Finally working up his courage, Noctis paused the game.

He knew Ignis would be occupied preparing dinner for at least the next hour, and Gladio had disappeared, stating that he needed to get some training in – which was the big guy's code for needing to blow off frustration and punch something…or someone.

So, for the time being, the two friends were alone. This was Noctis' chance.

"You have to pee or something?" Prompto asked, setting his controller aside as he glanced at Noct. "Dude, you were really downing that soda earlier, so I'm not surprised. I tried to warn you that wasn't a good idea right before this boss battle was coming up."

Noctis shrugged. "Naw, I just thought we could use a break."

"Oh…" The confusion was evident in Prompto's voice, and as silence settled over the two, the blond began to fidget with the brace on his left arm.

Suddenly everything Noctis had intended to say vanished. His mind went blank and he sat there, desperately wanting to start the game back up and forget that he'd even attempted to have this conversation, but, instead, he took a deep breath and willed himself to start talking, to start saying anything.

"I'm sorry."

Prompto raised a brow, his mouth open in surprise as he stared back at Noct.

"What? Why? For pausing the game? It's okay. We've been playing for quite a while. I guess a little break isn't that bad. It's probably a good idea to get a stretch in before the boss battle anyway."

And, as if to emphasis the point, Prompto carefully did a few light stretches as he sat in the bed. Gingerly raising his arms up, he arched his back and then turned his neck from side to side. In his banged-up state, he was a rather comically sight.

"Oh man, yep, I was definitely a bit stiff," Prompto smiled, "That was a great call, buddy. Way to use that noggin. Want to start the game back up now?"

"No, I don't," Noctis answered, cringing a little at the hurt look on his friend's face. "I…I think we need to talk."

Prompto deflated a bit, seeming smaller, more uncertain. "Uh, ok…" He paused, looking down, his eyebrows scrunching up, clear signs of worry marring his face. "…but, I just…I don't think you have anything to be sorry about. I mean, if this is about today, it was me that messed up, right? We didn't get to go to the comic expo because of me. I just…seem to mess things up sometimes…" Near the end, his voice was no more than a breathy whisper, sounding as if he'd had to painfully force the words out.

What? No….no, Prompto, you idiot!

"You don't mess things up," Noct answered, keeping his tone sure, firm. "Or at least no more than the rest of us do. I mean, accidents happen."

Prompto frowned and continued to fidget with his arm brace. "Yeah, sure…"

This was not how Noctis had wanted to start this off. Maybe if he started all over again, just dove right in to what he really wanted to talk about. That would work, right?

"Why don't we ever talk about the important stuff?" Noctis asked. "Like your parents being gone for so long, or how you were working two jobs to pay the bills, or how you were having to pay the bills for your house. I mean, I barely got you to tell me about the diner job."

Prompto tensed a little more and kept his eyes focused on his lap. He frowned, biting his lower lip so hard that Noctis was sure he was about to make it bleed. The guy probably couldn't have looked any more pitiful if he'd tried.

Crud, that sounded way too accusatory – way to make him all self-conscious.

"Or," Noctis continued, watching Prompto flinch at the sound of his voice, "why I acted like such a horrible friend earlier and wouldn't come near you when we found you hurt, or why I bailed on going to the medical wing with you." Noct paused, wondering if he could keep going, but realizing that if he really wanted to start talking about the important stuff with Prompto, that meant he had to share his struggles as well. "Why don't we talk about how I sometimes have nightmares that wake me up in the middle of the night, just like the one you had earlier. How Ignis used to sit with me so that I wasn't alone, so that someone was there to talk me through the panic…about how I was so scared of not being able to walk again…that I'd always just be helpless and broken after the Marilith attacked me." Noctis paused as Prompto looked up, meeting his gaze. "I can't make you talk about anything you don't want to, but, would it be okay if I talked about some important stuff…and, maybe, if you wanted, you could tell me some stuff too?"

For a long while, Prompto didn't move. He seemed to be frozen in place, staring at Noctis, as if his brain couldn't process or handle what had been said.

Maybe this was too much?

Feeling his cheeks warm, Noctis turned away from those unblinking blue eyes.

Maybe we aren't the kind of friends who talk about the big stuff…

"I…uh…I know my parents love me." Prompto's voice was soft, tinged with a composed sorrow. "But I don't think they wanted to have children originally. I saw their journals documenting their early research. They had so many plans. They were going to do so many good things. I just kind of fell into their lives."

