Let's get back to this adventure! A nice normal chapter after all that chaos!
Ch.10
As things finally calmed down around the Citadel, Prompto kept fearing about being sent home. In all rational thought, he knew it was for the best. If he were to stay at the Citadel and have a crime pop up again, he risked Noctis finding out his secret. Though he had already been willing to tell Noctis before, that was all in the heat of the moment, trying to prove that he could be strong enough to Noctis.
He already was strong enough. Stronger than any of the guards no doubt, but it would probably be too much of a shock to let Noctis know that. It was especially bad the more he thought about it, revealing it right after the attack on Noctis's life happened. If he ever wanted a chance of telling him the truth, if he ever felt he could, he would have to wait until a less hectic time.
"Maybe I should just wait to think about this. Don't wanna say something I'll regret later. I still want to keep Noctis safe and revealing my secret identity stuff would be putting him at more risk than he already is."
All he could do for now was sit and wait until a decision was made. At least he could sit next to Noctis and they could chill out playing King's Knight, even with the lingering thoughts from before. Having a moment with Noctis, feeling like normal, was enough to calm him down from everything.
When someone cleared their voice, Prompto looked up to see none other than Cor Leonis standing before him.
Jumping to his feet to give a salute, Prompto tried his hardest to keep his composure. "U-Uh Mr. Cor Leonis… Sir?"
Cor crossed his arms, his neutral expression unchanging. "I was informed you wanted to be trained in defensive combat?"
"Oh? Oh yeah! I'd uh, I'd like to know something at least. You know, if Noct and I just happen to be out and someone comes along who tries to attack and I can just…"
Prompto made a fist and pressed it into the palm of his other hand. "Do that?"
There was a small sound that Prompto was certain sounded like a chuckle. Could this serious man really be capable of laughter? Prompto had no idea, but he wasn't really sure he wanted to test if Cor had a funny bone.
"Well you have confidence, kid. I can tell that much. But there is more to it than just throwing punches. If you are really serious about this, then be here Saturday at 9am for some starting tips."
Prompto's mouth dropped wide open. "Y-You mean it? You'll really train me?"
"I never said I would. I said starting tips. If I see potential in you, then maybe I will consider doing more than just that. But we have to get there first."
Without another word, Cor left the two boys alone in the room. And once Prompto felt all the energy leave his legs, he flopped back down in his seat next to Noctis.
"Looks like you got Cor's approval," Noctis commented.
"Did I really? Cause to me, it looked like he was ready to gaze so hard into my soul that I would explode."
"That's just the Cor way. But the fact he is willing to give you a chance means you must have shown him you have something worth looking into."
"Something worth looking into? Wow thanks a lot," Prompto laughed as he pushed Noctis lightly.
"What! It's a compliment!" Noctis laughed in return.
"I should have all the worth looking into! I am the coolest guy you know."
"Alright, fine! You have all the worth," Noctis replied, grinning widely. "All the worth of a chocobo, being extremely fluffy."
"Noooooct!" Prompto pouted. "If I am a chocobo then you have to be the laziest cat!"
Noctis shrugged causally "I'll accept that. It's true."
Prompto rolled his eyes as he leaned against his friend. Even if his heart raced a little from being so close, he wanted to try and tease a little more. "Well as long as you don't nap the entire day away it should be fine."
"And if I want to nap the day away?"
"Then I will drag you out of your bed."
"I'd like to see you try."
"Maybe once I get training from Cor I will!"
As the two boys laughed, Ignis was the next person to step into the room. "I hate to break up such a lovely moment between you two, but it is finally time that we return Prompto to his home."
"So I am really going home then? No precautions to keep me locked down here as well?"
"Everything has been worked out that things should be safe for now. But we will be taking precautions in the future to make sure that you will be safe. We may even set up some security around your home if you wish so we can keep a safe eye on you as well."
"Oh wow that would be something. But would that be like… security cameras?" Prompto asked.
As much as he would like the feeling that he could be watched over safely from people at the Citadel, if cameras were set up, it could mean someone spotting him coming and going from his house. Under normal circumstances it wouldn't be such a big deal, but there were plenty of times that Prompto had to sneak out of his window while dressed as Spider-Man.
"It doesn't necessarily mean that, unless you would prefer that method."
"N-No it's fine! Simpler stuff is good… like a security system on the door or stuff?" Prompto said quickly.
