Two Days Previous: The Road to Galdin Quay
The first time it happened, Prompto thought his friend was going to die.
Wind flowed through Prompto's short blond hair, pulling the strands to brush over his closed eyes and stick to his dry lips. He didn't move or shake them aside, merely letting them tickle his skin as they pleased while the Regalia continued down the road to Galdin Quay on smooth pavement. Desert flew by as the miles were eaten away by the Regalia's smooth drive, transitioning into rolling hills of green that dipped into canyons as the hours passed agonizingly slowly.
The mood had been silent, solemn, since they left Jason to the desert. Noctis may have smiled for Prompto, but once they were again on their way he fell into quiet contemplation in the back seat, that small furrow between his eyes the only clue to his thoughts. He responded to little enough, and eventually Gladio and Ignis gave up, going back to their reading and driving, respectively. Prompto found himself quickly bored, and with silence comes time to think.
Prompto hates having time to think.
Time to think means contemplating the mark on his skin, or the distinct lack of knowledge–and fears–of his origins. Time to think reminds him of his failures and shortcomings, reminds him that he does not truly belong in the presence of the elite. That he got lucky. But most of all, time to think means remembering the harsh words Jason left him with, the possibility that they might be true. That he wasn't real. That his friends weren't real, and that they were all just a figment of someone's imagination to do with as they please.
That his life, and that of those he loves, would end in tragedy.
Anxiety bubbles in his stomach, hot and acidic, and Prompto's eyes snap open. Rolling hills greet him as they fly past, emerald in the high noon. It's still very hot, despite the four breaking the edge of the desert not long ago. The only thing making it bearable is the wind blowing over them, courtesy of the drawn roof of the car. Prompto fiddles with a bottle of water in his hands, condensation wetting his fingers and cooling them pleasantly. With a pang of guilt, he thinks about how he just left Jason in the desert by himself like that. The man didn't know where he was or how he got there.
But Prompto only needed to remember his words, his dismissal of Prompto's very existence before the guilt fizzled away into a distant itch. The young man grit his teeth, jaw clenching in anger. Jason hadn't even considered helping him, even when Jason apparently knew what would happen and had the power to change it.
Whatever 'it' was. Who even knew if he had been telling the truth?
Besides that, it seemed like the farther away from Jason Prompto got, the more normal things appeared. There was no longer the strange filter over his vision that skewed the world, nor the haunting music that followed him. Gladiolus, Ignis and Noctis all seemed to return to their usual selves, no blank eyes and repeated lines, or strange urges to climb rocks and pick up random junk. They seemed totally and completely aware once more. That above anything relieved Prompto like nothing else. He could feel warmth and comfort every time Ignis turned his hazel eyes onto him and gave him that fond smile, he could feel the safety wrap around him from Gladio's diligent gaze into the countryside, sturdy and reliable, always aware of their surroundings. And best of all, when Noctis spoke, it was his own voice, not that of a stranger's wearing the skin of his best friend. It was good to see things back to normal.
Even if that normalcy brought with it tension of uncertainty. Noctis' possession, the encounter with the red giants, and meeting Jason had rattled them all.
Prompto looked back at Noctis for the fifth time in the last hour. It was on the tip of his tongue to break the maddening silence, but every time he tried, Gladio would quiet him with a look. Prompto slowly closed his mouth with a pout. Gladiolus was not moved, the man merely raising a brow before turning back to his book. Noctis didn't stir beneath Prompto's worried frown. Probably didn't even notice.
Noctis stared into the rolling countryside, but his gaze was far away, bright blue eyes muted with dark thoughts. It wasn't hard to imagine what the prince was thinking.
He wondered about Jason's arrival and what it meant on the eve of the Signing. He wondered if he was doing the right thing, going to Altissia to marry Lunafreya and secure the peace. It was what they all wondered.
But, as Ignis pointed out, they had their orders. All they could do was trust in the King, and have faith that he knew what he was doing.
