Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 12

After Ignis telling them all he felt better, stronger, just being close to Prompto, they had left him in the room. It helped too that he had managed to calm the boy when he panicked and the last thing anyone wanted was for him to hurt himself or others if he woke and thought he was back in Imperial custody. So Ignis sat on a chair beside the bed, holding a pale hand in his, the IV back in his other arm to help rehydrate him.

He wasn't sure how long he had sat there before Prompto began to stir so he gently squeezed the hand he was holding before gently stroking the skin on the back of it. "It's alright Prompto, you're safe," he murmured when Prompto whimpered. "You're in Insomnia, no one is going to hurt you." He would fight to protect the boy, not because he was being influence, but because Noctis loved him and he could feel that Prompto loved Noctis in return, even if the blond didn't recognise the emotion yet.

Blue eyes slowly opened, widening in fear and Ignis shifted to lean over so that Prompto could see him, smiling gently. "I…Ignis?" he whispered, sounding confused and he slowly lifted his other hand to gently brush blond hair away from Prompto's eyes, not at all hurt by the slight flinch. Considering what he'd been through, it was amazing he was letting him close at all.

"Yes, it's not a dream. You're safe now," he promised. "Would you like to sit up?" he asked and Prompto nodded hesitantly so he carefully raised the head of the bed, watching quietly as Prompto looked around warily, rubbing at his wrists.

"Noct?" he asked quietly.

"Is in the isolation room across from this one, with the King and his physician," he assured him but the boy still flinched. "Shh, nothing that happened to either of you is your fault," he promised.

"How do you know that?" he asked. He scratched at his wrist and Ignis saw the black lines there, reaching out to gently grasp it, feeling him stiffen. He stroked a thumb over the raised lines that marked all MT's, like something to be bought at a store. He felt Prompto shiver but kept up the gentle touch, happy when he slowly relaxed. "You think they caught you because of this?" he asked and Prompto nodded, looking away.

"There's…there's scanners everywhere in Niflheim, that's...it's why I had to run…to come to Lucis. They would've found me fast. I…kept it covered and…I added more layers over it when we left the hills but the ship scanners are really strong…"

"And Leide is very large," Ignis butted in. "Did you detect any ships overhead at any point?" he asked and Prompto considered before shaking his head. "I very much doubt the scanners are so powerful as to be able to pick you out when they aren't in visual range. I've seen the reports and footage, they set a trap Prompto. They made sure the Glaive would need to go big to take out a group, knew it would draw Noctis' attention. Three fights like the one you were in happened at almost exactly the same time. You just got caught in the one where Glauca and the Chancellor showed up which made fighting free all but impossible. Even the King had to retreat from the general in Tenebrae. You were hit twice and yet you still kept shooting until Noctis could heal you, you fought until they knocked you out to get to him, begged him to run and save himself, even knowing what they would do to you. None of it is your fault," Ignis told him firmly but gently.

Prompto shook his head. "Just saying that…cause of what I am…you shouldn't be in here."

"The room has active dampeners Prompto, while they cannot stop the effect fully, they can negate much of it, and it takes time for it to work, you haven't been here that long. Besides, I can feel your emotions, because of Noctis and because of what I am," he assured him. "Even if I was being influenced, I would still be able to tell what you truly feel towards Noctis and those emotions are strong and true. You would die to save him," he whispered and Prompto nodded. He smiled and squeezed his hand again. "Now, onto more mundane this. How do you feel? You were in pain when you arrived but I believe that is gone now?" Prompto nodded. "Good. Do you feel up to eating?"

"What they…did it...how much?"

Ignis frowned in confusion before realising what he was asking. "You still have a functioning digestive system and need to eat. Your heart is also intact. From what I saw of the scans, your brain is also untouched, in case you were worried about that." Which he likely was. "Your limbs have been reinforced and so you are likely stronger than you are used to. You only had the core and an implant in your arm before?"

"It's a port," he rubbed at the skin and then pressed, revealing the metal and Ignis reached out before stopping but Prompto just held his arm out, watching him warily. Ignis gently gripped his arm to look.

"Does it hurt?"

"No."

"Good," he smiled but then gently stopped the hand reaching for the IV. "Please leave it in, you were dangerously dehydrated Prompto. I promise, it is only fluids to help you recover, no drugs now that the pain relief has been stopped. Until you've drunk more and can show you can keep the fluids and food down it's safer for your health," he explained, but if Prompto really wanted it out…he would remove it for the sake of his mental health. "Here, let me show you," he got up and drew the pole with the bag attached into view, opening the secondary valve in the bag to let some of the liquid drip into his hand, bringing his hand back to where Prompto could see it, letting him sniff it before lapping up the drops himself to prove it wasn't harmful.

