Jason was done. So. Done. He couldn't even bring himself to react to the words coming out of the irate man's mouth at the moment, too exhausted, too hung up on the utter unfairness of this situation he found himself in. It had only been a couple days, and how many times had his life been threatened? Four? Five?
Was it too much to ask for a couple hours without complete bullshit coming out of nowhere to punch him in the throat? Too much to ask to be able to eat a bland sandwich in peace before catastrophe struck again?
Apparently so.
To make matters worse, Gladiolus decided to join the party with his incensed lover. It must be Threaten Jason Day, because it wasn't long before the wall of flesh stood at Jason's back, like he would be able to run off anytime soon. Even Prompto, easy going guy that he is, stood to the side grimly, not even flinching at the blade against Jason's neck.
Should he feel alarmed? Maybe. Any sane person would. But Jason was fairly sure sane was the last thing that could be used to describe his state at the moment.
"What do you mean, what I'm doing to Noctis?" Jason sighed, running a tired hand over his eyes. The white bandages on his wrist stood out starkly against tanned skin, barely covering the spread of mottled purple.
"Don't play dumb," Gladio growled. "Ever since you showed up, he's been either possessed or nearly dead!"
"Possessed or nearly–? Okay, I might have something to do with the possessed part, but I have no idea what you mean by nearly dead. I haven't done anything to him!" Jason's ire raised with the tone of Gladiolus' voice. The blade pricked into his skin and he hissed, batting it aside with a glare at Ignis. "Will you put that thing away! You might not have noticed, but I'm in no condition to fight you so just–"
"You have been stealing from Noctis' armiger," Ignis interrupted sharply, though he did withdraw his blade, much to Jason's relief. "It has drained him almost completely. Stop at once."
Jason's blood boiled, simmering just beneath the surface with a near violent wave of acidity that set his ears rushing and heart racing. It prickled at his skin and his head throbbed sharply.
No. Enough.
Jason deflated in a gusty sigh. Letting it go–he really was tired of the misunderstandings, tired of the fighting, just tired–he pursed his lips in thought before he said something that would escalate things further. Someone was going to have to be the cool headed one in this situation if they ever hoped to move forward. And it certainly didn't look like it was going to be Ignis judging by the cold murder in his eyes.
"You're right," he said, exuding as much calm as he could into his voice. "I have taken three things from the armiger. Once to save myself from dehydration in the desert." Prompto shifted slightly, but Jason ignored him. "A few minutes later, a knife to fight sabertusks. And the last one this morning was to prove to Cor that I had a connection with Prompto so I could find you guys again." He dug out the Carbuncle figurine and placed it on the table between them, never having figured out how to send it back. "I'm sorry that I hurt Noctis with what I was doing. It won't happen again." At the moment, he didn't know why it had drained Noctis, nor did he care. If an apology was what they wanted, an apology was what they would get.
Several charged moments passed before Ignis finally stood, snatching the figurine from the table and dismissing his blade. Jason wasn't out of hot water yet, however. "Come with me," he commanded with a cursory glance around the hunter base.
Their confrontation had not gone unnoticed. Several men and women watched the drama with more curiosity than they were due, and Jason found himself distinctly uncomfortable by their regard. Still, he felt even less comfortable with the idea of following the three crownsgaurd to somewhere secluded where they could possibly maim him. He could still sense hostility from Gladiolus in waves. Still. He did owe them an explanation.
"...I'm going to need help," Jason finally acquiesced reluctantly.
With only a momentary pause of hesitation, Prompto stepped forward. Jason hissed as he was pulled gently upright, foot throbbing sharply in his too big boot. Prompto was careful not to jostle him too much as they headed for the Regalia, but neither did he attempt to talk to Jason, expression painfully blank.
Noctis waited for them at the car, slumped wearily against the hood. He looked about as terrible as Jason felt, deep shadows underneath icy eyes. The prince glowered at Jason as they approached but did not move to attack, though he clearly wanted to. Noctis frowned at Ignis, questioning tilt to his downturned lips.
"Not here," Ignis answered the unspoken query. "There is a haven at the top of the hill not far from here. We will talk once we're alone."