Noctis looked up, surprised to see Prompto was no longer staring back at him. Instead, the blond let his gaze drift off, not really settling on anything in particular as he spoke. He was staring off into the distance, somehow looking tranquil, even with that forlorn smile that he held.

"They stopped their research when they took me in," Prompto said, the sadness starting to glitter in his eyes a bit. "To pay the bills, they worked various part-time jobs. Work that let them stay in the city, let them stay close to me, but it wasn't the life that had called to them, that they had wanted from the start." Prompto let out a miserable, muffled chuckle. "They never would have told me that, of course, but I could hear their sadness when they'd talk about the research they'd started in their youth. So, when I was eight and they were approached by a firm to do a few weeks of research outside of Insomnia, in the countryside, to study why vast areas of farmlands were drying up, why the plants were riddled with disease, I refused to let them turn it down. I just…I didn't want to be the one to keep them from doing what they loved."

Prompto sniffled and a lone tear streaked down his face, but he was quick to wipe it away, to shift ever so slightly so that he was turned away from Noctis.

"It wasn't so bad," Prompto continued, "My parents asked our neighbor, Clara to watch over me. She'd come stay at our house for a few days or a week, and then mom and dad would return. After a while, though, they started traveling more and more, and Clara started getting a little more forgetful. Her eyesight started going a bit too. Pretty soon I was taking care of her, and she'd stopped coming to stay at our house altogether."

"Why didn't you tell your parents?" Noctis asked, although he thought he already knew why. Still, a part of him wanted to press these gentle questions, to keep his friend talking and opening up.

Prompto flopped back on the bed, giving a little pained groan as he stared up at the ceiling. "They were so happy being able to do their research again, and, well, I knew if I told them that they would stop traveling, that they would stay with me, and they would give up doing what they loved to keep me happy. So, I just didn't tell them. Gradually, I think they realized, but, by then, I was really good at looking after myself and it was easy to convince them to keep doing their research. They usually wired me plenty of money to make sure all the bills were paid. Sometimes they got confused and wired me too much…they've stranded themselves outside of Insomnia several times with no Gil in their pockets because of that. But, sometimes they both think the other had wired the money, and I just found ways to pay the bills. It's not usually so bad, because they aren't usually gone for as long as this last time."

"I wished I'd known sooner that you were alone so much," Noctis huffed, and then flopped down beside Prompto, so that they were both staring blankly up at the ceiling. "Why didn't you say anything? You could've come over more often to hang out."

Prompto's sigh was drawn out, deep. "Dude, we like just started hanging out. I didn't want to seem all clingy and weird. Plus," his voice dropped to something just above a whisper, "I don't like people thinking anything bad about my parents. I know them traveling a lot seems wrong, but…they are such good people…and I just…They've done so much for me. I don't think it was easy when they adopted me. I think I was…I dunno…I just think I might have been a bit messed up before them, you know? I don't think it was an easy decision to take me in and love me, but they did."

Messed up? What did that mean?

"Before them? Is that what your nightmares are about?" The questions were out of Noctis' mouth before he realized it, and though a part of him wished he could've taken them back, he honestly wanted to know.

"I think something bad happened," Prompto went silent and turned his head toward Noctis. His gaze was so haunted and sad. "I'm afraid that there is some truth in those nightmares…that…maybe the pain…the fear…those screams…" He paused, swallowing hard, looking away again from Noct. He'd pulled his arms to his chest and was clutching at his shoulders so that he was hugging himself. "I'm sorry, but can we talk about something else for a bit?"

Feeling shaky with these new revelations, Noctis nodded, but then realized Prompto wasn't looking at him and couldn't see his gesture. "Yeah, and, uh…I'm sorry. I shouldn't have made you talk about it…I shouldn't have…"

"No," Prompto said, cutting him off. "I'm glad we're talking about the important stuff. I've never had anyone besides my parents to really talk to about stuff, and they were away so much, and I didn't want to tell them about how lonely the house was, so this is nice, just a bit much all at once, yeah?"

"Yeah," Noctis agreed. He'd barely divulged to Prompto his own worries, fears and memories of his past that troubled him, and that small spiel he did reveal was kind of exhausting, so he could understand what Prompto meant. "You ready to tackle that boss now?"

Prompto sat up, smile returning. "Oh man, you bet!"

"Just…um…one last thing before we start. I just need to know…" Noctis shifted, giving his friend the most solemn stare he could manage.

Prompto tensed again, seemingly holding his breath as he waited.

"What is up with all your Chocobo boxers? You must have like a hundred pairs."