Ignis nodded. "I will keep that in mind then. But for now it has grown late and we should return you home. Meet me outside of the room after you say your goodbyes."
"Thanks Iggy."
Once it was just Prompto and Noctis again, they both stood up from their seats. Prompto looked Noctis in the eyes and he felt a pang of sadness hit his chest. He knew he would see Noctis again before long, but he hated that there had to be things like this that separated them. Villains were such an awful pain sometimes that ruined all of their fun.
But that's why he fought crime. If he could defeat the villains and super villains and make Insomnia a fully peaceful place, then he could have all the more time to just have fun with Noctis. That was still a lingering thought for one day, but for now he just had to deal with what was before them.
"So see you around again? Whenever that'll be?" he asked softly.
Noctis nodded slowly. "Yeah… I'm sorry this crap keeps happening… I wish it could be easier."
"But you can't change the fact you're the prince. Evil doers and stuff always will go for the people in power if they can. It's always going to suck."
Noctis hummed in agreement. "Yup, but hopefully they can just quit it for now. I'd… I want to hang out again outside of the Citadel. Go back to the arcade, movie theater, park and so on."
"And we will! I believe in it that we can!" Prompto persisted.
The last thing he wanted to do was leave Noctis in a sour mood. He didn't want to leave feeling like that either. He wanted only to feel good things between them. Good memories to reflect on despite the previous crappy things.
"Yeah, I know we will get to," Noctis replied.
"And when we can, the first thing we are going to do is go to the arcade and spend all day there so I can cream you at every single two-player game!" Prompto declared.
That managed to make Noctis laugh. "Alright, that sounds like a deal."
Noctis held out his hand and Prompto reached for it and shook it quickly. "The best deal. Prepare for utter defeat."
Noctis smirked. "So you say."
"Oh I say! And I know I say it with confidence."
"Well we will just have to wait and find out."
"Text you later?" Prompto said as he let go of Noctis's hand.
"Always text later," Noctis said.
Prompto managed a small smile. "Alright… see you Noct."
"See you Prom."
With a heavy sigh, Prompto exited the room and met up with Ignis. "I'm ready to head home."
Ignis gave a small nod. "Right. Let's go then."
Once they were in the car, Prompto started out the window, watching the Citadel fade into the distance. His heart ached again as he wished he could go back already and see Noctis. He still didn't like the idea of leaving him so soon after everything, but it knew it was what it was. He knew his choice or decision at this point didn't matter. All he could do was stay on the sidelines and watch Noctis from afar.
If there was ever a need for Spider-Man to step back into action for Noctis's sake, Prompto would do it in a heartbeat. His determination to protect Noctis would never waver.
"Alright Prompto, we've arrived," Ignis said as he pulled up the driveway to Prompto's home. "Are your parents home by chance? If they are, I would like to explain the situation to them about installing a proper security system for your sake."
"I um… I don't know if they are back yet. I could… I could check," Prompto said as he fumbled his way out of the car.
His heart was hammering as he went up to the front door to unlock it. "They're probably not home… but for all I know Aranea could have decided to sneak in. If Ignis saw her he would totally be suspicious of me!"
With a deep breath, trying to contain all of his worries, he pushed the key into the lock and turned it until he heard the click. He then pushed the door open and peered inside, seeing the house exactly how he had left it in the morning.
As expected it was completely empty with no sign of anyone being home.
With a small sigh of relief, he turned to face Ignis who was now stepping out of the car. "Hey, no need to bother coming over here. They're still out with work. So I'll be fine now. Thanks again for driving me back."
"Now hold on, Prompto. Just because they aren't home right now doesn't mean I can't survey your home. I want to take some notes in case we go forward with the security system."
"Oh, yeah guess you could do that," Prompto said as he stepped inside of his house.
Quickly he looked around, making sure there was no evidence of Spider-Man laying around. He knew sometimes he would be careless and leave out a web shooter or replacement web-fluid here or there since there were no parents home to ever see it. Now he had Ignis coming into his home, and Ignis would be just as suspicious of that as he would be if Aranea were there.
Right away Prompto noticed one cartridge of web-fluid on the kitchen counter. He grabbed it and slipped it into his pants pocket just as Ignis stepped into the room. The older boy looked around the room before he started to take some notes on a small pad of paper.