Prompto turned back to the front of the car and wished for simpler times. Even though this journey had only just begun, he longed for the lazy days spent in Noctis' high rise apartment, for the late nights and Ignis' cooking, for the casual training sessions with Gladio at the Citadel. Even though logically he knew nothing had really happened yet, the indefinable threat hanging over him felt heavy.
Maybe...maybe he shouldn't have left Jason behind. Maybe he should have dragged him along kicking and screaming. What was one stranger's comfort compared to the well being of his friends?
Prompto shook the particularly nasty thought aside, as if the physical movement could repel it. No. That was wrong.
"Iggy," Prompto moaned and flailed his hands petulantly. "I'm going out of my mind here! Are we there yet?"
With a drawn out sigh, Ignis didn't even bother to appreciate Prompto's pout, much to the younger man's chagrin. He kept his eyes on the road resolutely. How was he supposed to succumb to Prompto's patented puppy eyes if he didn't even look? Heartless!
"Prompto, we've only been driving for four hours. You know how far Galdin Quay is. We won't arrive till sundown."
Prompto glared at the sun, still unfortunately in its apex. No matter how he willed it, it would not move faster. Rude. "Come onnnnnn, even Gladio has to be going out of his mind. He's read that book, like, twice over already!"
"He's got a point," Gladio rumbled from the back, but didn't bother to shift from his slouched position nor put down the accused literature. "Didn't expect the trip to last this long. I'll have to buy a new book at the next station we pass."
"And that sounds like grounds for a pit stop! Woohoo~!" Prompto enthused, already ridiculously elated for something as simple as a gas station. Anything to break this awful monotony.
"Sounds like a waste of time. Need I remind you our current mission–"
"We ran out of Ebony two hours ago," Gladio interrupted, turning a page of his novel.
Ignis fell silent, and Prompto couldn't have helped the grin that spread across his face even if he wanted to. "...I suppose a short break wouldn't hurt."
"Yes! You're the best, Iggy," Prompto enthused, throwing his torso over the console and into Ignis' lap, ignoring the advisor's protest. Prompto persisted until the hand pushing him away acquiesced into gloved fingers gently carding through his hair. He smiled into the leather covering Ignis' thigh and weathered the put upon sigh.
"Like a damn cat," Gladio chuckled.
"Purrrr," Prompto rolled his tongue in a facsimile of a pur, practically melting when Ignis' skilled fingers found that spot behind his ear that always relaxed him instantly.
"I see a station coming up. Gladio, would you wake his Highness?"
"I'm awake," came the quiet response from Noctis.
Ignis' hand withdrew as Prompto propped himself up again, facing the back and leaning against his headrest. He tilted his chin with a faint smile. "Coulda fooled me, buddy."
"Yeah, well," Noctis ran his hand through his black hair, ruffling it in the back. "Got a lot on my mind, ya'know?"
"Well, I think I know how to get your mind off things," Prompto drawled playfully as Ignis pulled into a small town, turning on his blinker even though there were no other cars out to see him, and stopped at a gas station.
"How's that," Noctis grumbled. He sounded tired. It reminded Prompto too much of the sullen young man he was before he met him. Nope. Can't have that.
Prompto smiled mischievously. "Easy. Junkfood!"
"Now wait just a–" Ignis immediately protested, but Noctis' eyes were already lighting up, much to Prompto's delight. There he is.
"Last one to the snack isle's a rotten chocobo egg!" Noct shouted, vaulting from the back of the Regalia.
Prompto gasped in outrage, scrambling from his seat to catch up. "You take that BACK! All chocobo eggs hatch!"
Ignis stared in exasperation as the two young men tore towards the minimart, shoving at each other and shouting at the top of their lungs. "Why do I even bother?", he mused, small smile tugging at his lips despite himself. It was good to see Noctis come out of himself.
"Got me." Gladiolus stood and strolled around the car, leaning against the Regalia beside Ignis.
