Hello all! Life is super crazy at the moment, but I don't want to stop posting, so there just might be shorter chapters for a bit. Hope you all don't mind, but it's the best I can manage for now! Enjoy!

Prompto shifted, trying to find a more comfortable position in the back of Ignis' car. Next to him, Gladio glanced over, probably making sure he was still doing okay. He was quick to flash a weak smile up at the big guy and then turn his attention back to the phone in his hands.

Ignis had lent him his phone after he'd been settled into the car, saying that perhaps Prompto and Noctis would enjoy a bit of King's Knight during the drive. It had been a pleasant distraction from the pain, and Prompto found himself feeling incredibly indebted to Ignis for the kind gesture. He knew the Advisor kept his detailed itinerary on the device and typically wouldn't let either Noct or Prompto near it.

Tentatively, he glanced up at the front, catching sight of the back of Noctis' head.

Prompto had been a bit flustered at his friend's eagerness to clamor into the front seat – seemingly settling as far from the blond as possible, but he quickly realized that, with his injuries, he really appreciated having the extra room in the back to sprawl out.

Noct was just being considerate…that was all…really…

The soft tones of a number being dialed sounded from beside Prompto, but he didn't look up. He already knew Gladio was making yet another call, trying to get in touch with someone who could help locate his parents.

"Hey, Cor," Gladio said, and Prompto flinched.

Marshal Cor Leonis? Gladio was calling Cor the Immortal to help find his parents?

Prompto almost looked up from his game then, but, instead, he forced himself to keep his eyes glued on the screen. However, his attention was focused solely on the Shield's conversation.

He'd seen the Marshal in the Citadel a couple of times, and each time Prompto had cowered under the man's gaze. There was something so knowing about the way the Immortal looked as him. It was as if he could see right through him, as if he could see all his secrets.

Just knowing Gladio was speaking to the man now made Prompto shiver.

"Yeah, sorry, I know you're busy, but I need a favor. You know Noctis' friend, Prompto?" Gladio paused, listening. "Yeah, him. Well, his parents have been gone on business for quite a while and the kid hasn't heard from them. He's worried something happened." Again, he paused, and Prompto could just barely hear the faintest sounds of the deep voice on the line, but he couldn't make out what the man said.

The King Knight's game was going terribly. Prompto was absentmindedly playing, letting his fingers dance across the phone without really considering what he was doing. Thankfully, Noct hadn't called him out on his poor playing. He probably knew Prompto was distracted by the conversation happening beside him. Heck, judging by how Noct was playing, he was probably distracted by the call as well.

"You know them? How?" Gladio shifted, his tone sounding a bit annoyed. "You didn't say anything about a month ago when I was asking about them – running background checks and stuff. It would've been nice to know they were old friends of yours." More indistinguishable noise sounded from the line and Gladio shrugged. "Okay, it's none of my business, but can you help find them?"

Prompto felt his chest tighten. His parents had never told him anything about knowing Cor the Immortal.

Why would they know him? Did he know about the barcode tattoo? Did he know about…?

Memories of his mother telling him about how he came to Lucis flooded back to Prompto. She'd said a small party of Crownsguards had infiltrated Niflheim on a secret mission. One of them had found him in need of care…the story always became a bit unclear from there, and Prompto always had the feeling there was something either his parents didn't know, or couldn't bring themselves to tell him. How had the Crownsguard found him? Why was he alone? Why did he have a barcode tattooed on his wrist? Did everyone from Niflheim have that?

She'd said the man took pity on him and snuck him into Lucis. That he'd had brought him straight to his her and her husband, and they'd loved him ever since.

The only item he'd had with him was Chirpy, the stuffed Chocobo. Apparently, the Crownsguard had picked it up along the journey to sooth the youngster.

Was Cor…was he the one who'd found him?

"Fine, okay, call me when you hear something." Gladio lowered the phone and ended the call.

Prompto couldn't help himself any longer. He looked up at the man beside him. There were a million questions dancing through his head, though he doubted Gladio could answer any of them.

If Cor knew his secret, why hadn't he done anything? Why would he let him be friends with Prince Noctis? Would he try to put an end to their friendship eventually? Had he told others? Did King Regis know?

Panic entangled Prompto, so that he was drawing in short, clipped breaths. The car suddenly felt unbearably warm, and he thought of asking Ignis to turn up the air, but he couldn't seem to find his voice.

Sucking in shuddered gasps, chest constricted, vision blurring, Prompto just wanted out – wanted to be free of the confines of the vehicle, but he knew that wasn't possible just yet.

"Hey," Gladio whispered, and Prompto felt a hand settle on his back, patting him gently. "I need you to calm down a bit, okay? Take in a nice deep breath…yeah, like that…and hold it. Good. Okay, slowly let it out. Yeah, you're doing good. Now, again. Good…"

Prompto followed the instructions, clinging to Gladio's words as if they were a lifeline. Eventually, he was able to breathe normally as the tightness in his chest eased.

"I-I'm s-sorry…" Prompto mumbled, embarrassed by the sound of his own voice.

Gladio smiled. His face, usually so gruff and intimidating, held an expression of graceful calm and care. It was the way he looked at Iris sometimes. Prompto recognized it from some of the pictures he had taken of the two. He'd wondered what it would have been like to have an older brother like Gladio, and now, if only for a few minutes, he thought he knew. He felt safe.

"No more apologies, okay, kid?" Gladio said softly. "Not for stuff like this anyways. It's okay to be upset. You've been through a lot lately."

Prompto gave a weak nod, and then realized Ignis' phone was no longer in his hands. Quickly, he spotted it on the floor and leaned over to retrieve it, only to feel a sharp stab of pain run up his leg. He couldn't help the yelp that escaped him, and his vision went a bit fuzzy. He squeezed his eyes shut, riding through the wave of pain that encased him.

When he dared open his eyes, he realized that Gladio had pressed him back into the seat and was holding him in place with one large, muscular arm. He opened his mouth, ready to apologize, but then he remembered what the Shield had said, and he snapped it shut again.

"Just take it easy for a bit, okay," Gladio said. "I got Ignis' phone, so you don't need to worry about that. If you want to play more, I can give it to you. Would you like it?"

Prompto thought about that for a moment, but he quickly realized he didn't want to spend the energy needed to focus on King's Knight. Slowly, he shook his head. As the car continued on, Prompto closed his eyes and leaned into Gladio's hold.

At any other time, he would have been embarrassed, but he was too tired to care about humiliation now. The pain was starting to sap him of too much of his strength.

Everyone remained silent. No further calls were made. Even with his eyes closed, Prompto knew there was a thick tension hanging over the group. Part of him wanted to try and crack a joke, to make the others feel better, but the pain and exhaustion held him still and quiet.