Chapter Text
The facility was heavily guarded despite the extreme temperature. It was not easy for Cor to find a proper entrance. Said entrance located nearby a cliff and Cor swiftly made it inside, greeted with the warmer temperature inside. The hallways are like a maze, threading carefully while avoiding the trooper, he searched around for any possible information. Luckily he found a blueprint of the map and he took it with him, some recorders scattered all over the place which makes him even more disgusted.
Cloned babies.
If assassinating a young child was low, then making cloned babies and turning them into Niff Magitek was a new level lower than the deepest pit of Crestholm Channels. Cor stumbled upon a room with a couple of researchers towering over babies on the table, walking out of the room. Avoiding any unwanted attention, he retreated back to a corner and hid behind the carriage. When he was assured that the researchers were out of his zone, he walked towards the room fishing out the card he stole from an officer which he knocked out earlier.
The room was dim and the babies were awake with no other noise and fuss, watching him silently while Cor made his way to the table, studying the documents. Each bed has a codename and on their wrist embedded with code print possibly as their identification. What disturbs Cor the most were those units - babies, were defective and due for extermination if they failed to meet two of the test procedures for troubleshooting.
Troubleshooting .
Not curing, not healing, but troubleshooting. Cor moves to another document with year ME 736 printed on it, just like the babies, details about failed MT units but with the more precise breakdown of the failure root alongside its side effect. Most of it has the same problem: they cannot regulate the scourge in their blood and have unstable nerve coordination while the side effect was mostly on cell breakdown and degradation of organs; in short, their expiration date was much shorter. It was horrible, downright monstrosity for a human or cloned nonetheless.
Cor collected the documents and sent them into the armiger since he didn’t have proper storage to keep them. They looked abnormal; fair pale skin and light blond hair, as if they were suffering from sickness like the one from Cor’s hometown who was suffering from genetic problems.
“Just like alibeans people.” He grunted.
For the life of him, he couldn’t remember the disease's name and has been calling it alibeans since he could remember. He looked at those babies, trying his hardest to not have any emotions on as he marched on the next room adjoined beside it. If he hadn’t felt horrible then, he is now when he saw a line of sleeping children no older than the prince inside their own vault. Sharing the same features and the marks on their wrist, did they stay there all the time?
Cor walks around the vault, there were twenty-five of them in the room and Astrals know if there were more in the next room. His observation was halted when his eyes landed on the bottom vault just five steps away in front of him; the child was wide awake and had tears streaked down on his bony cheek. How long did he stay awake? He thought that they were dormant, so they were alive and were confined? Cor feels his stomach turned upside down by the thought of it. He walks closer and holds his breath; the child's eyes glow red with violet-blue irises just like the sparkle stars in the night.
He looks magnificent, just like a normal 8 years old children.
The child curled and hugged himself. He was clearly unaware of Cor’s presence, from the look of it; he had been awake for quite some while and just cried. Cor saw his production number on the label and he scoffed; some number he had. The child stopped crying and suddenly retreated back behind the vault, touching its end with his eyes reflecting fear. He doesn’t know what has gotten into him as he lunged forward and touched the glass absentmindedly, wanting to provide safety and assurance without really knowing why as if his mind and body were in its own control.
“Don’t be scared.” He whispers.
Cor looks over the glass and inspecting any button to open the vault. He wanted to have the child in his arms this instant, to shelter him from any damage from this cruel facility, to rescue and save him. In his agitated searching, Cor stepped back abruptly. What was he doing? Did he just try to save him? Was it even in his mission? If there was an actual angel versus demon Cor on his shoulder, he would knock them out of their senses right now. His mind keeps alternating in between the mission and his instinct but every fiber in his being screamed for the child to be saved.
Screw mission. He will save this child.
Cor surveyed the room and he saw the operating system, he punched the button of that boy’s vault and a hissing sound was heard before the boy shrieked. Cor hurriedly steps to the boy and holds out his hand, hoping the security alarm will not be turned on.
“Come on, I won’t harm you.”
The boy’s violet-blue eyes were full of fear and he scurried further back, slightly shaking.
“I promise. I want to save you.”
He tried again and the child was partly convinced, shaking hands trying to reach Cor’s and he grabbed the child out of the vault, hurriedly, carrying the child out from the damned cursed place.
“… fnds..” The child whispered but it was gone amid rapid steps.