Ignis raised a brow. "You certainly aren't any help in that department."
"What can I say, I'm a sucker for baby blues," he shrugs.
"Gladio. They both have blue eyes."
"Case and point." Gladio scoffs in amusement at Ignis' annoyance. "Like you're one to talk mister 'I cook all of Noctis' favorite foods when he's sad and can't keep my hands out of Chocobutt's hair'."
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean," Ignis drawled, levering himself up and shutting the door behind him. He eyed Gladio subtly, searching for any sign of jealousy. When he found none, he brushed imaginary dust from his jacket with a sniff. "Don't you have a book to purchase?"
"That I do," Gladio mocked Ignis' accent with a mischievous smirk, strolling towards the minimart with much more composure than their youngest companions.
"Don't know why I bother," Ignis repeated, shaking his head fondly. Momentarily, his eyes were drawn to the road behind them, unease flickering over his features. But he pushed it down. Best not to show any weakness to the prince. Noctis was nervous enough without having to shoulder Ignis' worry as well. Facing resolutely forward, Ignis made to follow his three companions before they could cause too much trouble.
Not one second after he took his first step, a blood curdling, all too familiar scream broke the peace.
"NOCT!"
Gladiolus was moving before he'd even registered the scream, Ignis hot on his heals. It was only a dozen yards to the station's entrance, but to them, it felt like miles. The shield practically wrenched the door from its hinges to get inside, only to find Prompto already hunched over the fallen form of their prince.
"Oh gods, oh gods," Prompto gasped, hands clutching the back of Noctis' shirt as he held him in his lap. He had barely had time to catch him as he abruptly collapsed, Noctis making a strangled sound like a wounded animal as his legs gave out on him.
"What happened?", Ignis snapped, hands running up and down the raven's form, searching for an injury. Noctis' eyes were closed, and he didn't appear to be breathing. Panic clawed at Ignis' heart as he ripped his glove off to press a bare finger to Noctis' pulse. It was barely there, a mere flutter against his touch. Gladiolus stood above them, covering their backs and looking for any assailants. The shopkeeper cowered behind the counter, hands up in surrender. "Gladio, do not summon anything!" Ignis said urgently.
"I-I don't know!" Prompto gasped, barely keeping it together. "One second he was fine, and the next h-he was on the ground!"
Ignis carefully extracted Noctis from Prompto's arms and laid him on the floor. He checked his vitals first. Noctis' skin was dreadfully pale, but he was breathing, and his heart got stronger by the second. Whatever it was, it seemed to completely drain him. Almost like…
"Stand down, Gladio," Ignis said quietly, a contemplative frown on his face. "It appears Noctis has gone into stasis."
"Stasis? But…" Prompto trailed off at Ignis' look. Prompto glanced at the store clerk, the young man still huddled against the wall as if Gladiolus was going to eat him alive, even though the large man had relaxed at Ignis' word. Right. They didn't talk about royal stuff in front of strangers. He bit his lip hard as he watched Gladio lift Noct's prone form and stride from the shop. The four hurried back to the Regalia, all thoughts of supplies deserting them.
"What do we do?", Prompto fretted as Gladio lowered the prince into the back seat. The blond squeezed himself in as well without having to be asked, propping Noct's head on his lap. Noctis looked so pale and still, skin a sickly shade of white.
"We move on," Ignis said decisively, sliding into the driver's seat and starting the car. Gladio jumped into the passenger side and shoved the seat back, closing the door with more force than necessary. They pulled out of the station as Ignis drew the hood, concealing them from sight and protecting Noctis from the wind.
"Shouldn't we find a hospital or something?!" Prompto clutched Noctis to him. He felt cold as ice. He grabbed a Gladios jacket from the floor and pulled it up to Noctis' chin.
"No. What Noctis needs is rest. He's overexerted his power somehow and that's not something any doctor would be able to fix. The best course of action is to get him to Galdin Quay and into a decent bed."