The blond lowered his head with a groan. "Dude, not cool!" He looked up then, a smile back in place. "My mom gets me Chocobo underwear every year for my birthday and Christmas…and sometimes Arbor Day."

Noctis chuckled. "Why Arbor Day?"

"Dude, I have no idea. I think it was some sort of weird inside joke her and my dad have. Every Arbor Day, they wrap a few presents and hang them in a tree out in the backyard for me to find in the morning. I didn't know that wasn't a thing until I was like ten."

"Your parents are odd," Noctis said, grinning, "but in a good way, I think. It's probably what made you so…you."

Prompto scoffed. "What's that supposed to mean? So me? That's, like, not an insult, right?"

Aw heck, how to explain Prompto to Prompto?

"You're goofy," Noctis said, smirking at the way his friend instantly started pouting, "but in a way that seems calculated, a way that puts people at ease, keeps them from bickering or feeling stressed. That kind of feels like something you might have learned from your parents."

Prompto nodded slowly, sadness again paining his expression. "Do you think they are okay?"

Noctis thought for a moment. He wanted so badly to offer his friend comfort, but…

"I don't know," he answered honestly, "I hope so though, and I know Gladio and Ignis won't stop looking until they find them."

Prompto smiled again, but it was a forced, pitiful thing, something that was surely more for Noctis' sake than his own.

"Can we start playing again? I think I need the distraction right now," Prom asked, and Noctis was quick to pick up his controller and oblige.

As they started the game though, Noctis made a mental note to speak with Ignis and Gladio about Prompto's past. He still couldn't get over the fact there was just no records giving any clues to Prompto first year of life. Surely, they had overlooked something.

Regis knew exactly where he'd find Cor.

The news of Prompto's injuries, of his missing parents had finally reached the King, and as soon as he had a spare moment, he sought out the one man he knew had to be suffering in guilty silence.

The door to Cor's office was, as expected, locked.

"Open up." It wasn't a command, but Regis would make it one if necessary. He knew his old friend too well to let him sulk in misery for long. He would become a brutal taskmaster during his training sessions if he was allowed to stew in his own guilt and anger, and though many a Crownsguard would just attribute that to the Immortal being the Immortal, Regis knew better.

The door creaked open and Cor stepped aside to let his King enter.

"I didn't expect a visit, Your Highness. Do you have some urgent business?" The words came out dull and lifeless. The somnambulant movements of the Immortal as he slunk back to his desk only added to the feeling of weary tension in the room.

"I heard about the boy and his parents." Regis replied, sitting in the overstuffed chair that he knew Cor had brought to his office solely to make his King comfortable during their meetings. It was a kindness Regis was grateful for. The weight of his duty hung heavy upon him this day, and his body ached with the pull of magic the wall took from him. The comfort of the cool, cushioned seat granted him at least a minor reprieve for his aching body.

The Immortal nodded, sitting at his desk only after he watched his King take a seat first.

"I've got a lead on their whereabouts, but it will take some time to get a proper search team in place. It appears as if Lillian found herself a guide and went into the Boulves Mines. There is word that she may have been trying to find access to an underwater stream that ran through the mines. I guess something was contaminating the water source underground before it ran to the surface. When she didn't reappear from the mines on schedule, Ulnic was sent word. He hired a couple of Hunters to go into the mines with him to find Lillian, but they have reportedly not yet returned." Cor paused, something dark and knowing flashing in his eyes. "That was over two weeks ago."

Regis shrugged. That was hardly good news. Few would survive so long in the mines for that long without the proper provisions and training.

"Would you pour me a drink?"

Cor blinked at the King's request, but then nodded and pulled out two glasses and a bottle of Tenebrae whisky from the cabinet behind his desk.

It had been a long while since they'd shared a nip of something in Cor's office. Free time was a rarity nowadays, and with his ailing body, the King rarely partook any more, but…

"Bring out the box too." Regis added. He was sure the man had already been pouring through the thing earlier. His locked door was a sure sign of that.

Again, Cor nodded as he handed a glass of whiskey to Regis, but he was slower with his movements as he unlocked one of the larger drawers on his desk and pulled out a fair sized leather-bound box.

Cor set the box carefully upon his desk and then strode back across the room to lock his office door.

Regis took a sip of his drink, savoring the rich flavor, sighing contently at the familiarity of it. He was taking his second sip as Cor opened the leather-bound box.

As if handling a delicate treasure, Cor pulled the stack of photos out. A sad smile adorned the man's face as he fondly stared at the top picture. Without looking, Regis already knew what the image was. Cor always kept the oldest picture at the top of the stack.