“My… frns.” He tries again; luckily Cor has found a shelter of what looks like an empty hangar. He puts the child down and looks at him closely. The child was still murmuring about his friends and Cor closed his eyes, letting out a frustrated sigh.
Cor ignored the kid’s plea and he continued to make his way towards the exit. It’s not that he doesn’t want to save those kids, he just couldn’t bring himself to, he doesn’t know why. He did feel the sympathy, the anger, but he can’t think anything beyond saving this one kid. He held the child tighter as he squirmed begging to be released; luckily, they reached the exit and a harsh, cold wind greeted both of them.
“Bundle up kid, our destination is just up ahead.”
Unit 05953234.
That is the kid’s designation number as he looks through the documents he ‘borrowed’ back in the facility. They have arrived at Fenestala Manor a few hours ago and the child was immediately taken from him for observation. Cor praised Astral above as the child was sleeping when he was taken from him, who would imagine if he awakens and started to make a fuss or worse, scream the entire manor. He received a call from Clarus noted that they have made it to Insomnia safely and expected Cor to do the same as soon as he finished with intel gathering.
Only that Cor didn’t tell them what he found and ‘kidnap’.
He sent those documents back to the armiger and let out another heavy sigh. The kid defected in many ways he never imagined and may not survive long enough to reach his teen as the blood in his body couldn’t assimilate the scourge with human blood well enough. Right now, he prayed to whichever Astral listened to help the poor boy through Sylva. He walked towards the bed and made himself comfortable; a sleep might be good to ease this heavy feeling.
A soft knock on the door raised his awareness a few hours later, Cor glanced at the clock on the table and woke up instantly before noticing the person behind the door to wait. He washes his face and opens the door before his eyes widened and a quick bow was made. It was Queen Sylva herself.
“Your Grace, I’m sorry for making you wait.”
“Fret not Cor, pardon me for rousing you from sleep.”
Cor invited Sylva inside with haste and closed the door. Sylva just smiles and she makes herself sit on one of the chairs inside the room and gestures to Cor to do the same.
“The boy… Did everything’s okay? I read the document and it wasn’t pretty.”
Cor couldn’t help but worried. The Queen inhaled slowly before expressing herself.
“That boy was decent the whole process, but we had to sedate him in the middle of examination when we started to draw some blood. Apparently, he truly hated that. Thrashing around and screaming out of his lungs. You’re right. It wasn’t pretty.”
Cor raised his eyebrow and folded his arms, a hum, and nod in agreement.
“His blood was black with only fifteen percent of red blood cells and they are not blending together, as if they were oil and water.”
“Is there anything you can do, Your Grace?”
“I will do scourge warding treatment just as I do for the common folk, but I cannot guarantee full healing in this short time. It might take years from now and regular sessions here.”
Cor was thankful that they managed to keep the peace and establish a new alliance between Lucis-Tenebrae so that there would be no problem on Cor’s part to bring him here for a regular treatment session. The only problem now was how long does it take for Sylva to heal him accordingly, to nurse him back to health and develop some muscle from his bony figure.
“I understand. How long will it take, Your Grace? I was needed rather urgently.”
“Oh, Regis didn’t know…”
Sylva stops her sentences as she catches the Marshal turning his head off her and stares at the fluffy carpet as it was the most interesting in the whole Eos right now. Getting on his point, Sylva smiled softly and reassured him.
“I will try my best to keep you for a short time. Did you want to visit him?”
Cor rose to his feet and agreed tentatively.
The walk to the medical room took approximately five minutes from Cor’s guest room and each walk grows a steadily heavy feel inside his core. He was nervous but assured all the same. Cor hated this paradox, it was as if his past self were clashing with his current persona, Astral forbid he suddenly believe in reincarnation faith his mother kept drilling into his head when he was young.
“You’re still here Luna?”
Sylva greets her princess, Cor’s eyes landed on the figure resting on the bed, face peacefully sleeping with drips on his hand and blood transfusion on the other arm, the hand which is covered in a bandage.
“Yes mother, he woke up just now and was crying. The blood drip was hooked out from his hand because of that.”
Princess Lunafreya in all her elegance beyond her years softly put her hand on the blond’s boy head, comforting him further.
“You’re doing so great sweetheart.”
Sylva kissed her princess before eyed the boy with deep thought as if mourning for his fate. The room was silent for a few moments before Princess Lunafreya asked Cor a question, taking his guard off.