"How the hell did that happen, anyway?", Gladio said through a clenched jaw, tone murderous. "He didn't use the crystal's power, and none of us summoned anything! And even if we did, we would have had to summon tank to get him to this state."
"I don't know," Ignis said grimly. But that wasn't entirely true. A suspicion niggled at the back of his mind, but he didn't voice it. Not until he had more information.
"What are you thinking, Iggy?", Gladiolus eyed Ignis carefully.
But Ignis only shook his head. "I don't know," he repeated. "But whatever it was, we better hope it doesn't happen again. I don't think he could survive another hit like that."
The three of them fell into a grim silence. Prompto watched Noctis anxiously, willing him to wake up. He didn't. An hour passed, then two, but no response. The sun sank towards the horizon and lit the sky with vibrant swaths of golds and pinks, but Prompto barely noticed, intent on Noct's breathing, as if afraid that if he looked away again it would stop.
It wasn't until Ignis had cut the engine that Prompto finally looked up. It was late in the evening, the land clinging to the last rays of light from the disappearing sun. Galdin Quay Resort spread before them, the building floating on the clear blue waters of the small inlet, only seeming attached to land by the piers that meandered from it's entrance to the clean white sand. Even as they watched, the lights came on, sparkling off of the water like jewels. Laughter and music filtered through the quiet night air, cheerful and relaxing. It was breathtaking.
But none of the three men felt any pleasure at the sight, their prince's state heavy on their minds. They payed it no mind as Gladio lifted Noctis from the back seat and they headed into the shelter of the open air restaurant. It wasn't long before Ignis had secured them a room and Noctis lay recumbent against the white sheets of the large bed.
Ignis brushed the raven's bangs aside, checking for a temperature. Finding none, he left Noctis to his rest and joined the other two in the lounge chairs on the open air patio, closing the door softly behind him.
"How is he?", Gladio asked quietly. Prompto wrung his hands together.
"Much better. His skin is regaining its color. He should wake soon."
Prompto let out a long breath. "I've never seen him this bad before…What could have happened?"
Gladio crossed his arms and leaned against the glass, staring out over the water. "Last time I saw him like this, it was because he'd tried to warp from the fiftieth floor of the Citadel to the ground."
"Yes, I remember. He was trying to escape etiquette lessons, if I recall correctly."
Prompto let out a small laugh despite the grim situation. That sounded like Noct, alright. He bit his lip and stared at his friend through the glass. What could have happened to get him this way?
The royal family's magic came from their connection with the Crystal, a energy source gifted to them by the Gods. It granted them incredible powers, including the ability to maintain a great wall of energy that protected Insomnia from outside threats, use weaponized magics, and grant the ability to warp and summon weapons for those tied to the royal family. They are easily the most powerful people in all of the world. But it comes at great cost. In order to use the Crystal's energy, Noctis and his line were forced to use their own life force to maintain it.
Prompto knew objectively that King Regis suffered from the effects of the Crystal's drain, could see it from his worsening health over the few years he'd known him. He also knew that taking on the full burden of the Crystal's power was Noctis' greatest fear, one he would be forced to face only at the death of his beloved father.
But it never seemed quite real to Prompto. Not till today. Not until he'd seen the effects of it first hand, heard Noctis' strangled cry as he went down. Sure, he'd seen him go into Stasis before, several times in fact. Noctis wasn't always careful with his abilities, but the worst Prompto's ever seen him was a bit too tired to stand, winded, a little spacy. This….this was on a whole other level.
This time, he'd looked close to death.
And it didn't make any sense, because he hadn't used his powers. None of them had either. Ignis, Gladiolus, and Prompto were the only ones drawing power through Noctis–ever since he had connected them to his magic at their inductions to his house–and the drain from that was infinitesimal to the power Noctis had at his disposal, even without full access to the Crystal's magic. Practically no more than Noctis lifting a pinky. No, it had to be something else.