"So you said that you could just do the alarm stuff on doors and windows right? No cameras?"
"That was what you said you'd prefer before we left the Citadel," Ignis noted. "Those alarms would be sufficient enough."
"Yeah, I totally agree there. I mean, it's not like I have visitors over a lot or anything like that. Just me here all by myself, aside from when Noct visits… uh, could visit."
Ignis hummed. "And you don't know when your parents will return? Do you at least have a neighbor who checks in on you?"
"Aranea is the one who usually checks up on me, but she's not really a neighbor…" Prompto thought to himself as he thought of a proper answer.
"Well I got Mrs. Anderson across the street. She doesn't like 'check in' on me, but I help her with her groceries. She'll usually ask how I'm doing, if that's good?"
Ignis looked sternly at Prompto and then his eyes returned to writing things down on his notepad. "I see. And your parents?"
"I uh, I don't know when they'll be back. Work keeps extending them so they gotta do more traveling. But they call when they have the time."
"Prompto, you know that living alone at your age isn't necessarily the safest. Even if you do a good job taking care of yourself, a young boy of your age shouldn't be spending almost every night alone."
"I'm not a kid… I'm sixteen. I'm in my junior year of high school."
"And yet by Insomnian law you are still recognized as a minor. Teenager or not, you are still not legally an adult yet," Ignis replied sternly.
"And you aren't an adult either," Prompto muttered.
Ignis paused for a moment, his serious gaze returning to Prompto. It made him tense up, regretting ever saying those words.
"That is not the point, Prompto. But unlike you I stay where there are adults. I am in a place where if I am ever in need of help I can quickly reach out to someone. If your parents are not around enough to sufficiently help you, then there may be some legal proceedings that must be taken."
Prompto held up his hands, shaking his head. "Whoa whoa wait a minute! You can't just do that! That's uh… you know, my life?"
"If your parents are neglecting you then I cannot stand here idly and do nothing. You are a good friend to Noct as you know, and by that you are my friend too. I don't wish to see you struggling on your own so much."
"But you don't like… have to get my parents involved? I don't wanna cause them any problems or stress when they are working. How about I go talk to Mrs. Anderson! I could set something up with her to help me out if I am ever in a pinch."
Adjusting his glasses, Ignis placed the notebook in his pocket. "That would be good enough for now, but I would like to discuss this at a later time."
Knowing that Ignis wouldn't give up, Prompto nodded. There was no escaping Ignis when he was in this super serious mode. Prompto knew that Ignis was just trying to be helpful, and it did honestly make him feel a little better. Knowing that he did have people who cared for him always made him feel better. It helped him remember that he wasn't alone in this world, that he had others who he could in fact reach out to.
"Right. Thanks Iggy I know you are just doing what you do as a friend," Prompto replied. "Was there anything else you wanted to check or know about?"
"I think that should be all for now. I need to return to the Citadel. There's more paperwork to fill out after today, and I know it will be a long one. But I will message you later to check in, if that's alright."
"Oh sure! Do what you can. I'll just be here you know, got nothing else anyway."
"Then I shall take my leave. Please try and relax Prompto. I know today was probably stressful for you. Still, if you feel any lingering feelings because of that event, reach out to me immediately."
"Of course! I'll let you know!" Prompto replied as he walked Ignis to the door. "And you be safe Iggy."
"Thank you Prompto, and you too."
Prompto waved Ignis off all the way until the car turned down a different street. Finally alone, Prompto closed the door and stumbled his way over to the couch. He flopped down and let out a big sigh into the pillow.
"Geez what a day… chaos and stupid evil guys being stupid. Ruining all the fun I wanted to have with Noct…" Prompto muttered.
He rolled onto his back and stared up at the ceiling. "What's a superhero to do? Can't catch a break it seems with all these Kingsglaive traitors popping up. It's just not fair at all."
He knew that there wasn't anything he could do to stop it though. There were always going to be traitors and other evildoers like this. There were always going to be moments where his day was interrupted by a villain or a common level thief causing mischief.
"No matter what I do, I can't give up though," Prompto reminded himself. "I'm doing this to help make Insomnia a safer place. I am doing this to show the people they don't have to be afraid. I'm doing this so… so I can have a chance to just hang with Noctis and have a nice normal day. I don't care if that last one is selfish. I just want those moments again where we get to have fun and goof off… hopefully those moments can come back soon."