"O…okay," Prompto agreed shakily and Ignis smiled at him.

"I'll call for some food and if you stay awake long enough, perhaps you would like a shower?" he suggested seeing him perk up slightly at the suggestion. Ignis got up and ordered a light meal for Prompto and the same for himself, while he didn't need human food he did enjoy it.

They ate quietly, Ignis helping when Prompto flagged, watching carefully for any sign he was going to be sick. Thankfully, Prompto seemed well aware of that risk and was taking great care to eat and drink very slowly.

"Feel up to a shower?"

"Please," he whispered.

Ignis grabbed a gown from the cabinet and helped him slip his arms in, ignoring the blush as Prompto realised he was naked under the blankets. He fastened the gown and then lowered the bed to make it easier, removing the IV but leaving the canula in so that it could be reattached when he was back in bed, covering it to keep the water from getting into it. it was a good thing he'd had to learn a lot of this when Noctis was young. He supported Prompto over to the attached bathroom and into the shower where Prompto sagged against the wall.

"Will you allow me to help?" he asked gently. "I will juts support you unless you ask me to do something more to help."

Prompto hesitated before nodding, obviously realising he needed the help. Ignis helped him out of the gown, glad he wasn't dressed in his normal formal Crownsguard clothing but far more casually since he'd been so ill and he had spare clothing in the Armiger. He pulled his shirt off though since he thought it might make Prompto feel less embarrassed about being totally bare. The boy relaxed under the warm water, sluggishly trying to wash with the soap. It wasn't the most thorough of jobs but it was good enough for a first try. As soon as he was back in bed he fell asleep again.

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When Prompto woke up it was to see Ignis across the room, speaking with an older man who looked vaguely familiar…from a news article? Pictures? He felt his heart rate jump, a small whimper sounding and they both turned to look at him. He vaguely heard Ignis call his name but all he could do was stare at Cor Leonis…the Immortal, Marshal of the Crownsguard. He tried to push himself back, away, trying to get off the bed and then someone was holding his hands and he whimpered again.

"Shh Prompto, look at me, come on, focus on me. You're safe Prompto, no one will hurt you," the words slowly cleared and he recognised the voice, Ignis.

He tried to turn his gaze away, to look at the Incubus who had been so kind to him but he couldn't. All he could do was stare at the man who had featured in his nightmares as a child, the man who killed so many MT's, was he going to kill him too? Suddenly the view was blocked and then soft, cool, lips were pressed to his and he gasped. Kissing…Ignis was kissing him? A hand stroked through his hair as Ignis' lips moved against his and he felt the tension drain out of his body, unable to focus on anything but Ignis and the sensations of him touching him. A distant part of his mind realised Ignis was using his powers on him but he didn't care. He whined when Ignis broke the kiss but the hand stayed in his hair, stroking gently.

"That's it Prompto, you're alright," Ignis murmured, green eyes tinted silver, so pretty… Ignis smiled. "Thank you," he whispered and Prompto blinked, had he said that out loud?

Slowly the hyper awareness began to fade, Ignis' eyes becoming fully green again and Prompto shook his head dazedly. "Wha…."

"I apologise," Ignis offered formally, bowing his head. "I could see no other way of helping to calm you and the doctors were going to sedate you, something you would not have wanted," he explained and Prompto saw them, saw the needle and his breathing began to speed up again. "Ignore them Prompto, focus on me," Ignis urged and he whimpered. "Shhh, I won't let them do anything without your permission," he promised.

Could he believe him? But...Ignis had kept his word the whole time. He was bound to Noct too. He forced himself to look back at Ignis who smiled at him.

"That's it, I'm right here," Ignis promised, and Prompto trembled. He trusted Noct like he never had anyone else but maybe, Ignis…he reached out and Ignis pulled him into a hug, rubbing his back as he shook, tears falling. "I've got you."

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Cor had been shocked to see Prompto go deathly pale, whimpering, terrified, as soon as he saw him. saw him practically fall off the bed, trying to get away, the monitors beginning to go crazy as his heart rate went way too high. He backed off as Ignis tried to calm the boy but he wasn't responding.

Medical staff rushed in, preparing to sedate him until Ignis blocked them and Cor snapped an order for them to back off, seeing his hands flex in preparation for summoning his dagger. As soon as they did he turned back to the bed and then shocked everyone by kissing Prompto. Within seconds, Prompto began to relax, heart rate dropping to a more normal rate, and Cor knew Ignis was using his powers to get the boy…MT focused on him only.

He supposed Prompto's reaction answered the question of if he remembered being found by the team. Why would seeing him cause him to panic so much? Unless…what did the Empire tell baby MT's about him, or Clarus, or Regis? Were they the monsters under the bed? But Regis hadn't mentioned his presence causing Prompto to panic. He glared the medics out of the room as the blond broke down in Ignis' arms, he wasn't a floor show.

