Noctis first realised something was up with his best friend when they had been fooling around by the lake earlier that morning. They had decided to have a day off for a change, no hunts, no errands and with a bit of luck on there side no Imperials. They couldn't really avoid that one, if they were found they were found, there wasn't much they could do about it.
It had started as a lovely morning, clear crisp skies, Noct got a bit of a sleep in for a change. Waking nice and refreshed to the smell of eggs and toast, even the mysterious faint bruise forming on his shin hadn't dampened his mood. Likely Prompto's doing, it wasn't the first time he'd woken to bruising that wasn't there the previous day. He was actually starting to wonder if his friends were right about him being able to sleep through anything. He didn't dare let Prompto know about the bruises and made sure his advisor and shield didn't either. He knew the blonde would feel guilty if he found out he some times beat up his best bud in his sleep and it wasn't like Prompto could control what he did in his sleep anyway.
After breakfast Ignis had announced he was going to go foraging with Gladiolus -the wilderness expert of the group- for ingredients he could use in his cooking. Prompto had jumped to his feet announcing "Us too, bet I'll get some good shots out here." And by us Noct soon found out that meant him as well. He had originally been planing to get in a little more sleep but his best friend soon had his arm around his shoulders and was practically dragging him from the campsite. Which he was grateful for when they had stumbled across a lovely little fishing hole. Ignis and Gladio had ventured off to continue their search and Prompto being the good friend that he was stayed behind to make not so helpful comments and complain over lure choices. Everyone knew if the blonde fished the chocobo lure would be the only one he owned.
He hadn't had much luck though and any chances he had of catching anything were chased away with the fish when Prompto dropped his phone in the pond. Splashing about frantically with a dramatic, "Nooo-ohooo!" As he desperately tried to fish it out before it sunk to the bottom. Luckily their phones were hardy and for the most part water proof, though maybe not 'swimming with the fishes' proof. Ignis and Gladiolus had chose that moment to return. Gladio bursting into a roar of laughter at the sight before him, while Ignis calmly took the phone form him once Prompto had fished it from the water, stating that he had plenty of rice back at camp.
The broad shouldered brunette had joked about getting the blonde velcro gloves, and Noct had agreed saying he was surprised the screen was still legible with the number of times its been dropped. That had earned him a face full of water as Prompto scooped up a handful of water and tossed it at him. Which had lead to the all out water fight, Ignis had cunningly avoided by sneaking back to camp to ready lunch. At some point he and Gladio had both ended up shirtless and soaking wet as they attempted to wrestle Prompto out of his looking to toss him in the deep, as he was frustratingly good at avoiding getting wet for someone so clumsy.
The tattooed man had just subdued the squirming blonde, lifting him with his arms wrapped firmly around his waist as Noctis grabbed the hem of his sleeveless shirt. And then out of nowhere the whole mood shifted, Prompto's laughter and playful shouts of "let go." Died as his smile dropped and he started struggling in earnest. He was so stunned by his friend's sudden shift in mood he had completely forgotten he was still holding the hem of his shirt and before he knew it the other's foot connected with the centre of his chest with a growled out, "Back off!" Sending him tumbling off balance and flat on his back.
Gladio was at his side in seconds, dropping Prompto who landed on his hands and knees in the shallows. The brunette had asked him if he was alright as he slowly sat back up in the waist deep shallows, spiting out a mouth full of water. "What the hell, Prom?" He had asked as he rubbed the water from his eyes but by the time he could see clearly again his friend was already gone.
They had returned to camp only to find Prompto wasn't there and still hadn't returned by the time they had finished lunch.
Prompto let out a groan as lent back against the tree, the thick bark scratching at his skin as he slid down to the ground. He couldn't believe he had kicked Noct like that, he was his best friend and he had kicked him in the chest. All because of his own stupid freak outs, because he didn't want his friend to see him, didn't want anyone to see him. To see his pasty white belly and the ugly marks that marred it. The thin lines that were so white they practically glowed blue in the shadows, that decorated his sides and belly as a reminder of just how fat he used to be. When he'd first lost the weight he had hoped the marks would fade with time, now however it was clear they would remain to mock him for the rest of his life.