“So Marshal, can I know his name? I want to be his friend so he won’t be scared anymore.”
Such purity and innocence, Cor thought but he too has no idea what the boy’s name was. He can’t just give away his production code and whatever that code on his wrist. Honestly, he was in the dark just as the rest of them regarding his name. Cor shrugged and scratched his head, not something he does every day.
“I’m not sure, princess.”
“Since you found him, why don’t you give him a name then?”
Princess Lunafreya proposed and Cor was taken aback again. Did he even qualify, have a right even? He has a hunch that his life might get turned upside down one hundred and eighteen.
Total.
Full.
Stop.
Princess Lunafreya on the other hand, flashed him her wide, brilliant, hopeful eyes for Cor to come up with a name for this boy which she took interest in.
“Prompto. Prompto Argentum.” That came out easy for him, he mused. That name came out of nowhere but it felt very right for the boy. Quicksilver; a fitting name for his decision to save the child promptly and silvery snow clinging around the facility, couldn’t get any more ironic than that.
“Prompto..”
Princess Lunafreya and Queen Sylva called the child in a tiny whisper as if testing the name on their tongue.
Lunafreya slept with Prompto that night despite the nurses urging her to get some rest in her own chamber, she insisted that she want to be the first person to greet him and be his friend. The staff couldn’t get frustrated when she gently pleaded to them to let her stay there. Who can get angry over the soft figure and benevolence radiating from one Princess Lunafreya after all?
She felt a movement on her finger which wrapped around his hand, Lunafreya opened her eyes and she was met with that cursed glowing red and violet-blue irises. Prompto’s eyes darted around the room, she was relieved when he appeared to be calm, maybe the remaining of sedation but she was thankful nonetheless. Prompto stared at her for a long time, not a word out from him but then she started to speak.
“Hello, Prompto. I’m Lunafreya.”
Lunafreya introduced herself and Prompto’s face was puzzled. He certainly never was addressed like that, those researchers call him by the code on his wrist because his real name was long and they have no time to utter every single number for him. His production code would be a mouthful to call.
“Can you understand me Prompto? It’s your name; Cor gave it to you, the one who saved you.”
Prompto? Okay, that’s shorter than his code, he could get used to that name. Cor, is that the man who saved him was called? Prompto nodded to Lunafreya and noticed her hair color which is almost the same color as his, only a bit paler. She was delighted when he nodded and Prompto tilted his head. What was that supposed to be?
“How do you feel Prompto?”
Lunafreya inquired information from him, so he must answer. Any unanswered question will have consequences and Prompto hates those things he doesn’t want to remember. He looked over his hands, bandaged and punctured for the drips, one of them was red and that was unusual.
Lunafreya was happy to inform him that it was a blood transfusion and once again he was puzzled. Blood transfusion was rare, only given when he was extremely weak and those days are the ones he doesn’t want to remember too. A lot of things from the facility he wants to forget but at what cost? Can he trust these people too? Prompto held out his head as it began pulsating. His brain cannot register what happened as of late.
“Are you okay? What did you remember?”
Lunafreya’s bright smile was turned off; she looked sullen all of a sudden. Prompto was confused, he thought that humans didn’t have any reaction, just like those researchers and people from the facility, just like those MT machines; void of reaction. But Prompto can sense the changes; he knew that humans should have reactions. Maybe this is one of the reasons why they marked him as defective. He stared at her eyes, her frown deepens and he felt guilty. A beautiful girl like her shouldn’t feel this way.
He didn’t remember what happened after the man, Cor, saved him from the facility. He remembers he pleaded with that man to save his friends. Technically, they are his friends because he loves the idea of not feeling alone but the man ignores him and moves along. He remembers the silent cry he shed on the man’s coat in the middle of snowy lands before he passed out; feeling entirely safe in his arms. He never closed his eyes before he made sure he was safe but this man just radiated a whole signal of safe and haven.
Prompto blinked when the girl touched his hand, the bandaged one. It didn’t hurt, even on bandages so why did he wear one? There were so many things he needed to ask and know why. His head throbbed again and he winced, letting out a soft whimper, his headache starting to go wild.
“Prompto, can you tell me where it’s hurting? Can you talk?”
This girl kept asking him questions and now he remembered why she was worried and kept asking more. He never uttered a single word. He only nodded and stared at her.
“I’m sorry, my head hurts.” He whined and Lunafreya gave a gasp.
