asked as they started away, "would you be willing to go on the record saying that? I'm about to have some friends come down here right now—"
Their voices faded out and the beating of his heart faded in as Noctis approached the door to the Argentum household. Steeling himself, the prince did his best to contain the fury building within him. He clutched the collar of Prompto's jacket in one white-knuckled fist, and the other was braced to pound on the door.
"Easy, now." Gladiolus said from behind him, his gruff tone uncharacteristically soft. "We want to help Blondie, not get him in more trouble."
Noctis sighed, forcibly relaxing his shoulders before knocking like a normal person. It was several agonizing moments before a tired-looking Mrs. Argentum opened the door just a crack.
She gave them a grimace that was likely supposed to be a smile, but was far too aggressive to be considered friendly. "Your Highness," she began, flicking her eyes toward Gladiolus, who stood behind Noctis. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"
Her breath was laced with cheap white wine, and the scent made Noctis's stomach churn. He shook the jacket in his hand lightly, giving the woman a fake royal smile. "My apologies, Mrs. Argentum, but it seems as if Prompto left this in my car—"
She rolled her eyes, scoffing a bit. "Yes, he's such a thoughtless boy. I'll just give it to him—" she made to snatch at the garment, but Noctis pulled it out of her reach.
"I was hoping I could talk to him about an assignment we had? I would have called, but he said his phone was broken in the accident." he finished smoothly, his royal façade slipping comfortably into place.
She pursed her lips, glancing behind herself before answering. "He's not home. I'll let him know you stopped by, Your Highness." She went to grab the jacket again, but he stepped back with it, nearly bumping into Gladiolus.
"Did he go on a jog? I can wait."
She opened her mouth to reply, but snapped it shut again as a very distinct Prompto voice called out from somewhere in the house.
They could not make out exactly what he was saying, but his voice was high and panicked and a faint rustling accompanied his cries.
The reaction was instant; rage burned its way hot and fast through the prince's veins as the air around them grew thick with his ire. "Prompto?!" He stepped forward, eyes blazing.
He lunged forward, but was stopped by the sudden slamming of the door. Noctis screamed in frustration as the latches were thrown just as he rammed into the door.
He was tempted to warp through the barrier, but the last time he tried it had been a painful disaster. He could not fuck this up.
"Invoke your right as Prince, Noctis!" Ignis called as left the old woman by the car, feet slapping against the faux cobblestone walk as he rushed to join them. He was barking instructions into his phone as he approached, determination hardening his features.
Noctis shot his adviser an incredulous look. "I highly doubt that'll work."
Ignis rolled his eyes and gestured impatiently. "Just godsdamned do it, Noct!"
Ignis pressed a button on his phone and held it out, nodding to Noctis. Snarling, the raven-haired teen swiveled back and pounded his fist against the wood three times. "As Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum, I command you to open your house to me!"
For a brief moment, everyone paused as if they expected the door to do as he ordered. After a heartbeat of silence, Ignis spoke into the phone. "You heard that? Did everyone hear that?"
A tinny voice on the other side answered in the affirmative.
"Alright. Gladiolus, break it down!" Ignis nodded to his companion, who grinned.
"With pleasure." He muttered and paced to the end of the walk while Ignis pulled Noctis into the grass, giving the big warrior plenty of room.
Gladiolus dug in his heels, running straight for the door with his shoulder up and head tucked in. It shattered off its hinges on the first try and he continued into the house, Ignis and Noctis close behind.
"Prompto?!" Noctis called, searching the immediate vicinity for his friend and coming up empty.
Signaling for the others to stay behind him, Gladiolus stepped lightly down the short hall, checking first the kitchen on the left, then up the stairs in front of them. He glanced behind him, nodding for Ignis to step forward.
The adviser cleared his throat. He'd set his phone to record, and held it firmly in front of him. He knew what they were doing was ridiculous and dangerous, but he believed this was the best way—the system had already failed Prompto, his friends would not. Not anymore.
Gladiolus signaled for them to stop as he came to the archway. From their vantage point, they could see up the stairs and a small part of the landing above. As they stared on horror stricken, Prompto stumbled into view, Noctis's name upon his lips. The boy's arms were tied in front of him, and blood streaked down his face from a cut in his eyebrow.
Mr. Argentum was close behind, roaring like a behemoth in heat. The older man—not quite as tall as Ignis, but broad and with as much muscle as he had fat—caught up to the boy and snagged him by the collar, yanking him off balance and slamming him bodily into the stair railing. Noctis cringed at the resounding crack of the wood.