He was being a coward, he realised that. Trying to avoid the inevitable. He had taken off before Noct could regather his senses, not even so much as an apology. He then went on a long run, a really long run, to both clear his head and work off breakfast now however he was just dallying. Letting out a heavy sigh, he slowly pulled himself to his feet, the sky was slowly taking on a pinkish tinge and he knew he couldn't avoid his friends for ever. It was time to head back, to face Noct and the topic he knew he'd now have to breach. So taking a deep breath he started back towards the haven they where camped at, or at least he was ninety percent certain he was headed back to the haven. He probably could have paid a little more attention during his run.
Noctis was halfway down the safe haven as Prompto emerged from the trees and he didn't look overly pleased when the blonde gave him a wave.
"Where the hell have you been! We were about to form a search party." The ravenette snapped, concern clear in his voice.
"Aww, Noct I didn't know you cared." Prompto cooed playfully.
"Of course I care Prom, you really had me worried." And damn it all now Noct had that look on his face, the one that said I hate you for making me fret like that. The look that encouraged that ball of anxiety, guilt and self loathing that he tried so desperately to keep buried away as far as he could push it to try and bubbled to the top.
So Prompto did what he did best try and avoid the situation with humorous banter. "Come on Noct a search party is a bit serious isn't it? All you had to do was get Iggy to toss a few leiden peppers on the barbecue and I'd have followed my nose." He gave the prince a clap on the shoulder, pointing to his bare feet as he passed. "Would have been an awesome time to have had Gladio's wilderness survival brain though, totally forgot I didn't have my phone and I left my boots behind. Please tell me someone brought them back here, I don't think I'm ready to start going by the Barefoot Hunter- though it does have a nice ring to it. Oh, oh, no wait, the Bootless Bandit."
"The Shoe less Shooter." Ignis supplied.
"More like the Bootless Brat." Gladiolus snorted, earning a pouted "Hey." From the blonde.
"Prompto." He heard Noct say, not willing to let things slide just yet. Which was too bad because Prompto was determined to avoid the topic as long as he could, so ignoring the other he continued.
"Man, that smells good Iggy. I am starving, I thought I was going to die out there, I was so hungry I even considered trying to forage food for my self. I found these berries under a bush, at least I think they were berries, but then I figured knowing my luck I'd stick it in my mouth then find out it's some kind of monster dung. So I thought against it." He gave a small chuckle.
"As you should have, You should never eat anything you find in the wild if you do not know if it is safe or not." Ignis intoned from the cooker, before telling him. "You are in luck though dinner is almost done and your boots are indeed here, over by the tent." He motioned as Prompto trotted over to see what was cooking.
Luckily Prompto managed to get through the evening and through dinner without a subject of the mornings behaviour breach. Unfortunately his luck soon ran out as Noctis cornered him in the tent not long afterwards. Zipping the tent shut and blocking the blonde from the exit.
"No more ducking the topic, Prom. What the hell was that this morning?" Noct asked voice low so the two older men outside wouldn't hear. He figured he'd have a better chance of getting his friend to open up if it was just the two of them.
"A total disaster, first I kill my phone being my usual clumsy self then I lost my boots-"
"That's not what I mean and you know." Noctis interrupted giving him a pointed look.
Prompto let out a sigh, sitting back on his heels. "Sorry Noct, for kicking you like that. I didn't intend to... I didn't meant to, I just kind of... I don't know freaked out I don't even know why. Sorry. I guess I'm just not really used to taking my clothes off around others." He shrugged, before falling back on his usual defence in these types of situation. "And before you say we're all men, I get that but come on no-one could possible feel confident with their shirt off next to Gladi. The guy is like-"
"Cut the crap Prompto." Noct hissed out, his tone turning serious as midnight blue eyes shone with concern. "Please Prom, you're my best friend, You can confide in me."