“Oh silly me I’m so sorry I should call for a doctor when you wake up.”
She pushed a red button on his bed and waited for the doctor to come. Prompto grew wary, his heartbeat escalating slowly. They looked like good people, this girl was kind and Cor gave off this safe feeling so he hopes this doctor will do the same too. She clasped his bandaged hand firm, assured him that everything will be fine.
The door was opened and suddenly the images of those researchers emerged and Prompto calculating for the escape route. And suddenly everything felt so wrong. Nasty memories override his senses and Prompto started thrashing around. He snapped back from the girl and tried to leave the bed only to fall like those faulty MTs during their training, the tubes on his hands plucked off. The sound from those people comes in as a buzz and he didn’t quite catch what they said. His adrenaline ran fast and wanted him to escape from the room this instant.
It was until a pair of warm hands halting his movement when he finally made eye contact with the man who saved him.
“Calm down kid, they want to help you.”
Cor’s voice drains all of his worries and scary feelings altogether. Prompto stopped his movement and he let Cor pick him up back to the bed. He was beside him all the time when the doctor checked on him, he saw the girl.
“Lunafreya.” He murmured.
The check-up was brief as nothing is alarming that considers attention but the small wound from the thrashing just now. Lunafreya and the doctor left the room together. It was then he walked by the window and sat on one of the chairs. He finally breathed the deepest he had in life and saw the world outside; it was bright and full of green.
“Prompto.”
Prompto was startled when his name was called like it was him all along like he was born with it. Apparently, the doctor has finished with her test. His headache was gone too. She gave him another smile when her question went unanswered by him. He didn’t remember when she asked so it must go away just like that, but they didn’t get angry at him; for that he was grateful. The doctor excuses herself after she talks about something to Cor and Lunafreya, something about stable vitality and ready to proceed to the next treatment. What is the next treatment? Is it good or bad for him?
“We need to eliminate the scourge in your blood. It’s not good for you.”
Prompto’s eyes landed on the man, stupefied. Did Cor just respond to his thoughts or did he just say that out loud?
“Don’t give me that look. You asked just now.”
Prompto’s face turned against Cor, staring at the blanket as if it’s the most interesting blanket in the world. If Cor says so then he trusts him. His trust for this man has deepened since then. He doesn’t know why but it just sat there, existing inside his mind. Ever since he saw Cor back in the facility, he feels like he's been waiting for this man for so long.
Cor, in all seriousness, thought that the purification process might be too hard and painful for Prompto but he was wrong. It was hellish as if Ifrit himself rose above the ground and placed his curse on Prompto, the boy who just learned how to live in this vast world. The treatment itself was harmless; a light was shed from the queen’s hand into Prompto’s body for an hour, with the frequency of three hours each day. It was on the fourth day when all hell broke loose. Prompto began violently throwing up black bile, the effects were showing and it left the boy constantly running a dangerously high fever as his body started to expel more of the toxic for the first week of it.
Sylva had to hold off the treatment after that to allow the boy a moment of respite. Cor had sleepless nights for those days and pretty much the same routine for that one long week. Bathing, cleaning, changing; the cycle keeps repeating. On the best day, he spoon-fed Prompto what little he can keep up before he emptied his stomach later that day with those black horror and bathed him. Cleaning the sheets and their clothes, changing Prompto’s wet towel on his forehead which turned warm at an alarmingly fast rate. Cor hadn’t left the room much. Lunafreya was told to stay away from the room and the only contact Prompto had was from him and Sylva.
Cor nursed the boy with great care, silently praying to the Carbuncle to make it easy for Prompto whenever the boy suddenly woke up from his sleep due to his violent coughs on that one night. He was crying, moaning all over the place saying that his body felt like it was on fire as if his brain fried him from the inside and that the faculty’s treatment was hurt less than this. On those brutal nights, Cor did the thing he never thought he would do; he hugged and sung the boy to sleep with the lullaby that Regis gave to Noctis whenever the prince was sick. It was out of character for him but his instinct has made everything feel easy.
It took one month for them to remove most of the daemon blood off Prompto’s system, for him to be safely alive without the blood messing with his body. It was almost impossible to eliminate it completely because the cells keep on dividing, and to Sylva's genius mind, she manages to create a spell to halt the rapid cell division of daemon blood in the form of medicine. Prompto’s features look healthier as his freckles are stark brightly on his face, his cheeks flushed pink and he smiles regularly. Sylva was eased to stop the treatment for now but they still need to visit every two months from now and had to take it slowly to allow Prompto’s body accommodate to its new change of using red blood cells.