Eventually, Cor handed the picture to Regis.

It was a little grainy, that image of the toddler hugging the fuzzy, stuffed Chocobo, but those brilliant blue eyes, so inquisitive and innocent, had been captured so beautifully in that moment. A smile, shy but warm, graced the boy's expression.

The next photo Cor handed over was of Prompto, maybe around three years old, dressed up as a Moogle for Halloween. Another was of the boy on his fifth birthday, blowing out the candles on his hot rod cake.

Regis and Cor kept looking through the images, commenting every now and then, but, for the most part, they stayed silent. It had been a long time since they'd sat down and looked through the box together, taking stock of Prompto's life.

It had started out as a necessity. Regis, more than Cor, had trepidation about what side effects Prompto might suffer as a result of how and why he was created. The concern wasn't just for the boy though. As King, Regis had to take into consideration that the youth could still pose a threat to the city. He doubted very much that was the case, but his duty kept him overly vigilant.

So, Lillian and Ulnic were tasked with sending Cor updates on the boy, and Cor, in turn, shared these with Regis.

Over the years though, Regis took note of how that leather-bound box had become a sort of prized possession to the Marshal, and with each new letter and set of pictures delivered, Regis felt any remaining unease about Prompto defuse.

He was a child – a happy, healthy, loving child who didn't seem to have a vicious bone in his body.

Even with the revelation though, neither man suggested the correspondence halt. No, the updates had become cathartic in a way. Amidst the threat of war and pressures of duty, the men could look on this one child, this being plucked from despair, and take heart in the fact he was who he was – that he was safe and loved and happy.

Cor reached the bottom of the box, pulling out the floral stationary with the flowing calligraphy.

"If not for this, we may have done something very foolish," Cor sighed. There was tightness in his voice. It was something Regis immediately felt in his chest as well upon seeing the letter.

The letter from Lady Lunafreya…

It had appeared on Regis' desk, quite mysteriously, almost a year and a half before Noctis started high school. Though he'd thoroughly questioned all his guards, no one had seen the messenger who'd delivered the letter.

It read, quite simply:

'I send to you tidings of my elation over knowing Prince Noctis has so many people who both love and care for him. His journey will be long and full of struggle, so those who would stand by him are of great importance. I know that he is close with both Ignis Scientia and Gladiolus Amicitia and that he has a new friend, Prompto Argentum. Bestowed upon these four and their friendship, I give all the blessings that I can. I believe it is with them that Eos' future lies.'

At the time, they could not fathom the meaning. As far as they knew, Prompto Argentum and Noctis had no contact with each other whatsoever, but Lady Lunafreya had specifically called them friends. How did she even know about Prompto?

Long before then, Regis and Cor had, when both Prompto and Noctis started attending the same elementary school, a debate on whether or not request to the Argentums to send their child to a different school. After all, was it wise to have him grow up near the Prince? What if they became friends? Wouldn't that put Prompto in the spotlight? What would happen if his ties to Niflheim came out? Noctis would suffer as well as Prompto.

In the end, they compromised and merely made sure the boys never had the same classes. There was little chance in a friendship developing if they never saw each other.

And then the letter from Lady Lunafreya appeared, baffling both Regis and Cor.

The message made little sense, but it made them pause their efforts at keeping the boys separated. If the Six had their hands in the turn of this friendship, then to obstruct it was a fool's undertaking.

After Noctis' first day of high school, it really shouldn't have been such a shock for Regis to hear of Noctis' new friend. He'd known for some years the day would come when Prompto Argentum would be a part of his son's life. The Oracle herself had written him as much, and yet, there was still that sense of disbelief.

How had this being, so nearly swept up into darkness and misery, so cruelly brought into this world, and created for such hurtful and cruel purposes become something so vital to Eos? The Six surely worked in mysterious ways…

"How is the boy?" Regis asked at last, breaking the silence that had engulfed the two men.

"I…I haven't visited him yet," Cor answered. "He doesn't know me, Regis. It would be awkward."

Regis handed back the photos, watching Cor carefully sort them and place them back in their box.

"Yes," he replied, "I imagine it might be a bit awkward, and you're right. He doesn't really know you." Regis paused, reclining a bit in his chair, eyeing his old friend as the man locked his treasure back within the confines of his desk. "But he could."

Cor was silent a moment, his gaze fixed on the desk draw. Then, the edges of his mouth quirked ever so slightly upward. "I suppose so…"