He hoped it was the wood.
Unable to stop his momentum, Prompto stumbled down the first two steps, and his father followed after. "You good for nothing Niff!" He shouted, kicking Prompto in the side, sending him tumbling down the rest of the flight of stairs.
Noctis was by his side in an instant, hands hovering over his body in a need to help, but not hurt in the process. He glanced up to where Mr. Argentum's face twisted first in confusion, then in fury as he began stomping his way towards them.
Out of time, Noctis tugged a slowly-rousing Prompto to his feet, pulling him toward the door. Gladiolus and Ignis smoothly stepped between them and the older man, buying the prince a little time.
"Just what the fuck do you think you're doing?! You can't be here!" Mr. Argtentum bellowed, trying to force himself between the two to where Noctis was now half-dragging Prompto across the threshold and out into the open air.
He finally shoved his way past Noctis' entourage, giving his wife a dirty look as he rushed after the younger teens.
"You've no right—" he sputtered, brushing past the old woman who had taken up sentry just beyond the faux cobblestone path.
Noctis whirled on him, dragging a disoriented Prompto with him. "The hell I don't! You've been hurting your son, for six sake!"
But Mr. Argentum just snorted, rolling his eyes. "Right. My son, if you can even call him that! He's a fucking Niff, or are you too stupid to tell? Nothing but a monster in there, boy. Monster waiting to happen."
Glaring, Noctis hiked Prompto up a little further, renewing his grip on the listing boy. "You're the only monster I see here."
Behind Mr. Argentum, Gladiolus and Ignis were exiting the house, coming around to flank the prince and his charge.
The older man wiped a hand down his face, glaring at each one of them in turn before settling back on Prompto. "Get in the house, boy," he growled. "Get in there now, if you know what's good for you."
The blonde, bless/curse him, actually tried to push himself out of Noctis' grip. The attempt was weak at best; his arms—still tightly lashed together with what appeared to be an old phone cord—bobbed uselessly in front of him. When he tried to speak, his voice was strained and slurred. "S'ok, Noct! Please…juss… is fine. Please juss go. Don' wanna…he'll hurt you…"
Noctis huffed. "Dude, there's no way I'm leaving you here with that maniac."
Mr. Argentum, however, drew himself up as if he won. "You're not Prince of my house, you little shit. Now go on before I give you something your father should have given you a long time ago."
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Noctis spat as Gladiolus swept in front of the two younger teens.
Mr. Argentum shrugged. "Seems to me you're a bit uppity. Could probably do with getting taken down a peg or two."
Gladio drew himself up to his full height, looking down at the older man, his expression grim. "Did you just threaten the Crown Prince with bodily harm? Please say that you did." He cracked his knuckles for emphasis, but the older man was none-too impressed.
Mr. Argentum offered them a sloppy smile. "Wouldn't dream of it. Now, as I was saying…" he waved his hand dismissively at them. "…get off my property, and leave the Niff. He's not done learning his lesson."
Ignis raised an eyebrow at the older man. "I dare say you are toeing a thin line, sir." He half turned to Noctis, and pointedly glanced between him and the car. Taking the hint, Noctis hitched Prompto up and shuffled toward the still-running vehicle.
Ignis and Gladiolus had expected Mr. Argentum to be angry, but honestly thought he wouldn't be stupid enough to attack them.
They were wrong.
The older man lunged toward them, but instead of attacking either one, he shoved his way through them, knocking both adviser and shield off balance. Mr. Argentum continued his trajectory, bowling directly into Noctis and Prompto, bringing all three of them down on the walkway.
The old woman, who had up to that point watched from the safety of the grass, quickly backed farther away from the tangled mass of limbs. She headed down towards the road, muttering about flagging down the police as they all picked up the distant wail of sirens.
The beefy older man managed to knee Noctis in the back and snag Prompto by the collar, dragging him up and in front of him as Gladiolus and Ignis rushed to Noctis' side.
He backed up, taking the blonde back towards the house. Prompto's eyes were wide and terrified, but he didn't cry for help; no, he knew his dad was dangerous, and he didn't want his friends to be hurt.
Noctis labored to his feet, already lurching after them, his retinue on his heels. "Let him go! You've already lost, the police are on their way. You're going to jail."
Mr. Argentum sneered at them as he finally backed across the threshold of his house. "Well, I guess I should make it worth it." He cast them a wicked grin and pointedly rammed Prompto face-first into the wall before turning away, dragging the dazed blonde deeper into the house. He left the door open behind them; a shameless taunt.
Or, more likely, an invitation.