It was within the time frame for Cor’s mission to be extended too and that he can’t thank Astral enough. He was more than relieved as Prompto showed the positive change despite him expelling black bile every now and then. But on top of it, he was fit to mingle and socialize with people. Cor was preparing to leave as soon as Sylva’s green light when Prompto came behind him, asking him a favor which makes it hard for him to reject. Not with those violet-blue eyes, with no trace of red version from their first meeting.
“Can we leave tomorrow? I want to look around this manor with Princess Lunafreya. She said that she has two cute little doggies.”
Nope, he’s not going to refuse that request.
“Well, if you say so. Be careful, okay? Let me know when you feel tired.”
Prompto eagerly smiled at him and rushed out to the door. Cor’s heart suddenly burst with funny vibes and he took a moment to think again about what he just said earlier. He remembered his promise to Regis and subsequently pulled out his phone, texting Clarus.
I’m gonna be late, missed the train. Next ticket available 2 days from now.
It wasn’t even a minute after he sent the text when his phone rang with Clarus on the other end and Cor didn't even need to ask why he called.
“Honestly Cor, spit it out already. You’ve been keeping something from us and those documents you sent to Regis were shady at best.”
Cor was losing this battle with Clarus, well, we were losing most of the battle as of late with people, especially from Prompto.
“I thought you can wait for a day or two? You’ve been waiting for a month then, it won’t hurt if I stalled a bit.”
There was a rumble at the end of the line, a shuffle as if the phone was handed to the others and it was Regis. Cor cursed silently, shutting his eyes and mouthing those wordless beautiful curses.
“Now Cor I am genuinely convinced that you just got yourself a wife.”
“For Astral sake, Your Majesty I am honored if you don’t take any nonsense assumptions.”
“So, all the tight-lipped with your mission, only sending me those MTs documents and asking for a month of respite, I truly hope you bring surprises to me Cor, and I am an impatient man for this. Make it tomorrow or I will personally come and pick your beautiful arse off Tenebrae.”
The line ended and suddenly Cor felt overwhelmed. He will take the tickets for tomorrow night’s trip and Cor makes a mental note to bring Prompto together with him later this evening to town. He eyed both the princess and the boy over the window and he was assured that he was in the good hands of a young future oracle.
Lunafreya led Prompto to her favorite place; a garden of sylleblossom, holding hands together while Ravus silently followed from the back with his tutorial book in hands, clearly just finished his study. Prompto’s smile suddenly beamed wide as he saw two little dogs run towards them.
“Pryna! Umbra!”
Lunafreya called for her dogs and they barked happily, circling both of them. She gestured to them to sit down and Prompto did as she said.
“Prompto, looks! This is Umbra and Pryna. Try asking for their paw like this.” She said while motioning her hands towards them.
Prompto tried moving his hands forward slowly but both were already showing their paws to him, placing it on his hand. Surprised by how soft their paws are, he let out a soft laugh and immediately lunged forward to hug both dogs. He was pleased by the softness of the fur and their low growl feels intimidating.
Both of them were having fun together. She told him that those are magical beings, that they can appear whenever they can. Prompto was amazed by that, the idea of them vanishing from place to place seems absurd for him but he never knew any magical things to truly believe in that. Lunafreya occasionally invited Ravus to join them but he simply refused, just staying inside one of the gazebos nearby.
They folded the flower crown together with Lunafreya doing most of the talking; she taught him how to wear it and where it can be adjusted to look neat. Prompto loved the feeling of those flower crowns on his hair, the soft feeling and pleasant smell of it. She didn’t mind him being silent. Princess Lunafreya told him that Prince Noctis loves making flower crowns and spending most of their time together here. She told him that Prince Noctis would make a great friend with him and he suddenly felt nervous. He never met anyone other than her and Prince Ravus. Prince Ravus looks distant and busy so he expected Prince Noctis was that too.
The sun nearly shone brightly on top of their head when Queen Sylva graced them together. She reminds them of lunchtime and invites them inside.
“Oh Prompto, after lunch Cor will bring you to town for a while.” Queen Sylva flashed a cheeky smile before continuing.
“While you’re out of town with him, please address him as daddy okay?”