"Could something have happened to the Crystal?", Gladiolus said pointedly.
Ignis pursed his lips. "I don't think that's even possible. As far as I know, the Crystal is indestructible. Also, Noctis doesn't even have access to its full power, so if anything, he would have just lost the ability to use magic. Besides, the Signing wasn't till this evening and he'd collapsed by noon."
"Do you think…" Prompto started hesitantly. He wasn't sure, but there was only one thing out of the ordinary to happen recently that it could have possibly been. "Do you think it could have something to do with Jason?"
Ignis didn't answer for several moments, but both men could practically see the wheels turning in his eyes. The silence was damning.
"I'm going to kill that sonofabitch." Gladiolus seethed, hands clenching mercilessly against his biceps.
"We don't know for sure," Ignis soothed, though he hardly sounded convinced.
"What else could it have been? That bastard must have done something to Noct when he took over his damn body! Did you see the way he drained Noct when he summoned the camping gear?" He punctuated his statement with a violent swipe of his hand through the air.
"That was an accident, though," Prompto said anxiously. "He didn't know what he was doing!"
"Why are you defending him?" Gladio shouted. Prompto flinched, and the the three fell into silence. Prompto didn't speak until Gladio's shoulders relaxed, the older man's eyes cutting away apologetically before he leaned back once again.
"Because," Prompto said cautiously. "Jason might have been a jerk, but I believe him when he said it was an accident. I don't think he would hurt Noct on purpose." And that was the truth. Prompto might not like what Jason had to say, but that didn't mean he was a bad guy. Besides that, he saved them once already. Someone malicious would not have done that, would have run and left them to their fates.
"The point remains," Ignis said, "that despite what Jason's true intentions are, he has hurt Noctis. One possibility is that he did it unknowingly and may do so again on accident, in which case Noctis may die. Another is that he did it on purpose and may do so again, and Noctis will still die. Either way, circumstances are not in our favor. We must find him."
Gladio banged his fist against the wooden railing, causing Prompto to jump. "That selfish bastard just ran off, and none of us stopped him. We should have just dragged him with us kicking and screaming. I can't believe we let someone obviously that dangerous get away, and now Noct is practically in a damn coma!"
Guilt stabbed like a vicious dagger to the gut, and Prompto nearly doubled over with the realization of it. This was his fault. Noctis was lying in there with his life force nearly drained because of him. Prompto's hands shook with the force of will it took him to keep standing, to not break down.
"Prompto?", Ignis questioned softly, concerned. "What is it?"
Prompto's eyes filled with tears, and he tried his best not to let them fall. He took a deep breath. "This is my fault," he whispered.
"What do you mean?", Gladio rumbled, almost dismissively. "You're not the one who put Noct in that state."
"No," Prompto's voice became strangled, and both men looked on in alarm as he worked himself up. "But Jason–we had a fight, and he said some really awful things, I–he never said he wouldn't help but I was just so m-mad–" Prompto's voice closed up, and he bit his lip, hard.
"Prompto," Ignis said carefully. "Did you abandon Jason in the desert?"
Prompto's breath hitched and Gladio swore explosively, digging the palms of his hands into his brow. Prompto couldn't even look Ignis in the eyes, blurred gaze locked onto the ground, shoulders shaking.
"It's alright," Ignis said stiffly. "You couldn't have known."
"Like hell!" Gladiolus shouted. Prompto cringed, folding into himself.
"We didn't go after him either, Gladiolus Amicitia, so you can lower your voice and get off your damned high horse." Ignis shouted back. Ringing silence fell between them, the only sound Ignis' harsh panting from his outburst, cheekbones dusted pink from anger. Gladio and Prompto were shocked. Ignis never raised his voice outside of battle. Not ever. Both of them could count on one hand how many times it had happened, combined. It only went to show just how serious this was. If Gladiolus was their strength, and Prompto their heart, then Ignis was their mind. They relied on his cool calculation and calm. If he didn't know what to do, then Prompto wasn't sure what would happen.