A short jerky nod, and Noctis dragged himself around to the passenger side. Jason sat rigidly in between Prompto and a stonily silent Gladiolus. With every shiver and jerk of the cabin during the short ride to the haven glowing not a mile in the distance, Jason stifled a wince of pain. He debated whether to ask for a potion he knew these men possessed, but thought better of it. They could see he was injured and did not offer, so it was a safe assumption they did not feel generous with him at the moment. Or concerned with his well-being. That didn't bode well for his continued survival.
He just wanted this night to be over with.
–
This scene was eerily familiar.
The frigid prince sat across the fire, glaring daggers at Jason's person. Gladiolus stood intimidatingly behind Ignis, the latter man sitting legs crossed and hands carded, observing silently. Prompto stood to the side, nervously shifting from foot to foot.
Had it only been the morning before Jason had been in this position?
The camp was silent save for the crackling of the fire and the buzzing of insects. No one seemed quite willing to break it. Or perhaps they were just following their prince's lead. Either way, if someone didn't start this terrible conversation soon, Jason might just explode.
That is if Prompto didn't explode first.
"You knew, didn't you?" Noctis finally broke the quiet, tone deceptively calm.
There was only one thing that Noctis could have been referring to. Or, well, two, but Jason didn't think Noctis was asking about the power drain thing. Jason already promised not to do it again.
Taking a long, bracing breath, Jason answered the accusation. "Yeah. Yeah I did."
The admission hung in the air between them heavily, the simmering anger just beneath the surface of the prince's grimace rising visibly.
"I would have told you," Jason started defensively when no one else spoke. "But–fuck," he scrubbed an irritated hand through his tangled hair, grimacing at the pull on his bandages. "This is so messed up."
"That's one hell of an understatement," Gladiolus grumbled. His words couldn't have cut any sharper if they were made of steel.
"I didn't–Look, I didn't know how it was going to happen, or even really when. I just knew that it would."
"Doesn't matter," Noctis spat. "You had the chance to tell us and you didn't. I should have you executed for treason! I should–" Gladiolus leaned forward as if ready to pounce at the prince's word, but Jason cut him off angrily before the tirade could gain any momentum.
"When did I have the chance to tell you, your Highness?" Jason snarled back, defensive. "Before or after your asses ditched me in the desert!"
The shield took a threatening step forward. Jason flinched, ready to jump to his feet, injuries be damned.
"Gladio," Ignis said calmly, and after a tense moment the man stepped back with a grim set to his jaw. Likewise, Jason and Noctis eased back down. Once all three men settled again, Ignis continued. "There wasn't anything we could have done."
Jason blinked in surprise at the unexpected support. Judging by the cold shoulder he was receiving though, he doubted it was for his sake.
"What?" Noctis hissed.
Ignis deflected his prince's ire, explaining reasonably. "Even if Jason had told us the moment he met us, what then? We drive back to the city? Tell them to stop the signing on the word of a stranger? End up in the middle of a coup we could do nothing to prevent and most likely get killed?"
"WE COULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING!" Noctis screamed, jumping to his feet. "We could have at least warned someone! Warned dad–" his voice broke and he fell silent with a shudder.
"...No." Ignis said softly in an aching contrast to Noctis' cry. "You know as well as I do that the King already knew."
Noctis' breath hitched, and he collapsed back onto his chair, shiny eyes reflecting the fire. It was the harsh reality that the four had avoided putting voice to, one that hurt deeply as it was spoken. The signs were all there, bright as the life-giving sun now that events had come to pass.
"I'm sorry," Jason said quietly. "I really didn't know how it was going to happen–"
"Don't," Noctis cut him a watery glower. "Don't sit there and apologize. You said you were sent to prevent the 'darkness that's coming', but you didn't do a damn thing when it mattered most."
Jason fell silent, the words biting deeply. He knew it wasn't fair to say that to him, but it still hurt.
In hindsight though, his apology probably wasn't exactly welcome. It's not like he knew what it was like to lose practically everything he ever loved overnight. Well. Jason glanced at the other three men around the fire. Not everything. Not yet.
"This isn't the end, is it?" Prompto finally spoke up. He'd been standing aside silently, hands clenched into tight fists at his sides. Jason regarded him in confusion. This was the first time he'd heard Prompto speak since their disagreement and Jason was half convinced he would never say a word in the other man's presence again. He was relieved to hear his voice, but the dread, the insecurity in it was painful to hear.