Cor had no idea how to brighten up a child. He was unsure what to do after buying tickets and found himself sitting on one of many benches in the street, Prompto by his side apparently licking a drop of melted ice cream on his knuckles. Cor fished out his pocket tissue and wiped the melted ice cream off his hand and wrapped it around the stick, to keep it from staining his shirt. He isn't sure if it’s okay for him to have ice cream but the longing eyes of that haunting blue-violet made him buy that. Prompto wasn’t sure what flavor he should choose so Cor decided for him; vanilla chocolate chips.
Prompto hadn’t talked much other than yes and no the whole trip to town. He didn’t stop much but now his main purpose was completed which is a whole lot of relief for him, Cor didn’t know where he should go with a child in tow and said the child was not like any other. Prompto only shrugged his shoulders and shook his head when Cor asked him where he wanted to go or what he wanted to buy.
Cor the Immortal, was baffled by a child.
He peeled his eyes away from Prompto and he looked out for the street which was full of tourists, each bringing multiple shopping bags with them until he saw a couple with a lot of toys and plush dolls. Now that’s a start. The kid might need one since it’s going to be a long journey and those can occupy the boy for the trip. Cor’s eyes darting around the street searching for the toys’ shop where the couple went and thank Astral it was just down the lane. He turned his head to Prompto who just finished devouring the ice cream and wiping his mouth, mimicking for Lady Lunafreya after her meals.
“Did you do that?”
The boy nodded his head and Cor held his hand. It was a short walk and they found themselves in a lot full of rambunctious children and excited parents. The shop was filled with various toys with sizes ranging from a palm of the hand to a full-sized human. He swore he saw Prompto’s eyes gleaming and he was smiling over the various entertainments available. It tugged at his heartstring that a child will always be a child regardless of their origin and upbringing.
“Did you like it here?”
This time, Prompto genuinely smiled while directly looking at his eyes for the first time. A sudden urge to hug the kid came out of nowhere and Cor had to push it down. An assistant greets them, offering her help. He accepted her offer while telling her that they were looking for nothing specific and Prompto pretty much doesn’t know what he wanted. She clasped her hand with a cheery tone and guided them further.
“Let’s take a look around and tell me what catches your eyes, okay?”
The store was pretty huge, he mused. It didn’t look that big from outside but now, they were walking several isles and there’s more to the end, divided by types and sections of entertainment. Cor saw the price tag for most of it and it was kind of expensive with a high-end brand for just merely a toy that was meant to be played and disposed of. He saw some famous children's toy brands that Prince Noctis used to play with. Cor was well afforded for those but somehow he was surprised by the value of it.
Prompto keeps looking for something but those toys never excite him much. He took some cars and machinery toys but put them down, the same for sports and board games. The interest was not simply there for him.
“He’s a quiet child, your son.”
The shop assistant said while she showed him one of the toy swords which Prompto politely put down and wandered around the nearby racks. Her question amused Cor to no end. There’s that proud feeling somewhere inside him but he shakes it off. Noting it was silly and he was acting as a father should.
“Yeah, he is.” He replied nonetheless.
Maybe he was trying to be one and adapting to it. He saw Prompto stopping at one of the shelves that displayed various firearms toys. His eyes glued to those shelves while Cor walked towards him when Prompto called out.
“Daddy! Come here.”
If Cor was trying to keep his flushed feeling inside this whole time, the mission turned totally awry with piled-up reports waiting to be written. Who told him to call him that? Was it Queen Sylva or was it Princess Lunafreya? He suspected those two because he kept getting their comments on how great father Cor would be one day. Cor was stunned.
“Oh my, what a sweet voice you have.” The assistant kneeled beside Prompto and she asked him which he preferred most.
Of all toys inside this fairly expensive shop, Prompto chose firearms. Cor mentally noted in his mind that the boys were a product of genetically engineered one so it was normal for him to lean on that aspect. Now he knows what he should have next, maybe a clay model or blocks to enhance his brain. He will do great in math and coordination in the future and Cor wanted to flesh out those hidden skills.
“What did you get there kid?” He asked.
“Can I have these, daddy?”
It was his first request and Cor felt like something bloomed in his chest. He wanted to laugh and feel that joy, trying to push aside the silly feeling of it. Prompto showed him two firearms toys and he was impressed. A good choice at one, a handgun and submachine-gun no less. Cor approved his selection and the boy eagerly put those inside the basket.
