Chapter Text
It had now been 3 weeks since Cor was reported missing. Regis hasn’t been able to find out any new information on the team, fearing that something must have happened to the whole group and not just Cor. Regis had visited Prompto once, a few days after his chat with Noctis, and he agreed with his son, Prompto was not looking too good. Prompto was still displaying the same behaviours as before, lack of eating, no energy and no interactions with anyone apart from Rex.
Ignis was once again preparing a meal for himself, the prince and Prompto. He knew Prompto’s would go to waste, but he always had a small spark of hope that today might be the day Prompto eats a meal. He could see Noctis was at breaking point. They two young boys had gone from being extremely close, to hardly talking at all. Ignis was very worried it was all going to kick off soon, and even he wasn’t prepared for that whenever it happens.
Noctis picked his and Prompto’s bowls up and walked over to the sofa where the blond was. He placed the bowl in front of his boyfriend and sat down beside him. Like always Prompto was unmoving, not even looking at the bowl of food in front of him. This really angered Noctis, but he was trying really hard to keep it in. Prompto hasn’t been eating properly for 3 weeks now. His spine is now visible, collar bones stuck out unnaturally and he looked so grey and weak. Noctis wasn’t even sure Prompto could lift his spoon at this point. His boyfriend was literally dying in front of him.
“Eat the food Prompto” Noctis suddenly commanded. He couldn’t help it, it just slipped out. Prompto actually turned his head to look at the Prince. Ignis stopped what he was doing in the kitchen and just stared at Noctis. “I’m not hungry” Prompto quietly replies, putting his head back down on the armrest. “Bullshit” Noctis states through his teeth, trying his best to hold back his anger. “Noct” Ignis warns him from the kitchen, slowly making his way over to him. “What?” Prompto asks, eyes moving to look at the black-haired boy. “It’s bullshit Prom…I know you’re fucking hungry! Just look at you! You’re fucking dying!” Noctis stood up and shouted at the smaller boy. “Noctis!” Ignis raised his voice with a disapproving frown standing beside the prince.
Prompto jumped off the sofa, the fastest he’s moved in weeks and glared at the Prince. He tried to come across as angry and pissed off but with all his clothes basically falling off his body it was difficult to feel anything but pity for the boy. “Shut up Noctis! You don’t know what you’re talking about!” Prompto shouted as loud as he could, which wasn’t very loud, he didn’t have the strength for it. “Of course I know what I’m talking about! I’ve been in this room for three fucking weeks!” Noctis argued back taking a step towards the blonde.
Prompto looked shocked at this statement. “Three weeks? It hasn’t been that long, has it?” Prompto asked quieter than he was before. Noctis was too angry to answer, taking deep breaths to calm himself down. “Indeed it has Prompto” Ignis answers for Noctis, still cautiously standing beside his Prince. Prompto felt like he couldn’t breathe. He didn’t realise it had been three weeks, he thought it had only been the one. Where had the time gone? His dad had been missing for that long? So, he’s pretty much dead. Prompto’s thoughts were going crazy and he was having trouble breathing. He looked at Ignis who wore a neutral expression, then looked at Noctis and still saw anger. He turned and looked towards the bed where Rex was laying, always having his eyes on Prompto.
The next thing Prompto knew he was walking towards the front door. Then he was suddenly running down the corridors of the Citadel. He could hear his name being called but he kept running. He wasn’t even thinking, his legs just kept going. Soon enough he was running out of the Citadel and onto the streets of Insomnia.
Prompto opened his eyes. He had no idea where he was. It was dark and cold. He leans on his elbows and raises his head to look around. He could tell that he was laying on grass and surrounded by trees. If he listens closely, he can hear a stream nearby. He had no idea where he was. Where in Insomnia had trees and streams? His feet and legs hurt too, aching as he moves to sit up properly. He looks down at his feet and sees that he has no shoes on. Thinking back, he realised he ran out the room without putting on any shoes or jackets, that’s why he was so cold. He didn’t know what to do.
He felt the sting of tears in his eyes, he was so cold and lost, and his dad was missing. What was happening to him? His life was perfect before, now he’s lost everything. He even left Rex behind. Prompto continued to sit there and sob, he truly believed Noctis’ words now. He was going to die. Suddenly the air grew much colder than before. The grass surrounding him started to frost over, confused on what was happening Prompto stood up quickly, trying to evade the frost. He wrapped his arms around himself to try and keep himself warm as the bitterly cold wind started to swirl around his little spot in the forest.
Whilst looking around frantically he sees a hint of movement. He looks up and is shocked at what he sees. A woman is walking towards him. She was beautiful, with long black hair, is quite tall and seems to be walking towards him with her eyes shut. He didn’t know what to think. “Young child” she whispers, continuing to walk towards him. Prompto frowned in response. He didn’t think this person was going to hurt him, but he wasn’t sure what to think. Before he could put together a response, the woman turned into a white blinding light to reveal a woman who was blue and seemed to be surrounded by ice. Her eyes were now open, and she was slightly floating above the ground, no longer walking closer to him. He knew exactly who this was. “Shiva” Prompto called out. Prompto remembers dreaming about the Astrals, but he hasn’t dreamt of them since he was a child, around ten. He never understood why he dreamed of the Astrals, or why the dreams stopped. He just put it down to his overactive imagination. He remembers that one time he dreamt of just Shiva. It was the time he fell asleep at the Citadel waiting for Cor to leave a meeting. That seemed like such a long time ago now.
