Hey all, life has been super crazy busy for me, but I'll keep trying to post a new (if short) chapter each week. Sorry if this is a bit choppy or unpolished. Like I mentioned, my days are really crazy now...so I don't have all the time I'd like to have for writing. Well, here it is though...Enjoy!
Ever vigilant of the keeping the Prince's safety paramount, Ignis tried valiantly to keep his attention focused on the road ahead, but it was challenging to force his concern and guilt from distracting him.
Beside him, he could see Noctis cast anxious glances back at his friend. It felt unnatural to go so long in complete silence while Prompto was present, and the Prince's worry was obviously mounting by the minute.
Even Ignis found himself glancing in the rearview mirror, checking up on the young blond, but what he saw was hardly comforting.
Pale skin sheened with sweat, Prompto was leaning against Gladio. The boy's eyes were closed, but he hardly looked to be resting peacefully. Pain etched his expression and each breath he took seemed a touch labored.
Ignis tried to refocus on his driving, to let the Shield worry about their wounded comrade for the time being, but his thoughts just kept drifting back to the youth.
The ride to the Citadel felt excruciatingly long, and Ignis let loose a quiet sigh of relief when they'd finally reached their destination.
Prompto remained frightfully still as the car pulled to a stop and as Ignis and Noct shuffled out. His eyes only opened after Gladio shifted slowly, his great arms gently easing under the youth, ready to lift him up.
Obviously startled and embarrassed, Prompto gave a quiet yelp, and his cheeks flushed a dull hue of pink as he was picked up, but as his gaze settled on the wheelchair a Crownsguard pushed up to the car, the boy seemed to relax slightly.
Undoubtedly, Ignis thought, Prompto hadn't been keen on the notion of being carried through the Citadel cradled in Gladio's arms. In preparation of their arrival, before they'd even left Prompto's domicile, Ignis had texted in the request for the wheelchair. There was no need to bruise the boy's ego any more than necessary.
Gladio delicately placed Prompto in the chair and Noctis handed the plush Chocobo over to his friend. For a moment, Prompto just held the toy awkwardly, as if he was considering handing it back, rejecting it, but his expression softened and he gave the bird a tender hug before setting it snuggly beside him.
The Crownsguard who had wheeled the chair out moved to start pushing Prompto toward the Citadel, but Gladio waved the man off and, rather protectively, took up the position behind the chair. Ignis watched the scene unfold, knowing that if Gladio hadn't moved in, he would have done so himself.
Then, as Gladio started to push Prompto up the ramp toward the Citadel, Ignis turned his attention to Noctis.
The Prince had yet to take more than three steps from the car. His eyes fixed on the chair slowly winding its way up the ramp. Brow furrowed, the dark haired boy stood biting his lower lip, hesitation and worry clearly visible in his expression.
"Noctis," Ignis called and watched the Prince listlessly turn to face him. "Could you take Prompto's bag to the guest chambers nearest your room and see to it that the room is properly made up for him? Perhaps you could set up a gaming console so that you two can play while he recovers?"
A slow nod was Noctis' response. There was no argument, even though this was a task well below his status. Anyone else could have seen to this, but Ignis knew the boy needed a distraction, something that would be helping Prompto without the Prince having to endure going to the medical wing of the Citadel.
Noctis, ever since the incident in his youth, had never willingly gone to the medical wing. Ignis knew the boy associated that area too closely with the fear and pain of his previous wounds and slow recovery.
After scooping up Prompto's bag, Noctis started up the stairs, easily making it to the doors before Gladio had finished climbing the sprawling ramp system. Lost in thought, the Prince slipped into the building.
Catching sight of Prompto's distressed expression as he watched his friend depart, Ignis was quick to make his way up the stairs and join the pair before Gladio had them inside.
"Noctis simply went ahead to make sure the guest quarters are appropriately made up for you." Ignis stated, staring down thoughtfully at the boy. "We'll see him again, later, after Gladio and I take you to the medical wing."
"Will you stay with me?" Prompto's voice was quiet, timid. "Please?" The last word was no more than a shaky whisper.
That set such an ache into Ignis' chest. The fear and need for comfort just rang too clearly in the boy's voice.
"Gladio has some business he must see to…" Ignis replied, biting back the remarks of how this business was tracking down Prompto's absentee parents and asking them why, in the name of the Six, had they left their poor boy alone for so long. "…but I shall stay by your side the entire time. I promise."