"What do you mean, Prompto?" Ignis asked, but Prompto didn't look away from Jason's eyes.
He stepped closer, campfire casting a warm ligh on his face. "You said before that the game would end in tragedy. I might not know much about the Will of the Gods or any of that stuff, but I do know these past few weeks would not have made a very good plot, and the hero of the story is never so far from the action." His voice got quiet, solemn. "We were never supposed to be in Insomnia, were we? This is only the beginning."
"What the hell are you talking about, Prom?" Gladio said sharply. "This is no time to–"
"You're right," Jason answered over Gladio, ignoring him completely. The other three men exchanged baffled glances, but Jason only had eyes for Prompto, frowning seriously. "You guys are barely level seven. This is only the first chapter."
Prompto nodded, as if his worst fears were confirmed, but Noctis had had enough of their cryptic words.
"What are you talking about!?" He didn't stand again, but a sharp gust of wind seemed to respond to his displeasure, setting them all on edge. "What do you mean, we're only level seven?"
Both Prompto and Jason froze in shock. "You...you heard me?" Jason asked slowly.
"We heard you." Ignis said, narrowing his eyes. "Explain."
"This had better be good," Gladio added his own two cents.
Jason and Prompto exchanged a long look before Prompto shrugged, as if to say 'worth a try?'.
"I...this is a video game?" Jason tried, carefully examining their faces.
"A videogame," Ignis repeated flatly. All three looked on with a distinct edge of impatience. Noctis looked close to all out throttling him.
This was unbelievable. They could understand him! Prompto gave him an excited wave of encouragement, looking as bewildered as he felt.
Okay. Here we go again. For real this time. He spoke rapidly, afraid that if he took too long the spell would break and he'd be back to square one. "I'm from a different world and this is a videogame called Final Fantasy that I played a few months ago and I felt like playing it again but something weird was going on and Prompto saw me–" he ran out of breath and inhaled quickly before vomiting the rest of the story out into their stunned faces, "and somehow pulled me into the game but you guys couldn't understand me for some reason and thought I was some kind of messenger who knows the future and I guess I kind of do but I don't think I was sent by the gods–"
"Stop!" Noctis cut him off abruptly with an upraised hand. A ringing silence fell over the camp. Noctis opened his mouth to say something but closed it, helplessly looking at Ignis in a bid for sanity.
He wouldn't be finding any of that in Jason, that was for sure.
Ignis looked just as perplexed "You think this is a videogame," he reiterated slowly.
Jason and Prompto nodded rapidly.
"And you were trying to tell us you were from another world but we couldn't understand you." They nodded again and Ignis shook his head in confusion. "Prompto, why are you nodding?"
"Um…" the blonde shifted nervously. "Because I believe him?"
"You believe–you have got to be kidding me." Gladiolus threw his hands in the air.
"No, really guys! It was nuts! I was hearing music everywhere, you guys were acting really out of character, and bam! Jason shows up with the perfect explanation!"
"That was different!"
"It wasn't!" Prompto insisted loudly. "I don't know what you guys were hearing, but he was trying to tell you and you were getting ideas that weren't even close to what he said!"
"Okay, okay, okay," Noctis shouted over the din. "Everyone shut up! You," he pointed at Jason, who put his hands up in surrender, "talk. We won't interrupt. Start from the beginning, and this time maybe breathe?"
Jason did. He told them everything, just as he had the first time. There was the lingering fear that he would be Filtered again, but that didn't seem to be the case this time around for whatever reason.
When he was finished, Noctis took a deep breath, carding his hands over his knees. "Juuust so we're all on the same page. You think this is a videogame." He raised a brow, as if saying it for the third time would somehow change Jason's mind. Jason nodded impatiently. "Okay, that was not even close to what you told us the first time."
"That's exactly what–"
"Prom," Noctis interrupted with a pleading look. Prompto swallowed his words, wringing his hands together and biting his lip. "Ignis? What do you think?"
"It's hard to say," Ignis said slowly. Gladio scoffed. "He seems to truly believe this."
Jason frowned at Ignis' tone, but didn't get the chance to defend himself. "Explanations?" Noctis soldiered on.