As the tears calmed ignis glanced at him and nodded so he shifted to lean on a wall not in Prompto's sight line, hopefully the Adviser could work out what the issue was and assure him Cor wasn't going to hurt him or anything. He had come to ask what he knew of Collars and their controllers.

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Ignis was relieved when the tears stopped, obviously Prompto had needed another good cry and after everything he had been through, he didn't blame him. "Feeling better?" he asked softly and then felt Prompto cringe, keeping up the gentle stroke of his hair. It was interesting that his powers worked on him, though why wouldn't they when he was a little more than half organic still? "It's alright, you needed the emotional release of a good cry, it's completely expected. You have been through a very traumatic ordeal; I'd be worried if you didn't break down occasionally for a while."

"Sorry," he still whispered and Ignis tightened the hug before slowly letting go, helping him recline again, getting the cup of water to help him drink, glad the IV was still attached. Crying the way he had been was rather thirsty work.

Ignis reclaimed his hand but remained seated on the edge of the bed. "Prompto, do you remember anything of how you got to Insomnia?" he watched as he concentrated, trying to remember but eventually he shook his head. "That's alright, you were in rather bad condition when you were found. We've had teams in Leide in the hop you would be able to escape or signal your location somehow. While we did get a heading for the ship that took you, it changed course at some point. Plans were coming together for strikes against the bases within Lucis in the hope you were being held in one, obviously that was the case."

Ignis paused to make sure the tired boy…young man was following and he was. "One of those teams was just setting up camp for the night when they noticed movement in the distance, human movement. Two of them went to investigate and found you walking along, pulling Noctis with you. They tried to speak with you but you didn't seem to realise they were thee, you just kept walking, whispering about saving Noctis. They each picked one of you up and rushed you back to their camp where basic medical aide in the form of a curative was administered. They weren't sure it would work on you but it did. you were dressed in a torn and very bloody medical gown and Noctis apparently had a bit of fabric around his hips."

Ignis had to pause then and looked down as Prompto squeezed his hand, smiling at the other blond. "It was morning before a retrieval team could reach you and the you were both brought straight here and into isolation for secrecy and security. The team that found you were the same Glaives that saw the fight, plus one. Marshal Cor Leonis was with them, he was the one who first spotted you, who gave you a human safe potion."

Prompto was staring at him with wide eyes. "Don't remember," he admitted shakily. I…they were…" he took a shaky breath. "I remember the surgeries….they were talking about…about installing a command unit and they…they touched Noct…had to get away before they could do that."

"A command unit?" Ignis asked gently and Prompto touched his head…where a large section of hair had been partially shaved away. "I see," he forced back the desire to be sick. "The scans of your brain are clean Prompto, there is nothing in there," he assured him, reaching out to stroke the shorn hair.

Prompto nodded shakily. "They…they had a box…it hurt, said it was connected to the new implants. If…if I was good it wouldn't hurt but he touched Noct," he took in a shuddering breath and Ignis tightened his grip on his hand. They left for lunch and I tried talking to Noct but he just knelt there, staring… they came back and…" he looked down at their joined hands. "Knew I had to get out, had to save Noct, but….I don't remember getting free or anything."

"It's not surprising, you were badly wounded, covered in blood, and…not all of it was yours. You must have been walking for days with no food or water, dragging Noctis along with you," Ignis told him, glancing up at Cor briefly. "You had something in your hand when you were found, that is why Cor came, to ask you about it. He won't hurt you Prompto, Cor serves the Crown and you have the King's protection. You nearly died at least twice to try and protect Noctis, another reason to not hurt you."

"Ignis is right Prompto," Cor spoke up softly and Prompto tensed, but Ignis soothed him and Cor slowly moved forward to where Prompto could see him. "I won't hurt you. I don't know what the Hunters or those in the Empire would have told you about me, but I do not go around randomly killing people. I have no reason to harm you."

Ignis held Prompto's hand, rubbing the back of it gently, feeling how tense he was. Ignis shifted around on the bed, pulling Prompto into his arms, rubbing his back.

Cor brought out a photo and approached slowly, holding it out. Prompto hesitated but then took it, looking at in confusion before his eyes widened.

"I had this?"

"You know what it is?"

"The controller for Noct's collar. I saw the Chancellor use it before…." He shuddered. "I had it?"

"Coated in blood," Cor agreed.

"Oh," he shrugged slightly. "I don't remember getting it."

"We've taken scans, but no one knows how to use it. Do you know anything about it? We were hoping it could be used to remove the collar?" Cor asked and Prompto frowned.