Prompto gave a content sigh and leaned back in the chair. Eyelids fluttering shut, he managed a quiet, "Thank you, Iggy…"
Gladio and Ignis exchanged a look, something that let them silently convey their agreement to protect the blond, to comfort him and ease their growing heartbreak over his situation.
"We should get moving," Ignis said at last, spurring Gladio back into motion.
Once inside the Citadel, they moved steadily toward the medical wing, but their arrival had not gone without notice.
Servants, Crownsguards and Glaives all stepped forward, voicing concern for the Prompto, and it came upon Ignis to offer quick reassurances and then send the people away so that they could keep moving. Offers of help, of concern and well-wishes followed them throughout the halls.
It seemed, much to Ignis' amusement, Prompto had made quite a few friends at the Citadel. Somehow, that came as little surprise.
Prompto was tired. His eyes were burning, begging to close, but he knew the pain would continue to drive sleep away. Plus, as he was being wheeled through the Citadel, there were so many different people that kept trying to talk to him, to ask him questions. He felt the need to stay alert, pay attention, but it was so difficult.
It probably should have been nice to see how many people cared, but all Prompto really wanted to do was hide away. He cringed every time Ignis had to explain that he had merely fallen off his bike.
Yeah, clumsy me, I fell off my bike while most of the people here in the Citadel are fiercely training and battling daemons and being in actual danger.
He kept quiet though, holding a strained smile in place for each person who stopped their group asking if he was okay, biting back his embarrassment for each exclamation of worry and look of concern. They all meant well, but their fuss made him feel like a fragile child, totally unworthy of being allowed into the building.
As their progression slowed, Ignis and Gladio finally just started ordering everyone that they came across to stand aside, and Prompto felt another surge of gratitude for their actions.
"We're almost there," Ignis reassured him, "Just down this hall."
Prompto eyed the short hallway, bit his lip and nodded.
There would be cold examination tables, needles and bright lights. He was sure of it, and his breath hitched a bit as he considered what awaited him.
He'd always been rather healthy, no dire injuries plagued his youth, so his trips to the health centers were always short, uneventful, but each trip had brought a deep terror to Prompto. He'd kept it hidden, even from his parents, unsure of what it meant.
For as long as he could remember, he'd had nightmares of…a medical center? He wasn't quite sure. There was pain and coldness and fear. In these dreams he was alone a lot, trapped in a small confine, knowing that injections and prodding and pain were to come. There was no warmth. There was no love.
He shivered at the thought of those nightmares, hoping beyond hope that they didn't hold any truths.
Now, being wheeled down the hall toward the Citadel Medical Center, panic slowly bloomed in him again.
They are only going to help…no need to get all worked up. No one is going to hurt me. No one is going to hurt me…
He was shaking now, and no matter how hard he tried, Prompto couldn't make it stop.
Gladio's pace picked up, and Ignis stepped ahead to fling open the large double doors that had the word 'Medical' emblazed across them in elegant gold letters.
Prompto closed his eyes and braced himself for…well…he wasn't sure what, but he braced himself.
The room was warm and smelled of disinfectant. Gladio wheeled him a bit further and then the chair stopped.
"Why, hello there…" The soft female voice was smooth and intoxicatingly calm.
Prompto opened his eyes to find a plump woman in her mid to late forties standing before him. Her hair, grey and silver, was pulled back in a tight ponytail, and her sparkling dark brown eyes were lit with a subdued joy as she stared down at him. Everything about her screamed warmth and comfort.
"My name is Sharah. I'm a doctor here at the Citadel Medical Facility, and I'll be looking after you today, okay?" She said, and Prompto couldn't help but smile up at her.
"O-okay…" he managed. "It's nice to meet you, Sharah."
She moved forward, slowly, crouching down to meet him at eye level. "I'm sorry to hear you've had a bit of an accident, but we'll get you patched up. I've already examined your medical records and see that we'll need to do a slow potion dosing, just to watch your bodies' reaction to this first time healing. Can you tell me what is bothering you? Where does it hurt the most?"
Eyes fixed on Prompto, Sharah listened so intently as he told her of his injuries.