Prompto felt his confidence strain under the weight of the rampant feelings around him.
Ignis continued in a calmer tone, taking a deep breath and visibly getting a hold of himself with a gloved hand through his hair. "Bickering amongst ourselves will not help Noctis. We need to find Jason and put a stop to whatever he is doing."
"...And Altissia?", Gladio hazarded cautiously.
"Postponed. I hardly think a dead prince would be able to fulfill the peace contract."
The words were gently delivered, but brutally honest. The tears spilled from Prompto's eyes and down his face, no longer able to hold them back. A heavy arm pulled him to Gladio's chest, and the younger man turned his face into his shoulder. Gladio let out a deep sigh. "We wait till Noctis wakes," he said in a low rumble that Prompto could feel all the way to his toes. "In the morning, we backtrack. We'll find him."
-o0o-
Noctis didn't know what hit him.
The last thing he remembered was beating Prompto to the store entrance and reaching for a bag of chips. Then he only had the barest warning before a wall of wrongness hit him, eyes widening and face draining of all color. For a split second, he was gripped in place as something grabbed him by the back of his neck and pulled. His heart stuttered in his chest before leaping, energy draining from his body at an alarming pace, unstoppable, like water slipping through his fingers. He let out a strangled gasp, eyes widening in alarm as his legs gave out. Prompto screamed his name.
He doesn't remember hitting the floor.
Events after that are a slurried mess of sound and sensation and darkness. He heard voices, the occasional cold touch against his skin, the rocking of the Regalia. Every time he thought he could reach the surface, overwhelming fatigue dragged him back down into the black. Thinking was impossible, and time passed unnoticed in the fog. All he could register was a distant fear that something was very wrong.
Consciousness was on the edge of his awareness an indeterminable amount of time later, and he clawed at it like a drowning man for air. Thoughts finally made their way between dizzying waves of fatigue, and he took stock of his body. Stasis. He had been through this before, had felt that terrifying drain a time or two. One time when he was a dumb kid and overestimated his abilities. Another time when he had been kidnapped and had to warp halfway across the city to escape. But he could not remember how or why he got this way this time.
Muffled voices reached him, and he clung to them with a vengeance, pushing away the dark with a force of will. His eyes cracked open, only to instantly close as light burned his retinas and sent and aching pain through his skull. He let out a quiet gasp, turning his face into the soft surface beneath his head.
A voice called his name, but it sounded like it was filtered through cotton in his ears. He struggled to open his eyes again, but didn't manage more than a twitch of his brow and a grimace. A cool hand brushed over his forehead, pushing his hair from his face.
Ignis, he thought. The touch was as familiar as if the man was his own mother. It eased him, and the fear receded a little. He still didn't know what was going on, but Ignis' touch meant that he was safe. A warm body settled on the bed next to him. He didn't know who it was, but was comforted all the same. He fell into a restful sleep.
Consciousness came to him again, this time with greater ease. Noctis didn't feel nearly as fatigued as he opened his eyes to the morning glow. As his eyes focused, he took stock of his body again. He was sore all over, but didn't feel like he was about to go under any longer. A vaulted ceiling greeted him, and for a split second he was convinced he was back at the Citadel. Then he blinked, and realized his surroundings were unfamiliar. He turned his head and was startled to see the ocean, the sky pink with the early dawn.
"Noct?"
Noctis blinked in surprise, turning back around. Prompto lied beside him, propped up on one elbow and looking down on him. He looked sleep mussed, hair tousled and cheeks slightly pink. He looked exhausted, with dark bags beneath bloodshot eyes, as if he'd been crying. His eyes widened when Noctis looked at him, and a relieved smile spread over his face. "Noct! You're awake!"
"Um, yeah," Noctis rasped. "What happened?" He pushed himself into a sitting position with some effort, but he felt alright now. Just really tired.
