Chapter Three: Flowering

Prompto was considering it. Or trying, at the very least.

He still couldn't think on Noctis' words with anything but steadfast disbelief, even as he tried to find some kind of sense in them. "We fucked up" Noctis had said, like he wasn't the future King. "We should've done better" Prompto thought Noct was just being silly. Noctis was the Prince, the great future King of Light and Prophecies. As far as Prompto was concerned, Noctis had the full support of the Crown and Lucis Empire every time he spoke. He was infallible.

And yet.. Noct seemed to think he'd made a mistake. That Gladio and even Ignis -the perfect advisor- should have done something more. What they could have done he wasn't all that sure; he'd left of his own free will. He'd been sure it was the right decision at the time. Now? He still thought so. Although...

... if it had really been the right choice, why had they come back for him? Prompto remembered hoping beyond hope that Noctis would arrive, would make the pain stop, but he'd never thought he really would. The thought had just been something warm to cling on to in the cold of Zegnautus Keep. A night light in the dark that had felt like it was pressing in from all sides, eager to suffocate him.

He remembered at the end, Ardyn had said he'd survived longer than he'd expected. Prompto was still sure it was the thought of seeing Noctis' face again that had allowed him to cling to life for so long. He'd had nothing else to bother living for.

The only purpose he'd ever had was to serve the Niflheim Empire and he couldn't even do that anymore. That made Prompto laugh to himself in his camping chair, ignoring the concerned look the hollow noise garnered from Ignis, who was preparing breakfast nearby.

"Prompto dear, would you like breakfast now? Or later, when the others are awake?"

Prompto looked up at the question, the "Now please" coming with barely any thought. Of course he wanted it now. Then hopefully he could hide in the tent while Gladio and Noctis ate, avoiding the awkward silence that now accompanied campfire breakfasts.

It made Prompto's chest ache to remember how they used to be. Companionable and fun, full of teasing jokes and laughter. Well.. he'd known deep down that wouldn't be able to last. He wasn't supposed to have nice things, he didn't deserve them. Of course it was different now. It had been getting too good, more than what he'd deserved, so Ardyn had had to alter it. That made sense. It all made sense.

"Prompto, are you quite alright? Your hands are shaking." Prompto's head snapped up as Ignis spoke from right in front of him. He hadn't even noticed the advisor get so close, which.. that wasn't normal. He was supposed to be a soldier. He was observant. He should have noticed...

Ardyn would be disappointed.

"Prompto. Prompto, I want you to match your breathing to mine, okay? Are you listening to me?"

He nodded absently as he registered that he'd been asked a question, attention snapping back to Ignis once more as he felt soft hands cup each side of his face, gently coaxing him into making eye contact. He only realised then that he was breathing quickly, faster than anything that was normal. There wasn't enough air. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't-

"Please, match my breathing. You can do this Prompto. Come on."

He forced himself to listen because he didn't want to disappoint Ignis. He tried to match the pace of Ignis' steady, rhythmic breathing. He had a few false starts, breath stuttering before he could stop it, but soon enough he was breathing at a steadier pace. In and out, in and out. Ignis didn't release his face, keeping eye contact even as Prompto desperately wanted to look away. Why was he so pathetic? He couldn't even breathe correctly.

They stayed like that for a few more moments before Ignis finally let go of his face and turned, walking back towards his section of the haven, reserved for cooking. Prompto let out a silent exhale of relief that it was over. Ignis was no longer staring at him and seeing everything wrong with him, why he was so unworthy to be here. It was done.

But then Ignis came back and sat in the chair next to him, handing him a steaming bowl of porridge. Prompto took it numbly, stealing just a moment to appreciate the way the bowl warmed his hands. He stared down at the generous amount of maple syrup that Ignis always added to his porridge, knowing he preferred sweet foods.

"Do you want to talk about it? I think you should, Prompto. Its clear something is bothering you. Even if I can't help, I am always willing to lend my ear."

Prompto didn't look up, frown hidden as he continued to stare at the breakfast he could barely bring himself to eat. He didn't want to talk about it. If he did, Ignis might finally understand how unworthy he is, realise that he shouldn't be here. Prompto knew it was selfish, but he didn't want to go. Not just yet. He enjoyed being around these brilliant people, even as he knew he was just dragging them down. One day they'd realise that. Then they'd give him back to Ardyn, who would finally kill him. Or maybe Noctis would just do the job himself? He'd prefer that.

Maybe a negotiation was in order? Prompto nodded to himself, still not looking up at Ignis. Gladiolus and Noct were still safely asleep in the tent, so they didn't have to hear. Only Ignis would have to know, have to realise how pathetic he was, and Prompto hoped the man might take a day or two to think it all over before informing Noctis that they'd have to.. dispose of Prompto.

"Okay." He said finally, ignoring how his voice was shaking "Okay. I'll tell you, but.. for a favour."

He expected Ignis to laugh at him maybe, tell him that he was in no position to be demanding things. Prompto's gaze flickered to Ignis' face for just a moment, relieved as he saw curiosity there. Ignis was considering it. That was good.

"That.. it depends on what the favour is, I suppose. Really though Prompto, you're under no obligation to tell me anything anyway, but.. what is it you'd like?"