“Wait…am I dead” Prompto asked the ice goddess smiling down at him. “I can assure you that you are not dead” Shiva replies graceful as ever. “I must be dreaming then…like the last time I saw you” Prompto concluded. “Incorrect again, young boy. I can promise you that you are not dreaming. Although you did stop dreaming of all us Astrals. A shame really” Shiva replied, knowing she was just confusing the boy but finding amusement out of it. Prompto really didn’t know what to think. Was any of this actually real? “It wasn’t a choice” Prompto says without thinking. Is he actually talking to an Astral? “What are you doing here? Do you know where I am and what happened to me?” Prompto asks quickly before he forgets.
“My poor boy, you are so distressed about losing your dear guardian. You were running, running for miles in fact. I am surprised you did not collapse sooner. You are just outside the boarder of Insomnia, Leide to be specific. I am here to guide you Prompto, I have always been beside you to guide you” Shiva explains. She knows the truth of Prompto’s identity but believes at this point it is best if he doesn’t find out. He is already distressed due to losing his father, she cannot bring herself to add to that.
“Huh? Pretty sure I haven’t seen you…why would you be following me? I’m nothing special…” Prompto trails off, trying to make sense of the situation. Prompto suddenly remembered a part of the conversation he had with Shiva all those month ago. “Wait! The last time I spoke to you, you said I had a ‘gift’. You said you couldn’t tell me what it was because I was asleep. But if I’m awake now surely you must be able to tell me what this so called ‘gift’ is” Prompto rushes out, almost scared he will forget the memory. “I am surprised you remember that conversation. You were quite distressed then also. But I promise you young one, the time has nearly come and all shall be revealed” Shiva calmly explained with a small nod and a smile on her face.
Before Shiva or Prompto could say anymore, there was shouting in the distance. “Prompto!” a voice called out. Prompto turned towards the direction of the voice, but when he turned back, he was alone, it was like Shiva was never there.
Noctis was frantically searching for Prompto. They lost track of him soon after he left the gates of the Citadel. Ignis being as amazing as he is was able to track Prompto down using CCTV footage. The last video of him they got was him crossing over the bridge that leads to the boarder of Insomnia and into Leide.
The Prince, Ignis and Gladio all jumped into the car and raced to the boarder. During the drive Noctis was reflecting on what he said to Prompto. He was really insensitive and rude. He was basically an asshole. He needed to apologise to Prompto, but first they had to find him.
It didn’t take long to find him. Whilst driving past a green area full of trees they noticed the trees were only blowing in the middle of the forest. Noctis just had a feeling that they had to stop and look there. “Ignis, pull over. I think he might be in that forest area” Noctis quickly explains, unbuckling his seatbelt and getting ready to jump out the car as soon as it stopped.
As the group of three walked towards the middle of the forest they noticed it was considerably colder here and the winds were definitely only blowing in the middle of the clearing. Noctis saw a flash of yellow and knew it was the blond-haired boy. “Prompto!” he called out, running towards him, closely followed by his advisor and shield.
Noctis ran right up to Prompto and brought him in for a hug, arms wrapped tightly around his back like he was afraid of losing him again. “Prompto, I’m so sorry! I was such an asshole!” Noctis apologised into Prompto’s hair, noticing that the younger boy was yet to wrap his arms around the Prince. “You had us quite worried there Prompto” Ignis called out, hoping it would get a reaction from the boy. When nothing else was said, Gladio asked the obvious question. “How on Eos did you run so far without a break? We’ve been looking for you for 8 hours. So, you must’ve been running for at least half of that.” Noctis gives up on the hug, knowing the blonde isn’t going to hug him back right now.
Prompto looked at each of their faces. “I don’t remember. I’m sorry for worrying you. And I’m sorry for being such a burden these past weeks…I just really miss him” Prompto sadly expresses, tears building up in his eyes at the mention of his dad, all thoughts of Shiva suddenly replaced. “You were never a burden Prom” Noctis replies, hoping the blonde will listen and believe him. “That’s what friend do, we look after each other, right?” Gladio adds in. He doesn’t spend much time with the young boy but from the time they have spent together, Gladio has enjoyed and really gotten to know Prompto and care for him like he does Noctis and Ignis. Prompto gives Gladio a small smile in response. “Shall we get back to the car?” Ignis suggests, “It is getting quite dark and we still have to drive back to the city.”
They all get into the car ready for the drive back to Insomnia. There is small talk between them all but Prompto never replies or even listens, his mind is still so focused on Shiva and what she said. Why would she want to be by his side? He was nothing special, just a random Niff who was lucky enough to get rescued and adopted by Cor. What gift did he have and why wouldn’t she tell him? All the running and thinking caught up with Prompto and he eventually fell asleep in the car, head leaning on the window.
He was hoping he’d dream of Shiva, or any of the Astrals again…just so he could ask them to watch over his dad, wherever he was.