"I just... I don't know, I really don't like taking my clothes off around other people." Prompto sighed, light blue eyes dropping to look at the floor as fingers picked at the leather bands around his wrist. As his friend so often tended to do when he was uncomfortable or anxious.
Thinking back Noctis realised in all the time they had been friends, he couldn't recall ever seeing Prompto take his shirt off. Growing up with either Iggy or some other appointed person to watch over him, constantly in his presence he guessed he just grew used to striping down to his boxers or getting changed around others. Where as the blonde had always changed in a bath room.
His friend still couldn't look at him as he continued. "I don't like showing my body... I don't... I hate how it looks and I don't want people seeing it. I know, I mean I get I'm going to have to show someone someday, especially if I intend to get into a serious relationship with someone. But it... I-I just..." Prompto let out a shaky breath, biting his lower lip as he found the courage to look up at his friend, his blue eyes glistening with building tears. "I have all these ugly scars and marks marring my skin from ba-"
"Scars." Noct gasped in shock, his eyes scanning frantically over his friend for any sign of injury as worry built in his chest. "W-wait, you didn't take a hit in battle that you've been hiding from us have you. Prom, you have to tell us if you get hurt so we-"
"Whoa, Noct calm down it's nothing like that." Prompto interrupted trying to calm his friend.
"Then what..."Noct started, before the memory of a chubby blonde boy tripping flat on his face in front of him came to mind. The first time Prompto had attempted to introduce himself to the prince, the blonde had not managed to work up the courage to try and talk to him again until high school after he lost all that weight and...Oh. "You mean like stretch marks."
"Y-yeah."Prompto's reply was shaky and Noct hated the way the rims of is eyes became redder as he tried to blink away the gathering tears.
"Hey," Noctis gripped his friends shoulder firmly in an attempt to comfort him. He had never been that good with emotional situations. "I'm sure it's not as bad as you're convinced it is. I mean everyone gets stretch marks at some point right?"
Prompto didn't look convinced but Noct wasn't entirely sure what else to say, so he remained silent, rubbing soothing circles on the blonde's shoulder with his thumb. Eyes shifting momentarily to Prompto's waist as his friend gripped the hem of his shirt with shaking hands, before looking up again as the blonde took a few calming breaths as he tilted his head back and closed his eyes. Noctis didn't miss the pained look that pinched at his friend's face momentarily as he looked away, turning and ducking his head to try and hide behind a curtain golden locks. His breathing had picked up and Noct put his own hands over Prompto's own trembling hands to stop him from lifting his shirt.
He waited until Prompto looked at him once more- confusion clear in tear leaden eyes, before speaking. "It's cool Pom, you don't have to show me if you're not ready. I'm just glad you decided to open up to me about it." He smiled warmly, pulling his friend into a half hug. "At least now I now how to avoid making the same mistake again."
"I really didn't mean to harm you Noct."
"I know."
"I guess you'll have to tell Gladi and Iggy now, huh. They should probably know too." Prompto said giving a weak smile as he wiped at his eyes.
"Nah," The ravenette breathed, looking to where the older two were seated out beyond the tent's door. "I mean I'll tell them you don't like taking your shirt off around others or whatever so they know. But I wont tell them all the details, I'll leave that up to you. I am close to both of them but that doesn't mean I share everything with them. Especially not my best friend's secrets that he has confided in me, I'll let you decide when or if you're ready to open up to them about it."
"Thanks." Prompto breathed out, sounding a lot more confident in himself now.
"No probs." He replied pulling away from the Blonde as he go to his feet, "Now how about we go and check if your phone survived it's swim and maybe get in a round of kings knight." He suggested.
"Sounds good to me." Some of his friend's usual cheer crept into his voice as he pulled himself to his feet. "I hope it's not fried, Ignis would never let me have another phone again."
Noctis let out a chuckle at that, as the two of them exited the tent. He'd still keep an eye on Prompto for now however, he got the feeling there was more the gunner wasn't telling him. That that wasn't all that was bothering his buddy, but he decided he'd let it slide for now. He didn't want to force him.