Prompto's smile dropped off his face as he sat up as well, crossing his legs and picking at a loose thread on his pants. "You went into Stasis, dude. Hard. I thought you were going to die," he said quietly.
"Yeah," Noct said, shuddering at the remembered sensation of falling. "But how? I didn't use the Crystal's power, but it felt like a whole lot of energy was draining from me all at once."
"...We think it might have something to do with Jason," Prompto mumbled, avoiding his eyes.
Noctis grit his teeth in annoyance, anger simmering in his stomach. "Figures. The guy possesses me, claims he's some Messenger sent to help before running off, and now he's still messing with me."
"Ah, that's not exactly what happened…"
Noctis frowned. "You mean, he's not the one who did that?"
"No, Ignis thinks it probably has something to do with him. We don't think he did it on purpose though. What I meant was...he didn't run off. I kiiiiind of left him there and told you guys he did." The last few words slurred together so badly it took Noctis a second to sort them out. Prompto peeked through his lashes, grimacing as if awaiting a blow.
Noctis stared for a moment before huffing out a breath. "Okay. That kind of...sucks. I guess we just need to find him now."
"Yeah...sorry." Noctis watched as his friend curled into himself, guilt written all over his hunched form. He wasn't mad. Not really. The guy was kind of a jerk, anyway. This just made things a bit more complicated.
"It's cool, Prom. You didn't know." He nudged the blond in the shoulder and was graced with a small tentative smile. "Where are Specs and Gladio?"
"They went out to grab some food. Should be back any minute."
"Hmm."
"Hey Noct?"
"Yeah?"
"...Don't scare me like that again, 'kay?"
And it was that look on his friend's face–that worried frown, the pinch between his eyebrows, and the watery blue eyes–that gave away just how close it had been, how worried it made them all. Noctis took in a slow breath before releasing it in a rush, allowing a reassuring smile to pull at his lips. He couldn't make any promises, considering none of them seemed to know how it happened in the first place, but he could give Prompto a smile.
"Wouldn't dream of it."
The words felt kind of empty, and both of them knew it. But Prompto looked a little relieved anyway. The door opened and Prompto perked up, turning towards the sound. "Hey guys! Guess who's awake! We were just…" Prompto trails off.
Gladio and Ignis step into the room, faces grim and pale. Their eyes lock onto Noctis and the young man feels his heart beginning to race. "What? What is it?" They exchanged a glance, a thousand words silently passing between them in an instant. Gladio turns away first, crossing his arms and staring out of the window without seeing the sunrise. There is a quiver in his tight shoulders, and the sight rattles Noctis like nothing else can. "Guys?"
A sigh brings his eyes back to Ignis, who walks towards the bed and places a cool hand on Noctis' forehead. "How are you feeling?"
Noctis brushes the hand aside, ignoring the question. "Ignis."
The man's lips tighten, and his other hand comes up slowly, a rumpled newspaper in its grasp. He holds it out. Noctis glances up at him in confusion before slowly taking it for himself.
Prompto leans against him as he smooths out the wrinkled folds. The air seizes in his lungs in a strangled hiss. And the world comes crashing down around him.
"Tch!"
There, in bold letters across the front page, were the words Insomnia Falls. And beneath it, a photo that was taken as his home burned.
-o0o-
AN: Whew. What's going on with Noctis? Prompto regrets his decision to ditch Jason, now. And poor Jason's got a lot to answer for.
I'm enjoying writing the chocobros much more than I anticipated X) For some reason, I thought it would be really hard, but their voices are coming to me better than I thought they would. Developing their personalities and relationship is going to be so much fun! I haven't decided yet, but I might indulge in my favorite OT4 just because I can ;) Look forward to that as well as some pretty drastic canon divergence. Still got a long ride ahead of us.
Thanks so much for all your support guys, I'm so glad you are enjoying this! Please reward me for my hard work if you think I deserve it! It truly makes my day.