Prompto felt his lips twist into a grim smile at that. Ignis really was considering it. His answer came quickly, because he didn't have to think about it. He was already certain of what he wanted. "When you decide you don't want me around anymore, don't give me back to Niflheim. I know that'd be easier, but I'd like you to kill me yourself please. Okay?"

Ignis didn't say anything. Prompto didn't look at him, too scared of what expression he'd see on the man's face. Realisation, probably. Maybe pity, although he wasn't sure he wanted to see that one. The silence dragged on for a few more seconds, and then-

"What the fuck, Prompto?"

Prompto bolted out of his chair, bowl of porridge clattering to the floor, forgotten. He backed towards the fire, staring in shock at Noctis, who was standing a few feet behind his chair. Had he been standing there the whole time? How much had he heard?

Enough, apparently. Prompto couldn't tell what Noctis was thinking, a myriad of emotions painted across the Prince's face. He seemed.. upset? Why was he upset? Oh, maybe because he'd asked Ignis, instead of going to him? That would make sense. Noctis was the one in charge after all.

"Or you could do it, Noct. I don't mind who."

Prompto quickly realised that hadn't been the right thing to say, watching as an emotion he could clearly recognise as anger became prevalent on the Prince's face. It was clear as day, in the way Noctis' whole body bunched up like he wanted to fight something. Prompto tensed in response, preparing himself to run because Noctis was currently staring at him meaning he was the target of all that anger, and he was probably going to be attacked and-

Then it was all gone. Just like that Noctis seemed to be calm again, walking around from the backs of the chairs and sitting down in the seat Prompto had vacated. He was still staring at him but when he spoke his voice was quiet, steady. Not even a trace of his anger remained.

"Prompto. I'd like you to sit down in the chair next to me, okay? Yeah, this one. There we go." Prompto had followed the instructions, questioning Noctis' intentions. How had he gotten all that anger leave him in a second? He'd never seen anyone do that before.

"Prompto dear, I'd like you to answer something for me. What do you think is going to happen, over the next.. lets say a year. Could you give your prediction for the future?"

Ignis' words made Prompto's eyebrows draw together in confusion, the blonde unable to fathom why Ignis was asking him this. It's not like the future was in his control or anything. But both Noctis and Ignis were staring at him intently, so Prompto decided that maybe it was best to just try and answer.

"Well, uh.. I don't think it'll take a year. Maybe a week or two? And I'll mess up, or you'll just realise yourself that I'm not able to do anything useful for you guys, and then uh.. you'll probably drop me off at one of the military outposts, right? They'll give me back to Ardyn, and he'll kill me. I'm not... I'm not useful to anyone, anymore."

Before he even had time to react there were arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug. It was awkward because Noctis was pulling him half off his seat, but he hadn't really had time to stand up so there was a height difference. He didn't know what to do. Hug back? But before he had the chance Noctis was pulling away, staring at him with even more focus than before.

"I'm going to kill Ardyn." He said, and Prompto was shocked by the sheer amount of determination in his voice. He didn't think he'd ever heard Noctis sound so driven about anything before. Even Ignis was nodding to himself, seemingly sharing the same sentiment.

Prompto didn't know what to think. He didn't understand. How had Noctis heard all of that, heard him admit himself that he wasn't useful for anything anymore, and then come to that conclusion?

"But.. why?" He could hear it in his own voice, how lost he sounded. Then Noctis was hugging him again, and it reminded him of all the times they'd hugged before, making his heart hurt and pine for what he could no longer have.

"Ardyn has poisoned you, Prompto. Even when we first found you, you understood just how special you were. How useful. You're amazing Prom, even if you can't see it yourself"

He was shocked by the sheer sincerity of it. Noctis sounded completely certain, and even Prompto couldn't miss how the Prince seemed to genuinely believe what he was saying. He felt the burn of tears welling up in his eyes before he could help himself, hiding his face in Noctis' shirt, just as he had all those weeks -or was it months?- ago, at the Chocobo Outpost. Why was he always ruining Noctis' shirts with his tears?

"You really believe that, don't you?" He could barely believe the words coming out of his own mouth. This felt.. this was too good to be true. He didn't deserve this, not when he could offer nothing to pay back the kindness Noctis had shown him. "But I.. I'm not useful, Noct. I'm.. I'll slow you guys down."

Noctis pulled away and wiped at his own eyes, Prompto shocked to see that he'd been crying. Why? What did he have to cry over? Ignis spoke up, standing up from his chair. "Prompto... you're more useful than you seem to realise. You're the best marksman in all of Lucis, did you know? Practical skills aside, you offer us something that makes you incredibly dear to us. All of us."

Promtpo frowned in confusion, looking up at Ignis. What could he possibly be giving them, that could give him value? "What is it?" He asked, biting at his lip as he saw the warm smile that had appeared on Ignis face.

"You. Your companionship. You being here is all we could ever ask for, Prompto." Ignis' answer had his eyes welling up in fresh tears and this time he initiated the hug, wrapping his arms tight around Ignis. Ignis didn't even tense in surprise, only wrapping his long arms around him, rubbing soothingly circles into his back.

In that moment, Prompto truly understood what being loved felt like.

(A/N: I'm sorry I took so long to update! College has been kicking my ass, and I wanted to finalise the plot for this before I wrote any further. But now I know 100% where Exsomnis is going it's full steam ahead!)