Prompto was literally skipping his feet afterward while occasionally flipping over those toys inside the basket. It was scary sometimes when he thought that this child was raised to kill and loved what he would do. He shrugged it off and requested the assistant to bring them to the puzzle toys area. It was full of problem-solving toys and Prompto was absorbed in those colorful blocks that can be made into awesome builds. Cor picked one that had a hundred pieces of blocks and held it since it was fairly heavy for kids to bring. Prompto agrees with his selection.
While they’re at the section, the assistant suggested Cor take one of the clay models too. She told him that it was to enhance children's creativity and Prompto already took one of them, the ice cream molding set. He silently eyed Cor for approval and gleamed when he agreed. Cor decided that these are enough for now or they might have some issues in transporting them back to Lucis. They went to the counter for payment when Prompto, again, suddenly let out a cry of gasp. They were startled at what caused the child’s antics when he pointed out at one of those display choco chick plushies.
“Daddy, can I get that? I can give up all these but I want that, please?”
Cor looked at his ‘son’ with wild thoughts running over him. Prompto looks so alive and animated, he showed it once when he chose the guns earlier but never with this enthusiasm. He looked over the basket and calculated the number of luggage he soon will have to carry. It will be two and in Cor’s dictionary, two is plenty.
“Daddy?”
Prompto called out to him again and he focused on the boy then, on that display choco chick.
“Yes you may but those won’t fit in luggage you know?” Cor answered. He didn’t mind pushing those plenties of luggage as long as Prompto’s happy.
“It’s okay! I can carry it.”
Prompto's beamed smile clutched Cor’s heart. He truly didn’t sign up for this.
A set of firearms, a tin of blocks, a box of clay, and one choco chick plushie after; they found themselves in a restaurant with Cor carrying all but one toy. Prompto swung his legs while hugging his Chocobo. He learned that the thing he was carrying is a Chocobo and Cor promised that he will let Prompto ride one when they are back in Lucis. The kid was delighted. He got to see the other side of this child, boy did he love to talk when he was excited.
The dinner was simple and went smoothly, Cor praises to all Astral above for Prompto was able to digest simple food without throwing up. His progress has been well and it will continuously improve with medication and treatment. It was a little past 8 when they returned to the manor. Cor ushered Prompto to take a shower and rest. The boy was clearly tired, but the joy of their little outing today outweighs it all. Cor had finished packing their belongings when Queen Sylva knocked on the door.
“Dear Prompto must be tired. Did he having fun today?” Sylva makes herself comfortable as she sits across the bed with Cor towering over her. She eyed over the sleeping form who was hugging a Chocobo with him, tightly.
“Oh, that’s new. Did you buy it?” Sylva asked amusingly.
“Yes, brought a few actually.”
Cor said before he continued.
“He was naturally inclined to firearms. Probably it was his subconscious and genetic upbringing.”
Sylva nodded. The scourge still did not ward off the instinct because it was in his genetics. They needed to keep a close eye on him and Cor was dead set on it.
“Now the real question is – who taught Prompto to call me daddy?”
The parting was filled with tears as Prompto silently sobbing into Lunafreya’s arm while Ravus stroked his blond hair, easing up the boy. Cor told him that he will come again for his treatment and that made him cease crying. Umbra and Pryna were there too. Ravus gave Prompto his school bag as a gift, saying that it can fit even an entire Chocobo which to his enlightenment, Prompto laughed while wiping out his tears. It was difficult at first to move both luggage with him but it was only for a short while. The journey might take a couple more hours to Lucis’ border.
Prompto was sleeping after he took his medication. The passenger keeps hovering over him, saying he was a decent child, praising Cor for his parental skill much to his amusement. The child gains more confidence when people greet him with his Chocobo in arms, always bringing it everywhere even in the diner deck. Cor was pleased, he felt contented and living up all in this trip to Lucis. It was a nice change of pace, going alone to his mission and come back with a child people marking as his son.
He watches over his son's sleeping form, finally acknowledging this boy as his son. Like he always had, like Prompto is always his, to begin with. He saw the leather band Queen Sylva gifted to Prompto on his marked wrist, a black band adorned with Tenabrae native flower embroidery. That was another thing he needed to take into consideration. He was sure Regis would agree if he took custody of Prompto. If he didn’t he was fairly sure Sylva would persuade him to agree anyway considering his new title as a father in her eyes now.
Cor shut his eyes and let his mind drift into new challenges that awaited them both.