"Ignoring the ludicrous claim that this is a videogame," –Jason thought the sarcasm was rather unnecessary– "there are a few things we might want to consider. One, Jason has abilities that are unheard of in normal circumstances, among them the ability to stop time and the ability to say one thing while the subject hears another, if Prompto is to be believed."
Judging by Prompto's face, he most certainly didn't appreciate the dubious looks sent in his direction.
"We do know for certain though, that he can possess a member of the royal family and summon objects from the armiger, things that only Gods, Messengers, and members of the Line of Lucius are purported to do."
Noctis raised a brow and gave Jason a long look, no doubt completely dismissing the idea he could be a god. Rude. "So he might be a long lost cousin or something?" Noctis said dubiously. "Then why the wild story?"
Ignis gestured at the affronted subject at hand, who was starting to believe they had forgotten he could actually hear them. "Regardless of whether we believe his story, we did believe it when he said he was a Messenger."
"So? At least that makes some sense."
"So, if it wasn't Jason who wanted us to believe he was a Messenger, then who did?"
Eyes widened all around.
"You're saying someone else is behind all of this?" Gladio questioned slowly.
"What other explanation is there? Jason's clearly been fighting this from the beginning." Ignis finally addressed Jason, who was doing a charming imitation of a constipated bear. "Jason, you said your words were being edited as you said them. When exactly did that change?"
Jason thought back. "I'm not sure, exactly. With Cor, I was actively trying to say things that wouldn't be changed. Right now is the first time I tried to tell the truth again."
"But you decided to find us, and thus fulfill the role assigned."
"...Yeah, I guess."
"So, it stopped happening when you accepted your role, is that correct?"
Jason opened his mouth. Closed it. Sonofabitch. He was playing along, wasn't he. There wasn't any need to change what he said if he was already pissing on cue.
"Okay, great," Prompto piped up. "So, someone out there is feeling pretty smug right about now. But are we just going to ignore the real behemoth in the room?"
"What would that be?" Noctis scoffed. "Oh, the fact that this man is clearly insane? Are we seriously believing this right now?"
"Hey," Jason defended, "Your life force is connected to a magical sentient rock, I wouldn't be so quick to judge!"
"You think this isn't real!"
"NO, I DON'T!" Jason stood, slashing the air violently. He took a deep breath with a wince, shifting to one leg, before looking Prompto straight in the eye and continuing in a more subdued tone. "This world is real. YOU are real." He let the unspoken apology hang between them for a moment, but when Prompto remained impassive he let it go with a twinge of guilt. "Look, I don't know how I got here, or who's pulling my strings," he looked pointedly at Ignis, "but I do have knowledge of this world's future and I've decided to help you, heaven help me. Now, you can either accept my help or let me go so I can find a way back home."
"You're not going anywhere," Gladio interjected immediately with a threatening jab of his finger. "Last time we let you out of our sight you nearly killed Noctis. I don't care what you are, you're too dangerous to let wander off on your own."
"He's right." Ignis interjected. "Regardless of the truth of the matter, we can't afford to let you leave."
"Fine! I'm your prisoner then!" Jason rasped, at the end of his rope. "Just please, let me sleep already!" He swayed on his one leg, exhaustion pulling him to the ground inevitably. He fell back into his chair in a wave of vertigo, utterly spent. He felt eyes on him, but didn't move to acknowledge them.
He just wanted a nice, uninterrupted night of sleep without forced unconsciousness or the goddamn world ending. Please.
"Highness," Ignis said after a loaded pause. "It's up to you."
"...Jason comes with us." Noctis' voice drifted tiredly over the fire. "Let's just sleep. We can figure this out in the morning." That last part sounded more like a plea than anything else, and Jason considered he probably wasn't the only one at the end of his rope.
A silent signal had been given then, and there was shuffling about the camp. The rattle of chairs. The zipper of the tent coming undone. Jason didn't even open his eyes, tired enough that he felt he could easily sleep in this chair the whole night through.
After a short while, a hand fell onto his shoulder, jolting him out of his fatigue induced half-fugue.
Prompto stood over him, uncertain frown marring his usually cheerful features. "Did you mean it?" he asked in a whisper, words for Jason's ears only. "Did you mean it when you said I was real?"