"Loose gravel?" She scowled. "That just so happens to be my arch-nemesis. I had a similar spill about three years ago, except I managed to knock myself unconscious. I woke up in my own medical facility on my day off. Of course, I was wearing my favorite spandex athletic suit with dancing moogles all over it. The Glaives will never let me live that down." Sharah paused, flashing another bright smile at Prompto. "Ah, enough of that story. Let's get some x-rays taken to see what's going on. I doubt the breaks are that bad. We'll probably just need to put a brace on to keep the bones in place while the potion doses heal the limbs. You shouldn't have to wear the braces for more than a week."
Sharah was careful to explain everything before she set to work, and Prompto found himself, for one of the first times ever, not being overwhelmed with anxiety as he sat in a medical center. Every move the doctor made was gently, every touch was light and brought a sense of care and confidence.
Gladio left not long after they had arrived. He was already dialing numbers as he slipped out the door. Prompto felt a slight twist of dread as he watched the Shield leave. He'd known Gladio was only leaving to help find his parents, but he hated the idea of being in this new place, feeling helpless, and slowly being left by everyone.
However, just as promised, Ignis stayed by his side.
The Advisor asked Sharah questions about Prompto's condition and his treatment. He jotted detailed notes into his phone, and added all Prompto's upcoming appointments and potion schedules to his calendar.
X-rays were taken, and, just as Sharah guessed, the breaks weren't that bad. After cleaning up the open wounds on Prompto's arms and legs, she handed over a very small vial to the blond.
"This is your first potion dose." She said. "Tomorrow morning, you'll come back for your next one. If you aren't having any complications, I'll give you a case with the vials you'll need to take for the next five to six days. You'll take one dose in the morning at one at night. I'll give Ignis more detailed instructions tomorrow. For today, let's just worry about getting your braces on and easing your pain a bit, okay?"
Prompto nodded, and eyed the little blue vial suspiciously. Would it be okay? Would it do something weird to him because he was from Niflheim? Would it hurt?
Suddenly, he realized Ignis and Sharah were both watching him, waiting. How long, he wondered, had he been lost in thought staring at the potion?
Cheeks burning, he quickly downed the contents of the vial. His heart was pounding violently in his chest, and he held his breath waiting for the reaction.
There was pain in his right leg and left arm, but not the same sharp, horrible pain that came from the initial injury. It was that dull, muted ache that was followed quickly with a warm relief. It was like working a knot out of a muscle. It hurt, but in a good way.
All too soon, the feeling ended.
Prompto realized that there wasn't as much pain in general radiating from his limbs. Sharah explained that the bones had been partially mended, but that he needed to take care not to jostle them too much.
She chose a bright yellow brace for his left arm and a matching one for his right leg.
"I heard," Sharah said, with a grin as she fastened the arm brace into place, "that you like Chocobos." She paused to glance at Chirpy, who was still seated in the wheelchair. "So, I thought yellow would be an appropriate color."
Prompto nodded and forced a small smile. He liked Sharah, he really did, but with the pain muted now, his hungry and exhaustion were taking over. He just wanted to be done, to find somewhere quiet and warm to curl up and sleep…and maybe a bit of food wouldn't be so bad either.
Suddenly, Prompto was given a glass of water and a couple of pain killers, to help ease any lingering discomfort. Though he wasn't sure he really needed them, he took them, as it seemed to appease both Sharah and Ignis.
After that, Ignis helped him shift back into his chair, and he was given a thin hospital blanket to drape across his lap – to help cover his legs in his now cut-off jean shorts.
Clutching Chirpy tightly to his chest, he fought off sleep, but each slow blink brought the threat of slumber. Soon, his eyes were closed, and his senses almost totally muted as the pull of unconsciousness took hold of him, but some part of him wanted to stay awake, to hear what Ignis and Sharah were talking about.
"You'll keep a close eye on him? The next two hours are critical." Sharah's voice was calm, sure. "I can keep him here for observation if you have other matters to attend to."
"No," Ignis answered quickly. "My schedule for today has been cleared for the comic book expo that his Highness was hoping to attend. Nothing dire will be missed by having me stay by Prompto's side, and, I believe, he'd be more comfortable with familiar faces around while he recovers."
"I'm glad to hear that," she replied. "I have full faith that you'll adhere to the potion regiment I laid out for him. I'll see you tomorrow morning then?"
"Of course. Thank you Doctor. Your help has been most appreciated."
Prompto could feel his chair moving then, but, try as he might, he couldn't fight off the pull to sleep any longer.