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He stared down at the picture, there been some basic classes on the things since MT's could be deployed with them but it was very basic. "I uh…left before we got more than the very basic classes on them, but…I'm really good with Imperial tech and I know some of the stuff is hidden."

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Cor looked at him, seeing the loathing on his face as he stared at the photo. He'd watched what footage there was of the boy since he'd been brought in, seeing the sheer blind panic waking in a medical room had caused, heard his screams when he saw the scans… he reached into his pocket and handed the device over, seeing blue eyes go wide in shock even as he held it very carefully.

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Prompto bit back the disbelieving question about Leonis' sanity at just handing it over. He very carefully turned it over in his hands, eyes picking out the subtle markings in the Gralean dialect, good thing he remembered it from childhood. He felt sick just holding it but this was for Noct. They had to get the collar off, this might not be the only unit attuned to it and he didn't know what the range on them was. "I need to see the collar," he said after a while. "It should have some codes imprinted on it."

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Ignis looked at Cor, he saw no problem with letting Prompto see Noct to see the collar. He was Oathbound to the Prince, he couldn't harm him. Cor stared at him before nodding.

"Can you walk?" he asked and Prompto immediately started trying to get up.

"Easy, let me help," Ignis told him. He helped him shift to sit on the edge of the bed and then got up, wrapping an arm around Prompto's waist to help him stand, the blond handing Cor the unit just to be safe. He saw Prompto wince so he scooped him up, he'd been walking through Leide barefoot for who knew how many days, even with the noted accelerated healing, they had to still be sore. Cor opened the door and they left Prompto's room, going for the next one over.

"Cor?" the King asked as Ignis carried Prompto inside. He stood from the chair beside the bed and nodded to Ignis who crossed the room and set Prompto down on it, the blond not paying any attention, eyes locked on Noctis.

"He had some lessons on collars before defecting, said there's codes imprinted on the collar," the Marshal explained. Ignis watched as Prompto leant in to see the collar, grabbing the bed control to lower it so he wouldn't have to stand.

"Noct…." Prompto whispered, shakily reaching out to touch the collar, obviously looking with his fingers, running them over the metal. "It's okay, we're safe now," he whispered to Noctis as he worked. "I need to get to the back," he finally said, slowly pushing up to his feet, holding on to the rail of the bed.

Ignis gently sat Noctis forward, supporting his limp body so that Prompto could get a look.

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Regis watched his sons Retainers, both so gentle, vampire hearing picking up the whispers of Prompto trying to tell Noctis he was alright. Who knew, maybe Noctis could hear them since they were still bonded. It was a shock to see no reaction from Noctis to either of them touching him when usually it had him reacting in pleasure. Maybe the collars weren't meant to react to MT's, saw the as part of the furniture? No, not if ones who looked like Prompto had been used. The bonds somehow keeping it from happening? He didn't know but it was a relief.

Prompto finished and collapsed back into the chair while Ignis resettled Noctis, the blond looking to Cor who handed over the controller. He watched the boy examine it again and smile in relief. "It's definitely synced to Noct's collar."

"How can you be sure?" Cor asked.

"All collars and controllers come with serial numbers that don't match. That way anyone stealing them is unlikely to grab a pair, most people would grab ones with matching numbers, assuming that meant they were paired."

"Clever," Regis admitted .

"Mmmhmm." The blond was doing something to the unit, fingers running over it, pressing seemingly randomly. The collar suddenly lit up and they saw the eerie sight of Noctis' eyes glowing a matching red before it faded and there was a loud click. Prompto put the controller down and stood again to reach for the collar, carefully pulling it open and then off Noctis' Ignis lifting his head so it would come free. Prompto tossed the collar and controller away from the bed, before leaning forward slightly, fingers gently running over Noctis' cheek. "Noct? Can you hear me? It's Prompto."

Regis walked over to join them, reaching for his son's hand, finding it limp. He squeezed gently. "Son?" he called. "Noctis please wake up, it's Dad." He looked up to see Ignis pressing a hand to Noctis' forehead, eyes going silver, and he knew he was trying to reach Noctis through their bonds.

They all watched in hope as Noctis sighed softly, eyes falling shut. "He…he's asleep," Ignis murmured. "I haven't felt him sleep since the collar went on."

"He must be exhausted," Cor offered.

Regis reached out with his other hand to run through black hair, relieved when it didn't cause the same reaction as before.

"I stopped that, before turning it off," Prompto whispered shakily. "Just…just in case taking it off doesn't change anything, he shouldn't be made to react like that," he explained.

Regis lifted his hand from his sons hair to gently clasp a hospital gown clad shoulder, tearful blue eyes lifting to meet his. "Thank you. No matter the outcome of this, thank you."

TBC…