A discomfiting swirl of guilt and regret tied itself into a tight little ball in Jason's throat at the look of insecurity in the blonde's face. He remembered the harsh words he said that still haunt him, how untrue they were. As he absorbed the warmth the young man beside him seemed to radiate even in his subdued state, saw the desire for life simmering behind those baby blues, he wondered how he could have ever thought Prompto wasn't real. "...Yeah. I did."
Prompto gave Jason a tentative smile that pulled at the man's heartstrings and after a moment, pulled Jason to his feet. "Come on, you can share my sleeping bag."
Jason's near silent involuntary hiss had Prompto pausing. "Oh," he said quietly. "Right." With a cursory glance at the tent–the other three were already inside–Prompto summoned a healing potion and held it out for Jason to take.
Jason's eyes flicked to the glowing bottle freely offered and back to Prompto's face. He hesitated, unsure. "I, um," he mumbled. "I really am sorry, Prom. I didn't mean what I said."
To his surprise, the blonde let out an awkward chuckle, averting his eyes and rubbing the back of his neck, abashed. "I know, dude! I'm, uh, sorry for...abandoning you in the desert." He winced, peeking up at Jason from the corner of his eye.
Jason couldn't help it. A slow grin spread across his face, just a little bit of tension leaking from his overstressed body. Prompto's shyness, his casual forgiveness, had Jason feeling better than he had since this entire craziness began. "You're really something, you know that?"
The reaction was immediate. Prompto's face exploded with color, freckles standing out starkly against his flushed cheeks and Jason guffawed. "W-who me? I'm nothing special." When Jason just continued to snicker, Prompto grabbed his hand and crushed the potion with Jason's slack fingers. Healing magic rushed through the exhausted man and Jason's chuckles turned into a pleasured groan of relief.
Prompto flushed darker, snatching his hands away. Still, he smiled, a crooked, adorable thing on the side of his lips. "Come on, dude, let's hit the sack."
He helped Jason to the tent and ducked inside. Jason paused at the entrance, just looking in on a view he never thought he would actually see, was never really meant to see.
Noctis lay on his stomach, already passed out cold, tucked on the other side of a protective Ignis. The older man didn't even acknowledge Jason, eyes closed. Gladiolus sat propped in the corner, poking at his phone, watching over his lover and prince. Prompto settled down in his sleeping bag, barely big enough for one on the very end.
There wasn't any space for Jason. Not in this tent. Not with the four of them. Seeing how natural they were together, how comfortable, had Jason's chest pang with loneliness.
Jason didn't miss anyone in particular, if he was being honest. He was an unattached bachelor after all, and he didn't have anything in particular to go home to. It had been at least a year since he'd seen his family last, as they lived in another state, and it wasn't like he couldn't go a long time without seeing his friends. Even Nat, his closest friend, they could go months without talking to each other and still pick up like they'd been chatting every day.
He guessed what he really missed was the option to talk to someone if he needed to. Or just the fact that even if he hadn't seen them for a long time, someone out there cared about him. The hostility and danger in this messed up world has been a hard pill to swallow, especially since he felt so utterly alone.
Or maybe he was just jealous. What was it even like to be so close? Jason didn't know if he would ever get the opportunity to find out.
And yet, maybe he just might. When Prompto sensed Jason hesitating, he turned back with a small smile, lifting the edge of his blanket in silent offering.
Something in him eased just a little, and Jason stepped inside, closing the tent flap behind him.
–
AN:
Short chapter today. Or rather, just kind of uneventful? Next one will be action packed, and Jason will get the chance to gain some trust!
Jason has become his own monster. No really, he's nothing like the original man I based him off of anymore. Well that's not entirely true. I'm sticking close to mannerisms, fighting abilities, sexuality, cultural background and looks, but as far as motivations go, he's growing into a different person. I guess that's the fun thing about writing, your characters seem to take over after a while.
Meh, all for the best. I think it would be weird if he did stay exactly like my friend when I write some of the things Jason will get up to ;")
Listen guys. I felt motivated to write this chapter so quickly because I received feedback :D It really helps. I'm pretty unlikely to write more when I don't think anyone's actually waiting for it, true story. So thanks to everyone who left me kind notes in my inbox :)) If you enjoy a motivated Lynnxrider, you know what to do.